Surrendering Hope

Surrendering Hope


FADE IN:



INT. ADULT HOPE'S LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT -- FALL 2017


The remains of a child's birthday party decorate the room: scattered toys, wrapping paper pieces, confetti and cake crumbs. The mess rests peacefully in its place.


SUMMER (O.S.)

I don't want to go to bed.  I want to stay up so this day never ends.


INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS


An unwrapped box.  Unveiled from beneath the tissue paper, a NOTEBOOK, pretty and pastel, a PINK FEATHERED PEN.  A pretty little seven year old, SUMMER, sits on her bed, discovering the notebook. Next to her is her mother, HOPE. Penned on the first page:  FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, FOR YOUR DREAMS, FOR YOUR ENDLESS SUMMER, LOVE, MOMMY. 


ADULT HOPE

(reading)

For your thoughts, for your dreams, for your endless Summer.


SUMMER

What should I write about?


ADULT HOPE

Everything.  Every memory you want to keep and every memory you don't.


SUMMER

What do you write about?


ADULT HOPE

Everything.  Anything.  From my heart, from my head, from my soul.


Summer lingers, just wanting more.


Hope smiles.  From underneath her arm she pulls out a NOTEBOOK, very used, very loved, very remembered.


INT. ADULT HOPE'S LIVING ROOM


ADULT HOPE (O.S.)

But mostly--I write about Grammy.


A HUM begins to fill the room and the mess from the birthday party begins to clean itself.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- DAY -- FALL 1990


The HHHUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM overwhelms the room. Familiar, soothing, after-a-while, it chomps on your nerves. The living room surroundings change, yet the disappearing mess is the same: scattered toys, wrapping paper pieces, confetti and cake crumbs.


The oversized metal head of a vacuum rams into an ottoman.  It pulls back and then again, CRASH.


MARY (O.S.)

Uhhh.


The detachable nozzle extends under and sucks up the mess.  The stern face and pregnant belly of MARY appears; there to ensure every bit of dirt has been sucked away.


GIGGLES in the back ground.  Mary ignores it, continuing to make everything clean.


The remains of a child's birthday party are being sucked away.  The birthday girl, BABY HOPE, has just turned three.  She is as cute as a button and for the moment--happy. 


Excited about her new present, Baby Hope runs over to show her Mommy. Her Mommy, Mary, doesn't hear her.  She continues to vacuum.


A warm-loving face of Grammy, EVE, sweeps Baby Hope into her arms.


EVE

Mommy can't hear you, sweetie.


A tiny two-year-old, YOUNG FAITH, neat as can be, plays quietly in the corner. Mary still lost in a vacuum trance, sweeps around the child.


Eve has brought her darling Baby Hope to the couch.


EVE (CONT'D)

What did you get?


BABY HOPE

A dolly.


Baby Hope shows Grammy her brand new doll. Baby Hope points to the doll's eye. 


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Dolly's eye.


Baby Hope looks up at Grammy.  Points to Eve's warm blue eyes.


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Grammy's eyes.


Baby Hope points to her own eyes.


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Hope's eyes.


Baby Hope points to Grammy's nose.


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Grammy's nose.


Baby Hope points to her own nose.


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Hope's nose.


Eve smiles at the child's exploration of life.  Then Baby Hope does something that would melt the iciest of hearts.  She lays her tiny hand on Eve's chest. 


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Grammy's heart.


Baby Hope picks up Grammy's hand and places it on her chest.


BABY HOPE (CONT'D)

Hope's heart.


Eve smiles.


EVE

Yes.


The shadowy figure of a lurking man steals the sun's warmth from Baby Hope's face.  In a swift moment the mood changes.  Baby Hope scurries deeper into Eve's arms and closes her eyes as tight as she can.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- MORNING -- FALL, 2005


It is obviously the same home but things are different.  No toys.  New wallpapering.  Fraying carpeting.  This living room has seen a lot of living since Hope's third birthday.


MARY

Hope--Hurry or you'll be late for school.


A seventeen-year-old FAITH waits by the door all ready to go.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- SAME


HOPE CONARY, now eighteen, sits up in bed.  Looks at the clock.  Yep, she will probably be late.


MARY (O.S.)


Hope, you better be ready.


She looks around the room.  The twin bed next to hers is immaculate.  Tautly pulled covers.  Happy little teddy bears perched on fluffed pillows.  A closer look:  The whole right side of the room is perfect.  No foreseeable flaws. A cross nailed firmly into the wall above the bed.  A bible guards the nightstand.


The other side of the room:  Clothes on the floor, post it notes, a copy of Great Poets, and a stack of very used NOTEBOOKS.  A 5x6 PHOTOGRAPH: Hope and Eve, nestled in the corner of this photograph is ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH.  Smaller, inconspicuous, the image: A Young Mary and a MAN cradling her pregnant belly.


Hope's bare feet smack against the wood floors.  Her tan toned legs lead her to a closet.  A poster on the closet door reads:  JESUS LOVES YOU.  A closet with plaid skirts and white button downs.  She pulls down one of each.


Hope slides on the skirt.  Fastens each button of the blouse.  Boring.  The fun part, the socks, it is all about the socks.  She rummages through a drawer, socks, socks and more socks.  Pulls out a great pair of knee highs, slides them up, and slips on her shoes. All done...Or so she thought:


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

Brush your hair before you come down these steps.

(beat)

I mean it young lady!


Hope rolls her eyes.  Reaches for the brush, whips it through her long hair.  It falls perfectly into place.


INT. CONARY STAIRWAY


Hope has thrown herself together, just in time.  She makes her way down the steps.  The whirlwind of JACOB, her brother, a self-absorbed, video game obsessed, socially challenged fourteen-year-old blows by her, smacks her on the back of the head.  Her hair is now more disheveled than before the brushing.


JACOB

Happy Birthday!


HOPE

Yeah.  Thanks.


She smooths out the back of her hair with her hand.


INT. CONARY KITCHEN


Jacob flies out the front door followed by Faith.  Mary does the morning dishes.  Hope dawdles down the steps.  She reaches for the door handle to leave.  A figure steps in her way, stealing the sun's warmth from her face.  She looks up at, TIM, a middle-aged man, not the man in the photograph.  He blocks her way, eyeing every inch of her.


HOPE

I'm going to be late.


TIM

For what?  It is just another day.


Mary turns from the dishes as Tim steps out of Hope's way.


TIM (CONT'D)

What?  I have to tease her on her birthday.


Tim turns his affection on Mary.  He crawls up behind her, reaches around and pulls a piece of bacon off the plate.  Mary never turns towards Hope.  Tim does, he looks deep into her, and grabs Mary's ass, hard.  Mary jerks away.


MARY

Stop it!


The door SLAMS.


EXT. BUS STOP -- CONTINUOUS


It is early fall.  The leaves are just turning their vivid colors.  They are beginning to die, beautifully.  The air has the first bit of cool breeze that says, everything is about to change.


Hope, her sister Faith and Jacob wait for the bus.  They are dressed in proper Catholic school uniforms.


Faith is as rigid as her bed sheets.  Not a hair out of place.  Her face stern, like her mother's.  Hope, and all Hope embodies, is of constant aggravation to her.


FAITH

(to Hope)


You look like a prostitute--pull your skirt down.


Jacob rolls his eyes at his preachy sister.


JACOB

(sarcastically to Faith)

Maybe she is one.


Jacob forms his hands into the shape of a gun.  He aims it at Hope.


JACOB (CONT'D)

Bang. Bang.


An obvious salutation to a popular video game.  Hope shakes her head, are these people really her family?


FAITH

(to Jacob)

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors.


Jacob takes aim at Faith.


JACOB

Bang.  Bang.


INT. BUS


Hope sits alone.  A distortion of colors and shapes formed by trees, cars and houses whips by.


Faith sits alone reading.


Jacob sits with his friend playing a portable video game.


CAITLIN, a blonde vivacious teenager, excited about nothing in particular, dashes down the aisle.  She slides next to a catatonic Hope.


CAITLIN

Hey.

(beat)

Earth to Hope.


Knocks softly on the back of Hope's head.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

Anybody home?


Attention gotten. Caitlin smiles at Hope.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

Happy Birthday.


Hope smiles.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

Finally eighteen!

(beat)

Your free!


HOPE

If it were only that easy.


CAITLIN

Can you believe your eighteen and still riding the bus?


Caitlin begins to shimmy in her seat, attempting to wiggle out of her shorts.


HOPE

You don't have a car, I don't have a car...


CAITLIN

Pathetic.

(beat)

We should get jobs.  Then I wouldn't have to go to my mom and you wouldn't have to go to Tim for money.


She's got it.  Shorts are off.  Now just a tiny pair of underware reside under her skirt.


HOPE

Jobs?


CAITLIN

Yeah.  You're right.  Bad idea.


Next step, she rolls her skirt, once, twice.


HOPE

Caitlin?


CAITLIN

What?


And for the finale, she rolls it a third time.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

Third time's a charm.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- LATER


A tidal wave of students flow through the hallways.  The boys all dressed the same.  The girls all dressed the same.  A sea of white and blue.


Lockers slam.  Kids scream.  A bell rings.


Hope closes her locker.  Caitlin is still talking at her. RANDOM STUDENTS 'hello' and 'hey' as they pass Hope and Caitlin.


CAITLIN


Did you see Kevin.  Mmm Mmm Mmm.  You know what I would do if I could get my hands on him?


HOPE

(sarcastically)

No.  What?


CAITLIN

You know.


HOPE

Yeah.  But do you?


An open door.  A plaque reads:  FATHER MCMONAGLE.  The seventy-something, collar-clad man, tips his chair back, to observe the students.


Caitlin takes advantage of the situation to have a little fun.  She drops her book.


CAITLIN

Oops.


Leans down slowly.  Her tight bottom reveals itself.  The boys notice, they bask in the moment.  Girls passing by whisper, typical cattiness.


HOPE

Why are you doing that?


Father McMonagle stumbles back into his chair and slams the door.


CAITLIN

He deserves it.


HOPE

He deserves to see your ass?


CAITLIN

He deserves to feel naughty.


Hope shakes her head.


HOPE

(jokingly)

That is a bad idea.


CAITLIN

Why?


Completely playing:  Hope points towards the sky.


HOPE

He is always watching.  Protecting the messengers of his words.


CAITLIN

What?


Caitlin giggles.  On her way back up to vertical she CLANKS her head on an open locker.  Hope laughs.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

Oww!


HOPE

See.


CAITLIN

See what?


Caitlin looks, what is she missing? A second bell rings.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

See you in trig.


INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS


Students take their seats. Hope takes her seat, stuck in the back corner. Where is the teacher?  The STUDENTS don't care, they socialize.  Hope writes in her NOTEBOOK. Seated across from her is JEREMY, a dreamy eyed eighteen-year-old, the guy that makes waking up and going to class worth while.  He leans over to Hope.


JEREMY

What are you writing?


Not sure he is really talking to her, she doesn't answer.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Hey.  Hope, right?


Crap.  She has no choice but to answer.


HOPE

Yeah.


JEREMY

What are you writing?


HOPE

Nothing.


JEREMY

Doesn't seem like nothing to me...Come on.


Hope flips the page.  In great big bold letters prints:

N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

Holds it up for him.


HOPE

I am writing-nothing.


JEREMY

Clever...Very clever.


In rushes, SISTER KATHLEEN, a young woman, somewhat pretty, very warm, very klutzy.  She trips over a garbage can.  She giggles.  The class giggles.  She blushes.  The class still giggles.


SISTER KATHLEEN

How embarrassing.


She straightens herself, gains composure.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

I am so sorry about that.  I just wasted all of your valuable learning time.


CLASS

Aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeee.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Your time is valuable, you will all realize that later.

(beat)

All right now.  Now to the task at hand.  Could you please open your books to page...


Flips through her text.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Page 74.

(reading)

"Because I could not stop for Death./  He kindly stopped for me./The carriage held but just ourselves./ And Immortality."

She flips to another page.

SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

(reading)

"Life is but life, and death but death!/ Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!"  The awe inspiring words of Ms. Emily Dickinson, an experience you were all privileged to last night.  A unique human being who did not accept things as they may have been or how the majority of people saw them.  She had her own visions, her own beliefs.


Sighs.  Admiring the words of a woman who lived by her own sensibility.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Now, did everyone enjoy Emily Dickinson?


No response.  Sister Kathleen walks up and down the rows of students.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Someone in this room must have some sort of opinion.


JESSICA, a girl who loves to hear her own voice, takes the opportunity to answer.


JESSICA

(obnoxiously)

Well if you want my opinion.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Yes please.


JESSICA

She needs Prozac.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Can you support your statement?


JESSICA

Yeah.
(rolls her eyes)

All she talks about is death.  It's depressing.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Can you elaborate, please?


JESSICA

"Life is but life, and death is but death"? She states the obvious.  Her state of lonliness oozes through her words.


Hope rolls her eyes at the misinterpretation.  She returns to her notebook.  Sister Kathleen has landed next to Hope.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Do you have something to add, Hope?


HOPE

No.


Sister Kathleen leans in closer to Hope.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Are you sure?
(beat)

I think you do.


Sister Kathleen continues walking, she takes her place at the front of the class.  All attention on Hope.


HOPE

I don't think Emily Dickinson meant it to be depressing.


Hope returns her gaze back down to the book.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Go on.
(beat)

Please.


Put on the spot so kindly, she is now obligated.


HOPE

She was trying to bring a sense of peace to her readers.


JESSICA

By talking about death?


HOPE

By talking about life.


JESSICA

What?  No.  You clearly didn't read close enough.  She was a woman ostracized by her family causing her entire outlook on life to be bleak and boring.


Hope rolls her eyes.


SISTER KATHLEEN

(excited)

Wonderful.  Participation.  I love it.  This is a perfect example of perception.


Hope returns to her notebook and writes -- LIFE  and DEATH.


JEREMY

(whispering to Hope)

Now what are you writing?


Hope smiles at this relentless nuisance.


HOPE

(whispering)

It's a secret.


JEREMY

(whispering)

Come on, you can tell me.


Hope checks the clock: 11:37.   


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- AFTERNOON


The hall clock: 1:07. Students switch books and scatter to their next classes. Caitlin and Hope make their way to Trigonometry class.


CAITLIN

I hear you excited Sister Kathleen in ways she only dreamed today.


HOPE

What are you talking about?


CAITLIN

An intense debate on Emily Dickinson.  More passion then she will see in a lifetime.


HOPE

You're crazy.


CAITLIN

Totally and completely crazy.


HOPE

Jeremy talked to me today.


CAITLIN

Reeeaaallly?  He's like Kevin's best friend.  We can totally double.


HOPE

He had to verify my name.  I've gone to this school for how long?


CAITLIN

(cheerfully)

Like forever, but you know your shyness has mutilated your social life.


A STUDENT passes by:


STUDENT ONE

Hi Caitlin.


CAITLIN

Hi.


HOPE

Thanks.


CAITLIN

No problem.


Wait a second.  Hope rethinks that statement.


HOPE

I'm not shy.


Another STUDENT passes by:


STUDENT TWO

Hey Caitlin.


CAITLIN

(to Student Two)

Hey...

(to Hope)

You aren't shy with me.  But I've known you for like a hundred and fifty years.


Hope gives her a look.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

And it took like fifty years for you to get over your shyness.  Your lucky I was
persistent.


The bell RINGS.


Their daily routine: Hope pulls out the trigonometry homework, hands it to Caitlin.  Caitlin shoves it in her bag.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- LATER


The school day has come to an end.  Caitlin and Hope gather their belongings. Caitlin rushes.


CAITLIN

I'm gonna ride with Megan, you wanna ride too?


HOPE

I'm gonna walk.


CAITLIN

Ehhh.  Does that mean I have to walk?


HOPE

No.


CAITLIN

Okay good.

(beat)

Does that make me a bad friend?


HOPE

No.


CAITLIN

Okay good. 

(beat)

Happy Birthday again!


Caitlin tosses Hope a little box.  She dashes off.  Hope opens it.  A FAIRY NECKLACE.  Hope smiles.


EXT. SCHOOL -- CONTINUOUS


As the buses pull away, Hope begins her walk.


JEREMY

Hey.  Hope.


Hope turns, acknowledges, but doesn't respond.  Jeremy has a camera dangling from a tri-colored band around his neck.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Happy Birthday.


A puzzled look from Hope.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Caitlin just told me.


HOPE

Oh?


Hope looks around.  From the back of a car window, Caitlin gives Hope a mischevious wave.


HOPE (CONT'D)

(to Jeremy)

Thank you.


She begins to walk again.


JEREMY

Can I photograph the birthday girl?


HOPE

Not a chance.


JEREMY

Come on.


Jeremy raises his camera.  Hope laughs but covers her face.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Okay no photo, how about we go out for birthday cake?


HOPE

Can't.


JEREMY

Pizza?


HOPE

Can't.


JEREMY

Is that a blow off?


She smiles and walks away.  He smiles back, a challenge, what fun.  As her back is turned, he raises his camera and SNAPS a PHOTO of her back.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- EVENING


The family, minus Hope, assembled.  Mary looks at her watch.  Taps her foot, the universal sign: 'I'm waiting'.


TIM

(to Mary)

Where the hell is that girl of yours?


FAITH

She missed the bus.  I think she had to walk.


TIM

Is she out whoring around?


MARY

(embarrassed)

Tim.


The door opens.  The assembly startles Hope.


HOPE

Hello.


TIM

Your late.


HOPE

Sorry.


JACOB

(laughing)

You had to walk. That sucks.


INT. CAR -- CONTINUOUS


The family packed in the car.  Faith reading.  Jacob playing.  Tim listening to the game.  Mary flipping through a magazine.  Hope watching the world go by.


MARY

Oh.  Before I forget.


Digs through her purse.  Pulls out a tiny wrapped box.  Reaches back and hands it to Hope.


MARY (CONT'D)

Happy Birthday Hope.


FAITH

Yes Hope.  Happy Birthday.


Jacob chuckles, they almost forgot her birthday present.  Mary nudges Tim.


TIM

Eighteen, finally a grown woman.


A distant silence between the family.  Hope unwraps the package.  A tiny CROSS NECKLACE. 


FAITH

Isn't it lovely, Hope?


She attempts to be gracious.


HOPE

Yes, thank you.


MARY

A cross is the most genuine gift one can receive.


JACOB

Yeah...if your a nun.


MARY

A good catholic girl should always wear a cross.


Hope puts the box in her pocket.


INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- LATER


A busy floor.  Busy nurses.  Visiting families.  Balloons, flowers, beeps, buzzes and doctors.


In storms the Conary family.  Faith with her book.  Jacob with his video game.  Mary with her magazine. Tim anxious to get to a television.  Straggling behind, handing out warming glances to each occupied hospital room is Hope.


A patient's name on the door.  EVE GROMLEY.


INT. EVE'S HOSPITAL ROOM


A tank PUMPS loudly, forcing oxygen into the nostrils of Eve, a tiny old lady.  Eve's face is loving and warm.  Each wrinkle a reminder of a kind deed once done.


HOPE

Grammy.


A light turns on in Hope. A connection deeper than words.  Hope pulls a chair up next to Eve.


EVE

Happy Birthday, sweetheart.  I'm so sorry I couldn't get you anything...

(motions towards all the tubes)

I've been a little tied up.


MARY

(interrupts)

Hello, mother.


EVE

(to Mary)

Did you get her something good?


MARY

Of course, mother.


Hope sneaks her a peak at the cross in her pocket.  'It figures' looks are exchanged.  


A white crocheted blanket covers Eve's body.  Hope twirls the fringes around her fingers.


Tim fiddles behind the nightstand.


EVE

Is there something you are looking for, Tim?


TIM

The remote. The game is on.


MARY

Jacob, turn that off, say hello to your grandmother.


JACOB

Hi.


FAITH

How are you today grandma?


Tim still digs.  The door opens.  It is DOCTOR MALCOLM.


DR. MALCOLM

I am glad you are all here. 

(beat)

Have you told them yet?


Tim yanks the remote from where it wandered to.


TIM

Got it.


Flips on the television.


MARY

Tim, please. Told us what?


After all that effort, he turns off the television.


EVE

I thought it best to wait...


MARY

(interrupting)

Wait for what?


EVE

Nothing Dear.


MARY

(to Dr. Malcolm)

Wait for what?


Eve realizes it is too late, she must tell them.  Hope holds Eve's hand.  A single tear falls from Hope's eyes as her heart breaks.  The room falls silent, even the hospital beeps seem to stop for a split moment.


DR. MALCOLM

There is nothing more we can do.


MARY

Do about what?


Eve sighs deeply.  These words need to be said by her, not a Doctor.


EVE

I am dying.


MARY

What? No. There must be something more.  


FAITH

We should pray.  Ask Jesus to help you.


She falls abruptly into prayer position.


HOPE

How long?


MARY

Hope, please.  I am sorry, Doctor.


DR. MALCOLM

It is hard to say.  The cancer is not responding to any of the treatments anymore.  It is continuing to grow rather rapidly. 


MARY

So what you're saying is you really have no idea, and for that matter you could be completely wrong.


Dr. Malcolm ignores that comment, accustomed to the defense mechanisms of delivering this terrible news.


DR. MALCOLM

At your mother's wish, we will transfer her to the hospice wing and continue with comfort care, but all...


Dr. Malcolm attempts to hand out PAMPHLETS to the family.  Hope is the only one to reach for it, she folds it and puts it in her coat pocket.


MARY

God will answer our prayers.


DR. MALCOLM

If your faith comforts you let it. However...


MARY

Please leave we need to pray.


Mary, Tim, Faith and Jacob shut their eyes and bow their heads in prayer.


Eve gives Hope a questioning glance.  Their unspoken language is clearly heard.  Hope shrugs: it is what it is.


Eve's wrinkled venous hand squeezes Hope's young smooth hand.


INT. CAR -- NIGHT


The world zips by.  Hope quietly listens to the family's conversation.  A ball game plays softly in the background. 


MARY

I can't believe the nerve of the Doctor.  He really upset Mom.


FAITH

God will give her strength.


JACOB

Bull shit.


MARY

Watch your mouth!

(beat)

Tim, tell him to watch his mouth.


TIM

What?


Listens closer.  Not to Mary.  To the game.  A faint ANNOUNCER is barely audible.

TIM (CONT'D)

Yes.  Come on.  Come on.  Damn!


INT. CONARY HOUSE -- LATER


Quiet.  A single light.  The door opens.  In enters the family.  Each depart to their own space.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT


Hope lies on her bed, her eyes attached to the photo of her and Eve.  Faith reads
her bible.


FAITH

We should be doing our part to help Grandma.

(beat)

Reciting the Lord's prayer.


HOPE

Why?


FAITH

(sincerely)

Because it is the only thing we can do.


INT. EVE'S HOSPITAL ROOM -- SAME


Eve lies on her bed.  Her eyes attached to the photo beside her, a photo of her and Hope.


In two different rooms, on two different streets, Hope and Eve are looking into each other's eyes.


EXT. STREET -- SAME


An empty neighborhood. Quiet. Peaceful. Empty.


INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM -- MORNING


The same English class meets.  Sister Kathleen teaches.  Jeremy tries to get Hope's attention.  Hope misses it all, she doesn't even write in her notebook, attention elsewhere.


Class dismissed.


JEREMY

You zone out better than anyone I have ever met.


HOPE

Everyone needs to be good at something.


JEREMY

I could have totally stolen a photograph of you.


HOPE

You don't have a camera on you.


Jeremy reaches into his backpack and pulls out his camera to show her.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Well I appreciate that you didn't.


JEREMY

Does that earn me points with you?


SISTER KATHLEEN

Hope, can I see you for a moment?


JEREMY

You're in trouble.


HOPE

(kidding)

Are there rules against not paying attention?


JEREMY

I guess you'll find out.


Hope falls back.  Sister Kathleen waits for the entire class to depart and closes the door.


SISTER KATHLEEN

I am very sorry about your grandmother.


Hope doesn't respond.  This simple statement of caring catches her by surprise.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Are you all right?


HOPE

Life is but life and death is but death.


Sister Kathleen smiles warmly.


SISTER KATHLEEN

You didn't answer my question.


HOPE

When someone you love dies a part of you dies also.

(complete sincerity)

The part of me that is most alive is dying.


The two share a moment.


SISTER KATHLEEN

That is too sad to believe.  What if...

(she thinks)

When someone you love dies a part of you does not die with them, but instead is made more alive.


Sister Kathleen takes a deep breath--delicate subjects require circumspect wording.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Because when your grandma passes on she is going to leave a piece of herself that you can have with you always. Her memories will fill your void, make you whole.  The very essence of your memories will bring you strength.  


Caitlin's perky smile pops into the tiny window square. Hope walks towards the closed door.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY


CAITLIN

Teaches you to read the material before class.


HOPE

She wanted to know if I was okay.


CAITLIN

Why?


HOPE

My grandma is sick.


CAITLIN

I didn't know.  I'm so sorry, Hope.

(beat)

How did she know?


HOPE

I'm not sure.


INT. SCHOOL CHAPEL -- CONTINUOUS


Sparse.  A long pew.  Hard cold benches.  Chit-chat.  Sounds of shuffling feet.  Dated carpet.  Lots of students.  Sister Kathleen assists her fellow patrolling nuns.


Hope and Caitlin, process in, taking their seats in the back.


Seated front and center is Faith.  Her book opened, highlighted, very used.


CAITLIN

Your sister is so weird.  You can totally tell that you only have fifty percent of the same genes.


HOPE

She's just brainwashed.  Poor thing can't see past the end of her...


CAITLIN

...bible.


HOPE

That too.


JEREMY

(to the guys)

I'll catch you after mass.


Jeremy smoothly, like the stud he tries to be, slides into a seat behind Hope, his friends keep walking.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Hey there.


HOPE

Hi.


JEREMY

There is a party tonight at my friend Kevin's house.  His parents are out of town.


CAITLIN

Really?  Sounds good to me.


HOPE

I don't know.


Faith turns back and:


FAITH

SHHHUUUSHHH!


Caitlin chuckles.


JEREMY

(re: Faith)

Did she just Shush us?


HOPE

Yeah.


CAITLIN

Come on Hope.


JEREMY

Yeah, come on, Hope.


An ORGAN BLARES.  The crowd silences and stands.  In processes Father McMonagle.  The organ silences. 


Father McMonagle HUH HUMS into the microphone.  He adjusts his glasses and begins reading:


FATHER MCMONAGLE

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.


CONGREGATION

Amen.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


CONGREGATION

And also with you.


INT. CONARY DINING ROOM -- NIGHT


Tim leading the Conary family in prayer over a properly set table.


TIM

Bless us O' Lord and these thy gifts we thank you for your generosity.  We are but humble servants following your way.  Please bless Mary's mother, keep your kind watchful eye on her.  Let us all pray.


Mary gives an approving nod to the blessing.  An uncomfortable silence lingers until Tim's stomach RUMBLES.


JACOB

Good bread.  Good meat.  Good God let's eat.


Mary shakes her head in disapproval of her son.


TIM

Let us eat.


The family eats.  Tim reaches for the remote.  Turns on a football game.  Chewing, swallowing and the occasional 'pass the potatos' is the only human interaction.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- LATER


Jesus Christ hangs proudly over the television, where Jacob is lost in his video game, murdering hookers and robbing liquor stores.  Tim unfastens his belt buckle to make room for his distended stomach, he reads a newspaper.  Faith and Mary are cleaning up after dinner.  Like mother, like daughter, they are prim and proper.


Hope attempts to sneak past her step-father unscathed.  No luck.  As she walks by Tim he grabs her ass, hard.  Hope sinks into herself and keeps walking towards the kitchen.  She shuts her eyes in an attempt to escape the moment.


Faith grabs her arm as she leaves through the back door.  Is she going to say
something?  It seems as if she wants to.  Headlights filter into the room.  Hope rips her arm from the holy grip of Faith.


EXT. CONARY HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS


Hope opens the door of the little red Volkswagen bug.  Climbs in.  The RADIO PLAYS.  Caitlin sings.


CAITLIN

Hey.


HOPE

Hey...Mom's car?


CAITLIN

Yeah, she's out with loser Bob.


HOPE

At least your mom hasn't married loser Bob.


CAITLIN

Not yet at least.


Caitlin decides it is time to lighten up the mood. 


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

No.  No. No. No.  You are not wearing that.


HOPE

Looks to me like I am.


CAITLIN

Not for long.


Reaches into the mess of a back seat and pulls out a duffel bag.  Begins digging in it.


HOPE

No.


CAITLIN

Yes.


HOPE

No.


Looks at Hope, smiles, and pulls down her pony tail.


EXT. KEVIN'S HOUSE -- LATER


A classic middle income home.  A manicured yard and a picket fence.  Lots of cars line the street.


A little red Volkswagon bug pulls up to the house.


INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM


A cue ball is rammed by a stick.  It speeds its way across the table, jumps the rim, knocks over a red plastic cup.  A COOL GUY picks up the cup.  Rubs the beer into the carpet.


COOL GUY


Dude, you knocked over my beer.


The ball rolls away from the pool table to reveal: A teenage party.  Lots of beer, cigarettes and music.  Most importantly: No parents.  He passes by a group of SCANTILY CLAD GIRLS dancing with each other.  A COUPLE making out in the corner.  A CHUG FEST.  A HUGE CROWD--around the keg of course. A BIG GUY playing bartender grabbing cups and filling them.  The next cup goes to a JESSICA.  She walks away from the crowd.  Passes by a intense game of POKER.  Peeks at the cards.


JESSICA

He's got two aces and a queen.


CARD PLAYER

Bitch!


Smiles obnoxiously as she passes out the front door.  A cute little belly ring wiggles its way into the room.  The firm little abs of Caitlin. Hope follows behind, trying to pull down the tiny shirt that Caitlin has harassed her into.


Jeremy spots her. Kevin greets.


KEVIN

Welcome ladies to my humble abode.  Beer in the kitchen.  Bedrooms upstairs.  Bathroom in the back, barf buckets all around.  Please enjoy.


Kevin slips away into the abyss of partying teens.


JEREMY

(to Hope)

I am really glad you came.


HOPE

Me too.


CAITLIN

Me too.


Jeremy rolls his eyes at Caitlin.  She can take a hint.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

(to Hope)

Oh look there's...


She looks around.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

...that person I really was hoping would be here.  See ya.


Caitlin wanders away.


JEREMY

So.


HOPE

So.


JEREMY

You want a beer?


HOPE

No thanks, I'm good.


JEREMY

Ahh, a non-drinker.


HOPE

(sarcastically)

The intoxication of my life is plenty.


JEREMY

I agree.


He puts down his traditional red plastic beer cup.


A happening good time is being had by all.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

How about we go somewhere I can hear you.


HOPE

What?


JEREMY

Exactly.


EXT. KEVIN'S PORCH


The noise of the house is but a muffle outside.  Hope and Jeremy lean against the railing of the fence.


JEREMY

That's better.


HOPE

Yes.


A typical silence of the opposite sex.  A car zips by.  Fireflies flicker in the woods.  An owl hoots.  A neighbor's dog barks.


Jeremy is uncomfortable. Hope is not. 


JEREMY

I hate that.


HOPE

What?


JEREMY

That awkward silence.  Don't you?


HOPE

Nope.


JEREMY

I wasn't expecting that answer.

(beat)

You were supposed to say yes.  Then we could of had a chuckle over the whole thing.

(beat)

It would've helped to ease my nerves.


Hope has a chuckle.  The external sounds take over.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

It really doesn't bother you?


HOPE

You learn a lot about a person in the silence. 


JEREMY

Explain.


HOPE

Secrets are revealed in the silence.  You just have to listen.


Jeremy sits silently.  Hope is silent.


JEREMY

I'm not hearing it.


HOPE

You're not listening.


Jeremy slowly leans forward into Hope.  He holds her face in his hands. He kisses her. Gently at first.  Then it becomes more passionate.  His hands slide their way down to her back.  They still kiss and his hands still slide down even more.  With more force than a gentle slide, he grabs her butt.  The mood changes.  She freezes.  Pushes him.  Stares at him. 


HOPE (CONT'D)

I have to go.


JEREMY

What?  What did I do?


Jeremy grabs her arm.


HOPE

Nothing.


She pulls away from him.


HOPE (CONT'D)

I just have to go.


As Hope enters the house, Kevin exits.


KEVIN

Man, I've been looking for you.


JEREMY

Not now.


KEVIN

I have something you have to see.


Kevin pulls Jeremy into the house.


EXT. KEVIN'S BATHROOM


Hope knocks on the bathroom door.  LOTS OF GIGGLES.


FEMALE VOICES

One minute.


The door opens and out comes a GROUP OF FRESHLY PRIMPED GIRLS.  Hope slides into the bathroom.


INT. KEVIN'S BATHROOM


She locks the door.  Turns on the water.  Presses her eyes shut, she fights tears.  Rinses her face.  Looks into the mirror, into herself.  She straightens herself, swings open the door.


INT. KEVIN'S HOUSE


Hope grabs Caitlin by the arm.  Pulls the beer cup out of her hand.  Pulls her away from the crowd.


CAITLIN

What?


HOPE

Please.


Caitlin follows her friend.  A crowd, including Jeremy and Kevin, have formed to watch a, GIRL IN A SKIRT, doing a keg stand.  Hope pays no attention, she just wants to leave.  Jeremy catches Hope exiting.  He begins to follow her.


EXT. KEVIN'S HOUSE

It's too late.  The little red Volkswagen pulls away. He stares into the distance.


INT. CAITLIN'S CAR


They sit in the silence.  Caitlin glances over at her friend.


CAITLIN

You okay?


Hope forces a tiny reassuring smile for her friend.


HOPE

Yeah.


Caitlin flips on the radio.  A wonderful song begins to play.  The girls smile at each other.  And then Caitlin does the most remarkable thing, she lets her be. 


EXT. HOSPITAL -- LATER


The red Volkswagen bug pulls up through the fog.  The bright white lights of the hospital buzz.  The ambulance sirens swirl.


The passenger door opens.  Out steps Hope.


CAITLIN

How are you going to get home?


HOPE

Don't worry about it.  I'll find a way.


The automatic doors open.  She stands at the open doors, her eyes adjusting to the uncomfortable light.


INT. HOSPITAL


The hospital is busy.  Adults, children, elderly wait.  Some cry, some shake, some pray.


Hope makes her way down the hallway.  Nurses rush around.  It is strange how awake a hospital is while everyone else is asleep.


INT. HOSPICE UNIT


This hallway is a different world. The sense of urgency diminished. Quiet and calm.  Less sterile, more humane.


EXT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM


A familiar laugh, Grammy. A not so familiar laugh, male, British, jovial, very strange.  Hope tries to distinguish before entering, but can't.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM


A re-run of the Donna Reed show. Eve shakes her head at the show.  She is one of those TV commentary types.  The male voice revealed:  NIGEL (30ish), British, dashing, charming and lucky for Eve, her nurse.  He has taken the visitors seat next to Eve, put his feet up, and made Eve feel right at home.


NIGEL

(re:television)

What does it take for Miss Priss not to smile?  People aren't meant to be that happy.  People who are that happy are depressing.


EVE

People who are happy all the time are not depressing.


Nigel gives Eve a questioning glance.


EVE (CONT'D)

Maybe a wee bit crazy.


Hope giggles.  Eve MUTES the television.


EVE (CONT'D)

Ohhhh.  Nigel, this is my granddaughter Hope.


NIGEL

Hello, Hope.  Well your grandmother was quite right, you are a breath of fresh air after a dust storm.


HOPE

Thank you?


NIGEL

I will leave you alone to visit. 

(jokingly pouts)

I am sure I can find something to do.


HOPE

You can stay.


NIGEL

Darling, that is a swell offer and I am tickled pink but I probably do have some work that could be done.


EVE

Thank you, dear.


HOPE

Nice meeting you.


NIGEL

Cheerio.


As he exits he does a little one two step, just for kicks.


HOPE

I didn't know people really said 'Cheerio'.


Nigel pops his head back in.


NIGEL

A wonderful word like 'Cheerio' will never go out of fashion.


He pops out as quickly as he popped in. Eve looks at the clock 10:57 pm.


EVE

They don't even realize you aren't home, do they?


Hope shakes her head, a force-fed acceptance of the situation.


EVE (CONT'D)

Come, child.


Eve gives Hope a loving nudge.


HOPE

I just needed to be here with you. 


EVE

There there, child.


The television flickers, Hope and Eve watch.  Hope pulls out the Hospice pamphlet from her coat pocket.


HOPE

It says here that you can stay here for six months and then you will be reevaluated and may be moved out of hospice to...


EVE

Sounds like a jail sentence.  Let's just say dear, I am not getting out of here for good behavior. My next move is the big one.


HOPE

Are you scared?


EVE

Of what?


HOPE

To die.


Oddly, Eve is surprised by this question, the answer to her so simple.


EVE

No.  Not at all.


HOPE

Really?


EVE

Really. 


HOPE

You can just accept what is happening to you?


EVE

The key to accepting death is living life. Because I have lived, I am accepting. And now...


Hope hangs on the endless thought.


EVE (CONT'D)

I would have chosen a more ideal means to an end.


HOPE

Life isn't fair.


EVE

No it's not.  Did someone tell you it was going to be? 

(beat)

It's life, it is not meant to be perfect, if it was perfect it wouldn't need you to live it.


HOPE

Okay then...death isn't fair.


EVE

Death is part of life.

(beat)

A begining, a middle and an end, you need the ending to complete the story. 

(beat)

If I can have you here with me, my death can be a beautiful tribute to my life and yours.


Hope smiles.  They hold each other in silence.


EVE (CONT'D)

It just went by so quickly.


Eve dozes off.  Hope pulls a piece of paper from her pocket with a phone number on it.  Picks up the phone and dials.  It rings.


HOPE

Hello.


INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM -- SAME


The party has died down.  Jeremy is on the phone. Kevin and a few others watch television.


JEREMY

Hope?


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- SAME


HOPE

I just wanted to say I'm sorry for running off on you.  I kind of freaked.


JEREMY (O.S.)

No worries.


HOPE

Thank you.


She puts the phone down.  It wakes Eve.  Eve looks at the clock: 12:15 am.


EVE

Oh my.  You should be at home in bed.


HOPE

Yeah.  I love you Grammy.


EVE

I love you too.


Hope walks out the door.


EVE (CONT'D)

Wait.  How are you getting home?


HOPE

I'll be fine. Promise.


EXT. ROAD -- NIGHT


It is dark, very dark. Hope drags her feet as she makes her way home.  The bright lights of a car whizzing by blinds her.  A horn BLARES.  She jumps out of the way of the car.


HOPE

Asshole.


It begins to rain.  Softly at first.  A CRACK of lightning.  A BOOM of thunder.  The beginning of a storm.


Hope spreads her arms out wide and lets the rain pour over her and the tears fall down.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- LATER


The light of the television reveals a rain soaked Hope.  Mary and Tim are asleep in their chairs in front of the television.


CUT TO:


TELEVISION SCREEN:


THE CATHOLIC CABLE CHANNEL.  SISTER MARY LEADS THE ROSARY.


SISTER MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace.  The Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus...


BACK TO:


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM


Tim inhales and obnoxious noisy breath of air.  


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS


Faith is asleep.  She even sleeps properly. Tucked in, sheet folded over, nice and neat.  Hope enters the room.  It is dark.  The tiny disturbance wakes Faith.


FAITH

Where have you been?  Do you know what time it is?


Sneaks a look at the alarm clock next to Faith's bed.


HOPE

Shhhhhh.


Hope takes off her clothes rolls them in a ball and shoves them under her bed.


She lies down.  Closes her eyes.  Drifts into a deep sleep.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- DAY -- HOPE'S DREAM SEQUENCE


Early fall.  Full, bright, voluminous trees. The last of the warm days.


One last present.  A box wrapped with a pretty bow. A seven year old girl, a Young HOPE, sits on a park bench.  She bobs her head to her music, her inner music.  Eve hands Young Hope her birthday present.


EVE

Happy birthday, dear.


Young Hope rips through the tissue paper.  A NOTEBOOK, pretty and pastel and a PINK FEATHERED PEN.


YOUNG HOPE

A notebook.


Penned on the front cover:  FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, FOR YOUR DREAMS, FOR YOUR HOPE'S, LOVE GRAMMY.


EVE

For your thoughts, for your dreams, for your Hope's.


Young Hope's eyes dance. 


YOUNG HOPE

What should I write about?


EVE

Everything.  Anything.  From your mind.  From your heart.  From your soul.


Hope smiles at Grammy as the feather pen makes its first marks on the new crisp piece of paper.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- DIRT PATH -- DAY -- HOPE'S DREAM SEQUENCE


Lots of sun and big puffy clouds.  Paths wind past a swirly dark river.  Busy, self-absorbed individuals of all types travel the dirt paths. As each person passes, the clouds grow darker, the colored leaves fall more and more. A GROUP OF BOYS skate-board.  A BUSINESS MAN screams obscenities into a cell phone.  TWO GIRLS run off their last binge.  A WHEEL-CHAIR BOUND MAN is pushed by a YOUNG WOMAN in scrubs.  A MOTHER chats away into her cell phone, she doesn't notice that her CHILD, busy at a video game, has knocked over an OLD WOMAN.  A YOUNG MOTHER and YOUNG CHILD carry a TOY SAIL BOAT towards the river.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- SURFACE OF THE CHIMERA RIVER -- HOPE'S DREAM SEQUENCE


The trees are barren.  Blades of grass are painted by frost. A small TOY SAIL BOAT bobs in the water.  SMALL BUBBLES surround the TOY SAIL BOAT.  The BUBBLES grow larger and faster.  Splashing from underneath the water.  A hand grabs at the boat, it sinks.  Legs kick at an unbeatable opponent.  Nobody notices.  A frightened face of, HOPE, sinks deeper.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- MORNING


Fighting arms and legs twist themselves around the covers.  A sweaty, tired Hope jerks to a seated position.  She finally catches her breath.  The dream was so real that now: she is truly appreciative of her breath.  She looks at the alarm clock 7:15 am, jumps out of bed.  She walks by an open window: time has passed, it is early winter.


INT. CONARY HALLWAY -- SAME


A vacant hallway.  A closed door.  The morning hustle and bustle of Mary, Jacob and Faith are heard from downstairs.


MARY (O.S.)

Hope, if you want breakfast you better get down here.


The sound of falling shower water fills the air.  Tim does a visual sweep of the hallway.


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

Hope, it's now or never.


He slowly opens the bathroom door.  The water falls.  The steam is thick.  Tim peers through the fog and steamed glass.


INT. CONARY BATHROOM -- SAME


Hope is in the shower rinsing her hair.  She can feel Tim's eyes devouring her.  She wipes away the steam from the glass.  The door shuts.


INT. CONARY HALLWAY -- SAME


Tim pulls the door shut.  He turns around...there is Mary.  She lowers her head and walks by him, no questions asked, no thoughts processed.


TIM

I told her breakfast is now or never.


INT. BUS -- LATER


A few spared pieces of grass poke through the fresh snow.  The last of the dying leaves grasp onto the trees.  The neighborhood is void of life.


Here comes Caitlin.  Effervescent as always.


CAITLIN

Good Morning to you.


HOPE

Good Morning.


CAITLIN

Be still my beating heart.  Did you just say...Good Morning?


HOPE

I did.


CAITLIN

Weird.  I am not sure what to make of this.


BUS DRIVER

(to Caitlin)

Could you please sit down so we can continue?


CAITLIN

(to bus driver)

Sorry! But Hope just said good morning.


BUS DRIVER

I am not entertained, young lady. Sit Down!


She sits next to Hope.  Faith's head whips around.  Did Hope really just say good morning?


CAITLIN

You threw me for a loop.


HOPE

I had this dream last night.


CAITLIN

A sex dream?


HOPE

(sarcastically)

Yeah, a sex dream.


CAITLIN

Cool.  Did you get the Trig. homework done?


HOPE

I didn't.


CAITLIN

Can I copy?


Caitlin begins searching Hope's bag.  Caitlin looks up at Hope.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

You didn't?


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- LATER


Back to the sea of blue and white.  Chit-chat, slamming of lockers and shuffling feet. A typical morning at any school.  Caitlin and Hope arrange for the day.  Hope closes her locker.  Behind her is Jeremy.


JEREMY

May I walk you to class?


HOPE

Of course.


CAITLIN

(to Hope)

Hope, what about the trig. homework?


Hope shrugs. She really doesn't care.


JEREMY

Later, Caitlin.


Hope and Jeremy depart to class.


INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM -- CONTINUOUS


English class. The class assembles.  Sister Kathleen is ready.  Jeremy and Hope walk to their seats.  A warm radiating smile from Sister Kathleen is directed toward Hope.  Hope is receptive and appreciative.


SISTER KATHLEEN

We will not begin today's class with poetry.

She pauses.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

What... no AAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!


The class stares at her, is she trying to be funny? The fire hydrant red of her face screams: EMBARRASSED.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)


As you know, this Friday is the Christmas Ball.  I am going to need volunteers for the decoration comittee, anyone?


She patrols the class hoping to scare someone into the position, problem: she is not scary.  Sister Kathleen stops at Hope.  Hope ducks her head: please no, not again.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Hope?


Damn.  She did it again.  Why argue?


HOPE

Fine.


SISTER KATHLEEN

There's no escape guys, everyone in my class gets a job.


JEREMY

I'll take photos.


Jeremy turns and smiles at Hope. Sister Kathleen giggles.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Thank you Jeremy.  Anyone else? Come on, it will be fun.


INT. CONARY CAR -- EVENING

The entire family crowds the car.


FAITH

Hope, I hear you are helping with the Christmas ball.


HOPE

Yeah.


MARY

I am glad to see you getting involved with school activities, Hope. It will do you some good.

(to Tim)

Tim the girls are going to need dresses for the Christmas Ball.


Tim huffs and puffs under his breath.


INT. HOSPICE HALLWAY -- LATER


The Conary family marches down the hallway.  Nurses, Doctors and Patients move out of the way.  Appearing to be more on a mission then a family visit. Faith is armed with a bible. Tim is prepared with flowers.  Mary brings balloons.  Last but not least, Mary brought reinforcements: Father McMonagle.  Jacob and Hope straggle behind.  In the reflection of a window Hope catches glimpse of the strange characters that make-up her family.


JACOB

(to Hope, re: Father McMonagle)

What the hell is he doing here?


HOPE

I have no idea.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM

They storm the room.


EVE

Isn't this  a pleasant surprise.

(to Father McMonagle)

May I ask who you are?


Father McMonagle and Eve meet eyes.


MARY

This is Father...


EVE

Donald?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Eve Parsons?


HOPE

Do you two know each other?


EVE

Donald and I are old friends.  Isn't that right, Donny boy?


Father McMonagle's persona changes, the difference slight, but obvious.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Yes.  I didn't realize...I...ah...


EVE

I didn't realize either. I had heard that you...Why are you here?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Mary thought it would be good for you to have me here, in case...She thought you might like to sit and talk with me about your...I seem to be at a loss for words, Eve.


EVE

Wasn't that thoughtful of Mary.  I do so appreciate you coming out here and I am glad to see you but I don't think I am in need of your professional assistance.


MARY

Mother.  Father McMonagle came all this way for you.


EVE

No dear, he came for you, and if you feel the need to pray for me with him, knock yourself out. It won't offend me.


Mary is obviously insulted and very angry.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Mary if your Mother does not want...


EVE

It is okay.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

All right then.


MARY

Come on everyone gather around Grandma.


Father McMonagle still seems unsure if this is right.


EVE

It is all right, Donald.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Our Father who art in heaven.  Hallowed by thy name, thy kindom come.  They will be done..


Hope opens one eye and looks around the room.


FATHER MCMONAGLE (CONT'D)

...On earth as it is in heaven.


Hope's wandering eye catches Eve's wandering eye.  They smile, it takes all their strength not to bust into laughter.


FATHER MCMONAGLE (CONT'D)

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass agianst us.  Lead us not into temptation...


JACOB

We can find it ourselves.


Call that the straw that broke the camels back, Hope and Eve erupt into laughter.


MARY

That's enough.  Thank you Father.


TIM

Amen.


Tim only mouths the word.  Mary nudges Hope and Jacob.  Hope and Jacob don't respond to the insinuating nudge.


EVE

(smiling)

Well, that was absolutely lovely. Just lovely.


Mary is a big ball of anger.


MARY

Thank you, Father.  That really was wonderful.


INT. CONARY CAR -- NIGHT


Silence from all.  Mary is pissed, obviously pissed.  Too mad to even speak.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- LATER


The kids begin to scatter up the steps.  Mary paces, she is seething from within.


MARY

(spitting the words)

Not so fast.


All three stop in their tracks.


MARY (CONT'D)

Hope, Jacob, get over here.


FAITH

Am I free to go?


MARY

Yes you are.


Faith smirks at her siblings as they sulk down the steps.


MARY (CONT'D)

How could you have done this to me?


JACOB

It was a joke.

(beat)

Grandma laughed.


MARY

Embarrass me in front of Father McMonagle.  You disrespected me, your Father, Father McMonagle and God.


JACOB

Who cares that guy is a perv.


Mary erupts.  She SLAPS Jacob across the face.


MARY

Jacob--How dare you?  Don't you say that. That man has never been accused of anything, he is a saint.


JACOB

I'm sorry.


MARY

Get out of my sight.  Both of you.


Jacob storms up the steps, clearly upset.  Hope, shocked, follows.


Tim leans on the wall, in the back of the room, watching.  Mary storms past him.


INT. JACOB'S ROOM -- CONTINUOUS


Jacob pouts on his bed.  He is so upset, plus his face hurts.


Hope peeks her head in.  Taps softly on the door.  Jacob looks up.


JACOB

What do you want?


HOPE

Can I come in?


JACOB

Fine.


Hope closes the door behind her and takes a seat next to her little brother.


HOPE

Sorry about your face.


JACOB

Whatever.


HOPE

Well I am.


JACOB

Mom is a bitch. A stupid bitch.


HOPE

Jacob!


JACOB

What?  She is.  That was crazy.


HOPE

Yeah, it kind of was.


JACOB

Just 'cause I made a joke she wigged.  I can't stand her.  Dad either.  You
probably hate him too, huh?


She doesn't repsond.  Too touchy of a subject. Jacob accepts this and moves on. 


JACOB (CONT'D)

And Faith.  Faith is a complete weirdo; no wonder no one wants to be her friend.  She is a freakin' wingnut.  This family sucks.


A long pause.


HOPE

You done?


JACOB

Yeah.


HOPE

Hmmm.


JACOB

What?


HOPE

I am just glad you didn't say anything bad about me.


JACOB

(jokingly)

You're sitting right here.


Gives him a little shove.  They laugh.


INT. AUDITORIUM -- AFTERNOON


Paint cans, fake floral pieces, card board, and lots of other fun arts and crafts tools clutter the stage.


Groups of students work on different projects.  Sister Kathleen makes her rounds inspecting and complementing all the students.  Jeremy photographs.  Hope works in the corner painting a banner.


JEREMY

Looking good.


HOPE

I am so not artsy.


He kneels down to her, camera ready.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Uhh. No way.


She blocks her face.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Jeremy, stop!


JEREMY

Okay I won't.


HOPE

Thank you.


She goes back to painting.  A CLICK of a camera.  A PHOTOGRAPH OF HOPE'S WORKING HANDS.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Jeremy?


JEREMY

Just photographed your hands.


She laughs.  He walks behind her. CLICK.


HOPE

What are you doing?


JEREMY

Just got your foot.


He makes her laugh, again.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

You laughing at me?


HOPE

(playfully)

You laughing at me?


He kneels down in front of her again.


JEREMY

I just thought you should know, I'm taking you to the Christmas Ball.


Gets really close.  Hope takes her brush and decorates his face a great shade of green.  She laughs.


HOPE

Now I'm laughing at you.


From the distance Sister Kathleen watches Hope have fun, this makes her smile.


MONTAGE -- HOPE AND JEREMY'S RELATIONSHIP GROWS


--  Classroom -- Hope writes in her notebook.  Jeremy sneaks a peek.  Hope smiles
and closes the notebook.


-- Auditorium -- Hope stringing beads.  Jeremy snaps a picture of her knee.


-- Coffee shop -- Jeremy and Hope talk.


-- Auditorium --  Hope tacks a poster to the wall. Jeremy snaps a picture of Hope's elbow.


-- Cafeteria --  Jeremy, Hope and Caitlin have lunch.


-- School Gym --  The final touches of the Christmas Ball decorations are being hung.  A RADIO plays.  Jeremy begins dancing.


INT. SCHOOL GYM -- SAME


Jeremy dances.  He takes Hope by the hand.  She gives in and dances with him, a little.  All the students watch, whispering, wishing that was them.  Even Sister Kathleen is dancing a little bit.


JEREMY

Come on Hope, how can you say no to going to the dance with me now?  


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- DAY


Like any dying patient, Eve is failing.  Her body more frail by the day.  Nigel places a little medicine cup of Eve's pills next to her bed.


EVE

There seems to be more every day.

(looks again)

This one is new. What is it for?


Nigel looks into the cup at the bright pink pill.


NIGEL

Isn't it a wonderful color, such a happy pill.  My sister in Florida is the queen of color. She's got this sunshine yellow house. Talk about happiness.


EVE

Will this happy pill take me there?


NIGEL

Nah.  It should help ease that nasty indigestion.


EVE

Beggers can't be choosers.


Hope sits.  Looks over at the med cup.


HOPE

New pill?


EVE

Yep.


HOPE

Great color.


NIGEL

I was just saying the same thing.  Well, I must be on my way.  I'll see you ladies after a while.


HOPE

Cheerio.


He leaves.


EVE

You seem...sunny.


HOPE

I feel like a perfect summer's day.


EVE

Is it the boy?


Hope's inner thermostat rises as her face turns bright red.


EVE (CONT'D)

It is the boy.  Good.


Eve pushes herself up higher into the bed, she winces in pain.  Trying to hide that every muscle, every bone, every inch of her fiber hurts.


HOPE

You have any men in your life?


EVE

Nigel gives me a little thrill every now and then...but I'm not sure he is batting in our cage, if you know what I mean.


HOPE

(embarrassed)

Grammy!


A long pause.  Eve waits for the silence.


EVE

I saw Grandpa today.  He was sitting right where you are.


HOPE

Grandpa?


She stares past Hope.  Hope pulls the chair closer to Eve.


EVE

I wanted to go to him.  I wanted to go to him so badly.  He was there, pain free.  He had a full head of hair.  He said that's how he wanted me to see him. He said he was waiting, that I should come, come now.  I tried to.  I tried so hard.  I wanted out of this god forsaken body desperately.  I wanted to not hurt anymore.  I wanted my blonde hair back, the way I want Grandpa to see me.


She smiles like a young girl in love, kind-of like Hope.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- LATER


Eve sleeps soundly.  Hope writes in her notebook.  A KNOCK on the door. 


Eve wakes up.  Nigel stands at the door.  He has another cup full of medicine.  He places it next to the one from earlier.  Hope looks at the untouched medicine cups.


HOPE

I should go.  I've got to get ready for the Christmas Ball tonight.


Hope begins to push the chair back to its original position.


EVE

Leave it dear.  This way when Grandpa comes back he won't have to sit so far from me.


HOPE

Okay.


Nigel smiles at Eve's visioning experience, it is a wonderful blessing.  Hope kisses Eve on the head. 


Hope looks at Nigel and back at Eve.  Contemplating the possibility of batting for the other team.  No way.  Eve shrugs. Maybe.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Tell Grandpa I said hi.


EVE

I will dear. And you enjoy every moment of your evening.


NIGEL

May I walk to Queen of the ball out?


HOPE

That would be quite lovely.  Thank you.


INT. HOSPICE HALLWAY


HOPE

She is an amazing woman.  Never complains.  Is she in a lot of pain, isn't she?


NIGEL

She is a tough cookie.


HOPE

Some of the people here seem to be so comfortable.  Dying so peacefully, painlessly, but...


NIGEL

We do all we can.  Some diseases are stronger than medicine.


HOPE

Why does it have to be like this for her?


NIGEL

A death is is as individual as a life.


HOPE

Luck of the draw?


NIGEL

That is a fine way to look at it, darling. Because there is no rhyme or reason to it and the "Why's" of life will kill you dear.



INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- EVENING


Hope is getting ready.  She is actually putting forth some effort.  A formal
dress, hair down and a touch of make-up. 


She reaches into the top drawer of her nightstand, she rummages through, pushes past a LARGE WAD OF MONEY, finds the FAIRY NECKLACE from Caitlin.  The door CREAKS open.  She shuts the nightstand drawer. Tim peers in.  Hope walks towards Tim and SLAMS the door with an intense amount of force.


INT. CONARY KITCHEN -- SAME


The SLAMMING door is heard downstairs.  It disturbs Mary.  She heads up the steps.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- SAME


The door CREAKS open again.  Once again it is Tim.  He leers at his step-daughter.


TIM

You look...nice tonight.


Hope gets up again and tries to slam the door but he has blocked the way.


HOPE

Leave.


He doesn't.  He forces himself into the room.  She backs up.


HOPE (CONT'D)

What are you doing?


He keeps coming.  His eyes are hungry.  Hope's eyes well up with fear and then they change, from fear to shock.  Hope stares past Time. He turns to see what Hope is looking at...Mary.  Her horrified face screams every question of every mother.


TIM

I'm just letting her know how nice she looks tonight.


Tim backs away from Hope and walks out of the room.  Hope and Mary stare at each other for a minute.  Mary slowly closes the door, not on Hope, but for Hope.


INT. CONARY HALLWAY


Mary's blinders have been lifted and now her life is piercing her eyes.  In the light of this horrible realization--she has no idea what to do.


INT. SCHOOL GYM -- NIGHT


The Christmas ball. Twinkly lights, wreaths, candy canes, cut out snow flakes, an abundance of Christmas decorations.


The goal lines, bleachers and raised basketball nets don't take away from the magic of the evening.  Students mingle, admire each other's dresses, and of course, dance.


Hope and Jeremy dance.  Having a wonderful time.  In the corner, thinking know one is watching, Sister Kathleen is dancing.


Hope laughs, a truly soulful laugh.  It is contagious, Jeremy starts to laugh.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- DAY


It is Christmas Eve day. The living room dressed for Christmas.  Stockings hang over the fireplace.  A prelite, out of the box Christmas tree, stands in the corner, decorated with ornaments and candy canes. The facade of a happy holiday family home. 


Hope sits on the couch, writing in her notebook.  She scribbles on every available blank space. Faith reads a book.


Mary storms by the girls and out the door without a word to anyone.


INT. HOSPICE HALLWAY -- LATER


Very little holiday cheer.  Looks the same as it does everyday.  The only hint of the seasons are in individual rooms decorated by families.  Mary makes her way down the hallway.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM


Eve watches the door.  Listens intensely.


INT. HOSPICE HALLWAY


Mary leans against Eve's door.  Inhales deeply, blows it out slowly.


NIGEL

Everything peachy-keen dear?


MARY

(annoyed)

Fine.


Nigel walks away.  Scrunches his face mocking Mary.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM


The door handle turns.  Eve shuts her eyes, pretending to sleep.


Mary peeks in, relief, Eve is asleep.  She begins to close the door.


EVE

Not so fast.


Mary walks back in.


MARY

I thought you were sleeping.


EVE

I was wondering when you would come.


MARY

What are you talking about?  I come all the time.


EVE

You may come, but you're never really here.


Eve scooches herself up in the bed and nods towards her feet.


EVE (CONT'D)

Sit.


MARY

Okay.


The silence eats up the air.


EVE

Spit it out.


MARY

What?


Eve shakes her head, annoyed with Mary's constant denial.


EVE

You have to do something for that child.


MARY

What child?


EVE

Don't play stupid with me.  You play deaf and dumb in every aspect of your life, not with me.


MARY

What do you want me to do?


EVE

Did you come for advice?


Silence.


EVE (CONT'D)

Help her.  Save her.


Mary fumes in the silence.


MARY

(upset)

She doesn't need my help. If she needed me she could ask.  I can't do anything to make her happy. 


EVE

Go to her. 


MARY

You don't understand.


EVE

You're right.  I don't understand what is going through your head.  She is your child.


MARY

I'll light a candle for her at church.  God will help her.


Eve looks around the room, she appears to be listening to something, she pulls her ears.


EVE

I hear him calling you Mary...do you hear it?


MARY

I don't know why I even came here.


One last try:


EVE

Jesus can only help her if you do.

(beat)

God works through people, he needs you to do your part.


MARY

I've done my part.


A last resort:


EVE

If you can't help her, give her the freedom to help herself.


Mary storms out.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- EVENING


Nigel and Eve have a chat while he checks her vitals.


NIGEL

Oh dear, she seems like deep down she is just as lovely as a rose.


Eve chuckles.


EVE

You just have to get past the thornes.


NIGEL

I never really liked roses.  Much more of a sunflower man myself.


EVE

Sunflowers, huh?


NIGEL

My sister grows them down there in Florida.


EVE

Where in Florida?


NIGEL

Orlando.  


EVE

Talk about a world of force fed happiness. 

(beat)

You know I am probably not the one to be giving her advice anyways.  I wouldn't want advice from someone who did it all wrong.


Nigel believes in the validation of thoughts more than the consoling of feelings.


NIGEL

I believe the best advice comes from those who did it all wrong; they are the ones who know how to make it right.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT


Hope reads on her bed.  Faith is doing homework.  A faint knock on the door.  Hope gives a questioning glance to Faith: who in this family is so polite?


FAITH

Come in.


It is Mary. She is holding a small brown bag.


HOPE

Mom?


MARY

Faith, could you excuse us for a moment, please?


FAITH

Pardon?


Looks at Hope, she shrugs.


MARY

Please.


FAITH

Yes, mother.


MARY

Close the door behind you, dear.


The door shuts.


MARY (CONT'D)

Can I sit?


Hope pulls her knees into her chest making room for Mary.  Mary slowly, awkwardly sits.  She fiddles with the handles of the bag.  Mary focuses deeply on her shaking hands, never making eye contact with Hope.


MARY (CONT'D)

You know Hope, sometimes adults have to do what they feel is best for the family unit, to protect the sanctity of the home.

(beat)

People make mistakes, they make bad choices, for whatever reasons. 

(beat)

And the worst thing is sometimes they can't even make it right no matter how much they want to.


Mary glances quickly at Hope.


MARY (CONT'D)

Here.


Mary places the brown bag on Hope's bed.  She taps Hope on the knee, a poor excuse for affection.  She leaves.


Hope is taken back by the gesture.  A stand off between the bag and Hope.


Hope pulls back the handles, reaches inside, pulls out a box.  She opens the box slowly, pulls back the white paper.  Unveiled from beneath the tissue paper, a
NOTEBOOK, pretty and pastel, it is perfect.


Hope smiles.  Grabs a pen from her desk.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- DAY


Eve watches Bewitched.  Old Endora is meddling again.  Eve looks terrible.  She is obviously failing.


EVE

Meddling mother-in-law.  No wonder Darren hates you.  I hate you.


KNOCK. KNOCK.


EVE (CONT'D)

Hello, angel.  Come in.  I can't get over how much this woman meddles in her daughter's life.


She clicks off the television.  She grimaces as she moves herself to a more vertical position.


HOPE

Are you all right?


EVE

Why don't you help me into that wheel-chair.  I'll show you around this fine establishment.


HOPE

You need to get out?


EVE

Desperately.  If it is only down the hall for a few minutes.


Eve presses the call button.


HOPE

Why did you do that?


EVE

Getting up isn't as easy as it used to be.  The joys of getting old.


A NURSING ASSISTANT comes into the room.


EVE (CONT'D)

(to the nursing assistant)

Just need a slight hand getting out of bed dear.


The slight hand seems to be a total assist.  Eve winces in pain while the Nursing Assistant transfers her.


INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY


Hope pushes Eve in a wheel-chair.


HOPE

Thanks for the notebook.


EVE

You're welcome, dear. You writing anything good?


HOPE

I'm writing everything.


EVE

I hope my little talk did more than produce a new journal.


HOPE

Nope.  It didn't change her a bit.


EVE

That child can make me so mad.  She doesn't listen.


Even mad, Eve still radiates compassion.


HOPE

You're not Jesus.  Jesus she would listen to.


EVE

I hear Jesus was quite opinionated, I am sure that even Jesus has tried giving her a call on this matter; she just has such a barrier.


HOPE

It was the carpenter in him; he built her a massive wall.

(beat)

How could you have let her marry him?


EVE

Your poor mother.  She was so in love with your father.  They sparkled when they were together.  I remember when she found out she was pregnant with you...her dreams had come true.  The night of his car accident...a light turned off in her.  Her world was shattered.  She found herself pregnant and alone.  She was terrified.  She met Tim, literally days after the funeral.  He showed interest.  She desperatly needed someone...not only for herself, but for you.

(a realization)

And I wasn't there for her.


They pass a line of chairs.


EVE (CONT'D)

Stop dear.  Sit.


Hope stops pushing and sits on the chair.  Nigel dances past the two.


NIGEL

How are my two favorite young ladies?


EVE

Couldn't be better.


NIGEL

Beautiful.


He twirls once, just for a laugh, and continues on his way.


EVE

Deep down your mother is a good person who loves you and your brother and sister.

(beat)

Sometimes people get lost.  One day a tornado will come, pick her up and drop her right on her stubborn ass.  And when that day comes--she can begin to find herself. 

(beat)

At least you got a new notebook.


INT. CONARY KITCHEN -- MORNING


Mary is deep in thought as she washes dishes.  As she places a pot to dry a glare reflects off her hand.  She looks down, the sun is shining off of her wedding ring.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S ROOM -- SAME


Hope's bare feet smack against the wood floors, past the unblemished side of the room to the closet.  She yanks down a button down and a skirt.  Hope slides on the skirt.  Closes each button of the blouse.  Digs through the sock drawer.  Finds the pair of the day, slides them up, slips on her shoes.  She reaches for the brush, reconsiders, and puts it down.


INT. CONARY STAIRWAY


MARY

Hope, you better...


A whirlwind: Hope rushes past her mother, brushes past Tim, and flies out the door.


TIM

What's her hurry?


INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM -- MORNING


The class is super-chatty today.  Typical of the first day back from Christmas break, there's lots of catching up to do. 


Hope and Jeremy hold their own little conversation.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome back.  I am sure you have all had a wonderful Christmas break.


Sister Kathleen flips open her text book.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

(reading)

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference".  The great Robert Frost.  This is one of the few poems that everyone seems to find a connection with.  Why is that?


JEREMY

Frost makes us look at the path our own lives are on.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Why does he do this?  Why is it important to know where we are?


A STUDENT in the back raises their hand.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

Yes?


STUDENT IN CLASS

Because if we don't know where we are how do we know where we are going.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Do you think by knowing where you are today, you can know where you will be tomorrow?


JESSICA

No.  You won't know that until you get there.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Why does Frost throw out the idea of the road less taken then?


JESSICA

What's wrong with traveling the road always taken? Does that make you a bad person if that is your choice?


SISTER KATHLEEN

Good question.  Anyone?  Hope?


Why...Why...Why does she always do that?


HOPE

No. Because in the end the only thing that matters is where you are, and accepting the choices you made that got you there.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Lots of opinions.  Lots of things to think about.  Now...I want to hear everyone's thoughts...in poem form.


She hands a stack of papers to the first student in each row.  They take one and hand it to the student behind them.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

You will now have the opportunity to discover the poet in you.  Your assignment will be write a poem and let us see a little bit of who you are.


JESSICA

What?

(beat)

I don't know about the rest of the class, but I don't have any depressed poet in me.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Sure you do.  I believe everyone has some sort of reservations about death or even about life.


JESSICA

Not me.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Well then this assignment may be a little harder for you then some of the other students.


HOPE

(in a whisper to Jeremy)

I think writing this poem will do Jessica some good.  You too for that matter.


JEREMY

(in a whisper to Hope)

Why?


HOPE

(in a whisper to Jeremy)

To help you hear what is in those awkward silences.


JEREMY

(in a whisper to Hope)

I already know.


HOPE

(in a whisper to Jeremy)

Oh yeah?


JEREMY

(in a whisper to Hope)

It's a secret.


Sister Kathleen tosses Hope one of her warm as sunshine smiles.  Could she have really heard Hope and Jeremy's brief conversation?


SISTER KATHLEEN

The poem will be due at the end of the quarter.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

Hope sits on the couch writing.  Headlights beam through the window.  She hops off the couch.


TIM

Where are you off to?


She is already out the door.


EXT. KEVIN'S HOUSE -- LATER


Lots of cars.  Lots of foot prints in the snow. Teenagers coming and going.  Caitlin's little red Volkswagen parked  outside.


INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS


A tiny little ping pong ball bounce, bounce, bounces across the table, until SPLASH, it makes its home into a red plastic cup of beer.  A GROUP OF JOCKS look down at the cup.  One of the boys picks up the cup.  A group of boys on the other side of the table CHEER him on.


BOYS

Chug it.


Another teenage party.  The room is filled with mindless chatter, infectious laughs, music and of course beer.


Hope and Caitlin watch from the corner.


HOPE

(to the boys)

So gross.


CAITLIN

Fun!


She sips her beer.


HOPE

Nasty hands all over a nasty ball thrown into a cheap cup of beer.


CAITLIN

Fun.


They laugh.  Hope is having fun.  Jeremy brings over a water.  Hands it to Hope.


HOPE

Thanks.


Kevin brings Caitlin another red cup.


KEVIN

Thought you could use a refill.


CAITLIN

You thought right. You're like a mind reader or something.


KEVIN

I am.


Kevin and Caitlin begin to flirt in the corner.  Jeremy takes Hope by the hand and leads her away from her friend.  Hope smiles at her friend.  Caitlin gives Hope a little wink.


INT. GUEST BEDROOM AT KEVIN'S HOUSE


As Hope and Jeremy enter into the bedroom it is obvious, Jeremy thinks he is so smooth.  Hope smiles to herself, she knows how to intimidate the coolness right out of him.


HOPE

Let me guess, you want to hear me better.


JEREMY

Exactly.


He sits on the bed and leans against the headboard making himself comfortable.  Hope sits at the end of the bed.  They stare at each other.  Jeremy chuckles.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

Now your just doing it on purpose.


She is, she loves the control.


HOPE

You got me.


JEREMY

I think it is time.


HOPE

For what?


JEREMY

To tell me your secret.


HOPE

It is, is it?


JEREMY

Yep.


She kicks off her shoes.


HOPE

All right.


JEREMY

(shocked)

Really?


He smiles, silly boy thinks he has control. She crawls up to him straddling him.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

(swallows hard)

This must be a really good secret.


HOPE

Oh it is.


She begins unbuttoning his shirt.  The humming silence causes Jeremy to nervously produce words.


JEREMY

You know I'm not against all this at all.  But I am trying to figure out...


Hope pulls her shirt off over her head. Hope places her fingers over his mouth to stop the chatter.


HOPE

Shhh.


JEREMY

Did you just shush me?


HOPE

Yes I did.


JEREMY

Okay. 


She picks up his hand and places it on her heart.  She places her hand on his heart.  For the first time she is letting someone in.  They kiss.  He gently lifts her up and turns her over, laying on top of her.


JEREMY (CONT'D)

I love you.


She smiles and gives him the control.


INT. KEVIN'S BEDROOM -- SAME


Kevin and Caitlin are in the midst of a serious make out session on Kevin's bed.  Kevin's hand wanders up Caitlin's leg, she pushes his hand down.  His hand wanders up her thigh once again. Caitlin pushes him.


CAITLIN

Okay that's enough.


KEVIN

What?


He pushes her back down.


CAITLIN

Get off of me.


He ignores her.  She wiggles her leg free, and in one swift movement, thrusts him off of her.  He falls backwards.


KEVIN

What the...


He gains his balance.


KEVIN (CONT'D)

Bitch.


He tosses her sweater at her.


KEVIN (CONT'D)

Get out.


Caitlin runs out of his room, tears in her eyes.


INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM -- LATER


Hope and Jeremy return to the party. He has his arm around her and is smiling ear to ear.  Hope at this moment is less happy, more confused from the headlights outside.


JEREMY

What's wrong?


HOPE

Caitlin?


INT. CAITLIN'S CAR -- SAME


Caitlin's cheeks are stained with mascara, her lip stick smudged.  She starts the car and leaves.


INT. KEVIN'S LIVING ROOM -- SAME


Hope walks towards the door.


JEREMY

Are you leaving?


HOPE

No...but Caitlin is.


JEREMY

(sincerely)

I'm sure she's fine.


HOPE

Can I use your phone?


He hands her his cell.  She dials.  It goes right to voicemail.


CAITLIN'S VOICEMAIL

You've reached Caitlin.  You might have figured this but I'm out having fun.  So do your thing after the beep.


Hope closes the phone.  A BOUQUET of ROSES fills a vase on the corner table.  Jeremy pulls a single ROSE from the vase and hands it to Hope.


JEREMY

Madam, it would be my pleasure to take you home whenever you're ready.


INT. JEREMY'S CAR -- LATER


Jeremy and Hope sit quietly in the car.  Hope twiddles the rose between her fingers.


HOPE

(to herself)

The thornes have been removed.


JEREMY

What?


HOPE

Nothing.


Hope comes back to earth. She opens the car door.


JEREMY

You sure you don't want me to wait?


HOPE

I'm sure.


She begins to step out of the car, he pulls her in for a kiss.


JEREMY

I'll talk to you in the morning.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- LATER


Eve is sleeping soundly.  Hope sits in the chair, her head bobs, as she struggles to stay awake.  The door opens.  The light filters into the room.  There is Nigel.  He motions for Hope to come to him.


INT. HOSPICE HALLWAY


Nigel and Hope take a seat out in the hallway.  Hope is still twiddling the rose.


NIGEL

Darling, you should be home in bed, a girl needs her beauty rest.


HOPE

No sleeping for me...I might miss something.


NIGEL

What kind of something?


She doesn't respond.  Nigel quickly moves on.  Some "somethings" arent' meant to be shared.


NIGEL (CONT'D)

And what kind sir granted this lovely rose upon you?


Hope blushes.


HOPE

Jeremy.


NIGEL

Jeremy, huh? Jeremy.


HOPE

That is his name.


NIGEL

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.


HOPE

True.  However, this rose has no thorns.


NIGEL

And how do you feel about that?


HOPE

Too perfect.


She runs her fingers down the length of the stem.  Feeling each little bump that used to be a thorn.


NIGEL

What is more beautiful than imperfections?


HOPE

Embracing imperfection.


Nigel smiles, a charming, perfectly imperfect smile.


HOPE (CONT'D)

What are you doing here?


NIGEL

Lending a helping hand.


HOPE

Nah.  I mean here, Ohio.


NIGEL

I came for the education, got a job here at the Clinic and just haven't left.


HOPE

The dreary weather must not bother you too much.


NIGEL

Darling, I am ready for the eternal sunshine and the returning ocean.


HOPE

Orlando?


NIGEL

A new start in Cocoa Beach.  Doesn't that just sound yummy?



INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT


Hope quietly enters the room.  Faith is asleep.  She kicks off her shoes, pulls off her jeans, and drops the rose on the nightstand between Hope and Faith's beds.  Faith wakes up, angry.


FAITH

Hope, this is ridiculous.  You can't keep doing this it is rude and
inconsiderate.  You keep coming in, waking me up.  Where the hell do you even go?


HOPE

I didn't mean to wake you.


The ROSE catches Faith's eyes.  She's ripped from the conversation into the bloom of the flower. She starts to cry, soft gentle tears.


HOPE (CONT'D)

I'm sorry.


Confused on what she did, Hope goes to comfort her sister.


HOPE (CONT'D)

I'm really sorry.  I didn't mean to...make you cry.


Faith smiles at Hope.  This confuses Hope even more.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Why are you crying?


FAITH

A sign.  My prayers will be answered.


HOPE

I'm sure they will be.


FAITH

No your not, but I am.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- DAY


Dr. Malcolm paces uncomfortably. Eve's pleading is breaking her heart, and making her extremely nervous.


EVE

Every inch of me screams.  You must understand...I just can't....please.


DR. MALCOLM

I can't Eve.  I'm sorry.


EVE

I know I am putting you in a precarious sit...


DR. MALCOLM

We can up your pain medication.  That should help some.  However, what you are asking...


EVE

The medication is not working.


DR. MALCOLM

There are times where pain is unmanageable but we are doing...


In pops Nigel with a cart full of pills. He passes glances between Dr. Malcolm and Eve, reading between the lines.


DR. MALCOLM (CONT'D)

Hello Nigel.  We can talk later, Eve.


Dr. Malcolm leaves.  Nigel begins pulling pills for Eve, his back towards her.


NIGEL

Not feeling so delicious today, dear?


EVE

I feel like nine week old tuna fish.


NIGEL

Definitely not so delicious, actually that is disgustingly stinky.


Eve chuckles, it hurts, tears fall from her eyes. Nigel glances at Eve through the mirror.  He puts the numerous pills into a little dixie cup.


NIGEL (CONT'D)

You don't have to take all the pills when I give them to you.


She looks at him in the mirror.


NIGEL (CONT'D)

You can take them when you really need them.


She smiles at him and sinks into her pillow.  He places the pills next to her on the nightstand and leaves.


INT. SCHOOL CHAPEL, OUTSIDE THE CONFESSIONAL -- DAY


Reconciliation for the students is in process.  Students linger in line, waiting for their turn.  Hope and Caitlin wait in line.  Caitlin is not herself, and in a bizarre twist of events, Hope is trying to comfort her.


HOPE

Are you sure you are alright?


CAITLIN

I told you, I'm fine.


She fakes a cheesy smile for her friend.


HOPE

I don't believe you.


Two students depart two separate confessionals.


CAITLIN

Looks like it's our turn.


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


Hope on one side a PRIEST ONE on the other.


HOPE

Forgive me father for I have sinned...


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL TWO


Caitlin sits on one side PRIEST TWO on the other.


CUT TO:


CAITLIN

...it has been one week since my last confessional.


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


PRIEST ONE

Continue, my child.


HOPE

I cheated on my math test.  I...


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL TWO


CAITLIN

...lied to my mother.  I fought...


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


HOPE

...with my brother.  I had...


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL TWO


CAITLIN

...naughty thoughts about a boy in my class.


CUT TO:


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


PRIEST ONE

Your sins have been forgiven.  Do three Hail Mary's and one Our Father.


CUT TO:


INT. SCHOOL CHAPEL, OUTSIDE THE CONFESSIONALS


Confessional doors open.  Out comes Hope and Caitlin.  They smile at each other.  They walk down the hallway.  Heading the opposite way is Father McMonagle.  Caitlin catches his eye.  He bows his head.


CAITLIN

(to Hope)

I'll catch up with you after class, ok?


HOPE

Yeah.


Father McMonagle exchanges places with Priest One. He disappears into the booth.


Caitlin races to the STUDENT in the front of the line.


CAITLIN

Hey.  Can I cut?


STUDENT

Ummm.


CAITLIN

Come on.  The longer your in line the more class you can miss.


STUDENT

Fine.


The door opens, a STUDENT comes out, Caitlin rushes in.


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


Separated by a screen, Caitlin sits silently, Father McMonagle waits for her to proceed.  It takes a while, he gets a bit impatient.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Huh Humm.


CAITLIN

Forgive me Father for I have sinned it has been...

(checks her watch)

...nine minutes since my last confession.


Father McMonagle raises his head: What?  Silence lingers.


CAITLIN (CONT'D)

I just wanted to apologize.


She begins to leave.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Wait. 

(beat)

Is there anything else?


Caitlin slides the screen open.  She smiles warmly at him.


CAITLIN

Yeah.


She begins to cry.


INT. SCHOOL CHAPEL, OUTSIDE THE CONFESSIONAL


The same students wait.  Whispering.  What is taking so long?  No one really confesses in high school.  Hope has taken a seat, waiting for her friend.


Sitting in one of the aisles alone is Faith.  She is praying, more than praying, she is pleading.  Hope watches her sister, intently, although impossible, she strains to hear her sister's hopes.


Sister Kathleen enters.  She watches Hope watching Faith.  She approaches Hope.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Do you pray, Hope?


HOPE

What's the point?  It hasn't gotten Faith anywhere,

(realization)

and she really believes.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Are you angry?


HOPE

I've got a few things to be angry about.


SISTER KATHLEEN

So pray.


HOPE

I don't think anyone up there is listening to me.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Hope, you can't be angry at God and not believe in him at the same time.


Hope looks at Sister Kathleen.


SISTER KATHLEEN (CONT'D)

That just wouldn't make sense.


Hope changes the subject, to something a little less intrusive.


HOPE

Praying just seems a lot like begging someone else to do something for you that you aren't capable of doing yourself.


SISTER KATHLEEN

I agree that you can't leave it entirely up to prayer, there must be action to accompany it.


HOPE

Do you believe that if I pray hard enough things will be different?


SISTER KATHLEEN

I believe that you can make things different for yourself and that prayer can be there to comfort you on your journey.

(beat)

You know there is documented proof of the power of prayer?


Hope gives Sister Kathleen one of those "yeah, yeah" kind-of-looks.


HOPE

How do you believe so much in something you can't see?


SISTER KATHLEEN

That is faith.


Faith has finished.  She crosses herself and leaves.  She catches Hope's eyes on her way out.  Faith nods at Hope.  Hope smiles back.  Sister Kathleen leaves.


INT. CONFESSIONAL ONE


After the baring of her soul, Caitlin feels better, and so does Father McMonagle.  Her face is streaked with dried tears, but she is smiling.


CAITLIN

You know, you're really good at this.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

At what?


CAITLIN

Listening. 


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Thank you.


CAITLIN

Thank you.


He doesn't respond.  He really hasn't helped anyone in a long time.  He forgot what it was like.  His eyes swell with tears.  Caitlin respects the moment and leaves.


INT. SCHOOL CHAPEL, OUTSIDE THE CONFESSIONAL


Caitlin reappears to the world.  Hope spots her friend.


HOPE

You all right?


CAITLIN

Yeah I am.


Father McMonagle peaks his head out, watching Hope depart with Caitlin.  Caitlin turns back around and smiles at him.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- DAY


Eve reaks of pain, even in her sleep.  A knock on the door.  Every inch of her fiber hurts as she opens her eyes.


EVE

Come in.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Hello Eve.


EVE

Donald?


Her clenched face holds in the piercing screams of her body as she raises herself up.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

How are you today?


EVE

Other than the nagging headache, the constant nausea, the lack of control of my bodily functions and...oh the excruciating pain,  I am absolutely beautiful Donny boy.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

You always were and you still are.


She smiles, a woman, at any age and in any condition, loves a compliment.


He pulls a yearbook from his satchel.  She laughs at the sight of the old book.


EVE

Oh, Donny.  Where did you find that silly old thing?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

I've always kept it close.


A PHOTOGRAPH OF: Donald McMonagle, 18 year old class president.  Eve Parsons, voted homecoming queen and most likely to succeed.  


EVE

I should have known you would of chosen such a path.


He smiles.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

And you?  Did you travel the world?  Did you open eyes to the combatable evils?  Did you write an article that brought you your Nobel peace prize?


She smiles.  He remembered, like it was yesterday.  A tear falls from her eye.  She wipes it away.


EVE

Did you come to chat with an old friend or did you come on business?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Which do you require?


EVE

Always diplomatic.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

We are taught to be.


A long silence.


EVE

I am very tired, Donald.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Well then you should rest.


EVE

That is not what I mean.  I am tired of the situation I am in.  I am tired of hurting, I am tired of being sick, I am tired of suffering.  I've lived a full life.  My death is imminent and yet so far away.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Suffering has its place.  Without suffering......


EVE

At what point is my suffering no longer benefiting me?


He closes his eyes.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

No one can choose their end.  Only God can decide when it is time to pass on.  He has a plan for each one of us.  The suffering we must endure at the end has a difinitive point.  If we decide to end our lives, even a moment before it is time, we could be missing out on something that we need to complete our life journey.


EVE

Everything is done.  My journey is complete.  Why do I have to take even a minute more of this?


His eyes are still closed.


FATHER MCMONAGLE

God has a plan and in the end the decisions we make are between us and our Maker.  We must remember that Jesus suffered...


EVE

Open your eyes, look at me, stop the religious speak and talk to me...as a friend.


Embarrassed into eye contact.


EVE (CONT'D)

What should I do?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

I don't know.  I don't have all the answers.  No one does.


EVE

Than how can you tell me what is right for me?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

I can't.


EVE

I have heard that you lock yourself away in your office and rarely open the door.  What is the problem with you guys?  That is not the Donny I knew in school.  You were the guy who would go out of his way to help...


FATHER MCMONAGLE

(getting troubled)

Things used to be easier.  Black and white, the answers clearer.  Times are different and I am wiser.


EVE

What good has your new found wisdom brought you?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

I don't know, Eve.  There are issues now that never existed before.


EVE

Issues?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Scandals, technology, medicine...


EVE

Life?


FATHER MCMONAGLE

Yes life.

(beat)

I pray for answers but the answers seem to blow right past.  I want to tell you what is right...but ultimately it is between you and God. Only He knows the spirit of your soul.

Exhausted from this conversation he stands.

FATHER MCMONAGLE (CONT'D)

In the end it is you and Him, Eve, no one else.

He begins to leave.

EVE

In the end it will all make sense.

FATHER MCMONAGLE

Yes. Yes it will.

He is almost out the door.

EVE

I'll send you a sign.

He never turns to look at her again:

FATHER MCMONAGLE

Keep it simple.

EVE

Snow in June?

EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- DAY

The first buds of spring have sprung.  A few early birds CHIRP.  The wind is still cold.  Hope and Jeremy make their way into the woods.  His camera hangs from his neck.  She carriers her notebook. 

EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- DIRT PATH

A few appreciative souls.  Most don't venture out this early in the year.  They miss the beauty of the new life.

Hope and Jeremy walk and walk and walk.  She listens to the wisdom of the silence and he appreciates every little thing.

He stops frequently to take pictures.

EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- BANK OF THE CHIMERA RIVER

A YOUNG MOTHER and her YOUNG CHILD play by the river.  The Young Mother puts a TOY BOAT in the river.  It bounces and bobs.  The Young Child giggles.

The giggles are infectious.  The Young Mother giggles.  Hope giggles.  Jeremy photographs the toy boat.


The TOY BOAT topples over.


YOUNG CHILD

Mommy!


YOUNG MOTHER

Don't be upset.  That's what happens sometimes.


The Young Mother reaches for the tiny toy boat but it has caught a current.  The Young Child CRIES.


YOUNG CHILD

Mommy!


YOUNG MOTHER

Don't cry.  We just have to let it go.


YOUNG CHILD

NO!


YOUNG MOTHER

It's okay.  It will be on an exciting adventure.  We should be happy for the little boat.


YOUNG CHILD

Really?


YOUNG MOTHER

Really.  You know what we need to do don't you?


YOUNG CHILD

What?


YOUNG MOTHER

Wave good-bye.


The Young Child and Young Mother wave the little boat off on its journey.  The boat floats further and further away.  Jeremy runs down river to catch one more photograph of the boat.


HOPE

Just wave good-bye.


JEREMY

Not without one more shot.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK


They are alone again, wandering peacefully beside the river.  She sits on the river bank and tosses a stone into the river.


JEREMY

You and me...we're a lot alike.


HOPE

Yeah?


JEREMY

You listen...I watch, either way we are both just trying to take it all in.


She smiles.  He lifts his camera, she doesn't stop him--he PHOTOGRAPHS her.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- LATER


Deep pinks and purples filter the sky.  The sun is beginning to sleep.  Jeremy and Hope still sit by the river.


HOPE

We should go.


JEREMY

Ehhh.  I don't want to.  Let's stay here forever.


She stands.  He laughs.  CLICK.


HOPE

Did you photograph my butt?


JEREMY

Yeah, but not for the reason you think.


She turns and looks at her MUD coated butt.


HOPE

Now I have to stop home and change.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- NIGHT


Eve sleeps peacefully. Hope snuggles close to her sleeping Grammy. The BUZZES and HUMS of the hospital fill the air.


Eve's belly raises and lowers with each shallow breath. Hope lays her hand gently on Eve's belly.  Hope places her other hand on her own belly, underneath the writing on her shirt, it reads: Si Ton Coeur Aime Mon Coeur, Comme Mon Coeur Aim Ton Coeur, Mon Coeur Et Ton Coeur, Ne Fernont Qu'un Seul (If your heart loves my heart, Like my heart loves your heart, Then your heart and my heart can become one heart).


Eve's shallow breaths come to her with a strained effort.  Hope watches the slowed pace of Eve's rising belly compared to her bodys' eagerness to inhale.


Consciously and meticulously, Hope's breath slows.  She watches Eve's belly, concentrates, her breath slows even more.  A little more. And just a little bit more.  There.  Hope has matched her breath to her grandmothers.  The Buzzes and humms cease...a slow steady BREATH.


Tiny little tears trickle down Hope's face.  She sits up, gently drags the white blanket up to her body, holds it close.  She leans over her Grammy, blanket curled up like a giant wad of cotton.  A voice disturbs her, her GRANDPA's voice.


GRANDPA

Hope.


A dark hazy figure appears in the chair.  Hope's GRANDFATHER.  He has a full head of dark hair.  In a whisper so slight, Hope herself isn't even sure if she is speaking aloud:


HOPE

Grandpa?


Grandpa places his index finger on top of his lips.


GRANDPA

Shhhhh.


Eve opens her eyes, smiles at Hope and drifts back to sleep.


INT. CONARY LIVING ROOM -- DAY


A monotonous hhhhhuuuuuummmmm.   A vacuum.  The daily cleaning rampage.  The phone RINGS and RINGS and RINGS.   It annoys Mary that she is being disturbed.  She shuts off the vacuum and answers it.


MARY

Hello.

(beat)

Now?  I'm kind of in the middle of my day.

(beat)

Fine.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- LATER


Mary enters the room.


MARY

What do you need, mother?


EVE

Nice to see you too, dear.  Have a seat, take off your coat, stay a while.


Mary scowls.


EVE (CONT'D)

I did not have you come here to upset you.


MARY

Then why?


Eve looks out the window.  The answers to tough questions are so very hard to capture in words.


EVE

To apologize.


MARY

Apologize?  For what?


Eve has gained Mary's full attention, maybe for the first time in her life.


EVE

For allowing the unaccpetance of the bumps in my road to cause turmoil in your life.


MARY

I don't understand.


EVE

I had lots of big dreams.  Huge dreams.  I was going to travel, write, be written about. I had planned to be extraordinary.

(beat)

I was going to save the world, did you know that?  Yet somehow, it turned out that I wasn't even able to save you.


A surge of understanding races through Mary's veins.  Mary moves herself to be closer to her mother.


EVE (CONT'D)

Here I am all this time, trying to give you advice when I never did it right myself.


MARY

You...you always did it right.  It was me.  I...I couldn't see how right you did it.  You smiled, and laughed and you loved.  You lived for you.


EVE

So did you.  You don't remember anymore?  You don't remember Robby?

MARY

I do every time I look at Hope.  That's what is so hard.

EVE

The hard stuff is what brings out our true colors.

MARY

And this is who I am?

EVE

This is good, dear, you're succumbing to imperfection, before it is too late.

MARY

I don't know what to do.

EVE

Accept the past and move on into the future.

INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S ROOM -- EVENING

Faith is in prayer position next to her bed.  Hope enters she sits on her bed and watches Faith.  The rose still rests where it was. The pettles brittle and brown.

HOPE

Huuhhm.

Faith lifts her head.

HOPE (CONT'D)

What do you pray for?

FAITH

That is between me and God.

HOPE

I bet He keeps really good secrets.

FAITH

My prayers aren't secrets.

(beat)

What do you pray for?

HOPE

I don't.

FAITH

When life seems unbearable you can find hope in the Lord.

HOPE

That is your hope?

(beat)

Is that what helps you make it through?


FAITH

Most people don't even have that.


Hope sits silently.  The girls look at each other.  The silence lingers. Faith stands up and walks towards the door. Just before she leaves:


FAITH (CONT'D)

(sincerely)

Most of the time I pray for you.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- LATER


Hope sits on her bed writing in her journal.  She smiles as she writes the memories of the day.


A KNOCK on the door. She doesn't reply. It opens. Standing in front of Hope is Mary.  Mary twiddles her hands.  She seems sad, so sad. She sits on the side of Hope's bed.  Neither say a word.  She fidgets with her wedding ring, turning it first to the left, then to the right, and once again to the right. She becomes a bit more aggressive with the ring until it pops off.


She holds the ring tightly in her hand.  Closes her eyes.  Gains composure.  Takes Hope's hand, opens it, places the ring, and closes her hand around it.  Mary holds Hope's hand in hers.  She kisses Hope on the head. Mary leaves.  Hope opens her hand, her mother's wedding ring stares her in the face.


INT.  CONARY BATHROOM -- MORNING


Hope leans her hed back as the water from the shower runs over her face.  Her eyes open when the door creeks.


HOPE

Mom...is that you?


No answer.  Hope returns to rinsing her hair.  She turns off hte water.  Another CREEK.


HOPE (CONT'D)

Hello?


Hope reaches around and pulls the towel off of the hook.  She steps into the steam-filled bathroom.  In the doorway is Tim, watching.  Fear over-takes her.


HOPE (CONT'D)

MOM!!!!!!!!!


Hope pushes past him, hard.  Flies out the door.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM


Hope runs into her room.  Sits on her bed, holding back tears.  She won't let him beat her, not him.  A KNOCK, Mary opens the door slightly.


MARY

(confused)

Did you call me?


HOPE

No.


INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM -- MORNING


Many poems have been read.  The students appear to be bored out of their minds.  Even Sister Kathleen seems a wee bit bored.


JESSICA

Sadness doesn't exist in me./    Happy is all I see.

(beat)

That's it.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Thank you Jessica.  Jeremy.  It is your turn.


He slides out of his chair and takes his place at the podium.


JEREMY

(reading)

A moment in time that we pave./ With every click a memory saved./Photos captured, visuals made./Silence lingers, futures laid./Questions waiting to be pinned./Answers blowing in the wind./Awkward moments no cause to mope./In the silence I heard Hope.


He is embarrassed from the exposure of his emotional side.  Looks around.  Hope nods in approval.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Very well done, Jeremy.  Looks like it is all you, Hope.


JESSICA

(sarcastically)

This should be very cheerful.


Hope pulls out her poem and heads towards the front of the class.


HOPE

(reading)

To make sense wouldn't make sense at all./Enjoy each moment, each passing lull./Live every day as if your last./Embrace each moment, remember each past./Forgive, forget, don't deny./Truer feelings could not rely./A race with no difinitive finish./In the end don't diminish./Live each day as if no more./The way to let your spirit soar.


The class is silent.  The bell rings.  Class leaves.  Sister Kathleen gives Hope her space.


INT. SCHOOL -- DAY


The school day is coming to the end.  Hope and Caitlin are gathering their belongings.  Jeremy greets the girls, his camera hangs from his neck.  Hope pulls the camera off of Jeremy's neck, holds it out in front of Jeremy and herself.


HOPE

Say 'Cheese'.


JEREMY

What?  I am the photographer.


HOPE

Just smile for the camera.


CLICK.  Jeremy kisses Hope.


JEREMY

I'm going to work in the darkroom. 


HOPE

Going to develop your captured moments?


JEREMY

Just my photos. 

(points to his head)

My moments are all up here, baby.


Jeremy departs.


HOPE

(to herself)

Mine too.


Caitlin slams her locker, she is ready to go.


CAITLIN

You coming?


HOPE

I'm gonna walk.


CAITLIN

Ehhh.  Does that mean I have to walk?


HOPE

No.


CAITLIN

Okay good.

(beat)

Does that make me a bad friend?


Hope reaches towards her friend.  She reaches around Caitlin and hugs her.  Caitlin is beyond stunned.  After the shock passes--Caitlin hugs her back.


HOPE

You are a wonderful friend.


INT. CONARY DINING ROOM -- EVENING


The family eats in silence.  A baseball game plays in the background.  The monotony of their lives.


INT. HOPE AND FAITH'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT


Faith is asleep. Hope appears to be asleep.  A loud SNORE from Faith.  Hope's eyes pop open.  She quietly slides the sheets off her body.  Grabs a pair of pants off of the floor and puts them on.


Quietly, gently, she gathers the collection of notebooks beside her bed, the wad of money from her drawer and a few odds and ends ands shoves them into a backpack.


Slowly.  So slowly she reaches for the door handle.  Turns it.  It creeks.  Faith sits up.  Hope's heart skips a beat.


FAITH

Where are you going?


HOPE

To pray.


FAITH

Good.


Faith lays back down.  That was easier than expected.


INT. HALLWAY OF CONARY HOME


Hope tip toes down the hall.  Feeling her way.  The light from the glowing television helps slightly.


Jacob's bedroom door is open.  Hope peaks in.  Jacob sees her.  Hope signals for Jacob to 'SHHH'.  He does, but first he takes aim with his gun formed hands.


JACOB

(whisper)

Bang. Bang.


HOPE

Bang. Bang.


A light shines from the room down the hall, Mary and Tim's room.  Mary sits alone in bed, reading.  Little tears fall from her eyes.  Hope steals one last glance of her mother.


INT. LIVING ROOM OF CONARY HOME


Tim has fallen asleep on the couch.  Today Mary does not sit with him.  He is alone.


Hope tip-toes down the steps.  She is close.  Very close to the door.  Her hand grasps the handle.  A CATHOLIC PRIEST is on television.


CATHOLIC PRIEST (O.S.)

A sin against hope is an unforgivable sin.


Timing is everything and the timing is perfect.


The television audience applauds for the Priest.  Hope turns the door handle.  Slides out and off she goes.


EXT. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH -- LATER


The sky is dark.  Really dark.  Tiny lawn lights shine an orange hazy glow on the first bit of seasonal dew.  The door way is dark.  Hope reaches blindly for the handle.  She pulls open the heavy wooden doors.


INT. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH -- CONTINUOUS


Inside is warm.  Welcoming.  Empty.  It is late.  Very late.  Her shoes squeak with each hesitant step.  The stained glass reflects a warm comforting light.  She chooses a row half way down the aisle.


The church spins around intoxicating her.  Then she focuses.  On Jesus.  On the cross.


Her hands are clasped in prayer position.  Foot steps disrupt her.  A warm glowing face, Sister Kathleen.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Hope?  Hope is that you?


HOPE

What are you doing here?


SISTER KATHLEEN

I sit the night shift on the weekends.

(beat)

You?


A long silence.  In another world the answer is known.


HOPE

I don't know. It felt like the right place to go, you know?


SISTER KATHLEEN

I do.  Are you all right?


HOPE

Do you believe in God?

(pause)

Of course you do.  Stupid question.


SISTER KATHLEEN

No it's not.  Not at all.  I do.  Deeply. 


HOPE

How do you believe so deeply in something you can't see?


SISTER KATHLEEN

The rational mind can not hold the mystery that faith embraces.  


HOPE

I wish I could...


A long silence. Hope stares at Jesus's sacrificed mortal body.


SISTER KATHLEEN

Just because you aren't sure what you believe doesn't mean you don't believe in anything.  You do.  You believe in something that most people come to church in search of.


Hope thinks.  She does.  She believes in Grammy but that is going to be taken away.


HOPE

I feel like someone is turning off a light inside of me.


SISTER KATHLEEN

The light is extinguished only by the coming dawn.


Sister Kathleen begins to stand.


HOPE

What happens next?


SISTER KATHLEEN

That Hope, is the mystery of life.  


Sister Kathleen leaves Hope alone in the warm light.


On the other corner of the church, kneeling in front of Mary Sister Kathleen prays.  Her prayer book open.  Inside her prayer book a photo:  A YOUNG SISTER KATHLEEN and her GRANDMOTHER--a note on the photo, 7-year-old Kathleen and Grammy.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- LATE NIGHT


Hope sits beside Eve. They sit in silence.  Eve's breaths shallow and painful.  The full moons radiating light fills the room.  The stars sparkle in the sky.


HOPE

(in a whisper)

Are you counting every breath?

Eve's eyes reach for the moon, the dancing stars, then to the face of her granddaughter.  The moment, the connection, seems frozen in time.


EVE

No dear.  I am counting all the things that take my breath away.


She cries.  The pain unbearable.  Eve nods towards the nightstand.  Hope reaches into the nightstand and pulls out a collection of pills.  Eve nods again.  She helps her grandmother sit up.  Even this is causing unnecessary suffering. 


Eve pulls out a pill and takes it. One after another after another.


The light of the moon is extinguished by the coming dawn.


EXT. CHIMERA PARK -- DAWN


The sun begins to rise.  Magic hour.  Hope sits on a park bench.  Her bag at her feet.  She watches the sun rise above the trees.


Caught on the rocks below, a toy boat.  It catches her eye.  She makes her way down to the river, picks up the toy boat, smiles and puts it in her bag.


INT. EVE'S HOSPICE ROOM -- MORNING


Mary, Faith, Jacob huddle a vacant hospital bed. A POLICEMAN stands behind the family.


POLICEMAN

(to Mary)

You called because your daughter is missing?


MARY

Yes.  I thought she might have been here but...


POLICEMAN

How long has she been missing?


MARY

I don't know.


FAITH

Since last night.


MARY

(to herself)

She really loved her grandmother. 


NIGEL

Yes she did.


POLICEMAN

How old is she?


MARY

Eighteen.


The Policeman jots down the info.  In big letters he writes:  MOST LIKELY A RUN A WAY.


POLICEMAN

She is an adult.


In walks Tim.  Uncompassionate and oblivious.


TIM

Why didn't you wake me to come?


NIGEL

(under his breath)

Maybe she didn't need to.


The Policeman observes the tension in the family.


POLICEMAN

(to Tim)

You the Father?


TIM

Yes.


MARY

Step-Father.


POLICEMAN

Uhh huh. You know, with run aways, especially adults, we can't even file a report
for 48 hours.


MARY

What?


POLICEMAN

I am sorry.  Thousands of people go missing every year, we can't possibly chase them all.


EXT. GREYHOUND BUS -- MORNING


A bus makes its way down the highway.  Its destination banner reads "ORLANDO, FLORIDA".


INT. HOSPICE -- SAME


Mary paces about.  Tim sits.  Jacob holds his head in his hands.  Faith sits on her grandmothers bed. She falls into her usual prayer position, but today she does not pray.


FAITH

(in a whisper)

Thank you.


POLICEMAN

Does she have a favorite place or someone she might go to?


A horrible realization.


MARY

I don't know.


A long silence.


MARY (CONT'D)

What are we supposed to do?


POLICEMAN

All you can do.  Have Hope.


Mary, for the first time, gently wraps her arms around her children, comforting them, the way a mother should, and the way only a mother can.


Mary looks down at her bare ring finger, smiles, and then cries for now her daughter is free.


INT. GREYHOUND BUS


Hope sits alone.  Only a few lonely travelers scattered in the seats.  She watches the road.  The yellow lines zip by.  The bus hits a bump on the road.  It jerks everyone slightly.  Hope smiles, she had survived the first of many bumps on her new road. Hope crosses her hands in her lap, Mary's ring is on her right ring finger.


INT. SUMMER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT


Summer is almost asleep. A man, Hope's husband, DAVID, pops his head in. He kisses Summer on the head.


DAVID

(to Hope)


Are you going to come to bed soon?


HOPE

In a bit.


DAVID

Okay.


David kisses Hope on the cheek and leaves. Hope closes her notebook.  Places Summer's notebook next to her bed.  Kisses her on the head.


SUMMER

Is that it?


HOPE

No honey.  That's not it.  Tomorrow is another day to make it what you want it to be.


She turns off the light and closes the door.


INT. HOPE'S WRITING ROOM -- LATER


Hope sits at her desk, staring at the wonderful view of the ocean. On her desk:  A photo of Hope, Summer, and David.  A photo of Nigel, Hope and others dressed in scrubs a banner reads: COCOA BEACH HOSPICE. A stack of notebooks. A toy boat.


Hope re-opens her journal.  As she searches for a clean page she flips past: a picture of her foot, a picture of her hands, a picture of her face, a picture of a pregnant Mary and her father and a picture of her and Eve. She has found her clean page. As her right hand pens the memories of another day gone, the small table light glistens, like a tiny star, off her ring, her mothers ring.


The palm trees rustle.  The house drifts further and further away.  The ocean returns upon the shore.  A SAIL-BOAT travels the open water. The moon and stars in all their glory sparkle upon the world.


HOPE (V.O.)

Jeremy and Caitlin live happily in my past...Memories of my youth that make me smile and cry all at the same time.

(beat)

That tornado finally came for my mother.  Swooped her right up and away from Tim. After that she made peace with herself and followed the sunshine to me.

(pause)

That was the year it snowed in June. 

(beat)

The conquers and consequences of our lives stay with us forever.  Right or wrong it doesn't matter, only that we make peace with them.  Because in the end who are we to judge, as long as we believe. And I believe, I believe in Hope.


FADE OUT
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Comments:
 
Allyssa   Allyssa wrote
on 7/9/2012 9:27:26 AM
You did an awesome job on this movie script!:) Once I wrote a play script and cast my cousins as the characters, I can just tell you it ended in what could be classified as a disaster!

Kamakhya   Kamakhya wrote
on 8/23/2011 5:13:42 AM
So nice to visualise the stage...lively life characters.....I am overwhelmed by your power of imagination. You deserve to be respected.

Rain   Rain wrote
on 1/24/2009 1:31:41 PM
First a confession. I detest reading. I know..I know. It takes a great deal for me to stay line for line, and never having a read the format of a screenplay I thought too daunting. However, I have a good imagination, that allowed me to both see, and hear this piece on stage. It was brilliant. You managed to put so many lines of both wisdom and humor in this work. Example.. NIGEL I believe the best advice comes from those who did it all wrong; they are the ones who know how to make it right. What is more beautiful than imperfections? HOPE Embracing imperfection <--- very profound, and subtle FATHER MCMONAGLE No one can choose their end. Only God can decide when it is time to pass on. He has a plan for each one of us. The suffering we must endure at the end has a difinitive point. If we decide to end our lives, even a moment before it is time, we could be missing out on something that we need to complete our life journey. EVE Everything is done. My journey is complete. Why do I have to take even a minute more of this? Having a terminal cancer myself, these lines are deep within us all/ minor misspelling of definitive. The TOY BOAT topples over. YOUNG CHILD Mommy! YOUNG MOTHER Don't be upset. That's what happens sometimes. The Young Mother reaches for the tiny toy boat but it has caught a current. The Young Child CRIES. YOUNG CHILD Mommy! YOUNG MOTHER It's okay. It will be on an exciting adventure. We should be happy for the little boat. YOUNG MOTHER Don't cry. We just have to let it go.<---- You have injected many lines like this throughout this piece. It is riddled with insights, and deep observations and conclusions. I loved this piece. I could visually see it...feel it. The character development was excellent. I'm pretty primative when it comes to reading. I read, if it makes me feel, I like it. I don't really go much deeper than that. I'm not sophistacted enough to look at the technical reasons I like something. Your discussions and observations on Eve's pain and how she sees it was extremely interesting. I have Pancreatic cancer, better known now as the Patrick Swaze cancer, hee hee. But, it is known for the pain it can bring, besides being the deadliest of all cancers. I remember once, after my ten and a half hour surgery- feeling deeply depressed- when a nurse came in, at the end of her shift, and obviously tired. She sat on the end of my bed...looked at my chart...and commented. " Oh, Pancreatic cancer, our Head Nurse died last year of this, right here on this floor...and we didn't have enough drugs to stop her pain." How's that for a spiritlifter? lol. So, I found your conversations with Eve insightful and magnetic. Actually, I'm proud I finished this long read, but can only thank your writing for that. Great piece!! One last thing... "Than how can you tell me what is right for me?" Should be Then, but I'm not sure if you said this was a rough draft. It's been a pleasure reading my FIRST screenplay. Rain..

Moqui_Takoda   Moqui_Takoda wrote
on 7/27/2008 11:08:24 AM
I confess negligence ... have not looked at your work much because I have never actually seen a screen play ... i have always been curious, but not really interested, but now i know it is an artform and leaves the writer with all the elements of an opera, you have to know how to write poetry, how to write prose, how to visualize, how to give dialogue in more than one manner, as voice over or as dialogue, and you have to be perfectly focused in orienting the reader or the script will be tossed out or the agent will give you a phone call and say something cryptic, and probably at two in the morning right in the middle of deep rem sleep ... this is fascinating and lovely ... i see all the various elements of the art of lighting, visual production for a director to take a hint from, and, most impressive, the characters have faces and body movement because of the set up of elements early on and in each scene ... am impressed, am cowed, am most most happy to have learned something ... your VO at the end can stand aonoe as a poem with power and wings. sheesh ...

mrauthorpoet   mrauthorpoet wrote
on 5/4/2008 1:14:21 PM
hi am enjoying this new site very cool think am going be here for long time,thanks for having me here God bless u friend.

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lindsay
Screenplay
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Rating: 9.7/10

Synopsis
The story of a young girl, who in the midst of losing her grandmother, finds hope.
A Word from the Writer
Maureen Dempsey contributed in the creation of this story.
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