35. Phobic - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. COLLEGE CAFETERIA - NIGHT


• MARIELLA sits quietly at a small table by one of the large windows that dot the edges of the big room.


• She closes her eyes, straightens, and bites her lip.


• She opens her eyes again. They are red, rimmed with liquid.


• MARK walks up behind her and touches her shoulder.


• She knows the touch and looks around slowly.


• He slides into the chair beside her and pulls her into his arms.


• She relaxes, pent up tension, flowing out of her as she pulls his arms around her.


• MARIELLA
• Please tell me it's over.


• Mark traces his finger around her eye, wiping away the wetness.


• MARIELLA
• Please...


• He pulls her head onto his shoulder.


• MARK
• Hey, it'll be ok.


• MARIELLA
• Tell me.


• MARK
• Baby, look, it's...


• MARIELLA
• Tell me.


• Mark sighs and pulls his head around to look at her.


• MARK
• Babe, it's all over. I made sure he'd never scare you again. And I promise Chad will never get one of those...one of those things for your birthday again.


• She wipes tears away from her eyes, and curls tighter into Mark.


• EXT. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - NIGHT


• A clown hangs by his ankles from a rope spread between two giant columns.


• He struggles to free himself, yelling incoherently.


• FADE TO BLACK.