[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie Reilly is ready for script feedback and exchange. Since the story goes through several timeline, I am hoping the transitions are clear.

The Other Life: A head injury sends a woman into an altered state where she believes she can stop her first husband’s traumatic death, but then realizes that if she does, she will never meet her second husband or have their beloved daughter.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie has completed the chronological edit. I learned that the script can always improve. I particularly focused on improving and tightening the narrative description and the dialogue, which of course helps the clarity and flow!

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie – Solved the Obvious Scene problems. For the most part I solved the ‘obvious’ ones when I re-wrote the beats for Act 4. That said, I went through and tightened and looked in particular for cliche scenes (since those are the ones that bore me when watching a movie) I also think I may be too close to the scripts.. After the final lesson, I need to let it rest a bit and get some feedback from trusted readers.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie has solved her Character Problems! I focused on making sure the male leads were different, and entering their scenes with action. I changed the dialogue for both, and added some action. I also went through and wrote the scenes/dialogue for the 5 places I still had ‘placeholders’. Home stretch, can’t wait to see what the next lesson will bring!

[Laurie Reilly]

<div>Laurie Solved Structural Problems. What I learned is….do the work even if you don’t want to. So..I did pull out the Lesson 5 and updated the beat sheet, which had a lot of updates for ACT 4.. then I pasted in Lesson 25 questions.. and wrote in the short answers…and realized I could strengthen in several places. No new scenes, I don’t need to hit the audience over the head.. but added in some dialogue. Thanks again! Including my notes below, which has a lot of shorthand for me..but I doubt anyone is reading them, I realize it’s just for me. </div>

Act 1:

Opening/Old Ways: Is this an engaging opening scene that lures us into the story?

Opening scene has Annie smelling her 1^st husbands’ clothes in secret. You know something is clearly up right away

Is the lead character clearly living in a pre-transformation mode?

Not sure- fixed!

Do the “Old Ways” show up in their behavior and dialogue?

It’s subtle- dropped another hint!

Opening– Annie’s 60^th birthday finds her in a seemingly happy scene surrounded by her 3 adult children and her 2^nd husband Sean, but in private she is still mourning her 1^st husband Chris who died 30 years ago.

1. Annie is pining for the past, still. Old ways. But still pretending all is well. Holding on to the past relationship is her secret weapon. She will always have that 1^st love,

Inciting Incident: How does this incident invite and propel us into the journey?

It’s quick, and unexpected. And brings viewers to an unusual place some may have wondered about .Visually and theoretically. You want to see what happens

Inciting Incident– While skiing with her 3 adult children, Erin, Hunter and Maggie, Annie hits a tree and loses consciousness. Annie comes around in altered state, sitting in a twilight void, her life memories swirling around her in a blur. She has a guide who shows her that time and space are merged here. There are others in the distance, some in a coma, some preparing to pass on, others like her, in-between. The guide shows Anna how she can select from her life memories that are swirling around her and be briefly immersed in that moment.

Turning Point: How is this Turning Point a twist that locks us into the journey with “no going back?”

She is not sure how she was able to stay in the memory, so we aren’t either. But she doesn’t want to go back…yet.

Turning Point- She can view each of these memories before deciding if she wants to visit it. If she chooses, she then can briefly enter the memory. Then comes back to the altered state.

· OLD WAY Annie gets to visit her memories, but she is still just along for the ride. This is the old way

· EVENT She visits one memory of her mother, that goes beyond the good part, to one that exposes her mothers’s schizophrenia, then she always comes back to the altered state.

· OLD WAY- in discussion- This exposes how much Annie wishes she could change the past.

· EVENT One of the memories is the death of her first husband 30 years ago, which she passes by and does not view.

EVENT The next memory is before the accident. She is not pulled back into the altered state,

Act 2:

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with the Act 1 Turning Point?

She doesn’t tell anyone- cause she wants to stay AND she’s afraid she might be like her mother, a schizophrenic, especially as she is having realistic dreams of her other life and she has a c-section scar. So she goes visit her mother in an institution.

New plan– Annie is stunned that she is staying in the memory from 1993, happy to be with Chris again, her younger self and her 2 older children as kids again. She tells no one, afraid they will think she is going schizo, like her mother.

Her dreams at night are of Maggie and are too real. But then she realizes she has a scar.

· EVENT- Annie goes visits her mother in an institution. She doesn’t want to be like her- question doctor.

· Annie doesn’t want to be like the ‘old annie’ who is reacting to life instead of directing it. She wants to chose her story line.

Plan in action: How does the protagonist take action on that plan?

No insight from her mother, only growing concern on her state of mind. Plus she realizes it’s the day before Chris’s accident. But is she going crazy? She decides to visit her aunt… who is a hypnotherapist.

Plan in action. Annie realizes she is close to the day of the accident that took Chris’s life. Annie believes she can save Chris’s life. And is thrilled she can save him and give Erin and Hunter back their father. If this is real.

That sends her to her aunt Mary Lou who is a hypnotherapist, Annie tells her that she thinks she is living in a memory from an altered state-or she is going schizo. And asks if she had an injury when she was young that would have left a scare on her lower belly. so she has doubt

Mary Lou doesn’t judge, calms her down tries to convince her it really is 1993, there is no other life, no Sean or Maggie..She hypnotizes her to calm her down

Midpoint Turning Point: How does the Midpoint change the meaning, creating a reveal that changes everything while keeping us on the same journey?

Under hypnosis, Annie sees several different futures- some in color, some in B&W.. she sees the different paths..and believes that she can make the change Chris’ future.. she doesn’t have to be a bystander.. she has a choice.. but she wavers again when talking to ML..maybe it is PTSD.

Midpoint Turning Point– In hypnosis with M’Lous help, Annie returns to the altered state to help her see the future, she can see Chris with her children at an older age, each time she comes out of the altered state she is still in 1993 . She can also see memories with Sean and Maggie. Mary Lou suggests she may have PTSD… Annie wavers but concerned about acc. Mlou says there is no harm in delay

When she returns home, she hides Chris’s keys.

At night as she lies next to Chris, she is plagued by memories of Maggie disappearing. She call mlu in the night…calms her down.

Annie does a timeline and tries to figure out what is real by calling Sean’s old work number. He answers. She hangs up.

Annie realizes if she saves Chris and lives her life with him, there will be no meeting Sean, and more importantly, no Maggie. Annie is unsure if she is starting to be like her mother, but she can’t bear the thought of seeing Chris die again… but then there is dear Maggie. She puts the keys back

Act 3:

React/Rethink: What is revealed to the protagonist from the Midpoint?

She will lose Maggie if she saves Chris.

How do they react or rethink things?

Is it real? If it is, she has the choice she always wanted to save Chris- or.

Rethink everything– makes breakfast, hides in bathroom, but changes mind at last minute. Annie decides to save Chris and they witness the tragic truck accident Annie has the first day of life after what would have been his death. But at night, in her dreams, infant Maggie howls and fades away. The scar is gone.

New Plan: What new plan did the protagonist create to deal with this new level of conflict?

Save Chris, then leave him to have Maggie. She can save both.

New plan– in middle of night Annie abruptly leaves Chris, and her kids behind (she doesn’t want to take them away from the father she just gave them back), to keep on the timeline to meet Sean and have Maggie. The scar is back. She goes to mlos..

Turning Point: The lowest of the low. How has this Turning Point brought the character to the lowest of lows, making it almost impossible for them to win in a normal way?

Confrontation with Chris… pretends? To be schizo-

This forces them to adopt the change in a much bigger way.

Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift. Chris comes after her- she uses miscommunication to let him think she is leaving to protect him and the kids from her mental condition.

Act 4:

Dilemma: What emotional dilemma requires the protagonist to choose between two alternatives, losing something with either choice?

In pretending to be schizo… her daughter thinks diff of her and she has to flee as she is worried that she will be committed.

Climax/Ultimate @xpression Of The Conflict: How is this the ultimate expression of the conflict? How does it require a “fight to the death,” either literally or symbolically?

She meets Sean and has Maggie, but still losing with Erin and Chris won’t talk to her.

Resolution: How does this resolution represent the “New Ways” and bring this story to a fitting conclusion?

She takes control again, by using her knowledge to get money, get erin and others on track.

Erin graduation – first time seeing hunter and Chris in 8 years. He still loves her.

Secret correspondence. Sean is gone a lot

Chris dies of lung cancer. Erin is unforgiving, Hunter is sweet.

Maggie is talent musician… Sean wants a divorce

New Ways: What are the New Ways and do they clearly show up in your lead character’s Act 4 behavior and dialogue?

60^th birthday… goes back- tried to save everyone…but she was the one who ended up missing out… so she’s going to take the choice and go back again..

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie-Fill in the Blanks. For this assignment I first fixed all the slug lines for consistency, then gave it a read. I had several placeholders that I worked on, but I left three still to do as they were going to stop the flow. I didn’t write any complete new scenes, but added to several and cut a bit of unnecessary dialogue that stuck out. Solid 101 pages.- only 3 placeholders, all minor, left.

[Laurie Reilly]

<div>Laurie- ACT 4, Final scenes. I learned that as I wrapped it up, it was harder to ignore the quality. So I jotted down notes for myself of what I want to go back and fix. That freed me up to finish! Ta Da!</div>

INT. JOE’S HOUSE, 2010, THREE DAYS LATER

It’s a low key memorial at the same cabin. The cabin is neat, but more spare and slightly shabby. A large picture of a younger Joe in his ski patrol jacket is on a table, along with other pictures. Flowers are here and there and people are milling around. 60’s/70’s music is playing in the background.

Hunter and Mary Lou are sitting on the couch, looking at a photo album. A pregnant, angry Erin is on one side in a chair, a white faced Annie on the other side.

HUNTER

I’ve missed this old cabin.

MARY-LOU

(To Hunter)

When are you going back?

HUNTER

I don’t have a ticket yet. I’m going to go with Dad’s guys and put his ashes up on the mountain on Tuesday.

ANNIE

If you want, I could stay. I could do that with you.

ERIN

Oh, no. You don’t get to play the grieving widow.

ERIN

Well she doesn’t! He only started smoking after she left!

Annie looks like she has been struck. Erin tries to quickly get up from the couch but can’t and sinks back, crying.

ERIN

(quieter)

And If I had moved back here after college, if I had seen him more…I could have…

Mary Lou quickly goes over to her and kneels down.

MARY LOU

Oh honey. [placeholder dialogue]

Erin’s husband comes over, concerned, and they both help her up and take her to a back room.

ANNIE

Maybe I should go.

She stands up, then sits back down, trying hard not to cry.

ANNIE

I came with Mary Lou.

Hunter moves closer to Annie and sighs heavily.

HUNTER

Mom. I started going through Dad’s stuff. I found all your letters to him, the ones from the last ten years.

Annie gasps.

HUNTER

Obviously he had been writing to you as well. Obviously he never stopped waiting for you.

Hunter awkwardly takes her hand and looks her in the eye.

HUNTER

Clearly you both still loved each other. I am sorry. For your loss.

He hugs her as Annie blinks back tears.

HUNTER

I’m not going to tell Erin. It’s, it’s complicated enough with you two.

(beat)

Does Sean know?

INT. LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL GYM, 2013, EVENING

Once again the gym is decorated for the annual fund raiser with students serving dinner. The well worn banner has replaced just the years so it now says 2013 Ludlow HS Fundraiser.

Sean and Annie are sitting at a table near the front with a sign that says ‘Sponsored by Annie’s Humble Pie Bakery’. This time it’s Maggie, now 16, on stage.

Maggie, with guitar, is just wrapping up a great, rocking upbeat tune.

MAGGIE

I’m going to leave you with one more favorite tune. This one is for my Mom- she used to sing it to me when I was little.

Maggie strums the guitar.

MAGGIE

Who knows how long I’ve loved you

Do you know I love you still?

Will I wait a lonely lifetime?

If you want me to, I will…

Sean is enthralled with Maggie, Annie has a proud smile and a tears in her eyes.

INT. LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL GYM, 2013, EVENING, LATER

Sean and Annie are still at the table, another singer/band is on the stage. Maggie hands her guitar case to Sean.

MAGGIE

Dad can you take this home for me? I’m going to go help clean up and hang out a bit. I have a ride home.

SEAN

(teasing)

Ah. With what’s his name, Freddie?

MAGGIE

Daadd. You know very well his name is Dylan.

She kisses them both on the cheek.

ANNIE

Have fun! You were great tonight!

MAGGIE

Awe Mom, you always say that. I nominate you the head of my fan club.

Annie smiles wistfully as she watches her go. There’s an awkward silence at the table.

ANNIE

Well. Here we are again.

SEAN

Yeah. Annie. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. And I’ve talked to someone. A lawyer. This… this,..us, isn’t working anymore. It hasn’t for awhile.

He’s gentle with her.

SEAN

You’re not happy. Every time I look at you, it’s like you’re lost in your head. In a memory. Not with me. So that makes me unhappy. And life is just too short.

Annie blinks and looks at him.

ANNIE

You’re right. Life is just..

Silence.

SEAN

See what I mean. You’re not even going to fight for us are you?

ANNIE

Oh Sean. I do love you…you’re a good man, a great guy.. I don’t deserve you and.. I, I shouldn’t tie you down to this, this life.

INT. ANNIE’S HOME, KITCHEN 2018, DAY

It’s the same home as the opening scene. But there is no music room, no spider plant. Annie is standing in the kitchen, holding an iPad on a video call with Mary Lou.

MARY LOU

Did you hear from Hunter yet?

ANNIE

A text, he said he’ll call later. Erin sent a card, but she only signed the kids names.

MARY LOU

Don’t give up on her.

ANNIE

Never. I had this whole other life with her I can’t forget. All the way up to this very day. She was very different. I miss that Erin.

MARY LOU

You still going skiing with Maggie?

ANNIE

Yes, I’m looking forward to it.

MARY LOU

Be careful!

ANNIE

I will. Oh, she’s here, thanks for calling, I will talk to you later!

MARY LOU

Happy, Happy Birthday Annie.

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018-DAY, LATER

Once again Annie is skiing on her 60th birthday, this time only with Maggie. They are stopped at the same place as in earlier memories, part way down the slope.

MAGGIE

That was great if you stayed in the middle. It’s a little icy on the sides. Do you want try Easy Street next?

Annie looks down at the Easy Street sign. She smiles.

ANNIE

Sure! Catch me if you can!

She takes off quickly, skiing smoothly but a little too fast. Maggie trails after her.

Annie skies faster.

MAGGIE

Mom! Don’t forget about me!

Annie deliberately heads over to the icy side of the slope, dangerously close to the trees.

SCREEN GOES TO BLACK.

EXT. SKI AREA, 2018, MOMENTS LATER

Annie, still 60, is on her back near a tree, half-covered in snow.

A pair of skis comes in to view.

WOMAN’S VOICE

Mom! Mom are you ok?

Annie blinks up into the sun. A figure leans over her, then comes into focus. It’s Erin.

ANNIE

Erin! What? How..how did you get here?

ERIN

(real concern)

Hunter and I took Double D over to Broomstick and came down that way and saw you here sprawled out.

ANNIE

(amazed)

Hunter’s here too?

ERIN

Yah! Remember we split up at the top? You didn’t want to go down the black diamond. Here he is.

Hunter skis up, concerned. He pops out of his skis and helps her as she starts to sit up. He has a ski patrol jacket on.

HUNTER

Mom, what happened? Take it easy. Don’t try to stand yet. Can you move all your limbs? I can call for a sled.

Annie is seated now. She is dazed and looks at each in wonder, with real love and concern on their faces.

ANNIE

Where’s … where’s Maggie?

HUNTER

(to Erin)

I think she hit her head.

ERIN

Whose Maggie?

Annie looks beyond them down the slope and realizes it is not Vermont, but California, she catches her breath.

ANNIE

Oh my god.

Another ski patrolman skis up, pops out of his skis and kneels next to Annie, helmet on.

SKI PATROLMAN

What happened?

He takes off his helmet. Annie turns to him. It’s Joe.

JOE-35

You ok birthday girl?

THE END

[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.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Act 4 ,Reaction and facing Dilemma. On this I learned, I had to rethink a lot of the beats of ACT 4 that I wrote in earlier lesson, as now the storyline has changed a bit. All good. New outlines. Etc.

ACT 4

Reaction to the turning point.

INT. MARY-LOU KITCHEN, 1992, LATE NIGHT CONT.

Mary-Lou-45 and a bedraggled Annie-35 are sitting at the counter drinking tea when the phone rings. [Placeholder add cutaways to Erin]

MARY-LOU-45

Hello? Oh hi Erin. How are you sweetie? …. It’s a bit late for you to be up, don’t you have school tomorrow? ….She’s ok, she’s right here with me. Well, let me see.

Mary-Lou-45 holds the phone out to Annie-35.

MARY-LOU-45

She wants to talk to you.

ANNIE-35

(whispers)

I don’t know if I can.

Mary Lou-45 continues to hold the phone out to her. Annie-35 takes a shuddering breath and steels herself. Reluctantly she takes the phone.

ANNIE-35

Hi honey. I’ve been thinking about you and Hunter so much….Oh baby don’t cry…I’m ok, I’m going to be fine… well, I’m not sick like that, it’s not …catching…I’m so sorry Erin, believe me, I want to come home so badly, it’s just best if I stay with Aunt Mary Lou… Well, it may be a bit longer then two weeks…I, I don’t know…but I will call you and Hunter as often as I can. Okay? I need to go now. Take care of your Daddy please. I love love love you so mush.

Annie-35 hangs up the phone quickly and looks at Mary Lou-45.

ANNIE-35

Joe told the kids I was ‘ill’ and couldn’t come home for awhile. That it might not be…safe.

Annie-35 is stunned.

ANNIE-35

She’s never going to look at me the same way.

Annie-35 looks up and sees the look of concern on Mary Lou-45’s face.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, NEXT DAY

Annie-35 is curled on the sunroom couch writing in a notebook. Mary Lou-45 is talking on the phone in a low voice in the next room. Annie-35 looks to the door, but doesn’t get up to try and listen. The conversation ends and Mary Lou-45 knocks, then enters the sunroom

MARY-LOU-45

Did you get some sleep last night?

ANNIE-35

A little, no dreams.

MARY-LOU-45

Journaling? I find that very helpful.

ANNIE-35

Actually, I’m just writing down favorite recipes so I don’t forget them. It, it distracts me. Did anyone call about my Mother?

MARY-LOU-45

Ah, no, no word from uh, Camarillo about your mom. I have to go in to my office for a few hours. But then I will be back this afternoon and we can come up with a plan. Next steps. How does that sound?

ANNIE-35

A plan? I know the plan. You saw the timeline. I know when I meet Sean. It’s two years from now. I know the exact date and place.

MARY-LOU-45

Ookkkaay. Well, a plan for the next two years then. And I mentioned that therapist to you, remember?

Annie-35 nods woodenly.

MARY-LOU-45

Food in the fridge. I will be back by 1:30, 2:00 at the latest.

She exits the sunroom and then the house. Annie-35 looks down at her notebook. There is a recipe there for Chicken Pot Pie, and on the sides she has doodled Joe, Erin, Hunter, Sean and Maggie. Now she writes *ill* and circles it several times.

She takes the notebook with her and wanders into the kitchen and stops near the phone, thinks, then picks up the phone and punches #69. Nothing. She hangs up the phone.

ANNIE-35

(mutters to herself)

They must not have that yet.

She looks down at her notepad and notices the “*” and gets up again and goes to the phone. This time she punches in *69. The phone boop boops and a number is called. And picked up.

STAFF

Camarillo Hospital, Dr. Richards office, can I help you?

Annie-35 freezes and hangs up.

I/E. ANNIE’S CAR SAN DIEGO FREEWAY 1992, DAY, ONE HOUR LATER

Annie-35 is wearing the same purple track suit as she drives, a small gym bag on the seat next to her.

The sign up ahead gives a choice. North to San Bernadino Mountains. South to LAX.

Annie takes the ramp to the airport.

INT. BOSTON TERMINAL PAY PHONE/ 1992, LATER

Annie-35, still in the purple track suit, is talking on the phone.

ANNIE-35

…I thought you believed me….ok, If you do, then why did you call Dr. Richards? You and Joe were going to do some kind of intervention weren’t you?… I get it. I know how it sounds…I’ve come this far to save Maggie, I can’t take the chance that you two weren’t going to drug me up or have me committed….stop. Just stop. I have to do this. You will see. You will see. Ok, Ok, Of course I forgive you. I will call Joe and the kids and let them know I’m fine. I love you and I will check in every … every once in awhile.

EXT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, 1994

[superimposed date on screen]

Hunter-10 is kicking a soccer ball around, Erin-12 is slumped in a lounge chair reading a book. Mary-Lou-47 and Joe-37 are talking at a picnic table. Divorce papers are on the table. Joe’s tone is sad.

MARY-LOU-47

I’m sorry Joe, she’s not going to come back.

JOE-37

Have you seen her? Is she better?

MARY-LOU-47

I flew back East last month. She’s as well as can be expected. How are you doing? Really?

JOE-37

Shitty. I mean the kids are wonderful. Erin tries so hard to cook and Hunter tries to make me laugh. It’s just…we all miss her so much.

MARY-LOU-47

Does Annie know your smoking again?

JOE-37

No! And please don’t tell her, she’d be pissed. Well the old Annie would be. And the kids don’t know.

MARY-LOU-47

Eh. Give them some credit. You can smell it under the aftershave. That never works.

Joe shrugs. Mary-Lou-47 squeezes his hand.

MARY-LOU-47

I know she misses all of you so much. She said that she used to not be able to get out of bed on the days she wasn’t working at the bakery. Now she walks or hikes 10 miles a day, she volunteers at a soup kitchen, keeps busy.

JOE-37

But she still won’t go into any kind of institution? She hasn’t even given me any paperwork on a formal diagnosis!

MARY-LOU-47

You know how that was for her mother. She doesn’t want to be a zombie. She’s doing her own thing.

JOE-37

Is she even seeing a therapist?

MARY-LOU-47

Not to my knowledge.

JOE-37

Well, then my condition has to stand. I have to protect the kids. If she hasn’t gone through any formal treatment then she can’t…can’t be with them.

MARY-LOU-47

She knows. At least until they are each 14, then they can choose to see her, and I will be present at all times if that happens. In the meanwhile, they should be available to talk to her on the phone at least three times a week.

Joe nods miserably.

JOE-37

I still don’t see why we have to get a divorce. I will wait for her to get..get her head together.

MARY-LOU-47

Joe. She doesn’t want you to wait. She wants you to be free to find someone else.

JOE-37

How can I? I love her. I will always love her. And I know. I know she loves me.

He signs the papers.

[placeholder scene… Annie alone at the holidays in the bakery]

[Placeholder scene, Annie driving by the school. See’s Seans car. Another scene…Annie Seeing his name on a band marque

[placeholder scene- convo with mary lou about money-.]

INT. LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL GYM, 1995, EVENING

[superimpose date]

The gym/cafeteria is set up as if it is a fancy restaurant. The students are dressed like waiters in black sweatshirts, scurrying around, being silly. A banner declares ‘LUDLOW HS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER’. On stage a High School student is playing the guitar while another sings.

Annie is in the kitchen with an apron on, helping JOANIE, an older woman, take pies and cupcakes out of bakery boxes that say ‘Humble Pie’.

JOANIE

Thank you so much for helping with the fundraiser for my grandson’s school.

ANNIE-37

I’m happy to help. You and Dan have been so good to me.

JOANIE

It’s us that owe you. Your chocolate pecan pie put us on the map! And your chocolate-chip shortbread cookies hmmm you have really expanded the menu at our little bakery- and my waist line.

In the gym an announcement is being made, but the focus is still in the kitchen.

PRINCIPAL (O.C.)

That was Diedra Collins on the vocals and Richard ‘The Rock’ Rickman on the guitar, both seniors here at Ludlow. And now for the main attraction. As you all know our very own Sean O’Neill, the head of our music department, also leads the popular local band, [placeholder] and they are in the house tonight!

The band begins playing ‘My Girl’ by the Temptations and gets the room cheering.

Annie-37 is nervous as soon as she hears Sean’s name and almost drops a cupcake.

JOANIE

Here..let me finish, you’ve done enough. You go have fun now. Just take this plate to our table, so Dan can have some before they are all gone. Wait, take off your apron…oh you look so nice tonight!

Annie-37 removes her apron to reveal a close fitting stunning green dress. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes for a moment. Then she takes the plate and weaves her way through all the tables. In a sea of HS kids in black, she stands out and Sean-37, from stage, spots her almost immediately. His eyes follow her, and she knows it, but she doesn’t look at him.

She finds the table for four with a sign that says ‘Sponsored by Humble Pie’ near the front. DAN, a heavy set man in his 60’s is clapping enthusiastically.

She sets the plate down, sits, and only then looks up and meets Sean’s eye and gives him a big smile.

INT. LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL GYM, 1995, MOMENTS LATER

The band plays the last few chords of the song ‘Gimme Some Lovin’. Sean steps back to the microphone.

SEAN-37

We’ll be back after a short break.

Sean says something to his drummer and hurries off the stage, straight to Annie-37’s table. He holds out his hand to Dan to shake.

SEAN-37

Thank you for coming and supporting the school Mr. Burns.

DAN

Wouldn’t miss it, love your band. What was the name of that song you just played?

SEAN-37

Oh that was ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ by the Spencer Davis Group.

ANNIE-37

Hard to believe Stevie Winwood wrote that song when he was only 18.

Sean turns to her impressed.

SEAN-37

Are you a musician?

ANNIE-37

No, just a fan.

DAN

Sean, this is Annie Martin, she’s our number one baker.

Sean pulls up a chair.

SEAN-37

Very nice to meet you Annie. Do you have a student in the school?

ANNIE-37

Ah..No. I’m kinda new to the area. I’ve been here about a year.

DAN

And she’s single. This is the first time we’ve been able to get her out on the town.

SEAN-37

Well, I don’t know if the local school gym counts as out on the town. There are a lot of great music venues in the area though.

ANNIE-37

I do like live music.

She nods at his guitar case on stage where a sticker of Jerry Garcia’s 4 fingered hand is prominent.

ANNIE-37

Sure going to miss him.

Sean is amazed again.

SEAN-37

Yes. Really, really a shame. We were going to do a song in tribute later.

ANNIE-37

My favorite.

Sean is clearly thunderstruck, he stares at her. Joanie comes over and joins them.

JOANIE

Oh, I see you two have met, I was going to introduce them.

DAN

(laughs)

Hell, honey, you’re a little late. I think Sean’s already figuring out his next tattoo.

JOANIE

Yes, but did he try one of her cookies yet?

Joanie holds out the plate to Sean-37 who takes one.

SEAN-37

(to Annie-37)

You made these?

She nods and Sean takes a little bite, then stuffs the whole thing in his mouth.

SEAN-37

Oh My God. I don’t think I have ever put anything that good in my mouth before.

Annie raises her eyebrows and smirks and they all burst out laughing. Sean almost chokes and has to sip from Annie’s water who helpfully pounds his back.

SEAN-37

Seriously. That’s amazing.

His drummer whistles from the stage and gives a tilt of his head to indicate the break is over.

ANNIE-37

Taking requests?

SEAN-37

Anything.

ANNIE-37

How about ‘Spanish Pipedream’ by John Prine?

Sean stands up, shaking his head.

SEAN-37

Where have you been all my life.

Annie-37 smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

ANNIE-37

Eating a lot of peaches I guess?

I/E. ANNIE’S CAR, LUDLOW HS PARKING LOT/ 1995, EVE.

There are only two cars left in the parking lot. Sean-37 is sitting in Annie-37’s front seat as they talk and laugh.

SEAN-37

147. I think, depends on how you count them. How many shows did you see?

ANNIE-37

Only one. Ventura fairgrounds California. July 1982.

SEAN-37

Ah, the Brent years. Oh God, can’t believe Jerry’s now gone too.

ANNIE-37

I’m so sorry. I know it, it is a way of life for many. You just hit spring tour and keep going.

SEAN-37

A misspent youth. How come you didn’t go to more shows if you like the Dead so much?

ANNIE-37

Hmm. Time, money, babies.

SEAN-37

Ah. Yes. Must be hard to-

Annie quickly changes the subject.

ANNIE-37

When you play out with your band, do you ever play your originals? I mean, I assume you have some.

SEAN-37

Yes, well a few. I haven’t played them in public yet.

ANNIE-37

You should. I bet there good.

SEAN-37

Can I kiss you?

Annie nods and they kiss.

[Laurie Reilly]

Lesson 20- ACT 3 wrap up… onward. This is working for me.

Act 3:

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN-LIVING ROOM CONT.

Annie is still on her knees clutching her stomach. She slowly sits up and slips her hand down inside her bathrobe. She closes her eyes and gasps as she feels that the scar is back. (we never see it).

ANNIE-35

I won’t desert you Maggie.

She then looks at a pair of Joe’s boots by the door and doubles over again.

ANNIE-35

How can I do this? It’s not fair, it’s not fair.

She scrubs her face with her hands then slowly rises and goes to the kitchen.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, KITCHEN, 1992, AM

The clock shows 7:20. Annie has made an elaborate breakfast and is setting the plates on the kitchen table. The strain on her face increases when she hears the sounds of her family waking up and getting ready.[PLACEHOLDER background sounds]

Hunter comes into the kitchen, slings his backpack on the back of his chair and sits.

HUNTER-8

Mom! You made your homemade scones! On a school morning!

Erin enters and sits. Annie-35 is keeping busy with her head down.

ERIN-10

Ohhh with your raspberry jam.

Hunter takes a bite.

HUNTER-8

MMMMH. You should sell these. We’d be rich.

The kids are quickly eating. Annie sets down another plate laden with food.

ERIN-10

Biscuits and gravy, Dad’s favorite! Is it your anniversary or something?

Annie can hardly speak. She avoids eye contact as she touches both Erin and Hunter when she passes behind their chairs and hurries back to the kitchen.

ANNIE-35

No… just uh.. I have to get ready for work.

Annie rushes down the hall.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Did I hear biscuits and gravy?

Annie rushes into the bathroom and closes the door just as Joe opens the bedroom door and heads to the kitchen.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie has sunk to the floor and is leaning against the door. We can hear the sounds of the family at breakfast. [PLACEHOLDER].

Annie stares at her hands, the one ring on her finger.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Annie? Are you joining us for breakfast?

Annie opens her mouth to speak, but finds she can’t muster a sound. She gets up and turns the shower on, but doesn’t get in, just sits back down against the door, on hand on her lower belly. She whispers to herself.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

I’m not going crazy, I’m not. This is..trauma. Or a dream. But… but if I’m dreaming, when did I start the dream? When I was 60? Last night? Oh my god. Did I dream up the accident? Maybe there is no runaway truck. I don’t know what is real. Oh Sarita..help me.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Hurry up guys, the bus is here!

(pause)

Hunter, don’t forget your lunch. Have a great day guys.

Annie hears the front door slam as the kids leave, then Joe-35’s footsteps that pause outside her door. Joe-35 knocks on the bathroom door.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

That was a awesome breakfast honey, definitely in the top five, maybe even the top three!

Annie doesn’t respond, just squeezes her eyes shut. The shower is still running, the bathroom growing steamy.

PLACEHOLDER ADD IN JOE POV

JOE-35

(pause)

I gotta go, I need to be there when they pour the foundation. I’ll see you tonight!

Annie clasps her hands over her mouth and silently weeps.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, LIVING ROOM HALLWAY. CONT.

Joe grabs his keys from the hook and opens up the door. He pauses and calls out loudly.

JOE-35

Love you Annie!

He exits and slams the door.

Big pause.

Suddenly Annie-35 dashes down the hallway, throws open the front door and runs out. Shiloh quickly escapes out the open door.

ANNIE-35

WAIT! Wait Joe, wait!

Joe is already in his truck, warming up, in the driveway, but gets out to try to grab Shiloh.

JOE-35

Oops.. here girl!

Shiloh goes around him and jumps into the open truck door just as Annie-35 reaches Joe-35. She throws her arms around him.

ANNIE-35

Joe, Joe, I love you.. I love you so much.

Joe laughs and hugs her back. She clings longer to him, half hysterical.

JOE-35

I love you too honey, but I gotta go to work.

ANNIE-35

Wait, just wait, don’t go yet.

Now Joe is concerned.

JOE-35

What’s going on?

ANNIE-35

It’s just… I’ve been having these dreams. Crazy.. dreams. Some of them are, are nightmares. And, and they feel real. So very real.

JOE-35

(nods sympathetically)

About your mom?

ANNIE-35

Uh.. yes, and about other…people…and a baby…there’s this baby. But they’re just.. visions… dreams nothing else-

Joe-35’s attention is caught by something. Annie-35 notices. They both turn and watch a large logging truck come barreling down the hill. They watch it pass, alarmed. Three seconds later, a tremendous crash is heard.

Joe-35 quickly slams the truck door to keep the dog in and they both dash out to the road and look down the little hill.

It’s a terrible scene. The truck is mangled, smoking.

JOE-35

Call 911!

He takes off running to the scene just a few hundred yards down the wooded road. The same path that Annie took in the Altered State memory.

Annie-35 is frozen to the spot. Eyes wide.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN, LIVING ROOM- EVENING

Joe-35 and Annie-35, are comforting Erin-10 and Hunter-8, on the couch.

ERIN-10

I can’t believe this happened right down the road from our cabin.

HUNTER-8

The bus went by it on the way home from school. The truck was smashed to smithereens.

ANNIE-35

(whispers half to herself)

It could have been so much worse.

JOE-35

Uh… yes of course, always could be worse, but the driver didn’t make it. That was bad enough.

ANNIE-35

That shouldn’t have happened.

Joe gives her a quizzical look.

HUNTER-8

Did you see him Dad?

Erin puts her hands over her ears, upset.

ERIN-10

I don’t want to hear, I don’t want to hear.I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

The phone rings incessantly. Finally Joe-35 gets up to answer it. Annie-35 is reluctant to let go of his hand.

JOE-35

(quietly)

I should get it. The sheriff said he might be calling me later to ask some more questions.

He answers, but it’s not the sheriff.

JOE-35

Hi Mary-Lou. Yes-she’s right here.

Annie-35 shakes her head no, and tightens her arms around Erin-10. Annie-35 mouths ‘later’ to him.

JOE-35

Um, she’s uh, with the kids….yah. You heard? …Such an awful accident… Me? I’m fine.

Joe walks a little farther away and drops his voice.

JOE-35

…We were standing in the driveway when it happened….If it had been just a few minutes later, well, who knows….Yeah she’s kind of shook up. I’m sure she will call you later, or tomorrow… Thanks for calling…(awkward pause). I, I’m Ok. Really.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM- EVENING

Joe-35 is asleep. Annie-35 is facing away from him wide awake, cradling her lower belly. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry Maggie.

Annie’s eyes suddenly come into focus and she sits up slowly. She gets up, not bothering with a robe and leaves the room.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, ERIN’S ROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 is watching Erin-10 sleep. She pulls the covers up around her and kisses her gently on the cheek.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, HUNTER’S ROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 is sitting on Hunter-8’s bed. His covers are a mess. She tries to cover him up, but he throws it back in his sleep. Afraid to wake him, she blows him a kiss with her fingertips.

INT. JOE AND ANNE’S CABIN, BEDROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 climbs back onto the bed with Joe-35. She cuddles against his back for a moment and inhales his neck deeply. She pulls back and traces ‘I LOVE YOU’ on his back with her finger tip. He stirs, then falls back asleep. She turns over onto her back and puts her hand on her lower belly. She closes her eyes for a moment, then takes a deep breath and turns out of camera range.

EXT. MARY-LOU’S HOME, 1992 3 AM

Mary-Lou-45 answers the door in her robe, takes one look at Annie-35, also in her robe, and throws her arms around her.

MARY-LOU-45

Oh honey.

She pulls back and takes in Annie-35’s tragically stoic face and that she is wearing a bathrobe.

MARY-LOU-45

You drove here like that?

ANNIE-35

I was afraid if I stopped to get dressed I would change my mind.

MARY-LOU-45

Change your mind? Come in, come in. It’s been a traumatic day.

ANNIE-35

Please, can you hypnotize me? I can’t sleep, so I can’t dream…so you have to hypnotize me. Right now.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie-35 eyes flicker back and forth under her eyelids as Mary-Lou 45 tries to put her under. It’s not working too well. Mary Lou-45 places a hand on her wrist and leans close to her.

MARY-LOU-45

Let’s try again. You have to give yourself permission to let go. I can feel your pulse literally thrumming through your body. Let’s try this. Open your eyes. Look at me. Now match my breath.

Mary-Lou-45 takes long slow deep breaths, and Annie-35 tries to match her. Eventually it starts to work. Mary Lou-45 takes Annie-35’s hands and places them over Annie-35’s heart.

MARY-LOU-45

You are safe. Let yourself sink a little deeper into your breath. I’m going to count down from 10 this time. Each count, each breath allow yourself to relax into serenity. 10, relax your brow. 9 relax your jaw, your mouth. 8 relax your shoulders, that’s it. 7 relax your arms..6…5…4…3..

And she’s under.

INT. ALTERED STATE -CONT.

Again the tree is younger and Sarita is not the there. Annie-35 is stoic, serene, determined. The swarm of memories that swirl around her has two layers now, one colorful, and the one below it, shades of grey. She slows the colored stream down carefully, looking.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 14

(In Color) Mary-Lou-50 hands newborn baby Maggie to Annie-40 in a hospital bed. Sean suddenly rushes into the room, happy and out of breath. The Erin and Hunter are not there this time.

Annie-35, watching in the Altered State, almost collapses in relief, then looks for one more memory in the colored stream.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 15

(In Color) Annie-40 is cradling baby Maggie in her bed, she is singing a song to her. It is almost like her dream, except Sean is also cuddling Annie and baby Maggie.

Annie-35, in the altered state, has a soft smile on her face. Then she grows somber, eyes the stream of black and white memories swirling by, but she doesn’t want to look closer. Annie-35 takes a big breath and calls out.

ANNIE-35

Mary-Lou, bring me back, please, I’ve seen enough.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM- 1992- CONT.

Annie-35 opens her eyes and refocuses on her surrounding.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie? That was quick. You ok? What, what did you see?

ANNIE-35

I saw Maggie. She was back. She was alive. Do you believe me?

Mary-Lou 45 hesitates and gives a small nod.

MARY-LOU-45

I believe that you absolutely saw this little girl. And your belief is so strong that I …almost…

ANNIE-35

And you were there. For her birth.

MARY-LOU-45

But … how…does this happen if Joe is-

ANNIE-35

There is only one way. I…I have to leave. Leave Joe. I have to. I must. So I can go find Sean. So there will be a Maggie.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM-1992, NEXT DAY, AM

Annie-35 is asleep on the sunroom couch. The sound of a phone ringing in the next room slowly wakens her. She can hear Mary Lou-45 talking, but it’s not clear. She slowly gets up and opens the door slightly to listen.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

I’m so sorry you were worried, I’m sure Annie was going to call you as soon as she woke up. She had a tough night…. I think it was about 3 when she got here…no I didn’t know she was coming, she just showed up…. Well, yesterday was quite traumatic for her…yes, of course.

Annie-35 opens the door a little wider. Mary Lou-45 sees her but Annie-35 quickly shakes her head no.

MARY-LOU-45

Uh..How are Erin and Hunter doing?…Oh I think that’s a good idea. But maybe call the school and see if the counselor, their school has a one right? They might be organizing a grief session for the students, since it’s such a small town and all…Alright, I will have her call you…Bye Joe.

Mary Lou-45 hangs the phone up. Annie-35 trudges in and sits at the kitchen counter as Mary Lou-45 gets her coffee.

MARY-LOU-45

I’m glad you got a little sleep.

Annie-35 nods.

MARY-LOU-45

Joe said he thought at first that maybe you had an early shift at the bakery. And I guess you did, because they called him looking for you. He let the kids think you are at work.

No response.

MARY-LOU-45

(softly)

You should call him. He’s worried about you.

ANNIE-35

I can’t. Not yet. If I hear his voice….

Mary Lou-45 starts making breakfast. Annie stares woodenly at her ring finger.

ANNIE-35

In the future, some people breakup by texts on their cellphones.

Mary Lou-45 frowns in concern at this strange statement.

ANNIE-35

Now I know why. To hear him, I might lose my resolve. Go back.

MARY-LOU-45

Well. Maybe we should talk about that.

ANNIE-35

Please, please. Don’t try to talk me out of it. Joe’s alive. I saved him. I gave Hunter and Erin back their Daddy. Now I have to try and make sure Maggie..Maggie comes to be. I have to try and save her too.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie-

ANNIE-35

Don’t you think I know how it sounds? But you- you get it now, right? I told you about the runaway truck- and it really happened! It wasn’t a night mare or PTSD, or schizophrenia- it was, it was-I don’t know what to call it.

MARY-LOU-45

A premonition?

Annie-35 shrugs miserably. Mary Lou-45 is talking to her firmly, logically, trying to bring her around.

MARY-LOU-45

And that you have whole lot of them about people you haven’t met yet, haven’t been born yet?

ANNIE-35

They’re going to think I’m crazy-

MARY-LOU-45

Some might think you are some kind of seer or fortune teller or liar trying to take advantage. They will hound you.

Annie-35 nods slowly.

ANNIE-35

So, I can’t ever tell anyone.

MARY-LOU-45

Well, you could tell a therapist. They could help you, perhaps make sense of these, these visions-

Annie-35 looks at her incredulously.

ANNIE-35

I thought you believed me! Aunty, I don’t want this. I don’t want this. Do you think I would put myself through this if I didn’t know in my heart that there is a child waiting for me?

MARY-LOU-45

I’m sorry honey, I’m trying. I’m trying to believe it all.

ANNIE-35

I’m going for a walk.

Annie stalks to the sunroom but then turns back.

ANNIE-35

I, I don’t have anything to wear.

INT. MARY-LOU’S HOME, LIVING ROOM, 1992 CONT.

Annie is about to walk out the front door, wearing a purple track suit.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie- I’m on your side. Maybe, just maybe you didn’t bring any clothes with you last night, because you weren’t quite sure yourself. You thought you might be going right back. So you have to forgive me if I’m not sure what to think either.

Annie nods and exits. As she is closing the door, she speaks quietly.

ANNIE-35

I’m sure now.

INT. MARY-LOU HOME, LIVING ROOM, 1992, TWO HOURS LATER.

Mary-lou-45 is on the phone.

MARY-LOU-45

I’m sorry Joe, I did tell her to call you…I don’t know where she is, but the car’s still here, so she’s just walking….About two hours now….she’s just…upset, understandably after what happened yesterday. The accident…. Oh, so she was acting, um different, before the accident too? … I see…

Mary Lou-45 walks over and looks out the front window again.

MARY-LOU-45 (CONT’D)

No not really…. Well, yes, after she visited her mother she was a bit, um, reflective. About the past. And uh, what the future might hold.

Mary Lou hesitates and subconsciously drops her voice even though no one is there.

I know you guys sometimes smoke a little weed. Didn’t we all. Just wondering if she could have smoked some that had a little something extra in it? Maybe she didn’t even know, or she took a pill…. Oh I see…It’s been that long huh. Well of course, with the kids around and all. Anyway, I will tell her you called again…Ok, ok, give the kids a hug for me.

Mary Lou-45 walks back over to the phone and opens up her address book, running her finger down a name.

INSERT

Camarillo Hospital

Dr. Richards 805-555-4321

Mary Lou-45 picks up the phone, hesitates, then hangs up again. She goes into the sunroom, pauses, then rummages through Annie-35’s purse. Nothing. Then she looks into the pocket of her bathrobe-and finds the sheet of paper with the timeline Annie-35 made just the morning before. She scans the note and freezes.

INT. MARY-LOU KITCHEN COUNTER 1992, DAY CONT.

Annie-35 enters, then sees the timeline sheet laid out in front of Mary Lou-45 on the counter.

ANNIE-35

You went through my-

MARY-LOU-45

That’s not what’s important here.

Annie-35 nods and sits down.

MARY-LOU-45

How did you know the name Pierce Huxton?

Annie-35 doesn’t answer.

MARY-LOU-45

You have here – in 2007, wedding, Aunt Mary Lou and Pierce Huxton. I, went to college with Pierce. We dated, but I haven’t seen him since my junior year. I haven’t even thought about him in twenty years! I know I never said that name to you. And here, here, you have Mary-Lou loses her house and Pierce goes to jail. What the hell Annie? Why did you write that down?

ANNIE-35

I, I don’t want to say.

MARY-LOU-45

What do you mean, you don’t want to say? Is this something you saw in one of your visions? In, in the altered state?

ANNIE-35

Look- I was doing a lot of thinking while I was out walking.

Mary Lou-45 is growing a little agitated.

MARY-LOU-45

Well, I hope so, you’ve been gone for nearly four hours.

ANNIE-35

The truck driver wasn’t supposed to die. I mean originally. The way it happened before.

MARY-LOU-45

Oh.

ANNIE-35

Yeah. Joe died, but he lived. He was ok. He was a young guy. Went on to marry and have 4 kids. He had a mass said every year for Joe, he felt guilty, sent me Christmas cards too. Or he did. Or would have. Now, he’s dead. HIS kids will never be. Who knows what they would have done, who knows what else I have changed.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie- I don’t know what to think. But …help me understand how you know Pierce’s name- and that he comes into my life again.

ANNIE-35

I, I’m afraid to mess with the memories anymore, to make something else happen or not happen!

MARY-LOU-45

Well, it’s too late, I can’t unsee this! Oh I don’t know, maybe you saw his name somewhere, I never got a college yearbook, but you could go to a library and look it up I suppose. But why would you do that, go that far?

Now Annie-35 is angry.

ANNIE-35

Or, fake a scar? Here it is, look! It’s real!

Annie-35 pulls down the waist band and tries to show Mary Lou-45 who looks away, now they are both crying.

ANNIE-35

Oh, I know, I was the one who suggested that it might have been a childhood surgery- but why? Some kind of reverse psychology? To what, mess with your head, mess with my own head? I don’t know why this all happened to me! I just know what I know, and what I feel. And… all I can say is that right now, right now, my heart is breaking. And I need at least one person who knows. One person who believes me.

They stare at each other.

ANNIE-35

Pierce A. Huxton. The A is for Aloysius. You know why I know that? Cause I had your names engraved on a silver picture frame for your wedding. Twelve years from now.

Mary Lou-45 looks a little stunned. She wipes her tears away, then reaches out and wipes Annie-35’s tears. She starts to ask a question, but Annie-35 holds up her hand.

ANNIE-35

Just don’t call him back when he leaves you a message in about 10 years. That’s all I’m going to say. Except I don’t want to be hypnotized, or go to that place ever again. Knowing what happens is like a huge weight. And it’s crushing me.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, ONE WEEK LATER, EARLY EVENING

Annie-35 is curled on the couch in the sunroom with the door closed, writing in a notebook. She hears a knock on Mary-Lou-45’s front door.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Joe, oh.. I’m so sorry but you can’t come in. She doesn’t want to see you.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Mary Lou please, please move out of the way. I have to talk to her! Did you know about this letter? This doesn’t make any sense?!

Annie-35 hurries out the patio door of the sunroom as she hears Joe hurrying through the house. Joe knocks on the sunroom door.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Annie, I know you’re here. I know you don’t mean this, talk to me.

But Annie-35 has climbed over the back yard fence and run. Joe opens the sunroom door, sees her through the patio door and runs after her.

EXT. MARY-LOU’S NEIGHBORHOOD 1992, EVENING, CONT.

Annie-35 runs through a neighbor’s yard, onto the sidewalk and keeps running. A moment later Joe-35 appears, sees her, and takes off after her.

JOE-35

Annie, wait! Annie please!

Annie keeps running, tears streaming down her face.

JOE-35

What did I do Annie? This isn’t fair!

Annie keeps running, nearing a small park.

JOE-35

Stop! Please! I deserve a reason!

A man walking his dog grows concerned as Annie hurries past.

DOG WALKER

Ma’am. Are you ok? Is this man bothering you?

Annie finally stops.

ANNIE-35

No, no, it’s ok!

DOG WALKER

Are you sure?

Joe has stopped running and holds up his hands in a calming motion.

JOE-35

I’m her husband.

Dog walker is unconvinced.

DOG WALKER

I live right over there, I can go call the police.

ANNIE-35

It’s fine, really. Really.

She sits down, ironically, on a tree root. Joe sits down right on the sidewalk where he is.

The man slowly walks on.

DOG WALKER

I’ll be watching, I can see the park from my window.

They watch him walk away. When he enters his house. Joe gets up to move nearer.

ANNIE-35

Please no, don’t come closer. Stay over there.

Joe sinks down on the edge of the grass, baffled.

JOE-35

Annie! Annie, I’m not going to hurt you! I just want to know what’s going on. What is wrong?! Whatever it is we can fix it. Seriously, what is it? Your letter…you’re leaving me? Why? Why Annie?

Annie is completely miserably, barely able to speak.

ANNIE-35

I, I can’t explain. I just …

JOE-35

Did you stop loving me Annie?

ANNIE-35

No! no… it’s just that…

JOE-35

Just WHAT Annie? Finish the sentence. Whatever it is, we will fix it! We can go to counseling, see a therapist. You said just last week you were going to go see one after you visited your mother.

Annie-35 doesn’t respond. Long pause. Joe sighs deeply.

JOE-35

I also wanted to tell you in person. I talked to Dr. Richards.

Annie explodes.

ANNIE-35

WHAT! Why would you call him? Why? Why would you do that? Because I wouldn’t come to the phone?! I’m not like her. I haven’t done anything! I haven’t hurt my kids! EVER. Not like she did to me. I’m not her!

In the distance, the dog walker steps out onto his front porch, watching them. Joe is alarmed and tries to calm her.

JOE-35

Annie, Annie calm down. Shh. Shh. Honey, I didn’t call him. He called the house.

Joe is looking at her with a different kind of concern now. Annie looks confused- then it hits her.

JOE-35

Your mom is in a coma. Could be anytime now.

ANNIE-35

Oh. Oh. I see. Thank you for telling me.

Silence again. Joe grows nervous. Annie-35 realizes that this horrible miscommunication could also be the only reason he could accept. Mary Lou-45 has now arrived in the background and is assuring the neighbor, who goes back into his house.

JOE-35

Annie. Honey. Last week, you said you were having … nightmares. And right before the accident, you said…you said something about having visions. About a baby.

Joe has cautiously crept a little closer. He reaches out to her, but she scoots away and turns her back on him.

ANNIE-35

Don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me.

JOE-35

Are you seeing..things, people? People that maybe aren’t there, that you are afraid of?

Annie-35, her back still to Joe-35, closes her eyes and gathers her resolve. She gives the smallest of shrugs.

Joe nods.

JOE-35

So that is why you left. Before something could happen.

Annie-35 gives a small shrug again. She notices Mary Lou-45 standing to the side.

JOE-35

Ok. Ok. I understand now. This, this is a good sign. That you recognize that something is going on with you. We will get you some help. I’m not going to desert you.

ANNIE-35

I, I got to do this my way Joe. I’m going to have to go..somewhere. Tell the kids, tell them how very much I love them. And I will call them. And I will see them .. soon. I need you to go Joe, now. Please. Mary Lou is here. She, she knows.

Joe is struggling hard not to cry.

JOE-35

Ok, I get it. I will be waiting. Can I just, just give you a hug first?

ANNIE-35

Please don’t. I couldn’t bear it if you do. Just go Joe, please.

Joe-35 slowly gets to his feet, tears streaming down his face. He passes Mary Lou-45, grasps her outstretched hand for a moment, then struggles on. Once he has moved on, Mary Lou-45 rushes to Annie-35 and wraps her arms around her.

[Laurie Reilly]

<div>Laurie- Act 3 turning point. Today I learned, again, that doing a brief outline helped expose what wasn’t going to work. So, I took a long shower, and it came to me. I went back, did a new outline and it practically wrote itself.</div>

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, ONE WEEK LATER, EARLY EVENING

Annie-35 is on the couch in the sunroom with the door closed, writing in a notebook. She hears a knock on Mary-Lou-45’s front door.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Joe, wait, I’m so sorry but she doesn’t want to see you.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Mary Lou I have to talk to her! Did you know about this letter? This doesn’t make any sense?!

Annie-35 hurries out the patio door of the sunroom as Joe knocks on the sunroom door.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Annie, I know you’re here. I know you don’t mean this, talk to me.

But Annie-35 has climbed over the back yard fence and run. Joe opens the sunroom door, sees her through the patio door and runs after her.

EXT. MARY-LOU’S NEIGHBORHOOD 1992, EVENING, CONT.

Annie-35 runs through a neighbor’s yard, onto the sidewalk and keeps running. A moment later Joe-35 appears, sees her, and takes off after her.

JOE-35

Annie, wait! Annie please!

Annie keeps running, tears streaming down her face.

JOE-35

What did I do Annie? This isn’t fair!

Annie keeps running, nearing a small park.

JOE-35

Stop! Please! I deserve a reason!

A man walking his dog grows concerned as Annie hurries past.

DOG WALKER

Ma’am. Are you ok? Is this man bothering you?

Annie finally stops.

ANNIE-35

No, no, it’s ok!

DOG WALKER

Are you sure?

Joe has stopped running and holds up his hands in a calming motion.

JOE-35

I’m her husband.

Dog walker is unconvinced.

DOG WALKER

I live right over there, I can go call the police.

ANNIE-35

It’s fine, really. Really.

She sits down, ironically, on a tree root. Joe sits down right on the sidewalk where he is.

The man slowly walks on.

DOG WALKER

I’ll be watching, I can see the park from my window.

They watch him walk away. When he enters his house. Joe gets up to move nearer.

ANNIE-35

Please no, don’t come closer. Stay over there.

Joe sinks down on the edge of the grass, baffled.

JOE-35

Annie! Annie, I’m not going to hurt you! I just want to know what’s going on. What is wrong?! Whatever it is we can fix it. Seriously, what is it? Your letter…you’re leaving me? Why? Why Annie?

Annie is completely miserably, barely able to speak.

ANNIE-35

I, I can’t explain. I just …

JOE-35

Did you stop loving me Annie?

ANNIE-35

No! no… it’s just that…

JOE-35

Just WHAT Annie? Finish the sentence. Whatever it is, we will fix it! We can go to counseling, see a therapist. You said just last week you were going to go see one after you visited your mother.

Annie-35 doesn’t respond. Long pause. Joe sighs deeply.

JOE-35

I also wanted to tell you in person. I talked to Dr. Richards.

Annie explodes.

ANNIE-35

WHAT! Why would you call him? Why? Why would you do that? Because I wouldn’t come to the phone?! I’m not like her. I haven’t done anything! I haven’t hurt my kids! EVER. Not like she did to me. I’m not her!

In the distance, the dog walker steps out onto his front porch, watching them. Joe is alarmed and tries to calm her.

JOE-35

Annie, Annie calm down. Shh. Shh. Honey, I didn’t call him. He called the house.

Joe is looking at her with real concern now. Annie looks confused- then it hits her.

JOE-35

Your mom is in a coma. Could be anytime now.

ANNIE-35

Oh. Oh. I see. Thank you for telling me.

Silence again. Joe grows nervous. Annie-35 realizes that this horrible miscommunication could also be the only reason he could accept. Mary Lou-45 has now arrived in the background and is assuring the neighbor, who goes back into his house.

JOE-35

Annie. Honey. Last week, you said you were having … nightmares. And right before the accident, you said…you said something about having visions. About a baby.

Joe has cautiously crept a little closer. He reaches out to her, but she scoots away and turns her back on him.

ANNIE-35

Don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me.

JOE-35

Are you seeing..things, people? People that maybe aren’t there, that you are afraid of?

Annie-35, her back still to Joe-35, closes her eyes and gathers her resolve. She gives the smallest of shrugs.

Joe nods.

JOE-35

So that is why you left. Before something could happen.

Annie-35 gives a small shrug again. She notices Mary Lou-45 standing to the side.

JOE-35

Ok. Ok. I understand. This, this is a good sign. That you recognize that something is going on with you. We will get you some help. I’m not going to desert you.

ANNIE-35

I, I got to do this my way Joe. I’m going to have to go..somewhere. Tell the kids, tell them how very much I love them. And I will call them. And I will see them .. soon. I need you to go Joe, now. Please. Mary Lou is here. She, she knows.

Joe is struggling hard not to cry.

JOE-35

Ok, I get it. I will be waiting. Can I just, just give you a hug first?

ANNIE-35

Please don’t. I couldn’t bear it if you do. Just go Joe, please.

Joe-35 slowly gets to his feet, tears streaming down his face. He passes Mary Lou-45, grasps her outstretched hand for a moment, then struggles on. Once he has moved on, Mary Lou-45 rushes to Annie-45 and wraps her arms around her.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Act 3. Middle Scenes. What I learned, is that I could catch up! And that I made myself cry. Love the process. Can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN, LIVING ROOM- EVENING

Joe-35 and Annie-35, are comforting Erin-10 and Hunter-8, on the couch.

ERIN-10

I can’t believe this happened right down the road from our cabin.

HUNTER-8

The bus went right by it on the way home from school. The truck was smashed to smithereens.

ANNIE-35

(whispers half to herself)

It could have been so much worse.

JOE-35

Uh… yes of course, always could be worse, but the driver didn’t make it. That was bad enough.

ANNIE-35

That shouldn’t have happened.

Joe gives her a quizzical look.

HUNTER-8

Did you see him Dad?

Erin puts her hands over her ears, upset.

ERIN-10

I don’t want to hear, I don’t want to hear.I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

The phone rings and rings. Finally Joe-35 gets up to answer it. Annie-35 is reluctant to let go of his hand.

JOE-35

(quietly)

I should get it. The sheriff said he would be calling me later to ask some more questions.

He answers, but it’s not the sheriff.

JOE-35

Hi Mary-Lou. Yes-she’s right here.

Annie-35 shakes her head no, and tightens her arms around Erin-10. She mouths ‘later’ to him.

JOE-35

Um, she’s uh, with the kids….yah. You heard? …Such an awful accident… Me? I’m fine.

Joe walks a little farther away and drops his voice.

JOE-35

…We were standing in the driveway when it happened….If it had been just a few minutes later, well, who knows….Yeah she’s kind of shook up. I’m sure she will call you later, or tomorrow… Thanks for calling…(awkward pause). I, I love you too.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM- EVENING

Joe-35 is asleep. Annie-35 is facing away from him wide awake, cradling her lower belly. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry Maggie.

Annie’s eyes suddenly come into focus and she sits up slowly. She gets up, not bothering with a robe and leaves the room.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, ERIN’S ROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 is watching Erin-10 sleep. She pulls the covers up around her and kisses her gently on the cheek.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, HUNTER’S ROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 is sitting on Hunter-8’s bed. His covers are a mess. She tries to cover him up, but he throws it back in his sleep. Afraid to wake him, she blows him a kiss with her fingertips.

INT. JOE AND ANNE’S CABIN, BEDROOM, CONT.

Annie-35 climbs back onto the bed with Joe-35. She cuddles against his back for a moment, She pulls back and traces ‘I LOVE YOU’ on his back with her finger tip. He stirs, then falls back asleep. She turns over onto her back and puts her hand on her lower belly. She closes her eyes for a moment, then takes a deep breath and turns out of camera range.

EXT. MARY-LOU’S HOME, 1992 3 AM

Mary-Lou-45 answers the door in her robe, takes one look at Annie-35, also in her robe, and throws her arms around her.

MARY-LOU-45

Oh honey. I don’t know what to say.

She pulls back and takes in Annie-35’s tragically stoic face and that she is wearing a bathrobe.

MARY-LOU-45

You drove here like that?

ANNIE-35

I was afraid if I stopped to get dressed I would change my mind.

MARY-LOU-45

Change your mind? Come in, come in. It’s been a traumatic day.

ANNIE-35

Please, can you hypnotize me? I can’t sleep, so I can’t dream…so you have to hypnotize me. Right now.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie-35 eyes flicker back and forth under her eyelids as Mary-Lou 45 tries to put her under. It’s not working too well. Mary-Lou 45 places a hand on her wrist and leans close to her.

MARY-LOU-45

Let’s try again. You have to give yourself permission to let go. I can feel your pulse literally thrumming through your body. Let’s try this. Open your eyes. Look at me. Now match my breath.

Mary-Lou-45 takes long slow deep breaths, and Annie-35 tries to match her. Eventually it starts to work. Mary Lou-45 takes Annie-35’s hands and places them over Annie-35’s heart.

MARY-LOU-45

You are safe. Let yourself sink a little deeper into your breath. I’m going to count down from 10 this time. Each count, each breath allow yourself to relax into serenity. 10, relax your brow. 9 relax your jaw, your mouth. 8 relax your shoulders, that’s it. 7 relax your arms..6…5…4…3..

And she’s under.

INT. ALTERED STATE -CONT.

Again the tree is younger and Sarita is not the there. Annie-35 is stoic, serene, determined. The swarm of memories that swirl around her has two layers now, one colorful, the one below it, shades of grey. She slows the stream down carefully, looking.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 14

(In Color)- Erin-18 graduation- she looks out and waves, there is Joe-43 and Hunter-16 in the audience. Annie is a few rows behind them.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 15

(In Color)- Annie-45 is looking at color pictures of Hunter-16 playing soccer, Hunter-16 at prom with a girl, and Hunter-16 skiing with Joe-45)

Annie-35, in the Altered State, takes a breath and keeps looking in the color stream of memories.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 16

(In Color) Mary-Lou-50 hands newborn baby Maggie to Annie-40 in a hospital bed. Sean suddenly rushes into the room, happy and out of breath.

Annie-35, in the Altered State, almost collapses in relief, then checks one more memory in the colored stream.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 17

(In Color) Annie-40 is cradling baby Maggie in her bed, she is singing a song to her. It is almost like her dream, except Sean is also cuddling Annie and baby Maggie.

Annie-35, in the altered state, as a soft smile on her face. Then she grows somber and reaches to slow the memory stream that is black and white.

INSERT MEMORY SCENE 18

(In B & W) Annie-60 is slow dancing, and as she turns, we see that her partner is Joe-60. They are sharing a private joke and are joyful to be together.

Annie-35 tries to insert her hand in the scene to visit it, as she did before, but it doesn’t work. A tear flows down her face.

ANNIE-35

Looks like we made it Joe, looks like we would have made it together.

Annie-35 takes a big breath and calls out.

ANNIE-35

Mary-Lou, bring me back, please, I’ve seen enough.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM- 1992- CONT.

Annie-35 opens her eyes and refocuses on her surrounding.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie? You ok? What, what did you see?

ANNIE-35

I saw Joe, in the future. With the kids. And I saw Maggie. She was back and she was alive. Do you believe me?

Mary-Lou 45 hesitates and gives a small nod.

MARY-LOU-45

I believe that you absolutely saw this little girl. And your belief is so strong that I …almost…

ANNIE-35

And you were there. For her birth.

MARY-LOU-45

But … how…

ANNIE-35

I…I have to leave Joe. I have to. I must. So I can go find Sean. So there will be a Maggie.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Beginning of Act 3.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN-LIVING ROOM CONT.

Annie is still on her knees clutching her stomach. She slowly sits up and slips her hand down inside her bathrobe. She closes her eyes and feels that the scar is back. (we never see it)

ANNIE-35

I won’t desert you Maggie.

She then looks at a pair of Joe’s boots by the door and doubles over again.

ANNIE-35

How can I do this? It’s not fair, it’s not fair.

She scrubs her face with her hands then slowly rises and goes to the kitchen.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, KITCHEN, 1992, AM

The clock shows 7:20. Annie has made an elaborate breakfast and is setting the plates on the kitchen table. The strain on her face increases when she hears the sounds of her family waking up and getting ready.[PLACEHOLDER]

Hunter comes into the kitchen, slings his backpack on the back of his chair and sits.

HUNTER-8

Mom! You made your homemade scones! On a school morning!

Erin comes in and sits. Annie-35 is keeping busy with her head down.

ERIN-10

Ohhh with your raspberry jam.

Hunter takes a bite.

HUNTER-8

MMMMH. You should sell these. We’d be rich.

The kids are quickly eating. Annie sets down another plate laden with food.

ERIN-10

Biscuits and gravy, Dad’s favorite! Is it your anniversary or something?

Annie can hardly speak. She avoids eye contact as she touches both Erin and Hunter when she passes behind their chairs and hurries back to the kitchen.

ANNIE-35

No… just uh.. I have to get ready for work.

Annie rushes down the hall.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Did I hear biscuits and gravy?

Annie rushes into the bathroom and closes the door just as Joe opens the bedroom door and heads to the kitchen.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie has sunk to the floor and is leaning against the door. We can hear the sounds of the family at breakfast. [PLACEHOLDER].

Annie stares at her hands, the one ring on her finger.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Annie? Are you joining us for breakfast?

Annie opens her mouth to speak, but finds she can’t muster a sound. She gets up and turns the shower on, but doesn’t get in, just sits back down against the door. She whispers to herself.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

I’m not going crazy, I’m not. This is..trauma. Or a dream. But… but If I’m dreaming, when did I start the dream? When I as 60? Last night? Oh my god. Did I dream up the accident? Maybe there is no runaway truck. I don’t know what is real. Oh Sarita..help me.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Hurry up guys, the bus is here!

(pause)

Hunter, don’t forget your lunch. Have a great day guys.

Annie hears the front door slam as the kids leave, then Joe-35’s footsteps that pause outside her door. Joe-35 knocks on the bathroom door.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

That was a awesome breakfast honey, definitely in the top five, maybe even the top three!

Annie doesn’t respond, just squeezes her eyes shut. The shower is still running, the bathroom growing steamy.

PLACEHOLDER ADD IN JOE POV

JOE-35

(pause)

I gotta go, I need to be there when they pour the foundation. I’ll see you tonight!

Annie clasps her hands over her mouth and silently weeps.

INT. JOE AND ANNIE’S CABIN, LIVING ROOM HALLWAY. CONT.

Joe grabs his keys from the hook and opens up the door. He pauses and calls out loudly.

JOE-35

Love you Annie!

He exits and slams the door.

Big pause.

Suddenly Annie-35 dashes down the hallway, throws open the door and runs out. Shiloh quickly escapes out the open door.

ANNIE-35

WAIT! Wait Joe, wait!

Joe is already in his truck, warming up in the driveway, but gets out to try to grab Shiloh.

JOE-35

Oops.. here girl!

Shiloh jumps into the open truck door just as Annie-35 reaches Joe-35. She throws her arms around him.

ANNIE-35

Joe, Joe, I love you.. I love you so much.

Joe laughs and hugs her back. She clings longer to him, half hysterical.

JOE-35

I love you too honey, but I gotta go to work.

ANNIE-35

Wait, just wait, don’t go yet.

Now Joe is concerned.

JOE-35

What’s going on?

ANNIE-35

It’s just… I’ve been having these dreams. Some of them are, are nightmares. And, and they are so very real.

JOE-35

(nods sympathetically)

About your mom?

ANNIE-35

Uh.. yes, and about other…people. And-

Joe-35’s attention is caught by something. Annie-35 notices. They both turn and watch a large logging truck come barreling down the street. They watch it pass, alarmed. Three seconds later, a tremendous crash is heard.

Joe-35 quickly slams the truck door to keep the dog in and they both dash out to the road and look down the little hill.

It’s a terrible scene. The truck is mangled, smoking.

JOE-35

Call 911!

He takes off running to the scene just a few hundred yards down the wooded road. The same path that Annie took in the Altered State memory.

Annie-35 is frozen to the spot. Eyes wide.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie has completed ACT 2. What I have learned…I’m getting the hang of this process!

ACT 2

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, DINING ROOM-EVENING

Under the dinner table, Annie-35’s foot is resting on Joe-35’s foot, her toe brushing his ankle. Annie-35 is relishing a normal dinner, her eyes scanning around, noticing every little thing. She runs her thumb over her wedding ring on her left hand-Joe’s ring. Her other hand wears no ring.

ERIN-10

…And then- Sara accidentally called the teacher Mommy!

Hunter-8 starts to laugh, but Joe-35 gives him a conspiratorial slight shake of the head.

ERIN-10

Everyone laughed. But I didn’t. Sara’s my best friend.

JOE-35

You have a loyal heart. That’s one of the many things I love about you punky-pie.

ERIN-10

Daaddd. I’m getting too old for punky-pie.

JOE-35

Nope, never too old. I’m going to yell it out at your high school graduation. ‘That’s my punky pie’!!

HUNTER-8

I’m definitely going to laugh at that.

Erin-10 pretends to punch him. Annie-35 takes a bite of her dinner.

ANNIE-35

Oh my god, I haven’t made this in so long. I don’t remember it tasting this good.

JOE-35

Your chicken pot pie is always good honey. And we just had it a few weeks ago when the Roebers came to dinner.

HUNTER-8

Hey! What about me? How come I don’t have a nick name?

Annie-35 and Joe-35 laugh and exchange a glance.

ANNIE-35

Well, you use to. Your dad gave it to you, but I made him stop calling you that when you were three.

HUNTER-8

What? What was it?

JOE-35

Turtle-Butt!

Erin laughs.

ERIN-10

I remember that! Wait- there was more.Oh yeah, Mr. Stinky Turtle-Butt the fourth!

Erin starts purposefully laughing, extra hard.

HUNTER-8

Hey!

ANNIE-35

(gently)

Erin, I thought laughing at your friends wasn’t nice.

HUNTER-8

Yeah. I guess I’m not your friend.

Erin stops and reaches over to hug Hunter, who is sulking.

ERIN-10

I’m sorry.

Hunter stops pouting, he was faking it.

HUNTER-8

I forgive you Punky-Pie.

Erin fake punches him and they’re off and running again. Annie-35 takes another bite.

ANNIE-35

Oh wow. It’s like my taste buds woke up or something.

JOE-35

(quietly)

That’s not the only thing that’s waking up.

Under the table, Annie-35’s foot is now in Joe-35’s lap, teasing him.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992- ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM

Annie-35 is getting ready for bed, wearing a casual short nighty and looking at herself in the mirror with wonder. She feels her arms, her legs. She talks quietly to herself.

ANNIE-35

Wow, I was in good shape. Why was I always so worried?

She peaks down her top.

ANNIE-35

Not bad for nursing three kids.

(pause)

Two kids.

Now Annie-35 is troubled. She stares at her eyes in the mirror, as if looking for a trace of Annie-60.

JOE-35 (O.C.)

Annie, you coming to bed?

Annie-35 looks towards the bedroom, then back in the mirror.

ANNIE-35

Please Sarita, please, if it’s up to you, please let me stay a little longer.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE BEDROOM-NIGHT

Annie-35 and Joe-35 have just finished what is obviously an intense love making session. She snuggles in to him, wrapping both her arms and legs around him tightly, as if to keep him there always.

JOE-35

Hmmmm. That was-

ANNIE-35

If you say ‘nice’ I’m going to bite you.

JOE-35

I was going to say spectacular, but a bite might be interesting. Where?

She leans over and kisses him, then takes his lip gently in her teeth, then releases it and kisses him deeper.

JOE-35

Well now. I am at a loss for words.

ANNIE-35

I love you so much Joe. You know that right?

JOE-35

Well yah. I kind of figured that when you married me, just a humble carpenter.

ANNIE-35

And ski patrolman! You’re a kind of hero, you rescue people. I just wondered if I said it enough. Say it enough.

JOE-35

Uh oh. I get the hint. I love you, I love you, I love you. I. Love. You.

Annie-35 snuggles closer, if possible, her eyes wide.

JOE-35

Uh, honey? Um, the snuggling is great, but can you just give me a tad bit of space? I’m kind of sweaty.

Annie-35 smiles and reluctantly moves just an inch away.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, KIDS ROOM-MIDNIGHT

Annie-35 is watching Erin-10 sleep from her doorway, then she quietly closes the door and lets herself silently in to Hunter-8’s room. She looks around at the detritus of an eight year old spread throughout the room, then sits gingerly on the edge of his bed.

Without thinking, she starts humming a line from Taylor Swifts ‘Just stay little’, song saying the last few words in a whisper. Suddenly she realizes and gasps, putting her hands over her mouth for a moment. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

PLACEHOLDER- That was on Taylor’s 2nd album in like 2005 She’s like three years old right now.

Annie-35 starts to panic a little. She squeeze’s her own arm.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She touches a book strewn on the bed.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She gently touches Hunter’s shoulder.

ANNIE-35

Hunter is real.

Hunter stirs and turns over, so Annie quickly gets up and leaves the room.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, LR-MIDNIGHT, CONT.

Annie is trying not to panic as she paces around the dark living room. She pauses and touches various pictures and mementos reverently: Wedding pictures, a vase, kid school pictures. She is murmuring to herself.

ANNIE-35

This feels so real, so real. What the fuck.

She spies a picture of her mother Mary when she was in her mid-thirties, very beautiful. Annie-35 stares into the picture.

ANNIE-35

Was Sean and Maggie, that whole life just, just a really long dream? Or am I dreaming now? Is this how it started for you?

Annie puts the picture down and hurries back down the hall to her bedroom. She’s relieved Joe is still there and slips back into bed, cuddling up to him. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Stay awake, stay awake, stay awake. I want to stay here just awhile longer. Stay awake.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, ANNIE DREAM

Of course Annie has fallen asleep. The dream-state looks different then the altered state, all the backgrounds are out of focus, the emphasis on the people.

INT. DREAM – MAGGIE’S ROOM,2005 EVENING

Annie-45 is reading a goodnight story to Maggie-5 from a well-known story book, Love You Forever.

ANNIE-45

‘I will love you forever, I will like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.’ Good night sweetie, I will see you first thing in the morning.

MAGGIE-5

One more story? Please Mommy?

SEAN-45 (O.C.)

Annie? You coming to bed?

Annie looks down at the sweet face of Maggie. She calls out to Sean.

ANNIE-45

In a minute.

Annie, picks out another book and lays down next to Maggie.

ANNIE-45

One more.

INT. DREAM- ANNIE AND SEANS BEDROOM, 2005, EVENING, CONT.

Sean is sound asleep in the dark room. Annie-45 quietly climbs into bed and settles down. A moment later she hears a door open and the click of the hallway light switch sends a sliver of light under her door. Little footsteps in the hallway, then Annie-45’s bedroom door opens, letting in a wedge of light and Maggie-5 slips in.

Annie-45 smiles and opens her covers and Maggie slips in, snuggles next to her, sighs deeply and in seconds is asleep. Annie watches her, stroking her face and whispers to herself.

ANNIE-45

I will love you forever.

Maggie-5 morphs into toddler Maggie.

ANNIE-45

I will like you for always…

Maggie now morphs into a baby.

ANNIE-45

As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.

Annie-45 begins to sing quietly to baby Maggie the song ‘I Will’ by the Beatles (or a tune with similar type lyrics)

ANNIE-45

…For if I ever saw you, I didn’t catch your name, But it never really mattered, I will always feel the same, Love you forever and forever, Love you with all my heart

Love you whenever we’re together

Love you when we’re apart…

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM, 1992, EARLY AM

Annie-35 slowly wakes, face down, a sheet partially over her head and blocking her view. Clearly she doesn’t know where she is. Slowly she pulls the sheet from her face. Joe is looking at her with a smile. Annie-35 starts to cry.

ANNIE-35

Oh Joe! It’s you!

Joe laughs and pulls her into his arms.

JOE-35

Well, who else would it be? Did you have a bad dream?

Annie-35 clings to him, her face wet with tears and confusion.

ANNIE-35

Something like that.

INT. ANNIE & JOE’S CABIN, LIVING ROOM, AM

Annie-35, in a bathrobe, hands Erin and Hunter their lunches as they rush out to the waiting bus. Joe comes up from behind, gives her a big hug, then heads out to his distinctive light blue work truck in the driveway.

JOE-35

You doing the lunch shift today?

Annie is momentarily blank.

ANNIE-35

Ah, um, yes!

JOE-35

Round two tonight?

ANNIE-35

I can’t wait.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM 1992, MOMENTS LATER

Annie-35 is luxuriating in the shower, loving the feel of her younger body. As she is soaping her lower belly she suddenly freezes and looks down at something we don’t see. She stares at it, then looks off to the side, concern growing. She hurries out of the shower.

INT. ANNIE & JOE’S KITCHEN 1992, MOMENTS LATER

Annie scribbles a note, leaves it on the counter and hurries out.

INSERT-NOTE

Called out of work, needed to go visit my mom.

INT. CAMARILLO STATE HOSPTIAL, 1992, DAY

Annie-35 nods her thanks to a staff person and crosses over to where a group of patients are scattered in chairs under a tree.

Annie-35 hesitates only a moment then approaches Mary-60 sitting in a wheelchair by herself. She is repeating a motion with her fingers over and over. Mary-60 just holds a small glimmer of her former beauty. She doesn’t seem aware that Annie-35 is there, so Annie-35 kneels next to her and tries to get in Mary-60’s sight line.

ANNIE-35

Mom, mom, hi, it’s Annie. It’s, it’s so nice to see you.

Mary-60 does not respond, just continues the fluttering motion with her hands.

ANNIE-35

Mom, it’s Annie. Can you hear me?

Annie-35 tries to gently put her hands into her mother’s fluttering hands. Her mother’s hands stop for a moment, then she simply puts her hands on top of Annie-35’s and makes the fluttering motion again.

ANNIE-35

Mom, are you.. you being like a butterfly? Remember, the butterfly’s in my room?

Mary-60 stops and slowly looks up and for the briefest moment the blank look is gone, but it is replaced by fear and Mary-60 starts to breath heavy and make panicky grunts.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry.. I’m sorry!

An aide rushes over, calms Mary-60 and wheels her inside.

NURSE’S AIDE

It’s ok, she gets like that sometimes. We will calm her down, don’t worry.

ANNIE-35

(calls out)

Mom! I love you!

A doctor walks over to Annie-35.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Ah, Annie, they told me you were here. It’s good you came. You haven’t been to visit in awhile.

Annie is visibly upset.

ANNIE-35

I uh…I didn’t mean to…she seems to have gotten..so much worse.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Yes, your mother has slipped into the hypokinetic form of schizophrenic catatonia. As you know, your mother has already far exceeded the life span of someone with her diagnosis. But, she may be getting closer to her time.

Annie nods her head sadly.

ANNIE-35

Thank you doctor. It feels like I said my good-byes a long, long time ago.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

We will call you of course.

He turns to go.

ANNIE-35

Doctor Richards… can I ask a question before you go?

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Certainly.

ANNIE-35

I was just wondering… what are the chances…

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Annie. Yes, it’s hereditary, but the chances are very low.

ANNIE-35

How low?

DOCTOR RICHARDS

(Sigh) About 1% of the general population are diagnosed with schizophrenia…and about 10% if, if-

ANNIE-35

If you have a parent that has it.

The doctor nods.

ANNIE-35

How does it, I mean people who have it, don’t know they have it right? What are some of the signs? The early signs. I mean, just so I know.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Thinking and speech becomes disorganized. The person might think that someone is controlling them. They might become fixated on something.

Annie is shaking her head no, no, as if saying no that’s not me to herself.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

And of course, the classic-delusions and hallucinations.

EXT. CAMARILLO STATE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT ANNIE CAR-DAY- CONT

Annie is just sitting, deep in thought. She stares at her hands, with the one ring. Finally she starts the car and the news comes on giving the date at the top of the hour, September 30th, 1992. Annie gasps.

ANNIE-35

September 30th?! It’s tomorrow! Tomorrows the day!

Annie paws through her purse, finds her little phone book and focuses on a name: Aunt Mary-lou. Her finger traces across to the phone number. Then she looks frantically through her purse again.

ANNIE-35

Where’s my phone, what the hell did I do with it?

Realization hits her and she slams the steering wheel.

ANNIE-35

FUCK! It’s 1992! I don’t have a phone yet. But…but, if I am really in 1992, how do I know about cell phones, and song lyrics that haven’t been written yet .. and that, that fucking idiot will be president someday.

Annie gives a sob and puts her hand on her lower belly, rubbing it slowly.

ANNIE-35

And if I am in 2018 and dreaming about all this…I don’t know if I want to wake up. Cause..cause maybe I can stop it, stop the truck…give Erin and Hunter back their father. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know what’s real.

Annie hiccups. Then she looks again at her address book, thinks, then puts the car in gear.

EXT. MARY-LOU HOME 1992- DAY

Annie-35 knocks on the door of a small cottage-like home with overflowing gardens. Mary-Lou-45 opens the door. She has a very pretty, bohemian, peaceful style and a big smile- at first, but she instantly reads Annie-35.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie! What’s wrong?

Annie-35 throws her arms around her with a sob.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, DAY CONT.

Annie-35 is sitting on the edge of a big comfortable chair in a cozy sunroom filled with plants. On the wall is a Hypnotherapist framed credential. Mary-Lou-45 sets a cup of tea down.

MARY-LOU-45

Chamomile. What’s going on honey?

Annie-35 takes a shaky breath.

ANNIE-35

You sure you have time right now? This is going to take a bit.

MARY-LOU-45

I don’t have any clients this afternoon. Besides no one is as important to me as you are. Go ahead, I’m listening. This is what I do best.

ANNIE-35

Let me ask you something first. Uhh.. Do you ever remember me, um, having some kind of surgery on my lower abdomen when I was little, or a kind of deep cut. Something that would have left a scar. Here.

Annie runs her hand slowly across her lower abdomen. Mary-Lou looks confused.

MARY-LOU-45

Not that I know of… but remember I was living abroad for several years when you were young. I only came back to the states about a year before your mom got real sick. So something could have happened I suppose. Why?

ANNIE-35

I’m afraid to tell you.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie! You know can tell me anything.

ANNIE-35

I’m..I’m afraid I might be like her.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM- DAY- ONE HOUR LATER

Mary-Lou-45’s face is carefully neutral as she tightly holds Annie-35’s hands, who is nearly hyperventilating.

ANNIE-35

…but then I stayed in the memory, I didn’t go back to the, the altered state with Saria. I wanted to stay so badly when I saw Joe, and when I hugged him, I just, just, I don’t know… absorbed into this Annie. And I was no longer 60 year old Annie. And I stayed and stayed. I want to stay. I think. But then I dreamed about Sean and Maggie and I know, I know that they are real. I know what this sounds like. Oh..this is just all too much.

MARY-LOU-55

Shh..OK, Ok, let’s talk this through. What makes you think that there really is a Sean and Maggie, that you had this other life, that stretched on for 20 years?

ANNIE-35

(whispers)

It’s not just the dreams. There’s a scar.

MARY-LOU-45

A scar?

ANNIE-35

I noticed it this morning in the shower. It’s a c-section scar. Of my three children, only Maggie was born from a c-section.

MARY-LOU-45

(gently)

Honey, you only have two children.

ANNIE-35

Right now! I mean in 1992! Maggie was born, will be born, in 1995! Do you want to see the scar? It proves that I am not going schizo! Doesn’t it?

MARY-LOU-45

Take a breath. I don’t need to see it.

Annie pants hard. Mary-Lou speaks quietly.

MARY-LOU-45

You yourself suggested that maybe it came from a childhood injury or surgery.

ANNIE-35

(miserably)

I know, I know. But I don’t remember it from before. I mean before, before… oh I don’t know what I’m saying.

MARY-LOU-45

Breathe honey. Just take some slow breaths.

ANNIE-35

That helps. Wait- what about hypnotherapy. Can you do that with me. Now? Help me figure out what is going out.

Mary Lou hesitates just for a brief moment.

MARY-LOU-45

Yes. I think that’s a good idea. It will help you think through your concerns in a calm process.

ANNIE-35

What do I do?

Mary Lou speaks in slow measured tones.

MARY-LOU-45

Keep breathing like you are. Now sit back. Rest your head back. Allow your self to close your eyes, you are in a safe place here. That’s it. Breathe deeply, slowly. Breathe into your belly. Relax your forehead. Your eyes. Your jaw. Feel your shoulders sink into the chair. Oh that’s great. With each breath, let yourself go a little deeper. You are safe. Picture a golden light above your head. It is warm. It is loving. It surrounds you, keeping you safe. Do you see it?

Annie is very calm now.

ANNIE-35

Yes.

MARY-LOU-45

Now, let your self go a little deeper still with your breaths. That’s it. I am going to count down from five, allow your self to let go. 5….4….3…

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. ALTERED STATE

The hypnosis has sent Annie-35 back to the altered state. Annie-35 opens her eyes and gasps, looking around. The altered state looks a little different. The tree is younger, smaller, the swarm of memories around her has particles of grey in it, it is not as colorful as before. Sarita is not there.

ANNIE-35

Sarita? Sarita where are you! I need you! Aunt Mary Lou, are you here? Oh, it’s different. I’m scared.

Annie looks closer at the swarm of memories. She carefully uses her hand to slow the swarm down like Sarita did. All the memories after 1992 are in grey, not as clear. All the memories before 1992 are in color.

INSERT Memory Scene 9

(In color) 1982 Annie-25 and Joe-25 dancing silly at their wedding

INSERT Memory Scene 10

(In B&W) 1995- Sean-37 sitting at a campfire singing a song to Annie-37, Hunter-10 and Erin-12

INSERT Memory Scene 11

(In color) 1990- Annie-32 and Joe-32 teaching Hunter-5 and Erin-7 how to ski.

INSERT Memory Scene 12

(In color) 1962- Annie-5 celebrating her 5th birthday with a cake mother Mary-35 is presenting her. Her father is taking pictures. All are very happy.

INSERT Memory Scene 13

(In B&W)-2003 Erin-18’s High School graduation. From stage she looks wistfully out at the audience. Annie-43 and Hunter-16 sit next to an empty chair.

Annie starts swiping through the memory swarm faster and faster.

ANNIE-35

Where is Maggie? Where is she, where is her recital? Her graduation? Why can’t I see it? And I can’t see Joe after, after today. See, he’s not here..he’s not in my future.

INSERT Memory Scene 14

Annie-35 sees a memory, in grey, of herself at Joe’s funeral, with Hunter-8 and Erin-10. All are crying.

Annie steps back from the memory swarm.

ANNIE-35

NO! No no no no. Oh god. I have to stop it. I have to change it. NO, no, I can’t let it happen.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, DAY CONT.

Mary Lou-45 is leaning over a weeping Annie-35, a little scared herself, but trying to stay calm and firm.

MARY-LOU-45

5, 4,3,2,1.. let yourself come back Annie. Annie, listen to my voice allow yourself to come back to me, come back to where it is safe. Come back in 5, 4,3,2,1.

Mary Lou-45 snaps her fingers and this time Annie-35 opens her eyes. Her face is wet with tears. Annie-35 sits up quickly.

ANNIE-35

I have to stop it!

MARY-LOU-45

Stop what honey, take a breath. Talk slowly.

ANNIE-35

Joe’s going to die tomorrow. There’s going to be an accident tomorrow morning right after Joe leaves for work. A logging truck loses it’s brakes and smashes into Joe’s truck at the bottom of the hill. But, but… I can stop it. I can keep Joe from leaving, or go slash the tires of the truck. Or pull out the battery cables.. or something! I can’t let him die again!

Annie-35 stops talking and looks at Mary Lou-45, who is looking very concerned.

ANNIE-35

It’s happening isn’t it. I’m going to be like my mother.

MARY-LOU-45

No. No. You are nothing like her. Listen to me. Everyone has fears about losing their loved ones. Everyone. You lost your father just a year ago, your mother has always caused you a great deal of stress and turmoil. You loved her so much, but you couldn’t fix her. And your father had to make an awful choice to put her in a facility. You went through it at such a young age. It’s been a lot of years, but it lingers. They call it post traumatic stress disorder. I’m guessing that there was likely something that triggered your fears about those painful times. Maybe you read something, or watched something on TV, and then you had some very detailed nightmares.

Annie-35 nods, unsure.

ANNIE-35

Maybe. So there is ….no Maggie, no Sean?

Mary-Lou 45 slowly shakes her head no.

MARY-LOU-55

But I think it would be a good idea if you went into therapy. I am going to call a friend of mine who works with PTSD and set it up. She will help you work through this. It will get better.

Annie-35 slowly nods again.

ANNIE-35

But… the accident that is supposed to happen tomorrow?

MARY-LOU-55

If it will give you some peace of mind, and allow you to sleep tonight, just delay Joe a bit from leaving the house. Give him an extra big kiss, or something. No harm in that.

EXT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, WOODVILLE 1992-

It’s just dark as Annie pulls up to the cabin. Joe’s blue truck is in the driveway. She looks through the front window and sees Joe-35, Erin-10, and Hunter-8 milling around getting ready for dinner. She smiles.

ANNIE-35

My family. I’m so lucky.

Her eyes travel over to Joe’s truck and her face grows concerned. She closes her eyes tight and shakes her head, opens her eyes, and wipes away the tear. Then shakes it off and smiles again.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, 1992 LIVING ROOM CONT.

Annie-35 enters the cabin and quickly hangs her coat and purse on the rack, then puts her keys on the key hook that hangs near the door.

ERIN-10

Mom! Dad got pizza!

Annie-35 sees Joe’s keys hanging there as well. She hesitates.

JOE-35

You better hurry, I got you Canadian bacon and pineapple and Hunter has already claimed three pieces.

Annie-35 glances over and sees that Joe-35’s back is to her so she quickly takes his keys and slips them into her purse. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Peace of mind.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM-1992, EVENING

Joe-35 and Annie-35 are in the cozy aftermath. Annie-35 is more relaxed-for the moment.

JOE-35

I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier, how did the visit with your Mom go?

ANNIE-35

She, she wasn’t responsive. It was pretty hard to see..see someone you love in that way.

JOE-35

Oh honey, I’m so sorry.

ANNIE-35

That’s why I was so late. I went to Aunt Mary-Lou’s afterwards. She um, helped talk me through, through all the, trauma of it. She says there’s a name for it too. I might talk to a friend of hers about it.

Joe-35 is starting to drift off.

JOE-35

What ever you need to do. I’m glad you have Mary Lou in your life.

ANNIE-35

Yes. She helps me understand the things…(tiny whisper) I see.

Joe is asleep and doesn’t hear the last part.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- DREAM STATE

Annie-35 is asleep and dreaming. It is similar to her dream from earlier, but starts with her in her bed with Sean, his back to her. There is no background other than the bed. Annie-40 is cradling baby Maggie and whisper singing to her a Beatles tune (or something with similar lyrics).

ANNIE-40

Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart, love you whenever we’re together, love you when we’re apart…

Suddenly baby Maggie begins to cry. Annie-40 tries to comfort her, but she just cries louder. Maggie begins to turn grey. Annie is frantic.

ANNIE-40

No, NO! Oh Maggie, I love you… don’t go..I will love you forever!

Baby Maggie continues to turn grey, still crying, then begins to dissolve into grey particles. Annie-40 tries to hold on to her.

ANNIE-40

Maggie! I will like you for always..as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be. Oh don’t go! Maggie!

The grey particles swarm off until they are out of sight, leaving Annie with an empty blanket. She is inconsolable.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM, 1992, LATE EVENING CONT.

Annie wakes with a start, her face wet with tears, trying to stifle a scream. Her hand then goes to her lower abdomen, where she tries to feel the scar. She can’t feel it. Annie quickly gets out of bed, throws a bathrobe on and goes into the bathroom, turning on the light.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie-35, bathrobe opened, night gown up, is looking down for her scar. We only see her from the waist up.

ANNIE-35

It’s gone!

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, LIVING ROOM, 1992, LATE EVE. MOMENTS LATER

Annie-35 is pacing erratically. She grabs her address book from her purse and crosses to the phone. She huddles on the couch and calls Mary-Lou-45 who after the 4th ring answers sleepily.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Hello?

ANNIE-35

(whispering)

You said there would be no harm. But there would be.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

What?

ANNIE-35

That there will be no harm if I stop the accident tomorrow. But if I do, I will never meet Sean. And Maggie will never be born.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Slow down honey. Say that again?

ANNIE-35

The scar is gone!! I dreamed of her, of Maggie, she turned grey and just, just dissolved like she never was!

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Okay, so this was a dream you said. Just a dream-

ANNIE-35

Before I went to sleep last night, I hid Joe’s keys, to stop the accident. And now the scar is gone! That will change everything! Everything!

MARY-LOU-45

Annie, take a breath-

ANNIE-35

You don’t understand. I have to choose. I have to decide. If I save Joe tomorrow, Maggie will never be. I have to choose. Joe, or Maggie!! How can I possibly do that?

Annie breaks down into quiet sobs.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie, listen to me. There will be no accident tomorrow. This is your trauma making you think you can fix something that, that isn’t real. There is no decision for you to make. There is no Sean, no Maggie.

ANNIE-35

How do you know? Can you promise me 100 percent? How do I know for sure for sure?

MARY-LOU-45

Honey, I’m guessing you haven’t had much sleep in the last few nights. Why don’t you go back to bed and try some of those breathing exercises and we’ll talk about this in the morning.

Annie takes a shaky breath and pretends to be calm.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry I woke you. You’re right, you’re right. Just bad dreams. I will call you tomorrow.

Annie hangs up quickly. Suddenly she crosses over to a pile of school notebooks on the kitchen table and rips out a page from a notebook. She sits down and begins to write.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S KITCHEN, 1992, EARLY AM.

The sky is only just beginning to lighten out the window. Annie-35 has been writing a time line. The timeline of her other life.

INSERT TIMELINE

September 1992-Sean is working at ?

November 1995- Move to Ludlow, Mass,

December 1995- start work at the bakery in Ludlow

January 1995- Meet Sean at Music Night at Erin/Hunter’s School.

Feb 1995-First Date with Sean at Hot Tuna Concert

June 1995- Buy the bakery

August 1997- Marry Sean

January 1998- Sean starts band Finger Licks

March 1998- Maggie is born

June 2003- Erin graduates from Ludlow HS

September 2003- Erin enters Columbia

June 2005- Hunter graduates from Ludlow HS

August 2005- Hunter leaves for walkabout

Annie-35 is tapping her pen next to one of the timeline entries for September 1992. Finally she replaces the ? with ‘Sean starts work as music teacher at Ludlow High School’. She looks up at the clock, it now says 5:05 am. She picks up the phone and dials 411.

ANNIE-35

Ludlow Massachusetts. Ludlow High School.

ANNIE-35

Thank you.

Annie hangs up and dials the number.

STAFF (O.C.)

Ludlow High School.

ANNIE-35

Huh, yes, good morning. Is, is there a Sean O’Neill there please?

There is a pause.

SEAN-35 (O.C.)

This is Sean.

Annie gasps and hangs up.

ANNIE-35

He’s real, Maggie’s real. Oh Maggie, my baby.

Annie jumps up and runs over to the rack where her purse is, grabs Joe’s keys out and places them back where they belong. Then she collapses to her knees.

Act 3:

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Lesson 15- Finishing Act 2 I learned that I have to stop my self from going back and adding ideas, action, dialogue to the script and instead keep a list for the next draft 🙂

EXT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, WOODVILLE 1992-

It’s just dark as Annie pulls up to the cabin. Joe’s blue truck is in the driveway. She looks through the front window and sees Joe-35, Erin-10, and Hunter-8 milling around getting ready for dinner. She smiles.

ANNIE-35

My family. I’m so lucky.

Her eyes travel over to Joe’s truck and her face grows concerned. She closes her eyes tight and shakes her head, opens her eyes, and wipes away the tear. Then shakes it off and smiles again.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, 1992 LIVING ROOM CONT.

Annie-35 enters the cabin and quickly hangs her coat and purse on the rack, then puts her keys on the key hook that hangs near the door.

ERIN-10

Mom! Dad got pizza!

Annie-35 sees Joe’s keys hanging there as well. She hesitates.

JOE-35

You better hurry, I got you Canadian bacon and pineapple and Hunter has already claimed three pieces.

Annie-35 glances over and sees that Joe-35’s back is to her so she quickly takes his keys and slips them into her purse. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Peace of mind.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM-1992, EVENING

Joe-35 and Annie-35 are in the cozy aftermath. Annie-35 is more relaxed.

JOE-35

I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier, how did the visit with your Mom go?

ANNIE-35

She, she wasn’t responsive. It was pretty hard to see..see someone you love in that way.

JOE-35

Oh honey, I’m so sorry.

ANNIE-35

That’s why I was so late. I went to Aunt Mary-Lou’s afterwards. She um, helped talk it through, through all the, trauma of it. She says there’s a name for it too. I might talk to a friend of hers about it.

Joe-35 is starting to drift off.

JOE-35

What ever you need to do. I’m glad you have Mary Lou in your life.

ANNIE-35

Yes. She helps me understand the things…(tiny whisper) I see.

Joe is asleep and doesn’t hear the last part.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- DREAM STATE

Annie-35 is asleep and dreaming. It is similar to her dream from earlier, but starts with her in her bed with Sean, his back to her. There is no background other than the bed. Annie-40 is cradling baby Maggie and whisper singing to her a Beatles tune (or something with similar lyrics).

ANNIE-40

Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart, love you whenever we’re together, love you when we’re apart…

Suddenly baby Maggie begins to cry. Annie-40 tries to comfort her, but she just cries louder. Maggie begins to turn grey. Annie is frantic.

ANNIE-40

No, NO! Oh Maggie, I love you… don’t go..I will love you forever,

Baby Maggie continues to turn grey, still crying, then begins to dissolve into grey particles. Annie-40 tries to hold on to her.

ANNIE-40

Maggie! I will like you for always..as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be. Oh don’t go! Maggie!

The grey particles swarm off until they are out of sight, leaving Annie with an empty blanket. She is inconsolable.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM, 1992, LATE EVENING CONT.

Annie wakes with a start, her face wet with tears, trying to stifle a scream. Her hand then goes to her lower abdomen, where she tries to feel the scar. She can’t feel it. Annie quickly gets out of bed, throws a bathrobe on and goes into the bathroom, turning on the light.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM, 1992, CONT.

Annie-35, bathrobe opened, night gown up, is looking down for her scar. We only see her from the waist up.

ANNIE-35

It’s gone.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, LIVING ROOM, 1992, LATE EVE. MOMENTS LATER

Annie-35 is pacing erratically. She grabs her address book from her purse and crosses to the phone. She huddles on the couch calls Mary-Lou-45 who after the 4th ring answers sleepily.

MARY-LOU-45 (O.C.)

Hello?

ANNIE-35

(whispering)

You said there would be no harm. But there would be.

MARY-LOU-45

What?

ANNIE-35

That there will be no harm if I stop the accident tomorrow. But if I do, I will never meet Sean. And Maggie will never be born.

MARY-LOU-45

Slow down honey. Say that again?

ANNIE-35

The scar is gone!! I dreamed of her, of Maggie, she turned grey and just, just dissolved like she never was!

MARY-LOU-45

Okay, so this was a dream you said. Just a dream-

ANNIE-35

The scar is gone! Before I went to sleep last night, I hid Joe’s keys, to stop the accident. That will change everything! Everything!

MARY-LOU-45

Annie, take a breath-

ANNIE-35

You don’t understand. I have to choose. I have to decide. If I save Joe tomorrow, Maggie will never be. I have to choose. Joe, or Maggie!! How can I possibly do that?

Annie breaks down into quiet sobs.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie, listen to me. There will be no accident tomorrow. This is your trauma making you think you can fix something that, that isn’t real. There is no decision for you to make. There is no Sean, no Maggie.

ANNIE-35

How do you know? Can you promise me 100 percent? How do I know for sure for sure?

MARY-LOU-45

Honey, I’m guessing you haven’t had much sleep in the last few nights. Why don’t you go back to bed and try some of those breathing exercises and we’ll talk about this in the morning.

Annie takes a shaky breath.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry I woke you. You’re right, you’re right. Just bad dreams. I will call you tomorrow.

Annie hangs up quickly. Suddenly she crosses over to a pile of school notebooks on the kitchen table and rips out a page from a notebook. She sits down and begins to write.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S KITCHEN, 1992, EARLY AM.

The sky is only just beginning to lighten out the window. Annie-35 has been writing a time line. The timeline of her other life.

INSERT TIMELINE

PLACEHOLDER

Annie-35 is tapping her pen next to one of the timeline entries for September 1992. She has filled in Sean’s employment as [placeholder]. She looks up at the clock, it now says 6:05 am. She picks up the phone and dials 411.

ANNIE-35

PLACEHOLDER- CITY AND WORK FOR SEAN

ANNIE-35

Thank you.

Annie hangs up and dials the number.

STAFF (O.C.)

PLACEHOLDER BUSINESS NAME

ANNIE-35

Huh, yes, good morning. Is, is there a Sean O’Neill there please?

There is a brief pause.

SEAN-35 (O.C.)

This is Sean.

Annie gasps and hangs up.

ANNIE-35

He’s real, Maggie’s real. Oh Maggie, my baby.

Annie jumps up and runs over to the rack where her purse is, grabs Joe’s keys out and places them back where they belong. Then she collapses to her knees.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- ACT 2 Key scenes 2, 3. I learned to keep on rocking.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE BEDROOM-NIGHT

Annie-35 and Joe-35 have just finished what is obviously an intense love making session. She snuggles in to him, wrapping both her arms and legs around him tightly, as if to keep him there always.

JOE-35

Hmmmm. That was-

ANNIE-35

If you say ‘nice’ I’m going to bite you.

JOE-35

I was going to say spectacular, but a bite might be interesting. Where?

She leans over and kisses him, then takes his lip gently in her teeth, then releases it and kisses him deeper.

JOE-35

Well now. I am at a loss for words.

ANNIE-35

I love you so much Joe. You know that right?

JOE-35

Well yah. I kind of figured that when you married me, just a humble carpenter.

ANNIE-35

And ski patrolman. I just wondered if I said it enough. Say it enough.

JOE-35

Uh oh. I get the hint. I love you, I love you, I love you. I. Love. You.

Annie snuggles closer, if possible, her eyes wide.

JOE-35

Uh, honey? Um, the snuggling is great, but can you just give me a tad bit of space? I’m kind of sweaty.

Annie smiles and reluctantly moves just an inch away.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, KIDS ROOM-MIDNIGHT

Annie-35 is watching Erin sleep from her doorway, then quietly closes the door and lets herself silently in to Hunter’s room. She looks around at the detritus of an eight year old spread throughout the room, then sits gingerly on the edge of his bed.

Without thinking, she starts humming a line from Taylor Swifts ‘Just stay little’, song saying the last few words in a whisper. Suddenly she realizes and gasps, putting her hands over her mouth for a moment. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Taylor Swift is like three years old right now.

Annie-35 starts to panic a little. She squeeze’s her own arm.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She touches a book strewn on the bed.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She gently touches Hunter’s shoulder.

ANNIE-35

Hunter is real.

Hunter stirs and turns over, so Annie quickly gets up and leaves the room.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, LR-MIDNIGHT, CONT.

Annie is trying not to panic as she paces around the dark living room. She pauses and touches various pictures and mementos reverently: Wedding pictures, a vase, kid school pictures. She is murmuring to herself.

ANNIE-35

This feels so real, so real. What the fuck.

She spies a picture of her mother Mary when she was in her mid-thirties, very beautiful. Annie-35 stares into the picture.

ANNIE-35

Was Sean and Maggie, that whole life just, just a really long dream? Or am I dreaming now? Is this how it started for you?

Annie puts the picture down and hurries back down the hall to her bedroom. She’s relieved Joe is still there and slips back into bed, cuddling up to him. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Stay awake, stay awake, stay awake. I want to stay here just awhile longer. Stay awake.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, ANNIE DREAM

Of course Annie has fallen asleep. The dream-state looks different then the altered state, all the backgrounds are out of focus, the emphasis on the people.

INT. DREAM – MAGGIE’S ROOM,2005 EVENING

Annie-45 is reading a goodnight story to Maggie-5 from a well-known story book, Love You Forever.

ANNIE-45

‘I will love you forever, I will like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.’ Good night sweetie, I will see you first thing in the morning.

MAGGIE-5

One more story? Please Mommy?

SEAN-45 (O.C.)

Annie? You coming to bed?

Annie looks down at the sweet face of Maggie. She calls out to Sean.

ANNIE-45

In a minute.

Annie, picks out another book and lays down next to Maggie.

ANNIE-45

One more.

INT. DREAM- ANNIE AND SEANS BEDROOM, 2005, EVENING, CONT.

Sean is sound asleep in the dark room. Annie quietly climbs into bed and settles down. A moment later she hears a door open and the click of the hallway light switch sends a sliver of light under her door. Little footsteps in the hallway, then Annie’s bedroom door opens, letting in a wedge of light and Maggie-5 slips in.

Annie smiles and opens her covers and Maggie slips in, snuggles next to her, sighs deeply and in seconds is asleep. Annie watches her, stroking her face and whispers to herself.

ANNIE-45

I will love you forever.

Maggie-5 morphs into toddler Maggie.

ANNIE-45

I will like you for always…

Maggie now morphs into a baby.

ANNIE-45

As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BEDROOM, 1992, EARLY AM

Annie-35 slowly wakes, face down, a sheet partially over her head and blocking her view. Clearly she doesn’t know where she is. Slowly she pulls the sheet from her face. Joe is looking at her with a smile. Annie-35 starts to cry.

ANNIE-35

Oh Joe! It’s you!

Joe laughs and pulls her into his arms.

JOE-35

Well, who else would it be? Did you have a bad dream?

Annie-35 clings to him, her face wet with tears and confusion

ANNIE-35

Something like that.

INT. ANNIE & JOE’S LIVING ROOM, AM

Annie-35, in a bathrobe, hands Erin and Hunter their lunches as they rush out to the waiting bus. Joe comes up from behind, gives her a big hug, then heads out to his distinctive light blue work truck in the driveway.

JOE-35

You doing the lunch shift today?

Annie is momentarily blank.

ANNIE-35

Ah, um, yes!

JOE-35

Round two tonight?

ANNIE-35

I can’t wait.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM 1992, MOMENTS LATER

Annie-35 is luxuriating in the shower, loving the feel of her younger body. As she is soaping her lower belly she suddenly freezes and looks down at something we don’t see. She stares at it, then looks off to the side, concern growing. She hurries out of the shower.

INT. ANNIE & JOE’S KITCHEN 1992, MOMENTS LATER

Annie scribbles a note, leaves it on the counter and hurries out.

INSERT-NOTE

Went to visit my mom.

INT. CAMARILLO STATE HOSPTIAL, 1992, DAY

Annie-35 nods her thanks to a staff person and crosses over to where a group of patients are scattered in chairs under a tree.

Annie-35 hesitates only a moment then approaches Mary-60 sitting in a wheelchair by herself. She is repeating a motion with her fingers over and over. Mary-60 just holds a small glimmer of her former beauty. She doesn’t seem aware that Annie-35 is there, so Annie-35 kneels next to her and tries to get in Mary-60’s sight line.

ANNIE-35

Mom, mom, hi, it’s Annie. It’s, It’s so nice to see you.

Mary-60 does not respond, just continues the fluttering motion with her hands.

ANNIE-35

Mom, it’s Annie. Can you hear me?

Annie-35 tries to gently put her hands into her mother’s fluttering hands. Her mother’s hands stop for a moment, then she simply puts her hands on top of Annie-35’s and makes the fluttering motion again.

ANNIE-35

Mom, are you.. you being like a butterfly? Remember, the butterfly’s in my room?

Mary-60 stops and slowly looks up and for the briefest moment the blank look is gone, but it is replaced by fear and Mary-60 starts to breath heavy and make panicky grunts.

ANNIE-35

I’m sorry.. I’m sorry!

An aide rushes over, calms Mary-60 and wheels her inside.

NURSE’S AIDE

It’s ok, she gets like that sometimes. She’ll be fine, don’t worry.

ANNIE-35

(calls out)

Mom! I love you!

A doctor walks over to Annie-35.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Ah, Annie, they told me you were here. It’s good you came. You haven’t been to visit in awhile.

Annie is visibly upset.

ANNIE-35

I uh…I didn’t mean to…she seems to have gotten worse.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Yes, your mother has slipped into the hypokinetic form of schizophrenic catatonia. As you know, your mother has already far exceeded the life span of someone with her diagnosis. But, she may be getting closer.

Annie nods her head sadly.

ANNIE-35

Thank you doctor. It feels like I said my good-byes a long, long time ago.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

We will call you of course.

He turns to go.

ANNIE-35

Thank you Doctor Richards.. but can I ask a question before you go?

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Certainly.

ANNIE-35

I was just wondering… what are the chances…

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Annie. Yes, it’s hereditary, but the chances are very low.

ANNIE-35

How low.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

(Sigh) About 1% of the general population are diagnosed with schizophrenia…and about 10% if, if-

ANNIE-35

If you have a parent that has it.

The doctor nods.

ANNIE-35

How does it, I mean people who have it, don’t know they have it right? What are some of the signs? The early signs. I mean, just so I know.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

Thinking and speech becomes disorganized. The person might think that someone is controlling them. They might become fixated on something.

Annie is shaking her head no, no, as if saying no that’s not me to herself.

DOCTOR RICHARDS

And of course, the classic-delusions and hallucinations.

EXT. CAMARILLO STATE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT ANNIE CAR-DAY- CONT

Annie is just sitting, deep in thought. She stares at her hands, with the one ring. Finally she starts the car and the news comes on giving the date at the top of the hour, September 30th, 1992. Annie gasps.

ANNIE-35

September 30th?! It’s tomorrow! Tomorrows the day!

Annie paws through her purse, finds her little phone book and focuses on a name: Aunt Mary-lou. Her finger traces across to the phone number. Then she looks frantically through her purse again.

ANNIE-35

Where’s my phone, what the hell did I do with it?

Realization hits her and she slams the steering wheel.

ANNIE-35

FUCK! It’s 1992! I don’t have a phone yet. But…but, if I am really in 1992, how do I know about cell phones, and song lyrics that haven’t been written yet .. and that, that fucking idiot will be president someday.

Annie gives a sob and puts her hand on her lower belly, rubbing it slowly.

ANNIE-35

And if I am in 2018 and dreaming about all this…I don’t know if I want to wake up. Cause..cause maybe I can stop it, stop the truck…give Erin and Hunter back their father. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know what’s real.

Annie hiccups. Then she looks again at her address book, thinks, then puts the car in gear.

EXT. MARY-LOU HOME 1992- DAY

Annie-35 knocks on the door of a small cottage-like home with overflowing gardens. Mary-Lou-45 opens the door. She has a very pretty, bohemian, peaceful style and a big smile- at first, but she instantly reads her.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie! What’s wrong?

Annie-35 throws her arms around her with a sob.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, DAY CONT.

Annie-35 is sitting on the edge of a big comfortable chair in a cozy sunroom filled with plants. On the wall is a Hypnotherapist framed credential. Mary-Lou-45 sets a cup of tea down.

MARY-LOU-45

Chamomile. What’s going on honey?

Annie-35 takes a shaky breath.

ANNIE-35

You sure you have time right now? This is going to take a bit.

MARY-LOU-45

I don’t have any clients this afternoon. Besides no one is as important to me as you are. Go ahead, I’m listening. This is what I do best.

ANNIE-35

Let me ask you something first. Do you ever remember me, um, having some kind of surgery on my lower abdomen when I was little, or a kind of deep cut. Something that would have left a scar. Here.

Annie runs her hand slowly across her lower abdomen. Mary-Lou looks confused.

MARY-LOU-45

Not that I know of.. but remember I was living abroad for several years when you were young. I only came back to the states about a year before your mom got real sick. So something could have happened I suppose. Why?

ANNIE-35

I’m afraid to tell you.

MARY-LOU-45

Annie! You know can tell me anything.

ANNIE-35

I’m..I’m afraid I might be like her.

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM- DAY ONE HOUR LATER

Mary-Lou-45’s face is carefully neutral as she tightly holds Annie-35’s hands, who is nearly hyperventilating.

ANNIE-35

…but then I stayed in the memory, I didn’t go back to the, the altered state with Saria. I wanted to stay so badly when I saw Joe, and when I hugged him, I just, just, I don’t know absorbed into this Annie. And I was no longer 60 year old Annie. And I stayed and stayed. I want to stay. I think. But then I dreamed about Sean and Maggie and I know, I know that they are real. I know what this sounds like. This is just all too much.

MARY-LOU-55

Shh..OK, Ok, let’s talk this through. What makes you think that there really is a Sean and Maggie, that you had this other life, that stretched on for 20 years?

ANNIE-35

(whispers)

Because of the scar.

MARY-LOU-45

The scar?

ANNIE-35

I noticed it this morning in the shower. It’s a c-section scar. Of my three children, only Maggie was born from a c-section.

MARY-LOU-45

(gently)

Honey, you only have two children.

ANNIE-35

Right now! I mean in 1992! Maggie was born, will be born, in 1995! Do you want to see the scar? It proves that I am not going schizo? Doesn’t it?

MARY-LOU-45

Take a breath. I don’t need to see it.

Annie pants hard. Mary-Lou speaks quietly.

MARY-LOU-45

You yourself suggested that maybe it came from a childhood injury or surgery.

ANNIE-35

(miserably)

I know, I know. But I don’t remember it from before. I mean before, before… oh I don’t know what I’m saying.

MARY-LOU-45

Breathe honey. Just take some slow breaths.

ANNIE-35

That helps. Wait what about hypnotherapy. Can you do that with me. Now? Help me figure out what is going out.

Mary Lou hesitates just for a brief moment.

MARY-LOU-45

Yes. I think that’s a good idea. It will help you think these concerns through in a calm process.

ANNIE-35

What do I do?

Mary Lou speaks in slow measured tones.

MARY-LOU-45

Keep breathing like you are. Now sit back. Rest your head back. Allow your self to close your eyes, you are in a safe place here. That’s it. Breathe deeply, slowly. Breathe into your belly. Relax your forehead. Your eyes. Your jaw. Feel your shoulders sink into the chair. Oh that’s great. With each breath, let yourself go a little deeper. You are safe. Picture a golden light above your head. It is warm. It is loving. It surrounds you, keeping you safe. Do you see it?

Annie is very calm now.

ANNIE-35

Yes.

MARY-LOU-45

Now, let your self go a little deeper still with your breaths. That’s it. I am going to count down from five, allow your self to let go. 5….4….3…

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. ALTERED STATE

The hypnosis has sent Annie-35 back to the altered state. Annie-35 opens her eyes and gasps, looking around. The altered state looks a little different. The tree is younger, smaller, the swarm of memories around her has particles of grey in it, it is not as colorful as before. Sarita is not there.

ANNIE-35

Sarita? Sarita where are you! I need you! Aunt Mary Lou, are you here? Oh, it’s different. I’m scared.

Annie looks closer at the swarm of memories. She carefully uses her hand to slow the swarm down like Sarita did. All the memories after 1992 are in grey, not as clear. All the memories before 1992 are in color.

INSERT Memory Scene 9

INSERT Memory Scene 10

INSERT Memory Scene 11

INSERT Memory Scene 12

INSERT Memory Scene 13

Annie starts swiping through the memory swarm faster and faster.

ANNIE-35

Where is Maggie? Why is she grey? Where is she, where is her recital? Her graduation? Why can’t I see it? And I can’t see Joe after, after today. See, he’s not here..he’s not in my future.

INSERT Memory Scene 14

Annie-35 sees a memory, in grey, of herself at Joe’s funeral, with Hunter-8 and Erin-10. All are crying.

ANNIE-35

NO! No no no no. Oh god. I have to stop it. I have to change it. NO, no, I can’t let it happen.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MARY-LOU SUNROOM 1992, DAY CONT.

Mary Lou-45 is leaning over a weeping Annie-35, a little scared herself, but trying to stay calm and firm.

MARY-LOU-45

5, 4,3,2,1.. let yourself come back Annie. Annie, listen to my voice allow yourself to come back to me, come back to where it is safe. Come back in 5, 4,3,2,1.

Mary Lou-45 snaps her fingers and this time Annie-35 opens her eyes. Her face is wet with tears. Annie-35 sits up quickly.

ANNIE-35

I have to stop it!

MARY-LOU-45

Stop what honey, take a breath. Talk slowly.

ANNIE-35

Joe’s going to die tomorrow. There’s going to be an accident. A logging truck loses it’s break and smashes into Joe’s truck. But, but. I can stop it. I can keep Joe from leaving, or go slash the tires of the truck. Or pull out the battery cables.. or something! I can’t let him die again!

Annie-35 stops talking and looks at Mary Lou-55, who is looking very concerned.

ANNIE-35

It’s happening isn’t it. I’m going to be like my mother.

MARY-LOU-55

No. You are nothing like her. Listen to me. Everyone has fears about losing their loved ones. Everyone. You lost your father just a year ago, your mother has always caused you a great deal of stress and turmoil. You loved her so much, but you couldn’t fix her. And your father had to make an awful choice to put her in a facility. You got through it, but there was likely something that triggered those awful times. Maybe you read something, or watched something on TV, and then you had some very detailed nightmares.

Annie-35 nods, unsure.

ANNIE-35

Maybe. So there is no Maggie, no Sean?

Mary-Lou 55 slowly shakes her head no.

MARY-LOU-55

But I think it would be a good idea if you went into xx therapy. I am going to call a friend of mine and set it up. She will help you work through this. It will get better.

Annie-35 slowly nods again.

ANNIE-35

But… the accident that is supposed to happen tomorrow?

MARY-LOU-55

If it will give you some peace of mind, just delay Joe a bit from leaving the house. Give him an extra big kiss, a little morning delight. No harm in that.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- Act 2, Key Scene 1.- Reaction. What I learned is that even short beginning, middle, end outlines really helps me move through the scene quicker.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, DINING ROOM-EVENING

Under the dinner table, Annie-35’s foot is resting on Joe-35’s foot, her toe brushing his ankle. Annie-35 is relishing a normal dinner, her eyes scanning around, noticing every little thing. She runs her thumb over her wedding ring on her left hand-Joe’s ring. Her other hand wears no ring.

ERIN-10

…And then- Sara accidentally called the teacher Mommy!

Hunter-8 starts to laugh, but Joe-35 gives him a conspiratorial slight shake of the head.

ERIN-10

Everyone laughed. But I didn’t. Sara’s my best friend.

JOE-35

You have a loyal heart. That’s one of the many things I love about you punky-pie.

ERIN-10

Daaddd. I’m getting too old for punky-pie.

JOE-35

Nope, never too old. I’m going to yell it out at your high school graduation. ‘That’s my punky pie’!!

HUNTER-8

I’m definitely going to laugh at that.

Erin-10 pretends to punch him. Annie-35 takes a bite.

ANNIE-35

Oh my god, I haven’t made this in so long. I don’t remember it tasting this good.

JOE-35

Your chicken pot pie is always good honey. And we just had it a few weeks ago when the Burns boys came to dinner.

HUNTER-8

Hey! What about me? How come I don’t have a nick name?

Annie-35 and Joe-35 laugh and exchange a glance.

ANNIE-35

Well, you used to. Your dad gave it to you, but I made him stop calling you that when you were three.

HUNTER-8

What? What was it?

JOE-35

Turtle-Butt!

Erin laughs.

ERIN-10

I remember that! There was more. Mr. Stinky Turtle-Butt the fourth!

Erin starts purposefully laughing, extra hard.

HUNTER-8

Hey!

ANNIE-35

Erin, I thought laughing at your friends wasn’t nice.

HUNTER-8

Yeah. I guess I’m not your friend.

Erin stops and reaches over to hug Hunter, who is sulking.

ERIN-10

I’m sorry.

Hunter stops pouting, he was faking it.

HUNTER-8

I forgive you Punky-Pie.

Erin fake punches him and they’re off and running again. Annie-35 takes another bite of her dinner.

ANNIE-35

Oh wow. It’s like my taste buds woke up or something.

JOE-35

(quietly)

That’s not the only thing that’s waking up.

Under the table, Annie’s foot is now in Joe’s lap, teasing him.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992- ANNIE AND JOE’S BATHROOM

Annie is getting ready for bed, wearing a casual short nighty and looking at herself in the mirror with wonder. She feels her arms, her legs. She talks quietly to herself.

ANNIE-35

Wow, I was in good shape. Why was I always so worried?

She peaks down her top.

ANNIE-35

Not bad for nursing three kids.

(pause)

Two kids.

Now Annie is troubled. She stares at her eyes in the mirror, as if looking for a trace of Annie-60.

JOE-35 (O.S.)

Hey, you coming to bed?

Annie looks towards the bedroom, then back in the mirror.

ANNIE-35

Please Sarita, please, if it’s up to you, please let me stay a little longer.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE BEDROOM-NIGHT

Annie-35 and Joe-35 have just finished what is obviously an intense love making session. She snuggles in to him, wrapping both her arms and legs around him tightly, as if to keep him there always.

JOE-35

Hmmmm. That was-

ANNIE-35

If you say ‘nice’ I’m going to bite you.

JOE-35

I was going to say spectacular, but a bite might be interesting. Where?

She leans over and kisses him, then takes his lip gently in her teeth, then releases it and kisses him deeper.

JOE-35

Well now. I am at a loss for words.

ANNIE-35

I love you so much Joe. You know that right?

JOE-35

Well yah. I kind of figured that when you married me, just a humble carpenter.

ANNIE-35

And ski patrolman. I just wondered if I said it enough. Say it enough.

JOE-35

Uh oh. I get the hint. I love you, I love you, I love you. I. Love. You.

Annie snuggles closer, if possible, her eyes wide.

JOE-35

Uh, honey? Um, the snuggling is great, but can you just give me a tad bit of space? I’m kind of sweaty.

Annie smiles and reluctantly moves just an inch away.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, KIDS ROOM-MIDNIGHT

Annie-35 is watching Erin sleep from her doorway, then quietly closes the door and lets herself silently in to Hunter’s room. She looks around at the detritus of an eight year old spread throughout the room, then sits gingerly on the edge of his bed.

Without thinking, she starts humming a line from Taylor Swifts ‘Just stay little’, song saying the last few words in a whisper. Suddenly she realizes and gasps, putting her hands over her mouth for a moment. She whispers to herself.

ANNIE-35

Taylor Swift is like three years old right now.

Annie-35 starts to panic a little. She squeeze’s her own arm.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She touches an book strewn on the bed.

ANNIE-35

This feels real.

She gently touches Hunter’s shoulder.

ANNIE-35

Hunter is real.

Hunter stirs and turns over, so Annie quickly gets up and leaves the room.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN, LR-MIDNIGHT, CONT.

Annie is trying not to panic as she paces around the dark living room. She pauses and touches various pictures and mementos reverently: Wedding pictures, a vase, kid school pictures. She is murmuring to herself.

ANNIE-35

This feels so real, so real. What the fuck.

She spies a picture of her mother Mary when she was in her mid-thirties, very beautiful. Annie-35 stares into the picture.

ANNIE-35

Was Sean and Maggie that whole life just, just a really long dream? Or am I dreaming now? Is this how it started for you?

Annie puts the picture down and hurries back down the hall to her bedroom. She’s relieved Joe is still there and slips back into bed, cuddling up to him. She whispers to herself

ANNIE-35

Stay awake, stay awake, stay awake. I want to stay here just awhile longer. Stay awake.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- I finished the first draft of Act 1! With this assignment I was able to see how the speed writing technique worked. Going back and putting in the scenes where I had put ‘placeholder’ really worked for me. Still a few placeholders for dialogue to remind myself to buckle down or do more research in future drafts… but here is ACT 1 in it’s entirety…about 23 pages.

Act 1:

INT: ANNIE & SEAN’S ATTIC, 2018-DAY

Pitch black.

The click of a chain light reveals an attic stored neatly with rubber storage bins. Most are dusty, the one labeled JOE on curling masking tape is clean. Two hands, each bearing a wedding ring, lifts the top revealing a neatly folded but faded, man’s shirt. ANNIE, a fit 60 year old, lifts the shirt to her face and inhales.

Nothing.

Dismayed, she roots through the bin of memorabilia until she finds an old bottle of aftershave. She shakes it but it is empty. She opens it anyway and rubs neck of the bottle on the shirt collar.

Annie gathers the shirt to her chest, drapes the empty arms around her neck and hugs the memory with a wistful smile.

MAGGIE-20 (O.S.)

Mom!? Erin is here and Hunter is five minutes away, are you ready?

Annie quickly puts the shirt back.

ANNIE-60

Coming!

Annie stands quickly, but bangs her head on the low ceiling.

ANNIE-60

OW!

SEAN-60 (O.S.)

Annie? You ok?

INT. ANNIE & SEAN’S HOUSE, UPSTAIRS HALLWAY-CONT.

Annie exits the narrow door from the attic, rubbing her head just as SEAN, a handsome man in his 60’s rounds the corner.

SEAN-60

Did you bang your head again?

ANNIE-60

Still trying to knock some sense into the old noggin. Not working so far.

Sean folds her into his arms and kisses the top of her head. When he notices the smell of the aftershave, his demeaner sags.

INT: ANNIE & SEAN’S KITCHEN, PRESENT DAY, CONT.

MAGGIE, an earnest 20-yr old and ERIN, a pleasant 35 yr old are at the kitchen table. HUNTER, a stoic millennial techy enters from a back door and steps through a doorway to the music room, setting his bass guitar down before joining them in the kitchen.

Annie, dressed for skiing as are her adult kids, enters the kitchen, with Sean behind her.

A beaming Maggie places a mason jar on the table full of colored strips of paper. The jar has a title with fancy script. ‘Things Your Adult Kids Now Appreciate’.

ANNIE-60

What’s this? I said no presents, having the day with you kids on the slope is all I wanted.

ERIN-35

We didn’t spend any money.

Annie sits, opens the jar and pulls out a few of the strips, reading the messages to herself. She grins.

ANNIE-60

That’s so nice. I didn’t know you remembered that.

The kids are pleased with themselves.

MAGGIE-20

Read them aloud!

Annie reaches into the jar and grabs several, glancing at them quickly. She hesitates, undecided.

ERIN-35

Just pick the best one!

Sean leans over Annie’s shoulder to read the scraps of favorite memories.

MAGGIE-20

That’s like asking Mom to pick her favorite child.

HUNTER-32

Which is me, of course.It even says so in her phone- right next to MY name.

They all laugh.

ERIN-35

That’s only because you programmed her contacts for her! I think her favorite is the one she was toughest on, which is usually the first. The youngest always gets away with murder.

MAGGIE-20

Huh! You guys don’t know the half of it, you were both out of the house by the time I hit my teens, like the time I-

She stops, mischievously.

ANNIE-60

Quiet you three, you all know who my favorite is.

The kids look a little hurt.

ANNIE-60

The quiet one who never sassed me.

Maggie and Hunter give a ‘not me’ look. Then Erin gets it.

ERIN-35

Stella! Or if we want to go with her full name, Bad Mama Stella.

They all grin and look at a large spider plant in the kitchen bay window.

MAGGIE-20

I never got the Bad Mama part.

ERIN-35

Mom said it’s cause it looks like spider plants throw their babies out of the nest. She used to try to tuck them back in, she felt sorry for them.

HUNTER-32

I can’t believe that plant is still alive.

ERIN-35

Especially since she had to share a back seat with you all the way out here from California.

HUNTER-32

Hey, I only threw up on her once! That was, what, two years after Dad died, so I was maybe 10?

Erin’s mood drops and the kitchen grows quiet. Annie plucks another scrap from the jar.

ANNIE-60

This one says- For staying patient when you taught me how to drive, even when I went the wrong way on a one way street.

Everyone hoots and points at Erin. Maggie picks one up.

MAGGIE-20

Because we all have ‘Ican’tfinditus”

Erin reads one.

ERIN-35

Giving up your sweater for us, even though we didn’t bring one after you told us to.

HUNTER-32

That’s why mom’s password for everything is wearasweater!

They all laugh. Sean reads one.

SEAN-60

You would cook three separate dinners sometimes to keep everyone happy.

ERIN-35

Oh yeah, there was the vegetarian phase for Maggie, but then Hunter would gag if you put a vegetable in front of him, and for awhile I couldn’t tolerate any dairy.

SEAN-60

In my day, you just ate what was put in front of you and didn’t complain.

ANNIE-60

I didn’t mind, I just liked everyone around the table, laughing and joking. Like this.

Sean makes an imaginary halo with his hands over Annie’s head.

SEAN-60

Here, let me adjust your halo.

The mood changes slightly.

HUNTER-32

We can read the rest of these later, the lifts open in 30 minutes, lets get this birthday ski started!

Annie, Hunter, Maggie and Erin all start gathering gear and heading out the door. Sean is still sifting through the scraps of paper.

MAGGIE-20

Dad, are you sure you don’t want to come?

SEAN-60

No thanks, I’m going to try to finish up that song. You going to play with me later?

MAGGIE-20

Absolutely, and Hunter brought his bass so he can join in.

Annie gives Sean a kiss on the cheek and they all bustle out the door.

SEAN-60

Have fun! Take a run for me.

After they leave, Sean turns his attention back to one of the scraps of paper.

INSERT

For Being So Strong For Us After Dad Died

and always keeping his memory alive

Sean sighs, crosses to the music room and closes the door.

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018-DAY

Erin and Maggie are waiting half way down the mountain, looking up. Hunter skis down to them, slightly out of control, and does a sliding stop that purposely sprays them both. Laughing, Maggie pushes him over, but he takes her down with him.

ERIN-35

Hey you two!I guess some things never change.

Erin offers her pole to Maggie to help her up, but Maggie pulls her down instead and they are all helpless with laughter.

Annie skis down to them, a smooth careful skier, and gracefully stops. She smiles down at them affectionately.

ANNIE-60

I’m so lucky that my grown children actually like hanging out together.

MAGGIE-20

What makes you think I like this guy? He’s like the ‘millennial’ poster child. Gag.

Hunter, Erin and Maggie, untangle themselves and stand up, brushing off snow.

HUNTER-32

The millennial who built your app…and taught you how to ski.

ERIN-35

I taught her how to ski! And changed her diapers.

ANNIE-60

I taught you all how to ski. Well, mostly. Dad… Joe, helped teach you two. He used to take you on his ski patrol rounds.

This last statement is directed at Erin and Hunter.

ERIN-35

I remember.

They exchange a wistful look.

MAGGIE-20

Mom, you looked pretty on top of your skis coming down. You still got style!

ANNIE-60

Thank you. But you don’t have to sound quite so surprised. Turning 60 doesn’t mean I’m ready for the old folks home.

HUNTER-32

Guy on the lift told me they just opened Crazy Chutes, so they’ll be fresh snow, you guys game?

ANNIE-60

You three go ahead, I’m going to take Easy Street down.

HUNTER-32

You sure Mom? We can all just stick together.

ANNIE-60

Go for it. I’ll meet you at chair 5.

Hunter and Maggie take off down the slope, but Erin slides closer to Annie.

ERIN-35

You ok Mom? I can stay with you.

ANNIE-60

No, no, I’m fine, you go catch up with them. I don’t mind a little time on my own.

Erin leans in and gives her a quick kiss, then takes off down the slope, hollering out a big ‘Yahoo’. Annie smiles down at her brood, then notices a ski patrolman in the distance. She grows wistful. She shakes it off and starts to hum a song as she takes off towards a sign that says ‘Easy Street’.

The song stays with her as she gets into a rhythm and picks up speed.

Someone skiing out of control crosses into her path and she veers off to the side of the run to avoid them.

Annie catches an edge and goes flying into the woods, almost regains her balance, dodges a few bushes, then smacks hard right into a tree and all goes to black.

INT. ALTERED STATE-TIMELESS

Black lightens to deep purple, to dark lavender as Annie, still at 60 and in her ski clothes, but not her helmet, boots or jacket, opens her eyes. She is sitting, cross-legged on one of the many roots of a silver birch tree that extends out of vision. Their appears to be no ground, no horizon, just an endless space.

What looks like billions of grains of different colored sand is swirling around her and the tree. Annie looks around and notices lots of other swirls, some closer, some tiny, some overlapping. She looks back and sees that the root next to her has morphed into a silver hooded figure. She gasps as a face emerges.

ANNIE-60

Sarita!

Sarita smiles and nods.

ANNIE-60

Is this..where am I? I, I know you died years ago- so am I dead?

SARITA

Not quite. Your outcome is not apparent yet.

ANNIE-60

So what is this? My imagination? A dream? A very, very colorful dream?

SARITA

You are in a timeless space along with many other souls who are in a state of transition like you.

ANNIE-60

Soul?

SARITA

Soul, thoughts, conscious, memory, essence, spirit. All that makes us who we are, that is not physical. It has many names. No one is just a body, that is simply a vessel.

ANNIE-60

I’m not sure I understand.

SARITA

I’m trying to explain in the words that are common to you. It’s different for everyone.

ANNIE-60

Ah, so this is my imagination, which decided that you, my old yoga teacher was the best one to dummy down, whatever this is. For some reason I thought once I died everything I ever wondered about would become clear.

SARITA

Ah- all knowing. Well, for one thing it doesn’t’ work that way and for another you have not passed over- your language- yet. Time and space are merged here. This is a metaphysical space where (INSERT better LANGUAGE)…

ANNIE-60

Hmm, that doesn’t sound like my language.

SARITA

Well, it could be that you read it at some point in your life, and are recalling it now. I’m teasing you. Look around.

Annie notices all the many swirls. Some of them suddenly swoop off towards a brilliant light like a vibrant swarm.

SARITA

Most in this space or waiting to pass, or are in comas, perhaps even in a drug induced, trance induced or, as I was taught from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, one of the bardos, such as Chikkhai, the Fourth bardo.

ANNIE-60

Actually, I understand that. And I, I don’t feel… afraid. But..I don’t think I want to …go.

SARITA

That’s one of the reasons why you are here. Most often there is no choice. Your vessel is no more. But sometimes, the body, mind, spirit- your heart, is unresolved. [PLACEHOLDER NEEDS WORK]

Annie sighs.

ANNIE-60

Is.. is he here somewhere?

SARITA

Look closer.

Sarita draws Annie’s attention to the millions of colorful particles swiftly swirling around them. Sarita gently inserts her hand into the stream and it slows.

The particles form into various scenes from Annie’s life that rapidly glide by- like a swiftly moving large slide show, but more fluid. Every now and then you can see a glimpse of a person, object or place. Sarita spreads her fingers and briefly halts a memory scene that looms large in front of Annie, like a small TV with blurred edges. She watches, amazed.

INSERT- MEMORY SCENE 1

Annie-25 delightedly throws her arms around Joe-25, who hugs her hard, which makes her fart. They both break into laughter.

The scene dissolves and swirls away. Annie smiles wistfully. Sarita stops another memory.

ANNIE-60

Hey- that’s you.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 2

Sarita at 50 is helping Annie-30 with a yoga position.

The scene dissolves and Sarita shows Annie several more in rapid succession. They are brief and not in chronological order.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 3

Sean-40 showing Hunter-12 how to play the bass.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 4

Annie-8 playing with her dolls.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 5

Annie-25 marrying Joe-25

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 6

Annie-30 skiing with Joe-30 and Erin-4

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 7

Annie 41- giving birth to Maggie

All the scenes are brief. Annie is enthralled.

ANNIE-60

Wait.. wait. Can I see some of those again, can you hold them for longer?

SARITA

You can visit your memory if you like.

ANNIE-60

What do you mean?

SARITA

Everything that ever was is here. Your thoughts, your memories, are timeless. And time has no parameters here, no limits. Visiting a memory may help you come to a better understanding of the direction your soul should take at this great intersection. What memory would you like to inhabit first?

ANNIE-60

Um, when I was child, playing with my dolls, my mother was there I think.

Sarita reaches into the swirls and stops the scene of Annie at 8 playing with her dolls.

SARITA

Reach out to little Annie.

Hesitantly Annie-60 reaches her hand into the scene. Her hand, then her arm, then her whole body dissolves into a million colorful particles and is absorbed into Annie at 8.

INT. ANNIE-8 CHILDHOOD HOME, BEDROOM-1965-DAY

The nearly transparent figure of Annie-60 overlays Annie-8 creating Altered Annie-8 who is grainy and glows slightly. Altered Annie-8 is playing with her stuffed animals and dolls. Her bedroom is decorated with butterflies- on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, everywhere. Annie is lost in the play, happily.

MOTHER-MARY (O.S.)

Annie? ANNIEEEEE!

Altered-Annie-8 freezes. Her mother pokes her head around the door, then dramatically steps into the doorway. She has elaborate eye shadow, big hair and is wearing a brilliant blue and green caftan with flowing sleeves. She raises her arms dramatically and flutters. Like a butterfly.

MOTHER-MARY

There you are my darling.

Altered-Annie-8 breaths a sigh of relief.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

Mommy! You changed your dress! You look beautiful.

The glowing figure of Annie-60 tries to stretch out of Altered Annie-8 and touch her mother’s face as she bends down, but Annie-60 has no mass and is pulled back into Altered-Annie 8. Her mother and Altered Annie-8 can not see any of this.

MOTHER-MARY

Thank you my sweet one. I have to constantly change, morph, like the butterfly to keep them guessing.

Altered-Annie-8 looks around not understanding. Then smiles.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

It’s a game! Can I play too?

MOTHER-MARY

Of course. But they will recognize you, you must put on a different disguise.

Mary crosses to the closet and grabs an armful of dresses. At first delighted, Altered-Annie-8 picks one and starts to take off her dress.

MOTHER-MARY

No! Not that one. This one.

Mary thrusts a different dress at her.

MOTHER-MARY

There is no time. Hurry!

Mother-Mary grows frantic and puts a dress right over the top of the other that Altered-Annie 8 is wearing. Then Mary stares at some of the stuffed animals and dolls that Altered Annie-8 had been playing with.

MOTHER-MARY

They are watching! They will tell!

Altered-Annie-8 is starting to get confused.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

No, Mommy, they are my friends, they can play too.

But Mary is growing frenetic. She grabs some of the dolls and stuffs them under the mattress. Then whirls on a stuffed animal.

MOTHER-MARY

What? How dare you threaten me with blackmail.

Mary grabs the stuffy and crosses to the window.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

No Mommy! Please don’t, he’ll be good. I promise. We won’t tell.

Again, Annie-60 tries to reach out of Altered Annie-8 to stop her mother, but is only able to stretch out a little ways before being pulled back in. Altered-Annie-8 starts crying.

Mary gets the window open and throws the stuffy out the window.

ANNIE’S FATHER (O.S.)

Mary? Annie? What’s going on?

The glowing particles of Annie-60 swarm and leave Annie-8.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

Annie-60 is back in the altered state next to Sarita who now watches the memory dissolve and rejoin the swirl around them.

ANNIE-60

I think that was when I first begin to realize something was not quite right about my mother. I was so scared.

SARITA

Schizophrenia can be dangerous and very frightening for a little girl.

ANNIE-60

I was scared for her. Up until then, my mother had been my best playmate, she was so much fun then. I tried so hard to see what she saw.

PLACEHOLDER Need a way she knows she is coming out of the memory. CHANGE GUIDE?

Annie, at first still sad, continues to watch the swirl go by, our point of view is her face. Annie, spies something.

ANNIE-60

There! Oh that, can I visit that moment.

Sarita smiles and nods and Annie-60 inserts her arm into the swirl and is drawn in.

EXT. PARK-ANNIE AND SEAN’S WEDDING-1995

It’s an outdoor very small casual wedding. Erin-14 and Hunter-12 are the only attendants, on either side of the now slightly glowing Altered Annie-40 and Sean-40, with maybe 40 guests. It’s the end of the ceremony and the new couple kiss, then Erin and Hunter are pulled into a family hug. People come forward to congratulate the couple. Sean-40 leans in and whispers in Altered Annie-40’s ear.

SEAN-40

I wrote you a song, stay right there.

Sean-40 takes Hunter-12 with him to the side where a makeshift band area has been set up. Picnic tables for the reception are behind them.

MARY-LOU, Annie’s aunt and a beautiful bohemian looking woman with silver hair, hugs Altered Annie-40.

MARY-LOU-55

Oh sweetie, I’m so happy for you.

ALTERED ANNIE-40

I’m so glad you can make it! Thank you for flying all the way out here.

MARY-LOU-55

I wouldn’t miss it. It’s so good to see you happy again. And the kids! They seem to have really accepted Sean.

They both look over to where Sean is helping Hunter adjust the strap of a bass guitar that is a bit too big for him.

ALTERED ANNIE-40

Oh he’s wonderful with them. He got Hunter into music. Erin, well Erin is polite but a little distant. She thinks she needs to stay loyal to her father.

Altered Annie-40 looks wistfully down at her hands. She is wearing both wedding rings, one on each hand.

ALTERED ANNIE-40

It’s not like I’m ever going to forget Joe!

MARY-LOU-55

Oh honey, now don’t you start crying and ruin your makeup! You have nothing to feel guilty about! What happened wasn’t your fault, there was nothing you could have done about it. You are allowed to be happy again!

ALTERED ANNIE-40

Some people might think it’s too soon-

Altered Annie-40 puts her hand on her nearly flat belly and smiles.

ALTERED ANNIE-40

But…

MARY-LOU-55

Oh! Congratulations, that’s wonderful!

They hug again and Altered Annie-40 whispers in her ear.

ALTERED ANNIE-40

Shh.. we are not telling anyone yet. Especially not the kids.

Sean begins to play a song for Altered Annie-40. After a moment Annie-60 dissolves away.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

Annie-60 is back once again in the altered state with Sarita, watching the swirling memories go by.

ANNIE-60

That was a good day. A very good day.

SARITA

PLACEHOLDER -REF TO CHOICE? You had a lot of them.

The swirls slows and a scene hovers.

ANNIE-60

Gasp, no, no. Why did you stop on this memory?

SARITA

I didn’t, you did, you are starting to control your memories more. When you referenced a very good day, your thoughts then sought the opposite and the memory showed up.

Annie-60 watches the scene in horror from the altered state, again, as if it is on a small TV with blurred edges.

INSERT

Annie-35 is in the front yard of Annie & Joe’s cabin when a logging truck, speeds by, out of control and catches her attention. A moment later she hears a crash, and then she is running, running down the wooded road. She can see that the logging truck has crashed. As she gets closer, she see’s that it is Joe’s truck. It is demolished. The truck driver is coming around bloodied. Joe has been thrown clear, but his body is broken. Annie, silently screaming, finds him, falls to her knees, hesitates on whether she should move him, but then knows he is dead. She carefully cradles him and wails soundlessly.

Annie-60, in the altered state, buries her head in her hands and the memory swirls away.

SARITA

At that moment. You knew that your life, as you knew it, was over.

ANNIE-60

And I couldn’t do anything about it. And not just for me, for Erin and Hunter too. I could never fix this.

SARITA

But you went on.

ANNIE-60

I had no choice!

SARITA

Left foot, right foot?

ANNIE-60

Oh, that silly poem. Well I wrote that years later.

SARITA

You went on. Not everyone does. You chose to love again-

ANNIE-60

I don’t know if falling in love is actually a choice. Staying in love, maybe. I knew that if I loved again, I would hurt again. Inevitably. But..

SARITA

Then there was her.

The swirl has stopped on a memory of Annie-41 in a hospital bed. Annie-60 immediately reaches her hand into the swirl and is absorbed into the memory.

INT. HOSPITAL MATERNITY ROOM 1998

Altered Annie- 41, now glowing, is sitting up in bed, weary but smiling. Sean is lovingly cradling a small blanket with newborn Maggie. Hunter and Erin enter the room. Hunter goes to Sean and Maggie and Erin goes to Altered-Annie and hugs her.

ERIN-14

Mom, you ok?

ALTERED ANNIE-41

I’m fine sweetie, just a little tired.

HUNTER-12

Can I hold her?

SEAN-41

Ok, sit down first.

Instead of the chairs, Hunter and Erin sit on either side of Altered-Annie-41 who winches slightly, but smiles at a concerned Sean. Sean gently lays Maggie in Hunter’s arms.

SEAN-41

Meet your little sister.

Hunter is over joyed. Erin is trying to be stoic.

HUNTER-12

Hi Maggie!

ERIN-14

Well, technically she’s our half sister. Hunter, I’m your only real sister.

Silence. Sean-41 looks upset, but Altered Annie-41 holds up a hand to him. She leans over and kisses Erin on the cheek. Annie-60 tries to hold that moment longer. Altered Annie-41 then leans over and kisses Hunter on the cheek, then gently takes Maggie from his arms and kisses her on her little head before placing her in a reluctant Erin’s arms.

ALTERED ANNIE-41

We are one whole family. No halves here. Some of each of us flows through Maggie, we share common cells and a whole love. She unites us all together, forever. Maggie will never feel that she is a half sister. Unless you make her feel that way.

Erin has slowly dropped her defenses and is now gazing adoringly at Maggie. She looks up with tears at Altered-Annie 41.

ERIN-14

Oh Mom, Sean, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. Not one bit. She is my forever sister.

Sean leans over and hugs them all. Annie-60, slides out and returns to the altered state.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

PLACEHOLDER SHOW HOW SHE IS PULLED BACK-MAYBE BODY,MIND, SPIRIT IN ALIGN?

Annie-60 smiles at Sarita.

SARITA

You are a wise mother.

ANNIE-60

Are. Present tense?

Sarita shrugs.

ANNIE-60

My father was the wise parent, the brave parent. He loved my mother so much, but ultimately he put me above her.

SARITA

Yes, that has guided you, is guiding you still.

Sarita reaches into the swirl and stops a memory. Annie-60 hesitates, then reluctantly reaches into the memory and is swept into it.

EXT. ANNIE’S CHILDHOOD HOME, PATIO

Annie-60 swirls back into Annie-8 and sets her aglow again. Altered-Annie 8 is standing in the living room, holding her father’s hand. They are looking out at the patio where her mother is sitting regally, facing away from them.

The living room is wrecked, furniture overturned. The glass door to the patio is shattered.

Altered Annie 8 looks up at her father. She has a large bruise on her face.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

(whispers)

She didn’t mean it Daddy.

ANNIE’S FATHER

I know honey.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

She was just trying to catch a butterfly. She said it was spying on us. And she needed to protect us from the men.

ANNIE’S FATHER

She stopped taking her pills Annie, so she started seeing things that aren’t there.

ALTERED ANNIE-8

I tried to see what she saw Daddy, I really did! Does she have to go to the hospital again? I will try harder, don’t take her, please, Daddy, please! Look, she’s being good now.

ANNIE’S FATHER

I gave her a shot honey, but she needs more help then we can give her at home.

The front door opens and a young Mary-Lou rushes in and kneels next to Altered-Annie-8.

MARY-LOU-25

Annie, you ok?

Altered Annie-8 throws her arms around Mary-Lou-25. Her Father goes out to the patio and helps her mother stand up. Although dressed nicely, she is in disarray. She is still beautiful, but now zombie-like. Slowly, with love, he guides her through the living room towards the front door. Mary-lou is now standing, holding Altered Annie-8. As her mother passes her, she looks at Altered Annie-8 with heartbreakingly sad eyes. Her father mouths ‘I’m sorry’.

Annie-60 dissolves out of the scene.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

Annie returns from the scene with her mother, looking sad.

SARITA

You knew as an adult that your mother had a mental illness. But as Annie the child, the experience as you lived it, you wanted to make her better.

ANNIE-60

When I was a girl, all those times she- she, went off somewhere I couldn’t see, I couldn’t go to with her, I would think if only I had done something different. It wouldn’t have set her off. If I had made a different choice.

SARITA

That thought, that idea has never left you.

ANNIE-60

That day has always stuck in my mind. It got worse, a lot worse, but when I was in that memory I felt myself wanting to leave it, and then I was right back here.

SARITA

Yes. You were aligned in body, mind and heart. Little Annie understood at last, so you left that memory.

ANNIE-60

Is that what this is all about? Coming to some kind of understanding about my life?

SARITA

Not necessarily. Not every moment in life is a lesson, a karma. There are many, many perfectly ordinary days that are just, perfect, in their own way.

ANNIE-60

Just as it should be? Please, can I visit one of those days?

Sarita looks pensive, studying Annie as if she is determining if she is ready for something. Sarita decides, nods, then reaches her hand to the stream of memories again and stops at one scene. Annie observes, a smile growing across her face. She reaches her hand in to the memory and dissolves into Annie at 35.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, KITCHEN FALL 1992

Annie-60 comes into her 35 year old self as she is in the kitchen cooking. As before, her altered self appears almost translucently overlayed over Annie-35 so she is a little grainy and glowing. Altered Annie-35 has paused in the making of a pie to look out the kitchen window. On the window sill is the spider plant.

Erin-10 and Hunter-8 are playing soccer against one another in the backyard They have set up small piles of leaves as teammates/obstacles they have to maneuver around. Their dog, SHILOH, is supposed to be the goalie, guarding a small, crooked portable net. Lots of laughter and shouting. Erin is calling out a play by play (PLACEHOLDER).

Altered Annie-35 is visibly happy to relieve this memory as she observes all, even the old familiar items like the splattered cookbook propped open, the old pie pan, etc.

Shiloh scratches at the back door and Altered Annie-35 opens it. Annie-60 tries to come out of her self to bend down and pet her pup, and we see the motion of translucent Annie-60 stretch briefly to hug her dog, but she has no mass and is pulled back into Annie-35, who continues her normal routine.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Dinner time for the pup?

Altered Annie-35 scoops out dog food for Shiloh as usual.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Shiloh, sit. Oh your such a good girl.

She places her bowl down, scratches her head, and returns to cooking, pausing to check on the kids, now practicing cart wheels.

The sound of a truck pulling up is audible. Altered Annie-35 glances at the time, smiles and hurries up her cooking. But Annie-60 keeps trying to turn her translucent head to look out the window. Sure enough, Joe has headed to the backyard first. Annie-60, strains to watch through the window.

ERIN-10

Daddeeey!

JOE-35

Hi, sweetie, how was school?

Joe bends over to hug Erin and Hunter immediately jumps on his back. Everyone talks at once.

JOE-35

That’s great Erin, I can’t wait to see it. In a bit buddy, let me go say hello to Mom and see if dinner is ready.

Again Annie-60’s translucent figure strains to turn towards the back door and the sound of Joe approaching as Altered-Annie-35 adds the final touch to something on the stove. Just as Joe opens the back door, Shiloh barks in excitement and jumps on the door, shutting it again. Joe laughs, a memorable deep laugh. Annie-60’s translucent figure reacts to the sound. Joe finally gets the door open and kneels to greet the very excited dog.

JOE-35

Alright girl, did you miss me, I’m right here. That’s a good girl, settle.

He rises and steps towards Altered Annie-35 who half turns from the stove, spoon in hand.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Such a popular guy. I’m always last in the line of your admirers.

Joe reaches over to give her a one armed hug and kiss on the cheek.

JOE-35

Awe, you know you’re first with me.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Well, I was the original member of the Joe Ryan fan club.

Annie-60’s translucent figure pulls out of Altered Annie-35 and wraps both arms around Joe’s neck and buries her face in his neck. Slowly Annie’s translucent figure pulls Altered Annie-35 into her, instead of the other way around, and the two figures merge and begin to solidify until Annie-35 is no longer grainy and glowing and they are one. She is stunned.

Annie pulls back and looks at her hands, no longer glowing. Shaking, she reaches up and cups his face in her hands and looks incredulously into his eyes.

ANNIE-35

(whispers)

I, I can feel you, I can touch you.

She kisses him quick, but hard.

ANNIE-35

Oh Joe, I’ve missed you so, so much.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie- What I learned in this assignment was that even though there are a few scenes I had not written yet that are leading in to the turning point scene, I was able to still, fairly quickly draft this scene, only using a few placeholders.

ACT 1 TURNING POINT OUTLINE

Beginning- Annie sees a memory from before the accident

Middle-Annie is incredibly happy to be with Joe.

End-Her figure merges with the memory and solidifies. Annie stays in the past

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

Annie returns from the scene with her mother, looking sad.

SARITA

You knew as an adult that your mother had a mental illness. But as Annie the child, the experience as you lived it, you wanted to make her better.

ANNIE-60

When I was a girl, all those times she- she, went off somewhere I couldn’t see, I couldn’t go to with her, I would think if only I had done something different. It wouldn’t have set her off. If I had made a different choice.

SARITA

That thought, that idea has never left you.

ANNIE-60

That day has always stuck in my mind. It got worse, a lot worse, but when I was in that memory I felt myself wanting to leave it, and then I was right back here.

SARITA

Yes. You were aligned in body, mind and heart. Little Annie understood at last, so you left that memory.

ANNIE-60

Is that what this is all about? Coming to some kind of understanding about my life?

SARITA

Not necessarily. Not every moment in life is a lesson, a karma. There are many, many perfectly ordinary days that are just, perfect, in their own way.

ANNIE-60

Just as it should be? Please, can I visit one of those days?

Sarita looks pensive, studying Annie as if she is determining if she is ready for something. Sarita decides, nods, then reaches her hand to the stream of memories again and stops at one scene. Annie observes, a smile growing across her face. She reaches her hand in to the memory and dissolves into Annie at 35.

INT. ANNIE AND JOE’S CABIN, KITCHEN FALL 1992

Annie-60 comes into her 35 year old self as she is in the kitchen cooking. As before, her altered self appears almost translucently overlayed over Annie-35 so she is a little grainy and glowing. Altered Annie-35 has paused in the making of a pie to look out the kitchen window. On the window sill is the spider plant.

Erin-10 and Hunter-8 are playing soccer against one another in the backyard They have set up small piles of leaves as teammates/obstacles they have to maneuver around. Their dog, SHILOH, is supposed to be the goalie, guarding a small, crooked portable net. Lots of laughter and shouting. Erin is calling out a play by play (PLACEHOLDER).

Altered Annie-35 is visibly happy to relieve this memory as she observes all, even the old familiar items like the splattered cookbook propped open, the old pie pan, etc.

Shiloh scratches at the back door and Altered Annie-35 opens it. Annie-60 tries to come out of her self to bend down and pet her pup, and we see the motion of translucent Annie-60 stretch briefly to hug her dog, but she has no mass and is pulled back into Annie-35, who continues her normal routine.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Dinner time for the pup?

Altered Annie-35 scoops out dog food for Shiloh as usual.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Shiloh, sit. Oh your such a good girl.

She places her bowl down, scratches her head, and returns to cooking, pausing to check on the kids, now practicing cart wheels.

The sound of a truck pulling up is audible. Altered Annie-35 glances at the time, smiles and hurries up her cooking. But Annie-60 keeps trying to turn her translucent head to look out the window. Sure enough, Joe has headed to the backyard first. Annie-60, strains to watch through the window.

ERIN-10

Daddeeey!

JOE-35

Hi, sweetie, how was school?

Joe bends over to hug Erin and Hunter immediately jumps on his back. Everyone talks at once.

JOE-35

That’s great Erin, I can’t wait to see it. In a bit buddy, let me go say hello to Mom and see if dinner is ready.

Again Annie-60’s translucent figure strains to turn towards the back door and the sound of Joe approaching as Altered-Annie-35 adds the final touch to something on the stove. Just as Joe opens the back door, Shiloh barks in excitement and jumps on the door, shutting it again. Joe laughs, a memorable deep laugh. Annie-60’s translucent figure reacts to the sound. Joe finally gets the door open and kneels to greet the very excited dog.

JOE-35

Alright girl, did you miss me, I’m right here. That’s a good girl, settle.

He rises and steps towards Altered Annie-35 who half turns from the stove, spoon in hand.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Such a popular guy. I’m always last in the line of your admirers.

Joe reaches over to give her a one armed hug and kiss on the cheek.

JOE-35

Awe, you know you’re first with me.

ALTERED ANNIE-35

Well, I was the original member of the Joe Ryan fan club.

Annie-60’s translucent figure pulls out of Altered Annie-35 and wraps both arms around Joe’s neck and buries her face in his neck. Slowly Annie’s translucent figure pulls Altered Annie-35 into her, instead of the other way around, and the two figures merge and begin to solidify until Annie-35 is no longer grainy and glowing and they are one. She is stunned.

Annie pulls back and looks at her hands, no longer glowing. Shaking, she reaches up and cups his face in her hands and looks incredulously into his eyes.

ANNIE-35

(whispers)

I, I can feel you, I can touch you.

She kisses him quick, but hard.

ANNIE-35

Oh Joe, I’ve missed you so, so much.

[Laurie Reilly]

Laurie – What I learned from this assignment- I did indeed learn how to use placeholders to move through some of the scenes. I knew I needed to figure out a few crucial things that the whole screenplay revolves around- but using the outline and placeholder helped keep it moving. I am working in Final Draft.

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018- DAY

OUTLINE

Beginning- joking with kids on the ski trail

Middle- deciding not to go down a run with them

End- skiing out of control and hitting the tree

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018-DAY

Erin and Maggie are waiting half way down the mountain, looking up. Hunter skis down to them, slightly out of control, and does a sliding stop that purposely sprays them both. Laughing, Maggie pushes him over, but he takes her down with him.

ERIN-35

Hey you two!I guess some things never change.

Erin offers her pole to Maggie to help her up, but Maggie pulls her down instead and they are all helpless with laughter.

Annie skis down to them, a smooth, careful skier, and gracefully stops. She smiles down at them affectionately.

ANNIE-60

I’m so lucky that my grown children actually like hanging out together.

MAGGIE-20

What makes you think I like this guy? He’s like the ‘millennial’ poster child. Gag.

Hunter, Erin and Maggie, untangle themselves and stand up, brushing off snow.

HUNTER-32

The millennial who built your app…and taught you how to ski.

ERIN-35

I taught her how to ski! And changed her diapers.

ANNIE-60

I taught you all how to ski. Well, mostly. Dad… Joe, helped teach you two. He used to take you on his ski patrol rounds.

This last statement is directed at Erin and Hunter.

ERIN-35

I remember.

They exchange a wistful look.

MAGGIE-20

Mom, you looked pretty on top of your skis coming down. You still got style!

ANNIE-60

Thank you. But you don’t have to sound quite so surprised. Turning 60 doesn’t mean I’m ready for the old folks home.

HUNTER-32

Guy on the lift told me they just opened Crazy Chutes, so they’ll be fresh snow, you guys game?

ANNIE-60

You three go ahead, I’m going to take Easy Street down.

HUNTER-32

You sure Mom? We can all just stick together.

ANNIE-60

Go for it. I’ll meet you at chair 5.

Hunter and Maggie take off down the slope, but Erin slides closer to Annie.

ERIN-35

You ok Mom? I can stay with you.

ANNIE-60

No, no, I’m fine, you go catch up with them. I don’t mind a little time on my own.

Erin leans in and gives her a quick kiss, then takes off down the slope, hollering out a big ‘Yahoo’. Annie smiles down at her brood, then notices a ski patrolman in the distance. She grows wistful. She shakes it off and starts to hum a song as she takes off towards a sign that says ‘Easy Street’.

The song stays with her as she gets into a rhythm and picks up speed.

Someone skiing out of control crosses into her path and she veers off to the side of the run to avoid them.

Annie catches an edge and goes flying into the woods, almost regains her balance, dodges a few bushes, then smacks hard right into a tree and all goes to black.

INT. ALTERED STATE-TIMELESS

OUTLINE

BEGINING- Annie wakes up in the altered state, with colors and memories swirling around her and a guide, a hooded figure in white

MIDDLE- Annie is shown her memories, some she can immerse herself in briefly. She always comes out

END- One of her memories was not long before Joe died- she immerses herself in it, only doesn’t come out

INT. ALTERED STATE-TIMELESS

Black lightens to deep purple, to dark lavender as Annie, still at 60 and in her ski clothes, opens her eyes. She is sitting, cross-legged on one of the many roots of a silver birch tree that extends out of vision. Their appears to be no ground, no horizon, just an endless space.

What looks like billions of grains of different colored sand is swirling around her and the tree. Annie looks around and notices lots of other swirls, some closer, some tiny, some overlapping. She looks back and sees that the root next to her has morphed into a silver hooded figure. She gasps as a face emerges.

ANNIE-60

Sarita!

Sarita smiles and nods.

ANNIE-60

Is this..where am I? I, I know you died years ago- so am I dead?

SARITA

Not quite. Your outcome is not apparent yet.

ANNIE-60

So what is this? My imagination? A dream? A very, very colorful dream?

SARITA

You are in a timeless space along with many other souls who are in a state of transition like you.

ANNIE-60

Soul?

SARITA

Soul, thoughts, conscious, memory, essence, spirit. All that makes us who we are, that is not physical. It has many names. No one is just a body, that is simply a vessel.

ANNIE-60

I’m not sure I understand.

SARITA

I’m trying to explain in the words that are common to you. It’s different for everyone.

ANNIE-60

Ah, so this is my imagination, which decided that you, my old yoga teacher was the best one to dummy down, whatever this is. For some reason I thought once I died everything I ever wondered about would become clear.

SARITA

Ah- all knowing. Well, for one thing it doesn’t’ work that way and for another you have not passed over- your language- yet. Time and space are merged here. This is a metaphysical space where (INSERT better LANGUAGE)…

ANNIE-60

Hmm, that doesn’t sound like my language.

SARITA

Well, it could be that you read it at some point in your life, and are recalling it now. I’m teasing you. Look around.

Annie notices all the many swirls. Some of them suddenly swoop off towards a brilliant light like a vibrant swarm.

SARITA

Most in this space or waiting to pass, or are in comas, perhaps even in a drug induced, trance induced or, as I was taught from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, one of the bardos, such as Chikkhai, the Fourth bardo.

ANNIE-60

Actually, I understand that. And I am not afraid. But..I don’t think I want to …go.

SARITA

That’s one of the reasons why you are here. Most often there is no choice. Your vessel is no more. But sometimes, the body, mind, spirit- your heart, is unresolved. [PLACEHOLDER NEEDS WORK]

Annie sighs.

ANNIE-60

Is.. is he here somewhere?

SARITA

He is right here, look closer.

Sarita draws Annie’s attention to the millions of colorful particles swiftly swirling around them. Sarita gently inserts her hand into the stream and it slows. The particles form into various scenes from Annie’s life that rapidly glide by- like a swiftly moving large slide show, but more fluid. Every now and then you can see a glimpse of a person, object or place. Sarita spreads her fingers hand and briefly halts a memory scene that looms large in front of Annie.

INSERT- MEMORY SCENE 1

Annie-25 delightedly throws her arms around Joe-25, who hugs her hard, which makes her fart. They both break into laughter.

The scene dissolves and swirls away. Annie smiles wistfully. Sarita stops another memory.

ANNIE-60

Hey- that’s you.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 2

A Sarita at 50 is helping Annie-35 with a yoga position.

The scene dissolves and Sarita shows Annie several more in rapid succession. They are brief and not in chronological order.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 3

Sean-40 showing Hunter-12 how to play the bass.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 4

Annie-8 playing with her dolls.

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 5

Annie-25 marrying Joe-25

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 6

Annie-30 skiing with Joe-30 and Erin-4

INSERT-MEMORY SCENE 7

Annie 41- giving birth to Maggie

Annie is enthralled.

ANNIE-60

Wait.. wait. Can I see some of those again, can you hold them for longer?

SARITA

You can visit your memory if you like.

ANNIE-60

What do you mean?

SARITA

Everything that ever was is here. Your thoughts, your memories are timeless. And time has no parameters here, no limits. Visiting a memory may help you come to a better understanding of the direction your soul should take at this great intersection. What memory would you like to inhabit first?

ANNIE-60

Um, when I was child, playing with my dolls, my mother was there I think.

Sarita reaches into the swirls and stops the scene of Annie at 8 playing with her dolls.

SARITA

Reach out to little Annie.

Hesitantly, Annie-60 reaches her hand into the scene. Her hand, then her arm, then her whole body dissolves into a million colorful particles and is absorbed into Annie at 8.

[Laurie Reilly]

What I learned from this assignment… doing the outline with a beginning, middle and end is helpful. I had previously written some of this scene, so this went quicker for me. But it is the only scene I had previously worked on, so the true test on if I can write quickly will come with assignment 10. I am now writing all in Final draft.

Act 1:

OPENING SCENE OUTLINE

INT. ANNIE’S ATTIC 2018- DAY

BEGINNING Annie is pining for the past, still, by hiding in the ATTIC and smelling Joe’s clothes. In private she is still mourning her 1st husband Joe who died 30 years ago.

MIDDLE Annie’s kids come home for her 60th bday, present her with a jar of favorite memories of her.

END Reading the memories

INT: ANNIE & SEAN’S ATTIC, 2018-DAY

Pitch black. The click of a chain light reveals an attic stored neatly with bins. Most are dusty, the one labeled JOE on curling masking tape is clean. Two hands, each bearing a wedding ring, lifts the top revealing a neatly folded but faded, man’s shirt. ANNIE, a fit 60-year-old, lifts the shirt to her face and inhales. Nothing. Dismayed, she roots through the bin of memorabilia until she finds an old bottle of empty aftershave. She opens it anyway and rubs neck of the bottle on the shirt collar. Annie gathers the shirt to her chest, drapes the empty arms around her neck and hugs the memory with a wistful smile.

MAGGIE-20 (O.S.)

Mom!? Erin is here and Hunter is five minutes away, are you ready?

Annie quickly puts the shirt back.

ANNIE-60

Coming!

Annie stands quickly, but bangs her head on the low ceiling.

ANNIE-60

OW!

SEAN-60 (O.S.)

Annie? You ok?

INT. ANNIE & SEAN’S HOUSE, UPSTAIRS HALLWAY-CONT.

Annie exits the narrow door from the attic, rubbing her head just as SEAN, a handsome man in his 60’s rounds the corner.

SEAN-60

Did you bang your head again?

ANNIE-60

Still trying to knock some sense into the old noggin. Not working so far.

Sean folds her into his arms and kisses the top of her head. When he notices the smell of the aftershave, his demeanor sags.

INT: ANNIE’S KITCHEN, PRESENT DAY, CONT.

MAGGIE, an earnest 20-yr old and ERIN, a pleasant 35 yr old are at the kitchen table. HUNTER, a stoic millennial techy enters from a back door and steps through a doorway to the music room, setting his bass guitar down before joining them in the kitchen.

Annie, dressed for skiing as are her adult kids, enters the kitchen, with Sean behind her.

A beaming Maggie places a mason jar on the table full of colored strips of paper.

ANNIE-60

What’s this? I said no presents, having the day with you kids on the slope is all I wanted.

ERIN-35

We didn’t spend any money.

Annie sits, opens the jar and pulls out a few of the strips, reading the messages to herself. She grins.

ANNIE-60

That’s so nice. I didn’t know you remembered that.

The kids are pleased with themselves.

MAGGIE-20

Read them aloud!

Annie reaches into the jar and grabs several, glancing at them quickly. She hesitates, undecided.

ERIN-35

Just pick the best one!

Sean leans over Annie’s shoulder to read the scraps of favorite memories.

MAGGIE-20

That’s like asking Mom to pick her favorite child.

HUNTER-32

Which is me, of course.It even says so in her phone- right next to MY name.

They all laugh.

ERIN-35

That’s only because you programmed her contacts for her! I think her favorite is the one she was toughest on, which is usually the first. The youngest always gets away with murder.

MAGGIE-20

Huh! You guys don’t know the half of it, you were both out of the house by the time I hit my teens, like the time I-

She stops, mischievously.

ANNIE-60

Quiet you three, you all know who my favorite is.

The kids look a little hurt.

ANNIE-60

The quiet one who never sassed me.

Maggie and Hunter give a ‘not me’ look. Then Erin gets it.

ERIN-35

Stella! Or if we want to go with her full name, Bad Mama Stella.

They all grin and look at a large spider plant in the kitchen bay window.

MAGGIE-20

I never got the Bad Mama part.

ERIN-35

Mom said it’s cause it looks like spider plants throw their babies out of the nest. She used to try to tuck them back in.

HUNTER-32

I can’t believe that plant is still alive.

ERIN-35

Especially since she had to share a back seat with you all the way out here from California.

HUNTER-32

Hey, I only threw up on her once! That was, what, two years after Dad died, so I was maybe 10?

Erin’s mood drops and the kitchen grows quiet. Annie plucks another scrap from the jar.

ANNIE-60

This one says- For staying patient when you taught me how to drive, even when I went the wrong way on a one way street.

Everyone hoots and points at Erin. Maggie picks one up.

MAGGIE-20

Because we all have ‘Ican’tfinditus”

Erin reads one.

ERIN-35

Giving up your sweater for us, even though we didn’t bring one after you told us to.

HUNTER-32

That’s why mom’s password for everything is wearasweater!

They all laugh. Sean reads one.

SEAN-60

You would cook three separate dinners sometimes to keep everyone happy.

ERIN-35

Oh yeah, there was the vegetarian phase for Maggie, but then Hunter would gag if you put a vegetable in front of him, and for awhile I couldn’t tolerate any dairy.

SEAN-60

In my day, you just ate what you put in front of you and didn’t complain.

ANNIE-60

I didn’t mind, I just liked everyone around the table, laughing and joking. Like this.

Sean makes an imaginary halo with his hands over Annie’s head.

SEAN-60

Here, let me adjust your halo.

The mood changes slightly.

HUNTER-32

We can read the rest of these later, the lifts open in 30 minutes, lets get this birthday ski started!

Annie, Hunter, Maggie and Erin all start gathering gear and heading out the door. Sean is still sifting through the scraps of paper.

MAGGIE-20

Dad, are you sure you don’t want to come?

SEAN-60

No thanks, I’m going to try to finish up that song. You going to play with me later?

MAGGIE-20

Absolutely, and Hunter brought his bass so he can join in.

Annie gives Sean a kiss on the cheek and they all bustle out the door.

SEAN-60

Have fun! Take a run for me.

After they leave, Sean turns his attention back to one of the scraps of paper.

INSERT

For Being So Strong For Us After Dad Died

and always keeping his memory alive

Sean sighs, crosses to the music room and closes the door.

[Laurie Reilly]

What I learned from these assignments… is that it is hard posting from the road! Had to take off last Friday and head south due to a death in the family, but I kept writing along the way- however wifi was so spotty, I couldn’t post. Plus the forum seemed to lose my first 5 posts during the reset. So.. below are lessons 5-8 all rolled into one. I am home now and trying to catch up. Thanks!

Act 1:

OPENING

INT. ANNIE’S CLOSET 2018- DAY

Annie is pining for the past, still, by hiding in the closet and smelling Joe’s clothes. In private she is still mourning her 1st husband Joe who died 30 years ago.

INT. ANNIE’S KITCHEN 2018- DAY CONT.

Annie’s 60th birthday finds her in a seemingly happy scene surrounded by her 3 adult children and her 2nd husband Sean, Her children give her a jar of their happy memories with her,

Choice- small scene of having to chose which one to read. She has a hard time making the choice

PLACEHOLDER incl ref to Joe, the three adult children have a lively and fun camaraderie. Ref to Hunter’s bass. Sean has new song.. etc.

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2018- DAY

TE 1- Inciting Incident- While skiing with her 3 adult children, Erin, Hunter and Maggie, Annie hits a tree and loses consciousness. Annie chooses a dif trail then her kids. Again, a choice

INT. ALTERED STATE-TIMELESS

TE 2 – Annie comes around in altered state, sitting in a twilight void, her life memories swirling around her in a blur. She has a guide who shows her that time and space are merged here. There are others in the distance, some in a coma, some preparing to pass on, others like her, in-between. The guide shows Anna how she can select from her life memories that are swirling around her and be briefly immersed in that moment. She can view each of these memories before deciding if she wants to visit it. If she chooses, she then can briefly enter the memory. Then comes back to the altered state. Some scenes we see, but she doesn’t go into, but swipes to next one instead. Like Sean teaching Hunter the guitar, etc.

• OLD WAY Annie gets to visit her memories, but she is still just along for the ride. This is the old way

INT. MEMORY 1

PLACEHOLDER, come back and tie in later scenes. Memory should include a choice between dolls, or a pet.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

PLACEHOLDER – Need a way she knows she is coming out of the memory

INT. MEMORY 2

PLACEHOLDER – tie in later scenes, but they will have happened in a different way- Wedding scene with Sean, with Erin and Hunter there. All are happy, but Annie plays with both rings. Erin tells her it’s ok to be happy again. What happened to Joe was not her fault, don’t feel guilty.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

PLACEHOLDER -Each time Annie comes back to the altered state she is given more information. Make a reference to a choice.

INT. MEMORY 3

PLACEHOLDER- more memories- these are all brief. Memory could be of Maggie’s birth, with Sean carrying out baby maggie to show a very happy and excited Erin and Hunter

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

INT. MEMORY-CHILDHOOD

TE- 3 She visits one memory of her mother, that goes beyond the good part (mother young and beautiful and playful) to one that exposes her mothers’s schizophrenia mother, then she, as always, comes back to the altered state. This should reference not having any control.

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

• OLD WAY- in discussion- This exposes how much Annie wishes she could change the past. One of the memories is the death of her first husband 30 years ago, which she passes by and does not view.

PLACE HOLDER NEED SET UP FOR HOW SHE STAYS IN A MEMORY

INT. MEMORY- PRE ACCIDENT

TE- The next memory is before the accident. She is not pulled back into the altered state.

Act 2:

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE CABIN-DAY

Annie is stunned that she is staying in the memory from 1992, happy to be with Joe again, her younger self and her 2 older children as kids again (Erin 10, Hunter 8). She tells no one, afraid they will think she is going schizo, like her mother.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, JOE AND ANNIE BEDROOM-NIGHT

PLACEHOLDER- intimate scene..

INT. WOODVILLE 1992, ANNIE DREAM

Her dreams at night are of Maggie and are too real. Dreams need to be filmed differently then memory state.

INT. ASSYLUM 1992-DAY

TE 2.1- Annie goes visits her mother in an institution. She doesn’t want to be like her

PLACEHOLDER- Annie doesn’t want to be like the ‘old annie’ who is reacting to life instead of directing it. She wants to chose her story line, she wants to take control.

EXT. WOODVILLE 1992- DAY

Annie realizes she is close to the day of the accident that took Joe’s life. Annie believes she can save Joe’s life. And is thrilled she can save him and give Erin and Hunter back their father. If this is real.

INT. MARY-LOU HOMEOFFICE 1992- DAY

That thought sends her to her aunt Mary Lou who is a hypnotherapist, Annie tells her that she wonders if she is living in a memory from an altered state-or she is going schizo. Mary Lou doesn’t believe in the altered state but doesn’t judge, tries to convince her it really is 1992, there is no other life, no Sean or Maggie..She offers to hypnotize her.

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992-DAY CONT.

PLACEHOLDER SCENE Midpoint Turning Point- In hypnosis with M’Lous help,

INT. ALTERED STATE, CONT.

NEED TO THINK THROUGH HOW IS ALTERED STATE IN HYPNOSIS DIFFERENT. Annie returns to the altered state to help her see the future, She can see memories with Sean and Maggie. She can view them, but can’t enter them. She can’t see Sean..sees scene leading up to his death? She can see scenes with Sean and Erin and Hunter, happy ones. She can see scenes of Hunter and Erin being very sad at Joe’s funeral. There is no guide

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992- DAY CONT.

Annie tries to explain to M’lou… is almost hysterical that Joe will die soon if she does nothing.

INT. WOODVILLE 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM EVENING

At night as she lies next to Joe, she is plagued by memories of Maggie. She promises her she will always be there for her.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- DREAM STATE

PLACEHOLDER- dreams are always a bit fuzzy, dif then altered state. Memories of Maggie

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN

TE 2.2 Annie is on the phone with Marylou. Decides to try to figure out what is real by calling Sean’s old work number. He answers. She hangs up.

Choice exposed. Annie realizes if she saves Joe and lives her live with him, there will be no meeting Sean, and more importantly, no Maggie. Annie is unsure if she is starting to be like her mother, but she can’t bear the thought of seeing Joe die again… but then there is dear Maggie.

TE 2.3- Annie has a c-section scar from Maggie? MLou starts to believe?

Act 3:

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN

TE.3.1 Annie decides to save Joe. BIG SCENE HERE this is the choice

EXT. WOODVILLE-1992

Annie figures a way to stop the truck and save Joe.

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE CABIN- EVENING

Annie has the first day of life after what would have been his death. Erin and Hunter are so happy

INT. WOODVILLE- 1992- ANNIE AND JOE BEDROOM- EVENING

But at night, in her dreams, infant Maggie howls and fades away. The scar is gone.

EXT. MARY-LOU – 1992 – HOMEOFFICE- MIDNIGHT

Annie on the doorstep, asking to be hypnotized.

INT. MARY-LOU -1992- OFFICE- EVE CONT.

Annie goes under hypnosis.

INT. ALTERED STATE

The memories of Maggie and Sean are back. Memories of Joe and Hunter and Erin, don’t include her.

INT. MARY-LOU – 1992- OFFICE- EVE CONT.

Annie comes out of the altered state and shows her the scar is back. Then she asks is she can stay with Mary-lou, suitcase in car was intent, that’s why the scar is back

TE 3.2- Annie abruptly leaves Joe, and her kids behind (she doesn’t want to take them away from the father she just gave them back), to keep on the timeline to meet Sean and have Maggie.

INT. MARY-LOU OFFICE 1992

Annie phone call with Joe that she is leaving him and the kids. She is devastated.

PLACEHOLDER- ALMOST GIVES IN? ALMOST TELLS JOE,

ACT 4

INT. NORTHEAST PUB, 1995, EVENING

Annie on payphone, talking to Joe, kids won’t come to the phone. He asks her to comeback, she says she can’t. Banner sign: school fund raiser. She hangs up and sits close to stage and catches the eye of Sean, handsome music teacher on stage singing.

INT. COURTHOUSE 1997, DAY

Courthouse wedding with just Annie and Sean, huge difference from earlier memory with both kids at the wedding.

INT. ANNIE’S CAR 1997, DAY

Annie picking Erin and Hunter up at the airport. It’s a chilly reception. Esp since Annie is pregnant. Argument with Erin (15) regarding choosing other family.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE 1997, DAY

Tension between Annie and Sean when Erin and Hunter reject Sean. Sean overhears Annie asking about joe. Sean tries to interest the kids in music. They reject him.

INT. MATERNITY WARD, 1998

Mary lou is there for the birth of Maggie, Sean is late (?), but then tender moment with Maggie.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE 1998, DAY

Maggie is a week old, Marylou does hypnosis for Annie.

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHTS (Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift. Now Annie is a divorced woman, not a widow when she meets Sean.

(something dramatic during birth that is dif then her memory of Maggie’s birth) She does give birth to Maggie, but the siblings don’t know her. She doesn’t have Erin and Hunter with her, and they are very resentful she left them. Joe is broken hearted. Even her relationship with Sean is different than her early memories.)

EXT. ERIN’S GRADUATION 2000- DAY

Erin graduates, Annie is there with two-year old Maggie. Scene with Sean meeting Joe.. Annie is clearly emotional. Joe is good with Erin and Hunter Annie is haunted. Joe looks thin, not healthy

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHT- Should Joe be there?

INT. MARYLOU OFFICE 2000, DAY

Annie has marylou hypnotize her. She reaches the altered state, but only revisits memories with Joe… can’t see memories with Sean… but Maggie is there.

INT. ALTERED STATE-

Memories are different, but include all three kids getting older.

INT. MAGGIE SCHOOL- 2014 EVENING

Maggie is now 16 and performs at the school, she is very good on the guitar and sings. Annie and Sean are proud, Annie gets a phone call (WHO?). Joe is in a diabetic coma.

INT. HOSPITAL- CALIF- 2014

PLACEHOLDER THOUGHT-? Annie arrives too late. Joe has died. Erin and Hunter are crushed. Annie tries to comfort them, they reject her.

EXT. ANOTHER GRAVEYARD

Annie finds her mother’s gravesite. Butterflies? She walks over to the next one, it is Mary Lous. Conversation with M’lou.The power to change the worst day of her first husbands’ life has backfired in every way. Mary-Lou has also passed away and Annie can’t access the altered state through hypnosis anymore.

INT. ANNIE AND SEAN’S HOUSE

Annie comes home from funeral to Sean asking for a divorce, Couldn’t compete with Joe while he was alive, doesn’t want to compete with him while dead. Annie is understanding. She puts both her wedding rings on her right hand.

EXT. DRIVING TO SKI AREA 2000

Annie passes through a town with a hypnosis sign.

PLACEHOLDER SCENE. Need a revelation for Annie here?

EXT. VERMONT SKI AREA 2000

Once again Annie is skiing on her 60th birthday, this time only with Maggie. Again, she loses control and hits a tree.

INT. SKI PATROL HUT, 2000- CONT.

She comes to in the ski patrol room. Erin leans over her anxiously, Annie is surprised, asks where is Maggie- Erin doesn’t know who Maggie is. Then Joe leans into the picture.

[Laurie Reilly]

Great, sending shortly. I would like to read yours as well. lauriesreilly@gmail.com

[Laurie Reilly]

Sure! Do you want to do the exchange on Sunday or Monday?

Best

Laurie