Vesper Falls

EXT. VESPER FALLS – HIGHWAY – NOON / BIRD’S-EYE VIEW: Two cars drive down the highway.

RHEA (V.O.): I’ve always had an eye for the details everyone else missed. Perhaps that’s how I was able to see it. Luckily, my instincts are faster than my thoughts. Unfortunately, my instincts couldn’t prepare me for this.

INT. CAR – CONTINUOUS: Music is playing in the car. RHEA RIVERA (27), a sharp-eyed Latina, is sitting in the passenger seat of the first car. She looks out through the window with a camera in hand.

ERON (28), African-American mix, an unrecognized talent waiting to be discovered, is sitting in the driver’s seat. He taps the steering wheel to the beat of the music. He glances at RHEA. His lips curl into a subtle smile as he slowly reaches for her. RHEA quickly noticed, but it was too late as cold hands pressed against her cheek.

RHEA: Eron! Watch the road!

Rhea laughs as she playfully slaps his hand away. ERON chuckles and puts both hands back on the wheel. A cellphone rings. RHEA picks it up and puts it on speaker.

RHEA: Nora! What’s up?

NORA (V.O.): (through the phone’s speaker) Rhea! Eron! We’re finally here!

JAMAL (V.O): Welcome to Vesper Falls, baby! The summer of fame begins!

ERON: (AMUSED) If by fame, you mean playing at the diner and getting free fries. Right, Jamal?

JAMAL (V.O.): (through the phone’s speaker) Free fries and exposure. That’s how legends start!

RHEA laughs along with the group through the phone’s speaker.

RHEA: Just remember- (speaking loudly over their laughter) -When you’re all famous, I get the royalties for your ugly faces.

NORA (V.O): (through the phone’s speaker) Deal! Rhea, you’re our official camera queen.

RHEA: Yeah, until the bills hit. Then I’m finding a side gig before I starve.

ERON: Speaking of starving... What’s the plan on getting some food?

JAMAL (V.O.): (through the phone’s speaker)

Let’s worry about getting there first. Danny is waiting for us at the house. The town is just up ahead, so hang on, okay?!

RHEA: Roger that!

RHEA hangs up the call. Their laughter blends with the sound of the car as it exits the highway and enters Vesper Falls.

EXT. VESPER FALLS - DOWNTOWN – CONTINUOUS: The car drives slowly through the town. The narrow streets are lined with old brick shops, neon signs, and watchful eyes. RHEA rolls down her window. Her camera is strapped around her neck, and her hair is whipped by the wind. She films through her DSLR, capturing the town as it rolls by.

OVER-THE-SHOULDER VIEW: A group of men in dark suits linger outside a cafe. One of them turns their head as the car passes. RHEA’s camera catches his gaze. RHEA quickly pulls away, pretending she wasn’t looking.

RHEA (V.O.): Sometimes... It’s better not to look too close.

CUT TO: EXT. RENTED HOUSE: The two cars park outside a two-story neighborhood house. It’s slightly run-down and unkept. Everyone steps out of their cars.

JAMAL: Home sweet... mildew.

DANNY: I was waiting outside and went over to greet them.

DANNY: Don’t insult it yet; we haven’t met the roaches. How ya doing, man?

NORA: Oh, God, no…

DANNY: gives a high five to Jammal.

CLOSE UP: RHEA steps out of the car. She looks at the house through her camera and snaps a few pictures.

DANNY: Come on, let’s go inside.

CUT TO: INT. RENTED HOUSE: From inside the house, DANNY jiggles the key before the door opens. They see the small, but cozy home, with mismatched furniture, one couch, and sunlight streaming through dusty blinds. Everyone enters.

JAMAL: We come in peace, and questionable credit.

NORA: Just don’t burn the place down before we find insurance.

RHEA: Not it, for the attic.

ERON runs inside past them with his bag.

ERON: I’ll take it! Attic’s perfect for recording sound.

RHEA: Translation: you’ll turn it into a rave cave.

ERON: Exactly.

ERON looks back and gives her a playful wink. RHEA’s camera clicks as she captures a candid of them, mid-laughter.

DANNY (O.S): Hey! Someone help me with the bags!

EXT. RENTED HOUSE: The group is unloading their luggage from their cars. A NEIGHBOR (60’s) approaches from the other side of the street, walking a dog.

NEIGHBOR: You kids new around here?

NORA: Yes, sir. We’re just here for the summer.

NEIGHBOR: (soft chuckle) Summer’s good. Just stay off the south side after dark, though. Nothin’ but trouble down there.

ERON: What kind of trouble?

The NEIGHBOR looks around, suddenly guarded.

NEIGHBOR: Street fights. Boys with more pride than sense.

RHEA walks out with the others to help. The dog starts barking and growling, seemingly nervous around them. The group is alarmed at the dog’s sudden shift. RHEA steps back, seemingly nervous around the dog as well. The NEIGHBOR tries to hush the dog.

NEIGHBOR: Hush, Penny! Sorry about that. Good luck, kids, and stay out of trouble, ya hear?!

He drags the dog away as the others wave and say goodbye. The group exchanges uneasy glances.

JAMAL: Well... that wasn’t creepy at all.

DANNY: Adds character. Every murder town’s got one.

RHEA looks down the street. The hum of motorcycles and faint yelling echoes in the distance. Something shifts behind her eyes: curiosity, or maybe a bad feeling, before she goes inside.

NORA: Day one, people! Vesper Falls! The birthplace of our global domination tour!

DANNY: More like the birthplace of us living off noodles again.

RHEA: I told you guys this was a terrible plan.

ERON glances at her with a teasing look that says, “You care more than you admit.”

ERON: Yeah, and you still came.

RHEA rolls her eyes and points her camera at him.

RHEA: I came to document the disaster.

JAMAL: Good. We’ll need proof for our future lawyers.

Laughter fills the room.

INT. RENTED HOUSE - RHEA’S ROOM – CONTINUOUS: RHEA lies on the bed. She stares at her camera on the nightstand. The camera’s lens reflects her tired face and the city lights flickering outside.

RHEA (V.O.): New town, new start. Just... let’s hope. This time, I can make something for myself.

RHEA closes her eyes. The camera pans towards the window and zooms into the city. The sound of distant sirens blends into a faint, howling echo, barely audible and almost human.

INT. RENTED HOUSE - KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM – MORNING: Light chaos. NORA is blow-drying her hair in the kitchen. JAMAL is typing on a laptop surrounded by open pizza boxes. DANNY is organizing the fridge. He gets frustrated and slams it closed before moving to the couch.

DANNY: (yelling over the dryer) Jamal! I told you, if you eat my leftovers, I will shave your eyebrows in your sleep!

JAMAL: (mouth full) Too late. Delicious revenge.

RHEA enters, tired but smiling. Her camera strap is slung across her shoulder.

RHEA: Morning...

RHEA opens the fridge and frowns. All that’s inside is a liter of soda and a pizza box.

RHEA: Wow. Gourmet breakfast: depression and marinara sauce.

ERON (O.S): We can fix that.

ERON appears from the hallway. He is shirtless, fresh, and clean from the shower. He takes sticky notes from the countertop.

ERON: Okay - grocery list. What do we need? Bread, eggs, milk, something green...?

DANNY: Yeah, like money.

NORA: Hope. Add “hope.”

RHEA: You’ll need that when the rent’s due.

ERON looks at her with a soft grin.

ERON: You could stay. Help me organize.

RHEA: (cutting him off) And face unemployment, no thank you.

NORA: You’re not coming?

RHEA: Nope, I’m going job hunting. You know, that thing people do when they like eating.

They all groan and wave her off as she leaves.

RHEA: (halfway out the door) I’ll bring you a picture of a sandwich so you can frame it!

Laughter follows, and the door slams.

EXT. DOWNTOWN – DAY: RHEA walks through the bustling downtown. She sees coffee shops, old brick stores, and stray cats weaving between bikes. With the sun on her face, she seems full of energy again. The NEIGHBOR waves her down near a corner store.

NEIGHBOR: Morning, sweetheart! Out job hunting?

RHEA: (smiling politely)You heard me crying into my resume, didn’t you?

NEIGHBOR: (chuckling)There are plenty of listings on Oakridge Lane. Old walled community housing, empty for years. There’s a real estate agency a few blocks down. They’ve been wanting pictures for weeks. Know any photographers?

RHEA: You serious?

NEIGHBOR: I noticed your camera yesterday. Told the agent you seemed like a good kid. Said I’d send you their way.

RHEA beams.

RHEA: You’re a lifesaver. Thank you, Mr.-

NEIGHBOR: Just call me Dee. Everyone does.

RHEA: Thanks!

RHEA rushes off down the block. MR. DEE watches her go, and his expression tightens. His eyes tell us that he knows more than he lets on.

EXT. DOWNTOWN – REAL ESTATE OFFICE - DAY: Warm sunlight spills over downtown Vesper Falls. RHEA is leaving a sleek real estate office, clutching a manila envelope filled with photography assignments. Her relief is visible. Tension releases in her shoulders.

MANAGER (O.S): (through the glass door) Make sure to email the shots by Friday, Miss Rivera. Welcome to the team!

RHEA: Thank you! I won’t let you down.

RHEA waves back to the MANAGER on her way out. The wind catches her hair. Across the street behind her, the low hum of a car engine cuts through the street noise. Three men of Italian descent step out of the car and head towards a bakery, laughing.

RHEA freezes mid-step. She catches ADRIAN’s gaze for a moment, and something inhuman flickers behind his eyes. Her stomach sinks. The air between them shifts.

RHEA (V.O.): (internal) What was that...?

RHEA shakes it off and keeps walking. She checks her phone and types out the first address on her list.

RHEA: Oakridge Lane, number twelve. Easy enough.

An African American woman pulls her child close as she crosses the street. At the same time, a group of mixed-race teens are leaving the bakery. One of the teens gets into a shouting match with one of the three men as they disappear inside. The shouts fade into silence. MR. DEE is sitting outside, drinking a coffee. RHEA notices him and crosses the street in a light jog.

RHEA: Mr. Dee, I got the job. Thank you so much for your suggestion.

MR. DEE: My pleasure. Are you heading off now?

RHEA: Sure am. I think I’ll start with this one over on Elm Street.

MR. DEE: Oakridge Lane is over by the bridge, a bit of a walk. You should take the-

As he speaks, the camera pans left into the next scene. Their voices fade into the sound of traffic.

FADE TO: EXT. OAKRIDGE LANE - WALLED COMMUNITY– AFTERNOON: We see an old two-story house. Its pale blue paint is peeling. The yard is overgrown. Everything is unnaturally quiet. RHEA sets up her camera a few feet away from the house and starts taking test shots. The click of the camera’s shutter echoes through the empty street.

RHEA: (muttering)Perfect level of creepy. Zillow’s gonna love this.

INT. OAKRIDGE LANE – OLD HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON: RHEA fixes the camera’s angle as she works. She captures the beams of sunlight across dusty floorboards and the reflection of the lake through a cracked window.

RHEA: Hmm... there’s potential.

RHEA, kneeling, captures a photo of the balcony view. Her expression softens into a dream. She walks into a bedroom with a skylight. RHEA walks through the dark rooms, snapping photos of cracking wallpaper. She catches her reflection in a broken mirror. For a split second, her eyes look too bright. RHEA looks again, sees nothing, and shakes it off.

EXT. OAKRIDGE LANE – OLD HOUSE/BACKYARD – CONTINUOUS: RHEA leaves through the back door. She steps out and locks it, and she prepares to take the final shots. The backyard glows orange under the sinking sun. She squints through her camera lens, adjusting the focus on the bricks.

From the far end of the yard, movement catches her eye. Through an open back door, two men in black are standing over a body. Blood soaks the floor. RHEA’s finger twitches, and she clicks. Her camera fires off a burst of shots before she processes what she’s seeing: Blood on the ground. A still hand. A man whispering his last breath.

RHEA: (whispers) Oh my god...

RHEA freezes, her breath caught in her chest. She sees the men through the zoomed-in camera. She trembles and grips the camera tightly, not able to look away. One of the men turns. His eyes meet hers through the lens.

GOON #1 (O.S): She’s got a camera!

He raises a gun. RHEA clenches the camera tighter. At the sight of the gun, she rushes off. She runs through the back streets.

GOON #2 (O.S): Get her!

EXT. OAKRIDGE LANE - YARD/ALLEY – CONTINUOUS: RHEA is running. Her camera is swinging, and her heart is pounding as her sneakers pound the dirt path. She sprints down the back yard paths and jumps over low fences. She reaches a back wall, and it towers high above her.

RHEA: (panting) No, no, no-

Shouting comes from behind her.

GOON #1 (O.S): Don’t make me chase you, sweetheart!

Something inside RHEA snaps. She backs up, takes a running leap, and climbs impossibly fast, grabbing bricks and a drain pipe. Her nails dig into the wall. Stone crumbles beneath her fingers like soft clay. She climbs with ragged breath, her body moving on instinct, as her nails scrape brick. She scrapes her knee as she hauls herself up and over the wall. RHEA hauls herself over the top as a bullet cracks against the wall just below her. She lands on the other side, rolling into the shadows. She can’t be heard anymore.

GOON #1: She jumped the damn wall!

GOON #2: That’s impossible - call it in!

Sirens sound off in the distance. Their footsteps retreat.

GOON #2: Get in the car. Now.

The engine starts.

EXT. SIDE STREET – CONTINUOUS: RHEA runs down the alley, clutching her camera against her chest. Adrenaline blurs her vision. Her scraped knee drips blood, staining her torn jeans. She looks back to see she is no longer being followed. RHEA stumbles behind a wooden fence and trembles, gasping for air.

RHEA : (to herself) You didn’t see that. You didn’t-

RHEA stops. She peeks over and watches the black car vanish. RHEA clutches her camera to her chest. The preview screen flashes with photos of the murder scene. Blood. The man’s dying eyes. Wind howls through the alley. A distant police siren wails. CUT TO BLACK.