The Sweet Hereafter

Around the practising band, various carpenters and

technicians are making final preparations for that evening's

big event.

One of the people watching the band is SAM BURNELL, a man in

his early forties. He watches his daughter, NICOLE, as she

sings into the microphone. NICOLE is sixteen.

NICOLE stares at her father as she sings.

ANGLE ON:

SAM looking back at his daughter. He is intensely proud of

her. SAM is a carpenter, working on at the fair site. He

gets back to his work, hammering a supporting beam into the

grandstand.

CUT TO:

INT. AIRPORT. WASHROOM -- AFTERNOON

CLOSE UP of a three year old girl, staring up into the lens.

Her face is full of sweetness and trust.

ANGLE ON:

MITCHELL STEPHENS in a crowded airport washroom, watching a

young father, PETER, trying to change the diaper on his

three year old daughter.

MITCHELL stares at the little girl, his face registering a

wistful smile. PETER is having a hard time trying to find

the towel from the toddler's bag and keeping an eye on her

at the same time.

MITCHELL:

Need a hand?

PETER:

Sure, it you could find a towel in

this bag. I know my wife packed one

in there...

MITCHELL comes forward and searches through the toddler's

bag.

MITCHELL:

You always think you're prepared for

these things.

PETER:

Tell me about it.

MITCHELL:

How old is she?

PETER:

Almost three.

MITCHELL:

(finding a towel)

Is this it?

PETER:

Perfect.

MITCHELL:

Here we go.

PETER:

Thanks.

PETER lays the towel across the counter, and dries the

little girl. MITCHELL watches as PETER puts a new diaper on

her. The toddler stares up at MITCHELL, her eyes are

playful.

MITCHELL stares at the girl's face.

CUT TO:

INT. CAR WASH. -- NIGHT

TIME CUT back to MITCHELL honking the horn of his car,

trying to get someone's attention. No response. MITCHELL

picks up his cell phone, and dials the operator.

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