RESERVATION ROAD

Screenplay by

John Burnham Schwartz and Terry George

Based on the novel by

John Burnham Schwartz
 TITLES...

A-F A MONTAGE OF SHOTS OF THIS IDYLLIC CONNECTICUT TOWN A-F

THE COUNTRY ROADS. CHILDREN PLAYING. A GROUP OF
TEENAGERS LOUNGING AT A FAMILY POOL. LUXURY STORES ON A
MAIN STREET. AFTERNOON CROWD AT A FASHIONABLE COFFEE
SHOP. A YOUNG WOMAN JOGGER pushing her $2,000 stroller.

ALL UNDER THE SOUND OF AN ORCHESTRA.

1 EXT. CONNECTICUT PARK - DAY 1

Late afternoon on a sunny, late summer day. A beautiful
public park. A SCHOOL ORCHESTRA plays on a public
bandstand.

CLOSE ON a beautiful woman (mid-30s). This is GRACE

LEARNER. She listens as the piece plays, then a young
boy, her son, JOSH (10), stands to play his solo piece.
Her husband, ETHAN LEARNER, mid-thirties, holds their
daughter EMMA (8) on his lap.

As Josh plays, an AIRLINER flies overhead, preparing to

land. Grace looks up, annoyed. Josh finishes, the
orchestra starts up just as Emma stands and applauds her
brother.

2 EXT. CONNECTICUT PARK - DUSK 2

The concert is over. The audience breaks up. Ethan and
Grace, arm around each other (like lovers), move through
groups of parents. Ethan carries his son’s Cello.

Josh plays with his sister Emma and some other kids by a
tree, they are catching fireflies.

PARENT (O.S.)
Mr. Learner, Mr. Learner!

Ethan turns. An ELEGANT LADY (40s) catches up, thrusts

her hand out to Ethan.

PARENT (CONT'D)
Evelyn Williams. My son Jed is in
your media studies class. He just
loves that course.

(CONTINUED)
 2.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
Jed’s a clever guy, and fun to be
around. You should be proud.
This is my wife Grace.

Josh and Emma run towards their parents.

They shake hands.

PARENT
Hello. Do you teach also?

GRACE
No, I’m a landscape designer.

A tug on Grace’s skirt.

EMMA
Mommy, mommy, look what Josh has
got for me.

ETHAN
We must get going. Tell Jed I
said hello.

Emma holds a glass peanut jar filled with fireflies.

EMMA
Fireflies. They’re magic!

EVELYN
Thanks again, good night.

Grace walks away with Ethan who has his arm around her
waist.

Josh arrives, his hands cupped.

JOSH
I’ve got another one.

GRACE
You were excellent, Josh.

ETHAN
You played beautifully.

Josh is busy putting the firefly in the jar.

JOSH
Thanks, Dad.

They arrive at their car, get in.

 3.

3 EXT. ROUTE 7 - NIGHT 3

It’s dark now. A VOLVO STATION WAGON travels along a
country road.

GRACE (V.O.
A big bath as soon as you get back
young lady.

4 INT. VOLVO - NIGHT 4

Ethan drives, Grace beside him. Josh and Emma in the
back. (Prairie Home Companion is on the radio).

GRACE
The orchestra conductor says
you’re going inot the Northeast
finals this semester. That’s
exciting.

JOSH
Yeah, we have practice Tuesdays
and Saturdays.

ETHAN
Saturdays? What about our canoe
trips?

JOSH
I don’t know, dad. It’s the
finals.

Garrison Kellior on the radio: “It got cold in Lake

Wobegon, like your father just walked into the room.”

EMMA
What does that mean?

ETHAN
I guess some people’s fathers
are...how would you say it?

GRACE
They’re severe, cross. They make
people tremble.

JOSH
Like when Mrs. Prendegast walks in
the room at school.

(CONTINUED)
 4.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
No. Mrs. Prendegast isn’t that
bad.

JOSH
Mom!

Josh and Emma begin to study the fireflies.

Ethan switches on the wipers, pushes the wiper button to

clean the dirty screen. Nothing.

ETHAN
(mutters)
Damn.

EMMA
Mommy Can I keep them in my room
forever?

GRACE
I don’t think so sweetie, they
might die.

Emma starts crying.

EMMA
I don’t want them to die. Will
they die in the jar?

GRACE
It’s okay, we’ll let them go when
we get home, won’t we Josh.

JOSH
Sure, mom.

The Volvo signals left and turns on to Reservation Road.

5 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - CONTINUOUS 5

The road, narrow and unlit, flanked by woods.

Ahead lies A COUNTRY GAS STATION.

6 INT. ETHAN’S CAR - CONTINUOUS 6

EMMA
I need to pee.

(CONTINUED)
 5.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Can’t it wait darling?

EMMA
No mommy.

ETHAN
It’s alright. I need to get wiper
fluid anyway.

The Volvo pulls in and stops. Ethan, Grace and Emma get
out. Josh picks up the glass jar, studies it.

CLOSE ON the glass jar. There are two dead fireflies at

the bottom of the jar.

7 INT. GAS STATION. WORKSHOP - NIGHT 7

Ethan walks into the workshop. The AUTO REPAIRMAN, JIMMY
MCBRIDE, looks up from an engine repair job. An old 13
inch TV, with rabbit ears, plays in a corner.

ETHAN
Working late tonight?

JIMMY MCBRIDE
Every night.

Ethan already has a gallon of fluid in hand.

ETHAN
How much?

JIMMY MCBRIDE
Give me three dollars.

IN THE BACKGROUND, a sports news report on TV.

SPORTSCASTER (O.C.)
A marathon session at Fenway ended
tonight with the Sox winning 6-4
in the twelfth.

Ethan hands over three dollars.

ETHAN
Twelve innings. You’re not the
only one working late.

JIMMY MCBRIDE
Different pay scale.

(CONTINUED)
 6.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
For sure. Is this stuff bio-
degradeable?

JIMMY MCBRIDE
Whatever it says on the label.

8 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - NIGHT 8

A FORD EXPLORER comes barrelling around a corner.

9 EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT 9

Ethan steps out into the night, reading the label, then
looks up as a CAR comes from his left, the road is
illuminated and in the blaze of light (from brights). He
sees Josh standing between two clumps of bushes on an
aisle by the road.

Then there is a SCREECH of tires, and, suddenly, from his

right, the dark SUV careens into the light of the car
then they pass. Ethan is frozen, about to turn as the
SUV veers toward his son.

ETHAN
JOSH!

10 EXT. GAS STATION. BATHROOM - NIGHT 10

Grace is holding the door open for Emma when she hears
the awful tone of Ethan’s warning.

11 EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT 11

Ethan, frozen, makes out the shape of a man driving the
SUV as it swerves in toward the aisle and his son steps
back.

12 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 12

DWIGHT ARNO (40ish) sees the terrified face of a young
boy frozen in his headlights. He tries to brake. His
cell phone flies against the windscreen.
 7.

13 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - NIGHT 13

The peanut jar falls, crashing through the grill and
smashes the passenger side headlight of the SUV.

14 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - CONTINUOUS 14

Ethan watches in terror as the SUV HITS JOSH, BOUNCES him
sideways, and he disappears behind the clump of trees.

15 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 15

Josh’s body flies off to the side. At the same time:

Inside, LUCAS ARNO (11), is asleep in the passenger seat.

He flies forward, his face smashes into the dashboard.

DWIGHT
LOU!

16 EXT. GAS STATION - CONTINUOUS 16

Ethan is RUNNING NOW across the forecourt out onto the
road.

Behind him, A CRY:

GRACE (O.S.)
Ethan!

As he runs, he catches a glimpse of the red brake lights

on the SUV further along the road.

17 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 17

Inside, Dwight reaches across to Lucas, who is doubled up
in pain, clutching his eye.

DWIGHT
Are you alright?

Then, Dwight looks in the mirror, sees a man (Ethan)

standing in the road, staring, but Lucas is crying now.

LUCAS
Dad, dad, my eye!

(CONTINUED)
 8.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
Oh, Jesus! Jesus!

LUCAS
It hurts.

Dwight cradles Lucas in his arms, on his face a look of

absolute terror. Then a BUZZING SOUND.

18 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - NIGHT 18

Ethan calls out to the SUV.

ETHAN
Hey!

GRACE (O.S.)
Where’s Josh?! Josh!

Ethan turns back toward the verge.

ETHAN
Josh!

Then, the sound of an ENGINE REVVING. The SUV takes off.

Ethan reaches Josh but, confused, he turns toward the
fleeing SUV. He shouts, begins to run after it ...

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Hey! Stop!

19 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 19

Dwight looks in the mirror again, then puts his foot on
the gas.

DWIGHT
It’s alright, I’m gonna take care
of it. Don’t cry, please.

The Ford Explorer speeds off into the night. Dwight

reaches over to Lucas.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Come on, stop crying.

20 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - NIGHT 20

Now Ethan sees Josh, lifeless, blood trickling from his
ears. He falls to his knees beside his child.
(CONTINUED)
 9.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
Oh, God, oh God, you’re alright,
you’re alright ... AAAHHH!

A CRY OF PAIN, as he kneels on shattered glass.

GRACE
(beyond terrified)
ETHAN!

He looks back, sees Grace running toward him, then,

confused, she turns back toward Emma, who is frozen mid-
forecourt.

21 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 21

DWIGHT
Come on, stop crying, let me see.

Lucas turns to him, the eye has begun to swell up.

LUCAS
What happened Dad?

DWIGHT
We hit a log. It was lying on the
road. I’m sorry. It’s gonna be
alright.

22 EXT. SUPERMARKET - NIGHT 22

A King Kullen supermarket on the edge of town. Dwight’s
Ford Explorer pulls into the almost deserted car park.

DWIGHT (V.O.)
I’ll only be a second.

Dwight sprints across the car park.

23 EXT. SUPERMARKET - NIGHT 23

From outside, we see Dwight’s anxious trot along the
aisles, past the registers, as he disappears, and
reappears with a bag in hand.

24 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 24

Dwight jumps into the car. He has a pack of frozen peas.

(CONTINUED)
 10.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
Let me see that.

Lucas turns his head, a full blown shiner is developing.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Here, put this on it.

LUCAS
Peas! Dad!

DWIGHT
They’re frozen ... like an ice
pack. Pitchers use it on their
arms.

As Lucas places the frozen pea pack on his eye, Dwight

starts the Explorer. A STATE TROOPER CAR, SIRENS
BLARING, LIGHTS FLASHING, races past on the road.

LUCAS
What happened Dad?

DWIGHT
We hit a log, a tree branch on the
road. You didn’t see it?

LUCAS
No dad. I didn’t see anything.

25 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - LATER 25

Sounds first: CRICKETS, RADIO SQUAWK and STATIC. Then
the state trooper car pulls in to join several others
blocking roads at the accident site.

RADIO VOICE (O.S.)

Anything?

RADIO VOICE 2 (O.S.)

Negative.

An AMBULANCE’S warping red light competes with the

flashing lights of PATROL CARS in front of the gas
station. SEVERAL POLICE are at work, stringing tape,
directing cars away, taking measurements.

Grace, visible in the backseat of the car, face tear-

stained, lifeless. Emma curled on her lap, like a baby.

(CONTINUED)
 11.
CONTINUED:

Ethan stands in the middle of the road, stares over at

the covered body of his son. He looks dead, crushed.

MAN’S VOICE (O.S.)

Sir?

SERGEANT KEN BURKE (40-ish), clean-cut, pulls a notebook

and pen from his back pocket.

SERGEANT BURKE
I’m afraid I need to ask you some
questions about what occurred
here.

Ethan just stares at him. Underwater.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT’D)

Can you tell us exactly what you
saw? Mr. Learner ... I have to do
this, we have a crime, a fugitive
and time is of the essence.

ETHAN
Sorry.

SERGEANT BURKE
It’s a terrible thing, Mr.
Learner, but I need your best
recollection.

ETHAN
Yes.
(beat)
I was getting washer fluid.

SERGEANT BURKE
What time would this have been?

ETHAN
Time? I don’t ... it must have
been close to nine. The game
report was on ... on the TV. I
came out ...

26 INSIDE THE POLICE CAR 26

Grace has Emma’s head buried in her chest.

EMMA
Where’s Josh, Mommy?

Grace’s POV of the medics hovering over her dead son.

(CONTINUED)
 12.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
They’re taking care of him.

EMMA
Is he going to be alright?

Grace watches as the paramedics lift the body bag, she’s

dying inside, but tries not to lie.

GRACE
I ... ahh ... your daddy’s with
him.

She holds Emma’s head against her so she can’t look.

27 ON THE ROAD 27
SERGEANT BURKE
And the vehicle that hit your son
came from the right?

Ethan manages a nod.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT’D)

Could you describe it for me?

ETHAN
A truck, an SUV ...

SERGEANT BURKE
You get the make?

ETHAN
No. Big ... medium ... dark, blue
maybe.

SERGEANT BURKE
Could you describe the driver?

Ethan is frozen by his own uncertainty.

ETHAN
He was ... ah ... no.

Burke waits for more.

ETHAN (CONT’D)
Oh Christ ... I don’t know. It’s
a blur.

(CONTINUED)
 13.
CONTINUED:

SERGEANT BURKE
What was your son doing on the
road?

Ethan looks at him with tears in his eyes.

ETHAN
(beyond pathetic)
I don’t know.

A long silence.

Burke slips the notebook into his back pocket and clips
the pen to his shirt.

SERGEANT BURKE
I understand. We’ll continue
tomorrow. One of my guys will
drive you home.

But Ethan’s no longer listening. Lost in the nightmare

of his own helplessness, staring at the body bag.

ETH
I’m not leaving my son.

SERGEANT BURKE
I’m sorry Mr. Learner but need to
keep the body here for now. It’s
a crime scene. I’m going to make
sure everything is handled with
the greatest respect. You’ve got
family to look after. Please go
home.

The word ‘body’ cuts Ethan like a sword.

28 INT. POLICE CRUISER - NIGHT 28

Ethan gets in the back seat. A STATE TROOPER in the
driver seat. Emma has cried herself asleep.

GRACE
Where are we going?

ETHAN
Home.

GRACE
Home?

The word is poison to her.

 14.

29 EXT. WHELDON HOUSE - SAME TIME 29

A Colonial house with a porch. A couple of lights on
inside.

RUTH WHELDON (mid-30s) is at the window, staring out.

The Explorer turns into the driveway and stops with the
single headlight beam shining over the porch.

The door opens, Ruth emerges, flashlight in hand.

She shines the flashlight toward Dwight.

RUTH
What happened to you?

She shines the light directly into Dwight’s face. (How

could she know already?)

DWIGHT
Why, what’s wrong?

RUTH
You’re more than two hours late.

Now the light is on Lucas and she sees him hold something
to his eye as Dwight gets out of the SUV.

RUTH (CONT’D)
What the hell happened to him?

DWIGHT
Take it easy Ruth.

Now Lucas gets out, reveals his eye.

RUTH
Oh my God! Did you do this?

DWIGHT
What! Are you crazy?

LUCAS
Mom, wait.

RUTH
Look at him!

Lucas is between them now.

(CONTINUED)
 15.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
Please mom, it was an accident.
We hit a log.

DWIGHT
There was a downed tree branch or
something on a bend. We went over
it and his head hit the ...

RUTH
Why wasn’t he wearing a seat belt?

DWIGHT
He was ... he messed with it. I
didn’t see him.

RUTH
(as she examines
Lucas)
Oh God, look at this, you know
what people are going to think?

DWIGHT
No Ruth, what are they going to
think?

RUTH
That you hit him again.

DWIGHT
When are you going to get off that
lie. I did not hit him, I tried to
hit you and I missed.

NORRIS WHELDON (40-ish), insurance salesman, Ruth’s

husband, rushes out of the house, intervenes.

NORRIS
Hey, hey! Please, everyone take
it easy. Let me see that Lucas.

RUTH
Where the hell were you?

DWIGHT
We were at the ball game for
Christ sake. Where the hell did
you think we were?

RUTH
Who knows with you. You’re two
hours late. I called ten times.
(CONTINUED)
 16.
CONTINUED: (2)

Dwight looks to Lucas.

RUTH (CONT'D)
One month, just one month you’ve
been allowed to have him over the
weekend and he comes back looking
like this. Every time I cut you
some slack, you mess it up.

DWIGHT
You cut me slack?!

RUTH
You wanna go back before the
court? I’ll have your visitation
rights pulled in a heartbeat.

NORRIS
Please, everyone, lets take one
step back from this. Dwight
everything’s fine, get in the car.

Ruth examines Lucas eye.

RUTH
(to Norris)
Do you think he needs to go to the
hospital?

DWIGHT
Don’t be so ...

NORRIS
Dwight please! Ruth take Lucas
inside.

As Ruth leads Lucas away.

DWIGHT
(to Lucas)
Hey, you okay?

LUCAS
Yeah, Dad, I’ll call you tomorrow.

Dwight smiles, nods “yes.”

LUCAS (CONT'D)
Hey Dad,
(holds up the peas)
pee ... nuts.

(CONTINUED)
 17.
CONTINUED: (3)

Ruth throws a disgusted look back at Dwight. Norris

meanwhile has shone his light on the broken headlight.

NORRIS
You better get that light fixed,
Dwight. You’ll get ticketed.

DWIGHT
Yeah. Thanks Norris.

29A INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - NIGHT 29A

A dog - SALLIE, hears something, pricks up its ears,
bounds to the living room window, looks out.

30 EXT. LEARNER HOUSE - LATER THAT NIGHT 30

A handsome old New England house, set amid a pleasant
garden. A COP CAR pulls away as Ethan carries Emma
towards the door. Grace follows closely into the house.

31 EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. GARAGE - NIGHT 31

A two-bedroom ranch-style, with a single car garage. A
place devoid of personality, a divorcee’s rental.

Dwight pulls into the driveway. He lifts the remote for

the garage door, starts it, then changes his mind. He
gets out, walks around to the front passenger side,
studies the grill guard and the broken headlight.

32 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - NIGHT 32

Dwight paces into the living room, turns on TV, clicks
through the STATIONS, and finds the local news, a report
on deadlock in the Connecticut State Legislature.

He wanders over to the door, he’s left the main door

open, gazes through the screen door at the SUV.

He goes to the phone, dials.

DWIGHT
(into phone)
Connecticut, Stratton. Stratton
police station.

Dwight listens, mutters a number, hangs up. Then fumbles

for a pen, scribbles, studies the number.
(CONTINUED)
 18.
CONTINUED:

He opens the freezer, pulls out a bottle of Stoli vodka,

pours some into a glass, takes a big swig, then spits it
out.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Shit, fuck, shit!

He collapses onto the couch.

33 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT 33

Ethan is in their bed with Emma, who has her arms clamped
around his neck.

EMMA
He’s not coming home? Why?

She looks to the door in panic.

EMMA (CONT'D)
Where’s mommy? Mommy!

(TRACK out the door, along the hall, to the bathroom)

33A INSIDE THE BATHROOM 33A

Grace sits on the edge of the bath, listening to the ring
of a cellphone, then a woman’s voice, a faint hello.

GRACE
Mom. Mom, I’ve got some terrible
news ...

Grace tries to say the words, they can’t come out,

instead silence, then gasps, then tears ... collapses,
can’t speak.

34 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAWN 34

Dwight is still on the couch, most of the bottle of vodka
gone, and the ashtray full.

He surf’s the RADIO STATIONS, stops at the local station.

A News Reporter talking again about the deadlock at the
State Legislature.

Dwight gets up, wanders to screen door, sees the first

rays of a glorious sunrise.

Dwight’s POV of the Ford Explorer.

(CONTINUED)
 19.
CONTINUED:

NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
Connecticut state troopers are
investigating a fatal hit and run
accident on Reservation Road near
Old Greenwich. The victim is
believed to be a ten year old boy.
No name has been released but
State Troopers are appealing to
anyone driving in the vicinity
around 9 PM last night to contact
them at 1-800-555-1212. On I-95 a
tractor trailer accident closed
down the southbound highway for
over two hours last night ...

CLOSE ON his face, forehead flat against the door window,

as though his whole body needs support.

35 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. BATHROOM - DAWN 35

A set of blinds open on a window revealing a glorious
sunrise on a very pleasant back garden. The light
streams in on Ethan, still in his t-shirt and boxers red
eyed, from lack of sleep. He stares into the mirror,
sees a spiderman towel hanging over the shower bar (or
door). He takes it down, folds it carefully.

35A EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAY (FORMERLY SCENE 39) 35A

Dwight emerges, gets into the Explorer, and drives it
into the garage. He gets out and pushes a button on the
wall and ducks under the door as it starts to close.

The evidence sealed up, he starts back to his house.

36 OMIT 36

37 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. MASTER BEDROOM - DAY 37

Ethan, lies on the bed beside Grace. Emma asleep on the
other side. He holds her.

DWIGHT
I’ve got to go pick up the car.
Your mother should be here soon.

He goes to her, leans, kisses.

(CONTINUED)
 20.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Don’t be long, please.

The doorbell rings.

GRACE (CONT'D)
That can’t be mom?

37A INT. LEARNER HOUSE. FRONT DOOR - DAY 37A

Ethan opens the front door. BLANCA, a Hispanic woman,
with cleaning equipment in her hand, smiles.

BLANCA
Good morning, Mr. Learner.

ETHAN
(shocked)
Oh Blanca, it’s your day.

37B INT. LEARNER HOUSE. THE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY 37B

Grace settles and looks at Emma sleeping then, a PIERCING
CRY from downstairs.

BLANCA (O.S.)
Ahh, no! No not my Josh!

Blanca’s voice cuts the air.

38 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 38

Grace rushes down the stairs in her nightdress and sees
Ethan trying to console BLANCA.

GRACE
Oh, Blanca, Blanca.

Blanca has known Josh since he was a little boy. Her

grief is raw.

Emma stands at the top of the stairs looking frightened.

38A INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. BEDROOM - DAY (FORMERLY SCENE 36) 38A

Dwight asleep, still clothed, in the fetal position, on

the bed. He awakens, looks at the clock, it’s 10:05. He
jumps up, rushes out.
 21.

39 OMIT 39

40 INT. LOCAL TAXI - DAY 40

CLOSE ON a thickset HISPANIC DRIVER who laughs at a joke
by the morning DRIVETIME DJ.

Ethan, in the back, scribbles in a note pad, raises his

head, stares out the window at the work day morning
hustle on this busy street: SCHOOL KIDS ON BIKES,
COMMUTERS scurrying to the local train station, A COUPLE
OF 14 YEAR OLDS, boy and girl, holding hands as they walk
to school.

Ethan’s cell rings, he studies the number, it reads DEAN

PHILIP CLARKSON, he answers. The driver lowers the
radio.

ETHAN
Hey Phil ... yeah. Sorry I can’t,
Phil ... ah ... I’m not going to
make it in today ... No, no ... a
family thing ... in fact, I’m not
going to be in for a while.

Ethan listens, as he’s asked what’s wrong, finally he

drops his head, confesses.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Look Phil, we’ve had a tragedy ...
Josh was killed last night.

PHIL (V.O.)
(muffled)
Jesus Christ, Ethan! How?

ETHAN
Hit and run.
(a beat)
Thanks, thank you. Let me call
you later.

CLOSE ON The rearview mirror and the driver’s eyes.

41 EXT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE - SAME TIME 41

A Victorian house just outside the center of town.
Clipped hedges out front and a small parking lot behind.
A painted sign reads “Cutter and Associates.”

(CONTINUED)
 22.
CONTINUED:

A (similar) cab pulls up. Dwight gets out in a hurry.

42 INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. RECEPTION AREA - DAY 42

Dwight hurries past the middle-aged, frumpy RECEPTIONIST,
who is on the phone.

He heads down the corridor.

STEVE (O.S.)
Hey Dwight.

42A INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. STEVE CUTTER’S OFFICE - DAY 42A
A smartly dressed, handsome man (50ish). This is Steve
CUTTER, the owner and principle lawyer of the firm.

STEVE
You in court this morning?

DWIGHT
Nah, car trouble, the fucking
transmission went on the Explorer
yesterday, spent the morning
dealing with it.

STEVE
How’d it go with Lucas this
weekend?

DWIGHT
Really good, why?

STEVE
I got a call from Ruth this
morning, said you were
belligerent, brought Lucas home
with a black eye.

DWIGHT
Bitch. He smacked his eye on the
dash. She threw a shit fit.

STEVE
Look buddy, you can’t get into
situations with her. She drags us
in front of that judge again
you’ll loose the sleep over. Nora
Fennelli’s waiting.

Dwight nods, mutters fuck to himself as he leaves.

 23.

43 INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. DWIGHT’S OFFICE - DAY 43

Dwight hurries in. NORA FENNELLI is reading an old New
Yorker magazine.

DWIGHT
Hey Nora, how are you?

NORA
Bored. I’ve been sitting here for
forty minutes.

DWIGHT
Sorry, car trouble. You look
good. Have you lost weight?

NORA
Only in my purse, thanks to the
bills I get from you guys.

44 EXT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS - MORNING 44

Sunlight. The state trooper offices, clean, modern.

The cab pulls up at the entrance. Ethan hands the driver

some money.

ETHAN
Keep the change.

As Ethan walks up the steps, he sees a battered old SUV,

(dark blue) on a truck flat bed. He hurries.

ETHAN (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Did you get him?

45 INT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS. BURKE’S OFFICE - DAY 45

Ethan sits across from Sgt. Burke.

SERGEANT BURKE
No, I’m afraid not.

ETHAN
I saw an SUV out there.

SERGEANT BURKE
Similar?

(CONTINUED)
 24.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
Well yeah, dark, the same shape.

ETHAN’S POV - THROUGH A WINDOW - of the SUV.

SERGEANT BURKE.
We’ve had that since Saturday.
You think that might be the model?

ETHAN
Well something like that.

They sit again.

SERGEANT BURKE
Good, we’re getting somewhere.
Let’s look at some similar makes.

ETHAN
What are the chances of this man
turning himself in?

SERGEANT BURKE
In the first few days, very good.
He’s drunk or high, he goes home,
sobers up, realizes what he’s done
and turns himself in. The longer
it goes then surrender becomes
less likely.

CUT TO:

46 INT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS. BURKE’S OFFICE - LATER 46

CLOSE ON a Starbucks coffee cup placed on a desk.

STATE TROOPER (O.S.)

Decaf latte.

Ethan nods as the State Trooper sets it down. Ethan’s

been there awhile now - files, photos are spread across
Burke’s desk. Ethan sips, thinking, then ...

ETHAN
He shouted something.

SERGEANT BURKE
Who did?

ETHAN
The driver. Yeah, that’s right a
shout, sounded like Lo ... Look.
(CONTINUED)
 25.
CONTINUED:

SERGEANT BURKE
Look out maybe.

ETHAN
I don’t know, I didn’t hear
anymore.

SERGEANT BURKE
No one else in the truck?

ETHAN
No, I didn’t see anyone. It all
happened in a flash.

SERGEANT BURKE
Did you notice anything unusual
about the vehicle, snow plough
attachment, grill guard.

Ethan shakes his head “no,” uncomfortable with his lack

of memory.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT'D)

The reason I ask is that we
usually find some debris from the
impact: paint flakes, fiber
glass, dirt the wheel well. There
was none of that at the scene.

ETHAN
It was all so fast.

Burke lifts some evidence bags from a box.

SERGEANT BURKE
We gathered up some items from
around the scene, perhaps you
could take a look.

The first bag contains some crushed soda cans, empty

cigarette pakcs. Ethan studies, shakes his head no.

The Burke reaches in takes out another bag, its the

peanut jar, intact, the lid is separate, the fireflies
are gone. Etha’s look registers with Burke.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT’D)

You recognize that.

ETHAN
No.It is a peanut jar. Josh
collected fireflies in it.
(CONTINUED)
 26.
CONTINUED: (2)

SERGEANT BURKE
You think that’s why he got out of
your car? To collect fireflies.

ETHAN
No. to let them go.

46B EXT. POLICE BARRACKS - DAY 46B

Burke walks Ethan to his car.

SERGEANT BURKE
This is a small town, Mr. Learner.
We’ve mobilized all our resources.
I’m hopeful we’ll find this
vehicle and catch this man
quickly.

Ethan acknowledges the support. Sergeant Burke hands

Ethan a brown envelope.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT’D)

Victims Services have put together
a package of brochures, advise
about practical and legal aspect
of dealing with this sort of
crime. All our numbers are in
there. Call any time.

ETHAN
Thanks.

Ethan gets in the Volvo, still dazed from the peanut jar
revelation.

47 OMIT 47

48 OMIT 48

49 OMIT 49

50 INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. RECEPTION AREA - DAY 50

Inside, Dwight heads toward the exit door, stops
momentarily at Cutter’s door. Steve is on the phone.

STEVE
(on phone)
One second ...
(CONTINUED)
 27.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
I gotta get a rental ‘till I
figure this car thing out.

51 EXT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES - DAY 51

Dwight steps outside, a TAXI is waiting. He tries to
breathe fresh air into his lungs.

As he stands, Ethan’s car drives by.

52 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - AN HOUR LATER 52

Sunlight. Grace is at the kitchen table, doing nothing.
Shuffling papers, staring at Emma who sits on the outside
porch drawing for her GRANDMOTHER BETH.

Grace sees Ethan come up the porch stairs, take Beth is

his arms, they embrace, profoundly.

Ethan enters,

ETHAN
It’s good your mother’s here.

Grace gets up, moves toward him.

GRACE
What did they say? Did they get
anyone?

He takes her in his arms. The embrace holds.

ETHAN
No. They don’t have anything yet.

GRACE
Not anything?

ETHAN
Nothing.

GRACE
Did you remember anything?
Anything more?

(CONTINUED)
 28.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
I ahh, yeah I went over what I
saw, tried to pick the make of his
truck. Details.

The embrace breaks, she looks in his eyes.

GRACE
What was he doing out of the car,
Ethan?

He’s silent, but Grace knows Ethan, reads his face.

GRACE (CONT'D)
What?

ETHAN
Nothing.

GRACE
Tell me Ethan.

ETHAN
They found the peanut jar ...

GRACE
The firefly jar? Where?

ETHAN
Broken, on the road.

GRACE
Oh Jesus, It was my fault. He was
letting them go because I told him
they might die!

Ethan grabs her hands, holds on.

ETHAN
It was nobody’s fault.

GRACE
But he went to the bushes, all
over the stupid fireflies.

Emma appears behind them holding a drawing.

EMMA
What happened to the fireflies?
Did they die with Josh?

Her grandmother scoops her up.

 29.

53 OMIT 53

54 EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAY 54

Dwight pulls up into the driveway in a rented, light
colored, mid-size car, and parks it under the tree.

54A EXT. RESERVATION ROAD. GAS STATION - AFTERNOON 54A

Ethan’s car pulls up. As he walks away from it we see he
is at Reservation Road Now in the afternoon sunlight,
autumn trees, under a clear sky. He walks the road, sees
a softball square, an old cemetery. He wanders to the
gas station. He stands by the gas pumps, staring up the
road. Trying to force himself to see clues he missed.

55 EXT. FUNERAL PARLOR - DAY 55

Again, the setting idyllic, trimmed bushes, carefully
groomed lawn, fake roman pillars around the entrance to
add style to the building. Ethan pulls up.

56 INT. FUNERAL PARLOR. OFFICE - DAY 56

The interior tastefully depressing, wood panelling,
abundant flowers soothing music. Ethan sits opposite the
FUNERAL DIRECTOR.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Were you thinking of cremation or
burial?

Ethan is stunned by the choice.

ETHAN
Cremation, no? I don’t know ...

FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Some people prefer to have a place
in a garden of remembrance to
visit, care for. Others prefer
cremation so that they can perhaps
release the ashes in a favorite
place ...

57 OMIT 57
 30.

58 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - NIGHT 58

Late night. Grace and Ethan are at the kitchen table
alone.

ETHAN
... we can bury him in the
cemetery, among the lines of
headstones. Or we can take him to
the place he loved most in the
world, and let him become part of
that.

He takes her hand pulls her closer.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Let’s take him to the shore.

He kisses her, wipes tears from her eyes.

GRACE
Will I see him, one last time, the
way he was?

ETHAN
Tomorrow.

GRACE
I’m going mad Ethan. Why did this
happen to us? What did we do to
deserve this?

ETHAN
Don’t, we’ll get through it.

They kiss, and cling to each other.

59 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 59

CLOSE ON the local newspaper headline. “LOCAL BOY KILLED
IN HIT AND RUN - POLICE APPEAL FOR HELP.”

Pull back from photo and reveal:

Dwight studying the photo, reading the article, the

newspaper spread out on his breakfast bar. He drops his
head and bangs it on the newspaper, again and again,
harder and harder.
 31.

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY

The same newspaper is on the counter top. Ethan has his

arm around Grace as they read it together. They are in
their funeral clothes

GRACE
Who gave them that photo?

ETHAN
It’s a school photo. It doesn’t
matter.

CLOSE ON the school photo of Josh smiling. Grace’s mother

arrives in the kitchen with Emma, both dressed for the
funeral.

GRANDMOTHER
Here we are.

Ethan picks Emma up in his arms.

ETHAN
We’d better go.

61 EXT. LOCAL STREET - DAY 61

Dwight’s rental car pulls up and parks. He switches off
the engine and stares out at:

A church, some 100 yards away.

62 INT. CHURCH - DAY 62

CLOSE ON the puzzled faces of SCHOOLBOYS and GIRLS -
Josh’s classmates - not used to dealing with death.

This small Episcopalian church is crowded with Ethan’s

FELLOW PROFESSORS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, and a contingent
of SCHOOL CHILDREN, who have gathered for this ceremony.

MINISTER
Ruth Wheldon, from High River
school and some of her choir will
sing Amazing Grace. Feel free to
sing along in celebration of Josh.

A SMALL CHOIR including LUCAS plays. Ruth Wheldon is on

the piano, they launch into Amazing Grace, many in the
church join in.
 32.

63 EXT. LOCAL STREET - DAY 63

Dwight sits in his rental car, looks toward the church
further down the street as the CROWD emerges from the
service. Dwight takes off his sunglasses, stares.

He watches as Ethan and Grace emerge with Emma, hand in

hand between them.

Dwight’s heart is pounding, his hand trembles, as though

Ethan will look up and recognize him. He puts the
sunglasses back on.

Then his eyes widen in shock, because:

He sees his ex-wife Ruth emerge from the church and

console Ethan and Grace.

Dwight starts the car, does a u-turn in the street, and

takes off.

64 EXT. CHURCH - DAY 64

The coffin has been placed in the HEARSE. Ethan, and
Grace watch. GRACE’S MOTHER holds on to Emma.

As the hearse pulls away, Grace can no longer hold her

composure, she moves away from Ethan toward the hearse.

GRACE
(crying) No, no, please. Josh
don’t leave us.

Ethan is beside her now holding her as her mother

comforts Emma.

65 OMITTED. 65

66 EXT. LEARNER HOUSE - MORNING 66

It’s Monday morning, a week has gone by. The house, an
emblem of New England serenity. Ethan emerges, hand in
hand with Emma.

Grace in her bathrobe, hair unbrushed - watches from the

window. Emma waves goodbye.

The car takes off, now Grace is totally alone.

 33.

67 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 67

Close on Grace’s hand as she plugs the power cord of the
answering machine back in. Presses play. The recorded
message light shows 34. Her finger hovers over the
‘delete all’ button, about to hit it, then she stops,
hits ‘play’. She listens to the first word of a message,
a distraught voice, “Ethan, Grace..” she hits delete,
next is “My God...” Delete. With each message, all
Grace needs is the first syllable, then delete, faster,
faster, the number dwindles, 22, 17, 11, 9, then the
frantic tones of voice disappear. Now we hear “Hello
Grace, its Walden, I have those white pines you ordered.”
Delete. Grace, Judie Greenberg darling, my rockery’s ...
Then:

JOSH (V.O.)
Hey mom, I need rosin for my
cello, it’s on top of my desk.
Can you bring them with you? Love
you. Bye.”

She plays it again, again, transported back before the

horror, then a BUZZ, another BUZZ. It’s the doorbell.

68 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS 68

Grace opens the door and reveals, A Mexican gardener,
RAUL, and behind him out on the road, his TRUCK and his
TWO MAN CREW, watching.

RAUL
Signora Grace, you were to meet us
at the Greer house.

GRACE
Where?

RAUL
The Greer house, the new job?

GRACE
Have you got any other work you
can do for a few days Raul?, I’m
not feeling too good.

RAUL
(disappointed)
I don’t have no big jobs...

(CONTINUED)
 34.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Just a few days.

A STATE TROOPER PATROL CAR pulls into the driveway.

RAUL
Okay, Okay! Call you Wednesday.

GRACE
Yes, call.

Sgt. Burke emerges from his car, carrying a plastic bag.

GRACE (CONT'D)
Is there news?

Burke takes in the sight of this beautiful disheveled

woman in her bathrobe, finger-combing her hair.

Burke comes forward. Grace eyes the bag.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT’D)

I told your husband I’d drop by?

GRACE
He’s taking our daughter to
school. What is ...

SERGEANT BURKE
Forensics have returned your son’s
belongings.

She stands back from the door, and Burke enters.

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY

Grace and Sgt. Burke sit in oppressive silence.

GRACE
Ethan should be back soon.

SERGEANT BURKE
(helpfully)
Yeah he said he’d be here.

Grace looks down at the bag. Goes to reach out. Burke

throws a diversionary request.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT'D)

You wouldn’t have some water ...

(CONTINUED)
 35.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Sure, would you prefer coffee?

SERGEANT BURKE
Coffee would be great, I never
feel human ‘til my sixth cup.

Grace is having trouble putting this cup of coffee

together. She searches in the fridge.

GRACE
Milk. I’m not ...

SERGEANT BURKE
Black is fine.

The front door opens, Ethan hurries in.

GRACE
Ethan, Sergeant Burke stopped -

ETHAN
(interupts Burke)
Any news?

SERGEANT BURKE
I brought back some items, your
son’s clothes. But yes we’re
making some progress.

Ethan sits beside Grace at the table, takes her hand.

Grace drops her head, Ethan waits for more news.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT'D)

As I thought, the nature of the
injury indicates that the SUV was
fitted with a grill guard.

ETHAN
The nature of the injury?

SERGEANT BURKE
The autopsy results indicate a
grill guard.

ETHAN
How?

(CONTINUED)
 36.
CONTINUED: (2)

SERGEANT BURKE
(reluctant) Josh suffered a sharp
blow to the rib cage which
fractured several ribs, and
unfortunately drove one into his
heart. He died instantly, no
pain.

GRACE
How do you know?

SERGEANT BURKE
(lies)
The medical officers assured me.

ETHAN
You’re looking for a dark SUV with
a grill guard. Anything more?

SERGEANT BURKE
It helps us narrow the field
somewhat. We’re still working on
the headlight glass and we’re
canvasing the area. On Sunday we
intend to set up checkpoints at
the time of the accident.
Question drivers who may have
passed.

GRACE
But its been seven days now.

ETHAN
He could be in Mexico by now.

SERGEANT BURKE
These investigations can take
time..

GRACE
If you catch him? What will
happen to him?

SERGEANT BURKE
He’ll be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law.

ETHAN
Which is what?

SERGEANT BURKE
Depending on the circumstances he
could get ten years in prison ...
(CONTINUED)
 37.
CONTINUED: (3)

ETHAN
What does depending on the
circumstances mean?

SERGEANT BURKE
The state of Connecticut has a
variety of sentencing criteria
that have to be assessed ...

GRACE
I don’t understand, he killed our
son?

ETHAN
How many people get away with
this?

SERGEANT BURKE
You know Mr. Learner, I don’t have
the exact figures, but I’ll get
them for you. Rest assured, we
are doing everything to get him.

70 OMIT 70

71 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. ETHAN’S STUDY - DAY 71

Ethan watches as the state trooper car drives away, then
heads for his computer.

ON SCREEN: googles Hit and Run, Connecticut.

GRACE (O.C.)
Do you think I should wash them?

He turns around. Grace has Josh’s clothes in her arms

INT. ETHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT

It’s dark now Ethan is on the internet scanning web

sites.

ON SCREEN:

The screen flickers through: Deadlyroads.com., pages

related to stats., statue of limitations, victims photos.

Grace comes in, kisses him.

(CONTINUED)
 38.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
She’s asleep now.

ETHAN
You’ve got to read this. Ten
percent of hit and run cases are
never resovled.

Grace doesn’t know what to say.

GRACE
Are you coming to bed?

ETHAN
Yeah.

GRACE
Tomorrow, will you pick up some
groceries on the way home?

ETHAN
You have to leave the house soon,
Grace.

GRACE
I can’t, Ethan, not yet.

He holds her.

73 EXT. CONNECTICUT COLLEGE - DAY 73

From afar: As Ethan ascends the steps, he is stopped
several times by WELL WISHERS who offer handshakes, pats
on the back, nods.

74 INT. CONNECTICUT COLLEGE. LECTURE HALL - DAY 74

Maybe FORTY STUDENTS, whispering gravely among each
other. Then Ethan enters. SILENCE.

ETHAN
Hi there. Okay. I guess you all
know that we lost our son Josh
last week.
(a beat)
I know from all your emails that
you grieve with me. Now I need to
move forward. The best thing you
can do to help me is for us all to
plunge back into our work.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
 39.
CONTINUED: ETHAN(CONT'D)
(opens file)
Today we pick up with our
investigation of the twenty four
hour news channels, where all the
news is breaking, and all the
commentators are righteous.

They all laugh.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Let’s go back to where it all
started with Ted Turner aand CNN.

75 EXT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES - DAY 75

Dwight’s rental car pulls into the lot.

76 INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. RECEPTION AREA - DAY 76

Dwight is walking past Cutter’s office, the door is half
open. Steve Cutter is talking to somebody we can’t see.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Hey Dwight, you got a minute?

77 INT. CUTTER & ASSOCIATES. CUTTER’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 77

Dwight walks into Jack’s office - and sees Ethan on the
couch looking up toward him.

DWIGHT
Oh ... ah ... hello. Sorry I
didn’t ...

STEVE
Dwight, this is Professor Ethan
Learner. My associate Dwight
Arno. Ethan lost his son Josh in
that terrible hit and run last
week over by Reservation Road.
You must have read about it?

Dwight addresses Ethan - disappointed in some way that

Ethan hasn’t identified him.

DWIGHT
Yes. I’m truly sorry, Mr.
Learner.

ETHAN
Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
 40.
CONTINUED:

STEVE
Mr. Learner feels he needs our
help.

Cutter indicates for Dwight to sit beside Ethan.

ETHAN
It’s been over a week. The police
haven’t found the killer. They
have nothing or they’re not
telling us what they have. (hands
a folder to Dwight) Here’s their
initial report. (beat) I want this
man, this ... animal, prosecuted
for homicide.

DWIGHT
You saw the guy?

ETHAN
For an instant.

STEVE
Would you be able to give a
description?

ETHAN
I might be able to pick him out of
a police lineup, or if I saw a
picture. It was very dark.

STEVE
We’ll start with the state
troopers, and the DA’s office,
light a fire under their asses,
make sure the case is being
prosecuted professionally. Then
you should think about a civil
suit.

ETHAN
What does that ential?

DWIGHT
A civil suit ... ah ... would be
... it’s a suit against ... the
person

STEVE
(jumping in) The perpetrator.

DWIGHT
Uhm, yes, the perpetrator.
(CONTINUED)
 41.
CONTINUED: (2)

STEVE
We’ll sue the perpetrator. A civil
suit is an action that results in
financiall remuneration.

ETHAN
I want this man to go to jail.

STEVE
You told me earlier that your son
died because he was struck by the
grill guard. The manufacturer
should be sured, let them know
these things are for cattle
ranches, not our city streets.
Dwight and i will get all the
relevant detials fromt th police,
the corner’s office. I think Donna
has all our contact details,
right? Here are our cards.

Ethan takes the cards. He and Steve stand. Dwight

follows, fumbles for a card, and finally hands one to
Etahan. Ethan shakes hands with Dwight and Steve.

ETHAN
Thank you.

Dwight turns away as Steve walks Ethan to the door.

STEVE
We’re sorry for your loss. We’re
going to stay with you during this
whole process.

Ethan leaves. Steve closes the door.

STEVE
What the fuck is wrong with you?

DWIGHT
Come on Steve, we don’t do this
sort of case.

STEVE
Why not? There are guys in the
city making a fortune with this
sorta work. Since 9/11 victims
comp. is huge. Besides, I feel for
the guy, don’t you?

(CONTINUED)
 42.
CONTINUED: (3)

DWIGHT
Yeah but I’ve got the Fennelli
thing ... You think you can take
this one?

STEVE
What, you’re too busy? Come on
Dwight, eleven o’clock, you wander
in, what gives these days?

DWIGHT
I haven’t been sleeping good.

STEVE
You see a doctor?

Dwight shakes his head “no.”

STEVE (CONT'D)
Hey what have I told you, stop
putting things off. Go see a
doctor, get a good night’s sleep.
We got work to do.

78 OMIT 78

79 EXT. LONG ISLAND SHORE - DAY 79

Dawn breaks, the sun rises over the Connecticut shore.
Ethan and Grace are on a rock at the edge of a cove,
watching the sunrise. Ethan has tthe stone urn in his
aarms as Grace speaks

GRACE
You gave us more than we could
have ever asked. You gave us joy
and laughter, and the beauty of
your music. Thank you my
beautiful Josh.

Ethan carefully pours the ashes into the sea as they hold
each other like two survivors on the last piece of
driftwood from a shipwreck.

79A EXT. CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND - DAY 79A

A GROUP OF MOTHERS play with their KIDS on the slides and
swings. In the background, Grace’s car speeds past.
 43.

80 EXT. SHERMAN R. LEWIS SCHOOL - AFTERNOON 80

School’s out, most of the children have gone. Emma sits
on a bench with Ruth Wheldon. Grace’s car pulls up.

Ruth sees her.

RUTH
Hey, there’s your mom.

Grace gets out of the car and hurries to them

GRACE
I’m really sorry I’m late Mrs.
Wheldon.

RUTH
No problem. Emma was so good
today, I wish you could have heard
her.

GRACE
Thank you, she loves your class.

As Emma trots on toward the car:

RUTH
Can I have a quick word, Mrs.
Learner?

GRACE
Grace, please.

RUTH WHELDON
Emma shows a lot of promise on the
piano. I’d like to give her some
extra tutoring after school, free
of course. I think it might keep
her occupied. Help, you know ...

GRACE
You don’t have to do that.

RUTH WHELDON
I really want to.

GRACE
Why don’t I ask her.

RUTH WHELDON
Of course.

(CONTINUED)
 44.
CONTINUED:

Grace walks to the car.

81 0MIT 81

82 INT. GRACE’S CAR - CONTINUOUS 82

Grace gets in.

EMMA
Why were you late?

GRACE
I’m sorry sweetie, I ahh ...
Mrs. Wheldon was wondering if
you’d like to practice piano with
her, after school?

Emma looks out the window, doesn’t answer.

GRACE (CONT’D)
You don’t have to do anything you
don’t want to do.

EMMA
Can you hear music if you’re dead?

Grace stares at her.

GRACE
Yes.

EMMA
Okay then.

83 OMIT 83

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. ETHAN’S STUDY - LATER - DAY

Ethan is on the internet.

On screen: Web sites showing damaged cars, advice pages

about law suits, civil actions. The printer spews out
pages.

Emma comes in, hugs him, tighter, more desperate than

normal. Grace comes in behind her.

ETHAN
How was school honey?
(CONTINUED)
 45.
CONTINUED:

EMMA
No one wants to talk to me.

ETHAN
They’re sad about Josh and they
don’t want to upset you.

EMMA
Can I watch TV?

ETHAN
Sure.

Emma wanders off. Grace looks at Ethan.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Look at this.

Ethan pulls up an internet page on law.

ETHAN (CONT’D)
In order to prove hit and run you
have to be able to prove that the
driver knew he someone. If he says
he thought he hit a deer, he can
get off.

Grace is in a different zone.

GRACE
You think maybe you can make
dinner for the kids?

Ethan is caught up in the web page.

ETHAN
Sure.

Grace realizes.

GRACE
The kids?

Ethan turns now, takes her in his arms.

84A EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAY 84A

Dwight and Lucas walk from the car, loaded down with
pizza, snacks, soda.

(CONTINUED)
 46.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
(nervous)
Hey dad, I’ve got something I’ve
got to tell you.

DWIGHT
Yeah?

LUCAS
I got suspended from school.

DWIGHT
Why? Get the door.

And Lucas does.

85 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY - CONTINUOUS 85

DWIGHT
Come on, out with it.

LUCAS
I got into a fight, with Paulie
Ferrari. He had to have stitches.

Dwight grabs Lucas by the shirt and pulls him closer.

DWIGHT
What the hell’s wrong with you
man? What did you do to him that
he had to have stitches?

Lucas starts to cry. Dwight suddenly realizes that he’s

over-reacting.

LUCAS
Please Dad, don’t!

DWIGHT
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t
mean to do that. It’s alright.
Come on, sit down, tell me what
happened.

Lucas rubs his eyes.

(CONTINUED)
 47.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
We were in the hallway, and Paulie
Ferrari threw a water balloon at
Benny, but Benny ducked and Mrs.
Swanson, the math teacher, came
round the corner and got hit in
the face. She wanted to know who
did it but Paulie wouldn’t own up.
So we all got after school
detention.

DWIGHT
How did you get into a fight?

LUCAS
After detention I called Paulie a
no-good coward. We started to
fight and he banged his head on
the ground.

DWIGHT
How many stitches?

LUCAS
Six I think.

DWIGHT
I don’t want you fighting do you
hear me.

LUCAS
You and mom fight.

DWIGHT
Yeah, and look where it got us. I
don’t want you fighting.

LUCAS
But Dad, he was a total coward.

DWIGHT
Paulie Ferrari doesn’t need you
beating him up to know he did
wrong.

LUCAS
Mom says I’ve to have no TV
tonight. Will you watch the game
and tell me the scores.
 48.

86 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 86

Dwight’s in his living room. (Lucas is in his bedroom) A
Redsox game is on the TV - on mute. The cellular phone
rings. Dwight picks it up.

DWIGHT
Oh, Hi Ruth.

RUTH (O.S.)
Did he tell you?

DWIGHT
Yeah, he told me.

INT. RUTH’S KITCHEN. NIGHT

Ruth is in a corner*. on the phone. We cut between

locations.

RUTH
I think he needs therapy.

DWIGHT
What?

RUTH
He needs to see someone to deal
with ...

DWIGHT
It was a fight in a schoolyard,
Ruth.

RUTH
He has anger issues ...

DWIGHT
What if we went to therapy instead
of him?

RUTH
We?

DWIGHT
Yeah you and me. Try to change
our lives, lead by example.

RUTH
Dwight there is no we anymore.

(CONTINUED)
 49.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
I’m serious. Let’s do it.

RUTH
Did he tell you he has to stay in
his room?

DWIGHT
Tell me this, do you really love
Norris?

RUTH
Boy you never change?

DWIGHT
But do you?

RUTH
Make sure he stays in his room.
No TV. Good night.

DWIGHT
(pleads)
Wait Ruth, I need to talk to you.

CLICK.

87 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. SPARE BEDROOM - NIGHT 87

Dwight sits on the bed beside Lucas.

LUCAS
How’s the game going?

DWIGHT
The Sox are ahead three to one.
Listen, I want to talk to you
about what you said, about your
mom and I fighting. Since I was
your age, I thought that was how
men and women behave. Your
grandpa would fly off the handle
at the smallest thing. His soup
was cold he’d blow his top. I’d
sit there wanting to put my
fingers in my ears. I’d want to
do what you did when your mom and
I fought that time. I’d want to
run between them, but I knew he’d
beat me. I hated him, I hated my
mom crying.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
 50.
CONTINUED: DWIGHT(CONT'D)
I never wanted to be with him,
that’s why he only came over at
Christmas. Then, when he got
cancer, he said to me how sorry he
was, how he never meant it, and
he’d die knowing he’d wasted his
life. And now I’ve done the same
with your mom. But I’ll never do
it to you again - or to her - do
you understand? We’re friends
right, and friends never hurt each
other.

He has tears in his eyes.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
We’ll make a pact. Shake on it.
No fighting, and if you get mad at
your mom, tell her you love her.
Deal?

LUCAS
Deal.

DWIGHT
Come on and watch the game.

LUCAS
Thanks dad.

88 INT. ETHAN’S CAR - DAY 88

Ethan drives along a quiet residential street of upscale
houses. Ethan glances sideways, clearly sees something,
looks back, hits the brakes, and reverses back.

He studies a late model dark SUV. Its passenger side

fender is damaged, its light is smashed.

Ethan studies the SUV, notes the diplomatic plates. His

adrenalin is pumping. He pulls out his cell phone,
checks the camera function.

89 EXT. ETHAN’S CAR - CONTINUOUS 89

Ethan gets out, moves into the driveway, lines up his
camera and snaps a photo.

He fails to notice the PERSON at the window who watches,

looks alarmed, then disappears.

(CONTINUED)
 51.
CONTINUED:

Ethan studies the SUV some more, notes the address, gets
back into his car, and drives off.

The face at the window appears again, watches.

90 EXT. STREET - DAY 90

Ethan is on another street. He checks his phone to make
sure he got the shot. A LOCAL POLICE PATROL CAR, races
past him, lights flashing. It screeches to a halt, and
does a rapid three point turn, as a second POLICE CAR
appears and pulls in front of Ethan. COPS jump out, in
combat stance, guns drawn.

COP
Get out of your car, with your
hands on your head!

Ethan is terrified.

91 INT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS. BURKE’S OFFICE - DAY 91

CLOSE ON the photo of the house on the screen of Ethan’s
digital camera phone.

Reveal Sgt. Burke showing it to Ethan.

SERGEANT BURKE
It’s the home of a Middle Eastern
Diplomat. You can’t be doing
this, Mr. Learner.

ETHAN
No one else is.

SERGEANT BURKE
That’s not true. We’ve been
canvasing houses, visiting repair
shops, junk yards. These things
...

ETHAN
(interrupts)
... take time. Time doesn’t exist
for me anymore. Do you understand
that? I’m in this vacuum, this
hole were an innocent life was
snuffed out and none of you seen
to notice or care.

(CONTINUED)
 52.
CONTINUED:

SERGEANT BURKE
That’s not true. We investigated
that car. It was involved in a
fender bender a few days ago in
the city.

ETHAN
Are you sure?

SERGEANT BURKE
Yes I am, Mr. Learner.

ETHAN
Diplomatic plates. These guys can
get away with whatever they want.
A diplomat from which country?

SERGEANT BURKE
What does that matter Mr. Learner?

ETHAN
Let me ask you this, when was the
last time you mentioned my son’s
name before today?

SERGEANT BURKE
This is not a productive
discussion. The diplomat wants to
charge you with trespass.

ETHAN
Go ahead, at least there’ll be one
charge to come from my son’s
death.

SERGEANT BURKE
I persuaded him not to. Why don’t
you go home and calm down?

91a INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - NIGHT 91a

Dwight has a video camera resting on some books on the
breakfast bar. He flips the lcd screen so that he can
video himself.

He sits on a stool, checks his image in the lcd screen

then presses the record button on a remote.

DWIGHT
What I did was terribly wrong.
There’s no excuse for it.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
 53.
CONTINUED: DWIGHT(CONT'D)
I was afraid that night that I
would loose you. You are going to
hear bad things about me, things
that will make you ashamed. I’m
going to go to prison for what I
did. I deserve it. People will
talk behind your back. It will be
hard. I am so sorry but please
try to remember these days we had
together. They are wonderful days,
I thank you for them and hope that
one day we can pick up where we
left off. I love you so much.
Please forgive me.

He chokes back a tear.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Please, please, remember I love
you more than anything. I hope
one day you will forgive me. I
never meant to hurt you, but
sometimes doing the right thing
means hurting those you love most.

Dwight finishes the video.

92 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING 92

Dwight is at the table in boxers and T-shirt, writing on
a legal pad. He’s clearly troubled. He writes, makes a
mistake, tears off the page, gets up, paces, smokes a
cigarette, sits down, writes again.

93 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. BATHROOM - DAY 93

Dwight shaving, his hand trembling, he cuts himself,
washes the soap off, patches the cuts with tissue.

94 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. BEDROOM. DAY 94

Dwight ironing a shirt, searching for socks, putting on a
suit, fixing his tie, cleaning shoes with a towel.

95 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 95

He folds up the legal paper, finds an envelope in a
cluttered drawer, seals the note, writes ‘Lucas’ on the
envelope, sets it on the table propped up by salt shaker,
gets up to leave.
(CONTINUED)
 54.
CONTINUED:

As he’s heading out the door, he turns, hurries back,

takes the letter, puts it in his pocket.

96 INT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS - DAY 96

Dwight’s at the front desk. A STATE TROOPER is on the
phone. Dwight looks around, watching other TROOPERS,
feeling that they will all point a finger at him.

DESK STATE TROOPER

Yes sir.

DWIGHT
I’m here about the Josh Learner
case. The boy ... ahh ... killed
on Reservation Road.

The phone rings again.

DESK STATE TROOPER

Front desk. Yes it is ma’am. No
we don’t take reports of lost cell
phones. That’s a local police
matter ... It’s in the phone book.

He hangs up.

DESK STATE TROOPER (CONT'D)

Lost cell phones, you know how
many of those calls we get each
day. Can I have your name sir?

DWIGHT
Dwight Arno. I’ve got important
information -

The phone rings again.

DESK STATE TROOPER

(interrupts)
Excuse me. Hey Jackie, where’s
Emelda? I’m dying out here.
(turns to Dwight)
Let me get the case officer for
you, Mr. Arno. Take a seat.

Dwight nods, sits down, beside another guy watches the

hub bub of the front desk. A uniformed officer emerges
from a doorway.

STATE TROOPER #3
(aggressive) You com’er.
(CONTINUED)
 55.
CONTINUED:

He points at Dwight. Dwight stands fearful.

DESK STATE TROOPER

Hold it Joe, that’s not the fraud
guy. He’s getting printed.

STATE TROOPER #3
Sorry.

Sergeant Burke emerges and waves to Dwight.

SERGEANT BURKE
Mr. Arno, come on in.

97 INT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS. BURKE’S OFFICE - DAY 97

CLOSE ON Burke.

SERGEANT BURKE
I’m glad you’ve come in Mr. Arno.

On Dwight, speechless.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT'D)

What kept you. Steve called me a
while go to say you’d taken the
case. We’ve got to make sure we
don’t have a reoccurrence of the
last incident .

DWIGHT
Yesterday?

SERGEANT BURKE
He didn’t tell you?

Dwight shakes his head no.

SERGEANT BURKE (CONT'D)

He’s been going around
photographing damaged SUVs. Scared
the daylights out of a Saudi
Diplomat. Could have got himself
shot. Now he seems to have got a
thing in his head that it might
have been a diplomat involved in
the accident.
(he opens a folder)
Here’s the reality of the case.
(MORE)

(CONTINUED)
 56.
CONTINUED: SERGEANT BURKE(CONT'D)
We’re three weeks out, there’s not
a decent lead - a dark SUV with a
grill guard - a needle in a hay
stack. Unless this guy walks in th
door we’re gonna have to gonna
have to back burner this one.
(he shuffles some
papers in the file)
You’d be doing the guy a favor if
you could help him understand. I
really feel for the guy but he
gave us nothing to go on.

98 EXT. STATE POLICE BARRACKS - DAY 98

Dwight emerges in a complete fog.

100 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. MASTER BEDROOM - LATER 100

Ethan GASPS awake. The room is dark. He sits up in bed,
reality coming back to him like a nightmare.

Grace lies sleeping. He moves toward her, needing her.

Half-asleep, she opens herself to him. They kiss, slowly
at first, then with greater urgency.

They begin to make love, Grace desperately needs thiss

physical contact, she grows more passionate, while Ethan
tries to slow things down, suddenly they are completely
out of wack, Ethan can’t do it. He backs off.

GRACE
What’s wrong?

ETHAN
I’m sorry, I ... ah ...

GRACE
What? Tell me.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
I just can’t, not now.

GRACE
Is it me?

ETHAN
Don’t be ridiculous.

GRACE
You blame me. I see it when you
look at me.
(CONTINUED)
 57.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
What are you talking about? The
killer’s to blame. No one else.
The fucker who stole our son away
from us.

Ethan swings out of the bed.

100A INT. LEARNER HOUSE - ETHAN’S STUDY. NIGHT 100A

CLOSE ON COMPUTER MONITOR: A jazzy clock screen saver
flashes 2:06. Then the sound of a key CLICKING, the
screen changes to a web page which illuminates Ethan’s
face, concentrated on his search.

101 OMIT. 101

102 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. BEDROOM - NIGHT 102

Dwight lies on his bed, stretched out like he’s ready to
be crucified. Sleepless. The TV plays some ridiculous
infomercial on mute.

Dwight lifts his cell phone and presses the “1” key. We
hear the voice mail menu through the speaker.

CELL PHONE VOICE

You have five saved messages ...
the first saved message ...

ETHAN (V.O.)
Hello, Ethan Learner here,
wondering where we are at with the
case. Can you call me 555-6469?
Thank you.

CELL PHONE VOICE

Press seven to erase, nine to
save.

Dwight presses the “9” key.

ETHAN (V.O.)
Ethan Learner. Can I schedule an
appointment. I’m wondering about
diplomatic immunity. Yeah, anyway
please call. 555-6469. Thank ...

Dwight closes the phone. He gets up, pulls on a T-shirt,

shorts, and grabs a pair of running shoes.

(CONTINUED)
 58.
CONTINUED:

103 OMIT. 103

104 EXT. STREET - NIGHT 104

The pounding of Dwight’s feet on a suburban street, dead
of night, no cars, no people. Dwight running hard,
trying to run away from himself.

105 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. ETHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 105

Ethan listening to a pod cast.

106 EXT. LEARNER HOUSE - SAME TIME 106

Dwight has stopped under a tree, studies Ethan’s house,
through a net curtain, he can see the changing colors
from a screen (The computer monitor flashing).

A106A INT. LEARNER HOUSE. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT A106A

Ethan wanders in, looks toward the bed. Grace has his
back to him, her eyes are open, but she doesn’t move. He
sits on the bed.

Close on Grace, her eyes still open, but now her

breathing sounds as though she is sleeping - she’s faking
it. Behind her, Ethan studies her back - then he turns,
leaves.

106A INT. LEARNER HOUSE. MASTER BEDROOM - MORNING 106A

Sunlight. Grace blinks awake and finds Emma sitting on
the edge of the bed.

GRACE
What’s wrong?

EMMA
Dad’s asleep downstairs.

Grace sits up.

EMMA (CONT’D)
There’s nothing good to eat
anywhere and I’m going to be late.
(CONTINUED)
 59.
CONTINUED:

Grace takes her in her arms - a mother paying attention

now. She musters a smile for her daughter and gets out
of bed.

GRACE
That doesn’t sound very good.
Let’s go down together and see
what we can do.

106B INT. LEARNER HOUSE. HALLWAY. DAY 106B

As Grace leads Emma toward the kitchen she looks in, sees
Ethan stretched out on the couch sleeping.

106C EXT. LEARNER HOUSE - CONTINUOUS (FORMERLY SCENE 120) 106C

Grace loads Emma into the car and drive off.

107 INT. CONNECTICUT COLLEGE. LECTURE HALL - DAY 107

The room is filled with Ethan’s media students. The
plasma screen is frozen on an image from Iraq (or
Afghanistan).

A Persian student, RASHID, is talking angrily.

RASHID
The cable news channels and the
politicians have you Americans
deluded.

ETHAN
How so, Rashid?

RASHID
They make you believe you are a
warrior nation with an invincible
army. Your machinery is tough,
but this country has grown soft.

BRETT
(interrupts)
Bullshit. There’s no army in the
world can defeat us, it’s the
terrorists ...

ETHAN
Let him finish, Brett.

(CONTINUED)
 60.
CONTINUED:

RASHID
You come from Connecticut, one of
the most affluent, comfortable,
safe places in the world. My
people, like most of the world,
come from a place that knows pain
and suffering, violence, loss.

AMERICAN GIRL

AMERICAN GIRL (CONT’D)

Are you saying that Persians or
Africans feel pain differently
from us?

RASHID
No, no, it is the same. I’m
saying they live with pain and
death every day. You don’t, you
have become soft.

AFRICAN AMERICAN
Poor Americans, Blacks, Hispanics
aren’t soft.

RASHID
Yes, but most Americans are
insulated from death. Look at
Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq.

In the heat of the argument, Rashid has forgotten the

circumstances. The class becomes silently uncomfortable.

RASHID (CONT'D)
Americans fall apart at the sight
of coffins. They loose their
resolve...

Ethan is completely absorbed in what Rashid is saying,

then he notices the class discomfort. Rashid now
notices.

RASHID (CONT'D)
I’m sorry, Mr. Learner, I never
meant ...

ETHAN
No, no. These are valid points,
anyone else?

Silence.
 61.

107a INT. ETHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 107a

Ethan is at the computer, listening intently to a podcast
blog (or utube video) from one of the victim web sites.

This victim is vitriolic.

BLOG FATHER
When they caught this guy, I was
overjoyed. He was so stupid. He
took his car to a repair shop and
there was blood, my son’s blood,
his hair, all over the radiator.
The prosecutor told me we’re gonna
put him away forever. I walk
into the court and I see the
prosecutor and this lawyer guy,
expense suit, perfect teeth,
talking, smiling. The prosecutor
comes to me he says the defendant
is willing to plea involutionary
manslaughter. I said are you
crazy. Then he tells me this
murderer got himself a hot shot
lawyer, and if we go in front of a
jury we’ll probably loose.
Involuntary manslaughter. Six
months in jail, three years
probation, for murdering my only
son. And now he’s out, in the
fresh air, polluting it. I can
barely breathe now, knowing his
foul breath is mixed in. My wife’s
fifty now, we have nobody, no
children, no grandchildren, our
family name all gone. We’re
talking about adopting, but its
not the same.

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY

Grace is unpacking grocery bags. Food, cleaning

products. She’s re-stocking.

ETHAN
What?

GRACE
I need a hand here. There are more
in the car.
 62.

108 EXT. WHELDON HOUSE - DAY 108

Dwight drives along the street toward Ruth’s house. As
he approaches Ruth’s house he slows, because he sees:

Ethan talking to Lucas who is petting SALLIE.

Dwight makes the decision to drive by when Lucas looks up

and sees him and waves.

LUCAS
Hey dad ...
(runs down garden)
Where you going?

Dwight stops, reverses, and turns into the driveway.

LUCAS (CONT’D)
Dad, you forgot where I live?

Dwight gets out of the car.

DWIGHT
No, I left my wallet in the bank,
I was heading back to get it. (a
beat) You got your books?

LUCAS
Yeah.

Lucas runs to the porch. Ethan is surprised.

ETHAN
Hey Dwight.

DWIGHT
Hey Ethan, how are you?

ETHAN
Good thanks. Lucas is your son?

DWIGHT
Yeah. Ruth is my ex.

ETHAN
No kidding. She’s giving my
daughter Emma some piano lessons.

DWIGHT
Yeah, she’s good at that.

Lucas arrives.
(CONTINUED)
 63.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
We’d beter get going. I dont’ get
much time with this guy.

ETHAN
I left a few messages.

DWIGHT
Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve been
waiting for Steve Cutter to get
word back from the state troopers.

ETHAN
Forget about the state troopers,
they’re useless. We need to talk.
When would be a good time?

DWIGHT
Let me check my book. 555 6496,
right? We’ll schedule something.

ETHAN
Very good.

Norris appears at the door as Dwight is at his car.

NORRIS
Hey, Dwight?

DWIGHT
Hey, Norris.
(to Lucas)
Come on.
(to Ethan)
We’ll talk.

ETHAN
Good to see you.

Dwight drives off.

NORRIS
You know Dwight?

ETHAN
Yes, I’ve been working with him,
legal stuff.

NORRIS
(dubious)
I hope it works out.

Emma comes out of the house, followed by Ruth.

(CONTINUED)
 64.
CONTINUED: (2)

RUTH
Hey, Emma’s piece is really coming
along, you’re going to be so proud
of her at the concert.

ETHAN
You’re gonna play at the concert,
that’s wonderful.

EMMA
It’s for Josh. Mom says you can
still hear music when you’re dead.

Now Ethan needs to get away.

ETHAN
Thanks for everything.

109 INT. DWIGHT’S CAR - DAY 109

As Dwight drives Lucas:

DWIGHT
Your mom’s giving music lessons?

LUCAS
Just that kid, her brother Josh
was killed. Remember? In the car
crash, the day we went to Fenway?

DWIGHT
Was that the same day, I don’t
think so. Did you know that kid?

LUCAS
I saw him around. He was a bit of
a dweeb, but nice. You know his
dad?

DWIGHT
Yeah. I’m doing some legal work
for him. He didn’t mention that
to you, talk about it?

LUCAS
Like what dad?

DWIGHT
Doesn’t matter. Let’s get a pie
and some snacks for the game.

(CONTINUED)
 65.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
Have you got money?

DWIGHT
(puzzled)
Your mom say I’m broke or
something?

LUCAS
I thought you left your wallet?

DWIGHT
Oh yeah, I’ve some extra cash.
I’ll get the wallet tomorrow.

110 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 110

Dwight and Lucas are on the edge of their seats. The Sox
are ahead 10-3. It’s a thrilling game. The Yankees
ground out - the Sox are in the Series! Lucas hugs his
dad, jumps with joy.

LUCAS
Oh my God, dad, you think this is
the year they win the Series?

DWIGHT
Remember you can always trust the
Sox to break your heart.

LUCAS
No, dad, no. This is it.
(a beat)
You’re the best, dad.

99 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. ETHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 99

Grace is on Ethan’s home computer.

As she hits the space bar:

ON THE SCREEN: a private detective web site.

She clicks on the screen and another investigative screen

appears. She clicks again, another, and another, and
another.

ETHAN (O.S.)
Hey.

Ethan is back from college,

(CONTINUED)
 66.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
(slightly guilty) I was just
looking at some of this stuff.

Ethan joins her, looks at the page on the screen.

ETHAN
That’s a group who accumulate
information about repeat
offenders, drunk drivers, lenient
judges.

She clicks again. A site on diplomats who have committed

crimes while covered by diplomatic immunity.

ETHAN (CONT’D)
Yeah, diplomats can just walk away
from a crime, often the state
department wants to cover it up.
There are a lot of them up here.

She clicks again. A Net Detective Agency.

ETHAN (CONT’D)
Wait, let me show you.

He ushers her up from the office chair clicks on another

site.

ETHAN (CONT’D)
I’m looking into other
possibilities.

GRACE
What sort of possibilities?

ETHAN
Of how to find this guy.

GRACE
I thought we had lawyers doing
this for us. I’m worried about you
Ethan. You seem to be lost in this
stuff.

ETHAN
I’ve got to find him, Grace. I’m
going to find him.

(CONTINUED)
 67.
CONTINUED: (2)

GRACE
Which “him” are you talking about,
Ethan? Not our son. How are you
going to find him?

ETHAN
How can you say that. I can’t
believe that I have to defend
myself to you as well.

GRACE
As well, as well as who?

ETHAN
Everyone I talk to says you have
to move on, put it behind you, let
the police take care of it. Why?
Why do they say that?

GRACE
Because they want to see you heal.

ETHAN
No they want to see me resign
myself to the fact that this guy
who destroyed our lives will get
away with it. Why should he get
away with it?

GRACE
I don’t want him to get away with
it but he can’t suck the life out
of us as well. It’s going to take
everything we have - everything -
for this family just to survive.
You were always there for us
Ethan, please don’t abandon us
now.

He hears what she says, takes it in.

111 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. BEDROOM - DAY 111

Sunday morning. Dwight, in his boxers, on the bed
staring at the ceiling. Lucas comes in, decked out in
Red Sox gear.

LUCAS
How about you pitch me a few?

DWIGHT
Sure, I’ll be right out.
(CONTINUED)
 68.
CONTINUED:

Dwight gets up, pulls on sweats, rummages for a T-shirt

but hears something, listens closer, A LOW MECHANICAL
RUMBLE. Panic, as Dwight bursts from the room.

112 EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAY 112

Dwight rushes out and discovers Lucas staring into the
garage at the Ford Explorer as the garage door rumbles
open. Lucas sees the fear in Dwight’s eyes.

LUCAS
What’s wrong Dad?

Dwight stops.

DWIGHT
What are you doing?

LUCAS
I’m getting the net out.

Dwight calms down.

DWIGHT
Go ahead.

Dwight stares at the Explorer.

113 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. GARAGE - DAY 113

Lucas squeezes by the Explorer to get to the net frame at
the back of the garage.

LUCAS
You’re keeping the truck?

DWIGHT
No, no, I’m waiting for the junk
people to come and get it.

Lucas reaches the net frame at the back of the garage.

LUCAS
You’ll have to move the truck,
Dad.

DWIGHT
Let’s forget the net. I’ll just
pitch.

(CONTINUED)
 69.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
Ah Dad, we’ll have to run after
all the balls.

114 OMITTED. 114

115 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - DAY 115

Sunday afternoon. ESPN baseball round up on TV. Lucas
is glued to every word. Dwight’s enjoying his company.

SPORTSCASTER
So is this the Red Sox year? Will
we see the end of the curse of the
bambino?

Lucas nudges his dad.

LUCAS
Told you.

SPORTSCASTER
Let’s look at last week’s play.

The doorbell rings. Dwight gets up. Checks through the

blinds, sees a STATE TROOPER CAR in the driveway.

Dwight opens the door and greets TWO STATE TROOPERS.

STATE TROOPER
Mr. Wheldon?

DWIGHT
Yes.

STATE TROOPER
Do you own a 1998 Ford Explorer?

DWIGHT
I did. Why?

STATE TROOPER
You don’t have it anymore?

DWIGHT
Why, what’s this about?

STATE TROOPER
Routine investigation. We’re
checking on those types of
vehicles.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
 70.
CONTINUED: STATE TROOPER(CONT'D)
State records show you are the
owner of 1998 explorer CUR 560H.
Is that right?

DWIGHT
The transmission went. I donated
it to one of those charities, a
Cancer thing. They towed it away.
I’m still waiting for the receipt.

LUCAS (O.S.)
Hey, Dad ...

Lucas appears at the living room door behind Dwight but

stops talking when he sees the state trooper.

DWIGHT
I’ll be back in a second.

Lucas studies the state trooper.

LUCAS
Hi.

The state trooper smiles, nods.

STATE TROOPER
You turn the plates in yet?

Lucas turns, heads back into the living room.

DWIGHT
No I haven’t. I took them in to
work and forgot to have them
mailed back.

STATE TROOPER
Better mail them in, and when you
get that receipt ...
(hands card)
... drop off a copy. I need to
account for it.

DWIGHT
Sure officer.

The state trooper turns, walks away, sees the rental car,
turns back to Dwight.

STATE TROOPER
This your new car?

(CONTINUED)
 71.
CONTINUED: (2)

DWIGHT
It’s a rental, until I decide what
to buy next.

The state trooper points to the rental, which is

splattered with bird droppings from the overhanging tree.

STATE TROOPER
Better move it into the garage.
That bird shit will corrode the
finish.

DWIGHT
Thanks.

116 EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - DAY 116

The trooper sits in his cruiser, writing notes, as Dwight
goes back inside.

117 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE LIVING ROOM - DAY 117

Lucas is engrossed in the TV.

LUCAS
Are you in trouble, dad?

DWIGHT
No, a form I didn’t fill out,
that’s all.

Dwight goes to the blinds, eases them back. The state

trooper is gone.

EXT. LEARNER HOUSE. DRIVEWAY - DAY

Ethan pulls up and discovers RAUL’S TRUCK parked in the

driveway. Alongside the usual lawnmowers and leaf
blowers is Josh’s bicycle. ONE OF RAUL’S WORKERS emerges
carrying roller blades, another has an aquarium.

ETHAN
What the hell are you doing?

The Mexican laborers clearly don’t speak English. They

look at him puzzled.
 72.

EXT. LEARNER PORCH - DAY

Grace has all of Josh’s possessions, clothes, games,

equipment, stacked on the picnic table, and is handing
piles to Raul and his workers. Ethan bursts in.

ETHAN
What the hell are you doing?

GRACE
Raul, take the rest of these.

ETHAN
Wait a minute.

GRACE
Raul, take them and go.

ETHAN
Have I no say in this?

GRACE
No you don’t Ethan. Unless
there’s some advice, some
wonderful remedy on the internet
as to how to dispose of your dead
son’s possessions. Or do they
recommend keeping them in order to
nurture your anger.

ETHAN
Don’t fucking talk to me like
that. I want to heal as much as
you do, but I will never get it
while his murderer is out there.
Don’t you understand that?

GRACE
No I don’t. All I understand is
that my son is not coming home.
He’s not coming home.

ETHAN
No. I won’t go through my life
hiding from the fact I never did
anything to right that wrong.

She turns into the house yelling back.

(CONTINUED)
 73.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Now we have a daughter to raise
and if you can’t understand that
you can get out!

She slams the door.

118 OMIT 118

119 OMIT 119

120 OMIT 120

121 EXT. BLACK BEAR SALOON - DAY 121

Outside tables at a downtown restaurant, filled with the
regular LUNCHTIME MIX OF LOCALS. Dwight and Steve sit
over the remains of lunch.

CHERYL, the cute, the waitress, bangs two orders of pie

down on the table.

CHERYL
Who’s got the coconut cream?

STEVE
(leering)
The nut’s mine, Cheryl honey. The
cream, too.

CHERYL
I don’t get paid enough to be your
honey, Steve. Cream or no cream.

STEVE
We can negotiate.

Cheryl walks off, Steve watching her ass all the way.

STEVE (CONT’D)
Jesus, my fucking kingdom for a
waitress. You getting much these
days?

DWIGHT
I’m not getting any.

(CONTINUED)
 74.
CONTINUED:

STEVE
Come on, good looking guy,
divorced, party animal. You must
be knocking them down two by two.

DWIGHT
Party animal? I go to Pizza Hut
once a week with Lucas. That’s my
idea of a party.

STEVE
Jeez, that’s depressing. I
figured you come in looking like
shit, you musta been banging all
night. Now you’re telling me ...

DWIGHT
I come in looking like shit?

STEVE
Check the mirror. You’re letting
it slide buddy.

DWIGHT
What’s this about?

STEVE
You haven’t done a thing in over a
month. Nora Fennelli’s
threatening to find another firm.

DWIGHT
She doesn’t know what she wants.
One minute it’s ...

STEVE
Forget it Dwight, you’ve always
got somebody else to blame. It’s
about running a business. I took
a gamble hiring you.

DWIGHT
Gamble? Harvard Law school.
Boston’s best law firm.

STEVE
Oh yeah, how about drunk and
disorderly, and an order of
protection against you? A child
with two teeth knocked out?

Dwight’s trigger temper takes over, his eyes are on fire,

his whole demeanor is attack.
(CONTINUED)
 75.
CONTINUED: (2)

DWIGHT
Go ahead Steve, take Ruth’s side
now...

STEVE
Listen to yourself, everybody’s
against you. I’m all you’ve got
Dwight. I‘ve gone to court for
you. I gave you a job when no one
would hire you. I’ve been taking
your side for years and, still,
you won’t listen to me. I’m gonna
say it one last time, you wipe
your own shit or you lie in it.

Steve gets up.

STEVE (CONT'D)
You get the check, I pay you
enough.

122 INT. SHERMAN R. LEWIS SCHOOL. LOBBY - A LITTLE LATER - 122

DAY

PARENTS and CHILDREN mill around. Above a folding table

with school printed programs. A SIGN announces “SCHOOL
CONCERT - 7:00 PM. ADMISSION FREE.”

CLOSE on Ethan, head down, forging through, as Grace

acknowledges nod, smiles.

Ethan is on ahead now - a distance between them.

123 INT. SHERMAN R. LEWIS SCHOOL. CONCERT HALL - LATER - 123

NIGHT

Rows of folding chairs. At the front a piano, a piano

stool, and music stand occupy a low makeshift stage.

As people take their seats. Ruth Wheldon adjusts the

height of the music stand.

CUT TO:

INT. CONCERT HALL. NIGHT

A student quartet is playing.

 76.

124 INT. DWIGHT’S CAR - CONTINUOUS 124

Dwight in his car in the crowded school parking lot. The
sound drifts out of the building. He opens the glove box
and pulls out a pint of Jack Daniels, takes a swig.

125 INT. SHERMAN R. LEWIS SCHOOL. CONCERT HALL - CONTINUOUS125

The performer finishes playing the song. APPLAUSE.

From the back of the gym, the faint GROAN of hinges. A

couple of heads turn to glare at the latecomer.

DWIGHT eases the door closed. He decides to stand

against the back wall, in the shadows.

Ruth steps back up to the stage.

RUTH
The next performer will be Emma
Learner who will play her own
compostion.

APPLAUSE. Emma emerges from stage right.

Dwight stares.

EMMA
This is for my brother Josh.

Deathly silence in the hall. Emma begins to play. She

misses an occasional note, but soldiers on.

Ruth stands close by, ready for whatever support Emma

might need, but the child makes it through the piece.

Rapturous APPLAUSE. The audience stands and claps.

Ethan hugs Grace close, helps her dry her tears. He is

close again, holding, bridging the gap that has grown
through recent days.

The fear, recriminations, self doubt have been driven

away by Emma’s simple tune of love.

At the back of the hall, Dwight is still as stone, as

though he were a statue fixed to the wall.

The Ruth Wheldon wanders out on stage.

(CONTINUED)
 77.
CONTINUED:

RUTH
This school prides itself on the
wit and outstanding intelligence
of its pupils and to demonstrate
we present our battle of the
brains, between Lucas Arno of the
sixth grade and Gerry Edelstein of
the seventh grade.

The curtain pulls back to reveal a game show backdrop and

two podiums, Lucas behind one, GERRY behind the other.

RUTH (CONT'D)
Each contestant will ask a
question of the other. The
contestant with the most correct
answers wins. Gerry Edelstein
will go first.

GERRY EDELSTEIN
If a turtle looses it shell is it
homeless or naked?

LUCAS
Both.

RUTH
Correct.

LUCAS
Can vegetarians eat animal
crackers?

GERRY EDELSTEIN
Yes.

RUTH
Correct.

GERRY EDELSTEIN
Why did kamikaze pilots wear
helmets?

LUCAS
Pass. If a man speaks in the
middle of the forest and there’s
no woman to hear him, is he still
wrong?

GERRY EDELSTEIN
Yes.

(CONTINUED)
 78.
CONTINUED: (2)

RUTH
Correct.

GERRY EDELSTEIN
If a deaf person swears, does his
mother wash his hands with soap.

LUCAS
Yes.

The audience is in stitches. Ethan and Grace are

laughing through their tears.

At the back of the hall, Dwight is also in tears,

laughing but there’s a madness to his laugh, a terrible
lost desperation.

LUCAS (CONT'D)
What do you get if you cross
poison ivy with four leaf clover.

GERRY EDELSTEIN
A rash of good luck.

RUTH
Correct.

LUCAS
If a cow laughs does milk come out
its nose?

GERRY EDELSTEIN
Pass. Two part question. What do
you call a deer with no eyes?

LUCAS
No ideer.

RUTH
Correct.

GERRY EDELSTEIN
What do you call a deer with no
eyes and no legs?

LUCAS
Still no ideer.

RUTH
Correct. Last round. You can
choose. Movies and politics.

(CONTINUED)
 79.
CONTINUED: (3)

LUCAS
Movies. If Superman can stop
bullets with his chest, why does
he always duck when someone throws
a gun at him?

GERRY EDELSTEIN
No idea. Politics. If con is the
opposite of pro, then what is the
opposite of progress.

Lucas waves his arms to the audience. The all shout.

ALL
Congress.

RUTH
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a draw.

Huge applause. Lucas and Gerry bow.

126 EXT. SHERMAN R. LEWIS SCHOOL. FORECOURT - NIGHT 126

The concert over, Ethan, Grace (holding hands, close) and
Emma work their way through the CROWD OF HAPPY PARENTS.
Everyone offers congratulations to Emma. There’s a great
buzz following the finale skit.

Ethan, has his arm around Grace as they move toward their
car. Another PARENT stops them.

PARENT
Thank you, thank you Emma. What
an inspiration. I wanted to come
by your house at the time but ...

As they talk Ethan hears someone calling, a distinctive

voice, a terrible echo of that night.

DWIGHT (O.S.)
Lou.

He breaks away as Grace talks with the parent. Now he’s

almost trembling, his eyes search the car park.

He moves further among the tangle of cars and parents.

His eyes search around, he’s panicked, maybe he’s hearing
noises.

Across the car park, he sees Lucas, taking high fives and
congrats from people.

(CONTINUED)
 80.
CONTINUED:

Then, from behind, Lucas he hears the voice again.

DWIGHT (O.S.) (CONT'D)

Lou! Hey Lou.

He looks back beyond Lucas who has turned around, and

sees Dwight, hurrying through the crowd.

Lucas walks toward Dwight, who picks his son up and

twirls him around.

Ethan is frozen to the spot.

Then a tap on his shoulder.

GRACE (O.C.)
What is it?

Ethan turns to her.

GRACE (CONT'D)
What’s wrong?

ETHAN
Nothing.

Grace finds Emma, kisses her.

GRACE
Oh sweetie that was so beautiful.

She looks around for Ethan, sees that he has wandered

further away.

GRACE (CONT’D)
Ethan, where are you going?

He returns.

GRACE (CONT’D)
What’s up.

ETHAN
Nothing’s wrong. I can’t stand
all this sympathy. Let’s go.

GRACE
Hey, our composer’s here.

Ethan bends down to Emma, but keeps looking in Dwight’s

direction.

(CONTINUED)
 81.
CONTINUED: (2)

ETHAN
You were marvellous.

They get in the car and begin to drive, and, as they

pass, Ethan watches as Dwight with his arm proudly around
Lucas meets up with Ruth and Norris.

Ethan’s car cruises past unnoticed.

DWIGHT
Was he the greatest or what?

Norris ruffles Lucas hair. Dwight holds on to his son,

possessively.

NORRIS
See, you remembered every line.

RUTH
(to Dwight)
Norris practiced with him every
night.

DWIGHT
Yeah, great.

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. JOSH’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Ethan sits on the floor by Josh’s bed, his eyes a million

miles away. Grace comes in. in bed with Grace. He lies
on his back staring at the ceiling.

GRACE
What are you doing here Ethan?

He doesn’t answer.

GRACE (CONT’D)
Please Ethan, let’s get therapy.
I thought tonight you had broken
free, now look at you. I’ve lost
you Ethan and I don’t know how to
get you back.

ETHAN
You’ve lost me! I’ve lost myself.
My soul. No amount of therapy is
ever going to give that back to
me, don’t you understand that?

(CONTINUED)
 82.
CONTINUED:

GRACE
Please Ethan, you are our
strength, our security ...

ETHAN
Yeah, the great protector of the
family. How can you say that? My
son is dead ... while his father
watched ...

GRACE
Please, please Ethan we have got
to get past this.

ETHAN
(quiet anger) Don’t say that to
me. There’s no going past this.

Grace leaves. Ethan opens his hand to reveal Dwight’s

business card.

128 OMITTED 128

129 EXT. ESTUARY ROAD - DAWN 129

Dwight jogs down the street.

130 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING 130

Dwight returns from a early morning sprint. He takes
juice from the fridge, pours a glass, sits at the
breakfast bar. His house phone rings. He picks it up,
answers expecting a friendly voice, instead he looks
stunned.

DWIGHT
Hello ... Oh, Mr. Learner. No,
no, I’ve been running ... Not at
all ... Ah, no, I’m free ... Sure,
where? ... Where? No, but I can
find it. An hour, yeah. Yeah.

Dwight hangs up, looks like he has just been shot.

131 INT. DWIGHT’S CAR - DAY 131

Dwight approaches the junction at Reservation Road. This
is the first time he’s been there since the accident.
(CONTINUED)
 83.
CONTINUED:
Now he sees the junior league soft ball pitch and the old
cemetary. And, as he turns the bend, he sees:

132 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - DAY 132

Ethan in the forecourt of the gas station looking up at
the CROWS ‘cawking’ above him

Dwight’s car pulls in. He gets out. They shake hands.

Ethan starts walking toward the spot where Josh died.

ETHAN
Dwight, thanks for taking the
time. I wanted to meet here
because I’ve a few ideas that
might help the investigation.

As they cross the gas station forecourt

ETHAN (CONT’D)
Have you been here before?

DWIGHT
No, no. Why do you ask?

ETHAN
I thought maybe you’d come to
familiarize yourself with the
case.

DWIGHT
We’re looking into hiring a
private investigator. He’d do
that.

ETHAN
Let me show you where Josh died.

They reach the spot.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Right here. The killer came round
that bend, had to be doing fifty,
swerved right over there, came
back and hit my son right here.
He must have been drunk?

He looks to Dwight for an answer.

DWIGHT
Well I guess there’s no way of
knowing for sure?
(CONTINUED)
 84.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
Only the killer knows, and he’s
not going to talk.

Ethan starts walking back toward the crossroads. A truck

comes up behind them, Dwight sees it first, grabs Ethan’s
arm, pulls him off the roadway as the truck roars by.

DWIGHT
Jesus! Be careful.

ETHAN
The police have dumped this case,
haven,t they?

DWIGHT
No, not completely. I think they
have a few things going. I’m
hopeful they might catch a break
soon.

ETHAN
Like what?

DWIGHT
Gimme a few days and I might have
something concrete for you.

At the corner where they can see A KIDS’ SOFTBALL GAME in

progress.

ETHAN
I’m sorry Mr. Arno but I’m sick of
waiting. Look how beautiful it is.
Here’s what I’d like to do. I’d
like to offer a reward, a big one.
$250,000, a half a million,
whatever I can borrow on the
house. Get the press to come
here. That would give me a chance
to make an appeal, to ask this man
how he can live with himself. How
he could do such a cowardly thing
as to drive away and leave a ten
year old boy dying in the dirt?
Do you think that would work?

DWIGHT
Yeah, that might spark something.

(CONTINUED)
 85.
CONTINUED: (2)

ETHAN.
(checking watch)
I got to get home. My daughter
frets when I leave.
(a beat)
Let me ask you this, you’ve got a
son, same age as Josh. If someone
killed him and you found out who
this guy was what would you do?

DWIGHT
I’d turn him in.

ETHAN
Would you? Knowing he’ll get a
slap on the wrist.

DWIGHT
I don’t know that this is a good
conversation to have with your
lawyer.

Ethan reaches over, shakes Dwight’s hand, holds it.

ETHAN
Thanks again.

DWIGHT
Sure, sure.

Ethan leaves. Dwight’s hands are trembling as he watches

Ethan get into his car and drives off.

Dwight wanders to the crossroads, studies some kids

hitting balls on the diamond, he sits on a bench. he can
barely breath. Then the sound of a CAR HORN.

He turns, sees ETHAN driving in the opposite direction.

Ethan waves.

133 INT. WHELDON HOUSE - NIGHT 133

Dwight’s rental car pulls in next to RUTH’S MINIVAN and
TWO OTHER CARS in the driveway. As he walks thee path to
the door, Dwight can see a GROUP OF FRIENDS gathered
around the fireplace and hears CONVERSATION and LAUGHTER
coming from inside the house. He KNOCKS on the door.

Norris opens the door. His smile evaporates when he sees

who it is.

(CONTINUED)
 86.
CONTINUED:

NORRIS
Hey Dwight.

DWIGHT
Norris, listen. I’d like to talk
to Ruth. Can you get her for me?

NORRIS
She’s kinda busy just now.

DWIGHT
It’s important. I wouldn’t be
here otherwise.

NORRIS
Actually, we’re in the middle of a
little shindig, a few friends.

DWIGHT
I want to talk to Ruth. Okay?

NORRIS
Okay, Dwight, take it easy.

RUTH
Norris ...

Ruth appears at the door beside Norris.

RUTH (CONT'D)
Dwight, what’s wrong?

DWIGHT
Ruth, can I talk to you for a
minute?

RUTH
We’ve got people over.

DWIGHT
(sardonic)
Yeah a shindig.

RUTH
(annoyed)
Dwight, you want to talk to me,
you can talk on Sunday like usual.

DWIGHT
Please, I need a big favor.

(CONTINUED)
 87.
CONTINUED: (2)

RUTH
Norris, you better go back to our
guests.

Ruth steps onto the porch. It’s cold, she rubs her arms.

DWIGHT
You want my coat?

RUTH
What’s wrong?

DWIGHT
The World Series starts tomorrow.
Let Lou stay over with me for the
week.

RUTH
No.

DWIGHT
Please. I really need your help.
Norris doesn’t care about
baseball. The Sox in the Series.
It might never happen again.
Please. I’ll get him to school
every morning. Just one week then
you’ll have him all the time.

RUTH
What do you mean?

DWIGHT
I’m going away.

RUTH
Where?

DWIGHT
Away, something I’ve got to do.

She studies.

RUTH
For how long?

DWIGHT
I don’t know.

RUTH
Jesus, Dwight, you’re always
running away from yourself ...

(CONTINUED)
 88.
CONTINUED: (3)

DWIGHT
Not this time. This time I have
to face up to who I am.

She turns and stares out at the night.

RUTH
Why should I believe you this
time? I’ve heard this so many
times before and I prayed it was
true. Now it’s too late for us.
But our son ...

DWIGHT
This time I’ve no choice.

RUTH
Tell me what’s wrong.

DWIGHT
Let me have the Series with my
son.

RUTH
Okay, Dwight. You can have him
for the week. Just make sure you
get him to school on time in the
morning.

DWIGHT
You know I’m sorry.

She hands him his coat back, then kisses him on the
mouth. And she’s gone, leaving him alone on the porch.

134 OMITTED 134

135 OMIT 135

136 EXT. RYE PLAYLAND - DAY 136

Dwight and Lucas enter this amusement park.

DWIGHT
I though we’d catch a few rides,
get some of those chili cheese
dogs ...

(CONTINUED)
 89.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
The ones that made me puke on the
roller coaster.

DWIGHT
That’s the ones.

136A INT. WHELDON HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 136A

Ruth is cleaning up. The doorbell rings.

137 EXT. WHELDON HOUSE - DAY 137

The door opens to Ethan and Emma are on the porch. Emma
holds the flowers, Ethan has the cake.

RUTH
Oh my God, Emma. What’s this?

ETHAN
She did so well at the concert,
played so beautifully, we wanted
to thank you.

138 EXT. RYE PLAYLAND - DAY 138

Dwight and Lucas, wandering the fairground, stop at the
hot dog stand.

139 INT. WHELDON HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 139

Ethan, Emma and Ruth sit around the kitchen table. The
flowers are already in a vase on the table, and Ruth is
opening the Black Forest cake.

RUTH
Oh my God Look at all this
chocolate. You have to have some
Emma.

Ruth gets a plate, cuts Emma a slice.

RUTH (CONT’D)
Mr. Learner?

ETHAN
Ethan. Not for me thanks.
(CONTINUED)
 90.
CONTINUED:

RUTH
I’ve made some coffee.

ETHAN
Great.

RUTH
I hope Emma’s going to keep up her
lessons now that the concert’s
over. You’re a very talented young
lady.

EMMA
I’d like that.

Ethan sees photos of Lucas on the fridge.

ETHAN
Your son’s sox fan. He must be
excited about the series.

RUTH
He and his dad are fanatics.
He’s over at his Dwight’s place to
watch the ball game.

ETHAN
How long where you guys together?

RUTH
Eight years. Yeah well Dwight and
I used to have two nicknames for
each other. Nitro and Glycerine.
You mix the two and you’ve got a
big explosion. But he’s devoted to
Lucas. very close.

ETHAN
Dwight lives near by?

RUTH
Yeah on Cove Road, so that he
could be close to Lou.

140 EXT. RYE PLAYLAND - DAY 140

Dwight clears up the food trays on a bench. . Lucas
arrives, excited.

LUCAS
Dad, you gotta check this out.
Come on.
(CONTINUED)
 91.
CONTINUED:

He hurries Dwight over to an old-fashioned arcade

machine. The head and shoulders of an old fashioned
clown.

DWIGHT
This is old.

LUCAS
It’s so great, watch.

Lucas drops a quarter in ... and the clown begins to

laugh ... harder, and harder. And now Lucas is laughing
... and Dwight’s starting to laugh and it builds ... and
people who stop are laughing as well ... all of it
propelled by Lucas infectious joy.

The clown finally stops. Dwight and Lucas, tears of

laughter streaming down their faces, hug ... true,
unconditional love.

141 INT. WHELDON HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 141

Ruth beams as she talks about Lucas.

ETHAN
Tell your son I said he has a big
future in comedy.

RUTH
It’s such a surprise when you
discover a talent in your child.

ETHAN
Yes, I remember when we discovered
Josh was such a beautiful cello
player ...

RUTH
(realizes)
I’m truly sorry, I never meant ...

ETHAN
No, don’t be sorry. Anyway, we’d
better get back to Emma’s mom. Do
you mind if I use the bathroom?

RUTH
No, go right ahead, it’s at the
top of the stairs.
 92.

142 INT. WHELDON HOUSE. UPSTAIRS - DAY 142

Ethan climbs the stairs. He looks around finds the
bathroom but also sees a bedroom festooned in Red Sox
paraphanalia. He stops, listens to Ruth chat with Emma,
then, quietly, walks into Lucas’ room.

143 INT. WHELDON HOUSE. LUCAS’ BEDROOM - DAY 143

Ethan takes in the room, the mess, school books, baseball
glove, and on a chest of drawers, a series of photos in
cheap frames.

He studies this chronicle of Lucas’ life. Then one photo

rivets him to the spot.

CLOSE ON a photo of Dwight and Lucas in the car park of

Fenway, holding Red Sox shirts, as they lean against a
1998 dark blue Ford Explorer with a grill guard.

Ethan carefully picks up the photo, slides it between his

belt and the small of his back, and adjusts his shirt.

144 INT. WHELDON HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 144

Ruth is still talking to Emma.

RUTH
I think you should compose more,
we’ll do a symphony.

Ethan appears.

ETHAN
Okay, little lady we got to go.

Emma gets up, heads to the door with Ethan.

RUTH
Thank you for everything. See you
soon Emma, yes?

EMMA
Bye.

145 EXT. RYE PLAYLAND - DAY 145

Dwight and Lucas leave the rollercoaster, and head past
the bumper cars on their way out.
(CONTINUED)
 93.
CONTINUED:

DWIGHT
After the Series, I’ve got to go
away for a while.

LUCAS
(distracted)
Sure, dad. Hey, I got tickets
left, let’s do the bumpers.

DWIGHT
Nah, come on, we want to get home
in plenty of time.

LUCAS
Please.

Lucas is already on the steps.

DWIGHT
You can go on, I don’t want to.

LUCAS
Come on.

DWIGHT
(firm)
No, you go.

Lucas jumps in a bumper car. The ride starts, there are

a BUNCH OF COLLEGE KIDS showing off to their GIRLFRIENDS.
One of them - A JOCK - starts picking on Lucas, banging
him hard.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
HEY!

But his shout can’t be heard over the LOUD ROCK MUSIC.

The Jock lines up behind Lucas, times it to sandwich him

and really hits him hard.

Lucas head shoots forward, almost hits the wheel.

Dwight runs out onto the metal floor, stands on the back
of Lucas’ car.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Hey, knock it off.

The ride stops.

JOCK
Get off the floor.
(CONTINUED)
 94.
CONTINUED: (2)

DWIGHT
Take it easy. Come on Lou, lets
go.

JOCK
If your kid’s chicken get him
outta here.

Dwight throws him a look, then leads Lou away. The jock
makes chicken noises. Lou looks to Dwight.

146 EXT. PLAYLAND. TURNSTILES - DAY 146

Dwight leads Lucas through the exit tunnel.

LUCAS
You could have kicked his ass.

DWIGHT
Yeah, I could have. We’d have
gotten thrown out. Or worse.
Your Mom would have been mad at
me, and we’d have missed the
Series together.

LUCAS
I’m glad we got out of there.
(a beat)
How long you got to go away for?

DWIGHT
I’m not sure.

INT. LEARNER HOUSE. ETHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT

Ethan locks the door, goes to his desk, takes out the
photo, breaks the frame, places the photo on the desk,
takes a digital photo.

ON MONITOR: The photo is now in the computer. Ethan is

enlarging it, focusing on the grill guard.

CUT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN:

ETHAN’S FACE

AND A RAPID CUTS OF A SERIES OF WEB PAGES: on guns -

shot guns - catalogues. A mix of the boring -
supermarket catalogues - with the crazy - Soldier of
Fortune - info on sawed off shotguns - revenge photos.

(CONTINUED)
 95.
CONTINUED:

Now Ethan is on the phone.

ETHAN
I saw your ad on the web. I’m
looking for a pistol, something
simple, a revolver maybe.

He hangs up, then the sound of the door handle. The

knocking.

GRACE (O.S.)
Ethan!

ETHAN
Yeah.

He sticks the photo in his pocket.

GRACE (O.S.)
Why’s this door locked?

Ethan opens the door.

ETHAN
I don’t know, maybe something’s up
with the lock.

GRACE
Will you be joining us for dinner.

ETHAN
I’m not hungry.

She walks away.

148 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - NIGHT 148

The first night of the Series. Red Sox vs. Cardinals.
Chips, soda, hot dogs spread out on a table.

Dwight and Lucas are totally absorbed in the game.

150 INT. ETHAN’S CAR, LOCAL HUNTING STORE - NIGHT 150

Ethan sits outside the hunting store, he’s nervous as he
fumbles with a revolver. It falls apart in his hands.

A car pulls up beside him, he hastily packs the pieces in

the box, takes off.
 96.
CONTINUED:

153 OMITTED 153

155 OMITTED 155

157 EXT. LEARNER HOUSE. NIGHT 157

9 pm Fall night, leaves blow around the garden. A few
lights on, the house looks peaceful

INT. DWIGHT’S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

The world series game has just started. Lucas is almost

exploding with excitement. Dwight is beside him.

158 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - LATER 158

Ethan stands alone outside Emma’s room, thoughts and
feelings barely in control. He takes a deep breath
before entering.

159 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. EMMA’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS 159

Emma’s in her pajamas, under the covers. Ethan sits down
on the edge of the bed.

ETHAN
Sleepy?

EMMA
Not yet.

ETHAN
Well, try. Close your eyes.

Her eyes remain open, looking at him.

EMMA
Will you tell me a good night
story?

ETHAN
Not tonight.

Ethan places his hands over Emma’s hands. He looks on

the verge of tears.
(CONTINUED)
 97.
CONTINUED:

EMMA
Dad, your hands are shaking.

ETHAN
I must be tired.

EMMA
Time for bed.

Ethan tries to smile.

ETHAN
Good night, Pumpkin. Don’t ever
forget how much I love you.

EMMA
I love you too, Dad.

She closes her eyes. He kisses her and gets up and turns
out the light.

160 INT. LEARNER HOUSE. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS 160

He leaves Emma’s door open a few inches. Grace stands in
the hallway, dressed in her nightgown. She stares at
him, a look wavering between forgiveness and rejection.

He stares back, is about to offer an excuse.

ETHAN
I ...

She disappears inside their bedroom and closes the door.

161 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - SAME TIME 161

The final moments of the game. A cliff hanger. The Sox
take it. Lucas is ecstatic.

LUCAS
Oh my God, dad, I can’t wait for
tomorrow, you think they can do
it, do you?

DWIGHT
I told you this is their year.

LUCAS
Hey dad, do you think mom would
let me live here with you for a
while?
(CONTINUED)
 98.
CONTINUED:

WIGHT
We’ve got to work on that one,
come hit the sack buddy.

LUCAS
Night dad.

162 EXT. LEARNER HOUSE. NIGHT 162

Ethan walks from his house to his car.

163 OMITTED 163

164 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 164

Dwight cracks open a beer, collapses onto the couch.

165 OMITTED 165

166 OMITTED 166

167 EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE - NIGHT 167

Ethan’s car appears a short distance from Dwight’s house,
the lights go off, the engine shuts down and the car
coasts in neutral to a spot on the street outside Dwights

168 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 168

Dwight’s has dosed off on the couch. The doorbell rings.
Dwight’s eyes wide open now - anxious. He goes to the
window, pulls aside the blind a little,

And sees Ethan. He’s pulls back from the window - panic.
Then he makes the decision - goes to the door.

The door opens. Dwight appears.

DWIGHT
Mr. Arno.

Ethan holds up the photo of Dwight and Lucas.

Ethan sticks the barrel of his revolver in Dwight’s face

and pushes him back into the house.
 99.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Dwight backs into the house, across the floor, knocks a

stool over.

Lucas voice from his bedroom, breaks through.

LUCAS (O.S.)
Dad!

Ethan spins around, the revolver is pointed toward the

sound. Dwight puts his body between Ethan and the
corridor to Lucas bedroom.

DWIGHT
It’s alright Lou, I knocked over a
stool.

ETHAN
(confused, angry) Is that your
son?

Dwight is backing up, keeping his body between Ethan and

Lucas room.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Shut him up.

Dwight backs up to the door to Ethan’s room. His hands up

appealing for Ethan to stay out.

Dwight opens the door to Lucas bedroom. Ethan flattens

himself against the wall beside the door, points the
shotgun, hears Lucas.

LUCAS (O.S.)
Who’s there dad.

Dwight stands in the doorway.

DWIGHT
No one, I banged a stool and the
tvs too loud, come on go asleep.

Ethan has the shotgun leveled at his head.

(CONTINUED)
 100.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS
I need to pee.

Dwight’s look says “Oh Jesus.

DWIGHT
Ah Lou, you’ll ruin your sleep.

Ethan’s moves out so that he keep the shotgun trained on

Dwight.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Hurry up.

Dwight is dying inside. Ethan briskles with nervous

adrenalin. An eternity. The sound of the toilet flushing,
the toilet door opening.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Get in to bed. You gotta catch up
on your sleep.

LUCAS
Okay dad, love you.

DWIGHT
I love you too, goodnight.

Dwight closes the door, turns to Ethan who is backing

away along the corridor toward the living room. He looks
panicked, unsure.

ETHAN
Come on.

EXT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. NIGHT

The door opens, Dwight emerges, the gun is in his back.

Ethan appears.

Dwight stands in the garden. Ethan looks around, unsure,

grabs Dwight by the coat and pushes him toward his car.

ETHAN
Hurry up.

(CONTINUED)
 101.
CONTINUED:

They get to the car, Ethan looks confused, this is

uncharted territory.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Go to the trunk.

Dwight heads for the trunk.

Close on the trunk pops open.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Get in.

Dwight clambers in. Ethan pushes the trunk down.

To black

He snaps the trunk closed. BANG

TO BLACK

The bang of the trunk turns into the CRACK of a baseball

bat hitting a ball

FLASHBACK TO:

171 EXT. FENWAY PARK. STANDS - THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT 171
MUSIC overwhelmed by the growing ROAR of 30,000 fans.

It’s not just another baseball game - it’s the Red Sox-
vs. Yankees. Fenway’s a madhouse.

THE SCOREBOARD

The scoreboard shows the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of

the 9th.

CLOSE IN on a DWIGHT and LUCAS in box seats on the third

base line. LUCAS has his chin just above the railing and
his hands clenched into fists, YELLING himself hoarse.

LUCAS
Come on, Pedro! Strike him out!
Strike him out!

Pedro Martinez winds up and throws a blazing fastball

right past a flailing Bernie Williams. The crowd erupts.

(CONTINUED)
 102.
CONTINUED:

LUCAS (CONT’D)
Yeah! Dad, didya see that?
Didya, Dad?

Lucas and Dwight jump as one, ROAR, high five, the pure
joy of a moment shared between father and son.

As they settle into their seats, Dwight hears the faint

ring of a cell phone over the cheers.

DWIGHT
What’s that?

He looks toward Lucas pocket.

LUCAS
What?

DWIGHT
It’s your phone, answer it please.

Lucas retrieves the phone like it’s Kryptonite, checks

who it is, a look of resignation to Dwight, then he
answers.

LUCAS
Hey mom ... no, we’re still at the
game ... but its not over. No,
no, its nearly over.

Lucas listens, then hands the phone to Dwight.

DWIGHT
Yeah I know what the curfew time
is. I’ll have him back ... I said
I’ll have him back.

He hands the phone back to Lucas.

LUCAS
We can’t leave dad. Please?

Dwight jumps to his feet CHEERING, problems forgotten.

He picks up his laughing, yelling son, hugs him in a
raucous dance.

173 INT. DWIGHT’S CAR - DUSK 173

The car park exit is JAMMED WITH CARS, HORNS SOUND in
frustration. Dwight whispers a curse as he jockeys for
position to get out.

(CONTINUED)
 103.
CONTINUED:

Lucas slips his phone from his pocket and checks, the
screen reads 6 missed calls.

DWIGHT
Is that your mom again?

LUCAS
No, I was checking the time. You
wanna hear a joke?

DWIGHT
Sure.

LUCAS
A doctor at a mental hospital
decides to take his patients to a
Red Sox game, but he says you have
to do what I say. When they get
to their seats he says, “sit
nuts.” They all sit. When the
Red Sox score he says, “cheer
nuts.” They all cheer. The
Yankees score he says, “boo nuts.”
They all boo. Then, a guy with a
tray comes down the aisle shouting
“pea nuts!”

Dwight loves it.

LUCAS (CONT'D)
Can I change the station?

DWIGHT
Sure.

Lucas seat belt won’t let him reach. He unbuckles,

reaches the radio and tunes in the sports station.

174 EXT. CONNECTICUT PARKWAY - NIGHT 174

Dark now. A country parkway (The Hutchinson). Dwight’s
Ford Explorer guns along at 80. The passenger side
headlight is not working.

175 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 175

In the gloom of the car, Dwight takes a drag on a
cigarette, rolls down his window and blows the smoke out.

(CONTINUED)
 104.
CONTINUED:

He checks on Lucas: who is asleep, with his cheek

pressed up against the door. He checks the dashboard
clock: 8:40.

DWIGHT
(under his breath)
Fuck.

Then: up ahead, in the lone beam of light, we see a SIGN

for the next exit - RESERVATION ROAD (a short cut).

At the last minute, Dwight decides to take the exit.

Tires SQUEAL lightly.

He checks on Lucas again: still sleeping. He hits the

radio button to the progressive rock station.

176 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - NIGHT 176

The road, narrow and dark, running through woods.

Dwight gives the car more gas.

177 EXT. RESERVATION ROAD - FURTHER - NIGHT 177

Dwight’s car with the single headlight SPEEDS through the
darkness. The orange tip of his cigarette GLOWS behind
the windshield.

178 INT. FORD EXPLORER - NIGHT 178

Dwight’s faintly sweaty face silhouetted behind the
orange tip of his lit cigarette.

He checks the dashboard clock again: 8:55

He gives the car more gas.

179 INT. FORD EXPLORER - CONTINUOUS 179

As he rounds the corner, Dwight’s face is illuminated by
the white light of the brights from a car coming in the
opposite direction.

DWIGHT
Son of a bitch.

(CONTINUED)
 105.
CONTINUED:

Dwight’s POV a blaze of light, the faint glow of an old

gas station off to his left, then something moving on the
grass verge.

A boy’s face, frozen in horror!

Dwight, jams on the brakes hard, hurls Lucas into the

dash.

BANG - the boy flies off to the side, as Lucas’ face

smashes into the dash.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
LOU!

Dwight reaches across to Lucas who is doubled up in pain,

clutching his eye.

DWIGHT (CONT'D)
Are you alright?!

Then Dwight looks in the mirror, sees a man (Ethan)

standing in the road, staring, but Lucas is crying now.

LUCAS
Dad, dad, my eye!

DWIGHT
Oh, Jesus! Jesus!

LUCAS
It hurts. Please dad.

Dwight looks in the mirror again, then puts his foot on

the gas.

FLASH FORWARD
TO:

180 EXT. ROAD - NIGHT 180

Ethan appears confused, not sure where to go.

The car’s headlights push through the darkness revealing,

rocks, trees, and beyond the moon glistening off the
waters of Long Island Sound where josh’s ashes were
scattered.
 106.

181 EXT. SHORELINE - NIGHT 181

The trunk pops open. Dwight is disoriented doesn’t know
what to do, hesitates.

ETHAN
Get out!

Dwight still doesn’t move.

Ethan lifts the barrel of the gun, brings it down on

Dwight’s head, BANG, the revolver accidentally
discharges.
DWIGHT ETHAN
AaaHH! Aaahh!

Ethan jumps back in shock, stands motionless as the

gunshot rings across the Sound.

Ethan doesn’t know what to do. He looks at Dwight

breathing heavily inside the trunk.

Still silence. Close on Dwight.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Get out!

Dwight clambers out.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Over there!

Dwight heads toward the sandy shore.

Ethan looks like he’s going to explode. He rushes toward

Dwight with the revolver.

ETHAN (CONT'D)
Do you know what you have done to
my family. You have destroyed us!

DWIGHT
Turn me in to the police. I’ll go
to jail

He is close enough to kick him.

(CONTINUED)
 107.
CONTINUED:

ETHAN
You want me to turn you in so that
you can pull your tricks in court,
and then laugh at me on the
street. You sat and lied to me.
We’ll get this guy, compensation.
I gave you his accident report,
with those photos, his dead body.
You’re a fucking murderer.

DWIGHT
Please, believe me. It was an
accident.

ETHAN
(screams) An accident, you fucking
killed him, and you drove away,
why would you drive away from an
accident.

DWIGHT
I didnt know you son was dead, I
....

ETHAN
He was road kill, a dead squirrel,
stray dog, my Josh. Did he see
you.

DWIGHT
Please, I see him every night ...
his face. Please

ETHAN
Did you see the fireflies .... He
as releasing fireflies. He
wouldn’t hurt fly... Fuck you,
fuck you to hell.

You sat and listened to me, shook

my hand. You said you were going
to help me. What sort of a monster
are you? Have you no soul?

(CONTINUED)
 108.
CONTINUED: (2)

DWIGHT
All I wanted was a few days with
my son before he hates me .... I
needed time.

ETHAN
Time! What time. Time to torment
me, to shout Lou in my face. You
went with me to the place where
you killed my son and you stood
their with your stupid face and
said there would be a break in the
case. You don’t deserve to live.

He pushes Dwight toward the water ...

Dwight is destroyed by Ethan’s rage and hate.

DWIGHT
Don’t do this, not for me, for
you, don’t ruin your life like I
did ....

ETHAN
Jesus Christ, you’re pathetic,
you’ll say anything, to save
yourself.

As they move so seaweed covered rocks, Ethan slips, he

reaches, tries to grab on to Dwight’s sweater. Misses.

Crashes on to the rocks,

Bangs his head,

The revolver flies from his hand.

And falls to the ground.

He’s stunned, can’t move.

Then turns to see Dwight lift the revolver.

The cylinder has fallen open.

Now Dwight Snaps it back into place.

(CONTINUED)
 109.
CONTINUED: (3)

And points the gun at Ethan.

DWIGHT
Get up.

Ethan stands, Dwight holds the gun on him.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Get back. I’m not going to let you
be a murderer. You can’t do this.

COCKS the hammer.

And HOLDS it to his head.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
No. No. I have to die to get this
over. I have to end this. You need
me dead? Blood for blood. Nothing
else will do.

Ethan, stares at him.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Nothing else to do.

Ethan stares. SILENCE

Dwight’s hand tightens on the trigger.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Oh jesus, oh jesus. I took your
boy’s life,. If this is what it
takes to give you back your life
I’ll do it. Tell me to do it.

Dwight’s hand trembles as he presses the gun to his head.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
COME ON, tell me, Please. This is
easier.

Ethan stares at him, tries to find the words, can’t he’s

frozen between anger and pity.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Tell me, tell me, I’ll do it, say
it. Please.

Ethan can only stare.

(CONTINUED)
 110.
CONTINUED: (4)

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Please.

Ethan turns,

And walks away.

Dwight calls out after him.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Don’t leave me here. Please don’t
leave me.

Dwight falls to his knees, weeping uncontrollably.

DWIGHT (CONT’D)
Please forgive me! Please.

EXT. LEARNER HOUSE. BACK PORCH. PRE-DAWN

Ethan sits alone on the top stair of the porch as the

faintest light of dawn breaks.

EXT. SEASHORE. DAWN

The grey of pre dawn, Dwight is still sitting on a rock,

staring out at the faint glow of the sun.

EXT. LEARNER HOUSE. BACK PORCH.

DAWN

Ethan’s still there, weeping with grief, exhaustion. The

dog barks, a light comes on, Grace emerges.

He looks round at her, puts his hand out, she takes it,
sits beside him, he puts his arm around her.

ETHAN
(crying) God, I miss him so.

She rests her head on his shoulder.

GRACE
I know, I know. Come into the
house.

She helps him up, leads him inside.

 111.

184 INT. DWIGHT’S HOUSE. NIGHT 184

It’s the last pitch of the Series. Cardinals Vs Sox. The
Red Sox Keith Foulke pitches. Edgar Renteria of the
Cardinals grounds out! And it’s over! Total jubilation
among the Sox.

Lucas jumps up on the couch, squeals with delight, grabs

his dad, and hugs him.

LUCAS
They won Dad. They won!

Dwight hugs Lucas close.

Track back to the video camera alone on the video camera,

on the breakfast bar.

INT. LUCAS ROOM. DAY

Lucas sits on the bed, facing the wall, only his back is
visible. Over his shoulder, he’s looking at the video
camera. It’s Dwight’s confession to him.

ON SCREEN:

EXT. BEACH. DAY

It’s cold December day. Ethan and Grace walk hand in

hand along the beach. A couple again.

FADE