What Lies Beneath Page #2

Outside, Mr. Feur turns and walks toward his house. Norman

begins, once again, to nuzzle Claire. Her eyes close, but

then she gently demurs.

CLAIRE:

She's awake.

NORMAN:

We'll be quiet. Quick and quiet.

She turns to him.

CLAIRE:

I don't want to be either.

He smiles. A really good smile. The lips and tongue on his

faded T-shirt mark him as a 'Stones fan.

NORMAN:

When's she out of here?

CLAIRE:

Norman Spencer.

Norman gives up. He busses her cheek.

NORMAN:

(moving toward the

stairs)

Alright. I can't take the rejection.

I'm going to class.

CLAIRE:

Don't.

NORMAN:

Claire, I have to show up for the --

CLAIRE:

It's Saturday.

Norman stops.

NORMAN:

I knew that. You think I didn't know

that?

She smiles at him. After a beat:

NORMAN:

It's today?

CLAIRE:

(wistfully)

Yep.

They share a warm, poignant look. He turns and moves down

the stairs.

NORMAN:

(calling over his

shoulder)

We're going to have to leave by three

if we want to beat the traffic.

Claire returns her gaze to the scene below as Mr. Feur says

something ominous to his wife, then stalks into the house.

NORMAN (O.S.)

Claire?

CLAIRE:

(absently)

Three o'clock.

ANGLE:

Mrs. Feur drops her face into her hands.

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY

Claire peruses her "to do" list as Caitlin munches a panini.

CLAIRE:

...and I still think we should get

you some mittens.

Caitlin puts down the sandwich and regards her mother warmly.

The bond between them is palpable.

CLAIRE:

Do you have a scarf?

CAITLIN:

Hey.

Claire looks up from her little pad of paper.

CLAIRE:

Yes?

CAITLIN:

It's only two hours away.

CLAIRE:

I know that.

CAITLIN:

I'll come back all the time.

CLAIRE:

Of course you will.

CAITLIN:

I'm just saying, you're going to be

fine.

Claire smiles.

CLAIRE:

Sweetheart, I've known this day was

coming for a long time. I've got

your father and the garden and the

new house. You really don't have to

worry.

Caitlin smiles back and nods, her face betraying some concern.

Claire takes her hand.

CLAIRE:

Really.

She nods reassuringly and pulls Caitlin into an embrace. Her

eyes close.

CAITLIN (V.O.)

Mother...

EXT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - DAY

Claire's frozen in the hug.

CAITLIN:

(beat)

Mom.

Her eyes open. Widen to reveal Claire, holding Caitlin on

the college campus. The URBAN SKYLINE looms in the background.

CAITLIN:

I have'ta go.

After a moment's hesitation, she releases her grip. Caitlin

glances over her shoulder to make sure no one's witnessed

this overt display of maternal affection.

CAITLIN:

I'll call you.

Claire produces an ENVELOPE, which she presses into her

daughter's hand. It's a book of TRAIN TICKETS.

CLAIRE:

Come home anytime.

Caitlin looks at Norman.

NORMAN:

Really gonna leave me, huh?

She nods. They share a tender look.

NORMAN:

Be good.

She throws her arm, briefly, tightly around his waist. A bit

overwhelmed, he slowly brings his hand to the back of

Caitlin's head. After a moment, she steps back...

CAITLIN:

Bye.

...then turns and makes her way toward the large, old Columbia

dorm. A banner is draped across its portals which reads:

"WELCOME CLASS OF '04."

Claire watches her daughter melt into a crowd of similarly

shaggy freshmen, smoking and talking on the front steps. Her

eyes are shining. Norman wraps an arm around her waist as

she daps at a tear with a Kleenex.

CLAIRE:

(smiling)

I almost made it.

They turn and head for the car. Claire sneaks one last look

over her shoulder.

ANGLE:

Caitlin glancing back at Claire with an apprehensive smile.

INT. NORMAN AND CLAIRE'S ROOM - NIGHT

Claire walks in from the bathroom wearing a sexy cotton

nightgown. Norman is in bed, absorbed in some notes. She

gets into bed, then picks up a thick text from beside him

and starts reading. After a moment:

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