The Lakes
THE LAKES
A Short Film Adaptation by Madison Sanford
7/20/23
FADE IN.
ACT 1
SCENE 1 - EXT. WOODS - DAY
(A dense forest. The sound of distant music, muffled voices. ALICE and JAMES walk along a muddy path.)
ALICE
(uneasy, looking around) You didn’t tell me the house was in the middle of nowhere.
JAMES
(studying his wrist, annoyed) These are the directions. Just be open, Alice.
ALICE
(turns ring) Easy for you to say. (To herself) Who lives in the middle of the woods anyway?
(They continue walking for a moment; JAMES is ahead of ALICE)
(ALICE fiddles with her ring, her gaze flickering toward JAMES’ wrist—bare. The missing Rolex.)
ALICE
Is it really that important? It’s just a watch.
JAMES(quietly, a beat too long)
Not to me. It was expensive, Alice. I know money doesn’t seem to matter to you, but that’s because it’s not yours. I saw the way he looked at it. (Gestures to watch) He stole it. I just know. That’s why we had to come. I couldn’t pass up his invitation. We just need to make him think we’re only here for dinner, and I’ll slip away and get it back.
ALICE
(Sighs) I know, James. But why do you make everything a competition? You don’t have to be so rude.
(JAMES suddenly stops.)
JAMES(pointing ahead)
There it is.
(Through the trees, a house looms. Music pulses. ALICE exhales.)
(JAMES walks ahead)
(ALICE follows)
ALICE
(drops ring) Oops! My ring! (picks it up and then walks inside after him)
SCENE 2 - INT. HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
(The house is empty and dreamlike—There is no sound, only Alice’s footsteps)
(SARA enters)
SARA
Alice!
ALICE(relieved)
(Gasps) Sara, I didn’t know you'd be here! (They hug.) James said this was just his friend from work.
SARA(grinning)
Well, I’m close with his friend, and when I heard you were coming, I HAD to join!
ALICE
That’s amazing! I haven’t seen you in forever. Where’s the doctor friend?
SARA
He’s on the phone in the living room over there. (points)
(ALICE follows SARA’s gaze—DOCTOR ROBERTS, mumbling on the phone from the living room. He nods. Alice feels a chill.)
ALICE
(Laughs) I’m so happy to see you! Hey, speaking of doctors, (looks around) where’s James?
SARA
(mood changes) Uh, he’s probably around here somewhere.
ALICE
He came in right before me. Did you not see him?
SARA
No… maybe he went around the back?
ALICE
(Laughs) I don't think so…I saw him walk in!
(SARA hesitates, then smiles too quickly.)
SARA
Probably in the kitchen, then.
SCENE 3 - INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
(Alice enters. The kitchen is empty. A single clock ticks. Then—)
JAMES(softly)
Did you miss me?
(Alice spins—James stands in the doorway, expression unreadable.)
ALICE
Where did you go? You walked in before me and then—
JAMES
You were late. As always.
ALICE
Well, it won't do you any good socializing or looking for the (whispers) watch in an empty kitchen. You won’t believe it but Sara’s here! Anddd I want you to introduce me to your friend! Even if he is a thief.
(Alice’s breath catches. James steps closer.)
JAMES
Are you ready yet?
ALICE(whispering)
Ready for what?
(James studies her, then—smiles.)
JAMES
Nothing. (looks into the distance)I’ll be right back. I think I know where my watch is.
(Alice blinks. And he’s gone.)
ACT 2
SCENE 1 - INT. PARTY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
(Alice stares at the room, dazed. Sara reappears.)
SARA
Alice, did you find him?
ALICE(uncertain)
Find who?
(Sara’s expression shifts—something dark creeping in.)
SARA
James.
DOCTOR ROBERTS(offscreen)
Alice. We haven’t been introduced. I’m Doctor Roberts.
(They shake hands)
SARA
Hey, I’ll go look for James. You two can get to know each other.
SARA EXITS
(Alice turns. The Doctor is closer now.)
DOCTOR ROBERTS
Have you been to the lakes lately?
(Alice stiffens. The room suddenly feels smaller.)
ALICE
The lakes…? I’m sorry, is that a restaurant?
DOCTOR
(laughs) No, no. Like the lakes right across this forest? Pretty secluded. People sometimes go swimming or rowing there. There’s that big bridge that runs over?
ALICE
Oh! Those lakes. Yes, I know of them. (pause) Why?
DOCTOR
Have you ever been to them? Have you gone over that bridge?
ALICE
Well, no. No, I don't think so. (pause) Maybe the bridge sounds familiar.
DOCTOR
Were you alone?
ALICE
(shakes head) I don’t- I don’t know. Why are you asking?
DOCTOR
Were you with James?
ALICE
(getting upset) I don't know.
(Images flash—A bridge. Dark water. James’ hand reaching—then slipping under. Alice gasps.)
DOCTOR ROBERTS
Was it cold?
ALICE
I don’t—
(Alice stumbles back. Her breathing quickens.)
DOCTOR ROBERTS
January is a cold month.
(Alice clutches her head. She looks around.** James is nowhere.**)
ALICE
January? I wasn't here in January. I would've been in the city. (angry) Is that it?
DOCTOR
I didn't mean to make you upset.
ALICE
I'm not upset! Everyone is acting so weird. The only person I want to talk to is James.
DOCTOR
But you can’t.
ALICE
(exasperated) Yes, I can; he’s coming right back--wait. What do you mean I can't?
DOCTOR
Alice…
ALICE
(scared) You…What did you do to James?
DOCTOR
It’s time.
ALICE
What did you do to him?! Oh god…(as ALICE backs away, she trips and then starts running)
SCENE 2 - INT. FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
(Alice bolts for the door. Locked.)
(SARA ENTERS)
ALICE
Sara—please—we have to go. I think Doctor Roberts did something to James. He asked me about a bridge and lakes, but James is gone now. I can't find him anywhere. Have you seen him?
SARA
(Sighs) No, I haven’t.
ALICE
(Speaking fast) The last time I saw James, he said he’d be right back, but he was looking at something, and now that I think about it, he was looking towards where Doctor Roberts was. Maybe Doctor Roberts is the one who stole his watch? Maybe he's trying to get money from James or something, I don’t know. But James has been acting really weird these past few weeks; I didn't even think that maybe something else could be going on. (out of breath) Sara, we need to get out of here.
(SARA exhales, tired.)
SARA
Alice… you have to stop pretending.
ALICE(fragile)
Pretending what?
SARA
How much longer will you keep this going?
ALICE
Sara…I don’t know what you're talking about.
SARA
(Frustrated) God, Alice, it was you!!!!
(ALICE flinches. Silence presses in.)
SARA (quietly)
You killed him.
ALICE
(shakes head)No.
SARA
(Sara hesitates and whispers)Alice…come on! That’s why we brought you here.
DOCTOR
You did it; you’re just too far gone to realize it. I’m surprised you don’t recognize me. (Gestures to himself) Detective Roberts, the lead from James’ case. I always swore it was you, but no one believed me. Except Sara. (pause) You pushed him off that bridge, Alice.
(Flash—The bridge. Alice’s hands. A shove. The splash.)
JAMES(whispering)
Tell them what you did to me Alice.
(ALICE looks up—JAMES walks toward her.)
ALICE(twisting her ring)
I… I didn’t—
(JAMES tilts his head.)
JAMES
You always wanted to win.
(ALICE trembles. SARA and the DOCTOR glance that way. They don’t see him.)
SARA
Alice… who are you talking to?
(ALICE’S breath catches. Her gaze moves to her purse.)
(A beat. ALICE breathes in. Stops twisting her ring. Calm.)
ALICE(lifting her chin)
Please leave. I just need to be alone.
SARA
What?
ALICE
(takes a deep breath, stops twisting the ring, and turns to the others) I didn't do anything. And you're both falsely accusing me without any real evidence and bringing me to this place, trying to force a confession, tricking a grieving wife? (Looks at DOCTOR) You’re pathetic; you have no integrity. This is extremely unethical, and I have the right to send you to court. Sara? I can’t believe you’d suspect me of something so awful.
(DOCTOR exhales. He turns to SARA.)
DOCTOR
I thought it would work, but–(sighs) there’s nothing more we can do without a confession.
(Sara stares at ALICE. A flicker of… respect?)
SARA(low)
Talking to ghosts won’t make it easier.
(ALICE smiles. Soft.)
ALICE
Neither will you.
(The DOCTOR and SARA slowly exit. The lock clicks open. ALICE doesn’t move. JAMES lingers.)
(ALICE looks at him—really looks. A moment of understanding.)
(She unzips her purse, pulls out a sparkly Rolex watch, and puts it on her wrist.)
(ALICE looks down at the watch and moves her gaze to the wedding ring, takes it off her finger, and tosses it to JAMES, who catches it, his smile fading.)
ALICE(softly)
Goodbye, James.
(She turns. Walks out. The door clicks shut. A long beat.)
(The ring lies on the floor. Alone. JAMES is gone.)
(Long shot of ALICE walking away back into the woods)
(At the very last second, there is a sound of a door unlocking)
CUT TO BLACK.
THE END
