six sense

THE SIXTH SENSE
by

M. Night Shyamalan
Converted to PDF and contributed by RonCecchini@comcast.net
INT. BASEMENT - EVENING
A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE. It dangles from the ceiling
of a basement.
LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS AS ANNA CROWE moves down the stairs.
Anna is the rare combination of beauty and innocence. She
stands in the chilly basement in an elegant summer dress
that outlines her slender body. Her gentle eyes move across
the empty room and come to rest on a rack of wine bottles
covering one entire wall.
She walks to the bottles. Her fingertips slide over the
labels. She stops when she finds just the right one. A
tiny smile as she slides it out.
Anna turns to leave. Stops. She stares at the shadowy
basement. It's an unsettling place. She stands very still
and watches her breath form a TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR.
She's visibly uncomfortable.
Anna Crowe moves for the staircase in a hurry. Each step
faster than the next. She climbs out of the basement in
another burst of LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS.
WE HEAR HER HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH.
THE LIGHTBULB DIES. DRIPPING BLACK DEVOURS THE ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING
Two place settings are arranged on the living room coffee
table. Take-out Chinese food sits half eaten on good china.
An empty bottle of red wine sits between boxes of Chinese
food.
Anna arrives with the backup bottle and is now wearing a
sweater. She hands a collegiate rowing team sweatshirt to
Malcolm.
ANNA
It's getting cold.
MALCOLM CROWE sits on the floor at the coffee table, his
vest and tie on the sofa behind him. A jacket and an overcoat
lay on a brirfcase next to him.
Malcolm is in his thirties with thick, wavy hair and striking,
intelligent eyes that squint from years of intense study.
His charming, easy-going smile spreads across his face. He
points.
2.
MALCOLM
That's one fine frame. A fine frame
it is.
Malcolm points to the HUGE FRAMED CERTIFICATE propped up on
a dining room chair. It's printed on aged parchment-type
paper. The frame is a polished mahogany.
He slips on the sweatshirt.
MALCOLM
How much does a fine frame like that
cost, you think?
Anna hands the backup bottle over to Malcolm.
ANNA
(smiling)
I've never told you... but you sound
a little like Dr. Seuss when you're
drunk.
Malcolm uncorks the wine and starts pouring in the empty
glass.
MALCOLM
Anna, I'm serious. Serious I am,
Anna.
Anna giggles. She's clearly buzzed herself. Malcolm doesn't
get it. Anna takes a few calming sips of her wine. Her
attention slowly moves to the framed certificate.
ANNA
Mahogany. I'd say that cost at least
a couple hundred. Maybe three.
MALCOLM
Three? We should hock it. Buy a
C.D. rack for the bedroom.
ANNA
Do you know how important this is?
This is big time.
(beat)
I'm going to read it for you, doctor.
MALCOLM
Do I really sound like Dr. Seuss?
Anna ignores Malcolm and clears her throat. She leans forward
her seat and reads the certificate out loud as Malcolm tries
to tickle her.
3.
ANNA
In recognition for his outstanding
achievement in the field of child
psychology, his dedication to his
work, and his continuing efforts to
improve the quality of life for
countless children and their families,
the City of Philadelphia proudly
bestows upon its son Dr. Malcolm
Crowe... That's you... the Mayor's
Citation for Professional Excellence.
Beat. The power of the words sobers the two of them.
ANNA
Wow. They called you their son.
MALCOLM
We can keep it in the bathroom.
Anna turns to Malcolm. He smiles.
MALCOLM
It's not real, Anna. Some secretary
wrote that up. Don't tell me you
thought it was real?
Anna's expression becomes serious.
MALCOLM
What?
She just keeps staring. Beat.
MALCOLM
Don't do the quiet thing. You know
I hate it.
Beat.
ANNA
This is an important night for us.
Finally someone is recognizing the
sacrifices you made. That you have
put everything second, including me,
for those families they're talking
about.
Malcolm plays softly with her face. Anna takes his hands
and holds them steady.
ANNA
They're also saying that my husband
has a gift. Not an ordinary gift
that allows him to hit a ball over a
fence.
(MORE)
4.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Or a gift that lets him produce
beautiful images on a canvas...
Your gift teaches children how to be
strong in situations where most adults
would piss on themselves.
(beat)
Yes, I believe what they wrote about
you.
Anna lets go of his hands. Anna's eyes are emotional.
Malcolm smiles softly.
MALCOLM
Thank you.
Anna leans towards him. They hold each other tight. Beat.
MALCOLM
What are we hugging about again?
Anna laughs as she wipes her eyes.
ANNA
Nothing. There wasn't supposed to
be any crying at this celebration.
Just a lot of drinking and sex.
Malcolm's charming, easy-going smile returns.
MALCOLM
I would like some red wine in a glass.
Anna hands him his glass. He stares at it.
MALCOLM
I would not like it in a mug. I
would not like it in a jug.
Malcolm looks at Anna surprised at what he said. They crack
up laughing. THEIR SWEET LAUGHTER FILLS THE HOUSE.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
TWO GIGGLING SHADOWS APPEAR IN THE BEDROOM DOORWAY. They
try to turn on the light. It doesn't come on.
MALCOLM
Bulb's out.
Anna giggles some more as Malcolm's shadow stumbles across
the bedroom.
MALCOLM TURNS ON THE BATHROOM LIGHT.
5.
A SHAFT OF LIGHT falls on Anna as she stands in the corner
of the room.
Anna smiles playfully and pulls off her sweater. She sways
to a pretend striptease song.
Malcolm can't hold back his grin. He joins in -- slowly
peeling off the sweat-shirt. He looks back to Anna. She's
stopped her playful dance. She's facing away from him.
He walks towards her. HIS GRIN QUIETLY DISAPPEARS. Malcolm's
face turns to rock as his attention is drawn to the SHATTERED
WINDOW in their bedroom. The wind moves through the room.
A lamp lays broken on the ground by the window.
Malcolm kneels down. Beat. Anna's eyes fill with a quiet
awareness.
ANNA
He's still in the house.
A SHADOW FROM THE BATHROOM FLATS OVER BOTH OF THEM.
ANNA SCREAMS.
Malcolm spins around. His heart stops.
Malcolm and Anna stare at the bathroom doorway. They know
someone is inside. Beat.
Malcolm slowly starts towards the door. The first thing
that comes into view are the clothes on the bathroom floor.
Then the figure of a man comes into view. A STRANGER stands
bare chested in the back of the bathroom.
NO ONE MAKES A SOUND.
The STRANGER is about nineteen. Drugged out. Pitch black
eyes bulging. His body is covered in scars and bruises.
His hands are folded in front of him. He shakes ever so
slightly. He has a patch of white in his hair.
Malcolm speaks in a very calm voice. Never takes his eyes
off the stranger.
MALCOLM
Anna, don't move. Don't say a word.
Anna barely nods her understanding.
MALCOLM
(to the stranger)
This is forty-seven Locust Street.
You have broken a window and entered
a private residence. Do you
understand what I'm saying?
6.
The stranger slowly looks up for the first time. His eyes
lock on Malcolm.
STRANGER
You don't know so many things.
Beat.
MALCOLM
There are no needles or prescription
drugs of any kind in this house.
The stranger suddenly comes forward into the doorway. Malcolm
stumbles back onto the edge of the bed.
Anna sees the stranger for the first time. Her face drains
of color.
The stranger looks at Malcolm. He half grins.
STRANGER
Are you drunk?
The stranger's stare slides to Anna.
STRANGER
Did you get him drunk?
The stranger gazes at Anna. Gazes directly into her eyes.
A penetrating, unwavering stare.
STRANGER
Do you know why you're scared when
you're alone?
Anna's expression instantly changes.
STRANGER
I know.
BEAT. THE ROOM GOES SILENT.
MALCOLM
What do you want? I don't understand
what you want.
The stranger turns and glares at Malcolm.
STRANGER
What you promised.
Malcolm stops all movement.
ANNA
--My God.
7.
MALCOLM
--Do I know you?
STRANGER
Let's all celebrate, Dr. Malcolm
Crowe. Recipient of awards from the
Mayor on the news. Dr. Malcolm Crowe,
he's helped so many children... And
he doesn't even remember my name?
Malcolm can't speak. Beat. The stranger's face starts to
tremble.
STRANGER
I was ten when you worked with me.
Beat. Malcolm's intelligent eyes race for answers.
STRANGER
Downtown clinic? Single parent
family?
(beat)
I had a possible mood disorder...
(beat)
I had no friends... you said I was
socially isolated.
(beat)
I was afraid -- you called it acute
anxiety...
(beat)
You were wrong.
(beat)
Come on, clear your head... Male,
nine... Single parent... Mood
discorder... Acute anxiety.
Malcolm looks like someone hit him with a sledgehammer.
STRANGER
I'm nineteen. I have drugs in my
system twenty-four hours a day... I
still have no friends. I still have
no peace. I'm still afraid.
Tears jump into the stranger's eyes.
STRANGER
...I'm still afraid.
Malcolm stands.
MALCOLM
Please give me a second to think.
Malcolm's shaking hands touch his mouth as he stares at the
stranger. Beat.
8.
MALCOLM
Bed Freidken?
STRANGER
Some people call me freak.
MALCOLM
...Ronald... Ronald Sumner?
Tears fall down the stranger's face.
STRANGER
I am a freak.
Malcolm looks up at the sound of those words. Something
clicks in his head.
MALCOLM
--Vincent?
THE ROOM GOES SILENT AGAIN.
MALCOLM
Vincent Gray?
VINCENT GRAY stares with surprise through his tears.
Malcolm lets out a deep breath like he just emerged from
deep waters.
MALCOLM
I do remember you, Vincent. You
were a good kid. Very smart...
Quiet... Compassionate... Unusually
compassionate...
Vincent's eyes burn at Malcolm.
VINCENT
You forgot cursed.
VINCENT is fully crying now.
VINCENT
You failed me.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
Vincent... I'm sorry I didn't help
you... I can try to help you now.
Vincent turns to the sink. His hand goes in. He turns arund
and raises a gun at Malcolm. He FIRES. A VIOLENT, EARSHATTERING
ECHO. Malcolm clutches his stomach and folds
like a rag doll onto the bed.
9.
Vincent instantly moves the gun to his own head. ANOTHER
HORRIFIC BLAST SPIKES THE AIR. Vincent crumples onto the
bathroom floor.
ANNA'S CHILLING SCREAMS FILL THEIR HOME.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BENCH - AFTERNOON
The legend, "Two Years Later" appears.
A man flips open a worn file folder on his lap. Handwritten
notes fill every line. At the top of the first page reads,
"Vincent Gray, age 10, Referred January 19, 1989."
The man's hand touches the name almost reverently.
He glances through the page. Words and phrases are circled
throughout the file.
"...Acute anxiety"

"...Socially isolated"

"...Possible mood disorder"

"...Parent status -- Divorced"

"...Communication difficulty between mother-child dyad"
The man's hands flip the page. At the top of this new page
reads, "Cole Sear, age 8, Referred September 1998."
As the man's fingers move through the notes we again see
words and phrases circled throughout this new case history.
"...Acute anxiety"

"...Socially isolated"

"...Possible mood disorder"

"...Parent status -- Divorced"

"...Communication difficulty between mother-child dyad"
The hands close the notepad. The hands are slightly shaking
now.
WE PULL BACK to reveal the shaking hands belong to Dr. Malcolm
Crowe.
Malcolm sits on a sidewalk bench facing a row of brownstone
homes across the street. He gazes blankly at the brownstones.
Beat.
A door opens. Malcolm is brought out of his trance.
COLE SEAR steps out his front door. Cole is a munchkin of a
boy with large, black eyes that seem to take in everything
around him.
His hair is dark, with a small patch of jet white on the
side.
10.
Cole carefully locks the door behind him.
He moves to the bottom of the stairs and looks around
nervously. Anxiously.
The eight-year-old child reaches into his pocket and slips
on a pair of VERY LARGE GLASSES. They look comical on him.
Malcolm rises to his feet. He smooths out his shirt. Looks
down and buttons his jacket.
When he looks up, Cole is gone.
Malcolm barely catches a glimpse of the boy. Cole runs at
full speed down the street and turns the corner. TINY
SNEAKERS SCREECHING ON THE SIDEWALK.
For a second, Malcolm doesn't react. The second passes. He
stuffs the file in his bag and starts running too.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - DAY
Malcolm hauls down the sidewalk. He comes to a hard stop at
a street intersection. Searches. Spots Cole running into a
parking lot.
COLE sprints across the empty lot and reaches the doors of a
building. He has to use all his strength to push open the
highly ornate doors. He slips inside.
Malcolm jogs into the parking area. His pace slows to a
walk and then to stillness as he gazes up at the building.
Its old stone and huge towers make it stand out from the
modern buildings all around it. Malcolm stares up at the
historic Philadelphia church quietly.
A SHOOTING PAIN PIERCES HIS SIDE. Malcolm's hand goes to it
quickly. He waits for it to pass before starting for the
ornate doors.
CUT TO:
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Only a few people sit and pray in the sea of oak pews.
Malcolm scans the majestic room and finds what he's looking
for in the last row of the church.
He moves down the center aisle towards the back.
Malcolm finds Cole playing in his pew with a set of green
and beige plastic soldiers. Cole makes the soldiers talk to
each other.
11.
COLE
(soft)
Pro... Fun... Add...
The words are unintelligible.
Cole senses someone. He looks up and sees Malcolm staring
at him. The boy immediately goes white. Every cell of his
body still with fear.
MALCOLM
It's okay, Cole. Don't be frightened.
Cole stays rigid. Hands clutching a handful of plastic
riflemen.
MALCOLM
My name is Dr. Malcolm Crowe. I was
supposed to meet you today. Sorry I
missed our appointment.
Malcolm waits for a response. None comes.
MALCOLM
Do you mind if I sit down? I have
this injury from a couple of years
ago and it flares up every once in a
while just so I won't forget it.
Beat. Cole slowly slides down the pew, giving Malcolm most
of the seat. Malcolm sits.
Cole fidgets with his soldiers. Beat. Malcolm looks over
and stares at Cole's glasses. He leans forward to inspect
them more carefully.
MALCOLM
Your eye frames. They don't seem to
have any lenses in them.
COLE
(soft)
They're my dad's. The lenses hurt
my eyes.
MALCOLM
I knew there was a sound explanation.
Malcolm returns to staring at his lap. Beat.
MALCOLM
What was that you were saying before
with your soldiers? Day pro fun.
COLE
...De profundis clamo ad te domine.
12.
Malcolm stares surprised.
COLE
It's called Latin. It's a language.
Malcolm nods at the information.
MALCOLM
All your soldiers speak Latin?
COLE
No, just one.
Malcolm smiles at Cole. His eyes drift down to Cole's arms.
Malcolm's smile slowly disappears.
Cole's arms are covered in TINY CUTS AND BRUISES. Some almost
healed. Some fresh. Malcolm looks around to gather himself.
Beat.
MALCOLM
I like churches, too.
(beat)
In olden times, in Europe, people
used to hide in churches. Claim
sanctuary.
Cole looks up.
COLE
What were they hiding from?
MALCOLM
Oh, lots of things, I suppose. Bad
people for one. People who wanted
to imprison them. Hurt them.
COLE
Nothing bad can happen in a church,
right?
Malcolm studies Cole's anxious face.
MALCOLM
Right.
Malcolm and Cole just stare at each other.
COLE
I forgot your name.
MALCOLM
Dr. Crowe.
COLE
You're a doctor. What kind?
13.
MALCOLM
I work with young people who might
be sad or upset or just want to talk.
I try to help them figure things
out.
Beat.
COLE
Are you a good doctor?
Malcolm smiles.
MALCOLM
I got an award once. From the Mayor.
COLE
Congratulations.
MALCOLM
Thank you. It was a long time ago.
I've kind of been retired for a while.
(beat)
You're my very first client back.
COLE
You use needles?
MALCOLM
No.
COLE
Not even little ones that aren't
supposed to hurt?
MALCOLM
No.
COLE
That's good.
Cole pockets his soldiers and rises from his pew.
COLE
I'm going to see you again, right?
MALCOLM
If it's okay with you?
Cole thinks it over carefully.
COLE
It's okay with me.
Cole and Malcolm just stare at each other.
14.
MALCOLM
And Cole, next time I won't be late
for you.
COLE
Next time I won't be scared of you.
Cole turns and starts to the rear of the church. Malcolm
loses himself in his thoughts.
When Malcolm looks back, he sees Cole stop by the exit doors
and take a tiny STATUE OF JESUS off the back table. Cole
pockets the statue and quietly leaves the church.
Malcolm just sits and stares.
CUT TO:
INT. MALCOLM'S HOME - EVENING
The house is dimly lit. Malcolm has to turn on the HALLWAY
LIGHT.
MALCOLM
It's me.
He stops before a pile of mail collecting on a thin table.
He stares at it blankly. Almost every envelope has "Over
Due" or "Final Notice" stamped on it.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING TABLE - EVENING
Malcolm stares down at the remains of a meal on the only
place setting on the table.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Malcolm quietly walks into his bedroom. Only A READING LIGHT
IS ON. THE SOFT LIGHT FALLS ON ANNA AS SHE SLEEPS.
Malcolm moves to her side. The sight of her stops him.
He stares at his wife...
She huddles under a blanket, a wad of tissues in her hand.
He takes it in silently.
His eyes move to her face... One wisp of hair falls over
her soft lips. OUTLINED IN THE SOFT READING LIGHT, Anna
Crowe truly looks like an angel.
15.
Malcolm forms a tiny smile.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Malcolm turns and moves for a narrow door in the hallway.
THE DOOR KNOB. He tries to open it. IT'S LOCKED. Malcolm
reaches into his pockets. Searches for his keys.
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT
The empty basement is no longer empty. It's piled with file
cabinets and boxes of psychology and medical books. A desk
sits in the corner next to the wine racks.
The room still feels unsettling.
Malcolm hunches over one of the books. Rifles through a
stack of dusty books. Pulls out a thick text.
The spine of the text reads, "The Meridian Latin Dictionary."
Malcolm sits back at his desk and opens Cole's file.
Handwritten on the first page are the words,
"De profundis calms ad te, domine"
Malcolm starts working through the Latin text. As he comes
to each word, he jots it down underneath the Latin.
Malcolm translates the last word.
He stares quietly at the paper. The new words reads...
"Out of the depths, I cry to you Lord."
Beat.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
...The mass for the dead.
The words seem to hang in the air forever.
CUT TO:
EXT. PHILADELPHIA - DAWN
Old Philadelphia awakens... For a moment, it's like we're
back in time.
A golden sun dances on the waters of Penns Landing.
Historical old ships sit docked in its harbor... The dark
16.
bronze surface of the Liberty Bell reflects the dawn... A
majestic Independence Hall stands watch as its city begins
to stir... A thirty foot statue of Ben Franklin makes a
proud silhouette against the morning sky...
AND THEN 1997 COMES CRASHING IN.
FLUORESCENT HOUSE LIGHTS COME ON IN WINDOWS... Jeeps and
hatchbacks start roaming the cobblestone streets... Neon
restaurants signs flicker to life... Traffic helicopters
make their rounds... CAR ALARMS PIERCE THE AIR.
CUT TO:
INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - MORNING
A hand turns off a radio, shutting off the morning news.
A small dog with two different colored eyes sticks his head
out of the dryer, where he plays with the newly-dried clothes.
LYNN SEAR reaches in and pulls out a blouse.
She shakes it in the air and slips it on as she dresses
hurriedly for work.
Lynn is a woman in her late twenties. One hundred percent
South Philly. Hair teased. She chews on an early morning
piece of Trident. Under all of it, Lynn Sear is an attractive
and sweet-looking young woman.
Lynn enters THE KITCHEN through a swinging door.
A bowl of cereal and milk sit on a table in an empty kitchen.
Lynn stares at a handful of kitchen CABINETS and DRAWERS
that are open.
Lynn shakes her head.
LYNN
Cole.
She closes them one at a time before moving to the coffee
machine.
Lynn shivers a little. She leans over the thermostat and
raises the heat. She returns to her post at the coffee
machine.
TINY FOOTSTEPS.
Lynn turns to see Cole standing in his private school uniform.
LYNN
Your Cocoa Puffs are getting soggy.
17.
Lynn walks over to Cole. Checks his tie.
LYNN
You got a spot.
Lynn unclips the tie. Cole takes a seat at the kitchen table
as Lynn walks back into the laundry room.
The dog is gone now. Lynn reaches into the dryer, digging
for a new tie. She finds one, then turns and steps back
into the kitchen and SCREAMS AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS.
Every cabinet and every drawer is wide open.
Cole sits at the kitchen table. His hands are pressed flat
on the tabletop.
He looks shaken.
Neither says anything for a beat.
LYNN
(shaken)
Something you were looking for, baby?
Beat.
COLE
(shaken)
Pop Tarts.
Lynn looks over to the open cabinet near the sink. The pop
tarts are clearly visible.
LYNN
They're right here.
COLE
Oh.
Cole gets up from the table. Takes his pop tarts. Doesn't
make eye contact.
COLE
What are you thinking, Momma?
LYNN
Lots of things.
COLE
Anything bad about me?
Lynn leans down.
LYNN
Look at my face.
18.
Cole does.
LYNN
I wasn't thinking anything bad about
you, got it?
He looks at her eyes. Beat.
COLE
Got it.
THE DOOR BELL RINGS.
COLE
(soft)
That's Tommy, Momma.
Cole quietly kisses his mother on the cheek and starts out.
LYNN
Don't you want this?
Cole turns to see Lynn holding the pop tarts. He walks back
and takes them from her before leaving.
Beat. Lynn glances to the kitchen table. Her gaze stops on
the TWO TINY HAND PRINTS OF SWEAT formed on the table's
surface.
Lynn stands motionless in the kitchen. She looks up and
wraps her arms around her shivering shoulders.
CUT TO:
EXT. BROWNSTONE STREET - MORNING
TOMMY TAMMISIMO is a tough-looking, eight-year-old Italian
kid who waits at the bottom of Cole's brownstone stairs in
his school uniform.
Cole emerges from the brownstone and moves down the steps.
Lynn's face appears in the kitchen window.
The two boys begin their walk down the street to school.
Tommy puts his arm around Cole. Lynn waves. Cole waves
back.
When the two boys turn the corner and are out of Lynn's sight,
Tommy rips his arm away.
TOMMY
Hey freak, how'd you like the "arm
around your shoulder" bit. I just
made it up. Went with it. That's
what great actors do. It's called
improv.
19.
Tommy starts to run ahead, he turns and back pedals.
TOMMY
(taunting)
Be careful... I hope no one jumps
out and gets you.
Tommy runs away.
Beat. Cole looks around nervously.
CUT TO:
EXT. ST. ANTHONY'S ACADEMY - MORNING
The last uniformed boys and girls rush into the front doors
of St. Anthony's Academy as the FINAL BELL SOUNDS.
Cole is the last one to go in. He stands alone on the
sidewalk.
He looks like he'd rather be anywhere but there.
Beat.
He buries his hands in his pockets and begins a quiet walk
by himself into the school.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. COLE'S HOME - AFTERNOON
The front door CREAKS open as Cole walks in after school.
He looks around before closing the door. His eyes stop on
Lynn seated in the open doorway of the den. Malcolm is seated
with her. They both look up.
Lynn comes out. She reaches Cole -- kneels down in front of
him.
LYNN
(whispers)
How was school, baby?
Cole shrugs.
LYNN
(whispers)
You know, you can tell me things if
you need to.
Cole doesn't respond. Beat.
LYNN
(whispers)
Well, you know what I did today?
20.
Cole shakes his head "No."
LYNN
(whispers)
I won the Pennsylvania Lottery in
the morning. I quit my jobs. Ate a
big picnic in the park with lots of
chocolate mouses pie and then swam
in the fountain all afternoon...
(smiling)
What did you do?
Cole starts to smile too. He thinks.
COLE
(whispers)
I was picked first for kickball teams
at recess. I hit a grand slam to
win the game and everyone lifted me
up on their shoulders and carried me
around cheering.
Cole and Lynn smile at each other. Beat.
Lynn tries to hide the utter sadness behind her smile.
LYNN
I'll make triangle pancakes. You
got an hour.
Lynn takes Cole's school bag and jacket before moving to the
kitchen.
CUT TO:
INT. DEN - AFTERNOON
The den doubles as a playroom. Boxes of old toys sit in the
corner. A small, plastic, multi-colored table sits on the
rug.
Cole appears in the doorway. Malcolm sits up and smiles.
He points to the chair on the other side of the coffee table.
MALCOLM
You want to sit?
Cole nods very softly, "No."
MALCOLM
Don't feel like talking right now?
Cole nods again very softly, "No."
MALCOLM
How about we play a game first?
21.
Cole looks a little more interested.
MALCOLM
It's a mind-reading game... Did I
mention I could read minds?
Cole nods, "No."
MALCOLM
Here's the game. I'll read your
mind. If what I say is right, you
take a step forwards the chair. If
I'm wrong, you take a step backwards
the doorway. If you reach the chair,
you sit. If you reach the door, you
can go. Deal?
Cole tilts his head, then nods, "Yes."
Malcolm presses his fingers to his temples like a vaudeville
magician. He closes his eyes tight.
MALCOLM
Just after your mom and dad were
divorced, your mom went to a doctor
like me and it didn't help her. And
so you think I'm not going to help
you.
Beat. Cole, surprised, takes a small step forward.
MALCOLM
You're worried because she said she
told him things. Things she couldn't
tell anybody else.
(beat)
Secrets.
Cole takes a step. Malcolm opens his eyes. He looks right
at Cole.
MALCOLM
You have a secret. But you don't
want to tell me.
Beat. Cole takes another step. The next step will put him
at the chair. Malcolm lowers his fingers from his temple.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
You don't have to tell me your secret
if you don't want to.
Malcolm smiles. Returns his fingers to the mind-reading
position. Malcolm looks to Cole's arm. Cole is wearing A
LARGE SILVER WATCH. It swims on his thin wrist. It could
probably slide up to his shoulder. Malcolm closes his eyes.
22.
MALCOLM
Your father gave you that watch as a
present before he left.
Cole takes a step BACK. Beat. Malcolm lowers his hands
surprised.
COLE
He forgot it in a drawer. It doesn't
work.
Beat. Malcolm puts his fingers to his temple. This time a
little bit slower. He gazes at Cole's school uniform.
MALCOLM
You don't like to say much at school.
You're an excellent student however.
You've never been in any kind of
serious trouble.
Beat. Cole takes a slow step back. Beat.
COLE
We were supposed to draw a picture.
Anything we wanted... I drew a man.
He got hurt in the neck by another
man with a screwdriver.
AN UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE OVERTAKES THE DEN.
MALCOLM
You saw that on T.V., Cole?
Cole answers by taking a small step back. Beat.
COLE
Everybody got upset. They had a
meeting. Momma started crying.
(beat)
I don't draw like that anymore.
MALCOLM
How do you draw now?
COLE
I draw people with smiles, dogs
running, and rainbows.
(beat)
They don't have meetings about
rainbows.
MALCOLM
(soft)
I guess they don't.
Malcolm looks down at Cole's feet. They're almost at the
doorway. One more step and he's there. Cole is very still.
23.
He doesn't move at all.
COLE
(whispers)
What am I thinking now?
Malcolm takes his time before speaking. He just stares. No
fingers to the temple. No games. He just stares. Beat.
MALCOLM
You're thinking...
(beat)
I don't know what you're thinking,
Cole.
Cole quietly takes a step back into the doorway of the other
room.
COLE
(whispers)
I was thinking... you're nice.
(beat)
But you can't help me.
Cole's tiny figure steps away. Malcolm stares helplessly at
the empty doorway where his client used to stand.
THE DEN IS SUFFOCATED WITH SILENCE.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - EVENING
Malcolm hurriedly enters a spacious, dimly-lit Italian
restaurant. He stops in the dining room and searches the
many candle-lit tables. He finds Anna.
Anna sits alone at a corner table. The remains of her halfeaten
dinner lay on the only place setting on the table. A
small PIECE OF CAKE WITH A CANDLE in it sits untouched.
Anna stirs sugar in her coffee as Malcolm sits in the seat
across from her. She gently stops stirring, but doesn't
look up. Beat.
MALCOLM
I thought you meant the other Italian
restaurant I asked you to marry me
in.
Anna isn't laughing. Not even close.
MALCOLM
I'm so sorry.
(beat)
I can't seem to keep track of time.
24.
Anna quietly takes a sip from her coffee.
MALCOLM
It didn't go well today. Spent some
time after trying to get my head
together.
Anna looks around for the waiter.
MALCOLM
They're so similar, Anna. They have
the same mannerisms. The same
expressions. The same thing hanging
over them.
(beat)
It might be some kind of abuse.
That makes Anna turn back. She glances across the table,
then looks down.
MALCOLM
There are cuts on Cole's arms.
Fingernail marks, I think. Looks
like defensive cuts.
Malcolm demonstrates by holding up his arm to shield his
face.
MALCOLM
(beat)
Possibly a teacher, neighbor.
(beat)
I don't think it's the mother. Just
a gut thing. The way she deals with
him. It doesn't fit.
(beat)
Hard to say this early. Could just
be a child climbing a lot of trees.
Malcolm loses himself in his thoughts. The waiter drops off
the check on the table. Anna grabs it before Malcolm and
quickly signs it.
MALCOLM
I know I've been kind of out of it
for a long while and you resent it.
You do. I know you're mad. I know
it's put some distance between us.
Beat.
MALCOLM
But I'm getting a second chance here.
I can't let it slip away.
Anna waits till he's done and rises from the table. She
pushes her chair in hard and walks away without a word.
25.
Malcolm sits alone and stares at the piece of cake with a
candle on it.
MALCOLM
(soft)
...Happy Anniversary.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT STEPS - AFTERNOON
Cole is seated on the front stoop of his brownstone. On the
steps and on the landing are his plastic soldiers in the
grips of a war.
Malcolm sits with his bag and overcoat on the step next to
him. Malcolm just observes quietly. Beat.
Cole glances up as he plays. Sees Malcolm's expression.
COLE
You want to ask me a question?
MALCOLM
See, this is why I lose at poker.
Yes, I do have a question.
On the step are two rows of soldiers facing each other. To
one side are a couple soldiers covered by a tissue. Malcolm
points to them.
MALCOLM
What happened to those two? Being
under tissue paper can't be a good
thing.
Cole removes the tissue.
COLE
That's Private Jenkins and Private
Kinney. They got killed. Private
Jenkins has a baby girl that was
born seven pounds, six ounces. He's
never seen her. He wanted to get
back to Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and
hold her...
Cole points to the other soldier.
COLE
Private Kinney's wife is really sick --
she has something called a brain
anism.
MALCOLM
(soft)
You mean aneurysm.
26.
COLE
Yeah, Private Kinney needed to get
back safe to take care of her.
Beat. Cole's face becomes emotional. Tears fill his eyes.
COLE
It's sad they died, isn't it?
Malcolm falls into silence and stares at his client. Beat.
Cole wipes his eyes quickly.
COLE
Don't look at me.
(beat)
I don't like people looking at me
like that.
Malcolm takes in Cole's gesture and expression.
COLE
Stop looking at me.
Malcolm looks down.
MALCOLM
Where should I look then, Cole?
COLE
Look over there.
Cole points to the corner of the street. Malcolm slowly
turns. He sits in profile to Cole. Beat.
MALCOLM
It's very unusual for someone your
age to understand the kind of problems
that Private Jenkins and Private
Kinney have or even to be thinking
about them at all...
Malcolm continues to stare at the street. Beat.
MALCOLM
It is okay if I look back now?
Cole doesn't answer.
MALCOLM
Tap the foot once for "No" and twice
for "Yes."
Cole taps his foot once.
Malcolm sits patiently. Beat. They don't say anything for
a while.
27.
MALCOLM
You wouldn't want to take a walk,
would you?
Cole looks up from his soldiers. Malcolm stares at the far
side of the street.
Cole taps his foot twice.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON
The two of them walk down a row of brownstones across from a
park where children Cole's age are playing.
COLE
I walk this way to school with Tommy
Tammisimo.
MALCOLM
He your best buddy?
Cole almost smiles.
COLE
He hates me.
MALCOLM
You hate him?
Cole shakes his head, "No.!
Malcolm thinks for a bit.
MALCOLM
Your mom set that up?
Cole nods "Yes."
MALCOLM
You ever tell her about how it is
with Tommy?
COLE
I don't tell her a thing.
MALCOLM
Why?
COLE
Cause she doesn't look at me like
everybody and I don't want her to.
I don't want her to know.
MALCOLM
Know what?
28.
COLE
That I'm a freak.
Malcolm stops walking. The words hit him hard. He stares
at Cole.
MALCOLM
Listen to me. You are not a freak.
Don't you believe anybody that tells
you that. It's bullshit and you
don't have to grow up believing that.
Beat. Cole is surprised.
COLE
You said the "s" word.
MALCOLM
Yeah. Sorry.
Malcolm's face is filled with emotion. Cole is suddenly hit
by Malcolm's passion. Beat. Cole nods slowly as he looks
at Malcolm with different eyes.
They start walking again in silence. They turn a corner and
move down another street. Cole spots an old man with a cane
standing at the gate of a brownstone.
COLE
Is it okay if I do something? I
have to do something.
Malcolm nods "yes" as they continue walking. Cole slows as
they approach the old man. As we get closer, we make out
the man can barely see.
COLE
Hi, Mr. Marschal.
MR. MARSCHAL leans over his gate and stares at Cole for a
few seconds.
MR. MARSCHAL
Guten Tag, Cole.
Mr. Marschal has a thick German accent. The old man squints
down the block with a concerned expression.
COLE
What's wrong?
MR. MARSCHAL
Mrs. Marschal. She went food
shopping. She's running late.
Beat.
29.
COLE
Ich Habe Durst.
Malcolm's eyes dart to Cole.
MR. MARSCHAL
Wunderbar! Where did you learn to
speak German?
COLE
I just know a couple lines.
MR. MARSCHAL
Yes, you may have a drink. What
would you like?
COLE
Lemonade, please.
Mr. Marschal smiles at Cole before walking back inside his
house. Cole turns back to Malcolm.
COLE
(sad)
Mr. Marschal gets real lonely.
MALCOLM
What about Mrs. Marschal?
COLE
(whispers)
She died a long time ago.
CUT TO:
INT. MR. MARSCHAL'S LIVING ROOM - MORNING
This brownstone has been home to the Marschal's for many,
many years. It's filled with a lifetime of memories.
Memories shared by two people.
Two rocking chairs sit side by side near the windows that
overlook the street... A corner table displays fancy wooden
chess set. The game half-finished, frozen in a layer of
dust... An easel stands before a piano. The incomplete
water color painting of a smiling elderly woman sitting on
the piano bench sits sadly on the faded yellow paper.
Malcolm takes in the living room silently. He stands near
the open door.
Cole walks through the room. Tiny eyes searching carefully.
He leans behind the sofa looking for something. Malcolm
watches Cole with a crinkled brow.
Cole peeks behind the old piano crammed against the wall.
30.
MR. MARSCHAL
Maybe Jill will play for us when she
gets back.
Cole turns to find Mr. Marschal standing with a glass of
lemonade. Cole takes it from his shaking hands.
COLE
Thank you.
Mr. Marschal shuffles over to the sofa. Takes a seat.
Cole begins surveying the room again. Beat. His eyes finally
come to rest on a plant seated in the corner. He stares at
it... THE LEAVES OF THE PLANT SHAKE SLIGHTLY FROM A BREEZE.
Cole puts down his glass on a table and walks over to the
plant. Cole kneels down and starts to push the potted plant
aside. THE POT SCREECHES ON THE WOODEN FLOOR.
Malcolm calls to Cole under his breath.
MALCOLM
Cole--
MR. MARSCHAL
What's going on there?
Mr. Marschal strains to see across the room.
Cole doesn't answer either of them. Instead, he continues
to push the plant aside revealing AN AIR VENT. Cole gently
reaches over and takes off the metal face. It slips right
off.
Cole's hands disappear into the darkness of the vent. They
reemerge holding a STACK OF NOTEBOOKS.
Malcolm becomes very still.
Cole rises to his feet and carries the notebooks over to Mr.
Marschal. Cole carefully places them on his lap.
MR. MARSCHAL
Is this for me?
Mr. Marschal fingers the notebooks then reaches for his thick
glasses hanging from his neck. He places them on the tip of
his nose and inspects the notebooks six inches from his face.
MR. MASCHAL
What's this? Jill's keeping a diary.
Malcolm takes an involuntary step forward.
Mr. Marschal starts flipping through the notebooks.
31.
MR. MARSCHAL
She's full of surprises...
He gets to the last book. His hands become still as he stares
at the final page of writing.
MR. MARSCHAL
(whispers)
She hasn't written anything for some
time.
Beat. Mr. Marschal slowly looks up from the notebooks.
Looks up to Cole. Cole just stands quietly.
Mr. Marschal's eyes slowly fill with tears of realization.
They gently spill down his weathered face.
MR. MARSCHAL
Oh no...
Cole takes a deep breath. Trying hard not to cry himself.
The sight of Mr. Marschal weeping shakes Cole.
Cole softly lays his hand on Mr. Marschal's silver hair.
Mr. Marschal reaches up and clutches his small hand.
They stay like that for a while. Beat. Mr. Marschal lets
go and brings the notebooks tighter to his body.
Cole quietly walks to Malcolm who stands motionless. He
stares down at Cole in a daze.
Cole turns his head, crying.
COLE
(softly)
Stop looking at me.
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT OFFICE - NIGHT
Malcolm sits still in his office chair. His eyes are fixed
at a point in space. He brings a slim, black tape recorder
to his mouth.
CLICK.
MALCOLM
April or March of Eighty-seven. Two
weeks into sessions with Vincent
Gray. I was treating a couple, Donald
and Robin Wagner, who had lost their
child to Leukemia. They were waiting
with Vincent in the reception room
of the downtown clinic.
(MORE)
32.
MALCOLM (CONT'D)
They were alone together maybe fifteen
minutes. When I entered the room,
all three were crying. The Wagner's
progress from that afternoon was
dramatic and sudden .... As if some
door had been opened for them.
(beat)
I'm not at all clear what happened
in those fifteen minutes. But I now
believe Vincent tried to tell me
something, show me something and I
didn't listen.
(beat)
Cole Sear allowed me to witness
something today.
(beat)
This time I'm going to listen.
A long silence. CLICK. The tape recorder turns off.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
Lynn holds a laundry basket on her hip as she fiddles with
the thermostat in the hall. The house is cold. Lynn wears
a winter jacket in the house.
Lynn turns and moves into the shadowy hallway. No lights.
The house seems somewhat ominous. Beat.
Lynn's eyes dart to an open guest room like she just saw
something. She stares in the doorway until a SOUND TURNS
HER IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FAMILY ROOM.
She picks up balled-up boy's sweat socks and dirty T-shirts
laying on the carpet. When she reaches the end of the hall,
she HITS A LIGHT SWITCH. The hall LIGHTS UP REVEALING A
WALL OF PHOTOS. Lynn forms a tiny smile.
Snapshots of Cole and Lynn's life hang before her eyes.
Cole's birthday parties... Lynn and Cole at an amusement
park... Cole under the Christmas tree... Cole on Lynn's
shoulders in a pool... Cole with a group of neighbors at a
barbecue...
Lynn takes a step forward. Lynn's face betrays the fact
that she notices something she never noticed before. She
touches a photo of three-year-old Cole.
WE MOVE INTO THE PHOTO -- COLE'S FACE SMILES AT US. LYNN'S
FINGER GENTLY BRUSHES A THIN STREAKS OF LIGHT THAT CURVES IN
THE BACKGROUND BEHIND COLE. THE STREAK OF LIGHT IS BLURRED,
LIKE SOMETHING CAUGHT IN MOTION.
33.
Lynn looks to the adjacent photo -- the barbecue photo --
Everyone stands with hot dogs and sodas. Lynn searches the
picture. Her eyes suddenly stop at the TINIEST BLUR OF WHITE
LIGHT STREAKING AROUND COLE.
WE MOVE FROM FRAMED PHOTO TO FRAMED PHOTO -- EACH THE SAME --
SOMEWHERE HIDDEN IN THE FRAME, SOMEWHERE NOT EASILY SEEN,
LYNN FINDS A BLUR.
Lynn takes it all in curiously.
CUT TO:
INT. COLE'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Lynn moves into Cole's room with the laundry basket balanced
on her hip. The Walkman headphones on her head blares A
MUFFLED TECHNO DANCE BEAT. Lynn starts picking clothes up
around Cole's room.
This bedroom is an eerie place. The shadows seem to make
shapes and figures. All the furniture is wood -- old
fashioned. The lamps, the paintings on the wall -- antiques
as well.
The most striking feature of the room, however, is the
homemade tent created from bedsheets and blankets tied to
chairs and bureaus. It takes up a large corner of the room.
A sign hangs over the bedsheets.
"DO NOT ENTER"
Lynn grabs the Spiderman P.J.s that drape over the tent.
A German Shepherd Puppy sleeps on the pillow. SEBASTIAN
lifts his head sleepily and peers at Lynn before returning
to his slumber.
Lynn slowly reaches for a picture frame that peeks out from
under Cole's pillow. Slides it out... It's a VACATION PHOTO
of a couple. Lynn and Cole and a man. The man looks in
every way a larger version of Cole.
The picture has a visible effect on Lynn. She lets out a
shaky breath before returning the photo to its hiding place.
Lynn pulls a pair of school uniform pants off the wooden
roll cover desk next to the bed.
The desk is covered with loose leaf papers filled with
writings. Lynn's eyes are drawn to the papers.
Her curious gaze turns serious. Her mouth opens a tiny bit
involuntarily.
34.
THE PAPERS are strewn with lines of handwriting. Countless
lines. Thousands of words... Some horizontal, some
vertical... The writing moves in arcs and flows in various
size -- written at great speed -- every word connected by a
single pen stroke -- everything written in one continuous
motion.
Lynn slowly spins the papers, taking in some of the phrases...
...Christ break the freaking glass oh no God no what the
hell is going on Quiet the damn baby I'll cut you I swear it
someone stop the burning I'll kill you I'll kill all you
bastard...
The words go on and on.
Lynn removes her hands from the paper. She pulls her
headphones off slowly.
THE MUFFLED TECHNO DANCE BEAT FILLS THE DEAD SILENCE OF THE
EERIE ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. DEN - AFTERNOON
Malcolm stares as the rain pelts the windows of the den.
MALCOLM
...So your dad lives in Pittsburgh
with a lady who works in a toll booth.
COLE (O.S.)
What if she has to pee when she's
working? You think she just holds
it?
MALCOLM
I don't know. I was just thinking
the same thing.
Beat.
COLE (O.S.)
You ask a lot of questions about my
dad today. How come?
Cole is playing behind the couch. All we see is the top of
his head.
MALCOLM
Sometimes, we don't even know it,
but we do things to draw attention.
Do things so we can express how we
feel about issues... Divorce or
whatever.
35.
Every now and then we get glimpses of things Cole is playing
with peeking over the back of the couch, but we can't quite
make out what he's doing.
MALCOLM
One night, as an example... leave
something on a desk for someone to
find.
The top of Cole's head stops moving.
MALCOLM
Cole, have you ever heard of something
called free-writing? Or freeassociation
writing?
Cole shakes his head, "No."
MALCOLM
It's when you put a pencil in your
hand and put the pencil to a paper
and you just start writing... You
don't think about what you're
writing... You don't read over what
you're writing... You just keep
your hand moving.
Cole has become very still. He looks right at Malcolm.
MALCOLM
After awhile if you keep your hand
moving long enough, words and thoughts
start coming out you didn't even
know you had in you...
(beat)
Sometimes they're things you heard
from somewhere... Sometimes they're
feelings deep inside...
(beat)
Have you ever done any freeassociation
writing, Cole?
Beat. Cole nods, "Yes."
MALCOLM
What'd you write?
COLE
Words.
MALCOLM
What kind of words?
COLE
Upset words.
Beat.
36.
MALCOLM
Did you ever write any upset words
before your father left?
Beat.
COLE
I don't remember.
Malcolm watches him carefully. Beat. Malcolm waves the
question off casually.
MALCOLM
Can you do something for me?
Malcolm smiles. He rises and grabs his coat.
MALCOLM
Think about what you want from our
time together. What our goal should
be?
COLE
Something I want?
MALCOLM
If we could change something in your
life, anything at all, what would
you like that to be?
Cole's brow furrows as he thinks about it carefully.
MALCOLM
You don't have to answer now.
Malcolm heads for the door, stops when Cole emerges from
behind the couch. Cole is wearing his father's jacket, it
hangs to the ground like a dress.
COLE
Instead of something I want, can I
have something I don't want?
Malcolm turns back to Cole. Malcolm nods "Yes." Beat.
COLE
I don't want to be scared anymore.
Cole's sad eyes stare up at Malcolm.
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT OFFICE - NIGHT
The surface of Malcolm's desk is covered with open texts.
Malcolm pours over a thick reference book.
37.
He circles a phrase...
"...resulting bruises and abrasions on arms and legs may, in
fact, be self-inflicted."
Malcolm appears disturbed by the thoughts running through
his head.
ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICE CARRIES DOWN THE STAIRS.
His face turns up to the ceiling.
MALCOLM
(loud)
Are you calling me?
WE HEAR ANNA'S FOOTSTEPS MOVE ACROSS THE BASEMENT CEILING.
WE HEAR THE FRONT DOOR OPEN.
ANNA (O.S.)
What? You don't see enough of me at
the store?
Malcolm gets up and moves closer to their voices as he
stretches his legs.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
On my way to the flea market in Amish
country. Thought maybe you want to
come. Show me how to buy at these
things.
ANNA (O.S.)
I trust you... Besides, I don't
know if I'm up for the Amish today.
You can't curse or spit or anything
around them.
Malcolm smiles at Anna.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
I thought you'd want to get out.
You've been kind of down.
Malcolm slowly stops smiling.
ANNA (O.S.)
That's very sweet. I'm okay.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Do you think I should stop by on my
way back? Show you what I got?
It's not a problem.
Malcolm shakes his head in disbelief.
38.
ANNA (O.S.)
You know that's probably not the
best idea. I'll just wait to see
them in the store.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Okay. Fine. Understood.
(beat)
I'm off then.
ANNA (O.S.)
Don't step in the horse manure.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Thanks.
WE HEAR THE FRONT DOOR SHUT.
Malcolm moves to the narrow basement window.
INT./EXT. MALCOLM'S HOUSE - DAY
We see SEAN, an attractive young man in his late twenties.
He gets into his car across the street. He just sits there
for a moment before putting his forehead to the steering
wheel.
MALCOLM
(under his breath)
Give it up, kid.
Malcolm turns away from the window as Sean's car starts up
and pulls away from Malcolm's house.
CUT TO:
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
STANLEY CUNNINGHAM is a teacher in his late forties. He
writes a question on the board.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Can anyone guess what city was the
capital of the United States of
America from 1790 to 1800?
Mr. Cunningham turns and stares at his class of eight and
nine year old private school students. They stare back at
him blankly.
Cole rests his chin on his desk and watches the class with
big eyes.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
...I'll give you a hint, it's the
city you live in.
39.
The class says the answer in unison.
CLASS
Philadelphia.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Right... Philadelphia is one of the
oldest cities in the country. A lot
of generations have lived and died
in this city... Almost every place
you visit has a history and a story
behind it.
(beat)
Even this school and the grounds
they sit on... Can anyone guess
what this building was used for a
hundred years ago, before you went
here, before I went to this school
even?
Stanley Cunningham looks over the class of blank faces.
He's just about to answer his own question when he sees a
hand go up. Mr. Cunningham looks surprised to see who it
is.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Yes, Cole?
COLE
They used to hang people here.
Mr. Cunningham furrows his brow. Beat.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
That's not correct. Where'd you
hear that?
COLE
They'd pull the people in crying and
kissing their families bye... People
watching would spit at them.
Beat.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Cole, this was a legal courthouse.
Laws were passed here. Some of the
first laws of this country. This
building was full of lawyers.
Lawmakers.
COLE
They were the ones who hanged
everybody.
Mr. Cunningham chuckles. Cole's face turns cement grey.
40.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
I don't know which one of these guys
told you that, but they were just
trying to scare you, I think.
Tommy Tammisimo leads the class in a wave of snickering.
Cole glances up. Sees all the eyes on him. He glances at
the teacher who is still staring.
COLE
I don't like people looking at me
like that.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Like what?
COLE
Stop it!
Mr. Cunningham sees the traumatized expression on Cole's
face and instantly stops smiling.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
I don't know how else to look--
COLE
You're a stuttering Stanley!
Mr. Cunningham's face becomes still. So does the classroom.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Excuse me?
COLE
You talked funny when you went to
school here. You talked funny all
the way to high school!
The class falls into stunned silence. Mr. Cunningham takes
an involuntary step towards Cole's desk.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
What--
COLE
You shouldn't laugh at people. It
makes them feel bad.
Mr. Cunningham moves closer to Cole.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
How did you--?
COLE
Stop looking at me.
41.
Cole covers his eyes with his hands.
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Who have you been s-speaking to?
We see Cole's mouth under his covered eyes.
COLE
Stuttering Stanley! Stuttering
Stanley!
MR. CUNNINGHAM
Who!
Mr. Cunningham is standing right over Cole's desk now.
COLE
Stuttering Stanley!
MR. CUNNINGHAM
S-ssstop that!
COLE
Stuttering Stanley! Stuttering
Stanley!
MR. CUNNINGHAM
S-ssssstop it!
COLE
Stuttering--
MR. CUNNINGHAM
--Shhhhhhut upppp you fffffffreak!
MR. CUNNINGHAM SLAMS HIS HAND ON COLE'S DESK. Cole's hands
drop from his eyes. The teacher's face is burning red.
The children in the room are frozen. Completely startled.
Cole's eyes are filled with tears.
Mr. Cunningham's expression drains of anger as Cole Sear
begins to cry.
CUT TO:
INT. ANTHONY'S LIBRARY - SAME AFTERNOON
Cole is seated in the school library by himself. He sits at
a long center table near the windows. His head is laying on
his folded arms on the table.
Malcolm peeks his head in the door -- unsure if he's in the
right place. He spots Cole and enters the room. He silently
takes a seat across from Cole. The eight-year-old looks up.
Cole's eyes are hard -- filled with anger.
42.
MALCOLM
Hey, big guy.
Cole stares for a second.
COLE
I don't want to talk about anything.
Cole lowers his head. Malcolm just sits and thinks.
THE SOUND OF BOYS PLAYING SPORTS ON THE FIELD OUTSIDE FILTER
IN THROUGH THE LIBRARY WINDOWS.
Cole turns his head and stares at the windows. Malcolm takes
in the sad vision of this boy. It affects him. Beat.
MALCOLM
Do you like magic?
Cole's face softens a bit. He turns from the windows and
looks to Malcolm. Beat. Cole nods, "Yes."
Malcolm pulls out a penny from his pocket. He places it in
his right hand.
MALCOLM
Watch the penny closely.
Malcolm closes his hand around the penny.
MALCOLM
I do the magic shake...
Malcolm shakes his hand in circles. Cole watches his hand
carefully.
MALCOLM
And suddenly the penny has magically
traveled to my left hand...
Cole looks to Malcolm's closed left hand. Malcolm doesn't
open it.
MALCOLM
But that's not the end of the trick.
With another shake, the penny travels
into my shirt pocket...
Cole's eyes lock on Malcolm's shirt. Malcolm taps the pocket
but doesn't open it.
MALCOLM
But that's still not the end!... I
do a final magic shake... and
suddenly... The penny returns to
the hand where it started from.
43.
Malcolm opens his right hand. The penny sits quietly in the
center of his palm.
Cole looks at the penny and then up to Malcolm's face. Beat.
Cole cracks a smile.
COLE
That isn't magic.
MALCOLM
What?
COLE
You just kept the penny in that hand
the whole time...
MALCOLM
Who me?
Malcolm smiles a mischievous smile. He places the penny on
the table. Cole stares at it and then looks to Malcolm.
COLE
I didn't know you were funny.
MALCOLM
I forgot myself.
Malcolm and Cole share a warm look.
THE SOUNDS OF KIDS LAUGHING AND PLAYING OUT ON THE FIELD
COME POURING INTO THE ROOM AGAIN.
Cole's expression changes back to sadness as he looks to the
windows. Malcolm leans across the table and whispers.
MALCOLM
Cole...
Cole looks at Malcolm.
MALCOLM
One day...
(beat)
You're going to sound just like them.
Beat. Cole's chin starts to tremble. His voice cracks.
COLE
(whispers)
Promise?
Beat.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
Promise.
44.
Malcolm and Cole sit in silence and listen to THE SOUND OF
CHILDREN PLAYING.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - EVENING
Malcolm sorts through the many bills on the mail table.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Malcolm, sit your cute butt down and
listen up.
(beat)
Are you listening?
Malcolm turns AT THE SOUND OF THE WOMAN, and moves into the
empty living room where the T.V. is on. A blanket lays
crumpled on the sofa.
THE WOMAN'S VOICE IS COMING FROM A VIDEO PLAYING ON THE VCR.
IT'S A WEDDING VIDEO. A LARGE WOMAN IN A BRIDESMAID DRESS
STANDS HOLDING THE MICROPHONE. IN THE BACKGROUND, WE CAN
SEE THE DANCE FLOOR.
BRIDESMAID
(T.V.)
No doubt about it. Anna's like my
sister. You better make her happy...
And I'm not talking about -- mmm
this tastes like real butter -- kind
of happy... I'm talking about Julie
Andrews twirling around like a mental
patient on a mountain top -- kind of
happy.
THE LARGE BRIDESMAID BECOMES VERY EMOTIONAL.
BRIDESMAID
(T.V.)
You're really lucky. She's got so
much love for you. Don't tell her I
told you, but she said she loved you
from the first time she met you on
the street. She'd do anything for
you.
(crying)
I love you guys.
(more crying)
My nose is running. Why isn't someone
getting me a tissue?
THE WOMAN HANDS THE MICROPHONE TO SOMEONE OFF SCREEN. THE
CAMERA PANS AWAY FROM HER AND ZOOMS IN ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
MALCOLM AND ANNA ARE SLOW DANCING. THEY'RE WHISPERING AND
LAUGHING WITH EACH OTHER. THE HAPPINESS FROM THEM IS
TANGIBLE.
45.
Malcolm can't help smiling as he stares at the flickering
images. He turns and looks down the hall to their bedroom.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Malcolm moves into their bedroom.
THE SOUND OF A SHOWER CAN BE HEARD FROM THE BATHROOM.
Malcolm moves to the bathroom door and opens it slowly.
CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM - EVENING
Malcolm steps into the bathroom quietly. He stares at the
silhouette of Anna's body through the smoked glass of the
shower. Anna stands still, her head tilted back.
Malcolm watches quietly. By his experience, it's clear he's
taken by his wife's beauty.
Malcolm starts towards the shower when his eyes glance to
the sink. Malcolm locks on a tiny bottle resting on the
marble surface.
He reaches out and picks it up. The label on the plastic
bottle reads,
"Zoloft Anti-depressant"

"To be taken twice daily"
Malcolm gently puts down the plastic bottle. He gazes at
the still figure of his wife as the water covers her.
Malcolm leaves the bathroom. He makes sure not to make a
noise with the door as he closes it shut.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DARREN'S HOUSE - DAY
Colorful balloons flutter in the wind in front of an old
grey stone home.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Cole and an overweight boy named BOBBY are seated at a dining
table covered in colorful paper. A stack of birthday presents
are sitting on the table next to a cake.
The house is filled with the SOUND OF CHILDREN PLAYING AND
LAUGHING.
46.
Cole and the overweight boy are the only ones in the dining
room. Bobby watches with a dull expression as Cole moves
his hand in circles in the air.
COLE
...Then you do the magic shake. And
now the penny moves from my pocket
all the way to the hand it started
in.
Cole smiles and holds out his hand. His fingers open to
reveal the penny.
Bobby stares.
BOBBY
That's stupid.
Cole loses his smile.
COLE
It's supposed to be funny.
BOBBY
It's stupid.
Cole and the overweight boy stare at each other.
BOBBY
Give me my penny back.
Cole gives the boy his penny. Beat. Cole gazes at Bobby.
COLE
(almost inaudible)
...Don't be sad.
Bobby looks up sharply.
BOBBY
(hard)
What'd you say?
COLE
(shaken)
...Nothing.
Bobby stares down at him before returning his attention to
his tattered napkin.
The two boys sit in silence.
CUT TO:
47.
INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
Cole sits alone in the corner of the living room. The open
kitchen doorway is next to him. Inside the kitchen are Lynn
and DARREN'S MOM speaking. It's clear they're from different
worlds. Lynn is wearing tight clothes with hair teased to
dramatic heights. Darren's mom is in a designer suit.
LYNN
...He doesn't get invited places.
DARREN'S MOM
It's our pleasure.
LYNN
The last time was a Chuck E. Cheese
party a year ago. He hid in one of
those purple plastic tunnels and
didn't come out.
DARREN'S MOM
Chuck E. who?
LYNN
Cheese. It's a kid's place.
Darren's mom smiles formally and turns to give the catering
people instructions on how to lay out the food on her sterling
silver trays.
LYNN
He's my whole life.
Darren's mom turns back to Lynn, the forced smile on her
face.
LYNN
I work at an insurance place and at
Penny's, so Cole can go to that good
school.
DARREN'S MOM
J. C. Jenny's?
Lynn nods "Yes."
DARREN'S MOM
(bullshit)
Good for you.
LYNN
I wish I could be like my momma
though. She always knew what was
wrong. Knew just what to say.
Darren's mom glances at her expensive watch.
48.
LYNN
Cole's going through something bad.
He won't talk to me.
(beat)
I'm his momma.
(emotional)
And I don't know what wrong and I
don't know what to say.
Lynn drowns in her thoughts. Cole moves away from the kitchen
with sad eyes.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - AFTERNOON
Cole walks past two expensively-dressed mothers eating hors
d'oeuvres as they move down the hallway.
MRS. WESTON
Did you have the Brie?
MRS. SAUNDERS
It tasted like cheese whiz.
They pass when Cole moves down the shiny mahogany wood
hallway. The women's conversation FADES AWAY behind him.
Cole turns a corner and comes to a dead stop. He turns white
as he stares at an open CRAWL SPACE CLOSET a few feet away.
Cole's eyes are riveted in the darkness of the closet. Beat.
THE HALLWAY ERUPTS WITH NOISE AS THE CHILDREN RUN IN FROM
THE BACKYARD.
Tommy Tammisimo is one of the children. He talks with the
birthday boy, DARREN, a skinny kid in a party hat.
TOMMY
I even got a trailer.
DARREN
For what? You only had one line.
TOMMY
You're slow, you know that. The
star of the commercial always has
his own trailer. You need to think
about your character alone.
Tommy glances down the hall and sees Cole standing frozen
staring at the crawl space closet.
Tommy grabs Darren.
TOMMY
Darren, check it out.
49.
DARREN looks down the hall to Cole.
DARREN
My dad made me invite him.
Tommy nudges Darren to move down the hall. Cole breaks from
his trance as Tommy and Darren walk up.
COLE
Happy birthday, Darren.
TOMMY
Something you want to see in there?
Tommy points to the crawl space.
COLE
(too quick)
--No.
Beat. Tommy looks to Darren and then back to Cole.
TOMMY
We're going to put on a pretend play.
You want to be in it?
Beat.
COLE
...Okay.
TOMMY
It's called, "Locked in the Dungeon."
Tommy stares at Darren. Darren finally gets it.
DARREN
Yeah, Cole... you get to be the one
locked in the dungeon.
It happens too quick for Cole to react. Darren and Tommy
shove Cole backwards. He stumbles into the darkness of the
crawl space.
COLE
Don't!
Tommy slams the door closed. Darren turns the lock. They
crack smiles at each other as Cole bangs on the door.
The BANGING GOES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT JUST STOPS.
SILENCE.
Darren and Tommy look at each other and then back at the
crawl space door.
50.
Then THE SCREAMING BEGINS.
Darren and Tommy back away from the door as COLE SCREAMS IN
TERROR at the top of his lungs. He CRASHES OVER AND OVER
against the door. HIS BODY SLAMMING AGAINST THE WOOD. The
DOOR RATTLES like it's going to break off its hinges.
The two boys are statues as Cole's BLOOD-CHILLING YELLS FILL
THE HALLWAY.
FOOTSTEPS SPIKE THE AIR AS children and mothers come running
down the hall. Lynn is one of them.
Darren's mother turns the corner.
DARREN'S MOTHER
Who's making that noise?
She looks to the closet. THE HIGH-PITCHED SCREAMS CUT THROUGH
THE HALL.
LYNN
Cole!
Lynn and Darren's mom rush to the door and turn the knob...
The door flies open. Lynn reaches in and pulls out Cole.
He's UNCONSCIOUS.
Darren's mom looks into the crawl space -- there's nothing
inside except a couple packing boxes in the back. She looks
to Lynn. She turns around with Cole in her arms.
LYNN
(desperate whispers)
Help me get him in the car.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL RECEPTION AREA - AFTERNOON
Colorful murals don the curved walls of the pediatric
reception area.
A spattering of children accompanied by adults sit and wait.
Lynn and Malcolm are seated at a children's play table. A
game made of a maze of wires sit on the table in front of
them.
A young resident DR. HILL takes a seat at the table with
them. He opens up his notes.
LYNN
What's wrong with Cole?
Beat.
51.
DR. HILL
The tests indicate he did not have a
seizure. In fact he's doing fine.
After some rest, he could go home
tonight.
Lynn closes her eyes. Lets out a tense breath. Beat.
Malcolm eyes the doctor as he glances back to an academiclooking
woman standing at the reception room door.
MALCOLM
There's something else going on,
Lynn.
Lynn opens her eyes and catches the doctor's expression.
LYNN
What is it?
DR. HILL
There are some scratches and bruises
on your son that concern me.
MALCOLM
Oh, man.
LYNN
Those are from sports, from playing.
He's not the most coordinated kid,
but I don't want him to stop trying,
you know what I mean?
Doctor Hill gestures to the woman standing near the doorway.
DR. HILL
Mrs. Sloan over there is our social
worker at the hospital. She's going
to ask you some procedural questions.
LYNN
You think I hurt my child?
(emotional)
You think I'm a bad mother?
DR. HILL
At this point it's just procedure.
And you should probably calm down.
MALCOLM
How do you expect her to react?
LYNN
You want me to answer your questions?
52.
DR. HILL
(sarcastic)
I'm sorry if I was being vague --
yes, I do.
LYNN
Who's going to answer mine, you dick.
Dr. Hill stares at her before closing up his files.
LYNN
(raising voice)
What happened to my child today?
Dr. Hill gets up.
LYNN
Something was happening to him --
physically happening. Something was
very wrong.
Dr. Hill hands his files to MRS. SLOAN and exits the reception
room without looking back.
Everyone in the reception room stares at Lynn. Mrs. Sloan
walks up to the table and waits.
Lynn takes a second. Wipes her eyes. Gathers her
considerable strength. Beat.
LYNN
How long will these questions take?
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
Cole lays rigid in the hospital bed. Blankets bundled around
him as if to shield him. Cole's eyes fixed out the window.
Malcolm quietly enters through the half-opened door to the
room. Cole spots him. Visibly relaxes.
MALCOLM
I've decided we shouldn't schedule
sessions anymore. I'll just follow
you around.
Cole smiles weakly as Malcolm takes a seat on a rolling metal
chair.
Malcolm notices Cole's legs emerging from under the hospital
gown. Cole is wearing A MAN'S DRESS SOCK. The baggy folds
ride up all the way to his knees.
53.
MALCOLM
Your father ever tell you bedtime
stories?
COLE
Yes.
Malcolm looks at Cole. Malcolm makes a decision. He rolls
in the chair across the room as he thinks. Beat.
MALCOLM
Once upon a time there was a prince,
who was being driven around... He
drove around for a long, long time...
Driving and driving... It was a
long trip... He fell asleep...
(beat)
When he woke up, they were still
driving... The long drive went on--
COLE
Dr. Crowe.
MALCOLM
Yes.
COLE
You haven't told bedtime stories
before?
MALCOLM
No.
COLE
You have to add some twists and stuff.
Maybe they run out of gas.
MALCOLM
No gas... Hey, that's good.
They sit in silence. Malcolm works on a new plot in his
head.
COLE
Tell me a story about why you're
sad.
Beat.
MALCOLM
Do you think I'm sad?
Cole nods, "Yes."
MALCOLM
What makes you think that?
54.
COLE
Your eyes told me.
Beat. Malcolm's affected by his client.
MALCOLM
(rote)
I'm not supposed to talk about stuff
like that.
Cole smiles softly.
Malcolm stares at the tired child sitting before him in the
hospital bed.
Malcolm rolls his stool away from his client as he thinks.
Beat. He slowly moves the rolling chair closer to Cole's
bed.
MALCOLM
...Once upon a time there was this
person named Malcolm. He worked
with children. Loved it more than
anything.
(smiles)
Then one night, he finds out he made
a mistake with one of them. Didn't
help that one at all. He thinks
about that one a lot. Can't forget.
(beat)
Ever since then, things have been
different. He's become messed up.
Confused. Angry. Not the same person
he used to be.
(beat)
His wife doesn't like the person
he's become. They don't speak
anymore. They're like strangers.
Malcolm breaks from his thoughts and looks at Cole who watches
him with unwavering attention. Malcolm smiles.
MALCOLM
And then one day this person Malcolm
meets a wonderful boy who reminds
him of that one. Reminds him a lot
of that one. Malcolm decides to try
to help this new boy. He thinks
maybe if he can help this boy, it
would be like helping that one too.
Malcolm leans forward, whispers with emotional eyes.
MALCOLM
I don't know how the story ends. I
hope it's a happy ending.
55.
COLE
Me too.
Cole looks at Malcolm's caring eyes. Cole stares at Malcolm
a long time.
EVERYTHING THAT'S SAID FROM THIS POINT ON IS WHISPERED.
COLE
I want to tell you my secret now.
Malcolm blinks very slowly.
MALCOLM
Okay.
Cole takes an eternal pause. A silent tension engulfs them
both.
COLE
...I see people.
Malcolm just gazes quietly.
COLE
I see dead people... Some of them
scare me.
Beat.
MALCOLM
In your dreams?
Cole shakes his head, "No."
MALCOLM
When you're awake?
Cole nods, "Yes."
MALCOLM
Dead people, like in graves and
coffins?
COLE
No, walking around, like regular
people... They can't see each other.
Some of them don't know they're dead.
MALCOLM
They don't know they're dead?
Beat.
COLE
I see ghosts.
56.
Malcolm becomes completely motionless. Works to hide his
shock. He and Cole stare at each other a long time.
COLE
They tell me stories... Things that
happened to them... Things that
happened to people they know.
Beat. Malcolm's words are extra-controlled. Revealing
nothing.
MALCOLM
How often do you see them?
COLE
All the time. They're everywhere.
(beat)
You won't tell anyone my secret,
right?
Beat.
MALCOLM
...No.
COLE
Will you stay here till I fall asleep?
Malcolm nods, "Yes." Cole pulls the covers up to his chin
and turns to the window in the room. Malcolm is very still
and stares at Cole.
MALCOLM'S EYES -- slowly turn and survey the room. They
find nothing. Malcolm returns to watching Cole.
COLE'S EYES LOOK AROUND THE ROOM WARILY... WE MOVE IN ON
THEM -- TILL HIS EYES FILL THE FRAME.
Beat.
And then we see what he's staring at. Through Cole's hospital
room window we see the adjacent wing of the hospital building.
Rows of hospital room windows are visible. In the windows
are patients... SOME OLD, SOME YOUNG... SOME ARE DRESSED
IN MODERN HOSPITAL GOWNS... SOME FROM DECADES PAST.
THEY STAND UNNATURALLY STILL IN THEIR WINDOWS... WATCHING,
WAITING.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT
Malcolm hails a cab. He steps off the sidewalk lost in his
thoughts. Steam rises from a street vent. HEADLIGHTS. A
CAR SUDDENLY EMERGES FROM THE STEAM, NARROWLY MISSING MALCOLM.
57.
Malcolm jerks out of the way. His briefcase falls to the
ground. His tape recorder falls to the sidewalk. Beat.
Malcolm reaches down and picks it up.
MALCOLM
Cole...
(beat)
His pathology is more severe than
initially assessed.
(beat)
He's suffering from visual
hallucinations, paranoia -- Symptoms
of some kind of school age
Schizophrenia.
(beat)
Medication and hospitalization may
be required.
CLICK. Malcolm's hand with the tape recorder drops to his
side.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
I'm not helping him.
Malcolm stares into the night. He stands alone as thoughts
crash like thunder in his head.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - NIGHT
The STREETS TURN RED as Lynn drives home from the hospital
in silence. She glances down to her right.
Cole is curled up asleep on the passenger seat, back in his
regular clothes, a tiny party hat clutched in his hand. He
looks like a four-year-old.
The sight of him exhausted and still, hits Lynn hard.
Lynn's face drowns in deep concern. She lays a hand on Cole's
head as she drives.
CUT TO:
INT. COLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The front door opens, Lynn carries Cole in. He's asleep on
her shoulder. She carries him down the hall to his BEDROOM.
Lynn lays Cole gently on his bed next to his German Shepherd
Puppy. Cole curls up with Sebastian.
Lynn watches the two youngsters sleep for a moment. Cole is
curled up asleep with a tiny party hat clutched in his hands.
He looks like a four-year-old.
58.
Lynn has been carrying Cole's sweater from over her shoulder.
She pulls it off and begins to fold it. Her attention is
drawn to the sweater. She fingers the fabric of the back.
IT'S RIPPED. Her eyes move to Cole. In the middle of the
back of his T-shirt are THREE SMALL TEARS. Lynn pushes the
fabric open with her fingers and sees DEEP FINGERNAIL LIKE
SCRATCHES on his skin.
Lynn looks around helplessly, fear creeping into her eyes.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - NIGHT
Lynn emerges from Cole's room. She turns OFF THE HALL LIGHTS
as she moves into her room and closes the door.
WE HEAR LYNN PICK UP A PHONE AND DIAL. Beat.
LYNN
Hi, this is Lynn Sear, Cole's mother.
I wonder if we could talk about your
son and his friends keeping their
goddamn hands off my boy?
The thermostat on the wall reads seventy-eight degrees.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HALL - NIGHT
A few hours later. The house seems threateningly still.
Too still.
CUT TO:
INT. COLE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
An unnatural silence fills each room of the house.
The thermostat on the wall now reads, fifty-two degrees.
A LIGHT TURNS ON FROM UNDER COLE'S DOOR.
The door opens a crack. Cole's tiny face peeks out. Eyes
scan the darkness.
The door opens a little bit more. Cole's knees are pressed
together. His body dances a little. Cole has to pee. He
moves cautiously into the hall.
Cole moves briskly to a door halfway down the corridor.
Opens it. Cole turns on the LIGHT IN THE BATHROOM.
He checks behind the shower curtain, before he turns his
back and pees into the toilet.
59.
A LARGE FIGURE MOVES PAST THE DOORWAY.
Cole instantly stops peeing. His body becomes very still.
He slowly reaches for the toilet handle and flushes. He
closes his pants and turns. He doesn't come out of the
bathroom at first. He just stands there and stares into the
darkness of the hall. HIS BREATH FORMS TINY CLOUDS IN THE
COLD AIR.
Beat. Cole finally steps out into the hallway. His eyes
catch a SLANT OF LIGHT now coming from the kitchen.
Cole hesitates before being drawn to the kitchen. He moves
down the hall and turns the corner -- coming to a stop in
the doorway of the kitchen.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Cole stares at the back of a person cooking food on the stove.
Cole's fear slowly fades away. Beat.
COLE
Momma?
(beat)
Dream about daddy again?
The person turns. It's not Lynn. It's a strange woman.
The woman's face is demented. A purple gash cuts across her
forehead. ALL THE CABINETS AND DRAWERS ARE OPEN BEHIND HER.
WOMAN
DINNER'S -- NOT -- READY!
Cole's face turns the color of ash.
WOMAN
What are you going to do?
Cole backs up to the doorway.
WOMAN
You can't hurt me anymore!
The woman smiles menacingly as she thrusts her wrists
forward... They've been savagely cut.
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Cole turns and runs down the hall.
CUT TO:
60.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Cole runs across his room.
He heads right for the homemade tent seated in the corner
with the "DO NOT TOUCH" sign on it. He scurries in. His
legs disappear as the bedsheets flap closed behind him.
The crazed woman stands at the end of the hall. Doesn't
come any closer.
CUT TO:
INT. TENT - NIGHT
Cole is curled up in the tent. He lays still for a moment
reaching over and FLICKING ON A FLASHLIGHT.
The red interior of the tent gets LIP UP.
It's a striking sight. The bedsheet walls of the tent are
lined with religious pictures taped to the walls. Tiny
statues of saints surround the interior perimeter. We see
the statue Cole stole from the church is in here... This
tent is a sanctuary made by an eight-year-old to hide in.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. AUDITORIUM STAGE - AFTERNOON
THE LIGHTS IN THE GYM GO DOWN. THE SPOT LIGHT OPENS ON THE
STAGE AS THE CURTAINS MOVE TO THE SIDES...
A sign to the side of the stage reads, "The third and fourth
grade presents -- Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book."
The parents APPLAUD AS TOMMY TAMMISIMO WALKS OUT ON STAGE in
a villager's outfit.
TOMMY
(Decent British accent)
There once was a boy, very different
than other boys. He lived in the
jungle, and he could talk with the
animals.
BACKSTAGE, Mr. Cunningham cues the rest of the children.
THE AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS THE FULL CAST OF THE ACTORS COME
OUT. Some are villagers, others are dressed as trees and
animals.
Cole comes on stage holding a painted cardboard monkey.
MALCOLM APPLAUDS FROM THE BACK OF THE AUDITORIUM.
CUT TO:
61.
INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON
The arched halls of the private school are lined with posted
drawings and test papers.
Cole and Malcolm walk down an empty hall.
COLE
Did you think the play sucked big
time?
MALCOLM
What?
COLE
Tommy Tammisimo acted in a cough
syrup commercial. He thought
everybody was self-conscious and
unrealistic. He said the play sucked
big time.
MALCOLM
I know every child is special in
their own way, but Tommy sounds like
a punk.
(Cole smiles)
I thought the play was excellent.
Better than Cats.
COLE
Cats?
MALCOLM
Never mind.
Beat. They continue down the hall in silence. Malcolm takes
his time.
MALCOLM
Cole, I was really interested in
what you told me in the hospital,
I'd like to hear more about it.
Malcolm stops at a set of doors at the end of the hall --
realizes Cole is no longer next to him. Malcolm turns to
find Cole frozen about ten feet back.
Malcolm walks to him. He notices Cole's expression as he
gets closer.
MALCOLM
What's wrong?
Cole points to the doors.
MALCOLM
Is something in there?
62.
Cole doesn't say anything. Beat.
CUT TO:
INT. GYMNASIUM - AFTERNOON
It's a large shadowy GYM. Climbing ropes hang from the wood
beamed ceiling.
Cole is trembling slightly as he stands next to Malcolm.
MALCOLM
What is it?
Malcolm follows the child's gaze to the ceiling of the gym.
MALCOLM
I don't see.
Beat.
COLE
Be real still.
Malcolm looks to Cole and then turns back to the ceiling.
Malcolm's body becomes very still. Beat.
COLE
Sometimes you feel it inside. Like
you're falling down real fast, but
you're really just standing still.
Malcolm looks at the wood beams and climbing ropes.
COLE
You ever feel prickly things on the
back of your neck?
Beat.
MALCOLM
Yes?
COLE
And the tiny hairs on your arm. Are
they all standing up?
Malcolm glances at Cole. Surprise on his face.
MALCOLM
-- Yes.
Beat.
COLE
(whispers)
When they get mad, it gets cold.
63.
MALCOLM
Them?
Malcolm looks at the empty stairwell and then back to Cole.
Nothing is said for a few moments.
MALCOLM
I don't see anything.
(beat)
Are you sure they're there?
(beat)
Cole?
Malcolm turns back to Cole, he finds the child with tears in
his eyes. Cole looks at Malcolm desperately.
COLE
Please make them leave.
Malcolm stares helplessly.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
I'm working on it.
Malcolm gently leads Cole away from the stairs.
COLE GLANCES BACK AS HE MOVES OUT OF THE STAIRWELL.
COLE'S P.O.V. -- The ropes and school banners dangling at
the top of the stairs sways a little... But so do THE THREE
BODIES HANGING BY THEIR NECKS FROM A WOODEN BEAM.
It's a truly horrific sight. A BLACK MAN in britches and no
shirt, face beaten to a pulp, hangs in the center. A WHITE
WOMAN in a torn white frilly dress -- tears soaking her face,
hangs to the right. A small MIXED RACE CHILD in half pants,
hangs to their left. The family stares at Cole. They follow
Cole with their tortured eyes as he exits the stairwell.
CUT TO:
EXT. HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA - NIGHT
Malcolm walks from the bus stop over the cobblestone streets
in front of Head House Square. The streets are quiet and
dark. Night time has fallen over the city.
He slowly comes to a stop in front of an old building. He
holds his arm up. Uses his other hand to gently touch his
hairs on his arm's surface.
Malcolm looks up slowly. Looks around. The dark shadows
fill the corners of the historic building...
Malcolm stares into the darkness... Beat.
64.
MALCOLM
(whispers)
...Is anyone there?
A long moment as he waits. The shadows seem to move, then
becomes still.
Malcolm shakes off the moment. He returns his hands to his
pockets as he moves through the dark streets of Philadelphia
to his home.
CUT TO:
INT. HALL - NIGHT
The doorway to Malcolm and Anna's bedroom is open. STRAINED
VOICES SPILL OUT INTO THE HALLWAY.
MALCOLM (O.S.)
Look, he's an eight-year-old child.
He's my only client. If he invites
me to his play, I'm not thinking
about how late I get back... I go.
I have to go. You know that. That's
the only way I know how to work.
(beat)
Vincent said I failed him.
(raising his voice)
I WON'T GIVE COLE A CHANCE TO SAY
THOSE WORDS TO ME! I WON'T!
Beat. THE PORTABLE PHONE RINGS OUT IN THE HALL.
MALCOLM (O.S.)
Please let it ring.
WE HEAR MOVEMENT. Anna emerges from the bedroom. Eyes raw.
She wipes her tears.
She picks up the phone and moves down the stairs.
Malcolm walks out into the hall. Stops at the top of the
stairs.
ANNA'S VOICE CAN BE HEARD SPEAKING ON THE PHONE from
downstairs.
ANNA
I can't talk now.
Malcolm doesn't hear anything as Anna listens to the person
on the phone. She smiles as she wipes her tears. He starts
for the basement door again.
ANNA
(whispers)
I thought about you too.
65.
Malcolm turns. He stands frozen at the top of the stairs.
Anna's HUSHED WORDS RISING IN THE AIR LIKE A GUN BLAST.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Lynn adjusts the thermostat as she tries to keep herself
warm.
LYNN
I don't care what they say, this
thing is definitely broken.
Lynn fiddles with the dials. Cole is standing before the
beat-up twelve inch kitchen T.V.
ON THE TELEVISION SCREEN is Tommy Tammisimo. He stands in
his pajamas in a doorway. He coughs.
TOMMY
(on T.V.)
Mommy, my throat hurts.
Cole watches as Tommy's T.V. mother and father give him a
spoonful of medicine.
NARRATOR
(on T.V.)
Pediaease Cough Suppressant...
gentle, fast, effective.
Cole watches Tommy running around in his T.V. background,
the very next T.V. morning. He's not sick anymore. Tommy
waves to the camera smiling and healthy. The T.V. goes BLACK
as Cole throws his shoe at the power button.
He moves to the dinner table where Lynn is seated. Cole
sits. His hands go on the table. He's wearing a pair of
his father's extra large LEATHER GLOVES. Cole's small hands
don't even fill the palm area. Cole has difficulty trying
to pick up his milk glass with the gloves.
LYNN
Take 'em off.
Cole removes the gloves from his hand and places them next
to his plate.
LYNN
I don't want them on my table.
Cole moves them to the floor.
Lynn is irritated, this is a sore point between them.
Lynn and Cole eat quietly. Beat.
66.
LYNN
I saw what was in your bureau drawer
when I was cleaning.
Cole looks up. An anxious expression on his face. Beat.
LYNN
You got something you want to confess?
Cole just stares.
LYNN
The bumble bee pendant. Why do you
keep taking it?
Cole looks down at his lap.
LYNN
It was Grandma's. It's not for
playing.
(beat)
What if it broke? You know how sad
I'd be.
COLE
You'd cry. Cause you miss grandma
so much.
LYNN
(soft)
That's right. So why do you take
it, sweetheart?
COLE
Sometimes people think they lose
things and they didn't really lose
them. It just gets moved.
LYNN
Did you move the bumble bee pendant?
Cole shakes his head, "No." Lynn just stares.
LYNN
You didn't take it before. You didn't
take it the time after that. And
now, you didn't take it again?
COLE
Don't get mad.
LYNN
So who moved it?
Cole doesn't answer.
67.
LYNN
There's only two of us.
(beat)
Maybe someone came in our house --
took the bumble bee pendant out of
my closet, and then laid it nicely
in your drawer?
(beat)
Is that what happened?
COLE
(soft)
Maybe.
Lynn just stares at Cole.
LYNN
I'm so tired, Cole. I'm tired in my
body. I'm tired in my mind. I'm
tired in my heart. I need a little
help here.
(beat)
I don't know if you noticed -- but
our little family isn't doing so
good.
Lynn folds her napkin quietly.
LYNN
I'm praying for us, but I must not
be praying right.
(beat)
It looks like we're just going to
have to answer eac