Little Earthquakes 8
A Serialized Work of Fiction
Little Earthquakes
Installment Eight
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT — PRESENT
Dillon gets up from the bed with a shocked expression on his face.
DILLON
What do you mean? How?
Kas looks squarely at Dillon.
KAS
Jesus.
(beat)
You know how pissed I was that they settled. I was angry and anxious all the time.
Kas sits on the edge of the bed. Dillon cautiously sits down on the bed as well.
KAS
I resented Adam and Iris. Then Elena distanced herself from me before she left for California. I was in a dark place. You were my only saving grace.
Dillon takes his hand.
DILLON
I remember.
KAS
Hank, one of my ex-interns posted about being invited to Ken Fox's Halloween Party. Since I was taking Ambien to help me sleep.
Closeup on Kas.
Match Cut To:
INT. SHARON'S HALLOWEEN HOUSEPARTY — NIGHT — OCTOBER 27, 2012
Closeup on Kas.
Kas is dressed in his Tonto costume. He's laughing with Dillon, who is dressed as the Lone Ranger. They're hanging out with a group of friends in a large living room.
KAS
Babe, do you want a drink?
DILLON
Please. Just ginger ale.
KAS
You've got it, my love.
Kas walks to the kitchen.
He gets a plastic cup and fills it with ginger ale. Then quickly looks around to make sure he's alone in the kitchen. He pulls out a mini baggie with a small amount of white powder. Then gives it a stir.
The clock on the wall reads 10:13pm.
Kas walks back to living room and hands Dillon his drink.
Fade To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S HOUSE — NIGHT — OCTOBER 27, 2012
Kas and Dillon are just arriving inside their home, still in their costumes. Kas is helping him in. Dillon looks woozy and has one hand on his belly.
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT — PRESENT
DILLON
That's fucked up! How could you betray me like that?
KAS
I'm so sorry. If I was caught, I needed you to be free of any consequences or knowledge.
DILLON
I feel sick.
KAS
I couldn't take the risk—please believe me.
DILLON
I believe you, but you still took the risk of drugging me.
KAS
Dillon, please let me explain the rest.
DILLON
Go the fuck ahead.
Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT — OCTOBER 27, 2012
Kas is tucking Dillon in, whose eyes are closed as he mumbles unintelligibly. Kas kisses his cheek. When he pulls away to stand upright, he looks sad while looking at his partner.
Kas is in a black t-shirt and black boxer briefs. He walks out of the bedroom and down the stairs. He walks past the clock in the hallway that reads approximately 11:45pm.
Kas goes down into the basement and digs out a costume from an old bin. He shakes out the black bodysuit with thin white skull bones on the front.
Cut To:
EXT. KAS AND DILLON'S HOUSE — NIGHT — 2012
Kas is now fully dressed with a tight face mask that's fitted to the bodysuit. He is walking out of a basement side door. The house next door is silent with all the lights out save for a dim porch light.
The house across the street is silent as well save for one low light in the downstairs living room.
Kas walks off briskly through his Riverdale neighborhood until we see him getting on the 1 Subway train at Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street in the Bronx.
As he walks up the stairway to the platform, someone from a small group of drunk college students says:
RANDOM STUDENT 1
Cool costume, man!
Costumed Kas just nods.
RANDOM STUDENT 2
Oh, shit—staying in character.
Cut To:
EXT. THE 1 SUBWAY STATION 116TH STREET–COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Costumed Kas emerges from the subway staircase. He walks in a steady brisk stride until he gets to a 3-story townhouse. Kas rings the bell. A young woman in a sexy cop outfit answers the door.
SEXY COP
Sick costume. Who are you with?
KAS
(mechanized voice)
Thanks. Hank invited me.
SEXY COP
Ooh, I was hoping to arrest him.
Both chuckle.
SEXY COP
Too bad that he left already.
Kas hangs his head low, faking disappointment.
SEXY COP
You're here now, so just come in, baby. I hope you find a girl, a guy, or a ghoul to party with.
She winks.
KAS
A ghoul, definitely a ghoul.
Kas walks in. He looks around at the mixed crowd of college students. He is looking for Ken Fox. He starts to walk around the party on the first floor. Virtually everyone is costumed and drinking alcohol.
Kas walks back to the sexy cop.
KAS
Hey, have you seen Ken? I brought him a thank you gift. I want to give it to him before I get wasted.
SEXY COP
I think he's upstairs. He's dressed as Jack Sparrow.
KAS
Thanks.
Kas makes his way up the stairs to the second floor. More partyers are in the hall and in doorways, some are making out wherever they are.
Kas sees Jack Sparrow near a restroom door and recognizes Ken Fox, even through the makeup. Ken's eyes are bloodshot. He is chatting up a female ninja warrior.
Kas watches for a beat, then walks up to Ken as soon as the ninja warrior walks away.
KAS
Sick party.
KEN
Do I know you?
KAS
No, not personally. I'm a friend of Hank's.
KEN
Cool.
KAS
I brought a special gift for you. Hank told me what you like.
Kas flashes a little baggy with white powder.
KEN
Yeah?
KAS
Fuck yeah.
Kas eyes the bathroom and nods towards it. Ken walks into the bathroom and Kas follows him in. Once inside, Kas locks the door.
Kas puts the powder on the edge of the sink counter. Ken lowers his head and snorts the powder. He recoils a bit and puts his hands on his face.
KEN
What the fuck—that shit burns.
KAS
It's not the regular stuff.
Ken looks dizzy.
Kas pulls out a mini recorder, turns it on and sets it on the counter.
KAS
Come on, man, tell me what happened with that Elena chick at Laye?
Ken leans on the sink.
KEN
(Slurring)
Who the fuck are you? I didn't do anything. She wanted me.
Kas loses all composure and quickly pounces. Ken is too disoriented to fight. Kas grabs his pirate scarf and wraps it around Ken's neck, strangling him. Ken's hands and feet start shaking. Kas holds the scarf tight until Ken is completely still.
Kas looks around the room, grabs the mini recorder. He opens the door and locks the interior turn-knob as he walks out.
The ninja warrior is back.
NINJA WARRIOR
Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom.
KAS
He's not done yet.
Kas pulls the bathroom door shut. He immediately starts walking away.
Kas goes down the hall to the stairs. His pace is quickening as he gets to the main level.
He beelines for the front door. Passing partyers.
Cut To:
EXT. THE 1 SUBWAY STATION 116TH STREET–COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Kas is going down into the subway.
On the train, the costumed Kas is looking around somewhat erratically before settling down.
Cut To:
EXT. KAS AND DILLON'S HOUSE — NIGHT
Kas is reentering the house through the basement side door.
Once inside, Kas takes off his mask and undresses, placing the entire costume (bodysuit, mask, and gloves) in a black trash bag. He pulls out the mini recorder and smashes it underfoot. Then he sweeps up the pieces and dumps them in the same trash bag. Kas is left in a black t-shirt and black boxer-briefs as he ties up the black trash bag.
Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT
Kas is showering in the bathroom.
Then we see him dressed in a red T-shirt and black and red plaid pajama bottoms as he is getting into bed with a knocked out Dillon.
Closeup on Kas's face, tears in his eyes.
Match Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT — PRESENT
Closeup on Kas's face, tears in his eyes.
KAS
Then it was on the news the following day.
DILLON
When you pretended to be shocked.
Kas looks down and wipes his tears. He falls to his knees by Dillon. There's a silence in the air. Kas attempts to collect himself.
KAS
I understand if you want to turn me in or if you hate my guts. I can't blame you. I'm so sorry, babe.
Dillon gets up and paces ploddingly.
DILLON
I fucking hate you for drugging me! I get that you wanted to protect me, but I hate that you didn't trust me.
Dillon is more distraught now.
KAS
I never meant to hurt you. I was just filled with so much rage.
Dillon looks down directly at him.
DILLON
I know you, Kas. That's why I'm livid. You grew up closeted in a claustrophobic macho culture. I grew up a gay black man. We are walking trauma, you and I. Do you think I can give up this kind of unconditional love? Do you!?
Kas is speechless.
DILLON
I fell in love with you because of how hard you love people—your family, your friends, but most of all me.
Dillon is getting emotional.
DILLON
You don't understand what it meant to have you fight for me, to protect me.
KAS
I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have told you but I've been carrying this alone for so long.
Dillon drops down to his knees facing Kas.
DILLON
That's just it, Kas. You weren't carrying it alone.
KAS
What do you mean—I'm confused.
Closeup on Dillon.
Match Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S KITCHEN — MORNING — OCTOBER 28TH, 2012
Closeup on Dillon.
Kas and Dillon are eating breakfast side by side in awkward silence. Kas picks up the remote and turns on the TV.
DILLON (V.O.)
At first, I thought that you'd stepped out on me because you were shower fresh when I woke up. But when the news came on, I had a bad feeling.
A local morning news program is running. An animated BREAKING NEWS ticker flashes on screen.
REPORTER
We have breaking news on this Sunday morning. We've just learned that former Laye University student Kenneth J. Fox was found dead overnight. Police are launching an investigation and we will have more as details emerge. Our prayers are with his family.
Dillon and Kas turn to face each other.
KAS
Holy shit.
DILLON (V.O.)
Your reaction didn't sit right with me.
Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S KITCHEN — MORNING — OCTOBER 29TH, 2012
Kas is dressing in nice slacks and a pressed button-down shirt.
KAS
What are you going to do on your day off, professor?
DILLON
Just some errands, maybe hit the gym.
KAS
I'll take the trash out.
DILLON
Babe, I'll get it. You're going to be late for work if you don't leave now.
Kas gives him a tap kiss before walking out.
Cut To:
EXT. KAS AND DILLON'S HOUSE — MORNING — OCTOBER 29TH, 2012
Dillon, in sweats, is rolling a large trash bin to the curb.
There's a man across the street at the house that had the low lights on in the living room the night of Oct. 27th. JEFF (60) is also bringing his can to the curb for pickup. He waves to Dillon as he starts to cross the street.
Dillon sees him.
DILLON
(To himself, under his breath.)
Lord, what does this man want.
JEFF
Good morning. Is everything okay?
DILLON
Yeah, why?
JEFF
I thought I saw someone leaving your house around midnight.
DILLON
We were both asleep. We were pretty tired after our friend's party.
JEFF
I stepped out to walk my dog when I saw someone in all black.
Closeup on Dillon.
DILLON
You didn't see anything, Jeff.
Match Cut To:
INT. KAS AND DILLON'S BEDROOM — NIGHT — PRESENT
Closeup on Dillon.
DILLON
I threatened him, Kas.
KAS
How? Why?
DILLON
Because I could to protect you.
Brief pause.
DILLON
Years before I met you, I met Jeff at a bar in the city and we messed around. I didn't know that he was on the downlow with a family.
KAS
Wow. I just thought you didn't like him.
DILLON
I don't. When I inherited my aunt Sylvia's house, he was our new neighbor. Anyway, I threatened to out him if he didn't mind his business.
KAS
Oh my God. I'm sorry that I put you in this mess.
Kas embraces him.
DILLON
I love you, too, even though I'm royally pissed. You're going to have to regain my trust.
KAS
I promise, babe. I love you so much.
Dillon backs away.
DILLON
I know this wasn't just about Elena.
Kas looks broken.
DILLON
Maybe it's time to tell your family the whole truth?
Fade Out.
