Padgett Arango

BLACK SCREEN
TEXT:
"When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever."
-A. A. Milne
MAN'S VOICE
Let's do some drawing now. Okay, Tyler?
FADE UP TO
INT OFFICE - DAY
The presumed owner of the voice is HAL MACPHERSON, a gentle-looking bespectacled man in his late thirties. He's leaning forward in a plush armchair across from TYLER, a seven-year old boy sitting on a couch. Between then is a table, upon which is a staggering array of crayons and large sheets of paper. Hal holds one of the crayons out to Tyler, who looks timid.
Hal
Why don't I draw something first? Then you can join in if you feel like it.
Hal starts to sketch a tree. Tyler stares at him. Hal determinedly doesn't look at him, but focuses on his drawing. We jump forward a few minutes to see that Hal has completed a fairly detailed landscape drawing, but Tyler has done nothing but stare at him. Finished, Hal sets down his crayon. He looks over at a clock on the desk.
Hal
I'm afraid our time is up.
Hal stands and opens a door to the office. Tyler sullenly walks out.
INT WAITING ROOM - DAY
The office opens out onto the foyer of a house, which has been redone as a waiting area with benches, magazines, piped-in music. Tyler walks over to his mother, DOROTHY. Hal follows behind.
Dorothy
How was he today?
Hal
About the same. How has he been at home?
Dorothy
I think it's getting worse. The nightmares, I mean. Last night, he was up three times, screaming.
HAL
Hmmm.
Dorothy
Is there anything you can do? More medications?
Hal
Why don't you come into my office? (CROUCHING DOWN) Tyler, do you want to play with some of the toys over there? I've got some good ones.
Tyler grunts and heads over to the play area. Hal gestures to Dorothy to follow him back into the office.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Hal offers Dorothy a seat on the couch, then sits down on his chair.
Hal
Tyler's behavior is certainly indicative of a fairly major trauma in the recent past. I know we've discussed this before, but...
dorothy
No. There's been nothing like that at all. Last year was great. He had lots of friends. He was enjoying school. Then, after his birthday, he just got all quiet, and the nightmares started.
Hal
Maybe it was something that happened when you weren't around. At school. Or with a babysitter. But the goal here isn't to assign blame. It's to get Tyler to confront the experience and work through it. I'd like to try hypnosis.
Dorothy
Really? Will that work?
Hal
In some cases. It's a somewhat unorthodox approach. There are dangers that the hypnotist's biases might influence the results, but I'd like to think I wouldn't have that problem.
Dorothy
I'll... I'll have to think about it. It just seems a little creepy.
Hal
I know. But I want to get to the root of his problem sooner rather than later. (STANDING) Think about it. We can try it at Tyler's session next week if you're game.
INT WAITING AREA - DAY
Hal closes the door behind Dorothy and Tyler, checks his watch, then hurries up the stairs. The top of the stairway has been sealed off with a door. Hal unlocks the door and opens it, leading into the upstairs hallway. Hal walks down the hallway and opens a door.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - DAY
ETHAN, Hal's five year old son, is playing on the floor with HANNAH, his fifteen year old babysitter. Ethan looks up when Hal enters the room and runs over to hug him. Hal scoops him up.
Hal
You guys having fun in here?
Ethan nods.
HAL
(to hannah)
How about you? You having fun?
HANNAH
Oh, yeah. I've been learning about trains.
Hal
Everyone's favorite subject. Did you tell Hannah we went to Union Station this weekend to watch trains?
Ethan
Uh-huh.
Hal
Well, I'm sure she's heard enough. I think we should have some dinner. How about... tacos?
ETHAN
Okay.
Hal
Only okay? I thought you loved tacos.
Ethan
They're pretty good.
Hal
What if we make them with extra cheese?
Ethan
Melty cheese?
Hal
Sure.
Ethan
That sounds pretty good, I guess.
HAL
Good. (TO HANNAH) Thanks again, Hannah. Tomorrow afternoon?
Hannah
Yeah. Four o'clock, right?
Hal
Yep. Tomorrow's the first day of school.
Hannah
Ooh. You excited for school, Ethan?
Ethan
I guess.
Hannah
Ha. All right. I'll see you guys tomorrow.
She scruffles Ethan's hair and leaves.
INT KITCHEN - NIGHT
Hal is washing dishes after dinner, while Ethan works on some drawings on the kitchen table. Hal finishes the last dish, walks over to Ethan, and guides him off the chair and up to bed.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Ethan is in his pajamas in bed. Hal sits on his bedside, tucking him in.
HAL
Are you going to be able to get to sleep tonight? Or are you too excited?
Ethan
You could read me another chapter.
Hal
We already read three chapters tonight. Why don't you close your eyes for a bit and see if you can get to sleep?
Ethan closes his eyes for a minute, then opens one slightly.
Hal
I'm going to turn out the light, okay? Just lie there for ten minutes. If you're still awake, I'll read you another chapter. Deal?
Ethan
Deal.
Hal turns out the lights. He sits for a moment, watching Ethan, who falls asleep pretty much immediately. Hal stealthily gets up and heads toward the door.
INT HAL'S CAR - DAY
Hal and Ethan are parked in front of the elementary school. Each opens his door and gets out.
EXT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY
Hal is walking with Ethan to the front door of the school. Things are pretty hectic out here, what with the hundreds of kids swarming back to school.
Hal
So, what do you think? You want me to come in with you? Or do you want to do it on your own?
Ethan
I don't know. I guess you can come in if you really want.
Hal
Are you saying that because you want me to come in? Or because you think it would hurt my feelings if you wanted to go in alone?
Ethan
That one, I guess.
Hal
Okay. I'll just leave you out here.
Hal crouches down to Ethan's level.
Hal
You'll do great. I'm sure you're going to have lots of fun. I love you very much.
Ethan
I love you, too.
They hug.
Hal
Okay. You have a great day. I'll see you tonight.
Ethan
Pizza night?
Hal
Yep. Pizza night tonight. Mama Rosa's or Nona's?
Ethan
Nona's!
Hal
Okay. You get going. I'll see you after school.
Ethan runs off to school. Hal watches after him for a minute, then heads back to the car.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Hal is seated in his chair across from MICHAEL, a sullen eleven year old.
Michael
I don't know.
Hal
Remember what we talked about last week? You can talk about anything you want in here. This place is a complete safe zone. I won't tell your parents anything you tell me.
Michael
Okay.
INT WAITING AREA - DAY
Hal escorts Michael and HIS MOM out of the waiting area.
EXT PARK - DAY
Hal finishes a transaction at a food cart, then takes his food over to a bench. Seated on the bench is DANIEL, Hal's younger brother. He looks up as Hal walks over.
Daniel
Indian?
Hal
Burrito. I thought I needed a change. You?
Daniel
Meatball sub.
Hal
How is it?
Daniel
Not bad. (FINISHES CHEWING) Today was Ethan's first day at school, right?
Hal
Yep.
Daniel
How'd he take it? He start crying like you did?
Hal
I didn't cry at my first day of school, you did.
Daniel
I did, but Mom told me you did the same thing.
Hal
She lied.
Daniel laughs.
Hal
No, he did fine. Asked me not to walk him to class. Just like a normal kid.
Daniel
Good for him. How about you? You start crying?
Hal
Nah. I did fine.
Daniel
You walked him to class, didn't you?
Hal
No. I respect his wishes. Otherwise he could never trust me. Trust's very important in a relatioship.
Daniel
Yeah, so you keep saying.
Hal
Speaking of which, how's Linda doing?
Daniel
Eh. I'm supposed to see her tomorrow night. Did I tell you about Cathy?
Hal
No, but I can imagine. Another nurse?
Daniel
Phlebotomist.
Hal
A step up.
Daniel
Yeah, not too bad. (FINISHES HIS SUB) Hate to abandon you, but...
hal
No, no, no. I understand. Get back to work. Dinner Sunday?
Daniel
Sounds good. Adios.
Daniel takes off. Hal munches on his burrito.
INT WAITING ROOM - DAY
Hal and Ethan come through the door.
Hal
Run on upstairs. Hannah should be here soon to play with you.
Ethan runs upstairs. Hal picks the mail off the floor and sorts through it when Hannah opens the door.
Hannah
Hey, Doctor MacPherson. How's it going? How'd Ethan do at school?
Hal
Seems like he had fun. The teacher seems nice, but some of older kids sound a little cliquish. I guess one of them - Jacob? He said he didn't want to play with a baby.
Hannah
That's so mean. Kids can be such jerks.
Hal
No, they're not jerks. They're just insecure and trying to figure out their standing with their peers. It can be a hard time. Not that I like them calling Ethan a baby.
Hannah
He upstairs?
Hal
Yep. We just got back, so he should be ready for a snack. My patient should be here in a few minutes, so you'll be on your own for (CHECKS WATCH) two hours?
Hannah
Sounds good. See you then.
INT KITCHEN - NIGHT
Hal and Ethan eat pizza, chatting. Music plays over the scene, so we don't hear anything, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Hal is tucking Ethan into bed.
Hal
You ready for another day of school tomorrow?
Ethan looks off into space sullenly.
Hal
Hey. Was it really that bad?
Ethan nods.
Hal
Because of those kids who didn't want to talk to you.
Ethan nods again.
Hal
Well, Saturday's your birthday, so then you'll be the same age as them, right? When you get to school Monday, they won't be able to call you a baby, will they?
Ethan
No. I guess not.
Hal
And we're going to have fun this weekend. Uncle Daniel's going to come over, and we'll have cake and presents. Did you talk to your teacher about the other party?
Ethan
Uh-huh. She said it's okay as long as I invite the whole class.
Hal
Okay. So we'll have your whole class over here on Tuesday for a slightly belated party. That sound good?
Ethan nods.
Hal
All right. Then you get some sleep. I love you.
Ethan
Love you too.
Hal pulls Ethan's covers up and scruffles his hair.
EXT SCHOOL - DAY
Hal is sitting in the car waiting for Ethan to get out of school. He's clearly early, as there aren't any other parents waiting and the school is quiet. Suddenly, the doors of the school open, and Tyler comes sprinting out of the school, looking terrified. Moments after he races down the steps, a crowd of seven children, all smaller than Tyler, pour out after him. Tyler's longer legs carry him ahead for a few yards, until he trips over a root and goes flying, face first, to the ground. The other children pounce on him. Five of the children cling to his limbs preventing himself from getting up. One seats himself on Tyler's back, then reaches forward and jerks Tyler's head backward by his hair. The final child slowly walks around until he is facing Tyler, then crouches down and begins talking to him, calmly.
Hal, meanwhile, looks appalled by all this. He gets out of the car and jogs over to the kids.
HAL
Excuse me. I'm not sure this is appropriate...
The crouching child looks up at Hal, smiles, then runs off. The rest of the children follow suit. Hal kneels down to check on Tyler.
HAL
Tyler? Are you okay?
Tyler gets up. He mumbles something and starts to walk away.
Hal
Where are you going? Do you want me to call your mom for you?
TYLER
No! No. I don't want her here. Leave her out of this!
Tyler swings his arms at Hal, who recoils. Tyler takes off down the street. Hal starts to follow after him, but the bell rings and a flood of children come pouring out of the front doors. Hal tries to push his way through the crowd for a few minutes, then spots Ethan and picks him up. Ethan notices that Hal is still distracted and looking for Tyler.
ETHAN
What are you looking for?
Hal's attention snaps back and the concern drops from his face.
Hal
Nothing. Let's go home.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Hal is sitting in his office going over his notes. The door to the waiting area is open, and Hal looks up when the front door opens and Daniel walks in.
DANIEL
Hello?
Hal
I'm in the office. You get the cake?
Daniel is, in fact, holding a large pink bakery box.
Daniel
Right here. Chocolate with cream cheese frosting.
Hal
Great. Let me just put these away, and we can go upstairs.
Daniel
Must be important. You don't usually work on Saturdays.
Hal
Yeah. Well, not important, just a case I can't get out of my mind. This kid Tyler. He goes to the same school as Ethan, but second grade. He's got some fairly major issues. If I didn't know his parents so well, I'd see he's being abused, but his medical records don't show anything physical. I've been meeting with him for months now, and we're not getting anywhere. But, you know, normal frustrating case.
DANIEL
Sure.
HAL
Anyway, yesterday, he comes running out of school chased by a mob of kids. They tackle him and pin him to the ground while one of them... I don't know, lectures him? It was very odd. I tried to talk to him, and he freaks out when I suggest I call his mother, then runs away.
Daniel
Weird.
Hal
Yeah.
Daniel
So what are you going to do?
Hal
Well, I was just looking through his file to see if there's anything about problems with classmates or anything. Nothing. He's not a very talkative kid, though, so who knows what he has bottled up. We're trying hypnosis on Monday.
Daniel
You're kidding me.
Hal
No. I've got nothing else. I'm at the end of my rope with this one.
Daniel
Well, be careful. I don't what to see you on the news claiming the kid's been molested by a demonic duck or something.
Hal
Very funny. Come on. Let's go have some cake.
INT KITCHEN - DAY
Ethan and Hannah are seated at the table. Hal walks out with the cake, covered with six candles. Daniel walks behind him, videotaping the procession. Everyone sings "Happy Birthday," complete with the "How old are you?" verse. Ethan holds up six fingers.
Hal
Well, not until 4:30. I've got six more hours of having a five year old. Now blow out your candles.
Ethan does so. Everyone applauds.
DANIEL
So. Cake first? Or presents?
ETHAN
Presents!
Daniel
I figured as much.
Daniel pulls out a package from behind his back.
Daniel
Happy birthday, kiddo.
Ethan grabs the package and unwraps it, frenziedly. Inside is a wooden baseball bat, helmet, and baseball glove. Ethan squeals with excitement.
Daniel
I thought it might be time to upgrade from the whiffle ball.
Ethan runs over and hugs Daniel.
Ethan
Thanks so much. It's perfect.
Daniel
Glad you like it. I think your dad's got a pretty good present for you too.
Ethan looks over at Hal expectantly.
Hal
In the garage.
Ethan goes running toward the garage. He throws open the door and sees a new bike.
Hal
What do you think?
Ethan
It's great. Thanks, Dad.
Ethan gives Hal a hug.
Hal
So, take the bike out for a spin? Or cake?
Ethan
Cake!
Hal
Cake it is!
ETHAN
Cake! Cake! Cake!
Hal joins in, and they march back to the living room together, chanting for cake. Daniel and Hannah have prepared the plates and silverware. Ethan makes the first cut. Everyone eats some cake.
INT LIVING ROOM - DAY
Daniel and Hannah are sitting on the couch, eating cake and watching TV. Hal walks in.
Hannah
How's he doing?
HAL
Tired. He should be out for a couple hours. Thanks for coming over today, Hannah. I know Ethan was glad to see you.
Hannah
No problem. But I should really get going. I'll see Monday. Bye, Daniel.
She leaves.
Hal
Daniel?
Daniel
What? I can't have her call me Dr. MacPherson, or things would get confusing.
While the conversation continues, the camera tracks out of the room, down the hallways to Ethan's room.
Hal
Uh huh. You know she's fifteen, right?
Daniel
Hey. I resent that implication.
Hal
If the shoe fits...
INT ETHAN'S ROOM - DAY
The camera passes by a clock that reads 4:29. Ethan is lying in bed, sleeping. We hear the numbers of the clock flip over and Ethan's eyes open. He stares at the camera for a few seconds, then gets out of bed. He creeps over to the door and sticks his head out. He can hear the distant sounds of bickering from the living room, so opens the door and heads for the stairs.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Ethan opens the door to the office and walks over to the desk. He slides open the drawer containing the hanging folders. He flips through them for a bit, then notices Tyler's file sitting on the desk. He climbs up into the chair and starts reading through the notes. He notes that Tyler's next appointment is scheduled for Monday afternoon, flips forward to find a notation of the anti-depressants Tyler is currently on, then closes the folder. He gets off the chair and heads back up the stairs.
INT ETHAN'S ROOM - DAY
Ethan sneaks back into his room, pulls his covers up, closes his eyes, and falls immediately back to sleep.
EXT SCHOOL - DAY
Hal pulls up in front of the school just as the students are pouring out. A large group of students rush over to his car, along with a harried looking woman. Hal rolls down the passenger window. The woman leans in and introduces herself.
MRS. MULLEN
Dr. MacPherson? I'm Mrs. Mullen, Ethan's teacher.
HAL
Oh. Hi, nice to meet you.
They shakes hands.
MRS. MULLEN
How many can you take in your car? I think we've got about twelve who normally take the bus home.
Hal
Excuse me?
Mrs. Mullen
For Ethan's party. Most of the students have parents here who can take them to your house, but some will need rides. Looks like you can take three in addition to Ethan?
Hal
Uh, yeah, I guess so.
She opens the doors and a bunch of kids pour into the car. Hal notes with some alarm that one of them is the kid who was lecturing Tyler the other day.
Hal
Wait. What are you doing? The party's tomorrow.
Mrs. Mullen
It is? Ethan told us all it was today. I'm afraid I've already told all the parents to bring their kids over to your house.
Hal
No, I can't do it today. I've got appointments...
He looks at Mrs. Mullen's disapproving glare.
Hal
All right. I guess I can make it work. (TO THE KIDS) You guys mind if I make a stop on the way?
The kids are busy yelling and hitting each other. Hal winces and pulls out.
INT WAITING AREA - DAY
The front door opens, and Hal, carrying a stack of bakery boxes and a couple plastic grocery bags full of party favors, staggers through the door. A couple dozen children swarm around him and into the house. Hannah is sitting on the stairway waiting for Hal and Ethan to return home. Seeing the mass of children, she looks terrified.
HAL
Hi, Hannah. How'd you like to earn a bonus today?
INT LIVING ROOM - DAY
The living room has been turned into a terrifying nest of partying first graders. Hannah stands in the middle of it, attempting to serve cake. She looks horrified. Hal stands at the doorway and gives her a cheery thumbs up. She winces. He rushes off.
INT WAITING AREA - DAY
Hal bounds down the stairs. Dorothy and Tyler are sitting in the chairs waiting for him.
Hal
Sorry for the delay. Had a bit of a scheduling mix-up.
DOROTHY
Oh, I understand. Everything's all set now?
HAL
Yes, everything's under control. We can get started now.
Dorothy
Okay. (TO TYLER) You'll be fine. I'll see you soon.
Hal opens the door to the office and Tyler goes in.
HAL
I'll let you know once we're done. It'll be a while, so sit down. Have some tea.
Dorothy nods. Hal closes the door.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Tyler's sitting in one of the chairs. Hal grabs his chair and sits down across from him. He dims the floor light.
HAL
Okay, Tyler. I know you talked about this with your mom already, but you know a little bit about hypnotism, right?
Tyler nods.
Hal
All right. I just want you to listen to my voice. Now take a deep breath, and, when you let it out, close your eyes and feel yourself begin to relax. I want you to become aware of your legs. Relax your legs; let them get more and more comfortable. Let all the muscles in your legs become all loose. Now, become aware of your arms. Relax your arms; let them get more and more comfortable. Let all the muscles in your arms become all loose. That's right. Just relax. Good job.
Tyler's breathing has become very deep.
HAL
All right, Tyler. I want you to tell me about the nightmares. Remember that you're in a safe place, and nothing can hurt you here. You're just going to tell me about them, so they can't hurt you anymore, okay?
Tyler nods.
HAL
What happens in the dreams, Tyler?
TYLER
I... I'm at someone's house. And there's a room in the back. There's all these other kids there and we all go into this room. And...
hal
You're doing great, Tyler. What's in the room?
TYLER
Tables. Metal tables. Lots of them.
Hal
All right. Metal tables. And then what?
Tyler
They make me get on the table and then... I don't want to talk about this anymore.
Hal
Okay. What do you want to talk about?
Tyler doesn't say anything, but looks uncomfortable.
HAL
What do they do to you on the table, Tyler? Everything's okay here. You can just tell me what happened.
Tyler looks increasingly uncomfortable.
Hal
Do they do something to you? Did someone touch you?
Tyler still doesn't speak, but he does nod. He's started crying as well, and his breathing has gone from deep and calm to increasingly panicked.
Hal
Okay, Tyler. Remember about the breathing. Take some deep breaths.
He keeps breathing harder, finally screaming as he opens his eyes. The door flies open, and Dorothy runs in, taking Tyler in his arms.
Dorothy
It's okay, baby. It's okay.
She strokes Tyler's hair while he gradually calms down. Hal watches with concern. Once Tyler has regained his composure, he speaks.
Hal
Tyler, do you think you could wait outside for a few minutes while I talk to your mom?
Tyler nods and heads out to the lobby. Hal closes the door behind him. Dorothy looks very concerned.
Dorothy
What happened? Did he tell you about the nightmares?
Hal
Sort of. I... I don't want to bring this up, but is there any chance he might have suffered some sort of... abuse?
Dorothy
What?
Hal
I know. I don't really want to consider it either. And I don't think for a minute that either you or Don would have done anything, but was there maybe a day care center that he might have attended?
Dorothy
No, nothing like that. He was in first grade last year, of course, but I don't think anything funny was going on there. I mean, you know Mrs. Mullen, right? I can't imagine her doing anything like that.
HaL
No, neither can I. I really don't want to go down this path, but what he described sounds so much like a confused memory of abuse. I don't really know what else it could be.
DorothY
So, what do we do now?
They are interrupted by a loud crash from upstairs, followed by some incredibly loud screaming. Dorothy and Hal both look up at the ceiling. After a second, Hal's phone rings.
HAL
Hello? Okay, I'll be right there. (TO DOROTHY) Dorothy, if you could just hang on a few minutes. There's been a accident upstairs I need to tend to. I'll be right back.
Dorothy nods. Hal runs out into the waiting area, closes the door to the office, pats Tyler on the back and gets a weak smile in return, then runs upstairs.
INT LIVING ROOM - DAY
Hannah is holding one of the kids, who is openly bawling. Everyone else is still having a good time. Hal runs into the room.
Hal
What's going on?
Hannah
Austin here was playing with one of the robots, and Andrew over there walked over and shoved him right in to the coffee table. He hit his head, and I don't know how bad it is.
Hal
Let me take a look.
He reaches over to Hannah and takes AUSTIN from her. He pokes around on his head while he carries Austin down to the kitchen. Hannah looks around at the crowd, then follows after Hal.
HANNAH
You guys behave, okay?
INT KITCHEN - DAY
Hal opens up a junk drawer and pulls out a small flashlight.
Hal
Hannah, could you grab a bag of frozen peas from the freezer?
Hannah
Sure.
Hal shines the light in Austin's eyes. Needless to say, Austin doesn't like this and increases the volume of his screaming. Hannah comes over with the bag of peas.
Hal
Well, I don't think it's a concussion, but he's going to have a big lump on his head.
Hal puts the peas on Austin's head. While they're doing this, the camera tracks backward out of the kitchen and toward the waiting area.
INT WAITING AREA - DAY
Tyler is sitting in a chair, reading a comic book. The chair sits in front of a wall, immediately next to the stairway. Tyler keeps reading as the gang of kids who had previously attacked him come creeping down the stairs. One of them is holding a bottle of pills. All at once, the kids leap onto Tyler's chair. Two of them work on holding down his arms, while the others pry open his mouth. Once his mouth is open, they pour the pills into his mouth. They close his mouth and plug his nose until he swallows. He continues struggling in vain. The camera tracks sideways through the door to show Dorothy frustratedly flipping through a magazine. The camera tracks back across to show Tyler going limp. The kids get off him. They rummage through his backpack, find his prescription bottle, and dump the contents of it into the bottle they carried with him. They replace this in his bag, then head upstairs just as Hannah and Hal (carrying Austin) turn the corner. They see Tyler's body and freeze.
EXT MACPHERSON HOUSE - DAY
A number of emergency response vehicles are parked in front of the MacPherson house. Dorothy is sitting on the bumper of an ambulance weeping. Assorted concerned parents are collecting their children and hustling them away. Hal is talking to a POLICE DETECTIVE.
Police DETECTIVE
Did he seem upset after your session?
Hal
Sure. But not suicidal. He clearly had some sort of trauma in his recent past we had to work through, but it didn't seem to be... you know.
police detective
So it could be that confront this trauma pushed him over the edge. Got him to eat a bottle of pills.
Hal
No! No, he was fine when he came out of the trance. I'd seen him just a few minutes before hand, and he was fine. He even smiled at me.
Police detective
Uh huh.
Hal
Do you need anything else from me? I should go check on my son.
Police detective
No, I guess that's it. We've got your number though if we have any more questions. Thanks for your time.
They shake hands, and Hal heads over to the doorway where Hannah and Ethan are watching. The front of the house is covered in crime scene tape.
Hal
Thanks for sticking around. I can take it from here.
Hannah
Okay.
Hal
Are you going to be all right? You look a little shell-shocked.
Hannah
Yeah, I'll be fine. I've just never seen anything like...
hal
I know. Go home and get some rest. You can take the rest of the week off. I'm not going to be seeing patients for a while, I don't think.
Hannah
That might be a good idea. Thanks.
Hannah staggers off. Hal picks Ethan up.
Hal
How are you doing?
Ethan
Okay, I guess.
Hal
I'm sorry about your party.
Ethan shrugs.
Hal
You're taking this very well.
Ethan
I didn't really know him, so why should I feel bad?
Hal
Yeah, I guess so.
Ethan
Can we go have some cake now?
Hal
Sure, why not? Let's go in the back.
They head around to the back of the house, while the activity out front continues to buzz.
EXT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Hal is closing the door to Ethan's room.
Hal
Sleep tight.
As the door closes, Hal's phone buzzes. He answers it.
Hal
Hello?
INT DANIEL'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Daniel is sitting in his living room. The TV set is on, without sound.
Daniel
Hey, it's me. I just heard about that kid. That's the one you were telling me about the other day, right?
Hal
Yeah.
Daniel
I just saw a thing about on the news. They're saying the hypnosis sent him into a suicidal spiral?
HAL
What? Where'd they get that?
Daniel
I dunno. But they've got some expert talking about the dangers of hypnosis in child therapy.
Hal
Man, where'd they get that? Was it Wertham? I bet it was.
Daniel
I don't know. Could have been. How's Ethan doing?
Hal
He's all right. Good, even. Didn't bother him at all.
Daniel
Yeah, well, kids are resilient at that age.
Hal
Not especially. He's either holding a lot back, or he's turning into a sociopath.
Daniel
I'm not sure what to root for.
Hal
Well, I'll see how he is tomorrow. I think I'll probably keep him home from school tomorrow. You want to come over for dinner?
Daniel
Sure.
Hal
You think you could do me a favor?
Daniel
What?
Hal
Tyler. They brought him there, right?
Daniel
Where? To my hospital?
Hal
Yeah.
Daniel
Yeah, I think so. All the news crews were out front.
Hal
They do the autopsy yet?
Daniel
How would I know that? I'm a a neurologist. I'm not even sure they do the autopsies here. Doesn't that go to the coroner or something?
Hal
No, I read something about it. Unaffiliated doctors do the autopsies here and provide the reports to the city. It was supposed to cut costs.
Daniel
I don't know who would be in charge of that.
Hal
Think you could find out?
INT HOSPITAL - DAY
Daniel's walks down the hospital corridors and stops to look at a directory. He finds the listing for the morgue, then gets into the elevator and hits the button for the basement.
INT MORGUE - DAY
Daniel opens the door to the morgue and looks around. No sign of anyone. He slinks forward and opens the door to the exam room. He sees a child-size figure on one of the tables. He looks around for people, and, seeing none, moves toward the table.
Woman's voice
Can I help you?
Daniel jumps, screams, then spins around. The voice belongs to a woman in her early forties.
Daniel
Oh, man. You scared me.
WOMAN
Yeah, this place makes a lot of people jumpy. Can I help you with something?
Daniel sneaks a sly peak at the woman's nametag.
Daniel
Yeah. You're Rebecca, right? Friend of Naomi's?
REBECCA
Naomi in Radiology?
Daniel
Yeah.
Rebecca
We go out for drinks every now and again, sure.
Daniel
Nice to meet you. I'm Daniel MacPherson. From Neurology.
Rebecca
Nice to meet you. Can I help you with something?
Daniel
Can you keep a secret?
Rebecca
Sure.
Daniel
I overheard Naomi saying she wanted to set us up on a date. I thought maybe I'd come down here and...
rebecca
Check out the merchandise?
Daniel
Something like that.
Rebecca
And?
Daniel
Not bad. Though this place is a little creepy.
Rebecca
It turns a lot of guys off. It's not so bad down here, though. Pretty quiet.
Daniel
Seems like it would get depressing.
Rebecca
It's not so bad. Well, not usually. This one's kind of rough.
She gestures to the child-size body.
Daniel
Tell me that's a midget.
Rebecca
Nope. A seven year old. Chocked to death on a handful of pills.
Daniel
Oh, yeah. I saw that on the news. They said he overdosed.
Rebecca
No, didn't have time. He asphyxiated before he even started to digest the pills he did manage to get down.
Daniel
Man.
Rebecca
Yeah.
They stand there for a minute in silence.
REBECCA
I should get back to work. Unless you want to stay and watch. I've got to take a look at his brain next. And, you know, that's sort of your thing.
Daniel
Sure, why not?
Rebecca
Suit up.
INT MORGUE - DAY
Minutes later, Daniel and Rebecca, gloved, wearing scrubs and face shields, are standing in front of Tyler's body.
Rebecca
No sign of head trauma.
Daniel
What about this?
Rebecca
What?
Daniel
This scar on the side.
Rebecca
That's old. At least seven months. Besides, you shouldn't be talking.
She grabs the tape recorder and rewinds it. She shushes Daniel, then starts again.
Rebecca
No sign of head trauma, aside from a roughly seven month old scar on the left side of the cranium, approximately 5 centimeters above the left ear.
She picks up the bone saw and takes off the top of Tyler's head.
REBECCA
Brain appears to be healthy.
She notices Daniel is about to talk. She mouths a shushing noise, then gestures toward the recorder. He reaches over and turns off the recorder.
Daniel
What's that there? It looks like some kind of suture.
Rebecca
Where?
Daniel
Right there. By the limbic cortex.
Rebecca
That's the Tollefson Node, isn't it?
Daniel
Maybe. But he too old to protrude like that. He's seven, right?
Rebecca
Yeah.
DaNIEL
So it should have receded by now. But look at it. There's markings on it. Like it's been operated on.
Rebecca
Oh, that's absurd. If he'd had brain surgery, don't you think it would be in his history?
Daniel
I'd think so. But do you have a better explanation.
Rebecca
No. Start the recorder.
INT WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
The door opens, and Daniel enters. Hal is in his office.
Daniel
The things I do for you.
Hal
You get something?
Daniel
(LOOKING AROUND TO MAKE SURE ETHAN'S NOT IN EARSHOT)
Aside from that kid's brains all over my hands.
Hal
Isn't that your job?
Daniel
Yeah, but they're usually alive. It's creepier this way.
Hal
You're such a baby.
Daniel
I can just leave if you don't want to hear about it.
Hal
No, no, no. What'd you find?
Daniel
First of all, he didn't overdose. He choked on the pills. And there were bruises on his wrist. Like someone had held him down recently. And he'd had brain surgery.
Hal
What?
Daniel
Or something. Scar on the side of the head. Some weird incisions on the brain. That wasn't you?
Hal
Of course not. You think I'm doing brain surgery in here?
Daniel
I don't know what you do, really. Is dinner ready?
HAL
Yeah, come on. Ethan'll be glad to see you.
INT KITCHEN - NIGHT
Hal, Ethan, and Daniel are gathered around the table, eating. Daniel is wolfing down his food.
HAL
You in a rush?
Daniel
Yeah, I've got a date.
Hal
The plebotomist again?
Daniel
No. Rebecca from the morgue. I'm taking her out to dinner tonight.
Hal
So why are you eating here?
Daniel
I want to look like a pig? I'll eat here, then eat something light. Okay, I've got to run. Here.
He pulls a folder out of his briefcase and tosses it on the table.
Hal
What's this?
Daniel
Rebecca's report. I told her I'd drop it in the mail for her on my way out. So look for whatever it is you need and then send it off to the cops, okay?
Hal
Yeah, I guess. This is really above and beyond, Danny. Thanks.
Daniel
Sure thing. I don't know if what's in there is going to help, but...
He shrugs.
Daniel
Okay. I've got to run. See you soon, kid.
Ethan
Bye.
Daniel runs off. Hal opens up the report.
Ethan
What's that?
Hal
Oh, Uncle Daniel got this for me. It's just some papers about that boy.
Ethan
Tyler Liddel?
Hal
Yes. Tyler. How'd you know his last name?
Ethan
He was at my school.
Hal
Yeah.
Ethan
What does it say?
Ethan leans over to read the report. Hal slams it shut.
Hal
I'm not sure that's something you should be reading. Why don't you head up to your room and play by yourself for a bit. I'll do the dishes, then I'll bring us up some ice cream. How's that sound?
Ethan
Okay.
Ethan scurries off.
INT KITCHEN - NIGHT
Hal is just finishing up the dishes when the doorbell rings. He wipes his hands off, checks the time (it's about six thirty), then heads to the front door.
INT WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Hal opens the door and finds a half dozen six year olds. At the front is the boy who was lecturing Tyler.
Boy
Dr. MacPherson?
Hal
Yes?
Boy
Is Ethan home? We wanted to come play.
Hal
Uh, yeah. He's upstairs. Did your parents...
Before he can finish that sentence, the kids have flowed past him toward the stairs. He closes the door and starts to follow after them when his cellphone rings. He answers it.
Hal
Hello?
Hannah
Dr. MacPherson? It's Hannah.
Hal
Hi, Hannah. What's up?
Hannah
I know it's kind of late, but I was wondering if I could stop by and pick up my paycheck. A couple friends are coming by and...
hal
Sure, sure. Just come by anytime.
Hannah
Okay. I'll see you soon.
He hangs up and heads up the stairs.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Hal opens the door and finds Ethan and the kids sitting on the floor. They seem to be playing happily, if a little distractedly.
ETHAN
Hi, Dad.
Hal
Ethan. Did you call your friends?
BOY
No, Doctor MacPherson. We just wanted to come over and play with Ethan.
Hal
I'm sorry. I don't even know your names. Maybe I could call your parents and let them know where you are.
Boy
That's okay. Our parents know where we are.
Hal and the boy have a staredown for a bit.
Ethan
Dad, that's Jacob. And that's Andrew, and Olivia, and Zachary, and Emma, and Dylan.
Hal
Nice to meet you all. I'd really feel a lot better if I could at least talk to your parents. Do you all know your phone numbers?
The kids nod.
INT OFFICE - DAY
Hal is sitting at his desk. He flips his cellphone closed, looks pensive, then picks up the autopsy report on his desk. He flips through it, pausing to look at the bruises on Tyler's wrists.
Jacob
You talked to my mom.
Hal nearly leaps out of his chair. He spins around to see Jacob standing in the doorway.
Hal
Jacob. Yes, I talked to her. She said it's fine if you stay here for another hour. Then she's coming to pick you up. Shouldn't you be upstairs playing with everyone else?
Jacob
I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with you.
Hal
Everything's fine. Go play.
Jacob stares at him for a minute, then turns and walks into the waiting area. Hal looks through the report for a second, then hears some screaming from upstairs. He drops the folder and runs out of the office and up the stairs. We watch the empty stairway for a minute, then see Jacob come out from around the corner. He picks up the folder and looks through it. He stops on the picture of the bruised wrists, then closes the folder. He looks around the room, sees the burning fireplace, reaches for some scissors on the desk, and starts methodically removing items from the folder. As he removes each one, he cuts it with the scissors and feeds it into the fire.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The other kids are sitting quietly while Ethan bawls. Hal flies into the room.
Hal
What's wrong?
Ethan
Uh, uh, uh, I've got a splinter.
Hal
Were you guys playing with those blocks from Grandma again?
ETHAN
Uh-huh.
Hal
Okay. Let me see it.
Ethan holds out his finger.
Hal
Hmm. I don't see anything in there. Are you sure it was this finger?
Ethan
Uh-huh.
Hal
Well, maybe it didn't stick. Do you want a band aid?
Ethan nods.
Hal
I'll go get one for you.
INT WAITING ROOM - DAY
The front door opens, and Hannah enters.
Hannah
Hello? Doctor MacPherson? It's Hannah.
Hal sticks his head into the stairway.
Hal
I'll be down in a second, Hannah. I just have to take care of something quickly. Just have a seat.
He disappears. Hannah shrugs and walks into the office where she finds Jacob feeding pages of the report into the fire.
HANNAH
Hi there.
Jacob
Hi.
hannah
Whatcha doing?
Jacob
Burning stuff.
Hannah
Does Dr. MacPherson know you're down here. And that you're burning his files?
She grabs what's left of the report out of his hands. Jacob looks hurt and begins bawling. Hannah softens, places the folder on the desk, and kneels down.
Hannah
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have grabbed that away from you.
Jacob keeps crying.
Hannah
But you should respect other people's property. It's very important to...
Jacob abruptly stops crying and stabs Hannah in the neck with the scissors. Hannah looks startled, then staggers backward, pulling out the scissors. She screams.
INT ETHAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Hal has finished applying the bandage to Ethan's finger when he hears Hanna's scream. Everyone looks up. Hal bolts for the door, but all of the kids - Ethan included - latch onto his feet.
Hal
What are you doing? Get off.
They don't. Hal begins to try to shake them off of him.
Hal
Ethan! Get off of me right now. This is serious. All of you.
He continues trying to run out of the room with the children clinging to his legs. His progress is slow, but, as he moves, their grips are loosened, and he manages to make his way downstairs.
INT WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
Hannah, one hand pressed to her neck to stop the flow of blood, is fumbling with the door knob. Jacob is approaching rapidly, having found the scissors on the carpet. Hal, having shaken off the children, comes hurtling down the stairs. He takes in the situation quickly and grabs Jacob's hand as he prepares to stab Hannah again.
Hal
What the hell do you think you're doing? Hannah, are you okay?
Hannah
(PANICKED)
I don't know. I don't know. I think he stabbed me.
Jacob starts screaming. Ethan, Andrew, Olivia, Emmma, Zachary, and Dylan run down the stairs, screaming. Hal grabs the doorknob, still slick with Hannah's blood, and opens it. He and Hannah rush out the door and pull it shut behind them. Hal fumbles in his pockets for his keys, and turns the deadbolt behind them.
Hal
That should slow them down for a second. We need to get you to a hospital.
He pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket and hands it to Hannah.
Hal
Here. Put pressure on the wound.
She does so.
Hannah
What was all that? I come in, and he's burning something, and then he stabs me, and then the screaming? What was that?
Hal
I don't know. I don't know! What do you mean he was burning something?
Hannah
Yeah. Some sort of folder or something. With pictures in it.
Hal
Really? Huh.
Hal looks into space for a minute.
Hannah
Weren't you going to get me to the hospital?
Hal
Oh, yeah. I'll call an ambulance. (PAUSE) Or maybe a doctor. Let me get Daniel over here to take a look at it.
He pulls out his cell phone.
Hal
Daniel?
INT DANIEL'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Daniel and Rebecca are seated on the couch. While not actually undressed, it would appear Hal has interrupted a pretty heavy makeout session. Daniel is holding the phone to his face. He doesn't seem happy.
Daniel
What?
Hal
Can you get over here?
Daniel
I'm kind of busy right now.
Hal
It's an emergency. I don't really know what's going on...
daniel
With Ethan?
Hal
Yeah. I'll explain when you get here. Hurry.
Daniel closes the phone.
Rebecca
What?
Daniel
Family emergency. I've got to go. We can pick this up tomorrow?
Rebecca
What? I'll come with you. Look at you. Your hands are shaking. You shouldn't be driving.
Daniel
Fine. Let's go.
EXT MACPHERSON HOUSE - NIGHT
Hannah is sitting on the steps holding the bloody handkerchief to her neck. Hal is pacing when Rebecca's car pulls up. Daniel leaps out.
Daniel
Where's Ethan? What's going on?
Hal
Ethan's inside.
Daniel notices Hannah and rushes over.
Daniel
Oh my God. Are you okay?
Hannah
I don't know. It hurts.
Daniel
We've got to get you to the hospital.
Hannah
See!
Hal
No. Hold on a second.
Daniel
What? Come on. She's got a stab wound in her neck.
Hal
Can you treat it here?
Daniel
I don't know. Maybe. It's not really my thing.
Rebecca
Let me take a look.
She examines Hannah's wound.
Hal
Who's she?
Daniel
Rebecca. I told you about her. From the morgue.
Hal
Oh. Oh! Why is she here?
Daniel
We were on a date when you called. She wanted to help.
Rebecca
Get me the first aid kit from the car. It's in the glove compartment.
Daniel does so.
Daniel
How bad is it?
Rebecca
Looks worse than it is. Doesn't look like they actually perforated the jugular, so no real harm done. But you still should have taken her to the hospital.
Hannah
Yeah.
Hal
I know. So she'll be okay?
Rebecca
Sure. I'll just clean her up and do a few stitches.
Daniel
Can you tell me what's going on?
Hal
Yeah. No. I don't know what's going on. A bunch of kids from Ethan's school came over and then, next thing I know, one of them's stabbed Hannah in the neck.
Hannah
He was burning something. I think he was scared I caught him.
Hal
Oh, yeah, he burned the report.
Daniel
The report? The autopsy report?
Rebecca
Excuse me.
Daniel
Huh?
Rebecca
The autopsy report you were going to mail for me? You gave it to your brother?
Daniel
He was going to mail it tomorrow.
Rebecca
What? Wait. Did he send you to seduce me? To get his hands on the report for some reason? He killed that kid, didn't he? And you're helping him cover it up?
Daniel
No, of course not.
Rebecca
I'm calling the police.
Hal
No, wait.
Rebecca
I'm not listening to you. You killed a seven year old.
Hal
Rebecca. I'm a child psychiatrist. I would never harm a child. My whole life is about helping children. That boy died in my house, and I just needed to know what happened. I know he didn't kill himself. Please, believe me. There's something really bad going on here, and I'm just trying to stop it. I think...
rebecca
What?
Hal
I think there's this boy. A friend of Ethan... my son's. I think he might have had something to do with Tyler's death. He's the one who was destroying the report. And stabbed Hannah in the neck. He's in there with Ethan right now. Please. Just let me get my son out of there and then you can call whomever you want. Please?
Rebecca looks at him.
Rebecca
Okay. Go get your son out. Then we'll call the police.
Hal
Thank you.
Daniel
So, what's the hold up? Walk right in and grab him, right? I mean, they're six.
Hal
Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Let's go.
Daniel and Hal walk up to the front door. Hal unlocks the door and pushes it open, only to find that the chain is secured.
Hal
Ethan? Are you in there?
Ethan sticks his face into the crack of the door.
Hal
Hey, buddy. Everything okay in there?
Ethan nods.
Hal
Can you reach the chain? Let me in, okay? Uncle Daniel's here.
Ethan doesn't move.
Hal
Come on, Ethan. Just open the door.
Hal extends his hand and strokes Ethan's head. Ethan slams the door on Hal's hand. Hal screams. He tries to remove his hand, but the door is held shut. He tries to ram the door open with his shoulder, but, with his hand stuck in the door, he can't get much leverage.
Hal
Give me a hand!
Dan tries to help, but the door doesn't move much.
Hal
Hey, what are you doing?
Hal screams. A lot. He manages to pull his hand out of the door, but it is now missing a pinky finger.
DANIEl
Oh, man.
Hal
Ahhhhhhh!
Rebecca runs over.
Rebecca
Let me see.
She examines the hand.
Rebecca
We really need to get you to a hospital.
Hal
No. I'm not leaving without Ethan. Just make it stop bleeding.
Rebecca
There's not much I can do.
Daniel begins jogging away.
Hal
Where are you going?
Daniel
I need to get something. I'll be right back. Sew him up!
Daniel disappears around the corner. Rebecca begins tending to Hal's hand.
EXT COMMERCIAL DISTRICT - NIGHT
Daniel is jogging down the street, looking for something. He stops in front of a gun store and opens the door. The door is locked. He pounds on the door. The PROPRIETOR walks up the window and points to the closed sign.
DANIEL
Come on. I'll be quick.
The proprietor looks at him for a moment, then opens the door.
PROPRIETOR
You'd better be quick.
Daniel
I will. I just need a stun gun or something.
Proprietor
We've got those. How about the C2? It can drop a 200 pound guy to the ground from fifteen feet away.
Daniel
200 pounds? No, I don't need that much. I just need to stop someone who's, I don't know, forty? Fifty pounds?
Proprietor
Like a dog?
Daniel
Yeah, a dog. Exactly.
The proprietor looks a little concerned, but reaches behind the counter.
PropriEtor
Try this one. No range, but it should stop Cujo right in his tracks.
Daniel
How much?
EXT MACPHERSON HOUSE - NIGHT
Daniel comes running back just as Rebecca has finished bandaging up Hal's hand.
Hal
Where were you?
Daniel brandishes the stun gun.
Hal
What is that?
DANIEL
Stun gun. You all set? He's good?
Rebecca
He's going to need to see a doctor, but, yeah, he's good.
Daniel
And Hannah?
Hannah
I'm fine. What are you going to do?
Daniel
We're going to take down that door.
Rebecca
And then?
Daniel
Hmm. I guess we grab Ethan and make a run for it. Maybe you should start the car. You ready?
Hal nods. Daniel holds up three fingers, counts down to none, then backs up and plows into the door. He hits it and the chain snaps, sending the door flying open. As all of the kids were leaning on the door, they go flying backward as well.
INT WAITING AREA - NIGHT
Daniel and Hal stumble into the waiting area. Hal looks around and finds Ethan in the pile of kids. He reaches in with his left hand to pull him out, but the other kids jump onto his arm and topple him over. They begin punching him relentlessly.
Hal
Daniel!
Daniel
Oh, come on. They're six. Just toss them...
Daniel, already walking over to help Hal, suddenly crumbles as Zachary drives the scissors into the back of Daniel's knee.
Daniel
Son of a bitch!
Daniel turns on the stun gun and zaps Zachary, who goes staggering backwards. Daniel reaches around and pulls the scissors out of his leg.
Daniel
What's the matter with you? You can't... Hal!
Daniel looks over to see Hal, on all fours, attempting to stand up. Ethan is clinging to his left arm and has his teeth sunk deep into Hal's bicep. Emma and Olivia are both clinging to his hair. Andrew has climbed onto Hal's back and his punching Hal in the back of the head. Jacob, it's worth noting, is nowhere to be seen.
Daniel limps over and grabs Andrew. He lifts him off Hal, and, unsure what to do with the writhing child in his hands, tosses him over with Zachary. This helps Hal pull himself upright. Emma and Olivia dangle from his hair for a second, then fall as his hair rips out of his scalp.
Hal
Ow!
Ethan releases his grip and drops to the ground.
Hal
Ethan! Grab him!
Daniel reaches down and makes a grab for Ethan. Ethan slips past him and heads for the cluster of kids by the front door. Andrew has recovered and is in the process of closing and locking the front door. Daniel pauses for a moment, looking at the faces of the children. Hal stands next to him.
Hal
I'll grab Ethan, and we can head for the back door. You think you can run on that leg?
Daniel
Yeah, I think so.
Hal
Ready?
Just then, a butcher knife slides across the floor from the doorway. Without even pausing to look, Olivia reaches down and grabs it. Hal and Daniel turn in the direction the knife came from and see Jacob holding a sizable knife.
Hal
Upstairs. Now.
Hal reaches forward, and grabs Ethan. Ethan screams and begins flailing. Hal lifts him off the ground, but Olivia slashes him in the right forearm with the knife. Hal screams, but manages to hold on to Ethan. He and Daniel race up the stairs (or at least hobble quickly up the stairs).
INT HAL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Daniel and Hal enter. Hal is still holding onto Ethan, who is still struggling and screaming. Daniel closes the door behind them and promptly shoves a dresser in front of the door.
Daniel
What the hell was that?
Hal
I don't know.
Daniel
And what's the matter with him?
Hal
I don't know. Ethan. Can you calm down for a minute and talk to me?
Ethan screams.
Hal
Ethan. Ethan!
Daniel
What do we do now? Call the police? Tell them some homicidal six year olds are trying to kill us?
Hal
I don't know.
Daniel
We could fight our way out. I wouldn't mind getting that one who stabbed me.
Hal
We can't do that. They're six years old.
Daniel
They're six year olds who stab people! Can't you shut him up?
Ethan is, of course, still screaming. Daniel zaps him, and he goes limp.
Hal
What the hell are you doing?
daniel
We're never going to get out of here with him fighting us the whole way out.
Hal
I don't know what's wrong with him. I mean, he's had tantrums before, but nothing like this. Those kids are just...
Hal puts Ethan down on the bed.
daniel
What? Bad seeds? You think he hangs out with some bad kids for a few days and suddenly he's a monster?
Hal
No, I guess not. Maybe it's some kind of disase that's making them crazy.
Daniel
I guess. It could be like some sort of Toxoplasmosis, but that's nothing like this. I don't know what this is. But I know we have to get out of here and get Ethan somewhere safe.
Hal
Okay. Is your zap gun working?
Daniel looks at it.
Daniel
Damn it. It's out of juice. Two uses and it's dead? I paid three hundred bucks for that thing.
Hal
It's probably not meant for fighting off a mob.
Daniel
Yeah, I guess. What do you have in here? Anything we can use?
Hal
I don't know.
He looks around the room. They don't see any likely weapons around, so start opening drawers. Daniel goes into the closet.
Daniel
What's this?
He emerges from the closet holding a large cardboard box.
Hal
It's some of Lily's things. I never went through it.
Daniel opens the box.
Daniel
Ah ha.
He pulls out a field hockey stick and tosses it to Hal. Hal catches it with his good hand. Daniel pulls out another one.
Daniel
All right. I'll go out first and clear a path. You carry Ethan, and we make a run for the car.
Hal nods and scoops Ethan off the bed. Daniel slides the dresser out of the way and throws open the door. He sticks his head into the hallway, sees nothing, and waves for Hal and Ethan to follow.
INT WAITING AREA - NIGHT
Daniel comes charging down the stairs, field hockey stick in hand. He sees the kids in the waiting room and raises the stick to attack. The kids don't move, but their lips begin trembling, and they all burst into tears en masse. Daniel checks his assault. Hal comes around the corner.
Hal
Let's go.
Daniel nods. They head toward the door, but it opens and a pair of well-dressed MOMS step in.
mom
Hello?
Daniel and Hal freeze. Daniel still has the field hockey stick ready and poised to attack. All the kids (aside from Ethan) are bawling.
Mom
What the hell are you doing in here?
She scoops up Andrew, who has some significant bruising on his face from being thrown against the wall.
Mom
Oh my God. Andrew! Are you okay?
Andrew
He.. He.. He threw me against the wall.
Oliva
And then they were going to hit us with those sticks.
Mom
Vivian. Call the police.
The other woman pulls a cell phone out of her purse.
Daniel
Run.
Hal and Daniel run past the moms and into the waiting car outside.
Daniel
Go! Go! Go!
The car peels off.
INT CAR - NIGHT
Rebecca is busy driving, but Hannah turns around to check on Ethan in the back seat.
Hannah
Is he okay?
Hal
I don't know. I mean, Daniel stunned him, but there's something wrong with him. He... They were trying to kill us.
Rebecca
Where are we going?
Hal
I don't know. Those women have probably called the police by now.
Rebecca
But they don't know who I am. We could go back to my place.
Hal
Yeah, all right. We should drop Hannah off at home first. She doesn't need to be mixed up in this any more than she has.
Rebecca
Okay. Where do you live, Hannah?
HANNAH
On 33rd. Take a left here.
Rebecca does so. In the backseat, Ethan groans and begins to stir.
Hal
Ethan?
Ethan groans again.
Ethan
What happened?
Hal
I don't know. You went a little crazy. Are you feeling better now?
Ethan
Where are we?
Hal
In the car.
Ethan
This isn't our car.
REBECCA
No, it's my car.
Ethan
What kind?
Rebecca
What? Oh, it's a Navigator.
Ethan
What color?
Rebecca
Red. Dark red. Is he always like this?
Hal
No. Ethan. Are you all right?
Ethan sits up and looks out the window. He notes an intersection sign as they pass through it.
Ethan
Let me go.
Hal
No. Ethan, I don't know what's going on with you. But we're going to take care of you. Make you all better again.
Ethan
There's nothing wrong with me. You don't get it at all.
Hal
Nothing wrong with you? You tried to kill me! And Uncle Daniel!
Ethan
You shouldn't have interfered.
Hal
Ethan. What are you talking about?
Rebecca
Uh, guys?
Hal and Daniel look up and see a mob of six year olds blocking the road. More are pouring down the streets, surrounding the car.
Daniel
Drive!
Rebecca
What? They're children. I'm not going to run them over.
Daniel
They're not children. They're...
rebecca
What? Monsters?
Daniel
Something like that, yeah.
Rebecca
Look, I don't know what's going on here, but these are just children. Besides, we're in an SUV. What could they possibly...
A rock flies through the driver-side window. Glass shatters on Rebecca's head, but the rock itself doesn't hit her.
Hal
Get down!
Another rock flies in through the passenger side window. It hits Hannah on the head. There's a fair bit of blood. Hal reaches toward the front seat to check on her and, as he releases his hold on Ethan, Ethan dives over the passenger seat and out the shattered window. Hannah, bleeding but not unconscious, lunges after him.
Hannah
Ethan!
She opens the door and goes after him. Almost immediately, she is engulfed by a swarm of angry children who drag her to the ground and begin beating her with fists, feet, sticks, and rocks. Hal starts to go after her, but Daniel holds him back.
Daniel
Don't. You'll get yourself killed.
Hal
Let me go. They're killing her.
The swarm of children parts, and a LITTLE GIRL walks forward holding a pistol. The children who were beating Hannah back off and devote themselves to pinning her limbs to the ground. The little girl aims the gun at Hannah head and shoots her. She then turns and points the gun at the SUV.
Daniel
Go! Drive!
This time, Rebecca has no resistance. She mashes the accelerator to the ground, and the SUV lurches forward, plowing through the crowd of six year olds. Many dive out of the way, but several are crushed under the tires.
Hal
Ethan! We have to go back.
Rebecca
No.
hal
That's my son!
Daniel
Hal. She's right. I don't know what's going on back there, but I'm not sure there's anything we can do.
Rebecca
We should call the CDC. This has to be some kind of... somemthing.
Daniel
Sure. I'm not sure what they'll do, but it's something. How far to your house?
Rebecca
Not far. A couple blocks.
They drive in silence for a bit.
Hal
They knew where we were. What we were driving.
Daniel
What?
Hal
As soon as Ethan woke up, he wanted to know where we were. And what the car looked like. And then all those... kids just came out of nowhere. They knew where we were.
Daniel
What are you suggesting? That these kids all have some kind of psychic link?
Hal
Something like that, yeah. Ethan knew it, and then they knew it.
Rebecca
Like monkeys learning a new skill.
Daniel
What?
Rebecca
Monkeys. When a certain number of them learn something, then they all know it.
Daniel
Oh, Sheldrake's theory? That's hogwash.
Rebecca
You have a better explanation.
Daniel
Not yet.
Rebecca
Think about it inside. We're here.
EXT REBECCA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
They get out of the car. Rebecca looks at the blood splattering on the hood and picks off a chunk of unidentifiable six-year old flesh.
Rebecca
I should probably pull it into the garage. We don't need the neighbors calling anyone. I'll meet you inside.
INT REBECCA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Daniel and Hal walk into the living room. Daniel gestures to his gimpy leg.
Daniel
I'm going to see if I can clean this up a little better.
Hal nods. Daniel heads to the bathroom. Hal paces for a bit, then turns on the TV. The news is on.
REPORTER
...authorities say the SUV carrying MacPherson sped away from his house following the brutal assault on the six year olds and into this intersection..
Daniel has re-entered the room. Rebecca enters from outside.
reporter
...where the driver of the vehicle plowed through a group of children who were, authorities say, playing in the street. The vehicle sped away before police arrived. We have no confirmation yet on the total number of casualties, but it is believed at least two children were pronounced dead at the scene and at least nine more were taken to the hospital. Also found at the scene of the accident was the body of Hannah Anderson who appears to have been savagely beaten and shot in the head. Police warn Portlanders to stay on alert looking for Dr. Hal MacPherson as well as his brother Daniel...
Pictures of Hal and Daniel flash on the screen.
Reporter
... who is believed to have assisted MacPherson in the beatings of the children at MacPherson's residence. What triggered this shocking rampage against children remains to be seen. Nate? Kathy? Back to you.
Daniel turns off the TV.
Daniel
I've got it.
Rebecca
What?
Daniel
What's going on. I think I've got a theory.
Rebecca
Excuse me. I just learned I killed two children and sent nine more to the hospital. Children! Six year olds!
Daniel
Exactly.
Rebecca
What?
Daniel
Six year olds. You remember in the autopsy, his Tollefson Node was swollen, right? And someone had been messing with it, right?
Rebecca
Yeah.
Hal
Wait. What?
Daniel
The Tollefson Node. It's this node in the brain that suddenly swells up and protrudes around the time someone turns six. It stays like that for a year, then the swelling disappears and it settles back into the surface of the brain.
Hal
What's it do?
Daniel
No idea. No one has any idea. But, all these kids, they're all six, right?
Hal
I haven't really taken the time to ask them, but, yeah, the ones at the house were, I think.
Rebecca
The news said so, yeah.
Daniel
So, maybe it's some kind of antenna or something. Or maybe it's some kind of parasite.
Hal
And that's why they knew what Ethan knew.
Daniel
Yeah.
Rebecca
That's insane. And stupid.
Daniel
No, it makes sense, right? I mean, the Tollefson Node was discovered years ago. Like, the 1850's. Maybe this has been going on forever. Some sort of parasite that turns six year olds into a hivemind for a year until they grow out of it.
Rebecca
You're saying we all went through this. I think my parents would have mentioned if I had tried to kill them.
Daniel
Maybe. But maybe they're not usually like this. Maybe they're normally a little more subtle. I mean, do you remember anything you did when you were six? It's all fuzzy for me. I could have been doing all sorts of things. But, yeah, this is a little more visible than...
HAL
Tyler.
Daniel
Hmm?
Hal
They were attacking Tyler as well. That's what all this is about. He must have known something they didn't want him to know. And then when we started digging into that, they needed to get rid of us as well.
Rebecca
The suture!
Daniel
What?
Rebecca
No, never mind. This is all insane.
Daniel
The suture.
Rebecca
Insane.
Daniel
No, that's it. (TO HAL) I told you Tyler had had surgery of some kind, right? Someone had been messing with his Tollefson Node. He was seven, but it was still protruding.
Hal
So he was still part of the hivemind?
Daniel
Well, clearly not, since they wanted him dead. Maybe that's what all this is about. Maybe they're trying to figure out how to make the process permanent.
Hal
And Tyler was an experiment. The metal tables.
Daniel
What?
Hal
When I hypnotized him. He remembered being taken into some back room and put on a metal table and poked at.
REBECCA
No. These are six year olds we're talking about. They're not doing brain surgery.
Daniel
That's just it. They're not six. They're at least a hundred and fifty years old, right? Sure they're using six year old bodies, but the mind is old.
Hal
And it's got Ethan.
Daniel
And it's got Ethan.
Hal
We need to get him back. Before they cut into his brain. Then it's too late, right?
Daniel
Yeah. I mean, hypothetically.
HAL
Okay. Let's go. Rebecca, can we borrow your car?
Rebecca
No. That car was all over the news. Besides, where are you going to go tonight?
Hal
I don't know.
Rebecca
Hal. There's nothing you can do tonight. Get some sleep. We'll find him tomorrow.
Hal
Yeah. Yeah, maybe you're right.
Rebecca
I am. The guest bedroom's in there. I'll get you some pillows.
INT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAWN
Hal tiptoes out of the guest bedroom. He's fully dressed, and it appears Rebecca is still in bed. Daniel is snoring away on the couch. Hal sneaks past him and finds the keys to Rebecca's car. He finds a baseball hat hanging from a hook and a pair of sunglasses and grabs those as well. He sneaks out the front door.
EXT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAWN
Hal pulls the car out of the garage. He stops the car, closes the garage door, then finds a garden hose and cleans off the bloodstains.
EXT SCHOOL - DAWN
Hal, wearing the sunglasses and baseball hat, is sitting in Rebecca's car a couple blocks away from the school. He's holding a cup of coffee, and it would appear he's been on stakeout for quite a while. The front of the school is busy as children are being dropped off, socializing, etc. The bell rings inside and kids scurry inside. The school is quiet. Hal sips his coffee.
INT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAY
Rebecca stumbles out of her bedroom. She notices the guest room door is open and pokes her head in. Seeing no one, she rushes out to the living room. Daniel is still passed out on the couch. She shakes him awake.
Rebecca
Daniel.
Daniel
Mmpph.
Rebecca
He's gone.
Daniel
What? Huh?
Rebecca
Your brother. He's gone.
This jolts Daniel into wakefulness.
Daniel
What do you mean he's gone?
Rebecca
The car.
She runs to the side door and straight to her garage.
EXT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAY
Rebecca opens the garage door and sees the car is missing. She stares at the empty garage for a minute before a small voice behind her disturbs her.
SMALL VOICE
Hi, Dr. Murphy.
Rebecca jumps a little bit and spins around. She sees CLAIRE, the neighbor kid, sitting in a tree house in the next yard.
Rebecca
Good morning, Claire.
Claire
Where'd your car go?
Rebecca
Oh, a friend of mine borrowed it.
Claire
It's a Navigator, right? Dark red? 2006?
Rebecca looks up at Claire, then sprints into the house.
INT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAY
Rebecca flies into the room.
Rebecca
Get dressed. We need to go. Now!
Daniel
What? What's going on?
Rebecca
The little girl next door. She's six. She knows we're here. Go.
EXT REBECCA'S HOUSE - DAY
Daniel and Rebecca run out of the house. Daniel is still putting on his shirt. They rush down the street. As they run, they pass by a house. The door opens and a six year old steps out and watches them run past. They turn the corner, only to have the same thing happen again.
Daniel spots a bus waiting at a bus station.
Daniel
Up there. Run!
The go into a all-out sprint, and manage to get on the bus. They pay their fare and grab a seat. They look relaxed until they notice a six year old standing on the corner watching their bus pass by.
EXT SCHOOL - DAY
Hal is still sitting in Rebecca's car, intently watching the school. After a few moments, the front door opens, and a handful of kids slip out and begin walking down the street, toward Hal. Hal puts down the coffee and slumps down in his seat. The kids pass by him and, as the stragglers pass by, Hal throws open the door. He grabs a kid by his neck, tosses him into the passenger seat, slams the door, and drives off. The kid looks terrified.
Hal
What's your name?
ISABELLA
Isabella.
Hal
How old are you, Isabella?
Isabella looks at him for a moment, then the fear drops from her face and she smiles.
Isabella
Six.
Hal
Where's my son, Isabella?
Isabella
I don't know what you're talking about, Dr. MacPherson.
Hal turns sharply into a deserted alleyway and slams on the brakes. Since Isabella's not wearing a seat belt, she is flung against the dashboard. Hal stops the car and gets out.
EXT ALLEYWAY - DAY
He goes around to the passenger side door. Isabella locks the door and sticks her tongue out at him. Hal reaches in the window (which was broken out last night), unlocks the door, and throws it open. Isabella tries to clamber away, but Hal grabs her.
Hal
I'm going to ask you one more time. Where is my son?
Isabella does the "zipping the lips, throwing away the key" gesture. Hal punches her in the face. Isabella starts to cry.
Hal
Oh, cut that out. I know what you are.
Isabella
It still hurts.
Hal
Tell me. Or it's going to get worse.
He raises a fist. Isabella flinches, then sees a PASSERBY. She lets out a blood curdling scream. The passerby does a double take, then sprints into the alleyway. Hal throws Isabella into the car, then runs around to the driver side. He hops in and throws the car into reverse. The passerby manages to get out of the way, then pulls out a cellphone and, we presume, calls the police.
INT CAR - DAY
ISABELLA
You're in trouble now.
Hal
Yeah, tell me about it.
He reaches over and punches her again in the jaw.
Isabella
Cut it out.
HAL
You can all hear each other's thoughts, right?
Isabella
It's not really hearing, but yeah.
Hal
So you can all feel this?
He hits her again. She's now looking quite bloody.
Isabella
Yes. Now stop.
Hal
You're going to tell me where to find Ethan.
Isabella
Yes. The Circus Palace. At Jantzen Beach. Turn here.
Hal turns a little harder than he needs to.
INT BUS - DAY
Daniel and Rebecca are sitting toward the back of the bus. The bus is about half full. The bus pulls over, and a dozen six year olds get on. They walk directly to Daniel and Rebecca's seat and occupy all the remaining seats. At the back of the pack of children is Daniel. He assuredly seats himself on Rebecca's lap.
DANIEL
Get off of her.
Jacob
I'm not going anywhere.
Rebecca
What do you want?
Jacob
What do I want? I just want to be left alone. And the only way that's going to happen is to get rid of the three of you.
Daniel
Where's Hal?
Jacob
Right now? Heading north on MLK.
Rebecca
How do you do that?
Jacob
You don't remember? That feeling of being able to know what your best friend was thinking before she said anything? Jennifer, wasn't it?
Rebecca
Stop it.
Jacob
You used to be part of us. All of you did.
DANIEL
Yeah, maybe we did. But now we know you're there. You think we can't stop you.
Jacob
No, I think you probably can. I don't know how you do it in all those different minds, but you do manage to get a lot done. No, I think you can stop us. But only if you know we're here.
Rebecca
So, what? You're going to kill us?
Jacob shrugs. Rebecca looks around at the children looking over the back of the seat in front of her.
Daniel
Get off of her.
Jacob
This will go a lot easier if you don't struggle. Just come with us. We'll take to where Hal is.
Daniel
I said get off of her.
He shoves Jacob hard, sending him flying into the aisle.
Bus driver
Hey, what's going on back there?
Rebecca
Nothing. Everything's fine back here.
Some of the other patrons are starting to pay attention. Jacob gets up off the ground.
Jacob
You shouldn't have done that.
Rebecca
Or what? You're just going to attack us? In front of all these people?
Jacob looks at the other people staring at him. The bus comes to a stop, and Jacob walks down the aisle to the front of the bus. The other children follow behind him in a neat line. They exit the bus quietly. As they're disembarking, Daniel grabs Rebecca by the wrist.
Daniel
Come on.
Rebecca
What?
Daniel
We're getting off.
They run down the aisle and out the door. Daniel scoops up Jacob and tucks him under one arm. Holding Rebecca's hand, he runs down the street, while the rest of the children follow them.
Jacob
Put me down.
Daniel
Tell me where Hal is.
Rebecca
Daniel?
She points forward where another gang of children is approaching from the other direction. Rebecca looks around frantically, then drags Daniel and Jacob into a nearby strip club.
INT STRIP CLUB - DAY
Rebecca, Daniel, and Jacob run into the club. They blow past the bouncer.
Bouncer
Hey. You can't bring your kid in here.
He starts to chase after them when the door opens and a dozen or so children try to run in. The bouncer drops down to try to prevent their entry and manages to bottle them up at the door. The children are pounding on him, but he manages to hold them back.
Rebecca and Daniel sprint past the stage and out a fire exit in the back.
EXT ALLEYWAY - DAY
They spend a second getting their bearings, then spy a cab at the end of the alleyway.
Daniel
This way.
Rebecca stops.
Rebecca
Hold on.
She takes off her sweater and places it over Jacob's head. He struggles, but she's able to tie the sweater around his head well enough to prevent him from seeing anything. They run over to the cab.
EXT CIRCUS PALACE - DAY
The Circus Palace is a Chuck E. Cheese knock-off located on the outskirts of an enormous shopping center. Hal pulls up in front of the building in a fire zone. He opens the door and goes around to the other side to get Isabella. She once again locks the door. Hal fumbles around with the lock while Isabella grabs at his hand. After a few seconds, he gives up and raises his hands in surrender.
Hal
You know what? Never mind.
He gives her the finger and storms into the Circus Palace.
INT CIRCUS PALACE - DAY
The main room of the Circus Palace is fairly empty, it being a schoolday and all. That said, there are still a variety of very little kids and a handful of truants running about, playing video games, whack-a-mole, skeeball, etc. Some disinterested parents sit in the eating area chatting. There are a couple teenaged workers standing behind the cashier counter. Hal heads over to them.
Hal
Who owns this place?
TEENAGER
Huh?
Hal
Who's in charge here?
Teenager
I'm the manager.
He gestures to his nametag. It reads "Todd, Manager."
hal
All right, Todd. Let me put this simply. My son has been abducted. I have reason to believe someone is holding him here.
Todd
Do you want me to call the police?
Hal
No. I don't want you to call the police.
Todd
What's your son's name?
Hal
Ethan. His name's Ethan.
Todd picks up the phone.
Todd
Would Ethan please report to the front desk? Ethan, please report to the front desk.
He hangs up the phone. Hal looks pained.
Todd
Dude, I don't think he's here.
Hal
How about I go look for him myself?
Todd
Whatever.
Hal looks around. The front room isn't particularly large, so he's able to cover the entire area quickly. After a pass, he notices a small door with a colorful cartoon character indicating that no one over 4' tall can enter.
Hal
What's through here?
Todd
I don't know. I'm too tall to get through there.
Hal gives up on Todd, gets down on all fours, and crawls through the door.
INT PLAYROOM - DAY
Hal crawls through a small, dark corridor. He emerges into a festively colored (but filthy) play room. As his head emerges into the room, he looks up and sees Ethan. Ethan smiles at him, then pulls out his brand new baseball bat and hits Hal in the back of the head.
INT CAB - DAY
The cab driver looks back nervous at the pair with the sweater-wrapped kid.
jacob
(MUFFLED)
Mister. Help. Call the police. They're kidnapping me. I think they're child molesters.
Cab driver
Look, I don't want to get involved in anything here.
Daniel
Oh, he's just kidding around.
Jacob
No, really. They're going to hurt me. They grabbed me off the bus. I just want to go home.
Jacob starts bawling.
Cab driver
I need to call this in.
He reaches for his radio.
Rebecca
Seriously, he's just a bit of a ham. If you could just let us out here, that would be great.
She hands him a wad of bills from her wallet. The cab driver weighs the situation, then pulls over.
EXT STREET CORNER - DAY
Daniel and Rebecca get out of the cab, dragging Jacob behind them. Jacob has stopped bawling and struggling in general. Daniel sees a public toilet and leads them all in there.
INT TOILET - DAY
Rebecca pulls the sweater off Jacob.
Rebecca
So, smart guy. You know where you are now?
Jacob
A bathroom somewhere.
Daniel
Good. Now, you need to tell us where Hal and Ethan are.
Jacob
I do?
Daniel
You do. How is your... whatever it is going to function without its leader?
Jacob laughs.
Jacob
You think I'm the leader?
Rebecca
Aren't you?
Jacob
You don't get it at all. There is no leader.
Daniel
But you're always doing the talking!
Jacob
I just like the sound of this one's voice. You can kill this body. You can hundreds... thousands of us and it's nothing more than an inconvenience.
Daniel
Oh.
jacob
I'm sorry to disappoint. (LOOKS AROUND AT THE BATHROOM) I know this was a really well thought out plan. But, you know, you want to find Hal and Ethan? Fine. I'll tell you right where they are.
Daniel
Why would you do that?
Jacob
Are you simple? We're going to kill you. If you want to walk into the slaughterhouse the same way your brother did, who am I to stop you?
INT PLAYROOM - DAY
Hal blinks his eyes and wakes up in the brightly colored playroom. His hands have been tied behind him. Four children are standing, watching him.
Hal
Where is he? Where's Ethan?
CHILD #1
Ethan's in the back room.
Hal struggles at his ropes.
Hal
No. I won't let you...
child #2
Let us? I don't think you're in a position to stop anyone.
Hal
You know, you may be smarter than you look, but you stink at tying knots.
He throws off the ropes and jumps to his feet. The children charge at him. Hal doesn't even pause as he kicks one of them solidly in the torso. The child sags and flies backward. The next one lunges for Hal's leg, but Hal grabs him by the arm and swings him like a club, knocking over the other two.
This stuns them for a moment, but they soon are back on their feet and, snarling, charge at Hal. He grabs both of them by their hair, lifts them off their feet, then rams their heads together. He drops them to the ground, unconscious.
After scanning the unconscious bodies to make sure they will remain so, Hal looks around for a way out. He notices a small door integrated into the large, colorful mural that covers the walls of the room. He turns the handle of the door.
EXT CIRCUS PALACE - DAY
A cab pulls up at the edge of the Circus Palace. Daniel hands the driver a bill, and the driver takes off. The entire building is surrounded by a massive police blockade. Police and news helicopters circle the building. Daniel and Rebecca look around at the police presence. There are a significant quantity of SWAT officers on the scene, heavily armed and prepared to invade the building.
DANIEL
I guess they found your car.
Rebecca
Apparently.
Daniel
They probably know what I look like, huh?
Rebecca
Probably.
Daniel
And you? It is your car, after all.
Rebecca
Probably. Though, I don't really look that much like my license photo.
Daniel
You have a plan.
Rebecca
Wait here for a minute. Then make a run for it.
Rebecca takes a deep breath, then runs toward the police.
Rebecca
Oh my God! My baby's in there! Please, you have to let me in there.
The police grab her as she runs toward the front door.
Police OFFICER
Ma'am. You can't go in there. This is a very dangerous situation.
Rebecca
But my baby...
She struggles to get past the police. Several other officers come over and help restrain her.
POLICE OFFICER
We're doing everything we can. We'll have your child out soon.
Rebecca
Please. Let me go.
Police officer
Ma'am. You're just going to have to wait. Parsons, take this lady over to the paramedics. Maybe they can give her something to calm her down.
In all the commotion, Daniel makes a run through the front door. Some officers start to chase him, but the commanding officer signals for them to hang back.
INT CIRCUS PALACE - NIGHT
Daniel bursts through the door. He looks around frantically.
Todd
Are you looking for that weird guy?
Daniel
That weird guy? Probably, yeah.
Todd points to the door to the playroom. Daniel heads toward the door, but Todd stops him.
Todd
Hey, man. What's going on out there?
Daniel
Out there? Oh, they're looking for that weir