The Grudge Page #6

20 INT. THE HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT 20

Karen is on her cell phone:

KAREN (INTO PHONE)

Yes, he was shut in a closet!

There was tape around the -- No,

they’re not home yet. I don’t

know, Emma hasn’t said a word to me

-- He’s still upstairs -- yes, I’m

sure he’s Japanese -- But -- Yes,

alright, Alex. Just please get

here as soon as you can.

Karen hangs up, putting the phone down on the kitchen table.

She leans against the counter, exasperated.

Then her attention turns to THE BOOK she found in the closet.

Karen can’t resist. She opens it.

THE BOOK is a large journal, filled with elegant Japanese

writing. Karen flips through it, stopping on -

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 13.

A PHOTOGRAPH. A handsome young man, smiling at the camera.

We recognize him. It’s PETER, from the opening scene.

21 INT. THE HOUSE - ENTRANCE - NIGHT 21

Karen walks to the front door, reaching out to unlock it ---

but she pauses, realizing something.

She reaches into her pocket, pulling out THE PHOTO she found.

It only takes a second to verify ---

THE BOY in the photo is the one she found in the closet.

Karen lowers the photo, bewildered. Then she looks up,

startled by --

THE BOY. He’s kneeling on the second floor landing above,

watching her through the bars of the metal railing. Creepy.

Karen takes a step forward, forcing a smile.

KAREN (IN JAPANESE)

Hello there.

The boy just stares at her. Really creepy.

KAREN (IN JAPANESE)

My name is Karen. What’s yours?

THE BOY:

Toshio.

Before she can respond -RING!

RING! The phone in the next room startles her.

22 INT. THE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 22

Karen enters the room as the ANSWERING MACHINE picks up, the

voices of a happy couple on the GREETING (in English):

MATTHEW & JENNIFER (ON MACHINE)

“Konnichiwa! Matt and Jennifer

aren’t around, leave a message.”

SUSAN (ON MACHINE)

“Hey, guys, it’s Susan. Matt, are

you there? Pick up...

(MORE)

Revisions (Blue) -- 1/26/04 14.

SUSAN (ON MACHINE) (cont'd)

Okay, well, I’m leaving work now so

you can try my cell, or just call

me at home later.”

The caller pauses. Karen steps closer to the phone base,

curious, listening:

SUSAN (ON MACHINE)

“I just wanted to make sure Mom is

okay. Yesterday was... a bit

weird, and -- I’m just a little

worried.“

Karen, reluctant but realizing she should pick up, reaches

for the phone...

...but the PHONE BASE is empty. The cordless is missing.

As Karen tries to figure out how to answer with the base:

SUSAN (ON MACHINE)

“Listen, just give me a call when

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