Prisoners Page #2

That old RV is parked up ahead on the side of the road,

the girls are racing each other to it. Joy leaves Anna

in the dust -- SLAPS the RV's bumper victoriously.

Ralph and Eliza pick up the pace and catch up to them.

The RV is parked in front of a house with a FOR SALE

sign.

RALPH (CONT’D)

Come on, let's go.

Eliza walks along the RV peering up at opaque windows

smeared with filth.

ELIZA:

Gross.

Anna starts to climb a little ladder on the back of the

RV, when Ralph pulls her off --

RALPH:

Let’s go --

Eliza grabs Joy’s hand and shooshes Ralph.

ELIZA:

Do you hear that?

They all stop and listen. A radio just came on inside

the RV:
some 1970s Christian folk song.

6 CONTINUED:
6

RALPH (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)

ELIZA (CONT’D)

Somebody’s in there.

Anna chucks a piece of ice and it SMASHES LOUD on the

side of the RV. Ralph grabs her hand.

RALPH:

Cut the sh*t, I don’t feel like

getting yelled at. Let’s go.

Eliza takes Joy’s hand and the four of them continue on

around the block...

The rear windshield of the RV. A shadow appears behind

the filthy glass, watching them go...

7 INT. DINING ROOM - THE BIRCHES' HOUSE - LATER 7

The post-dinner table. Dirty dishes piled, half empty

wine glasses. The sound of laughter from the next

room...

8 INT. LIVING ROOM - THE BIRCHES' HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 8

Keller and Grace sit beside one another. Grace is

drinking wine. Keller drinks milk. Nancy shakes her

head as Franklin enters with his trumpet, obviously

drunk.

FRANKLIN:

I’m taking requests.

Anna and Joy run in behind him.

ANNA:

Mom, can I take Joy to our house?

GRACE:

Why?

ANNA:

My red whistle. She’s going to

help me look for it.

Grace shakes her head.

GRACE:

Sweetie, I think that whistle is

long gone.

Anna just stares back, waiting for another answer until:

6 CONTINUED:
(2) 6

(CONTINUED)

GRACE (CONT’D)

Fine, but get Ralph and Eliza to

go with you please.

NANCY:

What whistle?

ANNA:

The emergency whistle Daddy gave

me. I lost it...

(thinking)

Hundred and thirty-three days ago.

GRACE:

She’s just like her father.

FRANKLIN:

(to Anna and Joy)

If you want to find a whistle, you

have to whistle for it.

Franklin whistles a little something. Keller rolls his

eyes. Anna and Joy fire back with a tuneless sampling of

Jingle Bells. Everybody laughs. The girls take a bow,

and exit.

FRANKLIN (CONT’D)

OK, Keller, what do you want to

hear?

GRACE:

(giggling, a little

drunk)

He used to love Springsteen in

high school.

FRANKLIN:

Got too much respect for the Boss -

- can’t cover him drunk.

KELLER:

Thank you.

GRACE:

Oh, he likes the Star Spangled

Banner.

Franklin starts to play the Banner. Nancy throws a couch

pillow at him, laughing.

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