Carry On: S1 E4 • Heater

FADE IN

INT. FINNEY’S HOUSE - EVENING

FINNEY lives in a medium size house just a few miles from the base. His wife, INGRID watches him serve dinner. She has eyes of the bluest skies and platinum blonde hair and waist like a pencil. Her skin is like fresh cream. She is thirty-two.

INGRID

This is splendid, honey.

FINNEY nods his head in agreement. They have three sons. They range in age from six, eight and twelve. MADISON, ACTON, AND VIRGIL all sit at the table.

INGRID [cont.]

You know I heard someone’s going to be promoted soon….

The boys brighten. FINNEY continues to shovel food into his mouth.

VIRGIL

Is it true dad?! You’re going to be a lieutenant colonel? I've been reading history books. They’re like the backbone of the officer ranks.

ACTON

A lieutenant colonel?

MADISON

What’s a lunar colonel?

INGRID smiles and presses a napkin to her mouth. She looks at her youngest son.

INGRID [motheringly]

Your daddy’s going to be put up for the next level at his job.

FINNEY finally breaks his silence.

FINNEY

It’s not official yet. There still has to be a lot of paperwork. [he brightens] But yes, I will be promoted.

MADISON

Cool!

INGRID

This may mean we can get that house in Rehoboth.

FINNEY

I didn’t say all of that.

INGRID

We could stand it.

FINNEY

Let’s not…the boys….

INGRID smiles and stabs at her plate.

FINNEY

Who wants seconds?

VIRGIL

We’re hardly finished with this, dad. We’re good.

FINNEY excuses himself from the table and goes into the garage.

He works on a space heater and he just has this bit of freedom from his family, job, and the world.

INGRID

Why don’t you boys wash up? I’ll find a movie on TV to watch.

The children follow their mother’s instructions. INGRID steps to the door opening of the garage.

INGRID

Hon’?

FINNEY

Don’t worry. I’m not going to set the house on fire with you and everyone in it. [under his breath] Not yet, anyway.

INGRID folds her arms and sighs by the door jamb. She vapes marijuana.

INGRID

I put the boys to bed. They didn’t even want to watch anything. I know you can’t have this, but I wish you could. [coughs]

FINNEY

No, no. You go right ahead and vape your life away. [he focuses on the tools and selects the screws and nuts and bolts with precision]

INGRID

Don’t kill yourself. I’m mean literally. If you start that thing in here it’ll be just like sitting in the car.

FINNEY

Thank you, dear. I appreciate your detached concern for my well being.

INGRID

You know what…. [she turns and heads towards the stairs to their bedroom]

FINNEY continues to work on his project. He ensures that the heater works even if it is on kerosene. The winter months might be unforgiving and even though they have an excellent setup with central heating, the little extra warmth from the heater helps.

MADISON comes down to the garage where his father continues his labor.

FINNEY

Hey there, young man. What’s on your mind?

MADISON

I heard Mom crying again.

FINNEY looks concerned.

MADISON [cont.]

She was like…sobbing. You should go see her.

FINNEY

She’ll be alright. She’s been medicating. She’s just coming down from a high is all. Nothing to worry about. Go back to bed, boy.

MADISON heeds his father’s instructions and returns to his room. FEENEY places his tools away in pristine order. He shuts off the light and leaves the garage. INGRID washes her face and brushes her hair. She looks at herself in the mirror with a knowing smirk. FEENEY enters the bathroom. She sniffles.

INGRID

Mr. Fixit takes a restroom break.

FEENEY

Good night.

INGRID

Do you mean it?

FEENEY

Good night. [he retires to his own room]

FADE OUT