The Package

FADE IN:
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, DUPLEX. MORNING

A man (JAMES 35) sits up from the bed and yawns. He stands, stretches his body a little, and then kneels to pray. Moments later, he gets to his feet and does some light exercises. He is healthy looking, tall, and well-built. He is wearing a tee shirt and shorts.

The room is en-suite. There is a double bed in the center, a chair, and a table on the left side of the bed, a wardrobe with a mirror on the door is on the right, and there is a chest of drawers directly opposite the bed.

There is a knock on the door, then the door opens and a beautiful, well-shaped lady (JANET 28) steps in. She is wearing a short black gown, gold sandals, and a black purse. James turns at the sound of the door opening, smiles at her, and holds his hands out for a hug.

JANET
Good morning birthday boy. How are we doing this beautiful morning?

JAMES
Good morning darling, I’m good, and can only get better.

She smiles and goes to him. She hugs and gives him a passionate kiss on the lips. Her purse drops to the floor. James responds in kind. She grabs the back of his head with both hands and pulls him in.

There is another knock on the door. But they both don’t respond.
The door opens and a young man (DOUGLAS 25) steps into the room with a big, brown box in his hands. He watches them for a moment. Then he clears his throat noisily. James opens his eyes and Janet turns around to look at Douglas, who is now smiling sheepishly.

JANET
Why didn’t you knock?

DOUGLAS
Actually, I did ma, but you were caught up in the moment.

Janet looks him over sarcastically. She picks up her purse, walks to the bed, sits, and crosses her legs. She then takes out a cigarette, a lighter from her purse, light up, and starts to smoke.

JAMES
So what’s up Douglas?

DOUGLAS
Good morning sir, and happy birthday sir.

JAMES
Thank you.

DOUGLAS
Your guests are already arriving.

JAMES
My guests?

Janet shoots Douglas an evil look.

DOUGLAS
Oh, my bad. Miss Janet actually planned a surprise breakfast party for you.

James smiles and turns to face Janet.

JAMES
Babe, you shouldn’t have.

JANET
(Smiles affectionately)
It’s the little I can do for the love of my life.
(gives Douglas an evil look)
Too bad your p.a. decided to spoil the surprise.

James walks to her, pulls her up, and looks her in the face.

JAMES
I truly appreciate the thought.

He kisses her lightly. Douglas rolls his eyes and looks at a note in his hands.

DOUGLAS
Sir, this package is for you, says it’s from a Charlie.

James turns to face Douglas.

JAMES
Charlie? Let me have it.

Douglas hands the box over to James.

JANET
Who is Charlie?

Douglas watches keenly as James places the box on the bed and stares at it without opening it.

JAMES
Charlie was my best friend in the area where I grew up. He joined the military after his parents died in an auto crash. Their bodies were too badly burnt for an auto crash.
(Pause)
He always said the accident was no accident. That someone in his mother’s former place of work wanted her silenced.

JANET
Why? What did she do?

James shrugs his shoulders.

JAMES
I don’t know. All I know is that his mum worked as an auditor. So she probably had discovered something in the books she was auditing. And someone got spooked.
(Pause)
The company’s CEO was once accused of having ties with the Russian mafia. But there was not enough evidence to charge her for any crime.

JANET
Oh, wow. She is a she.

JAMES
A powerful “She.” Sexy, rich, and very persuasive. Not many men can resist her charm, especially married men.

JANET
(Smiling)
I like her already.

JAMES
(laughs)
Last time we spoke, Charlie said it was time for pay back.

JANET
When last did you speak to him?

James looks away from the box and stares at her for a moment. Then he looks back at the box.

JAMES
Last night.

JANET
Last night? So what’s in the box?

JAMES
I don’t know for sure.

JANET
Open it.

JAMES
He didn’t say I should open it. And, I don’t think I should.

JANET
So what are you going to do with it?

JAMES
Bury it.

Janet’s face shows a surprise look. Douglas moves closer to look at the box.

DOUGLAS
Sir, it’s dripping blood on the bed.

JAMES
Yeah, I guessed as much.
(Pause)
At the scene of his parent’s auto crash, they never found his father’s head. He was the head of security for the CEO. His mum’s body was later identified by using her dental records.

JANET
I thought Charlie’s mum was the auditor. What happened to his father’s head?

James lifts the box and shakes it gently.

JAMES
Well, as things stand, it will stay un-found.

DOUGLAS
Sir, that’s a big and heavy box for one head.

JAMES
Yeah, the CEO’s head will stay missing too.

FADE TO BLACK

Signed

Olumide Holloway (King Olulu)