《谎言背后》WhatLiesBeneath

what lies beneath

by

clark gregg

june 14, 1999

fade in:

moving through a murky haze. dark blues and greens, shafts

of prismed purple. a pale shard appears in the distance.

gliding closer, a group of tiny fish dart before the camera.

we're underwater. arriving at the form, it finally sharpens

into focus. it's a woman's body submerged in dark water,

arms floating lazily at her side. the face is obscured by

flowing hair. all that is visible is a pair of cold, staring

green eyes, which blink closed...

morph to:

...then open as blue eyes, as a different face emerges from

water. claire spencer awakens from this unsettling dream in

her bathtub. she pivots the large brass shower head (the

kind that moves up and down on a pipe) off to one side,

reaches toward her feet and we hear the sound of a plug being

pulled.

int. bathroom - day

a hazy shape-- accompanied by a whirring sound.

a steam covered mirror is cleared with a blow dryer. claire

starts to come into focus. the dryer stops. she presses the

red g.f.i. button on the socket. zap! a big blue spark

shoots out. claire pulls her hand back...and the dryer

starts whirring again.

she clears the mirror and replaces the dryer on a hook. she

regards herself in the mirror, and attractive, elegant-

looking woman around forty.

claire traces a finger along a small but noticeable scar

above her left eye, then slowly drops the hand to her cheek,

as if confirming her existence.

int. claire's house - day

claire, now dressed, presses her face against a door,

listening for the sounds of stirring from within. silence.

she quietly pushes open the door.

int. room - day

claire makes her way past half-filled boxes and duffels to a

window, then pulls the curtains to reveal:

a lovely, wooded lake. it couldn't be more picturesque. a

24' sailboat is moored at the dock and an old stone

lighthouse sits on a point across the lake.

the sunlight motivates an unconscious groan from a figure

still shrouded by covers.

claire sits beside the sleeping form. she scans the room

briefly, taking in a greenpeace flag and a picture of a

tomboyish ten year-old girl at camp.

she gently pulls back the covers and peers down at the same

face, now a waifish, pretty seventeen year-old, with chopped

hair and tiny nose ring. claire leans over and inhales the

sleeping scent of her only daughter, caitlin. she places her

hand on a cheek. the girl's eyelids flutter softly.

claire

morning, beauty.

caitlin lets out a grunt and rolls over onto her belly.

claire

let's go. or we'll never leave on time.

from out of the pillow comes caitlin's voice.

caitlin

(muffled)

i'm totally ready.

claire glances around at the piles of unpacked clothes.

claire

come on, i'll make you some waffles,

maybe we'll squeeze in a trip to the

mall.

(beat)

caitlin...

claire gently swats at the tiny lump that is caitlin's

behind.

caitlin

mother...

claire stands and instinctively scoops up some clothes from

the floor, then folds and neatly stacks them on a box.

caitlin turns her head sideways on the pillow.

caitlin

you're such a morning person.

claire turns at the door.

claire

it is unwise to heckle the keeper of the

plastic.

she starts to leave. caitlin calls out.

caitlin (o.s.)

blueberries!

claire smiles as she closes the door behind her.

int. hallway - day

claire bends down to pick up one of caitlin's socks. when

she stands, something catches her eye out a window. she

gazes down, transfixed.

angle

through a stand of trees over a high wooden fence, a young

couple is in the midst of a heated argument next door.

claire watches as the husband, a large imposing man with an

unruly shock of red hair, snarls at his wife across the hood

of their huge old buick. she tries to get a glimpse of the

woman, but all that's visible is the back of her blond head.

a tan, sinewy arm encircles claire's waist. she lets out a

small gasp as a hand closes on her breast. it's claire's

husband, dr. norman spencer, nibbling gently at her neck.

he's older than she, pushing fifty, with silver streaks

beginning to permeate the shaggy mop of hair that makes him

look more like a preppy rocker or a lacrosse coach than the

prominent academic that he is. claire, however, can't take

her eyes off the scene below.

norman

they at it again?

claire nods.

norman

christ, that's twice in...when did they

move in?

claire

i think three...

norman

three weeks.

she continues to gaze downward. the man leans over the hood,

murmuring darkly at his wife, though for claire and norman

the scene is entirely silent.

claire

what's their name?

norman

feur, i think. psych department. figures.

they're all psychotic.

outside, mr. feur turns and walks toward his house. norman

begins, once again, to nuzzle claire. her eyes close, but

then she gently demurs.

claire

she's awake.

norman

we'll be quiet. quick and quiet.

she turns to him.

claire

i don't want to be either.

he smiles. a really good smile. the lips and tongue on his

faded t-shirt mark him as a 'stones fan.

norman

when's she out of here?

claire

norman spencer.

norman gives up. he busses her cheek.

norman

(moving toward the stairs)

alright. i can't take the rejection. i'm

going to class.

claire

don't.

norman

claire, i have to show up for the--

claire

it's saturday.

norman stops.

norman

i knew that. you think i didn't know

that?

she smiles at him. after a beat:

norman

it's today?

claire

(wistfully)

yep.

they share a warm, poignant look. he turns and moves down

the stairs.

norman

(calling over his shoulder)

we're going to have to leave by three if

we want to beat the traffic.

claire returns her gaze to the scene below as mr. feur says

something ominous to his wife, then stalks into the house.

norman (o.s.)

claire?

claire

(absently)

three o'clock.

angle

mrs. feur drops her face into her hands.

ext. sidewalk cafe - day

claire peruses her 'to do' list as caitlin munches a panini.

claire

...and i still think we should get you

some mittens.

caitlin puts down the sandwich and regards her mother warmly.

the bond between them is palpable.

claire

do you have a scarf?

caitlin

hey.

claire looks up from her little pad of paper.

claire

yes?

caitlin

it's only two hours away.

claire

i know that.

caitlin

i'll come back all the time.

claire

of course you will.

caitlin

i'm just saying, you're going to be

fine.

claire smiles.

claire

sweetheart, i've known this day was

coming for a long time. i've got your

father and the garden and the new house.

you really don't have to worry.

caitlin smiles back and nods, her face betraying some

concern. claire takes her hand.

claire

really.

she nods reassuringly and pulls caitlin into an embrace. her

eyes close.

caitlin (v.o.)

mother...

ext. columbia university - day

claire's frozen in the hug.

caitlin

(beat)

mom.

her eyes open. widen to reveal claire, holding caitlin on

the college campus. the urban skyline looms in the

background.

caitlin

i have'ta go.

after a moment's hesitation, she releases her grip. caitlin

glances over her shoulder to make sure no one's witnessed

this overt display of maternal affection.

caitlin

i'll call you.

claire produces an envelope, which she presses into her

daughter's hand. it's a book of train tickets.

claire

come home anytime.

caitlin looks at norman.

norman

really gonna leave me, huh?

she nods. they share a tender look.

norman

be good.

she throws her arm, briefly, tightly around his waist. a bit

overwhelmed, he slowly brings his hand to the back of

caitlin's head. after a moment, she steps back...

caitlin

bye.

...then turns and makes her way toward the large, old

columbia dorm. a banner is draped across its portals which

reads:

'welcome class of '04.'

claire watches her daughter melt into a crowd of similarly

shaggy freshmen, smoking and talking on the front steps. her

eyes are shining. norman wraps an arm around her waist as

she daps at a tear with a kleenex.

claire

(smiling)

i almost made it.

they turn and head for the car. claire sneaks one last look

over her shoulder.

angle

caitlin glancing back at claire with an apprehensive smile.

int. norman and claire's room - night

claire walks in from the bathroom wearing a sexy cotton

nightgown. norman is in bed, absorbed in some notes.

she gets into bed, then picks up a thick text from beside him

and starts reading. after a moment:

norman

whatcha reading?

claire

(reading the cover, sexy voice)

genetic repair mechanisms in eukaryotic

organisms.

norman

(slight smile)

how is it?

claire snuggles up.

claire

excellent. couple of swedish sailor cells

just gang divided a virginal cheerleader

cell.

norman

(lost in his book)

nice.

(beat)

almost done.

she pulls slightly away.

claire

if you have to work...

norman

no, no. i'm just about...

(beat)

there.

he places his book on the bedside table and turns to her.

norman

how are you?

claire

fine.

norman

it's okay if you're not.

claire

i am, really.

norman

it's just she's been the focus for a

while.

claire

not the focus.

norman

you know what i mean.

claire thinks for a moment.

claire

to tell you the truth...i'm

excited.

norman

you are...

claire

to get my life back. to have some time

for myself. some time for us.

he caresses her.

norman

you did a great job. she's a good kid.

claire

we did.

there's a weighty pause.

norman

it's just us now.

claire

i know.

he kisses her.

norman

tired?

claire

nope.

norman

wanna fool around?

claire

yup.

they start to kiss. it's slow and a bit methodical in the

manner of long time lovers. suddenly, the sound of a woman

wailing can be heard. they stop.

norman

did you...

claire

shhh.

they listen. the sounds start to become louder. it is

clearly two people in the throes of some very vocal and

savage love making.

norman

jesus.

he walks over and closes the window. it doesn't help.

norman

i guess they're making up.

the woman's moaning becomes embarrassingly loud.

claire

what is he doing to her?

they lie together in silence as the cacophony drones on.

norman

and we moved out here for the quiet.

claire

mmm.

beat. the mood has passed.

norman

maybe we should just...

claire

tomorrow.

norman

i'm finished at three. no. squash with

stan.

claire

after that.

norman

i'll be there.

beat.

norman

love you.

she smiles.

claire

night.

they lie together in the darkness as the feurs finally

climax.

int. caitlin's room - day

claire pushes open the door to caitlin's room carrying an

armful of folded laundry. she moves quickly to the bureau,

not wanting to spend much time in here, then grabs a tiny

black top from the pile, and drops it into a drawer. she's

just about to close it, when something catches her eye.

claire's pov

she drops the laundry and slowly pulls a tattered, old

juilliard t-shirt with a very seventies logo from the drawer.

claire gazes around the room, which is a reliquary of

caitlin's recently concluded childhood; pictures, trophies,

stuffed animals.

she brings the now faded t-shirt to her face and drinks in

the smells. she stares down at the word 'juilliard.'

match cut to:

int. basement - day

'juilliard'...now it's on the same t-shirt only claire's

wearing it and she's much younger. it's an old photograph in

an album. younger norman stands next to her in the shot, his

arm draped around her waist. a cello case stands beside her.

claire glances around at several hastily unpacked boxes and

sees propped in the corner...the cello case. she gazes at

other photos.

-- claire in her wedding dress, norman beside her in a tux

with a very wide bow-tie.

-- claire and norman in front of a university building. a

tiny caitlin rests on her hip.

claire's chin begins to tremble and she chokes out a sob.

ext. front yard - day

her face streaked with tears, claire stumbles out into the

immaculately manicured rose garden.

the yard is surrounded by a high wooden fence. she collapses

into a lawn chair as the tears begin to subside. suddenly,

she hears something coming from next door.

she cocks her head and attempts to make out the sound. it

is, ironically, the sound of a woman crying. claire makes

her way over to the fence. the women's sobbing becomes more

plaintive and fevered.

she places her face against the prickly, vine covered fence

and tries to peer through the crack. all she can make out is

a dark blue blur that seems to be rocking. claire gathers

her nerve and calls out...

claire

hello...

there's no reaction.

claire

mrs. feur?

the sobbing chokes down to a breathless whimpering. the blue

shape vanishes from view.

claire

wait a minute. i just want--

something bumps against the fence. claire draws back. she

hears heavy breathing.

mrs. feur

(sniffling)

who are you?

claire

it's mrs...it's claire...spencer. from

next door. is everything--

mrs. feur

you're the flower lady.

claire

um...yes.

mrs. feur

i've seen you. from the window.

claire

is everything alright?

claire leans closer to the tiny crack. she sees a fleshy

blur and what might be part of an eye. there's no response,

just the breathing.

claire

hello?

mrs. feur

i'm not...

she seems on the verge of losing it again.

mrs. feur

he's so...it's too much...and i can't...i

can't breath...

claire

who? your husband?

mrs. feur

and i'm afraid. oh god, i'm so afraid

of...

she trails off.

claire

what? what are you afraid of?

mrs. feur

i can't, no, no, i can't...

claire edges closer to the crack.

claire

tell me. please.

mrs. feur

that i'll just...that one day i'll

just...disappear.

beat. claire's taken aback by this admission.

claire

tell me. i can help you.

mrs. feur

how? how can you help me? with your

flowers and your perfect life...

claire

that's not...it's not like that.

mrs. feur

i've never even met you.

claire

i know. and i'm sorry. i've been consumed

with...my daughter left...for school.

mrs. feur

this fence...it's so...

claire

i'm sorry. it's for the flowers. why

don't you...

tires can be heard crunching the gravel as a car pulls into

the feur's driveway.

mrs. feur

oh god. he's back. i'm sorry. please

forget that i...i don't know what i'm

saying. please...

claire

wait! don't go...

claire listens to the sound of naked footsteps, followed by a

large front door swinging shut. a car door swings open and a

man's shoes follow down the path.

claire pulls back from the crack and leans against the fence

as the door closes a second time. she sits there for a

moment listening, but all is quiet.

claire (v.o.)

she sounded terrified.

int. dining room - night

claire and norman eat dinner. a rainstorm pelts the windows.

norman

of what?

claire

of him i think.

norman

did she say that?

claire

more or less.

norman chews.

norman

honey, they're young. they're probably

newlyweds.

claire

i'm telling you. there was something in

her voice...

norman

remember how we were?

claire

not like this. we were never like this.

(beat)

i want to go over there. after dinner, we

can--

norman

why?

claire

to make sure she's all right.

norman puts down his fork.

norman

claire, honey, we are not going to march

next door and accuse our new neighbor of--

claire

(overlapping)

that's not what i'm sug--

norman

...when tonight they'll probably be

keeping us awake.

claire

but what if something happens?

norman

claire...

claire

i'd never be able to live with mysel--

norman

(reassuring)

nothing's going to happen.

(beat)

besides, i have to work tonight. the

conference is in less than two weeks.

i've got to stay focused on that for just

a little longer.

(beat)

this is...

claire

i know.

norman

it's what i've been working for.

she glances down at her untouched plate.

claire

i just wish you could have heard her.

norman

look, i'll call harvey tomes in the psych

department, see what i can find out.

claire

promise?

he gives her a 'didn't i just say so' look. she smiles.

claire

i'll make you some coffee.

she reaches for his plate to clear it. norman grabs her hand

and kisses it.

int. norman and claire's room - night

norman snores softly. claire is awakened by the continuing

storm. she pads out to norman's turreted library. rain

pelts the glass. her face is briefly illuminated by the

lighthouse beam.

she hears the sound of a door closing and moves to get a

better view of the feur's. nothing but blackness. just as

she's turning to go back to bed. a lightning flash lights up

the night. claire's eyes go wide.

claire's pov

in the split second of brilliance, she sees mr. feur, in

shirtsleeves, drenched, dragging a large duffel toward the

open trunk of his car.

claire

(in a hoarse whisper)

norman!

he's dead to the world. she calls to him again.

claire

norman, you have to look at this!

norman

mmnph.

claire

hurry...

another flash illuminates...norman at her side.

claire

look!

...an empty driveway, then blackness.

norman

what is it? what's the matter?

she stares down into the darkness.

claire

nothing. there was...i thought i saw

something.

norman

is it gone?

the beacon illuminates the empty driveway. she nods.

norman

come on, let's go back to bed.

yet another bolt of lightning reveals claire, still at the

window.

ext. backyard - morning

claire sets up a camera and tripod. she steps back and aims

her camera. she glances up at a large upstairs window at the

feur's house. one side of the curtain seems to be pulled

open, but no one's there.

feeling self-conscious, she turns back to the camera. the

morning sun hits the flowers just right and she snaps several

pictures of them against her lovely house.

she glances back at the feur's window. the curtain is now

closed.

she walks over to the fence and tries to peek through it.

when this doesn't work, she drags a lawn chair over and peers

across the fence. she can barely see over, but glimpses:

a deep furrow in the mud of the driveway. just then, a car

pulls into the driveway, claire scrambles down from her

perch.

ext. driveway - day

claire walks out to find her best friend, jody, pretty, in

her forties, wearing hip, hippie-ish clothes.

claire

hey there.

jody hugs her.

jody

how you holding up?

claire

good. i'm good.

jody

you are?

claire

why does everyone find that so

surprising?

jody

(are you kidding?)

cause...your...only daughter just went

away to school...who you were incredibly

close with aaand i'd be tripping...

claire

okay, i'm a little tender.

jody

well good. so you're human.

claire

and so far my day has consisted of taking

pictures of my roses for the garden club.

jody

wow. got here just in time.

(reaching into her bag)

i brought you this.

she proffers several homemade tea bags.

claire

what is it?

jody

kambucha mushroom tea...

claire

jody--

jody

it soothes heart-ache and promotes

psychic wellness. sela suggested i bring--

claire

you're discussing me with your psychic?

jody

she's not a psychic. just a very

enlightened spirit.

claire

thanks, but i'm fine.

jody

(pressing it into her hand)

so you'll have some later.

(beat)

notice anything...different?

claire gives her friend the once over, then notices the mint

karman-ghia behind her.

claire

oh my god. you bought it.

jody

yep.

claire

it's niiice.

jody

beautiful thing, alimony. lose a husband,

get a car. think it'll help me pick up

dudes?

claire

absolutely.

jody

listen, i've gotta run. i just thought

i'd stop by and see if you want to take

the boat out, say thursday morning?

claire

you got it.

jody grins.

jody

see you then.

jody drives off. claire walks down the driveway to her front

door and sees mr. feur staring at her from a window. she

starts to wave, but the curtain is drawn shut.

claire arrives at the front door and reaches out to touch the

doorknob. she stops. a faint rustling can be heard from

within. claire quietly opens the door and moves into:

int. foyer - day

claire stops inside the door. now it sounds like whispering.

two voices, tense, impassioned. it seems to be coming from

norman's study. she gathers her nerve, then bursts into the

room.

int. norman's study - day

but the whispering has suddenly stopped.

claire

hello?

the lovely circular room is completely empty. she looks

around, puzzled. cooper, the family's aging lab, casually

ambles over.

claire

(to cooper)

please tell me you heard that.

ext. lake - day

claire and cooper, out on a walk, emerge onto large rocks at

the water's edge. claire tosses a long stick for cooper, who

bolts out onto the long wooden dock. claire gazes at the

lighthouse across the lake and a long bridge in the distance.

cooper starts barking and looking down into the water.

claire arrives at cooper's side and stares down into the dark

water.

claire

cooper...what do you see?

she looks down and sees nothing but her own reflection.

after a moment, she notices a faint white shape directly in

the reflection of her face. cooper rumbles a low growl. the

shape seems to be gaining definition.

rrring!

claire gasps quietly, then reaches into a pocket in her

sweater and pulls out a cordless phone.

claire

(into phone)

hi.

norman (v.o.)

(on the other end)

i'm stuck here for another couple of

hours.

claire's smile fades.

claire

oh.

norman (v.o.)

unless you need me to come home...

claire

no, no. it's fine.

claire slowly leans out over the water to check her

reflection...

norman (v.o.)

you sure?

...but the shape is gone.

norman (v.o.)

claire?

claire

huh? absolutely. take your time.

she clicks off the phone and looks down at the calm water.

int. work room - night

claire sits in a small workroom at a computer. she focuses

intently on the screen.

angle

it's alice's computer solitaire. she flips the last card and

an animated queen of hearts, accompanied by a series of

musical notes, parades across the screen.

queen of hearts

(on computer)

you lost! off with your head!

claire hits 'new game' and watches as a fresh hand of cyber

solitaire is dealt. she suddenly has a thought and

disappears into the kitchen.

int. kitchen - night

she glances at jody's tea, smiles, then refills her glass of

red wine. she picks up the phone from its cradle and moves

into:

int. living room - night

she dials a number. loud reggae can be heard blaring through

the phone.

claire

(straining to be heard)

hello? i'm looking for caitlin spencer.

she's in 314...well, could you check?

she plugs one ear.

claire

oh. well, just tell her that her mother

called. her mother. thank you. excuse

me, how can you study with that?

the noise abruptly stops. claire clicks off the phone and

replaces it in the sweater pocket. she tunes the stereo to a

classical music station.

int. work room - night

she walks in, places the cordless phone on a base unit, then

hears a different set of musical notes from the computer.

she stares at the screen, stunned.

angle

the game has been finished. cards with faces swarm

chaotically across the screen with the message: you win!

claire

oh. kay.

without warning, the radio dial rips cacophonously past

several stations and comes to a stop on some angry, punkish

rock and roll.

claire

jesus...

she bolts around a corner to the stereo. the music is

chaotic and deafening. she finds cooper growling at...no

one. she turns off the stereo. cooper suddenly bolts down

the hall. she follows him.

int. foyer - night

the foyer's empty, but the front door is open. claire

nervously walks out and looks around.

claire

cooper!

pov - the garden

no sign of the dog.

claire turns to go back inside. when she touches the

doorknob, she hears the whispering again. a fleeting shadow

draws her eye to a coat rack mirror which reflects directly

into the study.

claire

hello...?!

the whispering stops.

int. norman's lab - night

claire walks in to find norman surrounded by several grad

students. at school he's a very different man; pressed shirt

and tie, hair neatly brushed back. they're preforming some

unseen procedure on a live sheep in a containment harness.

she stops by the door to watch him.

norman

...and then what...courtney?

an intense asian girl answers.

courtney

we administer the halothane.

norman

dosage?

she glances at her notes.

courtney

three point five cc's.

norman

excellent. properties? andrew from

downtown...

andrew, tall razor thin, was waiting for this.

andrew

an organic, neuromuscular blocking agent,

which when administered in aerosol form

temporarily renders the subject immobile.

norman

nothing but net.

he measures out the liquid from a blue plastic bottle into an

apparatus connected to an inhalation mask on the sheep.

norman

prudence here's an old friend.

he moves to the sheep's head and strokes it as he nods to

courtney who turns a valve on the apparatus. the sheep

suddenly goes completely still. norman moves around and

begins a brief procedure.

norman

i try to stay on her good side because i

owe her my career and most of our grant

money. why else?

he completes the procedure. they look at him blankly.

norman

always do unto others as you'd have

others do unto your ewe.

groans, laughter. he stops claire.

norman

that'll do it. write this up for tuesday!

andrew and amy tend to prudence, the rest leave. claire

moves over to him. they kiss. norman packs notes and some

of the chemicals into a leather case.

norman

(warm)

what are you doing here?

claire

there were some noises. i didn't want to

disturb you.

she watches as the sheep slowly becomes reanimated and is led

out of the room.

norman

what do you mean? some noises where?

claire

in the house. i was scared.

norman

did you call the police?

claire

no. can you drive me home? i'll bring you

back in the morning.

norman

of course.

he takes her arm.

int. the foyer - night

norman pushes open the front door. cooper pads over, wagging

his tail. they walk together past the stereo into...

int. living room - night

...the living room. all is quiet. they move into...

int. norman's study - night

it's undisturbed. norman checks the window locks.

claire

it was there. this angry music all by

itself. and i heard whispering.

norman

what kind of whispering?

claire

i don't know. just...whispering.

he nods as cooper appears.

norman

what'd you see, coop?

the dog stares blankly.

claire

(to cooper)

tell him!

norman smiles.

int. bedroom - night

norman sits on the bed and pulls off his shoes.

norman

i'm gonna have the police check on the

house.

claire leans against the window sill.

claire

oh great, 'can you look in on my wife,

she's hearing voices?' wait'll that gets

around.

he walks over to her.

norman

i've got the conference next week. i want

you to feel safe.

claire

i do, i do. i'm sure i'm just...how

was your day?

he goes to his dresser and fishes a little joint from a box

in his dresser.

norman

think i may have cracked it.

claire

really?

she produces a match and lights it. they sit on the bed.

norman

i think so. maybe.

claire

you are so brilliant.

norman

yep.

claire

madame curie, jonas salk, norman

spencer...

norman

(smiling)

you know what that does to me.

she takes a little puff on the joint as he kisses her neck.

norman

(stopping)

ohmigod. you'll never believe...i saw

schumway...

claire

you're kidding.

norman

he's here giving some arcane spiel for

the physics department, so bob shine

introduces us...

claire

wow.

he nods, claire passes the joint back.

norman

and he says...you'll fucking love this,

he says, 'doctor spencer, i am a great

admirer of your work...'

claire

well, that's nice.

norman

'...especially spencer's theorem...'

claire

(overlapping)

oh, no...

norman

'...of perpetual distances.'

(beat)

everybody's checking their shoelaces.

pins drop. 'i'm afraid you've mistaken

me,' i say...

claire

(overlapping)

that's...

norman

'...for my father.'

claire

i'm so sorry.

norman

didn't know he was dead, every stinking

paper on the globe.

claire

that's just mean.

(indicating joint)

oh. jody wanted to know if i could get

her some.

norman

(quickly glancing over)

did you tell her?

claire

what? no. no.

norman

you didn't?

claire

(with a smile)

norman, you are so funny about that. no,

i didn't.

he takes a little toke, then vanishes into the bathroom.

norman (o.s.)

cause that would be really--

she lays back on the bed. sounds of flushing.

claire

i didn't.

he reappears without the joint.

norman

sorry. you understand.

claire

did you call about the feurs?

norman

oh, right. yes. harvey says the guy's a

sweetheart. wouldn't hurt a fly.

claire

huh.

claire ponders this. norman turns off the light and joins

her on the bed. he kisses her knee.

norman

do the brilliant norman stuff some more.

then starts working his way up her thigh.

norman

and speak up.

claire smiles.

int. living room - afternoon

claire sits frozen, cello between her legs, bow hovering in

position. after an uncomfortable long pause, she touches bow

to string, drawing in a breath at the power of the sound.

claire takes another deep breath, then launches into a

beautiful and melancholy piece of music. she's very, very

good. eyes closed. her body begins to sway slightly as her

left hand vibratos like butterfly wings on the neck.

she reaches a difficult transition and falters. she seems

almost surprised. she attacks the transition again, and

again falters. claire bites her lower lip and tries yet

again, this time failing completely.

she sits back in the chair, despondent. almost as an

afterthought, she sadly drags the bow across strings. at the

end of the tone, something catches her ear. she can just

make out the hint of a faint feminine voice echoing the tone.

she sits up and plays a different note, then another. each

time the soft mournful voice becomes more distinct. finally

she plays a sharp, higher pitched note. the voice echoes

with a distinct, unsettling shriek.

crash!

int. norman's study - dusk

claire walks in and sees:

insert-- lying on the floor...a framed newspaper photograph

of norman and claire.

the caption announces that he's being promoted to the

'distinguished dupont chair in genetics.' through the

spiderwebbed glass, norman can be seen shaking hands with an

older academic, hugging a smiling claire to his side.

claire kneels down to gather the picture. a single shard of

glass is missing. she finds it a foot away by a distinctive

knot in the wood floor.

she notices a copper glint in the point of glass, but when

she moves it, it's gone. she places the pieces of broken

glass on the frame and stands.

out of the window directly in front of her sees: mr. feur,

removing a dirt covered shovel from his trunk. she glances

down at the picture, then back up at mr. feur, who carries

the shovel around back.

claire

oh no...

claire wraps up the broken picture. she hears a car door

slam and glances out the window in time to see mr. feur

driving off.

ext. garden - day

a stiff autumn breeze. claire stands at the fence.

claire

mrs. feur?

she looks through the tiny crack. nothing.

claire

hello?

(beat)

are you there?

silence.

ext. the feur's - day

claire glances down as she walks past the furrow. she looks

up at the house, which seems quite placid, then slowly heads

around back.

ext. feur's back porch - day

she takes in the lake view from the large porch. the wind is

really blowing. her eye catches on something. propped

against the back door...

the soil covered shovel

claire takes a pinch of soil from the shovel and tastes it,

then knocks at the back door. there's no answer. she knocks

again. nothing. she's turning to go, then the door swings

open. the smile fades from claire's face.

claire's pov

the immense mr. feur filling the doorway.

mr. feur

yes?

claire

um...

mr. feur

i'm running late here. i just came back

for my briefcase.

claire

right. well, i wanted to stop by to

welcome you to the uh, to the

neighborhood. i'm claire spencer. from

next door.

mr. feur

this really isn't a good time.

he starts to close the door.

claire

well maybe your wife...

mr. feur

(growing cold)

she isn't here.

claire

when...when will she be back?

mr. feur

i don't know.

claire

oh-kay...

mr. feur

i have to go.

slam. and claire is staring at a closed door.

jody (v.o.)

what do you mean she's gone?

ext. lake - day

claire and jody knife slowly through the water in the

spencer's sailboat heading back toward the dock, the old

lighthouse, the bride in the background.

claire

she's not there. i haven't seen her since

that morning. well, i mean, i've never

actually seen her, but i'm telling you,

she's disappeared.

jody finishes securing a line. the breeze is mild, so they

just cruise with the wind.

jody

what are you saying?

claire just looks at her.

jody

you think he killed her?

claire

i don't know. when you say it, it sounds

crazy. but what else could it all be?

jody shakes her head.

claire

i mean, he's so kind of grim and

daunting, and she sounded terrified of

something.

claire glances over at jody.

claire

(laughing to herself)

listen to me. i sound like some middle-

aged nancy drew.

jody regards her. after a beat:

jody

know what i think?

claire

what?

jody

seance.

claire

jody, no...

jody

telling you...

claire

(overlapping)

...no...no...no...

jody

just bought this beautiful antique ouija.

claire

please. that's all i need.

jody shrugs, 'have it your way.' beat.

jody

hey, look.

claire's house across the lake.

jody

so pretty.

claire's pov

a figure in the turreted window of norman's study.

claire

someone's there.

jody

what?

claire

in the window. norman's at work.

jody

i don't...

claire looks over at jody.

claire

(pointing)

there. in the study. don't you see--

she looks again-- nothing.

claire

wow. i'm losing it.

jody

no, you're not.

(beat)

but a presence in your house is not

something to be taken lightly.

claire stares back at the house.

int. kitchen - night

claire walks in and sets down some packages. she opens one

and pulls out new toothpaste and...an envelope-- the kind

your pictures come back in. she absently leafs through them,

then freezes. she gapes at one of the shots.

claire

oh boy...

int. upstairs - night

claire turns off the lights and crouches down. she raises a

pair of binoculars.

pov - binoculars

claire rakes the binoculars across the feur's house...past

their car parked in front until she finds a light on

downstairs.

the tall, powerfully built mr. feur walks into the room and

sits by himself at the dining room table, which is set for

one. he eats a tv dinner, slowly chewing and staring

straight ahead. he sips from a can of beer.

just then...a hand grabs claire's arm. she lets out a

screech and turns to see norman standing beside her.

norman

what are you doing?

she glances back out the window and sees mr. feur standing

at the window, paging the curtain. she squats down, pulling

norman with her.

claire

(shrill whisper)

get down! he'll see.

norman

(also whispers)

what's going on, claire?

claire

shhhh.

she peers over the sill in time to see mr. feur turning away

from the window. she takes norman by the hand and leads him

downstairs.

int. claire's kitchen - night

she leads norman in.

norman

(still whispering)

why am i...

(full voice)

why am i whispering in my own house?

claire turns.

claire

he killed her.

norman

what?

claire

he did. she's in the picture. i went

over to look and she's gone. the table

was set for one.

norman

and that means he murdered his wife?

this is getting ridic--

claire

no, no, no, no. the soil on the shovel,

his shovel...that's clay. it's not from

here, believe me, i...

(frustrated, she grabs the

photos)

all right, look at this.

she triumphantly thrusts one before him. norman looks at it.

norman

our house.

claire

no. look! in the window.

the roses. she points out a hazy figure in the turreted

window of the study. norman takes it over to the light.

norman

it's a flare.

claire

a flare?

norman

from the sun. it's a reflection on the

glass.

claire

it's her! i'm telling you. she whispered

and turned on the music. she's trying to

contact me!

norman

(making sure he's got it)

it's a ghost.

norman shakes his head. he looks again at the picture, does

a quick calculation.

norman

you took this in the morning, didn't you?

she nods slightly.

norman

when the sun would be exactly right.

she's got him.

claire

then why isn't it in any of the other

pictures?

she thrusts the batch at him. he peruses the other few shots

of the garden.

norman

a cloud passed. or it's a bounce off the

lake. see?

she looks. he might not be wrong.

claire

where is she then?

norman

she could be out. she could be sick in

bed for all we know.

claire

okay. okay. i'll bet there's...look at

this.

she leads him out of the room.

int. work room - night

claire stares at the computer screen triumphantly.

claire

see?

norman

what am i looking at?

claire

(indicating completed solitaire

game)

i didn't do that.

norman

who did? mrs. feur?

claire

maybe. point is...not me.

norman

right. and why is she here? if he killed

her, why doesn't she haunt him?

claire

she was lonely, i talked to her. norman,

i know how it looks, but--

norman

claire, listen to me. i know you're under

some strain. but there's no such thing as

ghosts. they don't exist. our neighbor

did not kill his wife, and i...wait, why

aren't you dressed?

claire

dressed?

norman

dinner. with stan and his new girl.

claire

when?

norman

what do you mean? claire, we talked about

it. you didn't want japanese, i said, our

first date since...

claire

(she seems confused)

oh.

norman

...since caitlin. you don't remember

this?

claire

tonight?

norman

yes, tonight. we're going to be--

she looks at his watch.

claire

fashionably five minutes late.

she bolts up the stairs.

int. norman's pickup truck - night

they drive across the bridge.

norman

(concerned, exasperated)

when you do this, i swear...

claire

(overlapping)

...don't get all...

norman

...like it never even happened...

claire

okay, okay, i'm sure that i just...

he pulls out a cell phone and punches in a number.

claire

what are you doing?

norman

restaurant. let them know we're running

late.

claire

five minutes?

the phone flashes...'no service.'

claire

you're not at the center.

norman

(overlapping)

i know i'm not at the center of the

bridge.

claire

we're going to be fine.

they near the far side of the bridge. norman looks down at

the cell phone, which now reads, 'roam.' he presses a

button.

norman

there we go.

claire

well, that's a relief.

he shoots her a look.

int. restaurant - night

a cozy, candlelit italian place in town. claire and norman

arrive at the table. stan rises. the chair next to him is

empty. he kisses her cheek.

claire

hi stan. sorry we're late.

(too earnest)

it was my fault.

she greets stan, a friendly looking man in his forties.

stan

we just got here.

claire flashes a semi-playful look back at norman.

claire

where's the new squeeze?

a voice speaks out from behind her.

voice

here i am.

claire turns to find a tall, elegant brunette standing behind

her. the woman's face registers some shock.

stan

i'd like you to meet...

claire

elena?

elena

ohmigod...

the two women embrace, then beam at each other.

claire

wow.

elena

this is...

claire

(to norman)

we know each other.

norman

hope so.

later

post meal. several empty wine bottle decorate the table.

elena

we had this finnish conductor, aki, laki,

something. he had these ridiculous bangs.

and he'd sweep them off with his baton

every minute or so, and it drove us

insane, remember?

claire nods.

claire

he looked like one of the monkees.

elena

anyway, claire slept with him...

claire

i didn't sleep with him.

elena

...just so she could cut them off.

claire

he was so pissed.

elena

i came in from my room...

claire

(interjecting)

we were suite mates.

elena

and there's this brilliant conductor in

purple briefs with no bangs cursing his

ass off in finnish.

claire

oh god...

they dissolve into giggles. norman and stan smile.

stan

well...

norman

(to stan)

i made an honest woman out of her.

elena puts her hand on claire's.

elena

(to stan)

you should have heard her play.

claire

stop.

elena

we both auditioned for the philharmonic.

one cello position open.

claire

do we have to?

elena

and i kicked ass. my best stuff. then i

stood in the hallway and listened to her

audition...and i cried.

claire

she's making this up.

elena

i'm not. couldn't pick up my cello for

weeks.

stan

what happened?

elena looks at claire, then smiles.

elena

she got it.

(beat)

turned it down.

claire

i met a dashing young grad student after a

recital one night...

claire puts her arm around norman.

claire

...and three months later i was married.

he squeezes her hand.

int. work room - day

claire walks into the work room with the portable phone to

her ear and a cup of jody's special tea. she sniffs it and

makes a face as she turns on the computer. after several

rings a girl picks up on the other end.

claire

(on phone)

caitlin?

girl's voice

(overlapping)

can you hang up? i'm trying to make a

call.

the line goes dead. claire hits redial and gets...a busy

signal. she clicks the phone off as the computer boots up.

claire puts the phone down and starts a game of alice's

solitaire. she turns a card and waits.

claire

gee, that's tricky. sure could use some

help.

she waits, the cursor blinks benignly.

claire

come on...

nothing happens.

int. norman and claire's room - day

she walks into the room and notices steam wafting from the

cracked bathroom door.

int. bathroom - day

claire enters the steamy bathroom. the tub is nearly

overflowing with water. she squats down to drain the tub.

she stops, feeling watched, then slowly peers behind her...no

one's there. claire reaches toward the water to yank the

plug's chain, then freezes. in the bathwater's still

reflection she see:

a pretty young blond standing beside her. startled, she pops

up and slams into the shower head.

claire collapses over the side of the tub, her head dipping

underwater. a small cloud of red surrounds her. moments

later, an arm wraps around her.

cut to:

blurry shapes.

voice (o.s.)

claire...

int. bathroom - day

claire's pov - a face sharpens into focus hovering above

her...norman.

int. bedroom - day

claire sits on the bed. norman dabs the blood from a tiny

cut on the back of her head.

claire

i don't need a shrink.

norman

(gently)

harvey says he's amazing.

claire

norman...

norman

what can it hurt to talk to someone?

she goes to her dresser and gets a prescription bottle and

starts to open it. norman gently places a hand on her arm.

norman

please.

she shoots him a look...

norman

you promised.

...and puts the pills down.

norman

(gently)

claire, she's been a huge part of your

life for seventeen years. if you weren't

thrown off balance by this, then

something would be wrong.

claire

i never said i wasn't upset. of course

i'm upset. i miss her terribly. but i

know what i saw and what i heard...and it

wasn't some 'symptom' of something...

norman

i never said...

claire

...and i don't think i'm some lonely,

middle-aged woman cracking up.

beat.

norman

are you lonely?

claire

no! and i do