"THE SIXTH SENSE" (1999)

A NAKEDLIGHTBULB SPARKSTO LIFE.It danglesfromthe ceilingof a basement.. :

LJGHTQUlCK FOOTSTEPSAS ANNACROWE movesdown the stairs.

Anna is the rm combinationof beautyand iM°'ence. She stands in the chiUybasement in an elegantswnmerdms that outlinesher slenderbody.Her aentleeyes moveacross the emptyroom and come10 res, on a rack of wine bottlescoveringone entirewall.

She walb to the bortles.Her fingertipsslideoverthe labels.She stops whenshe (ands just the right one. A tiny smileas sht slidesit out.

Anna turns to leave.Stops.She staresat the shadowybasement.]l's an unsertlinsplace. She st.andsvtry still and watchesher breathformA TINYCLOUDIN THECOLDAIR. She's visiblyuncomfonable.

AnnaCrowemoves{or the staircasein a huny. Each step faster than the next. She climbs out of the basementin anotherbum ofUQHT QUICKFOOTSTEPS.

WE HEARHER HITlllE LJQHTSWITCH.

THELIGHTBULB DIES.DRIPPINGBLACKDEVOURSraE ROOM.

C\JTTO:

TNT.DININGROOM • EVENING

Two place settings.Two large platesof ChickenFrancaisehalf eaten. An empty bonle of white wine sits in the centerof the table.

"Annaarriveswith the back up bonlc.

MALCOLM CROVlEsits in a Stylishsuit. tie undone.Malcolmis in his thirties'With thick wavy hair and striking,intelligenteyes thal squintfrom years of intensestudy. His charming,easy going smile spreadsacrossbis face.He points.

Malcolmpointsto the HUGEFRAMEDCERTIFICATEpropped ur, on a dinningroom chair.It's printedon aged parchmenttype paper.The frame is a polishedmahogany.

2 •

Anna hands the back up bottle over to Malcolm.

(smiling) You·redrunk. J know,cause you start soundinglike Dr. Seusswhenyou•redrunk.

Malcolmuncorksthe wineand st.ans powing in the emptyglasses.

Anna giggles.She's clearlybuzzedherself.Anna takes a few calmingsips of her wine. Her anmtion slowlymovesto the framedc.enificate.

Anna ignoresMalcolmand clears her throat.She Jeansforwardfrom her seat andreads the cenificateout loud.

,

Beat. The power of the words soberthe two of ihem.

Beat. -

Anna rums and stares at Malcolm.

Anna· s expressionis suddenly deadserious.

•

r

Anna gazesat her husbandquicUy.

Anna leans towards him. Th~ hold each other tiaJit. After a beat. Anna leans backand wipes her eyes.

Malcolm's channingeasy going smile mums.

Anna bands him his glass. He stares at it.

- would not like it in a jug.

Malcolmlooks a1 A.Masurprisedat what he said.They crackup laughing.THEIR SWEET LAUGHTER FILLS THE HOUSE.

D-.'T.BEDROOM• NIGHT

TWO GJGOLJNGSHADOWS APP£AR IN mE BEDROOM OOORWA Y. Theytry 10 rumon the li&ht.h doesn't come on.

Anna ciggles some more as MaJco1m·sshadowstumblesacross the bedroom. MALCOLM ruRNS ON THEBAlliROOM LIGHT.

~A SCREAMS.

MaJcolmspins around.His hcan stops.

Mak:olmand Anna swc at the STRANGERseatedon theedge of lheirbed.

THE BEDROOM \\7NDOWIS SHATTERED.THEWINDMOVES THROUGH 1liE R00~1. A lamp Jaysbrokenon the groundby the window.

MaJeolmspeaks in a very calm voice.Nevertakes his eyes off the stranger.

Anna barely nods her undemanding.

s

- Street. You have broken a

windowand entereda private residence.Doyou understand what rm saying?

The strangerslowlylooks up for the fim time. His eyes lo~kon Malcolm.

Beat.

The stranger's fau changesas he looks at Malcolm.He half grins.

The Stranier's stare slides to Anna.

The manger doesn't take his eyes off of Anna. He sues at her.

Anna•s expressioninstantlychanges.

,

The strangerrumsand glaresat Malcolm.

Malc:olmstopsall movement.

-

Crowe.

MaJc:olmcan't speak. Beat. The stranger's face swu to tremble.

I

Malcolmlookslike someonehil him with a sledgehammer.

The stranger's eyes \\.'aterup.

The suanger·s hands move on his lap, revealingA CRUDEHANDGUN.

Malcolm·s shakinghands touch his mouth as he staresai the stranger.Beat.

The stranger's unsettlinggaze mnains steady.

I

you as a P~•adolescen1... Nine, ten.

Beat. Malcolm's intelligenteyesra= for answers.

Tea.'"Sfall dov.n the stranger's face.

isolated... single parent... Acute•

Malcolmlooksup.

Beat.

Malcolmtakes a deep breath like hejus, emergedfrom deep waters.

Vincent's eyes burn at Malcolm.

VINCEt-.'Tis fully CT:'ingnow. He raisesthe gun.Aimsit across at Malcolm.

Vincentcloseshis eyes and FIRES. A VIOLENTEARSHATIEUNG £CHO. Malcolmclutcheshis stomachand foldslikea ragdoll.

Vincent instantlymoves the aun to his own bead. ANOTHERHORRIFICBLAST SPIKESTiiE AIR. Vincenttips back on the bed as if in slow motion.

--

ll

ANNA'S CHILLINGSCREAMSFILL.1HEtR HOME.

-

The legend.••rwo YearsLater"appears.

A man flips open a wom fiJefolderon his lap. A passportsized photo of a ten year old VincentGray siu clippedto the top of the papers. Anotherpie~ sits loose in the folder. This one cut froma newspaper.It's a pictureof VincentGrar at Nineteen.

The man·s hand &ouchesthe picturesalmostreverently.

He glancesthroughthe decadeold file. Wordsand phrasesarc highligh1cdthroughoutihe file.

·•... VincentGray• Age 10" ·•... Acute anxiety.. ••... Sociallyisolated" ..... Possiblemooddisorder.. ••... Parentalstatus• Divorced" ..... Communicationdifficultyberweeiimother-childdyad"

Theman·s ha."ldsclosethe wuthered file.Slidesa NEWFILEFOLDERon top.Opens it.

A pass;:>0nsized pictureof an eight year old child is clippedto the front 1lus .nev.·bo~· has dark hair and huge blackeyes.

As the man's fingm move throu&hthe pagesof the file we asain see words and phrases highlightedthroughoutthis new case history.

... . .Cole Scar - Age I" •·... Acuteanxiety.. ..... Sociallyisolated" ..... Possiblemood disorder"' ..... Parentalswus - Divorced.. ..... Communicationdifficulty betweenmother-childdyad"

The hands close the file.The bands are slightlyshakingnow.

VIEPULL BACKto revealthe shakmghands belongto Dr. MalcolmCrowe.

II

Malcolmsits on a sidewalkbench (acinga row of brownstonehomesacrossthe meet. He gazesblankly ar the brownstones.Beat.

·- A door opens.Malcolmis broughtout of his trance.

COL£ SEARsteps out his front door. Cole is a munchkinof a boy with largeblack eyes that seem to take in everythingaroundhim.Cole carefullyloeksthe door behindhim.

He movesto the bottomof the stairsand look.saroundnervously.Anxiously.

The eight year old child reachesinto his pocketand slips on a pair of VERYLARGE GLASSES.They lookcomicalon him.

MaJcoJmrises to his feeL He smoothesout his shin. Looksdown and buttonshis jackeL

'Whenhe look.sup, Cole is gone.

Malcolmbarely catchesa glimpseof the boy. Cole runs at full speeddown the street and turns the comer. TINY SNEAKERS SCREECHINGON THE SIDEWALK.

For a second,Malcolmdoesn't react.The secondpasses.He stUffsthe files in his bag and starts running100.

Malcolmhauls downthe sidewalk.He comesto a hard Stopat a ~ intersection. Searches.Spots Colerunninginto a parkinglot.

COLEsprintsacrossthe empty lot and reachesthe door$of I building.He has to use all • his strength10 push open the highly omaie doors.He slips inside.

Malcolmjogs into the parkingarea. His pace slowsto a v.-alkand then to stillnessas he gazes up at the building Jts old stone and huge 1owcrsmake it stand our from the modem buildingsall aroundh. Malcolmstares up at the hisioricPhiladelphiachw-chquietly.

A SHOOTINGPAINPIERCESHIS SIDE.Malcolm'shandgoes to it quickly.He waits for it to pass beforestaning for the ornate doors.

Only a few peoplesi1 and pray in the sea of oak pews.

Malcolmscansthe majesticroomand findswhathe•, lookingfor in the last row of the church.

He moves downthe centeraislelO'\ltVds the back.

•'

MalcolmfindsColeplayingiJ'Ihis ~w with a set or greenand bciac plasticsoldiers.Cole makes the soldierstalk to each other.

The wordsarc unintelligible.

Cole sensessomeone.He looksup and sees Malcolmswing at him. The boy immediatelygoeswhite.

Cole staysrigid.Handsclutchinga handfulof plasticriflemen.

Malcolm-waitsfor a response.None comes.

Be.at.Cole slowlyslides downthe pew, givingMalcolmmoStof the seal Mal~olmsiLS.

Cole fidgetswith his soldiers.Bea Malcolmlooksover and Stares at Cole's glasses.He Jeansforward10 inspectthem more earcfully.

Malcolmreturns 10 staring at his lap. Beat.

Malcolm stares surprised.

Malcolm nods at the information.

Malcolm smiles at Cole. His eyes drift down 10 Cole's arms. Malcolm's smile slowly disappears.

CoJe's arms are covered in TINY CUTS ANO BRUISES. Some almost healed. Some fresh. MakoJm looks aroundto gatherhimself.BeaL

Cole looks up.

MaJcolm srudies Cole's anxious face.

Malcolm and Cole just sweat each other.

IS

"

• ·-

just want10 talk.J uy 10 help them fisurc thingsDUL •'

Beat.

Malcolmsmiles.

· MALCOLM J got an awardonce.Fromthe Mayor.

1'

Cole pocketshis soldiersand rises from his pew.

- COL£

l'rn 1oina to see you again righl?

Cole thinks it over carefully.

Cole and Malcolmjus1 s1areat each other.

Cole tums and starts to the rear of the chLll"Cb.Malcolmloseshimselfin his thoughts.

When MalcolmJooksback. he sees Cole stop by the exit doors and take a tiny STAnJE OF JESUS off the back table. Cole pocketsthe statue and quietly leaves the church.

Malcolmjust sits and stares.

Thehouse is dimly lit. MaJcolmbas to tumon theHALLWAYLJGHT.

He stops beforea pile of mail coJJec:tingon• thin table.He stares at it blankly. Al.most every envelopehas WOverDue.. or ..FinalNotice"Slarnpcdon it.

-

II

Jll.'T.DININGTABLE• EVENING

Malcolmstaresdo"Wnat the remainsof a meal on the only place settingon the table.

11'i. BEDROOM- EVENING

Malcolmquietly walksinto his bedroom.Only A READINGLIGHTJS ON. niE SOTT LJOHTFALLSON Ah"NAAS SHE SLEEPS.

Malcolmmovesto her side.The sight of her stops him.

He staresat rus wife...

She huddles undera blanket.a wad of tissues in her hand. He takes it in silently.

His eyes move to her face... One wisp of hair fallsover her sofr lips. OUTI.tNEOIN TiiE SOFTREADINGLIGHT,Anna Crowewly looks like an angel.

Malcolmfonns a tiny smile.

Malcolmrumsand movesfor a narrowdoor in the hall. He tries to openit. IT STICKS. He yanksat it hard and opens it Malcolmdisappearsdowna thin stairway.

Th.i. BASEMENT·NJOHT

The empty basement is no longer empty. It's piled with file cabinetsand boxes of psychology and medical books. A desk sits iDthe comer nm 10 the wine racks.

The room still feels unsettling.

Malcolmhunchesover one of the boxes.Rifles througha stack of dusty books.Pulls out a thick text.

The spine of the text reads... TheMeridianLatin Dictionary'"

II

Malcolmsits back a1 his desk and opensCole·s file. Handwrinenon the first page are the words,

..De profundisclamsad te, domine..

Malcolmstarts workingthroughthe Latin text. Ju he comesto each word, he jots it down underneaththe Latin.

Malcolmtranslatesthe last word.

He stares quietlyat the paper.The new wordsread...

..Out of the depths,J cry to you Lord...

Beat.

The wordsseem to hang in the air forever.

EX,. PHILADELPHIA·DAWN

Old Philadelphiaawakens... For a moment,it's like we're back in time.

A goldensun danceson the waters of PennsLanding.Historicalold ships sit dockedin iu ha:·bor... The dark bronu surfaceof&heLlbcny Bell reflectslhe dawn... A majestic IndependenceHall Standswatch as its city beginsto stir... A thirty foot statueof Ben Franklinmaltts a proud silhouen.tagainstthe morningsky...

TNT.BROWNSTONE KITCHEN· MORNING

LYNN SEAR Jeansagainst the kitchencounter,dressedfor work. The coffee maker docs its job slowJyin front of her.

Lynn is a womanin her late twenties.Onehundred~rc:cnt South Philly.Hair teasedand moussed.Makeupgenerous.She chewson an earlymorningpieceof Trident.Underall ofil ..Lynn Sear is an anractiveand sweetlookingyoungwoman.

Lynnshiversa little.She movesto the thcnnostatand crank.sup the heat. She renzmsto her post at the coffeemaker.

Her gum chewingswu to slow.Her eyessw, to shut sleepily.

THEN THE SOUNDOf LOUDSQU£AK:VTHUDSCOMES DOWN FROMnlE CEILING.

Lynn is instantlyawake.THE THUDSARESTRONO.She staresstraightup.

Beat.TiiE CRASHfNOOF THE MAITRESS SPRINGSBECOMELOUDERAND FASTER.

THE BANGfNGBECOMESVERYSTRONG· SHAKINGTHE KITCHEN SLJGH11.Y. Lynn can't believeit.

Tiny paniclcsfrom the ceiling beginto chip and fall to the kitchen floor. THE TI-IUDS ARE ALMOSTVIOLENTNOW.

Lynnstans 10 think something·swrongfor the fim time.

THE SOUNDOF THE BEDSPRINGSINSTANTI.Y STOPS.ONLY1liE GURGLING OF TiiE COFFEEMACHINECAN BE HEARD.

Lynn lets out a tense breath.Touchesher moussedhairnervously.She standsthinkingto herselffor a mommt. Beat.

Lynn turnsto face the kitchentable and SCREAMSAT THE TOP OF HER LUNOS.

Cole is seatedat the kitchentable in his privaleschoolunifonn.Colejerks baci:Cromhis milk as his mom screams.

LyM catchesher breath.

Cole doesn't make eye contactwith his mom

Cole shrugshis shoulders.Lynn studiesher son.

Cole doesn'1 answer.

THE DOORBELLRINGS.Cole drinksthe rest of his milk and cereal and takes his bai;

Cole kisseshis flusteredmotheron the cheekthen walksout the front door.

LynnSW1dsmotionlessin the kitchen.She Jook.sup and wraps her arms aroundher shiveringshoulders.

-

2l

TOMMYTAMMISJMO is I toughlookingeightyearold Italiankid who waitsll the bonomof Cole's brownstonestairs in his schooluniform.Tommy looks like he·d rather be anyv,:hercin the worldthan at the bottomof thoseswrs.

Cole emergesfromthe brownstoneand movesdownthe steps. LyM·s face appearsin the kitchenwindow.

The two boys begin their walk downthe streetto school.Tommyputs his arm around Cole. Lynn waves.Cole wavesback.

Whenthe two boystum the comer andareout ofLynn·s sight. Tommyrips his arm away.

Tommyswu to nm ahead.he turns and backpedals..

Tommylaughsand runs a\\-ay.

Bea!.Cole looksaroW1dnervously,then burieshis handsin his pocketsand beginsa slow qu1e1wall downthe sidewalkby himself.

We are in Cole's house.In the den.Boxesof old toyssh in the come:-.A smallplastic multi~oloredtable sits on a rug.

Malcolmhas pulledup a foldingchair andwatchesas Cole plays with his action figures. Cole is in th.ic:ksweaterpulled up 10 his chin to keep himwarm.

2l

ll

Cole presses his hair fiat to give Malcolma betteridea.

Beat.

MalcoJmand Cole look 11 each other.

:.3

Doyouhavesecreu?

r Cole sits still for a secondand thennods his head."Yes."

Cole nods.~o."

Beat. Malcolmlooksto Cole•s ann. Cole is wearing A LARGESILVER WATCH.h ~ims on his thin wrist.It couldprobablyslide up to his shoulder.

r- Beat Malcolmleansover. Pulls out Cole•sfile fromhis bag.

COL£ The drawing.

An uncomfonableSILENCEOVERTAKES1liE DEN. Beat. .. (

...... -

Cole is verystill. He doesn't move at all..Malcolmwaits awhile beforespeakingagain.

Colenods, ..yes."

Cole's face tums to ice.

Malcolminstantly stops.

MALCOLM

I think you misundemood-

Cole covershis ea:s and closes his eyes.

Cole slowlystops chanting.He keeps his ~es closedand covers his ea."S. His body rocks slightly.

Malcolmsw-eshelpl~sJy across the table at Cole Searcurledup in his chair.

TiiE DENIS SUFFOCATEDWITHSILENCE.

Malcolmhurriedlyentersa spacious.dimlylit Italianrestaurant.He stopsin the dining room and searchesthe many ~dle lit tables.HefindsAnna.

Anna sits alone ai a comer table.The remainsof her half-eatendiMer Jayon the only place setting on the table. A small PIECEOF CAKEWTTHA CANDLEin it sits untouched.

l7

Ama stirs sugar in her coffeeas Malcolmsits in lhe seat across from her. She aently stops stitring.but doesn·, look up. BeaL

Anna quietlytakesa sip from her coffee.

Annalooksaroundfor the waiter.

hangingoverthem. (beat) Jrmight be somekindof abuse.

That makesAnna turn back..She glancesacrossthe table.then looks down.

Malcolmdemonstratesby holdingup his arm to shieldhis face.

The waiterdrops off the check on the tabJe.Ami.agrabsit beforeMalcolmand quickly signs it.

Beat.

AMa waits till he· s done and rises from the table. She pushed her chair in hard and waliu away without a word. Malcolmsits alone and Staresat the piece of cake with a candle on jl.

fJ\."T.DD:· AFTERNOON

We are in Colt's den. Cole is at the multi-coloredtable setting up his men to have a war. Malcolmsits in the foldingchair and observes.

On the table are two rows of soldiersfacing each other.To one side of the table area cou;,le soldiers covered by a tissue. Malcolmpointsto them.

Coleremovesthe tissue.

-- -~-- -

poundssix ounces.He's neverseen her. He wantedto get back to Blue Bell Pennsylvaniaand holdher...

Cole points 10 the other soldier.

Beat. Cole's face becomesemotional.Tears fill his eyes.

Malcolmfalls into silenceand stares at his client.Beat.Cole wipes his eyes quickly.

Malcolmtries to read Cole's expression.

WhereshouldJ lookthen Cole?

Cole pointsto the comer of the den. Malcolmslowlyturns his chair.He sits in profileto Cole. Beat.

Malcolmcontinuesto sweat the comer.

Malcolmsits patiently.Beat.Theydon'tsay anythingfor awhiJe.

Cole looksup from his soldiers.Malcolmstares at tM comer of lhe room.

The two of themwalk downa row of brownstonesacrossfrom a park.

Ma.i~olmthinks for a bit.

Cole nods "'Yes."

Cole shakeshis he.ad. ..No:·

Malcofmstopswalking.1be words hit him hard. He stares at Cole.

Beat. Malcolm'spassionateface affectsCole.Cole looks11 Malcolmw:ithdifferenteves.. The child nods slowly.

They stan v.-alkingagain in silence.They tum a comerand move down anotherstreeL Cole spots an old man with a cane standingai the gateof a brownsione.

~ I JI

ll

r Malcolmnods ..yes.. as they continuewalking.Coleslows as the:,,approachthe old man. \ As we get closer.we make out the man can barelysee.

MR.MARSCHAL Jeansover his gateand staresat Colefor a few seconds.

Mr. Marsch.alhas I thick GermanaccenL Tbc old man squintsdown the block wilh a concerned cxp~ssion.

Beat.

Malcolm· s eyes cianto Cole.

Howwonderful!Wheredid you lc:amto speak Gennan?

33 •

Mr. Marschalsmilesat Cole beforewalkingba:k insidehis house. Cole turns back to Malcolm.

f?l."T.MR. MARSCHAL'S LIVINGROOM- MORNING

This brownstonehas bc:n home to the M11SChal'sfor many,many years. It's filled with a lifc:ime of memories.Memoriessharedby two people.

• Two rockingchairs sit side by side near the windowsthat overlookthe street... A comer table displaysa fancywooden chess set. The gamehalf-finished.frozen in a layer of dust... An easel stands be{ ore a piano.The incompletewater color paintingof a smiling elderly womansitting on the piano benchsits sadly on the faded yellow paper.

Malcolmtakes in the living room sHently.He standsnear the open door.

Cole walks throughthe room. Tiny eyes searchingcarefully.He leans behindthe sofa looking for something.MalcolmV.'8tchesCole with a crinkledbrow.

Cole peaks behindthe old piano crammedagainstthewall.

Cole turns to find Mr. Marschalstandingwith a glass orlemonade. Cole takes it from his shaking hands.

Mr. Marschalshufflesover to the sofa. Takes a seat.

Cole becins surveyjngthe roomagain.Beat.His eyes finallycome to rest on a plant searedin the comer.He staresat it... THE LEAVESOF lliE PLANTSHAKE SLJGHTLY FROM A BREEZE.

Cole puts down his glass on a tableand ~lks over 10 the plant. Cole kneelsdown and mns to push the poned plant aside.THE POT SCREECHESON THE WOODEN FLOOR.

Malcolmcalls 10 Cole under his breath.

Mr. Marsehalstrainsto see acrossthe room.

Cole doesn'r answereithi=rof them.Jnstead.he continues10 push the plant aside revealingAN AIR VENT. Cole gentlyreachesover and takes off the mew face. It slips righ: otT.

( Cole·s handsdisappearinto the darknessof the vent.They reemergeholdinga STACK OF NOTEBOOKS.

MaJcolmbecomesvery still.

Cole rises to his feet and canies the notebooksover to Mr. Marschal.Cole carefully places them on his lap.

ls this for me?

Mr. Marschalfingersthe notebooksthen reachesfor his truck glasseshangin1from his neck. He placesthem on the tip of his noseandinspetts the notebookssix inches from his face.

Malcolmtakes an involuntarystep forward.

Mr. MarschaJstans flippingthroughthe notebooks. - (

He gets to the last book.His handsbecomestill as he swes at the final pageof writing.

Beat. Mr. Marschalslowlylooksup fromlhe notebooks.Looks up 10 Cole. Colejust stands quietly.

Mr. Manchal's eyes slowtyfill wilh tears of realiution. They gentlyspill downhis weatheredface.

Cole takes a deep brwh. Trying bard not to cry himself.The sight of Mr. Marschal weepingshales Cole.

Cole softly lays his hand on Mr. Marschaf"ssilverhair.Mr. Marschalreachesup and clutcheshis smallhand.

They sta~ like that for a wrule. BeaLMr. Marsc:haJlets go and bringsthe notebooks tighterto his body.

Cole quietly walks10 Malcolmwho standsmotionless.He staresdown at Cole in a daze.

Cole rums his head.crying.

Malcolmsits still in his office chair.His eyesarefixedat a point in space. He brings1 sJim black caperecorderu, his mouth.

l6

A long silence.CLICK.The tape recordertums off.

DISSOLYr.TO:

Th.TT.BROWNSTONE·NJOHT

Lynn holdsa laundf)'basketon her hip as she fiddleswith the thennostat in the kitchen. The house is cold.Lynn wearsa winterjacket in the house.

Lynn turns and movesinto the shadowyhallway.No lights.The house seems somewhat ominous.Beat.

--

LyM 's eyes dan 10 an open guestroom likeshejust sawsomcthin&,She swesin the dooTVJayuntila SOUNDTURNSHERIN THE DIRECTIONOf THE FAMILY ROOM.

Her eyes scanthe darkness.

Lynn doesn't move.She listens10 the SILENCE.Beat.She stan.sback dovmthe hall pickingup balledUJ>boy's sweat~ks and diny T•shins layingon the carpet.Whenshe reachesthe md of the hall, she HITSA LIGHTSWITCH.The hall LIGHTSUP REVEALINGA WALLOF PHOTOS.Lynnformsa tiny smile

Snapshou of Coleand Lynn's life hang beforeher eyes.

Cole's birthdaypatties... Lynn and Coleat an amusementpark... Cole underthe Christmastree... Cole on Lynn's shouldersin a pool... Cole with a groupof neighborsat a barbecue...

LyM takesa step forward.Lymi's face betraysthe factthat she noticessomethingshe never noticedbefore.She touchesa photoof threeyearold Cole.

WE MOVE INTOTHE PHOTO· COLE'S FACESMILES.AT US. LYNN'S FINGER GENTI.Y BRUSHESA THINSTREAKOFLJOHTTiiATCURVESINTHE

SOMETHINGCAUGHT IN MOTION.

Lynn Jooks10 the adjacentphoto • die barbecuephoto• Everyonestands with hot dogs and sodas.LYMsearchesthe picnue. Hereyes suddenlystop at the TINIESTBLUR OF WHITELIGHT STREAKINGAROUND COLE.

WE MOVEFROM FRAMED PHOTOTO FRAMEDPHOTO- EACHTiiE SAME. SOME\VHERE HIDDENIN nrE FRAME,SOMEWHERE NOT EASILYSEEN. LYNN FINDSA BLUR.

Lynn takes it all in curiously.

~'T. COLE'S BEDROOM- AFTERNOON

Lynn movesinto Cole's room with the laundrybaskerbalancedon her hip. The Walkman headphoneson her head blaresA MUFFLEDTECHNODANCEBEAT.Lynn starts pickingclothesup aroundCole's room.

-·

ll

This bedroomis an eerie place.The shadowsseem to make shapesand figures.All the furnitureis wood• old fashioned.The lamps.the paintingson the waJI• antiquesas well.

A small red campingtent sits in the comer.A sign hangsover the enuance flap.

..DO NOT TOUCH"

Lynn grabs the spidermanPJ.s that drape over the tent.

A GermanShepherdPuppy sleepson the pillow.SEBASTIANlifts his he.adsleepilyand peers at LYMbefore retwning to his slwnber.

Lynn slowlyreachesfor a pictureframethat peeksout from under Cole"spillow. Slides it out ... It's a FAMILY PHOTO. Lynn and Cole and a man. The man wears glasses and smiles warmlyat the camera.The man looks in everyway a largerversionof Cole.

The picturehas a visibleeffect on Lynn. She lets out a shaky breathbeforereturningthe photo to its hiding place.

L)'M pulls a pair of schooluniformpantsoff the woodenroll coverdesk neXtto the bed.

The desk is coveredwith loose leaf papersfilled withwritings. Lynn's eyes are drawn 10 the papers.

Her curiousgaze turns serious.Her mouth opensa tiny bit involunwily.

TiiE PAPERSare strewnwith lines of handwriting.Countlesslines.Thousandsof words... Somehorizontal,some vertical... The VrTitingmoves in arcs and flows in varies sizes• wrinen at great speed• every word c:onnec1edby a single pen stroke. everyih.ing \Winen in one continuous motion.

Lynnslowly spins the papers,laking in some of the phrases...

wattr rising no mort pain ...

The words go on and on.

Lynn~moves her hands from the paper. She pullsher headphonesoff slowly.

mE MUFFLEDTECHNO DANCE BEAT FILLSTHE DEAD SILENC£OF THE £ERlEROOM.

.......... _..........

.. - - -~-

)9

J}."T. DEN· AFTERNOON '

Malcolmswes as the rain pelu lhe windowi of the den.

Beat.

Malcolmturns and Jooksat his c:Jienl.Colesits at his &ablewearingA GOLF CAP.many sizes to big for him. Beat.

Cole just sju in his father's golf cap quietly.

Cole looksup.

Cole shakes his head, "'No."

Colehas becomeverystill. He's looksright at Malcolm.

Beat. Colenods."Yes."

Beat.

--- -

<1111

Beat.

Malcolmwatcheshim carefully.Readingeverymovementthe childmakes.Beat.

Malcolmsmiles.He rises and grabshis coat.

Cole·s brow furrowsa.she thinksaboutit carefully.

Malcolmheadsfor the door.

Malcolm tums back to Cole.

r

Cole•s sadeyesstareup al Malcolm.

Jl\'T.BASEMENTOFFICE- ~'JOHT

The surfaceof Malcolm's desk is covc:rcdwith opc-ntexts. Malc.olmpoW"5 over a thick referencebook.

He circlesa phrase...

.. ... related new-ological disord~ may result in seizurescausingbruisesand abrasionson anns and legs."

Malcolmsits up and slowly works throughall the possibilitiesin his head.

ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICECARRIESDOWN THESTAIRS.

His fac~ turns up 10 th,:ceiling.

ANNA'S VOICEJS UNCLEAR.MALCOLMTRJESTO LISnN.

Malcolmmovesdownthe hall to lhe livingroom.

MALCOLM'S P.O.V.• Anna's back is low in I chair.

Malcolmstops whenhe gets close to her chair.Her hand has come into view.holdinga phone to her car.

Malcolmstaresat the backof his wife.

Malcolmtu."'nSquietlyand heads to the basementdoor.IT STICKSA LITI'LE BEFORE IT OPENS.

The last thing Malcolmhears as he disappearsdown into rusoffice,is the SOUNDOF HIS WIFE'SSOFTLAUGHTER.

STANLEY CUNNINGHAM is a teacherin his latefonies.He wriresa questionon the board.

.. . .

Mr. Cunninghamturnsand sins ar bis clus ot ci1h1and nine yearold privaieschool siudenu. They stare back at him blaakly. ,.,,.

"\

Cole~sts his chin on his deskand watchestheclw whh big eyes.

MR. CtlNNINOHAM

c::i'C)'you livein.

The classsaysthe answerin unison.

StanleyCunninghamlooksoverthe classor blank faces.He's just aboutto Im\"= his c~ questionwhen he seesa bandgo up. Mr. Cunninghamlooks surprisedto see who it is.

·- MR. CUNNINGHAM Yes Cole?

• •

- _,__........,._

Mr. CUMinghamfi.uTowshis brow.Beal.

BeaL

r Lawmakers.

Mr. Cunningham chuck.Jes. Cole's fau turns c:cmmt are,-.

J don't mow wmcbone of theseguystold you that. bUl they werejust lt)'i.nato scare you I think.

TommyTammisimoleadsthe class in a waveof snickering.

Cole never lakes his eyes ofrhis smilingt.acber.

4S

-- - a. - ----.a. ...

Mr. CuMinghamsees the traumatizedexp~sion on Cole's face and instantlyStops smiling.

I wasn't laughingal•

Mr. CUMingham'sface becomesstill. So doesthe classroom.

The class falls into StUMedsilence.Mr. Cunninghamtakes an involunwy step towards Cole"sdesk.

What•

Mr. CUMinghammovescloser to Cole.

How did you-?

Cole covershis eyes with his bands.

We see Cole's mouth under his coveredeyes.

Mr. Cunninghamis standingright overCole'sdesknow.

S•smop that!

•Sbhhhhhutuppppyou ftiffl'flfrw!

MR. CUNNINGHAMSL.AMSHIS HANDON COLE'SDESK.Cole's hands drop &om his eyes. The teacher's fae( is bumin&red.

The children in the room are frozen.CompJeieJymnled.

Cole•s eyesare filledwithtears.

Mr. Cunningham'sexpressiondrainsof angerauColeSear beginsto cry.

... .

Cole is seated in the facultyloungeby himself. He sits at a long centertable near the windows.His head is layingon his foldedanns on the iabJe.

•'

Malcolmpeeks his head in the door• unsureifhe·s in the right place. He spou Cole and entersthe room. He silentlytakes a seat across&omCole.The eight year old looksup. Cole"seyes an red from crying.

Cole stares for a second.

Cole lowershis head. Malcolmjust sitsandthinks.

THE SOUNDSOF BOYSPLAYING SPORTSON THE FIELDOUTSIDEFILTERIN THROUGHTHE FACULTYROOM \VINDOWS.

r Cole turns his head and staresat the windows.Malcolmtakes in the sad vision of \his boy. ll affccts him. Beat.

Cole turns fromthe windowsand looks to Malcolm.Beat Cole nods, ..Yes:·

Malcolmpulls out a peMy from his pocket He placesit in his right hand.

Malcolmcloses his hand aroundihe penny.

Malcolmshakeshis hand in circles.Cole waschcshis hand carefully.

Cole Joolc.sto Malcolm"sclosed left hand. Malcolmdoesn"topen iL

shake,the pcM)' 1r1velsinto my shirt pocket...

Colc"seyes lock on Malcolm'sshin. Malcolmtaps the pocketbut doesn't open it.

Malcolmopens his right hand. The penny sits quietlyin the center of his paJm.

Cole looks at the peMy andthen up to Malcolm'sface. Beat.Cole cracks a mule.

MALCOLM • Whome?

Malcolmsmiles a mischievoussmile. He placesthe pennyon the table. Cole stares at it with a grin. Colewipes the old ,~ frommsfaceand looks10 Malcolm.

Malcolmand Cole share a warmlook.

THE SOUNDSOF KIDSLAUGHINGANDPLAYlNQ OUTON THE FIELDCOME POURING INTOTHEROOM AGAIN.

Cole's expressionchangesback10 sadnessas he looksto the windows.MalcolmJeans acrossthe table and whispers.

Cole looksat Malcolm.

Beat. Cole's chin sw,s to tremble.His voicecracks.

Beat.

Malcolmand Cole sit in silenceand listento THE SOUNDSOF CHILDRENPLAYING.

MaJcolmsons throughthe man)'bills on the mail table.

l •

Malcolmtum.s AT TiiE SOUNDOF THE WOMAN.and movesinto the empty living room wherethe t.v. is on. A blanketlays crumpledon the sofa.

THE WOMAN'S VOJCEIS COMINGFROM A VIDEOPLAVINOIN THEVCR.rrs A WEDDI'NGVIDEO.A WOMANIN A BRIDESMAIDDRESSSTANDSHOLOTNG lllE MlCROPHONE.IN THE BACKGROUND,WE CAN SEE nlE DANC£ FLOOR.

THE WOMAN HANDSTHE MICROPHONE TO SOMEONEOFF SCREEN.THE CAMERA.PANSAWAYFROMHER ANDZOOMSIN ON THE DANCEFLOOR. MALCOLM ANDANNA ARE SLOW DANCINCi.THEY'REWHISPERINGANO • LAUGHINGwrraEACH 011-IER.THE HAPPINESSFROMTHEMJS TANGIBLE.

Malcolmcan't help smilingas he staresat the flickeringimages.He turns and looks dov.-nthe hall to their bedroom.

MaJcolmmoves into their room.

THE SOUNDOF A SHOWERCAN BE HE.ARDFROMTHE BATHROOM.

Malcolmmovesto the bathroomdoor and opens it slowly.

Malcolm steps into the bathroom quietly. He swes at the silhoucnc of Anna's body through the smoked glass of the shower. Anna stands still. her bead tilted back.

Malcolm watches quietly. By his expression. it's clear he's taken by his wifc·s beauty.

Malcolm starts towards the shower when his eyes glance to the sink. Malcolm Jod:.s on a tiny bottle resting on the marble surface.

Hereaches out and picks it up. The label on the plastic bottle reads.

•·Zotoft Anti-depressant.. "To be taken twice daily..

Malcolm gently puts down the plastic bonlc. He saus at the still figure of his wife as the water covers her.

Malcolm leaves the bathroom. He makes sure not 10 make a noise ~ith the door as he closes it shut.

Cole and an overweight boy named BOBBY are seated at a dining table covered in colorful paper. A stack of binhday presents arc sitting on the table next to a cake.

The house is filled with the SOUND OF CHILDREN PLAYING AND LAUGHING.

Cole and the overweight boy are the only ones in the dining room. Bobby watches with a dull expression as Cole moves his hand in circles in the air.

CoJe smiles and holds out his hand. His (mgers open to reveal the penny.

Bobby stares.

Cole loses his smile.

Cole and the overweightboy Nre at c:achother.

Cole gives the boy his penny.Beat.

Bobby finally looks up.

Bobby fidgetswith a binhday napkin.

Beat.

Beat. Bobbythinks ii over.

Bobby smilesfor the first time. Cole smilesand gets up from the table.

As Cole leaves the dining room, he bears something. It's Bobby. He's quietly humming the Spidennantheme.

Cole passes the kitchen doorway. Inside Cole sees his mother and DARREN'S MOM speaking. h's clear they're &am different worlds. Lynn is wearing tight clothes with hair teased to dramaticheights.Dan= 's mom is in a designersuit.

Darren's momsmites formallyand tum.s to givethe cateringpeople instructionson how to lay out the foodon her ncrling silvertrays.

Dan-en'smom rums backto Lynn.the forcedsmileon her face.

LYM nods "Yes."

Darren·s mom glancesat her expensivewatch.

-

LyM drownsin her thoughts.Cole movesaway from the kitchenwith sad eyes.

Cole passestwo expensivelydressedmothers standing in the hallway.

r I believeit. I saw this house

whenthey closed.It was like two centuries old...

Cole moves downthe shiny mahoganywood hallway.The women's conversation FADES AWAY behind him.

Cole turns a comer and comes to a dead stop. He turns white as he swes at an open CRA wt SPACECLOSETa few feet away. Cole's eyes are riveted in the darknessof the closet. Beat.

THE HALLWAYERUPTSWITHNOISEAS THECHILDREN RUNIN FROMTHE BACKYARD.

TommyTammisimois one of the children.He glancesdown the hall and sees Cole standing frozenstaringat the crawl space closeL

Tommy grabs a skiMy kid with a pany hat on. as he runs by.

DARREN looksdownthe'hall to Cole.

TommynudgesDarrento movedownthe hall. Colebreaksfrom his tranceas Tommy and Darrenwalk up.

Tommy pointsto the crawl space.

Beat.Tom.mylooksto Darrenand then backto Cole~

Beat.

Tommy stares at Darren. Da1Te11finally gets it.

It happenstoo quick for Cole to react. Darrenand Tommyshove Cole backwards.He stumbles into the darkness of the crawl space.

58 •

Tommyslams the doorclosed.Darrenturns the lock.They cracksmiles at each other as Cole bangson the door.

The BANGINGGOESON FOR A FEW SECONDSAND THEN IT JUST STOPS.

ThenTHESCREAMING BEGINS.

Darrenand Tommyback away from the door as COLESCREAMSrN TERRORat the top of his lungs.He CRASHESOVERAND OVERagainst the door. HIS BODY SLAMMING AGAINSTTHE WOOD.The DOORRATI1.ES like it's going to brcalc off its hinges.

The two boys are statuesas Cole's BLOODCHILLINGYELLSFILLSTiiE HALLWAY.

FOOTSTEPSSPIKETHE AIRAS childrenandmotherscomerunningdownthe hall. LyM is one of them.

Darren·s motherturns the comer.

She looks to the closeLTHE HIGH PITCHEDSCREAMSCUT THROUGHTHE HALL.

LyM and Darren's mom rush to the door and tum the knob... The door flies open. Cole is seeminglythrownout. He lands right into his mother's anns. Unconscious.

Darren's mom looks into the crawl space -there's nothinginsideexcepta couple packing boxes in the back. She looksto Lynn.Beat.

C 58

LyM and DR. PATRICIAHILLsit on a checkeredsofa in the waitingarea of the hospital.

Malcolm stands in the doorway.Anns foldedsomberly.

1 could.The resultswon't change.He did not have a seizure.He docs not have any intemaldamage.In my opinion... He fainted.

Beat.

I think he probablybas a phobiaof dark spaces.

Malcolmshakeshis head.

LyM stares a1Dr. PatriciaHill.

Beat.

((

Your son is medically fine. I want him to rest for a while. but he could go home this very nighL

Cole Jays rigid in the hospital bed. His eyes fixed at the end of the room.

Malcolm quietly enters the room. Cole sees him and visibly relaxes.

Cole smiles wealdy as Malcolm walks to the side of the bed. He pulls a r Takcs a seat. Beat.

Cole thin.ksabout it. Shakes his head, "No."

Cole nods, ..Yes."

Beat. Malcolm notices Cole's Jegs emerging from under the hospital gown. Cole is wearing A MAN'S DRESS SOCKS. The baggy folds ride up all the:way to his knees.

Malcolm looks at Cole. Malcolm makes a decision. He takes off his jacket and drapes it over the back of the chair. Beat.

-· ...... -- .....-------

61 •

They sit in silence.Malcolmworks on a new plot in his head.

Beat.

Cole nods, "Yes."

6l •

Beat. Malcolm's affected by his client.

Malcolm stares at the tired child sitting before him in the hospital bed.

Beat

Malcolm's hand unknowingly moves to his side.

•- - ........

Malcolmbreaksfrom his thoughtsand looksat Colewho watcheshim with unwavering attention.Malcolmsmiles.

Malcolmleans forward,whisperswith emotionaleyes.

·-· Cole looks at Makolm·semotionaleyes. Cole staresat Malcolma long time.

Malcolmnods "yes... Cole thinks to himself.

EVERYTHING THAT'S SAID FROMnus POINTON IS WHISPERED.

Malcolmblinks very slowly. He barelygets the words out.

CoJetakes an eternalpause. A silent tensionengulfsthem both.

Beat.

Coleshakes his head, "No."

Cole nods, "Yes."

Beat.

Malcolm becomes completely motionless. He andCole stare at each other a Jang time.

r

~ MALCOLM Whattype of things?

Beat

Beat.

- COLE

Yes.

Cole nods, ..Yes." Beat.

•

Malcolmnods. "Yes." Cole pulls the coversup to his chin. Malcolmis ver)' still and swes at Cole.

MALCOLM'S EYES- slowlytum and surveythe room.They find nothing.Malcolm returns to watchingCole.

COLE'SEYESLOOKAROUND THEROOMWARILY ... WE MOVEIN ON THEM • TILLHIS EYESFILLTHE FRAME.

PULLBACK EV~ FARTHER REVEALINGA ROOMFILLED WITHPEOPLE. HOSPITALPATIENTS... SOMEOLD,SOMEYOUNG... SOMEARE DRESSEDfN MODERN HOSPITALGOWNS ... SOMEFROMDECADESPAST.

THEYALLSTANDSILENTLY AROUND COLE'SBED... WATCHING.WAITING.

Malcolmsits in silencewaitingat the bus stop. He pulls the tape recorderout of his bag. Bringsit to his mouth.Clicks it on.

CLICK.MaJcolm's hand with the tape recorderdrops into his lap.

r 66 ....

Malcolmstaresinto the night. He slowlybringsthe tape back up to his lips.

rNT.CAR- EVENING

The STREETSlURN R.EDas LyM drives homefrom the hospital in silence.She glancesdownto her right.

Cole is curled up asleep on the passengerseat. back in his regular clothes. a tiny pany hat clutchedin his hand. He looks like a four year old.

The sight of him exhaustedand still, hits Lynn hard

LyM·s facedrownsin deep concern.She laysa hand on Cole's head as she drives.

Lynn lays Cole gently on his bed next to his GennanShepherdPuppy.Cole curls up with Sebastian.

LyM watchesthe two youngsters sleep for a moment,beforepulling Cole's sweater from over her shoulder.She begins to fold it Her attentionis drawn to the sweater.She fingers the fabric of the back. IT'S RIPPED.Her eyes moveto Cole. In the middleof the backof his T-shin are TiiREE SMALLTEARS.Lynn pushesthe fabric open with her fingers and sees DEEPFINGERNAILLIKE SCRATCHESon his skin.

Lynn look around helplessly. fear creeping into her eyes.

LynnemergesfromCole~sroom.She turnsOFFraE HALLLIGHTS as she movesinto her room and closes the door.

Silence.The house is drowned in shadows.

The thennostat on the wall reads sevenry-cight degrees.

Late night. An UMatura.l silence fills the house.

The thermostat on the wall now reads, fifty-two degrees.

A LIGHTTURNSON FROM UNDER COLE'SDOOR.

The door opens a crack. Cole's tiny face peeks ouL Eyesscan the darkness.

The door opens a little bit more.Cole's kneesare pressedtogether.His body dancesa little. Cole has to pee. He moves cautiously into the hall.

Cole moves briskly to a door halfway down the conidor. Opens it. Cole rums on the LIGHTIN THE BATHROOM.

He checks behind the shower curtain, before he turns msback and pees into the toilet

A LARGEFJOUREMOVES PASTTHE DOORWAY.

Cole instantly stops peeing. His body becomes verystill. He slowly reaches for the toilet handle and flushes. He closes his pantsand tums. He doesn~t come out of the bathroom at first. He just stands there and stares into the darkness of the hall. HIS BREATH FORMS TINY CLOUDS IN THE COLD AIR.

Beat. Cole finally steps out into the hallway. His eyes catch a SLANT OF LIGHT now coming from the kitchen.

Cole hesitates before moving towards it. He moves down the hall and turns the comer • coming to a stop in the doorway of the kitchen.

-

Cole swcs at the back of a personcookingfoodon the stove. Cole"sfear slowly fades away. Beat.

The person turns. It's not LyM. Jt's a strangewoman.The woman's (ace is demented.A purple gash cuts across her forehead.

Cole·s face turns the color of ash.

Cole backs up to the doorway.

The womansmiles menacinglyas she thrustsher wrists forward... They've been savagelycut. She moves towardsCole.

Cole turns and runs down the hall. 1lfE SOUNDOF THE WOMAN•sFOOTSTEPS ANDFLOWING ROBECHASEHIM.

- Sebastianrises to his fee\ on the bed and BARKSVJOLENTLY as Cole bursts in.

CoJe runs across his room. The crazed woman enters the room behind him.

Cole heads right for the red tent seated in the comer with the ..DO NOT TOUCH" sign on it. He scurries in. His legs disappear as the flap to the tent closes behjnd him.

Cole is curled up in the tenL He lays stilJ for a momen1before reaching over and FLICKING ON A FLASH LIGHT.

The red interior of the tent gets LIT UP.

1t•sa striking sight. The walls of the tent arc lined with religious pictures taped to the walls. Tiny statues o( saints arc leaned up against the sides. We see the statue Cole stole from the church is in here ... This tent is a sanctuary made by an eight year old to hide in.

COLE WATCHES THE ENTRANCE FLAP AND LISTENS TO THE WOMAN'S BREATHINGOUTSIDE.

THE ENTRANCE FLAP SITS STILL. IT OPENS AS SOMEllUNG COMES TEARING IN...

The LIGHTSIN THEGYMGO DOWN.1l{E SPOTLIGHTOPENSON THE STAGE AS THE CURTAINSMOVETO THESIDES...

A sign to the side of the stage reads... The third and founh grade presents • Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'."'

The parents APPLAUD AS TOMMY T AMMISIMO WALKS OUT ON STAGE in a viJJager's outfit.

C

THEAUDIENCE APPLAUDSAS THERESTOF THEACTORSCOMEOUT.Some are villagers, others are dressed as trees and animals.

Cole comes on stage holding a painted cardboard monkey.

MALCOLM APPLAUDS FROM THEBACKOF niE GYMNASIUM.

The arched halls of the private school are lined with posted drawings and test papers.

Cole and Malcolm walk down an empty hall.

Beat.

72 •

,r· MALCOLM

No, l don't thinkit sucks big time.

BeaL

,r MALCOLM

•Forgetthe play Cole.We have to talk about-

Malcolmstops their walk.

C

BeaL

Cole's facetrembles.He turns and runs downthe hall. His shoes SQUEAKON THE WOODFLOORS AS HE11.JRNSTHECORNER.

MalcolmstandsaJonein the conidor. Eyes closingin frustration.

n-..1.HALLAFTERNOON

MalcolmfindsColehidingin a comer by a set of doors.Malcolmkneelsdown next to him.

Malcolmno1icesCole's expression.

Cole points to the doors.

Cole doesn't say anything.Beat.

Malcolm gets up and gently pushes open the doorsand steps in.

It's a largeshadowystairwell.Malcolmsquintshis eyes and looks around.

TIIE SOUNDOF THE DOOR OPENINGBEHINDHIM JS HEARD.Cole steps in. He movesclose to Malcolm.

Cole is tremblingslightly.

Malcolmfollowsthe child's gazeto the top of the stairs.

Beat.

COL£ Be real still.

Malcolmlooksto Cole and then turns backto the top of the stairs. Malcolm's body becomesvery still. Beat.

Malcolmlooksat the empty stairwell.

Beat.

7S

Malcolmglancesai Cole. Surpriseon his face.

Beat.

Malcolmlooksat the empty stairwelland then backto Cole.

Nothing is said for a few moments.

Malcolmturns back to Cole, he finds the childwith tears in his eyes. Cole looks at Malcolm desperately.

Malcolmswes helplessly.

Malcolmgentlyleads Cole away from the stairs.

COLEGLANCES BACKAS HE MOVESOUTOF TH£ STAIRWELL.

l

COLE'S P.O.V.- The lighrdanglingat the rop of the stairs sways a linlc... But so do TIIETHREEBODIESHANGING BYTHEIRNECKS FROM A WOODENBEAM.

It's a truly horrificsight. A BLACKMANin britchesand no shin, face beaten10 a puJp, hangsin the center.-A WHITEWOMANin a 10mwhite frilly dress - tears soakins her face.hangsto the right. A small MIXEDRACECHILDin half pants, hangs to their Jcft. The familystares at Cole. They followColewith their tonured eyes as he exits the stairwell.

Malcolmwalks from the bus stop over the cobblestonestreets in front oflndcpcndence Hall.The streetsare quiet and dark. Nighttime has fallen over the city.

Malcolmpassesa sign listing all the historicaldates of the buildingsin the area... 1778. 1792, 1794... "

Malcolmis lost in his thoughtsas he walks home.

He slowlycomesto a stop in front of an old building.He holds his ann up. Uses his other hand to gentlytouch the RAISEDHAIRSon his arm's surface.

r Malcolmlooks up slowly. Looksaround.The dark shadowsfill the comers of the historic \ buildings...

Malcolmstares into the darkness... Beat

A long momentas he waits. The shadowsseemto move. then become still.

Malcolmshakesoff the moment He returnshis handsto his pocketsas he moves through the dark streetsof Philadelphiato his home.

Late evening.Anna huddles under a blanketon the sofa and watchestelevision.

Malcolmenters the room and takes a seat in the readingchair next to her.

r 76

...... - ....... -- -·- .......

Anna waits a moment.bcfore raising the remoteand tmning off the television.She sw-es quietly at the darkenedscreen.

AMa doesn't respond.

Anna is shaken.She's about to cry. Her eyes nervouslylook up. Beat.

Beat The PHONERJNGSIN ANOTiiERROOM.Anna closesher eyes.

Annadoesn't move.The PHONERINGSAGAIN.Beat.

Anna opens her eyes and throws off her bJankCLMalcolmwatchesher leave the room.

He waits alone in the emptiness of the livingroom.After a Jongwhile, he gets up and heads for his basementdoor.

He passesthe doorwaylO the kitchen.ANNA'S VOJCECAN BE HEARDSPEAKlNQ ON THE PHONE.

Malcolmdoesn't hear anythingas Anna listens10 the person on the phone. He stans for the basementdoor again.

Malcolmstands frozenin the hall. Anna's HUSHEDWORDSRINGIN THE AIR LIKE A GUN BLAST.

CLiTO:

lyM adjuststhe thermostatas she tries to keepherselfwann.

LyM fiddles'lhiththe dials. then returns to the diMer table where Cole is seated. Cole·s wearinga pair of his father's extra large LEATHERGLOVES.Cole•s small hands don't even fill the palmarea. Cole has difficultytryingto pick up his milk glass with the gloves.

Cole removesthe glovesfrom his hand and placesthem next to his plate.

Cole movesthem to the floor.

Lynn is irritated,this is a sore point betweenthem.

LyM and Cole eat quietly.Beat. -

) LYNN I saw what was in your bureaudrawerwhenI was cleaning.

Cole looks up. An anxiousexpressionon his face.Beat.

Colejust stares.

Cole looks downat his lap.

- (beat)

What if it broke?You know how sad I'd be.

-

~

a.o

Cole shakes his head. -No.•• Lynn just stares.

Cole doesn't answer.

LyM just stares at Cole.

LyM folds her napkin quietly.

Beat. Cole's eyesstan to water up.

Lynngoes cold.

Colejust staresat his mother's expression.

Cole getsup • nevertakinghis eyesoff his mother- and leavesthe room.

Cole enters the DARK HALLWAY. He sets startled by the SOUND OF HIS PUPPY GROWLING.

Sebastiancomes racing down the hall and scurriespast Cole. Cole watcheshis puppy clan into the living room and under a couch.

Coleslowlyturns backand looksdownthe hall.

THEDOORTO COLE'S ROOMSITSATTHE ENDOF THE CORRIDOR.IT'S ALMOST SHUT.COLEWATCHES AS THEDOORBEGINSTO OPENVERY SLOWLY.IT OPENSWIDE.COLEDOESN'TMOVEAN INCH.

SUDDENLY IN THESTILLNESSANDTHEDARKNESS,A SMALLFIGURE SCURRIESFROMANOTHER BEDROOM INTOTHEBLACKNESS OF COLE'S ROOM.IT HAPPENSLIKEA FLASH.

Cole stopsbrcathina.

THE FIGURESLOWLYSTEPSOUTFROMCOLE'SDOORWAY.

(T'S A BOY.A FEWYEARSOLDERTHANCOLE.

THE BOYTUR."JS.WE SEETHATTHEBACKOF HIS HEADIS MISSINGAS HE DISAPPEARSINTOTHE DARKNESSOF COLE'SROOM.

Cole is too terrifiedto move.

LyM is at the sink,doingdishes.

LyM turns• surprisedto hear her son's voice.LyM's eyes are red fromcrying.She wipes themquic:klywith the backof her hand.

Motherand son lookat each other.Beat.

LyM fights back some tc:ars.

Lynn walksoverand hugs him. Beat.

Coledoesn't answer.

Cole jUStcloses bis eyes and holds his mom tight.

Co)e doesn't say a word.

We are in an antique store. Filled floor to ceiling with furniture and knicklcnacks.

Anna standsacrossa glasscabinetfroma silverhairedfemaleCUSTOMER.An antique necklacesits on a veJvetpad betweenthem.

The silverhaired womanstudiesAnna.

The silverhairedwomantouchesthe necklacegentlywith her fingenips.Beat.

The womanand Anna smileat each other.

Anna moves to the back desk where SEAN, a handsome man in his mid thinies comes out.

Anna tilts the necklacetowardshim.

Anna smilesas she takes a seat at her desk. She preparesthe paperwork.

IS

Anna starts fillingout the paperwork. Seanpicksup the necklace.He movesbehind Anna and bolds ir in front of her. She doesn't respond.He wait quietly.

Then Anna reachesup and lifts her hair. Sean laysthe necklacearoundher neck. He closes the silverclasp. He hesitates.Anna•s eyes registerthe extra time.

Sean·s hand touchesAnna's neck softly.Anna becomesstiU.His fingersbarelytouch her skin. Anna isn't breathing.

A SHATIERING DOORSLAMECHOESTHROUGH THE STORE.Armaand Jeffery pull apan. They rush past the silver hairedwomanto the front of the store.They find the glass front door crackedin a spider web pancm

Theycarefullypush open the door and step out onto the sidewalk.Look around.No one in sight.

Anna stares downthe emptystreet. She touchesthe antiquenecklacearowidher neck. a concernedexpressionon her face.

Malcolmwalksangrilydown the sidewalk.He stopsas his hand goes to his side: He winces with pain as he keeps walking.

Cole and LyM ride home with a back scat full of groceries.

Cole finishesoff a cherrypopsicleas he watchesout the window.

IS

Lynn looks over.

Cole bites off the last of the popsicle and glances at his mom.

Cole stares at his mom quietly.

Cole smiles at that. He nods,..Yes..joyfully.

Lynn's face shows a little happiness for the first time. A little hope enters her eyes. She turns onto their street.

Cole gazes out the front windshield as the car moves towards home.

COLE'S POV•a woman in a flowing while dress from the 40's suddenly walks into the middle of the street.

The woman in the white dress tums.·Hcr hand rests on her stomach. WE SEE SHE IS PREGNANT.

Lynn slams the brakes ... Too late.

THE WOMAN SMASHES INTO THE FRONT GRILL OF 1llE CAR ... HER TERROR STRJCKEN f ACE COMESOVERlHE HOOD ANO CRASHESRJOHT TiiROUGHTiiE WINDSHIELDIN A·SHOWEROF BLOOD AND GLASS ...

COLESCREAMS.LYNN SCREAMS ... TiiE CARSCREECHESTO A STOPIN niE MIDDLEOF A CONGESTEDSTREET.

The line of cars behind them suddenly hit theirbrakesand swerve to one side avoidinga mass collision. After a few seconds. the entire intersection has come to a halt.

r

17 •

Cole who has shut his eyes ... slowly opens them.

He looks around fearfull>•·His eyes move to the windshield. No broken glass. No blood. And no woman. CoJe looks out through the pristine windshield onto the street where cars are stoppedandstaringall aroundhim.

Cole slowly looks over to his mother. He finds her staring at him in complete and uner disbelief. Her hands clutch the wheel. The whites of her knuckles showing her fear. She has no idea why he screamed.

The den is very quiet. Cole and Malcolm sit around the multi-colored table. Malcolm leans back in his folding chair • anns folded over his chest. Cole sits slumped over the table • eyes peering out over his arms.

They both look like shit

Malcolm nods, "'No." Beat.

Malcolm doesn't respond. Cole walches him. Beat.

Cole puJJsout a pc:Myfrom his pocket.

The room faJlsinto silenceagain.Beat. Cole speaksvery softly.

MalcolmstareSacrossat Cole.

Malcolmleans forward. His eyes fill with emotion.

Tears fall down Malcolm's cheek.

h takes a second.but Cole begins tearingup to.

- .. _.....- - -

Cole wipeshis eyes with his sleeve.They sit quietlyand stare at each other.Beat.

Cole whispers.

A long pause.

Beat.

Cole puts down his penny in fron1 of Malcolm. Beat.

Malcolmsits stoicalJyat his desk in his basement.His eyes ga:zeat the dusty FRAMED CERTIFICATE FROM nlE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA shoved between two packing boxes.

Malcolmleanshis head back againStthe chair.Staresinto the shadows.Drownsin his thoughts.

Beat.THE CHAIRCREAKSas he slowlysits up again.Malcolm·seyes scan the room and cometo a stop on a box markedwith the label...

..SESSIONTAPES• VINCENTORAY'

A tapeslides into the tape playerseatedon Malcolm'sdesk. Malcolmhits play.

THE SOUNDOF A DOOROPENINGAND CLOSINGIS HEARD.

WE HEARA CHAlRMOVEAS MALCOLM SITSDOWN. And then SILENCE.Beat.

Beat. VINCENTSNIFFLES.

-·

C

BeaL

BcaL

Then he hits the rewindbunon. Stops it. Pressesplay.

Malcolmhits the rewind buttonagain. Lets it rewindfor a while. Pressesplay.

TI-IESOUNDOF A DOOR OPENINGIS HEARD.

FOOTSTEPSAS MALCOLM AND mE SECRETARY LEAVETHE ROOM.TI-IE DOORCLOSES.ANDTHE SILENCE.

Nothinghappensfor a Jongtime. AND THENWE HEARA SUDDENCHAIR SCREECHACROSSTHE FLOOR.VINCENT"SBREATHING QUICKENS.

A SLIGHTSTATIC STARTSTO FILTERIN ONTHETAPE.

Malcolm'seyes are lockedon the spoolof audiotape as it spins in the player.

Malcolm'sfingersmoveto the volumedial. He turns it way up. THE STATIC NOISE FROM niE TAPE FILLSTHE BASEMENT.

Malcolmleanscloserto the tape player.Closeshis eyesand listens... Beat.

DEEPIN THESTATIC... ANOTHERSOUNDEMERGES.WHISPERING.

A MAN'S VOICEIS HEARDIN THE ROOMWITHVINCENT.

Malcolmmouthopens in disbelief.

Cole guides two army soldiersup a stack of bibles.Theres1of the plastic anny waitson the pew below.

Cole hears hurriedfootstepsand looks up.

Malcolmstandsin the aisle a linle out of breath.He holds his hand to his side as he wincesa bit.

Malcolmnods... Yes."

Malcolmtakes a seat in the pew.

Malcolmshakeshis head, ..No."

Cole holds up his plasticrifleman.

Beat.

• 94

Beat.

Cole shakes his head... No."

Malcolm leans forward slowly and speaks in a hushed ione.

Cole studiesMalcolm'spassionateface.A new face.

Cole looks at Malcolm.

9S

Malcolm•s stare is unwavering.

• Malcolmnods..Yes."

Beat.Cole is quiet for a while.

Cole takes a big sigh. Fiddles with his riflemen.

r 96

Cole looks nervous.

Malcolm's eyes are drawn to Cole's arm. Peekingout from under his shin sleeve are a set of cuts. Malcolm gazes at them.

Cole and Malcolmsit silently in lhc backof the church.

Cl'TTO:

-

Malcolm enters his house. The placeis in darkness.He flicks an a LAMP seated on the hall table.

His eyes immediately go to the ANTIQUE NECKLACE seated in the opened box on the table. A card addressed to Anna sits on aop.Jt rads,

..To its rightful owner."

Malcolm's face turns to stone.

A SLIVER OF LIGHT SEEPS OUT FROM UNDER HIS BEDROOM DOOR.

Malcolm moves down the hall. Anger growing in each step.

The SOUNDSOF A'NNA'S MUFFLEDVOICEON THE PHONEFILTERTHROUGH THE DOOR.

Malcotm·sa ball of tensionas he movesfor the bedroom.His handtouchesthe knob as he hears...

Somethingin her voicemakesMalcolmstop as if she's talkingto him. His handrests on the knob. Beat.

( Guilt is not somethingJ want L

to add lo my list of pains.

Malcolm'shand pulls away fromthe door knob.

The house is silent.No movement.

Cole is in his pajamasasleepon the floor of the

Cole's eyes open as he hears HIS MOTHER'SDISTANTVOICE.

Cole quicklygets up and rushesout of the tent He doesn't realiz.e,the entranceflap to the tent is LEFTOPEN.

He doesn't stop as he movesthroughthe shadowyhall and pushesopen his mother's bedroomdoor.

n-.'T.LYNN'SBEDROOM• NIGHT

Cole looksover the room carefully.Everythingis still.

HIS MOTiiER'S VOICErums his attentionbackto the bed.

- LYNN

Cole. what's happeningto you?

Cole looksdownand finds his motherlayingin her bed. Her face cantoned in deep sadnessas she speaksin her sleep.

Cole moves to his mother's side.Touches her face with his tiny fingers.

His touch seemsto have an affect.Lynn becomes still in her sleep. Cole watches her carefully.

JOO

Cole closes the door to his mother's bedroom shuL He stands still in the hallway. Lef s out a heavy sigh ...

HIS BREATH ROLLSIN A TINYCLOUDIN FRONTOF HIM.

Cole's brow furrows. He breathes again. This time intentionally. Watches as his breath materializesin the suddenly ice cold air.

Every muscle in Cole's eight year old body becomes rigid. He takes a second before moving through the inky darkness of the hall.

Cole steps back into his bedroom and studies the shadows carefully. He slowly moves 10 his tent and crawls in legs first. His eyes watch the bedroom for any sign of movement.

Once in the tent, he closes the flap.

When Cole rums around, he stops breathing.

AN EIGHTYEAROLDGIRLVOMITS ON HERSaF IN HIS TENT. She finishes and looks up at Cole with drawn eyes.

The girl reaches out with her withered and emaciated hands • tiny tubes hang from her wrists. She scratches Cole as he tumbles back terrified out of the tent.

Cole runs hard out of his bedroom and down the hall to the living room. He gets down on the ground and slides under the wooden Jegged couch.

- - -

101 •

Sebastian is already huddled in (ear under the couch. Cole presses as far back as he can and waits.

COLE'S P.O.V. - is of the living room floor. Chair legs. Coffee table base. Rugs ... Everything is still untiJ a set of bare feet walk across the room.

Cole becomes very stiJl. The feet stop right at the couch.

TiiE GIRL'S FACE suddenly appears as she bends down and vomits on the carpet. She tums her head and makes eye contact with Cole.

She tries to grab Cole. Cole kicks and squirms his way fanher beneath the couch.

The girl lays flat on the ground and stans to crawl under the couch. Cole and Sebastian have nowhere to go. Cole suddenly yells at her.

The girl s1opscrawling. Her demented face glares at him.

BEAT. Cole makes a decision. He looks like he's going to cry - fights it back.

Cole and the linlc girl stare silently at each other. Cole holds her stare with trembling eyes.

He opens his mouth • ir takes a while before the words comeout.

A dovmtown Septa public bus. Malcolm and Cole are among the spattering of passengers.

They·re both wearing suits.

CoJe Jeans his head against the glass of the scratched window. Cole's large eyes drink in the passing scenery.

A GUNSHOTECHOES IN THEAIR.THEMAN'SCHESTEXPLODESIN REDAS HE FALLSTO HISKNEESSCREAMING.

Colejerks back from the window.

The bus quietlydrives past THE OLD PRJSON BUILDING.

Cole stares downat his lap and tries not to Jookup anymore. Beat.

Cole rums to Malcolmwho stares straight ahead.

Beat. Malcolmturns 10 Cole.

Cole falls into deep thought as he swes downat his dress shoes. Malcolmslips back into silence.

The city bus slithersthrough the old Philadelphiastreets worldng it~sway downtown.

10)

A modesthomesits on a comer.Its small lawn.groomedcarefully.Rows of parkedcars spill out fromthe drivewayonio the streets.

Peoplein suitsand dark dressesmovesomberlyin and out of the front doors of the home.

Cole and Malcolmjoin the visiton as they walkslowlytowardsthe doors.

A frail little girl aboutfour years of age sits in a darkdresson the swingsin front of the house.Visitorssay hello to her as they pass. She doesn't say anythingback.

Cole nods...Yes."

Malcolmand Cole watchher for a momentbeforefo)]owingothersinto the modest comer home.

The home is packedwith people.The gatheringof mournersis standingroom only.The AIR IS FILLED\VlTHDOZENSOF HUSHEDCONVERSATIONS.

VISITOR#l ... sick for years...

VISITOR#2 ... So muchsuffering...

VISITOR#3 ... The doctorsneverseen anythinglike it...

VISTOR#4 ... the little one's fallingill now ...

VISITOR#5 ... Godhelpthem...

104 •

A FAMILY PORTRAIT HANGS NEAR THE FRONT DOOR. Two girls. one bigger. one smaller sit on the ground in front of their mother and father. Their smiling faces welcome the mowners.

Malcolm and Cole arc standing at the bonom ora staircase. Waiting.

The front door opens as another group arrives. Malcolm nods to Cole as the foyer fills up. The two of them quietly disappear upstairs.

The narrow hall is lined with boxes of medical supplies. I.V. stands, sterile needles and pads are in the process of being taken away. The boxes are piled outside a closed bedroom door.

Cole stares at the shut door like he docsn't want to go in. Beat.

r COLE

(whispetS) He thinks rm strong?

Cole turns to Malcolm.

Cole turns and stares quietly at the door. He waits a long time before reaching for the doorknob.

- r 104

IOS

Cole closesthe door behindhim. He turnsand gazesat the girl"sbedroom.There·s a hospitalbednear the window. The walJsare coveredwith get weUcards and drawings from family.friends,and schoolchildren.

Her sheJvesare fiUedwith puppets.AJIshapesand sizes of puppets. Next to the shelfis a puppet stageand a camcorderon a minitripodsining next to it.

Cole walksto the shelf and picks up a FINGERPUPPETDANCER.He places it in his pocket.

On the girl•s des~ is a largecollectionof videocassencs.The labelsread, ..PuppetShow Christmas96\ PuppetShowBinhdaypany, "PuppetShowclass trip.....

Cole reads the labelscarefullybeforemovingtowardsthe closets.He passesthe bed.

AN EMACIATEDHANDREACHES OUTFROM BENEATHlliE BEDAND GRABSCOLE'SANKLE.

Colejerks back stanled. He watchesas the girl"shand slips back underthe bed. Cole suaysverystill. Waits. Nothinghappens.

He slowlybendsdown. His handstouchthe floor.He tilts his head and looksunderthe bed.

The emaciatedlinle girl who cameto his tent layscurledon the floor. Her bulgingeyes glare at Cole. She moves suddenly.Thrustsa jewelrybox forward.It slidesacrossthe woodenfloor and stopsjust beforeCole.Coleand the sicklygirl stare at eachother. Neitherof them say a word.

The room is thick with mourners.Most arc gatheredaroundthe GIRL•sMOnIER. a young womanin her late twenties.who sits on the familycouchand receivesthe many cards. hugs, and flowersthat are offeredas condolence.

Malcolmwatchesbreathlesslyfrom the doorwayas Cole moves throughthe many adults acrossthe room.

The girl's father,MR. COLLINS,a thinmanin his late twenties.is seated on the reading chair next to a T.V. His face is stone.No one in the room darestalk to him. He stares statue like at an abstractpoint in the room. •

The man doesn ·1 react. Some of the guests look oddly al the little boy Standingbeforethe man.

Beat. The man slowly turns and looks down at the boy standing next to him. Cole is very shaky.

Malcolm watcheseverything anxiously.

Cole stares at Mr. Collins.

The man's face beginsto cNmble. Beat. He nods... yes.. softly.

Cole holds out the jewelry box. It trembleswithhis hands.

The fatherjust staresat il. Beat.

The father becomes very still. His eyes fiJJwith a storm of confusion and pain. After the longest time. the father reaches and gently takes the box out of Cole"s smaU hands.

Cole begins10 backaway...

The fathergazes at Cole as he melts into the crowd. The father looks down in a daze. He goes to open the jewelry box. His movements are slow and strained. He lifts the latch and opens the box.

Mr. Collins stares at an unlabeled video cassette.

COLE Raches Malcolm and the two orthem sJip out of the house.

People in the room start to tum as the T.V. comes on. The mother's attention is drawn across the room as she watches her husband sitting before the television and V.C.R.

THE STATICSNOWON TiiE SCREENIS QUJCKLY REPLACEDBY AN IMAGE. TWOPUPPETS DANCEON STAGE.WE HEARKARA'SVOICESINGFOR TiiE PUPPETSAS THEYDANCEAROUND.

Her father's face forms the most hcanbrcaking of smiles as he watches the performance.

The entire room has stopped what they were doing. The girl's mother notices as everyone's anention turns away from her.

Kara climbs in bed and pretends to be sleeping when the door opens. It's Mrs. Collins. She canies in a tray of soup anda sandwich.

LIVING ROOM

The crowd watches in riveted silence. The father never takes his eyes off of the screen. Mrs. Collins rises from the couch.

No one bean her. AJJattention is riveted on the

And then it happens.

The image of the mother waJJcsto a closcl. Opens it. An assonment of household cleaners and sponges are kept inside. She pulls out a bonle of floor cleaner. Reads the label for the ingredients. Walks back to the food tray, where she unscrews the cap on the floor cleaner.

The mother pours the tiniest amount of the clear ammonia liquid into the chitd·s soup. She replaces the cap and puts the bottle back in the closet.

The image of the mothertums to the bed carrying the tray. She places the food on a metallic rolling table and swings it over the bed.

Kara pretends to wake from a deep sleep.

The image of the mother smiles.

MOTiiER (video tape) rm glad honey. (beat) Time for your food.

Kara picks up the spoon and takes a sip. Her faec crinkles at the taste. She looks up at her mother.

r

- --- -- ·-

MOlliER (video tape) Don't say it tastes funny.You knowI don·1 like to hear that.

Kara slowly bringsthe spoonto her mouthand swallowsanotherSJ)OOnful.

The father SHUTSOFF lHE TELEVISIONwith his tremblinghands.He presseshis hands to his eyes like thcy•rcburning.

The ROOMIS UTTERLYSILENT.

Mrs.Collinsstans to move acrossthe roomtowardsher husband.Peoplemove away from her as she passes.

The father looksup. Their eyes meet. The whole worldstops.

The mother's face beginsto disintegrateWldcrthe glareof the father as he rises from his seat. Rage fillingevery cell of his body.

You... I can't believe... (beat) Youweremakinghersick?

Mr. Collinsnishes forwardin an explosionof anger.

What haveyou done!

He gets restrainedby familyand friendsaroundhim.The anger disappearsas he·s held tightly in the anns of his loved ones. He collapsesand beginsto sob. Mr. Collins dissolvesin his grief.

Mrs.Collins standsstill in the middleof the room. She looksaroundat the horrified faces.

Her words arc m~ with ice cold stares. She beginsto shake.Tears stream down her face. The preny flowersof consolationin herhandtumbleto the floor.

Cole sits on the swingsnext to Kara's four yearold sister. She doesn't look up.

Malcolmwaits in the driveway.Watchesthemfrom a distance.

Cole reachesinto his pocketand pulls out the little FINGERPUPPET.He holds it ouL

The four year old staresat the fingerpuppet then quietlylakes it in her small hands.

Thetwo childrendon't say anythingfor a while.Malcolmglancesto the house.where all movementin and out of the home has ceased.

Cole turns to the four year old.

The linle girl finally looks up. She has the saddesteyes.

Beat.

The little girl stares down·atthe fingerpuppet.Cole lightlyplaces a hand on her shoulder.

Nothingelse is said. Nothing else is done.

Malcolmlooksacross at the two childrenon the swings.One mourning.One consoling.

Malcolmtakes it in. overwhelmed.

THE DULLSOUNDOF RAINOUTSIDEFILLSTHEBACKSTAOEAREA as StanleyCUMingham.moves betweentwo curtainsand comesto a dressingroom door in the back. He puts an ear to the door,listensand then knocks.After a second,he enters.

Mr. CUMinghamfinds Cole sittingin a poorvillagercostumetalkingto a11 old nun. Cole and the nun tum and look at Mr. Cunningham.

They're callingfor the stable boy.

Mr. Cunninghamlooksaroundthe roomand then directlyat Cole.

Who wereyou talkingto?

The sister looksto Cole and nods.

She standsup. WE SEE SHEHASNO LEGS.

THEHEADANDTORSOOF 1HE SISTERMOVESTO AN OPENCLOSET AND WALKS rNTOIT. SHEDISAPPEARSINTOTHEDARKNESS.

Cole puts on his tatteredhat.

Mr. Cunninghamsmiles.

You're welcomeCole.

They share a look beforewalkingout of the dressingroom and enteringthe hall.

We see them wa))cjngaway.

112 •

Beat.

Malcolm runs through the rain with his jacket pulled over his head. He sc:unies up the stairs of the school.

Malcolm stands and catches his breath in the conidor of St. Christopher·s Academy.

A teacher rushes in the hall with an annload of costumes.

The teacher hurries past Malcolm and down the hall without saying a word.

The teacher scurries around a comer. Malcolm watches her curiously.

Malcolm moves quickly to a set of double doors and opens them. He steps into the DARKNESS OF THEGYMNASIUM.

l

The play is full swing ... Cole and a large group of costumed children are on mge. Cole holds a broom andwears a worn do'Wl'lcostume. He stands to the side • hidden by others.

A boy in a shiny annored costume walks to the center of the stage where a large cardboard stone is seated. A sparkling HANDLE sticks out of the top.

The annored boy tries to lift it. It won't budge.

MERLIN, a boy in a magician's costume steps forward.

Merlin looks to the group on stage. Looks right at Cole.

The group of villagers on the stage LAUGH AND MOCK TiiE SUGGESTION.

Tomm)' Tammisimo is dressed in a mismatched costume - he hops around. clearly embarrassed. ·-

Tommy turns a deep shade of red and hobbles off thestage.

Merlin looks to Cole.

Cole hesitates. Not because he's acting. He really hesiwes. It takes him a moment. before he steps fonvard.

-

CoJesteps up to the stone. He placeshis hand aroundthe handle.Beginsto pull. The sword starts to come out.

The villagersGASP.

Cole raisesthe shiny sword out of the stone and high above his head.

Merlinand everyoneon stage bows.A SILENCEFILLSTHE GYM.

Malcolmwatcheshis client,standingin the spot lightfor the first time.

The rain comes downa little strongernow. A groupof childrenwait under an awning as parents in cars arriveto pick them up.

Studentsrun out from the awningas their names are called.

Cole waits to one side with Malcolm.They stare out at the rain in silence.

Malcolmshrugshis shoulders.

They stand quietlyagain. Beat.

Malcolmdoesn't respondfor a while.He shakeshis head, "No." Beat.

Colesmileshuge.Beat.Theystandin silencefora while.

The two just stand there looking at each other.

Beat Malcolmexhalesvery slowlyas he movesout from underthe awning.

•MALCOLM Okay Cole, I'm going to go now... I'll see you tomorrow.

Cole watchesas Malcolmsteps out into the rain. Cole's eyes fill suddenlywith tears.

Malcolmslowly turns and walks down the school's driveway.Cole takes a couple steps out from the awningas he watches.

Rain tricklesdown on Cole's face as he looks out

Malcolmis barely visibly as he walks down the side\\-alk.Rain pouring over him. Malcolmdissolvesinto the sheets of drivingrain.

Rain comesdown like gunfire from the sky. A two Janeroad merges to one lane around a severecar accident Police flares guide the cars as they crawl by.

LyM and Cole are standing still in bumperto bumpertraffic. The windshieldwipers are losingthe battle against the rain.

LyM Jeansher chin on the steering wheel. She tries to stare through the layer of water on the glass.

Beat. Lynn glances over to Cole who sits in his scat silently.

Cole shakeshis head. ~o."

-

Beat.

Beal.

The way he says the words. gives Lynn a chill.

Cole takes a longtime.

- COLE

You know tha.taccident up there?

Lynn leans over the steeringwheel. She wipesthe windshieldwith her palm to see bencr..

-

ll7

118 •

LyM gazes out the windshield at the line of red tail lights. Beat.

A WOMAN fN HERLATE FORTIES.HAIRMATIED WITHRAIN ANDBLOOD. STANDSSTARING TIIROUGHCOLE'SPASSENGER WINDOW.

LyM looks over slowly. She doesn't see anything outside his window. She eyes Cole.

• COLE Deadpeople.

Beat.

Cole nods. "Yes."

Cole nods ..Yes.. again. Lynn becomesupset She nodswith grave W\derstanding.Cole watches her.

..... Beat.

LyM doesn't respond.She drowns in her thoughts.Beat

LYM looks up sharply.

-

Lynn becomesstill. Her face is unreadable.Whenshe speaks.her wordsare extremely controlled.

Beat.

LyM's eyes Jockon Cole.

Lynn bringsher hands to her mouth.

- - -

COLE

' ..

She hid in the backso you wouldn·1 see... She said you were like an angel.

Lynn begins to cry.

Lynn coversher face with her hands.The tearsroll out throughher fingers.

Beat. LyM looks at her son. She ~ly gets the wordsout.

-

Do f make her proud?

Cole movescloser to Lynn. She cradleshim in her anns. Motherand son hold each other tight.

The rain pelts the windshieldof the car as theTiiIN SOUNDOF AMBULANCE SIR.ENSGROWSIN TI-IEDISTANCE.

Malcolm enters the living room and smilesat what he sees.

Anna is asleep in a chair. She's curled up in a ball. In a way.shelooks like a little girl.

Their WEDDINGVIDEO PLAYS S0f11. YON raE TELEVISION.

Malcolmwatcheshimselfand Anna cuttingtheir weddingcake. THE CROWD APPLAUDSAS THEY FEED EACH OTiiER PIECES.

I..

Malcolmturns from the televisionand takes a se.itnext 10 Anna. He gazes upon his wife softly.

Silence.Malcolmgazes for a beat beforelookingdown.

Malcolm's eyes move back up. He looks at his sleepingwife. ANNA'S TALKINGIN HERSLEEP.

Malcolm can't believe it.

Beat. Her lips moveagain. Eyes never open. ((

Beat.

Beat. She becomessilent. Anna falls back into deep sleep. her arm slides down. SOMETiilNG SHINYFALLSOUT ANO ROLLSON THE GROUND.

Malcolm's eyes watch as it comes to a stop... Beat. He ga:zescuriously at a GOLD WEDDING BAND laying on the wood floor.

C

Confusionwashesover his face. He looksto AMa's hand... An identicalgold wedding ring sits on her finger.

Beat. Malcolmlooksdown at his own hand... HIS WEDDINGRING 1SGONE.

Malcolmis completelylost. He takes a couplesteps back.Looks around in confusion...

His eyes cometo rest on the door to his basementoffice.He looksin disbeliefat the set of DEADBOLTLOCKSon the door.

Malcolmdoesn't know what the hell's goingon... His eyes are drawn to the dining table... Only ONEPLACESE'JTINGis out on the tabletop.

His eyes searchagain - they finallylockon the WEDDINGVIDEOPLAYING.Malcolm watches imagesof himselfon the screen... His eyes fill with a stonn of emotions...

Malcolmlooksto Anna's face and becomesvery still.Beat.

CLOSEONANNA ... TILLHER SLEEPINGFACEFILLSTHE FRAME... IT'S NOW WE NOTICEFORTHE FIRSTTIME,IBA TANNA'S BREATHSARE FORMING TINYCLOUDS IN THE COLOAIR.

SLAM CUT:

FLASHBACK:INT.BEDROOM - NlGHT

VIOLENTOUN SHOTSRING THROUGHTHE BEDROOM.

VincentGrayflopsback onto the bed. He makesa GURGLINGSOUNDas his eyes look up.

Anna rushes acrossthe room to a cnunpJedMalcolmlayingon the floor. Malcolm's hands are clutchedat his side.

Annapries his handsawayto revealan enormousholeunderbis ribs. The blood pours out Wtcontrollably.

Malcolm·s jaw is Jockedopen. His breathsare long and strained.

ANNAIS SCREAMING.BUTHER VOICESOUNDSFARAWAY.

-

r'' Malcolm's openjaw releases a long strained breath and then becomes silent. AMa tries to cover the wound with her hands desperately.

We move to Vincent Gray on the bed. His eyes twitch with the last glimmers of life. They stare upward. We follow his stare to the person standing next to. the bed.

MALCOLM'S GHOST watches as the young man stares right at him. The young man's eyes finally close. MALCOLM'S GHOST Jooks around the room in a daze.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT:INT.LIVINGROOM• NIGHT

MALCOLM'S VOJCE SHAKES TiiE ROOM.

AMa just sleeps.

Malcolm staggers back. His breathing erratic.

( r\_- He takes a seat across from her. He looks at his wife and suddenly becomes very still.

Anna's still curled up asleep, but tears are falling from her shut eyes.

Beat.

Anna doesn't move, but her tears seem to fall a little faster.

Malcolm's mind is racing.

12.5

Malcolmgazesat his wife.Tearsfill his eyes.

Anna lays still.

- The room falls into silence.Malcolmsits still acrossfrom his wife. He drinks her in with his eyes.

MalcolmJeansbackin the chair. Slowlycloseshis eyes.Theyclose shut.

WE ARE TIGHTON ANNA... WE SEE HERSOFTBREAms FORMINGA TINY CLOUD IN THE COLDAIR.. .

WITHEACHBREA Tii, THEYBECOMELESSANDLESSVISIBLE... 1HE ROOM BECOMINGLESSANDLESSCOLD.

SOONHERBREATHS AREN T VISIBLEATALL.SHEBREArasOENTI..y FALLINGBACKINTOA PEACEFULSLEEP.

WE PULLBACKto revealAnna alonein the living room.

THE WEDDINGVIDEOPLAYS ITS LASTSCENES... MALCOLMIS AT THE MICROPHONEON lHE DANCEFLOORIN FRONTOF ALL lHE GUESTS.HE'S HOLDING A GLASSOF WINE.

Malcolmsmiks as he takes a sip. The guestschuckleas they watch. Beat.

The crowd erupts in LAUGHTER.

Malcolm looks around at everyone's smiling faces.

Beat. Malcolmtakes his time. He looksjust past the camera.

Malcolm's eyes fill with.water.

FADE TO BLACK: