The Fault in Our Stars Page #13

48.

DR. MARIA

But if we stopped it entirely,

we're likely to face even graver

dangers.

MICHAEL:

So we're gonna do nothing?

DR. MARIA

That's what we have to decide. The

truth is... very few people have

been on Phalanxifor as long as

Hazel has. We don't really know the

long term effects.

That comforts no one.

HAZEL:

Can't I just get like a lung

transplant or something?

The Doctors look at one another like "who wants to take that

one?" Eventually:

DR. MARIA

You would not be considered a...

strong candidate for a transplant.

Hazel takes that in, nods, tries to pretend it didn't bother

her. Sensitive Michael on the other hand starts to cry a

little bit. He grabs Frannie's hand.

DR. SIMMONS

We're trying to prevent endothelial

growth while at the same time

preventing immunosorbent...

As Dr. Simmons drones on with some cancer gobbledygook,

Hazel's eyes remain firmly fixed on her parents. She hates

what she's doing to them. And seeing them holding hands,

crying but trying not to cry - it jogs a memory. CUT TO:

INT HOSPITAL ICU - FLASHBACK

We saw this once before. It looks like the end for 13-year

old Hazel. Her father is weeping off to the side while her

mom stands over her, holding her hand, and asking:

FRANNIE:

(through the tears)

Are you ready, sweetie?

13-year old Hazel nods. The doctors get to work. The

anaesthetic takes hold and Hazel goes under. But not enough.

Cause she totally hears her mother say:

FRANNIE:

I won't be a mom anymore.

49.

She falls into her husband's chest. And we're BACK TO:

INT HOSPITAL - CONFERENCE ROOM

Hazel comes out of the memory when her parents see her

staring at them. She tries to shake it off. Dr. Simmons is

still talking nonsense when:

HAZEL:

I have a question.

DR. MARIA

Yes Hazel.

HAZEL:

Can I still go to Amsterdam?

Dr. Simmons can't help himself. He laughs. Everyone looks at

him. He clears his throat.

DR. SIMMONS

That would not be wise at this

juncture.

HAZEL:

Why not?

DR. SIMMONS

Excuse me?

HAZEL:

Why not, Dr. Simmons?

DR. SIMMONS

I --

The doctors are trying to be delicate here.

DR. MARIA

It would... increase some risks --

HAZEL:

So does going to the mall --

DR. MARIA

Yes but an airplane?

HAZEL:

They have oxygen on airplanes.

FRANNIE:

HAZEL --

HAZEL:

It's my life, right?

DR. SIMMONS

You're Stage IV --

50.

HAZEL:

I have this opportunity I may never

have again. If the medicine's

working, I don't see why --

DR. SIMMONS

Because, Hazel.

(BEAT)

Look, I don't know any other way to

say this... You're just too sick.

And this is like a punch in the gut.

DR. SIMMONS

I'm sorry.

Everyone feels horrible now. Dr. Maria, Frannie and Michael,

and even Hazel. This meeting couldn't have gone worse. And we

CUT TO:

EXT HAZEL'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY

Hazel parent's bring her home from the hospital. She looks

miserable. It's clear the last few days have been a big

emotional set back. CUT TO:

INT HAZEL'S BEDROOM - LATER

Her parents tuck her in.

FRANNIE:

We'll be right outside.

Hazel nods. Her phone buzzes. She looks at it. A text from

Gus that reads:
"ok?" Hazel looks at it.

And she doesn't write back. CUT TO:

INT HAZEL'S KITCHEN - ANOTHER NIGHT

Hazel sits staring at nothing. The house phone rings. Michael

comes in from another room with the phone in hand. Whispers:

MICHAEL:

Gus again.

Hazel thinks about it - silently shakes her head, no. Michael

says into the phone.

MICHAEL:

I'm sorry Gus, she's asleep.

Hazel stands and goes into her bedroom, clearly depressed.

51.

INT HAZEL'S BEDROOM - LATER

Hazel reads from "An Imperial Affliction." Her phone buzzes

again. "Augustus." It just says "hello?" Again she ignores

it.

And then a second text. She looks at it. "The silence is

deafening." She puts the phone back down.

Hazel's heart breaks. She can't take it anymore. She picks

the phone back up. She texts the following:

"I don't know if you'll understand this but I can't see you

anymore. I mean I want to. I just..."

She thinks about the rest. She writes:

"I'm a grenade."

She sends the text. Waits.

And then there's more to say. She sends a second text.

"When I look at you, all I can see is what I'm going to put

you through. I can't have that. I'm sorry."

She sends that text. Waits.

He writes back.

"Ok."

Hazel reads it. Writes back: "Ok."

A beat. Gus responds: "oh my god, stop flirting with me!"

Hazel smiles - she can't help herself! - but she must. She

gets her emotions in check. Puts the phone away. CUT TO:

EXT HAZEL'S HOUSE - ESTABLISHING

An ugly day in Indianapolis.

INT HAZEL'S HOUSE - SAME

Inside, Hazel is about as miserable as the weather. The sky -

and the circumstances - have cast a grey pall over the day.

EXT HAZEL'S HOUSE - BACKYARD

Hazel walks out back. Looks up at the clouds, threatening

rain but not yet delivering it. She sits down in the grass,

on the verge of tears. She looks at the old rusty SWING SET

that's been in her backyard for years.

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