Violent Kind

*NOTE - Formerly titled "The Near Death Experience", this is an updated, recent FULL rewrite of the script. "Fatal Attraction" meets "Blood Simple" meets "Unfaithful". Four years ago, after the tragic loss of his one true love, AMY, ED WAYNE was on the brink of suicide. There was no meaning in his life. No purpose. Until one night when he was brutally attacked by a homeless junkie named WALTER. Beaten to a pulp and left for dead, Ed survived. When he awoke, he felt different. He was glad to be alive. But he was still lonely. His life still lacked a purpose. He wanted to do something. Something to make the world a better place. He wanted to make an impact in somebody’s life. He finds a job working the graveyard shift at a Suicide Prevention Center Hot Line where he talks people out of killing themselves. When not at work, he spends his days alone cleaning and organizing his tiny little apartment. Ed finally has an epiphany and uses his own near death experience as inspiration. To make the ungrateful appreciate their lives. And he uses his occupation as a platform. He chooses his victims through the hot line. He collects as much information possible on them. He follows their routine. And when the time is right… he strikes. After “helping” several of his callers, keeping his identity anonymous, he finds success. He often checks in with his victims and comes out satisfied. They’re grateful to be alive. Everything changes one fateful night when he receives a call from a PAUL THOMPSON. Paul hates his life, including his scarred marriage to his wife, STACY. Ed gathers info on Paul. Follows him. And then falls in love with Stacy who draws an eerie resemblance to his dead wife. He follows through with his plan and attacks Paul, just like the others. But he finds himself trying to kill Paul. He’s jealous of him and his comfy lifestyle. How could a man not appreciate his life with a beautiful woman like Stacy by his side? But Paul survives the attack and lies in a coma for a month. Stacy feels lonely. Not sure if Paul will ever wake up. Ed enters her life and comforts her. They find a bond through loneliness and soon have an affair. Everything seems to be going swimmingly for Ed. He feels happy. He doesn’t need to “help” people anymore. His life is finally complete… Until Paul awakens from his coma. Paul seems to be happy with his life now after his brush with death. Grateful for everything he has, including Stacy, who is now happy to have Paul back. This causes Ed to grow mad with rage. He harasses Stacy, calling at late hours. Paul grows suspicious. And through a series of misunderstandings and strange coincidences, both Ed and Paul find themselves in a downward spiral of madness, eventually leading to a showdown between them with Stacy caught in the middle.