Toaster

INT. APARTMENT -- MORNING

ELLEN, an attractive woman in her mid-20's, staggers out of
her bedroom. She sleepily weaves her way into the small
kitchen. Yawning, she tries to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

She slips a couple of pieces of bread into the toaster and
turns her attention to the coffee maker. She fumbles with
the filters and coffee can...her eyes barely open.

As she goes to pour water into the carafe, wisps of smoke
begin to filter out of the toaster. Ellen turns off the
water and catches a whiff of the burning toast.

She reaches across the counter and tries to pop the toast
out. It's stuck.

She grabs a fork from the sink and jams it into the toaster.
She pulls out a small piece of burnt toast. Tossing the
morsel aside, she jams the fork back into the toaster.

Suddenly, her eyes spring fully open...as an electric current
shoots through her body. Her body shakes with the violence
of the jolt. Her hand releases the fork and she drops to the
ground.

Her motionless body lays splayed across the kitchen floor.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THEATER -- DAY

The theater is empty...as is the stage for the most part. A
piano sits off stage right and a few members of the company
mill about.

Ellen, now dressed in a blouse and skirt, with her hair in a
style fashionable for the 1940's, paces the stage looking at
sheet music.

D.B, a short, older bald man, enters hurriedly from off stage
and looks around.

D.B.
Where's Johnny? I specifically said
that I wanted you both here by
eleven. Did I or did I not say that?

ELLEN
Don't worry, D.B. You know he'll be
there.

JOHNNY (O.S.)
He already is.

JOHNNY, also mid-20's and strikingly good looking, walks onto
the stage.

ELLEN
Johnny!

JOHNNY
Hi ya, kid! You're looking good, as
always. You too, D.B.

D.B.
You're late again, Johnny.

JOHNNY
Ah, what's five minutes between
friends?

He gives Ellen a wink and a quick peck on the cheek.

JOHNNY
(continuing)
I missed you last night.

ELLEN
Oh, Johnny, I miss you every night
that we're not together.

D.B.
Do you think that we could start this
rehearsal started sometime this
century?

JOHNNY
You worry too much, D.B. We've still
got three weeks till opening night.

D.B.
And with the way we're going, we're
going to need every second of it!

ELLEN
OK, D.B., we get the point. We're
ready. Aren't we, Johnny?

JOHNNY
Sure thing, sweetheart.

D.B.
Well, thank you so much for agreeing to
do your job!

JOHNNY
Now who’s the one wasting time?

D.B.
So help me, Johnny, I oughta…



ELLEN
Are we running through the Angel number,
D.B.?

D.B.
What?! Oh…oh, yeah, kid. Yeah. Now,
remember, you’re in love with this mug,
but your old man ain’t happy about it…
thinks he’s bad news. You’ve just had a
fight with the folks and now you’re going
to see him. Got that?

ELLEN
Got it.

D.B.
OK, let’s try this while we’re young.

JOHNNY
Little late for that in your case.

D.B. glares at Johnny, but then smiles at Ellen.

D.B.
Whenever you’re ready, kid.

D.B. steps off of the stage, giving Johnny one last look. Johnny saunters into the wings.

Ellen moves center stage and motions to the piano player. The music starts.

ELLEN
(singing)
Some guys can make your folks cringe
When they embark upon their latest drinking binge
Other fellows make your pop blow his stack
When they leave you knocked up and
move to Hackensack
Still others cause your parents to simmer and stew
When they make a video of you on your back
And sell it pay-per-view
Yet, my guy would never want to cause my
loved ones stress,
He’s sweet and kind, with the most wonderful smile
But when you’re the Angel of Death, I guess,
People miss the good and think that you’re vile

Johnny enters from stage right. He meets Ellen at center stage and they join hands.

ELLEN
(continuing; singing)
But, he’s my angel
The one I love mind, body and soul
Yes, he’s my angel
The only man I’ll need
for all eternity
And though death may be his game
It’s his love that makes me come alive

Ellen and Johnny dance together.

ELLEN
(continuing; singing)
Sure he scares people sometimes, it’s true
When he makes an appearance out of the blue
And now and then he gives the odd person a fright
When he pays a visit in the middle of the night
But to me he’ll always be the love of my life
The one to chase away all my sorrow and strife
I don’t know how to explain our love,
it’s such a crazy thing
Still I know that someday soon I’ll be
wearing his ring
Cause, he’s my angel
The one I love mind, body and soul
Yes, he’s my angel
The only man I’ll need for all eternity
And though death may be his game
It’s his love that makes me come alive

As the song ends, Johnny takes Ellen into his arms, dipping her.

ELLEN
(continuing)
I love you, Johnny.

Johnny winks, and drops her.

FADE TO BLACK:

INT. APARTMENT -- MORNING

ROOMMATE (O.S.)
Ellen! Ellen!

Ellen's POV as her eyes slowly open to reveal her roommate
standing over top of her.

ROOMMATE
(annoyed)
Damn it, Ellen, did you stick a fork
in the toaster again?

Ellen nods, still regaining consciousness.


ROOMMATE
(continuing)
Stopped your heart again, didn't you?

ELLEN
I think so.

ROOMMATE
Do you want me to call an ambulance?

Ellen shakes her head, wincing.

ROOMMATE
(continuing)
Fine.
(shaking her head)
Moron.
(walking away)
Every freakin' day with the toaster...

Ellen remains on the floor. Her lips curl into a smile.

FADE OUT: