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A Lonely Life
by Joe

Rated: PG   Genre: Drama   User Review: **1/2
Few things are more desirable than living forever, but for Daniel James it forces him to face the mortality of his loved ones and sends him on a long and unfulfilling path. That is, until one day, when a terrible car crash forces him to relive and re-imagine his life in order to find peace.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



A LONELY LIFE

FADE IN:

EXT. STREET - DAY
                                                            
A man is driving through a busy street in an expensive
sports car. He is driving quickly and carelessly; swerving
and overtaking other cars. In the car we see DANIEL JAMES, a
35 year old looking man, with a tear stained face and an
intense stare. He continuously re-grips the steering wheel.
He seems indifferent to the panic he is causing on the
roads. We see empty beer bottles on the floor of the car. He
drives out of the town and onto a smaller road. He is
tailing a HGV. He goes to overtake it as a car appears from
around the corner of the road. Trapped, Daniel drives
straight into the approaching car. He lunges forward in his
seat, not wearing a belt, and hits his head on the wheel.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is sitting at the bedside of an OLD WOMAN. She is
attached to a life support machine and has her eyes closed.
They are sat in silence. A DOCTOR enters the room.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Good morning Miss-
      (noticing Daniel)
Oh. I didn't know you had visitors
today. That's a first.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
It was a surprise to me too.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Are you a relative?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...Yes. I'm her-
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
He's my son.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
      (raised eyebrows)
Your son?
      (stares at Daniel)
Well, isn't that a nice surprise.
                                                            

2.

Daniel smiles in agreement but avoids eye contact. The
Doctor start to walk around the hospital bed. On his way he
stops to talk to Daniel.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
You know she's been here a year?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's not as simple as you think.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
It seems pretty simple to me. You
couldn't come and see your mother
until she spends a year by
herself. She talks about you all
the time; you and your brother.
                                                            
Daniel looks to the floor. The Doctor stares at him for a
while before moving on.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
So how are we doing this morning?
                                                            
He starts checking her monitors.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
      (jokingly)
Is it morning already? All these
days seem to merge together.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Well, everything seems fine. I'll
be back in a few hours to check on
you.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
Thank you Doctor.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
You stay strong now. I'll leave
you and your son to talk.
                                                            
The Doctor gives Daniel another disapproving look and leaves
the room. They remain in silence for a few moments after he
leaves.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
What are you really doing here?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I felt like I needed to see you.
                                                            

3.

                       OLD WOMAN
      (laughs weakly)
Well why wouldn't you. Look at me.
Is this what you had in mind?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Not really. I didn't really know
what to expect.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
Well I bet you're glad you came.
Years I waited for you to come
back and you choose now. Everyone
told me for years that you would
never come back but I never
believed them. But eventually I
chose to grow up. And now...
      (tearing up)
...now you're here. And I've got
no time with you. And I'd
forgotten how much I wanted to see
you again.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I didn't think you would be like
this. I thought we could...
                                                            
He shrugs, failing to find words.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
You don't know what you want.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (raises his hands
       to his face)
(long pause)I've just been...alone
for so long.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
I know how that feels. But I gave
up feeling sorry for myself, I
think you should as well. There's
no point living if you've got
no-one to love. You have to let go
at some point.
                                                            
Daniel moves to the edge of his seat and leans onto the bed.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Doesn't it terrify you?
                                                            

4.

                       OLD WOMAN
No. Not anymore. I've had a life;
a husband, two beautiful sons.
What's left for me now?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It doesn't have to end.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
Yes it does. The time I spent with
them was precious. I'm more scared
of forgetting their faces. Is that
why you're here?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (pause)
I never forgot you.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
Well how could you have. What else
do you have? You shouldn't waste-
      (squirms in pain)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What?
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
The time. It's too important.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
If there's something I've learnt,
in my entire life, its that time
isn't important. At all.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
You're right. It's the people. If
time is all you have...then you
might as well be sat where I am.
                                                            
They both remain quiet. Tears run down Daniels cheeks.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You think it was easy for me to
leave. You have no idea how
difficult it was for me.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
I'm sure it was. But it wasn't
bravery was it? It was cowardice.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You can't say that!
                                                            

5.

                       EMILY
Yes I can. I'm the only person
who knows what you are, how you
think, how you feel. You know you
should move on, will you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (gets up)
I should go.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
I understand you. You spend years
running from me (pause) and then
you see me like this.
                                                            
Daniel puts on his jacket. The old woman starts talking
louder as he does so. He doesn't respond.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (under his breath)
I shouldn't have come. I don't
know what I was doing coming here.
                                                            
                       OLD WOMAN
You're too late. There's nothing
left for both of us. This won't
save you!
                                                            
Daniel leaves the room hastily. Her last sentence causes the
old woman to cough violently. Her support machines start
beeping rapidly. As Daniel is rushing down the hospital
corridor, teary, the Doctor runs into the old woman's room.
                                                            
 
INT. GROCERY STORE (1960) - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is walking down an aisle in an old fashioned grocery
store. He pushes his cart down the aisle, knocking items
from the shelves into it without much thought.He is dragging
his feet and has a bored expression. He is halted when he
reaches a woman, EMILY, browsing the shelves. She moves on
and round to the other side of the aisle. He watches her.
She catches him looking and so he raises his hand and smiles
awkwardly. She ignores him and moves on. He follows her
round to the next aisle. As she shops, he tails her, picking
up the same items. She sees him out the corner of her eye.
She picks up another item and watches him. He then, in turn,
picks up the same item and she confronts him.
                                                            
                       EMILY
What are you doing?
                                                            

6.

                       DANIEL
I'm...just shopping.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No you're following me.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, it's a small store.
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause)Really? What was the last
thing you put in your cart.
                                                            
Daniel goes to look at his cart.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Without looking.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err...
      (briefly looks)
Soup.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (starts smiling)
What kind?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (studies the can)
Chicken soup.
                                                            
Daniel smiles broadly as Emily laughs.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well as fun as this was...and
weird..I'm gonna go now-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh, could you go pick up some
milk? I'm running low.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (laughs)
OK. So do you normally follow
women round grocery stores?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Only the pretty ones.
                                                            

7.

                       EMILY
Wow. I am both flattered and
creeped out at the same time. Not
easily done.
      (starts walking)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm Daniel.
      (outstretches his
       arm)
And I...have made a terrible first
impression.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Not the best. I'm Emily.
                                                            
She reaches out and shakes his hand. Daniel holds onto it as
he talks.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, how about the opportunity to
redeem myself.
                                                            
Emily snatches her hand back. She has a coy smile on her
face.
                                                            
                       EMILY
O really? You're trying to get a
date out of this?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I didn't say date.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (dismissively)
Yeah.
      (walking past him)
See you later stalker.
                                                            
He watches her walk away. As disappointed as he is, he can't
stop smiling.
                                                            
 
EXT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
                                                            
Emily is struggling to start her car. Daniel is walking
past, sees her and stops. After watching her struggle for a
while he shouts over to her.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Need a hand?
                                                            

8.

Emily looks up and sees Danel in her side mirror. She sighs
in distress before clambering out the car.
                                                            
                       EMILY
OK stalker, you any good with
cars?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (grinning)
Only if I'm asked nicely.
                                                            
Emily drops her head in annoyance before sidling up to him.
She begrudgingly asks him politely.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (looking at the
       ground)
Can you help me fix my car?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (hand up to his
       ear)
Sorry, what? You were mumbling.
                                                            
Daniel smiles as he revels in Emily's annoyance. She takes a
deep breath and looks him in the eyes.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Can you help me fix my car?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
Oh, you having car trouble? Why
didn't you say so?
                                                            
He puts his shopping on the floor and opens the hood of the
car.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
How old exactly is this car?
                                                            
                       EMILY
It's...a classic.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's crap.
                                                            
                       EMILY
It's a classic.
                                                            
They both stare at each other as smiles grow across their
faces. Daniel goes back to fiddling under the hood.
                                                            

9.

                       DANIEL
Well it looks like...
      (slamming the hood)
...your car is just a little
too...classic. It's completely
busted.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (hands on her head)
Ah crap!
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
You're gonna need a ride.
                                                            
Emily knows Daniel is flirting with her but is making him
work for it
                                                            
                       EMILY
I'll have to ring my brother.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Nah, he's busy.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh really?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah he told me. Come on, I'll
give you a ride.
                                                            
Daniel walks over to his shopping bags, picks them up and
looks back to Emily who hasn't moved.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Come on.
                                                            
With much hesitation, she takes her shopping out the
passenger seat and locks the car. They both make their way
over to Daniel's car.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (to herself)
What the hell am I doing?
                                                            
They reach the car. Daniel unlocks it and they place their
bags in the back.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
So, where do you live?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Err...on up on Ryman Drive.
                                                            

10.

                       DANIEL
Nice.
                                                            
They both get into the car. Daniel switches on the ignition.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Do you live with you parents or...
                                                            
                       EMILY
Or?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
Or, your boyfriend?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
Emily sits back in her chair and stays looking forward.
                                                            
                       EMILY (CONT'D)
I live with my sister.
                                                            
Daniel grins in satisfaction. He pulls out onto the street.
                                                            
 
INT. CAR - DAY
                                                            
Daniel and Emily are not talking. Emily is uncomfortable in
the silence, fidgeting in her seat. Daniel is calm, he looks
over to her, sees she is uncomfortable and smiles.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Can I turn on the radio?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's broken.
                                                            
Emily sighs and reverts to staring out the window.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (leaning over)
What music do you like?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh. I don't know, Elvis I guess?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (nods in approval)
Me too. (pause) I er, used to be
in a band myself.
                                                            

11.

                       EMILY
Oh really?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh yeah. I was the front man.
                                                            
                       EMILY
So you're a singer?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, I did alright.
                                                            
They fall back into silence. After a while Daniel starts
singing a terrible rendition of Hound Dog that makes them
both laugh.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (laughing)
Wow. That was...different.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well I felt we always had a
certain edge.
                                                            
 
EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The car pulls into a residential street. The houses are well
kept and expensive looking.
                                                            
                       EMILY
This is good, here.
      (gestures to the
       street)
                                                            
Daniel pulls the car into the side of the road and turns the
engine off. They sit in the quiet for a few moments.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well thank you. I, I appreciate
it.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No problem at all. We should get
your things.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Right.
                                                            
They both get out of the car and go round to the trunk.
Daniel opens it and Emily takes her bags out of it. She
steps back onto the pavement.
                                                            

12.

                       EMILY
Thank you, that was really nice of
you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
That's OK.
                                                            
Emily shuffles her feet, not sure whether to go into to her
house or wait for Daniel to ask her out. He makes it
difficult for her as he just stands there with a knowing
smile on his face.
                                                            
                       EMILY
So I should...
      (gestures over her
       shoulder)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right.
                                                            
                       EMILY
OK then. Bye.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Bye.
                                                            
With a confused look she turns and starts slowly walking
away. After only a few steps she turns back to Daniel.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (smiling in
       embarrassment)
Are you going to ask me out?
                                                            
Daniel takes his time responding. He leans forward onto the
roof of his car.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Did you want me to?
                                                            
Emily turns quickly and starts walking off, although in
jest.
                                                            
                       EMILY
OK. I'm just gonna...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Wait.
                                                            
She stops walking and slowly turns around. Daniel moves
round to the front of the car.
                                                            

13.

                       DANIEL
Well seeing as you asked, I was
wondering if I could take you out
sometime.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes, I would love to go out with
you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Excellent. How about saturday?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Um yeah. Saturday is good. (pause)
So, dinner or...?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, I think a woman living on
Ryman Drive would be used to being
taken out on expensive dinners.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Intriguing. So where are you
taking me?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I think I'll leave that as a
surprise.
                                                            
Daniel goes to his car door and open it.
                                                            
                       EMILY
And what time is this surprise
happening?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'll pick you up at 7.
                                                            
                       EMILY
OK. Well, you know where I live.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiles broadly)
Yes I do.
                                                            
Daniel gets into the car and drives away. He looks at Emily
in the car mirror and looks very pleased with himself. Emily
is stood at the side of the road, watching him drive away.
                                                            
 

14.

EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel pulls up to the curb where Emily is already waiting.
She is wearing an elegant cocktail dress. She's seems him
approaching and looks more nervous than excited. Daniel gets
out of the car. He is wearing an expensive looking suit.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Good Evening.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Evening.
                                                            
He takes her hand.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You look-
      (kisses her hand)
beautiful.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (smiling)
How charming.
                                                            
He leads her to the car by her hand. He opens the door for
her and she gets in. He closes the door and gets in the car.
They drive off.
                                                            
 
INT. CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
                       EMILY
So where is it you're taking me?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I said it was a surprise.
                                                            
                       EMILY
So; man follows me in grocery
store, then I get in his car and
don't know where he's taking me.
(pause) Am I crazy?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (laughs)
Probably.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - NIGHT
                                                            
The car pulls up to a small wooden dock that looks out onto
a large lake. The dock is bordered with lights, making it
stand out in the night time. They are in a small sandy bay.

15.

A house sits, partially covered with trees, a short distance
from the dock. Although there are other houses and docks
along the lake, they are not overlooked.
                                                            
 
INT. CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
Emily's eyes are wide with surprise at their destination.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You've brought me to a lake?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Surprise!
                                                            
                       EMILY
O wow. Thank God I wore my
cocktail dress.
                                                            
Daniel ignores her sarcasm. He gestures towards the dock.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Shall we?
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - NIGHT
                                                            
He starts to get out of the car. Emily takes a little longer
to as she wonders what she has gotten herself in to. He
takes her arm and helps her cross the sand and onto the
dock. As they reach the end an ornate table and two chairs
comes into view. Daniel pulls out a chair and Emily sits
down.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well this is certainly different.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (whilst sitting)
It's beautiful isn't it? I spend a
lot of time out here.
                                                            
                       EMILY
All this is yours?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah. That's my house over there.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Impressive. This must be a
beautiful place to live. How long
have you lived here?
                                                            

16.

                       DANIEL
Oh I can't even remember. Years.
                                                            
                       EMILY
But you didn't grow up here. Your
accent is difficult to place.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah? Well, where I grew up, it
was only a little town, you
wouldn't have heard of it.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well wherever it is, do you go
back there at all?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I didn't think so. Your eyes, they
glazed over as soon as I mentioned
where you came from.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I er...haven't been home
in a long while.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Why?
                                                            
Daniel looks at her for a few seconds with an uncomfortable
smile.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Would you like a drink?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh, yes please.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I should probably set the mood.
                                                            
Danel drags a picnic hamper from underneath the table. He
takes out two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. He
pours them both glasses. He takes out a candle and places it
on the table.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Very romantic. What else have you
got in there?
                                                            

17.

Daniel smiles at her. He takes a box of matched from his
pocket and lights the candle. Daniel looks at her with a
approval-seeking grin. She smiles back. The candle blows
out. They both laugh.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I thought that might happen.
                                                            
He goes back into the hamper and pulls out an old fashioned
gas light. He places it in the centre of the table.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Hmm.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What?
                                                            
                       EMILY
This is very well organised. If I
was suspicious I would think
you've done this before.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I have to confess, I've had this
idea for a long time. I just never
had the right girl.
                                                            
He raises his glass to her and she raises hers.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
To a wonderful evening.
                                                            
Emily smiles in agreement. The both take a sip of wine and
look flirtatiously into each others eyes.
                                                            
 
EXT. EMILY'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
The car pulls up to the curb outside Emily's house. The
radio is playing a 1960's love song. Both Daniel and Emily
look content, as though they have enjoyed their evening.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You fixed the radio.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Ah, it was never broken.
                                                            
Emily looks confusedly at him.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
But then you would never of heard
me sing.
                                                            

18.

They both smile broadly.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And I think we both know, that's
what sealed the deal.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh absolutely.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'll walk you to your door.
                                                            
Daniel goes to get out the car but Emily stops him.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh, um. (pause) You need to drive
a little further down then.
                                                            
Daniel looks confused.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I live-
      (points ahead of
       her)
-down there.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
You didn't want me to know where
you lived?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well...You followed me in the
grocery store! What was I supposed
to do?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yet you still let me take you out.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (pause)
Well you had a...certain charm
about you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh really? So, how did I do?
                                                            
                       EMILY
I had a lovely evening.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
As did I. So, I should probably
drive you home.
                                                            

19.

He starts up the car and drives about 30 feet before
stopping again.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
There you go.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (laughing)
Thank you very much.
                                                            
Daniel goes to open his door again.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh no it's OK. I can walk back
myself.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
OK then.
                                                            
A silence lingers in the car. Daniel looks into Emily's eyes
wondering if they will kiss.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well Goodnight.
      (opens the door
       and steps out)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Will I see you again?
                                                            
Emily takes her time replying. She looks deeply into his
eyes and smiles.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Absolutely.
                                                            
She closes the door. Daniel drives away with the radio
blasting and the same pleased look on his face as the last
time he dropped her off. Emily watches his car leave the
road, takes a deep breath in and walks sprightly back to her
home.
                                                            
 
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel and Emily are having a candlelit dinner in an
expensive looking restaurant.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (raising his glass)
To a wonderful evening.
                                                            

20.

                       EMILY
I heard that one before.
                                                            
They toast each other and take a sip of champagne. A WAITER
comes over to the table.
                                                            
                       WAITER
Are you ready to order?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes, I will have the steak, rare
thank you.
                                                            
Emily goes to talk but Daniel stops her by raising his hand
slightly.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And- the lady will have the...
                                                            
He takes his time thinking of an order while Emily enjoys
watching him struggle.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...Salmon.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Spaghetti.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Lamb?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No. I think I'll just order for
myself, hmm?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
If you want.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I have the steak also, rare.
                                                            
The waiter takes their order and leaves.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You are getting good at that.
                                                            

21.

                       DANIEL
I know; it's a gift.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh yeah, next time you should sing
it.
                                                            
They both laugh. After they quieten Emily starts to stare at
him.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...What?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Nothing.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You looked like you wanted to say
something.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Nope. Nothing.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Are you sure?
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause) Yeah.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (leaning forward)
Was that a lie?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes!
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (smiling)
So, what is it?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well...I've, We've known each
other for two months now-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And six days.
                                                            
                       EMILY
And six days - And I still know
next to nothing about you. I mean,
I know your handsome and charming
and kind-
                                                            

22.

                       DANIEL
Of course.
                                                            
                       EMILY
But I still don't know anything...
real. Like the town you grew up
in, I still don't even know the
name of it.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well I don't know much about you.
                                                            
                       EMILY
But you never asked. I asked. But
because you never asked me I
figured you didn't want to talk
about that stuff. So I know you're
hiding something. I get that, I
really do. And I don't need to
know everything but-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Ashford.
                                                            
                       EMILY
What?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
The name of the town, Ashford.
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause) Thank you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Is there anything else?
                                                            
He begins to busy himself by pouring a drink.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well yes. What about your family?
Are they still there?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I presume so.
                                                            
                       EMILY
And who is your family? Mother,
father, brothers; what?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Just my mother.
                                                            

23.

The atmosphere cools as Daniel gets uncomfortable. Emily
realises this, but wants to keep talking,
                                                            
                       EMILY
And did you get on well with her?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah. (pause) She was the best.
She was the only person I had.
                                                            
                       EMILY
But you don't see her anymore.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Why?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Times change.
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause) OK. Did I upset you-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What about your family?
                                                            
                       EMILY
What do you want to know?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Uhh...
                                                            
                       EMILY
Do you really want to know?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (shakes his head)
No. (pause) I guess that isn't
important to me.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Family isn't important?
                                                            
Daniel straightens up and puts on a brave face.
                                                            
They both sit in an uncomfortable silence.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You wanna skip dinner?
                                                            

24.

                       DANIEL
No.
                                                            
He pulls his chair closer to the table and takes a hold of
Emily's hand.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No, I don't want to skip, anything
with you.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well as long as we can still have
      (mocking him)
'a wonderful evening'
                                                            
They both smile as the atmosphere is restored.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - DAY
                                                            
Emily is stood outside on the dock looking out across the
lake. It is a bright and warm summers day and the lake is
glistening under the high sun. The archway across the dock
is covered with flowers. She hears Daniel walking towards
her and looks over her shoulder. He puts his arms around her
and kisses her cheek.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You Ok honey?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yeah. It's just so nice out here.
See this is where I should be
living.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh. That wasn't exactly subtle,
was it?
                                                            
                       EMILY
That's not what I meant.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I think it was.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I just meant its nice to get out
of the city. But...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
There we go.
                                                            

25.

                       EMILY
...when-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
So its a when now is it?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Isn't it?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I think I interrupted you, carry
on.
                                                            
                       EMILY
When...a man, from the country
makes an honest woman out of me-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Optimistic.
                                                            
                       EMILY
-I'll be packing up my things as
quickly as possible to get out of
town. This is where kids should
grow up, out here where they can
play outside for miles around.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Go swimming...
                                                            
                       EMILY
Absolutely. Right outside their
house.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) You wanna go swimming?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
She tries to break free from Daniel's arms but he keeps them
locked around her.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel. What are you doing?
                                                            
He starts to walk them both towards the edge of the water.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (laughing)
Take a breath
                                                            

26.

                       EMILY
No, Daniel! I swear-
                                                            
Emily falls into the water. After a few seconds underwater
she comes upto the surface out of breath.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I can't believe you!
                                                            
She swims back and puts her hands onto the dock. Daniel
leans down to her with a hand outstretched. She reaches for
it but he retracts it.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Urgh.
                                                            
He reaches out the same hand, but retracts it again.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel, come on! You're really
annoy-
                                                            
He reaches out his other hand from behind his back. He is
holding an engagement ring.
                                                            
                       EMILY
What are you doing?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Erm, well I was planning on
proposing.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Now?! You just pushed me into the
lake.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Pushed? I'm fairly sure you said
you wanted to go in now- Emily,
                                                            
He squats down lower to her.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Will you marry me?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes!
                                                            
She wraps her hands around his neck and they kiss
passionately before she pulls him into the water.
                                                            
Daniel starts splashing water at her. After an initial shock
she starts playfully splashing back.
                                                            
 

27.

INT. CHURCH - DAY
                                                            
The next scene shows Daniel and Emily's weeding day. The
sound is muted and Debussy's Reverie sets the mood.
Daniel is alone in a room at the church. He, like any groom,
is sitting nervously awaiting the start of the ceremony.
Although he has an added sadness to his worry. He loves
Emily and wants to marry her, but this commits him to a
relationship that he will have to see end. He shuts his
eyes-
Emily is getting ready. She is at home and surrounded by
people. The wedding party gets into a car and makes its way
to the church.
Daniel opens his eyes- He stands up and walks around the
room.
Smiling people are starting to fill the church.
Out of a window Daniel sees the car pull up. Emily gets out.
Seeing her looking beautiful reassures him until a man comes
to the door and signals him to come.
The long walk to the altar unsettles him again.
Daniel watches Emily walk down the aisle. He smiles broadly
as she approaches him.
As the minister starts the ceremony he looks nervous again.
--> Skip to Daniel and Emily kissing. Daniel looks back at
the guests all smiling at him.
They step out of the church into the sun.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is stood inside his living room. It is has dark
wooden floors,it is well furnished and features a large log
burning fire in the living room. He is looking at a framed
picture that sits on the side table. It shows a close up
shot of Daniel and Emily on their wedding day. The both look
elated as confetti falls on top of them. As the camera pans
out we see that the hallway of the house is filled with
unopened boxes. Emily comes down the stairs and sees him.
She sneaks up behind him and kisses him on the neck.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Hey. Are you looking at our
wedding picture?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (breaks into a
       smile)
(pause) Are there any boxes left?
                                                            

28.

                       EMILY
Well if only I had a big strong
man to help me move them...
                                                            
She stands up straight and lightly slaps him on the back.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Come on.
                                                            
She starts walking back to the hallway. Daniel sighs and
throws his head back in the sofa before getting up and
slowly walking into the hallway. He stops in the doorway and
leans against it. He watches as Emily struggles to lift a
heavy box. She drops it and cries in frustration. He lets
out a small laugh.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well I'm glad you think it's so
funny. You're the one who should
be doing this-
                                                            
Emily starts ranting as Daniel continues to smile at her. He
walks over to her whilst she is still talking.
                                                            
                       EMILY
-Not me. I've been unpacking boxes
all day-
                                                            
Daniel clasps the back of her neck and they kiss
passionately.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause)You still want a hand with
those boxes?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Shut up.
                                                            
They kiss again
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel drives up to the house. It is a bright day. With a
grocery bag under his arm he walks up to the house. Through
a glass panel on the door he can see her on the phone.
                                                            
 

29.

INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
He goes inside. Emily, who is now pregnant, jumps at the
sound of the door and quickly puts the phone down. She walks
over to him with a nervous smile, hoping he doesn't question
her.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Hey honey.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Who was that on the phone?
                                                            
He stares at her sternly, already knowing the answer. Emily
takes some time thinking of a response, too long for Daniel.
He storms off into the kitchen. The sun disappears behinds
the clouds leaving the house in a grey hue.
                                                            
                       EMILY
It was only a phone call-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And I don't want you making them!
God dammit! How many times do I
have to ask you?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well maybe if you told me why-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I shouldn't have to!
                                                            
                       EMILY
Shouldn't have to? I'm your wife-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Then you should know how I feel
about it!
                                                            
He leans forward onto the worktop and hangs his head.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Jesus, you make me so mad.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Well..this whole situation is
driving me mad.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You don't even understand.
                                                            

30.

                       EMILY
No I don't. And if you're not
going to tell me then I never
will. Because she sure as hell
doesn't understand why you left!
                                                            
Daniel looks up at her with tear filled eyes. She
immediately softens her approach. She holds onto his hands.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No I don't know what happened, and
I don't really care. But what I do
want is for my child to know their
grandmother. (pause) She's an old
woman Daniel,
                                                            
Daniel gets uncomfortable and pulls away from her.
                                                            
                       EMILY
and she should be able to see her
grandchild before (pause) it's too
late.
                                                            
Daniel is overcome and has to leave the room. He walks into
the living and paces.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You don't have to come.
                                                            
Daniel sneers and continues to nervously pace the room. He
stops and runs his hands through his hair before burying his
face into his hands. She pulls in close to him and puts a
hand onto his cheek.
                                                            
                       EMILY
What happened Daniel? You should
see her.
                                                            
Daniel partially composes himself and meets Emily's eyes.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Whatever you're worried about, or
scared of, it doesn't matter. She
wants to see you.
                                                            
After a while of contemplation, Daniel nods in agreement.
Daniel rests his head on Emily's shoulder as they embrace
tightly.
                                                            
 

31.

EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel and Emily drive down a potholed dirt road. Large
grassy fields lay either side of it. A house can be seen in
the distance. It sits on the edge of a lake and is the only
house is view. The car pulls up to the house. Daniel keeps
his hands on the steering wheel and is clearly apprehensive
about getting out the car. Emily tries to comfort him by
rubbing his arm.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Come on.
                                                            
She gets out the car and goes round to the trunk. Daniel
takes his time in getting out the car. Daniel unpacks the
two large suitcases in the back of the car. The front door
of the house open and Daniel's mother KATHERINE, an elderly
frail woman steps out. Using a cane she slowly makes her way
down the pathway.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel?
                                                            
She starts to tear up as she sees her long lost son. Daniel
is less eager to reconcile, uncomfortable seeing his mother
as a now elderly woman.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel, is that you? Oh my
goodness. Come here, I can't see
you properly.
                                                            
Daniel doesn't move. Emily pushes him forward gently and he
reluctantly walks towards his mother.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I can't believe it.
                                                            
She reaches up and places her hand against his face. Daniel
starts to get emotional as he comes face to face with his
mother after so many years. Katherine leans in and embraces
him. After a while resisting, Daniel reciprocates and puts
his arms around her, gently at first but then embracing her
tightly.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I never thought I'd see you again.
                                                            
They separate. Daniel now has tears running down his face.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know.
                                                            

32.

                       KATHERINE
You haven't aged a day.
                                                            
She looks over to Emily.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
And this must be Emily.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes, it's lovely to meet you.
                                                            
They hug.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
So beautiful,
                                                            
She gestures towards her belly.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
and so big. Not long now I
suspect.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh, well there's still a couple
more months to go.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh goodness, when I was pregnant
Daniel came two months early. You
never know what's going to happen.
(pause) Well we should get you all
inside.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes, this house is wonderful.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Isn't it. I've lived here all my
life.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Let's go inside.
                                                            
He picks up the suitcases. Katherine holds onto Emily's arm
and they all start to walk into the house.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (smiling)
It's so good to see you Daniel.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I know, Mom.
                                                            
 

33.

INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
LATER
                                                            
Emily is in an upstairs bedroom sorting through her clothes.
The suitcases lay open across the double bed. Downstairs in
the kitchen Daniel and his mother are in conversation.
Daniel is sat at a wooden table whilst his mother is
preparing some food. The house is noticeably similar in
style and decor to Daniel's, albeit dated and less well
kept.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I know I shouldn't be, but its so
amazing how well you look. It's a
shame that can't be said for
myself. (pause) Daniel I know this
must be difficult for you to see
me like this. I'm not as young as
I used to be.
                                                            
Daniel shifts nervously in his seat, clearly nervous of the
direction of the conversation.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
But I want you to know, that it's
OK to feel scared, because I know
you are.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm not sure scared is the right
word.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh I think it is. Everybody loses
people they love, nobody more than
you will, but running away won't
save yourself the grief. (long
pause) Emily seems wonderful,
      (smiling broadly)
very pretty. But I can see there's
more to her than that, very sharp.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You got that right. She's perfect.
                                                            
Emily walks into the room and sits down next to Daniel.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I guess your ears were burning.
                                                            

34.

                       EMILY
      (laughing)
Should I be worried?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh no dear.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (grabbing her hand)
Only good things.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Are you all set upstairs?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes it's a lovely room.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Now, you might not want to know
this, but thats the very room that
Daniel was born in.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Really?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh yes. I still remember all those
years ago, 21st June 1919. It was
such a hot day-
                                                            
                       EMILY
1919? It's 29 isn't it?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah mom, 29.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
(pause) Oh, oh of course it was.
Don't mind me, I'm just a little
forgetful these days.
                                                            
She brings over two plates of sandwiches and gives them to
Daniel and Emily. She sits down and joins them at the table.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
      (to Emily)
Eat up now, you're gonna need your
strength with a baby round the
corner. Oh I do hope it comes
soon, I just hope I'm still around
to see my first grandchild.
                                                            

35.

Daniel looks away, leaving Emily to respond. She leans
forward and hold onto Katherine's hand.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (smiling)
Of course you will.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel and Emily are preparing for bed. Katherine comes to
the door.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Is everything OK in here?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes thank you.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh Good.
      (to Daniel)
It is nice having you here.
                                                            
Daniel weakly smiles back at her.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well, I'll leave you to it. Good
night.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Good night.
                                                            
                       EMILY
We'll see you in the morning.
                                                            
Katherine leaves the doorway. Daniel gets into bed and lies
down, seemingly ignoring his wife. Emily looks down at him.
                                                            
                       EMILY
How are you feeling?
                                                            
He turns slightly and looks over his shoulder.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm fine.
                                                            
He turns back, assuming the conversation is over.
                                                            

36.

                       EMILY
Your mother is lovely. Her stories
are amazing, I could have listened
to them all day. And she's so
kind, she helped-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (from over his
       shoulder)
I know.
                                                            
Emily senses he is uncomfortable so decides to go to sleep.
She lays down close to him. Daniel's face is tense, as if he
is trying not to cry.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE-KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
The next morning, Katherine is well underway preparing
breakfast. Daniel comes down the stairs still in his
pajamas.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Morning.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh!
                                                            
She walks towards him with her arms outstretched.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Good morning.
      (They hug)
Did you sleep well?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) Yes, it was fine.
                                                            
She smiles, knowing he is lying.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I'm making breakfast, sit.
      (points to table)
Where's Emily?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
She isn't feeling well. She's
staying in bed.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh my. Will she be OK? Does she
need anything?
                                                            

37.

                       DANIEL
No, I think just sleep. It's the
pregnancy, it's getting worse.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Does she need a Doctor?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
We've seen Doctors, they don't
help.
                                                            
She stops cooking and come to the table.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Yesterday, I was so happy to see
you. But it seemed this was the
last place in the world you wanted
to be. I ignored it because I
didn't want you to run away again.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm not going to run away.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I wish I could believe that.
(pause) I worry about you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You don't have to worry about me.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
You're right. It isn't you that
deserves my worry. It's Emily and
your baby.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well you can save it. I love my
wife, and when that baby comes we
will be the best parents we can
be. We have a gorgeous home where
they can grow up-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
And old. She doesn't know does
she? You can't just ignore it
Daniel.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I love her.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
You loved me.
                                                            

38.

They sit in silence. After a few moments they hear Emily
screaming from upstairs. Daniel immediately runs up the
stairs, with Katherine struggling to move with much speed.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel rushes to Emily's bedside. She is writhing on the bed
in pain.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Honey, what is it?!
                                                            
Emily is unable to speak and can only scream in agony.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's OK, everything will be OK.
                                                            
Katherine comes to the door.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh my goodness! I'm calling the
Doctor.
                                                            
Katherine walks over to the table found in the hallway. She
picks up the telephone from it and dials. She calls for a
doctor as Daniel tries to help his wife, with little effect.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
A car pulls up to the house. DOCTOR FISHER gets out holding
a large black suitcase and rushes to the front door.
Katherine opens it.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Doctor! It's my daughter in law.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
The Doctor is examining Emily who is still in severe pain.
Daniel is sat at her side holding into her hand whilst
Katherine is busy bringing in bowls of hot water and towels.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What is it?
                                                            
                       DOCTOR FISHER
It's the baby. It's coming now.
                                                            
                       EMILY
What?!
                                                            

39.

                       DOCTOR FISHER
This baby needs to be delivered
now. Now
      (to Daniel)
I'm going to need your help.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What? I...I-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I've delivered seven babies in my
time.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR FISHER
OK I need you over here. Daniel,
I'm gonna have to ask you to get
out the way.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No I can't-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel this is important.
                                                            
She takes his hand off of Emily's and moves him away from
the bed. The Doctor and Katherine continue to tend to Emily
and start to deliver the baby. Daniel paces in frustration
as he is unable to help his wife, still howling in pain. He
pounds his fist on the wall and the granddaughter wall clock
stop ticking. The scene ends with the echo of Emily's
scream.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE-BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Emily and Daniel are sat on the bed. They are both admiring
their daughter JESSICA, who Emily holds in her arms.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
She's gorgeous.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I know.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You got any name ideas?
                                                            
                       EMILY
I'm not sure. I had so many, and I
thought when the baby came I'd
know. But...I don't know, what do
you think?
                                                            

40.

                       DANIEL
Grace?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Jean?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Julie?
                                                            
                       EMILY
No!
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well that was really helpful.
                                                            
                       EMILY
      (ignoring him)
I'll just think of one myself.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's great when we can work as a
team like that.
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause) I'm sorry. I'm...really
tired.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah, you should probably get some
sleep. You seem really...
                                                            
She squints her eyes at him.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...tired. (pause)
                                                            
He goes to take the baby but she resists.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Come on. You need to sleep.
                                                            
He takes the baby and places her a crib at the side of the
bed. He then tucks Emily into bed. He runs his hand down her
cheek.
                                                            

41.

                       DANIEL
I love you.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I love you too.
                                                            
After a few seconds staring lovingly into each others eyes
Emily lay down and closes her eyes. Daniel doesn't leave
straight away.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
This has been... just the best day
of my life. I never what to expect
but now... now I feel so... ready
to be a family. And I know that we
can be the best-
                                                            
Emily, still lying down and without opening her eyes, puts
her hand up to his mouth.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Go away.
                                                            
With a smile he stands up, admires both the women in his
life sleeping, and then leaves the room.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel walks downstairs into the kitchen. Katherine is sat
at the table admiring an old photo album.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh, I thought you would be asleep
by now.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Er no, well Emily is but I...
can't.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
It's exciting isn't it.
                                                            

42.

                       DANIEL
Yeah, yeah it is. (pause) What are
you looking at?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh, just old pictures. You see
this one...
                                                            
She turns the album around and shows him a photo. It shows
Katherine as a much younger women, holding a baby in her
arms whilst still in bed.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
... thats the day you were born.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Wow. Same wallpaper.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Same Doctor too.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Things never change round here do
they?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
We certainly take our time when we
want to. But since when has that
been a bad thing?
                                                            
He says nothing.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (staring at photo)
You look happy.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Happiest day of my life. Can't
believe how long ago it was. And
you're all grown up
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Was my father there?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
(pause) Well, men weren't supposed
to be around for that sort of
thing, so...(pause) At least Emily
had you there.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah, you spend months thinking
about how incredible the moment
you see your baby for the first
            (MORE)

43.

                       DANIEL (cont'd)
time is going to be, but er... I
don't think anyone could've
prepared us for that.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well, you were just as difficult.
Terrible.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
err, sorry(?)
                                                            
MEMORY (DANIEL'S; OF MOTHER'S STORY)
                                                            
As Katherine re-tells the story, Daniel forms a picture of
it. Details come into focus/change as he hears them. He
starts with his mother on the bed and the Doctor at her
side.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE (v.o.)
I was in that bedroom all day
long. My goodness! I was in so
much pain the doctor had to call
for extra help.
                                                            
Two nurses appear in the frame.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE (v.o.)
I woke up that morning with awful
pain, and you didn't arrive
until...that evening, what time
was it?
                                                            
The sky outside changes to black. They continue to deliver
the baby.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE (v.o.)
Yes I remember it was 7 o'clock on
the mark. I remember because the
chimes...they must have stopped
working. I wasn't really paying
too much attention but it stopped
working after that. I didn't think
anything of it then, but I guess
it meant something. (pause) But
afterwards, there you were. My
baby.
                                                            
The room is now empty besides Katherine, holding a baby
Daniel in the bed.
                                                            

44.

                       KATHERINE
It's the best feeling in the
world.
                                                            
The memory closes on the image of Katherine, elated and
holding newborn Daniel.
                                                            
END OF MEMORY - BACK TO KITCHEN
                                                            
Daniel says nothing. He turns back to the photo album and
continues to flick through it.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Do you ever think about when you
were a child, about the house, the
lake... me?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I try not to.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh. That's a shame. Do you think
that's healthy?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) You a shrink now?
                                                            
They both let out a small laugh.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I think you should. What do you
tell people, Emily? What are you
gonna tell your daughter? Have you
ever thought about whether she
might be...like you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well thats a long time away. If
she even...was like me.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I can't say I envy you Daniel. It
makes my head spin just thinking
about it.
                                                            
After a moment of contemplation Daniel slams the photo album
shut and stands up.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (holding the album)
I better get to bed. Where should
I put this?
                                                            

45.

                       KATHERINE
(pause) No. You should have it.
I've got all my memories, you
should have some of your own.
                                                            
She pushes the album into his chest and kisses him on the
cheek.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Good night.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Night.
                                                            
He watches her leave the room and waits for her to climb the
stairs. He sits back down at the table and open the front
cover of the photo album. After thinking about it further he
shuts it again and goes upstairs to bed.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINES HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
Daniel at the foot of the stairs. The two suitcases are
stood up by the front door. In the kitchen Katherine is sat
in a chair at the table, with baby Jessica in her arms.
Daniel shouts up the stairs.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Emily!
                                                            
                       EMILY (OS)
Yeah, I'm coming!
                                                            
He turns and goes into the kitchen.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Mum? We're gonna get going now.
                                                            
Emily comes down the stairs and into the kitchen.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh OK. I wish you could stay
longer. Emily you wanna take her?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Sure. You know we've had a
wonderful time staying here
Katherine.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well you can come back anytime you
like.
                                                            

46.

                       DANIEL
I'm gonna put the cases in the
car.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel takes the suitcases out to the car. Emily and
Katherine follow him outside.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Bye Katherine,
      (they hug)
It's been so nice to meet you.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
And you too.
      (to Jessica)
I'm gonna miss you too.
                                                            
Emily get into the car with Jessica on her lap. Daniel
closes the boot and walks over to his mother. She wraps her
arms around him tightly.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh Daniel. I'm just so happy I got
to see you again.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Me too, mum.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
And don't you go disappearing
again you hear? I want you to come
visit me anytime you like.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sure we will. Goodbye.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Bye.
                                                            
Daniel gets into the car and starts to drive away. They all
wave at each other as they separate. Daniel finds himself
unexpectedly emotional as he watches his mother waving in
the car mirror.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The cars pulls up to Daniel's house.
                                                            

47.

                       EMILY
Ugh, thank goodness. I am so
tired. You know what, I think I'm
gonna go sit outside.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah, I'll come join you. I'm just
gonna put these cases upstairs.
                                                            
                       EMILY
OK.
                                                            
Emily takes Jessica out to the dock. Daniel goes inside with
the cases. He looks around with a sense of sadness, not the
relief he had thought his return would give him.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
She kisses him, smiles, happy to be back at home, and walks
away. Daniel takes a case in each hand and goes upstairs
into his bedroom. He looks out the window and see Emily
walking along the dock. He goes back to the bed, open one of
the cases and from within it, wrapped in a jumper, he takes
out the photo album.He sits down on the bed and slowly opens
the front cover.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
FLASHBACK
                                                            
Daniel, now an 8-year old boy, is running down to the lake
followed by a dog that runs out of the house. Daniel is
laughing all the way, as the dog catching up to him. Daniel
falls over and he and the dog play in the tall grass.
Eventually, they both run down to the lake and start
swimming.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel!
                                                            
Daniel turns and is shocked to see his mother stood at the
lakes edge.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
What have I told you about
swimming in the lake?
                                                            
Daniel swims towards her and gets out of the water. He
doesn't say anything and can't look her in the eye.
                                                            

48.

                       KATHERINE
You don't go swimming in here-
                                                            
She bends down and puts her hand into the water.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
-without me!
                                                            
She splashes him, much to Daniel's delight, and so he
splashes back. The play in the water for a while, both
ending up soaking head to toe.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh my goodness. Well, I think I
won that.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No you didn't!
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I think I did.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No I did.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well there's only one way to
settle it. You know the rules, 3-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
2 1!
                                                            
He starts running out of the water and towards the house.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Hey!
                                                            
Daniel starts laughing. She runs after him but can't catch
him.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel runs inside the house and into the living room. He
stops immediately as he sees his FATHER sat in an armchair
holding a newspaper in front of him. He stands on the spot,
breathing heavily and dripping water all over the floor. His
father folds down a corner of the paper and looks at him.
His face isn't clear, hidden in shadow and the glare of the
sun from the window.
                                                            

49.

                       FATHER
What the hell do you think you're
doing?
                                                            
Daniel struggles to speak.
                                                            
                       FATHER
You think you can just run around
my house like an animal, soaking
wet? Well?
                                                            
Daniel stays frozen on the spot.
                                                            
                       FATHER
You got nothing to say? Why do you
do this to me? Don't you listen?
There are ways to make you listen.
                                                            
He throws the newspaper to his side and stands up. He takes
a step forward when Katherine runs into the room.
                                                            
                       FATHER
      (to Katherine)
I should have known you'd be
behind this.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
We were just playing.
                                                            
                       FATHER
Of course you were. My wife; the
child-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel go into the kitchen.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
Daniel runs into the kitchen and listens to his parents
arguing.
                                                            
                       FATHER (O.S)
How is he supposed to learn if
you're acting a fool?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE (O.S)
There is no harm in having fun.
                                                            
Daniel curls up into a chair as he continues to listen. The
argument builds and builds in volume but more muffled until
it becomes almost unbearable. It is broken suddenly when his
dog comes bounding into the kitchen. The sound of his

50.

parents disappears as he plays with the dog on the floor.
After a while Katherine comes into the kitchen. She looks
more relieved than upset.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
So, we should probably get you
washed.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY
                                                            
Katherine is kneeling next to the tub, bathing Daniel.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Am I in trouble?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
No. You didn't do anything wrong.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
But Dad was shouting.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well he's always shouting at
someone.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (laughing)
I know.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Is he angry?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
We don't need to worry about that
do we, eh?
                                                            
Daniel is reluctant to agree with her so she places her hand
on his chin and moves it side to side.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Nooo.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (laughing)
OK.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
(pause) Come on, you should go and
get dressed.
                                                            
 

51.

INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is just finishing getting dressed when he hears the
front door slam. He runs to his window and sees his father
walking to the car holding a large suitcase. He runs into
the hallway to get a better look. He sees Katherine walk
over to him. They have a brief discussion before it
escalates to an argument. It doesn't last long and they
separate, Katherine walks back to the house whilst his
father gets into his car. Daniel watches as he drives away.
Katherine walks up behind him, wraps her arms around him and
places her head on his shoulders.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Is he gone?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
It's just you and me now.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Forever?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Yeah.
                                                            
He turns around.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Good.
                                                            
The hug tightly.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Katherine and Daniel are driving up to the house. The radio
is on loudly and Katherine is dancing exaggeratedly. They
are both laughing at her. Katherine's smile fades as she
sees a familiar car outside her house.
They get out of the car. We can see Katherine is in the
early stages of pregnancy.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Who's car is that?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
My sister. Your Aunt.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I have an Aunt?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Don't get your hopes up.
                                                            

52.

INSIDE
                                                            
Katherine's sister, MARGARET, approaches them. She is
dressed in expensive clothes and clearly out of place in the
country side.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Katherine, How nice to see you.
                                                            
They hug.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
And you. What are you doing here?
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Don't be silly. The whole towns
talking about you. I need to make
sure you haven't completely lost
your mind.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
How wonderful. I do enjoy your
visits. This is Daniel...
                                                            
She pushes him forwards. Margaret leans backwards.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Oh. Well. It's good to meet you.
                                                            
She outstretches a gloved hand. Daniel stares at her for a
while then weakly shakes it.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Why don't you go and play. Let the
grown ups talk.
                                                            
He doesn't know what to make of her request, but Katherine
nods and he runs upstairs. He stops at the top and listens
to them.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Go on. We both know why you're
here so just get on with it.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Do you even care about this? It
doesn't seem like you do.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Do I care about what? You aren't
here for me, you can't bare the
fact that people might not like
the way I live. Well I'm sorry
about being the black spot on your
            (MORE)

53.

                       KATHERINE (cont'd)
perfect family picture.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Good.
                                                            
Katherine storms out of the room.
                                                            
OUTSIDE
                                                            
Margaret, Katherine and Daniel are sat around a table at the
back of the house in silence. Katherine rolls her eyes at
Daniel which makes him laugh. Margaret stares daggers at
him, and then Katherine.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
I was hoping for some sense of
regret from you. I see that was a
little too much to ask for.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Regret. Not being one for gossip I
don't know what you mean. Nothing
I regret.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
      (to Daniel)
And how are you feeling? Now your
Father's gone.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I like it better. Just with me and
mum.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Not for much longer. And then who
knows,
      (to Katherine)
perhaps a litter of illegitimate-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You're not staying are you?
                                                            
Margaret looks shocked to have been interrupted by a child.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Why?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't like you.
                                                            

54.

Margaret's eyebrows raise as she sits back in her chair.
Katherine smiles at Daniel, who smiles back, although
sheepishly.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
You know what...I don't either.
Get out.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Excuse me?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
You heard me.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah, get out.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
Well I can see you've done a stand
up job raising this one. Good luck
is all I can say.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I don't need your luck.
      (leans over to
       Daniel)
We'll get by just fine.
                                                            
                       MARGARET
I wasn't talking to you.
                                                            
She nods towards Katherine's stomach before leaving quickly.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Well I think we got rid of her.
                                                            
Daniel smiles back at her.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel is in his bedroom getting ready to go to sleep. From
out the room he hears a faint cry. He slowly walks down the
corridor and the noise gets louder.
                                                            
BATHROOM
                                                            
Daniel stands in the doorway to the bathroom. Katherine is
sitting on the floor crying, clutching her stomach. She
seems him but doesn't try to hide her crying.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What happened?
                                                            

55.

                       KATHERINE
It doesn't matter. (smiles) Come
here.
                                                            
She outstretches an arm. Daniel rushes over and hugs his
mother tightly.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's OK.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I know. Me and you, that's all we
need.
                                                            
Daniel nods in agreement.
                                                            
END FLASHBACK
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM (1961) - DAY
                                                            
Daniel closes the photo album, composes himself and walks
downstairs. He joins Emily on the dock outside. He sits next
to Emily who is holding Jessica in her arms, enjoying the
view.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - DAY
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Hey. (pause) Isn't this just...
      (turns to him)
perfect.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah.
                                                            
They both sit admiring their new baby daughter.
                                                            
                       EMILY
(pause) I wish we could stay out
here...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Forever?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yeah.
                                                            
He puts his arm around her and kisses her.
                                                            

56.

                       DANIEL
Good.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
FLASHBACK
                                                            
Daniel, now a grown man, is stood watching his mother in the
kitchen. She is now much older and struggling to read a
recipe book. She eventually has to put on a pair of large
glasses that hang around her neck. From behind the counter
we see her cane fall to the floor and she has trouble trying
to pick it up. Daniel, clearly distressed at seeing his
mother struggle. He slowly walks to the front door and
leaves the house.
                                                            
DANIEL'S HOUSE
                                                            
Daniel drives up to his house. There is a Sold sign in the
garden. After looking at it for quite some time he gets out
the car and goes into his new house.
                                                            
END FLASHBACK
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is sat at the desk in his study. The desk is covered
in paperwork and he seems busy working. He is distracted
when the phone starts ringing.
                                                            
                       DANIEL (phone)
Hello.
                                                            
He stands up.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What?!
                                                            
Daniel is seen driving his car at speed into a large town.
He drives up to a hospital.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is rushing through the hospital corridor with a
NURSE.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Where is she?
                                                            

57.

                       NURSE
She's this way.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
How is she doing?
                                                            
                       NURSE
She lost a lot of blood so she is
still very weak.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well what does that mean? Will she
get better?
                                                            
                       NURSE
We're looking after her but we
just don't know.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You have to know.
                                                            
                       NURSE
OK. Honestly, there's nothing we
can do right now except wait. What
she needs right now is someone who
loves her.
                                                            
She opens a door into a hospital room and gestures him in.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right. Thank you.
                                                            
He goes into the room and shuts the door behind him.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Emily is in the hospital bed, barely able to keep her eyes
open.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey. How are you feeling?
                                                            
He rushes over to her and takes her hand.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Not great.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What happened?
                                                            

58.

                       EMILY
I'm not sure. I was just crossing
the street and...out of nowhere...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It's OK, it's OK. I'm here now
and...they're gonna take care of
you and you're going to get
better.
                                                            
                       EMILY
No, no I'm not-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Don't say that of course you are.
                                                            
Emily smiles in agreement but doesn't believe him.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Where's Jessica?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
She's outside.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I know you'll look after her.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Why are you speaking like that?
You're gonna be fine, I spoke to
the nurse-
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel. (pause) I love you...so
much.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I love you too. From the first
time I saw you, you remember that
day?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Of course I do. My car, I knew you
were lying.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Ha. Yeah, I could of fixed it
right away. (pause) How does
it...what are you feeling?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Tired. Cold. I can't keep my eyes
open. (pause) Just make sure that
Jessica knows...that I love her
            (MORE)

59.

                       EMILY (cont'd)
and that you-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Emily you don't need to talk like
that.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You're not going anywhere.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Daniel.
                                                            
She places her hand onto his face and he calms down, coming
to accept Emily's pain.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I keep thinking about all the
great times we had together, our
dates, getting married, having a
baby. We've spent so much time
together and now...when it's gone,
it's all you want.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
The years we've had together have
been the best of my life. (pause)
Don't leave me.
                                                            
                       EMILY
I love you.
                                                            
The scene ends with them holding each other tightly.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is stood in the doorway of his empty bedroom. He sits
down on Emily's side of the bed and starts looking through
her things on the bed-side table; jewelery, photos etc. He
starts to get upset but is distracted by the sound of
laughter coming from outside. He composes himself and goes
downstairs.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is stood in the doorway, watching Jessica, now eight
years old, playing with their dog outside the house. They
run down to the dock and jump into the lake. Daniel smiles

60.

as he watches them. He steps out of the house and starts to
close the door.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey! What have I told you about
playing in the lake?
                                                            
The door closes.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - STUDY - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is sat working at his desk. The phone rings again. He
stares at it for a few seconds before picking it up.
                                                            
                       DANIEL (on phone)
Hello.
OK.
Yes I'm her son.
What's wrong with her?
                                                            
After getting an answer he drops the phone and sits with his
head in his hands. JESSICA comes into the room.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Daddy what's wrong?
                                                            
He wipes the tears from his face.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Get your shoes.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is rushing through a hospital corridor with Jessica
holding his hand. He gets to a reception desk where NURSE 2
is working.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Excuse me, I'm here to see
Katherine James.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
Are you family?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes I'm her son.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
She didn't mention you-
                                                            

61.

                       DANIEL
Well, someone contacted me. Where
is she?
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
I'll need to check with-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I need to see my mother, come on!
I need to see her.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
OK. She's down the hall in room 4-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
      (to Jessica)
Hey sweetie what's your name?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Jessica.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
Oh.
      (to Daniel)
I think it's best for you to go in
by yourself, at first anyway.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right, OK.
                                                            
                       NURSE 2
I'll take her to the waiting room.
      (to Jessica)
Come on Jessica.
                                                            
She takes Jessica's hand and leads her off down the
corridor.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'll come get you soon.
                                                            
Daniel walks down the corridor and finds room 4. He stands
at the door for some time composing himself before he opens
the door.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel walks into the room. His mother is in a hospital bed
wired up to life support. It is not the same woman/scene as

62.

the first scene. It is a much older looking hospital.
Katherine is pleased to see her son.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Mum.
                                                            
They embrace.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What happened? How are you
feeling?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Not too good. Time happened. I
guess I'm just...at the end of the
line.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Is there anything I can do?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
No, no.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Have the Doctor's spoken to you at
all? What are they doing?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel they're not doing anything.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well they must be able to do
something-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel
                                                            
                       DANIEL
They can't just let you sit here
and-
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Daniel, it's OK.
                                                            
Daniel anger comes to the surface to both of their
surprises.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No! No it isn't! This can't happen
again.
                                                            

63.

                       KATHERINE
Daniel, calm down! I understand
how you're feeling, I do, but
please, no shouting. (pause) I
know it was difficult for you to
come back, but I'm so happy to
have had you back in my life. And
Jessica. And Emily. These past few
years have been wonderful.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know. I just wish that I hadn't
left it so long. I don't really
know what I'm supposed to do now.
I mean, is this how its going to
be from now on? I'm just losing
everything...and...I don't want
that anymore.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Everybody has to deal with losing
people Daniel. You're not special
in that respect. You just have to
grow up and deal with things as
they come. Thats what I'm worried
about Daniel, you ran away, you
didn't learn to cope.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I could cope. If I was like
everybody else I could, but
knowing that I'm going to have to
do this again and again...I mean,
what am I supposed to do?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I don't know what to tell you
Daniel, I don't think anyone can.
This is something you are going to
have to work out for yourself. You
can do that can't you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't know.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Yes, you can. You never realised
it, you're stronger than you
think. I should have told you that
when you were younger, I should
have let you grow up more, instead
of letting you stay in that old
house with me for so long. No
matter how old you get, when you
            (MORE)

64.

                       KATHERINE (cont'd)
look at me I still see a little
boy. (pause) You will look after
her won't you? Jessica is going to
need you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know. Of course I will. I..I'm
all she's got. She's all I have
left now.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Don't let it panic you. She needs
a father. She needs you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I can't lose her as well.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
You won't. You need to make sure
shes loved.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...Right.
                                                            
Katherine jerks in pain.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What? What is it?
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
Oh.
      (she grips his arm)
I think it's time to say goodbye.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No...don't...
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
It's OK Daniel. I...I'm proud of
you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (tearing up)
I love you.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE
I love you too.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Don't leave me.
                                                            
Katherine slowly closes her eyes.
                                                            
 

65.

INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
A casket is on display in the living room with a framed
picture of Katherine resting on top of it. The house is full
of smartly dressed people making quiet conversation. Jessica
is sat with a group of people including one woman who is
holding a baby. She gives Jessica the baby to hold. Pleased,
she smiles broadly at her father. Daniel stands across the
room, alone. He fakes a smile back and leaves the room into
the hallway. He is stopped by well wishers.
                                                            
                       RELATIVE 1
Daniel, I am so sorry for your
loss. Your mother was a wonderful
woman.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you.
                                                            
Daniel quickly moves on before being stopped again by an
elderly man WILLIAM.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Excuse me, you're Katherine's son
aren't you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes I am.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Well, I am so sorry for you.
Katherine used to talk about you
all the time.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right.
                                                            
He moves on. Another person approaches him but Daniel isn't
really listening. He seems distracted by the last person.
                                                            
                       RELATIVE 2
Daniel!
      (he hugs him)
How are you holding up? This must
be terrible for you, what with
losing your father as well.
Although, this house, incredible
isn't it? Worth a small
fortune...in the right hands. I'm
just gonna give you this...
      (pulls out a card
       from his pocket)
...and when you're ready to sell
you just call me. Take your time
            (MORE)

66.

                       RELATIVE 2 (cont'd)
of course, I wouldn't want to
intrude.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I have to go.
                                                            
He start to walk back over to William.
                                                            
                       RELATIVE 2
Oh, of course. Just don't
forget...
      (points to his
       card in Daniel's
       hand)
...and once again, so sorry.
                                                            
Daniel walks over to William and stares at him curiously.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Err...Are you OK?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sure I remember you.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Oh. I don't think we've ever
actually met. I knew Katherine
when we were kids so...it's been a
long time since I've been around,
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No no, I'm sure you told me
something once...Ah, what was it?
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
I'm sorry.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh. OK.
                                                            
He smiles politely and looks to leave.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Is that your daughter?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes, Jessica.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
I thought so. She looks exactly
like her, Katherine that is.
                                                            

67.

                       DANIEL
Really?
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Oh yeah. It's like seeing her as a
kid again. You've got yourself a
mini-Katherine right there.
                                                            
Daniel stares at Jessica, clearly distressed at what William
has said.
                                                            
                       KATHERINE (v.o)
      (from before)
It makes my head spin just
thinking about it. Have you ever
thought about whether she might
be...like you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
She's like you.
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
What?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Nothing. Will you excuse me?
                                                            
                       WILLIAM
Of course. Maybe you'll remember
why you...remember me. (laughs)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Maybe.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
He walks away. He slips out the front door and makes his way
hurriedly to his car. Crying as he does so he gets into the
car and puts the key in the ignition. He sees Jessica in the
window which makes his decision harder. He spends time
thinking whether he can handle watching his daughter grow
old or not, whether it's just one loss too far. Eventually
he starts the car and drives away.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is loading suitcases into his car. He is determined
but clearly upset at having to load his entire life into a
car. He locks the front door of the house and walks over to
the car. He stops and stares back at the now empty house. He

68.

is distracted when his neighbor CLAIRE, a 30 year old
housewife, walks down the driveway.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Daniel!
                                                            
Daniel turns and makes nice.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hey Claire, how are you?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I'm fine, how are you? What
happened to you guys last week?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err-
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I thought you and Jessica were
coming round to dinner. You never
showed up.
      (playfully)
And you know my cooking's famous
across the whole state so you
better have a good reason.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
We had to go away for a little
while. My mother died and-
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Oh my God I'm so sorry.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
-we had to...well there was the
funeral to plan.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Oh you poor thing. That's
terrible. How are you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, I'm...sorry we didn't tell
you about it.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Oh no don't be silly. Don't worry
about it. Wow...how is Jessica
handling it?
                                                            

69.

                       DANIEL
Erm...she's ok. She'll get there
eventually.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I hope so, poor girl. I can't
imagine being so young and
losing...well, at least she's
still got you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I'm sure she'll be fine with you
around, anybody would be.
                                                            
She holds onto his arm and Daniel smiles politely, albeit
nervously. The contact triggers Daniels memory and the scene
changes.
                                                            
                                         CUT TO
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
FLASHBACK
                                                            
Claire is holding onto Daniel's arm and laughing wildly.
Daniel is hosting a party; his house is filled with people
all smartly dressed and chatting amongst themselves.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
      (laughing)
Oh my goodness Daniel! You are too
funny.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (laughs.)
Well...I try.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Wow. You know...I never noticed
how tall you were before. Bob, my
husband, he's...short.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well...poor Bob.
                                                            
They both laugh.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Yes, yes...poor Bob.
                                                            

70.

They drift into an uncomfortable silence. Daniel sees Emily
across the room and ushers her over.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Claire, this is Emily.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Hi, nice to meet you.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
And you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Emily is my...girlfriend, right?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yes girlfriend.
      (to Claire)
So romantic isn't he?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
      (rather
       aggresively)
I'm sure he is. So..how long have
you two been...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err six months.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Five.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yeah, I was rounding up.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Of course you were.
                                                            
BOB comes over to the group. He is fairly short and average
looking.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Daniel, Emily, this is my husband
Bob.
                                                            
They greet each other. Bob clumsily kisses Emily on the
cheek and shakes Daniel's hand.
                                                            
                       EMILY
So, have long have you two been
married?
                                                            

71.

                       EMILY
Ten years.
                                                            
                       BOB
Eleven.
      (laughing)
Doesn't feel like it though does
it honey?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Right.
                                                            
With nothing left to say Emily decides to excuse her and
Daniel from the conversation.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Would you just excuse me for a
minute? Daniel could you come with
me...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right. Excuse me.
                                                            
They leave, much to Claire's annoyance.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you.
                                                            
                       EMILY
You looked like you were
struggling. I don't like that
woman. She looks like she's trying
not to jump on you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well...come on, we both knew that
was going to be a problem.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Oh yeah. You know what, I'm
struggling myself right now.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I thought so. Well, just this once
I won't stop you.
                                                            
They kiss but Emily breaks away.
                                                            
                       EMILY
Not here, people will see.
                                                            

72.

                       DANIEL
Urgh fine.
                                                            
                       EMILY
But...it's probably less busy
upstairs.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh yeah?
                                                            
                       EMILY
Yeah. I might bump into you up
there.
                                                            
She leaves and Daniel sees her go upstairs. Smiling broadly
he walks through the party and past Claire and Bob having a
quiet argument.
                                                            
                       BOB
I'm not stupid Claire I can see
you looking at him.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Oh for Gods sake. Ten years I've
had to put up with you.
                                                            
                       BOB
Me? And its eleven years if you
even care.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT
                                                            
Their voices face out as Daniel goes up stairs. His bedroom
door is slightly ajar. He opens it to reveal Emily sitting
on the bed. hey smile at each other as Daniel walks into the
room and SLAMS the door shut. The slam ends the scene and
we...
                                                            
                                         CUT TO
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The scenes goes back to Claire and Daniel's previous scene.
Daniel notices Claire isn't wearing her wedding ring.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
So, where is she, Jessica that is.
                                                            

73.

                       DANIEL
She's still at my mother's house.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Oh. Are you going back there?
...the suitcases...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
...yes. Yes. We're staying there
for a while.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Well if you need anything just let
me know. I could help around the
house or...you shouldn't have to
worry about that stuff right now.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
That's very kind of you
but...we'll be fine.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Let's hope so.
                                                            
She hugs him tightly and for a little too long.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I'll be thinking of you...both of
you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you.
                                                            
She smiles broadly as she walks away. Daniel, glad to see
her leave, gets into the car and starts it. He drives off,
leaving his old life behind him.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIELS NEW HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
In a middle-American town, Daniel is just leaving his (new)
house. The overgrown front garden makes the house stand out
on the street. Daniel places a bag into his car and locks
it. He starts walking down the street. A little boy, TOM,
from one of the houses he passes comes out to meet him.
                                                            
                       TOM
Hey!
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Tom. How are you?
                                                            

74.

                       TOM
I'm OK.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Did you want something Tom?
                                                            
                       TOM
Where are you going?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm going to the store. I need a
snack, did you want anything?
                                                            
                       TOM
Chocolate.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Chocolate it is.
                                                            
                       TOM
Can you play catch with me?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Not right now. Maybe later.
                                                            
                       TOM
Later. My mum said you're leaving.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err yeah. I'm moving away.
                                                            
                       TOM
Why?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, I've got things I need to
do.
                                                            
                       TOM
What?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I think you should go home
Tom. Your mother will be worried.
                                                            
                       TOM
I don't think so. She never cares
when I leave.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sure that's not true.
                                                            

75.

                       TOM
It is. So I asked her if I could
live with you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Why would you do that?
                                                            
                       TOM
Because you're more fun. And
you're only next door so I could
just go back anytime.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You shouldn't have said that Tom.
I'm not your Dad.
                                                            
                       TOM
But I don't have one. So I thought
you could be.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sorry that, err...not going to
happen.
                                                            
                       TOM
Are you already someones Dad?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) No I'm not. Listen Tom, I
think you should really go back
now.
                                                            
                       TOM
But we're nearly there now.
                                                            
They walk the rest of the way in silence. At the end of the
road they walk into a small independent store.
                                                            
 
INT. STORE - DAY
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Go on, pick out what you want.
                                                            
Tom goes off and picks out some chocolate bars. Daniel picks
up some snacks and heads to the cashier. Tom runs up and
places his stuff on the counter.
                                                            
                       TOM
Do you have a pen?
                                                            
Daniel searches for a pen in his pockets, hands him one and
Tom runs off again.
                                                            

76.

Daniel pays for his stuff.
                                                            
                                         CUT TO
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S NEW HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Tom and Daniel are walking back down the street. They reach
Daniel's house.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well... I think its time for me to
go.
                                                            
                       TOM
Oh. OK. Here-
                                                            
He pulls out a postcard of the town from his back pocket.
Daniel turns it over and sees Tom and written his name in
big letters on the back.
                                                            
                       TOM
-So you don't forget me.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you. How could I forget you
eh?
                                                            
They both smile and leave on good terms. Tom starts to walk
away but stops and turns back.
                                                            
                       TOM
Will you come visit?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Of course. (pause) Did you pay for
this?
      (holds out the
       card)
                                                            
                       TOM
      (holds his finger
       to his mouth)
Shh.
                                                            
Tom goes back home. Daniel gets into his car,smiling. After
staring at the postcard for a while he tucks it into the sun
visor and drives away.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S APPARTMENT - DAY
                                                            
FORTY YEARS LATER
                                                            

77.

Daniel's new apartment is in the centre of a large modern
city. His apartment is large and furnished with expensive
things, but has clearly been the venue to a party the night
before. Empty glasses and bottles have been left everywhere.
Daniel is laying awake in bed. He looks tired and is
unshaven but still looks as young as ever. A pretty 20 YEAR
OLD WOMAN is sleeping next to him. He looks almost disgusted
at her and wakes her up with a unfriendly shove.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
Hey. Good morning. Last night was-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Get out.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
What?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Get out!
                                                            
She angrily gets out of bed, collects some clothes from the
floor and starts leaving the room.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
You asshole!
                                                            
Daniel doesn't care. He waits for the sound of the front
door slamming shut then gets out of bed. He walks out his
bedroom and surveys the mess in his house. He goes to the
fridge but it is empty. He takes in the emptiness of his
sleek, characterless apartment.
                                                            
He takes a shower and gets dressed. When getting ready to
leave he comes across a black notebook. He flicks through
it, it is empty. He sits down at his desk with the notebook
in front of him. He picks up a pen.
                                                            
                                         CUT TO
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S APARTMENT - DAY
                                                            
He goes down to his brand new sports car. He takes down the
sun visor and takes out a large collection of postcards and
looks through them all. He then goes into the glove
compartment and takes out another bundles of cards. And
another. And another. After reaching into the back of the
compartment he pulls out a faded photograph of Jessica on
it. He gets very emotional and starts crying.
                                                            
 

78.

EXT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniels pulls up to the house. He looks tired and hasn't
shaved in a while. The house is in slight disrepair and the
grounds have not been kept well. He nervously walks to the
front door and contemplates whether to knock or not.
Eventually he does and a young man, SCOTT, comes to the
door.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Hello.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hi. Err I was wondering if...see I
used to know someone who lived
here and I wasn't sure if she was
still here. It's, Jessica...
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Yeah she doesn't live here
anymore. She hasn't done for a few
years now.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Oh right. Do you have any idea
where she is?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Yeah. I know exactly where she is.
She moved to the city but right
now she's in the hospital.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Why?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I'm not sure. I don't care either.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Um...Would she be able to talk to
me?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I don't know.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
OK. Thank you.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Are you one of them?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
One of who?
                                                            

79.

                       SCOTT
Her other families.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err... I don't know what you mean.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
(pause) Good.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And who are you, if you don't mind
me asking?
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I err...
                                                            
He doesn't want to say it.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I'm her son.
                                                            
Daniel has the wind knocked out of him as he is faced with a
grandchild he never knew he had.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Her son. Wow. I never knew I had
a- she had a kid.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Well, she had two. Was there
anything else?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No, thank you.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Good.
                                                            
He slams the door shut. Daniel goes back to his car.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is stood outside a private hospital room with NURSE
3.
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
She's very weak. I wouldn't expect
much of a conversation. She seems
a little...confused. She likes to
make up stories.
                                                            

80.

                       DANIEL
Stories?
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Oh it's just silly things really.
She talks about her father a lot.
And growing up. But when we
checked up on her none of the
records matched. And even the
records didn't match, some of them
would have her in her thirties and
others in her sixties. Something
strange has definitely been going
on here.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Right. Can I go in?
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Yes. Don't be too long though she
gets tired quickly.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
The nurse leaves and Daniel enters the room. The scene is
that of the first hospital scene. Jessica turns her head and
looks at him. Although she is weak she can't help but smile.
Daniel stays against the door.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Are you really here?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
...I knew it.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You knew what?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Look at you. I haven't seen you
since I was ten. I'd almost
forgotten what you looked like- I
didn't have any pictures, never
any pictures- but there you are,
exactly the same as when you used
to tuck me into bed.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You don't seem too...surprised.
                                                            

81.

                       JESSICA
I'm not. (pause) Are you just
going to stand there?
                                                            
Daniel sits down next to the bed.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't understand. How come
you're so...I thought you might
have be...like me-
                                                            
                       JESSICA
      (aggresive)
What are you doing here? I mean,
is this what I get? You disappear
for years and then just turn up at
the end.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
The end?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Yes. Look at me. You have to know
when to quit. I see you haven't.
What the hell have you been doing
all this time?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
      (shakes his head)
Nothing. Nothing at all. I ask
myself that all the time, 'What am
I doing here?' In whatever, second
rate town I'm in at the time.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Did you ever think about me?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Of course.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Well that was good of you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know I did the wrong thing by
you, I really do. I don't think I
can explain the...guilt I have,
the pain I feel whenever I look
back and think about how I left a
little girl, my little girl, with
no parents.
                                                            

82.

                       JESSICA
Why don't you try? Then see if it
matches how that little girl felt.
                                                            
Daniel doesn't know how to respond.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
I lived with mum's parents until I
was 16. They tried their best, but
it wasn't the same. It wasn't
home. Can you imagine having that
feeling everyday; that you weren't
where you were supposed to be. And
that you were just out there
somewhere, hiding from
me...because I wasn't good enough-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It wasn't you, no you were
perfect-
                                                            
                       JESSICA
      (tearing up)
-Because if I was you wouldn't
have left.
                                                            
Daniel hangs his head.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Whatever you were hoping to find
out there, I hope you did. I don't
know why.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
You don't owe me that. I was
selfish. I never even realised
just how much damage I could have
done to you. I was just concerned
with finding something for
myself...and I never did.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
And you won't. You already had it,
didn't you? (pause) That's why I'm
here. You know I had everything
anybody could ever want. I was in
love. I got married, had wonderful
kids, watched them grow up in a
fantastic. I loved my job. I,
'somehow' still looked twenty
five. Everything was perfect.
                                                            

83.

                       DANIEL
What happened to you?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
I got scared. Like you did.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No! Everything was being taken
from me. That's not my fault. I
couldn't have watched you...
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Nothing was taken from you. Things
just end. Well, they're supposed
to. That was your, our problem. I
got scared that I would have to
spend...an eternity in mourning,
alone. So I started new
relationships, I thought
surrounding myself with more and
more people it would be easier to
see them leave. But I ruined
everything, I lost everyone.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What did you do then?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
I accepted it. I knew my life
would never be as good again. And
now, here I am.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What? You...chose?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
I don't know. I don't know how it
works. See, you went running and I
just let it...happen. But I'm
happy. I feel...lucky for every
good memory I have. Lucky to have
had such a great life. I can look
back and just feel...happy. Are
you happy?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) No. I don't think I have
been since I left.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
I didn't think so. Otherwise you
wouldn't be here.
                                                            

84.

                       DANIEL
You're right.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
You run away from something, but
here you are anyway.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What do I do now? I can never have
you back again, or your mother, or
mine. So what happens now?
Whenever anything good comes my
way I run. I can't let it near me,
or anyone...near me, because what
then? The cycle just starts again
doesn't it. I can't move forwards
because it frightens me, but so
does looking back. Everything has
gotten so far away, further and
further behind me, so I can barely
remember the good times. It's like
they never happened. If only I
could remember them...
                                                            
                       JESSICA
You waited too long.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I need...something. Something to
show for myself, my life.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
You missed your chance...Dad.
                                                            
They both stop talking. After a while the Doctor walks in
and the scene begins to play out as before.
                                                            
                       DOCTOR
Good morning Miss-
(noticing DANIEL)
Oh. I didn't know you had visitors
today. That's a first
                                                            
The camera pans out of the room and starts slowly moving
down the hospital corridor. The dialog of the scene fades
out and is replaced by a voice over from Daniel. He is
briefly shown back at his apartment writing to show it is a
excerpt from his book. The people in the corridor are moving
in fast motion.
                                                            
                       DANIEL (v.o)
Have I been running for too long?
It seems that everything I ever
had, everything I ever loved is
            (MORE)

85.

                       DANIEL (cont'd)
just a shadow. Did it ever happen?
Was I ever happy? I stop myself
from having relationships, because
if I do, it's like I've forgotten
all about them. And I don't want
to do that- I can't do that, to
them, to me. I don't want to. I
want to go back. But I'm on a
train forwards that's never going
to stop.
                                                            
The camera snaps around and we see Daniel run out of the
room, as before, and down the corridor towards and past the
camera. The camera turns back around and keeps moving
forwards. Daniel is seen leaving the corridor via a door
with a large 'EXIT' sign hanging above it.
                                                            
The next voice over starts playing. The camera still moves
down the corridor. A quick scene of Daniel getting into his
car and leaving the hospital is shown. Quick excerpts from
the very first car accident are cut into scene.
                                                            
                       DANIEL (v.o.)
Unless it crashes. That's what I
need. Thats what I wish for. A
crash, a jolt. I don't know what
will happen, but at least it's
something. Something different. It
might end everything, it might
not. I'll never know until it
happens.
                                                            
The camera reaches the end of the corridor and goes through
the doorway into another private room. It has a single bed
containing a man in a coma. The scene then switches to the
car crash itself, muted and in slow motion. Daniel's talks
over the scene.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
My name is Daniel James... and I
need to wake up.
                                                            
The scene flips back to the hospital room. It is now
directly over the bed and we see the man is Daniel. He opens
his eyes and breathes in sharply.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is now wide awake lying in bed. His head is heavily
bandaged and he has cuts across his face. NURSE 3 walks into
the room.
                                                            

86.

                       NURSE 3
Good morning. How are you feeling
today?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Not great. My head is ringing.
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Well I'm not surprised. I need to
check your bandages.
                                                            
She starts removing and replacing his bandages.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What exactly is wrong with me?
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Now that is a big question. Today
or in general?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Excuse me.
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Well, besides the concussion, you
were driving, under the influence
I'm assuming, and crashed head on
into another car. And then there
was your little display here the
other day, running out of here
like a mad man. And you are
practically shouting in your
sleep. So, maybe you should tell
me what's going on.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It doesn't matter.
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
Well you're gonna have to start
talking soon. You're our little
mystery case. We had trouble
finding anyone to contact about
you, and we went through your
wallet- very interesting. Is
everything in there yours?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Why?
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
How old are you exactly? Because,
there is no way that the cards in
that wallet belong to you. I think
            (MORE)

87.

                       NURSE 3 (cont'd)
the Police are interested in
talking to you. So people are very
interested to find out exactly who
you are.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) My head still hurts.
                                                            
The Nurse changes his IV drip.
                                                            
                       NURSE 3
I'm giving you painkillers right
now. And you need to sleep. Try
and clear your head. But tomorrow,
back to reality.
                                                            
She leaves the room. Daniel watches his drip and falls back
to sleep.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
That night Daniel is still asleep. The camera closes in on
his face and we switch to his dream. He is back in Jessica's
hospital room. The scene starts playing out as before.
                                                            
JESSICA'S HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) I never forgot you.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Well how could you have? What else
do you have? You shouldn't waste-
(pause)
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What?
                                                            
                       JESSICA
The time. It's too important.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
If there's something I've learnt,
in my entire life. it's that time
isn't important. At all.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
You're right. It's the people. If
time is all you have...then you
might as well be sat where I am.
                                                            

88.

They both remain quiet. Daniel is clearly upset by what she
has said.
                                                            
During the pause of the conversation the room starts to
shake, the lights flicker, but the characters don't respond.
Audio from the crash starts and builds. A 'ghost' Daniel
steps out of the chair, confused and stumbles across the
room, shocked at the sight of the scene in front of him.
Like a moment of self-awareness within a memory. The two
characters continue talking as before, completely oblivious
to the 'new' Daniel's presence. The audio of Jessica's last
sentence builds-
                                                            
                       JESSICA
You know you should move on, will
you? Will you? Will you?
                                                            
Daniel sees that the other Daniel is now gone and Jessica is
directly addressing him. Although initially confused he goes
with it and starts talking to her.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I can do that. I need to do that.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Yes, you do. And it isn't scary is
it? Not if you have something to
look back on.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know. I can feel...happy. I know
I was, once. It might not have
been for long, but I had
everything. I was in love. People
loved me. And it was incredible. I
never thought about it like this,
I always focused on things ending,
like I was the only person left in
the world. But I shouldn't have
done.
                                                            
                       JESSICA
Congratulations.
                                                            
She smiles at him. He smiles back with a sense of relief.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
The next morning Daniel wakes up. He sees NURSE 2 and a
Doctor talking to each other in the corridor. They are
gesturing towards him. They are both distracted when they
are called into another room. Daniel quickly detaches

89.

himself from the medical equipment, gets up and closes the
door. He gets changed quickly and starts to walk down the
corridor, hiding his bandaged under a hood. He walks over to
Jessica's room and sees the bed is empty and being made by a
nurse. He accepts this and starts walking again.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Daniel walks up to a car showroom. He takes out his wallet
and flicks through the numerous credit cards, picks out one
and walks onto the forecourt.
                                                            
 
EXT. KATHERINES HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel pulls up to Katherine's house in his new car. He goes
to the front door and knocks. MARK, Jessica's younger son
answers the door.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hi.
                                                            
                       MARK
Hello. Can I help you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Err yes. I was looking to talk
to...Scott, I think.
                                                            
                       MARK
Well he isn't here. What did you
want to talk to him about?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It was about his mother, Jessica.
                                                            
                       MARK
What about her?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I knew her. I just wanted to talk
to him about something, but it's
OK, it doesn't matter.
                                                            
                       MARK
No, wait. Come in.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Mark and Daniel are sat in the living room having a
conversation.
                                                            

90.

                       MARK
My brother doesn't let us talk
about her. He gets pretty angry.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And you?
                                                            
                       MARK
I miss her. (pause) So, how did
you know her?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Wow. That's the tricky part.
                                                            
He takes a picture of himself and Jessica out of his wallet.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't really know how to tell
you this, but I'm just glad that I
can. This picture-
      (hands over the
       photograph)
-its of your Mum, when she was a
little girl.
                                                            
                       MARK
Wow. Why do you have this- Who's
that guy? He looks...a lot like
you. Is that her father? She used
to talk about him a lot but never
had a picture. So, wait-
                                                            
He keeps looking between the photograph and Daniel.
                                                            
                       MARK
Who are you? Are you...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Yes.
                                                            
                       MARK
Her brother or something. She
never mentioned one.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
She never had a brother.
                                                            
                       MARK
Then who are you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well...
                                                            

91.

Daniel struggles to find the words.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY
                                                            
KATE, Scott's girlfriend, is pacing the floor in the
bathroom. She keeps checking her watch. She watches the
second hand for the last few seconds as it reaches back
round to the top. When it does she takes a deep breathe in
and prepares herself for some important news.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       MARK
So what happens to you now?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm not sure exatly
                                                            
                       MARK
And what exactly are you here for?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I just wanted to talk to you. To
know that, whatever you thought
about your mother, and what she
did, wasn't her fault. I don't
know what else to say.
                                                            
                       MARK
You don't have to. (pause) Thank
you, for telling me.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you for believing me. Will
you tell Scott?
                                                            
                       MARK
I don't think so. He wouldn't
believe it. I'm not sure I do, I
don't really care. I miss her
either way.
                                                            
They sit in silence for a while.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well I should go.
                                                            
He gets up. Mark wants him to stay but doesn't know why, or
how to say it.
                                                            

92.

                       MARK
Wait. Are we going to see you
again. I mean, you are family.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
That wasn't why I came.
                                                            
                       MARK
I know but...I'd want to see you.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) OK then.
                                                            
Mark hugs him. Daniel is taken by surprise but enjoys the
first display of emotion towards him in years.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Goodbye.
                                                            
He opens the front door and starts to leave. Mark comes to
the doorway.
                                                            
                       MARK
Good luck.
                                                            
Daniel smiles back at him before getting into his car.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel drives up to his old house. The grounds are wildly
overgrown but in Daniel's eyes it hasn't changed. The
windows have been bordered up. He gets out and slowly makes
his way to the front door. He struggles to open the front
door.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel takes a tour around the house. He isn't upset at
being back but seems happy to be back at his old house.
                                                            
With just a cell phone he has to get his house back into
working order.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel tearing down the boards over the windows.
                                                            
 

93.

INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is on the phone to water and gas companies. From what
we hear they haven't heard of the house before. Daniel is
frustrated that nothing can be done until the next day. So
instead he has to fill the house with candles as it gets
dark.
                                                            
BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Daniel stands next to his bed. After a moment he decided to
take off the cover and sleep on the floor next to it.
                                                            
 
EXT. STREET - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is walking down the street of his old town. The
grocery has been replaced by a chain supermarket.
Inside he fills his cart until his groceries are almost
spilling out of it.
He loads everything into his car and heads back home.
                                                            
 
EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel drives back home. There are two work vans outside the
house. We see a man working on the electrical mast near the
house. Daniel takes some of the bags into the house.
                                                            
Daniel puts the bags down onto the counter. There is a
PLUMBER working underneath the sink.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hows it going?
                                                            
He opens the fridge and is delighted that it now works. He
starts putting his shopping away.
                                                            
                       PLUMBER
Err, it's going alright. I can fix
it today, but in the long run this
place is gonna need serious work.
I can get my team out here and we-
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No, no that's fine. Just today for
now.
                                                            
The plumber seems confused but carries on working. Daniel
goes back outside to collect the rest of his shopping.
                                                            
 

94.

EXT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
After locking the car he looks over to his neighbors house.
An old woman is being pushed inside in a wheelchair. He goes
back inside.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Daniel puts the rest of the bags into the kitchen. He looks
round the house and enjoys seeing it come back to life.
Lights streams in through the windows. He is drawn to the
dock outside.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - DAY
                                                            
Daniel walks out to the end of the dock. He takes a moment
to enjoy the view and the memories. He looks across and sees
the old woman sat admiring the view. She looks away but
seems vacant. Daniel smiles and raises his hand but she
ignores him.
                                                            
LATER THAT DAY
                                                            
The plumber is packing up his things. Daniel is in the
living room. He thumbs through his collection of vinyl
records and puts on Elvis Presley. He sits down on the sofa
and just listens to the song. The plumber comes into the
room.
                                                            
                       PLUMBER
I'll be leaving now.
                                                            
Daniel gets up and goes to shake his hand.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thank you so much. And on such
short notice.
                                                            
                       PLUMBER
Oh it was no problem.
                                                            
He starts walking towards the front door.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Thanks again.
                                                            
                       PLUMBER
Thats a great song.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
It is.
                                                            

95.

                       PLUMBER
Some things never get old.
                                                            
He walks out the front door and over to his van. Daniel
closes the door behind him. He goes upstairs to his bedroom.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
He goes into a wardrobe and we see the old photo album from
his mother. He goes to reach it but instead pulls out a
different album underneath it. He takes it downstairs to the
living room.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
He sits down and looks through the album whilst the music
plays loudly.
                                                            
 
INT. DANIEL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
LATER
                                                            
Daniel is getting himself a drink. Out of the window he sees
that the old woman from next door is sat out on his dock.
Out of curiosity he goes out to meet her.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCK - DAY
                                                            
Daniel walks up behind her slowly. She stays staring out
across the lake.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Hello?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Hello Daniel.
                                                            
He is taken aback. He still stands behind her.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I haven't seen you in a while. I
was wondering if you gone for
good. How are you?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm OK. (pause) You?
                                                            

96.

                       CLAIRE
Oh. They've had been me in and out
of that hospital more times than I
can count. Which is just so...well
I told you about that before.
                                                            
Daniel wants to cut in but she keeps talking.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
And Ryan is off to college. Can
you believe that? My first
grandchild is off to college.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Before? You said you told me
before.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Yes. Don't tell me your memory's
going as well. The amount of times
we've sat out here talking, how
could you forget?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
We've never spoken before. Who are
you?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
My my, you are having a bad day
aren't you? It's me, Claire. You
need glasses or something?
                                                            
Daniel realises that she has been imagining him in her old
age and decides to reveal the truth. He kneels down and
places his hand onto hers. She recoils in shock.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Claire...
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
But how...I know you're not real.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Claire I am real.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
But that doesn't make any sense.
You're still exactly as I
remember.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I know...I know. That's...just the
way I am. Or was. I don't know.
But I'm here, right now. It was
            (MORE)

97.

                       DANIEL (cont'd)
time for me to come home.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
My God,
                                                            
She touches his face.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
How is that possible?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't know. I've got as many
questions as you do.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
(pause) Oh I'm sure thats not
true. My first question- where the
hell did you run off to?
                                                            
She playfully hits him.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Wow. Well, I guess I better pull
up a chair.
                                                            
LATER
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
It was about a week after you
left, when they came. It was
Jessica and this other man, I
forget his name now, and they were
so worried. They had no idea where
you had gone. I thought maybe you
were...hiding for a while. Or
mourning. I thought maybe you
would come back in a few days or a
week, but... They stayed with me
for a few days but then went back
out to your mothers place. I
didn't see them again after that.
Not for years anyway. Jessica came
back once when she was eighteen.
I'm not really sure why she did, I
don't think she was either.
Although she did put a brick
through the window.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I don't blame her. How was she?
                                                            

98.

                       CLAIRE
Clearly she was a
little...affected by your actions.
But she seemed OK. She was very
pretty and clever, I could tell.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sure she was.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
So that was when we bordered up
the windows. Well I got my son to
do it. He didn't want to of course
but I told him, we need to keep
the house safe for when you got
back.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
And here I am.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Here you are.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
(pause) What err, happened to you
Claire?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Well, there isn't a lot to tell.
After Bob left anyway. I pretty
much stayed here with the kids.
They live in the city now. They
come round all the time but it
isn't the same, not as when they
lived here. And the grandkids of
course. Beautiful.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Can I ask you a question?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Yes I was happy. (smiles) I was.
It might not sound exciting, but I
was always happy. Although,
sometimes I did wonder...
                                                            
                       DANIEL
What?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
I used to wonder what I could have
been doing. You know nothing is
set in stone, I could have done
anything, been anyone anywhere. I
            (MORE)

99.

                       CLAIRE (cont'd)
used to think of what you were
doing.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I'm sure whatever you thought of
was better than the reality. I
didn't do anything. See, you were
sensible. Don't ever think you
missed out on anything. Theres
nothing out there.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
That must be true. Look at you,
sat out here with me. Not exactly
exciting is it?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
No it isn't. But this is where I
want to be.
                                                            
Their smiles are halted when Claire's daughter calls out to
her from her house.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Looks like I've been caught again.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Caught? They keeping you locked up
in there?
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
They just get worried. Can't have
an old woman sitting outside can
we?
                                                            
                       DANIEL
Well, I'll take you back in.
                                                            
Daniel starts to push her back down the dock.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
You have to come over for dinner
tonight.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I would love to.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
My daughters cooking. Under
different circumstances I'd tell
you how pretty she is but err,
well I'm not sure what the rules
            (MORE)

100.

                       CLAIRE (cont'd)
are with you anymore.
                                                            
                       DANIEL
I wouldn't worry about me. Thats
the last thing on my mind right
now.
                                                            
                       CLAIRE
Well lets keep it that way then.
                                                            
They laugh together as they walk back home.
                                                            
 
INT. KATHERINE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
                                                            
From the doorway we can see Scott, Jessica's son, stood with
his girlfriend in the bedroom. Scott is trying to calm her
down. She looks nervous but happy at the same time. On the
wall is a mirror in which we can see the clock from the
other wall. It is ticking very faintly.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Hey, it's OK. We're gonna be fine.
                                                            
                       KATE
No, I know. I'm just so...I don't
know what to think.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
Well I think it's amazing. We can
do this.
                                                            
                       KATE
Yeah, yeah we can.
                                                            
The hug. The sound of the clock gets louder and louder.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
I love you.
                                                            
                       KATE
I love you too. I'm so happy.
                                                            
                       SCOTT
A proper family.
                                                            
They hug again. Still embraced, Mark, Jessica's other son
comes to the door.
                                                            
                       MARK
Scott, there's someone at the
door. It's about mum's funeral.
                                                            

101.

                       SCOTT
Oh...right. OK, I'll talk to him.
                                                            
Scott leaves the room.
                                                            
                       MARK
What's going on up here then?
                                                            
                       KATE
(pause) Nothing.
                                                            
They both leave the room. Mark looks slightly nervous before
moving downstairs. The camera moves into the mirror as the
sound of the clock gets louder.
                                                            
                                         CUT TO
                                                            
 
INT. DANIELS HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY
                                                            
Daniel is washing is face in the sink. He brushes the hair
out his face and looks at his reflection. For the first time
ever he notices a dash of grey in his hair. At first he is
shocked, but then he accepts it and almost appears happy.
Relieved almost. With a small smile he leaves the room. He
picks up a bottle of wine off the kitchen counter and goes
outside.
                                                            
OUTSIDE
                                                            
Daniels makes his way over to Claire's house. The dinner has
been set out on a table outside. Daniel joins them. The
audio of the conversation is muted, music plays over the
top. They are all happy to see each other. They laugh
together as they share out the food. The camera zooms in
onto Daniel who is enjoying the conversation. He smiles
broadly as the sound of the ticking clock briefly begins
again.

With a final TICK we
                                                            
                                         CUT TO BLACK
                                                            


THE END


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From Roselle Zubey Date 4/17/2011 **1/2
I was very intrigued by your screenplay. I sensed that there was a great twist in your story, but it wasn't clear to me what it was. I had to read it in your summary that Daniel was immortal. There is to be a way to make it clear that Daniel is immortal in your screenplay. Act Three needs a clear resolution. It isn't very clear to me. I so wanted to see what the twist was. I am a big fan of stories with a clear twist, but your story wasn't clear. Also you must be careful with your formatting. To my knowledge every time a character moves to a new location you must begin a new scene with a new scene heading. If your character moves from the bedroom of his house to the bathroom of his house you must make it two different scenes. It was really a good attempt though. I hope you keep writing. Best of luck.


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