What Lies Beneath Page #3

NORMAN:

Whatcha reading?

CLAIRE:

(reading the cover,

sexy voice)

Genetic repair mechanisms in

eukaryotic organisms.

NORMAN:

(slight smile)

How is it?

Claire snuggles up.

CLAIRE:

Excellent. Couple of Swedish sailor

cells just gang divided a virginal

cheerleader cell.

NORMAN:

(lost in his book)

Nice.

(beat)

Almost done.

She pulls slightly away.

CLAIRE:

If you have to work...

NORMAN:

No, no. I'm just about...

(beat)

There.

He places his book on the bedside table and turns to her.

NORMAN:

How are you?

CLAIRE:

Fine.

NORMAN:

It's okay if you're not.

CLAIRE:

I am, really.

NORMAN:

It's just she's been the focus for a

while.

CLAIRE:

Not the focus.

NORMAN:

You know what I mean.

Claire thinks for a moment.

CLAIRE:

To tell you the truth... I'm excited.

NORMAN:

You are...

CLAIRE:

To get my life back. To have some

time for myself. Some time for us.

He caresses her.

NORMAN:

You did a great job. She's a good

kid.

CLAIRE:

We did.

There's a weighty pause.

NORMAN:

It's just us now.

CLAIRE:

I know.

He kisses her.

NORMAN:

Tired?

CLAIRE:

Nope.

NORMAN:

Wanna fool around?

CLAIRE:

Yup.

They start to kiss. It's slow and a bit methodical in the

manner of long time lovers. Suddenly, the SOUND OF A WOMAN

WAILING can be heard. They stop.

NORMAN:

Did you...

CLAIRE:

Shhh.

They listen. The sounds start to become louder. It is clearly

two people in the throes of some very vocal and savage love

making.

NORMAN:

Jesus.

He walks over and closes the window. It doesn't help.

NORMAN:

I guess they're making up.

The woman's moaning becomes embarrassingly loud.

CLAIRE:

What is he doing to her?

They lie together in silence as the cacophony drones on.

NORMAN:

And we moved out here for the quiet.

CLAIRE:

Mmm.

Beat. The mood has passed.

NORMAN:

Maybe we should just...

CLAIRE:

Tomorrow.

NORMAN:

I'm finished at three. No. Squash

with Stan.

CLAIRE:

After that.

NORMAN:

I'll be there.

Beat.

NORMAN:

Love you.

She smiles.

CLAIRE:

Night.

They lie together in the darkness as the Feurs finally climax.

INT. CAITLIN'S ROOM - DAY

Claire pushes open the door to Caitlin's room carrying an

armful of FOLDED LAUNDRY. She moves quickly to the bureau,

not wanting to spend much time in here, then grabs a TINY

BLACK TOP from the pile, and drops it into a drawer. She's

just about to close it, when something catches her eye.

CLAIRE'S POV

She drops the laundry and slowly pulls a tattered, old

JUILLIARD T-SHIRT with a very seventies logo from the drawer.

Claire gazes around the room, which is a reliquary of

Caitlin's recently concluded childhood; PICTURES, TROPHIES,

STUFFED ANIMALS.

She brings the now faded T-shirt to her face and drinks in

the smells. She stares down at the word "Juilliard."

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. BASEMENT - DAY

"JUILLIARD"... now it's on the same T-shirt only Claire's

wearing it and she's much younger. It's an old photograph in

an album. Younger Norman stands next to her in the shot, his

arm draped around her waist. A CELLO CASE stands beside her.

Claire glances around at several hastily unpacked boxes and

sees propped in the corner... THE CELLO CASE. She gazes at

other photos.

-- Claire in her wedding dress, Norman beside her in a tux

with a very wide bow-tie.

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