potpourri act i

8/9/2019 Potpourri Act i

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Potpourri

byJon Merrill


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MRS. OWENSCatherine?

Catherine Coup is an old soul trapped in an nine-year-olds body. Shes a tomboy, a rebel, a nuisance and asaint. At the moment, however, shes simply annoyed.

CATHERINE(lowers book)

Maam?

MRS. OWENS(again, pronouncingp)

Catherine Coup?

Catherine sighs out of frustration and squints up at thechalkboard.

CATHERINEMrs...Owens? Thepis silent.Coup. As in staging one.

MRS. OWENSIll mark you as present then.

CATHERINEAs opposed to absent?

MRS. OWENSWell, thats a big word for a nine-year old. And now, as opposed tositting in your chair for the restof the class youll be facing thecorner.

CATHERINELovely.

MRS. OWENS(points towardscorner)

Now!

Catherine calmly saves her place in the book by foldingthe page. She then stands up and shuffles over to thecorner. As she passes her snickering classmates shestares each and every one of them in the eye -- just tolet them know whos boss.

She finally passes the desk of HANNAH SIMS, 9. Hannahhas a pale complexion with blonde hair and inquisitiveblue eyes. On Hannahs desk sits her class binder with arough sketch of Van Goghs Starry Night. Catherinepauses to take notice.

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(CONTINUED)


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MRS. OWENSAlmost there...

Catherine reaches the corner and faces the wall. Shepeeks over her shoulder to find the students facingforward again and Mrs. Owens continuing with the

attendance list. Hannah, however, smilessympathetically.

EXT. COUP HOME - NIGHT

A run-of-the-mill sub-division home with a white picketfence and a chair swing on the front porch.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM

Newspaper clippings cover every inch of wall space. Most

of the articles appear to be old -- a year, maybe more --and many of them are written on with marker.

Catherine sits on her bed unloading her backpack. Shespills out pens and pencils, an uneaten apple, and abrand new binder.

A small television sits at the edge of the bed playing aSoap Opera. Catherine glances at the television inbetween searching to watch a MAN and a WOMAN get married.

She heads to the other side of the room to a computerdesk and opens the drawers in a mad search. She pullsout paper weights, post-it-notes, and finally, a largecollection of markers.

She returns to the bed and begins her art. She looks upat the television again to find the newlyweds goin at it-- hot and heavy.

INT. KITCHEN - SAME

Two plates of hot food sit on a kitchen table.

A WOMAN sits at one end eating quietly. This is VERACOUP, Catherines mother. Veras in her early forties,not exactly old, but weary. Time has taken its toll onher once beautiful face -- the fork, the wine glass --all too heavy for frail Vera.

The back door slams shut and we hear the sound of keyshitting the counter top. CONRAD COUP enters the kitchendressed in business attire. Conrad is also early fortiesand carries the same dull glow as his wife.

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(CONTINUED)


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He, too, seems tired but not so much from exhaustion astoleration. He nods at his wife as he picks up his plateand heads out of the room just as quickly as he entered.

Vera pours herself another glass of wine.

INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS

Conrad enters his sanctuary -- a sizable room with almostenough space to call it a living area. He sets the platedown on his desk and loosens his tie while he siftsthrough todays mail.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - LATER

Catherine stares at her partial rendition of StarryNight. She has the outer border and some of the stars

but not much else. She sighs in frustration and exitsher room.

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Catherine leans over the balcony listening for signs oflife. The television is tuned to a sitcom and the laughtrack erupts, filling the Coup home with an eeriecheerfulness.

Catherine heads down the stairs and peeks around thecorner into...

THE LIVING ROOM

Where Vera sits stone-faced in front of the televisionwith her glass of wine.

Catherine turns the other corner towards Conrads study.She reaches the closed door and leans her ear against thecold wood.

Silence.

She heads back upstairs and down the hall to the otherbedroom on the second floor. She takes a deep breath andopens the door.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

The door opens, flooding the dark room with light fromthe hallway. Catherine flips a light switch but itdoesnt work. She leaves the door ajar so she can findher way around.

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(CONTINUED)


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The room was a teenage boys at one time. A guitar restsin the corner and posters of Rock Idols adorn the walls.

Against the far wall Catherine finds a shelf loaded withbooks of all shapes and sizes. Catherine pulls over achair and uses it to reach the top where she finds...

A large hard-cover book entitled Impressionism. Sheslides it off the shelf bringing with it a pile of dust.Catherine sneezes and loses her balance on the chair...

...and CRASH!

The book flies out of her hand and slides across the hardwood floor towards the open door where Conrad stands inthe light. He bends down to pick up the book.

CONRADYou okay?

Catherine stands up, embarrassed. She dusts herself offand replaces the chair.

CATHERINEI was just...

CONRADWhat did you want with this?

Catherine approaches her dad fearfully. She takes thebook out of his hands and flips the pages. Conradwatches as Catherine looks at each painting, page afterpage, until finally she finds it...

Van Goghs Starry Night.

Conrad ushers her out of the room and closes the door.

CONRADWell, just let me know when youredone with it and Ill put it backfor you.

Conrad heads down stairs. Catherine watches after him

and then returns to her room.

EXT. SCHOOL - THE NEXT MORNING

Catherine exits the school bus displaying her newlyimproved binder with a much better rendition of StarryNight.

She sees Hannah off in the distance being dropped off byher mother.

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INT. CLASSROOM

Mrs. Owens stands at the blackboard drawing a simple mathproblem.

Catherine places her binder atop her desk and angles it

towards Hannah. Hannah finally notices and smiles.

INT. CAFETERIA - LATER

Students hustle to find a seat. Catherine sits alonecutting out newspaper clippings and nibbling on an apple.She looks up to find...

Hannah taking a seat down the table from her. Hannahpulls an apple out of her lunch box and eats silently.They exchange a polite smile.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - RECESS

Hannah leans against a piece of playground equipment andsketches in a note pad as Catherine approaches andmotions for her to follow. Hannah smiles and closes hernotebook.

EXT. NEARBY WOODS - CONTINUOUS

Catherine leads Hannah out of the school grounds and intothe woods.

CATHERINEIts better out here, dont youthink?

HANNAHIve never been off the schoolgrounds.

CATHERINEMy name is Catherine...

HANNAH...as in staging one. I know.

CATHERINEWere you mad? About the StarryNight painting?

HANNAHI was impressed, actually.

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(CONTINUED)


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As Hannah walks further into the woods she noticescarvings on just about every tree.

CATHERINEI guess I deserved to stand in thecorner. Sometimes I say too much.

HANNAHNo, you didnt.

CATHERINEI think youre really talented.

HANNAHMy mom says Ive been drawingsince I was four.

Catherine stops at a tree and bends down near the root.She starts to dig up the dirt until she pulls out a

switchblade.

CATHERINEAnd hence forth this tree shall beours.

Catherine stands up and starts to carve in the bark. Shecarefully makes a C and then another one. She handsthe knife to Hannah.

CATHERINEMy mom says this is my last yearhere.

HANNAHYoure moving?

CATHERINEJust to a public school. My momdoesnt work any more so...

Hannah carves an H below Catherines initials and thenan S. She stands back to observe -- somethings wrong.

HANNAH

People will think its the name ofa high school.

Catherine grabs the knife and carves a huge heart aroundthe initials.

CATHERINENow they wont.

LATER

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(CONTINUED)


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Hannah lies in Catherines lap as Catherine plays withher hair. The sun has started to set.

CATHERINEWhats in your notebook?

Hannah hands her notebook to Catherine.

HANNAHIts a story Ive been working onfor some time now. I just dontknow what kind yet.

Catherine flips the pages.

INSERT - PAGES

Of amazing sketches, mostly of characters -- two of whichlook remarkably like Hannah and Catherine.

BACK TO CATHERINE

As she continues to flip through the book.

CATHERINEYou started this last night.

HANNAHYeah.

CATHERINEIts beautiful.

LATER

Catherine and Hannah return to the school, oblivious tothe fact that the sun has set.

CATHERINEIts white with the picket fence.

HANNAHAnd the blue mailbox?

CATHERINEYeah. Its really ugs.

HANNAHUgs?

CATHERINEYeah...ugly.

HANNAHYoure just down the street.

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(CONTINUED)


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CATHERINEUh-oh.

HANNAHWhat?

Hannah stops dead in her tracks. Up ahead at the school,two police cars flash their lights while a mob ofteachers and parents search the school grounds withflashlights. One of the parents is none other thanANGELA SIMS, Hannahs mom.

HANNAHMom?

Angela turns the flashlight on the two girls and lets outa cry of relief. She rushes to her little girl andsqueezes her relentlessly.

ANGELAWhat were you doing?

Hannah tries to talk but Angela is squeezing her tootightly.

HANNAHWe...were...

CATHERINEIt was my fault, maam. We werejust out in the woods there...

Angela finally releases Hannah and wipes the tears fromher eyes. Some of the mob starts to approach includingMrs. Owens.

MRS. OWENSMiss Coup! I hope you realizewhat youve done here, making usworried sick...

ANGELAThats enough, Sheryl.

Catherine and Hannah look at each other amazed to learnthat their teacher has a first name.

Mrs. Owens storms off taking the cops and other teacherswith her.

MRS. OWENSOkay, everyone! It was all fornothing!

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CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


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HANNAHMom, this is Catherine Coup. The

pis silent.

ANGELAWell, come on Catherine Coup,

lets get you home. Your parentsmust be worried sick.

CATHERINEI doubt it.

INT. COUP HOME - LIVING ROOM

Vera is just where we left her, drinking another bottleof wine in front of the television.

Catherine enters through the front door and waves goodbye

to the unseen Angela and Hannah.

She closes the door loud enough to turn Veras head.They share a moment and Vera turns back to her sitcom.

Catherine heads upstairs.

INT. CLASS - THE NEXT DAY

Catherine and Hannah sit in the back of the class.Catherine cuts out newspaper articles and hands them toHannah, who in turn, draws pictures over the photographs.

MRS. OWENSMiss Coup?

Catherine drops the scissors.

CATHERINESheryl?

MRS. OWENSIts Mrs. Owens to you, younglady. Are you listening?

CATHERINEKind of.

MRS. OWENSThen you know the answer?

CATHERINECan you repeat the question?

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(CONTINUED)


12/33

Mrs. Owens approaches the chalk board and underlines adivision problem.

MRS. OWENSNine divided by three, Miss Coup.

CATHERINEIm afraid I cant be of anyservice.

MRS. OWENSYou cant or you wont?

CATHERINEI cant. Im not very good at themath.

MRS. OWENSWell, why dont you stay indoors

for recess today. Ill give youplenty of the math to work onwhile your friends are outsideplaying.

Catherine looks around the room at all of her friends.

CATHERINEFair enough.

LATER

The classroom has emptied out -- recess. Catherine andHannah sit in the back row while Mrs. Owens gradespaperwork at her desk.

CATHERINE(to Hannah)

I have something for you. Ijust...

HANNAHWhat is it?

CATHERINE

Dont be mad, okay?

Catherine pulls out Hannahs notebook and hands it over.

HANNAHYou had it? I thought we leftit...

Catherine nods, telling her to open it.

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(CONTINUED)


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Hannah turns the cover revealing neatly written proseunderneath the drawings.

HANNAH(reading)

From east and west met Day and

Night. Day from left and Nightfrom right. My goodness, sir,said Day, you fright! I mean noharm, kind sir, said Night...

Hannah turns towards Catherine -- this is good.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - NIGHT

Catherine lies in bed, wide awake. She glances over atthe clock.

CATHERINE (V.O.)I must admit, said Day, I say,Ive never seen a Night this way.Permit me, sir, said Night to Day,its true Im not allowed tostray. Said Day to Night, is allalright? It isnt death thatbrings your flight. No, sir, saidNight, its all quite trite. Itsjust a curse of mine til light.

Catherine gets out of bed and changes clothes.

EXT. COUP HOME - SECOND STORY WINDOW - CONTINUOUS

Catherine carefully climbs out of the window and hopsdown to the connecting garage. She then hangs from theroof and drops to the ground.

She runs down the dark driveway and heads out into thequiet neighborhood streets.

CATHERINE (V.O.)A curse? Asked Day. In just what

way? To travel, sir, said Nightto Day. To see a love thats goneastray. A Night in love, saidDay, how gay! But sir, saidNight, you have no right, for loveis food without the bite --assuming one has appetite. SaidDay to Night, Alright... Alright.

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INT/EXT. HANNAHS BEDROOM

Hannah lies awake in bed sketching when...

CRACK! A pebble hits the window. Hannah jumps out ofbed and opens the window to find Catherine waving from

her driveway below.

HANNAHWhats up?

CATHERINENothing. Just wanted to see whatyou did at night.

HANNAH(points to lattice)

Come up.

Catherine heads towards the ladder and carefully scalesher way up to the roof.

Hannah meets her outside the window and they both take aseat.

CATHERINEYou can see my house from here.

HANNAHIs that your window?

CATHERINENo, but I could see aboutswitching rooms.

HANNAHYou have a sister?

CATHERINEBrother, actually. Hes dead,though.

HANNAHHow did he die?

CATHERINEHe was in a car accident.

HANNAHMy dads dead.

CATHERINEDo you miss him?

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(CONTINUED)


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HANNAHSometimes. My mom does. A lot.Do you miss your brother?

CATHERINENo. I barely knew him -- I was

four when he died.

HANNAHWhat was his name?

CATHERINEMatty. What was your dads name?

HANNAHDad.

The girls chuckle.

HANNAHWere going to need binoculars.

CATHERINEDefinitely.

Suddenly, the girls hear a knock on Hannahs bedroomdoor.

ANGELA (O.S.)Hannah, baby? We have to do yourdialysis now.

Hannah hangs her head at Catherine.

HANNAHI have to go in now.

CATHERINEDo you want me to come with you?

HANNAHNo, its better if I go alone.

CATHERINE

Well, dont make plans fortomorrow night.

Hannah starts to climb back into her bedroom through thewindow.

CATHERINEHannah? Are you sick?

Hannah closes the window and waves goodbye to Catherine.

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INT. COUP HOME - VERA AND CONRADS BEDROOM - MORNING

Vera lies sprawled out on the bed wearing a sleepingmask. The curtains are opened and the sun is shining onher face, having no effect on her drunken slumber.

INT. KITCHEN - SAME

Conrad sits alone at the breakfast table reading thenewspaper -- his peaceful Saturday routine.

Catherine enters the kitchen with the ImpressionismBook.She sets it on the table next to her dad and poursherself a glass of orange juice.

CATHERINEWhats dialysis?

EXT. HANNAHS HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Catherine sits in the front yard and picks at the grassas a car pulls into the driveway. Catherine watches asHannah and her mother exit the car. She stands to greetthem.

ANGELA(to Hannah)

Go ahead inside, baby. Ill sendCatherine up in a minute.

Hannah smiles at Catherine and then goes inside thehouse. Angela approaches Catherine.

ANGELACatherine, honey, Hannah said youheard me mention dialysis lastnight. Is that true?

CATHERINEI know what it is, Ms. Sims.

ANGELA

You do?

CATHERINEI know that Hannahs sick. Idont understand why, though.

ANGELAWell, sweetie, Hannah hasdiabetes.

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(CONTINUED)


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CATHERINEThats what my dad said.

ANGELAAnd her diabetes made some of herorgans start to...not work so

well.

CATHERINEHer kidneys?

ANGELAThats right.

Angela starts to choke up -- in awe at Catherinesunderstanding.

CATHERINEMaybe she can have one of mine.

ANGELAI wish you could do that, sweetie.I do. But you cant.

CATHERINEBut I want to.

Angela grabs Catherine and hugs her like she was her owndaughter. Catherine hugs her back, not used to this kindof affection.

ANGELAWill you do me a favor right now?I need you to keep Hannah companytonight. Just make her happyabout things.

Angela finally lets Catherine go and tries to regain hercomposure.

INT. SIMS HOUSEHOLD - CONTINUOUS

Catherine enters the house through the back door. She

takes notice of everything as though in a museum.

The first room she passes is a laundry room where severalof Hannahs shirts are folded on top of a dryer.Catherine smooths out the wrinkles.

She makes her way into the connecting kitchen where shefinds a breakfast table set with two place mats.

A large bowl sits in the center of the table filled withpotpourri.

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Catherine reaches into the bowl and grabs a handful. Sheholds it up to her nose to smell and then puts it intoher pocket.

INT. LIVING AREA - CONTINUOUS

Catherine studies the photographs hung on the walls.

INSERT - PHOTOGRAPHS

-- of Hannah with her father -- a good looking man in hisearly thirties. Hannah is just a baby.

-- of Hannah probably five or so, standing next to atombstone. She holds a bouquet of flowers.

-- of Angela and Hannahs father. A wedding photo.

BACK TO CATHERINE

As she admires this last picture. She touches the glassoutlining Angelas dress.

INT/EXT. HANNAHS BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Catherine peers outside the window and onto the roof.She then waves for Hannah to follow as she climbs outonto the roof and towards the lattice.

EXT. STREETS - CONTINUOUS

HANNAHAre you going to tell me wherewere going?

CATHERINENope.

HANNAHCatherine!

CATHERINE(mocking)

Hannah!

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EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - LATER

Catherine and Hannah arrive at the front doors of theirlocal high school. They stop to catch their breath.

HANNAH

Okay. Now what?

Catherine, too tired to talk, points towards the marquee.

INSERT - MARQUEE

Reading, SENIOR TALENT SHOW TONIGHT

BACK TO HANNAH

As she smiles and runs for the door.

INT. AUDITORIUM

The lights are dimmed except for the stage where a balletdancer interprets The Nutcracker Suite.

Catherine leads Hannah down the aisle until they find twoempty seats near the back. They sit, unnoticed.

ON HANNAH

As her face glows at the sight of the performance.Catherine puts her head on Hannahs shoulder.

HANNAHThis is the Nutcracker Suite byPeter Tchaikovsky. He was aRussian composer in the 1800s.Part of the Romantic era.

CATHERINEYou think well be on stage someday?

HANNAHWell be on that stage some day.

EXT. HANNAHS HOUSE

RAIN. Catherine and Hannah exit the house with anumbrella. Angela sees them off as they skip down thestreet.

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INT. VIDEO STORE - LATER

Catherine and Hannah enter a small independent videostore. An ELDERLY COUPLE sit behind the counter readingthe newspaper. This is EARL and BESSIE THATCHER.

EARLAfternoon, ladies.

HANNAHMr. Thatcher. Bessie. Id likeyou to meet Catherine Coup. Thepis silent.

Earl stands up and shakes Catherines hand.

EARLAny friend of Hannahs...

BESSIEOh, Earl, quit your flirting.Hows your mom, sweetie?

HANNAHShe says hello.

BESSIEThat mother of yours is trulyspecial. Got to appreciate whatyou have, hon.

EARLJesus, Bessie. Leave the girlsalone.

BESSIEEarl...go...rewind tapes!

Earl shakes his head and returns to his paper.

BESSIESo, whats it going to be today?

HANNAH

I was thinking about Bette Davis.

BESSIEHmmm. Yes, its a good day forBette. Now, lets see...whats agood rainy day movie for twobright young girls?

Bessie leads the girls towards the classics section.

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(CONTINUED)


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HANNAHLets just start at the beginningand work our way through them all.

BESSIEWell, you couldnt start with a

better movie.

INT. HANNAHS BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Catherine and Hannah lie curled up next to each other onHannahs bed -- enraptured by whats on the television.

ON SCREEN:

EVEIt was just mom and dad and me. Iwas an only child -- used to make-

believe a lot when I was a kid.Acted out all sorts of things.What they were wasnt important.But somehow, acting and make-believe began to fill up my lifemore and more. It got so Icouldnt tell the real from theunreal. Except that the unrealseemed more real to me...

INT. HANNAHS BEDROOM - MORNING

Catherine stirs in the bed. She reaches over to findHannah...

Nothing.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Angela and Hannah sit at the breakfast table laughingover breakfast.

ANGELA

Catherine, honey, take a seat.

Catherine yawns as she takes a seat -- her eyes suddenlygo wide...

A bowl of fresh strawberries, stacks of pancakes, bacon,scrambled eggs...you name it.

HANNAHWell, dig in.

20.

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(CONTINUED)


22/33

Catherine takes her plate and starts to pile the food on.

INT. CAR - MOVING

Angela chauffeurs Hannah and Catherine around the

neighborhood. Theyre all wearing dresses and Catherineand Hannah each hold a birthday present.

ANGELAYou dont like Lisa very much, doyou girls?

CATHERINEShes a pill.

HANNAHShes just not very nice to us inclass. I dont even understand

why we have to go.

ANGELAI know, honey. Its a socialthing. Youll understand when youget older.

Hannah sulks a bit -- shes not used to being treatedlike a child.

ANGELAIll tell you what. If the partysucks, well come up with a signaland Ill make an excuse for us toleave.

The girls smile at this idea.

CATHERINEBrilliant.

INT. LISA CAMILLES BACKYARD - AFTERNOON

Catherine and Hannah stand, statuesque, holding their

presents. They watch with wonder as...

Lisa Camille opens her birthday presents -- all fifty ofthem. Lisas mother, APRIL CAMILLE, watches on with theother PARENTS. They applaud as Lisa opens each presentand just as quickly discards them into a pile.

Angela greets April with a fake kiss to the cheek andthen waves for Hannah and Catherine to join the party.

Catherine looks at Hannah.

21.

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(CONTINUED)


23/33

CATHERINEWhat was the signal?

HANNAHCome on. It wont be so bad.

Catherine starts to walk but pauses when she notices...

A YOUNG BOY playing catch with Lisas dog. Hes a goodlooking lad -- clean cut and tall for his age. His nameis MALCOLM FREEMAN.

Hannah notices that shes suddenly approaching the partyalone. She grabs Catherine by the dress and yanks herout of her gaze.

HANNAHWhat are you doing?

CATHERINEWhat? Nothing. Just...

LATER

A birthday cake is being carried out to the backyard byApril. She starts to sing Happy Birthdayand the rest ofthe party sings along.

Hannah and Catherine stand way off in the back pretendingto sing while whispering to each other.

HANNAHI think he lives around here.

CATHERINEWhy would he be friends with Lisa?

HANNAHTheyre both rich.

CATHERINEOh. I cant take this anymore.

Catherine suddenly starts to COUGH repeatedly. This gets

Angelas attention and she nods -- the signal.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS - EARLY EVENING

Hannah and Catherine walk in the middle of the street,taking turns kicking a pebble.

HANNAHWhy dont we ever hang out at yourhouse?

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(CONTINUED)


24/33

CATHERINEBecause its dreadful.

HANNAHId like to meet your parents.

CATHERINEGo ahead. Ill wait here.

HANNAHWhy do you hate them so much?

CATHERINEI dont hate them. My Dads okay.He just...never talks. Wait,whats today?

HANNAHSaturday.

CATHERINEYou could come over tonight.

HANNAHWhats tonight?

CATHERINETrust me. Its good.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

A poker game. Conrad and his buddies, JOE, ALBERT, MIKE,and JIM sit around a poker table and play Texas Hold em.Catherine and Hannah stand in the background watching andwhispering.

CONRAD (O.S.)Im in.

JOE (O.S.)Raise.

ALBERT (O.S.)

Out.

MIKE (O.S.)Yeah, its just you two.

HANNAHI dont understand, they only gettwo cards?

23.

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(CONTINUED)


25/33

CATHERINENo, those are just their pocketcards...

JOE (O.S.)Catherine, honey?

Catherine turns her attention to Joe, an overweightbearded man in his forties.

CATHERINESir?

JOECould you grab me another coldone?

CATHERINEComing right up.

CONRADMake that two, girls.


Hannah and Catherine dig through the refrigerator andpull out a couple of beers. Catherine pulls down glassesfrom the cabinet and Hannah carefully pours the beer intothe glasses.

CATHERINENot too much head.

Catherine shows Hannah how to tilt the glass. Suddenly,theyre interrupted by Vera who solemnly rinses out herwine glass in the sink. She doesnt pay any attention tothe girls as she opens the refrigerator and pulls out anew bottle of white wine.

CATHERINEHi, mom.

Vera nods to her daughter as she grabs a corkscrew and

leaves the kitchen.

CATHERINE(to Hannah)

Shes not feeling so good.

HANNAHOh.

24.

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26/33

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - LATER

Catherine and Hannah lie on the bed listening to musicand playing their own game of Texas Hold em. Catherinetries to do chip tricks with a hundred dollar pokerchip, just like the pros -- but shes no pro...yet.

HANNAHIts too confusing.

CATHERINENo, its not. Its easy.

HANNAHSo the middle cards are cardseveryone can use?

CATHERINESee, you got it. Here comes the

river.

Catherine flips over the fifth community card.

HANNAHI fold.

CATHERINEYou check.

HANNAHOkay, I check.

CATHERINEIm all in.

Hannah shakes her head and throws her cards in the middleof the bed.

HANNAHWhat now?

CATHERINEWanna see something?

INT. HALLWAY

Catherine peeks over the balcony and puts a finger to herlips. Hannah nods as Catherine opens the door to Mattysbedroom.

25.


27/33

INT. MATTYS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

They quietly open the door and sneak into the room.Catherine clicks on a flashlight.

CATHERINE

Just dont fall.

HANNAHThis is Mattys room?

CATHERINEYup.

Catherine flashes the light towards the posters on thewalls as they tip-toe their way across the room towardsthe bookshelf.

Hannah picks up a photograph of Matty but quickly puts it

back where she found it.

CATHERINEHand me that chair, will ya?

Hannah hands Catherine a chair and she climbs up to thetop shelf again, pulling down the Impressionismbook.

CATHERINEBrilliant.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM

Hannah and Catherine flip through the book until theyfind Van Goghs Starry Night.

CATHERINETheres only one thing that wouldmake this better.

LATER

A beer pours into a two glasses. Catherine and Hannaheach pick up a glass and toast.

CATHERINETo Van Gogh.

HANNAHTo us.

CATHERINEEven better.

The girls sip the beer and make sour faces.

26.

(CONTINUED)


28/33

HANNAHUgh. What happens now?

CATHERINEWell, were gonna get reallyquiet and grumpy.

HANNAHLike your mom?

CATHERINEYeah, but we have to finish thewhole glass.

HANNAHOkay.

INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Vera lies passed out on the sofa when her eyes suddenlybolt open. LOUD THUMPING MUSIC blasts from Catherinesroom. Vera struggles for a bit but stands up and headsupstairs.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Vera opens the door to find Catherine and Hannah jumpingup and down on her bed having a pillow fight. Featherscover the floor and float throughout the room.

The girls stop when Vera opens the door.

HANNAHUh-oh.

CATHERINEHi, mom.

They start to giggle and then resume jumping.

Vera calmly walks over to the stereo and turns the volumedown a bit. She exits the room as the girls fall down

laughing.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - MORNING

Catherine wakes up on the floor. She looks around forHannah but shes nowhere to be found.

27.

CONTINUED:


29/33

INT. KITCHEN

Conrad sits in his usual chair drinking coffee.

CATHERINEDid you see Hannah this morning?

CONRADHer mother picked her up. Whatdid you two do last night?

EXT. SIMS HOME - MORNING

Catherine sits on a curb across the street from Hannahshouse. She rubs her head while she searches for signs oflife in the house.

INT. VIDEO STORE - LATER

Catherine enters the store and quickly searches forHannah.

BESSIEWell, hello Miss Coup.

CATHERINEHi, Mrs. Thatcher. Has Hannahbeen in today?

BESSIEOh, no dear. You lose yourfriend?

CATHERINEI think I did.

Catherine heads over towards the classics section andquickly grabs the next film in order.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Catherine and Vera watch Days of Wine and Roses. Verasips on her mimosa and eyes Catherine suspiciously.

VERAGood choice.

CATHERINEWhat? Oh...yeah.

Catherine misses the sarcasm -- her mind is somewhereelse.

28.


30/33

INT. CLASS - MORNING

Catherine sits in her usual chair and notices Hannahsabsence. Mrs. Owens takes her place at the front of theclassroom.

MRS. OWENSGood morning, class.

ALLGood morning, Mrs. Owens.

Catherine raises her hand.

MRS. OWENSYes, Miss Coup?

CATHERINEDid Hannah call out sick today?

MRS. OWENSThats not our business,Catherine. Youll just have towait until school is out to checkup on your friend.

CATHERINEWhy cant you just tell me?

MRS. OWENSThats enough. Now...

Catherine jumps out of her seat and exits the classroom.

MRS. OWENSMiss Coup!

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Catherine sprints down the hallway and enters an office.

INT. NURSES OFFICE

NURSE LAZENBY is awakened by Catherine slamming her door.

NURSE LAZENBYCatherine? What are you doing outof class?

CATHERINEIm not feeling well.

Nurse Lazenby stands up and leads Catherine to a chair.

29.

(CONTINUED)


31/33

NURSE LAZENBYDo you have a fever?

CATHERINEI doubt it.

NURSE LAZENBY(feeling forehead)

You dont feel warm.

CATHERINEIts...my stomach.

LATER

Catherine sits quietly and reads a newspaper while Veratalks with Nurse Lazenby. Vera wears sunglasses andmoves sluggishly -- shes visibly annoyed.

INT. CAR - MOVING

Vera drives and furiously smokes a cigarette whileCatherine looks out the window.

VERAIts your stomach, right?

Catherine ignores her.

VERAYoure a good little liar, youknow that? You learn thatwatching your dad play cards?Youre brother never lied. Hemessed up a few times but he neverlied to us. Its embarrassing tobe woken up at ten in the morningby your school nurse, you knowthat?

CATHERINE(under her breath)

Well, dont sleep so late.

VERAWhat?!

CATHERINENothing.

VERAOh, its not enough that I get outof bed to take you home, you haveto mouth off to me now?

30.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


32/33

CATHERINEIm sorry.

Vera tosses the cigarette out the window and rolls it up.

EXT. SIMS HOME - LATER

Catherine KNOCKS on the front door...

No answer. She peers inside the door window but sees nomovement. She knocks again before heading around thedriveway and into the backyard.

She cups her hands around her eyes and peers into thekitchen windows but again...nothing. She takes a stepback and looks at the lattice.

INT. HANNAHS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Catherine closes the window behind her as she entersHannahs bedroom from the roof.

CATHERINEHannah?

Catherine tip-toes around the house. She knows nobodyshome but feels bad for trespassing none-the-less.


Catherine examines the kitchen and finds it in a bit ofdisarray. A half-empty glass of orange juice sits on thecounter and the sink is filled with dirty dishes.

INT. CATHERINES BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Catherine lies awake in bed clicking a flashlight on andoff.

Conrad enters the room.

CONRADHoney? Get dressed and Ill dropyou off.

CATHERINEWhere?

CONRADHannahs mother just called.

31.

CONTINUED:


33/33

INT. HOSPITAL - LATER

Angela sits in the emergency waiting room nervouslyreading a magazine.

The sliding doors open and Catherine walks in carrying

her backpack. Angela looks up and jumps out of her seatto hug her.

ANGELAWhat are you doing here?

CATHERINEShe didnt make it to schooltoday.

ANGELAOh, honey. I dont know how longthis is going to be. You dont

need to be here for this.

CATHERINEShes my best friend and I thinkits my fault. We drank a beer.

ANGELAHoney, they found a donor. Sheneeds to stay over night and getprepped but then...

CATHERINEShes getting a new kidney?

ANGELAShes getting a brand new kidney.

CATHERINECan I stay here with you?

ANGELAFor a little while, okay?

CATHERINEWell, my Dad dropped me off so

youre kind of stuck with me.

Angela smiles at Catherine as she pulls out a notebookand starts to write.

32.

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