GONE: The ANIMAL saga continues

Recap of ANIMAL:

STEVE JACOB awakes to find himself trapped in a room. Alone and unaware of how he got there, he was only given one instruction; to record an audio diary of himself every day. As the days pass, Steve rummages through memories of how he met his wife, the financial problems he had to endure and even love for his son. Slowly and psychologically, the room begins to take over Jacob and he eventually descends into a state of madness. Due to remaining in the room for so long, Jacob eventually gives up. Suddenly, the door opens. Two men walk through. They remove the Jacob's deceased body and throw him in a room with all the other dead bodies. Still and motionless, something moves. Steve Jacob twitches his hand. His chest moves. And he opens his eyes.

---

UNKNOWN #1

Sorry that took so long.

Just had to get all the right paperwork.

UNKNOWN #2

That's no problem.

UNKNOWN #1

Could I get your name again?

UNKNOWN #2

It's Anna. Anna Jacob.

UNKNOWN #1

Huh, you don't meet many people

with two first names.

ANNA

Well..... you know, it's a family thing.

UNKNOWN #1

(pause)

Okay, so I think we're ready to begin.

FADE IN:

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Alert.

ANNA JACOB sits opposite a policeman in a noisy station. She tries to remain tepid but her eyes reveal a different story.

POLICEMAN

When did you last see him?

ANNA

I don't know, probably around

3 days ago.

2 days, 21 hours and 32 minutes ago more precisely. That is the time Anna last saw her husband.

POLICEMAN

And where was this?

ANNA

In our living room. He did overtime at the office so came back pretty late.

POLICEMAN

And what does he work in?

ANNA

Construction.

The officer looked tired; rubbing his eyes he is trying his best to concentrate. To him, this is just another missing persons case where the suspect has run-off, similar to 90% of most cases of this nature. To her, this feels like something different.

POLICEMAN

And did you phone his office?

ANNA

They said he never checked in. He

never signed in.

POLICEMAN

So you don't know where, uhhh what's

your husband's name again?

INT. HYDE PARK - DAY

UNKNOWN #3

STEVE!

ANNA

Yeah!

On a bench in the middle of a park, MELISSA, Anna's best friend, faces her. Smile wide, eyes raised and as red as a bubble, Anna looks happy.

MELISSA

He proposed to you last night?

ANNA

Yeah!!!!

MELISSA

What did you say?

ANNA

Ummmm, yeah!

MELISSA

Oh my God, I am so happy for you!

Melissa dives in for a hug. Melissa is energetic, dramatic but always cares for her friends and family. Having known Anna since childhood, Melissa has always been there for her.

MELISSA (cont'd)

You know I've never thought of Steve

as one of those types. You know, the

marriage type.

ANNA

Me too. But, honestly he is kinda of

you know, romantic-

MELISSA

What?

(shocked)

Steve being romantic is like

putting pineapple on pizza, they

don't go together.

They both laugh and suddenly, something catches Anna's eye.

ANNA

Jack! Come here!

(voice fades)

Jack!

INT. THERAPY ROOM - DAY

UNKNOWN #3

And how about Jack? How is he coping

with all of this?

Her face lights up. Anna looks at DR MARTIN, rummaging fondly through her memories with her son.

ANNA

He is good. Much braver than I was

when I was eight years old.

DR MARTIN

Why would you say that?

Dr Martin is one of the best in their fields at the budget Anna could afford. In difficult circumstances, many couples come to her for help.

ANNA

Well he's adjusting to his new school

really well and he seems to enjoy the

new house. When my Dad and I used to

move every other year, I always found

it hard to get used to a new place.

He probably gets that from his

father.

DR MARTIN

Have you told Steve about how you

feel?

ANNA

Well, yeah, many times. But honestly,

he's so occupied at work and with all

these new bills he's just so busy.

DR MARTIN

What do you mean?

ANNA

He's busy working. Me too, at the

carehome.

DR MARTIN

No, I meant how have you told him?

ANNA

I don't follow.

DR MARTIN

Like, have you guys been involved in

any-

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

POLICEMAN

Fights, anything of that nature?

Contemplating the question, Anna looks at Jack who is sat

beside her.

ANNA

Well yeah-

POLICEMAN

Any physical or violent?

ANNA

Oh God no. He would never do

something like that. And I would

never do that to him.

POLICEMAN

So mainly, verbal?

ANNA

Of course, we've had our share few of

arguments but who doesn't?

POLICEMAN

Sometimes they can drive spouses

away.

ANNA

Oh, he would never do that. Even if

he though about it, he would never

leave Jack. Honestly,...

INT. HYDE PARK - DAY

ANNA (CONT'D)

He's been a father to Jack. He really

does care for him and Jack likes him

too.

MELISSA

I mean if you think marrying a guy

who thinks the Human Centipede movies

are comedies, he's all yours.

ANNA

Wait, he's never said that?

MELISSA

Uhhhh....yeah he has!

ANNA

Has he really? You can't be...

INT. THERAPY ROOM - DAY

ANNA (CONT'D)

Serious, all the time. I haven't seen

him smile or laugh at all since we

moved out here.

DR MARTIN

How is he with Jack though?

ANNA

He's great. But, when I'm around him,

alone, it's different. Things have

changed for the...

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

POLICEMAN

Worse?

ANNA

They have gotten more frequent but I

wouldn't say worse. That's a bit

harsh of a word. But again, he would

never leave Jack behind.

POLICEMAN

Is Steve, Jack's biological father.

ANNA

No, he is...

INT. HYDE PARK - DAY

MELISSA

Better.

ANNA

What do you mean?

MELISSA

Girl, you look happier than ever.

Better than you with those other

guys.

ANNA

I mean, I feel good, you know.

MELISSA

Even though, I think Steve might be a

deranged sociopath and serial killer

in his spare time, I'm happy for you.

ANNA

(laughs)

Why are you always so mean to him?

MELISSA

I mean, COME ON. He just has that...

INT. THERAPY ROOM - DAY

ANNA

Look, I don't how to describe it.

DR MARTIN

Please, try your best.

ANNA

It's like

(beat)

We walk into the same room and we

just don't know how to have a

conversation with each other.

ANNA (cont'd)

I just feel so...

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

POLICEMAN

Lost. Based on this situation, that

would be the worst case scenario. It

should be nothing too serious. But we

will try our best to return him to

you and your son safe and sound.

ANNA

Thank you so much. I really...

INT. HYDE PARK - DAY

ANNA

Appreciate it. Honestly, I don't say

this enough Melissa, but you've

always been there for me. Through my

teen years, with Jack. You've always

been there where I needed you most

and you've always been more than

happy to help.

MELISSA

Ahhhh, you're gonna make me cry! I

wouldn't be where I am without you.

And honestly, I'm just glad you've

found someone.

It was true. After all those harsh years of horrid relationships and financial problems, she could finally admit it. She can finally be at peace. And she could do so with honesty.

ANNA

You're right. This is it. Like, I

actually think he's the...

INT. THERAPY ROOM - DAY

That is when it hit her. A realization. It was hard for her to see at first but, it all makes sense now. putting the pieces together, she finally admitted how she actually felt. The truth finally came out.

ANNA

One. I always thought he was.

(pause)

I'm not sure anymore. I mean...

INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

She could feel the relief he is trying to give her. But, she felt the situation is something more. Something more complicated than it is thought to be. Something worse. Eyes still, motionless in movement and with Jack in her hand tugging her, she was distraught at that thought. Could it be? She would never have anticipated him to do that. But could it be?

ANNA

What if he did leave?

Suddenly awoken, she stands and leaves immediately. She continues to walk with her son for company, encapsulated with the thought that she may never see her husband again.

FADE TO BLACK

EXT. JACOB HOUSE - DAY

Innocent and calm, Jack strolls towards his home. Closely behind him is Anna.

That is when we see the title card:

105 DAYS LATER

ANNA

Yeah, yeah for sure. We'll meet you

tonight.

With dark circles under her eyes, a bag full of groceries in her left hand and her phone in the right against her ear, she is trying her best to engage in the conversation with Melissa.

ANNA (cont'd)

Yeah, yeah that's the one. The restaurant near Leon Bridge.

She knew she did not want to go out today. But, she has to. She has to at least try.

ANNA (cont'd)

Yeah, I know. It has been some time.

(pause)

Yeah, more than 3 months.

Removing her keys, she opens the door to reveal-

INT. JACOB HOUSE - DAY

A messy interior. From the dirty dishes and a multi-stained carpet, it was evident that their home had not been scrubbed in some time.

ANNA

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just been

(pause)

Hard, you get me.

Jack ran up stairs, retaining his innocence; unaware of how her mother was feeling.

ANNA (cont'd)

Yeah. I know it is time. It's been

hard without hi-

Suddenly, the phone cuts. Knowing she would eventually call back, she places the phone on the table. And just when she is about to leave the room-

RING! RING!

Heading towards her phone, she picks it up.

ANNA (cont'd)

Hey, I'm not sure what happe-

UNKNOWN

Anna?

Wait this was not Melissa.

She could not believe it. It cannot be real.

But could it be? Could it actually be. Shocked and distraught, it felt like her mouth had been wired shut. Having not even mentioning nor even thinking about saying it in almost three months, she widened her lips about to release his name.

With hesitation, fear and grief, she whispers-

ANNA

Steve?