By: Louré Bussey-Jackson
FADE IN:
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Candles flicker from a luxurious wood table. A shadow of a
MAN and WOMAN bounce on the wall. RACHEL PANE, who is sultry
looking, with long, wild hair, has a tortured expression as
she lies in bed beneath her husband.
As JUSTICE PANE'S robust body pounds hers, tears fall from
her eyes on the pillow. When his face finally contorts with
extreme pleasure, she looks relieved.
SUPERIMPOSE:
WESTBRIDGE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, JULY 1978
Justice rolls off Rachel. She turns her back to him and faces
the nighttime outside of her window. After a few moments of
tense silence, she gets up.
INT. SHOWER - NIGHT
Crying silently beneath the stream of water, Rachel carries a
bar of soap over her body. She is startled when the shower
curtain is pulled back.
JUSTICE
You can't wash me off.
RACHEL
(barely audible)
Leave me alone, Justice.
She pulls the curtain closed. Justice yanks it open.
JUSTICE
I don't wash off. I'm down in your
body, your heart, your mind. You
can't escape me.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Rachel sits at her vanity table, drying her wet hair with a
towel. In the mirror, she sees Justice getting dressed. She
glimpses the clock. It's 10:16 P.M.
JUSTICE
You should be glad I want you that
bad. But no, you act like I'm
shitting on you.
RACHEL
I'm so tired.
JUSTICE
That's always your excuse. If you
could get into it more, you'd be
pregnant again.
Fully dressed in a stylish shirt and pants, Justice is
distracted because he searches his drawer for something.
Finding cologne, he rubs some on his neck.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Shucks, my daddy thinks I'm
shooting blanks. But it's not me.
It's you that's dried up.
RACHEL
When you force me, it curses us.
JUSTICE
Force my ass! There's no such thing
as a man forcing himself on his own
wife!
He observes a sudden look of disgust on her face.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Hate it all you want. That Jones
girl loves it. She loves it so
much, she's carrying my baby.
Rachel's face snaps toward him, showing her shock, hurt, and
rage at his cruelty for doing and saying such a thing.
RACHEL
(her voice rising)
How would you like it if I told you
I was carrying another man's child?
Justice races toward her and grabs her by the throat. He
makes her head tilt back as if he might snap her neck.
JUSTICE
I wouldn't kill you. I would just
make you wish I would.
Roughly he releases her neck, causing her to grab her throat.
Throwing an enraged look over his shoulder, he leaves the
room.
Shortly after, Rachel looks out the window. She watches
Justice's Rolls-Royce drive away from their estate.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Dressed in a flowing nightgown, Rachel strolls among old
fashioned, elegant furnishings: rich woods, antiques, rare
paintings, and detailed architecture.
INT. MYLES'S PANE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
She sits on the bed where a ten-year-old, good-looking BOY
sleeps. MYLES PANE looks so peaceful that the look transfers
to Rachel's face and she kisses his cheek.
EXT. SONNY'S BAR & Grill - NIGHT
Justice slams his car door and heads inside the local hot
spot. Several patrons stand on the outside socializing. B.B.
King's song "Thrill Is Gone" plays.
INT. SONNY'S BAR & GRILL - NIGHT
Justice scans the place and sees many familiar faces. He
heads toward his two buddies, WYLIE GRIER and PETER
ARMSTRONG, who motion for him to join them.
But he spots a WOMAN that stops his tracks. He stares at her
from her shapely legs, up to her lovely face. He makes his
way to the takeout counter, where she appears to be ordering
food. He slides on a stool beside hers.
VAL JAMISON, who wears a simple blouse and skirt, has the
presence of a woman who cares less about how gorgeous she is.
She glances aside at Justice, but looks away quickly because
he is ogling her body.
JUSTICE
You're a new islander, or just
passing through?
VAL
(hesitantly)
I'm new.
She looks behind the counter, as if she hopes he doesn't ask
her anything else. Justice leans closer to her.
JUSTICE
I'm Justice. What's your name?
VAL
Val.
JUSTICE
Short for Valerie?
VAL
No, just Val.
JUSTICE
Where you from?
VAL
Philly.
JUSTICE
So where you live now?
She looks uneasy and doesn't answer.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
I'm just asking because we may be
neighbors.
The cashier interrupts. She hands Val 2 bags.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
That's a lot of food.
Instead of responding, Val grasps her packages off the
counter and walks toward the door. Justice hops up from his
stool, keeping up with her.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Look, I'm a Pane. We own just about
everything on this island.
Val is disinterested and keeps stepping. His buddies, Peter
and Wylie watch Justice's pursuit of the woman.
EXT. SONNY'S BAR & GRILL - NIGHT
Val reaches her Mustang, but Justice blocks her path before
she gets in.
JUSTICE
Pretty lady, I can show you a real
good time. Money never runs out in
my family.
Val looks insulted and hurries into her car. Justice watches
her drive off. His two friends come outside and join him in
watching her Mustang cruise down the road.
WYLIE
I'd love to be squeezed up in that
hot juice.
PETER
Yes, indeed. I'd love to be with a
woman like that.
JUSTICE
I am going to be with her. I'm
going to destroy that ass!
Justice's friends and he laugh and walk back inside.
EXT. VAL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Val gets out of her car and walks up the short flight of
steps to her porch. CARENA, a skinny, little girl with large
eyeglasses runs to Val. A plump, elderly woman, Val's mother,
HANNAH sits on a swing, rocking lightly.
CARENA
Did you get the mustard to go with
my frank, mama?
VAL
Yep, I did you greedy girl.
INT. PANE DINING ROOM - DAY
Sunshine blazes through a tremendous window in the Pane home
the next morning. A breakfast feast is spread on the table.
Rachel, Myles, and Justice eat soundlessly. Myles sneaks
glances at Justice as if he's afraid.
JUSTICE
Don't pick at your food, boy. Eat
like a man. Eat!
MYLES
Yes, sir.
Myles chews harder and takes big bites of his food. Rachel
looks at her child to make sure he doesn't choke.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Myles walks by attractive, mid-sized homes until he reaches
one with his two friends, QUENTIN and TERRY CROSS, sitting on
the front steps. Spotting Myles, they grin and pull a Playboy
magazine out of a bag.
QUENTIN
We thought you weren't coming.
MYLES
My dad made me eat all my food even
though I didn't want it.
Myles sits with the boys. They hover together, bring the
magazine closer, and glance around to see if anyone sees them
looking in a nasty book. Myles notices a new girl in front of
a house across the street. She's Carena.
MYLES (CONT'D)
Who's she?
Quentin and Terry look across the street at the girl.
TERRY
They just moved in last week. Look
at her four eyes.
The boys giggle, but Myles's laughter is dry.
QUENTIN
She looks like a toothpick,
goofball head. Now let's look at
some pretty girls.
TERRY
And naked ones.
Laughing, the boys open the magazine. Their eyes stretch and
they giggle at the pictures.
QUENTIN
Look at those big boobies.
MYLES
My dad says when I'm 13, he's going
to get a girl like this one to make
me a man.
QUENTIN
You're going to let her play with
it?
MYLES
All she wants.
TERRY
You're going to have to get a
magnifying glass for her to see it
first.
Terry and Quentin are laughing at their joke on Myles. Myles
doesn't think their joke is funny.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Later, Quentin and Terry go inside their house. Myles heads
back to his home. Curious about the girl across the street,
he wanders in her direction on his way home.
Carena smiles at Myles as he approaches her.
CARENA
You live near here?
MYLES
My friends across the street do.
CARENA
They don't like me. But I don't
care. Do you know how to put air in
bike tires?
MYLES
Yeah . . . I guess.
CARENA
Could you help me? My daddy used to
put air in my tires, but he died.
Nobody else knows how.
MYLES
Take me to it.
Myles and Carena walk around to the back of her house.
INT. VAL'S KITCHEN - DAY
Stirring cake mix in a bowl, Val walks to the back door. She
smiles seeing Carena in the yard making a friend.
INT. SONNY'S BAR & GRILL - NIGHT
Justice enters the hot spot with his buddies. He spots Val at
the counter again and is excited. He struts toward her.
However, a furious MAN walks up to him.
MAN
My girl, Dara, works for you. She
said you put your filthy hands
under her skirt!
JUSTICE
Get out of my damn way before I
stomp your ass!
The man punches Justice in the face hard, making him stagger
backwards and bleed at the corner of his mouth. Patrons gawk
at the scene. Many gather around the two. Justice eyes two
bouncer types, nodding at them.
The three charge the man. The bouncers hold the man, while
Justice land punches in the man's gut. After a while, the two
haul the man outside.
People are shaking their heads, looking angry at Justice. Yet
they are also going back to what they were doing. Justice
tidies his clothes, wipes his mouth, and when the two bouncer
types return, he hands them money.
Val has observed this with a scowl. When Justice starts
toward her, she turns back around to face the counter.
Justice walks behind her, since the stools beside her are
occupied. His friends ease nearby them, observing.
JUSTICE
How are you doing tonight?
She doesn't look at him.
VAL
I'm all right.
JUSTICE
Why are you going to have your back
to me like that?
He waits for her response, but Val has nothing to say.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Don't be that way. I'm talking to
you, trying to get to know you.
Fed up, Val turns around.
VAL
We don't have a thing in common, so
please leave me alone.
JUSTICE
(furiously)
Forget you.
He sees Wylie and Peter cracking up. It makes him madder. He
stares down at Val's backside, smacks her hard on it, and
then walks toward Peter and Wylie.
Hopping mad that Justice whacked her butt, Val rushes over to
him and kicks him in the groin. He buckles over in pain and
looks like he wants to beat her senseless. But he hurts too
much. What's more, all eyes are on him.
VAL
You touch me like that again and
I'll cut your throat!
Some patrons snicker because of the way she talked to
Justice. He notices them, is humiliated, and wants to pummel
Val. He narrows his eyes at her instead.
JUSTICE
Get on your knees and taste what
you're starved for. That's why
you're acting the fool in here. You
know you want it.
Some spectators laugh. Others whisper among each other. Most
are shocked silent at his vulgarity.
VAL
I already had a little baby sausage
today.
Laughter explodes throughout the bar. Val leaves the place
contentedly. Justice sees everyone laughing at him, even his
friends, and burns his eyes into Val's back. His gaze conveys
he'll make her regret what she did.
INT. CARENA'S ROOM - DAY
Myles is playing Monopoly with Carena on her bed. Val enters
the room and hands them bowls of ice cream.
MYLES
Thank you, Mrs. Jamison
VAL
You're welcome, Myles
CARENA
Thanks, mama.
Val winks at Carena, then leaves.
MYLES
Your mom is nice and pretty.
CARENA
She's the best mama in the world.
MYLES
My mom is the best, too. You have
any brothers and sisters?
CARENA
I had a brother, but he died. He
and my daddy were in a car accident
back home in Philly.
MYLES
Sorry. I bet you miss them.
She wipes her eyes to fight off tears.
CARENA
But I'm trying to do what mama does
to be with them again. She does
something special.
Myles looks confused.
MYLES
What do you mean?
CARENA
I'm not supposed to talk about it.
It helps her stop crying.
MYLES
My mom cries a lot, too.
CARENA
Why?
Myles gazes off with a strange look in his eyes and then
hangs his head.
MYLES
Let's finish Monopoly.
EXT. SHOPPING DISTRICT - DAY
Justice is parking his car. He notices Val strolling by MEN
in front of the barbershop. They chat with her. When Val is
down the street, Justice gets out of his car and joins the
men. He burns his eyes in Val's back.
ELDERLY MAN
If I was a just year younger.
Another elderly man chuckles at what the first said.
ELDERLY MAN II
She's a goddess all right.
JUSTICE
She's a god damn bitch!
The men gawk and frown at him for his harsh words.
EXT. PANE ESTATE - DAY
Myles and Carena run and laugh loudly, playing a game on the
grass.
EXT. PANE PATIO - DAY
Rachel relaxes in a lounge chair, watching the youngsters and
smiling. When Justice suddenly comes out on the patio, he
frowns at the sight of the children.
JUSTICE
Who is making all that noise with
Myles?
RACHEL
That's his new friend, Carena.
JUSTICE
Where are those boys he plays with?
RACHEL
Home I guess. Myles and Carena are
like two peas in a pod now.
JUSTICE
I don't like my boy playing with
girls. I'm going to have a talk
with him. A man hangs with men.
EXT. JUSTICE'S TRUCK - DAY
Justice is driving while Myles sits on the passenger seat.
Fishing rods stick out the back of the truck.
JUSTICE
What you're going to do with those
big fish you caught?
MYLES
I'm going to give one to mom, and
the other one to Carena.
JUSTICE
To who?
MYLES
My friend, Carena.
JUSTICE
That girl you had at the house the
other day?
Myles nods gleefully.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
That mess has to stop. A man
doesn't need to be around a woman
but for one thing. She's too young
to give you that yet. So ditch her.
Myles looks down sadly. Meanwhile, Justice drives through the
sunny countryside. He does a double take when he passes a
dirt road. Val's Mustang is parked along it. He backs up to
the dirt road and parks.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
I have to check something out. You
stay here.
EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY
Walking toward the backwoods, Justice scans the area to see
if anyone is around. He reaches a secluded area with
wildflowers. Val is picking some. The sight of Justice shocks
and angers her.
VAL
What are you doing back here?
JUSTICE
The man who owns this land is a
good friend of mine.
VAL
I know him, too. And he said I
could pick flowers here.
She looks nervous, but is determined to show defiance.
VAL (CONT'D)
What do you want? You're not the
picking flowers type.
JUSTICE
Real funny. Real funny just like in
the bar the other night.
He eases a faint step toward her.
VAL
You had no right to violate me.
JUSTICE
I do what the hell I want. Do you
know who you messed with?
He makes another step toward her. Val eases back.
VAL
I'm warning you now, to get on to
where you were going.
His pace quickens. Val looks more worried.
JUSTICE
No, you're the one going--going
down on that ground and do what I
want.
Leaping on her, Justice grabs her by the hair. He rips her
blouse with the other hand. She fights to get away.
VAL
Get off me!
She battles harder. Justice uses more brute force.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
You're not swinging your ass
around, acting like you're too good
for me any more!
VAL
Get off me! I don't want you! Get
your hands off me!
JUSTICE
I'll show you something. You won't
walk right for years!
Val is putting up such a good fight, Justice can barely
handle her. She even gets her hand in her pocket, pulls out a
knife, and attempts to cut him on the neck.
VAL
(while scuffling)
I told you I'd cut your throat.
Yet when the blade is about to pierce Justice's neck, he
grips the knife. Val kicks him in the groin and runs deeper
into the woods. But Justice's desperation to brutalize her
makes him run so fast that he catches her.
EXT. ANOTHER AREA OF WOODS - DAY
From a great distance, a middle-aged woman, MATTIE is about
to approach Justice and Val's direction. She stops when she
sees Justice holding Val tightly. Believing they are lovers
fooling around, she walks the other way.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Holding the knife on Val, Justice throws her on the ground
and rapes her. During the nightmare, Val fights and manages
to rise. Tragically though, he swipes the blade across her
neck. She falls out like a limp sack.
Horrified at what he has done, Justice backs away. Blood
gushes from Val's neck. He is in disbelief that he has killed
her. He rubs his head and paces and back and forth. He is
frantic, not knowing what to do.
EXT. TRUCK - DAY
Looking bored, Myles gets out of the truck.
EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY
He walks the path his father walked.
EXT. BACKWOODS - DAY
Myles sees his hysterical daddy hovering over Carena's
mother's lifeless, bloody body. He cries and screams. Justice
grabs him and covers his mouth. When Justice believes the boy
won't scream again, he uncovers it.
JUSTICE
Don't make a sound.
MYLES
(sobbing)
That's . . . That's . . .
JUSTICE
What? What are you saying, boy?
MYLES
That's . . . She's Carena's mother.
Myles cries harder. Justice looks over at Val's body.
JUSTICE
Whose mama?
MYLES
(still sobbing)
My friend, the girl.
JUSTICE
You can't tell her!
Justice grabs Myles by the arms.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
You can't tell anybody about this!
You hear me?
Myles can't stop crying and can't stop looking at Val's
lifeless form and all the blood. He then stares at the blood
on his father and his clothes. From the terrified look on
Myles's face, Justice can tell what he's thinking.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
No, boy! I didn't do it. I found
her like this. I'm bloody cause I
held her to see what was wrong.
Myles barely heeds his words. He still can't stop looking at
Val and crying. Then he looks at Justice.
MYLES
(sobbing)
Why? Why?
Justice grabs Myles's arms tighter, shaking him.
JUSTICE
I told you I didn't do it, boy! I
saw some man running away. He did
it!
Myles looks at him like he doesn't believe him.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
And you better not tell anyone
nothing! Not even your mama! Cause
if you do, I'll kill her.
Myles freezes at the statement, looking petrified. Justice
moves toward Val, and then looks at Myles.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Now go to the truck and get the
shovel out the back.
Myles just looks at him, almost as if in a daze.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
No, stay here. Somebody see you
acting like that and they'll know
something happened.
Justice runs off toward the dirt road. He looks back over his
shoulder at Myles.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Now you stay there.
Myles walks close to Val's body. He cries as if he is having
convulsions. He also throws up. When Justice returns and sees
that Myles has vomited and is still crying, he freaks out.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
You have to be a man, boy! A man
doesn't fall apart!
Justice then looks around to see if anyone is in sight. With
no one around, he digs a hole for Val's body.
EXT. BACKWOODS - NIGHT
When Justice has finished digging the hole, it is night. He
throws Val in it while Myles looks on in quiet shock.
EXT. TRUCK - NIGHT
Justice drives home and looks over at Myles. Myles looks
straight ahead like a zombie.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
When we get home, I'm going to stop
in the guest house and get cleaned
up and change before I go in the
house.
He pauses, studying Myles's weird expression.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
Now you don't say a word about
this. All we did is fish. And don't
go near that girl, or say anything
to her about this. And most of all,
remember what I said about your
mama. I'll do it.
INT. VAL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Val's mother, Hannah, keeps looking out the screen door for
her daughter's car to pull up in the front yard. She looks
worried. Carena joins her at the front door.
CARENA
Mama probably stopped at that place
to get some food.
HANNAH
Maybe she did, darling.
INT. PANE HOUSE - NIGHT
Cleaned up and wearing different clothes, Justice opens his
front door with Myles beside him. Myles still wears a
strange, dazed expression. When Rachel walks in the room and
sees him, she frowns and walks toward him.
RACHEL
Baby, what happened?
Suddenly smelling an odd scent on Myles, she sniffs.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Did you throw up?
Justice pulls Myles away from her.
JUSTICE
Go get ready for bed, son.
Rachel eyes Justice angrily and goes to Myles again, holding
his face gently.
RACHEL
Tell me what's wrong.
With tears shining in his eyes, Myles hugs his mother, and
then hurries upstairs. Rachel looks at Justice.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
What did you do to my child?
JUSTICE
Told him to stop playing with
girls.
RACHEL
And it upset him that much?
JUSTICE
He's weak like you.
With that, Justice walks upstairs. She watches him as if
she's trying to figure out if he's telling the truth.
INT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Silently Myles sits in bed. Rachel sits with him, snuggling
him and mingling her fingers in his hair.
RACHEL
I'm always here for you, baby. You
can tell me anything.
INT. PANE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Justice walks by Myles's room. When Myles notices him passing
the doorway, he sees Justice placing two fingers in front of
his lips. Rachel doesn't see the gesture.
INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY
A frantic-looking Hannah and tearful Carena sit in a simple
room. The SHERIFF and DEPUTY listen to them.
HANNAH
She left yesterday to run errands.
CARENA
My mama just wouldn't leave me like
that.
HANNAH
Sheriff, please find her. Val and
my grandchild are all I have.
SHERIFF
We'll find your daughter Mrs.
Mason. This is a small island.
DEPUTY
We need a picture of her, the make
of the car, and any other details.
EXT. PANE HOME - DAY
Teary-eyed, Carena rings Myles's doorbell. Rachel answers the
door and smiles. But her smile fades. She is shocked to see
Carena so upset. Looking curious about what happened to her,
she invites her in.
INT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - DAY
Rachel approaches Myles, who lies in bed, looking dazed.
RACHEL
Baby, Carena is downstairs.
Alarmed at Carena being there, Myles shakes his head.
MYLES
My stomach is still upset.
RACHEL
I know. But can you talk to her for
a little while? She's so upset. Her
mama is missing.
Myles looks at her like he wants to say something, but
suddenly bursts into tears. Rachel hugs him.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Baby, what's wrong? I know this is
more than an upset stomach. What
happened with your daddy?
Myles wipes his eyes and tear-stained face.
MYLES
Nothing.
INT. PANE LIVING ROOM - DAY
Rachel returns to Carena, who sits on the sofa.
RACHEL
I'm sorry, sweetie. Myles's stomach
is bothering him too much to have
company.
CARENA
(sniffling)
Okay.
Seeing Carena's upset, Rachel puts her arms around her.
RACHEL
Sweetie, don't worry about your
mama. They'll find her.
Clearly affected by the child's upset, Rachel escorts Carena
to the door. After she closes it behind her, Rachel looks
deep in thought.
EXT. PANE ESTATE - DAY
The next day Myles is wandering around on the grass in front
of his house, looking sad. He wanders away.
EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY
Myles has walked far and is approaching the place where Val's
body is buried. He even passes Val's Mustang.
EXT. MAIN ROAD - DAY
Moments later, Hannah and Carena drive past the dirt road and
spot Val's car. They park.
EXT. DIRT ROAD - DAY
They hurry to Val's Mustang. It's empty and undisturbed.
Hannah is looking around in it, while Carena decides to look
for her mother in the surrounding area. She walks further.
EXT. BACKWOODS - DAY
Carena is stunned to see Myles standing over a piece of land,
staring at it oddly.
CARENA
(yelling)
Myles!
She runs toward Myles. Seeing Carena, Myles runs away from
her and disappears in the woods. Surprised that he ran from
her, Carena finally reaches the place where he stood. She
looks at the land, wondering what he found so fascinating
about it.
EXT. BACKWOODS - DAY
Later that day, the sheriff, deputy, and other law
enforcement officials scour the area where Val's car is found
and the surrounding land.
When one OFFICER sees blood, he does some digging with his
hand, and then with a stick. Astonishingly, he sees a woman's
hand. He does more digging and finds her body.
OFFICER
Jesus!
He looks around, hesitating to share the tragic news.
OFFICER (CONT'D)
(yelling)
I think I found her!
Other officers, the sheriff, and deputy run toward the
officer. Hannah and Carena hurry toward him also.
Carena's eyes enlarge when she sees the officer exactly where
Myles stood standing.
When Carena and Hannah reach the dug up area and see Val's
sliced up neck, Hannah passes out. Carena screams and drops
near her mother, cradling her.
CARENA
Mama! Oh, Mama! Mama!
INT. PANE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Justice, Myles, and Rachel are eating dinner when the bell
rings. Rachel leaves the table to answer it. She returns with
the sheriff, his deputy, and another officer. Justice rises
from the chair.
JUSTICE
(grinning)
Bob, you always did like to pop by
just in time for dinner.
SHERIFF
I wish that's why I was here,
Justice. This is about a young
woman named Val Jamison.
Justice pretends that he's never heard the name. Myles lowers
his head and doesn't look at anyone. Having finished eating,
he leaves the room. Rachel looks at Justice suspiciously.
JUSTICE
We don't know a Val Jamison.
SHERIFF
That's not what I hear. I was told
you and she had some . . .
He eyes Rachel and carefully chooses his words.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
Some unpleasant words the other
night at Sonny's.
JUSTICE
(smiling)
Oh, Bob, everybody was drinking
that night and messing around. We
were saying all kinds of things.
That's why you're here? Because
this Val wants to get at me for
something I said?
SHERIFF
I wish that's all it was.
RACHEL
What is it then?
SHERIFF
Val Jamison is dead. Murdered.
Looks like she was raped, too.
Rachel gasps. Justice feigns shock.
JUSTICE
What?
SHERIFF
Her throat was slit. Her child saw
her like that and couldn't let go
of her. Saddest thing you ever
seen.
JUSTICE
I'm sorry to hear that.
RACHEL
It's horrible. But why are you
here, Bob?
SHERIFF
Because of the woman's daughter.
Before her mother was found, she
saw someone standing over the spot
where we discovered the body.
RACHEL
Who?
SHERIFF
Myles.
RACHEL
Myles? My Myles?
SHERIFF
She said he saw her and ran when
she called out to him. Carena says
they're friends.
RACHEL
Oh, my God! It's that sweet girl's
mother. She said her mother was
missing.
She looks at Justice.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
You know, the girl? Myles's little
friend.
Justice ignores her and looks as if this is all a joke.
JUSTICE
Bob, I told my son that he couldn't
play with that girl anymore. She's
making up stuff.
SHERIFF
Strange thing to make up.
RACHEL
Do you think Myles saw who did it,
Sheriff? Is that why you came by?
JUSTICE
Of course, Myles couldn't have seen
who did it. He would have told us.
SHERIFF
Could you call Myles in here?
Rachel looks concerned and is reluctant to get Myles. She
goes to get him anyway. When she brings him in the room, she
rests her hand on him gently. Justice swallows hard because
of his worry with Myles telling the truth.
SHERIFF (CONT'D)
Myles, son, do you know Carena
Jamison?
Myles nods.
MYLES
(meekly and looking down)
Yes, sir.
SHERIFF
Did you see her lately over by the
old Hinton place and run?
MYLES
(still meekly and looking
down)
No, sir.
SHERIFF
You sure, Myles? Carena said that
you stood right where her dead mama
was found.
Myles is about to cry. Justice ushers him out of the room,
then returns.
JUSTICE
That's enough, Bob.
SHERIFF
He's mighty upset about something.
JUSTICE
Because his friend's mama died.
The sheriff looks skeptical. He heads out with the deputy and
officer anyway. Justice escorts them out.
When Justice returns to the dining room, Rachel looks at him
peculiarly, almost as if she doesn't know who he is.
JUSTICE (CONT'D)
What are you looking at me like
that for?
Rachel doesn't answer. She leaves the room. Once she's gone,
Justice thinks a moment, then hurries out of the room also.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Soon after, Justice walks inside a room decorated with a
desk, books, and rich leather chairs, and sofas. He locks the
door, picks up the phone, and dials.
JUSTICE
Daddy, I have a problem and I may
need your help, and our money, to
make it go away.
INT. CARENA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Carena sits on the side of her bed with her head hung. Hannah
walks in the doorway and sees her granddaughter's sadness.
She walks over to Carena and tucks her in bed.
HANNAH
How are you feeling, darling?
Clutching the covers, Carena looks up at her grandmother.
CARENA
Why did God take mama, and daddy,
and Chris away? I'm alone.
HANNAH
God didn't take either. And you're
not alone. I'm here with you. I'm
not leaving.
CARENA
Do you think Myles knows who killed
mama?
Carena's eyes get watery and she wipes them.
CARENA (CONT'D)
He was standing right where they
found her. And when I called to
him, he ran.
HANNAH
The law will get the one who did
it. Don't worry.
CARENA
I heard the deputy saying Myles's
daddy got fresh with mama in the
bar.
HANNAH
The deputy told you that?
CARENA
No. I overheard him telling the
sheriff. Do you think Myles's daddy
raped her?
Carena's eyes get watery again and she wipes them.
HANNAH
Darling, I don't want you thinking
about that.
CARENA
But I can't help it. I can't stop
thinking about mama. My mind won't
stop.
HANNAH
I want you feeling better. You know
what you can do to feel better.
Hannah gives Carena a strange, knowing, lingering look in the
eyes. Carena nods.
CARENA
I'm going to do it right now and be
with mama.
EXT. SHOPPING DISTRICT - DAY
Mattie, who saw Justice and Val on the back road, passes a
newsstand. She is stunned to see Val's picture beside a
headline about her murder. It prompts her to read the
article. When she finishes it, she thinks back.
FLASHBACK - MATTIE WALKING THROUGH BACKWOODS
From a great distance, Mattie is about to approach Justice
and Val's direction, but stops. She sees Justice holding Val.
Believing they are lovers fooling around, she walks the other
way.
BACK TO SCENE
Mattie looks disturbed and confused about what to do.
MONTAGE - PANE FAMILY HAPPENINGS
-- Rachel relaxes by her pool, smiling at a new,
hunky gardener, Lance. He keeps smiling at her.
-- Myles takes a walk across the lawn, looking sad.
-- Justice is at Sonny's Bar & Grill with Wylie and
Peter. They are drinking and flirting with women.
-- Rachel takes a walk with her gardener and is
laughing a lot.
-- Rachel is in a secluded place with the gardener.
Suddenly he stares at her and kisses her. She kisses
him back.
-- Rachel and the gardener are in a shed, making love.
INT. PANE HALLWAY - NIGHT
Rachel picks up the phone and dials someone.
RACHEL
We're on our way. All of us.
She gazes down at her belly and rubs it.
INT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Rachel wakes Myles up.
RACHEL
We have to go, baby, before your
father comes back. She helps him
get dressed.
EXT. SECRET PLACE - NIGHT
Holding Myles's hand, Rachel leads him down a secluded
pathway until they see Lance. His car is parked nearby.
MYLES
Mom, we're going with Lance?
RACHEL
Yes, baby. We're starting a new
life far away from here.
Myles thinks for a moment and then smiles.
MYLES
Daddy won't be able to . . .
RACHEL
What won't he be able to do?
MYLES
(smiling)
Nothing. Let's go! Come on!
Lance is thrilled when Myles and Rachel reach him. He hugs
them. Unexpectedly though, they are startled by the sound of
footsteps and rustling bushes. Justice appears.
JUSTICE
I knew you were up to something.
But giving it up to the god damn
gardener.
Lance lets go of Myles and Rachel. He steps face to face with
Justice.
LANCE
They're leaving you.
JUSTICE
(chuckling )
Says who? You? The lawn mower man?
LANCE
I love Rachel. I love Myles, too.
I'll raise him as my own.
JUSTICE
You can't raise yourself you poor
ass piece of shit.
LANCE
This poor ass put a baby in Rachel
and you couldn't!
To that, Justice becomes silent and looks astonished. He
stares at Lance, and then Rachel. Oddly enough, he even
starts laughing. Yet the laughter cuts off abruptly. Swiftly
he dips his hand in his pocket and grabs a gun.
He aims it at Lance, but not for long. Lance wrestles with
him, making them fall to the ground in a brutal scuffle.
Frightened, Myles and Rachel look on and try to get out of
harms way.
However, the gun goes off. No one seems to be shot. That is,
until they see Myles fall to the ground with blood trickling
down his face from a head wound. Rachel drops to her knees,
cradling his head in her lap.
RACHEL
(screaming)
Myles! Myles! Myles, baby!
While she's holding Myles, she looks off-screen to see
something that makes her look horror-struck.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
(screaming)
Oh, no! No! No! Oh, God, no!
JUSTICE (OS)
I told you I wouldn't kill you if
you ever did this to me! I would
just make you wish I would! I told
you! I told you!
RACHEL (OS)
(screaming)
Noooooooooooo!
FADE OUT and FADE IN:
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
SUPERIMPOSE:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, TWENTY-SIX-YEARS LATER
At an attorney's table, a strikingly handsome, thirty
something MAN sits beside a SECOND MAN and a middle-aged
woman. All three look at the JUDGE anxiously.
JUDGE
A million dollars for the
plaintiff.
Immediately, the striking attorney, AN ADULT MYLES PANE, and
his partner, DAVID, hop up excitedly, shaking hands.
DAVID
Myles, you are the man!
MYLES
You must be the man, too!
Their client hugs them.
INT. LAW FIRM -DAY
With huge smiles, Myles and David enter a plush reception
area. Their other law partner, STAN, comes out of his office
and joins them.
STAN
So our hotshots kicked butt?
The guys respond with smiles.
DAVID
It was awesome. We have what we
asked for.
STAN
What a birthday you're having, Mr.
Pane.
MYLES
Can't get any better. Where's
Roxanne? I want to tell her the
good news.
STAN
She's in your office. Maybe with a
hot birthday present.
With his risqué statement, Stan raises his brows friskily.
David winks at Myles. Myles finds his friends amusing and
heads to his office.
INT. MYLES'S OFFICE - DAY
Myles doesn't see anyone in the room. Suddenly a finger taps
him from behind. He turns around. ROXANNE, an attractive
woman, with overly done hair and makeup, emerges from behind
the door in her bra and panties.
She locks the door, walks over to Myles, and begins removing
his tie.
ROXANNE
I eavesdropped and heard the good
news, birthday boy.
MYLES
(flirtatiously)
Oh, you did.
ROXANNE
Un huh. And you deserve a hot,
luscious treat today.
Enjoying her near nakedness and flirtatiousness, Myles clamps
his hands around her waist.
MYLES
I'm ready for it.
Once Myles's tie is removed, he throws off his jacket.
Hurriedly both of them undress him and get her naked. Myles
backs Roxanne up against the edge of his desk.
On the desk, she raises her legs and opens them, welcoming
him within her. Each gripping the other's back, they make
steamy, wild love that has them groaning from the
overwhelming joy.
INT. MYLES OFFICE - DAY
Later Myles and Roxanne are dressed. She grants him a peck on
the lips and prepares to leave his office.
ROXANNE
Meet me at the Blues Palace around
9:00 tonight for dinner.
Looking blissfully dazed, Myles settles behind the desk.
MYLES
I'll be there.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
Myles walks toward the Blues Palace Supper Club.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
An UNSEEN PERSON watches him from across the street.
INT. BLUES PALACE - NIGHT
Myles walks inside the club, surprised to see it totally dark
and no one in sight. In the blackness, he bumps into
something and realizes it's a person. The lights come on and
guests emerge from their hiding places.
GUESTS
Surprise!
Suddenly the supper club is bright and alive with people. A
band is playing music that has folks dancing.
Roxanne races up to Myles and gives him a big kiss.
Stan, David, and David's wife, BONNIE surround him. Myles
grabs Roxanne and hugs her.
MYLES
I had no idea what you were up to.
You're so sneaky.
ROXANNE
Don't you know by now that I'd do
anything for you? You have no idea
what I'd do.
She looks at Myles intensely, before pulling him on the dance
floor. They dance dirty and have everyone's attention.
INT. BLUES PALACE - NIGHT
Hours have passed. The party is going strong. Everyone is
having a great time, especially Myles and Roxanne. Suddenly
she walks to the center of the floor, preparing to make an
announcement. People quiet seeing her there.
ROXANNE
I have another surprise for the
birthday boy.
Roxanne beckons Myles to the center of the floor with her
hand. Puzzled and amused, Myles joins her. Roxanne kneels and
reaches in her dress pocket. She pulls out a man's diamond
ring. Stunned, Myles's mouth drops open.
ROXANNE (CONT'D)
Myles, I've never loved a man as
much as I love you. You have given
me three years that I wish I could
hold forever. And it would be my
dream come true if you marry me.
Will you marry me, baby?
There are gasps of surprise, excitement, and some applause.
Myles is smiling, but it's a strange, uncomfortable
expression.
MYLES
Can we . . . can we talk about this
later, honey?
Roxanne's face crumples. Humiliated that she didn't get the
answer she anticipated, she stands and runs out of the club.
EXT. BLUES PALACE - NIGHT
On the street, Roxanne waves her hand to hail a cab. Myles
catches up with her and grips her arms. She jerks away from
him.
MYLES
I wasn't expecting that.
ROXANNE
Leave me alone.
MYLES
I'm sorry I couldn't give you the
answer you wanted.
Trying to ignore him, she still attempts to stop a taxi.
ROXANNE
Just go away.
MYLES
You know how I feel about you.
Nothing has to change.
Finally she focuses on him, looking hurt and angry.
ROXANNE
Everything has changed! I'm a
laughingstock.
MYLES
Nobody is laughing at you.
ROXANNE
All those women who drool at you
are probably in the bathroom right
now having a belly-acher.
MYLES
Who cares about some jealous women?
All I care about is you. I never
meant to hurt you.
ROXANNE
What did you call yourself doing
then?
MYLES
I couldn't say yes just because
we're in front of people.
She looks at him shaking her head and sighs.
ROXANNE
We were so good together. I just
knew you couldn't turn me down
after all that time together. I
even stuck by you through your
crazy memory problems!
Those last words touch a nerve in Myles and he is angry.
MYLES
You see, that's the issue I have
with you. You have two sides.
ROXANNE
Oh, please.
MYLES
You do! And that side I just heard,
I can't see myself living my life
with!
Tears stroll down her cheeks and she looks more furious. She
sees a cab passing, stops it, and dashes inside it.
Myles doesn't try to stop her. They merely gaze at each other
from her taxi window.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
The unseen person has been watching and Myles and Roxanne.
The person continues watching Myles until he goes back inside
the club.
INT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Myles tosses and turns in bed, having a nightmare.
DREAM - MYLES ON BACK ROAD AND ON LONG STAIRCASE
Myles, as a boy, stares down at a piece of backwoods land.
When Carena calls out to him and he sees her coming toward
him, he runs away from her.
But suddenly he is in his parent's mansion, going down a long
staircase. At the bottom is a door. It opens and he sees
something so horrendous inside the room that he screams.
However, no sound comes out of his mouth.
BACK TO MYLES'S BEDROOM
Myles springs up, perspiring from the dream. He sits up on
the side of his bed and looks at the night stand. There is a
picture of him as a boy, sitting with his mother. He picks
the picture up and gazes at it sadly.
INT. MYLES'S BATHROOM - DAY
The next morning Myles washes his face and looks at himself
hard in the mirror. His phone rings.
INT. MYLES'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Myles is about to answer the telephone until he hears his
father's voice on the answering machine.
JUSTICE (VO)
I hoped to catch you in, son. We
haven't talked or seen each other
in so long. I miss you.
Myles just looks at the phone and then walks into his
bedroom.
INT. JUNKY APARTMENT - DAY
Myles relaxes on a tattered sofa. It's in an overcrowded
room. A grungy, elderly MAN fixes a drink at a weathered bar.
DOC has the rumpled look of a man that doesn't care how he
looks, but only how he feels: drunk.
DOC
Have some?
Doc picks up the bottle to pour a glass for Myles.
MYLES
No, I'm going into the firm after I
leave here. But you shouldn't have
any either.
Sipping his drink, Doc walks over to a chair facing Myles and
sits.
DOC
Why shouldn't I? They took my
psychiatry license cause of this
good stuff. Have to get something
out of the deal.
Smiling at Myles, he takes several swigs.
MYLES
Licensed or not, you're the best
that I've been to.
DOC
Son, you need to go to one of those
doctors who can really help you. I
can't help myself.
He takes another swig.
MYLES
You helped me more than the others.
When I came to you, I started
having the dreams.
DOC
True.
MYLES
And I sense they aren't just
dreams. They just might be the
parts of my childhood that I can't
remember.
DOC
Anything different in the dream
last night?
Doc takes several more swigs.
MYLES
It's the same. I start out at that
spot of land, staring at it for
some reason. Then I end up at the
bottom of that long staircase at
that door. What is beyond that
door?
DOC
Did you ever think that maybe you
don't want to know?
EXT. STREET - DAY
Myles walks down a business district sidewalk, nodding hellos
to storekeepers and people he knows. He stops in front of
building with an overhead sign that reads: Pane, Daly, and
Richardson, Attorneys at Law.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Once again, an unseen person watches Myles from across the
street.
EXT. LAW FIRM - DAY
Myles walks inside. Stan and David give him a cautious look
because Roxanne is sitting at her desk mad.
MYLES
Good afternoon everyone.
STAN
Hey, buddy. I didn't even expect
you to come in after last night.
DAVID
Great party.
Myles walks in further, nearing Roxanne's desk.
MYLES
I'm glad everyone had a great time.
Thank you, Roxanne.
Roxanne is typing at her computer. She pretends that she
doesn't hear him. At her cold reaction, he looks over at
David and Stan and shrugs his shoulders. Afterward he walks
inside his office.
INT. MYLES'S OFFICE - DAY
Myles is trying to get settled in when Roxanne walks in the
door. She lays documents on his desk and starts walking out.
MYLES
Wait, please. I was hoping we could
talk.
She turns around and doesn't look happy.
ROXANNE
You said it all last night.
MYLES
Come on, Roxanne. I don't want to
ruin what we have.
ROXANNE
We don't have anything. I don't see
anywhere else to go in this
relationship.
MYLES
I don't see things that way.
ROXANNE
You wouldn't since you think you
can go on sleeping with me without
any commitment.
MYLES
You know you mean more than that to
me.
ROXANNE
Your actions last night told me how
you felt.
MYLES
That was unfair to propose at a
party.
ROXANNE
It's unfair to give me that lame
reason for turning me down. Two
sides my ass!
MYLES
You do. You know you do.
ROXANNE
You don't have to worry about
either side anymore. So have a nice
life.
She grabs the doorknob. Myles looks angered and stunned.
MYLES
Just like that.
ROXANNE
Just like that. In fact, I start
moving on today. I have a lunch
date.
MYLES
You work fast. Anyone I know?
ROXANNE
Patrick Henderson.
MYLES
Our client's ex husband?
ROXANNE
He's picking me up at 1:00.
MYLES
That guy repeatedly cheated on his
wife and had a baby outside of his
marriage.
ROXANNE
That's his ex's problem.
With a smirk, Roxanne sashays out of his office. Myles looks
annoyed and takes a long, deep breath.
INT. LAW FIRM - DAY
Myles, Stan, and David are in the reception area when they
see PATRICK HENDERSON, a model-type, walking in the firm. He
approaches Roxanne's desk. She greets him with a peck on the
lips. They leave for lunch.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Myles, Stan, and David sit around a table after work. Each
has just finished a meal.
DAVID
Roxanne is just trying to make you
jealous.
STAN
So jealous you'll change your mind
about marrying her.
MYLES
But if I'm not feeling it, how can
I make that commitment?
STAN
I sure wouldn't.
MYLES
Being with her is sometimes like
living with someone with a split
personality.
DAVID
We work with her, remember?
MYLES
Even last night she made this crack
about my memory loss.
Sighing, he shakes his head.
MYLES (CONT'D)
She knows how hard I'm trying to
remember those missing parts of my
childhood.
DAVID
How's that going?
MYLES
I'm still seeing Doc and still
having the dreams.
STAN
You were the luckiest kid in the
world surviving a gunshot wound to
the head.
Just then, a shapely, long-haired, exotic beauty, ANGELLE
enters the bar and slides on a stool. Stan and David see her
first. They gawk so hard that Myles has to turn and look over
his shoulder to see what they are staring at.
DAVID
She's what my brother calls sexy-as
sin.
MYLES
You got that right. Whooh!
STAN
What I wouldn't do to get into some
of that.
Myles barely hears Stan's last comment because of his smile
and stare at Angelle. However, when David glances at his
watch, they realize they have to leave.
DAVID
Wish we didn't have to go guys, but
we do have the meeting this
evening.
The guys leave money on the table for the bill. Afterward,
they walk out, passing Angelle on their way. She turns and
looks at Myles, a lingering look. He returns the look with a
smile. The men exit the bar.
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
DAVID
She sure gave you the eye.
STAN
Boy, did she.
Myles smiles and looks as if he's thinking about it.
STAN (CONT'D)
And you're a free man. You should
go for it.
MYLES
I don't pick up women in bars. Not
even ones that gorgeous.
Myles, Stan, and David proceed toward a car far down the
block. Halfway there, Myles stops suddenly.
MYLES (CONT'D)
Wait a minute, guys. I'll be right
back.
Knowing he's going to talk to the woman, Stan and David
chuckle. Myles hurries down the street toward the bar.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Myles looks around the room and among the tables. The woman
is gone.
INT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Myles is again tossing and turning in his bed.
DREAM - MYLES ON BACK ROAD AND ON LONG STAIRCASE
Myles, as a boy, stares down at a piece of backwoods land.
When Carena calls out to him and he sees her coming toward
him, he runs away from her.
But suddenly he is in his parent's mansion, going down a long
staircase. At the bottom is a door. It opens and he sees
something so horrendous inside it that he screams. However,
no sound comes out of his mouth.
BACK TO MYLES'S BEDROOM
Myles wakes up sweating profusely. He goes to the window and
opens it to get air. Once he gets cooler, he then goes to the
closet and takes out a photo album.
He looks through the pictures. When he is finished browsing
the album, he looks at the photo on the night stand of him
and his mother. He picks it up.
MYLES
Mom, help me remember.
EXT. ROXANNE'S HOUSE - DAY
Carrying a folder, Myles is at Roxanne's doorstep. Her door
is open and the screen door unlocked. When he hears something
break, he peeks in through the screen to see if Roxanne's
okay.
INT. ROXANNE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
A vase was broken in a struggle. Roughly Patrick Henderson
tries to take off Roxanne's clothes. She's fighting him off.
Myles bursts in the door and grabs him. The two men fight.
Myles makes Patrick back away.
PATRICK
She wanted it.
ROXANNE
I did not! I told him to leave.
MYLES
And he better leave now, while he
can leave on his feet.
Patrick eyes them both nastily.
PATRICK
She's playing games. Not only with
me, but you.
ROXANNE
You're crazy!
PATRICK
She came on to me hard, but acted
totally different when she heard
you at the door.
ROXANNE
Like I said, you're crazy!
PATRICK
No, not me. If you look up nutcase
in the dictionary, I'm sure there's
a picture of you!
MYLES
Get out of here.
Patrick grabs his jacket and slams the door on this way out.
Myles narrows his eyes at Roxanne.
MYLES (CONT'D)
Did you come on to him?
ROXANNE
Of course not. You saw how I tried
to get him off me.
MYLES
David said you called in sick. He
said you were going to work from
home and you wanted me to bring the
folder on your desk over on my way
to court.
He hands her the folder.
ROXANNE
Thank you. I really needed this.
MYLES
Did you? Or did you set this all up
so I could witness this scene?
ROXANNE
You have some damn nerve!
MYLES
If you don't like working for me
anymore, I will give you a
recommendation for elsewhere.
ROXANNE
You're trying to get rid of me,
aren't you? Have some slut already?
Myles walks to the door.
MYLES
I'll see you at work tomorrow.
That's if you still want to work
there.
He leaves. She throws a plant at the closed door.
EXT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY
Later that day, Myles enters a building with the inscribed
name DEVEREAU LAW LIBRARY.
INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY
Myles settles down at a table. After he lays his books down,
he is shocked to see the beautiful woman from the bar coming
in the library. She spots him also, smiles, and sits at a
table within his line of vision.
After she settles down and places papers along the table,
Myles walks over to her.
MYLES
I saw you at the bar the other
night. I'm Myles.
ANGELLE
I'm Angelle. I remember you. Would
you like to join me?
Myles sits across from her at the table. They stare at each
other a few seconds, showing a clear attraction.
MYLES
You're an attorney?
She laughs.
ANGELLE
I'm flattered at the question. But
I'm a business consultant.
MYLES
I've never seen you in town.
ANGELLE
I'm new. My client is the French
Cove Hotel.
She glances at the papers scattered in front of her.
ANGELLE (CONT'D)
I'm going over a second contract
they surprised me with. The first
they gave me before I relocated
from Philly. I didn't expect
another.
MYLES
Why not get a lawyer to take care
of that for you?
He nods toward the contract.
ANGELLE
Moving expenses took a lot from me
financially. So I thought I would
decipher it myself.
Smiling, Myles picks up the contract. He scans it.
MYLES
I'm an attorney. This looks pretty
basic.
ANGELLE
It does?
MYLES
Why don't you come by my office
tomorrow? I'll take care of it.
ANGELLE
But I can't afford your fee.
MYLES
There's no fee to afford. All I ask
is that you have dinner with me
afterward.
They stare at each other lingeringly.
INT. LAW FIRM - DAY
The next day Angelle walks in the office. Stan and David gawk
at her lustfully. Roxanne notices how they are looking at the
beautiful woman.
However, Roxanne really pays attention to how Myles looks at
the patron when he happens to step out of his office and
place a file on her desk.
ROXANNE
I'm sorry. We don't have any
appointments for today, miss.
MYLES
She doesn't need one. She's here to
see me.
Myles escorts Angelle in his office. Roxanne looks shocked.
She watches as Myles closes the door.
EXT. OUTDOOR RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Angelle and Myles eat and talk over dinner in a posh setting,
overlooking the ocean.
ANGELLE
Thank you for handling the contract
for me.
MYLES
It was my pleasure. Being here with
you is my pleasure also. You're a
very beautiful woman.
Angelle looks at him intensely.
ANGELLE
Thank you. You're not hard on the
eyes either.
MYLES
Keep on feeding my ego.
ANGELLE
Gladly. I'd like to know if the
gorgeous exterior matches your
inside.
MYLES
You're free to explore.
ANGELLE
I'll do that.
They stare at each other, sending lusty messages with their
eyes.
MONTAGE - MYLES AND ANGELLE SPEND TIME TOGETHER
-- Myles and Angelle are seen walking and talking.
-- On the same day, Myles and Angelle are in a
nightclub doing fast dirty dancing.
-- Later when the tempo of music slows, they dance
slow and sensually. They can't stop looking in each
others eyes.
EXT. ANGELLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Myles escorts Angelle up to her doorstep.
MYLES
I know you won't believe this.
ANGELLE
What won't I believe?
MYLES
That I haven't had this much fun
with someone in a long, long time.
ANGELLE
I do believe you. Because I feel
the same way, too.
They stare at each other lingeringly. Myles grabs the back of
her head, bringing her face to his and kisses her
passionately. Angelle returns his hot need for her. Moments
later, he walks down the steps with a big smile.
INT. ANGELLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Angelle removes her shoes, unzips her dress, then sits on her
windowsill. She looks out the window at the dark.
ANGELLE
I made my big move today. It won't
be long now. Not long at all.
INT. LAW FIRM - DAY
Angelle walks in the firm. She has Stan and David's
attention. The sight of her puts Roxanne on edge.
STAN
Hello.
ANGELLE
Hello to you. Is Myles in?
ROXANNE
I don't have anyone down for an
appointment at this time.
DAVID
She doesn't need an appointment. Go
right in his office, dear.
David throws his head in the direction of Myles's office.
Angelle walks toward it and knocks on the door. Roxanne looks
at her angrily.
MYLES (OS)
Come in.
Angelle enters his office. Roxanne is fuming as she stares at
the closed door. Stan and David notice her reaction, look at
each other, and shake their heads.
INT. MYLES'S OFFICE - DAY
Myles and Angelle kiss passionately, ease their lips apart,
but their bodies linger close.
MYLES
I know this secluded area by the
bayou where we can bring some
lunch.
ANGELLE
Sounds like heaven.
She stares at him as if he's so delicious that she could eat
him.
INT. LAW FIRM - DAY
Smiling, Myles and Angelle walk out of his office. Roxanne is
still fuming. Myles looks at David and Stan.
MYLES
I'm taking off the rest of the
afternoon, guys.
Roxanne watches them leaving. She looks more upset. And once
the two leave the office, she eyes Stan and David.
ROXANNE
Myles has too much work to take the
rest of the day off.
STAN
He's enjoying the day with a
beautiful woman. Let him be.
ROXANNE
Oh, please. She has slut and gold
digger written all over her.
DAVID
Roxanne, you can't be angry at
Myles for being interested in
someone else. You broke it off.
ROXANNE
I could care less what he does. Or
who he does it with!
EXT. SECLUDED BAYOU AREA - DAY
Myles and Angelle share a lunch of gumbo and other delicious
delicacies beneath a shady tree. They are thoroughly enjoying
each other, laughing, eating, and talking.
ANGELLE
Why did you leave that island you
grew up on? You describe it so
beautifully.
MYLES
It is beautiful. Just the memories
are ugly.
ANGELLE
What happened?
MYLES
For one, I grew up in a home where
my father abused my mother.
ANGELLE
Is she okay now?
He looks off quietly for a long while and thinks aloud.
MYLES
We had a gardener. My father told
me that he was in love with my
mother. He says she rejected him,
and one night when he saw our
family out together, he wanted
revenge. So he shot me in the head.
ANGELLE
God, no! And you survived that?
MYLES
Somehow.
ANGELLE
You're lucky to be alive.
MYLES
Everyone says that. But it's hard
for me to feel that way when I
can't recall parts of my childhood.
ANGELLE
Oh, no. I've heard about that. Even
seen movies about it.
MYLES
This is the real deal here. I can't
remember the shooting, or blocks of
time that took place in the days
before it. And sometimes I can't
recall things that took place
after.
ANGELLE
Don't ever give up hope. You'll
remember one day.
He stares at her gently and caresses her face.
MYLES
No one has ever told me that I'd
get my memories back. I mean
outside of Doc. It means so much
that you said it.
ANGELLE
I just hope I'm there to see your
miracle happen.
MYLES
Does that mean you plan to stick
around?
ANGELLE
If I can have more of this.
She leans toward him and kisses him. When she releases him,
he looks lust-drugged.
MYLES
You're incredible and right on
time.
ANGELLE
I was sent to take care of you.
MYLES
I like the way you're taking care
of me.
They kiss again and start feeling each other's bodies. That
is, until a family happens to appear and walks by them. They
straighten up as the family passes. Angelle tidies her
clothes. Myles clears his throat.
ANGELLE
Where were we before we became
distracted?
MYLES
I can't remember. You're making me
think of one thing.
ANGELLE
Naughty. But you never did answer
my question about your mother. Is
she okay?
Myles strives not to look downhearted at the question, but he
still does. Angelle notices his expression.
ANGELLE (CONT'D)
If it upsets you to talk about, we
can talk about something else.
MYLES
No. I want to tell you.
He clutches her hand and pecks her knuckle. Afterward he
clears his throat and looks off in the distance.
MYLES (CONT'D)
My father says that right after the
gardener shot me, he took our boat
out in the ocean and dragged my
mother with him at gunpoint. My
father had to help me, so he
couldn't go after them.
ANGELLE
Oh, no.
MYLES
He says he saw the gardener push
her in the water and jump in after
her. Their bodies and the boat were
never found.
Angelle cradles Myles's face.
ANGELLE
I know how you feel.
Suddenly he is staring at her so oddly.
ANGELLE (CONT'D)
What? Is something on my face?
MYLES
I just noticed something about your
eyes.
ANGELLE
What about them?
MYLES
They're somehow familiar to me. But
so is our connection. It's like
I've known you much longer than I
have.
ANGELLE
I feel that way, too. It's strange,
but feels so good.
They stare at each others lips until they can't resist
kissing. They are secluded again. Tumbling back on the
ground, their bodies wrap together. The kiss leads to their
stripping off each others clothes and making hot love in the
grass beneath the sunshine. When they are finished, they
cover with the blanket.
MYLES
Jesus, what did you do to me?
ANGELLE
Make you remember how alive you
are.
MYLES
You're too good at it.
He rolls on top of her and makes love to her again.
INT. ANGELLE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Angelle sits in her bed, staring into the air strangely. The
moonlight brings an eerie light in the room.
ANGELLE
Please come to me tonight. Remind
me why I have to do it. He's not
the way I thought he was.
She lies down and closes her eyes tight.
MONTAGE - MYLES AND ANGELLE SPEND TIME TOGETHER
-- Myles and Angelle are at an outdoor concert, rocking
their bodies and singing along with performers.
-- On another day they are seen touring a museum and
talking. They hold hands.
-- On another day, Myles and Angelle are riding a
a cyclone-like ride at the amusement park.
-- On another occasion, Myles and Angelle are shopping.
She carries tons of packages.
-- On another occasion, they are feeding each other
at a seaside café.
-- On another occasion, they snuggle on the couch
watching a movie.
INT. GRUNGY APARTMENT - DAY
Myles strolls around Doc's place looking like an excited
little boy. Doc sits on the sofa. Sipping a drink, he looks
amused by his younger friend and patient.
DOC
That girl must be something. You
look like you're having an orgasm
that never ends.
Myles laughs.
MYLES
She just came out of nowhere and
she's making me feel like I never
imagined I could.
DOC
Maybe she's your dream. Someone you
always knew and wanted. But you
just hadn't met her in the world.
MYLES
That's deep, Doc. I like that.
DOC
When will I meet her?
MYLES
Soon. Maybe I'll invite her to our
next session. She always tells me
that I'll get my missing memories
back. Roxanne never said that.
INT. LAW FIRM - DAY
Stan, David, and Myles each hold a gun and are examining
them. When Angelle enters the firm, she is shocked to see
them clutching these weapons.
ANGELLE
What are those for?
MYLES
We had a client whose husband
threatened us.
DAVID
So we're going to have to carry
these things for a little while.
ANGELLE
If you have to you have to.
Just then, Roxanne enters the office. Stan gets a phone call
and lays down his gun. Roxanne walks over to his gun and
picks it up. After examining it a while, she points it-
points it at Angelle. Angelle looks terrified.
ROXANNE
My uncle showed me how to shoot.
ANGELLE
Don't aim it this way, please.
Roxanne keeps it leveled at Angelle.
ROXANNE
Scared? It's not loaded.
Myles walks over to Roxanne and takes the gun from her.
MYLES
Loaded or not, don't aim this thing
at anyone like that.
ROXANNE
You're overreacting.
Roxanne gives him a dirty look and goes to her desk.
She is delighted when a guy comes in the firm who flirts with
her. But she sneaks glances at Myles and Angelle.
INT. MYLES'S DINING ROOM - DAY
Myles knocks items off his table, lays Angelle on it and
makes wild, hot love to her.
EXT. MYLES'S HOUSE - DAY
Roxanne is at Myles's doorstep and is about to knock.
However, she remembers the key he gave her is in her purse.
She opens the door with it and moves through the living room,
searching for Myles.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Roxanne reaches the dining room doorway. By then, Angelle is
pinned up against the wall with her legs wrapped around
Myles's waist as Myles pounds her.
Myles is facing the wall, but closed-eyed Angelle is facing
the doorway. When she opens her eyes and sees Roxanne there,
she is stunned. Looking sickened and crying, Roxanne hurries
away.
Soon, Myles, dressed in his pajama bottoms, catches up to
her. She is about to walk out the front door.
MYLES
What are you doing here? And I have
to ask for my key back.
Roxanne throws the key at him. It hits the floor.
ROXANNE
Since you haven't been at work the
last few days, I thought I'd bring
your work home to you in case
you're ill.
MYLES
I appreciate you bringing the work.
I really do. But you know you
should have rang the bell. We're
not together anymore.
ROXANNE
How bad of me to interrupt you with
your pick-up girl.
MYLES
Oh, stop it.
ROXANNE
I hear Stan and David talking. You
saw her in the bar.
MYLES
So what.
ROXANNE
So you're picking up any thing that
bats her eyelashes and shakes her
ass at you.
MYLES
You said it was over.
ROXANNE
But what if . . . what if I changed
my mind?
MYLES
Then I'm sorry. It's too late.
Roxanne runs out of the house. Dressed in Myles's shirt,
Angelle enters the room.
ANGELLE
I was listening. No wonder she's so
hostile to me. You two were
involved.
Myles walks over to her and draws her close to his body.
MYLES
She broke it off because I wouldn't
marry her. But it was a blessing in
disguise. I wouldn't have met you,
and I don't want to even imagine
that.
ANGELLE
Me either.
He holds her close to his chest.
MYLES
Why don't you come with me to
David's house tomorrow for a
barbecue?
ANGELLE
That sounds like fun.
MYLES
I wasn't going to go because
Roxanne is going to be there. I
didn't want to flaunt our being
together. But she knows about us.
And why shouldn't we show the world
how into each other we are?
EXT. DAVID'S BACKYARD - DAY
David, Myles, and Stan are standing by the grill as guests
enjoy a barbecue at David's home. All three gaze at Angelle.
She is chatting with David's wife, Bonnie.
STAN
So you've been seeing sexy- -as-sin
for a while now. She must be
something else.
Staring at Angelle, Myles smiles and sips a beer.
MYLES
You don't know the half of it.
STAN
Tell me something juicy. I have no
sex life as you know.
MYLES
You go to hell. This lady is
special to me.
DAVID
So the love bug has bitten your
ass?
MYLES
Something sure has. I've never felt
like this.
David and Stan eye each other with a grin.
STAN
Damn, she worked it on you fast.
MYLES
And she can keep on working it on
me as long as she wants to.
Just then, David notices that Myles has his gun strapped by
his hip.
DAVID
You wearing that thing today?
MYLES
Hey, I take that creep's threats
seriously.
EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT
Nighttime arrives. The barbecue is still going strong.
Angelle hears peculiar sounds in the woods. Curious, she
takes a walk toward them. Roxanne notices her and follows.
Angelle wanders faraway in the woods and discovers a voodoo
ceremony in the distance. She is intrigued and watches. When
Roxanne creeps up behind her, she jumps.
ANGELLE
You scared me.
ROXANNE
How dare you gawk at them.
ANGELLE
I'm not gawking. I've just never
seen a voodoo ceremony before.
ROXANNE
So you watch them like they're a
freak show?
ANGELLE
I'm just curious.
ROXANNE
I assume you're not from around
here.
ANGELLE
I'm from Philly.
ROXANNE
Well, I know those people. And they
are not to be made fun of.
ANGELLE
I'm not making fun of them.
ROXANNE
You are!
ANGELLE
Oh, you're just looking for any
reason to get at me.
ROXANNE
Please!
ANGELLE
Please nothing! I saw your face
when you walked in on us.
ROXANNE
It was disgust! You looked so
sickening, I wanted to throw up.
ANGELLE
If I'm so sickening what are you
following me for?
ROXANNE
To tell you what a joke you are.
Myles is just playing with you.
ANGELLE
We played well then on the wall,
didn't we?
ROXANNE
You're so pathetic.
ANGELLE
And you're so mad that he was so
hot making love to me. You couldn't
stand how much I turned him on.
ROXANNE
(yelling)
You shut the hell up!
ANGELLE
You couldn't stand that he couldn't
get enough of me. That I made him
climb the walls like you never
could. That's why he won't take you
back. He can't give up anything
this good.
Roxanne slaps her. In response, Angelle charges into her.
They fall out on the ground fighting. Angelle is getting the
best of Roxanne. Yet when Roxanne hits her with a thick
branch, Angelle passes out. Roxanne then runs down in the
woods toward the voodoo ceremony.
EXT. VOODOO CEREMONY - NIGHT
Roxanne runs to a woman she knows in the ceremony. They
embrace and Roxanne whispers in her ear. A small crowd
gathers. They head up to the woods toward Angelle.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
Angelle is becoming more conscious and trying to get up off
the ground. That's when Roxanne and the mob approach her,
encircling her.
A huge man grabs Angelle and pulls her toward the ceremonial
place. Angelle fights, screams, and looks at Roxanne who
laughs.
ROXANNE
You'll never make fun of anyone
again.
ANGELLE
I didn't make fun of anyone.
Angelle screams louder and struggles to get free from the man
and break away from the crowd. The pack moans over her,
drowning her sound. They usher her toward the ritual area
where fire burns in the midst of a circle.
EXT. VOODOO CEREMONY - NIGHT
The man throws Angelle into the center of the ceremony. He
and another robust man tie her to a wood pole. Fire blazes
around her. People begin to dance around her and toward her.
Two men start tugging at her clothes. She struggles to free
herself so they won't touch her or worse. But more men join
in the action. Others at the ceremony laugh, especially
Roxanne.
ROXANNE
(yelling)
Strip her and split her open! Go
ahead! She's nothing but a slut
anyway.
EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT
Myles is talking with a man when he observes that Angelle is
nowhere in sight. He walks over to David's wife, Bonnie.
MYLES
Have you seen Angelle?
BONNIE
Yes, she walked toward the woods.
Myles hurries to the woods. He sees a flare and walks toward
it. He then sees Angelle tied to a pole with fire and people
surrounding her. He reaches for his gun.
EXT. VOODOO CEREMONY - NIGHT
Angelle squeezes her eyes tight and mumbles something.
Shortly after she does this, she hears gunshots. They are
repeated and make the people at the ceremony flee out of
sight. Solely Roxanne remains.
Crouched by a tree, she looks as if she hopes Angelle will
get shot. But the shots cease. Soon after Myles arrives at
the ceremony and unties Angelle. She embraces him for saving
her.
MYLES
I shot in the air when I saw what
they were doing to you.
ANGELLE
Thank you. Thank you for saving me,
Myles.
MYLES
Baby, what happened? Who were those
people?
Immediately she looks over at Roxanne, the only person left
around them. Myles notices her then also. Roxanne, who still
squatted by a tree, stands.
ANGELLE
I heard sounds in the woods and saw
this voodoo ceremony taking place.
She knew them.
Pausing, she glares at Roxanne.
ANGELLE (CONT'D)
She had them drag me out here like
I was a sacrifice. Men were tugging
at my clothes. I thought I would be
raped.
Myles leers at Roxanne.
MYLES
What is wrong with you?
ROXANNE
I didn't tell them to do anything
to her. I had nothing to do with
it.
MYLES
I'll have them all arrested. Who
were they?
ROXANNE
I don't know.
ANGELLE
She's lying! She knows them.
ROXANNE
I only know one thing. She came on
to the men that were here and
started dancing around, flirting,
and undressing.
ANGELLE
You're such a liar!
ROXANNE
She's the wrong woman for you,
Myles. She wanted to have sex with
all these men.
ANGELLE
How could you lie like that? Those
men tied me to a pole.
ROXANNE
Because you wanted them to do
something freaky with you like
that.
MYLES
Stop the nonsense, Roxanne! If I
find those people who tried to hurt
Angelle, and they say you started
it all, I'll put you so far behind
bars, you'll never get out.
ROXANNE
Oh, come on. She is not worth this.
MYLES
And clear out your desk!
ROXANNE
What?
MYLES
You heard me. You're fired!
Roxanne looks like she can't believe it and stomps off.
EXT. MYLES'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Myles is lying in bed next to Angelle, tossing and turning.
He wakes and sits up. She awakens and cuts on the lamplight.
She sees that he is perspiring profusely.
ANGELLE
Were you having that dream again?
He nods.
MYLES
It's so real, I know it's a memory.
ANGELLE
And you say you're first at this
spot and a girl calls out to you,
then you run?
MYLES
It's a dream, but I sense it really
happened. But then I can't remember
it happening. I feel like I'm
losing my mind.
She looks off, thinking deeply. He notices it.
MYLES (CONT'D)
What are you thinking?
ANGELLE
Why don't you ask your father about
it? Talk to him. Or even visit him.
I'll come with you.
MYLES
I haven't talked to him in a long
time and it would suit me fine if I
never talk to him.
ANGELLE
You hate him because of the abuse?
MYLES
Of course. I do remember that. But
it's something else that I feel
whenever I think of him that
bothers me.
ANGELLE
Something like what?
MYLES
It's just this feeling. It's one of
the reasons I want to remember
things so bad. He told me how my
mother died, but sometimes I wonder
. . .
ANGELLE
If he may have killed her?
Surprised she read his mind, he stares at her.
MYLES
Yes.
INT. STAIRCASE - NIGHT
A much older Justice Pane makes his way down a long staircase
(the stairwell that Myles sees in his dreams).
He carries a tray of food. Before a door at the bottom of
stairs, he bends to remove a key from under the carpet.
He unlocks the door and walks inside the mysterious room.
Smirking, he leaves the room without the tray, locks the
door, and walks back up stairs.
INT. ANGELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Moonlight spills in Angelle's room. A white, sheer curtain
blows in and out of an open window. Angelle is in her bed
having a restless sleep.
DREAM - VAL AT BURIAL SPOT
Val is weeping at the spot where Justice buried her. She
cries out.
VAL
He killed me here. But I don't want
you to avenge this. I want you to
help the boy. Take him home so he
can help her.
BACK TO ANGELLE'S BEDROOM
Angelle wakes and looks disturbed.
ANGELLE
I don't understand what you're
telling me. You're confusing me.
He's confusing me.
INT. ANGELLE'S BATHROOM - DAY
The next morning Angelle goes into her bathroom. She looks in
the mirror, appearing distressed.
MONTAGE - MYLES AND ANGELLE ENJOY BEACH VACATION
-- Angelle and Myles carry suitcases into a beach house.
-- Myles and Angelle are seen playing ball on the beach
in their swimsuits.
-- Myles and Angelle are swimming and playing in water.
INT. BEACH HOUSE BEDROOM - NIGHT
Myles and Angelle are in bed sleeping when Myles begins
tossing and turning.
DREAM - BURIAL SPOT
Myles sees a person without seeing their face. The faceless
person is digging a grave. When the hole is big, the person
picks up a woman and throws her in. Myles sees the woman's
face.
BACK IN BEACH HOUSE BEDROOM
Myles springs up sweating profusely and looks horrified.
Angelle cuts on the light and sees his expression. It's
unlike she has ever seen him.
MYLES
Oh, my God!
ANGELLE
What? What is it? You saw more this
time, didn't you?
MYLES
I was at that spot again and I saw
a woman. Saw her so clear.
Looking hysterical, he gets out bed and paces. Angelle gets
up and holds him.
ANGELLE
Baby, what is it?
MYLES
This woman, someone was . . .
ANGELLE
What? Someone was what?
MYLES
Burying her. Did that really
happen? Is that a part of the
childhood I can't remember?.
She holds him with a bizarre, dazed expression on her face.
After a while, she goes to the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Angelle leans back against door and cries. She hears Myles
knocking.
MYLES
Is everything all right? Did I
upset you with my dream?
ANGELLE
I'm fine, baby. Just a little
allergy problem. Go to sleep.
EXT. PATIO - NIGHT
Later, Myles is sleeping in a lounge chair. Angelle comes up
behind him. At her side, she holds his gun.
Raising it in the air with both hands, she brings it down
toward Myles's chest. However, before she reaches him, she
stops herself and shakes her head.
INT. BEACH - DAY
Myles and Angelle are swimming and making love in the ocean.
When they come out of the water, she lays back in the sand.
He leans over her.
MYLES
I want to ask you something.
ANGELLE
Ask me anything.
MYLES
Would you think I was psycho if I
asked you to marry me after knowing
you for such a short period of
time?
ANGELLE
Oh, baby.
MYLES
Because I love you so much.