LAPSE

Written by
Redha Dekar

TITLE FADES OVER :

WHITE SCREEN. Accompanied by a distant rhythmic choir of
ticking clocks.
TITLE FADES OUT.
A hand comes along while proceeding its rotation. The
circular plate becomes visible ,coupled with distant sounds.

CUT TO:
INT. CLOCK REPAIR STORE - DAY
A range of adhesive tubes , a tool kit, a set of screwdrivers
and mounting nut screws are laid on a table. While we draw
near the stores main door, a row of digital and analog
clocks are hanging. As we move closer, a MONTAGE of clocks
are paired with familiar sounds :
Thunder over a pendulum clock.
Sea waves over travel alarm.
Soil shovelling over anniversary clock.
Construction noise over a pocket watch.
A trains rumbling over a digital clock.
Cheering and applause over a fallen clock winding key.
This latter rolls until it hits the doors lower frame.
Through the glass door, at the handles level, a silhouette
of a MAN is racing towards us.
EXT/INT. CLOCK REPAIR STORE - DAY CONTINUOUS
As the man opens the door, all ticking sounds go to mute.
He hurries to the desk, sweaty and agitated but doesnt utter
a sound. He unfolds a watch and lays it on the table while
being fast in his gestures.
A close up on his face tells it all : he is furiously late.
He overhears a cheering crowd outside the store, he heads to
the door as we hear distant honks and chants : its a match
day.
But our man isnt a football enthusiast. He lowers his gaze
and rolls up his sleeve to check his watch and taps it.

2.

VOICE (O.S)
Better hand your own broken watch
for repair rather than a stolen
one.
Our man is jolted, he turns franticly to see whos there.
VOICE (CONTD)
Your friends wont be happy to see
a delay in the schedule...
Our man approaches the desk , as slowly as a tranquilized
dog.
VOICE (CONTD)
(Laughs)
oh my ! of all the watches out
there, you had to loot a busted
one.
As our man approaches the desk , he cringes and freezes.
VOICE (CONTD)
Busted .... Like you.
The voice appears to be the mans projection of himself, a
physical look alike doppelganger.
While speaking ,the doppelganger is dismantling the watch
while our man doesnt budge an iota.
The doppelganger removes the crown wheel.
DOPPELGANGER
It was all perfectly designed, a
hit on a match day, the cops are
busy, the jeweller is away,
everything running like
clockwork...
He looks at his fragile self , immobile and dumbfounded.
DOPPELGANGER
But no
(frustrated)
you HAD to do it again, you HAD to
blow it !
The doppelganger strikes the watch, removes the straps and
throws it.
Our man reaches into his pocket, and takes out an empty pills
pack. He lets it slip powerlessly.

3.

DOPPELGANGER (CONTD)
(Disdain)
Not these would fix you just as
none would fix your wasted time.
Our man closes his eyes dragged by intense pain while holding
his head in hand.
The doppelganger digs deep into the watch while butchering
the insides.
Our man opens his eyes, and slowly uncovers his face trying
to collect himself.
To his dismay, his projection is still behind the counter.
DOPPELGANGER (CONTD)
Closing your eyes wont wipe me
off.
(Taunting)
its embarrassing... just like now!
Our man is catching on something
DOPPELGANGER (CONTD)
How would you explain it ? uh?
Dyslexia ?
Our man looks back to see his predicament turning more
awkward. The sign hung on the doors exterior reads: CLOSED
in reverse.
The doppelganger lets slip a relieving laughter followed with
a smirk at the shattered watch and its guts which are spread
all over the table.
DOPPELGANGER (CONTD)
(Pointing at the watch)
Times up for that! So much for
nothing!
(Exhales)
Anyway.... What will you do now
genius?
As our man is about to retort, he is cut off by the doorbell,
turns to see the WATCHMAKER coming in, and at the same time
all sounds of tickings harks back.
Our man looks in front of him to see no one in there but the
cast of his own reflection in a pendulums mirror.
The watch on the table is back to its former state unharmed.
The watchmaker clearly sees theres someone near the counter
and acknowledges it in a somehow humorous with an unsatisfied
tone :

4.

WATCHMAKER
Left in a hurry, forgot to REALLY
close the door, didn't I ? ha-ha.
A peculiar feeling invades our mans being, a shake of
relieve but also the dread of being out of time.
The watchmaker notices the winding key on the floor and picks
it up to insert into a clock.
Our man stares vacantly at the watchmaker.
WATCHMAKER (CONTD)
Glad no thief got into my shop.
Our man conceals the watch hes wearing.
He approaches our man and notices the empty pills pack on
the floor, but doesn't comment about it.
Our man keeps staring at the watchmaker, this latter goes
behind the counter. While checking his cash register, he lays
his eyes on the watch deposited on the counter. He freezes
for a moment and proceeds to inspect it, only to notice the
ripped ends of the straps.
Our man is standing motionless, lost in thought.
The tension in the shop soars as the tickings become more
ragging.
The watchmaker with years of experience looks very matter-offact while scrutinizing the watch. He lifts the watch and
asks our man a question he undeniably knows the answer to :
WATCHMAKER (CONTD)
Is this ...yours ?
Our man continually stares vacantly, his expression is more
content than remorseful, however, he swallows his deed and
turns back leaving the store. While he leaves , all sounds
fade to mute.
The watchmaker in the background is seemingly shouting at him
but our man doesn't seem to care anymore and walks out
without a worry in the world.
INT/EXT. CLOCK REPAIR STORE - DAY CONTINUOUS
Our man exits the store and evanesces into the nature.