Full House: A Dramatization

Scene 1: Night Falls

Night falls on San Francisco. A green smog, the result of a bio-chemical blitz from terrorists on Alcatraz Island, hangs low over the city, breached only sporadically by pristine, hilltop townhouses. The scene opens in the Tanner Family living room.

Danny: “BREATHE YOU SON OF A BITCH!”

Danny pounds his fists on Joey’s chest in one final attempt to revitalize his now cold body. DJ and Jesse stare ahead blankly, still in shock from the events of the evening. In a corner, Stephanie rocks back and forth; her legs hugged tightly to her chest. She hums the melody to “Itzy Bitzy Spider” over, and over. Michelle sleeps soundly in her crib, unaware she’ll awaken to a changed world. Joey’s body twitches one last time.

Danny: “He’s gone.”

Jesse: “What…what do we do now? He was outside for less than a minute, Danny. And Becky, she…she’s at” (Danny interrupts)

Danny: “She’s fine, Jesse! She’s safe at the studio. Don’t think like that!”

DJ: “What happ…(her voice shakes) daddy, what happened?”

Danny: “Baby, listen to me, we’re going to be fine. Jesse and I are here, and we’re going to protect you girls.” (whispers to Jesse) “Keep the kids calm, I’m going to get some bleach from the kitchen to clean this mess up…my God, his skin is…everywhere.”

Jesse gathers Stephanie and DJ and walks hand in hand with them to the couch. They sit in silence until Jesse turns on the TV. There is no sound or movement, just a live shot of an empty news studio. He stares blankly at the TV for several minutes, and then notices a woman on the floor in the corner of the screen, slowly trying to crawl.

Jesse: “Becky! Becky!! DANNY!!! She’s alive, Becky’s alive! I’m going to get her.”

Jesse grabs his leather jacket, hairbrush, and motorcycle keys, and heads for the front door. Danny bursts out of the kitchen, bedecked in an apron, goggles, and yellow latex kitchen gloves.

Danny: “No!Don’t open that door! You’ll kill us all, Jesse!”

The yelling wakes Michelle up. Jesse hears her cry as his hand grabs the doorknob. He looks to her crib, then to Danny and the girls, and lets go of the doorknob. He walks, slowly, to the TV, in time to watch his beloved convulse quickly. Then, she is still.

Jesse: “Have mercy!”

END SCENE (Click here for Scene 2)