A BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH
Written by
M.S.P
InT. A dark black room
In a dark room with black walls with nothing but a table with two chairs opposite each other, one at each side of the table. DEATH(0), a well dressed man in all black, sits on the left chair looking at NICK(25). Nick stands on the opposite side of the room and looks at Death, confused.
NICK
Who are you?
DEATH
Did you ever learn about symbols in school, Nick? The eyes of T.J. Eckleburg and the like?
NICK
I don’t understand.
DeATH
Come sit.
Nick sits down at the chair opposite Death and buries his face in his hands.
DEATH
You see, Nick, I’m a kind of symbol, an embodiment of a concept.
NICK
Just give me answers, please.
DEATH
I hate to be the bearer of bad news Nick, but you’ve died.
Nick goes wide eyed, in disbelief.
NICK
That can’t be right, if I’m dead how am I here, talking to you?
DEATH
Only the dead speak to me, you wouldn't have the pleasure under any other circumstances.
Nick looks around the room in bewilderment, trying to avoid looking at Death. After a moment of this he looks Death in the eyes and Death confronts him.
DEATH
When you and I finish this conversation I will send you on your way, and you will enter the dark void of nothingness. You will cease to exist, you will be nothing and in nothing you will be.
NICK
(Horrified)
So after all this, it's all simply nothingness.
Death nods as if to say “yes”.
Nick sits in silence for a few moments, the back of his head resting against the back of the chair staring wide eyed into space. Still staring blankly he asks Death.
NICK
How does it feel?
Nick looks up at Death.
Death raises an eyebrow.
NICK
To know that you’ll never die? To not have that burden on your mind?
Deaths face goes blank.
DEATH
Who is to say that I won’t die?
Nick looks to Death quizzically.
NICK
Well a symbol dying seems a bit illogical doesn’t it?
DeATH
Quite the contrary, like I said before, I am a symbol, of death, of mortality, of the terrifying idea that all things come to an end. What is more symbolic of that idea than the very idea itself being finite. Perhaps, I believe, I shall die with your race. Spending eternity being the bringer of death, only to die as I finish my job.
NICK
So, when the last human dies...
Death interrupts
DEATH
So too will I.
Beat.
NICK
Are you afraid to die?
Death stands up and turns around, looking away from Nick.
DEATH
It seems foolish doesn’t it, like being afraid of your own shadow.
NICK
It seems like the right response. Learning that time is ultimately going to run out does that to people.
Death turns around and faces Nick.
DEATH
I think it’s time for me to send you on your way.
NICK
I understand.
Nick stands up from his chair, walks over to Death and shakes his hand.
NICK
One last thing before I go. Do you remember her coming though here?
DEATH
Why do you think I chose you to speak to.
Nick smiles a reluctant smile
NICK
Goodbye Death
DEATH
Goodbye Nick, good luck
FADE TO BLACK.