The Sixth Sense

INT. BASEMENT - EVENING

A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE. It dangles from the ceiling of a basement.

LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS AS ANNA CROWE moves down the stairs.

Anna is the rare combination of beauty and innocence. She stands in the cummy basement in an elegant summer dress that outlines her slender body. Her gentle eyes move across the empty room and

come to rest on a rack of wine bottles covering one entire wall.

She walks to the bottles. Her fingertips slide over the labels.

She stops when she finds just the right one. A tiny smile as she slides it out.

Anna turns to leave. Stops. She stares at the shadowy basement.

It's an unsettling place. She stands very still and watches her

breath form a TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR. She's visibly

uncomfortable.

Anna Crowe moves for the staircase in a hurry. Each step faster

than the next. She climbs out of the basement in another burst

of LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS.

WE HEAR HER HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH.

THE LIGHTBULB DIES. DRIPPING BLACK DEVOURS THE ROOM.

CUT TO:

INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING

Two place settings are arranged on the living room coffee table.

Take-out Chinese food sits half eaten on good china. An empty

bottle of red wine sits between boxes of Chinese food.

Anna arrives with the backup bottle and is now wearing a sweater.

She hands a collegiate rowing team sweatshirt to Malcolm.

ANNA:

It's getting cold.

MALCOLM CROWE sits on the floor at the coffee table, his vest and

tie on the sofa behind him. A jacket and an overcoat lay on a

brirfcase next to him.

Malcolm is in his thirties with thick, wavy hair and striking,

intelligent eyes that squint from years of intense study. His

charming, easy-going smile spreads across his face. He points.

MALCOLM:

That's one fine frame. A fine

frame it is.

Malcolm points to the HUGE FRAMED CERTIFICATE propped up on a

dining room chair. It's printed on aged parchment-type paper.

The frame is a polished mahogany.

He slips on the sweatshirt.

MALCOLM:

How much does a fine frame like

that cost, you think?

Anna hands the backup bottle over to Malcolm.

ANNA:

(smiling)

I've never told you... but you

sound a little like Dr. Seuss when

you're drunk.

Malcolm uncorks the wine and starts pouring in the empty glass.

MALCOLM:

Anna, I'm serious. Serious I am,

Anna.

Anna giggles. She's clearly buzzed herself. Malcolm doesn't get

it. Anna takes a few calming sips of her wine. Her attention

slowly moves to the framed certificate.

ANNA:

Mahogany. I'd say that cost at

least a couple hundred. Maybe

three.

MALCOLM:

Three? We should hock it. Buy a

C.D. rack for the bedroom.

ANNA:

Do you know how important this is?

This is big time.

(beat)

I'm going to read it for you,

doctor.

MALCOLM:

Do I really sound like Dr. Seuss?

Anna ignores Malcolm and clears her throat. She leans forward

her seat and reads the certificate out loud as Malcolm tries to

tickle her.

ANNA:

In recognition for his outstanding

achievement in the field of child

psychology, his dedication to his

work, and his continuing efforts to

improve the quality of life for

countless children and their

families, the City of Philadelphia

proudly bestows upon its son Dr.

Malcolm Crowe... That's you...

the Mayor's Citation for

Professional Excellence.

Beat. The power of the words sobers the two of them.

ANNA:

Wow. They called you their son.

MALCOLM:

We can keep it in the bathroom.

Anna turns to Malcolm. He smiles.

MALCOLM:

It's not real, Anna. Some

secretary wrote that up. Don't

tell me you thought it was real?

Anna's expression becomes serious.

MALCOLM:

What?

She just keeps staring. Beat.

MALCOLM:

Don't do the quiet thing. You know

I hate it.

Beat.

ANNA:

This is an important night for us.

Finally someone is recognizing the

sacrifices you made. That you have

put everything second, including me,

for those families they're talking

about.

Malcolm plays softly with her face. Anna takes his hands and

holds them steady.

ANNA:

They're also saying that my husband

has a gift. Not an ordinary gift

that allows him to hit a ball over a

fence. Or a gift that lets him

produce beautiful images on a

canvas... Your gift teaches

children how to be strong in

situations where most adults would

piss on themselves.

(beat)

Yes, I believe what they wrote

about you.

Anna lets go of his hands. Anna's eyes are emotional. Malcolm

smiles softly.

MALCOLM:

Thank you.

Anna leans towards him. They hold each other tight. Beat.

MALCOLM:

What are we hugging about again?

Anna laughs as she wipes her eyes.

ANNA:

Nothing. There wasn't supposed to

be any crying at this celebration.

Just a lot of drinking and sex.

Malcolm's charming, easy-going smile returns.

MALCOLM:

I would like some red wine in a

glass.

Anna hands him his glass. He stares at it.

MALCOLM:

I would not like it in a mug. I

would not like it in a jug.

Malcolm looks at Anna surprised at what he said. They crack up

laughing. THEIR SWEET LAUGHTER FILLS THE HOUSE.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

TWO GIGGLING SHADOWS APPEAR IN THE BEDROOM DOORWAY. They try to

turn on the light. It doesn't come on.

MALCOLM:

Bulb's out.

Anna giggles some more as Malcolm's shadow stumbles across the

bedroom.

MALCOLM TURNS ON THE BATHROOM LIGHT.

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