Final Script

Story of an Hour

Scene 1

We see a man, Richards walking down a street. He stops at the house he is looking for, looks up at the window and then walks to the door. He rings the door bell and waits. He backs away from the door and looks around the surrounding environment. Cut to a figure making her way down the last few steps of the staircase. She walks towards the door. She stops. On the table next to the front door there is a picture frame turned down. She picks it up and puts it upright on the table. It is a picture of Sarah and her husband Brett on their honeymoon. Brett is smiling and enjoying his holiday, Sarah's smile is forced. She reaches for the door handle. She faces the figure before her. He's dressed in a black suit, and is holding a briefcase in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Sarah is confused by his visit.

Sarah: Richards?

Richards turns round to see Sarah Mallard at the door. His face is grave. He struggles to greet her with a warm smile. Instead it looks forced and fake.

Richards: Can I come in?

Sarah doesn't answer. She stands back away from the door, letting Richardswalk through. She closes the door, and follows him through to the kitchen. She puts the kettle on and then sits opposite him.

Richards is fiddling with the lock on his briefcase, picking at the lock. Sarah is holding her shaky hands in her lap, turning her wedding ring around her finger. Richards looks up at Sarah every few seconds, hoping that she will start the conversation. He sighs, takes a deep breath, and pulls his hands away from his briefcase, shifting his body so that his whole attention is on Sarah. He leans forward to address her.

Richards: How are you?

Sarah notices that he has started a conversation, and pulls her gaze away from her wedding ring. She looks up at Richards, yet finds it hard to hold his gaze.

Sarah: Okay.

She pulls away from his worried, searching gaze and looks back at her wedding ring. Richards sighs as she does, concerned about her well-being.

Richards: Good. (He nods once and turns back to his briefcase, and continues to pick at the lock.)

There is a silent pause. Richards looks around the room awkwardly. All the audience hears is Sarah tapping her finger nails on the table, Richards picking at his lock and the kettle boiling. The three sounds climax until the kettle boils. Sarah goes to make the tea. Richards, now that he doesn't have to deliver the news to her face, builds the confidence to break the news.

Richards: I'm sorry. I went to wait for Brett's train. I waited for an hour. Sarah... Sarah, the train never arrived. Brett never arrived.

Richards waits for a reaction. Sarah doesn't react, and continues to make the tea. Her actions are shaky and quick paced. Once she has got everything ready (milk, sugar), she orders them on the counter.

Apparently some kids were playing a game, Some sick game. They put a log on the tracks. The train collided and... I'm sorry.

Long pause. Sarah's movements have become more shaky and quick. Whilst pouring the water she overflows the pot, and spills the water on her hand. Sarah curses under her breath. Richards gets up quickly to help her.

Richards: Let me help you.

Sarah pulls away from Richards help, backing away from him.

Sarah: No. I'm fine.

Sarah makes her way from the hall way, and up the stairs.

Scene 2

Sarah makes her way up the stairs. She walks into her room, and slowly shuts the door. There is a large armchair placed in front of the window. She stands in front of it and then sinks slowly into it. She sits, staring outside the window. A tear slowly rolls down her face. She quickly wipes it away. Her expression shows her exhaustion, her stress. She has aged and looks years older than her actual age. She sits motionless. We see two birds flying past her window. They sit on the nearest tree by the window. Sarah looks at them in envy, jealousy. After some time she throws her head back, resting on the top of the chair.

She lifts her head again, slowly. A sudden realisation comes across her face. Looking out the window at the birds again. She slowly rises, and walks over to look out the window, and rests her head against the glass. She continues to watch the birds. She smiles, a gleam of life coming back to her eyes.

Sarah: Free. Mind, body and soul. Free.

A knock from her bedroom door. We hear Richards, call from the other side of the door.

Richard: Sarah? Sarah, open the door! Please, open the door – you're going to make yourself ill. What are you doing? Sarah? (To himself) For fuck sake. Open the door!

Sarah: I'm not making myself ill.

Richards keeps on shouting through the door. Sarah stays at the window. Smiles. A tear comes to her eye. She looks excited. “Drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window. She turns away from the window, and opens the door to find Richards on his knees. She grabs Richards' arm and starts to drag her down the stairs. 

Sarah: Pub?

Sarah has reached the bottom of the stairs. She goes into the kitchen, grabs her coat from the back of the stairs, and goes to the table at the side of the front door. She grabs her keys.

Richards: What? Sarah...

Sarah: Come on.

Richards: Sarah, wait....

At that moment Richards is interrupted by the sound of a key entering a lock. All freeze. They turn to face the front door. Sarah backs away towards the staircase to support herself. She looks scared, shocked. Fear overwhelms her.

We see a figure step through the door, we do not see his face yet. Richards looks happy, overjoyed.

Sarah: (screams) No!

We now see Brett walk through the doorway, shocked, confused at the outburst.