SWANS

“SWANS”

By

Freddy Nunez

FADE IN:

INT. A MALL-DAY

A young couple walks lovingly through a mall on a date. The young man named TIM holds his girlfriend’s hand. His girlfriend, KATHY, talks to TIM about their impending move to a new apartment.

KATHY

Oh, Tim, I can’t believe that in a few weeks, we are going to officially be living together.

TIM

Yeah, this has been a crazy move, but I can’t wait.

KATHY

Really? Because I know how weird guys can be about this sort of thing.

TIM

I know, but I’m not most guys. As long as you are happy, I will be happy.

KATHY

Aww, okay, so can I buy a new couch?

TIM

Yup

KATHY

A new stove? Or fridge? Can I get a cat!?!

TIM

(laughing)

Honey, you can get anything in the world you want.

The two lovebirds walk a few paces and arrive at the front door of an antique shop. Kathy excitedly rushes to a beautiful statue of two swans intertwined, forming a heart.

KATHY

Oh my god, look at this! This would look beautiful in the living room, don’t you think?

Tim does not answer. Suddenly, he flashes back to a time before he was with Kathy.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. A LAKE-DAY:

We are transported to a beautiful lake in a lush forest. We see a young Tim strolling by the shore. He has a camera hanging from his neck. The young man is enjoying the beauty of nature.

Tim comes across a pier that extends to the lake. He walks to the end of it and notices two swans a few feet away.

YOUNG TIM

Oh man, look at these two. I gotta get some shots.

As Tim snaps some pictures, one of the swans casually swims towards him.

TIM

Oh man, look at that, he’s coming this way. Awesome.

Tim continues to take pictures when the Swan gets even closer.

We now look through the lenses of Tim’s camera as the swan gets closer. Then closer. Without warning, the swan is so close that he blocks Tim’s view.

TIM

Hey, what the hell?

The Swan towers over Tim. The young man is at first confused, then fear grips his heart when the swan begins to attack. Pecking at Tim, beating him with his large wings, the swan angrily squawks.

TIM

Oh god!

Tim manages to fight the swan back and makes a break for it. He is a little battered as he staggers through the woods, crying.

TIM

Oh god! Oh god, I think he broke my arm.

Tim stops as the Swan that attacked him appears in front of him. He turns to see another swan behind him blocking his way back. He looks to his left to see another, and to his right another. Tim looks to the sky as a massive swan slowly descends in front of him.

TIM

(Crying)

I’m sorry! I was just taking a picture. I didn’t mean any harm. I didn’t know you didn’t like pictures. Please don’t hurt me.

But his cries go unheard as the Swans swoop in to batter the young Tim.

Somehow, he escapes his attackers yet again. This time, more battered and broken than before, he hobbles through the woods screaming for help.

TIM

Help me! Please, someone, help me! The swans are angry! Oh, they don’t like it. They don’t like it!

Through the clearing, Tim sees a ranger station. He makes it to the door before collapsing to his knees. He knocks feverishly before a man answers the door. Now we meet Ranger Rick. A Muscular Schwarzenegger type. He holds Tim’s nearly lifeless body before bringing him into his station.

TIM

(Whispering)

The swans (beat) attacked me.

RANGER RICK

The swans? No, not again. NOT AGAIN!

TIM

I need (beat) help.

RANGER RICK

Don’t worry, kid, this ends today. These sons of bitches won’t kill again, not on my watch.

Ranger Rick leaves Tim on a couch in the station and walks into a back room. A few seconds later, he emerges from the room with an arsenal attached to himself. He has automatic weapons, bullet belts on his body, and a giant machine gun; he is a one-man army.

Ranger Rick walks to the door and stops. He tosses a gun over to Rick on the couch. Rick looks at the weapon, confused as to what he needs to do with it.

TIM

What’s this for?

RANGER RICK

If I don’t come back (beat) use it on yourself.

Ranger Rick opens the door to the cabin, revealing an army of angry swans outside. We look on from behind Tim’s point of view on the couch as the door closes.

We stay on Tim as an unholy war erupts outside the Ranger’s station. We catch glimpses of the chaos through the two windows in the front. Destruction is unfolding, explosions, screams, and feathers fly.

Then everything goes quiet and dark, like a gray sunset, the skies dim as the fighting ends. Tim sits baffled by what unfolded outside as the front door creeks slowly open. Tim grips his gun and then points it at the door. The silhouette of Ranger Rick stands before him. Victorious but battered, the Ranger reassures Tim that all is well.

RANGER RICK

Don’t worry kid, everything’s gonna be alright.

Tim breathes a nervous sigh of relief and smiles when, suddenly, a swan rips through the chest of Ranger Rick. Tim panics and unloads his gun. As he screams, we cut back to the present-day

CUT TO:

INT. THE MALL. DAY-

Tim snaps back to reality, and he looks frazzled.

KATHY

Tim? Tim!? Are you okay?

TIM

Y-yes, I am just. Oh boy, I was just remembering something. But you don’t have to worry about it--

Before TIM can finish his sentence, he notices something in the distance that catches his eye. It is a Swan holding a bazooka. Now, all around him, Swans appear, brandishing various weapons.

TIM is frightened beyond belief. The Swans are all around him.

TIM

They found me.

END.