167. The Keeper - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. THE GRAND LIBRARY - INDETERMINATE


• THE KEEPER glides along an aisle scanning the long rows of the library.


• The aisles are not lined with shelves but with beautiful mahogany cabinets with of small doors.


• The cabinets stretch high above the aisles; ornately-carved ladders on rails stretch up to the cabinets' heights.


• Every once in a while a strange, electrical cracking sounds echoes from somewhere in the massive hall.


• The Keeper wears a flowing black dress and a thick black veil that shrouds her face.


• There is a loud crash, and the sound of metal crunching.


• The Keeper continues to inspect the cabinets giving no indication she has heard anything except for a small sigh.


• There is a crackling sound and the Keeper turns slowly.


• MARIA slowly appears, her image wavering, then slowly becoming solid.


• She stares, turning in a circle as she absorbs the room.


• She sees the Keeper and takes a step back.


• THE KEEPER
• It's alright, darling, don't be afraid.


• MARIA
• Who are you? And what is this place? It seems so familiar.


• THE KEEPER
• I'm the keeper and you're in the Grand Library. It's where dreams are stored.


• MARIA
• Why do I feel like I've been here before?


• THE KEEPER
• Because you have. You come here every night. This is the space between dreams.


• The Keeper motions her closer and slowly pulls open a set of doors.


• Golden light washes onto her face.


• Maria walks slowly to the open doors and peers inside.


• She gasps.


• The small cabinet is lined with tiny shelves, each holding rows of tiny solar systems, floating above the shelves.


• Some contain hundreds of planets orbiting their stars, some only one, and some have just a star.


• MARIA
• My dreams?


• The keeper nods.


• There is a soft crackling sound and A MAN stands next to them for several seconds, a confused look on his face before a drawer flies open from another cabinet and he is engulfed in a new dream, vanishing instantly.


• MARIA
• Why am I still here? Shouldn't I be in another dream? And why didn't you talk to him? Why are you only talking to me?


• THE KEEPER
• Darling, I've been waiting just for you.


• MARIA
• Waiting, why?


• She begins to dissolve


• The Keeper touches Maria's face.


• THE KEEPER
• I'm sorry darling, it's time for you to go.
  


• Maria is now transparent, her image shifts and fizzles.


• EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY


• TWO CARS sit at the center of several lanes pouring smoke.


• Maria lies crushed under one of the cars.


• Her eyes fly open and she inhales deeply, then dies, her eyes fixed on the stars shining above the road.


• FADE TO BLACK.