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The Operator
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?
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I wrote this short script for a creative writing class. I liked challenging myself with this piece because there was a constant flow of ideas and changes. Normally I have an idea and put it down but this story evolved!