Witness Page #7

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She puts her hand on his forehead, closes his eyes. she

frowns, and...

44a EXT. DRIVE-IN FAST-FOOD JOINT - PHILADELPHIA - DAWN44A

Carter exits the cafe carrying burgers, donuts and a

couple of beers. Book wakes from a brief nap as Carter

gets into the car.

44B Book chews into his burger while Carter takes a dough-44B

nut. Its clear they've worked through the night.

45 EXT. ELAINE'S HOUSE - DAY45

Elaine's house is situated on the corner of a row of

terraces, which stretch into the distance on both sides

of the street.

46 INT. ELAINE'S HOUSE46

as Samuel comes out of the guest room in his night-

shirt, turns up the hall and opens the door to the

bathroom.

46 CONTINUED:

ANGLE:

But it's not the bathroom; it's Elaine's bedroom. She

and FRED are tangled in the sheets, furiously making

love. Elaine gasps, Fred manages to grunt.

FRED:

Wrong door, kid.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

As Samuel quickly shuts the door. A straight-faced

beat; then, barely suppressing a giggle, he hurries

on...

47 ANGLE IN LIVING ROOM

as Rachel appears in the living room entry. Samuel is

sitting on the floor with two boys of about his own

age, watching television. They're eating cold cereal

out of a box.

RACHEL'S POV - TV SCREEN

Some artless Saturday morning cartoon.

BACK TO RACHEL:

as she frowns, watching her son and the other two

staring hypnotically. And...

48 ANGLE IN LIVING ROOM48

It's later in the morning now, as Elaine, a bit bleari-

ly, appears in the entryway, stares in groggy disbelief.

HER POV - KIDS

Her oldest boy and Samuel are busily washing the win-

dows while her youngest is pushing a carpet sweeper.

The TV is off.

BACK TO ELAINE:

as she stares.

49 ANGLE IN KITCHEN

Rachel is standing in the middle of the now immaculate

kitchen finishing a brisk mop of the floor. The coffee

is perking. Elaine appears.

ELAINE:

(mutters)

Jesus...

Rachel turns cheerily.

RACHEL:

Good morning.

ELAINE:

(helplessly)

You didn't have to...

RACHEL:

I wanted to. you were kind to

take us in last night.

(and)

Anyway, I needed something to

do. I was so angry with your

brothers He's so...aaanisish I

ELAINE:

Aganishish? Yeah, that sounds

like John.

She takes a seat at the table, still shaking her head.

RACHEL:

Just a minute. I'll pour you some coffee.

ELAINE:

You're not carrying a bullwhip...

how'd you manage to put my kids to

work?

RACHEL:

(smiles)

I made it a contest... the one who

does best gets his cereal back

first.

(and)

Children like to help... they only

need to be kept after a little

bit.

Rachel means no harm by this, but Elaine's eyes begin to storm.

ELAINE:

Oh, is that so?

(and)

No offense, lady, but I'm not so

sure I like the idea of your

coming in here and turning the

place upside down!

Rachel's smile fades at Elaine's trembling outburst:

RACHEL:

Please, I didn't mean...

Abruptly Elaine rises and snatches the mop from

Rachel's hands. She mops furiously as she Continues:

ELAINE:

I know exactly what you meant!

Listen, maybe I'm not a world-

class housefrau, but maybe I don't

have time to polish the goddamn

china and keep after the kids!

(and)

It's none of your business, but I

don't happen to have a man around

here full time. So I sell cosmetics

in a goddamn

drugstore and sometimes I can even

pay the rent on time! So maybe I'm

not Mary Poppins, but maybe I don't

need to have it jammed down my

throat like this.

She finishes the floor, hurls the mop aside with a CLATTER:

ELAINE:

(continuing)

There is that clean enough for you?

Rachel is speechless, Elaine is on the point of bursting into tears.

At which point Fred appears at the entry in his undershirt, taking in the sparkling

kitchen.

FRED:

Jesus, Elaine... Somebody die and

leave you a broom?

Not a politic observation on Fred's part.

49 CONTINUED:
(2)

ELAINE:

(blurts)

Go to hell, Fred!

And, bursting into tears, she flees the kitchen. Fred

stares after her.

FRED:

What's bugging her?

Unperturbed, he crosses to the counter and the coffee

pot, letting his eyes take in Rachel's full figure.

50 INT. ELAINE'S BEDROOM 50

as Rachel comes in with Elaine's coffee, closes the

door behind her. Elaine is lying across the bed,

sobbing.

RACHEL:

I brought your coffee.

She takes a seat next to the bed.

RACHEL:

(continuing)

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that

way.

After a moment, Elaine starts to pull herself together:

ELAINE:

It's okay.

(and)

Look, I shouldn't have blown my

top. It's like... somehow ...

I've let everything get away from

me. And you sort of made me face

it.

She takes the cup, sips the coffee. Rachel smiles at a private thought.

ELAINE:

(continuing)

What's so funny?

RACHEL:

Fred. The way he looked when you

screamed at him.

50 CONTINUED 50

ELAINE:

(disparing}

God, Fred...

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