What Lies Beneath Page #13

She trails off. Camera slowly pulls back to reveal, DR.

TIMOTHY DRAYTON, a stocky, light skinned black man in his

late forties with a kind face and piercing brown eyes.

CLAIRE:

I didn't want to come.

DR. DRAYTON

Then why did you?

CLAIRE:

Because he was worried about me.

DR. DRAYTON

Your husband?

CLAIRE:

Yes.

(beat)

I'm sure he's hoping you'll pack me

full of prozac so he can live out

his life in peace.

DR. DRAYTON

Do you really think so?

CLAIRE:

No.

There's a pause.

DR. DRAYTON

Why is he worried?

CLAIRE:

Because, I don't know, because

sometimes... sometimes I forget

things... and ever since Caitlin

left, ever since my daughter left

for school, there've been... I fainted

and...

(beat)

Why is this so hard?

Dr. Drayton takes a little silver bowl full of shiny, red

FIREBALLS next to his chair. He proffers it to Claire.

DR. DRAYTON

Fireball?

CLAIRE:

You're joking.

He shakes his head. She shrugs, then grabs one and pops it

into her mouth.

DR. DRAYTON

It's hard because I'm a complete

stranger and what we're talking about

is incredibly personal. Besides, the

first time most people come here, a

part of them is wondering if I'm

gonna think they're crazy.

She sucks on the fireball and slowly nods.

DR. DRAYTON

Don't worry, I'm required to have at

least three sessions in order to

commit.

Her eyes get a little wider.

DR. DRAYTON

Now that's a joke.

She manages an unsteady smile.

DR. DRAYTON

I have some training at helping people

through the stressful moments in

life, one of which you may or may

not be experiencing. If you want to

get some stuff off your chest, great.

If not...

He smiles and shrugs, "no problem." She stares at him for a

moment.

CLAIRE:

(re:
fireball)

These are good.

DR. DRAYTON

Mm-hmm.

She studies him for a moment.

CLAIRE:

There's a ghost in my house.

He nods slightly, as if she's told him, "I have some anxiety."

Claire goes on.

CLAIRE:

She finished my solitaire game and

turned on the radio... she likes

rock and roll. Angry rock and roll.

DR. DRAYTON

How do you know it's a she?

CLAIRE:

I saw her in the water. Beside me.

She was filling the bathtub.

DR. DRAYTON

What does she look like?

CLAIRE:

Pretty. She's a blond.

DR. DRAYTON

Do you have any idea who she is?

CLAIRE:

Um... I'd rather not say... just

yet.

DR. DRAYTON

Fine.

CLAIRE:

What do you think I should do?

He thinks for a moment, then:

DR. DRAYTON

Try to contact her.

Claire nearly swallows her fireball.

CLAIRE:

What?

DR. DRAYTON

Try to communicate with her somehow.

CLAIRE:

You think that'll help?

DR. DRAYTON

Can't hurt. And I think it's important

you find out what she wants.

Claire ponders this for a moment, then looks back up at him.

CLAIRE:

Are you humoring me?

DR. DRAYTON

Nope.

She seems satisfied by his sincerity.

CLAIRE:

How?

DR. DRAYTON

I don't know. My aunt used to use my

uncle's old pajamas and a candle.

He stands. Claire nods, then stands. She smiles too.

CLAIRE:

Is this time okay?

He nods.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

Claire walks in carrying a half-empty bottle of wine. She

looks over at Jody, who turns off the lights. Jody then

strikes a match and lights a LARGE CANDLE. She unveils her

carved ANTIQUE OUIJA BOARD.

JODY:

Sit down here.

CLAIRE:

(nervous, jokey)

Are we hoping the ghost is going to

have to pee?

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