SCENE: Upon receiving verbal reprimands from his former mentor, Dr. Steadman, MARTIN ALDRED decides to pack up his paintings and move on to "greener pastures." As he stands alone in the gallery, speaking only to his artwork, a beautiful woman dressed in a Victorian gown suddenly appears before him. Though Martin is not aware of it, the woman, ELISABETH is the subject of his most prized painting.
INT. ART GALLERY - NIGHT
Pick up from previous action. Elisabeth and Martin together in the gallery. Her expression is genuinely content that she is finally here. Martin on the other hand, is somewhat confused, his nervousness growing by the moment.
MARTIN
Who are…? How did you get in here?
ELISABETH
(Confused)
Don’t you recognize me, Martin? After all we’ve been through together?
MARTIN
If this is some kind of joke, I don’t find it the least bit funny!
ELISABETH
(Soothing)
It’s no joke, Martin. It’s me. Elisabeth.
MARTIN
I don’t know anyone by that name.
ELISABETH
Of course not. I haven’t been able to tell you until now.
Martin starts backing away from her.
MARTIN
Look, if you’re one of Steadman’s friends here to convince me to stay, you can just forget it. I’m moving on and nothing’s gonna stop me.
He turns to face the painting.
MARTIN
And I’m taking my painting… with…
“BLANK” CANVASS
For the first time, Martin notices the canvass is blank.
MARTIN AND ELISABETH
Martin advances towards Elisabeth. He grasps her savagely by the shoulders.
MARTIN
…What the hell have you done to my painting!?
ELISABETH
(Straining)
Martin, you’re hurting me.
MARTIN
(Vicious)
I’ll kill you if I have to! Now, what have you done to her!?
ELISABETH
Nothing…
MARTIN
Nothing!? Look at it!
He forces her to face the blank canvass.
MARTIN
She’s gone! You’re the only one who could have done anything in the last few seconds! Now, where is she!?
