Conviction screenplay - Movie Cultists
Conviction screenplay - Movie Cultists
Conviction screenplay - Movie Cultists
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Written by<br />
Pamela Gray<br />
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © COPYRIGHT 2008 Innocence Productions Inc. NO PORTION OF<br />
THIS SCRIPT MAY BE PERFORMED, PUBLISHED, REPRODUCED, SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED BY ANY<br />
MEANS, OR QUOTED OR PUBLISHED IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING ANY WEB SITE, WITHOUT THE<br />
PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. DISPOSAL OF<br />
THIS SCRIPT COPY DOES NOT ALTER ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.
CONVICTION<br />
(AKA BETTY ANNE WATERS)<br />
An original <strong>screenplay</strong> by<br />
Pamela Gray<br />
PROPERTY OF:<br />
INNOCENCE PRODUCTIONS, INC. REVISED DRAFT<br />
OCTOBER 6, 2008<br />
WHITE SHOOTING SCRIPT<br />
DECEMBER 6,2008<br />
BLUE REVISED SCRIPT<br />
FEBRUARY 14, 2009<br />
PINK REVISED SCRIPT<br />
FEBRUARY 23, 2009<br />
GREEN REVISED PAGES<br />
MARCH 02, 2009
FADE IN:<br />
1 EXT. TRAILER - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - WINTER, 1980 1<br />
A PINK TRAILER sits on a rural lot. Silence. Slowly we<br />
begin to hear THE SOUNDS of late morning -- children<br />
playing in the b.g., birds, a wind chime. We MOVE IN,<br />
through the trailer's PORCH DOOR, through the PORCH, then<br />
through the FRONT DOOR with WHITE BLOOD-STAINED CURTAINS.<br />
We float in and see BLOOD-STAINED DRAPES.<br />
We move to a BLOOD-COVERED DINING ROOM WALL and then into<br />
a KITCHEN: a FAUCET RUNNING... a WET, BLOODY TOWEL in the<br />
sink... a GAS STOVE BURNER left on... a CHAIR<br />
OVERTURNED... BLOOD on the countertop... BLOOD SPLATTERED<br />
on SPICE JARS... a SMASHED TOASTER on the floor, BROKEN<br />
PIECES. A BLOOD-STAINED WASTEBASKET tipped over, near it<br />
we see a BLOODY PARING KNIFE.<br />
Into the HALLWAY where an open LINEN CLOSET has been<br />
ransacked, the SHEETS and TOWELS stained with BLOOD. One<br />
perfectly white TOWEL on the HALLWAY FLOOR. Peer into<br />
what appears to be a sewing room. A CAT lies asleep on a<br />
chair. Float past a BATHROOM with BLOOD-STAINED WET<br />
TOWELS on the floor and a BLOOD-STAINED CONTOUR RUG<br />
around the toilet.<br />
FOLLOW BLOODY FOOTPRINTS on THE HALLWAY FLOOR into the<br />
MASTER BEDROOM. BLOOD on the carpet. A BED with SLASHED<br />
BLOODY PILLOWS, A BLOOD-SOAKED BEDSPREAD, BLOODY SHARDS<br />
of a BROKEN CERAMIC LAMP BASE. An intact, matching LAMP<br />
on a NIGHTSTAND; the other NIGHTSTAND is empty. Float<br />
over to the FLOOR next to the bed: A CAVED-IN<br />
LAMPSHADE... more pieces of a SMASHED LAMP... a glimpse<br />
of a GREEN/BLUE SWEATER, a FLOWERED NIGHTGOWN... a<br />
WOMAN'S BLOODY HAND SLASHED OPEN. A glimpse of the<br />
WOMAN'S HEAD, lying in a pool of BRAINS AND BLOOD.<br />
We float up to a BEDROOM WINDOW above the body; THROUGH<br />
THE WINDOW we follow a hill ascending from the rear of<br />
the trailer and find a weather-beaten WHITE NEW ENGLAND<br />
FARMHOUSE.<br />
Pre-lap: the SOUND OF CHILDREN yelling.<br />
2 INT. BARN - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - SUMMER, 1966 2<br />
KENNY WATERS (9), a cute boy in a crewcut, LEAPS on top<br />
of BETTY ANNE WATERS (6), his tomboy sister, knocking her<br />
to the dirt as they wrestle in a "RING" -- a rope tied<br />
around four posts.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 2.<br />
They're dressed in their own version of "pro" wrestling<br />
attire: Kenny wears a ragged bath towel as a cape, and<br />
his Jockey shorts outside his pants; Betty Anne wears a<br />
one-piece bathing suit over her pants and a pair of old<br />
boots.<br />
BOY (O.S.)<br />
Good one, Kenny!<br />
GIRL (O.S.)<br />
Get 'im, Betty Anne! Get 'im!<br />
A chubby, curly-haired boy (9) and a tiny girl (5) in a<br />
sun dress cheer from the sideline; the girl rings a<br />
COWBELL.<br />
BOY<br />
No! Don't ring it till the end!<br />
Betty Anne scrambles out from under Kenny and STRAIGHT-<br />
ARMS HIM IN THE FACE. He staggers back, then tries to<br />
hit her but she ducks it. This is not make-believe --<br />
these kids are tough. Through the open barn doors we see<br />
the WHITE NEW ENGLAND FARMHOUSE we saw earlier, dirt-poor<br />
with a rickety porch.<br />
BACK TO THE WRESTLING MATCH: Kenny gets Betty Anne in a<br />
headlock and starts swinging her around, whooping like an<br />
Indian. Betty Anne -- in mid-swing, feet off the ground -<br />
- punches him in the stomach. Kenny screams and releases<br />
her. Betty Anne comes up with a forearm, catching him in<br />
the nose. KENNY'S DOWN. Betty Anne leaps on top of him,<br />
pinning his shoulders. The other little girl cheers and<br />
rings the bell like a crazed Salvation Army Santa.<br />
BOY (CONT'D)<br />
Get up, Kenny! Get up!<br />
GIRL<br />
Yay Betty Anne!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
One... two...<br />
BOY<br />
(to girl)<br />
Stop ringing the goddamn bell!<br />
THREE!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Betty Anne jumps up and down, fists raised in triumph.<br />
Kenny sits up, wipes his bloody nose.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 3.<br />
3 INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY<br />
3<br />
Kenny stands on the counter and opens every cabinet,<br />
looking for food in almost-bare cupboards: a few canned<br />
goods, a near-empty box of saltines, vinegar, etc.<br />
Betty Anne looks in the fridge: a piece of rotten fruit,<br />
one egg, a milk bottle with a few drops, three six-packs<br />
of beer. She peels the plastic off the last piece of<br />
American cheese.<br />
O.S. AN OLD TRUCK ENGINE ROARS TO LIFE. Kenny and Betty<br />
Anne look at each other: They have the same thought.<br />
4 EXT. FARMHOUSE - DAY<br />
4<br />
Betty Anne and Kenny sprint down the driveway chasing an<br />
old pick-up truck. As it hesitates by the road they hop<br />
onto the passenger side running board, hiding from the<br />
driver’s view as the truck swings out onto the tarmac.<br />
5 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY<br />
5<br />
The PICK-UP barrels past the PINK TRAILER - now pristine<br />
and new - Kenny and Betty Anne cling to the side of the<br />
truck, loving every minute.<br />
6 EXT. AYER, MA - ROAD - DAY<br />
6<br />
The two kids hunker down as the pick-up crosses through<br />
AYER, a faded New England mill town, depressed and<br />
depressing. Once-quaint dilapidated houses... overgrown<br />
lawns with rusty tricycles -- a startling contrast to the<br />
children's idyllic farm. We see small-town STORES, a<br />
CHURCH, A LIBRARY, THE PARKWAY DINER, the POLICE STATION.<br />
Betty Anne lifts up her t-shirt, licks a spot, then wipes<br />
the blood beneath Kenny's nose.<br />
7 EXT. FEED STORE - AYER - DAY<br />
7<br />
The pick-up pulls up in front of an OLD FEED STORE. BEN<br />
DAVENPORT (”GRANDPA”) (65) -- once strong, now beaten<br />
down -- exits the truck and makes his way into the store.<br />
Once the coast is clear, the children hop off the truck<br />
and run across train tracks toward a small GROCERY STORE.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 4.<br />
8 INT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - DAY<br />
8<br />
Betty Anne keeps an eye on the clerk while Kenny deftly<br />
swipes a grocery bag.<br />
9 EXT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - REAR - DAY<br />
9<br />
Kenny holds open the empty bag, staring up at a rear<br />
window. Suddenly, PACKAGES OF CANDY, CAKES AND COOKIES<br />
fly out of the window and Kenny catches them.<br />
10 INT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - REST ROOM - CONTINUOUS 10<br />
ON THE BACK OF BETTY ANNE as she stands on the toilet,<br />
throwing the goodies out the window.<br />
11 EXT. PINK TRAILER - DAY<br />
11<br />
Years before the crime scene, the trailer looks shiny and<br />
new, sitting alone on a rural lot.<br />
12 INT. PINK TRAILER - DAY<br />
12<br />
The interior is pristine, newly decorated: a bowl of<br />
oranges, a vase of flowers, tied-back lace curtains, sun<br />
rays spilling in. WE HEAR A WINDOW being opened: a<br />
little boy's hand pushes it up and Kenny climbs inside.<br />
He hoists Betty Anne up. Both kids stare in awe.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It's so beautiful.<br />
13 INT. PINK TRAILER - DUSK<br />
13<br />
The CAMERA PANS the wreckage the kids have made of the<br />
trailer -- candy wrappers, sandwich fixings, spilled<br />
milk, an open refrigerator. We continue down the narrow<br />
hall towards THE BEDROOM; we hear their voices, O.S.<br />
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)<br />
I hope our place is this nice.<br />
KENNY (O.S.)<br />
Ahh, we're not living in no trailer.<br />
We're gonna have a mansion with a hundred<br />
rooms.<br />
FIND THEM snuggled together on the bed, eating sandwiches<br />
and candy.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 5.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
And TEN refrigerators filled with candy --<br />
KENNY<br />
And our own private lake.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Lake Betty Anne and Kenny...<br />
KENNY<br />
(an old routine)<br />
Lake Kenny and Betty Anne.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I said it first!<br />
I'm older!<br />
KENNY<br />
As they argue, Kenny starts a tickle fight; they're both<br />
laughing hysterically.<br />
14 INT. PINK TRAILER - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)<br />
14<br />
BETTY ANNE and KENNY are asleep on the bed. O.S. BANGING<br />
startles them awake. They jump up, scrambling for their<br />
shoes.<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU (O.S.)<br />
(banging on door)<br />
POLICE! COME OUTTA THERE, HANDS RAISED!<br />
MRS. BROW (O.S.)<br />
(heavy German accent)<br />
I saw the window open and I didn't know<br />
if the robbers they are still inside --<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU (O.S.)<br />
Lee -- go around back. Just stay out<br />
here, Mrs. Brow. We'll take care of it.<br />
(banging on door)<br />
Open up in there! Police!<br />
Kenny almost has the bedroom window open when he sees the<br />
cop, LEE, outside. Kenny grabs Betty Anne and rushes to<br />
the front door just as BOISSEAU bursts in with his gun<br />
trained on them. Kenny instinctively covers Betty Anne<br />
with his own body. They all freeze. Then:<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU (CONT'D)<br />
(relieved)<br />
Goddamnit! What I tell you kids about<br />
trespassing?!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 6.<br />
MRS. BROW (30), quietly attractive, steps inside.<br />
MRS. BROW<br />
Children?! Children did this?!<br />
As Boisseau reaches for the kids, Betty Anne KICKS HIM in<br />
the groin; he doubles over in pain. She and Kenny dash<br />
out, running past Mrs. Brow.<br />
15 EXT. TRAILER - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)<br />
15<br />
Betty Anne and Kenny run towards the woods; Lee catches<br />
up and grabs Betty Anne. She screams, kicking him.<br />
KENNY!!!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny stops and sees the cop with his hands on Betty<br />
Anne. He picks up a ROCK AND THROWS IT.<br />
KENNY<br />
HEY FAT ASS! YOUR MOTHER'S A DIRTY HOO-<br />
AH!<br />
The ROCK hits Lee in the head. Kenny cheers.<br />
LEE<br />
Ow! You little bastard!<br />
Lee grabs Betty Anne like a kicking bundle under his arm<br />
and heads towards Kenny. When Kenny sees his sister<br />
being manhandled, his intense rage is like an adult's.<br />
AAAAHHHH!<br />
KENNY<br />
He charges the cop, attacking him, beating at his face.<br />
Lee lets go of Betty Anne and tries to restrain Kenny,<br />
who’s out of control.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
YOU DON'T TOUCH MY SISTER! DON'T YOU<br />
TOUCH MY SISTER!<br />
Betty Anne jumps on the cop, trying to get him off Kenny.<br />
Boisseau comes out of the trailer.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
RUN! RUN!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 7.<br />
Betty Anne runs and the two men restrain Kenny, throwing<br />
the small boy face down into the dirt. MRS. BROW steps<br />
from her trailer door, enraged, and yells at Kenny.<br />
MRS. BROW<br />
You are very bad boy! Evil boy! I make<br />
you pay for what you do!<br />
16 EXT. FARMHOUSE - PORCH - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)<br />
16<br />
The two cops hold Kenny -- squirming, dirt-covered, with<br />
dried blood on his shirt -- opposite RAY (30's), a<br />
freeloader with a beer and cigarette, and BEN<br />
("GRANDPA").<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU<br />
... Someone’s gotta talk to her.<br />
RAY<br />
Hey, they're not my fucking kids.<br />
GRANDPA<br />
She won't listen to me! She brings<br />
people into my house --<br />
RAY<br />
Shut the fuck up, old man!<br />
O.S. a SCREEN DOOR SLAMS. ELIZABETH WATERS (28), in red<br />
high heels and a red dress with gold polka dots, steps<br />
out of the house, en route to a night on the town. She<br />
seems oblivious to the cops.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
(to Kenny)<br />
How'd ya get so filthy?<br />
KENNY<br />
Playing house.<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU<br />
Elizabeth, you treat ‘em like trash,<br />
they’re gonna grow up to be trash.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
YOU GO TO HELL! I work day and night for<br />
these kids! Everything I do is for them!<br />
(to Kenny)<br />
Get upstairs and take a bath! And you're<br />
goin’ to school tomorrow, you hear me?<br />
She smacks Kenny in the head and he runs inside.<br />
Elizabeth heads down the front steps.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 8.<br />
RAY<br />
(to Elizabeth)<br />
Where the hell are you going?<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
I don't have to answer to you!<br />
RAY<br />
The fuck you don't!<br />
A POV FROM BELOW THE PORCH - ELIZABETH'S STOCKINGED LEGS<br />
and RED HIGH-HEELS as she walks down the steps.<br />
GRANDPA (O.S.)<br />
Elizabeth! Get back here!<br />
SAME POV - The back of Elizabeth Waters, walking away.<br />
RAY (O.S.)<br />
Fucking whore.<br />
O.S. the SCREEN DOOR SLAMS.<br />
GRANDPA (O.S.)<br />
They're YOUR kids, Elizabeth! Who's<br />
supposed to take care of them?<br />
REVEAL BETTY ANNE, hiding beneath the porch. HOLD ON<br />
BETTY ANNE as she watches her mother leave.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK (V.O.)<br />
Betty Anne Waters...<br />
17 INT. WESTERN N.E. COLLEGE SCHOOL OF LAW - SPRINGFIELD,<br />
MASS - LECTURE HALL - DAY - 1995 (THE PRESENT)<br />
17<br />
ON BETTY ANNE, now 36: attractive, strong, a little<br />
weary, with kind blue-green eyes. At the sound of her<br />
name, she nervously stands up, knocking into a pile of<br />
cap-less pens on her armchair-desk. The PENS ROLL OFF.<br />
Betty Anne grabs some from the floor and puts them back,<br />
then anxiously faces THE PROFESSOR, standing in front of<br />
a board that reads CONTRACT LAW 501. PROFESSOR BLOCK.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK<br />
Please define "contract" for us.<br />
Betty Anne’s surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy-tailed law<br />
students, early 20's. SCOTT (21), the smug little prick<br />
next to her, can't wait to see her humiliate herself.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 9.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
A contract is a promise or a set of<br />
promises --<br />
Her PENS fall again. People snicker.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
-- that the law in some way recognizes as<br />
a duty, and when it's breached, the law<br />
provides a remedy.<br />
Scott’s surprised (and disappointed) by her competence. A<br />
student in front of Betty Anne hands her a runaway pen.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK<br />
And in the case of Shaheen v. Knight, was<br />
the defendant liable?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
No. Plaintiff Robert Shaheen claimed<br />
that when his wife Doris became pregnant,<br />
it was a breach --<br />
THE CLASSROOM DOOR BURSTS OPEN and a frazzled ABRA RICE<br />
(35) enters -- long blonde hair, sexy without trying,<br />
high-heeled boots clomping on the floor.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK<br />
(to Abra)<br />
And you are...?<br />
ABRA<br />
Late. I know. I'm sorry.<br />
(realizing)<br />
Abra Rice.<br />
He gives her a look.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK<br />
Continue, Ms. Waters.<br />
While Betty Anne speaks, Abra has to step over seventeen<br />
students to get to the one empty seat. Betty Anne is a<br />
bit irritated, trying to ignore the distraction.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 10.<br />
ABRA<br />
(sotto)<br />
Excuse me... excuse me...<br />
excuse me... excuse me...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
-- it was a breach of<br />
contract because Dr. Knight<br />
had performed a vasectomy.<br />
18 INT. CELL - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY<br />
18<br />
CLOSE ON TWO FADED SCRAPS OF LEGAL PAPER with handwritten<br />
quotes: I don't like jail, they got the wrong<br />
kind of bars in there - Charles Bukowski and They call me<br />
Muddy Waters, I'm just as restless man as the deep blue<br />
sea You know I've been like that, ever since my baby been<br />
gone from me<br />
PAN ACROSS a collection of photos and mementos taped to a<br />
wall, clearly amassed over a number of years. CONTINUE<br />
PAN to find an isolated, faded photo of A YOUNG MAN<br />
(20’s) HOLDING A TODDLER GIRL ON HIS SHOULDERS. Below<br />
this photo is a narrow prison cot. Next to the cot, a<br />
toilet... a footlocker... a 13-inch T.V... two handcarved,<br />
lacquered wooden boxes... stacks of magazines,<br />
papers and marked-up COURT TRANSCRIPTS.<br />
O.S. We hear a loud metallic slide and a MALE VOICE:<br />
MALE VOICE (O.S.)<br />
Let’s go, Waters.<br />
A body crosses through the frame as we CUT TO:<br />
19 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - HALLWAY - DAY<br />
19<br />
THE BACK OF A PRISON GUARD leading a MUSCULAR INMATE down<br />
a hall, towards a door. The guard opens the door to:<br />
A VISITING ROOM where BETTY ANNE sits among the visitors.<br />
She turns toward camera and smiles.<br />
REVERSE SHOT - KENNY WATERS (37) smiles back. In prison<br />
t-shirt and jeans, shaved head, cropped beard streaked<br />
with gray, his baby face belies his intimidating<br />
appearance.<br />
20 INT. BETTY ANNE'S LIVING ROOM - SPRINGFIELD - NIGHT 20<br />
Late night. ON A COMPUTER MONITOR with an unfinished<br />
term paper typed on it. WIDER - A scribbled-on draft of<br />
the paper is beside the computer along with law school<br />
textbooks. Betty Anne is at her desk in this modest,<br />
comfortable house, intently reading one of two huge<br />
binders.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 10A.<br />
She HIGHLIGHTS various sentences and takes notes. As we<br />
move in closer we see that she's reading the COURT<br />
TRANSCRIPTS of COMMONWEALTH V. KENNETH WATERS.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 11.<br />
21 TIME DISSOLVE - MORNING<br />
21<br />
Daylight, and Betty Anne sits at the computer, sound<br />
asleep. O.S. KITCHEN NOISES and the VOICES of TWO BOYS.<br />
Betty Anne opens her eyes, looks at her monitor.<br />
INSERT - The page is all gibberish, typed by a sleeping<br />
woman.<br />
BACK TO SCENE - A bowl of LUCKY CHARMS enters THE FRAME<br />
as BEN (11) -- sweet but a bit of a goof-off -- puts it<br />
down on Betty Anne's papers, sloshing milk.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What time is it?<br />
BEN<br />
Eight-fifteen.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Shit. I didn't finish my paper!<br />
RICHARD (13) -- the son who's taken the role of "man of<br />
the house" -- brings her a scary cup of coffee with<br />
grounds floating on top.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
You did your math?<br />
RICHARD<br />
I left my book at Dad’s.<br />
Richard!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
RICHARD<br />
I’ll do it in school. Eat, Mom.<br />
Betty Anne sips the coffee -- vile -- and starts typing.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Did you finish your poem, Ben?<br />
RICHARD<br />
Thanks to me.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Get yourselves ready -- we'll leave in a<br />
minute.<br />
Betty Anne quickly tries to finish her paper. As she<br />
types, Ben steps beside her with his poem.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 12.<br />
BEN<br />
"If There Was Peace in the World" by Ben<br />
Miller: "Children would no longer have<br />
bad dreams/of guns and bombs and deadly<br />
screams"<br />
RICHARD<br />
Deathly. I wrote that line.<br />
You did not!<br />
BEN<br />
Betty Anne kisses Ben's hand.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(still typing)<br />
It's beautiful. Read me the rest.<br />
22 INT. LAW SCHOOL - ANOTHER LECTURE HALL - DAY<br />
22<br />
ON THE WALL CLOCK which reads 9:59.<br />
ON A STACK OF TERM PAPERS on the professor's desk. The<br />
PROFESSOR puts the stack into a box. As THE CLOCK'S HAND<br />
hits the 10, BETTY ANNE rushes in, breathless, holding<br />
out her paper. ABRA watches from her seat.<br />
The PROFESSOR closes the flaps of the box, refusing to<br />
take it. Betty Anne sighs in frustration.<br />
23 INT. AIDAN'S PUB - SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - NIGHT<br />
23<br />
It's a busy time of night and Betty Anne, wearing tight<br />
jeans and moving with skill and ease, tends bar alongside<br />
AIDAN McLAREN (40's), a handsome, affable Irishman. He<br />
watches her. It appears she's unaware of this, but --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You keep watching my ass, Aidan, I'm<br />
gonna have to clock you!<br />
AIDAN<br />
You keep wearing those jeans, I'm gonna<br />
have to marry you!<br />
She shoves him away; this is a game between them.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Give it up, Aidan!<br />
She CROSSES TO A TABLE with a tray of drinks.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 13.<br />
ABRA (O.S.)<br />
Hey, I know you!<br />
Betty Anne turns to see Abra sitting with her boyfriend,<br />
DON (late 30’s), and another couple.<br />
Oh... hi.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ABRA<br />
(turns to friends)<br />
This is the other old lady in the class.<br />
But Betty Anne’s already moved on. Abra feels dissed.<br />
24 INT. AIDAN’S PUB - LATER<br />
24<br />
The pub is quieter, less crowded now. Aidan and Betty<br />
Anne work behind the bar; Abra crosses to them but Betty<br />
Anne acts like she doesn’t see her.<br />
AIDAN<br />
(smiles at Abra)<br />
Still thirsty?<br />
ABRA<br />
Bushmills, please.<br />
(re: Betty Anne)<br />
You’re her boss?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(before he can answer)<br />
So he says. He can’t function without<br />
me.<br />
So she says.<br />
AIDAN<br />
He gives Abra her drink, smiles and moves off.<br />
ABRA<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
Bummer about your paper.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh... Yeah well...<br />
Betty Anne keeps doing bartending stuff.<br />
ABRA<br />
NOW you’re starting to hurt my feelings.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 14.<br />
What?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ABRA<br />
Don’t you wanna be my friend? We’re the<br />
only ones in class who’ve been through<br />
puberty!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’m just really busy.<br />
Betty Anne moves off but Abra follows.<br />
ABRA<br />
O.K. I’ll start. So... I have these<br />
lefty parents who told me I should put my<br />
big mouth to good use and try to change<br />
the system. Of course I ignored them -and<br />
then after being a party girl for a<br />
few too many years, I finally figured out<br />
what I want to be when I grow up. My<br />
parents were right -- goddamnit! -- and<br />
here I am.<br />
(beat)<br />
You?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Look -- I’m not trying to be rude -- but<br />
I really don’t have time for a friend<br />
right now.<br />
ABRA<br />
The hell you don’t -- I’m all you’ve got!<br />
(beat)<br />
Except for that boy with the acne and<br />
braces -- I think he wants to be your<br />
homework buddy.<br />
Betty Anne laughs, in spite of herself.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(sotto)<br />
I don’t want anyone to know what I’m<br />
doing there.<br />
ABRA<br />
I do have a big mouth, but I know how to<br />
keep a secret.<br />
Betty Anne pours herself a drink, deciding. Then:
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 14A.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
My brother Kenny got “screwed by the<br />
system.”<br />
(beat)<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 15.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
He's been in jail twelve years -- life<br />
without parole.<br />
Shit.<br />
ABRA<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
He’s innocent.<br />
O.K.<br />
ABRA<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’m gonna find a way to get him out.<br />
O.K.<br />
ABRA<br />
(simply)<br />
(beat)<br />
Innocent of what?<br />
As Betty Anne pours more Bushmills into Abra’s glass...<br />
MATCH CUT TO:<br />
25 INT. CLUB - NIGHT - 1980 (FLASHBACK)<br />
25<br />
A WOMAN’S HAND POURS JACK DANIELS INTO A SHOT GLASS.<br />
WIDER - a female bartender hands it to MRS. BROW (now 44)<br />
sitting alone at the bar in this crowded, smoky club. A<br />
BAND PLAYS ON STAGE.<br />
At the bar a few feet away, another bartender hands four<br />
beers to KENNY (25) -- with a mop of brown hair, a<br />
scruffy mustache, and a devilish glint in his eyes.<br />
Kenny holds a 1-year-old baby, MANDY, on his hip. He<br />
catches MRS. BROW’S eye, raises the beers to her. She<br />
looks away, uncomfortable with him.<br />
We follow Kenny to A NEARBY TABLE where Betty Anne (21),<br />
wearing an engagement ring, sits with her fiance RICK<br />
MILLER (30) and Kenny's girlfriend BRENDA (25). Brenda<br />
is making a fuss over Betty Anne’s ring.<br />
KENNY puts down the beers, gives Mandy a raspberry on her<br />
cheek and carries her onto the dance floor. As he twirls<br />
her around, the baby squeals with delight.<br />
Kenny clearly adores this kid. Entranced by her, he<br />
accidentally knocks into a couple's TABLE, spilling over<br />
the guy's drink. The GUY jumps to his feet; he's twice<br />
Kenny's size.
FUCK!<br />
GUY BEHIND KENNY<br />
Kenny tries to wipe up the drink, making matters worse.<br />
KENNY<br />
Oh, sorry man --<br />
GUY BEHIND KENNY<br />
Who the hell brings a baby into a bar?!<br />
KENNY<br />
She likes the band!<br />
GUY BEHIND KENNY<br />
If you can’t take care of your kid, you<br />
should keep your dick in your pants.<br />
Kenny just looks at the guy. Then he turns and heads<br />
back to his table. He gives the baby to Brenda, then<br />
calmly walks back across the floor.<br />
BETTY ANNE doesn’t like the look on Kenny’s face.<br />
As Kenny approaches the other table, the guy starts to<br />
get up.<br />
Without warning, Kenny SLAMS HIS FOREHEAD INTO THE GUY'S<br />
FACE. The guy goes down. Kenny kneels down, his hand on<br />
the Guy’s throat.<br />
KENNY<br />
(right in his face)<br />
You ever say another word about my<br />
daughter I’ll fucking kill you,<br />
understand?<br />
The guy is clearly terrified.<br />
Kenny!<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 16.<br />
You asshole!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
GUY'S GIRLFRIEND<br />
Jesus.<br />
RICK<br />
Betty Anne races across the dance floor. Brenda just<br />
rolls her eyes. Kenny immediately regrets his hairtrigger<br />
temper.<br />
KENNY<br />
He's O.K. -- get him some ice.<br />
(yells)<br />
Can we get some ice for my friend here?<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 17.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
(to the girlfriend)<br />
Sit him up. You O.K., man? You’re OK.<br />
The guy, dazed, is gradually coming back. The Bartender<br />
is heading towards them.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
We’re cool! We’re cool! Lemme buy you a<br />
drink. (sniffs the guy's glass)<br />
Wild Turkey for my buddy here!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny -- come on!<br />
Betty Anne forcibly drags Kenny back to their table. A<br />
small cut has opened on his forehead.<br />
Sit down!<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Kenny obediently sits next to Brenda but she shoves him<br />
away.<br />
BRENDA<br />
You’re such an asshole!<br />
Both Brenda and Betty Anne glare at Kenny. Rick is still<br />
in shock at the violence of his behavior.<br />
KENNY<br />
Oh, come on. Don’t be like that!<br />
But the girls are pissed. This is clearly a familiar<br />
routine. Kenny starts to dance for Brenda, trying to<br />
make her laugh. She remains stone faced. He tries to<br />
pull her to her feet. She yanks her hand away.<br />
Undeterred, Kenny drops into a James Brown split. This<br />
gets an grudging smile out of the girls. Encouraged,<br />
Kenny starts a cheesy strip tease, whipping off his<br />
shirt, twirling it above his head and throwing it at<br />
Betty Anne. Brenda can’t stop herself from laughing.<br />
Now he slowly starts to unzip his pants.<br />
SOMEONE IN THE CROWD<br />
Oh man -- I dare ya!<br />
Not one to pass up a dare, Kenny walks to the front of<br />
the stage, turns his back to the audience and slowly<br />
starts to slide his jeans down over his ass. The crowd<br />
begins to pump him up -- they love him and he feels it.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 18.<br />
KENNY steps onto THE STAGE. Sure enough, he drops his<br />
pants and kicks them into the crowd. The people go<br />
crazy.<br />
ANGLE - THE TABLE - Betty Anne laughs, half-covering her<br />
eyes. Rick is mortified. Brenda cracks up.<br />
BACK TO KENNY, now with his butt to the crowd, dancing.<br />
ANGLE ON MRS. BROW, disgusted, heading for the exit.<br />
26 EXT. TRAILER - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - WINTER, 1980 26<br />
THE PINK TRAILER is now surrounded by YELLOW CRIME SCENE<br />
TAPE, COP CARS, A COUNTY CORONER'S VAN, REPORTERS. ONE<br />
COP CAR drives slowly INTO FRAME, passing the trailer,<br />
and we FOLLOW IT UP THE HILL TOWARDS THE FARMHOUSE, now<br />
worn down by the years, roof sagging, paint peeling.<br />
27 EXT. FARMHOUSE - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY<br />
27<br />
A CHAINSAW CUTS THROUGH A TREE that’s fallen across the<br />
driveway. REVEAL KENNY, sweating in a t-shirt and<br />
flannel shirt with rolled-up sleeves, as he cuts branches<br />
and stacks them. His arms and face are SCRATCHED. The<br />
cut from last night’s fight has become more pronounced.<br />
The COP CAR pulls up in front of the house. NANCY TAYLOR<br />
(35), a patrol cop with a chip on her shoulder, steps<br />
out, walks to the side of the house and approaches Kenny.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Kenneth Waters?<br />
Kenny looks up and smiles when he sees her.<br />
KENNY<br />
Well I'll be damned -- finally someone<br />
who looks good in a uniform.<br />
Taylor is immediately uncomfortable, not knowing if he’s<br />
flirting or ridiculing her. She assumes the latter.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
I'm Officer Nancy Taylor. I need you to<br />
come with me.<br />
KENNY<br />
(wipes his forehead)<br />
I'd love to, but I'm already spoken for.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 19.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Where'd you get those scratches?<br />
KENNY<br />
(re: the tree branches)<br />
Look around you, sweetheart.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Sir, I need you to step into the patrol<br />
car.<br />
KENNY<br />
My Grandpa needs this tree outta here.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Now, Mr. Waters. Put down the chainsaw.<br />
KENNY<br />
I tell ya what -- you go give out some<br />
parking tickets, then come back when I'm<br />
done.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Put down the chainsaw -- NOW.<br />
Kenny stares at her, affronted by her tone.<br />
KENNY<br />
Get the fuck off my Grandpa's property.<br />
You're trespassing.<br />
Taylor draws her gun and levels it at him.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Drop the weapon.<br />
Kenny looks at her in disbelief.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)<br />
I said, drop your weapon!<br />
KENNY<br />
You're shittin' me, right?<br />
28 EXT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY<br />
28<br />
Betty Anne exits her car and rushes up the front steps.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
Jesus! Every time something happens in<br />
this godforsaken town, you have to pick<br />
him up?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 20.<br />
29 INT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY<br />
29<br />
Betty Anne is pissed off as she speaks to a DESK<br />
SERGEANT.<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
You know the drill, Betty Anne. He's got<br />
a record, so we gotta bring 'im in.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Well that just SUCKS. Kenny would never<br />
hurt Mrs. Brow.<br />
O.S. MEN’S LAUGHTER as KENNY enters from the rear<br />
INTERROGATION ROOM, buttoning his shirt, alongside LT.<br />
BOISSEAU, now a gray-haired veteran cop in his 50's.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR -- the only female officer -- types at her<br />
desk. KENNY knows every cop in the room.<br />
KENNY<br />
(to one cop)<br />
Hey Dave -- Boisseau finally got my<br />
clothes off. The man's been wanting to<br />
get me alone naked for years.<br />
(to Boisseau)<br />
You're gonna have to marry me now -- you<br />
know that!<br />
The other cops laugh, except for Nancy who fumes.<br />
Boisseau gives Kenny a friendly smack on the head.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
Here I am -- the usual suspect!<br />
Let's go.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Betty Anne’s irritated -- she's been through this before.<br />
Kenny can't keep himself from crossing to Taylor's desk.<br />
KENNY<br />
(to Nancy)<br />
Look -- no hard feelings. But may I say<br />
you are one of my absolute favorite<br />
arrests.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
You think this is a joke? She was<br />
stabbed 30 times and had her head smashed<br />
in till her brains flew out. You think<br />
that's funny?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 21.<br />
This stops Kenny -- who's shaken by the description -- as<br />
is Betty Anne.<br />
LT. BOISSEAU<br />
(to Kenny)<br />
Don't leave town for awhile, O.K.? We<br />
might have some more questions.<br />
KENNY<br />
Shit. There goes my trip to Aruba.<br />
(to cops)<br />
So long, gentlemen...<br />
(bows to Nancy)<br />
...and lady.<br />
Nancy shoots him a hateful look; Betty Anne grabs Kenny's<br />
hand and drags him out.<br />
30 OMIT<br />
30<br />
31 OMIT<br />
31<br />
32 INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - WINTER, 1982 32<br />
(FLASHBACK)<br />
On a sleeping SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY BOY (RICHARD) lying in a<br />
BASSINET. We hear muffled sounds of lovemaking.<br />
ANGLE ON THE BED where Rick lies on top of Betty Anne.<br />
He's very turned on; she's distracted.<br />
Rick --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Rick grunts a little response in between heavy breathing.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
We're gonna wake him!<br />
He's fine.<br />
RICK<br />
Rick continues to make love to her. REVEAL a BASSINET in<br />
the room, with a sleeping six-month-old RICHARD.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
He's stirring.<br />
She gets out from under Rick and crosses to the baby.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 22.<br />
RICK<br />
If you keep checking on him, you're the<br />
one who's gonna wake him!<br />
Ssshh!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Betty Anne strokes the baby’s head, gives him a little<br />
kiss, then reluctantly returns to bed.<br />
RICK<br />
You're gonna drive yourself crazy. You<br />
gotta calm down!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(almost to herself)<br />
I will not turn out like my mother.<br />
RICK<br />
(with compassion)<br />
Oh baby...<br />
He puts his arm around her; she puts her head on his<br />
chest. THE PHONE RINGS and the baby immediately CRIES.<br />
SHIT!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Betty Anne grabs the phone and rushes to the baby.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
(into phone)<br />
Hello?...<br />
She stops in her tracks as she listens; the baby WAILS.<br />
Oh no...<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
33 INT. CHAPEL - DAY (FLASHBACK)<br />
33<br />
ON GRANDPA'S CASKET.<br />
MINISTER (O.S.)<br />
Benjamin Davenport was a hard-working man<br />
who always put his family first --<br />
REVEAL A YOUNG MINISTER speaking to Betty Anne, Kenny, a<br />
group of younger siblings and ELIZABETH WATERS, now in<br />
her 40's. The other mourners include the spouses and<br />
children of the Waters siblings. Betty Anne sits between<br />
Rick and Kenny, who holds a NOW 3-YEAR-OLD MANDY in his<br />
lap. Kenny weeps openly. Betty Anne squeezes his hand.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 23.<br />
MINISTER (CONT'D)<br />
-- devoted to his beloved wife, Eliza,<br />
until the day she died, his daughter,<br />
Elizabeth --<br />
The CHAPEL DOORS open and A MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER<br />
and an AYER POLICE OFFICER enter. Betty Anne and some<br />
others turn to see who's come in.<br />
MINISTER (CONT'D)<br />
-- his nine grandchildren...<br />
As the cops walk up the aisle, people start murmuring.<br />
MINISTER (CONT'D)<br />
Even when times were roughest, Benjamin<br />
made sure there was always food on the<br />
table...<br />
The Ayer cop points out Kenny and they cross to him.<br />
STATE TROOPER<br />
Kenneth Waters, you're under arrest.<br />
KENNY<br />
It's my Grandpa's funeral! Jesus Christ!<br />
STATE TROOPER<br />
We need you to come with us.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Can't it wait? Show some respect!<br />
STATE TROOPER<br />
Now, Mr. Waters.<br />
They start to grab Kenny and he pulls away.<br />
KENNY<br />
I'm comin', all right? Shit.<br />
Kenny hands Mandy to Betty Anne and the cops handcuff<br />
him, leading him out. The minister isn't sure what to do<br />
-- this is a first for him. Betty Anne, holding Mandy,<br />
and some others follow them out.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What’s this for? A goddamn parking<br />
ticket?<br />
34 EXT. CHAPEL - CONTINUOUS<br />
34<br />
As the cops pull Kenny outside into the bright sunny day:
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 24.<br />
KENNY'S POV - TWO AYER POLICE CARS, TWO MASSACHUSETTS<br />
STATE TROOPER'S CARS, four STATE TROOPERS and TWO OTHER<br />
AYER POLICE OFFICERS, including OFFICER NANCY TAYLOR,<br />
having the happiest day of her career.<br />
BACK TO SCENE - Kenny and the others are stunned.<br />
KENNY<br />
What the fuck -- ?<br />
Nancy Taylor crosses to Kenny.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Kenneth Waters, you're under arrest for<br />
the murder of Katherina Brow.<br />
KENNY<br />
Are you out of your fucking mind? You<br />
let me off two years ago!<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Well, we got you now.<br />
Taylor mirandizes him as the cops push Kenny into an Ayer<br />
Police car. HOLD ON BETTY ANNE's astonished expression.<br />
35 INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY JAIL - DAY (FLASHBACK)<br />
35<br />
Betty Anne talks to Kenny through a small window.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
These lawyers want twenty-five thousand<br />
up front!<br />
KENNY<br />
If I had twenty-five grand, I’d buy a<br />
fuckin’ yacht!<br />
(beat)<br />
This is a joke! They got nothin' on me!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
They arrested you for murder, Kenny!<br />
They must think they have something!<br />
KENNY<br />
A public defender'll be fine. C'mon --<br />
you're gonna get wrinkles.<br />
(smooths her forehead)<br />
Cops are drawn to me like bees to honey --<br />
you know that. I have a gift.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Yeah, great gift.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 25.<br />
Kenny puts his hand over hers.<br />
KENNY<br />
Don't worry. They got nothin'.<br />
36 INT. COURTROOM - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - BOSTON, 36<br />
MA - DAY - 1983 (FLASHBACK)<br />
BRENDA<br />
He had a scratch on his face.<br />
BRENDA's on the witness stand, being questioned by D.A.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY (40's).<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
On the morning of February 21st, 1980, he<br />
came home with a scratch on his face?<br />
BRENDA<br />
Yes.<br />
(indicating down the side of<br />
her face)<br />
Right here.<br />
WIDER - THE COURTROOM<br />
Kenny, in the DEFENDANT'S CHAIR, shakes his head in<br />
disbelief. His public defender, ROBERT BRADLEY (50),<br />
whispers to him not to do that. BETTY ANNE and other<br />
family members sit in the area behind Kenny's table.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
For the record, you're showing them just<br />
below the eye to just below your lip?<br />
Right.<br />
BRENDA<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Did you make any other observations of<br />
Mr. Waters' physical condition?<br />
BRENDA<br />
He’d been drinking.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Did you and Mr. Waters have an argument<br />
in July, 1980 -- five months after the<br />
murder?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 26.<br />
BRENDA<br />
Yeah -- he tried throwing me out a second<br />
floor window.<br />
JURY MEMBERS react. Betty Anne is upset.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
And at some point during the argument,<br />
did Mr. Waters say something to you?<br />
BRENDA<br />
I asked him if he killed that woman and<br />
he said "Yeah, what's it to you?"<br />
The JURY takes this in. Betty Anne watches them.<br />
The JURY reacts.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Miss Marsh, can you please tell the jury:<br />
why did you wait more than two years to<br />
tell the police that Kenny said he killed<br />
Mrs. Brow?<br />
BRENDA<br />
I was afraid of him. I thought he'd kill<br />
me too.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
I show you, Miss Marsh, what's marked as<br />
Exhibit #64, and I'd ask if you can<br />
identify that.<br />
BRENDA<br />
It's the same knife Kenny carried.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
When was the last time, approximately,<br />
that you saw that knife?<br />
ON ARTHUR JOHNSON (30's), in a GLOBAL VAN LINES uniform.<br />
[Note: Cuts between witnesses and lawyers should be<br />
seamless so we don't realize right away that there's been<br />
a switch]<br />
ARTHUR JOHNSON<br />
It was always on the wall at the<br />
warehouse until after Kenny quit.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
And when did he quit Global Van Lines?<br />
ARTHUR JOHNSON<br />
January, 1980.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 27.<br />
JURY MEMBERS react to this.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
And when Kenneth Waters was brought in as<br />
a suspect, did he have an alibi for the<br />
period between midnight and nine a.m. on<br />
February 21st?<br />
ON NANCY TAYLOR, in the witness stand.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
He claimed that he was working as a cook<br />
at the Park Diner.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
What did you discover when you checked<br />
out his alibi?<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
We confirmed that he was at the diner<br />
until five a.m. -- but beyond that, there<br />
were no witnesses who saw when he left.<br />
And his time cards were never found.<br />
ON KENNY and BETTY ANNE, reacting to this.<br />
DR. KATSAS (V.O.)<br />
The head and chest were struck by a<br />
ceramic lamp and a metal toaster...<br />
ON DR. KATSAS, 60's, in the witness stand.<br />
DR. KATSAS<br />
...and there were thirty stab wounds: six<br />
in the head and the neck, three on the<br />
back, one in the abdomen...<br />
ON BETTY ANNE, watching the JURY MEMBERS' horrified faces<br />
as they pass around FIFTEEN DIFFERENT CRIME SCENE PHOTOS.<br />
DR. KATSAS (O.S.) (CONT'D)<br />
...two on the left wrist, four on the<br />
left hand, which were in the way of the<br />
weapon... and fourteen in the chest --<br />
ON KENNY, sitting with his lawyer, head down...<br />
DR. KATSAS (O.S.) (CONT'D)<br />
-- penetrating the heart five times --<br />
one time it went through the front and<br />
almost came through the back...<br />
KATHLEEN HIGGINS (O.S.)<br />
There was an enormous amount of blood --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 28.<br />
ON KATHLEEN HIGGINS (30’s) on the witness stand, being<br />
questioned by ELIZABETH FAHEY (ANOTHER DAY)<br />
KATHLEEN HIGGINS (CONT’D)<br />
-- mostly from the victim, but some from<br />
the perpetrator.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
And what, if anything, did you determine<br />
with respect to the blood of Katherina<br />
Brow?<br />
KATHLEEN HIGGINS<br />
Katherina Brow would be identified as<br />
Blood Group B.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
With respect to Exhibits 68A through F,<br />
did you examine those items from the<br />
murder scene and determine the blood<br />
group present on each?<br />
Fahey hands her a large GLASSINE ENVELOPE -- inside are<br />
small glassine envelopes containing bloody pieces of<br />
fabric.<br />
KATHLEEN HIGGINS<br />
Yes. The blood on each of those items<br />
was Blood Group O.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
And did you have occasion to test a blood<br />
sample from the defendant, Kenneth<br />
Waters?<br />
KATHLEEN HIGGINS<br />
Yes. His sample is from Blood Group O.<br />
BIG RESPONSE from the JURY MEMBERS, looking over at<br />
Kenny.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
What was your relationship with Mr.<br />
Waters after you met the summer of 1980?<br />
ON ROSEANNA PERRY, blonde, trashy, missing some front<br />
teeth. She's in her late 20's, but alcohol has aged her.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
Well, I guess you could say we were<br />
lovers for awhile -- about six months.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 29.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
On those occasions when you did some<br />
drinking with Mr. Waters, do you recall<br />
anything he said to you?<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
He told me he got picked up for a murder<br />
in Ayer and they couldn't pin it on him.<br />
And he laughed about it.<br />
ON BETTY ANNE, disgusted. She glances at THE JURY.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Sometime after the summer of 1980, did<br />
you have another conversation with Mr.<br />
Waters about this murder?<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
Yes. He told me he stabbed her and took<br />
money and jewelry.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Did he tell you anything else?<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
Well, he called her an old German bitch --<br />
a fucking old German bitch.<br />
Fahey pauses for this to impact THE JURY. It does.<br />
ON ROBERT BRADLEY<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
After Kenneth Waters is supposed to have<br />
said to you, "I killed her," did you<br />
terminate seeing him?<br />
No.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
So you believed him to be a murderer but<br />
you continued to be romantically<br />
involved?<br />
ANGLE - Betty Anne is relieved that ROSEANNA's<br />
credibility looks shaky.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
Yeah. Until he bashed my teeth in.<br />
ON BETTY ANNE, her heart sinking.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 30.<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
When your son Kenneth was nine years old,<br />
was he sent to the Middlesex Training<br />
School by Mrs. Brow?<br />
ON ELIZABETH WATERS, dressed modestly, a little nervous.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
Certainly not. He was sent by the state.<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
And why did the state send him there?<br />
For truancy.<br />
ON ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
Objection!<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
You have nine children by seven different<br />
fathers, is that correct?<br />
Sustained.<br />
JUDGE<br />
MR. BRADLEY<br />
Objection! Irrelevant.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Didn't the state, in fact,<br />
declare you an unfit mother<br />
and take your children away<br />
from you?<br />
JUDGE<br />
Sustained. Watch yourself, Miss Fahey.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
(a beat)<br />
Wasn't Kenny sent to training school for<br />
breaking into Mrs. Brow's home?<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
No! That wasn’t --<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Didn't your son in fact regularly break<br />
into houses in the neighborhood?<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
I never condoned that type of behavior<br />
from my children --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 31.<br />
ELIZABETH FAHEY<br />
Just answer the question, please.<br />
Yes.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
(beat)<br />
37 INT. COURTHOUSE HALLWAY - DAY<br />
37<br />
Betty Anne buys some pretzels from a vending machine<br />
while Elizabeth sits with Rick on a bench.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(angry, exasperated)<br />
We were just kids! We'd play in people's<br />
houses and pretend we had a normal life.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
I don't know what you're talking about.<br />
You had a perfectly normal life.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Yeah. Eight foster homes. Perfectly<br />
normal.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
People always said how well I dressed all<br />
of you. The only reason they took you<br />
away from me is because I worked too<br />
much. I had no life except for you kids.<br />
Betty Anne mouths "I HAD NO LIFE" in sync with her mother<br />
-- who pulls out a cigarette and lights it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We know, mom. You were practically a<br />
nun.<br />
ELIZABETH<br />
(to Rick)<br />
But Kenny... he could be like a wild<br />
animal. I'm not saying he was born bad,<br />
but he had that temper.<br />
(casually)<br />
I was always afraid he might kill<br />
somebody.<br />
Betty Anne snaps, smacking her mother's cigarette and<br />
lighter out of her hand.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 32.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Don't you ever say that to me or anyone<br />
else! Don't you even think it, you<br />
understand me? What kind of mother would<br />
say something like that?!<br />
Betty Anne sits back down, shaking.<br />
38 INT. GRANDPA'S HOUSE - DAY - 1966 (FLASHBACK)<br />
38<br />
ON BETTY ANNE (7), dressed in a PIRATE'S COSTUME as she<br />
sits on the floor outside an upstairs room, listening.<br />
ELIZABETH (O.S.)<br />
(through sobs)<br />
They're my babies! They can't do this!<br />
GRANDPA (O.S.)<br />
They bloody well can -- and you have no<br />
one to blame but yourself!<br />
Kenny (11) in a COWBOY COSTUME, comes tearing down the<br />
hallway and draws his six-shooters. He stops short when<br />
he sees his sister crying, and sits down beside her.<br />
ELIZABETH (O.S.)<br />
I do everything for these children! They<br />
can't take them!<br />
GRANDPA (O.S.)<br />
I warned you this would happen!<br />
Kenny puts his arm around Betty Anne.<br />
ELIZABETH (O.S.)<br />
Why do they have to separate them? Why<br />
can't they go to one foster home?<br />
Betty Anne and Kenny exchange a look, once again sharing<br />
the same thought.<br />
39 EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT<br />
39<br />
A SEMI TRUCK ROARS PAST. In its wake we find the two<br />
cold, tired children trudging along a deserted highway,<br />
still in their costumes, carrying only their trick-ortreat<br />
bags. Betty Anne stumbles. Kenny picks her up,<br />
hoists her onto his back. They continue up the highway.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 33.<br />
40 EXT. SHED, SOMEONE'S PROPERTY - NIGHT<br />
40<br />
Kenny POUNDS A ROCK against the lock on a storage shed;<br />
Betty Anne shivers beside him.<br />
41 INT. SHED, SOMEONE'S PROPERTY - LATER<br />
41<br />
The kids are huddled, eating their candy, shaking with<br />
cold. A POLICE CAR’S RED LIGHTS illuminate the shed.<br />
42 INT. AYER POLICE STATION - HOLDING AREA - NIGHT<br />
42<br />
KENNY and BETTY ANNE sit together on a bench, anxiously<br />
watching LT. BOISSEAU talk to a SOCIAL SERVICES WOMAN.<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU crosses to them.<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU<br />
O.K. Kenny. Come with me.<br />
Betty Anne looks alarmed. Kenny doesn't move.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Where you taking him?<br />
The WOMAN approaches.<br />
SOCIAL SERVICES WOMAN<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
You'll come with me, honey.<br />
NO!<br />
KENNY<br />
OFFICER BOISSEAU<br />
C'mon, fella -- now.<br />
He pulls Kenny up and Betty Anne attacks Boisseau like a<br />
little lioness, punching him, trying to free her brother<br />
from his grasp, tears streaming down her face.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(hysterical)<br />
No! Let go of him! Don't take my<br />
brother! We have to stay together!<br />
As the two adults try to take the children in opposite<br />
directions --<br />
CLERK (V.O.)<br />
Will the defendant please rise?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 34.<br />
43 INT. COURTROOM - DAY<br />
43<br />
Kenny rises. BETTY ANNE watches, terrified.<br />
CLERK<br />
On indictment 82-4115, this indictment<br />
charging Kenneth Waters with murder, what<br />
say you, Mr. Foreman -- is the defendant<br />
guilty or not guilty?<br />
ON Betty Anne's worried face.<br />
FOREMAN<br />
We find the defendant guilty, your Honor.<br />
CLERK<br />
Guilty of what?<br />
FOREMAN<br />
Murder in the first degree.<br />
ON KENNY, afraid to turn back and look at his family. ON<br />
BETTY ANNE, devastated. As the rest of the family react<br />
to the verdict with outrage and tears --<br />
CLERK<br />
82-4116, this indictment charging Kenneth<br />
Waters with armed robbery. What say you,<br />
Mr. Foreman -- is the defendant guilty or<br />
not guilty?<br />
FOREMAN<br />
We find the defendant guilty.<br />
Kenny looks shell-shocked.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We'll appeal it, Kenny! We'll get you<br />
out!<br />
The BAILIFF and A COP start to take him away.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
We'll get you out, Kenny!<br />
And he's gone. HOLD ON BETTY ANNE.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.) (CONT'D)<br />
May it please the court, my name is Betty<br />
Anne Waters and the issue today --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 35.<br />
44 INT. LAW SCHOOL LECTURE HALL - DAY - FALL, 1997 (THE<br />
PRESENT)<br />
44<br />
A stage-frightened BETTY ANNE stands in front of A<br />
PROFESSOR and a full lecture hall, attempting an opening<br />
argument. In the AUDIENCE, Abra anxiously watches her<br />
friend; Scott enjoys seeing Betty Anne struggle.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
-- is whether my client... the issue<br />
today is whether Ms. Cooper... the issue<br />
today is... Shit.<br />
She looks at her notes, starting to hyperventilate.<br />
PROFESSOR<br />
Start again, Ms. Waters. And breathe.<br />
Betty Anne takes a deep breath.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
The issue today is whether my client's<br />
arrest was in violation of her constitu --<br />
PRE-LAP: THE SOUND OF A LOUD CRASH.<br />
46 INT. GARAGE - DAY<br />
46<br />
FIND BEN (13) and RICHARD (15) in a crammed garage where<br />
A BOX-FILLED UTILITY SHELVING UNIT has just collapsed.<br />
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)<br />
You guys O.K.?<br />
Betty Anne rushes in from the house. RICHARD, climbing<br />
over things, grabs FISHING POLES from the wreckage.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Ben had the brilliant idea to climb the<br />
shelves...<br />
BEN<br />
Hey -- you got 'em, didn't you?<br />
As Betty Anne sees the fishing poles, her face drops.<br />
Oh, shit.<br />
BETTY ANNE
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 36.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Did you forget?!<br />
BEN<br />
You forgot the fishing<br />
trip?<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
No, of course not! I just... I just<br />
didn't remember that it was this weekend.<br />
(sighs)<br />
Guys...<br />
Ben looks near tears; Richard's fuming.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
I'm so sorry... I can't go... I have to<br />
argue this brief in front of real judges<br />
and lawyers!<br />
RICHARD<br />
I don't believe this!<br />
He throws down the poles.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm sorry -- I'm really sorry!<br />
BEN<br />
You promised, Mom.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I know, honey -- I'm sorry. We'll go<br />
another weekend --<br />
RICHARD<br />
When? When Uncle Kenny gets out of jail?<br />
He storms out. Betty Anne watches after him, then turns<br />
to Ben, standing there with a wounded expression.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm really sorry, honey.<br />
BEN<br />
(quietly)<br />
I know.<br />
He exits. Betty Anne stands there, feeling awful.<br />
47 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITOR'S ROOM - ANOTHER DAY 47<br />
Mid-conversation as Betty Anne visits Kenny (40), looking<br />
as he did earlier: shaved head, body pumped from years of<br />
weight lifting. He's hyped up with a new idea; Betty<br />
Anne is distracted but tries to appear upbeat.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 37.<br />
KENNY<br />
I found this book in the library that<br />
says that women hardly ever shoot<br />
themselves when they commit suicide.<br />
Uh-huh.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
So Romeo Collad’s screwin' Mrs. Brow,<br />
right? And then his wife puts a bullet<br />
in her head -- you follow? So what if we<br />
can prove he shot her?<br />
His wife?<br />
Yeah.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
How we gonna do that?<br />
KENNY<br />
I don't know -- we'll investigate. And<br />
then they'd take him more seriously as a<br />
suspect in the Brow case and --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
But Romeo Collad’s dead.<br />
KENNY<br />
It could still be enough to re-open the<br />
case -- we just gotta find a precedent!<br />
Ask your Evidence teacher.<br />
Betty Anne tenses at the suggestion.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I really can't right now -- I've got a<br />
ton of work...<br />
He watches her. She's coiled tightly.<br />
KENNY<br />
What's wrong?<br />
Nothing!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
Don't bullshit me. What is it?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 38.<br />
He stares at her.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It’s nothing! I’m fine.<br />
KENNY<br />
Something goin’ on with the boys?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It’s nothing! Forget it!<br />
Tell me.<br />
KENNY<br />
A beat. Betty Anne knows he can see through her.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(hesitates, then)<br />
I'm on probation at school.<br />
KENNY<br />
What’s that? What does that mean?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It means... If I don't improve... I'm<br />
out.<br />
KENNY<br />
(shaken)<br />
But... you're doing great!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm not... I've had late papers... I<br />
flunked my Torts exam...<br />
KENNY<br />
They can't do this to you! You’re the<br />
smartest person in the whole goddamned<br />
school! I'm gonna write a letter to<br />
those scumbag teachers--<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Yeah -- and make sure you call them<br />
scumbags in the letter.<br />
KENNY<br />
FUCK them! You should at least get extra<br />
credit for working on a real fucking<br />
case!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
They don't care about that.<br />
(tearing up)<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Don't worry about this, O.K.? I'll take<br />
care of it.<br />
KENNY<br />
Aww, don't cry. You’re worth a thousand<br />
o’ them preppy shitheads. C'mon -- don't<br />
cry.<br />
He puts his hand over hers --<br />
NO TOUCHING!<br />
GUARD<br />
Kenny pulls his hand back.<br />
48 EXT. RICK'S HOUSE - WINTER -1997 DAY (EVENING)<br />
48<br />
BEN AND RICHARD, holding their weekend bags, are talking<br />
with RICK in the front doorway of this suburban house.<br />
REVEAL BETTY ANNE watching from her car, idling in front.<br />
The BOYS look uneasy. Rick re-enters the house without<br />
acknowledging Betty Anne. The boys approach the car.<br />
Richard gets into the front seat, Ben in the back.<br />
All set?<br />
Yep.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
RICHARD<br />
Betty Anne starts the car. The boys are quiet.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You have a good weekend?<br />
The boys nod, grunt.<br />
Yeah.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 39.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
Get any homework done?<br />
RICHARD<br />
A little.<br />
BEN<br />
Irritated, Betty Anne puts the car into gear and pulls<br />
away.<br />
49 INT. BETTY ANNE’S HONDA -- DRIVING -- DAY<br />
49<br />
Betty Anne and the boys drive in silence. After a few<br />
moments:
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 40.<br />
No response.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
O.K. -- what's going on?<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
C'mon -- talk! What happened?<br />
A long beat. Betty Anne looks at Richard, who can’t meet<br />
her gaze.<br />
RICHARD<br />
We were thinking... You've been so busy<br />
and all... We were thinking maybe we<br />
wanna live with Dad.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(kicked in the gut)<br />
Son of a bitch! He put you up to this?!<br />
No!<br />
RICHARD<br />
Betty Anne, desperate, looks at Ben in the rearview<br />
mirror.<br />
Did he?<br />
No.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BEN<br />
RICHARD<br />
I need a guy around -- ya know? For guy<br />
things?<br />
Betty Anne turns to Ben.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You feel the same way?<br />
Kinda.<br />
BEN<br />
(sheepishly)<br />
Betty Anne swallows. They continue to drive in silence.<br />
50 EXT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY<br />
50<br />
ON THE BOY'S BICYCLES on top of Rick's car as RICK<br />
finishes tying them down. He's all business, but enjoying<br />
his triumph.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 41.<br />
BETTY ANNE says her final goodbyes to Richard, in the<br />
front seat, and Ben, squished in the back next to<br />
suitcases. The boys are subdued.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to Richard)<br />
Call me, O.K.? Let me know how you do on<br />
your math test.<br />
O.K.<br />
RICHARD<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to Ben)<br />
Make sure you set the alarm -- if you're<br />
late for English again --<br />
I know.<br />
BEN<br />
Rick gets in, starts the car. Betty Anne gives each boy<br />
one last kiss.<br />
I love you!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
RICHARD/BEN<br />
Love you too.<br />
As the car pulls out, she waves.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
See you Friday! We'll go to the movies.<br />
She holds her smile another beat, then walks a few steps<br />
to the house. HER LEGS SUDDENLY GIVE WAY BENEATH HER as<br />
she dissolves into wracking SOBS.<br />
51 INT. BETTY ANNE'S BEDROOM - DAY<br />
51<br />
In darkness. Betty Anne's in bed, the shades drawn, her<br />
room in disarray. Dirty clothing, coffee mugs, crumpled<br />
tissues. The PHONE RINGS and she ignores it.<br />
52 INT. LAW SCHOOL - LECTURE HALL - ANOTHER DAY<br />
52<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK is taking attendance.<br />
PROFESSOR BLOCK<br />
Thomassen... Vaughn... Waters....<br />
(looks up)<br />
Waters? Betty Anne Waters?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 42.<br />
Abra sits beside an empty seat, worried for her friend.<br />
53 INT. BETTY ANNE'S BEDROOM - ANOTHER DAY<br />
53<br />
Abra tugs on Betty Anne who's still depressed in bed.<br />
C'mon -- UP.<br />
ABRA<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm unfit -- just like my mother.<br />
ABRA<br />
That's ridiculous! C'mon, honey.<br />
(pulls her up)<br />
If you keep missing classes, you’re gonna<br />
fail.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I've already failed. I've lost my boys --<br />
ABRA<br />
You have not lost them. You’re their<br />
Mom!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
-- I can't help Kenny --<br />
ABRA<br />
Especially if you get kicked out of law<br />
school. (throws clothes at her)<br />
Get dressed.<br />
I can't.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ABRA<br />
Does Kenny know you're giving up?<br />
Betty Anne can't answer. She lies back down. Abra lets<br />
go of her "tough love" stance and gently touches her arm.<br />
ABRA (CONT'D)<br />
Just come to school today. Start there.<br />
Betty Anne doesn't respond.<br />
OMIT 54A
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 43.<br />
54 INT. BETTY ANNE'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT<br />
54<br />
Betty Anne is DUMPING STACKS OF PAPER INTO GARBAGE BAGS.<br />
Years of files, briefs, textbooks. She's like a woman<br />
possessed. As she pulls things off shelves, she sees A<br />
BULGING ACCORDION FOLDER and stops. She opens it:<br />
KENNY'S LETTERS FROM PRISON are stuffed into sections,<br />
arranged by year. BETTY ANNE sits down on the floor,<br />
amidst the mess, pulls out a letter and reads it.<br />
Betty Anne smiles.<br />
KENNY (V.O.)<br />
... Life's swell here at the Hilton --<br />
lots of new friends -- food's fuckin'<br />
fantastic, just like Mom used to make...<br />
KENNY (V.O<br />
Can you send me more white socks? Love<br />
you and miss you, Your 4ever brother...<br />
Betty Anne pulls out another letter, getting upset as she<br />
reads it.<br />
KENNY (V.O.) (CONT’D)<br />
Fuckin' Brenda tells me to stop writing<br />
Mandy -- says I'm never gonna see my<br />
little girl again, says I'm dead to her.<br />
We gotta win this fuckin’ appeal!<br />
55 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY - FALL, 1986 (FLASHBACK) 55<br />
Kenny (28) RAGES inside his cell, ripping apart his<br />
mattress, throwing the metal cot frame against the bars.<br />
The only thing untouched is that PHOTO ON THE WALL of<br />
Kenny holding toddler MANDY on his shoulders.<br />
KENNY<br />
Fuck you! Fuck you all! Fucking<br />
cocksucking bastards --<br />
The GUARDS race towards the cell where Kenny picks up a<br />
pile of SHIT and throws it at them.<br />
Goddamn it!<br />
GUARD<br />
KENNY<br />
Come on! Come and get me, motherfuckers!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 44.<br />
As the GUARDS rush in, Kenny THROWS HIS T.V. at the wall<br />
AND IT SMASHES INTO PIECES. The GUARDS throw him to the<br />
ground and restrain him.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
You think I care? You think I FUCKING<br />
CARE?!!!<br />
56 INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT 56<br />
Domestic chaos: Betty Anne paces anxiously as she talks<br />
on a wall phone (the long cord twisting around her) --<br />
ignoring the dinner she’s cooking; Richard (4) bangs on<br />
an irritating toy piano, Ben (2) sits on the floor,<br />
crying, surrounded by pots and pans to play with --but he<br />
wants the piano and Richard keeps pushing him off.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Did you tell Mr. Peters it was urgent? I<br />
haven't heard from Kenny in TWO WEEKS!<br />
RICK swoops in, picks up Ben, crosses to the stove and<br />
turns down a pot that's boiling over. Ben calms down.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
(into phone)<br />
I don't give a crap! This is more<br />
important!<br />
Rick shuts off the flame under a frying pan that’s<br />
overcooking a steak, then grabs the handle and YELLS,<br />
burning himself. BEN WAILS AGAIN -- louder now.<br />
RICK<br />
SHIT! SON OF A BITCH!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Just find my brother!<br />
(slams down phone)<br />
DAMN it! Where IS he?<br />
RICK<br />
Where are YOU, Betty Anne? JESUS!<br />
He hands Ben to her, then opens the freezer and grabs a<br />
bag of frozen peas to cool his hand.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There’s something wrong, I KNOW it!<br />
Kenny shoulda called by now!<br />
RICK<br />
You’ve gotta make peace with this. You<br />
have a family here!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 45.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Make peace? The appeal was his last<br />
chance!<br />
RICK<br />
Exactly. Kenny's in prison for the rest<br />
of his life. ACCEPT it!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I will NEVER accept it.<br />
She's spoken the words that Rick was afraid to hear; he<br />
looks as if he's just been given a life sentence. The<br />
PHONE RINGS and Betty Anne grabs it.<br />
Hello?<br />
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)<br />
It's Harvey Peters -- I'm<br />
sorry I haven't had a<br />
chance to call --<br />
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)<br />
-- but everything's OK now -<br />
- nothing to worry about --<br />
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)<br />
Your brother's in isolation<br />
so no calls or visitors for<br />
a month...<br />
HOLD ON BETTY ANNE.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
HARVEY PETERS<br />
He tried to kill himself.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Finally! I haven't heard<br />
from Kenny and no one will -<br />
-<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What do you mean? What<br />
happened?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Why is he in isolation?<br />
57 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY<br />
57<br />
Kenny walks slowly towards Betty Anne; she gives him a<br />
quick “non-conjugal” hug -- wishing she could hold him<br />
tightly -- and then sits down opposite him. She’s<br />
wrecked. Kenny has FRESH SCARS (a month old) ON HIS<br />
WRISTS. We have never seen him in such a dark, cynical<br />
place.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
How could you do this?<br />
KENNY<br />
You'd be better off.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 46.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(furious)<br />
Don't you dare say that! You know what<br />
this would've done to me?<br />
KENNY<br />
Yeah -- you'd finally get on with your<br />
life...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Goddamnit, Kenny! Promise me you won't<br />
do this again.<br />
KENNY<br />
There's nothin' left. It's over.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There's still the Supreme Court.<br />
KENNY<br />
The Supreme Court ain't gonna hear this<br />
case! I'm FUCKED! I was fucked right<br />
from the start.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You can't give up! We'll find someone<br />
else -- I’ll take out a loan -- we’ll get<br />
a top lawyer this time --<br />
KENNY<br />
(overlapping)<br />
When you gonna get it, Betty Anne? There<br />
is no one else. There's not a lawyer on<br />
earth who'll give a fuck about me.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There has to be. You're innocent!<br />
KENNY<br />
You sure about that?<br />
Betty Anne stares at him in shock.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
How could you even ask me that?<br />
KENNY<br />
Because the truth is, it doesn't matter.<br />
Whether I killed Mrs. Brow or not, I'm<br />
still trash. I'm no good to anybody.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What about your daughter?
KENNY<br />
What daughter? She's being poisoned<br />
against me. I'll never see her again.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
That is not true!<br />
KENNY<br />
(starting to cry)<br />
My baby girl...<br />
Oh, Kenny...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny quickly wipes his eyes and pulls himself together.<br />
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 47.<br />
KENNY<br />
I'm doing Mandy a favor. She's the only<br />
good thing I ever did in my piece-of-shit<br />
life and I've got NOTHING to give her...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Please, Kenny -- just promise me you<br />
won't hurt yourself. Promise me.<br />
KENNY<br />
I can't spend the rest of my life in<br />
here.<br />
He stands, nods to the guard who leads him back out.<br />
Betty Anne sits there, shaken to her core.<br />
58 INT. BETTY ANNE’S CAR/EXT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS -<br />
DAY<br />
58<br />
Betty Anne sits in her parked car, finishing a good cry,<br />
then wipes her nose and looks out the window.<br />
HER POV - STUDENTS chat, walk across campus, study under<br />
trees, drink coffee. They look like teenagers.<br />
59 INT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY<br />
59<br />
Betty Anne sits in a waiting area outside an ADMISSIONS<br />
OFFICE. Beside her, a young girl (17) chews gum and<br />
reads the school paper. Betty Anne holds a catalogue and<br />
an application. The office DOOR opens, and a student<br />
exits, along with the Admissions Counselor (30's).
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 48.<br />
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR<br />
Kelly Bergin?<br />
Hi.<br />
GUM-CHEWING GIRL<br />
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR<br />
(re: Betty Anne)<br />
And is this your Mom?<br />
Uh -- no.<br />
GUM-CHEWING GIRL<br />
Betty Anne smiles lamely. The counselor and girl enter<br />
the office and close the door. Betty Anne sits there:<br />
what the hell am I doing?<br />
60 INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK’S BEDROOM - NIGHT<br />
60<br />
As Betty Anne undresses for bed --<br />
What’s this?<br />
RICK (O.S.)<br />
Betty Anne turns to see Rick standing there, holding the<br />
COURSE CATALOGUE AND APPLICATION.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(trying for nonchalance)<br />
I was thinking about maybe getting a<br />
degree finally.<br />
Why?<br />
RICK<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(casually)<br />
I just thought maybe -- I don't know --<br />
maybe eventually I could apply to law<br />
school.<br />
He stares at her -- catching on immediately.<br />
RICK<br />
Oh my God. This is out of fucking<br />
control. (beat)<br />
It stops here, Betty Anne. Right now.<br />
That's it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I could go part-time. I could --
RICK<br />
Are you INSANE? This obsession is<br />
killing us! You're a mother, you're my<br />
wife -- you're married to me, not him!<br />
You're not doing this! ENOUGH.<br />
61 INT. VISITING ROOM - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY<br />
61<br />
Betty Anne takes a deep breath as she sits and waits. A<br />
REAR DOOR OPENS and Kenny enters, sits down opposite her.<br />
Betty Anne takes another deep breath.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
O.K. This is what I'm gonna do -- and<br />
don't laugh, all right?<br />
Kenny nods, baffled.<br />
A beat.<br />
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 49.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
I'm gonna start by trying to get a B.A. --<br />
after I finally take the stupid GED tests<br />
-- and then, if I can make it that far -and<br />
there's no guarantee I'd even get in -<br />
- I'll apply to law school. But it's<br />
gonna take a long time, Kenny -- a really<br />
long time -- I might be 80 years old when<br />
I finally become a lawyer. And I still<br />
don't know if I'm gonna find the answer --<br />
but you have to promise -- you just have<br />
to -- that you won't try to kill<br />
yourself, ever again. Cause if you do...<br />
(she can't bear it)<br />
... Just don't.<br />
O.K.<br />
KENNY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I don't know if I can even do this --<br />
KENNY<br />
(matter-of-fact)<br />
You'll do it.<br />
She looks at him, exhales. He looks at her, filled with<br />
love and gratitude.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 50.<br />
62 INT. LAW SCHOOL - STUDENT UNION - DAY - SPRING, 1998 62<br />
Abra sits with four other students. SCOTT leads the<br />
meeting.<br />
SCOTT<br />
So two of us will be defense attorneys,<br />
two will be the prosecutors...<br />
Betty Anne crosses to them, dressed in wrinkled clothes<br />
from her bedroom floor, holding a notebook with papers<br />
falling out of it. She sits down with the group.<br />
SCOTT (CONT'D)<br />
Thanks for dropping by, Waters.<br />
ABRA<br />
(sotto, to Betty Anne)<br />
Nice ironing job.<br />
SCOTT<br />
(back to all)<br />
Then we need a defendant, and a<br />
paralegal.<br />
ABRA<br />
I nominate Betty Anne to be the<br />
defendant.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What's my alleged crime?<br />
Rape.<br />
MALE LAW STUDENT<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Gee, thanks. What case did they assign<br />
us?<br />
SCOTT<br />
You'd know that if you actually came to<br />
class.<br />
Abra shoots him a look.<br />
ABRA<br />
(to Scott)<br />
Shut the fuck up.<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
Sewell v. State, 1992.<br />
Scott begrudgingly hands Betty Anne a thick binder. She<br />
starts looking through it, alongside Abra.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 51.<br />
SCOTT<br />
Sewell had already served ten years for<br />
rape, and then he sued the state for the<br />
right to DNA-test the rape kit.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(suddenly alert)<br />
DNA test?<br />
SCOTT<br />
Yeah -- it wasn't his semen in the rape<br />
kit. The DNA didn't match.<br />
So he won?<br />
YES.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
SCOTT<br />
(impatient)<br />
Betty Anne absorbs this, her heart racing. Abra points<br />
to something in the binder, then reads it aloud to Betty<br />
Anne.<br />
ABRA<br />
"Advances in technology may yield<br />
potential for exculpation where none<br />
previously existed..."<br />
Betty Anne grabs the binder from Abra. While Scott<br />
drones on in the b.g., Betty Anne looks through it, a<br />
lightbulb going off.<br />
63 INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY<br />
63<br />
On an ENCYCLOPEDIA PAGE explaining DNA. BETTY ANNE reads<br />
it.<br />
TIME DISSOLVE - ON A COMPUTER MONITOR with "Law Review"<br />
DOCUMENTS on it. BETTY ANNE searches through articles,<br />
stops short, reverses the dial and finds AN ARTICLE ABOUT<br />
DNA TESTING. Her eyes highlight the INNOCENCE PROJECT.<br />
She fast forwards to another article, and there it is<br />
again: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT, with a PHOTO OF ATTORNEY<br />
BARRY SCHECK.<br />
TIME DISSOLVE - NIGHT<br />
BETTY ANNE sits with a dusty little book about early DNA<br />
cases. Once again, she finds the name BARRY SCHECK.<br />
PRE-LAP: A DOORBELL RINGING.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 52.<br />
64 INT. ABRA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT<br />
64<br />
Abra, wearing just a man's shirt and poofy little<br />
scuffies, opens the door to reveal BETTY ANNE, hyped as a<br />
coke addict, holding library books and a huge stack of<br />
copied articles.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(entering)<br />
It's the blood!<br />
Excuse me?<br />
ABRA<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
This is the key! There was so much<br />
blood. (throws stuff down)<br />
I'm gonna get Kenny out.<br />
She starts handing pages to Abra.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
There were no DNA tests then -- they only<br />
knew that the murderer was type O and so<br />
is Kenny.<br />
ABRA<br />
(looking at pages)<br />
Right...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
But now, if we can DNA-test the<br />
murderer's blood and Kenny's, it'll prove<br />
Kenny's innocent. There’s been fortynine<br />
cases like this!<br />
DON appears behind Abra, half-asleep.<br />
Hi Don.<br />
Hi Betty.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
DON<br />
ABRA<br />
How do you know there's still blood<br />
evidence?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 53.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Cause we’re gonna find it -- and Barry<br />
Scheck's gonna help.<br />
ABRA<br />
Oh. I see. Barry Scheck.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
This is what he does! He's got this<br />
Innocence Project in New York --<br />
ABRA<br />
So you'll just call him up and he'll take<br />
your case?<br />
Yes!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ABRA<br />
(a beat)<br />
Are we both gonna sleep with him or just<br />
you?<br />
PRE-LAP: the sound of typing.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
Dear Mr. Scheck...<br />
65 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - NIGHT<br />
65<br />
Betty Anne sits at her desk writing at the computer.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
I would greatly appreciate any assistance<br />
you and the Innocence Project can provide<br />
in helping me free my brother Kenny from<br />
a life without parole sentence.<br />
66 EXT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - BOSTON - DAY - FALL, 1998 66<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
In 1983, Kenny was convicted in<br />
Massachusetts of First Degree Murder with<br />
Extreme Atrocity and Armed Robbery.<br />
67 INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - BOSTON - CONTINUOUS<br />
67<br />
Abra and Betty Anne enter the lobby where a SIGN directs<br />
them to: MASSACHUSETTS BAR EXAM, CHECK-IN.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 54.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
My brother is innocent of these crimes<br />
and will be vindicated through DNA<br />
evidence.<br />
68 INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - CHECK-IN TABLE - DAY<br />
68<br />
At a long table, people check ID'S at different stations.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
The day that my brother was unjustly<br />
convicted of this crime changed not only<br />
his life, but mine....<br />
Betty Anne and Abra wait in the R-Z line. Betty Anne<br />
rifles through her purse, panicking.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh my God -- my I.D.! Where is it?<br />
She continues to search -- we see TONS of UNCAPPED PENS,<br />
NUBBY PENCILS, even a lipstick with its cap off.<br />
ABRA<br />
You checked your whole wallet?<br />
Next!<br />
Twice!<br />
Next!<br />
WOMAN (O.S.)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
WOMAN<br />
Abra nudges Betty Anne up to the table.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to woman)<br />
I can't find --<br />
Abra pulls Betty Anne's student ID card out of her own<br />
purse.<br />
ABRA<br />
Hey look! How the heck did I get it?<br />
Betty glares playfully at Abra as Abra hands it to the<br />
woman.<br />
You bitch.<br />
BETTY ANNE
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 55.<br />
69 INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER 69<br />
Betty Anne and Abra head towards their examination room.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
Mr. Scheck, I have done everything in my<br />
power for the last sixteen years to<br />
prepare myself to prove my brother's<br />
innocence...<br />
Betty Anne stops short, then rushes to the LADIES ROOM.<br />
70 INT. LADIES ROOM - COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - MOMENTS LATER 70<br />
At the sink, TWO YOUNG WOMEN (20's) brush their hair,<br />
freshen lipstick. O.S. Betty Anne RETCHES in one of the<br />
stalls. The women exchange a look and exit just as Abra<br />
enters. She hears the retching and knows it's her<br />
friend. Betty Anne exits the stall, crosses to the sink,<br />
splashes water on her face. Abra gets a paper towel,<br />
hands it to her. Betty Anne dries her face, then holds<br />
onto the sink, breathing rapidly.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(softly)<br />
I have to pass this test.<br />
Abra gently rubs Betty Anne's back.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
Dear Ms. Waters, I've enclosed an<br />
application for your brother Kenny to<br />
complete and return to our office.<br />
71 INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - DAY 71<br />
In a BALLROOM with two hundred students, PROCTORS<br />
patrolling, FIND Betty Anne and Abra taking the essay<br />
portion of the Bar exam.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
I must stress that we only accept cases<br />
where DNA evidence can exonerate the<br />
accused.<br />
72 INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY<br />
72<br />
HUY DAO (early 30's), a serious-looking Vietnamese man<br />
with glasses, writes to Betty Anne on his computer.<br />
There's a tall stack of files on his desk. A NAME PLATE<br />
on the desk reads HUY DAO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 56.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
Once we evaluate the validity of your<br />
brother's case, it will be vital to find<br />
out if any DNA evidence still exists...<br />
PAN to STACKS AND STACKS OF FILES on the office floor.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
Without that evidence, it will be<br />
impossible for us to proceed.<br />
73 INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - SECOND DAY<br />
73<br />
Betty Anne and Abra take the Multi-State portion of the<br />
Bar exam -- different clothes, same seats.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
The Innocence Project currently has a<br />
backlog of several hundred cases...<br />
74 INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY<br />
74<br />
As Huy Dao types, PULL BACK into the hallway where STACKS<br />
AND STACKS OF FILES are on the floor.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
...so I must caution you that it will be<br />
at least eighteen months before we can<br />
begin to evaluate your brother's case.<br />
PULL BACK to see more of THE INNOCENCE PROJECT -- interns<br />
at computers... a mail carrier bringing in overflowing<br />
plastic BOXES OF MAIL... a secretary opening one of<br />
hundreds of envelopes...<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
If, however, you pass the Bar exam and<br />
become your brother's attorney...<br />
75 INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - DAY<br />
75<br />
Betty Anne finishes the exam, closes the book.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
...you, of course, can look for the DNA<br />
evidence immediately.<br />
Betty Anne sits back and heaves an exhausted sigh.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 57.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
If you manage to locate it, Mr. Scheck<br />
may agree to act as consulting attorney --<br />
Abra puts her head on her desk, spent.<br />
HUY DAO (V.O.)<br />
-- in which case we can work together<br />
towards exonerating your brother.<br />
76 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY - SPRING, 1999 76<br />
At the counter, Betty Anne has her hand, wrist deep,<br />
inside a chicken, trying to yank out the frozen neck and<br />
gizzards. She retrieves an ice-encrusted chicken heart,<br />
then reaches in with both hands to get a better grip.<br />
Mom?<br />
RICHARD (O.S.)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Damn thing's still frozen.<br />
Richard STEPS INTO FRAME beside her, holding up a thin<br />
LETTER FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BAR. BETTY ANNE<br />
swallows, her hands still in the chicken.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Thin's good, right? Didn't you say that?<br />
Open it.<br />
You sure?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
RICHARD<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(nods)<br />
But don't look at it. Hold it up for me<br />
to read.<br />
A beat, and Richard carefully opens the letter --<br />
Don't look!<br />
I'm not.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
RICHARD<br />
He holds it out to her, holding his breath. Betty Anne<br />
reads. She exhales.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 58.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Thank you God.<br />
Betty Anne breaks into a huge smile -- pulls her red,<br />
slimy hands out of the chicken, throws her arms around<br />
her son and they jump up and down, screaming for joy.<br />
77 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY<br />
77<br />
Betty Anne has just told Kenny the good news. He seems<br />
to have no reaction.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Did you hear what I said?<br />
(nothing)<br />
Kenny?<br />
Then, suddenly, Kenny LETS IT ALL HANG OUT.<br />
KENNY<br />
AAAAHHHHHH!!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
No -- Kenny -- Don't!<br />
Kenny jumps up and down, dancing, beating his chest.<br />
KENNY<br />
WE DID IT! WE DID IT! MY<br />
BABY SISTER DID IT! YA<br />
HEAR ME??!!<br />
Kenny kisses the Guard.<br />
GUARD<br />
HEY! BRING IT DOWN THERE!<br />
GUARD<br />
Get the hell off of me! SIT DOWN or<br />
you're back inside!<br />
Kenny sits; Betty Anne is delighted to see Kenny so high.<br />
KENNY<br />
So what do we do first?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
First I have to get the DNA evidence from<br />
the trial --<br />
KENNY<br />
How you gonna do that?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I have to make some phone calls.<br />
KENNY<br />
But how are you gonna --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 59.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Hey! I'm your attorney now. Shut up and<br />
let me do my job, alright?<br />
KENNY<br />
Alright! Alright, COUNSELOR! LISTEN TO<br />
THE HOT SHOT LAWYER, HERE!<br />
78 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY - SUMMER, 1999<br />
78<br />
Betty Anne sits at her desk, staring at the PHONE. She<br />
takes a deep breath, then dials.<br />
DESK SERGEANT (O.S.)<br />
Ayer Police...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Hi. I'm an attorney, and I'm calling<br />
regarding evidence from a 1983 case --<br />
DESK SERGEANT (O.S.)<br />
Your name, please?<br />
Betty Anne hesitates, not prepared for this.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Umm -- Abra Rice.<br />
79 OMIT<br />
79<br />
80 INT. ABRA’S LIVING ROOM - SPRINGFIELD - NIGHT<br />
80<br />
Abra is “modelling” new work clothes for Betty Anne --<br />
combining items into different outfits, walking in and<br />
out of the room as they talk. Betty Anne indicates her<br />
opinions; various shopping bags are strewn about.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to Abra, who’s OS)<br />
If they realize I’m one of the “Waters<br />
kids,” God knows what they’d do to that<br />
evidence. I just don't trust them.<br />
ABRA<br />
(entering in a new suit)<br />
You could have used your married name.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(re: outfit)<br />
Nice! I love those shoes.<br />
(beat)<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 60.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
But then when I wanna be me, I won't be<br />
able to ‘cause I was someone else.<br />
I wanna be me when I need to be me.<br />
ABRA<br />
So to solve this problem, you decided to<br />
be me.<br />
Abra holds up a different new blouse to match the skirt.<br />
Betty Anne shakes her head no.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Just this once. But from this point on --<br />
ABRA<br />
-- you need me to be me.<br />
Betty Anne nods; Abra exits.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I don't wanna do anything to jeopardize<br />
your new job --<br />
Betty Anne looks through one of the shopping bags.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
I'll understand if you can't help --<br />
(re: a new purse)<br />
Great bag!<br />
(beat)<br />
I mean, this is my cause, not yours --<br />
Abra re-enters holding a pair of new slacks.<br />
ABRA<br />
It's my cause too.<br />
Betty Anne gives her a grateful look.<br />
They crack up.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I don't deserve a friend like you.<br />
ABRA<br />
Damn right you don't.<br />
ABRA (CONT’D)<br />
So what did the Ayer Police tell me?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There's no evidence there anymore. It’s<br />
at the courthouse where we had Kenny's<br />
trial.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 61.<br />
81 INT. LEGAL AID OFFICE - SPRINGFIELD - DAY<br />
81<br />
Next to a framed PHOTO of ABRA and DON, A NAME PLATE on<br />
the desk reads ABRA RICE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. WIDER -<br />
Abra’s on the phone, and Betty Anne’s beside her in the<br />
cubicle, cluttered with boxes.<br />
ABRA<br />
That's right -- Waters. 1983.<br />
Abra listens, her face looking grim.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(whispering)<br />
What? What are they saying?<br />
ABRA<br />
But isn't it possible that it's still...<br />
Do you have an actual date when that<br />
would have happened?... All right. Thank<br />
you.<br />
Abra hangs up, looking ill. She can barely speak.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What? What did they say?<br />
ABRA<br />
(hesitates, then)<br />
They destroyed it.<br />
Betty Anne is momentarily stunned.<br />
What?!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ABRA<br />
According to Massachusetts law, they<br />
destroy evidence after ten years.<br />
(beat)<br />
Kenny's evidence was destroyed in April<br />
1993.<br />
Betty Anne stands there, in shock.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
That's not possible. I did NOT get this<br />
far, after all this time... It has to be<br />
there. It just has to! It's his only<br />
chance!<br />
ABRA<br />
Betty Anne --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 62.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We're gonna make them look for it.<br />
ABRA<br />
There's nothing to look for.<br />
82 INT. AIDAN'S PUB - MORNING<br />
82<br />
Abra and Betty Anne, both looking disheveled, are on<br />
separate phones in the closed pub. Lots of papers and<br />
coffee cups.<br />
ABRA<br />
Yes, I KNOW what your<br />
records say -- but the<br />
woman I spoke to last week<br />
said she would look!<br />
ABRA<br />
(looks at notes)<br />
Alice O’Malley... Maternity<br />
leave? Jesus. Did someone<br />
else look instead?...<br />
(writing name)<br />
Linda Clarke... And she<br />
checked every single box in<br />
that basement?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(hisses to Abra)<br />
Ask for the supervisor!<br />
ABRA<br />
Can you put your supervisor<br />
on the phone?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I know that, but I was<br />
hoping that by some chance,<br />
the samples might have been<br />
left at your lab...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Is Kathleen Higgins still<br />
working there?... She<br />
testified at the original<br />
trial... Oh. Do you know<br />
where she works now?...<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(back to her call)<br />
Thank you anyway.<br />
Betty Anne hangs up. She and Abra exchange tense looks<br />
at Abra waits.<br />
ABRA<br />
(into phone)<br />
Mrs. Halloran? This is Abra Rice again.<br />
I’m sure Ms. Clark searched thoroughly,<br />
but if you yourself could look --<br />
(listens)<br />
What?...<br />
She listens, getting upset, scribbling the note Halloran<br />
looked, 8/15/99. Betty Anne moves in closer.<br />
ABRA (CONT'D)<br />
Uh-huh... Uh huh. No, I didn't realize<br />
you -- I understand... Thank you anyway.
Abra hangs up and looks at Betty Anne.<br />
83 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - EVENING<br />
83<br />
Abra brings ketchup and mustard to the table where the<br />
boys await dinner. O.S. Betty Anne bangs in the kitchen.<br />
ABRA<br />
(sotto, to boys)<br />
Your mom's not in the best mood.<br />
BEN<br />
Something happen?<br />
She hushes them as Betty Anne enters with a bowl of<br />
mashed potatoes.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
OK... Start eating.<br />
The boys just sit there, watching her.<br />
What?<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 63.<br />
Abra nods.<br />
RICHARD<br />
What's wrong, Mom?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Nothing. Don’t let it get cold.<br />
(beat)<br />
So how's your father's new girlfriend?<br />
What is she -- fourteen? Fifteen?<br />
ABRA<br />
Tell them. They have a right to know.<br />
RICHARD/BEN<br />
Betty --<br />
ABRA (CONT’D)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It's just a setback.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What should I do, Abra? Give up? Is<br />
that what you're saying?<br />
It's GONE.<br />
They looked?<br />
ABRA<br />
RICHARD
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 64.<br />
BEN<br />
Can't they look again?<br />
They did.<br />
ABRA<br />
The boys take in the implications of this.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Mistakes happen -- OBVIOUSLY -- or Kenny<br />
wouldn't be in jail!<br />
ABRA<br />
Betty: They destroyed it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
NO. That evidence exists -- somewhere --<br />
and I'm gonna find it.<br />
A beat as the boys and Abra silently acknowledge that<br />
Betty Anne is in denial.<br />
ABRA<br />
O.K. Let’s say you do find it.<br />
(beat)<br />
What if the DNA matches Kenny's?<br />
Abra has spoken the unspeakable.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
GET OUT! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE --<br />
RIGHT NOW!!<br />
ABRA<br />
NO! YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS! Even if<br />
you're the most amazing fighter in the<br />
world and the most brilliant lawyer,<br />
there are forces greater than you and you<br />
still may not win!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(trembling with rage)<br />
And you think I haven't thought of that?<br />
ABRA<br />
No. You haven't.<br />
Betty Anne looks to her sons and realizes they see it too<br />
-- she has never truly accepted the possibility of her<br />
own failure -- or of Kenny's guilt.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to Abra)<br />
Just go.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 65.<br />
84 EXT. THE TOWN OF AYER, MASS. - TRAVELING SHOT - DAY -<br />
FALL, 1999<br />
84<br />
THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW: A sign reads “ENTERING AYER.”<br />
Angle on Betty Anne. Lots of bad memories.<br />
85 EXT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY<br />
85<br />
The police station looks just as it did in 1980; cars and<br />
passersby indicate that it’s now the late 90’s.<br />
WIDER - This is Betty Anne’s POV from her car, parked<br />
across the street. She takes a deep breath, then exits.<br />
86 INT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY<br />
86<br />
The station is busier than when we last saw it, but still<br />
very much a small town precinct. BETTY ANNE enters,<br />
warily looking around to see if there’s anyone who might<br />
recognize her. Satisfied that she’s “safe,” she crosses<br />
to the front desk, smiling at the DESK SERGEANT we saw<br />
her speak to on the phone.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Good morning.<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
Can I help you?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Hope so. I’m an attorney...<br />
She hands him ABRA’S BUSINESS CARD.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
... Abra Rice ... and I’m trying to<br />
locate evidence from Kenneth Waters’--<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
(reads card)<br />
Oh yeah -- we spoke on the phone. You<br />
check with the courthouse?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
They can’t locate it.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 66.<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
Yeah -- well, like I said, they probably<br />
destroyed it by now. I mean, it’s been --<br />
MALE VOICE (O.S.)<br />
Betty Anne Waters?<br />
Betty Anne turns to see A POLICE LIEUTENANT who’s just<br />
entered the station. He’s one of the cops who was in the<br />
station when Kenny first got arrested in 1980.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(can’t place him)<br />
I’m sorry, I don’t...<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Lieutenant Daniels. I knew your brother<br />
Kenny -- I was a rookie here when --<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
You’re his SISTER?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(nods, sheepishly)<br />
But I am an attorney... and he IS my<br />
client.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Holy shit! Good for YOU!<br />
(laughs)<br />
My sister won’t even send me a birthday<br />
card!<br />
DESK SERGEANT<br />
I was just telling Miss WATERS that we<br />
don’t have any evidence here.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Here? From back then?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Would you mind looking?<br />
He looks at her, realizes she won’t give up.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Come with me.<br />
Relieved, Betty Anne FOLLOWS HIM DOWN A HALLWAY...<br />
glancing at THE BENCH where she and Kenny were held as<br />
kids... the HOLDING ROOM where she talked to Kenny after<br />
his first arrest... then INTO...
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 67.<br />
87 INT. SMALL SUPPLY ROOM - CONTINUOUS<br />
87<br />
Daniels crosses to a CLOSET and opens it: mostly office<br />
supplies, coffee filters, etc., but the TWO TOP SHELVES<br />
are labelled EVIDENCE, 1998-1999. There’s ONE FILE BOX<br />
on a shelf, marked “OLAFSEN, 1998.”<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
That’s it for our “older” evidence.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
And there’s nowhere else?<br />
Sorry.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
(shakes his head)<br />
He closes the closet door.<br />
As they walk out...<br />
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)<br />
How’s Kenny holding up?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Not so great.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Yeah, I remember that case...<br />
Betty Anne FOLLOWS HIM BACK INTO THE HALLWAY.<br />
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)<br />
I gotta tell ya -- even<br />
with what he did --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(bristling)<br />
He didn’t do it.<br />
He gives her a sympathetic glance, touched by her<br />
loyalty.<br />
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)<br />
-- I liked Kenny. We all liked him.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Nancy Taylor didn’t.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
Yeah, well... Nancy Taylor doesn’t work<br />
here anymore.<br />
Why not?<br />
The guy smiles ruefully.<br />
BETTY ANNE
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 68.<br />
LT. DANIELS<br />
She got herself into a little hot water.<br />
How hot?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
88 INT. GROTON POLICE DEPT. - NANCY TAYLOR'S OFFICE - DAY 88<br />
A SIGN on a desk reads NANCY HARRIS, SECRETARY. WIDER -<br />
An older, gaunt NANCY TAYLOR (52) sits behind an IBM<br />
typewriter, where she’s been typing file labels.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Kenneth Waters killed Kay Brow.<br />
REVEAL Betty Anne standing opposite her.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There’s DNA evidence that will prove he<br />
didn’t.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
No, honey, it won’t. And anyway, that’s<br />
just one small fragment of the whole<br />
case.<br />
Nancy’s phone rings. She answers it.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)<br />
(into phone)<br />
Groton Police Department, Chief<br />
O’Connell’s office...<br />
Betty Anne notices Nancy’s very own "Wall of Fame": her<br />
police academy graduation photo; a "Police Officer of the<br />
Year" certificate from Ayer; and, prominently featured, a<br />
FRAMED CITATION and a FRAMED ARTICLE: GOVERNOR HONORS<br />
POLICE OFFICER FOR SOLVING BRUTAL MURDER CASE. The<br />
article has a PHOTO of a younger Taylor, citation in<br />
hand, posed with the Governor.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)<br />
(into phone)<br />
He’s not available right now... I gave<br />
him your message, sir... I understand.<br />
(scribbles message)<br />
I’ll let him know.<br />
She hangs up, a tad annoyed, and finishes writing the<br />
message.
BETTY ANNE<br />
(casually)<br />
Why aren’t you a cop anymore?<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
I left the force when I got married.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Really? You mean it had nothing to do<br />
with you framing another cop?<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
I beg your pardon?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(feigns forgetfulness)<br />
What was his name...? Oh yeah -- Stanley<br />
Randall! He found out you were dirty, so<br />
you got a waitress from the Rusty Scupper<br />
to accuse him of rape.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Is that what they told you over in Ayer?<br />
Betty Anne doesn’t respond.<br />
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 69.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)<br />
Honey, I’m sure you can imagine what it<br />
was like to be the only woman on that<br />
police force. I wasn’t dirty, and the<br />
rape charge wasn’t false.<br />
(beat)<br />
The truth is, they never got over me<br />
solving the Brow murder.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You didn’t solve it. You put an innocent<br />
man in jail.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
I’m sorry you wasted your life on this.<br />
Your brother killed that woman.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’ll be having the District Attorney<br />
investigate you.<br />
NANCY TAYLOR<br />
Young lady, you do what you need to do.<br />
(beat)<br />
I have to get back to work.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 70.<br />
89 EXT. FARMHOUSE - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - TWILIGHT<br />
89<br />
The old WHITE FARMHOUSE from Betty Anne’s childhood is<br />
now dilapidated, the windows boarded up.<br />
WIDER - BETTY ANNE’S CAR sits parked by the old tree in<br />
front of the BARN. We see the silhouette of someone<br />
inside the open barn doors.<br />
ANGLE ON BETTY ANNE looking small and vulnerable, like<br />
the girl who used to wrestle with her brother in that<br />
barn.<br />
PRE-LAP: A DOORBELL RINGS OVER AND OVER<br />
90 INT. ABRA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT/EARLY MORNING<br />
90<br />
DON, half-asleep, opens the front door, revealing BETTY<br />
ANNE with raccoon eyes and stains down her cheeks from<br />
mascara and tears.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Is she asleep?<br />
DON<br />
She usually is at five in the morning.<br />
91 INT. ABRA’S KITCHEN - A LITTLE LATER<br />
91<br />
Abra, with a serious case of “bed head,” makes COFFEE;<br />
Betty Anne’s at the table, ripping napkins into tiny<br />
pieces.<br />
ABRA<br />
I wish we could use this! If she framed<br />
a COP for Chrissakes --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It still doesn’t prove she framed Kenny.<br />
It wouldn’t be enough --<br />
ABRA<br />
(overlapping)<br />
-- enough grounds for a new trial. I<br />
know, I know.<br />
(big sigh)<br />
I hate the damned legal system. It’s<br />
so... inconvenient.<br />
They both smile slightly, and look at each other.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 70A.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’m sorry I kicked you out of my house.<br />
ABRA<br />
That’s O.K. Your mac-and-cheese sucks.<br />
Betty Anne’s relieved. Friends again.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 71.<br />
ABRA (CONT’D)<br />
You were wearing that outfit when you<br />
said you were me?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(smiles, then)<br />
Too bad being you didn’t get me anywhere.<br />
ABRA<br />
(thinks)<br />
There is something we haven’t tried.<br />
Betty Anne looks at her, curious.<br />
ABRA (CONT’D)<br />
How long will it take you to make<br />
yourself look like a lawyer?<br />
SMASH CUT TO:<br />
92 EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE, DOWNTOWN BOSTON - DAY92<br />
Betty Anne and Abra, both in sharp power suits and sexy<br />
high heels, shiny briefcases gleaming in the sunlight,<br />
walk up the steps to the courthouse. They are hot.<br />
93 INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - CLERK'S OFFICE - DAY93<br />
Abra and Betty Anne stand at the counter, trying to look<br />
tough. Abra deftly whips out a card and hands it to the<br />
male clerk opposite them.<br />
ABRA<br />
I'm attorney Abra Rice and this is my<br />
associate. We'd like to speak to Mrs.<br />
Halloran.<br />
MAN<br />
Do you have an appointment?<br />
ABRA<br />
This is a pressing legal matter. Mrs.<br />
Halloran's aware of it.<br />
A short woman (60's), with soft gray hair framing her<br />
face, approaches the counter. She wears a pin that's a<br />
photo of her grandkids.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
I'm Mrs. Halloran.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 72.<br />
ABRA<br />
(shakes her hand)<br />
Abra Rice -- we spoke earlier.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
Yes -- but as I told you on the phone --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm Betty Anne Waters.<br />
(she shakes her hand)<br />
The evidence in question is from my<br />
brother's trial.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
Oh, well we can't just have family<br />
members --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm also his attorney. I became an<br />
attorney just to help him. Can you<br />
please just look again?<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
If we did this for every person who came<br />
in here... We don’t have the staff!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Look, I don't know what else to do except<br />
beg. I'm asking for a favor -- a favor<br />
from a complete stranger... but please.<br />
Mrs. Halloran takes this in -- feeling badly, but<br />
remaining the bureaucrat.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
You're talking about evidence that's<br />
sixteen years old. Our record shows it<br />
was destroyed!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Isn't it possible that the record is<br />
wrong?<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
That's highly unlikely.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
But possible.<br />
Mrs. Halloran stays silent. Betty Anne takes a beat,<br />
then smiles at the woman's pin.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Are those your grandkids?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 73.<br />
Yes.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
(smiles)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Beautiful. They look like you.<br />
(softly; heartfelt)<br />
Please. My brother's innocent, and<br />
you're right -- it's been sixteen years.<br />
Our family really wants him home.<br />
94 INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE - LATER<br />
94<br />
ON THE CLOCK: 3:05. Abra and Betty Anne wait on a bench<br />
in the office. Every time someone walks in, they both<br />
jump. No Mrs. Halloran. Betty Anne can't sit still.<br />
She gets up.<br />
95 INT. HALLWAY - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - DAY 95<br />
Betty Anne walks up the hallway, busy with people, stops<br />
to take a drink from a fountain, wipes her mouth, stares<br />
at a wall CLOCK: 3:50.<br />
96 INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE - DAY<br />
96<br />
ON THE CLOCK: 4:45. Abra and Betty Anne are still<br />
waiting. Abra suddenly ELBOWS Betty Anne as<br />
MRS. HALLORAN enters the room -- EMPTY-HANDED.<br />
THE WOMEN are crushed. But a beat later --<br />
A JANITOR follows behind MRS. HALLORAN, carrying a dusty<br />
cardboard FILE BOX with "KENNETH WATERS - 1983" scrawled<br />
on it in black felt-tip marker.<br />
BETTY ANNE grabs Abra's arm and stands, not breathing.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
Why don't we come back here?<br />
Betty Anne and Abra FOLLOW HER BEHIND A PARTITION. The<br />
JANITOR follows, places the BOX onto a table and exits.<br />
Mrs. Halloran opens the box. She gestures to Betty Anne<br />
and Abra to come forward, then stands back to observe.<br />
BETTY ANNE swallows, looks INSIDE THE BOX. On top are<br />
the CRIME SCENE PHOTOS. Betty Anne puts them aside. She<br />
pulls out a CHART describing EXHIBITS and hands it to<br />
Abra.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 74.<br />
Beneath is a GLASSINE ENVELOPE with the paring KNIFE from<br />
the trial. It's marked EXHIBIT #64 and wrapped in FBI<br />
tape. QUICK FLASHBACK to Mrs. Brow's bloody walls, blood<br />
soaked bed.<br />
BETTY ANNE puts the knife aside, then takes out a<br />
GLASSINE ENVELOPE with a piece of bloody fabric in it --<br />
EXHIBIT #49. Abra checks the number against the chart.<br />
ABRA<br />
Victim's blood.<br />
Betty Anne takes out more GLASSINE ENVELOPES -- some with<br />
blood samples on slides, many with pieces of bloody<br />
fabric. QUICK FLASHBACK to the forensic doctor holding<br />
the glassine envelopes during the trial.<br />
BETTY ANNE'S afraid to breathe. Abra checks the numbers.<br />
Victim.<br />
ABRA (CONT'D)<br />
Betty Anne takes out a few GLASSINE ENVELOPES with more<br />
bloody samples, EXHIBITS 63A-F. Abra looks at the chart -<br />
- then looks at Betty Anne.<br />
Perpetrator.<br />
ABRA (CONT'D)<br />
Betty Anne looks at Abra, barely containing her<br />
excitement. Abra nods, almost in tears.<br />
ABRA (CONT'D)<br />
Good job, Counselor.<br />
Betty Anne turns to Mrs. Halloran.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'll need to file a Motion to Preserve<br />
the Evidence.<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
That office is closed now -- but I'll<br />
turn it in for you in the morning. I'll<br />
get you that paperwork.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(grabbing her)<br />
You're gonna keep the box out on this<br />
table?<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
It'll be fine.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 75.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
My brother's life is in there. Can't I<br />
just put a sign on it with my name?<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
That's really not necessary.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Please. If anything happened to this --<br />
MRS. HALLORAN<br />
Well, all right.<br />
Betty Anne exhales, relieved.<br />
A FEW MOMENTS LATER<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Could I borrow some tape?<br />
We hear the SCREECHY SOUND of TAPE being yanked from a<br />
dispenser and we find THE BOX now swaddled with Betty<br />
Anne's legal letterhead as she wraps more tape around it.<br />
ABRA<br />
You missed a spot.<br />
Abra points to a tiny spot without paper. Betty Anne<br />
doesn't realize she's joking, then tapes a BUSINESS CARD<br />
over it. With a squeaky magic marker, she writes:<br />
DO NOT DESTROY THIS... DO NOT DESTROY THIS...<br />
97 EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE, DOWNTOWN BOSTON - DAY97<br />
Betty Anne and Abra head down the steps, composed and<br />
professional. They walk a few feet, then both SCREAM,<br />
jumping up and down.<br />
98 EXT. SHIRLEY PRISON - EXERCISE YARD - DAY<br />
98<br />
As GUARDS observe, INMATES work out on weight equipment.<br />
Kenny comes running into the yard, jubilant. He hugs a<br />
GUARD who shoves him away, leaps over a guy who's working<br />
out on a bench press, then grabs a barbell and lifts it<br />
over his head victoriously.<br />
99 INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT, N.Y., BARRY SCHECK'S OFFICE - DAY 99<br />
ON a PAPER-COVERED DESK, as a MAN'S HANDS search through<br />
different piles.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 76.<br />
Shit.<br />
BARRY SCHECK (O.S.)<br />
WIDER - BARRY SCHECK (40's), an overworked genius --<br />
charismatic, attractive, and slightly rumpled -- looks<br />
through papers. His office has views of lower Manhattan;<br />
walls with honorary plaques, framed newspaper articles,<br />
photos, etc.<br />
BARRY SCHECK (CONT'D)<br />
(calling)<br />
Jocelyn? Can you find me Betty Anne<br />
Waters' number?<br />
JOCELYN (O.S.)<br />
It's in your Roladex.<br />
BARRY SCHECK<br />
(looks in Roladex)<br />
How do you expect me to find anything if<br />
you put it in the right place?<br />
JOCELYN, a young, hip-looking legal intern, pokes her<br />
head in just as Barry finds it.<br />
JOCELYN<br />
It would be under "W."<br />
Barry gives her a look that says "very funny."<br />
BARRY SCHECK<br />
This woman actually went to law school to<br />
save her brother?<br />
JOCELYN<br />
He's her only client.<br />
BARRY SCHECK<br />
Jeez. I hope he's innocent.<br />
100 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY<br />
100<br />
ON BETTY ANNE'S LEG, covered with shaving cream, a RAZOR<br />
sliding upwards. WIDER - Betty Anne has one leg up on<br />
the edge of the bathtub. The PHONE RINGS.<br />
Shit.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
She runs into HER BEDROOM, razor in hand, shaving cream<br />
dripping from her leg. Betty Anne grabs the phone.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 77.<br />
Hello?<br />
INTERCUT BARRY in his office.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
BARRY<br />
Is this Betty Anne Waters?<br />
Yes?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BARRY<br />
This is Barry Scheck.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh my God. Hi.<br />
How are you?<br />
BARRY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Fine - fine! Great!<br />
She grabs a pen and a newspaper that's on her bed, open<br />
to a half-finished crossword puzzle.<br />
BARRY<br />
Congratulations on finding the evidence.<br />
It's extraordinary.<br />
She quickly scribbles onto the newspaper:<br />
"Congratulations on finding the evidence..."<br />
They both laugh.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Thank you. But I really didn't do<br />
anything --<br />
BARRY<br />
You mean, besides becoming a lawyer?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(smiles)<br />
I meant -- you know, we were just lucky<br />
that the box was still there.<br />
BARRY<br />
I hear you beat up an old lady to find<br />
it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
No, that was gonna be my next step.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 78.<br />
BARRY<br />
Your brother's lucky you're so<br />
persistent.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny thinks he's getting out of jail<br />
tomorrow.<br />
BARRY<br />
I wish. D.A's don't like admitting<br />
they've put an innocent person into<br />
prison. And this D.A., Martha Coakley,<br />
just got elected so she’s really not<br />
gonna like it.<br />
Betty Anne continues to write down everything Barry says.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
How long do you think it will take?<br />
BARRY<br />
We'll have some hoops to go through -- it<br />
might be a couple of months --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
A couple of months!<br />
BARRY<br />
Maybe less. But the important thing is,<br />
if your brother's innocent --<br />
He is.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BARRY<br />
-- then this is a travesty of justice --<br />
and we will get him out.<br />
Betty Anne gets teary-eyed by this as she writes this<br />
down, boldly underlining "we will get him out."<br />
101 OMIT<br />
101<br />
102 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM - SUMMER<br />
2000<br />
102<br />
Through a small window in the door we see Betty Anne,<br />
dressed in a suit, waiting tensely at a table. Her<br />
briefcase is at her side. An ORANGE SHAPE fills the frame<br />
as the door opens.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 78A.<br />
Reverse on KENNY in an ORANGE PRISON JUMPSUIT WITH LEG<br />
IRONS AND MANACLES, shuffling in alongside a GUARD.<br />
BETTY ANNE tries to hide her distress as she crosses to<br />
hug her brother.<br />
No hugging.<br />
GUARD<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’m his sister!<br />
GUARD<br />
He’s in seg. Those are the rules.<br />
They sit, and the guard exits, positioning himself right<br />
outside the door.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Are you O.K.?<br />
KENNY<br />
Fine! (making light of it) *<br />
I kinda like being shackled up like this.<br />
Makes me feel dangerous.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You’re dangerous to yourself! What were<br />
you THINKING? Why wouldn’t you just take<br />
the test?!<br />
KENNY<br />
It’s been a year, Betty! A fucking year!<br />
I don’t trust them.<br />
(beat) *<br />
I’m not doin’ it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(flabbergasted) *<br />
Jesus Christ -- are you out of your mind?<br />
This is IT, Kenny! This is what we’ve<br />
been waiting for!<br />
KENNY<br />
Why NOW, all of a sudden, out of the<br />
blue, huh? And why can’t you be in the<br />
room when they test me? Why can’t Barry<br />
Scheck?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
They won’t agree to that!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 78B.<br />
KENNY<br />
So I’m supposed to trust State Troopers<br />
to do it?
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 79.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
This isn't a choice, Kenny! You HAVE to<br />
do this!<br />
KENNY<br />
It’s gonna test positive.<br />
Betty Anne stares at him, uncomprehending.<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
(quietly)<br />
They’ll find a way. You’ll see. They’ll<br />
fuck me again.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I’m leaving.<br />
(rising)<br />
DO IT, or I’ll kill you. That’s your<br />
sister AND your lawyer talking!<br />
103 INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY - FALL, 2000<br />
103<br />
BETTY ANNE and ABRA push grocery carts down the aisle of<br />
a SUPERMARKET. Betty Anne speaks on her cell, angrily<br />
throwing items into the cart and moving quickly while<br />
Abra tries to keep up with her.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 80.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(into cell phone)<br />
What the hell is going on over there?!<br />
Why don’t we have the test results yet?<br />
104 INTERCUT BARRY - DAY - LOWER MANHATTAN STREET<br />
104<br />
BARRY walking briskly down a LOWER MANHATTAN STREET,<br />
talking into his cell phone as he approaches a corner<br />
SABRETT'S HOT DOG STAND.<br />
BARRY<br />
The evidence is still sitting in the<br />
crime lab.<br />
He indicates to the vendor that he wants one hot dog.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Just SITTING THERE?! SIX months to<br />
approve the testing, FIVE to decide how<br />
to test it, and now they’re doing<br />
NOTHING? THAT’S what you’re telling me?<br />
BARRY<br />
Yes. That's what I'm telling you.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
This is bullshit, Barry!<br />
BARRY<br />
I know. Martha Coakley's definitely<br />
stonewalling us.<br />
Abra watches Betty Anne throw huge quantities of food<br />
into her cart.<br />
ABRA<br />
Are we expecting a famine?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(snapping, to Abra)<br />
I have teenagers, remember?<br />
(to Barry)<br />
Do we even know if Kenny’s DNA ever got<br />
there? Or if the crime samples are still<br />
there?<br />
BARRY<br />
They’re there.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Have you seen them?<br />
Barry sighs; the vendor hands him a hot dog.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 81.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
Why aren’t you doing anything about this?<br />
BARRY<br />
We call the D.A.'s office every day --<br />
and the crime lab -- the interns have<br />
sent like eight thousand e-mails --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Interns? Jesus, Barry, this is beyond<br />
interns!<br />
Barry squeezes mustard onto his hot dog and it squirts<br />
onto his tie.<br />
BARRY<br />
(to himself)<br />
Shit. (to Betty Anne)<br />
It's just gonna take some more time.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Great. You and your interns take your<br />
time while Kenny rots in jail.<br />
She angrily clicks off. Barry sighs, then looks down at<br />
his ruined tie.<br />
FUCK.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
She stops short, and Abra almost runs into her. Betty<br />
Anne stands there, trying to figure out what to do.<br />
ABRA<br />
You shouldn't be taking it out on Barry.<br />
Betty Anne looks at her, an idea forming.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You're right.<br />
105 INT. MASSACHUSETTS CRIME LAB - BOSTON - DAY<br />
105<br />
Betty Anne walks briskly down a hallway, calling to the<br />
back of a woman in a lab coat.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Dr. McGilvray?<br />
The woman turns around.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 82.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Betty Anne Waters. I need that evidence<br />
sent today.<br />
DR. MCGILVRAY<br />
(affronted)<br />
Excuse me? I'm sorry, I'm not sure who --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
The DNA evidence from Kenneth Waters'<br />
trial. Why is it just sitting here?<br />
DR. MCGILVRAY<br />
We have procedures to follow --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'll tell you the procedures: test the<br />
goddamn evidence today and Fed Ex the<br />
results to Ed Blake's lab in California.<br />
How hard is that?<br />
The doctor glares at Betty Anne, then turns around and<br />
proceeds down the hall. Betty Anne follows after her.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
So what is it? Martha Coakley's telling<br />
you not to do it?<br />
(no response)<br />
Is there some kind of promotion you'll<br />
get if you kiss her butt?<br />
The woman walks more quickly to get away from her.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
(still following)<br />
You can't keep fucking with my brother's<br />
life like this!<br />
106 EXT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY - DECEMBER, 2000<br />
106<br />
Richard and Ben, hockey gear in hand, yell to the<br />
upstairs window.<br />
RICHARD<br />
MOM! Let's go! We're gonna miss the<br />
kick-off!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(from the window)<br />
Be right down!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 83.<br />
107 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 107<br />
In the empty room, A FAX MACHINE prints out pages on<br />
Betty Anne's desk.<br />
108 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - STAIRCASE - DAY<br />
108<br />
Betty Anne rushes downstairs, grabs her bag and car keys,<br />
exits. We hear the door LOCK. A few beats, then:<br />
Shit.<br />
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)<br />
The door is unlocked, and Betty Anne comes flying in.<br />
Ben and Richard stand outside with impatient expressions.<br />
Mom!<br />
BEN<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I forgot my phone!<br />
She starts searching. The boys enter.<br />
RICHARD<br />
When's the last time you used it?<br />
BETTY<br />
I don't remember.<br />
(to Ben)<br />
Call me. Maybe it'll ring.<br />
While Betty Anne and Richard keep looking, Ben crosses to<br />
Betty Anne's messy desk and dials from the fax phone,<br />
glancing at the TWENTY PAGES that have spilled out of the<br />
FAX MACHINE.<br />
A CELL PHONE RINGS TO THE TUNE OF BEETHOVEN'S ODE TO JOY.<br />
Ben notices a COVER SHEET from FORENSIC SCIENCE<br />
ASSOCIATES, then quickly skims the fax pages.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Where's it coming from?<br />
The couch?<br />
RICHARD<br />
Ben finds a page titled KENNETH WATERS ITEM 17. He reads<br />
as Richard and Betty Anne ransack the room.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 84.<br />
BEN<br />
Holy shit...<br />
(shouting)<br />
He's innocent! Uncle Kenny's innocent!<br />
It wasn't his DNA!<br />
Ben waves the page and Betty Anne rushes up to him,<br />
grabbing it. The cell phone keeps RINGING. Richard<br />
reads over Betty Anne's shoulder.<br />
RICHARD<br />
"Kenneth Waters is eliminated as the<br />
source of the male blood..."<br />
They scream, jumping up and down, hugging and kissing.<br />
And, somewhere in the house, Betty Anne's CELL PHONE<br />
continues to play "Ode to Joy."<br />
109 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM - DAY 109<br />
In a small room adjacent to the regular visitor’s room,<br />
Kenny sits opposite Betty Anne, who’s dressed in “lawyer<br />
clothes,” briefcase at her side, with a grim expression<br />
on her face.<br />
KENNY<br />
What? What is it?<br />
Betty Anne takes a piece of paper from her briefcase and<br />
soberly hands it to him. Kenny takes it, reads it. He<br />
looks up at Betty Anne, in near shock.<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
This what I think it is?<br />
She holds on to her poker face for another second, then:<br />
Yep.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
(still trying to absorb it)<br />
Holy shit.<br />
We did it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
YOU did it! YOU DID IT! You fucking did<br />
it! Holy fuck!<br />
He’s electric with excitement and can barely sit.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 85.<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
When? When am I gettin’ out?<br />
A few days.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
A few days?! I can't wait a few days!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
There's paperwork, Kenny -- you can't<br />
just walk out of here.<br />
KENNY<br />
Why not? They know I'm innocent!<br />
He stands, rushes into<br />
THE ADJACENT VISITORS’ ROOM<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
(waves DNA results; to<br />
everyone)<br />
You hear that, motherfuckers? I'm<br />
INNOCENT. NEGATIVE DNA TEST!<br />
GUARD<br />
Shut up, Muddy! Get back in there!<br />
KENNY<br />
My baby sister’s a fuckin' genius and<br />
she's gettin' me out of here!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(calling from the other room)<br />
Kenny, SIT! They can still kick your<br />
ass!<br />
Kenny steps back into the LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM.<br />
KENNY<br />
So whattya think? Monday? Tuesday?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I have to hear back from Barry. As soon<br />
as he reaches Martha Coakley -- [and she<br />
vacates the conviction --]<br />
KENNY<br />
Well you tell Miss Martha Fuckhead<br />
Coakley I want a shiny new limousine<br />
picking me up, with a fully stocked bar!<br />
They laugh together, then Kenny leans in.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 86.<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
Ya gotta call Mandy for me. Tell her<br />
they know I’m innocent... Tell her I’m<br />
gettin’ out.<br />
110 EXT. SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY<br />
110<br />
Betty Anne stands outside and talks into her cell phone.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Mandy, this is your Aunt Betty Anne --<br />
your father's sister. You probably don't<br />
remember me but I really need to talk to<br />
you about your Dad.<br />
111 INT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY 111<br />
ON AN ANSWERING MACHINE, recording Betty Anne's message.<br />
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)<br />
It's very important -- it’s nothing bad --<br />
I mean, it's GREAT. We found the<br />
evidence that proves he's innocent and --<br />
A WOMAN'S HAND comes INTO FRAME and DELETES the message.<br />
112 INT. AIDAN'S PUB - NIGHT<br />
112<br />
Betty Anne is AT THE BAR, taking care of customers.<br />
AIDAN (O.S.)<br />
Stop working! That’s an order!<br />
FIND AIDAN, filling champagne glasses at a nearby table,<br />
where Abra, Don, Ben, Richard, and a few friends try to<br />
celebrate. There’s a big vase of flowers and a cake.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We’ve got customers!<br />
ABRA<br />
Come on, Betty Anne!<br />
Aidan approaches her with a glass of champagne.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I can’t celebrate till Kenny’s out!<br />
AIDAN<br />
O.K. That’s it.
Aidan puts down the glass, comes around the bar, PICKS<br />
BETTY ANNE UP, and sits her down on the counter. People<br />
are laughing.<br />
Laughter.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 87.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh great! I’m sitting in Stoli!<br />
ABRA<br />
Good! At least your butt is celebrating!<br />
AIDAN<br />
Everyone, a toast to Betty Anne and Abra!<br />
Ad libs: Here here!<br />
Aidan --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
AIDAN<br />
It’s time to be happy! You DID IT, Betty<br />
Anne! You did the fucking impossible!<br />
(to boys)<br />
Oops, sorry boys....<br />
RICHARD<br />
Hey, it’s true!<br />
ABRA<br />
OK, like it or not, I’m making a toast.<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
From the first day I set eyes on you in<br />
law school, I thought -- god, she’s even<br />
older than I am!<br />
(laughter)<br />
But seriously, I’ve never met anybody<br />
like you -- you never gave up, you never<br />
stopped fighting -- it’s been an honor<br />
working with you on this.<br />
(beat)<br />
A gigantic pain in the ass -- but an<br />
honor.<br />
Betty Anne gets teary, and mouths “thank you” to Abra.<br />
They all toast, applaud, drink -- including Betty Anne.<br />
113 EXT. LAKE HOUSE - MASSACHUSETTS - DAY<br />
113<br />
It's a beautiful winter afternoon. Richard and Ben are<br />
moving a DRESSER out of a U-HAUL VAN, and carrying it<br />
over to the enclosed porch of a small, ramshackle "fixerupper"<br />
on a lake.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 88.<br />
INT. LAKE HOUSE PORCH - CONTINUOUS<br />
The porch is full of boxes and furniture that they’ve<br />
already unloaded. DISHES have been taken out of a box<br />
and are STACKED on top of a table. BETTY ANNE is in the<br />
adjacent kitchen, making sandwiches.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(stepping onto porch)<br />
Take a break, guys -- I got lunch.<br />
She grabs a couple of plates. Richard and Ben are<br />
looking around, trying to figure out where to put the<br />
dresser for now.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Did it every occur to you that this place<br />
is TOO SMALL for all this STUFF?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
No. Not for a minute.<br />
The boys put down the dresser.<br />
BEN<br />
At least Uncle Kenny will think it’s big<br />
enough... compared to a jail cell.<br />
The boys crack up, and Betty Anne laughs with them. The<br />
PHONE RINGS from inside the house.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
That's BARRY!<br />
She runs into the house. THE BOYS exit and head BACK TO<br />
THE VAN to get more things.<br />
114 INT. LAKE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS<br />
114<br />
Betty Anne has arranged the crappy, dusty interior into a<br />
temporary living space with used furniture, a phone and<br />
fax machine. She grabs her cell phone.<br />
Barry?<br />
Hi.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(out of breath)<br />
BARRY (O.S.)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh, thank God! I'm going crazy here --<br />
and Kenny's absolutely insane!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 89.<br />
She crosses back to THE PORCH.<br />
BARRY (O.S.)<br />
I know. I'm sorry I didn't --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Did you reach Martha Coakley?<br />
Yes.<br />
BARRY (O.S.)<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What'd she say? How long will it take?<br />
BARRY (O.S.)<br />
There’s a problem.<br />
(beat)<br />
She won’t vacate the conviction.<br />
115 EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY<br />
115<br />
Ben and Richard are stepping out of the VAN with more<br />
crap. Ben glances up at the house.<br />
HIS POV - Through the PORCH windows, Betty Anne is RAGING<br />
-- a force of nature throwing DISHES, furniture, kicking<br />
things, going crazy with rage and frustration.<br />
BACK TO SCENE - Ben and Richard drop what they’re<br />
carrying and they run up to the house as Betty Anne<br />
throws A CHAIR against the window.<br />
116 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY<br />
116<br />
KENNY’S in SHOCK; BETTY ANNE, looking grim, sits across<br />
from him.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
She told Barry... She said...<br />
(struggling)<br />
She said there’s still enough evidence to<br />
try you as an accomplice.<br />
Kenny just stares at her, incredulous. Betty Anne tries<br />
to hold herself together.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
She's not gonna let you out.<br />
Kenny remains still. Betty Anne watches him, terrified<br />
of his reaction. And then:
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 90.<br />
He jumps up.<br />
KENNY<br />
Mother Fucker. I’ll KILL that fucking<br />
BITCH!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny, listen to me --<br />
KENNY<br />
MOTHERFUCKER!! I KNEW it, Betty Anne! I<br />
TOLD you!<br />
GUARD<br />
WATERS!! Sit the fuck down!<br />
Kenny sits -- but he’s still riled up.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We can’t give up! We’ve got Barry on our<br />
side now -- we’ll fight her in court --<br />
KENNY<br />
(overlapping; almost<br />
laughing)<br />
We are WAY past that, little sister.<br />
What a fucking IDIOT I was! What a<br />
CHUMP!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny -- please --<br />
KENNY<br />
(rising)<br />
Everything you’ve done? All of it? A<br />
FUCKIN’ JOKE! We got fuckin’ PLAYED!<br />
What a fuckin’ ASSHOLE I was!<br />
GUARD<br />
Sit the fuck down, Waters -- or you’re<br />
OUTTA HERE!<br />
KENNY<br />
(to guard)<br />
Haven’t you heard? They’re NEVER letting<br />
me “outta here”! NEVER!<br />
Kenny THROWS OVER THE TABLE and Betty Anne jumps back.<br />
The GUARD crosses to restrain Kenny -- but Kenny shoves<br />
him away -- HARD. It knocks the guard over.
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
(to Betty Anne)<br />
They made fools outta BOTH of us! I TOLD<br />
you! I TOLD you!<br />
... and in an instant, THREE GUARDS come charging in from<br />
different doors...<br />
... and tackle him, as he goes crazy...<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU!<br />
... while Betty Anne SCREAMS AT THEM, tears streaming --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
STOP!! STOP!! DON’T!!<br />
She moves towards them, and one guard pushes her back.<br />
PRE-LAP:<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 91.<br />
KENNY<br />
Don’t touch her! Don’t you fuckin’ touch<br />
my sister!!<br />
VOICES (V.O.)<br />
Congratulations!<br />
117 INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY<br />
117<br />
As Betty Anne walks towards Barry's office, interns and<br />
others, including Huy Dao and Jocelyn, surround her,<br />
congratulating her. She strains to look appreciative.<br />
118 INT. BARRY SCHECK'S OFFICE - DAY<br />
118<br />
Betty Anne enters. Barry gives her a hug; she closes her<br />
eyes, collapsing into him. They pull back from each<br />
other, and she looks at him -- she's miserable.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny’s in solitary, for Chrissakes!<br />
Why is everyone congratulating me?<br />
BARRY<br />
You proved he’s innocent.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Not to Martha Coakley, I didn’t.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 92.<br />
BARRY<br />
I know. But if we --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
We are NOT going back to court --<br />
BARRY<br />
We don’t -- [have to] --<br />
BARRY<br />
Betty Anne --<br />
BARRY<br />
(loud)<br />
BETTY ANNE!<br />
This gets her attention.<br />
What?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny will not survive<br />
another trial!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
And I’ll be damned if I<br />
have to prove his innocence<br />
ALL OVER AGAIN just because<br />
that evil bitch --<br />
BARRY<br />
There won’t be a trial if we gather new<br />
evidence.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
How we gonna do that?<br />
BARRY<br />
Think about it. The DNA doesn't just<br />
prove Kenny's innocent --<br />
Betty Anne looks at him, realizing.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It proves all those "witnesses" were<br />
lying.<br />
Right.<br />
BARRY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
So we just have to get someone to recant.<br />
Barry looks at her, nods. A beat as Betty Anne’s<br />
expression brightens.<br />
Road trip?<br />
BARRY
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 93.<br />
119 OMIT<br />
119<br />
120 EXT. ROSEANNA PERRY'S TRAILER - AYER - DAY<br />
120<br />
Betty Anne, Abra and Barry exchange looks as they<br />
approach a run-down trailer, the front littered with<br />
empty beer cans, cigarette butts, etc. Betty Anne<br />
knocks. A beat, and the door opens, revealing ROSEANNA<br />
(mid-40's), cigarette in hand.<br />
Oh shit.<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
121 INT. ROSEANNA PERRY'S TRAILER - DAY<br />
121<br />
Betty Anne sits opposite ROSEANNA on a plaid couch.<br />
ROSEANNA drinks a beer and chain smokes. She's missing<br />
several teeth; the years of alcohol have not been kind to<br />
her. A mute T.V. plays in the b.g. Barry types on his<br />
laptop. Abra stands.<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
I was threatened, O.K.?<br />
(to Barry)<br />
Hey -- didn't I see you on TV?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Who threatened you?<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
(still on Barry)<br />
Yeah! I know! You're that famous Jew<br />
lawyer!<br />
Barry is too stunned to respond.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
ROSEANNA! Who threatened you?<br />
Abra gently touches Betty Anne, silently reminding her to<br />
stay calm.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
Ya know, that fuckin’ cop Nancy Taylor<br />
had it out for Kenny -- She fuckin’<br />
kidnaps me, right? Her and the Chief of<br />
Police -- and they bring me to this hotel<br />
room against my will--<br />
(to Barry) *<br />
That’s not legal, right? --<br />
(back to Betty Anne)<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 93A.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY (CONT'D)<br />
-- and they get me drunk and then the<br />
Police Chief, he gets down on his knees<br />
and makes me pray with him -- I ain’t<br />
shittin’ you! -- Ya see, they lied --<br />
they told me they had all this other<br />
evidence and that I could be an accessory<br />
too and they could take my daughters away<br />
-- They had me on ‘terrogation -- and uh,<br />
I mean I was absolutely totally SICK, I<br />
mean I pee-uked! I never seen pictures<br />
like those in my life --<br />
(re: the TV) *<br />
Wait-- I gotta see this part.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 94.<br />
She grabs the remote, puts on the sound for a few beats.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Pictures of Mrs. Brow?<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
Yeah! The stab wounds all over her whole<br />
goddamned body and you could see her<br />
brain and everything. And I just went...<br />
I just went hysterical, I mean I just<br />
completely broke down. "Ya want<br />
something like this to happen to you? Do<br />
you want a fuckin' murderer like that<br />
walking the fuckin' street? It could<br />
happen to anybody, your mother, your<br />
kids, you" -- ya know, meaning me --<br />
BARRY<br />
So Nancy Taylor said that Kenny could<br />
murder you or your mother or your girls?<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
She fuckin' did. Excuse my French but<br />
yes, that's exactly it.<br />
Barry, Abra and Betty Anne exchange looks -- suppressing<br />
their excitement.<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY (CONT'D)<br />
There was just a lot of thing [sic] That<br />
were not quite right in Denmark. And I<br />
kept telling them that I was PALASTERED<br />
and I wasn't even SURE what Kenny said<br />
that time --<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
And you'll sign this affidavit after<br />
we're done?<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
I cannot live like this any longer, I'm<br />
serious. I'm the one who stuck 'im<br />
there. I’m sorry, Betty Anne -- I’m<br />
SORRY! I was railroad [sic], O.K.? I<br />
told them Kenny was innocent! That Nancy<br />
Taylor she says, "Once I get on a lead, I<br />
never let it go."<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Roseanna -- I need to know -- will you<br />
sign the affidavit?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 95.<br />
Yeah!<br />
ROSEANNA PERRY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
And then we'll have to take you with us<br />
to get it notarized --<br />
A beat as Roseanna takes this in.<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
What about perjury?<br />
A beat. Barry, Betty Anne and Abra exchange a look.<br />
ABRA<br />
What about perjury?<br />
ROSEANNA<br />
Well, if I sign this, then they'll know I<br />
lied before, right?<br />
She looks from Betty Anne to Barry for an answer.<br />
ROSEANNA (CONT'D)<br />
What's the “statue of limitations”?<br />
122 EXT. ROSEANNA PERRY’S TRAILER<br />
122<br />
As Betty Anne, Abra, and Barry walk back to the car --<br />
ABRA<br />
I didn't know she could even say so many<br />
syllables.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'd like to knock out the rest of her<br />
teeth --<br />
BARRY<br />
Taste in women was not one of your<br />
brother's strong points.<br />
ABRA<br />
Hey, in her younger days, Roseanna was<br />
Miss Massachusetts.<br />
Seriously?<br />
BARRY<br />
ABRA<br />
(cracks up, then)<br />
Hot shot famous lawyer, here.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 96.<br />
BARRY<br />
Hot shot famous Jew lawyer.<br />
Abra and Barry laugh; Betty Anne’s in too dark a mood to<br />
join them.<br />
123 OMIT<br />
123<br />
124 EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY 124<br />
Betty Anne rings the bell of a second floor apartment in<br />
a low-income, two-story building. The DOOR OPENS,<br />
revealing MANDY (20) a heavyset young woman.<br />
Mandy pales.<br />
Mandy?<br />
Yeah?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
MANDY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm your Aunt Betty Anne.<br />
(beat)<br />
Your father's sister.<br />
MANDY<br />
Whatta you want?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Did you get my messages?<br />
MANDY<br />
I have to go.<br />
Mandy tries to close the door. Betty Anne stops her.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I really need to talk to your mother.<br />
MANDY<br />
She’s not home.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Please -- your father's innocent.<br />
MANDY<br />
He's a murderer.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
The DNA test proved he's not.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 97.<br />
Mandy's rattled. She hasn't heard a word about this.<br />
She starts to close the door --<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Did she ever give you his letters?<br />
The door closes in her face.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
He wrote to you every week!<br />
(banging on door)<br />
He’s innocent!<br />
ANGLE - BARRY AND ABRA, watch from the car.<br />
125 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - ENTRANCE TO VISITING ROOM - DAY 125<br />
CHRISTMAS EVE. A GUARD unwraps a GIFT BOX for<br />
inspection. WIDER - BETTY ANNE, wearing a BRIGHT RED<br />
CHRISTMAS-THEMED SWEATER, watches him tear the paper,<br />
then glances into the VISITING ROOM.<br />
HER POV - Sad-looking garlands "decorate" the room.<br />
Inmates sit opposite family; KENNY waits for her. He<br />
looks thinner, more beaten down.<br />
126 INT. VISITING ROOM - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY<br />
126<br />
As Kenny sits across from Betty Anne. Betty Anne is<br />
chatty, trying to be upbeat.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
It’s so silly that I wrap it every year<br />
but I figure crumpled paper’s better than<br />
none -- so there’s socks in there,<br />
shampoo, underwear -- the boys got you a<br />
video but God knows how long it’ll take<br />
to approve it -- Remember the year they<br />
wouldn’t let me give you BABE? -- I<br />
wasn’t sure they’d even let me in with<br />
this sweater... I mean it’s RED -- I<br />
could be in a gang --<br />
KENNY<br />
It’s O.K., Betty Anne. I’m O.K.<br />
Huh?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
KENNY<br />
They’re not gonna let us win.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 98.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What?! What are you talking about? Of<br />
course we are.<br />
KENNY<br />
It’s not your fault.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Kenny, let’s not talk about this today.<br />
It’s Christmas.<br />
KENNY<br />
Time for you to start living your life.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(offended)<br />
This is my life!<br />
Kenny just looks at her. “Exactly.” Betty Anne is<br />
silent, feeling the weight of her own words.<br />
127 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATE NIGHT<br />
127<br />
Betty Anne's on the phone, drinking eggnog from a<br />
McDonald’s juice glass. A rum bottle and a jar of nutmeg<br />
are on the counter.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Am I disturbing your Christmas?<br />
128 INTERCUT BARRY IN BED, HIS WIFE ASLEEP BESIDE HIM. 128<br />
BARRY<br />
Christmas? No. Sleep? Yes.<br />
Sorry.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BARRY<br />
I don't have Christmas, by the way.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Oh. Well, your Hanukkah.<br />
BARRY<br />
That was last month.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I thought it was the same time as<br />
Christmas.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 99.<br />
BARRY<br />
That was last year.<br />
Huh.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Betty Anne adds more rum and nutmeg to her drink.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Anyway, I was thinking -- we need to stay<br />
focused on trying to find the murderer.<br />
There's that boyfriend Brow's daughter-inlaw<br />
had, and that guy whose car was seen<br />
by the trailer, and --<br />
BARRY<br />
Have you thought about doing nothing for<br />
a few days? Drinking eggnog, enjoying<br />
your family?<br />
(silence)<br />
I didn't think so.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I'm drinking eggnog.<br />
BARRY<br />
Are your boys there?<br />
Tomorrow.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
BARRY<br />
Good.<br />
(beat)<br />
Look, right after New Years', I'll come<br />
back up there, we'll get someone to talk -<br />
- whatever it takes. O.K.?<br />
O.K.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(deflated)<br />
BARRY<br />
I’m sorry Kenny’s not there with you. I<br />
wish I could have made that happen.<br />
Betty Anne tears up.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(quietly)<br />
I know.<br />
BARRY<br />
Merry Christmas.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 100.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You too -- I mean, Happy Han -- oh shit --<br />
good night.<br />
She hangs up. Sits there a beat.<br />
129 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING<br />
129<br />
Sitting by the Christmas tree, surrounded by wrapping<br />
paper and bows, Ben and Richard check out their presents.<br />
Through the windows, we see a nasty-looking winter storm.<br />
BEN<br />
Hey Mom -- are the pancakes almost ready?<br />
Betty Anne enters, bundled in a coat, scarf, hat, gloves<br />
and boots, carrying a tray with pancakes, syrup, butter.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Anybody up for a drive?<br />
The boys look at her -- then look out the window -- then<br />
back to her.<br />
130 INT. BETTY ANNE'S HONDA - MOVING - DAY<br />
130<br />
Betty Anne drives slowly in the snow. Richard's beside<br />
her; Ben's in the back, polishing off the pancakes.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Any pancakes left back there?<br />
BEN<br />
Oh. Did you want some?<br />
RICHARD<br />
Give me one --<br />
BEN<br />
Forget it -- you lose!<br />
They laugh as they pretend to fight. It lightens Betty<br />
Anne's mood a little.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You gonna tell your father this is how I<br />
made you spend Christmas?<br />
BEN<br />
Your secret's safe with us.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 101.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Besides, we're willing accomplices.<br />
Betty Anne smiles gratefully. The storm is getting<br />
worse.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You would do this for each other, right?<br />
RICHARD<br />
(laughs)<br />
If Ben tried to go to law school for me,<br />
I'd die an old man in prison.<br />
BEN<br />
Don't worry about it -- I wouldn't do it.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You wouldn't?<br />
BEN<br />
(shrugs)<br />
I mean, I'd want to help and all but I<br />
don't think I could give up what I really<br />
wanted to do.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Which is -- what? Sleeping till noon and<br />
hanging out at the mall?<br />
BEN<br />
Shut up. What -- would you do it for me?<br />
Yeah.<br />
RICHARD<br />
(thinks, then)<br />
BEN<br />
You'd sacrifice your whole life for me?<br />
Betty Anne reacts to this description.<br />
RICHARD<br />
Well, when you put it that way...<br />
(beat)<br />
Forget it.<br />
The boys crack up. Betty Anne glances at Ben in the<br />
rearview mirror.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
You think I sacrificed my whole life?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 102.<br />
The boys look at each other, feeling guilty. Betty Anne<br />
takes this in, then looks ahead at the blinding snow.<br />
131 EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY 131<br />
Snowing and blustery. Betty Anne, holding a small<br />
Christmas present, rings the bell, Richard and Ben beside<br />
her. A few beats and the door opens. Mandy. Betty Anne<br />
gestures to the boys, as if saying, here are your<br />
cousins, then holds out the present. Mandy closes the<br />
door in their faces.<br />
AIDAN (V.O.)<br />
It's almost time!<br />
132 INT. AIDAN'S PUB - NIGHT - 2000/2001 (THE PRESENT) 132<br />
In a New Year's Eve top hat, Aidan tries to steer a happy<br />
crowd towards the stage area where there's an Irish band,<br />
Christmas and New Year's decorations, TV sets turned to<br />
the Times Square countdown, and someone passing out horns<br />
and blowers. Among the revelers are Abra and Don in<br />
matching New Years' crowns. Aidan looks for Betty Anne.<br />
The DRUMMER bangs the drum with each number:<br />
ALL<br />
Ten, nine, eight, seven ...<br />
133 EXT. AIDAN’S PUB - NIGHT<br />
133<br />
Betty Anne, hugging herself, stands across the street<br />
from the back of Aidan's Pub and looks at the train<br />
tracks. Her breath mists in the cold.<br />
ALL (O.S.)<br />
... three, two, one -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!<br />
In the b.g., we hear horns and an Irish-sounding AULD<br />
LANG SYNE. Aidan, still in his party hat, steps out of<br />
the pub's back door, sees Betty Anne and crosses behind<br />
her, puts his arms around her waist and envelops her.<br />
Betty Anne starts to cry quietly. Aidan holds her<br />
tighter. As Betty Anne stands on the precipice of a new<br />
year, her tears turn to sobs and she begins to pour out<br />
two decades of pain.<br />
134 EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY - JANUARY, 2001 134<br />
Mandy, in a waitress's uniform, exits the building and<br />
walks down the street.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 103.<br />
WIDER - Betty Anne watches from her car, across the<br />
street.<br />
135 EXT. FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY 135<br />
Through the WINDOW, we see Mandy taking an order.<br />
WIDER - Betty Anne watches from her car, in the parking<br />
lot.<br />
136 INT. FRIENDLY'S RESTAURANT - DAY<br />
136<br />
As Mandy heads to the kitchen, Betty Anne intercepts her.<br />
I'm working.<br />
Please.<br />
MANDY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
137 EXT. FRIENDLY'S RESTAURANT - DAY<br />
137<br />
Betty Anne and Mandy stand to the side of the restaurant;<br />
Mandy smokes a cigarette.<br />
MANDY<br />
I have this memory -- I'm sitting on the<br />
kitchen floor -- I'm three or four years<br />
old -- and my mom and aunt are talking<br />
about Daddy's shirt being covered with<br />
blood. I couldn't figure it out. Why<br />
would Daddy's shirt be covered with<br />
blood?<br />
It wasn't.<br />
Mandy takes this in.<br />
She lied?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
MANDY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
The DNA proves she did.<br />
We see this register briefly on Mandy's face but she<br />
tries to hide her reaction. She puffs on her cigarette.<br />
MANDY<br />
Why would she lie that way?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 104.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
That's what we need to ask her, honey.<br />
A long beat as Mandy takes this in. It’s hitting her in<br />
waves.<br />
MANDY<br />
Did he really write me every week?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
For eighteen years. Even when you were<br />
just a baby.<br />
MANDY<br />
(a beat; hiding her upset)<br />
Is he getting out of jail?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
They won’t let him out without new<br />
evidence.<br />
Why not?<br />
MANDY<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Because people don't like to admit that<br />
they've made a mistake.<br />
Mandy listens. The double meaning isn't lost on her.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
We need a statement from your mother.<br />
A beat. Mandy turns and heads for the restaurant door.<br />
MANDY<br />
I can't control what she does!<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(following her)<br />
Yeah -- either could Kenny.<br />
(beat)<br />
If Massachusetts had the death penalty,<br />
he'd be dead by now.<br />
Mandy swallows. Betty Anne reaches into her purse and<br />
pulls out a Christmas gift.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Your father made this for you.<br />
Mandy hesitates, then takes it. She rips off the paper,<br />
revealing a lacquered wooden jewelry box with flowers<br />
carved on top.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 105.<br />
She touches the flowers, then opens the box: inside is<br />
the PHOTO KENNY HAD ON HIS PRISON WALL -- Kenny with<br />
toddler Mandy on his shoulders.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
He's had that on the wall of his cell<br />
this whole time.<br />
Mandy takes out the photo and looks at it, trying to hide<br />
her emotions.<br />
138 EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY<br />
138<br />
Betty Anne rings the bell; Abra and Barry are behind her.<br />
The door opens, REVEALING BRENDA, 45 going on 65. Betty<br />
Anne looks into the face of the woman who ruined her<br />
brother's life.<br />
PRE-LAP: The sound of TYPING.<br />
139 INT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY<br />
139<br />
Through a haze of cigarette SMOKE we see a disaster of an<br />
apartment: dirty dishes, ashtrays filled with butts and<br />
half-smoked joints, a jungle's worth of unhealthy potted<br />
plants. BETTY ANNE holds a tape recorder as Brenda speaks<br />
while smoking a cigarette. Mandy stands, a few feet away<br />
from her mother -- steeled, angry, and smoking a<br />
cigarette -- but we can see the hurt in her eyes.<br />
BRENDA<br />
After me and Kenny split up, I had this<br />
boyfriend, Robert, and he says we could<br />
get money from the cops if we rat on<br />
Kenny.<br />
Abra takes notes and Barry, perched precariously on a<br />
small wooden chair, types on his laptop. A little MUTT<br />
keeps yipping.<br />
BRENDA (CONT’D)<br />
So he goes to Nancy Taylor and says I<br />
told him Kenny confessed to Mrs. Brow's<br />
murder...<br />
Wait, wait!<br />
BARRY<br />
His LAPTOP plug has fallen out of a crappy-looking<br />
outlet. Abra plugs it in, keeping her eye on it. The<br />
dog YIPS.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 106.<br />
Go on.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(to Brenda)<br />
BRENDA<br />
Nancy Taylor tells Robert he can fuck<br />
himself -- and then she hauls me in,<br />
brings me to this hotel, makes me look at<br />
these gross pictures...<br />
(she shudders)<br />
She says they can prove I was an<br />
accessory... and that they'll take Mandy<br />
away...<br />
Brenda looks to Mandy, hoping she'll understand -- but<br />
Mandy stays poker-faced, absorbing the enormity of what<br />
she's just learned. She won't look at her mother.<br />
140 EXT. WORCESTER STREET - DAY<br />
140<br />
Betty Anne’s Honda drives slowly up a commercial street.<br />
The car passes an INSURANCE COMPANY with a sign in the<br />
window: NOTARY AVAILABLE.<br />
BARRY (V.O.)<br />
There! Stop the car!<br />
141 INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - FRONT OFFICE - DAY<br />
141<br />
With laptop in hand, Barry rushes into this office,<br />
followed by Betty Anne, Abra, Brenda and Mandy. The<br />
RECEPTIONIST looks startled.<br />
BARRY<br />
You guys have a printer I can use?<br />
142 INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - REAR OFFICE - DAY<br />
142<br />
THROUGH THE GLASS WALL of the office, we see a WOMAN<br />
NOTARY sitting across from Brenda. Mandy, Betty Anne,<br />
Abra and Barry stand, surrounding Brenda. We move INSIDE<br />
THE OFFICE where, pen in hand, Brenda looks for the<br />
signature line on her affidavit. The NOTARY points to<br />
the place for Brenda to sign. Betty Anne, Barry and Abra<br />
are afraid to breathe. Brenda's about to sign it, then:<br />
BRENDA<br />
(to Barry)<br />
Can you guarantee that I won't go to jail<br />
if I sign this?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 107.<br />
Brenda hesitates.<br />
BARRY<br />
No. I can't.<br />
MANDY<br />
(firmly)<br />
Sign it, Ma.<br />
Brenda looks at her. A beat. As she signs it, Betty<br />
Anne exhales and SQUEEZES Abra's fingers.<br />
143 OMIT<br />
143<br />
144 EXT. WORCESTER STREET - DAY<br />
144<br />
Betty Anne's on her cell phone as she, Barry and Abra<br />
walk to her car.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Martha Coakley please.... I have Barry<br />
Scheck calling. It's urgent.<br />
Betty Anne waits, looks at Barry. Then:<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)<br />
Ms. Coakley? Betty Anne Waters. Barry's<br />
tied up right now, but he wanted me to<br />
let you know that Brenda Marsh, your key<br />
witness in the Kenneth Waters case, has<br />
just recanted her original testimony.<br />
I'll be faxing that affidavit shortly...<br />
Oh -- here's Barry now!<br />
She hands the phone to Barry.<br />
BARRY<br />
Martha! That's something about Brenda<br />
Marsh, isn't it?<br />
He, Betty Anne and Abra are loving every minute of this.<br />
BARRY (CONT'D)<br />
Listen, Martha -- while you decide<br />
whether to vacate Kenny's conviction, I<br />
wanted to give you a heads up --some<br />
folks over at the Boston Globe and the<br />
New York Times just love this story.<br />
He and Betty Anne exchange triumphant smiles.
145 INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - KENNY'S CELL - DAY - FEBRUARY, 2001 145<br />
In a white t-shirt and jeans, Kenny sits on the edge of<br />
his cot, deep in thought. The WALLS and surfaces are<br />
completely clear of his possessions. O.S. FOOTSTEPS<br />
approach. Kenny looks up as a familiar GUARD opens the<br />
door. Kenny rises. A beat, and he exits his cell.<br />
146 INT. COURTROOM - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - DAY 146<br />
Barry and Betty Anne stand at the defense table, tensely<br />
watching a JUDGE read through some paperwork. KENNY, in<br />
hand and leg cuffs, stands near the witness stand,<br />
flanked by two courtroom GUARDS. MARTHA COAKLEY (50’s)<br />
and an ASSISTANT D.A. stand at the prosecution table.<br />
THE JUDGE looks up, addressing Barry and Betty Anne.<br />
JUDGE<br />
Are all sides in agreement to vacate the<br />
conviction?<br />
BETTY ANNE/BARRY<br />
Yes, your honor.<br />
The Judge turns to the D.A. Betty Anne watches<br />
anxiously.<br />
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 108.<br />
MARTHA COAKLEY<br />
Yes, your honor.<br />
JUDGE<br />
Kenneth Waters -- you're free to go.<br />
He bangs his GAVEL. BETTY ANNE exhales. KENNY turns to<br />
her -- elated -- and the guards start to remove his<br />
cuffs. BARRY puts his arm around Betty Anne, squeezes<br />
her tightly as they cross to Kenny. In the b.g., the<br />
Coakley team exits.<br />
KENNY<br />
(to Barry)<br />
So that's it?<br />
That's it.<br />
BARRY<br />
A beat and the cuffs are off. Kenny and Betty Anne look<br />
at each other, speechless. They embrace.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 109.<br />
OVERHEAD SHOT as Betty Anne, Kenny and Barry walk in<br />
silence through the courtroom, their footsteps echoing.<br />
They push the double doors open into:<br />
A 147 INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE COURTROOM - CONTINUOUS<br />
A 147<br />
Long shot of Betty Anne and Kenny exiting the courtroom<br />
and heading down the deserted corridor. Barry brings up<br />
the rear.<br />
As they approach the elevators, Barry hits the “down”<br />
button<br />
147 INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE LOBBY - CONTINUOUS 147<br />
CLOSE ON elevator doors opening to reveal:<br />
FLASHBULBS popping as Betty Anne, Kenny and Barry are<br />
unexpectedly greeted by A MOB OF PRESS. REPORTERS shout<br />
out questions. The crowd includes the WATERS FAMILY;<br />
Aidan, Ben, Richard, Abra and Don. Kenny hugs his mom<br />
first. Lots of tears, lots of cameras.<br />
ANGLE - A REPORTER interrupts as Kenny hugs his mom.<br />
REPORTER #1<br />
Hey Kenny -- can we get a picture of you<br />
and Betty Anne?<br />
Kenny moves to Betty Anne and puts his arm around her --<br />
FLASHBULBS POP.<br />
148 EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE - DAY<br />
148<br />
More PRESS wait outside. Martha Coakley stands next to<br />
her associate on the steps and addresses reporters.<br />
MARTHA COAKLEY<br />
The D.A.'s office is happy to see that<br />
justice was done and an innocent man can<br />
go free today --<br />
ANGLE - BARRY watches with a wry expression. SOME<br />
REPORTERS RUSH UP TO HIM.<br />
REPORTER<br />
Mr. Scheck! How do you feel about what<br />
happened here today?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 110.<br />
BARRY<br />
I’m thrilled for Kenny. But we can’t<br />
forget that there are hundreds of<br />
innocent men and women still languishing<br />
in prison.<br />
(beat) *<br />
Justice was done today because of an<br />
extraordinary woman named Betty Anne<br />
Waters -- with the help of the Innocence<br />
Project and DNA. DNA is God’s signature.<br />
He writes no forgeries, and his checks<br />
don’t bounce!<br />
The crowd laughs. BETTY ANNE scans the crowds, searching<br />
for someone; Kenny looks at her and she shakes her head.<br />
The PRESS barrage them with overlapping questions.<br />
REPORTER #2<br />
Kenny -- you spent eighteen years in jail<br />
for a murder you didn't commit --<br />
KENNY<br />
That’s right. And my family suffered<br />
unbearable.<br />
REPORTER #2<br />
You must be pretty angry.<br />
KENNY<br />
Angry? No. Those eighteen years... man,<br />
they’re gone. Right now -- I see the<br />
sky -- I got my family with me -- I’m the<br />
happiest man alive.<br />
REPORTER #3<br />
Kenny -- what did you learn from this<br />
experience?<br />
Kenny takes a moment to think about this one.<br />
KENNY<br />
I guess I learned my mother was right --<br />
“Never hit your sister!”<br />
THE REPORTERS LAUGH.<br />
REPORTER #2<br />
And how are you gonna thank your sister<br />
for what she did?<br />
KENNY<br />
I don't know... How would you thank her?<br />
I mean, look at her -- she’s beautiful --<br />
she's... she's it...<br />
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 110A.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
How do you thank someone for devotin'<br />
their whole life to you?<br />
REPORTER #3<br />
Betty Anne, you have any big cases lined<br />
up after this?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Uh -- no. I never really planned on<br />
practicing law.<br />
REPORTER #3<br />
What? After all that work?<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(simply)<br />
All I ever wanted was to get my brother<br />
out.<br />
As the reporters fire questions at her...
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 111.<br />
149 EXT. STREET - DAY (A FEW MOMENTS LATER)<br />
149<br />
A STRETCH LIMO is parked near the courthouse; a LIMO<br />
DRIVER stands next to the open door. As the crowd begins<br />
to disperse, Barry, Abra, Don, Aidan, the boys, and<br />
family members start to pile in, rowdy and excited.<br />
BETTY ANNE sees someone at the back of the crowd -- and<br />
she puts her hand on Kenny's arm.<br />
MANDY is standing there, smoking a cigarette.<br />
BETTY ANNE smiles, tremendously relieved -- then turns to<br />
KENNY: His lip trembles; tears fill his eyes. Betty<br />
Anne touches him gently, then walks over to the limo.<br />
KENNY stands there, staring at his grown daughter. MANDY<br />
looks scared. She takes another puff off the cigarette,<br />
tosses it. KENNY cautiously approaches her.<br />
Hi.<br />
Hi.<br />
KENNY<br />
MANDY<br />
They stand there awkwardly.<br />
Ahh, hell --<br />
KENNY<br />
He puts his arms around her and enfolds her in a bear<br />
hug, tears filling his eyes. MANDY doesn't show emotion,<br />
but accepts the hug. She gently pulls back from Kenny<br />
when it seems to go on too long.<br />
KENNY (CONT'D)<br />
(choked up)<br />
You're so beautiful.<br />
MANDY<br />
(self-effacing laugh)<br />
No I'm not.<br />
KENNY<br />
Yeah, you are.<br />
(beat)<br />
This is the moment that kept me going for<br />
eighteen years...<br />
MANDY<br />
I’m sorry I can't just... My whole life -<br />
- I thought you killed that woman!
KENNY<br />
Not your whole life.<br />
MANDY<br />
(embarrassed)<br />
I don't remember that part.<br />
KENNY<br />
I do.<br />
(beat)<br />
Look -- I'm not perfect, Mandy -- I<br />
wasn't before I went to jail, and I'm not<br />
now. But you gotta know... you have a<br />
dad who loves you more than anything in<br />
the whole world.<br />
Mandy starts to choke up but she stops it.<br />
A beat.<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 112.<br />
MANDY<br />
What my mother did to you... I'm so<br />
sorry.<br />
KENNY<br />
It's not your fault.<br />
KENNY (CONT’D)<br />
You never have to apologize to me. Ever.<br />
MANDY<br />
I'm gonna need time.<br />
I can wait.<br />
KENNY<br />
ON BETTY ANNE, watching them from INSIDE THE LIMO.<br />
HER POV - KENNY holds out his hand; Mandy hesitates, then<br />
takes it, and they walk together to THE LIMO.<br />
KENNY looks at BETTY ANNE who smiles at him, both<br />
acknowledging that this is the gift she gave him. HOLD<br />
ON BETTY ANNE.<br />
DISSOLVE TO:<br />
150 INT. LAKE HOUSE - MORNING<br />
150<br />
Pre-dawn. Betty Anne is lying awake in bed.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 113.<br />
151 INT. LAKE HOUSE - HALLWAY<br />
151<br />
Dressed in a sweatshirt, sweatpants and thick wool socks,<br />
Betty Anne crosses to the other bedroom. She peeks in<br />
and sees AN UNTOUCHED BED. FOLLOW BETTY ANNE as she<br />
crosses to THE KITCHEN: no Kenny. She walks into the<br />
LIVING ROOM, where BEN AND RICHARD lie, dead to the<br />
world, in sleeping bags. Betty Anne glances out the<br />
front window:<br />
KENNY, his back to us, sits on the edge of the snowcovered<br />
dock, feet dangling over the frozen lake.<br />
152 EXT. LAKE HOUSE - MORNING<br />
152<br />
Kenny breathes deeply as he inhales the view: whitishblue<br />
ice stretches out in front of him; the sky blushes<br />
pink over the mountains ahead; a few scattered stars<br />
twinkle; rays of sunlight pour through the snow-laden<br />
trees. He’s holding a HALF-EATEN CHERRY PIE, eating<br />
directly from the pie plate with a fork -- while using<br />
the fork to scoop from a tub of ice cream beside him.<br />
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)<br />
Did you sleep?<br />
Kenny turns; Betty Anne’s hugging herself in the cold.<br />
KENNY<br />
Naah... couldn't. I mean, look at this.<br />
(he makes a sweeping gesture *<br />
to the view)<br />
Besides -- my mind -- it's goin' a<br />
hundred miles an hour.<br />
Betty Anne sits down beside him.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Yeah. Mine too.<br />
KENNY<br />
Hey -- you're off-duty now. Time for you<br />
to get some rest.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
What -- are you kidding? You're finally<br />
out! I don't wanna miss anything.<br />
He smiles, takes her hand. They gaze at the view.<br />
KENNY<br />
Lake Betty Anne and Kenny.
They share a smile.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
(correcting him)<br />
Lake Kenny and Betty Anne.<br />
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)<br />
(re: the house)<br />
It’s not exactly a mansion.<br />
KENNY<br />
It's perfect.<br />
(beat)<br />
Ya know, even if it'd taken you another<br />
twenty years, I woulda been O.K.<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
Twenty more years? Jesus. I would've<br />
lost my mind!<br />
KENNY<br />
(laughs, then)<br />
I know. I woulda lost my mind too! It's<br />
just... just knowin' you were out here,<br />
working so hard for me... knowin' you<br />
loved me that much...<br />
He gets choked up. Betty Anne gets choked up too. Then,<br />
to lighten it up:<br />
BETTY ANNE<br />
I just did what any sister would do.<br />
Yeah, right.<br />
KENNY<br />
They both laugh and Kenny puts his arm around her, kisses<br />
her forehead. They look out at the view, breathing<br />
deeply. We leave them to their private moment as the<br />
CAMERA PULLS BACK slowly; the landscape expands and<br />
brother and sister start to appear smaller and smaller,<br />
like the two children they once were.<br />
CRAWL:<br />
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 114.<br />
THE END<br />
There have been 210 post-conviction DNA exonerations<br />
since 1989, including fifteen from Death Row.<br />
Exonerations have been won in 31 states.<br />
FADE OUT.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009 115.<br />
The Innocence Project currently has 291 cases in active<br />
litigation, hundreds in the screening process, and<br />
thousands of initial letters under review. In 2006, they<br />
received 3,259 new requests for assistance.<br />
Betty Anne Waters still co-manages Aidan's Pub and works<br />
part-time with the New England Innocence Project.<br />
A civil suit against the State of Massachusetts, the Ayer<br />
Police, and former police officer Nancy Taylor is<br />
pending.<br />
The murderer of Katherina Brow has never been found.<br />
FOR KENNY