Big Eyes Page #24

MARGARET:

If that's the price.

WALTER:

Really?!

90.

Walter is surprised. Greedy, calculating, he wonders if he

can push her further...

WALTER:

Uh -- okay. And... then, we have to

consider future revenue stream.

MARGARET:

My God, Walter! How much more money

do you need?

WALTER:

It's -- the marketplace! I gotta stay

fresh. Surely you understand?

(DEADLY)

You want me out of your life, here's

my term:
You'll have to paint me 100

more waifs. 100 more Walter Keanes!

Margaret's face drops, pained. But she doesn't object.

CUT TO:

EXT. HAWAIIAN HOUSE - DAY

Margaret loads BUNDLED, WRAPPED PAINTINGS into a dusty pickup

truck. Jane comes running by, barefoot.

MARGARET:

Would you like to go into town? I'm

stopping by the post office.

JANE:

No, I'm gonna surf with the gang.

Margaret tightens up.

MARGARET:

Your friends are a bit... wild.

JANE:

(SHE SNAPS)

Loosen up, Mom! You're impossible!

You move me all the way to Hawaii.

Then I actually make some friends, and

all you do is complain about them.

(CUTTING)

Maybe you need to make some.

MARGARET:

Y-you know I can't have people over to

the house.

JANE:

That's right! Or they'd see the

precious paintings!!

91.

Margaret has no response. Jane runs off.

INT. HAWAIIAN HOUSE - DAY

Margaret is alone, pouring a drink. She mixes in some ice --

then sees something odd.

OUTSIDE THE WINDOW

Coming down the long driveway are two FIGURES. Two small

WOMEN, patiently walking toward the isolated house.

Margaret stares, puzzled. The women come closer. They are

Asian, dressed in formal dresses. Curious, Margaret creeps

over, spying on them...

They walk up and ring the bell. DING-DONG! An unsure beat...

then Margaret opens the door. The ladies smile politely.

ASIAN LADY #1

Hello. We're visiting everyone in

this neighborhood with an important

message. No doubt you're busy, so

we'll be brief.

Huh?

Margaret stares at them deadpan, highball in her hand.

ASIAN LADY #2

We have something to share with you

about the wonderful things that God's

Kingdom will do for mankind.

Margaret's face darkens.

MARGARET:

I'm not interested.

She starts to close the door... but they continue.

ASIAN LADY #1

Do you mean that you are not

interested in the Bible, or in

religion in general?

MARGARET:

I'm not interested in whatever you're

selling.

The lady glances at Margaret's glass. She smiles gently.

ASIAN LADY #2

But we're not selling anything. We're

just here to share the good news.

92.

MARGARET:

(DOUR)

From where I'm standing, I don't see

much good anywhere. Just a lot of

pride, and thievery, and people

treating each other poorly.

ASIAN LADY #2

Yes! Exactly! That is the good news!

What? Margaret is lost. The ladies grab the opening.

ASIAN LADY #1

Bad things in the world are a sign.

They show us that earthly Paradise is

at hand.

ASIAN LADY #2

Do you know what it says in Timothy

3:
1-5?

(she pulls out a BIBLE and

quickly thumbs to a page)

"In the last days, critical times hard

to deal with will be here. For men

will be lovers of themselves. Lovers

of money. Self-assuming, haughty,

blasphemers, disobedient --"

MARGARET:

Sounds like my ex-husband.

Margaret laughs. Surprised, the women laugh, too.

Margaret peers at them. At their Bible.

MARGARET:

Would you like to come in?

CUT TO:

LATER:

The three women sit. Margaret gazes...

MARGARET:

It's been so long since I've been

happy. But, I don't even know why I'm

telling you... two complete strangers.

ASIAN LADY #1

It's our mission to comfort those in

mourning. Jehovah wants us to help

the brokenhearted.

MARGARET:

So you're -- Jehovah's Witnesses?

93.

The ladies nod.

Margaret thinks.

MARGARET:

I've explored so many religions. But

they all had their flaws...

ASIAN LADY #2

Then they're wrong for you. Read your

Bible -- you might be surprised by the

answers it gives.

(GENTLE)

Margaret, you can't go down a path

unless you know, in your heart, it's

the right one.

MARGARET:

And how do you know...?

ASIAN LADY #2

(SHE SMILES)

Because our beliefs are supported by

the Scriptures. Jehovah is the God of

truth.

Beat.

Margaret glances over at a half-completed "Keane" on the

easel. A strange pause.

MARGARET:

What does that mean, exactly?

ASIAN LADY #2

(EMPHATIC)

Honesty leads to self-respect. A

feeling of well-being.

Margaret is piqued. Her eyes widen. Like a Keane.

CUT TO:

INT. HAWAIIAN HOUSE - NIGHT

Margaret is enthralled, avidly perusing a happy-looking

booklet, "The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life."

MARGARET:

It says here a worshiper of Jehovah

must be honest in all things.

Jane snorts.

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