Gothika
by
Sebastian Gutierrez
REVISED SECOND DRAFT
December 8, 2002
The Woodward Forensic Institute (WFI) is a 175-bed Intermediate
Security treatment facility for male and female psychiatric
patients. Its primary clientele are those who have histories
of committing criminal offenses and are either committed to the
Department of Mental Health by the Circuit Courts of the State
or who are admitted under authority of an appointed guardian.
FADE IN:
OPENING CREDITS OVER QUICK CUTS:
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S BEDROOM - DAWN
PUSH in on a sleeping couple in the dark. The ALARM
CLOCK reads 5:59 AM. The woman's eyes open a second
before the alarm beeps and turns it off. She grabs a
glass of water on her bedside table and drinks it.
Climbs out of bed past typical bedside photographs
(wedding, vacation, etc.). This is MIRANDA GREY: 30,
sharp and prettier than she knows.
INT. GYM SWIMMING POOL - MORNING
Miranda slides through the water. Swimming cap on,
goggles. Her STEADY BREATHING takes us in and out of the
water. Something unsettling about this sound. Something
slightly unsettling too about her detached manner. A
person on autopilot, recognizing only the water and the
perfectly aligned lap stripes leading her path. Like
graphic metaphors for her own conscience: flat. She
emerges from the pool and self-consciously wraps herself
in a towel.
INT. COFFEEHOUSE - MORNING
Miranda pays for a pair of coffees and a newspaper.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Miranda's husband DOUGLAS GREY (older, a superficial
analysis would suggest a father figure) serves breakfast.
Miranda smiles thank you and goes back to studying a case
file. He sips from his takeout coffee and reads the
newspaper. A pleasant domestic scene. It's 8:00 AM.
EXT. ST. ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - MORNING
Miranda's Volvo pulls in as students amble up the steps.
Doug kisses his wife and hops out. Exemplary carpoolers.
Students are already chatting him up as Miranda drives
off.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - ON A SURVEILLANCE MONITOR
Miranda's car at some sort of guard gate. A BUZZER lets
her in. As the car drives past we read the plate on the
wall:
(CONTINUED)
2.
CONTINUED:
"WOODWARD FORENSIC INSTITUTE"
The gate shuts behind her with a certain finality as
we...
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - MIRANDA'S OFFICE - EVENING
Stark walls. Simple decor. Bookshelves packed with the
according psychiatric tomes and diplomas. Miranda faces
a troubled young mess of a woman, CHLOE: charismatic,
deranged and forever trying to provoke. Mid-session:
MIRANDA
This is your stepfather who came
to visit you?
CHLOE
My stepfather? No. He's dead.
(beat)
I killed him.
Miranda tries not to act surprised at this breakthrough.
Responds with the even keel of a trained psychiatrist.
MIRANDA
That's the first time you admit
it.
CHLOE
So? There's a first time for
everything.
MIRANDA
(jotting this down)
It means you're finally past the
denial stage. This is good,
Chloe.
CHLOE
I never killed anyone who didn't
deserve it.
MIRANDA
You only killed your stepfather as
far as I know.
CHLOE
I should've taken care of my
mother. She knew all along. You
remind me of her.
(CONTINUED)
3.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
I remind you of your mother?
CHLOE
Always so put together. Like you
iron your underwear. Like your
pussy is the apricot of the
Promised Land and the bread of
the --
MIRANDA
(getting her back
on track)
Let's get back to your visitor
last night.
CHLOE
The Devil.
MIRANDA
Alright, the Devil. Why would the
Devil visit you? It's already
hell in here, what would he have
to gain?
CHLOE
He came to fuck an angel.
(giggles at that)
I'm his dirty angel.
Before Miranda can analyze that one, the room LIGHTS FLICKER
AND DIE. Darkness. Miranda's breathing speeds up.
CHLOE
He grabbed me by the hair while I
sucked him and usually I love
that, I just do -- maybe you can
tell me why I love it so much --
but not this time, he was just too
rough --
As suddenly as it went out, now the POWER RETURNS. A
visibly uncomfortable Miranda checks the clock.
MIRANDA
That's it until Monday. Try and
get some sleep tonight, okay?
CHLOE
Sure, Doctor.
(leans in)
Crazy people hear messages from
God. Not the Devil. You know
that, right?
(CONTINUED)
4.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
I didn't say you were crazy.
CHLOE
You don't have to say it.
She almost doesn't seem crazy when she says this.
Almost. TWO ORDERLIES appear at the door. Miranda nods
for them to escort Chloe. Chloe shakes their hands away
from her, strides off dramatically. The princess of the
asylum.
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR - LATER
Miranda locks her office, armed with paperwork. The end
of another workweek. DR. PETE GRAHAM, a good ten years
older and Miranda's best friend on the job, approaches.
PETE
Dr. Grey.
MIRANDA
Dr. Graham.
They walk along with the easy confidence of colleagues
who not only respect each other, but enjoy each other. A
lot.
PETE
Power went out again in our wing.
MIRANDA
(knows what's coming)
Same here.
PETE
It's not shrink-appropriate to be
afraid of the dark, you know?
MIRANDA
You're not shrink appropriate and
you're about to get promoted.
Everybody's afraid of something.
PETE
What am I afraid of?
MIRANDA
Yourself. At least you should be.
What are you up to this weekend?
(CONTINUED)
5.
CONTINUED:
PETE
Write a little country music,
decline invites to grand social
events, drink myself to sleep --
the usual. You?
MIRANDA
Doug wants to look at some Real
Estate up at Willow's Creek.
PETE
Again?
MIRANDA
He thinks it's fun.
PETE
So is golfing, I'm told. Who was
your six o'clock?
MIRANDA
Chloe McGrath -- talk about trying
to empty the ocean with a tea cup.
She's a mess.
PETE
I hear Manhattan's full of them.
MIRANDA
Don't start with that. I already
turned down the job. We're
staying.
PETE
Good girl.
They have reached an office marked "DR. PHILLIP PARSONS
DIRECTOR" and peer in to see Parsons (50's,
distinguished, commands respect from everyone) on the
phone. He gestures for Pete to sit. Miranda is about to
exit when he covers the mouthpiece --
PARSONS
Miranda, my wife keeps wanting to
set that dinner with you and Doug.
Are you free tonight?
MIRANDA
He's stuck at a school board
meeting.
Parsons looks through his appointment book.
(CONTINUED)
6.
CONTINUED:
PARSONS
You've been here a year already,
Dorothy's starting to take this
personal. How's next Wednesday?
MIRANDA
Next Wednesday it is, Phil.
He nods at her with a smile and returns to his phone
call.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - NIGHT
Miranda drives off, leaving the majestic grounds behind.
A GUARD waves her off.
END OPENING CREDITS.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Miranda slows down at the sight of colored lights up
ahead. A knocked-down telephone post blocks the road.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES at the scene. A patrolman waves her
down.
INT. MIRANDA'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
SHERIFF RYAN, 40'S, recognizes her and ambles over.
MIRANDA
Anybody hurt, Sheriff?
SHERIFF RYAN
Nah, telephone post just decided
to fall. It'll take us a while to
clear this up so I'm afraid you're
gonna have to take the long way
home, Miranda.
MIRANDA
If you say so.
SHERIFF RYAN
And tell your husband he owes me a
phone call.
MIRANDA
Will do. Wouldn't want him in
trouble with the authorities.
(CONTINUED)
7.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN
That a girl. The law never sleeps
and all that. You take care now.
He taps on her hood and heads back to the site. She
shifts into reverse and makes a U-turn.
EXT. OLD MAIN ROAD - NIGHT
Miranda drives down the curvy road toward an old bridge.
Something definitely creepy about this deserted place --
INT. MIRANDA'S CAR - MOVING
Miranda dials a number on her cell phone, gets the
machine.
MIRANDA
(into phone)
Hi, it's me. Are you there? Pick
up, pick up. I'm on my way but I
just got detoured so I'm...
A bump on the road makes her drop the phone on the
passenger seat. She reaches for it and when she looks up
we see:
POV THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD
A TEENAGE GIRL stands smack in front of us. Naked.
About to get pummelled by us.
BACK TO SCENE
Miranda swerves to avoid her and slams into the railing.
METAL SCREECHES as she struggles to regain control of the
car and finally BRAKES TO A HALT --
She looks in her rearview mirror: the girl is standing
back there. Drunk or high or in any case completely out
of it.
MIRANDA
(into phone)
Stay on the line. Don't go
anywhere. The weirdest thing
just --
(the phone cuts out)
Hello? Hello?
(CONTINUED)
8.
CONTINUED:
She stares at the dead phone. Punches the buttons on it.
No go.
MIRANDA
Wonderful.
She tosses the phone on the seat and hops out of the car.
EXT. ASHLEY BRIDGE - NIGHT
Miranda cautiously approaches the girl, who is now not
moving. Just standing there. Her back to us.
MIRANDA
Hello? Are you hurt? Hello?
Nothing. As we get closer we see she is covered in
bruises. Clearly something horrible has happened to her.
MIRANDA
Were you in an accident? Were you
attacked? It's okay, I'm a doctor.
(beat)
My name is Miranda Grey...
And now she turns. Young, seventeen tops. Busted lip,
black eye. Miranda pulls off her coat, wraps it around
the girl --
MIRANDA
You're in shock right now, that's
perfectly natural. I'm going to
get you to the hospital. Okay?
The girl suddenly grips Miranda's arm. Hard.
MIRANDA
Don't be scared. It's going to be
fine.
Now the girl is touching Miranda's face. Her movements
desperate, smothering. Like the movements of a drowning
person. Miranda tries to push the girl's hands back down.
MIRANDA
Hands off me, okay? Tell me your
name, do you remember your name?
The girl tries to speak but no words come out. Instead
she produces a strained, wettish sound. Creepy as hell.
And now she is prying Miranda's mouth open and she's much
stronger than expected and Miranda is panicking --
(CONTINUED)
9.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
What are you doing? I'm trying to
help you --?!
The girl opens her own mouth wide like a snake. And as
Miranda muffles a scream, blood starts leaking out of the
girl's eye sockets and from wounds all over her body.
SLAM CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - DAWN
Miranda wakes up in a cold sweat. Just a bad dream. A
beat.
FAINT at first but GROWING LOUDER, we hear a REPETITIVE
SOUND outside. Like an ECHO of some sort, but vaguely
familiar: THWIP, THWIP, THWIP.
Miranda takes a deep breath, reaches for the glass of
water on her bedside table. Except... it's not there.
She turns to her husband but he's not in the bed. And
now she glances around the room and realizes this is not
her bedroom.
She climbs off the bed and walks in the dark. Trips over
something. A TRAY that CLANGS LOUDLY. Her heartbeat
goes haywire. She feels her way along the wall to a
small opening in the door. A glass pane.
She peers through the glass at the empty corridor
outside, realizing what this must mean, realizing she's
inside a cell.
She jiggles the handle and pounds on the door, frantic --
MIRANDA
Hello? Somebody help me!
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
CAMERA SOARS through the tall iron gates, past the guard.
Now we spot the source of our continuing THWIP THWIP
sound: sprinklers watering the impressively-kept gardens.
The expansive complex is more Victorian campus than drab
prison, with separate wings (male and female), research
units, libraries, gym and volunteer outpatient center.
10.
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - VARIOUS SHOTS
A bored group of female patients listen to a social
worker lecturing them. A janitor mops a long corridor.
Patients study at the library under the watchful eye of
orderlies.
A doctor and two orderlies hold down a patient having an
epileptic fit (we'll soon know her as SHELLEY). They
force a biting block in her mouth to avoid her swallowing
her tongue, prepare a syringe.
Institute director Phil Parsons at a meeting with other
doctors, discussing a patient's progress on a chart.
Now we are MOVING up the main building's wall and THROUGH
large windows into --
INT. FEMALE WING STAIRS
Pete rushes up two steps at a time, passing by a NURSE
WITH A CART OF MEDS, who nods respectfully as he goes --
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE MIRANDA'S CELL
An ORDERLY unlocks the door for Pete. Through the glass
pane he can see a visibly upset Miranda arguing with the
head nurse: a tough as nails woman in her 50's: IRENE.
ORDERLY #1
Sleeping beauty is awake.
Peter forces a smile, enters --
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL
MIRANDA
Peter, what the hell is going on?
Pete nods at Irene: it's okay, he'll take it from here.
PETE
How do you feel?
MIRANDA
How do you think I feel? Is this
a joke?
Peter is half-listening to her, half-signaling to the
nurse with the meds to come in. Miranda catches all of
this, growing more agitated. She wears the uniform all
patients wear: a white T-shirt and sweats. Her wedding
ring is gone.
(CONTINUED)
11.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
What are you doing?
PETE
Giving you something to calm down.
MIRANDA
I don't need to calm down. What I
need is an explanation
Pete grabs the meds from the nurse. Irene and the
attendant step closer to help. Miranda feels them
closing in on her. Peter's tone is infuriatingly gentle:
PETE
Just take this and we can sit down
and chat.
MIRANDA
Why here, why not in my office?
She looks at the silent faces around her. No sympathy.
Or maybe too much sympathy. Either way it's unnerving.
MIRANDA
I don't want an anticonvulsant, at
least give me Valium.
PETE
(nods at nurse)
Fifty milligrams.
MIRANDA
Jesus Christ, you're gonna knock
me out? Ten milligrams.
PETE
(final offer)
Twenty.
The nurse complies. Miranda stares at the meds, trying
desperately to put this into some kind of perspective.
MIRANDA
How would you feel if you woke up
in a goddamn cell, dressed like this?
PETE
We can discuss it at length after
you take your meds.
Awkward nods from Irene, the nurse and the attendant.
Pete holds Miranda's gaze. Miranda takes her meds.
(CONTINUED)
12.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Okay. This better be good.
Pete motions for the others to leave them alone. One by
one they file out and lock the door behind them.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - LATER
Miranda paces. Alone with Pete, she is even more upset.
PETE
Miranda, this is very awkward.
Technically I shouldn't even be
treating you but the court has
granted us a waiver until you're
transferred. So whatever is said
here won't leave this room. I
won't tell Parsons, I won't tell
anyone.
MIRANDA
I want to talk to my husband.
PETE
You can't to that. Sit down,
please. Try to relax.
MIRANDA
Why would I pretend to be in any
way relaxed?
PETE
I understand you're upset. But we
need to put some things in order.
MIRANDA
Two massive understatements.
He hesitates, unsure where to begin.
PETE
How long have you been here?
MIRANDA
(laughs)
What is this? Why are you doing
this to me?
PETE
Just answer the question. Humor
me.
(CONTINUED)
13.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Hi, my name is Miranda Grey. I'm a
psychiatrist. I transferred here to
the Woodward Forensic Institute a
little over a year ago. My job
entails dealing with a ward of
schizophrenic women between the
ages of eighteen and fifty-fife --
PETE
I don't mean how long you've
worked here, I mean how long
you've been staying here.
This stops her. Wanting desperately to whip out a
comeback but realizing she doesn't know the answer.
MIRANDA
I'm a doctor, yes? Or was medical
school just an elaborate dream?
PETE
Of course you're a doctor. A
great doctor in fact.
The hint of sadness in his voice alarms her.
MIRANDA
Pete, how long have I been here?
PETE
Five days.
MIRANDA
(barely audible)
What?
PETE
You were admitted to the
neurosurgical unit seizing
violently. That lasted three
days. Scans revealed left-sided
weakness, numbness and severe
fontal lobe deficits.
Miranda shakes her head in disbelief, but we --
FLASHBACK - INT. NEUROSURGICAL UNIT
Miranda seizing violently FROM HER POV: Doctors
struggling to contain her. Arms thrashing, legs.
FLASHES of the wall, the floor. Head crashing against a
cart, out of control.
(CONTINUED)
14.
CONTINUED:
PETE (V.O.)
You came out of it and tested
negative for PCP, underwent
extensive hypnosis and received
amytal injections.
FLASH: Miranda being tied down. A nurse with a
syringe --
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - CONTINUOUS ACTION (PRESENT)
She looks down at her wrists with the reddish marks.
PETE
You were tied down for a day and a
half so you wouldn't hurt yourself
and then you went into a state of,
well --
(how to put this?)
You've been pretty much catatonic.
(beat)
This is the first time you speak.
Miranda, speechless. Reality sinking in.
MIRANDA
Doug must be worried sick. I need
to call him --
Pete shakes his head emphatically.
PETE
You're the most logical person I
know, bar none. Plus you have a
photographic memory -- unconfirmed,
but you do remember events and
phrases more accurately than anyone
around. Why am I telling you this?
MIRANDA
You're establishing my personality
as fairly intellectual, you don't
consider me impulsive or emotional.
PETE
And that's a fair assessment, no?
MIRANDA
Yes, that's fair. And following
this pattern of analysis, we're
about to discuss a traumatic event
that rendered this psychological
profile useless, correct?
(CONTINUED)
15.
CONTINUED:
PETE
Two hundred percent.
A pause here. He's waiting for her to continue. She's
not used to being on the other side of the therapist's
table.
MIRANDA
You think I'm in denial. That I'm
putting on a brave show -- that
this is a 'cover' for some
unbearable emotion I'm hiding.
Why?
PETE
Don't analyze yourself, just focus
on remembering.
MIRANDA
I remember Friday night after
work, if you say that was five
days ago --
(pushing on)
Anyway, I asked you what you were
doing for the weekend and you said
the usual and you made a joke
about writing country songs and
drinking yourself to sleep and I
told you I was going to look at
some real estate in Willows Creek
with Doug.
PETE
And then what?
MIRANDA
Then I drove home.
PETE
And then what?
MIRANDA
I got home, I guess, and had
dinner by myself because --
(pauses, struggling)
Because Doug had an alumni meeting
at his school and he was going to
get a ride back. He's the
principal now, as you well know.
She stops here. Pete waits. The silence is deafening.
She pushes on, but her hands shake a little.
(CONTINUED)
16.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
But wait -- there was an accident
before that, wasn't there? A girl
-- she had been beaten. I took
her to the hospital, right?
PETE
There was indeed an accident, you
were detoured by the cops. But
there's no report of any girl.
MIRANDA
No, the cops weren't there. They
were back on Main Road. A
knocked-down telephone post,
correct?
Pete nods. Miranda is all foggy on the details:
MIRANDA
I saw the girl after that. She
was bleeding.
FLASHBACK - ANTIQUE WIND CHIMES
sway in the night breeze with their gentle tinkling
SOUND, more menacing than joyful --
FLASH CUT TO:
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A breathless Miranda wipes her face, leaving a thick
streak of blood on it.
FLASH CUT TO:
EXTREME CLOSEUP - MIRANDA'S EYE
Jittery, alert. We scour her every blood vessel, iris,
pupil. FILLING the SCREEN and now we distinctly make out
an eerie shape reflected inside of it. But just for a
sec --
The teenage girl.
PETE (V.O.)
What about your husband, what can
you tell me about him?
17.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - CONTINUOUS ACTION (PRESENT)
Miranda shakes the puzzling images out of her head:
MIRANDA
Excuse me?
PETE
What's the last memory you have of
him that night?
MIRANDA
My last -- ?
(frowns)
Tell me nothing happened to Doug.
PETE
Let's backtrack a second. You left
your office, you were driving home,
you got detoured by the police --
Did you call someone on the phone
that night?
MIRANDA
I don't know. I might have.
PETE
Who would you call?
MIRANDA
I might have called Doug to tell
him something. Or checked my
answering service.
PETE
Were you seeing someone else that
night?
MIRANDA
I beg your pardon?
PETE
There was some trouble in your
marriage, wasn't there?
MIRANDA
Of course not.
She shakes her head emphatically as we:
FLASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - INT. LOFT - NIGHT
CAMERA PANS ACROSS the large space to find Miranda and a
MAN (whose face we don't see) kissing heatedly.
(CONTINUED)
18.
CONTINUED:
PETE (V.O.)
Wasn't there?
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - CONTINUOUS ACTION (PRESENT)
Miranda chases the disconcerting image out of her head.
MIRANDA
No. There was no trouble in my
marriage, I don't know what --
(stops herself)
There is no trouble in my
marriage. You just used the past
tense; why?
His face says he doesn't know how to tell her.
MIRANDA
Did something happen to Doug?
PETE
You don't remember anything else.
Anything at all?
Frustrated, she snatches his cell phone and starts to
dial:
MIRANDA
This is preposterous. What's
wrong with Doug?
PETE
He's dead.
This stops her cold. Time stands eerily still. She
stares at Pete as if by looking at him long enough, he
will contradict his statement.
MIRANDA
No, he's not. Don't tell me that.
Don't tell me that.
(sickened)
Are you -- sure?
PETE
I'm positive.
(painful beat)
You killed him.
INT. CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Irene and TWO NURSE rush to Miranda's cell. WE HEAR her
hysterical CRIES from inside --
19.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT
Pete struggles to contain Miranda, who howls
disparagingly.
PETE
It's going to be alright, Miranda.
You just need to sleep. It's
going to be alright --
Off Pete's nod, a nurse injects the syringe into
Miranda's arm. They hold her down with great effort as
she continues to cry, and we...
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - SERIES OF SHOTS
A blur of images and scrambled snippets of memories come
at us rapid-fire, like a drug-induced dream:
EXT. ASHLEY BRIDGE - NIGHT
Miranda's CAR SCREECHES to a stop and she jumps out,
glances around.
INT. ST. ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM - NIGHT
Graduation night. School principal Douglas Grey shakes
hands with proud parents and clumsily formal students.
Miranda grabs a drink from a nearby tray, bored.
DOUG
(re: her drink)
Is that number three?
MIRANDA
Yes, Mr. Principal. Special
occasion -- I'm celebrating how
proud I am of my husband tonight.
He smiles weakly at the compliment. Moves his hand
towards her, in an affectionate gesture (or so Miranda
thinks) but instead fixes her bra strap. Ever
methodical.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER - DAY
Miranda and a man exit the theater. Giggling.
FLASH CUT TO:
20.
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE
Doug laying on the floor covered with bloodstains.
Bloodstained axe on floor in f.g. Walls covered with
bloodstains.
INT. LOFT - NIGHT
A flustered Miranda fumbles with her purse and keys,
heads for the door. She tries to fix her smeared
lipstick and messed-up hair. TURNS TO CAMERA:
MIRANDA
I'm sorry. The fact is I'm
married and I -- this is not me,
this is a mistake.
First we hear our mystery man's voice, then we see him:
Pete. (Yes, the same person she kissed and went to the
movies with.) He places his hand on the door, blocking
her.
PETE
Your marriage is the mistake and
you know it.
MIRANDA
Don't.
PETE
I'm sorry. That was out of line.
I feel like a school kid hiding
from the Principal.
MIRANDA
We are hiding from the Principal.
He smiles. Touches her face tenderly. Torn. A person
used to doing the right thing but not liking that at the
moment.
PETE
I would just like to spend some
time together.
MIRANDA
We spend time together every day.
PETE
I meant minus the schizophrenic
women.
MIRANDA
I have to go. I need time to think.
(CONTINUED)
21.
CONTINUED:
He nods. Opens the door for her. She starts to walk
away.
PETE
Don't be too hard on yourself, Dr.
Grey. You haven't done anything
wrong.
MIRANDA
Not yet. But I want to.
EXT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - MORNING
PUSH INTO a quiet house on a quiet suburban street. Two
Volvos parked in the driveway. Perfectly-kept front lawn.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE
Another near-subliminal glimpse of Doug laying on the
floor covered with bloodstains. Bloodstained axe on
floor in f.g. Walls covered with bloodstains.
EXT. CHAPEL - DAY
Miranda and Doug laugh at their wedding. It's clearly
hot, because she wipes sweat off his brow with a
handkerchief.
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A breathless Miranda wipes her face, leaving a thick
streak of blood on it. She looks down at her hand,
noticing the blood -- and now we are back in --
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT (PRESENT)
Miranda wakes up with a start. The darkness renders the
room almost void of any color. Monochromatic. It takes
her a moment to orient herself. Her eyes wander across
the unfamiliar room, feeling like she's being watched.
We become aware of a RAGGED BREATHING sound. Like
somebody is standing over her bed. But we don't see
anything. Miranda gingerly crosses to the door and peeks
through the glass partition into the empty corridor. She
glances back at the room, stills seeing nothing -- and
bangs on the door.
(CONTINUED)
22.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Can I get some assistance here?
Hello?!
She waits. Bangs on the door again.
MIRANDA
Irene?! Anybody!?
A beat. And now finally we hear FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.
A light is switched on down the corridor.
The FOOTSTEPS get CLOSER... and CLOSER...
Miranda tries to appear composed. Wipes sweat off her
forehead. Fixes her hair. The FOOTSTEPS now STOP right
out side the door. A KEY goes into the lock and JIGGLES
it.
Miranda waits for the door to open but nothing happens.
Confused, she steps up to the glass partition and
peeks --
The second her face touches the glass, she is met by a
pair of piercing eyes. The eerie teenage girl. Miranda
jumps back, screams.
And when she looks up again, the image is gone. A beat.
Rational thought kicking in --
MIRANDA
(to self)
Wake up, wake up...
(beat)
You're dreaming. It's not real.
An anxiety dream, that's all.
That's all. This is dream logic.
If it was real, they would have
heard you scream. There are
twenty employees on the night
shift. Fact. At least twenty.
She props herself with her back against the wall. With a
view of the whole cell. Just in case. Staring at the
door.
MIRANDA
I'm just dreaming.
And now, FAINTLY at first, but GROWING LOUDER --
FOOTSTEPS can be heard APPROACHING outside. Just like
before.
(CONTINUED)
23.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming, I'm
dreaming, I'm dreaming.
Like her life depends on that mantra. The FOOTSTEPS get
CLOSER. And her voice begins to falter --
MIRANDA
(voice rising)
I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming --
And now the FOOTSTEPS pause outside her door like before
and she holds her breath, horrified, when suddenly we are
hit with the sudden glare of returning light.
EVERYTHING FLASHES WHITE and then COLOR RETURNS --
IRENE (O.S.)
Rise and shine, ladies!
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - DAY
Irene tries to shake Miranda awake. An orderly and nurse
stand by.
IRENE
(shaking her)
That means you, honey. Up -- !
No reaction.
IRENE
Rise and shine now. Wake up.
She shakes her harder. And now Miranda's EYES SHOOT OPEN
and she grips Irene's arm. Hard. Like the teenage girl
did.
IRENE
Easy now, it's okay.
Miranda stares at her, coming back to. Starts to speak
but has no voice. Clears her throat --
MIRANDA
I need to see Peter Graham.
IRENE
And you have a session scheduled
this afternoon --
MIRANDA
Right now.
(CONTINUED)
24.
CONTINUED:
IRENE
He's not even in yet, now let go
my arm, honey.
MIRANDA
Doctor Grey, if you don't mind.
IRENE
Actually I do mind. I start
calling you 'doctor' and everybody
else wants to be called 'doctor' --
MIRANDA
Please. It's a bit different,
wouldn't you say -- ?
Irene reaches out her hand and the nurse places a cup
with meds on it.
MIRANDA
What do you think you're doing? I
want to speak to my lawyer --
wait, what are you doing?
IRENE
My job.
Irene shoves the meds into Miranda's mouth --
MIRANDA
C'mon, Irene, don't do this. I'm
calm now, look -- I'm calm -- !
She struggles as they hold her down and Irene sedates
her.
INT. REC ROOM - DAY
DRIFTING PAST the female patients at their usual activities.
Some watch TV, play dominoes, some pretend to read, some
stare out blankly. Here's Chloe at a table, engaged in
some sort of trivia game with a tattooed Southern redhead
named JENNA:
CHLOE
M.
JENNA
Mallorol, Matzine, Megaphen,
Meallaril-S, Meleretten, Meleril,
Mellaril, Mellaril-S, Mesoridazine,
Methotrimaprazine, Mixidol, Moban
Modalina --
(CONTINUED)
25.
CONTINUED:
CHLOE
Modalina? Isn't that a band?
JENNA
Trade name for Triflupoerazine.
Look it up.
Chloe shrugs, if you say so. Jenna resumes:
JENNA
Moditen, Molindone, Moltipress,
Motival. That's it for the 'M's.
CHLOE
Not bad. High potency
neuroleptics starting with 'J.'
JENNA
Trick question. There's only
Jatroneural.
CHLOE
What do you wanna bet?
JENNA
Bet you a soda.
Chloe checks a reference book. Nods, impressed.
CHLOE
Right on the money, cowgirl.
Twenty points and a soda.
CAMERA FOLLOWS HER INTENT GAZE to another patient,
SHELLEY (the same patient we saw earlier mid-fit)
moseying across the room. Nervously takes a seat beside
Miranda.
SHELLEY
Hi there, Doc.
It takes a moment for the heavily-drugged Miranda to
react. She looks up slowly: eyes glazed, painfully out
of it.
SHELLEY
I never got shrinked by you but
all I hear is nothing gets past
you, I mean, that's just hearsay
and I don't pay much attention to
hearsay because now they say you
hacked your husband with an axe
but I say maybe it just slipped,
right?
(CONTINUED)
26.
CONTINUED:
Miranda notices Shelley is toying with a wrinkled
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING. Shelley catches this look and slides
it over to her. Without malice, like a child.
SHELLEY
They put your picture in the
paper.
It reads "SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SLAUGHTERED. WIFE UNDER
ARREST." Photos of Miranda, Douglas, their house.
Miranda stares at it in disbelief. Growing sick.
MIRANDA
How did you get this?
SHELLEY
Chloe did. Who knows how? Not
me. Around here I'm on a need to
know basis about stuff and most
stuff I don't need to know. My
point is about people talking
behind other people's backs. Like
before I was here, everything I
did I thought, 'this'll get them,'
wanting their approval, wanting
them to say good things behind my
back. But now I'm more anonymous,
more myself. I'm Shelley.
Miranda slides the clipping back to Shelley, clueless as
to how to get out of this conversation, but Shelley has
no problem holding a conversation all by herself --
SHELLEY
You're not like, undercover here,
are you? They pulled that at
Spring Grove, had a bunch of
doctors pretend they were
patients, see if they could handle
it. Most quit after day one.
You're not, are you?
MIRANDA
No, Shelley. I'm not undercover.
SHELLEY
Because if you were, I'm like the
Fort Knox of secrets. Ask
anybody.
MIRANDA
That's good to know. But I'm not.
(CONTINUED)
27.
CONTINUED:
SHELLEY
Say no more.
(sotto)
I understand perfectly.
She hands Miranda paper and some crayons, whispers:
SHELLEY
Drawing is a great cover. Good
luck to you.
With a wink, she's gone. Miranda looks at the room
around her: Chloe spying on her in the corner, Irene and
the nurse sharing a laugh, other patients ambling about,
arguing --
Life among the insane.
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DRESSING AREA - DAY
Patients undress in the bare-bones locker area. An
uneasy Miranda is handed a bar of soap and towel by
Irene.
MIRANDA
I don't -- I think I'm alright.
IRENE
You go in last because you're
special.
(off Miranda's look)
It's not a Mexican prison, toots.
Everybody here minds their own
business.
MIRANDA
If it's all the same, I'd
rather --
IRENE
State law says we keep you ladies
clean. And I'm a stickler for the
law.
(beat)
Now come on. If you go downtown,
you gotta dance.
Miranda studies the patients already under the spray of
the shower. Something vaguely concentration camp-like
about institutional bathing.
(CONTINUED)
28.
CONTINUED:
The shower, like everything else in this place, is
regulated by shifts, so that various groupings of
patients each get their turn. Miranda feels Chloe's gaze
on her across the room. She is stripping off her clothes
for Miranda's benefit, gleefully mangling the last
refrain from the Stones' "START ME UP."
IRENE
(checking watch)
That's five minutes, group one.
(to Chloe's group)
Alright, ladies, nice and easy.
The first group of bathers file out, dripping wet past
Miranda, in all shapes and sizes. She registers their
many scars and tattoos, like maps of troubled souls:
names of men, places, religious quotes. Burn scars,
cuts, needle marks. They begin to towel off as Miranda,
slowly and painfully self-conscious, begins to undress in
the corner.
A moment later Irene nods for her to go in.
INT. COMMUNAL SHOWERS - LATER
Miranda hangs her head under the spray and closes her
eyes, trying to shut it all out.
The SOUNDS slowly FADE OUT until all we have is Miranda
and her RAGGED BREATHING. Chloe and Shelley, the last
two out from the previous group, grab towels.
Chloe winks at Miranda when she catches her staring, but
Miranda is not staring at her. She is staring past her
at the tile wall.
More specifically at a hole in the tile where a busted
water pipe pokes out. Clearly at some point there was a
handle there, but now it is just a hole with a busted
pipe.
PUSH INTO the hole to see a perfectly-formed globule of
blood emerge, following by a GURGLING sound which seems
to come from deep in the bowels of the plumbing system.
The blood lingers tentatively, as if unfamiliar with the
laws of gravity, before tracing an upward line along the
tile. The GURGLING GROWS LOUDER, CLOSER, and now more
blood flows from the hole and spreads up the wall.
Miranda looks away, disturbed, and now realizes she is
the only one left in the showers. Panic. Shuts her
eyes.
(CONTINUED)
29.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
(to self)
It isn't real. It isn't real.
Opens her eyes.
Five letters are written in blood. N-O-T-A-L.
Shaking, nauseous, she looks down at her feet and the
drain, too scared to look back up.
MIRANDA
(to self)
It isn't real. You're
hallucinating.
Perhaps. But now blood drips by her ankle, DRIP, DRIP,
DRIP. And the shooting pain she feels is coming from her
arm. What the hell -- ? WE SEE SHARP SLASHES appearing
on her skin, like some invisible knife is slicing her.
Hallucination or not, she bolts out of the showers --
INT. LOCKER ROOM - DRESSING AREA
Miranda wraps a towel around her bloody arm, too freaked
out to process anything. Fumbles for her clothes and heads
straight to Shelley, tying her shoelaces, muttering.
MIRANDA
Shelley?
SHELLEY
And pick up those damn cigarette
butts. Jesus, TV is dumb --
MIRANDA
Shelley, can you do me a favor??
Shelley fixes her with an intense conspiratorial look.
SHELLEY
The housewives will find something
better to do.
MIRANDA
Can you go in the shower and tell
me if you see anything on the wall?
Shelley doesn't respond. Simply crosses over and heads
for the showers. Miranda gets dressed when a hand on her
shoulder makes her jump --
(CONTINUED)
30.
CONTINUED:
IRENE
Enough privacy for you?
MIRANDA
Yes. Thank you, Irene.
But now Irene notices the blood seeping through the
towel.
IRENE
What did you do?
MIRANDA
Nothing. It's nothing --
IRENE
What the hell did you do to
yourself?!
And now the other patients are curiously watching as
orderlies RUSH IN to haul her away.
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR - LATER
THROUGH a glass pane we see a NURSE bandaging Miranda's
arm. Parsons and Irene confer just outside the room.
IRENE
I looked away for a second. It's
unacceptable, won't happen again.
PARSONS
Not your fault. Patients always
find a way to hurt themselves if
that's what they want.
IRENE
I just didn't peg her for a
cutter, that's all.
Parsons watches Miranda through the glass. She can't
look him in the eye.
INT. REC ROOM - LATER
Miranda (with her fresh new bandage) ignores the looks
from the other patients as she rejoins them. Spots
Shelley by the window furthest from the wardens. Scared.
SHELLEY
Oh my God. Oh my God.
(CONTINUED)
31.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
You saw it?
SHELLEY
Listen, Doctor. Some people, they
have a gift. And in here, because
they categorize us as a bunch of
schizos, they refuse to
acknowledge that. It's like that
Hubble telescope that sees things
a trillion miles away but what
it's seeing is just reflected
light of a star that died a
thousand years ago? It's like
that. Doesn't mean you're crazy.
It only means your eyes open in a
different way.
Miranda tries to follow the convoluted explanation, but
has a sinking feeling.
MIRANDA
What did it say?
SHELLEY
On the telescope?
MIRANDA
Did you see anything, Shelley?
Shelley glances around to make sure no one can hear.
SHELLEY
That's not tile that wall is made
out of . It's a holographic
screen. All part of your mission,
isn't it?
Miranda shakes her head, feeling foolish. Walks away.
MIRANDA
Thanks anyway.
SHELLEY
(taps her forehead)
This is all we have. The rest is
dust.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - DAY
Pete and Miranda stare at each other. A tense beat.
(CONTINUED)
32.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
It was you I called that night.
PETE
Yes.
MIRANDA
Did you mention that to the cops?
PETE
No.
MIRANDA
Why?
PETE
I didn't think it would help you.
MIRANDA
What does that mean?
PETE
It means they wouldn't have let me
treat you if they thought I had
any kind of involvement in what
happened.
MIRANDA
And did you?
PETE
Did I what?
MIRANDA
Did I make it to your place? Did
I see you that night?
PETE
No. We got disconnected and I
couldn't get through to you. I
sat there waiting all night.
Figured you'd changed your mind.
MIRANDA
Why didn't you tell me this before?
PETE
Because the only way you'll be
able to accept these events is if
you remember them on your own. My
job is to assist you in processing
that information because you're
not in a frame of mind to do it by
yourself.
(CONTINUED)
33.
CONTINUED:
She stares at him. Queasy.
MIRANDA
You're changing the subject.
PETE
The subject is you don't trust me.
MIRANDA
Right now I don't trust anyone.
She tries to read his face. Reminds herself of who Pete
is and what he means to her. He points at her bandaged
arm.
PETE
You want to talk about today?
She takes a resigned breath, slowly shakes her head.
Wishing she could wake up from this nightmare:
MIRANDA
I want to talk to my lawyer.
PETE
I think that's premature.
MIRANDA
I can't help what you think.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE GARDEN - DAY
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS doing their thing: THWIP, THWIP,
THWIP... The female patients are out in the gardens for
their freshly dose of air. BOOM DOWN TO Miranda alone at
a bench. A cigarette appears before her, being offered
to her:
JENNA
You a Marlboro girl?
Miranda sees Jenna looming above her, shielding the sun.
MIRANDA
I don't smoke, thanks.
(CONTINUED)
34.
CONTINUED:
JENNA
All we have is our health,
cupcake.
(sits beside her)
What I do is quit constantly,
start again. Drives them all
crazy. One day I quit three
times.
MIRANDA
Huh.
Jenna lights her smoke, blows out the match slowly.
Miranda turns and checks the building entrance as Jenna
rambles on.
JENNA
They allow me one match at a time
and pretend they're not watching.
Check it out: salivating goon
number one at three o'clock, oh-
so-inconspicuous goon number two
at five o'clock.
Miranda follows Jenna's gaze. Sure enough, she's being
closely watched by two orderlies.
MIRANDA
What did you set on fire to wind
up here?
JENNA
Very perceptive, Doc. I burnt
down the building where I worked.
I found a baby at the doorstep,
called the cops -- of course the
bottom feeding pricks never
showed. It's beside the point,
really.
Miranda shrugs. God knows what Jenna is talking about
but who is she to say? Once again, Miranda checks the
building entrance and now sees Parsons emerge. She
rises --
MIRANDA
Phil.
He keeps walking. Headed to the parking lot beyond.
MIRANDA
Phil!
(CONTINUED)
35.
CONTINUED:
He turns. His first instinct is to smile. But he checks
himself, reminding himself of her new status. Slips into
his best professional face:
PARSONS
Hello, Miranda.
MIRANDA
I wonder if I could talk to you.
PARSONS
Of course.
(checks his watch)
Well, actually, I'm about to...
MIRANDA
Your staff meeting's done and
Thursdays you don't schedule
sessions until the afternoon.
This will just take one minute.
Promise.
Impressive. She remembers his schedule perfectly.
PARSONS
True.
(points)
But the Sheriff wants to ask me
some questions.
She follows his look to the parking lot where Sheriff
Ryan emerges from his patrol car. Miranda nods.
MIRANDA
It's about Pete.
PARSONS
What about him?
MIRANDA
Perhaps he's not the most
qualified person to be treating
me.
His tone is fatherly yet direct.
PARSONS
Are you complaining about his
methods or are you referring to
the nature of your past
relationship with him?
This surprises her.
(CONTINUED)
36.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
What did he tell you?
PARSONS
He explained there might be a
conflict of interest because he
has feelings for you. You two
engaged in a kiss at one point.
Am I right?
MIRANDA
Yes.
PARSONS
I told him we're all grownups here
and the fact is he's the best doctor
on my staff. As such, and given the
severity of the charges you face, I
consider him the most qualified person
to assist your recovery. Now, if
you'll excuse me, Sheriff Ryan is
not a patient man.
Stonewalled in the simplest of ways, she's left feeling
like an idiot. Watches Parsons join the Sheriff by his
car. The two men shake hands when suddenly Irene runs
past her, yelling --
IRENE
Hey! Chloe!
Now two ORDERLIES race past. Miranda looks over to see
what the fuss is all about. Chloe is on top of an
institute staff member we haven't seen before, a round
black woman named CONSUELO. Punching her --
Other patients have crowded around the scuffle.
CHLOE
You fucking cow giving me the evil
eye, huh? Fuck you, you fuckin'
voodoo witch -- !
Irene and the orderlies yank Chloe off Consuelo. Chloe kicks
and screams like an animal. Consuelo meekly stands up.
CONSUELO
(heavy Cuban accent)
Is okay, she's okay -- she don't
mean nothing.
CHLOE
You bet your goddamn fat ass I
mean it, you're a witch -- !!
(CONTINUED)
37.
CONTINUED:
IRENE
McGrath, that's enough!
The orderlies start pulling Chloe away. Chloe spits at
Consuelo, full of venom.
CHLOE
Take your voodoo shit back to
Cuba --
IRENE
I said that's enough.
CONSUELO
Irene, she's okay. Pobrecita, la
infeliz. It's a misunderstanding.
Pobrecita. I was only trying to
help her --
CHLOE
You wanna help me? You pity me?
(grabbing her
crotch)
Suck me.
The orderlies haul Chloe off. Irene disperses the crowd.
Consuelo sighs, embarrassed, wipes a bloody lip. Her
manner says she just wants to get back to her duties.
Excitement over, the patients resume whatever it is they
were doing.
Miranda stares at her bleak surroundings when something
catches her eye: Pete watching her from his office
window. He quickly slides the curtain shut. Odd.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - DAY TO NIGHT (TIME LAPSE
PHOTOGRAPHY SHOTS)
A sunny sky grows dark as night envelops us with a SWOOSH --
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR
SLOW PUSH DOWN empty corridors. The air thick with dread --
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT
Miranda cries softly, unable to sleep. VOICES trickle in
from the corridor outside, wardens on their rounds, a
SOFT MOAN from another cell, a random SCREAM. She shuts
her eyes, repositions herself on her stomach.
(CONTINUED)
38.
CONTINUED:
As before, somebody seems to be watching her.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. WOODWARD LIBRARY - DAY
Irene escorts Miranda into the library. A warden
follows.
IRENE
How are we feeling today?
MIRANDA
'We'?
IRENE
Sorry I asked.
MIRANDA
Doesn't seem like the best choice
of words when treating
schizophrenics.
IRENE
Fitting right in, aren't you?
The library is pretty much empty at this hour except for
the LIBRARIAN and the odd janitor tidying up. An
efficient-looking man rises from a desk, briefcase in
place, glass of water -- this is attorney THEODORE
"TEDDY" HOWARD.
TEDDY HOWARD
Miranda.
MIRANDA
Hi.
Irene checks her watch. The warden hangs back, keeping
watch.
IRENE
She's due back in the rec room in
twenty, Counselor.
TEDDY HOWARD
Thank you kindly.
Miranda sits. Waits until Irene is out of hearing range.
(CONTINUED)
39.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Teddy, I know you knew Doug well
and this is an extremely --
TEDDY HOWARD
I'm here as your lawyer. So
whatever my relationship was with
Doug is no longer of consequence.
First things first, how are they
treating you?
MIRANDA
Like I'm crazy.
TEDDY HOWARD
You know this place better than
anyone. Anything out of the
ordinary?
MIRANDA
Other than me being crazy? No.
TEDDY HOWARD
The DA is pushing for a hearing as
soon as next week. They're eager
to resolve this situation because
-- well, crimes like this don't
happen that often around here.
Doug was a hometown boy who'd done
good, beloved high school
principal, a role model. Our best
shot -- scratch that, our only
shot -- is to claim temporary
insanity.
As he speaks, she starts fidgeting with her itchy
bandage.
MIRANDA
Wait, wait, wait -- Teddy, you
know me. I wouldn't raise a hand
at my husband for the life of me.
Not even in self-defense. Isn't
it remotely possible a burglar
broke in or some crazed high
school student attacked Doug and I
went into shock?
Teddy shakes his head.
MIRANDA
You're telling me there's no other
suspects in anyone's mind?
(CONTINUED)
40.
CONTINUED:
TEDDY HOWARD
Frankly, no. Neighbors heard
screams. They have you at the
scene, they have the murder weapon
and they have your prints everywhere.
The only thing they don't have is
motive.
She keeps absently playing with the bandage. The
adhesive is giving. The bandage starting to peel off.
MIRANDA
Because there is no motive.
TEDDY HOWARD
And that's what's confusing them.
The fact that you're a brilliant
psychiatrist doesn't help either.
It fills their heads with ideas.
They figure if you were to plan a
murder you might know how to fake
insanity to get out of it.
She pulls off half the bandage, back and forth. Not
looking. BUT WE SEE the beginning of a pattern in her
scarred skin --
MIRANDA
I'm not faking anything.
TEDDY HOWARD
Good. I pass no judgment either
way. The point is --
MIRANDA
The point is I'm the only person
who doesn't believe I killed my
husband. I never thought I'd say
this, but I feel like I'm in the
middle of a conspiracy.
(beat)
Do you believe I'm crazy?
An uncomfortable Teddy takes too long before answering.
Miranda looks down, humiliated -- and now she sees it.
Perfectly carved into her arm, her scar reads:
"NOT ALONE."
Petrified, Miranda jumps back, knocks down Teddy's glass
of water all over his papers, her chair topples over.
The warden and janitor look up --
Teddy tries for delicate:
(CONTINUED)
41.
CONTINUED:
TEDDY HOWARD
It doesn't matter what I believe.
MIRANDA
Forget it. Forget I asked.
PUSH INTO her face as involuntary tears roll down and we --
INT. PETE'S OFFICE - DAY
Miranda. Numb. Pete trying hard to get through. A
beat. We get a good look at the writing on her arm.
(The right arm.)
PETE
I can't help you if you don't talk
to me.
Silence from Miranda. He is firm but not unkind:
PETE
I can stand here all day. All
week. You're the one running out
of time.
Nothing. He goes to touch her arm. She jerks it away.
PETE
What does it mean?
She shakes her head, at a loss. Torn between her
suspicion and the need to confide in someone. Finally:
MIRANDA
I didn't write this.
PETE
Then who?
They stare each other down. There's definitely chemistry
between these two. But the moment is far from romantic.
PETE
You're going to have to trust me.
MIRANDA
Why?
PETE
Because no matter what's going
through your mind right now, I
haven't done anything wrong.
(CONTINUED)
42.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Then you know exactly how I feel.
He starts to speak, stops himself. Switches tactics.
Their banter escalates in speed as their terms get more
clinical:
PETE
You admit you're having a hard
time differentiating what's
reality from what's hallucination,
right? So isn't it at least
possible that --
MIRANDA
As a doctor I agree with you.
Maybe -- and this is a big maybe
-- all of this is just a deep
epilepsy that extends to the
limbic structures, but I'm telling
you --
PETE
How about this moment right now?
MIRANDA
What about it?
PETE
Is this a hallucination?
MIRANDA
You tell me. But I do know what I
sound like. Paranoia is the
ultimate awareness, right?
PETE
Which is why I suggest we simply
increase your dose until --
MIRANDA
(venom)
No! Goddamnit! No!
He steps back at her blowout. She catches the look on
his face and forces herself to sit down.
MIRANDA
I'm sorry. Is there any way we
can pretend that didn't just
happen?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
43.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA (CONT'D)
(beat; struggling)
I want to believe you. I do. So
I'll take your word for it --
you're not involved in this -- but
you take mine: I didn't write
this and I didn't kill my husband.
He studies her. Finally nods. New tactic:
PETE
Alright. Let's say you didn't
write this --
MIRANDA
Number one: I'm right-handed.
Number two: I would have had to
bring an X-Acto knife into the
shower to do this, wouldn't I?
Pete tries to reserve judgment. Her argument has a
certain loopy logic to it. He hesitates, then pulls a
SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS from a manila envelope.
PETE
I think it's time you look at
these.
Miranda looks at the crime scene photos. Lurid.
Terrible. Here's part of Doug's body. Here's the axe.
And now she sees a closeup picture of the wall with words
on it. In blood, a la Manson family. And it says:
"NOT ALONE."
Miranda immediately tosses it away from her. Repulsed --
FLASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Miranda furiously writes on the wall with blood. Wipes
her face breathlessly, leaving a thick red streak on it.
INT. PETE'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS ACTION (PRESENT)
PETE
You wrote that. Any idea why?
MIRANDA
(panic rising)
No, I didn't. No, I didn't!
(CONTINUED)
44.
CONTINUED:
Pete retrieves the photograph off the floor and holds it
up for her to study again.
PETE
You're the only person who can
figure out what this means. Try
to remember. Stop holding back.
She nods meekly. Staring at the picture. Begins to
shake as all of it finally comes flooding in --
FLASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A breathless Miranda wipes her face, leaving a thick
streak of blood on it. She looks down at Doug, crawling
on hands and knees. He moans horribly, in shock. She
grabs the heavy axe from the floor and follows him. He
reaches for the coffee table with the telephone on it and
makes a move to grab it. He has all the speed of a dying
turtle, and that's pretty much what he resembles.
Miranda bites her lip, lifts the heavy axe with both hands.
Doug's hand grabs the phone. Miranda SWINGS THE AXE over
her head and it comes down straight AT CAMERA.
Miranda wipes her face again, catches her reflection in
the mirror over the mantel and stares --
WE HEAR THAT SOUND. The WETTISH GURGLING sound. Miranda
stares at the MIRROR looking for the source of it. For
an instant we see the teenage girl's reflection there,
beckoning. But now she's gone and Miranda is left
studying her own demented expression and now FLAMES RISE
around her. She looks down at her feet: No fire. Blood
on her clothes, axe still in her hands. Looks back up
at:
THE MIRROR VERSION OF MIRANDA
shows a serene expression on her face. Fire enveloping
her. She slowly lifts her hands over her head. In place
of the axe there are CHAINS attached to SHACKLES on her
wrists. She is completely naked, as if purified -- like
an extreme version of Anima Sola. (A Biblical icon in
which a woman in fiery purgatory awaits her fate.)
Time stands still for a mesmerizing moment --
When the MIRROR SHATTERS TO PIECES and we're back to
reality. Miranda stares at the axe she's flung at it.
45.
INT. MIRANDA'S BATHROOM - LATER
Miranda tries to wash off the blood in the sink. This is
a daunting task, seeing as how she's covered in it. She
stares at her bloody footprints all over the floor, at
the marks on the door handle, towels and wall.
Gasping for breath, almost crying, she turns on the
shower at full blast and climbs into the tub. She
watches the blood wash off her. As if finally coming
back to her body and realizing what she's done, she
slowly slides down the shower wall and curls up in the
tub. Crying. Shaking. She shuts her eyes as hard as
she can to make it all go away, and we --
FADE TO BLACK.
BLACKNESS
Silence. And now, faintly at first, but GROWING
PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER, we hear the SOUND OF BUZZING FLIES.
FADE IN:
INT. MIRANDA'S BATHROOM - DAY
Miranda wakes up, still in the tub. How long has she
been there, hours? Days? Impossible to know.
But at some point she must have turned off the water.
She sits up, every muscle of her body aching, hair caked
with blood.
The first thing that hits her is the stench. And it's foul,
the putrid smell of decaying flesh. She steps gingerly out
of the tub onto the flooded floor and follows the trail of
blood, mortified at what she will find.
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Soon enough the press will make the Manson Family
reference, but for now, only Miranda is here to witness
the fruit of her labor. She gasps for air.
Instead she is hit by a wave of nausea. She doubles over
to throw up when there is a FRANTIC RAPPING at the front
door.
She freezes. VOICES and YELLS trickle in. The HINGES on
the door RATTLE under REPEATED POUNDING and she still
stands there as the first FIREMAN breaks in. Sheriff
Ryan and his deputies right behind. A concerned Pete
Graham behind them.
(CONTINUED)
46.
CONTINUED:
The cops take one look at the place and raise their guns
at her, but we can't hear what they're saying because
Miranda's ragged BREATHING has taken over the soundtrack.
Suffice to say that, at the sight of the guns, something
clicks inside her and she turns on her heel and flees --
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS ACTION
She slips on blood, nearly falls as she scrambles to the
bedroom --
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S BEDROOM
She locks the door behind her, hyperventilating in terror.
Instantly there are men POUNDING on it. SQUAWKING RADIOS.
ORDERS BARKED at her. She spots two officers through the
window in her backyard. About to smash the window.
A caged animal, completely surrounded, she covers her face
with her hands. Trembling. The doorknob jiggles violently,
about to give. And when she brings her hands down she is
staring straight into the teenage girl's face. And she
OPENS HER MOUTH WIDE and now we are back in --
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT (PRESENT)
Miranda gasps for air, drowning in sensory overload.
MIRANDA
Oh God, oh God, oh God...
She rocks back and forth. Finally aware of what she's
done. She is the killer. No more doubts. And now that
she knows, everything is much worse.
A long, harrowing beat.
WE PUSH IN ON her devastated face. NIGHT TURNS TO DAY.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - DAY
The locks are unlocked. Pete appears at the door.
Miranda glances up at him. She looks like a different
person. Completely destroyed. He crouches beside her.
PETE
You okay?
She shakes her head slowly. He sets his hand on her
shoulder. She turns to him and hugs him tight, holding
on for dear life. Breaks down in sobs.
47.
INT. PHIL PARSONS' OFFICE - DAY
Parsons leafs through Miranda's file. Pete stands by the
window, lost in thought.
PARSONS
How much does she remember?
PETE
It all came flooding back last
night.
PARSONS
Guilt?
PETE
More like an uncontrollable
reminiscence. Intense, over-
cathected. She's not feeling
guilty of her actions, not
exactly. Sounds to me like last
night she actually re-lived them
in great detail.
PARSONS
Hypermnesis following amnesia.
Could a specific epileptic element
be involved?
PETE
That's exactly what she suggested.
Even in her present state, her
instincts remain impeccable.
PARSONS
I'd like to talk to her.
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR - LATER
Pete escorts a fragile Miranda down the corridor. The
two orderlies walking ominously behind them.
PETE
Standard procedure.
MIRANDA
I didn't say a word.
INT. DR. PHIL PARSONS' OFFICE - DAY
Parsons on the phone, gestures for them to enter.
(CONTINUED)
48.
CONTINUED:
PARSONS
(into phone)
Dorothy, I can't discuss this
now --
(motions for
them to sit)
I'm not taking it lightly, no. We
will talk about it at home.
Miranda and Pete sit across from him. Miranda trying
hard to appear composed -- acutely aware of her every
gesture, and of how different her last visit to this
office was. Nothing casual about it now.
She stares at the picture frames on Phil's desk (all
facing AWAY FROM us), the diplomas on the wall, the books
by noted fathers of neurology (works by Hughlings
Jackson, Kurt Goldstein, Henry Head, A.R. Luria). A
framed quote reads:
"'If You Do Know That Here Is One Hand, We'll Grant You
All The Rest.' -- Wittgenstein"
PARSONS
(into phone)
Yes, dear. Me too.
He hangs up. Takes a moment to look at Miranda. Tries a
smile but to her it comes off condescending. Fact is --
there's nothing to smile about.
PARSONS
I'm so sorry about this, Miranda.
She nods, dazed. Angles her head to look at a framed
picture on his desk. Parsons looks to Pete.
PARSONS
Has Pete told you about the
hearing?
PETE
Teddy already filled her in.
PARSONS
Teddy Howard is top notch. He's
going to do everything in his power
-- and he's quite resourceful -- to
prove you're not fit to stand trial.
Miranda, I know you have no family
left, so we're your family now and
we're all going down to the wire to
protect you and help you in any way
we --
(CONTINUED)
49.
CONTINUED:
PUSH IN ON Miranda who stares intently at something on
the desk. Not listening to a word he's saying --
MIRANDA
Who is that?
Parsons pauses here. Exchanges glances with Pete.
PARSONS
Excuse me?
MIRANDA
The girl in the picture.
WE SEE what she is talking about: a framed photograph on
the desk is now FACING us. Eerie. It shows Parsons, his
wife Dorothy and a young girl. Our teenage girl.
PARSONS
My daughter.
Miranda looks up at this, perplexed.
MIRANDA
She's the girl I saw.
PARSONS
You're obviously mistaken.
MIRANDA
I'm positive. She was hurt,
bleeding. Is she all right?
Pete and Parsons trade uneasy looks.
PETE
Miranda, you've seen that
photograph at least a dozen times,
every time you've been in this
office. You're just confused --
MIRANDA
Not about this. Is she all right?
PARSONS
No, she's not... all right.
(beat)
Rachel committed suicide six years
ago.
This shuts Miranda right up. Mind spinning.
MIRANDA
How?
(CONTINUED)
50.
CONTINUED:
PETE
Miranda, that's none of your --
PARSONS
That's okay.
(to Miranda)
Rachel was a very troubled girl.
Handicapped since birth. She was
born mute. My wife and I tried
everything to help her fit in
but... but she ran away from home
more than once, wanting to end her
life.
(beat)
And she finally succeeded. Jumped
off Ashley Bridge. She was only
seventeen years old.
Ashley Bridge. Mute. Ghost? Miranda hesitates here.
She is not the type to believe in ghosts, and knows full
well what even her suggestion of it will sound like.
MIRANDA
I'm -- I'm terribly sorry, Phil.
Parsons doesn't want to talk about it anymore. Rises.
PARSONS
Peter, can I speak to you?
The men step outside. PUSH IN ON Miranda's face as she
stares at the picture of Rachel. We catch snippets of
the doctors' discussion outside, increasing her
paranoia --
PETE (O.S.)
... Textbook psychotic pattern...
manifestation of guilt...
PARSONS (O.S.)
... much she knows about Rachel?
PETE (O.S.)
I'm telling you she doesn't...
Concocted alternate reality...
PARSONS (O.S.)
I'm trusting you... crawling with
cops.
A DARK SHADOW envelops Miranda's confused face, as we --
51.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT
Miranda's pale skin is visible in the dim monochromatic
light. We are MOVING TOWARDS her, seeing her as if from
the POV of someone approaching her. We become aware of
the RAGGED BREATHING sound. Miranda opens her eyes,
looks this way and that, then closes them again.
She is nearly asleep when she hears a sound we've heard
before. The strained WET SOUND. Miranda's eyes SNAP
OPEN. She slowly sits up, back against the wall.
Squinting to cover every inch of the room.
And now she sees it: a SHADOW crouched in the corner.
Roughly the size of a person. Miranda climbs off the bed
and slowly walks towards it. Scared, but determined.
She wrinkles her nose at the putrid smell coming from it.
She gets closer... closer... The RAGGED BREATHING GROWING
LOUDER as she reaches the shadow --
She stretches out her hand and finally touches...
NOTHING. She swipes her hand through the air, feeling
stupid.
MIRANDA
This is not going to work. I'm
sick of being watched, and I know
this place well and it doesn't
smell this bad.
She paces around the room, feels the wall, taps her head.
MIRANDA
I'm awake, I'm not dreaming. I'm
alive -- this is not some
afterlife mumbo jumbo. So-called
paranormal activity can be
debunked a million different ways.
So whatever you are, whatever it
is I'm making up here -- I'm
letting you go, I'm setting you
free. I'm the wrong person. And
I need to sleep. I'm not afraid
and I don't believe and I'm fully
aware that this is all in my mind
-- fiction -- a concocted
alternate reality -- and I
acknowledge it. And now I'm done
with it. I'm going to sleep now.
The moment is as brave as it is ridiculous. She has
psyched herself into verbally defeating the ghost. And
now she climbs back in bed.
(CONTINUED)
52.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
(sleepy)
Besides, if you really were the
ghost of Rachel Parsons, you would
let me out of this cell.
A beat. And now we hear the SOUND OF THE DEADBOLT SLIDE
OPEN. The door opens quietly. PUSH INTO Miranda's face.
Properly scared now.
MIRANDA
Holy shit.
If proof is what she wanted, proof is what she got. From
now on we'll refer to the teenage girl as RACHEL.
INT. FEMALE WARD - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Miranda takes a tentative step outside her cell, feeling
the door with her fingers, feeling along the wall --
still making sure she isn't dreaming this.
She looks down the long, empty corridor, the glare of
neon lights making her readjust her eyes momentarily.
Nobody there. But when she looks down the other way she
sees a pair of bare feet disappear behind the wall. So
quick we're not sure we saw it for sure.
Miranda deliberately walks in the opposite direction.
At night the clinical corridor takes on an unsettling
quality. She silently strolls down the hall, tilting her
head at the various sounds from PATIENTS in their cells.
She turns to make sure Rachel isn't behind her and when
Miranda faces forward again, she realizes she is standing
right across from:
THE NURSES' STATION
Where two nurses are watching TELEVISION. Miranda tiptoes
past them, ducking at the window to remain unseen.
ANOTHER CORRIDOR
This one is wider. Miranda is startled by the sudden
sound of LAUGHTER behind her. The nurses laughing at
their late night show. Momentarily distracted, she
almost knocks over a mop and bucket resting by the wall.
She holds the mop in place and now opens the door to a
SANITATION CLOSET.
(CONTINUED)
53.
CONTINUED:
She looks for something, a tool. Discards a pair of
brushes and finds a small screwdriver. Pockets it.
THE STAIRS
Miranda hurries up the stairs, hugging the wall to stay
clear from the SURVEILLANCE CAMERA sweeping the area.
She waits at the landing, times it just right -- and
scurries to the next floor.
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR (OFFICE FLOOR) - CONTINUOUS
ACTION
Knowing her way around here, Miranda keeps a steady pace
as she heads towards her old office. She turns a corner
and stops in her tracks: another JANITOR making his
rounds. She waits until he's out of sight and rushes to
her office.
She pulls out the stolen screwdriver and brings it to the
lock. Starts unscrewing the screws. She does this as
fast as she can, but she's no professional -- so it takes
a few tries. She loosens one screw, then another -- and
clumsily drops the screwdriver. The METAL ECHOES against
the floor.
Miranda sucks her breath in, waits. No footsteps. She
bends down, retrieves it, and holds onto the knob for
balance. It easily turns in her hand. It was open all
along. She simply forgot to check.
INT. MIRANDA'S OFFICE
Miranda shuts the door behind her and slips behind her
computer. Shrouded in darkness. Hits a switch and a
SURVEILLANCE MONITOR comes to life. Now she has a view
of the corridors: two guards here, a nurse going for a
smoke, a janitor at the coffee machine and so on.
She switches on her computer and taps her fingers as she
waits for it to boot up.
ON SURVEILLANCE MONITOR
The JANITOR with his coffee cup now heading back towards
Miranda's office corridor --
(CONTINUED)
54.
CONTINUED:
Miranda glances at the door, can see the glare of the
computer screen reflecting against the glass pane. She
tries opening drawers but they're all locked. She
remembers something and digs a sweatshirt from beneath
the couch, uses it to block the light.
Computer powered up, she runs an online search for
"RACHEL PARSONS." Waits as the info appears --
MIRANDA
(to self)
Alright. What happened to you?
ON COMPUTER SCREEN
Various listings: The archive news of her funeral,
something about her search and a LOCAL NEWS ARTICLE about
teen suicide. That's the one she chooses. Hits "PRINT."
She checks the surveillance monitor again: the janitor
now mops right outside her door.
ON PRINTOUT
The heading says "WHAT DRIVES OUR TEENAGERS TO SUICIDE?"
A quick glimpse gives us ages (16, 18, 17) and names of
three local girls who have died. Rachel's name and
PHOTOGRAPH appears with two others: Jenny Dixon and
Andrea White.
Miranda pockets it, looks back at the surveillance
monitor: the janitor is walking away. She watches him
disappear down the hall. Slowly but surely. And now the
screen is empty.
But just for a second. Because suddenly Rachel is there.
Staring straight at her. Makes us jump.
INT. CORRIDOR/STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
Retracing her steps, Miranda shuts her door and hits the
stairs. Playing off the sweep of the surveillance camera.
INT. FEMALE WARD CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS ACTION
As she reaches the landing, she hears VOICES coming her
way. She detours down another corridor and hides from
view. Waits for Consuelo and a nurse to exit down the
staircase.
(CONTINUED)
55.
CONTINUED:
And now she turns at ANOTHER SOUND. Coming from inside
the room immediately behind her. Room 237. She steps to
the small glass pane on the door and peers inside.
INT. ROOM 237
It takes a moment to adjust our eyes to the darkness but
now we make out TWO FIGURES in the room involved in some
sort of struggle.
Miranda presses her face against the glass and now sees a
flash of metal. Something sharp. Not a knife, but a needle.
And now a blur of hair yanked up by a strong arm. In the dim
light we can make out Chloe, eyes glazed, drooling.
Just for a beat, because now she is slapped down on the
bed like a rag doll and the man with the needle ENTERS
FRAME.
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Miranda flinches, confused. Glances down the corridor to
ensure she remains undiscovered. Then peers back in.
INT. ROOM 237
Chloe on her stomach on the bed. Her pale naked skin
marked with scratches and bruises. The needle is stuck
in her arm, which hangs off the side. Her mouth is open
but it is impossible to tell whether she is laughing or
sobbing. Abruptly the man climbs on her, pulling off his
T-shirt.
As he discards it we see that it is yellow.
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Disturbed, Miranda turns away. Except now the corridor
isn't empty. There is a JANITOR at the end. Coffee cup
in hand. Staring at her, disconcerted.
JANITOR
Hey!
Miranda turns and runs.
INT. FEMALE WARD STAIRS
Miranda bolts down the stairs. THUNDERING FOOTSTEPS and
YELLS can be heard right behind her.
56.
INT. FEMALE WARD THIRD FLOOR
Miranda races down the empty floor towards an emergency
exit door all the way at the end.
TWO ORDERLIES emerge from the staircase and give chase,
shouting for her to stop. PATIENTS holler from their
cells, awakened by the COMMOTION.
Miranda's heart is nearly bursting through her chest as
she gets closer and closer to the emergency door. Twenty
feet, fifteen, ten --
When a side door opens and a MAN IN A YELLOW SHIRT
appears, blocking her path. Miranda tries to avoid
crashing into him but carries too much momentum. Veers
left against the wall but the man easily tackles her and
pins her down.
The orderlies and an nurse arrive at the scene to find
her screaming, hysterical. They hold her down --
MIRANDA
It's him! It's him! Jesus
Christ, it's him!
The man in the yellow shirt acts as if he has no idea
what she's talking about. Ho-hum, just another psychotic
woman trying to escape. A nurse prepares a needle and
we --
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
TRACKING ALONG a long desk where the staff finish their
morning meeting. Parsons, Pete and Irene among others.
PARSONS
We've transferred her to a higher
security room on the fifth floor.
That's my final concession to any
type of special treatment.
PETE
And the night staff?
IRENE
They insist her room was properly
locked, what else could they say?
(CONTINUED)
57.
CONTINUED:
PETE
Could there be any truth to her
claim?
PARSONS
Peter, we have one hundred and
forty employees. Thirty-five work
maintenance. They all wear yellow
shirts, it's their uniform. I'm
holding a very discreet inquiry,
sure -- but I don't want a news
van parked outside day and night.
It makes much more sense that she
tried to escape and got caught,
doesn't it?
Pete ponders this. It certainly seems that way.
PETE
I perused Miranda's files on Chloe
McGrath -- they're damn
comprehensive. Maybe she was a
bit obsessed with her.
Irene and Parsons share a look. He wraps it up:
PARSONS
The scariest gift God gave us is
our minds. And a bright person
like Miranda -- she's grasping at
straws here -- who knows what her
brain is telling her, now that
it's snapped.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL - DAY
A better room, in fact. This one has a view. Heavy bars
on the windows, but still. Miranda paces. Pete is
seated, observing her deteriorating state.
MIRANDA
Did you live here when Rachel
killed herself?
PETE
Yes. As a matter of fact, I was
part of the search party that
found the body.
MIRANDA
Phil must have been a wreck.
(CONTINUED)
58.
CONTINUED:
PETE
You can imagine. Actually, Phil
was in Houston undergoing triple
bypass surgery when it happened.
What was that? Miranda reacts to this.
MIRANDA
And this is confirmed. There are
hospital records and so forth?
PETE
I'm sure there are. Can we get
back on track now?
Miranda pulls out the folded printout from her pocket.
MIRANDA
What about these other dates, was
Phil here when the other girls
went missing and found dead?
A disconcerted Pete looks at the article with the
pictures of Rachel and the others: Andrea White and
Jenny Dixon.
PETE
Where are you going with this?
First I'm a suspect in Doug's
death, now what, Phil Parsons
murdered his own daughter?
MIRANDA
Rachel Parsons disappeared six
years ago. A week later she's a
suicide. Andrew White, four years
ago, same M.O., and Jenny Dixon,
two years ago. Don't you find
that unusual?
He regards her. Maybe Parsons is right: she's
desperately grasping at straws now. Skims the article:
PETE
What same M.O.? One jumped off a
bridge, one hung herself and one
crashed her car. Who gave you
this?
MIRANDA
Not one left a suicide note. In
fact, how is anybody sure these
were suicides?
(CONTINUED)
59.
CONTINUED:
PETE
You heard Phil, his daughter had
tried several times before --
MIRANDA
That's his story. I need to talk
to the reporter who wrote that.
Frank something.
PETE
Well, you can't.
MIRANDA
I beg to differ. I know my
visitation rights.
PETE
You can't because... he died.
Miranda snaps to attention here.
MIRANDA
You're telling me the one local
investigative reporter who connected
three highly-suspicious deaths, just
happens to have conveniently died?
PETE
Frank Albright was an eighty-year-
old retired sociology professor.
(re: the article)
This is a fluff piece about
teenage depression and the
breakdown of the nuclear family.
You can find one in any local
paper, anywhere, any other week!
MIRANDA
Don't be smug, Pete. That's one
thing you've never been. Rachel
is somehow connected to what I'm
going through. I don't know
how -- like you said, I'm not in a
frame of mind to process the
information without assistance.
So I'm asking you for assistance.
PETE
Listen to me. You are not well. I
had hoped once you remembered the
murder we could deal with your
feelings about it but these
fixations:
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
60.
CONTINUED:
PETE (CONT'D)
Rachel Parsons, Chloe McGrath --
are self-created distractions to
avoid looking into yourself. And
the longer you --
MIRANDA
I know this lecture like the back
of my hand!
PETE
Good. Saves me the trouble.
Discussion over. He raps on the door. Triple-locks come
unlocked and an ORDERLY is there. Peter exits.
INT. WOODWARD CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Peter hurries down the corridor, passing by a nurse. The
same one who bandaged Miranda earlier, so let's give her
a proper name: CLAIRE. She pushes her cart into the
elevator.
INT. THIRD FLOOR CORRIDOR - DAY
Claire and her cart emerge from the elevator and she
heads down the long corridor, reaches a door and unlocks
it.
INT. MEDICAL SUPPLY ROOM
TIGHT ON a row of drug-filled shelves. Claire parks her
cart and kicks off her shoes. Digs a pack of smokes out
of her stashed purse when a pair of hands grab her.
Claire squeaks until she sees her attacker: a stoner
type named SIMON. Deftly unbuttoning her uniform, hands
all over her. She means to resist but he's got such
boyish charm.
CLAIRE
Get off me, you dog --
SIMON
Hell, don't go all bubbly with joy
or anything.
CLAIRE
You can't be in here and you know
it. Nap in your car.
(CONTINUED)
61.
CONTINUED:
She finally twists herself out of his grasp. Points an
accusing finger, but she's grinning. Blushing, even.
CLAIRE
Now get out before we get busted.
Properly reprimanded, Simon picks up his folded uniform
and prepares to leave, head hung low.
SIMON
You slay me, Claire. Honest.
CLAIRE
Sure I do, Boy Scout.
He exits. She shakes her head, slips her uniform back
on.
INT. ELEVATOR - MOMENTS LATER
Simon presses the button, waits. He checks inside his
folded uniform where we see several stolen vials of
sedatives. The doors begin to close when --
CLAIRE
Hold it, Simon!
He hides the loot behind his back, busted. She holds the
door open and tosses him his yellow shirt.
CLAIRE
What do you think I am, laundry
service?
SIMON
(relieved)
Won't happen again, ma'am.
She turns and exits. The doors slide shut. Meet our
rapist.
INT. WOODWARD CAFETERIA - DAY
Bustling with activity. The room is divided into two: a
large main area where the patients eat, plus a second,
smaller upstairs area for the staff.
BOOM DOWN to find Miranda eating at a long table.
Shelley beside her, playing with her plastic fork. Jenna
taps an unlit cigarette. As usual, Irene keeps watch
nearby.
(CONTINUED)
62.
CONTINUED:
SHELLEY
... She'd get high on glue and
make me help her try on my bras.
Is that the strangest shit you've
heard?
JENNA
Heard stranger. But she's a case.
SHELLEY
And she always put on a happy
face. Man, what an optometrist.
Optometrist? Miranda starts to correct her, but lets it
go.
JENNA
You narced her out, didn't you?
Boo-hoo. Bet you were a little
buzzed yourself.
Miranda's gaze strays from this, um, most compelling of
conversations and comes to rest on Chloe. Alone at
another table. Heavily sedated. A wreck.
Miranda rises and walks over. Shelley waits until she's
out of hearing range, leans in to Jenna --
SHELLEY
All work, that woman. Work, work,
work.
JENNA
What are you talking about?
SHELLEY
She's like an alcoholic. But with
work.
JENNA
What work?
SHELLEY
Not safe to tell you. Wish I
could.
Jenna rolls her eyes, returns to her food.
UPSTAIRS
Parsons watches intrigued as Miranda sits beside Chloe
and starts talking. From Parson's POV up above we can
see pretty much the entire dining area.
63.
BACK TO MIRANDA
Trying to get Chloe's attention. But Chloe just stares
at her untouched food, glassy-eyed.
MIRANDA
I saw what happened. I'm sorry.
No reaction.
MIRANDA
Have you told anyone? Chloe?
Nothing.
MIRANDA
Look, Chloe -- the person who did
this to you is not the devil. And
if you can identify him, I'll make
sure the motherfucker is arrested.
Now Chloe looks at her, like something finally registers.
CHLOE
Doctor, did you just say
'motherfucker'?
MIRANDA
Do you know his name? Maybe you
saw a nametag on his uniform?
Think.
Chloe simply stares. Finally shakes her head.
CHLOE
Man, you must really hate me.
MIRANDA
What? I don't hate you.
CHLOE
You hate me because now you're
just the same as me. You must
feel so embarrassed.
MIRANDA
I don't hate you. And I don't
feel embarrassed.
CHLOE
That's just a pat answer you have
because you're new at this. Trust
me, I know what I'm talking about.
(CONTINUED)
64.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
(rising)
Forget it, alright? Forget we had
this conversation.
Chloe abruptly grabs her arm. Tightly.
CHLOE
You know what happens next?
MIRANDA
I get the distinct feeling you're
going to tell me.
CHLOE
The shock wears off and the guilt
kicks in. And that guilt is the
real motherfucker. You'll be
watched 24/seven, because they're
afraid you'll kill yourself. Dr.
Graham will question every harmless
gesture, every innocent comment, ever
twitch you make and eventually -- and
it's a fucking tedious 'eventually'
-- you'll stop hating yourself for
what you did. But what replaces that
hatred is this unbearable sadness. And
you don't lose that as long as you live.
PUSH IN ON Miranda. Deeply affected by Chloe's words, as
we --
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - VARIOUS SHOTS - DAY AND NIGHT
MIRANDA'S RESIGNED DAILY GRIND IN QUICK DISSOLVES --
A) Miranda and the other patients line up for meds in
the rec room.
B) Irene keeps watch in the garden as the women get
their daily fresh air.
C) Wardens watch as each patient enters their cell at
night and the lights go off.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - NIGHT
Echoing an earlier scene, we are MOVING TOWARDS her --
her pale skin visible in the dim monochromatic light.
Miranda flicks a look this way and that, alert. Sensing
something.
(CONTINUED)
65.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Leave me alone. Go away.
Just like a crazy person. She listens for any further
noise, hears none and shuts her eyes. Exhausted.
MIRANDA
I've lost my fucking mind. Happy
now?
Silence. But now the BEDSPRINGS CREAK behind her and she
whips around and starts to scream as a big hand covers
her mouth. Her eyes open wide at the sight of Simon, in
his yellow shirt. He shoves her against the mattress and
presses his full weight against her. She lets out a
muffled scream as he uncaps a syringe with his teeth and
brings the plunger to her throat. Straight into her
jugular.
SIMON
(sotto)
This is gonna hurt you more than
it hurts me.
She flails and kicks desperately but he pins her down.
The BEDSPRINGS STRAIN violently and now he's straddling
her, squeezing the plunger into her throat. Her eyes
welling up:
SIMON
(sotto)
I've always wanted to do a doctor.
She manages to free one hand and yanks the syringe from
her throat. It flies to the floor. He grins, enjoying
this:
SIMON
(sotto)
The more you fight me, the harder
I get, pussycat -- so pretty
please, with sugar on top -- keep
still.
Simon paws at her clothes as she struggles to defend
herself. He finally slaps her free arm down. Presses
his knee against it, immobilizing her once more. Now he
produces another syringe from his pocket. Checks it.
Miranda shakes her head, pleading. A scream stuck in her
throat. But nobody can hear her.
Simon brings the syringe towards her when suddenly we
hear a LOUD CLANGING at the door. Shaking it off its
hinges.
(CONTINUED)
66.
CONTINUED:
Simon looks up, confused. Nobody is there. The split-
second distraction is all Miranda needs to shove him off
the bed. She fumbles for the discarded syringe and STABS
HIS CHEST WITH IT -- squeezes the plunger --
MIRANDA
(sotto)
Take that, son of a bitch.
Simon moans as the full dose hits his system and his body
goes limp. Miranda exhales, coming back to herself. A
beat.
MIRANDA
Rachel?
No response. Miranda grabs his keys, begins to undress
him.
CUT TO:
SECURITY CAMERA POV
shows a uniformed janitor calmly walking down the
corridor. PULL BACK to see we are in --
INT. SURVEILLANCE BOOTH - NIGHT
A bank of monitors keep watch on the premises after dark.
TWO GUARDS play cards (Uno), bored to tears. A cursory
glance at the monitors produces no reaction. Certainly a
janitor walking down the corridor is no cause for alarm.
EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Dead quiet. CRICKETS CHIRP or whatever it is crickets
do. Miranda steadies her breathing, perusing rows of
unfamiliar cars. She clicks Simon's key-ring button
repeatedly until a set of headlights blink on and off.
INT. SIMON'S CAR - NIGHT
Miranda slips behind the wheel, STARTS the CAR. The RADIO
KICKS IN at EAR-DEAFENING VOLUME. She nearly drops dead.
EXT. WOODWARD GATE - NIGHT
The gate GUARD reads a magazine as Miranda's stolen car
approaches. The guard barely registers the driver in the
booth mirror, immersed in his article. Hits a button to
open the gate for him. It opens SLOWLY. S-l-o-w-l-y.
67.
INT. SIMON'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Miranda, sweating, watches the receding image of the
institute behind her. Turns on the main road. Free.
MIRANDA
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
She glances back, makes sure no one is following her.
Catches her own reflection in the rearview mirror: the
scared eyes, the haunted face. The new version of
herself.
She flips the RADIO dial: BAD NEW AGE MUZAK. BAD
COUNTRY. BAD DISCO. More BAD NEW AGE MUZAK. She finds
IGGY POP'S entirely appropriate "THE PASSENGER) and lets
it play.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Now we are seeing her as if from the POV of someone
traveling alongside the car. Peering THROUGH the
passenger window. Miranda becomes aware of this, slowly
glances over. Sees nothing but her own reflection.
Turns back forward.
We NOTICE the blue cigarette lighter key chain dangling
off the dashboard. Nothing but a long stretch of road
ahead.
EXT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The neighborhood perfectly quiet late at night. Miranda
parks in the driveway and stares at the empty house.
Steels herself, climbs out of the car and heads around
back.
She finds her SPARE KEY behind a potted plant, takes a
deep breath and lets herself in through the back door.
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE
POLICE CRIME-SCENE TAPE everywhere. She turns on the
kitchen light only and scurries to her bedroom without
even looking in the direction of the living room,
avoiding the scene of the gruesome crime altogether.
Eerie as hell --
INT. BEDROOM - QUICK CUTS
Miranda stuffs clothes into a suitcase, finds her passport,
digs out some cash from a box. Quick change of clothes to
get rid of the rapist's uniform. Fast, fast, fast --
68.
INT. SIMON'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Miranda watches her house fade from view in the rearview
mirror as she drives down the block. Shudders. Flips
the RADIO dial with shaky hands.
RADIO DJ (V.O.)
... Weather forecasters predict
heavy winds tonight as a major
thunderstorm rolls in tomorrow.
You're listening to KLPG, 101.4 on
your dial. This next honky-tonk
heartbreak classic is...
She looks in the rearview mirror once more. Only this
time she is met by a piercing pair of eyes.
Rachel's. Inside the car.
Rachel's mouth opens unnaturally wide, revealing a gaping
abyss of rotted teeth and flesh -- and lets out the wet
sound. A threatening howl this time, pure venom.
Miranda covers her face, jerks the car. It does a 180
and slides to a halt in the middle of the street --
Facing the direction of her house again.
EXT. STREET
Miranda jumps out, panicked. Glances around. Looks
inside the car: no Rachel. A beat to catch her breath,
making up her mind. Slides behind the wheel and makes a
U-turn.
INT. SIMON'S CAR - MOVING - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Miranda flips the rearview mirror so it faces the ceiling
and turns UP the RADIO. GUNS the pedal. Freaked.
She's driven maybe 20 feet when suddenly her ENGINE DIES --
MIRANDA
No.
The CAR SPUTTERS to a stop. Miranda goes to turn the key
but suddenly freezes. Looks at the ignition oddly and
notices the key is gone.
MIRANDA
Why are you doing this to me?
A dead-still beat. Glancing around, she is even more
startled to see the blue lighter key chain lying in the
middle of the street.
69.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Miranda opens her car door and walks down the empty
street to retrieve her suddenly magical keys.
We watch her reach the keys, all alone out here. The
moment she bends down to pick it up she is blinded by the
glare of HEADLIGHT and the ROAR OF AN ENGINE. Miranda
jumps out of the way, narrowly avoiding being flattened
by a ROAD SWEEPER, spraying water as it goes.
She watches the truck disappear down the block. Heart in
her throat. Calms her nerves and now walks over to the
pesky keys again. Smack in the middle of a puddle now.
BOOM UP the posts harnessing power lines which surround
the area until we STOP ON a pair of INDUSTRIAL BOLTS
fastened around the insulators of a thick power line.
From here we see Miranda bend down and pick up her keys.
And now the bolts suddenly shake off their hinges, coming
loose right in front of our eyes -- moved by some
invisible force --
Miranda tilts her head at the sound of a METALLIC SNAP
and turns. The bolts pop out of their sockets. The LIVE
WIRE uncoils like some gigantic serpent and swings
straight towards the paralyzed Miranda --
She looks down at her feet, ankle-deep in the puddle,
back up at the 11,000 VOLTS OF POWER about to fry her to
a crisp and jumps out of the way at the last second. The
wire hits the water and the monumental charge sends
SPARKS flying in every direction. It looks like
lightning.
A silent, sudden beat. That was as close as close gets.
MIRANDA
(fighting tears)
What do you want from me?
No sign of Rachel. Miranda yells at the air, glancing
over her shoulder, seemingly demented:
MIRANDA
What is it you want me to do?!!
A moment. Miranda stranded. The stolen car in the
middle of the road. And now the SQUEAK of a GATE OPENING
abruptly. Miranda whips her head in the direction of the
sound.
It's the front gate to her house. And now the front door
SWINGS OPEN. And now the living room LIGHTS switch on.
(CONTINUED)
70.
CONTINUED:
Clearly Rachel wants her back in the house.
MIRANDA
I can't.
(softly)
Please, please don't make me go
back in there.
But even as she's saying this her feet are moving towards
it. She pauses, looks at the car in the middle of the
road. Looks at the fizzling puddle where she was almost
electrocuted. No neighbors have come out to investigate
yet, but how long can that last? She walks to the car.
INT. SIMON'S CAR
Miranda climbs in, not sure whether to laugh or cry here.
She's never asked a ghost for permission before:
MIRANDA
Bear with me, I'm just parking it
out of the way so it won't look
suspicious in the middle of the
road -- okay.
She STARTS the ENGINE and pulls over to the sidewalk.
INT. MIRANDA AND DOUG'S HOUSE
Miranda stands in her living room, staring at her
handiwork. Frozen with dread.
The blood has been cleaned up some, but the mess remains.
The upturned furniture covered in plastic, the chalk
outline of the body, the yellow crime-scene tape, the
shattered mirror above the fireplace, the muddied
footprints of dozens of cops, coroners, etc.
The faded writing on the wall: "NOT ALONE."
Miranda takes it all in, not entirely sure what she's
supposed to be looking for.
MIRANDA
(piecing it together)
Not alone. What happened to you
happened to other girls.
(beat)
I understand. And I'm sorry. But
there is nothing I can do about it
now. It has nothing to do with
me.
(CONTINUED)
71.
CONTINUED:
Not knowing what else to do, she turns to exit when the
TELEVISION SET suddenly COMES TO LIFE, making her jump.
The unmistakable MUSIC from some old WB cartoon at FULL
BLAST.
She stares at the TV screen. Is there some sign here she
should be able to follow? She crosses to turn it off and
immediately doubles over in pain --
MIRANDA
Shit.
She looks at her foot. A big SHARD OF GLASS is stuck
right through the flimsy hospital slipper into her skin.
Blood already seeping from the nasty cut --
INT. BATHROOM
Miranda seated on the edge of the tub, slowly pulls out
the piece of glass, drops it in the wastebasket. She
grabs a cotton ball and alcohol and starts cleaning the
cut.
And now, FAINT at first, but GROWING LOUDER -- she hears
the hollow WET SOUND we've come to associate with Rachel.
Inside the room with her --
Miranda stares at the medicine cabinet. Did the mirror
move? We watch her from the MIRROR POV as she holds
perfectly still, listening. The SOUND now seems to have
STOPPED. A silent beat.
She turns her attention back to cleaning her cut, grimacing
as the alcohol burns her skin. It looks painful.
And now the slow SQUEAK of the MEDICINE CABINET DOOR makes
her look up again. And she sees herself in the mirror like
the night of the slaughter: flames all around her. Naked
arms raised. Wrists shackled. Anima Sola.
She stares. Mesmerized. The sound of FLAMES GROWING
LOUDER.
MIRANDA
No. No. No...
Miranda walks slowly to the mirror. Incredibly, the
image reflecting back at her also grows bigger. As if
the two versions of her are literally walking towards
each other. FROM A SIDE ANGLE WE SEE both their faces
mere inches apart. Miranda brings her fingertips to the
mirror and touches it. Immediately pulls her hand back.
(CONTINUED)
72.
CONTINUED:
Miranda stares at her fingertips. The tips are burnt.
The skin sizzles softly. 200 percent scientifically
impossible. And when she looks up at the mirror again --
the image is gone.
It is now deathly quiet. And what she finds herself
staring at in the mirror is the reflection of something
just behind her. A folded newspaper discarded in the far
corner of the room.
She turns to look at it now. It's opened to the REALTY
LISTINGS page. Doug must have left it there. She picks
it up and looks closer: Focusing on a picture of a bank-
repossessed property.
The address is in Willows Creek.
Her brain wires start clicking. This must be what Rachel
wanted her to see. She stares at it.
PUSH IN ON the picture as we --
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. WILLOWS CREEK PROPERTY - DAWN
A "FOR SALE" sign still flapping in the wind. The first
few rays of light break through the dawn sky.
Miranda's (Simon's) car approaches up the road until it
FILLS the FRAME and parks. Miranda steps out.
She studies the house before walking up the drive. We
watch her peek through windows and walk around back,
looking for something. What exactly, we don't know.
(Neither does she.)
She makes her way back to the starting point and fixes
her stare now on the barn. The one place he hasn't
looked.
INT. BARN
Dark, empty. The WIND outside causes the ALUMINUM SIDING
to FLAP NOISILY. It's slightly unnerving, but hey, it's
just the wind. Miranda covers the distance of the large
room, perplexed. There is something about this place.
Something she can't quite put her finger on. Beckoning
her.
With a last fruitless look, she heads towards the front
door when a glint of mental in the opposite corner stops
her. She moves to it.
(CONTINUED)
73.
CONTINUED:
And here, where the walls should meet, there is a narrow
gap, leading to a passage, maybe five inches wide. A
padlocked chain has been threaded through a hole in both
walls, holding them together. Miranda inspects the heavy
padlock, the source of the glint. She tugs on the wall
and opens it to the limits of the chain, but that's only
a few inches more. Miranda peers into the darkness
beyond, but can't see a thing.
Hesitating only a moment, she turns sideways and slides
herself into the claustrophobic slot.
She moves forward cautiously a few feet until her face
brushes against something hanging in the air. She stops,
startled. It's a pull-string hanging from a naked light
bulb.
She tugs on it. And now she has 60 watts of reddish glow
to see the hatch on the floor immediately in front of
her. She pulls on the LATCH and it opens with a RUSTY
CREAK. She peers into the pitch-black basement below.
Feels around for the beginning of a stepladder and climbs
down.
INT. SECRET BASEMENT
Miranda emerges from the ladder into total darkness.
Whatever dim reddish light was provided by the bulb
upstairs does not reach here. She feels around the wall
for a switch. Nothing.
MIRANDA
(to self)
It's not shrink-appropriate to be
afraid of the dark, right?
Abruptly there's a sharp CLICK as she lights Simon's key-
chain lighter, and the wavery light illuminates the vast
space. Rats scurry for cover. It takes a second to orient
ourselves. Something metallic catches the lighter's
reflection way in back. Miranda walks towards it.
MIRANDA
Hello?
She takes a few more steps until her foot hits a bulk on
the floor. She stops. Kneels down and in the dim half-
light we make out a backpack. She unzips it and rifles
through it (T-shirts, underwear, Walkman) until she finds
a wallet. Opens the billfold and brings the lighter next
to the ID: the picture belongs to a teenager named
"TRACY MARIE SEAVER."
(CONTINUED)
74.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Is there anybody here? Hello?
The lighter in her hand is getting hot, so she lets it
click off. When it comes back on we see she has wrapped
a ragged T-shirt around it for insulation.
Miranda steps deeper into the room. Up ahead, she can
make out the metallic thing that reflected light before.
It is a hook in the ceiling. And suspended from it are
several heavy chains.
Like a meat rack.
And now she catches a whiff of the terrible smell and
sees the body of the teenage girl: hanging upside down,
tied around the hands and ankles.
Medical training kicking in, Miranda quickly lowers the
girl to the ground, causing the angry rats to skitter
away.
MIRANDA
Go away! Fuck off!
(We see the following in between flicks of the lighter so
that we go from midnight black to wavery light in an
almost strobe-light effect:)
She checks for vital signs, pulse, heartbeat -- Miranda's
adrenaline at full tilt --
MIRANDA
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon --
She strikes the flint and brings the lighter to the
girl's pupils. Inspects them. Slaps her repeatedly,
clinically.
The strobe effect also allows us glimpses of the
immediate surroundings: household tools strewn about;
wire cutters, pliers -- a pool of dried blood.
MIRANDA
Wake up, Tracy, wake up --
Nothing. She unties the wires around the girl's ankles.
The skin swollen grotesquely around them. She shakes the
girl. Slowly coming to the realization that it's too
late.
75.
EXT. BARN - LATER
Miranda comes crashing out of the barn, doubles over and
throws up. The bright light outside blinding her
momentarily. Her bloodshot eyes taking a moment to
register --
THE PATROL CAR
parked in front of the house. A POLICE OFFICER
cautiously peering inside her stolen car. He looks up
and notices her.
Miranda hesitates. Nowhere to run. The officer waves.
His name is TURLINGTON.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Howdy there.
He says this while already strolling over. Miranda's
mind races a mile a minute --
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Everything okay?
MIRANDA
Y-yes.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
That your vehicle, ma'am?
She stares at the young, friendly cop. His left hand
resting on his belt. Right next to his gun. But it
seems as if he has no idea who she is. At least not yet.
MIRANDA
Yes -- I -- I just pulled over. I
was -- looking for a bathroom.
Morning sickness, you know...
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Congratulations. But I'm afraid
this is private property -- you
can't just waltz on in. You
understand that.
She nods, nerves shot to hell. Starts walking.
MIRANDA
I'll be on my merry way now. My
husband will never forgive me if I
get a ticket for trespassing.
(CONTINUED)
76.
CONTINUED:
The cop nods at that, seeming to have a fair grasp of
marital dynamics. He flashes a smile but suddenly stops,
whips out his gun and trains it on her --
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Holy shit.
(clicks the safety
off)
Lady, stay right where you are.
Miranda shuts her eyes, busted. Freezes.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Hands up where I can see them.
Miranda awkwardly raises her shaky hands.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Nice and slow, start talking to
me. And make it good. Tell me
just exactly who that is.
A confused Miranda slowly turns in the direction he's
looking to see Tracy Seaver at the barn door. Dragging
herself in agony, clearly in a severe state of shock.
Battered, yet somehow -- incredibly -- still alive.
But just barely.
EXT. JACKSON HOSPITAL - DAY
A car pulls up to the chaotic ER area. Phil Parsons and
Pete step out, rush inside.
INT. HOSPITAL ER - MEN'S ROOM - DAY
Sheriff Ryan is busy at the urinal. But even here he
can't find any peace because Teddy Howard is on his
case --
SHERIFF RYAN
Mr. Howard -- let me simply list
the events your client was
involved in last night. First she
drugs a janitor, steals his car
and escapes a mental
institution --
TEDDY HOWARD
Hold on, there isn't even any
substantial evidence --
(CONTINUED)
77.
CONTINUED:
Sheriff Ryan zips up his pants, flushes and runs the sink
to wash his hands --
SHERIFF RYAN
Mr. Howard -- there isn't evidence
because the overdosed janitor
hasn't woken up, that's why -- and
when your client was questioned on
the matter she admitted to
injecting a full syringe of --
TEDDY HOWARD
(handing him a
paper towel)
You had no right to question my
client without my presence --
SHERIFF RYAN
Mr. Howard, this is not a courtroom.
Your client was read her rights and
she still insisted --
TEDDY HOWARD
-- Let me ask you this, Sheriff:
what exactly was a janitor doing
with several vials of sedatives
inside my client's cell? And is
it not possible he had taken some
drugs himself before my client --
Sheriff Ryan discards the paper towel and walks out to
the waiting room, Teddy following closely --
INT. ER WAITING ROOM
Paramedics and nurses doing their thing. The young
officer who arrested Miranda hands the Sheriff a cup of
coffee.
SHERIFF RYAN
I'm not a drug expert. I'm simply
stating the frigging facts.
Sheriff Ryan burns his tongue on the coffee, notices
Parsons and Pete approaching. Relief crosses his face.
SHERIFF RYAN
Phil, thank God -- this guy's
driving me nuts!
PARSONS
What happened?
(CONTINUED)
78.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN
An 'incident' -- for lack of a
better frigging word -- involving
Miss Grey and a teenage girl who's
been tortured and is in critical
condition and chances are slim
she'll even utter another word.
PETE
Who's the girl?
SHERIFF RYAN
A runaway from Portland, Tracy
Marie Seaver. Reported missing a
couple weeks ago. We found Miss
Grey in some barn off Willows
Creek with the girl all messed up.
I'm just now waiting for the
surgeon to give me an update.
(to Teddy)
Notice, Counselor, how I'm not
even mentioning her trespassing or
lying to a police officer.
Teddy waves him off in frustration. Goes to talk to
Turlington.
SHERIFF RYAN
Christ, the woman's got the entire
hospital busy --
Sheriff Ryan notices Teddy talking to Turlington --
SHERIFF RYAN
Why are you harassing my deputies?
TEDDY HOWARD
I'm only asking him where he got
the coffee -- ?
SHERIFF RYAN
He's not at liberty to answer
that. You've had enough goddamn
coffee already.
The Sheriff leaves Pete and Parsons. They walk over to
the water cooler where they can talk more privately.
PETE
We need to get Miranda back to the
institute. She needs psychiatric
care, not a prison cell.
(CONTINUED)
79.
CONTINUED:
Parsons nods, lost in thought. Sheriff Ryan returns.
SHERIFF RYAN
Phil, how well does your wife know
the suspect?
PARSONS
Why do you ask?
SHERIFF RYAN
Because she's at the station right
now, demanding to speak with her.
Parsons frowns at this, concerned. Pete studies him.
INT. COUNTY STATION HOLDING CELL - DAY
Bare room. A desk and two chairs. Glass window panes to
insure no privacy. DOROTHY PARSONS (50s) waits, seated.
The door opens and a DEPUTY escorts Miranda in. She sits
across from Dorothy, looking as lost as can be. A long
beat.
DOROTHY
How are you?
Miranda doesn't answer. Her mind elsewhere. Namely back
at the barn and how it connects to Rachel.
DOROTHY
I needed to see you, but I'm not
sure where to begin. I don't know
you well, I certainly have nothing
but fond feelings for you. Phil
always keeps me posted on his
colleagues and his work and -- in
any case, I have always thought of
you as a very bright, very
perceptive doctor. Even though I
don't know you well.
She pauses here. Miranda looks up now. Her face hollow
and exhausted. Bags under her eyes. A person who has
seen too much. Wondering where the hell this is going.
DOROTHY
My point is, my point being --
when Rachel died I had, um, I
suffered through these spells,
these recurring dreams.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
80.
CONTINUED:
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
And eventually, once I came to
terms with her death, they went
away. Losing a child is the
hardest, most inconceivable event
a mother can --
She drifts off. Takes a beat to collect herself and
resume:
DOROTHY
The past few days I have been
having the same dream. A
nightmare.
Miranda can't help but smile to herself at that.
MIRANDA
That word. Nightmare. Welcome to
my life.
DOROTHY
This nightmare involves Rachel but
it also involves you. In the
nightmare Rachel holds a box in
her left hand. A small box. And
she repeats a series of numbers.
Now, Rachel never spoke, from the
time she was born -- she had a
condition -- I often asked God why
he punished this child in such a
way -- she couldn't speak, but she
was extremely bright. She wasn't
autistic as the doctors claimed --
Dorothy Parsons starts to cry. A moment passes like
this. It seems she won't recover enough to continue her
tale.
MIRANDA
Mrs. Parsons, you need a
therapist. Normally I would
encourage you to schedule a
session with me but as you can
see --
Dorothy shakes her head, determined to finish. She pulls
out a folded piece of paper.
DOROTHY
Every night the same box in her
hand and the same numbers. I
wrote them down.
(CONTINUED)
81.
CONTINUED:
She slides the paper over. Miranda watches her
carefully, then looks at the piece of paper. The numbers
are:
1-0-2-2-0-1.
A long beat.
DOROTHY
It's a message. It's a code for
something. I don't know what.
But she wants you to have it.
Miranda studies it. Studies this woman, who quite
frankly seems to have completely lost her mind. Then she
looks back at the numbers and is slowly hit with a
realization.
MIRANDA
October 22nd, 2001. It's my
wedding date.
She stares at Dorothy, stunned. Brain click-click-
clicking. Her wildest fears confirmed: Doug is behind
this somehow.
MIRANDA
That code belongs to a safety
deposit box my husband kept in a
bank up in Newcastle, that's where
his parents live.
(beat)
Dorothy, I need you to drive up
there and open it.
Dorothy stares at her, scared. And finally nods.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - DAY
Pete hurries down the front steps of the main building as
TWO POLICE CRUISERS pull up. Miranda is brought out of
one of the cruisers by two OFFICERS.
PETE
We can take those off now.
Sheriff Ryan leans out of the other cruiser.
SHERIFF RYAN
Don't push it, Doctor. She's
cuffed until your people secure
her in a cell.
(CONTINUED)
82.
CONTINUED:
Pete sighs, gestures for the officers to bring her in.
Irene and two heavy-duty orderlies will also be part of
the escort. Miranda locks eyes with Pete as she
approaches.
PETE
Are you alright?
MIRANDA
(quietly)
I was wrong. It wasn't Phil
Parsons. It was Doug.
PETE
Can we talk about this later?
(to Sheriff)
Thanks, Sheriff.
SHERIFF RYAN
Tomorrow morning first thing my
deputies are here.
PETE
I know, I know. We'll see you
then.
SHERIFF RYAN
And my offer still stands if you
need added security.
PETE
Thank you. She won't go anywhere.
I guarantee it.
The Sheriff waves, whatever. Knocks twice on the hood
and the officer behind the wheel shifts into drive.
MIRANDA
That's why Rachel picked me. It
was Doug. I'm so stupid.
Pete regards her now, has no idea what she's going on
about this time. Tries to remain professional.
PETE
Inside, okay?
INT. CAFETERIA - MOMENTS LATER
Lunch time for the female wing. An excited Shelley
rushes over to a table where Chloe and Jenna are,
whispers something to them. They glance at the door.
(CONTINUED)
83.
CONTINUED:
A moment later, Miranda walks in with her police escort.
Taking her across the cafeteria towards the back door.
An uneasy Pete leads. Irene and the wardens at the rear.
Miranda glances at the women staring at her like a
specimen. Like somehow she's even more dangerous than
them. Top dog, as it were, of the crazies.
And then, halfway across the room, one of the women
stands up. Chloe. She claps her hands together.
Slowly. Miranda watches her, confused. And slowly
Shelly, Jenna and others rise as well. All of them
joining Chloe in clapping.
PETE
What is this?
IRENE
She's a hero. Little Red Riding
Hood put the big bad wolf in a
coma.
Pete nods. Just what he needed. The OFFICERS trade looks.
OFFICER #1
They're not gonna start something,
are they?
Irene shakes her head, amused.
IRENE
You ain't scared of a bunch of
women now, are you, Officer?
The entire cafeteria is on their feet showing their
solidarity for Miranda. Chloe locks eyes with her,
mouths the words "thank you."
And Miranda is hauled out the side door.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL
White. Surveillance cameras in every corner. Two
separate doors with elaborate locks. High security all
around. The officers undo Miranda's cuffs and excuse
themselves.
Pete gestures for Irene and the Orderlies to leave as
well.
ORDERLY #1
We'll be right outside, Doctor.
(CONTINUED)
84.
CONTINUED:
Once the doors are locked and they're alone, the
conversation jumps straight into frustrated high gear:
PETE
I pulled a lot of strings to get
you transferred back. The best
case scenario you're looking at
right now is five years here.
Five. Under my --
MIRANDA
(interrupting)
Peter, I didn't believe in ghosts
before this. And neither do you.
Pete is at the end of his rope. Can't hide his sadness
when he looks at her. Still, he tries to get her back on
track:
PETE
But you know that the brain is
fully capable of tricking you into
seeing all sorts of things. The
simplest chemical deficiencies
can --
MIRANDA
Chemical deficiencies can't get
inside of you and make you do
terrible things you don't remember
doing!
PETE
I'm a very open-minded person, but
as a doctor --
MIRANDA
No, you're not. You're a close-
minded academic, just like me.
You told me once that I was the
most logical person you knew,
remember? Well, everything that's
happened has an explanation but it
has nothing to do with psychiatry
or science. Rachel Parsons was
abducted and she was murdered six
years ago -- tossed off the Ashley
Bridge by my husband. My
harmless, righteous 'community
leader' husband -- that's how
pathetically blind I've been.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
85.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA (CONT'D)
Andrea White and Jenny Dixon were
also abducted and murdered -- now
this was before I met Doug but I
bet you anything that they both
went to his school. Then he
obviously stopped for a while:
fear, guilt, distractions --
namely me -- delayed him from
reverting to his sickness. That's
why I didn't notice anything. I
believe he really tried to lead a
normal life, for me. Then along
comes Tracy Seaver and he can't
resist. Locks her up and tortures
her in some abandoned property --
She shows him the crumpled newspaper listing.
MIRANDA
Here's Doug's interest in real
estate, Pete.
Pete stares at the realty listing for Willows Creek.
MIRANDA
Rachel Parsons is a pissed-off
ghost with an agenda, furious at
her parents for giving up on
her -- she's been trying to
communicate with them for years
but they're too goddamn logical to
pay attention -- and she picked
me, she sought me out that night
and sent me home to fix her
problem. Made sure I killed Doug
because he was going to do the
same thing to Tracy Seaver as he
did to her. And she will get rid
of anyone who stands in her way.
Pete takes all of this in. Dumbfounded.
PETE
Is that a threat?
MIRANDA
To whom?
PETE
To me.
(CONTINUED)
86.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
To you? I'm telling you she
nearly electrocuted me when I
tried to leave town and she led me
to that barn and if I don't do
what she wants -- she's going to
kill me.
Pete can see that she's petrified. He starts to speak,
but she hushes him by gently placing her finger on his
lips. The gesture is tender, almost romantic. A
reminder of their very real connection.
MIRANDA
I need you to at least consider
the possibility that I'm not
insane.
(beat; pleading)
Not as a doctor. As the only
person I trust in this world.
EXT. NEWCASTLE COMMUNITY BANK PARKING LOT - DAY
A tense Phil and Dorothy Parsons in their parked car.
DOROTHY
I'm not doing it for Miranda, I'm
doing this for Rachel.
PARSONS
You're making a complete fool of
yourself. Do you realize what you
sound like?
She sighs, climbs out of the car, leaving him there.
Takes three steps. Stops. Turns back around and lets
him have it:
DOROTHY
What do I sound like, Phil? Like
one of your patients? Well, it's
probably because that's exactly
how you treat me. And I've had
enough of this deafening silence
between us, this exemplary
mourning in front of the
community, tiptoeing around our
lives with you pretending Rachel
never existed.
BANK CUSTOMERS walk around the argument, pretending not
to hear. Phil is mortified. But Dorothy doesn't care:
(CONTINUED)
87.
CONTINUED:
DOROTHY
I'm losing my mind. Our daughter
is gone and I miss her and I'm
angry.
She turns and storms off. Phil takes it all in for the
first time. A moment later he climbs out of the car.
INT. BANK VAULT - DAY
A solemn GUARD places the safety deposit box on the table
in the middle of the room. Steps back through the gate
and waits. Dorothy and Phil stare at the box for a
moment.
Finally, Phil punches in the code written out by his wife
and opens it. He sorts through some paperwork that means
nothing to him until his hands feel a thick envelope. He
opens it and spills the contents on the table.
It is a stack of POLAROIDS.
Dorothy leans in and immediately her face darkens. She
grabs onto the table, shakily -- and is forced to sit
down. A horrified sob rises from deep inside her, comes
out like the howl of a dying animal. Her husband pales,
all blood draining from his face.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - EVENING
The sky darkens fast. The storm moving in.
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - NURSES' STATION
THUNDER RUMBLES outside, making a tray of meds rattle.
PAN UP to see Consuelo, the round black woman we might
remember Chloe beating up earlier. She shakes her head.
CONSUELO
It's gonna be an interesting
night.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL
Miranda looks up at the sound of the BOLT BEING DRAWN and
the handle unfastened. Through the door comes Consuelo,
carrying a tray. Sets it down by the bed.
She is on her way out when she pauses, stares at Miranda.
(CONTINUED)
88.
CONTINUED:
CONSUELO
How are we doing today?
That term again, "we." Doctor-speak. Miranda doesn't
have the energy for it:
MIRANDA
Just fine, thank you.
CONSUELO
The spirit is not fine. She's
very unhappy.
What was that? Normally Miranda would look at this woman
as if she were crazy, but things have changed.
MIRANDA
How -- how do you know?
CONSUELO
(shuts her eyes)
But she's only a girl. Do you
know her name?
MIRANDA
Yes. Rachel.
CONSUELO
Have you talked to her?
MIRANDA
Yes, I -- you could say that.
Consuelo holds Miranda's hands firmly, "reading" her.
CONSUELO
She's very, very angry. And she's
not finished with you yet.
MIRANDA
I'm sure that's meant to sound
comforting but --
CONSUELO
She wants to show you something.
MIRANDA
That may be so, but I want her to
go away.
CONSUELO
Then you need to protect yourself.
(CONTINUED)
89.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
And how exactly would I do that?
CONSUELO
Mira, first I'm gonna bring you
some cascarilla, it's a powder,
you get it anyplace, it comes from
eggs -- you pour it all over
you --
(indicates)
Like this --
MIRANDA
Look --
(reading nametag)
Consuelo, I appreciate what you're
trying to do, but I honestly don't
think this ghost will go away if I
pour some egg powder on myself --
Consuelo holds up a finger, hushing Miranda. She's
receiving something here. Shudders.
CONSUELO
She made you do things. Bad
things, didn't she?
MIRANDA
Yes.
CONSUELO
And you carried this out for her.
She used you as a vessel...
Consuelo's grip tightens on Miranda as we --
FLASH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - EXT. ASHLEY BRIDGE - NIGHT
We're back at the bridge. Rachel pries open Miranda's
mouth. Miranda panics:
MIRANDA
What are you doing? I'm trying to
help you -- ?!
Rachel opens her mouth wide like a snake. And as Miranda
screams, blood starts leaking out of Rachel's wounds.
And now we see it. Rachel's lips touch Miranda's and
BREATHE HER SPIRIT INTO Miranda with a WHOOSH --
90.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL - CONTINUOUS ACTION (PRESENT)
Consuelo lets go of Miranda's hand. Like recoiling from
fire. Speaks in the simplest of ways. The truth:
CONSUELO
You were possessed by her.
MIRANDA
Yes.
CONSUELO
Ay, probrecita. You're both in
terrible danger. She's scared too
but she can't step back into the
light until she finishes what she
started here. And now you're the
only person who can help her find
the way back.
MIRANDA
I don't know how to do that -- I'm
not qualified for it. You do it.
Consuelo crosses herself. A sign of respect for the
situation. But it has a chilling effect on Miranda.
CONSUELO
Despair is the only unforgivable
sin. You'll be in my prayers,
Miranda.
Prayers? What good is that going to do? Consuelo exits.
EXT. PARSONS' HOUSE - NIGHT
Two POLICE CRUISERS parked outside.
INT. PARSONS' LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A glassy-eyed Phil Parsons serves himself another Scotch,
devastated. The SHOT is FRAMED so that we see the
bedroom door is open, Dorothy lying in bed, heavily
tranquilized.
Sheriff Ryan inspects the photographs.
ON THE LURID POLAROIDS
Postcards from hell: scared teenage girls in forced
poses -- gagged, tortured -- Andrea White, Jenny Dixon,
Tracy Seaver...
(CONTINUED)
91.
CONTINUED:
And young Rachel Parsons.
PARSONS
This proves that her story is
true: my daughter appeared to her
in some form and guided her
through all this, putting things
right.
SHERIFF RYAN
Come on, Phil, you of all
people --
PARSONS
I of all people hold logic, reason
and facts above everything else.
And seek the truth through proof
and proof only.
(re: pictures)
And what do you call that?
SHERIFF RYAN
Has it occurred to you that maybe
she knew what her husband was
doing to those girls?
PARSONS
No. Frankly, it hasn't.
SHERIFF RYAN
Maybe she couldn't stand the guilt
and cooked up this far-fetched
tale to tug at everybody's
heartstrings. The fact remains
she hacked her husband to pieces.
PARSONS
The fact remains my daughter was
murdered and Miranda stopped the
killer. A killer who was loose
under your incompetent nose for
over six years. We don't know how
many future victims were spared,
but we do know she saved that girl
in the barn's life. And that's
more than you or I can say -- !
SHERIFF RYAN
Calm down. For the record, that
girl is on a ventilator. The
doctors don't think she'll make it
through tonight.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
92.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN (CONT'D)
Now, you want to stand up in a
courtroom and tell a judge that a
ghost is behind all this, that's
your prerogative -- but I have to
abide by the law. And the law
says Miranda Grey faces criminal
chargers. So here's what we're
going to do. I'm going to leave a
cruiser outside to make sure you
don't go anywhere tonight and two
of my deputies will go guard Ms.
Grey until tomorrow morning.
Phil?
Parsons doesn't respond. His eyes far away.
SHERIFF RYAN
There will be no breakouts, no
aiding and abetting, no taking the
law into your own hands. It'll
take an Act of God for Miranda
Grey not to show up in that
courtroom tomorrow. Are we clear?
And now the Sheriff can see that Parsons is crying.
Quietly, miserably. And it's a disparaging sight.
Sheriff Ryan exits. Two deputies follow, RADIOS
SQUAWKING.
Parsons remains still for a moment, then digs a
photograph out of a drawer. A picture of Rachel in
happier times.
PARSONS
I'm sorry. I will never forgive
myself for what happened to you.
Not as long as I live.
(breaking down)
I miss you so much.
He sits there, staring at his dead daughter. Grieving.
WE PULL BACK to see he is not alone. Rachel is watching
him.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - NIGHT
The WIND has really PICKED UP now. A massive LIGHTNING
BOLT streaks the sky, officially announcing the storm's
onset.
A POLICE CRUISER pulls up to the guard gate.
93.
INT. WOODWARD SURVEILLANCE BOOTH
PAN OFF the bank of monitors TO the same two guards we've
seen before. Playing yet another bored card game. The
LIGHT RAPPING on their glass door makes them look up.
GUARD #1
Help you?
TWO OFFICERS stand there. We recognize one of them:
OFFICER TURLINGTON
We're here on Miranda Grey detail.
The Guards shake their heads, chuckle.
GUARD #1
Sixth floor. You can get a couple
chairs from the nurses up there.
A pretty decent cup of joe too.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Thanks, guys.
The Guard points at the bank of monitors.
GUARD #1
Although why the Sheriff is making
you fellas waste your time is
beside me. We got her right here.
She ain't going no place.
ON MONITOR
Miranda inside her pristine white cell. Restlessly
pacing.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Looks perfectly harmless, doesn't
she?
GUARD #1
Don't they all, Officer, don't
they all?
The men share a chuckle over that one when suddenly
THUNDER CRACKLES and the power goes out.
No monitors, no radio, no nothing. Pitch black.
GUARD #1
Shit. There goes the card game.
Abruptly there's a SERIES OF sharp CLICKS as FOUR
FLASHLIGHTS come alive.
94.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL
The THUNDER outside RATTLES the WINDOW PANE. The only
light source being the intermittent LIGHTNING as the
STORM RAGES.
She paces in the dark. Sits. Waits.
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - STAIRS - SAME TIME
The two cops use their flashlights to hustle up the stairs.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL - SAME TIME
Miranda holds her breath, listens. And sure enough,
somebody else is in the room. She looks around.
MIRANDA
No. No. What do you want -- ?
And now LIGHTNING streaks the room and we see Rachel in
the corner. Staring with her dead eyes. Moving towards
her.
MIRANDA
I've done everything you've asked
me to. My life is ruined. I
can't take this anymore. I
can't...
(faintly)
You have to step into the light,
Rachel. You don't belong here --
you don't belong...
But it doesn't work. Rachel keeps walking towards her.
Miranda backs up against the wall. Trapped. Fighting
tears --
MIRANDA
Into the light --
(loudly)
Can somebody come in here? I need
help. Somebody, please!
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - DIFFERENT FLOOR - STAIRS -
SAME TIME
The cops reach the landing where we see other flashlights
down the corridor. They walk towards them.
IRENE
And who are you?
(CONTINUED)
95.
CONTINUED:
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Officer Turlington, ma'am. We're
supposed to sit outside Miranda
Grey's cell all night.
IRENE
Knock yourself out. Next floor up.
(loudly)
It's only a power outage, ladies
-- let's call it an early night.
The cops head down the corridor.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL - SAME TIME
Rachel stretches out her arm to Miranda's face --
MIRANDA
Please don't. Why are you doing
this? It's over. Over and done!
Rachel slowly shakes her head, places her hands on
Miranda's eyes and shuts them --
FLASH CUT TO:
MIRANDA'S VISION - ANDREA WHITE
in her school uniform. Staring straight ahead. Now the
image is bathed in a red and blue light and we see her
half-naked, bruised. Dead.
FLASH CUT TO:
JENNY DIXON
staring AT us in her school uniform. Now abruptly she is
a hellish vision: opening her mouth in agony, also
bathed in the strange red and blue light --
END OF MIRANDA'S VISION.
INT. MIRANDA'S NEW CELL - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Miranda screams at the visions. Rachel holds her steady.
MIRANDA
Stop it! I don't want to see
this! I can't help you anymore!
Stop it!
(CONTINUED)
96.
CONTINUED:
Now a heavy RATTLING makes her turn to the door. One of
the HINGES has SHATTERED and the latch itself is half-
pulled from the doorframe. Relentless POUNDING on the
other side.
MIRANDA
Let me out of here! Let me out!
There's a deafening SOUND like a thousand bells ringing
at once and Miranda covers her ears --
Outside WE HEAR MURMURS, YELLS, INSTRUCTIONS --
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - CORRIDOR
The cops arrive to find every door in the corridor flung
open. Confused patients spill out as guards and nurses
try to restore order. RADIOS SQUAWK, flashlights beam
and FOOTSTEPS fill the dark corridor as patients try to
escape.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - VARIOUS SHOTS - NIGHT
FIRE ENGINES and PATROL CARS arrive at the scene, SIRENS
blazing. Sheriff Ryan and additional deputies rush from
their cars to contain the breakout. A large SPOTLIGHT
comes to life. We spot Jenna making a run for the garden
wall when the spotlight hits her. Two officers rush
after her.
INT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE
Sheriff Ryan makes his way through the mayhem, past Irene
helping a patient, past nurse Claire cowering in a corner --
SHERIFF RYAN
Christ Almighty.
Sheriff Ryan hits the stairs.
INT. SIXTH FLOOR CORRIDOR
Officer Turlington runs down the corridor, searching
frantically with his flashlight --
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - NIGHT
A car pulls up at the scene. Pete and Parsons step out.
(CONTINUED)
97.
CONTINUED:
PETE
Miranda...
Pete rushes up the steps --
INT. SIXTH FLOOR CORRIDOR
Officer Turlington looks inside Miranda's cell. Empty.
And as he is about to speak into his walkie he spots her:
Seated by the elevator. Holding a biting block in
Shelley's mouth as her seizing subsides.
OFFICER
(into radio)
Sheriff? I have Miss Grey right
here.
He flashes his light at her. Miranda looks back blankly.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sorry, we thought you might have
made a run for it.
MIRANDA
Page Irene ASAP. This patient
needs her meds.
Turlington nods. Miranda looks down at a grateful
Shelley, whose head is cradled in her lap. Brushes the
matted hair off her face. Carefully removes the biting
block, making sure Shelley is alright.
SHELLEY
(after a beat)
You're gonna get that Pulitzer
after all.
MIRANDA
Shh, shh, just rest.
SHELLEY
(sotto, smiling)
I told you I could keep a secret.
INT. REC ROOM - LATER
The patients are all assembled here. Flashlights galore.
Irene and Consuelo do head counts. Guards, officers,
janitors -- everybody. Irene points a finger at Jenna.
(CONTINUED)
98.
CONTINUED:
IRENE
You have really disappointed me
tonight, Jenna --
JENNA
Give me a break. You wouldn't
respect me if I hadn't tried --
Parsons breaks away from Turlington, heads over to Pete
and Miranda --
PETE
Everybody accounted for?
PARSONS
We're doing the final count. Now
they can't find the Sheriff.
Miranda scans the near-dark room, looking for someone.
Watches Turlington step aside to take a call on his
radio. Parsons regards her with newfound respect:
PARSONS
Are you alright, Miranda?
MIRANDA
Fine, Phil. Thanks for asking.
Suddenly all the policemen in the room begin to exit --
PETE
What's going on, Officer?
OFFICER TURLINGTON
One of your patients is holding
the Sheriff at gunpoint. She's in
the cafeteria.
Pete glances at Miranda. She knows exactly who it is:
MIRANDA
Chloe.
Turlington is about to exit when Parsons stops him:
PARSONS
I think Doctor Grey should be the
one to talk to her.
INT. CAFETERIA - MOMENTS LATER
The DOOR CRASHES open and Chloe shoves the Sheriff
inside. She has a gun pressed hard against his ear.
(CONTINUED)
99.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN
Young lady, I don't know how you
think you can get out of here,
but --
CHLOE
You're very polite for a piggy.
Now take off your uniform.
Sheriff Ryan hesitates. Chloe presses the gun against
him.
CHLOE
Do it quick. I won't make fun of
you.
The sound of the UPSTAIRS DOOR BEING THROWN OPEN makes
her glance up. She trains her flashlight at the second
level, stepping behind the Sheriff to use him as cover.
CHLOE
Nobody better fucking move up
there or I'll blow this piggy's
head off!
Her FLASHLIGHT BEAM searches the section. Catches the
reflection of a police shield hiding behind a table.
CHLOE
That means you, fucko. Up on your
feet or I'll start by shooting his
ear off.
A beat. Officer Turlington rises. Slow and deliberate.
CHLOE
(to Sheriff, sotto)
Tell junior the grownups are
talking now and he's not allowed
in here. Do it.
SHERIFF RYAN
Turlington, it's alright. I
can -- I'm just going to --
CHLOE
The grownups are talking. Don't
paraphrase me.
SHERIFF RYAN
The grownups are -- are talking
now. Just leave.
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED:
A voice startles Chloe from behind, at floor level.
MIRANDA
Chloe? Can I talk to you?
Chloe flicks the flashlight to see Miranda by the door.
CHLOE
Dreadful timing, I'm real busy.
MIRANDA
You have to let him go. I'm sorry.
Chloe flinches at that. Like all this multitasking is
affecting her. She digs the gun deeper into the Sheriff's
neck, making him cower to his knees, execution style --
CHLOE
Look -- let's not confuse things.
I like you. But this is my only
chance.
(to Sheriff)
Now take off that goddamn uniform
before I get really pissed.
The Sheriff glances at Miranda. Miranda nods. The
Sheriff begins unbuttoning his shirt --
MIRANDA
What are you going to do? Put on
his uniform and walk out of here?
Think about it, Chloe. They know
you have him. The place is
crawling with cops.
CHLOE
What are my options? To grow old
in this place? It's clear they will
never let me go. Never. Ever.
MIRANDA
That's not true. You have less
than a year left here.
CHLOE
That's a lie! I'll never stop
being sick, they'll just find
something new that's wrong with
me. No wonder you doctors can't
help anyone -- all you have are
deficit columns and stupid tests
designed to point out what part of
the puzzle you think we're missing!
(CONTINUED)
101.
CONTINUED:
She starts sobbing. Letting everything go --
MIRANDA
You're right, doctors never
concentrate on the things patients
are actually capable of. But I
know you, Chloe, you've been
through things that most people
don't survive. And you have a
wonderful future in front of you
if you choose it. It's up to you.
This gets through to Chloe. Her grip loosens on the gun.
MIRANDA
No more guilt, no more hatred, no
more unbearable sadness. You have
no use for any of that anymore.
Your life begins this very second.
CHLOE
I'm so tired. So goddamn tired --
Miranda walks over and embraces her. Chloe hands her the
gun.
And that's when the power returns.
Miranda and Chloe frozen in their embrace. Sheriff Ryan
on his knees. In the sudden, shocking glare of returning
light, color abruptly re-enters the world and every
RADIO, PHONE, FAN and MACHINE that were left on HUM TO
LIFE.
Miranda finds herself staring at Sheriff Ryan, bathed in
the glow of the flashing red and blue lights from the
cruisers outside. The image a replica of the Andrea
White and Jenny Dixon visions.
Peeking from his half-unbuttoned shirt is the beginning
of a chest TATTOO. Miranda slowly trains the gun on the
Sheriff, finally struck with the realization:
MIRANDA
It was you, wasn't it?
SHERIFF RYAN
What are you talking about?
She opens his shirt to reveal the tattoo: a 1950s pinup-
style WOMAN SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, ARMS RAISED, SHACKLED.
Anima Sola. Miranda's recurring vision from the night of
the slaughter.
(CONTINUED)
102.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
'Not alone.' That's what Rachel
has been trying to tell me all
along. Doug was not alone. You
were with him. This whole time
it's been you. You covered up
their deaths to look like
suicides.
The Sheriff throws his jacket on, starts walking --
SHERIFF RYAN
You've lost your mind.
MIRANDA
Don't fucking move.
The CLICK! of a SAFETY being released makes him pause.
He turns to look at her. A tense beat.
PETE (O.S.)
Miranda, don't do it!
She glances at Pete's pleading face and the room around
her: cops everywhere. All guns trained on her.
Sheriff Ryan speaks low so only she can hear the
following:
SHERIFF RYAN
And just exactly who would believe
you? No proof, no living witness.
Everybody knows you're crazy.
Miranda's finger itches on the trigger as they face off.
Her hand starts to shake. Sheriff Ryan turns and strides
off. Getting away. Further. Further...
But as much as she wants to, she can't bring herself to
do it. Finally brings the gun down. The armed policemen
rush over and disarm her, shove her to the floor and cuff
her.
SHERIFF RYAN
I want that woman in custody. She
has a judge to face in the morning.
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - NIGHT (HEAVY RAIN)
Turlington escorts a cuffed Miranda to a waiting cruiser.
He jumps behind the wheel and starts to pull out when
Pete suddenly taps on Miranda's window, startling her --
(CONTINUED)
103.
CONTINUED:
PETE
I'll call your lawyer and -- !
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sir, not now --
PETE
I'll meet you at the station!
She shakes her head. Mouths something Pete can't make out.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sir, please --
PETE
What?
Turlington hits the gas. Miranda presses her face
against the window so only Pete can see her say the
following:
MIRANDA
The girl in the hospital.
Pete locks eyes with her, nods -- as the cruiser leaves.
INT. JACKSON HOSPITAL - RECOVERING ROOM - NIGHT
Tracy Seaver lies unconscious, hooked up to a series of
machines. PULL BACK to find Pete with a young DOCTOR.
DOCTOR
Her condition remains the same.
Basically that ventilator is
keeping her alive. We have no
reason to think she'll ever wake
up. I'm sorry.
Pete nods, disconcerted. Stares at the girl.
PETE
You mind if I stay here tonight?
DOCTOR
Hey, it's a big place. The more
the merrier. If I can just ask
you to wait outside.
INT. WAITING AREA
The Doctor gestures for Pete to make himself comfortable.
(CONTINUED)
104.
CONTINUED:
HOSPITAL LOUDSPEAKER (V.O.)
Dr. Brooks to ER. Dr. Brooks --
DOCTOR
That's me. Excuse me.
The Doctor rushes off.
INT. RECOVERY ROOM #2
Like Tracy Seaver, Simon Reynolds is hooked up to a bunch
of machines and cables. Suddenly his EYES SHOOT OPEN and
the CARDIAC ALARM SQUEALS --
Two NURSES rush in. The young Doctor right behind.
NURSE #1
V-tach.
The EKG whipsaws. The Doctor feels for a pulse, then slaps
on the defibrillator pads, places the paddles on the chest --
DOCTOR
Clear!
He begins chest compressions on Simon's heart. He spasms
violently once, twice -- And then it stops. The Doctor
and Nurses stare at the monitor. Flatline.
Unseen by them, Rachel steps out of the room.
EXT. COUNTY POLICE STATION - NIGHT
WE SEE Turlington and two other COPS climb in a patrol
car and drive off. WE MOVE INSIDE the empty station...
INT. SHERIFF RYAN'S OFFICE
Sheriff Ryan takes a healthy chug from a fifth of Scotch,
slips it back in a drawer. Stares at his hands. Steady as
a rock. Takes a deep breath. Knows what he must do next.
A religious man despite everything, he brings his thumb
to his forehead and crosses himself.
INT. COUNTY STATION - HOLDING CELL - MOMENTS LATER
Miranda's eyes snap open at the SOUND OF DEADBOLTS
SLIDING UNLOCKED. Hopeful. Could this be Rachel?
(CONTINUED)
105.
CONTINUED:
A looming figure appears at the door. Doesn't bother to
shut it. Stares at her silently for a long while. And
so begins a claustrophobic cat and mouse game:
SHERIFF RYAN
How did you know?
MIRANDA
You tell me.
SHERIFF RYAN
This isn't one of your word
association games, Doctor. Did
Douglas tell you that night?
MIRANDA
Why wait this long if he had?
SHERIFF RYAN
Maybe it's your amnesia. Maybe
you blocked it out.
MIRANDA
Maybe. But it seems to me that
it's vital you know for sure.
He studies her. Takes a step towards her. Miranda
responds by stepping back. A slow motion semicircle, if
you will. She eyes the open door. Tempted.
SHERIFF RYAN
You think me and Doug are
monsters. That this was all a
carefully laid out plan with those
girls. But it wasn't that at all.
You do things sometimes and you're
not sure why you did them. Then
you realize you can live with them
and so can everyone else. Life
goes on.
MIRANDA
If you're looking for forgiveness,
you came to the wrong place.
She's stalling, trying to keep him talking and he knows
it.
SHERIFF RYAN
One thing about fear is it makes
people say the dumbest things.
(CONTINUED)
106.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
Be that as it may, you're afraid
too -- because you know killing me
won't solve your problems.
SHERIFF RYAN
My only problem is you.
MIRANDA
What about Parsons? And Peter?
They know. And that girl in the
hospital will never forget your
face. You miscalculated, now you
pay.
Patience tested, he suddenly WHACKS her across the face.
SHERIFF RYAN
I hate a bad bluffer.
She makes a big effort to hide how much that stung.
MIRANDA
I sure hope that felt good because
you can't afford too many more
signs of struggle. Can you?
SHERIFF RYAN
Go ahead, hit me back. It's what
you want.
MIRANDA
No, that's what you want me to do.
SHERIFF RYAN
Back to profiling, huh? Your
thought process is completely
transparent.
And now Miranda briefly takes the reins of the
conversation. Analyst and patient in session. Echoing
her opening scene with Chloe.
MIRANDA
So we're even. You left that door
open so I'd try and run, it's what
you get off on, isn't it?
SHERIFF RYAN
I guess we'll find out.
(CONTINUED)
107.
CONTINUED:
MIRANDA
And yet you have to make me look
like a suicide. With what, your
belt?
(off his shrug)
How would I get access to a belt?
SHERIFF RYAN
Trust me, prisoners hang themselves
with just about anything.
MIRANDA
I don't think that's going to
satisfy you. You won't be able to
do this clean. You have too much
guilt inside.
SMACK! Another slap across the face. Miranda's knees
buckle. But she remains standing. Her lip trembles.
MIRANDA
You're losing grasp of the
situation. It was different with
those girls. I bet all they did
was cry and scream.
SHERIFF RYAN
Don't worry, you'll scream.
(after a beat)
Take off your shirt.
This throws her off. She shoots a quick glance at the
door.
MIRANDA
Aren't I a little old for you?
SHERIFF RYAN
Take it off.
She hesitates. He draws his gun, tired. Removes the
safety.
MIRANDA
That's for show. You know you
can't shoot me.
SHERIFF RYAN
But I can smash your teeth out and
make it look like you bashed your
head against the wall. Now shut
up, take off your goddamn shirt
and pull off your bra.
(CONTINUED)
108.
CONTINUED:
Miranda is petrified now. Running out of ways to hide
it.
SHERIFF RYAN
Today, Doctor.
In a sudden move, Miranda shoves the chair at him and
bolts out the door. The Sheriff doesn't move to stop
her.
INT. HALLWAY TO CELL AREA - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Miranda dashes down the hallway, trying to escape. Takes
quick inventory of the space: two more holding cells
like her own, a row of filing cabinets, and a storage
area with barred windows. She makes a turn up ahead and
reaches another gate down the corridor. A sliding gate
that closes off the cell area from the main station.
She tries the gate. Locked, naturally. She shakes and
bangs on it, desperate.
MIRANDA
TURLINGTON!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!
No response. And no way to disguise the sheer panic in
her voice. She fell for his trap. They're all alone
here.
INT. MIRANDA'S CELL - SAME TIME
Ryan smiles at that. Re-holsters his weapon and walks
towards her, taking his time. Relishing the hunt.
SHERIFF RYAN
Doug mentioned you were painfully
'modest.' But enough about you,
let's discuss Rachel.
INT. HALLWAY TO CELL AREA - CONTINUOUS ACTION
Now Miranda searches for a place to hide. His FOOTSTEPS
GETTING CLOSER --
SHERIFF RYAN (O.S.)
She was no crippled saint. Wasn't
the first time she turned up at
Doug's house all messed up.
109.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Sheriff Ryan peeks down the corridor where we last saw
Miranda. The gate still locked. She's not there. He
traces her steps, clearly enjoying this:
SHERIFF RYAN
Sure she was a minor, but she
wasn't going to let that get in
her way.
INT. STORAGE AREA - SAME TIME
Miranda is cramped underneath an upturned desk. The SHOT
is FRAMED so we can see the doorway. She prays silently:
MIRANDA
(sotto)
Rachel, where are you when I need
you?
Clearly not here. Sheriff Ryan's voice getting closer:
SHERIFF RYAN (O.S.)
Those other girls -- make no
mistake -- they knew what they
were getting into.
He appears at the doorway now, peeks inside the room.
Sensing her in there. Miranda holds her breath.
SHERIFF RYAN
I'm not saying they knew they were
going to die, but truth is, Doug and
I didn't know it was going to end that
way. It was just the natural extension
of that moment. So yeah, we fucked
them and we killed them. And we knew
it was wrong. Sure we did.
He reaches the upturned desk and flips it over with a
CLANGING SOUND. Miranda wasn't underneath that one. She
scrambles to the door behind him as he turns --
INT. HALLWAY TO CELL AREA - CONTINUOUS ACTION
She slams the door shut on his fingers and fumbles to
slide the deadbolt behind her when the door suddenly
SMASHES OPEN against her, knocking her backwards onto the
floor --
He looms over her. She reaches around for anything to
defend herself. Nothing there. Game over --
(CONTINUED)
110.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN
It wasn't some satanic pact,
society didn't make us do it. But
I believe given the proper
circumstances a person is capable
of anything -- certainly in my
line of work you see it day in,
day out.
(beat)
Tell you what, keep the shirt.
The bra will do.
Miranda stares, helpless. The Sheriff gestures for her
to begin. Like he has all the time in the world.
Miranda slides up the wall and starts to unclasp her bra
under her shirt. Petrified --
SHERIFF RYAN
Chin up, Doctor. You wanted to
get to the bottom of this and you
did. You followed it all the way
through. This is how it ends.
His demeanor and voice are eerily calm, as if in a
trance. He takes the bra from her hand and hangs it
around her neck, as if helping somebody with their tie.
She takes a step back and finds herself pinned against
the wall --
SHERIFF RYAN
Doug settled down once you two got
married. New start and all that.
Wanted nothing to do with this
runaway I'd found, Tracy Seaver --
He squeezes the bra tightly around her throat, choking
her. She stares straight into his eyes -- her whole
body simultaneously frozen in place and shaking
uncontrollably --
SHERIFF RYAN
Or so he claimed. Because the
truth, Doc -- is people never
change. The son of a bitch
couldn't resist. I asked him to
dump the body and instead he went
found some barn to work her out of
his system some more. Go fucking
figure.
And now we PAN DOWN TO see Miranda's left hand ever so
slowly reach for his holster...
(CONTINUED)
111.
CONTINUED:
SHERIFF RYAN
You can't count on anyone, even
friends you've had your whole
life.
They're so close together their noses nearly touch. He
gazes into her eyes, watching life drain out of her. He
applies one final burst of pressure, stretching her skin
to the point of no return --
SHERIFF RYAN
The only soul you can ever count
on is yourself --
BLAM! A GUNSHOT rings out and half his ear explodes in a
gush of blood. He stumbles back, still on his feet,
dazed.
He looks up at Miranda with the gun trained on him.
Struggling to catch her breath. A faint smile forms on
his lips, somehow appreciative of this turn of events.
SHERIFF RYAN
Why, Doctor. That was unexpected.
He steps forward, almost playfully. She slowly shakes
her head. Wraps her fingers tightly around the
trigger --
SHERIFF RYAN
You sure about this?
He stares at her. Blood flowing from the side of his
head. He's now standing directly in front of Miranda's
open cell, weighing his options at triple speed --
SHERIFF RYAN
You need me alive for your story
to stick. Be logical now. You
know you can't kill me.
He takes exactly half a step forward when Miranda drills
a BULLET through his forehead. Sheriff Ryan splays
backwards and lands with a crash.
MIRANDA
Logic is overrated.
INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
The door to Tracy's room is closed. WE FIND Pete where
we left him, by the soda machine, fighting to stay awake.
(CONTINUED)
112.
CONTINUED:
MOVING TOWARD him, we COME TO REST ON the back of his
neck. So TIGHT we can actually see the hairs on the back
of his neck. And as he feels the SWOOSH of a cold
whisper, they stand up on their ends.
Pete turns to Tracy's room to notice that the door is now
open. Strange. He stands up and walks to the door.
INT. RECOVERY ROOM #1
Pete looks oddly around the room.
PETE
Anybody in here -- ?
As he turns, we REVEAL Rachel slipping out of the room.
Unseen by him, of course. Pete starts to exit when Tracy
opens her eyes. Groggily waking as if from a dream.
TRACY SEAVER
Hello -- ?
EXT. COUNTY POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Turlington comes out of his cruiser, carrying a bag of
take-out food. Chatting with his colleagues.
INT. HALLWAY TO SHERIFF RYAN'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Turlington raps on the Sheriff's door and opens it.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sheriff Ryan?
No sight of the man. That's odd. Maybe he's in the
bathroom. Turlington heads in that direction.
INT. MEN'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Turlington peeks in. checks the stalls.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sheriff?
Nobody. He notices the back window is open because
raindrops are blown in by the wind. He looks out to the
parking lot for a moment before shutting it.
113.
INT. POLICE STATION - CORRIDOR
The FRONT DESK OFFICER is trying to hold back a grim Pete,
Parsons and Teddy Howard from heading to the back area.
FRONT DESK OFFICER
I'm sorry, but nobody is allowed
to visit at this hour --
PETE
Is the Sheriff here or isn't he?
OFFICER TURLINGTON
(reaching the scene)
Help you, gentlemen?
PETE
We're here to see Miranda Grey.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
You know full well you're not
allowed to see --
Teddy Howard slaps an official-looking document on him.
TEDDY HOWARD
That's straight from Judge
Wilkinson. Take us to her cell.
FRONT DESK OFFICER
Better get the Sheriff out here.
Turlington looks over the paperwork, confused.
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Sheriff Ryan isn't here. His car
is gone too.
PARSONS
Officer, unlock the goddamn door
to Miranda's cell or I'll break it
down myself.
Turlington is not used to being spoken to this way,
certainly not by upstanding directors of psychiatric
institutes. He leads the men down the corridor and
unlocks the cell. The men wait as all three locks are
dutifully undone and then the heavy door is slid open.
The men look inside and instantly stop in their tracks.
INT. HOLDING CELL
Sheriff Ryan, splayed. Very dead.
(CONTINUED)
114.
CONTINUED:
OFFICER TURLINGTON
Jesus H. Christ.
Teddy Howard has to look away. Pete places his hand on
Parsons' shoulder. Parsons simply glares at the dead
man, eyes filled with hatred.
No sign of Miranda anywhere. Vanished. Like Houdini.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOODWARD INSTITUTE - DAY
CAMERA SOARS THROUGH the tall gates, PAST the guard, PAST
the sprinklers watering the impressive gardens. A
TAXICAB pulls up.
SUPERIMPOSE: SIX MONTHS LATER
A healthier, much happier-looking Chloe shakes Pete's
hand at the front steps. Small suitcase by her side.
CHLOE
Thank you for everything, Dr.
Graham. I'll never forget all
you've done for me.
PETE
It's been my pleasure, Miss
McGrath. Good luck out there.
Chloe smiles. Awkward. Her first day out in the real
world.
CHLOE
Well, I guess this is it. I hope
not to see you again unless it's
for coffee or something.
PETE
Hey, you never know. It's a small
world, unless you have to clean it.
Chloe picks up her bag, climbs down the steps to her cab.
Stops midway, turns:
CHLOE
You don't have to tell me if you
don't want to, but -- have you
ever heard anything from -- ?
Pete shakes his head. Chloe nods, climbs inside the cab.
Pete waves as it drives off. Then he pulls out a postcard
from his pocket. It has a New York City postmark.
115.
INSERT - POSTCARD
MIRANDA (V.O.)
Dear Pete. Hope this finds you on
both feet, preferably having been
promoted to director after Phil's
retirement. Not that you had much
competition, but a big hug to you
anyway... I was as surprised as
anyone to read about Sheriff
Ryan's suicide and the startling
discovery that it was he who
murdered my late husband. I wish
I could personally thank certain
people for their convincing
testimonies in the case.
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
fly AT us under her V.O.:
A) "Female doctor still at large, wanted for
questioning," with a picture of Miranda underneath.
B) "Guilt-ridden serial killer killed accomplice, then
killed self: Female Doctor cleared on charges."
Pictures of Sheriff Ryan and Douglas Grey side by side.
C) "Authorities close case on dual serial killers:
community mourns murdered daughters." A picture of
Officer Turlington, Pete, and Phil Parsons at a press
conference.
MIRANDA (V.O.)
As for myself, I have a new name
now and a job working with teenage
girls at a runaway shelter, trying
to keep an open mind at the
horrors they tell me...
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
BOOM DOWN TO a young woman kneeling down to set flowers
on a grave and we recognize her as Tracy Seaver.
Shockingly cleaned up and properly attired -- she's even
cute.
MIRANDA (V.O.)
Which reminds me: Consuelo the
Cuban witch is a keeper, don't
fire her. She knows things about
the world you and I don't.
(CONTINUED)
116.
CONTINUED:
PULL BACK to see the gave is Rachel's, and it is
positively overflowing with flowers. She's become
something of a cause celeb in these parts. Tracy walks
back to the retired couple holding hands, Phil and
Dorothy Parsons.
MIRANDA (V.O.)
Well, gotta run now, I have some
country songs to write and lots of
social invites to decline...
STILL PULLING BACK THROUGH the lush cemetery, PAST
several trees until we find Rachel watching the serene
scene. She turns TO CAMERA now and we PUSH INTO her
eyes, finally at peace, until it FILLS the SCREEN and in
it we see...
EXT. BLEEKER STREET (NYC) - DAY
Miranda walking among the throng of pedestrians. She
looks confident, relaxed, down to earth. No longer the
tightly wound professional at the beginning of our story.
MIRANDA (V.O.)
P.S. And in case you're wondering
what the chances are of me buying
you a beer and maybe finishing
something we almost started, the
answer is: it's just not going to
happen. Especially not at
McSorley's next Friday night. Say
around nine. So you probably
shouldn't bother showing up. All
my love, M.G.
She turns at the light and gets lost in the crowd.
FADE OUT.
THE END
