NARRATION: LIVING ROOM - DAY
NARRATION: DET. Ricky, 40s, sits in a chair. Jack hands him a cup of coffee then sits on the sofa next to Ella.
DET. Ricky: And we've confirmed it was Amanda, a murderer who is wanted all most everywhere. You may have heard on the news.
Jack: That she was hard to find and it's possible we didn't kill her.
DET. Ricky: It isn't as prevalent as they want you to believe.
Ella: You're going to have a hard time convincing us of that.
NARRATION: Det. Ricky takes an awkward sip of coffee.
Ella: So? Were they satanic?
NARRATION: Ricky glances over at Ella and then back at John.
Jack: It's okay. She should know. That's why you're here, isn't it?
Det. Ricky: I'm here to reassure you of your safety. But yes, it's believed they were possessed.
Ella: But that's crazy...
Det.Ricky: Crazy people do crazy things. That's all this was... I'll dig a little deeper, see what I can learn. If we get any further information I will reach out to you.
Ella: No. Thank you but... No. Unless it has something to do with our safety I'd just rather not hear any more about it.
Det. Ricky: I understand.
NARRATION: On the Television Screen. But the picture becomes clearer and clearer as Jack moves the antennas from the bed.
Ella: Okay, good, right there.
NARRATION: The Late show is almost starting. Maybe it's a western or a romance classic. Sure as hell ain't a horror movie.
Jack: I'll go make the popcorn.
NARRATION: KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
NARRATION: John pulls a JIFFY POP TIN from the cupboard, throws it on the electric stove, turns the burner knob on high. The wire coil grates begin to heat. As Jack walks down the hallway --
Jack: Hey, you sure it's okay for the baby to have this much butter and sa…
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM
NARRATION: Jack sees Ella has dozed off to dreamland and the TV is static again. Jack shuts it off.
NARRATION: Back in the kitchen he turns off the stove too and the lights.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - MORNING
NARRATION: Ella watches Jack knot his tie. Slip on his suit jacket.
Jack: I'm sorry I have to go and do this.
Ella: It's for our future. I'd be upset if you didn't... How do you feel? Don't ask. They'll love you.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - LATER
NARRATION: TV is on. Reception still sucks. Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk!
NARRATION: Ella feeds a piece of fabric through the Sewing Machine. Every few seconds, her fingers get a hairs width away from the needle before moving back to push more fabric through. This process repeats several times. And we react like we just know one of these times she's going to get stitched.
NARRATION: LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Front Door creeeeeeeaks OPEN. Not much. But enough.
NARRATION: KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
NARRATIOPN: The DIALS for the STOVE turned. From OFF all the way to HIGH.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk! Fabric. Needle. Almost ouch.
NARRATION: KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: The burner coils -- including the one under the Jiffy Pop glow a brighter and brighter orange.The Jiffy Pop Foil begins to balloon.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Tchnk, Tchnk, SHIT! Fabric, needle, flesh, blood. Ella grabs her finger.
Ella: fuck...
NARRATION: Ella moves toward the Bathroom. Using the nightstand, the dresser and whatever else to help ease her weight.
NARRATION: KITCHEN - SAME TIME
NARRATION: A lone kernel POPS.
NARRATION: BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Ella turns on the faucet. Runs the cold water. Shoves her finger under. Blood circles the drain.The rush of water drowns out the sound of --
NARRATION: KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: POP. POP. POP. POPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOP!
NARRATION: BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Ella finds a band-aid in the Medicine Cabinet. Wraps it around her finger. Ella shuts off the water right as --
NARRATION:KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: -- the POPS stop.
NARRATION: But the Foil continues to balloon.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Ella exits from the bathroom. Resumes her position at the Sewing Machine. Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk, Tchnk!
NARRATION: KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Jiffy Pop Foil BURSTS, Popcorn flies. A fire flares up and a hanging DISH TOWEL catches flame.
NARRATION: MASTER BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: Mia looks up from her sewing as the TV reception steadies crystal clear to show --
NARRATION: ON TV
NARRATION: A TOY COMMERCIAL. Of a girl playing with her beloved doll. Does Ella just like dolls or is it the fact that she's pregnant?
NARRATION: Ella smiles. But then wrinkles her nose like, what the hell is that smell? She leans out of her chair to get a view of the hallway. Sees a ROLLING CLOUD of BLACK SMOKE.
Ella: Oh God.
NARRATION: Ella rises up out of her chair. Hurries down the hallway toward the kitchen. PILLARS of FLAME erupt from the oven, licking the ceiling. The Ceiling Fan CRASHES at Mia's feet. She falls back. Lands hard. She grabs her stomach. Face twists in anguish as hot Flames closer. Black Smoke thicker. Ella begins to crawl toward the Front Door. Using every ounce of strength left in her. Is she going to make it? Don't think so...
NARRATION: WHAM! Door busts OPEN. A NEIGHBOR stands at the threshold.
Sees Ella on the floor.
Neighbor: Help! She's still in here! Someone call an ambulance!
NARRATION: Neighbor reaches down and begins to drag Ella outside.
NARRATION: HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - LATER
NARRATION: Jack CRASHES through double doors.Tie loose around his neck, like a hangman's noose. Tears and sweat streak his face. When he nearly collides with a JANITOR --
Jack: 300 -- Room 300 --
NARRATION: Janitor motions to the end of the Hallway. Jack can't get there fast enough.
NARRATION: ROOM 307 - MINUTES LATER
NARRATION: Jack rushes in. Sees Ella on the hospital bed. Hooked up to all sorts of machines that blip and bleep. She looks wrung out and hung out. Tries to pick her head up -- or smile -- or something --but she can only manage --
Ella: Hjhaee...
Jack: Hey you.
NARRATION: He leans over her. Brushes away the strands of hair plastered to her face.
Jack: I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry I wasn't here...Presses his lips against her. Ella whispers --
Ella: Behind you...
NARRATION: Jack turns his head and sees his NEWBORN BABY. Cradled by a Nurse. Pink. Healthy. Wrinkly.
NURSE: Congratulations. It's a girl.
NARRATION: Nurse hands the baby to John. His eyes well up. So much happiness inside of him.
Jack: Hey there little...
Ella: Mia
NARRATION: Jack smiles.
Jack: Hey there little Mia...
NARRATION: Ella watches her husband dote on their newborn daughter. Her smile dims when --
Ella: Jack -- the fire --
Jack: Don't worry about it, Ella. I'm just glad you're both okay.
Ella: I don't know what happened -- it's like it's cursed -- I can't go back there again... Not with her... Jack pulls his girls closer to him.
Jack: You don't have to...
CUT TO:
NARRATION: PALMIRI APARTMENTS - DAY
NARRATION: A 1940s ten story apartment building. Located on a tree lined
street in beautiful downtown Pasadena. Could be the cover of a visitor's brochure.
NARRATION: PALMIRI - LENS APARTMENT - DAY
We're seven floors up.Two Bedroom. Exposed Brick. Hardwood floor. Crown moldings.It's spacious too or it would be if it wasn't for all those MOVING BOXES stacked like a failed game of Tetris. Somewhere among them, Mia CRIES. Ella moves to a blanket spread out on the floor. Mia lays there. Crying. Ella picks her up. Calms her down. As Mia quiets, the ceiling CREAKS above them. Ella looks up. Annoyed at the footsteps of the neighbors above. Apartment living takes some getting used to. Jack exits from the Bedroom. Like Mia and Ella, he's wearing his Sunday best...
Jack: All ready?
NARRATION: SEVENTH FLOOR HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
NARRATION: The Lens' wait for the ELEVATOR. It's one of those old ones with the SLIDING GRATING DOORS.
Ding!
NARRATION: Doors open, revealing -- Frank. Early 30s. Tall, scruffy. He could use a shower. Maybe two of them. Definitely went to Woodstock.Ella almost hesitant to get in until –
Frank: Mr. Lens. How are you, sir?
Jack enters into the ELEVATOR, forces Ella to follow. It's about the size of a coffin. Making it a tight fit for two people. Let alone three and a baby.
Jack: Honey, this is...
...can't remember.
Frank: Jax Frank. Hi, Ma'am. How are ya?
Ella: Nice to meet you. Doesn't sound all that convincing though. Something about that beard.. that hair...Reminds her of someone she'd rather forget.
Jack: He's our landlord.
NARRATION: Fuck. Ella can't believe it either.
Ella: You're our landlord?
Frank: And building manager. So if you need anything you let me know.
Jack: His parents own this --
Frank: -- my grandparents, actually. They own the building. Bought it back in -- Jah-jerk. Elevator stops. In-between floors.
Ella: What's happening?
NARRATION: Jack and Ella look at each other.
Frank: It does this from time to time. It's old so it pretty much has a mind of it's own...
Ella: Can't you fix it?
Frank: Oh sure. I have. Plenty of times. One second. Two seconds. Ten. Jah-jerk.
NARRATION: Elevator descends. When it reaches the bottom, Mia steps out quickly into the LOBBY.
NARRATION: To Jack -- pissed --
Ella: I use the stairs from now on.
NARRATION: ST. MONICA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - MORNING
NARRATION: Father Andre is back behind the pulpit. He looks like he should be wearing a badge, not a clerical collar. Right now he's saying --
Father Andre: ...we cannot let fear control us. For we are never truly alone when we walk with God. How many times are we afraid because we do not understand? Isn't it true that the more we know of something, the less power it holds over us and the less fear we have for it...
NARRATION: Jack, Ella and Mia sit in a pew toward the back. Jack takes Mia's hand. He taps her thumb with his, like --
Jack: Wanna play?
NARRATION: Ella smiles. Leans in and whispers --
Ella: not now baby, I think i should change her...
NARRATION: She gets up with Mia. At the pulpit, Perez glances at Mia and Leah as they leave through the side exit. Continues his sermon.
NARRATION: ST. MONICA'S - CHURCHYARD – LATER
NARRATION: Ella sits and plays with Leah on a nearby bench. As the congregation behind her exits onto the street. She watches out for her husband as Father Perez approaches with a KODAK CAMERA slung around his neck.
Father Andre: Mind if I take her picture? I like to post photos of the newest members of the congregation.
Ella: Yeah, of course.
NARRATION: As he positions the camera --
Father Andre: Could you pick her up, hold her on your lap...?
Ella: Oh -- you don't need me in the photo?
Father Andre: Of course I do. Mothers are closer to God than any other creature. For
only a mother can share in God's creative miracle.
NARRATION: Ella holds Mia on her lap. She forces a smile.
NARRATION: He SNAPS a photo.
Father Andre: That should do it.
NARRTION: As he rewinds the film in the camera --
Father Andre: Your husband mentioned you recently moved.
Ella: ...to Pasadena. He's in residency over at City Hospital...
Father Andre: Noble profession. Can be a lucrative one too. Good for him. But new baby,new job, new home. That's a lot of news...
Ella: So you'll pray for me then?
NARRATION: Father Andre laughs hard.
NARRATION: Ella spots Jack in the crowd.
Ella: There's Jack. I should go. We have a lot of boxes left to unpack...
Father Andre: Well I'm sorry but I don't think prayer can help you with that.
Ella: I guess some times we have to take care of ourselves...
Father Andre: Congratulations again on the baby and the move. I'm glad you didn't leave everything behind.
NARRATION: She walks away.
NARRATION: LENS APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
NARRATION: Recently unpacked dishes and silverware pile up next to the sink. Mia turns on the faucet and begins to wash. Suddenly --The water turns OFF. Pipes rattle. Ella tries the faucet again. No such luck.
NARRATION: LIVING ROOM - LATER
NARRATION: Ella arranges BOOKS onto the shelves. Hears her neighbors' ARGUING on the other side of the wall. She walks over to the wall and tries to listen. They stop. Almost like they know she's there. Ella furrows a brow -- confused -- when --KNOCK KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK! She flinches. Over to the Front Door and peers through the KEYHOLE and sees Frank on the other side. KNOCK! KNOCK!
Frank: Anyone there? Someone called about the faucets.
NARRATION: Ella unlocks and opens the door.
NARRATION: Frank smiles.
NARRATION: NURSERY - LATER
NARRATION: Mia goo-goo-gaa-gaas up at the mobile hanging above her crib. Ella sits on the floor by the door. Listens to Frank bang away at pipes in the kitchen then phone RINGS.
NARRATION: KITCHEN - SECONDS LATER
NARRATION: Frank is under the sink. Wrenching whatever needs wrenched. Ella steps over him and grabs the phone --
NARRATION: Ella is on phone.
Ella: Hello?
NARRATION: CITY HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - SAME TIME
NARRATION: Jack -- wearing a long white coat -- cradles the phone to his ear. Constant commotion behind him.
Jack: Hey, it's me. Just wanted to check in... How is she? How are you?
INTERCUT:
NARRATION: Ella looks over at Frank. She hates that he's here.
Ella: We're... we're fine. The building manager is -
NARRATION: An INTERCOM right above Jack's head begins to blare.
Jack: What's that?
Ella: Frank -- the building manager? --he's looking at the --
NARRATION: Another DOCTOR yells down for John --
Doctor: Lens! Let's go. He's starting.
Jack: Shit -- Mia -- I gotta run --
Ella: You'll be home soon? There's still a lot to unpack and I could use --
Jack: I gotta go, honey kiss Mia for me, will ya?
NARRATION: He hangs up. Ella does too. Turns around and sees --Frank standing in the Kitchen. Watching her.
Frank: Should be work now. Mr. Lens gone for the day?
Ella: Doctor Lens. And he's on his way home.
NARRATION: She moves over to the door and opens it up.
Ella: Thank you for coming.
Frank: Sure thing.
NARRATION: He leaves. She shuts the door behind him and locks it.
NARRATION: NURSERY - LATER
NARRATION: Ella changes Mia into warmer clothes.
Ella: How's that feel? What do you think? You ready to brave the big city?
NARRATION: Mia smiles.
NARRATION: SEVENTH FLOOR HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
NARRATION: Carrying Mia, Ella locks the door. Meowr. A STRAY CAT brush up against her leg. Ella kneels.
Ella: Hey there cutie pie...
NARRATION: Stray Cat HISSES. Takes off down the hallway. Ella watches it disappear around a corner. Then -- as if on command --The Elevator Doors OPEN. Like they're beckoning her but fuck that. Ella takes the stairs.
NARRATION: APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
NARRATION: On the stoop, A LITTLE BOY, 8, draws with CRAYONS. His SISTER, 6, plays with her Dolly.They stop and look up when --Ella exits with Mia.
Ella: Oh. Hi. Do you live here too?
Sister: We live --
Boy: Don't tell! We're not supposed to tell. She's a stranger...
NARRATTION: Ella unlocks the STORAGE CLOSET under the stairs. Pulls out the Stroller. Sets Mia inside.
Ella: That's a good rule to have.
NARRATION: Ella tells the little girl.
Ella: I like your doll. I have one just like it.
Sister: You do?
Ella: A couple like it, actually I'm Ella. This is Mia. What's your name?
Girl: It's --
Boy: I said don't tell her.
NARRATION: Sister looks back at Ella and Shrugs. Sorry.
NARRATION: Ella smiles.
Ella: Well, maybe one day we'll all be friends... See you around, okay? She pushes the stroller.
NARRATION: STREET - LATER
NARRATION: ...down the sidewalks of the city. Stops when she passes a --USED BOOKSTORE Window shops the display behind the glass. Lots of kids books. A few best sellers. And then over there in the corner --A BOOK ON DEMONS. Cover worn and cracked. Like it's been read and reread. Over and over. Clouds cover the sun. A breeze blows. Ella looks away. Unnerved. Continues on.
NARRATION: APARTMENT BUILDING - LATER
NARRATION: Holding Mia, Mia returns the stroller to the storage closet. Walks up the Front Stairs. No sign of the brother and sister except for a sheet of DRAWING PAPER caught under the crack of the Front Door.Ella picks it up. ON DRAWING: Crayon. Very crude. Mia pushes Leah in her stroller. Big smiles on 'em both. Yellow sun. Blue skies. Cars behind them.
NARRATION: BACK ON ELLA
NARRATION: She smiles and Shows Mia.
Ella: See what they drew for you? We're making friends already. Ella enters the building.
NARRATION: APARTMENT BUILDING - LOBBY ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Ella heads toward the stairs. Sees --ANOTHER DRAWING Ella and Mia in the stroller. Big smiles. Yellow sun. Blue skies. Cars. And a CITY BUS.
NARRATION: BACK ON ELLA.
NARRATION: Trudging up the stairs.
Ella: Ugh... at least we get a work out, huh?
NARRATION: ANOTHER SHEET OF PAPER flutters a few steps above them. Mia picks up that one too and sees --ON DRAWING
Ella and Mia in the stroller. Sun. Sky. City Bus closer.
NARRATION: BACK ON ELLA.
NARRATION: Confused. Mia moves quicker. Trying not to stumble with Mia in her
arms. Finally reaches the --SEVENTH FLOOR HALLWAY ANOTHER SHEET OF PAPER. Right at their door. Next to it, a RED CRAYON. Mia picks that up along with the drawing.
Ella: Oh God...
NARRATION: ON DRAWING: The City Bus SMASHED into the Stroller. Mia has her hands raised. Like she's screaming.