Radio Play (First Draft)

Danger on the Other Side, written by Courtney Olmstead

Character List:
Inna, created by Arpita Kent
Peyton, created by Christilynn Guerin
Wally, created by Eric Varga

Peyton: [frantically] Are you okay, Inna? Please don't faint on me! [now shaking Inna by the shoulders] There's something dangerous about this hotel, I can feel it!

Inna: [at the point of half-consciousness] Huh? What happened? Why did this elevator stop?!

Peyton: I don't know why, Inna. The lights blacked out a few minutes ago, but they came back on again.. everything will be okay, alright? [sympathetically] Aw, don't shake so much, Hun. I'm here.

Inna: [puts her left hand to her forehead, while noticing a young-looking man lying in the right corner of the elevator] What is that?

Peyton: [sighs] Oh, that guy. He's been passed out in the corner for about 15 minutes now. He's harmless. But he smells like alcohol, so I suggest we let him alone for now. Who knows? Maybe we'll get out of here before he even knows what happened [giggles]

Inna: How do you know that? Perhaps he's one of those drunks that get really violent when intoxicated. Oh my God, and we're trapped in an elevator too. Perfect situation to take his anger out on me! Er.. us.

Peyton: [replying calmly] Relax, Inna. He's harmless. I know he is.

Inna: [hesitating] Wait a minute.. what? How do you know my name? And why do you always talk about stuff like you know everything?

Peyton: [smirking] Oh, I'm sorry, we haven't had a proper introduction. I'm Peyton Corby. [reaching her hand out to shake Inna's] I'm a little unusual, some would say. [winks]

Inna: Some? Like.. psychiatrists?

Peyton: [laughing] Oh no, of course not! I've just been born into something a little out of the ordinary, that's all..

[There is a period of silence. Inna hesitates to reply to Peyton.]

Inna: I really like your necklace. The crystal on it is so beautiful, so pure.

Peyton: Thank you. It's something I've inherited to take on my journey. Same with Sully. He stayed up in the room. If he were here, he'd know how to get us out. Aw well, he's a tired little creature - and clearly, by the look on your face, you think I'm crazy.

Inna: Well, not exactly. See, I do yoga, I understand spirituality. I even have a friend whose in spiritual silence - his name is Poni, I think you'd really like him - but the point is, I've never heard anybody talk about their life the way you do. You look as normal as anybody else, with your leather jacket and tight jeans, but honestly.. you are so hard to understand.

Peyton: You've only known me for 5 minutes. I wouldn't expect anybody to understand. [takes a deep breath] My parents died 2 years ago -- [cut off by Inna]

Inna: I'm so sorry to hear that.

Peyton: -- I was only 17. They were in Vancouver on a trip. They never came back. Since then, I've been obsessed with finding out what happened to them. Maybe I should just give up. But Sully - my Tibetan Mastiff - he says I should keep trying. He says it's part of my quest - part of my destiny. I meant what I said, I probably seem really unusual to you. But this crystal that your so fond of, it's part of my heritage. I am one of three powerful mages.

Inna: Mages? You mean, like sorceresses?

Peyton: Oh no, I hope you're not afraid! I wouldn't hurt anybody. I only want to use my powers for good. Only good.

Inna: If you have all these powers tucked away, then why aren't you using them? Why can't you get us out?

Peyton: Don't look so baffled - there is always a catch. You see, I have to find the other mages before my powers can be fulfilled. That is my journey. To find them. Once I find them, my powers will be strong enough. But for now, my visions are blurry. I can almost predict the future, but I have so much trouble controlling my powers.

Inna: And you don't care if people don't believe you? You want them to know this, is that why you told me?

Peyton: I told you because your spirit seemed interested. I do yoga too. [winks and giggles] And besides, if people don't believe me.. I can show them!

Inna: [smirking] Wow. That's quite a story. [with a hint of suspicion and curiosity in her voice] I don't believe you.. [takes a pause] but can you show me?

Peyton: Yes, of course I can. Watch. That guy in the corner over there. [points to the man lying in right corner] His name is Wally. He came here tonight with a young woman named Sara. His girlfriend, I think. She has blonde hair. She is very worried about him right now, and has gone to the lobby to get help.

Inna: Wally? Sara? Oh man.. I'm sorry, but this is too much for me right now. I just want to get out of here right now and go to bed!

Wally: [awakening with a headache, confused on his whereabouts] Holy shit. [scratching his head, and rubbing his eyes] My head feels like it's gonna explode.. why the fuck was I sleeping on the floor in here? And where's my bucket of ice? [now glaring at Inna and Peyton]

Inna: The elevator is stuck. Oh, wow, your face is so red.. maybe it's time to quit drinking.

Wally: Yeah, yeah, cram it, Dr. Phil.

[Wally stumbles up onto his feet]

Wally: How long have we been in here, eh?

Peyton: [glancing at her watch] 23 minutes exactly.

Wally: I came down here for a bucket of ice for me and my girlfriend. I guess this thing broke down before I could get it. God, I hope Sara isn't worried about me.. or better yet, I hope she doesn't think I walked out on her. [a distressed look crossed Wally's face] Last thing I need right now.

Inna: Did you say your girlfriend's name was Sara? [now looking at Peyton with an astonished look on her face]

Wally: Um.. yeah? [shrugging]

[Peyton and Inna both smile at each other]

Wally: Oh shit, I can't believe nobody brought a friggin cell phone. Aren't you guys gonna do something?

Inna: What can we do?

Wally: This. [Wally turns directly to the elevator door and begins to bang it roughly]

Inna: Don't bang the door, you'll make it worse!

Wally: HELP! Can anybody hear me?! [yelling louder] We're stuck in the elevator!

Peyton: Wait. I'm not so sure I want out of this elevator.

Wally: Whadda you mean you don't want out of the elevator? Why have you turned so pale?

Inna: She looks scared. [turns to Peyton] You don't sense something, do you?

Peyton: I'm having visions. Thick flashes of images in my mind. I have to concentrate.

Inna: Use your necklace! You don't need Sully.

Wally: Wow. You girls are seriously starting to creep me out. Yeah, don't worry. I wouldn't mind if you both stayed in the elevator [rolling his eyes]

Peyton: [clutching her crystal necklace, and closing her eyes tightly together] I'm starting to see a man. A man dressed in blue. It's a uniform, I'm pretty sure. He's got keys. Oh God, and he's got a knife!

Inna: [gasps] A knife!

Peyton: He is dangerous. He is in this hotel. I knew I had bad vibes about this hotel! He is in disguise. I think he's looking for me. I think he knows who I am! I think he wants to kill me! [now trembling]

Wally: [mumbles something under his breath] .. Shut up, you two! I hear a locking noise!

[The locking noise repeats five times. Bangs from the other side of the door follow.]

Wally: Oh good, someone knows we're in here!

Inna: Please! Help us, we're in here! [now banging the door non-agressively]

[The door is cracked open by the left right side, and two hands are seen pulling the door open with force]

Wally: Oh, thank heavens! Sara! [Sara jumps into Wally's arms] Baby, how did you know I was in here? [hugging Sara tightly] It doesn't matter. Let's go get some ice.

[Wally and Sara proceed to the lobby, leaving Inna and Peyton still in the elevator]

Inna: Peyton? Is everything okay? Why do you look so terrified? We can get out of the elevator now!

Peyton: [turns directly to Inna, and replies in a quiet whisper] That's the man.