UFO Country

"Jack."

"Mmm."

"Jack, are you awake?"

“Mmmhmm, what is it?"

"I'm afraid."

"..."

"You're snoring. Wake up. Jack, something's wrong."

"Wh’you turn on the light?"

"I thought I heard something."

"Huh...this isn't about that thing from earlier, is it?"

"Yes, it-"

"I told you not to talk about that."

"We're supposed to share with one another. In sickness and in health, you know-"

"Well, you're definitely sick."

"Don't do that to me."

"It's not real, Elle."

"How do you know? The lights are real. You saw the lights. We've both seen them, every night, the same time. I think they're getting closer. Does it seem like they're getting closer to you?"

"I don't know. I do know it's three am, and I have to work tomorrow."

"Jack."

"What? Oh my god, Elle."

"I think what I saw has to do with the lights."

"For the last time, the lights are a phenomenon. It’s scientific or something. Happens all the time in this area. UFO country and all."

"Don't laugh. What if it really is..."

"You think a spaceship's coming to get us? What are we, chosen? It's like...magnetic rock in the earth or something. Some kinda reaction."

"What about the cows?"

"What?"

"The cows. The mutilated cows."

"We don't have cows, Elle."

"Rick's cows. Down the street. You know what I mean. I hate when you do this. You know what I mean."

"Elle, for the love of god, go back to sleep."

"...So I'm crazy, then."

"Did I say that?"

"You implied it. You implied it then and you're implying it now. That's gaslighting."

"You and that god damned therapist. Now it's gaslighting to reassure you you didn't see some weird clone of yourself wandering around our yard this morning?"

"It wasn't a clone, Jack. It was me. Or, no, it was something else, but it was wearing my face. I was at the desk and I turned around and it was there, like right on the edge of the woods, and I looked at it, and it looked at me, and it...it smiled...and it disappeared. But it was me. It had my face and my clothes and...and... do you know what it feels like to see yourself, like you've gone outside your body? Do you know how- how fucked that is? And then, on top of that, to have your own husband doubt you-"

"For fuck's sake, so I'm supposed to just agree with that kind of hysteria. Do you hear yourself right now, Elle? You saw Geraldine or something, you know how you are when you get all wrapped up in your writing, all up in your head-"

"Geraldine is like one hundred years old. She lives like a mile away. Now you're being ridiculous."

"It was just an example. My point is-"

"That you don't believe me. I get it."

"Elle, can we not do this now? Can we go back to-"

"SHH!"

"...What?"

"I heard it again. Listen..."

"Why are you whisp-"

"Shh! You hear it, right?"

"I..."

"Oh my god, Jack."

"T-that can't be right. It sounds like-"

"You. Jack, that's you. It's whistling just like you do when-"

"Shhh, Elle. It's someone playing a prank. Some kid got in and- fuck. Stay here, will you?"

"No. Jack. No, don't leave."

"I have my gun."

"That won't do anything."

"Elle. If someone is in our house, then I’m going to protect us.”

"Wait...it stopped. Do you think that means it can hear us?"

"What do you mean, 'it'? There's clearly a person down there, and they clearly-"

"Whistle exactly the same way you do?"

"Whistling isn't exactly an exclusive skill."

"Jack, I'm begging you. Don't leave me here.

"I'm going to check it out. I'll be back in a minute."

"Jack! Jack! God damn it, Jack...okay, calm, Elle, calm. Where's my phone?”

.

"911, what is the location of your emergency?"

"230 Quentin Lane. I think someone just broke into our house. My husband is...Oh no. Oh no, oh fuck. The lights. The lights are back."

"Lights? What lights, ma'am?"

"The ones we've been seeing every night. I think that means they're here. They're in the sky, just kind of - twisting and strobing in place, it's hard to explain and-"

"Slow down, Ma'am. You were talking about your husband. Where is he now?"

"Jack- he's...he's coming back, actually, I can hear him now. He's coming up the stairs. Maybe...maybe it's nothing, maybe-oh fuck. Oh no. Oh, no, no, no."

"Ma'am, stay where you are and remain calm. We-“

"He's whistling. That's not him. That's not HIM!"

"...Ma'am?"

"..."

"Ma'am? If you can hear me, say something. We've got someone on the way. Ma'am?

…Ma'am?"