Bates Motel Page #2

SMASH TO:

BLACK. Letters seep in reading, “Six Months Later”.

HOLD ON IT A MOMENT, then SMASH TO:

INT. NORMA’S CAR - DAY

NORMAN’S POV - A GORGEOUS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTLINE

As we drive by Humboldt Bay Harbor. A small and picturesque

inlet. We are seeing at seventy miles an hour. It’s amazing.

FIND NORMAN looking out the window. Lost in thought. FIND

NORMA glancing over at him. Then...

NORMA LOUISE:

This is the part where you say

“Mother, this is beautiful.

(MORE)

5.

NORMA LOUISE (CONT'D)

I’m so happy we’re moving here.

You are so smart to have thought of

this...”

The car turns off the main road into the town: a quaint,

coastal town built in the 1920’s which sits next to the

harbor. Charming, but also with an upscale quality to its

“quaintness”.

Norman smiles the half smile of someone who loves the person

who’s being a needy-pain-in-the-ass-at-this-moment. And knows

them well. And knows this ritual.

NORMAN:

(rote)

“Mother this is beautiful. I’m so

happy you are making me move here.

You are so smart to force me to do

things I have no say in...”

Norma smiles the same half smile. They are related.

NORMA LOUISE:

(I love you)

You’re an a**hole.

(then)

Close your eyes...

NORMAN’S POV - BLACK

NORMA LOUISE (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Okay, here it is...

EXT. MOTEL/ BATES HOUSE - MINUTES LATER

Norma stands behind Norman, beaming as Norman opens his eyes

to see...

THE HOUSE AND MOTEL

A twelve unit, single story motel circa 1950 over which looms

a two story, California Victorian style house. There is

something odd and haunting about this place. And it’s

isolated -- on the edge of town.

NORMA LOUISE:

What do you think?

Norman just laughs.

NORMAN:

This is crazy, Mom.

6.

NORMA LOUISE:

It’s not crazy. We’re going to run

this place. We own a motel, Norman

Bates! Come on, I want to show you

the house...

She takes off like a little kid. Norman is skeptical.

INT. BATES HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

We are inside the dark foyer as the DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN letting

some LIGHT in. Norma and Norman step in. The atmosphere is

dark and heavy:
old Victorian furniture and dusty velvet

drapes, etc. Norma walks through, turning on lights and

opening curtains, etc...

NORMA LOUISE:

...I bought the whole thing, house

and motel, on a foreclosure.

Everything came with it -

NORMAN:

Awesome. You can’t buy furniture

like this anymore. Mostly because

no one wants it -

NORMA LOUISE:

Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s ugly. So

we’ll use it for now and redecorate

as we get ahead. You have to

imagine this room without all this

crap in it -- just simple elegant

furnishings - open space - light,

linen drapes -- fresh flowers. The

space is actually awesome -

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