No Vacancy

No Vacancy

Character List:

IRIS GILCHRIST: A thin, middle-aged woman with wavy brown hair and a habit of gesturing with her hands when she speaks.

THE NURSE

THE MAN

FADE IN:

A small motel room is dimly illuminated by a full moon visible outside the window. A woman in her 40s is sitting on the side of the bed, talking on her cell phone and nervously tapping her fingers on the bed table.

IRIS

(glancing nervously at the wall farthest from her)

This is Iris Gilchrist in Room 4B. I can hear loud knocking noises through the wall and it’s keeping me awake. Can you please tell whoever is in there to quiet down? (Iris pauses speaking) What do you mean I’m the only one staying at this motel right now? There has to be somebody in the room next to mine. No, I don’t hear any yelling. It sounds like somebody is punching the wall. But I don’t hear voices.

IRIS

I’m telling you someone or something—maybe a raccoon or coyote?—is in that room. I mean, we are in the middle of nowhere. And it is two o’clock in the morning. It has to be a wild animal because I don’t hear anyone talking.

IRIS

I understand what you are saying—that nobody is in that room—but could you at least investigate the noises? The knocking is so bad that, if it doesn’t stop, I will leave right now. And I’ll expect a refund since I won’t be spending the night here.

(Knocking on the wall gets louder and more repetitive)

IRIS

(sighing with relief)

Thank you. Please call me back when you find out what is making that racket. Yes, I’m Iris Gilchrist, the writer. Yes, I wrote Be Careful What You Wish For. I’d be happy to autograph your book when I check out. Yes, thank you again.

Iris places her phone on the nightstand and stares at the wall. After a minute, she gets up, walks over to the wall, and puts her ear against the wall. The noises stop abruptly. A few seconds later, her phone rings.

IRIS

Hello? Yes, the noises stopped. (Sounding exasperated) I know nobody is in the room—you already told me that. But something had to have been pounding on the wall? I know I wasn’t hearing things. (Long pause) What? You’ve already checked, and the room is empty? (Another long pause. Iris's voice is slightly wavering when she resumes speaking) Well, thank you…at least…at least the noises have stopped. I hope it stays that way.

Iris looks hesitantly at the wall. She gets into bed, slides under the covers, and closes her eyes. A few seconds of silence pass until fists pummeling the wall are heard.  

IRIS

(breathing heavily)

Hello? Hello? It’s Iris Gilchrist, in Room 4. I called earlier about the noises in the room next to me. Well, somebody is pounding on the wall again. I don’t know if they are using their fists, or a hammer, or-or-a piece of furniture. I think you should call the police. (Long pause) What? There’s no police department in this town? Who do you call when you need law enforcement, for Christ’s sake? Well, call the Sheriff then! (Long pause. Iris begins speaking rapidly in a tense, high tone of voice) Listen, I’m returning home to New York City after…after being ill…and recovering in a hospital. I don’t need this stress. What I need is a good night’s sleep before driving all day tomorrow. My agent is expecting a book out of me in two months. Hello? Are you still there? Hello?

Iris dials the number to the motel’s management office. After about 30 seconds, Iris hangs up and redials the number. Evidently, no one is answering. Meanwhile, the horrible pounding has stopped. An unexpected knock on her door startles Iris. She immediately looks relieved and goes to the door.

IRIS

Who is it? (Nobody answers. Iris speaks a little louder). Who is it? (Still no answer)

 (Turning the deadbolt slowly, Iris opens the door just enough to peer through the crack. She quickly shuts it and turns the deadbolt to lock the door. As the pounding on the wall begins again, she gets dressed, picks up her suitcase and phone, and heads towards the door. She dials a number and puts the phone up to her ear)

IRIS

Hello? Where were you earlier? I tried calling, and nobody answered! I’m leaving now because somebody is playing a prank, and I think it is you. Somebody knocked on my door, and when I opened the door, no one was there! And why you won’t do anything about this is beyond me. I’m stopping at your office to get my refund. I want the full $80 since I just checked in a few hours ago. And, another thing…I don’t believe you when you said this town has no police on duty. I bet you’ve had the cops called here before in the past. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re on the verge of having this motel closed down for being a public nuisance. It’s really run-down, and I’ve seen a roach or two running across the floor. Anyway, I’ll be at your office in a few minutes, and I expect that refund! (A few seconds pass. Iris is listening on the phone and starts laughing disbelievingly). What do you mean I’m not leaving? Of course, I’m leaving. You can’t keep me here. In fact, I’m leaving this room right now. I will walk to your office, get my refund, and drive away from here as fast as possible. I have a book to write. Goodbye!”

(Iris grabs her suitcase and heads towards the door. When she opens the door, a woman takes one step into the room. She is a heavy-set woman wearing nurse’s scrubs and glasses. Iris gasps and steps away from the woman.

IRIS

Who are you? Get out of my room! Get out of my way, or I’ll start screaming!

THE NURSE

Iris, calm down. Everything’s fine. I’m here to give you the new medication you were prescribed by Dr. Morris yesterday. Remember?

IRIS

(Shaking her head slowly in bewilderment, Iris lets go of her suitcase. It hits the floor and opens. Three books and some clothes slide out of the suitcase)

What…are…you…talking…about—what medication? Who is Dr. Morris? I--I--I’m in a motel room and I'm leaving because there’s so much noise coming from the room next door. I can’t sleep! I’m on my way back to my apartment in NYC. I’m writing a book…(Iris’s voice trails off weakly. She looks down at the suitcase and then looks up at the nurse. I—I—don’t know what’s going on….

THE NURSE

(Speaking firmly in a loud voice)

Iris, you’re not in a motel room. You are in your room at Bay Meadows Hospital. You’ve been here for several months, but your old medication stopped working. Dr. Morris started you on a different medication yesterday. I’m here to give that medication. It hasn’t had time to work yet. You are hallucinating and experiencing delusions. Now, take your pill, and you’ll be feeling much better soon.

IRIS

(Shaking her head with a terrified but angry expression on her face)

I don’t believe you! I’m not hallucinating! I remember being discharged from the hospital and driving on Interstate 78 until I saw a sign for this motel. I remember taking the exit. I remember checking in. I remember paying $80 for one night with my credit card. I remember an older man showing me to this room. I remember…(Iris’ voice trails off)

THE NURSE

(With the hint of a smirk on her face)

Whatever you say, Ms. Gilchrist.

IRIS

(staring at the large red capsule the nurse holds out)

No, I’m not taking that. I don’t know what it is. And I don’t need it. I’m going to my car and I'm driving to my apartment, and you aren’t going to stop me!

Iris runs past the nurse, who makes no attempt to stop her. There is silence for 15 seconds. The nurse stands inside Iris’ room, expressionless. Suddenly, the pounding on the wall begins, only this time it is accompanied by someone yelling.

IRIS

Please, let me out of here! (The sound of fists pounding the wall is deafening) I don’t belong here! I’m not insane—I’m not hallucinating. What in the hell is going on? Somebody HELP ME!

The nurse walks over to the wall. She leans towards the wall, speaking carefully in a strangely excited tone.

THE NURSE

We can’t let you go, Iris. Now, we only need one more person to check in to change the sign from VACANCY to NO VACANCY. That will make the motel owner very happy. When he’s happy, we’re happy. Now, I’m coming over, and you are going to take your pill like Dr. Morris wants you to.

The nurse exist the room, leaving the door open behind her. After a few seconds, the pummeling slows until there is one final knock on the wall. The nurse returns to the room, picks up Iris’ suitcase and phone, and leaves, shutting the door.

(After a few seconds, the sun rises outside the window. A man carrying a duffel bag enters the room. He is about 35, with dark hair and a short beard.

THE MAN

(muttering tiredly to himself, dropping his duffel bag and stretching his arms above his head)

That bed sure does look comfortable after driving all night. I'm glad I found this motel.

FADE OUT