Why Can't I Sleep?

IMG_4137 INT. VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 10:00 PM

Vikki nestles into bed and calls out to the children.

VIKKI I'm going to bed! Please be quiet and try not to slam the doors when you go in and out of your rooms!

MIGUEL AND ZECA We won't! Goodnight!

INT. VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 10:30 PM

Vikki hears someone watching videos loudly.

VIKKI Miguel! Turn the volume down on your phone or use headphones!

VIKKI Miguel!

Vikki, reluctant to get out of bed because she still hopes to sleep, texts her son.

VIKKI Please turn down your phone.

MIGUEL k

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 11:00 PM

There is the sound of multiple doors slamming.

MIGUEL Zeca! I was in the bathroom first!

ZECA You take too long in the bathroom!

MIGUEL I do not!

ZECA You do too!

VIKKI I am still trying to sleep! Stop arguing and slamming doors!

MIGUEL AND ZECA Sorry, mom. Goodnight.

 INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 12:30 AM

Once again, there is the sound of multiple doors slamming.

MIGUEL Hey, Zeca. What are you doing up?

ZECA I'm not tired yet. What about you?

MIGUEL Same.

VIKKI You know who is tired? ME. I want to sleep.

MIGUEL AND ZECA Sorry, mom. Goodnight!

INT. VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 1:00 AM

Vikki is lying in bed and hears a noise outside.

 VIKKI (voiceover of internal thoughts) What is that noise? It sounds like a container being dragged under the window. Is the neighbor doing yard work? Oh god. Is it a body? Is someone dragging a body? Wait--what if someone is breaking into the garage? I should get up and look but if I get up to look, I may not be able to fall asleep. If I don't get up to look and someone is burying a body in the neighbor's back yard or stealing our bikes, I will feel bad about it when I'm eventually interviewed by the police or the media. "Miss Reich, did you hear anything on the night in question?" "Well, I did but I didn't get up to see what it was." "While the woman was buried alive in the neighbor's back yard, you chose to roll over and fluff your pillows and try to sleep." "Yes, yes. That's what I did."

INT. VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 1:30 AM

Vikki gets up and goes to the window and looks down to the patio below and sees a cat.

VIKKI (aloud) Hey! Cat! Pssst!

VIKKI (voiceover of internal thoughts) Why isn't the cat moving? Did someone drag a cat sculpture onto the patio? Jesus, Vikki! Why would anyone do that? What is wrong with you?

VIKKI (aloud) Cat! Here kitty, kitty!

VIKKI (voiceover of internal thoughts) Why won't the cat move? Is it dead? Great. Just what I need--a dead cat on the patio. Whatever. I'll deal it in the morning.

INT. VIKKI'S BEDROOM - 2:00 AM

Vikki is lying in bed, eyes open.

VIKKI (voiceover of internal thoughts) Is that Momo on the patio? Did one of the kids let Momo out of the house and now she's on the patio and she is probably scared because she's never been outside? No, it can't be Momo, right? No. Momo is somewhere in the house. But why isn't she in the bedroom with me like usual. Damn it! How did Momo get outside?!

VIKKI (aloud) Momo! Where are you, Momo! Come here, Momo!

The End

I live this every night though the versions vary. No wonder I'm tired all the time.