THE SON

Screenplay

by

Florian Zeller

and

Christopher Hampton
 THE SON pg.1

A woman’s VOICE, singing a lullaby

“THE SON”

1 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, THEO’S ROOM DAY 1

A multi-colored mobile turns above a cradle.

BETH watches the baby sleeping. She’s smiling.

Suddenly, PETER appears in the doorway. He watches BETH and

their baby, THEO.

BETH realizes PETER is there.

2 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 2

PETER takes a bottle of white wine out of the fridge. BETH

appears. She comes from THEO’s bedroom.

BETH
So?

PETER doesn’t answer right away, letting the suspense build.

BETH (CONT'D)
Tell me.

PETER
I’m seeing him in two weeks.

BETH
In DC?

PETER nods.

BETH (CONT'D)
If anyone had told me that one day
you’d go into politics... I’d never
have had a baby with you!

PETER smiles.

PETER
I’m not even sure if I’m going to
accept, Beth.

BETH
I hope you don’t have plans to go
live down there... because I may as
well warn you right now... the man
who can make me leave New York...

PETER
... hasn’t been born, I know.
 THE SON pg.2

BETH smiles. PETER goes to embrace her, but her cellphone

rings.

BETH
I need to take this...

She picks up, gesturing to PETER to indicate she’ll be no

more than five minutes, then moves away in the direction of
their bedroom.

BETH (CONT'D)
Mom, yes... Sorry, I didn’t have
time to call you back...

PETER’s on his own. He pours himself a glass of wine. At the

same time, he calls a number on his phone.

PETER
Hi Jessica, it’s me. Could you send
me the Jackson file? Doesn’t seem
to be in my emails and I need to
look at it this evening.

Suddenly, the bell rings. PETER’s surprised.

PETER (CONT'D)
Good. Thanks. See you tomorrow.

3 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, DOOR/LANDING DAY 3

Peter goes to open the door. It’s KATE.

PETER
What are you doing here?

KATE
We need to talk.

Instead of letting KATE in, he goes out on to the hallway

with her.

PETER
You can’t just show up here with no
warning...

KATE
I... I tried to call I don’t know
how many times, but you never pick
up.

PETER
What’s the problem?

KATE
It’s Nicholas.
 THE SON pg.3

PETER
Has something happened?

KATE
Yes.

She hesitates, lost in emotion, as if she doesn’t know where

to begin. This seems to irritate PETER.

PETER
Well : tell me.

PETER glances discreetly back through the door to check that

BETH is not listening in on them. KATE notices.

KATE
Am I bothering you?

PETER
What?

KATE
This is your son I’m talking about!
Shouldn’t you be just a little bit
concerned...

PETER
Of course I’m concerned! Why are
you saying that?

KATE controls herself, tries to keep calm and carries on with

her account.

PETER (CONT'D)
What’s going on?

KATE
This afternoon, I... They called me
in. The school. Just now. To see
the principal. So he could tell me
what was going on. And that’s when
I found out Nicholas hasn’t been to
school for almost a month.

PETER
What?

KATE
I’m telling you. For weeks now he’s
been pretending... Every morning.

PETER
What are you talking about?

KATE
I’m explaining to you and I...
 THE SON pg.4

PETER
Back up a minute... He hasn’t been
to school for almost a month? And
all this time, you never noticed
anything? How is that possible?

KATE
He headed out every morning with
his bag and everything he needed
for the day as if nothing was
wrong. Except he didn’t go there.

PETER
And the school...

KATE
Seems they sent me a bunch of
emails, but I never got them...

PETER
But... What was he doing? I mean,
all day... Where did he go?

KATE
I don’t know. He barely even
answers my questions anymore...

PETER is having difficulty grasping this. What’s going on?

KATE (CONT'D)
I’m so worried about him, Peter.

Suddenly, BETH appears in the doorway. PETER’s embarrassed,

as if caught in a compromising situation.

BETH
What’s going on?

PETER
Ah, Beth... Yes, I’m... Kate’s here
to talk to me about Nicholas. We’ve
just found out he hasn’t been going
to school, and...

KATE
It’s not only that, Peter. He’s not
well.

A slight feeling of discomfort.

KATE (CONT'D)
You need to speak to him. I can’t
deal with it any more. He needs
you, Peter. You can’t abandon him.
 THE SON pg.5

PETER
I’m not abandoning him! Why do you
keep saying these things?

KATE
The other day, I asked him to... I
can’t even remember what... to take
his plate out or something... and
he looked at me with such... with
such hatred. I thought he was going
to...

PETER
To what?

KATE
He scares me, okay?

This admission sends chills down his spine.

PETER
I’ll go see him tomorrow. I’ll
swing by at the end of the day.

KATE
Thanks.

KATE makes an affectionate gesture to thank him. It’s enough

to make PETER feel embarrassed in front of BETH. KATE
notices.

In the distance, the baby starts crying; and BETH, after a

slight annoyed hesitation, goes off to look after him.

PETER and KATE remain on the landing. An intimate moment

between them.

KATE (CONT'D)
He was such a sweet kid, so
wonderful... Do you remember? I
don’t know what’s happened... But
something has. He’s changed.

PETER wants to reassure her.

PETER
Come on. Don’t worry. It will all
get back to normal.

KATE
I don’t know.

PETER
Yes, it will. Don’t worry... I’m
here.
 THE SON pg.6

KATE
No, that’s it. You’re not here any
more.

4 INT. LAW OFFICE, PETER’S OFFICE DAY 4

PETER sits in his office facing two CLIENTS who are talking
to him about the case they’re involved in. PETER is
acknowledging everything they say. He gives them a big smile.

PETER
Great. Listen, I think I have all
the information I need for now.
I’ll call Jeffrey and see if we can
get them to move.

CLIENT 1
Perfect.

PETER stands up, to put an end to the meeting.

CLIENT 2
Thank you.

5 INT. LAW OFFICE, ELEVATOR DAY 5

PETER is with the same two CLIENTS. Professional handshakes

in front of the elevator.

PETER
I’ll get back to you as soon as
it’s done.

His clients go into the elevator. Peter looks at his watch.

It is time to go and see NICHOLAS.

6 EXT. KATE’S APARTMENT BUILDING DAY 6

ESTABLISHING SHOT of the building in Brooklyn where KATE

lives with NICHOLAS.

A yellow taxi pulls up. PETER gets out, takes a deep breath
to gather his courage and disappears into the building.

7 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT DAY 7

NICHOLAS opens the door. He’s 17. He’s surprised to see his
father.

NICHOLAS
What are you doing here?
 THE SON pg.7

PETER
Is it all right? Am I disturbing
you?

NICHOLAS shrugs, by way of saying “no”. PETER steps in.

PETER (CONT'D)
How are you?

NICHOLAS
O.K.

PETER
I came by because... I wanted to
talk to you. You have a couple of
minutes?

NICHOLAS
Sure.

NICHOLAS reluctantly goes to the living room. He knows what

his father is going to say to him. PETER closes the door
behind him and joins NICHOLAS in the living room.

NICHOLAS is already on the sofa, biting his nails.

PETER
Your mother told me you haven’t
been going to school... What’s
going on?

NICHOLAS
Nothing.

PETER
Don’t say “nothing”. Explain it to
me.

Pause. NICHOLAS doesn’t answer. PETER sits down opposite him.

PETER (CONT'D)
Listen... I know you’re having a
hard time at the moment... And I
know you’re mad at me... But that’s
not a reason for us not to talk to
each other... Why have you stopped
going to school?

NICHOLAS
Don’t know.

PETER
You don’t know?

NICHOLAS shakes his head.

 THE SON pg.8

PETER (CONT'D)
There must be a reason...

NICHOLAS shrugs.

PETER (CONT'D)
You can’t decide to suddenly stop
going to school. It’s not an
option.

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
Do you hear what I’m saying?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER
Are you having problems?

NICHOLAS sighs.

PETER (CONT'D)
Why are you sighing?

NICHOLAS
No reason.

PETER
There’s got to be a reason. Tell
me...

NICHOLAS
I don’t want to talk about it.

He gets up and heads for his bedroom.

As he does so, PETER’s cellphone rings. He sends the call to

voicemail.

PETER sits on his own for a moment wondering how to deal with
this situation.

Then he sets off for NICHOLAS’s bedroom.

8 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS’S BEDROOM DAY 8

NICHOLAS is sitting on his bed. He looks vulnerable. PETER

appears in the doorway.

PETER
Nicholas, I can’t help you if you
won’t tell me anything.
 THE SON pg.9

PETER has a discreet look round NICHOLAS’s bedroom, which he

hasn’t seen for some time.

PETER (CONT'D)
What were you doing? All those
days... Where did you go?

NICHOLAS
I walked.

PETER
You walked?

NICHOLAS nods.

PETER (CONT'D)
On your own?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER
In the street?

NICHOLAS
Or in the park...

PETER
But, why? Nicholas? You think
that’s acceptable? And with your
SATs coming up, as well!

NICHOLAS still doesn’t say anything.

PETER (CONT'D)
And stop biting your nails! You’ll
make them bleed...

NICHOLAS takes his hand away from his mouth.

PETER (CONT'D)
You realize the school is talking
about expelling you?

NICHOLAS
I wasn’t feeling well. Going for
walks was the only thing that
relaxed me.

PETER
Why weren’t you feeling well?

No answer. PETER comes and sits down next to him on the bed.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicholas, talk to me...
 THE SON pg.10

He makes an affectionate gesture towards NICHOLAS.

PETER (CONT'D)
Your mom’s at the end of her rope,
you know that? She wants to send
you to boarding school. Is that
what you want?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER
So? You have to do something! You
can’t just let things go like
this...

It’s clear that the mention of boarding school has shaken

NICHOLAS. He stands up and moves away from the bed.

NICHOLAS
I can’t deal with any of it.

PETER
What makes you say that? Has
something happened at school?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER
Or outside of school?... We can
talk to one another, you know.

NICHOLAS
It’s not that. It’s...

PETER
Yes?

NICHOLAS
I don’t know how to describe it.

PETER
Tell me in your own words.

NICHOLAS hesitates. He turns toward his dad.

NICHOLAS
It’s life, it’s weighing me down.

PETER seems moved by this confession, made with a disarming

sincerity.

PETER
What is it about life that isn’t
working for you?
 THE SON pg.11

NICHOLAS
I don’t know. I want something to
change, but I don’t know what.
That’s why... I’ve been telling
myself that... maybe...

NICHOLAS is hesitating.

PETER
Tell me.

NICHOLAS
I’d like to live with you.

PETER is caught completely off-guard.

PETER
With me... you mean...

NICHOLAS
I can’t go on here. Because I know
I could get out of this. But not
here. Not on my own. It’s too
difficult...

PETER
Yes, but...

NICHOLAS
Me and Mom, we’re not getting
along. She can’t deal with me
anymore... I know she can’t. And
I’d like to live with my little
brother...

PETER
Yes.

NICHOLAS
If you send me to boarding school,
I’ll go crazy.

PETER
Of course you won’t.

NICHOLAS
Yes, I will, I’m telling you. My
head feels like it’s exploding.

PETER
Hey... Come here.

PETER takes him in his arms. NICHOLAS seems very fragile,

close to tears.
 THE SON pg.12

NICHOLAS
Sometimes I feel as if I am going
crazy, Dad.

Disarming sincerity. PETER hugs him closer.

PETER
What are you talking about?

NICHOLAS
I’m telling you. I don’t know
what’s happening to me.

NICHOLAS weeps, like a small child. PETER is unsettled, but

tries to comfort him.

PETER
Come on... Don’t worry, sweetheart.
We’ll work it out. O.K.? Trust me.

9 INT. TAXI DAY 9

PETER is in a taxi. He’s looking out of the window. He hadn’t

imagined that things were going so badly for his son.

Finally he makes a call on his cellphone. He reaches KATE’s

voicemail.

PETER
Hello, it’s me. I’ve just spoken to
him. I... Call me back when you get
this message.

10 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN NIGHT10

BETH is cleaning out THEO’s bottle. She looks unresponsive

and her back is turned to PETER.

PETER
Why are you taking it like this?

BETH
Taking it like what?

Pause.

PETER
He can stay in the room in back.

BETH
And what about school?
 THE SON pg.13

10

PETER
We’ll figure something out. There
must be a school that would take
him mid-semester. Don’t you think?

BETH
I’m sure.

She goes to the fridge. He follows her.

PETER
You’ve only known him for two years
and I can see that... I mean, I
know you have a negative impression
of him... After everything that
happened...

BETH raises her eyebrows.

PETER (CONT'D)
But he hasn’t always been like
that. When he was younger, he was
so...

He breaks off suddenly. BETH turns back to him.

PETER (CONT'D)
When I went to see him just now...
he had, I don’t know, marks.

BETH
Marks? You mean...

PETER
Little scars all up his arm... As
if he’d been...

He makes a gesture to illustrate the idea of cutting himself.

PETER (CONT'D)
It upset me so much. My little
boy...

BETH makes an affectionate gesture.

BETH
Hey...

PETER
And it’s true, you’re right, I feel
guilty! I can’t pretend I’m not
responsible for the situation. I
left, Beth. I left.

BETH
It... It’s not your fault if he
isn’t well.
 THE SON pg.14

10

PETER shrugs, as if to say “I’m not so sure.”

BETH (CONT'D)
He’s just going through a difficult
time...

PETER
Anyway, I don’t think I have a
choice. I can’t just give up on
him.

BETH
I understand. Don’t worry.

He smiles at her, grateful. He has a tender gesture for her

to thank her.

BETH (CONT'D)
And maybe you should speak to your
doctor. About the scars...

PETER
I know.

11 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS’S BEDROOM DAY 11

BETH is making the bed. She’s trying to arrange things to

make the room a little more welcoming. She is with Theo.

Suddenly, a bird crashes against the window. She gives a cry

of surprise. The baby cries. She consoles him, staring at the
window as if it was a bad omen.

12 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS’S BEDROOM DAY 12

NICHOLAS finishes packing. KATE arrives.

KATE
Are you ready? You...

NICHOLAS
Yes.

KATE
Would you...?

NICHOLAS
No. Thanks.

He leaves the room. His mother follows him towards the front
door.
 THE SON pg.15

13
13 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN/HALLWAY DAY 13

They’re trying to find the right words, but neither of them

seems able to. Overlapping dialogue.

KATE
So, you...

NICHOLAS
Yes.

KATE
And don’t forget, you... I mean you
know you can always...

NICHOLAS
I know. Thanks, Mom.

KATE
Any time you like. Because...

NICHOLAS
But don’t...

KATE
No, I know. I know what you mean,
don’t worry.

Pause.

NICHOLAS
All right.

KATE
Yes.

She embraces him clumsily.

KATE (CONT'D)
And call me.

He leaves.

KATE (CONT'D)
No, wait...

KATE rushes over to the kitchen. NICHOLAS waits for her out
in the hallway. She reappears almost immediately and hands
him a Tupperware box.

KATE (CONT'D)
Here, I almost forgot.

NICHOLAS
What?...
 THE SON pg.16

13

KATE
Banana bread.

NICHOLAS
Thanks, Mom.

KATE waves to him one last time before he disappears.

KATE
Love you.

Then she shuts her front door. She stays where she is,
leaning against the door. That’s it, her son has gone. The
apartment suddenly seems very empty.

14 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BATHROOM - NIGHT 14

It’s late. NICHOLAS turns on the tap. He’s about to brush his
teeth. PETER knocks at the door.

PETER
Hi...I just wanted to check you
have everything you need...

NICHOLAS
I do, thanks.

PETER
You found the towel Beth left out
for you ?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER smiles at him.

PETER
Good. I’ll leave you. I’m heading
to bed.

He comes closer, with an affectionate gesture.

PETER (CONT'D)
I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve
missed spending time with you.

NICHOLAS
How about Beth? Did she really
agree to my moving in?

PETER
Obviously, Nicholas. We’re very
pleased you’re here, both of us.
It’s your home as well, you know.
NICHOLAS smiles.
 THE SON pg.16A

14

PETER (CONT'D)
Come on...you should get to
bed...it’s late.

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER holds out his fist for a fist-bump, which surprises

NICHOLAS. This is an old ritual they haven’t practised for a
couple of years... NICHOLAS grins at PETER and bumps fists
with him.

PETER
Good night...

NICHOLAS
‘Night, Dad.

PETER leaves the room.

NICHOLAS is on his own. He looks at himself in the mirror. He

smiles.

15 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BATHROOM DAY 15

PETER’s taking a cold shower.

16 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, DRESSING ROOM DAY 16

PETER puts his shirt on.

17 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 17

PETER fixes himself a coffee, trying not to make any noise.

It’s very early.

Suddenly, NICHOLAS appears in his doorway.

NICHOLAS
Hi...

PETER
Up already? Your mother said you
never got up before noon...

NICHOLAS shrugs.

PETER (CONT'D)
You want something? A coffee?

NICHOLAS shakes his head.

 THE SON pg.16B

17

PETER (CONT'D)
You don’t have anything in the
morning?

PETER goes over to him, ruffles his hair and passes him into
the living-room to collect the files he’s left on the sofa.
 THE SON pg.17

18
18 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 18

NICHOLAS joins him.

NICHOLAS
Are you leaving?

PETER
Yes. Why?

NICHOLAS
No, it’s just... About this
school... The one you told me
about... Thing is, I don’t know if
I feel right about going there.

PETER turns towards him.

PETER
Sorry?

NICHOLAS
I thought about it all night...
Everyone’s going to wonder why I’m
showing up like this, in the middle
of the year...

PETER
So?

NICHOLAS
I’m going to get a lot of weird
looks...

PETER makes an effort to be positive.

PETER
No you’re not, of course you’re
not... Someone who arrives in the
middle of a year, they’ll be
interested in you... They’ll wonder
who you are, where you came from...

NICHOLAS
Exactly. I don’t want to have to
answer a lot of questions.

PETER
Listen, Nicholas, you’re not the
first person to change schools in
the middle of a year... I
understand it might make you a bit
anxious, but that’s the way things
are. And I spoke to the principal
again yesterday, she’s really happy
to have you.
 THE SON pg.18

18

PETER thinks he’s dealt with the subject. As far as he’s

concerned, there’s nothing to discuss. He puts on this coat.

NICHOLAS
I know, but I was thinking... I was
wondering if it would maybe be
better to start again in September
with less pressure and...

PETER interrupts him.

PETER
You’re going back on Monday,
Nicholas. We’ve already discussed
this. It’s not negotiable.

PETER goes back to the kitchen to finish gathering up what he

needs to take in for work and to drink a last sip of his
coffee.

NICHOLAS looks demoralized. He starts biting his nails again.

PETER notices.

PETER (CONT'D)
What are you so worried about?
It’ll be fine.

NICHOLAS
I don’t know.

PETER
Of course it will! You’re a very
bright kid, Nicholas. With a bit of
work, you’ll have no difficulty
catching up. Trust me.

NICHOLAS seems far from reassured.

PETER (CONT'D)
You’ve been depressed. It can
happen to anyone. But now it’s time
to make a new start. That’s why
you’re going back to school on
Monday. Do you understand?

NICHOLAS doesn’t answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicholas, do you understand?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

Pause.

PETER
Sure you don’t want any breakfast?
 THE SON pg.19

18

NICHOLAS
No. Thanks.

NICHOLAS starts heading back to his room.

PETER
Where are you going?

NICHOLAS
Back to bed.

PETER is disconcerted. But, just before disappearing into his

bedroom, NICHOLAS turns back to him.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Dad?

PETER
Yes?

NICHOLAS
Thanks for everything you’re doing
for me.

19 EXT. NEW YORK STREETS DAY 19

Establishing shot. Buildings in NYC.

20 INT. LAW OFFICE, ELEVATOR DAY 20

PETER is in the elevator, going up to his office. He’s

surrounded by EXECUTIVES. Everyone is glued to his cellphone,
except for PETER, who seems lost in thought.

21 INT. LAW OFFICE, PETER’S OFFICE DAY 21

PETER’s at his desk. He picks up his phone and calls his

doctor.

PETER
Doctor Collins... Hello, it’s Peter
Miller... Sorry to call you on your
cell, but I wanted to talk to you
about my son, Nicholas... I think
he needs to see a therapist... And
I thought you’d know someone
good...

Somebody knocks at his door. PETER turns and sees ANDREW, one
of the Vice Presidents in his company. PETER winds up his
call.
 THE SON pg.20

21

PETER (CONT'D)
So if you could call me back...
Thanks a lot.

He hangs up.

ANDREW
Am I disturbing you?

PETER
No, please, come in...

ANDREW takes his time; he seems to be beating around the

bush.

ANDREW
Tell me... am I right you’re
thinking of going to DC soon?

PETER
News travels fast.

ANDREW
They say he’s going to run in the
Primaries, is that true?

PETER gives him a knowing smile.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
What exactly is he offering you? To
be part of his campaign team?

PETER
He hasn’t said anything specific.

ANDREW tips his chin, as if to say “congratulations, good for

you”. PETER permits himself a dazzling, almost child-like
smile.

ANDREW
Probably take up a lot of your
time.

PETER acknowledges this. It’s clear this is exactly what’s

worrying him.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
If he gets to be President, I’m
sure you’re not going to forget the
people who’ve always believed in
you!

Clearly, ANDREW is referring to himself.

 THE SON pg.21

21

ANDREW (CONT'D)
O.K., I’ll let you do your work.
Will you come and see me when you
know more?

PETER
Of course.

ANDREW’S on the way out, but turns in the doorway.

ANDREW
Everything ok at home?

He’s harking back to the last part of PETER’s phone

conversation, which he’s overheard.

PETER
What? Yes, yes.

ANDREW
That’s good.

22 INT. TRAIN DAY (MUSIC) 22

PETER is on a train. He’s on his way to Washington and he’s

working on a file. Suddenly he lifts his head...

He turns to look out at the passing countryside. The sun on

his face...

23 INT. HIGH SCHOOL, HIGH-SCHOOL CORRIDOR / CLASSROOM DAY 23

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

The PRINCIPAL’s SECRETARY knocks on the door. Clearly,

NICHOLAS is feeling sick with nerves.

They go into the classroom.

SECRETARY
I’m just interrupting you for a
minute to introduce Nicholas, who’s
joining us today. I know you’ll all
give him a warm welcome.

TEACHER
Hello, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS responds with a nod.

TEACHER (CONT'D)
I’m Mr. Yen, I’ll be teaching you
History. Welcome! Find a seat. And
come see me when class is over, so
I can bring you up to date to where
we are right now. O.K.?
 THE SON pg.22

23

SECRETARY
Great. I’ll leave you to it.

NICHOLAS looks for an empty place. He goes to sit down

without daring to look around him. The lesson restarts.

24 INT. KATE’S OFFICE DAY (MUSIC CONTINUES) 24

KATE is working. One of her colleagues, SOPHIA, is with her.

Suddenly her head comes up. She is thinking about Nicholas.
As if she could feel his anxiety.

The CAMERA ALTERNATES between PETER, KATE and NICHOLAS.

25 INT. BRIAN’S OFFICE, WASHINGTON D.C. DAY 25

PETER’s lost in thought. He’s sitting in the waiting area

opposite BRIAN’s office. He has an I.D. badge around his
neck.

A MAN passes him.

MAN
Hey, man! How’s it going?

PETER snaps out of his reverie.

PETER
Fine, and you?

They shake hands.

MAN
Meeting the boss?

PETER
Yes.

MAN
You’re in luck, he’s in a good mood
today. You still in New York?

PETER
Still in New York.

MAN
How’s your dad? I heard he had a
little health problem?

PETER looks surprised.

PETER
Huh? Yes, well, not really,
everything’s fine. Thanks.
 THE SON pg.23

25

MAN
Good. We haven’t seen him for a
long time... Say hi to him from me,
will you?

PETER
Sure.

MAN
See you.

PETER raises a hand and the MAN moves off. PETER seems
troubled by what’s been said. It’s apparent that he’s no
longer really in contact with his father.

The big door leading to BRIAN’s office opens and one of the
Senator’s ASSISTANTS appears.

ASSISTANT
We’re ready for you. This way.

PETER gets up and steps into the office.

The CAMERA stays outside the office and the door, closing
behind PETER, shuts us out of the meeting. We just have time
to hear, off-screen, the Senator’s first remarks:

BRIAN (O.S.)
Ah, Peter! How are you? Good of you
to come and see us... Make yourself
comfortable. Let me introduce you
to...

26 EXT. NEW YORK STREETS DAY 26

NICHOLAS is walking in streets, coming back from school. He

passes in front of an art gallery. His attention is drawn to
a black painting.

27 INT. WASHINGTON STATION DAY 27

PETER is sitting on the concourse at the station, waiting for

his train. He has his cellphone pressed to his ear and is
leaving a voicemail for NICHOLAS.

PETER
Nicholas, hi, it’s me. Just wanted
to know how it went for you
today... Call me back. Love you.

He hangs up and sits for a minute, pensive. He looks quite

cheerful, evidently the meeting with the Senator has gone
well.
 THE SON pg.24

27

Then he checks the contact list on his phone... He stops at

“Dad”. He hovers over the call button for a moment,
eventually changes his mind.

28 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN/CORRIDOR DAY 28

BETH is preparing breakfast and Theo’s bottle at the same

time.

BETH
Nicholas? Are you ready? It’s time
to go. Nicholas?

She goes to NICHOLAS’s door and knocks.

BETH (CONT'D)
I’ve made you coffee... You just
about have time to drink it...
Nicholas? You’re going to be late.

She knocks on the door.

29 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS'S BEDROOM DAY 29

NICHOLAS is sitting on his bed. He’s fully dressed. BETH’s

VOICE can be heard through the door.

BETH (V.O.)
Nicholas, I must have called you at
least ten times... We can’t do this
every morning. Do you hear me?

30 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, CORRIDOR DAY 30

BETH’s still at the door.

BETH
Nicholas!

Suddenly, the door is flung open and NICHOLAS appears,

holding his bag.

BETH (CONT'D)
Why don’t you answer me?

NICHOLAS
I do answer you.

BETH
It’s time. You have to go.

NICHOLAS
I know.
 THE SON pg.25

31
31 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM DAY 31

BETH is in the kitchen, preparing the coffee and Theo’s

bottle - while NICOLAS is gathering his things in the living-
room.

BETH
Theo didn’t wake you up last night?

NICHOLAS
No.

BETH
You’re lucky. Same thing with your
dad, nothing wakes him up. That
expression: “sleeping like a
baby”... It’s a joke. “Sleeping
like a man” would be more like it.

NICHOLAS
Where is he?

BETH
He already left. He had a very
early meeting this morning.

She goes to the living room with the coffee.

BETH (CONT'D)
Here’s your coffee. You have just
enough time to drink it.

She notices that NICHOLAS has his head in his hands.

BETH (CONT'D)
What’s the matter?

He doesn’t answer. BETH goes to him.

BETH (CONT'D)
Nicholas? What’s the matter with
you?

NICHOLAS
Nothing.

BETH
Are you in pain?

He doesn’t answer.

BETH (CONT'D)
Are you unhappy? Why are you
unhappy?

NICHOLAS
I don’t know.
 THE SON pg.26

31

BETH
You don’t know? Does this happen
often, that you start crying like
this for no reason?

She approaches him gently.

BETH (CONT'D)
Mm?

NICHOLAS
I’m not crying.

BETH is confused. She doesn’t know what to do. She puts an

arm round him.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Anyway, I have to go.

He stands and picks up his bag. Before leaving the apartment,

he comes back to her.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Can I ask you a question?

BETH
Sure.

NICHOLAS
When you met my dad... Did you know
he was married?

BETH
I...

NICHOLAS
Did you?

BETH
Yes. But he said right away that...

NICHOLAS
That what?

BETH
Maybe it’s better if you talk to
him about this...

NICHOLAS
You know, when he left, my mom took
it... really hard. She really
suffered. And she never stopped
saying terrible things about him...
And the whole time I still
worshipped him. It was like being
chopped in half.
 THE SON pg.27

31

BETH puts a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

BETH
I understand. It’s not an easy
situation.

NICHOLAS
And it didn’t stop you?

BETH
Sorry?

NICHOLAS
When you met him, the fact you knew
he was married and already had a
son, it didn’t stop you?

She takes her hand away.

BETH
I... what do you want me to say,
Nicholas?

NICHOLAS
Nothing. You’re right. I don’t know
why I’m asking you. It’s stupid.

BETH
No, it’s not stupid. It’s just...

NICHOLAS
Anyway, I have to go. See you
later.

He leaves the room. BETH finds herself alone, disconcerted.

BETH
See you later...

32 EXT. NEW YORK STREET DAY 32

NICHOLAS walks down the road. He’s wearing his headphones.

Music.

He goes down to the subway and disappears.

We hear the message that KATE is leaving on his phone.

KATE (V.O.)
Nicholas, it’s me again...

33 INT. KATE’S OFFICE DAY (MUSIC CONTINUES) 33

KATE’s at her desk. She’s an architect. She is on the phone.

 THE SON pg.28

33

KATE
I just felt like giving you a hug.
Hope everything’s all right with
you... I was hoping we might be
able to get together one day, when
you have some time. Call me back...
Miss You

She hangs up. Then she decides to make another call on her
cellphone.

34 INT. LAW OFFICE, MEETING ROOM DAY (MUSIC CONTINUES) 34

PETER’s in a meeting in the conference room with three of his

colleagues. His phone goes and he checks it, frowns and sends
it to voicemail, with no lapse in his professional attention.

ANDREW
If we can prove to them they should
never have made the first move, it
starts to look possible... it’s all
a matter of the balance of power.

A YOUNG MAN knocks at the door.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
Yes?

The YOUNG MAN comes in. He’s wearing a velvet jacket.

YOUNG MAN
Excuse me. Is this what you were
looking for?

ANDREW
Ah, excellent...

The YOUNG MAN approaches, nodding respectfully to PETER.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
Was it in the archives? Great job!

YOUNG MAN
Anything else you need...

ANDREW
Thanks very much.

The YOUNG MAN nods again as he leaves and steps out of the
room. ANDREW’s reading the file.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
This is going to be very useful...

PETER
Who was that?
 THE SON pg.29

34

ANDREW
Who?

PETER indicates the YOUNG MAN who’s just left the room.

ANDREW (CONT'D)
He’s the new intern. French. Very
smart. Why?

PETER
No reason.

PETER continues to watch him through the glass wall of the

conference room.

35 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, THEO’S ROOM DAY 35

NICHOLAS is alone in his little brother’s bedroom. He is

looking for something. Then, he takes a small teddy bear out
of Theo’s bed, sits on the chair and smells the teddy.

36 INT. LAW OFFICE, CORRIDOR/FOYER/ELEVATOR DAY 36

PETER’s on his way out of the office. He’s listening to his

voicemails, in this case from KATE.

KATE (V.O.)
Peter, hey, it’s me... Sorry to
bother you... But I haven’t heard
at all from Nicholas... I leave him
messages, but he never calls
back... I... well, I need you to
tell me how it’s all going... Could
we talk?

Listening to his message, PETER passes a number of his

COLLEAGUES in the corridor, greeting them distractedly. He’s
slightly put out by KATE’s message.

He’s in front of the elevator now. The YOUNG MAN appears with
an armful of files. PETER smiles at him. They wait for the
elevator, standing next to one another.

PETER
Nice jacket.

YOUNG MAN
Thanks.

The elevator doors open. PETER gestures to him to step in

first. He follows him in. The doors close.
 THE SON pg.30

37
37 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM DAY 37

KATE is looking at herself in the mirror. She’s getting

dressed for a rendez-vous. She’s suddenly dissatisfied with
her blouse. She takes another one from her wardrobe and looks
at herself in the mirror again.

38 INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE DAY 38

NICHOLAS sits facing the THERAPIST and his dog.

THERAPIST
So, everything’s going well at your
new school?

NICHOLAS shrugs apathetically.

NICHOLAS
It’s O.K.

Pause. NICHOLAS realizes the therapist is waiting for more.

THERAPIST
You said you don’t feel very close
to people your age?

NICHOLAS
No.

THERAPIST
Why is that?

NICHOLAS
I just think they’re stupid. All
they care about is having fun and
partying... I’m not interested in
any of that.

THERAPIST
So what are you interested in?

NICHOLAS smiles. Strangely, the therapist looks like his dog.

THERAPIST (CONT'D)
What?

NICHOLAS
Nothing. Anyway, things are better
now.

THERAPIST
You don’t like being this age?

NICHOLAS
I liked it better when I was a kid.
 THE SON pg.31

38

THERAPIST
When you were a kid?

NICHOLAS nods. Brief pause.

THERAPIST (CONT'D)
You mean... When your parents were
still together?

NICHOLAS raises his eyes to look at the THERAPIST, disturbed

by what he’s said. He shrugs, as if to say “no, that’s not
really it”. Even so, he’s still thinking about it.

39 EXT. NEW YORK STREET, RESTAURANT DAY 39

PETER crosses the road and goes into the restaurant.

40 INT. RESTAURANT DAY 40

A WAITER shows PETER the room at the back, empty except for
KATE, who sits at a table. She’s wearing the blouse she
picked out earlier. He joins her.

PETER
Sorry I’m late, I...

KATE
No problem. I know how busy you
are. Especially right now, I hear.

PETER
Yes...

The WAITER approaches the table.

WAITER
What would you like?

PETER looks questioningly at KATE.

KATE
I don’t know. How about you?

PETER
Sparkling water, please.

KATE
I’ll have a martini.

This makes PETER smile.

PETER
In that case, two martinis.
 THE SON pg.32

40

WAITER
Two martinis coming up!

The WAITER leaves.

KATE
So? How’s it going?

PETER
Listen, it’s going well. He’s
started at his new school... He
says he likes it.

KATE
Well, that’s great.

PETER
I mean, I had to lean on him a
little at the beginning... But he’s
feeling better now. I honestly
think he’s on his way.

KATE
And has he been able to tell you
what happened at the last school?

PETER
No. He doesn’t say much.

KATE
I don’t understand where this
sadness comes from...

PETER
He’s a teenager, Kate. Have you
ever seen a teenager radiating
happiness?

KATE
It’s not just that. He’s different
from the others.

PETER
What makes you say that?

KATE doesn’t know. She shrugs.

PETER (CONT'D)
If you ask me, he’s been
disappointed in love...

KATE seems surprised. Strangely, she’d never considered this

possibility.

KATE
It’s possible. He’s so romantic.
 THE SON pg.33

40

PETER
Yes.

KATE
Guess where he gets that from...

Moment of embarrassment.

The WAITER arrives with the drinks. The WAITER puts the
drinks on the table.

WAITER
There we are.

PETER
Thanks.

The WAITER moves off. KATE makes to clink glasses. Then she
drinks.

KATE
And what about...?

Pause.

PETER
Beth?

KATE
Yes. How’s she taking it?

Pause.

KATE (CONT'D)
You can tell me, you know.

PETER
To start with, she was a bit...

KATE
Hostile, I imagine.

PETER
No, not really. Maybe a bit
unsettled. What with the baby...
She’s already pretty tired. And she
hadn’t been expecting to be living
with a teenager right off the
bat...

KATE
I can understand.

PETER
But all in all, it’s going pretty
well.
 THE SON pg.34

40

KATE
He’s not making life difficult for
her?

PETER
No. He’s behaving himself. He’s
making an effort. And he likes
living with his little brother...

KATE
Great.

PETER
Yes. I think that side of things is
going to work.

Suddenly, KATE’s cheerful façade begins to crumble.

PETER (CONT'D)
Kate? What’s the matter?

KATE
Nothing. Sorry.

PETER
I’m sorry if... I didn’t mean to
upset you.

KATE
I know.

She seems almost overwhelmed with sorrow.

KATE (CONT'D)
I feel... I feel like a complete
failure.

PETER
What are you talking about? Kate?
You’re not a failure in any way.

KATE
Sorry. It’s just... I never
imagined he’d leave home. Him too.
And go live with you.

PETER
Me neither, you know? He’s the one
who asked me.

KATE
So the whole problem started with
me!

PETER
Of course it didn’t...
 THE SON pg.35

40

KATE
Yes! If he doesn’t want to live
with me any more! And when I call
him, he doesn’t even pick up.

PETER
You have to give it some time.

She reaches for her handbag and brings out a handkerchief.

KATE
I’m so sorry.

She also takes a photo out of her handbag.

KATE (CONT'D)
A few days ago, I found this photo
of him, look... When we took that
trip to Corsica... Remember?

PETER nods.

KATE (CONT'D)
Every time I look at it, I’m
devastated. We rented that little
sailboat... Remember?

PETER
Yes. Of course.

He takes the photo and studies it carefully.

KATE
That’s the summer you were teaching
him to swim... His face is so
open... Like a little sunbeam.
Actually, I remembered that’s what
I used to call him in those days:
“My little sunbeam”.

PETER
Yes.

KATE
“My little sunbeam”... When you
think about it, at that time, there
was so much joy in our family. I
don’t know what happened...

PETER
Come on...

KATE
I loved him so much, you know.

PETER
I know.
 THE SON pg.36

40

KATE
And you... I loved you so much,
Peter. If you knew how much I loved
you...

She smiles, holding back her tears.

PETER
Come on, don’t be upset. You’re a
wonderful mother. It’s not your
fault if... He’s going through a
rough patch, but soon everything
will be back to normal.

KATE shakes her head, as if she has a presentiment that all

this will end badly.

PETER (CONT'D)
Yes, it will! Believe me, Kate.
Everything will be fine.

She tries to smile at him, but it’s a sad smile, bathed in

tears.

41 EXT. NEW YORK STREET DAY 41

PETER’s walking through the streets to recover from the

assault on his feelings.

He stops in front of the display window of a jewelry store.

42 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT NIGHT 42

PETER opens a bottle of wine and picks out two glasses. He

puts everything on the table in front of the sofa.

Then, conspicuously, he sets a little box down beside the

glasses. He’s pouring wine into the glasses as BETH appears.
She’s just been putting THEO to bed.

PETER
All right?

BETH
Yes. Finally...

PETER
He’s taken his time.

BETH
Yes. I practically fell asleep
myself.

He hands her a glass of wine.

 THE SON pg.37

42

BETH (CONT'D)
Oh, that’s nice...

She sits next to him and kisses him on the cheek.

PETER
Had a good day?

BETH
Nothing special. Went to the
pediatrician. Otherwise, we stayed
home. What about you?

PETER smiles.

BETH (CONT'D)
What is it?

PETER
Me?

BETH
Yes. Why are you looking so...?

PETER
What?

BETH
Smug.

He smiles again. He indicates the little box he’s put in

front of her.

BETH (CONT'D)
What’s that?

She opens the box. It’s earrings.

BETH (CONT'D)
Is this your way of saying sorry?

PETER
It’s to thank you.

BETH
What for?

PETER
You know very well.

BETH
They’re pretty...

PETER
You know, I’m well aware... I mean,
I’m really grateful for how you’ve
handled all this.
 THE SON pg.38

42

BETH
Yes, that’s what I said. It’s your
way of saying sorry.

PETER
What I mean is.. I’m lucky you’re
here.

BETH kisses him.

BETH
Yes, because you’re not here much.
You’re at work all the time.

They’re very close on the sofa. At the same time, NICHOLAS

comes out of his room.

43 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM NIGHT 43

NICHOLAS
Dad? Can I talk to you for a
minute?

PETER starts and withdraws from BETH.

PETER
Yes, of course.

NICHOLAS senses he’s interrupted them.

NICHOLAS
But I’m disturbing you, aren’t I?

He stands up.

PETER
No, no, not at all. Tell me.

NICHOLAS
It’s nothing urgent. I just wanted
to ask your advice. It can wait...
Will you come and see me...
afterwards?

PETER
Right.

NICHOLAS
Great. Thanks.

NICHOLAS goes back to his room.

 THE SON pg.39

44
44 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM NIGHT 44

PETER
Anyway, he looks better, don’t you
think? He told me he got an A today
in math.

BETH
Did he?

PETER
Yes. I’m really pleased. I think
he’s starting to regain his self-
confidence. And he tells me he’s
been invited to a party.

BETH
That’s good.

PETER
Yes. It worries me he’s on his own
all the time...

BETH
Anyway, it went well.

PETER
What?

BETH
The pediatrician, with Theo.

PETER
Oh? What did she say?

BETH
Same as you... that it’s just a
“passing phase”, that soon he’ll be
sleeping through... All right. As
long as the phase is still going
on, I’m going to cook dinner,
before I fall asleep right here on
the couch.

She goes to the kitchen.

45 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN/DINING ROOM NIGHT 45

BETH is taking the plates out. PETER joins her. He seems to

be searching for the best way to broach a difficult subject.

PETER
There’s something else I wanted to
talk to you about... Let me do
that.
 THE SON pg.40

45

He takes the plates. But he’s obviously concentrating on what

it is he wants to say to her...

BETH
What?

PETER
That week we planned to spend on
the Cape...

BETH turns round immediately.

BETH
You want to cancel it?

PETER
No, I don’t want to cancel it. But
I’m thinking... Might not be the
best moment.

BETH says nothing.

PETER (CONT'D)
He’s just started back to school...
And I’m not sure we should be
leaving him here on his own.

BETH
Why don’t we take him with us?

PETER
He skipped school for weeks, I
don’t think I should suggest taking
him away...

She takes the plates from Peter’s hands and goes to the
dinning-room to put them on the dinner-table. PETER follows
her and helps her.

PETER (CONT'D)
I know you’re disappointed. But I
don’t think I have a choice.

BETH
I understand.

PETER
He needs people around him, you
know. It’s a decisive moment and...

BETH
Peter, I said I understand. It’s
not a problem. Let’s cancel our
trip. It’s really not important.

PETER
Are you sure?
 THE SON pg.41

45

BETH
Yes.

She goes back to the kitchen to take the glasses. PETER

follows her. She seems quite closed off from him.

PETER
You’re upset with me...

BETH
No, it’s just I hadn’t imagined
things turning out like this.

She goes back to the dinning-room.

46 INT. LAW OFFICE, PETER’S OFFICE DAY 46

PETER’s sitting at his desk, pensive, then dials a number. He

goes through to voicemail.

PETER
Hello... It’s me. I... We haven’t
spoken for a long time.... I... I
hear you’ve had a... what’s the
expression? A health problem. I was
calling to see how you are. And to
tell you... I’m going to be in
Washington in a couple of weeks...
I thought maybe we could meet...
Let me know. Call me.

He hangs up.

47 INT. CLOTHES SHOP DAY 47

NICHOLAS is wearing a jacket and looking at himself in the

mirror, dubiously, but enthusiastically encouraged by PETER.
The jacket is similar to the one worn by ANDREW’s intern.

PETER
Well?

NICHOLAS
I’m not sure.

PETER
It suits you.

NICHOLAS
It’s nice of you, but...

PETER
What?
 THE SON pg.42

47

NICHOLAS
I’m not sure people my age wear
jackets...

PETER
Are you kidding? Everyone’s wearing
them now.

NICHOLAS
Really?

PETER
Yes! It really suits you. It’s
french.

PETER seems full of conviction. NICHOLAS looks at himself in

the mirror.

48 EXT. NEW YORK STREET DAY 48

They walk down the street, away from the shop. NICHOLAS is
wearing the jacket. PETER looks pleased.

PETER
Look at you ! You ought to wear it
to that party... When is it again?
Saturday, isn’t it?

NICHOLAS
You know, I’m not even sure I’m
going...

PETER
Why not? You have to go! It’s
important to see people...

NICHOLAS seems unconvinced. He shrugs.

NICHOLAS
I don’t even know how to dance.

PETER stops walking.

PETER
Ah, so that’s the problem...

He smiles. NICHOLAS doesn’t understand.

NICHOLAS
What?

49 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT DAY 49

PETER and NICHOLAS step into the apartment.

 THE SON pg.43

49

PETER
We’re home!

BETH appears.

BETH
Sh... Theo’s still asleep...

PETER
Sorry.

BETH
Where’ve you been?

PETER
You have to teach him to dance...

He turns towards NICHOLAS.

PETER (CONT'D)
She’s the best dancer I know!

BETH
Me?

PETER nods.

BETH (CONT'D)
Very funny.

It’s obviously not true.

BETH (CONT'D)
The way you dance, you have the
nerve to criticize me?

NICHOLAS
Why? Isn’t he a good dancer?

BETH
Let’s just say he has his own
style.

PETER sits.

PETER
My unique style.

BETH
Did you know we met at a wedding?

PETER is embarrassed that she’s referred to their meeting in

front of NICHOLAS.

PETER
Beth...
 THE SON pg.44

49

BETH
Everyone was dancing and that was
my first sight of your father... He
was on the floor, doing his famous
hip-sway.

NICHOLAS
His what?

BETH stops dead. She can’t get over it.

BETH
You don’t know his famous hip-sway?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER
Beth... Better you just teach him
to dance. He’s going to a party!

BETH
Watch.

She goes to shut the door to the corridor and takes her
cellphone.

PETER
What are you doing?

She gets some music on the speaker. Maybe “Happy” by Pharrell

Williams.

BETH
Come on, Peter! Aren’t you going to
show us?

PETER
Is this really a good idea?

BETH nods, pretending to be annoyed.

PETER (CONT'D)
I’m afraid to wake Theo!

BETH shakes her head, still feigning annoyance.

NICHOLAS
Come on, Dad!

PETER
All right. At your own risk. You
asked for it!

He gets up and starts dancing to the music. BETH and NICHOLAS

burst out laughing.
 THE SON pg.45

49

BETH
You see why I instantly fell in
love with him...

NICHOLAS
Who wouldn’t...?

PETER
I know, I’m irresistible.

PETER exaggerates his movements to make them laugh more.

BETH
When he starts, everyone else stops
dancing. He can’t help drawing
attention to himself.

NICHOLAS
How do you do it?

PETER
No idea.

NICHOLAS laughs.

PETER (CONT'D)
Come on. I’ll show you. Look...
Like this... See?

PETER demonstrates the basics of the famous “hip-sway”.

NICHOLAS is trying to follow.

NICHOLAS
Like this?

BETH
Oh! No! Not another one?

PETER
That’s it! That’s all you need for
your party!

BETH
Peter, no!

PETER
Yes! You’ll knock ‘em dead! Look at
him move! There, that’s my son!

BETH laughs and decides to come and dance with them. A joyous
moment of dancing. Little by little, PETER and BETH move
closer to one another, leaving NICHOLAS to dance on his own.

Suddenly, NICOLAS breaks off and stops moving. Something has

totally taken over his thoughts. An intense sadness seems to
engulf him. He heads towards his room, leaving the others in
the middle of their dance.
 THE SON pg.46

49

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicolas?

BETH goes to turn off the music.

BETH
What’s the matter with him?

PETER
I don’t know.

BETH
Did we say something?

PETER goes over to NICOLAS’s room.

50 EXT. RIVER BANK DAY 50

PETER runs along the river. He stops, out of breath, at the

end of one of the piers. He looks at the city, the seagulls,
the sun dancing on the water. A moment of tranquillity and
beauty.

Suddenly, his cellphone rings.

PETER
Hello?

51 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, DINNING ROOM DAY 51

BETH’s sitting at the dinning table. She’s holding Theo.

There’s a knife on the table. PETER is facing her.

BETH
It was under his mattress.

PETER sighs deeply.

BETH (CONT'D)
I’m sorry. I thought I’d better
tell you.

PETER
You think he’s still...?

He points at his fore-arm to indicate the cutting.

PETER (CONT'D)
I don’t understand. Why does he do
it? I thought... he seems to be
doing well, doesn’t he?

BETH shrugs.
 THE SON pg.47

51

PETER (CONT'D)
He’s going to school. He’s smiling.
He’s... he’s better!

BETH
Yes.

PETER
So? Why is he doing this?

BETH
The simplest thing would be to talk
to him about it. Don’t you think?
And maybe to his therapist...

He tries to smile in response.

BETH (CONT'D)
Ok.

She stands up.

PETER
Going out?

She goes towards the stroller.

BETH
Yes. Get some of that sun. Aren’t
we, little guy?

She puts Theo in the stroller. She can see how worried PETER
is.

BETH (CONT'D)
Come on, don’t worry. He’s probably
still a bit fragile. But you’re
right, he is better, thanks to
everything you’re doing for him.

PETER
Do you think so?

He wants her to say “yes”.

52 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BATHROOM DAY 52

PETER’s taking a shower, after his run. He’s completely lost

in his thoughts.

53 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM DAY 53

PETER’s finished getting dressed.

 THE SON pg.48

54
54 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 54

PETER is in the kitchen. He is preparing a tea. It’s brewing.

He sees the kitchen knives and decides to hide them.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door.

55 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 55

PETER
Where’ve you been?

NICHOLAS
Why?

He takes in his father’s expression.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Is there a problem?

PETER
Yes.

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
Why have you hidden a knife under
your mattress?

NICHOLAS
What?

PETER
There was a knife under your
mattress. You know about this? What
was it doing there?

NICHOLAS
Nothing.

PETER
What do you mean, “nothing”?

NICHOLAS
It’s just there. In case.

PETER
In case of what? What are you
talking about?

NICHOLAS
I don’t know. If there was a break-
in...
 THE SON pg.49

55

Pause. PETER takes a deep breath. He’s not at all convinced

by NICHOLAS’s explanation.

PETER
Show me your arm.

NICHOLAS
What?

PETER tries to be as firm as possible.

PETER
Show me your arm.

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER moves towards him and grabs hold of his arm. NICHOLAS
tries to stop him.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Leave me alone.

NICHOLAS gets further away, but PETER sees that there are
recent scars.

PETER
Nicholas...

Pause. PETER is clearly destabilized by the vision of the

scars.

PETER (CONT'D)
Why do you do this?

NICHOLAS shrugs.

PETER (CONT'D)
I don’t want you to hurt yourself.
Do you understand me?

NICHOLAS
I don’t hurt myself.

PETER
Look at these scars? That’s what I
call hurting yourself.

NICHOLAS
It’s the opposite.

PETER
What do you mean, the opposite?

NICHOLAS
Nothing.
 THE SON pg.50

55

PETER
No, explain it to me.

No answer. PETER raises his voice.

PETER (CONT'D)
Explain it to me, Nicholas!

NICHOLAS is honestly struggling for an explanation.

NICHOLAS
It... it relieves me.

PETER
Relieves you of what?

Again, NICHOLAS shrugs. But PETER wants an answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
It relieves you of what, Nicholas?

NICHOLAS
When I’m in pain... it’s a way to
channel the pain...

PETER
But what pain? Nicholas! A way to
channel what pain?

NICHOLAS lowers his eyes. Still no answer. PETER tries to

calm down and pull himself together.

PETER (CONT'D)
I don’t want you to do this any
more. I’m forbidding you to do
this. Is that clear?

No answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
Is that clear?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER
There are some things in life you
just don’t do.

NICHOLAS
Was it Beth who found it?

PETER
Doesn’t matter.
 THE SON pg.51

55

NICHOLAS
What’s she doing searching through
my stuff?

PETER
She’s not searching through your
stuff! She was kind enough to make
your bed. Since you never make it
yourself!

NICHOLAS sighs.

PETER (CONT'D)
Well, Nicholas, you took a knife
out of the kitchen to...

NICHOLAS
No. At first, I just wanted to have
something to defend myself.

PETER
Defend yourself? Defend yourself
from what? What are you talking
about? You realize this makes no
sense at all?

NICHOLAS
Well, you have a gun.

PETER
What?

NICHOLAS
In the laundry room, behind the
closet, there’s a gun.

PETER
Huh? Yes, but that’s... That’s
different. It’s... it was a gift.

NICHOLAS
Who gave you a gun?

PETER clearly doesn’t want to go into the details, but he

feels obliged to offer some explanation.

PETER
My father. A long time ago. He
loved hunting... It’s a hunting
rifle. See... It’s not there so I
can “defend myself”...

NICHOLAS
Why did he give you a hunting
rifle?
 THE SON pg.52

55

PETER
To... He must have thought I’d like
it... That it was something we
could do together... That... But,
you know, I never used it. I hate
hunting. And everything that goes
along with it.

NICHOLAS
So why do you keep it?

PETER
Nicholas... This is not what we are
talking about.

PETER attempts to calm down and change his approach.

PETER (CONT'D)
I don’t understand why you are
doing this kind of thing.

NICHOLAS
I know.

PETER
What happened at your last school?
This might be the time to tell me
about it, don’t you think?

No answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
Because something must have
happened... Otherwise...

NICHOLAS doesn’t answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
If you don’t want to talk to me...
I hope you talk to your therapist
about it?

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
This is important, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS seems to say “yes” with his head. PETER approaches

his son. He gently takes his arm and looks at his scars.

PETER (CONT'D)
I’m going to get you some
disinfectant.

NICHOLAS
No, no... It’s just scratches.
 THE SON pg.53

55

PETER makes an affectionate gesture.

PETER
You know, when you hurt yourself...
it’s as if you were doing it to me.

NICHOLAS
And when you hurt Mom... you were
doing it to me.

PETER is caught off-guard and doesn’t know what to say.

NICHOLAS goes, leaving PETER alone with his guilt.

56 INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, WASHINGTON D.C. DAY 56

Several people mill about in a conference room. Suddenly,

BRIAN walks into the room.

BRIAN
Hi, everybody!

Right away, he takes his place at the long table. Everyone

follows suit.

BRIAN (CONT'D)
Sit down. Thanks, everybody, for
being here... We have the pick of
the bunch with us today. Steven...

An aside to an assistant.

BRIAN (CONT'D)
Could you bring me a coffee?

He turns back to the gathering.

BRIAN (CONT'D)
Good. We have a lot to get through,
and as time is limited, we may as
well start with the bottom line:
Any of you planning to sleep during
the next six months?

Smiles all round.

BRIAN (CONT'D)
Nobody? Great. In that case, let’s
get going...

PETER’s listening somewhat distractedly. He seems to be

elsewhere. He’s looking out of the window.
 THE SON pg.54

57
57 EXT. CORSICA DAY (FLASHBACK) 57

PETER’s steering a small boat along the coast of Corsica,

with KATE and YOUNG NICHOLAS, who’s 6. He’s wearing armbands,
as he doesn’t yet know how to swim. As for KATE, she’s
wearing a large sun-hat, which she’s holding on with one hand
so it doesn’t blow away. Feeling of wind, waves and freedom.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Daddy... are there whales around
here?

PETER
Whales?

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER smiles.

PETER
No, I don’t think so.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
And dolphins?

PETER
Dolphins, yes. You see them
sometimes.

YOUNG NICHOLAS cups a hand over his eyes and examines the
horizon. This makes KATE smile. She looks lovingly at PETER.

Suddenly, KATE’s hat blows off and falls into the sea.

KATE
Ah!

YOUNG NICHOLAS shouts:

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Daddy! Daddy!

He points to the floating hat.

PETER
What?

YOUNG NICHOLAS
There! There!

PETER
Have you seen a dolphin?

YOUNG NICHOLAS
No! Look!
 THE SON pg.55

57

KATE
My hat!

PETER laughs at the general air of panic.

KATE (CONT'D)
Why are you laughing? You need to
fish it out! Peter!

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Quick! Daddy! Quick... It’s going
to sink!

58 EXT. CORSICA DAY (FLASHBACK) 58

The boat has tacked around and is slowly gaining on the hat.
PETER’s leaning out, trying to reach it with a pole.

He gives it to NICHOLAS.

KATE
It’s soaked through...

YOUNG NICHOLAS puts it on his head and clownishly imitates

his mother.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Look at me... This is Mom...

This makes PETER laugh. KATE tickles NICHOLAS.

59 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 59

NICHOLAS opens the fridge. He’s looking for something to eat.

He can’t find anything. Basically, he doesn’t know what he
wants. He closes the door of the fridge.

60 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, THEO’S ROOM DAY 60

NICHOLAS passes in front of the open door to THEO’s bedroom.

BETH is stretched out on the floor. THEO is on his playmat.

NICHOLAS stops in the doorway.

BETH
Hey... What are you up to?

NICHOLAS
Nothing. I’m having trouble
working. What about you?

BETH
We’re playing.
 THE SON pg.56

60

NICHOLAS looks at his little brother and smiles. He goes to

sit down beside them. He seems melancholy.

BETH (CONT'D)
Still thinking about that girl?

NICHOLAS is surprised. How does she know? BETH feels the need
to explain.

BETH (CONT'D)
Your dad told me... I mean, he told
me you’d finally explained to him
what happened... At your old
school...

NICHOLAS
What did he tell you?

BETH
Nothing. He just said... I mean,
that you’d had this girlfriend and
that you’d broken up.

NICHOLAS lowers his eyes.

BETH (CONT'D)
Don’t worry. In the end we forget
these things.

He smiles at her, a touch sadly. Then he stretches out

alongside his little brother.

NICHOLAS
You know, I meant to say... I know
you... I mean, you didn’t choose to
live with me... And I... I do, I
appreciate the fact you... That you
weren’t against my moving in here.

BETH
Why should I be against it? You’re
Theo’s brother. So it’s your home
too.

NICHOLAS smiles. Unreadable smile.

61 EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. HOUSE DAY 61

The taxi pulls up in front of a large house in a suburb of

Washington.

PETER looks at the house, which he hasn’t seen for many

years.

He pays and gets out of the taxi.

 THE SON pg.57

62
62 EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. HOUSE DAY 62

PETER rings the bell. He seems on edge. The door is opened by

ANTHONY, 83.

ANTHONY
You’re early.

PETER
Hello, Dad.

ANTHONY
Come in.

PETER does so.

63 INT. WASHINGTON D.C. HOUSE, HALLWAY/OFFICE DAY 63

PETER follows ANTHONY, who’s heading for his den or office.

ANTHONY
Something to drink?

PETER
Why not?

ANTHONY’s already pouring two whiskies. PETER steps into the

office behind him. He’s re-experiencing the very particular
atmosphere of this house, and especially this office. There
are several hunting trophies on the wall, illustrating one of
ANTHONY’s passions. There are also a number of photos of
ANTHONY with various politicians, including George W. Bush.
He’s clearly had an A-list career in Washington.

ANTHONY turns to PETER and hands him a glass.

ANTHONY
So? To what do I owe the honor of
this surprise visit?

PETER
I... No particular reason... I... I
was passing through D.C. I wanted
to see how you were doing.

ANTHONY is looking at him suspiciously. He doesn’t appear to

believe there’s any action without ulterior motives.

ANTHONY
Don’t listen to the rumors about my
health. There’s nothing wrong. Just
a minor complaint. I’ve never been
fitter!

PETER
Well, good.
 THE SON pg.58

63

ANTHONY
Maria’s prepared a little dinner
for us. Cheers... Duck, how does
that sound?

PETER acknowledges this and takes a mouthful of his drink.

Clearly, he has some difficulty knowing how to behave in his
father’s company.

64 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS'S BEDROOM DAY 64

NICHOLAS is bare-chested. He’s looking for a sweat-shirt

among his things. He can’t find it.

65 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LAUNDRY ROOM DAY 65

NICHOLAS looks in the linen-basket to see if he can find his

sweat-shirt.

The washing machine is on.

66 INT. WASHINGTON D.C. HOUSE, DINING ROOM DAY 66

They’re in the middle of dinner. ANTHONY’s in full flow.

PETER listens politely, dispassionate, as if he’s heard all
this a hundred times before.

ANTHONY
No, the problem these days is that
people are scared of everything.
Just look around you! A bunch of
sniveling cowards. Nobody ever
wants to take any kind of a risk.
That’s why the West isn’t going to
last much longer. I’ve been saying
it for years and the facts are
beginning to bear me out. If you’re
looking for energy, courage and
enterprise, I’m sorry to say this,
you have to go to Asia... In the
coming decades, it won’t be
Washington, it’ll be Beijing.

MARIA appears. She’s serving the food. She offers PETER a

second helping.

PETER
No, thank you, Maria. It was
delicious.

MARIA
My pleasure.

She smiles. She moves towards ANTHONY.

 THE SON pg.59

66

ANTHONY
No, thanks.

MARIA leaves the room. ANTHONY pushes his plate away.

ANTHONY (CONT'D)
So, what about you? Tell me... I
thought you hated DC. What are you
doing in this neck of the woods?

PETER
I had a meeting with Brian Hammer.

ANTHONY
Oh?

It seems the referencing of the Senator has some positive

effect on ANTHONY. PETER senses this. He derives a strange
kind of pride from his desire to impress him.

PETER
He’s going to stand in the
Primaries.

ANTHONY
Yes, I know.

PETER
And he wants me to help him with
his campaign.

ANTHONY
He’s offered to take you on his
team?

PETER
Yes.

ANTHONY inclines his head to convey “well done, bravo”. All

the same he seems dubious, knowing his son has always felt
ambivalent about politics. Above all, this Senator is not in
ANTHONY’s party.

PETER (CONT'D)
But I haven’t decided if I’m going
to accept.

ANTHONY
Why not?

PETER
The problem is, it’ll take too much
of my time...

ANTHONY
So?
 THE SON pg.60

66

PETER
So it’s complicated.

ANTHONY
What’s complicated about it?

PETER
It’s not a very good time. Nicholas
is going through a difficult
spell... He’s seventeen. He’s come
to live with me and... He’s
improving, but I think he’s still
fragile. I wouldn’t want to be away
just when...

ANTHONY has started to laugh quietly, which stops PETER short

in mid-explanation.

PETER (CONT'D)
What?

ANTHONY
Is this why you came to see me? To
tell me what a good dad you are?

PETER
No, I...

ANTHONY
Obviously, it is! You came to show
me irrefutable proof of your moral
superiority. It’s true, isn’t it?
You came to demonstrate to me that
you, you can give up your ambitions
to look after your son. As opposed
to me, is that it?

PETER
Not at all, you...

ANTHONY
Are you still at it? Really?
Blaming me for what happened more
than forty years ago. Trying to
show me what a model dad you are?
What do you want? Applause?

PETER
It’s funny you should say that
because... The other day... I was
thinking again about... The time...
When I was Nicholas’s age... That’s
right...

ANTHONY
See.
 THE SON pg.61

66

PETER
Mom was ill. I went to see her in
the hospital every day after school
and sat with her... You never
showed up. You were traveling all
the time.

ANTHONY
I was working.

PETER
But the week before... Before she
died, I ran into Tom... He told me
he’d had dinner with you the night
before... I didn’t even know you
were in town. You didn’t think it
was worth telling us or coming to
see her...

ANTHONY
Listen, if it suits you, I can
easily take on the role of monster.
And bow before your perfection.
Yes, you suffered so much! Yes,
your daddy wasn’t nice to you! Or
to your momma! Fine. So what? Don’t
you think it’s time you started
growing up? Because, believe me,
it’s pathetic watching a man of
fifty chained to the teenager he
once was! If you want my advice,
get over it! Get over it, for God’s
sake!

67 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM NIGHT 67

PETER opens his eyes. It’s the middle of the night. THEO is
crying. It takes PETER a few seconds to remember where he is.
He turns to BETH.

BETH
It’s ok, I’ll go...

She gets up and goes to give THEO his bottle.

PETER stays in bed but doesn’t close his eyes.

68 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM DAY 68

Saturday evening. BETH is getting ready to go out. They’re

having dinner with friends this evening. PETER seems remote.

BETH
All right?
 THE SON pg.62

68

PETER nods.

BETH (CONT'D)
Is it a drag going out?

PETER
No. On the contrary.

He smiles at her and steps into the living-room.

69 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 69

NICHOLAS is watching a cartoon on the T.V. It’s a cartoon he

knows from childhood. He seems to be enjoying watching it
again. He laughs as he eats a bowl of cereal.

PETER watches him for a moment, strangely moved by him. He

comes to sit down beside him.

PETER
You eating cereal?

NICHOLAS
Yes.

PETER
Wouldn’t you like to do something
more exciting...? I don’t know,
it’s Saturday night.

NICHOLAS
So?

PETER
Wouldn’t you like to see a movie?
Or meet your friends?

NICHOLAS
I don’t have any friends.

PETER
Why say that?

NICHOLAS
Because it’s the truth.

PETER sits.

PETER
You used to have... Michael. You
used to see him a lot... And what
about that party you told me about?

NICHOLAS
All right. Dad.
 THE SON pg.63

69

PETER
What?

NICHOLAS
Can you stop now?

Pause. PETER watches the cartoon for a while. NICHOLAS

laughs, which makes PETER smile.

PETER takes some cereal from the bowl, throws it in the air
and catches it in his mouth. They laugh.

70 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 70

BETH appears while they are laughing. She looks in the room
for her earrings.

BETH
You haven’t seen my earrings, have
you? I had them in my hand just
now... And they’ve disappeared...

PETER
Have you looked in the bathroom?

BETH
I’ve looked everywhere. I don’t
understand it. I’m losing it.

PETER’s cellphone rings.

PETER
Ah, just a minute... Hello? Yes...
Yes?

He moves away, out of the room.

BETH
You haven’t seen them?

NICHOLAS
What?

BETH
My mother-of-pearl earrings. The
ones your father gave me... They
were here somewhere a minute ago...

She sounds almost suspicious.

NICHOLAS
No.

NICHOLAS turns off the T.V. and gets up, as if he were trying
to avoid the conversation.
 THE SON pg.64

70

BETH
I keep losing things.

NICHOLAS is watching her from a distance.

NICHOLAS
You changed your dress? That one
looks good on you.

BETH
Well, thank you, that’s sweet of
you.

NICHOLAS
No, it’s true. You look beautiful.
Where are you going?

BETH puts her hair up, looking at herself in the mirror.

BETH
Nowhere special. Dinner with some
friends. Frank, do you know him?

NICHOLAS
No.

BETH
I say “nowhere special”, but in
fact it is pretty special. It’s
practically the first time we’ve
gone out since Theo was born... A
word of advice, if you want to go
on having a life, don’t have a kid!

NICHOLAS looks at her uncomprehendingly.

BETH (CONT'D)
I’m joking.

71 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN DAY 71

PETER is back in the living-room.

PETER
All right. Bad news... Sarah’s
stood us up.

BETH
What?

PETER
She just called.

BETH
What, just now? At the last minute?
 THE SON pg.65

71

PETER
She has a fever... I’m sorry.

NICHOLAS
Who’s Sarah?

PETER
The sitter.

BETH
Should I call Jenny?

PETER
I already did. She’s not free.

BETH
Great. The one time we were able to
go out...

PETER
What should I do? Call Frank?
Cancel?

NICHOLAS
You want me to look after him?

PETER
You... You think you could handle
it?

NICHOLAS
Yes. If it would help...

PETER turns to BETH.

PETER
What do you...?

BETH
No. It’s kind of you, but...

PETER
Why not?

BETH
It’s really sweet of you, but I
think it’s better if...

PETER
Are you sure? Because...

BETH
Yes, I’m sure. Call Frank. We’d
better cancel.

NICHOLAS
Ok, whatever.
 THE SON pg.66

71

NICHOLAS leaves, somewhat disappointed. PETER looks daggers

at BETH.

BETH
What?

PETER indicates “nothing”.

BETH (CONT'D)
Why are you looking at me like
that?

PETER
Why do you think? He made a kind
suggestion... I don’t know why you
refused...

BETH
You don’t?

PETER
No. He’s his little brother. He can
look after him.

BETH
I’m just not sure. He’s only a baby
and...

PETER
And what? You always see things in
such a dark light.

BETH
Better to see things in a dark
light than not to see them at all!

PETER
What do you mean?

BETH
Nothing.

She goes toward the kitchen. He follows her.

PETER
Yes, tell me... What am I not
seeing?

BETH
Forget it.

PETER
You really believe Nicholas is not
capable of looking after his little
brother when he’s asleep?
 THE SON pg.67

71

BETH
He’s... You know very well. He’s
been depressed. He’s still
unstable. He’s even... I’m sorry if
this shocks you... But I’m not
trusting my son to...

PETER
To...?

At this moment, NICHOLAS appears in the doorway. He’s holding

the earrings in his hand. But PETER and BETH aren’t aware of
his presence.

PETER (CONT'D)
Go on, say it! You’re not trusting
your son to...

BETH
Stop it!

PETER
Say it.

BETH
He’s weird. Don’t say he isn’t. In
fact, he’s really weird. The look
in his eyes, it’s worrying
sometimes... He... I mean, let’s
face it, why can’t you see what’s
there in front of you, he’s not
right in the head!

Suddenly, BETH becomes aware of NICHOLAS. PETER, seeing

BETH’s aghast expression, turns and also sees NICHOLAS, who
has clearly heard the whole conversation.

PETER
Nicholas... You... What are you...?

NICHOLAS doesn’t move.

PETER (CONT'D)
We didn’t mean... We were just
disappointed we couldn’t go out
tonight... It’s nothing to do with
you...

NICHOLAS puts the earrings down on the table.

NICHOLAS
They were out in the hallway.

Then he heads for his room.

PETER
Nicholas...
 THE SON pg.68

71

PETER aims a black look at BETH. Then he goes to find

NICHOLAS. We stay with BETH.

72 EXT. NEW YORK STREET DAY 72

NICHOLAS walks. He looks tense. Music.

73 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT DAY 73

KATE is coming back from work. She takes off her coat and
goes toward her bedroom.

Suddenly, NICHOLAS appears in the doorway of his room. Oddly,

KATE starts.

KATE
Nicholas? What are you doing here?
I mean... You... Are you all right?

74 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN/DINING ROOM DAY 74

NICHOLAS is sitting at the dinner table. KATE comes from the

kitchen with a glass of milk, which NICHOLAS doesn’t touch.

KATE
Your dad told me you were happy at
your new school. Aren’t you?

NICHOLAS nods, but not very enthusiastically.

KATE (CONT'D)
Huh? And he told me everything was
going ok for you at his place...

NICHOLAS
I hoped...

He can’t finish his sentence.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
But in the end, there’s no room for
me. They find me disturbing more
than anything else. And he puts so
much pressure on me.

KATE
Your dad?

NICHOLAS
He doesn’t realize it, but he never
stops talking to me about my school
work. As if that’s all there was to
life...
 THE SON pg.69

74

KATE
It’s normal. He worries about you.

NICHOLAS
No, he doesn’t give a shit about
me! I mean, about who I really am.
He just wants me to succeed like
him. The way he has. But I have no
desire to be a law student or to
become a lawyer. It doesn’t
interest me.

KATE
You used to dream about being a
writer. Are you still writing?

NICHOLAS shrugs.

KATE (CONT'D)
You remind me of my brother. Both
of you are artists.

NICHOLAS
I never said that. Anyway, he went
into insurance. So thanks for the
comparison!

KATE
I always thought he could have done
great things. If he’d persevered...
And so could you.

NICHOLAS
Anyway, I’m not feeling good over
there. I’d rather come back and
live here...

KATE tries very hard to conceal her pleasure.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I don’t think I’ll ever be up to
standard.

KATE
What are you talking about? Your
father wants the best for you,
Nicholas. He loves you. He believes
in you. It’s just you’re very
different... And I suspect that at
the moment he’s also under a lot of
pressure. All this business with
the Primaries, don’t you think?

NICHOLAS shrugs.
 THE SON pg.70

74

KATE (CONT'D)
It’s important to him, you know.
He’s been dreaming about doing this
for years...

NICHOLAS moves away.

NICHOLAS
It’s not just that...

NICHOLAS hesitates to confide in her further. KATE pushes him

to do so.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I’m not well, Mom.

KATE
Your dad told me you’d broken up
with a girl.

NICHOLAS
Yes, I know, that’s what I told
him. He didn’t understand what was
wrong. He needed a rational
explanation. You know what he’s
like... So I told him what he
wanted to hear. But I never even
went out with that girl... It’s
just...

His mother looks at him questioningly.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
It’s just that I’m not made like
other people. Sometimes I feel I’m
not made for this life. I can’t
deal with any of it. Even so, I
try, every day, with all my
strength, but I can’t deal with it.
I’m in pain, all the time. And I’m
tired. I’m tired of being in pain.

NICHOLAS weeps.

KATE
Nicholas...

She takes him in her arms.

NICHOLAS
I want it to end, Mom.

KATE is extremely upset.

KATE
Don’t say that, my love. You have
so much ahead of you.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.71

74
KATE (CONT'D)
You have your whole life... So
don’t say that, my little sunbeam.
Don’t say that to your mom.

She caresses him, maternally. He closes his eyes.

75 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 75

KATE’s in her kitchen, a glass of wine in front of her. She

decides to call PETER. She goes through to voicemail.

KATE
Peter, it’s me... I just spoke to
Nicholas. He came by and... Could
you call me back?

She hangs up. She drinks a mouthful of wine.

76 EXT. PARK BENCH DAY 76

BETH’s sitting on a bench. It’s sunny. She’s talking to her

friend JULIA.

JULIA
I know it isn’t easy, day after
day. But you’ll see, as soon as you
get back to work, it’ll get easier.

BETH
I hope so.

JULIA
Yes, it will. I remember, it was
the exact same with Josh... And
then, gradually...

Suddenly, BETH sees a figure in the distance who looks like

NICHOLAS.

JULIA (CONT'D)
What? Who’s that?

BETH
Nobody.

The distant figure disappears behind a tree. BETH’s on her

feet. She could have sworn it was NICHOLAS.

77 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT DAY 77

NICHOLAS opens the front door. PETER’s in the living-room, on

the phone. NICHOLAS nods to him and heads for his room.
 THE SON pg.72

77

PETER
O.K., I’ll call you back. I’ll call
you later.

He hangs up.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicholas!

NICHOLAS
Yes?

PETER
Could you come here for a couple of
minutes? I’d like to talk to you.

NICHOLAS
What is it?

PETER
Sit down.

NICHOLAS rolls his eyes. He sits down. Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
We need to talk.

NICHOLAS
What about?

PETER
About your school.

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
What’s going on?

NICHOLAS
Nothing special. Why?

PETER
Nothing special?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER is trying to restrain himself.

PETER
Today you had your practice test,
right?

NICHOLAS
Yes.
 THE SON pg.73

77

PETER
How did it go?

NICHOLAS
Well, I think.

PETER
Good.

PETER stares at NICHOLAS to see if he’ll lower his guard, but

NICHOLAS seems completely sincere. This astonishes PETER.

PETER (CONT'D)
Only, you see, this afternoon, Beth
went to the park. And she saw you.
I don’t know what you were doing,
but in any case you weren’t at
school... So I’m going to ask you
one last time and this time I want
an answer... What’s going on?

NICHOLAS lowers his eyes.

PETER (CONT'D)
You’ve started to skip classes
again, is that it?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER
Then why weren’t you in school
today?

NICHOLAS
Why did she tell you that?

PETER
That’s not the problem.

NICHOLAS
Yes, it is the problem! She wants
to turn us against one another.

PETER
No, the problem is you’re lying to
me, Nicholas!

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
Why weren’t you at school today?
I’m listening.

NICHOLAS
I didn’t feel good. I... I couldn’t
bring myself to go.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.74

77
NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I’m under too much pressure because
of this test and I... I’m sorry.

PETER
You’re sorry?

PETER cannot believe Nicholas has the nerve to lie to his

face. He goes to sit down. He seems crushed by the situation.
Pause. He tries to stay calm.

PETER (CONT'D)
I called the school. I called them.
And you know what they told me?
They told me you’d never been back
there.

NICHOLAS doesn’t dare look his father in the eye.

PETER (CONT'D)
They told me you were there on the
first day, last month, and
afterwards you never came back.
Never. Not once! It seems they got
an email from me, saying we’d
decided to send you back to your
old school.

NICHOLAS says nothing.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nothing to say?

Pause.

PETER (CONT'D)
So you’ve become a world-class
hacker, am I right?

PETER gets up.

PETER (CONT'D)
When I think you had the balls to
tell me you were getting As and
being invited to parties and... The
whole time, you were lying to me!

PETER starts pacing up and down.

PETER (CONT'D)
What have you been doing all these
days? Going for walks? Is that it?
You...

PETER seems more and more at a loss.

 THE SON pg.75

77

PETER (CONT'D)
We give you a chance to climb back
up and what do you do? You do the
exact same thing. You lie to
everybody. You...

He can’t think of what else to say.

PETER (CONT'D)
Explain it to me! What’s going on?
Are you on drugs?

NICHOLAS smiles.

PETER (CONT'D)
Then explain it to me! I don’t know
what else to do with you, I’m
telling you straight, I just don’t
know. I’ve tried to listen to you,
to be there for you, to give you
strength and confidence, but
obviously none of that’s any use!

Pause. But PETER now can’t stop himself. NICHOLAS bites his
nails.

PETER (CONT'D)
You think you can live your life
like that? Just doing whatever the
hell you feel like? Getting out of
school, never taking any
responsibility, refusing to grow
up! What do you want?

At this point, NICHOLAS raises his eyes and, from now on,
stares fixedly and as if defiantly at PETER.

PETER (CONT'D)
What are you going to do with your
life? If you’re not doing anything?
Tell me, what’s going to become of
you?

No answer.

PETER (CONT'D)
Naturally, you have no answer.

PETER notices NICHOLAS’s fixed stare.

PETER (CONT'D)
And stop staring at me like that.
What’s the idea? Are you trying to
intimidate me? That’s not going to
work, I can tell you right away.
Not with me.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.76

77
PETER (CONT'D)
All right, I’m going to explain to
you how it’s going to be. Starting
tomorrow, whether you like it or
not, you’re going back to school.
Is that clear?

NICHOLAS
No.

PETER
Sorry?

NICHOLAS gets up.

NICHOLAS
I’m saying no, I will not go back
to school.

NICHOLAS tries to go back to his room, but PETER blocks his

way.

PETER
When I was your age, my mother was
sick, I wasn’t seeing my father any
more, I had money problems, but I
fought on! I fought on, and believe
me, most days it was no joke ! And
what’s happened to you? What is
there in your life that’s so
dramatic you’re not able to go to
school like everybody else? Answer
me!

NICHOLAS
I can’t deal with it.

PETER
I don’t even understand what that
means. You can’t deal with what?

NICHOLAS
Living! I can’t deal with living.
And it’s your fault!

PETER
Sorry?

NICHOLAS
If I’m like this, it’s your fault!

PETER
What have I done? What’s my fault?
 THE SON pg.77

77

NICHOLAS
You disgust me.

PETER
What did you say?

NICHOLAS
You make all these big speeches
about life and work, then you
abandon us as if we were pieces of
shit!

PETER
What?

NICHOLAS
You think you always do the right
thing, but right from the beginning
you’ve basically just been an
asshole.

PETER
Take back what you just said.
Nicholas, do you hear me? Take back
what you just said, now!

NICHOLAS
Asshole!

PETER
Me, an asshole? Me?

NICHOLAS tries to leave, but PETER is holding him back.

PETER (CONT'D)
Haven’t I always done everything
for you? I stayed with your mom all
those years for your sake... So why
are you saying this? Why?

NICHOLAS tries to struggle free, but PETER holds on to him.

NICHOLAS
Let me go.

PETER
Tell me why? Is it because I fell
in love with another woman? Is that
my crime?

PETER’s in tears, and he shakes his son more and more

violently. He’s desperate.

NICHOLAS
Stop it...
 THE SON pg.78

77

PETER
How is it any of your business? I
have the right to reinvent my life!
Fuck. It’s my life! You hear me?
It’s my life!

NICHOLAS falls on the floor. He is terrified. Like a 6-year-

old.

PETER is wracked with the emotions he’s just expressed and

the violence which has swept over him. Pause.

PETER reaches for NICHOLAS’s shoulder, as if to pacify him.

PETER (CONT'D)
I’m sorry, Nicholas. I... I don’t
know what just happened.

He wants to help him get up, but NICHOLAS snatches his hand
violently away and heads for the front door.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicholas?

NICHOLAS doesn’t turn back.

PETER (CONT'D)
Nicholas, please...

NICHOLAS leaves.

78 EXT. NEW YORK STREET DAY 78

Several SHOTS of the city. It’s raining. The sun has

disappeared.

79 INT. KATE’S OFFICE DAY 79

KATE’s in her office talking to two of her colleagues, MARY

and SOPHIA.

MARY
So when did you last speak to her?

SOPHIA
Last week! And this morning she
tells me she’s going back to live
in L.A....

KATE’s cellphone rings. She answers, moving away a little as

MARY and SOPHIA continue their conversation.

KATE
Hello? Yes...
 THE SON pg.79

79

MARY
Doesn’t surprise me about her.
She’s not at all an East Coast type
of person.

KATE
What?

Her colleagues turn towards her.

KATE (CONT'D)
Where?

She takes a bit of paper from her desk and nervously

scribbles something down.

KATE (CONT'D)
I’m on my way.

She leaves the office in a panic, without even looking at her

colleagues.

80 INT. KATE’S OFFICE, ELEVATOR DAY 80

She presses anxiously on the elevator button.

KATE
Come on...

Finally the doors open and KATE throws herself into the
elevator.

She closes her eyes and her lips move in what looks like a
silent prayer...

81 INT. HOSPITAL, RECEPTION CORRIDOR DAY 81

KATE walks down a corridor. She heads for reception at full

speed.

82 INT. HOSPITAL, WAITING ROOM CORRIDOR DAY 82

KATE walks down a corridor, trying to orient herself in the

hospital.

83 INT. HOSPITAL, WAITING ROOM DAY 83

KATE arrives in front of a small waiting room. PETER’s

sitting in there. He gets up when he sees her.

PETER
Kate!
 THE SON pg.80

83

She rushes towards him.

KATE
Where is he?

PETER
They’re with him. Don’t worry.

KATE
How is he? Have they told you
anything?

PETER
They found him in time.
Everything’s going to be all right.

KATE
My God... what happened?

PETER
The doctor’s coming to see us.
They’ll explain. Don’t worry.

KATE
My little boy...

PETER
Come on...

KATE
But what happened? What did he do
it with?

PETER
A razor.

KATE
It’s my fault. He told me.... He
came to see me. And he... He told
me he was not feeling good. But I
didn’t think he would... I
thought...

PETER
Kate, please. Calm down.
Everything’s fine.

KATE
No, everything is not fine! How can
you say that? And why doesn’t he
have an electric razor?

PETER tries to take her in his arms to calm her down.

PETER
Come on... Calm down. It’s no use
getting so upset... Please, Kate.
 THE SON pg.81

83

She makes an effort to calm down. They sit down. A little way
off, an elderly woman is watching them, interested and
curious.

KATE
How long do we have to wait? How
long have you been here?

PETER
Half an hour. They told me they’d
be out to see us soon.

KATE
But what happened?

PETER has trouble answering.

PETER
I wasn’t there. I was working. It
was Beth who found him. In the
bathroom. He’d just...

PETER is having trouble containing his emotion.

PETER (CONT'D)
We were lucky. The ambulance
arrived very quickly.

He buries his face in his hands, racked with guilt.

PETER (CONT'D)
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I wanted
so much to help him... And then in
the end...

Suddenly, the EMERGENCY ROOM PSYCHIATRIST appears. KATE gets

up as soon as she sees her.

PETER (CONT'D)
Ah, doctor...

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Good afternoon. I’m Dr. Leiner. I’m
looking after your son.

She shakes KATE’s hand.

KATE
Where’s Nicholas?

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Don’t worry. He’s resting. He’s no
longer in danger, I assure you.

KATE
Can we see him?
 THE SON pg.82

83

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Some of our medical team are still
meeting with him. So let’s give
them a little space for a moment...
In the meantime, I’d like to
discuss the situation with you.

She motions to invite them into her office.

84 INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE DAY 84

KATE and PETER step into the office.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Please sit down...

KATE
What’s happening?

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Your son was treated very quickly.
And the cut wasn’t too deep. It
should heal well.

KATE
You’re absolutely sure of that?

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Yes. Trust me.

KATE
Thank God...

KATE sits down.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
But we need to make some
decisions... I’ve talked to him a
little.

KATE
What did he say?

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
He seems frustrated to have woken
up here. Which is very common in
this sort of case...

PETER
Has he said anything? About what
caused him to...

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
You know, we’re very used to these
situations.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.83

84
E.R. PSYCHIATRIST (CONT'D)
And I think it could be important
for Nicholas to spend some time
under observation.

KATE
Under observation?

PETER
You mean...

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
I just checked and there is a
vacancy in our facility.

KATE
What ? I mean... You just told us
he wasn’t in danger.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
What we want is for him to acquire
an awareness of what he’s done. His
tendency at the moment is to
minimize it somewhat, which seems
to me dangerous. We wouldn’t want
him to try it again.

PETER
But how long would he need to stay?

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
What’s important is for us to be
able to monitor and treat him. Then
there’ll be regular meetings with
the In-Patient Psychiatrist and
Nicholas, so we can all assess his
progress...

KATE
This is a nightmare.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Don’t worry, he won’t be on his
own. We have a whole department
that specializes in treating young
people and adolescents.... So
there’ll be a medical team as well
as the other patients. There are
all kinds of activities for them to
be involved in and Nicholas will be
under very close supervision.

KATE
I’d like to see him, doctor.

A MALE NURSE knocks and puts his head round the door.
 THE SON pg.84

84

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST
Please excuse me for a minute.

She moves away, exchanging a few words with the NURSE in the
corridor. PETER and KATE remain silent, absorbing the shock.
PETER takes KATE’s hand.

The PSYCHIATRIST comes back to them.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST (CONT'D)

I’m sorry, I’m needed upstairs. A
social worker will be in to help
you with the paperwork for Nicholas
to be admitted. They can answer any
further questions at this stage.
All right?

PETER and KATE don’t know how to respond.

E.R. PSYCHIATRIST (CONT'D)

Please don’t worry, finally he’s in
very good hands.

85 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT DAY 85

BETH is waiting for PETER to come back

The door opens. PETER appears, but remains on the threshold

They exchange a pregnant look. She’s aware of PETER’s

suffering.

86 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM NIGHT 86

The middle of the night. BETH is asleep. PETER is sitting on

the edge of the bed. He can’t sleep.

87 EXT. CORSICA DAY (FLASHBACK) 87

PETER and YOUNG NICHOLAS are crouching on the beach,

gathering pebbles.

YOUNG NICHOLAS points out a black pebble, stained with little

yellow marks.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
What about that one?

PETER studies it carefully.

PETER
That’s a “constellation”. It’s like
you can see stars in it.
 THE SON pg.85

87

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Is it rare?

PETER
Pretty rare.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
And that one?

YOUNG NICHOLAS points out another pebble. PETER looks at it

carefully.

PETER
That one? That’s a “Saturn”. See,
it has like rings round it...

Suddenly, KATE’s voice is heard in the distance.

KATE
Peter!

PETER sees her. She’s wearing her big hat. She’s aboard the
sailboat, anchored a few meters out from the beach. She’s
waiting for them and waves to them.

PETER
Ah, I think Mom’s getting
impatient... Shall we go back?

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Wait, Daddy.

YOUNG NICHOLAS hands him one of his armbands, which has

deflated, for him to blow up. PETER breathes into it...

PETER
Ah... It’s split...

YOUNG NICHOLAS
What are we going to do?

PETER
We’ll have to swim...

YOUNG NICHOLAS
I can’t! I’m only six and a half!

This makes PETER smile.

PETER
You’re right. Just exactly the
right time to learn. Come on...

PETER starts walking towards the sea. Then he turns back.

YOUNG NICHOLAS hasn’t moved an inch. He’d like to, but he’s
scared. PETER softens and reaches out a hand.
 THE SON pg.86

87

PETER (CONT'D)
Come on, shrimp...

88 INT. LAW OFFICE, PETER’S OFFICE DAY 88

PETER’s sitting in his office. He’s pensive, not focusing on

his work.

VOICE
So what have you decided?

PETER realizes JESSICA is standing in front of him with his

schedule for the week.

PETER
Mm?

JESSICA
Should I move them to Monday
morning? Depends what time you’re
expecting to leave for DC...

PETER
Next Monday? No, I can’t. I... I’m
going to have to... I mean, I’m
going to have to stay in New York.

JESSICA
O.K. So I’ll cancel Washington?
Should I let them know.

PETER
I’d like you to. Thanks.

JESSICA finds this decision surprising. She knows it’s an

important meeting. But she knows not to insist and smiles
kindly at him.

89 INT. KATE’S APARTMENT, NICHOLAS’S BEDROOM DAY 89

KATE is sitting on NICHOLAS’s bed. She’s holding her

cellphone. Eventually, she decides to call PETER.

In the following conversation, the CAMERA ALTERNATES between

PETER and KATE.

90 INT. PETER’S OFFICE/KATE’S APARTMENT DAY 90

PETER’s working. He answers the phone.

KATE
Hey... It’s me. Can we talk?
 THE SON pg.87

90

PETER
Sure. Everything alright?

KATE
I’ve just had a call from Dr
Harris, and... I wanted to discuss
it with you.

PETER
Is there a problem?

KATE
He thinks it might be better if we
didn’t go and see Nicholas for a
few days.

PETER
What?

He stands.

KATE
I know. But it seems Nicholas is
having some trouble accepting the
treatment. They’ve had long
discussions with him to try to
understand why he... Seems he’s
talking a lot about the divorce,
about your new life, about the
tension between us... And he
thinks, Dr Harris thinks, it might
help them if we left them in peace
for a few days...

Pause. PETER turns towards the big bay window and

contemplates the cityscape.

KATE (CONT'D)
Are you there?

PETER
Yes.

KATE
He says it would help give everyone
a bit of perspective... take some
pressure off...

PETER
He can’t stop us seeing Nicholas!

KATE
He’s asking, not demanding. There’s
still our meeting on Monday, to
take stock, but in the meantime,
he’d like us to...
 THE SON pg.88

90

Pause.

KATE (CONT'D)
I know it’s difficult. For me, as
well, you know... But maybe we
ought to trust them... Don’t you
think?

Pause.

KATE (CONT'D)
Peter?

Pause.

KATE (CONT'D)
Peter?

PETER stares into the void, dazed and crushed by guilt and
grief.

91 INT. LAW OFFICE, PETER’S OFFICE, ELEVATOR DAY 91

PETER in the elevator. Doors are closing on him.

92 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, BEDROOM DAY 92

It is morning. BETH is packing. She’s holding THEO. She looks

sad.

93 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 93

CLOSE-UP of PETER. He’s lost in thought. He doesn’t look as

if he’s slept much. BETH appears. There’s a palpable tension
between them.

PETER
Ready?

BETH
Yes.

PETER
What time’s the plane?

BETH
I’ve called a cab. It’ll be here in
five minutes.

PETER
I’ll help you down with the
suitcase.
 THE SON pg.89

93

BETH
No, no. It’s O.K.

She crosses the room giving him a black look and goes to
collect the stroller. She puts THEO in it.

PETER
Listen, I’m sorry about last
night... I guess I had a bit too
much to drink...

BETH
I don’t understand why we have to
fight like that...

PETER
I know. It’s my fault. I’m sorry.

He gets closer and makes an affectionate gesture.

BETH
Why can’t you come with us?

PETER
I’m sorry, Beth, I can’t. I don’t
feel like going to the beach,
knowing he’s in there...

BETH
Just for two days... You look
terrible. There’s nothing for you
to do here.

PETER
I can’t...

BETH
When is he coming out?

PETER
I don’t know. I’ll know more on
Monday.

BETH
And then?

Brief pause. PETER doesn’t have an answer. He goes to the

window.

BETH (CONT'D)
Why are you refusing to let him go
back to his mom’s? I mean, if
that’s what he wants...

PETER
I didn’t say I was refusing. It’s
just... it won’t solve the problem.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.89A

93
PETER (CONT'D)
And then, I don’t know... After
everything that’s happened... It
would be such a failure...

BETH
For him or for you?

Pause.
 THE SON pg.90

93

PETER
I hope I can be a better father to
Theo.

BETH
Stop all this, Peter! You’re a very
good father.

PETER raises his eyebrows. He’s not convinced. He looks out

of the window.

PETER
What makes me sad is to have to
play a part I hate with everything
in me. These last few weeks, I keep
catching myself saying things...
Exactly the same things my father
used to say to me when I was
young... Things which made me
genuinely hate him. And now it’s my
turn. Makes me think I’ve wound up
being just like him.

BETH
What kind of things?

PETER
“What are you going to do with your
life?” or “When I was your age I
did this or I did that” or “What
are we going to do with you?” If
you knew how ashamed it makes me
feel...

BETH receives a text.

BETH
Right. We have to go.

He turns towards her.

PETER
Before you do, tell me you forgive
me for yesterday.

BETH
I’d really like us to stop fighting
like that.

PETER
Me too.

BETH
These last weeks have been
really...
 THE SON pg.91

93

PETER
I know.

BETH
No, you don’t know! You’re not
here. You’re working all day, but
I’m here, on my own, and...

PETER
No, you’re not on your own.

BETH
Yes, I am! And I’m tired. And
there’s Theo as well. Your other
son. And he needs you too...

PETER
Beth, please. Let’s not start
again.

Pause. BETH tries to calm down.

BETH
All right. I’ll call you when we
get there, O.K.?

BETH goes to fetch her suitcase. He catches her hand as she

passes. She gives him a sad smile and frees herself.

PETER approaches the stroller. He smiles at THEO. Then he

picks him up.

PETER
Come on, little man. Give me a
hug... I’m not going to see you for
a week. And I’m going to miss you.

He hugs him very tight.

PETER (CONT'D)
You’re going to discover the sea...
You’ll see how big and beautiful it
is... I’m sorry I can’t be with
you... I really have to stay
here... Do you understand? But
you’ll tell me all about it, O.K?
You’ll tell me, little man?

BETH looks at them for a moment, fond and melancholy.

94 OMITTED 94
 THE SON pg.92

95
95 EXT. NEW YORK STREET, HOSPITAL DAY 95

Establishing shot of the hospital.

96 OMITTED 96

97 INT. HOSPITAL, MEETING ROOM DAY 97

PETER and KATE sit in the meeting-room, where several

different-colored chairs have been arranged in a circle.

Suddenly, a MALE NURSE and NICHOLAS appear.

PETER and KATE stand. NICHOLAS throws himself into his

mother’s arms.

NICHOLAS
Mom!

KATE
Sweetheart...

PETER joins them.

NICHOLAS
I’ve missed you so much!

KATE
We’ve missed you.

NICHOLAS
I feel like I haven’t seen you for
months.

PETER
We’re here now. We’re here.

All three of them embrace. The NURSE interrupts their

reunion.

NURSE
Nicholas? I’m going to leave you
alone with your Mom and Dad for
five minutes, like you asked me
to... And while that’s happening,
I’m going to look for the doctor.

NICHOLAS nods.

NURSE (CONT'D)
Ok?

NICHOLAS
Yes.
 THE SON pg.93

97

The NURSE goes out.

PETER
How are you?

NICHOLAS starts talking fast, as if he only has a few minutes

to explain the situation to them.

NICHOLAS
It’s horrible. You have to get me
out of here...

PETER
Don’t worry...

NICHOLAS
You absolutely have to get me out
of here. Promise me?

KATE
What’s wrong?

NICHOLAS
It’s been terrible, Mom. The worst
week of my life. I’m too sensitive
for a place like this... I swear to
you, it’s hell. You can’t leave me
in hell.

PETER
That’s what we’re here for, to
discuss it with the doctor.

NICHOLAS
He’s an asshole. He doesn’t
understand anything. He stuffs me
full of medication, but he doesn’t
understand anything about what’s
going on in my head. He thinks I’m
ill. He told me I was going to have
to stay here for weeks and weeks...
But I’m telling you, I can’t, I
won’t be able to take it... I’ll
crack up... You know what I’m
like... I’m not just saying these
things... I feel much worse here
than I do at home... I need you.
You have to take me back home.
Please, Dad, please, Mom, I’m
begging you.

PETER and KATE are unsettled by NICHOLAS’s nervous state.

PETER
Calm down, son. We’ll talk to the
doctor.
 THE SON pg.94

97

KATE
We’re here. We’re with you,
sweetheart...

NICHOLAS smiles.

NICHOLAS
I’m so happy to see you.

The DOCTOR knocks on the door and comes in, followed by the
NURSE.

98 INT. HOSPITAL, MEETING ROOM DAY 98

DOCTOR
Hi, good afternoon...

KATE
Hello, Doctor Harris.

They shake hands.

DOCTOR
Ok... Why don’t we all sit down ?
Sit by me, please, Nicholas.

This places NICHOLAS opposite rather than next to his

parents.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I’m going to ask Michael, who’s
been looking after Nicholas, to sit
in with us, if you don’t mind...

The NURSE closes the door and comes to sit close to NICHOLAS.
NICHOLAS starts biting his nails.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Great. Now... I guess Nicholas has
told you he wants to leave the
hospital...

PETER
Yes.

DOCTOR
Yeah, he’s said that to me too. I
understand these last few days have
been tough on him.

KATE
They really have been, why is that?

DOCTOR
We often get this reaction during
the first week.
 THE SON pg.95

98

NICHOLAS
I don’t want to stay here.

DOCTOR
I understand you want to go home,
Nicholas. I really do. But it’s not
something I’d be able to recommend.

NICHOLAS turns to his parents.

NICHOLAS
You see...

PETER
Why not?

DOCTOR
Nicholas is suffering from acute
depression. I think it would be
safer for him to stay in the
hospital.

NICHOLAS
No. I’m better. I just want to come
back home. There isn’t going to be
a problem. I promise.

DOCTOR
I know that’s what you believe,
Nicholas, but in my experience...

NICHOLAS stands up. The NURSE also stands up, as if prepared

to contain an outbreak of violence on NICHOLAS’s part.

NICHOLAS
You see, he knows how I’m feeling
better than I do!

PETER
Calm down, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS
I am calm. It’s this moron who
doesn’t understand anything.

KATE
Nicholas, please.

Nicholas sits down. So does the nurse. Tense pause.

PETER
What do you suggest?

DOCTOR
Essentially, we just need some more
time.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.95A

98
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Suicidal impulses : they’re really
difficult to identify, even for the
patient.
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.96

98
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
But we can’t pretend they don’t
exist. Second attempts are very
common...

NICHOLAS is shaking his head. As far as he is concerned, the

DOCTOR is completely missing the point.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I think Nicholas is still suffering
from a certain disconnect from
reality, which is causing him all
kinds of anxieties. Which we can
treat. We just have to stabilize
him first - and then we can start
thinking about when we can let him
go.

KATE
And when will that be?

NICHOLAS turns to his mother, imploring her:

NICHOLAS
Mom...

DOCTOR
See, Nicholas, right now you need
looking after. You need the whole
medical team, doctors, therapists
and project supervisors...

NICHOLAS
You think you’re going to cure me
with a pottery class?

DOCTOR
It contributes to the process, yes.

NICHOLAS
It’s a bunch of crap!

KATE
Nicholas! Calm down, please.

PETER
Maybe it’s for your own good if...

NICHOLAS
My own good?

NICHOLAS tries to calm down. He knows he has to change his

approach in order to convince his parents.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
How can I get better if I’m
surrounded by people who are much
sicker than I am?
(MORE)
 THE SON pg.97

98
NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I’ve been thinking about this, you
know... About my life... All these
hours doing nothing... And I’m not
the same any more... I’ve grown up
all of a sudden. I’ve understood
about things... Things I won’t do
any more...

NICHOLAS puts all his energy into trying to be convincing in

front of his parents.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Being here has been like an
electric shock. And now, I feel I’m
ready to return to normal life. I
feel I can go back to school... I
feel it! You got to trust me. You
got to take me out of here.
Otherwise, I’m going under. I mean
it. I can’t take this...

KATE looks at PETER. Does he feel like she feels? NICHOLAS

senses his father may also be changing his mind.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Dad... You understand me, I know
you do. You always have. But here,
they don’t. I’m begging you, Dad.
Don’t abandon me.

Pause. PETER looks at KATE ; then, he turns to the DOCTOR.

PETER
What would be the procedure for
taking him out?

NICHOLAS smiles, profoundly relieved.

The DOCTOR, for his part, seems rather annoyed.

DOCTOR
As long as he’s under-age, Nicholas
is your responsibility. And this is
your decision. But please listen
very seriously to what I’m telling
you : your son is not in a state to
leave here. All you have to do is
sign the papers and he can go
home... But it’s my professional
opinion, you’d be taking a genuine
risk.

NICHOLAS
What risk?
 THE SON pg.98

98

DOCTOR
A risk I’d never take with my own
son...

NICHOLAS is becoming increasingly nervous, as he sees his

parents may be changing sides.

NICHOLAS
You can’t force me to stay here!

DOCTOR
Well, you know, technically, I
could. But I’d have to get a judge
to agree and I really don’t want to
have to do that. I’d rather help
your parents to make the right
decision.

NICHOLAS
Dad... Mom...

DOCTOR
Believe me, I know this isn’t easy
for you. Especially here in front
of your son... But Nicholas needs
treatment. And that’s not part of
your role, as parents. It’s a job
for a psychiatrist.

NICHOLAS
Dad, I’m not ill...

DOCTOR
If we make the right decision
together, Nicholas will be able to
come back to you soon in much
better health and lead a normal
life. But make no mistake. The
stakes couldn’t be higher.

NICHOLAS
Mom... I want to go home.

KATE
I know, sweetheart, I... Peter?
What should...? Say something.

NICHOLAS
Don’t leave me here... I’m begging
you. I need you...

DOCTOR
OK.
 THE SON pg.99

98

NICHOLAS
I swear to you I understand now.
You have to give me a second
chance. It was a cry for help...
I’m sorry about it with all my
heart... I needed you to understand
my pain... But I’ll never do it
again. I swear to you...

DOCTOR
I think your parents have heard
your arguments, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS
Please...

DOCTOR
Now, I’m going to have to ask you
to make a decision.

PETER
Now?

DOCTOR
Yes. Nicholas has to understand
that you support the medical team.

NICHOLAS
Dad...

PETER still doesn’t say anything; he’s tortured by this

impossible decision.

DOCTOR
Don’t feel guilty... This is not
about how much you love your son.
It’s about protecting him. In these
circumstances, love is not enough.
Love will not be enough.

NICHOLAS
Dad...

DOCTOR
It’s lunchtime, Nicholas. Michael’s
going to take you up to the
cafeteria.

The NURSE stands up.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
But first I think it’s important
your parents make their decision in
front of you. It’ll help you accept
your treatment.
 THE SON pg.100

98

NICHOLAS
Mom?

Brief pause. She looks at PETER.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Dad, take me home. I’m begging you,
Dad...

PETER closes his eyes. He’s made his decision. He finally

brings himself to express it.

PETER
I’m sorry, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS jumps up, full of pain and rebelliousness.

NICHOLAS
No, Dad! You can’t do that to me!
Not you! Dad! Not you!

The NURSE is trying to control him. The lines may overlap.

NURSE
Nicholas!

NICHOLAS pushes the NURSE away, violently.

NICHOLAS
What did I ever do to you?

The NURSE tries again to control him.

NURSE
Just calm down!

The NURSE tries to lead NICHOLAS away, but he’s struggling.

NICHOLAS
Don’t touch me! Dad!

DOCTOR
Nicholas, calm down!

KATE
Peter, do something!

PETER
Just a minute!

NICHOLAS
Dad, help!

DOCTOR
Nicholas... Say goodbye to your
parents.
 THE SON pg.101

98

MICHAEL is trying to lead NICHOLAS out of the room.

NURSE
Calm down! Please!

PETER
Nicholas!

NICHOLAS
Dad!

NURSE
Careful! You’ll hurt yourself.

DOCTOR
Calm down, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS
Help!

KATE
Peter...

PETER
Stop, you’re hurting him!

DOCTOR
Please, Mr. Miller!

NICHOLAS
Mom! Dad!

NURSE
Come on, please, come with me!

NICHOLAS
Dad!

The NURSE leads NICHOLAS away by force and makes him leave
the room.

NURSE
Come on!

KATE and PETER are paralyzed with suffering.

NICHOLAS
Dad! Dad! Dad!

99 INT. HOSPITAL, FOYER DAY 99

PETER and KATE are leaving the hospital in silence. Suddenly,

PETER stops. KATE takes a few more steps before realizing
that PETER is rooted to the spot.
 THE SON pg.102

99

She turns back to him and looks at him questioningly. They’re

incapable of leaving their child “in hell”. At the same
moment, they both seem to share the same conclusion.

100 INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE DAY 100

PETER signs the papers under the resigned eye of the DOCTOR.
KATE takes his hand.

101 INT. TAXI DAY 101

PETER and KATE are in a taxi with NICHOLAS. He’s rested his
head on his mother’s shoulder, like a child. He’s smiling as
KATE runs a hand through his hair. Everyone looks extremely
relieved, though still in shock.

102 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 102

NICHOLAS is on his own in the kitchen. He puts the kettle on

and starts methodically preparing tea.

103 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 103

PETER
All right?

KATE
I hope we made the right decision.

PETER lowers his voice so as not to be heard by NICHOLAS.

PETER
He said it was a cry for help... We
have to trust him. That’s
important.

KATE
Yes...

PETER
And if he doesn’t improve over the
next few days, we can always take
him back. But in the meantime, he’s
better off here.

She smiles at him. Nicholas appears.

NICHOLAS
It’s ready in one minute...

He leaves the room toward the corridor.

 THE SON pg.103

103

KATE
How do you see things? I mean...
Down the line...

PETER stands and has a look towards the corridor to check

where Nicholas went to.

PETER
Seems a little optimistic to hope
he’ll go back to school... It’s May
already... If you ask me, the best
thing would be for him to get his
strength back and quietly start
again next school year...

KATE
But what’s he going to do all day?
He can’t be left on his own.

He sits in front of her.

PETER
Maybe... he could go back to live
with you, if this is what he
wants... And during the day, I
could take him to the office. To
work. I mean, as an intern.

We hear the sound of the kettle from the kitchen, underlining

NICHOLAS’s absence.

KATE
You think that would interest him?

PETER
In any case, he’d learn a few new
things. And I’d be there.

KATE
With all the work you have going
on?

Nicholas reappears from the corridor and goes to the kitchen.

PETER
I’m going to turn down Brian’s
offer.

KATE
Seriously?

PETER
Yes. I don’t give a shit about
politics! I want to concentrate on
what really counts. And for me,
what really counts is to be here
for Nicholas.
 THE SON pg.104

103

KATE’s looking at him.

104 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 104

NICHOLAS steps into the living-room carrying a tray.

NICHOLAS
Here we are...

PETER
Thanks.

KATE notices there are only two cups.

KATE
Aren’t you joining us?

NICHOLAS
No, I made myself a coffee. I
needed to wake up. Sugar?

KATE
No, thanks.

NICHOLAS
Dad?

PETER shakes his head.

KATE
How are you feeling?

NICHOLAS
So happy to be here. With you.

PETER
So are we.

KATE
Peter, you’ll have to give me his
prescription.

PETER stands and goes toward his coat to take the

prescription.

KATE (CONT'D)
Then I can go and pick up his
medication. I was thinking of going
to a movie... If you want we could
go together?

NICHOLAS
Why not? But I’d like to take a
shower first. The ones in there
were so dirty...
 THE SON pg.105

104

PETER gets closer and gives KATE the prescription.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I’ve been dreaming about having a
shower all week. If that’s alright.

PETER
Yes. Sure.

KATE laughs.

NICHOLAS
What?

PETER starts laughing as well.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Why are you laughing? I smell bad,
is that it?

PETER
No, no...

NICHOLAS watches them laughing. He looks happy. Pause.

NICHOLAS
I like seeing you together. It’s
been a long time. I mean, since the
three of us were all together...

KATE
That’s true.

NICHOLAS
It’s like the good old days...

A moment of hiatus, inhibited, but also pleasurable. They’re

all together at last. Is this what NICHOLAS has been trying
to achieve from the start?

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Right. I’ll take a shower...

NICHOLAS stands.

KATE
See you soon. I’ll wait for you.

NICHOLAS is about to leave, but he turns back to them.

NICHOLAS
I just wanted to say... I’m really
sorry about everything... I know
you don’t deserve it. I’d like to
ask you to forgive me. And I wanted
to tell you that I love you.
 THE SON pg.106

104

PETER
And we love you. Go on, off you go.
We’ll be waiting for you.

NICHOLAS smiles at them and leaves.

PETER and KATE look at each other. They’re sharing the same
feeling: they’ve rediscovered the sweet and grateful child
they knew for years. KATE smiles.

KATE
How about that?

PETER raises his eyes to the skies, as if to say “tell me

about it”.

He sits close to her.

KATE (CONT'D)
If you’re not doing anything today,
why don’t you come to the movie
with us? I’m sure it would make
Nicholas happy...

PETER
I don’t know. What were you
planning to see?

KATE
You remember the time... we used to
go to the movies in the middle of
the afternoon... We used to tell
everyone we had very important
meetings and then we’d secretly
meet at the Angelika...

PETER
Yes.

KATE
I used to love that. It felt like
playing hookey...

The memory makes PETER smile.

KATE (CONT'D)
It was so long ago.

Pause.

KATE (CONT'D)
Go on... Come with us.

She moves closer to him. It’s years since they’ve been so

close to one another.
 THE SON pg.107

104

KATE (CONT'D)
Come with us today...

PETER’s on the verge of agreeing. KATE’s voice is almost a

whisper.

KATE (CONT'D)
Don’t you want to?

Pause. PETER is about to answer...

Suddenly, there’s a detonation. They have a fraction of a

second of dread before they react. And they thrown themselves
towards the laundry room.

105 INT. PETER & BETH’S APARTMENT, CORRIDOR DAY 105

The CAMERA keeps its distance. The inside of the laundry room
is not visible.

PETER arrives at the doorway to the laundry room : it’s clear

his son is on the floor. He is gripped with dread. A vision
of horror. KATE throws herself into the laundry room and
drops to the floor to try to revive him.

Their voices are almost covered by calm MUSIC which seems to

play against the panic and horror of the scene: possibly
Fauré’s “Pie Jesu”.

KATE
Nicholas! Nicholas! No, oh no... Oh
no... Nicholas...

KATE screams at PETER to go and find some help.

KATE (CONT'D)
Call somebody... Peter!

PETER goes running off to find his cellphone.

KATE (CONT'D)
Quick! Hurry up! Oh, my God... My
God, no... Not my little boy...
Peter!

PETER returns at once, his phone stuck to his ear, waiting

for the emergency services to answer. General air of panic.

KATE (CONT'D)
Nicholas... Open your eyes... Here.
Stay with me...
 THE SON pg.108

106
106 EXT. CORSICA DAY (FLASHBACK) 106

As the MUSIC continues, we are back in the South of France.

PETER and YOUNG NICHOLAS are in the sea, a few feet from the
beach. PETER is teaching NICHOLAS to swim.

PETER
Look... like this... watch how I do
it...

PETER shows him the arm movements above the water and YOUNG
NICHOLAS imitates him.

PETER (CONT'D)
Like this... That’s it... You’re in
your depth. Don’t worry. Stretch
out. That’s it. Like that... Look,
I’m holding you. Nothing to be
afraid of. That’s it. And now, do
the movements... Like I showed you.
Go on... Great! Again... Again...
Terrific. And now come to me! Come
on! Come to me...

PETER’s moving backwards as YOUNG NICHOLAS comes closer.

YOUNG NICHOLAS is watching him intently. You can feel the
magnitude of the effort he’s making to reach PETER. It’s in
his father’s eyes that he’s finding the necessary strength
for this attempt.

PETER (CONT'D)
Come on.. Come on... That’s it,
there you are! Terrific! Well done!
Well done!

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Daddy...

PETER
Go on, keep going... Keep going.

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Daddy... I’m swimming...

PETER
Go on, keep going. Well done, what
a big boy...

YOUNG NICHOLAS
I’m swimming, Daddy...

Now YOUNG NICHOLAS reaches his father, who takes him in his
arms and utters a cry of victory.
 THE SON pg.109

107
107 EXT. CORSICA DAY (FLASHBACK) 107

Now PETER and YOUNG NICHOLAS are swimming together, one in

front of the other, towards the boat. KATE is watching the
spectacle, slightly anxiously.

KATE
Be careful!

PETER
Nearly there...

YOUNG NICHOLAS
Daddy... Wait... I can’t do it any
more...

PETER waits for him. YOUNG NICHOLAS clings on to his

shoulders. PETER continues swimming towards the boat. YOUNG
NICHOLAS, stuck on to him, lets himself be carried. He closes
his eyes, his face resting on his father’s shoulder.

FADE TO BLACK. The MUSIC ends.

108 INT. PETER & BETH’S NEW APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 108

Three years later. PETER is dressing the table. He stops. He

takes a deep breath. BETH appears.

BETH
All right?

PETER
Yes.

BETH
I just have time to give Theo his
bath.

PETER
You want me to do it?

BETH
No, no, I’ll take care of it.

She calls out to THEO, who’s no doubt playing in his room.

BETH (CONT'D)
Theo? Bath-time!

She turns back to PETER.

BETH (CONT'D)
Are you pleased they’re coming to
dinner?
 THE SON pg.110

108

PETER
Very pleased. What about you?

BETH
Have you noticed? Look what I
found.

She shows him her earrings, the ones PETER gave her years
ago.

PETER
Ah...

BETH
I thought they’d go well with my
dress.

PETER smiles at her.

BETH (CONT'D)
Right. See you in a minute. Can I
leave the rest to you?

PETER nods. She goes off to THEO’s room.

BETH (CONT'D)
Theo? Are you ready?

109 INT. PETER & BETH’S NEW APARTMENT, KITCHEN DAY 109

PETER opens a bottle of wine. He opens the oven to check on

the roast chicken. He goes back to the dining room.

110 INT. PETER & BETH’S NEW APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM DAY 110

PETER puts the bottle of wine on the dining-room table, which

is set for four people. He puts some music on in anticipation
of the guests’ arrival and has a look through the window.

Suddenly, the bell rings. PETER’s surprised. He checks his

watch. They’re early. He goes to open the door. It’s
NICHOLAS.

He’s now 21. He’s made an obvious effort to look presentable,

he’s wearing a jacket. A radiant maturity flows from him, as
if all his ghosts have been left behind. Immediately, PETER
is smiling at him.

PETER
Here already?

NICHOLAS
Sorry, I’m a bit early.
 THE SON pg.111

110

PETER
Come in... come in... Are you on
your own?

NICHOLAS
She’s on her way. She had to go see
her mother first...

PETER
No problem. Come in.

He embraces him.

PETER (CONT'D)
How are you? You look well!

NICHOLAS
Very good thanks. What about you?

PETER
You got back this morning?

NICHOLAS
Yes. It’s been months since I set
foot in New York. I was starting to
miss it.

PETER
How’s Toronto? All going well?

NICHOLAS
Great. I love the city. You know
I’ve decided to move in with Lena.
Did Mom tell you?

PETER
Oh, really?

NICHOLAS
We already spend every evening
either at her place or at mine...
So...

PETER
Congratulations! That’s good news!

NICHOLAS
Yes, I’m looking forward to
introducing her to you, you know...

PETER
And I’m looking forward to meeting
her. After all this time you’ve
been telling me about her...
 THE SON pg.112

110

NICHOLAS
You’ll see, she’s wonderful. I’m
crazy about her. How’s Theo? Is he
here?

PETER
He’s just having his bath.

NICHOLAS
We got him a gift. But Lena wants
to give it to him...

PETER
That’s nice.

NICHOLAS seems hesitant.

NICHOLAS
I have a gift for you too.

PETER
For me?

NICHOLAS
Actually, it’s more something I
wanted to tell you about...

Pause. PETER looks slightly anxious. NICHOLAS bursts out

laughing.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
You should see your face! Don’t
worry! I’m not here to tell you I’m
going to be a father!

PETER
Never crossed my mind...

NICHOLAS
No, it’s something more...
Something about me that I wanted
you to be the first to know.

PETER
Tell me.

NICHOLAS
All right. You know, besides going
to college, there was always
something else I loved: writing.
And recently, I’ve spent some
time... Especially since I’ve been
living in Toronto. Everything seems
easier for me up there. In short...

He hands him a book.

 THE SON pg.113

110

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Here it is.

PETER
What’s this?

NICHOLAS
My first novel.

PETER is stunned.

PETER
It... you wrote this?

NICHOLAS
I didn’t want to tell anyone about
it, out of superstition. But now it
actually exists... I wanted you to
be the first person to have it.

PETER reads out the title.

PETER
“Death Can Wait”. Fantastic. When’s
it coming out?

NICHOLAS
In two months. And if you open it,
you’ll see it’s dedicated to you.

PETER opens the book and confirms that it is in fact

dedicated: “For my father. For everything he’s done for me.”

PETER doesn’t say anything, but it’s clear he’s swept with
strong emotions.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
So of course it talks a bit about
what you already know... All those
really tough years for you and
Mom... But at least it’s ended
well!

PETER and NICHOLAS smile at one another.

NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I wanted you to be the first person
to have it, because I know that if
it wasn’t for you, I couldn’t
have...

PETER is overwhelmed, but he’s trying not to show it.

PETER
I’m so proud of you. My big boy.
I’m so proud of you.
 THE SON pg.114

110

NICHOLAS
Better wait till you’ve read it...
You might not like it.

PETER
I know you. I know it’ll be
beautiful. And really, what I want
to tell you is I’m so proud of
you...

PETER looks at the young man NICHOLAS has become with pride
and emotion. He’s trying to stop himself from crying.

NICHOLAS
Now, you’re not going to start
crying...

PETER
No, sorry...

PETER hugs him tightly. This goes on for some time.

NICHOLAS
Now, we just have to hope it’ll be
a success!

PETER
Of course it’ll be a success!

NICHOLAS
Right. You don’t mind if I go give
Theo a hug? I’ve missed him a lot,
as well...

PETER
Yes, yes, of course... He’ll be
happy to see you. He’s always
talking about his big brother.

NICHOLAS smiles at him. But PETER holds him close for a few
more seconds.

PETER (CONT'D)
He’s in the bathroom.

NICHOLAS sets off for the bathroom to give his little brother
a hug. Suddenly, BETH appears from the kitchen. She looks
troubled.

BETH
Peter?

But PETER doesn’t answer. He’s watching NICHOLAS, who turns

back to him, just before leaving the room. They exchange a
look heavy with meaning and ambiguity. What are they trying
to say to one another?
 THE SON pg.115

110

BETH (CONT'D)
What are you doing? Peter?

BETH doesn’t understand. NICHOLAS is invisible to her.

BETH (CONT'D)
Are you... Are you talking to
yourself?

NICHOLAS smiles one final smile at his father, leaves the

room and disappears into the corridor. PETER’s on his own.
BETH watches him, worried.

BETH (CONT'D)
Peter? What’s the matter with you?

He lowers his eyes, full of pain. He begins to sob. BETH

comes over to him.

BETH (CONT'D)
Were you thinking about Nicholas?

PETER nods.

BETH (CONT'D)
Come on...

PETER
I should have paid more attention
to him...

BETH
Peter... You did everything that
was humanly possible...

PETER shakes his head.

BETH (CONT'D)
Yes, you did. You have nothing to
blame yourself for. Come on,
please...

PETER
I was trying to think... He had so
much talent... He was so
intelligent... And so sensitive...

BETH
Yes...

PETER
He could have done so many
beautiful things with his life.

BETH
Come on...
 THE SON pg.116

110

PETER begins weeping hot tears.

PETER
I should have... I could have... It
is all my fault.

His body is racked with sobs of remorse and pain. BETH takes
him in her arms.

BETH
You did the best you could, Peter.

His tears flow even more strongly.

PETER
It’s all my fault...

BETH
Come on, calm down... I know it’s
hard, but life goes on... There’s
Theo. And me, I’m here as well. Mm?
And this evening, we have friends
coming for dinner... Even if it’s
hard, even if it hurts, life goes
on, Peter. Life has to go on.

PETER
No. It doesn’t go on. It can’t go
on.

BETH
Come on... Ssh... Come here. Mm?
Come to me. Calm down, my love.
Calm down. Ssh... And think about
your little boy. He’ll be four
soon. Think about him. And
everything will be all right. Do
you understand me? Everything will
be all right.

She cradles him, as one would a child, and, little by little,

his grief is calmed. PETER is in BETH’s arms. He doesn’t
move.

Silence.

THE END