The Grudge Page #2

KAREN:

I’ll call you when I get home.

With a flourish, Doug SWINGS HIMSELF back under the ladder.

DOUG:

Fourteen. I hate odd numbers.

2d INT. NURSING CARE CENTER - DAY 2d

Through the front doors, we see Doug kiss Karen again. They

finally separate, and Doug walks off.

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 4A.

Then Karen walks through the doors into a bright, atrium-like

lobby area. She waves “hello” to the RECEPTIONIST.

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 5.

Leaning against a desk behind Reception is Karen’s boss ALEX

(40s, American). He’s got a phone to his ear -- it’s

ringing. An ANSWERING MACHINE picks up in Japanese.

Alex mutters and hangs up. Then he notices -

ALEX:

Karen!

She’s started up a STAIRCASE in the center of the lobby. She

turns and comes back down, walking over to Alex.

ALEX:

Are you free this afternoon?

KAREN:

I just came by to pick up some

books I left here. I’m not

scheduled to work today -

ALEX:

I know. But are you free? Do you

have class?

KAREN:

(shaking her head:)

Just a test to study for. Why?

Alex smiles, holding out a file.

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 6.

ALEX:

Your wish has been granted.

Karen takes the file and opens it, looking at the first page

- a picture of an OLDER WOMAN (EMMA) is attached.

ALEX:

It’s Yoko’s case, but she didn’t

show up for work this morning, and

I can’t reach her at home.

must be sick, or something.

she has the damn house key.

She

And

Studying the file, Karen squints.

KAREN:

What’s this phrase?

ALEX:

“Mild dementia with severe

lethargy.” Apparently she sleeps

through most of the day. Her

daughter-in-law doesn’t work, so

she’ll probably be there.

Karen seems unsure. It’s a big step for her.

ALEX:

You’re the one who’s been bugging

me about getting out there on your

own. Besides, it’s an English-only

house.

One of Alex’s CO-WORKERS appears in the doorway, motioning to

him. Alex quickly hands Karen a card:

ALEX:

Here’s the address. Use the wall

chart if you need help -- and don’t

forget to bring a map.

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 7.

Karen looks at THE ADDRESS -- a string of thirty numbers and

Japanese characters. She glances up at

THE WALL CHART:
a color-coded diagram shows how the long

address string is broken down into Postal Code, Prefecture,

City, Ward, District, Block, Sub-Block and House Number.

ALEX:

Don’t worry Karen, you’re ready.

Karen nods. But she’s not quite as confident.

3 OMITTED 3

4 OMITTED 4

4a INT. RAIL STATION - DAY 4a

People rush madly around Karen as she studies A LARGE MAP on

the wall. It’s the Tokyo rail system -- daunting, at best.

4b OMITTED 4b

4bb INT. TRAIN - DAY 4bb

Karen sits uncomfortably on the crowded transit car, squeezed

in tightly by the people around her. The LOUD CRYING of a

baby adds to her discomfort.

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