EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - EVENING (continued)
We HEAR the SOUND of the car interior signaling the door is
open. Angela walks briskly to keep up with Milton. We HEAR
clothing rip.
Angela GASPS and slowly collapses to the ground. She watches
the young boy run back to the waiting car. Snow turns crimson
around her body from the butcher knife stuck in her back.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX FOYER - LATER
RIVER STEENS, 31, gingerly descends the steps, her right foot
in a walking cast. She struggles simultaneously with the
sweater and the wispy dog in her arms. The woman is lean and
dressed in sporty attire. It would be hard to imagine her as
a desk jockey.
RIVER
At this rate, we’re not gonna get
very far.
The dog, PEPPER, seems unconcerned and uncooperative, holding
her head away from the sweater opening. River nearly slips on
a step and catches herself before tumbling. She stares at
the dog and then quickly pulls the sweater off of the one leg
of the dog she managed to corral. She shoves the apparel
into the arm of her coat.
RIVER (CONT'D)
Fine. You can freeze.
River rounds the foyer stairs to see Milton staring at her
from the stoop outside the glass door entryway. Puzzled, she
opens the door and Milton scrambles inside trailing his
leash. River lifts her gaze into the night.
RIVER (CONT'D)
Ang?
It is quiet. No one is on the street.
RIVER (CONT'D)
Angela?!
She places Pepper in the foyer with Milton and hobbles
outside.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - NIGHT
Several people are gathered in the middle of the block. The
SOUND of SIREN’S approaching as River half runs/stumbles
toward the crowd on her bad leg.
Angela is semi-conscious but unmoving on the ground. MICHAEL,
40, in pajama bottoms and unlaced shoes, sees River and grabs
her before she can get close to Angela.
MICHAEL
They’re on their way. We didn’t
want to move her.
River sees bloody snow around the blanket that keeps Angela
warm. She screams and breaks free of Michael’s grip.
From a darkened gangway, the young boy surveys the scene. He
watches River gently stroke Angela’s head, crying softly.
RIVER
You’re gonna be alright, babe. Help
is coming.
Angela attempts to speak but blood escapes from her mouth.
She chokes. River hovers closer.
RIVER (CONT'D)
Angela don’t. Just be still.
Her mouth moves again and River leans in.
RIVER (CONT'D)
Ang--
ANGELA
(softly slurring)
--a boy.
We see the little boy watch River move in closer to meet
Angela’s eyes. He observes Angela’s labored attempt to
speak.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
...a little...
... boy did it...
The ambulance pulls to the curb and the young figure is
pulled back out of the light of the revolving orb but
maintains his focus on River who seems stunned.
INT. EMERGENCY ROOM TRIAGE - LATER
A chaotic environment as nurses and hospital staff move
quickly in and out of doors and through the hallway.
Announcements in the overhead speakers continually call for
doctors and care providers.
River waits in a chair against the wall. Her eyes dart around
the space unfocused on the motion swirling past. Two
uniformed officers escort an unwilling junkie covered in
vomit to a curtained triage area.
The swinging door props open and a nurse’s aid points Michael
in River’s direction. He stills sports pajamas and unlaced
shoes but wears a winter coat.
MICHAEL
Hey.
River looks up and tears immediately stream down her face as
she stands and embraces him.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
No news?
She shakes her head and they sit down. He runs his hand
through his hair, pulls her into his chest and softly kisses
her forehead.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Janet’s got the dogs.
RIVER
Thank you.
MICHAEL
Ang’s parents are getting a flight.
She looks up at him.
RIVER
What did you tell them?
He looks at her and pauses.
MICHAEL
(crying)
That she’s here.
INT. RIVER AND ANGELA’S APARTMENT - MORNING
The SOUND of a key turns in the lock and River pushes the
door open. She limps inside. It is quiet. She closes the
door. The space is bright and airy with many windows. Large
colorful paintings cover most walls in vibrant hues. Most of
the works are an abstract variety with play between colors
and shapes.
A half-eaten bowl of popcorn is on the coffee table next to
two empty beer bottles. The television set is on but muted.
River, pale and cried-out, pulls off her jacket and lets it
fall to the floor. She places the keys on the foyer table.
The radiator hisses into action.
EXT. HALLWAY - SAME
The door opens and a young woman turns suddenly sorrowful.
Milton and Pepper gallop to the door.
JANET
I’m so sorry.
River’s attention drifts down to the dogs trying to get
through the door and then back up to Janet.
RIVER
Thanks...
Janet nods and scootches over to let the dogs out into the
hallway.
INT. BEDROOM - SAME
It’s not a fancy set-up. A queen-size bed that looks
comfortable. A few candid photos in frames on either night
stand. Angela and River in a black and white dusty photo
booth-style shot. A framed holiday postcard of Milton and
Pepper dressed in elves costumes near a tiny Christmas tree.
There are a few articles of clothing strewn across the chair.
Reading glasses and aprescription bottle near a half-full glass
of water on the window sill.
River lies on her side and stares at the wall. Her right
casted foot is propped atop several pillows. Milton is asleep
against her stomach. Pepper lies behind her head on the
pillow, snoring.