"THE SIXTH SENSE" (1999)

A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE. It dangles from the ceiling of a basement.

LIGHT QUICK FOOTSTEPS AS ANNA CROWE moves down the stairs.

Anna is the rare combination of beauty and innocence. She stands in the chilly basement in an elegant summer dress that outlines her slender body. Her gentle eyes move across the empty room and come to rest on a rack of wine bottles covering one entire wall.

She walks to the bottles. Her fingertips slide over the labels. She stops when she finds just the right one. A tiny smile as she slides it out.

Anna turns to leave. Stops. She stares at the shadowy basement. It's an unsettling place. She stands very still and watches her breath form A TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR. She's visibly uncomfortable.

Anna Crowe moves for the staircase in a hurry. Each step faster than the next. She climbs out of the basement in another burst of LIGHT QUICK FOOTSTEPS.

WE HEAR HER HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH.

THE LIGHTBULB DIES. DRIPPING BLACK DEVOURS THE ROOM.

Two place settings. Two large plates of Chicken Francaise half eaten. An empty bottle of white wine sits in the center of the table.

Anna arrives with the back up bottle.

MALCOLM CROWE sits in a stylish suit, tie undone. Malcolm is in his thirties with thick wavy hair and striking, intelligent eyes that squint from years of intense study. His charming, easy going smile spreads across his face. He points.

Malcolm points to the HUGE FRAMED CERTIFICATE propped up on a dinning room chair. It's printed on aged parchment type paper. The frame is a polished mahogany.

Anna hands the back up bottle over to Malcolm.

Malcolm uncorks the wine and starts pouring in the empty glasses.

Anna giggles. She's clearly buzzed herself. Anna takes a few calming sips of her wine. Her attention slowly moves to the framed certificate.

Anna ignores Malcolm and clears her throat. She leans forward from her seat and reads the certificate out loud.

Beat. The power of the words sober the two of them.

Beat.

Anna turns and stares at Malcolm.

Anna's expression is suddenly dead serious.

Anna gazes at her husband quietly.

The effect on Malcolm is profound. His eyes fill with emotion.

Anna leans towards him. They hold each other tight. After a beat, Anna leans back and wipes her eyes.

Malcolm's charming easy going smile returns.

Anna hands him his glass. He stares at it.

Malcolm looks at Anna surprised at what he said. They crack up laughing. THEIR SWEET LAUGHTER FILLS THE HOUSE.

TWO GIGGLING SHADOWS APPEAR IN THE BEDROOM DOORWAY. They try to turn on the light. It doesn't come on.

Anna giggles some more as Malcolm's shadow stumbles across the bedroom. MALCOLM TURNS ON THE BATHROOM LIGHT.

ANNA SCREAMS.

Malcolm spins around. His heart stops.

Malcolm and Anna stare at the STRANGER seated on the edge of their bed.

THE BEDROOM WINDOW IS SHATTERED. THE WIND MOVES THROUGH THE ROOM. A lamp lays broken on the ground by the window.

NO ONE MAKES A SOUND.

The STRANGER seated on their bed is about nineteen. Drugged out. Pitch black eyes bulging. His hands are folded on his lap. He shakes ever so slightly as he sits.

Malcolm speaks in a very calm voice. Never takes his eyes off the stranger.

Anna barely nods her understanding.

The stranger slowly looks up for the first time. His eyes lock on Malcolm.

Beat.

The stranger's face changes as he looks at Malcolm. He half grins.

The stranger's stare slides to Anna.

The stranger doesn't take his eyes off of Anna. He gazes at her.

Anna's expression instantly changes.

BEAT. THE ROOM GOES SILENT.

The stranger turns and glares at Malcolm.

Malcolm stops all movement.

Malcolm can't speak. Beat. The stranger's face starts to tremble.

Malcolm looks like someone hit him with a sledgehammer.

The stranger's eyes water up.

The stranger's hands move on his lap, revealing A CRUDE HAND GUN.

Malcolm's shaking hands touch his mouth as he stares at the stranger. Beat.

The stranger's unsettling gaze remains steady.

Beat. Malcolm's intelligent eyes race for answers.

Tears fall down the stranger's face.

Malcolm looks up.

THE ROOM GOES SILENT AGAIN.

Beat.

Malcolm takes a deep breath like he just emerged from deep waters.

Vincent's eyes burn at Malcolm.

VINCENT is fully crying now . He raises the gun. Aims it across at Malcolm.

Vincent closes his eyes and FIRES. A VIOLENT EAR SHATTERING ECHO. Malcolm clutches his stomach and folds like a rag doll.

Vincent instantly moves the gun to his own head. ANOTHER HORRIFIC BLAST SPIKES THE AIR. Vincent tips back on the bed as if in slow motion.

ANNA'S CHILLING SCREAMS FILL THEIR HOME.

The legend, "Two Years Later" appears.

A man flips open a worn file folder on his lap. A passport sized photo of a ten year old Vincent Gray sits clipped to the top of the papers. Another picture sits loose in the folder. This one cut from a newspaper. It's a picture of Vincent Gray at Nineteen.

The man's hand touches the pictures almost reverently.

He glances through the decade old file. Words and phrases are highlighted throughout the file.

"...Vincent Gray - Age 10" "...Acute anxiety" "...Socially isolated" "...Possible mood disorder" "...Parental status - Divorced" "...Communication difficulty between mother-child dyad"

The man's hands close the weathered file. Slides a NEW FILE FOLDER on top. Opens it.

A passport sized picture of an eight year old child is clipped to the front. This new boy has dark hair and huge black eyes.

As the man's fingers move through the pages of the file we again see words and phrases highlighted throughout this new case history.

"...Cole Sear - Age 8" "...Acute anxiety" "...Socially isolated" "...Possible mood disorder" "...Parental status - Divorced" "...Communication difficulty between mother-child dyad"

The hands close the file. The hands are slightly shaking now.

WE PULL BACK to reveal the shaking hands belong to Dr. Malcolm Crowe.

Malcolm sits on a sidewalk bench facing a row of brownstone homes across the street. He gazes blankly at the brownstones. Beat.

A door opens. Malcolm is brought out of his trance.

COLE SEAR steps out his front door. Cole is a munchkin of a boy with large black eyes that seem to take in everything around him. Cole carefully locks the door behind him.

He moves to the bottom of the stairs and looks around nervously. Anxiously.

The eight year old child reaches into his pocket and slips on a pair of VERY LARGE GLASSES. They look comical on him.

Malcolm rises to his feet. He smoothes out his shirt. Looks down and buttons his jacket.

When he looks up, Cole is gone.

Malcolm barely catches a glimpse of the boy. Cole runs at full speed down the street and turns the corner. TINY SNEAKERS SCREECHING ON THE SIDEWALK.

For a second, Malcolm doesn't react. The second passes. He stuffs the files in his bag and starts running too.

Malcolm hauls down the sidewalk. He comes to a hard stop at a street intersection. Searches. Spots Cole running into a parking lot.

COLE sprints across the empty lot and reaches the doors of a building. He has to use all his strength to push open the highly ornate doors. He slips inside.

Malcolm jogs into the parking area. His pace slows to a walk and then to stillness as he gazes up at the building. Its old stone and huge towers make it stand out from the modern buildings all around it. Malcolm stares up at the historic Philadelphia church quietly.

A SHOOTING PAIN PIERCES HIS SIDE. Malcolm's hand goes to it quickly. He waits for it to pass before starting for the ornate doors.

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

Malcolm scans the majestic room and finds what he's looking for in the last row of the church.

He moves down the center aisle towards the back.

Malcolm finds Cole playing in his pew with a set of green and beige plastic soldiers. Cole makes the soldiers talk to each other.

The words are unintelligible.

Cole senses someone. He looks up and sees Malcolm staring at him. The boy immediately goes white.

Cole stays rigid. Hands clutching a handful of plastic riflemen.

Malcolm waits for a response. None comes.

Beat. Cole slowly slides down the pew, giving Malcolm most of the seat. Malcolm sits.

Cole fidgets with his soldiers. Beat. Malcolm looks over and stares at Cole's glasses. He leans forward to inspect them more carefully.

Malcolm returns to staring at his lap. Beat.

Malcolm stares surprised.

Malcolm nods at the information.

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

Cole's arms are covered in TINY CUTS AND BRUISES. Some almost healed. Some fresh. Malcolm looks around to gather himself. Beat.

Cole looks up.

Malcolm studies Cole's anxious face.

Malcolm and Cole just stare at each other.

Beat.

Malcolm smiles.

Cole pockets his soldiers and rises from his pew.

Cole thinks it over carefully.

Cole and Malcolm just stare at each other.

Cole turns and starts to the rear of the church. Malcolm loses himself in his thoughts.

When Malcolm looks back, he sees Cole stop by the exit doors and take a tiny STATUE OF JESUS off the back table. Cole pockets the statue and quietly leaves the church.

Malcolm just sits and stares.

The house is dimly lit. Malcolm has to turn on the HALLWAY LIGHT.

He stops before a pile of mail collecting on a thin table. He stares at it blankly. Almost every envelope has "Over Due" or "Final Notice" stamped on it.

Malcolm stares down at the remains of a meal on the only place setting on the table.

Malcolm quietly walks into his bedroom. Only A READING LIGHT IS ON. THE SOFT LIGHT FALLS ON ANNA AS SHE SLEEPS.

Malcolm moves to her side. The sight of her stops him.

He stares at his wife...

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

His eyes move to her face... One wisp of hair falls over her soft lips. OUTLINED IN THE SOFT READING LIGHT, Anna Crowe truly looks like an angel.

Malcolm forms a tiny smile.

Malcolm turns and moves for a narrow door in the hall. He tries to open it. IT STICKS. He yanks at it hard and opens it. Malcolm disappears down a thin stairway.

The empty basement is no longer empty. It's piled with file cabinets and boxes of psychology and medical books. A desk sits in the corner next to the wine racks.

The room still feels unsettling.

Malcolm hunches over one of the boxes. Rifles through a stack of dusty books. Pulls out a thick text.

The spine of the text reads, " The Meridian Latin Dictionary"

Malcolm sits back at his desk and opens Cole's file. Handwritten on the first page are the words, "De profundis clams ad te, domine"

Malcolm starts working through the Latin text. As he comes to each word, he jots it down underneath the Latin.

Malcolm translates the last word.

He stares quietly at the paper. The new words read...

"Out of the depths, I cry to you Lord."

Beat.

The words seem to hang in the air forever.

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

A golden sun dances on the waters of Penns Landing. Historical old ships sit docked in its harbor... The dark bronze surface of the Liberty Bell reflects the dawn...A majestic Independence Hall stands watch as its city begins to stir...A thirty foot statue of Ben Franklin makes a proud silhouette against the morning sky...

AND THEN 1997 COMES CRASHING IN.

FLUORESCENT HOUSE LIGHTS COME ON IN WINDOWS... Jeeps and hatchbacks start roaming the cobblestone streets...Neon restaurants signs flicker to life...Traffic helicopters make their rounds...CAR ALARMS PIERCE THE AIR.

LYNN SEAR leans against the kitchen counter, dressed for work. The coffee maker does its job slowly in front of her.

Lynn is a woman in her late twenties. One hundred percent South Philly. Hair teased and moussed. Makeup generous. She chews on an early morning piece of Trident. Under all of it, Lynn Sear is an attractive and sweet looking young woman.

Lynn shivers a little. She moves to the thermostat and cranks up the heat. She returns to her post at the coffee maker.

Her gum chewing starts to slow. Her eyes start to shut sleepily.

THEN THE SOUND OF LOUD SQUEAKY THUDS COMES DOWN FROM THE CEILING.

Lynn is instantly awake. THE THUDS ARE STRONG. She stares straight up.

Beat. THE CRASHING OF THE MATTRESS SPRINGS BECOME LOUDER AND FASTER.

THE BANGING BECOMES VERY STRONG - SHAKING THE KITCHEN SLIGHTLY. Lynn can't believe it.

Tiny particles from the ceiling begin to chip and fall to the kitchen floor. THE THUDS ARE ALMOST VIOLENT NOW.

Lynn starts to think something's wrong for the first time.

THE SOUND OF THE BEDSPRINGS INSTANTLY STOPS. ONLY THE GURGLING OF THE COFFEE MACHINE CAN BE HEARD.

Lynn lets out a tense breath. Touches her moussed hair nervously. She stands thinking to herself for a moment. Beat.

Lynn turns to face the kitchen table and SCREAMS AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS.

Cole is seated at the kitchen table in his private school uniform. Cole jerks back from his milk as his mom screams.

Lynn catches her breath.

Cole doesn't make eye contact with his mom

Cole shrugs his shoulders. Lynn studies her son.

Cole doesn't answer.

THE DOOR BELL RINGS. Cole drinks the rest of his milk and cereal and takes his bag.

Cole kisses his flustered mother on the cheek then walks out the front door.

Lynn stands motionless in the kitchen. She looks up and wraps her arms around her shivering shoulders.

TOMMY TAMMISIMO is a tough looking eight year old Italian kid who waits at the bottom of Cole's brownstone stairs in his school uniform. Tommy looks like he'd rather be anywhere in the world than at the bottom of those stairs.

Cole emerges from the brownstone and moves down the steps. Lynn's face appears in the kitchen window.

The two boys begin their walk down the street to school. Tommy puts his arm around Cole. Lynn waves. Cole waves back.

When the two boys turn the corner and are out of Lynn's sight, Tommy rips his arm away.

Tommy starts to run ahead, he turns and back pedals.

Tommy laughs and runs away.

Beat. Cole looks around nervously, then buries his hands in his pockets and begins a slow quiet walk down the sidewalk by himself.

We are in Cole's house. In the den. Boxes of old toys sit in the corner. A small plastic multi-colored table sits on a rug.

Malcolm has pulled up a folding chair and watches as Cole plays with his action figures. Cole is in thick sweater pulled up to his chin to keep him warm.

Cole presses his hair flat to give Malcolm a better idea.

Beat.

Malcolm and Cole look at each other.

Cole sits still for a second and then nods his head, "Yes."

Cole nods, "No."

Beat. Malcolm looks to Cole's arm. Cole is wearing A LARGE SILVER WATCH. It swims on his thin wrist. It could probably slide up to his shoulder.

Beat. Malcolm leans over. Pulls out Cole's file from his bag.

An uncomfortable SILENCE OVERTAKES THE DEN. Beat.

Cole is very still. He doesn't move at all. Malcolm waits awhile before speaking again.

Cole nods, "yes."

Cole's face turns to ice.

Malcolm instantly stops.

Cole covers his ears and closes his eyes.

Cole slowly stops chanting. He keeps his eyes closed and covers his ears. His body rocks slightly.

Malcolm stares helplessly across the table at Cole Sear curled up in his chair.

THE DEN IS SUFFOCATED WITH SILENCE.

Malcolm hurriedly enters a spacious, dimly lit Italian restaurant. He stops in the dining room and searches the many candle lit tables. He finds Anna.

Anna sits alone at a corner table. The remains of her half-eaten dinner lay on the only place setting on the table. A small PIECE OF CAKE WITH A CANDLE in it sits untouched.

Anna stirs sugar in her coffee as Malcolm sits in the seat across from her. She gently stops stirring, but doesn't look up. Beat.

Anna quietly takes a sip from her coffee.

Anna looks around for the waiter.

That makes Anna turn back. She glances across the table, then looks down.

Malcolm demonstrates by holding up his arm to shield his face.

The waiter drops off the check on the table. Anna grabs it before Malcolm and quickly signs it.

Beat.

Anna waits till he's done and rises from the table. She pushed her chair in hard and walks away without a word. Malcolm sits alone and stares at the piece of cake with a candle on it.

We are in Cole's den. Cole is at the multi-colored table setting up his men to have a war. Malcolm sits in the folding chair and observes.

On the table are two rows of soldiers facing each other. To one side of the table are a couple soldiers covered by a tissue. Malcolm points to them.

Cole removes the tissue.

Cole points to the other soldier.

Beat. Cole's face becomes emotional. Tears fill his eyes.

Malcolm falls into silence and stares at his client. Beat. Cole wipes his eyes quickly.

Malcolm tries to read Cole's expression.

Cole points to the corner of the den. Malcolm slowly turns his chair. He sits in profile to Cole. Beat.

Malcolm continues to stare at the corner.

Malcolm sits patiently. Beat. They don't say anything for awhile.

Cole looks up from his soldiers. Malcolm stares at the corner of the room.

The two of them walk down a row of brownstones across from a park.

Malcolm thinks for a bit.

Cole nods "Yes."

Cole shakes his head. "No."

Malcolm stops walking. The words hit him hard. He stares at Cole.

Beat. Malcolm's passionate face affects Cole. Cole looks at Malcolm with different eyes. The child nods slowly.

They start walking again in silence. They turn a corner and move down another street. Cole spots an old man with a cane standing at the gate of a brownstone.

Malcolm nods "yes" as they continue walking. Cole slows as they approach the old man. As we get closer, we make out the man can barely see.

MR. MARSCHAL leans over his gate and stares at Cole for a few seconds.

Mr. Marschal has a thick German accent. The old man squints down the block with a concerned expression.

Beat.

Malcolm's eyes dart to Cole.

Mr. Marschal smiles at Cole before walking back inside his house. Cole turns back to Malcolm.

This brownstone has been home to the Marschal's for many, many years. It's filled with a lifetime of memories. Memories shared by two people.

Two rocking chairs sit side by side near the windows that overlook the street... A corner table displays a fancy wooden chess set. The game half-finished, frozen in a layer of dust... An easel stands before a piano. The incomplete water color painting of a smiling elderly woman sitting on the piano bench sits sadly on the faded yellow paper.

Malcolm takes in the living room silently. He stands near the open door.

Cole walks through the room. Tiny eyes searching carefully. He leans behind the sofa looking for something. Malcolm watches Cole with a crinkled brow.

Cole peaks behind the old piano crammed against the wall.

Cole turns to find Mr. Marschal standing with a glass of lemonade. Cole takes it from his shaking hands.

Mr. Marschal shuffles over to the sofa. Takes a seat.

Cole begins surveying the room again. Beat. His eyes finally come to rest on a plant seated in the corner. He stares at it... THE LEAVES OF THE PLANT SHAKE SLIGHTLY FROM A BREEZE.

Cole puts down his glass on a table and walks over to the plant. Cole kneels down and starts to push the potted plant aside. THE POT SCREECHES ON THE WOODEN FLOOR.

Malcolm calls to Cole under his breath.

Mr. Marschal strains to see across the room.

Cole doesn't answer either of them. Instead, he continues to push the plant aside revealing AN AIR VENT. Cole gently reaches over and takes off the metal face. It slips right off.

Cole's hands disappear into the darkness of the vent. They reemerge holding a STACK OF NOTEBOOKS.

Malcolm becomes very still.

Cole rises to his feet and carries the notebooks over to Mr. Marschal. Cole carefully places them on his lap.

Mr. Marschal fingers the notebooks then reaches for his thick glasses hanging from his neck. He places them on the tip of his nose and inspects the notebooks six inches from his face.

Malcolm takes an involuntary step forward.

Mr. Marschal starts flipping through the notebooks.

He gets to the last book. His hands become still as he stares at the final page of writing.

Beat. Mr. Marschal slowly looks up from the notebooks. Looks up to Cole. Cole just stands quietly.

Mr. Marschal's eyes slowly fill with tears of realization. They gently spill down his weathered face.

Cole takes a deep breath. Trying hard not to cry himself. The sight of Mr. Marschal weeping shakes Cole.

Cole softly lays his hand on Mr. Marschal's silver hair. Mr. Marschal reaches up and clutches his small hand.

They stay like that for a while. Beat. Mr. Marschal lets go and brings the notebooks tighter to his body.

Cole quietly walks to Malcolm who stands motionless. He stares down at Cole in a daze.

Cole turns his head, crying.

Malcolm sits still in his office chair. His eyes are fixed at a point in space. He brings a slim black tape recorder to his mouth.

CLICK.

A long silence. CLICK. The tape recorder turns off.

Lynn holds a laundry basket on her hip as she fiddles with the thermostat in the kitchen. The house is cold. Lynn wears a winter jacket in the house.

Lynn turns and moves into the shadowy hallway. No lights. The house seems somewhat ominous. Beat.

Lynn's eyes dart to an open guest room like she just saw something. She stares in the doorway until a SOUND TURNS HER IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FAMILY ROOM.

Her eyes scan the darkness.

Lynn doesn't move. She listens to the SILENCE. Beat. She starts back down the hall picking up balled up boy's sweat socks and dirty T-shirts laying on the carpet. When she reaches the end of the hall, she HITS A LIGHT SWITCH. The hall LIGHTS UP REVEALING A WALL OF PHOTOS. Lynn forms a tiny smile

Snapshots of Cole and Lynn's life hang before her eyes.

Cole's birthday parties... Lynn and Cole at an amusement park... Cole under the Christmas tree... Cole on Lynn's shoulders in a pool... Cole with a group of neighbors at a barbecue...

Lynn takes a step forward. Lynn's face betrays the fact that she notices something she never noticed before. She touches a photo of three year old Cole.

WE MOVE INTO THE PHOTO - COLE'S FACE SMILES AT US. LYNN'S FINGER GENTLY BRUSHES A THIN STREAK OF LIGHT THAT CURVES IN THE BACKGROUND BEHIND COLE. THE STREAK OF LIGHT IS BLURRED, LIKE SOMETHING CAUGHT IN MOTION.

Lynn looks to the adjacent photo - the barbecue photo - Everyone stands with hot dogs and sodas. Lynn searches the picture. Her eyes suddenly stop at the TINIEST BLUR OF WHITE LIGHT STREAKING AROUND COLE.

WE MOVE FROM FRAMED PHOTO TO FRAMED PHOTO - EACH THE SAME - SOMEWHERE HIDDEN IN THE FRAME, SOMEWHERE NOT EASILY SEEN, LYNN FINDS A BLUR.

Lynn takes it all in curiously.

Lynn moves into Cole's room with the laundry basket balanced on her hip. The Walkman headphones on her head blares A MUFFLED TECHNO DANCE BEAT. Lynn starts picking clothes up around Cole's room.

This bedroom is an eerie place. The shadows seem to make shapes and figures. All the furniture is wood - old fashioned. The lamps, the paintings on the wall - antiques as well.

A small red camping tent sits in the corner. A sign hangs over the entrance flap.

"DO NOT TOUCH"

Lynn grabs the spiderman P.J.s that drape over the tent.

A German Shepherd Puppy sleeps on the pillow. SEBASTIAN lifts his head sleepily and peers at Lynn before returning to his slumber.

Lynn slowly reaches for a picture frame that peeks out from under Cole's pillow. Slides it out... It's a FAMILY PHOTO. Lynn and Cole and a man. The man wears glasses and smiles warmly at the camera. The man looks in every way a larger version of Cole.

The picture has a visible effect on Lynn. She lets out a shaky breath before returning the photo to its hiding place.

Lynn pulls a pair of school uniform pants off the wooden roll cover desk next to the bed.

The desk is covered with loose leaf papers filled with writings. Lynn's eyes are drawn to the papers.

Her curious gaze turns serious. Her mouth opens a tiny bit involuntarily.

THE PAPERS are strewn with lines of handwriting. Countless lines. Thousands of words... Some horizontal, some vertical... The writing moves in arcs and flows in varies sizes - written at great speed - every word connected by a single pen stroke - everything written in one continuous motion.

Lynn slowly spins the papers, taking in some of the phrases...

...Broken glass pray for help check the baby why didn't you come no one hears water rising no more pain...

The words go on and on.

Lynn removes her hands from the paper. She pulls her headphones off slowly.

THE MUFFLED TECHNO DANCE BEAT FILLS THE DEAD SILENCE OF THE EERIE ROOM.

Malcolm stares as the rain pelts the windows of the den.

Beat.

Malcolm turns and looks at his client. Cole sits at his table wearing A GOLF CAP, many sizes to big for him. Beat.

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

Cole looks up.

Cole shakes his head, "No."

Cole has become very still. He's looks right at Malcolm.

Beat. Cole nods, "Yes."

Beat.

Beat.

Malcolm watches him carefully. Reading every movement the child makes. Beat.

Malcolm smiles. He rises and grabs his coat.

Cole's brow furrows as he thinks about it carefully.

Malcolm heads for the door.

Malcolm turns back to Cole.

Cole's sad eyes stare up at Malcolm.

The surface of Malcolm's desk is covered with open texts. Malcolm pours over a thick reference book.

He circles a phrase...

"...related neurological disorders may result in seizures causing bruises and abrasions on arms and legs."

Malcolm sits up and slowly works through all the possibilities in his head.

ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICE CARRIES DOWN THE STAIRS.

His face turns up to the ceiling.

ANNA'S VOICE IS UNCLEAR. MALCOLM TRIES TO LISTEN.

Malcolm moves down the hall to the living room.

MALCOLM'S P.O.V. - Anna's back is to us in a chair.

Malcolm stops when he gets close to her chair. Her hand has come into view, holding a phone to her ear.

Malcolm stares at the back of his wife.

Malcolm turns quietly and heads to the basement door. IT STICKS A LITTLE BEFORE IT OPENS.

The last thing Malcolm hears as he disappears down into his office, is the SOUND OF HIS WIFE'S SOFT LAUGHTER.

STANLEY CUNNINGHAM is a teacher in his late forties. He writes a question on the board.

Mr. Cunningham turns and stares at his class of eight and nine year old private school students. They stare back at him blankly.

Cole rests his chin on his desk and watches the class with big eyes.

The class says the answer in unison.

Stanley Cunningham looks over the class of blank faces. He's just about to answer his own question when he sees a hand go up. Mr. Cunningham looks surprised to see who it is.

Mr. Cunningham furrows his brow. Beat.

Beat.

Mr. Cunningham chuckles. Cole's face turns cement grey.

Tommy Tammisimo leads the class in a wave of snickering.

Cole never takes his eyes off his smiling teacher.

Mr. Cunningham sees the traumatized expression on Cole's face and instantly stops smiling.

Mr. Cunningham's face becomes still. So does the classroom.

The class falls into stunned silence. Mr. Cunningham takes an involuntary step towards Cole's desk.

Mr. Cunningham moves closer to Cole.

Cole covers his eyes with his hands.

We see Cole's mouth under his covered eyes.

Mr. Cunningham is standing right over Cole's desk now.

MR. CUNNINGHAM SLAMS HIS HAND ON COLE'S DESK. Cole's hands drop from his eyes. The teacher's face is burning red.

The children in the room are frozen. Completely startled.

Cole's eyes are filled with tears.

Mr. Cunningham's expression drains of anger as Cole Sear begins to cry.

Cole is seated in the faculty lounge by himself. He sits at a long center table near the windows. His head is laying on his folded arms on the table.

Malcolm peeks his head in the door - unsure if he's in the right place. He spots Cole and enters the room. He silently takes a seat across from Cole. The eight year old looks up. Cole's eyes are red from crying.

Cole stares for a second.

Cole lowers his head. Malcolm just sits and thinks.

THE SOUNDS OF BOYS PLAYING SPORTS ON THE FIELD OUTSIDE FILTER IN THROUGH THE FACULTY ROOM WINDOWS.

Cole turns his head and stares at the windows. Malcolm takes in the sad vision of this boy. It affects him. Beat.

Cole turns from the windows and looks to Malcolm. Beat. Cole nods, "Yes."

Malcolm pulls out a penny from his pocket. He places it in his right hand.

Malcolm closes his hand around the penny.

Malcolm shakes his hand in circles. Cole watches his hand carefully.

Cole looks to Malcolm's closed left hand. Malcolm doesn't open it.

Cole's eyes lock on Malcolm's shirt. Malcolm taps the pocket but doesn't open it.

Malcolm opens his right hand. The penny sits quietly in the center of his palm.

Cole looks at the penny and then up to Malcolm's face. Beat. Cole cracks a smile.

Malcolm smiles a mischievous smile. He places the penny on the table. Cole stares at it with a grin. Cole wipes the old tears from his face and looks to Malcolm.

Malcolm and Cole share a warm look.

THE SOUNDS OF KIDS LAUGHING AND PLAYING OUT ON THE FIELD COME POURING INTO THE ROOM AGAIN.

Cole's expression changes back to sadness as he looks to the windows. Malcolm leans across the table and whispers.

Cole looks at Malcolm.

Beat. Cole's chin starts to tremble. His voice cracks.

Beat.

Malcolm and Cole sit in silence and listen to THE SOUNDS OF CHILDREN PLAYING.

Malcolm sorts through the many bills on the mail table.

Malcolm turns AT THE SOUND OF THE WOMAN, and moves into the empty living room where the t.v. is on. A blanket lays crumpled on the sofa.

THE WOMAN'S VOICE IS COMING FROM A VIDEO PLAYING IN THE VCR. IT'S A WEDDING VIDEO. A WOMAN IN A BRIDESMAID DRESS STANDS HOLDING THE MICROPHONE. IN THE BACKGROUND, WE CAN SEE THE DANCE FLOOR.

THE BRIDESMAID IS VERY EMOTIONAL.

THE WOMAN HANDS THE MICROPHONE TO SOMEONE OFF SCREEN. THE CAMERA PANS AWAY FROM HER AND ZOOMS IN ON THE DANCE FLOOR. MALCOLM AND ANNA ARE SLOW DANCING. THEY'RE WHISPERING AND LAUGHING WITH EACH OTHER. THE HAPPINESS FROM THEM IS TANGIBLE.

Malcolm can't help smiling as he stares at the flickering images. He turns and looks down the hall to their bedroom.

Malcolm moves into their room.

THE SOUND OF A SHOWER CAN BE HEARD FROM THE BATHROOM.

Malcolm moves to the bathroom door and opens it slowly.

Malcolm steps into the bathroom quietly. He stares at the silhouette of Anna's body through the smoked glass of the shower. Anna stands still, her head tilted back.

Malcolm watches quietly. By his expression, it's clear he's taken by his wife's beauty.

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

He reaches out and picks it up. The label on the plastic bottle reads,

"Zoloft Anti-depressant" "To be taken twice daily"

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

Malcolm leaves the bathroom. He makes sure not to make a noise with 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 birthday presents are 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.

Cole smiles and holds out his hand. His fingers open to reveal the penny.

Bobby stares.

Cole loses his smile.

Cole and the overweight boy stare at each other.

Cole gives the boy his penny. Beat.

Bobby finally looks up.

Bobby fidgets with a birthday napkin.

Beat.

Beat. Bobby thinks it over.

Bobby smiles for the first time. Cole smiles and gets up from the table.

As Cole leaves the dining room, he hears something. It's Bobby. He's quietly humming the Spiderman theme.

Cole passes the kitchen doorway. Inside Cole sees his mother and DARREN'S MOM speaking. It's clear they're from different worlds. Lynn is wearing tight clothes with hair teased to dramatic heights. Darren's mom is in a designer suit.

Darren's mom smiles formally and turns to give the catering people instructions on how to lay out the food on her sterling silver trays.

Darren's mom turns back to Lynn, the forced smile on her face.

Lynn nods "Yes."

Darren's mom glances at her expensive watch.

Lynn drowns in her thoughts. Cole moves away from the kitchen with sad eyes.

Cole passes two expensively dressed mothers standing in the hallway.

Cole moves down the shiny mahogany wood hallway. The women's conversation FADES AWAY behind him.

Cole turns a corner and comes to a dead stop. He turns white as he stares at an open CRAWL SPACE CLOSET a few feet away. Cole's eyes are riveted in the darkness of the closet. Beat.

THE HALLWAY ERUPTS WITH NOISE AS THE CHILDREN RUN IN FROM THE BACKYARD.

Tommy Tammisimo is one of the children. He glances down the hall and sees Cole standing frozen staring at the crawl space closet.

Tommy grabs a skinny kid with a party hat on, as he runs by.

DARREN looks down the hall to Cole.

Tommy nudges Darren to move down the hall. Cole breaks from his trance as Tommy and Darren walk up.

Tommy points to the crawl space.

Beat. Tommy looks to Darren and then back to Cole.

Beat.

Tommy stares at Darren. Darren finally gets it.

It happens too quick for Cole to react. Darren and Tommy shove Cole backwards. He stumbles into the darkness of the crawl space.

Tommy slams the door closed. Darren turns the lock. They crack smiles at each other as Cole bangs on the door.

The BANGING GOES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT JUST STOPS.

SILENCE.

Darren and Tommy look at each other and then back at the crawl space door.

Then THE SCREAMING BEGINS.

Darren and Tommy back away from the door as COLE SCREAMS IN TERROR at the top of his lungs. He CRASHES OVER AND OVER against the door. HIS BODY SLAMMING AGAINST THE WOOD. The DOOR RATTLES like it's going to break off its hinges.

The two boys are statues as Cole's BLOOD CHILLING YELLS FILLS THE HALLWAY.

FOOTSTEPS SPIKE THE AIR AS children and mothers come running down the hall. Lynn is one of them.

Darren's mother turns the corner.

She looks to the closet. THE HIGH PITCHED SCREAMS CUT THROUGH THE HALL.

Lynn and Darren's mom rush to the door and turn the knob... The door flies open. Cole is seemingly thrown out. He lands right into his mother's arms. Unconscious.

Darren's mom looks into the crawl space - there's nothing inside except a couple packing boxes in the back. She looks to Lynn. Beat.

Lynn and DR. PATRICIA HILL sit on a checkered sofa in the waiting area of the hospital.

Malcolm stands in the doorway. Arms folded somberly.

Beat.

Malcolm shakes his head.

Lynn stares at Dr. Patricia Hill.

Beat.

Cole lays 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 weakly as Malcolm walks to the side of the bed. He pulls a [missing from source: rest of line not printed; PDF page 61, printed page 60] Takes a seat. Beat.

Cole thinks about it. Shakes his head, "No."

Cole nods, "Yes."

Beat. Malcolm notices Cole's legs 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.

They sit in silence. Malcolm works on a new plot in his head.

Beat.

Cole nods, "Yes."

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.

Malcolm breaks from his thoughts and looks at Cole who watches him with unwavering attention. Malcolm smiles.

Malcolm leans forward, whispers with emotional eyes.

Cole looks at Malcolm's emotional eyes. Cole stares at Malcolm a long time.

Malcolm nods "yes." Cole thinks to himself.

EVERYTHING THAT'S SAID FROM THIS POINT ON IS WHISPERED.

Malcolm blinks very slowly. He barely gets the words out.

Cole takes an eternal pause. A silent tension engulfs them both.

Beat.

Cole shakes his head, "No."

Cole nods, "Yes."

Beat.

Malcolm becomes completely motionless. He and Cole stare at each other a long time.

Beat.

Beat.

Cole nods, "Yes." Beat.

Malcolm nods, "Yes." Cole pulls the covers up to his chin. Malcolm is very still and stares at Cole.

MALCOLM'S EYES - slowly turn and survey the room. They find nothing. Malcolm returns to watching Cole.

COLE'S EYES LOOK AROUND THE ROOM WARILY... WE MOVE IN ON THEM - TILL HIS EYES FILL THE FRAME.

WE PULL BACK FROM COLE'S BLACK EYES...

PULL BACK TO THE FOOT OF THE BED...

PULL BACK EVEN FARTHER REVEALING A ROOM FILLED WITH PEOPLE. HOSPITAL PATIENTS... SOME OLD, SOME YOUNG... SOME ARE DRESSED IN MODERN HOSPITAL GOWNS... SOME FROM DECADES PAST.

THEY ALL STAND SILENTLY AROUND COLE'S BED... WATCHING. WAITING.

Malcolm sits in silence waiting at the bus stop. He pulls the tape recorder out of his bag. Brings it to his mouth. Clicks it on.

CLICK. Malcolm's hand with the tape recorder drops into his lap.

Malcolm stares into the night. He slowly brings the tape back up to his lips.

CLICK.

Malcolm sits alone at the bus stop, as thoughts crash like thunder in his head.

The STREETS TURN RED as Lynn drives home from the hospital in silence. She glances down to her right.

Cole is curled up asleep on the passenger seat, back in his regular clothes, a tiny party hat clutched in his hand. He looks like a four year old.

The sight of him exhausted and still, hits Lynn hard

Lynn's face drowns in deep concern. She lays a hand on Cole's head as she drives.

Lynn lays Cole gently on his bed next to his German Shepherd Puppy. Cole curls up with Sebastian.

Lynn watches the two youngsters sleep for a moment, before pulling Cole's sweater from over her shoulder. She begins to fold it. Her attention is drawn to the sweater. She fingers the fabric of the back. IT'S RIPPED. Her eyes move to Cole. In the middle of the back of his T-shirt are THREE SMALL TEARS. Lynn pushes the fabric open with her fingers and sees DEEP FINGERNAIL LIKE SCRATCHES on his skin.

Lynn look around helplessly, fear creeping into her eyes.

Lynn emerges from Cole's room. She turns OFF THE HALL LIGHTS as she moves into her room and closes the door.

Silence. The house is drowned in shadows.

The thermostat on the wall reads seventy-eight degrees.

Late night. An unnatural silence fills the house.

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

A LIGHT TURNS ON FROM UNDER COLE'S DOOR.

The door opens a crack. Cole's tiny face peeks out. Eyes scan the darkness.

The door opens a little bit more. Cole's knees are pressed together. His body dances a little. Cole has to pee. He moves cautiously into the hall.

Cole moves briskly to a door halfway down the corridor. Opens it. Cole turns on the LIGHT IN THE BATHROOM.

He checks behind the shower curtain, before he turns his back and pees into the toilet.

A LARGE FIGURE MOVES PAST THE DOORWAY.

Cole instantly stops peeing. His body becomes very still. He slowly reaches for the toilet handle and flushes. He closes his pants and turns. 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 corner - coming to a stop in the doorway of the kitchen.

Cole stares at the back of a person cooking food on the stove. Cole's fear slowly fades away. Beat.

The person turns. It's not Lynn. It's a strange woman. The woman's face is demented. A purple gash cuts across her forehead.

Cole's face turns the color of ash.

Cole backs up to the doorway.

The woman smiles menacingly as she thrusts her wrists forward... They've been savagely cut. She moves towards Cole.

Cole turns and runs down the hall. THE SOUND OF THE WOMAN'S FOOTSTEPS AND FLOWING ROBE CHASE HIM.

Sebastian rises to his feet on the bed and BARKS VIOLENTLY as Cole bursts in.

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

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

Cole is curled up in the tent. He lays still for a moment before reaching over and FLICKING ON A FLASH LIGHT.

The red interior of the tent gets LIT UP.

It's a striking sight. The walls of the tent are lined with religious pictures taped to the walls. Tiny statues of saints are 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 BREATHING OUTSIDE.

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

COLE YELLS AS IT FLIES INTO HIS LAP.

Cole looks down to find his puppy shivering violently. Cole holds Sebastian tight in his arms. He closes his eyes and begins to rock slowly back and forth.

The LIGHTS IN THE GYM GO DOWN. THE SPOT LIGHT OPENS ON THE STAGE AS THE CURTAINS MOVE TO THE SIDES...

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

The parents APPLAUD AS TOMMY TAMMISIMO WALKS OUT ON STAGE in a villager's outfit.

THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS THE REST OF THE ACTORS COME OUT. Some are villagers, others are dressed as trees and animals.

Cole comes on stage holding a painted cardboard monkey.

MALCOLM APPLAUDS FROM THE BACK OF THE 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.

Beat.

Malcolm stops their walk.

Beat.

Cole's face trembles. He turns and runs down the hall. His shoes SQUEAK ON THE WOOD FLOORS AS HE TURNS THE CORNER.

Malcolm stands alone in the corridor. Eyes closing in frustration.

Malcolm finds Cole hiding in a corner by a set of doors. Malcolm kneels down next to him.

Malcolm notices Cole's expression.

Cole points to the doors.

Cole doesn't say anything. Beat.

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

It's a large shadowy stairwell. Malcolm squints his eyes and looks around.

THE SOUND OF THE DOOR OPENING BEHIND HIM IS HEARD. Cole steps in. He moves close to Malcolm.

Cole is trembling slightly.

Malcolm follows the child's gaze to the top of the stairs.

Beat.

Malcolm looks to Cole and then turns back to the top of the stairs. Malcolm's body becomes very still. Beat.

Malcolm looks at the empty stairwell.

Beat.

Malcolm glances at Cole. Surprise on his face.

Beat.

Malcolm looks at the empty stairwell and then back to Cole.

Nothing is said for a few moments.

Malcolm turns back to Cole, he finds the child with tears in his eyes. Cole looks at Malcolm desperately.

Malcolm stares helplessly.

Malcolm gently leads Cole away from the stairs.

COLE GLANCES BACK AS HE MOVES OUT OF THE STAIRWELL.

COLE'S P.O.V. - The light dangling at the top of the stairs sways a little... But so do THE THREE BODIES HANGING BY THEIR NECKS FROM A WOODEN BEAM.

It's a truly horrific sight. A BLACK MAN in britches and no shirt , face beaten to a pulp, hangs in the center, A WHITE WOMAN in a torn white frilly dress - tears soaking her face, hangs to the right. A small MIXED RACE CHILD in half pants, hangs to their left. The family stares at Cole. They follow Cole with their tortured eyes as he exits the stairwell.

Malcolm walks from the bus stop over the cobblestone streets in front of Independence Hall. The streets are quiet and dark. Night time has fallen over the city.

Malcolm passes a sign listing all the historical dates of the buildings in the area. "1778, 1792, 1794..."

Malcolm is lost in his thoughts as he walks home.

He slowly comes to a stop in front of an old building. He holds his arm up. Uses his other hand to gently touch the RAISED HAIRS on his arm's surface.

Malcolm looks up slowly. Looks around. The dark shadows fill the corners of the historic buildings...

Malcolm stares into the darkness... Beat.

A long moment as he waits. The shadows seem to move, then become still.

Malcolm shakes off the moment. He returns his hands to his pockets as he moves through the dark streets of Philadelphia to his home.

Late evening. Anna huddles under a blanket on the sofa and watches television.

Malcolm enters the room and takes a seat in the reading chair next to her.

Anna waits a moment, before raising the remote and turning off the television. She stares quietly at the darkened screen.

Anna doesn't respond.

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

Beat. The PHONE RINGS IN ANOTHER ROOM. Anna closes her eyes.

Anna doesn't move. The PHONE RINGS AGAIN. Beat.

Anna opens her eyes and throws off her blanket. Malcolm watches her leave the room.

He waits alone in the emptiness of the living room. After a long while, he gets up and heads for his basement door.

He passes the doorway to the kitchen. ANNA'S VOICE CAN BE HEARD SPEAKING ON THE PHONE.

Malcolm doesn't hear anything as Anna listens to the person on the phone. He starts for the basement door again.

Malcolm stands frozen in the hall. Anna's HUSHED WORDS RING IN THE AIR LIKE A GUN BLAST.

Lynn adjusts the thermostat as she tries to keep herself warm.

Lynn fiddles with the dials, then returns to the dinner table where Cole is seated. Cole's wearing a pair of his father's extra large LEATHER GLOVES. Cole's small hands don't even fill the palm area. Cole has difficulty trying to pick up his milk glass with the gloves.

Cole removes the gloves from his hand and places them next to his plate.

Cole moves them to the floor.

Lynn is irritated, this is a sore point between them.

Lynn and Cole eat quietly. Beat.

Cole looks up. An anxious expression on his face. Beat.

Cole just stares.

Cole looks down at his lap.

Cole shakes his head. "No." Lynn just stares.

Cole doesn't answer.

Lynn just stares at Cole.

Lynn folds her napkin quietly.

Beat. Cole's eyes start to water up.

Lynn goes cold.

Cole just stares at his mother's expression.

Cole gets up - never taking his eyes off his mother - and leaves the room.

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

Sebastian comes racing down the hall and scurries past Cole. Cole watches his puppy dart into the living room and under a couch.

Cole slowly turns back and looks down the hall.

THE DOOR TO COLE'S ROOM SITS AT THE END OF THE CORRIDOR. IT'S ALMOST SHUT. COLE WATCHES AS THE DOOR BEGINS TO OPEN VERY SLOWLY. IT OPENS WIDE. COLE DOESN'T MOVE AN INCH.

SUDDENLY IN THE STILLNESS AND THE DARKNESS, A SMALL FIGURE SCURRIES FROM ANOTHER BEDROOM INTO THE BLACKNESS OF COLE'S ROOM. IT HAPPENS LIKE A FLASH.

Cole stops breathing.

THE FIGURE SLOWLY STEPS OUT FROM COLE'S DOORWAY.

IT'S A BOY. A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN COLE.

THE BOY WHISPERS IN A LOW HOARSE VOICE.

THE BOY TURNS. WE SEE THAT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD IS MISSING AS HE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS OF COLE'S ROOM.

Cole is too terrified to move.

Lynn is at the sink, doing dishes.

Lynn turns - surprised to hear her son's voice. Lynn's eyes are red from crying. She wipes them quickly with the back of her hand.

Mother and son look at each other. Beat.

Lynn fights back some tears.

Lynn walks over and hugs him. Beat.

Cole doesn't answer.

Cole just closes his eyes and holds his mom tight.

Cole doesn't say a word.

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

Anna stands across a glass cabinet from a silver haired female CUSTOMER. An antique necklace sits on a velvet pad between them.

The silver haired woman studies Anna.

The silver haired woman touches the necklace gently with her fingertips. Beat.

The woman and Anna smile at each other.

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

Anna tilts the necklace towards him.

Anna smiles as she takes a seat at her desk. She prepares the paperwork.

Anna starts filling out the paper work. Sean picks up the necklace. He moves behind Anna and holds it in front of her. She doesn't respond. He wait quietly.

Then Anna reaches up and lifts her hair. Sean lays the necklace around her neck. He closes the silver clasp. He hesitates. Anna's eyes register the extra time.

Sean's hand touches Anna's neck softly. Anna becomes still. His fingers barely touch her skin. Anna isn't breathing.

A SHATTERING DOOR SLAM ECHOES THROUGH THE STORE. Anna and Jeffery pull apart. They rush past the silver haired woman to the front of the store. They find the glass front door cracked in a spider web pattern

They carefully push open the door and step out onto the sidewalk. Look around. No one in sight.

Anna stares down the empty street. She touches the antique necklace around her neck, a concerned expression on her face.

Malcolm walks angrily down the sidewalk. He stops as his hand goes to his side. He winces with pain as he keeps walking.

Cole and Lynn ride home with a back seat full of groceries.

Cole finishes off a cherry popsicle as he watches out the window.

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 white dress from the 40's suddenly walks into the middle of the street.

The woman in the white dress turns. Her hand rests on her stomach. WE SEE SHE IS PREGNANT.

Lynn slams the brakes... Too late.

THE WOMAN SMASHES INTO THE FRONT GRILL OF THE CAR... HER TERROR STRICKEN FACE COMES OVER THE HOOD AND CRASHES RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD IN A SHOWER OF BLOOD AND GLASS...

COLE SCREAMS. LYNN SCREAMS... THE CAR SCREECHES TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONGESTED STREET.

The line of cars behind them suddenly hit their brakes and swerve to one side avoiding a mass collision. After a few seconds, the entire intersection has come to a halt.

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

He looks around fearfully. His eyes move to the windshield. No broken glass. No blood. And no woman. Cole looks out through the pristine windshield onto the street where cars are stopped and staring all around him.

Cole slowly looks over to his mother. He finds her staring at him in complete and utter 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 - arms 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 watches him. Beat.

Cole pulls out a penny from his pocket.

The room falls into silence again. Beat. Cole speaks very softly.

Malcolm stares across at Cole.

Malcolm leans forward. His eyes fill with emotion.

Tears fall down Malcolm's cheek.

It takes a second, but Cole begins tearing up to.

Cole wipes his eyes with his sleeve. They sit quietly and stare at each other. Beat.

Cole whispers.

A long pause.

Beat.

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

Malcolm sits stoically at his desk in his basement. His eyes gaze at the dusty FRAMED CERTIFICATE FROM THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA shoved between two packing boxes.

Malcolm leans his head back against the chair. Stares into the shadows. Drowns in his thoughts.

Beat. THE CHAIR CREAKS as he slowly sits up again. Malcolm's eyes scan the room and come to a stop on a box marked with the label...

"SESSION TAPES - VINCENT GRAY"

A tape slides into the tape player seated on Malcolm's desk. Malcolm hits play.

THE SOUND OF A DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING IS HEARD.

WE HEAR A CHAIR MOVE AS MALCOLM SITS DOWN. And then SILENCE. Beat.

A TEN YEAR OLD'S VOICE ANSWERS.

Beat. VINCENT SNIFFLES.

Beat.

Beat.

CLICK. THE TAPE GOES TO SILENCE.

Malcolm just sits in the shadowy basement. He doesn't move for a while.

Then he hits the rewind button. Stops it. Presses play.

Malcolm hits the rewind button again. Lets it rewind for a while. Presses play.

THE SOUND OF A DOOR OPENING IS HEARD.

FOOTSTEPS AS MALCOLM AND THE SECRETARY LEAVE THE ROOM. THE DOOR CLOSES. AND THE SILENCE.

Nothing happens for a long time. AND THEN WE HEAR A SUDDEN CHAIR SCREECH ACROSS THE FLOOR. VINCENT'S BREATHING QUICKENS.

A SLIGHT STATIC STARTS TO FILTER IN ON THE TAPE.

Malcolm's eyes are locked on the spool of audio tape as it spins in the player.

Malcolm's fingers move to the volume dial. He turns it way up. THE STATIC NOISE FROM THE TAPE FILLS THE BASEMENT.

Malcolm leans closer to the tape player. Closes his eyes and listens... Beat.

DEEP IN THE STATIC... ANOTHER SOUND EMERGES. WHISPERING.

A MAN'S VOICE IS HEARD IN THE ROOM WITH VINCENT.

Malcolm mouth opens in disbelief.

Cole guides two army soldiers up a stack of bibles. The rest of the plastic army waits on the pew below.

Cole hears hurried footsteps and looks up.

Malcolm stands in the aisle a little out of breath. He holds his hand to his side as he winces a bit.

Malcolm nods, "Yes."

Malcolm takes a seat in the pew.

Malcolm shakes his head, "No."

Cole holds up his plastic rifleman.

Beat.

Beat.

Cole shakes his head, "No."

Malcolm leans forward slowly and speaks in a hushed tone.

Cole studies Malcolm's passionate face. A new face.

Cole looks at Malcolm.

Malcolm's stare is unwavering.

Malcolm nods "Yes."

Beat. Cole is quiet for a while.

Cole takes a big sigh. Fiddles with his riflemen.

Cole looks nervous.

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

Cole and Malcolm sit silently in the back of the church.

Malcolm enters his house. The place is in darkness. He flicks on 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 top. It reads,

"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 SOUNDS OF ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICE ON THE PHONE FILTER THROUGH THE DOOR.

Malcolm's a ball of tension as he moves for the bedroom. His hand touches the knob as he hears...

Something in her voice makes Malcolm stop as if she's talking to him. His hand rests on the knob. Beat.

Malcolm's hand pulls away from the door knob.

The house is silent. No movement.

Cole is in his pajamas asleep on the floor of the

RED TENT.

Curled up next to him is Sebastian. They sleep surrounded by statues and pictures.

Cole's eyes open as he hears HIS MOTHER'S DISTANT VOICE.

Cole quickly gets up and rushes out of the tent. He doesn't realize, the entrance flap to the tent is LEFT OPEN.

He doesn't stop as he moves through the shadowy hall and pushes open his mother's bedroom door.

Cole looks over the room carefully. Everything is still.

HIS MOTHER'S VOICE turns his attention back to the bed.

Cole looks down and finds his mother laying in her bed. Her face contorted in deep sadness as she speaks in her sleep.

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

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

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

HIS BREATH ROLLS IN A TINY CLOUD IN FRONT OF HIM.

Cole's brow furrows. He breathes again. This time intentionally. Watches as his breath materializes in 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 to 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 turns around, he stops breathing.

AN EIGHT YEAR OLD GIRL VOMITS ON HERSELF 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 legged couch.

Sebastian is already huddled in fear 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 until a set of bare feet walk across the room.

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

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

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

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

The girl stops crawling. 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 little girl stare silently at each other. Cole holds her stare with trembling eyes.

He opens his mouth - it takes a while before the words come out.

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

They're both wearing suits.

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

COLE'S P.O.V. - A dark abandoned building stretches for an entire block on one side. A MAN IN A GREY FULL BODIED UNIFORM WITH NUMBERS PRINTED ACROSS HIS CHEST... RISES OUT OF THE TALLWEEDS IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING. HE HOBBLES HIS WAY DESPERATELY TOWARDS THE BUS. HIS HANDS AND LEGS ARE SHACKLED... HE LUNGES OUT FOR COLE IN THE PASSING WINDOW.

A GUNSHOT ECHOES IN THE AIR. THE MAN'S CHEST EXPLODES IN RED AS HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES SCREAMING.

Cole jerks back from the window.

The bus quietly drives past THE OLD PRISON BUILDING.

Cole stares down at his lap and tries not to look up anymore. Beat.

Cole turns to Malcolm who stares straight ahead.

Beat. Malcolm turns to Cole.

Cole falls into deep thought as he stares down at his dress shoes. Malcolm slips back into silence.

The city bus slithers through the old Philadelphia streets working it's way downtown.

A modest home sits on a corner. Its small lawn, groomed carefully. Rows of parked cars spill out from the driveway onto the streets.

People in suits and dark dresses move somberly in and out of the front doors of the home.

Cole and Malcolm join the visitors as they walk slowly towards the doors.

A frail little girl about four years of age sits in a dark dress on the swings in front of the bouse. Visitors say hello to her as they pass. She doesn't say anything back.

Cole nods. "Yes."

Malcolm and Cole watch her for a moment before following others into the modest corner home.

The home is packed with people. The gathering of mourners is standing room only. The AIR IS FILLED WITH DOZENS OF HUSHED CONVERSATIONS.

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 mourners.

Malcolm and Cole are standing at the bottom of a 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 doesn't want to go in. Beat.

Cole turns to Malcolm.

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

Cole closes the door behind him. He turns and gazes at the girl's bedroom. There's a hospital bed near the window. The walls are covered with get well cards and drawings from family, friends, and school children.

Her shelves are filled with puppets. All shapes and sizes of puppets. Next to the shelf is a puppet stage and a camcorder on a mini tripod sitting next to it.

Cole walks to the shelf and picks up a FINGER PUPPET DANCER. He places it in his pocket.

On the girl's desk, is a large collection of video cassettes. The labels read, "Puppet Show Christmas 96', Puppet Show Birthday party, "Puppet Show class trip"...

Cole reads the labels carefully before moving towards the closets. He passes the bed.

AN EMACIATED HAND REACHES OUT FROM BENEATH THE BED AND GRABS COLE'S ANKLE.

Cole jerks back startled. He watches as the girl's hand slips back under the bed. Cole stays very still. Waits. Nothing happens.

He slowly bends down. His hands touch the floor. He tilts his head and looks under the bed.

The emaciated little girl who came to his tent lays curled on the floor. Her bulging eyes glare at Cole. She moves suddenly. Thrusts a jewelry box forward. It slides across the wooden floor and stops just before Cole. Cole and the sickly girl stare at each other. Neither of them say a word.

The room is thick with mourners. Most are gathered around the GIRL'S MOTHER, a young woman in her late twenties, who sits on the family couch and receives the many cards, hugs, and flowers that are offered as condolence.

Malcolm watches breathlessly from the doorway as Cole moves through the many adults across the room.

The girl's father, MR. COLLINS, a thin man in his late twenties, is seated on the reading chair next to a T.V. His face is stone. No one in the room dares talk to him. He stares statue like at an abstract point in the room.

The man doesn't react. Some of the guests look oddly at the little boy standing before the man.

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

Malcolm watches everything anxiously.

Cole stares at Mr. Collins.

The man's face begins to crumble. Beat. He nods, "yes" softly.

Cole holds out the jewelry box. It trembles with his hands.

The father just stares at it. Beat.

The father becomes very still. His eyes fill with a storm of confusion and pain. After the longest time, the father reaches and gently takes the box out of Cole's small hands.

Cole begins to back away...

The father gazes 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 reaches Malcolm and the two of them slip out of the house.

People in the room start to turn 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 STATIC SNOW ON THE SCREEN IS QUICKLY REPLACED BY AN IMAGE. TWO PUPPETS DANCE ON STAGE. WE HEAR KARA'S VOICE SING FOR THE PUPPETS AS THEY DANCE AROUND.

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

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

T.V.SCREEN

WE HEAR FOOTSTEPS COMING UP THE STAIRS. The puppets go limp. The entire stage gets lifted up. We see it carried away by Kara. We can view the whole bedroom now. The camera is seated on her desk in the corner.

Kara climbs in bed and pretends to be sleeping when the door opens. It's Mrs. Collins. She carries in a tray of soup and a 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 hears her. All attention is riveted on the

T.V. SCREEN

The image of the mother prepares the meal. She uncovers the fruit and the soup. Places a straw into the drink.

And then it happens.

The image of the mother walks to a closet. Opens it. An assortment of household cleaners and sponges are kept inside. She pulls out a bottle 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 child's soup. She replaces the cap and puts the bottle back in the closet.

The image of the mother turns 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.

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

Kara slowly brings the spoon to her mouth and swallows another spoonful.

The father SHUTS OFF THE TELEVISION with his trembling hands. He presses his hands to his eyes like they're burning.

The ROOM IS UTTERLY SILENT.

Mrs. Collins starts to move across the room towards her husband. People move away from her as she passes.

The father looks up. Their eyes meet. The whole world stops.

The mother's face begins to disintegrate under the glare of the father as he rises from his seat. Rage filling every cell of his body.

Mr. Collins rushes forward in an explosion of anger.

He gets restrained by family and friends around him. The anger disappears as he's held tightly in the arms of his loved ones. He collapses and begins to sob. Mr. Collins dissolves in his grief.

Mrs. Collins stands still in the middle of the room. She looks around at the horrified faces.

Her words are met with ice cold stares. She begins to shake. Tears stream down her face. The pretty flowers of consolation in her hand tumble to the floor.

Cole sits on the swings next to Kara's four year old sister. She doesn't look up.

Malcolm waits in the driveway. Watches them from a distance.

Cole reaches into his pocket and pulls out the little FINGER PUPPET. He holds it out.

The four year old stares at the finger puppet, then quietly takes it in her small hands.

The two children don't say anything for a while. Malcolm glances to the house, where all movement in and out of the home has ceased.

Cole turns to the four year old.

The little girl finally looks up. She has the saddest eyes.

Beat.

The little girl stares down at the finger puppet. Cole lightly places a hand on her shoulder.

Nothing else is said. Nothing else is done.

Malcolm looks across at the two children on the swings. One mourning. One consoling.

Malcolm takes it in, overwhelmed.

THE DULL SOUND OF RAIN OUTSIDE FILLS THE BACKSTAGE AREA as Stanley Cunningham, moves between two curtains and comes to a dressing room door in the back. He puts an ear to the door, listens and then knocks. After a second, he enters.

Mr. Cunningham finds Cole sitting in a poor villager costume talking to an old nun. Cole and the nun turn and look at Mr. Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham looks around the room and then directly at Cole.

The sister looks to Cole and nods.

She stands up. WE SEE SHE HAS NO LEGS.

THE HEAD AND TORSO OF THE SISTER MOVES TO AN OPEN CLOSET AND WALKS INTO IT. SHE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS.

Cole puts on his tattered hat.

Mr. Cunningham smiles.

They share a look before walking out of the dressing room and entering the hall.

We see them walking away.

Beat.

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

Malcolm stands and catches his breath in the corridor of St. Christopher's Academy.

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

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

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

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

The play is full swing...Cole and a large group of costumed children are on stage. Cole holds a broom and wears a worn down costume. He stands to the side - hidden by others.

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

The armored 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 THE SUGGESTION.

Tommy Tammisimo is dressed in a mismatched costume - he hops around, clearly embarrassed.

Tommy turns a deep shade of red and hobbles off the stage.

Merlin looks to Cole.

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

Cole steps up to the stone. He places his hand around the handle. Begins to pull. The sword starts to come out.

The villagers GASP.

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

Merlin and everyone on stage bows. A SILENCE FILLS THE GYM.

Malcolm watches his client, standing in the spot light for the first time.

The rain comes down a little stronger now. A group of children wait under an awning as parents in cars arrive to pick them up.

Students run out from the awning as their names are called.

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

Malcolm shrugs his shoulders.

They stand quietly again. Beat.

Malcolm doesn't respond for a while. He shakes his head, "No." Beat.

Cole smiles huge. Beat. They stand in silence for a while.

The two just stand there looking at each other.

Beat Malcolm exhales very slowly as he moves out from under the awning.

Cole watches as Malcolm steps out into the rain. Cole's eyes fill suddenly with tears.

Malcolm slowly turns and walks down the school's driveway. Cole takes a couple steps out from the awning as he watches.

Rain trickles down on Cole's face as he looks out.

Malcolm is barely visibly as he walks down the sidewalk. Rain pouring over him. Malcolm dissolves into the sheets of driving rain.

Rain comes down like gunfire from the sky. A two lane road merges to one lane around a severe car accident. Police flares guide the cars as they crawl by.

Lynn and Cole are standing still in bumper to bumper traffic. The windshield wipers are losing the battle against the rain.

Lynn leans her 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 seat silently.

Cole shakes his head, "No."

Beat.

Beat.

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

Cole takes a long time.

Lynn leans over the steering wheel. She wipes the windshield with her palm to see better.

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

A WOMAN IN HER LATE FORTIES. HAIR MATTED WITH RAIN AND BLOOD, STANDS STARING THROUGH COLE'S PASSENGER WINDOW.

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

Beat.

Cole nods. "Yes."

Cole nods "Yes" again. Lynn becomes upset. She nods with grave understanding. Cole watches her.

Beat.

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

Lynn looks up sharply.

Lynn becomes still. Her face is unreadable. When she speaks, her words are extremely controlled.

Beat.

Lynn's eyes lock on Cole.

Lynn brings her hands to her mouth.

Lynn begins to cry.

Lynn covers her face with her hands. The tears roll out through her fingers.

Beat. Lynn looks at her son. She barely gets the words out.

Cole moves closer to Lynn. She cradles him in her arms. Mother and son hold each other tight.

The rain pelts the windshield of the car as the THIN SOUND OF AMBULANCE SIRENS GROWS IN THE DISTANCE.

Malcolm enters the living room and smiles at what he sees.

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

Their WEDDING VIDEO PLAYS SOFTLY ON THE TELEVISION.

Malcolm watches himself and Anna cutting their wedding cake. THE CROWD APPLAUDS AS THEY FEED EACH OTHER PIECES.

Malcolm turns from the television and takes a seat next to Anna. He gazes upon his wife softly.

Silence. Malcolm gazes for a beat before looking down.

Malcolm's eyes move back up. He looks at his sleeping wife. ANNA'S TALKING IN HER SLEEP.

Malcolm can't believe it.

Beat. Her lips move again. Eyes never open.

Beat.

Beat. She becomes silent. Anna falls back into deep sleep, her arm slides down. SOMETHING SHINY FALLS OUT AND ROLLS ON THE GROUND.

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

Confusion washes over his face. He looks to Anna's hand... An identical gold wedding ring sits on her finger.

Beat. Malcolm looks down at his own hand... HIS WEDDING RING IS GONE.

Malcolm is completely lost. He takes a couple steps back. Looks around in confusion...

His eyes come to rest on the door to his basement office. He looks in disbelief at the set of DEAD BOLT LOCKS on the door.

Malcolm doesn't know what the hell's going on... His eyes are drawn to the dining table... Only ONE PLACE SETTING is out on the tabletop.

His eyes search again - they finally lock on the WEDDING VIDEO PLAYING. Malcolm watches images of himself on the screen... His eyes fill with a storm of emotions...

Malcolm looks to Anna's face and becomes very still. Beat.

CLOSE ON ANNA...TILL HER SLEEPING FACE FILLS THE FRAME... IT'S NOW WE NOTICE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT ANNA'S BREATHS ARE FORMING TINY CLOUDS IN THE COLD AIR.

VIOLENT GUN SHOTS RING THROUGH THE BEDROOM.

Vincent Gray flops back onto the bed. He makes a GURGLING SOUND as his eyes look up.

Anna rushes across the room to a crumpled Malcolm laying on the floor. Malcolm's hands are clutched at his side.

Anna pries his hands away to reveal an enormous hole under his ribs. The blood pours out uncontrollably.

Malcolm's jaw is locked open. His breaths are long and strained.

ANNA IS SCREAMING, BUT HER VOICE SOUNDS FAR AWAY.

Malcolm's open jaw releases a long strained breath and then becomes silent. Anna 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 looks around the room in a daze.

MALCOLM'S VOICE SHAKES THE ROOM.

Anna just sleeps.

Malcolm staggers back. His breathing erratic.

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.

Malcolm gazes at his wife. Tears fill his eyes.

Anna lays still.

The room falls into silence. Malcolm sits still across from his wife. He drinks her in with his eyes.

Malcolm leans back in the chair. Slowly closes his eyes. They close shut.

WE ARE TIGHT ON ANNA... WE SEE HER SOFT BREATHS FORMING A TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR...

WITH EACH BREATH, THEY BECOME LESS AND LESS VISIBLE... THE ROOM BECOMING LESS AND LESS COLD.

SOON HER BREATHS AREN'T VISIBLE AT ALL. SHE BREATHS GENTLY FALLING BACK INTO A PEACEFUL SLEEP.

WE PULL BACK to reveal Anna alone in the living room.

THE WEDDING VIDEO PLAYS IT'S LAST SCENES... MALCOLM IS AT THE MICROPHONE ON THE DANCE FLOOR IN FRONT OF ALL THE GUESTS. HE'S HOLDING A GLASS OF WINE.

Malcolm smiles as he takes a sip. The guests chuckle as they watch. Beat.

The crowd erupts in LAUGHTER.

Malcolm looks around at everyone's smiling faces.

Beat. Malcolm takes his time. He looks just past the camera.

Malcolm's eyes fill with water.

THE END