I Smile Back Page #17

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LANEY:

Can you wait?

The taxi driver nods his head.

94 INT./EXT. BROOK’S HOUSE - DAY - SAME 94

Laney takes the key from under the potted plant, opens the

front door and quickly turns the alarm off.

95 INT. KITCHEN - DAY - SAME 95

Laney opens a cabinet and grabs two brown lunch bags. She

reaches into a drawer and grabs two bags of organic chips and

a loaf of bread.

Pink (03/02/2014) 9797.

She opens the fridge, takes out two slices of American

cheese, two apples, two juice boxes... Her gestures are

steady and precise. Laney is on a mission: she is going to

make her children lunch.

She makes the sandwiches, cuts off the crusts, slices them

into fours, wraps them in tinfoil. Tears roll down her

cheeks. She peels the apples, cuts them into bites, rubs them

with lemon so they won’t brown and places them in a Ziplock.

She takes out a box of crayons and writes “JANEY” in bubbly

letters on one lunch bag and “ELI” on the other. She

decorates Janey’s bag with hearts and flowers and Eli’s bag

with basketballs and stars. The scene is tense and

heartbreaking.

Laney looks around the kitchen. There it is -- her life in

full. Toys, photographs, school pictures pasted to the

refrigerator, schedules and children’s artwork tacked to the

cork board.

It’s time to go. Laney walks towards the front door, Bingo

follows. But before she leaves she gets down on her knees and

kisses him. When she stands up she sees Bruce leaning against

the banister. He looks at Laney with sadness and resignation.

JANEY (O.S.)

Daddy?

Bruce hangs his head down, as if Laney’s battered face is a

slap to his own.

JANEY (CONT’D)

Daddy?

Laney looks up the stairs, then to Bruce.

LANEY:

(Whispers)

I’m sorry.

Bruce watches as Laney makes the long short walk to the taxi.

96 EXT. BROOKS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 96

The driver turns on the engine. As Laney steps in she

notices the light in Eli’s room come on. She closes the

door, presses her hand against the taxi window. Bingo,

wagging his tail, is standing with Bruce by the front door.

LANEY:

(to taxi driver)

We can go.

Pink (03/02/2014) 9898.

The taxi makes it’s way down the tree lined street until it

disappears.

CUT TO BLACK.

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