Unknown
Allison. I need you to listen to everything I say.
Allison
I don’t recognize your number.
Allison
I don’t know a Jake.
Jake
Don’t get on the platform.
Jake
The one where you wait for the train every morning.
Allison
I’m going to ignore your texts. And if you contact me again…
Jake
You ride the DeKalb Street train.
Allison
So you’re stalking me???
Jake
Please. Follow my instructions.
Allison
And what if I don’t?
Jake
Then you could get hurt.
Jake
I don’t want that to happen, Allison.
Jake
I’m not going to hurt you, Allison.
Jake
But someone else might.
Jake
There’s a bomb on the platform.
Allison hears a car door slam and nervously looks around the busy street.
Allison
Did you plant it?
Jake
Please, I don't have time to explain.
Jake
I promise I will when there's time and you're safe.
Allison
Why should I trust you?
Jake
Because I care enough to help you.
Allison
Do you know how many psychos are in the city?
Jake
All the more reason for you to listen to me.
Allison starts down the subway stairs.
Jake
Allison. Don’t go down there.
Allison
Pick another woman to stalk.
Jake
Allison? Are you there?
Allison takes the last stair and edges out of the way of the high-pedestrian traffic.
Allison
Standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Allison
But my train will be coming soon.
Jake
No. That train is never going to come.
Allison
You’re scaring me.
Allison
That’s messed up.
Jake
Not if it makes you think.
Jake
Not if it keeps you safe.
Allison
Jake. Is that your real name?
Allison
Jake. Stop texting me.
Allison
I’m going to pretend this never happened.
Jake
Because in the back of your mind, you know you believe me.
Allison
No. You’re screwing with me.
Allison
And if that’s what you wanted—
Allison
Congrats. It worked.
Allison heads for the platform.
Her cellphone vibrates again and again.
Jake is hidden in a tactical location where he can see the stairs but can’t reveal himself.
Jake
You’re wearing a black wool coat.
Jake
Your hair is down today.
Allison
I haven’t been smiling.
Allison
You were here yesterday?
Jake
Now do you believe me?
Jake
We ride the same train.
Jake
But I’m not a stalker.
Allison
OK. Then you’re an asshole.
Jake
I understand how freaked out you are.
Allison
If you’re really here.
Jake
We’re wasting precious time.
Allison
How did you get my number?
Jake
It says where you work.
Jake
I told your secretary I wanted to buy a house and she gave me your cell number.
Allison looks at her work bag.
Jake
Crowe and Farrington Realty.
Jake
Will you listen now?
Allison
What’s happening?
Jake
In about thirty seconds, there’s going to be a stampede.
Jake
I want you to turn left.
Allison
Should I take the stairs? Go back to ground level?
Jake
No. Turn left into the tunnel.
Allison hears screams coming from the direction of the platform.
She follows Jake’s instructions.
She enters a dark tunnel that she never knew existed.
Allison
OK, I did what you said.
Jake
No one should be in the tunnel.
Allison
How do you know so much about this place?
Jake
I work for the city.
Allison
In what capacity?
Jake
We can talk about it later.
Jake
Stop at the first door.
Allison
There’s a light underneath it.
Allison
I can hear people screaming on the platform.
Jake
Do you believe me now?
Jake
Alright. Give me a second.
Allison
Now I hear gunshots coming from the tunnel entrance.
Allison
I just heard another shot.
Allison
And I can’t get the door open.
Allison
Jake? What should I do?
Jake
The shots are coming from outside the tunnel.
Jake
The sound echoes below ground.
Jake
Everything is going to be okay.
Allison
Why can’t you be here?
Jake
Follow the tracks, Allison.
Jake
I want you to jump onto the tracks.
Jake
There’s a ladder near the door.
Allison looks around in the dim light.
There are disused tracks below.
Alongside the tracks is a walkway that disappears deeper inside the dark tunnel.
Jake
A few yards from the door you tried to open.
Jake
That’s a maintenance office.
Jake
Put the phone in your pocket.
Jake
Put it on silent mode.
Jake
Check your cell afterward.
Allison
But I’m afraid of heights!
Allison stashes her phone in her pocket.
But she hesitates at the ladder.
Jake
It’s taking too long!
Allison takes her phone from her pocket.
Jake
I’m here. Did you climb down?
Allison
I can’t do it. I’m sorry.
Allison
I told you: I’m afraid of heights.
Jake
We can do this together.
Allison
That’s impossible right now.
Allison
My heart is racing.
Jake
Remember, concentrate.
Jake
Imagine that the ladder is a staircase.
Allison
The ladder is a staircase.
Jake
Now take the first step.
Allison awkwardly descends, keeping the phone in her left hand.
As her foot hits the third rung, she slips and falls.
Allison
I’ll walk. I’ll crawl.
Allison
Whatever I need to do to get out of here.
