FADE IN:
INSERT - TITLE CARD
A frame should never distract from the artistry it
displays ... unless the frame holds a mirror. Then the
frame becomes the object of attention.
EXT. SANTA MONICA STREET - SEVEN YEARS AGO
PERSEPHONE "PERCY" (13) and ELLEN (14) walk bicycles
along the promenade. They seem unlikely friends. Percy, a
blonde waif with a mouth full of braces, has an
awkwardness her designer labels can't hide. Ellen, auburn
hair and an already feminine build, brings an easy style
to an ensemble pieced together at discount shops.
PERCY
Last night I dreamt that Brad
drove to school in this totally
rad Shelby AC Cobra four-twenty
seven S/C which totally blew away
Tony Martin's two-eighty-z.
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. MALIBU HIGH SCHOOL - DREAM SEQUENCE
BRAD (15) cruises up in a luminescent Cobra. CLASSMATES
crowd around as Brad pops the hood to display the engine.
ELLEN (V.O.)
Brad isn't even sixteen yet.
PERCY (V.O.)
It's my dream and in my dream he
had the car. Five-hundred-twenty
horses, zero-to-sixty in four
point-two seconds. As Carroll
Shelby says, "There's no
substitute for cubic inches."
ELLEN (V.O.)
You are a worse gear freak than
any guy I know.
TONY MARTIN (18) tries to start a rusty 280Z.
Brad climbs out, Guess jacket and Black Fly wraparounds.
PERCY (V.O.)
He tilts his shades like in some
cigarette ad, just too cool.
ELLEN (V.O.)
Smoking is disgusting, unless it's
weed of course, then it's okay.
PERCY (V.O.)
Priscilla's with her cheerleaders,
like her shit doesn't stink.
PRISCILLA (16), every high school boy's fantasy, turns
heads as she struts by.
ELLEN (V.O.)
I'm a cheerleader.
PERCY (V.O.)
But your shit stinks big time.
Priscilla saunters over and climbs
in the passenger seat, like the
car belongs to her.
Ellen shakes her head in exasperation.
ELLEN
If the car belonged to her, why
didn't she get behind the wheel?
PERCY
I'm getting to the good part!
ELLEN
You're for sure not there yet.
The presumptive future homecoming king and queen kiss.
PERCY (V.O.)
Brad fires his engine up and it
growls like only a four-twenty
seven can, not the less powerful
four-twenty-eight.
ELLEN
Oh, yeah? If there's no substitute
for cubes, why is the smaller
engine more powerful?
PERCY
Ellen! Stop interrupting me.
At a stop sign, Percy pulls up next to Brad on a brand
new Fat Boy Harley, midnight blue, custom trim.
ELLEN (V.O.)
Just like what you ride to school!
A three-speed Schwinn.
PERCY (V.O.)
Just wait. I'm going to be famous.
Percy tilts her shades, a cigarette hanging from her lip.
PERCY
Race?
She flicks her cigarette onto Brad's hood and peels away.
PERCY (V.O.)
Which pisses him off. I peel out,
but not so fast he can't catch up.
ELLEN (V.O.)
You don't smoke.
PERCY (V.O.)
Maybe it was pot. Can I finish?
EXT. MALIBU - DREAM SEQUENCE
The Cobra and Harley scream along the twisting curves of
Kanan Dume, outstripping brightly colored rice rockets,
darting narrowly between cars, leaping over obstructions.
PERCY (V.O.)
I lean so far into the turns I
scrape my elbow on the asphalt.
Priscilla is being a total bitch
so Brad shoves her out because the
car is too heavy and she's slowing
him down.
ELLEN (V.O.)
What is she, a size four?
PERCY (V.O.)
Well, I'm a size zero. Now he's
really laying it on and I can see
he's alone so I ease up a bit and
let him catch up.
The Cobra skids out of control, crashes through the guard
rail and sails two miles into the ocean.
ELLEN (V.O.)
From one of the canyon roads.
PERCY (V.O.)
Right. I skid to a stop and spin
around, but he's not coming up.
ELLEN (V.O.)
Wasn't he headed away from the
ocean?
Percy spins the Harley around, revs up and flies through
the broken guardrail, landing at the ocean's edge.
Tearing off her leather jacket, she races into the water.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - UNDERWATER - DREAM SEQUENCE
Percy finds Brad trapped in the submerged Cobra.
PERCY (V.O.)
I pull out a switchblade to free
him, but he's been underwater for
a couple of minutes, so I have to
give him artificial resuscitation
before I can cut him loose.
EXT. SANTA MONICA PLACE SHOPPING MALL
The girls lock their bicycles to a rack.
ELLEN
Underwater.
PERCY
I couldn't just let him drown.
ELLEN
It's amazing you remember so many
details from your dreams. I might
remember one moment but forget it
by the time I brush my teeth.
PERCY
You think I'm a total dork.
ELLEN
Don't you think Brad is a little
old for you? You're only twelve.
PERCY
Thirteen! And two days.
ELLEN
Percy, you're one of the smartest
girls I know, else they wouldn't
have skipped you all those grades.
But you're still a kid. Brad's a
teenager ...
Percy digs into her knapsack, extracts an envelope.
PERCY
I'm a teenager too ... with a five
hundred dollar gift certificate.
ELLEN
Must be rough having a movie star
for a father.
PERCY
Stepfather.
INT. BEDROOM
The steel grey eyes of FINIAN O'ROURKE, 48, smolder with
contempt. Ruggedly handsome, fit, trim, a sophisticated
greying of the temples, his muscles taut with a feral
rage directed at MARIA, 26, half alley cat, half sex
kitten, dressed in a provocative peignoir.
FINIAN
Isn't that the one he bought?
MARIA
For all his faults, he had taste.
FINIAN
You look great, but I never want
to see you in it again.
MARIA
It's just a few scraps of silk and
lace. It doesn't mean anything.
FINIAN
Then wear something else. You've
got closets full of clothes.
MARIA
I like this one.
FINIAN
I don't.
Maria draws close, uncomfortably close.
MARIA
What are you going to do about it?
Finian brushes his fingertips across Maria's cheek, down
her neck and inside the spaghetti strap of the peignoir.
Maria smiles condescendingly and leans to kiss him.
Finian abruptly rips the peignoir half off Maria's body.
MARIA
You bastard!
Maria swings, but Finian blocks the blow. She struggles
to get away, caught in the garment he clutches.
Maria struggles and twists beneath Finian's arms, causing
the torn peignoir to become wrapped around her neck.
Finian draws her close, the torn fabric pulled tight.
FINIAN
God, I love you.
MARIA
God, I hate you.
Maria kisses Finian passionately, tearing at his buttons.
They fall onto the bed together, eager, intense.
CHRISTIAN (O.S.)
Cut. Excellent, excellent.
CHRISTIAN (28) looks up from a monitor on a movie set.
His blond California surfer good looks are marred only by
a prominent, hawkish nose. He wears a cut-off USC
sweatshirt over frumpy jeans and distressed sneakers.
SALLY (40s) brings a robe to Maria, still locked in an
embrace with Finian. Their tension is palpable.
CHRISTIAN
Do we have another nightie? I want
to try it one more time. Maria,
this time I want you to take more
initiative pulling Finian toward
the bed. Let's move it, I want to
roll again in five.
Finian and Maria reluctantly break apart.
INT. SANTA MONICA PLACE SHOPPING MALL
Percy and Ellen race past fashionable boutiques. Percy
skids to a stop, her attention riveted to a chic outfit.
PERCY
I have to have that outfit.
ELLEN
Very nice.
PERCY
Let's get matching outfits.
ELLEN
Mucho, mucho dinero.
PERCY
I'll buy it for you.
ELLEN
Not with your birthday money.
PERCY
Try it on. We'll be twins.
INT. BOUTIQUE
Percy preens in the dressing stall, takes a deep breath
and poises herself for a big entrance.
She struts into the boutique, an anxious and awkward
fledgling runway model, to find Ellen chatting with Brad
and Tony, who take no notice.
Ellen, who's hit puberty with a vengeance, looks every
inch the fashion model. The outfit lends a sophisticated
air which hasn't escaped the notice of Brad and Tony.
In a mirror, Percy sees herself as a small child playing
dress-up in adult clothes.
Shooting a glance at Ellen and Brad, still oblivious to
her, Percy hurries back to the dressing room.
EXT. SANTA MONICA STREET - SPRING - AFTERNOON
A quiet, sunny afternoon. Percy rides her bicycle past
comfortable homes on San Vicente Boulevard, arriving at a
two-story home with a Corvette in the driveway.
LANCELOT, an Irish setter bounds out to greet her as she
hauls her bicycle onto the front porch and enters.
INT. PERCY'S HOME
Percy walks past the recreation room, where Finian pours
himself a drink.
FINIAN
How's the birthday girl?
Percy turns and heads for the kitchen without a word.
Finian finds Percy in the kitchen setting out fresh food
and water for the dog. He takes a seat at the table.
FINIAN
Hey, Persephone. Something the
matter?
Percy studiously ignores him, tears welling in her eyes.
FINIAN
Percy, I know I can never replace
your father, but I hope you will
think of me as somebody you can
trust and talk to whenever
something is bothering you.
Percy sniffles and nods, but refuses to speak.
FINIAN
If there were something bothering
you, not that anything is, but if
there were, I'm not doing anything
special right now. My secretary
might be able to squeeze you in.
You could have your girl call my
girl and set up a meeting.
Despite herself, Percy snickers.
FINIAN
This picture has kept me so busy
we haven't had time to become
acquainted.
Percy turns away to position the water dish on the floor.
PERCY
Does this mean you're leaving?
Caught off guard, Finian sips his drink.
FINIAN
Did your mother say I'm leaving?
Percy shakes her head "no."
FINIAN
Do you want me to leave?
Percy shakes her head more vigorously.
FINIAN
Then why the question, Percy?
PERCY
My father drank all the time and
argued with mom before he left.
FINIAN
You were only four.
PERCY
I remember, though.
Finian looks at his glass thoughtfully.
FINIAN
How is it children see so clearly
what we adults can't see at all?
PERCY
I'm not a child!
FINIAN
No, you're already a teenager, and
quite a pretty one at that.
PERCY
The boys don't think so.
FINIAN
Come sit with me and tell me how
you've become such an expert on
what boys think.
Percy takes a seat with a great show of reluctance.
PERCY
They don't look at me. Don't talk
to me. Don't ask me out on dates.
FINIAN
At your age boys can be shy around
girls, especially one as pretty as
yourself.
PERCY
They're not shy around Ellen.
FINIAN
Ellen is a few years older.
PERCY
Not even a year and a half.
Finian chokes on his drink, but recovers quickly.
FINIAN
Some girls grow up fast and others
take their time and do it right.
Percy begins sobbing.
PERCY
I don't have time!
Finian draws her into a hug. Percy sobs against Finian's
shoulder as he gently rocks.
At the doorway, CYNTHIA (36) SHRIEKS and drops an armful
of groceries.
A glass quart bottle of milk shatters on the floor.
Cynthia turns and runs from the kitchen.
Finian breaks away from Percy and follows.
FINIAN
Cynthia!
PERCY
Mother!
EXT. PERCY'S HOME - EVENING
Cynthia runs out into a rainy night, climbs into a Mazda
Miata and fishtails out of the wet driveway, as Finian
and Percy run into the front lawn after her.
The Miata pulls into traffic and is hit broadside by a
speeding garbage truck, propelling it through the air,
crashing into parked cars as it bursts into flames.
Percy tries to run to her mother's car, engulfed in
flames, but Finian restrains her.
Finian hugs Percy as she begins crying uncontrollably.
INT. JUDITH'S OFFICE - PRESENT
The upscale office of a traditional Freudian, a chaise
longue placed so the patient doesn't see the therapist.
Percy (now 20) reaches for a tissue. She has matured into
a stunningly beautiful woman.
PERCY
We couldn't get to her.
JUDITH
Are you strong enough to continue?
Percy nods.
JUDITH
How long were you and your
stepfather talking before your
mother came home?
PERCY
A few minutes. I can't remember.
JUDITH
But in those few minutes, the
weather changed from sunny
afternoon, to a rainy night.
Percy twists her tissue into a tight knot.
JUDITH
What else do you remember about
the evening your mother died?
PERCY
I was caught in the rain. By the
time I got home, I was soaked.
FLASHBACK - INT. PERCY'S HOME - KITCHEN
Percy busies herself with the dog's dishes.
FINIAN
How is it children see so clearly
what we adults can't see at all?
Percy turns to confront Finian. The damp fabric of her
sundress clings to her body.
PERCY
I'm not a child!
FINIAN
No, you're already a teenager, a
very wet teenager. You'd better
get some dry clothes on.
Percy looks down at her body, slowly peeling the hem of
her sundress from her thigh, then pressing it back again.
Finian swallows hard, tries to look away, but can't.
PERCY
I don't mind if you look. It's not
like you're my real father.
Percy walks toward Finian in a deliberate attempt at
sultry, slowly pulling her sundress over her head as she
does so. Finian sits frozen in his seat.
Cynthia SHRIEKS, the milk shatters.
JUDITH (V.O.)
Percy.
BACK TO SCENE
Judith's voice brings Percy back from a near trance. A
later session, Judith and Percy are dressed differently.
PERCY
It's okay. I want to remember.
JUDITH
You've been very brave, but try to
remember what really happened.
PERCY
It happened. It really did.
JUDITH
You feel responsible for your
mother's death. Guilt causes your
mind to punish you, making the
accident seem more terrifying,
closer to home. In your mind,
you've witnessed a horrifying
event, but that isn't the way it
happened.
PERCY
My memory has always been good.
JUDITH
Your mother's car did not burst
into flames before your eyes.
PERCY
They put her in a closed casket.
JUDITH
Your mother was disfigured, but
not from any explosion.
PERCY
But I saw it.
JUDITH
The accident didn't happen in
front of your home, but in San
Diego, near your grandmother's. It
was in all the papers.
Percy struggles with this.
PERCY
She died. I'm not imagining it.
JUDITH
We cope with painful memories by
twisting them into forms we find
more comfortable. If we believe we
avoided a punishment we somehow
deserved, we punish ourselves by
making our memories more painful.
PERCY
That doesn't mean it didn't
happen.
JUDITH
How did a child who had never been
kissed become a confident vamp who
easily manipulates older men?
PERCY
My mother caught me in bed with my
stepfather.
JUDITH
In bed, Percy? Or in the kitchen?
PERCY
She caught us together. I drove
her away.
JUDITH
Percy, I don't doubt something
happened between you and your
stepfather that had a tremendous
impact on your emotional state.
But I seriously doubt you were the
seductress you claim to be.
Percy twists the tissue in her fingers tighter.
JUDITH
I've worked with many young ladies
who were victims of relatives who
betrayed their trust. In every
case the adult was the aggressor.
I want to help you take this
terrible burden of guilt off your
shoulders and put it where it
belongs, with your stepfather. Can
you help me?
PERCY
I'll try.
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