2023-2024 WBWC Featured Author: Jaime Geary, "Burgatory"
"Burgatory", by Jaime Geary
Jamie is a Junior double major in literature and psychology, who loves sitting on heater vents and sharing stories over a cup of coffee.
This work is granted to the public via a nonexclusive Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC-BY-NC-ND) license. It may not be used as training data for any AI system(s). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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Burgatory
An Original Pilot By Jaime Geary
EXT. CABIN - DAY
GUINEVERE (11) absently leafs through the pages of a comic book. Her father ARTHUR (40s) sits next to her on a bench stretching across the porch, looking at the mountains. A guitar leans on the side of the bench across from them.
Sprawling in front of them, ice-capped Coloradan mountains tower over a receding, dark green forest. The old cabin sits on the edge of the treeline, its creaky porch overlooking the mountain view on a tall, rolling hill.
Arthur looks down at Gwen sighing and closing the comic book, his arm resting on the bench above her head.
ARTHUR
How was that?
GWEN
It gets boring after 21 reads.
ARTHUR
Ever consider trying a real book?
GWEN
(annoyed)
Don't --
Arthur lifts a thick, dusty tome with a metal clasp out from under the bench, thumping it on his lap. Gwen sighs.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Aw, not again.
ARTHUR
Come on, Gwen. It's classic.
Everything...
Arthur points at the comic book lying on the bench, its spine facing up. Gwen watches Arthur's arm with a piercing glare.
ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Even that - is based on it - in
SOME way. When I was your age, this
was the thrilling adventure I never
got bored of.
GWEN
(dismissive)
Dad - you've read that to me like,
22 times.
2.
ARTHUR
Sure - the abridged version. Left
out all the gore.
GWEN
Huh?Arthur smiles and plops the book in Gwen's lap. Her eyes widen.
GWEN (CONT'D)
You mean
This time - you read it.
Gwen slowly unclasps the side of the book; its spine reads "Le Morte d'Arthur". She flips it open, straight to the last few pages.
GWEN
How about the end? You never read
the end.
ARTHUR
(chuckling)
Your mother would kill me.
Arthur lays his head on Gwen's.
GWEN
(reading)
I, Merlin, saw the house of Arthur
fall...
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY
Grass brushes the face of the dead SIR LANCELOT, lying on his back on the ground of a steppe, vacant eyes staring at the sky. His glinting armor reflects the sunlight shrouded by clouds, the raging battle above him, and a distant light.
GWEN (V.O.)
"Lancelot's bloody body stained the
steppe. He coveted the ward of the
King's bed, and for that crime, the
good knight lost his head." Cool.
Blood pools in the grass from a gash along Lancelot's neck; his head tilts to the side with a lurch.
3.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
"Above the corpse, the battle held
its rage. My magicks drained, I
followed Arthur's lead."
The scene moves to MERLIN (WIZENED), wearing a robe with swishing and clanging metal armor, riding forward on a tall, dark horse, hundreds of yards away from Lancelot's corpse in the steppe decimated by battle, raising a twisted wooden staff in the sky.
The staff's brilliant light guides and rallies charging knights on horseback behind Merlin, as he trails behind KING ARTHUR (50s), wearing extravagant armor with its helmet's visor open, and an ornate shield, but no sword.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
His soul already slain from
knight's betrayal; the king's body
prepared for final battle.
ARTHUR (V.O)
Here we go.
On the opposite side of the steppe, a gaunt white horse snorts heavily as it gallops up the steppe to face the King's rallying forces - its rider wears an armor of dark, sinister green, twisted spikes jutting from metal pauldrons.
GWEN (V.O.)
And lo, doom approached with a
mighty vigor, the king's long-lost
offspring, and Fates' harbinger.
The knight removes his helmet, black mane of hair flowing in the wind as he approaches - It is MORDRED, followed by MORGAN LE FAY, also on horseback and holding a shining black staff mirroring Merlin's.
The two parties charge straight at each other, all unarmed, screeching to a halt at the center of the smoking battlefield.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I saw the crowd of warring soldiers
circle, as the heirs of Camelot's
throne dismounted swiftly.
King Arthur and Mordred drop to the sides of their horses as Merlin and Morgan exchange glares like daggers. The king and challenger approach each other and maintaining eye contact, as each of their bands of soldiers form a tight circle.
4.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The two honorable titans stood
prepared, drawing their honorable
shredding gear.
King Arthur and Mordred each reach behind their shields, shuffling, then triumphantly pull out... lutes with auxiliary cable adaptors. A soldier from each combatant's band of knights detaches from the circle, carrying an amplifier.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Each knew the battle would take a
huge toll, but still performed a
final rock and... roll? Dad, Did
you make this up?
The lyres are plugged into their respective amplifiers, by King Arthur and Mordred themselves. Gwen's father can be heard laughing.
ARTHUR (V.O.)
No, it's been there for generations
- I'm dead serious.
King Arthur strums his lyre, cranking up the "Over Steer" setting on his amplifier. Mordred does the same. Merlin and Morgan watch in concern, each holding a larger lute resembling a bass guitar.
GWEN (V.O.)
A battle of... dope metal had
begun, though Fates had
predetermined he who won.
Arthur begins playing the lead guitar of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica; armor clanking, he matches Mordred's glare. Merlin begins nervously plinking the bassline, then sinks into the beat, shredding with confidence.
Mordred counters with "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath, and crackles of energy dash around the dueling warriors - black lightning emanates from Mordred's guitar, and white lightning from Arthur's.
The dual beams of lightning roar against each other, rolling and crashing with bright flashes of sonic energy.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Wow.
ARTHUR (V.O.)
Just wait - this next part is the best.
5.
GWEN (V.O.)
Mordred's metal shreds did Arthur
in, but Arthur's fire, too, smote
his great sin.
Black lightning overtakes King Arthur and Merlin's white lightning, interrupting the chorus of the song and sending him hurtling back into his knights, struck in the stomach by a black saber of lightning and oozing dark red blood.
Mordred grins and stops playing; Morgan Le Fay's eyes widen, and she opens her mouth to shout, but a bolt of white lightning suddenly shoots straight at Mordred's head, bathing all in white...
ARTHUR (V.O.)
-And that's enough for tonight.
EXT. CABIN - SUNSET
The mountains' snowy peaks are cast in a warm orange as Arthur shuts the book in Gwen's lap. Gwen and Arthur, each rose-cheeked, share a thick quilt; cups of hot chocolate steam on the bench's armrests.
Gwen's mouth drops open in surprise.
GWEN
(annoyed)
Hey
ARTHUR
What? Can't read all the "new"
stuff tonight when we've still got
tomorrow.
GWEN
I guess... Don't tease me like
that.
Arthur smiles, holding the book as he stands up with the quilt and starts towards the cabin door. Interior light from a fireplace floods through the door's 4-paned window.
ARTHUR
C'mon, Gwen - I got Jiffy Pop and
Scrabble waiting inside.
GWEN
(annoyed)
You always win at Scrabble.
6.
ARTHUR
Hey - Your mom beat me more than a
few times.
Arthur opens the cabin door.
GWEN
Dad - I don't want to go back to
her.
Arthur pauses in the doorway.
ARTHUR
I know, Gwendel, I don't want it
either - but those are the rules.
Arthur walks back to Gwen, leaning down next to her.
ARTHUR (CONT'D)
But you can stay out here with me
whenever you want, Guinevere
Penders -
Arthur pokes Gwen's heart, folding in her jacket.
ARTHUR (CONT'D)
...We'll always be together right
here.
Gwen stares at her father's face, then looks out at the mountain view, her eyes filling the screen...
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN WALK-IN - RUSH HOUR
A scuffed sticker with a photo of the Coloradan mountains, emblazoned with "VISIT COLORFUL COLORADO", is beginning to peel off Gwen's battered metal water bottle. Gwen's eyes fill the screen again - baggy, drained, older.
??? (O.S.)
Gwen? GWEN!! We're getting murdered
out here!
TITLE SUPERIMPOSED ON SCENE: "BURGATORY"
Hearing the voices, Gwen sighs fog, adjusts her apron, and shoves open the walk-in's door with her shoulder.
7.
INT. BACK KITCHEN - RUSH HOUR
MONTAGE:
1. An order ticket machine spitting out ticket after ticker, looping into a pile spilling over the counter.
2. 8 burger patties, half with cheese, positioned and flipped with rhythmic symmetry on a steaming griddle streaked with grime.
3. 15 round burger bun halves lying face-down on the other side of the griddle; a gloved arm rolling the last bun half on a butter roller.
4. The burgers assembled on a plastic cutting board, while hands roll them up in red checkered paper.
5. Circular stickers slapped on the newly packaged burgers reading "BURGATORY -- SO GOOD YOU CAN'T LEAVE" in gaudy font.
6. Gloved hands dumping cups of fries into paper bags and placing burgers on top of them - the "Styx Special".
END MONTAGE
RAY
GWEN!
Gwen turns around to see her manager RAY towering behind her, beaming apologetically and leaning on a cardboard box.
RAY (CONT'D)
(apologetic)
Hey Gwen, sorry - can you give me a
hand with this?
RAY
A box cutter slicing through the box, and Gwen's hands throwing open all 4 flaps, exposing a tall object encased in bubble wrap.
Gwen unwraps the object -- revealing a black electric guitar glinting in florescent light. She observes it with passive interest.
8.
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT - DAY
The parking lot is mostly empty, save for a few cars, but the restaurant's drive-thru is clogged. An illuminated sign with the "BURGATORY" logo flickers, cloud cover accentuating its brightness.
Approaching footsteps.
INT. RESTAURANT LOBBY - DAY
Shrill 80's glam rock blares through cheap speakers on the empty restaurant lobby's ceiling.
A hammer thuds against a screw, driving it into a fork protruding from the wall. Gwen sighs, surveying the restaurant's dirty wallpaper covered in punk iconography - skulls, lightning bolts, microphones, drum sets, records.
Gwen steps down from the wobbly stool to grab the glistening black guitar, hesitating for a moment in anticipation, then nonchalantly lifting it by the neck.
Recognition briefly flashes across Gwen's eyes as she studies the guitar's neck - it reads "E X C A L I B U R". Her heartbeat is audible as she stares into the guitar's shimmering black body, doused in a ray of light, and --
Nothing. Gwen steps onto the stool again, lifting the guitar onto to the wall mount, indifferent.
The front doors of the restaurant burst open, smacking a bell hanging from the threshold. Its ringing startles Gwen; she drops the guitar into the mount, flinching.
GWEN
Shit, nearly
RAY (O.S.)
GWEN - can you get that! Sorry!
Black combat boots clap across checkered tile - Gwen fast walks behind the front counter to meet the boots' owner at the counter.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(tired)
Thanks for choosing Burgatory -
9.
Gwen gawks at the customer, AVALON (AVA), whose left eye is concealed by her dark, flowing hair, front-facing ball cap, and a faded DEVO t-shirt. She likes DEVO too? Oh god, don't stare. Gwen's heartbeat quickens.
Ava's exposed green eye darts around the lobby, landing on Gwen's face.
AVA
You're welcome?
Gwen snaps out of it, stammering.
GWEN
(flustered)
Oop, I mean - wh-what fate can I
get started for you?
AVA
Sure - takeout order for Mephisto?
Huh?
AVA
Sorry, bad joke - love the name of
this place, though! Spooky! Can't
believe I've never been here
before.
Gwen avoids Ava's eyes.
GWEN
Right. Yeah, we just opened about a month ago, actually. Super popular in California.
AVA
Cool.
BEAT.
AVA (CONT'D)
(quiet)
Sorry - The pick-up was for
Madeline.
GWEN
Just a moment.
10.
Exhaling, Gwen wheels around, nearly knocking over the to-go order rack. She grabs the wobbling metal rack, stabilizing it, and glances back at Ava silently scouring the lobby. Ava's gaze locks on the guitar.
Paper bags marked by taped receipts are haphazardly scattered all over the rack - Gwen pores over each one, flustered.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(murmuring)
Madeline, Madeline, Madeline...
Ava cautiously edges backwards, one foot after the other, towards the lobby doors and guitar, keeping her eye trained on Gwen.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Huh. RAY!
GWEN (CONT'D)
Got anything for Madeline back
there?
Ava exhales, descending the stool and wearing the guitar by its strap.
RAY (O.S.)
What?? I SAID -
GWEN
Gwen looks back over her shoulder - Ava's sprinting towards the end of the parking lot outside, the guitar's strap around her shoulder.
BEAT.
Ray pushes through the double doors to the back kitchen, almost running straight into Gwen, mere feet away. He looks at Gwen, then the empty lobby.
RAY
I apologize - you said what?
GWEN
(stuttering)
She took - I don't -- she took-
RAY
You ok?
GWEN
She's taking the guitar!
Ray's eyes widen in shock as he notices the empty guitar stand, and Ava - standing at the door's threshold like a deer in headlights. He breaks into a sprint, vaulting over the front counter.
Shocked, Ava throws open the front door - and slams it shut behind her just as Ray is upon her, arms outstretched. Ray crashes into the door and crumples to the ground, yelping.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Holy shit, Ray!
Gwen races to Ray's side, stooping down next to him. Ray clutches his gushing nose, blood spatters barely visible on his maroon apron. Ava and Gwen make eye contact through the front door's glass - genuine pain is on Ava's face.
Ray looks up at Gwen, pinching the bridge of his nose.
RAY
Chase her!
GWEN
What?
Ray points a shaking finger at the door.
RAY
(yelling)
If you want to keep your job, CHASE
HER - NOW!
GWEN
(incredulous)
Seriously, Ray? It's just a
decoration, dude, I won't
RAY
Just go! I'm not messing around!
Ray shoves Gwen towards the door; she stumbles, looking back at him in shock. Outside, Ava is getting into her car.
GWEN
Do you want me to quit, Ray?
12.
RAY
(stammering)
Fine. Quit. Later. I don't care -
just catch her first!
Gwen breaks her incredulous stare, walking over to push open the restaurant's front doors. Ava's hazard lights flash outside. Ray, panicking, intently watches Gwen's exit.
RAY (CONT'D)
And stop parking out front!
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT - DAY
Gwen squints in the harsh sunlight as she walks toward Ava's car, shielding her face from the sun. She stops in her tracks as Ava's station wagon begins backing out.
GWEN
Nope. This is crazy.
As she turns back towards the restaurant, Gwen's phone vibrates. It's a text from her mother.
INSERT: Flip phone lock screen displaying text from MOM - "Call me when you go on break."
Gwen looks down at her phone, Ava's car, and Ray frantically waving his hands at her frozen form, mouthing "GO!"
BEAT.
Resolve. Gwen jams the phone back into her pocket, reading Ava's license plate as she pulls out her car keys.
GWEN (CONT'D)
"2 B... 3 7 C 7.... G"
A battered black Miata flashes and beeps - a few feet away from the door. Its license plate reads "LLAMRE1".
The car flashes and beeps. Steeling herself, Gwen opens the driver's door to her battered black Miata and ducks in.
INSERT: SEQUENTIAL PANELS of Gwen turning her car keys into the ignition, engine roaring in response, and Gwen flooring the gas pedal as the driver's door snaps shut. A sword charm swings from the keychain.
As Gwen begins backing out hurriedly, brakes squealing, Ray bursts through the front door of the restaurant. He watches the two cars drive off, still pinching his nose, eyes narrowed. Spots of dark red blood spatter the pavement.
13.
EXT. CROWDED ROAD - DAY
Ava takes a messy right, her station wagon skidding into the road's right lane. Gwen tails her smoothly in hot pursuit, her car engine roaring.
Ava nervously tugs on the brim of her cap, twisting it backwards, as she recognizes Gwen's car behind her. She presses the power button on her dusty car radio. Gwen does the same, thumbing and twisting her stereo's audio knob They tune to the same station.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Welcome back to Weird Al 24/7 - All
Yankovic, all the time.
An expensive sports car screams in front of Ava; she slams on her brakes.
Gwen brakes too.
GWEN
Ugh.
RADIO ANNOUNCERComing up next - More parody,
pratfalls, and polka! But first,
some words from a sponsor...
Ava's radio suddenly emits a static sound, distant shrieks echoing within. Gwen and Ava flinch, instinctively grabbing their ear while leaving one hand on the wheel. The radio announcer's voice floats through Ava's speakers.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Y. O. U. S. T. O. L. E.
Ava's eyes widen.
Gwen watches Ava's car in pursuit, clenching her ear as cacophonous polka music plays from her speakers. She groans, tuning the knob to the next station. Ava does the same, shrieks suddenly cut short.
Abrasive punk music floods through both drivers' stereos - "Lax" by Free Refills. Gwen raises her eyebrows.
14.
Gwen jacks up the volume; her small car vibrates. A thin smile stretches across Ava's face. She floors the ignition, weaving around the sports car, which honks loudly.
The neck of the guitar bounces against the passenger armrest.
Gwen tails Ava, switching lanes along with her. The surrounding heavy traffic begins to blur as they chase each other down to a green stoplight and turn in near-unison. The black guitar's neck smacks into an armrest.
Looking away from her rear-view mirror, Ava tries to dip her car's nose into the opposite lane, but gets boxed out in a flurry of honks.
Her green-eyed gaze switches to the rear-view mirror
Gwen advances on Ava, tightly tailing her. Concern and panic flood her features as she rigidly grips the wheel, white knuckled.
GWEN
This is crazy. This is crazy. This
is CRAZY.
Ava rifles through her jacket pocket, keeping her eye on the rear-view mirror rather than the road.
Seeing an opening, Gwen dips next to Ava and is met with a symphony of angry car horns. She leans her car next to Ava's; the two look at each other, rolling down their windows.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(yelling)
Hey - my boss wants that guitar
back!
AVA
(yelling)
Sorry, I need it!
GWEN
Couldn't you just like, rob a
guitar store or something?
AVA
It doesn't work like that,
Guinevere!
15.
Gwen freezes, looking down at her nametag.
INSERT: Nametag pinned to Gwen's apron reading "GWEN".
GWEN
(yelling)
How do you know that? How do you
know my name?
Ava opens her mouth as if to speak, then closes it. The truck in front of her massive bumper is dangerously close.
AVA
(yelling)
I'll explain everything - just not
here.
GWEN
Can't you just PULL OVER?
AVA
No, there's no time - meet me at
the Camelot
GWEN
(startled)
LOOK OUT!
Ava whips her head back to face the bumper of the slowing truck, a second away from contact. She relaxes, closing her eyes and exhaling as her hand closes around a guitar pick...
And the car is gone.
Silence. Gwen stares in shock, wildly surveying the empty adjacent lane, then rams into the fender of the SUV in front of her with a sickening crunch.
Gwen jolts forward as both cars brake, honking cars screech to a halt all around her, everything feels blurry.
The SUV pulls over to the roadside, Gwen follows in a daze. She places her car in park, staring out the driver's window. The SUV's driver's door opens.
An airbag deploys out of the steering wheel, hitting Gwen in the face.
EXT. GAS STATION - DUSK
Gwen's Miata rolls up to a gas pump, its front fender and license plate bent inward. Gwen steps out, exhausted and wired, hurriedly dialing her phone.
16.
It rings... but no answer, just a voicemail.
MOM (O.S.)
Hey - it's me. Leave a message and
I'll call back as soon as I can.
At the tone, Gwen begins speaking.
GWEN
Hey mom, I saw your text. Just
calling you back like you said. I'm
not exactly on break, but I got in
a car accident.
Gwen winces, then continues awkwardly.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Yeah, it was pretty bad. I think I
did it right - told the police it
was my fault, and it pretty much
was.
The phone picks up.
MOM (O.S.)
(angry)
You what?
GWEN
I'm so sorry - I didn't see the car
- it was a fender bender...
MOM (O.S.)
That's my car, Gwen. Did you hurt
my car?
GWEN
It's dad's car.
MOM (O.S.)
BEAT.
Mom sighs.
MOM (O.S.) (CONT'D)
You already pissed me off, Gwen. Now you went and did
this.
GWEN
Wha- How'd I piss you off before?
17.
MOM (O.S.)
Seriously - Staying in MY house for
3 YEARS, Gwen. You need to go back
to school.
GWEN
Mom, I can't afford college yet -
We've been over this.
MOM (O.S.)
That's not my problem, though, is
it?
GWEN
(worried)
I'm paying for gas, food, and rent,
mom.
Gwen's tone becomes increasingly pained yet assertive.
MOM (O.S.)
You're working full time - you can
damn well afford more than just
that. I could, at your age. But no,
you can't resist all your clothes
and Starbucks.
GWEN
What are you talking about?
MOM (O.S.)
Well, I was calling to say I need
the house to myself, Gwen. For the
weekend.
MOM (O.S.)
Yes. Ken's coming over. And don't
bother sneaking in - I took the key
out your glove box this morning.
Opening the passenger door, Gwen checks her glove box - there's no house key to be found.
GWEN (O.S.)
(panicked)
No. No no no.
MOM (O.S.)
But you know what? After what you
pulled today - how about you just
don't come back?
MOM (O.S.)
You can grab any shit you need for
college on Monday.
Gwen's brain beats against her skull; she catches herself falling back onto the car, light-headed.
GWEN
But - you - my things
MOM (O.S.)
YOUR things? Try MY things. Without
me, you'd have nothing.
BEAT.
GWEN
Mom, please. Why? I love you.
MOM (O.S.)
Honey, I love you too, I just don't
like you right now. Write to me
from campus.
The line goes dead. Tears block Gwen's vision. Her mouth hangs open in a silent, horrified sob as she slowly crawls into the passenger seat, closing the car door and dropping her phone on its fabric floor.
INT. GWEN'S CAR - NIGHT
She lays limp in the seat, struggling to stay conscious. No sound or movement disrupts the car's oppressive silence. The ceiling of the gas station hangs over her car like a foot about to crush an ant.
Gwen's phone begins buzzing. She lunges for it with a start, bumping her head on the glove box. Grunting in pain, she flips the phone open to answer, rubbing her head.
Ray leans against the wall, scrunching a grimy red landline phone into his ear with his shoulder. A cheese slice slaps onto the wall above his head, beginning its slow, spongey descent to the floor.
19.
RAY
(worried)
Gwen, where are you? Are you OK?
It's been hours. Did you get the
guitar?
INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION
The frame divides Ray in the restaurant and Gwen in the car.
GWEN
(in shock)
Ray? I- I have nowhere to
RAY
Hold on - I'm sorry I yelled at
you. I just - corporate'll take
that thing out of MY salary.
GWEN
Oh...
Gwen wipes the tears from her eyes and chin
RAY
Look - it's not a big deal. Just
head back and clock out so you can
get your hours. I'll take the fall
on this one -
Ray is cut off by a hamburger bun slapping onto the wall above the sinking cheese slice behind him. He yells into the back kitchen, startling Gwen.
RAY (CONT'D)
Would it kill y'all to watch where
you roll those things??
GWEN
Ray, I'm sorry, but I couldn't
She abruptly stops mid-sentence.
INSERT: Ava in her car, saying "If you just meet me at the Camelot".
Gwen's eyes widen in recognition.
GWEN (V.O.)
(thinking)
Camelot, Camelot, Camelot...
RAY
You couldn't what?
20.
And then, it clicks.
GWEN (V.O.)
(triumphant)
Camelot Motel!
GWEN
Um - I couldn't come back yet -
because I know where she is. The
lady.
RAY
Where?
GWEN
Um, a crappy place on the edge of
town. Almost there.
RAY
(cautious)
...Ok. OK! That's great! Just be
careful. If something happens to
you during your shift, it's my
head.
Ray "slices" his thumb across his neck.
GWEN
All right, Ray. See ya soon.
RAY
Godspeed, Gwen.
Heavy metal echoes into the kitchen through the lobby as Ray slams the phone into the receiver, smile fading.
END INTERCUT
Ray bursts into the back kitchen through its He turns to the line workers hurriedly preparing food.
RAY (CONT'D)
(shouting)
Guys? Guys!
The DISHWASHER gives him a brief glance, but no-one else looks up.
Sighing, Ray walks over to the drive-thru window, pushing past the drive-thru operator to pull a dangling lever.
A red siren alarm descends from the ceiling in an ear splitting cacophony. Everyone in the back kitchen freezes, blankly staring up at the alarm, then at Ray.
21.
A line cook lets their spatula clatter to the ground with a metallic crash, dashing black grill gunk across the floor.
Ray claps his hands expectantly.
RAY (CONT'D)
(shouting)
Scenario 5, guys - Scenario 5!
Chop-chop!
MONTAGE: The employees rapidly closing the restaurant for the night - 7 hours before their midnight closing time.
1. Spatulas scooping well-done burger patties off the grill and promptly dumping them into a trash can.
2. Gloved hands covering the containers holding burger toppings with metal lids, placing them on a cart, then rolling them into the walk-in.
3. An employee stacking the chairs of the empty lobby.
4. The drive-thru employee's hands taking off their headset and placing it on the drive-thru computer keyboard, mashing down its keys.
5. Gloved hands rapidly splashing sizzling soap on the searing grill and scrubbing it off.
6. Ray scooping up every incoming order ticket and placing them in the trash can with his left hand, holding the cash register till with his right.
7. The employee that stacked the lobby chairs pulling a metal security gate from the ceiling to the floor by its handle, blocking the restaurant's front door with telescoped metal. From outside the restaurant, the gate can be seen crashing to the ground with surprising speed.
END MONTAGE
EXT. RESTAURANT - DUSK
A massive line stretches into the road from the restaurant's single-lane drive-thru. Cars honk as they aggressively switch lanes to avoid the stopped cars.
Up next, a black SUV pulls up to the restaurant's drive-thru menu board. It sports a huge variety of items - burgers, fries, soups, salads, sandwiches, milkshakes and more.
The window rolls down to reveal a MAN in black sunglasses and a T-shirt.
22.
MAN
Hey, how's it going?
BEAT.
No answer. The man frowns.
MAN (CONT'D)
Okay, uh... can I get... uhm...
let's see...
INT. BACK KITCHEN - DUSK
As he looks down at the till, verbalizing his counting, Ray grabs a sugar cone from next to the drive-thru window and holds it under the soft-serve machine, which automatically swirls a perfect vanilla cone.
RAY
Twenty... twenty-one.... twenty-one
and a half...
Ray attempts to put the cone in his mouth as the employees rush to and fro around him, trying to close as fast as possible, but he misses and mashes it into his cheek.
Embarrassed, he looks around sheepishly, licking his cheek, then shoves the smashed cone into his mouth.
EXT. RESTAURANT - DUSK
The man at the drive-thru is completing his order.
MAN
...and a #5 Styx Special, with no
lettuce, tomato OR onions.
He counts each topping he wants removed on his fingers.
Oh, and, also no pickles, ok? And a
medium drink. Get all that?
Silence.
Hello?
INSERT: An employee inside the back kitchen pressing a large round red button next to the drive-thru window that reads "RETRACT".
23.
The menu board begins sinking into the ground, metal hatch opening on the ground to accommodate it.
The menu board responds in a generic male "text-to-speech" voice.
MENU BOARD
Attention, valued customer.
Burgatory. is now closed for the
day. Please gather your belongings
and head to the nearest exit.
Attention, valued customer.
Burgatory...
INT. BACK KITCHEN - DUSK
MENU BOARD (V.O.)
...is now closed for the day.
Please gather your belongings and
head to the nearest exit.
The message echoes throughout the restaurant's interior, through speakers attached to the ceiling.
As the dishwasher sweeps the back kitchen, all 7 other employees line up in a single file line stretching across the whole back kitchen, from Ray's office next to the drive thru window all the way to the back door.
A DRIVE-THRU CUSTOMER (20s) sitting in their car at the drive-thru window peers through to watch the employees, knocking on the window.
RAY
(bitter)
Here we go.
Ray sighs, walking over to the drive-thru window and opening it to confront the customer.
CUSTOMER
Hey - are you guys closing? Where's
my food?
RAY
Come again?
CUSTOMER
I just ordered-
24.
RAY
Yeah, new temporary hours on
Friday, sorry. I can take your name
down and call you tomorrow for a
refund?
CUSTOMER
Oh, uh... you sure? Can you get the
manager?
Speaking.
Ray crosses his arms
INT. GWEN'S CAR - NIGHT
Shifting into the driver's seat, Gwen snaps her keys into the ignition; the car doesn't start.
Gwen freezes, trying two more times - nothing. Panic grips her face.
GWEN
No - PLEASE. Come on, girl.
She falls against the steering wheel, half-open from the airbag - honking the horn and startling her back up.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Come on, girl, I swear to-.
One last time, Gwen twists the key with all her might, thumping the steering wheel - and the car hums to life, electricity briefly crackling on the sword keychain attached to the key. Punk music cuts through the stinging silence. Gwen fights back tears.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(wavering)
Thanks.
EXT. CAMELOT MOTEL - NIGHT
INSERT: A tattered, flickering neon sign reading "CAMELOT MOTEL - NO VACANCY" towering above the ground.
Gwen's battered Miata bumps over the cracked sidewalk into the equally splintering hotel parking lot. Weeds sprout out from under the concrete.
Gwen notices an SUV parked in the corner of the boxy, U-shaped complex.
25.
GWEN
"2 B 3 7... C 7 G!" That's it.
Ava's license plate. Gwen wedges her car into the diagonal white lines next to the handicap parking space, pushing open her door slowly and easing her way out to avoid denting the car right next to hers.
She looks around to survey two floors of dingy, cream-colored hotel housing stretching around her on either side like a horseshoe. It's fraught with chipped paint and missing door numbers.
Gwen quickly walks to the door in front of Ava's car, and steps on the rubber doormat, shifting nervously. Her fist, slightly shaking, hovers over the door.
GWEN (CONT'D)
(sighing)
Hooh. Oh-kay.
She composes herself and knocks on the door with three quick, successive raps.
BEAT.
The door opens to reveal a tall WOMAN (40s) with a thick Spanish accent staring over Gwen, wearing only a towel and blinking rapidly.
WOMAN
Well, I did not expect you to get
here so very early -
She looks down at Gwen.
WOMAN (CONT'D)
Oh! I paid for an hombre, not you!
Get away, Keyhole Kate!
Gwen is slapped in the face by the woman's sopping head towel as the door slams in her face. She peels the towel off her face, coughing and spitting.
GWEN
OK- second floor.
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT - NIGHT
The black SUV angrily swerves into the restaurant's parking lot. Fuming, the man in black sunglasses steps out, pressing the lock button on his door.
26.
The car locks with a loud beep, and the man slams the driver's door shut, stomping towards the front door.
He stops in his tracks when he sees the metal wire stretched over the door inside, wheeling around to return to his car. He puts his hands in his pockets and freezes.
No keys. Frantically, the man turns his pockets inside out, then runs over to his SUV's driver's door, looking in. The keys lay gleaming in the cup holder.
INSERT: From the keys' point of view, the man thumps a defeated fist on the driver's door window, looking back at the restaurant with mounting panic. He walks out of view, heading towards the restaurant.
EXT. CAMELOT MOTEL - NIGHT
Now on the second floor, Gwen repeats her cautious knock on the door directly one floor above the tall woman's facing Ava's car.
AVA (O.S.)
Who is it?
GWEN
Um... Gwen. From Burgatory. I'm
sorry I chased you
Before she can finish her sentence, Ava jerks the door open, gesturing towards the room behind her while scanning the balcony.
AVA
Come inside. Quickly.
Gwen hesitates as the two stare at each other.
GWEN
(wavering)
I'm not sure if I
AVA
If you want the guitar - come
inside.
Fine.
Following Ava's beckoning, Gwen walks into the motel room.
27.
INT. AVA'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Gwen cautiously enters the motel room, lightly stepping through the threshold as Ava holds the door for her. The motel room has two beds - the guitar is on the bed farthest from the door.
Her gaze fixing on the guitar, Gwen breaks for it immediately. Ava blocks her advance, stepping in front of the guitar.
AVA
Wait. Just - wait.
AVA
I know you have no reason to trust me, Guinevere, but -
GWEN
You bet I don't, stalker. How do
you know my -
AVA
Your name? Arthur told me.
Gwen looks at Ava dumbfounded.
AVA
I knew your dad. He helped me out
of some tough spots.
GWEN
The shelter.
INSERT: Arthur entering the front doors of a downtown building labeled "ROUND TABLE Family Shelter".
AVA (V.O.)
Yeah. He helped a lot of people.
Had a picture of you - on his desk.
You're his - spitting image.
GWEN
But that was years ago -
AVA
And it has nothing to do with this.
28.
Ava points at the guitar. Gwen furrows her brow.
GWEN
Look, I get it, things are tough
right now, but why'd you -
AVA
This isn't just a guitar,
Guinevere.
Ava walks over to the black guitar and lifts it up by the strap so Gwen can read the "E X C A L I B U R" inscribed on its neck again.
AVA (CONT'D)
It's the guitar.
An overdrive electric guitar riff can be heard in the distance.
GWEN
The man is leaning against his car, shivering, and talking into his phone.
MAN
Yeah, how soon can you come unlock
it? Yeah... okay. Sure, I'll have
it when you open my car.
He looks at the restaurant, spying a light on in the back kitchen. The neon lights of the "BURGATORY" sign reveal another car in the parking lot.
MAN (CONT'D)
Alright, sure. Thanks, bye.
Sliding his phone into his pocket, the man takes off his sunglasses and grabs his shoulders, shivering. His breath fogs the air.
BEAT.
MAN (CONT'D)
(grunt)
Can't take this anymore
INSERT: The man walking over to the front door and peering inside at the light on in the back kitchen, cupping his hands, then jiggling the front doorknob.
MAN (CONT'D)
Dammit.
Turning back, the walks around to the back of the building, rubbing his shoulders again.MAN (CONT'D)
So cold...
The frosty wind howls as he grasps the handle of the restaurant's back door - and opens it.
INT. BACK KITCHEN - NIGHT
All is silent as the man closes the door to the back kitchen behind him. All the kitchen equipment is off, save for humming refrigerators and computers, and one LED band illuminates the floor.
Seeing nobody, the man begins slowly walking down the line, blowing into his hands and rubbing them together to stay warm.
MAN
Hello? Hey!
The back kitchen is completely empty, as is the darkened front lobby.
MAN (CONT'D)
(nervous)
Someone here? You guys owe me a
refund.
Turning from the lobby to face the drive-thru window, the man the door to Ray's small office swung ajar.
He checks around him one last time, carefully stepping into the office - and the door suddenly slams shut behind him.
MAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Hey! HEY!! What are you doing?!
His fists pound on the door, and the doorknob jiggles frantically, but the door refuses to open. The banging continues.
MAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
(frantic)
Help! Anybody there!
No answer, just the sudden sound of scraping concrete.
BEAT.
MAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Whoa! Hey, pal, I just tried to
order and - what - hey - NO! STOP!
AGH!
The man screams as the sickening thump of a blunt object reaches a crescendo, concluding with a sickening crunch silencing the screaming.
The man flops to the floor; his head can be heard slamming against the door.
AVA (V.O.)
Something's coming, Gwen.
Red blood seeps out from under the door, illuminated by a flickering red light.
INT. AVA'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
AVA
I know it's outlandish, I know it's
hard to believe, but -
GWEN
But what? Can we get this over
with?
AVA
Your dad wasn't just obsessed with
Arthurian legend. He is the legend
- the real deal - and you are too.
It's in your blood.
Ava runs her finger down the veins on her own wrist. Gwen raises her eyebrows. Ava continues, watching Gwen carefully.
AVA (CONT'D)
And - I'm a descendant of - an old
family friend, pledged to help you.
Gwen, I can tell you don't believe
me, but -
Ava reaches for Gwen's hand, but Gwen shrinks back, flinching.
31.
AVA (CONT'D)
The restaurant you work at is
planning something with this
guitar. There's a dark force, I can
feel it. And you- you have the
power to seal that darkness.
GWEN
O-kay, I'm just gonna...
Ava steps out of Gwen's way.
AVA
Take the guitar, Gwen, but heed my
words - bad things are coming.
Just, um - call me if you decide
I'm not crazy, OK?
Refusing to meet Ava's eyes, Gwen picks up the guitar by the strap - a phone number is shoved in between the strings and fretboard, scrawled on a torn piece of notebook paper.
She blushes, then looks up at Ava.
GWEN
(confused)
O-kay. Um, see ya around.
Gwen swings the guitar around her shoulder.
AVA
Hold on - you'll need this.
Ava flicks a small green guitar pick at Gwen - her hand reaches out as if magnetized, and she catches it without looking back. Gwen stops in her tracks, opening her hand in astonishment to find the pick there.
GWEN (V.O.)
(in head)
How did I
Ava smirks.
AVA
See you soon, Pendragon.
Gwen gives Ava a lingering, bewildered stare, then shuts the motel door behind her.
32.
INT. GWEN'S CAR - NIGHT
Gwen carefully heaves the guitar into the passenger seat, whacking the whammy bar against the driving stick as she sets it down and buckles it in. She sighs, studying its body. The guitar shimmers brilliantly in the dingy motel lights.
Gwen pulls out her phone and dials Ray.
INT. BACK KITCHEN - NIGHT
The red phone in the back kitchen rings, its sound now an abrasive cacophony in the dim silence of the empty kitchen.
Ray's office door swings open, and the man smacks to the checkered floor in a pool of blood. He is dragged back into the office by the legs as Ray, covered in a red cloak and shadowy red hood, and carrying a crucifix, slowly walks out of the office to answer the phone.
INTERCUT: PHONE CONVERSATION
Switching between Gwen driving back towards the restaurant and Ray in Burgatory's back kitchen, red light streaming from the ajar office door.
Ray removes his hood.
RAY
Yo, Gwen! Did you get the guitar
back?
GWEN
Yeah! Yeah, it was at, um, Camelot Motel!
Ray's eyes narrow.
RAY
Huh! Um, that's weird. Well, I'm so glad you found it!
RAY
How about you just drop it off tomorrow - call it a
day? We're kinda busy closing here.
33.
Another red-cloaked figure emerges from Ray's office with a towel, sponging up the blood on the ground.
Gwen's face falls.
GWEN
Um, I guess. If you want me to.
Ray, I
RAY
That's great - sorry for making you
carry that thing around. Just bring
it by tomorrow morning and we'll
hang it up, kapiche?
GWEN
Ray, I'm not on until noon tomorrow
-
RAY
See ya!
Ray hangs up the phone and turns to the red-robed figure scrubbing the blood.
Gwen gently sets her phone down in the cup holder, a pained grimace on her face.
RAY (CONT'D)
You missed a spot over there,
brother.
The figure nods, bending over to scrub harder. END INTERCUT.
INT. GWEN'S CAR - NIGHT
Gwen's smashed car pulls into the restaurant, headlights sweeping across the front of the building. She pulls into a spot directly in front of the entrance, and turns off the car.
GWEN
Hope Ray doesn't mind.
Rifling around in the back seats, Gwen pulls out a small blanket and some hand warmers, shaking the latter vigorously. She pulls the driver's seat down until she's lying on her back staring at the car's grey, scratched ceiling.
34.
GWEN (V.O.)
(thinking)
Pendragon... darkness...
She turns onto her side, sighing, heart pounding.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This girl is crazy. I kind of like
it.
She smiles. As she closes her eyes, red light from inside the restaurant reflects on her face.
GWEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Shut up, brain.
The red light becomes brighter, leading Gwen's eyelids to purse and flutter from agitation. She opens one eye to look at the light.
She sits up, a concerned look on her face, hand warmers dropping to the bottom of the car.
GWEN (CONT'D)
Ray?
END OF EPISODE 1
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