jnd ) DAVE WARNS OMNI: STAY AWAY FROM STEVE!

Dave & Omni – Cinematic Story

DAVE & OMNI

DAVE’S OFFICE – EVENING

The office is unusually quiet, but the tension in the room is impossible to ignore. Dave stands beside his desk, staring at his phone. A message from Omni is open on the screen.

Before he can reply, the door suddenly swings open. Steve walks inside, looking unusually serious.

STEVE We need to talk about Omni.
DAVE What about her?
STEVE I’m not going to pretend anymore. I like her, Dave. And I think she deserves to know how I feel.
DAVE You like Omni?
STEVE Yes. Is there something wrong with that?
DAVE You must have forgotten something, Steve. Omni works for me. She’s my assistant, and I don’t appreciate you getting involved in my personal matters.
STEVE Your assistant? That’s all you see when you look at her? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re the one who’s becoming too interested in her.
DAVE Watch your words.
STEVE I’m only saying what everyone else is afraid to say.
DAVE Let me make something very clear. Stay within your limits, and don’t try to get close to Omni.
STEVE You don’t own her, Dave.
And neither man is willing to walk away.

DAVE’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS

STEVE You know what’s interesting? You have a wife, Dave. Amber. Yet you’re standing here acting like another man showing interest in Omni is some kind of crime.
DAVE Don’t bring Amber into this.
STEVE Why not? She’s your wife. Doesn’t she deserve to know what’s happening?
DAVE This conversation is over.
STEVE No, Dave. It’s just beginning.

Steve walks out, leaving Dave standing in the middle of the office.

His phone vibrates. A message appears from Omni.

OMNI – MESSAGE Sir, are we still meeting tomorrow? There’s something important I need to discuss with you.
What could be so important?

DAVE’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Amber sits on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. Dave walks inside, loosening his tie.

AMBER You’re late again.
DAVE I had a lot of work.
AMBER Work? Or someone?
DAVE What is that supposed to mean?
AMBER You’ve been acting differently lately. You’re always checking your phone, smiling at messages, and finding excuses to stay at the office.
DAVE You’re overthinking everything.
AMBER I know something has changed, Dave. I just don’t know what it is.

Dave walks upstairs. Amber notices his phone lighting up on the table.

OMNI – MESSAGE I hope you got home safely. I’ll see you tomorrow.
AMBER: Omni…?

OFFICE BREAK ROOM – NEXT MORNING

Omni enters carrying a folder and a cup of coffee. Steve is already there.

STEVE Good morning, Omni.
OMNI Good morning, Steve. You’re here early.
STEVE I had something on my mind.
STEVE I like spending time with you. And lately, I’ve realized that my feelings are becoming more serious.
OMNI Steve, I appreciate your honesty, but I don’t know what to say.
STEVE You don’t have to say anything right now. I just wanted you to know.
OMNI You’re a good person, Steve. But things aren’t that simple.
STEVE Because of Dave?
OMNI Why would you bring him into this?
STEVE Because I can see the way he looks at you.

Suddenly, the break room door opens. Dave stands there.

DAVE Am I interrupting something?
STEVE Not anymore.
Dave’s jealousy is becoming impossible to hide.

OFFICE CORRIDOR – LATER

Dave calls Steve into his office and shuts the door.

DAVE I thought I made myself clear yesterday.
STEVE You did. But I don’t remember agreeing with you.
DAVE You need to stop approaching Omni.
STEVE And what exactly are you going to do if I don’t?
STEVE You’re married, Dave. You have Amber waiting for you at home. What exactly are you expecting from Omni?
STEVE If Omni ever asks me for help, I’ll be there. Whether you like it or not.
This is getting out of control.

AMBER’S BEDROOM – AFTERNOON

Amber stares at Dave’s recent messages. One particular message catches her attention.

MESSAGE I wish we could have more time together without everyone watching us.

Dave enters the bedroom.

DAVE What are you doing?
AMBER Nothing.
DAVE Were you checking my messages?
AMBER And what about your private conversations with Omni?
DAVE Omni is my assistant. We discuss work. That’s it.
AMBER Then why do you look so nervous every time I mention her?
AMBER I don’t want to be the wife who has to investigate her own husband to find out the truth.
Amber is no longer willing to ignore the warning signs.

OFFICE – EVENING

Dave asks Omni to come into his office. Most employees have already left.

DAVE I wanted to talk about Steve.
OMNI He’s my colleague, Dave. I don’t understand why that bothers you.
DAVE Because I don’t like the way he looks at you.
OMNI You don’t get to decide who I speak to.
DAVE I’m not trying to control you.
OMNI Then please don’t behave like you are.
DAVE Is that really all I am to you?
OMNI I think we should keep things professional.
OMNI And Dave, please don’t let this situation affect my job.
For the first time, Dave realizes he cannot control Omni’s decisions.

OFFICE PARKING LOT – NIGHT

Steve notices Omni standing near the entrance. She looks worried.

STEVE Omni? Are you okay?
OMNI I need to ask you something.
OMNI I don’t want anyone fighting because of me.
STEVE You aren’t responsible for his behavior.
OMNI Things are becoming complicated. I think I should stay away from both of you for a while.
STEVE If that’s what you need, I’ll respect it.

Neither notices a car parked across the street.

Someone is watching them. A photograph has just been taken.

DAVE’S HOUSE – LATE NIGHT

Dave sits alone in his living room. Amber comes downstairs.

AMBER I spoke to someone today.
DAVE Who?
AMBER I know about Steve. I know he likes Omni. And I know you’ve been arguing with him because of her.
DAVE Who told you that?
AMBER Does it matter?
AMBER Then tell me the truth. Are you interested in Omni?

Dave remains quiet.

A new message arrives from an unknown number:
UNKNOWN MESSAGE You should be careful. Someone knows what you’re hiding.

DAVE’S OFFICE – NEXT MORNING

Dave finds a small envelope lying on his desk. Inside are two photographs. One shows Omni and Steve in the parking lot. The other shows Dave and Omni leaving the office late at night.

His phone rings. It’s Steve.

STEVE We need to talk.
DAVE What are you talking about?
STEVE Someone is watching all of us. And I think you need to know why.
DAVE Did you send these?
STEVE No. But I was expecting something like this.
STEVE I think someone wants us to fight. And while we’re busy fighting over Omni, they’re hiding something much bigger.
STEVE Omni may know more about this situation than either of us.
Suddenly, the office phone rings. It’s Omni.

THE MYSTERIOUS PHONE CALL

DAVE Omni? What’s going on?
OMNI (V.O.) Sir… I need your help. Please don’t tell Steve that I’ve called you.
DAVE Where are you?
OMNI (V.O.) I’m not at the office. Someone has been following me since yesterday. And I think they know about everything.
DAVE Who is following you?
OMNI (V.O.) Wait… No! How did you find me?

The call disconnects. Dave grabs his car keys.

STEVE What happened?
DAVE Move. Omni is in trouble.
STEVE Then I’m coming with you.

UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT

A dimly lit room. A phone lies on a table. The screen displays Dave’s missed call.

UNKNOWN VOICE They’ve started looking for her.
VOICE ON PHONE Good. Let them.

The person picks up a photograph of Omni. Beside it is another photograph. This one shows Amber.

Written on the back of Amber’s picture are four words:
MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE She knows the real secret.

A quiet laugh fills the room.

DAVE’S CAR – NIGHT

Dave drives through the dark streets while Steve sits beside him. Suddenly, Dave’s phone vibrates.

UNKNOWN MESSAGE If you want Omni alive, come alone. And whatever you do