Signs Page #22

MERRILL:

You know about signs Morgan? Not

like the ones people write on. It's

like if you poured a glass of milk

and you dropped the glass by mistake

and broke it before you could drink

it. Then you looked at the milk carton

and saw that the milk was spoiled.

They're things that happen by chance

or luck, but make you feel that

someone's watching out for you.

The children think it over. Beat.

MORGAN:

I once had a bad dream and I couldn't

wake up. I kicked at the table next

to my bed and something fell on me

and I woke up. It was a picture of

mom. She was smiling. It made me

feel safe... You mean like that?

Beat.

MERRILL:

Yeah, like that.

(beat)

I believe in signs Morgan. I think

there's someone watching out for us.

I got to believe he's going to make

sure we're all right in the end.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON

Merrill smiles as he steps out of the closet and closes the

door half-way.

He stands in the hall by himself. He takes a couple deep

breaths as everything hits him.

CUT TO:

INT. CLOSET - LATE AFTERNOON

Morgan turns off the television.

He and Bo sit quietly in the closet under the stairs.

CUT TO:

INT. FAMILY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

Graham sits in a chair by the windows. He has a board on his

lap. He has a hammer in his hands. Graham drowns in his

thoughts as the skies darken behind him.

CUT TO:

INT. UPSTAIRS LANDING - EVENING

Graham, Bo and Morgan are seated in the upstairs hallway.

There's a couple boards left leaning against the walls.

Merrill comes out of the children's room with his tools.

MERRILL:

Too many windows in the bedrooms.

We don't have enough boards.

Merrill stands and leans against the wall.

GRAHAM:

We'll have to board up the bedroom

doors.

MORGAN:

Where are we going to sleep?

GRAHAM:

The family room.

Everyone sits quietly for a moment.

MORGAN:

What about Isabelle?

GRAHAM:

We'll keep her in the garage, after

dinner.

Beat.

MERRILL:

I'll make sandwiches.

BO:

I want spaghetti?

MERRILL:

We should eat fast Bo.

GRAHAM:

Spaghetti sounds great.

Merrill glances at Graham.

GRAHAM:

What do you want, Morgan?

Beat.

MORGAN:

Anything?

Graham nods "yes."

MORGAN:

French toast... and mashed potatoes.

GRAHAM:

Now we're talking.

(beat)

How about you Merrill?

Graham turns and looks at Merrill. They stare at each other

quietly. They have a conversation without words. Beat.

MERRILL:

(soft)

Chicken Teriyaki.

GRAHAM:

Good choice... I'm going to have a

cheeseburger with bacon.

(smiles)

Extra bacon.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - EVENING

The windows in the kitchen are boarded up, as is the back

door.

The sink is piled with pots and pans. It seems like every

utensil and dish in the kitchen was used.

CUT TO:

INT. DINNING ROOM - EVENING

One side of the dinning room is lined with windows that have

been boarded up.

The table is set. Mash potatoes, spaghetti, French toast,

chicken teriyaki and bacon cheeseburgers are all displayed

elegantly on serving dishes.

The Hess family sits around the table. Beat. The scene is

somber. No one is moving.

GRAHAM:

What's the matter with everyone?

Eat.

No one says anything. No one eats.

Beat.

MORGAN:

I'm scared.

BO:

Me too.

GRAHAM:

I don't want to hear anymore talk

like that. And I don't want to see

anymore faces like the ones I'm

looking at.

(beat)

We are going to enjoy this meal.

Nothing can stop us from enjoying

this meal! Enjoy!

Bo sits next to her three glasses of water and begins to

cry.

GRAHAM:

Stop crying!

MORGAN:

Don't yell at her!

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