COMMITTED
filmed as
CRAZY LOVE
Written by
Carol Watson
REVISED 3/10/04
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - APARTMENT - DAY
The sweet silence of slumber. Suddenly, an alarm clock on a
nightstand SHRIEKS the operatic tones of Maria Callas.
A well-manicured hand, nails painted pink, slaps the snooze
button and mutes Maria. A few seconds reprieve.
Then, another clock, stationed on a dresser, broadcasts the
FORTISSIMO POUNDING of the "William Tell Overture." Toes,
also painted pink, swing out of bed and run to the dresser.
LETTY MAYER, late 20s and beautiful, turns off the music.
She opens a dresser drawer and surveys panties that are
arranged by color, from white to beige to black. Behind the
panties are rows of bras, also organized by color. Letty
pulls out some taupe undergarments, checks them against her
nails and replaces them in favor of a pink bra and panties.
Letty goes to her closet and removes a tailored, pink linen
suit. She lays it on the bed. Beast, her cat, jumps on the
bed and settles into the jacket. Letty swoops the animal off
her clothes and brushes cat hair from the suit.
LETTY
Listen, Beast. What have I told
you about linen?
The scolding is cut short by an "Urge Overkill" song that
SCREAMS OUT from another room. On cue, Letty heads down the
hall, dressing as she goes. She CLUCKS for Beast to follow.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty turns off the alarm clock that BLASTS "Urge Overkill"
from the counter and checks the time against her watch.
She swings open a cupboard to look at cans of cat food
arranged by type. Seafood on the left, chicken in the
middle, then, naturally, beef. Letty reaches for a can.
LETTY
(looking at Beast)
It's liver saute.
Letty considers the cat a moment, and chooses another can.
LETTY
Fine, then, chicken in gravy. But
you're going to have to eat the
liver tomorrow.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Letty puts the finishing touches on her make-up and pulls
back her hair, plastering an errant curl into place with hair
spray. Yet another alarm clock sounds, this time BLARING the
voice of shock jocks MARK AND BRIAN.
INT. ENTRY HALL - SAME
Letty hurries down the hall and turns off the clock, which is
mounted near the front door. She bends down to kiss the cat
good-bye, grabs a briefcase and leaves.
EXT. HALLWAY - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
A school bell BUZZES. Grade-schoolers, clutching lunch
pails, scurry past Letty, who stands outside an office door.
She straightens her jacket, takes a deep breath and starts to
turn the handle.
Letty is stopped cold when CHANDRA, 7, the victim of a bloody
nose, runs up to her, bawling.
CHANDRA
Miss Mayer. Miss Mayer.
Letty looks quickly at Chandra, her watch, the door.
LETTY
(to Chandra)
Goodness, this is a bad one. Tip
your head back.
She bends down and pushes back Chandra's head. Chandra, off
balance, places one very bloody hand on Letty's jacket lapel,
staining it for all eternity.
Letty, grimacing, takes the bloody hand firmly in her own and
guides Chandra down the hall, coaxing the child as she goes.
LETTY
Come on. Pinch it, Chandra. Pinch
it.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LATER
PRINCIPAL GAIL LAUER, 40s, sits in uncomfortable silence with
BILL JOHANSEN, the 50-something school Superintendent. Also
present are MRS. MONTES, who is a School Board Member, and
two other BOARD MEMBERS.
Principal Gail glances at the clock. Mrs. Montes taps her
foot. Johansen clears his throat.
JOHANSEN
Well, I have a full calendar today,
and I'm afraid...
The door bursts open. Letty stumbles into the room. She
clutches her briefcase to her chest, trying to cover her
blood-smeared lapel.
LETTY
Mr. Johansen, hello. I'm so sorry
I'm late. It's very nice to meet
you.
Letty continues to hug the briefcase while awkwardly bending
down to shake hands with Johansen and the others.
PRINCIPAL GAIL
The Superintendent was just getting
ready to leave.
LETTY
I do apologize. A student had a
crisis.
MRS. MONTES
A crisis, you say?
LETTY
A bloody nose...
There is no response. Letty reluctantly lowers the briefcase
and reveals the stain.
LETTY
A bloody nose of epic proportions.
Johansen smiles.
JOHANSEN
OK, Miss Mayer. Ten minutes. Wow
us.
EXT. PLAYGROUND - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LATER
A bunch of BOYS play kickball in a haze of sawdust. Chandra
sits on a bench, clamping an ice pack to her nose. JENNY, a
limber 8-year-old, hangs upside down from the jungle gym.
Letty talks on her CELL PHONE. She glances around to monitor
her wards, eyes darting like a hawk's toward the kickball
game.
LETTY
No cherry drops, Jenny.
(into the phone)
Yes, hi. I'm calling for Paul
Lascher.
(beat)
Could you tell him it's Letty?
(beat)
He can't? Um, well, tell him, tell
him that they went for my math
idea. Thanks.
Letty dials again. She sees two boys fighting over the ball
and moves in to break them up.
LETTY
(to boys)
Not so rough, guys.
(into phone)
Mom? Hi. You'll never guess
what...I've got the best news.
(beat)
No, about work. How about dinner?
Brawl averted, out of the corner of her eye, Letty catches
Jenny make the daring Cherry Drop back flip off the bar. She
blows a series of ANGRY, STACCATO NOTES on her whistle.
LETTY
(to Jenny)
You're in trouble, young lady.
(into the phone)
I know, Mom. But it's the only
place I can call from.
(beat)
Can you tell Ruth about dinner?
(beat)
Paul's fine, just fine.
The class bell BUZZES.
LETTY
Got to go, Mom. The monsters call.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Tuxedoed waiters glide through the tony restaurant, where the
patrons dare speak only in hushed tones. Letty sits sipping
wine with her mother, MRS. MARTHA MAYER, immaculate in a
cream suit, young looking for her 50-odd years.
Letty's sister RUTH--early 20s and pretty, with flyaway hair
and an ever-present smile--bounds into the restaurant, oozing
happiness. Letty discretely waves her over.
RUTH
Sorry I'm late.
Letty pours her a glass of wine.
MRS. MAYER
Letty was just getting ready to
tell me her good news.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Tell, tell.
MRS. MAYER
(leaning toward Letty)
Letty, dear, is that a cat hair on
your blouse?
Letty removes the nasty hair from her blouse.
LETTY
So, I got the district to approve
my after-school math program.
Ruth smiles at her, but vacantly.
MRS. MAYER
How wonderful, darling.
(beat)
What does that mean for you?
LETTY
I'll be running it three days a
week, and...
MRS. MAYER
Will you get time off to do that?
LETTY
Not now, but maybe later, if they
like the program.
Ruth stares around the restaurant, a shit-eating grin
plastered across her face.
LETTY
(to Ruth)
What's up with you?
RUTH
Me? Nothing. Tell me more about
the job.
MRS. MAYER
(to Ruth)
Not a job, a promotion.
LETTY
No, Mom, it's more of a prestige
thing.
RUTH
Mmmmmmm.
Letty passes her hand in front of Ruth's eyes.
LETTY
Ruth. Calling Ruth.
RUTH
(laughing)
Sorry.
LETTY
Just go ahead and tell us.
RUTH
There's nothing to tell.
MRS. MAYER
(to Ruth)
Are you sure, Dear?
LETTY
Come on.
RUTH
No, really. Tell me about the
promotion.
LETTY
Well, my theory is that people can
really enjoy math, but they lose
interest...
Ruth can't hold it a moment longer without bursting.
RUTH
(almost screaming)
I'm getting married.
Mrs. Mayer's eyes immediately fill with tears. Ruth leaps up
and hugs her mother. Other diners glance toward the table.
One WOMAN IN THE RESTAURANT taps the side of her glass with
her fork and raises a silent toast to Ruth. Other DINERS
follow suit. Ruth grins back and starts to giggle.
MRS. MAYER
I'm so happy for you. It's just
wonderful.
Mrs. Mayer dabs her eyes with her napkin.
MRS. MAYER
My goodness. A wedding. My
goodness.
LETTY
Wow. Congratulations.
Ruth dashes around the table to embrace the stunned Letty.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Can you believe it?
Ruth sits back down and pulls a gorgeous ring from her purse.
She slips it on and wiggles her finger in front of Letty and
her mother, who peers at it with approval.
MRS. MAYER
Tell us every detail.
LETTY
You've only known Jake a few
months.
RUTH
Three and a week.
(screaming again)
Isn't it great?
MRS. MAYER
My goodness. What about an
engagement party? We must start
planning.
(signaling a waiter)
Champagne. Girls, we need some
champagne.
Off Letty's frozen smile, we
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Letty's in bed, drawing a giant multiplication chart. PAUL
LASCHER, early 30s, handsome in a corporate way, shrugs off
his expensive suit.
He opens a drawer of Letty's dresser, and removes a neatly
pressed T-shirt. He smooths out another shirt he has
accidently rumpled in the process.
PAUL
So, another one bites the dust.
LETTY
It's not another one. It's my
sister.
(beat)
Aren't you happy for her?
PAUL
She's only known the guy a few
months.
Paul lays his folded trousers across Letty's desk.
PAUL
Can I put these here for tonight?
LETTY
(pointing to the closet)
In there's better.
(beat)
It's kind of romantic, don't you
think?
PAUL
I really think if you're going to
spend your life with someone you
want to know them pretty damn well.
Paul sits on the bed, and leans against a pillow.
LETTY
Believe me, I know your feelings on
the matter.
PAUL
The receptionist said you called
earlier about something.
Letty holds up her multiplication chart and shows it to Paul.
LETTY
My math program. The
Superintendent said he'd fund it.
PAUL
Good going. I knew you could do
it.
Paul kisses Letty on the cheek.
PAUL
It looks like we're both bucking
for advancement.
LETTY
Yeah?
PAUL
Huntley told me today that if I
come through on the Benton
deposition, they may consider me
for senior associate.
Letty hugs Paul.
LETTY
Congratulations. We should
celebrate.
PAUL
I was thinking dinner on Friday
with James and Meg at the Saint
Mark.
LETTY
I mean tonight.
Letty sensually caresses his shoulders.
LETTY
Like right now...
PAUL
Actually, I need to review the
deposition questions tonight.
Maybe tomorrow?
LETTY
Oh, ok. Maybe.
PAUL
But I thought if you don't mind,
you could listen and see how I come
across?
LETTY
(beat)
Sure. Of course.
Letty continues coloring her multiplication chart.
PAUL
Letty, please, I need your full
attention.
Letty puts the chart down and sits up straighter.
LETTY
Let me have it.
INT. CLASSROOM - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Letty rubs her eyes with fatigue. Bobby stands next to her
holding a crumpled paper bag.
BOBBY
My dog ate my turtle, and the shell
went crunch. I brought it for show-
and-tell.
The children perk up at this news.
LETTY
I'm sorry about your turtle Bobby,
but you know we only have show-and-
tell on Mondays. Today, we're
scheduled for grammar.
BOBBY
But my mom says I have to throw it
away tonight.
Bobby opens the bag. He reaches in to remove the turtle. The
children TITTER. Letty's on him in a second.
LETTY
Don't even think about it.
She grabs the bag. From outside, there is a KNOCK. Letty
and the students look toward the window.
It's Ruth. She's been crying. She waves to Letty. Chandra
waves back at Ruth.
Letty puts up her finger to signal "just a minute" to Ruth.
She sets the turtle bag on Bobby's desk.
LETTY
Class, why don't you...
Ruth knocks on the glass again. Letty glances at her
distraught sister and walks quickly toward the door.
LETTY
(to class)
You guys pull out your verb sheets
and review them.
Letty leaves the room. The class watches through the window
as Ruth throws her sobbing self into Letty's arms.
EXT. HALLWAY - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - SAME
RUTH
She says she won't even come if Dad
brings Monica.
LETTY
Mom won't miss your wedding.
She'll come around. I promise she
will.
Letty glances through the window at her classroom, where
Bobby waves the turtle over his head.
RUTH
How?
LETTY
I'll talk to her, and to Dad, too.
(beat)
A few wisely-chosen guilt tactics
and they'll be ours.
RUTH
Maybe if we had them both to dinner
or something.
Letty looks again at the classroom, where the students are
lobbing the turtle back and forth.
LETTY
Maybe.
RUTH
You always throw the best dinner
parties, Letty.
Letty's attention snaps back to Ruth.
LETTY
Oh, wait a minute, now I see where
you're going.
RUTH
Please, Letty.
LETTY
Mom and Dad? At dinner together?
Are you crazy?
Ruth starts to sob--big, loud, air-gulping sobs. Letty pats
her shoulder.
LETTY
Maybe, though. Maybe it would
work. I could throw you an
engagement party maybe.
RUTH
Really?
Principal Gail, trolling the halls, spies Letty with Ruth.
She dispatches a stern look in Letty's direction.
LETTY
(nodding toward Gail)
You know what, Ruthie? I better get
back to my class, OK?
RUTH
And the party?
LETTY
Yeah, it'll be fun.
Ruth grabs Letty in another hug.
RUTH
Thank you so much.
INT. CLASSROOM - SAME
Letty strides into the classroom, pulls the turtle away from
Bobby and drops it in the trash.
LETTY
Who can come up here and give me a
sentence with a "to be" verb in it?
ZACH
Who was that girl?
LETTY
Come on up, Zach.
Zach approaches the board and begins to write, "I am..." He
doesn't get any further before Letty cuts him off.
LETTY
Neater, Zach.
Zach begins again, but Letty stops him when he reaches "am."
LETTY
Zach, you know the line by the "a"
has to come straight down or it
looks like an "o."
Zach looks back toward his classmates for help.
LETTY
What's wrong, Zach?
Letty picks up a piece of chalk and writes an "a." She
erases it furiously and works at it until the "a" is perfect.
LETTY
Try again, Zach. Like that.
Letty jabs at the board with a piece of chalk. Zach freezes.
He sees Letty's shoes, her arm, her contorted face, and,
above all else, that perfect "a" staring right back down at
him.
Letty grips Zach's arm, guiding the chalk to form what looks
like a pretty good "a."
LETTY
I don't believe it. You still
can't do it.
ZACH
I'm sorry, OK, Miss Mayer?
LETTY
No, it's not OK. You'll never get
to college on OK.
Letty's fingers press into Zach's arm. A tear slides
ominously down his cheek.
LETTY
It has to be good, Zach. Do you
understand me?
Zach wrests free of Letty. He's in full cry now. He backs
away, stumbles, then makes a run for his seat. Bobby
SNICKERS at Zach's misfortune. Other children glance around,
unsure, confused.
Letty looks vacantly at the children, stares at the board and
looks at the children again.
She sits down at her desk and buries her face in her hands.
Letty's fists, clenched at first, slowly relax. She takes a
deep breath and raises her head.
LETTY
I'm very, very sorry, Zach.
Zach continues to cry. Letty looks down at her desk. She
grabs a piece of construction paper and a jar of paste.
LETTY
You know what, guys? Wednesday's
not a grammar day. It's a collage
day. It's a collage ON THE WALL
day.
Letty jumps up. She slaps the paper on the wall with some
paste. She motions for the students to join her.
The children slowly approach her. Zach lags behind.
LETTY
And, Zach? Zach, I want you to be
in charge of paste.
INT. BEDROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - DAY
Letty lies in bed. The alarm clock BLASTS opera. Letty
fumbles for the switch. She can't turn it off. She yanks
out the cord.
Letty gets out of bed, walks to the dresser and turns off the
second clock before it rings. She goes to the KITCHEN and
snaps off the alarm, then heads down the HALLWAY and shuts
that alarm off, as well.
Letty hurries back to her BEDROOM and crawls into bed. Paul,
toweling his hair dry, walks in.
PAUL
What are you doing? You're going
to be late.
LETTY
I'm calling in sick.
Paul sits on the bed and puts his hand to Letty's forehead.
PAUL
You don't have a fever.
LETTY
I don't feel like going to work
today.
PAUL
Won't it be hard for them to get a
substitute this late?
LETTY
It'll be OK.
PAUL
But what about that math project?
LETTY
Paul, I just can't go. Is that OK
with you or am I committing some
horrible crime?
PAUL
Forget I asked.
LETTY
I'm sorry.
(beat)
I'm just...I'm so tired lately.
PAUL
Maybe you ought to see a doctor.
LETTY
No, it's not like that.
Letty starts to cry.
LETTY
It's just I've got those parent
conferences, and I'm supposed to
set up the math program by next
week.
And shopping for Ruth's dress and
that, that engagement dinner.
PAUL
You can get out of the dinner.
LETTY
No, I can't. I've already
convinced both Mom and Dad to come.
PAUL
Come on, Letty. It'll get done.
Paul touches Letty's shoulder. She pulls away from him.
LETTY
I don't think so.
PAUL
Of course it will. Remember the
big talent show you planned last
year? And what about the Christmas
benefit when Santa canceled at the
last minute? But you still pulled
it off.
LETTY
Yeah.
PAUL
You just need to get more
organized. L
LETTY
Maybe.
PAUL
Let's make a list of the things you
need to do, OK?
Letty nods her head, and Paul grabs a legal pad from his
briefcase.
INT. CLASSROOM - CHASEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - NIGHT
MR. and MRS. ANDERSON, over-eager parents, sit across the
desk from Letty, who stares at the legal pad in her lap. As
the Andersons talk, Letty twists a lock of hair tighter and
tighter.
MRS. ANDERSON
So at home, we've started our own
little library for Chandra.
MR. ANDERSON
We thought it would be a good
project for her to set up her own
card-catalogue.
LETTY
I see.
Letty tries unsuccessfully to extricate her hand from her
hair.
MRS. ANDERSON
But what I'm wondering is whether
we should also be spending more
time on her computer skills at
home. What do you think?
LETTY
Well...
MR. ANDERSON
Because we don't want her to get
behind her classmates.
MRS. ANDERSON
And we trust your opinion.
Chandra's always talking about Miss
Mayer.
LETTY
Oh.
MR. ANDERSON
Just the other day she came home
and told us about you taking care
of her bloody nose.
MRS. ANDERSON
And she went on and on about the
collage. That seems very
inventive, Miss Mayer.
Letty stares blankly at the couple.
MR. ANDERSON
Miss Mayer?
LETTY
What the fuck. It's my job.
Off Mr. Anderson's raised eyebrow, we
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The room is a mess of scattered papers and the math Twister
game. Letty sits on the ground crying. She makes a pyramid
out of the wadded-up tissues that surround her.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - DAY
The upscale shop is festooned with pastels and lace and lots
of signs announcing "Sale Day." Frenzied women pick through
dresses as "Pachelbel's Canon" plays in the background.
Letty is wedged into a corner, sipping coffee. A CLERK
approaches her with a coffee pot and tray of pastries.
CLERK
More coffee?
LETTY
Hit me.
CLERK
Danish?
LETTY
(rooting through the tray)
No more bear claws left?
Ruth bounces into the shop.
CLERK
(to Ruth)
Danish?
RUTH
Oh, no thanks, I'm too excited to
eat.
The clerk gives Ruth an approving smile as Letty rips into a
sweet roll. Ruth looks through a nearby rack of gowns.
RUTH
(to Letty)
Where's Mommy?
LETTY
Do you have to call her Mommy?
RUTH
Where's the old bag I sometimes
call Mommy?
LETTY
She said she'd be here at 10.
Ruth pulls a dress from the rack and holds it up.
RUTH
What do you think of this one?
LETTY
I'd have to see it on.
Ruth looks closer at Letty.
RUTH
Have you been crying? Your eyes
are all puffy.
Letty self-consciously touches her eyes.
LETTY
Things have been kind of stressful
lately.
RUTH
But everything's OK?
Ruth is trying on a veil at this point.
LETTY
Yeah, everything's under control.
RUTH
What about the engagement party?
LETTY
Everything's ready for tomorrow
night--except the artillery.
RUTH
Thanks so much for planning it,
Letty. Jake's really looking
forward to it.
Letty sighs, moves to the racks and pulls out a dress.
LETTY
You better start trying on before
the vultures get all the good ones.
INT. DRESSING ROOM - LATER
Ruth twirls around in a taffeta gown as Letty picks up
discarded dresses from the floor and hangs them up.
RUTH
What about this one?
LETTY
(with sisterly pride)
You look beautiful.
RUTH
Really?
LETTY
Truly.
Martha Mayer is led in by the clerk.
LETTY
Hi, Mom.
RUTH
Look, Mom, I think I've found the
dress.
MRS. MAYER
You look just wonderful, Ruthie.
But I really think you should try
on a few more, don't you?
Letty and Ruth shoot each other a look of doom.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - LATER
A bedraggled Letty and her mother fight the crowds to look at
dresses. They are bumped and jostled from all sides.
MRS. MAYER
Has Paul heard about his promotion?
LETTY
No, not yet. But you know Paul.
He's sure to get it.
Ruth comes out of the dressing room in another gown.
MRS. MAYER
I don't like the bias cut on that
one.
Mrs. Mayer holds up an ornate dress.
RUTH
No more. I can't stand to try on
one more dress.
MRS. MAYER
Letty, I think this would be
beautiful on you.
LETTY
Oh no.
MRS. MAYER
Paul could pop the question at any
time.
LETTY
Mom, please.
MRS. MAYER
Especially with a promotion in the
offing.
RUTH
Go on, Letty. I want to see it on
you.
LETTY
(to Ruth)
Do you think I should?
RUTH
Yes, yes. It'll be fun.
Letty takes the gown and disappears into the dressing room.
INT. BRIDAL SHOP - LATER
Letty emerges from the dressing room.
LETTY
Mom? Mom? Ruth?
Letty peers around the corner, becoming a tad frantic. But
neither her mother nor Ruth is to be found. It's just Letty,
resplendent in ecru satin.
CLERK
I think they went over to the next
shop to take a peek at shoes.
Letty pushes back her veil, sits down on the floor and takes
a sip of her now-cold coffee.
INT. LETTY'S LIVING/DINING ROOM - EVENING
A "House and Garden" picture of elegance. Letty, Paul, Ruth
and Jake stand at nervous attention, decked out in their
Sunday best.
A KNOCK marks the first arrival. Letty opens the door to her
mother, who does a quick reconnaissance of the room.
MRS. MAYER
I gather he's late as usual.
LETTY
(to her mother)
Can I get you a glass of champagne?
The doorbell RINGS. Letty greets her father, a mid 50s
business type, and his wife MONICA, a younger version of
Letty's mother.
LETTY
Hi, Dad, Monica. I'm so glad you
could come.
Suddenly, the parents are face-to-face, Letty standing
between them.
LETTY
Mom, this is Monica. Monica, my
mother, Martha.
The two Mrs. Mayers make appropriate MURMURS. Letty's
parents stare each other down. Ruth shifts from foot to foot.
Silence falls in the room with a thump.
LETTY
Dad, Mother, you've met before,
right?
Ruth takes a dramatic gulp of air. The evening hangs in the
balance. Finally,
MR. MAYER
How've you been, Martha?
INT. LIVING ROOM - LETTY'S APARTMENT - LATER
Mr. Mayer and Monica cozy up to each other on the love seat
while Mrs. Mayer, Ruth and Paul sit on the opposite couch.
Letty passes hors d'oeuvres, and Jake doles out napkins.
LETTY
It's mushroom-time, folks.
MR. MAYER
(biting into one)
I like the touch of cilantro. It is
cilantro, isn't it?
LETTY
You can always call it, Dad.
MONICA
You must get your cooking skills
from your father, Letty.
Uncomfortable silence falls on the party. Monica wipes the
edge of Mr. Mayer's mouth with her napkin.
LETTY
Ruth's narrowed the dress hunt down
to two, Dad.
MR. MAYER
Tell me about them.
RUTH
One's a silk...
MRS. MAYER
Not in front of Jake, Ruthie. It's
bad luck.
Ruth looks at Letty nervously.
MONICA
I remember how hard it was looking
for my dress. I must have been to
100 stores.
Mrs. Mayer clears her throat. More silence.
LETTY
You know what I think we need?
Martinis. How about martinis to
celebrate?
PAUL
Yes.
MRS. MAYER
That might be nice.
MR. MAYER
As long as you have...
LETTY
Puglia olives. Would I forget?
(beat)
A round of martinis coming right
up.
Letty leaves with Paul hot on her heels.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty shakes the martinis while Paul gets out the glasses.
Ruth enters the kitchen and sidles up to Letty.
RUTH
How can I help?
LETTY
Paul, can you hand me the olives?
Ruth, I need you to, what was it?
RUTH
What about the souffle? Has that
gone in?
LETTY
Yeah, I just put it in. But the
squab, I think that needs to be
basted.
Paul hands Letty the olive bottle.
PAUL
(to Ruth)
Kind of icy in there.
RUTH
(to Paul)
Thank God we have alcohol.
Letty skewers olives and puts them in the martinis. Bits of
fleck rise from the olives, then swim to the tops of the
glasses.
LETTY
Fuck me.
RUTH
What's the matter?
Letty grabs the olive bottle.
PAUL
Letty?
Letty stands still, fixated on the olive bottle.
PAUL
Let? L
LETTY
Olives Aux Herbes De Provence. I
got the wrong kind of olives.
Ruth holds up a glass.
RUTH
What's all the dreck?
LETTY
Sage, rosemary...
(in a sarcastic French
accent)
Les Herbes.
RUTH
It'll be fine.
LETTY
No, no. They've got to be Puglia
olives, packed in a light brine
with a flavor that doesn't
overpower the palate.
Jake enters. The three turn on him.
LETTY/PAUL/RUTH
You can't leave them alone./Get
back in there./Are you nuts?
Jake whirls around and exits.
Letty looks for olives, banging open the cupboards one after
the other. Quicker and quicker. More and more frantic.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME
Jake, Mr. Mayer, Monica and Mrs. Mayer stare at each other,
listening with alarm to the wild slamming of cupboards in the
kitchen.
JAKE
What do you think of those Lakers?
INT. KITCHEN - SAME
Letty paws through her purse.
PAUL
What are you doing?
LETTY
(wild-eyed)
Can you loan me a 20?
PAUL
Sure. Why?
LETTY
I'm going to the store.
PAUL
I think you're overreacting.
Letty turns her best school marm look on Paul. He hands over
a crisp bill.
RUTH
Letty, dinner's almost ready. The
souffle...
LETTY
I'll be back before you can say
souffle.
Letty leaves from the kitchen's back door. Ruth heads to the
living room. Paul leans wearily against the counter,
savoring one of the herb-filled martinis.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
Fluorescent lights beat down on Letty. She races through the
aisles. She clutches her keys in one hand, a $20 bill in the
other. Letty careens around a corner. At the last second,
she avoids smacking into another shopper. She stops.
LETTY'S POV:
Shelf after shelf of olives...black olives...all black.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty darts up and down the aisle, searching, searching.
Nothing.
Letty scurries to the front of the store. She taps a STORE
CLERK on the shoulder. Six people waiting in line mutter,
annoyed.
LETTY
I can't find martini olives. All
you have are black.
STORE CLERK
(without looking up)
Aisle 2A.
Letty whips down an aisle. She starts to sweat.
An OLD LADY blocks her path.
OLD LADY
Excuse me, Miss. I can't reach the
cat food.
Letty pauses. She reaches up and hands the woman a can of
food.
OLD LADY
And a turkey and giblets, too,
please. She does like her turkey.
Letty grabs another can, throws it in the Old Lady's cart and
darts away while the Old Lady continues to talk.
LETTY'S POV:
The sign for Aisle 2A. Olives. Lots of them. Green. All
shapes. All sizes.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty's shoulders relax. She scans the shelf.
LETTY's POV:
Labels of olives: big, small, with pimentos, without. None
from Puglia, Italy.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty zooms back to the front of the store. To the clerk.
LETTY
They're not there. I need the ones
from Puglia.
She gets no response from the clerk, who counts change for a
customer. Letty gestures wildly with her hands.
LETTY
They're the ones that are packed in
brine, but they don't overpower
the, you know, the palate.
STORE CLERK
(without looking up)
Specialty foods. 7B.
Letty's off again. To the land of pink peppercorns,
dehydrated mushrooms and Chinese 5-Spice. But no olives.
Not a single bottle.
Letty paws through the shelves, knocking things over as she
scours the aisle. She is oblivious to the mess that
surrounds her.
An EMPLOYEE with a price checker walks half-way down the
aisle. He spots Letty and rushes away.
LETTY
Where are they? Where are they?
More and more items crash to the ground. Letty is beyond
frenzied.
EMPLOYEE (OS FILTERED)
Manager to 7B. Manager please.
LETTY
Where are they?
Letty pounds her fist against the shelf. More goods fall.
Shoppers stare. The Manager rushes toward Letty.
MANAGER
What's wrong, Miss?
LETTY
Tell me where they are.
She gestures. She knocks over a bottle of fat-free
Lingonberry preserves. It crashes to the floor, spewing jam.
MANAGER
I think you should go now.
LETTY
I need my olives.
MANAGER
It's time to leave.
The Manager places his hand on the small of Letty's back as
if to guide her out of the store. Letty backs away. The
manager grabs hold of her wrist.
Letty whacks him in the shoulder with her free hand. She
pushes him away. Hard. He staggers against the opposite
shelf.
Customers and employees gather at both ends of the aisle,
riveted by the spectacle.
MANAGER
Call security. Where's security,
please?
Letty takes her arm and slides a shelf-full of products onto
the floor. They crash and break. She screams.
LETTY
Fucking olives. Fucking, fucking
olives.
Two SECURITY GUARDS turn the corner. Letty spots them. One
creeps closer.
LETTY
No, no, no. Go away.
Guard One continues to approach, cooing encouragingly. Letty
throws a jar at him. It clips him in the head. He turns
away, bleeding. Guard Two pulls out a billy club.
MANAGER
(yelling)
Call police. Now.
Letty stops. Dazed. She turns around. Guard Two walks toward
her. His stance suggests he's stalking a wild animal.
Letty tries to brush off the jam that dribbles down her
skirt. She looks to both ends of the aisle.
LETTY'S POV:
Faces, dozens and dozens of faces, stare down at her. People
point. One boy LAUGHS.
BACK TO SCENE:
Letty backs against the shelf. She slides down it until she
is sitting on the floor. She buries her head in her knees,
sobbing.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
The room is furnished like a Hyatt Hotel minus anything you
might use to kill yourself. Letty sleeps.
MICHAEL, mid 30's, in jeans and T-shirt, sits in a chair next
to the bed. He looks intently at Letty, checks his watch and
taps her on the shoulder. She stirs.
MICHAEL
Miss Mayer? Miss Mayer?
LETTY'S POV:
Everything's a morning blur. Gradually, items come into
focus -- the intercom for the nurse, the door with a window
in it, the three tissue boxes on the bedside table. It's a
hospital, all right. Letty's vision is filled suddenly by
Michael's concerned face peering into hers.
BACK TO SCENE:
MICHAEL
I know you've had a rough night,
but I have a few questions for you,
Miss Mayer, or Letitia.
Letty pulls herself up to a sitting position.
MICHAEL
Do you mind if I call you Letitia?
LETTY
Letty.
MICHAEL
(consulting his notes)
First off, Letty, can you tell me
where you are?
LETTY
I answered these questions last
night.
MICHAEL
I know this can be a real drag, but
the attending physician on day
shift is required to do his own
prelim exam when a patient is
admitted during the night.
LETTY
Hillview Psychiatric Hospital.
MICHAEL
Great. Now, Letty, I'd like you to
remember three items. I'm going to
ask you to repeat them in just a
few minutes. They are chair, cup
and ball. Did you get that?
Letty nods.
MICHAEL
OK, let's subtract 6 from a
succession of numbers starting with
LETTY
MICHAEL
And 85 minus 6?
LETTY
Michael waits.
LETTY
No, 79. Sorry, this makes me
nervous.
MICHAEL
It's OK. It's not a pass-fail kind
of thing.
Letty smiles uncomfortably.
MICHAEL
Now the three things I asked you to
remember.
LETTY
Chair, cup and ball.
MICHAEL
Terrific.
Letty smiles, a real smile this time.
MICHAEL
Let me shift gears here a minute...
(beat)
Do you ever hear voices that other
people don't hear or see things
they don't?
LETTY
No.
MICHAEL
What about patterns? Do you find
yourself checking and re-checking
locks? Or washing your hands over
and over again?
Letty shakes her head "no."
MICHAEL
How about arranging your
possessions in a certain way?
Letty pauses.
MICHAEL
Yes? Go right ahead.
LETTY
Sometimes my food, and my clothes,
and my underwear.
Michael leans closer.
MICHAEL
How do you sort it--by lace and
cotton?
LETTY
By color.
MICHAEL
What if it's got a pattern?
LETTY
Is this really important? Because
I don't think it's a problem.
MICHAEL
I see.
(looking at his notes)
How long has it been since you've
done something you've enjoyed,
Letty?
LETTY
(beat)
A while, I guess.
MICHAEL
That must be really difficult.
Letty tears up. Michael puts his hand lightly on her arm.
MICHAEL
Hey, it'll be OK. We'll make sure
of that.
Letty gives him an appreciative look.
MICHAEL
For now, why don't you just take it
easy while I confer with my
colleagues. A nurse should be in
shortly.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - LATER
Letty, dressed and made up, sits rigidly on the bed. She
writes in her organizer. DR. ROBERT EMLEE, early 40s and in
jeans, enters with his own organizer.
DR. EMLEE
Hello, Letitia. I'm Dr. Emlee, and
I have some questions to ask you...
LETTY
I did this already.
DR. EMLEE
It's hospital policy...
LETTY
To be interviewed every hour?
DR. EMLEE
I'm the only doctor making rounds
this morning.
LETTY
Well, I don't have hallucinations.
Honest.
DR. EMLEE
This doctor, was he tall, with dark
hair?
LETTY
Yeah, and a dimple.
Dr. Emlee shifts uncomfortably.
DR. EMLEE
I'm afraid Lhe's not a doctor.
LETTY
Psychologist, therapist, whatever.
DR. EMLEE
Patient.
LETTY
What?
DR. EMLEE
Michael, the man who came to see
you, is a patient.
LETTY
What kind of place is this?
DR. EMLEE
I apologize for the inconvenience,
but I must ask you some...
LETTY
I want to see my mother
immediately.
DR. EMLEE
We discourage family visits for the
first 48 hours after an emotional
trauma like the kind you've
experienced.
LETTY
I don't think you understand. I
won't wait.
DR. EMLEE
You'll have to. Your family agreed
to the conditions not to see you
when they admitted you to Hillview,
Letitia.
(beat)
We can talk about how that makes
you feel, but we can't change the
rules.
Letty sinks back on her pillows, the wind knocked out of her.
DR. EMLEE
Dr. Stone's evaluation from last
night indicates you're experiencing
a great deal of anxiety, probably
related to depression...
LETTY'S POV:
Dr. Emlee continues to talk. His words become more and more
distant as the RINGING in Letty's head grows louder.
DR. EMLEE
We need to talk about starting you
on drug therapy. Most depressive
personalities benefit from a drug
like Prozac or maybe Zoloft...
CUT TO:
INT. REC ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
It's a bigger version of a waiting room you'd find in a
doctor's office. And it has more games.
Some patients watch television. Others play pool. Several
form a group around Michael, who holds the same notebook he
used in his session with Letty. JOHN, unkempt in a bathrobe,
hands him a few ratty dollar bills.
JOHN
I'm in for 5 for manic depressive.
THOMAS, late 40s and in a suit, waves a $5 bill at Michael.
THOMAS
I'll go with that as well.
Michael takes the money, and turns to MARIE, late 30s.
MARIE
(to John and Thomas)
You two always bet manic
depressive.
(to Michael)
Tell me more about the guard she
strangled.
MICHAEL
No, just hit in the head.
JOHN
What about voices? Does she hear
voices?
MICHAEL
Not that she admits to.
MARIE
Is she a washer?
MICHAEL
No, but she is exceptionally
organized.
THOMAS
How organized?
MICHAEL
She arranges her underwear by
color.
Michael motions to MRS. HALLSTROM, mid 50s, who shuffles by.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, you want in?
MRS. HALLSTROM
All tapped out.
MICHAEL
I'll float you.
Mrs. Hallstrom keeps walking.
MARIE
(to Michael)
It's been weeks since she played.
MICHAEL
What about you, Marie?
MARIE
(handing Michael a $20
bill)
I'll say major depression
complicated by obsessive compulsive
disorder.
(beat)
And could I get my change in ones?
INT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty lags behind NURSE GATES, early 30s and in civilian
clothes, as they walk down the hall.
NURSE GATES
Treatment schedules are posted on
the bulletin board. Dinner at 6,
lights out at 10 and no
fraternizing between patients.
Letty nods.
NURSE GATES
(pointing as she goes)
That's the rec room. We show
movies there on Wednesdays and
Fridays...And this is the dining
hall.
Letty stops in her tracks at the sight of the room, an
upscale version of a college cafeteria. Groups of people eat
and talk. A paper airplane sails from one table to another.
LETTY
I'm really not that hungry.
NURSE GATES
Just eat whatever you want. This
will give you a chance to meet some
people.
LETTY
You know, my mom's coming to get me
tomorrow. I'll be leaving.
NURSE GATES
It's OK, Letty. I'll be right here
with you.
INT. DINING HALL - SAME
Nurse Gates guides Letty to a table where John, Mrs.
Hallstrom, Marie and Thomas sit.
THOMAS
So I said to my publisher this
afternoon, I said, don't you even--
NURSE GATES
(interrupts)
Hi, gang. I want to introduce you
to Letty.
(to Letty)
Letty, this is Mrs. Hallstrom and
Marie, and John and Thomas.
THOMAS
(to Letty)
Just discussing my pesky publisher.
May I ask what you do when you're
not vacationing?
MARIE
(to Thomas)
Let the poor girl get some food,
for Heaven's sake.
LETTY
I'm a teacher.
THOMAS
As you may have gathered, I'm a
writer.
John snorts. Thomas ignores him. Mrs. Hallstrom stares down
at her plate.
THOMAS
I don't like to say novelist. That
sounds a little grandiose, but I am
on my third novel and...
NURSE GATES
Excuse me for interrupting, Thomas,
but we really should get some
food...
Nurse Gates leads Letty to a table, and hands her a plate.
Letty looks up to see Michael at the other end of the table,
doing a card trick for two OTHER PATIENTS.
MICHAEL
(to patients)
Now I'm going to say that the card
you picked was the Ace of Spades.
He flips the top card up and it's the Ace of Spades. The
patients chortle.
NURSE GATES
Michael.
Michael turns toward the nurse.
NURSE GATES
Michael, this is Letty. She just
arrived yesterday.
Letty stares at Michael coldly.
LETTY
We've met.
(to Michael)
I missed you during rounds this
morning.
Letty turns and leaves, carrying her empty plate with her.
NURSE GATES
(to Michael)
This doctor thing has got to stop.
Nurses Gates hurries after Letty.
EXT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty stands outside the waiting room door. She tucks her
blouse into her jeans and enters.
INT. WAITING ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty's mother sits on the edge of a couch in a room that
looks much like the library of an English country manor. She
springs up as soon as she spots Letty. They rush to each
other. Letty's mother strokes her hair.
MRS. MAYER
I'm here, Sweetheart. I'm here.
It's going to be OK.
LETTY
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
MRS. MAYER
Oh, Letty, what happened?
LETTY
Mom, I was there, and I just, I was
so...
They didn't have the olives, and I,
I got so upset. I don't know how it
happened.
MRS. MAYER
I've talked to Doctor Emlee, and he
says...
LETTY
I'm so glad to see you. You can't
believe the people in here.
They've got patients posing as
doctors...
MRS. MAYER
Everyone says it's the best
facility in the area for this sort
of thing.
LETTY
I just want to go home. Can we go
home now?
MRS. MAYER
I think the best thing for you
right now is to stay here and get
well.
LETTY
Maybe I should talk about this with
Ruth, or Paul.
MRS. MAYER
We all agree with the doctor, Dear.
He thinks it's safer for you to
stay here for a while.
Letty listens, waits, can't absorb it.
LETTY
You all really think I need to be
here?
MRS. MAYER
Yes.
LETTY
But what about Beast? Who'll...?
MRS. MAYER
Ruth's already taken him home.
LETTY
And my class. It'll be hard to
find a good substitute. And what
about my math program?
MRS. MAYER
Paul said he'd call the school.
(beat)
And your father thinks he's
convinced the guard not to press
charges as long as you get help.
LETTY
Charges?
MRS. MAYER
For his injuries. I guess you...I
guess he got hit in the head.
Mrs. Mayer holds out a duffel bag to Letty.
MRS. MAYER
I packed up some of your clothes,
and I can bring whatever else you
need.
Letty refuses to accept the duffel bag. Her mother sets it
on the floor and stands. Letty is five again.
LETTY
Mom, no, please don't go. Please.
Letty's mother holds her. Mrs. Mayer, crying, pulls away
from Letty. She kisses her daughter on the cheek.
MRS. MAYER
I'll see you soon.
LETTY
Tomorrow?
MRS. MAYER
As soon as Dr. Emlee says.
Letty's mother walks out the door. Letty stares after her.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Letty, crying, unpacks her duffel bag, laboriously smoothing
and refolding every item she puts in the drawer.
Finishing her task, Letty goes to the mirror and stares at
her reflection. Finally, she fixes her makeup.
Letty leaves her room. We follow her FOOTSTEPS down the
hallway. In the distance, Letty sees the Rec Room. She
hears the CLAMOR of voices. Every step is agony.
Letty stops herself just before entering, trying to collect
herself.
MICHAEL (O.S.)
Four people bet OCD and clinical
depression so I split the pool.
JOHN (O.S.)
Yeah, her diagnosis was no mystery.
MARIE
Especially the OCD.
Sick realization spreads over Letty's face.
JOHN (O.S.)
Fuck, I mean, anyone who color-
codes her panties has big problems.
Letty freezes. Michael rounds the corner. He stops when he
sees her, falters, recovers his composure.
MICHAEL
Hey there. They're showing
"Groundhog Day" if you...
LETTY
You took bets on my diagnosis?
MICHAEL
It's no big deal. We all compare.
LETTY
(voice rising)
Who do you think you are?
INT. REC ROOM - SAME
Patients are grouped in front of the TV, watching Bill
Murray. Heads turn as they hear shouting in the hallway.
Not even a moment's hesitation before, one by one, they get
up and hurry to the hall. Only Mrs. Hallstrom remains.
INT. HALLWAY - SAME
John, Marie and others gather around the fighters.
MICHAEL
Don't take it personally.
LETTY
You have no right, no right to take
the worst thing that's ever
happened to me and make it into
some kind of game.
MICHAEL
Stop acting like you're someone
special. You're just like the rest
of us.
LETTY
I'm not the one who's masquerading
as a doctor. I'm not the one
who's, who's...
JOHN
(to Letty)
He's schizophrenic.
LETTY
I'm not the one who's
schizophrenic. I don't see people
who aren't there or run around
acting crazy.
Letty pounds her fist against the wall.
PATIENTS
Go, Girl!/ Come on, Michael.
MICHAEL
Oh, no, you're perfectly sane.
That's why you're here.
Letty looks like she's been slapped. She thinks for a
moment. The patients wait, breathless, for her retort.
LETTY
Go fuck yourself.
Michael grins at Letty. She turns, and strides down the
hall. There's a smattering of applause. It grows stronger.
We see Letty's eyes fill with tears as, behind her, the
patients yell.
PATIENTS
Bravo./Encore./Re-match.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - NIGHT
Letty, unable to sleep, tosses and turns. She gets out of
bed and paces the room nervously, trying to hold herself
together. She slumps to the floor and starts to cry.
INT. GROUP THERAPY ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Dr. Emlee and seven patients sit in a circle of metal folding
chairs. Michael, who sits next to Emlee, practices rolling a
quarter back and forth across his fingers.
Letty sits across from Michael and Emlee, her legs and arms
crossed tightly. The group concentrates on Mrs. Hallstrom.
MRS. HALLSTROM
I can't stop thinking about the
things I did wrong when my daughter
was little.
DR. EMLEE
And how's that make you feel?
MRS. HALLSTROM
I just feel like sleeping. All the
time.
THOMAS
Hell's bells, you can count me in
on that. I haven't had enough Z's
since I ran those sleep disorder
experiments at Stanford back in the
70s.
MARIE
We really miss doing things with
you, Mrs. Hallstrom.
Michael, sitting next to Mrs. Hallstrom, squeezes her arm.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Maybe when I hit my manic phase
again.
Group members smile.
JOHN
I've noticed Letty doesn't much
like to do things with us.
The group looks expectantly at Letty.
LETTY
Oh, no. Of course I do.
JOHN
Then why are you so defensive?
MICHAEL
(to John)
I don't think we need to sacrifice
Letty to pep up a slow session.
JOHN
(to Michael)
You're the one who told everyone
about her panties.
Michael grimaces at John. Letty's head is bent down.
DR. EMLEE
Maybe you'd like to share some of
your feelings about OCD or
depression with us, Letty.
Letty eyes the doctor. She's dangerously close to tears.
LETTY
Do we have to talk about this?
DR. EMLEE
I think in the spirit of group
therapy, it's beneficial for each
of us to open ourselves up to the
others.
Michael reaches his hand behind Dr. Emlee's head, catching
Letty's eye in the process. Michael pulls a silver dollar out
of Emlee's ear.
Letty looks but doesn't respond. The other patients ignore
Michael. Emlee is oblivious.
DR. EMLEE
You never know, Letty, how the
person sitting next to you may be
able to shed light on one of your
problems...
Michael goes for a bigger trick. Reaching again behind the
doctor's head, he produces a small bouquet of paper flowers.
Letty, almost against her will, smiles.
DR. EMLEE
...by revealing something that's
going on in his or her own life.
Michael waves the flowers back and forth behind the doctor's
head. Letty's smile broadens.
DR. EMLEE
(responding to her smile)
There, now, I knew you'd feel
better once we discussed group
process. Let's talk a little about
your OCD.
INT. LIBRARY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty ponders a shelf of ratty paperbacks. Michael turns the
corner, thumbing through a dog-eared book. Letty spots him
and moves away. Michael sidles up next to her.
MICHAEL
Looking for a romance?
LETTY
Excuse me?
MICHAEL
What are you looking to read?
LETTY
Anything interesting.
Michael holds out his book to her.
MICHAEL
This is good.
Letty glances at the title, "101 MAGIC TRICKS."
LETTY
But you're checking it out.
MICHAEL
I've already checked it out 17
times.
Michael reaches behind Letty. She pulls away. He produces a
scarf from behind her back, and presents it to her. She
doesn't take it.
LETTY
You keep the book. I'm looking for
Emily Dickinson.
Letty walks away. Michael follows.
MICHAEL
Hey, if you take the magic book,
I'll feel like maybe you accept my
apology and don't hate me anymore.
Letty hesitates.
LETTY
I haven't heard an apology.
Michael drops to one knee.
MICHAEL
I'm really sorry I hurt your
feelings. I got a little carried
away. Can you ever forgive me?
Letty takes the book from him and walks away.
INT. REC ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty sits in an arm chair staring out at the garden. Her
attention is drawn to a nearby couch where Michael sits
opposite Mrs. Hallstrom, apparently playing cards.
Michael lays a card down.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, I'm pretty sure you
could use that.
She shakes her head slowly back and forth. Michael places it
in her hand of cards.
MICHAEL
Now, don't you have a gin rummy,
Mrs. Hallstrom?
(beat)
Go ahead, now, just lay those cards
down.
Mrs. Hallstrom slowly spreads her hand of cards on the couch.
MICHAEL
Hot damn. Gin rummy. I told you
so. You're three games up on me.
Mrs. Hallstrom smiles. Michael catches Letty watching them,
and Letty quickly looks away.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Letty opens her drawer to pull out a T-shirt. Several are
rumpled. She starts refolding them when she spots it.
There, nestled among her clothes, is a book of Emily
Dickinson's poetry. Letty picks it up, runs her hand over
the cover and starts reading.
EXT. COURTYARD - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Paul and Letty walk onto a postcard-perfect stone terrace
overlooking the garden. Paul pulls up a chair for Letty and
stares out at the scenery.
PAUL
It's prettier here than I thought
it would be.
LETTY
Yeah, I guess it's all right.
PAUL
Are you all right?
LETTY
That's a big question.
PAUL
I hope it wasn't something I did.
LETTY
Something you did?
PAUL
That put you in here.
LETTY
Of course not, no.
(beat)
Is that why you're here?
PAUL
I think we need to talk about some
things.
LETTY
Yes, I suppose so.
PAUL
This has been really difficult,
this whole thing.
(MORE)
PAUL(cont'd)
These past few weeks, it's made me
really go back and examine our
whole relationship.
(beat)
I mean, we've been going out for
four years, and it hasn't always
been so easy.
LETTY
No.
PAUL
Especially this last year.
LETTY
(softly)
Especially now.
PAUL
So, I've been thinking a lot...
LETTY
I have too, Paul.
PAUL
I talked to Ruth a little bit, and
I think it's about time...
LETTY
I know. We can't just keep going
through the motions.
PAUL
Exactly. It's time to make
decisions.
LETTY
You don't have to say anything
else. I've known for a while that
this was coming.
PAUL
I just wish we'd done it sooner.
Paul takes Letty's hand in his.
PAUL
Will you marry me?
Paul pulls a diamond ring from his pocket and puts it on
Letty's finger. She stares at it, mesmerized.
PAUL
I had to smuggle it in here. I
guess you're not really supposed to
have jewelry.
LETTY
(by rote)
Or be up past ten or fraternize
with other patients.
PAUL
I hope you like it. It's a Marquis
cut, 1.5 carats. They had one with
emeralds around it, but this was
simpler, more classic in its lines.
(beat)
Letty?
LETTY
It's, it's really nice, Paul.
PAUL
You can take it back and we can
have one custom made if you want.
LETTY
No, you've done a perfect job.
PAUL
So, what do you say, Let?
Letty looks him in the eyes for the first time.
LETTY
Do you think, really, that it's OK
to get engaged when I'm in here?
PAUL
Sure. We'll save the formal
announcement for when you're out. I
already told your mother. I hope
you don't mind.
LETTY
No, no.
PAUL
So will you?
LETTY
(working up a smile)
Of course. Yes. I will. I do.
Paul and Letty kiss, then hug.
EXT. COURTYARD - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - LATER
It's completely dark. Letty sits in the same position we saw
her in hours ago. Michael walks up to her.
MICHAEL
You missed out on some great
broccoli florets at dinner.
LETTY
I wasn't hungry.
MICHAEL
John even managed to lob a load of
mashed potatoes into Mrs.
Hallstrom's milk.
LETTY
(smiling)
Finally. I was getting tired of
watching him try every night.
MICHAEL
Was it bad news--the visit from
Peter?
LETTY
Paul.
MICHAEL
He looked pretty serious.
LETTY
He asked me to marry him.
MICHAEL
Very romantic setting.
LETTY
It was romantic. He's very
romantic.
MICHAEL
So are you engaged, or what?
Letty holds out her hand, where the diamond glistens. Michael
bends forward to look at the ring, caressing her hand as he
does so.
Letty pulls away. The ring is gone.
LETTY
What have you done with the ring?
MICHAEL
It's magic.
Letty stands up.
LETTY
This isn't funny. Paul would kill
me.
Michael holds his hands in fists toward Letty.
MICHAEL
Guess which hand.
LETTY
Enough with the abracadabra.
MICHAEL
Guess.
LETTY
The left one.
Michael opens his hand. It's empty. Michael addresses an
imaginary audience.
MICHAEL
(to audience)
The fair maiden guesses
incorrectly. Should we give her
one more try?
(to Letty)
The audience says one more try.
What guess you now?
LETTY
The right one.
Michael opens his right hand. A plastic, Cracker-jack ring
rests in it.
LETTY
Come on, Michael.
Michael grabs Letty's hand and slides the ring onto her
finger.
MICHAEL
With this ring, I thee...
Letty pulls her hand away.
LETTY
Really, this isn't funny.
MICHAEL
OK, OK, I'll give it back.
Letty holds out her hand.
MICHAEL
For a price.
LETTY
Good God.
MICHAEL
A small price.
LETTY
I won't do your portion of kitchen
cleanup.
MICHAEL
No.
LETTY
And I'm not covering for you when
you sneak out to call Dominos.
MICHAEL
I want a kiss.
Letty stares at him. She laughs.
LETTY
Get serious.
Michael moves close to her.
MICHAEL
I'm serious.
Letty looks into his eyes.
LETTY
(softly)
Everything's a joke with you.
Michael and Letty kiss, long and deep. Letty pulls back.
She gazes at Michael. She steps closer to him.
They kiss again, longer and deeper.
They separate. Letty looks ready for another kiss. Michael
caresses her cheek.
He walks back toward the hospital door. He stops, comes back
to Letty. He hands her the diamond ring.
MICHAEL
Here.
He walks inside. Letty watches him go.
INT. DR. EMLEE'S OFFICE - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Dr. Emlee and Letty sit across from each other.
LETTY
The medicine's still bothering me.
It feels like I have cotton wrapped
around my brain.
DR. EMLEE
We'll see about adjusting the
dosage if that doesn't clear in the
next (week.
(beat)
How are other things going?
LETTY
I think I've told you all the news.
Let's see--the engagement. Oh, and
my sister's coming to visit me, and
they say my cat misses me.
DR. EMLEE
The question, Letty, is how are you
feeling?
LETTY
I miss Beast a lot, too.
INT. MICHAEL'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Darkness. Michael sleeps. A Christmas Carol BLASTS through
the intercom system.
INTERCOM
Hark the Herald Angels sing...
Michael bolts awake. He stumbles out of bed, in wildly
striped boxers, and races toward the hall.
INT. HALLWAY - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Doors open like kernels of popcorn exploding. Michael,
Marie, Thomas, John, then Letty.
The music BLARES on. Nurse Gates runs down the hall and
shouts to Michael.
NURSE GATES
What are you doing?
MICHAEL
(yelling)
Not me.
The music lowers. Mrs. Hallstrom, in a Santa cap, appears.
She distributes erasers as she threads through the patients.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Sorry, sorry. Candy canes are out
of season.
NURSE GATES
Mrs. Hallstrom?
Mrs. Hallstrom gives an eraser to the nurse.
NURSE GATES
Come on. Come with me, Mrs.
Hallstrom.
Nurse Gates leads Mrs. Hallstrom away as the older woman
continues tossing erasers down the hall.
Marie stares at Michael's shorts.
MARIE
Hot boxers.
Michael smiles awkwardly at Letty. She returns to her room.
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty climbs into bed. She opens the bedside drawer, and
pulls out a Tiffany's ring box. There, cradled in the satin
lining, is the diamond from Paul. Right beside it is
Michael's Cracker Jack special.
Letty puts on Paul's ring. She studies her hand. With an air
of secrecy, she slips on Michael's ring. She quickly takes
it off. Wearing Paul's ring, she turns off the light and
snuggles into bed.
EXT. GARDEN, HILLV IEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Afternoon light casts long shadows in the garden of pruned
hedges and tea roses. Letty and Ruth power-walk down a
cobblestone path, heading away from the English Tudor
hospital that looms large in the background.
Letty wears a sweatshirt emblazoned with the logo for the
University of South Carolina Cocks.
LETTY
I can't believe you finally gave me
the shirt.
RUTH
Loaned you. And it's only 'til you
get out of here.
LETTY
That settles it. I'm never leaving.
RUTH
I can hardly wait 'til you're free.
Planning the wedding without you
has been a disaster.
LETTY
You're slowing.
RUTH
(picking up the pace)
Mom and I fought for 20 minutes
over whether we should go with ecru
invitations or brilliant white.
Letty checks her stop watch.
RUTH
What do you think?
LETTY
Ecru.
RUTH
And then the gold scroll or the
black Romanesque print?
Letty completely stops and faces Ruth.
LETTY
Do we have to talk wedding details?
RUTH
Oh, no, of course not.
LETTY
I mean, you can always send me
fabric samples to look at or
pictures of dresses. But, it's
been so long since we've seen each
other.
RUTH
Of course. You're right. Besides,
we should be talking about your
engagement.
They start walking again.
LETTY
Tell me more about Beast beating up
that other cat.
RUTH
Bloody furry mess, like I said.
(beat)
Aren't you so excited about Paul?
(beat)
Letty?
Ruth stops this time.
RUTH
What's going on with you, Letty?
LETTY
Ruthie, do you ever wonder if
you'll meet someone else...someone
besides Jake?
Power walking's forgotten. Ruth and Letty start to amble.
RUTH
What's his name, Letty?
LETTY
I didn't say...
RUTH
Don't even try. What's his name?
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Nurse Gates passes by the open door, and pokes her head in.
NURSE GATES
Lights out, Letty.
Letty closes the door. She pulls a nightshirt from a drawer,
disrupting a perfectly-folded T-shirt. Letty bends down to
straighten it, but changes her mind. She shuts the drawer.
Letty puts on the nightshirt, crawls into bed and snaps off
the light. She fluffs her pillow, and turns over. She rolls
back.
Letty turns on the light. She goes to the drawer, opens it,
pulls out the T-shirt and refolds it. She shuts the drawer.
Letty yanks open the drawer again and looks at her handiwork.
It's a fight with the drawer. Opened and closed. Until Letty
takes a deep breath, pulls it open a final time, hesitantly
ruffles the T-shirt and slams the drawer shut.
She runs to bed and hops in, turning off the light and
burying her head under the pillow.
A few moments pass.
A KNOCK on the door. Letty opens it to find Michael.
LETTY
We're supposed to be asleep.
MICHAEL
Exactly.
Michael takes Letty's hand and pulls her toward the door.
LETTY
We'll get caught.
MICHAEL
No rounds for another three hours.
Michael checks the hallway and pulls Letty into it.
MICHAEL
Nervous? Scared? Worried you're
not fit for a caper of epic
proportions?
LETTY
Don't be ridiculous.
MICHAEL
Rendezvous at the closet in 30.
Letty forges ahead to the nurses' station, while Michael
turns a corner in the hall, peeking out so he can watch Letty
approach Nurse Gates.
NURSES' STATION - SAME
NURSE GATES
Letty, you should be in bed.
LETTY
There's a spider in my room.
NURSE GATES
Yeah?
LETTY
It's got a green dot on its back.
I can't go to sleep with it
watching me.
NURSE GATES
Sounds awful. I guess we better
check it out.
Letty and Nurse Gates walk down the hall to Letty's room,
passing the alcove where Michael lurks in the shadows. He
sneaks into the main hall and pads up to the nurses' station.
NURSES' STATION - SAME
Michael wanders around the desk, crouches on the floor so he
can't be seen from the hallway and pulls the phone down to
his level. He dials.
MICHAEL
Extra large pepperoni and
mushrooms.
(beat)
And two cokes.
(beat)
Hillview Psychiatric Hospital on
Glenfield. Off the Fourth Street
exit.
Michael reaches up to a hook and grabs a white lab coat. He
puts on the coat, which identifies him as "Val Williams."
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Nurse Gates, sprawled on their stomachs, peer under
the bed.
LETTY
It had this red spot on its back.
NURSE GATES
Green spot.
LETTY
Mottled really. Green and red.
Nurse Gates looks Letty squarely in the eye.
NURSE GATES
I don't know why you feel you have
to lie, Letty.
LETTY
Lie?
NURSE GATES
If you feel lonely, or need to
talk, all you have to do is say so.
LETTY
To talk?
(beat)
Well, OK, that might be good.
NURSE GATES
I understand you just got engaged.
Maybe that's where we should start.
Off Letty's look of dismay, we
CUT TO:
EXT. GUARD STATION - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - SAME
Michael pays the DOMINO'S PIZZA MAN and tries to walk past
the guard, JIM, who blocks his path.
JIM
I'm afraid I can't let you take
that in without the proper invoice.
MICHAEL
It's a pizza.
JIM
All the same, rules are rules.
MICHAEL
You don't understand. This is a
very important, very special,
morale-boosting pizza.
JIM
What I understand is how low morale
gets when you're posted at a guard
station all night, Val.
Reluctantly, Michael opens the pizza box, and Jim helps
himself to two slices. Michael starts to shut the box. Jim
reaches in for a third slice.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Nurse Gates sit cross-legged on the bed, facing
each other. Letty's face is puffy from crying.
LETTY
I don't mean to go on and on like
this.
NURSE GATES
It's OK. It's good to let it out.
Michael passes the open door with the pizza box and points
down the hall. Letty stares right through him.
NURSE GATES
Did you ever tell Paul how you
felt?
LETTY
He was graduating from law school,
and he just assumed I was OK with
dropping out.
(beat)
We never really talked about it.
But I know he was disappointed in
me.
CUT TO:
INT. LINEN CLOSET - LATER
The roomy closet houses an inconceivable number of white
sheets and towels, arranged on wide, tall shelves.
The pizza, cokes and a candle sit in the middle of the floor,
which Michael has draped with a sheet. Michael stares at the
dwindling candle.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
LETTY
I mean I'm just not sure I want the
same things now that I did even a
month ago.
Nurse Gates nods sympathetically.
LETTY
Is that so wrong?
Michael passes the open door again, waving his hands wildly
to attract Letty's attention. She doesn't notice him.
NURSE GATES
You can only do what feels best to
you now.
LETTY
I guess so. I think that's right.
CUT TO:
INT. LINEN CLOSET - SAME
Michael blows out the candle.
CUT TO:
INT. LETTY'S ROOM - SAME
Letty blows her nose as she walks Nurse Gates to the door.
LETTY
You've been so great. I just feel
a lot clearer about things.
NURSE GATES
I'm glad.
LETTY
And if I need to talk again...
NURSE GATES
Yes, of course. Whenever you want.
Letty gives Nurse Gates a hug.
INT. LINEN CLOSET - SAME
TAPS on the door. Michael looks up. He jumps to his feet
and lets Letty in, gesturing for her to sit. They lean
against a stack of pillows.
LETTY
Sorry I'm late...
Michael puts his finger to Letty's lips.
MICHAEL
Shhh.
A SERIES OF SHOTS THAT FADE INTO EACH OTHER:
A.) The two munch on pizza. Michael picks off black olives
and hands them to Letty, who plops them on top of her pizza.
B.) Michael hands Letty a cigarette. She gestures no. He
lights one for himself and begins blowing smoke rings.
C.) Michael offers Letty pizza. She clutches her stomach to
show that she's full.
D.) Letty indicates she wants a cigarette. Michael
demonstrates how to smoke, affecting the style of a 1930s
movie star. Letty follows suit.
E.) Letty grabs a pillow and hits Michael over the head. He
pulls the pillow away from her. Letty stands up, grabs
another pillow and hits Michael again. He whacks her in the
back of the knees and she falls on top of him.
Enough of the fighting. They kiss. Michael strokes the back
of Letty's neck.
FOOTSTEPS approach the door and stop. Michael and Letty stop
kissing and look at the door. The FOOTSTEPS continue on.
Michael pulls Letty's shirt up. She starts to pull it over
her head, but can't get it all the way off in the cramped
space. Michael kisses Letty's mouth through the shirt. She
GIGGLES. Michael helps Letty off with the shirt.
He kisses her chest. Letty bites him lightly on the
shoulder.
Michael pulls away in surprise, grinning. Letty reaches up
and bites him again. Michael bites her back.
Letty reaches her hands behind her head, searching for
something to hold onto. She grabs a stack of sheets, which
topple onto Michael.
Michael sits up, trying to clear the sheets off himself and
Letty. Letty pushes him down and crawls on top of him.
CLOSE ON her hands as they unbutton Michael's Levis, and we
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. REC. ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Mrs. Hallstrom sits close to the television, watching Joan
Rivers hawk jewelry on the Home Shopping Network. Michael
drapes the room with streamers, and surveys his work.
MICHAEL
How's it look?
MRS. HALLSTROM
Shhh. They're coming to the cubic
zirconium.
MICHAEL
I like those sapphire earrings
myself.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Simulated sapphires. I bet my
daughter would love those, too.
Michael sees Letty pass by the room as she heads down the
hall. He follows her.
INT. WOMEN'S ROOM - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Marie enters with her toothbrush and toothpaste. She moves
towards the sink but stops as...
GIGGLES come from the stall. She looks closer, sees two
pairs of feet and one familiar pair of boxers.
MARIE
Jesus...just get a room.
Marie walks out.
INT. STALL - WOMEN'S ROOM - SAME
Letty and Michael, partially disrobed and hugging each other
tight, burst into GUFFAWS.
INT. EMLEE'S OFFICE - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty sits on the couch. Emlee leans forward in his chair.
DR. EMLEE
I think it's a problem that you
never told me about Michael. I had
to hear it from another patient.
LETTY
I couldn't really say anything
because of that fraternizing rule.
DR. EMLEE
Well, Letty, this does present a
liability issue for the hospital.
LETTY
I'm a grown woman, Dr. Emlee. I
can take care of myself.
DR. EMLEE
What about Michael? Do you know
the extent of his...
LETTY
I know Michael's a schizophrenic,
and Mrs. Hallstrom's manic-
depressive, and John Lockyer has
episodes of psychosis, and I heard
a rumor that you suffer from
delusions of grandeur.
DR. EMLEE
Go ahead and put the guard back up,
Letty. But you need to know what
you're dealing with.
LETTY
I don't need a lecture. I care
about Michael.
DR. EMLEE
Then that's even more reason to
listen. Look, schizophrenics tend
to withdraw from reality. They
experience emotional disturbances
that result in personality changes.
(MORE)
DR. EMLEE(cont'd)
(beat)
You could be lying next to Michael
in bed one night, and he could have
a hallucination, or a delusion. It
might happen when you're driving
or...
LETTY
Look, I know he's almost through
with treatment here. And, he's on
medication.
DR. EMLEE
Drugs can help suppress symptoms.
But lots of patients stop taking
them when they're on their own
because the side effects are so
harsh.
(beat)
And, Michael's condition is often
worsened by periods of stress. He's
been in and out of...
LETTY
I don't want to hear anymore.
DR. EMLEE
I'd like you to promise you won't
carry on a relationship with
Michael. Otherwise, I'll consider
moving one of you to another ward.
LETTY
First you tell me to do what I want
to, then you tell me to stop.
DR. EMLEE
All I want you to do is think about
what's best for you. Really think
about it.
EXT. GROUNDS - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Letty lies in the middle of a copse of trees, reading Emily
Dickinson. Michael walks up and hands her a dandelion.
MICHAEL
A daisy for the lady.
LETTY
The lady knows this is a dandelion.
MICHAEL
A rose is a rose.
Letty kisses him on the cheek.
LETTY
Thanks. Where've you been all day?
MICHAEL
Back-to-back sessions with the
shrink.
LETTY
Sounds important.
MICHAEL
I'm not allowed to see you anymore.
LETTY
Really? Me too.
MICHAEL
I had to sneak by the guards to get
here. They say you're highly
unstable, have a depressive
personality, and may hold back my
own recovery.
LETTY
Wow. I'm bad news.
MICHAEL
What's my rap?
LETTY
Schizophrenic recidivism marked by
hallucinations and paranoid
delusions.
MICHAEL
Fuck. That's all true.
Letty laughs.
MICHAEL
Really, though. My thoughts go
haywire sometimes.
LETTY
What are the delusions like?
MICHAEL
I think people are after me, crap
like that.
(beat)
When I was 18, my mom came home and
found me sitting naked on the
kitchen table. I thought I was God.
He waits for Letty to register the information.
MICHAEL
Shocking, huh?
LETTY
Sure. But I took out a whole
grocery store.
MICHAEL
I wish I could have seen that.
LETTY
I'm starting to think that
everyone's crazy to some extent.
MICHAEL
My Grandma Rosa says that some
trees get planted in rich top soil,
and they grow right up to the sun,
tall and straight. Other trees,
they start as seeds in the crevices
between rocks so they have to twist
and bend to reach the light.
(beat)
But even though they end up
crooked, they're still trees, just
like the straight ones.
Lying on their backs, Michael and Letty stare up at the
leaves overhead.
MICHAEL
(with a start)
Why in the world did you let me
start talking in metaphors? That's
no way for us to break up.
LETTY
Break up? They wish.
Michael and Letty hug.
INT. NURSES' STATION - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
Nurse Gates pours tablets from a potpourri of pill bottles
into little paper cups. A Federal Express delivery man with
a bunch of boxes stops at the station.
DELIVERY MAN
I need a signature, please.
Nurse Gates looks at the form.
NURSE GATES
What is all this stuff?
DELIVERY MAN
I just deliver it, Ma'am.
NURSE GATES
Well, who exactly is it for?
DELIVERY MAN
A Mrs. Eunice Hallstrom.
NURSE GATES
I see. Can you wait a moment?
Nurse Gates locks the medication in a cupboard, and hurries
down the hallway.
INT. GROUP THERAPY ROOM - SAME
Our usual cast of characters.
DR. EMLEE
But how does that make you feel,
John, what Letty said about your
hostility?
JOHN
She doesn't know what the hell
she's talking about.
Nurse Gates barrels in. The group looks up.
NURSE GATES
I'm sorry, Doctor. I just need a
moment with Mrs. Hallstrom.
DR. EMLEE
What seems to be the problem?
NURSE GATES
They say she ordered...Mrs.
Hallstrom, did you order a bunch of
stuff, because Federal Express...
Mrs. Hallstrom's face glows.
MRS. HALLSTROM
It's here, everyone. Come along.
It's here.
She runs out. Nurse Gates follows her. A moment passes. The
patients look expectantly at Dr. Emlee.
DR. EMLEE
Oh, fine, let's see.
They storm the door.
INT. NURSES' STATION - SAME
By the time the patients round the corner, the Federal
Express man is leaving, and Mrs. Hallstrom has ripped open
one of the boxes. She clutches a handful of jewelry.
MRS. HALLSTROM
For you, John. And, Letty. And,
Michael, I know you'll love these.
She hands Michael a pair of faux sapphire earrings. He clips
them on. Letty and several others carry necklaces. Thomas
sports a rhinestone tiara. The patients compare jewelry.
DR. EMLEE
Mrs. Hallstrom, you ordered all
this?
JOHN
(to Mrs. Hallstrom)
Thomas got a crown and all I got
was a lousy bracelet?
DR. EMLEE
You must have spent thousands of
dollars.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Don't worry, Doctor, I didn't
forget you.
Mrs. Hallstrom hands Dr. Emlee a fake ruby hair comb.
DR. EMLEE
Mrs. Hallstrom, you can't possibly
afford to pay for this. It must go
back.
Chatter in the hallway stops.
MRS. HALLSTROM
Why, no, Doctor. It can't. Most
of it's for my daughter, Lily.
She's coming to family day
tomorrow...all the way from
Cleveland with my grandson.
(beat)
You can't be taking away their
"Welcome to California" presents.
DR. EMLEE
It's going back. We'll contact the
company this afternoon.
(to patients)
Take the jewelry off, please.
The patients reluctantly remove their gifts.
MRS. HALLSTROM
But I have to keep something for my
daughter.
DR. EMLEE
Let's go back to group, and discuss
it there. Back to group, everyone.
The patients head back to group. Dr. Emlee turns to Nurse
Gates.
DR. EMLEE
(to Nurse Gates)
Increase her lithium to 600
milligrams, three times a day. Oh,
and Nurse, let's see about
canceling the cable.
EXT. PATIO - HILLVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL - DAY
The place buzzes with festivity. A "WELCOME FAMILIES" sign
hangs from a patio beam. A table is laden with cookies and
lemonade and platter after platter of carrot curls.
Letty takes a cookie and looks toward the lawn where Michael
plays frisbee with his family, even his grandmother, ROSA.
Nurse Gates walks up to Letty.
NURSE GATES
Your mother's in the rec room,
Letty.
INT. REC ROOM - SAME
Letty passes Mrs. Hallstrom, who sits by herself, holding one
small gift on her lap.
Letty spots her Mom across the room, and walks up to her.
Her mother has covered a table with swatches of fabric.
MRS. MAYER
It's so good to see you,
Sweetheart.
LETTY
You too, Mom.
MRS. MAYER
You're looking good. A little
thin, but good.
Letty examines a fabric sample.
MRS. MAYER
Thanks so much for doing this.
Ruthie and Jake are up to a million
things. And I just can't decide.
Letty rearranges the fabric samples on the table by color.
LETTY
Which flowers did you order?
MRS. MAYER
We haven't. I wanted to talk that
over with you, too.
LETTY
Oh, OK, well, better to choose the
table cloths first anyway.
MRS. MAYER
I was thinking either the peach
moire or cream damask.
Letty holds up a swatch of bright yellow.
LETTY
This would complement the blue in
the bride's maids' dresses. Look.
MRS. MAYER
Where's your ring, Sweetheart?
LETTY
We aren't allowed to wear jewelry
in here, Mom.
MRS. MAYER
Just think, pretty soon, we'll be
doing all these wedding
preparations for you.
(beat)
Of course, if that's what you still
want. Ruthie told me some silly
story about a crush on some boy
here.
Letty pulls out a cigarette, lights it and starts smoking.
LETTY
I haven't had a crush since I was
MRS. MAYER
When did you start smoking?
LETTY
I'll put it out if it bothers you.
MRS. MAYER
The puckering, dear. It doesn't
seem so now, but in time, it will
cause wrinkles around the mouth.
Letty grinds the cigarette beneath her heel. She bends over
the fabrics.
MRS. MAYER
You know, your life isn't about
being in a mental hospital.
LETTY
What?
MRS. MAYER
I hear this Michael fellow is
schizophrenic.
LETTY
Mom, please.
MRS. MAYER
Don't forget that Paul's a
promising young attorney who loves
you very much...
LETTY
Mom, look, if I want to dump Paul,
I'll dump him. If I want to screw
Michael or live with him or marry
him, then I'll do that.
Thomas, who sits across the room, looks up from his book.
MRS. MAYER
(whispering)
I'm only looking out for you.
LETTY
(yelling)
And if I want to smoke, I'll
fucking smoke.
Letty races out the door and into the garden. In the
distance, Michael spots her and jogs over. Letty's mother
watches them. Thomas approaches Mrs. Mayer.
THOMAS
Mrs. Mayer, I'm sorry but I
couldn't help overhearing. I just
wanted to say, not that it's any of
my business...
MRS. MAYER
Yes?
THOMAS
I think, really, I think I'd go
with the cream damask.
INT. REC ROOM - LATER
Letty and Michael walk through the rec room toward the dining
hall. Nurse Gates bends down in front of Mrs. Hallstrom, who
sits where we last saw her.
NURSE GATES
It's OK to be upset.
MRS. HALLSTROM
(gaily)
Upset? Why of course not. My
goodness, no. I'm sure she just
got hung up.
Letty and Michael stop.
MICHAEL
Mrs. Hallstrom, why don't you join
my family for dinner. You'll love
my Grandma Rosa.
MRS. HALLSTROM
That's so sweet, Michael. But,
really, I've so many things to do.
LETTY
If you change your mind, we'll