By THOMAS PALADIN, Velocity Contributor
FADE IN:
EXT. QUIET TOWN – NIGHT
The town is bathed in the vibrant glow of neon signs and streetlights. The crisp autumn air carries the faint hum of synth-pop music from a nearby diner. The colorful leaves crunch underfoot, and the atmosphere is both nostalgic and eerie. The distant howl of a dog adds a touch of suspense.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – NIGHT
The lobby buzzes with 80s charm: neon lights, arcade games, and posters of classic films with bold, eye-catching designs. The old popcorn machine pops away merrily. NOAH, 17, in a red-and-white striped uniform, and MAYA, 16, in a bright blue apron, are behind the counter, their faces lit up by the arcade glow.
NOAH: (grinning) It’s like a scene from a vintage slasher flick out there.
MAYA: (playfully) Yeah, and with the town so quiet, it feels like something’s about to pop up.
The bell above the entrance jingles cheerfully. The door creaks open, revealing two CUSTOMERS, a man and a woman in their late 30s. They’re dressed in flashy 80s attire—neon colors and big hair—giving them an odd but fitting look for the evening.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – CONTINUOUS
CUSTOMER MAN: (enthusiastically) Hi there! We’d like two tickets for the late show, please.
NOAH: (smiling) Sure thing. But, you know, most folks are staying in tonight with all the rumors going around.
CUSTOMER WOMAN: (eyes twinkling) Oh, we know all about the rumors. We just need a break from reality. A movie is the perfect escape.
MAYA: (nervously) Are you sure? With everything going on…
CUSTOMER MAN: (with a reassuring grin) We’ll be fine. A good movie can be the best way to forget your troubles.
NOAH hands over the tickets, and the CUSTOMERS head toward the screening room, chatting heartily. NOAH and MAYA exchange worried glances, their faces lit by the flickering arcade lights.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – SCREENING ROOM – LATER
The screening room is a blast from the past, with neon accents reflecting off the walls. The CUSTOMERS are engrossed in the movie, their faces illuminated by the flickering screen. NOAH and MAYA, sitting at the back, try to relax but remain uneasy.
MAYA: (whispering) Do you think they’re… dangerous?
NOAH: (whispering back) Maybe. But we’ve got to stay alert. If they’re who I think they are…
MAYA: (whispering) And if they figure out what we’re planning?
NOAH: (whispering, intense) Exactly. Just keep your eyes open.
The movie’s suspenseful climax fills the room with tension. The CUSTOMERS are fully immersed, their excitement palpable.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – SCREENING ROOM – LATER
The film reaches its dramatic crescendo. The CUSTOMERS are the only ones left in the theater. They stretch and yawn, oblivious to the danger that lurks.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – LATER
The CUSTOMERS head towards the exit, still buzzing from the movie. NOAH and MAYA, in the dimmed lobby, watch them approach, their expressions tense but masked by forced smiles.
CUSTOMER WOMAN: (smiling) Thanks for staying open. That was a real treat!
MAYA: (brightly) No problem! Hope it took your mind off things.
As the CUSTOMERS near the door, the lights flicker ominously, plunging the theater into an unsettling silence. The CUSTOMERS pause, puzzled.
CUSTOMER MAN: (looking around) What’s up with the lights?
NOAH: (stepping forward with a grin) Just adding to the atmosphere. Hope it makes the night more memorable!
MAYA: (cheerfully) Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Without warning, the theater’s lights dim further, and the sound of the projector abruptly stops. Shadows dance eerily across the walls. The CUSTOMERS look around, their excitement fading into confusion.
CUSTOMER WOMAN: (alarmed) What’s going on?
Suddenly, NOAH and MAYA’s faces appear from the shadows, their expressions cold and calculating. They’re armed with large, menacing tools—NOAH with a wrench, MAYA with a heavy flashlight. The tension is palpable.
CUSTOMER MAN: (stammering) What is this?
Before they can react, NOAH and MAYA pounce. The theater, once a vibrant escape, turns into a grim stage. The CUSTOMERS struggle, their cries muffled by the thick walls and the distant hum of the town’s quiet night.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – LATER
The lobby is now eerily quiet, save for the distant wind. The doorbell rings, its chime oddly cheerful. NOAH and MAYA stand behind the counter, their uniforms stained and faces expressionless. The neon lights flicker back on, casting an unsettling glow.
NOAH: (surveying the lobby) Clean up and lock up. We need to leave no trace.
MAYA: (sighing heavily) Another night, another mess to deal with.
NOAH and MAYA begin the grim task of cleaning up, their movements methodical and detached. The theater lights flicker off, plunging the space into near darkness.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. QUIET TOWN – NIGHT
The town remains shrouded in an eerie silence. Street lights cast long shadows over empty streets, and a chill wind rustles through fallen leaves. The scene is set for a peaceful evening… or so it seems.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – NIGHT
The theater’s lobby is now bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the previous scenes. Bright lights illuminate the space as the crew of the short film, including NOAH and MAYA, are in high spirits, celebrating the completion of their project. The room is cluttered with props, cameras, and leftover snacks.
NOAH: (grinning widely) That was incredible! We really pulled it off.
MAYA: (beaming) I cannot believe we finished it. It felt so real, didn’t it?
NOAH: (laughing) Yeah, you were amazing.
MAYA: (playfully) Well, you weren’t too bad yourself. I almost thought you were going to—
Suddenly, the sound of a loud bang echoes from the projection room, causing everyone to freeze.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – PROJECTION ROOM – CONTINUOUS
The projection room is dimly lit, and the film reels spin slowly. The camera crew had left their equipment here after wrapping it up. A dark figure is seen moving in the shadows, their presence unnoticed by the celebratory crew.
CUT TO:
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – CONTINUOUS
The crew members exchange worried glances. The cheerful atmosphere shifts to one of confusion and concern.
NOAH: (trying to stay calm) I’ll check it out.
MAYA: (nervously) It’s just a malfunction. Shouldn’t we call someone?
NOAH: (shaking his head) Let’s not overreact. It’s nothing.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – PROJECTION ROOM – CONTINUOUS
NOAH cautiously enters the projection room, his footsteps echoing. The room is dark and cluttered, with the hum of the projector creating an unsettling ambiance. The figure is now visible, partially hidden behind a stack of old film reels.
NOAH: (calling out) Hello? Is someone there?
The figure steps into the light, revealing a face partially obscured by a hood and mask. NOAH’s face pales as recognition dawns on him.
NOAH: (stammering) Who are you?
The figure remains silent, holding a large knife. The tension in the room escalates as the figure advances slowly.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – CONTINUOUS
MAYA and the other crew members start to panic, realizing something is wrong. MAYA grabs a nearby phone, dialing frantically.
MAYA: (into the phone) Hello? We need help! There’s someone in here—
The line goes dead. The phone’s screen flickers and dims, and the lobby’s lights suddenly go out, plunging the area into darkness.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – PROJECTION ROOM – CONTINUOUS
NOAH tries to back away, but the figure is too quick. The tension is palpable as NOAH’s attempts to escape are thwarted by the figure’s swift movements.
NOAH: (panicking) No! Stay away!
The figure lunges, and a struggle ensues. The scene is chaotic, with the camera capturing every moment of the confrontation.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – CONTINUOUS
MAYA and the others frantically search for a light source. They find a flashlight and flick it on, revealing the aftermath of the chaos. They hear muffled sounds from the projection room and hurry towards it.
MAYA: (shouting) Noah! Are you okay?
INT. MOVIE THEATER – PROJECTION ROOM – CONTINUOUS
The struggle between NOAH and the figure continues. The figure manages to incapacitate NOAH, leaving him lying on the floor, bleeding and unconscious. The figure turns towards the door, ready to confront the others.
INT. MOVIE THEATER – LOBBY – CONTINUOUS
MAYA and the crew burst into the projection room, shining the flashlight around. They find NOAH injured and the figure retreating into the darkness.
MAYA: (crying out) Noah!
The figure disappears into the shadows, slipping out through a side door. The crew rushes to NOAH’s side, trying to tend to his wounds.
MAYA: (tearfully) We need to get him out of here. Now!
The crew helped NOAH to his feet, and they hurried out of the theater. The scene shifts to outside, where they see the town’s police lights approaching in the distance.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER – NIGHT
The police arrive, and the town’s eerie quiet is broken by the sound of sirens. The crew, now safe but shaken, watches as the police begin their investigation.
MAYA: (looking at the theater) What just happened? Was it real?
NOAH: (weakly) I don’t know. But whoever that was, they knew about our film. It wasn’t just a coincidence.
The camera pulls back to reveal the theater’s darkened facade, the scene of both a fictional and a real-life horror. The investigation begins, but the real terror is only just beginning to unfold.
FADE OUT
Velocity 
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