FADE IN:
EXT. ARENA - NIGHT
The moon, three times its normal size, illuminates the Arena.
The sky is cloudless, but there are no stars. RACHEL, early
30's, dark brown hair, is standing in the middle of an
ancient, dilapidated Arena. She wears a battered suit of
armor and bleeds from a wound on her head. She breathes
heavily, obviously tired. She wields a long sword and shield.
The Shield has a large dent in it. Bodies lie on the sand
of the arena all around Rachel, many have blood stains on
their clothing.
A loud roar.
Rachel jumps slightly and looks to the sky.
A huge DRAGON circles the Arena, snarling and snapping its
tail. The Dragon roars once more and disappears in the
distance.
Rachel refocuses her attention on a large figure standing in
front of her. The ALD-VEC stands before her. It wears a
shimmering suit of charcoal black armor that appears to absorb
the moonlight. It carries a giant two-handed greatsword.
It slowly approaches Rachel.
She raises her shield and sword.
The Ald-Vec raises its greatsword high above its head as it
reaches Rachel.
CUT TO:
EXT. YMCA - NIGHT
RACHEL, now 12, and her sister CHRIS, 15, long black hair
exit the YMCA. Rachel wears blue jeans and a dark red t-
shirt. Her hair is "teased" up. Chris wears all black with
black makeup.
RACHEL
That was so much fun.
CHRIS
It was ok.
JACK, also 12, blond hair, blue eyes storms out of the YMCA
exit.
JACK
Hey, wait.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
Rachel and Chris turn and face Jack. Jack stops suddenly
and looks from Chris to Rachel and then looks at the ground
sheepishly. A car pulls up. Inside is JANICE, Chris and
Rachel's mother. She eyes the girls, pulls out a book and
starts to read as if she has done this a million times before.
Chris and Rachel exchange a glance. Chris rolls her eyes,
turns and walks away. Jack looks up at Rachel.
RACHEL
I had fun with you tonight Jack.
JACK
Me too. Hey, can I get your phone
number, and, you know, call you some
time?
RACHEL
Oh, yeah, sure. Hold on.
Rachel turns and runs to the car. She comes back with a
pen. She grabs Jack's hand and writes her phone number down
on his palm. Jack stares at her face the entire time.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Here. You can call me next weekend.
She looks at Jack for a beat and then kisses him. She turns
and runs away. She hops in the back seat with Chris leaving
Jack standing alone. Janice looks back at the girls, puts
her book away, and waves to Jack. Jack waves back. Janice
puts the car in gear and drives away. There is a flash of
another person sitting in the front seat of the car as it
pulls away.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ANTHONY'S HOME - DAY
ANTHONY, mid 50's, salt and pepper hair, sits at his kitchen
table. He wears a nice shirt and a tie. He is reading the
newspaper.
There is a knock at the front door.
Anthony opens the door to Rachel and Chris now in their late
teens and early twenties. Rachel wears a nice pair of khakis
with a red sweater. Chris wears all black with big black
boots. The girls enter the home and hug Anthony.
CHRIS
Hey Dad.
RACHEL
Hi Dad.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
ANTHONY
Girls. Is it Sunday already?
Rachel and Chris walk into the kitchen. Rachel sits at the
table while Chris leans against the counter top. Anthony
sits across from Rachel and lights up a cigarette. Chris
follows suit and lights her own.
ANTHONY (CONT'D)
You know I don't like you guys
smoking.
CHRIS
Dad. You're smoking. Right now.
ANTHONY
Do as I say, now as I do.
RACHEL
That doesn't even make sense.
He winks at her
ANTHONY
Or does it?
CHRIS
Sometimes I wonder about you.
Chris puts her cigarette out in the ash tray on the table
and resumes her stance at the counter.
ANTHONY
How is your mother doing?
CHRIS
Dad.
ANTHONY
What? I can't wonder about my ex-
wife?
RACHEL
She seems to be forgetting simple
things a lot lately.
ANTHONY
Well, you know what they say. Getting
old ain't for pussies.
Anthony trails off and starts to cough uncontrollably. He
puts his cigarette into the ash tray as he composes himself.
He looks at his daughters and waves his hand at them
dismissively.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
ANTHONY (CONT'D)
I'm fine. I caught something last
week, I'm just getting over it.
The girls exchange a glance and look back at Anthony.
RACHEL
Anyway, we should get going, we can't
stay too late this week.
Anthony stands up and exits the kitchen.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Should we make him see a doctor.
CHRIS
You know how he is. He won't go.
RACHEL
Yeah, but it seems to be getting
worse.
CHRIS
Go ahead. Bring it up to him.
Anthony reenters the room with a large pipe wrench.
ANTHONY
What's the rule.
He holds out the wrench, but pulls it back as Chris reaches
for it.
CHRIS
It doesn't belong to me, I must return
it in the same condition I borrowed
it.
Anthony grins and hands her the wrench.
Rachel stands up and Anthony walks the girls to the front
door. They embrace.
ANTHONY
See you next week girls. Love you.
RACHEL
I love you too dad, see you at my
graduation.
CHRIS
Alright dad, love you too. Later.
DISSOLVE TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
INT. JANICE'S HOME - NIGHT
Chris, Rachel, and Janice stand at a long table in the dining
room off the kitchen. The home is decorated for Halloween.
Paintings adorn the walls. Atop the table sits various
pumpkins and pumpkin carving utensils including a power drill.
Chris has on very bright colored clothing. Rachel is dressed
as a vampire with high black boots and a cape. Janice is
dressed as a wizard, complete with a giant hat.
RACHEL
Hand me the short knife.
CHRIS
This one?
Chris points to a spoon. Rachel retrieves the knife.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
You're welcome.
A knock at the door.
Rachel sets down her knife and answers the door. REDD, early
20's, long red hair, stands outside the door wearing a long
white dress with a halo affixed to her head.
RACHEL
Hey Hun.
REDD
Am I the first one here?
RACHEL
Yeah, come on in.
Redd enters the home and embraces Rachel. The pair walk
through the kitchen past Janice as she puts things away in
the cabinets.
REDD
Hey Mom, how are you?
The two embrace.
JANICE
I'm good, how are you?
REDD
I've been worse. It's good to see
you again.
Redd and Rachel exit the kitchen and enter the dining room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
REDD (CONT'D)
Wow, you guys have everything set
up. And you didn't even need my
help.
CHRIS
Hey Redd.
Chris nods to Redd as she scoops out some pumpkin innards.
RACHEL
We should have enough for everyone
who said they were coming. You get
first pick, well, technically third
pick.
Redd selects a pumpkin and takes a spot right next to Chris.
A black cat, MORRISSEY, jumps up on the table with all of
the utensils.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Morrissey, shoo.
Rachel grabs Morrissey and places him on the floor. He
waltzes away flicking his tail.
Another knock on the door. Rachel once again answers the
door.
SHELLY, early 20's, blond hair waits on the other side of
the door. She is dressed as a rabbit. Jack stands next to
her dressed as a bear, concealing his identity.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
So, like, there's this bear.
Shelly chuckles and enters the home giving Rachel a big hug.
SHELLY
Hey Hun, how's it going?
Jack follows the pair.
RACHEL
Really good. I only have four classes
this semester, so I've been able to
keep up.
SHELLY
That's good. Is that boy coming?
RACHEL
The one who doesn't own a tv? Yeah,
he's supposed to show up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
Shelly wrinkles her rabbit nose.
SHELLY
I don't really care for him.
RACHEL
I know.
They enter the kitchen where Janice brews coffee.
SHELLY
Hey Mom. Are you going to carve a
pumpkin with us this year?
JANICE
Oh no.
They walk into the dining room where Redd and Chris are
working on their pumpkins.
CHRIS
Hey Bean. I'd hug you, but.
She holds her hands out covered in pumpkin.
SHELLY
It's ok, you just stand there.
Shelly embraces Chris then turns to Redd and gives her a hug
as well.
REDD
Hey Shellbert.
CHRIS
I was just telling Redd, it looks
like Mom is losing her job, she's
been making too many mistakes lately
so we might have to sell the house
and move.
SHELLY
Well, then I guess we'll just have
to help you move into the new place.
RACHEL
We're considering a duplex. You
know to help spread everybody out.
This place is huge we will probably
have to downsize.
REDD
My lease is up in like two months, I
could move in with you. To help
with expenses and such.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
CHRIS
That's not a bad idea. My job sucks.
JACK
Hey Rae, do you have soda in the
fridge?
RACHEL
Yeah, you know the rule.
JACK
Take a cold one out, put a warm one
in, duh.
Jack exits the dining room and walks into the kitchen. Janice
sits at the table drinking her coffee. Jack reaches for a
warm can of soda sitting next to the fridge and opens the
fridge.
JACK (CONT'D)
Hey Mom. What's up.
He puts the warm soda in the back and grabs a cold one. He
spots a set of keys sitting on the top shelf of the
refrigerator. He grabs them and eyes them curiously. He
closes the door.
JACK (CONT'D)
What are these doing in here?
Janice looks up from her book.
JANICE
I was looking for those.
She reaches out for the keys. Jack hands them to her. When
she grabs them he sees a flash of a man sitting opposite
Janice. The man is pale and wears a black suit with a gold
tie. Jack shakes his head and the man is gone.
JANICE (CONT'D)
Thanks. What was your name again.
JACK
Jack.
JANICE
I couldn't tell under the bear
costume.
Jack chuckles.
JACK
Right.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
Jack walks back into the dining room. Chris has carved her
pumpkin to appear as if it is vomiting its innards. Jack
points at the pumpkin.
JACK (CONT'D)
Nice.
Jack stands there with his unopened can of soda as the girls
carve their pumpkins.
SHELLY
(to Jack)
You'll help the girls move right?
Jack stands there.
SHELLY (CONT'D)
Hey, what's wrong?
She nudges Jack. He snaps out of it, shakes his head and
opens his soda. He puts it down and grabs a knife and
pumpkin. He violently starts stabbing the pumpkin.
JACK
Finished.
He puts the pumpkin down.
JACK (CONT'D)
Yeah, I'll help. Where are we moving
to?
CUT TO:
EXT. THE DUPLEX - DAY
Jack, Shelly, BRIAN, ANDY, and JAIME move boxes from a moving
truck into the new duplex.
CUT TO:
INT. THE DUPLEX - NIGHT
Redd and Rachel unpack in their portion of the duplex.
RACHEL
Do you mind if I stop for the night?
I'm really tired and just want to go
to bed.
REDD
No problemo.
Rachel enters her bedroom where there are boxes lined against
the wall. Mattresses sit on the floor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
She plops down on the bed. A moment later, her black cat,
Morrissey jumps up on the bed. She lazily pets the cat.
CUT TO:
INT. THE DUPLEX - EVENING
Janice and Chris unpack in their new home. Janice takes a
break and sits at the kitchen table.
CHRIS
Something wrong ma?
JANICE
Whose house is this?
CHRIS
What?
JANICE
Where are we? Whose house is this?
Whose stuff is this?
CHRIS
Seriously. Ma, we just moved here.
This is our stuff. What's wrong
with you?
JANICE
I must just be tired.
CUT TO:
EXT. HEDGE MAZE - NIGHT
Chris and Janice walk through a large hedge maze. The moon,
much larger than usual illuminates the maze, but there are
no stars. Chris wears a suit of leather armor with a short
sword and dagger strapped to her belt. Janice wears a wizard
robe and carries a long wooden staff. The duo run through
the maze as it twists and turns.
There is a loud roar from above. Chris looks to the sky as
Janice ignores the roar and looks around nervously.
A large dragon swoops down and hovers over Chris and Janice
for a beat and then flies away.
The pair continue to hurriedly walk through the maze.
CHRIS
Come on Ma, we gotta get out of here.
Chris grabs Janice by the hand and starts to lead her.
Suddenly the pair turn a corner and in the middle of the
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
aisle stands THE TRICKSTER. He wears a pin strip black suit
with a gold tie. He flips a silver coin continuously in the
air as he grins at Janice. He tips his hat as Janice and
Chris flee back the way they came from.
The two turn a corner and run into a large glass wall. Behind
the wall Rachel sleeps on a large bed in the center of large
section of the Hedge Maze. The Ald-Vec stands motionless in
the corner of the room with his greatsword held in front of
him, stuck into the ground. The black cat, Morrissey sits
between the Ald-Vec and Rachel. He licks his paw.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
What the.
Chris taps on the glass.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Rae?
She starts to pound on the glass, but no one in the room can
here her. She paces the glass back and forth between the
aisle. The Trickster appears behind Janice. Chris turns to
face him.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Get away from her.
She grabs Janice by the hand and flees down another corridor
of the maze. They arrive at a four way section of the maze.
She looks right.
Shelly and Jack walk away. Shelly wears a white cloak
covering a suit of leather armor. She has a mace attached
to her belt. Jack wears a suit of gold and white plate armor
with a two handed bastard sword strapped to his back.
She looks left.
Andy and Jaime walk away. They wear matching green leather
armor with a quiver of arrows strapped to their backs. They
each carry a long bow.
Chris looks ahead. Redd is dressed as a Barbarian, she wears
bikini armor and carries a large hammer. She motions to
Chris and Janice.
REDD
Come on, this way.
The Trickster appears behind Janice. Chris grabs her hand
and flees toward Redd.
CUT TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
INT. THE DUPLEX - NIGHT
Redd enters the upstairs duplex. Janice sits at the kitchen
table. Chris puts dishes away.
REDD
Hey guys.
CHRIS
Where's Rae?
REDD
She went to bed already.
CHRIS
Yeah, I think Mom is tired too. I'm
about to make sure her room is set
up. Wanna give me a hand?
REDD
Of course.
Redd and Chris walk into Janice's room. Chris closes the
door.
CHRIS
I'm worried about Mom.
REDD
Why? What happened?
CHRIS
She was just acting really weird.
Like she didn't know where we were
and stuff. I wonder if she is
starting to lose her memory.
REDD
She's not that old. Maybe we should
take her to get her checked out.
CHRIS
Probably. Here help me make the bed
for her.
They put sheets on the bed.
Chris opens the door and the two go back to the kitchen.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
All set Ma.
Janice stands and exits the kitchen. Redd hugs Chris.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
REDD
Let me know if you need anything.
CHRIS
I will.
Redd exits.
Chris sits down at the kitchen table and lights a cigarette.
CUT TO:
INT. GRADUATION HALL - DAY
Chris, Redd, Janice, Andy, Jaime, and Shelly sit together in
a row amongst the crowd. An ANNOUNCER reads names on the
stage.
ANNOUNCER
Lucas Rutherford.
LUCAS walks across the stage. He stops to shake the
Announcer's hand. He grabs his diploma and throws his fist
in the air.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Rachel Sab...
The name is drowned out by feedback from the microphone.
Rachel walks to the Announcer, shakes his hand, grabs her
diploma. She turns to face the crowd and grins at her friends
and family.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Daniel Stewart.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE DUPLEX - DAY
Rachel, Chris, Andy, Jaime, Shelly, Redd, and Janice sit in
the back yard of the Duplex. The yard is decorated for a
graduation party with tables and chairs in rows. There is
food set out on one of the tables.
ANDY
So anyway, I was thinking we should
start getting together more often.
CHRIS
Second Saturday.
SHELLY
What?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
CHRIS
We should get together the second
Saturday of every month. We can
rotate locations. Open invite to
anyone who wants to come.
JAIME
Ohh, I think that is a great idea.
We could host the first one.
CHRIS
Well, technically this is the second
Saturday so this is the first one.
RACHEL
Technically this is my graduation
party.
CHRIS
Easy there grad. Your degree is in
Theater.
RACHEL
What is that supposed to mean?
CHRIS
It means you basically acted your
way into a college degree. I think
higher education is bullshit anyway.
RACHEL
Why can't you just be proud of me?
I actually did something. I love
theater. It makes me happy. You
don't even have a job.
CHRIS
Neither do you right now.
RACHEL
Yeah. Because I was getting a degree.
Redd and Shelly stand up and walk away.
CHRIS
I watched some of the homework you
had.
She stands up and twirls around.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Look at me. I'm acting.
RACHEL
You can be such a bitch sometimes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
CHRIS
All the time actually.
Rachel storms off. Chris looks at Andy and Jaime.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
What?
ANDY
I didn't say anything.
SHELLY
I kind of agree with you. Theater
is cool and all, but how hard can it
be.
JANICE
I'm proud of her. I'm proud of all
of you. You all have your own
talents.
Janice stands up and goes into the house.
ANDY
How is Mom doing?
CHRIS
She's getting worse. She keeps
forgetting her keys in weird places.
Yesterday I found them in the bathtub.
When I asked her why she left them
in there she just said she was looking
for them.
JAIME
Maybe you guys should have her checked
out.
CHRIS
We are. We have an appointment next
week.
ANDY
That's good.
CUT TO:
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
Chris, Rachel, and Janice sit inside of a small exam room.
A DOCTOR comes in.
DOCTOR
Hello ladies. How is everyone doing
this fine day?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
RACHEL
Good.
CHRIS
We wouldn't be here if things were
peachy.
DOCTOR
You must be Janice. Why don't you
have a seat on the table here.
Janice sits on the table. The Doctor uses a flashlight to
check her eyes.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
So, you've been misplacing your keys
Janice?
CHRIS
I've found them in the bathtub, the
freezer, and even still in the door.
RACHEL
I've left my keys in the door before.
The Doctor begins checking Janice's ears.
DOCTOR
Janice how is your diet, any drugs,
medications, or alcohol?
JANICE
Oh no. I haven't drank in many years,
no drugs.
RACHEL
She takes a blood pressure med.
The Doctor takes Janice's blood pressure.
DOCTOR
Meds must be working.
He checks her pulse.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Heart rate is good, lets have a listen
to the ticker.
He uses his stethoscope to listen to her heart and lungs.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Well, we can run additional tests
and maybe see what is going on.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Stop at the desk on your way out and
schedule a cat scan.
JANICE
Thank you.
CHRIS
Thanks Doc.
CUT TO:
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
Janice and Chris sit in the office.
There is a knock on the door.
The Doctor enters.
DOCTOR
Hey guys. How are you feeling Janice?
JANICE
Pretty good actually.
DOCTOR
Well, I'll get right to it. The
tests suggest Alzheimer's Disease.
CHRIS
What do we do from here?
The Doctor looks back and forth between Janice and Chris.
DOCTOR
Well, we can run some more tests.
There are some medications we can
try. Therapy. The immediate issue
is to not leave Janice alone for too
long.
CHRIS
Right.
DOCTOR
We should monitor sleeping habits,
mood swings, anything along those
lines. Janice, you should start
keeping a journal.
JANICE
Oh, I already do that.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
CHRIS
She's kept a journal forever.
DOCTOR
Good. Keep that up. Keep doing
normal activities that stimulate
your brain. Any hobbies, word
searches, crossword puzzles, that
kind of thing.
JANICE
I like to paint.
DOCTOR
Perfect. Any other questions?
CHRIS
No, I think that's it for now.
DOCTOR
Good. Stop at the desk on the way
out and I'll have the prescription
set up for you. They'll handle pick
up and such.
CHRIS
Thank you.
DOCTOR
My pleasure.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE DUPLEX - DAY
Rachel walks up to the mailboxes. She grabs the mail from
both boxes and enters her apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. THE DUPLEX - DAY
Rachel sets her bag down on the table and begins to open the
mail. She gets to one letter and stops.
CUT TO:
INT. THE DUPLEX - DAY
Rachel enters the lower level of the duplex.
RACHEL
Chris?
Chris enters the kitchen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
CHRIS
Yeah.
RACHEL
Did mom pay the mortgage last month.
CHRIS
How should I know?
Rachel hands her the letter.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
Shit.
RACHEL
She's getting worse.
CHRIS
Don't you think I can tell? I live
with her. Remember.
