The Help Page #14

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CELIA:

I'm pregnant now.

Minny steps back and surveys Celia.

MINNY:

Gone be eatin' for two. Double the

cookin'.

Celia slumps her shoulders as she looks around the house.

CELIA:

I know it's an awful lot to do.

Five other maids have already

turned me down...Can I at least

give you some bus money?

MINNY:

When you hear me say I don't wanna

clean this house?

CELIA:

What? So...You'll do it?!

Before Minny can nod. Celia throws her arms around her.

Minny backs away.

MINNY:

No huggin', now. No huggin'.

CELIA:

I'm sorry. This is my first time

hiring a maid.

MINNY:

We got to talk about some things

first. I work Sunday through

Friday.

Celia bites her pinky nail.

CELIA:

You can't come at all on weekends.

MINNY:

Okay. What time you want me here?

CELIA:

After eight, and you have to leave

at four.

MINNY:

Okay. Now what your husband say

you can pay?

Celia looks away.

50.

CELIA:

Johnny doesn't know I'm bringing in

help.

MINNY:

And what's Mr. Johnny gone do if he

comes home and finds a colored

woman up in his kitchen?

CELIA:

It's not that I'd be fibbing. I

just want him to think I can do

this on my own...I need some help

`til I get the hang of it. I need

a maid.

MINNY:

A course you do. Last one done got

shot in the head.

Minny sniffs the air.

MINNY (CONT'D)

Miss Celia, I think you done burned

up yo cake.

INT. FOOTE ESTATE - KITCHEN - SECONDS LATER

Celia grabs a rag off the sink and jerks the cake out of the

oven.

CELIA:

Oww! Dawgonit!

She drops the burnt cake on the floor.

MINNY:

You can't use no wet towel on a hot

pan.

Minny grabs a dry towel and picks up the cake.

MINNY (CONT'D)

I'll take this burnt up cake with

me so Mister Johnny don't see it.

INT. LEEFOLT HOME - MAE MOBLEY'S ROOM - MORNING

Aibileen removes Mae Mobley's wet cloth diaper on a changing

table. Mae Mobley's behind is covered with inflamed diaper

rash.

Aibileen shakes her head. Elizabeth enters the room.

ELIZABETH:

I'm off, Aibileen. Don't forget

Raleigh wants pot roast tonight.

51.

AIBILEEN:

Yes, ma'am.

Aibileen's eyes narrow.

INT. AIBILEEN'S HOME - KITCHEN - LATER THAT NIGHT

Skeeter works with a typewriter now. Aibileen, more casually

dressed than before, waits for Skeeter to finish typing.

AIBILEEN:

I reckon I'm ready...to talk about

Miss Leefolt now.

Skeeter stops typing and looks up. She nods.

AIBILEEN (CONT'D)

Baby girl don't get her diaper

changed `til I get there in the

morning. That's `bout ten hours

she gots to sit in her mess. I be

so worried about her on my day off.

I always come in an hour early on

Mondays.

INT. PHELAN PLANTATION - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Charlotte sits at a table sorting through mail as Skeeter

enters and grabs an apple

AIBILEEN (V.O.)

Miss Leefolt pregnant again, too.

And, law, I pray this child turn

out good. It a lonely road if a

momma don't think theys child is

pretty.

Charlotte glances down disapprovingly at the dingy, huarache

shoes on Skeeter's feet. Skeeter heads for the door.

CHARLOTTE:

Where are you going, Skeeter?

Skeeter turns.

SKEETER:

Bible study.

CHARLOTTE:

On a Saturday night?

SKEETER:

Momma, God doesn't care what day of

the week it is.

Skeeter walks out the back door as Charlotte shakes her head.

52.

EXT. JOLENE FRENCH'S HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY

Hilly, Elizabeth and Jolene French stand with Hilly's

contractor. He unrolls a set of bathroom plans.

Hilly and Elizabeth look to Jolene and nod approvingly.

INT. AIBILEEN'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Skeeter's typing slows.

AIBILEEN:

Miss Leefolt be spending so much

time keeping up with the society

ladies, she done forgot the child

she got now.

Just then Minny barges through the kitchen back door.

MINNY:

Aibileen!

Minny stops cold in her tracks at the sight of Skeeter.

MINNY (CONT'D)

Yule May told me what y'all up to.

Aibileen nods. Minny's face hardens.

MINNY (CONT'D)

Medgar Evers live five minutes

away. They blew up his carport

last night. For talking!

Minny scowls at Skeeter.

MINNY (CONT'D)

What makes you think colored people

need your help? You white. Why

you care?

AIBILEEN:

We all working for the same thing.

MINNY:

(TO SKEETER)

Maybe you just want to get her in

trouble.

Skeeter is petrified. Her face reddens.

SKEETER:

I want to show her perspective...so

people might understand what it's

like from your side.

MINNY:

Well it's a real Fourth of July

picnic.

53.

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