"THE SIXTH SENSE" (1999)

'

..

030931

h e s X t h s e n s e

-

sep1ember.tweHth.ninety--ieven wnttenby

copyright1997 btil"tdingedgepicivres.inc:.

ANAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKSTO LIFE.Itdanglesfromtheceilingofabasement..:

LJGHTQUlCK FOOTSTEPSASANNA CROWE movesdownthestairs.

AnnaisthermcombinationofbeautyandiM°'ence.ShestandsinthechiUybasement

theemptyroomandcome10res,on arackofwinebottlescoveringoneentirewall.

Shewalbtothebortles.Herfingertipsslideoverthelabels.Shestopswhenshe(ands justtherightone.Atinysmileasshtslidesitout.

Annaturnstoleave.Stops.Shestaresattheshadowybasement.]l'sanunsertlinsplace. Shest.andsvtrystillandwatchesherbreathformATINYCLOUDINTHECOLDAIR. She'svisiblyuncomfonable.

AnnaCrowemoves{orthestaircaseinahuny.Eachstepfasterthanthenext.Sheclimbs out ofthebasementinanotherbumofUQHTQUICKFOOTSTEPS.

WE HEARHER HITlllELJQHTSWITCH.

THELIGHTBULB DIES.DRIPPINGBLACKDEVOURSraE ROOM.

C\JTTO:

TNT.DININGROOM •EVENING

whitewinesits inthecenterofthetable.

"Annaarriveswiththe backupbonlc.

MALCOLM CROVlEsits inaStylishsuit.tieundone.Malcolmisinhisthirties'With thickwavyhairandstriking,intelligenteyesthalsquintfromyearsofintensestudy.His charming,easygoingsmilespreadsacrossbisface.Hepoints.

MalcolmpointstotheHUGEFRAMEDCERTIFICATEproppedur,onadinningroom chair.It'sprintedonagedparchmenttypepaper.Theframeis a polishedmahogany.

2 •

Annahandstheback up bottleovertoMalcolm.

(smiling) You·redrunk.Jknow,cause youstartsoundinglikeDr. Seusswhenyou•redrunk.

Malcolmuncorksthewineandst.anspowingin theemptyglasses.

Annagiggles.She'sclearlybuzzedherself.Annatakesafewcalmingsips ofherwine. Heranmtionslowlymovestotheframedc.enificate.

thecenificateout loud.

,

Crowe,theMayor'sCitation forProfessionalExcellence.

Beat.Thepower ofthewordssoberthetwoofihem.

ANNA

son.

Beat. -

Annarumsandstaresat Malcolm.

Anna·sexpressionissuddenlydeadserious.

wonderforananosecond abou1that?

•

r

Annagazesat her husbandquicUy.

ANNA

thatallowsyoutohit a ball

producesbeautifulimageson acanvass... Yourgiftteaches childrenhowtosmileagain. howto laughandcherishlife. Do youhaveanycluewhat kindofmiracleyouare? (beat) Yes,Ibelieveeverythingthey wroteaboutyou...Andthen some.

Annaleanstowards him.Th~holdeachothertiaJit.Afterabeat.Annaleansbackand wipeshereyes.

Malcolm'schanningeasygoingsmilemums.

Anna bandshimhis glass.Hestaresat it.

- wouldnotlikeitinajug.

SWEET LAUGHTER FILLSTHEHOUSE.

D-.'T.BEDROOM• NIGHT

TWO GJGOLJNGSHADOWS APP£AR INmE BEDROOM OOORWA Y.Theytry10 rumontheli&ht.hdoesn'tcomeon.

AnnacigglessomemoreasMaJco1m·sshadowstumblesacrossthebedroom. MALCOLM ruRNSON THEBA lliROOMLIGHT.

~A SCREAMS.

MaJcolmspinsaround.Hishcanstops.

Mak:olmandAnnaswcattheSTRANGERseatedontheedgeoflheirbed.

THEBEDROOM \\7NDOWISSHATTERED.THEWIND MOVES THROUGH 1liE R00~1.A lampJaysbrokenon thegroundbythewindow.

NOONE MAKES A SOUND.

TheSTRANGERseatedontheir bed is aboutnineteen.Druggedout.Pitchblackeyes bulging.Hishandsarefoldedonhis lap.Heshakeseversoslightl)'ashesits.

MaJeolmspeaksin averycalmvoice.Nevertakeshiseyesoffthestranger.

Annabarelynodsherundemanding.

s

- Street.You have broken a

windowandenteredaprivate

whatrmsaying?

Thestrangerslowlylooksupforthefimtime.Hiseyeslo~kon Malcolm.

Beat.

Thestranger'sfauchangesashelooksatMalcolm.Hehalfgrins.

TheStranier'sstareslidestoAnna.

Themangerdoesn'ttakehiseyesoffofAnna.Hesuesather.

Anna•sexpressioninstantlychanges.

,

BEAT.THE ROOMGOESSILENT.

Thestrangerrumsandglaresat Malcolm.

Malc:olmstopsallmovement.

-

Crowe.

MaJc:olmcan'tspeak.Beat.Thestranger'sfaceswutotremble.

STRANGER

beallrightYousaidthere wasnothingtobeafraidof. YousaidIwasupsetabout mypar=t'sdivorce. (beat) Youwerewrong.

I

Malcolmlookslikesomeonehilhimwithasledgehammer.

Thestranger'seyes\\.'aterup.

Thesuanger·shandsmoveon his lap,revealingA CRUDEHANDGUN.

mea secondtothink.

Malcolm·sshakinghandstouchhismouthashestaresaithestranger.Beat.

Thestranger'sunsettlinggazemnainssteady.

I

youasaP~•adolescen1... Nine,ten.

Beat.Malcolm'sintelligenteyesra=foranswers.

Tea.'"Sfalldov.nthestranger'sface.

isolated...singleparent... Acute•

Malcolmlooksup.

THE ROOMOOESSILENT AGAIN.

Beat.

Malcolmtakesadeepbreathlikehejus,emergedfromdeepwaters.

Vincent'seyesburnatMalcolm.

VINCEt-.'TisfullyCT:'ingnow.Heraisesthegun.AimsitacrossatMalcolm.

VincentcloseshiseyesandFIRES.A VIOLENTEARSHATIEUNG£CHO. Malcolmclutcheshisstomachandfoldslikearagdoll.

Vincentinstantlymovestheaunto hisownbead.ANOTHERHORRIFICBLAST SPIKESTiiEAIR.Vincenttipsbackonthebedasifinslowmotion.

--

ll

ANNA'SCHILLINGSCREAMS FILL.1HEtRHOME.

-

Thelegend.••rwoYearsLater"appears.

VincentGraysiuclippedtothetop ofthepapers.Anotherpie~sitslooseinthefolder. Thisonecutfromanewspaper.It'sapictureofVincentGraratNineteen.

Theman·shand&ouchesthepicturesalmostreverently.

Heglancesthroughthedecadeoldfile.Wordsandphrasesarchighligh1cdthroughoutihe file.

·•...VincentGray•Age10" ·•... Acuteanxiety.. ••... Sociallyisolated" .....Possiblemooddisorder.. ••...Parentalstatus•Divorced" .....Communicationdifficultyberweeiimother-childdyad"

Theman·sha."ldsclosethewutheredfile.SlidesaNEWFILEFOLDERontop.Opens it.

A pass;:>0nsizedpictureofaneightyearoldchildisclippedto thefront1lus.nev.·bo~· hasdarkhairandhuge blackeyes.

Astheman'sfingmmovethrou&hthepagesofthefileweasainseewords andphrases highlightedthroughoutthisnewcasehistory.

.....ColeScar-AgeI" •·...Acuteanxiety.. .....Sociallyisolated" .....Possiblemooddisorder"' .....Parentalswus-Divorced.. .....Communicationdifficultybetweenmother-childdyad"

Thehandsclosethefile.Thebandsareslightlyshakingnow.

VIEPULLBACKto revealtheshakmghandsbelongto Dr.MalcolmCrowe.

II

Malcolmsits on asidewalkbench(acingarowofbrownstonehomesacrossthemeet.He gazesblanklyarthebrownstones.Beat.

·- A dooropens.Malcolmis broughtout of histrance.

COL£SEARstepsouthis frontdoor.Coleisamunchkinofaboywithlargeblackeyes thatseemtotakeineverythingaroundhim.Colecarefullyloeksthedoorbehindhim.

Hemovestothebottomofthestairsandlook.saroundnervously.Anxiously.

Theeightyearoldchildreachesintohispocketandslipson apairof VERYLARGE GLASSES.Theylookcomicalonhim.

MaJcoJmrisesto his feeLHesmoothesouthisshin.LooksdownandbuttonshisjackeL

'Whenhelook.sup, Coleisgone.

Malcolmbarelycatchesaglimpseoftheboy. Colerunsatfullspeeddownthestreetand turnsthecomer.TINYSNEAKERSSCREECHINGONTHESIDEWALK.

Forasecond,Malcolmdoesn'treact.Thesecondpasses.HestUffsthefilesinhisbagand startsrunning100.

Malcolmhaulsdownthesidewalk.Hecomesto ahardStopat a~intersection. Searches.SpotsColerunningintoaparkinglot.

COLEsprintsacrosstheemptylotandreachesthedoor$of I building.Hehastouseall • hisstrength10pushopenthehighlyomaiedoors.Heslipsinside.

Malcolmjogsintotheparkingarea.Hispaceslowstoav.-alkandthentostillnessashe gazesup at the buildingJts oldstoneandhuge1owcrsmakeitstandourfromthemodem buildingsallaroundh.MalcolmstaresupatthehisioricPhiladelphiachw-chquietly.

A SHOOTINGPAINPIERCESHISSIDE.Malcolm'shandgoestoitquickly.Hewaits for it topassbeforestaningfortheornatedoors.

Onlyafewpeoplesi1andprayintheseaofoakpews.

Malcolmscansthemajesticroomand findswhathe•,lookingforinthelastrowofthe church.

He movesdownthecenteraislelO'\ltVdstheback.

•'

MalcolmfindsColeplayingiJ'Ihis~wwithasetorgreenandbciacplasticsoldiers.Cole makesthesoldierstalk toeachother.

Thewordsarcunintelligible.

Colesensessomeone.HelooksupandseesMalcolmswingat him.Theboy immediatelygoeswhite.

Colestaysrigid.Handsclutchingahandfulofplasticriflemen.

meetyouU>day.Sol'T)'I missedowappointment.

Malcolm-waitsforaresponse.Nonecomes.

Be.at.Coleslowlyslidesdownthepew,givingMalcolmmoStofthesealMal~olmsiLS.

Colefidgetswithhissoldiers.BeaMalcolmlooksoverandStaresatCole'sglasses.He Jeansforward10inspectthemmoreearcfully.

MALCOLM

Youreyeframes.1be-ydon't seemtohaveanylensesin them.

Malcolmreturns10staringat his lap.Beat.

Malcolmstaressurprised.

Malcolm nods attheinformation.

Malcolmsmilesat Cole. Hiseyesdriftdown10Cole'sarms.Malcolm'ssmileslowly disappears.

CoJe'sarmsarecoveredinTINYCUTSANOBRUISES.Somealmosthealed.Some

Colelooksup.

whowantedto imprison them.Hunthem.

MaJcolmsrudiesCole's anxiousface.

MalcolmandColejustsweateachother.

IS

"

•·-

justwant10talk.Juy10help themfisurcthingsDUL •'

Beat.

Malcolmsmiles.

· MALCOLM

Mayor.

1'

Colepocketshis soldiersandrisesfromhispew.

- COL£

l'rn1oinatoseeyouagain righl?

Colethinksitovercarefully.

ColeandMalcolmjus1s1areateachother.

ColetumsandstartstotherearofthechLll"Cb.Malcolmloseshimselfin his thoughts.

WhenMalcolmJooksback.heseesColestopbytheexit doorsandtakeatinySTAnJE OFJESUSoffthebacktable.Colepocketsthestatueandquietlyleavesthechurch.

Malcolmjustsitsandstares.

Thehouseis dimlylit.MaJcolmbastotumontheHALLWAYLJGHT.

HestopsbeforeapileofmailcoJJec:tingon•thintable.Hestaresatitblankly.Al.most everyenvelopehasWOverDue..or..FinalNotice"Slarnpcdonit.

-

II

Jll.'T.DININGTABLE•EVENING

Malcolmstaresdo"Wnat theremainsof amealontheonlyplacesettingonthetable.

11'i.BEDROOM- EVENING

Malcolmquietlywalksintohisbedroom.OnlyAREADINGLIGHTJS ON.niESOTT LJOHTFALLSON Ah"NAASSHE SLEEPS.

Malcolmmovesto herside.Thesightofherstopshim.

Hestaresatruswife...

Shehuddles underablanket.awadoftissuesinherhand.Hetakesit in silently.

Hiseyesmovetoherface... Onewispofhair fallsoverhersofrlips.OUTI.tNEOIN TiiESOFTREADINGLIGHT,AnnaCrowewlylookslikean angel.

Malcolmfonnsa tinysmile.

Malcolmrumsandmovesforanarrowdoorinthehall.Hetriestoopenit.ITSTICKS. HeyanksatithardandopensitMalcolmdisappearsdownathinstairway.

Th.i.BASEMENT·NJOHT

Theemptybasementisnolongerempty.It's piledwithfilecabinetsandboxesof psychology and medicalbooks.AdesksitsiDthecomernm10thewineracks.

Theroomstillfeelsunsettling.

a thicktext.

Thespineofthetextreads...TheMeridianLatinDictionary'"

II

Malcolmsitsbacka1his deskandopensCole·sfile.Handwrinenonthefirstpagearethe words,

..Deprofundisclamsadte,domine..

MalcolmstartsworkingthroughtheLatintext.Juhecomestoeachword,hejots itdown underneaththeLatin.

Malcolmtranslatesthelastword.

He staresquietlyat thepaper.Thenewwordsread...

..Outofthedepths,JcrytoyouLord...

Beat.

Thewordsseemtohangintheairforever.

EX,.PHILADELPHIA·DAWN

OldPhiladelphiaawakens... For amoment,it'slikewe'rebackin time.

A goldensundancesonthewatersofPennsLanding.Historicaloldshipssitdockediniu ha:·bor...Thedarkbronusurfaceof&heLlbcnyBellreflectslhedawn... Amajestic IndependenceHallStandswatchasitscitybeginsto stir...AthirtyfootstatueofBen Franklinmalttsa proudsilhouen.tagainstthemorningsky...

AND THEN 1997COMESCRASHING IN.

FLUORESCENT HOUSELIGHTSCOME ON INWINDOWS ...Jeepsandhatchbacks swiroamingthecobblestonestreets...Neonrestaurantssignsflickertolife...Traffic helicoptersmaketheirrounds...CARALARMSPIERCETHEAIR..

TNT.BROWNSTONE KITCHEN·MORNING

LYNN SEARJeansagainstthekitchencounter,dressedforwork.Thecoffeemakerdocs itsjob slowJyinfrontofher.

Lynnisawomaninherlatetwenties.Onehundred~rc:cntSouthPhilly.Hairteasedand moussed.Makeupgenerous.Shechewson anearlymorningpieceof Trident.Underall ofil..LynnSearisananractiveandsweetlookingyoungwoman.

herpostatthecoffeemaker.

Hergumchewingswuto slow.Hereyessw,to shutsleepily.

THENTHE SOUND OfLOUD SQU£AK:VTHUDSCOMES DOWN FROMnlE CEILING.

Lynnisinstantlyawake.THETHUDSARESTRONO.Shestaresstraightup.

Beat.TiiECRASHfNOOF THEMAITRESSSPRINGSBECOMELOUDER AND FASTER.

THEBANGfNG BECOMESVERYSTRONG· SHAKINGTHE KITCHEN SLJGH11.Y.Lynncan'tbelieveit.

Tinypaniclcsfromthe ceilingbegintochipandfalltothekitchenfloor.THETI-IUDS ARE ALMOST VIOLENTNOW.

Lynnstans10thinksomething·swrongforthefimtime.

THE SOUND OFTHE BEDSPRINGSINSTANTI.Y STOPS.ONLY1liEGURGLING OF TiiECOFFEEMACHINE CANBE HEARD.

Lynnletsout atensebreath.Toucheshermoussedhairnervously.Shestandsthinkingto herselfforamommt.Beat.

LynnturnstofacethekitchentableandSCREAMSATTHETOPOF HERLUNOS.

Coleisseatedatthekitchentableinhisprivaleschoolunifonn.Colejerksbaci:Cromhis milkashis momscreams.

LyMcatchesherbreath.

Coledoesn'tmakeeyecontactwithhis mom

Coleshrugshis shoulders.Lynnstudiesherson.

Coledoesn'1answer.

THE DOORBELL RINGS.Coledrinkstherestof hismilkandcerealandtakeshisbai;

Colekisseshisflusteredmotheronthecheekthenwalksoutthefrontdoor.

LynnSW1dsmotionlessin thekitchen.SheJook.supandwrapsherarmsaroundher shiveringshoulders.

-

2l

TOMMYTAMMISJMO isItoughlookingeightyearold Italiankidwhowaitsllthe bonomofCole'sbrownstonestairsin hisschooluniform.Tommylookslikehe·drather beanyv,:hercintheworldthanatthebottomofthoseswrs.

Coleemergesfromthebrownstoneandmovesdownthesteps.LyM·sfaceappearsinthe kitchenwindow.

Thetwoboysbegintheirwalkdownthestreetto school.Tommyputshisarmaround Cole.Lynnwaves.Colewavesback.

WhenthetwoboystumthecomerandareoutofLynn·ssight.Tommyripshisarm away.

Tommyswu tonmahead.heturnsandbackpedals..

TOMMY

getyou.

Tommylaughsandrunsa\\-ay.

Bea!.ColelooksaroW1dnervously,thenburieshishandsin hispocketsandbeginsaslow qu1e1walldownthesidewalkbyhimself.

We areinCole'shouse.In theden.Boxesof oldtoysshinthecome:-.A smallplastic multi~oloredtablesits on arug.

Malcolmhaspulledup a foldingchairandwatchesasColeplayswithhisactionfigures. Coleis inth.ic:ksweaterpulledup10 hischintokeephimwarm.

2l

ll

COLE

combedbishairfromone •sideallthewayover10the otherside.

Colepresseshis hairfiatto give Malcolmabetteridea.

Beat.

MalcoJmand Colelook11eachother.

:.3

Doyouhavesecreu?

r Colesitsstillfora secondandthennodshishead."Yes."

Colenods.~o."

Beat.MalcolmlookstoCole•sann.ColeiswearingALARGESILVERWATCH.h ~imson histhinwrist.Itcouldprobablyslideupto hisshoulder.

r- BeatMalcolmleansover.Pullsout Cole•sfilefromhis bag.

COL£ Thedrawing.

AnuncomfonableSILENCEOVERTAKES1liEDEN.Beat. .. (

......-

Cole isverystill.Hedoesn'tmoveatall..Malcolmwaitsawhilebeforespeakingagain.

Colenods,..yes."

COLE

stanedcrying. (beat) I don'ldrawlikethat anymore.

Cole'sfacetumstoice.

Malcolminstantlystops.

MALCOLM

Ithinkyoumisundemood-

Colecovershisea:sandcloseshiseyes.

Coleslowlystopschanting.Hekeepshis~esclosedandcovershisea."S.Hisbodyrocks slightly.

Malcolmsw-eshelpl~sJyacrossthetableatColeSearcurledupinhischair.

TiiEDENISSUFFOCATED WITHSILENCE.

Malcolmhurriedlyentersa spacious.dimlylitItalianrestaurant.Hestopsinthedining roomandsearchesthe many~dlelittables.HefindsAnna.

Annasitsaloneaiacomertable.Theremainsofherhalf-eatendiMerJayontheonly placesettingonthetable.AsmallPIECEOFCAKEWTTHA CANDLEinitsits untouched.

l7

Ama stirssugarinhercoffeeasMalcolmsitsinlheseatacrossfromher.Sheaently stopsstitring.butdoesn·,lookup.BeaL

Annaquietlytakesasipfromhercoffee.

Annalooksaroundforthewaiter.

hangingoverthem. (beat) Jrmightbesomekindof abuse.

ThatmakesAnnaturnback..Sheglancesacrossthetable.thenlooksdown.

cuis.

Malcolmdemonstratesby holdinguphisarmto shieldhisface.

MALCOLM

justbea childclimbinga lot ofttees.

signs it.

you'Rmad.Iknowit'sput somedistancebetweenu.s.

Beat.

AMawaitstill he·s doneandrisesfromthetable.Shepushedherchairinhardandwaliu awaywithouta word.MalcolmsitsaloneandStaresatthepieceofcakewithacandleon jl.

fJ\."T.DD:·AFTERNOON

We areinColt'sden.Coleis atthemulti-coloredtablesetting up hismentohaveawar. Malcolmsitsinthefoldingchairandobserves.

On the tablearetwo rows ofsoldiersfacingeachother.Toonesideofthetablearea cou;,lesoldierscoveredbyatissue.Malcolmpointstothem.

Coleremovesthetissue.

•babygirlthatwasbornseven

-- -~-- -

poundssixounces.He's

getbacktoBlueBell Pennsylvaniaand holdher...

Colepoints10theothersoldier.

Beat.Cole'sfacebecomesemotional.Tearsfillhiseyes.

Malcolmfallsintosilenceandstaresat hisclient.Beat.Colewipeshiseyesquickly.

MalcolmtriestoreadCole'sexpression.

MALCOLM

JO •

WhereshouldJlookthen Cole?

Colepointsto thecomeroftheden.Malcolmslowlyturnshischair.Hesitsinprofileto Cole.Beat.

Malcolmcontinuestosweatthecomer.

Malcolmsitspatiently.Beat.Theydon'tsayanythingforawhiJe.

Colelooksupfromhissoldiers.MalcolmstaresattMcomeroflheroom.

Thetwo ofthemwalkdowna row ofbrownstonesacrossfromapark.

Ma.i~olmthinksforabit.

Colenods"'Yes."

Coleshakeshishe.ad...No:·

Malcofmstopswalking.1bewordshithimhard.Hestaresat Cole.

Beat.Malcolm'spassionatefaceaffectsCole.Colelooks11Malcolmw:ithdifferenteves.. Thechildnodsslowly.

Theystanv.-alkingagaininsilence.TheytumacomerandmovedownanotherstreeL Colespotsanoldmanwithacanestandingaithegateof abrownsione.

~ I JI

ll

r Malcolmnods..yes..astheycontinuewalking.Coleslowsasthe:,,approachtheoldman. \ Aswe get closer.wemakeout themancanbarelysee.

MR.MARSCHAL JeansoverhisgateandstaresatColeforafewseconds.

HelloCole.

Mr.Marsch.alhas IthickGermanaccenLTbcold mansquintsdowntheblockwilha concernedcxp~ssion.

Beat.

Malcolm· seyescianto Cole.

Howwonderful!Wheredid youlc:amtospeakGennan?

Yesyoumayhaveadrink. Whatwouldyoulike?

33 •

Mr.MarschalsmilesatColebeforewalkingba:kinsidehis house.Coleturnsbackto Malcolm.

f?l."T.MR.MARSCHAL'SLIVINGROOM-MORNING

Thisbrownstonehasbc:nhometotheM11SChal'sformany,manyyears.It'sfilledwitha lifc:imeofmemories.Memoriessharedbytwopeople.

• Two rockingchairssit sidebysidenearthe windowsthatoverlookthestreet...A comer tabledisplaysafancywoodenchessset.Thegamehalf-finished.frozenin alayerof dust...Aneaselstandsbe{orea piano.Theincompletewatercolorpaintingofasmiling elderlywomansittingon the pianobenchsitssadlyonthefadedyellowpaper.

Malcolmtakesin the livingroomsHently.Hestandsneartheopen door.

lookingfor something.MalcolmV.'8tchesColewithacrinkledbrow.

Colepeaksbehindthe oldpianocrammedagainstthewall.

MaybeJiUwillplayforus whenshegetsback.

Coleturnsto findMr. Marschalstandingwithaglassorlemonade.Coletakesitfromhis shaking hands.

Mr.Marschalshufflesovertothesofa.Takesaseat.

Colebecinssurveyjngtheroomagain.Beat.Hiseyesfinallycometoreston a plant searedinthecomer.Hestaresat it...THELEAVESOFlliEPLANTSHAKE SLJGHTLY FROMA BREEZE.

Coleputsdownhis glasson atableand~lksover10theplant.Colekneelsdownand mns topushtheponedplantaside.THEPOTSCREECHESONTHEWOODEN FLOOR.

Malcolmcalls 10 Coleunderhisbreath.

What'sgoingonthere?

Mr.Marsehalstrainstoseeacrossthe room.

Coledoesn'ranswereithi=rofthem.Jnstead.he continues10pushtheplant aside revealingANAIRVENT.Colegentlyreachesoverandtakesoffthemewface.It slips righ:otT.

( Cole·shandsdisappearintothedarknessofthevent.Theyreemergeholdinga STACK OF NOTEBOOKS.

MaJcolmbecomesverystill.

placesthemon his lap.

lsthisforme?

Mr.Marschalfingersthenotebooksthenreachesforhistruckglasseshangin1fromhis

face.

What'sthis?1ill'skeepin1a diary.

Malcolmtakesaninvoluntarystepforward.

Mr.MarschaJstansflippingthroughthenotebooks. - (

JS

Hegetstothelastbook.Hishandsbecomestillas heswesatthefinalpageofwriting.

Beat.Mr.Marschalslowlylooksupfromlhenotebooks.Looksup10 Cole.Colejust standsquietly.

Mr.Manchal'seyesslowtyfillwilhtearsofrealiution.Theygentlyspilldownhis weatheredface.

Coletakesadeepbrwh.Tryingbardnottocryhimself.Thesightof Mr.Marschal weepingshalesCole.

ColesoftlylayshishandonMr.Marschaf"ssilverhair.Mr.Marschalreachesup and clutcheshissmallhand.

Theysta~likethatfor awrule.BeaLMr.Marsc:haJletsgo and bringsthenotebooks tightertohisbody.

Colequietlywalks10Malcolmwhostandsmotionless.Hestaresdownat Coleinadaze.

Colerumshishead.crying.

Malcolmsitsstillinhisofficechair.Hiseyesarefixedata pointinspace.Hebrings1 sJimblackcaperecorderu,hismouth.

CLICK.

-- ·-----

l6

sessionswithVincentGray.I wastreatinga couple.Donald andRobinWagner,whohad losttheirchildtoLeukemia. Theywerewaitingwith Vincentin1hereceptionroom

werealonetogethermaybe fifteenminutes.When1

werecrying.TheWagner's progressfromthatafternoon wasdramaticandsudden... As ifsomedoorhadbeen openedforthem. (beat) I'mstillunc:enainwhat happenedinthosefifteen minutes.ButI nowbelieve Vincenttriedtotellme something,showme somethingandIdidn'tlisten. (beat) ColeSearletmewitness somethingtoday. (beat) ThistimeI'mgoingtolisten.

A longsilence.CLICK.Thetaperecordertumsoff.

DISSOLYr.TO:

Th.TT.BROWNSTONE·NJOHT

Lynnholdsalaundf)'basketonherhipasshefiddleswiththethennostatinthekitchen. Thehouseiscold.Lynnwearsawinterjacketinthehouse.

Lynnturnsandmovesintotheshadowyhallway.No lights.Thehouseseemssomewhat ominous.Beat.

--

LyM'seyesdan 10 anopenguestroomlikeshejustsawsomcthin&,Sheswesinthe dooTVJayuntila SOUNDTURNSHERINTHEDIRECTIONOfTHEFAMILY ROOM.

Hereyesscanthedarkness.

Lynndoesn'tmove.Shelistens10theSILENCE.Beat.Shestan.sbackdovmthehall pickingupballedUJ>boy'ssweat~ksanddinyT•shinslayingonthecarpet.Whenshe reachesthemdofthehall,sheHITSALIGHTSWITCH.ThehallLIGHTSUP REVEALINGA WALLOF PHOTOS.Lynnformsatinysmile

SnapshouofColeandLynn'slifehangbeforehereyes.

Cole'sbirthdaypatties...LynnandColeatanamusementpark... Coleunderthe Christmastree... ColeonLynn'sshouldersinapool...Colewithagroupof neighborsat abarbecue...

LyMtakesastepforward.Lymi'sfacebetraysthefactthatshenoticessomethingshe nevernoticedbefore.Shetouchesa photoofthreeyearold Cole.

WE MOVE INTOTHEPHOTO· COLE'SFACESMILES.ATUS.LYNN'SFINGER GENTI.YBRUSHESATHIN STREAKOF LJOHTTiiATCURVESINTHE

SOMETHINGCAUGHT INMOTION.

LynnJooks10theadjacentphoto•diebarbecuephoto•Everyonestandswithhotdogs andsodas.LYMsearchesthepicnue.HereyessuddenlystopattheTINIESTBLUR OF WHITELIGHT STREAKINGAROUND COLE.

WE MOVE FROM FRAMED PHOTOTO FRAMEDPHOTO- EACH TiiESAME. SOME\VHERE HIDDENINnrE FRAME,SOMEWHERE NOTEASILYSEEN. LYNN FINDSA BLUR.

Lynntakesitallincuriously.

~'T.COLE'SBEDROOM- AFTERNOON

LynnmovesintoCole'sroomwiththelaundrybaskerbalancedonherhip.TheWalkman

pickingclothesuparoundCole's room.

-·

ll

furnitureis wood• old fashioned.The lamps.thepaintingsonthewaJI• antiquesaswell.

A smallred campingtentsitsin the comer.A signhangsovertheenuanceflap.

..DONOTTOUCH"

LynngrabsthespidermanPJ.s thatdrapeoverthetent.

A GermanShepherdPuppysleepsonthepillow.SEBASTIANliftshishe.adsleepilyand peersatLYMbeforeretwningtohisslwnber.

LynnslowlyreachesforapictureframethatpeeksoutfromunderCole"spillow.Slides it out... It'saFAMILY PHOTO.LynnandColeanda man. Themanwearsglassesand smileswarmlyat thecamera.Themanlooksineverywayalargerversionof Cole.

ThepicturehasavisibleeffectonLynn.She letsoutashakybreathbeforereturningthe phototoitshidingplace.

L)'Mpullsa pairofschooluniformpantsoffthewoodenrollcoverdeskneXttothebed.

Thedeskiscoveredwithlooseleafpapersfilledwithwritings.Lynn'seyesaredrawn10 thepapers.

Hercuriousgazeturnsserious.Hermouthopensatinybitinvolunwily.

TiiEPAPERSarestrewnwithlinesof handwriting.Countlesslines.Thousandsof words... Somehorizontal,somevertical...TheVrTitingmovesinarcsandflowsinvaries sizes•wrinenatgreatspeed•everywordc:onnec1edby asinglepenstroke.everyih.ing \Winen inonecontinuousmotion.

Lynnslowlyspinsthepapers,lakingin someofthephrases...

wattrrisingnomortpain...

Thewordsgo onandon.

Lynn~movesherhandsfromthepaper.Shepullsherheadphonesoffslowly.

mE MUFFLED TECHNO DANCE BEAT FILLSTHEDEAD SILENC£OFTHE £ERlEROOM.

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

..---~-

)9

J}."T.DEN·AFTERNOON '

Malcolmswesastherainpelulhewindowioftheden.

Beat.

MalcolmturnsandJooksathisc:Jienl.Colesits at his&ablewearingA GOLFCAP.many sizesto big for him.Beat.

wecane,q,resshowwefeel aboutissues...Oivora:or vthatever.

Colejustsjuinhisfather'sgolfcapquietly.

Colelooksup.

Coleshakeshishead,"'No."

Colehasbecomeverystill.He'slooksrightatMalcolm.

Beat.Colenods."Yes."

Beat.

--- -

<1111

Beat.

Malcolmwatcheshimcarefully.Readingeverymovementthechildmakes.Beat.

Malcolmsmiles.Herisesandgrabshiscoat.

oursoaJshouldbe?

Cole·s browfurrowsa.shethinksaboutitcarefully.

Malcolmheadsforthedoor.

Malcolm tumsbackto Cole.

r

Cole•ssadeyesstareup al Malcolm.

Jl\'T.BASEMENTOFFICE-~'JOHT

ThesurfaceofMalcolm'sdeskiscovc:rcdwithopc-ntexts.Malc.olmpoW"5overathick referencebook.

Hecirclesaphrase...

.....relatednew-ologicaldisord~ mayresultinseizurescausingbruisesand abrasionsonannsandlegs."

Malcolmsitsup andslowlyworksthroughallthepossibilitiesinhishead.

ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICECARRIESDOWN THESTAIRS.

Hisfac~turns up 10th,:ceiling.

ANNA'S VOICEJSUNCLEAR.MALCOLM TRJESTO LISnN.

Malcolmmovesdownthehall tolhelivingroom.

MALCOLM'S P.O.V.•Anna'sbackislowin I chair.

phoneto hercar.

Malcolmstaresatthebackofhiswife.

Malcolmtu."'nSquietlyandheadstothebasementdoor.ITSTICKSALITI'LEBEFORE ITOPENS.

Thelastthing Malcolmhearsashedisappearsdownintorusoffice,istheSOUNDOF HISWIFE'SSOFTLAUGHTER.

STANLEY CUNNINGHAM isateacherinhis latefonies.Hewriresaquestiononthe board.

.. . .

Mr.Cunninghamturnsandsinsar bisclusotci1h1andnineyearoldprivaieschool siudenu.Theystarebackathimblaakly.,.,,.

"\

Cole~stshischinonhisdeskandwatchestheclwwhhbigeyes.

MR. CtlNNINOHAM

c::i'C)'youlivein.

Theclasssaystheanswerinunison.

havelivedanddiedinthis city...Almostever)'place youvisitbasahistoryanda storybehindiL (Beat) EventhisschooJandthe groundstheysiton...Can anyoneguesswhatthis1 buildingwasusedf'or•t • hundred),'CID'Sago,bef~ youwenthere,beforeJwent toIbisschooleven? i J

StanleyCunninghamlooksovertheclassorblankfaces.He'sjustabouttoIm\"=his c~ questionwhenheseesabandgoup.Mr.Cunninghamlookssurprisedtoseewhoit is.

·- MR. CUNNINGHAM YesCole?

• •

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

Mr.CUMinghamfi.uTowshisbrow.Beal.

Where•d)'OUhearthat? That'snotcorrect.

BeaL

Jawsofthiscounb')'.This buildingwasfulloflawyers.

r Lawmakers.

Mr.Cunninghamchuck.Jes.Cole'sfauturnsc:cmmtare,-.

Jdon'tmowwmcboneof

theywerejustlt)'i.natoscare youIthink.

TommyTammisimoleadstheclassinawaveofsnickering.

Coleneverlakeshiseyesofrhissmilingt.acber.

4S

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

Mr.CuMinghamseesthetraumatizedexp~siononCole'sfaceandinstantlyStops smiling.

I wasn'tlaughingal•

Mr.CUMingham'sfacebecomesstill.Sodoestheclassroom.

Excuseme?

talkedfunnyalltheway10 high school!

TheclassfallsintoStUMedsilence.Mr. Cunninghamtakesaninvolunwysteptowards Cole"sdesk.

What•

bad.

Mr.CUMinghammovesclosertoCole.

Howdidyou-?

Colecovershiseyeswithhisbands.

WeseeCole'smouthunderhiscoveredeyes.

Mr.CunninghamisstandingrightoverCole'sdesknow.

S•smopthat!

S.ssssstopit!

•Sbhhhhhutuppppyou ftiffl'flfrw!

MR.CUNNINGHAM SL.AMSHISHAND ON COLE'SDESK.Cole'shandsdrop&om hiseyes.Theteacher'sfae(isbumin&red.

Thechildrenintheroomarefrozen.CompJeieJymnled.

Cole•seyesarefilledwithtears.

Mr.Cunningham'sexpressiondrainsofangerauColeSearbeginstocry.

....

windows.Hisheadislayingon his foldedannsontheiabJe.

•'

Malcolmpeekshisheadinthedoor• unsureifhe·sintherightplace.HespouColeand entersthe room.Hesilentlytakesaseatacross&omCole.Theeightyearoldlooksup. Cole"seyesanredfromcrying.

Colestaresforasecond.

Colelowershishead.Malcolmjustsitsandthinks.

THE SOUNDSOF BOYSPLAYING SPORTSON THEFIELDOUTSIDE FILTERIN THROUGHTHE FACULTYROOM \VINDOWS.

r Coleturnshisheadandstaresatthewindows.Malcolmtakesinthesadvisionof\his boy.llaffcctshim.Beat.

Coleturns fromthewindowsandlookstoMalcolm.BeatColenods,..Yes:·

Malcolmpullsout apeMyfromhispocketHeplacesit inhisrighthand.

Malcolmcloseshishandaroundihepenny.

Malcolmshakeshishandincircles.Colewaschcshishandcarefully.

ColeJoolc.stoMalcolm"sclosedlefthand.Malcolmdoesn"topeniL

shake,thepcM)'1r1velsinto my shirtpocket...

Colc"seyeslockon Malcolm'sshin.Malcolmtapsthepocketbut doesn'topenit.

Malcolmopenshisrighthand.ThepennysitsquietlyinthecenterofhispaJm.

Cole looksatthepeMyandthenup toMalcolm'sface.Beat.Colecracksamule.

MALCOLM • Whome?

withagrin.Colewipestheold,~frommsfaceandlooks10Malcolm.

Malcolmand Coleshareawarmlook.

THE SOUNDS OFKIDSLAUGHING ANDPLAYlNQ OUTON THE FIELDCOME POURING INTOTHEROOM AGAIN.

Cole'sexpressionchangesback10 sadnessashelookstothewindows.MalcolmJeans acrossthetableandwhispers.

Colelooksat Malcolm.

Beat.Cole's chinsw,stotremble.Hisvoicecracks.

Beat.

Malcolmand ColesitinsilenceandlistentoTHESOUNDSOFCHILDRENPLAYING.

MaJcolmsonsthroughtheman)'billsonthemailtable.

l •

Malcolmtum.sATTiiESOUNDOFTHEWOMAN.and movesintotheemptyliving roomwherethet.v.is on. Ablanketlayscrumpledon the sofa.

THE WOMAN'S VOJCEISCOMING FROM AVIDEOPLAVINO INTHEVCR.rrs A WEDDI'NGVIDEO.AWOMAN INABRIDESMAID DRESSSTANDS HOLOTNG lllEMlCROPHONE.INTHE BACKGROUND, WECAN SEEnlE DANC£ FLOOR.

THE BRIDESMAIDISVERY EMOTIONAL..

THE WOMAN HANDS THE MICROPHONE TOSOMEONE OFF SCREEN.THE CAMERA.PANSAWAYFROMHER ANDZOOMS INON THE DANCEFLOOR. MALCOLM ANDANNA ARE SLOW DANCINCi.THEY'REWHISPERINGANO • LAUGHINGwrraEACH 011-IER.THEHAPPINESSFROMTHEMJS TANGIBLE.

Malcolmcan'thelp smilingashestaresattheflickeringimages.Heturnsandlooks dov.-nthehallto theirbedroom.

MaJcolmmovesintotheirroom.

THESOUNDOF A SHOWER CAN BE HE.ARDFROMTHE BATHROOM.

Malcolmmovestothebathroomdoorandopensitslowly.

Malcolmstepsintothebathroom quietly.Heswesatthesilhoucnc ofAnna'sbody throughthesmokedglassoftheshower.Annastandsstill.herbeadtiltedback.

Malcolm watches quietly. By hisexpression.it'sclearhe'stakenbyhiswifc·sbeauty.

Malcolmstartstowardstheshowerwhenhiseyesglancetothesink.MalcolmJod:.son a tinybottlerestingonthemarblesurface.

Hereachesout andpicksitup.Thelabelon the plasticbottlereads.

•·ZotoftAnti-depressant.. "Tobetakentwicedaily..

Malcolmgentlyputs downtheplasticbonlc.Hesausatthestillfigureof hiswifeasthe watercoversher.

Malcolmleavesthebathroom.Hemakessurenot 10makea noise~iththedoor ashe closesitshut.

Cole andanoverweightboynamedBOBBYareseatedata diningtablecoveredin colorful paper. Astackofbinhdaypresentsarcsittingonthetablenextto acake.

Thehouse is filledwiththeSOUNDOFCHILDRENPLAYINGANDLAUGHING.

Cole and theoverweightboyaretheonlyonesinthedining room. Bobbywatcheswitha dullexpressionasColemoves hishandincirclesintheair.

movesftommypocketall the waytothehanditstanedin.

CoJesmiles and holds out his hand. His(mgersopentorevealthepenny.

Bobby stares.

Coleloseshissmile.

ColeandtheoverweightboyNreatc:achother.

Colegivestheboyhispenny.Beat.

w~ pickedtobedifferent.

Bobbyfinallylooksup.

Bobbyfidgetswithabinhdaynapkin.

Beat.

Beat.Bobbythinksiiover.

Bobbysmilesforthefirsttime. Colesmilesandgetsup fromthetable.

As Coleleavesthedining room,hebearssomething.It's Bobby. He'squietlyhumming theSpidennantheme.

Cole passesthekitchendoorway.InsideColeseeshis mother andDARREN'SMOM speaking.h'sclearthey're&amdifferentworlds.Lynniswearingtightclotheswithhair teasedtodramaticheights.Dan='smomisinadesignersuit.

S4

- - ----

hid in oneofthosepurple plastic:tUMclsanddidn't comeout.

Darren'smomsmitesformallyandtum.stogivethecateringpeopleinstructionson how tolayoutthefoodon herncrlingsilvertrays.

Dan-en'smomrumsbacktoLynn.theforcedsmileonherface.

LYM nods"Yes."

Darren·s momglancesatherexpensivewatch.

-

LyM drownsin herthoughts.Colemovesawayfromthe kitchenwith sadeyes.

Colepassestwo expensivelydressedmothersstandinginthehallway.

r Ibelieveit. I sawthishouse

twocenturiesold...

Colemovesdownthe shiny mahoganywoodhallway.Thewomen's conversation FADESAWAY behindhim.

Coleturnsa comerandcomesto adeadstop.Heturnswhiteas heswesat anopen CRA wt SPACECLOSETa fewfeetaway. Cole'seyesarerivetedin thedarknessof the closet.Beat.

THE HALLWAY ERUPTSWITHNOISEAS THECHILDREN RUNIN FROMTHE BACKYARD.

TommyTammisimoisoneof thechildren.He glancesdownthehallandseesCole standingfrozenstaringat thecrawlspacecloseL

Tommy grabsaskiMykid with apanyhaton.asherunsby.

S6

DARREN looksdownthe'hallto Cole.

TommynudgesDarrento movedownthehall.Colebreaksfromhistranceas Tommy andDarrenwalkup.

Tommy pointsto thecrawlspace.

Beat.Tom.mylookstoDarrenandthenbacktoCole~

Beat.

Tommy stares atDarren.Da1Te11finallygetsit.

It happenstoo quickforColetoreact.DarrenandTommyshoveColebackwards.He stumbles into thedarknessofthecrawlspace.

58•

Tommyslamsthe doorclosed.Darrenturnsthe lock.Theycracksmilesateachotheras Cole bangson the door.

TheBANGINGGOESON FOR A FEWSECONDS AND THEN IT JUSTSTOPS.

SILENCE.

DarrenandTommylookateachotherand thenbackat thecrawlspacedoor.

ThenTHESCREAMING BEGINS.

DarrenandTommybackawayfromthe dooras COLESCREAMSrNTERRORat the top ofhislungs.He CRASHESOVERANDOVERagainstthe door.HISBODY SLAMMING AGAINSTTHE WOOD.TheDOORRA TI1.ESlikeit'sgoingtobrcalc off itshinges.

The two boysarestatuesasCole'sBLOODCHILLINGYELLSFILLSTiiE HALLWAY.

FOOTSTEPSSPIKETHEAIRAS childrenandmotherscomerunningdownthehall. LyMis one of them.

Darren·s motherturnsthe comer.

She looksto the closeLTHE HIGHPITCHEDSCREAMSCUTTHROUGHTHE HALL.

LyM andDarren'smomrushto thedoorand tum the knob... The doorfliesopen.Cole isseeminglythrownout.He landsright intohismother'sanns.Unconscious.

Darren'smomlooksintothecrawlspace-there'snothinginsideexcepta couplepacking boxesin the back.She lookstoLynn.Beat.

C 58

LyM and DR.PATRICIAHILLsit on acheckeredsofain the waitingarea ofthe hospital.

Malcolm standsin the doorway.Annsfoldedsomberly.

1could.Theresultswon't change.Hedid nothavea seizure.Hedocsnot haveany intemaldamage.In my opinion...Hefainted.

Beat.

I thinkhe probablybasa phobiaof darkspaces.

Malcolmshakeshis head.

LyMstaresa1Dr.PatriciaHill.

Beat.

S9

Iappreciatethat. IbeJieve it...Butl can not explain it.

((

Your son ismedicallyfine. I want him torestfor awhile. buthecouldgohome this verynighL

Cole Jaysrigid inthehospital bed. His eyesfixedattheendoftheroom.

Malcolm quietly enterstheroom. Coleseeshimandvisibly relaxes.

Cole smileswealdyas Malcolmwalksto thesideof thebed.Hepulls a r Takcsaseat.Beat.

Cole thin.ksabout it. Shakes hishead,"No."

Cole nods,..Yes."

Beat.MalcolmnoticesCole's Jegs emergingfromunder the hospitalgown.Cole is wearing A MAN'S DRESS SOCKS. The baggy folds ride up allthe:way to hisknees.

Malcolm looks at Cole. Malcolm makes adecision.Hetakesoffhisjacketanddrapesit over the back of the chair.Beat.

-· ......--.....-------

61 •

Theysit insilence.Malcolmworkson anewplot in hishead.

Beat.

Colenods,"Yes."

6l •

MALCOLM

(r How do you know?

Beat. Malcolm's affected by hisclient.

Malcolmstaresat the tired child sittingbeforehim inthehospitalbed.

Beat

hemadea mistakewithone ofthem. Didn't help that one atall.Hethinks aboutthat onealot. Can't forget.

Malcolm's handunknowinglymoves to hisside.

•-- ........

Malcolmbreaksfromhis thoughtsand looksat Colewhowatcheshim withunwavering attention.Malcolmsmiles.

tryto helpthisnewboy.He thinksmaybeif hecanhelp thisboy,it wouldbelike helpingthatone too.

Malcolmleansforward,whisperswithemotionaleyes.

·-· ColelooksatMakolm·semotionaleyes.Colestaresat Malcolma long time.

Malcolmnods"yes...Colethinkstohimself.

EVERYTHING THAT'S SAIDFROMnus POINTONIS WHISPERED.

Malcolmblinksveryslowly.Hebarelygetsthewordsout.

CoJetakesan eternalpause.Asilenttensionengulfsthemboth.

Beat.

Coleshakes hishead,"No."

Cole nods,"Yes."

don't knowthey"redead.

Beat.

Malcolm becomes completelymotionless.HeandColestareat eachothera Jangtime.

r

~ MALCOLM Whattypeof things?

Beat

Beat.

- COLE

Yes.

Colenods,..Yes."Beat.

•

Malcolmnods."Yes."Colepullsthecoversupto hischin.Malcolmisver)'still and swesat Cole.

MALCOLM'S EYES- slowlytumandsurveytheroom.Theyfindnothing.Malcolm returnstowatchingCole.

COLE'SEYESLOOKAROUND THEROOMWARILY ... WEMOVEIN ONTHEM • TILLHISEYESFILLTHEFRAME.

WEPULLBACKFROMCOLE'S BLACKEYES...

PULLBACKTO THE FOOTOF lHEBED...

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

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

Malcolmsits in silencewaitingat the bus stop.Hepullsthetaperecorderout ofhisbag. Bringsit to his mouth.Clicksit on.

CLICK.MaJcolm's handwiththetaperecorderdropsintohis lap.

r 66 ....

Malcolmstaresintothenight.Heslowlybringsthetapebackup to his lips.

sessionswillbespent preparingColeforthe transfer.

CUCK.

Malcolmsitsaloneat the bus stop,aslhoughtscrashlikelhunderinhishead.

rNT.CAR-EVENING

The STREETSlURNR.EDasLyMdrives homefromthehospital insilence.She glancesdownto herright.

Cole is curled up asleeponthepassengerseat.backinhis regularclothes. a tinypanyhat clutchedin his hand.He lookslikea fouryearold.

Thesightofhimexhaustedandstill,hitsLynnhard

LyM·sfacedrownsin deepconcern.Shelaysa handonCole'shead as shedrives.

LynnlaysCole gentlyon hisbednextto hisGennanShepherdPuppy.Colecurlsupwith Sebastian.

LyM watchesthetwoyoungsterssleepfora moment,beforepulling Cole'ssweaterfrom over hershoulder.ShebeginstofolditHerattentionis drawnto thesweater.Shefingers the fabricof the back.IT'S RIPPED.Hereyesmoveto Cole.In the middleofthebackof his T-shinareTiiREESMALLTEARS.Lynn pushesthe fabricopenwithherfingers andseesDEEPFINGERNAILLIKESCRATCHESon hisskin.

Lynn look aroundhelplessly.fearcreeping intohereyes.

LynnemergesfromCole~sroom.SheturnsOFFraEHALLLIGHTS as she movesinto her room andclosesthe door.

Silence.The house is drowned in shadows.

The thennostat on the wallreadssevenry-cightdegrees.

Latenight. AnUMatura.lsilence fillsthehouse.

The thermostat on the wall nowreads,fifty-twodegrees.

A LIGHTTURNSON FROM UNDER COLE'SDOOR.

Thedoor opens a crack. Cole's tinyfacepeeksouLEyesscanthedarkness.

Thedoor opens a littlebitmore.Cole'skneesarepressedtogether.Hisbodydancesa little.Cole has to pee. Hemovescautiously into the hall.

Cole moves briskly to a door halfway down the conidor.Opensit. Colerumson the LIGHTINTHEBATHROOM.

Hechecksbehindtheshowercurtain,beforeheturnsmsback andpeesintothetoilet

A LARGEFJOUREMOVES PASTTHE DOORWAY.

Coleinstantlystopspeeing.His bodybecomesverystill. He slowlyreachesforthetoilet handle andflushes.He closeshispantsandtums.Hedoesn~tcome out of the bathroom at first. He just standsthereandstaresinto thedarknessofthehall. HISBREATH FORMS TINY CLOUDS IN THE COLDAIR.

Beat.Colefinallystepsout intothehallway.HiseyescatchaSLANTOF LIGHT now comingfromthekitchen.

Colehesitatesbeforemoving towardsit.Hemoves down thehallandturnsthecomer• coming to astopin the doorway of the kitchen.

-

Coleswcsat the backof a personcookingfoodon the stove.Cole"sfearslowlyfades away.Beat.

Thepersonturns.It'snotLyM.Jt'sa strangewoman.Thewoman's(aceis demented.A purplegashcutsacrossher forehead.

Cole·s faceturnsthe colorof ash.

Colebacksup to the doorway.

The womansmilesmenacinglyas she thrustsherwristsforward...They'vebeen savagelycut.ShemovestowardsCole.

Cole turns andrunsdownthe hall.1lfESOUNDOFTHEWOMAN•sFOOTSTEPS ANDFLOWING ROBECHASEHIM.

- Sebastianrisesto his fee\on the bedandBARKSVJOLENTLY as Cole burstsin.

CoJe runsacrosshis room.Thecrazedwomanenterstheroom behind him.

Cole heads right for the red tent seated inthecomer withthe..DONOT TOUCH" sign on it. He scurries in. His legsdisappearasthe flap to thetentclosesbehjndhim.

Cole is curled up in the tenL He laysstilJfora momen1beforereachingoverand FLICKING ON A FLASH LIGHT.

Thered interior of the tentgetsLIT UP.

1t•sa striking sight.Thewalls ofthetentarclined withreligiouspicturestapedto the walls.Tinystatueso(saintsarcleaned up against the sides. WeseethestatueCole stole fromthechurch is in here... This tentisasanctuarymade by an eightyearold tohidein.

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

THE ENTRANCE FLAP SITS STILL. ITOPENSASSOMEllUNGCOMES TEARING IN...

COLE YELLSAS IT FLIESINTOHISLAP.

Cole looks down to find his puppyshiveringvioJcntJy.Cole holdsSebastiantight in his arms. He closes hiseyesandbeginsto rock slowly back andfonh.

TheLIGHTSINTHEGYMGO DOWN.1l{ESPOTLIGHTOPENSON THE STAGE AS THECURTAINS MOVETO THE SIDES...

A signtothe side ofthestagereads...Thethird andfounhgradepresents•Rudyard Kipling's'TheJungleBook'."'

TheparentsAPPLAUD AS TOMMY TAMMISIMO WALKS OUT ON STAGE in a viJJager'soutfit.

C

THEAUDIENCE APPLAUDSAS THERESTOF THEACTORS COMEOUT.Some arevillagers,othersaredressed astreesand animals.

Colecomesonstageholding apaintedcardboardmonkey.

MALCOLM APPLAUDS FROM THEBACKOF niE GYMNASIUM.

The arched halls oftheprivate schoolarelinedwithposteddrawingsandtestpapers.

Cole and Malcolm walk downanemptyhall.

Beat.

72 •

,r· MALCOLM

No, l don't thinkitsucksbig time.

saideverybodyelseinthe playsuckedbigtime.

BeaL

havea gift...Theycanhelp you.

,r MALCOLM

•ForgettheplayCole.We havetotalkabout-

about the play.Iwantto talk aboutthe play.

Malcolmstopstheirwalk.

C

BeaL

Cole's facetrembles.Heturnsand runsdownthehall.HisshoesSQUEAKONTHE WOODFLOORS ASHE 11.JRNSTHECORNER.

MalcolmstandsaJoneintheconidor.Eyesclosinginfrustration.

n-..1.HALLAFTERNOON

MalcolmfindsColehidingin acomerby asetof doors.Malcolmkneelsdownnextto him.

Malcolmno1icesCole'sexpression.

Cole points tothedoors.

Coledoesn'tsayanything.Beat.

Malcolmgets up and gently pushesopenthedoorsandstepsin.

It'sa largeshadowystairwell.Malcolmsquintshiseyesandlooksaround.

TIIESOUNDOFTHE DOOR OPENINGBEHINDHIM JSHEARD.Colestepsin.He movescloseto Malcolm.

Coleistremblingslightly.

Malcolmfollowsthe child'sgazeto thetopofthestairs.

Beat.

COL£ Be realstill.

Malcolmlooksto Coleandthenturnsbackto the top ofthestairs.Malcolm'sbody becomesverystill. Beat.

Malcolmlooksat theemptystairwell.

Beat.

7S

MalcolmglancesaiCole.Surpriseon hisface.

Beat.

Malcolmlooksattheemptystairwelland thenbackto Cole.

Nothingissaid for afewmoments.

MalcolmturnsbacktoCole,hefindsthe childwithtearsin hiseyes.Colelooks at Malcolmdesperately.

Malcolmsweshelplessly.

MalcolmgentlyleadsColeawayfromthestairs.

COLEGLANCES BACKAS HEMOVES OUTOF TH£ STAIRWELL.

l

COLE'SP.O.V.-Thelighrdanglingattheropofthestairsswaysa linlc... But so do TIIETHREEBODIESHANGING BYTHEIRNECKS FROM A WOODENBEAM.

It's atrulyhorrificsight.A BLACKMANin britchesand no shin,facebeaten10 a puJp, hangsin thecenter.-AWHITEWOMANina 10mwhitefrillydress-tearssoakinsher face.hangsto the right. A smallMIXEDRACECHILDinhalfpants,hangsto theirJcft. ThefamilystaresatCole.TheyfollowColewiththeirtonuredeyesas heexitsthe stairwell.

Malcolmwalksfromthe busstopoverthecobblestonestreetsin frontoflndcpcndence Hall.Thestreetsarequietanddark.Nighttimehasfallenover the city.

Malcolmpassesa sign listingallthehistoricaldatesof the buildingsin the area...1778. 1792,1794..."

Malcolmis lost in his thoughtsashewalkshome.

He slowlycomesto a stop in frontof an oldbuilding.He holdshisannup. Useshis other handto gentlytouchthe RAISEDHAIRSon hisarm'ssurface.

r Malcolmlooksup slowly.Looksaround.Thedarkshadowsfill the comersof the historic \ buildings...

Malcolmstaresintothedarkness...Beat

A longmomentashewaits.Theshadowsseemtomove.thenbecomestill.

MalcolmshakesoffthemomentHereturnshis handstohispocketsashemovesthrough the darkstreetsof Philadelphiato his home.

Lateevening.Annahuddlesundera blanketon the sofaandwatchestelevision.

Malcolmentersthe room andtakesaseatinthereadingchairnextto her.

r 76

......-.......---·-.......

Annawaitsamoment.bcforeraisingtheremoteandtmningoffthe television.Shesw-es quietlyat the darkenedscreen.

AMa doesn'trespond.

Annaisshaken.She's abouttocry.Hereyesnervouslylook up. Beat.

BeatThePHONERJNGSINANOTiiERROOM.Annaclosesher eyes.

Annadoesn'tmove.ThePHONERINGSAGAIN.Beat.

Annaopenshereyes andthrowsoffherbJankCLMalcolmwatchesherleavethe room.

He waits alonein theemptinessofthelivingroom.Aftera Jongwhile,hegetsup and headsforhis basementdoor.

Hepassesthe doorwaylOthe kitchen.ANNA'SVOJCECAN BE HEARDSPEAKlNQ ON THEPHONE.

Malcolmdoesn't hearanythingasAnnalistens10 thepersonon the phone.Hestansfor thebasementdooragain.

Malcolmstandsfrozenin the hall.Anna's HUSHEDWORDSRINGINTHEAIRLIKE A GUNBLAST.

CLiTO:

lyMadjuststhethermostatasshetries tokeepherselfwann.

LyMfiddles'lhiththe dials.thenreturnsto thediMertablewhereCole is seated.Cole·s wearinga pairof his father'sextralargeLEATHERGLOVES.Cole•s smallhandsdon't evenfill the palmarea.Colehas difficultytryingto pick up his milk glasswiththe gloves.

Coleremovestheglovesfromhis handandplacesthemnexttohisplate.

Cole movesthemtothefloor.

Lynnisirritated,thisis asorepointbetweenthem.

LyM and Coleeatquietly.Beat. -

) LYNN I saw whatwas in your bureaudrawerwhenI was cleaning.

Cole looksup. An anxiousexpressionon his face.Beat.

Colejuststares.

Colelooksdownat his lap.

- (beat)

Whatif it broke?Youknow howsadI'dbe.

-

~

a.o

Cole shakes his head.-No.••Lynn juststares.

Coledoesn'tanswer.

LyMjuststaresat Cole.

LyM folds her napkin quietly.

Beat.Cole's eyesstanto waterup.

Lynngoes cold.

Colejuststaresat his mother'sexpression.

Colegetsup•nevertakinghiseyesoffhismother- andleavestheroom.

Coleentersthe DARK HALLWAY.HesetsstartledbytheSOUND OFHISPUPPY GROWLING.

Sebastiancomesracingdownthe hallandscurriespastCole.Colewatcheshis puppyclan into the livingroomand undera couch.

Coleslowlyturnsbackandlooksdownthehall.

THEDOORTO COLE'SROOMSITSATTHE ENDOF THE CORRIDOR.IT'S ALMOST SHUT.COLEWATCHES ASTHEDOORBEGINSTO OPENVERY SLOWLY.IT OPENSWIDE.COLEDOESN'TMOVEAN INCH.

SUDDENLY INTHESTILLNESSANDTHEDARKNESS, A SMALLFIGURE SCURRIESFROMANOTHER BEDROOM INTOTHEBLACKNESS OFCOLE'S ROOM.ITHAPPENS LIKEA FLASH.

Colestopsbrcathina.

THEFIGURESLOWLY STEPSOUTFROMCOLE'SDOORWAY.

(T'SA BOY.A FEWYEARSOLDERTHANCOLE.

THEBOYWHISPERS IN A LOWHOARSEVOICE.

THEBOYTUR."JS.WESEETHATTHEBACKOF HISHEADIS MISSINGAS HE DISAPPEARSINTOTHEDARKNESS OFCOLE'SROOM.

Coleis tooterrifiedto move.

LyM is atthesink,doingdishes.

LyM turns•surprisedtohearher son's voice.LyM'seyesareredfromcrying.She wipesthemquic:klywiththebackofherhand.

Motherandson lookateachother.Beat.

LyM fightsbacksometc:ars.

Lynnwalksoverandhugshim.Beat.

Coledoesn't answer.

ColejUStclosesbiseyesand holds his mom tight.

Co)edoesn'tsay a word.

Wearein an antiquestore.Filled floor to ceiling withfurnitureandknicklcnacks.

Annastandsacrossa glasscabinetfromasilverhairedfemaleCUSTOMER.Anantique necklacesitson aveJvetpadbetweenthem.

ThesilverhairedwomanstudiesAnna.

maybewhenpeopleown thingsandthentheypass away•apanof themselves getsprintedon thosethings• likefingerprints.

The silverhairedwomantouchesthe necklacegentlywithherfingenips.Beat.

The womanand Annasmileateachother.

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

Annatiltsthenecklacetowardshim.

Annasmilesas shetakesa seatatherdesk.Shepreparesthe paperwork.

IS

Annastartsfillingout thepaperwork.Seanpicksupthenecklace.Hemovesbehind Annaand boldsirinfrontof her.Shedoesn'trespond.Hewaitquietly.

ThenAnnareachesup andliftsherhair.Seanlaysthenecklacearoundherneck.He closesthe silverclasp.Hehesitates.Anna•seyesregistertheextratime.

Sean·shandtouchesAnna'snecksoftly.AnnabecomesstiU.His fingersbarelytouchher skin. Annaisn'tbreathing.

A SHATIERINGDOORSLAMECHOESTHROUGH THESTORE.ArmaandJeffery

glassfrontdoorcrackedin aspiderwebpancm

Theycarefullypushopenthe doorand stepoutontothesidewalk.Lookaround.No one in sight.

Annastaresdowntheemptystreet.Shetouchestheantiquenecklacearowidherneck.a concernedexpressionon her face.

Malcolmwalksangrilydownthe sidewalk.Hestopsas hishand goes to his side:He winceswithpainashekeepswalking.

Cole andLyMridehomewithabackscatfullofgroceries.

Cole finishesoff acherrypopsicleashewatchesoutthe window.

IS

Lynnlooks over.

Cole bites offthelast ofthepopsicleand glances at his mom.

Colestaresat his momquietly.

Cole smiles at that. Henods,..Yes..joyfully.

Lynn's face shows alittlehappiness for thefirsttime. A littlehopeentershereyes.She turnsonto theirstreet.

Colegazesout thefrontwindshieldasthecarmovestowards home.

COLE'SPOV•a woman in a flowingwhiledressfrom the40'ssuddenlywalksinto the middle ofthestreet.

Thewomanin the whitedresstums.·Hcrhandrestsonherstomach. WE SEE SHE IS PREGNANT.

Lynnslams thebrakes... Toolate.

THEWOMAN SMASHES INTO THE FRONT GRILLOF1llECAR...HER TERROR STRJCKENfACECOMES OVERlHE HOOD ANO CRASHESRJOHT TiiROUGHTiiEWINDSHIELDINA·SHOWEROF BLOOD AND GLASS...

COLESCREAMS.LYNN SCREAMS ...TiiECARSCREECHESTOA STOPINniE MIDDLEOFA CONGESTED STREET.

Theline ofcarsbehindthemsuddenlyhittheirbrakesandswervetoone sideavoidinga mass collision.Aftera fewseconds.theentireintersectionhascometo a halt.

r

17 •

Cole who has shut hiseyes... slowlyopensthem.

He looks aroundfearfull>•·Hiseyesmovetothe windshield. No broken glass. No blood. And no woman. CoJe looks out throughthepristine windshield onto the street wherecars arestoppedandstaringall aroundhim.

Cole slowly looks over to his mother.Hefindsherstaringathimin complete and uner disbelief. Her hands clutch the wheel.Thewhites of her knuckles showingherfear.She has noideawhyhescreamed.

Theden isveryquiet. Cole and Malcolm sit aroundthemulti-coloredtable. Malcolm leansback in his foldingchair•anns foldedoverhischest.Colesitsslumpedoverthe table•eyespeeringout over hisarms.

They both looklikeshit

Malcolm nods,"'No."Beat.

Malcolm doesn'trespond.Colewalcheshim.Beat.

Cole puJJsoutapc:Myfromhispocket.

TheroomfaJlsintosilenceagain.Beat.Colespeaksverysoftly.

MalcolmstareSacrossat Cole.

Malcolmleansforward. Hiseyesfill withemotion.

Tears fall down Malcolm'scheek.

h takesa second.but Cole beginstearingupto.

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

Cole wipeshis eyeswithhis sleeve.Theysitquietlyandstareateachother.Beat.

Colewhispers.

A longpause.

COLE

secretright?

Beat.

Cole puts downhispennyin fron1ofMalcolm.Beat.

MalcolmsitsstoicalJyathisdeskin hisbasement.Hiseyesga:zeat thedustyFRAMED CERTIFICATE FROMnlECITY OF PHILADELPHIA shovedbetweentwopacking boxes.

MalcolmleanshisheadbackagainStthechair.Staresintothe shadows.Drownsinhis thoughts.

Beat.THECHAIRCREAKSasheslowlysits up again.Malcolm·seyesscanthe room andcometo astopon a boxmarkedwiththe label...

..SESSIONTAPES• VINCENTORAY'

A tapeslidesintothetapeplayerseatedon Malcolm'sdesk. Malcolmhits play.

THE SOUNDOF A DOOROPENINGAND CLOSINGIS HEARD.

didn'tleaveyoualonetoo long.

WE HEARA CHAlRMOVEAS MALCOLM SITSDOWN. Andthen SILENCE.Beat.

A TEN YEAROLD'S VOICEANSWERS.

Beat.VINCENTSNIFFLES.

-·

C

BeaL

BcaL

CLJCK..TIIETAPEGOESTOSILENCE.

Malcolmjust sits in theshadowybasement.Hedoesn'tmoveforawhile.

Thenhehitstherewindbunon.Stopsit.Pressesplay.

didn•tleaveyoualonetoo•

Malcolmhits therewindbuttonagain.Letsitrewindfora while.Pressesplay.

TI-IESOUNDOFA DOOR OPENINGISHEARD.

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

Nothinghappensfora Jongtime.ANDTHENWEHEARA SUDDENCHAIR SCREECHACROSSTHE FLOOR.VINCENT"SBREATHING QUICKENS.

A SLIGHTSTATICSTARTSTOFILTERINONTHETAPE.

Malcolm'seyesarelockedonthespoolof audiotapeas itspinsin the player.

Malcolm'sfingersmoveto the volumedial.Heturnsit way up. THE STATICNOISE FROM niETAPEFILLSTHE BASEMENT.

Malcolmleanscloserto thetapeplayer.Closeshiseyesandlistens... Beat.

DEEPINTHESTATIC...ANOTHERSOUND EMERGES.WHISPERING.

A MAN'S VOICEISHEARDINTHEROOM WITH VINCENT.

Malcolmmouthopensindisbelief.

Cole guidestwoarmysoldiersup astackofbibles.Theres1oftheplasticannywaitson thepewbelow.

Colehearshurriedfootstepsandlooksup.

Malcolmstandsintheaislealinleoutofbreath.He holdshis hand tohissideashe wincesa bit.

Malcolmnods...Yes."

Malcolmtakesaseatinthepew.

Malcolmshakeshishead,..No."

Cole holds up his plasticrifleman.

Beat.

• 94

Beat.

Coleshakeshishead...No."

Malcolmleansforward slowly andspeaksin a hushedione.

ColestudiesMalcolm'spassionateface.A newface.

they'restillalive... Not even knowing,they're pretending...

totalklikeeveryoneelse.

needtoexpressthemselves andbeheard.It's apanof beingahumanbeing.It's everythingIbelieveinandl didn'tbelieveit

Cole looksat Malcolm.

9S

Malcolm•sstareisunwavering.

• Malcolmnods..Yes."

all the rageand angerthey feelinside. (Beat) Ithinkyoucanhelpthem moveon. Helpthemsay whateverit is theyneedto say.

Beat.Cole is quietfor a while.

MALCOLM

heard.Everyone.

Coletakesa bigsigh. Fiddleswithhisriflemen.

r 96

Colelooksnervous.

Malcolm's eyesaredrawntoCole'sarm.Peekingout from underhis shinsleeveareaset ofcuts.Malcolmgazesat them.

Cole andMalcolmsit silentlyinlhcbackofthechurch.

Cl'TTO:

-

Malcolm enters his house.Theplaceisindarkness.Heflicksan a LAMP seated on the halltable.

His eyes immediately go totheANTIQUENECKLACEseatedin theopenedbox on the table.AcardaddressedtoAnnasitsonaop.Jtrads,

..Toitsrightfulowner."

Malcolm's face turns to stone.

A SLIVER OF LIGHT SEEPS OUT FROMUNDERHIS BEDROOM DOOR.

Malcolm moves downthehall.Anger growing ineachstep.

TheSOUNDSOF A'NNA'S MUFFLEDVOICEONTHEPHONEFILTERTHROUGH THEDOOR.

Malcotm·sa ballof tensionas he movesforthebedroom.Hishandtouchestheknobas hehears...

Somethingin her voicemakesMalcolmstopas ifshe'stalkingto him.Hishandrestson the knob.Beat.

( Guiltis not somethingJwant L

to add lo mylistof pains.

Malcolm'shandpullsawayfromthedoorknob.

The houseis silent.Nomovement.

Coleis in his pajamasasleepon the floorofthe

RED TENT.

Curledup nexttohim is Sebastian.Theysleepsurroundedbystatuesandpictures.

Cole'seyesopenas he hearsHISMOTHER'SDISTANTVOICE.

Colequicklygetsupandrushesout ofthetentHedoesn'trealiz.e,theentranceflaptothe tentisLEFTOPEN.

Hedoesn'tstopas he movesthroughtheshadowyhallandpushesopenhismother's bedroomdoor.

n-.'T.LYNN'SBEDROOM•NIGHT

Colelooksovertheroomcarefully.Everythingisstill.

HISMOTiiER'S VOICErumshis attentionbackto thebed.

- LYNN

Cole.what'shappeningto you?

Colelooksdownandfindshis motherlayinginherbed.Herfacecantonedindeep sadnessasshespeaksin hersleep.

Cole moves to hismother'sside.Touchesherfacewithhistinyfingers.

Histouchseemsto haveanaffect.Lynnbecomesstillinhersleep.Colewatchesher carefully.

JOO

Cole closes the door to his mother's bedroom shuLHestandsstill in the hallway.Lefs out aheavysigh ...

HISBREA TH ROLLSINA TINYCLOUDINFRONTOF HIM.

Cole's browfurrows.Hebreathesagain. This time intentionally. Watches as hisbreath materializesin the suddenlyicecold air.

Everymuscle in Cole's eightyearoldbodybecomes rigid. Hetakesasecondbefore moving through theinkydarkness of the hall.

Colesteps back into his bedroom and studiestheshadowscarefully.He slowly moves 10 his tent andcrawls in legs first.His eyes watch the bedroom foranysign ofmovement.

Once in the tent, heclosestheflap.

WhenColerumsaround, he stopsbreathing.

AN EIGHTYEAROLDGIRLVOMITS ON HERSaF IN HIS TENT. Shefinishes and looks up at Cole with drawneyes.

The girl reaches out with herwitheredand emaciatedhands•tiny tubes hangfromher wrists.She scratches Cole as he tumblesbackterrifiedout of the tent.

Colerunshard out ofhisbedroomanddownthehalltothe living room.Hegetsdown on the ground and slidesunderthe woodenJeggedcouch.

- - -

101•

Sebastian isalreadyhuddled in(earunderthe couch. Colepressesasfarback as hecan andwaits.

COLE'S P.O.V. - is of the living roomfloor.Chairlegs.Coffeetablebase.Rugs... Everythingis still untiJ asetofbarefeetwalkacrosstheroom.

ColebecomesverystiJl.Thefeetstop right at the couch.

TiiEGIRL'S FACEsuddenlyappearsas shebendsdown and vomits onthecarpet.She tums herheadand makeseyecontact with Cole.

She tries to grab Cole. Colekicksand squirms his wayfanherbeneaththecouch.

The girl lays flat on the ground andstansto crawl underthecouch. Cole and Sebastian have nowhere togo.Colesuddenlyyellsat her.

Thegirl s1opscrawling.Herdementedfaceglaresat him.

BEAT.Colemakes a decision. Helookslikehe'sgoing tocry- fights it back.

Coleandthe linlc girlstaresilently ateachother. Cole holdsherstarewithtrembling eyes.

Heopenshis mouth•irtakesa whilebeforethe wordscomeout.

AdovmtownSepta public bus. Malcolm and Coleareamong thespatteringofpassengers.

They·rebothwearingsuits.

CoJeJeanshisheadagainst the glass of thescratchedwindow. Cole's largeeyesdrinkin thepassingscenery.

IOI

COLE'SP.O.V. - A dark abandoned building stretches for anentireblock on one side. A MAN INA OREYFULLBODIED UNIFORMWITHNUMBERS PRINTEDACROSS HISCHEST... RJSESOUTOFTHETALLWEEDSINFRONTOFTHEBUILDING. HEHOBBLES HISWAYDESPERATELY TOWARDS THEBUS.HJSHANDSAND LEGSARE SHACKLED... HE LUNGESOUTFORCOLEINTHEPASSING WINDOW.

A GUNSHOTECHOES INTHEAIR.THEMAN'SCHESTEXPLODES INRED AS HEFALLSTO HISKNEESSCREAMING.

Colejerksback fromthe window.

The busquietlydrivespastTHE OLDPRJSON BUILDING.

Colestaresdownathis lap and triesnot to Jookup anymore. Beat.

Colerumsto Malcolmwhostaresstraightahead.

Beat.Malcolmturns10 Cole.

Cole fallsintodeepthoughtas heswesdownat hisdressshoes.Malcolmslipsbackinto silence.

Thecitybusslithersthroughthe old Philadelphiastreetsworldngit~sway downtown.

10)

A modesthomesitson acomer.Itssmalllawn.groomedcarefully.Rowsofparkedcars spilloutfromthedrivewayoniothestreets.

Peoplein suitsanddarkdressesmovesomberlyinandout ofthefrontdoorsofthehome.

ColeandMalcolmjointhevisitonastheywalkslowlytowardsthedoors.

A fraillittlegirlaboutfouryearsof agesitsin adarkdresson theswingsinfrontofthe house.Visitorssay hellotoherastheypass.Shedoesn'tsayanythingback.

Colenods...Yes."

Malcolmand Colewatchher fora momentbeforefo)]owingothersintothemodest comerhome.

The homeis packedwithpeople.Thegatheringofmournersis standingroomonly.The AIRIS FILLED\VlTHDOZENSOFHUSHEDCONVERSATIONS.

VISITOR#l ... sick foryears...

VISITOR#2 ...So muchsuffering...

VISITOR#3 ...Thedoctorsneverseen anythinglikeit...

VISTOR#4 ...thelittleone'sfallingill now...

VISITOR#5 ...Godhelpthem...

104•

A FAMILY PORTRAIT HANGS NEAR THE FRONT DOOR. Two girls.onebigger. onesmallersit ontheground in front of their mother and father. Their smiling faces welcome themowners.

Malcolm and Cole arcstandingat the bonomorastaircase.Waiting.

Thefront door opensasanother group arrives. Malcolm nods to Cole asthefoyerfills up. The two of them quietly disappearupstairs.

Thenarrowhall islinedwith boxes ofmedicalsupplies. I.V.stands,sterileneedles and padsarein the process ofbeingtakenaway.Theboxesarepiled outside a closed bedroomdoor.

Colestaresattheshut doorlikehedocsn't want to go in.Beat.

r COLE

(whispetS) Hethinksrmstrong?

Coleturnsto Malcolm.

Cole turns andstaresquietly atthedoor.Hewaitsa long timebeforereachingforthe doorknob.

- r 104

IOS

Coleclosesthedoorbehindhim.Heturnsandgazesatthegirl"sbedroom.There·s a hospitalbednearthewindow.The walJsarecoveredwithgetweUcardsanddrawings fromfamily.friends,and schoolchildren.

HersheJvesarefiUedwithpuppets.AJIshapesandsizesof puppets.Nexttotheshelfis a puppetstageanda camcorderon a minitripodsiningnextto it.

Colewalkstotheshelfandpicksupa FINGERPUPPETDANCER.Heplacesit in his pocket.

On the girl•sdes~is a largecollectionofvideocassencs.Thelabelsread,..PuppetShow Christmas96\PuppetShowBinhdaypany,"PuppetShowclasstrip.....

Colereadsthelabelscarefullybeforemovingtowardsthe closets.Hepassesthebed.

AN EMA CIATEDHANDREACHES OUTFROM BENEATHlliEBEDAND GRABSCOLE'SANKLE.

Colejerksbackstanled.Hewatchesas thegirl"shandslipsbackunderthebed.Cole suaysverystill.Waits.Nothinghappens.

bed.

Theemaciatedlinlegirl whocameto histentlayscurledonthe floor.Herbulgingeyes glareatCole.Shemovessuddenly.Thrustsajewelryboxforward.It slidesacrossthe woodenfloorandstopsjustbeforeCole.Coleandthe sicklygirlstareateachother. Neitherof themsaya word.

Theroomis thickwithmourners.MostarcgatheredaroundtheGIRL•sMOnIER.a youngwomaninherlatetwenties.whositson the familycouchandreceivesthe many cards.hugs,andflowersthatareofferedascondolence.

Malcolmwatchesbreathlesslyfromthe doorwayas Colemovesthroughthemanyadults acrosstheroom.

Thegirl'sfather,MR.COLLINS,a thinmaninhislatetwenties.isseatedonthereading chairnextto a T.V. Hisfaceisstone.Nooneintheroomdarestalktohim.Hestares statuelikeat an abstractpointin the room. •

Themandoesn·1react.Some of the guests look oddly al the little boyStandingbeforethe man.

Beat.The manslowlyturnsand looksdown at the boy standing next to him.Coleisvery shaky.

Malcolm watcheseverythinganxiously.

Colestaresat Mr. Collins.

Theman's facebeginstocNmble.Beat.He nods...yes..softly.

Cole holdsout thejewelry box. Ittrembleswithhishands.

The fatherjuststaresatil.Beat.

The fatherbecomesverystill. HiseyesfiJJwith a storm of confusion andpain.Afterthe longest time. the father reaches and gentlytakesthe boxoutofCole"ssmaU hands.

Cole begins10backaway...

Thefathergazesat Cole as he meltsintothe crowd. The fatherlooksdowninadaze.He goesto open thejewelrybox. Hismovementsareslow andstrained.Heliftsthelatch andopensthebox.

Mr. Collinsstaresatanunlabeled videocassette.

COLERachesMalcolm andthetwoorthem sJipout ofthehouse.

People intheroomstartto tum astheT.V.comeson. Themother'sattentionis drawn acrosstheroom as shewatchesher husband sitting before thetelevisionand V.C.R.

THESTATICSNOWON TiiESCREENISQUJCKLY REPLACEDBYAN IMAGE. TWOPUPPETS DANCEON STAGE.WE HEARKARA'S VOICESINGFOR TiiE PUPPETSASTHEYDANCEAROUND.

Her father's face forms the mosthcanbrcakingof smiles as he watches the performance.

Theentireroom has stopped what theyweredoing.Thegirl'smothernoticesas everyone'sanentionturnsaway fromher.

T.V.SCREEN

WEHEAR FOOTSTEPSCOMING UP'IliESTAIRS.Thepuppets go limp.Theentin: stagegetslifted up.Wesec itcarriedaway by Kara.Wecanviewthe whole bedroom now.Thecamerais seated onherdeskinthecomer.

Karaclimbs inbedand pretends tobesleepingwhenthe door opens. It's Mrs. Collins. Shecaniesin a tray of soupandasandwich.

LIVINGROOM

Thecrowdwatchesin rivetedsilence.The fathernevertakeshiseyesoff ofthescreen. Mrs.Collinsrisesfromthecouch.

Noonebeanher.AJJattention is riveted on the

T.V.SCREEN

Theimageof the motherpreparesthemeal.Sheuncovers theuuitandthesoup.Placesa strawinrothedrink.

And then it happens.

The image ofthemotherwaJJcsto acloscl.Opensit. An assonment of household cleaners and spongesarekept inside.Shepulls out a bonle offloorcleaner. Readsthelabelfor the ingredients. Walks back to the foodtray,whereshe unscrewsthecapon thefloorcleaner.

Themother pours the tiniest amount of theclearammonia liquidintothechitd·ssoup. Shereplacesthe cap and putsthebottleback inthecloset.

Theimageofthemothertumstothebed carrying thetray.She placesthefood on a metallic rolling table and swings itoverthebed.

Kara pretends towakefromadeepsleep.

The image ofthemother smiles.

MOTiiER (videotape) rmglad honey. (beat) Time for your food.

Karapicks up the spoon andtakesa sip. Herfaeccrinkles at thetaste.Shelooksup ather mother.

r

- --- --·-

MOlliER (videotape) Don't sayittastesfunny.You knowI don·1like tohearthat.

Karaslowlybringsthe spoontohermouthandswallowsanotherSJ)OOnful.

handsto hiseyeslikethcy•rcburning.

TheROOMIS UTTERLYSILENT.

Mrs.Collinsstansto moveacrossthe roomtowardsherhusband.Peoplemoveaway fromher as she passes.

Thefatherlooksup.Theireyesmeet.Thewholeworldstops.

The mother'sfacebeginsto disintegrateWldcrtheglareof thefatheras he rises fromhis seat.Ragefillingeverycell ofhisbody.

You...Ican'tbelieve... (beat) Youweremakinghersick?

Mr. Collinsnishesforwardin an explosionof anger.

Whathaveyou done!

He getsrestrainedbyfamilyandfriendsaroundhim.Theangerdisappearsashe·s held tightlyin the anns of his lovedones.He collapsesandbeginsto sob. Mr. Collins dissolvesin his grief.

Mrs.Collinsstandsstill in the middleof the room.Shelooksaroundat the horrified faces.

Her wordsarcm~withicecoldstares.Shebeginstoshake.Tearsstreamdownherface. Theprenyflowersof consolationinherhandtumbletothefloor.

Colesitson the swingsnextto Kara's fouryearold sister.She doesn't lookup.

Malcolmwaitsin thedriveway.Watchesthemfroma distance.

Colereachesinto his pocketand pullsout the littleFINGERPUPPET.He holdsit ouL

Thefouryearoldstaresatthe fingerpuppetthenquietlylakesit inhersmallhands.

Thetwochildrendon't say anythingfor a while.Malcolmglancesto the house.whereall movementin and outofthehomehasceased.

Coleturnsto the fouryearold.

Thelinle girl finallylooksup. Shehasthe saddesteyes.

Beat.

The littlegirlstaresdown·atthefingerpuppet.Colelightlyplacesa hand on hershoulder.

Nothingelse issaid.Nothingelse is done.

Malcolmlooksacrossat the twochildrenontheswings.Onemourning.One consoling.

Malcolmtakesitin.overwhelmed.

THE DULLSOUNDOF RAINOUTSIDEFILLSTHEBACKSTAOE AREA as StanleyCUMingham.movesbetweentwocurtainsandcomesto adressingroomdoor in the back.Heputsanear tothedoor,listensandthenknocks.Afterasecond,heenters.

Mr.CUMinghamfindsColesittingin a poorvillagercostumetalkingtoa11old nun.Cole and the nuntum and lookat Mr.Cunningham.

They'recallingforthestable boy.

Mr.Cunninghamlooksaroundtheroomandthendirectlyat Cole.

Who wereyoutalkingto?

ThesisterlookstoColeand nods.

Shestandsup. WESEE SHEHASNOLEGS.

THEHEADANDTORSOOF 1HE SISTERMOVESTO ANOPENCLOSET AND WALKS rNTOIT. SHEDISAPPEARSINTOTHEDARKNESS.

Coleputs on histatteredhat.

Mr.Cunninghamsmiles.

You'rewelcomeCole.

Theysharea lookbeforewalkingout of thedressingroomandenteringthehall.

Weseethemwa))cjngaway.

112•

You knowwhenI wasin school. the roof collapsed in thissection ofthetheater.

rebuilt the whole thing.

Beat.

Malcolmrunsthroughtherainwithhis jacketpulledoverhishead.Hesc:uniesupthe stairsof the school.

Malcolmstandsand catches his breath in theconidorof St. Christopher·sAcademy.

A teacher rushes in the hallwithan annload of costumes.

Theteacherhurriespast Malcolm and downthehallwithoutsaying a word.

The teacherscurriesaround acomer.Malcolmwatcheshercuriously.

Malcolm moves quickly to a set of double doors and opens them. Hestepsintothe DARKNESS OFTHE GYMNASIUM.

l

The play is full swing... Cole and alargegroupof costumed childrenareonmge.Cole holdsabroomandwearsaworndo'Wl'lcostume.Hestandstotheside•hiddenby others.

A boyin a shiny annored costume walkstothecenterofthestagewhere alarge cardboardstone is seated. A sparkling HANDLEsticksout of the top.

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

MERLIN, aboyina magician's costumestepsforward.

Merlin looks tothegroup onstage.Looks rightatCole.

Thegroup of villagers on thestageLAUGH AND MOCKTiiESUGGESTION.

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

Tommy turns a deep shade ofredand hobblesoffthestage.

Merlin looks to Cole.

Cole hesitates. Not because he's acting. Hereallyhesiwes. Ittakeshim amoment.before he stepsfonvard.

-

CoJestepsup to the stone.Heplaceshis handaroundthe handle.Beginsto pull.The swordstartsto comeout.

The villagersGASP.

Coleraisesthe shinyswordoutof the stoneand highabovehishead.

Merlinandeveryoneonstagebows.A SILENCEFILLSTHE GYM.

Malcolmwatcheshis client,standingin thespotlightfor thefirsttime.

The raincomesdowna littlestrongernow.A groupofchildrenwaitunderanawningas parentsincarsarriveto pickthemup.

Studentsrunout fromtheawningas theirnamesare called.

Colewaitsto one sidewithMalcolm.Theystareout at therainin silence.

Malcolmshrugshis shoulders.

Theystandquietlyagain.Beat.

Malcolmdoesn't respondfora while.Heshakeshis head,"No."Beat.

Colesmileshuge.Beat.Theystandin silencefora while.

Thetwojuststandtherelookingateachother.

BeatMalcolmexhalesveryslowlyashemovesout fromunderthe awning.

•MALCOLM OkayCole,I'mgoingtogo now... I'llseeyoutomorrow.

Cole watchesas Malcolmstepsoutintotherain.Cole'seyesfillsuddenlywithtears.

Malcolmslowlyturnsand walksdowntheschool'sdriveway.Coletakesacouplesteps out fromthe awningas hewatches.

Raintricklesdownon Cole's faceashe looksout

Malcolmis barelyvisiblyas he walksdowntheside\\-alk.Rainpouringover him. Malcolmdissolvesinto thesheetsof drivingrain.

Raincomesdownlike gunfirefromthe sky. A two Janeroad mergesto one lane around a severecar accident Policeflaresguidethecarsastheycrawl by.

LyM and Colearestandingstill inbumperto bumpertraffic.The windshieldwipersare losingthebattleagainstthe rain.

LyM Jeansher chin on thesteeringwheel.Shetriestostarethroughthe layer of wateron the glass.

Beat.Lynnglancesoverto Cole whosits in hisscatsilently.

Cole shakeshishead.~o."

-

Beat.

Beal.

Thewayhe saysthe words.givesLynna chill.

Coletakesa longtime.

- COLE

You knowtha.taccident up there?

Lynnleansoverthesteeringwheel.Shewipesthe windshieldwithher palmtoseebencr..

-

ll7

118•

LyM gazes out the windshield at the line ofredtaillights.Beat.

A WOMAN fNHERLATE FORTIES.HAIRMATIEDWITH RAINANDBLOOD. STANDSSTARING TIIROUGHCOLE'SPASSENGER WINDOW.

LyM looksoverslowly. She doesn'tseeanythingoutside hiswindow.She eyes Cole.

• COLE Deadpeople.

Beat.

Colenods."Yes."

Cole nods..Yes..again.LynnbecomesupsetShenodswithgraveW\derstanding.Cole watchesher.

..... Beat.

LyM doesn't respond.Shedrownsinherthoughts.Beat

LYM looksup sharply.

-

Lynnbecomesstill.Her faceis unreadable.Whenshespeaks.herwordsareextremely controlled.

Beat.

LyM'seyesJockon Cole.

COLE

Jinle.youandherbad a fight rightbeforeyourdance

didn'tcometosecyoudance. She did.

Lynn bringsherhandsto hermouth.

- - -

COLE

' ..

Shehidin the backsoyou wouldn·1see...Shesaidyou werelikean angel.

Lynnbeginstocry.

COLE

her aquestion... Shesaidthe answeris"Everyday."

Lynncoversherfacewith her hands.Thetearsrolloutthroughher fingers.

Beat.LyMlooksather son. She~lygetsthe wordsout.

-

Dofmakeherproud?

Cole movesclosertoLynn.Shecradleshiminheranns.Motherand son holdeachother tight.

TherainpeltsthewindshieldofthecarastheTiiINSOUNDOF AMBULANCE SIR.ENSGROWSINTI-IEDISTANCE.

Malcolm entersthe livingroomandsmilesatwhathesees.

Annaisasleepin achair.She'scurledupina ball.Inaway.shelookslike alittlegirl.

TheirWEDDINGVIDEOPLAYS S0f11.YONraETELEVISION.

MalcolmwatcheshimselfandAnnacuttingtheirweddingcake.THE CROWD APPLAUDSAS THEY FEEDEACH OTiiERPIECES.

I..

Malcolmturnsfromthetelevisionandtakesase.itnext10 Anna.Hegazesuponhiswife softly.

Silence.Malcolmgazesfor a beatbeforelookingdown.

Malcolm'seyesmovebackup.Helooksathis sleepingwife.ANNA'STALKINGIN HERSLEEP.

Malcolm can'tbelieveit.

Beat. Her lips moveagain.Eyesneveropen. ((

Beat.

Beat. She becomessilent.Annafallsbackintodeepsleep.herarm slidesdown. SOMETiilNGSHINYFALLSOUT ANO ROLLSON THE GROUND.

Malcolm'seyeswatchas it comesto astop...Beat.Hega:zescuriouslyat a GOLD WEDDING BAND layingon the woodfloor.

C

Confusionwashesoverhis face.HelookstoAMa'shand... An identicalgoldwedding ring sits on her finger.

Beat.Malcolmlooksdownathis ownhand... HISWEDDINGRING1SGONE.

Malcolmiscompletelylost. Hetakesacouplestepsback.Looksaroundinconfusion...

Hiseyescometorestonthe doorto hisbasementoffice.Helooksindisbeliefattheset ofDEADBOLTLOCKSon the door.

Malcolmdoesn'tknowwhatthe hell's goingon... Hiseyesaredrawnto the dining table... OnlyONEPLACESE'JTINGisoutonthetabletop.

Hiseyessearchagain-theyfinallylockon theWEDDINGVIDEOPLAYING.Malcolm watchesimagesofhimselfon thescreen... Hiseyesfillwitha stonn of emotions...

Malcolmlooksto Anna's faceandbecomesverystill.Beat.

CLOSEONANNA ...TILLHERSLEEPINGFACEFILLSTHEFRAME... IT'S NOW WE NOTICEFORTHE FIRSTTIME,IBATANNA'SBREATHS AREFORMING TINYCLOUDS INTHECOLO AIR.

SLAM CUT:

FLASHBACK:INT.BEDROOM - NlGHT

VIOLENTOUN SHOTSRINGTHROUGH THEBEDROOM.

VincentGrayflopsbackontothebed.Hemakesa GURGLINGSOUNDashiseyeslook up.

Annarushesacrossthe roomto acnunpJedMalcolmlayingon the floor.Malcolm's handsareclutchedat hisside.

Annaprieshishandsawaytorevealan enormousholeunderbisribs. The bloodpours outWtcontrollably.

Malcolm·sjaw is Jockedopen.Hisbreathsarelongandstrained.

ANNAIS SCREAMING.BUTHER VOICESOUNDS FARAWAY.

-

r'' Malcolm's openjawreleasesa longstrainedbreathand thenbecomessilent.AMatriesto coverthewoundwithher handsdesperately.

We move to Vincent Gray on thebed.Hiseyestwitchwith the last glimmers of life.They stare upward.Wefollow hisstareto the person standing next to.thebed.

MALCOLM'S GHOST watchesastheyoungman stares right at him.Theyoungman's eyesfinally close. MALCOLM'S GHOST Jooksaround the room in adaze.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT:INT.LIVINGROOM• NIGHT

MALCOLM'S VOJCESHAKES TiiEROOM.

AMa just sleeps.

Malcolmstaggersback. His breathingerratic.

( r\_- Hetakes aseatacross from her.Helooks athiswife and suddenly becomesverystill.

Anna'sstill curled up asleep, buttearsarefalling fromhershuteyes.

Beat.

Anna doesn'tmove,buthertearsseemtofall a little faster.

Malcolm'smindisracing.

12.5

Malcolmgazesat his wife.Tearsfillhiseyes.

Annalaysstill.

- Theroomfallsintosilence.Malcolmsitsstillacrossfromhis wife.Hedrinksherinwith hiseyes.

MalcolmJeansbackin the chair.Slowlycloseshiseyes.Theycloseshut.

WEARE TIGHTON ANNA ... WE SEEHERSOFTBREAmsFORMINGA TINY CLOUD INTHECOLD AIR...

WITHEACHBREA Tii,THEYBECOMELESSAND LESSVISIBLE...1HEROOM BECOMINGLESSANDLESSCOLD.

SOONHERBREATHS AREN T VISIBLEATALL.SHEBREArasOENTI..y FALLINGBACKINTOA PEACEFUL SLEEP.

WEPULLBACKto revealAnna aloneinthelivingroom.

THE WEDDING VIDEOPLAYS ITSLASTSCENES... MALCOLMISATTHE MICROPHONEON lHE DANCEFLOOR INFRONTOF ALLlHE GUESTS.HE'S HOLDING A GLASSOFWINE.

Malcolmsmiksas hetakesa sip. The guestschuckleas they watch.Beat.

Thecrowderuptsin LAUGHTER.

Malcolmlooksaroundateveryone'ssmilingfaces.

Beat. Malcolmtakeshis time.Helooksjustpastthecamera.

Malcolm'seyesfillwith.water.

FADETO BLACK: