"GONE GIRL" (2014)

GONE GIRL

August 29, 2013

GONE GIRL

Based on the novel by

Gillian Flynn

Screenplay by Gillian Flynn

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FINAL SHOOTING SCRIPT 10201 W. Pico Blvd. AUGUST 29, 2013 Los Angeles, CA 90035

Revisions September 15, 2013 & September 27, 2013

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT2014 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. NO PORTION OF THIS SCRIPT MAY BE PERFORMED, PUBLISHED, REPRODUCED, SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED BY ANY MEANS, OR QUOTED OR PUBLISHED IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING ON ANY WEB SITE, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. DISPOSAL OF THIS SCRIPT COPY DOES NOT ALTER ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.

GONE GIRL

by

Gillian Flynn

Based on the Novel By Gillian Flynn

Yellow Revised - 9/27/13 Pink Revised - 9/15/13 Blue Script — 8/29/13 White Script - 7/30/13

Al BLACK SCREEN Al

FADE IN:

We see the back ofAMY DUNNE’S HEAD, restingon a pillow.

Nick runs his fingers intoAmy’s hair.

He twirls and twirlsa lock, a screw tightening.

AMY wakes, turns,gives a look of alarm. *

BLACK SCREEN

A carved faux-marbleentry—reading FOREST GLEN—ushersus into a ruined HOUSINGDEVELOPMENT. Mostly VACANT houses.A few Fourth of July decorationshang in windows. A weird,BUCOLIC air: swaying grasses,stray wildlife.

TITLE CARD: JULY 5th, 2012 THE MORNING OF

NICK DUNNE, 30s, handsome,is taking out the trash;his yard * is the only onemowed—all around him WILDERNESS encroaches.

The SUN rises over the treelineand blares its FIRST-DEGREE SPOTLIGHT in his face.He looks ILL.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 2.

He turns and staresback at his HOUSE as if girding himself. He strides across the yard,opens the door.His shadowy figure fills thedoorway for a moment. He SHUTS the door. *

NICK—wearing noticeably different clothes—arrivesundera * glaring SUN. Down the street,a troupe of HOMELESSMEN walks * single file along the river.

Nick’s twin sister,GO, 30s, nerdy-hot, iswashing mugs. The bar is packed with ‘80sk±tsch: board games,toys, posters. Their very own CLUBHOUSE.

GO Ah, the Irish princegraces us with his presence.

He sits on the bar’scustomer side. She flicks suds athim. *

He sets a decrepit ‘70s—era Master Mindon the bar.

GO (sweet• smile) Master Mind! I hated thisgame!

GO You loved it. Thanks.

She places it behind the bar alongsideSORRY!, CLUE,LIFE.

NICK * Pour me a bourbon,would ya?

GO glances pointedly atthe clock: 11:09 a.m. She pourstwo * bourbons. Settles in.

GO What’s up, Jitters?

He shrugs. She tries to waithim out. Fails.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 3.

GO (CONT’D) If you don’t talk, I’ll fill the silence with:an Excruciating Story by Margo Dunne.

He smiles. This isan old, reliable routine.

GO (CONT’D) I could tellyou about my customer— service experience whilechanging Internet providers. *

GO Or the time I sawa woman who looked exactly likemy friend Monica but it wasn’tMonica, it was a stranger—

GO Made it kind of interesting.

She gives a look:Talk.

GO Amy?

GO Five?! That came fast.

CLOSEUP on a PEN,cursiving across a DIARY. The pen isGIRLY, topped with pink feathers.We see at the top: January8, 2005. We hear thewords as we see them written in pink.

GG -Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 4.

AMY ELLIOTT, early 30s,gorgeous, is in a crowded hipster party. Dude-heavy. Sheweaves her way through theguys.

She spots her FRIEND deep-flirtinga guy, and stopsmidway, stuck with TWO BEERS.She makes her way toward a table with picked—over food andscans the room for anyone sheknows. She spots NICK DUNNE—he spotsher.

Nick weaves his way over.She’s setting down her beer.

He gestures toward a group of Williamsburg musician-types: suspenders and broad-brimmed hats.

He picks up the beer.

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They scan the crowd together.Cozy. Nick points toa horn- rimmed, haughtyDOUCHEBAG. *

Nick points to a sideburnedguy in a NOVELTYTEE. *

AMY * I prefer men whoare funny, not * ‘~funny.” *

Nick points to a wavy-hairedgranola-yoga type. *

—who says things like “Ilove strong women.”

A beat as they scan theroom, then face each other. *

AMY * And what type areyou? *

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They head down: tipsy,not touching, but thinking about it.

Amy laughs: ha, ha.

She stops, studies him.

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She places a finger over hischin. Tests the view. *

They are huddling together,walking to hail a cab.

They turn the cornerand step into a cloud of powderedsugar as it’s funneled intoa bakery. A SUGAR SNOWSTORM.Nick grins: Like this!

The sugar floats allaround them. A fairytale. They lean in.

Nick brushes her lips clean.They kiss.

A SHABBY, CRAMPED garden studioapartment. BARS on the windows. NICK andAMY are in bed: blissful. Outside,a car’s * headlights flash: Theirsugary prints light up theheadboard. *

GG- Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 8.

The Master Mind sitsuntouched as GO sets up LIFE.

GO So is Amy going todo one of her anniversary—whaddaya callit?— treasure hunts?

GO Wow.

Silence. Nick staresat the LIFE board.

GO Deep Hasbro thoughts.Spin. What was the clue last yearshe got so mad about?

GO The answer?

NICK spins, moves hisman, lands on Get Married.

GO Few years ago—you’d haveknown.

GO places a pink peg-wife in his car.He glares at it.

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GO What’d you giveher?

Go spins; skips over theGet Married space.

GO The one you never watered...so * symbolic. What’sthe gift for five?

GO What’d you gether?

GO Go home, fuck her brains out,then * smack her with your penis:Some wood for you, bitch!

They laugh. Interruptedby the phone. Go answers.

GO (CONT’D) The Bar.. .Yep,holdon. (hand over mouthpiece) It’s Watchful Wally!

GO You are way too into that cat.

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He heads to thedoor, points at the LIFE board.

NICK pulls up, salutesWALTER, who’s on his frontporch behind a WALKER.WALTER gives a curt nod.BLEECKER is sitting on the Dunne stairs.Nick scoops him up,heads to the FRONT DOOR, which is GAPINGWIDE OPEN. Nick stops in his tracks.

NICK doesn’t closethe door. He sets the catdown.

We follow Nick ashe heads up the stairs.

Neat. Empty.An iron sits on an ironing board,pretty DRESS next to it. NoAmy.

Nick proceeds—quickly—down the hallway,peering intodoors: An OFFICE (his, a disaster);an elaborately pillowedGUEST ROOM, and one room that contains onlya LITTER BOX.Nick goes back downstairs, into:

Two placemats on theshiny table.

Amy’s office.Neat asa pin. Empty.

Nick runs back through theDINING ROOM, into the: *

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Nick stops short.The carpet is covered withGLASS SHARDS from the overturned coffee table.END TABLESare SMASHED; an OTTOMAN is UPSIDEDOWN. NICK backs up.

Walter looks up from hispaper as he hears, from across the street:

DOOR opens on RHONDABONEY, 40s, and JIM GILPIN,20s.

Nick walks them in, showsthem the scene.

They bend down, examine thescene. Hard to read if they’re impressed or not. BONEY takesa YELLOW POST-IT and places it on the MANTEL below three upright photoFRAMES.

They speak in time to the stairsteps.

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Boney reaches the landing,eyes Nick like a patientmom.

They start down the hail.

Boney tests the IRON.Hot. Unplugs it. Looks at the dress.

BONEY sticks another POST-ITon the IRONING BOARD.

GG — Blue Draft - 8/29/13 13.

Nick walks ahead withGILPIN as BONEY lingers:She sees on * the baseboard threeSPLASHES of rusty RED. Looksmore curious * than alarmed. A POST-ITdown.

BONEY enters. Checksout Amy’s desk area. BONEY flipsthrough * Amy’s well-tended desk calendar:“NICK: DENTIST” isset for March 2013. In July2013 is “BLEECKER: SHOTS.”Amy’s degrees cover the walls: HARVARDundergrad, Masters in Psych. *

One small corner isdedicated to a kids’ book series,AMAZING AMY. Photos of Amy, at allages, with her parents,REND and MARYBETH, in front of posters for the books.

CLOSEUP of a dual frame:AMAZING AMY, the iconic cartoon drawing, is grinning fromone side. Our real AMY ELLIOTT DUNNE is mimicking thesame grin on the other side.

CLOSEUP of a DIARY, aPEN—advertising AMAZING AMY—is cursiving across. The eraser topper isa BRIDE with VEIL.The date is February 24, 2007.We see the words as we hear: *

TINY book launch party.Posters advertise the AMAZINGAMY book series—all 20. “Writtenby RAND and MARYBETH ELLIOTT—two psychologists—Who are parentsJUST LIKE YOU!”

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NICK and Amy are tight together.Waiters are circulating drinks, wearing T—shirts withan impish AmazingAmy and her TRADEMARK line: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doingBRIGHT!

They walk along the wall ofBOOK POSTERS. Stop in front ofa poster of: gradeschoolAMAZING AMY holding a CELLO.A MUTT * beside her.

Next POSTER: teenAMAZING AMY playing volleyball. *

They continue their tour.

They stop in front of the biggest poster:Amazing Amy, ina * bridal veil, a BLAND GROOM next to her.The banner reads: 30th Anniversary SpecialEdition-AMAZING AMY AND THE BIGDAY.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 15.

In the center of thelimp party, RAND andMARYBETH, 60s, cheerily hand outcommemorative PENS-identical to theone Amy used for her DIARY.Rand spots them—handsthem each a pen.

Painful pause.

As Rand strides away,Nick gives Amy a look.

Marybeth pops up, a little tipsy,hugs them.

GG — Blue Draft- 8/29/13 16.

BRIGHT! BRIGHT!The waiters are everywhere in the T-shirts.

Amy, standing at a cocktail table,deals witha montage of New York media types.NICK hovers nearby.

Nick cuts in, blocksthe journalist.

He elaborately sets outpad, pen. AMY prepares to be amused.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 17.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 18.

~my chokes on her drink.

GILPIN is watchingNICK from the other side of the glass. NICK’s fiddling with hissmartphone. HONEY enters.

They watch NICK a few moreseconds.

Gilpin gives a bored grunt:he couldn’t •care less.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 19.

BONEY, GILPIN and STEVE theTECH enter. STEVE is brandishing a packet of wrapped Q-tipsand his GSR kit.

Steve is in and out withno eye contact.

Steve leaves. Nick watches hissamples going out thedoor.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 20.

An officer comes in with twostyrofoam cups of coffee,slaps a manila envelopeon the table. NICK smiles. BONEYfrowns.

She stares at NICK,aggressively PONDERING.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 21.

Nick attempts a mental inventory.Fails.

This lands as lamelyas it sounds—and everyone notes it.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 22.

Nick picks off pieces of hisStyrofoam cup; it squeaks.

Nick is visibly uncomfortable.He squeaks at the styrofoam.

Boney puts her handon his to get him to stop the squeaking.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 23.

NICK leaves—BONEY cocksan eyebrow at GILPIN. Door shuts.

Nick on a wall phone,pacing on the short leash of the cord. We hear MARYBETH’s TONEon the other end: FEMALE; ANGRY.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 24.

B0NEY is standing outside the interrogationroom.

BONEY takes the phoneand NICK walks down the hail, chastened, ANGRY. Splashes hisface at the water fountain. Breathes. Looks back atBONEY on the phone with Marybeth.

NICK stops in his tracks,listens. Peers into a holdingroom. BILL DUNNE, 60s, bedraggled,is muttering to himself whilea quietly FURIOUS FEMALE officer waits withhim.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 25.

The officer begins to soften-

Nick holds up his phone.No bars.

BONEY is revealed tobe in the doorway, listening.

BONEY walks NICK to theEXIT. His dad is sitting in the passenger seat of his car.

Nick laughs in spite of himself.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 26.

BONEY * You see himmuch? *

NICK * Not since Iwas 10and my mom * finally divorced hisass. *

Boney gives him a pat. *

She watches NICKhead down the steps. GILPIN joins her.

NICK and his DAD driveSILENTLY through the town.Nick reaches across hisDAD and removes from his GLOVEBOXa CHEAPO DISPOSABLE phone. He dials.VOICEMAIL. Hangs up.

He pulls up front ofComfort Hill Assisted Living.Helps his DAD out and inside.Returns to car in seconds: Fastest drop- off ever.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 27.

We see a souvenirBIG APPLE pen writing acrossthe DIARY—date at the top: July 5,2009. We see the words aswe hear:

Nick is wearing a backpack,holding an Amy-blueCLUE as he makes his way; Amy follows, all grins.

Nick is going past Z,past T, past 0, past H.

They arrive at the A’s.

He pulls out Pride and Prejudice.A BLUE ENVELOPE inside.She kisses him. He readsthe next clue. *

She kisses him again, deeply.Looks around. Stacks areempty.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 28.

She’s already undoing his belt.Hand inside hisjeans.

A bookshelf: Packed with books.One tumbles to the floor. Another. Another. Three atonce as a hand busts through:Amy trying to get a grip.Through the fallen bookswe can see Nick and Amy in patchwork:They look like anAD for SEX.

Nick and Amy, post-glow,clink glasses and swallow.

They both sip.

Nick scans under the bar.Finds a blue ENVELOPE.Nick reads the CLUE.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 29.

The table is strewn with dishes,desserts, drinks.A FEAST. The waiter approaches witha gift box, sets iton the table.

Nick opens the top,peers in. A strange look on hisface.

He pulls out luxuriousdeep blue sheets. They’re out of the wrapping, folded likea newspaper with a bow.

Nick hands her his BACKPACK,grinning. Amy opens it,pulls out a gift bag—and identicalsheets. Nick kisses her.

They kiss again. Stay close.

Go is shaking out SHEETS—200count—while Nick paces.

GO Did they ask if you wanteda lawyer?

She tucks the sheets into thecouch.

GO Did they ask you personal stuff? About Amy?

GG - Blue Draft -8/29/13 30.

GO What’d you say?

GO Nick, everyoneknows “complicated” * is code for bitch.

Nick’s phone BUZZES in hispocket. Go is getting bourbon.He * hits OFF. She returns withtwo glasses and a bottle.

GO (CONT’D) I feel sick. It’s so bizarre. It * just seems like the kind of thing that would happen to?~rny.She * always attracts- *

GO Just because I don’tlove Amy doesn’t mean I don’tcare about her. I’m really scared.

Go tosses a pillow at Nick,waits for a reaction.Nothing.

BONEY is drinking a hugeCOFFEE as she and GILPIN walk toward the house. We can see a half blockaway, NOELLE HAWTHORNE, PREGNANT, towing identically dressed toddlerTRIPLETS.

Noelle catches up.An air of annoying self-importance.In the background, we can seecops scouring the neighborhood.

Boney and Gilpin exchangea look: A friend?!

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 31.

A half dozen officersare on scene: photos, fingerprints. OFFICERS ARE BAGGINGALL THE TRASH. BONEY, GILPIN and * DONNELLY, forensics, hit the stairs.

As they reach the bedroom,we can see an officer nextdoor in Nick’s OFFICE, SIFTING through the contentsof the FIREPLACE and BAGGING. A uniformed officer awaitsthem in the BEDROOM. *

GG- Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 31A.

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BONEY heads into the walk-in,dresses and shirtsswaying as she passes. At the farback is Amy’s dresser.A drawer is open. Inside is aBLUE ENVELOPE marked CLUE ONE.BONEY exits the closet displaying it forGILPIN.

She rips open theenvelope.

NICK is asleep on thecouch, an empty bottle ofbourbon next to him. GO nudgeshim awake, proffering a Coke and Advil. Nick takes them silently,guzzles the Coke, checks his watch.

TITLE CARD: July 6, 2012 ONE DAY GONE

GO Go just like that.You’ve been up * all night. You want to look like * you’ve been up all night. * (pause) Be careful today, OK?

GO When you’re upset,you bottle up. You can seem...angry...like

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 33.

GO Or else you swing into yourMama’s * boy charm offensive—itcan feel * glib.

GO Just be-

Silence. Becausethe obvious answer is no. *

NICK and GO arrive at the police stationand getout of car.

BONEY walks NICK andGO in. The busy crowd of cops parts:we see RAND and MARYBETH,SUITCASES at their feet.

NICK approaches warily.RAND hugs him fiercely.MARYBETH stays outside the circle.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 34.

He pulls MARYBETH inon the hug. She allows it butkeeps tracking EVERYTHING in the office.

Boney and Go POVon group hug.

GO Honestly, here’sthe secret to Nick. He looks like the preppy asshole from the ~80s teen movie, but he’s really theA/V nerd with the pet ferret.

BONEY leads theELLIOTTS and NICK into a room of aHALF DOZEN BORED LOCAL REPORTERS:Texting, eating, gabbing.As they catch sight of handsomeNICK, they put down their sandwiches. AMY’s gorgeousMISSING poster is revealed. AnAMAZING AMY book jacket is revealed.Everyone is extremely attentive.

And.. .he’sdone?Rand steps in.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 35.

Nick and the Elliottspause for a few photos.The Elliotts look devastated;NICK looks annoyed. A PHOTOG asks Nick to pose next to Amy’sphoto: a demented PROM SHOT. SNAP!

NICK looks more annoyed.He glances at GO; she prodshim to SMILE. NICK flashesa sudden, smarmy SMILE, overlycharming and oily. The CAMERAS click crazily.SNAP! SNAP!He drops it.

BONEY, RAND ANDMARYBETH and NICK are at a conference table. Boney is taking notes.The Elliotts have their twosuitcases with them. They openone: It’s filled with “AMY FILES”:Photo albums, news clippings,Amazing Amy books.

Rand is pulling out photos,notes, from a manila envelope.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 36.

A photo flies intoframe: AMY, in an old prom shot withDESI COLLINGS. Boarding-school beautiful. Itechoesthe ‘~prom shot” we just saw of Nickand “Cardboard Amy.”

Silence.

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BONEY is walking them out.Reporters are closing in like curious sharks. AsRAND and MARYBETH answer a few nibbles, BONEY grabs NICK.A bit clandestine.

In the center of BONEY’sdesk sits the ENVELOPE:CLUE ONE.

He takes the clue, doubtfully,dreadfully, and reads.

NICK and BONEY weave pastbored summer-school kids.NICK reaches his office, findshis key, steps over a pile ofMAIL.

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It’s dust mote-y,messy, CRAMPED.

The blue ENVELOPE—CLUETWO—sits in the center of Nick’sdesk. He gives a glance toBONEY before touching it.

He picks up a pair ofSCISSORS that sit next toa MATCHING STAPLER and opens it.Boney reads over his shoulder.

INSERT on note:

Hey, handsome man—let’sgo undercover. Yoube the spy and I’ll * be his lover.Let’s head on over to the little brownhouse. We’ll play hot,doting husband and sweet loving spouse.

BONEY’s POV as shepokes around, looks in his file drawer. Unlike Amy’s, ithas but one file: BOOK IDEAS.The file is empty. On the shelves:the usual Modern Male Canonsuspects: Franzen, Lethem,Chabon, Eggers. BONEY’s eyes hit the wall.

BONEY holds a red lacy thongon the end of a pencil.

NICK looks STUNNED.There’s a long, painful silence.

BONEY slips the undies intoan evidence bag. Nick stares, almost mesmerized.Boney nods toward the CLUE.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 39.

This is an obviousstonewall. Boney plucksthe CLUE from him.

An ELEGANT SILVERPEN cursives over a diary. Date:October 11, 2009. We see the wordsas we hear:

A61 INT. BROOKLYN BROWNSTONEBEDROOM- PRE-DAWN A61

AMY in bed, is awakenedby rattling of the frontdoor. *

B61 INT. BROOKLYN BROWNSTONELIVING ROOM- PRE-DAWN B61 *

Amy crosses to thedoor, opens it to see Nick, drunk, * disheveled, trying to get hiskey in. A pause as she stares * down at him. *

Hello, handsome. *

NICK * I’m a little drunk. *

AMY * I see that. *

NICK * David and Alex and Iended up- *

AMY * (sweetly) * I don’t care. *

She kisses him. Swipesa finger along his jawline. *

He starts to explain.She kisses him again. *

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AMY and NICK,post-sex, in a big Victorianbedroom—BEAUTIFUL. *

Amy makes a sweepinggesture: everyone outside their window.

Nick knows this game—defining themselvesby who they aren’t.

NICK * Couples— * (pause in game) * I think I may be laid off.

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A huge weight comes off Nick.

He brushes his fingersover her lips and kisses her,same as their FIRST KISS.A RITUAL.

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A hard moment.Nick finally blinks.

She studies him.He puts a finger to his chin:Their old CODE. NO Bulishit.

Nick hops in the car,slaps a stack of AMY MISSING8xlOs on * the passenger seat.Begins driving. As soon ashe’s out of * the lot, he pullsout his DISPOSABLE. MISSED CALLMISSED CALL * MISSED CALL. He dials.Voicemail. *

Nick drives into arun-down neighborhood. He pullsout CLUE * TWO—a Xeroxed COPY—from hispocket. *

He pulls up to aBLUE HOUSE. A FOR SALE sign in the yard.

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NICK enters; immediatelyan ALARM starts. Beep.Beep. Beep. He pounds a few buttons.REEK REEK REEK. He dialsthe alarm * company on his cell.

REEK REEK REEK.

REEK REEK REEK.

Flashing cop lights in the window.NICK hangs up.He spots the next AMY-ENVELOPE,marked CLUE 3, sitting on the kitchen counter. Stuffs it in hisback pocket just as BONEY enters.

The ALARM screechesanother three seconds. BONEY sipsher giant coffee. The alarm turns off.

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She starts to nosearound. *

Boney shines a flashlighton the house. It’s blue.

NICK * Still blue. *

Nick starts his engine without furtherado.

NICK pulls up to GO’s.He reads the note. *

INSERT ON NOTE: We see the wordsas we hear: *

Nothing. He tries tocalm himself. Can’t. He slams his fists * on the dashboard. Once,twice, three times. *

A pen—Bic, gnarled at the top—cursiving overa DIARY.The date: July 18, 2010.We see thewords as we hear:

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She opens drapes,picks up beer cans and old takeout.

AMY opens thedoor to reveal NICK in his boxers,beer cans next to him. He’s flippingchannels like theremote is a gun. He watches her as she tidies.She sees a shoppingbag; starts pulling out the contents:a laptop, Ipod, a dozenPS2 gaines.

AMY * What’s the laptop for?

She folds her arms.Sighs. A “let’s talk” sigh.

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That reaches Nick.A beat. He takes a breath.

NICK * I’m sorry. I just— I’vehad a job * since I was 12. Imowed lawns and * dug post holesand flipped burgers. * I worked allthese shitty jobs so I * could go to college,and get a job. * I don’t knowhow to not have a job. *

AMY * You’ll get another- *

His cell rings. He lets it. *

NICK * —and it’s great thatwe have your * money. At leastwhen I had a job. * Now it’s different.Now: I’m * beholden to you. *

He checks displayand sees who it is. Picks up. *

A CLOSEUP of Amy’sphoto on a homemade POSTER heldby a little girl, hopping out ofan SUV. The child drags it through a busy parking lot:Two newsvans, SUV5, station wagons. Women pile out.A strangely festive air:Many wearing red white and blue ofthe 4th of JULY weekend.

TITLE CARD: JULY 7, 2012 TWO DAYS GONE

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Volunteers transform the dingy ballroom into the FindAmy headquarters. PHONEBANKS plugged in; a GIANTAMY HEADSHOT is hung; DONUTS. A fewPHOTOGRAPHERS take shots. It feels like the desperate campaign headquarters ofa losing politician.

NICK enters, and FRIENDSand NEIGHBORS rush toWELCOME him. He makes old women blush;he charms the bashful kidsof old girlfriends. Lots ofhugs. A group of overtanned FORTYSONETHINGS eyeNICK, whispering like girls—their leader, SHAWNA, catches NICK’seye. NICK smiles, politely.From across the room, GO sees all thisand rolls her eyes:Same as always. MARYBETH sees thisand IT IS NOTED.

NICK extricates himselfand spots BONEY heading to him.He passes DESI COLLINGS, allgrown up (and unrecognized).DESI is protectively holdinga handful of FLIERS with Amy’sPHOTO. The two exchange a glanceas they pass each other.

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NICK shrugs: Who?

At the snack table, aHOMELESS GUY is stealing food.NICK excuses himself tohave words with him as GILPIN sidlesup.

NICK hands the homelessguy a bag of bagels to go.

GILPIN CONT’D) Oh, look, he’s beinga good guy so we can all see himbe a good guy.

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Volunteers are dispersing tosearch sites.Each VOLUNTEER is holding a colored piece ofpaper with thename of a site on it: FOREST GLEN.RIVERWALK. NICK spotsMARYBETH and RAND leaving and is about tohead over when he getsanother glimpse of DESI—thetwo lock eyes.

NICK can’t quite placehim, but DESI startsmoving, and NICK follows, weaving through thecrowd. Exits into:

The hallway isVACANT. Nick’s DISPOSABLE begins buzzing.He ducks farther down the hall.NICK is pickingup just as: SHAWNA peers around the corner.Nick abruptlyends the call.

Nick nods: thanks.He’s seething at the interruption.

He gives her an after—you gesture butshe doesn’tbudge.

Again: After you.

He tries again to get past her.He pats her on the armas a goodbye, she puts herhand on top of his.

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She digs through herhandbag, grabs a cell.Jams her face against his.

NICK—just wanting to leave—reflexively grins.CLICK.She shows him the photo:The two of them, cheek tocheek, Shawna’s glossed lipspouty. Without context (andeven with), the photo is wildly inappropriate,a little sleazy.

SHAWNA debates.

NICK tries to lean past herand hit delete. She holds the * cell away from him—hey!—he tries tograb it.

NICK grabs her arm. It’sthe first time he seems dangerous.

SHAWNA scrambles pasthim, shoots down the hall to the elevator.

NICK rests his head against the wall.Breathes.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 49.

The room is almostempty. GO is waiting, eatinga donut.

GO Marybeth’ spissed.

A small, disgustingsandbar: overflowing trash bins, dirty diapers, a bench covered inobscene graffiti.Volunteers are fanning along the river,searching. A SEARCH DOG is sniffing ANY’s DRESS. NICK walks withMARYBETH.

She tapes a flier to a tree.Sniffs. Looks down.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 50.

BONEY holds aGIANT COFFEE and a sheath of credit-card statements. Talking toan OFFICER who holdsa clipboard.

BONEY is peering throughAmy’s closet and underweardrawer. She pulls out a few undies—nothing racy.Nothing red.

The doorbell rings.And rings and rings: INSISTENT.BONEY * speaks into her walkie. *

The doorbell ringsand rings and then stops. *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 51.

Go is nursing a beer.

ON TV: ELLEN ABBOTT,blow-dried, red-lipped, leather- jacketed, and in a photobox is NICK and hisKILLER SMILE.

Nick bangs in. Drops his handful ofAMY FLIERS.Go TURNS OFF the TV, grabs a beer forhim. Both beers are inhand- * crocheted cozies.

GO How’re you doing? *

He gives a shrug. *

GO (CONT’D) How’s Marybeth? *

GO And you? *

He waits her out. *

GO (CONT’D) (gently) * Hey. Have you toldme everything? *

NICK * Of course. *

GO * Everything. *

NICK * Why would you even say that? *

GO Ever since you walked into theBar, * the morning Amy went missing.. .you * feel.. .off. *

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 52.

GO Of course. *

They drink in silence.Go examines the hand—crocheted yarn * cozie on her beer.

GO (CONT’D) You know what Ikeep thinking?

GO Like I’m 12:Mom would fix this.

Go swallows her beer.Nick clearly doesn’t want to talk.

GO (CONT’D) I’m going to go Benadryl myself to * sleep. Love you.

A MISSOURI SOUVENIR PEN cursivesacross the DIARY.DATE: September 23, 2010.We see the words as we hear:

Nick and Amy pull away,a MOVING VAN behind them.The brownstone recedes in the rearview mirror,RAND andMARYBETH waving goodbye.

GG — Blue Draft - 8/29/13 53.

The North Carthagehouse comes into view. GOand MO wave on the front porch,MO in a CHEMO hat, holdinga WELCOME MAT. NICK parks, theMOVING VAN parks behind them.

Nick runs to hugGO and MO, completely forgettingAMY.

~my stands in the middleof the future Scene ofthe Crime as it slowly fills with furniture.

NICK puts an arm around her,gives her a smile.

NICK is asleep on thecouch. The TV flickers on an old ‘60s detective show. Just inside hisbag, his DISPOSABLEbuzzes.

INSERT on DISPLAY: im outsideopen up.

BUZZ. Nick wakes.BUZZ. Reads. Jumps up. FLINGS theFRONT door open. Just a quiet,dark street. He runs tothe BACK DOOR, FLINGS it OPEN:There is ANDIE, 20, a cheerful fuckdoll of a girl. AMY’sbeautiful; ANDIE’s hot. NICK yanksher in.

She wraps herselfaround one of his arms like a child.

GG — Blue Draft- 8/29/13 54.

Nick can’t believe it.He collapses on the couch.Andie sits next to him. Shecuddles into him. Nuzzles hischeek.

They kiss; shewraps herself around him. Nick pullsaway. She kisses him again.He pulls away.

She pulls him toward her.

She places his armsaround her. Whispers in hisear.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 55.

She kisses him again.Soon they’re tugging ateach other’s clothes. She is unbuttoning hispants whenNICK rears away. She tries to pullhim back. He un-hooks herhands from him.

Andie rehooks herarms around him. She’s invadinghim like IVY. Nick’s not entirely resisting.

Andie is on top ofhim but now pauses in her invasion.

GG - Blue Draft — 8/29/13 56.

He grabs her by botharms.

She stares at hishands until he removes them.Then she takes them and places them backon her. She beginsmoving his arms like a puppet, from her waist,up to her breasts.She presses her cheek against hisso she can whisper.

She begins kissinghim. Then she reclines, still holding his hands on her. She pullsdown the top of her sundress,yanks the bottom hem up over her (red)panties, arranges herself like a (soft) porn star.Tugs at his pants.

A pen—for a funeralhome, gnarled—cursives across the.DIARY. DATE: October 2, 2011.We see the words as we hear:

People in black are filingup the sidewalk, women bearing foil-covered casseroles;men bearing bottles of liquor.

A crowd in black,murmuring, consoling. A table packed with Funeral Food: Butter-rollsandwiches and bread dips.NICK and GO are together, greeting mourners;AMY is off by herself.

GG - Blue Draft -8/29/13 57.

Nick is at a laptop,looking at his online bank account.As he hears Amy, he switchesthe screen to his fantasy baseball.

Nick is on top ofAmy, thrusting into her from behind,a hand in her hair. Mostly dressed:She’s in a bathrobe;he’s * dressed for work. *

Nick pulls off her,kisses her cheek.

NICK is primping in front of the mirror.

He kisses her on thecheek. AMY gets in front of the door. *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 58.

He tries to get aroundher~ she blocks him again,Sigh. He does the CODE, brusquely,as he tries to get past her.

He grabs her by the arms,moves her.

NICK * A child is not a hobby,Amy. *

He heads downstairs,Amy trailing.

A93 INT. STAIRWAY - NIGHT A93 *

ANY * Not a hobby. An inspiration. *

Amy blocks his exit out the front door.A dark moment.

NICK * We could have had this fight four * hours ago. *

AMY * I didn’t know itwas going to be a * fight. *

AMY * Save? *

NICK * Reignite,. jump-start,whatever * works for you. *

GG — Blue Draft 8/29/13 59.

AMY * You said save. *

He goes to leave.She puts a hand on the door. *

He grabs her, hard,pushes her from the door. *

NICK * Bye. *

SNAP. NICK shakesher, shoves her. She falls and hitsher head—HARD—on the newel post.He stands over her, fists clinched.. .untilhetakes a breath.

He sits beside her,holds her in his arms.

Boney and Gilpin in the vast,empty MALL parking lot.

GG — Blue Draft - 8/29/13 60.

They walk the mall exterior.A SUBURBANITE burstsout a far door, beelines toa minivan, tucking stash into his jorts.

Frozen escalators,dried fountains. The SKYLIGHT iscracked. As Boney and G±lpinmove toward the giant Dillard’s at the end, HUMAN BEINGS hide,scuttle. We hear a baby cry.

A raccoon runs acrossthe hall. They train flashlightson it.

Their flashlights pickup outlines of bodies asleep outside of closed CLOTHINGCHAINS. *

It’s incredibly TIDY, litby camp lanterns. PEOPLE drugged or PASSED out everywhere.Under a sign marked HOME GOODS,two TEENS in polo shirts aretweaking hard, pushing each other back and forth robotically, reciting the Gettysburg Address.

A group of DEALERS, 30sand 40s, are reclining on sleeping bags like Boy Scouts,reading paperbacks by flashlight.They rise to meet BONEY andGILPIN. They’re lean, hardened,but dressed in cast—off clothesfrom their former lives:Gamma Phi Dad’s Weekend 2011,Greenf air GolfClub, Mizzou Tigers.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 61.

JASON, the leader,wears a short-sleeve buttondown. He approaches witha tough face...SMILESwhen he sees BONEY.

TEEN TWO * testing whether that nation,or any * nation so conceivedand so * dedicated- *

TEEN TWO * —can long endure. *

They nod greetings.BONEY pulls out a photo ofAMY.

JASON squints.LOOKS CLOSER. Puts on a pair ofcheap magno glasses, his eyes turning to giant quarters.

TEEN TWO * We are met on a great battle—field * of that war. *

TEEN TWO * The brave men, livingand dead, who * struggled here,have consecrated it— *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 62.

TEEN ONE * —far above our poorpower to add or * detract. *

TEEN ONE * (from the beginningl) * Four score and seven yearsago our * fathers— *

NICK jerks awake, discovers~NDIE still next to him asleep. They are both in totalDISARRAY.

He is DRESSING her as he hustlesher to her feet...

She gives him a KISS that ismore meaningful for her (“farewell, my love”) thanhim (“get out”). She leaves.He shuts the door, leans back.. .toseeGO in the kitchen.

GG — Blue Draft— 8/29/13 63.

GO You fucking idiot.

TITLE CARD: JULY 8, 2012 THREE DAYS GONE

GO (CONT’D) You fucking asshole.You liar. You fucking lied tomy fucking face.

GO How old is she?

GO How long?

Pause.

GO You’ve been lying tome for over a year.

GO God, it’s so fucking small.You’re a liar and a cheat.Just like Dad.

Nick flinches. Go seesthe punch land and deflatesa bit, sits down at the kitchen table.

GO (CONT’D) How’d you evenmeet her?

GO I thought writershated clichés.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 64.

GO Oh, wah, boohoo, Igot laid off, I guess I’ll tucka 20-year-old.

GO gives a look: explain.

GO Amy once made you happy.

GO This is so bad. If thecops find out-

GO Are they Supertwat’s?

GO So we’re dealing witha 20-year-old who isn’t sure where sheleaves her undies.

GO Free spirit is code for stupid.

GG - Blue Draft -8/29/13 65.

GO Rekindle the romance- *

Nick still isn’t snapping to.

GO Nick? I was scared foryou before. Now.. .I’m fucking petrified.We’re having a vigil tonight for your missing wife and this morning * you’re kissing your college * girlfriend goodbye.Can you imagine- * have you watchedTV lately? *

She turns on the TV,begins flipping through theDVR. She has a pile of Ellen Abbott Liveepisodes in her queue.

GO (CONT’D) Ellen Abbott is allover your shit.

On TV: Ellen Abbott,blow-dried, angry, is hosting.

ON TV: Shawna Kelly photo:Nick and Shawna cheek tocheek. It looks more lurid without context.

GO Who the hell is that?

Nick stares: Fuck!

GO (CONT’D) Who the fuck is that?

Go is almost as lividas Ellen.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 66.

TANNER BOLT, 40s: a potent mix of gravitasand showmanship.

NICK hits pause, just as Ellenopens her giant, spewingMAW.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 67.

GO You need to hireTanner Bolt.

GO Oh that’s exactly whatyou deserve. Go home, Nick.

NICK enters. The CRIMESCENE is still verymuch in evidence. * Nick rights a few things.Bleecker trots behind him. *

NICK walks into kitchen,past the NOW REMOVEDBASEBOARD where * the blood was. He siftsthrough the freezer. Ignores * containers withAmy’s handwriting: EAT YOUR VEGGIES!He grabs the ice cream. Eatsa spoonful as he looks out thewindow and sees: Cops are bagging Nick’s trash.A COP waves to Nick. Nick waves back.

A pen—blood red ink—cursivesacross the DIARY. The date: February 14, 2012.We see the words as we hear:

AMY is soaking in the tubwhen she opens her eyes tosee Nick: standing in thedoorway. He turns heel.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 68.

Amy wakes up, turns to find Nick watching her.

Amy untucks the bed,removes the pillows, gets in.

She sits in bed and watchesthe door.

BONEY is meeting with Gilpinand Donnelly. TV isMUTE on the Ellen Abbott-Nick Dunneshow, with the SHAWNA photo.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 69.

Donnelly starts aVIDEO: It’s NICK’s KITCHEN,in dark. * SLOWLY, the area beginsglowing like a neon Jackson Pollock: * Wild sprays of blood allover the wall.

THE VIDEO pans to theFLOOR: we can see a handprint that is * smeared along the floor,as if the owner were being dragged.

On the TV comes a wedding portrait ofNICK and ANY.

Nick exits the bar, and walksacross the street, up thelong steps, toward the VIGIL forANY.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 70.

The park glows under camera lights.JOURNALISTS practice live shots. The LOCAL newsvansare joined by a HALFDOZEN REGIONAL—Arkansas, Tennessee,Illinois—and a fewCABLE. NICK is besieged by reporters all theway to the platform.RAND and MARYBETH give him cool,for-the-camera hugs.

BONEY is scanning thecrowd, GILPIN with her. Hundredsof CANDLES. GO enters. Getsa CANDLE. She and Nick catcheach other’s eye. NICK givesa huge, relieved smile. She returns it, at a slightly lowervolume. NICK is ushered to the mike.

AMY stares at NICK froma 100FIND AMY T-shirts.

A scan of the crowd, dipping inon conversations:

Scanning the crowd, NICK suddenlymeets eyes with ANDIE, as:

GG — Blue Draft— 8/29/13 71.

A few claps. NOELLEHAWTHORNE, visibly pregnant,ANGRY, begins cutting through theCANDLE-LIT crowd,towing TRIPLETS. *

NOELLE * Nick! *

NOELLE is moving quickly.A lot of CLAPPING. Noelle,furious, stops trying to reach thestage and just digs in and hollers.

The cameras and crowdsare off NICK and on to NOELLE.

NOELLE * Did you tell them that,Nick? Did you tell them Amywas six weeks * pregnant! *

Pregnant pregnant pregnantechoes across the park.NICK is trapped in the flash ofa hundred bulbs. JOURNALISTS begin screaming: NICK, wasAMY pregnant? NICK is this true?GO stands stunned, meltingwax dripping from her candle.ANDIE runs away in tears.PANDEMONIUM. TOTAL CHAOS. BONEY and GILPIN usher NICK intoa SQUAD CAR, fending off thepush of the media. BONEY signalsthe driver: Go, go, go!

GG - Blue Draft— 8/29/13 72.

The curtains glow with therays of the TV lightsoutside. We hear BONEY’s name being called by the reporters.

NICK opens the door pre-doorbell:ushers in BONEYand GILPIN. The JOURNOS go wild.DOOR SHUT.

Boney ushers him to the table.Boney sprays a dozen photos across it: AMY andNOELLE. All seasons—almost aYEAR’s worth.

Nick examines the photos:a BEAMING, CHEERFULAMY. *

She STANDS, points at threeslender antique frames on the mantelpiece. She stomps;they all immediately fall facedown.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 73.

A beat. NICK tries tokeep his cool.

GG — Blue Draft - 8/29/13 74.

She scatters a dozenCREDIT CARD BILLS across the table: all with NICK’s NAME, all markedLATE. PAY NOW.

Nick scans the bills.

She sets out print-outs ofONLINE purchase pages: theTV, GOLF CLUBS Boney was askingabout in inventory. Also aROBOT DOG, and a FENDER ELECTRICGUITAR.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 75.

BONEY’s cellphone rings. She picks up. They all wait.

NICK wails, grabs his highball glass,throws it at the wall.

Gilpin can’t help but smirk atBoney.

A110 EXT. DUNNE HOUSE- LATER A110 *

GO fights herway through the bramble of media—everycrew * from the vigil andMORE trying to get a react, provoking:GO, * is your brother a killer?She finally makes it through,FLIPS * off a nasty cameraman (thisfootage will come tohaunt her). *

Nick is on the phone,Go follows his voice into hisroom. *

Nick registers Go witha nod. *

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 76.

Nick stares atphone: Rand hung up.

GO You told me y~ didn’t want kids.

GO * You told me,many times, you didn’t want kids. Thensuddenly you have a pregnant wife.That’s a problem for you. Especiallywhen you add in huge debt and secret girlfriend.

GO You have to fucking talk tome!

NICK’s DISPOSABLE rings.And rings and rings.Then silence.

GO Lie to me. Right. V

GO It didn’t work?

GO Masturbate.

GO I just don’t believe you,anymore.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 77.

He disappears into the closet.Returns with ashoe box. Pulls out sheet markedNOTICE of DISPOSAL.

GO You were with Andieby then, right?

He kicks the SHOEBOX acrossthe room. The papers from the shoebox scatter acrossthe floor. GO picks up a BLUEnote.

GO (reciting) “When your poor Amyhas a cold, this dessert just must be-”This is the clue you couldn’t solve,right?

He shrugs. She pulls outa letter on posh stationery.

GO (CONT’D) A letter from Desi?That creepy boyfriend of Amy’s?

She holds up another document.

GO Your prenup?

She sets the box down,backs away.

GO (CONT’D) Nick, why have you kept this stuff? It’s like a littlebox of hate.

NICK * I did, Go. I hated her. *

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 78.

GO I love you. No matter what.But you need to tellme.

She exits, heads down the steps.

GO (dissolving) I would never askyou that.

She leaves; we hearher name erupt from media outside.

Boney heads to basement door,Gilpin trailing, ANNOYED.

They reach the basement. Dirt floor.Giant whooshing furnace.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 79.

The final TV vansbegin pulling away.

Nick stares at theFINAL CLUE. He writeskey words—GIRL, BAD, PUNISHED, GOODIES,FIVE, OPEN THE DOOR aswe hear Amy.

A pen—OBGYN witha stork—cursives across theDIARY. July 5, 2012. We see thewords as we hear:

She is looking through cabinets,finds a jarmarked with her writing: EAT YOURBEANS! She pulls out a lentil.

We FINALLY pull upand see AMY. Holding the STORKPEN.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 80.

She looks out the windowand sees NICK aswe first saw him, standing in the yard,watching the SUNRISE.He turns and heads toward thehouse with those purposeful strides.

NICK is frantically scribbling.Copying words from the note: Wood. Oak, Maple.Cradle? Where store wood? PUNISH?He rises. His face is TWISTED.

Boney, on her handsand knees, looks up and sees theFLAME of the furnace light,the door AJAR.

NICK hustles to the treeline,begins RUNNING.

We see Amy close the diary,see the cover finally.

BONEY frowns into thefurnace. She pulls out the DIARY.

NICK runs behind thehouse, toward a decrepit oldWOODSHED. DOOR opens onto NICK’sface.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 81.

A sick realizationdawns on NICK. OH man oh god ohman oh god oh man oh god oh man

BLACK SCREEN

AMY is breezing down thehighway, picture of freedom,hair flowing in the wind. On theseat next to her, all thePENS from her DIARY entries wobble.Amy grabs the pen from the first DIARY entry—PINK, feathered,silly—and snaps it in two.

The Festiva zips past a sign:LEAVING NORTH CARTHAGE: Ya’ll Come Back Now! The brokenPINK pen hits it like gunshot.

TITLE CARD: JULY 5, 2012 11:17 A.m. THE MORNING OF

Amy’s FOREARM is bandaged likea blood donor’s.

AMY * I am gone and my lazy, lying, * cheating, oblivious husband willgo * to prison for my murder. *

A CLOSEUP of a To Do List;FUCK NICK DUNNE. Next to each item is a checkbox. We scan down toITEM 133: GET RID OF PENS.Amy looks into her rearview as North Carthagefades away.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 S1A.

Amy grabs theAMAZING AMY WEDDING pen and snaps it.

GG — Blue Draft- 8/29/13 82.

He took and tookfrom me until I no * longer existed.That’s murder. Let * the punishment fit the crime. *

A scroll downAmy’s to-do list, which isaged: wrinkles, coffee splotches,a single drop of blood. It is in three columns, 154 itemslong, in chronological order.On July, 5, 2012, in the largest block letters itreads:KILL AMY.

Amy surroundedby true-crime books, watchingELLEN ABBOTT.

A129 EXT. FOREST GLEN- DAY A129 *

AMY is talking toan outraged, attentive NOELLEas they walk. *

We see Amy on her laptop,a scattering of creditcards—all in Nick’s name nearby.On the website of an UPSCALEGADGET store: ROBOT DOG is featured.She clicks: ADDTO CART.

Nick’s watching TV;Amy has him sign papers. He barely looks.

Amy is joining aVISIBLY PREGNANT NOELLE on apowerwaddles. * They run into anotherPREGNANT woman; NOELLE and thewoman compare bellies.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 83.

A third woman smilesapprovingly as she passes.Amy is assessing the situation with her experteye.

Amy is following the stepson youtube: HOW to DRAINa TOILET.

A pitcher of LEMONADE withtwo large glasses sits on the * table. NOELLE, embarrassed,is peering out of bathroom. *

AMY * Invite pregnant idiot forlemonade. *

Amy, hands in dish gloves,dips a LADLE into the toilet. *

Amy pours URINE from the jar intoSPECIMEN cup.

She looks in the mirror and practices receiving theGOOD news. Then she STEALS a handful ofNEEDLE CATHETERS.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 84.

AMY swaps cash-for-keys witha couple, the wifeholds a baby.

Amy watches Nick driveaway. As soon as he hitsthe corner, She starts stagingher murder scene: tossing tables, upturning the ottoman.Throwing herself around violently.

She examines the room’s disarray.Good. As she leaves,she notices the pictureFRAMES face down and rights them.

AMY sits on the floor witha stolen MEDICAL NEEDLE in her * vein. Her BLOOD isPOOLING steadily onto the floor. *

She consults her FORENSICSFOR DUMMIES: blood spatter.She * dips fingers into her pooling blood,flings her handstoward * the baseboard. ExactMATCH from the book. She does itagain. *

She begins fingerpainting the floor with her blood.She removes •the needleand tapesher wound. She mops the bloodon the floor with the paper towels.Wipes the blood from the * baseboard except the specksBONEY saw. Ziplocs the towels. *

Amy is writing in herDIARY. Shots of her in different CLOTHES, different SEASONS, with allthose PENS we recognize—but always at herdesk in the North Carthagehouse.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 85.

Amy is delicately staging the diary inside the furnace.

Amy changesthe code on the alarm, smiling.

Amy smiling into thewoodshed.

Amy drives along the river,watching it.

Splash. Amy’sbody cuts through the water feet-first.She’s bound but already the bindsare unraveling. Onearm comes loose and it trailsalong lazily behind her as ifshe’s waving goodbye.Her hair flows behind her, her dress swirls around her waist like it’smade of watercolor.

GG — Blue Draft— 8/29/13 86.

Amy’s body floats,ghostly, past several otherfemale bodies in varying statesof decay. Snails are barnacled to her legs, fish dart in and out of her hair like it’sseaweed.

The Festiva is parked inan empty lot. *

AMY looks at herself in the warpedgas—station mirror. *

TITLE CARD: * JULY, 5, 2012 * 1:17 PM * TWO HOURS GONE *

From her plastic bag,she removes SCISSORS and begins angrily * sawing off her hair. *

She unpacks hair DYE,dons the dye gloves, SQUIRTS. *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 87.

Dye packed on herhead, Amy deposits the long blonde hair * cuttings into a Ziplocmarked AMY HAIR. She eatsa candy bar. *

She sheds her tight jeans,SIZE 2, and her Spanx, ref astens * her MONEYBELT and putson a sundress, SIZE 8, her extra flesh * filling it easily. Sheshampoos her hair, rinses,brushes. *

Amy drives past a caravan oftwentysomethings: Different * girls peer out at her,DISMISSIVE. One GIRL is flowy-haired, * BOHO, a second is ROCKBILLY cute,a third is SHOPGIRLHOT. *

TITLE CARD: * JULY 5, 2012 * 4:17 PM * FIVE HOURS GONE *

Driving SOUTH. The treesget lush. *

The Missouri Souvenir PEN hitsanother sign: Lake of the * Ozarks 89 miles. Amy eats Chili Fritos,drinks a pop. *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 88.

The forest surrenders toa glowing Walmart.Amy pulls in. *

TITLE CARD: * JULY 5, 2012, * 6:17PM * SEVEN HOURS GONE *

Amy examines sheets;grudgingly adds 300 count to her cart, * along with toiletries,swimsuit, cleaning items, tampons. *

Driving farther—a sign forLake of the Ozarks, 10 miles.The * roads get smaller and smaller, tilwe hit gravel. *

AMY pulls in. *

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 89.

From her MONEYBELT,AMY pulls $200 cash,receives her key. *

She grabs herbags and heads inside, barely noticing:GRETA, * 20s, smoking.GRETA notices AMY—or at least all herSTUFF. *

It’s a one-room studio.Not shabby-chic but shabby-k±tsch. *

TITLE CARD: * JULY 5, 2012 * 9:17 PM * TEN HOURS GONE *

She tests faucets,opens and closes blinds, sets down shelf * paper, strips the bedclothesand puts on her new sheets. *

She enters the bathroom.Stares at her reflection. She is * sunburnt from theday. TRZ~NSFORNED. *

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 90.

She looks underthe sink: a tool box. She takesout a hammer, sizes up her cheek,HITS herself, once, twice.

A162 EXT. WOODSHED -NIGHT A162

NICK finally stands;strides to Go’s back door.She opens.

B162 EXT. WOODSHED -NIGHT B162

Inside sits: theGOLF clubs, the ROBOT dog,the TV—everything on “Nick’s” credit cards.GO takes a shocked step back.

GO Is that all the stufffrom the credit cards?

GO Woodshed.

GO That fucking bitch. (pause) Where’s your gift?

NICK sets a giantbox with a BLUE ENVELOPE on the table.GO opens the ENVELOPE.BIG HEART on it with thewords THE END. *

GO Dear Husband, I know you think you’removing through this world unseen. Don’t believe that fora second.

NICK gingerly opensthe box. Inside are two giantWOODEN PUPPETS: a MALE in motley,holding a CLUB, and aFEMALE.

GG - Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 91.

GO (CONT’D) I know where you’vebeen—and I know where you’re going.

Attached to the femalepuppet is a BABY.

GO (CONT’D) For this anniversary,I’ve arranged a trip: follow the river,up up up! So sit back and relax.

NICK drops into a chair.

GO (CONT’D) Because you are DONE. (pause) What’ s up-upriver?

GO Fucking crazy bitch.

GO You are married to a psychopath.

NICK begins examining themale puppet: under the motley isa thick, clublike HANDLE.

GO What happened?

He picks up the femalepuppet—she’s missing her handle.

GO So you’d have no alibi.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 92.

NICK * (taking it in) * She stagemanaged me! I really did * go and think aboutour marriage and * I was really sure Iwanted a * divorce. *

GO * But by the timeyou got home- *

NICK * She was gone.And god help me, the * darkest, worst part ofme was * relieved. My problem wassolved. *

GO * Your problem is just beginning. *

He looks at the clubPunch is holding. *

Go grabs her laptop,plugs in words.

GO Violent, right?

ON SCREEN: a woodcutting ofPUNCH beating JUDY to death.

GO (CONT’D) (reading) Punch kills theirbaby. And then beats Judy to death.

GO What’s the punchline? *

GG — Pink Revised 9/15/13 93.

CLOSEUP of a PEN:Bob’s Baitshop. Amy, in herNIGHTGOWN, is creating a CALENDAR.QUESTIONS and HOPEFULTIMELINES on different dates:July 14th: WOODSHED FOUND? If not,call tipline. On July 26th:POLICE KNOW ANDIE!?!? Ifnot, call tipline. On July28? DIARY FOUND? If not, call tipline.

She flips thepage: AUGUST 5: NICK ARRESTED?

Flips the page SEPTEMBER5: In bright red ink, writes:KILL SELF?

Flips the page OCTOBER5: In bright red ink:KILL SELF?

NOVEMBER 5: In brightred ink: KILL SELF?

She takes down a poster ofa kitten hanging froma tree: HANG IN THERE! Tossesthe poster, hangs her calendar.

TITLE CARD: July 6, 2012 * ONE DAY GONE *

ANY exits in a new,halting gait: brave but damaged.Swimsuit under shorts. GRETA is sitting outside,as always, smoking. GRETA looks up.

AMY smiles a hello.Her BRUISE is coming in nicely.

She offers a cigaretteand Amy declines. Starts walkingaway. * Greta follows, like an coyoteon the scent.

GG —Pink Revised 9/15/13 94.

A165 EXT. POOL - DAY A165 *

Amy floats blissfullyalone in the swimming pool,a pack of * chips resting on her belly. *

One lone old computer whirs laboriously in the corner:Amy waits for the Internet connection to pullup the Ellen Abbott site: We see Nick getting hisphoto taken at the press conference. NICK looking annoyed...

TITLE CARD: * JULY 7, 2012 * TWO DAYS GONE *

Come on, baby, let’s see it.Let’s see that Darling Nicky smile.

Then Nick flashing his grin.Amy lets out a thrilled squeal.

Then to: findamazingamy.com.AMY’s photo next to CARTOON AMAZING AMY, wearing aFIND AMY T-shirt, with Amy’s PHOTO. She snaps off the computer. *

Amy, one-pieced, is floating alone in the pool,a family- * sized Kit-Kat on her belly. *

GG - Pink Revised 9/15/13 94A.

Amy doesn’t even lookup. *

TITLE CARD: * JULY 8, 2012 * THREE DAYS GONE *

Amy looks up to seeGreta, bikini-ied, arrive. She’s trapped. * Greta waves. Gretagets in and floats over, herpack of cigs balanced on her tiny belly.~

Amy murmurs a yes.Greta studies her. Amy turns away. *

Knife through heart!

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 95.

GRETA frowns at this.JEFF, 305, rangy but cute,walks past, waves hello. GRETA wavesback, flirty.

GRETA * I just bet youare! *

JEFF * Hate for you to get tan lines.

She watches him trail off.And then back to 2\iny.

Amy says nothing.Greta gives her a cigarette.

She tries again. *

GG — Pink Revised 9/15/13 96.

We see Amy walkingacross the Bar parking lotas the Bar goes dark and NICK andANDIE tumble out, tipsy, theirbody language similar to Nickand Amy’s on theirMeet Cute. SNOW is falling like thePOWDERED SUGAR of their first kiss.

Amy follows, stunned.

AMY runs a fingerover her lips just as we’ve seen Nickdo.

AMY * So he could tasteme. *

NICK stops ANDIE.He takes a finger and wipes her lipsclean of SNOW. Then kisses her.Amy watches in pure shock.

GG - Pink Revised 9/.15/13 96A.

GG — Blue Draft -8/29/13 97.

In the airport, allTVs display the morningNETWORK NEWS. We see REGAL SHARON SCHIEBER,polar opposite ofELLEN ABBOTT.

ON TV: A flash ofAmy and Nick together, smiling.

TITLE CARD: July 9, 2012 FOUR DAYS GONE

Nick hops out of acab and hurries in. *

Nick is scanning aDIRECTORY. HE finds BOLT ASSOCIATES,FLOOR * 52, just as TANNERBOLT, surrounded by OLD-ESTABLISHMENT * lawyers, strides through thelobby. NICK weaves hisway * urgently through thelunch crowds. *

NICK * Mr. Bolt. Tanner Bolt I *

TANNER is used to this:He keeps walking, is about to give * the brush—off, whenhe recognizes Nick. *

TANNER * Nick Dunne. I’vebeen sitting by * the phone, my friend. *

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 98.

NICK and TANNER are sittingon a lobby benchas people go in and out for lunch.Tanner is having the laugh of his life.

Tanner leans back, stilllaughing; Nick is flunimoxed.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 99.

Tanner texts something into hisphone.

NICK’s phone text buzzes.He looks at it: holds up the * screen: TOMMY O’HARA witha phone number. Tanner grins. *

A178 EXT. NEW YORK CITY -ESTABLISHING - DAY A178

B178 INT. BAR - DAY B178

Nick scans the crowd forTOMMY O’HARAs: Irish Tough.The actual TOMMY O’HARAwaves: a gangly, math-rock un-rapey nerd.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 100.

C178 INT. BAR - LATER C178

Two healthy bourbons inhand.

An awkward pause:Tommy can’t quite begin.

NICK * Did you do it? *

TOMMY * Fuck you, did youdo it? *

Point taken. *

NICK * Did you go to trial? *

TOMMY * Fuck no. Do I look like I’ddo well * in prison? I pleaddown, man. * Sexual assault one,no jail time. *

NICK * That’s something. *

TOMMY * Oh yeah, it’s a fucking breeze! * I’ve been unemployed for eight * years because I have to write * “Sexual Offender” on everyjob * application. * (MORE)

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 100A.

NICK * Take a drink. *

They drink. *

He pulls out a photo ofTommy and AMY, in full IndieRock Dream Girl mode—unlikeany other Amy we’ve seen.

Nick and Tommy’s nextround arrives.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 101.

Nick slugs his bourbon.

NICK * All this because- *

TOMMY * You date, you get your heart * broken, you date someonenew. * Circle of life, right?Wrong. I * don’t think she’d everbeen * rejected. Like, ever. Canyou * imagine being almost 30years old * and never having had anythinggo * wrong for you? *

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 lOlA.

TOMMY * I may have to relocate to * Kazakhstan. I’m serious,man, I * will not say a word against that * girl. She fuckedme up. And I just * dated her a few months.I can’t imagine what she’sgot in store for ~QU.

GG— Blue Draft - 8/29/13 102.

AMY is in Greta’scabin. They’re sittingon the BED. GRETA is * munching chips andbean dip and a bottle of MountainDew. * GRETA is flipping,flipping. Ah! ELLENABBOTT, growling about AMY. AMY stopsher.

Amy settles in,RAPT.

ON TV: Pop ups totwo other “experts”.

NOELLE, clearly enjoying herday in the sun, appears.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 103.

Amy moves herself in front of theTV, blocking offGreta. *

Photos of Amy floaton screen: prep school, Harvard,black— ties etc. The image ofthe Good Life. Amy, watching,GLOWS.

Greta gets up to pee but doesn’tclose the door soshe can * keep talking to Amy—even ifshe can’t see her. *

ELLEN * You two were neighbors— *

NOELLE * —who became friends.Before I was a * mom, I was a teacher,so Amy and I * had the same interests in education * and whatnot. *

NOELLE * We had no secrets. The only secret * was her husband. Wenever met Nick. * He never introduced himself. *

She SPITS in Greta’s BEANDIP and Mountain Dew. *

ELLEN * Why was that, Noelle? *

NOELLE * I think we know why. Becausehe has * a violent temper. Hewas not a nice * man. He knew I’d see right through * him. *

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 104.

ELLEN * What is your lastmemory of your * friend, Noelle? *

NOELLE * I was giving heradvice about being * a mom. I was trying tosupport her, * because shewas so alone,so * innocent. *

FLUSH. Amy sitsback down. Picture of INNOCENCE.

Go is watching Ellen Abbott whileon the phone with Nick.

GO You landed Tanner Bolt.

Nick waits to board.Baseball cap very low. ELLENABBOTT is on every TV.

ONTV:

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 105.

ON TV: A flickering videoimage of Nick’s DAD being led inside the interior ofComfort Hill. He looksHARMLESS.

GO I’ve got $47,000 insavings and I’m approved for asecond mortgage on the house. We’llgo from there.

ON TV: Go is outside Nick’shouse; flips of fa cameraman—the * shot we saw the night of the vigil. *

ON TV: Go whispering in Nick’sear, him smiling.

A dopey Business Travelernudges his friend as he points at Nick and Go on the TV.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 106.

NICK, furious, silent,pulls down his hat and walks past.

As Ellen Abbott signs off,AMY looks absolutely sated.

Amy, elated, triumphant,takes a drag of her cigarette,gives * a little squeal of joy. *

Amy marches over to her calendarand looks at the datemarked for KILL SELF. She crosses it off.And the next month’sand the next month’s. She takesout her DISPOSABLE. *

AMY * Hi, I’d like to reportsome * activity on the property ofone * Margo Dunne. *

Toniest neighborhood inSt. Louis. Toniest house. Nick smooths his shirt, chewsa mint. Rings the doorbell.DESI COLLINGS, 30s, handsome,preppy, answers. Rears back.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 107.

Desi doesn’t invitehim in. Strange charge in air:Desi thinks Nick is guilty;Nick thinks Desi is innocent.

Nick pulls out one of Desi’sembossed envelopes.

DESI gives him nothing.

GG —Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 108.

Ugly pause. DESI shutsthe door on Nick.

Nick drives home:past the Carthage sign. WelcomeBack to Carthage, ya’lll

A188 EXT. THE BAR - NIGHT A188

Nick drives past: The joint isjumping: Journalists, lookiloos. A girl ishaving her photo taken out front.

BONEY is pouring over the diary.Early parts. She’s smiling.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 109.

The doorbell rings.Nick opens onto TANNER in a seersucker. BIG GRIN from Tanner.

TITLE CARD: July 10, 2012 FIVE DAYS GONE

GO, NICK and TANNER at the table.GO pours coffee.

GO Play God.

GG —Blue Draft - 8/29/13 110.

GO She does the treasure hunt.

TANNER * Racy. Looks bad. *

GO God, Nick!

GO * Hotel? *

NICK * Credit cards—Amy wouldsee. *

GO * What about Andie’s creditcard? *

NICK * Statements go to her parents. *

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 111.

Tanner reads through the clues.Picks up Clue2.

GO Dad’s house is blue.

GO You never toldme that. (pause) You told her that? *

Tanner, Nick and Go stand outside. It’sbeen cordoned off.

NICK and GO are chowing;TANNER is sipping a Clamato.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 112.

Nick shakes his head:Bad news. *

Pause while he lets thissink in.

NICK * Go has nothing to do- *

TANNER * Her property. Gowas your * accomplice, she helpedyou hide the * stuff, in all likelihoodshe knows * you killed Amy. *

NICK * So what do we do?

GG- Blue Draft -.8/29/13 113.

A red golf ball rolls intoa hungry CROCODILE’Smouth. AMY, GRETA and JEFF are putting througha vacant,decrepit mini golf course. They hold plasticcups of beer.

No one listens. GRETA putts wildly,her ballbouncing over an alligator’s mouth into theslimy water--two holesover. GRETA swats JEFF’S buttas he goes to retrieve her ball.He swats hers back and goes to fetch the ball.GRETA smiles after him.

AMY is sulking: She’sused to being the courtee. JEFF returns, drying the ballon his shirt before presenting it.

AMY snaps to, frowns atGRETA: You told him?

They move on to a decaying Statueof Liberty.

GG — Blue Draft — 8/29/13 114.

Amy putts beautifully:hole on in onel JEFF bear-hugsher. He * feels the money belt beneath her shirtand squeezes it. *

With a flick, he liftsup her shirt to look at it. *

GRETA * Moneybags~ Thoughtyou said you * were broke. *

Amy is flustered,yanks her shirt down. *

Greta and Jeff laugh at the very idea.

Amy is visibly annoyed.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 115.

Ellen Abbott on TVas AMY watches. On the calendar next to her crossed out KILLSELF is now: FIND JOB?

AMY counts out herCASH. Not liking the result. Shecounts again. Same. She iscounting again when the door rattles.

The door stops rattling.Amy opens it. No one is outside.

GG —Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 116.

Nick stands behind thedoor as he opens for GOand TANNER. We hear DOZENS of reporters:TANNERI CAN WE GETA STATEMENT? GO and TANNER enter.GO hands NICK a bag of groceries.

TITLE CARD: JULY 11, 2012 SIX DAYS GONE

GO Milk, peanut butter,bread, * bourbon. Tanner’sgot a bad idea * he’s going to pitch you.

GO It could go so wrong.

GO No~

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 117.

TANNER * Sharon’s specialsget 10 million * viewers. Sharon’sa crusader. If * she takes you onas a cause- *

GO * She’s going toask hard questions. *

TANNER * I’ll drill Nick as if thiswere a * deposition. How to talk,how to * act. *

GO * A trained monkey. *

TANNER * A trained monkeywho doesn’t get * lethal injection,yes. Look, this * case hangs on whatpeople think of * Nick. They need to like him. *

A pause. *

NICK * I just need to reachone person. *

A206 EXT. CABIN PATH -WATER TOWER - AFTERNOON A206 *

Amy is hustling down the path witha plastic bag full of * cleaning supplies. *

JEFF * Yoo—hoo! *

Amy looks around, mystified,then looks up at JEFF andGRETA, * hanging out, sharing a joint. *

GRETA * Climb on up! *

AMY * I’ve got laundry. *

GRETA * Bumper boats later? *

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 118.

AMY * Yeah, sure. Soundsgood. *

Amy is PACKING. In latex gloves,she wipes everythingdown. Pulls the sink trap,tugs out the clogged HAIR.A KNOCK at the door. She pauses.Another KNOCK. She yanks off the * gloves, tightens herMONEYBELT. Yanks the CALENDAR off the * wall and into herbag. She opens the door. GRETA spotsa * packed duffel bag behind her. *

Amy remains non—cormnmital. *

ANY * I’ll come by before— *

Jeff inserts his cast in thedoor so it can’t shut. *

She lets them in. Greta closesthe door behind her,BLOCKING * IT. Jeff begins opening cabinetsand drawers. *

He opens the closet.

He shakes out her comforterand sheets.

He opens her bedside table.Empty.

He walks over to AMY.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 119.

Amy backs away untilshe’s against the wall.

Greta grabs her,reaches under AMY’s dress, yanksthe MONEYBELT. Amy grabsonto the buckle just in time.They struggle against the wall.

Greta pushesAmy’s face,the glasses jamming intoAmy’s eyes. It’s a quiet, slow-motion death struggle. Until:Gretabangs Amy’s head against the wall,once, twice. HARD.Amy drops the belt. Greta looksthrough the cash. Thousands.

Amy makes one last lame attempt tograb the belt,but Greta shoves her again,hard, her head hitting the cinder block. She drops to a crouch,dizzy. Her glasses are broken.One eye waters like a cut vein.Jeff and Greta stand over her.

They step past her.

GG- Blue Draft - 9/29/13 120.

AMY throws everything in the car.Gets in, starts it.Stops.

Amy opens the door,examines the spot of saliva whereGreta pushed her against the wall.Sprays it with bleach,takes a tissue, wipes it,turns off the light.

Amy is parked in the lot ofa BUDGET MOTEL. A candy bar wrapper in the passenger seat.Pocket CHANGE in stacks.She’s asleep. BANG on thewindow.

Amy speeds off, haggard.She looks at the gas: almostempty.

Amy veers into a gas station,up to a pay phone, dials.We can’t hear, but she’ssweet, then resigned. Nodding.She gets back in car, huddled in the driver’sseat. 1:12 am.

Go is trimming Nick’s hair with nail scissors while Nickand Tanner practice. Outside thewindow is the St. LouisARCH.

TITLE CARD: July 12, 2012 SEVEN DAYS GONE

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 121.

A red jellybean zapshim right in the cheek.

Tanner reveals abag of jelly bellies.

A jellybean hits him.

Jellybean. *

Jellybean. *

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 122.

GO Remember to playup the doofus husband, Nick. “Iwas an idiot. I was a fuck up.Everything was my fault.”

Go whizzes a jelly belly athim, he catches it in hismouth.

Go picks up a vintage watch box,tosses it.

GO You hate that watch.

He straightens himself in the mirror.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 123.

Amy wipes down the car thoroughly,grabs herbag, gets out of the car, tossesthe keys in on the driver’sseat. Rolls the windows down. Busloadsof retirees move painfullyacross the gravel. Amy moves quickly,gracefully: I am young,ha—ha!

Amy nurses a drink.Change stacked in front of her.She drums her nails. Finally looksup. It’s reminiscent ofthe moment when Nick savedAmy at the book party. The line isthe same:

DESI COLLINGS has arrived,looking as well producedas a Ralph Lauren ad.He takes Amy’s hand.

Someone nearby getsa jackpot. Bing Bing Bing.

A MUSTACHED MAN at the barleans to get a better look atAmy.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 124.

The MUSTACHED MAN appears in her peripheral.Amyturns away.

The MUSTACHED MAN suddenlyappears at the table.

Nick and his crew are waiting.Tanner’s phone rings.He looks * at display.

In swans SHARON SCHIEBER,50s, regal.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 125.

SHARON * (to Tanner, all business) * Tanner, nice tosee you. I hope * this is worthmy while. *

TANNER * You’ll be happy. *

The assistant teetersup urgently, whispers in Sharon’sear.

DESI throws moneyon the table. The man peevishly withdraws, but keeps an eye onAmy.

He starts hustling her through the casino.They arealmost to the door whenAmy looks up.

CLOSE on TV in a bar.The bartender turns up thevolume. ANDIE, dressed demurely,holds a press conference at Drury Lodge. She looks stricken.RAND and MARYBETH behind her. * ANDIE goes up to a mike.Nervous. *

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 126.

ANDIE * My name is Andie Fitzgerald. *

Why is she dressed likea babysitter?

ANDIE * I met NicholasDunne when he was my * creative-writing teacher at Mill * Valley Community college... *

AMY * The girl with the giantcum-on-me * tits. *

ANDIE * I am deeply ashamed ofhaving been * involved with a marriedman.

AMY * But what do you wear tonight?A * fucking shirtdress! *

ANDIE * I truly believedwe were in love... * but I know that isno excuse.

Andie trembling, stepsaway from the mike.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 127.

As RAND and MARYBETHleave the podium, the TV isturned to mute. GO, TANNER,NICK and SHARON have a moment to digest.

Tanner pulls Nick aside.

NICK * Nothing’s changed,Tanner— *

TANNER * Everything’s changed.An hour ago, * we were in front of this.Now— *

NICK * I can do it. *

TANNER * We’re on the defense-it’sa * completely differentdynamic. *

GO She’s going to eatyou alive. *

NICK * I got this. -

Sharon turns to reveala battlefield of stick pins used to keep her dress in place.

GG —Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 128.

A218 INT. HOTEL CONFERENCEROOM - NIGHT A218

NICK goes to his seat.A makeup person powders hissweaty brow. A sound guy threadsthe lavaliere up his shirt.Sharon and her producer confer in intense whispers.The rest ofthe staff are glaring at Nick.He catches one woman’sEYE and her look is VENOMOUS. Themakeup person re-powdershim.

Go, Tanner and Nick drivinghome. Tanner is working his phone, answering emails,etc.

GO Seriously, I can’t believehow fucking good you were.

GO You’ve been fuzzy the pastfew years. You’re in focusnow. *

GO (dark) Don’t.

Tanner looks up at that.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 129.

They pass the sign:Entering North Carthage—WelcomeHome, Y’alll

A219 EXT. LAKEHOUSE -NIGHT A219 *

Amy and Desi driveup, park. They get out of the carand walk * into the Lakehouse. *

Desi is giving Amy thegrand tour of his lake—mansion.AMY is wielding the remote.On TV: Ellen at her most outraged.

Amy lingers, BEAMING.DESI snaps off the TV.

Massive refrigerator.Desi opens it. It’s stocked.

GG — Pink Revised 9/15/13 130.

A222 INT. LAKEHOUSE BEDROOM- NIGHT A222 *

This is my master suite.Which is now your master suite.Great view when you’re in themood, block—out curtains when you’re not.The bed is Savoir, you’llnever get a better sleep.

She checks out thedecadent 3000-count sheets.Thank god.

ANY has already dismissed him.

He shows her the viewson his PHONE.

A pause while she takes this in.

He gives her a kiss on thecheek and leaves. Amy begins looking around. The BOOKSHELVESare filled with SELF-HELP books. Mostly about BEINGa MAN. FIRE IN THE BELLY, BEINGTHE STRONG MAN A WOMANWANTS, NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.

Amy goes through his drawers:Every single Amy Quiz sheever published, dutifully filled out.Her NYT marriage notice. Interviews she’s done with trivia of interest underlined.

The room’s a showcase toa concept Amy has never fully realized: If you want aman whose sole focus is YOU andBEING WITH YOU, this iswhat you get.

GG- Blue Draft — 8/29/13 131.

Amy is under the plush covers,staring at her reflection in the windows. Definitely not sleeping.

Amy is at the TV,which displays EVERY SECURITYCAMERA angle.

TITLE: JULY 13, 2012 EIGHT DAYS GONE

THWACK. The door opens.Amy turns off the TV.Desi enters, bearing a shopping bag.

The question is innocent but unnerving toAmy.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 132.

Desi debates this.

He takes out thecontents of his bag. BUTTERBLONDE hair dye, makeup, razors,wax and three silky, pastel dresses. *

He kisses her forehead.

Nick is slipping through thewoods behind Go’s house.TWO NEWSVANS are in front,cameras on Go’s as the guys talk.NICK books to the house;Go opens the door for him as he hits it.

GO (plummy Sharon voice) Welcome, all—

The remains of a light dinnerare nearby. Wine is chilling.

ON TV:

Amy’s eyes are glued to theTV. We see a montage ofThe Nick and Amy story:Amazing Amy, their wedding photo,Andie.

GG —Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 133.

We can hear key words:“The girl everyone wanted to be,”“the marriage everyone admired,”“shocking debts,” “a surprise pregnancy,” “and a veryyoung, very pretty secret.”

Desi is glaring atAmy’s un-dyed hair, her comfy cotton sundress. Amy doesn’t notice.She’s rapt.

ON TV:

Cut to interview: NICKand SHARON sitting together.

On TV:

SHARON * But you were unfaithful. *

NICK * I was. I am not proud ofmy * actions. *

SHARON * You allowed Amy’s parents,Amy’s * friends, the people of your * hometown, to believe thatyou were * a loving husbandwho was desperate * to find his missing wife. *

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 133A.

NICK * I am desperate to findmy missing * wife. *

SHARON * I just wonder how youcan ask us to * believe you, now thatwe * know.. .you’rea liar? *

NICK * I did not come forwardabout my * affair because Iknew it would make * me look very, very bad.I don’t * care anymore abouthow I look. * That’s done. I careabout finding * my wife. *

SHARON * I’m just trying toget clear- *

NICK * Let me say this: I am nota killer. * But I’m far from beinga good guy. * I was a bad husband toa wonderful wife. I broke thevow I made to her.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 134.

INSERT: A perfect wedding portrait ofNICK andAMY.

AMY is RAPT: Thesewords RESONATE.

SHARON * You talk like aman who believes he * can still make amends to his wife. * Who believes his wife is still * alive. *

NICK * She is alive. *

NICK turns straight to thecamera. *

He puts his finger briefly in the cleft of his chin.His watch is on camera.Amy smiles. DESI is watchingAmy.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 134A.

Go is working the Internet,dropping in and out ofNICK DUNNE chats. SHARON ison TV, saying goodnight.

GO You fucking killed ±t.They’re going crazy for you.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 135.

GO smiles. A smallsense of relief passes over thetwo of the. And then: BANGBANG BANG! Through the windows,we see police swarming acrossthe backyard. Toward theWOODSHED. Setting up perimeter tokeep away reporters.Setting up flood lights aimed at theWOODSHED. Go opens the door.

She hands it to GO. *

Boney begins walking.

The police are cutting theWOODSHED lock. And they’re inside. NICK follows BONEY as she walkstoward the SHED.

Boney stops short, seething.

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 136.

A uniformed officermarches out from thewoodshed, holding * the gift-wrappedBOX with the PUNCH and JUDY puppets.He * walks past them toPOLICE VAN. *

But NICK has stopped paying attention becauseGO isbeing helped into a police car.

We hear a strangeCLICK and WHIR. Out of thewoodshed comes the ROBOT DOG, acop piloting the controller.The dog BARKS.

Desi very deliberately turns off theSharon Schiebershow. Amy gets up to turnon the laptop. DESI takes itaway.

AMY looks truly panicked.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 137.

He goes into the kitchen,begins taking away anything decadent. Cheese,chips, etc all go into a bag.

He runs his hand through the hair thatshould be blonde.

Nick and Tanner conferringas they head to interrogation.

Tanner tries not to roll hiseyes at the naivety. But can’t. *

BONEY is getting settled:tape recorder coffee, pens, legal pad. NICK studies her. Tries to break the ice.

She looks startled. Holdsup one finger.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 138.

BONEY * Daughter. *

NICK * What’s her name? *

BONEY * Let’s start. *

BONEY sets PUNCH andJUDY in their box on the table. *

NICK * Amy’s anniversary present tome. *

BONEY * Is this how she toldyou she was * pregnant? Mommy, Daddy,Baby? That * make you mad? *

BONEY gives him a stony look.Sets the diary on the table. * It’s singed on the sidesbut fine inside. *

Nick and Tanner exchangea look: Ohhh this is bad.

Nick reaches for the diary,BONEY pulls it back. *

NICK * I think so. *

BONEY * So does our expert.Want to play a * little true or false? *

She takes out a stack ofXeroxed papers, each flagged witha * color code stickie. She presentshim the first sheet: *

GG - Blue Draft - 8/29/13 139.

NICK * (moved) * Yeah, that’s true. *

Next sheet is slappeddown. *

BONEY * You thought quinoawas a fish? *

NICK * (sudden laugh) * I still don’tknow what it is. *

She slaps down anothersheet. *

BONEY * She wanted to getpregnant—you * attacked her. *

NICK * I hit her? Never. *

BONEY * She says pushed.You pushed her. *

NICK * Did not happen. *

Slaps down another sheet. *

BONEY * She tried to buya gun. *

NICK has no ideawhat to say. Boney slaps down another. *

GILPIN enters the room,motions to BONEY. They stand in the * doorway, joined byDONNELLY, who hands BONEY a bag.They * confer intensely in low voices.BONEY returns holdingan * evidence BAG containinga burnt CLUB. She holds itup to the * JUDY puppet so NICKcan see it’s the missing handle. *

GG —Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 140.

Nick is asleep against the cinderbiock wall.

TITLE: July 14, 2012 NINE DAYS GONE

A football field’s worth ofcameras. Tanner runs Nick intoa car, where Go awaits. NEWSVANS and reporters from allover the nation—and the BBC—are runningamok.

Go waves him off.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 141.

GO * Tanner, is there any fuckinglead * on Amy? *

TANNER * I’ve had my two bestguys looking. *

Nick looks up: Yes?

Hands beat against thecar window. Yells. PROTESTERShold * posters. NO TO VIOLENCEAGAINST WOMEN! and MURDERER!and WHAT * DO YOU KNOW, GO? *

NICK * Come home, Amy. I dareyou. *

FADE OUT: *

FADE IN:

A bountiful breakfast ison a perfect table. Orange juice in crystal, silver shining.DESI is smiling benevolently.

TITLE CARD: AUGUST 4, 2012 THIRTY DAYS GONE

And we see AMY. WOW. She’sAlmost Amy: weight lost, hair blonde in a pretty pixie.Tan faded. The two look posh. If Amy and Nick once were anad for sex, Amy and Desi arean ad for never having sex—because they’dmuss these great clothes.

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 142.

She pours forhim. Adds a cube of sugar.

Desi laughs, finishes his coffee,gets up. She rumples his hair. Then she KISSEShim, BITES his lower lip.He rears back, surprised. She walkshim just to the edge ofthe entryway. Yanks out his shirt teasingly.

On the black and white ofa video camera, we see Desi leaving his house, straightening his hair,and tucking in his shirt. He puts his fingers gingerly to his lip:OUCH.

A new camera shootsfrom PATIO through the glass into the DINING AREA. Amy stumbles intoframe past a new Stairmaster and Bowflex. She’s ina ripped T-shirt and panties.A length of BINDING trails fromone arm and leg: she’s beenTETHERED to something off camera,unable to reach the door.She looks at the camera and screams silently.Pounds on the glass. Tumbles to the floor,crying.

GG —Blue Draft — 8/29/13 143.

In the mirror above the sink,Amy examines her weight, tanline. Pale, thin,beautiful. Aside from the shorter hair, she is back to beingAMY. She pulls off some DUCTTAPE, cuts * it with a BOX CUTTER.Tests the tape. Then she picksup a * BOTTLE of WINE. Sheuncorks it, pours it out in thesink, * peels away the foil. In the mirrorwe see her lower it * and.. .reach beneath her skirt with it.

TITLE: August 13, 2012 THIRTY—NINE DAYS GONE

Amy waits on the sofa,looking ready for a Big Date.

She hugs him, lingers, tiltsher head up to him. Kisseshim.

She begins kissing hisneck. *

Her hands move down hischest to his belt. *

AMY * Not long. Six months for the trial. * Sentencing will be quick. *

Her hands are in his pants.DESI can’t decide if hewants to * focus on the romance ofGreece or the matter at hand. *

DESI * He’ll appeal. *

AMY * I can watch the restoverseas. *

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 144.

DESI is trying to slowly,gently undress her.Amy, with a * flick of two straps isout of her dress. She pullshim on the * bed. Desi begins delicately,slowly kissing her.Nibbling * like a FISH. She impatiently yanks his clothes off.

She reaches under her dress,pulls off her undies.They begin having sex. Slowly. She starts writhing.

A few more thrusts and it’s over.AMY keeps her legsCLASPED around his waist as shegrabs the BOX CUTTER from her bedside table. DESI has enough time to register confusion when: SLASH. She slices him neatly through theJUGULAR.

The BLOOD pulses out asDESI grabs at his neck, butANY won’t let him go. The two roll over,Amy on top, holding himdown. DESI makes one more try forfreedom and the two rollback around, him on top of heragain. The BLOOD is everywhere:on the mattress, on the walls.AMY keeps her legs wrappedaround Desi until he gives one lastheave and DIES on top ofher.

Amy’s beatific smile certainly indiOatesshe’s satisfied.

NICK is on the couch asleep.Looking like a complete SHELL of a man. We can hear PROTESTORS,NEWS REPORTERS outside.A sudden, strange rush ofnoise from the CROWD wakes him. Silence, then sputtersof recognition.

TITLE CARD: August 14, 2012 FORTY DAYS GONE

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 145.

NOISE gets LOUDER.The doorbell rings. Nickopens the door:

AMY, still in her delicate pink dress,the front of which is covered in dried blood.Her hair is covered in blood.Her face is swiped with it.She is weeping hysterically.The media go absolutely APESHIT.AMY AMY AMY! Amyholds out her arms to Nick.We see thedeep twine rings around her wrists.

A beat. The camerasare capturing everything.

He hugs her fiercely.Cups her face, whispers in herear:

And she faints. Creating:The BEST MEDIA MOMENT OF2012.

BLACK SCREEN

AMY in a gown, in stirrups,undergoing a rape kit, asBONEY and NICK each hold ahand. AMY has a new persona: SURVIVOR.

Amy smiles at Nick.He tries to hide his horror.

The doctor confers withBONEY and NICK.

GG- Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 146.

The doctor leavesand BONEY grabs a crucialmoment with NICK.

RAND and MARYBETH run in.GILPIN arrives. The corridor is getting progressivelypacked with cops, reporters, staff.

MARYBETH * We’ll leave it toAmy whether she * can forgive you for the rest. *

An ominous phalanx ofSUITS arrives and heads towardAmy’s room. GO and TANNER arrive justbehind them. BONEYheads to meet the SUITS, pastTANNER and GO as they head toNICK.

The doctor blocksAmy’s room just as the SUITS arrive.

GG — Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 146A.

GG —Blue Draft — 8/29/13 147.

BONEY worms herway in. The suits barely makeroom for her. ANY looks vulnerable inher gown.

She begins tearing up.An FBI agent hands her a TISSUE.

GG - Pink Revised 9/15/13 148.

AMY begins coughing,which turns into a pitifulRETCH. An FBI guy hands her a glassof WATER.

AMY pulls her gownaround her. A suit passes her aBLANKET.

AMY and BONEY exchangea glance: I’m sure we will.

NICK is pacing pastGILPIN and a COP. *

GG— Yellow Revisions 9/27/13 149.

An FBI agent wheels AMY out. Alleyes are on her. She holds out a HAND to NICK. NICK flinches.Looks to TANNER.A few people are already popping out theircamera phones to record the happy event. TANNER addresses thecrowd—-mainly Nick.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 150.

I know there aremany questions and concerns tobe addressed—but for tonight let’s just sit tightand be grateful and thankful for this Miracle on the Mississippi.

NICK and AMY are silent in theback of a squad caras they approach. HUNDREDSof people on the street.Newsvans from all over the world.Well-wishers bearing homemadePOSTERS with Amy’s name in HEARTS.NICK helps AMY exit the car.The CROWD reacts as if theyare a beloved Hollywood couple.AMY strikes the right pose: abused—but resilient.

NICK shuts the door firmly.The camera lights outsidegive them a romantic glow.AMY goes to put her arms aroundhim.

He turns his backon her. RETHINKS. Turns back around.

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 151.

NICK drops his clothes to the floor.AMYdrops her clothes, runs her hands overhim, tries to arouse him.

She womanhandleshim more. Nothing. She turnson the shower.

She motions him into theshower’.Might as wellbe wielding a GUN. Inside the SHOWER the waterSPRAYS againstthem as they stand face to face.Trickles of pink—Desi’s driedBLOOD—flow * from her hair downher neck. She tries to get closer tohim. * He backs away. *

NICK * I’m leaving. *

AMY * You really think that’ssmart? * Wounded, raped wife battlesher way * back to her husband—andhe deserts * her? The media willdestroy you. * Your neighbors willshun you. And I * will make sure noone forgets the * pain you causedme. *

NICK debates the truth of this. *

GG— Blue Draft — 8/29/13 152.

NICK * I don’t want to deal with your groupies outside.But as soon as * they go, I go.

AMY, dressed forbed, slips under the covers and pats the spot beside her.NICK pulls the covers over her.

NICK * Was there evera baby? *

AMY * There can be. *

Nick turns to leave.The room is day-bright from theCAMERAS * outside. Amy smiles at theGLOW.

Nick enters the pristine,over-pillowed room.LOCKS the door.

Nick is again taking out theTRASH. As in our firstshot, he * looks ill and angry.

TITLE CARD: AUGUST 15, 2012 ONE DAY HOME

NICK walks in;AMY is in an apron, cooking a crepe.She looks * straight out of GoodHousekeeping.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 153.

On a big-screen TV,Ellen Abbott is roaring onabout her new villain: DESI COLLINGS.

Nick walks past withouteven looking. The former FindAmy Dunne headquarters isbeing dismantled. Over Amy’s“MISSING” poster are the happy words:FOUND! Champagne ispopping. News cameras are everywhere.NICK passes RAND and MARYBETH with two glass of champagne.The three watch Amy, snapping photos with fans. NICK saysthe next line cheerily enough.

He sweeps past, tries to pullher from the clutch of * reporters. *

REPORTER ONE * Nick, what’s next foryou and Amy? *

Right now, it’s allabout our * marriage. If two peoplelove each * other and can’t make it work, * that’s the real tragedy. *

Cameras flash. Amy whisperssweetly into Nick’s ear. *

He kisses her cheek. She takesher champagne from him. *

NICK sits with GO, BONEYand TANNER at a booth. Air of subterfuge. A TABLOID from the“Amy Found!” event sitson the * table: Nick kissingAmy on the cheek. Headline: “AMYDUNNE: * It’s all about our marriage!” *

GO * You can’t live in thesame house as that spider.

TITLE CARD: AUGUST 20, 2012

GG - Pink Revised 9/15/13 154.

SIX DAYS HOME *

GO When exactly doyou think the media will disappear?This thing’s only getting bigger.

ON TV: Amy—mania around the world.We see a crowd inChina all wearing ANY T-shirts.

GO Can’t we wire him?

GO She told you oncebefore.

Tanner can’t help himself.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 155.

The crowd hushes asAMY shows up on TV: Reportershave surrounded her as she tries to slip insidea grocery store.

ON TV:

TANNER * Damn, she’s good. *

GO * It’s a spinoff. AmazingAmy and the * Humbled Husband. *

Tanner rises. *

TANNER * The Devoted Dunnes. I’llstay * tuned. * (toGo) * Take care of this guy,OK? *

NICK * You’re leaving? *

TANNER * You’re not at risk anymore. *

NICK * I’m the definition of “at risk.” *

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 156.

He laughs at that,pats Nick on the shoulder.

He leaves.

GO Elvis has left Missouri.

4am time. NICK getsout of bed. Unlocks his door.

He sneaks past Amy’sdoor. Goes downstairs.

He looks out at the media vans,ENCAMPED. He hearssomething behind him, turns around tosee AMY ghostly in her nightgown.

TITLE CARD: SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 * FIVE WEEKS HOME *

Amy is tucking Nick intobed. *

He is scanning her:He can’t forget Desi and the boxcutter.

GG - Pink Revised 9/15/13 157.

Nick nods.

Nick puts his finger to hischin.

NICK, GO, and BONEY. BONEY isaimed toward the door.

TITLE CARD: OCTOBER 16, 2012 NINE WEEKS HOME *

BONEY holds up a tabloid:NICK and AMY: A Second Chance at Love. The photo of them isADORABLE.

GO Can you ask them tore—f ingerprint—•

BONEY sighs: She’s now about to deliver thebad news.

GG— Blue Draft — 8/29/13 158.

BONEY lingers fora moment. Then heads toward thedoor.

NICK looks over at her:What? BONEY is walking out thedoor.

For what it’s worth.And BONEY’s gone. It’s justGO and NICK. * NICK holds up anotherTABLOID photo: NICK andAmy hand in * hand in the park, laughing.

NICK * Remember whatMom always said? Tell the truth and shame the devil.

He thinks, staring at the photo of false happiness.

GO Team Nick, TeamAmy.

Nick assesses himself in the mirror.Camera ready.FLUSH.

Amy is pouring coffeeas he sits. They look likeHappy Middle- * American Marrieds.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 159.

She sits next to him.Weaves her hand in his.

TITLE CARD: November 6, 2012 TWELVE WEEKS HOME

Amy rises, begins tidying up. *

Nick just stares at her:He can’t say it. *

NICK * I know exactly what tosay. *

The doorbell rings. *

The door opens onto:a grinning ELLEN ABBOTT. He letsthe vampire into his house.

GG - Blue Draft- 8/29/13 160.

Ellen digs through herbag. She pulls out a robot kitten.

Nick stares stonily at her.Tosses it on the stairs. The camera crew begins settingup in the living room.

ANY and NICK on the bed.Between them is a gift-wrappedBOX.

He opens it, slowly, dreading,and pulls out: A PREGNANCY STICK, with a BRIGHT BLUEPOSITIVE SIGN.

She waits for him to figure it out.

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 161.

She takes his hand and puts iton her belly.

A long, sick moment.

AMY * Because you stopped trying. *

NICK * We are toxic. We completeeach * other in the sickest possibleway. *

AMY * You think you could everbe happy * with a nice, normalwoman? No, * baby. I’m it. I completeyou. I’m * the only one who can. *

NICK * Amy: No. *

AMY * Stay with me and I willmake you * happy. You know I can.I’ve killed * for you. *

NICK has her by the throat.She stares calmly at him. They * are eye to eye. BUT: Ofcourse he can’t kill her. Finallyhe unhands her. They both gasp for breath.

OFF SCREEN: THE SOUNDOF SOBBING

GG- Blue Draft - 8/29/13 162.

Go is on the floor,against the living-room wall,crying.

GO I won’t watch you playhouse with that thing for the next18 years.

GO You could get custody.

GO * You want to stay. *

NICK * I have a responsibility.This isn’t * just about me anymore. *

GO * You want to stay with her. *

SILENCE. He doesn’tdeny it. *

GO (CONT’D) You’re breakingmy heart.

She leans against hisshoulder.

GO I was with you beforewe were even born.

ON TV: We see outtakesof the ELLEN ABBOTT interview.

NICK * After so much darknesswe have come out united. Wecommunicate. We are * honest. We’re partners in crime. *

GG -Blue Draft - 8/29/13 163.

AMy * And Ellen, I’m happy toannounce on * your show: soon we’llbe parents. *

ELLEN yelps with joy.AMY and ELLEN hug acrossNICK.

They lie down sideby side on the marital bed.Nick is staring at the back of~Iny’shead, just as in theopening.

Amy turns, and giveshim a haunting SMILE. *

FADE TO BLACK. *