by bob chartain
David's headlights illuminate the weed and refuse strewn front lawn of Sherry's once beautiful house. Piles of circulars litter the front walk and patio.
DAVID TAKES TOMMY IN HIS ARMS, -
carefully keeping him bundled. As they approach the gloomy entrance, further signs of abandonment are visible, cracked window panes, plywood over the windows, broken lawn chairs etc.
DAVID, MANNY, ROSY AND JEAN –
move in a funeral like procession towards the door.
FROM THE REVERSE POV - INSIDE THE HOUSE -
the door slowly creaks open to the silhouettes of David and Tommy. David throws the light switch, hesitates, shadows flit by the baseboards, then he steps in followed by Manny and the two women.
THE INTERIOR OF THE ONCE LAVISH HOUSE -
is the essence of abandonment. Sheets and dust covers hide the furniture; the rugs are rolled up; cobwebs cover parts of the walls and the SOUND of scurrying animals can be distinctly heard.
ROSY AND JEAN -
move about the house opening windows and taking the white ghostly dust covers off the furniture. David holds Tommy in his arms.
DAVID
This was your mother's house.
TOMMY
It's so beautiful. Why didn't
you live here Dad?
DAVID
Tommy, I just couldn't handle
the pain. I'm so sorry for.
TOMMY
Pain, but Dad you're a soldier.
DAVID
It's not the same.
TOMMY
I'm tired now, can I go to bed?
DAVID CARRIES TOMMY -
down the hall into the once lavish bedroom as -
ROSY AND JEAN -
move quickly in front of him, removing more dust covers from the furniture and the bed.
MANNY -
flicks a few cobwebs from the door jambs as Rosy throws the windows open to the - CLEAR STARRY SPFX SKY.
David lays Tommy on the bed, Jean takes the sheet off the -
THE PORTRAIT OF TOMMY.
Rosy motions the group to the door, where they wait. David dims the lights.
ROSY
(holds Tommy's hand)
Tommy, did you remember your prayers?
She pulls the covers around Tommy, who drops the -
TOY SOLDIER -
he had been clutching. Rosy kneels by the side of the bed.
TOMMY
Dear God, please bless my family,
Daddy, Rosy, Jean and Manny.
Thank you for letting me spend some
time with my Dad before I have to go.
David cannot withhold the tears in his eyes and neither can anyone else.
TOMMY (cont'd)
God, I know that heaven is a beautiful
place and I will be happy there, just
like mom. But I would really like
to stay here unless you really don’t need me.
SUDDENLY A SOFT GLOW FILLS THE ROOM.
In the background of the painting Sherry's face glows. In awe, the group moves back into the room.
DAVID
We need you Tommy….
I don't remember that.
TOMMY
(long beat)
She's here, Dad.
THE MELODIOUS, SOFT VOICE OF SHERRY STARTS A HYPNOTIZING CHANT
THAT ONLY TOMMY HEARS.
"AND SOMETIMES SENT MY SHIPS IN FLEETS
ALL UP AND DOWN AMONG THE SHEETS;
OR BROUGHT MY TREES AND HOUSES OUT,
AND PLANTED CITIES ALL ABOUT."
From TOMMY'S POV, the picture wavers as though in mist or fog; the star over the shoulder grows brighter. A smile covers Tommy's face as the light from the star hits the dresser.
TOMMY
The drawer, Dad.
DAVID
The drawer?
TOMMY
(pointing)
In there.
David opens the drawer and hesitates. The pain is obvious as all he sees is Sherry's comb and other personal effects.
DAVID
Just some old things.
TOMMY
Keep looking, Dad.
David spots the -
GREEN CAPSULE THAT SHERRY HAD TOSSED INTO THE DRAWER LONG AGO.
David puts the capsule in Tommy's hand and he beams.
TOMMY - throws his arms around David. Manny, Rosy and Jean gather around.
A LITTLE STAR TWINKLES BRIGHTER THAN THE REST -
THE SUBJECTIVE CAMERA ON TOMMY, PULLS BACK, OUT THE WINDOW AND UPWARD INTO THE SKY AND THE HYPNOTIZING CHANT CONTINUES.
"I WAS THE GIANT GREAT AND STILL
THAT SITS UPON THE PILLOW HILL
AND SEES BEFORE HIM, DALE AND PLAIN,
THE PLEASANT LAND OF COUNTERPANE".
MUSIC UP:
FADE OUT:
IN THE ENDING CREDIT SEQUENCE
INSERT:
THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF COUNTERPANE -
A pawn, a vassal, a patchwork quilt, a coverlet.
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