The Butterfly Effect Page #19

And the water spills over the side of the tub. All Evan can do is watch it, still breathing easily through his nose.

A beat. Then the door opens.

TOMMY ENTERS:

Immediately sizing up the situation.

TOMMY:

You forgot to put the toaster on the edge.

Tommy casually turns off the water, then pops open the DRAIN. The water level lowers to Evan's mouth.

EVAN:

But you, Kayleigh and Lenny like toast. And that's really all that matters now.

Tommy feels Evan's anguish and plops his ass on the wet floor by the tub. He lanes his head onto Evan's shoulder.

Evan bristles at first, but finally gives in to his hatred, ultimately resting his own head against Tommy's. Taking the comfort offered.

TOMMY:

I'll get you changed. Visiting hours are almost up.

INT. ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL - EVENING

Tommy rolls Evan through a quiet hospital corridor.

EVAN:

(looking around)

What, did mom get transferred again?

Tommy frowns, confused, then rolls Evan into --

INT. ANDREA'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Evan is startled to see Andrea hooked up to several IV's, an oxygen tank and a respirator Several oxygen hoses connect to a tracheotomy tube.

Tommy smiles and kisses Andrea on the cheek. She tousles his hair in return. Evan can hardly speak. As Tommy begins to wheel Evan's chair closer to Andrea's bedside, Andrea utters a faint whisper.

ANDREA:

Looking. Good. Kiddo.

Evan eyes her MEDICAL CLIPBOARD as he's wheeled by.

EVAN:

(reading)

Lung cancer?

TOMMY:

Sorry, Mrs. T. He's been out of sorts lately.

Andrea flinches to hear this. Evan stares at her, eyes wide.

EVAN:

Right... You started chain smoking after I blew myself up.

Evan suddenly seems sick with guilt.

EVAN:

There must be a way to fix this.

ANDREA:

Fix?

EVAN:

I just need the entry about the blockbuster. Wait, sh*t, no arms. I never even got the chance to write it.

A flicker of recognition registers in her eyes.

ANDREA:

Is Evan...different?

TOMMY:

He's just going through some tough times.

EVAN:

Mom. Don't cry. I can change this.

TOMMY:

I think I'll go check out the chapel.

ANDREA:

You're. Acting. Like your father.

EVAN:

Come on, Mom. Just 'cause Dad was my age when he started going crazy doesn't mean that I'm nuts.

Andrea is shocked.

ANDREA:

How. Did you. Know that?

EVAN:

You told me that on Parents' Weekend. Remember? Wait, that wasn't me. Or you.

She uses her left hand to pinch off the air to her oxygen tube and forces herself to speak in a sick, GRAVELY manner.

ANDREA:

Just. Like. Jason.

EVAN:

Don't worry. I'm gonna get you out of here.

He pushes a lever and the mechanical wheelchair rolls itself out of the room. Andrea forces her loudest raspy scream.

ANDREA:

Stop him. Stop him. Stop him...

INT. EVAN'S DORM - NIGHT

Lenny tears through old cardboard boxes in Evan's closet. Evan watches nearby.

LENNY:

Are you sure you even packed it?

EVAN:

My mom packed for me. I think she sent everything I ever owned. So we'll see.

Evan watches Lenny eagerly as he dumps tons of Evan's junk on the floor. Old report cards, books, toys and photo albums fall on the floor.

LENNY:

Is this it?

Evan beams when he sees Lenny holding his old journal. AGE 7.

LENNY:

What do you need it for? I don't get you lately.

EVAN:

Duly noted. Now I'm gonna ask you for one last favor.

LENNY:

What?

EVAN:

Shhh. I need to concentrate on the blockbuster if I'm gonna destroy it.

LENNY:

(concerned)

Destroy it?

EVAN:

If I hadn't blown my arms off, Mom never woulda started smoking in the first place. Now shhhh.

Lenny, utterly baffled, sits back in silence and watches Evan begin reading his journal to himself for a beat.

ON EVAN:

As new sounds ECHO BACKWARD. There's a --

SHIMMER! SMASH CUT TO:

INT. ANDREA'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING - 1989

Evan comes to in his childhood kitchen. He is only seven-years old. He coughs up Lucky Charms that have "magically" appeared in his mouth. On a journal before him is the recently written passage:

JOURNAL ENTRY:

Today Mommy is taking me to play with Kayley and Tommy. I will mete there father and see what a real dad is like.

Andrea is nowhere in sight. Evan springs to his feet and flexes his real hands triumphantly.

EVAN:

Yes. Now how do I destroy the blockbuster?

He rummages through the utensil drawer and pulls out a large butcher knife and grabs it. He tucks it into his sock but it won't fit. He's still debating what to do when:

ANDREA WALKS IN:

And is startled by the unexpected sight of Evan holding a huge knife.

Evan sees her but remains expressionless. Andrea's face blanches.

ANDREA:

Evan? What are you doing with that knife?

FLASH! SMASH CUT TO:

INT. EVAN'S DORM - NIGHT - 2002

Evan comes to to find Lenny still staring at him. Waiting for something big to happen.

EVAN:

Well, that didn't work...

Evan flips a single page of his journal and tries again. He reads to himself, then relaxes his head --

FLASH! SMASH CUT TO:

INT. MILLER'S BASEMENT - DAY - 1989

Evan, seven again, stands in the basement dressed in his Robin Hood costume as Mr. Miller prepares for the sex scene.

MR. MILLER

Now in this part of the story, Robin Hood just married Maid Marian and they have to kiss and stuff like grown-ups do. Kayleigh giggles. There seems to be a new glint of intelligence in Evan's eyes as he adjusts to his new surroundings.

EVAN:

Wait! I need my belt!

Mr. Miller is puzzled, but watches Evan SKIP to the fireplace.

EVAN:

(overly childlike)

Loo loo, skip to my loo. Loo loo, skip to my loo.

Mr. Miller puts his eye back to the viewfinder as Evan quickly finds Mr. Miller's old army thermos in the bottom drawer of the dresser, opens it and shakes out the blockbuster.

EVAN:

Loo, loo, skip to my loo.

He tries to crack it with his own hands, but his seven-year old body is too weak.

MR. MILLER

Hey kid, don't bother with the belt.

Mr. Miller finally turns around and sees Evan banging the blockbuster on the table. Shock registers in Mr. Miller's eyes and he takes a step towards Evan.

EVAN:

Back off, fuckbag!

Mr. Miller freezes on that, and Evan smiles at him.

EVAN:

Amazing. That word never fails to make an impression with you...

Mr. Miller takes a slow, non-threatening step toward Evan.

MR. MILLER

Easy does it, Evan! Don't be a bad boy or I'll tell mommy you were naughty.

EVAN:

And I'll tell the Child Protective Services about your kiddie porn endeavors. One step closer and I'll shove this up your ass!

Kayleigh's mouth hangs open with utter amazement at the scene. Tommy, hiding at the top of the stairs, slowly creeps down to get a better view.

Evan rummages in the bureau and finds the wooden "strike anywhere" matches used at thirteen to light his cigarettes.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote