For Chicago socialites, the world is a playground as their excessive lifestyles and glamorous but daily routines do not satisfy their deepest desires. Through the looking glass, Corinne, 26, is absorbed by the fantasies of an elite group of people that, due to her job as a social columnist, she must be surrounded by but will never be part of despite her attempt to love and be loved in return. Turning to her friends for support, Corinne manipulates a previous fling to regain her sense of worth and to fill a void at the cost of putting her own morals aside to take advantage of someone else’s vulnerability versus dealing with her own. But, Corinne’s story runs parallel to Desiree, 20, the most desired and mysterious socialite, who also feeds off people’s vulnerabilities forcing them to become parasites that cannot survive without her. Each one playing in their own field, they finally cross each other’s path forcing Corinne to look into her own destiny as reflected through Desiree.
This is how I introduce you to
STRANGERS, a new script in the workings with my co-writer and friend,
Brittani Smith. Excerpts of the script below:
EXT. City of Chicago - Day
A series of shots inter cut together.
MICHIGAN AVE. is claustrophobic. Cars drive by, people walk in and out, side to side. The morning noise increases.
INT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Natural light pours into a well-kept bedroom onto CORRINE (26) who lies in bed with her eyes wide open. She is awake but lifeless. The soft lighting illuminates her green eyes that stare into space.
An ALARM CLOCK rings. Corey blinks and looks up.
EXT. CITY OF CHICAGO - DAY
On STATE STREET, people overflow the sidewalks, the traffic is louder, and the train screeches by.
INT. Desiree's Apartment - Night
In a candle lit bedroom, DESIREE (20) pulls black stockings up her thighs where they meet the lace of the lingerie that hugs the contour of her body.
INT. CORINNE'S BATHROOM - DAY
Corinne splashes water on her face. She looks into the mirror; the water slowly dripping as if tears are falling.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Des moves her hands along the sides to reach up for the hair tie that holds her hair up in a bun. Her hair falls gently. She pulls the straps of her bra tight pressing against the skin on her shoulders.
INT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Bra straps slide over hands, arms, and shoulders. Corinne's well kept hands finish the action clasping the back together.
EXT. CITY OF CHICAGO - DAY
Revolving doors pour incoming and outgoing bodies. These people robots share the same expression: gray and black.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Black satin smoothly drapes over her undergarments adding a layer towards completing her entire outfit.
INT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Corinne's hands move through garments neatly arranged in her closet. The easy task is hard to execute.
Her eyes stare blankly.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
She zips her dress up along her spine with her profile slightly outlined by the soft glimmering lights.
INT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Applying mascara to the shades in peach on her eyes, Corinne looks into her mirror.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Through the mirror, her hands reveal the crystals on her earing, swinging lightly as her profile looks down to reach for her perfume.
EXT. CITY OF CHICAGO - DAY
The bridge on MICHIGAN AVE. suffocates by the surrounding buildings and as the day looses daylight, street lights are now also creeping up adding to the chaos.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
From the glass bottle in the shape of a fruit, the liquid particles fall on the surface of her extended neck.
INT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Looking down, Corinne buttons up a perfectly pressed white shirt over her breasts. She wears pearls around her neck.
EXT. CITY OF CHICAGO - Night
Crowds push up against each other in fancy sparkling colors at WRIGLEYVILLE's night life. These people robots share similar expressions: bright red and wide-open joker laughs.
INT. DESIREE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Des slips onto her heels and walks away, blocking and revealing with each step the reflections on the wooden floor until a door closes, leaving nothing but darkness behind.
EXT. CITY OF CHICAGO - DAY
Corinne walks down a peaceful LINCOLN PARK street alone. Her eyes looking forward she moves past leaving the early rising sun to light behind.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Corinne sits over tea with JAIDE (25) on their favorite couch in the establishment.
Jaide
Dude was just jerking off into your body, if you want to know the truth. That's different than having sex with somebody.
Corinne
Yeah, you've said that. But I've never felt so captivated.
Jaide
He's an asshole. I want to kill him. I'd cut his dick off.
Corinne
Don't do that. It's good dick.
JAIDE
So what if its good dick? That's great, tell him congratulations. And say but you know what? I can also get good dick over here, and I might even get a bit of romance, too. Imagine that.
Corinne
He's like a machine.
JAIDE
If you want to get fucked by a machine? Then fuck a machine.
Corinne nods and laughs a little at herself.
JAIDE (cont'd)
You should get at Jordan again.
Corinne
I don't know if he'd want me to.
JAIDE
Pretty sure he'd still hit it.
Corinne
Is he seeing anyone?
Jaide
No, he's missing you. Call him.
EXT. CORINNE'S APARTMENT - Day
JORDAN (26) walks up to LINCOLN PARK apartment building. He's on his phone.