CHANGES

Written by Matthew Bryan

FADE IN:

INT. HOME - NIGHT

You know the home; modest, simple decor, probably looks just like your home.

LAURA NEULIP (13) at the cusp of womanhood in all it’s uncomfortable glory, sets the table with teen angst.

LAURA

Mom, please, I don’t feel good...

ALICE NEULIP (40s) timid, but caring, kind of woman who makes sure everyone’s had their fill before her. She sets out some food.

ALICE

I imagine that young boy didn’t feel too good either after you punched him, Laura.

LAURA

He had it coming.

Laura winces, presses her hand against her stomach.

LAURA (CONT’D)

Please, can’t we do this another night?

DAVID NEULIP (50s), nerd since day one, but a sense of pride in what he is.

DAVID

We have to nip this in the bud, Laura. Don’t want them pressing charges, brining unwanted attention.

LAURA

I should be the one pressing charges!

ALICE

Sweetie, please, no yelling; we’re not animals.

LAURA

And what if they press charges?

DAVID

Your dad always has a back-up plan.

The bell rings, showtime.

DAVID (CONT’D)

One meal and it’ll be over, okay?

Laura nods, whatever.

David strides to the front door, he prepares himself, forced smile and all. He opens the door to

TYLER FARAL (50s) toxic masculinity all the way, if you think you’re the alpha, he’ll make sure to challenge.

BEN FARAL (14) pretty boy MVP, he’s never been told “no.” SCRATCH MARKS along his face show that someone definitely told him no.

DAVID (CONT’D)

Hi, Mr. Faral, welcome!

Tyler sizes David up.

TYLER

Hopefully dinner has more meat on the bones.

DAVID

(nervous)

Ah, yes, well, my weight tends to fluctuate.

(to Ben)

And you must be Ben. I’m so sorry about--

TYLER

Let’s eat first. I like talking on a full stomach.

DAVID

Of course, right in there.

Tyler brushes past David, Ben follows close behind. They enter the dining room, all set and ready.

David goes to pull out Tyler and Ben’s chairs, but Tyler stops him; he can do it himself.

Ben sits across from Laura, but she refuses to make eye contact.

David takes a seat next to Alice.

ALICE

Oh, no misses to join?

TYLER

Not really into the whole marriage idea. I mean, we’re animals, animals aren’t made to be tied down.

DAVID

Good to have packs, though, right?

TYLER

If you need help, I guess.

Alice nods, this guy’s a piece of work.

ALICE

Benjamin, pleasure to meet you. Seem to be healing well, barely noticeable.

BEN

Thanks. Older kids on the football team had fun with it. Lot of jokes.

Awkward silence.

LAURA

I... I need to get some air.

Laura rises, quickly heads off.

ALICE

Pain of becoming a woman, I’m afraid.

TYLER

Hormones can really flip a switch, can’t they? Fun one minute, lashing out the next.

Alice and David know the implication.

BEN

Bathroom?

Alice motions down the hall, Ben politely excuses himself.

DAVID

Big kid for his age, lot of muscle.

TYLER

Got him on the same program I had when I was his age. I hate to be blunt, but here’s the deal. Ben has a bright future; high school, college then pro. Things that hinder that progress: rumors.

DAVID

Rumors?

TYLER

Your daughter made some pretty outrageous claims.

ALICE

Laura’s not really one to cry wolf, Mr. Faral.

TYLER

(smirks)

Cry wolf? Hm, cute. It fits since your little wolf snapped at my boy. You know who has a worse bite? My lawyers.

DAVID

Oh, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure we can reach some kind of agreement. No need for things to get ugly, right?

EXT. HOME - BACK YARD - NIGHT

Clouds block most of the moonlight, can barely see Laura hunched over near the bushes, body wracked with pain.

BEN (O.S.)

You okay?

Laura spins, sees Ben by the back door, blocks her only way in.

LAURA

I’m fine. What are you doing out here?

BEN

What kind of a guy wouldn’t check on a beautiful girl who’s not feeling well?

LAURA

I didn’t ask for your help, or your attention.

BEN

I’ve seen the way you look at me, you didn’t need to ask.

LAURA

Just leave me alo--

Laura winces, holds her stomach. Ben steps away from the door, heads her way.

INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

TYLER

I want a public apology from your daughter. I want her to admit that she made up the accusations that Ben tried to “rape her.”

DAVID

Public? I think a letter to the coach or the school would suffice, yes?

TYLER

Do as I say, or do what the lawyers say. Your choice.

EXT. HOME - BACK YARD - NIGHT

Ben gets close to Laura, runs his hand along her back -- she knocks his arm away.

LAURA

Why can’t you just do what I ask?

Ben steps back, eyes go wide.

Laura cocks her head in confusion, glances down at where he’s staring...

HER WHITE SKIRT HAS A BLOOD STAIN.

A FLASH from a camera, Laura looks up to see Ben put his phone away.

LAURA (CONT’D)

What the hell?!

BEN

Embarrassing, isn’t it? All of the older guys made fun of me for getting beat up by you, letting you get away. That won’t happen again.

LAURA

(pained) Ben, please...

BEN

I don’t know what it is about you, but... You said “no” once, you’ll say “yes” whenever I ask or I’ll post this everywhere. Your choice.

INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

David and Alice sit quietly, Alice smirks.

ALICE

Our choice, eh? Doesn’t really feel like it.

TYLER

I’m not in control of your feel--

ALICE

Yes, feelings and hormones are hard to control, aren’t they?

Tyler grimaces, hates being interrupted.

EXT. HOME - BACK YARD - NIGHT

Laura stares at Ben, his arrogance on full display, what’s she going to do?

The clouds pass across the night sky, reveal a FULL MOON.

ALICE (V.O.)

It’s a tough time, for any child.

Laura winces in pain, rushes over to the bushes and spits out BLOOD AND SOME TEETH, her incisors and canines to be exact.

ALICE (V.O.)

Their bodies change, things become hard to manage.

Laura runs her tongue along her teeth, they’ve been replaced by longer, sharper teeth, like a wolf.

Laura winces, more pain. She stumbles off into the dark, out of sight.

Ben steps forward, confused/angry.

BEN

You better not try to blame this on me, too, you hear me?

Nothing, silence.

BEN (CONT’D)

You hear me, bitch?!

The silence continues...

ALICE (V.O.)

And if these moments are handled properly...

A LOW GROWL COMES FROM THE DARK, PREDATORY EYES SHINE IN THE DARK.

ALICE (V.O.)

Things can get messy.

Ben stumbles back, starts to cry out for help--

--A CLAW THRUSTS INTO HIS NECK, RIPS OUT HIS THROAT.

INT. HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Tyler studies David and Alice... Smiles.

TYLER

I like you two, you’ve got more bark than I thought. As for messy, ask my ex-wife how bad it went for her when my lawyer got involved, you’ll need her advice if your girl doesn’t apologize.

DAVID

I’m sorry, but I just don’t see her giving that public apology.

TYLER

Then you’ve given us no other choice. Eat, or be eaten in this world. Remember that.

David eyes Alice, an unfortunate turn of events. David glances behind Tyler, smiles like a proud father.

DAVID

Ah, well, we’re in luck. It seems that the kids resolved the matter themselves.

Tyler goes to turn around-- THUD

--BEN’S HEAD LANDS ON THE TABLE IN A GORY MESS.

TYLER

Ben?! What the fuck?!

Tyler spins, can’t see down the dark hall, but he can see the WOLF-LIKE EYES.

Tyler jumps up, tries to run for the door--

--David POUNCES on Tyler, pins him to the ground as David’s eyes become wolf-like.

DAVID

(guttural)

We gave you a chance, both of you. Seems like your boy didn’t learn the first time. We can’t have anyone digging into our business, we’re very private.

Alice rises, eyes Tyler.

ALICE

“Eat, or be eaten.” Isn’t that right?

Alice smiles as her teeth elongate, eyes become wolf-like. She lunges at Tyler as he screams.

LATER

Laura, Alice and David wipe their hands. The room’s covered in blood.

ALICE (CONT’D)

(to Laura) Stomach all better?

Laura nods, yep. Alice smiles, reaches over, scratches her daughter behind her ear. Laura laughs, leans her head into mother’s hand.

DAVID

What did I tell ya? One meal and it’d be all over.

David accidentally lets out a burp, blushes.

ALICE

Some things never change.

They laugh, the epitome of a happy family as blood and chunks of flesh drip down the walls.

FADE TO BLACK.