FADE IN: INT. FAMILY ROOM -- DAY A small table is strewn with pictures. On top of the mess are several pictures of Miller, a young man in his mid 20's, and Shelly, a gorgeous female of about the same age. A hand reaches towards the photos and several are moved out of the way to reveal more pictures of the young couple. Somber music plays in the background. The camera pulls back to show Miller, the young man in the pictures sitting on the couch. His face is now ragged, his hair a mess, compared to the pictures. The room has clothing and fast food wrappers scattered about. He leans back to take a deep breath as the doorbell rings. He ignores it as he closes his eyes. Several seconds later it rings again. He glances at it before laying down. A moment later a loud knocking is heard. Frustrated, he gets up to answer it. He opens the door and see's Thomas, an older gentleman in his late thirties to early forties, standing on the other side. Thomas holds a bag of groceries in his hand. THOMAS Hi. MILLER What are you doing here? Miller walks back to the couch and collapses as Thomas follows him in. THOMAS Haven't seen you for awhile. Thought I'd stop by and see how you were. MILLER I'm fine. I just want to be left alone. Thomas glances around the room. THOMAS I can tell. Miller rolls over on the couch, his back towards Thomas. THOMAS (CONT'D) I thought I'd bring you some groceries. Figured you could use them. MILLER I appreciate the thought. THOMAS I'll just leave them right here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Thomas starts moving the pictures on the table to put the groceries down. Miller quickly rolls over. MILLER Don't touch those! Thomas looks at him quizzically. MILLER (CONT'D) Sorry...just put them on the floor over there in the corner. Thomas puts the groceries on the floor and then glances at the door. THOMAS Listen, I'm sorry if I caught you at a bad time. I know you've been through a lot and I just thought that maybe...I thought that maybe you'd want to talk about it. Miller sits with his head in his hands. THOMAS (CONT'D) I'll get going. You take care of yourself okay? Thomas starts to head out the door. MILLER Wait. Thomas stops. MILLER (CONT'D) I'm sorry...I just... THOMAS Just what? Miller gets up and walks to the window. He stares out it. MILLER You know I haven't been out of this house in three weeks. I haven't been able to leave since it happened. I just...I just keeping thinking about everything that happened, everything I did, everything I said...I think I'm losing my mind. Miller breaks down sobbing. MILLER (CONT'D) I miss her and it's my fault. It's my fault she's not here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Miller takes a deep breath as he tries to compose himself, wiping the tears from his eyes. MILLER (CONT'D) I gotta...gotta... Miller walks back over to the table with the pictures. He glances down at them and picks one up. As he stares at it a weak smile passes his face. MILLER (CONT'D) I keep going through all these memories and...it's like she's still here...I'm just so afraid of forgetting, you know. THOMAS Yeah I know...It's not healthy for you to dwell on things you can't change. You'll drive yourself crazy. Miller tries to muster a weak laugh. MILLER I thought I already was. Miller picks up a picture and stares at it as he collapses on the couch. Thomas walks behind the couch to see the picture he's looking at. MILLER (CONT'D) She's gorgeous, isn't she. THOMAS Yeah, she's definitely a looker. MILLER I remember the first day we moved here...She was so happy and so...Why did we have to move. Why'd we pick this God forsaken house. Miller swipes his hand across the table, sending everything flying through the air. MILLER (CONT'D) I hate this! I hate this place, these feelings! Miller's body collapses in a heap as he again begins to cry. MILLER (CONT'D) ...It's like someone just took a part of my heart and ripped it out. Thomas pats him on the back. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. THOMAS I know you might not understand this right now, but everything happens for a reason. And it's best, at times like this to...just try to remember the good times. MILLER ...The good times... EXT. HOUSE -- DAY 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS EARLIER A modest little one story house sits on a well groomed lawn. In the front yard by the sidewalk stands Miller and Shelly, holding hands, and staring at the house in anticipation. MILLER So what do you think? SHELLY I love it...it's... She gives him a hug and a quick kiss. SHELLY (CONT'D) It's everything I ever wanted. They smile at each other and Shelly gives him another kiss before she takes off running into the center of the lawn. Miller starts walking over towards her. MILLER It's not that great. With the money I'm pulling...I just wish it could have been more. SHELLY It's wonderful. MILLER You're sure you like it? SHELLY I love it. She pulls him down onto the ground. MILLER Hey...! SHELLY What? Afraid of getting dirty? MILLER No. Are you? They begin play wrestling for a few seconds until Shelly ends up on top pinning his arms down. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. MILLER (CONT'D) What do you really think of the house? Shelly gets a huge grin on her face. She starts kissing him all over the face as he starts playfully struggling. SHELLY I love it, I love it, I love it, I love, I love it. She kisses him on the lips and it quickly becomes much more passionate. THOMAS You two enjoying yourselves? They both look up to see Thomas grinning down at them. They quickly get to their feet, their faces flushed red with embarrassment. THOMAS (CONT'D) You do know there's a bedroom inside the house? Miller smiles sheepishly. MILLER Yeah..um, sorry. I guess we just kind of got carried away. There's an awkward silence as Thomas continues to grin at the both of them. SHELLY We just moved in. I'm Shelly. THOMAS Thomas. It's nice to meet you. Thomas takes a quick glance at Miller before returning his attention to Shelly. MILLER Miller, sorry. Thomas gives Miller a quick nod. THOMAS It's nice to meet you both. Welcome to the neighborhood. MILLER Thanks. THOMAS So...you're all moved in already? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. SHELLY No we're still waiting on the furniture. It should be here in another half hour or so. Thomas starts cracking up. Miller and Shelly stare at him with puzzled looks on their faces. Thomas notices and tries to control himself. THOMAS Sorry...the bedroom thing I mentioned earlier. Not much use if there's no bed. Guess the grounds as good as the floor. Miller and Shelly exchange glances. MILLER Yeah I guess so. SHELLY Speaking of the house, we should probably go check out the inside. Decide where we want everything. MILLER Yeah, I guess we should. It was nice meeting you Thomas. THOMAS Always a pleasure. Thomas shakes Miller's hand and then shakes Shelly's. His hand lingers on hers for a moment before he slowly slides it away. Miller notices. THOMAS (CONT'D) I guess I'll see you two around. I live two doors down so if you two ever need anything feel free to ask. SHELLY Thanks. Miller and Shelly start making their way to the front door of the house. MILLER So what do you think? SHELLY I told you I love the house. MILLER No, about him. Miller glances over his shoulder, smiles, and gives a quick wave as he sees Thomas watching them from the sidewalk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SHELLY He seems nice enough I guess. MILLER He seems a bit off. SHELLY I think it's part of his charm. Miller fishes around his pocket for the keys to the house. He pulls them out and starts opening the door. MILLER Yeah, real charming. He wouldn't take his eyes off of you. Miller opens the front door. SHELLY Jealous? She glances back over her should and notices that Thomas is still watching from the sidewalk. She gives Miller a long kiss and then smiles. MILLER No. He responds with a quick kiss on the lips before they both step into the house. INT. KITCHEN -- MORNING Miller walks into the kitchen while straightening his tie as Shelly stands by the oven cooking eggs. She removes them from the pan and places them on a plate beside a few slices of toast. As she turns to take them to the table she glances at Miller and begins laughing hysterically. MILLER It's not funny. Millers face has several pieces of tissue covering it from razor cuts and his tie sits lopsided on his chest. His shirt and hair are semi-drenched. Shelly tries to say something but ends up on the floor from laughing so hard. MILLER (CONT'D) It's really not funny. It's my first day of work and I'm going to be late. He walks over to help Shelly up as she tries to pull herself up using the kitchen counter. SHELLY What happened to you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. MILLER That neighbors damn dog is what happened. I swear I'm going to shoot that little fucker. SHELLY Awww, honey don't say that. MILLER I was shaving when I saw that little shit sniffing around the yard. Ended up cutting myself because I was rushing so I could get outside and shoo him off. The sprinklers went off as I got outside. I ended up dancing around the yard like an idiot. SHELLY And the tie? MILLER I've got snausages for fingers. Miller lets out a long sigh and then flashes a goofy grin. SHELLY I think that little shit got you. MILLER What do you... Miller glances down and sees a big wad of dog turds hanging from the side of his shoe. A trail of it stretches out behind him on the floor. MILLER (CONT'D) Why that little...that little shit! SHELLY It's a Shitzu! She begins laughing hysterically again. He glances at her shaking his head and then hops on one foot out of the room. As the fit of laughter begins to leave Shelly grabs for the paper towels. She glances out the window and notices Thomas standing on the sidewalk. He waves at her. Her smile quickly disappears as she pretends not to notice him. INT. FAMILY ROOM -- DAY THREE WEEKS LATER Shelly sits on the couch watching the T.V. as Miller walks through the front door carrying a newspaper in his hand. Shelly looks at him with a huge smile running across her face. SHELLY Hey! You're home early. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. MILLER Yeah, I know. Miller stands grinning at her. Shelly notices and gets a quizzical look on her face. SHELLY Okay what's going on? MILLER Nothing. SHELLY Why the grin then? MILLER No reason. SHELLY You didn't lose your job did you? MILLER Nope. SHELLY Okay then...what? MILLER It's...You know what, I'll tell you in a bit. SHELLY ...Okay. MILLER Here you forgot the paper outside. He tosses it onto the couch next to her and then looks strangely at the couch. MILLER (CONT'D) I still think the couch would have been better against the other wall. SHELLY I thought we settled that three weeks ago when we placed the furniture. Don't tell me you came home early to tell me that. He gives her a smile. MILLER No...I've got some stuff to take care of in the bedroom and then I'll be right out, okay? Miller starts heading for the bedroom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. SHELLY You're sure nothing's wrong? MILLER Yep, everything's great. He disappears from the room. Shelly turns around to look at the T.V., a look of curiousness on her face. She picks up the newspaper on the couch next to her and begins to thumb through it. She stops half way through it just as Miller comes out of the bedroom. Miller walks over towards the couch with a big smile on his face. Shelly looks up at him with a disturbed look. MILLER (CONT'D) You okay? SHELLY Did you see the paper. MILLER No, why? SHELLY A couple streets down from here... MILLER A couple streets down from here, what? SHELLY Remember that woman that stopped by here a couple of weeks ago when we first moved in. MILLER Yeah I think so. SHELLY She's dead...Murdered. MILLER You're kidding. SHELLY No...According to the paper it's the third murder in this neighborhood in the last two months. They think it's the same person. They were all killed the same way. Miller quickly takes the paper away from her. MILLER You shouldn't be reading that. You'll give yourself nightmares. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. SHELLY Too late. MILLER Hun, there's nothing to... SHELLY Can we talk about something else. MILLER Yeah, sorry. What do you want to talk about? Shelly gets a small smile. SHELLY Why don't you tell me why you're home early. Miller smiles weakly as he takes a seat next to her on the couch. MILLER I think the moods spoiled. SHELLY Is it good news? MILLER I hope so. It's kind of bad timing now though. SHELLY Please, I need something to cheer me up. MILLER ...No, maybe later. Shelly pushes down on the couch and jumps on top of him. SHELLY Pretty please? MILLER Shell, no... She kisses him slowly on the lips. SHELLY How bout now? MILLER You're making this very hard you know that? SHELLY Am I? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. She grins mischievously and then kisses him again. SHELLY (CONT'D) So what's the good news? MILLER Wait, let me get this straight. If I don't tell you, you keep kissing me, right? Shelly gets a slightly annoyed look on her face. MILLER (CONT'D) I'm just weighing my options. Miller grins slyly. SHELLY Fine, if you don't want to say anything... MILLER Okay...you win. SHELLY Thank you. Shelly smiles and gives him a quick kiss. SHELLY (CONT'D) So what's the good news. MILLER I got a raise. She looks toward the lower part of Miller's body. SHELLY I know you did. MILLER Very funny. SHELLY I wasn't trying to be. MILLER I meant I got a promotion with a really nice pay raise. SHELLY That's wonderful!...Why were you afraid to tell me that? MILLER Well because there is a little more... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. SHELLY ...We don't have to move, do we? MILLER No, it's not that. Miller gently pushes her off on him and stands up. He grabs an item from his pocket but conceals it from Shelly. She watches his hand curiously. MILLER (CONT'D) I've had a lot of time to think about us...Honestly I've been thinking about us for a long time. About what our future together might be like and in which way I'd like you to be a part of my life...And I was afraid to take that step. SHELLY That step? MILLER Yeah...I know living together before we were married isn't what you really wanted, and I didn't want to get married until I felt I could give you what you deserve, a nice house... SHELLY Miller I told you I don't need those things. MILLER I know but you deserve them. SHELLY Funny. MILLER What's funny? SHELLY You... MILLER ...Okay, why? She smiles and kisses him before looking knowingly into his eyes. SHELLY I know you're afraid of commitment and I know this is a test. MILLER A test? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. SHELLY Yes, a test. You want to see if we're compatible, to see if you really love me. MILLER Hun, I love you and deep down I've always known that you're the one...but you're right, I was afraid...and that's why... Miller gets down on one knee and starts to reveal the ring he's been hiding in his hand. SHELLY What are you doing? MILLER Will you marry me? Shelly's face lights up as she throws her arms around Miller in an embrace. MILLER (CONT'D) Is that a yes? SHELLY Yes. He slides the ring onto her finger. They smile affectionately at each other before moving in for a sensuous kiss. INT. FAMILY ROOM -- DAY PRESENT TIME Miller looks up from his place on the couch, his mind still slightly lost in his memories. He eyes the room as if seeing it for the first time. He stands up, and as if in a trance, makes his way slowly to the window. MILLER ...the good times, right...and I had to go fuck everything up. And why? What for? Money? My job? I mean really, what the hell did any of that mean in the bigger picture? THOMAS I don't know. MILLER I'm losing my fucking mind here and I don't know what to do? I don't know what to think, I don't...I want to run off to some hole in the fucking ground and die...because I did this. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15. THOMAS You didn't do anything. It's not your fault. MILLER Then who's fault is it! Thomas lowers his head and shakes it in silence. MILLER (CONT'D) Why are you shaking your head at me. Don't you dare shake your head at me! I didn't know...I didn't... THOMAS Didn't what? MILLER There are so many things I didn't see. Things I didn't think about, things I neglected, things I wish I could change...So...So many things... INT. FAMILY ROOM -- EVENING 3 WEEKS EARLIER Miller sits on the couch, the T.V. is on but muted, and paperwork scattered on the table next to him. He picks up a folder from the table and begins going through the paperwork inside. His wife Shelly emerges from the bedroom in cute lace trimmed lingerie. She watches him intently. SHELLY Coming to bed soon? He answers without even looking at her. MILLER Soon... She takes a deep breath as she walks over to him and sits beside him on the couch. She runs a finger up his arm and towards his chest. Again he ignores her as he continues staring at his paperwork. SHELLY You know what tonight is, don't you? MILLER No...what? She sighs before getting up to head back to the bedroom. Half way there she stops and glances back at him hoping for him to notice her. He glances at her, a weak smile crossing his face. She smiles back. MILLER (CONT'D) Shell? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16. SHELLY ...Yeah? MILLER There is something I wanted to ask you. SHELLY Go ahead... MILLER Do you have any plans for the weekend? Her eyes light up. SHELLY Not that I know of. MILLER I've got to leave town for some business. I figured I'd stop to see my mother on the way. Would you mind running some paperwork down to the office for me this weekend? She tries desperately to fight back tears, not wanting him to know the hurt he's just inflicted on her heart. SHELLY Is that it? MILLER Yeah, is that okay? She nods before fleeing to the bedroom. He goes back to his paperwork for a moment, notices the time on the clock, and gets up to turn the T.V. off before heading into the bedroom. INT. BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER Miller sits on the edge of the bed as he undresses leaving on just a pair of boxers for sleeping in. Shelly lies in bed behind him staring off into space. He gets up and tosses his clothing into the laundry basket. As he turns around he hears Shelly weeping quietly, and stands to watch her for a second. MILLER What's with the lingerie? SHELLY You really don't know... MILLER Did I forget something? SHELLY It doesn't matter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17. He rolls over and starts to put his arm around her, but changes his mind at the last second. MILLER I'm trying. She rolls over to face him. SHELLY You're doing a miserable job, you know that? He turns away from her. SHELLY (CONT'D) That's just like you. You're always turning away from me. MILLER I don't want to argue, alright? SHELLY Maybe I do. Maybe that's the only way I can get through to you. Miller gets up and goes over to the laundry basket. He starts pulling out his clothes to get dressed again. SHELLY (CONT'D) Where are you going? MILLER I don't want to listen to this. SHELLY Do you know what tonight is! MILLER No, so it must not be that damn important. SHELLY It's our anniversary. Miller freezes in his tracks. MILLER I forgot. SHELLY You always forget. MILLER It's not like I did it on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18. SHELLY You never do...You've always got something better to do. I'm sorry I brought it up. I'm sorry it doesn't mean that much to you. She rolls back over and lies still. He walks over and puts his hand on her. SHELLY (CONT'D) Don't touch me...Just leave. MILLER You're being ridiculous. SHELLY Are you serious?...You're serious. I'm married to a man I never see. Who doesn't love me enough to ever make time for me. Who can't even remember our anniversary and I'm being ridiculous. MILLER I don't need this. With everything I do for you I really don't need this. I don't deserve this. SHELLY Everything you do for me? MILLER I put a roof over your head don't I? You can get whatever you want, whenever you want it. You have security, comfort, everything any woman could ever want, everything I thought you wanted, and all you do is bitch and complain. SHELLY You asshole. You arrogant, smug, son of a bitch. You don't get it, do you?...I don't need those things, I don't want those things. I want you, just some of your time. Make me feel important by being there for me, not buying me some junk and leaving me to sit in these cold empty walls all by myself. Miller gets up and grabs his coat as he heads for the door. SHELLY (CONT'D) You haven't heard a word I've said, have you? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19. MILLER I heard... SHELLY You just don't care...? MILLER I've got work to do...I'll be back later. He walks over to give her a kiss but she pulls away. She reaches under the bed and grabs a gift and tosses it against the wall. SHELLY Take your fucking gift and get out! She rolls over in bed and closes her eyes, trying to hold back tears. He watches her for a moment, walks to do the door, stops, glances at the gift on the floor by the door, then back to her, before walking out. EXT. HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER Miller storms out of the house as he finishes putting on his jacket. The area outside the house is eerily dark except for the light on the porch. Miller takes a deep breath as he gets close to the sidewalk. He stops and sighs as he glances back at the house. He hesitates for a second and then starts to slowly make his way back towards the front door. He checks his pocket for his keys, and upon realizing he doesn't have them, lifts his hand to knock on the door. Again he hesitates and decides against knocking. He stares at the door for a moment, lost in thought before turning and disappearing down the street. INT. BEDROOM -- MOMENTS LATER Shelly sits on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands as she tries to compose herself. She glances at the door hoping that any moment Miller will appear in the doorway and apologize. She hears a noise in the family room. SHELLY Miller? No answer. She gets up and goes to the bathroom. INT. BATHROOM -- CONTINUOUS Shelly wipes the tears and mascara that had ran down her face from crying. Again a noise is heard in the family room. SHELLY Miller is that you? Again no answer. She slowly makes her way out of the bathroom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20. INT. FAMILY ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER Shelly enters the darkened family room. She slowly creeps over to the lamp and turns it on. She glances around and finds the room empty. She breaths a sigh of relief. As she turns a rustling noise is heard behind her. She quickly turns to find the wind blowing the pages of a magazine the sits on a table beneath an open window. She closes the window, turns off the lamp, and quickly rushes back to the bedroom. INT. BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS As Shelly enters the bedroom she glances around the empty room. She pushes the door shut behind her without turning around. Standing behind her is Thomas, his face hidden in the shadows and never seen. She takes a deep breath. Thomas leans in slowly behind her until he is inches from her neck. She freezes, sensing something is wrong but not being sure what. Thomas slowly takes a slow, deep breath, and then exhales slowly onto the back of her neck. She shivers. SHELLY Miller...is that you? He puts an arm around her waist. She looks down at his hand as he pulls her into him. She starts to scream but Thomas quickly covers her mouth with his free hand. A wicked grin crosses his face as he leans towards her ear and whispers into it. THOMAS Scream and you're dead. Her eyes fly open as she recognizes the voice. EXT. HOUSE -- LATER Miller walks up the driveway towards the front door of his house, carrying a bouquet of roses in his hands. As he approaches the front door of his house he stops, noticing the door is slightly ajar. He glances around the outside and then apprehensively approaches the door, pushing it open to go in. He takes one last look back outside before stepping in and closing the door behind him. INT. FAMILY ROOM -- CONTINUOUS Miller glances around the family room and notices that everything looks the same way he had left it earlier. He struggles to keep calm as he walks slowly through the room. MILLER Shell?...Hun, you still here? The house is silent. A bit of panic starts creeping into Miller's voice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21. MILLER (CONT'D) Shelly? Miller makes his way to the bedroom door and slowly pushes it open. INT. BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS As Miller opens the door it bumps into an item laying on the floor. He looks down and notices the anniversary gift Shelly had gotten him lying on the floor. A look of pain and guilt crosses his face as he bends down and picks it up. He calls out for her again. MILLER Hun? He hears the shower water running in the bathroom. He walks over and lays the anniversary gift from Shelly and the bouquet of flowers he'd bought for her on the bed. A peaceful smile crosses his face before he turns and head towards the bathroom. The door is slightly ajar. He knocks quietly on the wall next to the door. MILLER (CONT'D) Honey? He pushes it open and takes a step in. His body freezes just inside the doorway as a look of shock and panic crosses his face. MILLER (CONT'D) ...oh God...oh God...Oh God... Miller's body falls against the frame of the door for support. MILLER (CONT'D) No...No...No...Noooo! Tears start streaming from his eyes. INT. FAMILY ROOM -- EVENING PRESENT TIME The room hangs with a heavy tension as Miller continues to break down emotionally. Thomas observes his every movement, as he appears to be taking some kind of joy in what he's seeing. MILLER And this is what I get for it. This is how I... Miller rushes to the side of the couch and grabs an almost full bottle of vodka that's been laying there. He starts gulping it down as fast as he can. Thomas rushes over to stop him, pulling the bottle away from him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22. THOMAS What are you doing? MILLER What does it look like?...I deserve this, right? Because I...I caused all of this. This is all my fault...and now I have to be punished... Miller stumbles over to the couch and collapses on it. Thomas watches him carefully as Miller struggles to keep his eyes open from exhaustion. MILLER (CONT'D) You know what he did to her? THOMAS Tell me... MILLER He cut her up into...into little pieces. They were all just kind of laying...and the blood... THOMAS I know. MILLER And he took...he took her...her ring...he took her ring... Miller drifts off into a disturbed sleep. Thomas walks over and covers him with a blanket. A knowing grin crosses his face. He takes one last look at Miller before walking out of the house. EXT. HOUSE -- DAY Thomas exits the house closing the door behind him. As he walks down towards the driveway a sly grin passes his face. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out Shelly's wedding ring, examines it, and then flips it into the air and catches it. THOMAS Number four... He notices a woman walking down the sidewalk towards him. He smiles as she approaches him. THOMAS (CONT'D) Hey. WOMAN Hi. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23. THOMAS Beautiful day out isn't it? WOMAN Yeah. She smiles back at him as she walks away. Thomas looks upward towards the sky and as he lowers his head back down an evil smile passes his lips, he's found his next victim.