BEHIND THE DOOR

Written by

Luke Carlin

Based on a story my girlfriend came up with

A woman tormented by a mysterious figure in the night finds
herself in the presence of an unanticipated door.
 2.

BLACK.
Without a single glimpse of a thing, panting. It's soft like
a whisper at first but it slowly grows until it gets
noticeable.

EXT. MIDDLE OF THE STREET - NIGHT

The panting continues as the camera pans sideways from
darkness to the middle of the street illuminated by just one
street lamp. Other than that, total darkness. In the middle
of the street a woman, probably in her late 20s, pale and in
a white dress, limping as if from a fall whilst she holds her
forearm which is bleeding. The blood breaches through the
hand holding the wound as it oozes down her arm. She is the
source of the panting.
She seems troubled and frightened.
Thats when we start to hear faint footsteps from behind her.
She hears them too and starts to panic. Limping much faster
than previously. Our obvious perpetrator doesn't even in the
slightest increase speed. He/They are taking his time with
each step he takes. Eventually the light from the street lamp
can illuminate part of their body revealing a slightly
stained kitchen knife in his hand and a melted face akin to a
Freddy Kruger type-beat.
LYLA
( screaming)
What do you want from me!?
The man/figure says nothing. LYLA is using all the speed she
possibly can. LYLA seems to have a thing for taking a fall
because she stumbles in her attempt to get away. On the floor
- basically the road - she breaks down.
LYLA
( crying, quiet)
What do you want from me.
LYLA looks up and sees something she hadn't seen PAST because
it wasn't there. Something unusual. Directly under the street
light, there is a door. A wooden door with a circular knob in
the middle of the street. Nothing behind it but darkness.
LYLA gets up and starts to walk towards the mysterious door.
Now this garners the attention of the figure following her
because now- it runs. Actually chasing after her.
LYLA sees this and panics, running towards the door. It
increases speed the closer LYLA gets. LYLA keeps running
until she finally has the door knob. She grabs it right as
the Freddy-Kruger-wannabe is close to catching her and she
opens and enters…
CUT TO:
 3.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY - 1 YEAR AGO

LYLA passing through the mysterious door and finds herself in
a coffee shop like she just walked through the coffee shop's
door. She is confused because it doesn't make sense. She
looks around and its a pretty busy coffee shop but no one
seems to notice her. She seems to forget that a viscous
mysterious figure was chasing after her before. Then, someone
rushes passed her (doesn't notice LYLA though) towards the
reception. It's LYLA but different, blue jeans and a grey
puffer jacket, in her prime probably.
(We'll refer to this younger version of her as "PAST LYLA"
and the one being tormented by the this mysterious figure as
just "LYLA")
PAST LYLA
( to: the barista)
Can I have a have an iced
Americano? To go, please?
BARISTA
No problem.
LYLA is confused by what she's seeing.
SETH, an early thirties male, blue jacket, sort-of distracted
and uneasy, anxious probably, looks over at PAST LYLA until:
SETH
( to: PAST LYLA)
You seem like you're in such a
hurry. What's a beautiful woman
like you in such a rush to get to?
LYLA's eyes open wide like she just struck a revelation. She
gasps and a smile proceeds.
PAST LYLA
( unbothered)
Hmm question, how many times have
you used that same line on a girl
this week.
SETH
Thing is, this is my first time
here. In this city. I just moved
here today.
( finally grabbing PAST
LYLA's attention)
I'm sorry I don't usually do pickup
lines. I was nervous 'cause I've
been here all day and you're the
most pretty girl I've seen here, I
thought I should say something.
 4.

PAST LYLA
( beat)
What brings you here? Certainly
can't be the weather. Was it the
coffee?
Everyone in the coffee shop is wearing puffer jackets or
hoodies- suggesting it's cold. (Plus this is a dig at people
who use the weather as a conversation starter.)
SETH
( laughs)
Haha, I wish, no. Work pretty much.
Have you lived here long?
PAST LYLA
Long enough. The only reason I've
stayed for so long is 'cause of
work. Which is funny because you
just left wherever you were to come
live here.
( beat)
For the longest time as a kid, I
dreamed of leaving this place. Now,
I can't let go of it. Must've been
hard to move.
SETH
Not… really. All I did was work
when I was home anyway so - this
adds up.
PAST LYLA
And where do you work?
SETH
I work at a sort of Indie Game
company-
PAST LYLA
Oh! So you're like a programming
nerd.
SETH
Well-
PAST LYLA
You probably have like Star Wars
and Lord of The Rings posters all
over your room-
SETH
Can't deny that but-
PAST LYLA laughs.
 5.

PAST LYLA
That's different. Which makes you
more interesting.
BARISTA
( to: PAST LYLA)
Iced Americano to go!
PAST LYLA
( grabbing the drink)
Looks like I have to leave…
SETH
Let me pay for that. My treat.
PAST LYLA
Hmm whats the catch?
SETH
Does there have to be?
( smiles)
I would like your phone number
though…
The sound of the conversation slowly fades out while the
camera is framed in a way that it's focused on LYLA who is
between PAST LYLA and SETH who are focused out.
PAST LYLA (O.S.)
See. There's always a catch.
Focus back on PAST LYLA and SETH:
PAST LYLA hands SETH's phone back to him.
PAST LYLA
And yes. I was in a rush. I'm a
reporter for the newspaper and my
editor is a pain the ass about
getting there late.
LYLA in the back, her then smile fades as well leaving a grim
somehow frown on her face.
PAST LYLA (CONT'D)
Call me sometime.
PAST LYLA walks out past LYLA, again like she isn't there.
Like a ghost.
SETH
( to himself)
A reporter huh…
The sound from the mysterious figure's footsteps increas.
Presumably in the coffee shop. Footsteps… One by one.
 6.

LYLA notices the mysterious figure is right infront of her.

She's startled.
LYLA
( softly)
No… NO. NO. NO. NO
( screaming)
NO!
LYLA runs for the entrance to the coffee shop. The same door
she came into the coffee shop earlier. Opens the door, steps
out, then:

INT. SOME RESTAURANT - NIGHT - 1 YEAR AGO

LYLA finds herself at the entrance of a really exquisite
restaurant. She walks slowly to the reception. Only to find
PAST LYLA looking lavish and beautiful in a gorgeous red
dress talking to the receptionist.
RECEPTIONIST
…And you have a reservation?
PAST LYLA
Yeah it's under…
SETH
( interrupting)
She's with me.
LYLA watches on at the two interacting with the receptionist
until they both decide to go on and get a table to sit at.
WAITER
Good evening - what will you be
having?
PAST LYLA takes just one good look at the menu and decides.
PAST LYLA
I'll have an heirloom vegetable
medly and truffle-infused pasta.
WAITER
( while noting down)
Very good choice.
( to: SETH)
And you sir?
SETH
( still looking at menu)
Uhhhhhhhh.
( beat)
I'll have the same.
 7.

WAITER
Of course. We'll have that done
right away.
The waiter leaves and PAST LYLA is looking at SETH with this
stern look.
PAST LYLA
I'm glad you got the guts to
actually ask me out.
SETH
Well I got a sudden burst of
confidence last night.
PAST LYLA
( beat)
Have you ever been on a date
before?
SETH
( the question caught him
offguard)
A couple times. Yeah.
PAST LYLA
But it's been a while.
SETH
Yeah. You can tell?
PAST LYLA
Its written all over you.
SETH
I don't think it's that bad-
PAST LYLA
All over you.
SETH
Well, judging from how quickly you
knew your way around the menu, I'm
guessing you've been here before?
PAST LYLA
Couple times really.
SETH
How many?
PAST LYLA
Twelve. Three with the same guy
though.
SETH
Mmmm.
(MORE)
 8.

SETH (CONT'D)
( shocked but trying to hide
it)
What were your past relationships
like?
PAST LYLA
Okay I guess. If you could call it
that… Nothing to really brag about.
It was never anything intimate. If
you get what I'm saying.
SETH knows exactly what she means.
PAST LYLA (CONT'D)
( quickly trying to change
the topic)
How were yours?
SETH
Complicated.
PAST LYLA
I don't think you know this but
That's not something you say on a
first date. Come on you're supposed
to sell yourself.
SETH
Okay. Okay. Umm lemme see. Well
previously, I was in a
relationship. Girl from highschool.
And she left town for college after
a while. We tried at the whole long
distance thing for a year after she
left but then we agreed not to cut
all ties and communication until
she got back. So that the distance
would hurt less. After about a
month, I checked my Instagram.
Turns out she'd moved on. Never
really dated after that.
PAST LYLA
Wow. That was- That is-
SETH
-deep?
PAST LYLA
Bitchy! She was a total bitch for
doing that-
SETH
Don't have to tell me twice. I
don't blame her though. She didn't
know how to say it was over. Which
would be difficult for anyone.
 9.

PAST LYLA
Oh dear Seth, you are too nice for
this world.
SETH
Doubt that's true-
He's interrupted by the waiter who just came with the food.
WAITER
Here are your meals.
( walks away)
SETH
( bewildered at the food)
What is this?
PAST LYLA
Trust me. Its good.
SETH
I'm trusting you but if I die…
PAST LYLA
Dude relax and just eat your meal.
LYLA was watching the entire time. Deeply staring from a
distance.
While still facing LYLA:
SETH (O.S.)
What are your hobbies?
PAST LYLA (O.S.)
Well I like to write!
SETH (O.S.)
What… Really? The reporter like to
write?
The sound of footsteps from our perpetrator fade in. LYLA can
already tell. She takes a deep breath and searches for a near
exit. Runs towards it and turns the door knob:
INT. SALON - DAY - 9 MONTHS AGO
LYLA opens the door to a salon. Where she takes only a couple
steps to see PAST LYLA and her friends all late 20s; MARIANNE
(White-Asian, lesbian), RENEE(Black, I imagine her as Regina
King or sounding like her), JESSICA (White, I imagine her as
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona from Scott Pilgrim) getting
their hair and nails done completely neglegent of the people
in the salon.
RENEE
…he got all caught up in his own
shit. Completely neglecting me…
 10.

JESSICA
( to: RENNE)
And let me guess? You cheated on
him?
RENEE
Damn right!
MARIANNE
( to: RENEE)
You are the epitome of toxicity,
Renee…
RENEE
No you guys just don't understand.
Niggas know when you needy and when
they do they wanna take advantage
of that. I say, don't let 'em.
JESSICA
( sarcasm)
Yeah, Suck some other guy's dick
and show him who the real man of
the house is.
RENEE
Exactly!
( to: MARIANNE)
See Jessica gets it!
MARIANNE and JESSICA just look at eachother.
MARIANNE
( to: RENEE)
There's a reason you can't hold a
relationship down for a solid two
weeks.
RENEE
Girl… You can't play that game with
me. Last time I checked all y'all
single except…
All three girls turn over and look at PAST LYLA, eyes closed
lying in the chair getting a manicure and pedicure.
PAST LYLA
I can tell when you guys are
looking at me you know?
JESSICA
( to: PAST LYLA)
That's your signal to respond.
PAST LYLA
( sighs)
 11.

RENEE
( to: PAST LYLA)
( confidently)
How's Steve?
PAST LYLA
His name is Seth, you know that. He
literally drove us all here.
MARIANNE
( to: PAST LYLA)
Okay well, how's the relationship?
JESSICA
( to: PAST LYLA)
You know you can tell us anything,
right?
PAST LYLA
These questions seem presumptuous…
You guys think we're having issues?
RENEE
Ain't no relationship out there
without the man screwing somethin'
up.
JESSICA
( mouthing to: RENEE)
Calm down.
RENEE
( softly to: JESSICA)
What?
The girls all stare at her eager for answers.
PAST LYLA
( sighs)
Okay fine… It's been three months.
He does make me happy. We watch one
of those arthouse films together
every night. Play video games
together. He buys the newspaper
everyday just to read my articles
which he does over a call so I know
he read them. I could go on but
that's corny.
Everyone just looks at her.
PAST LYLA
What?
RENEE
( to: PAST LYLA)
What about the tea on-
(MORE)
 12.

RENEE (CONT'D)
( beat)
You know…
PAST LYLA
( scoffs)
Jesus Christ. The sex is fine!
MARIANNE
( to: PAST LYLA)
Uh now we don't believe you.
JESSICA
( to: PAST LYLA)
Is it that bad?
RENEE
( to: PAST LYLA)
Damn.
PAST LYLA
The sex is good! It's just fine.
It's okay.
JESSICA
( to: PAST LYLA)
Good? Just fine? Okay? Which one is
it??
MARIANNE
Oh I get it. Russel was better.
RENEE
( to: PAST LYLA)
Russel? The no strings attached guy
you used to do it with?
JESSICA
( to: PAST LYLA)
Oh yeah. The guy you said gave you
over five orgasms in two hours.
PAST LYLA
You guys are gross. Stop talking
about that. I didn't even bring it
up!
MARIANNE
( to: PAST LYLA)
You know, he does still ask about
you. If you want his number…
PAST LYLA
What? No! I don't need his number.
MARIANNE
( to: PAST LYLA)
Already sent.
 13.

PAST LYLA
Well I'm deleting it.
MARIANNE
Your loss.
LYLA is looking over at this entire conversation. Her eyes
open wide as PAST LYLA grabs her phone. LYLA walks over to
where PAST LYLA is and tries to touch her but… Dust.
It's like shes touching dust.
LYLA
No. No.
( beat)
( to: PAST LYLA)
You have to listen to me. Listen to
me!
LYLA is invisible to this memory.
LYLA (CONT'D)
( to: PAST LYLA)
Please don't. Please don't!
PAST LYLA is looking at an open chat before texting "Hey" to…
Russel.
LYLA somewhat breaks down.
The footsteps fade in… LYLA picks herself up and looks for
another door to go through. She goes out the salon door
entrance and turns the door knob:
EXT. GRASSY FIELD OUTSIDE CABIN - DAY - 1 WEEK AGO
LYLA opens the door to the outside of a wooden cabin. LYLA is
shook by the familiar memory.
MUSIC: Sparks - By Coldplay
As she looks on to the distance, she sees PAST LYLA and SETH
with a picnic mat laid upon the grass with nothing but
(couple fruit and triangle shaped sandwiches). PAST LYLA and
SETH are frolicing in the grass. Beautiful yellow-green grass
at sunset. Dancing around, hugging, kissing. Showcasing the
youth of a relationship despite spending such a long time
together. The essence of limitless love or the just the over-
exagerated idea of what love looks like.
The music crescendos at the sight of PAST LYLA laying her
head on SETH's shoulder as they gaze at the sunset.
MUSIC stops.
 14.

INT. CABIN - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

LYLA is in the cabin just watching as PAST LYLA cuddles up in
the couch with a coffee in hand while she watches an episode
of Big Bang Theory with SETH.
SETH
I have to go pick something from
the room. I'll be right back.
PAST LYLA
Sure. Don't take too long or you're
gonna miss the episode and I shall
not be rewinding for you.
SETH smiles and they kiss, he then leaves for the room.
LYLA, worried and on edge, sits. She just sits next to PAST
LYLA. Obviously, she isn't noticed.
SETH gets into the room, looks around to make sure no one is
looking and then opens one of the drawers and picks out a
ring box. He wants to propose! (I've struggled with whether
it was ridiculous to propose after a year but after much
thought, a year feels like really good time) He smiles, takes
a deep breath.
Until he is interrupted by the short vibration of a phone
which he shortly ignores.
The phone vibrates again, this time displaying a message "I
miss you." from… Russel. SETH is put out of ease… But he's
going to ignore it. The phone vibrates again… Displaying the
message "When can I be inside you again. I can't wait any
longer! [insert necessary emojis]" also from… Russel.
SETH grabs the phone, opens it up because he knows the
passcode. (Note that he doesn't do this out of insecurity,
his initial plan was to tell this person to stop texting his
future fiancee) But… he checks the chat and scrolls through
their conversations… SETH is beyond shocked. She was
tolerating this behaviour with sexts…
He scrolls all the way up to find a video he sent her just a
couple weeks back captioned "Making you my bitch cuz you my
bitch." (Or something like that.) He taps on the video and
it's loud moaning… LYLA… and RUSSEL…
SETH stops the video after just 3 seconds of viewing. That
was enough.
SETH is shattered. He can barely keep it together. He just
stares at the screen until it goes black. When it does, SETH
can see in the reflection from the phone that it's PAST LYLA
standing at the door. He turns and just looks at her. Eyes
red from trying to hold back tears. PAST LYLA is on the verge
of tears too.
 15.

PAST LYLA
I was going to tell-
SETH
Don't.
PAST LYLA
Please Seth-
SETH
I don't wan't to hear it.
( beat)
( sniffs)
He gently lays the ring box on the
table so she can see it. She gasps.
Completely breaking down into
tears.
PAST LYLA
( crying)
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
He wants to leave the room but she's blocking the door
entrance.
SETH
( softly)
Please move.
PAST LYLA
( crying)
Seth please I want to explain.
SETH
( softly)
I got all the explanation I needed
from those text messages.
( crying)
I'm sorry I wasn't enough.
PAST LYLA
( crying)
No. Don't. You were-
( sniffs)
You are the best thing-
( sniffs)
You are too nice for me. I'm a bad
person.
SETH
( softly with tears)
I should have been around more…
PAST LYLA
( crying)
No. You did everything! I was
stupid! I was dumb! I was-
 16.

SETH
( softly)
I need to go. I can't be around
you…
PAST LYLA
( crying)
Seth… Please, don't…
SETH
( softly)
I'm sorry…
PAST LYLA lets him pass and LYLA has been in the corridor
watching the entire time. Also completely broken up with
tears. SETH leaves the cabin…
PAST LYLA runs after him:

PAST LYLA
( crying)
Please, Seth wait.
She trips. Hurting her leg. Continuing to loudly sob - not
because of her leg:
PAST LYLA
( loudly sobbing)
Seth…
LYLA chases after Seth, who's on the door to his car.
LYLA
( also crying)
Seth wait.
Seth stops. Half turns. He can actually see her.
SETH
It was never enough…
LYLA
I made a mistake. I'm sorry…
( beat)
I miss you.
SETH
( scoffs)
I made a mistake too.
He fully turns revealing a kitchen knife in one hand.
SETH runs after her with the knife. LYLA is flabbergasted but
she runs off to the wood until it fades to utter darkness and
SETH isn't the one chasing after her anymore.
 17.

INT./EXT. UTTER DARKNESS - RIGHT AFTER

LYLA doesn't know where to go.
Footsteps fade in… LYLA gives up. She just sits. And cries.
They get closer… And closer… And closer. LYLA is still just
crying. Until this figure is face to face with LYLA herself.
LYLA looks up at it.
LYLA
( breaking voice)
Do whatever you want. I'm tired.
( beat)
I deserve this.
The figure squats down and looks her in the eye with it's
ugly Freddy-Kruger-like-face.
It grabs the chin part of it's face and pulls it… Like
ripping off a mask. Revealing that this figure chasing after
her was… LYLA herself.
LYLA is shocked at seeing herself - again. MYSTERIOUS LYLA
looks LYLA in the eye moves her lips to LYLA's ear and:
MYSTERIOUS LYLA
( whispering)
You need to wake up.
MYSTERIOUS LYLA stabs LYLA right in the belly.
CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY - NOW

LYLA gasps as she wakes up from her bed. Looking around until
the reality hits.
There is a kitchen knife on a table right next to the bed,
similar to the one the mysterious figure was using. LYLA
still has a scar on her forearm but it's poorly bandaged up.
There's easter eggs all over the place to give the viewer the
aura of a hotel room. The ring box is also on the table next
to the bed.
Wide shot of the whole hotel room but LYLA on her bed as the
focus. LYLA breaks down and cries covering her eyes with her
hands revealing that she's wearing the engagement ring… from
SETH.
END CREDITS to LYLA's sobs until:
BLACK.