Bird Box Page #2

All by herself, naked both physically and emotionally, she

stares at her belly as if it were concerning news.

INT. MALORIE’S LIVING ROOM - DAY

A painting of a river hangs over a cheap fireplace. Nearby, a

TV plays a fashion reality program.

Malorie sits on the floor with her back against a faded sofa.

She’s dressed comfortably now, but made up.

FASHION HOST ON TV (O.S.)

And now it’s time to transform her

from ‘hot mess’ to ‘princess.’

Before Malorie:
a baby shower gift in pretty wrapping paper.

Around it lay the paper remains of previously opened gifts.

She tears into the wrapping.

This baby shower gift is a wipe warmer. And a card.

WRITTEN INSIDE:
“Better find a husband soon! xo Alison”

Malorie makes a noise with her teeth.

MALORIE:

(sotto)

Alison, you b*tch.

She clucks her tongue and logs the gift on a notepad.

Malorie sits up as someone enters her front door.

JESSICA, Malorie’s sister. A skinnier, fiercer version of

Malorie. Carrying groceries like they’re 500 pounds.

JESSICA:

Holy f***, the store was packed.

This thing is serious.

MALORIE:

What?

7.

JESSICA:

Turn to the news.

MALORIE:

What channel?

Jessica carries the bags to the kitchen. Over her shoulder:

JESSICA:

Any of them.

SWITCHING CHANNELS, the TV lands on footage of two ambulances

at a park at night, loading bodies on stretchers.

NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)

And in Tula, a city south of

Moscow, last reports estimated a

death toll of twenty-one thousand.

It’s yet to be determined if this

is from an airborne pathogen, but

some liken the symptoms to a sudden

onset of psychotic behavior.

Malorie gets up and follows Jessica.

INT. KITCHEN

Jessica unloads the bags. Malorie loiters nearby.

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL ON TV (O.S.)

--not that we know of, but somehow

it’s spreading at an alarming rate,

which is why we are being careful-

MALORIE:

It’s in Russia.

JESSICA:

Try telling that to the soccer moms

fighting over the bottled water. I

don’t want you going out there

until people remember to calm the

f*** down. Okay? Is Dad texting you

survivalist bullshit?

Jessica uncaps a beer bottle with her shirt, takes a swig.

MALORIE:

I was in the bath. I have that OB

appointment, remember?

JESSICA:

Sh*t! Right. I can drive you.

8.

MALORIE:

Maybe we should postpone.

Jessica faces Malorie, who won’t make eye contact.

JESSICA:

Hey. We talked about this. It’ll be

fine. You’re having this baby.

MALORIE:

Yeah.

(then)

Of course.

JESSICA:

I was an accident, too. Ask mom.

Jessica goes back to stowing the groceries.

MALORIE:

But Dad never bailed on Mom.

JESSICA:

Doesn’t matter. Moms are moms.

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