Signs

FADE IN:

INT. WINDOW - MORNING

We are looking out a second story window of a house. The

backyard is large and green with a wooden jungle gym, worn

from use. A single tree throws shade onto a barbecue and a

picnic table.

The backyard is lined by crops. Corn. Golden and brown. Six

feet high.

Everything is perfect. Like a postcard. And then we HEAR A

CHILD SCREAM. IT'S FAR AWAY. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING

FROM.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

GRAHAM HESS wakes up from his sleep. He thought he heard

something. He listens. HE HEARS THE HEATER. THE REFRIGERATOR

DOWNSTAIRS HUMMING. THE OCCASIONAL BIRDS OUTSIDE CHIRPING.

Graham climbs out of bed. He moves in his pajama pants and

white Barron's minor league baseball T-shirt towards the

bedroom door.

CUT TO:

INT. HALL LANDING - MORNING

Graham stands in the hall landing where three bedroom doors

meet. He moves to the door that has children's drawings taped

to it. He puts his ear close. Listens. Beat.

He relaxes. Graham leans down and picks up two balled up

sweat socks and a child's sweater from the hallway floor.

He puts it in the hallway hamper before heading back into

his bedroom.

CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM - MORNING

A bathroom door is open. WE HEAR THE SINK RUNNING. WE HEAR

THE SOUNDS OF TEETH BEING BRUSHED.

Outside the bathroom on the bedroom wall is the sun faded

outline of where a large CATHOLIC CROSS used to hang. It's

ghostly stained forever on the blank wall.

A CHILD SCREAMS FROM FAR AWAY.

The water from the sink stops. Graham steps into the doorway.

Toothbrush and foam in his mouth. He becomes very still.

CUT TO:

INT. CHILDREN'S BEDROOM - MORNING

The bedroom door bursts open. Graham steps into his children's

room. There are children's books everywhere. Overflowing off

shelves. Piled in corners.

Graham's eyes move to the small messy beds. They're both

empty.

CUT TO:

INT. GARAGE BEDROOM - MORNING

WE HEAR THE VOICES OF TWO CHILDREN NOW. THEIR SCREAMS FLOAT

INTO A DARKENED BEDROOM OVER THE GARAGE.

MERRILL HESS throws the bed sheets off himself as he swings

onto his feet in one quick motion. He is hyper-awake. Merrill

is in his late twenties. He is well build. His muscles are

tense as he stands in his red bikini briefs and looks around

bewildered.

CUT TO:

EXT. BACKYARD - MORNING

Graham bangs open the back screen door and runs into the

backyard. He spins as he looks around.

Merrill, now with a T-shirt and jeans, rumbles down the side

stairs adjacent to the garage building.

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