SCRIPT
Written by
Mossimo Bianco
Based on Misery by Stephen King
5925 27e Avenue, Montréal, QC H1T 3J5
(514) 374-1999
1.
1 INT. 1
[Screen is glitching, showing parts of these scenes. The
quote: "he was hooked on Novril." (King, 11), shows up on
screen in a dramatic fashion.] Camera shows a closeup of the
painkillers. They have a long shadow, signifying their
looming control over Paul. Dim room to show the darkness of
his addiction closing in. Paul’s hand is now hovering over
the pills. He's hesitating. Camera zooms in on the sweat and
tension on his face. Screen goes black.
2 INT. ANNIE'S GUEST ROOM - EARLY MORNING 2
Bright light flashes, ears ringing. Camera is in his POV.
PAUL
(Sitting upright in bed,
dazed and confused)
What? Where am I? My ears...
(Tries to move in pain)
Ahh, my legs! I can't move them.
Screen goes black. Flashback.
(Internally)
I was in a car crash. I had had a
drink of champagne... to... to
celebrate the completion of my
latest novel... uh.. Fast Cars! I
was on my way to LA to deliver my
manuscript, but then... It's still
a bit foggy, I can't remember much
of what happened.
3 INT. 3
[Screen is glitching, showing the remaining parts of these
scenes.] Camera shows a closeup of the painkillers. They have
a long shadow, signifying their looming control over Paul.
Dim room to show the darkness of his addiction closing in.
Paul’s hand is now hovering over the pills. He's hesitating.
Camera zooms in on the sweat and tension on his face. Screen
goes black.
4 INT. ANNIE’S GUEST ROOM - EARLY MORNING 4
PAUL
(Sitting upright in bed,
still in pain.
Internally.)
Where am I?
2.
Silence.
(Externally)
Where am I?
ANNIE
(Reading Misery on the
ledge of the bed)
Sidewinder, Colorado. My name is
Annie Wilkes. And I am-
PAUL
You're my number-one fan.
ANNIE
(Grinning from ear to
ear)
Yes. That's just what I am.
5 EXT. ON THE SHORE OF A BEACH 5
Scene of tides hitting into pilings. Flickering scenes of the
pills as the tides come in, symbolizing Paul's temporary
relief.
6 INT. ANNIE’S GUEST ROOM - MORNING 7:00AM 6
PAUL
My legs hurt.
ANNIE
Yes, I'm sure they do. In an hour
you can have some medication.
PAUL
Now. Please.
ANNIE
In an hour.
7 INT. ANNIE’S GUEST ROOM - ONE HOUR LATER 8:00AM 7
PAUL
(Internally)
The hour had passed. Somehow and
finally, the hour passed.
WKRP Cincinnati radio station is playing in the background.
Annie brings him a plate of food, along with two pills.
ANNIE
Your latest book is AMAZING and-
3.
Her voice fades out and Paul's thoughts fade in.
PAUL
(Internally)
Can this woman just SHUT UP
already! The pain in my legs is...
unbearable. It's as if nothing is
intact below my knees. I can't feel
a thing.
(Externally)
Please? Miss Wilkes? The pain-
ANNIE
Call me Annie. All my friends do.
She hands him a glass of water. She keeps the capsules.
ANNIE
I took the liberty of looking in
your little bag. You don't mind, do
you?
PAUL
No. No, of course not... The
medicine-
Camera focuses on the beads of sweat on his forehead.
PAUL
(Moaningly)
Please.
Annie tilts her left hand. The capsules roll, hesitate, then
roll down into her right hand with an echoing click.
THE END
