UNTIL LATER

Written by

Gabrielle de Boucaud

318 s Detroit st
(858) 353-0222
INT. SMALL CABIN - DAY

A woman PHOEBE(20) sits on a tall table, giving birth. A teen

girl with her hair in long braids and a determined but out of
her depth look on her face, INDIA (17), grips Phoebe’s hand
and guides her breaths. A beautiful middle aged woman,
MARIANNE (45) works as Phoebe’s midwife, rubbing a salve on
her belly and checking her dilation.

Phoebe’s grunts and moans start getting sharper and louder.

India looks at Marianne with worry in her eyes.

INDIA
She needs that herbal mix Mama...

Marianne remains calm. She wipes her hands on a towel she has
laying on her work table and hurries up to Phoebe.

MARIANNE
Phoebe, I have to go to the
neighbors to grab a tool to help
guide the baby out. He’s fine. He
just needs an adjustment and then
he’ll come right out. India will be
here to take care of you while I’m
gone. I’ll just be a minute.

Marianne’s eyes switch from calm and sweet, to worried and

stressed as soon as she turns around. She hurriedly grabs her
satchel and quickly walks out the front door.

INDIA
But Mama-

India looks at Phoebe, worry in her eyes. In between her

gasps Phoebe looks at India.

PHOEBE
What’s wrong with him?!

INDIA
Nothing! He’s going to be just
fine, my mother just-

PHOEBE
No! He’s going to die in there!

India awkwardly tries to comfort her.

INDIA
He’s okay this happens a lot!
Please just relax, you’ll only
stress him out!
 2.

PHOEBE
I can’t breathe! I need to breathe!

Phoebe starts hyperventilating. Clawing at anything around

her, knocking down tools and bowls of herbs.

India runs over to the ice box and pulls out a metal tool and
bowl, and chips some ice pieces off of a block of ice.

She runs back over to Phoebe and tries to feed her the ice
chips, but Phoebe’s hands claw at her, knocking the bowl out
of her hands and onto the floor.

Phoebe’s eyes are bloodshot and her lips are turning slightly
blue, her breaths are barely going through and she is in full
panic mode.

India freezes, seeing everything in slow motion and taking in

the sight around her. Phoebe clutching her throat and turning
blue and red. The herbs spilled out down by her feet. She
assesses, and then springs into action.

She grabs a large wooden box that has all her mothers tools
and more intense medicines. Vials with labels saying things
like “anti-venom” “vomit inducer” and a lung pump. She digs
to the bottom and pulls out a little wooden case, flings it
open and pulls out a very large vintage-style syringe with a
huge needle, filled with a thick milky viscous liquid.

She tests that it still dispenses and then runs over to

Phoebe, she pins down Phoebe’s flailing arm down and inserts
the needle, dispensing the full dose.

Phoebe almost immediately relaxes, drawing in a large shaky

breath. She continues sucking in air and trying to catch her
breath. She had an allergic reaction, made worse by her panic
about the baby.

India wipes her sweaty face with her dirty hands. Marianne
comes rushing in, with a large wooden contraption in hand.

She takes in the scene: broken glass on the floor, herbs

strewn across the table and a recovering Phoebe. Then she
notices the empty syringe in India’s hand. Marianne composes
her confused worried face.

MARIANNE
Alright, let’s get this baby out!
 3.

EXT. BEACH - LATER

This beach is similar to Big Sur or San Diego beaches, it has

large steep bluffs all around, and lots of trees clinging to
the sides and tops of the bluffs. The sky is grey with some
sunshine peeking through the clouds and the ocean sends large
wave after wave, churning it’s waters to a froth.

On the shore, there are a few wooden picnic tables and a

gathering of about 50 people.

There’s a bonfire lighting up the area in an orange glow and

the pale sunset only adds to that effect.

People are starting to settle, sitting down on thick blankets

in the sand or at the tables covered in wreaths and other
flora. The tinkling of silverware on plates begins.

Marianne stands up from the bench she’s sitting on and taps

her feet against it, trying to shake the sand out. When
nothing comes out, she flings them off her feet and stands on
the bench.

MARIANNE
First off, thank you to everyone
who showed up for my Roger tonight.
(choked up)
I appreciate you all and I know
he’s looking down from heaven right
now, laughing at me getting all
sentimental.

Someone hands Marianne a tissue and she thanks them and wipes
her eyes.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
All we can do now is celebrate his
wonderful life and the incredible
impact he had on the community and
most importantly, his family. His
heroic act of following an
unsupervised child into the forest
to save them from all those unknown
horrors, was his last. He left us
way too soon and we’ll always be a
little bit broken by that, but my
girls have really been my rock
throughout the past 5 years. I
remember the first week we were
dating, Roger told me he couldn’t
wait to have a family because then
you have built in best friends. I
told him to slow his roll.
 4.

Audience chuckles.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
But of course I agreed. And he was
right, now we have these two
beautiful girls that you all know
and love. They say it takes a
village to raise a child, and when
you lose your partner, boy,
sometimes you really feel like
quitting. But this village, all of
you, did truly roll up your sleeves
and help me when I needed it. In
the process we’ve also managed to
make our home so much safer by
educating kids and adults as soon
as possible about how dangerous our
forest is. So please, think of this
party as yours as well. I know my
girls can talk about their daddy a
whole lot better than I can. And
they look a lot prettier while
doing it too.
(chuckles)
Lily!

LILY (14) a beautiful young girl in a lacy and flowy white

dress blushes deeply, looking at her mother with the clear
message of “no” in her eyes.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
Come on baby, your Daddy would love
to hear from you.

Lily shakes her head and looks down, avoiding the

townspeople’s stares.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
Okay, that’s okay, he knows.

Marianne throws her a apologetic smile and wink.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
I know my oldest will have
something to say! She always does!

The crowd chuckles again and India rolls her eyes but smiles
wide.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
This girl saved one of my patient’s
life today. I administered
something to our patient and she
had an allergic reaction.
(MORE)
 5.
MARIANNE (CONT’D)
India knew exactly what to do and
gave her a dose of a steroid
correctly that we have never had to
use before. Now Honey, I know you
want to get out of this town the
second you turn 18, but we could
really use you around here!!

Some applause and a few whoops. India gets up from her seated
position on a towel on the ground and goes up to hug her mom.

INDIA
(to crowd)
She’s being humble, but she taught
me everything I know.

India and her mother hug.

MARIANNE
(to India only)
Your light is too big and bright
for this town. I’m gonna miss you
baby, but you need to go somewhere
big enough for all that you have to
offer. You make me so proud.

India releases her mother from the embrace and wiping away
her tears, turns back to the crowd.

INDIA
Thank you all for enduring this
long display of emotion. We love
you all and it’s true what my
mother says, we couldn’t have made
it without you all. Now, after we
finish eating, please join us in
bringing a wreath or flowers up the
bluff path to toss in the ocean in
memory of my father. Thank you all
again for coming and let’s enjoy
this night for my dad!

INT. SMALL WOODEN COTTAGE - MIDDAY

This village exists out of time, suspended in a small beach

town, surrounded by tall mountains, that seems to be stuck in
the 1940's, but simultaneously the mid 1800's. It's
inhabitants have fridges and radios but no cars or phones.

They dress in clothes from 1850, but with a mid-century spin.

Gowns and lace for the women; and 3 piece suits, pocket
watches and top hats for the men.
 6.

Everything they have is handmade looking, besides their

vintage-style electronics.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME - DAY

India, Lily and Marianne sit in their living room, Marianne

reads and India braids Lily’s hair. India has her long
midnight black hair already braided into tiny braids that
hang down her back.

LILY
Are you almost done?

India's long cocoa fingers deftly finish the last braid and
tie it off.

INDIA
Yes all done!

Lily jumps up and claps her hands.

LILY
Okay! Finally, beach time!

Marianne looks up from her book.

MARIANNE
I can’t go girls, Mrs. Albright is
about to have her baby and we need
to head over to her house very
soon.

Marianne gets up stiffly out of her chair and hurries over to

the kitchen, wrapping something up in a cloth.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
You girls go ahead.

INDIA
Are you sure Mama? Mrs. Albright’s
had such a tough pregnancy, don’t
you need help?

Marianne throws some items in a large pack. She waves them

off. The girls smile at each other.

MARIANNE
Bring Nana’s umbrella! The sun's
bright today!
 7.

EXT. TOWN MAIN STREET - DAY

The girls walk down the main street of their town. A dozen or
so people walk around looking in different shops or make
their way down the street. The girls pass an old man in a
wheel chair being pushed by a middle aged woman wearing a
nurse outfit. He is messing with his chair that he is bucked
into.

He sits straight up, mouth slack, glass eye spinning slightly

in his socket.

OLD MAN
I cant get out! No! Let me out!
Theres no way out!

He falls down slack again.

NURSE
Calm down now Henry, nothing's
wrong. Just rest. That's right.

The girls look at the old man, alarmed. His nurse looks at
the girls apologetically.

They hurry on.

EXT. ROCKY BEACH WITH HUGE BLUFFS - DAY

The girls run towards the rocky shore. It's grey and windy
out, but the sun hits bright. The dark grey ocean batters all
the boulders sticking out of the shallows.

Lily stops by the shore and squats, looking at shells and

rocks.

India stands with an off-white lace and linen umbrella

blocking the sun. She looks up as a large pelican soars and
then abruptly plummets into the ocean, coming up with a fish.

India smiles.

A gust of particularly strong wind hits, and rips her

umbrella out of her hands and then carries it over to the
left behind a large bluff.

LILY
No!

It gets caught on a shrub near the top.

INDIA
I'll be right back!
 8.

India runs off towards the bluff.

LILY
No India, leave it!

The bluff juts out, sheltering a tide pool dotted cove that
is dangerously being battered by intervals of grey, frothy
ocean.

She runs into the cove right as it empties out of water. She
scrambles up the rocks just in time, but gets sprayed and
soaked by the incoming wave. She grips the edge, pulls
herself up to the top and grabs the umbrella.

LILY (O.S.) (CONT’D)

India!

Lily stands frozen at the bottom of the cove, trying to climb

up the slippery rocks. India whips around to see her sister
get swallowed by the incoming rush of water.

India kneels down and frantically searches the water. When

the water drains out she sees her sister gripping onto the
bluff for dear life. She pulls her safely up the side of the
bluff, right before another wave smashes in.

INDIA
Are you okay?

Lily nods, wide eyed. India pulls her into a tight hug.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Never do that again! You could have
drowned Lily.

LILY
(through tears)
I'm sorry!

India hugs her again. Over her little sister's shoulder, she
sees indiscernible FIGURES in the distance, half a mile away,
moving around on the bluff. The movement centers under a
gigantic tree.

There's a large flash of light right where the FIGURES are

standing, like lightning, but not from the sky.

India stands up, helping Lily up too, and squints her eyes
towards the mysterious light. She sees the FIGURE run away
from the bluff towards the dense forest that covers the land
around them.

INDIA
Woah.
 9.

LILY
What?

INDIA
I just saw something... strange.

LILY
Where?

India points towards where the light was.

LILY (CONT’D)
I don't see anything.

India keeps looking, her eyes scanning for any sign of

movement.

INDIA
I don't...

India scrambles up the bluff, away from the ocean, towards

the grassy shore area. She helps her sister up the last steep
rocks.

About half a mile away, they can see their town, and half a
mile in the other direction the forest begins.

LILY
India, can we go back? I'm
freezing.

INDIA
It's getting sunny! We'll dry off.

Lily groans. India, as if entranced, starts walking towards

the giant tree. Lily follows, grabbing her arm.

LILY
I'm so cold.

INDIA
I just want to see something. You
can head back if you want to.

Lily looks back down at the frothing cove they just left.

LILY
What did you see?

INDIA
I don't know. It looked like a
person was running around on the
edge of the bluff, and then there
was this bright flash of light...
 10.

LILY
Lightning? We're gonna get caught
in a storm!

EXT. Top of Bluff

The girl's dresses hang from their bodies still damp. Their
handmade leather shoes squeak as they walk. LILY hurries to
keep up with India.

LILY (CONT’D)
You're supposed to take care of me!

India puts her hand out and her sister takes it.

INDIA
I am! I just saved you from
drowning!
(pause)
It'll be quick I promise. You can
have my bread roll at dinner.

LILY purses her lips and then rolls her eyes.

LILY
Fine.

EXT. BY THE GIANT TREE - 20 MINS LATER

The sun has come out. The girls reach the giant tree. Their
clothes are nearly dry now. Their faces are pink from the
exertion and dusted with sea salt.

LILY
Peaches!

The giant tree is dotted with pink peaches. India reaches up

and picks a plump fruit off a short branch. She hands it to
LILY who eagerly takes a juicy bite.

India looks around the area for anything strange. The long
grass sways in the wind, no footsteps except for their own.
The leaves of the tree whisper in the warm breeze and mingle
with the roar of the distant ocean.

India stands at the edge of the bluff, where the figure was.
She sees nothing. Sunshine warms her cheeks and a breeze
touches her braids blowing them back from her face. She
closes her eyes and smiles.

LILY (O.S.) (CONT’D)

India!
 11.

India whips around and walks over to her sister, who is

crouching down in the overgrown grass. Lily picks up
something that looks like a COMPASS, but has strange
markings. It is encased in rusted copper and a matching chain
attached.

INDIA
What on earth?

India looks around again, turning in a circle, seeing the

dense forest 20 yards away and the ocean bluff with the giant
tree. She stops and looks at the forest.

LILY
Look! It's pointing into the trees!

Lily shoves the COMPASS into her sister's face showing that
it is indeed, pointing into the depths of the forest.

India takes the compass and sets it on her flat palm, it

still points into the trees.

INDIA
That's not north.

India starts walking towards the forest, but stops at the

edge. The wind blows and in a light whisper that India barely
makes out is her father’s voice saying her name.

LILY
(unsure)
India... We’re not allowed...

INDIA
(unconvincingly)
It's not dark yet. I just wanna
see...

Lily looks nervously at the dark dense forest. Not much

sunlight reaches through all the leaves.

INDIA (CONT’D)
It's okay if you don't want to
come. I'm just gonna check it out.

LILY
I'm not staying out here alone.

Lily clings to her sister as they enter the cool shadowy

forest.

They navigate around trees, finding their way while they

continue following the direction of the compass.
 12.

The compass begins growing warm in India's hand.

INDIA
What the-

Lily gasps, hearing a crunch behind her.

LILY
Can we head back now?

INDIA
(almost hypnotized)
Just a little bit further.

They turn through a thick area of trees to a clearing. The

trees grow taller and thinner here, some sunlight dapples
through. In the clearing there is a BRICK COTTAGE covered in
vines. It blends in with the plants like it grew there.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Woah.

The compass vibrates slightly in India's hand and seems to

guide her right to the door. Lily trails behind cautiously.

India looks at Lily, and then knocks on the door.

Nothing happens.

India goes to look in a window and the shafts of light coming

down from above hit perfectly so that she cannot see inside,
only her reflection.

She taps on the window.

LILY
India-

India goes to knock on the door again. Before she can hit it,
the door opens slightly, catching on it’s chain.

The girls gasp in surprise.

A STRANGER's face is barely visible in the darkness of the

cottage.

INDIA
Um, hi.

STRANGER
Hi!

INDIA
Who are you?
 13.

The door shuts. A few moments later it opens again, this time
they can see the person.

OLIVER, (20's) stands in the doorway. He is tall, with creamy

luminous skin and bright green eyes that seem unnaturally
bright contrasting to his black hair.

OLIVER
I'm Oliver. Hello.

Lily’s eyes grow wide, taking him in. India looks down,
blushing.

INDIA
Hi.

OLIVER
Are you two okay? Do you need some
help?

INDIA
Um. We-

India looks at Lily. She slips the compass into her pocket
smoothly. Lily notices.

INDIA (CONT’D)
We're doing some hiking and we got
lost.

Oliver focuses on their messy clothes and hair.

OLIVER
It’s not safe for two young women
to be exploring these woods.
(pause)
Why are you all dirty?

INDIA
We went for a little swim.

Oliver looks amused.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Well, anyway. We should head home I
guess.

OLIVER
Oh no, please come in! I have food
and warm drinks, it's a long walk
back to town.

Lily starts walking in.

 14.

LILY
Mom's going to be mad, India.

India doesn't take her gaze off of Oliver.

OLIVER
Only if you want! I do have hot tea
already warming up.

The girls look at each other, they both shrug and Lily cracks
a nervous smile. Oliver smiles warmly back and gestures for
them to follow him in.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM

Oliver's house is dark but pristine. It's minimalistic and he

doesn't have much food stored in his kitchen, which is
attached to the living room. He offers them seats on some
beautiful leather chairs, whose craftsmanship is flawless.

LILY
Wow. These chairs are incredible.
Did you make these? Or your father?

OLIVER
I did yes! Did you want some
cookies? I think I have some over
here.

Oliver walks into the kitchen and sorts through his cabinets.

LILY
(whispering)
What the heck is he doing way out
here in the forest?

India breaks out of her trance a bit. She takes a moment.

INDIA
It's fine. People live in other
places besides just our town, Lily.

Oliver re-enters with a bag of cookies and some teacups

filled with steaming tea.

LILY
Oh wow, I didn't even hear the
kettle!

Oliver laughs and hands the girls their treats. He sits and
watches them gobble it down, amused and interested at the
same time. The girls glance at each other, communicating with
their eyes in a much less subtle way than they think.
 15.

INDIA
So, Oliver, why do you live way out
here in the forest? You're so far
from everything. Do you hunt? How
do you get fresh water?

Oliver chuckles again.

OLIVER
Well, it's quite a long story.

Both girls stare at him expectantly.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
I'm an orphan. I was left here by
my uncle when I was about 10 years
old. I have been self-sufficient
ever since.

INDIA
What happened to your parents?

OLIVER
They passed away, and then I was
given to my uncle, but he couldn't
take care of me. He was somewhat of
an outsider
(gestures to place around
them)
Obviously. And I just got used to
the lifestyle.
(pause)
I've been alone a long time. I must
say it's nice to meet some fresh
faces.

India and Oliver look at each other, neither wanting to speak

first.

LILY
Can I use your bathroom?

Oliver nods.

OLIVER
It's down the hall. Second door on
the right.

LILY gets up and Oliver's eyes follow her. She starts to open
up the first door, it’s locked and she yanks on it.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
(laughing)
I said second!
 16.

LILY
Right, yes I'm sorry.

Lily hurries into the bathroom, blushing.

Oliver returns to the couch.

INDIA
You haven't seen a person in...
years? How do you survive out here?
Isn’t it dangerous? The animals and
things...

Oliver looks at her a bit bashfully.

OLIVER
It must seem odd. I guess they know
not to come near because we have
been settled here for awhile.

INDIA
How old are you?

OLIVER
21 or 22. I think.

INDIA
You don’t know?

OLIVER
I think I might’ve lost count
sometime in the teen years.

India leaves her chair and walks over to sit next to Oliver
on the couch.

INDIA
How have you managed on your own?
You must have missed out on so many
experiences.

OLIVER
At least I don’t know what I don’t
know.

India laughs. She takes a sharp breath in when Oliver looks

at her and she sees his eyes up close. They have an oval
slightly cat-like pupil, and many colors woven throughout,
although green is the most prevalent.

Oliver looks down.

 17.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Don’t pity me though. I haven't
been totally alone out here.

India frowns, confused, but Lily comes back at that moment.

LILY
India, we need to go. Mother will
be worried that something happened
to us.

India looks outside and sees that the sunlight has turned
orange and horizontal, coming in glowing shafts from the
trees.

She hops up from the couch.

INDIA
You're right. We better get home.

OLIVER
Of course. It's getting dark.

They walk to the door.

Lily exits first.

India hesitates, standing next to Oliver.

INDIA
How do we get back to the coast?

OLIVER
It's much easier going back. You'll
find your way.

India looks at him somewhat breathless and blushing.

INDIA
Well, thank you for taking us in.
Maybe we will see you again?

India steps outside. Oliver glances down at her dress pocket.

OLIVER
Yes. You'll have to return my
compass to me sometime soon.

India's eyes widen and she blushes. Oliver gives her a wink
and shuts the door. It gets a bit darker in the forest.

LILY
Look!
 18.

Lily points in the direction back towards the coast. Streaks

of golden sunlight break through the trees, highlighting the
beginning of a path through the dim forest.

India turns, coming out of her embarrassed daze, and looks at

the path that Lily points out.

They stand, admiring the beauty, then take off together, back
home.

EXT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME - AN HOUR LATER

India and Lily trudge up to their wooden home. They are

exhausted and dirty, walking much slower than earlier. India
grabs the oil lantern burning off of the porch and opens the
door.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME

Marianne sits sewing a dress on the kitchen table. Her

forehead creased with worry lines and her hands shaking a bit
as she does her work. When she hears the girls enter she
jumps to her feet.

MARIANNE
Where on earth have you been?

INDIA
We're so sorry Mama! We were hiking
and lost track of time. We tried to
come back but the tide had risen so
we had to find a different route
and-

MARIANNE
Do you know how worried I was?
Never ever come home past sunset
again. You know the rules!

LILY
We're sorry mama.

MARIANNE
I should hope India is sorry.
(to India)
You know it's bad enough to stay
out late and worry me, but to take
your little sister too? Completely
irresponsible.
 19.

INDIA
I'm really sorry. I promise it
won't happen again.

MARIANNE
No. It won't. Go to bed.

LILY
Mama we're starving.

MARIANNE
Well I was too busy worrying about
you two to make dinner. Go to bed
now.

INDIA
But-

MARIANNE
You can eat in the morning.

INT. INDIA'S ROOM - 20 MINS LATER

India's room is fairly minimalistic. She has a twin bed with

a large wooden frame and a matching large homemade boudoir.
She has a printed poster of flower diagrams and another of
constellations. She has a book case against another wall
overflowing with books.

India sits on her bed holding a book on her lap behind the
COMPASS she is studying. A lantern burns nearby that gives
her enough light to draw the symbols in her book margins. A
clock ticks like a metronome on her wall.

A sharp rap comes from the door and her mother comes in.
India snaps the book shut.

Marianne carries a wooden tray with some berries and a

biscuit on it. She shuts the door behind her and joins India
on her bed.

INDIA
Are you giving some to Lily too?

MARIANNE
Already did.

India nods and hungrily grabs the biscuit and begins

swallowing it down.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
I'm sorry for snapping at you I
just-
(MORE)
 20.
MARIANNE (CONT’D)
(sigh)
You have to imagine what it's like
for me; what I'm thinking about
when you disappear for hours like
that.

India stops chewing.

INDIA
I know Mama. I’m sorry.

MARIANNE
Just promise me you won't go back
out there.

India crosses her long delicate fingers where her mother

can't see.

INDIA
I promise.

MARIANNE
Especially-

INDIA
I know. I'll keep Lily away.

Marianne smiles at her daughter.

MARIANNE
I do want you to have a fun summer.
Just be safe and smart, okay
Darling?

India nods, plucking a few berries off the tray and throwing
them into her mouth. Marianne glances at the ticking clock.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
Your show's about to come on.

Marianne nods towards India's radio on her bookcase. India's

eyes widen. She jumps up and tunes the radio to her station.
A vintage-sounding man's voice crackles out:

RADIO
And tonight we have a special
guest: Elvis Presley, live for a
studio demo and then an interview.
Stay tuned to hear all about The
King!

India squeals.
 21.

MARIANNE
Alright, I'll leave you to enjoy.
See you bright and early, we have
to get chores done, starting with
laundry and Miss Stacker still has
the tub remember?

India nods, not registering her mother's words, and waves her
out, entranced by Elvis' live show.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
(closing the door)
Do your prayers!

EXT. INDIA AND LILY'S FRONT PORCH - MORNING

A grey blob of clothing slaps against a wooden scrubbing

board. A hand enters and vigorously scrubs it with a block of
handmade soap.

India and Lily scrub clothes in the tub. Marianne sweeps the
porch. An old woman walking with a large stick and a scarf
tied over her hair limps over to them, MISS STACKER.

MISS STACKER
Marianne!

Marianne looks up, wiping sweat from her forehead.

MARIANNE
Hello Miss Stacker! Thank you for
letting the girls come retrieve the
tub this morning. It's high time to
get the dirt out of these kids'
dresses.

MISS STACKER
Yes, yes. Well, no problem. I
wanted to know, did you hear
something last night? Some kind of
whining, like an electrical...
(trails off)

MARIANNE
Like what, Miss Stacker?

MISS STACKER
WHAT?

MARIANNE
(yelling)
What did you hear last night Miss
Stacker?
 22.

MISS STACKER
Nothing. Did you hear something?

The girls look at each other confused and amused.

INDIA
It's probably the lines!

India shouts, even though Miss Stacker is about 5 feet away

from her. She gestures at the large electrical lines going up
from around their town to a large one on the top of the
mountain.

MARIANNE
Do you want me to walk you back to
your house?

MISS STACKER
(incredulous)
The lines!

Miss Stacker starts cackling and waving Marianne away.

MISS STACKER (CONT’D)

Well anyway, have a good day girls!

She walks off.

MARIANNE
Back to work girls. You're almost
done. Then you can go play.

LILY
Mama when we're done can I go to
Eva's? She said I can.

MARIANNE
Did her parents say-

LILY
Yes, they invited me after church
on Sunday!

MARIANNE
Alright! Fine by me.

INDIA
I'm actually going to stay at a
friend's tonight too Mama.
Georgina’s, if that’s okay!

MARIANNE
Has her little brother gotten over
his colic?
 23.

INDIA
Yes.

MARIANNE
Sure. Now finish up!

EXT. TOP OF BLUFF - 1 HOUR LATER

India hurries along the bluff. She clutches Oliver's COMPASS

in her hand. She turns around and walks backward for a few
steps, looking at her surroundings.

She finally gets to the PEACH TREE.

EXT. PEACH TREE FOREST OPENING

India walks to the edge of the forest. She takes a deep

breath, and walks in hesitantly, following the compass'
direction.

EXT. OLIVER'S HOUSE

India stands at the door of Oliver's house again. She knocks

and stands back, waiting with wide expectant eyes.

Nothing happens.

From behind the house, she hears footsteps getting closer.

She freezes, scared and knocks again on Oliver’s front door.

OLIVER (O.S.)
India?

India jolts, then smiles with relief.

Oliver smiles at India and then chuckles at her frightened

expression.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Did I scare you?

INDIA
No no, I’m fine! I just expected
you to come from inside.

OLIVER
Oh I was in the back doing some
repairs on the fence. How are you?

India blushes.
 24.

INDIA
I’m okay! Well, I just came to
return your compass.

She looks at him bashfully but with a little sass,

challenging him to be frustrated with her.

OLIVER
I didn't mean to offend you, if you
want to keep it a bit longer you’re
welcome to.

India hesitates but then walks closer to him.

INDIA
You said you're all alone out here?

OLIVER
Yep.

INDIA
You’ve never been to town?

OLIVER
Is something wrong?

India shifts.

INDIA
No, of course not. I just don’t
remember the last time I
encountered someone new.

India looks around, at anything but Oliver.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I’m sorry, I just was always told
that the forest was a terrifying,
uninhabitable deadly place. I don’t
know who to trust.

OLIVER
Of course. Strange men in the
forest are not to be trusted.

INDIA
Yet somehow, I feel... safe with
you.

OLIVER
Well good, because you are.

India smiles, shivering a bit.

 25.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Alright! Let's go inside and warm
up.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM

India sits on one of Oliver's leather chairs. She runs her

hand over the smooth seams. Everything she owns is wooden or
woven fibers, this kind of precision and craftsmanship is new
to her. She stands up and looks at his painting on the wall
of a sailboat in a storm.

INDIA
Did you do this painting?

Oliver is in the kitchen.

India walks over to the kitchen. She sees him put mugs in a
MICROWAVE.

INT. OLIVER'S KITCHEN

She walks up behind him.

INDIA
What's that?

OLIVER
A microwave.

He presses a few buttons and it whirs. He turns around, and

almost knocks India over, not expecting her to be right there
watching so close.

INDIA
Sorry! I've just never seen one of
those before.
(beat)
Fascinating. It's heating up the
water? How does it work?

OLIVER
It agitates the water molecules
with lasers.

India looks at him as if he spoke in a different language.

The microwave beeps and Oliver opens the door. Oliver reaches
inside with a towel over his hands and sets them on the
counter. India grabs one and immediately drops it on the
floor.
 26.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
No don’t-

INDIA
OW!

OLIVER
Are you okay??

INDIA
(grimacing)
Yes.

Oliver grabs ice out of the freezer and wraps it in the hand
towel. He gently dabs the towel over her burnt fingers.

India looks at the microwave.

INDIA (CONT’D)
It's so weird.

Oliver watches her face.

OLIVER
Do you need to go home?

INDIA
No, no it's fine!

OLIVER
Go sit down, be careful of the
shards. I'll sweep this up.

India walks back to the living room, a perplexed look on her

face.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM

Oliver walks back into the room. He sits down on the couch
with India.

OLIVER
How's your hand?

INDIA
Fine.

India grabs the COMPASS from inside her dress pocket.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Here you go. I'm sorry I took this.
 27.

Oliver takes it from her, holding her hand a bit too long,
inspecting her reddening fingers.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Um. What are- what do the markings
mean?

OLIVER
What do you mean?

INDIA
It's not english. The letter's
aren't normal, and it doesn't point
north.

OLIVER
Oh yeah, it's broken.

Oliver twists the metal on the inner side the strange

markings lock together so that they make a N,S,E, and W.

INDIA
Oh.

OLIVER
Can't fix the arrow though.

He hits the compass against his palm but the arrow

insistently points left, towards the first door in the
hallway. He slips the compass into his pocket.

Neither of them say anything for a moment.

INDIA
What did you mean yesterday when
you said that you're not totally
alone?

There's some scratching on the door.

OLIVER
I do have a cat.

Oliver opens his front door and a large black tabby cat walks
in. He weaves around Oliver's feet, his large jade eyes
trained on India.

He picks up the cat and returns to the couch. The cat purrs
in his lap, still staring at India. As Oliver pets him, a
large carved tigers eye stone emerges from his shirt, a
PENDANT. India eyes it.
 28.

INDIA
So, what kinds of things do you do
all day?

OLIVER
I read. I like to build things and
clean, swim, watch the world around
me. I like to think a lot as well.
I do a lot of my thinking down
here.

Oliver walks down the hallway and disappears.

India hesitates, then follows him down the hall.

INT. MIRROR ROOM

Oliver sits on a plush red leather stool in a small room with

a large window and a large floor length mirror. He looks over
his books on a huge bookshelf that lines the wall opposite
the mirror. India enters the room. When she sees the mirror
she jumps back, then points her fingers at the mirror.

INDIA
What is that?

She moves her body, watching her reflection as if she is

about to catch it making a mistake.

Oliver watches her, amused.

OLIVER
It's a mirror.

INDIA
Wow. It's like... perfectly still
water.

India walks closer and puts her hand on the mirror. She looks
at her reflection. After a few moments she pulls away and
looks away.

She turns away from the mirror.

OLIVER
What's wrong?

INDIA
In my face, I just see too much of
my fa-

OLIVER
Too much of?
 29.

INDIA
It's unnatural. No one should have
to look themselves right in the
eye.

OLIVER
Oh, I'm sorry if it offends you, I
just thought you might enjoy seeing
it.

INDIA
I just think it might take some
getting used to.

Oliver smiles. India smiles back at him. She walks over to

the mirror, and looks everywhere but at her reflection.

INDIA (CONT’D)
How do you get all these... magic
makers?

OLIVER
Magic makers?

INDIA
The mirror, the warming box-

OLIVER
The microwave?

INDIA
Yes. The microwave. I mean where
did you get all these things!

OLIVER
I get them from places I travel, I
collect and trade.

INDIA
It just makes me want to...

Oliver looks at her intensely as she struggles with the right

words.

OLIVER
I can show you something pretty
great that’s right out here.

Oliver stands up. He walks backwards away from her with a

mischievous grin on his face. He disappears out a french door
into the backyard, then runs into rows of laundry hanging in
his backyard. India gets up, suppressing her delight.
 30.

She runs after him and loses him, running between rows of off-
white linens, she catches glimpses of his white sneakers but
can't quite catch up. He keeps winding around as if there is
a maze within the hanging linens and clothes. Then she runs
into him, giggling and frenetic, and Oliver points off to
their left.

The landscape opens up to a 25ft cliff with a waterfall

landing in a sparkling pool surrounded by trees.

Oliver walks to the edge of the small cliff. He turns to face

India.

INDIA
This is incredible!

She looks around speechless.

OLIVER
Just a little something special
about this forest.

India takes in the view of infinite trees. She stares down at

the small lake.

INDIA
How do you have these things and
manage to not show someone?

OLIVER
I haven't really managed, have I?

India rolls her eyes but takes a step closer to Oliver, and
the cliff.

INDIA
Why don't you ever come down to the
village?

Oliver shrugs.

OLIVER
I've been. I don't like it. I'd
rather exist here, in the solitude.

INDIA
You’ve got to be lonely.

OLIVER
Things are the way they are.

A gust breezes up from the lake.

 31.

INDIA
But-

OLIVER
I adore nature. I’m happier this
way. There’s just something so
amazing about this space.

A breeze blows through the trees at that perfect moment.

India’s look of doubt fades into a smirk.

INDIA
Do you ever answer a question
straight?

OLIVER
Do you ever stop asking questions?

Oliver looks at her cheekily.

INDIA
If you want to be alone so much,
why are you spending time with me?

Oliver smiles.

OLIVER
You came to me remember?

INDIA
Well, you asked me to stay.

OLIVER
You stole from me.

Oliver smiles at her playfully. He sticks his hand out for

her to join him on the ledge.

She makes him wait a moment and then sticks her hand out.

He pulls her to the edge and holds her around the waist.

INDIA
Woah.

India looks straight down.

OLIVER
Don't worry it's not that far. And
it’s plenty deep.

INDIA
Have you jumped before?
 32.

OLIVER
All the time.

INDIA
And you survived.

OLIVER
No, actually.

India giggles. She turns around so that they are embracing

each other.

INDIA
Maybe I could join you.

Oliver smiles warmly.

OLIVER
Wouldn’t that be something?

Oliver then leaps off the rock with India.

EXT. LITTLE LAKE - HALF AN HOUR LATER

Oliver and India lay in the sun on some rocks in their 50's
style underwear.

Oliver lifts India up to a sturdy branch on a tree where they

look at how the sunset light hits the waterfall and the pool.
It looks like flames dancing on the walls.

EXT. TREE

Oliver turns to look at India.

OLIVER
I can see it in your eyes.

She turns to look at him and he keeps looking deep into her
eyes.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Beautiful.

India smiles and bats her eyes, looking away.

Oliver touches her chin and lightly guides it up to his.

He smiles and then kisses her. They kiss tenderly for a bit.

The sun dips behind the trees and around them, otherworldly
plant pods give off a red glow.
 33.

INDIA
Wow. Look at the plants.

Oliver turns around and looks.

OLIVER
Yes, they tend to do that. Plants
here have free reign to do as they
please, no human intervention.

Oliver's eyes darken and he slowly bends in to kiss India's

neck.

Her eyes close and her mouth opens slightly. A few seconds
pass and then India's eyes open abruptly.

INDIA
We should slow down.

She looks at him apologetically.

INDIA (CONT’D)
We don't know each other, very
well.

Oliver smiles at India with an amused look in his eyes.

OLIVER
Of course.

India smiles sheepishly.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Our clothes should be dry now.

Oliver walks back towards the tree with their clothes hanging
on it.

India sits alone, beginning to shiver in the dusky light. She

gets up and wanders around, walking up to the edge of the
trees. She looks around in the trees, she's very still but
her eyes are curious.

Twenty feet or so back into the forest she sees what looks
like a little cat curled up.

India makes a delighted face.

She walks in towards it, cautiously, but it doesn't move or

notice her.

She smiles and kneels right over it. She pats it's back and
then goes to rub it's head.
 34.

The head rolls over and falls off, revealing the rotten, ant
infested skeleton underneath.

India is horrified. Her hands fly to her mouth and she almost
falls over as she runs back to the rock outcropping.

Oliver comes back from the waterfall area, carrying their

clothes.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Got them! Though my pants might not
fit anymore.

He holds up his pants. They’ve grown misshapen in the hot

sun.

India's eyes are wild.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
What's wrong?

INDIA
Nothing, I was just somewhere else
for a moment.

India waves it off with an "aren't I silly?" look and forces

a smile on her face.

Suddenly, something rustles in the bushes.

Oliver freezes and looks up.

India whips around and searches the trees.

About 150 feet away, almost not visible, two figures dressed
in white robes with what looks like plague doctor masks on
with long beaks pointing down into their chest stand frozen.
One holds the dead cat in it's beak.

India stands frozen. Oliver pulls her back behind him. Behind
her, the water of the swimming hole glitters in the
moonlight, lighting up the area almost as bright as day time.

OLIVER
Let's leave darling. It's late and
these forests aren't so hospitable.

The plague doctor-like beings step away backwards, gliding

back into the forest. Their black-hole eyes don't budge from
the human intruders in front of them.

India gawks back in horror at where the figures disappeared.

She lets Oliver pull her away to safety.
 35.

OLIVER’S ROOM - AFTER SUNSET

Oliver leads India to his room, the door furthest down the
hallway from the front door. His room is like a modern
version of a Versailles bedroom.

It’s a very large room. Everything in it is elegant and

ornate. Oliver clearly has a taste for the finer things in
life, that has not been expressed anywhere near as
exuberantly anywhere else in his house.

The renaissance theme is prevalent throughout with large

touches of pastel coral, metallic gold, baby blue and lilac.
His walls are painted a buttery warm color.

The side of the room opposite the door is taken up by glass

sliding doors made of mottled glass. The greenery outside
presses up against the window, creating a greenhouse like
effect.

Oliver watches her face, smiling.

OLIVER
You like it don't you?

India scoffs.

INDIA
It's fit for a king.

Oliver smiles widely. India turns around and looks at the

mural on the wall: Hieronymus Bosch c. 1504, Garden of
Earthly Delights.

She eyes it's psychedelic shapes.

India turns back around and lets Oliver guide her to the bed.

OLIVER
I just want you to be safe, okay?
That's all I want.

Oliver pulls her into a hug.

INDIA
I just feel like I am discovering a
new world, while still being only a
mile or so from home. What were
those things?

OLIVER
Things?

Oliver's gaze floats up away from India's eyes.

 36.

INDIA
Those monsters, in the forest.

OLIVER
They’re terrifying yes, but hardly
dangerous. They’re scavengers

INDIA
What are they though?

OLIVER
Some kind of beast. I admit I don’t
know everything about the forest,
but those are the ugliest I’ve
seen. Don’t worry love, nothing has
ever hurt or disturbed me in my
home.

Oliver's voice is light and teasing, but his eyes are

serious. India does not look convinced.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Are you okay? There's really
nothing to worry about. We're safe
in here.

She smiles and her body visibly relaxes.

OLIVER'S BEDROOM - A FEW HOURS LATER

A large fern taps the window, casting a zig-zag-y shadow

across the room. It rains outside, making little droplet
shadows everywhere. Thunder hits and it awakens India,
scaring her.

OLIVER'S ROOM DOORWAY

India stands in the doorway, in a long silky gold robe, the

door open to the forest. She holds a lantern in her left
hand. The rain falls but it steams slightly and there is no
wind.

India ventures out but doesn't shiver, the rain is warm.

There is a green glow coming from within the forest and onto
her face.

India ventures forward.

 37.

EXT. FOREST

India cautiously steps through the wet underbrush. The rain

soaks her robe and hair, droplets fall down her face. She
pushes the lantern ahead of her and looks around anxiously.

She hears a creak, like a large weight shifting on a branch.

It comes from somewhere above her. She looks up and around,
holding her lantern above her head. She spins in a circle.

She sees an indistinguishable black shadow of something large

leap from a tree above her, to a tree further away. It
disappears from her view.

India turns back around and pushes ahead, searching around.

She begins hearing whispers, barely distinguishable over the
woosh of the rain.

India stops and focuses on the sound.

It grows louder until she can tell it is close. From behind a

tree steps a man.

India takes a step back. He steps closer and as he steps into

the light of the lantern, she can see that it is actually a
chimp, dressed in a suit. His hands cover his eyes, and
continues to whisper, and then brings his hands down from his
eyes, revealing empty sockets.

India screams.

INDIA
Oliver!

She sprints through the forest, in the opposite direction of

the chimp-man. She sees Oliver's house through a clearing.

She sprints into the back door and then finds herself back
right outside.

She steps through again and then finds herself back right
outside. Dumbfounded and frustrated, she runs and the loop
continues three more times.

India cries out in frustration.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Oliver!!

She runs away from the house and through the forest to the
clearing where they bathed in the waterfall. She calls for
Oliver frantically.
 38.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Oliver! Help me!

She holds herself, shivering, now the rain is a light

sprinkle. She hears a twig snap behind her and she whips
around.

Deeper in the forest she sees the plague-doctor creatures.

The plague doctors walk closer, India can make out the shape
of their now-black robes.

Then, the two plague doctors begin to hover and float closer
to her, balancing in mid air.

India stands still, stunned.

The Plague doctors step out into the moonlight and India
finally sees them for what they are. The bodies of the plague
doctors extend into a much larger and terrifying monstrous
spider body. The "body" was just the head of the beast.

India screams, so terrified that she sprints back into the

forest and continues screaming until she finally sees light
ahead.

She slows, frowning, and then trips and twists her ankle.

She hurries forward, confused but hopeful about the sunshine

ahead.

India bursts through the trees into a meadow clearing. It's

filled with sunlight.

She stops and shields her eyes from the sudden brightness.
She pants, searching the area.

INDIA (CONT’D)
OLIVER?!

All she can hear is crickets and the light breeze rustling
plants.

She sobs a few times, spinning around, she holds her body as
though it's twice as heavy.

She falls onto her butt, and doesn't get up, surrendering to
her exhaustion.

INDIA (CONT’D)
OLIVER??

She waits, and then collapses back so she is lying down on

the dry grass and sand around her.
 39.

India can't hold her eyes open any longer and she falls
asleep.

EXT. SUNNY MEADOW - LATER

India wakes. Her skin is rashy pink and Her hair sticks up
around her face. It's clear she's been asleep in the harsh
sun for hours, but the sun still beams bright high in the
sky. She smacks her lips.

INDIA
(scratchy)
Oliver!!?

India tries to cry out Oliver's name again but her voice is
strangled and croaky. She grabs her throat and frowns as she
tries to swallow.

She gets to her feet and walks around, feverishly trying to

figure out which direction to go.

India stumbles to the edge of the trees surrounding the

meadow when she hears a loud THWAP behind her.

OLIVER (O.S.)
India!

India turns around, which takes her longer than normal in her
state, and sees Oliver.

She runs to him and he catches her in his arms.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Oh my god, how did you get here?

INDIA
I got lost. Please, take me back.

Oliver strokes her rashy, sunburnt cheek.

Oliver wraps his arms around her tightly.

Oliver pulls out his COMPASS and turns the dial to a

combination of symbols, hiding it slightly from her.

All of the sudden, they fall backwards. As they do, a loud

THWAP sound echoes through the area, and they are gone.

The crickets continue to chirp loudly and a breeze rustles

the dry grass.
 40.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM

India gasps, sitting up in bed, Oliver sits over her, shaking

her awake. He looks at her concernedly.

INDIA
Oh my god. It was a dream.

India catches her breath, then gulps down water from the cup
near the bed.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I was so scared. You can't imagine
the things I saw out there. In the
forest-my dream I mean.

India begins speaking so fast she is tripping over her words.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I saw grotesque monsters and I kept
not being able to walk through your
door, it was over and over-

OLIVER
India, breathe. I know it was scary
but don't worry, going deeper into
the forest, like you did earlier by
the swimming hole, can cause lots
of strange visions and dreams.

INDIA
What? Then... what? How did you-

OLIVER
...There are spores in the forest
that float in the air. Especially
in the rain season we are in right
now. The place is so lush, and the
spores are hallucinogenic.

India pauses, breathing hard.

INDIA
I- God it's so stupid.

Oliver pulls her towards him.

OLIVER
What’s going on?

INDIA
My father went out into the forest
many years ago on a rainy night
like-
 41.

India looks at the sun beams hitting the window.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Last night. I know it's stupid and
dangerous and all that, but my mom
has never even let us near it and
maybe I just wanted to feel close
to him for a moment, maybe see what
he saw.

Both of them are silent for a moment.

INDIA (CONT’D)
It's morning. I really should head
home, the walk's going to take a
while.

OLIVER
Of course.

India hugs Oliver. She blinks her tired eyes and when he rubs
her back and squeezes her tight, she finally smiles.

EXT. OLIVER’S FRONT DOORWAY

OLIVER
Be safe okay? Walk straight out of
here and then straight home.

Oliver kisses her on the forehead and then India smiles at

him, looking at his face for a beat, as if trying to copy it
into her memory. Then she turns around and walks, stopping to
look back and wave. Giggling, she hurries out.

INT. LILY'S ROOM - NIGHT

Lily's room is simple with girly lavender details and modest

furniture. The most beautiful things in the room are the
plants that are neatly and beautifully taken care of, lined
up against her window.

The next nicest item in the room is the ornate hand-made

large armoire taking over an entire wall of the room.

Lily lays in bed, eyes half open. The curtains of her window
are open and the bright light of the full moon pours in.
Almost too bright to sleep. Her door creaks open and India
enters, holding two mugs full of water.

LILY
(whispering)
Indie!
 42.

India puts the mugs down on the bedside table and then flops
into bed next to Lily.

Lily pulls her into a hug.

LILY (CONT’D)
I miss you. I can’t believe you’re
leaving so soon.

India hugs her back, pressing her head against her cheek. She
looks surprised when Lily says she’s leaving, she had almost
forgotten.

INDIA
I’m sorry that I made you come into
the forest with me. It was stupid
and dangerous and I can’t believe I
risked your-

LILY
It’s okay, I would’ve probably gone
in anyway. It’s just so...
mysterious? I understand why so
many people want to go in and we’re
lucky we got out okay.

They settle down into bed, cuddling up under the covers.

INDIA
I’ve been going back.

LILY
What?!

INDIA
To see Oliver.

LILY
No, India, why?

INDIA
I know it’s stupid but there’s just
something about him. He’s romantic
and wise and self-sufficient and
just so different from any of the
boys in town.

LILY
India, the forest is forbidden, or
don’t you remember?

INDIA
It must not be as dangerous as we
had assumed.
(MORE)
 43.
INDIA (CONT’D)
Maybe people get lost, but I know
exactly how to get to Oliver and
how to get out. I just want to
spend all my time with him.

LILY
But all you’ve talked about this
whole year is “getting out to the
big city”...

INDIA
I know but, actually leaving seems
terrible. I don’t wanna ride the
train by myself, let alone have to
find a job and a place to live
and... The train only comes once
every 3 months! What if I need to
come back quickly and-

LILY
Don’t worry Indie, you’re gonna be
great. I know it seems scary but
you’ve done so many things that
seem scary before.

INDIA
I guess...

LILY
Remember when you saved me from
that snake? You basically did a
flip getting over to chop it’s head
off before it could come bite me.

INDIA
It was tiny, it probably wasn’t
even venomous.

LILY
Still. I was terrified and you
saved me.

INDIA
(giggling)
Well you somehow managed to climb
halfway up the vegetable wire. I
don’t think that thing stood a
chance.

They both giggle.

 44.

LILY
You’re gonna be so great. There’s
so many people and things to do and
see, but you don’t even know yet
how much there is.

A beat of silence.

INDIA
I don’t know. It could be nice to
stay here.
(beat)
How’d you grow up so fast? Where is
all this wisdom coming from?

LILY
It’s just what I think.

Lily yawns.

LILY (CONT’D)
I miss Daddy.

India snuggles her close.

INDIA
Me too Lil.

INT. EARLY MORNING - THE NEXT DAY

India lays in bed. She stretches and puts her hands over her
face, taking a deep breath and letting it out. She looks
flushed and content. Like she spent all night dreaming of
Oliver.

She hears a knock at her door.

INT. INDIA’S FRONT DOOR

India pulls the door open and her friends from the beach
bonfire Julianna and Eric stand there smiling with a picnic
basket. Julianna has he blonde hair tied up with a red ribbon
and Eric stand uncomfortably in a starched white shirt. It’s
clear who wears the pants in the relationship just by their
postures.

INDIA
Hello!

They look at her bedhead and nightgown.

 45.

JULIANNA
India! You’re still in pajamas?!

INDIA
It’s Sunday!

JULIANNA
Yes, the very Sunday we agreed to
go celebrate Eric’s upcoming
apprenticeship with a delicious
lunch?!

INDIA
Oh, you’re right! I’m so sorry,
give me one moment.

India shakes her head apologetically and runs back into the
house.

EXT. GRASSY BEACH BLUFF

India, Julianna and Eric sit on a plaid handmade picnic

blanket which rests on a layer of beach grass and the
occasional small white dandelion. Behind them, some
townspeople mill around buying ice cream from a small blue
and white painted wooden building behind them named “Miller’s
Beach Sweets”. A couple in 50’s swimsuits kicks a soccer ball
back and forth.

JULIANNA
Claire, however; thinks it’s much
more prudent to wait until we’re
married but I just can’t! I mean
look at him!

Eric’s pinkish face blushes redder.

INDIA
Right, Julie, as much as I agree, I
think poor Eric might prefer to
keep this conversation more between
you two and less between the
Starks.

Julianna looks behind her and sees a nearby picnicking couple

hiding their judgmental smirks.

JULIANNA
Oh well, they probably never
mustered up the courage to do it
anyway!
 46.

India tries to hold in her laughter as the snooty couple

drags their blanket further down the beach, looking
scandalized. Julianna gives her a look.

JULIANNA (CONT’D)
See what I mean? Absolutely
virgins.

INDIA
Eric, when does your apprenticeship
start?

JULIANNA
Oh don’t get him started! He’s
training with the best welder in
town, John Jockovich. He’s
practically the Michelangelo of
iron, you’ll have to see his
sculpture of “Woman on rock” is
just genius isn’t it Eric?

Eric nods, chewing through a big bite of sandwich.

JULIANNA (CONT’D)
He starts in 2 days, then I’ll
never get to see him anymore.
Hardly a worry though, now he’ll be
able to support our children. I’ve
already named them, Elaine, Erin
and Ellie. Aren’t those charming
names? I can just see them now
lined up together on our porch like
perfect little dolls- India?

India tuned Julianna out a few sentences ago, she stares out
at the ocean, absentmindedly picking at a dandelion. She has
a hint of a smile on her lips and a breeze ruffling her
braids.

JULIANNA (CONT’D)
India?!

INDIA
Oh I’m sorry, my mind just got away
from me for a second.

JULIANNA
What’s going on, you’ve been half
in the clouds this whole day.

India can’t conceal the dreamy look on her face.

 47.

INDIA
Nothing, I just have a lot of
chores to do.

JULIANNA
That’s hardly an “I have chores to
do look” India. More of an “boy oh
boy that dreamy man just bought me
a new automobile”

India laughs, throwing the dandelion.

INDIA
I do want to hear about your future
kids.

Eric sighs.

JULIANNA
No, sorry charlie, but you have
something going on. I smell it. And
you know what happens once I smell
something.

SIMULTANEOUSLY
You (I) never give up until you (I)
find it.

JULIANNA
That’s right. Now spit it out.

INDIA
It’s, really... nothing.

JULIANNA
It’s a man isn’t it? You have that
look in your eye. It’s a mix of
hunger and longing. I know that
look. I have that look.

She play punches Eric and knocks a grape out of his hand.

ERIC
Babe.

INDIA
Geez Julie, you could convince a
horse to stand on two legs.

JULIANNA
Just TELL me!!

INDIA
Fine, fine. It’s a man, yes.
 48.

Julie jumps up squealing and grabs India’s arm. India winces,

but smiles largely.

INDIA (CONT’D)
But PLEASE, and I cannot emphasize
this enough, don’t tell anyone.

JULIANNA
You know I won’t besides Eric of
course.

Eric snorts and nods, cutting out a piece of pie.

INDIA
He’s a total dreamboat. I can’t
stop thinking about him.

JULIANNA
Who?!? Derrick? Or john??

India makes a face.

INDIA
The last time I looked at John that
way was before I saw him shove a
fistful of mud down Sherry’s
swimsuit in 3rd grade.

Julie makes a disgusted face.

JULIANNA
Alright alright. Then who is it?

INDIA
It’s... Matt.

Julianna laughs, snorting a little bit.

JULIANNA
Oh India, you’re such a bag of
laughs. Why do you torture me? Who
is it really?

INDIA
I’m not kidding, he truly has
charmed me.

JULIANNA
Matt. The one that has craved your
attention practically since you
were born. The one you never even
considered because he was too
“brother-ish”
 49.

INDIA
The very one.

Julianna struggles to get words out.

JULIANNA
What changed?

INDIA
I guess I just finally realized
that he’s really... just a good
man.

JULIANNA
Didn’t he once mention he thought
your mother was a catch as well.

INDIA
He did- He did say that he would be
happy with either of us. But what
can stand in the way of love?! At
least he will love me when I’m old?

Julie squeals and hugs India and India looks off into the
distance like “WTF is wrong with me”

INT. INDIA AND LILY’S HOME

India walks in and sees that no one is home.

INDIA
Mother?... Lily?

EXT. CALICO TOWN SQUARE OUTSIDE BIG WHITE CHURCH

A group of about 20 people are grouped together around

something on the ground. India sees this when she rounds the
corner of a small shop, and runs towards them, concerned.

The townspeople look concerned. A woman's shrieks and yells

come from the middle of the group.

SHRIEKING LADY
Roger! Roger! No! Leave me alone!
They'll kill you! He'll kill you!

India's eyes widen with recognition, she pushes her way to

the middle of the crowd.

She finally breaks through to the center. Her mother is the

center of attention. She writhes around like a feline, trying
to escape the steady grip of three men restraining her.
 50.

She screams.

MARIANNE
Get off me you bastards! You'll
see! You'll see! We'll all be
punished!

INDIA
Mom! Mama!

India tries to get to her mother. The men block her. Marianne
makes eye contact, but then quickly looks away, shrieking and
batting a man in the eye when he loses his grip on her wrist.

An OLD WOMAN (65) with hip length dreads of black hair

streaked with grey and a faded floral dress hobbles through
the crowd, people make room for her.

The Old Woman carries a jar filled with brown liquid and
herbs.

The men see her approaching and restrain Marianne onto the
hard dirt ground.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Stop!! Matthew You're hurting her!
Let her go! What did she do??

Another man steps in and restrains India.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Let me go! What is happening? Let
my mom go!

India turns and recognizes the man holding her back.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Elliot please! Why are they hurting
her?

ELLIOT
They aren't hurting her India! She
was acting erratic in the town
square and was caught trying to
strangle Old Man Henry, and then
anyone who got in her way.

Lily pushes through the crowd. Her face is red and her eyes
are wet. She reaches for India.

India yanks herself around so Elliot can't hold her. She

grabs Lily's hand and brings her with her towards their
mother.
 51.

The Old Woman with the tonic pours it down Marianne's throat.

INDIA
What is that? What are you giving
her?

No one answers her. The lady finishes pouring the entire

contents of the bottle.

Marianne finally quiets down and her eyes shut.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Someone answer me!

OLD WOMAN
My darling. Do not worry yourself,
it is a mix of herbs that will
allow her to relax and sleep, your
mother is not well.

INDIA
Who are you??

The Old Woman gestures calmly back to a small shack behind

the Clinic store. The shack has the words "Esmerelda's
Apothecary" painted on a hanging wooden sign.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I don't trust you.

India looks down at her mother, still sleeping on the floor.

INDIA (CONT’D)
She doesn't trust you! She never
let me near you!

ESMERELDA
My child, please. There are other
reasons than danger to keep
children away from someone. Now
please, take your mother back to
your house. She will need your care
for the next few days.

INDIA
What happened? What's wrong with
her...
(realization)
Did she go in the forest??

ESMERELDA
Hysteria can descend upon people
when they enter the forest.
(MORE)
 52.
ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
It's not uncommon for people to
turn like this, let alone disappear
when they enter; but I don't need
to tell you that.

Esmerelda gives India a knowing look. India's face grows

terrified in a childish unfiltered way.

INDIA
Will she recover?

ESMERELDA
Maybe, right now she needs your
help. Take her back to your home
and I will visit again in the
morning. Here are some more tonics
if she cannot sleep tonight.

INDIA
I didn't mean- I’m sorry...

Esmerelda tucks the tonics into India's dress pockets.

Esmerelda nods to the men who are holding Marianne down. She
is now sleeping. All the men stand up except one who takes
Marianne in his arms like a child.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME

MATTHEW (26) stocky and blonde with a sweet boyish face,

carries Marianne into their home. India gestures to their
squishy, faded red couch. Matthew gently lays her down and
Lily rushes out and comes back with a blanket.

India fusses around in the kitchen. She glances up worriedly

at her mother.

Matthew and Lily situate the sleeping Marianne so she is

comfortable and covered in the blanket.

India lights the stove and begins boiling some water.

INDIA
Lily, can you grab some rosemary
and lemons from the garden?

Lily nods, mute, and quickly walks out the back door.

India begins cutting up some apples into tiny chunks and

throwing them into the pot.

Matthew comes and joins her, he looks at the apples.

 53.

MATTHEW
What are you making?

India chops a few more times.

INDIA
A healing tea.

India wipes her hair out of her face and her hands on a
dishtowel. She stops working and looks up at Matthew.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Matt. What happened?

She speaks softly, glancing at her mother's sleeping form on

the couch.

Matt sighs and looks at her mother too.

MATTHEW
I don't know. I'm so sorry Indie. I
was only there when they found her.

India looks down. She clears her throat.

INDIA
Why would she go in there?

Matt looks at her, his eyes full of sadness. India sniffs and
wraps her arms around herself.

Matt pulls her into a hug.

Something rustles in the bushes outside the kitchen window.

India glances out the window, and then Lily comes back in
through the back door with the rosemary and lemons.

Matt releases India and touches her shoulder.

MATTHEW
Let me know if you need anything.

India nods, twisting her mouth.

LILY
Thanks Matt.

Matt walks out the door, shutting it gently.

 54.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME - THAT NIGHT

Marianne sleeps in the same spot as before. She has rashy red
cheeks and a sweaty forehead. Her daughters sit in chairs
pulled up to the couch. India holds a tonic in her hand, the
girls talk quietly.

LILY
If she doesn't get better, what do
we do?

INDIA
She will. Don't worry.

LILY
None of the others have gotten
better.

INDIA
We have.

LILY
Yeah, I don’t know-

A knock on the door makes them both jump. Lily gets up to get
it. Lily shuts the door and carries in a pot and sets it on
the table with several other food/casserole items.

Lily sits back down with India.

LILY (CONT’D)
Have you been going back?

INDIA
I- yes. We’ve properly fallen for
each other and it’s just everything
I’ve-

LILY
Why are you still seeing him?! You
realize that forest took Dad from
us and now maybe Mom as well?! I
can’t believe you-

India rushes to her room.

LILY (CONT’D)
India!

India shuts the door behind her and throws open her dresser.
She stuffs money and a vintage pocket knife into her sock.
Lily comes barging in.
 55.

LILY (CONT’D)
What are you doing?

INDIA
I have to go talk to Esmerelda.

LILY
She's coming by later!

INDIA
I'll be back in half an hour. Just
stay with her.

India gives Lily the vials that Esmerelda gave her.

INDIA (CONT’D)
These calm her down. I'll be right
back.

India storms out of her room and through the house out the
front door. She runs down the porch steps.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I’ll be right back!

EXT. TOWN MAIN STREET

India stalks down the street, heading towards the large white
church spire seen over the stores and buildings. She turns a
corner and another and then stands in front of Esmerelda's
shop.

The shop is backed right into the steep tall hills that
border the mountains that border the town. Plants curl up and
cling to the shop.

The shop is all wooden, unpainted besides the black paint on

the sign.

A circle of salt surrounds the building. Wind chimes and

dream catchers hang all around the wrap-around porch. India
looks closer and sees that there are also skulls with
colorful crystals for eyes, swaying in the light breeze.

Herbs and exotic looking flowers grow seemingly out of

nowhere, covering the porch.

India purses her lips and looks around. No one is near this
corner of town, contrasting to the bustling small town feel
of main street.
 56.

India unknowingly steps on the salt circle on her way up to

the shop and walks up the dusty old steps onto the porch.
Incense smoke drifts out from the beaded curtain that blocks
India from seeing inside the shop.

She hesitates again, then begins to turn around.

ESMERELDA (O.S.)
No no! Too late now, come on in
India!

India hesitantly walks in, beads tinkling and announcing her

arrival.

INT. ESMERELDA'S SHOP

Golden sunlight streams in the windows and catches galaxies

of dust motes and thick incense smoke swirling in the air.
Couches and loveseats cover the front room, which is really
the main part of the house. Everything is covered in books
crystals, loose leaf papers scrawled with ink, ink wells,
feathers, teacups, driftwood, diagrams of the sky on the
walls as well as tons of dried plants and herbs.

An open doorway leads to the kitchen, where Esmerelda cooks

from several pots, steaming and bubbling away.

ESMERELDA (O.S.)
I'll be right with you darling! I'm
finishing up some more batches for
your mother. Make yourself
comfortable.

India nods solemnly and looks around the room. There's

nowhere to sit down, so she walks around the room looking at
the scattered mess of beautiful trinkets.

A large map of their town is on the wall with labels that

don't make sense. They are numbers and letters.

There's a large handmade wooden table in the middle of the

room that has assorted stools and small chairs around it.

The wood has burnt etchings into it, geometric shapes that
fold into each other and overlap. More numbers and letters; a
combination of equations and a strange language. She frowns
as if she recognizes it and traces it with her finger.
(computer coding) She moves a book over and sees that the
etchings have sketches that look like her face and Oliver's.
 57.

A piercing yowl comes from right by India's ear and the large
black cat pounces onto the table slamming the book back down
over the etching and he curls up, staring at her with his
large jade eyes.

India looks him in the eyes, then eventually breaks eye

contact, shaking her head.

Esmerelda comes back in at that moment, with a pot in one arm

and a box of vials in the other.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
I suspect we will be needing a lot
of these in the coming weeks.

Esmerelda gestures at the empty vials and locks eyes with

India.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Help me fill.

India gets up mechanically and stands by Esmerelda, watching

her demonstrate how to fill the vials.

Esmerelda dips the vial into the liquid, lets it fill and
then slowly picks up a small cork and caps it.

INDIA
Wait. You forgot the salt.

India frowns, confused at her own knowledge.

ESMERELDA
Atta girl.

Esmerelda reveals a small salt vial hidden in her robes. She

uncorks the vial, dumps it’s contents dips the rim in, and
then re-corks it.

The cat turns and lies so it can watch them from a closer
angle.

INDIA
Have we met? I have these memories,
I don't know that they're real.

Esmerelda looks conflicted.

ESMERELDA
No, we hadn't met yet.

The cat gets up and stretches, flexing his sharp untrimmed

claws on the grainy wood table.
 58.

INDIA
I need to know. I know you know.
You have these sketches on your
table.

India tries to push the book aside and show her but the cat
nips at her hand, drawing blood from her thumb.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Ow! Idiot cat!

Esmerelda's expression betrays nothing.

ESMERELDA
I sketch a lot. I am inspired by
faces I see around town.

India turns directly towards Esmerelda, grabbing her arms.

INDIA
Please. I am losing my mind. I know
somehow that you understand what is
going on here better than anyone
else. My mother is sick, I don't
know what to do.

Esmerelda finishes filling the last vial.

ESMERELDA
My dear, it will all be okay. Your
mother will probably feel better
soon with the help of these
medicines.

India looks at Esmerelda, her fear clear on her face.

INDIA
Please, help me. My mind is...

Esmerelda hesitates, a pained look on her face. Now, she

takes India's arms but in a gentle loving way. Her mouth
twists a bit, barely perceptible. Esmerelda pulls her into a
hug.

Esmerelda whispers in India's ear, barely perceptible.

ESMERELDA
(whispered)
Do not trust the man in the woods.

India's mouth gapes open when she pulls away. Esmerelda looks
pointedly at her and India regains her composure. Esmerelda
coughs and points her elbow towards the cat, who yawns.
 59.

INDIA
You don’t-No. I- That’s not true,
he’s-

Esmerelda gives her a warning look -- “Shut up”.

ESMERELDA
Darling. Do not worry, I will come
by tomorrow to check on your
mother. Get some rest.

The cat glances up at them. Esmerelda smiles warmly and

gestures toward the door. India nods again and hurries out
the door, hopping over the salt circle this time.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM

Oliver and India play chess. They lean over the board towards
each other, smiling and teasing each other, pulled towards
each other by some invisible magnets.

OLIVER
You wouldn't do it would you? It's
escapism and childish fantasy at
it's best.

INDIA
I'd do it in a second. Never
growing old...

India moves her queen across the board.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Living on a magical island full of
fantastical creatures, pursued by a
silly but bloodthirsty one handed
pirate.

OLIVER
Sounds like a headache.

Oliver moves his knight.

INDIA
Sounds like an adventure.

India moves her queen again.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Check.

Oliver's face betrays nothing. He slowly moves a piece and

takes her queen.
 60.

OLIVER
Checkmate.

His dark eyes look at her intensely, then he breaks into a

grin and goes to her, pulling her up onto the couch with him
and into an embrace, kissing the top of her head.

India smiles and kisses Oliver long and deep, like she
doesn’t know if she’ll get another one.

She hops ups.

INDIA
Bathroom break.

INT. OLIVER'S BATHROOM

Oliver's bathroom is jungle themed. Hanging plants decorate

the corners and watercolor tigers, monkeys and frogs cover
the walls, seemingly masterfully hand painted.

India shuts the door and quietly turns the lock. She takes a
deep breath and turns toward the sink. She jumps at her
reflection in the large oval, framed mirror.

She avoids looking at her face as she scrubs her hands, then
once she finishes, glances up at herself. She sees her dark
under-eye circles and the curve of her mouth in a frown.

She looks closer at her eyes and sees that they seem to look
different. No longer chocolate brown but a light honey color,
they morph into cat-like pupils in front of her eyes. She
jolts back and then looks close again. They are back to
normal.

India steps back from the mirror, breathing hard. She watches
as her reflection takes on a life of it's own. Reflection-
India puts her face in her hands like she's crying, then she
lifts her face back up to the mirror and smiles, with no
emotion in her eyes.

The animals on the walls pace around psychedelic-ly.

Reflection-India puts her hand up to her mouth, into her

mouth and pulls out a molar.

India, rapt and unable to look away, gasps.

Reflection-India pulls out more teeth, and then they begin to

fall away on their own until none are left. She closes her
mouth and smiles a tight lipped smile. She lifts her hands up
and covers her eyes, then slowly lowers her hands and reveals
empty black sockets.
 61.

OLIVER’S KITCHEN

Oliver snips lavender into a glass jar. Several other

colorful plants lay by a tea pot on the counter, tied into
bundles with twine. Large, hand rolled cigarette-like joints
lie next to the bundle. They are Oliver’s handmade herbal
joint cigarettes.

A scream comes from the bathroom and India barrels out, tears
streaking her red face.

Oliver rushes to her.

OLIVER
India! Darling, what happened?

India cries into his arms, collapsing onto the couch with
him.

INDIA
(crying lightly)
I don't know! I don't know what's
real anymore. I'm completely losing
it.

Oliver strokes her hair.

OLIVER
It's okay. You're probably still
being affected by the spores from
going so deep in the forest. It
takes a while to leave your system.

India starts to calm down.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
I'm making some smokes, that can
help you calm down if you want to
partake.

INDIA
Smokes?

OLIVER
It's some herbs I roll into a large
leaf then burn and inhale the
smoke. It helps me calm down, maybe
it would help you too.

India nods, glancing around at the ground.

INDIA
Sure, if it helps.
 62.

Oliver takes the joint, lights it with a home-made looking

lighter. India jumps at the instant-fire contraption and
watches Oliver intently as he lights it and puffs the wrap.

He passes it to India and she tentatively puffs on it. Oliver

demonstrates how to inhale. She gets a deep breath in after
two tries, finally gets it right. Her eyelids droop slightly
and her body relaxes in Oliver's arms.

He pulls her up onto the couch and they fall asleep together.

INT. OLIVER'S LIVING ROOM - LATER

It's much later now and the room has soft purple and gold
glowing light coming from outside. India lays asleep on the
couch. She jolts awake and looks around.

INDIA
Oliver?!

Oliver comes in from the kitchen.

OLIVER
What my love?

India struggles up and Oliver grabs her into his arms.

INDIA
I just- Someone told me...

Oliver searches her eyes as she pauses, she struggles to find

the words. His eyes are so earnest, all his attention on her.
She can’t summon the doubt she felt earlier and she melts.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I- I just have to go back to check
on my mom. I’ve been gone way too
long.

OLIVER
Okay. Go.
(pause)
I love you.

India pauses and looks at Oliver smiling but with a tinge of

sadness in her eyes.

INDIA
I love you too.

India kisses him and then rushes past. As soon as he can't

see her face she drops her smile and looks confused and hurt.
She hurries out the door.
 63.

EXT. OCEAN BLUFF

India hurries along the ocean bluff back south towards the
town. The still full moon lights up the coast bright.

She stops, seeing movement in the corner of her eye. Her eyes
dart around the forest. Seeing nothing she starts running,
eyes wide open with fear.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME

India bursts in the front door, breathing raggedly, she ran

home. Lily and Marianne are curled up on the couch together,
sleeping under a raggedy wool blanket. Lily’s limp hand holds
a book. An oil lamp burns dimly.

Lily wakes up.

LILY
Where have you been? How could you
leave me alone with Mom for so
long?

India doesn't answer at first. She goes to light another lamp

and brings it over, pulling a chair over to the couch.

INDIA
I've been trying to find a way to
help Mom.

LILY
Where?

INDIA
I visited Esmerelda... and then
went to some other neighbors for
insight. I'm going back to
Esmerelda's in the morning.

LILY
She came by today already.

INDIA
Has Mama been responsive at all?

LILY
A little bit here and there but
she's really out of it. She talks
about going back out to the forest,
I just don't understand.

The girls somberly look around absentmindedly.

 64.

INDIA
Is there anything left to eat?

Lily gestures obviously at the dozens of pot and pans and

baskets of food on the dinner table.

India walks over to the table with the candle and Lily
follows her.

They both sit down at the table. Lily traces her fingers on
the grain of the wood and India picks up a muffin from a
basket and pinches off pieces chewing mechanically.

LILY
What are you thinking about?

India looks around, especially out the windows.

INDIA
I need your help. I can't really
say what about...

India picks a thin piece of twine off of the muffin basket

and slowly burns the tip in the flame of the lamp she just
lit.

Lily frowns.

LILY
What are doing stop messing with-

INDIA
Shh.

India begins scratching the burnt end of the wood into the
table.

LILY
India!

INDIA
(whispered)
Just trust me.

India finishes scratching words onto the table.

Lily leans over to read and sees "meet in closet."

Lily looks up, eyes slightly too wide. She glances around
awkwardly.

LILY
(announcing)
I'm going to my room.
 65.

She stands up and walks back into her room.

India nearly smiles at her sister's behavior, then sighs and

stands up. She walks over to her mother and gently picks her
up, not struggling too much under her mother's frail figure.

INT. INDIA'S ROOM

India lowers her mother into her bed. She tucks her in and
sets down a glass of water on the bedside table.

INT. KITCHEN

India wipes down the kitchen counters and organizes the food
from the townspeople into a neat pile.

She forgets to wipe off the message on the kitchen table.

India locks the front door with a metal skeleton key and
casually walks back to Lily's room, shutting the door behind
her.

INT. LILY'S ROOM

Lily sits on her bed, tracing something on a sketchbook. She

gets up and shuts the thick linen lavender curtains as soon
as she hears India enter.

The girls look at each other and wordlessly get into the
armoire together. The back of the armoire opens into a very
small room with just enough space for them to sit and shut
the door behind them.

India hangs the burning candle in her hand on a hook in the

corner.

INDIA
(whispering)
I’m pretty sure that
(bursts into tears)
I think I made a huge mistake!

Lily pulls her into a hug.

INDIA (CONT’D)
God it hurts! I want to be with
him! I want to have a real love
like everyone else!

LILY
You will India.
 66.

INDIA
I just don’t understand. Everything
was so good between us and I swear
I was falling in love with him
but... he has all these strange
things and he’s all alone and god-
I’m so sad.

LILY
I’m so sorry Indie.

INDIA
We never should’ve gone into the
forest. Something is weird about
Oliver, I realize that now. I’m
sorry it took me so long.

LILY
What do you think is going on?

INDIA
I don't really know anything yet.
But I know that if I keep playing
along I can get more answers. I
need you to focus on staying home
and caring for Mom.

LILY
But India!-

INDIA
We can't talk too much, I don't
know who, or what, is listening. I-
I've been...

LILY
What?

INDIA
Things have just been very strange.
But we need to act as though
everything is normal.

LILY
You're not explaining anything!

India shushes Lily.

INDIA
I'll tell you as soon as I can even
explain it myself. Just take care
of Mom as much as you can and I'll
be able to help sooner than you
know.
 67.

The girls exit the armoire. India whispers something in

Lily's ear. India exits and goes into her room.

INT. INDIA'S ROOM - SECONDS LATER

India sobs silently, holding herself while pacing and trying

to calm herself. She lets herself cry for a moment and feel
all the self pity. She calms a bit and sits on the edge of
her bed. She checks her sock for her knife, it is still
there, snug against her skin and slightly rusty. She wipes
her tears.

India walks up to her vanity. She looks at her little

trinkets on smooth wooden dresser. She picks up a small
wooden carving of Pooh Bear, along his back it says "To my
brave, curious little bear. I love you. -Dad"

INT. LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

India ties on her little black boots and ties up her hair,
then leaves quickly.

EXT. TOWN STREETS

India hurries along the dark unlit streets. Anywhere that

buildings don't shadow her is lit brightly by the moon. She
cautiously keeps to the shadows.

EXT. TOWN SQUARE OUTSIDE BIG WHITE CHURCH

As she reaches the town square. It shifts into day. We enter

a flashback.

Flashback:

EXT. TOWN SQUARE OUTSIDE BIG WHITE CHURCH - 8 YEARS AGO

A handsome middle aged man and an 8 year old India. The sun
comes down hot, causing beads of sweat on their foreheads and
the loud drone of cicadas and other seaside bugs.

Some medium sized palm trees line the courtyard.

The man sits casually on the edge of the fountain in the

center of the town center. Little India stands about 10 paces
from him.

Her eyes are closed and her arms are outstretched.

 68.

YOUNG INDIA
Okay Daddy, that's 3 you have 2
left!

Her father adjusts himself and looks at her thinking. Little

India waits patiently, but still jitters a bit with the
excitement of little kid energy.

INDIA'S FATHER
Alright, lets see...

He smiles widely.

INDIA'S FATHER (CONT’D)

One spin left and one spin right.

India quickly follows his directions as he calls them.

India stops hopping and hesitates. She squishes her eyes and
listens.

India sticks her arm out in that direction.

YOUNG INDIA
West!

She points an arm in the opposite direction.

YOUNG INDIA (CONT’D)

East!

She hops positions with her arms pointing the other

directions.

YOUNG INDIA (CONT’D)

South and North!

INDIA'S FATHER
Close!

He smiles broadly and walks over to her. India opens her eyes
tentatively and then mirrors her father's broad smile back at
him.

India's father crouches down with her, sitting on the rickety

humidity and weather worn bench she hopped onto.

INDIA'S FATHER (CONT’D)

The ocean will always be in the
west. That you can count on. If you
listen closely through all the
chatter.
 69.

Through the sound of the cicadas, and the general chatter of

a few other townspeople walking or lounging around the town
center, there comes the distant hiss and roar of the ocean.

INDIA'S FATHER (CONT’D)

It'll help you find the way.

EXT. TOWN SQUARE OUTSIDE BIG WHITE CHURCH - PRESENT

India hurries through the town center, past the bench that
her father sits on in her memories. Her face is glum and
determined.

She hurries toward Esmerelda's house in the corner of town

close to the forest edge.

EXT. ESMERELDA'S SHOP - NIGHT

India hurries toward the steps. When she steps on the first
one, it creaks and Esmerelda's big black cat yowls at her,
camouflaged on the second step causing India to scream and
jump.

She collects herself and then enters the shop. Esmerelda sits
in the corner on a large purple tufted couch. She sits with
her eyes closed and her legs crossed. She has dangling
crystals of assorted colors in front of her. She touches them
gently, they tinkle.

ESMERELDA
Welcome child.

Esmerelda opens her eyes and smiles at India. She stirs a

teacup she has in front of her, on a gas powered warming
plate. She grabs a pinch of a plant (catnip) off the
windowsill on her right.

She stirs the plant in, then adds a a pinch of a deep purple
powder from a jar in front of her.

She grabs a platter with the powder, teacup and a few other
little tiny bowls with herbs in them.

India watches patiently from the middle of the living room,

leaning against the large table.

Esmerelda brings her mixture into the kitchen and plops some
sizzling chicken chunks into the milky mixture, and mashes
it. It turns into a brown sloppy consistency.
 70.

She dings her spoon against the teacup and then cat feet can
be heard pattering up the wooden steps and porch and into the
kitchen.

Esmerelda pours the food into a gold bowl filled with

etchings, and then sets it on the table.

The cat leaps onto the table and laps up the food.

Esmerelda invites India to sit at the table with an

outstretched hand. India obeys, sitting at the opposite end
from the cat.

Esmerelda sits in the seat next to her. She takes India's

youthful caramel hands in her knobby dark ones covered in
rings.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
How is your mother feeling?

INDIA
Not better, but luckily she doesn't
seem to be getting too much worse
either. Thank you again for the
tonics, they definitely help her
with the pain.

A loud snore comes from across the table. The black cat is
slumped down, deep in sleep, with an empty bowl beside him.

Esmerelda looks over and rolls her eyes.

ESMERELDA
Finally. I've been trying out
different sleep concoctions for the
past 2 weeks. That thing needs the
sedative dose needed to put down a
horse. I guess since he really is
powered by this place.

India looks at the cat frowning.

INDIA
I'm sorry?

ESMERELDA
I'm sorry. Everything must be so
confusing, I always forget how
little you know at the beginning.
Let me restart. Follow me.

Esmerelda pushes herself up from the table with a loud scoot.

She checks the cats reaction but he dozes contentedly.
 71.

She hurries into the kitchen pantry. Its a huge walk-in

pantry, about 30 square feet. Theres a table in the middle
with flour messily strewn on it and open bag of flour, eggs,
salt, rosemary and a measuring cup of water.

Esmerelda ushers India in and then slides the barn door style
door shut behind them mostly, leaving it open a crack.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
You can't trust Oliver.

INDIA
I figured as much, after what you
told me.

ESMERELDA
Does he know you suspect him?

INDIA
I don't think so.

ESMERELDA
Can you keep deceiving him? You
must be strong to maintain the
facade.

India doesn't hesitate to answer.

INDIA
I’ve managed to just fine these
past few days.

ESMERELDA
The first thing you must know. We
are not on Earth.

INDIA
What do you mean?

ESMERELDA
No one has left besides in death
and no one has come besides in
birth. Have you noticed?

INDIA
People that I know have left!

ESMERELDA
Perhaps, but have you ever heard
from them again?

India frowns.
 72.

INDIA
No. I suppose not...

ESMERELDA
Our "Earth" is in fact a very tiny
planet with one land mass, mostly
covered by the forest and with our
seaside town as the only location
of human civilization.

INDIA
I don't understand. That can't be
true.

ESMERELDA
The sooner you understand that, the
sooner I can help you.

Esmerelda takes a deep breath, looking a bit overwhelmed.

INDIA
Okay.

ESMERELDA
You and Oliver, are the only real
souls in this town right now, let
alone on this planet.

INDIA
What do you mean?! What about you.
That's not true. My sister and
mother. My father. They have to be-

ESMERELDA
They are as good as real to you.
But outside this planet is reality,
and they do not exist there, at
least as far as I can tell. They
are a manifestation of this place.

INDIA
I- I don't know what you mean.

ESMERELDA
We're trapped in a different
dimension within a type of time
warp, created by your sweetheart
himself.

INDIA
That's not possible!

Esmerelda nods solemnly. They are silent for a few beats.

 73.

INDIA (CONT’D)
We're just perpetually stuck in
this fake... world?

ESMERELDA
Yes. An older version of myself
told me everything I am telling you
now. We have never been able to
break the loop. But I have compiled
information that all the previous
versions of us have collected and
passed on through the years.

INDIA
You mean that you think that I am a
younger version of yourself? That's
just impossible...

Esmerelda pushes a metal kitchen rack filled with cooking and

spell supplies to the side.

She pulls up a dirty old sheet and reveals a wall filled with
papers pinned to it, assorted shapes and sizes, all scrawled
in the same handwriting, although some papers look 100s of
years old and others look like they may have been written
yesterday.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Oh my...

ESMERELDA
We don't have time right now to go
through this. The sedative will be
wearing off soon and we'll have
eyes on us again. Just know that
this is here for you, should we
fail again.

India blinks rapidly at the wealth of information in front of

her. Esmerelda puts the sheet back up against the wall and
then slides the metal shelving back into place.

It camouflages very well.

The doorway beads tinkle, announcing that the cat has awoken
and is looking for them. They both look towards the door
nervously.

Esmerelda pulls two balls of dough from nowhere and kneads.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Then we continue prepping the dough
by kneading it for 30 minutes or
so.
 74.

Just as she pulls the dough up, the large black cat rubs
himself in the doorway and enters the room, eyeing them with
his glowing jade eyes.

India nods and kneads the dough a couple times and then hands
it to Esmerelda.

INDIA
Thank you so much for the lesson! I
will be back soon so we can learn
the rest.

Esmerelda gives India a warm smile, betraying nothing. She

pulls India into a hug and whispers something in her ear.
(You are the last iteration)

ESMERELDA
(out loud)
Have a good night love! Come back
tomorrow night!

India rushes out the door, avoiding the cat.

The cat hops up on the table and eyes Esmerelda suspiciously.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Oh hush. Everyone knows bread
tastes the best when it rises by
the light of the full moon.

She throws the two balls of dough onto the table and kneads
once more, blending them, then sets the ball into a large
bowl made of amethyst, and sets it by the window into the
streaming moonlight.

EXT. OLIVER'S HOUSE PORCH - THE NEXT DAY I HATE THIS SCENE

India and Oliver sit on the porch in a swinging bench. The

bench squeaks like a ticking clock. Oliver reads and India
knits absentmindedly.

OLIVER
Have you ever met that old hag
Esmerelda, in town?

India answers smoothly, prepared for the question.

INDIA
Yes. Ever since my mother fell ill.
She's been helping me by making me
some tonics and things to help my
mother.
 75.

OLIVER
Well don't listen to her, she's a
crazy woman.

India nods, feigning obedience. India picks up a crochet

project she had in her lap and continues working on it.
Oliver watches her and then picks up his book again,
beginning to read.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
(reading)
Who controls the past controls the
future. Who controls the present
controls the past.

Oliver sighs.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Orwell is somewhat convoluted, no?

INDIA
What makes you think so?

OLIVER
Well, his book interests me,
however I think that his messages
are somewhat heavy handed-ly fed to
us in this barbaric view of-

India giggles sweetly.

INDIA
No Darling, I mean what makes you
think that Esmerelda is crazy?

OLIVER
(smoothly)
Well the whole town knows. I'm
surprised you don't agree.

INDIA
Well, I do now.

India answers almost too quickly. She goes back to her

activity.

There is a pause for a moment and then Oliver looks up at

her.

OLIVER
Speaking of her, I have some actual
medicine that will help your
mother.
 76.

INDIA
You do?

Oliver nods and sets his book down. He motions for India to
follow him and he leads her down the hall of his house to a
pantry door in the hallway.

India looks at it confused, she has never noticed it before.

He opens the panel and reveals a plethora of modern

medication in orange bottles with white tops.

He searches around for a second, humming to herself and then

grabs a bottle. He presents it to India.

She frowns at it, not understanding. Then she reads the small
type.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Anti-toxin. This will work?

OLIVER
It's the best chance.

India searches Oliver's eyes for a moment. There isn't a

trace of malice. Only concern and assuredness.

She nods.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME - MARIANNE'S ROOM

Marianne lays on her bed. She has a wet towel on her head and
her blinds are shut. Lily lays next to her. Lily is sleeping,
breathing deeply, back as her 12 year old self. Mariannes
breathing is shallow and she holds her body like she is
bracing for a punch.

India walks in and sees that they are both asleep. She looks
at her family for a moment and then walks to the bed.

She gently wakes her mother up, not loud enough to awaken
Lily.

Her mother wakes with a congested gasp, but then calms when
she sees it is India.

MARIANNE
(croaking)
India.

India strokes her mother's cheek.

 77.

MARIANNE (CONT’D)
It's been years.

INDIA
Here Mom.

India holds out the bottle of pills.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I got you some vitamins that are
going to make you feel better.

Marianne looks confused.

MARIANNE
No. no. I feel fine.

INDIA
No you don't Mom.

Marianne looks back at her. Her face is ashen and sweaty. She
looks slightly green. She tries to heave herself up and
struggles.

INDIA (CONT’D)
You need to rest.

India gently lies her back down.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Please, just take one of these.

Marianne starts to say something but then sighs. She holds

out her hand.

India shakes one into her hand.

Lily stirs.

Marianne pops it into her mouth and swallows slowly.

MARIANNE
Some water.

INT. ESMERELDA'S SHOP

Esmerelda sits on a plush eggplant colored arm chair with

some needlework in one hand and the other flopped over one of
the arms.

Her cat and a cup of steaming tea on a open book sit

unbothered on the high table next to her.
 78.

She mutters a bit in her sleep. Her wind chimes murmur. Her
half moon glasses slide slightly down her nose causing her to
stir.

Her eyes snap awake.

ESMERELDA
India?

A second later, India bursts into her shop, out of breath.

She scares the large cat awake and it jumps up, hissing and
knocking the hot tea onto the ground, shattering the cup.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
(to cat)
Oh good lord Tiny, why do you
always have to be so dramatic.

Tiny spirals back into a circle and but keeps his eyes on
them. Aware and alert again.

India at Tiny and then at Esmerelda.

INDIA
I really need to learn more about
that bread.

Esmerelda smiles, not looking up from her needlework.

ESMERELDA
Of course.

Esmerelda looks at her wall, where 3 antique clocks tick all

at different times.

India smiles halfheartedly at her.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Alright, I just need to feed the
cat.

Esmerelda gets herself up from the chair, totally at ease and

humming. She walks over to her kitchen and pulls some dried
meat and what looks to be a broth up onto the counter from a
mahogany and glass cupboard.

India sits down at her table and looks through Esmerelda's

books absentmindedly. She keeps her distance from the cat and
her hands shake slightly.

Esmerelda chops the dried meat and throws it into a bowl with
some of the broth and some cereal like bits from a glass jar.
 79.

Tiny walks closer, smelling his dinner.

She mixes it and puts it on the table next to the cats bed by
the windowsill. She chops off some pieces of a plant, labeled
"Cat Nip" growing in a tiny pot by the window and sprinkles
them on top.

Tiny runs over and gobbles it up sloppily. Esmerelda and

India head into the large prep area/closet in the back.

INT. ESMERELDA'S PREP AREA

They slide through the beaded doorway and Esmerelda begins

speaking about the bread.

ESMERELDA
Oh wow! These raised beautifully.

She brings the bowls over from the windowsill onto the big
wooden table in the middle of the room.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Now, to assure that this bread
bakes evenly, we have to mix
together a powder to line the
inside and edges of the pan.

India nods nervously, trying to play along, but visibly

impatient.

Esmerelda grabs items from the large metal storage shelves

and sets them down on the table next to the bowls of dough.
India notices that Esmerelda's hands also shake.

Esmerelda glances nervously at the sound of her wind chimes

in the wind.

She listens intently, they hear the sounds of cat nails

scratching a wooden door and then the door gently opening and
swinging shut.

Esmerelda exhales.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
He went out onto the porch to nap.

Esmerelda shoves all the baking things to the side and then
pushes the metal shelving unit aside to reveal the wall of
information again.

Esmerelda begins taking everything off the walls and into a

pile on the table.
 80.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Listen. I am sure that Oliver
suspects us of conspiring at this
point. I don't know how soon he
plans to act, he loves to take his
time with these things.

Esmerelda finishes ripping the largest pieces of paper off

the wall.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
However, we cannot afford to waste
any time now.

Esmerelda wrings her hands and looks out the beaded curtain
again.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
I don't want to burden you with
information but I feel that it's
important for you to know.

She takes a deep breath and lowers her voice even further.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
I worry that you are the last
iteration of your consciousness.

INDIA
You mean like the cycle will end?

ESMERELDA
I don't know what will happen, but
I know that through our
calculations of the amount of life
cycles we have been through, I
can't imagine that our real body
will live much longer in reality.

INDIA
But what will happen to us when I
die?

ESMERELDA
That's what I fear. I- have no
idea.

INDIA
I need to know everything you can
tell me right now to get out of
this place. I know Oliver already
suspects me.

Esmerelda nods.
 81.

ESMERELDA
Study these tonight on your own.
It's imperative you memorize as
much about this simulation as
possible; but I can tell you all
that I know off of the top of my
head in order to make things easier
for you now.

India nods eager to absorb the information.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Oliver is a monster. The things
that he has done to us. He's
completely morphed into something
else.

Esmerelda grabs her shoulders and looks India in the eyes.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
He is the Lord of this land. He
built this place. He is lethal and
he can always code something new,
but he has to leave to do that.
There are limits to how much he can
change the game while still in it.
He can't really mess with the core
code or do anything that wasn't
thought of beforehand, which is why
he can't actually change the world
around you while you're in it but
trust me, he has plenty of terrible
things that he has thought of that
he can put you through.

India's body shakes a bit with nerves and fear, hyper focused
on the information coming her way.

Esmerelda looks over India's shoulder again. She begins to

whisper hastily.

ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Despite his power, he has
weaknesses.

A large blast comes from the front of the shop.

Both women scream and cover their heads as chunks of wood and
random pieces of Esmerelda's shop rain down around them.

After a few moments of confusion...

A huge black panther bounds into the shop on top of the

papers and all the baking supplies. Esmerelda cowers in fear.
 82.

INDIA
Oliver!

The shop is destroyed. The roof is caved in and they have a

clear view of the milky way and the waning, but still
unnaturally bright, moon.

The panther tenses, growling at them. It's deep rumble

ripping from it's throat. The women step back.

The panther's coat glistens like oil in the moonlight as it's

giant muscles shift.

It eyes India with glowing jade eyes.

The panther keeps its eyes on her, bending down to sniff the
remnants on the table.

India looks on, terrified, as she sees that the panther's

left paw is on the papers that Esmerelda wanted to give her.

It stops sniffing and looks up, then in a flash it cuts

through the paper with its claws, shredding them as if they
were made of tissue paper. They are rendered into confetti.

Esmerelda screams out. A cry of utter hatred and unabashed

frustration.

Esmerelda falls to her knees.

The panther takes a step towards her, nearly off the table,
only feet away from her.

India rushes over.

INDIA (CONT’D)
No Oliver! Please!

The panther swings it's head towards India. The moon and the
milky way surge with a brightness that disorients India for
half a second. She hears a thump.

India sees that the panther is now on top of Esmerelda, with

its giant paw on the struggling old woman's neck.

The animals coat is so black India would not even be able to

make it out if its coat was not so glossy.

India searches around, readjusting to the darkness and grabs

a large meat cleaver that was flung into a pot near her.

She rushes over and brandishes it in front of her, arms

shaking.
 83.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Get off of her! Please Oliver, I
know you're not truly like this.

The panther tenses and then it's muscles relax. A halo of a

bright radioactive green glows around it's body as it melts
into Oliver's shape. The muscles meld and contract until he
is back in his human form. This happens in half a second.

His right hand grips Esmerelda around the neck, constricting

her breathing but not strangling her.

OLIVER
My dear India, spare me from the
faux confidence in my character. I
know that you know.

India flounders.

INDIA
Please just let us go! I know you
once cared about us. About her. Let
us free and we'll never bother you
again.

Oliver smiles, his teeth still feline, long and sharp. India
balks; all the color drains out of her face.

Oliver shifts his gaze to Esmerelda. She struggles and tries

to free herself.

He takes his other hand and caresses her wrinkled soft cheek
gently.

OLIVER
(softly)
Oh Esmé, we had such plans.

He loosens his grip slightly. She takes a deep breath of air.

ESMERELDA
You’ve cursed yourself!

Esmerelda spits in his face. Oliver growls ferociously.

OLIVER
You always make the same mistakes.

Oliver transfigures into the panther form again and rips

Esmerelda's throat out with his teeth as if slicing through
butter.

India screams, a strangled and terrified noise.

 84.

The panther looks up at her, it's mouth open and it's teeth
stained red and dripping blood onto the floor boards.

India runs, sprinting out the back door and slamming it shut
behind her.

EXT. BACK ROADS

She grips the cleaver in her hand and sprints to the town
center, towards the large buildings.

The only sound is the wind chimes fading from Esmerelda's

ruined home and India's frantic breathing.

EXT. TOWN CENTER

India carefully creeps through the alleyway along the houses

surrounding the town center. She treads lightly but quickly.

She heads towards the coast.

EXT. BACKYARD

She creeps past someone's backyard. Their back door opens and
slams shut.

India freezes, brandishing her knife around her, searching

for the tell tale glint of the panther's coat.

She sees that the door is loose and shaking in the ocean
breeze. There's no sign of anyone nearby.

She creeps off following a small alleyway passage between

houses.

EXT. BEACH

India finally reaches the shore. The moonlight is so bright

that India has a dark black shadow following her through the
milky light.

She hurries along, glancing all around her constantly;

ducking behind large boulders and brush.

Seemingly out of nowhere, she sees a glowing green firefly

hovering near her. She pauses and watches it lazily float
around her head and then begin following her.
 85.

A few more fireflies join in and follow along, circling and

following her. She shoos them away. More and more join until
she is a glowing beacon.

She realizes this and swings her knife at them, they billow
out around her and she runs toward the forest.

The fireflies swarm around her and start to follow her and
then scatter as she enters the forest.

INT. FOREST

Once she enters the forest the ambient sound around her
stops. The roar of the ocean is undetectable; the cicadas
have fallen silent, the sound of wind in the grass hushes.

The only noises are a few slightly echoed and distorted

sounds of creaks in trees and indistinguishable vague sounds
from far away.

India looks around with wide eyes, she stays only about 30
feet in the trees, and then hurries along the coast again,
continuing in the same direction.

India hears a rustle in the branches above her, she gasps and
hurries along, stumbling around tree branches and rocks.

There's a loud animal call to the left of her.

India screams this time and begins running as fast as she

can.

India's foot snags on a branch and she tumbles to the ground,

smacking the front of her face on a rock. She lays there for
a moment and then awakes. She jolts herself up woozily. Her
nose is streaming blood and scraped up.

India looks around her, remembering where she is, and leaps
to her feet. She struggles to keep her balance as she
brandishes the knife in a circle around her.

Hearing and seeing nothing, she wipes her nose off and then
orients herself, the brighter trees are off to her right,
then keeps going.

She trudges along.

Then finally she reaches a clearing in the forest.

 86.

EXT. FOREST PATH - NIGHT

Its a narrow path, she follows it deeper into the forest,

with a determined look on her bloody face.

She sees Oliver's cabin a few yards ahead. She limps forward
faster now and throws the front door open.

INT. OLIVER'S CABIN - NIGHT

India enters slowly; hearing nothing, she enters and closes

the squeaking door behind her.

For a moment everything is silent, and then she hears a sound

like pebbles sliding off a rock. She braces herself, facing
the door, knife out.

Then the world around India rumbles, she loses her footing
and falls to the ground as suddenly the cabin blasts upwards
simultaneously morphing around her.

The movement stops as abruptly as it started. India chokes on

the thick cloud of dust and dirt in the air as she takes in
her changed surroundings.

INT. TOWER CELL - NIGHT

India realizes she is now in a medieval style cell made of

thick impenetrable stone and metal bars spanning from the
ceiling to the floor, dividing the small room she is in, in
half.

There is a toilet in one corner and a woven mat in the other.

India looks around in shock. She notices a window high up in
the corner, above the toilet.

India shoves herself up off the ground and stands on the

toilet, just able to reach the bottom of the window with the
very tips of her fingers.

Using every ounce of her strength, she is able to scrape

herself up enough to see through the window.

The window is about five feet deep in the tower wall, through
a square that starts about 2ft by 2ft until it contracts to a
6in by 6in square with crisscrossed metal bars. She can see
through the window that she is way above the tree tops now.

India lets out a defeated sob and slides back down, wincing
as she lands on her sore legs. She runs over to the bars and
yanks on them as hard as she can.
 87.

She sits down defeated. India is covered in dirt, grime and

blood. Her body wavers and she winces.

She stares blankly at the bars for a few seconds and then
begins to cry. Her tears leave clean streaks on her skin,
washing away the grime.

India lays down on her side on the mat. Her tears flowing
freely now, she grimaces.

Suddenly, India notices a texture on the floor of the cell.

It looks like lettering carved into the floor.

Intrigued, India leans closer and stops crying.

INSERT: close up on written etchings in the ground.

She sees OLIVER'S NAME and HER NAME.

She touches them and they glow a golden warm color. There's a
flash of light and then:

INT. COMPUTER MEMORY

In what looks like a window through a wall of strange web-

like electrical currents (a visual manifestation of a
computer "memory", she sees a scene before her.

INT. COLLEGE CLUB FAIR IN GYMNASIUM - DAY

This gym is pristine, it looks like it's never even been

used. The architecture of the building is very 80s. In the
center of the gym on the basketball court is a bunch of
tables advertising different science/math related clubs.

A young man, OLIVER (19) not outright handsome but with dark
features hidden behind square glasses and a too short haircut
sits behind one table advertising "Artificial Intelligence
and Virtual Reality Club".

He sits, writing something a bit intensely, glancing up and

looking around every few moments. No one approaches.

A tow-headed scrawny fellow student pulls a chair out next to

him and joins him.

OLIVER
Any new recruits?

His friend grabs the empty clipboard sign up sheet titled

"1984 AI/VR Club sign ups" and tosses it to Oliver.
 88.

His friend looks it over and then tosses it back where it

was.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Great.

They look around wistfully.

OLIVER’S FRIEND
No one has any appreciation for the
future of video games and the
potential of virtual reality!
(loudly)
Bunch of sheep!

Oliver smirks at his friend, shaking his head embarrassed.

His friend glances around embarrassed as a curious freshman,
now scared, scurries off.

Oliver smiles sheepishly.

He gets up and walks over to the water fountain across the

gym. As he is filling up his cup, a woman walks up behind
him.

Oliver turns around, startled. It’s India, a college version.

Her hair in neat twists and wearing layers of clothing. A
book bag hanging from her shoulder and glasses over her nose.

Oliver blinks at her, stunned and staring. He catches himself

and looks away.

OLIVER
Sorry.

Oliver steps away from the water fountain and allows India to
fill up a cup for herself. He hovers kind of awkwardly and
India looks over quickly and then looks back at her water.
When her cup is fully filled, she turns hesitantly towards
him and smiles shyly. He smiles back and takes a step towards
her.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Sorry to bother you, I just think
we might have had a class together
before?

INDIA
Have we?

Oliver swallows.
 89.

OLIVER
Yeah I think, Advanced aerospace
dynamics?

INDIA
Oh yeah! Sorry, so many men- in
that class I mean.

OLIVER
Totally, I’m sure it can get
confusing distinguishing one nerd
from the other.

India lets out a surprised laugh.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Any chance you have heard of
artificial intelligence or virtual
reality?

INDIA
Yes actually, I heard about a club!

OLIVER
Wow, I didn’t know my friends were
actually capable of spreading the
word. I guess we are competent
sometimes!

India giggles.

INDIA
I’m coding a ______ currently.

OLIVER
Then you don’t even know how much
we need you.

India blushes.

INDIA
Is there, like, a sign up sheet?

OLIVER
Sure! Right this way.

They turn and walk away from the camera.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Can I carry your books for you?
 90.

INT. INDIA AND OLIVER’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Oliver and India are grown now, having finished school and
grad school. Their place is very utilitarian but a bit
cluttered, notebooks and engineering stuff on basically any
surface but not messy.

It’s a relatively small place, but nice and modern with

expensive appliances and lighting.

Oliver has fallen asleep on the couch, notebook and pencil in

hand. Their tv lights up the place as India finishes putting
some dishes away.

INDIA
What’s on babe?

India glances over and sees Oliver sleeping. She goes over to
him, switching off the TV, gently taking the notebook out of
his hands and curling up next to him. He wakes up a bit and
pulls her close.

OLIVER
Hey baby.

INT. TOWER CELL - NIGHT

SOMETHING ELSE NEEDS TO TRIGGER INDIA’S MEMORIES NOT THE

TOWER

INT. TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATION - EVENING

Years later, Oliver stands on a large stage presenting his

product to a group of investors as well as hundreds of his
peers. It's a massive, clunky cumbersome machine but it is
able to "stimulate parts of the brain that were unreachable
to human manipulation before" the screen behind him states.

Oliver has a friend in the machine and a live feed comes up

monitoring his brain waves and demonstrates how a certain
area lights up when he is told to think of something
specific.

India sits in the crowd, in her late 20’s now, smiling wide,
her eyes are glued to the spectacle as Oliver excitedly
presents his invention.

After the event, Oliver is surrounded by other inventors and

people in the business and media. India tries to get to him
but can’t breach the ring of people.
 91.

They make eye contact for a moment but he is quickly

distracted by a colleague.

INT. 90’S STYLE OFFICE BUILDING - OLIVER’S CEO OFFICE

Oliver works in a dark office, late at night, the moonlight

shining through the window. He types furiously on a 90’s
computer.

His phone rings the whole time, eventually going to

voicemail.

INDIA
Hey, I know you’re trying to finish
up but I would love to be able to
see you tonight.
(pause)
It’s been 2 weeks.

INT. SCIENTIFIC LAB - DAY

India and a few other women stand in lab coats, doing some
type of DNA testing with all kinds of impressive machinery
around them. India pulls out her phone, laughing at something
a colleague says. She reads a text she got from Oliver.

OLIVER’S TEXT
Not tonight babe. Reschedule
please.

ESMERELDA
I was young, capable and
intelligent and I was wasting my
time feeling like a kitchen-maid
for someone who was supposed to be
my partner in life; someone that I
had looked up to and respected
immensely was destroying me
emotionally. One day I discovered I
was pregnant. I tried to convince
myself he could shape up to be a
father, but after 2 months I was
convinced he didn't deserve me and
our child especially didn't deserve
him as a father. I tried to leave,
but he had prepared for my
departure, probably sensing my
distress, although I had thought I
hid it well. Like I said, he is a
genius.
(MORE)
 92.
ESMERELDA (CONT’D)
Well, long story short: He caught
me trying to leave and grew furious
that I had tried to deceive him and
kept our child from him. He sedated
me with a shot of something he had
prepared and the next thing I knew,
I was in this bizarre bad trip of a
land.

EXT. OUTDOOR RESTAURANT

India and Oliver sit beside each other. India wearing a

birthday girl hat with the number 30 on it. India’s friends
sit around the table laughing and drinking. They all raise
their glasses for a toast. India smiles widely, then sees
that Oliver is texting under the table oblivious to whats
going on around him. India’s face falls. The scene changes.

INT. MODERN MANSION - DAY - OLIVER’S HOME OFFICE

Oliver stands at his desk, typing while holding his 2000’s

cell phone between his shoulder and his ear. He stands next
to a massive MRI looking machine. Someone’s legs poke out
from inside of it.

The camera pans down the hallway and through a doorway and a
massive master bedroom to it’s almost equally as big
bathroom. A distraught India stands at the counter, looking
down at a pregnancy test. She wraps it in toilet paper and
throws it in the trash.

ESMERELDA
He controls the world and
everything in it. He connects to it
like a video game, and only joins
when he wants some entertainment or
just feels like torturing me, even
can watch me through his cats. I-

Esmerelda's voice stops abruptly and then everything flashes

in front of India's eyes and the world glitches back into her
cell prison.

The door across from her cell opens. Oliver walks out.

OLIVER
Finally. It took you so long this
time to catch on. Almost had me
bored.
 93.

India stands up and walks to the bars. She doesn't say

anything, but gets as close as she can almost pressing her
face against the bars.

Oliver walks closer.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
I have to say though, there is
something different about you this
time.

He walks closer, tentatively reaching his hand out.

India lunges, grabbing for his arm like a clawed animal, she
just barely misses.

Oliver steps back.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Like I said, boring.

INDIA
(Growling)
What do you want from me?

OLIVER
You know.

INDIA
You’ve had your fun.

OLIVER
Have I? You don’t even remember.

INDIA
I do now. I know everything. You
disgust me. I can’t believe I ever
fell for your tricks. Over and
over, god... I am such an idiot.

India says the last part looking down.

OLIVER
Aha! That’s correct! I have to say
it’s entertaining every. Time. You
always find a way to keep it fresh.

INDIA
I...

India slumps against the bars. When she looks back up at

Oliver, there is a fire in her eyes that wasn’t there before.
 94.

India pushes against the metal bars with her hands.

Straining, the bars bend and separate creating a large enough
space for India to fit through. Oliver stands still, shocked.

OLIVER
How are you doing that?

India reaches into her pants leg and pulls out a knife from
under her pant ankle.

India grips the dagger in her hand.

INDIA
You’re a pathetic man, using a
video game to torture a young
woman, pregnant with your child.

OLIVER
How are you doing this? I can’t-

Oliver looks down at his hands, body somewhat paralyzed.

INDIA
I’ll never be the same for what you
put me through with my father.

Oliver strains, trying to move but stuck standing in his

position.

INDIA (CONT’D)
This time around I mourned him, I
cried and I missed him so much I
wanted to die myself. But the pain
led me to learn a lot from my
mother, this time around.

Oliver stares at her, dumbfounded. India smiles slowly at

him, something loose and deranged in her smile. She glitches
out and disappears from the tower. Oliver lets out an enraged
roar.

EXT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME

India stands outside her home. She crouches by a window and

grips onto the sill. She listens for any voices.

She hears a record screech on and then come warbling out the
window. She smiles and walks slowly over, through the front
door and pushes it open with her hand.
 95.

INT. INDIA AND LILY'S HOME

India creeps in walking slowly. She sees that Lily’s light is

on, but her door is closed. As India walks closer the music
gets a little clearer and she starts singing along softly.
It’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.

India opens the door gently and walks in, smiling wide.

INDIA
(whispering)
Lily, you’re going to wake mom.

India looks up and sees that it’s actually Marianne who

stands swaying to the music with her back to her. Marianne’s
arms are wrapped around herself.

INDIA (CONT’D) (CONT’D)

Mom.

Marianne turns around, startled.

MARIANNE
Oh, honey.

INT. LILY’S ROOM

Marianne walks over to her. India has a strange look on her

face. Conflicted and unsure.

Marianne takes her in her arms and they sway along to the
music together.

India is stiff but then as her mother starts singing to her,

she melts and lets her mother hold her.

They dance for a moment, India holding back her tears. The
song ends and they hug.

MARIANNE
I’ve been needing this for a while.

India squeezes her tight.

INDIA
Where’s Lily?

India doesn’t hear a response.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Mom?
 96.

Marianne morphs into a man, an old ugly gnarled man, gripping

onto India with his vice-like hands.

India shoves him off.

India backs away.

OLIVER
Hello India.

When he smiles, India starts running away again.

INT. HALLWAY

India runs out into the hallway.

INDIA
Lily!

The world around India glitches, she glitches and then she is
gone.

EXT. JUNGLE PLACE

India comes back to consciousness in a dark jungle.

Everything is dark green with hints of purple in the vines.
The vines seem to move wherever India doesn’t focus. The
jungle is so thick that she can’t see more than 3 feet around
her.

India closes her eyes and tries to concentrate. Nothing

changes. Then she hears a drum beat start, from very far
away, it’s faint but the violet light coming through the
cracks pulses to the beat of the drum.

India stops for a moment to catch her breath. She pushes

herself up against the trunk of a tree.

INDIA
(angry screaming)
Oliver!!

India angrily rips her way through the jungle.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Come out you coward!

She tries to push herself off of a vine, but it suddenly

whips out like a tentacle and nearly hits her in the face.
 97.

The world around her starts pulsing to the beat of the drum
now louder than ever. India covers up her ears and runs
faster and more frantically, almost crazed in her movements
and violence in the way she moves her body.

From the dark jungle all the sudden India emerges into:

EXT. SAND DUNES DESERT - DAY

Sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. India takes a
moment to relax. There’s basically no noise except for sand
shifting in the wind. It’s a welcome relief.

There’s peace and stillness for a few moments and then the
drum beats come back louder, and the sound of a crowd
cheering. India jogs forward, looking around.

Over the crest of the massive dune she is on, she sees that
there is a giant ancient roman style arena. She stops, and
then stalks forward towards the arena.

INDIA
Let’s end this.

EXT. THE COLISEUM - NOON

The giant coliseum looms above India as she trudges forward.

The roar of the crowd is deafening now. The gates open and
she walks forward, finding herself in an under ground tunnel.
She walks forward, determined.

INDIA
Oliver! Come out you coward!

INT. COLISEUM INTERIOR - DAY

India looks around. She only sees a few dozen ancient Roman
looking peasants tending to random things. All the sudden she
gets shoved into a small room.

A horn blows and one side of the wooden room lifts up, into
bright blinking daylight.

India stumbles out.

EXT. COLISEUM - DAY

She realizes she is standing in the middle of the coliseum.

Dusty sand billows up around her. The crowd jeers and cheers.
 98.

INDIA
Enough of your stupid games!

She spins around, trying to find him in the audience. She

balls her hands into fits and takes a deep breath.

INDIA (CONT’D)
(to self)
This isn’t real. This isn’t real.

Another horn blows and the sounds of screeching metal and

groaning wood come from somewhere O.S.

Someone throws her a wooden club. She frowns, but picks it up

anyway.

From the dark tunnel to her left, a massive lion emerges.

INDIA (CONT’D)
It’s not real. Come on, what
happened, I should be able to-

A deep powerful rumble comes from nearby, closer than she

thought. India pales and she steps backward.

The lion stalks closer.

India shuffles backwards. The lion trots forward, starting to

circle her.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Ohhh no. Fuck this. I am done being
chased by god damn cats!

India fakes out the lion and sprints one way. The lion roars
and then chases after her. She closes her eyes as she
sprints, focusing intensely.

Suddenly, India transforms into a enormous wolf. She bounds

around and then turns on the lion. The lion skids to a stop
and then starts sprinting away, tail between it’s legs.

The India-wolf catches up to it in a few bounds and swallows

it full. Then turns around and looks at all the people in the
stands.

Oliver appears in front of the India wolf.

India appears as her normal self.

INDIA (CONT’D)
There you are.
 99.

OLIVER
Tell me how you’re doing it.

INDIA
Doing what?

OLIVER
Tell me how!!

India laughs at him.

INDIA
Are you so full of yourself that
you don’t think there could be a
flaw in your coding?

OLIVER
Tell me how and I’ll let you out.

A metal cage grows out of nothing, trapping India. She smiles

at him, shaking her head.

INDIA
That’s not how it works anymore.
You can’t control me any longer. I
figured out your stupid game. Hang
tight.

The scene glitches out.

INT. COMPUTER CLASSROOM - DAY

A room with lines of computers. They’re 80’s style mac

desktops. A young Oliver sits at a computer in the back
corner. The entire room is empty except for him.

Oliver works feverishly, hunched over and typing. He grabs a

old looking sandwich off the side of his table and takes a
big bite.

He gets back to typing.

The door off to the side opens abruptly. Three guys in their
twenties walk in, wearing cheesy party hats and carrying a
large donut on a platter.

THE GUYS
Happy Birthday to you! Happy
Birthday to you-

OLIVER
Oh man.
 100.

THE GUYS
Happy Birthday dear Oliver! Happy
Birthday to you!

They put the cake in front of him and he blows out the
candles. Oliver smiles shyly at his friends and then takes
off a chunk of the donut with his fingers and eats it. He
wipes his fingers off and then gets back to working on his
computer.

His friends look at each other.

BLONDE FRIEND
Hey O, you wanna go out with us? We
should celebrate.

OLIVER
No I can’t.

OTHER FRIEND
Come on man, it’s your birthday.

OLIVER
Leave me alone! I need to... I
need to get this done.

BLONDE FRIEND
You can do that tomorrow! Come on!
You only turn 22 once!

His friend leans over to muss up his hair and Oliver slaps
hand. His friend accidentally hits Oliver’s sandwich onto his
keyboard, it gets yellow mustard all over it. His friends
chuckle drunkenly.

OLIVER
Are you kidding me?? You idiot!

Oliver chucks the sandwich at his friend.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
Get out of here!

His friends awkwardly stand still, looking at each other.

OLIVER (CONT’D)
GO!

Oliver’s friends shuffle out awkwardly. Oliver continues at

his computer, frowning.

India’s voice comes from his computer speakers.

 101.

INDIA (O.S.)
(taunting)
How could you treat your friends
like that?

GERALD
(to ceiling)
I was focused! So what? Look what I
accomplished!

A beat.

INDIA (O.S.)
Look indeed.

The scene warps again.

INT. 70’S STYLE HOUSE - NIGHT

A tween-age Oliver lays on a dusty orange couch. His science

textbooks cover him like a blanket. He naps as the small box
T.V. plays a cereal commercial.

His mother enters from some beaded curtains off to the side.
She sees he’s sleeping and nudges his shoulder.

OLIVER’S MOM
Honey. Honey, wake up.

TWEEN OLIVER
Huh? What time is it?

OLIVER’S MOM
8pm.

Tween Oliver yawns.

OLIVER’S MOM (CONT’D)

You shouldn’t be so tired at 14,
it’s not natural.

TWEEN OLIVER
I just stayed up late last night
for the test and needed to-

OLIVER’S MOM & OLIVER

Study more.

They say the last part together.

OLIVER’S MOM
You’ve studied enough, come on.
It’s Friday.
(MORE)
 102.
OLIVER’S MOM (CONT’D)
You don’t have school for two days
it’s supposed to be your break.

TWEEN OLIVER
Mom, don’t.

OLIVER’S MOM
I know. But I just wish you would
put yourself out there, meet a
girl. Get into some trouble.

TWEEN OLIVER
You know that’s terrible advice
right?

OLIVER’S MOM
Well geez, I’m trying everything I
can to make sure you don’t end up
as some computer nerd living in our
basement eating pizza all day and
never having any human interaction.

Oliver’s mom takes a deep breath and adjusts the thick belt
on her tiny waist.

TWEEN OLIVER
Glad you have such high hopes for
me.

OLIVER’S MOM
I just think you’re wasting your
youth honey.

TWEEN OLIVER
You just think that because you
were partying and doing drugs and
who knows what else at my age that
I should do the same? What’s so
great about where you ended up?

OLIVER’S MOM
You can be such a brat. Why do you
try to hurt my feelings?

TWEEN OLIVER
Mom, I don’t have time for this. Go
drink with your friends and forget
about me.
(mocking)
It’s Friday.
 103.

OLIVER’S MOM
Don’t you dare talk to me like
that! I’m your mother, have some
god damn respect!

Oliver’s Mom pulls the science books off of him and grabs him
by his arm, her long sharp fingernails digging into his arm.

OLIVER’S MOM (CONT’D)

Get out of this house and don’t
come back for a few hours. I can’t
stand to see you laying around like
a sloth.

Oliver’s face goes red and angry as she drags him to the
front door and pulls him out onto the porch.

TWEEN OLIVER
Yeah, god forbid I turn out as
worthless as you, right Mo-

Oliver’s Mom slaps him across the face. She seethes, staring
at him for a moment and then goes inside, slamming the front
door.

EXT. OUTSIDE OLIVER’S CHILDHOOM HOME - NIGHT

Oliver sits on the porch. His hands balled into fists and his
face red and blotchy. Suddenly, he takes a deep breath and
looks around him, realizing he is still trapped in this
flashback India has him in.

TWEEN OLIVER
This isn’t real. This isn’t real.
(muttering)
She shouldn’t be able to access
locked memories. Think. How did she
hack the code.

Oliver picks at a splinter in the wood of his porch, blinking

quickly, deep in thought.

TWEEN OLIVER (CONT’D) (CONT’D)

India! Let me out of this right
now! That’s enough! I swear I’ll
never let you out of this
simulation, unless you release me
RIGHT NOW!!

The milky way in the sky, already bright, becomes so bright

it encompasses everything and Oliver is taken to a different
memory.
 104.

INT. OLIVER’S CHILDHOOD BEDROOM - AFTERNOON

Oliver’s room matches the rest of the house, except it’s

pretty bare. The walls are that heinous yellow color and he
has a brown wood desk covered in school work. Oliver is older
now, around 16. There’s no posters on the walls, except for
one of Fleetwood Mac that he frowns at, something his mom
recently put up, and then he hears a knock on the door.

TEEN OLIVER
Coming!

Oliver yanks the poster down and throws it in the trash can
by his desk and then throws the door open.

A boy his same age stands there. THOMAS (16) with blonde hair
cropped short to his scalp and teeth too big for his mouth.
He smiles.

THOMAS
Hey dude!

Oliver smiles back.

TEEN OLIVER
Hey Thomas! Um, come in!

They stand awkwardly for a moment in the small space. Oliver

leans his hip on his desk.

THOMAS
So! Uh, your dad said you like
music?

Thomas starts unzipping his backpack and then looks up at

Oliver, pausing mid-motion.

TEEN OLIVER
Oh uh, yeah sure!

THOMAS
Sweet! I brought some Deep Purple
tracks if I can...

Thomas gestures at Oliver’s dusty record player sitting on

his dresser.

TEEN OLIVER
Oh yeah, go for it!

THOMAS
Sweet!
 105.

Thomas fumbles with the record player and Oliver goes and
sits on his bed. The record player emits some static noises
and then the music starts playing. Thomas cranks it up a
notch.

TEEN OLIVER
Wow. This is -uh- something!

Thomas bangs his head around, totally into it. He looks up at

Oliver, a wide grin on his face.

THOMAS
Come on, man! Let yourself enjoy
it!

Thomas shimmies over to Oliver and nudges him in the arm.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
I know that shit’s weird in the
world right now. It ain't right.
But if we can’t have fun and dance
when we want to then what’s the
point in even living!

Oliver relaxes a bit, laughing at Thomas’s embarrassingly

passionate declaration. Thomas laughs back and then walks
over to Oliver’s window, yanking it open.

TEEN OLIVER
I gotta say, I’m surprised you
subscribe to the whole “flower
power” movement, your dad being in
the military and everything.

Thomas reaches back into his backpack, pulling out a little

glass pipe, a lighter and a baggie filled with weed that’s
about half stems.

THOMAS
Just because our old men are all
into that junk doesn’t mean we have
to be.

Oliver’s eyes open wide, seeing Thomas’s paraphernalia.

TEEN OLIVER
No, we can’t. My parents-

THOMAS
Shhh.

Thomas pulls another thing out of his backpack, a mini fan

with a long cord. He waggles his eyebrows at Oliver.
 106.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
They won’t smell a thing.

Oliver doesn’t look convinced. He nervously glances back at

his un-lockable bedroom door.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Trust me Oliver, you need this.

Oliver gets up walking to the window by Thomas. He gestures

at the mini fan.

TEEN OLIVER
Fine. Just gimme that.

Oliver grabs the cord and plugs it into an outlet under his
desk.

TEEN OLIVER (CONT’D)

Keep this on the whole time.

Thomas laughs.

THOMAS
You got it.

Thomas grabs the baggies and pinches some out to fill the
bowl, Oliver switches the fan on and points it at the pipe.
The pipe blows the weed right out of the pipe and out the
window.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.

Oliver’s eyes go wide. Thomas laughs loudly and slaps him on

the arm.

THOMAS (CONT’D)
It’s all good man.

He pulls the baggie out again with a flourish and pinches

some more weed, but before taking out his hand again, looks
pointedly at Oliver, who still has the fan pointed at the
pipe.

TEEN OLIVER
Right.

Oliver points the fan in the opposite direction, towards his

chest.

Thomas lights the pipe and hits it, dragging in slowly. He

motions for Oliver to point the fan at him and then when he
does, exhales.
 107.

He looks back at Oliver.

THOMAS
Groovy.

Thomas’ voice comes out all high and squeaky. They both crack
up.

INT. TEEN OLIVER’S BED - NIGHT

Thomas and Oliver lay on the bed stoned. The music has
switched to Fleetwood Mac now. Their eyes are half-mast and
bloodshot. They are laying with their feet hanging over the
edge, as if sitting was just too much for them.

Oliver has to-scale constellations of glow in the dark stars

on his ceiling.

THOMAS
...and it’s never been the same
with her.

TEEN OLIVER
Well, it can’t really ever be the
same right? There’s no way to go
back to a moment, as hard as we try
to recreate them. Humans are such
fickle creatures, we cling to these
experiences we enjoyed because we
know them, but that’s ridiculous!
They’re in the past! What’s really
logical is to know that there will
be those moments in the future and
it’s much more worthwhile to just
enjoy the present because it’s-

Oliver realizes how close Thomas’s face is to his. He stops

talking. The boys hold eye contact for longer than is casual.
Thomas leans in and tenderly kisses Oliver. Oliver kisses him
back for a few moments. Thomas moves his hand to cup Oliver’s
neck.

Oliver jumps up.

TEEN OLIVER (CONT’D)

What are you doing?

THOMAS
I just-

Thomas looks around, shocked.

 108.

TEEN OLIVER
You what??

He gestures at Thomas’ backpack and the record player.

TEEN OLIVER (CONT’D)

Was this all- were you just trying
to trick me into some sick-

THOMAS
What!? No that’s not it at all! I
didn’t mean to assume-

TEEN OLIVER
I can’t believe this!

THOMAS
I’m sorry! I was wrong!

TEEN OLIVER
You’re right, you were wrong.

Oliver looks at Thomas disgusted.

TEEN OLIVER (CONT’D)

Completely wrong.

THOMAS
Oliver please.

Oliver looks angrily toward his door.

A much older version of Oliver lays on the ground surrounded

by darkness, in the middle of a single spot of light. He gets
up and spins around, looking all around him.

OLIVER
Come out!! Enough games India!

India walks out of the darkness just as a metal cage descends

upon Oliver out of nowhere.

INDIA
I remember everything now. You took
so much away from me. My entire
life’s work. My family.

She clutches her abdomen.

INDIA (CONT’D)
My baby. I just became a piece of
an experiment. I tried to leave you
and you- you drugged me?
(MORE)
 109.
INDIA (CONT’D)
Sedated me and forced me to relive
this terrible life in this fake
world over and over and over. You
made me your unwilling test
subject, not even knowing what
would happen to my brain while I
was in here.

India has tears streaming down her face, but her teeth clench
in anger.

INDIA (CONT’D)
How many years?

OLIVER
I knew it was safe.

INDIA
Bullshit! You can’t fool me anymore
Oliver.

India spits on him.

INDIA (CONT’D)
You’re sick! You’re a pathetic
disgusting excuse for a human
being.

OLIVER
How are you doing this? How did you
take control??

India scoffs.

INDIA
Of course that’s what you care
about, your precious little VR
world, what mistake could you have
possibly made? I almost don’t even
want to tell you, but before this
all ends I have to tell you your
big mistake.

Oliver grinds his teeth, staring at India.

INDIA (CONT’D)
You linked control over the code to
your DNA didn’t you?

OLIVER
(barely audible)
Yes.
 110.

INDIA
But, you didn’t know!

India lets out a maniacal giggle.

INDIA (CONT’D)
When a woman is pregnant, some of
that man’s DNA, is left inside her!

Oliver lets out a growl, slamming the metal bars with his
hands.

INDIA (CONT’D)
I know a thing or two about your
research, or did you really think I
was just a doting housewife happy
to sit idly by? You made this too
easy. It’s almost like you wanted
me to win. Now I have access to,
well, everything!

OLIVER
You crazy bitch! You’re going to
ruin my entire experiment. My
entire life I’ve been working on
this-

India makes a pouty face.

INDIA
Boohoo.

India disappears.

INT. OLIVER’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON

India runs through Oliver’s house, yanking open the door to

his secret study with the portal door. She rummages through
everything until she finds his compass in a wooden box right
by the door.

EXT. OLIVER’S CABIN - AFTERNOON

India bursts through the front door, carrying the compass in

her hand, running as fast as she can, following the sunlight
out of the forest.

She reaches the edge of the trees and spots the town in the
distance. Her face glitches out and she has to slow for a
second and concentrate.
 111.

INDIA
(to the sky)
Fuck you! Shit shit shit.

She shakes her head and keeps running, almost to the peach
tree where she found the compass originally.

INDIA (CONT’D)
Lily!!!!

India screams her sister’s name but no response comes. She

sprints along the bluff, the town slowly coming closer.

All the sudden, India trips on a branch that grows out of the
ground and somersaults over herself, the compass goes flying
landing by the edge of the tall bluff.

INDIA (CONT’D)
No!

She hears footsteps behind her. She scrambles and grabs the
compass, then whips around.

VOICE (O.S.)
Pooh Bear?

The wind billowing her hair and dress all around her. She
anxiously wipes her hair out of her eyes and sees her father
standing in front of her.

INDIA
Dad?

She stares at him in disbelief. Her lip quivers and her

shoulders relax.

INDIA’S FATHER
My little Indie. Not so little
anymore!

India’s eyes well up. Her father walks towards her with his
arms outstretched. Suddenly, India stops and steps back
quickly. She looks around quickly, frowning.

INDIA
(to self)
This is a trick.

A dark figure walks out from the forest. It’s Oliver, except
looking young and attractive this time, but something very
feline in his eyes. His teeth are panther-like.
 112.

OLIVER
Is it?

In a fluid, nearly missable, moment Oliver transforms into

his panther form and knocks her father down, standing on his
neck with a large paw.

INDIA
No!

India runs toward him, but Oliver chomps his massive panther
jaws at her. India looks terrified. She closes her eyes and
tries to concentrate.

Oliver transforms back into his human form but maintains his
thick sharp panther claws, digging into her father’s neck.

OLIVER
Ah ah, sorry darling. While I was
gone I made some... edits. Your
control has been relinquished.

INDIA
No.

India shakes with fury.

INDIA (CONT’D)
You monster.

OLIVER
You shouldn’t have told me your
secret weapon so easily.

INDIA
Let him go!

OLIVER
Give me the compass.

India looks at her father struggling, tears escape her eyes.

INDIA
No.

INDIA’S FATHER
Pooh Bear, please!

India’s sobbing at this point.

INDIA
I love you Dad.
 113.

India spins the compass until the strange symbols lock up

into the words “LOG OFF”.

Oliver lunges after her, his mangled yell half-human and half-
panther.

In a scene that exactly mirrors that of earlier in the movie,

an unnaturally bright flash bursts out right by the peach
tree above the bluffs of the beautiful blue sea.

INT. HOSPITAL BED

India’s eyes fly open. They bare the wrinkles and spots of an
old lady. She gasps and yanks the tube out of her throat,
coughing and choking. She sits up in a hospital bed, a tube
down her throat and a heart monitor beating steadily. She has
all kinds of fluids and wires connected to her body. Her bed
is shielded by four curtains on all sides. She can’t hear
anything except herself.

She looks around herself in disbelief. She sees all the

screens blinking red and her heart monitor going wild. She
yanks everything off.

She stretches her muscles and grimaces. With one of her arms
working normally, she’s able to grab a wheelchair by her bed
and over the course of an hour (quick cuts with the clock
behind her for reference) She is able to drop herself into
the chair.

She wheels her way out from the curtain. Then she sees that
she is in a small warehouse or basement, divided by thick
sheets of clear plastic, think E.T. scientist scene.

She starts wheeling to the tent immediately to her left, when

she notices a bigger structure at the back of the room, by a
large door.

She immediately wheels toward it.

She pulls back the curtain and sees a much more intricate set
up than hers. The area the curtains cover is nearly as big as
an apartment. There’s trays of food lying around some hastily
built counter tops, a toilet area, soda cans and water
bottles stacked all over the place.

In the center of everything, in state of the art equipment,

there lies an old man, who somewhat resembles the Oliver she
knew.

India gasps.

She wheels up to his chair, fury clear on her face.

 114.

She stares at him angrily, then heads over to the computer

set up he has with multiple monitors and a massive amount of
computers, where the VR lives, all mounted in a grid on the
wall.

On the computer monitors, scenes from her life play out. She
watches in awe. Completely detached from the reality she has
known her whole life.

She scans over them and then turns away, wiping a tear from
her cheek.

She walks back up to Oliver’s prone body, his breathing

machine squeaking loudly.

She looks at him angrily and looks up at all the intense

machinery beeping around him.

She bends down to unplug his breathing machine but pauses and
then after a moment, stands back up.

INDIA
All these terrible things happened
to you and you knew how terrible
these people were, you knew how
much it hurt to be treated so
badly, yet you still did it to me.
There’s no hope for you. You’re
rotten. So now you will rot in your
own creation.

She pulls the plug and the machine groans to a stop.

EXT. AN NONDESCRIPT OFFICE OR VAGUE APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

The metal door of the dark grey building swings open,

slamming the wall behind it. India wheels through it.

She exits into an alleyway, then follows distant honking

noises and voices, motors growling.

She finally gets to the end of the alley and she blinks, wide
eyed, taking it all in.

Downtown San Francisco swirls around her, people on bikes, in

buses, walking and talking. Dogs and honking. It’s 2030 now,
it’s disorienting to India.

The sun shines harshly and someone walks by smoking a

cigarette, the smoke blowing in her face.

Two young women talk and laugh loudly, in their own world.
 115.

India smiles widely, eyes almost watering.

INDIA
I remember!

INT. OLIVER’S BASEMENT WAREHOUSE

Close up of a mini generator. It’s light blinks on. Oliver’s

life support machines whirr to life. His heartbeat comes back
and everything is stable.

COMPUTER
Emergency simulation ejection and
life support resuscitation
initiated.

THE END