After some thought, I’ve decided to go with option one: the widower that gets in deep with the mob. I really want to do option two, but I think it would be a much more difficult script to write. I think I’d have to deal with too much internal conflict and I don’t think I have the skills for that yet. And I chose option one over three because I think I’d rather watch Goodfellas more than I would The Accused.

I’ve actually worked on this script a lot over the years and I had some good notes from a writing group I was in a couple of years ago, but I’m no where finished and I’ve struggled with the plot points and the action. I have some good characters and I have a twist at the end, but I want there to be a reason to watch it to the end. And the twist is a bit forced. I’d like to write a movie that doesn’t need the ending I have in mind, but I can use if I feel it would benefit from it.

Here is the first scene. It takes place in our hero’s home in the middle of the night. He gets woken up by a phone call from the man he thinks is who he owes the money to. Inevitably, the man on the phone isn’t who he says and steals the money creating a whodunit scenario complete with several suspicious characters all capable of stealing the money.

INT. BEDROOM

Against a black screen a telephone rings.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

There’s the rustling sound of sheets as our protagonist, SAM GOLDSTEIN, goes to answer the phone.

Ring.

SAM
Hello?

VOICE
Where the fuck is my money?

SAM
What?

VOICE
You fucking heard me. Where the fuck is my money?

There’s more rustling as Sam searches for the light switch on the lamp.
The light reveals a modest bedroom with a large bed and furnishings. Sam is alone.

SAM
What time is it?

Sam looks at the clock on the nightstand: 3:14.

VOICE
It’s time for you to pay my money. Why haven’t you paid yet?

SAM
It’s three o’clock in the morning. Can’t this wait?

VOICE
If this could wait, I wouldn’t be fucking calling. I want my money.

SAM
Okay, okay. I’ll bring it by tomorrow.

FADE TO BLACK
INSERT TITLE CARD: THE CALL
SUPERED: SEVERAL WEEKS EARLIER