Smashed Page #6

PRINCIPAL BARNES

Oh, please -- they’re troopers. I’m

sure they’ve seen plenty worse.

(beat)

So -- how long have you been

pregnant?

KATE:

Um...it’s the first trimester.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

Well, it’s very exciting. You must

be thrilled.

KATE:

(nods)

Uh-huh.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

Can I ask a...personal question?

KATE:

Okay.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

How’s it...

(beat)

...going for you?

KATE:

Huh?

PRINCIPAL BARNES

The pregnancy, I mean.

Kate’s not sure how to respond.

PRINCIPAL BARNES (CONT’D)

Having kids wasn’t in the cards for

me. I came close, but...

Principal Barnes drifts off into thought for a moment, then

catches herself and quickly shifts gears.

19.

PRINCIPAL BARNES (CONT’D)

...I mean, it’s like I’ve got a

couple hundred kids here --

(forces a laugh)

-- but...I don’t fool myself. It’s

not the same.

KATE:

(considers her reply)

Well...it’s hard to explain.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

Of course...

KATE:

I wouldn’t call it a burden, but -

PRINCIPAL BARNES

It’s a responsibility.

Beat.

KATE:

Yeah. Exactly.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

(nods)

You’re so lucky.

(beat)

Can I...touch it?

KATE:

Um, I don’t...okay -- but it sleeps

a lot.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

Of course.

KATE:

Like...a lot.

Principal Barnes gets up and kneels next to Kate. She places

her hand on Kate’s belly and closes her eyes.

PRINCIPAL BARNES

(whispers)

Hello in there. Can you hear me?

You’re a tiny miracle. Did you know

that? A miracle.

Principal Barnes looks up at Kate and smiles -- with tears in

her eyes.

20.

16 INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY 16

Kate walks down the hall and comes to the door of her

classroom. Through the glass she sees -

-- Mr. Davies. He notices Kate and smiles (the concerned

smile you give someone right after they’ve publicly

embarrassed themselves).

Kate mouths the words -

KATE:

(silent)

Thank you.

-- and gestures “come here.”

Mr. Davies gestures to the class that he’ll be right back --

before he walks out to talk to Kate. He’s got a slightly

nervous demeanor -- somewhere between “I never became

comfortable talking to women” and Asperger’s.

MR. DAVIES

Is everything, um...okay, Mrs.

Hannah?

KATE:

Yeah, well...I’m really embarrassed

-- but I feel a lot better. And I

just wanted to say thank you.

Mr. Davies glances down the hall.

MR. DAVIES

Look -- I’m not a fool.

(whispered)

I know you were drinking this

morning.

Kate looks shocked.

MR. DAVIES (CONT’D)

I saw you.

KATE:

(taken aback)

Oh, no, I...

MR. DAVIES

Drinking when you’re pregnant is

really dangerous.

21.

KATE:

I know that! Oh, God, I...

(long beat)

...listen -- I’m not actually

pregnant.

What?

MR. DAVIES

KATE:

I’m just really hung over. The kidsstarted asking me questions after Ivomited and I panicked.

MR. DAVIES

Oh. That’s...not good.

KATE:

I know. I...please don’t say

anything.

Mr. Davies looks torn, unsure how to respond.

MR. DAVIES

Just...go home. Get some sleep.

Before Kate can say a word, Mr. Davies heads back into theclassroom.

17 INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - BATHROOM - DAY 17

Kate has her face fully in the sink while water runs over itand ---

TWO LITTLE GIRLS curiously watch.

18 INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - DAY 18 *

Kate and Charlie play POOL while splitting a PITCHER OF BEER.

It’s a bit early to be drinking, but hey -- why not?

KATE:

I had such a crappy morning.

CHARLIE:

Me too. I spent like three hours atthe post office trying to buystamps and stuff.

Kate takes a long sip of beer.

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