“Walk on By” (Draft 11)
A screenplay by Daniel Perez

EXT. UNIVERSITY DORMITORY - DAY
KELLY, 20, a girl of medium height and build, stands next to the entrance door of a non-descript dormitory at a non-descript university. She wears a colorful t-shirt, tight blue jeans, flip-flops and carries a book bag.
KATY, 19, a girl of medium height and build, stands next to Kelly. She wears a colorful t-shirt, tight blue jeans and flip-flops. She carries a large purse and pink water bottle.
KATY
You think this will really work?

KELLY
Yeah, don’t worry. Here comes someone now. STUDENT 1, 18, an average looking but confident young man approaches the door. He smiles at Kelly and Katy, swipes his keycard and opens the door for them.
KELLY
Thank you. STUDENT 1 Yea, no problem.

INT. UNIVERSITY DORMITORY – DAY

The girls walk in, looking around at the mass of paper decorations covering the elevator lobby.
They move to the elevator beside the young man.
The girls smile as the student calls an elevator.
The elevator arrives and all three walk on. INT. DORMITORY ELEVATOR – DAY

He swipes again. Kelly turns to Katy.

KELLY What floor does John live on again?

KATY 8, I think.

KELLY 8, Please.

STUDENT 1
Yea sure.

KELLY Thank you.

KATY Thanks.

The 3 of them ride up to the 4th floor where the student gets off.
The elevator door closes.
Kelly immediately reaches into her book bag and pulls out a stack of blue rush cards.
She cuts the deck in half.
KELLY
Ok, so um, give one to each person.

She hesitantly gives one half to Katy.
KATY
Right, ok, cool.

Katy looks at the stack for a second.
KATY
So you don’t want me to be with you at all? Just split up and go?

KELLY Uhmm, well, we can do some together and then split up, go on and off. Doesn’t matter.

KATY Ok.

KELLY Oh and remember to knock.

KATY Right.

They reach the 8th floor and walk out.

INT. 8th FLOOR – DAY

They quickly scan the deserted floor lounge for any residents.

Kelly turns right.
KELLY
Let’s try this way.

The girls walk right, through double doors leading to the guy’s side.
Kelly stops and quickly pores over the perimeter. A small hallway to her left catches her eye.
She turns and walks in that direction, her friend following close behind.
She reaches the door on her right, looks at the time on her phone, exhales and then knocks.
She checks her phone and exhales.
The handle twists and the door opens.
STUDENT 2, 18, a frail young man comes to the door.
STUDENT 2
(Confused)
Hi.

KELLY
Hi! We’re from Sappa Ki Annnd we’re having a little rush barbeque this weekend.

She hands him a card.
STUDENT 2
(Chuckles uneasily) Thanks.

KELLY
See you then.

KATY
Bye.

STUDENT 2 Bye.

The student watches the girls as they walk away.
He shuts the door.
The girls walk out into the main hallway.
KATY
(Grins) That was fun.

KELLY
(Chuckles softly) Yea. Here let’s try another one.
Facing the end window, they stop at the first room on the right and knock again.
STUDENT 3, 18, a more at ease young man comes to the door. He wears a lax penny, black shorts and sperries.
His imposing demeanor consumes the area of the doorframe.

STUDENT 3
(Monotone)
What’s up.

KELLY
Hey! Come check out Sappa Ki this weekend.
We’re a Co-Ed on campus and we’re having a little barbeque sesh this Sunday. You should come.

STUDENT 3
Cool.

He looks at the card then back up to the Leader.

STUDENT 3
Hey do I know you from somewhere?

Kelly
(Giggling)
No, I don’t think so.

Student 3
You weren’t on the pong table at
Theta Chi last weekend?

Kelly
(Giggling)
No, No.

STUDENT 3
Nah? You weren’t with Nick and them?

Kelly
(Giggling)
No.

STUDENT 3
Yea? I could have sworn you were…

Katy
We weren’t there.

STUDENT 3
Oh, well I don’t know, maybe. I was pretty fucked up then. I don’t remember.

The student chuckles.

STUDENT 3
Well I mean, um, what’s your name then?

The girl giggles.

KELLY
Stephanie.

STUDENT 3
Stephanie? That’s a pretty name.
All the girls I know with that name are pretty.

KELLY
(Giggles)
Oh yea? You saying I’m pretty too?

STUDENT 3
(Grins)
That’s what I’m saying.

Stephanie giggles at Katy, who now wears a stern expression.

STUDENT 3
You gotta number, Stephanie?

KELLY
(Smiles)
I do but I don’t usually give it out to strangers.

STUDENT 3
Oh well I mean, I’m just tryna be friends.
You know?

KELLY
How bout this, you come to the cookout and maybe I’ll think about it.

STUDENT 3
(Grins)
Sounds like a plan. Maybe we can get on that pong table.
KELLY
(Giggles)
Maybe.
The girls start to walk away. KELLY (Contd.)
Bye.
STUDENT 3
Later.

The student stares at the girls as they walk down the hall.
Kelly looks back, smiles and giggles.
The young man, satisfied with the attention, slides back into his room.
The girls continue down the hall.
KATY
What a fuckin douchebag.

KELLY
(Giggles)
He was cute. Here, Let’s try one more on this floor then let’s move on so we have time for the whole building.

KATY
Alright.

The girls walk to another room, a few doors past the bathroom.
Kelly knocks.
She exhales and looks at the clock on her cell phone.
She knocks again.
She grabs the doorknob, twists and pushes.
The door is locked.
She pushes again, this time harder and more rapidly.
KATY
Let’s try the seventh floor.

KELLY
Alright. Let’s go.

The two girls walk to the end of the hallway and exit at the far stairwell.
INT. 8TH FLOOR - DAY
They enter the floor and walk straight ahead to the door across from the stairwell.
It holds the label, “RA,” in the middle of its frame.
Kelly knocks.
The sound of papers, clothes and other particles of junk being shuffled are heard from inside the room.
7TH FLOOR RA, 20, a stressed young man wearing a book bag pops open the door.
7th FLOOR RA
Hello?

KELLY
Hi. We’re from Sappa Ki and we’re having a little barbeque this weekend for rush.

She hands him a card.

He quickly scans it.

7th FLOOR RA
Thanks, but I’m pretty busy this weekend. Some of my residents might want to go though.

KELLY
Oh ok. Which ones?

7th FLOOR RA
Uh lets see. Well, you can talk to any of the guys in the triple and the quad down the hall, they’re all freshmen. You can talk to these guys here in 7104, Daniel and Brendan, I think they’re tryna join a frat. And uh, if you talk to them, you might as well give Michael and Alex a knock in 7112, all of them hang out together. But um, those are the main ones. Everybody is really cool though so you may find more.

KELLY
Ok, thanks.

7th FLOOR RA
No problem. But, if you don’t mind, I have to get to class though.

KELLY
Ok, thanks again.

7th FLOOR RA
Uh huh.

The hurried young man steps out of the room, locks his door and then shuffles quickly down the hallway towards the elevator.
Watching the RA leave the floor, the girls walk up to a room across his, a few doors down.
KATY
(Surprised)
Wow, he was really helpful.

Kelly knocks and waits.

KELLY
Yea, he was.

She knocks again.
KELLY
RAs aren’t usually like that.

KATY
I know.

Kelly grasps the handle.
KATY (Cont’d)
Most times they’re assholes.

The door creaks open a few centimeters.
The two girls freeze.
KATY
Fuck.

Katy sucks on her water bottle tip.

KATY
I gotta pee. I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick.

KELLY
Ok, I’ll be here.

Katy runs down the hallway, pulling out her cell phone on the way so that it is visible to Kelly.
INT. 7TH FLOOR ROOM - DAY
Kelly pushes the door open into a cluttered yet person-less room.
She darts into the space, closes the door behind her and locks it.
She rushes into the center of the room, tripping over various pieces of junk covering the floor.
She takes off her backpack and begins scanning over all the valuables.
Xbox. T.V. 3-D glasses.
She grins, walks over to the glasses and puts them on her head, her long hair making them look normal.
Her focus switches to the Xbox.
Efficiently, she unplugs the white game system and its wires from the wall.
All of it she places into the backpack.
She looks around the room.
She walks up to the shut closet and opens it violently.
Most of their wardrobe consists of $10 t-shirts and Old Navy jeans.
She grunts and looks down. There, on the dusty floor, lay a plethora of expensive shoes: Nikes, Supras, etc.
Again she grins, picking up the Nikes and throwing them into her bag.
It fattens to the point of suspicion.
She zips up the bag and then shuffles through more shoeboxes.
She opens up 2 without success.
She opens up a third and out falls a wad of cash and some change.
Without counting it, she stuffs the money into her pocket and then gets up.
She walks quickly to the door then stops suddenly beside the refrigerator.
She bends down and opens the small white door, pulling out two bottles of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.
She snatches two napkins from off the top of the fridge, covers the bottles and places them in the front pocket with the wires.
She zips up the bag, stands up, puts on the back pack and then lets out a deep exhale.
She looks through the peephole then calmly opens the door.
INT. 7th FLOOR - DAY
She walks out into the hallway, anxious.
She walks to the water fountain and begins drinking.
Katy strolls out of the bathroom, hand combing her hair.
KATY
Oh my god, had to pee so badly.
Everything good?

KELLY
Uh huh.

KATY
Cool.

The two begin walking down the hall towards the girl’s side.

KATY
Sooo, what happened?...What’d they say?

KELLY
(Stutters)
Oh, they’re coming. Should see em Sunday.

She smiles at Katy.

KATY Ok. So, do you want talk to a few more people on this floor or do you want to try another?

KELLY
Ummm, let’s try a few more rooms here and then do one more floor.

KATY
Ok.

The two girls walk through the first set of double doors into the elevator lobby.

They pass by the floor lounge.

KELLY
Eww, why do lounges always smell?

KATY
(Giggles)
Because people do dirty things in there.

KELLY
Ugghh, so fuckin gross.

KATY
I know. I remember one time, Susan told me John got head on the couch in his floor’s lounge.

KELLY
NO! Are you serious?!

They pass through the second set of doors.

KATY
Yea, she said he got head from some chick he found at the bars.

KELLY
Oh my God. That’s so fuckin disgusting.
He needs to stop.

KATY
We keep telling him that he’s gonna catch something but… She sighs.
KATY (Cont’d)
He’s such a man whore.

KELLY
(Grins)
He’s too cute for diseases though.

KATY
(Giggles)
Yea, he’s too much.

They reach another door in the middle of the girl’s hallway.

KATY
Here, let’s try this one.

Katy approaches the door, and knocks.

STUDENT 4, 19, a girl similar in appearance to Kelly and Katy, comes to the door. STUDENT 4
Hello?

KATY
Hi, we’re from Sappa Ki and…

STUDENT 4
Oh, I’m sorry, I’m already in a sorority. KATY
Oh! Ok. Well, maybe we’ll see you later then.

STUDENT 4
Uh huh.

The student slams the door in their faces.

KATY
Oh-kay?

KELLY
Wow, could she have been any more of a bitch?

KATY
Probably.

They share a small scathing giggle.
KATY
Whateverrrrr. Oh! Let’s try this one.
Rachelle. I think I know her.

They overhear a conversation in the room. Katy knocks.

The sound of a voice and footsteps are heard approaching the door.

It stops. The sounds start up again with an obnoxious giggle and the door locks.
The voice and footsteps dissipate into a small murmur.

Kelly and Katy look at each other in shock.
KATY
What the hell? Are all these girls bitches? Katy maintains her disgusted face as the two of them turn and walk toward the end of the hall.

KELLY
Yea, let’s try another floor.

INT. 3RD FLOOR – DAY

Kelly and Katy walk onto the far end of the 3rd floor, girl’s side.
They pick a room a few doors down from the RA.
Katy knocks and waits.
She tries the door. It’s locked.
She moves to the room beside it. She tries the door. It’s also locked.
She moves to the room beside that one and repeats the sequence.
It’s locked.
SHANNON, 17, a girl carrying a basket of laundry and detergent opens the door to Katy’s right.
KATY
Excuse me!

SHANNON
Yes?

KATY
Hi, we’re from Sappa Ki and we’re having a little information and barbeque session this weekend. Would you like to come?

SHANNON
Really?! It’s this weekend? Oh my god! Definitely!

KATY
Oh, you already know about us?

SHANNON
(Giggles)
Of course! My mom was in Sappa Ki.
I’ve wanted to join since I was little. It’s like, the main reason why
I came to this school.

KATY
Wow, that’s so awesome that she’s a sister! You should fit right in!

SHANNON
(Giggles)
Thanks, I can’t wait.

She looks at the card.
SHANNON
Oh wait! It’s this Sunday?!

KATY
Yeah. Is something wrong?

SHANNON
It’s just that…

She continues to look at the card.

SHANNON I was supposed to go back home for my grandmother’s birthday. Kelly and Katy look at each other uneasily.

SHANNON
Is there anyway I can come see you guys Monday?

Kelly and Katy
Uhhh.

SHANNON
(Giggles)
Wait! No, I gotta make sacrifices.
I’m sure my Mom will understand.

The pair follows suit with the pregnant laughter.
SHANNON
But anyway, I would love to talk to you guys more but I have to do laundry so…

KATY
That’s fine! We have to knock on a few more doors anyway.

SHANNON
Ok. See ya.

Kelly and Katy
See ya.

Kelly turns to the room directly across from Shannon’s.
She knocks and waits while Katy stands off to the side, watching Shannon walk down to the elevator lobby.
STUDENT 5, 18, an average looking young woman comes to the door and greets Kelly.

STUDENT 5
Hi.

KELLY
Hi, we’re from Sappa Ki. You wanna come to our little information and barbeque sesh this weekend?

STUDENT 5
No, I’m not interested. Sorry.

KELLY
That’s fine. Thanks anyway.

STUDENT 5
Bye.

KELLY
Bye.

Student 5 closes the door.
Shannon steps onto the elevator.
Katy turns around and blasts into Shannon’s empty, open room.
Kelly moves toward the water fountain, cell phone in hand.
INT. 3RD FLOOR ROOM - DAY
Katy shuts and locks the door.
She moves into the center of the room and immediately spots a large T.V and 2 laptop computers.
She picks up the closest laptop and puts it into her large handbag.
She inspects the space, lifting up the other computer, mattresses, and rugs.
She rummages through the closet but finds nothing of value.
She sits down at one desk and opens the drawer. Pens, pencils, a magazine and computer wires.
She moves to sit at the other desk.
She opens up a drawer. Pens, pencils, erasers and a black scientific calculator.
She picks up the calculator and sets it on the desk.
She continues to loot through the belongings, first in the front then in the back.
She lifts up a pile of magazines.
KATY
Fuck.

She closes the drawer and thinks.
She opens it again, picks up a magazine and shakes. Nothing.
She picks up another one, shakes it and out falls cash.
20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 125, 130. 150.
She pockets the money and places the calculator in her purse.
She gets up and takes one more encompassing look.
She rushes back to the closet and starts shuffling through the footwear.
She comes up with a pair expensive heels in hand.
She stuffs the shoes in her purse, moves to the door and then looks through the peephole.
She leaves the room, slamming the door on her way out.
Cut to black and silence.
We hear footsteps and then the voice of Kelly.
KELLY
1103, 1105, 1107, 1109.

Hard cut in.
INT. 1ST FLOOR - DAY
Kelly and Katy stand in front of a door on the 1st floor. The leader knocks and waits.
STUDENT 6, 19, a girl of medium height and weight comes to the door after a few seconds.
STUDENT 6 Kelly!

KELLY Hey!

Kelly and Student 6 hug. STUDENT 6 Oh my god, It’s so nice to see you.

Student 6 turns to Katy.
STUDENT 6 Hey Katy. What’s up?!

Katy and Student 6 hug.

KATY Hey! Nothing much, how about you?

STUDENT 6 Not much, not much, what are you guys doing here?

KELLY We’re on spring break. Figured we’d come down to see everybody.

STUDENT 6 That’s great, Come in!

INT. 1ST FLOOR ROOM - DAY
The 3 of them walk into the room and sit down.
STUDENT 6 So how long have you guys been on break?

KELLY Since last Friday.

STUDENT 6
Wow, what have you been doing the whole time?

KELLY
Nothing really. There’s nothing to do because nobody is back home yet.

STUDENT 6
I knowww! I hate how everybody is on different schedules like that. We don’t go on break until next week.
And I’ll probably go through the same thing then. It’s so stupid. Wait, so you guys didn’t do anything over the weekend?

KATY Nooo, I just kind of stayed in the house because it’s been so hot outside lately.

KELLY Yea, it was like 110 Saturday, wasn’t it? KATY Yea, something like that.

STUDENT 6 Oh my god I hate this weather.
Its too hot for March!

KELLY I know right?!

The door opens and a sobbing girl storms in.

STUDENT 6 Shannon! What’s wrong?

SHANNON Somebody fucking robbed me.

STUDENT 6
Oh my god! Just now?

SHANNON
I don’t know, just a few hours ago I guess.

STUDENT 6
What? What’d they take?

SHANNON
150 dollars, my computer and my calculator. And I think a pair of my heels too!

STUDENT 6
Oh my god! Sit down.

Student 6 and Shannon sit down next to Kelly and Katy.
KELLY
They broke through the lock?

SHANNON No. I think I left my door unlocked. KATY
Oh no! That sucks so much.
That happened to us one time.
We left our door unlocked and some guys came in and took our T.V.

SHANNON
I just feel so stupid right now.
My Dad’s gonna kill me!

STUDENT 6
Don’t feel stupid. It’s not your fault. We’ll go get the police right now, ok?

SHANNON
Ok.

STUDENT 6
Did you see any sketchy people walking around?

SHANNON
One, I think.

STUDENT 6
What did he look like?

SHANNON
He was tall, with short hair and a goatee.

STUDENT 6
Was he Black, Mexican, Whi-

SHANNON
Black. I think.

STUDENT 6
Ok, ok.

Shannon buries her face in her hands.

STUDENT 6
Don’t worry, we’ll find him.
Let’s go get the police.

Student 6 turns to Kelly and Katy.

STUDENT 6
I’m sorry, guys, I need to go leave with her. You can stay here if you like.

KELLY No it’s fine. We should get going if we’re gonna have time to see everybody. STUDENT 6
Ok. Sorry about this.

KELLY
No problem.

Kelly turns to Shannon.
KELLY
I’m sorry about your room.
I hope you find the guy who did it.

Shannon
Thanks.
Student 6 escorts Shannon out of the room and into the main lobby.
Kelly and Katy leave the room and exit the floor.
Cut to black.