Big Fish Page #7

16.

EDWARD (cont’d)

I mean, on one hand, if dying was allyou thought about, it could kind of

screw you up. But it could kind of

help you, couldn’t it? Because you’dknow that everything else you cansurvive.

The Old Woman smiles a little, a crooked grin of brokenteeth.

EDWARD (cont’d)

I guess I’m saying, I’d like to know.

The Old Woman turns leaning her face right in front of his.

And on a silent count of one, two, three -- Edward looks intoThe Eye.

This time we don’t cut. Instead, we HOLD ON Edward as hewitnesses his death. He stares transfixed, perplexed andamused. Whatever he sees, it’s not as dire as the otherboys. His future has something strange in store.

EDWARD (cont’d)

Huh. That’s how I go?

The Old Woman nods. Still a little overwhelmed, Edward turnsand leaves.

ADULT EDWARD (V.O.)

From that moment on, I no longer feareddeath. And for that, I was as good asimmortal.

As Edward leaves, the door swings SHUT on its own.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT./EXT. BLOOM HOUSE - (PRESENT) DAY

The front door opens to reveal Will and Josephine on theporch with their bags. REVERSE to Will’s mother Sandra (53),

surprised and a little annoyed.

SANDRA:

How did you get here?

WILL:

We swam. The Atlantic, it’s not thatbig really.

SANDRA:

Ruth McHibbon offered to pick you up atthe airport.

17.

WILL:

We rented a car.

SANDRA:

(simply)

You didn’t need to do that. You justdidn’t.

A beat. Starting over...

WILL:

Hi, Mom.

He leans in and hugs her. She surrenders, squeezing her sontight. Will and his mother are cut from the same cloth --

strong-willed but practical. They’ve always been close.

SANDRA:

I’m so glad you’re here.

That hug finished, Sandra pushes past her son to her daughter-

in-law. Seeing the size of her belly -

SANDRA:

You shouldn’t have flown. But...

They hug.

JOSEPHINE:

It’s good to see you. You look

beautiful.

It’s not flattery. It’s the truth.

SANDRA:

Thank you. I’ll bet you need to -

JOSEPHINE:

Yes.

SANDRA:

Down the hall on the right. The door

sticks. You have to really pull it.

Josephine squeezes past, a smile to her husband -- be nice.

Will heads back to the rental car to retrieve luggage.

Sandra follows him.

Coming down the driveway, we get to see the house for thefirst time: an older suburban home, three bedrooms, big forthe neighborhood, and nicely grown into the lot. KIDS are

playing on the street.

18.

WILL:

Is that Dr. Bennett’s car?

SANDRA:

He’s up with your father.

Heading back to the house...

WILL:

How is he?

SANDRA:

He’s impossible. He won’t eat. And

because he won’t eat, he gets weaker.

And because he’s weaker, he doesn’t

want to eat.

WILL:

How much time does he have left?

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