May Flowers

INT. — BEDROOM — MORNING

A dark bedroom with a single bed. A phone alarm goes off
showing the time as 5:06 AM. A hand reaches out from under
the covers and turns off the alarm.

RJ, a college student and part-time worker, sits up in bed
and swings his legs onto the floor. He rubs the sand out of
his tired eyes and runs his hands through his hair. RJ then
stands slowly to begin his day.

I/E. — CAR — MORNING

After leaving his home, RJ is driving to work. His car is
older and has a variety of items covering the passenger seat
and floor including a backpack, a couple baseball hats, a
couple bags of half-eaten Doritos, a pair of sneakers and a
couple hoodies.

RJ’s phone plays ‘Crush’ by Cigarettes After Sex. Sitting
with poor posture, RJ stares blankly at the traffic as drab
scenery passes by.

EXT. — PARKING LOT — MORNING

After arriving at work, RJ steps out of his car. He’s wearing
black shoes, black jeans, and a black t-shirt. The pavement
is gritty with dirt. A discarded soda can and an empty Cosmic
Brownie wrapper are resting near RJ’s car. RJ checks the time
on his phone. It’s 5:58 AM. He begins to walk toward a dark
grocery store.

INT. — SEAFOOD DEPARTMENT — MORNING

RJ’S HAND REACHES FOR A STORE APRON HANGING ON BACKROOM HOOK.

RJ’S HAND PLACES FRESH FISH ONTO AN ICE-COVERED DISPLAY RACK.

RJ REACHES IN TO PULL A LOBSTER FROM THE TANK.

THE ‘NOW SERVING’ SIGN IS SHOWN CHANGING TO THE NEXT NUMBER.

RJ’S HAND REACHES OUT TO HANG HIS APRON ON A HOOK IN THE
BACKROOM.

EXT. — PARKING LOT — AFTERNOON

After a day of work, RJ is seen walking slowly and tiredly to
his car. The discarded can and food wrapper are still there.

I/E. — CAR — AFTERNOON

After getting in his car, RJ is driving in the opposite
direction than previously. He’s headed to class. RJ’s phone
plays ‘Superstar’ by Sonic Youth. RJ looks very tired from
his day in the seafood department at the grocery store. He is
slumped in his seat and his black shirt is stained from the
day’s work.

INT. — COLLEGE CLASSROOM — AFTERNOON

After arriving at the campus, RJ sits in a Criminal
Investigations class. PROFESSOR CHARLES, a retired police
detective, is speaking in the front of the class. Tired from
the day, RJ fights to stay awake. He pinches his own leg. He
raps his knuckles again his forehead. He vigorously shakes
his head back and forth. Professor Charles notices RJ shaking
his head.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
You don’t agree with that idea RJ?

RJ
Huh? I mean, excuse me Professor?

PROFESSOR CHARLES
Do you not agree with this approach
to preserving evidence? I mean,
that was a pretty aggressive
negative response.

RJ
Uhm, my bad. I was just trying to
shake out a crick in my neck. Long
day at work, you know.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
Gotcha.
That said, I want to encourage
everyone to challenge what’s being
presented to you. What I’m sharing
comes from my years serving on the
police force, but I want us to have
an open discourse.

RJ
Yes, sir. Got it.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — EVENING

After class, RJ, now wearing a hoodie, enters a beverage shop
that he frequents between class and studying at the library.
Given that he frequents the location, the two owners, MARIA
and HOWIE, recognize and greet RJ as he approaches the
counter to order.

HOWIE
RJ, my man. How’s it hangin’ dude?!

MARIA
Nice to see you RJ. Same order as
usual? Hot chocolate with extra
whipped cream?

RJ
Hey guys. Am I that predictable?

HOWIE
Well, to be honest with you, man,
you’re never ordered anything else.
Doesn’t matter if it’s hot, cold,
sunny, snowing or whatever.

RJ
Well, maybe I should change things
up?

MARIA
Don’t let Howie bother you RJ. You
know what you like. There’s nothing
wrong with that.

RJ
Still.

MARIA
How about hot chocolate with extra,
extra, extra whipped cream?

HOWIE
Why not just give him a ‘pup cup’,
Maria?

MARIA
Now you settle down Howie and let
the boy be.

RJ
How about if we compromise and go
with just extra extra on the
whipped cream. Save a little space
for the hot chocolate and all.

MARIA
Sounds wonderful.

HOWIE
One ‘pup cup’ with a splash of hot
chocolate coming up.

INT. — LIBRARY — EVENING

After visiting Howie and Maria’s shop, RJ walks into the
library carrying his hot chocolate with extra extra whipped
cream and a backpack full of school books. His best friend
and roommate, TONY, waves to RJ from behind the librarian’s
station. RJ walks to the furthest corner of the library to be
alone as possible. RJ places his things on the chair beside
him and the hot chocolate (with extra extra whipped cream) on
the desk. RJ pulls a text book, a notebook and a pair of over-
the-ear headphones from his backpack. RJ uses his phone to
start some music: ‘All I Need’ by Radiohead plays. RJ flips
open his book to begin studying. RY settles into studying and
listening to his music. Then RJ is surprised by someone
grabbing his headphones off from behind.

RJ
What the fuck, dude.

TONY
Just wanted to see what you were
listening to, bro. Man, this stuff
is depressing. Maybe put on
something upbeat. Might help with
your mood.

RJ
What’s wrong with my mood?

TONY
Dude, you walk around like a
zombie. That music can not be
helping.

RJ
It helps me study.

TONY
What are you studying? Plague and
famine? Suicide?

RJ
Well, close enough. Murder scene
investigation.

TONY
Brutal. I still can’t believe
you’re going to be all CSI for the
rest of your life.

RJ
We’ll see. I’m also taking some
psychology classes. Never know.

TONY
So it’s dead people or crazy
people?

RJ
Pretty much, I guess.

TONY
I think that, maybe, you’ve been
spending too much time around dead
fish and sending lobsters to their
final destination. How about we get
the crew together for some ‘Apex
Legends’?

RJ
That sounds cool. Lots of killing,
but no real killing.

INT. — BEDROOM — MORNING

The next morning in RJ’s dark bedroom with a single bed. An
phone alarm goes off showing the time as 5:06 AM. A hand
reaches out from under the covers and turns off the alarm.

RJ sits up in bed and swings his legs onto the floor. He rubs
the sand out of his tired eyes and runs his hands through his
hair. RJ then stands slowly to begin his day.

I/E. — CAR — MORNING

After leaving home, RJ is driving to work. RJ’s phone plays
‘bellyache’ by Billie Eilish. Sagging into his seat, RJ
stares blankly at the traffic as bland and uninteresting
scenery passes by.

EXT. — PARKING LOT — MORNING

When he arrives at work, RJ steps out of his car. He’s again
wearing black shoes, black jeans, and a black t-shirt. The
pavement is still gritty with dirt. The discarded can and
food wrapper are still resting near RJ’s car, but know
there’s a couple more wrappers and a tipped over shopping
cart. RJ checks the time on his phone. It’s 5:56 AM.
RJ notices that he received a notification from a dating app
that says: ‘You have no new matches’. Glumly, he switches off
the screen and begins to walk toward a dark grocery store.

INT. — SEAFOOD DEPARTMENT — MORNING

RJ’S HAND REACHES FOR STORE APRON HANGING ON BACKROOM HOOK.

RJ’S HAND PLACES SHRIMP ONTO AN ICED COVERED DISPLAY RACK.

RJ REACHES IN TO PULL A LOBSTER FROM THE TANK.

THE ‘NOW SERVING’ SIGN IS SHOWN CHANGING TO THE NEXT NUMBER.

RJ’S HAND REACHES OUT TO HANG HIS APRON ON A HOOK IN THE
BACKROOM.

EXT. — PARKING LOT — AFTERNOON

After the workday, RJ is seen walking slowly and haplessly to
his car. The discarded cans, food wrappers and overturned
shopping cart are still there. RJ is blank-faced and tired
from another day of serving up dead fish and doomed lobsters
before another criminal justice class. RJ is jolted from from
his malaise by a voice calling to him.

MAY is a young lady about the same age as RJ. She’s notable
for her green hair.

MAY
Hey, are you in my Psych class?

RJ
What? Are you talking to me?

MAY
Yes. It’s RJ, right? I’m in your
‘History of Psychology’ class.

RJ
Well, it’s not MY class.

MAY
You know what I mean. Don’t yank me
around. I’m May, by the way. May
Flowers.

RJ
Yeah, sorry. I know what you mean.
I have seen you in class. You ask a
lot of questions.

MAY
That’s because I suck at that
class. How are you doing?

RJ
I’m doing pretty good. Just a
little tired.

MAY
Okay…well, that’s nice to know,
but, I meant ‘How are you doing in
the psychology class?’

RJ
Oh, my bad. I’m doing really well.
Not sure why, but psychology
classes seem to be easy for me.
Maybe being a little psycho helps.

MAY
Hey, any chance that we could study
together? I’m struggling and could
use a lift.

RJ
Oh sure, I guess. I usually go to
the library after class. I’ll be
there tonight around 7:30ish.

MAY
Awesome deal. I’ll be there.
Thanks. See ya.

MAY walks off, but stops to right the shopping cart. She
tosses in the cans and wrappers. May then pushes the cart
toward the store.

I/E. — CAR — AFTERNOON

After meeting May, RJ drives toward class. He’s not smiling,
but he’s no longer looking quite as tired and grumpy as most
days. He’s sitting just a bit more upright. The music playing
on RJ’s phone is ‘My Love Mine All Mine’ by Mitski.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — AFTERNOON

Later that same day after class, RJ enters the shop and
approaches the counter. He’s wearing a different hoodie
today. The hoodie was pulled from the clothes strewn around
his car.

HOWIE
RJ, my man. How’s it hangin’ dude?!

MARIA
Nice to see you RJ. Hot chocolate
with extra extra whipped cream
again?

RJ
Thinking I might go back to my
usual. That last one was a little
‘pup cuppy’.

HOWIE
Ha, I told you, dude!

RJ
Come to think of it, I’d like to
order a couple drinks.

MARIA
You want two hot chocolates?

RJ
Nah, I’m studying with someone and
I wanted to bring them something.
Should have thought to ask them
what they wanted though.

HOWIE
Are they a student here? We know
almost everyone on this campus.
What’s their name?

RJ
May. May Flowers. I know. It sounds
made up.

HOWIE
Hmmm, cute girl with green hair?

RJ
Ahhh, yeah. Green hair.

HOWIE
Yep, we know her. She always orders
a iced matcha latte.

RJ
Wow. How do remember that?

HOWIE
Green hair, green drink, dude.

RJ
Fair enough. Let’s go with that.

INT. — LIBRARY — EVENING

After leaving the shop, RJ enters the library with his
backpack over his shoulder and a drink in each hand. His
roommate Tony is sitting at the librarian’s desk. May is
sitting in the middle of the library. As he passes the
librarian desk, Tony calls out to him.

TONY
RJ! You are the man! Hooking up
your buddy with a coffee just as I
was fading. Love you, my dude.

RJ
Uhm, chill dude. This isn’t for
you.

TONY
You’re going to hog both of them
for yourself. That’s brutal, man.

RJ
It’s not that, man. I brought one
for my study partner.

TONY
Right…

RJ
Seriously, man. She’s sitting right
over there.

TONY
Right…

RJ
Jesus. Catch ya later, bro.

RJ leaves Tony and walks toward May sitting in the middle of
the library. When RJ reaches May, he stands on the other side
of the table and speaks to her.

RJ
Hey. Brought you a matcha.

RJ sticks out his hand holding the matcha. May looks at Tony
quizzically.

MAY
A matcha. That’s exactly what I
like, but how the hell did you know
that? Have you been stalking me or
something?

RJ
Nah. Nothing quite that sinister.
Seems that your beverage preference
is common knowledge on campus.

MAY
Howie?

RJ
Yep, Howie. Seems that your hair
color is the trick. If you change
the color, you might get a
different drink.

MAY
Well, thank you for thinking of me.
That’s very cool. I love Maria and
Howie’s place. Maybe we can just
meet there next time and I’ll buy
you a coffee.

RJ
Deal, but I don’t drink coffee.
Just hot chocolate.

MAY
‘Just’ hot chocolate? Why do you
say it like that?

RJ
Ah, I don’t know. Seems like coffee
is more mature. Hot chocolate seems
like a kid thing.

MAY
Hey, nothing wrong with knowing
what you like.

RJ
I’ve been hearing that a lot
lately. Anyway, how can I help with
psychology class?

Just as May is about to tell RJ where she could use help,
Tony bursts onto the scene.

TONY
RJ, who is our new friend?! Are you
going to introduce her to your BFF?
Seems only right!

RJ
BFF?

TONY
We’re roomies, man. BFF comes with
the territory. I mean, we breathe
the same air, and probably some
farts, while we sleep. That’s BFF
stuff.

RJ
Okay…
May, this is Tony. We’re roommates.

TONY
Roommates? Roommates? We’ve been
friends since elementary school! We
learned to ride bikes together! We
had our first kiss with the same
girl. Not at the same time, just to
be clear. We’ve laughed together.
We’ve cried together. We’re
inseparable.

RJ
Ahhh, speaking of inseparable, any
chance that you could leave us
alone. We came here to study, not
to review our friendship history.
Cool?

TONY
Oh, okay. I get it. I have book
stuff to do anyway. Well, nice
meeting you May. See you around, I
hope.

MAY
It was nice to meet you, Tony. See
ya. Good luck with the book stuff.

With this, Tony turns and heads back to his librarian’s desk.

TONY
You know May, that idea about
studying at the cafe, it’s sounding
better and better. Now about that
psychology stuff…

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — EVENING

A couple days later, RJ and May are sitting at a table at the
cafe. They have hot chocolate and matcha drinks in front of
them. Full backpacks are at their feet. Maria and Howie are
across the way. They’re behind the counter tidying up and
helping other customers.

RJ and May are supposed to be there to study, but their
conversations often stray to random personal topics.

MAY
How did you end up working at the
grocery store? Dream of yours as a
child?

RJ
Ha, no. At the time, Tony worked
there and he recommended me to the
manager.

MAY
Why the seafood department? Seems
cold and kind of gross.

RJ
I just wanted something out of the
way. Seemed way better than being a
cashier or bagging. That’s way, way
too much ‘people time’ for me.

MAY
So you’re an introvert?

RJ
Pretty much. Tony loves being
around people. Seems almost to need
it. I don’t mind my own company.
You?

MAY
Pretty extroverted, I guess. I
mean, like, I walked right up to
you.
I like music clubs. On the
weekends, I work at Cafe Nine down
in New Haven. They even let me
deejay sometimes. You should come.
It’s a cool vibe.

RJ
Uhm, sure.
Do you have a deejay name? Like
Marshmello or something?

MAY
Well, I’m just starting, but folks
at the club have been calling me
‘DJ Joker’. They say it’s because
of my green hair. I sometimes
wonder whether it’s because they
think I’m a joke.

RJ
I’m sure you’re amazing.

MAY
Well, of course.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — EVENING

A couple days later, RJ and May are sitting at the same
table. It’s becoming ‘their table’. Their clothes are
slightly different. For the first time, RJ is wearing
something other than black. May is wearing a t-shirt with a
caricature of the Joker. As with each time they visit the
shop, Maria and Howie are there.

MAY
Where did your interest in criminal
justice come from? Is your family
full of cops or something?

RJ
Ha, that’s definitely not the case.
I’m not quite sure, but, I think it
came from puzzles. I like solving
things. Feels like crime scene work
is part of solving a puzzle.
Figuring things out, you know.

MAY
Have you figured me out?

RJ
Ha, hardly. I’m pretty good at
figuring our puzzles, but I don’t
have any talent with real people.
What about you? Why are you
studying psychology?

MAY
I think to figure out myself and my
whole family. Maybe understand why
my father left my mom and I. Maybe
understand why my mom loved me, but
didn’t always seem to love herself
before she died.
Sorry, deep stuff.

RJ
Actually, I appreciate you sharing.
Makes me feel like you might trust
me.

MAY
Well, I sorta do.
Sorta.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — EVENING

Once again, a couple days later, RJ and May are sitting at
the same table. There clothes are slightly different than the
last night we saw them.

RJ
Do you have any deejay gigs coming
up?

MAY
I do actually. I’ve been invited to
deejay before the ‘Koolheads’ gig
in a couple weeks. Turns out that
their manager is friends with my
uncle. Guess that makes me a ‘nepo
baby’ of sorts.

RJ
That’s cool. Are you stoked for it?

MAY
I know that I should be, but I’m
finding myself way more nervous
about the paper we have due in
psych class.
You know, I learn better by seeing
things versus reading. The idea of
hours of sitting in front of a
computer screen sort of bums me
out. I’m too antsy for that.

RJ
What are you doing the paper on? If
you plant the idea in my head, I’ll
think about it while I’m putting
fish on ice.

MAY
Since the class is the ‘History of
Psychology’, I was looking into the
history of mental health care in
our state. Beyond that, I’m at sort
of a mental road block.

RJ
That’s an interesting idea.

MAY
Yeah. Interesting idea, but that’s
all I have so far. Otherwise,
zilch, nada, nothing. Thanks in
advance for any stupendous ideas
that you might think of.
What about you? What’s going on
with you? Did I mention that your
crap at texting?

RJ
Yeah, sorry about that. I know
folks are used to getting immediate
replies. I turned off my
notifications because they were
stressing me out.

MAY
Wow. You must be quite the popular
guy to have so many notifications
that you get stressed by them.

RJ
Nah. It’s just that all the
vibrations and dings were making me
feel like I was being poked all
day. Like I had another task due.
Plus the news isn’t always good.

MAY
You didn’t answer my question about
what you’re up to. You hiding
something amazing from me?

RJ
Can’t think of anything. It’s my
birthday in a couple weeks. That’s
about it. No deejay gigs for me.

MAY
Your birthday?! That’s cool. Are
you up to something big? Hugh bash
with Tony and the crew?

RJ
Nah, I’m not much on parties. Goes
back to when I was a kid and nobody
came to my 8th birthday party.
Traumatic experience. Probably why
I’m taking psych classes.

MAY
Come on dude. You need to celebrate
your awesomeness. Maybe you could
come to my gig. We could celebrate
there.

RJ
Yeah, maybe. Big crowds aren’t
really my thing though.

MAY
Dude, you’re killing me.

RJ
Let me think about your class
paper.

MAY
Sounds like you’re trying to change
the subject.

RJ
Exactly.

INT. — LIVING ROOM — EVENING

The next evening, RJ and Tony are slouched on the couch in
their apartment. While chatting, they’re playing a video
game, ‘Apex Legends’, and have controllers in their hands.
Some of their friends are hanging out and playing a board
game at a table nearby. ‘Close Eyes’ by DVRST plays from the
speaker nearby.

TONY
Is there a reason that you always
play as ‘Newcastle’?

RJ
Well, one, he’s fucking cool
looking. Also, I played a lot of
FIFA and Newcastle is a football,
well, soccer team. I like the
connection. Why do you play
‘Conduit’?

TONY
I think it’s important that we have
female representation. Look around
the room. There’s not a lady in
sight.

RJ
Hmmm. You have a fair point. We
need to do better in that regard,
but the seafood department isn’t a
babe hangout.

TONY
What about May? You’ve been hanging
out a ton.

RJ
We’re just studying together.

TONY
I’m not buying that. You hardly go
anywhere or do anything. Now you’re
spending hours with her.

RJ
It’s just nice to hang out with
somebody other than all you dudes.
May can talk about things other
than Marvel and video games. Plus
she smells WAY better than you
guys. No offense.

TONY
What do you talk about?

RJ
Recently about a paper May is
writing about the history of mental
health care in the state. I’m
helping her brainstorm some ideas.

TONY
How about the abandoned asylum down
near the lake? She should check it
out. Take some photos and take a
peek inside.

RJ
Man, you know that place freaks me
out.

TONY
Dude, I’ve been in there dozens of
times. It’s just a bunch of
graffiti and broken windows.

RJ
I don’t know, man.

TONY
Has May shown any interest in you?

RJ
She’s been bugging me to go to a
club that she DJs at sometimes.

TONY
There you go buddy. She wouldn’t
throw that out there unless she
wanted to hang out.

RJ
Nah. I think it was more pity.
Plus, you know I hate crowds like
that. They make me feel anxious.

TONY
Dude, at some point, you need to
venture some place other than the
store, class and this couch. I
could go to the club with you. We
could even bring the boys. Build
yourself a little mobile security
blanket.

RJ
Oy.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — EVENING

Once again, a couple days later, RJ and May are sitting in
the beverage shop.

MAY
Have you thought about coming to my
gig?

RJ
I have, but I’ve been thinking more
about your paper.

MAY
I see what you did there. Complete
change of subject to avoid the
question.

RJ
No, really, I was talking to Tony
about your project and he reminded
me about an old abandoned asylum
nearby. Thought you might be
interested.

MAY
Interested how?

RJ
You know. Take a look at an old
facility. Maybe get some photos.

MAY
Well, that sounds awesome. When can
we go?

RJ
Uh, we?
You know, it was a bad idea to
suggest. There are all sorts of ‘no
trespassing’ signs there anyway.

MAY
I see. Well, maybe I can just drive
by and check things out from
outside.

RJ
Yeah, I think that might be best.

MAY
Now about my gig. What do you
think?

RJ
Looks like rain, huh?

MAY
Oh, man.

INT. — BEVERAGE SHOP — AFTERNOON

A couple days later, RJ is sitting at a cafe table by
himself. Two drinks in front of him.
His beverage is empty, but the other, a matcha, is full. He
looks at his phone, but there are no new messages.

RJ gets up and begins to leave the shop.

MARIA
Are you heading out RJ?

HOWIE
Where’s little Miss Matcha today?

RJ
I’m not sure. She was going to take
some pictures nearby for an
assignment, but said she’d would
meet me here afterward.

HOWIE
That’s a bummer. And on your
birthday, too.

RJ
Yeah. Thanks for the free hot
chocolate.

MARIA
With extra whipped cream. Anything
for our best customer RJ. I hope
your birthday was a good one.

RJ
Honestly, it could have been
better.

RJ’s phone buzzes. It’s Tony asking him to come to the
library.

RJ
That’s my buddy Tony. Maybe he
knows what’s going on.

INT. — LIBRARY — EVENING

After leaving the shop, RJ enters the library and Tony is
sitting at the front desk eating a big bag of Cool Ranch
Doritos.

TONY
Birthday boy, what’s up!? Where’s
May?

RJ
I was hoping that she was here. I
haven’t heard from her all day.

TONY
On your birthday?

RJ
Right? I’m sorta bummed out.

TONY
No messages? Nothing?

RJ
Nada. Yesterday, she said she was
going to go by the asylum to take
some photos and would meet me as
usual. Haven’t heard anything all
day.

TONY
Maybe we should go by the asylum to
check on her.

RJ
Oh man.

TONY
Don’t sweat it. I’ll go inside and
you can wait in the car.

RJ
Deal. I’ll consider that my
birthday present.

EXT. — PARKING LOT — EVENING

RJ and Tony are walking toward RJ’s car when they are
approached by Professor Charles.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
Good evening gentlemen. Have you
guys seen May?

TONY
No, we haven’t. We were just going
to go look for her.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
As you know, I was in the police
force here. There’s already some
buzz going around about May.
Her friends saying that haven’t
seen or heard from her all day.
People asking who she hangs out
with. RJ, your name has been at the
top of the list.

RJ
We have been studying together a
lot, but I haven’t heard from her
today.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
Well, as I’ve taught you in my
class, do not talk to the police
without a lawyer present.

RJ
A lawyer!? Police!? What the hell?

TONY
Come on RJ. Let’s go see if we can
find her.

PROFESSOR CHARLES
Good luck, boys.

INT. — CAR — EVENING

RJ and Tony are driving to the asylum. ‘vampire’ by Olivia
Rodrigo plays.

TONY
Holy shit man! The cops might think
you have done something bad.

RJ
This is freaking me out! We have to
find her, man.

TONY
The asylum is at the next right.
What kind of car does she have?

RJ
She drives an blue Audi. An old one
with a few dents. She’s not a great
driver.

TONY
Hey, I think that’s it parked up
ahead.

RJ
Yep, that’s it.

TONY
I’ll hop out to see if she’s
inside.

As RJ parks behind May’s car, Tony jumps out and approaches
the car. It’s dark and only the headlights of RJ’s car light
the night. Tony peers into the car, shakes his head no and
and then walks back to get into RJ’s car.

RJ
Well?

TONY
Nothing man. We’ll need to go
inside to check.

RJ
Is that a good idea?

TONY
Dude, we need to find her and clear
your name.

RJ
I don’t know man. That’s a creepy
place in the daytime and now it’s
dark.

TONY
Okay, dude. I’ll use my phone light
to look around. If I don’t come
back in 10 minutes, you come and
get me.

RJ
Come and get you? How would I even
find you? Maybe we should just call
the police?

TONY
What are you going to tell them?
They already think you have
something to do with May’s
disappearance.

RJ
I’ll never be able to find you.

TONY
Tell you what, I have a bag of
Doritos in my backpack.
I’ll leave a trail of Doritos for
you to follow.

RJ
Man, that’s weird as shit.

TONY
True, but will it work? Yes, it
will.

RJ
Just come back, man. I do NOT want
to go in there.

TONY
Absolutely. I’ve been in there
dozens of times with the guys, I
know the place like the back of my
hand. I’m good.

Tony (with his large bag of Doritos and his lighted phone)
heads off toward the building. RJ watches until he Tony enter
the building and the light disappears from view.

RJ sits in his car and checks the time on his phone and looks
back at the building. He looks back and forth several times.
Eventually, ten minutes has passed.

RJ (TO HIMSELF)
I should give him another five
minutes. Ten minutes isn’t enough
to look around that whole place.

RJ again looks back and forth between the building and his
phone. Eventually, the additional five minutes have passed.

RJ
Shit.

EXT. — ASYLUM GROUNDS — EVENING

RJ walks slowing across the lawn toward the abandoned asylum
building. He uses his phone to light the way. His phone
battery is on 2%.

RJ
Shit. Shit. Shit.

RJ enters the same open doorway of the asylum and aims the
phone light at the ground. In the hallway ahead, he sees
Doritos all along the way.

RJ follows the path of Doritos down the hallway, through a
couple rooms and then down another long corridor. Eventually
the trail ends at a closed door. Besides the door is the bag
of Doritos that Tony had been carrying. Besides the bag are a
dozen smashed Doritos. RJ’s phone battery is at 1%.

RJ
Shit. Shit. Shit.

RJ looks around warily. He sees and hears nothing.

RJ
Tony? May? Shit.

There’s a faint sound behind the door.

RJ
Tony? May? Shit.

RJ walks slowly to the door and grabs the handle. He begins
to turn it.

RJ
Shit.

RJ opens the door. The door opens to the outside. In the
distance, RJ can see the moon shining off the lake.

RJ
Tony?

RJ hears nothing.

RJ
May?

MAY
Happy birthday RJ!

With this, floodlights pop on and a large group of friends
yell ‘Happy Birthday’! May starts playing music from a
makeshift DJ station. Maria, Howie, Professor Charles and
several of RJ’s friends and classmates come rushing up to
greet him. RJ is flabbergasted.

EXT. — LAKESIDE — EVENING

Music plays and folks dance under the moonlit night. RJ
stands with May behind her makeshift DJ station.

MAY
Since you wouldn’t come to my gig,
I thought I’d bring it to you.

RJ
You guys really got me. That was
classic. By the way, how’s that
project going?

MAY
My project? I’d say it’s going
perfectly. Just perfect.