The Widower

SCENE OPENS on Jim (Charles Dera). He lies in bed, his eyes still closed after a night of slumber. He opens his eyes and sighs tiredly. He is clearly not excited to get out of bed. He looks over to the other, empty side of the bed. His eyes mist with emotion as he runs his hand along the empty side of the bed. His expression is one of loss, of longing.

Finally, he takes a deep breath, as if he has summoned the energy to face the day, and swings his legs out of bed.

Later, Jim chats with his stepson Josh (Rion King). It is revealed that they are grieving from the loss of Claire, Jim's wife and Josh's stepmother. Jim, in particular, seems to be having a tough time.

Josh tells Jim that his girlfriend, Brittany (who Jim hasn't met yet), will be staying with them for the weekend. Jim is fine with it, since both Josh and Brittany are 18 and he trusts them. At that moment, the doorbell rings. Announcing that it must be her, Josh goes to answer it. A moment later, Josh introduces Jim to Brittany (Maya Kendrick). Jim is instantly taken with her, muttering about her looking like someone. Brittany looks a little wary but hides it well, smiling warmly.

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Later that day, the three of them are in the living room watching a movie. Josh and Brittany sit on the couch together while Jim sits on an adjacent chair. Josh has his arm around Brittany and they are both immersed in the movie.

Jim tries to concentrate on the movie, but his attention keeps wandering to Brittany. It's as if he can't keep his eyes off her, his expression betraying an almost-unhealthy level of interest. Soon, he gets locked into staring at her, unable to tear himself away. Suddenly Brittany glances over at him and he hastily looks away, almost caught. She gives him a slightly curious look and turns back to the movie. With her focused again on the movie, Jim's eyes wander back to her.

Later that same day, Jim walks down the hall. He hears muffled moaning coming from Josh's closed bedroom door. Jim puts his ear closer to the door. It becomes clear that what he's hearing are the sounds of Josh and Brittany having sex. His eyes widen and he looks at the doorknob with temptation.

Jim seems to be wrestling internally with what to do. Finally, he can't resist and, careful not to make a sound, slowly turns the doorknob.

We don't see what's inside the room. Instead, we focus on Jim's face as he watches through the crack in the door. We can now hear the sex sounds fully. Jim watches, an entranced, wild look coming over him.

The next day, Josh and Jim are relaxing on the couch, chatting and sipping on their morning coffees. Brittany joins them, taking her seat on the couch next to Josh. Jim again makes an effort not to stare, but it is clearly very difficult for him.

From Jim's POV, he watches Brittany. He seems like he's desperately trying to keep himself under control, until finally he can't, exhaling loudly. Both Josh and Brittany notice. Josh looks at him curiously. Jim, clearly fixated on Brittany, makes an excuse to get Josh to run out for an errand, leaving Jim and Brittany alone.

With Josh gone, there is a moment of slightly uncomfortable silence as Brittany smiles at Jim politely. Jim smiles back at her, holding his gaze for just a little too long. Jim talks to Brittany about his dead wife, saying that Brittany reminds him of her. He deliberately plays up his grief, eventually (intentionally) breaking down emotionally.

Brittany looks sympathetic, but also uncomfortable. Not knowing exactly what to do, she places a hand tentatively on his shoulder, a sympathetic gesture of support. He looks up at her and smiles. He places his hand over her hand and squeezes it. But he holds her hand for just a LITTLE too long, and she politely draws her hand away. But Jim has seen the opening he's been looking for, and continues to play up his grief and use her sympathy to convince Brittany to agree to fuck him out of pity.

This widower is determined to never be alone again...