Part 41 (1/2)

KATIE.

Busy.

BILL.

Katie, are you sure - KATIE.

She's the only one left - it had to be her. Bill, I'm scared. Will you drive me out there?

BILL takes the phone from her.

BILL.

What's her number?

KATIE.

555-6169.

BILL dials. Gets a busy. Hangs up and punches 0.

OPERATOR (filter) Operator.

BILL.

I'm trying to reach my sister-in-law, operator. The line is busy. I suspect there may be a problem. Can you break into the call, please?

INT. THE DOOR TO THE TV ROOM.

All three kids are standing there, silent and worried.

INT. THE PHONE NOOK, WITH BILL AND KATIE.

OPERATOR (filter) What is your name, sir?

BILL.

William Weiderman. My number is - OPERATOR (filter) Not the William Weiderman that wrote Spider Doom?!

BILL.

Yes, that was mine. If - OPERATOR (filter) Oh my G.o.d, I just loved that book! I love all your books! I - BILL.

I'm delighted you do. But right now my wife is very worried about her sister. If it's possible for you to - OPERATOR (filter) Yes, I can do that. Please give me your number, Mr. Weiderman, for the records. (She GIGGLES.) I promise not to give it out.

BILL.

It's 555-4408.

OPERATOR (filter) And the call number?

BILL (looks at KATIE) Uh . . .

KATIE.

555-6169.

BILL.

555-6169.

OPERATOR (filter) Just a moment, Mr. Weiderman . . . Night of the Beast was also great, by the way. Hold on.

SOUND: TELEPHONIC CLICKS AND CLACKS.

KATIE.

Is she - BILL.

Yes. Just . . .

There's one final CLICK.

OPERATOR (filter) I'm sorry, Mr. Weiderman, but that line is not busy. It's off the hook. I wonder if I sent you my copy of Spider Doom - BILL hangs up the phone.

KATIE.

Why did you hang up?

BILL.

She can't break in. Phone's not busy. It's off the hook.

They stare at each other bleakly.

EXT. A LOW-SLUNG SPORTS CAR Pa.s.sES THE CAMERA NIGHT.

INT. THE CAR, WITH KATIE AND BILL.

KATIE'S scared. BILL, at the wheel, doesn't look exactly calm.

KATIE.

Hey, Bill - tell me she's all right.

BILL.

She's all right.

KATIE.