The Girl on the Train

1.

INT./EXT. TRAIN, ARDSLEY-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK - MORNING

We hear a train’s mournful clatter as trees flash by and then

the train itself passes in a silvery streak.

A woman draws an “x” on her foggy window-- looking out

through it directly at us:

This is RACHEL and she is THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN.

RACHEL (SOFT V.O.)

...My husband used to tell me I

have an overactive imagination. I

can’t help it. I mean, haven’t you

ever been on a train and wondered

about the lives of the people who

live near the tracks? The lives

you’ve never lived.

RACHEL’S POV:
Out the window: A series of backyards slowly

passes:

A MAN walks towards his front yard.

An OLDER MAN works on a vintage car in his yard.

CHILDREN slide down playground equipment.

A LONE BOY throws a ball. His dog chases after it.

CUT TO:

TITLE:
RACHEL

RACHEL (V.O.)

These are things I want to know.

Rachel sits alone, sketching in a small notebook.

CLOSE ON:
Rachel’s expectant eyes as the train begins to

slow.

RACHEL (V.O.)

... Twice a day I sit in the third

car from the front where I have the

perfect view into my favorite

house:
Number 15 Beckett Road...

RACHEL’S POV:
Standing on the upstairs deck of a house, a

gorgeous blonde, MEGAN, wears a light opened robe with only

white underwear and bra underneath. She stretches her back

like a cat. Her curved silhouette is intoxicating.

The train comes to a brief stop at the station and, outside

the other window, Rachel can see work crews fixing the

tracks. And beyond them, the Hudson River.

(CONTINUED)

2.

CONTINUED:

RACHEL (V.O.)

...I don’t know when exactly. I

suppose I started noticing her

about a year ago and, gradually, as

the months went past, she became

important to me...

As the train creeps forward RACHEL SPOTS--

A BLUE HOUSE WITH A WHITE PICKET FENCE...

...She quickly averts her eyes from the view of the house--

repressing an inner pain. Focusing on her sketch book.

Rachel’s eyes land on a MAN IN A SUIT, red hair, 50, pasty

and plain-- typing on a laptop. He looks up at Rachel. There

is something disconcerting about the exchange.

RACHEL (V.O.)

I’m not the girl I used to be. I

think people can see it on my face.

INT. TRAIN - NIGHT

Rachel’s profile has flipped: she now rides in the opposite

direction, on the EVENING TRAIN.

She watches the familiar houses glide past.

RACHEL’S POV:
This evening, Megan sits with her equally

beautiful husband, SCOTT next to a backyard fire pit.

Each holds a glass of wine. The roaring fire glows on their

faces as they watch the passing train.

SCOTT spins Megan around and begins to kiss her.

RACHEL (V.O.)

She’s what I lost. She’s everything

I want to be...

Rachel returns to her sketchbook.

INT. TRAIN - NEXT MORNING

Headed back to New York, Rachel POV: Rachel stares at the

burnt out fire pit behind 15 Beckett Road.

Megan is on the balcony in her robe while Scott rakes leaves.

CLOSE ON:
Scott as he looks up from raking and seems to look

directly at Rachel.

3.

INT. GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL - MORNING

Rachel’s train arrives and she wades through a sea of

commuters in the Grand Hall. She wears a plain dress and

carries a work satchel.

STATION ANNOUNCER (O.S.)

...now departing track nineteen,

upper level.

INT. GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL - MOMENTS LATER

Rachel sits in a row of chairs getting her shoes shined.

She’s the only woman among eight male customers.

Rachel sketches in her sketch book and sips from a squirt

bottle.

RACHEL (V.O.)

...I imagine she’s a painter...

She’s creative.

CLOSE ON SKETCH PAD: We see Rachel’s hand at work as she

produces a beautiful images of Megan and Scott.

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