CRIMSON SUNSET

EXT. WALLED TOWNHOUSE - DAY

As the sun sinks toward the distant horizon, long shadows
grow across the compound, which is dotted with shrubbery,
bushes, a couple of trees.

A GUARD with an AR-15 rifle looped over his shoulder walks
along the upper balcony, looking down into the compound.

Below, a huge brute of a DOG sniffs its way around,
investigating the bushes.  The Guard smiles a feral smile.

Outside the wall... a masked NINJA crouches, he doesn't
wear black like in the movies, his light clothing blends
exactly with the whitewashed wall, you would have to be
less than a yard away before you even noticed him.

The Ninja creeps closer to the shut gates.  He studies
them closely.  Then his gaze moves up to a tree branch
that just protrudes over the top of the wall, a little
further along.

Up on the balcony, the Guard pauses to thumb his radio.

                      GUARD (INTO RADIO)
          Checking in, all clear up here.

                      OPERATOR (V.O.)
          Roger that.  The boss is having
          dinner.  When he is finished, he
          says he will go outside for a
          stroll.

                      GUARD (INTO RADIO)
          He doesn't leave the house.  The
          helicopter will be here in the
          morning.  He stays inside and out
          of sight until then.  Understood?

                      OPERATOR (V.O.)
          He won't be happy.

                      GUARD (INTO RADIO)
          When is he ever?  Out.

Inside the wall, leaves float down from the tree.

The Dog's big head comes up.  WHASSAT?! it probably thinks.  
But all it sees are the leaves, falling to the ground.

The Ninja lies behind the cover of a small bush.  Now his
camoflage clothing blends perfectly with the earth and the
bush, he almost becomes invisible.

Up on the balcony, the Guard's gaze sweeps over that very
bush but he sees nothing unusual.  He lights a cigarette.  
He admires the blazing crimson sunset.

The Ninja watches the Dog as it sniffs its way in his
direction.

The Dog looks up at the wall, looks at the tree.

The Dog looks at the leaves scattered on the ground.  
LEEEEFS?! it probably thinks.

The Dog sniffs the leaves.

The Dog's nose tells it to look to its left.

The Dog stares at the bush for long seconds.  It tilts its
head, puzzled.  Nose says something here, but eyes not see
something here.

The Ninja slowly and silently draws a thin-bladed knife.

The Dog approaches the bush, sniffing.

The bush comes alive as the Ninja strikes silently with
the speed of a snake.  Not even a whimper or a sigh.

Up on the balcony, the Guard walks on, his gaze checking
the walls and searching the deepening shadows in the
compound.

                      GUARD (INTO RADIO)
          Switch the searchlights on.

                      OPERATOR (V.O.)
          Roger that.

The Guard walks a few more steps... stops.  The searchlights
have not come on.

                      GUARD (INTO RADIO)
          Problem?

Below the balcony, the Ninja has opened a power box and
cut through thick cables with heavy duty cutters.  Modern
problems require modern solutions.

Above, the Guard spots the Dog lying beside the bush, not
moving.

The Guard flicks his cigarette away.  He pulls the strap
of his AR-15 rifle to bring it off his shoulder so he can
grab it in one smooth motion.

The Guard GASPS! and his eyes widen in surprise.

Slowly, he looks down at his own feet.

The tip of a thin-bladed spear protrudes out of his right
boot.  Blood pools around the boot.  The spear has come up
through the decking to impale his foot.

The Guard opens his mouth, his jaw flaps up and down as he
tries to shout a warning into his radio, but fast-acting
poison paralyzes him.  White froth bubbles from his mouth.

The Guard's eyelids flutter and he collapses like a sack
of potatoes, dead.

Below the balcony, the Ninja pulls his spear free of the
balcony decking.  He snap-folds it and slips it into the
carry pouch on his belt.

A voice from the dead Guard's radio carries down from above.

                      OPERATOR (V.O.)
          Power is out, I am going to check
          the fusebox.

The Ninja silently slides a door open and steps inside the
house.

We hear the repeated SWISH of a sword blade and repeated
SCREAMS from people inside, punctuated by crashing noises,
splitting wood, shattering glass.

                      VARIOUS VOICES (V.O.)
          AAAAIIIIEEEEE!
          No, no!
          Look out, AAAARGH!
          Have mercy!  AAAAAAH!

The Ninja emerges from inside the house, his clothing is
spattered with blood, his katana sword drips more blood.

He pulls off his mask, revealing his sweating face.  Even
in adversity he is handsome in a rugged manly way, much
like the author.  He takes a long, slow, deep breath.  
Then lets it out.

                      NINJA
          I have fulfilled the terms of my
          contract.  Now I am free.

The Ninja runs across the compound, becomes one with the
shadows.  Is that a shape leaping up and over the wall?  
It happens so fast we cannot be sure.

DARKNESS.

A dog BARKS.

THE END

                                                 05/2024

Scribbled for Writing Exercise #2 on the screenwritingforums.com message board, May 2024
Things to be included in the exercise were:
 1. A memorable tree. ✓
 2. Sunset or sunrise. ✓
 3. Something is out of place. ✓
 4. A strong emotion. ✓
 5. Two characters, neither sees the other. ✓