Workshop

KNOCK THREE TIMES

By

Mariah Torres

English 241

Prof. Megan Ritt

21 April 2019

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT- HEAVY RAINS

MARY is walking along the sidewalk up to the staircase leading

to the house. All the lights are on and music is blasting out of

the isolated home.

CUT TO

JOHN in a black business suite dancing around the living room

with a glass of whisky in his left hand and a cigar in his

mouth. JOHN is sings along to the lyrics of The Drifters “Come

over to my place” as it plays on the record player across from

the sofa on a case with stacks of records pilled. A knock comes

to the door as the knock continues.

JOHN not shocked having not expected a visitor this late

nonchalantly walks to the door and opens it. MARY is drenched

from the rain wearing a white above the knee dress. JOHN notices

she’s not wearing any shoes.

MARY: I’m sorry to disturb you sir but you see, my car

broke down about 3 miles from here and you’re the only

house I’ve come across. Do you mind if I come in and use

your phone to call a towing company?

JOHN: Oh yeah sure, no problem. Anything for a pretty young

thing like yourself.

JOHN removes his cigar and reassures her with a smile as he

holds the door open for her.

MARY: Oh thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

JOHN closes the door behind her and walks ahead as MARY

awkwardly stands to the side shivering. JOHN places the glass of

whiskey on the coffee table and puts down his cigar.

JOHN: I have the phone number to the nearest tow company

written down in my office.Here why don’t you warm yourself

up by the fireplace. I'll call a tow truck and get you a

towel.

MARY: Oh thank you so much.

JOHN leaves the living room to the bathroom down the hall. MARY

walks over to the fireplace for warmth and wanders over to the

record player stand and examines then various kinds there.

JOHN renters the living room.

JOHN: I see you've found my records.

MARY jumps slightly from being caught for her curiosity. JOHN

hands her the towel and grabs his cup to pour himself more

whiskey.

JOHN: Do you have any preferences?

MARY continues looking through the records turns her back to

respond.

MARY: Oh um well I like Jimmy Dean, Bob Dylan, Jimi

Hendrix, and I think The Beatles are pretty groovy.

MARY has turned around now and JOHN sits on the couch facing

her.

JOHN: Ah so you’re a hippie. Figured, all you young kids

are nowadays. I'm more into the old stuff like Ricky

Nelson, Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, Bobby Darwin, and Ray

Charles. Do you know Ray Charles?

JOHN says excitingly pointing at mary.

MARY: I think my mother used to listen to him but I don't

really recall his music.

JOHN: Ah, well he's pretty damn good singer for a negro. A

blind negro at that! Who plays the piano!

JOHN laughs feeling quite amused at the thought as he is a bit

tipsy. MARY grows increasingly uncomfortable with the towel

wrapped around her.

JOHN: Is it usual for hippies to not wear shoes?

MARY: Oh no. [Chuckles lightly] I was wearing pumps but

figured it would be easier to walk without them, seeing how

far it would be to find a house nearby.

MARY: [ stuttering slightly] Did you call the tow truck?

JOHN: hmm? Oh yes, yes I did they will be coming in about

an hour or so. It seems like you weren't the only one who

wasn't expecting it to rain.

JOHN chuckles a bit. MARY is glancing around the house more.

JOHN: I’m sorry for my rude behavior. I never asked you

what

your name was.

MARY hesitantly answers.

MARY: Oh Mary. My name is Mary.

JOHN smiling towards her stands and starts to dance casually

towards MARY singing to her.

JOHN: “Mary Lou, Mary Lou

She took my watch and chain

Mary Lou, Mary Lou

She took my diamond ring

She took the keys to my Cadillac car

Jumped in my Caddy and she drove afar

Mary Lou”

JOHN is in front of her now smiling with whiskey in hand. MARY

is holding onto the towel tighter to her chest and chuckles

nervously.

JOHN: It's a song by Ronnie Hawkins, Mary Lou.

MARY: Oh. Well what's your name Mr.?

JOHN: John.

JOHN sips into his cup more. MARY smiling slightly starts

walking backwards around the couch to the opposite end of the

room to create space between each other.

MARY: So is it just you here or do you have any little ones

asleep.

JOHN: Oh yes. Just me. The little ones are at my ex wife's.

There is a awkward pause between the pair as the music stops.

JOHN: ah damn. [JOHN looks towards MARY] Would you like to

pick out a new song while we wait.

MARY nods but makes little effort to move from her spot.

MARY: Um yeah sure.

JOHN points toward her.

JOHN: Do you drink?

MARY shakes her head looking visibly worried.

MARY: Oh no I don't.

JOHN: Ah come on. This whiskey is pretty damn good.

MARY is about to refuse but is cut off by JOHN. JOHN starts to

walk to the alcohol cart next to the living room.

JOHN: Eh I'll pour you some. Besides the tow truck won't be

coming until another hour or so.

JOHN starts to pour the whiskey in a new cup and tucks out a

white powdered substance into her cup. MARY approaches behind

JOHN on her tiptoes grabbing a metal sculpture from the side

table against the wall.

JOHN: We have time to get to know each other better.

MARY hits the sculpture over his head hard enough to knock John

uncountous. JOHN’S body falls over the cart breaking the liquor

bottles.