Regenerade 9 - "The Warrior Gene"
Scenes &
Script Excerpts
2021
Mitch is building on his friendship with Trish. Aidan visits Antonia in Paraguay and suffers traveler's diarrhea. Lauren experiences bleeding in her pregnancy and begins to question her relationship with Josh. Josh proposes to Lauren on the beach and assaults a mugger. Mitch receives an invitation to Lauren and Josh's wedding.
SCENES -
1. Mitch showing a small house to Trish where they end up having a long conversation in the seller's bed.
2. Aidan having a video call with Antonia in Paraguay, about jealousy and the difficulties they face with their long-distance relationship.
3. Josh meeting Liz to ask for "Lauren's hand in marriage" and for Liz's help to write a prenup.
4. Mitch having a phone conversation with his mother Katarina, telling her to stop dictating Aidan's life and Mitch declaring to her that she's overstepped the line.
5. MONTAGE - Aidan arriving in Asunción / Mitch at a dinner with Trish and her relatives / Aidan and Antonia arriving at her apartment, and falling into her bed.
7. Lauren packing up her old room in her parents' house and having a flashback to/dream about a conversation with her sick mother 23 years earlier (Flashback 2000).
8. Aidan and Antonia at the School in Paraguay. Aidan suffering from diarrhea and Antonia having a video call with Lauren.
9. MONTAGE - Thanksgiving
10. Lauren waking up at night and discovering that she's bleeding. Lauren waking her sister Liz and them having a serious conversation in the middle of the night.
11. Lauren at the hospital learning she has a benign polyp causing the bleeding and that her baby's doing fine.
12. MONTAGE - Lauren telling Liz the good news at the hospital / Aidan leaving Antonia in her bed in Asunción to travel back to the US / Lauren arriving in LA and being met by Josh.
12. Josh surprising Lauren with a picnic at Topanga Beach, and a marriage proposal. Lauren getting mugged by a bum on the beach and Josh assaulting the mugger.
13. Josh being released from detainment at the police station.
14. Josh having a bad dream taking him back to his childhood in Florida and a memory of his mother trying to escape his drunk and violent father resurfacing (Flashback 2003).
15. Mitch and Trish in Mitch's apartment reading about Aidan and Antonia in the Chronicle. Trish finding the invitation to Lauren and Josh's wedding in the trash. Trish convincing Mitch to attend their wedding.
16. MONTAGE - Mitch at his office, arranging travel to San Diego / Lauren visiting Josh and Javier at work in the apartment building / Katarina surprising Aidan on campus / Josh and his mother Janice attending a therapy session.
__________
Script Excerpt E9:8
Scene E9:8
I/E. GIRL’S BOARDING SCHOOL, ASUNCIÓN, PARAGUAY - DAY
The Reporter from the Chronicle is photographing Antonia on the school grounds. He’s taking pictures of her alone, of her with the headmaster, her with other school staff, her with
young female pupils. Finally the reporter stops and walks up to Antonia.
REPORTER
Where’s Aidan? I really need to get
these shots of you two now, I have to leave for the airport in an hour...
ANTONIA
(concerned)
He had to use the bathroom...like what? 40 minutes ago...I have to go
check on him...
The reporter nods and Antonia hurries across the school grounds.
--MOMENTS LATER - INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING
Antonia walks down an empty corridor inside the school. As she’s passing a row of doors she’s calling;
ANTONIA
Aidan! You’re here?!
There’s a faint reply from inside one of the (toilet) doors;
AIDAN
I’m here...
ANTONIA
You’re OK Aidan?! Are you sick?!
AIDAN
(Miserable)
I’ve got the runs....
ANTONIA
Oh! No! Like...”Montezuma’s”?!
AIDAN
Yep.
ANTONIA
Did you throw up?
AIDAN
Not yet. But nauseous.
ANTONIA
(Emphatic)
Ohhh baby...
AIDAN
I’m running out of toilet paper in here...
ANTONIA
I’ll get some more ok! And I’ll ask
if they have some Loperamide here.
Can I leave you for 10 minutes?
AIDAN
Yes!
--TIME LAPSE, 15 minutes--
Antonia places two toilet paper rolls, a water bottle and medicine right outside the toilet door.
ANTONIA
OK Aidan, I’ll back away. You can open the door now!
Antonia backs away and there’s a delay, then the door opens just slightly and Aidan’s hand appears, quickly grabbing the items before the door slams shut again. Antonia sits down on
the floor right outside the door.
AIDAN
(Half-yelling)
Where’s Manuel?
ANTONIA
He had to go to the airport...
Antonia can hear Aidan’s phone ringing from inside the toilet. It stops after a few signals, then it starts ringing again.
ANTONIA
Someone trying to reach you?
AIDAN
(Sounding feeble)
Yeah. My mom.
There’s a pause.
ANTONIA
She’s probably worried about you...
AIDAN
She’s trying to face time me. She’s with my granddad in Seattle...
ANTONIA
Oh...
AIDAN
You don’t have to sit there...and like...listen to this...you can go...
ANTONIA
I’m staying here Aidan. I don’t want you to pass out in there!
--TIME LAPSE-- 30 minutes
Antonia is still sitting on the floor by the toilet door, leaning her head back against the wall.
AIDAN
Ok...I’m coming out...
Antonia backs away slightly and the door opens. Aidan comes through and slides down on the floor right beside the door, leaving it ajar. Antonia begins to move closer but he’s holding up his hand;
AIDAN
Not too close...please..there’s vomit on the floor in there...
ANTONIA
Awww...the Loperamide should begin
to work now...
AIDAN
Yeah...let’s hope so...if not I’ll have to stay here all night...
Antonia smiles at him, empathically.
ANTONIA
Remember I told you this happened to me too when I came here...
AIDAN
Yeah. Poor you.
ANTONIA
Poor you.
They smile at each other.
ANTONIA
Did you text your mom?
AIDAN
No.
ANTONIA
But you have to. Let her know you’re alive. You know how mothers worry!
Aidan shrugs.
ANTONIA
Just send her a text...
Aidan pulls out his phone from his pocket and turns it on. As he’s waiting for it to restart he doubles over in pain and grimaces, then he quickly gets up and dives into the toilet again, locking the door. The phone remains outside on the floor. Antonia hears the unmistakable sounds of diarrhea and
Aidan moaning. She looks at the door, with a pained expression on her face. Aidan’s phone lights up, and it vibrates. The word ”Mom” appears on the screen. Antonia picks up the phone and holds it in her hands, she hesitates, then she answers the call. A woman with brown, wavy, long hair
appears on the screen, alongside Antonia’s image. The woman looks surprised.
ANTONIA
Hi there! I’m Antonia!
Lauren’s facial expression changes from surprised to overjoyed.
LAUREN
ANTONIA!!! FINALLY!!!! SO good to
see you!!! How are you?!!!
ANTONIA
I’m good thank you! But Aidan has
diarrhea...
Inside the toilet Aidan realizes what is happening and puts his sweaty face in his hands and just moans with
embarrassment.
LAUREN
Ohhh Nooo! Is he OK? Is he with you? Is he hydrated...?
ANTONIA
(Interrupting)
I’m with him. I’ve given him water and medicine, I think it’s calming down a little bit. There’s this clinic I can call if he doesn’t get better...
LAUREN
Oh good! I’m so glad he’s with you!
Not only because he’s got diarrhea
(chuckles) but I’m just so happy he’s finally with you...
ANTONIA
Me too! I’ve counted the hours and
the minutes...
LAUREN
Do you mind if I show your picture
to my dad and my sister? They’re
right here with me...
ANTONIA
I’d love to say hi...
Lauren turns her screen towards Liz and her father George who both lean in curiously and wave at Antonia.
ANTONIA
(Smiling and waving)
Hiii....
It seems like Lauren is moving away from them and is walking into another room as she continues;
LAUREN
I think it’s so amazing what you’re
doing down there with the School
Project. Me and my partner just made our first donation today, it’s made in the name of our company, ”Regenerade”...
ANTONIA
Thank you so much! I’m working hard
for all the donors, making sure not a penny goes to waste.
You’ll be able to follow the progress on our website and to see the feature article soon...
LAUREN
(Emotional, sincere)
We’re so enormously proud to have
you in our family Antonia! We just can’t wait to meet you...to hug you! (Beaming)
ANTONIA
Me too!!!
LAUREN
We’re hoping that you and Aidan
will come and see us in LA when you
come over for Christmas, but if you
can’t, I’ll come to SF to meet you!
I can’t wait!
ANTONIA
Same here! Happy Thanksgiving!
LAUREN
Happy Thanksgiving! Give my love to
Aidan and make him call me as soon
as he’s able to...
ANTONIA
I will, I promise!
They both give each other a little wave and end the call.
Antonia holds Aidan’s phone in her lap and keeps smiling. She can hear Aidan shuffling inside the toilet and then the door opens and Aidan comes out and slumps down on the floor again,
looking very pale and sweaty, and bothered.
AIDAN
All chummy with my mummy now, huh?
ANTONIA
She’s GREAT!!! Soooo sweet! Super-
cute!
Aidan just closes his eyes and leans his head back against the wall. Antonia creases her brow.
ANTONIA
You’re not mad at me for taking the
call are you?
AIDAN
No. It’s fine.
Antonia just studies Aidan for a moment.
ANTONIA
She was referring to her ”partner”,
is that a business partner, or like...
AIDAN
(Sighs)
Both.
ANTONIA
Aha. And....you’ve never mentioned
this person because...
Aidan hesitates, looks disillusioned.
ANTONIA
...it’s...a woman?
Aidan is shaking his head. After a moment he says;
AIDAN
She’s with the guy who used to be
my best friend. He’s 21 years
younger than her.
Antonias eyes widen and she nods, slowly.
ANTONIA
I see....(thoughtful)...and here I was, thinking we’d just about shared everything with each other...but this little detail...
AIDAN
(Interrupting)
I’ve been blocking it out. I really have. It was too much for me...
ANTONIA
You asked me to ”need you”, and I
do. But I want you to need me to,
to let me in...
AIDAN
(Laughing to himself)
You’re in now. All the way.
Diarrhea. My mom’s young lover...jeeeez...there’s just one more thing...
Antonia looks at Aidan, urging him to continue.
AIDAN
She’s pregnant. My best friend will
father my sibling. (Shaking his head as in; *you can’t make this shit up*)
Antonia reaches out for Aidan’s hand across the floor and he takes it. They just sit there, holding hands. Antonia looks at Aidan and gives him a loving smile, he smiles back, a smile saying; *Thank you for being you*
____________
Script Excerpt E9
Scene E9:9
INT. THE ALTMAN FAMILY HOME, WEST SEATTLE, WA, - SMALL
BEDROOM/BATHROOM/BIG BEDROOM - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
It’s the middle of the night. Lauren switches on the bedside lamp. She gets out of the single bed and steps into the upstairs bathroom. She pulls down her panties and sits down on the toilet, her eyes barely open. When she reaches for the toilet roll she sees the blood in her underwear. Her eyes
open wide and she gasps for air.
LAUREN
Noooo...No NO NO NO NO NO...!!!
Awww FUCK!!! Noooooo....
She just puts her head in her hands and begins to moan and sob quietly.
--IN THE MASTER BEDROOM, MOMENTS LATER.
Lauren quietly enters the master bedroom where Liz, Nick and
Ruth are sleeping in the double bed. She carefully approaches Liz and puts her hand on her shoulder. She then leans over her and half-whispers in her ear;
LAUREN
Liz. Please wake up. Liz...
Liz wakes up and kind of jerks.
LAUREN
It’s just me...
Liz stares at Lauren in the darkness where she can barely make out her sister’s silhouette.
Liz carefully lifts Ruth’s arm and leg that are splayed on top of her and slowly shifts out of the bed. She quietly
follows Lauren out of the room while whispering;
LIZ
Dad?
LAUREN
(Whispering)
No. It’s me.
--BACK IN THE SMALL BEDROOM, SECONDS LATER --
Lauren sinks down on the bed and Liz just looks at her.
LAUREN
(Half-whispering, upset)
I’m bleeding...
There’s a split second when Liz is registering what Lauren is saying. Then she sits down beside her on the bed and flings her arms around her.
LIZ
(With devastation)
Ohhh no.....
LAUREN
(Hugging her sister tightly)
I’m sorry for waking you....but I’m
literally falling apart...
Lauren begins to cry and just falls down on the bed. Liz lies down close beside her and holds her.
LIZ
Is there...a lot...?
Lauren just nods and sobs quietly.
LAUREN
Can you take me to UW Medical in
the morning?
LIZ
(Pained, empathic)
Of course...you don’t wanna go now?
LAUREN
No...let’s wait....it can’t be saved....I’m just 22 weeks....so close...
(Her crying intensifies)
LIZ
(Feeling Lauren’s forehead)
OK...you decide baby-sis. I’m here
for you.
Lauren just hugs her sister, even tighter.
LAUREN
I know I’ve acted....like, I’ve been so
STUPID. I’m sorry Liz...I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you...you were right, I couldn’t have this!
LIZ
Now Lauren...
LAUREN
(upset, interrupting)
This is divine intervention.
And I’m getting the message. This needs to end. I’m gonna act responsibly, do the right thing now...
LIZ
What are you talking about?
LAUREN
Josh. I will end it. Now.
LIZ
No! Lauren...
LAUREN
It will be really hard for both of us, and messy in terms of the business, but we’ll survive, and he’s got his whole life ahead of him...he’s just....so goddamn
beautiful y’know...(sobs uncontrollably)
LIZ
But you love him...
LAUREN
I do! That’s why I need to let him go. I should never have allowed anything to happen between us! I lost the plot, and I've messed everything up!
But, please....(deep sobs) just stay with me and help me through
this...even though I don’t deserve it...please...?
LIZ
No.
Lauren almost stops sobbing, she pulls back and looks at Liz.
LIZ
You can’t do that. You’re too far into this. It wouldn’t be the right thing. It’d be cruel. It would destroy him.
LAUREN
(Starts crying again)
I know..but...
LIZ
The guy worships you Lauren!
Just...worship him right back.
You’d both be miserable without
each other. His love is real. Don’t play with him.
I won’t allow it.
Lauren does not respond. She just curls up close to Liz and lets herself be held.
__________
Script Excerpt E9
Scene E9:12
EXT. TOPANGA BEACH, MALIBU - LATE AFTERNOON - LATER
Josh is sitting on a blanket close to a small tree. He is rummaging through the cooler and grabs a bottle of
non-alcoholic champagne and opens it as he watches Lauren approach him across the sand.
LAUREN
(as she slumps down on the blanket)
I have to pee like every 30 minutes
now. It’s insane. I went at LAX y’know...
JOSH
(filling a glass for her)
And now we’re filling up that bladder again...
Josh and Lauren clinks their glasses together.
LAUREN
To....public restrooms..?!
JOSH
(Taking a sip and laughing)
I was gonna say ”to us, reunited”,
but sure...
Lauren leans forward and they kiss. A long, loving kiss.
LAUREN
(looking down at the containers on the
blanket)
Awww! You made all this?!
JOSH
No. Picked it up at Whole Foods.
Here. I got the Rosemary chicken
that you love...
Lauren greedily grabs a chicken thigh and takes a bite on it, looking very pleased. Josh does not eat anything, he just sips his wine and glances at Lauren, and the ocean, back and
forth, looking very thoughtful.
LAUREN
(Mouth full)
You OK baby?
Josh nods and smiles enigmatically.
JOSH
This is ”my place”, this is where I come to clear my mind, to re-charge. I let the waves wash over me, and all the bad stuff in my mind gets...filtered out...
Josh looks at Lauren who studies him intensely, and then looks back at the ocean.
JOSH
The ocean is in control, you can’t
fight it. This is what I love, you have to obey the force of the element y’know, and when you do, you can ride the wave where it decides to take you, and that is the ultimate sense of freedom for me, to succumb to the laws of
nature but to know how to find ways
to let the ocean carry you...forward, as long as you respect it...
LAUREN
Wow...how...
JOSH
(Interrupting, smiling)
Profound?
LAUREN
Amazingly beautiful, I was gonna
say....
Josh goes quiet and just looks at Lauren and she’s beginning to look quizzical.
LAUREN
What...? You’re thinking about
something?
Josh keeps looking at her.
LAUREN
(A bit worried)
Josh....is something wrong?
JOSH
Excuse me. I need to speak to my
daughter.
Josh bends down, pulls up Lauren’s top and puts his face next to her belly. He seems to be listening. Lauren just looks down, amused.
LAUREN
I think she’s sleeping...?
JOSH
Uhh uh. No. She’s talking to me.
He puts is ear to her belly, and he whispers;
JOSH
OK baby girl. I’m gonna talk to
mommy. I’ll ask her now.
Josh sits up and he’s looking at Lauren again. Lauren eyes widen and her expression shifts from questioning to a little worried. Josh seems anxious and he pulls his hands through his hair. Lauren now looks alarmed but Josh meets her eye and takes her hands in his.
JOSH
Baby...I’m not good at these things...but I know one thing I’m
good at. I’m good at loving you.
And I wanna keep doing that for the
rest of my life...
LAUREN
(Whispering, emotionally)
Oh Josh...
JOSH
I want us to wake up together,
every morning, go to bed, together,
every night...I want us to belong to each other...
Lauren looks misty eyed and caresses his cheek. Josh takes her hand and kisses it, then he sticks his hand into the pocket of his cargo shorts. He’s got something in his hand.
He turns back to Lauren and looks very serious.
JOSH
I fell in love with you the very
first time we met.
I never thought you could be mine.
I never thought I could be your guy.
I thought I’d only be allowed to fantasize of you....
Josh opens his palm to reveal a ring. Lauren’s jaw drops.
JOSH
I want to be your husband Lauren.
And I hope that you would want to
be my wife...
Lauren gasps for air and covers her face with her hands.
JOSH
I’m asking you, will you marry me?
With a prenup.
Lauren lets out a surprised laugh, then she cups his face with her hands and kisses him deeply. She keeps her hands on his face and her forehead touching his, the tips of their
noses touching as she whispers;
LAUREN
Yes. I want to be your wife. With or without a prenup.
JOSH
(Whispering)
The prenup part is non-negotiable.
It’s already been drawn up.
LAUREN
Liz?
Josh nods and Lauren shakes her head.
JOSH
Please?
He takes her right hand and attempts to slide the ring onto her ring finger but she giggles and offers him her left hand instead. It fits perfectly and Lauren admires it.
LAUREN
(Beaming)
It’s so beautiful! I love it so much!
(Looking up at Josh, teary eyed)
Can life BE THIS GOOD!?
Josh slides his hand around her neck and rests his forehead against hers again. With eyes closed he says;
JOSH
It’s so good it scares me. I’ve never felt like this in my entire life. I feel so calm...like I've found my purpose.
My purpose is to love you and to take care of you and protect you.
LAUREN
And I’ll take care of you too...
JOSH
I know you will.
Lauren pulls Josh down with her and they lie close together on the blanket, facing each other, caressing and kissing and smiling.
JOSH
I forgot the part about getting down on one knee...
LAUREN
God. I’m glad you didn’t. That’s so
fucki’n corny.
They both laugh.
JOSH
I’m a simple guy...
LAUREN
I’m a simple girl.
JOSH
Who used to live in a 3300 square
feet mansion...
LAUREN
Before she met her true prince...
More smiling and kissing, then Josh rises up to sitting.
JOSH
Ahhh. Now my bladder’s full, gotta
take a leak...
He rises up and starts to walk away.
JOSH
Be right back baby.
Lauren just nods. She looks blissfully happy and pops a few fresh strawberries in her mouth. Then she lies back down. She looks at her left hand and admires her new engagement ring while stroking her belly. Then she just closes her eyes and rests.
--
Someone’s blocking the sun rays from her face. She smiles without opening her eyes.
LAUREN
Hi...
No reply. Lauren opens her eyes and shoots up to standing.
It’s not Josh. It’s a strange man kneeling on the blanket, opening her purse. Lauren’s heart is thumping inside her chest and she’s backing away as the guy turns to her with her phone in his dirty hands. She can see that he’s a bum, and that he’s really high.
LAUREN
(voice shaking)
Just take it, take it and go away please...
The bum looks at her and grins. He’s missing a front tooth.
BUM
Your code! Gimme the code to your
phone! And your cards!
Lauren keeps backing away, her legs feeling like jelly. She wants to answer him, but her brain is blocked by fear and shock, her tongue is tied.
The bum rises up from the blanket holding her purse in one and, and a shiny object in the other. Lauren registers that it’s a knife before her knees buckle and she falls down on
the sand. The bum moves closer and hisses;
BUM
Gimme the codes! And the ring!
Lauren’s hands are shaking violently as she’s trying to pull the ring off her finger. She registers a shadow in the corner of
her eye and -
*BAM* The bum is hit by a kick and he flies off to the side and lands belly down on the sand, the knife lands about 10” from Lauren. Josh is towering over him and grabs him, flips
him over and BAM BAM BAM hits him in rapid succession with straight punches to his face. Lauren hears a cracking sound before Josh shoots up and kicks him in the stomach. Josh
retreats and quickly grabs Lauren and pulls her backwards.
He’s panting loudly and his eyes are open wide, not diverting from the injured man lying motionless on the sand, face covered in blood.
JOSH
(Shocked, to Lauren)
You’re OK?!!! You’re OK?!!!
Lauren cannot answer him, she just clings to him and nods.
The whole world seems to be spinning but she can see two people approaching carefully, hesitating to come close. One of them is holding up his phone. Josh sees them and shouts to them;
JOSH
Call 911! Now!
___________
Excerpt E9
Scene E9:13
INT. LAPD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, LA - RECEPTION AREA -
NIGHT
It’s late night. Lauren is leaning sideways in a chair at the police station. She looks devastated and exhausted in the harsh overhead lighting. Her eyes are smudgy from all the tears blending with her eye make-up. Her hair is disheveled and her blouse crumpled.
Suddenly Liz comes through the door, Lauren shoots up from the chair, they fall into a tight embrace. Lauren looks at her sister with fear and desperation.
LIZ
(Motioning for her to sit down again)
It’s OK baby-sis. It’s gonna be OK.
They’re actually releasing him now
without bail. I didn’t expect that.
He’s back there filling out a ton
of paperwork but he’ll come out
soon OK.
Lauren exhales deeply and throws her arms around Liz.
LAUREN
Oh thank God!!!
LIZ
They’ve interrogated him for over
four hours straight. We still don’t
know if the prosecutor will press
charges. They’ll decide within 48
hours. (Catching her breath) The
mugger is still in hospital but
he’s apparently fine, even though
his face’s pretty smashed up and
he’s got withdrawal symptoms.
Another pause.
LIZ
They’ve secured the mugger’s
fingerprints on the knife, the
guy’s criminal record is extensive,
to put it mildly, and the witness
statements support the self-
defense plea. However...
(Looking bothered)
The film provided by the witness
does not show any of the actual
robbery...it only shows the use of
violence ”beyond a reasonable
degree of force”, meaning Josh
going completely
rampant...and...(sighs)...
Lauren looks at Liz, pleading for her to continue.
LIZ
Josh doesn’t have a clean record.
He was charged with assault as a
minor.
LAUREN
I know.
LIZ
Oh, you knew that?
Lauren just nods.
LIZ
I guess the days when we told each
other everything are long since
over.
LAUREN
(Holding Liz’ hand)
You didn’t tell me he was gonna
propose...
Liz lets out a laugh even though her eyes are sad.
LIZ
Of course I didn’t tell you that, stupid.
Can I see the ring?
Lauren leans her head on her sister’s shoulder and holds out her left hand for her to see.
LIZ
It’s really beautiful...it fits you well...
LAUREN
Can you please just tell me that
things will calm down now? That
everything’s gonna be all right?
Liz just gives Lauren an empathetic look but before she has a chance to answer Josh comes through the door. He and Lauren rush towards each other and fall into each other’s arms and
both begin to sob loudly.
JOSH
(In complete agony)
I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so
sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so
sorry...
LAUREN
We’re OK baby! We’re OK!!!
JOSH
I’ll never leave you again!!! I’ll
never leave you!!! I’m so sorry!!!
I’m so sorry baby!!! Can you ever
forgive me?!!!
(Crying his heart out)
Please forgive me baby...
Liz just stares at them, with devastation and empathy. She looks completely exhausted.
__________
Script Excerpt E9
Scene E9:14
INT. ED KENDALL’S HOUSE, TAMPA FL - AFTERNOON (CIRCA 2003)
Little Josh (3) is sitting on his parents’ double bed by an
open suitcase lying on it. His mother Janice is moving about
the bedroom, rushed, but quietly opening closets and drawers,
pulling out clothes that she just tosses into the suitcase.
Josh pulls some of the clothes out of the suitcase and is
entertained when his flustered mother keeps putting them back
in.
JANICE
(Quietly, hushed but firm)
No Josh! It’s not a game! Leave it
there.
Josh keeps smiling and giggles to himself while Janice just
pushes down on the pile of clothes in the suitcase and begins
to close it with the zipper. Suddenly there’s a loud voice
calling;
ED KENDALL
JANICE!!!
Janice freezes with terror in her eyes. She quickly puts the
suitcase beside the bed, towards the window, and then picks
up Josh and sets him down on the floor, next to the suitcase
and dives down right beside him, hunching down.
ED KENDALL
(Drunk, slurring)
WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU JANICE?!!!
Janice looks at Josh. She puts a finger to her mouth as to
say; *keep quiet* and as the bedroom door flings open she
covers Josh’s mouth with her hand. His eyes are wide, and
questioning.
ED KENDALL
(Muttering to himself)
Where’s that fucki’n bitch...
Ed walks away, but leaves the bedroom door open. Janice
removes her hand from Josh’s mouth and whispers to him;
JANICE
Now we’re gonna play a game OK?
We’re gonna sneak out of the house,
real fast and real quiet OK, so
daddy can’t hear us, and then we’re
gonna race each other to the
neighbors’ house. On my
count...One. Two. Three. GO!
Josh darts off like a little squirrel and Janice grabs the
suitcase and runs through the bedroom door.
Josh knows that he can outrun his mother. He’s done it
before. As he’s running out through the front door and down
the front lawn towards the sidewalk he giggles to himself and
glances over his shoulder. He sees his mother coming through
the door carrying the suitcase but he also sees his dad
coming after her. Josh halts and locks eyes with his mother
just as Ed catches up with her and pulls her down on the
ground. Josh freezes as he sees his dad kick his mother lying
on the grass and as he bends down to pull her hair she shouts
at Josh;
JANICE
RUN JOSH!!!!! RUN!!!!
___________
