Room Page #3

MA:

Jack -

JACK:

You should ask for candles for

Sunday Treat, not dumb jeans.

MA:

Sorry. I have to ask for stuff we

really need that he can get easily.

JACK:

But Old Nick gets anything, by

magic.

MA:

Try your cake, I bet it's

delicioso.

But Jack is sulking. She hugs him, quietly soothing him.

JACK:

Next week when I'm six you better

ask for real candles.

MA:

Next year, you mean.

Later:
Half the cake is eaten.

(CONTINUED)

8 CONTINUED:
8

Jack is kneeling at the bath. There’s a bucket with dishes in

front of him. He’s washing up as expertly as an adult.

9 INT. ROOM - NIGHT 9

Later. Steam makes Room mysterious. Jack lies on Ma in the

bath, both with bubble moustaches. End of the Selkie story:

MA:

But one day the mermaid finds where

the fisherman hid her comb.

JACK:

Ha ha.

MA:

So she runs home to the sea.

She lets her head and face sink under the water.

Jack sits up on her, upset.

Ma emerges and opens her eyes. Realizes what's wrong.

MA (CONT’D)

Of course she takes her Baby Jack

with her.

JACK:

Does he drown?

MA:

No, he's half-merman. He can

breathe air or water, whichever.

Satisfied, Jack leans over to scoop up the pile of clothes.

JACK:

Laundry Time.

With relish, he plunges them under the water.

10 INT. ROOM - NIGHT 10

Laundry is hung up to dry everywhere. Ma and Jack are in

their sleep t-shirts and underwear. She sits breastfeeding

him and telling him a story.

(CONTINUED)

10 CONTINUED:
10

MA:

... and Edmond swims and swims to

the island of Monte Cristo and digs

up all the treasure, and ...

11 INT. ROOM - NIGHT 11

A little later Jack watches as Ma places blankets and a

pillow on the floor of the wardrobe.

JACK:

Can we have more birthday cake?

MA:

Tomorrow.

JACK:

Just a bite.

MA:

We've brushed our teeth already.

JACK:

One more story?

She checks her watch nervously: getting close to nine.

MA:

Jack, it’s late. Come on.

Jack jumps in and snuggles down. Pictures of Dora and her

monkey Boots are glued on the back wall; this is a tiny room

within Room. Ma covers him up for the night.

She begins to sing ‘The Big Rock Candy Mountain’.

12 INT. ROOM - WARDROBE - NIGHT 12

A little later. Dim light comes through the slats. Jack lies

stroking the dangling clothes, the pictures glued to the

wardrobe. He freezes at the sound of the beeps that mean the

outside door is about to open.

He lies absolutely still, listening for Old Nick's entrance.

He savors the scent of fresh air, but shivers: winter.

Boom:
now the door's shut again.

OLD NICK (O.S.)

Hey.

(CONTINUED)

12 CONTINUED:
12

MA (O.S.)

Hey.

Jack goes up on his elbow to squint through the slats but

only sees a bit of the man's down jacket as he takes it off.

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