THE BOX

Writtenby

RichardKelly

Basedontheshortstory

"BUTTON, BUTTON"

By

RichardMatheson

Sep
30th,2006

OVER A BLACI: SCREEN:

Cricketschirpinthenight.
ADOORBELLrings.
Sheetsrustle...
ABEDSIDELAMPisturnedon.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BEDROOM -- NIGHT

NORMALEWIS(31)sitsupinbed.Thesoftglow
ofthelamp
castsherinsilhouette.Herhusband,ARTHUR
LEWIS(30),lies
nexttoher.

NORMA
Didyouhearsomething?
 ARTHUR
Thedoorbell.

NORMA
Areyousurethatwasthedoorbell?
Fromdownbelow...theDOORBELLringsagain.

ARTHUR
Yep.
NormaretrievesherWATCHfromthebedside
table.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Whattimeisit?

NORMA
Quarter'tilfive.
Normagetsoutofbedandthrowsonher
bathrobe.
Arthursitsup,hairstickingupinevery
direction.Hehas
sideburnsthatrundownthesideofhisface
likedaggers.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

Normacomesdownthestairsandapproachesthe
frontdoor.
ShelooksthroughthePEEPHOLE.
ThroughthePEEPHOLE...sheglimpsesaBLACK
SEDANidlingin
thestreet.Itquicklydrivesoff.
NormaunlatchestheDEADBOLTandopensthe
door.Shenotices
somethingatherfeet.

 2.
SomeonehasleftaCARDBOARDBOXonthefront
step.It's
dimensionsare1'x1'x1'
Sheleansdownandpicksupthebox,noticing
thatithas
beenmeticulouslysealedwithcleartape.There
areno
markingsonitwhatsoever.
Normalooksdownthequiet,emptystreet.She
quicklycloses
thedoorandturnsinsideandawayfromthe
coldair.
Arthurarrivesatthebottomofthestairs.

ARTHUR
Whatisit?

NORMA
Someoneleftabox.

ARTHUR
Who?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.Therewasacar
waiting...buttheydroveoff.
NormahandstheboxtoArthur.Heexaminesit.

MALE VOICE (O.S.)

IsthatoneofmyChristmas
presents?
Theiryoungson,WALTERLEWIS(9),isstanding
atthetopof
thestairs.Heisdressedinhispajamas.
Hisparentsjuststarebackathiminsilence.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER

TheLewisfamilyhasnowmovedintothe
kitchen.WRAPPING
PAPERandCHRISTMASORNAMENTSarescattered
acrossthetable.
NormaispouringCOFFEE.Arthuriscutting
throughthetape
thatsealstheboxwithaknifewhileWalter
lookson
eagerly.

WALTER
ShouldIclosemyeyes?

ARTHUR
Maybe...it'suptoyou.
Arthuropensthelidandseesthatthereare
FOAMPEANUTS
inside.HedigsdownandretrievesaWOODEN
BOX.Its
dimensionsare8"x8"x8".

3.
TheboxismadeofWHITEOAKwithaclear
varnish.Mountedon
topisaCLEARGLASSDOMEattachedtoalid
withaHINGE
MOUNT.InsideofthedomeisaCYLINDRICAL
METALBUTTON.

NORMA
Isthereanote?
Arthurreachesinsidetheboxandretrievesa
smallWHITE
ENVELOPE.Printedontheenvelopein
CALLIGRAPHYisthename:

MRS. LEWIS

ARTHUR
It'sforyou,Norma.
Normaopenstheenvelopeandremovesafolded
pieceofwhite
stationary.
Printedinelegantcalligraphyisasingle
sentence:

MR. STEWARD WILL CALL UPON YOU AT 5:00 PM.

NORMA
Mr.Stewardwillcalluponyouat5

PM.

(TO HERSELF)
DoIknowaMr.Steward?
Arthuryawns.

ARTHUR
Idunno.Youtellus.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- LATER THAT MORNING

Arthurisnowshoweredandshaven,dressedfor
work.Heand
Waltersitatthekitchentable,waitingfor
Normatodeliver
breakfast.
Theboxsitsonthetablebetweenthem.
Arthuropensupthenewspaper.

INSERT SHOTS:

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH... FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17,

1976.

BANNER HEADLINE:

OPEC SAID TO DECIDE ON SPLIT HIKE

Arthurturnsthepage.

4.

ARTHUR
Whatkindofcarwasit?

NORMA
Icouldn'tsee.Itwasdarkand1
didn'thavemycontactsin.

WALTER
Whywouldtheyjustdriveoff?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.Butthebuswillbe
hereiffiveminutes...soeat.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FRONT WALK -- MOMENTS LATER

NormaandWalteremergefromthehouseontothe
frontporch.
ShehandshimhisLUNCHBOXandaWINTERHAT.
SNOWhasbegun
tofallfromthesky.

WALTER
Lastdayofschoolandnowit
startstosnow?!

NORMA
Putonyourhat...
Ayounggirl,DANA(13)iswaitingattheend
ofthe
sidewalk.Sheiswrappedheadtotoeinwarm
clothes...
EARMUFFSandSCARFaroundherneck.

DANA
(muffledthroughscarf)
HiMrs.Lewis.

NORMA
Goodmorning,Dana.
 (SHIVERING)
AndpleasecallmeNorma.You're
makingmefeelold.

WALTER
Youareold!

NORMA
I'mthirtyone!

WALTER
Tousthat'sold!You'reageezer!

NORMA
Wellyou'llbeageezeroneday
too,smartypants.

5.
Normacloseshereyes,takinginabreathof
coldair.
Snowflakeslandinherfaceandhair.
Waltersighs...lookingathiswatch.

WALTER
Whydoesthebusstophavetobeat
theendofourdriveway?

NORMA

(HIGH-PITCHED)
SoIcanwatchmylittleWalterget
onhisbus...safeinonepiece!
Downthestreet,ASCHOOLBUSbeginstocrest
thehill...
fastapproaching...

WALTER
Please.Go.Inside.You're
embarrassingme.

NORMA
Myloveembarrassesyou?

WALTER
Yes.Yesitdoes.
Shebeginstowalkdownthesidewalk...
tauntinghimasthe
busapproaches.

NORMA
WhatifIgivelittleWaltera
littlekissinfrontofallhis
friendsontheschoolbus?
Dana'seyeswiden.AMISCHIEVOUSGRINemerges
frombehindthe
scarfthatcoversthelowerpartofherface.

DANA
Doit!
Thebusisfastapproaching...brakessquealing
asitslows
toastop.

WALTER
Don'tcomeanycloser!
NormagiveshimabigHUGandaKISSrightas
thebusdoors
open.AbunchofOLDERKIDSstareoutthe
window...scowling
athim.
Walterpushesawayfromherandstompsuponto
thebus...
mortified.Danafollowshim.

 6.

NORMA
Dana...you'rebabysittingforus
tonight,right?

DANA
Eighto'clock?

NORMA
Eighto'clock.

DANA
Okay.
Danagetsonthebus.BUDWALL(30s),thebus
driver,smiles
atNorma.Heisanenormousgiantofamanwith
ashaved
head.

NORMA
BusDriverBud!MerryChristmas...

BUD
Ourlastday!

NORMAL
Iknow!

BUD
It'llallbeoversoon,Norma.
Hestaresatherforamomentthatisalmost
toolong...then
shutsthedoorstothebus.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER

Arthursitsatthetable...readingthemorning
paper.
TheCAMERAzoomsintotheCOMICSSECTION...
revealingthe
panelsofthecomicstripREXMORGAN,MD.
Arthurbegins
readingthevoicesofREXMORGANandhis
girlfriendJUNE.

ARTHUR
(asRexMorgan)
Doyourealizethatthisisthe
firsttimeinmylifethatIwill
betakingmorethanaweek's
vacation,June?
Normaarrivesinthekitchen.Shenowhasa
slightlimp.

ARTHUR (CONT-D)
(asJune,hipitched)
Andenjoyit!Don'tworryaboutthe
office!

.4

7.

NORMA
RexMorgan...Ineedyoubackhere
nolaterthanseven.Rehearsal
dinnerstartsateight.
ArthurgrabshisBRIEFCASEandaBASKETBALL.

ARTHUR
TheVikingSquadhasagameat
four.

NORMA
Don'tgetstuckinFriday
traffic...

ARTHUR
OkayJune.
Hestartsbouncingtheballonthekitchen
floor.
Shegrabstheballinmidbounce...annoyed
withhim.

NORMA
Notinthehouse!

ARTHUR
How'syourfoot?

NORMA
It'sfine.
ShepusheshimtowardintotheFAMILYROOM...
openingthe
doorthatleadsouttothegarage.
TheyexitthehouseandtheCAMERAdriftsback
towardthe
kitchentable...movingintowardthebox.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- DRIVEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

TheGARAGEDOORopensandbothoftheLEWIS
FAMILYCARSback
outatthesametime,almostchoreographedin
perfectunison.
ArthurdrivesaSILVER1975PONTIACTRANSAM.
Normadrivesa
WHITE1976OLDSMOBILESTATIONWAGONwithWOOD
WALLS.
TheypulloutontoMONUMENTAVENUE,cars
pointinginopposite
directions.Arthurrollsdownhiswindow.

ARTHUR
It'syourChristmaspresent.

NORMA
Fromyou?

B.

ARTHUR
Fromyoursecretlover.

(BEAT)
Mr.Steward.
Shefurrowsherbrow.

NORMA

(SARCASTIC)
Ihateyou,RexMorganMD.

ARTHUR

(PLAYFUL)
Ihateyou,too.

NORMA
Don'tbelatetonight.

ARTHUR
I'vegotyourpresentatwork.It's
almostfinished.
Hesmiles...thenpeelsoffdownMonumentAve.
FromNorma'sREARVIEWMIRROR...Arthur'scar
disappearsdown
theroad.Shereachesuptoreadjust...her
eyesappearin
themirror'sreflection.
INSERT:Norma'sVIRGINIAlicenseplate.
TheOldsmobiledrivesdownthestreetinthe
opposite
direction.

EXT. DOWNTOWN RICHMOND -- MORNING

HELICOPTERSHOT:TheCAMERAcrestsoverthe
barrenWINTER
FORESTonthesoutheastsideofthecity...
tippingupto
revealDOWNTOWNRICHMOND,VIRGINIA.

RADIO VOICE (V.0.)

It'stwentythreedegreesonthis
Decembermorningherein
Richmond...
TheCAMERAmovesovertheDOWNTOWN
EXPRESSWAY...heavy
trafficmovesineitherdirection.
TheCAMERAapproachesthesideofARTHUR'S
TRANSAMasit
crestsaroundtheINTERSTATEEXCHANGEonto
ROUTE64atthe
HISTORICALCLOCKTOWERofMAINSTREETTRAIN
STATION.

9.

RADIO VOICE (V.0.) (CONT - D)

TheFrenchgovernment,inwhatwas
seenhereasagesturetoPresident
electJimmyCarter,announced
Thursdayafurthertighteningof
controlsovertheexportationof
nucleartechnology.
TheCAMERAswoopsdownalongsidethedriver's
sideof
Arthur'scar...movingintotheSIDEVIEW
MIRROR.Hisface
reflectedinthemirror...listeningtothe
radioashe
beginshissouthboundcommutetowork.

EXT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- MORNING

TheCAMERApullsbackfrom.asignatthe
entranceto
COLLEGIATE...anexclusivePRIVATESCHOOL.
Norma'sSTATION
WAGONpullsintotheschoolparkinglot.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- HALLWAY -- MOMENTS

LATER

TheCAMERAtrackswithNormaasmakesherway
throughthe
CROWDEDHALLWAY...filledwithLOUDTEENAGERS
fromtheageof
918.Herlimp.hasgottenworse.
SheWINKSatsomeone...thenturnsacornerand
theCAMERA
whipsaroundtorevealWALTERstandingathis
locker.He
closesthedoor,revealingDanaandanother
friendnamed
CHARLES(12)standingthere.

DANA
Whydoesyourmomlimp?

CHARLES
Yeah...issomethingwrongwithher
foot?

WALTER
That'snoneofyourbusiness.

CHARLES
Danasawhertakehershoeoffin
theparkinglotyesterday.

DANA
There'sdefinitelysomethingwrong
withherfoot.Itlooksmangled.

CHARLES
Youdidn'tsaymangled...yousaid
itlookedgross.
WalterlungesatCharlesandpusheshimup
againstthe
locker...awkwardlytryingtofighthim.

10.
Theycontinuetowrestleawkwardlyforamoment
againstthe
lockersandthenWalterletsgo...backing
away.

WALTER
Ifyouevermakefunofmymom
againI'llkillyou!
Walterstormsoffdownthehall.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- OFFICE -- MOMENTS LATER

TheCAMERAmovesthroughtheSCHOOLOFFICEas
teachersand
RECEPTIONISTSmoveaboutinpreparationforthe
lastday,
approachingaFROSTEDGLASSDOORthatreads:

DR. WILLIAM H. POATES

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE --

NEXT

NormasitsacrossfromthedeskofWILLIAM
POATES(45),the
principaloftheschool.

POATES
Theuhhh...theboardcametoa
votelastweek,soit'sofficial.
They'veofficiallycancelledthe
facultytuitiondiscount.
 NORMA
Sowhatdoesthatmeanforme?

P OATE S
You'regoingtohavetostart
payingfulltuitionforyourson.

NORMA
Startingwhen?

POATES
Nextsemester.
NormanoticesaSMALLDROPofBLOODformingin
hisright
nostril.

NORMA
Okay.

POATES
I'mrealsorryaboutthis,Norma.

11.

NORMA
Yeah,metoo.I'vegotthreeweeks
tofigureouthowtotellmysonwe
can'taffordtosendhimto
Collegiateanymore.
Thedropofbloodhasbeguntoflowdownonto
hisupperlip.

POATES
LikeIsaid,I'mrealsorry.

NORMA
Yeah...yournoseisbleeding.
PoatesreachesforhisHANDKERCHIEFandputsit
tohisface,
wipingofftheblood.TheMORNINGBELLrings.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- HALLWAY -- MOMENTS

LATER

Normawalkshurriedlydowntheemptyhallway.
Herlimphas
gottenworseasthemorninggrindhasnow
begun.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- MOMENTS

LATER

NormacomesintoherCLASSROOM...aSCIENCELAB
withSINKS
andBUNSENBURNERSmountedinMARBLETOPDESKS.
Kidsare
movingabout...loudandrambunctious.

NORMA
Okay...everyonequietdown!Take
yourseats!
NormamovestowardastackofMETALTRAYSon
herdesk.Inside
ofeachtrayisaBALLOFBLACKMUSH.

NORMA (CONT-D)
Todayisthedaymanyofyouhave
beeneagerlyawaiting.Yougetto
dissectowlpellets.
AMALESTUDENT(13)pumpshisfist...

MALE STUDENT #1
Yes!
NormasetsanOWLPELLETdowninfrontofa
FEMALESTUDENT
(12).Shelooksattheowlpelletindisgust.

FEMALE STUDENT #1
Thisissogross.
NormasetsatraydowninfrontofCharles.


12.

CHARLES
Whydotheycallitanowlpellet?
AMALESTUDENT(12)nexttohimtakeshistray
fromNorma.

MALE STUDENT #2
Becausetheyshitoutoftheir
mouths.

NORMA
Hey...watchthelanguage.Yousay
anothercusswordI'vegottasend
youtodetention,okay?

MALE STUDENT #2
Sorry,Mrs.Lewis.

FEMALE STUDENT #1
Isittrue?

NORMA
Iswhattrue?

FEMALE STUDENT #1
Thatowlspoooutoftheirmouths.

NORMA
Yes...thisistrue.
Theclassroomgaspsindisgust...otherslaugh.

NORMA (CONT-D)
Greyforestowlsfeeduponfield
mice,squirrelsandsmallbirds.
Theowlwillthenregurgitatethe
bonesandwastematterinaballof
blackmucous.Insidethismucous
youwilllikelyfindtheentire
skeletonofitsprey.
Normagoestothefrontoftheroomandlowers
aSCREEN.

NORMA (CONT-D)
I'mgoingtoshowyouafilmabout
thedigestiveprocessoftheowl,
andhowtheowlpelletisformed.
Theclassroomwhisperswithexcitement.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER -- ENTRANCE

GATE -- MORNING

ArthurpullsthroughtheENTRANCEGATEatthe
NASALANGLEY
RESEARCHCENTER.HeretrieveshisBADGEfrom
thedashboard
andshowsittotheguard.

13.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- MAIN STREET --

MOMENTS LATER

Arthur'scardrivesdownMAINSTREETonthe
campusofthe
researchcenter.Thebuildingsare
predominatelydrab,
functional,onestorybrickstructures..
surroundedby
variousGLOBESTRUCTURESandPIPENETWORKSon
manicuredgreen
lawns.
 INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS
LATER

TheCAMERAtrackswithArthurashemoves
throughthecrowded
corridorofoneoftheresearchbuildings.He
sayshelloto
variouscolleaguesalongtheway.
Allofthemenatthefacilityaredressedthe
same...with
whiteshirtsandTIESandPOCKETPROTECTOR
BADGES.Theplace
resemblesanallmalecommunitycollegefor
youngscientists.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- MEDIA ROOM --

MOMENTS LATER

Arthureaseshiswayintothesmall,crowded
AUDITORIUMthat
servesasaMEDIAROOM.APRESSCONFERENCEis
underway.
NORMCAHILL(40s),theVIKINGPROJECT
COORDINATOR,is
standingatthepodium.Nexttohimisan
OVERHEADPROJECTOR
withmapsandvariousschematicsprojectedfrom
itontoa

LARGE SCREEN.

REPORTER #1
It'sbeenfivemonthssincethe
Vikinglandertoucheddownonthe
surfaceofMars.We'veseendozens
ofphotographsoftherockcovered
surface...whatcanyounowtellus
aboutthetestsyou'vebeen
conducting?Isthereanysignof
lifeontheredplanet?
Arthurtakesaseatinthebackofthe
auditorium.
 CAHILL
Well...therearethreeseparate
teststhatwe'vebeenconducting...
PyrolyticRelease,LabeledRelease
andGasExchange.Thefirsttwo
tests,basedonsoilsamplesabout
22centimetersdeep,cameback
negative...andthethirdis...
stillpending.
Cahillsmiles.Laughtereruptsfromvarious
partsofthe
auditorium.

14.

REPORTER #1
Canyouelaborateontestnumber
three?
CahillplacesatransparentMAPofthemars
surfaceonthe
overheadprojectorandbeginstodrawonit
withaWAX

PENCIL.

CAHILL
Thegasexchangeexperiment
measurestheproductionoruptake
ofC02,nitrogen,methane,
hydrogen,andoxygenduringthe
incubationofthemartiansoil
sample.

REPORTER #2
Areyoushowingusallofthe
photos?Aretherelittlegreenmen
upthere?
Laughterfromthepress.

CAHILL
Well...thereisapossibilitythat
theplanetaboundswithchemical
compoundsproducedbyliving
systems.Theirchemicalnature,
distributionandstructural
uniquenesscouldbeusedtoargue
thepresenceofmicroscopicliving
organismsonMars.
AsCahillmovesontothenextquestion...
Arthurtapsthe
reporterontheshoulder.

ARTHUR
Itallcomesdowntowater.
ArthurpointstoanOVERHEADSATELLITEPHOTOof
Utopia
Planitia,araisedlevelofmartianterrainin
thevicinity
ofthesitewhereVIKINGIIlanded.
Therearedryriverbedformationsinthesoil.

ARTHUR (CONT-D)
Ifwefindwaterbeneaththe
surface...andthetopographicmaps
ofUtopiaPlanitiaindicatethat
therewereonceriversonthe
surfaceoftheplanet,it's
possiblethatwe'lleventuallyfind
evidenceoflife.

15.
 INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- MOMENTS
LATER

TheOWLPELLETFILMisunderway.Normasitsin
thebackof
theclassnexttotheprojector.Shecrosses
herlegs...
reachingforherfoot...massagingitgently.
Shecringes...
clearlyinintensepain.
Charleslooksbackather...noticingthis.
Theymakeeye
contact...andCharlesturnsbacktothe
screen.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- CAHILL'S OFFICE --

MORNING

ArthurnowsitsacrossfromCahillinhis
office.Behindhim
isawindowthatoverlooksahugelaboratory.

CAHILL
I'msorryArthur,butthey've
deniedyourapplicationtobe
admittedintotheastronaut
program.
Arthurlookscrushed.

ARTHUR
Isee.

(BEAT)
CanIaskwhy?

CAHILL
I'msorry,son...buttheydon't
telluswhy.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- LATER

ON

TheCAMERAtracksthroughaLARGELABORATORYin
theheartof
oneofthemainbuildingsontheLangley
campus.
WorktablesassembledwithLABORATORYEQUIPMENT
andMACHINERY
extendoutintoinfinityasDOZENSOFYOUNG
MEN,alldressed
insimilarwhiteshirtswithNASAIDBADGES
movethroughout,
engagedinvarioustasks.
ArthurisstandingataLABORATORYTABLEwitha
WHITEMASK
on.HeiswearingaLABCOATandGLASSES.
HepoursPINKLIQUIDontothesurfaceofa
METALPAN...
fillingittotheedges.
AcolleaguenamedWENDELLJAMES(29)walks
overtoseewhat
heisdoing.

16.

ARTHUR
Aretheyreallywithholdingsome
oftheMarsphotos?

WENDELL
Idon'tknow,man.Jesus...what's
thatsmell?

ARTHUR
It'sasaliniccompound.

WENDELL
Whatareyoumaking?

ARTHUR
ChristmaspresentforNorma.
ArthurretrievesaWHITECERAMICMOLD.Themold
hasan
extrusionthatisshapedlikeaWOMAN'SFOOT...
onlytheend
ofthefootisroundandmissingitstoes,save
forthePINKY

TOE.

WENDELL
Anewprosthesisforherfoot?

ARTHUR
Yep.
ArthurcarefullyimpressestheMOLDofhis
wife'sfootinto
thepinkgoop...sealingthemoldattheedges
intothetray.

WENDELL
Whatdidyouchangeupthistime?

ARTHUR
Thecompoundthey'redevelopingfor
thepilotchairsonthespace
shuttle.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- NEXT

INSERT:TheBONESofaFIELDMOUSEhavebeen
reassembledin
roughformwithinthetray...astheOWLPELLET
hasbeen
rippedapart.
ThetraybelongstoCharles,andhehasgrown
tiredof
dissectingtheowlpellet.
Helooksuptotheheadoftheclassandsees
thatNormais
sittinguponherdesk...filinghernails...
waitingoutthe
lastremainingminutesoftheperiod.

CHARLES
Mrs.Lewis?

17.
Sheraisesherhead.

NORMA
Hmmm?

CHARLES
Whathappenedtoyourfoot?
Shejuststaresathim.

NORMA
Whathappened...tomyfoot?

CHARLES
Yeah.

(BEAT)
Myfriend...shesawyoutakeyour
shoeoff.Shesaid...thatthere's
somethingwrongwithit.
Thewholeclassgoessilent.Normabeginsto
blush.Shelooks
downatherrightfoot,hiddeninsideofa
CLOSEDTOESHOE.

NORMA
Well...it'salongstory.
Shelooksatherwatch.

NORMA (CONT'D)
We'vegotfiveminutesuntilsecond
period.
Shelooksbackatherclassandseesthattheir
curiosityhas
beenpiqued.Shehasnochoicenowbuttotell
them.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Alright...I'lltellyouwhat
happenedtomyfoot.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- NEXT

ArthursitsatthetablewithWendell...
waitingfortheMOLD
todry.Arthurisdealingadeckofcardsas
theybegina
gameofGINRUMMY.

ARTHUR
Whenshewasseventeen...still
livinginTexas,herbrother
droppedabarbellonherfoot...
brokethreeofhertoes.

18.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- NEXT

TheCAMERApansacrossthefacesofSTUDENTSas
theylisten
tohertellthestory.

NORMA
AndsoIgotoseethedoctor.He
goestotakeanXrayofmyfootto
seeifthebonesarebroken.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- NEXT

Arthurdiscards...thenretrievesareplacement
cardfromthe
stack.

ARTHUR
SothisdumbassRichmonddoctor
takesthexray...thenhegoesto
checkonanotherpatientdownthe
hall.
Arthurdiscardsaking.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Thisdumbass...heleftthexray
machineon.

WENDELL
Jesus.That'snotgood.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- NEXT

Normaraisesupherrightshoetoshowthe
class.

NORMA
Theyfoundoutthatthetissuein
fourofmytoeshadbeencompletely

I
destroyedbytheradiation.
Normaswivelsaroundonthedeskandplacesher
rightfoot
againstherleftinnerthigh.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Sotheyhavetoamputatefourofmy
toes.Andthentheyhadtotakea
bunchofskinfrommyinnerthigh
tocoverthefrontofmyfoot.This
isbackin1963...sotheydidn't
havetheskingrafttechniquesthey
donow.

19.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- NEXT

ArthurstandsupandtakeshisRIGHTFOOT...
pullsitupand
touchesittohisLEFTINNERTHIGH.

ARTHUR
Shehadtositthereinahospital
bedinthesamepositionforsix
months,waitingforittoheal.
Wendellstaresatthemoldonthelaboratory
table.

WENDELL
Jesus.Ihopeshesuedthisidiot.

ARTHUR
Ohyeah.Herfamilysued.Theywon.

WENDELL
Whatwasthesettlement?

ARTHUR
Fortythousanddollars.
Arthurpullstheceramicmoldoutofthepink
goop...andwe
seetheIMPRESSIONofherdisfiguredfoot
insidethenew

PROSTHESIS.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- SCIENCE LAB -- NEXT

Normaturnsaroundanduncrossesherlegs.They
nowdangle
overtheedgeofthelabdesk.
 NORMA
Youguyswanttoseeit?Nowthat
thesecretisout...Idon'twant
youspreadingrumorsaboutmy
mangledfoot.
Theclassrespondsenthusiastically.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Comeon...gatherround...takea
lookatthefreakshow.
Asthekidsgatheraround...Normaremovesher
rightshoeand
revealsherdisfiguredfoot...missingevery
toebuther
pinky.AroundedpieceofSCARTISSUEcovers
therestofit.

20.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- NEXT

ArthurtakesthetrimmedPROSTHESISandwraps
itintissue
paper,thenplacesitinaCARDBOARDBOXwitha
redbowon
it.

ARTHUR
Ifthissuckerworks...shecan,
startjoggingagain.

INT. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL -- HALLWAY -- MIDDAY

DanawalksuptoWalterashestandsinfront
ofhislocker.
 DANA
I'msorryIsaidthatherfoot
lookedgross.

WALTER
Itdoesn'tlookgross...itlooks
cool.Andifyoucan'ttellthe
differencebetweengrossand
cool...thenIfeelsorryforyou,
Dana.
Walterwalksoff...leavingheralone.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- AFTERNOON

NormaemergesfromhercarcarryingGROCERY
BAGSinboth
arms.Waltercomesoutofthegaragewithhis
bike.

NORMA
Heyhoney.

WALTER
WhydoIneedababysitter?

NORMA
Becauseyou'renineyearsold.
You'renotageezeryet.

WALTER
It's1976,mom.Timesarechanging.
Nineyearsoldisn'twhatitused
tobe.IthinkI'mreadytogeta
moped.

NORMA
We'renotbuyingyouamoped,
Walter.Stickwiththebike...and
behomebeforedark.

21.

WALTER
Fine.
Walterridesoffdownthestreet.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

Normacomesintothefoyer,groceriesinhand.
ThePHONEis
ringing.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normacomesintothekitchen,setsthe
groceriesdownonthe
kitchentable.Shegrabsthephoneoffthewall
andputsit
toherear.

NORMA
Hello?
Thereissilenceontheotherendoftheline.

NORMA (CONT-D)
Hello?
AMOMENTOFSILENCE...thenthecaller
disconnects.
Normahangsupthephoneandstartsunloading
thegroceries.
Theboxsitsonthetable...butshetakesno
noticeofit.

EXT. GYMNASIUM -- EARLY EVENING

ArthuremergesfromaNASACAMPUSGYMNASIUM
intothetwilight
withWendell.Botharecoveredinsweat,
dressedingym
clothes.ArthuriscarryinghisBASKETBALLand
agymbag.

WENDELL
How'sthecommutebacktoRichmond?

ARTHUR
Nottoobad.Maybeanhourand
twentyminutes.

WENDELL
TellNormaIsaidhello.
Wendellwatcheshimwalkacrossthelawntothe
parking
lot...approachinghiscar.Helightsa
cigaretteandtakesa
drag...thenlooksathiswatch.
INSERT:Hiswatchshowsthatitis4:58PM.

22.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- NEXT

Normasitsonthecouch...smokingaCIGARETTE.
Onthe
TELEVISION...theLOCALNEWSisplaying.
TheDOORBELLrings.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

Normaopensthefrontdoor.
AmannamedARLINGTONSTEWARD(40)isstanding
there,his
bodyisturnedinprofile.Heiswearinga
crispwoolsuit
andaBLACKHAT,withaBRIEFCASEinhisright
hand.

ARLINGTON
Mrs.Lewis?

NORMA
Yeah.

ARLINGTON
MynameisArlingtonSteward.
Hereyeslightup,assheremembersthename
andthebox.
Arlingtonthenrotateshisbody...revealing
theRIGHTSIDE
ofhisface.Norma'seyeswideninhorrorat
whatshesees.
Nearlyalloftherightsideofhisfacefrom
hischeekbone
tohislowerjawhasbeenburnedaway.Hisrear
MOLARSand
GUMSareexposedbeneaththeabsenceoftissue
thatis
supposedtoconcealthem.
Normaimmediatelyfeelsastrangeconnection...
adeep
sympathyforhimandthepainhemusthave
endured.

ARLINGTON (CONT-D)
Iassumeyoureceivedtheboxthat
Ileftonyourdoorstep.
Hisspeechhasaslightimpedimentfromthe
burnthatextends
totherightsideofhismouth.

NORMA
Oh,yes.Yeswedid.

ARLINGTON
Andyouretrievedthebuttonunit
insideofthebox.
Normasmiles.Hesmilesbackather.

23.

NORMA
Thebuttonunit.That'swhatyou
callit?

ARLINGTON
Indeed.MayIcomein?

NORMA
Sure.
Normaturnsandleadshimbackintothe
kitchen.She
retrievesthebuttonunitfromthetable.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Sowhatitthisthing?Iassume
you'retryingtosellmesomething?

ARLINGTON
Well...inaway,yes.Idohavean
offertomake.

NORMA
Yeah?Whatareyouselling?

ARLINGTON
Afinancialopportunity.
Arlingtongesturestowardthetablewithhis
briefcase.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
MayI?
Shenods.Heplacesthebriefcasedownonthe
table.
Hetakesthebuttonunitfromherandsetsit
downonthe
kitchentable.Theybothsitdown.
HethenwithdrawsaSMALLYELLOWENVELOPEfrom
hissuit
jacketpocket.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
insideofthisenvelopeisakey.
Arlingtonopenstheenvelopeandwithdrawsa
smallMETALKEY.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Thisisthekeythatopensthe
glassdomeofthebuttonunit.
Arlingtontheninsertsthekeyintoasmall
HORIZONTALSLOT
atthetopedge.Heturnsthekey,andtheLID
thathouses
theGLASSDOMEpopslose.
TheMETALBUTTONisnowexposed.

24.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Ifyoupushthebutton,oneoftwo
thingswillhappen.

(BEAT)
First,someone...somewhereinthe
world...whoyoudonotknow...
willdie.
Normajuststaresathim.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Then,youwillreceiveapaymentof
twohundredthousanddollars...tax
free.
Arlingtonopensthebriefcase.Insideare
neatlystackedrows
ofONEHUNDREDDOLLARBILLS.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Themoneywillbedeliveredtoyou
incash.
Normacovershermouth...shockedatthesight
ofsomuch
money.

NORMA
Areyouforreal?
Arlingtonsmilesbackather.

ARLINGTON
Mrs.Lewis,Icanassureyouthat
theofferisreal.

NORMA
Whodoyouworkfor?

ARLINGTON
Theguaranteeofpaymenthas
severalrestrictions.One...Iam
notpermittedtodiscloseany
informationabouttotheidentity
ofmyemployers.

(BEAT)
Two...ifyoudiscussthedetails
ofthisfinancialopportunitywith
anyoneotherthanyourhusband,the
offerisnullandvoid,andyou
willnotreceivethemoneyin
returnforhavingpushedthe
button.

(BEAT)
Three...youhavetwentyfour
hours.
Arlingtonglancesathiswatch.

25.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Youhaveuntilfiveo'clock
tomorroweveningtomakeyour
decisionwhetherornottopushthe
button.Atthattime,Iwillreturn
toretrievethebuttonunitfrom
you.Itwillbereprogrammedand
theofferwillbemadetosomeone
else.
Arlingtonplacesthekeybackintothe
envelope,sealsit
withcrispprecision,andhandsitovertoher.
Hethenclosesthebriefcaseandstandsupto
leave.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Untilthen...agooddaytoyou,
Mrs.Lewis.
Henodshisheadandturnstowardthefoyer.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

Shefollowshimtowardthefrontdoor.

NORMA
Waitaminute...you'rejustgoing
toleavemewiththisthing.

(BAFFLED)
Isthissomekindofjoke?Whoare
you?
Heopensthefrontdoorandturnsbacktoher
withafriendly
smile.
 ARLINGTON
MynameisArlingtonSteward,andI
canassureyouthatthisisno
joke.Theofferisreal,butIam
notatlibertytodiscloseanymore
informationthanIalreadyhave.
HewithdrawsaBUSINESSCARDandhandsitto
her.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Goodday.
Heheadsdownthewalktowardhiscar.
Shelooksdownatthecardandseesthathis
nameisprinted
inanembossedBLACKFONT:

ARLINGTON STEWARD

26.
Sheturnsthecardoverandseeswhatlooks
likeaPHONE
NUMBERprintedontheback:

8047941779
Shestandsthereinthedoorwayandwatcheshim
stepintothe
automobile,starttheengineanddriveoff.

EXT. CARYTOWN SHOPPING CENTER -- AFTERNOON

Walterissittingonabenchinfrontofaline
ofshopsin
CARYTOWN.Danaapproacheshim.
Heturnstofaceher.

WALTER
Whatdoyouwant?

DANA
I'msorry.Ijustwantedtotell
you...thatIthinkyourmomis
beautiful.
Walterjuststaresatherinsilence...wanting
toforgive
her.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normawalksbackintothekitchen,holdingthe
keyenvelope
inonehandandthebusinesscardintheother.
Shestaresatthemboth,thendownatthebox.
Shethen
retrievesthekeyfromtheenvelopeandinserts
itintothe
slot,openingtheglassdome.
Shestaresatthebuttonforalongmoment...
thenclosesthe
dome.Shecloseshereyes...tryingtomake
senseofwhathas
justtranspired.

INT. BURNS HOUSE -- NEXT

TheCAMERAzoomsoutfromaRINGINGPHONEthat
sitsona
KITCHENCOUNTERinalargesuburbanhouse.
SUSANBURNS(50s)
goestoanswerthephone.

SUSAN
Hello?

NORMA (PHONE)
Heymom.

SUSAN
Heyhoney.What'sup?

27.

NORMA (PHONE)
Nothing...Ijust...
TheCAMERAcontinuestozoomout,revealing
herhusband,JIM
BURNS(50s)laidoutinarecliner,watching
television.

SUSAN
Issomethingwrong?

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normastaresatthebusinesscard.

NORMA
No...somethingjusthappened
and...

SUSAN (PHONE)
What?

NORMA
Nothing.Idon'twanttotalkabout
itrightnow.

INT. BURNS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- NEXT

Susancarriesthephoneintothefamilyroom

SUSAN
Alright.
(coveringthephone)
Jim...yougottagetready.

JIM
Alright.
Hesitsupandmovestowardthestairs.

SUSAN
Waituntilyouseethespread
tonight.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normatwirlsthephonecordaroundherfinger.

NORMA
Hmmm.Ithinkthey'respendingmore
ontheirweddingthanwedidonour
house.

SUSAN (PHONE)
Isyourfootactingupagain?

28.
Normaleansagainstthewall...liftingher
rightfootoff
thefloortoeasethepain.

NORMA
Alittle,yeah.Thatdamnbone.The
skinfrommyleg,it'snotastough
asitshouldbe.

SUSAN (PHONE)
Youknowhe'sgonnabethere
tonight.

NORMA
Who?

SUSAN
Dr.Stupid.
Normatakesthisin...remembering...

NORMA
Well...it'sbeenwhat...thirteen
years?Boundtorunintoeachother
atsomepoint,right?

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BATHROOM -- LATER ON

NormaisnowwearingonlyherBRAANDPANTIES,
herhairand
makeupflawless.Shefinishesputtingona
pairofDIAMOND

EARRINGS.
AsshestepsintoanelegantCOCKTAILDRESS...
weseethe
deepsquareshapedSCARSontheinsideofher
LEFTTHIGH.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BEDROOM -- NEXT

Normacomesintothebedroom...andARTHURis
there...
puttingonhisCUFFLINKS.Heisdressedina
TUXEDO.
Hisjacketislaidoutonthebed,andnextto
itishis
CHRISTMASPRESENT.Normaseesit.

NORMA
What'sthis?

ARTHUR
AlittlegiftfromDr.RexMorgan.
Sheopensthepresentandretrievesthe
PROSTHESIS.

NORMA
Ohmygod!

29.
Normaremovesanold,storeboughtINSOLEfrom
herrightshoe
andinsertsthenewone.

ARTHUR
It'samaterialtheydevelopedfor
thenewshuttlechairs.It'll
absorbthepressureofyourfoot
andredistributeitacrossthe
entiresurfacearea.
Shethenslidesherdisfiguredfootintothe
shoe...and
beginstowalkaroundtheroom.

NORMA
OhmyGod,Rex...how'dyoudoit?

ARTHUR
Ijustfiguredoutawaytomakeit
better.
Shecrossestheroomandgiveshimahuganda
kiss.

NORMA
Idon'tknowwhatI'ddowithout
you.

ARTHUR
MerryChristmas,June.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

NormaandArthurcomeintothefamilyroom,
wearingtheir
wintercoats.Walterissittingacrossthe
coffeetablewith
Dana.TheyareplayingCARDS.
Theboxissittingbetweenthem.

WALTER
DidMr.Stewardshowup?
Normaseestheboxsittingthereand
immediatelygrabsitoff
thetable.

ARTHUR
Yeah...what'sitallabout.Didhe
showup?

NORMA
Yeah...I'lltellyouaboutitin
thecar.We'rerunninglate.
NormaleansdownandkissesWalteronthe
cheek.

30.

NORMA (CONT'D)
We'llbehomelate...yourbedtime
isten.
Danawatchesthemgo...hereyestransfixedon
theboxin
Norma'shands.

EXT. RIVER ROAD -- NIGHT

TheCAMERAtrackswithArthur'scarasit
drivessouthon
CARYSTREET...approachinganintersection.

INT. ARTHUR'S CAR -- NEXT

Normahastheboxsittinginherlapwhile
Arthurdrives.

NORMA
AndbeforeIcouldaskhimanything
else...hegotinhiscar...andhe
pulledoff.

ARTHUR
Didyougetthelicenseplate?

NORMA
No.

ARTHUR
Yourdadiscop,Norma.Alwaysget
thelicenseplatenumber.

NORMA
Iwaslittleoverwhelmed,Arthur.

ARTHUR
Somewhereintheworld...someone
youdonotknowwilldie.

NORMA
Thosewerehisexactwords.

ARTHUR
Didhesayhowtheywoulddie?

NORMA
No.

ARTHUR
Andheshowedyouthecash.

NORMA
Yeah.Hesaiditwastwohundred
thousand.Itlookedrealtome.

31.

ARTHUR
Whatdidhelooklike?

NORMA
Youdon'twanttoknow.Ithink
he'saburnvictim.Poorthing...
halfofhisfaceisgone.

ARTHUR
Really?

NORMA
Ithinkmaybehe'salifeinsurance
salesman.Maybethat'swhatitis.
It'ssomekindofsurvey.Wepush
thebuttonandheoffersusa
discountonatwohundredthousand
dollarlifeinsurancepolicy.
Joke'sonus.

EXT. COUNTRY CLUB OF VIRGINIA -- NIGHT

TheCAMERAdescendsupontheCOUNTRYCLUBOF
VIRGINIA.Itis
aMASSIVECOLONIALMANSIONthatsitsupona
hugehillthatis
litteredwithCHRISTMASLUMINARIESthatglowin
thenight.

EXT. C.C.V. -- PARKING LOT -- NIGHT

WeapproachArthur'scarastheypullintoa
PARKINGSPACEin
frontofthemainentrance.

INT. ARTHUR'S CAR -- NEXT

Arthurgrabstheboxfromoffherlap.
 ARTHUR
Didyoubringthekeywithyou?
Shehandsittohim.
Hetakesthekeyandinsertsit...openingthe
glassdome.
HethentakeshisINDEXFINGERandplacesiton
thebutton.

NORMA
Whatthehellareyoudoing?!

ARTHUR

(PLAYFUL)
Iwasgonnapushthebutton.

NORMA
No!

32.
Normareachesoverandsnapsthedomeclosed.

ARTHUR
Youthinkit'sforreal.
Shetakestheboxbackfromhim.

NORMA
Idon'tknow.Hewas...heseemed
verysureofhimself.Ifit'ssome
kindofsurvey...then...he'sa
reallygoodsalesmanbecauseI
believehim.Ibelievethathe
mightgiveusthatmoney.

ARTHUR
Dothenyouthinkhe'samaniacand
hemightgokillsomeone?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.
Arthurtakestheboxbackfromher.Heshakes
it...then
flipsitover.HeseesthatthereisaSINGLE
SCREWonthe
bottomcornerthatholdsittogether.

ARTHUR
Opentheglovecompartment.There's
aphilipsheadscrewdriverin
there.
SheopenstheGLOVECOMPARTMENTandretrievesa
PHILLIPSHEAD
SCREWDRIVERforhim.

NORMA
Whatareyoudoing?
Arthurisnowunscrewingthebottomofthebox.

ARTHUR
I'mgonnaseewhat'sinsideofit.
Heremovesthescrew...andseesthatthe
woodenbaserotates
onaRODMOUNTontheoppositecorner.
INSIDE...itiscompletelyempty.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Nothing...notransmitter...no
radio.Ifwepushedthebutton
rightnow...he'dhavenowayof
knowing.
Shetakestheboxfromhimandclosesthedome.

 33.

EXT. C.C.V. -- PARI:ING LOT -- MOMENTS LATER

ArthurpopsopenthetrunkandNormaplacesthe
boxinside.
Heshutsthetrunkandtheybegintowalk
towardtheentrance
totheCOUNTRYCLUB.Arthurthenholdsouthis
handtohis
wife.

ARTHUR
Letmeholdthekey.

NORMA
Whydoyougettoholdit?

ARTHUR
Becauseyou'llloseitNorma.You
can'tholdyourliquor.

NORMA
Neithercanyou.

ARTHUR
Whatifsomeonetakesyourpurse?I
havepockets.Letmeholdit.

NORMA
Fine.
Normagoesthroughherpurseandhandsthe
smallenvelopeto
him.Theymovetowardtheentrancetothe
countryclub.

INT. C.C.V. -- GRAND BALLROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

TheCAMERAfollowsNormaandArthurintothe
GRANDBALLROOM
ofthecountryclub.Thereareseveralhundred
people
there...alldressedinblacktie.AMASSIVE
CHRISTMASTREE
sitsinthecenteroftheroom,surroundedby
tables.
APIANOPLAYERplaysCHRISTMASCAROLSuponthe
stage.

NORMA
Jesus.Allthisforarehearsal
dinner...Deborahissolucky.
Rememberourrehearsaldinner?

ARTHUR
Yeah.Kegpartyinourbackyard.
SusanandJimarestandingwithARTHURLEWIS,
SR(50s)and
BEVLEWIS(50s).ArthurandNormagooverto
greetthem.
TheCAMERAdriftsovertoaPLACARDthat
reads:

DEBORAH ANNE BURNS - EDWARD REED POWELL

34.

REHEARSAL DINNER RECEPTION

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- NEXT

Danaentersthefamilyroomandhandsapackage
toWalter.

DANA
MerryChristmas...
Waltertakesthepackageandbeginstoremove
thewrapping
paper.
InsideisaCOMICBOOK.Hepullsitoutofthe
wrapping...
andonthecoverisanillustrationofaDARK
FIGUREwalking
uponaREDDESERTSURFACE.
Thetitleis:THEMANFROMMARS
Walterlooksatthecoverinawe.

WALTER
ThanksDana.Mydadisgonnalove
this.

INT. C.C.V. -- GRAND BALLROOM -- LATER ON

NormaandArthurarenowseatedaroundatable
withbothsets
ofparents.Bevisrunningherhandthrough
Arthur'slong
hair.

BEV
Whenareyougonnacutthishair?

ARTHUR
Never.

BEV

(TO NORMA)
Areyoustillcuttinghishair?

NORMA
Uhhuh.

ARTHUR SR.
AreyouLeonardorSkynard?

BEV
Wellhoney...they'renevergonna
letyouintoouterspacewiththese
sideburns.

SUSAN
They'reallwearingthemthatway
now,Bev.


35.
NATHANBURNS(26),Norma'swheelchairbound
youngerbrother,
comesrollingup.

NATHAN
Outerspace?Issomeoneplanningon
departingthesurfaceoftheearth?

ARTHUR
Nathan!
Arthurstandsupandgiveshimahug.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
It'sbeenyears.Howhaveyoubeen?

NATHAN
I'vebeenbetter...Imean,Iused
tohavelegs...
Thetablegoessilent...Susanlooksasthough
shemight
starttocry.

NATHAN (CONT'D)
Sorry...morbidhumor.What'sthis
talkaboutouterspace?

NORMA
ArthurhasbeenworkingatNasa.

JIM
Hehelpeddesignthecamerathat
photographedtheMarssurface.
ArthurputshishandsonthebackofNathan's
wheelchair.
 ARTHUR
NathanandIaregonnagograba
drink...
HebeginstowheelNathantowardthebar.

NORMA
Arthurmademeanewprosthesisfor
myfoot.Somespaceageformula...
it'sincredible.

JIM
CanhemakeNathanapairof
prostheticlegs?

INT. C.C.V. -- GRAND BALLROOM -- BAR -- MOMENTS

LATER

ArthurnowsitswithNathanoverbythebar.

36.

NATHAN
Canyoubelieveit?Isurvive
eighteenmonthscrawllingthrough
theVietnamjungleandnotone
bulletsomuchasgrazesmybody.

(BEAT)
AndIcomehome,takeafewtabsof
LSDataGratefulDeadshowand
wrapmycararoundatree.
Arthurdoesn'tknowhowtorespond.

NATHAN (CONT'D)
Prettydamnsad...losingthelegs
thatway,butIalwaysthoughtit
wasKarmicretributionforwhatI
didtoNorma.

ARTHUR
What'dyoueverdotoNorma?

NATHAN
Idroppedthatbarbellonherfoot
whenwewerekids.That'swhyshe
wenttogetthatxray.Ifit
wasn'tforme...she'dstillhave
allhertoes.

ARTHUR
Youcan'tthinkofitthatway.

NATHAN
Whynot?It'sthetruth.

ARTHUR
Youdidn'tleavethexraymachine
on,Dr.Stupiddid.

NATHAN
Yeah,butmymistakesentherto
Dr.Stupid...sothatmakesme
culpableintheeyesofBuddha.

ARTHUR
You'renomoreculpablethanthe
companythatmanufacturedthe
barbell.Stoppunishingyourself.
Nathansmilesinappreciationandtakesalong
swigofJack
Daniels.

NATHAN
Youknowhe'shere.

ARTHUR
Who?

37.

NATHAN
Dr.Stupid.
Nathannodshisheadacrosstheroom...where
DR.EARLSTUPE
(50s)isseatedatatablewithhiswife.

NATHAN (CONT'D)
Dr.EarlStupe.He'sstillgota
practiceoveronthewestend.
Arthurlooksoverathim...foramomentthey
makebriefeye
contact...andStupequicklylooksaway.

INT. C.C.V. -- GRAND BALLROOM -- NEXT

SusanisnowstaringatDr.Stupe.Theyare
joinedbyDEBORAH
BURNS(24),Norma'syoungersisterandbride
tobe.

SUSAN
Iwonderifheevenrecognizesus.

JIM
I'msurehedoes.

DEBORAH
Ican'tbelievetheystilllethim
practicemedicine.

NORMA
Yougottaletitgo.Yougotta
learntoforgiveandforget.

SUSAN
I'dbewillingtoforgivehimifhe
would'vejustadmittedhis
negligenceunderoath.Thebastard
lied...saiditwasthexray
machinethatmalfunctioned.
SENATORGRIFFITHPOWELL(50s)andhisson
EDWARDPOWELL
(20s),approach.Edwardisthehusbandtobe.

SUSAN (CONT'D)
WellSenator!Youlookveryspiffy
tonight!

POWELL
Nowthatthemidtermelectionsare
over...thesmilelinesare
startingtofade.
Powellputsonafakesmile,grabsJim'shand
andtheyboth
wave...pokingfunatpoliticianbehavior.

38.

SUSAN
Well...weallvoted!
PowelllooksoveratNorma.

POWELL
Norma...right?

NORMA
That'sright.
Heshakesherhand...fascinatedbyher.

POWELL
Andyou'remarriedtotheaspiring
astronaut.
 NORMA
That'sright.Thereheisright
overthere.
ShepointsovertoArthurthebar.Powelllooks
overat
him...andtheybrieflymakeeyecontact.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- NEXT

DanaandWalteraresittingonthefloor,
playingMONOPOLY.

DANA
Walter?

WALTER
Yeah?

DANA
Willyoutakemedowntothe
basement?Iwanttoseeyourdad's
darkroom.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- BASEMENT -- MOMENTS LATER

DanaandWaltercomedownthestairsintothe
BASEMENTofthe
house.REDLIGHTenvelopstheroom.Thereare
twolongwooden
WORKBENCHESrunningdownthemiddle.
ThereareaseriesofBLACKANDWHITE
PHOTOGRAPHShanging
fromawire.Eachoneshowsadifferentviewof
thesurface
ofMARS.

DANA
IsthatMars?

WALTER
Yep.

39.

DANA
Whatdidyourdadhavetodowith
theViking?

WALTER
Hehelpeddesignthecamera.
WalterpointstoaPLASTICPROTOTYPEMODELof
theVIKING
LANDERmountedonathirdWORKBENCHattheend
oftheroom.
AmodeloftheMARSSURFACEhasbeenrecreated
andpainted
withexactingdetail.

WALTER (CONT'D)
He'smakingthemodelforthe
sciencemuseum.
WalterpointstooneofTWOCAMERASmountedon
thefrontof
theSPIDERSHAPEDLANDINGMODULE.Thecamerais
cylindrical
andfeaturesaVERTICALSLOTonthefront.

WALTER (CONT'D)
Theydesignedthecamerato
photographin360degrees.Itscans
intheimageonelineatatime...
andtakesaboutfiveminutesto
completeonerevolution.

DANA
Howdotheygettheimagesbackto
earth?

WALTER
Radiotransmission.Theyfigured
outawaytointerpretthescan
linesandthenprintthemonto
film.

DANA
Howlongdoesittaketotransmit
backtoearth?

WALTER
Abouttenhours.
DanalooksoveratthewallandseesaNEWYORK
TIMESFRONT
PAGEfromSeptemberwithalargeimageofMARS
onit.

WALTER (CONT'D)
Theytestedthecamerainthe
parkinglotatLangleylastyear.
WalterpointstoanotherFRAMEDPHOTOGRAPHon
thewall.In
theblack&whitephotograph,weseeagroupof
FIFTYNASA
EMPLOYEESassembledinalonglineinaPARKING
LOT.
Walterpointstohisfatherstandinginthe
group.

40.

WALTER (CONT'D)
There'smydad.
Hemoveshisfingeracrossthelineofsmiling
faces...
ARTHURappearsforaSECONDTIMEintherow.
 WALTER (CONT'D)
Andthereheisagain.
Walterthenmoveshisfingerdowntowardthe
rightsideof
thephoto...ARTHURLEWISappearsforathird
time.

WALTER (CONT'D)
Andthereheisagain.
Danalookscloseatthephoto.

DANA
How'dhedothat?

WALTER
Becausethecameratakesfive
minutestoscanin360degrees,he
waiteduntilthecamerapassedover
himthenjumpedaheadinthe
circle.
TheCAMERAmovesinclosertothephotograph...
totheTHIRD
VERSIONofARTHURLEWIS.

DANA
Yourdadsoundsprettyclever.

WALTER
Mydadismorethanjustclever,
Dana.Mydadisthecoolestmanwho
everwalkedthefaceoftheearth.
TheCAMERAZOOMSinclosetoArthur'sface...
thentipsdown
toanotherMANkneelingonthepavement
directlybelowhim.
ItisARLINGTONSTEWARD...smilingatthe
camera.Hisfaceis
normal...noevidenceofanyburnvisible...

INT. C.C.V. -- GRAND BALLROOM -- NIGHT

NormaandArthurarenowDANCINGamongagroup
ofpeoplein
frontofthestagethestage,whereaWOMAN
SINGERis
performingWHITECHRISTMAS.

NORMA
Twohundredthousanddollarsisa
lotofmoney,Arthur.

41.

ARTHUR
Whatwouldwedowiththatkindof
money?

NORMA
WecouldgetoutofRichmond...
movetoCalifornia.

ARTHUR
Thenwecouldcrosstheborderinto
Mexicoiftheyevercameafterus.

NORMA
Youcan'tarrestsomeonefor
pushingabutton,Arthur.It'snot
aweapon.It'snotagun.We
wouldn'tbeculpable...notina
courtoflaw.

ARTHUR
Whatifit'ssomeone'sbaby?

NORMA
Whatifit'ssomemurdererondeath
rowinChina?

ARTHUR
Whatifit'sourneighboracross
thestreet.Doyouknowour
neighborsacrossthestreet?Have
youevermetthem?

NORMA
Yeah.DougandDonna.

ARTHUR
Hmmm.Ihaven'tmetDougorDonna.

(BEAT)
Whatdoesitmeantoofficially
knowsomeone,anyway?Doyouknow
me,Norma?

NORMA
Iknowyoubetterthanyouknow
yourself.

ARTHUR
DoyouknowWalter?

NORMA
EvenbetterthanIknowyou.
Theyspinaroundonthedancefloor.

ARTHUR
It'sjustastupidprank,Norma.

42.

NORMA
Lifeinsurance.
Arthurgazesacrosstheballroomtowardthe
bar.Nathansits
therealone...finishinghisdrink.

EXT. C.C.V. -- PARKING LOT --LATER THAT NIGHT

ArthurandNormawatchasJimhoistsNathanup
intotheirVAN
withaHYDRAULICLIFT.Heispassedoutdrunk.
Behindhim...Dr.Stupeiswaitinginlineat
thevaletfor
hiscar.HeandNormamakeeyecontact.His
eyesdartdownto
thepavementashestepsintohiscar.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FAMILY ROOM -- LATER ON

NormaandArthurcomeintothefamilyroom.
Danaisasleepon
thecouch.Normasetstheboxdownonthe
coffeetableand
goestowakeDana.

NORMA
Dana...
Dana'seyesslowlyopen.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Arthurwilldriveyouhome,okay?

DANA
Ihavemybike...andmyhouse
isn'tfarfromhere.

NORMA
Where'sWalter?

DANA
He'sasleepupstairs.
ArthurhandsDanaatendollarbill.

ARTHUR
Areyousureyoudon'tneedaride?

DANA
I'msure.
 ARTHUR
Goodnight,Dana.
Danaexitsthroughthefrontdoor.Normastands
upandmoves
towardthefoyer.

43.

NORMA
CanyouturnofftheChristmastree
lights?

ARTHUR
Ilikeleavingthemon.

NORMA
It'safirehazard.

ARTHUR
ItkeepstheChristmasspiritalive
whilewesleep.

NORMA
Wecoulddie.

ARTHUR
Everyonedieseventually,Norma.
Shestaresatthetree.

NORMA
Fine.Leavethemon.
Shegoesupstairs...leavinghimalonewiththe
glowingtree.
Arthurlooksdownatthecoffeetable.Thebox
sitsthere...
tauntinghim.HeretrievestheKEYENVELOPE
fromhispocket
andstaresatit.
Hethenwalksovertothewallandunplugsthe
Christmastree
lights.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BEDROOM -- LATER THAT

NIGHT

NormaandArthurlayinbed,facinginopposite
directions.
Neitherofthemcansleep.
Arthurrollsoverandwrapshisarmaroundher.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- WALTER'S BEDROOM -- NEXT

TheCAMERAapproachesWalter'sbed.Hehasmade
aTENTunder
thecovers.Alightglowsfrominside.
UNDERTHECOVERS...Walterhasaflashlightand
heisreading
thecomicbook.
INSERT:Variousillustrationsfromthecomic...
aHUGETEMPLE
withamassiveflyingbeastflyingaboveit.A
METEOR
hurtlingtowardEARTH...

44.
::WT.CARYTOWNE.kTRSLO1EARLYMORNING
AttheCARYTOWNHAIRSALON...theCAMERAzooms
outfromNorma
asshesitsunderaDOME,dryingherhair.Next
toherisher
sisterDeborahandseveralotherBRIDESMAIDS
forthewedding.
Theotherwomenaregabbing...readingfashion
magazines.
Normaseemslostinherownworld.

EXT. CARYTOWN HAIR SALON -- LATER ON

NormaandDeborahemergefromthehairsalon
withtheothers
intow.Lurkingdownattheendofthesidewalk
isBudWall,
Walter'sbusdriver.
Thehugemanwatchesthemintensely.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

NormahasArlington'sBUSINESSCARDout.She
staresatthe
number.Arthurcomesinwiththemorningpaper.
Theboxsitsonthekitchentable.She
retrievesthekeyand
insertsitintotheslot...openingtheglass
dome.Arthur
comesintothekitchen.

NORMA
We'llneverseethatmuchmoney.

ARTHUR
Whydoyousaythat?

NORMA
BerealisticArthur...youworkfor
thegovernment.

ARTHUR
Maybenotforever.

NORMA
We'llneverleaveRichmond.

ARTHUR
Doyouwanttomove?
 NORMA
WehavetoputWalterinpublic
school.

ARTHUR
Why?

45.

NORMA
Collegiatewithdrewthefaculty
tuitiondiscount.

ARTHUR
No...

NORMA
Yeah.Theydid.

(BEAT)
Evenifwesoldmycarandmoved
intoasmallerhouse,wecouldn't
affordthatschool.

ARTHUR
No...

NORMA
We'dhavetoenrollhimat
Hopewell.Unless...

ARTHUR
Unlesswhat,Norma?
Shereachesoutandholdsherfingeroverthe
button...
thinking.Shethenpicksupthebusinesscard
withherother
hand,flipsitoverandstaresatthenumber.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Areyougonnacallhim?

NORMA
Yeah.
Normabeginstodialthenumberonthecard.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- NEXT

TheCAMERAcranesdownintotheWILLOWLAWN
MOTELonthe
northsideofRichmond.Thetwostorybuilding
hasaSWIMMING
POOLadjacenttosouthside.

INT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- ROOM 234 -- NEXT

TheCAMERAzoomsoutfromaRINGINGTELEPHONE
thatsitson
thebedsidetable.
Arlingtonsitsonthebed...staringsilently
atthewall.He
picksupthereceiverandplacesittohisear.

ARLINGTON
HelloMrs.Lewis.

46.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normapausesforamoment...wonderinghowhe
couldhave
knownitwasher.
 NORMA
IsthisMr.Steward?

ARLINGTON (PHONE)
Ofcourseitis.

NORMA
Howdidyouknowitwasme...are
youtracingthiscall?

ARLINGTON (PHONE)
Timeisrunningout...haveyou
madeyourdecision?
NormalookstoArthur...whopacesaroundthe
kitchen.

NORMA
Ifwepushthebutton...areyou
goingtomurdersomeone?

INT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- ROOM 234 -- NEXT

Arlingtonleansbackonthemotelroombed.

ARLINGTON
Whenyoupushthebutton...
somewhereinthisworld...someone
youdonotknow...willdie.I
nevermentionedthewordmurder.

NORMA (PHONE)
Howwilltheydie?

ARLINGTON
I'mnotatlibertytodisclosethat
information.Besides...itwould
spoilthefun.

NORMA (PHONE)
Areyousellinglifeinsurance?

ARLINGTON
Iamnotatlibertytodiscloseany
informationaboutmyemployers.I
canonlyremindyouthattheoffer
isreal...
(lookingathiswatch)
.anditexpiresinapproximately
eighthours.

47.

NORMA (PHONE)
Whydoyoudothis?Whatdoyouget
outofthisdeal?

ARLINGTON
Absolutelynothing.Therewardis
foryou.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normapacesaroundwiththephone.

ARLINGTON (PHONE)
Isthereanythingelse,Mrs.Lewis?
IhaveanappointmenttomakeandI
don'twanttobelate.

NORMA
Canwemeetinperson?I'dliketo
seeyou...beforewemakeourfinal
decision.

ARLINGTON
Why...I'mlookingatyouright
now,Norma.

NORMA
Excuseme?
 ARLINGTON
Thegreyspottedowl...inyour
backyard.
Normaturnsandlooksoutthelargepicture
windowinthe
kitchennook.Outsideinthebackyard,anOWL
isperchedon
aplanter.
Thelargebirdsitsmotionless...itslarge
SAUCEREYESdo
notblink.
Normastaresatitforalongmoment...
transfixed.Arthur
pacesaroundthekitchen...facingintheother
direction.
Outside...theowlfliesawaybeforeArthur
noticesit.

NORMA
Hello?
Thereisnoresponse.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Mr.Steward?Areyoustillthere?
Normahangsupthephone.Shestaresatthe
box...thenat
herhusband,ashesitsdownacrossfromher.

48.

ARTHUR
WhatdoyouwanttodoNorma?

NORMA
We'regonnahavetopullWalterout
ofthatschool.

ARTHUR
Thenpushit.

(TAUNTING)
Pushthebutton,Norma...pushthe
button.Idareyou.Idoubledog
diddlydareyou.

NORMA
I'mscaredto.

ARTHUR
Well...ifyoudon'tpushit...
thenIwill.

(BEAT)
Thisisstupid.
Arthurreachesouttopushthebutton...but
shegrabshis
wristwithherlefthand,restraininghim.

NORMA
Ladiesfirst.
Shethenreachesoutandpressesdownonthe
buttonwithher
indexfinger.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- 911 EMERGENCY --

NEXT

TheCAMERAtracksalongaseriesofCUBICLESat
thePOLICE
STATIONindowntownRichmond.AFEMALEOPERATOR
sitsateach
cubicle...

OPERATOR #1
911emergency...howmayIdirect
yourcall?
TheCAMERAmovesincloser...

OPERATOR #1 (CONT'D)
Excuseme?Youneedtoslowdown...
Ican'tunderstandwhatyou're
saying.
Shelistenstothevoiceontheotherendof
theline.

OPERATOR #1 (CONT'D)
Soyouheardloudscreamingand
thenagunshot.

(BEAT)

(MORE)

49.

OPERATOR #1 (CONT'D)
Whatisyouraddress?

(BEAT)
1500CaryStreet.

EXT. 1500 CARY STREET -- MOMENTS LATER

TwoPOLICECARSpullupwiththeirSIRENS
blaringinfrontof
aTOWNHOUSEonCaryStreet.TWOPOLICEOFFICERS
emergefrom
eachcarandapproachthefrontofthe
townhouse.
Theybegintobangloudlyonthedoor.AFEMALE
NEIGHBOR
(20s)emergesfromthetownhousenextdoor.

NEIGHBOR

(DISTRAUGHT)
Iheardagunshot...thenheran
outthefrontdoorandgotinhis
car.
ThePOLICEOFFICERlooksathispartnerand
thenproceedsto
KICKDOWNthedoor.

INT. 1500 CARY STREET -- FOYER -- NEXT

TheOFFICERSmovethroughthetownhousewith
theirGUNS
drawn.TheSCREAMINGofaYOUNGGIRLcanbe
heardfrom
upstairs.

INT. 1500 CARY STREET -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

TheOFFICERSenterthekitchen.AWOMAN(20s)
namedAMY
BEVILACQUAisslumpedoveronthekitchen
floorinapoolof
blood.
TheCAMERAmovesintowardherface.

INT. 1500 CARY STREET -- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- NEXT

AnOFFICERapproachestheBATHROOMDOORatthe
endofthe
hall.Thescreaminggirlfrominsideisbawling
hereyesout.
TheOfficerseesatinyHANDemergefrom
underneaththedoor.
Sheisreachingoutforhelp.Hegoestoopen
thedoor,but
thereisaLARGEDEADBOLTLOCKmountedonthe
outside.

OFFICER #1
Honey...Ineedyoutobackaway
fromthedoor...I'MGONNAHAVETO

KICK IT DOWN?
Thescreamingbeginstosubside.


50.

OFFICER #1 (CONT'D)

BACK AWAY FROM THE DOOR!

FEMALE VOICE
okay...
TheOfficerthenkicksthedoordown.

INT. 1500 CARY STREET -- UPSTAIRS BATHROOM --

NEXT

Insidethebathroom...aYOUNGGIRL(7)is
coweringinthe
bathtub...hyperventilating...

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

NormaandArthuraresittingacrossfromone
anotherin
silence.ThereisanemptyBOTTLEOFWINEon
thetable.

ARTHUR
There'snoturningbacknow.
Secondslater...THEDOORBELLRINGS.
BothNormaandArthurjumpintheirseats.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

NormaandArthurmovetowardthefrontdoor.
Normaputsher
eyetothePEEPHOLE.Arlington'sdisfigured
facestaresback
ather.
Sheopensthedoor.Arlingtonstandsthere
smiling...
briefcaseinhand.

ARLINGTON
Hello,Mrs.Lewis.

NORMA
Hi.

ARLINGTON
Doyouhavethebuttonunit?

NORMA
Uhh...yeah...it'sinthekitchen.
Normagoestothekitchentoretrievethebox,
leavingArthur
alonewithArlington.

ARLINGTON
AndyoumustbeMr.Lewis.

51.
Arthurstaresathim...transfixed.Doeshe
recognizehim
fromsomewhere?
Normareturnswiththeboxandhandsitoverto
him.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Andthekey?

NORMA
Oh...sorry...
Normareachesintoherpocketandretrievesthe
small
envelopeandplacesitinhishand.

ARLINGTON
Thankyou.
ArlingtonthenopenstheBRIEFCASEandshowsit
tothem.
Inside...thebillsarestackedneatlyinrows.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Twohundredthousand.Youcancount
itifyoulike.
Arthurtakesthebriefcasefromhimandthen
closes.

ARTHUR
Thanks...wetrustyourword.
Arlingtonoffershimabroadsmile.

ARLINGTON
Asyoushould.
Hethenturnstoleave.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FRONT WALK -- NEXT

TheyfollowArlingtonoutontothefrontwalk
ashe
approacheshiscar.Theengineisidling...and
someoneelse
isbehindthewheel...butthroughthetinted
windowsitis
unclearwhoisdriving.

NORMA
Yousaidbeforethattheboxisre
programmed...

ARLINGTON
Yes.

NORMA
Sonowwhat?Areyougonnagoand
maketheoffertosomeoneelse?

52.

ARLINGTON
Whyyes.That'showitworks,Mrs.
Lewis.

(BEAT)
AndIcanpromiseyouthatthe
offerwillbemade...tosomeone
youdonotknow.
Hesmiles...opensthedoor...andstepsinto
thepassenger
side.Thedriverhitsthegasandthecar
speedsoff.
Arthurmovesoutintothestreet...watching
thecargo...

ARTHUR
Igothislicenseplate.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- MOMENTS LATER

Arthurcomesintothekitchenandgoestothe
deskandgrabs
aPENCIL.HethenscrawlstheLICENSEPLATE
NUMBERdownona
pieceofscratchpaper.

AXV-4049

ARTHUR
Whatareyouthinking,Norma?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.
Arthurpacesaround...thinking.Hethenopens
thebriefcase
andstartscountingthroughthemoney.

ARTHUR
Didhemeanthatwe'renext?Is
thatwhathemeant?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.

INT. POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE -- NEXT

JimBurnssitsbehindhisdeskatthePOLICE
STATION.His
SECRETARY(20s)comesintohisoffice.

SECRETARY
Yourdaughterisonlinetwo.

JIM
Alright.
Hepicksupthephone.

53.

JIM (CONT'D)
Norma...

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normastaresatthemoneyinthebriefcase.

NORMA
Heydad...

JIM (PHONE)
What'sgoingon...
 NORMA
Ineedafavor.

JIM (PHONE)
Sure...whatdoyouneed?

NORMA
Ineedyoutorunalicenseplate
forme.Someonejustcamebythe
house...andwethinkhemight...
(lookingtoArthur)
Hejustseemedrealsuspiciousand
ArthurgotthelicenseplateandI
needyoutorunit.

JIM (PHONE)
Okayhoney...youneedmetosend
someoneover?

NORMA
No...ifyoucouldjustrunthe
plateandfindoutwhosecaritis.

(BEAT)
AXV4049isthenumber.

JIM (PHONE)
I'llcallyoubackintenminutes.

INT. POLICE STATION -- LATER

AnOFFICERremovesadocumentfromaPRINTER
andapproaches
Burns'soffice.

OFFICER #2
Weranthoseplatesforyou,sarge.
Jimtakesthedocumentfromhim.Itisablow
upofa
driver'slicensethatbelongstoARLINGTON
STEWARD.Inthe
photo...hisfaceisnotinjured.

54.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

NormaandArthurarepacingaroundthe
kitchen...thinking.
ThePHONErings...Normaanswersit.

NORMA
Hello?

JIM (PHONE)
ThecarislistedtoanArlington
J.Steward...doyouwanthis
addressandphonenumber?

NORMA
Yeah.
Normabeginstowritethemdown.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Normaisdialinganumberwiththephoneinher
lap.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE)

Hello?

NORMA
Hi...I'mtryingtoreachan
ArlingtonSteward.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE)

(LONG BEAT)
Mrs.Lewis,Ipresume?
Norma'seyeswiden.ShenodstoArthurand
pointstothe
phone.Herushesintothefamilyroomtopick
uptheother
PHONEsohecanlistenin.

NORMA
Yes.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE)

Iassumethatyoupushedthe
button.

NORMA
Yes.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE)

ThereisthemythofPrometheusand
Pandora...PrometheusgavePandora
abox...andwarnedhernottoopen
it.Butshedidnotlisten,and
whenPandoraopenedthebox...

(MORE)

55

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE) (CONT'D)

sheunleashedatorrentofsorrow
andmisery.
NormastaresatArthur...unabletospeak.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE) (CONT'D)

Yourdescentintooblivionhas
begun.Thequestionremains...what
willthecuckoldofahusbanddo...
topreventthedeathofhisbeloved
Pandora?
ArthurstaresatNorma...unabletospeak.

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE) (CONT'D)

Becausereally...Mr.Lewis...do
youreallyknowyourwife?

ARTHUR
Whoisthis?

FEMALE VOICE (PHONE)

IamthemotherofPrometheus...
andifyouwanttosaveyourself...
Isuggestthatyougotothe
RichmondPublicLibrary,andfind
thebookwiththefollowingcall
number:F2988.34
Normaiswritingthenumberoutonapieceof
paper.
Shedisconnects.Arthurstepsintothekitchen.

ARTHUR
Norma...

NORMA
Arthur...

ARTHUR
Tellmethisisn'treal.Tellme
thisisn'thappening.

NORMA
Thisisn'treal.Thisisn't
happening.

ARTHUR
Idon'tthinkIbelieveyou,Norma.

EXT. STEWARD RESIDENCE -- MOMENTS LATER

Arthurbackshiscaroutofthedrivewayand
intothestreet.
Normaridesshotgun.Walteriscirclingaround
onhisbike
withsomefriendsintow.


56.

NORMA
We'reofftorunanerrand.Beback
inafewhours,okay?

WALTER
Okay.
Hewatchesastheydriveoff.

INT. ARTHUR'S CAR -- NEXT

ArthurandNormadrivetowarddowntown.

NORMA
Therewasowl...inourbackyard.

ARTHUR
Anowl?

NORMA
Hesaiditwashisowl.

ARTHUR
Areyouhidinganythingelsefrom
me,Norma?

NORMA

(DEFENSIVE)
No.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

TheCAMERAtrackswithArthurandNormaasthey
movethrough
thevastspaceoftheRICHMONDPUBLICLIBRARY.
Theyarriveat
theADULTFICTIONsection...andtheCAMERA
movesalongthe
spinesofvariousbooksuntilitarrivesatthe
onewiththe
callnumber:F2988.34
NormaremovesaBOOKfromtheshelfandlooks
atthecover:

NO EXIT

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE
NormashowsittoArthur.

NORMA
Noexit.

ARTHUR

(MIS-PRONOUNCES)
Sartre.

57.

NORMA
it'spronouncedSartre.JeanPaul
Sartre.TheFrenchexistentialist.
Shebeginstothumbthroughthepagesofthe
play.

ARTHUR
Neverreadit.

NORMA
It'saplay...Ireaditinhigh
school.It'saboutthreestrangers
whofindthemselvestrappedina
roomtogetherforallofeternity.
They'vequicklydiscoverthat
they'veallbeensenttohell.
Normaturnsbacktotheinsidecoverofthe
book.
Someonehaswrittenincrisppenmanship:

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 3, 1976
Normarunsherhanddownthelistofnameson
thelibrary
card.Thenameofthelastpersontocheckout
thebookis:

STEWARD

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- CIRCULATION DESK

-- NEXT

ArthurandNormaapproachthecirculation
desk.Afemale
LIBRARIAN(70s)isstandingthere.

NORMA
Hi...we'relookingforanarchival
TimesDispatchfromSeptemberof
thisyear.
Sheoffersthemawarmsmile.

LIBRARIAN
Microfiche.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

MOMENTS LATER

ArthurandNormanowsitinfrontofa
MICROFICHEREADERina
longlineofwoodendesksintheRECORDSROOM.
Onthescreen...HEADLINESfromtheyear's
newspapersscroll
by...stoppingontheheadlineforSEPTEMBER3,
1976:

MARS PHOTOS REVEALED

58.

VIKING LANDER SENDS FIRST IMAGES OF RED PLANET

BACK TO EARTH

ARTHUR
ArlingtonSteward...Irememberthe
namenow.Heusedtoworkat

NASA...

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY --

[FLASHBACK]

ArthurandWendellarestandingamongalarge
groupof
SCIENTISTSinthelaboratory.
Everyoneisassembled...staringatalarge
BLANKSCREEN,
waitinginanticipation.Cahillstandsatthe
frontofthe
groupwithaWALKIETALKIEtohisear.

CAHILL
Alright...thefirstphotoshould
comedownofftheserverinless
thanaminute.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LUNAR LANDER

MODULE -- NEXT

TheCAMERAcranesuptowardtheGIGANTICLUNAR
LANDERMODULE.
Rainpoursdownfromthenightsky.Lightning
flashesinthe
distance...severalmilesaway.Thunder
rumbles.
TheCAMERAapproachestheUPPERTRESTLEBEAM...
whichcrosses
theexpanseofthestructure.Mountedontopof
thebeamisa

MASSIVE ANTENNAE.
Standingonthetrestleseveralyardsawayfrom
theantennae
isARLINGTONSTEWARD.Heiswearingarain
slickerandis
faceappearsnormal.Hecarriesawalkietalkie
inhisright
hand.

ARLINGTON

(INTO WALKIE-TALKIE)
Soplaceyourbet...martiansorno
martians?

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY -- NEXT

Arthurstaresupatthescreen...waitingon
baitedbreath.
Momentslater...aLARGEBLACKANDWHITEPHOTO
OFTHEMARS
SURFACEappearsonthescreen.
TheSCIENTISTSeruptinloudcheeringand
applause.

59.
 EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- NEXT

NearthebaseoftheLUNARLANDERMODULE...a
NASAEMPLOYEE
namedROBERTBEVILACQUA(31)isstandingwith
twoothers.
TheyarehuddledunderUMBRELLAS..'.smoking
cigarettes.
BevilacquahasaWALKIETALKIEtohisear.He
hearsthe
cheeringfromthewalkietalkie.

BEVILACQUA
Touchdown.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

Arthurscrollsdowntothebottomofthefront
page.A

SMALLER ARTICLE:

NASA EMPLOYEE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

ARTHUR
AnengineerattheNASALangley
researchcenterwasstruckby
lightningyesterdayevening...

EXT. NASA -- LUNAR LANDER MODULE -- (FLASHBACK]

Arlingtonlooksathiswatch...staringupat
thesky...
nervousaboutthestorm.RAINpoursdownupon
onthe
module...waterrunningdowninsheetson
eithersideofthe
trestle.
Hehearsthecheeringfromthewalkietalkie.
Thunderrumbles
inthedistance.
Momentslater...aMASSIVELIGHTNINGBOLT
STRIKESTHETOP
 TRESTLE BEAM.

THE TRESTLE EXPLODES IN A STORM OF SPARKS...

ARLINGTON IS

THROWN ONTO HIS BACK... HIS BODY ENGULFED IN

FLAMES.
BevilacquawitnessestheFIREonthelunar
landermodule.

BEVILACQUA
JesusChrist.
Bevilacquaandtheothersbegintosprint
acrossthelawn
towardthebaseofthestructuretothe
ELEVATORDOORatthe
bottomoftheelevatorshaftonthesouthend
ofthemodule.

60.
INT.RICHMONDPUBLICLIBP.F.RYRECORDSROOM
NEt"T
Arthurcontinuestoreadfromthearticle.

ARTHUR
Themanreceivedthirddegreeburns
overfiftypercentofhisbody...

EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- [FLASHBACK]

Bevilacquaandtheothersemergefromthe
ELEVATORatthetop
ofthetrestle.TheyrushtowardArlington's
body...ashe
convulsesonthetrestle...smokeemanating
fromhischarred
body.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

ArthurturnstoNorma.

ARTHUR
Hegotstruckbylightningonthe
nightwereceivedthetransmission
fromMars.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- (FLASHBACK)

ArthurandWendellstandoutsidethemain
laboratorybuilding
withagroupofscientists,sippingchampagne.
Theyseean
AMBULANCEpassdownthemainstreetofthe
campuswithits
sirenson.
Cahillemergesfrominsidethebuildingand
rushesouttothe
parkinglot.Bevilacquaandtheothersare
approaching.

CAHILL
Whathappened?

BEVILACQUA
Themodulegothit!

CAHILL
Lightning?

BEVILACQUA
Yeah.Stewardwasupthereonthe
trestle.Hegotburnedrealbad!
TheCAMERAmovesintowardBevilacqua'sface...
hiseyes
filledwithanguishanddespair.

61.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- NEXT

JimBurnsstandsinfrontofagroupofPOLICE
OFFICERSina
briefingroom.HeholdsupalargeFAMILYPHOTO
ofROBERT
BEVILACQUA,posingwithhisWIFEandYOUNG
DAUGHTER.

JIM
OurfugitiveisnamedRobert
Bevilacqua.Heshotandkilledhis
wifeattheirresidenceonCary
Streetearliertoday.Webelieve
thatheescapedonfoot...and
couldbearmedanddangerous.
TheCAMERAmovesacrossalineofPOLICE
OFFICERS...
listening...

JIM (CONT'D)
Mr.Bevilacquaisanemployeeat
NASA...andheisaformerMarine
whoservedinVietnam.Hemayvery
wellbearmedanddangerous...

INT. RICHMOND BAR -- NEXT

TheCAMERAtracksthroughadingyRICHMONDDIVE
BAR.
Bevilacquasitsatthebarwithabaseballcap
pulleddown
lowtoconcealhisface.Heisdrinking
whiskey.
WendellJamesapproaches...carryingaFILE
underhisarm.

WENDELL
Bevilacqua...
Bevilacquaturnstofacehim.

BEVILACQUA
Wendell.
Theyhugoneanother.

INT. RICHMOND BAR -- MOMENTS LATER

Thetwomenarenowsittingacrossfromone
anotherina
BOOTH.WendellhasaNASABLUEPRINTlaidout
onthetable.
Theblueprintisofthebuttonunit.

BEVILACQUA
Youdesignedit?

WENDELL
Yeah.Cahilltoldmeto...

62.
BevilacauanoticesaSMALLPURPLESTAINonthe
blueprint.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- LABORATORY --

[FLASHBACK]

CahillstandsoverWendell'sshoulderashe
sitsata
DRAFTINGTABLEinthelaboratory.

WENDELL
Thiswhatyouwerelookingfor,
sir?
Cahilllooksstaresattheblueprint...
possessed.ADROPOF
BLOODfallsfromhisrightnostrilandlandson
it.

CAHILL
Yes.ThankyouWendell.

INT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- MAIN HANGAR -- DAY

TheCAMERAmovesthroughtheMASSIVEMAIN
HANGARatLangley.
Thereareseveralplanesparkedinside.Wendell
emergesfrom
behindoneoftheplanes...watchingfroma
hiddenvantage
point...
CahillstandsataworktablewithArlington.
ThereareTHREE
BUTTONUNITSlaidoutonthetable.Arlington
beginstoplace
theminsidealeatherbag.
CahillthenhandsArlingtonaFILE.

CAHILL
You'renotgonnahurttheseboys,
areyou?

ARLINGTON
Anyharmthatcomestothemwillbe
theirowndoing.
Arlingtontakesthebagandmovestowardthe
hangarentrance.

EXT. NASA LANGLEY FACILITY -- MAIN HANGAR -- NEXT

Outside...thereisaMASSIVECEMENTRUNWAY.
Parkedonthe
runwayisArlington'scar.BUDWALLstepsout
andopensthe
doorforhisboss.BusDriverBudisSteward's
driver...
Arlingtonstepsinside.
Wendellwatchesthemdriveoff...

63.

INT. RICHMOND DIVE BAR -- EVENING

WendellthenhandsafiletoBevilacqua.Inside
thereisa
dossierandphotoofaARTHURLEWIS.Heflips
toanother
dossierandphotoofanotherNASAEMPLOYEE
namedKENNETH

WELLER.

WENDELL
There'salist...andthey'veall
gotawifeandonechild.
BevilacquathumbsthroughthelistofNASA
dossiers.Hesees
ArthurLewisamongthem.

WENDELL (CONT'D)
Didyoukillyourwife?
Bevilacquajuststaresathim...ontheverge
oftears.He
slidesanENVELOPEacrossthetable.

BEVILACQUA
ThisisaconfessionletterthatI
wrote...itexplainseverything
thathappenedwithStewardandthe
box.Keepit...causeifIdon't
makeit...thismightclearmyname
oneday.
BevilacqualooksattheKENNETHWELLERdossier.

BEVILACQUA (CONT'D)
ThisguyWellerisgonnabenext.
Didyougettheirphonenumber?

WENDELL
No.They'renotlisted.Justanold
addresssouthofPetersburg.What
areyougonnado?

BEVILACQUA
Idon'tknow.Ineedacar.Imight
beabletosavethem...andthis
guyArthurLewis...
Wendellthinkstohimself...thenretrievesa
setofKEYS
fromhispocket.

WENDELL
Thesearethekeystomycousin's
pickuptruck.It'snotregistered.
It'sparkedinfrontofmyhouse
overonByrdstreet.Takeit...

BEVILACQUA
Thankyou,Wendell.

64.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

LATER

Burnssitsbehindhisdesk...telephonetohis
ear.
 JIM

(INTO PHONE)
Steward.FirstnameArlington...
middlenameisJames.
Hebeginstoscrawlwordsdownonapieceof
paper:

NASA

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Justthen...hisRECEPTIONISTopensthedoorto
hisoffice.

RECEPTIONIST
Sir...there'saMr.Stewardhere
toseeyou.

JIM

(INTO PHONE)
Thankyou...that'sallIneed.
Hehangsupthephoneandlooksthroughthe
glasswindowof
hisofficeintothereceptionarea.
Standingtherethroughtheglass...isaman
wholooks
identicaltoArlingtonSteward.
Hestandswiththenormalsideofhisfacein
profile.He
turnstofaceJim...buthisfacenowappears
asitdid
beforehewasburned.Isthisthesameperson?
Jimturnstohisreceptionist...whowaitsin
thedoorway

JIM (CONT'D)
Sendhimin.

EXT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Thelibraryisclosingdownforthenight.
AgroupofyoungCHILDRENcomeoutofthefront
exit.Oneof
themturnsandnoticestheOWLperchedonthe
railing.
Theowlstaresatthechildren...

65.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

TherealArlingtonStewardisnowstandingin
theperiodicals
area.ofthelibrary...situatedinfrontof
thecirculation
desk.
Hestandsinprofile...thenturnstowardthe
CAMERAinthe
samemannerashisTWINinthepolicestation.
Hisburned
faceformsadeformedsmile...

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

NEXT

TheSTEWARDTWINstepsintoJim'soffice.He
reachesoutand
shakesJim'shand.

STEWARD TWIN
OfficerBurns...mynameisReston
Steward.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Arlington...withhiseyesclosed...mimicshis
TWIN'S
movementexactly...reachingouthishandand
shakingitwith
nothing.

ARLINGTON
OfficerBurns...mynameisReston
Steward.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

NEXT

RESTONSTEWARD(40)sitsdowninthechair
acrossfromhis
desk.

RESTON
Iseeyouhavemadeaninquiry
aboutmybrotherArlington.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Arlingtonisnowseatedinalibrarychair...
eyesclosed...
intheexactsamemannerashisbrother.itis
asthoughhe
iscontrollinghistwinbrother'sbodyvia
remotetelepathy.

ARLINGTON
.aninquiryaboutmybrother
Arlington.

66.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

NEXT

Jimstaresathimfromacrosshisdesk.
 JIM
Yes.Apparentlyhemadean
appearanceatmydaughter'shouse.
YourbrotherworksforNASA?

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Arlingtonnodshishead.

ARLINGTON
Yes.Mybrotherworksatthe
Langleyresearchfacility.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

NEXT

Jimnodshisheadinreturn.

JIM
Withmysoninlaw.

RESTON
That'sright.

JIM
AndmayIask...whatdoyoudo,
Mr.Steward?

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Withhiseyesclosed...Arlingtonreachesinto
hispocketand
retrievessomethingimaginaryfromhispocket.
Heraises
somethingthatwecannotseeupintotheair.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- BURNS'S OFFICE --

NEXT

RestonisnowholdingoutaGOVERNMENTBADGE
withhisright
hand.

RESTON
IworkfortheCIA.

JIM
Isee.
HethenhandsJimoneofhiscards.Jimlooks
atit.

67.

INSERT OF BUSINESS CARD WITH CIA INSIGNIA:

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

RESTON STEWARD
Restonrisestohisfeet...puttinghishaton
hishead.

RESTON
Iassureyoumybrotherisofno
threattoyourdaughter.However,
themanyou'relookingfor...
RobertBevilacqua.Heisvery
dangerous...andhemighttryand
contactyoursoninlaworyour
daughter.

JIM
Really.

RESTON
Yes.

RESTON (CONT'D)
HelpusfindBevilacqua.Ifand
whenyoudo...pleasecallus.
JimstaresatthebusinesscardasRestonbids
himgoodbye.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- NEXT

Arlingtonisnowstanding.Withhiseyesstill
closed,he
nodshisheadandsmiles,thenturnsandbegins
towalk
severalsteps.Hethenstops...takesadeep
breath...and
openshiseyes.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- RECEPTION AREA --

NEXT

Restonopenshiseyes...asifaspirithas
suddenlylefthis
body.Hetakesadeepbreathandsmilesatthe
Receptionist,
tryingtoconcealhisexpressionofhorror.
Hemovestowardtheexit.

EXT. RICHMOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING --

MOMENTS LATER

RestonemergesfromtheGeneralAssembly
building.Thereisa
blacktowncarwaiting.ACIAAGENTstandsnext
toit.
RestonwithdrawsaHANDKERCHIEFandwipesBLOOD
fromhis
nose.

68.

RESTON
GeneralNathanTeagueatthe
Pentagon.Gethimonthephone
immediately.
TheAgentopensthecardoor,andRestonsteps
inside.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

NormaandArthurarestillsittinginfrontof
themicrofiche
machine.Normalookslikesheisgoingto
faint...herface
hasgonewhite.

ARTHUR
Youalright,Norma?

NORMA
IfeellikeI'mgonnafaint...
Shestandsuptoleave.

ARTHUR
Whereareyougoing?

NORMA
Bathroom.
Normamoves.tawardthemainlibrary...leaving
Arthuralone.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- CIRCULATION DESK

-- NEXT

Normaemergesfromtherecordsroomandwalks
towardthe
circulationdesk.Assheroundsthecorner...
Arlington
emergesfrombehindarowofbookshelves.
Normastopsinhertracks...frozen.Hestares
herdown.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

Arthurstaresatthemicrofichereader...
transfixedbythe
newspaperarticles.
Ashadowpassesacrossthewall...andArthur
sensessomeone
lurkingoverhisshoulder.Heturnstoseethat
itisthe
LIBRARIAN.Somethingaboutherisdifferent...
sheseems
possessed.

LIBRARIAN
ThemythofPrometheustellsthe
storyofaGodwhocreatedman.

(BEAT)

(MORE)

69.

LIBRARIAN (CONT'D)
WhenPrometheusflewtoocloseto
thesun...hiswingscaughtfire...
andhefelltotheearth.
Arthurremembershervoicefromthephonecall.

ARTHUR
Wasthatyouonthephone?You're
hismother...

LIBRARIAN
Hefindsyourwifefascinating...
Mr.Lewis.
HernameisELIZABETHSTEWARD.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- PERIODICALS

SECTION -- NEXT

Normaremainsfrozen...hermindracing.
Arlingtonsmilesat
her...gesturingtowardanemptychair.

ARLINGTON
Haveaseat...Mrs.Lewis.
Shelooksaround...realizingthatthelibrary
isnow
completelyempty.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Don'tbeafraid.Imaylooklikea
monster...butIcanassureyou
thatIam...onlyhuman.
Hisfacecontortsintoabroadsmile.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Please...sitdown.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

Elizabethsitsdownonthechairacrossfrom
Arthur.

ELIZABETH
MynameisClymene,motheroffive.
Prometheus,Atlas,Menoetius,
Logan,andEpimetheus.
Adropofbloodbeginstooozefromherleft
eyeasshe
speaks.

ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Epimetheusisthetwinbrotherof
Prometheus,buthehasbecomehis
brother'sslave...thevictimof
hiscunninganddeceit.

70.

IT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBP F,_ -- PERIODICALS

SECTION -- NEXT
Normaisnowseatedinachairacrossfromhim.
Hestares
deepintohereyes...transfixedbyherbeauty.

ARLINGTON
TellmeNorma...whenwastheexact
momentthatyourealizedyouloved
yourhusband?
Thereissomethingabouthimthatnowmakesher
feelsafe...
willingtotellhimanything.

NORMA
AboutfivesecondsafterIlaid
eyesonhim.

ARLINGTON
Andwhenwasthis?

NORMA
Incollege.Mysophomoreyear.He
wasayearyoungerthanme.We
datedfortwoweeksandthen...
Shestopsherself.

ARLINGTON
Youbecamefrightenedabout
something.

NORMA
ThenIthought...thisistoogood
tobetrue.Whenheseesmymangled
foot...he'sgonnabeoutthedoor
intensecondsandhe'sgonnago
tellallhisfriends.
 ARLINGTON
Howdidherespondwhenyoushowed
him?

NORMA
Wewereatthedrivein...andhe
caughtaglimpseofthescarsonmy
thigh.Heaskedmewhathappened...
andIfeltthissenseofdread.

ARLINGTON
Why?

71.

NORMA
Becauseyoucanjustseetheglow
disappearinsomeone'seyeswhen
theydiscoversomethingaboutyou
thattheyjustcan'tstomach.

ARLINGTON
Didtheglowdisappearfromhis
eyes?

NORMA
No.NotArthur.Hewasdifferent
thantheothers.He...saidthat...
myscarswerecool.

(BEAT)
Hesaidthattheymadememore
attractive.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT
ArthursitsacrossfromElizabeth.Hismindis
racing...
tryingtoputthepuzzlepiecestogether.
Helooksathiswatch.Itisalmost5PM.

ELIZABETH
Ihaveworkedatthislibraryfor
fortyyears.Since1936,Ihave
readabookaday.23455booksI
haveread.

ARTHUR
Wow.

(BEAT)
Someoneshouldnominateyoufor
librarianoftheyear.
SheholdsthecopyofNoExitinherhands.

ELIZABETH
OfallofthebooksIhavereadin
mylifetime...thisismyson's
favorite.

(BEAT)
HaveyoueverreadNoExit?

ARTHUR
No.
Shereachesoutwithherhand.

ELIZABETH
Takemyhand...andI'llshowyou.

72.
Hestaresatthebloodcoagulatinginthebag
beneathher
lefteye.

ARTHUR
I'mnotgonnatouchyou,lady.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- PERIODICALS

SECTION -- NEXT

ArlingtonnowstaresdirectlyintoNorma's
soul.
Thescartissueontheleftsideofhisface
doesnotmove
whenhesmiles.Itremainsfrozen...unableto
express
emotion.

ARLINGTON
Andwhatemotiondidyoufeelwhen
youfirstlaideyesuponme,Norma?
Shethinkssilentlyforamoment.

NORMA
Ifelt...
Shestopsherself...afraidofhowhemight
respondifsheis
honestwithhim.

ARLINGTON
Youfeltwhat?

NORMA
Ifelt...

ARLINGTON
Pity?

NORMA
Love.

ARLINGTON
Youfeltloveforme?

NORMA
Yes.

ARLINGTON
Why?

NORMA
Becauseofmyfoot.Becauseofmy
disfigurement.Ithoughtofallthe
painI'vefeltinmylifebecause
ofit...thephysicalpain...the
emotionalpain.

(BEAT)

(MORE)

73.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Ithoughtaboutwhatitwouldbe
liketohavethatpainmagnified
andprojectedontomyface...onto
apartofmybodythatIcan'thide
withashoe.
Therearetearswellinginhereyes.

NORMA (CONT`D)
Isawallofthatpaininyourface
andIunderstoodit...andIfelt
anoverwhelmingfeelingoflovefor
youbecauseIknewI'dneverfeel
sorryformyselformygoddamnfoot
everagain.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT
Elizabethcontinuestoholdherhandouttoward
Arthur.

ELIZABETH
Takemyhand,son.

ARTHUR
Youcalledmeacuckold.Youmadea
statement...madeanimplicationto
methatmywifewasgoingtobe
killed.

(BEAT)
SopleaseunderstandwhyImightbe
reluctanttotakeyourhand.

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- PERIODICALS

SECTION -- NEXT

ArlingtonreacheshishandouttoNorma.

ARLINGTON
Takemyhand,Norma...
Shestaresathim,unabletomove...thentakes
hishand...

INT. RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY -- RECORDS ROOM --

NEXT

ElizabethreachesoutandgrabsArthur'shand
againsthis
will.Hisbodyconvulsesathertouch...
TheCAMERAdriftsintowardArthur'sfaceas
hiseyesslowly
close.Herspellhasbeencastuponhim...

CUT TO BLACK:

SILENCE.

74.

INT. DREAM -- CORRIDOR -- NEXT

TheCAMERAmovesslowlydownaCORRIDOR.The
floorisshiny
whitemarbleandthewallsareframedbyornate
moldingand

RENAISSANCE ART.
Arlingtonstandsattheendofthecorridor.He
iswearinga
TUXEDO,portrayingtheVALETcharacterfrom
Sartre'sNoExit.
TheCAMERApansaroundtorevealArthur...
walkingslowly
downthecorridor.
ArlingtonopensaDOORattheendofthe
corridorandleads
ArthurintoaDRAWINGROOM...recreatedfrom
Sartre'splay.

INT. DREAM -- DRAWING ROOM -- NEXT

ArlingtonleadsArthurinsideandclosesthe
doorbehindhim.
InsidetheDRAWINGROOM,thereareTHREE
COUCHESmadeinthe
style.:oftheSECONDEMPIRE.Thewallsare
coveredinsimilar
Renaissanceartandthefloorismarble.
NORMAandWALTERhavenowbeenadmittedtothe
drawingroom.
NormaisdressedinanelegantBLACKGOWN.
Walterwearsa
tuxedothatlookstobenearlyidenticaltothe
onehis
fatheriswearing...andTHEREISASILK
BLINDFOLDWRAPPED
AROUNDHISHEAD.Hewandersaroundtheroom...
lost...
Thedimensionsoftheroomareequalinevery
way.Itisa
perfectthreedimensionalbox.
Arthurthenlookstohiswife.Henoticesthat
herEYELIDS
arenowgone.Arthurthenturnstohisson.
Walterreachesoutintotheair...seemingly
unawarethat
theyarein,theroomwithhim.
TheCAMERAmovesthroughthewallintoanother
corridor...
BUDWALL...dressedasanotherVALET,passes
by...andthe
CAMERAmovesintoanotherDRAWINGROOM...

INT. DREAM -- SECOND DRAWING ROOM -- NEXT

InsidetheSECONDDRAWINGROOM...theCAMERA
findsROBERT
BEVILACQUAandhisWIFE.TheirDAUGHTERis
wearingaSILK

BLINDFOLD.
TheCAMERAthendriftsupandmovesthroughthe
GLASSPANELS
atthetopoftheroom...

75.

INT. DREAM -- UPPER LEVEL -- NEXT

TheCAMERApullsuphigher...revealingthe
layoutofa
massivenetworkofCORRIDORSandDRAWINGROOMS
thatforma
largerbox.Throughtheglassceilingslooking
downintoeach
room...FAMILIESareassembledtogether...
trapped
together...forever...

EXT. MARS SURFACE -- NEXT

TheCAMERAfliesovertheedgeoftheSARTRE'S
HOTELofrooms
andcorridorstorevealtheplateauofUTOPIA
PLANITIAonthe
surfaceofmars...

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BEDROOM -- LATER ON

Arthur'seyespopopen...herollsover...and
Normais
asleepinbednexttohim.Theyarebothfully
dressedinthe
clothestheywerewearinginthelibrary.

ARTHUR
Norma...
Hereyesopen.Shelooksaround...disoriented.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Norma...whathappened?

NORMA
Idon'tknow.
NormanoticesWalterstandinginthedoorway.

WALTER
Youcamehomeanhourago.

NORMA
Wedid?
Shesitsupinbed...lookingattheclock
radio.Itis6PM.

WALTER
Neitherofyousaidaword...you
justwalkedintothehouseliketwo
zombies.Wentstraighttobed.
ArthurandNormastareatoneanother,trying
tomakesense
ofwhathasjusttranspired.

NORMA
Thewedding.Itstartsinanhour.
We'vegottogetready.

76.
NormaseesthatthecopyofNoExitisnow
sittingonheir
bedsidetable.

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. -- NIGHT

AU.S.ARMYJETfliesoverthenation's
capital.ThePENTAGON
andtheWASHINGTONMONUMENTarevisiblebelow.

INT. U.S. ARMY JET -- NEXT

TheCAMERAapproachesUSARMYGENERALNATHAN
TEAGUE(50s),
seatedjustbehindthecockpit.
Inhislapisafile.Heisthumbingthrougha
seriesof
photographsoftheMARSSURFACE.Hethen
arrivesatastack
ofpaperwork.ThereisaphotographofARTHUR
LEWISatthe
topofthestack.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- MASTER BATHROOM -- LATER ON

Norma,nowwearingherBRIDESMAIDDRESS,putsa
DIAMOND
EARRINGinherrightlobe.Sheturnstothe
mirrorandjumps
inherskin...asthefacestaringbackather
hasno
eyelids.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- WALTER'S BEDROOM -- NEXT

ArthursitsontheendofWalter'sbed.Walters
standsin
frontofhimashisfathertieshisNECKTIEin
frontofa
standingmirror.

WALTER
What'sgoingon?

ARTHUR
Idon'tknow.

WALTER
Thisisaboutthebox...isn'tit?

ARTHUR
Yeah.

WALTER
Didyoupushthebutton?

ARTHUR
Yourmotherdid.

WALTER
Whathappenswhenyoupushthe
button?

 77.

ARTHUR
Idon'tknow.

WALTER
Yesyoudo.You'rejustnottelling
me.
Arthurfinisheswithhistie.Henotices
somethingonthe
floorofhisson'sbedroom.ItistheMARS
COMICBOOK.
Hepicksitupandstaresatthedarkfigure
loomingonthe
cover.

ARTHUR
Wheredidyougetthis?

WALTER
Dana.Shegaveittome.
Arthurbeginstopagethroughthecomicbook.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- ROOF TOP -- NEXT

ArlingtonkneelsattheedgeoftheMOTEL
SWIMMINGPOOL.He
runshishandthroughthewater.Steamis
risingfromthe
surface.
STROBESOFWHITELIGHTbeginflickerfrom
beneaththe
surface...asthoughsomeunseenSOURCEOF
ENERGYis
emanatingfromdownbelow.
Arlingtonslowlyrisestohisfeetandturnsto
leave.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- DRIVEWAY -- MOMENTS

LATER

ArlingtonapproachestheBLACKSEDANidlingin
thecarport.
Hegetsinside...andBuddrivesoff.

INT. SCOPE INSERT -- NIGHT

TheCAMERAlooksthroughaTELESCOPELENSof
somesortfrom
highonaROOFTOPindowntownRichmond.
ItscansacrossseveralCARSpassingdownthe
street...
PEDESTRIANSonthesidewalk...landingon
ARLINGTONandBUD
astheymovetowardtheentranceofaSTONE
FRONTBUILDING.

EXT. RICHMOND ROOFTOP -- NIGHT

WeseethataSNIPER,dressedinadarksuit,
isperchedon
theroofofanadjacentbuilding.Hehasan
earpieceinhis
leftear.

78.

SNIPER
Alright...theyareenteringthe
buildingfromthesouthentranceon
fourteenthstreet.

INT. RICHMOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING --

MOMENTS LATER

ArlingtonandBudmovedownthemaincorridor
oftheGENERAL
ASSEMBLYBUILDING,approachingabankof
ELEVATORS.A
SECURITYGUARDnodstothemnervously.
Arlingtonnodsback.

INT. RICHMOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING --

MOMENTS LATER

ArlingtonandBudemergefromtheelevatorson
theTHIRD
FLOORandmovedownthehall.Astheypassinto
aRECEPTION
AREA,theCAMERAmovestowardaGLASSPARTITION
withthe
VIRGINIASTATEEMBLEMetchedintotheglass.
Belowitisaname:

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

GRIFFITH POWELL - MAJORITY LEADER

INT. GRIFFITH POWELL'S OFFICE -- RECEPTION -- NEXT

AstheyapproachtheRECEPTIONAREA...the
FEMALE
RECEPTIONIST(30s)standsupanxiouslybehind
herdesk.

RECEPTIONIST
Excuseme...mayIhelpyou?

ARLINGTON
Whereishe?

RECEPTIONIST
Uhhh...he'sinameeting.

ARLINGTON
Ineedtoseehim...now.

INT. GRIFFITH POWELL'S OFFICE -- NEXT

TheRECEPTIONISTcomesintotheoffice.
GriffithPowell
standsatthewindowbehindhisdesk...smoking
acigarette.
HeisdressedinaTUXEDOwithhisjacket
hangingnexttohis
desk.

79.

RECEPTIONIST
He'shere...Idon'tknowwhatto
do.
Powellturnstofaceher.

POWELL
Lethimin.
TheReceptionistgoesbackout...andwithin
moments...
ArlingtonandBudentertheoffice.The
Receptionistcloses
thedoorandleavesthemalone.

ARLINGTON
HelloSenator.

POWELL

(TERRIFIED)
Mr.Steward...it'sgoodtosee
you.

ARLINGTON
CallmeArlington.

POWELL
Okay...Arlington.
BudjuststaresattheSenator...showingno
signofemotion.

ARLINGTON
Doyouhavemymoney?

POWELL
I'vegivenyoufourhundred
thousandalready.Howmuchmoreare
yougoingtoneed?

ARLINGTON
Asmuchasittakes.
Powellsighsoutloud...irritated.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Firstthenose...
PowellturnsaroundandthereisnowBLOOD
GUSHINGfromhis
nose...

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Thentheears...
BLOODbeginstooozefrombothears...ashe
covershis
face...feelingthewarmfluidrushfromevery
orifice...

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Thentheeyes...

80.
Bloodrushesfrombeneathhiseyelids...his
entireface
coveredinBLOOD...hisWHITESHIRTDRENCHED...

POWELL
Please!I'vegotitrighthere!
Powellreachesbeneathhisdeskandretrievesa
large
briefcase.Heplacesitonthedesk.

POWELL (CONT'D)
It'sallthere!Twohundred
thousand!Youcancountitifyou
want!

ARLINGTON
Bud...
Budgrabsthebriefcasefromthedeskandpops
itopen.He
seesthatitisfilledwithstacksofcash.

ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Youtellthatsniperyouhave
perchedonthatroofnextdoorthat
Icansmellhischeapcologne.

EXT. RICHMOND ROOFTOP -- NEXT

TheSNIPERhearsArlington'sVOICEinhis
earpiece.

ARLINGTON (EARPIECE)
IthinkitmightbeOldSpice.
TheSnipersmellshisshoulder.

INT. POWELL'S OFFICE -- RECEPTION -- NEXT

ArlingtonandBudmovethroughthereception
area.The
Receptionistlurksbehindherdesk...
frightened.

INT. FOREST LAWN BABTIST CHURCH -- NIGHT

ArthurandNormaarestandinginaWAITINGROOM
inthechurch
wherehersisterisabouttobemarried.
BRIDESMAIDSand
GROOMSMENarechattingwithoneanotherin
anticipationof
theceremony.
NormaclutchesthecopyofNoExit.
 ARTHUR
YouandWalterwerethereinthe
room.Youwerewearingablack
dress,identicaltotheoneyou
haveonnow.

(MORE)

81.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Walterhadablindfoldon.

(BEAT)
Andthenyoureyes...

NORMA
Theydidn'thavelids...

ARTHUR
Yeah.

NORMA
Ihadthesamedream.
Arthur'smindisracing...heglancesthrough
thecrowd
nervously,afraidthattheyarebeingwatched.

ARTHUR
What'sthelastthingyouremember?

NORMA
Thelibrary.Hewasaskingmeall
ofthesequestions...aboutyou...
aboutourmarriage.
 (BEAT)
ThenItookhishand...
Susanapproaches...

SUSAN
Alrightgirls...timetolineup!
SusanhandsArthurthebookandgoesoffwith
theother

BRIDESMAIDS.

INT. FOREST LAWN BABTIST CHURCH -- NIGHT

NormastandsnexttoDeborahassheisaboutto
takeher
vows.

PREACHER
Doyou,DeborahBurns,takeEdward
Powell,tobeyour'lawfullywedded
husband,'tildeathdoyoupart?

DEBORAH
Ido.
NormalooksovertoArthur,ashesitsinthe
congregation.
Heisnotpayingattentiontothewedding.He
isreading
Sartre'splay...
TheCAMERAzoomsintoacloseupofthepage
describingthe
finalsceneintheplayNoExit:

INSERT OF PAGE:

82.
ESTELLE:[withapealoflaughter]:Forever.My
God,how
funny!Forever.
GARCIN:[looksoveratthetwowomen,andjoins
inthe
laughter]:Forever,andever,andever.
INSERT:Arthur'seyes...reading...

INSERT OF PAGE:
[Theyslumpontotheirrespectivesofas.Along
silence.
Theirlaughterdiesawayandtheygazeateach
other.]
GARCIN:Well,well,let'sgetonwithit...

CURTAIN

EXT. FOREST LAWN SQUARE -- NIGHT

TheWEDDINGPARTYcomespouringoutofthe
church.Thereisa
massiveLAWNsouthoftheentrance.Duringthe
holidaysitis
filledwithCHRISTMASTREESforsale,and
dozensofARTS&
CRAFTSBOOTHSassembledinrows.
TheCAMERAmovesthroughthecrowdtofind
Normaposingfor
photoswithherfellowbridesmaidsoutinfront
ofthe
square.
ACROSSTHESQUARE...BudWalllurkswithinthe
rowsof
ChristmasTrees.HespiesArthurandWalter
minglingwithhis
parentsandSenatorPowell,whohasTWOSECRET
SERVICEMEN
standingcloseby.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- LATER ON

TheCAMERAapproachesthedrivewayofthe
VIRGINIAHOUSE...
whichispositionedatthesouthendofForest
Lawnsquare.
Weddingguestsarearrivingindroves.
ThehouseisalargeGOTHICMANSIONthatis
oftenrentedout
forpublicevents...andinthiscase...for
thelavish
WEDDINGRECEPTIONofDeborahBurnsandEdward
Powell.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- BACK LAWN -- LATER ON

ArthurandNormamovethroughthecourtyard
intothewedding
receptionarea...whichflowsthroughseveral
TENTSthathave
beenerectedwithHEATLAMPSandtablescovered
inWHITE
TABLECLOTHSandFLORALARRANGEMENTS.
ArthurcarriesthecopyofNoExitwithhim.

83.

ARTHUR
Theplaytellsthestoryofuhree
people,condemnedtohell.Theyare
toremaininasecondempire
drawingroomforallofeternity.
Heclosesthebook...hisminddissectingwhat
hehasjust
read.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Theysoondiscoverthattheir
eyelidsaremissing...andforall
eternitytheywillbeunableto
sleep.
Normaremembersmostoftheplayfromhigh
school.

NORMA
Therearenomirrors...sothey
willneverbeabletoseetheirown
reflection...butonlythefacesof
theirtormentors.

ARTHUR
ThisisSartre'svisionofhell.

NORMA
BecauseHell...isotherpeople.
Thelookintooneanother'seyes...Normasees
aWAITERpass
bywithatrayofCHAMPAGNE.Theybothtakea
glass.
Jimcrossesthelawntogreetthem.

JIM
Arthur...canIspeakwithyou
privatelyforamoment?

ARTHUR
Sure.
ArthurwalksawaywithJimtowardtheedgeofa
PATIOthat
overlooksthewholeparty.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- UPPER PATIO -- MOMENTS

LATER

JimandArthurstandatatable.Jimhas
severalPHOTOGRAPHS
laidoutonthetable.Theyaremostlyfamily
photostaken
fromthehouseofRobertBevilacqua.

JIM
Anddoyouknowthisfella?Robert
Bevilacqua?

84.

ARTHUR
Yeah...Iknowhim.Heworksat

NASA.

JIM
Doyouknowhiswife?

ARTHUR
No...

JIM
Well...heshotandkilledhiswife
yesterdaymorning.

ARTHUR
No...

JIM
Yeah...Heshotherpointblankin
thechestinhiskitchen.
Arthurtakesadeepbreath.Heisn'tfeeling
well.

JIM (CONT'D)
ThisBevilacquafella...ifhe
triestocontactyouorNorma...
youhavetocallmeimmediately,
youunderstand?

ARTHUR
Yeah.Ofcourse.
Arthurlooksdownatthelawn.Normaisstaring
backatthem.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- BACK LAWN -- LATER ON

Normaisnowstandinguponstagewitha
MICROPHONEinher
hand..,.givingherMAIDOFHONORspeech.

NORMA
Mylittlesisteronceaskedme...
what'sthebestthingaboutbeing
married?
Normalooksacrossthelawntothetablewhere
Arthuris
seated,nexttoWalterandtheirparents.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Itoldherthat...it'sknowing
thatfortherestofyourlife
you'llneverfeelalone.

(BEAT)
Noteveragain.
Shesmilesatherhusband.

85.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Thatis...untilyougetdivorced.
Thereislaughterfromthecrowd.Deborah
blushes...leaning
herheadonhernewhusband'sshoulder.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Or...untilhedecidestokillyou.
Morelaughter.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- DANCE FLOOR -- LATER

ArthurandNormaarenowslowdancing.

ARTHUR
Whydidyousaythat?

NORMA
Saywhat?

ARTHUR
Inyourspeech.Thatjokeaboutme
killingyou.

NORMA
Idon'tknow...Ithoughtitwas
funny.GuessI'vehadtoomuch
champagne.

ARTHUR
DidyourdadtellyouaboutRobert
Bevilacqua?

NORMA
No.

ARTHUR
Heshothiswifeyesterdaymorning.
Didyouknowhiswife?

NORMA
No.
Normaisstillsearchingforsomeother
explanation.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Whatifit'sallatestforthe
aspiringastronauts?

ARTHUR
Whatdoyoumean?

86.

NORMA
Apsychologicaltest.Theywantto
seehowyou'llrespondtoamoral
dilemma...thefateofahuman
life...determinedbythepushofa
singlebutton.Thinkofthemenon
theApollothirteenmission...
soundfamiliar?
Theyturnslowlyonthedancefloor...
Arthurcloseshiseyes...hismindracing...
AVOICEbreaksthroughthemusic...

VOICE (O.S.)
MayIcutin?
ArthurandNormaturntoseeaMANstanding
there...
ItisDR.EARLSTUPE.

STUPE
Iwouldliketodancewithyour
wife.Doyoumind?
ArthurglaresatDr.Stupe.

NORMA
It'sokayArthur...
Arthurlooksathim...thenbackatNorma.His
facehasgone
paleandhelooksforamomentasthoughhe
mightfainton
thedancefloor.

ARTHUR

I.. I.

(SWALLOWS HARD)
Willyoupleaseexcuseme?
Arthurmovestowardthestairsthatleadupto
thepalatial
estate.Walteristhere...waiting.

WALTER
Dad!What'sgoingon?

ARTHUR
I..I'mgonnabesickWalter...
Heplaceshishandonhisson'sheadfora
briefmomentand
thenstumblesupthestairs.
ONTHEDANCEFLOOR...Normaisnowslowdancing
withDr.
Stupe.

87.

STUPE
Iknowwhattheycallme.Dr.
Stupid.Mypatients...theoneswho
willstillseeme...theyfindout
whatIdidandtheystopcalling.

NORMA
I'msorryforthat.Ican'tcontrol
whatpeoplesay.

STUPE
IamDr.Stupidnow.Someonewrote
itonmywindshieldwithsoaponce.
Ifigureitmusthavebeena
relative...afriendofyours.

(BEAT)
Oh...howtheyloveyou,Norma
Lewis.Andtheyloveyour
husband...theonewhosavedyou.
Didhesaveyourlife?Didhe
rescueyoufromtheoblivionthatI
manufactured?

NORMA
Yes.Youhavemyforgiveness,Earl.
Peoplemakemistakes...andifthey
seekforgiveness...theyshouldbe
forgiven.

(BEAT)
That'stheruleofmylord.

INT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- MEN'S BATHROOM -- NEXT

ArthurcomesintotheMEN'SBATHROOMandrushes
intooneof
thestalls.Hefallstohisknees...leaning
overthetoilet.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- DANCE FLOOR -- LATER

ONTHEDANCEFLOOR...Normanoticesherbrother
NATHAN...
sittingaloneathistableinhiswheelchair.
Heisdrunk...
lostinhisownsadness.Hesmilesather...

STUPE
Thereisthatoldcliche...that
thelordworksinmysteriousways.
Well...Ihavemetthelord.Ihave
spokentohiminmydreams.Andit
broughtmebacktothatdayinmy
officewhenyouarrivedwitha
fracturedfoot...somethirteen
yearsago.

(BEAT)
Hetoldmethatitwasessential...

(MORE)

88.

STUPE (CONT'D)
anessentialeventinthecycleof
purgatoryanditsinevitable
conclusion.
Normapullsawayfromhim.Blooddrainsoutof
hisnose...

STUPE (CONT'D)
Forwhenthecycleofpurgatory
concludes...thereisnothingleft
butabarrenwastelandofrockand
sand...adeafeningwindanda
cold,drywinter.
ABOVE...ontheMARBLERAILING...theOWLis
perchedonthe
ledge...watching...
ONTHEDANCEFLOOR...StuperetrievesaPISTOL
fromhis
pocket...andraiseshiseyestomeetthoseof
hisdance
partner.

STUPE (CONT'D)
Iamsorrymydear...
Stupetakesthepistol...placesitagainsthis
temple...and
pullsthetrigger.
BLOODSPRAYSacrossthedancefloor...someof
itonNorma's
face.PEOPLEBEGINTOSCREAMANDTHEENTIRE
WEDDINGERUPTS

INTO CHAOS...

INT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- MEN'S BATHROOM -- NEXT

Arthurisnowstandingattheurinal.Hebegins
tohear
commotionoutside.Heturnshisheadtothe
left...when
somethingCOLDandMETALlocksitselfaround
hiswrist.
Arthurturnsbacktotherightandseesthatit
isRobert
Bevilacqua.Heisstandingattheurinalnext
tohimandthey
arenowHANDCUFFEDTOGETHERatthewrists.
BevilacquaretrievesaGUNfromhispocketat
pointsitat
Arthur.Hehasdarkcirclesunderhiseyes.

BEVILACQUA
Youcanstillsaveyourself.It's
toolateforme...butyoucan
stillsaveyourself.

ARTHUR
Bevilacqua...

BEVILACQUA
Followmeoutthroughthekitchen.
Ihaveatruckwaiting...

89.

INT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- BACK CORRIDOR -- NEXT

ArthurandBevilacquaemergefromthemen's
bathroomintoa
hallwaythatleadsintothekitchen.Beyond
them...inth.e
PARLOR...thereiscommotionamongthemembers
ofthewedding
partyinresponsetothegunshot.

INT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

ArthurandBevilacquamovethroughthekitchen.
TheWAITERS
andWAITRESSESarealldistractedbythe
commotionandbarely
takenoticeofthemastheypassthrough...

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER

Walterwalksdownthedrivewayasseveral
POLICEOFFICERS
rushpasthim,movingtowardtheentranceof
thehouse.The
wholeplaceisbeingevacuated...
Helookstowardthesquare...andbeginsto
moveinthat
direction.
TheCAMERAdriftsbacktowardtheROCKPILLAR
thatstandsat
theentrancetothehouse.Arlingtonis
standingtherein
frontofit.Heiswearinghisblackhat...
pulleddownlow.
HebeginstofollowWaltertowardthesquare...

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- BACK DRIVEWAY -- NEXT

ArthurandBevilacquacomeouttheback
entranceintothe
driveway.ThereisaWHITEPICKUPTRUCKparked
there.
Bevilacquaopensthepassengersidedoorand
thetwoofthem
slideacrosstheseat,Bevilacquabehindthe
wheel.

EXT. FOREST LAWN SQUARE -- MOMENTS LATER

WalterwandersthroughagroupofCHRISTMAS
CAROLERS...
movingtowardthemazeofCHRISTMASTREES.He
looksoverhis
shoulder...whereArlingtonemergesfroma
crowd...staring
himdownlikeamonster.
Walter'sfaceisghostwhitewithterror.He
beginstowalk
fasterthroughthemaze.

90.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- DRIVEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

Normacomesdownthedrivewaywithhermother
andsister...
overcomewithshock...searchingthecrowd...

NORMA
Walter?

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- BACK DRIVEWAY -- NEXT

Bevilacquaputsthetruckintodriveandspeeds
outofthe
drivewayontothestreet.
Jimstandsacrossthelawn,manningthechaos.
Herecognizes
thetwomenasthepasshimby...andheraises
hisWALKIE
TALKIEtohismouth.

JIM
IjustspottedBevilacqua...he's
inawhitepickuptruck.Potential
hostagesituation.
 EXT. FOREST LAWN SQUARE -- MOMENTS LATER

Walterwindshiswaythroughthemazeof
Christmastrees...
roundingacorner...whereherunsintoDANA.

DANA
Walter...

WALTER
Hey.
Budarrivesnexttoher.

DANA
Iseverythingalright?

WALTER
No.

DANA
Comewithus.
Shetakeshishandandtheymovenorthback
towardthe
church.

EXT. 1-95 -- NIGHT

TheWHITEPICKUPdrivessouthdown195.

91.

INT. WHITE PICK-UP TRUCK -- NEXT

Bevilacquahashishandsonthesteering
wheel...Arthur's
leftarmextendedduetothehandcuffing.

BEVILACQUA

(DELIRIOUS)
Didyoupushthebutton...orwas
ityourwife?

ARTHUR
Mywife.

BEVILACQUA
Yeah...metoo.Iwasn'tevenhome.
ShedecidedtopushitwhenI
wasn'taroundtostopher.

ARTHUR
Andnowshe'sdead.Didyoukill
her?

BEVILACQUA
Idon'twanttotalkaboutit.

ARTHUR
Whereareyoutakingme?
BevilacquaretrievesaNASADOSSIERfromthe
dashboardand
handsittoArthur.

BEVILACQUA
KennethWeller.Youknowhim?

ARTHUR
Namesoundsfamiliar.Doeshework
atLangleytoo?

BEVILACQUA
Yep.He'snext.Himandhiswife...
they'vegottheboxnow.
Suddenly...BLUEANDREDLIGHTSappearbehind
them...
followedbythesoundofaSIREN.

EXT. 1-95 -- NIGHT

TWOPOLICECRUISERSarenowtailingthepickup
truck.

INT. WHITE PICK-UP TRUCK -- NEXT

Bevilacquastepsonthegas...acceleratingto
outrunthem.

92.

ARTHUR
Whatareyoudoing?

BEVILACQUA
I'mnotgonnaletthemgetme...
Arthur...we'vegottogetto
KennethWeller.We'vegottobreak
thechain...oryourwifeisgonna
die!

ARTHUR
Howisshegoingtodie?

BEVILACQUA
You'regoingtokillher!
BevilacquaswervesintotheONCOMINGTRAFFIC
LANEtopassa
carinfrontofthem.ALARGE18WHEELERTRUCK
isbarreling
towardthem.
Bevilacquapullsthetruckbackintotheright
lane.

EXT. 1-95 -- NEXT

The18WHEELERslamsonthebrakes...then
jackknivesto
theleft...blockingbothlanes...
OneofthePOLICECRUISERSpullsoffintothe
ditch...while
thesecondCRUISERswervesandSMASHESheadon
intotheside
ofthetruckbed...sheeringthetopofthe
sedanintotwo
pieces...

INT. WHITE PICK-UP TRUCK -- NEXT

Arthurlooksbackoverhisshoulder...seeing
thecarssmash
together.

ARTHUR
Jesus!You'regonnagetuskilled!

BEVILACQUA
DidStewardtakeyoutothe
library?Didyoumeethismother...
thelibrarian?

ARTHUR
Yeah.

BEVILACQUA
DidshetellyouaboutPrometheus?

ARTHUR
Yeah...

93.

BEVILACQUA
Stewardhasatwinbrother...and
heworksfortheCIA.
UPAHEAD...ArthurseesFOURMOREPOLICE
CRUISERSwiththeir
lightsflashing.TheyhaveformedaROADBLOCK.
Bevilacqualowershisfootontothe
accelerator...refusing
tobackdown.

BEVILACQUA (CONT'D)
Thisispurgatory...we'reliving
inpurgatory...

EXT. 1-95 -- NIGHT

TheWHITETRUCKsmashesthroughthelineof
POLICECRUISERS
asPOLICEOFFICERSdiveforcover.
AnofficerraiseshisGUNandfiresoffseveral
roundstoward
thetruck.
ABULLETexplodestherightfronttire...
ThetruckswervesandFLIPSOVERontoone
side...tumbling
overandoveralongtheinterstateina
horrificcrash.
ONCOMINGCARSswerveintoditches...andthe
whitetruck
comesslidingtoastoponthewetpavement.
TheCAMERAslowlyapproachesthesmoking
wreckage...catching
aglimpseofBevilacqua...hisfacecoveredin
blood.Arthur
remainshiddenfromsight.

EXT. VIRGINIA HOUSE -- DRIVEWAY -- MOMENTS LATER

Normarushesdownthesidewalkontheperimeter
ofthe
square...searchingforherson.

NORMA
Walter?
ABLACKSEDANpullsupnexttoher...and
Restonstepsoutof
thecar.
Normalockseyeswithhim...recognizinghis
face...

RESTON
Mrs.Lewis?NormaLewis?

NORMA
Yes.

94.

RESTON
MynameisRestonSteward.Iwork
fortheCIA.

NORMA
Yeah?Whereismyson?Whereismy
husband?

RESTON
Please...getintothecar.
Normastaresathimindisbelief...asheopens
thebackdoor
andgesturesinside.

RESTON (CONT'D)

(GENTLE)
Please...thereisn'tmuchtime.

EXT. 1-95 -- NIGHT -- LATER ON

JimBurnswalksthroughtheaftermathofthe
crashsite.
TherearenowseveralFIRETRUCKS,AMBULANCES
andother
EMERGENCYVEHICLESscatteredoneithersideof
the
interstate.
RobertBevilacqua'sDEADBODYisnowona
stretcher.Jim
looksdownathimbriefly...thenturnsto
anotherOFFICERon
thescene.

JIM
Where'sArthur?

OFFICER #1
Theytookhimawayinanambulance.

INT. AMBULANCE -- NEXT

Arthursitsupinthebackoftheambulance.He
hasasmall
scrapeonhischeekbone...butotherwise
appearsunharmed.
AnEMSTECHNICIANisintherewithhim.He
handsArthuran

ICE PACK.

EMS TECHNICIAN
Here...holdthisagainstyour
forehead.It'llkeepyourheadfrom
swelling.
Arthurtakestheicepackandplacesitagainst
hishead.

ARTHUR
Thanks.

95.

EMS TECHNICIAN
Ithinkitmighthavebeena
miracle.
TheEMSTechnicianshakeshisheadin
disbelief.

ARTHUR
What?

EMS TECHNICIAN
Thatcaraccident.I'veneverseen
someonewalkawayfromanaccident
likethat.

(BEAT)
Somebodyupstairsislookingout
foryou,buddy.
Thedoortotheambulanceopens.AUSARMY
OFFICERappears.
HestepsawayfromthedoorsandGeneralTeague
emergesfrom
thedarkness.

TEAGUE
Areyouabletowalk,son?

ARTHUR
Yes,sir.

TEAGUE
Pleasestepoutoftheambulance.

EXT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- PARKING LOT -- NEXT

Arthurstepsoutoftheambulanceandseesthat
itisparked
infrontofaHOWARDJOHNSONHOTELonanexit
of195.The
hotelhasaDINERattachedtoit.
TherearemorethanadozenPOLICECARSparked
infront,
alongwith..severalBLACKSEDANSandMILITARY
VEHICLES.
ArthurhearstherumbleofaHELICOPTER
circlingthesky
abovethem.ItsSEARCHLIGHTsweepsthroughthe
forest.
Infrontofthedinerentrance...morethana
DOZENMEN
operateVIDEOCAMERASandSTILLCAMERASmounted
ontripods,
allpointedtowardthefrontwindowofthe
diner.
TeagueisstandingwithCahillandReston,
alongwithseveral
otherMILITARYPERSONNEL.
ArthurnoticesNormaassheemergesfroma
BLACKSEDAN...she
looksexhausted...delirious.

NORMA
Arthur!

96.

ARTHUR
Norma!
Shehugshim...neitherhassleptintwodays.

NORMA
Where'sWalter?

ARTHUR
Idon'tknow.
Restonstepsforward.
 RESTON
Mybrotherhastakenyourson...
butheassuresmethatheisalive
andwell.
Restontriestocomfortthemwithasmile.

RESTON (CONT'D)
Takeawalkwithus.
NormaandArthurbegintowalkwithReston,
TeagueandCahill
towardthedinerentrance.

RESTON (CONT'D)
Areyoufamiliarwiththemythof
Prometheus?

ARTHUR
Yeah.

RESTON
Inthe1940s...whenNASAwas
formed,webegandeveloping,in
secret,aprojectthatwedubbed
thePrometheusEffect.

TEAGUE
Projectingfictionalscenarios
abouthowwewouldrespond,ifand
whenwecameintocontactwithan
alienintelligence.

RESTON
Iftheintelligencehadhostile
intent...orifitbegantosomehow
displayproofofitsabilityto
destroyus,wewouldhaveasystem
inplacetobeginnegotiatingwith
itinsecret.

97.

TEAGUE
ThegoalofPrometheusisto
maintaincoexistencewiththislife
form,andeventuallyachievepeace
withit,sothatitspowercanbe
harnessed,developedandappliedin
suchamannerthatwillbenefitthe
humanrace.
ArthurnoticesthatCahillisholdingafolder
inhisright
hand.

CAHILL
OnthenightofSeptember3rd,as
theserverwasdownloadingimages
fromtheVikingcamerasystemthat
youhelpeddesign...weexperienced
anelectricalsurgefromaboltof
lightning.
Astheyarriveattheentrancetothediner,
Cahillshows
Arthurablurryblackandwhitephotograph.

CAHILL (CONT'D)
AnanomalyintheseriesofViking
imagesproducedthisphotographof
theMarssurface.
ThephotoappearstobeaghostlikeTRAILOF
WHITELIGHT
streakingacrossthemartianlandscape.
Teaguenodstowardthedinerwindow.

TEAGUE
Accordingto...it...andwhatever
itis...
ArthurnoticesArlingtonsittingaloneina
boothinsidethe
diner...waiting...
 TEAGUE (CONT'D)
Aghost...anapparition...a
methanecompoundimbeddedinpulse
ofelectricity...

CAHILL
Ifthehumanspiritisassigneda
specificbandwidthupon
conception...twins...would
provideitwithadualbandwidth
carrier...

RESTON

(INTERRUPTING)
Itclaimstobemorethansix
billionyearsold.

98.

J
Arthurstaresatthestreakofwhitelightin
thephoto.

ARTHUR
Mycamera...tookthisphoto...

CAHILL
We'verunthedatasequenceoffthe
servermorethanathousandtimes.
Eachtime...thisonephotointhe
sequencecomesoutofthedarkroom
justlikethis.Wecan'texplain
why.
ArthurhandsthephotobacktoCahill.
 NORMA
Whatdoesitwant?
CahillglancesatTeague...wholooksto
Cahill.

CAHILL
Ithinkthesamethingthatit
wantedfromBevilacqua...except
thatpoorboyisnolongeraround
totelluswhyheshothiswife.

NORMA
Whatdidhesaytoyouwhenyou
wereinthecarwithhim?

ARTHUR
Somethingaboutbreakingthechain.
Hewantedtofindthenexttest
subject...andpreventthemfrom
pushingthebutton.
CahilliswritingdiligentlyonhisNOTEPAD.
Restoncannowfeelsomethingtakingcontrolof
him...he
lookstoTeague...terrified.
Hecloseshiseyes...hisbodybeginsto
twitch.
Teaguestaresathisfriend...realizingwhat
ishappening.
Restonopenshiseyes...nowpossessed...blood
drainingfrom
hisears.

RESTON
GeneralTeague...it'sapleasure
tomeetyou.

(BEAT)
Iwouldliketocontinuewithmy
experiment...ifyoudon'tmind.
RestonsmilesattheGeneral.

99.

RESTON (CONT'D)
Pleasedonotinterfere...asI
assureyouthatifyoudo...there
willbedireconsequences...
RestonthenturnstofaceArthurandNorma.

RESTON (CONT'D)
Timeisoftheessence...andI'd
liketoinvitemyguestsinside.
Restonopensthedoortothedinerandgestures
toArthurand
Normaforthemtocomeinside.

INT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- DINER -- NEXT

Arthur,NormaandRestonmaketheirwaydown
thelongaisle
ofthediner,flankedbyarowofbooths,
acrossfromalong
LUNCHCOUNTERwithametalsurface.
Arlingtonsitsaloneinabooth.Hepivotshis
headaroundto
facethem.

ARLINGTON
Pleasehaveaseat.
Restonsitsdownnexttohistwinbrother...
ArthurandNorma
sitdownacrossfromthetwins.
Arlingtonhasnowlockedcompletelyintohis
brother's
spirit...
Themovementofthetwomenisinnowin
PERFECT
SYNCHRONICITY,staggeredbyexactlyone
second...Reston
followingArlington.
Arlington'seyesremainclosedindeep
concentration...
Arlington'slipsmovesilently...andReston
repeatsthemout
loud.Reston'sdemeanorisnowkind...
gentle...almost
apologeticforhispastbehavior.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Don'tbefrightenedbymymannerof
communication...butitisbecoming
moredifficultformetospeak,
givenmybody's...condition.

NORMA
Whathaveyoudonewithourson?

100.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
We'llgettohiminamoment...but
firstIwantyoutoknowthatI
haveadeeprespectandadmiration
youboth,andIamverysorry...
thatyoupushedthebutton.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- POOL -- NEXT

BudnowhasWalterlaidoutonthecementnext
theedgeof
theSWIMMINGPOOLattheshallowend.Theboy
is
unconscious...stilldressedinhissuitfrom
thewedding.
Fromacrossthepool...Danaissquattingon
theendofthe
DIVINGBOARD...watchingthem.
BudthenremovesWalter'srightshoeand
sock...exposinghis
barefoot.HethenretrievesaSERRATEDHUNTING
KNIFE...and
cutsinthefleshfromhisBIGTOEacrossthe
ballofhis
foot...drawingblood.

INT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- DINER -- NEXT

Restoncloseshiseyesforamoment.Whenhe
opensthem...
tearshavebeguntoform,asthoughhecannot
bearthenews
thathisbrotherisforcinghimtodeliver.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Iwillnowgiveyouachanceto
saveyourselves...anopportunity
forredemptionandsalvation.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- POOL -- NEXT

BudisnowcarryingtheunconsciousWalterin
hisarms.He
stepsintotheshallowendoftheheated
pool...anddunks
theboyunderthesurface.
BLOODfromthecutonthebottomofhisfoot
drainsoutinto
thewaterlikeredink...

INT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- DINER -- NEXT

Normacloseshereyes...theimpendingsenseof
dread
buildinginsideofher.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Twoofyourson'sfivefunctional
senseshavebeenpermanently
impaired.


101.

EXT. WILLOW LAWN MOTEL -- POOL -- NEXT

UNDERWATER...Walterfloatswithhisarms
spreadwide...
WHITESTROBESOFLIGHTFLICKERAROUNDHIM.The
lightstreaks
bearacloseresemblancetotheimageinthe
Marsphoto.
Bloodstreamsoutfromhisfootintothewater.

INT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- DINER -- NEXT

BloodisnowflowingoutofReston'sleft
nostril.Both
ArthurandNormarecoilinhorror.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Heisnowblindanddeaf.

(BEAT)
Fortherestofhislife,hewill
neverhearyourvoice...orsee
yourface.

ARTHUR
(underhisbreath)
Why...

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Youarenowpresentedwithtwo
options.

(BEAT)
Optionone...youenjoytherestof
yourliveswiththemoneyyouhave
beengiven,andyoulearntolive
withyourson'sdisability.
Restonthenreachesintohispocketand
retrievesaPISTOL.
Heplacesitonthetablenexttothebox.

RESTON/ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Andthenthereisoptionnumber
two.

(BEAT)
Thereisonebulletinthechamber
ofthisgun.
Restonslidesthegunacrossthetablein
Arthur'sdirection.

RESTON/ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Youcanfirethisbulletintoyour
wife'sheart...killingher.

(BEAT)
Attheexactmomentthatherspirit
departstheearth,thiscurseupon
yoursonwillbereversed,andboth
ofhisimpairedsenseswill
instantaneouslyreturntonormal.

102.
ArthurlooksoveratNormaindisbelief...then
backatthe
twins.Hecannotfathomhowithasnowcometo
this.

RESTON/ARLINGTON (CONT'D)
Arthur,youwillthenbearrested
andchargedwiththemurderofyour
wife...andthemoneywillbe
placedinaninterestbearingtrust
foryoursontoreceiveuponhis
eighteenthbirthday.

NORMA
That'snotfair.

(BEAT)
Letmedoit.I,pushedyourstupid
button.IfIdeservetobepunished
forit...thenletmekillmyself.
Arthurhasnothingtodowiththis.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
I'msorry,buttheofferisnot
negotiable.

(TO ARTHUR)
AndifNorma'sfingerssomuchas
touchtheweaponatanypointfrom
thismomenton...therestoration
ofWalter'ssightandsoundwillbe
denied.

NORMA
IfArthurhastodoit...thenI
wantyoutomakeitlooklikea
suicide.Arthurshouldn'tbe
punishedforsomethingthatIdid.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
I'msorry...butthetermsofthe
offerarenotnegotiable.
Arthurfaceshasgonecompletelywhite.

ARTHUR
Isthereanafterlife?
Thetwinssmilecrypticallyinresponseto
Arthur'squestion.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Becausethisispurgatory,right?
Theearthispurgatory...and
you'reheretostartshutting
thingsdown...right?
Thetwinsappearimpressedwithhisforesight.

103.

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Ifindyourtheorytobequite
fascinating.ButImustremindyou
thatIamunabletodisclosethe
identityofmyemployers.
Arthurglancesoutthewindowatallofthe
cameras.

ARTHUR
Right.Igetit.
Restonthenturnstothewindow...

RESTON/ARLINGTON
Cansomeonepleasebringupthe
car?

EXT. HOWARD JOHNSON -- DINER -- MOMENTS LATER

ArthurandNormaemergefromthedinerina
stateof
delirium.ASOLDIERpullsupinArthur'sTRANS
AM.Hesteps
outofthecarandholdsthedooropen.
TeagueandCahillapproach...asMENindark
suitssnap
hundredsofphotographsofthecouple.
CahillputshishandonArthur'sshoulder...
searchingfor
words.
Teagueglancesinsidethediner...thenbackat
Arthur.
Arthurnodshisheadslowly...hismindlost...
andhelimps
towardthecarwithNormaathisside.

INT. ARTHUR'S CAR -- NEXT

Normasitsbehindthewheel...allowingArthur
toride
shotgun.Helooksweakenedbythewholeordeal,
andsheis
afraidhemightpassout.

ARTHUR
Tellmethisisn'thappening,
Norma.

NORMA
Thisisn'thappening...
Shestartstheengine...andtheydriveoff.
ArthurwatchestheparkinglotfullofMEN
reflectedbackat
theminthesideviewmirror.

104.

EXT. INTERSTATE 95 -- SUNRISE

HELICOPTERSHOT:TheCAMERAfliesover195as
Arthur'scar
travelsnorthtowardRichmond.AMILITARY
HELICOPTERflies
overhead...escortingthemontheirjourney
home.
 INT. ARTHUR'S CAR -- NEXT

ArthursitsshotgunasNormadrivesthemhome.
Theyhavebeen
ridinginsilenceforquitesometimenow,
havingreacheda
levelofcompletementalandphysical
exhaustion.

NORMA
Alltheseyears...I'vegivenyou
theimpressionthatWalterwasan
accident.

ARTHUR
Yeah...and?

NORMA
And...itwasn'texactlyan
accident.

(BEAT)
IstoppedtakingthepillwhenI
metyou...

ARTHUR
Why?

NORMA
BecauseIwassoafraidoflosing
youtosomeoneprettierthanme.
Arthurjuststaresather...unsurehowto
respond.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Forthatalone...Ideservea
bulletintheheart...don'tyou
think?

ARTHUR
No...Idon't.
Shemanagesasmile.Atearrollsdownher
cheekasshe
staresoutatthepavementandtheendless
treeslining
eithersideoftheinterstate.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FOYER -- EARLY MORNING

Arthurpullsthecarupintothedriveway.The
streetis
quietandempty.

105.
Theystepoutofthecar.Danaissittingon
thefrontporch,
waitingforthem.
Sherisestoherfeetastheyapproach.

DANA
Didmydadtellyouwhyheloves
you,Norma?
Normarealizesthatshehasbeeninvolvedall
along.Blood
drainsfromhernose.

NORMA
No.

DANA
Becauseyou'reanamputee.Hesays
thatthesoulofanamputeeleaks
outintothewind...searchingfor
theplacewherethereisnolonger
fleshandbone.

(BEAT)
Itsaysthatthesoulthatleaksis
thesoulthatendures.Itisthe
kindestandbravestsoulofthem
all.

NORMA
Whereisourson?

DANA
He'slockedintheupstairs
bathroom.Ithinkhejustwokeup.
Danaturnsaway...andbeginstowalkdownthe
sidewalkin
theoppositedirection.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS BATHROOM -- NEXT

Walterlaysinsidethebathtub,soakingwet.He
isstill
wearinghissuitfromthewedding.Heis
shivering...looking
around...disoriented...
HisEYEBALLSarenowCOMPLETELYWHITE...
pupilsnolonger
visible.

WALTER
Isanyonethere?!
Hebeginsclawingatthewalls...tryingto
figureoutwhere
heis.

WALTER (CONT'D)
Ican'tsee!

106.
Heclimbsoutofthebathtubandbeginsto
crawlacrossthe
tilefloor.Herunsintothedoor...andthen
reachesupand
findstheDOORKNOB.Itislocked.
Hebeginstobangonthedoorrelentlessly.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- NEXT

NormaandArthurcomeupthestairsandround
thecornerof
thehallway.Walter'sHANDreachesoutthrough
thecrack
beneaththedoor.
Normatriestoopenthedoorbutthereisa
MASSIVELOCK
installedonit.

NORMA
Walter!
Normareachesdownandtakesherson'shand.

WALTER
Who'sthere?!Who'sthere?!

NORMA
Walter!It'smom!Canyouhearme?!

WALTER

WHO'S THERE?!!

NORMA

CAN YOU HEAR ME!!?

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS BATHROOM -- NEXT

Hedoesnotrespond...andbeginsbanginghis
headagainst
thedoor...harderandharder...
Thump...thump...

NORMA (O.S.)

CAN YOU HEAR ME?!!!

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- NEXT

Noresponse...justhishead...slamming
againstthedoor
repeatedly.

ARTHUR
Weneedtokickthedoordown.

NORMA
Hecouldgethurt...

107.
Normabeginstopoundbackonthedoorwithher
fist...and
eventuallythethumpingstops.Shebeginsto
hearquietsobs
frominsidethebathroom.

WALTER
Who'sthere?Who'sthere?
Normarisestoherfeet.

NORMA
Comedownstairs,Arthur.
Shetakeshislefthand...asheclutches
Walter'shandin
hisright.

NORMA (CONT'D)
Arthur...

(BEAT)
Ineedyoutocomedownstairswith
me...rightnow.

INT. WELLER HOUSE -- BEDROOM -- NEXT

SUZANNEWELLER(30s)sitsonherbed.Her
husbandKENNETH
WELLER(30s)standsatthewindow.Neither
lookslikethey
havesleptinawhile.
Suzannehastheboxsittingonthemattressin
frontof
her...theglassdomeisopen.

SUZANNE
I'mgonnapushit.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

ArthurandNormastandacrossfromoneanother
inthe
kitchen.ArthurholdstheGUNinhisright
hand...andhe
slowlylimpsovertohiswifeandtakesher
intohisarms.

ARTHUR
Norma...

NORMA
Arthur...Iloveyou,andI'mso
sorry...I'msosorrythatIdid
thistous...

ARTHUR
I'mtheonewhotoldyoutopush
thebutton...sodon'tapologize.
Helooksoutthroughthewindowathisback
yard...likely
forthelasttime.

 108.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)
Iloveyoutoo...andplease
know...thatIregretnothingin
thislifewe'velivedtogether.

NORMA
I'llbewaiting...countingthe
daysuntilmyArthurcomestosee
me.

INT. WELLER HOUSE -- BEDROOM -- NEXT

SuzanneWellersmilesatherhusband...reaches
herfinger
outandplacesitonthebutton.
Shethenpressesdown.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

FROMUPSTAIRS...thump...thump...theirson's
headbanging
againstthedoor...

NORMA
It'sgoingtobeharderforyouto
livethanformetodie.
Arthurcloseshiseyes...thenoiseis
excruciating.Thereis
notimetowaitanylonger.

ARTHUR
Wellthen.

(BEAT)
Let'sgetonwithit.
Arthurkissesher...thenstepsback...still
clutchingher
hand...raisesthegun...andfiresoffaround
intoher
heart.
Normacollapses...Arthurfallswithher...
breakingherfall
withhisarmsastheycollapseintoaheaponto
thelinoleum
floor.

INT. WELLER HOUSE -- BEDROOM -- NEXT

Suzannelooksoveratherhusbandandletsout
aderanged
giggle.Hesmilesback.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Arthurlooksdownintohiswife'seyesasthe
lifedrains
fromherbody.Secondslater...Normaisdead.

109.
BLOODbeginstoflowfromtheexitwoundinher
backacross
thelinoleum.Arthurisnowcoveredinit.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Waltercrawlsacrossthebloodsoakedkitchen
floorand
reachesuptothePHONEthatismountedonthe
wall.Hetakes
hisfingerandplacesitinthecradle...dials
911.

INT. RICHMOND POLICE STATION -- 911 EMERGENCY --

NEXT

TheCAMERAtracksalongaseriesofCUBICLESat
thePOLICE
STATIONindowntownRichmond.AnOPERATORsits
ateach
cubicle...eachonefemale.

OPERATOR #1
911emergency...howmayIdirect
yourcall?
TheCAMERAmovesincloser...

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Arthurhasthephonetohisear...imprintsof
hiswife's
bloodaresmearedonthephone'sreceiver.

ARTHUR
Yes.ThisisArthurLewisat1560
MonumentAvenue.I'vejustshotmy
wife...canyoupleasesendan
ambulance?
TheOperatorbeginstoaskmorequestions...
butArthurdoes
notlisten.Hehangsupthephone.
Thethumpingfromupstairshasnowsubsided.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

WALTER!!!
Hepullshimselftohisfeetandheadsintothe
foyer.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NEXT

Arthurroundsthecorneratthebaseofthe
stairs...

ARTHUR

WALTER!!!

110.

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY -- NEXT

Arthurroundsthecorneroftheupstairs
hallway...rushes
towardthebathroomdoor.
Walter'shandcomesslidingoutfrombeneath
thecrackinthe
door.Arthurgrabsit.

ARTHUR

WALTER!!!

WALTER
Dad?

ARTHUR
Yes...canyouhearme?

WALTER
Yeah.

ARTHUR
Whatdoyousee?Whereareyou
Walter?

WALTER
I'minthebathroom...

ARTHUR
Canyouseeclearly?

WALTER
Yeah...Icansee...everythingis
bright...butIcansee.

ARTHUR
Everythingisbright.Everythingis
brightWalter...you'regonnabe
okay,buddy.

WALTER
What'sgoingon?

ARTHUR
You'regonnabeokay,buddy.That's
allthatmatters.

(BEAT)
That'sallthatmatters,now.
Outofthecornerofhiseye,Arthurnotices
somethingatthe
topofthestairs.ItisaPOLICEOFFICER.He
hashisgun
aimedatArthur.

POLICE OFFICER

BACK AWAY FROM THE DOOR AND PUT

YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!!

Arthurstaresattheofficer...frozen...the
repercussions
ofhisdecisionnowstarehiminthefacewith
aloadedgun.

POLICE OFFICER (CONT'D)

I SAID BACK AWAY FROM THE DOOR AND

PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!!

Arthurobeys...andthecoprushesoverand
pusheshimover
ontohisstomach...handcuffinghiswrists
together.
 INT. WELLER HOUSE -- FOYER -- NEXT

TheDOORBELLrings.
SuzanneWelleropensthedoor.Arlingtonis
standingthere
withhisbriefcase...smiling.

ARLINGTON
Mrs.Weller...doyouhavethe
buttonunit?

INT. LEWIS HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- LATER THAT MORNING

ACORONERplacesaBLANKEToverNorma'sfaceas
thehouseis
sealedoffbyvariousCRIMESCENEINVESTIGATORS
andother
police.

EXT. LEWIS HOUSE -- FRONT WALK -- MOMENTS LATER

ArthurisnowbeingescortedbytwoPOLICE
OFFICERStoa
waitingCRUISERthatisparkedinfrontofthe
house.
JimBurnsisstandingtherewiththedooropen.

ARTHUR
I'msorry,Jim.
HestaresArthurdownasheisputintothe
backseatofthe
cruiser.Jimclosesthedoorandgoesaroundto
thefrontof
thecar.
Jimgetsbehindthewheelandstartsthe
engine.
Arthurlooksbackthroughthewindow,toward
hishouse.
UpstairsintheMASTERBEDROOMWINDOW...Walter
iswatching,
tearsstreamingdownhisface.
Arthurreachesupwithhishands...cuffed
together...and
trieshisbesttowaveathisson.

112.

ARTHUR (CONT'D)

(MOUTHING SILENTLY)
I`msorry...
Fromthewindow...Walterwatchesthecarpull
awayfromthe
curb.
Heplaceshishandontheglass...wavingback.

CUT TO BLACK: