SAINT X

Written by

Leila Gerstein

Based on
"Saint X" by Alexis Schaitkin

Second Polish
10/8/20

HULU
DREAMCREW
ANONYMOUS CONTENT
 TEASER
AN MOS SEQUENCE:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Float through a large double room. Items are strewn on the
floor. A small child’s polka-dotted bathing suit, coloring
book and sparkly goggles along with items belonging to a
young woman - a Toni Morrison novel, sandals, jeans. It could
just be a messy room... but then we notice a lamp, knocked
over, and balcony doors, wide open.
Something is amiss.
The SOUNDS OF FEET RUNNING on leaves and HEAVY PANTING take
us to:
EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
A MAN, large, chubby, is running through a tropical mass of
vegetation. We only see the back of him. He wears a white
polo shirt and white pants. His breath is labored and hard.
He is the source of the panting.
He is being chased.
He pushes through leaves and vines and branches, desperate to
get away.
Behind him, we can hear people approaching, the man runs
faster, stumbling over vines.
It begins to rain.
A BUZZING takes us -
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
- back in the hotel room, on one of the beds, a mostly-
obscured cell phone BUZZES incessantly. On the other bed, we
notice the crisp white sheets are covered in bloody blotches.
Out the window, we see it’s raining here too.
We float through the open balcony doors and see two adults
franticly running around the grounds, not caring about the
rain, searching for someone — screaming for someone - we
can’t hear who over the sound of the rain and the wind which
has kicked up, sending palm fronds off palm trees.
Guests come out on their own balconies to see what’s going
on...
 2.

EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT

The man is tired, drained, and the rain has made his terrain
muddy, slippery.
He trips over some growth on the ground and falls in the mud.
But the people chasing the man are getting louder, closer, so
he gets up, forges on, breathing heavily and hard.
Sound is difficult to hear over his breathing, but we hear
them calling: “GO. GO.”
They’re gaining on him.
Finally, the man makes a decision. He can’t outrun them, so
he dodges, deeper into the thickness of the trees, and
presses against a mangrove. Hiding. Petrified.
EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT
A beautiful resort, draped in bougainvillea and hibiscus. A
prominent sign reads INDIGO BAY. A local police car arrives.
A detective (DETECTIVE ROY, 30) gets out and walks in -
INT. HOTEL LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
- as Detective Roy enters the hotel, everyone stares at him.
The guests are intrigued about what kind of salacious event
might be afoot. The staff keep on working but exchange
covert, nervous glances.
EXT. HOTEL - POOL AREA - NIGHT
A hotel employee runs around dealing with the rain; pulling
off lounge cushions, closing umbrellas. Another employee
races over to her, whispers something. The employee covers
her mouth in shock.
EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
The man still remains pressed against the mangrove. Still
breathing heavily. The voices are still yelling “Go. Go.” and
they’re close, getting closer.
The man closes his eyes, feeling the inevitable approaching.
And, finally, we see his face - chubby, young, sweet. This is
Gogo.
EXT. HOTEL - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT
News crews arrive. One truck. Then another. Reporters climb
out, fixing their hair, getting ready -
 3.

EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT

Back to the Jungle. Back to the man’s labored breath... as he
hides in the rain, drenched. The voices are close, they’ll be
here any minute. And it’s all too much, he falls to his knees
and mumbles -
GOGO
What have we done? What have we
done?
Gogo lies his head on the ground, his tears mingle with the
rain as he begins a murmured prayer.
EXT. FARAWAY CAY - NIGHT
The prayer continues as we travel over a lush, tiny island,
uninhabited, or so it seems, and then to a waterfall, lit by
the moonlight.
As we follow the stream, we push through the mist and come
upon AN ARM, a human arm, puffed and white, fingers with blue
nail polish, reaching up from the bottom, as if frozen in the
act of beckoning.
END TEASER
 4.

ACT ONE
EXT. COBBLE HILL - NIGHT
Gentrified Brooklyn at its finest. The streets are crowded
with young people out enjoying this warm, summer night.
Outdoor tables line the sidewalks. The mood is ebullient.
INT. BROOKLYN BAR - NIGHT
A diverse, hipster crowd. EMILY (28, white, confident and
gregarious) is sitting at the bar, having an artisan
cocktail, her fingernails covered in BLUE NAIL POLISH. A
handsome white guy in suit approaches, tie-loosened.
MCKINSEY
Buy you a drink?
EMILY
I mean, I like free things.
MCKINSEY
What’ll you have?
EMILY
(to bartender)
Another one of these masterpieces
please. He’ll have one too.
(to McKinsey)
You’ll love it. Trust. I’m Emily.
MCKINSEY
Trev.
Emily smiles at him, her eyes twinkling.
MCKINSEY (CONT’D)
And what do you do, Emily?
EMILY
I’m an editor. Environmental
documentaries, mostly.
MCKINSEY
Ah, a do-gooder.
EMILY
(with innuendo)
Sometimes. And let me guess, you’re
a consultant?
(off his puzzlement)
The suit, the bespoke tie at half-
mast, mourning the end of another
satisfying day of consulting.
(with a grin)
(MORE)
 5.

EMILY (CONT'D)
Plus the McKinsey computer bag
kinda gave it away.
MCKINSEY
I see. You think I’m a total
douche.
EMILY
Not at all.
(another warm smile)
And it’s a nice tie. Good color for
you.
He smiles, sips his drink.
EMILY (CONT’D)
But... your firm does con local
governments into paying people like
you to tell them how to decimate
their communities.
She’s still smiling. McKinsey, not sure if she’s kidding,
presses on.
MCKINSEY
Good people can work at problematic
companies, change from within and
whatnot.
EMILY
(amused)
So, are you good people?
MCKINSEY
I like to think so.
EMILY
But don’t the douches also think
they’re good people? I assume they
do.
(smiles innocently)
I mean, they don’t just wake up
thinking, how can I be more of a
douche today, do they?
MCKINSEY
(flustered)
Wait. What are you -
Over his shoulder, Emily sees someone exit the restroom.
EMILY
Josh! Over here.
A man comes over, kisses her. This is Emily’s boyfriend. JOSH
(29, white, cerebral, handsome). Josh takes in McKinsey,
gives Emily an amused, questioning look.
 6.

EMILY (CONT’D)
Josh, this is Trev! He works at
McKinsey, but he’s pretty sure he’s
one of the good ones.
McKinsey just opens his mouth and closes it as Emily smiles
brightly at him.
EMILY (CONT’D)
This is my boyfriend, Josh. Civil
rights attorney with a huge dick.
Definitely one of the good ones.
McKinsey rises, grumbles to Josh--
MCKINSEY
Good luck with that one.
-- and skulks away. Emily wraps her arms around Josh, kisses
him.
EMILY
Should we stay for another drink,
or go home and rechristen our new
apartment? Not sure this morning
counts.
JOSH
Don’t kill me, but I promised the
boys I’d swing by 2G. It’s Zack’s
birthday. Wanna come?
EMILY
God no. I never want to go to your
old apartment again.
JOSH
You love 2G!
EMILY
No babe. I love you, who lived in
2G. I can live without the bongs
and Rocket League and all the pee
on the toilet seat forever.
JOSH
(laughs)
Okay then, I won’t go.
EMILY
Don’t be silly. Have fun!!! Tell
Zack happy birthday.
JOSH
Wait up for me?
 7.

EMILY
(kisses him)
Maybe...
EXT. FLATBUSH - 10 MINUTES LATER
A vastly different part of Brooklyn. Caribbean shops, closed
for the night. Almost no people on the street. Emily walks
alone.
She turns onto a side street. It’s really quiet. Almost
creepy how quiet it is. She’s very aware of her own
vulnerability.
She walks quickly, with purpose.
And, then she HEARS something. A CLANGING. She walks faster,
ignoring it.
And now she hears a MUTTERING. She looks behind her, and
coming from a doorway is a HOMELESS MAN, out of it - mentally
ill or on drugs. He sees Emily or maybe sees past her - and
starts to HOOT.
It’s unnerving.
Emily walks really fast, the end of the block is only feet
away, she rushes to turn the corner -
- and CRASHES into a LARGE BLACK MAN, walking the other way.
She stops, GAPES.
LARGE
Where you going, girl?
EMILY
I... I live across the street.
LARGE
Not safe this time of night. Want
me to walk you?
EMILY
(small)
No, no thanks.
Emily walks briskly across the street.
She turns onto Flatbush Avenue, passing a semi-lit Travel
Agency...
...We stay on the Travel Agency window. ON ONE particular
POSTER, in the corner, nearly covered up. Saint _ (we can’t
read the name). We PUSH IN on the Aerial View of this island-
 8.

EXT. SAINT X - DAY

THE SAME AERIAL VIEW. Azure sea surrounds an emerald island
ringed with snow-white sand.
A SMALL JET lands on an airstrip bordered by bright tropical
flowers.
PILOT (O.S.)
Welcome to paradise. The weather is
a balmy 82 degrees. We’ll be
exiting from the front and rear -
INT. PLANE - CONTINUOUS
PILOT (O.S.)
- of the aircraft. Please remain
seated as we roll out the stairs.
Mainly WHITE FAMILIES in vacation-wear. (We don’t know if we
are in the same timeline, the past, or the future.) We land
on one family, THE THOMASES. MOTHER (40s, immaculately
dressed, exudes warmth and capability), and FATHER (40s, hard-
wired but jovial) and their two daughters - CLAIRE (7, pale,
always worried and nervous) and ALISON (19, athletic,
gorgeous, brilliant, with confidence that comes from a
lifetime of ease).
Father unbuckles his seatbelt and moves to open the overhead
bin. Seeing him, several other fathers follow suit.
ALISON
Dad! You’re supposed to stay
seated.
MOTHER
He can’t bear the idea that anyone
else’s vacation will start even
five minutes before ours.
ALISON
Oh, that’s very reasonable.
Little Claire POKES her mom.
CLAIRE
Do you have Lillian, Mama?
MOTHER
Yes, Clairey. Your lion is safe in
my bag.
CLAIRE
Can you double-check?
 9.

MOTHER
I’ve double-checked three times,
honey.
THE DOORS OPEN, the fathers try to edge each other out to be
first off the plane.
EXT. PLANE - MINUTES LATER
As the passengers head down the stairs into the warm air of
the island jetway, Father waves at the Caribbean woman he’d
been seated beside on the flight.
FATHER
Welcome home.
The woman smiles and walks off. Father explains to Mother.
FATHER (CONT’D)
Interesting woman. She’s a lawyer.
A local. She was just in New York
on vacation.
Mother nods.
ALISON
Imagine that. They have lawyers
here.
Mother can’t help but LAUGH.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
The Thomases wait under a sign that says Indigo Bay Resort
Shuttle. Another family (DARIEN MOM, DARIEN DAD, DARIEN KIDS,
GIRL, 8 and BOY, 9) waits with them. The shuttle is late.
DARIEN DAD
200 bucks for shuttle service, is
it too much to ask for it to be
here when we arrive?
FATHER
It’s like this everywhere in the
Caribbean. Island time, they call
it.
Mother and the Darien Mom are mid-conversation.
MOTHER
...Darien is lovely. We considered
it when we left the city. We’re in
White Plains.
DARIEN MOM
And those are your girls?
 10.

MOTHER
Yep! Alison’s -
(pulls Alison over)
- on break from Princeton. She’s a
freshman.
At ‘Princeton’ the Darien adults became interested in Alison.
DARIEN MOM
Princeton! Good for you!
FATHER
She’s a superstar. Swim team.
Tennis team. Graduated high school
second in her class.
ALISON
(to Dariens, with a grin)
Plus, I have a completely overblown
sense of self-worth thanks to my
incredibly doting parents.
MOTHER
We can’t help it. We’re so proud of
you.
(to Darien Mom)
I missed her so much when she was
at school. Like losing a limb, I
never imagined -
ALISON
(smiles, genuine)
Thanks, Mom. I missed you too.
Like, a teeny bit. Between bong
hits.
The Darien Mom waves at Claire, hiding behind a pole.
DARIEN MOM
And how old are you, sweetheart?
MOTHER
Clairey’s seven. Little bit shy.
The Darien kids are kicking each other.
DARIEN DAD
Wish ours could be more shy.
DARIEN MOM
I’m not the one who fed them two
packs of candy on the plane,
Edward.
Everyone is a little uncomfortable. The Darien daughter
eyeballs Claire.
 11.

DARIEN DAUGHTER
You like Beanie Babies?
Claire is petrified, what is the right answer? She just gapes
for a long beat. Then, Alison steps in, protects her sister.
ALISON
Of course not. She gave up Beanie
Babies when she was five.
Claire smiles at her sister, grateful, as TWO LUXURY VANS
bearing the words ‘Indigo Bay’ arrive.
FATHER
Well, I guess we’ll see you there.
EXT. SAINT X BASIN/INT. VAN - TEN MINUTES LATER
Father, in the FRONT SEAT, talks to the DRIVER.
FATHER
Feel that air. Back in New York it
was brutal. Snow. Wind.
DRIVER
Our island is always warm this time
of year. She is supposed to be in
the 80s all week.
FATHER
(pleased)
Fucking excellent.
IN THE BACKSEAT, Mother plays ‘I Spy’ with little Claire.
MOTHER
I spy with my little eye something
blue.
Claire looks out the window. *Claire has a tic/compulsion in
which she writes words in the air with her fingers. She
spells out S.K.Y.
CLAIRE
The sky. Too easy, Mama. My turn.
As her mother and sister play, Alison’s face is PRESSED TO
THE WINDOW, taking in her SURROUNDINGS:
CLAIRE (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I spy something brown.
SCRUFFY DOGS and HOUSES with PLASTIC SHEETING for windows.
MOTHER (O.S.)
The building?
 12.

CLAIRE (O.S.)
No.
MOTHER (O.S.)
The dog?
THREE GOATS bite at dirt outside a small white DENTAL OFFICE.
CLAIRE (O.S.)
Goats!
A STONE CHURCH with no roof. SKINNY CHICKENS.
BACK ON: Mother as she smiles at Claire.
MOTHER
I spy something with feathers.
Claire sketches the word “CHICKENS” in the air with her
fingers. Gently, Mother takes her hand, stopping her.
MOTHER (CONT’D)
No writing, Clairey.
CLAIRE
I’m sorry.
MOTHER
Remember what we practiced, spell
in your head if you must but -
Alison finally turns her attention away from the window.
ALISON
Mom, leave her alone!
Alison takes Claire’s hand and gives it a peck. Mother gives
Alison a look. But lets Claire be.
CLAIRE
I spy a girl.
Alison looks as the van trundles past A GIRL (11, in a SCHOOL
UNIFORM and braids) standing in a yard along the road.
As they drive by, the girl chases after them. She plants
herself in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, PUTS HER HANDS ON HER
HIPS, and THRUSTS OUT HER TONGUE.
CLAIRE (CONT’D)
Why’d she do that?
ALISON
Clairey, did you know that two
billion people, more than a third
of the humans on earth, live on
less than two dollars a day?
 13.

MOTHER
Al, she’s seven. Does she really
need to know that?
CLAIRE ALISON
I think it’s interesting! I don’t think seven is too
young to point out the
hypocrisy of our lifestyle.

FATHER
I’m warning you. Enough.
ALISON
(to Claire)
Hypocrisy is when you say you feel
a certain way but your behavior
directly contradicts that. Like how
Mom and Dad say they care about
poverty but instead of doing
something about it, they plan a
luxury vacation on an island where
people don’t even have solid roofs
over their heads.

FATHER MOTHER
Alison! Al! For heaven’s sake.

DRIVER
Miss, on our island, the people are
well fed and happy!
Alison FLUSHES, Mother leans over to the Driver.
MOTHER
Excuse my daughter. She’s in her
first year of college; taking a
Global Justice class, reading a
bunch of Toni Morrison. Her heart’s
in the right place, she’s just
confused.
The Driver NODS, as if this explains it. Alison is just
further infuriated.
INT. INDIGO BAY – HALF AN HOUR LATER
The Thomases pull up to the entrance of the same five star
resort we saw in the teaser. A VALET helps the family out of
the cab.
EDWIN (19, handsome, magnetically charming) welcomes the
adults with pineapple-rimmed cocktails. Like all the other
service staff, he wears a white Indigo Bay polo shirt and
white pants.
 14.

EDWIN
Welcome to Indigo Bay.
He hands Claire and Alison some punch. Alison’s not pleased.
ALISON
Yay. There’s a cherry.
FATHER
I’ll let you have a cocktail at
dinner, Al.
(off Mother’s look)
Not like she doesn’t drink at
Princeton. Besides, it’s vacation.
EDWIN
The punch is made with fresh guava,
miss. Trust me, you will like it.
As Alison sips her punch, she CAN’T HELP BUT NOTICE HOW CUTE
EDWIN IS, Edwin CAN’T HELP BUT NOTICE HER NOTICING.
EDWIN (CONT’D)
Please, go relax. You must not miss
the sunset. I shall take your bags
and see you are all checked in.
We STAY WITH EDWIN as he wheels the bags inside to -
INT. LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
- the marble lobby with its soaring domed roof, toward
massive front desk, where he runs into his pal -
EDWIN
Me big man, Gogo! How’s it hanging?
Gogo turns and we recognize the man from the teaser. Shy,
big, clumsy, 19. He smiles at Edwin, warm.
GOGO
Guess who just got a 20 dollar tip?
EDWIN
You shitting we! From who?
GOGO
Those anti-men I took to they room.
He didn’t even look at he bill,
just want to get down to doing the
nasty with he husband I guess.
EDWIN
(high-fives)
Oh, we love American anti-men!
They LAUGH and do a quick Mufasa-style Dance, then -
 15.

EDWIN (CONT’D)
Whatcha doin’ tonight? Damian’s got
the football game.
GOGO
Cannot tonight.
(off Edwin’s look)
Do not start. We not all free and
easy, Edwin.
EDWIN
By choice, Goges. By choice.
INT./EXT. INDIGO BAY - RESORT - LOBBY AND POOL - SUNSET
The Thomases walk out onto a BALCONY which overlooks the POOL
and BEACH beyond. Claire takes in the PINK AND ORANGE CLOUDS.
CLAIRE
I spy cotton candy.
ALISON
Good one, Clairey!
Mother takes Claire in her arms and KISSES HER. Father puts
his arm around Alison.
FATHER
Come on, Alison, smell that fucking
ocean breeze. Smell it.
Alison gives a begrudging inhale.
FATHER (CONT’D)
Admit this resort is incredible.
Admit it’s nice to be in paradise
instead of New Jersey. And admit
it’s not so awful to be with your
Capitalist bougie parents for a
week. Come on!
Alison smiles, nestles into her dad. Her love for him shines
through.
ALISON
Fine, it’s great. I’m glad to be
here.
Mother, arm still around Claire, SMILES at Father. Off this
SWEET FAMILY TABLEAU:
INT. MARIN BAGEL SHOP - DAY
Mother and Father sit at a table at a SMALL LOCAL BAGEL SHOP.
But we barely recognize them. Mother has let her hair go
grey.
 16.

She wears an oversized knit sweater and socks with

Birkenstocks. Father has a long beard and a gut. It’s unclear
whether 10 years have passed or 25. They have suffered.
Father reads the paper. Behind mother is a BABY, climbing up
on her booth. Mother looks at the baby and melts.
MOTHER
Hi there.
The baby is with a YOUNG DAD, harried and happy.
YOUNG DAD
Sorry. She’s just learned to stand.
The baby is happy and babbling, smiling at Mother. Mother
does peekaboo with her hands. The baby laughs.
YOUNG DAD (CONT’D)
You’re great with her. You have
kids?
MOTHER
Yes.
(pause)
We have a daughter.
ON FATHER’S HAND as he TIGHTENS the grip on his COFFEE CUP.
EXT. FLATBUSH - DAY
Emily has been shopping, her tote bag loaded with fruit. She
smiles, enjoying the neighborhood.
INT. BODEGA - DAY
Emily enters a bodega, a tiny place, with all the pharmacy
products behind the counter, as -
EMILY
Acetaminophen please.
The clerk hands her a bottle of generic acetaminophen. She
looks at the label.
EMILY (CONT’D)
Do you have the other kind? The red
and white one?
CLERK
I have Ibuprofen.
EMILY
No. Give me the Pepcid.
 17.

CLERK
(confused)
But that’s not the same.
She stares at him blankly and he hands her a bottle of
Pepcid. She pays, as her PHONE RINGS -
EMILY
Hi Mom.
INT. MOTHER AND FATHER’S CAR - MORNING - INTERCUT
And now we have confirmation - Emily is the remaining Thomas
child! Mother is in the passenger seat as Father drives.
MOTHER
Hi baby! Just checking in. How’s
the move going?
EXT. FLATBUSH - DAY
Emily leaves the store to a crowded street. She passes
graffiti which reads “Gentrification Kills.”
EMILY
Mom, it’s so great! The
neighborhood is amazing. Like tons
of stores and restaurants.
She enters HER BUILDING...
INT. EMILY AND JOSH’S BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
...and grabs a MEDICATION DELIVERY which has been waiting for
her on the shelf by the mailbox. Books it UP THE STAIRS as -
EMILY
And the apartment’s so big! I can
actually shave my legs in the
shower.
Mother dances around hard subjects like -
MOTHER
And, how are you... doing? Feeling?
EMILY
I’m great.
MOTHER
All is going well with Dr. Norton?
EMILY
Yes, Mother.
 18.

MOTHER
Is it still easy to get to her
office?
EMILY
(slightly irritated)
Yep. Just a few stops on the
subway.
MOTHER
That’s... wonderful.
Emily walks into -
INT. EMILY AND JOSH’S APT - LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
A large-for-New York apartment full of moving boxes. Emily
waves at Josh, mouthes “my mother” with a little eye roll as -
MOTHER
I’m just so happy for you and Josh.
Moving in together. So... exciting.
So romantic.
Emily walks through the apartment as -
EMILY
It is. I can’t wait for you to
visit. But we’re about to have
breakfast. Can I call you later?
MOTHER
That’s okay, darling. You just...
take care.
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY
Emily enters, locks the door. Open her bottle of medication,
pours the pills in the trash and buries them. Then, quickly
refills the bottle with the Pepcid she just purchased.
She leaves the re-filled prescription bottle on the counter
and goes back out to Josh.
END ACT ONE
 19.

ACT TWO
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - MORNING
CLOSE ON CLAIRE meticulously building a SANDCASTLE about 12
feet from her parents, who are chatting softly, happy and
relaxed. She gets up and walks over to them.
CLAIRE
Mama, where’s Alison? Can you go
check and make sure she’s okay.
MOTHER
I know how excited you are to spend
time with your sister, Clairey. But
teenagers like to sleep late.
FATHER
How bout you give me a tour of that
sandcastle?
Appeased, Claire pulls her Father over to her creation.
CLAIRE
That’s the moat. That’s the tower
where the princess lives all alone.
FATHER
Alone? Why?
CLAIRE
Her parents went to a party and
left her with a babysitter, but she
was a witch, so the princess killed
her.
Claire writes “witch” in the air with her fingers.
FATHER
(not sure what to say)
Fantastic. Keep on...
Father walks back to Mother, raises his eyebrows.
MOTHER
(sotto, re: writing)
We’re working on it, honey. But
it’s a process, you can’t just stop
something like this overnight.
FATHER
People are looking at her.
MOTHER
No they’re not.
 20.

AT A NEARBY SET OF LOUNGE CHAIRS, MR. and MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS

(30s, day traders, Mrs. DS loves dolphins and buys her
husband’s bathing suits) are looking at Claire.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
It’s interesting how different she
is from her sister.
MR. DOLPHIN SHORTS
What sister?
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
Come on. You didn’t notice the
sumptuous 18-year-old at dinner
last night?
MR. DOLPHIN SHORTS
I only have eyes for you, babe.
(then, pointed)
And, in general, I don’t ogle
children.
We may notice his seething rage, but Mrs. DS does not.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
I’m sorry, honey. It’s the
hormones, they’re making me crazy.
Edwin approaches.
EDWIN
Look at our island pulling out she
most beautiful day for you! What
can I be getting you this morning?
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
(rubs her belly)
Nothing for me, thanks.
MR. DOLPHIN SHORTS
Rum punch.
(with a wink)
And tell your bros not to water it
down this time.
EDWIN
I assure you, sir. The drinks are
not watered down at Indigo Bay.
With FORCED LAUGHTER, he walks off.
ANGLE on a preppy 18-year-old walking down the beach, holding
some drinks, wearing a Yale t-shirt, his name is ELIOT. He
passes another kid his age, HACKY SACK (short, a frayed braid
of hemp around his neck). They give each other the once over.
Then Hacky Sack’s attention is grabbed by something else,
Eliot turns to see what he’s looking at...
 21.

ALISON. She wears a long, billowy tunic over her bikini, and
takes full ownership of the effect she has on the men, young
and old, around her. She slows her walk, milking it. From her
lounge chair, Mother watches, pursing her lips.
Alison plops down in the chair next to her parents.
MOTHER FATHER
Morning, darling. There you are! How about a
family swim? Start the day
off right?

ALISON
Pass. I just woke up.
Father pretends that doesn’t hurt him, Mother studies her
daughter.
MOTHER
Did you blow out your hair?
ALISON
No.
(then)
I showered. I was disgusting. I’m
still gonna swim and whatever
later.
Mother SIGHS, teenagers. Just then, Claire sees her sister,
LIGHTS UP, races over. Alison is all love to Claire.
ALISON (CONT’D)
Hi Clairey!!
Claire climbs on her lap.
CLAIRE
A huge cruise ship went by. You
could see people riding a slide.
FATHER
It was obscene. A floating cesspool
of legionnaire’s disease.
CLAIRE
(very worried)
They have a disease?
MOTHER
(pointed look at Father)
Baby, he’s making a joke.
ALISON
A bad joke.
 22.

FATHER
Yeah, true. It wasn’t the best.
Sorry Clairey.
Assuaged, Claire starts to braid Alison’s hair as Edwin and
Gogo arrive. Gogo is SWEATING in the sun, pit stains visible.
FATHER (CONT’D)
Hi, Edwin.
EDWIN
You have not yet met my mate, Gogo.
Just this morning I say, ‘Gogo, you
must meet the Thomases. Good people
from the land West Chester.’
Gogo nods a shy greeting. Alison, for Edwin’s benefit,
applies sunblock to her long legs. Edwin purposely ignores
her.
EDWIN (CONT’D)
There are a few excursions today. I
recommend highly the snorkeling
trip and lunch on Faraway Cay.
MOTHER
Faraway. How far?
EDWIN
Ironically she is only 500 meters
away.
He points out to sea, they can just make the island out.
CLAIRE
(quiet)
Pretty.
EDWIN
Glorious! A magical place with a
big, beautiful waterfall at her
center. But! The trip is only for
the very brave. Some say the island
is haunted. People be vanishing
from there all the time.
Claire is freaked and not amused. Father LAUGHS.
FATHER
Scary!
EDWIN
Some have seen a long-haired woman,
eight-feet-tall, with goat hooves
for feet. They say the witch curses
the sinners and changes they to
goats.
 23.

Claire GASPS, scared.

FATHER
Sounds fun. We should go!
EDWIN
Desmond, the excursions guide, will
book -
CLAIRE
I don’t want to go!
She buries into Alison, who kisses her head. Finally, Gogo
pipes up. In a SOFT, TENDER VOICE, to Claire -
GOGO
Don’t listen to he, miss. Nothing
on that island but a bunch of feral
goats.
Claire looks up, nods ‘thanks.’ Gogo heads off to take care
of another family. Edwin smiles at the Thomases.
EDWIN
We have a volleyball match this
afternoon. Hope you will join us.
MOTHER
Oh Alison, you would love that.
EDWIN
Excellent! May we count you in,
miss?
Alison adjusts her sunglasses, with thinly veiled innuendo -
ALISON
Maybe.
EDWIN
More of a sunbather, are we?
Alison’s face turns CRIMSON. With a grin, Edwin heads down
the beach. Alison watches him go. Father sees Alison watching
Edwin and doesn’t much like it.
FATHER
Nice guy.
MOTHER
So friendly.
AT HER SANDCASTLE, CLAIRE writes “Alison” in the sky.
 24.

ACROSS THE SAND, Gogo hands a guest a West Indian Queen Cream
soda, as he watches Claire...
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. FLATBUSH - CARIBBEAN MARKET - DAY
West Indian Queen Cream soda on a stand outside a market.
JOSH (O.S.)
Have you seen that old man in the
building, wears a Nascar hat -
INT. CARIBBEAN MARKET - DAY
Josh and Emily are paying for some groceries as -
JOSH
- with the little dog?
EMILY
Jefe? He’s an asshole.
JOSH
Right? I never met an asshole dog
before.
They exit as -
EXT. FLATBUSH - CARIBBEAN MARKET - CONTINUOUS
JOSH
Maybe we should buy him some treats
or something? Bribe him into loving
us. I’m determined to win over--
But Emily is stopped, staring at the West Indian Cream soda.
JOSH (CONT’D)
Em? You okay?
EMILY
Yeah. Yes. Just, I haven’t seen
that soda since the island.
The island. Fuck. It’s clear Emily rarely mentions it. Josh,
concerned, takes her in a moment.
JOSH
Oh, Em. Shit. You okay?
Emily looks at him, smiles, she’s totally fine.
EMILY
Yes. I’m fine! It was just a
memory.
 25.

But Josh is spooked. He’s looking around at this VERY

CARIBBEAN neighborhood.
JOSH
I know you said you’d be fine here.
But if it’s too much, we can move
somewhere else. I just want you to
be -
EMILY
(interrupts)
Josh! Stop. I’m not freaking out.
It was a memory. A good memory,
that soda is delish.
(off his worry)
Stop. I promise. I would tell you.
Josh is somewhat appeased, as they approach their building -
EMILY (CONT’D)
I love Flatbush. I love our
apartment.
(then, as she sees dog)
I even love that asshole dog.
Outside the building, we find the OLD MAN, in a NASCAR cap,
and his tiny chihuahua, JEFE.
EMILY (CONT’D)
Buenos Dias, Señor Ramos. Hi Jefe!
Don’t you look nice in that
sweater!
Jefe GROWLS and lunges like he’s going to kill them. Emily
and Josh exchange a look -
SMASH TO:
INT. EMILY AND JOSH'S APARTMENT - DAY
Emily and Josh race into their apartment and burst into
LAUGHTER!
EMILY
An asshole!
Josh looks at her tenderly, touches her cheek.
JOSH
I love you, you know.
She kisses him, pulls him to her, voracious. Drowning any
feelings she had about the soda in Josh, in sex, in the
moment.
Clothes fly off. Josh pushes Emily against the living room
wall, hoists her up. She wraps her legs around him.
 26.

EMILY
Kitchen. We haven’t christened the
kitchen yet.
Josh carries her into the kitchen. And, as things progress on
the counter top...
CUT TO:
EXT. INDIGO BAY - DAY
A valet pushes in a cart piled high with Louis Vuitton
luggage.
INT. INDIGO BAY - LOBBY - DAY
A MAN in his 50s removes his sunglasses. This is MOVIE STAR,
at the check-in desk in with his much younger GIRLFRIEND.
FRONT DESK CLERK
Sir, we’ve upgraded you to our
largest suite.
MOVIE STAR
You’re too kind.
ACROSS THE LOBBY, Darien Mom and Darien Dad (from the
airport) are at the elevators. Seeing the Movie Star, Darien
Mom stops in her tracks.
DARIEN MOM
Don’t look now. Checking in, right
behind me - I said don’t look,
Edward! It’s Joe Brand.
DARIEN DAD
Who?
DARIEN MOM
Seriously?! The movie star. You
know, he was a bank robber in that
one with Brad Pitt. He has an Oscar
for chrissakes.
Darien Dad sneaks a glance.
DARIEN MOM (CONT’D)
Quite a sighting. Been under the
radar since the scandal, like 10
years. I think he lives in France.
DARIEN DAD
What scandal?
 27.

DARIEN MOM
Ohmigod Ed! The scandal! Remember?
Got caught with kiddie porn on the
set of a Todd Haynes movie. Don’t
gape, dear!
As the ELEVATOR DOORS open, Eliot steps out with his father
(ELIOT’S DAD, 50s, paunchy, leery). They pass the Dariens.
And we STAY WITH THEM as they head out to the beach.
ELIOT’S DAD
Listen, I don’t want you just
reading Tolstoy on your lounge
chair all week.
ELIOT
I’m not even reading Tolstoy!
ELIOT’S DAD
We only get a few weeks a year to
be together, to relax, so we’re
gonna have fun. Partake in all the
activities. Surf, hula dance,
whatever.
(then)
Lots of nice lookin’ young ladies
around.
ELIOT
(uncomfortable)
Dad. Please don’t.
ELIOT’S DAD
What? I’m just saying move quick or
the good ones will be snatched up.
ELIOT
Dad, leave it! Okay?
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - CONTINUOUS
As they walk out onto the beach-- Eliot’s Dad notices Alison
swimming. He raises his eyebrows at his son - she’s hot.
Eliot rolls his eyes, determined to ignore him.
But as they reach their lounge chairs, Eliot can’t help but
sneak a glance at Alison.
ANGLE ON: Claire on shore, watching her sister swim.
CLAIRE
Don’t go too far. There could be
jellyfish.
ALISON
There are no jellyfish, silly! Come
to me. I’ll hold you, I promise.
 28.

Claire shakes her head, writes N-O in the air. Alison swims
into shallower water, holds her hands out for her sister.
ALISON (CONT’D)
Please! For me. We can play Little
Mermaid.
CLAIRE
You said Little Mermaid was sexist
and stupid. You made me promise
never to watch it again.
ALISON
Right. How about we play feminist
sharks who eat up the mermaids who
give up their voices for men?
Claire GIGGLES but shakes her head.
ALISON (CONT’D)
How’re you ever gonna be on swim
team like me if you never swim?
Claire considers a moment, then kicks off her flip flops and
slowly walks into the ocean. Alison BEAMS.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - MOMENTS LATER
ON THEIR LOUNGE CHAIRS, Dolphin Shorts puts sunblock on Mrs.
DS’s back, while sneaking glances over at the girls who are
now in the ocean, Alison holding Claire, whispering to her -
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
Can you go see where lunch is,
honey? It’s been so long since we
ordered. I’m starving.
MR. DOLPHIN SHORTS
I’m sure it’s coming. They probably
got backed up.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
I’m eating for two. It’s not
healthy for my blood sugar to drop.
Mr. Dolphin Shorts painstakingly starts to get up as--
MR. DOLPHIN SHORTS
Look! There’s our food now.
A few feet away, Gogo carries a huge tray of food.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
No. That’s not ours.
 29.

She’s right. Gogo is heading right toward the Thomas family.

He’s sweating and struggling and he clumsily drops some
chicken fingers in the sand. Annoyed, Mr. Dolphin Shorts
heads to the kitchen.
Walking past, a gay couple, 30s DR. DERMATOLOGIST and MR.
DECORATOR (behind them is a LOCAL BABYSITTER pushing their
BABY in a stroller) notice the chicken fingers.
DR. DERMATOLOGIST
The service here is not what it was
at Parrot Caye.
Alison, coming out of the water with Claire, overhears this
and glares at him.
MR. DECORATOR
Paul! You promised not to be a
bourgeois prick on this trip!
Dr. Dermatologist LAUGHS and kisses his husband’s hand.
DR. DERMATOLOGIST
You’re right! I apologize.
ANGLE ON: Claire and Alison joining their parents. Claire,
remembering Gogo’s kindness from earlier, smiles shyly at
him.
GOGO
Do not worry, sir. I will get more
chicken fingers.
FATHER
Forget it! Kid barely eats anyway.
What a gorgeous day. I envy you
waking up to this every day.
Though, wasn’t there recently a
hurricane?
MOTHER
Oh yes!
(what was it called?)
Hurricane Bertha maybe?
As Alison and Claire join them, Gogo answers in his quiet,
studied manner -
GOGO
Hurricane Martha. Four years ago.
600 homes and many of the schools
here were destroyed. My school.
FATHER
Wow. Terrible.
Gogo nods and walks away, Father turns to Mother.
 30.

FATHER (CONT’D)
Imagine living in a place where
every hurricane season a single
storm might demolish your entire
existence.
MOTHER
The anxiety. I don’t know how they
do it.
FATHER
The ability to cope with that shit
must be somehow baked into their
DNA. How else could they stand it?
ALISON
Oh my God, Dad! Do you realize how
racist you sound?
FATHER
Jesus Christ, Alison!
FATHER (CONT'D) ALISON
I was making an observation. It’s practically eugenics!
You’re taking this political You’re perpetuating racial
correct bullshit too far. myths, stereotypes....

Alison stops, mortified to realize all this was overheard by

Edwin, walking behind them with a tray.
CLAIRE
What’s stereotypes?
We FOLLOW EDWIN, who forces a smile, back up the beach to -
THE BEACH BAR
- where Gogo is putting an order in.
GOGO
...And make them fries ‘extra
crispy’ he say.
EDWIN
We gonna lime hard tonight, mate.
Go to Paulette’s. Dance. Take us a
break from all the...
(gesturing at tourists)
extra-crispies.
GOGO
Can’t.
EDWIN
Come on. Just a quick drink.
Gogo’s getting irritated.
 31.

GOGO
I can’t. Sara already vex with me.
EDWIN
She not let you lime yesterday
neither. It’s bullshit. She not
worth the time.
Gogo’s face grows red as -
GOGO
She need me to watch my Clive.
EDWIN
(off Gogo’s head shake)
Come on. She can watch she own son.
That pickney’s a pain in the ass.
GOGO
YOU SHUT YOU FUCKING FACE!
A jarring outburst! And more than a little DISTURBING to the
bartender. But Edwin, used to it, just kisses the air -
EDWIN
Mate, you know we meant nothing by
it. Chill. Enjoy your boy.
EXT. SAINT X BASIN - DAY
A boy, CLIVE, 6, (scrawny, quiet, barefoot) in a SCHOOL
UNIFORM, walks with his strict, no-nonsense GRANDMOTHER. They
pass a small white DENTAL OFFICE. A STONE CHURCH with no
roof. SKINNY CHICKENS.
GRANDMOTHER
You going to make some nice friends
today, Clive.
Clive nods, pulls the collar of his shirt.
GRANDMOTHER (CONT’D)
None of that fidgeting.
(then)
Stay away from the wild ones. Your
Aunt Ruthie be wild. You know what
happen to she?
(off Clive’s head shake)
One night she sneak out to Faraway
with she wild friends. She
drinking, doing god-knows-what, so
the long-haired witch, with the
hooves for feet, lure she away,
change she to a goat.
Scared, Clive NODS.
 32.

EXT. HORATIO BYRD PRIMARY SCHOOL - DAY

UNIFORMED CHILDREN run and SHRIEK across the packed dirt
schoolyard of a low, faded CINDER-BLOCK BUILDING. *These kids
are in the same uniform as the girl Alison and Claire saw on
the drive to Indigo Bay. We LAND on a SKINNY BOY, 7, who is
with a BUNCH OF OTHER BOYS, torturing a BAT MOTH with a
stick.
SKINNY BOY
Wait, don’t kill him!
(off their surprise)
Take off he wings first! See how he
fly!
They LAUGH and pull off its legs.
UNIFORMED BOY 1
Looks like a wee janga.
SKINNY BOY
So eat it. I dare you!
UNIFORMED BOY 1
No, man.
SKINNY BOY
I knew it. He an anti-man, just
like he cousin.
All the boys start chanting “ANTI-MAN! ANTI-MAN! ANTI-MAN!”
Finally, Uniformed Boy 1 picks up the bug and SWALLOWS it.
The other boys SCREAM and HOOT.
ANGLE THE GATE, Clive and Grandmother watch the other boys.
GRANDMOTHER
Stop the fidgeting. You have to go
to the bathroom or what?
Clive shakes his head. THE BELL RINGS, the other kids all run
to line up.
GRANDMOTHER (CONT’D)
Go on. Now. Go.
Clive looks up at her, begging with his eyes. But she pushes
him forward.
Clive, hunched over, lines up with the other children. The
TEACHER (a tall woman with kind eyes) observes him.
TEACHER
You must be the new boy. Clive?
 33.

All eyes turn to him. Clive looks like he wishes he could

sink into the ground, but the teacher still looks at him,
expecting an answer. It’s the first he’s spoken.
CLIVE
Y-y-y-y-y-yes.
The other children LAUGH at his stutter. Clive looks to his
grandmother for help. But she’s already gone. The school
doors swing open, the UNIFORMED KIDS file in.
EXT. BROOKLYN/INT. CAB - DAY
Emily looks at DIFFERENT UNIFORMED KIDS out her taxi window
while she talks on the phone.
EMILY
I’m really close. Please don’t be
pissed.
Intercut with SUNITA (28, Pakistani, tiny with a foul mouth)
in a trendy Cobble Hill eatery.
SUNITA
Girl, you’re always late.
EMILY
I’m sorry. Josh and I got
distracted -
SUNITA
Fucking? You live together now!
Fuck on someone else’s time.
EMILY
(giggles)
We weren’t! Anyway, I’m pulling up.
(to driver)
That’s it, up there on the left.
SUNITA
Good, cause I already ordered.
The cab pulls up outside a restaurant in Park Slope.
CAB DRIVER (O.S.)
(Caribbean accent)
Careful, miss. Looks like rain.
Emily slides her Amex through the machine, looks out the
window. Ominous storm clouds approach.
EMILY
Sure does, and as usual, I have no
umbrella.
 34.

CAB DRIVER (O.S.)

Perhaps the weather will change her
mind.
Which is when Emily realizes the voice sounds familiar.
Startled, she looks at the driver in the rear view mirror.
And... holy shit.
It’s Gogo. Years older. But still him. He smiles at her,
clearly has no idea who she is.
ANOTHER MOS SEQUENCE (like the teaser):
INT. INDIGO BAY - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Gogo pushes a room service tray down a long hall. He stops at
a room. Pauses a moment, then knocks, softly.
INT. INDIGO BAY - HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
On the bed, Father holds Mother, weeping. The detective’s in
a chair next to her. They don’t hear the knock.
INT. INDIGO BAY - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Gogo knocks harder.
INT. INDIGO BAY - HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Little Claire is in the closet, playing with her lion,
listening to her parents. She hears the knocks. This is when
we understand fully it’s Alison who died.
Claire runs and opens the door for Gogo. She’s glad to see
him. The sound is muted, but we can hear Gogo say something
about bringing tea from the manager. And suddenly Father goes
ballistic - lunging at Gogo, telling him to “Stay away. Stay
away from my family.”
Gogo escapes down the hall. As he turns a corner, he stops,
panting. Holds the wall to regain his breath. Visibly shaken.
CUT TO:
EXT. FLATBUSH - DAY
Emily futzes with something on the floor of the cab and steps
out of the taxi, her face ashen. She watches as Gogo drives
away.
She leans against the wall to regain her breath. Visibly
shaken.
END ACT TWO
 35.

ACT THREE
INT. PARK SLOPE RESTAURANT - DAY
Emily, pale, ashen, finds Sunita at a table.
SUNITA
Jesus. You look -
(realizing it’s very bad)
Fuck. What?
Emily sits down. But she can’t even speak. Sunita watches
with concern.
SUNITA (CONT’D)
What is it? Em? Talk to me. What?
Emily’s hands are shaking. She looks like she’s about to pass
out.
SUNITA (CONT’D)
Fuck. Let’s get the fuck outta
here.
Sunita holds Emily up and escorts her out.
EXT. PROSPECT PARK - AN HOUR LATER
It’s drizzling. Emily and Sunita smoke pot on a big rock,
overlooking the water. Emily’s still unnerved, but better.
It’s quiet for a moment before -
EMILY
There he was. Driving a cab,
talking about the weather... like
nothing ever...
SUNITA
It’s insane. I mean, what are the
fucking chances? Jesus... What was
he like?
EMILY
I don’t know! I had about 6 seconds
in there before he drove off.
(then, delicate)
Do you think I should’ve spoken to
him?
SUNITA
Spoken to the man who killed your
sister??
EMILY
Gogo and his friend Edwin were the
last people to see Alison alive.
(MORE)
 36.

EMILY (CONT'D)
(then)
Everything I’ve ever wondered
about... Every unanswered question.
He knows.
SUNITA
Honey. I love you. But the whole
world knows those guys... I’m sorry
to put it bluntly but... raped
her... killed her. Just because
they weren’t convicted doesn’t mean
they’re innocent.
EMILY
I didn’t say they were innocent!
Jesus. I just want to know, I need
to know... the whole truth. How...
Why...
Sunita studies Emily, suddenly worried.
SUNITA
Shit. Promise me you won’t do
something stupid.
EMILY
(defensive)
I won’t.
SUNITA
(not buying it)
You’re doing better, Emily. So much
better. Please don’t mess with
your... recovery...
Whatever that is, Emily doesn’t like it mentioned, she grits
her teeth as -
SUNITA (CONT’D)
It was a chance encounter. An
unfortunate coincidence. Leave it
alone. Promise me.
EMILY
(rising)
You’re not my fucking mother, you
know.
Emily runs off-
SUNITA
Em, that’s not what I -
- Sunita tries to chase after her, but Emily is faster.
SUNITA (CONT’D)
Shit.
 37.

EXT. INDIGO BAY BASIN - DAY

SARA LYCOTT (20, braids, petite) rides a bicycle way too big
for her. Her hair is askew, she wears red flip-flops.
As she rides through the local side of the island, we pass a
rubbish heap nearly hidden in scrub. Against a DENTAL OFFICE,
a few desiccated pepper plants grow out of old Nido cans.
A BUNCH OF GOATS walk in the road blocking Sara’s way.
SARA
Shoo! Shoo! Mangy beasts. Get away,
all of you!
EXT. INDIGO BAY - MAIN ENTRANCE - AN HOUR LATER
Sara gets off the bike, takes in the magnificence of the
resort. Pats her hair down. A valet eyes her -
VALET
What you doing up here? Service
entrance in the rear.
SARA
I don’t work here. I am looking for
someone who does.
The valet looks her up and down, somewhat lasciviously.
VALET
And who be the lucky man?
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - DAY
Gogo, very sweaty, puts up an umbrella for the THOMAS family.
Alison and Father read novels, Mother sleeps, and Claire
works on her sandcastle. Nearby, DESMOND (19 tall, goofy) in
an EXCURSIONS shirt, chats up Mr. and Mrs. Dolphin Shorts.
DESMOND
Faraway Cay. Her name make her
sound far. But she is only few
minutes by boat. Lovely waterfall,
very beautiful.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
I don’t think so, thanks.
Mr. Dolphin Shorts downs his drink, hands the empty glass to
Desmond. Desmond, carrying many brochures, doesn’t know what
to do with it, but takes it.
 38.

A FEW FEET AWAY -

Edwin struggles to drag A STACK OF CHAIRS across the sand.
Gogo hurries over and, without a word, lifts the stack from
him. Edwin smiles a thanks before, gently -
EDWIN
Gogo, people be complaining. Stop
sweating, stop dropping the food,
smile and ask the whities about
they day. Okay?
GOGO
I know, Edwin. I’m sorry.
Mr. Decorator walks by in a VERY TIGHT BATHING SUIT. Edwin
and Gogo exchange an amused/disparaging look.
EDWIN
Now, go announce me volleyball
game, big man. Sell it!
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - A MINUTE LATER
Sweating profusely, Gogo makes his way down the beach. As the
does, he tosses a volleyball in the air. He misses it.
GOGO
(to Eliot and Eliot’s Dad)
The volleyball game will begin in
five minutes.
Now Gogo dribbles the ball, soccer-style, trying to be suave.
GOGO (CONT’D)
(to the Dolphin Shorts)
The volleyball game will begin in
five minutes.
Gogo kicks the ball into a tray of glasses, which break. He
picks up his mess.
GOGO (CONT’D)
(to Hacky Sack and fam)
The volleyball game will begin in
five minutes.
As Hacky Sack stares at Gogo with irritation, Gogo busses the
broken glass and passes the Thomases.
GOGO (CONT’D)
The volleyball game will begin in
five minutes.
Alison puts down her book and stands.
 39.

ALISON
Want to watch me play, Clairey?
As the sisters cross the sand to the VOLLEYBALL COURT, Eliot
gets a nudge from his dad. He rises, as do Mr. Dolphin
Shorts, Darien Dad and Hacky Sack.
They are in the mood for some volleyball after all.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - VOLLEYBALL AREA - 5 MINUTES LATER
Edwin and Desmond tape off lines in the sand for the game as
Gogo approaches.
DESMOND
Edwin, we liming at Paulette’s
tonight?
EDWIN
Course man. But Goges got to take
care of he pickney.
DESMOND
Too bad, Goges. Me Daphne be coming
with her sister. She fat but she
game.
GOGO
I got a woman.
DESMOND
Sara? She not marry you when you
knock she up, she not marry you
now. Right, Edwin?
Edwin sees Gogo is upset, so he changes the subject.
EDWIN
Why anyone want some sket tying he
down? I like me pick of the pum-
pum.
And, right then, he smiles, noticing Alison making a BEELINE
for him. She STOPS right under his nose. He GRINS.
EDWIN (CONT’D)
Not a sunbather after all, I see.
ALISON
I’m not what anyone expects me to
be.
Edwin grins. Amused, Desmond WINKS at Gogo, who frowns.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURT - MOMENTS LATER
Pregame. Claire sits on the sidelines, DRAWING in the sand.
 40.

EDWIN
You my extra pair of eyes, little
miss.
He TOUSLES her hair, she STIFFENS AT HIS TOUCH.
ON ONE SIDE OF THE COURT, the kids mingle. ON THE OTHER, the
adults chat. We FLOAT between conversations.
On the kid side are Hacky Sack, Eliot and OTHER GIRL (no one
sees her or hears her when she’s next to Alison), mid-convo.
HACKY SACK
Michigan State.
ALISON
Princeton, I’m ashamed to say.
ELIOT
I’m at Yale.
Alison and Eliot share a secret Ivy League smile as -
OTHER GIRL
Sarah Lawrence.
No one even hears her, the boys just look at Alison.
HACKY SACK
My cousin goes to Princeton. Do you
know Amber -
ON THE ADULTS
DARIEN DAD
- Lehman Brothers!
Which was the punchline of a joke, the adults laugh. The
adults include Mr. and Mrs. Dolphin Shorts, Darien Dad, Dr.
Dermatologist, Mr. Decorator and a HYPER-FIT WOMAN (50, looks
40).
DR. DERMATOLOGIST
Have you guys done any of the
excursions?
MR. DECORATOR
We adored our snorkeling trip.
HYPER FIT WOMAN
We’re not going anywhere. My
husband’s upstairs with food
poisoning.
(quick look towards Edwin)
Pretty sure it’s from last night’s
langoustine.
 41.

DR. DERMATOLOGIST
Have you been to Parrot Caye? The
service was impeccable.
(off his husband’s look)
What? I’m just sharing.
BACK ON THE KIDS
HACKY SACK
...do you know Henry Cooper-Chan? I
think he goes to Princeton.
Alison shakes her head.
ELIOT
Willa Wiseman?
ALISON
Oh yeah! She’s in my dorm actually.
ELIOT
Wow, she was in orchestra with me
at St. Paul’s. Flute. Small world.
ALISON
Well, our world is small, isn’t it?
ELIOT
Good point, Ali.
ALISON
Alison.
ELIOT
Good point, Alison.
They smirk at each other, Hacky Sack and Other Girl die a
little.
ON THE ADULTS
MR. DECORATOR
You know who we saw by the
jacuzzi?! Joe Brand.
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
The pervert movie star?
MR. DECORATOR
With his much younger girlfriend.
DARIEN DAD
We saw him too. Can’t believe they
let him in. There’re kids here, for
chrissakes.
 42.

All the adults NOD, agreeing, but casually search the beach
for a look at him.
ANGLE ON Gogo, Desmond and Edwin: who are almost finished
setting up the net when the bartender arrives.
BARTENDER
Gogo, your baby mama’s here.
GOGO EDWIN
Sara? Where? You in trouble, mate!

BARTENDER
Parking lot.
EDWIN
Go! Desmond, man the line.
Gogo hurries off.
Edwin BLOWS A WHISTLE, signaling the game is about to begin.
The teams take their places (Alison, Other Girl, Decorator,
Dr. Dermatologist and Darien Dad on one team. Eliot, Hacky
Sack, Mr. Dolphin Shorts and Hyper Fit Mom on the other.)
Alison SLIPS OFF HER TUNIC, drops it in the sand beside her
sister. ALL EYES notice the large PINK SCAR on her stomach.
She TOSSES THE BALL into the air.
The game is told in a SERIES OF QUICK SHOTS.
- Alison is the star, with an ACE SERVE, a SPIKE.
- Other Girl DUCKS as the ball comes near her.
- Mr. Dolphin Shorts tries to return Alison’s serve, it goes
out of bounds. From the sidelines, Mrs. DS calls out..
MRS. DOLPHIN SHORTS
Almost, honey!
...humiliating both of them.
- Claire sits quietly on the sidelines, watching intently.
- HACKY SACK and ELIOT, on the same team, peacock for
Alison’s benefit.
HACKEY SACK YALE
Mine! Mine!

- Claire writes “ALISON” in the air with her fingers.

- Hyper Fit Woman spies the MOVIE STAR and his GIRLFRIEND
walking.
 43.

Distracted, she gets hit in the face with the Volleyball. Dr.
Dermatologist flies to her side and the other adults take
their chance to check out the Movie Star.
Little Claire turns to see who the adults are looking at. The
Movie Star SMILES at her. It’s downright creepy.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - PARKING LOT - DAY
Sara paces in the parking lot, waiting for Gogo. She pats her
hair down, trying to get it in place.
Gogo arrives. She immediately puts her hands on her hips,
defensive. Gogo reaches to kiss her but she moves away.
GOGO
Sara, what you doing here?
SARA
You still coming to mind Clive
later?
GOGO
Yes. Of course. Will you be home?
SARA
I have to go out.
GOGO
To do what?
She ignores that and answers with -
SARA
My mum needs new tires for her car.
GOGO
(blinks, worried)
Tires?
SARA
New tires for the car I use to take
your son to the doctor and to do
the shopping. If you don’t have it,
I will find other ways to get
money. You will not like the ways.
Whatever this is, upsets Gogo very much.
GOGO
No. Don’t... Please. I will get
some money.
SARA
Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
 44.

GOGO
I will get it, Sara.
And, off this -
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURT - MOMENTS LATER
The game is still going on. Hyper Fit woman serves. Hacky
Sack and Eliot both DIVE as the ball lands ON THE LINE.
Alison’s team is about to celebrate when -
EDWIN
Out!
DARIEN DAD
Yes, good call!
HYPER FIT WOMAN
Are you kidding me? It was in!
(to Edwin)
It was fucking in! What’re you
trying to do?
Alison, horrified, decides to save Edwin.
ALISON
Actually, sorry. I saw it. It was
out. He’s right.
Edwin and Alison LOCK EYES. Hyper-Fit stares daggers at
Alison as the GAME RESUMES.
Gogo returns from Sara and takes a seat next to Claire.
GOGO
Who be winning?
CLAIRE
My sister. She always wins.
And just then, Alison SPIKES the ball. Her team WINS.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURT - MOMENTS LATER
The players are collecting their things and heading off,
chatting. Eliot approaches Alison.
ELIOT
Well.... See you later. I hope.
ALISON
Yes. Yeah.
He TOUCHES ALISON’S SHOULDER, then trots off down the sand.
She BRUSHES HER FINGERTIPS against the spot he touched, then -
 45.

ALISON (CONT’D)
Claire, let’s go.
Claire stands up, trots after her sister.
GOGO WATCHES HER GO.
From his volleyball game perch, EDWIN WATCHES GOGO WATCH HER.
INT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - MOMENTS LATER
At the lounge chairs, Alison settles next to her mother.
MOTHER
How was the game?
ALISON
Good. I won.
MOTHER
And, who was that cute boy I saw
you talking to? In the Yale shirt.
ALISON
I don’t know. Some kid.
And then Alison decides to let down her guard -
ALISON (CONT’D)
He is kinda cute though, right?
MOTHER
Um. Yes. Could see those blue eyes
all the way from here.
Alison and mom exchange a rare grin as Claire climbs on
Mother’s lounge chair. From her Mother’s bag, Claire takes
out a PENCIL to draw.
INT. HORATIO BYRD PRIMARY SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY
ANOTHER PENCIL, Little Clive sits in his seat, at a long
wooden table, uncomfortable (he has to go to the bathroom).
TEACHER
Johnny has a dozen eggs. If he eats
four for breakfast, what does he
have left?
(to Skinny Boy)
Mr. Hastings?
Clive watches as the Skinny Boy swaggers up to the
BLACKBOARD. He takes a piece of CHALK and writes: G-A-S.
The class doubles over with LAUGHTER.
 46.

TEACHER (CONT’D)
The corner.
Skinny Boy swaggers there, too.
TEACHER (CONT’D)
You see, class, Mr. Hastings might
be the smartest boy here but he
treats everything as a joke so we
will never know.
In his seat, Clive grows even more uncomfortable.
GIRL (PRELAP)
...And the riv-er. Rushes. Down the-
INT. HORATIO PRIMARY SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - LATER
A PRETTY GIRL in an immaculate braid, reads from a reader.
GIRL
(sounding it out)
F-f-f-jord...
TEACHER
Fjord.
GIRL
And the river rushes down the
fjord. Fast.
ON CLIVE
Really struggling with his discomfort.
GIRL (O.S) (CONT’D)
Fast it... sw-irls. And w-h-irls.
Wh-irls. Whirls. Down the river.
FANTASY SEQUENCE:
IMAGES OF THE RUSHING RIVER. SWIRLING. WHIRLING.
BACK ON CLIVE:
His face is red, the urge is unbearable.
GIRL
...into the waterfall. Splash
splash goes the water.
Clive tentatively raises his fingers into the air.
TEACHER
Mr. Richardson?
 47.

CLIVE
May I g-g-g-
(breathes, tries again)
May I go—go—go—
The teacher recognizes his anguish.
TEACHER
Yes! Hurry!
Clive, holding his crotch, runs.
INT. LATRINE - MOMENTS LATER
Clive is purple from humiliation and pain. He unzips his fly
and a torrent of URINE STREAMS OUT...
CUT TO:
EXT. FLATBUSH - SUNSET
...WATER STREAMS out of a FIRE HYDRANT. Nearby a man in a
rastahat bangs a steel drum along to REGGAE MUSIC.
Emily walks home, passing it. Lost in thought.
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Josh is unpacking, when Emily storms in, furious.
JOSH
Hey. How was brunch?
Emily just ignores him, pours herself a glass of water. Josh
is now concerned.
JOSH (CONT’D)
Are you okay?
Emily just drinks her water.
JOSH (CONT’D)
What? What is it?
And, for a moment, Emily considers telling him the truth, but
the worried look on his face changes her mind.
EMILY
I lost my fucking phone, okay. And
I’m in a pissy mood. So please.
Stop giving me that worried look
and just... give me some space.
She storms into -
 48.

INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

And SLAMS the door. Emily goes over to the window, looks out
at the man with the steel drum.
She starts to pick at her cuticles, slowly, painfully ripping
off the skin as...
EXT. INDIGO BAY - POOL AND BEACH AREA - NIGHT
... A STEEL DRUM, part of REGGAE BAND plays. Indigo Bay is
holding a DINNER BARBECUE on the beach. TIKI TORCHES, PIÑA
COLADAS, A CARVING STATION. ROUND TABLES surround a patch of
sand serving as the DANCE FLOOR.
IN A HAMMOCK
Alison lies with Eliot, head to foot, but flirty nonetheless.
ALISON
Seriously? A German major?
ELIOT
(rolling his eyes)
Oh I know. It’s how I got into
Yale, wrote my essay on my dream of
reading Rilke in the original
German.
ALISON
Soooo pretentious!! Please tell me
you’ve learned to say, ‘You must
change your life,’ in German.
ELIOT
Shit, did you just quote Rilke at
me? That is so hot.
He leans in to kiss her, she pulls away.
ALISON
Don’t give me sad face! My parents
are just over there!
(then)
Anyway, duh, I read Rilke. How do
you think I got into Princeton - a
decidedly better Ivy?
They smirk at each other.
ELIOT
What’re you majoring in?
 49.

ALISON
Haven’t figured it out just yet -
the thing that will drive my
parents the most crazy. Maybe
pottery?
Eliot laughs, entranced by her.
ON THE BEACH, we find Desmond, Edwin and Gogo, who are
cleaning up some glasses and food.
EDWIN
So? What did Miss Sara high and
mighty want?
GOGO
The usual. Money.
DESMOND
Always complaining. She lucky she
have you. Good job, making mad
service charge.
GOGO
She have it hard with she mum.
Edwin understands, changes the subject.
EDWIN
(to Desmond)
You got any whities signed up for
excursions tomorrow?
DESMOND
A few.
EDWIN
You need to be selling harder! Tell
the goat stories. The long-haired
witch.
DESMOND
Don’t be telling me my business. My
tours be most popular at Indigo
Bay.
EDWIN
In he dreams!
Gogo laughs, Desmond looks around to make sure no one is
looking, takes out a joint, lights it.
DESMOND
Pretty soon, I start me own tour
boat, before you know it, I be
rolling in bread and pum-pum.
 50.

EDWIN
(laughs)
You kill me!
GOGO
Des, review the anatomy books, pum-
pum is not to be rolled in.
Edwin cracks up. Even Desmond laughs, hitting Gogo on the
back. Edwin takes a hit, points to a nearby cliff.
EDWIN
Someday when I’m making mad cheddar
in New York, I’m gonna build a
mansion right up there...
Edwin passes the joint to Gogo-
DESMOND
Stupid. Why freeze your rod off in
New York when you can live here
where the weather fine?
GOGO
And hang with we at Little Beach on
your day off?
EDWIN
I got plans, boys.
(while dancing)
Big plans.
DESMOND
You full of shit. Ten years from
now you still living with your fat
sisters, mind my words.
EDWIN
I’ll swim off this island, come to
that. Gogo will come with me.
GOGO
But I can’t swim.
Edwin GRINS and PINCHES THE FAT on Gogo’s shoulder.
EDWIN
You buoyant. You’ll float.
(strokes his cheek, jokes)
Not going nowhere without you, Big
Man.
Gogo HITS EDWIN’S HAND AWAY.
GOGO
Quit this.
 51.

They notice Darien Dad approaching, quickly HIDE THE JOINT.

DARIEN DAD
Hi guys! Hola.
Edwin NUDGES Gogo at the ‘Hola’ as -
DARIEN DAD (CONT’D)
Just so you know, the bathroom’s
filthy.
EDWIN
My deepest apologies, Mr. Lamdon,
I’ll call housekeeping. Buenos
Tardes.
Darien Dad walks away and Edwin, Desmond and Gogo FALL OVER
LAUGHING.
ANGLE ON: Alison and Eliot walking back up toward the party.
Eliot catches Hacky Sack staring at them.
ELIOT
One sec. I’ll meet you up there.
AT THE BAR
Eliot catches up to Hacky Sack. And, we see a side of Eliot
we haven’t seen before. Not a kind side.
ELIOT (CONT’D)
I got her. So get the fuck over it,
man.
Hacky Sack downs a drink as Eliot heads back to Alison.
ANGLE ON: Claire, walking out of the restroom. The Movie Star
approaches.
MOVIE STAR
Hey there.
Claire is too shy to respond.
MOVIE STAR (CONT’D)
You’re right. You shouldn’t talk to
strangers.
(then)
But my name’s Joe. Now we aren’t
strangers anymore.
Claire doesn’t know what to say, when -
GOGO
Miss, there you are!
 52.

She turns to see Gogo holding a Shirley Temple. The Movie

Star moves away. Gogo escorts her back to a more populated
area as -
GOGO (CONT’D)
I brought you a drink. It is called
a Shirley Temple. No one has ever
told me why. But it is delicious.
Claire takes a seat, air-writes ‘thank you.’ Gogo smiles
kindly, nods and walks away.
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH/POOL AREA - AN HOUR LATER
Mother and Father sit at a table with Darien Dad and family.
Father is distracted by Alison on the dance floor with Eliot,
some light grinding is involved.
FATHER
Should we be worried about her?
MOTHER
Bill. She’s 19. Let her be.
Mother spies Claire, sipping her drink, alone, as OTHER
CHILDREN run behind her. Mother SIGHS. The band starts up a
NEW SONG, a REGGAE VERSION OF “YELLOW SUBMARINE.”
IN THE TOWN WHERE I WAS BORN, LIVED A MAN WHO SAILED THE SEAS
Mother gets up and walks to Claire at the pool -
MOTHER (CONT’D)
Clairey! Dance with me.
Mother pulls Claire onto the dance floor.
As the chorus starts, Mother sings along. Shyly, Claire joins
her mother as they SING ALONG TO:
WE ALL LIVE IN A YELLOW SUBMARINE, YELLOW SUBMARINE.
Father ARRIVES, takes Claire’s other hand. The three dance
and Claire LAUGHS, delighted to be the center of attention.
ACROSS THE DANCE FLOOR, seeing her family, Alison grins and
RACES OVER, leaving Eliot behind.
AND OUR FRIENDS ARE ALL ABOARD/MANY MORE OF THEM LIVE NEXT
DOOR/AND THE BAND BEGINS TO PLAY
The four Thomases dance like loonies, no cares in the world.
AT THE BAR, Edwin and Gogo watch them.
 53.

EDWIN
Must be nice to be them Thomases.
Rich folks from the land West
Chester.
GOGO
Not all whities be assholes, Edwin.
They be nice. They tip nice too.
Edwin watches Alison, dancing with Claire.
EDWIN
Nice is some real fuckery. At least
they come with they daughters.
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
The reggae music is still coming in. Emily, agitated, is
putting on her sneakers.
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Josh is still unpacking, he’s made a lot of progress.
EMILY
I’m going on a run.
JOSH
Can I come?
She ignores him and heads out.
EXT. JOSH AND EMILY'S BUILDING - NIGHT
Emily leaves the building, passing the steel drummer.
EXT. FLATBUSH - NIGHT
Emily jogs through Flatbush. It’s still early evening and the
streets are crowded, again Emily’s is the only white face.
And, as she runs, the faces she runs past change - morphing
into the faces of DESMOND, BARTENDER, DETECTIVE ROY, EDWIN,
YOUNG GOGO... leering at her. Menacing.
She runs faster and faster... Away from them.
INT. BODEGA - NIGHT
A different bodega. At the counter, A HAND slides over a
small pack of Oreo cookies and a Coke. The CLERK behind the
counter is texting and doesn’t notice.
REVERSE ANGLE ON:
Gogo. He still speaks in his quiet voice.
 54.

GOGO
Excuse me.
(no answer)
Sir?
The clerk doesn’t look up, so Gogo BANGS on the plexiglass.
It’s loud. The clerk looks up, annoyed.
CLERK
Chill the fuck out, man!
Gogo glares at him, which makes the clerk nervous. The clerk
rings him up, quickly. With a curt nod, Gogo heads outside.
EXT. FLATBUSH - DAY
Gogo gets back in his cab, starts to drive, when he hears a
noise. A phone.
The ring tone is Yellow Submarine.
ON THE PHONE, carefully wedged under the seat. Emily left it
there on purpose.
END ACT THREE
 55.

ACT FOUR
INT. JOSH AND EMILY’S BUILDING - LOBBY
OUT OF BREATH, sweaty, Emily races in the building.
She takes a moment. Breathes. Looks in the tiny mirror above
the mailboxes. She fixes her hair, wipes off her sweat, and
in an instant is back to her cheery self. It’s almost
jarring. As she SMILES:
INT. INDIGO BAY - HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Alison SMILES in the mirror as Claire, wet from the bath, in
pajamas, watches from their bed (they have their own room).
CLAIRE
You look pretty, Alison.
Alison smiles at Claire in her reflection, climbs on the bed
and combs Claire’s hair.
ALISON
Tonight was fun, huh?
CLAIRE
Yes. I liked the dancing.
ALISON
I did too.
She kisses the top of Claire’s head.
ALISON (CONT’D)
I wish you’d hung with some of the
other kids though.
CLAIRE
I didn’t want to.
ALISON
I know babe, but making friends is
important.
CLAIRE
I don’t know how. Not like you do.
ALISON
I’m shy too sometimes. It’s just
about confidence. About faking it
til you make it.
(then)
You’re gonna be just as brave as me
one day, I promise.
 56.

CLAIRE
Really?
ALISON
Braver! Now, hop in that bed.
Claire obediently gets under the covers with her stuffed
lion. Alison tucks Claire in.
ALISON (CONT’D)
Good girl. Go to sleep. I’ll be
back in an hour.
CLAIRE
(alarmed)
Where are you going?
ALISON
Out. It’ll be fine.
CLAIRE
Please don’t go, Alison. I’m
scared.
ALISON
Of what?
CLAIRE
Of the long-haired woman with the
hooves for feet.
ALISON
There’s nothing to be scared of.
Mom and Dad are right next door.
(then)
But don’t tell them I left.
She kisses her sister’s head and walks out. Claire lies on
her bed, ALONE.
CUT from this SCARED GIRL to:
EXT. HORATIO BYRD PRIMARY SCHOOL - DAY
... A SCARED BOY at recess. Little Clive sits alone in a
DESERTED CORNER of the dusty yard.
As the girls play MARBLES and the other boys engage in a
rough game of TAG, he pulls CLUMPS of DRY GRASS from the
dirt. He’s alone. So very alone.
Then, suddenly, BOYS are coming toward him. The Skinny Boy is
leading a PACK of them, shouting -
SKINNY BOY
Hey Go-go!
 57.

The other boys CLAP and HOOT.

OTHER BOYS
Yes!/That’s right!/G-g-g-go—go!
They are teasing him, Clive keeps his eyes on his lap.
SKINNY BOY
Gogo, man, me speaking with you.
Clive forces himself to LOOK UP. To his surprise, the Skinny
Boy is GRINNING down at him, his expression teasing but —
could it be? — warmly so. Skinny Boy GESTURES ACROSS THE
YARD, where a few other boys mill about.
SKINNY BOY (CONT’D)
We having a cricket match, we
against they.
Clive looks at him, confused, until -
SKINNY BOY (CONT’D)
What you waiting for? Get up, man!
We need you!
Clive gets up. Skinny Boy smiles at him.
SKINNY BOY (CONT’D)
Edwin, I’m Edwin. Let’s go.
Which is when we realize these boys were young Gogo and
Edwin. As Clive follows Edwin, a friend at last...
EXT. INDIGO BAY - POOL AND BEACH AREA - NIGHT
Adult Gogo follows Edwin BEHIND A CABANA on the beach. Edwin
LIGHTS A JOINT, inhales, and passes it to Gogo.
EDWIN
...And then he say, ‘Edwin, my
brother.’ And I am thinking, I am
not he brother - but I don’t reply.
He say ‘Edwin my brother where can
a dude score some good stuff around
here?’ So I tell him, ‘I have herb.
I can get that.’ And he like, ‘I’m
talking a little stronger...’
GOGO
What he want, cocaine?
EDWIN
You right! He want the white snow
powder. And he going to pay prime
dollar for it too.
 58.

GOGO
Where you be getting cocaine? Not
one-eye Mike.
EDWIN
That for me to know and you to find
out, Goges.
Gogo grimaces. Suddenly, they are startled by the sound of
someone approaching. It’s Alison.
ALISON
Well, well, what are you two
naughty gentlemen up to?
EDWIN
Who? us? Nothing. We innocent.
Smiling, Alison takes the joint from Edwin’s hand. They LOCK
EYES as she inhales. The sexual tension palpable.
EDWIN (CONT’D)
Some are going dancing later, a
local place. Meet we in parking lot
at midnight if you want to come.
Alison takes another hit, blows out slowly.
ALISON
Maybe I will.
She walks on. Edwin watches her go.
GOGO
Oh, Edwin. When you gonna learn to
stay away?
EDWIN
(grins)
I’m just playin’ man. You the one
obsessed with the weird little
sister.
GOGO
I am not obsessed. She reminds of
me of me self. Of me pickney.
But Edwin just grins.
GOGO (CONT’D)
Stop with that grin. I said. Stop.
EDWIN
(laughs)
Always. Always I get a reaction.
That’s why I love you.
 59.

GOGO
Shut up.
Edwin takes him into a HEADLOCK. Gogo kicks his leg, KNOCKS
HIM DOWN to the ground.
As these two PLAY-WRESTLE...
FURTHER DOWN THE BEACH
Alison walks toward Eliot who waits for her on a lounge
chair. She passes Dolphin Shorts, heading back to the resort,
smoking. She nods at him.
DOLPHIN SHORTS
(mutters)
Cunt.
Alison stops, surprised, wondering if she heard him right,
but he blows right past her -
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Emily is showered, hair still wet. She finds Josh putting
together an Ikea chair, and squats next to him.
EMILY
Josh, I’m sorry. I had a fight with
Sunita, I lost my phone. I was in a
shit mood. I shouldn’t have taken
it out on you.
Josh nods, relieved.
JOSH
Okay.
Emily notices a picture on the mantle - Claire and Alison
just before the trip to Saint X.
JOSH (CONT’D)
It was with your posters and stuff,
not sure where you wanted it.
EMILY
It’s perfect there.
Emily looks at the picture, making a decision.
EMILY (CONT’D)
Josh. I know I have issues. But I’m
working on them. You deserve the
greatest girlfriend in the world.
JOSH
Em, I have that.
 60.

Emily, lost in thought, picks up the photo.

INT. THOMAS'S NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HOME - NIGHT
THE SAME PHOTO of Alison and Claire is on the mantle.
PAN TO Mother (present day) sitting on the couch, reading a
novel. After a moment, Father joins her. He puts his feet on
her lap. She smiles at him. He smiles back with tired, sad
eyes. The STEREO begins to play -
THE BEATLES: “YELLOW SUBMARINE.”
IN THE TOWN WHERE I WAS BORN/LIVED A MAN WHO SAILED TO SEA/
AND HE TOLD US OF HIS LIFE...
EXT. INDIGO BAY - BEACH - NIGHT
The SONG CONTINUES through the below (MOS)
- Darien Dad runs into Hyper Fit Woman drinking at the bar.
She offers him the seat next to her.
- Movie Star and his Girlfriend fight in their hotel room, he
SLAMS out the door.
- Alison and Eliot cuddle on a lounge chair, drinking vodka,
laughing.
- Down the beach from them, Hacky Sack smokes a joint and
WATCHES.
- From his balcony above, Dolphin Shorts also WATCHES.
- Darien Dad and Hyper Fit Woman are flirting and laughing,
and we notice, at the END OF THE BAR, Other Girl doing a
tequila shot.
- In their hotel room, Mr. Decorator sneaks out, leaving his
sleeping husband.
- Edwin and Clive clean up the beach, joking and laughing,
and swatting each other.
- Claire lies in her dark room, still waiting.
INT. JOSH AND EMILY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Emily sits on the bed and dials from the land line.
INT. GOGO’S CAB - NIGHT - INTERCUT
Emily’s PHONE, now next to Gogo, rings. We see his Taxi
License, his name, “Clive Richardson.”
GOGO
Hello?
 61.

And Emily speaks, bubbly and sweet -

EMILY
Oh. Hi! Is this the cab driver?
Because this is my phone.
(listens to his response)
Great! Would it be possible to meet
up so I can get it back?
And as Emily listens, her left hand writes in the air,
“Alison. Alison.”
END PILOT