Barnabys Bliss

In this modern-day fairy tale, a man whos been horribly

disfigured by a curse discovers something that turns his
life around.
INT. BARNABYS JEWELRY STORE WORKSHOP-- DAY
The handsome BARNABY RUSH is meticulously designing an
engagement ring.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
There once was a man named Barnaby
Rush---
INT. BARNABYS JEWELRY STORE -- DAY
He presents the finished piece to a happy couple.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
--who helped couples get their
happily ever afters.
The female customer is so overjoyed, she leans over the
counter and hugs Barnaby.
INT. BARNABYS JEWELRY STORE -- DAY
JUNE and her mother, MAURA, are browsing the jewelry
store. June and Barnabys eyes lock.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
When Barnaby met June, he assumed
hes found his own happily ever
after.
EXT. SCULPTURE GARDEN -- DAY
Barnaby and June are strolling through a garden of unusual
art sculptures. Barnaby suddenly bends down on one knee,
holds out a spectacular, one-of-a-kind sapphire ring.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
Their love was fiery and intense,
like a flash of light in a summer
storm.
They embrace; kiss passionately. She puts on the ring.
INT. BARNABY AND JUNES BEDROOM -- NIGHT
June is in difficult labor. Her mother is by her side. The
doctor is stationed at the foot of her bed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
But thats the thing about
bliss. The bigger the joy, the
shorter its lifespan. To expect
otherwise is just....greedy.
INT. BARNABY AND JUNES HALL -- NIGHT
Barnaby paces nervously. Maura wails.
MAURA (O.S.)
No! No! My baby!
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
Heartache and loss? Now that lasts
a lifetime.
Barnaby panics and runs as far away as he can get.
INT. BARNABY AND JUNES BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Barnaby eventually re-enters the room, where Maura stands
over Junes lifeless body, holding her hands. Their
conversation is inaudible, but Maura speaks, and Barnaby
falls to his knees at his dead wifes bedside.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
His mother-in-law told Barnaby that
neither June nor his child -- a
daughter -- survived. And that she
would never, EVER forgive him for
taking her beautiful daughter
away.
There is a photo of Barnaby on the bedside table in a
frame. Maura takes it, breaks the frame with one hand,
removes the photo; reaches for a lit candle and lights the
photo on fire.
MAURA
Gods and goddesses - it is your
duty---that Barnaby Rush shall
forever live without beauty! Turn
his face into a beast, leave his
heart black and blue--as long as he
believes it-- this curse shall
remain true!
She stomps the burning photo. Barnabys face begins to
morph into something monstrous. He screams in pain, hides
his face with his hands.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
MONTAGE:
Barnaby looking at his freakish new reflection in a mirror/
Barnaby breaking all of the mirrors in his home/Barnaby
frantically boarding up all of the windows in his home.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
Barnaby was surprisingly grateful
for the solitude his new appearance
provided.
MONTAGE:
Barnaby setting a place for one at the table/People scatter
from him on the streets/A man hands over a set of
keys. Barnaby gets into a garbage truck.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
But he had to make a living, so he
took the only job that a
hideously-deformed freak could.
EXT. LANDFILL -- SUNRISE
Barnaby pulls a lever on the back of his truck, dumping his
load onto the landfill pile. A few bags break open, and
bends to pick up some shiny objects. He studies
them. Holds them to the light.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
Thanks to the curse, Barnaby spent
the next decade without music, art,
or beauty of any kind. But the
curse made no mention of...trash.
EXT. BARNABYS HOME -- NIGHT
Barnaby stands on a ladder, hood up, gluing broken pieces of
trash onto the exterior of his home. Pulling back, we can
see that his homes exterior is a glittering mosaic of
trash---which is in stark comparison to the cookie-cutter
suburban homes of his neighbors.
A neighbor passes by with a dog on a leash, sees Barnaby,
and freezes. The dog begins to bark maniacally. Barnaby
also freezes then topples off the ladder. The neighbor
hurries away, while he scrambles to get into the house.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
The quest for happiness does have
its risks.
4.
EXT. LANDFILL -- DAWN
Barnaby is at the landfill, about to start work for the day
when he is approached by his coworker, JIMMY.
JIMMY
Hey, Rush. I need a favor. Can
you cover my route?
BARNABY
Two routes? Itll be daylight by
the time I--
Jimmy forces his truck keys into Barnabys hands.
CHARACTER
Please, Barn. The wifes got an
ultrasound and somebodys gotta
watch the other five till she gets
back.
BARNABY
Well. I guess I could.
JIMMY
I owe ya, buddy!
INT. INSIDE THE TRUCK CAB-- MORNING
Barnaby is working Jimmys route when he spots a little girl
(11) hiding a small suitcase in some bushes close to the
truck. The lift malfunctions, making a metal grinding
squeal. The little girl startles, as does Barnaby. She
looks right at him through the window but doesnt cringe or
run away. Barnaby hops out of the cab.
EXT. THE TRUCK -- MORNING
He rushes to fix the lift. The little girl approaches.
GWYNNIE
You okay?
BARNABY
The mechanism jams up sometimes
and--
GWYNNIE
I meant your face. You burned in a
fire?
Barnaby tries to hide his face.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
BARNABY
Something like that.
She comes closer till she was almost blocking his door.
GWYNNIE
My parents died in a fire. Im
adopted.
Barnaby squeezes past the girl to get back into the
truck. He pauses. Looks at her out of the corner of his
eyes.
BARNABY
Thats a tough break.
He opens the door.
GWYNNIE
Well, here comes my bus. If I miss
it again, Im toast.
The girl runs across the street and boards the bus. Barnaby
watches her.
EXT. BARNABYS HOME -- DAY
A small crowd is gathered on the sidewalk, a few feet from
Barnabys home. Barnaby pulls into his driveway, exits his
car, walks to the house.
MALE NEIGHBOR 1
Excuse me. Mr. Rush? Might we
have a word?
Barnaby stops. His back still to them.
BARNABY
---Yes?
The neighbors look at each other.
MALE NEIGHBOR
Its about your.....home. The
association feels it doesnt meet
our....aesthetic requirements.
Barnaby looks at the ground. The neighbors exchange looks
again; shrug.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
MALE NEIGHBOR 2
Were trying to maintain a
certain...image, you see.
Barnaby walks to his front door. He opens it, goes into the
house. The neighbors are flabbergasted and walk away.
MALE NEIGHBOR 2
What a freak.
INT. BARNABYS CAR -- NIGHT
Barnaby is driving slowly down the girls street looking for
her house, or more specifically, the bushes where she hid
her suitcase.
EXT. GWYNNIES YARD -- NIGHT
He spots the house, pulls over, and quietly creeps to the
bushes. He looks around, slides the suitcase out and opens
it. Buried in the suitcase is Junes ring.
GWYNNIE
Hey! What are you doing??
Barnaby startles, drops the suitcase and the contents spill
everywhere.
BARNABY
Im sorry, I----Im so sorry.
GWYNNIE
Youre the trash guy. Are you
robbing me??
BARNABY
Yes. I mean, yes Im the trash guy
and No! Im not robbing you. I
just---
GWYNNIE
Ssshh!
Gwynnie takes the clothes and hastily stuffs them back into
the suitcase. Barnaby is still holding Junes ring, staring
wide-eyed at it. Gwynnie snatches it away from him.
BARNABY
That ring. Where did you get it?
Gwynnie takes the suitcase.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
GWYNNIE
It was my moms.
She hurries away; Barnaby follows after her.
BARNABY
Wait, can I --- can I offer you a
ride somewhere? Where are you
going?
Gwynnie keeps up her pace.
GWYNNIE
Im running away.
She slows down, looks back at her house.
GWYNNIE
Gonna find my parents.
BARNABY
Its the middle of the night.
Barnaby extends his hand, to take her luggage. After a
moment, she hands it over.
EXT. PLAYGROUND -- NIGHT
Barnaby and Gwynnie are swinging side-by-side.
GWYNNIE
She calls herself a healer. But
shes totally bogus.
BARNABY
How so?
GWYNNIE
She makes me sit in the audience in
a wheelchair then pretend I can
walk. People are such suckers.
They swing in silence.
BARNABY
So thats why youre running away?
Gwynnie thinks for a moment.
GWYNNIE
If she lies about other stuff, she
could be lying about my parents,
too. Right?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
Barnaby stops swinging.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
Barnaby wanted so much to tell her
who he was. But he had no
proof. And why would she believe
him? He could hardly believe it
himself.
BARNABY
Cant you talk to her?
Gwynnie laughs and lays all the way back as she swings.
GWYNNIE
My "mother" said she would put a
CURSE on me if I brought it up
again. Said shed put me in a
wheelchair for REAL so I couldnt
leave her. Shes totally bonkers.
Barnaby shoots out of his swing and begins to pace and
mumble.
GWYNNIE
Youre acting kind of bonkers,
yourself.
Gwynnie stops swinging.
GWYNNIE
Youre not afraid, are you? Curses
arent real.
He paces back and forth. It starts to drizzle.
BARNABY
Lets get out of this rain.
INT BARNABYS CAR -- NIGHT
Barnaby shuts off the engine in his driveway. Its pouring
rain. He and Gwynnie exit car with the suitcase; he wraps
his coat around her. Gwynnie squeals because the rain is
cold. They enter the house.
Male Neighbor 1 is across the street with his dog watching
from under his umbrella. He rushes to another neighbors
home.
9.
EXT. NEIGHBORS HOME -- NIGHT
The male neighbors are standing outside.
MALE NEIGHBOR 2
You sure thats what you saw?
MALE NEIGHBOR 1
She was a young kid. Maybe ten or
so. She was screaming and he was
like---dragging her into the house.
MALE NEIGHBOR 2
Jesus Christ. Get Manny and
Richard. Tell them to get the Town
Watch together. And call the
Sheriff. I knew this guy was a
creep.
INT. BARNABYS HOME -- NIGHT
Barnaby and Gwynnie enter. Shake off the rain. Barnaby
hangs the coat.
GWYNNIE
So, whats the plan?
BARNABY
First, the truth.
He leads a puzzled Gwynnie to a giant bridal portrait of
June.
GWYNNIE
Hey! We have this picture at my
house. How do you----What is---
BARNABY
You said you wanted to find your
real parents. Somehow, I found you
first. And I didnt even know
there was someone I should have
been looking for. Or believe me, I
would have found you long ago.
GWYNNIE
I dont understand. Who--
BARNABY
This is June. Your mother.
Gwynnie stares at the portrait.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
BARNABY
She died giving birth to you.
Her smile fades.
GWYNNIE
Maura.
BARNABY
She cursed me with this face to
punish me for June.
Barnaby nods. She shakes her head in anger, but after a
moment, it drains away.
GWYNNIE
Youre my dad.
BARNABY
Im pretty sure.
Gwynnie moves toward him and they embrace.
BARNABY
The ring in your case? That was
Junes. I made that ring for
her. She died giving birth to you.
GWYNNIE
Oh.
Gwynnie goes to retrieve the ring. She hands it to
Barnaby. He stares at it, hands it back.
BARNABY
She would want you to have it.
Gwynnie slides the giant blue-stoned ring onto her
finger. They embrace again.
EXT. BARNABYS HOME -- NIGHT
Maura creeps up to the window and sees Barnaby and Gwynnie
hugging. She seethes with anger; her wheels
turning. Suddenly, a crowd appears at the gate. Maura goes
to them.
MAURA
Please help me! That man has my
daughter!
There is a buzz among the men. The Sheriff quiets them with
a hand signal.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
MALE NEIGHBOR 1
I knew it! I told you. I saw it
with my own eyes.
MAURA
Ive been knocking and calling her
name. Theres no answer.
SHERIFF
(loud whisper)
Were gonna take down the door,
then. On my count!
The men approach the front door.
SHERIFF
One. Two. Three!
INT. BARNABYS HOME -- NIGHT
The men barge into the home, with the Sheriff up
front. Barnaby tackles Gwynnie against the wall and shields
her body with his own.
SHERIFF
Barnaby Rush, step away from the
child!
BARNABY
Who are you? What is this?
GWYNNIE
Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
SHERIFF
Release the child!
Barnaby pauses; steps aside, as Maura steps forward and
leads a reluctant Gwynnie away.
GWYNNIE
(to Maura)
Let go of me! This is all your
fault!
Barnaby watches Maura helplessly; ready to pounce.
SHERIFF
Sir, stay back, now.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
BARNABY
(to Maura)
Let her go!
The sheriff pulls his gun from the holster.
SHERIFF
Stand down, Mr. Rush!
Barnaby lunges for Maura; the sheriff shoots; Barnaby falls.
GWYNNIE
Barnaby! No!
Gwynnie breaks free from Maura and runs to him. Cradles his
head. His face morphs back into his normal appearance.
GWYNNIE
Your face! Its healed!
BARNABY
Maura. She loved her daughter as
much as I love mine. (GRUNTS) I
see that now.
He begins to slip away.
GWYNNIE
No! Dont you do this!
BARNABY
This was the best day of my life.
The sheriff attempts to pull Gwynnie from him.
SHERIFF
Its over now.
Barnaby closes his eyes. Gwynnie lies on his ches
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
All he had to do to break the curse
was believe he was worthy of
beauty.
Gwynnie sobs.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
That night, my dad found beauty
again.
Maura kneels by Gwynnies side, comforts her.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
ADULT FEMALE NARRATOR (V.O.)
If only for a moment...
THE END