Lesson 22

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Act 4- Climax. Sooo… woke up yesterday thinking I didn’t know where Act 4 was going to go now due to previous changes. HOWEVER I wasn’t worried (ok a little) I knew there would be a process for figuring it out.. and there was. New outline, massaged it a little bit…and was sooo much happier with it. Took a little longer as I wanted to figure the rest of the beats out… and I think I did. Way different from my original beats. Better.

INT. COURTHOUSE 1996, DAY

Annie-38 and Sean-38 kiss in front of the Justice of the Peace in the courthouse. Joanie and Dan are there as well as Sean’s bandmates. All offer hearty congratulations. Annie-38 is happy, but wistfully looks around as there is no Mary Lou or kids, as before.

INT. RESTAURANT, 1996, LATER, EVE

A small wedding dinner is in progress at a local restaurant. Sean-38 is setting up an amp. Annie-38 is on a pay phone off on the side, entering a phone card. She takes a deep breath and punches in a number she knows by heart.

ANNIE-38

Hello, Hi, hi Sean. It’s, it’s Annie.

No response.

ANNIE-38

Um. Can I talk to Erin or Hunter please?

[placeholder- Sean passes the phone to Erin. Erin stares at the phone, then slams it down and stalks off.]

Annie realizes she has been hung up on and is devastated. She uses the phone card and dials another number.

ANNIE-38

Mary Lou, it’s me. Yes, it’s, it’s official ….Thank you. Um. I just tried to call the kids. Erin, or one of them, just hung up on me.

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION

INT. MARY-LOU KITCHEN, 1996, CONT.

MARY-LOU-48

Honey, I’m sorry that happened, but, they don’t understand. You told them you left because..ok you implied that you left because you needed to ‘get your head together’. Well, now they think you must be better, but instead of coming back to Joe, to them, you went and picked another man. They feel..abandoned..and they are being loyal to Joe, to their dad.

INTERCUT

ANNIE-38

They aren’t ‘abandoned’- I talk to them all the time, all the time. And Erin is almost 14,she’ll be able to come visit soon and we can build back our relationship… and they have Joe! I gave them back their Dad!

INTERCUT

MARY-LOU-48

I know. But they don’t know what almost happened. And Annie there’s no way to explain it. I’m sorry.

INTERCUT

ANNIE-38

It’s just all different. Different then before. They were with me when I remarried, and even though they missed their Dad terribly, they liked Sean- and now they’ve never even met him.

Joanie taps Annie-38 on the shoulder.

JOANIE

I think he’s about to start. Rumor has it he wrote a special song for you.

Annie-38 nods and mouths ‘I’ll be right there’ and Joanie leaves.

ANNIE-38

(Into the phone)

I’ve got to go. I don’t know how my heart can feel so full and so broken at the same time… Mary Lou, I’m pregnant.

In the background Sean begins to sing.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM 1997, DAY

Annie-38 is not doing well in labor. Sean is not there. Mary Lou rushes in, out of breath.

ANNIE-38

You made it! I’m so glad to see you!

MARY-LOU-48

We came straight from the airport.

ANNIE-38

Where, where’s Erin?

MARY-LOU-48

I put her in a cab to your house.

ANNIE-38

By herself?

MARY-LOU-48

Well, she’s 14 now…and she, she didn’t want to come up. And I agreed. Seeing you for the first time in four years like this is probably not a good idea.

ANNIE-38

I suppose you’re right. This wasn’t how I planned things. There was going to be time with her before the baby came.

MARY-LOU-48

Well, babies have their own agenda

Monitors start beeping. The doctor enters, looks at the monitors and does a quick exam of Annie-38.

OB DOCTOR

Where’s the husband? We have to do a C-section. STAT.

The nurses in the room spring into action.

MARY-LOU-48

He’s on his way from Boston. He has a band..they had a gig. I’m her aunt.

ANNIE-38

(A little delirious)

He was here before. The first time. He didn’t go so he could be with Erin and Hunter. Just in case. They were all here…

The doctor looks at Mary-Lou 48 questioningly, but she just shakes her head no. Annie grabs Mary Lou-48’s hand.

ANNIE-38

(whispers)

I don’t want to go back there, don’t let them put me under. I don’t want to go to that place, Sarita’s not there, I’m scared.

MARY-LOU-48

I got you. I will be here.

Annie-38 loses consciousness.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM 1997, LATER THAT EVENING

Annie-38 is asleep, hooked to monitors. Mary Lou is by her side when the nurse wheels in a bassinet with newborn Maggie. Annie-38 wakes and struggles painfully to sit up.

NURSE

Ready to meet your daughter?

Annie-38 holds out her arms eagerly. At last she gets to hold the child again that she gave up so much to bring to life. The nurse puts Maggie in Annie’s arms.

NURSE

She’s perfect, a perfect 10 on Apgar.

The nurse exits and Mary Lou and Annie exclaim over Maggie, a truly beautiful child.

MARY-LOU-48

She’s, she’s exquisite.

ANNIE-38

Now do you see?

MARY-LOU-48

I see. I believe you. Did you… did you go to the Altered State when they put you under?

ANNIE-38

No.. no. Thank god. I’m here in this life, in this time to stay. I hope. I’m so glad you were here, thank you!

MARY-LOU-48

Just in time

Sean bursts in the door and stops, stunned at the sight of his newborn daughter in Annie-38’s arms.

SEAN-38

Ah! I’m so sorry I missed her birth, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you. I’m so, so-

ANNIE-38

Shh sh.. you are here now. Come on, come closer.

Mary Lou-48 moves back and Sean leans over the bed, kisses Annie-38 then strokes Maggie’s cheek. Annie-38 gives a little shudder.

SEAN-38

Oh Annie, are you ok, in pain?

ANNIE-38

I, I will be ok, I’m just a little chilly.

MARY-LOU-48

I’ll go find one of those warming blankets.

Annie-38 shudders again and Sean climbs right into the bed, wrapping his body around Annie-38 and newborn Maggie to warm her. They smile at one another.

SEAN-38

I wrote a song on the way here. Do you want to hear it?

INT. SEAN AND ANNIE’S HOUSE, 1997, NEXT DAY

Sean enters carrying newborn Maggie in a carrier along with several bags. Erin and Mary Lou are on the couch. Annie walks slowly through the door. Mary Lou springs up and helps Annie in, taking her one bag from her. Erin doesn’t move, just stares at her mother.

Sean places the carrier on the coffee table in front of Erin and steps back.

ANNIE-38

Erin! I’m so happy to see you baby!

She holds out her arms, but Erin doesn’t move.

ERIN-14

I don’t think I’m your ‘baby’ anymore.

Annie drops her arms and takes a breath. Awkward silence.

SEAN-38

Would you like to hold your sister?

ERIN-14

She’s not my sister!

Erin flees to the guest room and slams the door.

INT. SEAN AND ANNIE’S GUEST ROOM, 1997, CONT.

The guest room has two beds, with Mary Lou’s and Erin’s things scattered about. Erin is sprawled across a bed. Annie knocks lightly, then comes in anyway when there is no response. She makes her way to the bed and gingerly sits.

ANNIE-38

I’m sorry I called you a baby. That was silly of me. You’re a teenager now- and you’re so tall! Pictures don’t-

ERIN-14

So what was wrong with Dad? Why this guy? Why not Dad?

ANNIE-38

Erin… I don’t think there is anything that I can say that will make any sense to you.

ERIN-14

You’re fucking right there isn’t. You replaced him. And now you replaced ME!

ANNIE-38

I didn’t replace you! I could never replace you, there is only one Erin, and you have my heart, always.

ERIN-14

Bullshit. If that was true, you wouldn’t have left.

ANNIE-38

I had to- I…

ERIN-14

Yeah I know. You were afraid you were going to go schizo like Grandma. I heard Dad talking.

ANNIE-38

He said that?

ERIN-14

Well he didn’t use that word, but I’m not stupid you know. And I’m not a kid anymore. And.. and if it happened to you…maybe it could happen to me. You left me alone with that fear!

ANNIE-38

Oh my god. I didn’t think about that. I’m so so sorry.

Now both are crying. Annie shifts on the bed and winces in pain. Erin relents a little and scoots over. Annie lays down and they face each other.

ANNIE-38

I don’t have it. I am not schizophrenic. And you won’t be either.

ERIN-14

So why didn’t you come home.

ANNIE-38

I had other trauma I needed to work through.

ERIN-14

Ok, so why didn’t you come home after that, instead of, instead of starting a new family?

ANNIE-38

Oh Erin, you and Hunter ARE my family. That is not going to change. Even if you never talk to me again. But please, please don’t do that.

Silence. Tentatively Annie reaches out and tucks a strand of Erin’s hair away.

ERIN-14

Do you still love Dad?

INT. SEAN AND ANNIE’S NURSERY, 1997 LATE NIGHT.

Maggie gives a small wail and a moment later Erin tentatively enters and leans over the bassinet, her back to the door. She gives her a binky and gently rocks the bassinet. She whispers to baby Maggie.

ERIN-14

Why are you even here? She might have come back if not for you.

Annie appears at the door, but doesn’t go in.

ERIN-14

I suppose it’s not your fault. You are cute. But I don’t know if we can be friends. Hunter probably will be, he likes everyone. It’s not fair to my Dad. But I will think about it.

Annie smiles sadly.

ERIN-14

All I can say is, if she leaves you too, don’t come crying to me.

INT. HUMBLE PIE BAKERY, 1999 LATE AFTERNOON

[graphic 1999]

Annie is cleaning up as a man in a suit exits the bakery. Dan puts his head in his hands, dejected.

ANNIE

No go huh?

Dan shakes his head, and gets up, wheezing.

DAN

I even dropped the price 20k. I don’t know what we’re going to do if we can’t sell it.

ANNIE

Why don’t you go home and rest, I will finish up here.

Dan nods his thanks, and ambles out. Annie walks over, pulls the shade, turns the sign and locks the door. She sits at a table, then pulls out a flip cell phone.

ANNIE

Hi. It’s me.

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION.

MARY-LOU

You sound troubled. Kids ok?

ANNIE

Kind of. Erin told me last night that she’s not even going to bother applying to college, that even with scholarships there wouldn’t be enough money and she doesn’t want to make Joe feel bad.

MARY-LOU

There’s always loans.

ANNIE

Not sure if Joe would qualify. And I know Sean and I won’t. But you see, there’s more to it then that.

MARY-LOU

Go on.

ANNIE

Sigh. Before. When Joe died. There was a life insurance policy. And the logging company gave us a settlement. It was enough to send Erin to Northeastern. Where she meets her husband. And they have three kids. Hunter goes to college to, where he meets a friend that introduces him to his wife. None of this is going to happen now.

MARY-LOU

Oh. Honey, you are supposed to have three grandchildren? You didn’t tell me about that part.

ANNIE-60

I guess I shoved it down, tried not to think about it until now I can’t stop thinking about it. I was actually able to put a down payment on a house.. And then there’s Joanie and Dan. In, in my other life, I used some of the money to buy the bakery. They retire and move to Florida where the weather is better for Dan’s lungs. Everything is messed up.

MARY-LOU

Well there is something you might be able to do.

ANNIE

What?! I don’t want to mess with that altered state anymore!

MARY-LOU

No I mean, you know what companies are big in the future, maybe you can invest in one of them?

ANNIE

That would take too long and you have to have money to make money.

MARY-LOU

What about a sports team? Who won the world series this year, 1999?

ANNIE-60

Me? I never paid any attention to sports. The only thing I remember from before is the horse who won Belmont cause of his name, and he was such a long shot. It was all over the headlines.

MARY-LOU

What was his name.

ANNIE

Long Shot.

INT. WOODVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GYM, 2000, DAY

Erin’s graduation is over, people are milling about taking pictures. Annie is holding three year old Maggie, standing in the back with Mary Lou, who points out Hunter, now 16.

MARY LOU

There’s Hunter!

She waves.

ANNIE

Oh my God, I can’t believe it’s been eight years. Don’t cry, don’t cry.

Hunter comes over and hugs Mary Lou.

HUNTER.

Hi Auntie.

There’s a big awkward pause. He gives Annie a half hug.

HUNTER

Hi. Mom.

ANNIE

Hunter… you’re so tall!

Annie is trying to control herself.

HUNTER

And this must be my little sis! Come here you, I’m your big brother!

Maggie goes right to him and he immediately has her squealing with giggles.

HUNTER

Can I take her to meet some of my friends?

Annie is speechless.

MARY LOU

I’ll go with him.

Annie watches them go, and then Erin in her cap and gown and Joe are there. Joe hangs back. Annie hugs Erin who returns the hug, but quickly.

ANNIE

I’m so proud of you! Congratulations on your scholarship!

ERIN

Go figure, full ride to Northeastern. I’ve always wanted to go to Boston.

ANNIE

I’m only three hours away, I hope I get to see you more.

ERIN

Well, ya know. I will be a college student and all, probably pretty busy with all the parties, I mean studying.

She sees someone she knows and waves.

ERIN

I will catch up with you tomorrow Mom, Hunter and I are having lunch with you right? See you then.

ANNIE

Wait, can I get a picture?

She hands her camera to a nearby parent. And puts her arm around Erin. Erin turns and pulls Joe into the picture.

PARENT

Got it!

Erin gives a quick peck on the cheek to Joe and takes off, leaving Annie and Joe standing close to each other, the first time he’s seen her in eight years. Joe clears his throat.

JOE

Uh um. Uh um Hi. Sorry, seem to have lost my voice.

Annie nods, struggling

ANNIE

Me too. It’s a milestone day.

JOE

Yeah, can’t believe our little girl has graduated.

ANNIE

Our girl. I’m just glad, glad she let me come.

JOE-35

Annie..

Annie waves off whatever he’s going to say. Trying not to cry.

ANNIE

She’s so beautiful. And smart. And loyal.

JOE

She still loves you. We all do.

He steps closer. Annie puts a hand on his chest to stop him.

ANNIE

Don’t..please don’t.

He takes her hand and brings it to his cheek and just holds it there. Neither of them move.

Mary Lou is watching from a distance.

INT. ANNIE’S HUMBLE PIE BAKERY, 2010, DAY

Same bakery but “Annie’s” in italics has been added to all the Humble Pie signage. A menu on the wall advertises gluten free options and a website. Someone is in the back packaging online orders and there is a line at the counter and staff waiting on them. The bakery is an obvious success. Annie is at the end of the counter giving a box of baked goods to Maggie, now 13.

MAGGIE-13

Yes, I did my homework. Thank you Mom, they are going to love these at rehearsal. When does Dad get back?

Annie turns to a poster of Sean’s band [placeholder name] on the wall behind her and looks at the date and location.

ANNIE

Let’s see, he’s in [city] tonight, and then [city] for three nights. But they might pick up a gig in xxx. So..maybe Sunday?

MAGGIE

Awe..he’s going to miss my performance. He’s always gone.

ANNIE

I’ll tape it for him.

MAGGIE

Ok- Chloe’s mom is bringing me home, and they are supplying pizza.. so no dinner tonight.

Maggie leans over the counter and kisses her Annie good-by, then steps into her office and closes the door.

INT. ANNIE’S HUMBLE PIE OFFICE, 2010, CONT.

Annie sits behind her desk and opens up a bottom drawer and lifts out a box from the back that says RECEIPTS 2000-2005.

She opens the box to reveal a stack of letters and leafs through them.

They are all from Joe to Annie- and sent to the bakery. She opens up the most recent one, sent just last week.

Dear Annie,

[Placeholder, but mention kids, grand kids, and that he is suggesting they get back together, but that he doesn’t want to take her from Maggie, so he will wait for another 5 years. Just say yes]

After she reads it, she holds the letter to her chest for a moment, then puts it back. She gets out her cell phone and we see that she is sending a text to Mary Lou.

INSERT TEXT

Joe sent another letter, says he will wait. I must be a horrible person because I’m actually thinking about it. The bakery is doing so well Sean quit his teaching job to focus on his band and it’s really taking off. I still love him, but he is gone all the time and I guess we are both distant in our own ways. I won’t leave another child so I have five years to think about it.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S LIVING ROOM, 2010, EVENING

Annie is on the couch watching SNL. Her phone buzzes and she picks it up quickly then is confused it’s not Sean.

ANNIE

Hello? This is she…..Oh my God. When did he come in? ….Can he talk? … I see. And he had me down as the first contact?

INT. HOSPITAL ICU, CALIFORNIA,2010, 24 HOURS LATER

Annie cautiously peaks into the ICU room, then steps through. The light is low. Joe is hooked up to multiple machines, he is not conscious. Annie crosses to the bed and takes his hand and squeezes it.

ANNIE

Joe, it’s Annie. I’m here.

A doctor comes in behind her.

DOCTOR SANDERS

Hello, I’m Dr. Sanders.

ANNIE

I’m Annie. Are you his oncologist?

DOCTOR SANDERS

Joe didn’t have an oncologist. It would seem he never saw a doctor about his cough, or his weight loss, or anything. No one noticed?

ANNIE-60

Um…our kids are grown and out of the house- they are on their way here. I’m, I’m his former wife so I haven’t seen him in ten years. But we, we talk, and write. It’s..friendly.

DOCTOR SANDERS

You’d be surprised how many ex’s are the one at the bedside. I’m sorry. It’s 4th stage lung cancer, very advanced. A neighbor brought him in two days ago. He was in a lot of pain so we started him on a morphine drip this morning.

ANNIE

Oh god. Joe.

She turns back to his bed and squeezes his hand.

DOCTOR SANDERS

He doesn’t have much time left. We be able to ease back on the morphine just a tad to see if he comes around. So you can say good-bye.

ANNIE

NO, no, please no, I don’t want him in any pain.

DOCTOR SANDERS

Of course. I’ll check on him later.

Annie pulls up a chair as close as she can get it to the bed. She picks up his hand again, places it on her cheek and closes her eyes.

[Margaret]

Margaret’s Act 4 Climax

What I learned: I had no idea how I was going to finish this when I started writing. Feels good to have the first version down.

EXT. EBBA – TOP OF SNAKE PATH – NIGHT

Jabe and the Donek Guard speak to one another at the top of the Snake Path.

JABE

Be with your family this last night. I’ll watch here.

Grateful, the Donek Guard nods, hurries away.

Jabe signals for Imara. She emerges from her hiding place.

JABE

You ready?

Imara nods, Jabe leads her down the Snake Path.

EXT. EBBA – SNAKE PATH – EVENING

The sunset is beautiful, but Jabe and Imara don’t notice. They pick their way down the Snake Path.

When they reach the bottom, to their surprise, there are no Guards in sight. Jabe hugs Imara.

JABE

Follow the wall, look for any weak spots. If you don’t find any, use this to break through.

Jabe hands Imara a large knife. She takes it with trembling hands.

JABE

Or to protect yourself. Goodbye, sis. May Taaba protect you.

IMARA

Thank you, Jabe. The wisdom of Taaba be with you.

Jabe nods, waves her off.

EXT. EBBA FORTRESS – SAME

Jabe reaches the top of the Snake Path, makes his way to where the ramp intersects with the Ebba Fortress.

The siege tower is almost in place.

Jabe climbs over the wall, runs towards the tower.

EXT. EBBA – RAMP – SAME

Not expecting a confrontation, the tractor driver pulling the siege tower does not notice Jabe until he is at his side.

The driver stops the tractor.

SWOOSH!

Jabe pulls his gun, kills the Hedeon driver.

SHOUTS

The Hedeon realize the tractor has stopped, A HEDEON COMMANDER shouts at the driver from behind the tower.

HEDEON COMMANDER

Continue moving it! It is not close enough yet!

Silence.

The Commander and two other HEDEON FIGHTERS emerge from behind the tower only to see Jabe poised to fight, gun raised.

HEDEON COMMANDER

One man against an army? Surely you know that is futile. Even with your size you will not overcome us.

JABE

I may not stop them all, but I will stop you.

HEDEON COMMANDER

I applaud your bravery, but you are wrong.

The Hedeon Commander gives a signal. From the top of the siege tower a large net falls, capturing Jabe.

Jabe struggles in the net, shoots his gun but it has no effect on the net.

The Hedeon Commander turns to his men.

HEDEON COMMANDER

Let Armann know.

The Hedeon Fighters leave, run down the ramp.

Jabe stops struggling, pushes his gun out through the holes in the net, drops it.

JABE

O.K. You win. Get me out of this thing. I surrender.

The Hedeon Commander scoffs.

HEDEON COMMANDER

So easy you give up? You know Armann will order your death, after he learns of the Donek’s plans, that is.

JABE

Sure. Just make it quick and I’ll be your singing bird.

The Hedeon Commander laughs.

HEDEON COMMANDER

A true Donek! Love and peace and stupidity!

The Hedeon Commander pulls a knife. Slowly bends over to Jabe, positions it in front of his face.

Jabe does not flinch.

JABE

Do it already.

With a quick slice, the Hedeon Commander rips the net. Jabe frees himself, and before the Commander has time to react, grabs his gun, kills the Commander.

Jabe knows his time is short. He gets onto the tractor, starts it and purposefully points it to go over the side of the ramp, the siege tower following behind.

Jabe jumps off the tractor just as it goes over the ramp, runs back up to the Ebba Fortress.

EXT. EBBA FORTRESS – MEETING PLACE – EVENING – SAME

Jabe stands at the entrance of the Meeting Place. He is too late. Dead bodies are everywhere.

He turns a stern face away, heads back to the ramp.

EXT. RAMP – EVENING – SAME

Jabe jumps over the fortress wall, onto the ramp just as a livid Armann approaches with the Hedeon Crowd.

ARMANN

You! You!

Jabe shrugs. Smiles.

JABE

Couldn’t make this easy for you.

Jabe pulls his gun, slams a fist down on it. It doesn’t fire.

Armann smirks. Takes out his own gun, hands it to a Hedeon Man.

ARMANN

Your size is impressive, but you are not a fighter. Your muscles are flabby, weak.

Jabe poises to fight.

JABE

Yeah, well I can take you!

ARMANN

And then what? The whole Hedeon army?

JABE

If I have to.

Armann laughs.

ARMANN

See, you are like me! I will never give up, Jabe. Never. I will kill all the Donek, never allow them to live in peace with the Donek.

JABE

Well, then, it’s just you I have to kill to win, then.

Armann is shorter, but muscular. He motions Jabe forward.

ARMANN

You will see why they follow me. I can overpower any man.

Jabe signals for Armann to come forward, then does the unexpected.

Jabe runs towards Armann, dives to catch both his legs, catapulting both of them over the side of the ramp, into the air, to the long drop which will mean both their deaths.

EXT. WHITTIER – STREET – SAME

The cloudy sky is familiar. The same dark black cloud is positioned above the city. It quickly moves off scene.

The street is full of dirt and rubble. A long crevasse ends right before the destroyed Pet Store.

A hand reaches up from the crevasse, another hands grabs it.

A familiar voice speaks.

IMARA (O.S.)

Come on, pull yourself up. I’ll help you.

Jabe emerges from the dirt and rubble.

He rubs his eyes, sees Imara, her aura shining white against the darkness of the scene.

He looks around. The quake has destroyed the city. People are everywhere, their auras visible.

A man with a red aura beats his fist against a wall.

A GANG with green auras loots the open stores.

Several FAMILIES are gathered together, crying, yellow auras.

Many purple wander the street, without aim.

Jabe wipes his face, rubs his eyes. The auras are gone.

All he sees now is his community. A community needing him.

JABE

(to Imara)

Come on. Let’s help them.