Morgue Seduction

This is a short script I had to write for my Screenwriting module at university. The premise was to write a scene about seduction in an inconvenient place. Naturally, I went as low as I could go.

INT. MORGUE - NIGHT

FADE IN.

TOM (25), a student of the dead, enters with his girlfriend colleague HOLLY (25).

TOM carries a CANDLE which acts as the only source of light in the dark room; its grey walls absorbing the light.

The tables are adorned with autopsy tools, such as forceps, chisels and brushes.

The place is empty, save for some CORPSES strewn on tables covered by TARPAULINS.

TOM places the CANDLE on a table, next to a CADAVER.

Their breath can be seen as they talk.

TOM

It's quiet.

HOLLY

Are you sure about this?

TOM

Quite sure.

TOM holds HOLLY around the waist.

TOM

Besides, you've always wanted to do it in a public place. 'It's more kinky', you said.

He kisses her neck.

HOLLY

I didn't mean the morgue of all places. I mean, really! I thought we were leaving through the back entrance into the alleyway.

TOM

(Indicating a corpse)

No, I prefer it here. Besides, I don't think he minds.

HOLLY BREAKS away from TOM'S grasp.

HOLLY

Show some respect!

TOM

Showing respect is my day job.

TOM checks his watch.

TOM (CONT'D)

It is now approximately 6:02PM. We both finished work two minutes ago, so we both should be free for the night.

HOLLY, shaking her head, SHOVES TOM.

HOLLY

Showing respect is not a job, it's simple morality!

TOM smiles.

TOM

Holly, we have no morality, that's why we became undertakers; we make money off of the dead.

HOLLY

Unlike you, my job is just a job, it doesn't inform the rest of my life.

TOM

Are you sure about that? Can you happily watch television without thinking that someone's death has paid for it? We're not going to exploit death here; no, our friends will simply be scene setters.

         

TOM removes the tarpaulin by the CANDLE, revealing the CADAVER of a woman of a similar age to HOLLY.

The CADAVER has long dark hair and a pale skin tone; rigor mortis still affecting the body. It looks vampiric.

TOM grabs the dead woman's hand.

TOM (CONT'D)

Don't you find the dead erotic?

He strokes the hand of the CADAVER.

HOLLY shivers.

TOM (CONT'D)

Utterly helpless as the tides of time and progress bury them.

HOLLY walks towards the door.

TOM runs after her and stops in front of her.

TOM (CONT'D)

Okay, think of it like this. Isn't it poetical that we will create a new life here, in the place of death?

HOLLY

No, Tom, it's sick! Just like you.

TOM

Meaning?

HOLLY

I've learned more about you in these five minutes than I have in five months.

TOM raises his eyebrows.

HOLLY (CONT'D)

You're not the kind person with dark poetry that I thought you were. You're a selfish, amoral sicko who has nothing better to do than seduce people in morgues!

HOLLY again heads for the door.

HOLLY (CONT'D)

It's time I left, Tom.

TOM runs after her and grabs her arm tightly.

TOM

Stay, Holly. Please?

HOLLY

You're hurting me.

TOM lets go reluctantly.

HOLLY (CONT'D)

I'm going. Don't worry, I'm sure a few ladies here would take you up on your offer. You're not interested in me... You're interested in them!

HOLLY exits, SLAMMING the door behind her.

TOM shrugs and uses the candle to light a cigarette and smokes it in long drags, EXHALING audibly.

TOM

(Talking to the CADAVER)

Was it good for you, too?

FADE OUT.

THE END.