The Sweet Hereafter Page #5

MITCHELL (CONT'D)

Do you mind if I step outside for a

moment? It's a private call.

The WALKERS nod as MITCHELL moves outside.

CUT TO:

EXT. BIDE-A-WILE MOTEL -- DUSK

MITCHELL speaks into his cellular phone.

MITCHELL:

Zoe...Zoe, where are you?

CUT TO:

INT. AIRPLANE. FIRST CLASS CABIN -- DAY

A newscaster is giving a report on the television screen of

a first class airplane cabin. The image is silent.

This scene takes place two years after the accident.

MITCHELL STEPHENS is playing with his headset, which doesn't

seem to be working. He summons a STEWARDESS over.

MITCHELL:

I'm not getting any sound.

The STEWARDESS checks the headset and confirms the problem.

STEWARDESS:

I'll find you another pair.

The STEWARDESS leaves.

A young woman seated beside MITCHELL hands him her headset.

ALISON:

You can have mine.

MITCHELL takes ALISON'S headset. Their eyes lock for a

moment.

ALISON (CONT'D)

Yes, we do know each other. I'm

Alison Jones.

MITCHELL:

Alison Jones.

ALISON:

I was a friend of Zoe's. We went to

school together. I used to come to

your house.

MITCHELL:

(pretending to

remember)

Yes.

ALISON:

Ally. That was my nickname.

MITCHELL:

Ally. That's right.

ALISON:

How are you?

MITCHELL:

I'm just fine, Ally. What about

you?

ALISON:

I'm fine. Still working with my

father.

MITCHELL:

And what does he do again?

ALISON:

He used to work with you. Until you

found out he was having an affair

with your wife.

Pause. MITCHELL finally remembers ALISON JONES.

MITCHELL:

Ally Jones.

ALISON:

How is Mrs. Stephens?

MITCHELL:

We're...not together.

ALISON:

I'd heard that. But she's well?

MITCHELL:

Yes...fine.

ALISON:

And Zoe? How's Zoe?

Pause. The STEWARDESS comes back with a new headset. She

notices the set that ALISON has given him.

STEWARDESS:

Oh, you've beaten me to it.

The STEWARDESS hands the headset to ALISON.

STEWARDESS (CONT'D)

Here.

The camera has remained fixed on MITCHELL'S face.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROADSIDE -- MORNING

WANDA and HARTLEY OTTO are waiting for the school bus with

their adopted son BEAR.

The bus arrives, and the door opens to reveal DOLORES

DRISCOLL, who is driving.

DOLORES:

Good morning, Wanda. Hi, Hartley.

WANDA:

Hi, Dolores.

DOLORES watches as WANDA and HARTLEY OTTO affectionately say

goodbye to their boy. WANDA gives BEAR a photograph, which

has strong psychedelic influences. BEAR shows it proudly to

DOLORES.

WANDA (CONT'D)

What do you think?

DOLORES:

Well, it's certainly what you'd call

interesting.

WANDA:

(laughing)

You hate it.

DOLORES:

I didn't say that.

WANDA:

I could wrap it up. Protect the

other kids.

DOLORES:

I'll just strap it on the roof.

WANDA:

It's for the school bazaar.

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