SOCKO by Petra Michelle

FADE IN:

INT. DEN. SUBURBAN HOME - NIGHT

Lying on the sofa, a WOMAN reads a PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, her cat sleeping at her feet. She sets the book down, eyeing the room apprehensively. The furniture seems to have moved in closer to her. She shudders.

The CHIMES of the grandfather clock cause her to jump. As she collects herself,

BARBARA Midnight.

She turns to the cat,

BARBARA One piece of chocolate won't hurt my diet.

BARBARA'S CONSCIENCE Where's your willpower?

BARBARA Leave me alone! It's only one piece of chocolate!

She walks into the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING

Barbara searches every nook and cranny to no avail.

BARBARA What did I do with them?

Her eyes widen. She rushes downstairs to the washroom in the basement.

INT. WASHROOM - SAME

She flicks the switch. No light.

BARBARA Why did you have to pick tonight to go out, Jack?

In the dark, she gropes for the flashlight on the shelf with the laundry supplies. With the flashlight on, she reaches behind the washer and pulls a gold-colored box.

Smiling, she opens the box and pops a chocolate into her mouth, then another.

BARBARA'S CONSCIENCE You have no willpower.

BARBARA Shut up!

She suddenly hears a CRASH in the garage.

BARBARA (calls out) Jack?

Holding the flashlight close to her, Barbara picks up a crowbar resting to the left of the entrance to the garage. She cautiously opens the garage door. 

Taking up most of the garage, a GIANT BALL OF SOCKS approaches her. She quickly SLAMS the door shut, but her strength is no match for the giant ball. It squeezes through the doorway and chases her up the stairs into the den.

INT. DEN - SAME

SOCKS We want our mates. What have you done with our mates?

BARBARA bumps into the sofa, nearly knocking the lamp over. The ball stops dead in its tracks, studying her, breathing heavily. Cautiously, she steps towards the telephone and dials 9-1-1.

9-1-1 (OFFSCREEN) What's the emergency?

BARBARA (whispers) A giant ball of socks is...

As it inches closer,

9-1-1 (OS) Did you say a ball of socks?

BARBARA 1099 Elm Street. Hurry!

CUT TO:

EXT. SUBURBAN HOME - EARLY MORNING

When the POLICE arrive, two force the front door open. As they rush into the den, they hear a VOICE coming from upstairs. They rush up the stairs towards Barbara's VOICE in the bedroom.

INT. BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING

As they kick the door in, guns drawn, Barbara is sitting on the floor pairing socks.

BARBARA Hello, gentlemen. These socks found one another. (addresses socks) How long has it been?

The policemen glance at one another, perplexed.

BARBARA Would you care for a chocolate? You see, I have no willpower.

POLICEMAN Ma'am, why don't you come with us?

BARBARA I didn't mean to! I promise I won't do it again! Jack?

POLICEMAN Jack? Who's Jack?

BARBARA Jack?

POLICEMAN Please, ma'am. If you don't make a fuss, we won't handcuff you.

As she slowly rises, her gaze falls onto the golden box.

BARBARA Do you mind if I take that box of chocolates?

POLICEMAN (sympathetically) No, ma'am.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE CAR - EARLY MORNING

Sitting in the rear of the police car, Barbara stares at the golden box.

BARBARA'S CONSCIENCE I'll show them I have no willpower. I won't eat one chocolate.

FADE TO BLACK

p.s. How many references can you make to the films, Psycho and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers?