BULLETPRONE
Sixteenth Draft: 14 November 2025
E: rajeshwar.singh.bisen@gmail.com
© 2025 Raj Singh
E: rajeshwar.singh.bisen@gmail.com
© 2025 Raj Singh
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT
BLACK SCREEN
A sharp SLAP.
FADE IN:
TONY (32) leans over the bathroom sink, splashing water on his face. He's got broad shoulders and a gut that strains against the blue uniform shirt, which says MALL COP at the back. Water drips from his face as he looks up at the mirror.
He slaps himself again.
TONY
Alright. Alright, let's go. You got this.
His eyes drift to the wall beside the mirror.
A hand-drawn CHART hangs on the wall, tracking calibers in marker: BB Gun (12 tally marks), .22 (35 tally marks), .38 (circled in red with "TODAY" written next to it).
Tony nods.
TONY (CONT'D)
(to the mirror)
You got this.
Much of the mirror is plastered with motivational quotes printed from the internet: "NO PAIN NO GAIN," "WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU ...," "BE YOUR OWN HERO."
He opens the medicine cabinet. Inside: Jim Beam, a CVS first aid kit, gauze, medical tape. He pulls out the whiskey, takes a swig. Sets it on the sink.
His PHONE buzzes on the counter. A notification lights up the screen: "REMINDER: 6pm - Call Mum"
He picks up his phone, hits dial on speaker, sets it on the sink. It rings as he starts unbuttoning his uniform shirt.
After a couple rings, the call connects.
MA (V.O.)
(filtered through phone)
Anthony?
TONY
Hey, Ma.
He pulls off the uniform shirt, drapes it over his arm.
MA (V.O.)
Right on time. How was work?
TONY
Same old, yeah. Quiet shift.
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Tony steps out into the narrow hallway, phone still on speaker in his hand.
MA (V.O.)
Where are you? You sound echoey.
TONY
I'm at the gym, Ma. Bathroom. At the gym.
He opens the closet door. Inside: a few hanging uniform shirts, some civilian clothes, a duffel bag on the floor. He pulls a hanger down, drapes the shirt over it.
MA (V.O.)
At ten o'clock at night? Anthony, are you eating? You need to eat.
TONY
I'm eatin' fine, Ma.
He hangs up the shirt, and pulls off his work pants. Underneath, he's wearing briefs. OLD BANDAGES are visible on his outer thigh — dark rust-colored stains that have soaked through multiple layers.
MA (V.O.)
When was the last time you had a real meal? I'm making ziti Sunday, you're coming.
TONY
Yea, Ma. Sunday. Sounds good.
He grabs a t-shirt, pulls it on. Reaches deeper into the closet, pulls out a .38 REVOLVER and a small BOX OF CARTRIDGES from behind some folded sweaters.
MA (V.O.)
Have you talked to Danielle?
Tony's jaw tightens. He puts the revolver in his pocket, and tucks the box under his arm.
TONY
No, Ma. We talked about this.
MA (V.O.)
She was a nice girl, Anthony. You should call her. Apologize for whatever you did.
Tony closes his eyes. Pinches the bridge of his nose.
TONY
I gotta go, Ma. I'll call you tomorrow.
MA (V.O.)
You promise?
TONY
Yea... yea, I promise.
He hangs up. Stares at the phone in his hand for a beat, then heads back toward the bathroom.
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Tony enters, sets the gun and ammunition box on the sink. He reaches down into the bathtub, and picks up a bulletpoof vest.
He struggles to pull it over his gut. Sucks his gut in as the velcro barely catches. Tony opens the box of cartridges, pulls out two rounds, and slides them in his pocket.
As he puts the box back down on the sink, he looks at himself in the mirror.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. VETERINARY CLINIC - PARKING LOT - DAY
SIX MONTHS AGO
Tony (cleaner, clean-shaven) walks alongside DANIELLE (29). She's carrying BISCUIT, a small nervous terrier mix, in her arms.
DANIELLE
Thank you for coming with us. He gets so anxious.
TONY
No problem.
He scratches Biscuit behind the ears.
TONY (CONT'D)
I love the lil guy.
DANIELLE
You sure? Because last time you said he smelled like "old pennies."
TONY
That was one time. And he did.
Danielle smacks his arm playfully. They enter the clinic.
INT. VETERINARY CLINIC - EXAMINATION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A bright, sterile room. Biscuit sits on the metal exam table, shaking. The VET (50) enters with a chart.
VET
Alright, Mr. Biscuit. Just here for the annual boosters today, right?
DANIELLE
Yep. Rabies and the DHPP combo.
VET
Perfect. This'll just take a second.
The vet prepares a syringe, draws liquid from a small vial. Tony watches.
The vet administers the shot. Biscuit yelps. Danielle coos at him.
DANIELLE (CONT'D)
You're so brave, baby. So brave.
The vet prepares a second syringe. Tony's eyes narrow, and he leans forward slightly.
TONY
Wait, what is that?
VET
Just the rabies vaccine.
TONY
No, I mean... what is it though?
The vet pauses, stares at Tony with a raised eyebrow.
VET
It's... a vaccine. For rabies.
TONY
Right...yeah, but what's IN it?
VET
(not directly to Tony)
Modified virus, some stabilizers. Pretty standard.
The vet gives Biscuit the second shot. Biscuit barely reacts this time. Tony's watching intently now.
TONY
Modified virus. So you're giving him... the disease?
DANIELLE
(laughing)
Tony, oh my god.
VET
Well, a weakened form. That's how vaccines work. Teaches the immune system to fight it off.
Tony goes very still, his brows furrowed.
TONY
So you give him a little bit of the bad thing...
Danielle stares at him.
VET
An inactive or weakened version, yes.
DANIELLE
what the hell...
TONY
...and then he can handle the real thing.
VET
That's the idea.
DANIELLE
(to the vet)
Sorry, he... I don't even know.
The vet finishes, makes notes on the chart.
VET
Alright, Mr. Biscuit is all set. Keep an eye on him for any reactions, but he should be fine.
EXT. VETERINARY CLINIC - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
They walk back to Tony's car. Tony's quiet, distant. Danielle carries Biscuit.
DANIELLE
Just what the hell was that in there?
TONY
I didn't know that's what vaccines were.
Danielle stops walking. Stares at him.
DANIELLE
What.
TONY
Like, I knew vaccines, obviously, I got 'em as a kid. But I didn't know they PUT the disease in you.
DANIELLE
Tony. You're thirty-two years old.
TONY
I know how old I am.
DANIELLE
(mocking)
I know how old...
(normal)
How do you not know how vaccines work?
TONY
I just... never thought about it.
DANIELLE
They teach this in like, middle school.
TONY
Well, maybe I was sick that day.
DANIELLE
For all of age 10 to 30?
Tony unlocks the car. Opens her door. Doesn't make eye contact.
TONY
It's interesting, that's all. You give, like, a little bit of the bad thing, and you know, builds up a tolerance.
DANIELLE
You're making it sound way weirder than it is.
Tony goes around to the driver's side. Gets in. Danielle stares at him.
DANIELLE (CONT'D)
What are you thinking about?
TONY
(starting the car)
Nothing. Just... interesting.
She studies his face.
TONY
(forcing a laugh)
What? I'm asking questions.
The car pulls out of the parking lot. His eyes are distant.
DANIELLE (CONT'D)
Tony?
TONY
Yea?
DANIELLE
You are thinking way too hard about this.
TONY
What? Yea. No.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT
Tony stares at himself in the mirror. Taps his phone. A MEDITATION APP starts playing from the speaker, some woman with a soothing voice.
MEDITATION APP (V.O.)
Breathe in strength. Breathe out fear. You are capable of more than you know.
Tony nods to himself. He reaches for the gun — it slips from his grip, dropping butt first onto the floor.
BANG
The bullet SLAMS high into the bathroom wall, and a chunk of plaster explodes outward. Dust hangs in the air.
Tony freezes, staring at the wall. The bullet has taken out a letter and half from a large text painted there.
What remains reads: "PROJECT BULLETP_OOF"
TONY
Shit! Shit shit—
THUMP THUMP THUMP on the wall from the adjacent apartment. More plaster crumbles around the bullet hole, powder drifting down.
GARY (O.S.)
(muffled through wall)
Keep it down in there!
TONY
(yelling)
I'M WORKIN' OUT, GARY. MIND YA BUSINESS.
GARY (O.S.)
It's ten o'clock!
TONY
YEA, AND YOU'RE UP, SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Another THUMP on the wall. A small chunk of plaster falls, taking the lodged bullet with it. It clinks to the floor, then, silence.
Tony mutters to himself.
TONY (CONT'D)
(quieter)
Fuckin' guy.
He bends down carefully, picks up the revolver. Stares at it.
TONY (CONT'D)
When did I load this...
He pops the cylinder out — two rounds remain. He stares at them for a beat, pulls out the two rounds in his pocket and loads them. He snaps the cylinder back in place.
Tony rolls up his right pant leg. He peels back the gauze, slowly, the adhesive pulling at his skin.
Tony winces. The wound looks angry, not healing right.
He lays out towels on the floor, overlapping them at the center.
Picks up the first aid kit, opens it, and takes inventory. Gauze, medical tape, a sealed pack of antiseptic wipes. He takes out the tape and gauze, chucking it behind him in the tub.
He takes another pull of whiskey and sets the bottle down.
Tony sits on the edge of the bathtub. Rolls his shoulders. Does the face-slap thing again.
TONY (CONT'D)
You got this. You got this. Mind over matter. Mind over fuckin' matter.
He aims the gun at his outer thigh, about four inches from the old wound. His hand is shaking. He steadies it with his other hand.
MEDITATION APP (V.O.)
Breathe in. Hold it. Breathe out.
Tony breathes with the app. His finger moves to the trigger.
A long beat. He's staring at his leg. At the gun.
He squeezes his eyes shut.
BANG.
Tony's whole body jerks. His face contorts. He freezes.
TONY
(through gritted teeth)
Fuck. FUCK.
He drops the gun in the sink with a clatter. Clutches his thigh with both hands. Blood seeps between his fingers.
TONY (CONT'D)
Okay. Okay okay. That-th-thats's good. That's progress.
He's breathing hard, sweating. Reaches for the towel, presses it against the wound. His cat, ROCKY, appears in the doorway. An orange tabby.
TONY (CONT'D)
(to the cat)
Don't look at me like that. This is science, Rocky. This is—
(winces)
— this is advancement.
Rocky sits. Blinks slowly.
Tony hobbles to his feet, towel pressed to his leg, limps to the chart on the wall. He pulls a marker from the sink with his free hand, makes a tally next to ".38" with a shaking hand. Blood drips onto the bathroom tile.
TONY (CONT'D)
See? See that? Progress.
The doorbell RINGS.
Tony freezes.
TONY (CONT'D)
Shit.
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Tony limps through the studio apartment. It's small. Dishes are piled in the sink. Futon, TV, weights in the corner with cobwebs on them. More motivational posters. A photo frame, face-down on the dresser.
The doorbell rings again.
DELIVERY KID (O.S.)
Pizza!
Tony looks down at himself: bulletproof vest, blood-soaked towel pressed to his leg, sweating profusely. He grabs a dirty hoodie from the futon, pulls it on over the vest. Zips it halfway.
He opens the door a crack. The DELIVERY KID (18) stands there with a large pizza box.
DELIVERY KID
Large pepperoni, extra—
(sees Tony)
Christ, man. You good?
TONY
Yea. Yea, I'm great. Best I've been.
Tony shifts his weight to the better leg, but tries to play it cool.
DELIVERY KID
You're like... breathing real heavy.
TONY
I was workin' out. Cardio.
The delivery kid nods slowly.
DELIVERY KID
Right. That's, uh... thirteen fifty.
Tony fumbles for his wallet with one hand, keeping the towel pressed to his leg with the other. He hands over twenty bucks.
TONY
Keep it.
DELIVERY KID
Thanks, man. You sure you're—
TONY
(too quickly)
Yea, I'm good. Great. Thanks. Have a good one.
Tony takes the pizza, closes the door. Leans against it, breathing hard. He hobbles to the futon, sets the pizza down. Opens the box.
He tries to take a bite but immediately winces, sets it down. He looks at his phone. Opens his texts.
A thread with "SULLY" shows previous messages about shift swaps.
Tony types with one thumb: "Can you take Sat? Got training."
Three dots appear. Then: "you're a fuckin psycho bro", followed by a thumbs up.
Tony smiles slightly. He sets the phone down.
His phone RINGS. "MA" on the caller ID.
Tony stares at the phone. It rings. Rings again. He answers.
TONY (CONT'D)
Yea, Ma?
MA (V.O.)
Did you just hang up on me?
TONY
No, Ma, we finished talkin'. I told you I had to go.
He tries to slide back into the futon, and winces audibly.
MA (V.O.)
You sounded upset. Are you upset?
TONY
(trying to breath slower)
What, no, Ma. I'm not upset. Just left the gym, heading home now. Gonna eat some pizza, watch some TV, you know, the works.
MA (V.O.)
Pizza? Anthony, I said I'd make you ziti.
TONY
I know, Ma. Sunday. I'll be there Sunday.
MA (V.O.)
You promise?
TONY
Yea, Ma. I promise.
A long pause on the other end.
MA (V.O.)
I love you, Anthony.
TONY
Love you too, Ma.
He hangs up. Falls back on to the futon. Blood seeps through the towel into the mattress.
Rocky jumps up on the futon next to him, and clambers up his belly.
Tony looks at the cat.
TONY (CONT'D)
Don't start.
Rocky meows.
INT. TONY'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - LATER
Tony sits on the edge of the tub again, cleaning the new wound. He's taken the vest off, discarded along with the hoodie near the door.
The meditation app is playing quietly.
MEDITATION APP (V.O.)
You are enough, exactly as you are. You don't need to prove anything to anyone.
Tony wraps gauze around his thigh, winds medical tape over it. His hands are steadier now. When he's done, he stands. Tests his weight on the leg. Limps to the chart. Stares at the tally marks next to ".38"
His eyes move up to the next item on the list: ".45"
Tony opens the cabinet under the sink. Reaches past the .38, and pulls out a .45. He loads a single round into the cylinder. Sits back down on the edge of the tub.
He holds the gun. Turns it over in his hands. Sets it on his knee.
Rocky appears in the doorway again. Sits, blinks slowly.
TONY
(to the cat, quietly)
What.
Rocky meows.
Tony looks at the cat. Looks at the gun. Looks at the chart on the wall with its checkmarks and calibers.
MEDITATION APP (V.O.)
Breathe in. Hold it. Breathe out.
Tony picks up the gun. Aims it at his other thigh. His hand shakes.
He lowers the gun. Wipes his face with his free hand. Raises the gun again. His breathing gets faster. The gun shakes harder.
Rocky meows again, louder.
Tony looks at the cat. His finger rests on the trigger.
Beat.
Tony's face twitches. His eyes are wet.
Beat.
Rocky stands. Takes a step into the bathroom.
Beat.
Tony's hand is still shaking. The gun is still aimed at his thigh.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END