The Fathers Portrait
This is a short I wrote while in film school :) its always fun to look at old work
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Inside the car a person sits singing to heavy metal music. a
few moments pass. The car suddenly loses power and dies on a
deserted back road. The person in the car gets frustrated
and starts quickly turning the key.
PERSON
Come on you piece of shit!
After turning the key a few more times the person gives up.
They lean back and sigh then they rest their head on the
steering wheel. they smack their head into it a few times.
PERSON
Damn it...
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The person steps out of the car. They slam the door and kick
the car then scream. The person takes out a phone and looks
at the screen. the screen shows no signal.
PERSON
Wonderful...
They jam the phone back in their pocket. They look around
cautiously.
PERSON
Yeah, I'm so not walking.
The person tries to open the car door and finds it locked.
The person drops their head on the cars roof then sighs.
PERSON
Of course...automatic locks.
The person stands turns and leans with their back to the
car. They look down the road. Then shake their head at the
road.
PERSON
shit...
Annoyed and chilled, The person begins to walk the street in
the direction they were driving.
CREDITS
The person walks and randomly looks towards unseen sounds.
The person stops at a creepy house. The lights are on. The
person stops in front of the house.
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
The person sees a shadow in a window then smiles.
PERSON
Thank god.
The person slowly walks to the porch and climbs the stairs.
They start to knock on the door. before they can the door
slides ajar. The person looks at the door confused.
PERSON
Hello?
The person looks side to side.
PERSON
uh, hello?
The person places a hand on the door and begins to slowly
push it open.
PERSON
No, this isn't creepy at all
The person enters the house.
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
PERSON
So my cell phone is completely dead
out here do you have a phone I can
use?
there is no response. The person walks further in to the
room and spots a phone on a table. They walk to it.
PERSON
Perfect. Ok so I'm just going to
use the phone then I will be on my
way.
The person picks up the receiver. and dials a number. The
phone rings. After two rings someone picks up. The line is
filled with static. Frustrated the person hangs up the phone
and tries the number again. As the phone rings a door
closing is heard. The phone continues to ring as the person
slowly hangs up and scans the room.
PERSON
(quietly)
Hello? is someone there?
the person looks down the hall and sees a persons shadow on
the wall.
PERSON
Hey this phone doesn't work is
there another one I can use?
The shadow moves out of view. The person slowly begins to
move down the hall.
PERSON
Listen, I'm not trying to cause any
problems I just need to use your
phone can you just help me out for
a moment?
No response. The person gets to the end of the hall. They
turn the corner to the right and are met by a large picture
of a man in a black coat and hat on the wall. to the right
of the picture is a door that is closed.
PERSON
Holy...
the person reaches for the door knob and turns it. Its
locked. The person knocks.
PERSON
Hello? is someone in there?
A child's laugh is heard. The person takes a step back.
CHILD'S VOICE
You shouldn't be here.
PERSON
I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare
you.
CHILD'S VOICE
Just go away!
PERSON
Listen kid I just need to use the
phone. Where are your parents?
There is no response. The person steps to the door.
PERSON
(whispering)
Hey kid...help me out here.
The child laughs again. a whoosh is heard and the lights in
the house go out, all but one lighting the painting. The
person looks at the painting. The eyes in the picture seem
to be looking at the person. The person becomes nervous.
PERSON
Come one kid this isn't funny.
CHILD'S VOICE
I told you to go away...now its to
late. Now you can never leave
PERSON
What are you talking about?
A dog growl is heard down the hall the person turns and sees
a pair of red eyes looking at them. the person quickly
presses their back to the painting and begins to breathe
frantically. The eyes begin to move closer as the growl gets
louder.
PERSON
(voice shaking)
Oh my god...
CHILD'S VOICE
Daddy is here.
Suddenly the man in the picture comes to life. He reaches
out and grabs the person around the head and chest. The
person screams are muffled in the mans arms. The man drags
the person into the picture. one of the persons sneakers
hits the floor. Everything goes black for a moment. The
lights come back on. In front of the picture stands a little
girl and a dog. The man in the picture is holding the
persons severed head. The man is half smiling. The camera
quickly moves out of the house into the darkness.
END