Back Then

By Robert Ale

John’s wife, Mary, dies in a car crash and he’s left devastated. He decides his only option is to use the public time machine to travel back in time. He does this, and slowly begins to make his way into younger Mary’s life. He goes to all the places she loves and acts as if it’s coincidental.

Eventually, they spend even time together where they’re comfortable with each other. But, younger John begins to get suspicious of things. He starts to wonder why Mary is hanging out with this older guy who resembles him in a lot of ways. Older John thought it would be a brief stay, but he realizes how much he loves Mary. He asks her to come back to his time, and this becomes too much for her. She says no, but John doesn’t listen. He takes her back to his time against her will, and he shows her that he’s meant to be with her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Ale
• Release date: Mar 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311001832

Robert Ale

I write all types of stories

Book preview

FADE IN:

INT. John's house (kitchen) - afTERNOON

John's house has all the sleek updated appliances.

He hugs his wife, MARY from behind. He gives her a kiss on the neck.

Mary is slightly overweight.

MARY

I thought we could go to the market today?

John

Yeah. Sure. What do you need?

MARY

I want to pick up some chips and stuff for the party.

John

That's tonight?

MARY

Uh-yeah.

INT. supermarket - afTERNOON

John and Mary have a bunch of food and drinks in their cart.

John

Can I get some beer? It's the only way I'll make it through this.

MARY

Get whatever you want.

They go over to the beer selection and John puts a six-pack into the cart.

John

Why do you have to hold these parties at our house?

MARY

Because I like our house.

John

You just want impress everyone. You want everyone to see that we have the nicest house out of all your friends.

MARY

Is there anything wrong with that? You should be happy. It shows that I'm proud of you. I'm proud of what you've accomplishment.

John

I'm glad you think I'm a genius and all, but your friends get annoying sometimes.

MARY

I never said you were a genius.

INT. sUPERMARKET - aFTERNOON

They check out.

EXT. parking lot - aFTERNOON

John and Mary put the last item into their car's trunk.

I/E. John's car - aFTERNOON

John drives down the road. He holds Mary's hand.

The green light turns red and John doesn't notice right away.

MARY

It's red.

John slams on his breaks.

He skids a little and goes into the intersection.

The on coming truck hits the breaks and stops just a few inches away from John's car.

John

Holy shit.

John backs the car up and the truck goes through.

MARY

We almost died. We almost just died.

John

I know. I'm sorry.

MARY

That was really scary.

Mary puts out her hand and it shakes.

MARY (CONT'D)

Look. I'm shaking. I got goose bumps.

The light turns green and John continues to drive.

John

The littlest mistake can change a life forever.

MARY

That's why you need to be careful when you drive.

John

I know. Sometimes I get distracted.

INT. John's house - afTERNOON

John sits and watches Mary prepare for the party.

Mary pours the chips into a bowl.

She gets the plastic cups out and puts them next to the generic soda.

She pulls out the cheesecake, but stops.

MARY

Ow. Ow. Owwww.

John

What's wrong?

MARY

Pain. In my chest.

JOHN

Serious?

MARY

I think so.

John pulls out his phone and calls 911.

JOHN

My wives having a heart attack and I need an ambulance. The address is 9009 Barwick Street.

John hangs up.

He goes over to Mary and guides her to the chair.

She sits down.

Mary

It really hurts.

JOHN

You're going to be fine. I'm sure it's nothing.

INT. ambulance - aFTERNOON

The PARAMEDICS work on Mary.

They spray GTN under her tongue, give her an aspirin, do an ECG, and take her blood.

At this point, Mary looks like she's passed out and possibly dying.

PARAMEDIC one

I think we're losing her.

They begin to try and revive her, but it doesn't work.

INT. hospital - aFTERNOON

John runs down the hallway.

He stops and turns into one of the rooms.

Mary lies in the bed. A DOCTOR and a NURSE are around her.

John

What happened?

Doctor

I'm afraid...

CUT TO:

INT. John's car - night

John cries on his way home.

JOHN

You always take away the things I love.

INT. John's house (bedroom) - night

John gets into bed.

He looks wore out and tired.

JOHN

Maybe this is all a dream. A real messed up dream.

John closes his eyes and goes to sleep.

INT. John'S HOUSE (BEDROOM) - day

John wakes up. He turns to his left and feels in the empty spot.

JOHN

Oh, god. Why did this have to happen?

INT. John'S HOUSE (kitchen) - day

John pours himself a cup of coffee.

He takes a sip, it's bitter.

He puts more sugar in and stirs it around.

He takes another