The Cider House Rules

FADE IN. BEGIN TITLE SEQUENCE.

EXT. ST CLOUD'S - TRAIN STATION - DAWN

An establishing shot of the rundown train station on an

overcast morning. There's snow on the station platform. A

train arrives and departs.

LARCH (V.O.)

In other parts of the world, young

men of promise leave home to make

their fortunes, battle evil, or solve

the problems of the world.

Behind the station, at the top of the hill, lies the St.

Cloud's orphanage.

LARCH (V.O.)

I was myself such a young man, when

I came to save the orphanage in St.

Cloud's... many years ago.

EXT. ST. CLOUD'S - ORPHANAGE - EARLY MORNING

A man and woman (COUPLE #1) make their way toward the main

entrance of the large brick building.

LARCH (V.O.)

Here in St. Cloud's, I have come to

understand that promises are rarely

kept, that the battle isn't so much

against evil as ignorance, and that

being successful can't hold a candle

to being of *use*.

The couple enters the orphanage, where we hear the sound of

babies.

LARCH (V.O.)

Nor have I solved the problem I came

here to solve.

INT. ORPHANAGE - MORNING

Two nurses, EDNA and ANGELA, chase CHILDREN--a morning

routine.

LARCH (V.O.)

Even in the most enlightened times,

unwanted babies will manage to be

born. That there will always be

orphans is simple not a problem to

be solved. Here is St. Cloud's, we

don't regard the sordid facts of

life as problems.

The camera goes up the stairs with some of the kids.

INT. LARCH'S OFFICE - DAY

We enter an office where DR. LARCH shows couple #1 their

newly adopted son, HOMER, an infant who lies smiling in Dr.

Larch's arms.

LARCH (V.O.)

In truth, we've only had one real

problem.

We close in on the infant until his face fills the screen.

LARCH (V.O.)

His name was Homer Wells.

Dr. Larch hands over the infant to the adopting parents.

LARCH:

I named him after the Greek writer.

You know Homer, of course?

Hesitant nods. (They don't look as if they read.)

LARCH:

I made his name "Wells" because I

could tell he was very deep.

The parents look with pride at their adopted son.

LARCH (V.O.)

In truth, Nurse Angela named him--

her father *drilled* wells, and

"Homer" was one of her family's

umpteen cats.

INT./EXT. ORPHANAGE - DAY

At the front door, Larch and the nurses wave and call good-

bye to Homer, they close the door.

INT./EXT. ORPHANAGE - NIGHT

The same door swings open; it's another night. The same couple

is bringing Homer back. There is concern in their faces as

Nurse Edna lets them in.

INT. BOY'S DIVISION, DOORWAY - NIGHT

Larch is delivering his benediction to the boys.

LARCH:

"Good night, you Princes of Maine,

you Kings of New England!"

As he turns, he is startled by Nurse Edna, waiting with couple

#1 and baby Homer.

ADOPTING MOTHER:

There's something wrong with him! He

never makes a sound.

Larch looks quickly at Homer.

LARCH (V.O.)

He didn't cry enough for them, if

you can believe it.

ADOPTING FATHER:

Do you think we could have a look at

someone a little different?

The mother hands over the baby to Larch. Baby Homer lets out

a happy squeal as soon as he's in Larch's arms. The parents

stare in disbelief.

LARCH (V.O.)

Thus was Homer Wells returned. He

was too happy a baby.

EXT. ORPHANAGE - DAY

Angela and Edna call and wave good-bye to a two-year-old

Homer, leaving with COUPLE #2. Larch stands on the porch and

watches the family head down the hill.

LARCH (V.O.)

The second family has an unfortunate

gift for getting sounds out of Homer.

INT. COUPLE #2'S HOME - DAY

Larch bursts into the home of the second couple and lifts a

crying and bruised Homer out of his bed. There is rage in

Larch's eyes as he looks at the couple.

LARCH (V.O.)

The rumor was true. They beat him.

He couldn't stop crying.

EXT. HILL, ST. CLOUD'S - DAY

Larch carries Homer up the orphanage hill.

LARCH (V.O.)

Here is St. Cloud's, I try to

consider, with each rule I make or

break, that my first priority is an

orphan's future.

INT. DELIVERY ROOM - DAY

The naked belly of a VERY PREGNANT WOMAN.

LARCH (V.O.)

Easier said than done.

A tiny hand comes in with a stethoscope and puts it on the

big belly. Young Homer's head, with the stethoscope around

his neck, pops up behind the belly; he closes his eyes as he

concentrates on listening to the sounds of the unborn child.

Larch stops in the doorway, catching sight of Homer. He smiles

faintly.

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