분야
hwpwritten by
M. Night Shyamalan
INT. BASEMENT - EVENING
A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE. It dangles from the ceiling of
a basement.
LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS AS ANNA CROWE moves down the stairs.
Anna is the rare combination of beauty and innocence. She stands
in the chilly basement in an elegant summer dress that outlines
her slender body. Her gentle eyes move across the empty room and
come to rest on a rack of wine bottles covering one entire wall.
She walks to the bottles. Her fingertips slide over the labels.
She stops when she finds just the right one. A tiny smile as she
slides it out.
Anna turns to leave. Stops. She stares at the shadowy basement.
Its an unsettling place. She stands very still and watches her
breath form a TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR. Shes visibly
uncomfortable.
Anna Crowe moves for the staircase in a hurry. Each step faster
than the next. She climbs out of the basement in another burst
of LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS.
WE HEAR HER HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH.
THE LIGHTBULB DIES. DRIPPING BLACK DEVOURS THE ROOM.
CUT TO:
INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING
Two place settings are arranged on the living room coffee table.
Take-out Chinese food sits half eaten on good china. An empty
bottle of red wine sits between boxes of Chinese food.
Anna arrives with the backup bottle and is now wearing a sweater.
She hands a collegiate rowing team sweatshirt to Malcolm.
ANNA
Its getting cold.
MALCOLM CROWE sits on the floor at the coffee table, his vest and
tie on the sofa behind him. A jacket and an overcoat lay on a
brirfcase next to him.
Malcolm is in his thirties with thick, wavy hair and striking,
intelligent eyes that squint from years of intense study. His
charming, easy-going smile spreads across his face. He points.
MALCOLM
Thats one fine frame. A fine
frame it is.
Malcolm points to the HUGE FRAMED CERTIFICATE propped up on a
dining room chair. Its printed on aged parchment-type paper.
The frame is a polished mahogany.
He slips on the sweatshirt.
MALCOLM
How much does a fine frame like
that cost, you think?
Anna hands the backup bottle over to Malcolm.
ANNA
(smiling)
Ive never told you... but you
sound a little like Dr. Seuss when
youre drunk.
Malcolm uncorks the wine and starts pouring in the empty glass.
MALCOLM
Anna, Im serious. Serious I am,
Anna.
Anna giggles. Shes clearly buzzed herself. Malcolm doesnt get
it. Anna takes a few calming sips of her wine. Her attention
slowly moves to the framed certificate.
ANNA
Mahogany. Id say that cost at
least a couple hundred. Maybe
three.
MALCOLM
Three? We should hock it. Buy a
C.D. rack for the bedroom.
ANNA
Do you know how important this is?
This is big time.
(beat)
Im going to read it for you,
doctor.
MALCOLM
Do I really sound like Dr. Seuss?
Anna ignores Malcolm and clears her throat. She leans forward
her seat and reads the certificate out loud as Malcolm tries to
tickle her.
ANNA
In recognition for his outstanding
achievement in the field of child
psychology, his dedication to his
work, and his continuing efforts to
improve the quality of life for
countless children and their
families, the City of Philadelphia
proudly bestows upon its son Dr.
Malcolm Crowe... Thats you...
the Mayors Citation for
Professional Excellence.
Beat. The power of the words sobers the two of them.
ANNA
Wow. They called you their son.
MALCOLM
We can keep it in the bathroom.
Anna turns to Malcolm. He smiles.
MALCOLM
Its not real, Anna. Some
secretary wrote that up. Dont
tell me you thought it was real?
Annas expression becomes serious.
MALCOLM
What?
She just keeps staring. Beat.
MALCOLM
Dont do the quiet thing. You know
I hate it.
Beat.
ANNA
This is an important night for us.
Finally someone is recognizing the
sacrifices you made. That you have
put everything second, including me,
for those families theyre talking
about.
Malcolm plays softly with her face. Anna takes his hands and
holds them steady.
ANNA
Theyre also saying that my husband
has a gift. Not an ordinary gift
that allows him to hit a ball over a
fence. Or a gift that lets him
produce beautiful images on a
canvas... Your gift teaches
children how to be strong in
situations where most adults would
piss on themselves.
(beat)
Yes, I believe what they wrote
about you.
Anna lets go of his hands. Annas eyes are emotional. Malcolm
smiles softly.
MALCOLM
Thank you.
Anna leans towards him. They hold each other tight. Beat.
MALCOLM
What are we hugging about again?
Anna laughs as she wipes her eyes.
ANNA
Nothing. There wasnt supposed to
be any crying at this celebration.
Just a lot of drinking and sex.
Malcolms charming, easy-going smile returns.
MALCOLM
I would like some red wine in a
glass.
Anna hands him his glass. He stares at it.
MALCOLM
I would not like it in a mug. I
would not like it in a jug.
Malcolm looks at Anna surprised at what he said. They crack up
laughing. THEIR SWEET LAUGHTER FILLS THE HOUSE.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
TWO GIGGLING SH
