FADE IN:

EXT. BACKYARD - DAY

Bubbles float through the air. Two young girls giggle as they reach out
for them.
INT. STUDIO - DAY
A blank canvas is set onto an easel. Paint squirts onto a palette. A
brush swirls the paint into a cacophony of color.
HARPER ABBOTT, an artistic twenty-something, lifts a the brush to the
canvas. Her eyes are beautiful, intense, a window to a troubled soul.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
The young girls spin around as bubbles float around them.
INT. STUDIO - DAY
Harper strokes the brush across the canvas with a skilled
determination. Bright circles fill out the frame.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
A large bubble slowly floats through the air.
INT. STUDIO - DAY
Harper fills in the circles with methodical care.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
A young girl's hand reaches for the large bubble as it hangs in the air.
INT. STUDIO - DAY
Harper signs the corner of the painting with a circle filled with an "H".
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
The bubble pops.
EXT. ART GALLERY - DAY
Cosy and chic, tucked away in the old part of town.
Harper carefully lifts a framed painting from the back seat of her VW

Bug.
INT. ART GALLERY - DAY
Gallery owner RONALD LUTZ, 40's, used car salesman of the art world,
sighs as he watches Harper drag herself through the door with the
painting.
HARPER
Morning Ron, I think you're going to love
this one.
RONALD
Harper Abbott you're back...again.
Harper lifts the frame in to view. The painting is a drab eclectic mix of
greens and blues, streaked and dripping down the canvas.
HARPER
Well...?
Ronald stares blankly at the painting, a slight shake of his head betrays
his true feelings.
HARPER
I know it's not for everyone-RONALD
Not for everyone would be fine, your
paintings don't seem to be for...anyone.
HARPER
Hey!
RONALD
You've sold one painting in three years
honey. I just can't afford you the space.
HARPER
But...
RONALD
Sorry Harper....it's time
EXT. ART GALLERY - DAY
A stack of paintings lean up against Harper's car. Harper carefully
slides them into the back seat.

INT. ART STUDIO - EVENING

Harper stares into a blank canvas. Next to her a brush is stuck to a
palette with cracked dry paint.
Harper knocks over the easel and storms into-THE KITCHEN
Harper weeps.
The sound of children giggling drifts through the window. Harper
composes herself and looks for the source of the laughter.
OUTSIDE
A young boy decorates the sidewalk with colorful chalk.
The boy squeals with delight as he drags the chalk across the concrete
in frenzied strokes.
IN THE KITCHEN
Harper smiles as she watches the young boy. His infectious joy
unavoidable. A plan is forming in her mind.
MONTAGE - HARPER STARTS A BUSINESS
-- A staple snaps, pinning a flyer to the light pole. Harper steps back to
admire her work.
The flyer reads:
ART LESSONS FOR KIDS
The bright circle painting from the opening scene serves as a bright
example of her work.
-- Harper chats to a group of mothers watching their kids at the park.
They share a laugh and Harper hands them a flyer.
-- Harper paces her kitchen waiting for the phone to ring.
-- Harper passes out flyers to anyone who will take them.
-- Harper looks at the sidewalk chalk art, now fading and worn.
-- Harper hands Ronald Lutz a stack of flyers. He begrudgingly accepts
them.

-- Harper lost in thought. Her phone sits idle next to her. Harper
collects up her brushes and paint in a trash can and storms out the
door...
The phone rings...
And rings...
And rings...
Harper runs back in and picks up the phone.
HARPER
Hello?
EXT. MANSION - DAY
Harper pulls up front of the stately mansion. She steps up carrying a
bag of art supplies. She is in awe of the grandeur and just a little out
of her element.
EXT. MANSION DOORWAY - DAY
The ornate oak door swings open to reveal MARGE, 65, cook, nanny,
devil incarnate.
HARPER
Hi I'm Harper...
No response.
HARPER
...Abbott.
Marge regards Harper's artistic attire.
MARGE
Nice of you to dress up.
HARPER
I can...uhh-MARGE
Follow me.
INT. MANSION - DAY
Marge strides confidently through the opulence as Harper struggles to

keep up.
HARPER
I spoke with Preston on the phone.
MARGE
Mr. Harrington is busy, and please refer
to him as "Mr. Harrington" or preferably
"Sir", otherwise you talk to me.
HARPER
And you are?
MARGE
The person you talk to.
HARPER
So you're not Mrs. Harrington?
Marge stops cold.
MARGE
She not to be spoken of.
HARPER
Divorce?
Marge looks around, then leans in and whispers.
MARGE
Death.
HARPER
Sorry.
MARGE
So whatever you do don't upset poor
Emily.
HARPER
I think it'll be fun for her.
MARGE
This isn't the carnival.
Marge leads Harper into...
SITTING ROOM

Freshly cut flowers sit atop a baby grand piano. Marge mutters to
herself as she straightens the room. Harper notes the sterility and
sighs. What has she gotten herself in to?
Something outside catches Harper's attention. She goes to the window
and peers into the back yard.
A young girl, EMILY HARRINGTON, distant and alone, sits alone on the
grass. She stares down at a freshly dug garden bed lost in her own
world.
HARPER
What used to be planted there?
MARGE
I'm sorry, what?
HARPER
That garden bed, what used to be there?
MARGE
I don't know, flowers. The yard crew
takes care of it now.
PRESTON (O.S.)
They were white Gardenias.
Harper turns and sees PRESTON HARRINGTON, mid 40's, a good
hearted man who never let his wealth go to his head.
MARGE
Good morning sir.
PRESTON
Morning Marge. And you must be Harper.
HARPER
Yes Mr. Harrington.
PRESTON
Call me Preston.
Marge frowns at Harper.
PRESTON
I really appreciate you doing this. It will
be good for Emily.

HARPER
I'm not sure how much help I'll be.
PRESTON
You may surprise yourself.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
Harper makes her way through the yard and takes a seat next to Emily.
HARPER
Hi Emily, I'm Harper.
Emily stares at the dirt patch unwavering. Harper pulls out a sketch
book and pencil and starts outlining.
HARPER
Do you like to draw? I thought we could
have some fun and draw some of our
favorite things together. Here, I got this
for you.
Harper sets a sketch book down next to Emily. Emily regards it for a
moment then picks it up and flips through the blank pages.
HARPER
Great. So what do you want to start
with? Animals? Some fun shapes
maybe?
Emily picks up a pencil and starts to draw.
HARPER
I like to draw circles.
Emily quietly scratches away at the paper.
HARPER
What do you feel like drawing?
Emily stands up and runs inside.
HARPER
Emily?
Harper gathers her things and goes after Emily.
INT. MANSION - DAY

Harper searches for Emily.

HARPER
Emily?
Marge walks past wearing a disapproving look.
MARGE
I warned you not to upset her.
Harper pushes past as she continues her search.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Harper bursts in and scans the room. She quickly spots Emily's shoes
poking out from under the curtains.
Harper goes over to the piano and tinkles a few notes. She sets the
notebook and [pencils down next to her.
HARPER
Did you know that ever color has a
song.? Black sounds like this...
Harper plays some sombre notes. Emily peeks out from behind the
curtain.
HARPER
And yellow sounds like this...
Harper plays some happy uplifting notes. Emily crawls underneath the
piano.
HARPER
But a beautiful painting, well it sounds
like this...
Harper plays a classical child like melody.
HARPER
Can you draw my song for me?
Emily nods and opens the sketch book and starts drawing.
HARPER
It sounds like an animal. Maybe a
monkey, or a funny bird. Is it an animal?

Harper tries to peek, but Emily shies away and covers her work.
HARPER
It's a secret huh.
Emily nods her head "yes".
HARPER
Hmm, maybe it's a princess?
Emily keeps scribbling.
HARPER
I know, it's some pretty flowers for your
garden out there.
Emily's pencil lead snaps. She drops the book and runs out of the
room.
INT. EMILY'S ROOM - DAY
Harper quietly enters.
HARPER
Emily? Are you OK? Emily?
Harper turns to leave and stops dead in her tracks. Mounted on the
wall is a very familiar painting, the one Harper was working on in the
opening scene.
Harper checks the familiar circle H signature in the corner.
PRESTON (O.S.)
That was Julie's favorite picture.
Harper turns to see Preston standing in the doorway.
HARPER
She was the one who bought my
painting.
PRESTON
She said it made her smile, reminded her
of Emily. She had it mounted in her
hospital room after she was diagnosed.
When I brought it home Emily asked if
she could hang it in here. And so when I
saw the same picture on a flyer at the art

gallery I knew I had to call.

HARPER
But why? What do you think I can do?
PRESTON
If you could make Julie smile after what
she went through then maybe you could
do the same for Emily.
Harper studies her picture for a moment.
HARPER
I know exactly what I need.
EXT. MANSION DOORWAY - MORNING
Marge opens the door to a better dressed Harper. She holds up some
small colorful bottles.
HARPER
Bubbles.
EXT. GAZEBO/PATIO - DAY
Two easels are set up in the shade. Harper lays out paint and brushes
as Emily stares into space.
HARPER
I need your help today.
Harper hands Emily a bottle of bubbles then settles behind her easel.
HARPER
Now I want you to blow me some bubbles
while I paint.
Emily looks confused as she unscrews the lid and pulls out the wand.
HARPER
It's OK.
Emily dips the wand then bows. Bubbles fly out and fill the air. Harper
picks up he brush and starts painting.
HARPER
Aren't they pretty? Did you know that no
matter how big they are each bubble

comes out as a perfect circle. When I

was little my favorite thing was when my
mother would take me and my sister in
the back yard and blow bubbles with us.
INTERCUT WITH
Shots of two young girls chase bubbles around a back yard.
HARPER
We would chase them around for hours
until all the bubbles ran out. The next
day she would walk with us to the store
and buy more. But then one day my
sister got sick and she couldn't play
outside anymore.
INSERT
A dejected young Harper sits by herself on a back step as an empty
bottle of bubble solution blows across the garden path.
HARPER
My Mommy said she went up to heaven
to chase bubbles with the angels.
Harpers tears up. Emily stops blowing bubbles.
EMILY
Were you sad?
Harper looks at Emily - surprised that she finally spoke.
HARPER
Yeah, but when I get sad I think of the
special things we used to do together.
Harper takes the wand and blows some bubbles into the air.
HARPER
I think of the bubbles, and then I'm not
so sad anymore.
Harper reaches out and pops a bubble.
HARPER
Why don't you close your eyes and think
about your Mom. Think about the

favorite things you used to do with her.

Are you thinking of something?
Emily nods.
HARPER
Now imagine what your Mom is doing
right now. Can you see her?
A tear rolls down Emily's cheek as she nods.
HARPER
Can you paint for me what you see? Can
you do that?
Emily sits next to her easel. She stares at the blank canvas for a
moment, lifts her brush and starts painting through the tears.
INT. STUDY - LATER
Preston is at his desk working. A knock as the door causes him to
pause.
PRESTON
Come in.
Emily shuffles in carrying her painting. Harper follows close behind.
HARPER
Before I leave Emily wanted to show you
what we worked on today.
Emily hesitates.
HARPER
Go on, it's OK.
Emily hands the picture to her father. Preston is taken back by what he
sees.
PRESTON
Is this...?
Preston fights off a tear. He looks to Harper.
PRESTON
Thank you.

EXT. BACKYARD - MORNING

Harper sits behind her easel working on a new painting. Marge sets
out a tray of drinks on the patio table.
Preston is digging a small hole in the empty garden bed. A watering
can sits to one side. Emily hands him a potted flower which he lowers
into the hole.
Marge takes a peek at Harpers painting.
MARGE
Not bad. How much can you get for
something like that?
HARPER
Sorry, my paintings aren't for sale.
Emily runs over, grabs Harpers hand and pulls her towards the freshly
planted flower.
At the garden bed Harper looks down at the freshly planted white
Gardenia plant and smiles.
Emily pulls out a bottle of bubbles and hands it to Harper then kneels
down and whispers to the plant.
EMILY
I love you Mommy.
As Emily waters the plant Harper blows a string of bubbles that slowly
float away into the sky.
INT. EMILY'S ROOM - DAY
Harpers painting has been replaced by Emily's picture. As we move
closer we see it is a childs rendition of a mother and daughter holding
hands in a field of white gardenias.
As we push in on their faces we...
CUT TO BLACK.