Signs Page #18

Ray clutches the steering wheel tightly, turning his knuckles

a yellow white.

Graham glances to the backseat of the truck. There are two

large bags over flowing with clothes.

Graham's eyes gently move back to Ray and drift down to the

TWO BLOOD STAINED AREA ON HIS SHIRT. Beat.

GRAHAM:

What happened Ray?

Beat. Ray doesn't look over when he speaks.

RAY:

I wrote your number down to call

you. It's been sitting next to the

phone for six months. When I knew it

was inside the house, I couldn't

think of any other number to call. I

panicked.

(beat)

Thank you for coming Father.

GRAHAM:

(soft)

You're welcome Ray.

Tears start falling down Ray's face.

RAY:

I worked so long that night. I ain't

never fallen asleep driving before.

And never since. Most of the ride

home, there wasn't a car insight in

either direction. If I'd fallen asleep

then, I'd a ended up in a ditch with

a head ache. It had to happen at

that right moment. That certain ten-

fifteen seconds when I passed her

walking. It was like it was meant to

be.

Ray finally turns. His red face quivers as he talks.

RAY:

I guess if this is the end of the

world, I'm screwed right? People who

kill Reverends' wives aren't exactly

ushered to the front of the line in

heaven.

Ray starts the car.

GRAHAM:

Where you going Ray?

RAY:

To the lake. The way I see it, all

the places marked in the crops and

such -- none of them are really near

water. I figure they don't like water.

(beat)

Can't be any worse than here.

Beat.

GRAHAM:

Ray, did you see one of them?

Ray looks at Graham.

RAY:

I'm truly sorry for what I've done

to you and yours.

The two men stare at each other for a beat. Ray looks away.

He puts the car in drive.

RAY:

And don't open my pantry Father. I

locked one of them in there.

Graham steps away as the truck moves forward and pulls down

the driveway.

CUT TO:

INT. CLOSET - DAY

Merrill's head is leaned against a bunch of winter coats.

His eyes are closed.

TV ANCHOR:

...The startling footage we're about

to show you was photographed by a

forty-two year old Romero Valadares.

Merrill's eyes open.

TV ANCHOR:

This video was taken yesterday

afternoon at his son's seventh

birthday, in the city of Passo Fundo,

Brazil. It was sent to the local

news bureau there and satellited to

us a few minutes ago. All initial

opinions are; this is genuine.

THE TELEVISION ANCHOR APPEARS FLUSTERED.

TV ANCHOR:

What you are about to see, may disturb

you.

Merrill sits up in his chair.

THE PICTURE OF THE ANCHORMAN IS REPLACED BY A HANDHELD VIDEO

IMAGE ON THE TV SCREEN. THE IMAGE IS OF A FAMILY ROOM WHERE

A BUNCH OF CHILDREN IN DRESS CLOTHES CROWD AROUND A SLIDING

GLASS WINDOW.

THE CHILDREN ARE SPEAKING PORTUGUESE EXCITEDLY. THEY LOOK AT

THE CAMERA AND POINT TO THE OUTSIDE THROUGH THE GLASS DOORS.

THE HANDHELD IMAGE MOVES OVER THEIR SHOULDERS TO LOOK OUT

THROUGH THE GLASS INTO A CRAMPED BACKYARD. THERE IS A

RECTANGULAR TABLE WITH PARTY DECORATIONS AND AN UNTOUCHED

BIRTHDAY CAKE ON IT. COLORFUL BALLOONS FLOAT AROUND THE

BACKYARD. THERE IS NO ONE OUTSIDE.

THE IMAGES PANS AROUND THE DENSE FOLIAGE THAT FORMS A WALL

AROUND THE YARD. THE IMAGE ZOOMS AND SEARCHES IN THE DARKNESS

OF THE BRANCHES.

The chair in the closet CREAKS as Merrill leans forward a

little towards the television screen.

WE HEAR A BURST OF PORTUGUESE. THE IMAGE PANS AWAY FROM THE

GLASS DOORS BACK INTO THE HOME. WE LOOK DOWN A NARROW HALL

TO THE KITCHEN. A BOY WITH A BIRTHDAY HAT IS SEATED ON THE

KITCHEN COUNTER, POINTING FRANTICALLY OUT THE KITCHEN WINDOW.

HE YELLS IN PORTUGUESE.

THE CROWD OF CHILDREN AROUND THE GLASS DOORS START RUSHING

INTO THE KITCHEN. THEY ARE JOINED BY A FEW ADULTS. THE IMAGE

FOLLOWS THEM IN.

THE KITCHEN WINDOW IS BLOCKED BY HEADS WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVE.

MERRILL:

Move children! Vamonos!

THE IMAGE FINDS AN OPENING OVER THE SHOULDER OF THE BOY WITH

THE BIRTHDAY HAT AND ANOTHER CHILD.

WE ARE NOW LOOKING OUT THE KITCHEN WINDOW. WE SEE A NARROW

ALLEY ONLY A FEW FEET WIDE CREATED BY A STONE WALL AND A

SMALL GARAGE BUILDING. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL IS DENSE

FOLIAGE. THE WALL ENDS A FEW FEET AFTER THE GARAGE BUILDING.

WE HEAR THE CHILD'S VOICE VERY CLOSE TO US SPEAKING IN

PORTUGUESE. THE CAMERA PANS JUST A LITTLE AS THE FACE OF THE

LITTLE BIRTHDAY BOY FILLS THE SCREEN. HE TALKS EXCITEDLY

DIRECTLY AT US AND AT SOMEONE BEHIND THE IMAGE.

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