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The Room Next Door

CREDIT SEQUENCE: A boys cowboy-themed nursery. The CAMERA moves from rocking horse, to horse mobile, to Western wallpaper border, to a teeny cowboy hat on the bureau, to a rodeo lamp shade. It is October 10, 1987. Opening credits roll to Bruce Springsteens Darkness on the Edge of Town. A hospital room. The CAMERA moves from prescription pill bottle, to wrist cuffs on bed, to collage of pictures from home, to locked/gated window, to slippers under bed. INT. APARTMENT DAY JESSE BARTHOLOMEW stands in the doorway of his sons nursery, holding an empty box. He looks around, and sighs. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY DELIA BARTHOLOMEW removes taped-up photographs of loved ones from the wall behind her bed. She comes across the picture of a baby. She stares at the photo. INT. APARTMENT DAY Jesse is taking down the nursery. He disassembles a crib, changing table. Scrapes a cowboy-themed wallpaper border off the walls. Takes tiny boy clothes out of a dresser and boxes them away. He stops when he comes across a baseball glove, tries it on. He pounds his fist into the glove. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY Delia is packing the last of her personal belongings into a suitcase. She zips up the bag, plops onto the bed. Checks her watch. Purple scars are visible on her wrists. INT. APARTMENT STORAGE AREA DAY Jesse loads the last box into his storage area and shuts the gate. Clicks the padlock closed. Kicks the gate and exits.

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INT. HOSPITAL NURSES DESK DAY Delia carries a suitcase through the halls of the hospital. A nurse stops her, hugs her goodbye. An orderly walks by and he and Delia perform a special handshake. They laugh. END CREDITS EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING DAY Jesse stands outside one of the apartments, while his landlord stands in his doorway. You can almost smell this guy. Stained wife-beater, boxer shorts. Eating a hoagie. I promise! JESSE Two weeks.

LANDLORD You been saying that for months! This aint no shelter, here. JESSE The wifes still in the hospital-LANDLORD Its all very sad. pay your rent. Jesse storms off. INT. JESSES CAR DAY Jesse drives past an arcade, checks his watch, then pulls into the parking lot haphazardly. CUT TO: INT. ARCADE DAY Jesse is playing Donkey Kong. INT. HOSPITAL COMMON ROOM DAY Delia sits on a couch watching the TV with two other patients. She is fully-clothed, they are in pajamas. of them is crying. The other is laughing. One But you gotta

(CONTINUED)

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NEWS REPORTER --State Sen. Robert Presleys disastrous child abuse bills will turn the clock back to the darkest days of childrens services, when children had to be abused severely enough--or as one official put it "bleeding in the streets" in order to get help. CRYING PATIENT Goddamned Democrats! LAUGHING PATIENT Isnt it horrible? Delia looks at the clock again and exits. EXT. PHILADELPHIA STREETS DAY Jesse drives through a Philly neighborhood, some row homes still decked out from Halloween. Leaves blow around. Passersby are still wearing light clothes on this unusually balmy October day. INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY Delia has gone back to wait with her luggage. DELIA Cmon, Jesse. She is about to pick up the phone, when DOCTOR COHEN enters. DR. COHEN Delia. DELIA Hey, Doc. DR. COHEN Just checking in on my favorite patient. For the last time. Delia closes her suitcase and faces the Dr. DELIA Is that your standard discharge-day farewell?

(CONTINUED)

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No!

DR. COHEN Well, maybe.

DELIA And anyway, its not the last time. Just the last time HERE. DR. COHEN Well, Im glad to hear that. You said that you and Jesse might move away, I thought. DELIA This is my home. No matter what...happened here. Especially now, I could never leave here. Leave my brother. Delia zips up her bag. DR. COHEN Im glad. The Doctor sits on the bed. DR. COHEN Howre you feeling? Any anxiety? Bad thoughts? Delia shakes her head. DELIA No more than normal. DR. COHEN Make sure to pick up your script from the front desk. DELIA Will do. DR. COHEN And Delia. DELIA Yeah? DR. COHEN Day by day. Remember that. DELIA Got it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JESSE enters, leering at the doctor. He brushes Delia aside, zips the luggage closed, and swings it off the bed. The doctor drops his head and exits. JESSE (TO DELIA) Ready? INT. CAR (MOVING) DAY Jesse and Delia are driving home. They sit far apart.

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JESSE Wanna grab a slice of pizza? Nope. DELIA (beat) Youre being weird. JESSE Im not. DELIA Yes, you are. JESSE Oh, brother. DELIA Forget it. JESSE I just--Im not in a talking mood. DELIA The doctor says--JESSE Doctors. Ha! Dont know shit about nothing. DELIA Fine. Sit over there and stew about whatever. See if I care. The car accelerates. INT. APARTMENT DAY Jesse and Delia enter the apartment. Delia looks around. She goes to the second bedroom, which had been the nursery. She stands in the empty room. Jesse comes up behind her.

(CONTINUED)

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DELIA Where is it all? JESSE Storage unit. DELIA Let me see it. JESSE Del. DELIA Please. CUT TO: INT. APARTMENT DAY

Jesse brings her a box, and she kneels down. She takes items out, holds them to her chest, smells them. She is crying softly. Jesse is uncomfortable. JESSE Im gonna go bring in the bags. Delia doesnt answer, so Jesse leaves anyway. INT. APARTMENT NIGHT Jesse awakens Delia, who had fallen asleep next to the box, on the floor. She resists. Huh? DELIA Whats going on?

She sees the luggage sitting by the front door. No. DELIA Not again! Jesse! Oh my God.

JESSE Shhhh. Im sorry. I wanted to tell you earlier. We gotta get outa here. Delia reluctantly gets up. more look. Exits the nursery, but takes one

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INT. BEDROOM NIGHT Delia throws a couple items into a bag, which Jesse takes from her. She begins to rip the sheets off the bed, but Jesse stops her. JESSE No time. DELIA Damnit, Jess! I thought we were paid up! JESSE Cmon. Jesse picks up a bag, and hands Delia a bag. DELIA Can I pee first?? JESSE Well stop at the Getty. EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING NIGHT Jesse and Delia are quietly loading the trunk. DELIA Did you get my-Jesse shakes his coat, and the pill bottle rattles inside. JESSE Got em. DELIA (BEAT) This is ridiculous. Cmon. JESSE We gotta motor.

Jesse tries to smooth her hair down, but she pulls away and walks to the passenger door. DELIA Open the car.

8. EXT. DESERTED ROAD SUNRISE Delia watches the sun rise, as Jesse takes a leak against a tree. He gets back in the car but Delia remains. Jesse beeps the horn but Delia does not move. EXT. DILAPIDATED HOTEL DAY Jesse parks the car out front of a hotel room, and they unload. A creepy maintenance man (Dobbs) exits room next door, rifling through an enormous set of keys. He observes them, then locks door. INT. HOTEL LOBBY DAY Jesse and Delia check-in at the front desk. DESK CLERK Got a room with a kitchenette. Even has a microwave. JESSE Thatd be fine. The clerk hands them a key and takes their money. DESK CLERK How many nights? Jesse and Delia look at each other. JESSE We aint sure, just yet. DESK CLERK Welp, I got the vacancy. Jesse and Delia look around. been a guest in ages. For now.

It looks like there hadnt

DESK CLERK Where from? JESSE The city. DESK CLERK Thought so. You what they call punk rockers? They laugh.

(CONTINUED)

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JESSE Got a cigarette machine? DESK CLERK Round back, there. JESSE AND DELIA Thanks. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia flops onto the bed, as Jesse loads bags into the room. He enters bathroom and runs water. DELIA I have to call Victor. JESSE (O.S.) Youll call him. Later. Jesse reenters with glass of water. and water. He hands Delia pills

JESSE Your brother doesnt need to know where we are 24/7. DELIA Hell worry. JESSE Get some sleep. Ill be back.

Jesse grabs keys and walks toward door. DELIA Where you going? JESSE Get us some smokes. Delia lies down, and Jesse exits. EXT. HOTEL DAY Jesse walks around to the back of the hotel. Dobbs, the maintenance man, is burning leaves in a trashcan. Dobbs stands a couple feet away from the can, staring into the flames. Mesmerized. Jesse gets his cigarettes and hurries out of there.

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INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Jesse enters and locks the door. JESSE There is the weirdest dude working here. DELIA The front desk guy? No. JESSE Some janitor guy.

He unwraps his cigarette pack and lights one. JESSE Faster we can get outa here, the better. DELIA Well, well just have to put some money together. JESSE Theres some action in Smithville. Tonight. Serious stakes. Delia rolls over. DELIA Dont even think about it. JESSE Should I rob a bank instead? Wait for some rich aunt I dont have to kick the bucket and leave me a million dollars? DELIA I dont want to be alone. Not yet.

JESSE Just a couple card games, then Im done. Enough to keep our heads above water. Ill be back in the morning. Delia sits up.

(CONTINUED)

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DELIA Youll be back to find an empty room. JESSE You wanna leave me, do ya?? I sit around for four damn months while youre in some loony bin, and YOU want to leave ME? DELIA Fucking animal. JESSE (beat) Look. Im doing the best I can. was hustlin when you met me. Nothings changed. Delia turns around and lies on her stomach. Stay put. morning. JESSE Ill see you in the

He drops some money and her pill bottle on the dresser and exits. EXT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Jesse exits and locks door. Dobbs watches him drive off.

INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY HOURS LATER Delia has fallen asleep. She is dreaming.

INT. APARTMENT BATHROOM NIGHT DREAM MONTAGE of Delia bathing a crying baby boy. She wraps him in towel and walks down a hallway. Baby is fidgeting and crying. Stop it! DELIA Hold still! END MONTAGE

She sees his face underwater, struggling.

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INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia awakens in a sweat. DELIA Jakie....I want my Jakie. Delia sobs, sliding onto the floor in a heap, dragging the comforter with her. She suddenly reaches for the phone and dials. DELIA Victor? (beat) I know. I know! Im sorry. (beat) Im not sure. Some hotel. (beat) Hes not here, but--(beat) Near Lancaster, I think. She gets up and looks out the window. DELIA Dark....Woods Lodge. (beat) NO! You cant come. Jesse will freak. I just...I just wanted to talk. (beat) No, he didnt do anything to me. I had a dream. (beat) A dream! A bad dream. Im better now. Ill call you tomorrow. (beat) Im sure. Love you. She hangs up and walks around the room. pills on the bureau. DELIA Twenty bucks. And four lousy pills. Awesome. She slides into jeans, grabs the room key and the ice bucket, and exits. EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT NIGHT Delia walks toward the lobby to get ice from the ice machine. She tries to open the ice lid, but its stuck. She sees a light in the lobby and enters. Finds the money and

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INT. HOTEL LOBBY NIGHT Delia enters. The lobby appears to be empty. DELIA Hello? Dobbs, the creepy maintenance man, comes in from the back, holding a wrench in a threatening manner. Delia gasps. DOBBS I- I-- I--m sorry. help you? C-C--C---an I

DELIA Oh. I just. I was trying to get some ice, and the lid. It seems to be stuck. DOBBS O- O-- Okay, miss. Ill b-b--bebebebe right out. My names D--D--Dobbs. Thats what they c-c-call me, anyway. DELIA Nice to meet you. He leads the way. EXT. HOTEL NIGHT Delia is walking back to her room with a bucket of ice. Dobbs is watching her from behind the lobby curtains. She turns back, and he disappears. DELIA Poor guy. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia sticks a couple cans of soda in the ice and reclines on the bed. DELIA Ahhhh! Im about to DIE of BOREDOM! She rolls over. Im Delia.

Delia follows.

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EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT DAY Delia awakens, exits her room and wanders. She passes the room next door with an open window. SLO-MO: Small boy is jumping on the bed. Delia slows down to watch. She puts her fingers on the window pane. The boys mother walks by and meets Delias eyes. END SLO-MO. Delia hurries away. INT. HOTEL LOBBY DAY Delia is flustered. She stands in the small lobby. Desk is empty. She flips through brochures. A man appears. Hi there. DELIA Anywhere to eat nearby?

DESK CLERK Well, you got your Main Street Diner, bout eight nine miles down the road there near town. Hmmm. DELIA Anything closer?

DESK CLERK Jack n the Box just down the road a piece, near the interstate. Course, theres always Black Cart Farmers Market, mile up the road. Might be able to get you some othat German food. Cant eat it myself. Sits like cement. DELIA (nods) Well, thanks. Delia turns to exit. DESK CLERK I could call ya a cab on the CB here, beins that your boyfriend took the car last night. She fidgets. DESK CLERK Trip to the Jack n the Box costs a couple bucks or so, round trip.

(CONTINUED)

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Great.

DELIA Thanks. DESK CLERK

Glad to. Clerk picks up a CB mike. DESK CLERK Break one nine for Mellow Yellow? Bring it back. 10-4. CABBIE (O.S.) That you, Gravedigger?

DESK CLERK I need a 10-16 here at the Lodge. Over. Delia exits. EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT DAY Delia sits on the curb outside the office. She notices Dobbs raking leaves around the parking lot. A car pulls into the lot and parks in the room next doors space. The driver (LYLE) sits in the car. Delia lights a cigarette and watches him. The cab pulls into the parking lot. INT. CAB DAY Delia is driving in the back of the cab, which is about to pull into the Jack In the Box parking lot. They enter the drive-thru. DRIVE THRU TELLER Welcome to Jack in the box. take your order. Can I

DELIA Hamburger Deluxe. Small Curly Fries. Vanilla Shake. DRIVE THRU TELLER Cheese on that burger? DELIA No thank you.

(CONTINUED)

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DRIVE THRU TELLER Large, Medium, or small shake? DELIA Large, please. The cab pulls up to the window and Delia receives her order. The cab drives through the small strip mall, which contains a liquor store. Delia looks at her change in her hand. DELIA Can you stop here for a sec? She hops out and heads for the liquor store, but suddenly notices the same car from the hotel parked in the parking lot. Lyle tries to avert his eyes, when Delia drives past. She hurries into the liquor store. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia stands inside her room at the window, staring outside, waiting for Lyle to return. Within minutes, his car pulls into the lot. She steps back an inch or two, to avoid being seen. DELIA And here comes Creepo. Lyle exits the car, and walks up to the room next door. We can hear talking. Then she sees Lyle get into his car and drive off. DELIA Wonder what THAT is all about. Just then, the hotel phone rings. She startles, quickly plops the food and a bottle of Malibu Rum on the table and races to answer it. DELIA Hello? Hello? (beat) Oh, hey Victor. I thought you were gonna be Jesse. (beat) No, not yet. (beat) Im FINE, Victor, really. (beat) Dont you dare. Let me eat and Ill call you back. (beat) Okay. Bye. She hangs up and sits on the bed. TV and sighs. Eats. She flicks on the

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INT. HOTEL BEDROOM DAY Delia is about to get into the shower, when the phone rings again. DELIA Hello? (beat) Jesse? Where the hell are you? (beat) Why do you have to stay another night? I only have about 8 bucks left. (beat) FINE. Whatever. She picks up the bottle opens it. She takes a giant swallow from the bottle. She sees her pills and pauses. Takes the last two with the few drops of wine left in the bottle. There. DELIA Get bent.

INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia is very drunk/doped. First, she is in her room, knocking over furniture, speaking jibberish. Then, she is unchaining her room door. DELIA Why do I have to be alone? Im always gonna be alone. Everyones alone. We live alone. We die alone! She goes into the bathroom. INT. HOTEL BATHROOM DAY Delia is throwing items into a bag. razors. DELIA Ill just leave. be here. EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT DAY She exits her room. Everything is spinning. lights from passing cars and is disoriented. run. She sees She begins to Toothbrush, toothpaste,

I dont have to

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EXT. DESERTED DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER LOT NIGHT Delia awakens, in the middle of the empty lot. She is terrified and completely discombobulated. And her hands are covered in blood. She looks herself over, and realizes she was cutting. Ohmigod. Delia begins to run. EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT NIGHT Delia is heading for her room, when she spots Lyles car again. It is empty, this time. She enters her room. INT. HOTEL BEDROOM NIGHT Delia throws her bag on the bed. She takes the empty bottle of wine and throws it across the room. DELIA Bastard! She collects herself. Takes a look down and remembers her bloody clothes. She removes them and crawls into bed in her underwear. INT. HOTEL BEDROOM HOURS LATER Delia is sleeping, TV is still playing. Suddenly, there is a loud crash next door, and a scuffle. Delias eyes dart open, but she doesnt move. She hears whispering, then a childs cry. She bolts upright, but is still woozy. She listens against the wall, then a slam startles her and she falls backwards. The childs crying stops. Delia crawls to the phone and dials the front desk. It rings and rings. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia awakens on the floor. She is holding a can of Aqua Net as a weapon. She creeps to the window and looks out. Throws on jeans and grabs key from bureau. Unchains door. Just as Delia opens the door, Jesse is on the other side. DELIA Where the hell am I?

(CONTINUED)

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DELIA AHHHH! Oh my god. to death!

You scared me

Delia grabs him and pulls him toward the room. Hi. JESSE Whatre ya doing? DELIA Shhhh! INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia motions for Jesse to be quiet, and she leads him inside and locks/chains the door. JESSE Sorry I didnt-Shhh! What? DELIA We have to whisper. JESSE Why?? Next

DELIA I heard something last night. door. JESSE Heard what? DELIA A crash. And like, fighting. little kid crying.

JESSE Big deal. Kids are always knocking shit over and hurting themselves. DELIA At 3 oclock in the morning? JESSE (beat) Maybe he fell out of bed? Delia takes Jesses bag and begins to unpack it.

(CONTINUED)

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DELIA No. No, something worse happened. I just know it. Jesse empties his pockets on the bureau. Delias pill bottle. He examines

JESSE Delia, youre only supposed to take one a day! Where are all the pills?? DELIA Uh, I dont know. JESSE How many did you take yesterday? Delia sits on the bed. I dunno! DELIA A couple?

Jesse eyes the empty bottle of wine, then gives Delia a suspicious eyebrow. What? DELIA Are you kidding?

JESSE You arent supposed to drink on these pills. DELIA So you think I was hearing things last night? Jesse undresses. JESSE You drank an entire bottle of wine. While on your pills. DELIA I cant believe you. JESSE You call the cops? DELIA (beat) No. I tried to call the front desk but it just rang and rang. I was (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DELIA (contd) so afraid they would hear me. was just frozen, yknow?

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Jesse removes a small wad of cash from his shoe, and tosses it to Delia. JESSE Look. Im sure it was nothing. Why dont you get out of here a little while? Get some air. Delia eyeballs him. JESSE Go on. DELIA Fine. JESSE Ill be in the shower. kay? Delia nods, and exits. of Aqua Net. Lock up,

She pops back in and grabs the can

EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT DAY Delia is about to get into her car when she notices a housekeeper rolling her cart past the room next door. DELIA Scuse me. Has the guest from that room checked out already? The housekeeper shakes her head. HOUSEKEEPER No one stay in this room last night. DELIA Yes. Yes, there WAS someone in that room last night. And a boy. A woman. I saw them yesterday morning. HOUSEKEEPER No one stay here last night. Housekeeper rolls away. Delia shakes her head.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DELIA Language barrier. EXT. PLAYGROUND DAY Delia exits her car and sits on a picnic table near swingset. Two small children swing. Their very young mother smokes on a third swing. MOTHER Rhiannon, watch your brother. gotta pee. I Delia

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The mother walks over to a building and enters. watches the boy. DELIA I used to have a little boy. Just like you. Be about your age now, I think. (beat) I sure miss him a lot.

At that moment, the boy falls from the swing. He cries, and the sister stands over him. Delia is on her feet, scoops him up and cradles him. DELIA Poor baby. That was a nasty fall, wasnt it. (whispers) Its okay, Jakie. Mommys here. GIRL His names Brandon. Hes not a baby. Hes two. Im five. And a half. My birthday is in the summer and I want a Barbie Dream House. The mother exits the building and runs over. Brandon. MOTHER Rhiannon, whats going on? GIRL Brandon fell and the lady helped him. Delia gets to her feet and stares down at the mother. DELIA Theyre awfully little to be leaving them alone, dont you think? (CONTINUED) She takes

CONTINUED:

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GIRL He was going too high, mommy. told him to stop.

MOTHER I only left them alone for a minute. And who the hell are you-Delia doesnt flinch. She moves in on the mother.

DELIA Bad things happen real fast to kids. You should be more careful. Rhiannon takes Brandons hand and they go over to a see-saw. Delia watches Brandon leave, and the mother watches Delia. DELIA No pain worse than losing a child. You can trust me on that one. Delia walks away, gets back into her car, and drives off. MOTHER Ill try to remember that. crazy bitch. EXT. FARMERS MARKET DAY There is one other woman shopping in the market. A small group of teenage boys are huddled by the register, talking. One of them teeters a boogie box on his shoulder. DELIA Dont happen to sell cigarettes, do you? The boys laugh. DELIA Alcohol? BOY 1 Its an Amish market, maam. BOY 2 And its only 10 a.m. They laugh again. Ya

(CONTINUED)

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Right. the--

DELIA Shouldnt you be wearing

BOY 1 Rumspringa. DELIA Pardon? BOY 2 Were on a break, before we join the church. We get English privileges. Jeans, cars, beer. BOY 3 RUN DMC. The boys laugh and exit. Boy 1 offers Delia a cigarette of his own, which she accepts. He lights it for her, and adjusts the antenna of a small TV hes watching. A news story is running. BOY 1 Shame about that kid, huh? DELIA Oh, the one in the well? BOY 1 No, the boy who was beaten. family knows his family. DELIA What boy? BOY 1 Found his body this morning over by the Jack N the box. Delia fumbles and drops the cigarette. DELIA What? BOY 1 Mustve happened last night. Mother tucked him in bed herself. Delia backs away. My

(CONTINUED)

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DELIA Oh my God. She runs to her car and drives off frantically. INT. DELIAS CAR DAY Delia speeds back to the hotel, spinning the radio dial to find news. NEWSCASTER ....possible murder victim. The boys body was discovered earlier this morning in the dumpster of a local fast food restaurant in the Hibbsboro shopping plaza. Exact cause of death believed to be blunt force trauma, but wont be determined until coroner reports are finalized. Gerald Hertzler was just four years old and a member of the local amish community..... Delia stuffs her knuckles into her mouth. sobs. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia bursts into the room and locks the door. asleep on the bed. She shakes him awake. DELIA Wake up! Hey. JESSE Wheres the stuff? Jesse is Choking back

DELIA Jess, a boy was murdered! Its all over the news! I knew I heard something. I knew it! Jesse sits up in bed. Wait. here? JESSE Slow down. They found him

DELIA No. No, they found him around the Jack in the Box. But thats only a (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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DELIA (contd) few minutes away. I just know it happened next door though. I heard it! JESSE First of all, you need to cool your jets. Jesse forces Delia to take a seat at the table. JESSE Del, you ALWAYS hear noises when Im away at night. DELIA This was different! JESSE If I didnt know you better, Id think you were cooking up some kind of scheme to keep me from playing cards. DELIA Kick rocks! I know what I heard! JESSE So what do you want to do about it? Call the cops? Delia flops onto the foot of the bed. DELIA Shouldnt we? JESSE Well, theyll probably want to know why you didnt call last night. Then they might want to look into your...history. You know, to establish whether youre a credible witness. They both stare at each other. DELIA I am not a baby killer. kill our son. I did not

JESSE I didnt say you did. Im just saying that, god forbid, the last (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JESSE (contd) thing we need right now is suspicion. Havent we been through enough? Jesse lies down on the bed. JESSE Next thing you know, you got the Five-Oh poking around, finding out youre on a prescription. He lights a cigarette. JESSE I mean, Im not saying you didnt hear something, but what are the odds that a kid was killed right next door here? Delia shrugs. DELIA He was killed SOMEwhere. closeby, right? JESSE We have zero proof. Delia wipes a tear away. JESSE You wanna roll? Lets go right now and find a safer hotel. DELIA No. Its fine. tense. Maybe Im just Probably

27.

Jesse leans up and takes her hand, pulling her onto the bed. JESSE I know EXACTLY how to fix that. Delia laughs. Hold on. DELIA Let me shut these drapes.

She stands to close the draperies, but notices a man standing at the pay phone outside. He is the man from the car the other day. He quickly turns his back to her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DELIA Weird. JESSE What now? DELIA Nothing. Just....lot of weird people around here. EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT DAY LYLE is on the pay phone, a few feet away from Delias room. LYLE Husbands back. (beat) here tonight? Gotcha. then. INT. DINER DAY Jesse and Delia are eating at a diner. JESSE Ugh. I dont know how you can mess up eggs. DELIA Guess thats what you get for a buck 39. They eat in silence for a few beats. JESSE So, I know youre gonna majorly wig out, but I heard about a game being put together up by the college. Bunch of rich frat kids. Easy score. Delia puts down her fork and wipes her mouth. DELIA (beat) When? JESSE Tonight. Delia stares him down. Will you be See you

28.

Hmph.

(CONTINUED)

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29.

JESSE We need a couple hundred to get into an apartment. A couple hundred to keep us afloat till I find a job. Can you just be cool till then? Couple of games, quick cash. DELIA Dr. Cohen said I need a stable living environment if Im gonna recover. JESSE Yeah, well he also prescribed $75 a month anti-psychotics. Look, Im working on it, okay? This is just temporary. A waitress fills their coffee cups. leave before she speaks. Delia waits for her to

DELIA (beat) I thought we were going to try again. Another baby. JESSE Another baby?!? The other patrons look up. He lowers his voice.

JESSE Delia, are you completely high? After all we went through? When Jake drowned, I just.... Jesse chokes up and cannot finish. DELIA I was the one who pulled his lifeless body out of the tub and gave him CPR. I was the one who sat on that stand while the prosecutor badgered me. I was the one who spent all that time in a locked ward! JESSE Do you want to play "who was hurt more when Jake died"? Cause that game aint got NO winner. All Im saying is we dont have to think (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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30.

JESSE (contd) about this yet. Lets make sure youre....better, first. Delia throws her napkin down. DELIA Whats that supposed to mean? Jesse sighs and looks away. DELIA You STILL arent sure, are you? You think I did it. You think I drowned him. JESSE No I dont. DELIA Well, I didnt! Jake! The waitress comes by. WAITRESS Everything alright? They nod, she exits. JESSE Can we keep it down some? DELIA Sorry. Im mentally ill. outbursts. I have I didnt kill

JESSE (sighs) All Im saying is...you were really sick after having Jake. You know you were. Before we got you on that medication, you were pretty bad off. Delia looks away. JESSE No one blames you. Especially me. I cant say I know how you feel, but I know damn well Im not ready to go through it again. And when we lost him...... (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: The waitress drops the check. JESSE Of course, I dont think you hurt Jake. DELIA You just dont want to run the risk by having another, right? JESSE I just dont think its so bad, just you and me. Delia gets up and runs out. and runs after her. EXT. DINER PARKING LOT DAY Delia storms off with Jesse in chase. JESSE Where are you going? DELIA Away from you. Victor is right about you. JESSE Can you slow down? DELIA He warned me that you were no good. That I should have married a grown up, not a Donkey Kong-playing juvenile delinquent with a gambling problem. Jesse stops. JESSE You know what--- Where do you think youre gonna go? DELIA The bus terminal. Victor. Ill stay with

31.

Jesse throws money on the table

JESSE Great. No, really. Maybe you should. Maybe you should go home, and live with your brother. Let HIM run your life. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: Delia spins on her heel to face Jesse. DELIA Yeah? Well at least HE believes me! He knows I wouldnt drown my own son! He knows it was an accident, because he was THERE! You were gone, as usual! JESSE I believe you! How many times do you need to hear it?? DELIA I hear it. But its a bunch of baloney. Otherwise, you wouldnt be so scared to try again. JESSE Whats wrong with taking a break? How is going home to Victor going to solve anything? All it says is that you cant handle anything on your own. DELIA Youre never here! I handle EVERYthing on my own! JESSE Well, Victor needs to get his own life. You two are a little TOO close, if you ask me. DELIA Youre disgusting. JESSE You cant always go running to Victor when something goes wrong. Sometimes you gotta just grow up. Delia exhales, kicking a stone around. DELIA Vic and I only have each other. You know that. JESSE Well, it seems like some Flowers in the Attic shit to me. Delia softens.

32.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

33.

JESSE Did you think it was all going to be so easy, after you got out? We got a lot to hash out, still, Delia. She then spots Lyle, who appears to be following her. DELIA Hey! Lyle slips behind the diner and disappears. JESSE What? DELIA That guy, from the hotel! JESSE Yeah, so? DELIA I think hes following me! They stop walking and Jesse looks deep into her eyes. JESSE Delia, hes not following you. Theres just, nowhere else to eat in this town. Okay? Delia deflates. They walk to the car and Jesse unlocks it.

JESSE Did you take your pill this morning? DELIA Yes. JESSE Cause youre sounding a little paranoid. DELIA I TOOK one. JESSE Alright. Jesse gets into the car, while Delia stares after the man.

34. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Jesse and Delia are playing cards on the bed. JESSE So its me and this preppy little college prick. The flop comes Jack, 6, 8. Ive flopped top set and bet. He raises, I re-raise, its capped. The turn comes Ace. I bet, he raises, I re-raise, its capped. Show down. This Vanilla Ice wanna be turns over his cards and shows sixes full of eights. He smiles at me, right? I turn my cards. Jacks full of eights. I smile back at him. Mother fucker wants to kill me. I get my chips and get the hell outa there. DELIA Jess, one of these days. JESSE What? I beat him fair and square. I could get away with a lot more, though. Those frat boy dumbasses would have never known the difference. DELIA Ill be glad when youre done with this. He lays his hand down, which beats Delias. JESSE Quit worrying. You just gotta be smart. He kisses her on the mouth, grabs his jacket, and heads for the door. DELIA When will you be home? Jesse shrugs. JESSE Maybe tomorrow morning? He jiggles the doorknob.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

35.

JESSE Lock this. Delia nods. INT. HOTEL ROOM HOURS LATER Delia paints her toenails in the chair. playing. There is a knock at the door. DELIA What the hell? She goes to the door. DELIA Who--whos there? VICTOR Its Victor. Lemme in. Delia quickly unlocks the door. They embrace. TV is

DELIA What on earth are you doing here? VICTOR Bringing you home. DELIA This IS my home, temporarily. Victor looks around disapprovingly. VICTOR You MUST be joking. You were salutorian of your high school. Highest SAT in the whole town. DELIA Could you spare me the whole, "You had so much potential" speech? Victor plops down onto the bed as if to test the mattress. VICTOR They have better mattresses in prison.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

36.

DELIA We just did it on that mattress a couple hours ago. Victor leaps up in mock disgust and goes into the bathroom. VICTOR (O.S.) Barf me out! This bathroom is sooo gross! I wouldnt take a shower in here without a shot of pennicilin and a hazmat suit. He comes back in, visibly disgusted. VICTOR Seriously, Del. the only thing youre getting here for $39 a night is a dose of meningitis. DELIA Alright. Point taken. Its a dump. Are you here on a secret mission of the Health department, or to visit your sister? What are you doing all the way out here? VICTOR This, is an intervention. Unfortunately, Im all there is. Your friends have all moved on, after you blew them off to marry some compulsive-gambling douche bag. DELIA Whos hung like a horse. Delia walks over to the kitchenette. DELIA Coffee? Victor cringes. Tab? He shrugs. She tosses him one. He polishes it on his shirt before he opens it. She rolls her eyes. DELIA Seriously. Why the late night visit? No call first? Where are (MORE) (CONTINUED) She reaches into the mini-fridge. DELIA

CONTINUED:

37.

DELIA (contd) your manners, dear brother? What if I were getting it on with my husband? VICTOR I felt safe knowing your louse of a spouse was out galavanting. DELIA Working. VICTOR Call it whatever you want. Youve spent more nights ALONE than youve spent WITH him. I just wanted to keep my kid sister company. You shouldnt be alone. Victor sits back on the headboard and tries to pick up the remote. It is secured to the end table. They both laugh. DELIA Well, truth be told, Im not a big fan of this hotel, either. Its kind of creepy. VICTOR How so? DELIA I dont even know why Im telling you this. But. They found a little boys body murdered not far from here. VICTOR Thats great, Delia. DELIA The night before they found the body? I heard something, next door here. A kind of....struggle. Victor sits upright. DELIA Youre gonna think Im nuts. Jesse does. But, I think he was killed in this hotel. Right next door.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

38.

VICTOR What? DELIA I heard a struggle. Pretty sure I heard a boys voice, too. VICTOR Did you call the cops? DELIA (beat) No, and I feel so bad about that now. Victor paces. VICTOR Who did you tell? DELIA Just you and Jess. Victor paces to the nightstand. bottle. VICTOR You were taking these? DELIA You and Jesse. Why is that the first question you both ask me? VICTOR Please dont tell me we agree on something. DELIA Well, no matter WHAT crazy things I was apparently imagining, there is a small boy in a morgue that I definitely didnt hallucinate. Victor sits in a chair. VICTOR I dont know. Just let the police do their job. Theyll find whoever did it, without you getting involved. He picks up Delias pill

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DELIA I just feel....guilty.

39.

I hope so.

VICTOR Dont. You had nothing to do with it. (beat) Listen, I can stick around for a while. Want to teach me five card stud or something? I cant. Go fish? Kay. DELIA Ill deal. DELIA I suck. VICTOR

INT. HOTEL ROOM HOURS LATER Delia is sleeping alone in bed. She is awakened by a voice whispering to her through the wall. Wake up. VOICE (O.S.) I know you can hear me. She lies

She sits upright and gathers the sheets around her. After a minute, she thinks it was a dream. back down. VOICE (O.S.) Delia! Suddenly, there is a key in her door. and grabs her hair spray. DELIA Ive got a gun.

She jumps out of bed

Ill use it!

JESSE (O.S.) Delia, its me! Is the chain on? DELIA Jesse? JESSE (O.S.) No, its the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol. Let me in! She unlocks the chain. Jesse comes through the door, and they stare at each other for a minute. She holds the spray like a weapon.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

40.

JESSE What are you doing? DELIA I---I---

Put that down.

JESSE And whats all this about a gun? He brushes past her, and removes the spray from her grip. She stands confused. DELIA I think I was dreaming. I heard someone calling my name. I thought-- I thought it was coming from next door. Jesse looks closely at Delia. JESSE Want me to go over there? DELIA No. NO! JESSE Im gonna just check it out. DELIA Jesse, please. Just forget about it. Come lie with me. Jesse goes into the bathroom, takes a leak without closing the door, then comes back in and gets under the sheets. He sits up, with Delia on his lap. JESSE You go to sleep. while. He clicks on the TV. DELIA Howd you do tonight? JESSE Dont ask. DELIA Jess. Ill sit up for a

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

41.

JESSE I know. Im on the job hunt tomorrow, first thing. DELIA Really? JESSE Really. Maybe its better if Im around here at night. Delia sits up. DELIA Im not crazy, Jess. I mean, Im tired, Im taking my prescription. But Im not crazy. JESSE Not saying you are. I just been thinking a lot, and its probably best for you. For us. Delia lies back down, satisfied. JESSE This place is a dump. I dont like leaving you here alone for too long. He kisses her head. JESSE Im gonna take care of everything. EXT. STRIP MALL DAY Jesse and Delia enter a mens shoe store. clerk. Exit. EXT. GAS STATION DAY Jesse exits car and speaks with attendant. Attendant shakes his head no. Jesse gets back into car and drives off. Talk to the

42. INT. 7-11 DAY Jesse and Delia enter a 7-11. while Jesse grabs a paper. EXT. 7-11 PARKING LOT DAY They sit atop their car hood. Delia sips on the Slurpee while Jesse circles help wanted ads. INT. JESSE AND DELIAS CAR DAY Jesse and Delia are driving back to the hotel, both despondent from a hard day of hitting the pavement. DELIA I could look for work, too, you know. Jesse doesnt answer. DELIA Im not an invalid. JESSE You really know how to make a guy feel worthless. DELIA Were on the same team, here. He just stares forward. JESSE I can provide for you. DELIA Fine. They drive in silence. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY Jesse and Delia enter. They both collapse on the bed. Delia turns on the TV. A special news report is playing. JESSE We can go up to that bar up the road. The ad said to just come in-(CONTINUED) For us. Delia gets herself a Slurpee,

CONTINUED:

43.

Sssh!

DELIA I wanna hear this!

Jesse stands and heads for the bathroom. JESSE Ill be in the shower. Delia waves him off. CNN ANCHOR --As for young Jessica, she appears to be doing alright, considering. Cameras and microphones have been dropped down. Jessica can be heard to call for her mother. She has been singing, humming, and occasionally crying. ON-SITE REPORTER The rescuers are making progress literally by inches. And at that rate, it may be some time before Jessica is brought to the surface. She hasnt had anything to eat or drink for more than a day, but medical personnel on the scene say they dont want anything passed down to her, for fear shell choke. DELIA Ohmigod. Delia watches the report for a while, then finally flicks off the television. DELIA That poor baby. She rubs her eyes. DELIA It just aint right, God. I dont understand why you gotta punish these little kids....

44.

INT. BAR NIGHT Jesse and Delia enter a bar. Delia sits at the bar.

JESSE Be right back. Im gonna go find the manager. The bartender approaches. BARTENDER What can I get ya? DELIA Nothing, thanks. and coke. He nods, pours drink. Wait, maybe a rum

Jesse returns.

JESSE Hey, good news! They could use a bar-back. But I have to start tonight. DELIA Right now? JESSE Yeah. Why dont you stick around a while? Beats sitting in that room all night. Delia shrugs. Jesse gives her a peck and exits. INT. BAR TWO HOURS LATER Delia is joking with the bartender and another patron. The other patron orders shots. Delia tries to refuse but does shot anyway. DELIA Would you excuse me? She stumbles off her stool, and they laugh. to the ladies room, drink in hand. She wobbles off

45. INT. BATHROOM NIGHT Delia stares at herself in the mirror. She tries to balance her drink on the edge of the sink, but it falls and spills all over her. Shit! DELIA Oh, great. She

She tries to find a towel, but the dispenser is empty. exits. INT. BAR NIGHT Delia sees Jesse, carrying stacked beer cases. back to her bar stool. DELIA (TO BARTENDER) Can you tell Jesse, that bar-back over there, that I took a cab home? Bartender nods. BARTENDER Should be a cab out there, now. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT She goes

Delia fumbles to get into the house, as a soaking rain falls outside. She immediately undresses to her underwear. She is still tipsy. Ugh. DELIA I smell like a wino.

She heads toward the bathroom when a thunder clap shakes the room, and the lights go out. DELIA Ack! She scours the room for her lighter, and finds it. lights it, and heads for the bathroom. INT. HOTEL BATHROOM NIGHT She turns on the water and lets it run, before she gets in the shower. She sits on the edge, tired. Suddenly, an image of her baby son appears in the water. She leaps up in horror, letting the lighter fly. She screams alone in the dark. A minute later, the lights flicker back on. (CONTINUED) She

CONTINUED: DELIA I have to stop. I have to stop. have to stop. I have to stop.

46.

She catches her breath, and proceeds with the shower. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT The phone rings, and Delia comes in from the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. DELIA Hello? (beat) Hey, Jess. (beat) Dont be mad. Im just a little drunk, I didnt want to bother you. (beat) Yeah, I made it home fine. (beat) Everythings fine here. See you soon, okay? She hangs up, lies back on the bed, and closes her eyes. FLASHBACK/DREAM SEQUENCE: INT. CHILDHOOD BEDROOM NIGHT 10YO Delia sleeps on a mattress in a bare bedroom. drunk mother stumbles in. DELIAS MOTHER Wake up, you little tramp! DELIA Im tired, mommy. tomorrow. I have school Her

Her mother rips her out of bed by her pajamas. DELIAS MOTHER Think I wouldnt find out about the little games you been playing with my Harry? DELIA What do you mean, Mommy? games? What

DELIAS MOTHER You were just trying to break us up, and looks like you got your wish!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

47.

DELIA Hes a bad man, Mommy. DELIAS MOTHER Youre a no-good little hustler, and you always will be. DELIA Im sorry. I dont know what I did! Dont leave! She pushes Delia back on the bed, and wobbles out. CUT TO: INT. CHILDHOOD BEDROOM DAY 15YO Victor throws open Delias door in a panic. awakens and follows him out. INT. MOTHERS ROOM DAY They enter her room and discover everything is gone. VICTOR That drunkass bitch! He hurls a wooden chair across the empty room with a thunk. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia awakens from her nightmare. She then realizes the noise she heard wasnt from the nightmare, but the room next door. There is another crash and a whimper. Hey! DELIA Hey, you in there! She

She bangs loudly on the wall. DELIA I hear you! You leave him alone! Im calling the police! She picks up the phone and dials.

48.

EXT. HOTEL PARKING LOT NIGHT Delia stands with two policemen outside of the room next door. The door is open. DELIA I heard someone in there. other night, too. The

OFFICER 1 You been drinking tonight, Miss Bartholomew? DELIA Its MRS.. And yes. few. Is that a crime? The officers exchange a look. OFFICER 2 Do you want to come into the station and make a report? Delia shakes her head. Jesse pulls up and gets out. I had a

JESSE Whats going on?!? Nothing. DELIA I heard something.

OFFICER 1 Your wife reported hearing a disturbance in the room next door. OFFICER 2 The unoccupied room next door. The officers and Jesse exchange looks. JESSE And? OFFICER 1 Empty room, sir. JESSE Is that all, then? The officers shake their head.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

49.

OFFICER 1 If you hear anything else, give us a call, alrighty? Delia nods. She goes into her room without waiting for Jesse. The officers drive off. INT HOTEL ROOM DAY Delia and Jesse are sleeping. Delia awakens and flicks on the TV. She lights a cigarette. FEMALE NEWSCASTER ..second murdered boy in just 3 days. His beaten body was discovered two hours ago in a ditch just off Oregon Pike in Lancaster county. Authorities are concerned that this may be the work of a serial murderer, and ask that parents in the viewing area be watchful until the perpetrator is in custody. Delia shakes Jesse awake. Jess! What? DELIA Ohmigod. MALE NEWSCASTER ...Five-year-old Timothy Carver was reported missing just hours before his body was found. Jesse rubs his eyes. JESSE Thats right near the bar. DELIA We might have driven right past-Jesse stands and slides into jeans. DELIA Wake up! JESSE

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

50.

Okay.

JESSE Okay. Lets not freak out. I

DELIA Too late. Im freaking out! wanna get out of this town!

JESSE I just got a JOB in this town. We have to stay put until I get some money together. He sits beside her. JESSE Youre safe. WERE safe. Theres nothing to worry about. Okay? Can you trust me? Delia gets out of bed. JESSE I got about $50 in tips last night. Lets go get some groceries. Well see whats going on in town. INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY Jesse and Delia stroll through the grocery store, adding items to their cart. They split up, and Delia takes the cart. A boy appears, plays peekaboo with Delia from the end of the aisle. DELIA I see you! The little boy giggles and runs away. Delia turns the corner, and he is gone. She hears a ghostly voice call the boy. Jake? WOMANS VOICE (IN NEXT AISLE) Jake!

BOYS VOICE (IN NEXT AISLE) Here, Mommy. Delia hurries to next aisle over, but there is no one there. She goes to the following aisle. No one.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

51.

DELIA Jake? Jesse reappears. JESSE We ready? Delia jumps, then nods. INT. GROCERY CHECKOUT Delia and Jesse unload items onto the belt. JESSE (TO CASHIER) Hear anything bout the boy killed last night? The cashier shrugs. The man behind them in line chirps in.

MAN Cute kid. What I heard. The wife works over there at the station. JESSE Yeah? MAN He was actually drowned somewhere else, then dropped there on the road. Sick sonofabitch to do that, right? Delia looks at the man, then pushes past Jesse and exits the store. EXT GROCERY PARKING LOT Jesse and Delia are loading groceries into the car. JESSE I know what youre thinking. noise you heard-DELIA Dont. No one believes me. even you. That

Not

Delia tosses the last bag into the trunk and gets into the car. Jesse watches her, but she is lost in her own world.

52.

INT. JESSE AND DELIAS CAR DAY Jesse and Delia are driving home from the grocery store. JESSE I been thinking. Maybe we SHOULD talk to the cops. DELIA Really? JESSE Yeah. I just got to thinking about the parents, you know? Delia nods. JESSE Maybe, if something really is going on in that room---maybe we need to report it. DELIA Thats what I been saying all along. JESSE (beat) Lets go now. INT. POLICE STATION DAY Jesse and Delia enter and approach the front counter. clerk is busy reading papers. JESSE We need to make a report, I guess. We might have some---information. On the murders. The clerk looks up from his paperwork. CLERK Ya dont say. JESSE Is there a -- detective we can speak with? The

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CLERK Have a seat. Ill be right back.

53.

The clerk disappears, then reappears quickly with another man. Its LYLE, the man whos been following Delia. DELIA Youre --- youre that guy! Lyle is equally surprised to see them. LYLE (beat) Detective Berger. His cover is blown.

Cmon back.

Jesse and Delia tentatively walk in the back with Lyle. INT. POLICE STATION LYLES DESK DAY Jesse and Delia take a seat at Lyles desk. seat. DELIA So, youve been at the hotel. You know theres something fishy going on there. Youve been under cover. Im NOT imagining things! Lyle is very agitated. No. LYLE Not exactly. Lyle takes his

JESSE What dya mean, not exactly? Lyle sighs. He leans in closer and speaks softly. As

LYLE I moonlight. For extra cash. a private investigator. Jesse and Delia look at each other.

LYLE The past week, Ive been gathering information on a subject at the hotel. JESSE Were the only mother fucking guests at the hotel!! So what? Youre investigating us?? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

54.

Lyle looks around nervously. Cool it. explain. LYLE Give me a minute, Ill

Lyle lights a cigarette at his desk. LYLE (TO DELIA) I been hired to investigate Mr. Bartholomew. Me??? JESSE By who?? For what??

LYLE Im sorry, I cant tell you that. What? DELIA Why not?

JESSE Who would want to investigate me? DELIA Wait a minute. Have you been staying in the room next door to us? Lyle looks confused. LYLE No, maam. DELIA Because we, well -- Ive been hearing things in there, at night. Thats why were here. I wanted to make a report. I was wondering if it didnt have to do with -- the little boys whove been murdered? LYLE Go on. DELIA Ive been hearing fighting, struggles, and a little boy crying. Both times this happened, they find a little boy the next day.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

55.

LYLE Well, Mrs. Bartholomew, it just so happens that you and your husband here? Names came up on a suspect list. Jesse and Delia exchange looks. LYLE So you saved me the trip of roundin you up for questioning. What a goddamned coincidence, right? DELIA Wait a minute. We came in here to report something going on. We have nothing to do with this! LYLE When a thing like this happens, we find out what drifters might be passin through. Made a few calls and found out we got two of em, who showed up couple days before our first stiff. JESSE Hey, wait a goddamned minute-LYLE Then my sons girlfriend tells me some punker lookin girl with short black hair and a Philly accent tried to swipe her son at the playground. Jesse looks at Delia. Hold it. DELIA I didnt try to--

LYLE So Im sitting at the diner, catching my partner up-to-date, and Sally Ann, the waitress, overhears us. She tells me two Philly folks were in here, arguing, talking about dead. Babies. JESSE (TO DELIA) Were being set up here.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

56.

JESSE (TO LYLE) All of this is just coincidental! LYLE Let me ask you this: hear these noises? DELIA Just me. LYLE Where was your husband? Working. DELIA He was...working. did you BOTH

LYLE Know that for a fact? Delia looks to Jesse. She is suddenly unsure.

JESSE What are you tryin to pull? LYLE Why you just coming to me with this now? DELIA We---We dont want to be involved. LYLE Well, looks like you went and got yourself involved, doesnt it? Maybe youre making an attempt to deflect attention away from yourselves? Delia wrings her hands. DELIA Mr. Berger, you probably know a lot about me and Jesse, but we would never do anything to hurt a child. Lyle lifts an eyebrow. LYLE Well, heres what I DO know. There HAS been someone staying in that room.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

57.

DELIA I knew it! JESSE It just so happens to be the same person who hired me to investigate YOU. Jesse and Delia look at each other. Delia stands to leave.

DELIA Well that person? Thats who you ought to be questioning. Jesse and me? Were good people. JESSE Is there anything else then? Lyle shakes his head, and Jesse and Delia exit. out his cigarette. He picks up the phone. LYLE Sandy, I need a background. quick can we get it? INT. JESSE AND DELIAS CAR DAY Jesse and Delia are driving home from the police station. JESSE Youre quiet. DELIA Just thinking. JESSE Delia, you know I would never-Delia looks over at Jesse. JESSE I was working. DELIA Okay. JESSE Damn cops blaming everybody when they have no freaking idea. She looks out the window for a beat. How Lyle snuffs

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DELIA Well, I guess that settles it. Weve gotta get outa there. JESSE No fucking way! We cant leave now. Are you insane? DELIA Are YOU? JESSE Im gonna wait for the mother fucker to come back, then Im gonna fix this once and for all. DELIA Hes not coming back, Jess! Detective Bergers gonna warn him. His cover is blown. Its all over! Jesse rolls down the window and lights a cigarette. DELIA Who do you think it is? JESSE No clue. Maybe I pissed the wrong guy off at a card game. INT. HOTEL LOBBY DAY

58.

Jesse and Delia enter the lobby. The desk clerk is watching the Baby Jessica rescue on a tiny B&W TV. DESK CLERK How you doin. Shame about this kid, huh? Shes a goner. No way they get er outa there. JESSE We were hoping to ask you a couple questions. DESK CLERK Shoot. DELIA We were wondering about the man in the room next door to us. Room 105.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

59.

Yep.

Yep.

DESK CLERK Theres a man in 105.

JESSE Whats his name? DESK CLERK Sorry, young man. Fraid I cant tell you that. Why? DELIA Is it, like, unethical?

DESK CLERK Well, I dont know, young lady. But that man promised me $500 if I kept your information private. Jesse and Delia sigh, exchange glances. DELIA Well, what if I told you he was a very bad man. Could you tell us then? DESK CLERK Well that dont surprise me none. But you gotta understand something: $500 is more than I make in a month here. My wife is expecting, and were trying to buy ourselves a crib. Delia relents. Hes hit a nerve.

JESSE Now you listen here-No, Jesse. Delia! DELIA Now! (to the clerk) your time. They exit. Thank you for DELIA Lets go. JESSE

60.

EXT. HOTEL DAY Jesse is angry, and walks slightly ahead of Delia. JESSE Are you insane? We could have leaned on him a little harder. KNOW he would have told us.

DELIA I am not in the business of leaning on people. What is wrong with you? JESSE We were right there! It was in the palm of my hand! Ugh! Youre such a goddamned goody two-shoes. DELIA Well just have to find out who it is another way. EXT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia is standing in the window of their room, smoking. Keeping lookout. Jesse comes in from the bathroom. JESSE Nothing yet? DELIA Nope. Hes not coming back. told you. JESSE Im gonna go to work. DELIA Do you have to? JESSE What are we gonna do for money? Get back in the room. You hear or see anyone, you call me. Ill get someone to drive me right back. He kisses the top of her head. I

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

61.

DELIA See ya. He gets into his car and departs. As soon as he is out of the parking lot, Delia is on the move. She looks around, then removes a nail file from her sleeve. She picks the lock on the door to the adjoining room, and enters. INT. ROOM NEXT DOOR NIGHT Delia slides into the room and chains the door. She looks around for some kind of evidence. She scours every nook and cranny. She notices a file that had fallen behind the dresser. Inside the file is a Polaroid of Jesse at his new job, along with his police record. DELIA Grand theft auto? KIDNAPPING?!?

She hears a noise. She drops the file like it was on fire. Dobbs is standing in the doorway. DOBBS D-D--Delia, what are you d-d--doing in here? DELIA I. The TV was left on in here. It was on so loud. I was trying to sleep, and--the door was open, so I just came in. DOBBS Y-Y--You shouldnt b-b--be in here. Delia picks up the file and walks toward the door. DELIA Ugh, you are so right. I should have just come to you. But this room is empty, right? I didnt think it would matter. DOBBS N-N--Not empty. Theres a man s-s--staying here. DELIA Youre kidding! I didnt know that. How embarrassing. It doesnt look like anyones staying here at all, does it? (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

62.

Delia scratches her head and tries to get by Dobbs. DELIA Hey listen, I was wondering: do you think you could find me some more of those plastic cups? We could really use some. DOBBS C-C--Come on with me. Dobbs turns to leave, and Delia follows. INT. HOTEL LOBBY NIGHT Dobbs and Delia enter the lobby. front desk. There is no one at the

DOBBS L-L--Let me check the closet. B-b--be right back. Delia scopes out the front desk for anything that might contain their neighbors name. She spots a book called "reservation log", and grabs for it, knocking over a can of pens and pencils. She tucks Jesses police file under her arm and scoops the pens up quickly and refills the can, then opens the book quickly and flips through the pages. DELIA So, Dobbs, you a Phillies fan? She finds the current week and scans through the names. She gasps in disbelief when she comes across the name of the occupant. Suddenly, Dobbs is at the desk. He slides the book away from her. DOBBS F-f--flyers f-f--fan, actually. He hands her the cups. DELIA Oh, thanks. Thanks so much. be out of your way now. Ill

She takes Jesses police file and exits quickly.

63.

INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia closes Jesses file and sits back against the headboard. Shes been crying. She dials the phone. DELIA Hi. Its me. I need someone to talk to. Call me when you get the message. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD NIGHT Jesse is driving home from work on a deserted country road. Headlights come up behind his car, then the car rams into Jesses, running him off the road. Jesse stumbles out of his car. The hooded attacker exits his car, as well. JESSE What the hell? The man rushes Jesse, throwing him up against the car. hood slides back to reveal his identity. VICTOR It is time for you to disappear. JESSE What the fuck? VICTOR I know all about you. Youre a car thief. A kidnapper?!? Jesse struggles beneath Victor. JESSE Get off me! VICTOR Youre gonna go back to the hotel, pack up your shit, and vanish. Break it off with my sister. JESSE I dont know what you think you know. VICTOR If you DONT break it off, I will tell her everything, and let HER break up with YOU. (CONTINUED) His

CONTINUED:

64.

Victor lets up.

Jesse shakes it off.

JESSE This is all a misunderstanding. You dont even know the whole story! VICTOR My sister is sick. If you ask me, shes worse than ever. And I blame YOU. JESSE ME? VICTOR Delia is the one responsible for killing these little boys. Are you blind? JESSE What?? VICTOR Im not gonna sit by and watch this happen to her. If they find out, shell be thrown in some institution-Jesse grabs Victor by the shirt. JESSE What are you talking about? VICTOR I dont know what youve done to her to make her like this, but its all gonna end. Right here, right now. JESSE All Ive done is protect her, from day one. Delia could never kill a kid. Youre out of your mind. VICTOR I see youre gonna need a bit more encouragement. Victor lashes out and beats on Jesse relentlessly.

65.

INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Jesse comes in. Delia is in bed. to start in on Jesse. She sits up in bed, ready

DELIA What--what the hell happened? Youre bleeding? Jesse ignores her and marches into the bathroom. follows. INT. HOTEL BATHROOM NIGHT Jesse wets a rag, and then holds it over his bleeding head. Jesse? DELIA What is going on? Delia

JESSE I had an accident. Delia runs out of the bathroom. INT HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Delia runs to the window to see Jesses mangled car. DELIA Ohmigod. Jesse enters and stands a safe distance away. of her, and she is unsure of him, now. DELIA What do we do? Call the cops? JESSE No. No. (beat) But I think we better sit down and talk. DELIA Ill say. Jesse looks confused. DELIA I found out some things today. He is unsure

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

66.

JESSE What do you mean? DELIA Your police record? JESSE (beat) How? DELIA Doesnt matter. Why dont you fill me in now, though. JESSE (beat) Fine. He stands and begins to pace. JESSE The kidnapping. I had a girlfriend. She was 14, I was 18. Told me she was 16. We drove to Niagara Falls. The Canadian side. When her parents found out, they called the cops. Delia stares at him. Long pause.

DELIA Why have I never heard this before? JESSE Wasnt my proudest moment. DELIA And the car stealing? JESSE We were in her parents car. told me it was HER car. She

Delia gets up and goes back to look out the window at Jesses car. JESSE Spent 180 days in the pen. DELI I dont even know who you are, right now.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: JESSE If Victor told you this, then why-DELIA Victor didnt tell me anything! found out on my own. Jesse runs his hands through his hair. JESSE Well, Im sorry. you. She looks down at her hands. DELIA Well what happened tonight? you hit another car? Jesse paces. JESSE Swerved to avoid a deer. fine. Ill be Did For not telling I

67.

DELIA You scared the hell out of me. Delia climbs into bed and folds the sheet back for Jesse. He climbs in. DELIA What other secrets are you hiding from me? JESSE Not a one. What happened in my past isnt important to me anymore. Thats why I never bring it up. DELIA Ohmigod! I forgot to tell you! I also found out who is in the room next door! Get out! JESSE Who??

DELIA None other than a Mr. Huey Lewis. Jesse chuckles.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

68.

JESSE What?? DELIA I was in the lobby and took a peek at the reservation log. Can you believe it? Asshole. I was so angry, I could kill someone! JESSE Dont worry about it. I am gonna take care of everything. Delia rolls over and Jesse lights a cigarette. FLASHBACK TO: INT. JESSE AND DELIAS OLD APARTMENT A flustered Delia is alone in the kitchen, trying to comfort a hysterical newborn. She glimpses a knife block on the counter. She looks down at her son. She lies him on the floor and gathers all the knives. Then scissors and any other sharp object she can find and dumps them into the trash. In a frenzy, she duct tapes the trash can shut. Jesse walks in, as she is mid-freakout. He tries to calm her. Delia! JESSE Stop!

DELIA Get them away from me! I want to hurt him! Im so afraid! He then lifts the baby off the floor, who is still crying. Shhhh! JESSE Its okay, Jake.

Jesse exits the room, puts the baby down somewhere, and comes back into the kitchen. He wraps his arms around Delia to stop her. DELIA What if I snap, Jesse? snap? JESSE You wont, babe. What if I

You wont.

Jesse rocks Delia, as they sit on the kitchen floor.

69.

(FLASHBACK CONTD) CUT TO: INT. JESSE AND DELIAS OLD APARTMENT BEDROOM NIGHT Jesse lies the baby in the middle of the bed and crawls in, where Delia is already asleep. He kisses the baby, then leans over to kiss Delia. Her side of the sheet is covered with blood. Delia had sliced her wrists. Nooooo! JESSE Delia!!! (END FLASHBACK) INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Jesse is rubbing his eyes and stamping out his cigarette. He sits up in bed, leans over to be sure she is asleep. He walks over to the kitchenette and opens drawers. He finds the silverware drawer, but there are no knives. He searches. Rips kitchen apart. CUT TO: INT. HOTEL BATHROOM MOMENTS LATER Jesse is still looking for the knives. He opens the cabinet under the sink, and there they are, pushed behind rolls of toilet paper. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT SAME TIME Delia is alone, sleeping in the bed. Jesse is in the bathroom. She is awakened by the sound of crying, next door. Help me. VOICE (O.S.) Someone please help me. The crying gets louder.

She screams, and jumps out of bed. No. No! VOICE (O.S.) NO!

There is a whack, then a thud. Delia sits completely still. Jesse comes barging in.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

70.

DELIA Where were you? Bathroom. Next door! EXT. HOTEL NIGHT Jesse and Delia exit. outside their door. They are greeted by the Dobbs, just JESSE Whats wrong??? DELIA Next door!!

DELIA Dobbs, you gotta let us in next door! JESSE My wife said she heard someone being attacked in this room! Dobbs looks at them both. DOBBS Not s-s--sposed to. DELIA Please! He looks at Delia, then turns slowly. He unlocks the room and stands aside. Jesse pushes forward. He goes in while Delia waits outside. He exits. Empty! JESSE Theres nothing in there.

Jesse puts his arm around Delia and heads back for their room. JESSE (TO DOBBS) Thanks, man. INT. HOTEL ROOM NIGHT Jesse brings Delia back into the room. DELIA I really heard something, Jess.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

71.

JESSE I know you did. He helps her into bed, tucks her in. She rolls away from him. He sits at the table and smokes. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAYBREAK Delia awakens, and Jesse is packing. DELIA What gives? JESSE Were outa here. Delia slides out of bed and goes into the bathroom. DELIA (O.S.) Where we going? JESSE Not very far. The car is toast. Delia runs the water and comes back in. Lights a cigarette.

DELIA I could call Victor to come get us. JESSE NO! No. He comes over to Delia and kneels by her. JESSE Theres something I have to talk to you about. What? DELIA Youre freaking me out.

JESSE I dont know how to say this. He grabs her hands in her lap. JESSE See, Im afraid--Im really afraid that youre not well again.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

72.

What? that?

DELIA What?? Why do you say

She leaps up and paces frantically. DELIA Do you really think so? Am I delusional again? Im wigging out, arent I?!? (beat) What makes you think? JESSE Victor. He--He ran me off the road last night, and threatened that if I didnt leave you, he would expose me. Then he said that you were the one....killing the boys. DELIA I killed the boys? Jesse runs over to catch Delia, who is about to collapse. DELIA Jesse, I couldnt have! way! Theres no

JESSE He said that if I dont leave you, hes going to kill me. Delia, we have to get outa here and never look back. Victor cant know where we are, the police. DELIA Wait a minute, wait a minute! JESSE Theyll lock you up forever. We have to make a getaway. And we have to go now. He goes over to the bed and picks up a bag. JESSE Help me pack, here. Its gonna be morning soon, and we have to be history by then. Well get you some hair dye and Ill grow me a beard. Well have to think up some new names--

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

73.

DELIA Stop! Stop it! I cant think! (beat) Are you sure, Jess? I mean, are you absolutely sure? Because, if its true, then I need help. Running away wont solve anything. I need to pay for what I did! JESSE I dont believe it, Delia. You couldnt hurt a fly. But all this? Its my fault. I took you away too early. I should have listened to those doctors. You werent ready. I left you alone all those nights. They kiss through her tears. JESSE We really have to be on the road before the sun comes up. DELIA (beat) Im scared. Jesse loads her up with small bags. JESSE Put these in the car. She exits with bags. the bathroom. Jesse gets another bag, and goes into

INT. HOTEL BATHROOM DAYBREAK Jesse opens the sink cabinet and loads the knives into the bag. EXT. HOTEL ROOM DAYBREAK Delia waits for Jesse out front. DELIA Should we lock up? JESSE (laughs) Why? He exits with the bags.

74. Delia follows him to the car. INT. LYLES CAR DAYBREAK Lyle, the detective, sits in his car at the other end of the hotel, watching Jesse and Delia as they pack, and drive off. LYLE Well, what have we got here? Lyle pulls out a little while after them onto the highway. INT. JESSE AND DELIAS CAR DAYBREAK Jesse and Delia pull into the closed gas station. JESSE We need some supplies, but there wont be anything open this time of night. Im gonna break in, take what we need and leave the cash on the counter. Kay? Delia nods. She is practically catatonic. Jesse exits vehicle and approaches store. He breaks a hole in the glass and reaches in, unlocks the door from the inside. FLASHBACK: INT. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS OFFICE DAY Delia is distraught, sitting across from her attorney. Jesse paces. ATTORNEY Delia, that baby more than drowned. There were finger marks on his chest. Someone HELD him under. Noooo! DELIA Thats impossible!!!

JESSE Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. ATTORNEY The prosecutor wants the death penalty. I dont know what you want me to do here.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

75.

JESSE She must be crazy! Cant we plead insanity or something? DELIA No, Jesse! I want to die. Let them give me the death penalty. If I held my baby underwater, then I wanna die for it! END FLASHBACK EXT. GAS STATION PARKING LOT DAYBREAK Delia watches the store, and decides to make a break for it. She exits the car and heads into the woods. Just then, Lyle drives by and comes to a stop, turns his lights off. INT. LYLES CAR DAYBREAK Lyle is watching from afar. LYLE Well, this just keeps gettin better. EXT. WOODS MOMENTS LATER Delia is hurrying through the woods, away from the gas station, when someone attacks her from behind. She is rolled onto her back, kicking and screaming, and her mouth is taped. He quickly hurls Delia over his shoulder and runs off. CUT TO: EXT. GAS STATION PARKING LOT DAYBREAK Lyle hears a scream, and runs into the woods after Delia like a tiger. EXT. GAS STATION DAYBREAK Jesse exits the store after hearing a scream. the car but sees Delia is gone. He runs to

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

76.

Delia!

JESSE Delia!

He runs to the car, opens the trunk, removes one of the knives he took from the hotel and puts it into his pants. He runs off into the woods in the direction of the scream. Lyle is a minute or two ahead. EXT. ROOM NEXT DOOR DAYBREAK The attacker carries Delia into the room next door. As he is about to shut the door, Lyle barges in. Lyle fights with the attacker. Delia, meanwhile, is searching for a weapon. She runs to the kitchen, opens a drawer and finds the sharp knives. She grabs one, but drops it in horror. She cant bring herself to use it. In the scuffle, Lyle removes his gun, which the attacker bats away. Delia picks up the gun and aims, hitting the attacker, but the bullet goes through his arm and into Lyles belly. Lyle drops. The attacker cries out in pain. Delia escapes. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAYBREAK Delia barges into her old room and quickly locks the door. INT. ROOM NEXT DOOR BATHROOM DAYBREAK The attacker, who is only now a series of body shots, goes into the bathroom and peels off his trench coat and shirt. He is bleeding heavily. He wraps his arm in a tourniquet and leaves the coat on the floor. He exits. INT. ROOM NEXT DOOR DAYBREAK A mans hand leans into the doorway and steals the gun from the floor, then vanishes. INT. ROOM NEXT DOOR DAYBREAK The attacker steps over Lyle and exits the room. INT. HOTEL ROOM DAYBREAK Delia is standing with her back against the door, when there is a desperate knock.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

77.

Delia!? Jesse?

JESSE (O.S.) Are you in there? DELIA JESSE

Let me in! Delia frantically unlocks the door. is standing there. She opens it and Jesse

JESSE That cop, hes bleeding! I think he was shot! We have to call the cops-Just then, Victor appears behind Jesse. Victor?? They enter.

DELIA What are you doing here?

She pushes past him and locks the door. VICTOR I called, there was no answer. got worried. Delia goes for the phone. DELIA Its just as well. You might as well know. Im going to turn myself in. If I been killing those little boys, and I dont even know Im doing it, I have to be locked away forever. Victor forcefully grabs the phone away from Delia. VICTOR Wait a second! You cant do that! This is a death penalty state! Either that, or youll never see the light of day again! DELIA Dont try to stop me, Victor. Its time to let the judge decide what to do with me. Jesse gets in the middle of them. I

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

78.

VICTOR Let me take you away! Before the cops get here! No one has to know! Youre my only family... DELIA No, Victor! My minds made up! JESSE Back off, now. She said she doesnt want to go with you. Victor picks up a brass lamp and and whallops an unsuspecting Jesse, who flies backward across the room. Victor! DELIA What are you doing?

VICTOR You are coming with me, and no one is going to stop us. DELIA The hell I am! Victor smacks her across the face, and she falls to her knees. VICTOR You ungrateful bitch. Ive done for you. What? After all

DELIA What have you done for me? DELIA FLASHBACK:

INT. JESSE AND DELIAS OLD APARTMENT NIGHT A baby is crying in the background, while Delia walks and bounces him, trying to comfort him. Victor is dropping a powder into Delias drink. CUT TO: INT. OLD APARTMENT BATHROOM NIGHT Delia is kneeling by the tub, trying to bathe her son. She is so doped up, she can hardly keep her eyes open. She slides down onto the floor and passes out. Victor enters and carries Delia out. He comes back in and watches the (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

79.

baby struggle. He puts his fingers on the babys chest and holds him down. END FLASHBACK INT. HOTEL ROOM DAYBREAK Victor laughs. VICTOR If it werent for me, you would still be bogged down with that noisy little parasite! Victor walks over to her and sits beside her. Jesse, who is passed out in a corner. VICTOR You really want to be forever tied to that douchebag? I saved your life! Dont you see? Delia begins to sob. VICTOR You were so doped up. All I wanted was to make sure you got a little sleep that night. What happened----that was just icing on the cake. DELIA No! Victor! Tell me you didnt let my baby die! Please! VICTOR Oh, stop your blubbering. That baby wasnt family. You and ME! Were family! The only family well ever have! Victor suddenly and forcefully grabs Delia. VICTOR That baby would have done nothing but break us up. DELIA No! Let me go!!! Jesse! Help He points to

me!!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

80.

VICTOR Jesse. Ha! Soon as I found out about HIM and his little brush with the law, well. I realized just how easy we could be rid of him, too. Victor begins to drag Delia near the front door. struggles. DELIA Let me go! VICTOR My plan was to do a couple kids, make it look like Jesses behind it. Figured with the kidnapping on his record and son who died mysteriously, hed be a shoe in, right? Then Lyle tells me that YOURE a suspect. Talk about backfire, right? DELIA You are a monster! Let go of me! She

Delia elbows him savagely in the stomach and gets a few feet away. VICTOR You sad, pathetic little ingrate. Truth is, you are a total wimp. You dont have it in you to hurt anyone. And you thought you were a serial murderer. Dont make me LAUGH! He lifts up the brass lamp again, right over his head. is about to drop it on his sister, when a shot rings out. Dobbs stands in the doorway, the pistol still smoking. Victor drops to the floor. Delia sobs. DELIA Jesse! Delia crawls over to Jesse and revives him. Just as he is coming to, Victor stirs and grabs Delia by the leg. Jesse pulls one the knife out of his pants and stabs Victors arm into the floor. They get to their feet and get out the door. He

81.

EXT. HOTEL NIGHT Jesse and Delia exit and find Dobbs tending to Lyle. An ambulance and a couple squad cars pull up. The one or two other hotel guests exit their rooms. The desk clerk comes running out in his robe and slippers. After the paramedics take Lyle away, Jesse and Dobbs shake hands. Delia hugs Dobbs. The police carry a handcuffed Victor out of the room. Delia turns away. FADE OUT INT. NEW HOTEL DAY Delia is watching replays of the Baby Jessica rescue from the night before. She sits in bed, smiling. Jesse enters from the bathroom. He has a bandage on his head. JESSE Whatre you smiling at? DELIA Shes out. They saved that little girl from the well. Jesse checks out the news report. JESSE They got that kid out? news. Thats good

DELIA Happened last night. Just when I was starting to lose hope. She flicks off the TV. JESSE Ready to hit the road? I dont want to be late. Lets get that lease signed. Yeah. DELIA Im so over hotels. JESSE For sure. They exit.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

82.

THE END

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