Scene 5
INT. DISPATCH CENTER — NIGHT
A room alive with tense energy. Cubicles lined up one after another with head-set clad workers peaking from the upper limits. Phones ring constantly. A cacophony of inquiries.
Amidst this clamor, we find GLORIA, 30s, taking her lunch at her desk. Her phone rings. She quickly finishes chewing and answers.
GLORIA: 911, what is your emergency?
VOICE: Hello?
It’s a child’s voice. Gloria’s becomes tender.
GLORIA: Hello, honey. What’s your name?
VOICE: Suzie.
GLORIA: Hi, Suzie. This is 911. The Police. Is there something the matter?
SUZIE: I think someone is hurting Mommy. In the next room.
Gloria sits up, focuses herself.
GLORIA: Ok, honey. Are you in your bedroom? I need you to go to your favorite hiding spot, ok? Under the bed, maybe, and be very, very quiet. Do you know your address, sweetie?
SUZIE: No, no, I can’t remember. (She remembers to be quiet) I’m sorry. I can’t remember.
GLORIA: It’s ok, honey. Don’t be sorry. Go to your hiding spot. Stay on the phone. I will be back in one second. I promise.
We hear some shuffling on the other end. Gloria switches lines.
GLORIA: I need a location ASAP on my current caller. A minor. Female. Possible 110-D-1. Please hurry. It’s a child.
Gloria switches back.
GLORIA: Suzie, you there, hon?
SUZIE: Yes. I’m scared.
GLORIA: Everything’s going to be ok, sweetie. You’re hiding, right? Suzie, can you tell me your last name? Do you know your last name?
SUZIE: Hickman. Suzie Hickman. Please hurry up. I can’t hear Mommy anymore. I hear footsteps.
GLORIA: Honey, stay quiet. Very, very quiet. Just whispers. Suzie, what’s your favorite TV show?
SUZIE: Thu — Thundercats.
GLORIA: Thundercats? Oh, That was my favorite show when I was little, too. I didn’t know it was still on television. Think about the thundercats, honey. I will be right back on the line. I’m getting help.
Gloria hurriedly changes the line.
GLORIA: Did you get that location?
TECH: We located the call. But it’s coming from an empty lot. There are no residences there. None in that area, even. Not for years.
GLORIA: What? Are you kidding me? Please, it’s a little girl. Listen, I have her name. Suzie Hickman. Last name, Hickman.
We hear the patter of a keyboard over the line. A few tense beats. Gloria’s heavy breathing becomes audible.
TECH: I, uh, I got a Suzie Hickman, but…
GLORIA: But what?
TECH: But she was murdered in 1987. 6-years old. Female. 110-D-1. Home Invasion. Cause of death — strangulation by phone cord. Her listed address matches the call, too. I think it’s a prank caller. It must be.
GLORIA: A prank-caller!? But she sounded so…
Gloria’s concern turns to fierce anger. She switches over.
GLORIA: Do you know that what you’re doing is a felony? Placing a fake call to 911?
SUZIE: Please! Help! He’s breaking into my room.
GLORIA: This is a terrible thing you’re doing! An absolutely terrible thing…
SUZIE: He’s here. He’s here. He’s coming for me…
We hear a haunting, shrill scream.
Gloria quickly ends the call. She stares ahead, mouth agape. The room goes eerily silent.