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City of Ghosts on a Mountain of Gold
by Jane Windsor (janewindsor@ymail.com)

Rated: R   Genre: Drama   User Review: ***1/2
A promise is made by a desperate woman in the year 1919. She dies believing she broke her promise. Her guilt defies death and lives on in the soul of a present-day woman, torturing her and destroying her life until she can find a way to fulfil the promise.


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.



EXT. OVER BLACK - DAY
                                                            
The DIN of a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR OF LASHING RAIN.
                                                            
BLACK FRAME
                                                            
                       TEXT APPEARS
Based on a true story.
                                                            
CONTINUED BLACK FRAME

Distant sounds of HORSES HOOVES and the WHEELS OF RICKETY
CARTS. BABIES CRYING.

The sounds gradually get LOUDER.
                                                            
                       TEXT APPEARS
It is 1919.

The place is the City of Phoenix,
the highest city in Canada. A
mountain-top mining community in
British Columbia's Boundary
Country.

Gold and silver are mined on
Phoenix Mountain, but copper is
its mainstay.

The copper market goes bust and
the mine closes.

Thousands of families are forced
to leave behind their homes and
belongings, or face certain
starvation.

In a matter of days, ruthless
looters move in, stripping the
homes to their bare bones.

None of these heartless scavengers
are ever brought to justice.

Phoenix instantly becomes the
largest ghost town Canada has ever
seen.
                                                            
BLACK EMERGES INTO SEPIA TONE AS THE VISUALS GRADUALLY
EMERGE ON SCREEN.
                                                            

2.

DREAM SEQUENCE - Hundreds of people are trudging in a long
line along a narrow dirt road beside their HORSES AND CARTS,
loaded up with all the belongings they can carry.

Youngest children riding in the carts.

Men guiding the horses through the slippery, ankle-deep
muddy path.

Women carrying crying babies.

Bowed heads. Stooped shoulders. Eyes staring blankly into
the oblivion of hopelessness.

Clothes clinging to them, drenched with the unrelenting,
whipping rain.

They are slowly making their way down Phoenix Mountain to
Greenwood, a town nestled at its base.
                                                            
CHARLOTTE TANNER comes into view in the long line of
destitute families. Early 30s. Hair plastered to her face.
Sobbing. Clutching two soaked teddy bears to her breasts.
                                                            
They start to pass a fenced-off area to the left of the
road. Charlotte BOLTS and THROWS herself over the fence,
SLIDING and FALLING as she FLINGS herself down the muddy
mountainside.
                                                            
                       CHARLOTTE
      (Screams)
No! I can't leave them! I can't
leave them!
                                                            
She reaches a graveyard and RUNS toward two tiny graves,
THROWING herself face down between them. She STRETCHES HER
ARMS WIDE so that her HANDS ARE ON THE GRAVES on either
side.

Her hands CLAW FEROCIOUSLY into the mud, DIGGING with all
her might, trying to reach the bodies in the graves.
                                                            
                       CHARLOTTE
      (Hysterical)
Mama's here my darlings. Mama's
here. Mama won't ever leave you.
She promised. Remember? Mama won't
ever leave you.
                                                            
THOMAS, her husband, and A SECOND MAN run up behind her. The
two men FORCIBLY pick her up and try to DRAG her away. She
THRASHES WILDLY, BITES and KICKS and breaks away from them,
THROWING herself back down between the two tiny graves.
                                                            

3.

                       CHARLOTTE
      (Clinging to the
       muddy graves)
No! I promised them. I can't leave
them!
                                                            
Thomas WRENCHES her from the grave and holds her tightly to
him as she WRITHES VIOLENTLY, trying to get away from him.
                                                            
She looks into his face and sees that he is crying.

She goes LIMP in his arms and buries her face in his chest,
sobbing.
                                                            
After a few seconds, he gently leads her away from the
graves, holding onto her arm to steady her.
                                                            
                       CHARLOTTE
      (Whimpering)
Wait. Please. Just a moment and
then I'll come with you. Just a
moment.
                                                            
Reluctantly, Thomas releases his grip and lets her go.
                                                            
Charlotte takes off a LOCKET she is wearing and tenderly
hangs it on the outstretched hand of a STONE BABY ANGEL
standing between the two tiny graves.
                                                            
SOBBING, she CLINGS to Thomas and allows him to lead her
back to the others to carry on the long, miserable trudge
down the mountain.
                                                            
END DREAM SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
PRESENT TIME - FULL COLOUR SCREEN
                                                            
LAURA MCDONALD, 30-something, sits BOLT UPRIGHT in bed.
Tears streaming down her face. Wet with sweat. Hair clinging
to her face just like Charlotte, the woman in her nightmare.

She gets out of bed carefully so as not to wake STUART, her
husband, sleeping beside her.
                                                            
She goes into the bathroom. Turns on the cold tap. Splashes
her face and neck.

She fills a glass with water and opens the medicine cabinet.
Takes out her cosmetic bag. Opens the bag and takes out a
bottle of pills.

4.


She takes a pill and swallows it with a gulp of water, hands
shaking.

She stares intensely at herself in the mirror.
                                                            
She WINCES when Stuart SUDDENLY APPEARS behind her and
SNATCHES the pill bottle out of her hand. He reads the label
and SMASHES the bottle to the floor.
                                                            
                       STUART
What the hell are you doing?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Afraid)
Stuart, I'm so sorry, I just...I
just couldn't...
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Getting louder,
       more menacing)
You just couldn't what Laura? What
the fuck couldn't you do Laura?
                                                            
Laura tries to get by him, but he PUSHES HER HARD against
the sink.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Terrified)
Stuart...please...let's talk...let
me explain...
                                                            
Stuart SLAPS her HARD across the face. She YELPS in pain as
her hands automatically fly up in front of her face to try
to protect herself.
                                                            
                       STUART
How long Laura? How fucking long?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Cowering)
Stuart...
                                                            
                       STUART
What is it Laura? Do you enjoy
making me look stupid? All those
tests I went through. Everyone
thinking it's my fault. Everyone
laughing at me.
                                                            
His face turns sarcastic and sour.
                                                            

5.

                       STUART
Not enough lead in your pencil eh
Stuart?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Terrified)
Stuart...
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Yelling)
And all this time you've been
taking the pill? How long Laura?
All along? All through the tests?
The humiliating questions? How
fucking long Laura?
                                                            
                       LAURA
Stuart, please...
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Cutting her off)
Shut up! Bitch! Don't you want
babies. I thought you wanted
babies. If you don't want babies
Laura then all you have to do is
say so!
                                                            
He raises his hand again, but she SCREAMS and he lets his
hand drop. He looks into her eyes and sees her fear. He
sighs and backs away a few steps.
                                                            
                       STUART (cont'd)
      (Quieter)
I just need to understand Laura.
How long have we been trying to
have a kid? And you've been taking
the fucking pill? Just help me
understand, for God's sake. Don't
you think I deserve that much.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Pleading)
If I knew why Stuart I'd be able
to get it to stop. Get the
nightmares to stop. Get it all to
stop Stuart. What? Do you think
I'm doing it on purpose?
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Sighs)
Laura, I just don't know how much
longer I...
                                                            

6.

                       LAURA
Stuart, I want babies. Of course I
want babies! But there's something
wrong. Very wrong. The nightmares,
it's like their real memories...
they're real Stuart...I just
can't...
                                                            
                       STUART
Save it Laura, I'm done.
                                                            
He starts to leave, but turns back.
                                                            
                       STUART (con't)
Oh...and don't bother taking the
pills on my account anymore. If
you do eventually get pregnant, it
sure as shit won't be mine!
                                                            
He STORMS out and SLAMS the door. Laura leans on the sink,
staring at the bruise on her face, and starts to sob.
                                                            
 
INT. STUART'S OFFICE - NIGHT
                                                            
ONE MONTH LATER
                                                            
LOUISE, attractive secretary, 20-something, stands
seductively in his doorway.
                                                            
                       LOUISE
Still here? This is becoming a
habit Stuart. Anything wrong?
                                                            
                       STUART
No...no I'm fine. A lot of catch
up to do. I'm fine Louise. You go
on home.
                                                            
                       LOUISE
Sure there's nothing I can do to
help?
                                                            
She pauses for a moment. He doesn't answer. Her voice turns
coyish.
                                                            
                       LOUISE (cont'd)
I've nothing to go home for
Stuart. Nobody there waiting for
me.
                                                            
Stuart hesitates and looks at her. Is she trying to seduce
him? She is very sexy. He shuts his laptop firmly.
                                                            

7.

                       STUART
Louise, join me for a drink? I
could use the company.
                                                            
 
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
                                                            
Laura lays awake in bed. She hears Stuart come in. She looks
over at the clock. It's 2:30 a.m.

Stuart goes straight to the spare room and shuts the door.

Laura goes to his room and quietly knocks on the door.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Walking on
       eggshells)
Stuart, are you okay?
                                                            
He doesn't answer. She gently opens the door and can
immediately smell booze and cheap perfume.
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Cruelly)
You got a problem Laura?
                                                            
Laura stares at him, eyes dead.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Wooden)
No Stuart. No problem here Stuart.
You stink. Better buy her a better
brand of perfume.
                                                            
She quietly closes the door and walks, as if in a trance,
back to her bedroom.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA AND STUART'S HALLWAY - DAY
                                                            
THREE MONTHS LATER
                                                            
Stuart is standing by the door with packed suitcases.
                                                            
                       LAURA
So that's it? It's that easy for
you is it Stuart?
                                                            
                       STUART
Are you shittin' me Laura? How
easy was it for you to fuck with
me and the doctors all that time?
News flash Laura, you can't get
pregnant if you're taking the
            (MORE)

8.

                       STUART (cont'd)
fucking birth control pill!
                                                            
                       LAURA
But I've stopped taking it Stuart!
I have! We can try again and this
time it'll work. No more doctors.
No more tests. We can have a baby
Stuart. Isn't that what we've
wanted all along?
                                                            
Stuart turns to her and smiles as though he pities her.
                                                            
                       STUART
Too late Laura. I'm already having
a baby...with Louise.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Wide-eyed)
Louise?! What? The office slut?
That the best you could do Stuart?
                                                            
He shakes his head and laughs at her and turns to pick up
his suitcases.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
Don't you dare laugh at me Stuart.
Don't you fucking dare laugh at
me!
                                                            
He carefully puts down the suitcases and turns back to her.
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Cold)
What else do you expect me to do
Laura? I mean, look at you!
You're a complete joke. You must
know that.
                                                            
She SLAPS him AGAIN and AGAIN, until he GRABS her hand. His
face turns sour.
                                                            
                       STUART
      (Vicious)
I'm through being the one people
laugh at Laura. Now it's your
turn.
                                                            
He THROWS her hand down and again picks up his suitcases.

She watches, numb, as he walks out the door and shuts it
quietly behind him.


9.

Silence.

Then she hears his car speed away.

She leans her back against the door and slides down into a
crouching position, buries her head in her arms and starts
to sob.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
ONE WEEK LATER
                                                            
Laura, PALE, HAIR GREASY AND LIMP, dressed in a DIRTY OLD
HOUSECOAT AND OVERSIZED MEN'S SOCKS, takes a BOTTLE OF PILLS
from the bathroom cabinet and pads through to her bedroom,
where a BOTTLE OF SCOTCH is waiting on her bedside table.

Without hesitation, without emotion, handful by handful she
swallows the pills, washing them down with the booze.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - LATER
                                                            
Laura is in a HOSPITAL BED surrounded by NURSES and a
DOCTOR. She is having her STOMACH PUMPED.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
Laura is in her hospital bed, sleeping. A man walks in and
sits by her bedside, watching her sleep, searching her face.


Gradually, she wakes up, but is very drowsy.
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK
      (Gently)
Hi Laura. I'm Dr. Fitzpatrick. I'm
a psychiatrist. I was asked to
look in on you.
                                                            
Laura looks at him through droopy eyes.
                                                            
                       LAURA
What happened? How did I get here?
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK
Your husband...
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Cuts in)
Ex...ex-husband.
                                                            

10.

                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK
      (Carefully)
Okay, your ex-husband found you.
He came to pick something up and
found you unconscious. Lucky thing
he did.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Lucky for who? I wasn't supposed
to wake up. Why in hell did I have
to wake up?
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK
      (After a pause)
Maybe I'd better leave you to
sleep some more Laura. If it's
okay with you, I'll stop by
tomorrow and perhaps we can have a
bit of a talk.
                                                            
He stays silent for a couple of seconds.
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK (cont'd)
No pressure Laura. You choose the
subject.
                                                            
Another beat of silence.
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK (cont'd)
Does that sound like a plan?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Shrugs)
Suit yourself Dr...? What's your
name again?
                                                            
                       DR. DAVID FITZPATRICK
      (Smiling)
Fitzpatrick. David.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Curtly)
Well, David, can I call you David?
Well, David, the subject is that
I'm insane, but I guess that's
right up your street.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Taken off-guard
       by her directness)
Well Laura, firstly you can call
me David if that's what you
prefer. Secondly, I love insane
people. Why do you think I became
            (MORE)

11.

                       DAVID (cont'd)
a shrink?
                                                            
Laura manages a weak smile through her grogginess. Tries to
look at him to try to take his face in, but is too tired to
focus.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Now you get some sleep.
                                                            
He sees that Laura has already fallen back to sleep. He
walks away, but turns back briefly to look at her again
before leaving the room.

Certainly attractive. Something different about her.

What could possibly have been so bad to make her want
to....?

He leaves.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
                                                            
LAURA'S HOSPITAL ROOM
                                                            
David walks in and finds Laura sitting in a chair by the
window, staring out, lost in thought.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Well, can I take this as some sort
of improvement or did they force
you bodily out of the bed?
                                                            
Laura smiles without looking at him, continues to stare out
the window.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Carefully)
Can I sit with you for a moment or
two?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Shrugs)
Your funeral.
                                                            
He pulls up a chair and sits opposite her, not too closely.
He doesn't speak.

They sit in silence. As long as it takes. He won't speak
first.

Finally, Laura slowly turns to look at him.
                                                            

12.

                       LAURA
      (Offhandedly)
So, doc, David, I've already told
you I'm insane. What do you want
me to do now? Throw myself out the
window just to prove it to you?
                                                            
David doesn't respond. He sits quietly for another moment or
two.

Then he gets up and takes a serious look out the window.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Well, it wouldn't be a bad day for
it. At least it's sunny and they
wouldn't have to come scrape you
off the sidewalk in the pouring
rain.
                                                            
Laura's eyes widen in surprise. Then, she bursts into
laughter.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Still laughing)
Well doc..
                                                            
                       DAVID
David, let's stick to David.
Sounds less...clinical. What do
you say?
                                                            
                       LAURA
Fine by me. Well...David, you're
certainly not your average shrink,
I'll say that for you.
                                                            
                       DAVID
So, you have experience with
shrinks?
                                                            
She stops, worrying that she's giving too much away.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Nice try David.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Just trying to find a baseline
where we can start. That's all.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Sounds reasonable. No. You'll be
my first. Call me a shrink virgin.
                                                            

13.

Neither speak. Both try to process how this is going.

Finally, David speaks.
                                                            
                       DAVID
So, would you be able to tell me
why you tried to kill yourself
Laura?
                                                            
She shuts down and looks out the window.

They sit in silence for a long while.

Finally, David gets up.
                                                            
                       DAVID
You must be tired Laura. Let's
pick this up another time. You get
some rest.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Quickly to stop
       him from leaving)
I guess I could have used a shrink
a lot sooner.
                                                            
He sits back down.
                                                            
David pauses. Looks at her. She looks directly back at him,
waiting for his next move like its a game of chess.
                                                            
                       DAVID
You say you could have used a
psychiatrist sooner. How sooner?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Sighs)
Oh...since I was a teenager. In
fact, since I started having
periods. Since I was able to get
pregnant. That's when they
started?
                                                            
                       DAVID
What started Laura? What are
'they?'
                                                            
She shuts down again and stares back out the window.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Wooden)
I think we're done for today
David. I'm tired.
                                                            

14.

He stands and puts his chair back by the bedside. Laura
doesn't move, keeps staring out the window.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Mind if I drop by again tomorrow?
Your call Laura.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Shrugging)
Why not. I haven't laughed that
much in years.
                                                            
 
INT. PSYCHIATRIC WARD LOUNGE - DAY
                                                            
Laura is sitting alone in the room on one of the easy chairs
staring at the television. The volume is turned off. David
walks in.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Cheerily)
So, here you are. I thought you'd
gone AWOL on me.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Oh, you know, a change is as good
as a rest. I started bouncing off
the walls in my room.
                                                            
She eyes him cheekily.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
Besides, there's a cute psycho
I've been eyeing up and he
sometimes sits in here.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Feigned shock)
Why Laura, don't you know romance
in the psycho ward is better than
Love Match on the internet?

They get hitched left and right in
this place! I should know. I'm
usually one of the witnesses.
Doris from the cafeteria is
usually the other.
                                                            
Again, Laura bursts into laughter and looks closely at him
for the first time. She sees he has a kind face, not phoney.


She shows she is starting to feel some sort of rapport with

15.

him by taking the initiative and asking him to sit with her.

David readily sits and looks back closely at her.

He decides again that he is not going to be the first one to
speak and they sit in silence.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Out of the blue)
Nightmares.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Careful not to
       show too much
       reaction)
Nightmares?
                                                            
                       LAURA
The 'theys.' 'They' are
nightmares.
(She gauges his response)
Only...only they're not
nightmares. They're real. They're
real memories. I know it. It
really happened.
                                                            
                       DAVID
What happened Laura?
                                                            
She looks up at the television without speaking.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Okay Laura. Nevermind WHAT
happened. Can you tell me WHEN it
happened?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Still staring at
       the television)
In the past. A long time ago.
Maybe a hundred years ago, I don't
know.
                                                            
                       DAVID
You mean...like in a past life?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Looking at him
       with contempt)
Well clearly in a past life!
Unless you think I'm about 150
years old!
                                                            

16.

David doesn't answer. They sit quietly for a moment or two
as he tries to head off an escalation in her mood.

Laura sighs heavily and looks at him questioningly. What is
he thinking?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Finally)
Well, I'm guessing from your
animated response that you don't
believe a word I'm saying.
                                                            
                       DAVID
I didn't say that Laura.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Mimicking him)
No, you didn't say that David.
                                                            
She becomes agitated again.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Point is David, you didn't say
fucking anything! That's not
polite David. When a patient tells
you something important, you're
supposed to fucking well respond!
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Not rising to her
       bait.)
Can you tell me about these
nightmares Laura?
                                                            
She shuts down and looks back up at the television.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Standing up)
It's okay Laura. This is not a
military assault course. This is a
process and you're the boss.

Maybe I'll leave you alone for a
day or two. You've been through a
lot.
                                                            
He starts to leave the room, but she CALLS after him.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Voice cracking)
They're about my babies. My
beautiful twin babies. A boy and a
girl. I left them. I left them
alone in their tiny graves. I left
            (MORE)

17.

                       LAURA (cont'd)
them.
                                                            
She becomes LOUD and TEARFUL.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
Don't you understand? I left my
babies! God help me I left my
babies!
                                                            
She becomes HYSTERICAL, SHOUTING 'I left my babies,' over
and over. David calls for a nurse. He HOLDS ONTO Laura as
she SQUIRMS in his arms.
                                                            
 
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
                                                            
FLASHBACK - SEPIA TONE
                                                            
PHOENIX MOUNTAIN - 1919
                                                            
Charlotte Tanner is SQUIRMING in her husband's arms as he
tries to TEAR HER AWAY from her babies graves.
                                                            
FLASHBACK ENDS
                                                            
 
INT. PSYCHIATRIC WARD LOUNGE - DAY
                                                            
BACK TO PRESENT - FULL COLOUR SCREEN
                                                            
Laura SCREAMS and STRUGGLES WILDLY. A nurse RUSHES in and
injects a SEDATIVE into her arm. Laura FALLS LIMP in David's
arms.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSPITAL - LATER
                                                            
LAURA'S ROOM
                                                            
Laura is sleeping in bed. David sits quietly beside the bed
and looks intently into her face.

Finally, she awakens and sees him.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Groggily)
Hey David. Surprised to see you.
Thought I might have scared you
off.
                                                            

18.

                       DAVID
      (Smiling)
Trust me, I don't scare easily. In
fact, I don't think there's
anything you could do to scare me
off.
                                                            
He pauses for a second, deciding whether or not to risk a
joke. Goes for it.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Well, there is one thing that
terrifies me. For God's sake don't
start spinning your head around
and spewing up green goop!
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Laughs weakly)
David, I think I like you. Is that
okay or am I breaking some sort of
rule?
                                                            
                       DAVID
Well Laura, I like you back. I'm
probably breaking some sort of
rule, but I won't tell if you
won't.
                                                            
She laughs again. They look warmly into each other's eyes.

They sit in silence for a few moments.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Spontaneously)
All I know is that I have been
having this horrible nightmare
over and over since I was a
teenager. It's in the past
sometime, I don't know when.

I'm a woman, about 30-ish.

There's a lot of people. We're all
leaving somewhere. We're all
carrying our belongings. There are
horses and carts.

I run away down a hill toward two
tiny graves. That's where my
babies are buried.

I keep shouting that I promised I
wouldn't leave them. I promised.
But I do leave them. I do leave
            (MORE)

19.

                       LAURA (cont'd)
them.
                                                            
She becomes AGITATED and TEARFUL.
                                                            
                       DAVID
It's okay Laura. You're here in
your hospital room. It's the 21st
century.

You're safe. I'm with you. Please
try to stay with me here.
                                                            
Laura lays back on the pillow and starts to cry.
                                                            
                       LAURA
That's why he left me. My husband.
Do you know what I did David? Do
you know what I did to him?
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Carefully)
Only if you're ready to tell me
Laura.
                                                            
                       LAURA
I want to tell you David. I want
you to know what kind of a bitch
you're dealing with.
                                                            
He doesn't answer, but looks at her in earnest.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
I pretended I wanted babies and
all the while I kept taking the
birth control pill. Can you
imagine?
                                                            
                       DAVID
So, you couldn't let yourself get
pregnant. Even though you wanted
babies. Is that what you're
saying?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Tearfully)
Exactly that. That's exactly
right.

And the worst thing was that my
poor husband went through all
kinds of tests and he thought it
was his fault.

            (MORE)

20.

                       LAURA (cont'd)
I did that to him. Can you
imagine?
                                                            
She pulls a wadge of tissues from the box on her side table
and dabs her eyes.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
So David, do you like me now?
                                                            
David takes both her hands into his and leans towards her,
looking deeply into her eyes.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Laura, I can't pretend to
understand what is happening to
you, or why.

But I can promise you that we will
get to the bottom of
this...together...and make you
well.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Weak laugh)
Well doc, that's some promise. But
I think you may be way out of your
depth on this one.

I mean, we're talking past life
kind of stuff. Is that something
your used to dealing with?
                                                            
                       DAVID
Let's hold off on giving it a
label until we've talked some
more.

What do you say?
                                                            
Laura looks suspiciously at him.

Is he going to try to talk her out of her own experiences?
Her own feelings? The existence of her own babies?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Flippant)
Sure David. That's why you get the
big bucks.

But let's hold off on labelling
the labels, until YOU get to know
ME better.

            (MORE)

21.

                       LAURA (cont'd)
What do you say?
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Conceding)
Okay Laura. No labelling.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Quietly)
Thank you.
                                                            
                       DAVID
Tomorrow then?
                                                            
                       LAURA
Tomorrow then.
                                                            
He leaves. Laura lays back on her pillow and closes her
eyes.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
ONE MONTH LATER
                                                            
Laura is sitting at her kitchen table sipping a mug of
coffee. She's flipping through the Help Wanted ads in the
newspaper.

The phone rings. She picks up.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Hello?
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Well hi there. It's David. Just
wanted to confirm our appointment
this afternoon.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Smiles into the
       phone)
Oh hi David. I'm surprised you
haven't given up on me by now.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Tell you what, let's break with
tradition and have our meeting at
a nice restaurant. We'll talk over
lunch.

The Tea House. Know it?
                                                            

22.

There's a long pause as she takes this in. Is he asking her
out on a date? Oh, what the hell, why not!
                                                            
                       LAURA
Sounds great David. Yes, I know
it. Are you sure, I mean...it's
kind of expensive.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Oh, but I'm soooo worth it!
                                                            
She laughs.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Blushing)
Okay. I'll be there. Better curl
my hair and blow off the spider's
webs from my lipstick!
                                                            
 
INT. RESTAURANT - LATER
                                                            
Laura and David sit opposite each other on a cosy table for
two in an intimate restaurant. They clink wine glasses and
drink a toast to, 'Insane People.'

All the while they are smiling into each other's eyes and
drinking in each other as they sip their wine.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (As they eat)
So, how are the nightmares Laura?
Still as regular as before?
                                                            
She swallows her food and wipes her mouth. Puts down her
napkin in disappointment.

This is just another session then, not really a date. The
pleasant atmosphere has been broken for her.

David sees her reaction and quickly responds.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Talking quickly)
No...no Laura. I didn't mean to...
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Smiling at his
       nervousness)
It's okay David. Afterall, isn't
that why we're here? I mean,
you're just doing your job!
                                                            

23.

                       DAVID
Well, yes and no. I really did
want to take you to lunch. I mean
I wanted to have a lunch date with
Laura the woman, not Laura the
patient. Oh my God, I shouldn't
have said that. I'm sorry.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Reaching over the
       table and taking
       his hands in hers)
It's okay David. I'm glad it's
more than just another session.
Really. I'm glad.
                                                            
She pauses and looks into his eyes.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
But just this once, can we not
talk shop?

Can we just be a nice normal
couple sharing a nice normal lunch
in a very nice normal restaurant?

Just this once?
                                                            
They smile at each other and both know something has just
happened that can never be taken back.
                                                            
 
INT. DAVID'S OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
ONE WEEK LATER
                                                            
Laura walks into the reception room and approaches SARAH,
David's secretary, sitting at her desk.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Hi Sarah. I'm here for my 2
o'clock appointment.
                                                            
                       SARAH
Oh I'm sorry Laura, Dr.
Fitzpatrick has been called away
urgently.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Oh, okay. I guess I'd better
reschedule then.
                                                            

24.

                       SARAH
No...actually...Dr. Fitzpatrick
said not to schedule another
appointment at this time. He said
he'd get in touch with you.
                                                            
Laura's eyes widen in surprise.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Is there anything wrong? I mean,
is he still going to be my
psychiatrist?
                                                            
                       SARAH
I'm sorry Laura, I really can't
say. But he will get in touch with
you. He said he would.
                                                            
Laura turns and walks out without speaking.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA'S HOME - LATER
                                                            
The phone rings. She picks up.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Laura? I'm so sorry about today.
Something came up. It was
unavoidable.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Hope there's nothing wrong. It
sounded so urgent.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
It was. It is! Look, how about we
meet in the park tomorrow in my
lunch hour?
                                                            
Laura doesn't answer.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Laura? Are you still there? Is
tomorrow okay for you?
                                                            
                       LAURA
Sure, tomorrow's fine. But why the
park? Why not your office? What's
going on David?
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
It's just that...well, the office
just wouldn't be the right place.

            (MORE)

25.

                       DAVID (cont'd)
So, by the duck pond at noon?
                                                            
                       LAURA
Okay David. I'll be there.
Tomorrow, by the duck pond at
noon.
                                                            
She's about the replace the receiver, but stops.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
      (Hesitantly)
David? You will be there, right?
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Of course I'll be there Laura.
Can't wait to see you. I'll
explain everything tomorrow.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Okay then. Well...goodnight David.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Tenderly)
Goodnight Laura. Sleep tight.
                                                            
 
EXT. PARK - DAY
                                                            
BY THE DUCK POND
                                                            
Laura is dressed up in a pretty lemon dress. She has gone to
a lot of trouble making herself look attractive.

She looks at her watch. Noon on the dot.

She looks around, searching for David among the people
wandering around the duck pond.

Another half-an-hour goes by. No sign of David.

Laura calls his office from her CELLPHONE.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Oh hi Sarah, it's Laura. Is
Dav...Dr. Fitzpatrick there?
                                                            
                       SARAH
No, I'm sorry Laura. He was called
away at around 10:30. Didn't say
where he was going. Just rushed
out and told me to cancel his
appointments for the rest of the
            (MORE)

26.

                       SARAH (cont'd)
day.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Downcast)
Did he...did he leave any message
for me?
                                                            
                       SARAH
No. Like I said Laura, he just
rushed off and told me to cancel
his appointments. I'm sorry Laura.
Would you like to leave a message
for him?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Voice shaking)
No...no message Sarah. Thanks.
Goodbye.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA'S HOME - LATER
                                                            
Laura is curled up on her couch, drinking wine.
                                                            
The phone rings. She lets it go to voice mail. It is David.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Hi Laura? Look...sorry about
today. Something came up. Can you
call me as soon as you get this
message? I need to explain.
                                                            
When the message ends, Laura presses 'DELETE.'

She pours herself another glass of wine and curls back up on
the couch, staring at the television. No volume.
                                                            
The phone rings again.

Again, it is left to go to voice mail. It is David.
                                                            
                       DAVID (OS)
Laura, it's me again. Pick up
Laura, I know you're there.
                                                            
Silence.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Okay Laura, if you don't pick up
I'm coming over.
                                                            
Laura immediately picks up the telephone.
                                                            

27.

                       LAURA
      (Irritated, speech
       slurred)
David, what the hell are you
doing?

Look, I get it. We got too
feely-touchy and it's against the
rules. I get it.

Bye-bye Mr. Shrink. It was nice
doing business with you. Now fuck
off will you?
                                                            
 
INT. NURSING HOME - DAY
                                                            
David walks into a room. A VERY OLD LADY is laying in a bed.
NASAL PRONGS for oxygen. Hooked up to a HEART MONITOR.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Gently)
Hi mom. It's David.
                                                            
The old lady turns slowly to look at him. She extends a
wizened hand to him and he takes it in both his hands.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (In a breathy
       whisper)
Hello my darling boy. Why are you
here so often these days? I know
how busy you are.
                                                            
She struggles to catch her breath.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
Nothing you can do here son. Now
go and get on with your life.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Leaning closer to
       her)
Mother, the nurse tells me you are
suffering. You know there's
nothing more they can do.
                                                            
She tears up.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
I know. I know son. But I have to
hang on until I've put things to
right.
                                                            

28.

David kisses her cheek and holds onto her hand.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
      (Starts to cry)
I'm afraid David. I'm so afraid.
                                                            
                       DAVID
There's nothing to be afraid of
mom. It's okay to let go. It's
okay to let go mom.
                                                            
She looks away from him.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Helpless)
I can't David. I have some
unfinished business you see. God
will never forgive me until I put
it right.
                                                            
David looks at her, searching her face.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Pleading)
What unfinished business mother?
Tell me. Maybe I can help. Please
mother, please just tell me.
                                                            
She's fallen asleep. Her breathing is shallow. He leaves the
room quietly.
                                                            
 
INT. NURSING HOME - MOMENTS LATER
                                                            
NURSES STATION
                                                            
David is talking with the NURSE who is caring for his
mother.
                                                            
                       NURSE
      (Softly)
She tells me the same thing David.
She cannot let go until she's put
things to right. She's afraid that
God will never forgive her.
                                                            
                       DAVID
But what could she possibly have
done that was so wrong? She's been
a perfect mother, a church-going,
holier-than-thou, perfect person
ever since I was born.
                                                            

29.

                       NURSE
I've tried over and over asking
her what it is that is troubling
her so much. She just turns away
and tears up.
                                                            
She moves closer to him.
                                                            
                       NURSE
To tell you the honest truth
David, it's a miracle she's kept
going this long.

She's 96 years old with end-stage
lung cancer. Yet she carries on
day after day, suffering,
worrying, terrified to die and -
in her words - 'meet God's
punishment.'
                                                            
He shakes his head and leaves.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Turning back as
       he opens the exit
       door)
I'll be back tomorrow, but if
anything happens - anything at
all, please call me immediately.
                                                            
                       NURSE
You know I will.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAURA'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
David's car pulls up outside Laura's house. He sees her car
in the driveway, so he knows she's home.

He doesn't get out. Just sits and stares at Laura's front
door.

After a few moments, Laura opens the door and he rolls his
car window down.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Holding the front
       door open)
Hello David. I can't imagine what
you are doing here, but I'd very
much appreciate it if you'd leave.
                                                            
Laura starts to shut the door.
                                                            

30.

                       DAVID
It's my mother.
                                                            
Laura hesitates, then walks out onto the front step, still
holding the door open.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Your mother? What about your
mother?
                                                            
                       DAVID
It's not something I want to shout
for the whole neighbourhood to
hear Laura.
                                                            
                       LAURA
No, of course not. I'm sorry.
You'd better come in.
                                                            
 
INT. LAURA'S HOME - MOMENTS LATER
                                                            
LAURA'S KITCHEN TABLE
                                                            
David and Laura sit opposite each other.

Laura sits quietly and listens as David bears his soul to
her.
                                                            
                       DAVID
She's 96 years old. It's end-stage
lung cancer.

She's suffering so badly.

There's nothing more they can do
for her.

Every day is just more pain and
suffering, but she's convinced
she's done something so wrong, so
terriby wrong, that she's
literally afraid to die.

Afraid that God won't forgive her
until she's put whatever it is to
rights.
                                                            
He looks at Laura and his face registers a connection.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
In a way she reminds me of you.
                                                            

31.

Laura frowns. She is puzzled.

What does he mean, reminds her of me?
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
She feels so guilty about
something, something that
certainly didn't happen in my
lifetime.

Maybe it's just a nightmare with
her too.

Maybe it's all just a terrible
nightmare and she's somehow
convinced herself it's real.
                                                            
Laura bristles and stands up abruptly. She walks to the
kitchen sink and stands there with her back to him.
                                                            
She turns on him.
                                                            
                       LAURA
So Mr. Shrink, Mr. Superior, you
have already decided that what I
am experiencing is in no way real,
just a nightmare that I've
CONVINCED myself is real.
                                                            
                       DAVID
I didn't mean...
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Cutting him off)
And the worst part of it is you've
actually written your own mother
off in the same offhanded,
closed-minded, ignorant way!

How the hell dare you? What makes
you the expert on what's real for
me, or your mother, or anybody
else for that matter?

What gives you the right you
arrogant arsehole?!

Well, I'm telling you for the last
time, my nightmare is NOT JUST A
DREAM, it is a MEMORY!

I don't know how. I don't know
why. And frankly, Mr. Shrink, I
DON'T FUCKING CARE!
            (MORE)

32.

                       LAURA (cont'd)

ALL I KNOW FOR CERTAIN IS THAT IT
IS REAL!

Now Mr. Shrink, do you get that?
                                                            
                       DAVID
But how can it be real Laura?

How can something that you dream
about, that happened in God knows
what century, how can that be
real?

If you can explain that to me,
then maybe I'll be able to take
you seriously.
                                                            
She walks toward him and SHOVES him out of the chair.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Get out! Get the fuck out! I don't
need you to TRY to take me
seriously David.

Now get the hell out!
                                                            
He turns to her and tries to speak.
                                                            
                       LAURA
Get out!
                                                            
He walks toward the door.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
And for God's sake LISTEN to your
mother David. TRY LISTENING!
                                                            
He turns to her as though he's been shot with a bullet
through the heart.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
Maybe if she thought you weren't
such a pompous know-it-all, then
maybe she'd open up to you and
then maybe, just maybe, you'd be
able to make like a REAL DOCTOR
and help her find her peace!
                                                            
They stare at each other for a long moment.

David's face turns white with shock. What Laura has just

33.

said has hit a very raw nerve with him.

Quietly, he walks out.
                                                            
 
INT. NURSING HOME - LATER
                                                            
David is sitting by his mother's bedside. She is just
awakening from a fitful sleep. Every breath she takes is a
gurgle and an horrendous struggle.
                                                            
                       DAVID
      (Softly, taking
       her hand)
Mother, I don't expect you to tell
me what it is you did. I'd like it
if you would, but since you
haven't so far, I seriously doubt
you will now.
                                                            
She turns to look at him more closely. There is something
different in his manner, something she has never seen
before.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
But mother, I'd like to tell you
something, if that's okay with
you.
                                                            
She nods and keeps looking at him intently.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Mother, I have a patient who is
similar to you in some ways. This
patient has been having terrible
recurring nightmares since she was
a teenager.
                                                            
He looks to make sure she is following him.

Her eyes never leave his face.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
In her nightmares, she is a woman,
living in the past. She is being
forced to leave her home - a place
on top of a mountain.

She is leaving her two babies
behind.

She is crippled with guilt because
she is leaving her babies behind.
                                                            

34.

David's mother stares at him, her eyes widening.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
In her nightmare, she sees herself
lying, face down, on top of her
babies' gravesides - even digging
in the mud with her bare hands to
try to reach their bodies.

Mother, this poor woman is so
distraught with guilt that she
cannot allow herself to have
children.

Her marriage broke down because of
it.

Mother, she even tried to kill
herself!
                                                            
David looks at his mother and sees she is weeping.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
Oh mother, I am so sorry. I am so
sorry. Please forgive me...why am
I even telling you this...
                                                            
She is weeping, but looks almost relieved.
                                                            
                       DAVID (cont'd)
      (Desperate)
I guess I thought if I told you
about this woman that...that maybe
you would tell me what is
bothering you so much.

Stupid of me! I'm so sorry mother.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Cuts him off)
Bring this woman to me David.
                                                            
His jaw drops.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
Please David. No questions. I'm
too weak. Bring this poor woman to
me, as quickly as you can.
                                                            
He tries to talk, but she puts her hand up to stop him.
                                                            

35.

                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
      (Voice as strong
       as she can muster)
NOW David! For pities sake bring
her to me NOW! BEFORE IT'S TOO
LATE!
                                                            
 
INT. NURSING HOME - DAY
                                                            
ONE HOUR LATER
                                                            
Laura and David walk quietly into David's mother's room. She
is sleeping. Laura looks deeply into the old lady's face.
There's something there that she feels she can recognize,
but doesn't understand what it is.

David's mother slowly awakens and immediately notices Laura.

Her face turns into that of a child, wide-eyed, innocent -
and her voice is that of a little girl.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
Mrs. Tanner. It's you!
                                                            
Tears roll down the old lady's cheeks.

Laura and David stand, spellbound.

David's mother beckons for Laura to come closer.

Laura immediately kneels beside the old lady's bed and leans
toward her mouth to better hear her.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
I'm so sorry Mrs. Tanner. You
always told us not to steal. But I
did steal. I'm so sorry Mrs.
Tanner. Please forgive me Mrs.
Tanner.
                                                            
David's mother's voice returns to that of a 96-year-old
woman, as she points to her bedside cabinet.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
      (To Laura)
Open it my dear. Open it.
                                                            
Laura slowly opens the cabinet, not sure what she's looking
for.
                                                            

36.

                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
There's a SMALL BOX my dear. Do
you see it?
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Breathless)
Yes, I see it.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
Open it. Oh dear God, open it
quickly my dear.
                                                            
Laura opens the box, hands shaking. In it, she finds a VERY
OLD SILVER LOCKET.

Laura's eyes widen. She immediately somehow recognizes the
locket. She opens it and inside is a VERY OLD PICTURE OF A
WOMAN HOLDING TWO BABIES.

The woman bears a strange resemblance to herself, but more
importantly, Laura immediately recognizes the picture of the
babies.

They are her babies!

The locket is the one she places on the outstretched hand of
the STONE BABY ANGEL between her babies' graves in her
nightmares.

They are not nightmares! They are real memories!

Laura starts to weep tears of relief and joy. They are her
babies!
                                                            
David's mother is also weeping as she sees Laura's reaction
to the picture.

David stands in disbelief, unable to grasp what is
happening!
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Struggling for
       breath)
They are on Phoenix Mountain, my
dear. Your babies are on Phoenix
Mountain, in the graveyard next to
the old mining city.
                                                            
Laura rushes to her bedside, desperate to know everything
before the old lady dies.
                                                            

37.

                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Struggling to get
       the words out)
They died of influenza and
pneumonia my dear. It was common
in those days. Hundreds of
children died of it in those days.


It wasn't your fault my dear. You
have to know, it wasn't your
fault.
                                                            
She is losing her battle for life and her breathing becomes
more laboured.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Desperate to know
       more)
Please Mrs. Fitzpatrick. Please.
Shall I call the nurse?
                                                            
David's mother coughs as she puts up her hand.
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Breathless)
No! Give me a moment.
                                                            
She struggles to regain control of her breathing. Just a few
more moments.

She MUST last just a few more moments!
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER (cont'd)
I was only 7 years old, a little
girl. But I have no excuse. You
were our teacher - Mrs. Tanner.

You taught us not to steal, but I
did steal.

I stole the locket off your
babies' graveside. I stole the
locket.

I am so sorry. Can you ever
forgive me. Please, I beg you to
forgive me.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Sensing the end
       is near)
Oh Mrs. Fitzpatrick, of course I
forgive you. Of course I forgive
            (MORE)

38.

                       LAURA (cont'd)
you.
                                                            
Laura takes David's mother's hand and holds it to her own
wet cheek.
                                                            
                       LAURA (cont'd)
Thank you Mrs. Fitzpatrick. Thank
you so, so much for telling me
this.

You have saved my life!
                                                            
                       DAVID'S MOTHER
      (Grasping Laura's
       hand)
No, my dear. It is you who have
saved me.

You have saved my soul!
                                                            
The old lady smiles into Laura's eyes before closing her own
for the last time.
                                                            
As Laura and David stand by the old lady's bedside, Laura
clutching onto the locket for dear life, the old lady's
heart monitor flat lines.

She is smiling as her last breath leaves her.
                                                            
 
EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY
                                                            
FLASHBACK - SEPIA TONE
                                                            
PHOENIX GRAVEYARD - 1919
                                                            
A little girl is hiding behind a grave stone, watching Mrs.
Tanner hang the locket on the outstretched hand of the stone
baby angel between the two tiny graves of her babies.

When Charlotte Tanner is led away by her husband, the little
girl takes the locket and hides it in her pocket, just as
her mother calls out to her.
                                                            
                       THE LITTLE GIRL'S MOTHER (OS)
Anabel! Anabel get back here right
now! Right now I said!
                                                            
FLASHBACK ENDS
                                                            
 

39.

INT. NURSING HOME - DAY
                                                            
BACK TO PRESENT TIME - FULL COLOUR
                                                            
DAVID'S MOTHER'S DEATH BED
                                                            
We look at the old lady's face one last time. All the
anguish is gone. She is finally at peace.

We pan down to the bottom of the old lady's bed where her
chart is hanging.

The name on the chart reads, 'Anabel Fitzpatrick.'
                                                            
 
EXT. GRAVEYARD - PHOENIX MOUNTAIN - DAY
                                                            
ONE WEEK LATER
                                                            
It is a beautiful sunny day. David and Laura carefully climb
down the side of the mountain to where the old graveyard
still exists.

David stands at the gateway to the graveyard, watching in
disbelief as Laura walks directly to one particular grave
site. She knows exactly where it is.

He wells up with tears as Laura slowly lies prostrate
between two tiny graves. A stone baby angel with an
outstretched hand stands between the two graves.

Laura spreads her arms, just as she did when she was
Charlotte Tanner, so she is touching both graves with
outstretched hands.

She is immediately transported back to her past life, when
she had her babies.
                                                            
 
EXT. CITY OF PHOENIX - CONTINUOUS
                                                            
FLASHBACK - SEPIA TONE
                                                            
MONTAGE
                                                            
Charlotte Tanner sitting in a rocking chair, nursing her two
babies, tenderly kissing their foreheads.

Charlotte nursing one baby, crying as he dies in her arms.

Charlotte sobbing, handing her other dead baby to an elderly
woman as Thomas, her husband, stands by, weeping.


40.

Many people standing around the babies' graves at their
funeral. Charlotte and Thomas standing white-faced, like
stone statues themselves.

Charlotte standing on her own by the gravesides after
everyone has left. Her face is frozen into a mask of
devastation.

It is raining and getting dark. Her black dress makes her
look ghost-like as the darkness descends around her. She is
rooted to the spot, unable to move.
                                                            
FLASHBACK ENDS
                                                            
 
EXT. PHOENIX GRAVEYARD - DAY
                                                            
BACK TO PRESENT - FULL COLOUR
                                                            
David watches Laura. He doesn't move. He hardly dare
breathe. He knows Laura must see this through to the end if
she is ever to find peace.

Finally, Laura slowly stands and reads the tombstones of her
babies.
                                                            
                       ON THE LEFT
Megan Tanner.
1917 to 1918.
Aged 1 year.
Beloved daughter and sister.
Rest in peace, tiny angel, with
your brother in Heaven.
                                                            
                       ON THE RIGHT
Thomas Tanner.
1917 to 1918.
Aged 1 year.
Beloved son and brother.
Rest in peace, tiny angel, with
your sister in Heaven.
                                                            
Laura looks back at David and smiles. He smiles back.
                                                            
Slowly, she takes off the locket she is wearing around her
neck and carefully opens it.

We see, inside the locket, a picture of a woman in a bed,
wearing a LONG SLEEVED WHITE COTTON NIGHTGOWN, beaming with
joy, holding a baby in each arm.

Laura carefully closes the locket and tenderly puts it back

41.

in its rightful place - hanging on the oustretched hand of
the stone baby angel between her babies' graves.
                                                            
                       LAURA
      (Whispering)
You see my darlings, mama never
left you, just like she promised.
Mama never left you.
                                                            
She turns and walks toward David.

No words needed, they hug each other tightly and then slowly
walk back through the gate to the road.

In silence, they get into their car and slowly drive down
the narrow mountain road just as the sun is setting.
                                                            
 
EXT. CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND - DAY
                                                            
TEN YEARS LATER
                                                            
David and Laura play with their three children in the
playground. There is much shouting and excitement from the
children.
                                                            
They have made their home in a small town at the bottom of a
huge mountain. The town is called GREENWOOD.

There is a sign at the entrance of the park. It reads:
'VISIT THE CITY OF PHOENIX. CANADA'S LARGEST GHOST TOWN.
TURN LEFT AT THE POST OFFICE AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS!'
                                                            
As David chases his children around the park and they squeal
with delight, Laura stares up at the huge mountain that
dwarfs the tiny town of Greenwood nestling at its base.

We follow her gaze and slowly pan up from the park, up
through the forested mountainside to the top of Phoenix
Mountain.

At the graveyard, there are fresh flowers on each of
Charlotte Tanner's babies' graves. The locket is still
hanging on the outstretched hand of the stone baby angel.
                                                            
Finally, we come to the location where the magnificent City
of Phoenix once stood.

It is now an eerie, barren, empty space of pits and dirt
roads, with a stagnant lake of accumulated rain water at its
center.

As we linger visually on the emptiness and destitution of

42.

this tragic space, with no sound but the wind rustling the
leaves of the mountainside trees:

THE SCREEN TRANSPOSES TO SEPIA TONE
                                                            
 
EXT. CITY OF PHOENIX IN ITS HEYDAY - CONTINUOUS
                                                            
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
                                                            
MONTAGE
                                                            
HUNDREDS of HOUSES line the STREETS around the PITS.

CHILDREN sit in SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

DOCTORS AND NURSES tend to the sick in HOSPITALS.

An AUDIENCE CHEERS at the end of a performance at the GRAND
OPERA HOUSE.

The town is BUSTLING with people in HOTELS, SALOONS and
GAMBLING CASINOS.

Many CHURCHES PEAL THEIR BELLS IN UNISON.

A MAGNIFICENT CITY HALL stands in sumptuous splendor.

A GRAND COURT HOUSE stands proud as a deterrent to those who
would spoil the glory of this great city.

A CROWD EXPLODES as the PHOENIX HOCKEY TEAM WINS THE
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 1911.

A BIRD'S EYE VIEW looking down on the CITY OF PHOENIX shows
a city as HUSTLING AND BUSTLING as New York City at that
time.

SLOWLY, THE SOUNDS AND SIGHTS FADE AND WE ARE, ONCE AGAIN,
LEFT WITH THE SOUL-CRUSHING EMPTINESS THAT WAS ONCE A GREAT
CITY AS:

THE FRAME TURNS BLACK
                                                            
                       INSERT - TEXT
The City of Phoenix literally
disappeared.

However, many people are drawn to
this area of the Boundary Country,
in British Columbia, Canada.

Many of them visit as tourists and
simply cannot bring themselves to
            (MORE)

43.

                       INSERT - TEXT (cont'd)
leave.

Possibly for the awe-inspiring
natural beauty of the area,
possibly for the peace and quiet,
the sweet, fresh air, or the
natural wildlife that shares the
area with those who call this
place home.

Some people can tell you why they
are drawn to the City of Greenwood
(Canada's smallest city) nestling
at the base of Phoenix (once
Canada's highest city).

For others...well, if you ask them
they'll tell you it's just not
something they can put into words.

All they know is they feel as
though they belong.

They have an inexplicable
connection and they COULD never,
WOULD never leave this place.

It's as if their souls have some
unfinished business in the City of
Ghosts on a Mountain of Gold.
                                                            


THE END


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From Darrell Rackley Date 7/10/2012 ***1/2
I really enjoyed it.


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