Making a short film- NEA final screenplay

1. ‘Amber’
INT. HOUSE – DAY
AMBER is staring with a slight worried look on her face,
motionless (after a chaotic few seconds of noises- cars
screeching, babies crying, etc.)
CHARLIE
(muffled, as if under water)
What are you going to do?
Amber looks up, confused.
CHARLIE
(gestures to Amber’s stomach)
What’s your plan?
Amber deliriously looks back down at the mug in her hands,
then glances at a pack of cards on the shelf.
CHARLIE has a double take.
CHARLIE
I know exactly what you’re thinking. Please tell me you
have more pride than that?
AMBER
If I can’t decide, why not let the cards?
BLACKOUT.
CHARLIE shuffles the deck of cards, then holds them out to
AMBER.
CHARLIE
(raises her eyebrows as if it’s a stupid idea)
Your rule. Three evens, and you get rid of it. I can’t
believe you’re doing this. You’re already superstitious.
(sarcastically) something could happen.
AMBER
Sshhhh!

2. AMBER takes three cards, one by one, and places them onto
the table. The numbers she picks are 4, 2 and 9.
EXT. WOODED AREA – DAY
AMBER closes the front door behind her, then leans her head
vigorously onto the door, rocking it from side to side with
tears forming in her eyes. She wipes them away quickly and
starts walking.
AMBER walks deliriously through a wooded area, swinging
herself lazily around trees, and daydreaming. She looks up
with wide eyes. Birds are flying across.
AMBER is snapped back into reality as she hears a busy road
ahead of her.
AMBER steps forward in a crowded area, waiting to cross the
road. She impatiently waits and decides to go another route
instead.
A CAR SCREECHES and she turns around suddenly.
SCENE REWINDS.
INT. HOUSE – DAY
CHARLIE stares at AMBER blankly, shaking her head.
CHARLIE
No. Absolutely not.
AMBER
Come on! We used to do this to make all our decisions.
CHARLIE
Not with someone’s life.
AMBER
My life. (breathes in heavily) Any odds... and I keep it.
CHARLIE shuffles a deck of cards, looking irritated.

3. AMBER is nervous, fidgeting and rubbing her hands together
in preparation.
CHARLIE holds out the cards for AMBER.
CHARLIE
Go on then.
AMBER picks up three cards, one by one and puts them on the
table. They are 4, 2 and 8.
EXT. WOODED AREA – DAY
AMBER closes the front door behind her, then leans her head
vigorously onto the door, rocking it from side to side with
tears forming in her eyes.
AMBER walks deliriously through a wooded area. She looks
up. Birds are flying across.
AMBER is snapped back into reality as she hears a busy road
ahead of her.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
CHARLIE
(as she’s washing up, she pauses and looks up at the clock,
mumbling)
Shit. I can’t let her do this.
CHARLIE grabs her keys by the door, but then turns around
again to look at the clock.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
AMBER steps forward in a crowded area, waiting to cross the
road, but she isn’t focusing, and she steps out as the
traffic lights turn amber. Everything slows down. The time
turns to 4:28.
A CAR SCREECHES.