Saying Goodbye- Script- based on a true story

1

INT. PSYCHIATRIST’S OFFICE- AFTERNOON2

KAURA sits in a psychiatrist’s chair staring absently out the window playing with a small locket that is around her neck. Staring out of the rain streaked window she sighs, and appears to be focused on something she cannot see. 3

KAURA4

Have you ever felt completely out of touch with yourself and wished that you could find out exactly what it was that made you feel that way? Ever feel like you’ve lost control of the life that you thought you had? I did. I felt like I had betrayed myself and my family and I felt like I just wasn’t worth a damn. It was the worst feeling of my life; an ultimate low and still I was sure there was something more for me. 5

The rain PATTERS on the window outside as Kaura covers her face with her right hand.6

KAURA (CONT.)7

I wanted there to be more to life that what I had known thus far, but I didn’t think that it would take me to that window. I mean, there I was standing there with the wind blowing my hair, the traffic in the street below and my legs shaking under me. I could still smell the bitter coffee from my morning break and I could hear the chatter of the mindless drones in the office, plugging away at their meaningless work. I can still remember every thought I had as I stood there contemplating the meaning of my existence and trying to decipher where my life too this turn. Somehow, I thought that I might be able to free myself from my shame and self-loathing by walking out of that window on that third floor of that office building. But I wasn’t in control anymore. Without that control, I couldn’t do anything. I was doomed to fail.8

INT. OFFICE BUILDING- AFTERNOON9

KAURA’S hair and dress billow out in the wind as she stands with her arms braced on either side of the picture window. The traffic below can be heard HONKING, the view is from the upper left side of the room emphasising the immense fall that Kaura might face. Kaura appears to be pensive, with tears streaming down her face, ruining her make- up.10

KAURA 11

What’s the point of living like this? I don’t have a real reason to go on; I have no friends. I have no ambitions… no goals. I hate the person that I’ve become in the last ten years. What happened to that girl? Free spirited and friendly little girl that I used to be? I can’t even accept the love that my dear fiancée wants to give me 12

She takes a step forward onto the ledge of the building13

KAURA (CONT.)14

Oh Robbie. How can you love me so deeply? How can you find it inside you to love someone who doesn’t love themselves? I knew how to be happy once. It’s true I did. What was it that I did in those days that made me so happy? What was so different? 15

Tears stream down her face as he looks down at the traffic below her. Sighing painfully she edges ever closer to the edge of the window sill. 16

KAURA (CONT.)17

Would anyone really miss me if I was gone? I know my sweet Robbie could find someone better than me. I know my parent’s could do without the stress that I cause them. My job. I’m replaceable I know. It will hurt less if I end it now, just let go and end my misery. God I’m sick.18

As she wipes her eyes she backs away from the ledge gingerly. Her foot slips and she grasps the window in a panic. 19

KAURA (CONT.)20

Oh who am I kidding? I can’t do this. I can’t be a coward and take the easy way out of a life that I never thought I’d have. Lots of people have bad days don’t they? It’s not a good reason. I have to fight this. I have to find what it is that I’m missing. I know something is missing in my life and I need to know what it is to get the root of all this anguish. What happened to me to make me so unhappy? No, it’s time for me to step down now. Back to reality and sanity. 21

She begins to take a step back when a co-worker walks into the office and SCREAMS. Startled Kaura falls out of the window of the office building and lands on the street. The screen fades to black22

INT. HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM- EVENING23

KAURA opens her eyes to find herself surrounded by hospital staff and heart rate monitors and other life maintenance machinery BEEPING. She tries to sit up but it forced back down by a friendly looking nurse. 24

KAURA25

(weakly)26

Am I dead? Where am I?27

DOCTOR28

(in awe)29

She’s awake. What a strong woman, surviving a fall from a five story building!30

He murmurs as the screen again turns black. 31

INT. PSYCHIATRIST’S OFFICE- AFTERNOON32

KAURA sits quietly in her chair as the THERAPIST, unseen, SHUFFLES papers and CLEARS his throat. Kaura continues to stare blindly out the window with disinterest. 33

THERAPIST34

Kaura. Can you please tell me what prompted you to make the decision to attempt to kill yourself? 35

Kaura sighs with annoyance and shakes her head softly, her curly hair bounces from side to side. 36

KAURA37

(softly)38

I really don’t know. There were so many things on my mind, and I just didn’t feel like I could deal with everything. I mean, in a matter of months my entire life changed completely. I graduated university, my parents got divorced and remarried. 39

She held her left hand up, exhibiting a large solitaire diamond on her ring finger40

KAURA (CONT.) 41

And my boyfriend Robbie gave me this ring. He wants me to marry him. Still inside I felt like there was something important missing from my life and I didn’t have a clue what it was. I still don’t I guess. Do I sound crazy? I sound crazy. I know. It’s just me. It’s built in. I can’t help it. Maybe I am crazy.42

She giggles nervously and pats her slightly round stomach self-consciously. 43

KAURA (CONT.)44

I’ve always been a little self conscious I guess. I got picked on a lot in school. And I lost a good friend of mine at a very young age. That had a very large impact on my life. Then there’s that dream that I keep having. Well, actually there are two dreams that I keep having. 45

THERAPIST46

What dreams? (looking startled, then annoyed) You haven’t told me about dreams in out previous sessions have you? I would have remembered that (he glares at Kaura expectantly)47

KAURA48

Well, I kept forgetting about them. I can’t help it. (She sighs) Well, like I said before; I’ve had two recurring dreams. (as Kaura talks about them, a dream sequence begins) 49

Dream Sequence 1- INT. PRISON VISITATION ROOM- LATE AFTERNOON50

The scene opens in a prison visitation room where two men are sitting one on each side of a pane of bullet proof glass. There is a telephone between them that they are using to communicate with one another. The prisoner wears an orange jumpsuit, neatly combed blonde hair and a pair of old fashioned eyeglasses. The visitor sits slouching in dirty jeans and a ratty cut off t-shirt with greasy hair and a thick black moustache. 51

CHARLES52

Mr. Lewis. I’m pleased to see you as always. Tell me sir, did you manage to secure the information (he raises his eyebrows) that I asked of you in our previous visit?53

MARSHALL54

Yeah. I gots some a dat info yous wanted. She’s been livin’ in dis here shit hole of a town called New Havenbrook Falls. I was pretendin’ to be a homeless guy wit a coupla kids and livin’ in dat dere homeless shelta wit ‘er fer a while. Jus’ last mont she gots ‘erself a apartment on da nort side. Ain’t too smart doe, left ‘er door unlocked one day so I snooped around. Ain’t got a lot of stuff wit ‘er, coupla pitchers, a sofa and a coupla beds. Had a few kid’s toys doe. I think she got herself knocked up by some guy, guessin’ the kid’s about 10 er 11.55

CHARLES56

(sneering and leaning forward menacingly) A child? 10 or 11. I’ve been rotting in this disgusting rat-hole for ten years, five months and 24 days. It’s possible that the child is mine. In fact, I’m sure that child is mine. My wife would never cheat on me. How dare that hussy keep my child away from me for 11 years? Mr. Lewis, have you seen the child? Do I have a son or a daughter? Tell me everything you know. Now!57

MARSHALL58

It’s a girl man. I seen her a few times, at the shelta wit yer wife but I didn’t tink she was kin er nothin’. Kinda quiet and dumpy if ya ask me.59

CHARLES60

Dumpy? You moron, my child is not dumpy. I want to see her. Get me a picture of the girl. And while you’re at it, take care of my wife. I want her to believe that you are her best friend and that you have no connection to me, whatsoever. The time will come when she will pay for trapping me in this hovel and hiding my child from me. But for now, we wait.61

INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE- LATE AFTERNOON62

THERAPIST63

(Looking pale and shocked) That was your dream? How could you have dreamed that? It was… 64

KAURA65

(matter-of-factly) I’ve had that dream many times. Each time they say something a little different, but it almost always ends up with the Charles guy saying to Marshall to kill his wife. I don’t know what it’s about. I’ve never seen those people in my life. I don’t have a clue who these men are. What could this mean?66

THERAPIST67

I’m sure its nothing. (he shrugs) Why don’t you just forget about it and tell me about the other dream that you have? Is it the same people? What happens? (he leans forward menacingly)68

KAURA69

Well, it always starts out with me running down this long white hallway, and there are thousands of doors with light glowing from behind them. I just keep running and running until I run into this small girl. 70

DREAM SEQUENCE – INT. HALLWAY-LATE EVENING71

KAURA dreams about a LITTLE in a long white hallway. Kaura is running attempting to find something, though she is not sure what it is. She looks as far as she can in one direction and sees a corridor with hundreds of closed doors stretching out in front of her. Looking the opposite direction, all she sees is a brick wall. She turns around and is startled by a small blonde LITTLE GIRL of about 5 years old holding a stuffed bunny, her hair in pigtails with a frilly pink dress on. She smiles at Kaura and holds out her hand. There in her hand is a shiny gold heart shaped locket.72

LITTLE GIRL73

Hullo. Are you lotht?74

KAURA75

Yes. I believe I am. I don’t know which door I should open. Do you know the way? (she attempts to glance past the small child)76

LITTLE GIRL77

yup. But ah know ith thomethin’ thecret. (she lisps thickly) Ah cain’t tell ya cuz ma daddy’d be mad.78

KAURA79

If you know where I should go, you should tell me. It’s not very nice to be lost you know.80

LITTLE GIRL81

ah know. Mama thayth that I got lotht at the grothee shore oneth and she thaid that I crieded and crieded. I don’t member cauth I waz only four. I mith my mama. Sheth in heben now.82

KAURA83

I’m sorry sweety, but I really need to find my way out of here. Please help me to get to the right door. There are so many of them, I don’t know which one to pick.84

LITTLE GIRL85

I hath a bunny (she holds him up with both hands). Hith name ith Fwanky. Mama thayth that I thould get ridda him cuth I’m too old, but I love him. He’th fluffy. Unky Lewie got him for me, and he uthta have thith locket on hith neck but I took it off cuth I wanted my fwend to habe it.86

KAURA87

\That’s very kind of you. You seem like a nice girl. Why don’t you be a good girl and tell me how to get out of here. I have something important to do you know.88

LITTLE GIRL89

ah know. Mama thayth that you’re importat cuth you know thomthing.90

KAURA91

I thought you said your mother was in heaven.92

LITTLE GIRL93

She ith.94

KAURA95

Ok. Maybe you’re confused. All I know is that you have to tell me how to get out of here. I don’t have time to play silly games right now. I have something that I need to do, and I can’t do it if I’m stuck here in this stupid hallway with you. Please, get me out of here.96

LITTLE GIRL97

(tears welling up in her eyes) youwe mean. I don’t like you anymowe. I don’t want to be youwe fwiend. (She sits on the floor, the light from the hallway illuminating her like in a photograph)98

KAURA99

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. (stepping closer to the little girl she holds out one hand. As the girl brightens Kaura gets a look of understanding on her face) Wait a minute. I recognize you don’t I? (the little girl smiles bigger and brighter) I know you from somewhere. You’re telling me something important aren’t you. (LG nods). Please. One more hint.100

LITTLE GIRL101

(shaking her head) Itth nappy time. Thorry. I wuv you.102

Dream ends and Kaura sits up in bed and looks at her night stand where the stuffed animal is sitting with the locket around her neck. Kaura smiles and begins writing in her journal.103

INT. – THERAPIST’S OFFICE- LATE AFTERNOON104

KAURA and the THERAPIST are still sitting across from each other in the office discussing the recurring dreams that Kaura has. The therapist looks continually more and more menacing and crazy as Kaura continues to describe her live and some of the situations that led her to the present situation.105

THERAPIST106

So Kaura, tell me. Do you think that this little girl that you continually dream about could be someone that you know? (Kaura nods reluctantly) Is it a person from your past?107

KAURA108

Yes. I think that it may be an old friend of mine. My best friend Charlie.109

THERAPIST110

(looking disturbed) How do you know Charlie?111

KAURA112

I met her in grade school. I was having a hard time back then. (Starts Flashback)113

INT.- CAR- EARLY MORNING 1996114

KAURA is being taken to her first day of sixth grade at a new school, in a new city. She is upset because FRANK and MARIE are forcing her to go and try to make new friends and start a new life, even though she was already happy where she was and with the life that she had. In this scene, Kaura meets her new best friend CHARLIE and they begin their friendship which has a lasting effect on the way that Kaura behaves and reacts with other people in her future. Kaura and Charlie show the signs of friendship and trust. Kaura also begins to distrust her parents after fighting with them in the car on the way to school. While they were right to try and convince her to make new friends, their pushing her creates tension and a platform of distrust that all their future encounters stand on. Kaura, her mother and her father are driving down a sleepy suburban street in a old, beat-up Oldsmobile. They are on the way to New Havenbrook Elementary School for Kaura’s first day of sixth grade. Kaura is sitting in the back seat, buckled in wearing her new dress with her hair freshly cut. She is sitting quietly, tears streaming down her face looking out the window at the on-coming traffic. Frank is driving and appears very stern. Her Marie sits stiffly in the passenger seat, wringing her hands nervously. As they get closer and closer to the elementary school, Kaura’s sobs become louder and louder until she is wailing incessantly. Her parents, concerned, look past the bench seat of the car to their obviously distressed daughter. Kaura’s mother’s eyes fill with tears, while her father continues looking stern. 115

FRANK116

Kaura, stop that crying right now. What are you whining about anyway? It’s just a new school. Not like you haven’t been to a new school before. Besides, this is a nice neighborhood, and you aren’t going to get picked on here like at your old school.117

KAURA118

(still sobbing) But Daddy…119

MARIE120

Kaura, sweetie. Daddy is right. I know you miss your old friends and your old school, but it was time for us to move on. Daddy’s new job is better for all of us, so that means we have to be strong and smile. Don’t worry hunny, I’m sure you’ll be able to make friends quickly. It’s obvious how pretty and nice you are. Trust me darling, you’ll be fine. (Marie pats her daughters hand lovingly) and maybe after school Mommy and Daddy can take you out for ice cream. Wouldn’t that be nice? Right Daddy?121

FRANK122

(distracted) Yeah, sure. Whatever.123

MARIE124

(eyes looking fiery) Frank!125

FRANK126

Yes. Okay. We can do that.127

KAURA128

Mommy. I don’t feel good. I just want to go home. (she cries a little more) I don’t want to go to this stupid school. It smells bad. And all the kids look weird. Please don’t make me!129

FRANK130

Kaura! Take your bag and get your butt inside that school right now. I mean it. Go. Right Now.131

MARIE132

I love you hunny. Have a good day. Remember what I said, just be yourself and you will be just fine. (she kisses her daughter on the cheek as Kaura reluctantly exits the car)133

KAURA134

fine. I love you Mommy, love you Daddy.135

FRANK136

bye Kaura.137

The silver Oldsmobile rolls away with Kaura’s father looking still sternly ahead and Kaura’s mother staring back at her daughter, with tears streaming down her face. She waves once more before the car disappears from view.138

With tears in her eyes, Kaura walks through the packed parking lot into the front doors of the old brick school. She passes another misty eyed young girl with her mother in the hallway near the grade six wing of the school. Visibly building up courage Kaura walks into a classroom where 26 coats of various colours are hanging up on a row of child height hangers. Seven rows of five metallic desks with attached chairs are assembled in the classroom facing a large black board and a big wooden desk. The TEACHER- a tall and pretty 20 something- brunette notices Kaura walking very shyly into the room and smiles at her. 139

TEACHER140

Hello. You must be Charlie.141

KAURA142

(blushing) No, I’m Kaura.143

TEACHER144

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was getting two new students today. Well Kaura, I’m pleased to meet you. Please pick an empty desk and it will be yours for the rest of the school year. You can hang your coat up on one of the hangers over there (pointing to the row of coats on the wall) and we can discuss the getting you a locker at lunch. (Talking to the whole class) Okay, everybody. Settle down. We have a new student today; her name is Kaura so let’s all give her a nice New Havenbrook Middle School welcome.145

CLASS146

Hello Kaura.147

As Kaura puts away her jacket and goes to sit down at one of the free desks the girl she passed in hallway appears at the door. The teacher smiles and beckons her in. 148

TEACHER149

Class, here is our second new student today. Her name is Charlene Smith and she is new in New Havenbrook Falls. Let’s all give Charlene a great big New Havenbrook Middle School welcome.150

CLASS151

Hello Charlene.152

Charlie smiles coyly and sits next to Kaura. She whispers.153

CHARLIE154

Hey. Call me Charlie. What’s your name?155

KAURA156

(shyly) I’m Kaura.157

CHARLIE158

Cool. Wanna be my friend? I’m new here and I don’t know anyone yet.159

KAURA160

yeah. (smiling broadly) Okay. Let’s sit together at lunch. We can trade snacks.161

CHARLIE162

I think we’re going to be great friends.163

KAURA164

Me too.165

Flash back fades back to the psychologist’s office.166

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE-LATE AFTERNOON167

THERAPIST168

Why do you think that this girl is the one from your dream?169

KAURA170

Because she was murdered and I feel like I am responsible for her death.171

THERAPIST172

Responsible? Did you hurt this person in someway?173

KAURA174

Not physically. I broke a very important promise to her, and it just so happened that she died that night.175

THERAPIST176

Can you discuss this further?177

KAURA 178

(taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly) Yes. I can. Sorry if I get a little emotional about this. I can’t help it. It’s built in.179

INT. FRANK AND MARIE’S HOUSE- EVENING 180

YOUNG KAURA and her mother MARIE are discussing what Kaura will do with her March break. Kaura has the idea that she should go to camp with her Girl Guide troop even though she promised her good friend CHARLIE that they should have a girls’ night for the first night of March break. Kaura’s mother thinks that Kaura should keep her promise to her friend and go to camp in the summer. Kaura and her mother are sitting on an overstuffed very tacky gold sofa in the living room of their shabby two bedroom apartment. Kaura is holding a letter of permission for the camp she is interested in and is sitting on the edge of her seat, smiling and talking very swiftly. Marie is sitting with her legs crossed and leaning forward intently listening to her daughter. A look of worry is on her face as she fears her daughter is being selfish in breaking her promise. 181

YOUNG KAURA182

Mom! You’ll never guess what! (broadly gestures with her hands) At girl guides tonight we found out that we’re going to Candy Cane Camp for March Break. I picked out the name because the girls got to choose what the name of the camp was and one girl said Candy Camp, but I didn’t think that sounded quite right, so I added the Cane and the other girls liked it. It sounds good doesn’t it? Candy Cane Camp, Candy Cane Camp.(bounces up and down a little) I like it. Mom can I please go? (takes a deep breath)183

MARIE184

Hunny, aren’t you supposed to be having girls’ night with Charlie, Tina and Ashley during that time? Charlie was really looking forward to spending some time visiting with us wasn’t she?185

YOUNG KAURA186

I don’t know mom. How often do I get to go to camp? I’ve never been to camp before you know. I really want to go. I get to sleep in a sleeping bag and go snowshoeing and follow trails in the woods and go sledding and eat spaghetti and all sortsa stuff. Mom please?187

MARIE188

You should call Charlie and see if she would be okay with movie girls’ night to another weekend. It’s the least you can do.189

YOUNG KAURA190

Ok mom. (she dials Charlie’s number and waits a few seconds) Hi Mrs. Smith. Can I speak to Charlie please? Thanks.191

Split screen Charlie on the right, Kaura on the left192

CHARLIE193

Hi Kaura. I’m so excited for March break! I can’t wait to have our girls’ night! I think we should watch Coyote Ugly. That is such a great movie. Kaura? Hello?194

YOUNG KAURA195

Umm.. Charlie I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I was invited to go to Girl Guide Camp on March break and my mom said I could go if it was okay with you to change out girls; night to another night later on. Can we do that? I really want to go, but I don’t want you to be mad at me either.196

CHARLIE197

(eyes welling up with tears) But Kaura. You promised. We were going to wa- wa- watch a movie and eat junk food and… and… stay up late… and (she starts bawling) Kaura… “he’s” coming over then and… well you know. I don’t wanna be there. Puh… puh.. leese…198

YOUNG KAURA199

(sympathetically) I know Charlie, but this is a once in a lifetime thing, and we can have girls night anytime. Why not call Ashley and Tina and have a sleep over with them this time instead of me and when I come back from camp we’ll have an extra fun one and we can go to the amusement park too.200

CHARLIE201

(Brightening up a bit visibly) Okay Kaura. I think that would be okay. (she smiles) But Kaura, I’m really scared of “him”. I don’t feel right when he is around. He’s bad. I can tell. Last time when he came over I was eating a toaster strudel and smooshed it in my face and then laughed. I think he’s not as nice as mom thinks he is.202

YOUNG KAURA203

Oh Charlie. I’m sure you’re over exaggerating. He can’t be that bad or else your mom wouldn’t let him come in your house would she?204

CHARLIE205

No, I guess you’re right. I guess I’m just nervous. Mom’s been acting weird lately and drinking more than usual.206

YOUNG KAURA207

(smiling) Everything will be fine. Don’t worry. I’ll always be here if you need me.208

INT.- THERAPIST’S OFFICE209

THERAPIST210

Ah. But you weren’t there for her, were you? No, you left her alone with her bitch of a mother and didn’t protect her even though you should have. SO it WAS your fault. No one to blame but yourself. RIGHT? (beginning to look maniacal) 211

KAURA212

No! It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t kill her. I was just a kid. I went away for camp like lots of kids do. I didn’t know she was in real trouble. I had no idea. (crying)213

THERAPIST214

It was your fault. SHE TOLD YOU SOMETHING WAS WRONG! You didn’t listen to her. You weren’t there for her. 215

KAURA216

I have to go. I can’t do this right now. (she runs out crying)217

INT.- KAURA’S APARTMENT218

KAURA, still upset with her visit to the therapist decides to call MARIE and vent about the situation. Split screen is used for phone calls. Kaura is sitting on her love seat in her large condo. Her apartment is very minimalist with little decoration or colour. Everything in the room is in perfect order, nothing is out of place.219

KAURA220

(after dialing and the phone ringing) I hope she’s home221

FRANK222

Hello?223

KAURA224

Oh, hi dad. Is mom home?225

FRANK226

Kaura, you called my house. Your mother is at her house… Is everything okay? 227

KAURA228

Oh. Uh. Well, I had my therapy session and it didn’t go very well. My therapist Dr. Smithson is very odd. I don’t like him very much. Anyway, I just wanted to ask mom about something. I’ll call her.229

FRANK230

Ok Kaura. Just call me sometimes. I love you. 231

KAURA232

Ok Dad. Bye. (Kaura hangs up then dials again)233

MARIE234

Hello?235

KAURA236

MOM! I need to talk. I think something’s up with my therapist. I think he knows something about Charlie and its making him really weird. 237

MARIE238

What did you say his name was?239

KAURA240

I didn’t. His name is Dr. Smithson. He works in that big office building on Elm st. 241

MARIE242

What happened exactly?243

KAURA244

I don’t know. We were just talking about my fall out of the office window and then somehow we got onto the topic of Charlie. All of a sudden he got this look in his eye and he seemed stuck on my every word. He said everything about the situation that I’ve thought over the past ten years. You know, about it being my fault and all of that.245

MARIE246

You know dear. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It seems like he’s just really in touch with his clients feelings and emotions. I think you should just keep going to therapy for now and if it doesn’t get better soon, then you can stop. Okay?247

KAURA248

Ok mom. I guess your right. It seems like an obvious thing that I’d feel partly responsible, he must have just picked up on that. Okay, I’ll go back again tomorrow. Thanks a lot. (sounding relieved)249

MARIE250

Your welcome honey. Glad I could help. Love you.251

KAURA252

Love you too mom.253

Kaura hangs up the phone and writes in her journal looking sad and troubled.254

INT.- COFFEE SHOP- EVENING255

FRANK and MARIE are sitting in a coffee shop hunched over steaming hot coffee and looking concerned. They are looking about nervously and speaking in hushed voices. 256

FRANK257

Marie. I think she’s got some idea about what’s been going on. I’m afraid there might be some problems (he raises his eyebrows) if she isn’t careful about whom she is talking to. I don’t want to see our baby girl get hurt.258

MARIE259

Frank, listen to me. She’s already being hurt by all of this. You know how she blames herself for everything that happened. If she knew that we knew all along what was going to happen. I don’t want to think about that. I can’t lose her again. When she jumped out of that window, I thought we’d never see her again. I told her to just go to the sessions like usual. We don’t want him to think anything is different.260

FRANK261

Does he know that we know? (Marie shakes her head)262

MARIE263

I don’t think so. I’m rather surprised that Joan opened up to me about that. I know that at the time I had to make the right decision for Kaura and send her away, but I’m sure that Joan wouldn’t have told him that she told me. She loved Kaura as much as she loved her own. 264

FRANK265

I know she did. So what do we do? (he holds Marie’s hand)266

MARIE267

Maybe we should tell her.268

FRANK269

maybe we should sleep on it.270

MARIE271

You’re right Frank. Let’s just wait a little longer. One more day won’t make a big difference right?272

Frank273

Let’s hope not Marie. Let’s hope not for Kaura’s sake.274

INT.- KAURA’S APARTMENT-EVENING275

KAURA is rummaging around in her apartment looking for something. She appears frantic and digs around hurriedly. Feeling as she is in a bind, she decides to check her journal for the answers she is looking for. She runs into her bed room and pulls it out from under her pillow.276

KAURA277

(reading from her journal) I had that dream again last night. You know. The one with that little girl. I’m seriously beginning to think that it’s Charlie warning me about something bad that’s about to happen to me. It was that locket she gave me when we were little. The girl in the dream had it too, around the neck of her stuffed bunny. But Charlie didn’t have a stuffed bunny, I did. What does this all mean? 278

(writing) I talked to mom about this whole situation with Dr. Smithson last night and she seemed odd. I think she knows something that I don’t, but she told me I should continue seeing the doctor for a while. I feel like something extremely dangerous is going to happen. I’m going to bring the locket with me to my session tomorrow. Maybe it can protect me. Just maybe. 279

INT.-PSYCHOLOGIST’S OFFICE- LATE MORNING280

KAURA is sitting in the chair in the THERAPISTS office and is waiting for him to begin the session. She appears nervous and has the small child’s sized locket in her hands. Dr. Smithson is pacing around the room in an agitated manner.281

THERAPIST282

Kaura. Please forgive me for my lapse in judgement in yesterday’s session. I went too far with the role reversal and I fear it may have set us back a small amount in our progress. For that, I am very sorry. Now, with that out of the way, shall we continue?283

KAURA284

Fine.285

THERAPIST286

Last we were discussing the reasons for your feelings of guilt for your friend’s murder and the repercussions of this in your present life. Let’s go back to that. 287

KAURA288

(uncomfortably) Alright. 289

THERAPIST290

When did this Charlie pass away?291

KAURA292

She died on March 7th, 1997. I found out on March 8th when I returned home from camp. I turned on the t.v and I recognized her apartment building on the news. I sat on the floor in front of the t.v and cried as the reporter told me that “an 11 year old girl and her 48 year old mother were murdered in a New Havenbrook Falls apartment building on the west side of town.” My mother and father were both sitting in the living room with me and told me that Charlie was fine and that we shouldn’t worry about anything. It was probably someone else. The next day the reports were more obvious. “ 11 year old Charlie Jones and her 48 year old mother Joan Jones-Smith were murdered in their New Havenbrook Falls apartment on Friday evening. There are currently no suspects.” But I knew who did it. She told me she was afraid of him but I ignored her. I was too busy caring about going to camp and having fun to worry about her and her problems. I was selfish and had I not been so selfish, she might be here with me today. 293

THERAPIST294

I don’t think so Kaura. 295

KAURA296

What do you mean? 297

THERAPIST298

I think she would have died either way.299

KAURA300

No. That Marshall was bad news. Had I just kept her away from him in the first place, none of this would have happened.301

THERAPIST302

It would have. You couldn’t have protected her forever. Marshall would have found her eventually. He’s very good at finding people you know.303

KAURA304

What are you talking about. You don’t know him.305

THERAPIST306

How do you know who I know? (he eyeballs her locket)307

What is that?308

KAURA309

Nothing. It’s nothing. (She walks over to the bookshelf where a picture of a small blonde girl holding a stuffed bunny is sitting) Who is that?310

THERAPIST311

It’s my daughter. Isn’t she beautiful?312

KAURA313

Yes. She is. Charles, I’m sorry for you loss. 314

THERAPIST315

My name isn’t Charles. It’s Edmond. 316

KAURA317

I have the locket Charles. I know what’s inside of it. You killed her didn’t you?318

THERAPIST319

I DID NO SUCH THING!320

KAURA321

Why did you kill her Charles? WHY?!322

INT. PSYCHOLOGIST’S OFFICE- MID-AFTERNOON323

KAURA is sitting in the chair in the psychologist’s office and is looking very tense. In her right hand she is holding the locket that was on the stuffed bunny. It is open, and pictures of Joan and CHARLES are visible. She cowers in fear as Charles steps ever closer and closer to her. The receptionist RITA is visible pacing past the office door.324

KAURA325

Charles! Please don’t hurt me! I didn’t know it was you until now. I won’t tell anyone. Please stop! (tears stream down her cheeks as she attempts to escape)326

CHARLES327

I could let you go you know. I could give myself up to the authorities and allow them to take me back to prison for another twenty-five retched years but I do not fancy that. You should have just kept your meddlesome little nose to yourself and left alone the demise of that sweet little girl and her hideous and egocentric mother. I wanted nothing more than to escape from the reality of my past and… and to live without that guilt shredding my soul once again. You ruined everything. Why is everyone so selfish?328

(he takes handcuffs out of his desk and secures them around her wrists while she struggles valiantly) 329

KAURA330

Please. Please don’t hurt me. I swear I won’t tell anyone. Please let me go. I just want to go home and sleep. I promise. Please Charles I’ll forget about Charlie… (she gets cut off)331

CHARLES332

Don’t you ever say her name! Don’t you dare. You are as much to blame for this as I am. It’s your fault because you went away for camp. Damn you. You should never have gone anywhere. (He pulls a knife out of his pocket.) you’ll regret this forever now. ( the door opens suddenly and the receptionist enters the room)333

RITA334

Dr. Smithson, what’s going on here?335

CHARLES336

Um. It’s, well… nothing Rita, just a little experimental therapy.337

RITA338

(She looks relieved) Doctor, there is a Robbie here for Miss West.339

KAURA340

(whispers) Please help me.341

CHARLES342

(shooting Kaura a nasty look) Rita, please leave. Get out. We’re in the middle of something. Go.343

RITA344

Yes sir. (she scurries away)345

CHARLES346

Now, time for you to pay the price. (He walks up behind Kaura and holds the knife next to her throat) Any last words?347

KAURA348

Charles. She loved you. (Charles gaped then shook his head)349

CHARLES350

She couldn’t have. She didn’t know me. Her mother kept her from me. Hid her away. All for herself. ( Charles become visibly upset)351

KAURA352

She did. She had this locket around her bunny all that time and kissed it and wished that she could meet you and talk to you. She wanted to know you, but Joan thought that it was too dangerous. She knew you wanted to know her too, because Joan told my mother that. Joan knew that Marshall was going to kill her and warned my parents to send me away to camp. She wanted to protect me and hurt you. If anything, you should blame Joan.353

CHARLES354

No. It’s my fault. I pushed her away. I took her life and I took my little angel’s life too. It’s all my fault. But you know now. There’s only one thing left to do. ( he lower the knife, camera pans back through the door to Robbie sitting in the waiting room, a gunshot is heard- Kaura screams- screen goes black)355

INT. – A ROOM- AFTERNOON356

KAURA sits in a psychiatrist’s chair staring absently out the window playing with a small locket that is around her neck. Staring out of the rain streaked window she sighs, and appears to be focused on something she cannot see. There are little blood splots on her face, a tear slides down her cheek.357

KAURA358

Have you ever felt completely out of touch with yourself and wished that you could find out exactly what it was that made you feel that way? Ever feel like you’ve lost control of the life that you thought you had? I did. I felt like I had betrayed myself and my family and I felt like I just wasn’t worth a damn. It was the worst feeling of my life; an ultimate low and still I was sure there was something more for me. 359

So was there something more? No. Not something more. Just what there had always been. Pain, sorrow, anguish. But, there was also love, strength and honour. These are the things that make me something more.360