J CUT:

PHONE RINGS.

FADE IN.

INT. OPERATION CENTER - EVENING

OPERATOR lies on floor, eyes open, blood splatters on face. Lights flash and phone continues ringing.

CUTS TO:

OPERATOR

911, what’s your emergency?

A few moments pass, no answer.

OPERATOR

Hello? Do you need assistance?

OPERATOR tucks phone between left ear and shoulder, types on computer. Eyes widen and move to OPERATOR 2.

OPERATOR 2

Everything okay, hun?

OPERATOR

(hushed tone)

The call is coming from an

address that doesn’t exist.

OPERATOR 2 stands and walks over to OPERATOR, taking the phone.

OPERATOR 2

This isn’t funny. If someone

is in danger, we need to know

the actual address. Otherwise,

goodbye.

OPERATOR 2 ends the call and proceeds to lean on OPERATOR’s chair with her arm and sluggishly points to OPERATOR’s desk.

OPERATOR 2

I used to get the same calls

when I worked at this station.

It ended up to the point where

I got a call every few hours

from that ‘address’ or whatever.

Then one day I didn’t get any

calls. Ever.

OPERATOR

What?

OPERATOR 2

Yeah, about 5 years ago we were

issued new phones and a new system

after mine stopped working. No one

else’s phones were broken. None of

them got those calls either.

OPERATOR 2 walks back to her station and sits down as soon as she picks up the phone.

FADES OUT.

J CUT:

PHONE RINGS.

FADE IN.

INT. OPERATION CENTER - MORNING

OPERATOR

911, what’s your emergency?

Heavy breathing comes in from the line. A tense look appears on OPERATOR’s face, eyes widen. OPERATOR immediately goes to put the phone back and struggles to place it on the cradle correctly.

UNKNOWN CALLER

(incoherent speech)

OPERATOR puts the phone on the cradle and panic shows on her face.

OPERATOR 2

They call again?

OPERATOR

Who is this? Why do they do

this? I- I can’t keep doing this!

OPERATOR continues rambling nervously when OPERATOR 2 interrupts her.

OPERATOR 2

Sweetie.

OPERATOR

(starts shaking her head

and holding back sobs)

No.

OPERATOR 2 slowly approaches OPERATOR and speaks softly.

OPERATOR 2

Don’t worry, we’re safe

in here. You’re safe, hon.

OPERATOR tenses up and stops bouncing her leg. She takes a breath before speaking through gritted teeth.

OPERATOR

How long have I been

in here? Hm? How long?

OPERATOR 2’s shoulders drop and a look of defeat and sorrow show.

OPERATOR 2

A man came in to the building, questioning

where his wife was. The wife had passed in

the ambulance before anyone could treat her.

He blamed the 911 operator who he called,

shot her right there. Except the operator

he blamed was the wrong one, Sarah. The

operator who answered that call was you.

OPERATOR

How long?

OPERATOR 2

25 years ago. That’s why we’re still here.

You couldn’t save her or yourself. So we

stay in here, helping people.

FADE OUT.

Shot cuts to an old woman rocking in a rocking chair, repeating the same question.

OPERATOR

911, what’s your emergency?