Search for Life in a Snowstorm-Short Dramatic Dialogue

Search for Life in a Snowstorm is a short dramatic dialogue script, written about a woman named Nikki and a bartender named James.

This script was one of the most difficult things for me to write. Every writer has a style and mine is to add as much detail as possible. Dialogue isn't very frequent in my work so it was very odd to strictly stick to that. I integrated my medium, desperation, very easily in this script. Nikki’s emotions very easy to mould from politeness to confusion to desperation and anger. I think it’s relatively obvious why she would be upset in this situation, considering what had happened to her. I used at least five key terms/ script concepts in my dialogue. I used a good amount of dialogue with detail throughout the short script as well as used the “less is more” concept. I also developed my characters, fulfilled the goal of the script and challenged myself while doing so. My own beliefs and experiences didn’t largely shape my script, considering the fact that the characters are older than I am. Although, I chose what I would do or observe in such a situation, using things I’ve seen on television or simply observed in everyday life. Although, it’s easy to know how somebody would react in a situation such as this.

Search for Life in a Snowstorm

By Jay Semeniuk

Characters

JAMES HILL: twenty something year old, ex-FBI, now bartender, brainwashed and now has a bad case of amnesia.

NICOLE SULLIVAN (NIKKI): twenty year old student, fiance of JAMES HILL, average looking.

Setting

In a bar on the outskirts of Ontario. A frequent for wanderers and travellers, a place of many stories. Always dark inside, even during the day, mostly to prevent patrons from seeing lack of cleanliness. A snowy day at the beginning of 1998.

[NIKKI enters bar, letting in a flurry of snow and it blankets the floor in the general area. She looks tired, having drive miles and miles without any intent. Her eyes dart around the single room warrily before heading over to the bartender]

NIKKI: [sits down on bar stool, unwrapping layers of jackets and scarves] Give me a coffee, please. Black.

[the bartender is silent as he carries out the odd request, keeping an eye on the woman, who lays her clothing over the stool beside her]

NIKKI: Brrr! [crosses arms] It’s pretty cold out there. Mother Nature’s lucky snow is so damn beautiful. [quiet laughter escapes her lips, barely audible over the music]

JAMES: I bet. [places the mug of coffee down in front of her] Just passing through?

[NIKKI shrugs, but stays silent. Her gaze is set on the table in front of her as she pulls the mug closer to her, innately shivering at the sudden warmth of the beverage. Moments passed before she speaks again, as if she were considering his question.]

NIKKI: Just looking for somebody…

JAMES: You’re not a cop, are you? [fails to stifle a laugh]

NIKKI: No! [her eyes flicker up at the bar tender, who stares at her with a smile on his lips] Wait… [an expression of sudden realization flashes across her face] do I know you?

[NIKKI looks at JAMES, taking in his features and considering her next choice of words]

NIKKI: You!

JAMES: Me…?

NIKKI: The man I’m looking for! It’s you! You’re him! [tone shifts from shock to anger] What the hell?

JAMES: You must be mistaken… I don’t know who you are!

[NIKKI lets out a frustrated sigh, pulling her free hand into a fist]

NIKKI: I swear to god… James! How could you forget me? I’m your fiance for god’s sake!

JAMES: [puts hands up in defensive] listen lady, I’ve never seen you before in my life. But… how do you know my name?

NIKKI: Because you’re my fiance! What’s your problem? First you walk out on me and your unborn child [motions to her belly, plump with pregnancy] and now this.

JAMES: I’ve never been engaged. I don’t have a child! What’s your problem?

NIKKI: [voice softens, close to tears] How could you forget about me…?

[JAMES looks at NIKKI with a sympathetic look in his eyes but says nothing in response]

NIKKI: Okay… let me try and convince you. Your name is James Hill and you used to live with your parents in Ottawa before moving to Vancouver with me three years ago. We got engaged during our trip to Niagara falls just this time last year. That’s when you disappeared… You just… walked out on us.

JAMES: I don’t understand.

NIKKI: [tears begin to rush down her cheeks] Please James… drop the act. If you don’t want to be with me, then tell me! At least give me some closure.

[NIKKI slams her hand against the table, causing other patrons to turn in their seats. Their chatter pauses for a moment as they consider the situation before returning back to their activities]

NIKKI: This isn’t fair!

[JAMES motions to a muscular man standing near the door. He approaches NIKKI]

NIKKI: Leave me alone! [tears accumulate on the edges of her jaw as the security guard grabs her arm with his strong hand, hauling her up and towards the door]

[JAMES watches as she’s left out in the cold]

JAMES: [aside] how did she find me…?

[FADE OUT]