The Wall Has Ears

# THE SHARED WALL

## Episode 1: “THE WALL HAS EARS”

### INT. TESSA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

A smoke alarm SHRIEKS.

TESSA VALE, polished and furious, stands on a chair, waving a dish towel at the ceiling. A blackened casserole smolders in the oven.

On the other side of the wall, something HEAVY CRASHES.

If that was a person, please knock once!

A beat.

Three knocks.

Tessa freezes.

### INT. MARCUS’ APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

MARCUS BELL crouches beside a collapsed bookshelf. Books, plants, and one enormous dumbbell are scattered across the floor.

I’m fine!

### INT. TESSA’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Tessa looks directly into camera.

I did not ask if he was fine.

### INT. NISHA’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

NISHA RAO sits at a dining table covered in lasagna, candles, and tiny handwritten place cards.

Her phone BUZZES. She answers.

Hello?

MARCUS (V.O.)

Is this the fire department?

No. It’s Nisha.

MARCUS (V.O.)

Then why did you answer like the fire department?

Suddenly, a PARROT squawks from somewhere nearby.

LIAR! LIAR! WALL ON FIRE!

Nisha slowly turns toward the wall.

### INT. OWEN’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

OWEN PIKE, wearing noise-canceling headphones and safety goggles, holds a smoking toaster with kitchen tongs.

The bird is not mine.

He glances at camera.

OWEN (CONT’D)

Legally.

A violent BANG rattles all three apartments.

Tessa, Marcus, Nisha, and Owen each press an ear to the shared wall.

Can everyone hear me?

Yes.

Yes.

No.

A beat.

OWEN (CONT’D)

Wait, yes.

### INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

The four neighbors stand outside their doors for the first time, staring at one another.

Tessa holds the burned casserole. Marcus holds the dumbbell. Nisha holds a lasagna spatula. Owen holds the toaster.

We need rules.

We need insurance.

We need to establish whether that lasagna is edible.

We need to stop yelling.

They all nod.

A phone CHIMES.

### INSERT - GROUP CHAT: “QUIET HOURS”

TESSA: Rule one: no loud noises after 10 PM.

MARCUS: It is 10:04.

NISHA: Rule two: emergencies only.

OWEN: Is a toaster emergency?

TESSA: No.

OWEN: It is sparking again.

The toaster ERUPTS in Owen’s apartment.

### INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

The wall trembles. A shower turns on. The parrot screams. Marcus’ bookshelf collapses again.

Everyone’s phones explode with notifications.

Who is texting “STOP MAKING NOISE”?

I am.

You’re making noise by texting?

My phone is on vibrate.

The vibration is absurdly loud through the wall.

I think the wall has a phone.

The wall does not have a phone.

A long, ominous CREAK.

A framed picture drops from the wall.

The four stare at it.

Then what just fell?

The smoke alarm begins SHRIEKING again.

Tessa raises the casserole like a weapon.

Quiet hours begin now.

From behind the wall, all three apartments erupt at once:

My cat is in the vents!

My lasagna is burning!

The toaster has evolved!

Tessa looks into camera, defeated.

We’re going to need a bigger group chat.