The Body in the Basement - Alex Broun

45EILEEN:Ooooh – that’s gotta hurt.SILENCE.MAX:EILEEN:It’s over.Well – that showed her.MAX STAGGERS AWAY FROM THE DOOR.THE DOOR TO THE BASEMENT SWINGS OPEN ONCE MORE ANDTHERE STANDS THE MAN IN BLACK – ALTHOUGH IT IS NOWMORE THE MAN IN RED AND BLACK.HIS CLOTHING AND FACE ARE NOW SPATTERED WITH BRIGHTRED BLOOD. BLOOD ALSO DRIPS OFF THE CRICKET BAT ANDCOATHANGER IN HIS HANDS, AND THE EGG FLIPPER TUCKEDINTO HIS BELT.EILEEN: (SWOONING) The conquering hero returns !MAX: What have you done ?MAX PUSHES PAST THE MAN IN BLACK AND DISAPPEARS DOWNINTO THE BASEMENT.EILEEN: (MOVING TOWARDS TABLE) Care for some post-battle treats ?THE MAN IN BLACK MOVES OVER TO THE TABLE. HE SITS.EILEEN OFFERS HIM THE PLATE OF TAPAS AND A LARGE GLASSOF SANGRIA. THE MAN IN BLACK SHOVELS THE FOOD IN TO HISMOUTH WITH HIS HAND, THEN TAKES A HUGE GULP OF THESANGRIA.EILEEN: Oooh, you’re all covered in sweat and … what’s that red stuff ?MAN IN BLACK:(PROUDLY) Blood.EILEEN: Blood and sweat. How neo-conservative !THE MAN IN BLACK SHOVELS IN SOME MORE FOOD. HE SMILESLACIVIOUSLY AT EILEEN. EILEEN GIGGLES AND HANGS OFF HISSHOULDER, RUNNING HER FINGERS THROUGH THE BLOOD ONHIS FACE.EILEEN:Strong, masculine, silent. (OFFERING FRUIT) Here, try these freshlycut melons. And ripe fig.