Not Your Standard Phobia
(Story starts around 00:02:40)
Not Your Standard Phobia
by
Johnny Stitches
(Atrium Dynamics Audio Script Format)
A woman in her early 30s battles the abnormal fear of failure and seeks a cure, but the doctor she meets may be out of her price range so she seeks out her sister for help.
Speaking Cast:
Fiona Frey – A tired woman in her early 30s trying to live with a horrid phobia
Grace Frey – Fiona’s chipper older sister who’s very successful in her mid 30s
Coffee Shop Attendant – A nice guy that serves coffee, he is in his late 20s
Dr. Rudolph Finster – A polite but strange and mysterious doctor in his late 50s
Anna Friday – A stenographer/assistant for Dr. Finster.
*Open Scene
Fiona walks through the rustic wooden door to a coffee shop that is located in the bottom of a historic stone building. A small bell chimes as she enters, followed by the shake of the large plate glass housed in the old frame of the door. The ambience is low as there is not much traffic in the quaint little business. Her flats click across the old hardwood as she walks up to the register, removing her small wallet from her minimalistic purse. The attendant behind the bar walks up, his shoes clicking on the same hardwood. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Tired, but polite:
“Hi.”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Smiling back:
“What can I get for ya?”
Fiona Frey
Tired, but politely stating what she wants, only to be cut off by the attendant’s cell:
“Yeah, I want medium iced caramel macchiato, but can you add…”
The vibrating of the attendant’s cell interrupts Fiona’s order. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Frantic with excitement, pleading as Fiona responds before he can finish:
“Hey, do you mind if I take this? I’m so sorry but it’s just that…”
Fiona Frey
Still smiling politely, but let down a bit:
“No, Of course… go ahead.”
The attendant takes a few steps over to the side of the counter with one finger on his open ear and with his cell phone firmly pressed against his other ear. The bell rings again as the door opens to another customer in the background. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Frantic with excitement:
(Indiscernible excitement from the other side punctuates his responses)
“Hey, babe! …What? …No shit, you got the part? Wow, I’m so happy for you! ...Yeah, yeah, sorry, happy for us! Anyway babe, I’ll call you back on my break. I have a customer at the counter and another just walked in... Yeah, I will as soon as I can. I love you. Bye.”
The attendant takes a few steps back over to the counter, pocketing his cell phone and he walks. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Apologizing, but with the excitement of his news still interwoven within his tone:
“I am so sorry, ma’am. I usually never keep my phone on me during work. What was it you wanted, an iced latte?”
Fiona Frey
No longer smiling, but still polite:
“No, it was a medium iced caramel macchiato and you don’t have to apologize. It sounds like you got some exciting news. I just wanted a small pump of extra vanilla in it.”
The attendant clicks the order in on the small tablet-based register. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Happily responding:
“Yes ma’am, it was some amazing news! My girlfriend was casted to be in a horror movie that is being filmed in Georgia! I can’t believe it! Anyway, again, I’m sorry. So that’s one medium iced caramel macchiato with a small pump of extra vanilla in it, right? Is that gonna be it?”
Fiona Frey
Smiles fake-like, slightly embarrassed as she speaks:
“Yes… Hey, stop apologizing. You should be happy! And you don’t have to call me "ma’am." I don’t look that old, do I?”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Happily responding:
“No, not at all! It’s a habit. That will be $4.47.”
Fiona unzips her wallet and pulls out her debit card. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Tired, but polite:
“Is debit ok?”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Tripping over his words at first, but then responding professionally:
“Yes, ma’a... I mean, sure thing, miss. It’s a chip reader. Please go ahead and insert it.”
Fiona inserts the card. After a few seconds it makes a loud error noise. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Worried:
“What’s that noise mean?”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Responding professionally:
“Your card failed to read.”
Fiona Frey
Worried:
“Failed? I failed?”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Sympathetic:
“No, not you. Your card. Swipe it this time. That chip reader is always messing up.”
Fiona swipes the card. After a few seconds it makes the loud error noise again. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Worried and a little crazed:
“No, no, I have money in that account! Why is it saying that I’m failing!”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Put off and confused:
“Ma’am, it's not you, ok? Let me see the card.
The attendant clicks the card number into the register and it dings happily. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Happily responding and rambling to overcome the awkwardness, but interrupted:
“See, there we go! I told you it wasn’t you. All is good now. I miss our old credit card machine. The owner was sold by this company out of…”
Fiona Frey
Worried and a little crazed:
“It’s only because you touched it. I fail at everything. Everything.”
The door rings again as another woman enters, walking up to Fiona. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Chipper:
“Fiona! Sorry I’m late!”
Grace pulls a ten-dollar bill out of her purse and hands it over to the attended.
Grace Frey
Chipper:
“Hey, I’ll take a small iced, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soy milk and just bring hers to the table with mine. Thanks!”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Put off and even more confused:
“Ma’am, there was another gentleman waiting ahead of you, behind this lady.”
Grace Frey
Turning and smiling at the guy behind them:
“Oh, it’s ok. Look, he doesn’t mind, do you?”
The guy behind them sighs in aggravation. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Chipper:
“See! Plus, this is my sister Fiona. She was just holding my place!”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Aggravated:
“Fine, take a seat you two and I will have these out to you shortly.”
Grace Frey
Chipper:
“Fabuliso! Keep the change, honey!”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Happily questioning as they walk away:
“But, Ma’am this is Ten?”
Grace walks Fiona over to the nearest small table, pulling the chair out for her. Fiona sits down almost catatonic in her movements. Grace pulls a chair out and sits across from her sister. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Worried and a little meek:
“Gracie, I can’t even order coffee without messing it up.”
Grace leans over the table, which creaks as she moves, and takes her sister’s clamoring nervous hand. Stretching their arms out she eases back into her chair, their hands still locked. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm, but worried too:
“Fiona, it will pass. It's just depression. I am here for you now, but I need you to be honest with me, ok? Are you off the pills again? Is that why you have called me here?”
Fiona Frey
Still docile but warming up:
“It’s amazing that you grabbing my hand like that still claims me down. Grace, I wish I had your ability.”
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm, but worried too:
“My ability? What are you talking about? Fee? What happened to you?”
Fiona Frey
Just meek:
“You have no problem achieving your dreams, you never fail at anything you touch, but I, well… I ruin everything that I do. These last few years I can’t commit to anything because I know I will just fail. I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this.”
Grace Frey
Concerned and scared:
“Fee, let me in more. You can’t keep doing this to yourself. I really thought you were doing all right. You said on the phone earlier that you wanted to take me to someone? Did you meet a guy? I’m really confused here, Fiona. I am.”
Fiona Frey
Just docile:
“He is a doctor.”
The attendant walks up with a small tray, holding two plastic cups. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Happily hands out the order, but is distracted by the sadness of the two women:
“Ok, ladies! Here’s the small iced, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soymilk and here’s your medium iced caramel macchiato with a small pump of extra vanilla in it. ...Uh? Is everything ok with you two? Something else I can get for y’all?”
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm:
“No sir, we are good. Sorry about earlier.”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Sympathetic and warm in return:
“No worries, I’m used to the rush. Anyway, y’all ladies let me know if you need anything else.”
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm:
“Ok thanks, I think this will do us.”
The attendant walks away and Fiona grabs her coffee, but Grace interrupts her before she can take drink. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Concerned and lost:
“A doctor? What the hell are you doing? Aunt Helen is our doctor.”
Fiona Frey
Just docile:
“Aunt Helen can’t help me. Not with this. Her pills just hide it. They don’t get rid of anything.”
Grace Frey
Aggravated:
“So you have stopped your meds.”
Fiona Frey
Angry and frustrated, almost in tears:
“Medicine doesn’t fix it! You don’t understand! You see… you are already being failed by me right now. The disappointment and embarrassment is filling your eyes. BUT! I’m trying, ok? Until now, this morning was a good one, almost normal… almost. I just want the success you have. What everyone else has because they are not like me, they are not afraid to try.”
Grace Frey
Lost at the delusions of Fiona:
“They are tears, Fee. Not disappointment or embarrassment, but goddamn tears. I am worried about you. Everything I have you can have to. You just need to stay on your pills and apply yourself to the real world!”
Fiona Frey
Lightly sobbing:
“Easy for you to say… you have a law degree and I didn’t finish my second semester for my associate's. Thomas loves you and I can’t even get a second date. (Sobs) And the coffee server guy’s girlfriend is going to Georgia to be in a horror movie, but not me. I can’t complete anything I start. Nothing is good enough. All failures.”
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm:
“Fiona, your singing and your painting skills are so amazing! You’re like a prodigy, only with two talents. I can’t hold a note and I can barely draw a stick figure. Hey, you are good person that has dated a few losers, but they are not you, Fee. You're burning bright.”
Fiona Frey
Sniffling, but smiling:
“There you go again, always making things better. I love you, Gracie”
Grace Frey
Sympathetic and warm:
“I love you too. You’re my little sister, Fee, and I want to help you anyway I can, but you need to open up to me before it gets to this point. Ok?”
Fiona Frey
Smiling:
“So will you go with me to meet this doctor then?”
Grace Frey
Rolling her eyes and giving in:
“Fine! When is the appointment?”
Fiona Frey
Smiling:
“11:15”
Grace Frey
Caught off guard:
“Shit Fee, that’s in like, (checks watch) in thirty minutes?”
Fiona Frey
Smiling:
“No, Gracie. At 11:15pm tonight.”
Grace Frey
Confused:
“What kinda doctor sets appointments that late?”
Fiona Frey
Darkly:
“One that practices Nocturnal Medicine.”
*Time shift to the Next Scene
Dr. Rudolph Finster and his assistant, Anna Friday, are sitting in the consultation room with Fiona and Grace. Anna is typing notes on a very old typewriter as they discuss Fiona’s case, but only seems to typing when Fiona speaks and not anyone else. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Annoyed:
“Now that we are all nice and comfy, can we get to the point? I mean we got here before 11:15 and then you had us wait in that cold ass old lounge area for another 50 damn minutes. For heaven sakes it’s after midnight already?”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“I apologize Ms. Frey I wanted make sure that I was very positive of my findings before I took any form of payment. After all that is why you are here right, to help your sister with that?”
Grace Frey
Annoyed:
“Yes… Fine go ahead tell us what you “found” so we can get the hell out of here. I still need to drive all the way over to my side of town after I drop her off.”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Thank you for your understanding. I can see you are a very caring sister.”
Fiona Frey
Worried:
“Ok, So what is it, Dr. Finster? Do you think that I can be cured of this without medicine? I, I don’t want to be on anymore Meds”
Anna Friday types that sentence (SFX)
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Well, let's start with the results of the test you took online and then we will go from there. I believe you're are suffering from Kakorrhaphiophobia (kak·or·rhaph·io·pho·bia) and no, I did not just make that up. (Slight chuckle) Though it is not your standard phobia, it is very real and very hard to live with, but we have a tested method to remove it. And no, you will not need medication after this procedure.”
Grace Frey
Not buying it:
“Ok cut the crap. She maybe buying this shit, but I’m not. Lets go Fee.”
Grace starts to stand up from her seat. The creak of the old wood and cushion releasing from her movement (SFX)
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Ms. Frey please have a seat we don’t need to add anymore stress to your sister’s situation.”
Fiona Frey
Worried:
“Grace, please don’t be like this. Please?”
Anna Friday types that sentence (SFX)
Grace Frey
Let’s out a long annoyed sigh, having pity for her lost & confused sister:
(Long Sigh)“Jeez Fee…”
Grace sits back in her seat. The creak of the old wood and cushion shifts again form her movement. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Humoring Dr. Finster, but still not buying any of it.
Ok so Dr. Finster if you don’t need medicine to treat Fiona, than I’m assuming your fix is surgical?”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Yes Grace, that is correct.”
Fiona Frey
Let down:
“Oh no… I don’t have the money to cover my insurance deductible for an operation like that. Please, Grace, you gotta help, I need this what ever it is! I can’t keep living like this anymore more.”
Anna Friday types that sentence (SFX)
Grace Frey
Still with pity for her lost & confused sister she turns to her and warns:
“Fee I don’t trust these two people. I think we should get a second opinion before you do anything else.”
Fiona Frey
Let down and kind of tearing up:
“Why? This is the answer Gracie I know it is. Aunt Helen can’t help me, ok?”
Anna Friday types that sentence and Grace slaps the heavy table.(SFX)
Grace Frey
Starting to lose patience with Fiona:
“God dammit Fiona it’s my money we’ll be using here, not yours! So if you want to use this Doctor than I want Aunt Helen to meet him before I spend a single cent. I don’t even see a degree on any of these walls!”
Fiona Frey
Very sad and with heavy hearted words:
“Ok... Doctor I guess I’ll go with option B.”
Anna Friday types that sentence (SFX)
Grace Frey
Confused:
“Option B? Wait, how come that lady only types on that loud old thing when Fiona is talking and not me or you?”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Because Fiona Frey is the patient in our study, not us.”
Fiona Frey
Let down by Grace and lightly sobbing:
“Please Grace, I brought you here to support me, not make this harder.”
Anna Friday types that sentence (SFX)
Grace Frey
Pleading with reason:
“Fee, don’t you get it? This is a scam. They are just gonna take the money and run. I mean, think about this for a minute? Meeting us this late in an old building with no computers, no other nurses or doctors, it’s all just wrong. Let's get out of here!”
Anna Friday
Asking permission:
“Doctor, may I speak to Fiona’s sister?”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“You may.”
Anna stands up, her high heels clicking on the hardwood as she walks over to the two seated Frey sisters. Then leaning against the table that Dr. Finster is sitting behind, she speaks. (SFX)
Anna Friday
Scarily close and with a know-it-all bite to her words:
“Grace, I grasp that you and most people just brush off phobias and that is in part due to the fact that you don’t understand their nature. To you it’s just an irrational fear, something Fiona and ones like her should just be able to get over. However, I’m sure you have one too; you just don’t have to deal with it on a daily basis. Four to five percent of the US population is clinically diagnosed every year, but most of them don’t seek help because of people like you! You are hurting your sister by supporting the blind, comatose ambitions of the pharmaceutically controlled society we live in. She doesn’t wish to be drugged. She longs to be free!”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Very well put, Ms. Friday. You may continue with the documentation of Fiona’s case now.
Anna stands up, her high heels clicking on the hardwood as she walks over to the small desk she was typing at before and sits down. (SFX)
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered, apologetic tone:
“As you can tell, Ms. Anna Friday here is very passionate about the work we are doing. She is not that fond of uneducated skeptics when it comes to the subjects we have based our life’s work around.”
Grace Frey
Outraged but interrupted by Fiona.
“Uneducated? I’ll have you know that… ”
Fiona Frey
Angry with her sister:
“Grace, stop. Why don’t you go ahead and wait for me in the lobby! I have to discuss the other payment for the procedure! Please leave.”
Anna Friday types that sentence. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Outraged and worried:
“Fiona, please listen to me. This whole thing is nuts! You need to leave with me, Now!”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
In a stern, non-negotiating tone:
“Please leave or I will have to have you removed you from the room.”
Grace Frey
Outraged and worried:
“Fiona! Don’t stay! Please!”
Fiona Frey
Docile and dazed:
“Grace, leave. I will be fine. You go wait in the lobby, ok? They will meet you there.”
Anna Friday types that sentence. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Outraged and worried:
“They? What are you talking about? Why is she talking like that! What did you do to her?”
Dr. Rudolph Finster
In a stern command:
“Ms. Friday, call them!”
Anna Friday pushes a black button next to her typewriter. All at once, the room starts to reverberate and pulse, accompanied by a large, ominous heartbeat. Reaching through a now eerily radiating portal, two cloaked figures stench through the ether and pull at Grace. (SFX)
Grace Frey
Screaming at the top of her lungs in fear:
“Fee! Turn around! Something is happening. Fee! Look, goddamn it! There are some kinda of ghost looking people entering the room! FEE! They are gonna get me! No! No! Help me! Get away from me right now, you monsters! HELP! FEE!
The cloaked, wraithlike beings reach their claws into Grace as a crunching sound ensues with the continued reverberating pulses of the room. Seconds later it is accompanied by Grace's screams. (SFX)
Fiona Frey
Docile and crazily dazed:
“Sorry, Grace. I needed payment. I wasn’t sure I could do it, Option B, but you forced my hand. Now you’ll know fear and what it feels like when it grips into you.”
Anna Friday types that sentence amid all the chaos and screams. (SFX)
Anna Friday
Speaks:
“As the Ancient Ones process your payment, Fiona, please note that this transaction can’t be reversed or voided. Do you want us to continue?”
Fiona Frey
Docile and crazily dazed:
“Yes, you may take her.”
Anna Friday types that sentence amid all the chaos and screams and soon the sound of a soul being stripped from flesh and bone fills the room. Then it all goes silent and the portal disappears. (SFX)
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Fantastic! Now that the payment is processed and accepted we can begin. Do you have any questions?
Fiona Frey
Docile and dazed:
“Yes, a few. Should I already be feeling different? What happens to Gracie? Where did she go? And lastly, what if I fail and don’t make it through the operation?
Dr. Rudolph Finster
Softly speaks in a very well-mannered tone:
“Of course I don’t mind those very founded questions. That’s why I offered. This is kind of an unorthodox clinic after all. So, those first two questions are one and the same. I will in the next hour have granted what you asked for on your application: “To have the power to overcome your fears and live a life very close to that of one Ms. Grace Frey." Unfortunately for your sister, that meant her… let's call it her "essence," has been absorbed, but the parts you wanted are already fusing themselves to your soul. It doesn’t have to make sense. This time tomorrow you’ll be a new you. You will not fail in that and you will not have to ever fear failing ever again. Making a mistake will be as easy as breathing. Now come, there are a few physical adjustments I have to make before your transformation is complete."
*Time shift to the Next Scene
Grace walks through the rustic wooden door of the same coffee shop. The bell chimes as she enters, followed by the shake of the large plate glass housed in the old frame of the door. The ambience is the same, as there still is not much traffic Her heels click across the old hardwood as she walks up to the register, removing a ten-dollar bill from her purse. The attendant behind the bar walks up, his shoes clicking on the same hardwood. (SFX)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Smiling:
“Hey, welcome back! What can I get for ya? Wait, let me see if I can remember … hmm... ok, it was a small or medium iced, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soymilk. Am I right? I remember the ten-dollar bill.”
Grace Frey
Flirting and very chipper:
“Nope! Nice try though. That was my little sister’s order. Mine was a medium iced caramel macchiato with a small pump of extra vanilla in it. Just to sweeten it up a bit.”
(Little flirty giggle)
Coffee Shop Attendant
Confused that he got it wrong, but enamored by the cutie before him:
“Oh well, I tried. What was she so upset about yesterday? I remember her being crazily scared after her card messed up or something?”
Grace Frey
Flirting and very chipper:
“Yeah, she had some changes coming up in her life and was moving on. Scared of those changes, scared of failing. I’m Grace, by the way.”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Satisfied with her answer:
“Oh yeah, change can be scary, but it can also do you good, as they say.”
Grace Frey
Flirting and very chipper:
“That's how the song goes. Tell me coffee man, what scares you?”
Coffee Shop Attendant
Masculine and confident:
“Nothing, darling. I don’t fear anything.”
Grace Frey
Evilly grins:
“How about that… do go on…”
