Not so Imaginary Friend

CHAPTER ONE

In the silent waiting room of a well kept, spotless doctor’s office, an attractive brunette, thirties, Lisa, sits holding a wedding magazine. She goes through the motions of turning pages, her discomfort is quite obvious.

The nurse, also in her thirties, somewhat attractive, Sam, steps in, looks at Lisa, her face saddens. She glances at the folder in her arm. “Lisa, the doctor will see you now.”

Lisa drops the magazine on the seat. The cover holds the face of a smiling bride. Lisa stands up. Her face with a distraught look is just the opposite of the bride.

Lisa follows the nurse into an examining room as if she is following the executioner to the gallows pole. The door closes behind them.

CHAPTER TWO

Lisa stands in front of the mirror in her apartment bathroom. Her face and scalp are covered with red welts, a tear rolls down her cheek as she complains. “Doctor’s. What do they know anyway?”

She walks to the shower, runs the water and looks to the clock on the wall, 7:54am. “Late again. I’m going to get myself fired.” She looks in the mirror once again and cries louder. “Why me? Oh God, why me?” She quickly waves her hand under the running shower spray. It is too cold to put her whole body into. Her face looks as if a clump of snow was dumped down the collar of her robe. She places her head in her hands.

Back at the doctor’s office, Sam stands in an examining room holding Lisa’s folder while speaking to an intern, Brianna. “She’s only thirty four and she has some of the worst problems I’ve ever seen. Discoid Lupus that is tearing her face and scalp apart, Anxiety attacks that are going to lead to a nervous breakdown, migraine headaches and depression that are eating away at her poor brain.”

Brianna shakes her head. Sam believes she has a good idea to announce. “I think I could help her if she gives me a chance.” Sam is studying to be a psychologist. It is in her nature to be as helpful as possible.

Brianna is doubtful. “She might be better off with a professional.” That wasn’t the response Sam was anticipating. She stands with the face of a child who had her last cookie fall into her milk.

In the bathroom, Lisa stands, shaking in a towel in front of the mirror. The towel is made of a slick material that is uncomfortable against wet skin.

She pulls out a suitcase of makeup and face paints and sets up as a clown would before a three ring circus appearance. It’s the same routine every morning due to her skin and scalp problems, stemming from the Lupus.

She pulls her hair to one side trying to cover her red, bald spots, then to the other. She focuses on a red blotch below her eye, attempting to cover it with makeup. She rubs it on violently. After a minute, the spot finally appears to be covered. The red rub marks around it hardly assemble a work of art.

She starts to adjust her hair again while beginning to cry. She can’t help but stare at her dissatisfaction in the mirror as a young female voice is heard. “Why so much powder? Why all

of that cover up?”

Lisa is startled. So many problems, why not hear voices as well? She looks around in all directions, then decides to entertain her minds tricks. “I have to do it for this God forsaken deformity I was blessed with! How would you like it if it was you?”

The voice giggles causing slight

anger in Lisa.

“Why are you missing so much hair? What are you doing with it?”

Lisa feels as if she is losing her mind, which is not something new due to her anxiety and headaches. “Please stop!” She holds her stomach.

The little girl continues to get under her skin. “Remember, don’t go to the mailbox today.”

Lisa kneels on the floor covering her face. “Leave me alone! I’m serious. It’s not funny.”

When she finally pulls herself together and completes her face painting for the morning, it is time for another day of what she enjoys least.

She leaves her fifth floor apartment, down the steps to the sidewalk and exchanges pleasantries, best to her ability, with her Landlord, Gil, who sweeps in front of the building while his wife, Hildy, picks weeds. Both are in their late fifties.

Gil smiles. “Good morning Lisa. Enjoy being back on the fifth floor?”

“Yes, thanks Gil. My parents probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much since they loved all of that space on the first floor.”

Gil laughs in pity. “Enjoy your day Lisa.”

Hildy waves.

“You too.” Lisa mumbles while walking away. “I would enjoy it if I wasn’t off to hell. It would be nice to stay here all day and collect rent like you do.” Deep down inside, she is aware that Gil and Hildy worked hard for everything they have. She just wishes that what she endures everyday would pay off some time soon.

Gil steps over to Hildy and speaks quietly. “Do you think she really still believes that her parents moved to the first floor for the space?”

Hildy is disappointed that he even brought up the fact that she is back on the fifth floor. “Oh Gil, why do you insist on stirring up bad memories?”

Lisa sits in the corner of the subway car gripping her pocket book. There are wall to wall people and many conversations over the rumble of the train. Lisa begins to let the thoughts that she can’t control sneak up on her. “What if I have a nervous breakdown right here in front of all of these people? What if I hear that little girl’s voice on this train? Why is everyone looking at me? Why am I so ugly? It’s not fair to be trapped in this cage for an hour to get to a place I don’t even want to be! Life is so unfair.”

She begins to take deep breaths while looking around. She opens a book entitled, Anxiety Stricken. She sucks it up for the rest of the uncomfortable ride, only to find herself in an uncomfortable elevator an hour later.

Scrunched up against the wall surrounded by men and women in business attire, Lisa feels as if she is fighting for air while thinking to herself as only she can. “Great. I go from one cage of upright animals to another. I don’t know how long I can last in this box. I wish Jeffrey would take me away from all of this.”

Jeffrey is somewhat of a boyfriend. She cannot tell for sure if he really is her boyfriend or just a friend. She gets mixed messages.

He is a handsome, muscular young man in his early thirties. At the same time Lisa is exiting from her not so enjoyable elevator event, Jeffrey stands in a jewelry store looking at rings with a sales woman behind a glass cabinet. He lets out a nervous laugh while pointing to a piece of jewelry.

Lisa gets to her cubicle and puts her belongings down while letting out a deep breath. She flips through her rolodex with her noticeable naked ring finger.

The woman in the next cubicle, Deana, nods and continues to work. Her wedding ring and engagement rock give off moon rays as she types.

Lisa doesn’t seem pleased with Deana. “Now she’ll go and tell Lilly that I was a half hour late. What a treat. I fought my stomach and my mind for an hour just so I could get to a place that I can’t stand.”

      A slender man, early thirties, Miller, wanders by smiling. “Morning Lisa.” His smile fades when realizing there won’t be a response.

      Before Lisa can say hello, her Supervisor, Lilly, late forties, in a rush with papers in hand, interrupts. “Lisa, hi. Please get these figures in order and e-mail them to the appropriate recipients before ten. Thanks.” Lilly drops the paperwork and hurries off.

Lisa places the memo to the side and mumbles angrily. “Why don’t you take a typing lesson and do some of your own damn work?”

Idle chitchat is heard while co-workers walk throughout the aisles. Lisa appears nervous while typing.

“No one knows. No one cares. I know that they’re all mocking me when I’m not listening. They are a bunch of phonies. They should be attacked like I am by voices in their heads. It’s not fair.”

She holds her head, then begins putting the assignment together for Lilly.

CHAPTER THREE

The clock ticks, five minutes to ten. Lilly stands behind Lisa impatiently. “Lisa.”

Lisa is startled.

“It’s almost ten. How is that e-mail coming along?”

Lisa hides the screen where she types her daily thoughts and puts the project back up on the monitor. “I’m just about done. I’m sending it now. I just have to attach the document.”

Lisa scrambles and nervously hits the send button. Lilly walks off after thanking Lisa.

Lisa thinks to herself. “I might as well just bite the bullet and use my lunch hour to my advantage today.”

At around noon, she finds herself in front of a door labeled “DR. BETS – PSYCHOLOGY”. She takes a deep breath before entering.

The Receptionist smiles and hands Lisa a clipboard. Lisa takes a seat and closes her eyes for a moment. She can’t believe that she sunk to the level of seeking psychological assistance.

CHAPTER FOUR

In a small studio apartment, Jeffrey stands in front of the oven wearing a softball uniform. He admires a small box. He opens it and is very pleased with what is inside. He places the box down, opens the stove, grabs for the tray and burns his hand. “Son of a!” He shakes it off and makes a second attempt to take the tray out.

He places the tray on the table and quickly moves his hand away, blowing on his fingers before running cold water over them. He looks at his watch as Lisa knocks and enters.

She watches him for a moment before he notices her. He quickly drops the small box to the floor and kicks it under a table. He greets her nervously as if hiding something. “Hi sweetheart. I was wondering if you were going to visit today. I was just on my way to my softball game. You can come and watch if you want. Or stay here, whatever you like.”

“Yea, I’ll stay a bit.”

“We may stop at the corner pub for a drink afterwards. Try to make it by.”

“I’ll just have something to eat. Smells great. Maybe I’ll see you after the game.” She kisses his cheek. He straightens his cap, smiles, fills his mouth like a squirrel and exits.

She puts on some music in the entertainment room. Jeffrey’s CD player is always filled with creepy movie soundtracks, classical mixes with suspenseful tones. Lisa enters the kitchen and makes a plate. Before raising the fork, she holds on to her stomach, drops the fork and hurries to the couch. She closes her eyes and holds her forehead. Those feelings come on anywhere and everywhere.

CHAPTER FIVE

Lisa wakes up startled in the dark. “Where am I? What’s going on?” She looks around and realizes she is still in Jeffrey’s apartment. “I must have fallen asleep.” The classical mix with creepy movie sound effects is still playing.

She glances across the room at the dinner, gets up and staggers to the kitchen. She places the food back in the refrigerator. “Jeffrey can eat this after his game. I have to get out of here.”

She gets down to the sidewalk and walks nervously along thinking those strange thoughts. “Maybe the walk is good to give me time to think. Maybe too much thinking is not good. Maybe I shouldn’t think of the crazy things. But if I tell myself not to think of the crazy things, I will think of the crazy things. Just like if someone says, don’t think of a yellow garbage truck, what’s the first thing you think of? A yellow garbage truck. Why is that voice in my bathroom so concerned about my ailments and how I cover them up? Are these thoughts bringing on an attack?”

She begins to breathe heavy. “Some people use a brown paper bag to breathe in and out of. That would only make it worse. The more attention I bring to the problem, the worse it gets. What if I ran around screaming or throwing rocks through windows? What if I give myself a nervous breakdown?” She looks up and sees her apartment building.

“I’ll go up and put my head under the covers until this blows over. Maybe I can wake up on time in the morning.” She turns the key.

As Lisa enters her building, Jeffrey sits on a stool at the pub staring at his watch while his teammates celebrate behind him.

CHAPTER SIX

In the morning, Lisa stands in front of the bathroom mirror. Her face and scalp are covered with red welts, a tear rolls past her cheek. She attempts to cover her marks.

The young girl makes herself known once again. “You look pretty to me. I don’t think you need to hide everything.”

“Well, thanks, but I don’t feel the same. It’s not easy walking around like this. Are you the one making me nervous?”

“Yes, sorry.”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“I don’t know. Can we talk about something else?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. What about Christmas or birthdays or pets? Those are nice things.”

“I guess. But Christmas is not for two more months and my birthday is long after that. I don’t have any pets anymore.”

“Where is Sammy?”

“Sammy? He left a long time ago. He is in cat heaven now.”

“Maybe I don’t want to talk to you today. Get some new records!”

Lisa has a look on her face as if she was just asked to explain Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lilly, Deana and Miller congregate around Deana’s desk. Deana is protective of Lisa. “She wasn’t that late, five, maybe ten minutes.”

Lilly shows some concern. “I still say she may be at the end of her rope. This email is just a cry for help.” Lilly holds up a printed copy of the email.

Miller defends the woman he has a crush on. “She’s fine. Just had an off day.”

“Maybe she needs a day off.”

Lilly is not sure what to do. “I’m not going to consider thoughts from someone who has a crush on the girl, Miller.”

“That’s the last secret I share with you.”

“Here she comes.”

      Lisa walks towards her cubicle. All eyes are on her. There is finger pointing and whispering. She begins to question herself as usual. “This has to be my imagination. They can’t all be talking about me.” She turns around and hurries to the nearest ladies room.

      Inside, she checks for blotches in the mirror, running her fingers over her face. She is no less satisfied with her makeup job than on any normal day.

      She pulls herself together and makes it back to her cubicle where Lilly stands beside her. “Is everything alright?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “Why did you add this in the email?” Lilly holds up the paper and hands it to Lisa.

Lisa reads it to herself. “No one knows. No one cares. I know that they’re all mocking me when I’m not listening. They are a bunch of phonies. They should be attacked like I am by voices in their heads. It’s not fair.” After a full body heated feeling, Lisa buries her head. Lilly rubs one of Lisa’s shoulders before walking off.

At the doctor’s office, Sam rummages through patients folders. She pulls out one with a tab, LISA KELLER. She picks up the receptionists phone and dials. Brianna looks on, shakes her head and turns away.

Lisa’s phone rings at her cubicle. She lifts her head after crying and picks up the phone on the third ring.

“Hi Lisa, its Nurse Sam from Doctor. Coldrin’s office.”

“Is it bad news?”

“No, not at all. I was wondering.” She hesitates. “Maybe we could meet for lunch or something?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

      Lisa sits across from Sam at a cozy Bistro table at Daddileo’s Restaurant. It’s just a few blocks away between Dr. Coldrin’s office and Lisa’s office, a popular lunch spot for workers on the run. There are scattered voices. A waitress places their orders down on the table. Lisa thanks her.

      As the waitress walks off, Lisa picks up her fork. A young girl walks by slowly carrying a plate. It appears to be slow motion to Lisa. Lisa follows her closely with her eyes.

      Sam appears concerned. She looks at the girl, then to Lisa.

      Lisa, distracted, begins to speak. “I almost saw a psychiatrist yesterday. I began filling out the paperwork and became nervous so I walked out.”

      “You have to do what makes you feel comfortable. You don’t have to share anything with me that makes you uncomfortable. One day I will be a full fledged Psychologist, I do understand your pain.”

      “As a little girl, I didn’t know what they were. I called them head problems and every time I felt one coming on, I would share them with whoever was around. That wasn’t such a great idea.”

      “I could imagine.”

      “Hello sir. I am having head problems. Can you help me Ma’am? I have head problems.”

      Sam holds back a laugh and at the same time shows sympathy with a head shake.

      “People didn’t take it serious and they often laughed. I tried to talk to my family about it but they just said I was a hypochondriac so I decided to keep the problems to myself.”

      “That is so sad.”

        “I don’t want to get too deep into it, but I have had some very odd experiences in my bathroom the last two mornings.”

      “Okay.”

      “Maybe it’s that old apartment building messing with my mind.”

      “Where do you live?”

      “Platz Avenue and Thirtieth, just outside the city.”

      Sam is surprised. She covers her mouth. “Are you serious?”

      “Yes. Why?”

      “I grew up on Twenty Sixth and Platz.”

      “Oh my goodness. No wonder I feel like I can share with you.”

      “I don’t think all of your problems can go away over night, but if I could just give you one thing to focus on from our meeting today, it would be self confidence. You are a great person and you have to keep telling yourself that. Don’t beat yourself up with hurtful messages. Just remember that you are great.”

      For the first time in her life, Lisa believes a remedy for her problems can possibly exist.

CHAPTER NINE

        Jeffrey stands in his kitchen eating an apple while compiling a list of people.

Lisa’s parents

My parents

Friends from work

Deana

Lilly

Miller

Landlord and wife

My softball team

      Lisa knocks and enters. Jeffrey pretends to be reading the newspaper. He flips pages and hides the list underneath. “Hi sweetheart. How was work?”

Lisa slowly approaches while gripping the sweater she carries. “It was so bad. I sent out the wrong file in an e-mail and everyone acted like I was the dumbest person they ever seen. I just couldn’t wait to get out of there.”

“That is awful honey. I am so sorry. Let me put on a disk and make you something to eat. I wish you would have come around last night.” Jeffery puts on the strange sounding music. They sit down to eat.

Just before sunrise, in the dark apartment, Lisa wakes on the couch again. She picks up her things and tip toes around. Jeffrey is in bed snoring. The music still plays softly as she exits the apartment.

She walks along the dark sidewalk.

The creepy music continues as Jeffrey tosses and turns.

Lisa walks nervously. She slows down at a corner.

Jeffrey mumbles.

Lisa continues walking. A moving shadow appears on a building. She clenches her purse.

Jeffrey tosses and groans in his sleep. “No. Don’t.”

Lisa continues. A dark car passes by a block away.

Jeffrey wakes, looks at the clock, 5:22am. He rolls back over.

Lisa stops at another corner, she looks up at the street sign. It’s the corner of Twenty Sixth Street and Platz Avenue. She lets out a slight chuckle. “Sam’s corner.”

She makes her way over four blocks to her apartment and figures she may as well begin getting ready for work. There’s not much time to sleep. Besides, she has a face and scalp painting session to begin.

She stands in front of the mirror gently rubbing her face when the young girl’s voice startles her. “Good morning.”

Lisa steps back.

“Enjoy your date last night? I think you’re lucky.”

Lisa is puzzled. “Thanks, I guess. How am I lucky?”

“You like some of your life. Why not all?”

“Because, I was cursed with these illnesses. Sometimes it is too much for one person to handle.”

“Okay. They won’t even ask you.”

“What does that mean? And how come I can’t see you?”

“You already saw me.”

Lisa thinks back to her lunch with Sam at Daddileo’s Restaurant. There are scattered voices. A waitress places their lunches down on the table. Lisa thanks her.

      As the waitress walks off, Lisa picks up her fork. A young girl walks by slowly carrying a plate. It appears to be slow motion to Lisa. Lisa follows her closely with her eyes.

      Sam appears concerned. She looks at the girl, then to Lisa. Lisa, distracted, begins to speak.

      She blinks in front of the mirror. “Could that be?”

CHAPTER TEN

Lisa sits in the corner of the subway car looking ill. She thinks to herself while the train bumps along. “Why would she say I’m lucky? No one that has to be trapped in this cage with no air for an hour to get to a place she dreads being, is a lucky person. Could she be the same girl from the restaurant? Can these people hear what I’m thinking?”

Lisa looks around at the strange faces. An older woman with a push cart. An angry man in a suit. Groups of different ethnic backgrounds, a glimpse of a young girl.

“I’m not lucky. No one who feels as sick as I do right now is lucky. I can’t take this feeling in my stomach. It’s making me dizzy and off balance. I might have to get off at the next stop and get some air. I’m feeling very closed in. I don’t like it. I’m losing it. C’mon, c’mon, stop train! I gotta get out! I gotta get out!”

The train stops, the doors open. Lisa hurries from her seat to the stairs.

The station platform is wall to wall with commuters walking and running in all directions. Lisa squeezes through and makes her way up to the street level. She has a look of relief at the top step. She sees hot dog vendors, people scurrying and skyscrapers. “Thank God. Let me just walk a couple of blocks before I get back on that dirty subway again.”

Once in the office, she finally makes it to her cubicle where she stares at a pile of papers and folders on her desk. Deana looks over her cubicle.

Lisa begins thinking to herself. “I hope they don’t want to know why I’m so late again. What will I tell them? I keep chopping away at this pile and it seems like it only gets bigger. And once again, I can’t log on to this damn computer.”

Miller stops at Lisa’s cubicle. She doesn’t notice him there. “Any plans for the weekend?” He’s nervous, then embarrassed when she doesn’t respond.

She continues staring at the folders. “If I don’t get fired for lateness, I’ll get fired for being so backed up on my work.” She looks up and notices Miller walking towards Deana. “And I guess Miller thinks he’s too good to even say hello to me. Now Deana and him can talk about me and my problems.”

Miller stops by Deana.

Deana jokes. “I was proud of you for making an attempt, but she shot you down pretty bad.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not trying anymore.”

A typical computer geek, Louis, stands over Lisa’s cubicle. “Hi, Lisa?”

Lisa comes out of her trance, startled. “Yes?”

“Hi, I’m Louis from the I.T. department.”

“Did I call my problem in?”

Louis giggles. “No, there were some issues last night and some computers were affected. I can fix you up.” Louis makes his way into her seat as she stands. “Let’s have a look see.” He hits a few keys and moves the mouse around. “May I have your password?”

Lisa is surprised. “Uh, really?”

“Yes, I want to see if it will let you in now.” Louis smiles.

Lisa is embarrassed. She hesitates. “I am great.” She puts her head down.

“Okay, let’s see, I A M G R E A T, and, yes, you certainly are. It works. Let me know if you have any more problems.”

She keeps her head down until he is clear from the area. Her phone rings.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lisa and Sam sit across from one another at Daddileo’s Restaurant. Lisa scans the area and thinks to herself. “I don’t see that little girl.”

Sam looks to Lisa, concerned.

Lisa breaks the silence. “I tried telling myself I am great.”

“How’s that working?”

“I had a very embarrassing moment.”

Sam is intrigued.

“The I.T. guy needed my password. It was I A M G R E A T.”

      “I can see how that could be embarrassing, but it’s also quite humorous, don’t you think?”

      “I guess, but I changed it again anyway.”

      “So, how is the old neighborhood?”

      “It hasn’t changed much since we were kids. I passed by your old street.”

      “I loved that neighborhood. If I only had to change one thing about my childhood there, I would have liked to have had a friend or two on the block. I used to jump rope in front of that building every night by myself until the street lights came on. I just wished for another little girl to come along to spend time with.”

      “I would have played with you. We moved down to the first floor when I was nine. In fact, I just moved back up to the fifth floor a week ago. My parents wanted to move down to the first when we were younger because it had more space.”

      “Where are they now? Your parents.”

      “They moved a few towns over when dad retired a while back.”

      “How did you feel about your parents?”

      “Dad was always at work and mom seemed to pay more attention to Rachel.”

      “Who's Rachel?”

      Lisa fumbles. “Uh, a friend, a cousin, a girl we knew.”

      “I see. Do you have any siblings?”

      “No.”

      “What about husbands or boyfriends? Any of those at anytime?”

Lisa smiles. “I had a serious boyfriend a few years back. It just didn’t work out though. He was kind of immature. You know?”

“Yep, a lot of them are. Or maybe we’re just not as fun.”

“I guess it depends on how you look at it. He was very fun.”

“How about now? Anyone at work you’re interested in?”

“I’m kinda seeing someone, Jeffrey, but it’s like we’re more friends than anything else. I don’t know if he even considers me his girlfriend.”

“Without getting too personal, aren’t there ways you can tell if you are boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Lisa chuckles. “None of those things are going on. Maybe he’s just a real gentleman.”

“Not too gentle I hope.”

They both laugh. Lisa looks at her watch. “I should probably get back to work.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Lisa sits in her cubicle. She thinks while staring at her computer screen. The name RACHEL is spelled out across the screen in colors. She thinks. “Should I tell her about Rachel? I thought I would never bring it up again. She’s not a real psychologist yet. I don’t know.”

Miller and Deana walk together. They stop at Lisa’s cubicle. Deana is sincere. “How’s everything Lisa?”

Miller has a bright smile.

Lisa holds her stomach. “Hey guys. Not feeling so good today.”

Miller sees an opportunity. “You need anything? We could go for a coffee or a tea?”

Lisa thinks back to her conversation with Sam.

“I guess it depends on how you look at it. He was very fun.”

“How about now? Anyone at work you’re interested in?”

“None of those things are going on. Maybe he’s just a real Gentleman.”

“Not too gentle I hope.”

Lisa comes back from her thought and looks to Miller. “That would be nice.”

Deana walks away toward her cubicle. “Have fun guys.”

Miller and Lisa walk off together.

Deana mumbles to herself. “So much for giving up on her.”

Lisa sits across from Miller at a small café in their office building, a place to grab a quick cup to bring back to the desk.

“I’m definitely gonna get myself fired. Lateness’s, long lunches, now a coffee break. Not to mention that email I sent out.” She holds her head.

“Yea, what was that about?”

“Just some weird stuff.”

“What, were you drunk?” He laughs. She doesn’t. “Sorry, I was joking.”

“That’s okay. You seem like a fun guy.”

“The funest.”

Lisa thinks to herself. “Do I really need another fun guy in my life?” She thinks back to when she walked in on Jeffrey.

In Jeffrey’s apartment, he stands in front of the oven wearing a softball uniform. He admires a small box. He opens it and is very pleased with what is inside. He places the box down, opens the stove, grabs for the tray and burns his hand. “Son of a!” He shakes it off and makes a second attempt to take the tray out.

He places the tray on the table and quickly moves his hand away, blowing on his fingers before running cold water on them. He looks at his watch as Lisa knocks and enters.

She watches him for a moment before he notices her. He quickly drops the small box to the floor and kicks it under a table. He greets her nervously as if hiding something.

Miller stares at Lisa as she comes back from her thought.

She gives him a quick quiz. “What do you think about softball?”

“Waste of time.”

“What about creepy movie soundtracks?”

Miller confused, thinks to himself. “Maybe she is as crazy as her email.” He looks back at her thinking she may not be the girl he thought she was. He wants to get back to work. “Never really thought about it. Done with that tea?”

Not So Imaginary Friend

Screenplay

Written by

ferf ziamond

                               FADE IN

INT. APARTMENT – DAY

A nine year old girl with light hair, YOUNG LISA, sits at an open window. Rain falls.

              YOUNG LISA

Rain, rain go away, come back another day. Rain, rain go away, come back another day.

She looks down, five stories.

EXT. SIDEWALK

A glimpse of her twin sister laying in a nightgown.

              YOUNG LISA (CONT.)

Rain, rain go away, come back another day. Rain, rain go away, come back another day.

INT. DOCTORS OFFICE - DAY

In the waiting room, attractive brunette, thirties, LISA, sits holding a wedding magazine.

The nurse, SAM, steps in, looks at Lisa, her face saddens. She looks at the folder in her arm.

SAM

Lisa, the doctor will see

you now.

She drops the magazine on the seat. A smiling bride on the cover, a distraught look on Lisa’s face as she stands.

INT. BATHROOM - MORNING

Lisa stands in front of the mirror, face and scalp covered with red welts, a tear rolls down her cheek.

LISA

Doctors. What do they know

anyway?

She walks to the shower and runs the water, looks at the clock on the wall, 7:54am.

LISA (CONT.)

Late again. I’m going to get

myself fired.

She looks in the mirror once again, cries louder.

LISA (CONT.)

Why me? Oh God, why me?

She feels the water, COLD. She places her head in her hands.

INT. DOCTORS OFFICE - MORNING

In an examining room, Sam holds a folder while speaking to an intern, BRIANNA.

SAM

She’s only thirty four and

she has some of the worst

problems I’ve ever seen,

Discoid Lupus that is tearing

her face and scalp apart,

Anxiety attacks that are going to lead to a nervous breakdown, migraine headaches and depression that is eating away at her poor brain.

Brianna shakes her head.

SAM (CONT.)

I think I could help her if she gives me a chance.

BRIANNA

She might be better off with a professional.

Sam, down.

INT. BATHROOM - MORNING

Lisa stands, shaking in a towel in front of the mirror. She pulls out a case of makeup and face paints.

She pulls her hair to one side attempting to cover her spots, then to the other side. She focuses on a red blotch below her eye. She attempts to cover the spot with makeup. She rubs it on violently. Finally the spot appears to be covered, red rub marks around it.

She begins to adjust her hair again and starts to cry.

A young female VOICE is heard.

VOICE

Why so much powder? Why all

of that cover up?

Lisa is startled. She looks around.

LISA

I have to do it for this God

forsaken deformity I was

blessed with! How would you

like it if it was you?

The voice giggles, angers Lisa.

VOICE

Why are you missing so much

hair? What are you doing with

your hair?

LISA

Please stop!

Lisa holds her stomach.

VOICE

Remember, don’t go to the

mailbox today.

LISA

Leave me alone! I’m serious.

It’s not funny.

She kneels on the floor covering her face.

EXT. SIDEWALK

The Landlord, GIL, late fifties, sweeps in front of the building. His wife, HILDY, late fifties, picks weeds. Lisa walks down the steps.

GIL

Good morning Lisa. Enjoy being back on the fifth floor?

LISA

Yes, thanks Gil. My parents

probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much since they loved all that space on the first floor.

Gil laughs in pity.

GIL

Enjoy your day Lisa.

LISA

You too.

Lisa mumbles while walking away.

LISA (CONT.)

I would enjoy it if I wasn’t

off to hell. It would be nice

to stay here all day and collect rent like you do.

Gil speaks quietly to Hildy.

GIL

Do you think she really still

believes that her parents moved to the first floor for the space?

HILDY

Oh Gil, don’t stir up bad

memories.

INT. SUBWAY CAR

Lisa sits in the corner gripping her pocket book. There are wall to wall people and many conversations over the rumble of the train.

Lisa thinks to herself.

LISA’S VOICE

What if I have a nervous

breakdown right here in front

of all of these people? What

if I hear that little girls

voice on this train? Why is

everyone looking at me? Why am I so ugly? It’s not fair to be trapped in this cage for an hour to get to a place I don’t even want to be! Life is so unfair.

She begins to take deep breaths and opens a book, Anxiety Stricken.

INT. ELEVATOR - MORNING

Lisa is scrunched up against the wall surrounded by men and women in business attire. She fights for air.

LISA’S VOICE

Great. I go from one cage of

human animals to another. I

don’t know how long I can last in this box. I wish Jeffrey would take me away from all of this.

INT. JEWELRY STORE

A handsome, muscular man, JEFFREY, early thirties stands looking at rings with a woman behind the glass cabinet.

INT. OFFICE – MORNING

Lisa puts her belongings down at her cubicle. Her naked ring finger is noticeable. The woman, DEANA, in the next cubicle nods and continues to type. Her wedding ring is noticeable.

LISA’S VOICE

Now she’ll go and tell Lilly   that I was a half hour late. What a treat. I fought my stomach and my mind for an   hour just so I could get to a place that I can’t stand.

A slender man, MILLER, early thirties, wanders by smiling.

                  MILLER

            Morning Lisa.

LILLY, Supervisor, late forties, papers in hand, interrupts before Lisa can say hello.

            LILLY

        Lisa, hi. Please get these

      figures in order and e-mail

      them to the appropriate

      recipients before ten.

      Thanks.

Lilly drops paperwork, hurries off.

Lisa places the memo to the side angrily, mumbles.

            LISA

      Why don’t you take a typing

      lesson and do some of your

      own damn work?

Idle chitchat is heard, co-workers walk throughout the aisles. Lisa appears nervous. She types.

No one knows. No one cares. I know that they’re all mocking me when I’m not listening. They are a bunch of phonies. They should be attacked like I am by voices in their heads. It’s not fair.

Lisa holds her head, begins putting the assignment together.

The clock ticks, five minutes to ten.

Lilly stands behind Lisa.

LILLY

Lisa, it’s almost ten. How is

that e-mail coming along?

Lisa is startled.

LISA

I’m just about done. I’m

sending it now. Just have to attach the document.

Lisa nervously hits the send button trying to hide her other document.

EXT. STREET – NOON

Lisa stands in front of a door labeled “DR. BETS – PSYCHOLOGY”.

She takes a deep breath and enters.

INT. DR. OFFICE

The RECEPTIONIST smiles, hands Lisa a clipboard.

INT. APARTMENT – EVENING

In a small studio apartment, Jeffrey in a softball uniform, stands in front of the oven. He admires a small box. The inside is not shown. He places the box down and pulls out dinner. He burns his hand, shakes it and makes a second attempt to take the tray out.

JEFFREY

Son of a –

He places the tray on the table and quickly moves his hand away, blowing on his fingers before running cold water on them. He looks at his watch.

Lisa knocks and enters. She watches him for a moment before he notices her. He quickly drops the small box to the floor and kicks it under a table. He greets her nervously at first.

JEFFREY

Hi sweetheart. I was wondering if you were going to visit today. I was just on my way to my softball game. You can come and watch if you want. Or stay here, whatever you like.

LISA

Yea, I’ll stay a bit.

JEFFREY

We may stop at the corner pub for a drink afterwards. Try to make it by.

LISA

I’ll just have something to eat. Smells great. Maybe I’ll see you after the game.

She kisses his cheek, he leaves.

She puts on some music, enters the kitchen and makes a plate. Before raising the fork, she holds on to her stomach, drops the fork and hurries to the couch. She closes her eyes and holds her forehead.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lisa wakes up startled in the dark.

LISA

Where am I? What’s going on?

Jeffrey’s apartment. I must

have fallen asleep.

The music, classical mix with creepy movie sound effects.

She glances at the dinner, gets up, staggers to the kitchen. She puts the food in the refrigerator.

LISA (CONT.)

Jeffrey can eat this after his game. I have to get out of here.

EXT. SIDEWALK

She walks nervously.

LISA’S VOICE

Maybe the walk is good to give me time to think. Maybe too much thinking is no good. Maybe I shouldn’t think of the crazy things. But if I tell myself not to think of the crazy things, I will think of the crazy things. Just like if someone says, don’t think of a yellow garbage truck, what’s the first thing you think of?

is that voice in my bathroom so concerned about my ailments and how I cover them up? Are these thoughts bringing on an attack?

She begins to breathe heavy.

LISA’ VOICE (CONT.)

Some people use a brown paper

bag to breathe in and out of.

That would only make it worse. The more attention I bring to the problem, the worse it gets. What if I ran around screaming or throwing rocks through windows? What if I give myself a nervous breakdown?

She looks up and sees her apartment building.

LISA

I’ll go up and put my head under the covers until this blows over. Maybe I can wake up on time in the morning.

She turns the key.

INT. PUB

Jeffrey sits on a stool staring at his watch as his teammates celebrate behind him.

INT. BATHROOM - MORNING

Lisa stands in front of the mirror, face and scalp covered with red welts, a tear rolls past her cheek. She attempts to cover her marks.

VOICE

You look pretty to me. I don’t think you need to hide

everything.

LISA

Well, thanks, but I don’t feel the same. It’s not easy

walking around like this. Are

you the one making me nervous?

VOICE

Yes, sorry.

LISA

Why are you doing this to me?

VOICE

I don’t know. Can we talk about something else?

LISA

Like what?

VOICE

I don’t know. What about

Christmas or birthdays or

pets? Those are nice things.

LISA

I guess. But Christmas is not

for two more months and my

birthday is long after that. I don’t have any pets anymore.

VOICE

Where is Sammy?

LISA

Sammy? He left a long time

ago. He is in cat heaven now.

VOICE

Maybe I don’t want to talk to

you today. Get some new

records!

INT. OFFICE - MORNING

Lilly, Deana and Miller congregate around Deana’s desk.

DEANA

She wasn’t that late, five,

maybe ten minutes.

LILLY

I still say she may be at the

end of her rope. This email is just a cry for help.

Lilly holds up a sheet of paper.

MILLER

She’s fine. Just had an off day.

DEANA

Maybe she needs a day off.

LILLY

I’m not going to consider

thoughts from someone who

has a crush on the girl,

Miller.

                  MILLER

       That’s the last secret I

       share with you.

                  DEANA

            Here she comes.

Lisa walks towards her cubicle. All eyes are on her. Some finger pointing and whispering.

                        LISA’S VOICE

This has to be my imagination. They can’t all be talking about me.

      She turns around.

INT. BATHROOM

Lisa checks for blotches. She runs her fingers over her face.

INT. OFFICE

Lisa sits at her desk. Lilly stands beside her.

                  LILLY

            Is everything alright?

                  LISA

            I don’t know.

                  LILLY

Why did you add this in the

email?

Lilly holds up the paper.

Lisa takes it, reads.

LISA’S VOICE

No one knows. No one cares. I

know that they’re all mocking

me when I’m not listening.

They are a bunch of phonies.

They should be attacked like I am by voices in their heads. It’s not fair.

She buries her head. Lilly rubs one of Lisa’s shoulders before walking away.

INT. DOCTORS OFFICE

Sam rummages through patients folders. She pulls out one with a tab, LISA KELLER. She dials the receptionist’s phone. Brianna looks on, shakes her head.

INT. OFFICE

Lisa lifts her head. She has been crying, picks up the phone on the third ring.

INTERCUT

SAM

            Hi Lisa, it’s Nurse Sam from

            Dr. Coldrins office.

                  LISA

            Is it bad news?

SAM

No, not at all. I was wondering.

      She hesitates.

                  SAM (CONT.)

            Maybe we could meet for lunch

            or something?

COMMERCIAL BREAK

INT. RESTAURANT

Cozy, bistro tables, a few scattered voices. Lisa sits across from Sam. A WAITRESS puts their plates down.

                  LISA

            Thank you.

The waitress walks off. Lisa picks up her fork. A young girl walks slowly carrying a plate. It appears to be slow motion to Lisa. Lisa follows her closely with her eyes.

Sam appears concerned, looks at the girl, then to Lisa.

Lisa, distracted, begins to speak.

                  LISA (CONT.)

            I almost seen a psychiatrist

            yesterday. I began filling

            out the paperwork and became

            nervous. I walked out.

SAM

      You have to do what makes you

      feel comfortable. You don’t

have to share anything with me that makes you uncomfortable. One day I will be a full fledged Psychologist, I do understand

      your pain.

            LISA

As a little girl, I didn’t know what they were. I called them head problems and every time I felt one coming on, I would share them with

whoever was around. That wasn’t such a great idea.

SAM

I could imagine.

LISA

Hello sir. I am having head

problems. Can you help me Ma’am? I have head problems.

Sam holds back a laugh and at the same time shows sympathy with a head shake.

LISA (CONT.)

People didn’t take it serious

and they often laughed. I tried to talk to my family about it but they just said I was a hypochondriac. I decided to keep the problems to myself.

SAM

That is so sad.

            LISA

      I don’t want to get too deep

      into it, but I have had some

      very odd experiences in my

bathroom the last two mornings.

SAM

            Okay.

                  LISA

            Maybe it’s that old apartment

building messing with my mind.

SAM

            Where do you live?

                  LISA

            Platz Avenue and Thirtieth

            just outside the city.

      Sam, surprised, covers her mouth.

SAM

            Are you serious?

                  LISA

            Yes. Why?

SAM

            I grew up on Twenty Sixth and

            Platz.

                  LISA

            Oh my goodness. No wonder I

feel like I can share with you.

SAM

            I don’t think all of your

problems can go away over night, but if I could just give you one thing to focus on from our meeting today, it would be self confidence. You are a great person and you have to keep telling yourself that. Don’t beat yourself

up by giving hurtful messages. Just remember that you are great.

INT. APARTMENT - EVENING

Jeffrey stands in the kitchen eating an apple while compiling a list of people.

Lisa’s parents

Friends from work

Deana

Lilly

Miller

Landlord and wife

My softball team

Lisa knocks and enters.

Jeffrey pretends to be reading the newspaper. He flips pages and hides the list underneath.

       JEFFREY

Hi sweetheart. How was work?

Lisa slowly approaches while gripping her sweater.

LISA

It was so bad. I sent out the

wrong file in an e-mail and

everyone acted like I was the

dumbest person they ever seen. I just couldn’t wait to get out of there.

JEFFREY

That is awful honey. I am so

sorry. Let me put on a disk

and make you something to eat. I wish you would have come around last night.

Jeffery puts on a strange sounding disk. They sit down to eat.

INT. APARTMENT – BEFORE SUNRISE

Lisa wakes on the couch. She picks up her things and tip toes around. Jeffrey, in bed snoring. The music still plays softly as she exits the apartment.

EXT. SIDEWALK

She walks along the dark street.

INT. APARTMENT

INTERCUT

CREEPY MUSIC CONTINUES

Jeffrey tosses and turns.

Lisa walks nervously. She slows down at a corner.

Jeffrey mumbles.

Lisa continues walking. A moving shadow appears on a building. She clenches her purse.

Jeffrey tosses and groans in his sleep.

JEFFREY

No. Don’t.

Lisa continues. A dark car passes by a block away.

Jeffrey wakes, looks at the clock, 5:22am. He rolls back over.

Lisa stops at another corner, looks up at the street sign, 26^th Street and Platz Avenue. She lets out a slight chuckle.

LISA

Sam’s corner.

INT. BATHROOM – MORNING

Lisa stands in front of the mirror gently rubbing her face.

              VOICE

Good morning.

Lisa steps back startled.

VOICE (CONT.)

Enjoy your date last night? I

think you’re lucky.

Lisa, puzzled.

LISA

Thanks, I guess. How am I

lucky?

VOICE

You like some of your life.

Why not all?

LISA

Because, I was cursed with

these illnesses. Sometimes it

is too much for one person to

handle.

VOICE

Okay. They won’t even ask you.

LISA

What does that mean? And how

come I can’t see you?

VOICE

You already saw me.

Lisa thinks back to her lunch with Sam at the restaurant.

FLASHBACK

INT. RESTARAUNT

The waitress walks off. Lisa picks up her fork. A young girl walks slowly carrying a plate. It appears to be slow motion to Lisa. Lisa follows her closely with her eyes.

Sam appears concerned, looks at the girl, then to Lisa.

Lisa, distracted, begins to speak.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

BACK TO SCENE

INT. SUBWAY CAR – MORNING

Lisa sits in the corner, look of illness.

LISA’S VOICE

Why would she say I’m lucky?

No one that has to be trapped

in this cage with no air for

an hour to get to a place she

dreads being, is a lucky

person. Could she be the same

girl from the restaurant? Can

these people hear what I’m

thinking?

Lisa looks around at the strange faces. An older woman with a cart. An angry man in a suit. Groups of different ethnic backgrounds, a glimpse of young Lisa.

LISA’ VOICE (CONT.)

I’m not lucky. No one who feels as sick as I do right now is lucky. I can’t take this feeling in my stomach. It’s making me dizzy and off balance. I might have to get off at the next stop and get some air. I’m feeling very closed in. I don’t like it.

I’m losing it. C’mon, c’mon, stop train! I gotta get out! I gotta get out!

The train stops, doors open. Lisa hurries from her seat and to the stairs.

INT. SUBWAY STATION

Wall to wall commuters walk and run in every direction. Lisa squeezes through.

EXT. STREET

She has a look of relief at the top step. Hot dog vendors, people scurrying. Tall buildings.

LISA’S VOICE

Thank God. Let me just walk a

couple of blocks before I get

back on that dirty subway again.

INT. OFFICE

Lisa stares at a pile of papers and folders on her desk. Deana looks over her cubicle.

LISA’S VOICE

I hope they don’t want to know why I’m so late. What will I tell them? I keep chopping away at this pile and it seems like it only gets bigger. And once again, I can’t log on to this damn computer.

Miller stops at Lisa’s cubicle. She doesn’t notice him.

MILLER

Any plans for the weekend?

He’s nervous, then embarrassed when she doesn’t respond. She continues staring at the folders.

LISA’S VOICE

If I don’t get fired for lateness, I’ll get fired for being so backed up on my work.

She looks up and notices Miller walking towards Deana.

LISA’ VOICE (CONT.)

And I guess Miller thinks he’s too good to even say hello to me. Now Deana and him can talk about me and my problems.

Miller stops by Deana.

DEANA

I was proud of you for making

an attempt, but she shot you

down pretty bad.

MILLER

I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not trying anymore.

A computer geek, LOUIS, stands over Lisa’s cubicle.

LOUIS

Hi, Lisa?

Lisa comes out of her trance, startled.

LISA

Yes?

LOUIS

Hi, Louis from the I.T.

department.

LISA

Did I call my problem in?

Louis giggles.

LOUIS

No, there were some issues

last night and some computers

were affected. I can fix you

up.

Louis makes his way into her seat as she stands.

LOUIS (CONT.)

Let’s have a look see.

He hits a few keys and moves the mouse around.

LOUIS (CONT.)

May I have your password?

She is surprised.

LISA

Uh, really?

LOUIS

Yes, I want to see if it will

let you in now.

Louis smiles. Lisa embarrassed. She hesitates.

LISA

I am great.

She puts her head down.

LOUIS

Okay, let’s see, I A M G R E A T, and, yes, you certainly are. It works. Let me know if you have any more problems.

She keeps her head down until he is clear from the area.

Her phone rings.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

Same restaurant, a few scattered voices. Lisa sits across from Sam. Lisa scans the area.

                  LISA’S VOICE

            I don’t see the little girl.

Sam looks to Lisa, concerned.

       LISA

 I tried telling myself I am

 great.

SAM

 How’s that working?

       LISA

I had a very embarrassing moment.

Sam, intrigued.

       LISA (CONT.)

The I.T. guy needed my password. It was I A M G R E A T.

SAM

 I can see how that could be

 embarrassing, but it’s also

quite humorous, don’t you think?

       LISA

I guess, but I changed it again anyway.

SAM

So, how is the old neighborhood?

                  LISA

It hasn’t changed much since we were kids. I passed by your old    street.

SAM

            I loved that neighborhood. If

I only had to change one thing about my childhood there, I would have liked to have had a friend or two on the block. I used to jump rope in front of that building every night by

myself until the street lights came on. I just wished for another little girl to come along to spend time with.

LISA

I would have played with you.

We moved down to the first floor when I was 9. In fact, I just moved back up to the fifth floor a week ago. My parents wanted to move down to the first when we were younger because it had more

space.

SAM

Where are they now? Your parents.

LISA

They moved a few towns over when dad retired a while back.

SAM

How did you feel about your

parents?

LISA

Dad was always at work and mom seemed to pay more attention to Rachel.

SAM

Who's Rachel?

Lisa fumbles.

LISA

Uh, a friend, a cousin, a girl we knew.

SAM
I see. Do you have any

siblings?

LISA
No.

SAM

What about husbands or boyfriends? Any of those at anytime?

Lisa smiles.

LISA

I had a serious boyfriend a few years back. It just didn’t work out though. He was kind of immature. You know?

SAM

Yep, a lot of them are. Or maybe we’re just not as fun.

LISA

I guess it depends on how you

look at it. He was very fun.

SAM

How about now? Anyone at work

you’re interested in?

LISA

I’m kinda seeing someone, Jeffrey, but it’s like we’re more friends than anything else. I don’t know if he even considers me his girlfriend.

SAM

Without getting too personal,

aren’t there ways you can tell if you are boyfriend and girlfriend?

Lisa chuckles.

LISA

None of those things are going on. Maybe he’s just a real gentleman.

SAM

Not too gentle I hope.

They both laugh. Lisa looks at her watch.

LISA

I should probably get back to work.

INT. OFFICE

Lisa sits in her cubicle. She thinks while staring at her computer screen. The name RACHEL is spelled out across the screen in colors.

LISA’S VOICE

Should I tell her about Rachel? I thought I would never bring it up again. She’s not a real psychologist yet. I don’t know.

Miller and Deana walk together. They stop at Lisa’s cubicle.

DEANA

How’s everything Lisa?

Miller smiles.

LISA

Hey guys. Just not feeling so

good.

She rubs her stomach.

MILLER

You need anything? We could go for a coffee or a tea?

Lisa thinks for a moment.

FLASHBACK

INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

Lisa sits across from Sam.

LISA

I guess it depends on how you

look at it. He was very fun.

SAM

How about now? Anyone at work

you’re interested in?

LISA

None of those things are going on. Maybe he’s just a real gentleman.

SAM

Not too gentle I hope.

They both laugh.

BACK TO SCENE

Lisa looks at Miller.

LISA

That would be nice.

Deana walks toward her cubicle.

DEANA

Have fun guys.

Miller and Lisa walk off together.

Deana mumbles.

DEANA

So much for giving up on her.

INT. CAFÉ

Lisa sits across from Miller.

LISA

I’m definitely gonna get myself fired. Lateness’s, long lunches, now a coffee break. Not to mention that email I sent out.

She holds her head.

MILLER

Yea, what was that about?

LISA

Just some weird stuff.

MILLER

What, were you drunk?

He laughs. She doesn’t.

MILLER (CONT.)

Sorry, I was joking.

LISA

That’s okay. You seem like a

fun guy.

MILLER

The funest.

LISA’S VOICE

Do I really need another fun

guy in my life?

FLASHBACK

INT. APARTMENT – EVENING

Jeffrey places a tray on a table and quickly moves his hand away, blowing on his fingers before running cold water over them. He looks at his watch.

Lisa knocks and enters. She watches him for a moment before he notices her. He quickly drops a small box to the floor and kicks it under a table. He greets her nervously.

BACK TO SCENE

Miller stares at Lisa.

LISA

What do you think about softball?

MILLER

Waste of time.

LISA

What about creepy movie

soundtracks?

Miller, confused.

MILLER’S VOICE

Maybe she is as crazy as her

email.

He looks back at her.

MILLER

Never really thought about it. Done with that tea?

About the Author

ferf ziamond is a pen name representing a colorless, ageless, genderless tale teller who introduces a different concept. Movie style writing with screenplay edition included.

http://www.ferfziamond.com/

http://booksofexcellence.com/ziamond.html

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