"THE HELP" (2011)

THE HELP

by Tate Taylor

Based on the novel THE HELP

by

Kathryn Stockett

DreamWorks

JACKSON MISSISSIPPI: 1963

AIBILEEN, black, 53, stands at a kitchen sink washing dishes. She wears a yellow dress with black piping.

Two framed portraits hang on the wall above her: Jesus Christ and an UNKNOWN YOUNG BLACK MALE wearing thick glasses.

Aibileen swallows hard.

An UNSEEN WOMAN interviews Aibileen.

The woman repeats Aibileen's answer slowly as she writes.

Aibileen looks to the floor for a moment.

Aibileen nods sadly. The room is quiet.

Aibileen's hands tremble as she glances sadly up to the picture of the young black male.

FADE TO BLACK:

MAE MOBLEY LEEFOLT, 2 1/2 years old, stands in a crib calling out for Aibileen.

AIBILEEN enters. Her dark black skin contrasts angelically with a light gray work dress, white panty hose and shoes.

Aibileen lifts Mae Mobley out of her crib.

Aibileen sits down with Mae Mobley in a chair placing her on her lap.

Aibileen kisses Mae Mobley and whispers in her ear.

Mae Mobley leans back and repeats Aibileen's words.

Aibileen hugs Mae Mobley.

Mae Mobley reaches up and touches Aibileen's face.

Aibileen lies in an old claw foot tub. Rust appears where the enamel has chipped. Several layers of linoleum are visible due to a hole in the floor caused by water damage.

Aibileen is not wearing her wig. She has salt and pepper hair bound in tight braids close to her scalp.

Aibileen leans her head back and closes her eyes.

Aibileen exits a small one story structure with peeling paint. She is in full maid's uniform and is now wearing her wig.

Aibileen passes two buses filled with maids going in opposite directions.

The Leefolts' small, brick, three bedroom "ranch" is destined to become income property one day.

Aibileen pulls a pink frilly dress on Mae Mobley.

The dress has become too small to button.

Aibileen pats Mae Mobley's belly.

Mae Mobley pats her own belly just as Aibileen did.

Mae Mobley's mother, ELIZABETH LEEFOLT, 22 and lanky, enters wearing a lavender floral print dress very much under construction. Pins and double-stick tape hold it all together.

She has pointed features and a nest of teased hair.

Aibileen nods as Elizabeth rotates around like the Tin Man.

Elizabeth exits with her pinned hemline sloping at a good twenty degree angle. Aibileen shakes her head.

A trail of dust is kicked up behind a blue Cadillac convertible as EUGENIA "SKEETER" PHELAN (23) drives down a rural road surrounded by farmland.

A song plays on the radio.

The convertible passes a small A.M. radio station.

Skeeter pulls into a gas station.

TWO BLACK STATION ATTENDANTS rush over to help her. One cleans her windshield and the other puts gas in her car.

Skeeter looks ahead to customers standing outside an adjacent movie theater.

"Cleopatra" is written across the marquis. Below, a long line of WHITE WOMEN buy tickets and go inside.

The African-American theater patrons climb up a fire escape stairway and enter through a side entrance on the second floor. A sign reads:

COLORED ENTRANCE

Skeeter pulls into the lot of the Jackson Journal Newspaper. The Mississippi state flag flies atop the building.

A RECEPTIONIST leads Skeeter across a smoke-filled news office. Even the light bulbs have yellowed.

Skeeter wears flats, careful not to add more than a centimeter to her towering height. She carries a red leather satchel.

The receptionist and Skeeter enter the office of MR. HAROLD BLACKLY, 60. He has greased, grey hair and the face of an overwhelmed man. Smoke pours into the room.

The receptionist exits. Skeeter shuts the door behind her.

Mr. Blackly snaps his fingers over a chair.

Skeeter quickly hands Mr. Blackly a resumé from her satchel. He skims it over, marking it violently with a red pen.

Mr. Blackly sighs, hands the resumé back to Skeeter.

She takes a deep breath and pulls a letter out of her satchel. She hands it to Mr. Blackly.

Mr. Blackly snatches the letter and reads it quickly. Flabbergasted, he drops the letter on his desk.

Skeeter points toward the letterhead.

Mr. Blackly swivels his chair and stands, barely. Mr. Blackly is quite short.

Mr. Blackly points to a wire basket on top of a book cabinet that he can't reach.

Skeeter crosses to the cabinet, grabs the basket with ease and places it on his desk. The basket is filled with unopened letters.

Mr. Blackly hands Skeeter a blue notebook filled with past Miss Myrna columns.

Skeeter forces a smile. Mr. Blackly's phone rings.

Mr. Blackly picks up the ringing phone.

Skeeter exits the office, carrying the basket of letters as Mr. Blackly continues on the phone.

Beaming, Skeeter exits pulling the door behind her.

HILLY HOLBROOK, 24, white and meticulously groomed, sits on a closed toilet seat in a well-appointed bathroom. She wears an aggressive floral print dress covered in bows.

Her face is topped by a perfect red bouffant hairdo.

Hilly rolls toilet paper out from its holder. With a pencil, she places a dot on each sheet of paper, counting as she goes.

Hilly carefully rolls the paper back up in the roll.

MINNY JACKSON, 33, black, plump and in uniform, rolls her eyes and shouts up the mahogany stairwell.

MISSUS WALTERS, 60, passes quietly behind Minny. She's wearing a heavy winter coat.

Minny jumps with a yelp, spins around.

Missus Walters ambles towards her. The early stages of Alzheimer's have appeared, but Missus Walters is still quite proud at eighty percent capacity.

Minny gently helps Missus Walters out of the coat.

Missus Walters puts her coat back on. Minny helps.

Hilly enters the room.

Minny grabs Missus Walters' pocketbook off of a foyer table.

Minny picks up a chocolate pie which is also resting on the foyer table and follows Hilly and Missus Walters out the door.

The Holbrook house is a two-story brick with a huge, beautiful yard shaded by ancient oak trees.

Hilly, Missus Walters and Minny walk toward a station wagon parked on the street. Hilly barks over her shoulder.

They pass a sign stuck in Hilly's yard that reads: YARD OF THE MONTH!

Hilly reaches the car and gets into the passenger seat. Minny helps Missus Walters into the back seat.

Minnie hurries around to the driver's side of the car, pie in hand.

Aibileen methodically arranges grapes on a platter of chicken salad resting on Elizabeth’s dining table. The table has a small L-SHAPED scratch in the middle.

Elizabeth leans over the sofa and pushes the curtains aside, watching for guests to arrive. The hem of her skirt is still uneven, but much improved from the earlier state.

Elizabeth steps back from the window and glances anxiously to the dining table--then catches eyes with Aibileen and nods.

Aibileen knowingly slides the platter of chicken salad over the L-shaped scratch in order to hide it.

Aibileen kneels next to Mae Mobley, who sits on a small children's training toilet.

Mae Mobley forms a smile as tee-tee sprinkles into the bowl.

Aibileen and Mae Mobley laugh excitedly as Elizabeth storms into the bathroom.

Elizabeth reaches down and scoops up Mae Mobley like a sack of potatoes.

Elizabeth storms off with Mae Mobley. Aibileen is clearly disappointed.

Hilly enters the front door. Minny follows behind holding the pie and Missus Walters' arm.

The BRIDGE CLUB MEMBERS chatter in the adjacent den.

Minny lowers Missus Walters into a chair.

Hilly steps into the den with a bolt of charisma, captivating the women.

The girls squeal with excitement at Hilly's arrival.

Missus Walters calls out to Minny, who's headed to the kitchen.

Minny nods as she enters the kitchen.

Minny enters and sets the pie on the counter as Aibileen adds sugar to a pitcher of iced tea.

Minny immediately spies a plate of deviled eggs on the counter and reaches for one.

Aibileen laughs as she crosses behind Minny and opens the refrigerator. She pulls out another plate of deviled eggs and sets them on the counter.

Minny grabs an egg. It disappears into her mouth with a single bite. Aibileen nods laughing and leans into Minny.

Minny grabs a small black and white TV off the counter and picks up a TV tray.

Minny heads toward the living room.

The cord from the TV drags behind her. Aibileen picks it up and wraps it around Minny's arm.

The TV set rests atop the coffee table. On TV: THE GUIDING LIGHT plays.

In an armchair, Missus Walters watches as she eats from a plate of Aibileen's ambrosia.

Skeeter enters through the front door.

Missus Walters stays glued to the TV.

Hilly is commenting on her own dress to Elizabeth and JOLENE FRENCH, 24.

Skeeter enters the den.

The girls turn. Elizabeth gasps; the women squeal as Elizabeth and Hilly hug her.

Jolene hugs Skeeter.

Hilly spins Skeeter away from Jolene and looks her in the eyes.

Hilly and Elizabeth look at Skeeter with concern.

Hilly places her hand on Skeeter's shoulder.

Elizabeth and Hilly watch with concern as Skeeter walks to the chicken salad buffet.

Bridge has begun. Hilly, Elizabeth, Skeeter and Jolene sit at a table arranging their hands of cards.

Skeeter takes a deep breath and belts out her news.

Everyone looks at Skeeter as if she just threw up on herself. Finally, Hilly pats Skeeter on the leg.

Jolene raises her glass as do the other girls. Large, diamond wedding rings sparkle on each of the girls' fingers.

Hilly kicks Jolene under the table.

Jolene nods stupidly.

Aibileen continues clearing dishes as if she hasn't heard a thing. Elizabeth gets very still.

Skeeter looks to her lap and shakes her head.

Skeeter nods her head sadly.

Elizabeth looks to Aibileen.

A phone rings. Elizabeth nods to Aibileen.

Aibileen enters the kitchen with a stack of dishes and sets them in the sink.

She answers the phone.

High-heeled, colorful sling-backs anchoring bare, sexy legs stand at the edge of a sparkling swimming pool.

We rise up to yellow shorts, a slim torso and sizeable cleavage.

CELIA FOOTE, 28, peroxide blonde, stands in all her country girl glory. She speaks into the phone with a thick, unrefined, Southern accent, mired in insecurity.

Celia nervously twists herself around in the phone cord.

"Miss" strikes Aibileen as very odd.

As Celia hangs up, we widen to see the Foote estate. "Tara" pales in comparison. Celia stares at two rosebushes that have been oddly planted in the center of the lawn.

JOHNNY FOOTE, 26, Celia's ridiculously handsome husband, sneaks up behind her and grabs her on the rear.

Celia turns with a yelp. She slaps him playfully.

Johnny begins kissing her neck.

Johnny squeezes Celia's behind.

Missus Walters sleeps in the chair in front of the TV with the plate of ambrosia in her lap.

Aibileen crosses behind her and reaches for the plate of food, startling her awake.

Missus Walters resumes eating as Aibileen enters the den.

Elizabeth stiffens then leans over and touches Hilly's arm.

Everyone laughs but Skeeter. Aibileen begins refilling glasses of tea.

Skeeter is the only one to acknowledge this.

Hilly begins squirming in her seat, obviously making a point to Elizabeth.

Missus Walters breaks the uncomfortable silence as she shouts out from the sofa.

Elizabeth quickly turns to Aibileen.

Aibileen disappears. Elizabeth leans into Hilly.

Aibileen returns down the hall from Mae Mobley's room. She and Skeeter catch eyes.

Aibileen ducks behind a corner in the hall so she can listen to the girls' conversation.

Skeeter tries to change the subject.

Aibileen continues listening in the hallway.

The room grows eerily quiet.

Hilly leans in toward Skeeter.

Skeeter smokes while watching through a window as the bridge club girls say goodbye.

A sermon plays over an old AM radio. Skeeter enters the kitchen, taps out her cigarette.

Aibileen becomes nervous at the sight of Skeeter alone.

The sermon continues to play over the radio.

Aibileen starts wiping down a serving tray.

Aibileen leaves the conversation and quickly begins wiping down a tray.

Elizabeth enters, holding some papers.

Elizabeth hands Skeeter the papers. Home Health Sanitation Initiative is written on the cover.

Skeeter nods and turns to Aibileen.

Aibileen nods.

Skeeter pulls in front of a large two-story farm house with a huge wrap around porch.

She exits the Cadillac carrying a black dress wrapped in dry cleaner's plastic.

Skeeter walks past an old black man working in the yard, JAMESO, 70.

Skeeter ascends the porch stairs and enters the home.

Skeeter walks through the front door.

The Phelan home is well appointed even though it serves as a working farm. Skeeter walks up a grand wood staircase.

She walks into her bedroom and throws her black dress on the bed and walks back out into the hallway.

Skeeter enters her parents' bedroom to find her mother, CHARLOTTE BOUDREAU CANTELLE PHELAN, 50, sitting at her dressing table wearing a wig.

Charlotte turns and adjusts an auburn-colored, 'pixie' cut.

Charlotte stands. Her floral print dress has a gazillion perfectly pressed pleats. She walks into her bathroom.

Charlotte enters the bathroom where several other wigs rest on wig heads.

Charlotte removes the wig and looks sadly into a mirror. Only now do we realize her decision to wear wigs isn't elective. Thinning hair detracts from her perfectly made up face.

Charlotte then takes a deep breath and grabs a different wig.

Charlotte smiles as she enters in a classic bouffant/flip in dark brown. She does a twirl so Skeeter can see all sides of the wig.

Charlotte approaches Skeeter and tries to flatten her hair with her hands.

Charlotte backs up to Skeeter.

Skeeter unzips the dress. Charlotte steps out of the dress and turns to Skeeter in her slip and bra.

Skeeter grabs the dress and turns so Charlotte can unzip her dress.

Charlotte raises the dress up around Skeeter.

Charlotte angrily zips up the dress.

Skeeter exits the room with the dress hanging off her shoulders. Charlotte grabs a robe and follows her out on the landing.

Skeeter stops.

Charlotte stops Skeeter and pulls her to a love seat at the top of the stairs. They sit. This is serious.

Charlotte begins to twist the handkerchief she holds.

Charlotte shuts her eyes tight.

Skeeter jumps up and heads toward the stairs.

Skeeter storms down the stairs. Charlotte shouts out over the railing to her.

The Phelan dining room is lit solely by candles.

The Phelan's new maid, PASCAGOULA, 40, is serving.

Charlotte sits at the head of the table. She's having a bowl of broth. Skeeter sits next to her Father, ROBERT PHELAN, 60.

Skeeter's brother, CARLTON, 26, sits next to his fiancé, REBECCA, 21. They're perfectly groomed with Hollywood looks.

Pascagoula stops at Carlton's place at the table and begins serving him. Skeeter watches Pascagoula's every move, seeming to compare her to Constantine.

Skeeter snaps to attention.

Charlotte scoops up some broth with a spoon.

Charlotte's spoon goes in her mouth. Pascagoula approaches Skeeter and sets down a plate of food. Skeeter stops her.

Charlotte glares at Skeeter. Carlton lets out a chuckle. Rebecca is mortified.

Pascagoula scurries off. Skeeter turns to her father.

The room grows silent. Carlton looks down to his plate.

Skeeter looks to her mother, who immediately busies herself with scooping up more broth.

Charlotte slaps the table and stands.

Skeeter's eyes fill with tears.

Charlotte presses both hands to her stomach.

Charlotte passes behind Rebecca and kisses her head.

As Charlotte leaves the room, Rebecca looks at Skeeter like she's the worst person on earth.

Skeeter gets up and storms off.

Skeeter storms out of the house and runs under a willow tree in the front yard. She looks across to an empty bench.

Skeeter, 15 and lanky, sits on the same bench under the willow tree. Despite a tight bun, her strong-willed hair has started to frizz.

Constantine approaches the willow tree. Her skin is black as night. Her eyes have a striking honey-colored hue.

She sits next to Skeeter.

Skeeter turns to Constantine.

Skeeter looks down to her long, bony legs.

Skeeter shakes her head.

Constantine grabs Skeeter's palm, pressing it with her thumb.

Constantine releases her hand.

Constantine and Skeeter stand.

Constantine holds Skeeter's hand and puts her arm around her as they walk down the path toward Constantine's home.

END FLASHBACK

Skeeter looks toward the same dirt path. An idea washes over her. She forms a big smile.

Skeeter talks on the phone and fidgets with a phone cord which emerges from the casing of the closed pantry door.

ELAINE STEIN, 45, hard but stylish, sits atop her desk, her legs crossed, talking on the phone. She gestures for her assistant to bring her a cup of coffee.

Miss Stein's interest starts to wane.

Charlotte notices the phone cord leading into the pantry and knocks on the door.

Skeeter covers the mouth piece and opens the door.

Skeeter slams the door.

Skeeter can't believe what just came out of her mouth. Miss Stein sits up straight.

Skeeter blinks hard. No turning back now.

Skeeter suddenly runs out of the pantry bolting past Pascagoula who is at the stove making breakfast. Within seconds she's out the front door.

Skeeter sits in a chair with a writing pad and pencil reading the 'Miss Myrna' letters to Aibileen, who is taking laundry off a clothes line.

Wind is blowing and the sky is growing dark.

Skeeter writes this down.

Aibileen smiles and shakes her head.

Commotion begins in Elizabeth's garage.

Aibileen spots Hilly walking into the carport with her son, BILLY, 4, perched on her hip.

A CONTRACTOR, 30's, follows holding a set of plans.

Aibileen tenses but continues her folding. Hilly points to a corner in the Leefolt garage.

Thunder cracks. Trees sway wildly in the wind as a storm approaches. Rain begins to fall.

Aibileen and Skeeter watch as Hilly runs back to her car.

Skeeter turns to Aibileen, seizing the moment.

Skeeter rises. More thunder cracks. Aibileen keeps her head down to the clothes she is folding.

Aibileen grabs a basket, gripping the life out of its handle.

Aibileen begins to perspire.

Aibileen steadies herself against a chair.

Aibileen shakes her head and walks towards the house with the laundry basket. Skeeter gathers her things and chases after her.

Skeeter follows Aibileen inside.

Bam! The front door slams shut.

Elizabeth and her husband, RALEIGH, 25, stand toe to toe.

KITCHEN:

Aibileen hears Mae Mobley crying, but she is frozen by the altercation.

Raleigh storms in the kitchen with Elizabeth on his heels.

Raleigh and Elizabeth are surprised to see Skeeter.

Mae Mobley begins crying in her bedroom.

Raleigh storms out.

Aibileen runs off. Elizabeth tries to compose herself.

Skeeter gathers her things.

Dark storm clouds loom over the city. A bolt of lightning strikes. The city loses power.

Rain pours over Hilly's darkened, two-story house. Specks of candle light dance in the windows.

Minny uses a newspaper to fan Missus Walters.

Missus Walters stares out to the swimming pool. The strong winds have brought white caps to the pool's surface.

Missus Walters rises and heads toward the dining room window. Minny follows.

Missus Walter's confusion grows.

Minny lowers Missus Walters into a dining table chair.

Hilly plops down in a dining table chair and fans herself.

Missus Walters notices as Minny looks out to the garage bathroom. A patio chair is blown against its door

Minny suddenly begins squirming with discomfort. Minny hesitates. Minny turns to Hilly and gulps.

As Minny turns back to the window, Missus Walters calls out to her.

Through the window, a large pool umbrella can be seen blowing past.

Hilly glares at her mother--then looks to Minny.

Boom! Another crash of thunder.

Minny sneaks into the master bath and shuts the door. She carefully raises the lid so as not to make any noise.

There's an immediate knock on the door. She freezes.

Minny stays completely quiet.

Hilly leans into the bathroom door.

Minny's eyes narrow. She flushes the unused toilet. Hilly beats on the door.

Minny slams down the toilet lid to further antagonize Hilly.

Minny exits the house into the storm. She walks angrily down the sidewalk through the wind and rain.

Hilly appears at the doorway.

Aibileen sits with Mae Mobley against an interior wall, holding a mattress on top of them and humming in her ear.

She kisses Mae Mobley.

Aibileen struggles to pull her panty-hose back up inside the crude bathroom Hilly had built in the Leefolt garage.

Her knees brush against the door. There is no air conditioning. Sweat glistens on her brow. A small window hugs the ceiling, providing little ventilation.

Elizabeth exits the house with Mae Mobley at her side.

Aibileen reaches behind and flushes the toilet. Hearing the flush, Mae Mobley gets excited and points to the bathroom.

Mae Mobley approaches the bathroom door. Elizabeth grabs her.

Aibileen emerges from her bathroom as Elizabeth leans over and fixes Mae Mobley's hair. Aibileen picks up Baby Girl.

Elizabeth heads toward her car.

Aibileen watches as Elizabeth gets in her car. Mae Mobley lovingly glides her hand down Aibileen's cheek. Aibileen smiles and kisses her.

Aibileen hugs her tightly.

Aibileen waits with YULE MAY, 45, as well as other maids at a bus stop. Yule May is tall, pretty and graceful, her hair pulled tightly into a bun.

A bus pulls up. As the doors open, Minny is the first to step off. She is holding a chocolate pie. Minny is dressed beautifully in church-day attire.

She pretends not to notice Aibileen and Yule May.

Minny turns with a guilty smile as passengers board behind.

Minny ignores Yule May.

With that, Minny storms off. Yule May and Aibileen look suspiciously at one another.

Minnie briefly throws her hand in the air, never turning.

Yule May's eyes suddenly widen as she indicates someone approaching.

Aibileen turns to find Skeeter walking toward them. She and Aibileen catch eyes. Skeeter waves.

Aibileen nods nervously, looking at the other domestics.

Yule May looks to Aibileen with concern.

The BUS DRIVER honks the horn. Yule May and others board. Skeeter grabs Aibileen's arm.

Aibileen signals to Yule May to go on ahead without her.

Aibileen watches regretfully as the bus pulls away.

Aibileen slowly turns.

Skeeter tries to hand Aibileen a piece of paper. Aibileen nervously surveys the area. A woman pushing a baby carriage walks by and looks on with suspicion.

Aibileen quickly grabs the paper and shoves it in her pocket.

Aibileen turns and walks away.

Skeeter walks out of the law library into a long hall lined with portraits of Mississippi's past governors.

A blue booklet peeks out of her satchel.

Skeeter heads down the stairs of the Capitol building.

Skeeter sits on a bench reading "The Mississippi Code of Conduct for Non-whites".

Aibileen sits in front of a mirror and tends to her wig.

The phone rings.

Aibileen enters and reaches for the phone. Next to the phone, Skeeter's phone number is taped to the wall. Aibileen answers.

Minny is hysterical.

Minny wraps a hand up in the phone cord.

Aibileen knows this can't be good.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

Minny storms away from the bus stop holding the chocolate pie leaving Aibileen and Yule May behind her in the distance.

Minny stands on Hilly's porch holding a chocolate pie.

Hilly answers the door and snarls at Minny. Minny presents the pie and says "I am sorry." Hilly waves Minny inside.

END FLASHBACK:

Minny hears something and lowers the phone.

Minny slides down against a wall as an frying pan is thrown at her.

Aibileen listens helpless on the phone.

Aibileen hangs up the phone. Her breath becomes heavy as she glances at Skeeter's number taped on the wall.

Cars fill the lot of a quaint, white, country church. PREACHER GREEN can be heard inside.

A congregation of two hundred listens intently. A large choir faces them.

Aibileen sits in the congregation.

He motions for the choir to stand.

On Minny's children: LEROY JR., KINDRA and SUGAR. Sugar elbows Kindra. Minny, standing in the choir, gestures at her kids, cautioning them to behave.

Preacher Green signals a pianist to begin playing. The choir begins swaying with the music.

ON AIBILEEN

The congregants around Aibileen stand and begin to clap in time to the music. Aibileen remains seated, deep in thought.

There is a knock at the kitchen door. Aibileen quickly opens it and waves Skeeter inside.

Skeeter nods as Aibileen escorts her into the living room. Skeeter sits down on the sofa. Aibileen stands.

Aibileen wears the same yellow dress she wore in the first scene.

Skeeter stares Aibileen up and down. Aibileen self- consciously flattens out her dress.

On the coffee table sits a tray with a teapot, two cups that don't match and cookies resting on a plate.

As Aibileen pours the tea, her hand shakes. Some tea spills in the saucer and she wipes it up. Skeeter takes the cup.

Aibileen gathers herself.

Aibileen sits on the arm of an arm chair.

Aibileen is quiet for a moment. She shakes her head.

We continue with the interview that began in scene one. Skeeter sits at the kitchen table taking notes.

Aibileen stands near the sink. She glances sadly up to the picture of Treelore.

Aibileen puts some spoons in a drying rack, then sits down at the table opposite Skeeter.

Aibileen nods. Skeeter stares at her list of questions.

Aibileen stands, crosses to a small table and picks up a journal. She takes out her glasses and unfolds them.

Skeeter nods.

Aibileen puts on her glasses, opens her notebook and reads, nervously.

Aibileen laughs as does Skeeter.

Aibileen and Skeeter's laughter fades in realization of the line they have just crossed.

Skeeter has just finished her first session with Aibileen. She places her notebook inside her satchel.

Hilly reads the paper at the breakfast table, her hair set in pin curls. Her husband WILLIAM, dressed for work, also reads the paper.

Yule May clears breakfast dishes. She starts to leave but stops herself. With something to say, she sets a plate down on the table and wrings her hands nervously.

Both Hilly and William put their reading down.

William conspicuously checks the time on his wristwatch and quickly stands.

He kisses Hilly and heads out of the room, leaving Yule May alone with Hilly.

Hilly draws in a deep breath as does Yule May.

Yule May turns to leave.

Yule May turns, her eyes widen with hope.

Hilly raises the paper up to her face to resume reading.

Minny and Sugar exit their house and walk down the street. Both wear maid uniforms. The streets and lawns are crowded with other women, in uniform, heading toward the bus stop.

Minny and Sugar approach two waiting buses.

Minny stops Sugar.

Sugar turns her head away. Minny grabs her face and forces her to look at her.

Minnie smooths Sugar's clothes.

Minny kisses Sugar on the cheek and watches as she boards the first bus with other domestics.

Minny wipes a tear from her eye and boards the second bus.

Minny approaches the Foote estate, examines it apprehensively.

In the distance, Celia Foote emerges barefoot from the front door. She waves excitedly at Minny.

Minny waves back as she resumes walking toward the house.

Celia Foote brings Minny inside. Celia is covered in tight pink clothes.

Celia sits down on a chair and begins to put on her shoes. There's a smudge of flour on her cheek.

Celia wipes flour from her cheek.

Celia jumps up and grabs Minny's arm.

Minny follows her to the kitchen.

Minny enters behind Celia gawking at an upside down cake massacre. Flour eggs and batter cover a kitchen table and spill onto the floor.

Celia returns from the fridge with two Coca-Cola bottles.

Minny and Celia enter a huge dining room. Minny gawks at a dusty mahogany table surrounded by twelve chairs.

Celia and Minny exit a detached library and head back toward the main house.

Celia swallows hard and turns to Minny. She places her hand on her stomach.

Minny steps back and surveys Celia.

Minny stops and puts her hand on her hip.

Celia jumps up and down with joy, splashing Coke out of the bottle she holds. She hugs Minny.

Celia laughs, puts a hand on Minny's back and pushes her toward the house.

Celia and Minny enter the living room. Celia crosses the room toward the kitchen.

Celia looks away.

Minny lets out a big breath.

Minny begins sniffing the air.

Celia rises from her chair and sniffs the air.

Celia runs to the kitchen.

Two black men cut the lawn of the Junior League headquarters.

Hilly stands at a podium as the members of the Junior League take their seats. Half the girls are pregnant. Most of them drink TAB and smoke cigarettes.

Hilly scans the crowd.

Hilly finds Mary Beth Caldwell and nods for her to stand. Mary Beth stands.

The girls applaud, turning to each other with praise.

More applause. Hilly signals for Mary Beth to sit down. She does.

Some members nod in approval.

Even more applause.

ON SKEETER, who remains stone-faced.

Everyone turns to Skeeter. Elizabeth turns to Skeeter in a panic.

Skeeter glances at the initiative tucked in her satchel.

As Skeeter rises, several women shake their heads.

Hilly raises a disdainful eyebrow as Skeeter sits back into her seat.

Skeeter races into Brent's busy soda fountain area. She passes a separate counter where several BLACK DOMESTICS, in uniform, are picking up to-go orders.

Hilly and Elizabeth await Skeeter's arrival in a booth. Skeeter sits next to Elizabeth and across from Hilly.

Hilly shakes her head with little emotion. Elizabeth slides a coke float in front of Skeeter.

Skeeter slowly looks to Hilly.

A waiter, HENRY, black, early 30s, approaches the table.

Skeeter smiles.

Henry walks away. Hilly and Elizabeth smile at Skeeter devilishly.

Hilly erupts with excitement.

Hilly grabs Skeeter by the shoulders.

Elizabeth pokes Skeeter in her side.

A YARD MAN, black, mows the Holbrook lawn.

Yule May vacuums the Holbrook living room. She pulls the sofa away from the wall to clean beneath it.

Noticing something on the floor, Yule May leans over. She slowly rises, holding a SMALL RUBY RING. Years of dust and hair blanket the pitiful gem set in ten karat gold.

Yule May breathes heavily. She shoves the ring into her uniform pocket.

Aibileen puts Mae Mobley down on a changing table.

As Aibileen removes the diaper she grows sorrowful at the sight of Mae Mobley's bottom, inflamed with diaper rash.

Skeeter writes in her note pad. Aibileen is more casually dressed than before.

Skeeter nods.

Skeeter lifts her head from her pad in response to Aibileen's bold statement.

Skeeter nods and writes down what Aibileen has said. The faint sound of sirens is heard in the distance.

Just then, Minny is heard approaching Aibileen's house outside.

Minny barges through the kitchen door.

Minny stops cold in her tracks at the sight of Skeeter. Her face hardens. She turns to Aibileen.

Aibileen looks to the floor. Minny scowls at Skeeter.

More sirens are heard coming from other directions. Skeeter is petrified. Her face reddens.

Minny makes a point to make eye contact with Aibileen.

Minny storms out the back door. Aibileen turns to Skeeter.

Minny gestures and mumbles to herself. She stops suddenly, spins around, and heads back in the house.

Minny storms back in the kitchen. She stands above Aibileen.

Skeeter nods, trembling as Minny slides a chair in the middle of the kitchen and sits.

Still trembling, Skeeter slides her chair from the table. She sits speechless, staring at Minny.

Minnie picks up a piece of fried chicken and takes a bite.

Skeeter and Minny now stand together at the stove as Minny gives a cooking lesson. Aibileen takes notes.

The first signs of morning sunshine on Aibileen's house.

Aibileen stands over her stove, frying bacon and eggs. Skeeter and Minny are now seated at the table, wearing the same clothes as the night before. Minny is still going strong.

Minny and Aibileen laugh.

Aibileen nods and laughs harder. Minny has a sudden realization.

Minny stands. Skeeter's eyes widen with hope.

Mind racing, Minny flies out the door without a word. Aibileen turns to Skeeter.

Charlotte pokes her head out of the kitchen's screened door. She shouts up the exterior porch stairs.

Skeeter quickly emerges at the top of the stairs and runs down the stairs into the kitchen.

Skeeter finds her mother standing above a big opened box resting on the kitchen table.

Charlotte, now in an auburn wig, takes a drag from a cigarette, then lifts up a silver machine complete with power cord and rubber hose.

Skeeter sits with a towel draped across her shoulders as Charlotte puts large curlers and the Shinolator solution in Skeeter's hair.

Pascagoula cooks behind them.

The Shinolator was a success. Skeeter's hair is straight, silky and beautiful. Skeeter gazes into the mirror.

Charlotte looks down to the huarache shoes on Skeeter's feet and begins forcibly removing them.

Skeeter pulls away in a rusted 1941 Chevy farm truck with a huge road grader attached. Charlotte runs next to the truck.

Skeeter floors it. Charlotte runs faster.

Skeeter pulls away from her mother.

Skeeter's truck disappears within a cloud of dust

Skeeter speeds across a bridge pulling the grader behind her.

Hilly, her husband William, and Skeeter's date, STUART WHITWORTH, 25, drink highballs as Yule May hovers.

Hilly checks her watch.

The front door flies open. Skeeter enters completely out of breath and sweaty. Her HAIR HAS TRIPLED IN SIZE.

Hilly gasps and rushes to her.

William and Stuart stand. Hilly escorts Skeeter past the men.

Yule May runs off. Hilly pulls Skeeter down the hall. William and Stuart drain their drinks.

Hilly, William, Stuart and Skeeter sit at a round table adorned with white linens, silver and fine china.

The room buzzes with Jackson's elite, all trying to be noticed. A Frankie Avalon tune plays in the background.

Stuart finishes the drink he's holding and motions to a waiter for another.

Stuart grows annoyed with Skeeter's answer.

Hilly spots someone at the front of the restaurant. She jumps up and grabs William's arm.

Hilly pulls William away and they approach the Lieutenant Governor and his party.

Stuart finally turns to Skeeter.

The waiter returns with Stuart's drink and the water backs.

Stuart smirks, taking a huge sip of his drink.

Skeeter nods and grabs her water.

Stuart laughs, somewhat impressed. He leans in to Skeeter.

Skeeter fumes.

Hilly and William return to the table and sit.

Hilly's smile disappears. Skeeter drops her napkin on the table, stands, and stalks out of the restaurant.

Stuart laughs and points at William, trying to lure him in on the fun. William shakes his head sheepishly and turns away before Hilly can see.

Minny watches from the window as Celia carries a chicken upside down by its feet towards an axe resting on a stump.

Minny grimaces as Celia positions the bird and grabs the axe.

Celia and Minny stand at a fried chicken assembly line.

Minny dips pieces of chicken in an egg wash, then drops them in a paper bag. A puff of flour rises out of the bag. Celia searches her brain for the right answer.

Minny bursts out laughing.

Minny holds up a can of Crisco.

Minny scoops out a mound of Crisco with a spoon.

Minny drops the Crisco into a hot skillet.

Minny hands the bag to Celia.

Celia starts shaking the bag wildly. She laughs.

Minnie takes the bag away from Celia.

Minny peeks into the bag.

Minny sits alone at a table for two by a window. She unfolds her napkin and places it over her lap. Just as she's about to bite into a crispy chicken wing, Celia enters from the dining room with her plate.

She sits at Minny's table.

Minny grabs Celia's plate.

Minny sits back down with a sigh. Celia sits, sinks her teeth into one of the tastiest chicken legs she's ever had. She gasps.

Minny lowers her piece of chicken and looks directly into Celia's eyes.

Miss Stein sits alone in bed. Work papers are scattered all around her. She discusses Aibileen and Minny's stories with Skeeter on the phone.

INT- AIBILEEN'S HOME (INTERCUT) - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Skeeter nods rapidly. Aibileen and Minny sit at the kitchen table listening in.

Skeeter hangs up the phone and sits down at the kitchen table with Minny and Aibileen.

Aibileen's breath becomes heavy.

Skeeter looks up in shock. Minny tries to console Aibileen.

Skeeter reaches out to Aibileen.

Aibileen rises and quickly leaves the room.

A BOY slides down a water slide into the Holbrook pool.

Hilly, the bridge girls and other attendees eat lunch at three separate tables in close proximity.

Each table seats six and is covered in white linens and Hilly's best silver.

Aibileen has come along to aid Yule May with Elizabeth's baby shower. Aibileen serves Hilly's table while Yule May makes iced tea.

Mae Mobley wanders up to the table and approaches Elizabeth. Her belly almost looks distended crammed inside last year's one piece.

Elizabeth turns to Mae Mobley but never gets up.

All the women laugh except for Skeeter. Skeeter scowls.

Elizabeth lowers her iced tea and looks away. Aibileen kneels down to Mae Mobley.

Hilly looks quizzically to Skeeter's satchel. She sees the pamphlet of Mississippi laws sticking out of the side of the satchel.

Aibileen and Skeeter instinctively lock eyes for a moment. Hilly immediately sees this.

Yule May washes dishes as the women are heard saying their "good-byes" on the street. Skeeter slips into the kitchen.

Yule May turns off the sink faucet making sure Hilly is still cackling out on the street.

Hilly enters the kitchen carrying Billy. She stops behind Skeeter, suspicious.

Yule May drops her dish towel in the sink and approaches Hilly.

Hilly kisses Billy. Yule May takes Billy from Hilly and exits. Hilly turns to Skeeter.

Hilly reveals that she's been holding the pamphlet of Mississippi race laws that were in Skeeter's satchel.

Skeeter snatches the booklet from Hilly.

Skeeter types feverishly while smoking a cigarette. Keys type out: CHARITY DRIVE - Come by the Holbrooks' and drop off your old coats.

Skeeter stops typing and looks to a framed picture of her and Hilly in college during happier times. She is lost in thought for a moment...she then grabs the picture and puts it in her desk drawer.

Then she smiles devilishly as she backs up several spaces and reaches for LIQUID PAPER. With two strokes she paints over the word "coats".

Having pulled an "all-nighter," Skeeter naps in her room. Charlotte suddenly bursts into the room, stuck somewhere between panic and joy.

Charlotte rushes to Skeeter's closet and pulls out a dress.

Charlotte stands on her balcony watering plants, but her attention is focused on Skeeter and Stuart. The stream of water misses the plants and spills everywhere.

Skeeter and Stuart sit on the bench beneath the willow tree.

Skeeter shoots Stuart a look.

He stands and fixes his tie.

Stuart shoves his hands in his pockets like a boy. Skeeter turns to the balcony and sees her mother pretending to prune a plant.

Stuart chuckles.

Stuart looks down.

Stuart turns and walks towards his car, self-consciously weaving his strong fingers through his hair.

Skeeter looks up to the Charlotte-free balcony and shouts out to Stuart.

Stuart turns.

Skeeter and Stuart sit in a booth of a cafe in front of a plate of raw oysters.

Skeeter dips a cracker in ketchup.

Stuart picks up an oyster and extends it for a toast.

Skeeter takes a beat and taps the oyster shell Stuart is holding with her cracker.

Stuart sucks down the oyster with a big slurping noise.

Skeeter smiles and take a sip of her beer.

Stuart reaches over and touches Skeeter's hand. Skeeter stiffens but doesn't protest.

Skeeter blushes.

Stuart follows Skeeter out of the restaurant. He suddenly stops her and spins her around.

Stuart and Skeeter kiss under the cafe's flashing neon sign.

Aibileen sits on the couch reading a book with Mae Mobley who eats a cookie.

The phone rings. Elizabeth answers in the next room.

Elizabeth runs into the room.

Hilly flies out of her house, crying, as a REPORTER snaps a picture. Hilly charges the reporter.

Hilly pushes the reporter into the bushes and runs to Elizabeth, who stands with Aibileen and Mae Mobley on the lawn.

A crowd of people look on, laughing.

Pull back to reveal FIFTY OLD TOILETS, in every shape and color imaginable, littering Hilly's lawn.

Hilly walks to her "Yard of the Month" sign and grabs it.

Onlookers laugh, take photos and point at Mae Mobley. -

Aibileen turns to see Mae Mobley sitting on one of the toilets with her underwear around her ankles, smiling proudly.

Elizabeth turns and sees her daughter. Horrified, she runs over to Mae Mobley, picks her up off the toilet and spanks her HARD.

A PHOTOGRAPHER captures the moment. Mae Mobley begins to cry.

Aibileen carries Mae Mobley away from the toilets and then kneels in front of her in a corner of the lawn.

Tears stream down Mae Mobley's face.

Aibileen gives Mae Mobley a motherly hug. Elizabeth watches the exchange from Hilly's front door.

Upset, Elizabeth marches into Hilly's house and shuts the door.

Skeeter, Pascagoula and Jameso watch television as Medgar Evers speaks at a news conference on the local news.

Stock footage plays of this actual news conference.

Charlotte walks past the living room and stops to see what they are all watching.

Charlotte storms into the room and turns off the television.

Charlotte glares at Pascagoula and Jameso as they instinctively walk briskly away and out the front door.

Charlotte grabs Skeeter by the arm.

Skeeter jerks her arm away and leaves the room.

Aibileen rides in the back of a bus across the aisle from Henry, the waiter from Brent's. The white passengers ride up front.

The bus slows to a stop in the middle of the road. A siren is heard. In the distance, blue lights flash in front of a road block. A few people gather.

The DRIVER stands and faces the passengers.

Henry helps Aibileen down the aisle. A white passenger taps the driver on the shoulder.

Aibileen and Henry exit. The bus door shuts.

Aibileen and Henry walk along a dark street. The sound of cicadas and sirens fill the air. Over a megaphone, a POLICEMAN orders people to clear the street; there's a curfew in effect.

Henry peels off and runs in the opposite direction. Aibileen suddenly grows nervous.

Aibileen turns to discover Henry's already gone. Another round of sirens sounds in the distance. As the sirens intensify, Aibileen grows scared and starts to run.

We hear the O.S. voice of activist Roy Wilkins on a radio.

Aibileen, still running, has now reached the edge of her neighborhood. A police car whizzes past her.

Suddenly a rush of black residents run panicked past Aibileen. Aibileen trips and falls hard to her knees.

Terrified, she rises and continues on her way.

Aibileen runs through hanging laundry outside Minny's house. We now hear the voice of a local radio announcer's account of the evening's events.

Minny sits with all five of her children listening anxiously to a radio on the table.

Aibileen opens the screen door and enters. Minny sees the blood and grass stains streaking the knees of Aibileen's panty hose and jumps up to help her.

Aibileen nods, sits, trying to compose herself.

Minny kneels before Aibileen and wipes her leg with a cloth. Aibileen wipes away tears with a tissue.

The MAYOR begins giving a statement over the radio. Minny suddenly turns to her children.

Sugar leads the kids to the back of the house. Minny says "good night" to each child. When they are gone, Minny turns to Aibileen.

Minny and Aibileen grab hands and squeeze hard.

Aibileen hugs Minny. They laugh a little through the tears.

Skeeter works at a table sheltered behind a tall basket of Miss Myrna letters. In reality, she's working on her and Aibileen's book of stories.

Skeeter scans past articles she has pulled dealing with racial injustices. (Inserts of various real headlines and photos).

A copy of Life magazine is next to her notebook.

CLOSE ON:

On the cover, Myrlie Evers comforts her crying son at Medgar Evers' funeral.

Mr. Blackly sticks his head in the room. Skeeter quickly covers her research with her notebook and looks up.

Mr. Blackly slams the door.

Minny vacuums a huge stuffed bear that stands on its hind legs. She hears a loud THUMP from upstairs. She gets down from a footstool and turns off the vacuum.

Minny walks into Celia's bedroom and hears water running joined with muffled crying behind the bathroom door. She leans in, pressing her ear to the door.

Minny twists the knob. It's locked.

Minny twists the knob again.

Minny steps a few feet back and pauses. She takes a deep breath of courage and charges the door with all her might.

The bathroom door flies open along with splinters of wood. Minny sees Celia sitting against the wall next to the toilet in a bloody nightgown, sobbing.

Minny kneels by Celia. Celia looks up to Minny shamefully.

Celia lies in bed as Minny drapes a rag across her forehead.

Celia stares outside of her bedroom window.

This news hits Minny hard. Realization crosses her face.

Celia finishes digging a hole next to two existing rosebushes. A shoebox sits on the ground beside the hole as well as new rosebush waiting to be planted.

Celia lowers the shoebox into the hole and covers it with dirt and then plants the new rosebush on top to complete the burial of her third miscarried child.

Aibileen, Yule May and several other maids exit the bus to begin the day's work.

TWO POLICE OFFICERS stand by a police cruiser. As Yule May hits the pavement, the officers approach her.

Before Yule May can answer, the officers grab her forcefully.

Aibileen takes Yule May's purse as Yule May is carried away by the police.

A third police officer pushes Aibileen away from Yule May.

Aibileen watches helplessly as the officers drag Yule May to a squad car.

Yule May begins to resist.

Aibileen struggles to break free from the police officer who restrains her.

Hilly sits in her station wagon, watching the arrest.

The two police officers slam Yule May down hard on the back of the trunk of the police cruiser.

One of officers pulls out a billy club and strikes Yule May on the head.

Yule May goes limp. A group of white women with their children all look away.

Hilly continues to watch with little emotion as Yule May is placed in the back of the cruiser.

Skeeter sits at the soda fountain counter eating alone. Behind her, Hilly, a visibly pregnant Elizabeth, Jolene and Mary Beth enter and meander down the shopping aisles. Hilly holds her son, Billy.

Skeeter looks back to the trio as Hilly recalls her morning.

The women find an empty booth and sit.

BACK AT THE COUNTER

Henry, the fry cook, walks over to Skeeter's place at the counter. He intimates that he has something to tell her. Careful not to look at her, he busies himself with work as he mumbles.

AFTERNOON

Skeeter enters quickly through Aibileen's kitchen door and is surprised to see twenty other black women in uniform standing solemnly around in the living room.

Aibileen motions for Skeeter to move closer. Skeeter approaches nervously.

PEARLY/CHURCH WOMAN I'm gone help with your stories.

Another WOMAN walks over.

Another woman speaks from the living room.

Women of all ages nod their heads. Skeeter looks around in awe.

Skeeter is taking notes. CALLIE, 60, takes off her glasses and wipes her eyes.

LATER

Skeeter and Aibileen catch eyes for a moment. Then Skeeter resumes taking notes.

A phone has been brought to Miss Stein's table. She's having a working lunch with two other publishing types.

She sips a Martini while talking to Skeeter.

Skeeter talks to Miss Stein on the phone.

Miss Stein smirks knowingly to her co-workers.

The co-workers snicker at Miss Stein's remark.

Celia drives a bright red car up the driveway to Elizabeth's house where other bridge girls' cars are parked.

A room full of bridge girls sit at card tables eating lunch.

Celia carries a pie to the front door and rings the bell.

Aibileen takes a step down into the room.

Hilly signals to everyone to hide.

The girls giggle as they kneel down behind furniture.

Aibileen backs up the stairs and hides against the wall.

Celia steps into the flower bed near the window and knocks on the glass. She spies the girls kneeling in the room but doesn't get what's happening.

Hilly's face hardens. The other girls laugh and giggle.

Celia finally realizes the cruel reality of the situation and that these women aren't going to let her inside.

She turns to leave. Dejected, she carries the pie back to the car.

Celia sits at the kitchen table halfway through the pie she tried to give to the bridge girls.

Minny fumes over a bowl of peas she's shelling.

Minny turns to reveal a deep cut and bruise above her eye.

Celia suddenly slaps her thigh with excitement.

Minny's words bounce off of Celia's ears.

Celia rises and smiles like she just cured cancer.

Celia wets a wash cloth at the sink.

Celia approaches Minny. She looks at the cut over her eye.

Minny starts to protest but is tired of excuses. She reluctantly sits down. Celia dabs at the wound.

It's eerily quiet, not a soul on the street.

We hear archival footage of Walter Cronkite addressing the nation. Cronkite tells the nation that John F. Kennedy is dead.

Skeeter and Stuart sit with the Phelan family watching Kennedy's funeral. Charlotte and Robert watch with little emotion.

Jameso and Pascagoula watch from the stairs.

Stuart checks the time and leans into Skeeter's ear.

Skeeter nods as Stuart kisses her.

A framed picture of JFK has now joined the pictures of Treelore and Jesus.

Minny, Skeeter and Aibileen sit quietly compiling stories. Aibileen grows anxious.

She suddenly jumps out of her chair and paces around the room.

Minny lets out a sigh. She knows it's time.

Skeeter and Aibileen look to Minny.

EARLIER

We continue with the earlier flashback. Hilly is sitting at the table, finishing off her first slice of Minny's chocolate pie.

Minny stands silent as Hilly reaches for another slice.

Hilly licks her fingers. Minny can barely contain a smile as Hilly swallows another mouthful.

Missus Walters comes into the room and heads for the bar to prepare a drink.

Not expecting this, Minny leans away from Hilly.

Minny's eyes narrow over a forced smile.

Missus Walters grabs a plate and reaches for the pie.

Hilly slides the pie a little too fast down the table toward Minny. Minny stops it before it falls to the floor.

Minny fumes, quickly loosing control.

Shock and silence fill the room. Missus Walters' mouth falls open.

Hilly slowly stands.

Minny nods smugly as she looks down at Hilly's pie with two slices missing.

Missus Walters looks to the pie and immediately gets it. She puts a hand over her mouth to contain her laughter.

Hilly starts to hyperventilate as everything sinks in. She runs to the kitchen, gagging.

Missus Walters shouts after her.

The gravity of the situation sinks in for Minny. She grows uneasy and begins backing out of the dining room.

Missus Walters, drink in hand, sits down on a dining room chair laughing even louder now.

Minny runs out of the Holbrook house.

END FLASHBACK

Aibileen and Skeeter are speechless.

Minny's eyes narrow.

Aibileen looks to Skeeter, shaking her head.

Minny stands up quickly.

Minny storms out of Aibileen's back door.

Minny rushes away from Aibileen's house.

The African Children's Benefit Ball is about to begin. A long line of Jacksonians pull cars up to a valet stand.

Missus Walters gets out of a cab, giving the DRIVER money.

Missus Walters merges with the elegant crowd walking toward the entrance.

Hilly stands at the top of the stairs. She wears swathes of green-colored taffeta. She stands next to Jolene French and a WLBT CAMERAMAN.

Jolene raises a microphone and looks into the camera.

Three dozen servers stand in a line as if on display as the guests enter. Minny and Aibileen are among them.

Tables are covered with items donated for the auction. On the baked goods table, Minny's famed chocolate pie promises to again be a big money maker.

Celia and Johnny enter the ballroom. Celia wears a tight, sequined, sleeveless hot pink dress.

Minny pokes Aibileen signaling her to look at Celia. Aibileen's eyes widen at the sight of Celia's dress and ample cleavage.

Celia sees a waitress with a tray of champagne glasses and nervously takes one. As Celia downs the glass of champagne, a group of female attendees looks at her with disgust.

Hilly sits at a table with Jolene and Elizabeth and their husbands. William waves at Celia, and watches her long after she has moved on.

Hilly reaches out and turns William's face away from Celia.

Minny, Aibileen and Sugar enter the kitchen to prepare trays of hors d'oeuvres.

Minnie chuckles.

Charlotte and Robert slow dance; she looks beautiful despite her health.

Skeeter dances with Stuart. She wears a black velvet dress and her hair is being somewhat cooperative, thanks to the Shinolater.

He and Skeeter kiss as other husbands and wives dance around them.

Celia looks at the baked goods in the silent auction. She writes a bid on Minny's pie. She's a little drunk now.

The crowd has formed a circle around a tuxedo-clad Mr. Blackly, who dances energetically. He does a cartwheel.

The crowd cheers.

Elizabeth, Jolene and Mary Beth apply make up and chat it up in the ladies lounge. They notice Celia entering, cocktail in hand.

Celia staggers slightly, intoxicated, leans against a wall and applies her lipstick. Jolene scoffs.

Just as the band concludes its song, Hilly makes her way to the podium.

The room claps enthusiastically.

Hilly mechanically gestures toward the uniformed servers in the room.

Skeeter shakes her head as the less inspired applause dies down.

A waiter brings Celia another drink.

The waiter moves off. Johnny turns to his wife.

She leans over and kisses him.

Jolene rushes up to the stage and takes the microphone.

Charlotte beams. She slaps Robert playfully, knowing he bid on the coat for her. Skeeter reaches over and touches her mom's arm.

The rooms laughs.

Jolene flips a page.

Minny's eyes go wide. The room erupts in applause.

Jolene continues announcing the winners.

Celia beams with pride and rushes up behind Hilly, hugging her at the neck, startling her.

Hilly remains calm. Celia sits down beside her.

Hilly stands up to leave. Celia reaches out to stop her and tears the sleeves on Hilly's dress. Hilly gasps.

Hilly stands dumbstruck for a moment, her mouth agape. She composes herself and steps closer to Celia.

Hilly begins to lead her away; then she suddenly stops and spins Celia around to face her.

People nearby grow quiet.

Missus Walters perks up.

Celia starts to breathe heavily. Her eyes start to water.

Johnny hears this and gets up quickly.

Johnny walks up to Hilly.

Feeling sick, Celia puts her hand over her mouth and runs for the bathroom. She stumbles behind Hilly's table. She leans behind Missus Walters' chair and vomits on the floor.

Celia retches behind her.

Elizabeth holds her hand over her mouth and holds out her napkin out for Missus Walters, as does Raleigh.

Celia runs out of the ballroom. Johnny chases after her.

Hilly and William say goodbye to guests as they amble to their cars.

Missus Walters emerges from the hotel holding Minny's pie.

Hilly spins around and sees the pie.

Missus Walters steps up to Hilly.

Missus Walters stops to speak to a MALE BANQUET ATTENDEE.

The man escorts Missus Walters to the valet stand.

Minny stands in the doorway of Celia's bedroom. Distraught, Celia is packing a suitcase.

Celia starts to cry.

Minny leads Celia to a bench at the foot of the bed.

Minny lowers Celia to the bench.

Minny crosses to the bedroom door and closes it.

Celia sits wide-eyed, but calm, on the bench beside Minny.

Celia turns her head toward Minny, not sure of what to make of this unique revelation.

The finished manuscript sits on the kitchen table before Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter. Aibileen reaches down and drags her fingers across the stack of paper.

Skeeter nods as she looks solemnly at the manuscript.

Skeeter enters Charlotte's room.

Charlotte is sitting up in bed working a needle point pattern with her hands. She's wig free and terribly thin.

Her collarbone protrudes long and narrow, but her eyes are as sharp as ever.

Charlotte looks up to Skeeter for a moment.

Charlotte resumes her sewing. Skeeter sits next to her and takes the needle point out of her hands.

Charlotte looks down, knowing she's trapped.

Charlotte, much healthier, stands in her living room surrounded by DAR members.

GRACE HIGGINBOTHAM, 65, regal, attaches a blue ribbon with a medallion to Charlotte's lapel.

Grace hugs Charlotte as all the women applaud. A photographer snaps a picture of the moment.

Constantine lingers in a corner watching proudly.

Charlotte catches eyes with Constantine and winks. They smile at each other for a moment before Charlotte is sucked back into the ceremony.

Charlotte sits with Grace and six other women at the dining table as Constantine begins serving lunchvery slowly and awkwardly from a bowl. Charlotte looks embarrassed.

Charlotte hears knocking at a door leading into the dining room from the porch. She goes to answer it.

She opens it to find Constantine's daughter RACHEL, 35, standing on the other side of the screened door.

Rachel is groomed and well dressed. Charlotte forms a tight smile.

Rachel starts to open the screen door to enter. Charlotte pulls it shut.

The DAR women's body language conveys their shock at a black woman bold enough to enter uninvited. Constantine grows worried.

Charlotte closes the door on the stunned Rachel and goes back to her seat.

Rachel opens the door and walks into the dining room. All eyes are on her.

Rachel walks up to Constantine.

Constantine tries to walk Rachel to the kitchen.

Grace stands and turns to Charlotte.

Charlotte is forced to make an unpleasant call.

Constantine grabs Rachel's hand.

Constantine pulls Rachel toward the kitchen.

Grace turns to Charlotte with judgment.

Charlotte moves to the other side of the dining room, blocking the path to the front door.

Charlotte points to the back door. Constantine stares at Charlotte for a moment.

Rachel leads her sad, frail mother out the door. The screen door slams shut behind them.

Constantine turns and, placing her hand on the screen door, looks at Charlotte for a final time.

Charlotte looks torn as she walks to the door and closes it on them.

END FLASHBACK

Skeeter trembles. Charlotte won't look at her.

Charlotte gets defensive.

This stings Charlotte to the core.

Constantine packs a suitcase on her bed. She walks to a door frame, her shaky hand moving her fingers up over various height markers penciled into the wall. Markers, through the years, for both Rachel and Skeeter.

END FLASHBACK

PHELAN HOME - BEDROOM - DAY

Skeeter rises.

Skeeter walks toward the door.

Skeeter stops and turns. Charlotte stares, unable to get the words out.

Skeeter nods and walks back to her mother.

Skeeter shakes her head and cries. Charlotte covers her mouth with her hand.

Skeeter starts to exit. Charlotte lowers her hand from her mouth.

Skeeter drives the Cadillac around a bend and pulls into the yard of Constantine's house, an old shack with a rusted-out tin roof.

She puts the lever in park and stares off to Constantine's porch steps.

A bottle tree is glistening in the afternoon sun. It casts a kaleidoscope of colors across the side of the house.

A LITTLE BLONDE GIRL, 6, who is young Skeeter, sits in the lap of a younger Constantine who wears a white work dress.

Constantine is putting young Skeeter's unruly hair into braids. Young Skeeter looks up and smiles.

(END FLASHBACK)

Skeeter smiles at Constantine's abandoned house.

The display window of a bookstore. A clerk sets down a stack of light blue books beside an identical stack.

She then takes one and sets it vertically atop the stack for display: The Help, by Anonymous.

Minny stands over the stove frying chicken as Sugar enters with the day's mail. Two of her children are at the table doing homework.

Minny snatches the mail from Sugar and sees an envelope from Skeeter.

Minny tears it open to find cash inside and a note from Skeeter saying "More to come." Minny's eyes go wide.

Minny quickly closes the letter, stuffs it in her bra as she runs for the door.

Minny runs out the screen door as the chicken begins to burn.

Aibileen works in her garden as Minny runs up with her cash. Aibileen rises.

Aibileen sees the money and throws her arms around Minny. They jump up an down in excitement.

Missus Walters reads The Help aloud to a group of women in the backyard of the nursing home where she now lives.

She turns a page and suddenly freezes. Reading to herself now, a satisfied smile begins to form.

Missus Walters sits on the bed and talks on the phone with Hilly as she inspects her fingernails with a magnifying glass.

Hilly's sudden silence fills Missus Walters with delight.

Missus Walters raises the magnifying glass to the book.

Minny and Aibileen, in uniform, push carts side by side in the grocery store. The white shoppers are dressed casually. Other maids in the store keep quietly to themselves.

White women smile and chat with one another as they meander down the aisles as if the black maids aren't even there.

As Aibileen reaches the end of an aisle, she suddenly freezes.

An older white woman stands by the butcher counter. Her face is pressed into a copy of The Help. Minny now reaches the end of the aisle and sees this, too.

The older woman is completely engrossed in the book.

Skeeter follows Stuart around the corner of the house. Fuming mad, he's just arrived from the rig, still wearing his work clothes.

Skeeter grabs Stuart's arm. He pulls away.

Stuart walks away, gets into his car and drives off.

Elizabeth, pushing her new baby in a carriage, sneaks into the store like a teen buying a Playboy and discreetly takes a copy of the book.

Charlotte lies in bed reading The Helpas Robert sleeps.

As she turns a page, her face reveals a dawning realization. She removes her glasses in shock and glances at Robert.

Elizabeth sits in her rocking chair and feeds her baby from a bottle as she chats on the phone withThe Help in her hand.

Yule May lies on the bottom bunk reading the book aloud to a dozen female cellmates. Captivated, everyone leans in closely as Yule May turns a page.

The room suddenly erupts in laughter.

Hilly reads the book in bed. William is fast asleep.

Suddenly, her eyes widen, her breath becomes heavy. She slowly turns a page and freezes. Her face turns white. She SCREAMS. Robert bolts upright.

He tries to console her.

A light comes from the bedroom window. We hear Hilly slapping Robert.

Another shrill scream from Hilly...

Bridge is underway at the Leefolt house. Hilly's eyes are red and puffy, her hair lies flat. A horrible fever blister burns hot on Hilly's upper lip.

The usual suspects surround Hilly--except for Skeeter. Mary Beth Caldwell has taken her place.

A nervous Aibileen pours tea.

Hilly raises her eyes to Aibileen.

Hilly quickly interrupts.

Hilly sifts through the day's mail. Her fever blister has gotten worse.

She comes across an envelope from Celia Foote, addressed to The Starving Children of Africa Fund. A smug smile forms.

She opens the envelope to find a check for $200.00 made out to TWO-SLICE HILLY!

Hilly's eyes narrow as she rips the check into pieces.

A furious Hilly drinks a beer while driving; her station wagon flies down the country road leading to the Phelan farm.

Hilly makes a left turn too fast. She loses control and fishtails momentarily. She speeds on, tossing the empty beer bottle and puffing on a cigarette.

Skeeter sits on the porch reading a Harper and Row job offer for the hundredth time.

Behind her, a huge plume of dust trails Hilly's car, which speeds along a distant road.

Tires crunch gravel down the drive. Skeeter sees a car moving toward her and soon recognizes the car as Hilly's.

Hilly gets out of her car smoking a cigarette and storms toward the front door.

Hilly stops and turns toward the approaching Skeeter.

Hilly throws her cigarette at Skeeter.

Hilly storms up the porch steps. Skeeter follows.

Charlotte suddenly appears at the door and steps out onto the porch.

Although frail, Charlotte looks beautiful. Well made up, wearing an elegant turban.

Charlotte points to Hilly's fever blister.

Hilly self-consciously licks her fever blister.

Hilly's face turns purple with embarrassment.

Charlotte moves in for the kill.

As Hilly backs away from the house, she looks back and forth between Skeeter & Charlotte. She climbs back into her car.

Hilly's tires spray gravel as she speeds away.

She reaches for Skeeter's hand.

She leads her mother inside.

Skeeter and Charlotte cross the living room together.

Skeeter leads her mother to a sofa, helps her sit.

Skeeter looks away nervously.

Skeeter turns back to her mother.

Skeeter nods, relieved. But also concerned.

Skeeter laughs.

Charlotte leans over and kisses her daughter on the forehead.

They hug.

Minny walks up the long front walk of the Foote Estate, holding a bag of groceries in one arm, a fan in the other hand, and her purse slung over her arm at the elbow.

Minny slows as she hears a car approaching behind her. She turns to see Johnny Foote behind the wheel of his car.

Minny freezes as Johnny stops his car.

Johnny gets out of the car. His approach is a little too quick for Minny's comfort. She takes off toward the house with her best gallop.

Johnny chases after her.

Minny drops the groceries, the purse and the fan.

Minny picks up a fallen branch from the ground and rears it back like a weapon.

Minny breathes heavily.

Minny tosses the stick down, shakes her head.

Minny starts to collect the groceries.

Johnny picks up Minny's purse, bag and fan.

Johnny escorts Minny across the lawn toward the house.

Johnny leads Minny into the dining room. The table, set beautifully in silver and crystal, is covered with delicious- looking casseroles, baked goods and fried chicken.

Celia steps forward proudly.

Completely surprised and moved, Minny becomes emotional.

Johnny pulls out a chair for her. Minny sits as Celia prepares a plate of food.

Celia stabs a piece of fried chicken and puts it on Minny's plate.

Aibileen and Minny walk toward the church through the parking lot. Cars are stacked up in all directions.

As Minny and Aibileen enter the church, two hundred members stand at once. The congregation begins to clap.

Minny begins to clap with a knowing smile.

Aibileen looks around, trying to figure out the object of adulation. She starts clapping, too.

Aibileen steps up to a woman in the last pew.

The woman laughs.

PEARLY/CHURCH WOMAN Honey, we clappin' for you.

Aibileen looks to Minny, realizing she's in on it.

Aibileen begins to walk down the center aisle. Preacher Green extends his hand toward her. She joins him on the pulpit.

He lifts a book off of the lectern.

He gives the book to Aibileen.

She hesitates.

The entire congregation, all holding copies of the book, applaud and "amen". Minny beams.

Aibileen extends a hand toward Minny, who joins her on the pulpit. Aibileen puts her arm around her shoulder.

Skeeter thumbs through her signed book. Hundreds of signatures cover the pages. She stands with Aibileen and Minny outside Preacher Green's house.

The preacher can be seen in the background, sitting on his porch.

Skeeter closes the book regretfully.

Skeeter nods with little relief.

Minny chimes in.

Minny places her hand on Aibileen's shoulder.

Skeeter nods. Aibileen extends her hand to Skeeter, who takes it. Aibileen presses her thumb into Skeeter's palm.

Aibileen enters with two bags of groceries. Elizabeth calls out from the den.

Aibileen enters to find Elizabeth and Hilly staring at her. Elizabeth holds her six month old baby boy.

Aibileen turns to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth won't look at Aibileen.

Elizabeth whispers to Hilly.

Mae Mobley runs into the room, heads straight for Aibileen.

Mae Mobley grabs Aibileen's skirt.

Elizabeth looks to Hilly somewhat upset with this suggestion.

Aibileen reaches for the baby boy in Elizabeth's arms.

Hilly steps between Aibileen and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth takes Lil' Man and leaves the room. Aibileen stands firm in front of Hilly.

Hilly narrows her eyes.

Elizabeth returns with the syrup, Mae Mobley following behind. Aibileen approaches Hilly and leans into her face.

Elizabeth doesn't move.

Tears of shame and defeat stream down Hilly's face. Finally, she storms off into the living room

Aibileen kneels down to Mae Mobley. Aibileen begins to cry.

Mae Mobley nods.

Aibileen squeezes Mae Mobley for the last time.

Aibileen rises up from Mae Mobley.

Aibileen takes her purse from an armchair and turns to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth can't look Aibileen in the eye. Aibileen walks away.

Aibileen steps out of the house with her purse and walks stoically down the driveway. Tears stream down her face.

Mae Mobley runs to the living room window crying. She beats on the glass from inside. Aibileen never turns.

Aibileen stops walking, unable to continue, bending over to cry for a moment.

Mae Mobley continues pounding on the glass, calling for Aibee.

Elizabeth stands there, visibly upset.

Aibileen attempts to regain her composure.

Mae Mobley is still watching from the window as Aibileen straightens up and continues walking away from the house, up the street.

Her tears give way to a smile.

We pull up and away as she walks into the distance.