ORPHAN
Written by
David Leslie Johnson
February 5, 2007
FADE IN:
CLOSE -- KATE COLEMAN (MID 30S )
She's a simple beauty and very pregnant, propped up in a bed,
wearing a hospital gown. A heart rate monitor BEEPS. She touches
her swollen belly, flush with excitement, her eyes full of wonder.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Okayp, just relax.now. This'll be over
Caitti before you know it.
Kate looks up. Her smile falters-as we REVEAL:
INT. DELIVERY ROOM - NIGHT
Harsh lights overhead. -THUNDER rumbles outside. Kate's on a.
delivery table, legs already in the stirrups. A sheet hangs-
across her belly so we can't see what's going on below her waist.
A DOCTOR and NURSE snap pn gloves, prepare instruments: SHARP
BLADES and CURETTES, NEEDLES and FORCEPS. Kate is stricken. She
tries to sit up.
KATE
Wait, I've changed my mind. I don't
want to do this anymore.
The Doctor gives the Nurse an exasperated look. The Nurse takes
Rate's hand, eases her back onto the table.
NURSE
Your baby is dead. There's nothing.
else we can do.
Kate reels, her world turned upside-dowp. Emotional free-fall.
KATE
No, this isn't what's supposed to
happen. My baby's alive!
NURSE
We're so sorry. A terrible loss, we're
so sorry...
KATE
But it's still alive! It's moving!
Feel it, you can feel it!
Kate tries to put the Nurse's hand on her.belly but the-Nurse-
pulls away and hands the Doctor a pair of gleaming.blunt-tipped
SURGICAL SCISSORS. The Doctor leans between Rate's spread legs,
disappearing behind the curtain. Rate gasps.
RATE
No, stop! I want to be asleep!
2.
-DOCTOR-
TOO late for anesthesia.'' The baby's
coming. You're.going to experience
some pressure now... -
Kate winces and bites her lip as the Doctor goes about his unseen
work. A GOOD-LOOKING MAN in surgical scrubs stands behind him..
Bizarrely, he's videotaping-the whole thing. He's Kate's husband,
JOHN (late 30's). He smiles at her from behind -the camera.
JOHN
It's okay, honeys You're doing great!
The Doctor hands the scissors, now slick with gore, to the Nurse.
H e takes a SUCTION. CATHETER and disappears behind-the curtain
again. The Nurse - presses a button on a vacuum pump and the
machine begins to HUM. Kate tightly closes her eyes.
KATE
This isn't happening. Wake up, wake
up, wake up...
Suddenly -- the thin wail of a BABY CRYING. Rate's eyes go wide
w ith horror as the smiling Nurse approaches with a wriggling
bundle wrapped in a blanket. Blood seeps through the pink fabric.
W e can't see what's inside, but it's moving. And it's CRYING.
NURSE
Congratulations, Mrs. Coleman. It's a
girl .
The Nurse offers her the bloody, blanketed bundle. Kate screams -
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
-- then snaps awake. She's been having a nightmare. John lies
n ext to her in bed. Be stirs, but doesn't wake. Kate slips out
of bed and quickly pads to the bathroom;
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Kate closes the door. We now see that she's not pregnant in
reality, only in her nightmare. She slides to the cold floor in
t he dark, a hand on her flat belly as she starts to cry...
INT. DOCTOR BROWNING'S OFFICE - DAY
Water TRICKLES in a little Zen fountain. Kate sits across from
-DR. -BROWNING, a mousy-haired woman in her 50's.
DR. BROWNING
A lot of women experience difficulties
around the anniversary of the
miscarriage or the baby's expected due
date. It's perfectly normal.
3.
KATE
I was thinking of" going back to work.
I really thought 1 was doing better.
DR. BROWNING
You are. Think about where you were
just four months ago. -
(off Kate's look)
Are you still sober?
Kate hesitates. Dr. Browning gives her a penetrating look.
KATE
I drove by the wine shop,on my.way.bome
the other day.
DR. BROWNING
Did you stop?
KATE
I really wanted to. The thought went
through m' head, you know. it wasn't
for me, it just might be nice to have a
bottle handy in case we had guests.
DR. BROWNING.
But you didn't go in?
KATE
No.
DR. BROWNING
That's all that matters. Let's try to
stay focused on the. positive. Grief is
different for everyone. You have to
take it at your own pace.. Keep writing
in your journal. You're doing fine.
Rate smiles weakly. unconvinced.
INT. LIVING ROOM -.DAY
Rate hangs curtains over a beautiful picture window. She steps'
back to admire her work, then sighs. Now what? Now that she s
done, the house suddenly seems-quiet and lonely and too big.
INT. NURSERY - DAY
Kate sits in a rocking chair, gazing out a distinctive ARCHED
'WINDOW. We realize that she's -In a fully furnished and decorated
nursery. Crib, changing table, baby swing. No baby.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
It's a big, dramatic home in an affluent neighborhood. Kate
% crosses the backyard into the nearby woods.
4.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
After a short walk, Kate sits by a PEACEFUL BROOK lost in her
thoughts. ,She pulls a JOURNAL filled. with handwritten entries
from her coat pocket. After a beat,'she begins to write.
EXT. SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF - DAY
Class has just let out, PARENTS arriving to pick up their KIDS.
But the playground is MOSTLY SILENT -- these children an deaf,
communicating to one another and their teachers by sign language.
'Kate pulls up in a luxury minivan. Her five-year-old daughter MAX
runs over togreet her. She's almost- ridiculously cute.
(NOTE: Max doesn't speak. Her "dialogue" is SIGNED and
SUBTITLED. She wears a REARING AID- to help her read lips. when
people speak to her, they must face her and/or sign.)
Kate kisses Max's'head and helps her into the van, buckling her
car seat. Max shows her an art project she's bringing home.
KATE
Wow, did you make this?
MAX
MY TEACHER HELPED.
INT./EXT. KATE'S MINIM - DAY
Kate's' driving. She stops at an intersection. A PREGNANT WOMAN
crosses the street in front of them and stops at the corner. Kate
watches her for a long beat as if transfixed...
In the backseat, Max-CLAPS her hands to get Kate's attention.
Kate turns and sees Max pointing to the traffic light. IVs
green. A car horn HONKS. Kate snaps -out of it and drives off.
INT. MUSIC ROOM - DAY
Kate sits at a baby grand piano,'trying to compose a piece of..
music. She plays a few NOTES, frowns, tries again, takes a pencil
and erases what she's written down.
She pauses to look over-at a beautiful ORCHID in an ornate plants=
by the window. For a moment, she just stares at it. Then:
13 1 She's startled by something outside BOUNCING off the side
of the house. She closes her eyes, frustrated. BANGI EANG1
BANG! She tries to ignore it, but can't.
'EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
Max is playing basketball in the driveway, but the ball's too big
for her and the hoop's too.high. Every time she tries to shoot,
the ball falls short and BANGS against the house.
5.
Kate opens-the door, angrily signing as she speaks:
Stop banging that against the house!
I'm trying-to work!.
MAX
SORRY.
Max gives an abashed look. Kate sighs. She knows she was too
harsh with her.
KATE
-No, I'm sorry.. But just... take a
break for a little while, okay?
Max nods. Kate goes. back inside.
A CAR pulls into the-drive.. It's John and eleven--year-old-DANIEL,
Rate and John's other child. Daniel's blonde, brash, and-cocky,
the all-American kid. He's wearing.a Little League uniform.
Daniel runs toward Max. He steals her ball and dribbles-it around
her in circles. -Max watches glumly. He offers her the ball, but
when she reaches for it, he snatches it away and shoots a lay--up..-
DANIEL
Boo -yahl He shoots! He scores!
JOHN
Nice one, champ! -
Daniel pumps his arm and runs inside. John walks up the drive,
carrying a bouquet of FLOWERS. He hands Max the ball and lifts
her up to the basket. Max happily puts the ball-through'the hoop.
JOHN
All right! Ginme five!
She smiles and gives him a high-five as he carries her inside.
YN'. MUSIC ROOM - DAY -
Kate has just sat back down at the piano when she hears Daniel
tear into the house and run upstairs. She slumps her shoulders
and closes her notebook. No more work today. John enters.
JOHN
Drapes look'nice.
KATE
Curtains.
(off his.look)
They're curtains, not drapes. And haw
exciting is my life that -I now know the
difference.
6.
He offers her the flowers..
RATE
.That's this for?
JOHN
Just love you.
He kisses her as she takes them. Some of her gloomy mood melts.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Kate tucks Max into bed.
MAX
READ ME A STORY?
KATE
Ore story. Then bedtime. Okay?
Max nods. happily and picks up a book from her nightstand. Kate
groans inwardly when she sees what it is. It'.s called. "We were
Going To Have A Baby, .But We Had An Angel Instead."
KATE
You want to hear about the baby again?
Max nods. Kate hesitates, then gives Max a sad smile.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - HIGHT (TIMECUT)
Kate sits on Max's bed, reading and showing her the pictures:
KATE
"People send us flowers and cards, but
we still miss our baby. If this just
happened to you, I'm sorry you got an
angel instead of a'baby. I.think a
baby would have been more fun."
The last picture is a FAMILY WITH A BABY ANGEL watching over them.
MAX
IS BABY JESSIE AN ANGEL?
KATE
Yes, she is. She's with us every day.
Kate gives Max a gentle kiss on the forehead.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Kate opens a medicine chest 'and shakes a PILL from a prescription
bottle. She swallows the pill-with a Dixie cup of water.
7.
INT. XATB AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
John watches TV in bed. Kate enters from the bathroom in a
nightshirt and sits on the bed. She.rubs lotion on her feet.
John watches her, then reaches out, runs his fingers uup and down
her back. Kate freezes. He can't see the-nervous look that
crosses her face. He moves closer, pushes her hair aside, kissing
hex-. neck. Kate responds stiffly, trying to get. in the mood.
He slides a hand around her waist, moves it up to her breast...
KATE
I'm sorry. I can't. Shit...
She moves away, tears suddenly in.her eyes. He gives a concerned
look, lets her have her space. A beat.
KATE
I'm so sick of feeling like this.
Christ, the kids must thing I'm crazy.
JOHN
Will you stop worrying about what
everybody else thinks?
KATE
How can I? I saw a pregnant woman
today on the way home and I almost lost
it. Just burst into tears with Max
sitting right there. Daniel barely
talks to me. You and I haven't had sex
in over a year now. What if I.never
get better? I don't want to lose you.
JOHN
You're never going to lose us. I
promise you. I just wish...
(off her look)
Have you thought any more about
adopting?
KATE
I can't even be a mother to the
children we already have.
JOHN
That's not true. The kids understand.
They just know you're not happy.
KATE
But I should be.
JOHN -
Do you want another child?
B.
KATE
You Snow I do. More than anything.
JOHN
Even if it can-'t be'biologically ours.
KATE-
YES
JOHN
Then what are we talking about this
-for? Let's do it.
KATE
You-don't just adopt a child because
you're lonely and depressed.
JOHN
That's not why we'd be doing..it. We
wanted a child a year ago and we still
want one, now..
KATE
We can't replace our baby.
JOHN
No, 'we can't. But we can take the'
place we made for her in our hearts and
our home and give it to a child who
needs a family.
(BEAT)
Kate, we love being parents. We're
good at it and'it makes. us happy. What
better reason-do you want?
Kate looks at him for a beat, then smiles and lets her tears fall.
INT.-LAWYER'S OFFICE -- DAY
Kate and John are being interviewed by a FEMALE LAWYER.
LAWYER -
Are you both employed?
JOHN
I'm-an architect at a firm in the city.
The Lawyer turns to Kate. Kate hesitates.
KATE
I used to teach music at Yale. I
haven't worked for about a year.
LAWYER -
(a beat, considering)
You're sure you want an older child? - -
(MORE) - - -
9.
LAWYER (CONT'D)
With your background, you could have a
newborn in as little as a year.
JOHN
We've'alread y waited a.long time. :We'd
lake a child as:quickly as possible.
LAWYER..
Well, 'getting an older child-As
definitely quicker, not to mention
cheaper, but- there's a reason for that.
A lbt of these kids- have serious
behavioral problems.'
JOHN
We've already signed up for special-
needs-'adoption classes. Trust me,
we're ready for anything.
LAWYER
You must have a lot of love to give.
Are you looking for a boy or a girl?
RATE
(SMILES)
A girl. We'd like a little girl.- - -
EXT. RURAL HIGHWAY - AERIAL SHOT -- DAY
CAMERA FINDS John's car winding its way along a tree-lined road... }
INT. JOHN'S CAR - DAY
John is driving. Kate is studying pages and pages of photocopied
records in a manila folder. -John gives her an amused look.
KATE
You're not worried about being
prepared?
JOHN -
There's not gonna be a pop quiz.
Kate smiles. She closes the folder and looks at a Polaroid of a
happy, seven-year-old Puerto Rican girl stapled to the cover. The
name next to the photo is YOLANDA.
EXT. HOME FOR GIRLS - ESTABLISHING - DAY -
It's a pillared mansion with a large porch. TWO NUNS supervise a'
GROUP OF YOUNG GIRLS on a playground.- A sign- out front reads "ST.
CABRINI'S HOME FOR GIRLS." John's car pulls into the parking lot.
From-2L SHAKY, HANDHELD POV looking out a second floor window, we
see Kate and John get out of the'car. Someone in watching them...
Kate senses movement and looks up... but there's no one there.
..y
10.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - PLAYROOM - DAY
Yolanda; the girl from the Polaroid, is playing with a dollhouse.
The door-opens. Kate and John are led inside by SISTER ABIGAIL,
an African-American nun in her 50's.
SISTER ABIGAIL
Yolanda, look who's here to see you.
Yolanda, smiles at Kate and John.. She runs over to greet them, but
stands just out of their reach. -Kate kneels in front of her.
RATE
Don't you look pretty!
YOLANDA
6ister Abigail put ribbons in my hair.
See?
KATE
Wow, that was nice of her. Look, we
brought you something for the trip
tomorrow.
She hands her a bag of activity books and a "Travel Turtle," a kid-
sized lap desk for coloring in the car_ Yolanda's face lights up.
SISTER ABIGAIL
What do you.say?
YOLANDA
Thank you.
Kate reaches out to her, but Yolanda pulls-away, focusing all her
attention on her presents. Rate gives her a sad 'smile.
IT. HOME FOR GIRLS - PLAYROOM -- DAY (TIMECUT)
Yolanda is drawing a picture, "Travel Turtle" on her lap. Kate
and Abigail sit nearby, watching. Kate seems worried. Abigail
notices. She speaks in a low voice so Yolanda won't hear:
SISTER ABIGAIL
Nervous?
KATE
Yeah. And happy. And excited. : And
proud. And scared shitless. It' s
funny. All the same feelings I had
when I was pregnant with our others.
.SISTER ABIGAIL
That's what really worries you, isn't
it? Something bad happened, the last
time you felt this way.
(off Kate's look)
(MORE)
SISTER ABIGAIL .CONT'D)
Yolanda's doing something similar.
She's afraid of :getting hurt again,.
.too. Bit I have a-good feeling'about
you two. You can help. each other heal.
And you're lucky. You have a wonderful
husband who can be there for you both.
A flicker crosses Rate's eyes at the mention of het "wonderful
husband." Doubt? uncertainty? Abigail.do'esn't see it.
I h T. HOME FOR GIRLS - CORRIDOR - DAY
'John emerges frcaitthe HEN'S ROOM. The walls of the hallway are
lined -with Children's-artwork. He glances at it as he walks by.
Suddenly, he stops short. Amidst the crude watercolors and
_macaroni mosaics are several beautiful ain s, s'% surprisingly
sophisticated, more Like the works of Henri 'R usseahan the
o crayon-and-stick-figure scribbles surrounding them.
Then he hears something: a LITTLE GIRL'S VOICE, softly HUN= G a
tune. We know the words. When I was juuust a lii.ittle yiiir., I
asked my mother, what will I be?...
M. HOM13 OR GIRLS - ART ROOM - DAY
.John follows the HUMMING to a stark, white room. Light slants in
from a big-window, shining on A LITTLE GIRL in a lacy white dress.
Her. back is to us, so.we can't see her face, just curls of
platinum blonde hair spilling to her shoulders. She sits at an
easel, all alone, painting another extraordinary picture.
John watches, curious. Suddenly; she senses his presence. She-
stops humming, the paintbrush freezes mid-stroke. She turns.
She looks about eight years old, with pale skin and-bright, doe-
like eyes, her delicate features framed by Shirley Temple curls.
It's the face- of a porcelain angel, a perfect little laving doll,
friendly and inviting. She wears a thick black velvet ribbon
around her neck and one around each wrist. Her'name is ESTHER.
JOHN
Hi there.
ESTHER
Hello. -
She speaks with a strange accent. Sounds Eastern European.
JOHN
Are these , paintings all yours?
ESTH ER
Yes. Do you like them?
JOHN
Very much. They're remarkable. -
12.
BSS
h T ank :you. My name is Esther. What's
yours?
JOHN
John. It's nice to meet you.
She smiles and demurely offers her hand, giggling as he takes it.
She blushes, then turns back to her painting. It's a half-
finished jungle scene with a SMILING LION crouched beneath a tree.
JOHN
So what's this one going to bo?
ESTHER
My paintings are stories that come from
my imagination. -This one'-s about a'sad
mother lion who can't find her cube.
JOHN
She's smiling.
ESTHER
She's dreaming about her babies. It's
the only thing that makes her happy.
JOHN
Well, I hope she finds them.
ESTHER
She will. I,bok.
As she speaks, Esther dabs her brush and paints little lion cubs
curled up in front of their sleeping mother:
ESTHER
They were lost'in the jungle 'and they
were so scared because they didn't'have
a mother or father. But just when they
thought they'd be alone forever, they
found their mother sleeping under this
tree. And they felt so safe that they
fell asleep too. Now when-the mother
lion wakes up, her dream will have come
true. She has her family again.
JOHN
Where did you learn how to do this?
ESTHER
Y've just had lots of time to practice,
I guess. It's so boring here.
JOAN
You don't play outside with the other
girls? Sounds like they're having fun.
13.
ESTHER
I like staying inside. That way I
don't get my clothes dirty.
JOHN
(amused) -
Well, that's very responsible of you,
but I'll- bet the sisters could find
something else for you. to wear.
ESTEER
You.don't like my dress? - Don't you
think it's pretty? -
JOHN
Your dress is. very pretty. I'm ,just
saying. you could -probably go outside if
you really wanted to.
- ESTHER
(a beat, hesitant)
I don't like laying with the other
.girls. I'm different from everyone.
JOHN
There's nothing wrong with different.
ESTHER
Yes, there is. Everybody says there's
not, but it isn't true. I don't care.
If I'm sad or lonely, I just come in
here a nd paint a story with a happy
endingg And when people say they like.
my paintings, it makes me feel better.
(off his look)
I think.peo le should always try to
take the bad things that happen to them
and turn them into something good.
Don't you?
John is taken aback. Who j t1m1s )dc? Before he can respond:
.- RATE (O.S.)
There you are.
Rate and Sister Abigail stand in the doorway. John waves for Kate
to enter and Esther sits up eagerly when she does. Abigail's
expression darkens when she sees who John has been talking to.
JOHN
Hey, I'd like you to meet someone. -
(to Esther).
Esther, this is my wife, Kate.
Kate smiles and offers her hand, but instead of shaking it, Esther
lovingly presses it to her cheek.
14. -
ESTIIR -
Motta...
Kate'and John exchange a beumsed look'.
JOHN
She painted these all by herself.
' RATE
Wow, you're quite the little-artist.
ESTHE'R
Thank you. You smell nice.
Kate laughs. Sister Abigail shifts uncomfortably.
ESTHER
Would you like me to paint you a
picture? You can watch me if-you want.
I'm normally a little shy, but --
SISTER ABIGAIL'
Esther, I'm sorry, they don't have time
for you to paint them a picture.
(off Esther's look)
They have to come with me now.
Yolanda's going home with them
tomorrow. isn't that wonderful?
Esther wilts. She releases Rate's hand and musters a weak smile.
ESTHER
Yes. I'm sure she'll be very happy.
KATE
It was nice meeting you.
ESTHER -
The pleasure was mine.
JOHN
(to Sister Abigail)
You've got a real talent on your hands
here.
SISTER ABIGAIL
Yes, we're very lucky to have her.
But there's something -strange-in Abigail's voice -- she definitely
doesn't un -lucky. Esther watches them go.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - ENTRY - DAY
Sister Abigail walks Kate and John to the front door.
I5.
SISTER ABIGAIL
The notary will be here at.ten for-you-
to sign the placement agreement.
KATE
Thank you so much for all your help.
Kate gives her a warm hug. But mid-embrace, she notices
something: Esther is at the end of the hallway, peering at them
from around a corner. Abigail and John see--her,' too.
KATE
What did she say to me.back there? It
sounded like... "motta?"
SISTER ABIGAIL
It's Russian. It means "mother."
INT.JoHN'S CAR - NIGHT
John whistles "Whatever Will Be, Will Be" to himself as he drives.
Kate gives him an amused look, then Jokingly sings along:
KATE -
When you were juuust a liuittle
JOHN
Sorry, I've got that stuck in my head
now.
KATE
She. made quite an impression on.you.
JOHN
I wish you co'uld've heard the things.
she was saying before you c&me in. I
Jatow adults who aren't that mature.
(BEAT)
I wonder' why they didn't show us her
case file.
KATE
She probably wasn't there when we were
first ,looking.
JOHN
It just blows may mind, a kid could go
through as much-as she must have and
still turn out like that.
KATE
You sound like you're sorry we're not
adopting her instead of Yolanda.
16.
JOHN
No, of course not. I just hope she.
gets the right break.
(off her look)
I wouldn't trade our littl'e' girl for
the world. You )maw that.
Rate gives him an adoring look and squeezes his hand.
EXT. HOME FOR GIRLS - ESTABLISHING - MORNING .
The sun is just rising,.warming the sky with an idyllic light.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - DORMITORY.- MORNING
The GIRLS (5-7) are busily getting dressed and making their beds.
The HOUSEMOTHER inspects each of-them in turn. One bed remains
unmade, its occupant missing. The Housemother turns to the room,
ready to give a scolding, but can't find who she's looking for:
HOUSEMOTHER
Where's Yolanda?
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - WASHROOM - MORNING
The OLDER GIRLS (8-12) are-brushing their teeth and washing up.
The Housemother enters and looks around.
HOUSEMOTHER
Have any of you seen-Yolanda?
Nobody has.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS -- VARIOUS - MORNING
Sister Abigail leads the NUNS and LAY ASSISTANTS in a search of
the home, looking for Yolanda. The playroom, art room, chapel,
classrooms, laundry room, rest rooms.-- they're all empty.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - BASEMENT - MORNING
A young-nun, SISTER JUDITH, walks downstairs into -a dark storage-
area. Lots of hiding places. -
SISTER JUDITH
Yolanda? Are you hiding-down here?
Then she notices a closet behind her. The door. is ajar. She
reaches out, opens it... and nearly gags at what she sees inside.
LOW ANGIL - INSIDE THE CLOSET
A child's bare feet dangle in mi , , a .,im3. The "Travel Turtle" is on
the floor beneath them. - A chair lies on its side nearby.
17.
INT. HOTEL ROOM -- MORNING -
Kate dries her' hair in the bathroom. The PHONE RINGS O.S. She
pauses, suddenly concerned for some reason. She opens the door.
As John reaches for-the phone, CAMERA MOVES IN on Kate. She
watches from the doorway, her face already registering dread. She
knows. Even before he answers the phone, somehow she knows.
JOHN (0,S-)
Bello?
EXT. HOTEL ROOM BALCONY - DAY
The sky has turned gray. Kate stares out at the hotel parking-
lot, smoking a cigarette. - Her eyes are red;- but she's long since
cried-herself out. John stands by the open-sliding glass door.
JOHN
.The birth family is claiming her body.
They're planning a private service.
He looks to Kate for a reaction, but she has none. He continues:
JOHN
Sister Abigail thinks she might have
been playing something called "The
Choking Game." It's a kind of
schoolyard dare. You try to get a rush
by having someone choke you until you
almost pass out. There have been cases
where kids have tried it alone and
accidentally hanged themselves.
A beat. Kate's voice is distant, as;
KATE
So that's it? She just vanishes from
our lives?
JOHN
We can have our awn-service. I think
.it's important that we -
KATE
I've been' in grief counseling for
almost a year-and-a-half.. If you say
the word "closure,." I'm going to-claw
your eyes out.
She's not angry, just matter-of-fact. Be wants to say something,
but holds his tongue. Silence hangs heavy between them.
KATE
Maybe we're not supposed.to do this.
18.
- JOHN..
No. Don't say that. -
RATE- -
we -try to .have a baby and I have a
'third-trimester miscarriage that leaves.
me sterile. 'We try to adopt and she
dies the night before we bring her
home. That doesn't sound like'
somebody's trying to tell us. something?
JOHN -
Yolanda didn' t the to.teach us a
lesson.. We didn't make this-happen.
KATE '
It doesn't make.anndifference. I
can't go through this again.
JOHN
so let's not. Let's adopt.Bather.
This brings Kate back to reality. She eyes him coolly.
KATE
Her body's barely cold and you're
already thinking about replacing her?
JOHN .
We can't replace Yolanda any more than
We can replace Jessie. But we can't
help her anymore, either. Esther is
alive and needs a family. Right now.
KATE
We have to at least wait until.--
JOHN
-Until what? I don't want to waste
.a nother year of our lives wishing for
something that we.can't-have.
(beat).
I want us to feel like a family again.
Kate regards him for a beat, conflicted. Then:
KATE
Let's see what Sister Abigail thinks.
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - SISTER ABIGAIL'S OFFICE - DAY -
Sister Abigail hands Rate and John a folder with a Polaroid of
Esther stapled to it. Her- case file.
19.
SISTER ABIGAIL
For the most -part, she's an'ideal
child. She's originally from Russia,
but her English is flawless, Smart as
a.tvhip and very mature °for her age. I
don't think I've-ever had to tell her
.anything-twice and I've never had to
clean-up after her.. She's a bit of a-
nQat-freak.
JOHN
I think we can handle that.
SISTER.ABIGAIL
She's also fiercely independent.,
Whatever the other-children want to do,
she wants to.dc the opposite.
JOHN
She told me they make fun of her.
SISTER ABIGAIL
I'm sure they do, but she doesn't make-
things any easier on herself. She just
doesn't seem interested in friends..
She doesn't even play like a normal
child. She just reads and paints.
Most of the time she barely-speaks.
KATE
Why do'you think that is?
SISTER ABIGAIL .
Well, like most of the girls here,
there's been no shortage of hardship in
her life.- She's been orphaned twice--
her birthmother died of AIDS, then the
American family who adopted her was-
killed in.a house fire. And I strongly
suspect that she's been sexually abused
as well.
KATE
By who?
SISTER ABIGAIL
I don't know. There's nothing in her
-history, but that doesn't necessarily
mean anything. Russian adoption -
records. are notoriously unreliable.
JOHN
Then what are you basing this on?
Sister Abigail hesitates. Deciding how much to say.
20.
SISTER ABIGAIL
I wish I knew. There's just something
missing with her. A-spark you see in a
child's eyes that isn't there. I've
only seen that-before in cases where
the child had been severely
traumatized. It might also explain -
some of her idiosyncratic behaviors.
JOHN
Like what?
SISTER ABIGAIL
She refuses to shower or change clothes
with the other girls.' She won't even
allow the housemother in-the bathroom
with her. She.'.s also very concerned
with her physical appearance for her
age. She's like a teenager getting
ready for a date every morning. She
insists on wearing dresses-every day.
The ribbons around her wrists and neck
stay on day and night. . The only
trouble we ever had with her was when
we tried to take them off. She kicked
two of Sister Francis' teeth-out.
Kate and Tohn are taken. aback. Abigail sighs.
SISTER ABIGAIL
I'm sorry. I'm 'not trying to
discourage you. If you're serious,
I'll do everything I can to-expedite
the process, given the circumstances.
(BEAT)
My one reservation is..this. When-an
adoption fails, it's usually because
the parents didn't know what to expect.
-And'in this case, I can't' tell you what
to expect because the plain fact of the-
matter is that-I don't knaw.
INT: HOME FOR GIRLS - CHAPEL DAY
Esther is happily-helping a NUN clean the sanctuary. Kate and
John sit in a pew near the back of the empty chapel.
KATE
She really did open up with us, didn't
she?
JOHN
She latched. right onto you. We're
probably the best chance she has at a.
normal life.
Esther looks up from her work and waves at them. They wave back.
21.
KATE
A normal life..' That sounds really
good,',doesn't it? -
She smiles. and takes John- .'s hand.
EXT. HOME FOR GIRLS - DAY.
CAXERA FOLLOWS Esther's feet, saddle shoes CLICKING on -the walk.
Kate walks beside her, holding her hand. In Esther's free hand,
she clutches a DOG-EARED BIBLE held together with a rubber band.
Activity on the playground stops as the girls watch Esther leave.
None of them look sorry to see her go. She ignores them.
John puts.Esther's things ---- a small suitcase and her-paintings
in the trunk of the car.. Sister-Abigail sees them off.-
SISTER ABIGAIL
If you ever need anything, please don't
hesitate to call.
Before Kate. can respond, Esther tugs on her arm.
_ESTHER
Come on! Let's-go)
Kate laughingly lets Esther drag her away.
RATE
(to Abigail)
We wills
Sister Abigail happily watches them go.. Rate and Esther smile and
wave goodbye.' She'waves back... but once the car pulls out, her
smile fades. She seems'vaguely troubled as they drive away...
INT./EXT. JOHN'S CAR - DAY
Headed for home. Kate is showing Esther some SIGN LANGUAGE.
Esther makes the sign for each letter as she says it aloud:
ESTHER
E-S-T-
KATE
Put your thumb here.
She makes the sign for 'T." Esther. sees her mistake, corrects it.
ESTHER
T-H-E-R.' E-S-T-H-E-R. Esther.
RATE
Perfect l
22.
Esther smiles and practices=it a few times.- Outside, the LEAVES
have turned color. Esther gazes out in-wonder. -
ESTHER
It's so beautiful, motta.
KATE
Sweetie, here we say "Mont" or. "mommy."
ESTHER
Kate and John exchange-a warm look.
EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - DAY
John's car turns at a GATE and drives down the road leading-to
their private community. The secluded road winds through the
forest and crosses the little BROOK we saw earlier.
EXT. NEIGHBORBOOD' - DAY
The Coleman's neighborhood 3.s surrounded by forest,-an upscale
community of big houses and manicured lawns. A POSTMAN delivers
the mail. A HISPANIC NANNY pushes a BABY in a stroller.
GARDENERS tend someone's flowers. Esther
-soaks it all in.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
They pull into the driveway and get out. Esther's mouth
practically hangs open at the sight of their beautiful house.
The front door opens and Max runs out to meet them. Daniel
appears in the doorway-with DORIS COLEMAN (arid-60's), their
grandmother. Daniel stands aghast at the sight of the strange,
pale girl with the Goldilocks curls and frilly white dress.
DANIEL
(SOFTLY)
-Holy shit:..
Max. runs straight into Kate's arms and gets a big hug.
KATE
Oh, we missed you so muchll
Kate gives Max a kiss, then turns to Esther: Max hangs back, a
little shy. Esther signs' to Max without speaking: -
ESTHER
HELLO, MAX. MY NAME IS ESTHER.
Max gives Kate an excited smile.
KATE
She's been practicing the whole way.
23.
Kate takes the girls' hands and they all walk up'to the house.
Esther notices Man's hearing aid.
EST-HER -
What's that?
KATE .
That's a hearing aid. It helps her
hear.a little so she can read lips.
John gives Doris a Use on the cheek.
JOHN
Hi, Mont. Thanks for watching them.
(to Esther)
Esther, this is Grandma Doris.
ESTSER
A pleasure to meet you.
Esther surprises everyone by giving her a perfect ltttle rtse
Daniel fails to suppress a laugh. Kate silences him with a look.
DORIS
How precious! It's a pleasure-to meet
you, too.
JUN
(to Esther)
And this is our son, Daniel.
Esther smiles and puts out her hand. Daniel grudgingly takes it.
ESTHER
Hello, Daniel.
DANIEL
Hey.
INT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - VARIOUS - DAY
Esther walks from room to room, in awe of her luxurious new home.
Kate and the rest of the family follow her.
ESTHER
Everything's so bigi
As Esther moves on to the next room, Daniel hangs back and
whispers to John, too loud:
DANIEL
Why is she dressed like that?
JOHN
Don't be rude.
24.
Esther overhears them, but pretends she didn't. Kate sees this-
and tries to distract her. -
KATE
Would you like to see-your room?
Esther smiles and nods eagerly. But on the way up the stairs, she
eyes Daniel furtively, sizing him up...
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
Kate pushes the door open and Esther enters. We recognize the
room by the arched windows -- this used to be the-nursery.- It's
been completely made over as a little girl's room, complete with a
lacy white canopy bed covered with a mountain of STUFFED ANIMALS..
Esther turns to Kate and John with a toothpaste-commercial smile.
ESTHER
It's perfect.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Esther is in bed, wearing a nightgown. Kate and John tuck her in.
ESTHER
I love.you, motta -- I mean, Monmiy.
KATE
I love you, too, sweetie.
She kisses Esther on the forehead. John leans in for a kiss and
Esther,hugs -him tight. Then he and Kate turn out the light and
close the door. Esther watches them go...-
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Kate and John walk to their room, arms lovingly around each other.
They close their door, leaving the hallway empty and dark. Then:
CAMERA SLOWLY MOVES back down the hall toward.the closed door of
Esther's_room, PUSHING IN'on the doorknob, lingering there fora
long beat... Then we hear the lock CLICK shut.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - ESTABLISHING -- MORNING
JOGGERS. PAPERBOY. Lawn sprinklers. KIDS running and -riding
bicycles. Saturday in the suburbs.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING '
Esther and Max eat breakfast at the table while rate pours their
juice. Daniel tears through wearing a soccer iuniform.
KATE
Good luck II I love you II
25.
DANIEL
Love you, tools
John follows Daniel, kissing Kate on his way out.'
KATE
Remember, it's only a game.
JORN
I'm a fan. Fans yell. _.I'll call to
let you know who won.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
Kate and Esther are decorating. Esther pins up some of her
paintings. Kate spreads out a selection of wallpaper borders.
KATE
Okay, which one do you like?
ESTHER
These are for a'younger child. Did you
pick them out for Yolanda?
Kate is taken aback. She stammers for a beat.
KATE
I'm sorry. I'll take them back and
pick some just for you.
ESTHER
It's all right. I rather like this
one.
Esther points out her.favorite and goes back to pinning up her
paintings. Kate sighs. As she rolls up the samples, she notices
the same Gothic mansion in several of Esther's older paintings.
KATE
'1s that a real place?
ESTHER
No. I just made it up. It's a haunted
castle where a beautiful- princess was
locked away. She waited so long and
was so sad that she filled the moat
with her tears, but then a handsome
prince swam ,across it and rescued her.
(SMILES)
I like happy ending's. Don't you?
INS'. SHOPPING MALL - DAY
Sliding doors open. Rate and the girls enter. Esther looks
around, dazzled by three stories of glass-ceilinged extravagance.
It's totally alien to her. -
26.
M. CLOTHING STORE - DAY
Kate and the girls look through racks'. of children's clothes. Kate
pulls a pair'of jeans with. flowers embroidered on the pockets.
KATE
These are cute.
ESTHER
-Jeans are ugly.
KATE
But sweetie, you have to have something
you can play outside in.
ESTHER
That doesn't mean I have to look like a
boy.
INT. SHOPPING MALL - DAY
Kate leads the girls through the mall, carrying BAGS of purchases.
Something catches Esther's eye. She hangs back, distracted.
It's a pet store. ' In the display is an aguarium filled with
TROPICAL. FISH, their vibrant colors illuminated by a black light
in the tank. Esther gazes in, nose practically against the glass.
RATE
You like fish?
ESTHER
I like all beautiful things.
Kate taps Max's shoulder and signs to her.
KATE
You should show her Hodgepodge when we
get home.
Max nods eagerly. Esther givee.them a curious look.
ESTHER
Hodgepodge? What's that?
INT. MAX'S 13EDROOM -- DAY
HODGEPODGE is a hamster. Esther kneels in front of his cage for a
closer look. Kate stands behind her. Max beams proudly.
KATE
Max. takes care of him all bir herself.
It's her big girl responsibility.
ESTHER
Aaaww,-can I pet him?
.27.
KATE
Sure. But you have to promise not to-
let him out of his. cage .unless- Hcumey or
Daddy is,here to hold him.
ESTEER
Why? -
KATE
Because he's very delicate and you
could hurt him. Okay?
Esther xiods. Kate scoops.flodgepodge up and kneels between the
girls. Esther and Max share a smile as they stroke his-fur.
EXT. COLEMP RESIDENCE'- POOL -- DUSK
A banner reading."WELCOME HOME, ESTHERII'" has been hung. John
sprays LIGHTER rLUID on a charcoal grill and starts the fire.
Daniel watches attentively at his father's side.
INT. KITCHEN - DUSK
Kate and Doris prepare hamburgers and hot dogs for the barbecue.
They can see Esther and Max laughing and playing horseshoes in the
backyard, wearing NEW MATCHING SUNDRESSES.. Adorable;
-DORIS
They grow up fast, don't they?
KATE
Too fast.
DORIS
So what are your plans now?
KATE
Well, we'll get Esther settled, then
I'll probably go back, to work.
DORIS
Oh, so you think.they'll take you back?
Kate's eyes flicker with irritation.
KATE
I'm not talking about Yale. I'm going
to teach piano lessons from home.
DORIS
I see. That was such a good position
you had at Yale. It's a. shame.
KATE
I didn't quit because I wanted to. I
quit because.I couldn't work anymore.
28.
DORIS
I know. I'm 5o glad you're doing
better now.
(BEAT)
Bow's Maxine feeling?
KATE
She's fine.
Kate's pointedly not making eye contact with Doris now.
DORIS
Well, it's a shame that it took
something like that for you to :get
help, but I'm glad you did.
Kate takes. the plate of food and leaves without looking at her.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - POOL - NIGHT -
Dinner's over. Daniel has changed into swim trunks and SPLASHES
around in the pool. Everyone else is gathered around Esther,
who's opening a few small presents. She unwraps a BOOK OF SIGN
LANGUAGE and gasps excitedly.
ESTHER ,
This is perfect! Thank you! Eiow do I
say "thank you?"
Kate shows her. Esther turns and makes the sign to Max.
MAX
YOU'RE WELCOME.
Behind them, Daniel climbs out of the pool and runs out to the end
of the diving board, poised to jump back in.-
DANIEL,
Dad! Watch this!
But John is focused on Esther.- She's opening a big present
la1aled "FROMi DADDY." Daniel can't get his attention.
DANIEL
Dad! 'Dad!! Dad, look!!
John distractedly glances over his shoulder at him and Daniel does
a huge cannonball into the pool. SPLASH!
Suddenly, Esther squeals with glee. She's unwrapped an IIRT EASEL
and NEW PAINTING SUPPLIES. By the time Daniel-'s smiling face pops
out of the water, he's disappointed to find that Esther has drawn
John's attention again, barraging him with-hugs and kisses.
She looks at Daniel over John's shoulder and hticks her tongue out
at him. Daniel fumes.
29.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
John walks behind Esther, his-hands over her eyes. Kate leads her
into the darkened roam by the hand.
KATE
Are you ready?
Esther nods excitedly. John uncovers her eyes. Esther stops
short in awe. It's the FISH TAN C from the shopping, mall.
Esther kneels before it, entranced. She turns the black light on
and off, marveling at- how it makes her dzess glow and the colors
in her paintings light- -up. She gives Kate and John a. big smile.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - DAY
Rate and John get dressed for church. John pulls on a tie. Kate
searches through a jewelry box. She's missing something.
KATE
nave-you seen my pearls?
INT. CHURCH -- DAY
Sunday morning in America. Kate and John sit with Doris and the
kids. -A.PRIEST reads-from the scripture and a SIGN LANGUAGE
II?TERPRETBR translates.
Esther follows along in her own Bible and Kate notices aphoto
poking from between its pages. All she can see is the face of a
RUGGED-LOOKING MAN in his 40's. She eyes it curiously...
INT. MAX' S BEDROOM - DAY
Kate is cleaning, picking Max's clothes up from off the.floor.
She sees something that gives her pause -- one of Max's STUFFED
ANIMALS has a STRING OF PEARLS hung around its neck.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Esther and Max are playing a board game. Kate enters with the
pearls and shows them to Max. -
KATE
Did you take this out of my jewelry
box?
Max shakes her head, confused.
KATE
Then-how did it get in your room?
MAX
I DON'T KNOW.
30.
KATE
Somebody put this around T.J.'s neck.
Who was it if it wasn't.you?
Max shrugs. She looks-nervous. Kate sighs.
RATE
Go take a time-out and think about it.
ESTHER
But we're playing]
KATE
She can finish your game later.
(to Max)
Come on.
Max pouts and follows Kate upstairs. Esther watches them go.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Esther stands in front of a class full of KIDS. Their teacher,
MRS. GROSSE, is introducing her. Esther's wearing a pretty little
dress'and Shirley Temple curls, but her usually unflappable smile
seems wary, uncertain in the face of these staring third graders.
MRS. CROSSE
This is our new student. Her name is
Esther Coleman and I want you all to
make her feel very welcome today.
One of the kids, BRENDA, whispers. a wisecrack to a FRIEND. Esther
shifts uncomfortably.
INT. CAFETERIA - DAY
Esther sits at the end of the table where Brenda and her FRIENDS
are eating.. They eye her derisively. Esther ignores them- and
prays over her lunch. The other girls exchange amused looks.
Brenda folds her hands and makes an earnest, mocking face:
BRENDA
Dear Jesus, please help me to not dress
like such a freak tomorrow.
The girls laugh. Esther pays no attention.
INT./EXT. TREEHOUSE - DAY
Daniel and his friends AUSTIN and TREVOR run down a short path
through the woods behind.the Coleman's house to a tall tree.
CAMERA REVEALS an enclosed treehouse about ten feet up -This is'
no "Little Rascals" job -- this thing was professionally built.
They climb up to it. Inside, Daniel throws back a rug and pries
up a loose plank. Under it is a small STASH OF WEED. The other
31.
boys open their 'video ina" ine s, c
b o books, and an old a "PLAYBOY'.' w�h Cindy Crawford the c
TREVOR
Cindy Crawford? This- magazine's older
than we axe1 She's probably got Like
wrinkly-old grandma boobs Howl
They laugh. Daniel sparks up a joint. Suddenly:
ESTHER (O.S.)
Do you want to play?
The boys quickly waving the wke away. Esther and Max
are lo king up lat them
O
DANIEL
Get out of here! This is my treehouse.
Dad built it for mM.
Esther smiles, then leads Max away. The boys watch them go.
AUSTIN
Is your, like, whole family ietarded or
something?. -
Trevor and Austin laugh. Daniel flushes, angry and embarrassed.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Kate finishes drawing a bath for Esther.
KATE
I think we should try this with the
door unlocked tonight. What do you
say?
ESTHER
(PANICKED)
What if someone comes in and sees me?
KATE
Nobody's'going to come in. I'll stand
right outside the door.
ESTHER
I could sing for you. At the home, I
used to sing so the sisters would know
I was all right. Please?
Esther's eyes are desperate, pleading.. Kate sighs.
TNT. UPSTAIRS HALY,WAY - NIGHT
Kate closes the door. The lock CLICKS shut. A moment later,
Esther starts BUMMING. Kate listens fbr a beat,-troubled..
'32.
.INT. MAX IS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Esther and Max are huddled in bed and Kate reads-them a story.
John watches from the doorway. Kate sees him and smiles.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Kate's in bed, writing'in her journal by the light of d bedside
lamp.. Outside, rain PATTERS-on the window and lightning FL1SHBS.
John kisses her good night. She smiles and surprises him by
pulling him close and kissing him more deeply. He responds.. She
places his hand on her breast and he starts to undress her. Then:.
A KNOCK at the door. John and Kate cringe at the interruption.
KATE
Come in.
The door opens. It's Esther and Max.
ESTHER
We're scared of the lightning.
Max giggles. Kate and John exchange a resigned look.'
JOHN
Okay, come on. But just for tonight.
Esther and Max excitedly clamber into the bed and snuggle between
them. Kate and John share amused looks.-
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING'
The kids are eating breakfast. Esther reads her sign language
book at the table. Max signs to Daniel. He turns to Kate with a
frustrated sigh.
DANIEL
Mom, what's she saying?
ESTHER
She wants you to pass the milk.
Kate gives Daniel an admonishing look.
RATE
See? If you studied more, you wouldn't
have to ask all-the time.
Daniel glares fit Esther, but she doesn't see it. John enters,
ready for work. He-grabs his travel mug, gives Kate a kiss.
JOHN
See you later.
33.
Esther puts dut her arms for a hug. He leans in to kiss her, but
she clings to him and won't-let go. She pouts.
ESTEER
I want you to take us to school.
She looks up at him with big sad eye.a. He can't resist.
JOHN
I guess I can be late today.
(to Kate)
I can take them to school and you can
pick them up.
ESTHER
Yay! We're going with Daddy! -
She jumps up from the breakfast table and runs off to get ready..
INT. FOYER - MORNING
The kids are leaving for school with John. Kate sees them off.
DANIEL
Bye, Mom.
Kate-gives him and Max a kiss, but Esther-runs right by without
pausing, hurrying after John. Esther. takes- 'John 'a-hand, holding
it on the way to the car. Kate watches them, a little hurt...
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Rate sits with Esther, watching her open a gift-wrapped box.
Inside is a JOURNAL like the one we've seen Kate writing in.
KATE
I have a journal just like this that I
write in every day.
ESTHER -
What kinds of things do you write
about?
RATE
what I did that day, how I feel.
Anything I don't want to forget. I
thought you and I could spend some time
together today and start a life book.
ESTHER
Whit's that?
RATE
It's like an adoption storybook. And
it's all about you. I did a couple
pages to gat you started. Look. -
34.
She opens the journal. Pasted to.the first page is a photo.from
"HOMMY
A DADDY GET rMARRIeED ng Esthermarvelskat Kate'sgwedding dress.
ESTHER
So beautiful,.. ,
Kate turns the page to a picture of.Khte and John with Daniel as a
BABY. Then Kate, John, and SIX=YEAR-OLD DANIEL with BABY MAX.
KATE
This is Daniel when he was born, And
there's Max; And there's you.
She turns next to a photo of the-whole- family taken at Esther' s
welcome home party. The caption reads, "ESTHER JOINS THE FAMILY."
RATE .
If you want, we can put your other
pictures in here, too.
ESTHER
What other pictures?
KATE
The ones I saw in. your Bible.
Esther gives her a dismayed look.
KATE -
I'm sorry. They slipped out at church.
If they're private, we don't have.to ---
ESTHER
It's okay.' I want you to -see them.
She smiles, but it looks forced.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
Kate and Esther sit on the floor. Esther. removes the rubber band
from around her Bible and takes out a few battered photographs.
They're all of Esther with a rural family -- the man.Kate saw in
the photo at church, his WIFE,. and THREE BOYS, aged 6, 10, and 14.
In one, they're all posed together in front of a farmhouse.
ESTHER
These are the Wallaces. That's James
and Hannah. And that's Micah, Luke,
and Isaiah.
KATE -
This is the American family that
adopted you from Russia?
35.
Esther nods'. They're candid -family snapshots full -of. laughter and
hugs. Esther'.s adopted father is in all-of them. The last one is
of him and. Esther, the same photo Kate. saw part, of at church.
KATE'.
They lookvery'n.ice. They must have
loved you'very much.
Ksther nods, but Kate-sees that she's holding back tears.
RATE
What's wrong?.
ESTHER
I hid these because Ididn't want you
to know how much I miss' them, I was
afraid you'd think I didn't love you.
KATE
It's okay, sweetie... I understand.
(beat; considers)
You know, I lost someone who was very
.special to me once, too.
Esther wipes her eyes and looks up, interest piqued.
ESTHER
Really?
INT. MUSIC ROOM - DAY
Kate shows Esther the orchid in its ornate planter.
RATE
We don't have any pictures of Jessica
because she died while she was still in
my tunny. But we spread her ashes in
here and as long as. this flower grows,
part of her will be alive inside it.
(BEAT)
It's okay to be sad.about the people
we've lost.. And it.'s okay to iniss
them, too.
Esther nods. They'smile at one another through their tears.
INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY
Between classes, crowded with KIDS.,. Esther clutches her books to
her chest. Daniel and Trovor are walking the other way and as
they pass, Daniel dumps Esther's books. Trevor laughs.
Esther glares at'Daniel and kneels to pick up her books, bitt the
kids walking by purposefully kick them, laughing faces leering
down at her. She gathers her books, but one of them is missing.
She looks around. -Spots it.
36.
Esther's Bible lies on the floor at Someone's feet. A.hand
reaches down. and picks it up. It's Brenda.
BRENDA
Is this a Bibl?
ESTHER
Give it back to me.
She reaches for it, but Brenda laughs and raises-it over her head.
BRENDA
Jesus-freak brought a Bible to school!
Esther angrily swipes at it again, but one of Brenda's friends
grabs it first. Esther takes a deep breath, trying to calm down.
I3STUER
May I pleas. have my Bible?
The girl hesitates, shrugs and offers Sather the Bible... but
snatches it away again at the last second. Brenda laughs. 8sther
reaches for it, but the girls keep passing it between them.
Esther and Brenda grab it at the same time. There's a brief tug-
of-war, then the rubber band SNAPS and the Bible flies apart,
pages and hp otos scattering everywhere.
Esther gasps in horror and dives to the floor, desperately
scooping up the loose pages. A"crowd gathers, watching and
snickering, Daniel and Trevor among them. Esther looks to Daniel
for help, but he just stands there, watching uncomfortably.
Brenda laughs at Esther crawling around on all fours.
BRENDA
Look at the cute little doggied Is
this your collar, little doggie?
Brenda reaches out and grabs the ribbon-around Rsthdrls neck...
The-second Brenda touches the ribbon, Esther flies into panic.
She screams an s Brenda'e hand away, aching h_ex e and
k coking feet, ster 11 s 5 riekincr At the toy Dg her.lungs.
Brenda leaps back, wide-eyed and freaked out.
The kids fall into stunned silence. Esther's screams echo in the
hallway. A TEACHER comes running. Trevor puts a hand over his
mouth so the teacher won't see him laughing.
TREVOR
Dude, your sister's a.total spazl
DANIEL
She's not my sister.
.37.
1W-. KATE'S MINIVAN - DAY
The drive home from school. is silent and tense. Esther stares out
the window. 'Kate eyes her in the rearview mirror, concerned.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
The minivan is'parked in the drive and the kids are climbing out.
As Daniel and Max head to the house, Kate takes Esther-aside.
RATE
Mrs. Grosse told me what happened
today. Do you want to talk. about it?
Daniel-hangs back to see if Esther is going, to tell on him. She
"sees him standing there, then turns to Rate with a smile. -
ESTHER
There's nothing to talk about. We were
-just playing a game, that's all.
She walks away, passing Daniel without, a look. Kate is. dubious.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - DAY
Max enters, throws down her "Hello Kitty" bookbag ---- and stops
short. Hodgenodte's-cag .is empty. Max stands frozen for a beat,
then starts looking for him. Esther appears in the doorway.
ESTHER
What's the matter?
Max turns and tries to block the cage, but Esther sees that it's
empty. Esther gasps.
ESTHER
Where is he? Were you playing with
him?
Max frantically shakes her head. Esther quickly shuts the door.
ESTHER
You left his cage open! Look!
Sure enough, the door of the cage is wide open. Max shakes her
head, frightened tears in her eyes.
MAX
I DIDN'T! I PROMISE!
ESTHER
Then how did he get out?
MAX
I DON'T XNOW41 I DON'T KNOW]
38.
ESTBER
You have to think! Mommy's not going
to believe your. She didn't.believe you
about the necklace and she's not going
to believe you about this!
Max is devastated. She's sobbing now. Esther tries to calm her.
ESTHER
It' a okay. Don't cry. Look 'at me.
She takes Max by the shoulders. Max looks up, breath hitching.
ESTSER
I'll tell Monmy-it was-my fault. You
won't get in any trouble.. I'll tell
her I took him out of the cage without
your permission and he ran away, okay?
Max gives a grateful nod. Esther smiles and strokes Max's hair.
ESTHER -
Don't worry. It'll be our little
secret.
:Max nods again and gives her a-hug. She doesn't see the
calculating look in Esther's eyes...
INT. SUNROOM - NIGHT
A-glassed-in terrace off of Kate and John's bedroom filled with
plants. Kate is wearing only a long T-shirt, watering the plants
before bed. John enters in his pajama bottoms, snuggles into her
from behind. Kate smiles and.leans into him.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The lights - are off. Kate and John are in bed, making lave. Slow,
passionate, intense. When they're finished,- breathless and
trembling, she cradles his face in her hands gazing lovingly up
at.him. Then something catches her eye in the moonlight:
Ethel Jg.wat ,them fr m the -open b edr door, hgr hen
frozen 9J1 tth dooxknob.
KATE
Oh, my God!
They hurriedly pull the sheets up and Kate turns on the bedside
lamp. Esther stares at them blankly.
KATE .
Esther, honey? What is it? Are you
okay?
Esther just glowers at'her, then turns and walks away.
39.
INT.'ESTBER'S BEDROOM - DAY
Esther. Sits at her easel, painting. Kate enters and sits down on'
the bed. Esther doesn't look:at her. She's painting a
sophisticated, stylized PORTRAIT OF KATE. -Other PORTRAITS of the
family -arealready pinned to the wall. Kate shifts uncomfortably.
We need to talk -about last night.
ESTU
Do we?
KATE
Yes. There are certain things that.
grown-ups do. that kids aren't supposed
to see. And that was one of them.
Esther keeps painting. She still hasn't looked at her. -
KATE
Esther, I need you to listen to me..
Esther pauses. She deliberately sets her paintbrush down and
turns to Kate. An awkward beat.
KATE
See, when two grown-ups love each other
very, very much, they like to. show that
love to each other --
Iknow.- They fuck.
Kate is dumbfounded. Esther regards her with a bored, aloof-look.
INT. JOHN'S DEN - DAY
John is troubled by what Kate has told him.
JOHN
- She could nave picked it up anywhere.
Bell, she probably heard it at school.
KATE
This wasn't something she overheard.
She knew what it meant. And the way
she said'it. I don't even think she
expected to get in trouble over it.
JOHN
We'll talk to her about it tonight.
KATE
You think that's enough?
40.
JOHN'
What do you suggest?
KATE '
I could take her to Doctor Browning.
JOHN
It was one dirty word. I don't think
we need to call in the shrink just-yet.
KATE
Maybe. It just reminded The of what
Sister Abigail said.. We really don't
know that much about her.'- The last
'family she-was with could have been -
like, "Pass the fucking potatoes" at
the dinner table for all we know. '
JOHN
Iget it, I just- don ''t want to make a
bigger deal out of it than it is.
KATE
If she's saying "fuck" to my face,
what's she doing when we're not around?
We have to be thinking about what kind
of influence she's having-on Daniel and
Max. Particularly Max.
JOHN
I wouldn't worry about it. You're
right, we don't know how she was
raised, but we do know she's a good
kid. if Danny and Max want to start
acting.like her, that's fine with me.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
Esther and Max pick wildflowers along the edge of the forest.
ESTHER
Let's pick flowers for Daddy.
Max.nods happily. 'Then Esther notices something that makes her
stop short. A girl approaching on a bicycle...
It's Brenda. She pretends to not see Bather, just rides right by.
Esther watches, her face strangely slack... then starts to follow
.her. Max gives Esther a confused look, but tags along.
EXT. PARK -- DAY
Esther finds Brenda's bike parked at a neighborhood playground ----
swings carousel, jun7le gym, and a-tall corkscrew slide made-tor
look like a rocket ship. There are KIDS playing. MOMS watching.
41.
A BONELESS GUY with a shopping cart full of stuffed garbage bags
asleep by a tree. WOMEN. doing pilates. Esther ignores them all.
Brenda is climbing on the jungle gym with some other kids. Esther
walks over with Max in tow and just watches Brenda play. Brenda
sees her and makes a face. Esther just stands there. Staring.
BRENDA .
What are you looking at?
No response. Max tug on Esther's arm, but she's rooted in place,
staring blankly at Brenda. Finally, Brenda can't take it. She
climbs off the jungle gym and walks away. Esther watches 'her go..
Brenda gets on a swing, but just as she starts to get some height,
Ester' right there,.star n ,_p a her again. Max happily grabs
a swing for herself, but Esther is fixated on Brenda.
BRENDA
Stop staring at.mel Stop ital.
But Esther is unwavering. Can't take her eyes off of her. Brenda
gets off the swing and runs
away. Esther calmly walks after her.
BRENDA
Go-away! Stop following me, freak!
Max sees Esther following Brenda and grudgingly gets off the
swing, hurrying to -catch up. Brenda gives them an angry look.
" BRENDA
Why don't you two,go home and change
each other's diapers?
Esther and Max follow Brenda across the park,, Max still uncertain
about what's going on.. Brenda heads for. the tall corkscrew slide.
Steep stairs lead to the enclosed top, the tip of the rocket ship.
Brenda starts up the stairs, then pauses. She turns to Esther.
BRENDA
You go first.
Esther doesn't move, but Max gladly takes her turn. After a beat,
Esther follows Max up the stairs. Brenda stays behind, watching.
Max goes down the spiraling slide, but Esther just stands at the
top, looking down at Brenda.
BRENDA
Gol!
Esther, continues to stare down at her for a beat, then turns and
-disappears from eight. only. then does Brenda climb up.
Max runs to the stairs for- another turn. Brenda reaches the top
and looks around. She sees Max.' But where's Esther? She turns.
42.
Suddenly, Es er is right in ,AIL of her. She didn't' go down the
slide, she was just crouched out of sight. Brenda gasps --
-- then Este spits Jn her face acrd ush hex dawn the airs.
Brenda SCREAMS as she falls,-limbs flailing, out-of-control. She
lands hard in the dirt and just lies there crying, clutching her
arm and bleeding from a gash in her forehead.
Brenda's scream draws alarmed looks. The Homeless Guy startles
awake. one of the playground mothers comes running to help. But
Max stands frozen, gaping at Esther in total shock. Esther stares
blankly down.at Brenda from atop the slide. Utterly emotionless.
EXT. PARK - DAY (TIMCUT)
BRENDA'S FATHER arrives on the scene. Brenda says something. to
-him and points at Esther and Max, who watch from a distance.
ESTHER
Are you going to tell on me?
Max shrugs.
ESTHER
I didn't mean to hurt her. I just
wanted her-to stop picking on me.
(off Max's look)
Don't you hate it when someone is mean
to you for no reason? Wouldn't you do
almost anything to make them stop?
A best. Max nods. Esther offers her hand and Max takes it.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Esther and Max sit at the table. Kate and John eye them sternly.
JOHN
Brenda says you pushed her.
ESTHER
That's not true! We were just playing
and she tripped! I swear!
KATE
(to Max)
Did you see what happened?
Esther eyes Max expectantly. Max hesitates. Then:
MAX
IT .WAS AN ACCIDENT.
Kate sighs, not entirely convinced...
43.
INT. MUSIC ROOM -- DAY.
Kate carefully tends the memorial orchid, spraying it with a fine
mist of water.--
INT. SUNROOM - DAY -
Kate's watering the plants when she feels something on'her hand.
There's an ANT on it. She flicks it off. Then she seed ANOTHER,
this one crawling up her arm. She makes a face and looks down.
Thg g are ante arwl ng loon a-: arou her feet. She
quickly steps back,- brushing at her- arms and legs. She looks
under one of the plant tables to'see what's attracted them:
It's Hodgepodge. He's been dead for several days, his body
swarming with ants and MAGGOTS.
EXT.-COLEMAN RESIDENCE � GARDEN - NIGHT
A hole has been dug in the backyard flower garden. Kate, John,
Esther, and Max stand around it. Max places a shoebox with
"HODGEPODGE" written on it in the hole and lays a flower on top of
it. John starts shoveling dirt into the bole.
Esther and Max exchange a knowing look...
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - DAY
Esther and Max are giggling and playing dress-up. Clothes are
strewn everywhere. They're both trying to look grown-up. They're
even wearing makeup -- heavy mascara and pink, painted cheeks.
Daniel walks by and sees Max putting on lipstick. He takes it
away from her.
DANIEL
Hey, you're not allowed to wear makeup.
Does mom know you have this?
ESTHER
Give it-back.
DANIEL,
Make me.
ESTHER
Give it back'or I'll tell Daddy, that
you hit her and then you'll be in
trouble.
Max smiles. Daniel-scowls at Esther, then gives Max the lipstick.
He leaves. Max gives Esther a hug. Best friends forever.
44.
f l iT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
Kate waits in line -at the check-out. Esther and-Max are with her.
Aw .Kate pushes her cart up to the-counter, she looks over and sees
the nearby'"WINE & SPIRITS" aisle. No big. deal, just a passing
glance, a flash of idle distraction. Her eyes unreadable. Then:
ESTHER (O.S.)
What kind of sex do men crave most?
Kate-looks back, shocked. Esther has picked up a "COSMOPOLITAN"
from the newsstand and is'reading the cover aloud-to Max.
KATE
Put that away. Don't look at those.
Kate puts the magazine back. There are several others just like
it at kids-eye level. "Orgasms UNLIMITED!" "Thrill EVERY INCH- Of
Him J" Kate'sighs and-'starts putting groceries on the conveyer.-
ESTHER
"How To Hit Your G-spot Every Time."
Kate whirls. Esther has picked up the same magazine. Kate
angrily snatches it and pulls Esther toward her. Max startles.
KATE
Stand where I can see yowl
The CASHIER and a couple CUSTOMERS turn to look at her. Kate
ignores them. Esther can't suppress a little smile.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
The family is eating dinner. Esther makes a face and pushes her
plate away half-finished.
ESTHER
May I be excused?
KATE
At least eat your chicken.
ESTHER
I'm not going to eat something that I
don't like just to make you feel
better. That's ridiculous.
JOUN
Esther, stop it. Eat the chicken and
then you can be excused.
ESTHER
Yes, sir.
Esther starts eating. Kate gives John an exasperatedlook.
45.
IM. FOYER - DAY
The doo;rbel]. RINGS. Esther ��dto Esther it. it's Sisttereys. a clipboard
Abigail. She's carrying
ESTHER
Hello, Sister Abigail.
SISTER ABIGAIL.
Hello, Esther.
INT. STA'IRAELL -- DAY
Esther leads Sister Abigail upstairs. Kate and John follow-
SISTER ABIGAIL
to need updated charts I t¢ also going t
from her. pediatrician and her dentist
for my supervision report.
KATE
ECK-
That's no problem. We've got a ch
up with the dentist next week.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
.Esther leads Kate, John, and Sister Abigail into her room.
ESTHER
Isn't it lovely? Look at my new
paintings. -I've=done a portrait -for
everyone in the family.
She shows sister Abigail the portraits pinned to her wall.
There's also a painting of everyone together.
SISTER ABIGAIL
That's one good-looking family you've
got..
ESTHER
I know. Aren't they perfect?
Sister Abigail gives Kate and John an amused look-
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Kate, John, and Sister Abigail talk over coffee.
JOHN
I swear, we-didn't bribe her to say
that.
.y:
46.
SISTER ABIGAIL
No explanation necessary. I don't
think there e'anything that girl could
say that would surprise me.
KATE.
She dropped the 't--bomb on me a few
weeks ago.
'Sister Abigail raises her eyebrows in comic, exaggerated surprise.
SISTER ABYGAYL
Well. I'm glad to hear she's finally
come out of her shell.'
1OBN
She's just testing us. It's been
nowhere near as bad as we expected.
SISTER ABIGAIL
What kinds of things is she doing?
-KATE
Talking back to me. Purposefully
disobeying. She took Max to the park
without ppesrmission the other day. That
was the biggie. A girl they were
playing with got hurt.
A beat. Sister Abigail is suddenly apprehensive, tries to cover.
SISTER ABIGAIL
Really? is the girl all right?
RATE
She broke her arm and had to have
something like eleven stitches, I
think. She was lucky.
SISTER ABIGAIL
She doesn't. sound very lucky.
JOHN
She's lucky she didn't break her neck.
Sister Abigail seems troubled by this.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
Sister Abigail walks out to her car, concerned. She doesn't see
Esther spying down from her bedroom.window, just staring at her
with that strange, blank look...
47.
INT. MUSIC ROOM - DAY
Kate gives a piano lesson- to a.COLLEGE S7TUDENT, listening as he
runs. through a finger exercise.
KATE=
Relax;. wrists following fingers...
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
John leads Esther and Max on a bike ride around the neighborhood.
Esther speeds-up, leaving Max behind so she can ride next to John.
ESTHER
I'm Daddy's little girl, aren't I?
JOHN
That's right. You both are.
As they head home, they see JOYCE 'PATTERSON (late 30's) jogging
toward them. A blonde with dark roots and an overdone boob job.,
wearing a skimpy sports bra and mini shorts. She waves to tem.
JOYCE -
Look at these three cutiesl
JOHN
How're-you doing?
JOYCE
Hanging in there. Hey,,. I've got. a
chair X want moved upstairs. You think
you could come over and give me a hand?
John glances toward home. Kate's at the door, waving goodbye to
the College Student.- She sees John talking to Joyce and gives
them an unreadable look before going back inside.
JOHN
Uh, yeah. Maybe Kate and I -could help
you -out.
JOYCE
Okay, I'll call you.
John and Max start off again, but'Esther doesn't move. She's
openly looking Joyce over from head to toe.
ESTHER
You have a l ovely body.
JOHN.
Come on, Esther. Let's go.
Esther reluctantly follows. Joyce eyes her dubiously.
48.
INT. KITCHEN -- DAY
John acid the girls enter. Kate has juice boxes for the girls. A.
look passes between John and Rate. Esther notices.
KATE
How was the.iide? Did you have fun?
Max nods'and heads off; but Esther hangs back, eavesdropping:
KATE
Didn't waste -arty time-turning that
divorce settlement-into a tit job, did=
she?
JOHN
I didn't notice.
KATE
Yeah, right.
She's teasing, but there's something biting underneath it. Esther
walks away, sipping on her juice box..
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - SISTER ABIGAIL' S OFFICE - NIGHT
After hours. Sister Abigail is at her desk. She opens a file and
reads. We see a Polaroid of Esther stapled to the cover...
EXT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT
Midway rides and boardwalk games have been set up in the parking
lot of Daniel and Esther's school. A banner reads ""EDGAR
ELEMENTARY ANNUAL HALLOWEEN HOOT." The place is packed with
excited children in Halloween costumes.
The school is at the'top of a steep hill. Kate and John walk up
it with the kids. Daniel's dressed as a ninja, Max is a "FINDING
NEMO" fish, and Esther's an angel, complete with a shiny halo.
SERIES OF SHOTS
John gives Daniel some money to hang out with Austin and Trevor...
On the BOARDWALK, playing games, winning prizes. Esther shoots
BBs at balloons with a toy rifle. She's pretty good at it...
On the MIDWAY, Esther and Max are whirled around on the Scrambler,
screaming and laughing. Kate and John watch and take pictures..'.
THE HAUNTED -MAZE
A cheap fun house attraction. The girls ran up to John and Kate..
ESTHER
We want to go in by ourselves)
49.-
JOHN
Okay, just make sure you hold her hand.
ESTHER
I will. -
The girls. run inside. John smiles, but Kate watches anxiously.
INT. HAUNTED' MAZE - NIGHT -
Esther leads Max through the dark', winding fun house corridors.
Max starts to look cared. She nearly leaps. out of her skin when
a RUBBER--MASTED GHOUL jumps out at them. But Esther just laughs
at it. Max sees that she's not afraid and soon they're both
giggling at the CHEESY SPOOKS that try to scare them.
EXT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT
The girls emerge frtn- the'maze, clutching each other and laughing.
ESTHSR
Let's play "hide and seek." You go
first.
Max excitedly runs off. Esther watches her vanish into the CROWD.
Moments later,-Kate and John appear. Rate-nervously looks around.
RATE
Where's Max?
ESTHER
I don't know. I was trying to hold her
hand, but she pushed me and ran away.
KATE
Oh,.my God...
JOHN
It's okay. Did YOU see where she went?
ESTHER
This way, I think.
She points the wrong way. Kate takes her hand and they quickly
move through the crowd, looking for Max. John stands on a bench
for a better vantage, Kate grabs passersby:
KATE
Have you seen a little girl in-a fish
costume? She has short brown hair?
Nobody's seen her. Kate grows frantic. Esther watches with a
nonchalant smile, enjoying the drama.- She tugs on Kate's arm.
ESTHER
i Mommy, I want scene cotton candy.
- '� 'ti
50.
ICATS
Not now, Esther I—
JOHN"
Kate, please. Take it easy. She's
gotta be around here
Then Kate spots Daniel approaching, holding Max's hand.' Kate
breathes a sigh of.relief and rushes to give Max a fierce hug.
KATE
Are you all right?- Don't you ever run
off like that[ What were you thinking?
DANIEL
They were playing "hide and seek."- I-
saw Esther let her run off.
Esther gives him a sharp look. John turns on her, . angry.
JOHN
Did you lie to us? What did I tell you
about'holding her hand?
ESTHER
I'm sorry, sir.
She looks like she's going, to cry. John sighs, then turns to Kate
and Max. Esther gives Daniel a hateful look through her tears.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - MORNING
The kids pile into the minivan for school. As Daniel climbs in,
Esther' drops something behind him and pretends to find it.
ESTHER
What's this?
She shows Kate a little PLASTIC BAGGIE OF WEED. Daniel blanches
when he sees it.. His.treehouse staah..
INT. JOHN'S DEN - NIGHT
Kate and John confront Daniel.
DANIEL
I wasn't taking it to school[
RATE
Then what was it doing 'in-your
backpack?-
DANIEL
I don't knowl" She just put it there to.
get me in troubles
51.
JOHN
Where would'Esther have gotten pot?
DANIEL
(a beat reluctant)
She saw me wCth it in the treehouse.
-JOAN
Is that what...you're doing- out .there
with Austin and Trevor? Smoking pot?!
Daniel stammers. John stews-.
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
John screws a hasp to the treehouse-door with -a POWER DRILL and
slaps a PADLOCK on it. Daniel stands below,-watching. John
climbs down, shows Daniel the padlock key, and pockets it.
JOHN-
Off limits until further notice.
Be heads to the house; Esther is playing in the backyard.. She
takes John's hand and walks inside with him. Daniel watches them.
INT./EXT. KATE'S MINIVAN - DAY
Kate pulls out of the driveway with Esther in the back seat. As
they leave the neighborhood, Joyce Patterson Jogs by in her skimpy
workout clothes. She-waves. Kate gives a polite nod.
ESTHER
Why does she have to'dress like that?
KATE -
She just likes the 'attention.
ESTHER
Well, I think it's immodest. I don't
know why Daddy -likes her so much.
KATE .
(a beat, apprehensive)-
What do you mean?
ESTHER
He's always smiling at her and talking
to her. She wants him to come over to
her house. Did you know that?
(off Kate's look))
Please don't tell Aaddy I told. I
don't want him to be mad at me.-
Kate doesn't respond, clearly disturbed.
52..
I EXT. DENTIST'S OFFICE - PARKING' LOT - DAY
Kate gets out Of the minivan, but Esther stays put'-in her seat.
Rate sighs, frazzled and distracted.
KATE
Esther, come on.
ESTHER
X told you, I don't like the de ntist.
KATE
There's nothing to be afraid of.
ESTHER -
I know. Because I'm not- going-
KATE
Esther, get out of the cart Righ t now!
For a moment, they just glare at each other. Mexican stand-off..
Then Esther sticks her nose in the air and does as she's told.
INT.-DENTIST'S OFFICE - EXAM ROOM -- DAY
The DENTIST lowers Esther back in the chair, pulls on rubber
gloves. The HYGIENIST clips a dental bib around Esther's neck.
HYGIENIST
She hasn't had a check-up in about two
years, so she's a little nervous.
-DENTIST
she doesn't look to me. Now
let's have a look at those co ppers.
Esther just looks at the ceiling with her mouth tightly shut.
DENTIST.
Come on, darling, open wide.
-Esther eyes him anxiously; then reluctantly opens. Just a bit.
DENTIST
That a girl: Little wider...
She opens more. He leans in to take a look...
Suddenly, she SHdMPS dawnn his jinx s hard Pnou h to draw blo-mss fr
and locks �n like Rottweile�] The Hygienist is frozen in shock.
DENTIST
Aaagh! Goddammit!! Help me with her !
The Hygienist holds her down while the Dentist tries to pry her
mouth open. Finally, he yanks his fingers free, cradling them
53.
painfully. Esther HISSES at ldm like a cat, lips flecked with
blood. The Dentist and Hygienist exchange a startled. lock.
INT. DENTIST'S-OFFICE - WAITING ROOM -- DAY
Canned MUSAK.. Kate bits waiting. The Hygienist enters.
HYGIENIST -
Mrs. Coleman?
Kate gives her a confused look. Then she notices Esther htanding
behind the Hygienist with a-smug grin on'her face.
INT./EXT. KATE'S MINIVAN - DAY
Driving home.. Kate stews, on her last frayed nerve. Esther gazes
out the window, seemingly oblivious, singing a little nonsense
song under her breath: "La-la-la, la-la-la-la... La--la-la ..."
Kate stops at a traffic light. Glances outside.
She's stopped next to a LIQUOR.STORE. Kate quickly looks .away,
her temptation real enough to startle her. The light turns green
and she drives off without looking back. Esther keeps SINGING..
A few blocks later, they pass a BAR. Then a bus shelter with a
big ABSOLUTE VODKA AD. Kate probably drives by them every day,
but now they're popping out at her, sly old enemies that never
really left, re-emerging from the shadowy recesses of her mind.
She tries to focus on the road, Esther's VOICE grating in her
head... "La-la-la, la-la-la-la:.. La-la-la, la-la-la-la..."
INT. FOYER -- DAY
Kate and Esther enter. Esther skips upstairs. Kate sighs, angry
and frustrated. She plays a message on the ANSWERING MACHINE.
SISTER ABIGAIL (V.0.)
Hello, this is Sister Abigail calling
for John and Kate. Please call me as
soon as you get this message. I have.
something that we need to discuss in
person. It's regarding. Esther.
UPSTAIRS
Esther stands at the top of the stairs, listening to-the message-
She's heard everything. And she's scared. Scared and pissed.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM.- NIGHT
Kate and John get ready for bed.
KATE
He's been our dentist for ten years.
Why would he lie to us?
54.
JQAN
I didn't say he's lying. I just think
Ws-blowing it out of proportion,
KATE
I saw the bite marks. We're lucky he's
not suing us.
JOHN
Fine, but I don't believe for a"second
that she just did it for no reason.
RATE
That's because she's always on her best
behavior with you.
JOHN'
That's. not true. I've had to deal with
her at her worst..
- KATE
What you think is her worst is what
she's like with me all the time. She's
completely- different with me than she
is with you'.,
JOHN
So you've seen her haul off'and bite
someone like an animal?
KATE
No, but she threw that fit at school
JOEN
Yeah, because the other kids were
harassing her. It's the same thing
here.
(off her reaction)
She's from a completely different
culture Kate. She has to be taught
that this. behavior isn't appropriate
but there's nothing malicious about it.
If'she says she bit him because she was
scared and he was hurting her, I don't
see any reason not to believe her.
A beat. Kate looks at him. She's stewing hbaut something.
KATE
So should .1 believe her when she says
you've been hitting on Joyce Patterson?
JOHN'
(taken aback)
Did she say that?
t.
55.
]CATS
Is it true?
JOHN
of course not!
KATE
Did-she invite You over?'
JOHN
She wanted me to help her move a chair.
KATE
Oh, - come on.
JOHN
ON
All right, she was obviously coming
to me. But I shut her down.
KATE
Then why didn't you tell me?
JOHN
Because I knew how you'd reactl
KATE
Really? You sure it wasn't because you
were coming-on to her so obviously that
an eight-year-old picked upon it?
A long-beat. John sighs, resigned.-
JOHN
How-long are you going to keep this
hanging over me? It was ten years ago.
KATE
You keep-saying that. But it's only
been about two years since you told me.
(a tense beat)
Having another child was -supposed to
bring us together.
JOHN
I'm sorry I didn't tell you-about it-
x just feel like I've earned a little
trust here.
KATE -
I don't know what you expect from me.
I might never completely trust you
again. Not like before.
JOHN
I gave you a second chance.
�4
56.
Kate stops short. IIis words-are like a phybical blow.
- KATE -
That's not fair.
JOHN
So-you can keep bringing uP my . mistakes
over and Over, but we're not even
allowed to discuss yours?
KATE
I was sick! You were just an asshole
who wanted to fuck somebody else!
JOHN
You were a danger to our children. If
I didn't want to. make this work, I
could have left months ago and nobody
would have blamed me.
KATE
Nice. Is that-what-your mother told
you?
Angry tears well in her eyes. He realizes be went too far.. Kate
goes into the bathroom and SLAMS the door.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT -
It's late. Esther and Max sit on the bed in their nightgowns.
Only the bedside light is on. They're signing to one anothe r.
ESTHER
THE MAN LADY YS Comm TOMORROW.
MAX
I' M AFRAID. I DON'T WANT HER TO TAKE
YOU BACK TO THE HOME.
ESTHER
NEITUER DO 1. WE HAVE TO SCARE HER
AWAY. WILL YOU HELP ME?
Max anxiously nods her head. Esther smiles.
INT..JOHN'S DEN'- NIGHT
The room is dark. The girls sneak in, still in their nightgowns,
and close the door. Esther turns on a :reading lamp.
ESTHER '
Look for the key to the treehouse.'
-Max nods and they start searching the room. Esther rifles through
John 's desk. - Nothing. She looks in a closet. A DARK PLASTIC
CASE with Two PADLOCKS on it catches her eye...
57.
Max opens a. keepsake chest and finds SEVERAL KEYS on:a ring. She
excitedly shows them to Esther. Esther smiles and takes them. As
they're about to leave,.Esther. Uses. She looks back at the-
closed closet. Then looks at the keys. Max eyes her curiously.
Esther slides a chair over to. the closet and opens it.. She stands
on the chair, pulls down the case with the padlocks on it, and
sets it on the floor. She tries a couple of.keys. Then -- CLICK.
There's a GUN inside. A shiny revolver and a BOX OF AMMUNITION.
Esther's face lights up. She.carefully picks up the gun{-turns it
over, looks at it. Max's eyes nearly pop out. Esther gives her a
sly look, then loads a single bullet, SPINS. the cylinder...
.and points the cmn at ax. Ri.aht between the Bye
ESTHER
Do you -want to_ play? -
A beat. Max shakes her head. Esther smiles, fingers the trigger.
After a long, awful, pants wetting eternity, she lowers the gun.
ESTHER
You're right. We'd better not.
(BEAT)
Not yet. -
INT. LIVING ROOM -- DAY
Sister Abigail sits across from Kate and John with a grave look.
SISTER ABIGAIL
When you first asked about adopting
Esther, I expressed some misgivings.
But I wasn't completely straightforward
with you. You see, I love children.
I've worked with them my entire life.
And the thing about love is that it
sometimes clouds your judgement.
(BEAT)
But the truth is that I knew there was
something wrong with Esther from the
moment I laid eyes on her.
Kate sits up, concerned. John bristles.
- KATE
You said you suspected, some kind of
abuse.
SISTER ABIGAIL
Yes, but there was something else. It
was hard to say chat it was at first.
Just-a feeling that she was a
profoundly damaged little girl.
(MORE)
58.
SISTER ABIGAIL ' (CONY' D)
(beat) s eemed
Then I notaced that she - always
k_ to. be around whenever ther' wwasa get
kind of trouble.- Two girls
iii a fight. And there she'd be .
Someone would get caught stealing. And ell
she'd -
myself it Was But I
never really. believed it.
(beat) l who
After you told me about the gir
broke her arm, -:E -started wondering
again. I called the achool:Esther went
to while she was with the Wallaces and
asked if there'd been any serious
accidents while she.Was there.. One
incident was still fresh in everyone's
minds. A boy in one of her classes was
stabbed in the throat with a pair of
'scissors. All the kids-who saw it
happen said it was an accident, that he
was running with the scissors and fell.
But once again, Esther, was there.
ANGLE - ESTHER
is eavesdropping from around the corner. She slips away.
BACK TO SCENE
JOAN
But none of these things were her
fault.
SISTER ABIGAIL
That's; g I was reluc!tant to t
anything bef ore. Now'I think th at may a
have been a mistake.
(off their-looks)
Children like Esther, who've spent
their entire lives-in institutions,
have never had' a chance to 'form normal,
lasting bonds.. The longterm effects
of 'this- can be devastating. In the
very worst cases, children who fail to
form early attachments are unable to
learn the difference between'right and
wrong. They can lie, cheat, steal ---
.or worse -and and have no remorse
whatsoever for their actions.' They
view other human beings as objects,
pawns for their amusement. And they
can-be potentially very dangerous.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
white s gloves, like she's
Esther pulls on -a pair of . dinty hurCh services
dressing for morninga
C
59.-
INT. LIVING ROOM'- DAY
JOEt7-
This.doesh't sound like Esther at all.
SISTER ABIGAIL
A severely character-disturbed child
can appear to be -completely normal,
-even exceptional. It's like they have
two faces one-they show the outside
world in order'to get what they want,
and the other, their true face, lying
just beneath the surface.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - DAY
Max sits on her bed, wearing a jacket and clutching her "Bello.
Kitty" backpack. Anxious and waiting. Esther enters. -
- E5T_HBR
Let's go.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY -
KATE
What about the orphanage in Russia
where she was raised? Wouldn't they
have been able to tell?
SISTER ABIGAIL -
I've put in a call to the director
there, but she could have easily
slipped through the. cracks.
JOHN -
So the bottom line here is that you
don't have proof of any of this.
SISTER ABIGAIL
That's true,-I don't. But I believe
the circumstantial evidence is enough
to warrant taking the next step.
RATE
Which is what? -
SISTER -ABIGAIL
Get Esther out of'the house.
Kate and John are stunned.
JOHN
You want to disrupt the adoption over
this?!
- 60.
SISTER ABIGAIL -
If I'm-wrong, she-can come back home.
But you need to get her to a therapist
who can tell you what you're dealing
WITH
JOHN
She's just a kids -
SISTER ABIGAIL
She's also the sole-survivor of a house
fire that killed her last family.
(off their looks)
It was arson. I did some checking.
Someone deliberately set that fire.
They-never caught who did it.
JOHN
Wait a minute, you're not suggesting --
SISTER ABIGAIL
Pyromania is one of the warning signs
of a character--disturbed child.
Rate blanches, realizing:
KATE
Do you think she had something to do
with'what happened to Yolanda?
A long beat. Sister Abigail hesitates, reluctant to answer.
SISTER ABIGAIL -
The thought that a child could cougnit
such a monstrous crime flies in the
face of everything I hold dear. But in
my opinion, at'a a possibility that you
need to take very seriously.
INT. NOW SHED - DAY.
Esther slides the door open -on SCREECHING rails and steps inside.
Walks over to John's workbench. Looks at the TOOL RACK above it.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Kate and John are stunned by what Sister Abigail has told them.
JOHN
We can take her to Doctor -Browning. -
Kate suggested doing that weeks ago.
But I don't want to send her away. Not
without at least some kind of proof.
Sister Abigail.sighs, frustrated. Kate turns to him:
61.
KATE
But what if 'the doctor says she's
dangerous?
A beat. He considers, uncertain and emotional.
JOH1
Then I guess we.won't.bave any choice.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
Daniel sits near.the brook, sullenly throwing rocks in the water.
He hears something behind him and turns. Esther and Max are
running off through.the woods, leaves CRASHING under their feet.'
Neither of them ree him. He eyes them curiously.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
Sister Abigail ie leaving. Rate and John stand by the front door,
'troubled, watching her go.
EXT. PRIVATE ROAD -- DAY
Esther and Max run toward'the bridge where. the road into the
neighborhood crosses the brook. They climb an embankment and
crouch. by the bridge abutment, out of breath. Esther looks both
ways. There's no traffic. She and Max hide behind the abutment.
INT./EXT. SISTER ABIGAIL'S CAR - DAY
Sister Abigail drives away., troubled. She takes a pack of
cigarettes from the glove compartment and lights one.
EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - DAY
The girlb wait by the abutment. The only sound is the RIPPLING
brook. Max looks nervous. Esther gives her a reassuring smile.
ESTHER -
It's going' to be fine. Just wave your
arms and make sure she stops.
Max nods. Then Esther hears a CAR coming. She peers out'from
behind the abutment. It's Sister Abigail's car. Esther quickly
ducks out of sight.
ESTHER
Here she. comes. Wait until she gets
close.
Max nervously peers out from behind the abutment. Esther stands
behind her. The car starts across the-bridge. Suddenly --
-- sthe pusbes Max it into the Load. stumbles and falls
ri ht ,m. on of the _speed� car.
62.
Sister Abigail gasps and SLAMS on the brakes, 'TIRES SQUEALING,
stopping the car mere feet from where Max lies in the road. She
frantically. jumps out of the car and kneels next to Max.
SISTER ABIGAIL
Dear Lord! Are you okay, honey?
Max looks up at her,-stunned, but unhurt. Sister Abigai1 is taken
aback. She recognizes her.
SISTER ABIGAIL -
Max...?! - -
A SHADOW falls on Abigail from behind. She turns and looks "up.
Esther looms.over her, a CLAW HAMMER raised above her head.
efor is a Abigail Va e a , Esther angrily hits her in tie ' l
head as hard as she can with the hammer. CRUNCF#.
Max startles,'eyes wide with shock. Sister Abigail falls and lies
twitching on the pavement. Eyes staring blankly, one pupil wide
from the head trauma. Blood trickles from under her headdress.
As Max stares at. the body, paralyzed with fear, Esther scurries
into Sister Abigail's car and finds her purse. She flips through
her wallet. Cash, credit cards. Takes it all. Finds her rosary
beads. Grabs them, too. Then she hurries back to the body.
ESTHER
Help me get her off the road.
Max looks up blankly, then staggers .to her feet. They each take a
hand and start dragging Sister Abigail's body, but she's heavy and
they're little. It's all they can do to slowly move her.
Then Esther hears something. There's ANOTHER CAR coming. It's
still out of sight through the trees, but closing.
Esther and Max hurriedly drag the body, struggling it to the side
of the road, just as the car rounds the bend. Esther gives the'
body a kick,, sending it rolling down the embankment.
The car is almost on them. Esther and Max quickly hide under the
bridge.. Esther grabs Max's backpack and pulls u wig _cm.
The car reaches the bridge. Esther listens to it cross, tense,
gun . ready... . but it passes Abigail's car and continues without
stopping. Esther breathes a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, there's a CROARING_noise from behind them.' Esther
turns. It's Sister Abigail. She's still alive. She's trying to
speak, but all that comes out is an awful'MOAN.
Esther scowls and grabs the hammer. Sister Abigail looks up at
her,' moaning louder. Then Esther brings-the hammer down. CRUNCH.
The moans stop. Esther hits her AGAIN and AGAIN.
63.
Ma x 'pr cataton ipes her
Se p rettysdr sand white glove harernow splaa ered ith blood.
e s t t
ESTHER
Did you get any on you?
Max shakes her head, pale and shivering.
ESTHER
Good. Let's get her covered up.
Esther starts scooping leaves and debris onto Sister Abigail's
corpse. Max just watches fora long beat... then shuffles over
like a zombie and helps her. Esther smiles..
INT. TREEBOUSE - DAY
Esther is wearing a clean dress. -- She stuffs Max's "Hello Kitty"
backpack under the looUe floorboard where Daniel.used to keep his
weed. Max is huddled in a-corner, still dazed. As the y talk,
Esther laces the bloody from
Sister"ibigails car i a lastic grocery bag s ade ties kit.off.
P
ESTHER
If you tell on me, you'll get in
trouble, too.
MAX
YOU, TRICKED ME.
ESTHER.
That doesn't matter. 'They'll send you
to jail just for helping me bury her.
Max starts to cry. Esther moves closer, comforting.
ESTHER
She wanted to take me away from you.
(BEAT)
Now we eau be together forever.
EXT. TREEHOUSE -- DAY
Daniel heads home on the path through the forest. Be hears a
NOISE up ahead and sees Esther and Max emerge from the treeh ouse.
He quickly hides., 'watching. Esther locks the treehouse_and looks
around, see him. She and down and walk home
hol d din in g pe ers out at them...
g hands. Daniel
PARK - DAY
The usual suspects are here. Kids playing. Moms watching. The
Homeless Guy with.his shopping cart, rooting through a trash can.
A VENDOR selling a SpongeBob popsicle from a cart. CAMERA FOLLOWS
the SpongeBob pop as. the vendor hands it to a little girl...
64.
It's Esther. She smiles at the. vendor and walks away. She- spots
the Homeless Guy across the park and casually heads toward him.
As she approaches, we see that she's carrying the -plastic yrocery
bag with the bloody hammer and sister Abigail's things in t.
She carefully looks around to snake sure nobody is watching, then
nonchalantly tosses the incriminating bag into the Homeless Guy's
shopping cart and keeps walking, sucking on her SpongeBob pop...
INT. LIVING ' ROOM - DAY
Rate hangs up the phone and turns to John.
RATE
She's canceling some appointments-so we -
can get her in-tomorrow.
They hear Esther HUMMING upstairs and exchange a disgiuieted look.
IN . BATHROOM -- DAY
Esther HUMS O.S. -Her black velvet ribbons have been removed and
laid out in a row on the counter.' CAMERA MOVES to the bathtub,
where Esther is taking a bath. The water is faintly red. -She's
scrubbing under her fingernails. -Humming pleasantly to herself.
And now we see what the ribbons have been covering: the has
t ick, knotte t h e wa x u ht.r neck and -wrists.
INT. JOHN'S DEN - NIGHT
John sits on his. desk, eyeing Daniel--wearily.
JOHN
Esther and Max? You saw them?
DANIEL
Oh-huh.
JOHN
The treehouse is still locked.
DANIEL
Esther had the-keys.
JOHN
You mean these keys here?
He goes over tothe keepsake chest and opens it.. The KEY RING is
there. He holds it up. Daniel flusters..
JOHN
You're not lying to get them in-
trouble,.are you? '
65.
DANIEL
No, I swear!
JOHN
(sighs, exasperated)
I don't know what's got into you
lately. Just go to your room.
Daniel leaves, dejected...
IN THE HALLWAY
and trudges upstairs. fe doesn't see Esthe em� eras from j -
a sh dows behin hi�- She glares angrily, after him...
BACK IN THE DEN
Alone now, John looks at the.key ring, considering. Be goes to
the closet, looks at the'gun case. Takes it down. Unlocks it...
The gun.is right where it belongs. He sighs and closes the case.
INT. DANIEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Daniel is in bed, sound asleep The doorknob turns, the door
CREAKS open. Someone sneaks into his room, approachinbglh1ss-bbed.
Turns on the bedside light, Daniel stirs, squinting,
It's Esther. Daniel looks up at her, confused. Ruaaenlv,,shs
fistful gf i hair and SLAM bis hea hMk.Aqg__inst the
Before he can cal ou ; $he w o a-PAI OF SCISSORS
an plunges them tows d his face---
Daniel gasps, but the gleaming point of the scissors stops short,-
hovering less than an inch from his wide, staring eye.
ESTHER
ssshhh.
-
Esther leans in, her face wild-and terrifying. Daniel lies there
breathless, paralyzed with fear. -The. scissors drift from his eye,
his between his legs.
holds fast by his ha ir. er'voiceis an'e
H il, ssibant bhiss
ESTHER
You te.11 anybody what you saw and I
will cut your hairless little prick off
before you even figure out what it'-s
for. Do you understand me?
She rapidly cuts the air with the scissors -- SNIP-SNIPI Daniel
frantically nods his head. She twists his hair again.
ESTHER
,= -it
66.
N DANIEL
I won't tells I won't tell, T xomisel p
She holds him for a beat, savoring his fear. A DABX STAIN seeps
through the bedspread. Esther' sees it and grins.
ESTHER
You pissed yourself.
Daniel is crying, humiliated, belplesa.,'too terrified to dare make
a sound. Finally, she releases him and turns off the light. As
ick ad :it bWgan it she's go . up in
a b all and his faa in his pillow stifl
e his Bobs
INT. DOCTOR BROWNING'S OFFICE - WAITING ROOM - DAY.
A SECRETARY sits behind a desk. Kate flips through a magazine.
m John glances at his watch. Rate gives him a
moment later, Dr Browning emerges from r office u with Esther.
E
ESTBER
It was nice talking to you, Alice. I
I hope we can be friends.
DR. BROWNING
I'd like that.
(to.Kate and John)
You can come on in-
INT. DOCTOR BROWNING'S OFFICE - DAY
Dr. Browning's manner is serious. Kate and John sit, anxious.- '
DR. BROWNING
o Well, let's start with what youca me
here for. You don't have anything'
be worried about with Bsther.
John breathes a sigh of relief. Kate gives-a dubious smile.
KATE
She's not dangerous?
DR. BROWNING
No, of course not.
JOHN
Thank God.
DR. BROWNING
It's. not all good news . You do have a
serious problem in. your home..
(BEAT)
But the real issue is with you, Rate
Kate reacts, stunned.
67.
INT. DOCTOR BROWNING'S OFFICE -WAITING ROOM - DAY
Esther. fidgets, impatient. She turns to the Secretary:
ESTRER
May I go to the restroom?
INT. DOCTOR BROWNING'S OFFICE.- DAY
Dr. Browning continues. Kate' can't believe what 'she's hearing:
DR. BROWNING
I was able to coax her into admitting
that there's been some tension between
the two of-you. She's really tr!ing
very hard to please you. The problem
is that you're blocking her attempts-to
attach-with you. That's why whenever
something bad happens, you blame her,
whether it's really her fault or not.
KATE
But that's not what's.been happening.
DR. BROWNING
I doubt you're even aware that you're
doing it. But subconsciously you t aunt
her to be bad because' demonizing her is
your way of covering your own feelings _
of inadequacy as a mother.
KATE
I don't feel inadequate.
DR. BROWNING
But you do have doubts. You worry that'
you Could relapse.
KATE
What does that have to do with'Esther?
DR. BROWNING
Frankly, everything. Your guilt over
what happened with Max is preventing-
you from bonding with Esther.
Kate turns to John, aghast, but he's taking this very seriously.
DR. BROWNING
It's made you doubt your fitness as a
mother. And that terrifies you. So
you're having trouble with Esther,
alonV comes Sister Abigail with these
stories about her being some kind of
monster and you believe them because
(MORE)
68.
DR. BROWNING (CONT.'D)
it f s easier than with yojW fear
,that there's something hwrong th you.
RATE .
What the hell did she tell you?.
DR. BROWNING ...
Let's not m4ke this about herana m a d dne
real progress with her today
tell you with complete certainty that
Esther is not to blame here.
INTERCUTS
INT. RESTROOM -- DAY
in a C AMERA MOVES IN on one- , o 131sthex is
in a ba11 muttering t herself, her eyes glassy and star
ING
ESTEER
She didn't see. She doesn't know. She
doesn't knout Ahitl
She starts POUNDING the walls-of stall th her fists. We CUT
between her a Dr.-B rowning talking to ltate
D =
DR. BROWNING
She's an extremely bright, thoughtful,
sensitive little girl going through a
very challenging time.
Esther clutches her head, rocking back and forth.
ESTHER
Goddamn, coaksucking bitch!! Thinks
she knows well Doesn't know shit!!
DR. BROWNING
You just have to learn to be more
patient. .You're really very lucky to
have her.
END INTERCUT :
Esther's fit has passed. She neatly composes herself and emerges
from the stall... and sees that there's a WOMAN at the sink. She
eyes Esther warily. Probably heard everything. Esther hesitates ,
then walks right by with. her nose in the air.
TNT. GARAGE -. DAY
John pulls the car in out of the RAIN. They get out and Esther.
goes Inside. When Kate is sure she's out of earshot:
KATE
Thanks for the support back there.
69.
JOHN
Hey, I'm not a psychiatrist. And a lot
of what she's saying makes sense.
Before she can respond, Nate's cell phone RINGS. She turns away
from John' and'answers it. He sighs and goes inside.
KATE -
Hello?
SISTER JUDITH (V.O.)
is this Mrs. Coleman?
KATE
Yes. Who's calling?
SISTER JUDITH (V:O.)
This is Sister Judith from Saint
Cabrini's. I'm sorry to bother you.
Did-Sister Abigail make.it to 'her
appointment with you yesterday?
T tXNDER rolls.
EXT. PRIVATE ROAD - NIGHT
CRIME SCENE TAPE flutters in the rain. POLICE CARS are parked-on
the roadside, lights FLASHING. DETECTIVES shine flashli.ghts'Under
the bridge. sister Abigail's body- has been- discovered.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY -
Kate and John sit across from a POLICE DETECTIVE and TWO UNIFORMED
PATROL OFFICERS. Kate and john-are still in shock.
JOHN
We'll help in any way we can. We at
least owe her that much.
KATE
Do you have any idea who could have
done this? '
DETECTIVE '
We have .a suspect in custody based on
an anonymous -tip. We're just trying. to -
place ham at the time we think the -
murder took place. -
JOHN
Who is it?
DETECTIVE
I can't tell you that right now. But
he was found with the murder weapon,
along with some cash and credit cards.
70.
JOHN
Jesus..:: at kind of sick' monster
carjacks a nun?
Kate glances up, sees Esther crouched on the stairs, watching...
INT. fAMiLY ROOM - DAY
Daniel sits in a big recliner, sullenly playing a VIDEO GAME SHOOT-
EM-OP. Kate is researching- on the Internet. We get CLOSE SHOTS
of some of her Google.results, INTE Ctfs with Daniel BLASTING AWAY
at alien baddies, his face angry and intense:
"Character-disturbed Children." -BLAME.-BLAME-BLAME "Antisocial
Personality Djsorder." PL f-BLAMI- "C ren o Kfll."
Esther enters holding Max's handy leadin her around like a pet.
Max numbly follows. They walk up to Daniel'in the recliner.
ESTHER
We want to sit there.
KATE
Esther, Daniel was there first. -
Daniel eyes Esther. Wary, but defiant. She sighs and makes a
-"cutting" motion with two fingers. Daniel brusquely turns off th e
game and gets out of the chair. - As' he leaves, Kate calls out,
KATE
Daniel? Daniel?
He ignores her and stomps upstairs. She watches him, concerned.
INT. JOHN'S DEN - NIGHT
Kate shows John some pages she's printed out from the Internet.
KATE
This is what Sister Abigail was telling
us about. Character-disturbed
children, 'Look at the, symptoms.
(READING)
"Superficiallycharming. Difficulty
making and keeping frinnds. Cruelty to
pets. Bossy and controlling. Overly
affectionate with strangers."
JOHN
"Extended period of bedwetting. Speech
pathology. Abnormal eye contact." She
doesn't have half of these.
KATE
I still think Doctor Brow
have missed something. iner couldd
(MORE)
71.
RATE (CONT'D)
have just told her what she wanted; to
hear. Look.
(flips ages, reading)
"Character-disturbed children are
adroit manipulators. They can be
exceptionally charismatic, oftentimes
playing people off one another to get
what they want."
JOHN
save you showed this to Doctor.
B±owiiing?
KATE
(hesitates)-
I'm not 'seeing her anymore..
JOHN
You're not going to therapy? When did
you decide that?
SATE
When do you think?
John sighs. A tense-beat.
JOHN
I know you were. upset. But we have to
at least consider the possibility that
she's right about this.
KATE
No, we don't. Why does everybody
around here get the.benefit of the
doubt fro m you except me?
JOHN
That's not true. I'm just..worried
about you, that's all. We can hire
someone to help you with the kids if
it's getting to be too much.
KATE
I don't need help. All I want is for a
doctor who knows what they're doing to
give us a second opinion.
INTERCUT:
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
All the lights are out except for the BLACK LIGHT in the aquarium.
Bather is touching up the PAINTING OF THE MOTHER LION we saw when
-we first met her, but we can't see what she's doing to it. The
black light causes some of the paints on her palette to fluoresce.
John and Kate's VOICES carry, up through the heating vent:
72.
JOHN
We're-not going to.keep taking her to
doctors until you hear what you want to
hear.
KATE -
That's not what I'm trying to dal I
-want this to work just as much as you
do, but there are. serious questions.
that we still don't havethe answers
to. If Sister Abigail was right about
Esther,. then people are dead because of
HEAL
JOHN -
She didn't really believe that.
RATS
She didn't want to believe it. But she
was worried enough-to think we should
put her in foster care until we found
out for sure.
JOHN
For all, her good intentions, sister
Abigail was not a trained psychologist.
She'had certain suspicions about Esther
and they turned out to be wrong. Why
is can't you accept that?
KATE
(a beat, thin)ts)
What if somebody else thought there was
something wrong with her? Like the
director of the orphanage in Russia?
Esther stops painting and listens, suddenly apprehensive.
KATE
if it's a dead end, I'll drop it. - But
if they say the same thine, then we'd
have to get.a second opinion.
John considers. He doesn't want to be unreasonable. He nods.
JOHN
All right.- See what you can find out.
END INTERCUT:
Esther' fumes. She angrily throws her painting across the room.
rNT. KATE AND JOHN'S BATHROOM - MORNING
John-is shaving with his shirt off. He sees Esther in the
reflection, slyly watching him. She smiles at him.
73.
. ESTHER
Will, you take me to school today?
JOHN
You'll have to get ready early,
EST=
I .don't mind.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Kate is on the. phone. She has pen and -paper ready to take notes.
KATE
Sister Judith? Hi, this is Kate
.Coleman. I teas.wondering if you'd
heard from anyone at the Sludianka
Orphan's Shelter in Russia. sister
Abigail said that...- Oh, you did? _
(listens, troubled)
What do you mean?... Well, I don't
understand. How could they not have
any record of her being there?
(LISTENS)
.Yes, please. Call me the moment you
hear anything. Thank you.
She hangs up, disturbed.
INT. JOHN'S CAR - MORNING
John drives. Esther rides next to him. She SNIFFLES and he
realizes that she's holding back tears.
JOHN
What's the matter?
ESTHER
I don't want to go to school.
JOHN
Why not?
ESTHER
I hate it. Nobody likes me there.
Nobody ever likes me.
She stares forlornly out the window. Big sad eyes. John sighs.
JOHN
You want-to play hooky?
(off her look)
I can call in- sick and we'll go to -the
zoo. What do you think?
Esther smiles through her tears.
1
74..
ESTHER
I'd like that very much.
EXT. ME TARY SCHOOL r MORNING
Kate drives up the steep hil1 in front of Daniel and Esther's
school and stops at the end of a long'line of parents dropping
kids off. Daniel. gets out without looking at Kate.
KATE
Daniel, wait a minute.
He hangs back. Rate gives him and Max a concerned-.look.
RATE -
How are you guys getting along with
Esther? - ,
Daniel freezes. An apprehensive look passes between him and Max.
DANIEL
Fine, I guess.
KATE
Does she ever make you guys feel
uncomfortable or do things you know
she's not supposed to? Has she ever
hurt either of you?
Daniel wants to say something, but the frightened look on Max's
face stops him. Rate realizes she's struck.a nerve.
KATE
Please. You can tell me anything.
DANIEL
-I gotta gu.
Before Kate can stop -him, he closes the car door and runs off.
EXT. ZOO -- DAY
John and Esther walk by the LION exhibit.- She takes John's hand
and presses it to her cheek.
ESTHER
You don't know how-long I've waited for
a 'daddy just. like you.
JOHN
And a monany, too. Right?
Esther hesitates. John notices. She gives a sad shrug.
ESTHER
I don't think !'Tommy likes me very much.
75.
John is taken aback. An awkward beat.-
JOHN
That's not true..- Mc=my loves 'you.
ESTHER
It's all right. I understand if she
doesn't. It must be difficult to love
an adopted child as much as- your own..
JOHN
Sweetheart, .you are just as much a part
of this family- as Danny. and Max are.
Mommy doesn't love'you any less because
you're adopted. Do you understand?
She nods, but doesn't look convinced. John thinks.
JOHN
Why don't you do something special for
her? So she can see what a good girl
you are. I'll bet she'd like that.
Esther's face brightens.
EST LER
That's a wonderful idea. I think I
know just what I'm.going to do, too.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
After dinner. Kate is loading the dishwasher. John is brig ing
in dirty dishes from the dining room. Esther enters, all smiles.
Hands hidden behind her back. John gives Kate an expectant smile.
ESTHER
I have a special surprise for you,
Mommy.
Kate eyes her warily. No idea what to expect.
KATE
You do?
ESTHER-
I picked this flower just for youl
It's Kate's memorial orchid. Kate gasps. John is horrified.
Kate reaches for the flower.
KATE
Estherl Put that down --l
Esther laughs and playfully pulls it away. Kate grabs her by the
wrist and Esther suddenly drops the flower, SHRIEKING in pain.
76.
ESTHER-
You're,hurting me!
's eaction. Esther runs
from the room,-cr her wri wrist-
e ying, and startled clutching Esther
JOHN
What the hell did you do to her?
KATE
I just grabbed her arm!
aohn hurries after Esther. Kate hangs back, picks the orchid-up"
from off the floor. it's ruined.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT
Esther sits. on the nofa, still crying. john comforts. her. Kate
looks in on them. John shoots her an angry look.
INT. WORK SHED.- NIGHT
Darkness. Esther slips inside, closes the door, turns on a light.
Goes to the workbench. There's a VICE bolted to it. She finds
some rags and wraps them around her wrist where Rate grabbed her.
Then she places her wrist in the vice, puts the handle of a
SCREWDRIVER between her teeth, and bites down on it.
She takes a couple of deep breaths and sta s clo in the yicg of
her are. Grimacing in agonyy screwdriver clan ed between her
teeth against the pain, she twists the vice tighter and tighter..
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Rate sits at the table. John has calmed down, but is still angry.
KATE
She knew what it meant to me. She did
it on purpose.,
JOHN
It wasn't even her idea.
(off her look)
I'm the one who told her she should try
to do something nice for you.
He leaves.
INT." ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
It's late, The room is dark.Esther plaintively calls out:
ESTHER
Daddy! Daddy!
77.
The door opens. John,.blearily -enters in his pajamas.
JOHN
what in it, sweetheart?
ESTHER
My arm huits .'
JOHN - -
Okay. Let me see.
He turns on a bedside lamp and sits on the bed. She pulls up.hex`
sleeve, cringing. Heir wrist is mottled with HORRIFIC B I
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - CURTAIN AREA -- NIGHT
A camera flash POPS. Esther is in a hospital gown (still wearing
her black ribbons) while a SOCIAL WORKER photographs the bruises.
, TNT. EMERGENCY ROOM -- EXAM ROOM - NIGHT
Rate and John sit across from a harried ER DOCTOR. An x-ray of
Esther's arm is clipped to a light box. _
ER DOCTOR
It's a hairline fracture in her radius.
KATE
I swear, I barely touched her.
ER DOCTOR
(SKEPTICAL)
You'll need to talk to the social -
worker about that. She's going to come
in here- and ask you some questions.
JOHN
But.it was just an.accident.
ER DOCTOR
It's routine. We're required by law to
file. a report. Child Protective
Services will be in touch to schedule a
follow-up visit at your home.
Kate is shocked. John shoots her a dirty look.
TNT. FOYER --NIGHT
Home from the hospital. It's very late. The kids are wearing
coats over their pajamas.. Esther's arm is in a fiberglass cast.
John is carrying Max, who has fallen asleep..
As they start upstairs, Kate reaches out to John. He hangs back.
Daniel and Esther go to their rooms. When they're gone:
78,
KATE
You know I would never hurt any of the-.
kids on purpose.
JOHN
I know. It's not what you do on
purpose that scares me.
Kate watches him go. ..Be turns away and takes Max upstairs.
.1
TNT. MUSIC ROOM - NIGHT -
Kate site curled up on the window seat by the planter, holding the
wilting orchid and sobbing inconsolably, old wounds re-opened...
INT. KATE AND JOHN.''S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Dark. John is asleep, alone in the bed. The door is ajar.
Esther appears in the.doorway. She peers in, watching him sleep.
After a beat, she gathers her courage and quietly enters,
tiptoeing toward the bed. She pulls back the covers and.climba in
next to him. John doesn't stir. Esther curls up beside him.
INT. KATE'S MINIVAN - DAY
It's raining. Rate sits in the parked van. No sound except
RAINDROPS TAPPING the roof. She's looking out at something.
It's the LIQUOR STORE she drove by earlier. She's-parked in front
of it, staring at it through-the rain-streaked windshield...
INT. LIQUOR STORE - NIGHT
Kate puts TWO BOTTLES OF WINE on the counter. The CASHIER rings
them up. She's anxious, guilty, already hating herself.
KATE
We're having guests over for dinner.
The Cashier nods. Like be gives a shit. Kate lowers her eyes.-
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
The two wine bottles sit on the kitchen counter. One bottle is.
open, a GLASS already poured. But Kate's not drinking it. She's
just standing these, arms folded, looking at it. The house is.
quiet. She's alone here. Only her demons to keep her company-
A long moment of. awful indecision passes,, Kate paralyzed. Then
she looks up, her gaze moving past the wine glass to the window.,
Through it, she can see the backyard. It's the swimming pool that
holds her eyes, its cold-surface rippling in the rain. But- she's
seeing something else there, something awful. Impossible to know-
what she's thinking, but whatever it Is, it moves her to action:
79.
She, abruptly grabs the glass and quickly empties it in the sink
before she-can change hex mind. -Then she grabs the. open wine'
bottle and pours it all down the drain. She runs the water and
scrubs the sink with her fingertips, removing every trace. Tosses
the empty bottle in the trash and ties up the garbage bag.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY
Kate hurries out in the rain and stuffs the kitchen trash in the
garbage can, burying it under-another bag.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY -
Kate re-enters, dripping wet. There's still the other wine
bottle. The unopened one. She 1}esitates.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM' - DAY
Rate's.in the walk-in closet. She hides' the wine bottle in a
cubby in her shoe rack and turns out the light.
INT. KATE'S MINIVAN -- MORNING
Driving the kids to school. Kate looks drawn and weak. Daniel
and Max stare off into space. Esther holds a stack of her
paintings in her lap, obliviously prattling:
ESTHER
I can't wait for show-and-tell. I hope
Mrs. Grosse. likes my paintings. I did
one especially for her..
.Nobody responds. Kate's blocking her out. Esther doesn't mind.
EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/INT. KATE'S MINIVAN - MORNING
Kate drives up the hill and pulls to the curb. Daniel gets out,
but'Esther struggles, her wrist cast making her clumsy, and she
awkwardly fumbles her paintings.. They land in the gutter and
start-blowing away. She gives Kate a horrible,-pleading-look
ESTHER
Moumiy! My paintings!
Kate eyes her accusingly.
KATE
You dropped them on purpose.
ESTHER
No, I didn't! I swear!. -
Kate doesn't believe it for a second, but sees a CROSSING GUARD
and a FEW KIDS hurrying to grab the paintings as they're carried
off by the wind. Kate shoots Esther a dirty look, then sets the
parking brake with an exasperated sigh and gets out to help...
80.
acti But, the second-Rate is out of the van, Esther springs tut
like a snake that's been poised to strike. sh c� put s s then
gear shit in'neutral andggrabs the parki ng her
.an alarmed look. Esther smiles at her... releases t braka.
Daniel sees Esther jump out of the van, just ag it starts 1 roll
._ ba hil
DANIEL
MOROI
Frazzled, Kate turns to. Daniel.. He points. to the van.
KATE
SHITT
she hurries after it, but it's already.inoving too fast, picking up
speed, rolling into oncoming e goes into a panic-
fueled 'run,. sure erupting into ic., Kat
KATE
MAXI
Drivers w van a
of s Parked a ars eSHEERING gerssi door.
c d
Max is trapped in her car seat, helpless, eyes wide in mute
terror,.as the minivan clears the parked cars, head ed for the
intersection at the bottom of the hill.. Kate chases it, powsrlen s
to do anything but watch.-
KATE
MAAAAAX!1!
The minivan cams into the intersection. Tires S ► horns
cars yrgave , and s = hal . T T3 sh - b
all and 0MV into a streetlight on the opposa.t e corns .
Kate frantically dashes across the street, hysterical with fear,
and throws open the back door. Max is crying and terrified, but
safe. Kate 'scoops Max into her arms, clutching her to her chest.
It's okay, baby. It's okay, you're all
right. Mo_irimy' s got you...
BACK AT THE SCHOOL
A crowd has out front; horrified,. watching
breathlesslyguntilehe sees pull u� Max lsafe y � the van.'
A wave of relief washes over him. Then he whirls angrily, looking
for Esther. Be blithely headed to
class, paintings hertarmj,gas if nothing ha pened.
P
Bl.
INT .'. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Rate sits across from John and Dr. Browning.The mood fa grim:
KATE
I set the brake. . Bven if I hadn'tr the
police said it wouldn't have.:rolled
unless it was put in neutral.
DR. BROWNING.
But Max says she didn't see Esther do
anything wrong.
Max is cover.ng for her. And X don't
think it's the first time.
DR. BROWNING
It also-wouldn't be the first time that
you've tried to blame Esther for.
something that was really your fault.
XATE
This. isn-'t all in my head. Sister
Abigail was right. There is something
wrong with Esther. And I don't care
anymore if I can't prove it. I'want
her out of this house.
John and Dr. Browning exchange a dark look.
DR. B' OWNING
So you're at a place where you would
actually let somebody take her away?
KATE
I'll do whatever I have to,do to
protect my children.
JOHN
56 will 1.
(re: Dr. Browning)
That's why she's here.
something in his voice makes Kate apprehensive. An uneasy beat.
DR. BROWNING
I have an opening held for you at a
residential rehabilitation clinic about
forty-five miles from here. They
specialize in extended treatment for
women who are relapsed alcoholics.
Kate is stunned silent. She gapes at. them. with a mix of anger and
fear, unable to stop' a flash of guilt. How much do they know...?.
.82..
KATE .
What are you talking.about?
-JOHN
I'll stand by you through this for as
long as it takes. My mom'a already
agreed., to 'help look after the - kids . .
RATS
Tell her not to bother.
(to Dr. Browning)
I'd like you to leave now.
JOHN
Kate, don't.
John stands and takes something from inside the sideboard. Ile
: sets it on the coffee table between them...
qtr, s
the wine bottl g she hid " he closet. Kate is stricken.
She looks at it like it was a poisonous spider.
JOHN
The girls found it while they were
playing in your. closet.
KATE
The girls?" You mean Esther found it.
JOHN
Yes, Esther found it. Does that make a
difference? Is she lying?
A beat. Kate's silence-is answer enough.
KATE
I didn't... I bought two bottles. I
poured the other one down-the sink.
JOHN
But not this onie.
Again, no answer necessary.. Kate looks defeated, tears welling.
KATE
I'm not going to rehab.
JQHN
I'm not going to leave you-alone with
the kids again until you do. - .
KATE
I haven't had a drink in almost a year.
John sighs, frustrated.- Dr. Browning intervenes, her voice
infuriatingly even. and calm.'
83.
DR. DROWNING
Relapse is very common in early
sobriety. We can help you. But not
until you drop the charade. -
KATE
It's not a charade. I wanted to- drink
i t. You have no fucking idea how.badly
I wanted to drink it. But I didn't.
(off John's look)
I know 1 should have told you.. I was
just afraid of what you'd do.
JOHN
I wanted you to come to me. That's why
,I didn't confront you with it last
night. If Max had gotten hurt this
morning, it. would've been because I
trusted you tell me if there was a
problem.
RATE
What happened this morning had nothing
to do with this!
JOHN
l f ow do you expect me to believe that?
KATE
Max and Daniel are the only reason I'm
still sober. I would never do anything
that would hurt them.
DR. BROWNING
You don't think this behavior effects
them?
KATE
You know damn.well what I'm talking
about.
_ Her voice is brittle now, barely controlled. A beat. The tears
sta rt to spill.
KATE
When I look out at the pool and
think...
(to John)
When I try to imagine what would have
happened if you hadn't come home early
that day... it makes me want to kill
myself. I would the before I let
something like that happen again.
JOHN
Then why-not throw both bottles away?
84,
KATE-
Becauso"I need help. i thought I could
handle it myself, but I can't. I'll go
back to-therapy. I'll start going to
A.A. meetings.
JOHN
That's not enough anymore.' I told you
last time what I'd do if this'ever
happened again. I'm trying to give you
another chance.
KATE -
You haven't heard.a word I've said.
JOHN
I've heard enough. If it was just the
two of us, that would be one thing.
But I can't let you be in a position
where you could hurt the kids.
KATE
I'm not the one you need to be worried
aboutt Seven people close to Esther
have died in the past year. Max was
almost the eighth. now many more
coincidences are you willing to ignore?
JOHN
Kate, stop it. You're talking about an
eight-year-old girl. And right now
she's making a lot more sense than you
are.
KATE
I know I haven't given you any reason
to believe me. But you have to. I'm
begging you.
JOHN
I'm sorry. Maybe if you'd been honest
with me from the start. But not now.
ANGLE -- MAX AND ESTHER
peer around the corner, watching them argue. Max is crying.
JOHN
You either check into rehab this week
or I leave and I take the kids with me.
Esther leans close and whispers into Max's hearing aid:
ESTHER
I'll kill her it you tell..
85.
Max gives her a frightened look.- Just then, Doris.appears with a
bowl of popcorn. She quickly ehoos the girls away.
DORIS
Come on, you two. Let's go watch TV.
Max wipes her eyes. Esther takes her hand and leads her away.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE -- NIGHT -
John walks Doris out to her car.-He gives her a hug.
JOHN -
You sure you don't mind? She's not
going to appreciate your being around.
DORIS
.I don't care what she appreciates. You
can't leave those kids alone with her
while you're at work all day.
(off his look)
You're doing the right thing. Don't
let her change your mind.
JOHN
I'll see you tomorrow.
Doris gets In her car. John looks conflicted.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Bedtime. Esther can be heard HUMMING through the closed bathroom
door. Daniel listens as he sneaks down the hall in his pajamas...
INT. MAX'S BEDRROM - NIGHT
Max's eyes are red from crying. She's drawing a picture, but
hides it under some other papers when Daniel enters. Be closes
the door. Esther's HUMMING can be heard O.S. A tense beat.
DANIEL
Are you okay?'
Max nods. Daniel sits down next to her. He lowers his voice.
DANIEL
Did Esther do something to the van?
Max turns away and shakes her bead.
DANIEL
It's okay. You can tell no. I saw her
jump out before .it started to roll.
Max gives him a startled look, suddenly frightened.
86..
MAX
DID XOD: TELL ON !3ER?
DANIEL
No way. Dad won't believe me. You
have to do it with me.
Max shakes her head and starts signing, but Daniel can't keep up.
DANIEL
Slow down, 'I don't understand. Did she
make the van crash?
A long beat. Max reluctantly nods'. -
DANIEL
Then we have to tell Mom and Dad.
Max starts crying. She signs, but Daniel doesn't understand.
Frustrated, Max starts hitting him. Daniel grabs her arms
DANIEL
-Stop it!- She's going to kill us if we
don't tell! Morn and Dad can protect
us!
Max. shakes her head. Daniel releases her.
DANIEL
Why not?
MAX
NOBODY CAN.
Daniel stops short. Max hesitates, then gets up and shows him the
pictures that she hid from him when he first came in.
They're crude crayon drawings of Max and Esther. In the first,
Esther stands atop the rocket ship slide and pushes Brenda down
the stairs while Max watches..
The= next one turns Daniel's blood cold. X &'s of Sister Abigail's
murder. Esther stands over Sister Abigail with a bloody hammer
wh e r e Max cowers under the bridge. The last one is of Esther and
Max in the treehouse. Esther is covered in blood.
DANIEL
What did she do in the treehouse?
MAX
SHE PUT TEE BAD THINGS THERE.
Suddenly, Esther's O.S."humming STOPS. Daniel looks up, alarmed.
DANIEL
r She's coming.
87.
'Max quickly hides the. pictures-. Daniel scrambles to the door, but
-pauses and signs to Max as best he can.
DANIEL
Everything's going to be all right.
INT.'UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Daniel hurries back to his room and closes the door, just as
Esther emerges from the bathroom. She pauses, suspicious.
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM -r NIGHT
Kate and John are in bed. It's 3:23 a.m.' They both appear to be
sleeping. Then Kate. moves. She's still wide awake.
She looks over at John, slowly push the covers back, and inches
out of bed so that he doesn't wake u es' p. She quietly dresses.
INT tIPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Kate emerges from their bedroom with a small OVERNIGHT BAG and
cree ps into the dark hallway, careful not to make any noise. She
stops by the. door of Max's bedroom, and slowly opens it.
TNT. MAX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Kate slips inside, closes the door; and starts toward Max's bed...-
Suddenly, a desk light comes on. It's Bather. She's been sitting
there in the dark. The light casts strange shadows on her face.
ESTHER..
Going somewhere, Kate?
Kate startles and whirls to check on Max. She's. fast asleep.
ESTHER
She's fine. Lot's not wake her.
KATE
What are you doing in here?
ESTHER
1-couldn't sleep. I was-afraid you
might try to take Daniel and Max away.
Kate stands frozen, frustrated and'angry.
KATE
Go to your room.
ESTHER
(LAUGHS)
Honestly, we're past that now, aren't
we?.
86.
t KATE
I'um not going to let you hurt my
children. -
ESTHER
1m not the one who passedouutt drunk.
and let
I hear the first step is (on.ffideannttially) -admitting that.
you have a problem.
KATE
(a beat, stricken)
Who told you about that. -
Esther holds up Kate's journal:: Kate blanches.
ESTHER
It's in your journal. I found �it a few
weeks ago.. It's very intimate. 3
learned so much about you. Your
marital troubles, your drinking
problem. Where you hide your wine
bottles. You have lovely handwriting,
by the way. Would you like to bear my
favorite part?
Esther has a page marked. She reads:
ESTHER
"Eight weeks before my due date,
Jessica died-from several undiagnosed
birth defects. I hadn't felt her move
for days, but now that I knew she was
dead, I started-to feel her kick again.
It's called phantom fetal movement,
like the pain felt in a missing limb.
I was an amputee and my baby was the
lost part of me. Because of other
complications, Doctor Kosgrove didn't
want to induce. So I had to wait to go
into labor. For sixteen days I carried
Jessica's body and felt her ghostnow a kicking in my-belly. y womb
coffin and inside me slept a corpse."
(to Kate)
How perfectly hideous. No wonder you
turned into a nasty, smelly drunk.
Kate is dumbfounded, trembling with impotent rage and raw emotion.
ESTHER
Kate. You don't know how lucky you are,
I'll never have children of my own. My
father paw to that while I was still-in
diapers. I. actually don't"remember a
7 time when he wasn't fucking.me.
(MORE)
89.
E STHER (CONY' D )
(off Kate's look)
I don't want your pity.' He did it to
make me strong. So 1 ,wouldn't turn out
weak and 'pathetic like you..
RATE
I'mi pot weak..
ESTHER
Please. You're soft. Like,& worm.
Losing your baby could have. made you
stronger. But for you it's alwa s.more
therapy and more- pills and more booze.
Anything so that you don.'t have to
actually face the so state of your
miserable existence. And why should
you? You've got John to carry your
dead weight around.. But you know
something? You don't deserve him. And
sooner 'or later, he's going to figure
that out.
Esther stands up to leave. Kate-blocks her path.
ESTHER
What are you going to do? Hit me?
-Kate. looks really tempted. A beat. She puts out her hand for the
journal. Esther gives it to her with a smile. Kate steps aside.
ESTHER
See you tomorrow.
She leaves. Kate glares after her. -
INT. KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM - DAY
.Kate is on the phone, angry, trying to keep her voice low,
KATE
I need to know where she came from and
I need to know now.
INTERCUT:
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - OFFICE - DAY
Sister Judith talks. to Rate on -the phone, looking harried.
SISTER'JUDITH
I'm sorry, we've called every orphanage
in Moscow trying to find out.
KATE
We adopted her from yquI How can you
not know anything about her?!-
90.
SISTER JUDITH
The Wallaces could have adopted her
illegally. Are you-sure
remember anything that could he doesn't?
END INTERCUT:
KATE -
I'll call you back.
She curtly hangs up-
INT. FAMILY ROOM - DAY
Doris plays a game with the kids. Esther feigns' nonchalance, but.
the tension is thick between Dani?l and Max. Doris is oblivious.
DORIS
I say Professor Plum did it in the
Conservatory with the candlestick...
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - DAY
Kate rifles. through Esther 'a things. She finds the life book that
e fli it.The p i till blank
exce forstherfaamily photos that fate put ingforahers
Then she notices that the first page has been torn out. And on
the page. captioned '"ESTBER JOINS THE FAMILY," P.sther's face has
been et cu oval cut out Df "h farm of r Creepy.
Kate ransacks the room,. searching for something,, anything. Then
she notices a.stuffed doll that she just knocked over. Its dress
has been flipped up, revealing ,g slit, cut in he doll's pack.
grabs it. Something has been hidden in the stuffing...
Tt's a '� Bible. Kate pulls it out and quickly looks through
the pictures that-Esther keeps inside. They're the same photos of
the Wallaces that we saw earlier. With one new addition.
It's the missing page from Esther'.s life book, the picture of Kate
and John at their wedding. But the face that Esther cut out, from
the other picture has been glued over Kate 'a.face here, p 3t
loo like JTobm DDd $ her are eg�S markied.
The caption is still "MOMMY & DADDY GET MARRIED." Kate shudders.
KATE
Jesus Christ...
She flips through the: Bible and shakes it, but there's nothing
else. She notices that the Bible -is in a foreign language.
There's an ink stamp on the inside cover. it's in the sa me.
language as the Bible. "See on saarne rnatituat omand."
She focuses on two words: seamne.Inatituut.
91.
INT. FAMILY ROOK! - DAY
Daniel gets up from the.game.
DORIS
Where are you going?
DANIEL
Bathroom.
Esther eyes him as he leaves.
INT. DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - DAY -
Daniel hurriedly sneaks toward John's den, but stops just outside.
Be hears a keyboard CLACKING and warily peers around the. corner.
Kate ia'working on John's computer. Daniel eyes the KEEPSAKE BOX.
.No way to get to it unseen. Be thinks a beat, then slips away...
'INT. JOHN'S DEN - DAY
Kate googles "SAARNE INSTITUUT." All the sites that come tap are
in the same language as Esther's Bible. She sighs, frustrated.
Then she sees something -- a photo of a Gothic mansion. The sign
out front reads: "Saarne Instituut." Kate recognizes it -
instantly. It's the same Gothic mansion from Bather's paintings.
She scours the web site for anything' decipherable. There's a -
link: "KONTAKT JA XNFO." She clicks it. There's a phone number.
INT. GARAGE -- DAY
Daniel looks around, finds what he's looking for: a TIRE IRON.
INT. JOHN'S DEN - DAY
Kate is on the phone, anxiously 'listening to the TONE of a foreign
telephone ringing.- Then:
RECEPTIONIST 01 (V.0.)
Saarne Instituat. Xas ins -eaan teid
AIDATA7
KATE
Uh, hello.- I'm sorry, do you speak
English?
RECEPTIONIST #1 (V.0.)
Ruidas, palun7
KATE
Do you speak.English? Does anybody
there speak-English? This is very-
important.
92.
RECEPTIONIST #1 (V.0.)
Ma ei sac aru. Dote Like silmapilk.
Kate starts to-say somethf.ng, but she's interrupted by HOLD MUSIC.
EXT. TREEHOUSE - DAY
I)aAje runs
lookslaround. o The coast is clear. Hetstarts�climbing...
INT. JOHN'S DEN - DAY
Kate is still .on -hold. , Finally-, a MAX' picks up. Be speaks
English with the same ACCENT as Esther.
RECEPTIONIST #2 (V.a.)
Hello?
KATE
Is this the Saarne Institute?
RECEPTIONIST #2 (V.O.)
yes.
KATE
I need to talk to someone about one of
your children. She was adopted by.an
American family about a year ago.
RECEPTIONIST #Z
I beg your pardon?
KATE
A little girl, possibly adopted from
your orphanage. I'm trying to find
somebody who might remember her.
RECEPTIONIST #2 (V.O.)
This girl, she is -not come from here.
KATE
Can't you at least check?
RECEPTIONIST #2'(V.0.)
No, I am sorry.
KATE
Please, I know she at least spent some
time there.'
RECEPTIONIST #2 (V.O.)
No, 'ou not understand. Saarne
Institute is not orphanage. It is
mental hospital.
Off Rate's shocked reaction:
93.
V. INT. /EXT. TREEHOU SE . -:-'DAY.
CRAAAACK! Daniel uses the tire iron'to pry the hasp off the
treehouse door. The wood SPLINTERS and the hasp comes free.
He enters and looks'around. Nothing unusual. He throws back the
rug and pulls up the loose plank. Max's "Hello Kitt l" backpack is
stuffed inside. He unzips it, his, eyes going wide with ho or...
r r
he pulls Bsther' blood-stained d ess fro t L e �c ck.
ESTHER (0.S.)
I couldn't have,done it by myself, you -
know.
Daniel whirls around. 'CAMERA REVEALS Esther standing in the
doorway behind him.- She's holding something behind her back.
ESTHER -
Max is just ag-guilty as I am.
She steps toward him'and he backs..away, angered by her words, but
wary of those hands-behind her back. What's she biding...7
DANIEL
You leave her alone.
ESTHER
Think about it. Somebody had to have
helped me. If they find that dress,
they won't just be coming for me.
They'll becoming for Max, too.. Is
that really what you want?
She's maneuvering him away from the door. Daniel screws up-his
courage and stands his ground.
DANIEL -
You're full of shit. I'm telling Mom
what you did and you're gonna fry for
it.
ESTHER
(SIGHS)
All right. I was just trying to be.
nice.
And with that: she takes a can CHARCOAL, LIGHTER FLUID from
behind her back and tazts snravina the-floor At Daniel's feet
with Al. He gasps' and jumps back as it SPLATTERS in. front of hire.
She douses the floor from one side to the other.
Then she opens a BOOK OF MATCHES and lights one. Daniel blanches,
ESTHER
Goodbye, Daniel.
94.
She drops the match. - The lighter fluid IGNITES 'and a
wall between Daniel the door, Esther smiles at
him through fire the ER Tgl,pp3ES trapped.
INT. JOHN' S DEN - -.DAY .
Kate talks on the phone. She's e-mailing a picture of Esther.
KATE
It's called the Saarne Institute. S-A -
A-R-N-E. it's in Estonia:
INT. HOME FOR GIRLS - OFFICE - DAY
Sister Judith jots down the info.. -
SISTER JUDITH
Estonia? This can't be right. All he r
paperwork is from Russia.
INT. JOHN'S DEN -.DAY
KATE
Please, just try to find out if sh e was
ever a patient there. I'm sending them
a-picture of her right now.
INT./EXT. TREEHOUSE - DAY
SMOKE pours from the treehouse. Esther has climbed down and is
watching it burn . Inside, Daniel is surrounded by FLAM ES, choking
on black smoke. He stumbles to a window and sticks his head out.
DANIEL
MOMI HELP! M0000MI
The fire closes in. The place is going up like a tinderbox. He
carefully climbs out the window and stands- on the sill, fifteen
feet off the ground.
DANIEL
MOOOOM!1
He hugs the side of the treehouse, panicked. The FLAMES grow
higher, licking at his feet. No place to go now but up.
He reaches for the edge of the roof and struggles to pull himself
onto it, his legs kicking out over empty space. He gets an elbow
on the sloped roof and starts wriggling up onto it...
.suddenly -- he sue. He glide dawn, arel grabbing the q2 9
t h e with his fin e s aJ the last seco Esther gasps,
excited, like she's the front row of a great sports event.
DANIEL
MOMMYI HELP MSEEII
95..
`.. INT. JOHN'S DEN DAY
Kate's still on the phone. She glances out window
backyard and the woods beyond. Suddenly, her eyes wide. theA
COLOMN OF SMOKE rises above the treeetop s. Realization- and horror
slam home at the same time. t.
EXT. TREEHOOSE - DAY
Daniel fights desperately to hang on. Bother watches, eyes wide
with exhilaration. For alone, breathless beat ��ajustt.�gs a
there, dangling helplessly, fingers slipping y.
hen hg loses ,dg l b ur[-gts to ou d.
He lands hard and doesn't move. Esther walks over and crouches
next to him. She touches his neck for a pulse. He's still alive.
Esther pouts, disappointed. She- looks around, finds a HEA VY ROCK.
She lifts it over her head, ready to cave. in Daniel's skull...
Sudde l Y, Max rus e innc3 ushe gsa�► knck
from her hands. Esther whirls on Max, eye s flashing i rage. g
But then Kate is there, running up the path with Doris not far
behind. Kate sees Daniel's rumppledabodyta and his her world collapses,
everything else falling away.
KATE
Oh, my God! Daniell Baby, can you
hear me? Please, baby! Wake up.
He doesn't move. Kate calls out to Doris:.
KATE
Call nine-one--onel
Doris hurries back to the house. Kate catches Esther watching her
warily.. Kate glares at her with pure hate.
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - DAY'
FIREFIGIITERS have arrived to put out the treehouse. NEIGHBORS
gather to gawk. Max is in the house, watching from the window as
EMTS load Daniel into an ambulance. He's still unconscious an d in
full cervical immobilization. Doris bowers nervously.- gby Kthe atewrist.
climbs in with Daniel, angrily dragging Esther
KATE
Get in here.
DORIS
She can ride with us.
KATE
I'm not letting her out of my sight..
96.-
INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Hours later. The-whole-family-waiting fpr-news Kate and John
sit across from one another; The silence and tension heavy
between its with irls- DOC WAN)
en ers. Kate a drthesothers are inst ntly on eir feet:
DR. RAJAH. '
Me stopped.-the abdominal bleeding. -
Ue1B should
consider b yourselves ery lucky
V
Relief 'floods over .Kate and John. Esther listens, intent...
JOHN
Can we see him? -
DR. RAJAN
In a little while. He 'a resting in
ICU. -
KATE
Will he be able to tell us what
happened?
A pointed glance-between Kate and John. Dr. Rajan doesn't notice.
DR. RAJAN
It's possible. There's no way of -
knowing for sure what he'll remember
until he wakes up.
Esther shifts nervously. Not the answer she was hoping for...
INT. HOSPITAL -,WAITING-ROOM.- NIGHT (TIMECUT)
Rate has taken John aside, voices low, out of earshot of the
.others. She's shown him two pieces of paper: One is'a pa inting
Esther did of the old Gothic mansion.. The other in a printout of
the photo from the-Saarne Institute's web site.
_ KATE
She-told me she just made it up, but
it's.a real place.
JOHN
There has to be some other explanation.
She didn't come from an insane asylum!
KATE
How do we know? The orphanage we
thought she came from has never even'
heard of her[- Everything. about her
could be a lie!
97.
JOHN -
We have her passport, her birth
certificate, her school and medical- .
records --
KATE
It's just paper, JohnI From halfway
around the world!-- This isn't last me
being paranoid. Call. Saint Cabrini's
yourself. if 'you don't believe me.
A beat. John looks like he's wavering.
RATE
Your own mother was there this time.
Only Esther or Daniel could have
started that fire. I know who I think
did It. Do you? .
JOHN
I don't know what to think anymore.
KATE
Well, I'm done connecting the dots for
you. You can believe what you want
about me. Blame me for everything.
I'll leave tonight if you want me to,
on one condition.
(BEAT)
Esther goes, too.
ACROSS THE ROOM
Esther watches Kate and John. She can't hear what'they're saying.
She looks worried. She turns to Doris.
ESTHER
Can I have a dollar for the pop
machine?
Doris gives her a dollar.from her'purse. Esther smiles and heads
toward the vending machines.. Max watches her go.
But as soon as Esther's out of sight, her cheery face turns to
graiii.te. She puts the dollar in her pocket and sneaks away...
INT. FOYER - NIGHT
Back at home, the phone RINGS. The answering machine picks up. A
MAN with an Estonian accent (DR. VARAVA) leaves a message:
DR. VXMVA (V.O. )
I'm.calling for Katherine Coleman. -
This is Doctor V.rava from the Saarne
Institute in Tallinn. Please- cill me
immediately;..
98.
INT. HOSPITAL - ICU - NIGHT
Esther peers through a door.and sees Daniel lying unconscious with
a rigid A traction, both
his arms by wires heart rate monitor BEEPS
Esther approaches his bed like the angel of deaths slowly drawing
the CURTAIN around them. The HEART RATE MONITOR Is clipped to his
finger. Esther slips .it onto her own finger. The machine
continues to BEEP, registering her heartbeat instead of his.
Slowly, she climbs up onto the bed, prowling like,a cat. She
carefully straddles him and takes a pillow from under his head.
The movement causes him to stir. His eyelids flutter. At the
last moment, he sees her looming, over him...
Then s 'ash s the ' i� 1 down ova hin face. he al
Daniel struggles,. but he can barely move, traction wires JANGLING
as he thrashes helplessly. His SCREAMS are muffled under the
pillow. Esther viciously presses down with all her strength...
INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Max sits next to Doris, staring at. the hallway that leads tor-the
.vending area, waiting
She get s s p. walk toward iit, re d aounting.�looks worried.
t u and s d a
Maxine, where are you going?
Max turns the corner. The vending area is empty. Esther isn.'t
there. Max's eyes go wide with fear.
INT. HOSPITAL -- ICU - NIGHT
Daniel has stopped struggling. When Esther finally lifts the ,
pillow, his eyes are
them a and slid s the pillow d u is headr gently closes
e nderneath h
Then she climbs down from the bed and slips the heart rate monitor
back on his finger. FLATLINE. An ALARM sounds.
IN. HOSPITAL - WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Max runs up to Kate and John. She urgently yanks Kate's arm.
KATE
What-is it, sweetie?
Suddenly, a CALL comes on the overhead speakers:
HOSPITAL OPERATOR (V.0.)
Code ninety-nine, ICU. Code ninety-
nine, ICU.
99.
.Dr. Rajan runs by at top speed. Kate gasps, panicked.
RATE
Oh, My. God... Daniell
She and John run after Dr. Rajan. Doris quickly grabs Max to keep
her from following.
INT. HOSPITAL -. lCD - NIGHT
Kate and John follow Dr. Rajan.to the room where a CODE TEAM races
to resuscitate Daniel.
KATE
Dan.iL-I!
Kate and John try to enter the room, but the ICU NURSE stops them.
KATE
What's happening --?1
ICU NURSE
You have to stay out here. _
They catch a glimpse of Dr. Rajan picking up defibrillator paddles
before the door is SLANHEI) in their terrified faces.
INT. HOSPITAL - ICU - NIGHT (TIMECtT)
Rate and John sit outside, waiting. Dr. Rajan emerges. His face
tells.them everything. Rate's crying before he even says a word.
DR. RAJAN
I'm sorry.. His injuries were more
severe than we first thought.
John chokes back tears. He holds Kate close as she sobs.
KATE
Oh, no... Oh, no... Oh, my baby... _
DR. RAJAN
We're so sorry. A terrible loss, we're
so sorry...
Kate gets up and rushes into Daniel's room in time to see the ICU
Nurse cover his body with a sheet. Kate collapses to the floor,
weak with horror and grief. John tries to comfort her.
Then slowly, Kate's eyes turn steely and her grief burns into
rage. She pushes. John away and stands up.
RATE
Where is she?
INT. HOSPITAL -- WAITING 'ROOM NIGHT
Kate storms in and looks-'around, her-face a mask, of fury. John
hurries after her. She spots Esther. returning from ding
machines, - innocently sipping a. e c h t e 'ven
KATE
What did you do?!
Heads'turi. Doris and Max are taken aback. Kate looks insane.
She strides.toward Esther, gaining momentum with every step, but
Esther just looks up at her with a half-hidden smile on her fa ce.
RATE,
What did"you do to him, you bitch?!.
Them ,he slaps sE ther As ha as she. cmn h t e face, sending
her reeling to it fioot Everyone is-horrified.
JOHN
Kate! Stop it!
Rate looks ready to hit her again, but a NURSE holds her back.
WAITING ROOM NURSE
ORDERLY I
Esther touches her mouth. She's bleeding. For a beat, she just
lies r sr - uina
shock he Th o John u and-in g bursts a into tear sen
en-shewsees stantly
ESTHER
Daddy! Daddy! Help me!
John scoops her into his arms; Kate is apoplectic. It takes TWO
ORDERLIES to hold her. Max watches, crying.
KATE
She killed him! He was going to live
and she killed him!1
JOHN
She was out here the whole time!
Dr. Rajan rushes in, readying a syringe.
KATE
No! Get away from me l i!
DR. RAJAH
Hold her still!
A small crowd has gathered, watching with horror and pity as the
Orderlies overpower her. Dr. Rajan-grabs Kate's arm, quickly
hunts for a vein, then jabs the needle-in. Kate screams.
101.
Pleaeet Somebody listen to me! She
killed. my. babyI She killed my baby...
But her eyelids are already. drooping . John watches, nearly
overwhelmed with emotion. Kate goes limp in the Orderlies' arms.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
Kate lies in a bed, barely conscious. A NURSE. pushes -a 'sedative
into an IV tube taped to Kate's arm. Rate looks -up 'groggily. and
sees John talking to Dr. Rajan.
DR. RAJAH
We can keep her sedated overnight.
John nods. He waits for Dr. Rajan and the Nurse to leave, then
walks over and looks,down at Kate. She's fighting to stay awake.
JOHN
Mom's driving us home. I think it's
better if you stay here tonight. I
don't want you around the kids like
this.
Kate weakly grasps his hand, her voice a thready whisper:
KATE
John... Please... Please don't let
her take my family...
A long, emotional beat. John hesitates, conflicted.
Then he places her hand back on the bed and turns away. She tries
to call out, but doesn't have the strength. - She sees the girls
waiting in-the hallway. Max has been crying. She looks scared.
John leads them all away. And the last thing Kate sees-before
blacking-out again is Esther's devious smile...
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
LIGHTNING flashes in the distance. There's a storm coming.
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
John tucks Max into bed. When he leans down to kiss her, we see
Esther watching from the doorway. Max eyes her warily...
JOHN
What's wrong, sweetheart? -
ESTHER
She's thinking about Daniel.
(to Max)
Aren't you?
1.02.
Max reluctantly nods. John gives her a sad look.
JOHN
Me, tQO.
Esther enters and stands next to john at Max's bedside.
BSTHER -
Sweet dreams. -
As she kisses max good night, Esther fuitively redches out and
grabs Max's HEARING AID from off her.nigbtstand...
l f 7T. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT -
Esther stands at her closet, 'looking through-her pretty dresses,
leasantly.SUNG to herself. She holds one up to her chin,
looks at herself in the mirror. Then another. She chooses a
RUFFLY DRESS and lays it out on her bed. Shersands ov er it with a
a pair of-Scissors in her h a nd , e y eing -it app g y.
After -a thoughtful beat, she starts cutting its rufflesoff...
INT. FOYER - NIGHT
Esther's HUMMING can be heard O.S. John trudges downstairs,.
exhausted and emotionally devastated. He-goes into the, living
room, slumps in a chair, buries his face in his hands, and cries.
CAMERA PULLS BACK, revealing the unnoticed answering machine in
f.g. The light on it is BLINKING. One new message...
TNT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
walks down the hall,�ray with her dress draped over h er-army
stillHUM MING. goes into the bathroom and c oses doo
L
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
Esther's HUMMING continues, no other sound here at'all...
Rate comes to, fighting her drug-induced stupor. She forces
herself to sit up and gingerly pulls the IV needle out of her arm.
INT. HOSPITAL - ICU -- NIGHT
Esther's HUMK NG.continues, still no sound. Kate stands in rthede.
doorway. The bed Daniel was lying in is already-empty and
as if -he was never here. RAIN streaks down the window.
]Cate enters and sits down heavily next to the bed. She touches
the place where her son lay dead only bourn before. She brehks
down and sobs inconsolably, but we can't hear it, only the SUMMING
of Esther's lighthearted, melodic tune.
103.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT
Back to NORMAL SOUND. John sits on the sofa, eyes red anti teary,
watching a videotape-of Daniel pla'irig soccer. There's a NOISE
from the kitchen.. Be_pauses the video, listens.
A moment later, $OFT'KUSIC starts vlayin3 Q.S. An old, crackly
recording from the forties of The Ink Spots singing "I'M MAKING
BELIEVE." Sentimental, bittersweet, and a little creepy.
Baffled, John goes to the kitchen...
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
... and stops short at what he sees.
Esther stands on a chair, cutting slices of cheese with a LARGE
KNIFE. -She's prepared a plate of fruit, cheese,-and-crackers.
She's wearing the dress we saw her choose, but with some
alterations. The ruffles are gone, so are-the sleeves. It's low
cut and too grown up. Her hair is perfectly curled and her face
is caked with makeup --- powder, red lipstick, thick mascara, dark
eyeliner -- giving her a grotesque, woman-child, eight-year-old-
beauty-queen look. JonBenet Ramsey by way of Angelina Jolie.
John is stupefied. She szailes at him. Outside, THUNDER RUMBLES.
ESTHER 4
Hello, darling.
JOHN
What are you doing?
ESTHER - -
Making you a snack. You skipped your
dinner.
JOHN
Get down from there. That knife's too
sharp for you to be playing with.
Esther climbs down from the chair and nonchalantly carries the
cheese and cracker plate to the dining room, as-if he hadn't said
anything. John follows her, dumbfounded...
INT. DINING ROOM.- NIGHT
There are TWO GLASSES and a bottle of SPARKLING WATER on the
dining room table. Dim lighting and romantic MUSIC. John is
completely nonplussed. 'Esther sets the cheese plate on the table.
JOHN
What is this? -
104.
ESTHER.--
I wanted to do something special for
you. I don't like my daddy to be
unhappy.
JOHN -
But why are you dressed like that?
$STHSR
Don't you like it?
JOAN
No, I don't.- You're not supposed to
play with Mommy's makeup.
ESTHER
I'm sorry, sir. I.just want to be as'
pretty for you-as she is.
JOHN
You don't need makeup to be pretty.
Esther is touched. She gazes up at. him lovingly.
ESTHER
You really mean that, don't you?
JOHN
of course. Why don't you go wash your
face and we'll tuck you back into bed.
ESTHER -
But-1 worked so hard. Can't we stay up
just a little longer?
She gives him the big, sad eyes. They're a little disconcerting
under all the makeup.. John sighs.'
JOHN
-All right. We'll have a little snack
and then off -to bed.
Esther beams. John sits down, reluctantly humoring her. Esther
starts pouring sparkling water into the glasses.
ESTHER
We really. should be drinking that
bottle-of wine, but I couldn't find it.
JOHN
Little girls aren't allowed to drink
wine.
ESTHER.
I'm not so little. To family..
105.
She raises a glass in toast.: John gives her a sad look, but goes
along with it. They-CLINK their .glasses together and drink.
But. instead of sitting down,'Esther continues to stand next to
'him. She picks up a piece of cheese and tries to feed it to him.
John eyes her uneasily'. 'Be takes the cheese from her.and eats it.
JOHN
Why don't you sit down?
ESTBER
I like being close to you.
She gazes into his eyes and.touches his face. John moves her hand
away, suddenly very uncomfortable. She hesitates, nervous...
then eans saes Qn h. John grabs her
arms and abruptly pushes. her away xn-shock and near-panic.
ESTHER
What's wrong?
JOHN
Don't ever do that again.
ESTBSR
I. thought you loved me. You said I was
pretty.
JOHN
Of course, I love you. But not...
it's different than how I love Mommy.
You're my little girl.
ESTHER
Will you stop saying that? We can be
together now, don't you see? She can't
come-between us anymore.
JOHN
Who can't? You mean Mommy?
ESTHBR
She's not my inormyl Please, sir, I'll
do anything for you...
She reaches out to touch his face again, but he grabs her hand.
JOHN
Esther, stop it! I mean it. This is
wrong.
ESTHER
Am I being bad? - You can spank me. it
you-'.d like. I'll let you. I won't,
evn cry. Unless you want me to.
106.
John gapes with-disgust and horror,. He looks like he-might vomit.
JOHN.
God ouoin
A beat. Esther looks heartbroken. Suddenly, she tries to kiss
him again, desperate this time, throwing herself at him,
pushes her to the floor. She frantically crawls back to him. Be
hurries to the other side of the table.
ESTHER
Please! Please! You're ruin.ing it!
JDHN
Jesus Christ, lust stop talking! Go
upstairs and wipe that shit off your
facel Right nowt
Esther runs upstairst crying.- John just gapes in utter disma and
revulsion. He runs Into the kitchen and throws up in the sink.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Esther situ at her little vanity table, looking at her overly made-
up face in the mirror, and sobs hysterically...
INT. HOSPITAL - ICU - NIGHT. -
Kate is still sitting at Daniel's empty. bed, eyes red and puffy
from crying. Outside, it's RAINING HARDER. Lightning FLASHES.
Her CELL PHONE CHIMES. She eyes it wearily, considers not
answering. 'After a few RINGS,-she picks up.,
KATE
Hello?
DR. VARAVA V.O.)
is this Katherine Coleman?
KATE
Who's calling?
INTERCUT:
INT. SAARNE INSTITUTE - MORNING
-Doctor Varava is a craggy-faced an in'his 50's. His manner is
urgent, almost desperate. as he speaks on the phone.
DR. VARAVA .
My name is Doctor Varava from the
Saarne Institute. I got your mobile
number from Sister Judith.
Kate sits up, suddenly roused.
107.
RATE
Did you get the picture I:sent? Did
you recognize her?
DR. VARAVA-
Yes, X did. Where is she now? Is- she.
with you? -
KATE
No, she's at home with my husband.
DR. VARAVA
Neetudl Call him ut and to
get your family of � e ush er
call the police. -
KATE
He won't do it. He's not going to do
anything without some kind of proof.
DR. VARAVA
Then tell him that the little girl in
that picture isn't a little girl.
Kate stops short, confused and suddenly frightened.
KATE .
What are you talking about? The
picture I sent, you was of our adopted
daughter. She's only eight years old.
DR, VARAVA.
-No, she's not. She has a pituitary
disorder that causes proportional
dwarfism. She only Jcz Tike a child.
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT
We're intercuttinq now with Esther at her vanity, her crying
building to a MANIACAL WAIL, her MAKEUP STREAKING. from her tears.
DR. VARAVA
Her real name is Veera Klammer, she
escaped from here eighteen months ago
and she's thirty-two years old!
Esther SCREAMS, slowly scratching her face with her fingernails..
RESUME KATE AND VARAVA
Kate's mind is reeling.
KATE
This can't be. There has to be a
mistake.
108.
DR. VAPAVA
Does she have the scars?
RATE
What scars?
ESTHER
-
has stopped crying, her sorrow burning into blind, monstrous rage.
She glares at her reflection, her mascara smeared down her cheeks.
DR. 'VARAV-
We'had to keep het .in a restraint
jacket when she was here to stop her
.from hurting' our staff, but she was
constantly fighting against it until
the collar and cuffs began deep into
her skin. She wound up p scars
from it. Around her wrists and neck;
Esther black from her wrists and
neck, revealing althe ly r scars over sew
RATE AND VARAVA
RATE
E
Oh, my God... - ow could this have
happened? H
DR. - VARAVA
She's been passing herself off as a
child for most of her life. 'She worked
as a prostitute for years, catering to
wealthy pedophiles.
ESTHER
curls her upper lip, looking at her top teeth. She reaches up,
pulls on her teeth and -- RA-CLICK. y come out
DR. VARAVA
She even had a dental.appliance'made to
complete the illusion by disguising her
adult teeth.
Re r- gerfect, earl white }aabY Beth e- d8rn at a
f, e s t of- CRgmp, Eoia,
fTx.
DR. VtAVA
When she was finally arrested, she
continued the pretense to stay out of
jail and: was sent to an orphanage.
109.
A K TE .AD VARAVA
DR.' VARAVA
You're not the first to have been
fooled. She's even-been adopted
before. A family here in Estonia took
her in.and lived with her fog over six.
months. They never suspected.
Kate-hesitatesa'b.eat, almost afraid to ask:
KATE
But why was ahe at your hospital?
DA. VARAVA
Veera is dangerously insane.. She was
molested by her father and sexualized
at a very early age. When. he. took
another lover, he told Veera it was
because she could heverbe a real
woman. Veera murdered them both.
ESTHER
just stares at herself in the mirror. With her scars revealed,
her face scratched, her mascara streaked down 'to her chin, and her
awful, yellow, snaggletoothed sneer, she looks like a monster.
DR. VARAVA
She now sees herself as trapped in the
body of a. child and it disgusts her.
She wants to. be what her father
considered to be a "real woman." She t
wants o be a wife, a mother, a lover.
She wants to grow up. -
Suddenly, -she grabs her chair and SMASHES the mirror with it.
Then she whirls and swings the chair into her aquarium with a
'feral scream --= CRASH! Water-and fish flood onto the floor.
DR. VARAVA
When she was adopted here in Estonia,
= she tried to find love where she had
found as a child. With her new lather.
When he refused her, she bordered the
entire family in, their sleep.
END INTERCUT:
KATE
And then she burned the house down...
DR. VARAVA
Yes. How did you know?
off Kate's horrified look --
110.
4,. INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT.
John pushes the door open and looks inside.
JOHN
Esther? Are you-all right?
She's not here. The light is on, but the room is empty. Fish are
still FLAPPING around on the floor,-mouths. gasping. John gives
the-broken aquarium an unnerved look.
JOHN
Esther, where are you?
No answer. He turns off the light, about to look "elsewhere...
then stops. With the overhead light off, the room is lit only
by the black light in Either ' s broken aquar i u m, t 7UVALI ma
Esther s p a n i tin ha a chap n S 's painted t = that they
ook f een vri d er black h - - - John takes a closer look,
turning the black light on and o ff.
Unde gal lights the painting he saw when he first met Esther,-
a mother lion and her sleeping cubs. .[Inds black Limos the cube
are now dead and 'the mother's mouth .s dripping with blood.
The paintings that looked like typical family portraits in normal
light are now nightmarish visions of death and violence. In one,
Kate's eyes have been gouged out. In another, Daniel's throat has
been slashed. In the picture of the whole family, John- and Esther
look normal, but Kate, Daniel, and Max are all decomposed corpses.
John staggers back in shock. The telephone RINGS, startling him.
The answering machine picks up. He hears KATE.'SVOICE,
KATE (V. 0.
John? Are you there?
EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT -- NIGHT
Kate is on her cell., running to the- car. -
KATE -
John[ For God's sake, pick up the
fucking phone!
INT. ESTHER'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
John turns to leave -- suddenly, th r bursts out mom undo her
pile "of stuffed animals with ,s, 3ILD SC Sj3g a n he he�se�lf
at John If rom the bed, } labs her scissors into his eve.
John screams and throws herto the floor. Be stumbles out of the
room, blood streaming down his face.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
John staggers to the stairs, the handle of the scissors jutting
from his eye socket. But just as he hits. the first step, Baer
rushes out and pushes tine cMm the etz{rs.
FOYER
John-goes flying, head over heels, crashing into the railing hard
enough to SPLINTER it, and lands hard at the foot of the stairs.
Be lies there in a heap, too stunned. to move. Esther appears at
the top of the stairs. looking down at him. She. has a JU} P ROPE
in her hands and starts slowly walkinq toward him, softly singing:
ESTHER
When I was juuust, a lifitle g .iirl
I asked'my mother, what .will I be...
leg is broke John tries to stand, but cries out in agony. Big
He looks up, sees the table with the PHONE on it. As he painfully
crawls toward it, Esther closes in on him, singing and winding the
jump' rope around her fists like a garotte.
-ESTHER -
Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will
be... The future's not ours to see...
John reaches for the phone, actually touches it, when Esther
straddles him from nd,- the iump rope around his neck,
and starts strangling with it. The phone.falls out of reach.
John itoo dazed from the fall to fight.
EST[3ER
When I grew uuup and feeell in looove
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.-..
John chokes t clawing at the rope as she twists it tighter aid
tighter. Finally, his head droops his remaining eye goes blank.
Be'a dead. Esther gently lowers has body to the floor, a tear
running down her cheek. She kisses him. Whispers in his ear:
ESTHER
Qua sera, sera.
Suddenly -- a GASP from upstairs. Esther whirls.
I 's 5 N ax.. She stands atop the .stairs,- paralyzed- with fear. She's,
seen everything. Esther, looks-u at her with a reassuring smile
on her awful, mascara-streaked, blood-splattered monster face.
ESTHER
It's all right, baby. -Come to Mommy.
312.
I
Max runs away. Esther scowls.
ESTHER
Shit l.
She scrambles to her feet..
INT. JOHN'.S DUN NIGHT
'Esther Pulls John's gun case down-from the closet shelf,
frantically unlocks it, and grabs the }.
INT.TEXT. JOHN'S CAR -.NIGHT
Kate is speeding home, talking on her cell phone.
911 OPERATOR ' (V . 0. )
Dracena nine-one-one. What is-your
emergency?
KATE
I need the police. There's an intruder
in my home. _
INT. MAX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Esther enters, gun in hand, turns on the light. Max isn't here.
Esther looks under the bed, opens the closet. Nothing.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Max carefully peers out from.around a corner...
Suddenly -- no sound.. This is how Max experiences the world. A
silent vacuum. Her perspective is shot MOS.
The hallway is empty and Max cautiously maces her way toward the
stairs. Suddenly, Esther emerges from Max's room. Max quickly
ducks into Daniel's room. Esther doesn't see her:
DANXEL'S BEDROOM
Max looks around for, a place to hide. She sees a TOY ROBOT lying
on the floor amongst Daniel's things...
KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM
Esther is searching the walk-in-closet when she hears a LOUD NOISE
from Daniel's room - something heavy falling over. She smiles.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Esther edges toward Daniel's room, gun raised. There's a STRANGE
GRINDING SOUND coming from inside...
0
7I
113.
DANIEL'S. BEDROOM
Esther enters and looks around, confused. There's a PM OF BOOKS
that.have been knocked to the floor, but Max isn't here.
Then she sees what's making the GRINDING noise.' It's the TOY.
ROBOT. It's been placed atop a bookshelf, motor grinding, walking
on wobbly legs. As it walks, it pushes books off the edge of the,
bookshelf- onto the floor. That's what made the noise that lured
her here. Esther scowls furiously at the robot and SHOOTS it.
Her back is to.the doorway, so she doesn't see Max emerge from her
hiding place in the bathroom. and slip- past.
INT.fEXT. JOHN'S CAR -.NIGHT
Racing through. the streets, running stop lights. Rate is still on
her cell. -
POLICE OPERATOR (V.O.)
we have officers on the way, ma' amn.
RATE
Well, where the hell are they? Jesus
Christ, I'll be there before they will
POLICE OPERATOR (V.0.)
Ma'am,- I need you to stay calm. 'Do not
approach the house. Let the officers ---
Rate hangs. up.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Esther enters, looks in the linen closet, pulls back the shower
curtain. Nothing. she's getting frustrated.
SUNROOM
Streaking rain casts frightening shadowa in the glassed-in
terrace. Max quickly sneaks in and crawls under one. of the
numerous plant tables. Hanging leaves droop almost to the floor,
hiding. her. But as she curls up in the shadows, she bumps into a
table leg and unknowingly knocks over a FLOWER POT.
MOS: -The flower pot SMASHES TO PIECES on the floor directly
behind Max.' Naturally, she doesn't bear it.
BATHROOM
But E e does. She turns. Eyes narrowing, suspicious.
SUNROOM -
Max cowers underneath the table with her back to the door. She
oesn gee Esther enter.
114.
Esther looks around. The room is dark and- still: She starts
looking under the plant tables, vne by one,.HUMMING to herself.
Max is facing away from Esther and. doesn't see her-approaching
Can't hear her HUMMING. Es er 19 a ogin -,is ...
Suddenly, TIRES can be heard SQUEALING- out on the street. Esther
stops and hurries to look outside. She.stands right acr oss from
where Max ia hiding and seen her. Max presses 'her knees
to her chest, trying to di sappe4r wMa under the table.
Esther doesn't notice. Max is-right behind her, there are pieces
of BRO=N POTTERY right by Esther's feet, but she hhassher.face
pressed to the rain-streaked glass, trying
EXT. COLEMAN RESIDENCE -- NIGHT
Fate 's the house. durb
and SKIDS to a stop on the wet law n She jumps o of the ar and
sprints to the house. c
INT. SUNROOM - NIGHT
Esther sees Kate and leaves. Max breathes a sigh of relief-
INT. FOYER - NIGHT
Kate bursts through the front door and-runs insider from
the rain and s es'John�'s crumpled on t e floor.
e h
KATE
John! Oh, my God! John!'1
She rushes to him, but it's obvious that he's dead. She leans
over his body and bursts into tears, aching at what has been done
to him... then stop and steels herself for what ]sh jds to do..
JOHN'S DEN
Kate hurries to the keepsake box and rummages for the.keys. Can't.
find them. She. quickly looks around. Her breath catches. The
CASE l ies empty on t floor, u let sca tered around it.
KITCHEN
Kate. runs in, sobbing She sees the big knife that Esther was
using earlier, grabs it. Reconsiders. She throws it aside an d
instead draws a huge goddamn BUTCHER'S KNIFE from the knife block.
MAX'S BEDROOM
Kate throws the door open. Max's bed is empty.
KATE
No!!
115.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY,.
Kate runs back out, - crying, frustrated, knife' trembling in- her
hand. She calls Esther out,.voice thundering with rage;.'
KATE
VEERAI VEERA KLAMMHRI -
'DOWNSTAIRS
Esther hears her real name and freezes. Realization bits. Gig.'s
up. It's over. Her eyes flit, panicky. She quietly darts away.
BASEMENT STAIRWAY
Esther opens the- door to the basement. She pulls open the breaker
box and starts flipping SWITCHES.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Kate cautiously moves down the hall suddenly, he lights go
plunging - tlw o se into darkness.
KATE AND JOHN'S BEDROOM
Max freezes.- Now-she's blind as well as deaf. The only light
comes from the FLASHES OF LIGHTNING through rain-streaked windows.
KATE AND JOHN'S BATHROOM
Max hurries inside and hides in the linen closet.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Esther sneaks upstairs, hugging the wall, gun held ready. She
pauses at the top of the stairs, waiting. Lightning FLASHES.. 'The-
hallway is empty. She sidles along the wall...
LINEN CLOSET
MOS: Max is huddled on the floor, terrified. Suddenly, there's a
FLASH of lightning --'mid Bhe A= fiba movement t�mn qb The
7oUvered slBts-.in .t225 t efo8�.
KATE AND JOHN'S BATHROOM
Th& shadowy fizmre is fate. She's within feet of Max's hiding
place and doesn't know it.
LINEN CLOSET
MOS: Max watches the shadowy figure, nearly hyperventilating, not
realizing that it'e Kate. It's coming closer, closer... then
moves away. Max catches her breath.
116.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
-
Kate heads back toward the stairs'.
Esther raises the gun and --
BLAM! The knob on top of the bannister EXPLODES. Kate startles
and whirls' to see Bather, just as she pulls
frantically crawls/crabwalks into Esther's room, ehr teas ianother
SHOT blows a chunk out of the moulding by
ESTHER'S ROOM
Kate stands by the door with her back to the wail, holding her
bloody shoulder. Her eyes flit, searching for a weapon. Nothing.
She's standing right outside the door. Kate breath.
.Esther takes a wary step into the room, gun holds .her
Suddenly, Kate lunges body checking Esther against the door.
They struggle for the gun. It GOES OFF. Kate kno cks it out of
Esther's hand and slams her to the floor, but Esth er is like a
wild animal, kicking and shrieking and clawing at Kate'a face.
For a moment, they're locked li ke that, Ka te's
hand wringing Esther's neck, Esther's thumb into Kate's
wound. Kate screams in agony, twisting.
Esther wriggles out from under her and scrabbles/slides into the
hallway,-quickly scoops up the gun --
FOYER
=-bnt Rate mat-out TA S her 'and the tw-q of i o.tvmbl n
down the s. They-hit the already splintered secon of the
mailing and t gives way- -- CRASB 1 Rate and Esther fly through
the smashed railing and fall a tangled heap. Kate
cracks her head. The gun goe toSthe floor s
They're both stunned by the fall, breath knocked out. Kate is
dazed, unable to move. Esther recovers first, looks around for
the gun, can't find it. Kate stirs, fighting to stay cons cious.
Esther squirms away from her crawls over to John's body, and
wrenches the scissor from his eye so ket. Kate sees her
but can only watch helplessly as Esther stagg p towa-rd
her, bloody scissors clutched in her little fist like a dagger,
117.
Then. TSOi hits Es a i�g the ' the head.
ad and clocked her with a heavy Piece of Max 'has snuck up from be 1i
Way to go, slugger ! the broken railing stung like a .basebal l bat.
Esther stumbles to her 7mee6, but manages to shake it off. She
slowly rises and turns on Max with a feral snarl.
Max tries to- hit. her again, but Esther is ready this time and
swats the blow aside. She rips the piece of railing from Max's
bands and .tosses it across the .room. Then.she knocks Max to the
floor with a fierce backhand from her fiberglass cast..
XATE'
eees this and desperately searches fot the gun. She spots it under'nder a nearby table and starts dragging he rself toward it...
the Esther hears gun S he- es Y%ate
for the guw,tnd at her, scissors raised above head g
screaming with hate. Kate reaches whi the n. Esther 's ,
almost-on her. Kate grabs the gun, ls a nd �
Esther staggers back with a bZ hole an ehr the t .
Max watches, wide--eyed, as Esther limply drops the scissors and
gives the smoldering bullet hole in her chest a surprised look.
Blood.trickles from her mouth. She looks up at Kate, frightened
tears welling in her big, sad eyes.
ESTHER
Please" don't hurt me, Mommy.
rat fucking chance, bitch. Kate SHOOTS her again. This one goes
right between those pretty eyes.
Esther falls to the floor, dead gaze staring at the ceiling, a
pool of blood .expanding around her pretty Shirley Tem ple curls.
Kate drops the gun and crawls over to Max, scooping her into her
arms and hiding her face from the horrible sights all around them-
For a long moment, mother anddaghte r o just�holdaeacheother close.
Kate strokes Max's hair, cry ng u
What Kate can't see"is the'slack, traumatized expression on Max's
bloodied face. .vacant and emotionless. That spark you should see
in the. eyes of a"child, gone forever.
CAMERA PULLS BACK and we
FADE - OUT .
THE END
