The Murder Gram

THE MURDER GRAM 1

“Awakening” 2

TEASER 3

FADE IN:4

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - MORNING5

Carissa Sanchez-Pierre walks out of her apartment. She heads towards a small car. She opens the car’s door. 6

INT. CAR - MORNING7

CARISSA sits in the driver’s seat, places both hands on the steering wheel and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath, exhales, and then opens her eyes. She adjusts the seat, the rearview and side mirrors, then pulls the seat belt over her and SNAPS it over her swollen stomach. She reaches in to her purse, on the passenger seat, and retrieves a cellular phone. She begins to dial a number, and then presses the end button. She stares at the phone and then tosses it onto the seat beside the purse. 8

EXT. CARISSA’S APARTMENT - SIDE STREET - CONTINUOUS9

Carissa pulls the car out onto a small side street in front of her apartment. 10

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - MORNING11

A large SUV is traveling at a high rate of speed. 12

INT. SUV - CONTINUOUS13

The DRIVER has one hand on the steering wheel, and with the other hand, he is changing the radio stations on the vehicle’s stereo. 14

EXT. SIDE STREET - MORNING15

We see the car that Carissa is driving, traveling on the side street. She merges into a wider one-way residential street. 16

INT. CARISSA’S CAR - CONTINUOUS17

Carissa looks over at the phone. She reaches over and picks up the phone. She dials a number and places the phone to her ear. 18

CARISSA19

(annoyed, into receiver)20

Where are you?21

(listens)22

What? You’re where? Haiti?23

Carissa’s eyes widen. She has a look of disbelief on her face. 24

CARISSA (CONT’D)25

Are you freaking crazy, Claude? You knew we had this appointment. 26

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - MORNING27

The SUV is barreling down the empty street. MUSIC is blaring through the windows. The DRIVER is bobbing his head to the music and singing aloud. 28

INT. CARISSA’S CAR - MORNING29

Carissa is still on the phone. She isn’t paying attention to the speed she is traveling or to her outside surroundings. From inside the car, a traffic signal can be seen two blocks up ahead. The light is green. The car zooms toward the traffic signal. The light changes to yellow. 30

CARISSA31

(angry, screaming into the receiver)32

I need your ass, HERE! What could be more important than your pregnant wife? 33

EXT. ONE-WAY RESIDENTIAL STREET - CONTINUOUS34

Carissa’s car is rapidly approaching the traffic signal. She doesn’t notice that it has changed from yellow to red. 35

INT. CARISSA’S CAR - MORNING36

Carissa glances up and realizes that the traffic light is red. She screams as she drops the phone. Simultaneously, she grabs the steering wheel with both hands and quickly slams on the brakes. The tires SCREECH. 37

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - CONTINUOUS38

The DRIVER of the SUV is pressing buttons on the stereo. He raises his head and looks out onto the street. His eyes widen and his mouth opens. He inhales audibly. 39

EXT. INTERSECTION - SECONDS LATER40

The SUV crashes into the drivers side of Carissa’s car. The driver of the SUV slams through the windshield. His hips and torso protrude from the window. The rest of his body hangs limply onto the dash board. As blood cascades from his stomach and mouth, he is not breathing. The MUSIC from the SUV’s stereo is still BLASTING. 41

INT. CARISSA’S CAR - CONTINUOUS42

The seat belt has Carissa strapped into the driver’s seat, but her body is leaning grotesquely towards the passenger seat. Her face is bleeding and covered with lacerations from the explosion of the window. As she slumps in the seat, we 43

PULL BACK44

DISSOLVE TO:45

BLACK SCREEN 46

here we hold for a beat. We hear the SOUNDS of a hospital equipment: CLICKING, WHIRRING, BEEPING, people moving hastily, voices shouting orders, AD LIBS, this goes on for several seconds...47

VOICE #148

I’ve got two heart beats... but one’s really weak.49

VOICE #250

It’s twins!51

We hear more background SOUNDS, people working hurriedly, machinery. 52

VOICE #353

Dammit... She’s bleeding internally. I can’t stop it. 54

More SOUNDS of hurried action, labored BREATHING.55

We hear the long MONOTONE BEEP of the electrocardiograph, and then, we hear the loud SCREAM of a newborn baby, one baby, as we56

FADE OUT.57

END TEASER58

ACT ONE59

FADE IN:60

EXT. SANCHEZ’S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING61

SUPERIMPOSE:62

“7 YEARS LATER”63

A cat PASSES in front of the house.64

INT. SANCHEZ’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS65

THE CAMERA PANS THE ROOM, 66

the room is decorated in an explosion of pink and white. There are several photographs of Carissa on top of a bureau. In one of the pictures, Carissa is pregnant and kissing an attractive black man. There are two beds in the room. One bed is unoccupied. Lying on the other bed is a YOUNG GIRL. She is asleep, but her sleep seems to be turbulent. She appears agitated. She moans and whimpers, as she tosses about the bed. 67

A SMALL BOY68

walks into the FRAME.69

He and the YOUNG GIRL share a close resemblance. He stands over the YOUNG GIRL and watches her as she sleeps. Appearing to be concerned about her uneasiness, he gently extends his hand, as if, to comfort her. The bedroom door opens. 70

THE SMALL BOY 71

looks up at opening door.72

A WOMAN quietly enters the room, leaving the door open behind her. She is an older, stockier version of Carissa. 73

THE WOMAN74

crosses to the YOUNG GIRL’s bed. 75

THE WOMAN76

pulls the covers up around the YOUNG GIRL and strokes her hair. The YOUNG GIRL has stopped writhing. She is no longer whimpering. 77

THE WOMAN78

kneels next to the bed. She folds her hands together, closes her eyes, and issues a silent prayer. 79

THE SMALL BOY80

places his hands on the WOMAN’s shoulders. 81

CLOSEUP - WOMAN’s face as she prays. 82

WOMAN83

Amen.84

THE WOMAN makes the sign of the cross over her face.85

PULL BACK86

The WOMAN gingerly stands. 87

She straightens her clothes, and then bends forward to kiss the YOUNG GIRL on the forehead. The SMALL BOY is no longer at her back. She exits the room looking back at the YOUNG GIRL once more. 88

THE CAMERA PANS THE ROOM, 89

the SMALL BOY is no where in the room. 90

INT. SANCHEZ’S HOUSE - KITCHEN NOOK - MORNING91

A MAN and the WOMAN sit at the kitchen table. 92

BENITA (WOMAN)93

I don’t know. I think we should get her some professional help.94

Benita stands and starts to remove dishes and silverware off the table. 95

CARLOS (MAN)96

No, Nita. That’s not what she needs. 97

Benita has started washing the few dishes.98

BENITA99

Carlos, she NEEDS help. She has been this way since she was a baby and now it’s gotten worse. 100

CARLOS101

I know. But we tried that. I will not put her through that again. 102

Benita sits down. She looks stoically at her husband.103

BENITA104

Carlos... We took her to Reverend Ortiz. That’s not the type of professional I’m talking about.105

CARLOS106

You know the church has always been a major part of our lives. It was the best thing for our family.107

BENITA108

You may be right. But was it the best thing for Cassie? 109

Carlos looks at his wife, Benita, and then down at the table. 110

CARLOS111

I don’t know, honey. I just don’t know.112

EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - AFTERNOON113

Children run and shout all over the playground in various modes of play. THE YOUNG GIRL sits alone on the ground, under a tree. A TEACHER approaches her. 114

TEACHER115

Cassie, are you okay today?116

The YOUNG GIRL doesn’t acknowledge the teacher’s presence. She sits and stares out at the other children. 117

TEACHER (CONT’D)118

Cassie?119

The YOUNG GIRL, startled, jerks her head in the direction of the teacher. There are tears cascading down her cheeks. 120

TEACHER (CONT’D)121

Cassie, why are you crying? Is something the matter? 122

CASSIE (YOUNG GIRL)123

I wanna go home. 124

The teacher sits on the ground next to Cassie. She tries to soothe her by smoothing back her hair. 125

TEACHER126

Baby, did someone hurt you? Why do you want to go home? 127

With tears in her eyes, Cassie looks directly at the Teacher. 128

CASSIE129

You won’t believe me.130

The teacher takes Cassie’s hand in hers.131

TEACHER132

Sweety, I’ll believe you. What makes you think I wont believe you? 133

CASSIE134

No one does. Everyone thinks I’m crazy. 135

TEACHER136

You’re not crazy. No one thinks that, Cassie. 137

The teacher pulls Cassie onto her lap and continues to stroke her hair. 138

TEACHER139

Tell me what’s wrong, baby.140

Cassie hesitates, then she leans back onto the teacher. 141

CASSIE142

Timothy is glowing. 143

TEACHER144

What? 145

CASSIE146

Timothy Stewart is glowing. That means he’s gonna die.147

CLOSEUP on TEACHER148

INT. SANCHEZ’S HOUSE - KITCHEN NOOK149

CLOSEUP OF TELEPHONE HANGING ON KITCHEN WALL150

TELEPHONE RINGING151

PULL BACK to152

Benita entering the kitchen and lifting the receiver to her ear.153

BENITA154

Hello?155

(listens)156

Yes?157

Benita closes her eyes. Sadness washes over her face. 158

EXT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LATER159

Carlos and Benita are walking to the School parking lot with a somber Cassie in tow. The school buses are pulling in front of the school. Children run around in a melee as teachers try to instill order to the end of the school day. 160

One of the children breaks free of the orderly regime of the teachers. HE runs towards the buses to be the first aboard. As he reaches the curb he stumbles and falls onto the asphalt. The rear wheel of the last arriving bus, crushes the little boy. 161

TEACHER162

TIMMY!163

SUPERIMPOSE:164

“16 YEARS LATER”165

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT166

A YOUNG MAN, 30 something, is sitting on a sofa, leaning back. A YOUNG WOMAN, 20 something, is lying on the sofa with her head on his thigh. 167

YOUNG MAN (ALEX)168

So, after little Jimmy died, you thought you had this... special power? 169

The YOUNG WOMAN rolls her eyes.170

YOUNG WOMAN (CASSIE)171

Timmy.172

ALEX173

What?174

CASSIE175

His name was Timmy... And It’s not a special power. 176

ALEX177

Well, you claim you can see these auras around people. That’s not normal. So, it’s a special power to me.178

CASSIE179

I claim? 180

ALEX181

Well... 182

Cassie adjusts her position and looks Alex in the face.183

CASSIE184

Whatever, Alex. Let’s talk about something else.185

ALEX186

No. I wanna talk about this. I’m trying to understand.187

CASSIE188

Oh, please.189

Cassie stands and walks OFF SCREEN into the kitchen.190

ALEX191

Aw, come on.192

CASSIE (O.S.)193

Do you want anything to drink?194

ALEX195

No, I’m good.196

Alex sits up and straightens the pillows on the sofa. He situates himself so that he is looking directly at the entrance to the kitchen. His back ramrod straight. Cassie enters the room carrying a soft drink. She stops and places her free hand on her hip. 197

CASSIE198

What are you doing?199

ALEX200

Tell me what my aura looks like.201

Cassie rolls her eyes. She walks into the room. She places her drink on a coaster on a table that separates the chair and sofa. She drops down into a chair opposite the sofa. 202

ALEX (CONT’D)203

Come on, Cassie, tell me. 204

CASSIE205

I should’ve never told you anything.206

ALEX207

Oh, baby don’t be that way. I was just having fun with you.208

CASSIE209

That’s just it, Alex. It’s not funny to me. 210

Alex stands. He walks over to Cassie, sits on her lap, and brushes her hair away from her face. 211

ALEX212

I’m sorry. 213

He kisses her several times, gently on her forehead. Cassie closes her eyes. 214

He lifts her chin up. Her eyes are still closed. He leans in close to her, his lips millimeters from hers.215

ALEX (CONT’D)216

Forgive me?217

She opens her eyes. 218

CASSIE219

Always.220

They kiss passionately and, then, Alex stands and lifts Cassie into his arms. He carries her through the living room, off camera into the bedroom. 221

The camera pans the living room and we see a YOUNG MAN, who closely resembles Cassie, standing near the sofa. He is looking in the direction where Alex and Cassie just entered. He has a look of concern on his face. 222

DISSOLVE TO:223

INT. APARTMENT - BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING224

Alex and Cassie are in bed, asleep. Cassie shifts in her sleep and starts to awaken. She notices the YOUNG MAN standing at the foot of the bed staring at her. Cassie sits up in the bed, holding the sheet to her breasts. 225

CASSIE 226

(she mouthed the word)227

What?228

The YOUNG MAN says nothing. He responds by raising his arm and pointing directly at Alex. Cassie looks over at Alex, briefly, and the then looks back at the YOUNG MAN. 229

CASSIE (CONT’D)230

(mouthing the words)231

What’s wrong, Casey? What?232

CASEY (YOUNG MAN), with his arm still raised, shakes his head slowly from side to side. Cassie opens her mouth to reply once more, but is interrupted by 233

ANGLE ON: Nightstand, we see two electronic devices that resemble cellular phones. Both devices light up and start VIBRATING simultaneously. 234

Cassie reaches over and retrieves one of the devices. She looks at the lighted screen and then back to Casey. Casey is no longer in the room. She then looks at Alex and begins to shake him awake. 235

CASSIE (CONT’D)236

(holding the device)237

Get dressed. We’ve got an assignment.238

DISSOLVE TO:239

EXT. ROOF OF HIGH RISE BUILDING - LONGSHOT - LATER240

We see SIX PEOPLE in black combat fatigues and black masks, carrying an assortment of weapons, entering the bay doors of a helicopter. 241

INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS242

The SIX PEOPLE sit three to a side inside the rear of the helicopter. One of the SIX points over at another of the SIX and then motions towards their shoulder. A lock of hair is protruding from the mask onto their shoulder. The other removes the mask and we see that it is Cassie. She repositions her hair and replaces the mask. 243

DISSOLVE TO:244