1. INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
Pitch black. VIOLET, a soft and delicate woman in her late
80’s wakes up from the glaring morning sun. She closes the
curtains, lights candles and quickly makes her bed. The cold
has gotten to her, so she makes her way to her wardrobe and
pulls out a bottle of wine. She sits in silence. A car pulls
into the driveway. Violet slightly opens the curtain,
peering out at the car, then immediately shuts it.
EXT. HOUSE - EVENING
DELIVERY GUY comes up to the door, holding a huge bouquet of
white daisies, and rings the doorbell. Violet abruptly
answers, grabs the flowers and walks back inside, leaving
the door open. Delivery guy, confused, shuts door.
INT. HOUSE - CONTINUED
Violet rushes quietly towards the bedroom, passing the
grungy MAID who is making tea in the kitchen.
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
She locks the door behind her. Candles are lit all around
room. Violet sits on the floor, vigorously sewing a
preserved butterfly to a canvas full of other various
butterflies. She quickly gets up, knocking over and spilling
a half empty wine bottle, and places the canvas in the
shrine of butterfly canvases.
INT. BEDROOM,CLOSET - EVENING
Violet unlocks closet door, revealing a grow room, full of
white daisies (one dead batch).
INT. BEDROOM - EVENING
Violet is placing flowers on shrine, stumbling over her
work.
She grabs a dusty big book from the chest and places it on
the bed, next to a vintage gown and flower headpiece.
She turns Ihome on and a love song plays. She’s wearing the
gown and headpiece.
She rips day calendar page off the wall and slowly dances
her way to the middle of the shrine, where the book is. She
opens it and admires the dusty and tattered pages. One blank
sheet is left. She cuts her hand with a quill and writes: As
you should know, my love, this blood note is really quite
fucking painful - Here I go.

2. 2.
INT. STREET - DAY/PAST
Sixty years earlier. EMMA, chewing on the arm of her
sunglasses, walks down the street with her nose in a book. A
party is being held at a venue across the street. She’s
distracted by the giggle of Violet and runs into a pole.
Emma lights up a cigarette and continuously glances at
Violet, cautious of being caught. She watches violet laugh
and watches DEREK tie a mask to her face. She walks toward
the venue, as Violet enters with Derek and group of friends.
She peers inside.
DOOR MAN
This is a private event. Can I help
you?
EMMA
Oh. Just - Thought my dog...
(to imaginary dog)
Penny, Penny? Nope. Mmkay.
DOOR MAN
There’s no dog in there, Miss.
She sits on the side of the building. Emma is staring off,
cigarette burning in hand and ashing on top of a small
cigarette pile. Violet shocks her.
VIOLET
May I?
EMMA
Please.
Emma nervously takes off sunglasses, shuts book, and brushes
the cigarette pile with shoe.
VIOLET
You wouldn’t happen to have an
extra one would you?
EMMA
Of course.
Emma hands Violet a cigarette and lights a match. Violet
places the end of her cigarette on Emma’s and looks into her
eyes as she waits for it to light. Violet giggles.
VIOLET
(keeping eye contact) Thank
you. You’re not from here are
you?
Violet sits beside her.
(CONTINUED)

3. CONTINUED: 3.
EMMA
Am I a dead giveaway?
VIOLET
Your accent is...
EMMA
Mm.
Violet watches Emma awkwardly smoke her cigarette.
VIOLET
...and so is your smoking.
EMMA
Excuse me?
Violet laughs.
VIOLET
Let me guess...uh..Australian?
EMMA
Unfortunately, mate.
VIOLET
No. What luck.
EMMA
How’s that?
VIOLET
Well, because life here is a
complete bore. Don’t let the dress
fool you.
EMMA
I don’t think so.
VIOLET
You don’t?
EMMA
Life in this city is a wild dream.
It’s a place where the unknown is
welcomed.
VIOLET
Husband a writer?
EMMA
Not a part of that club.
(CONTINUED)

4. CONTINUED: 4.
VIOLET
Hasn’t proposed yet?
EMMA
I plead the fifth.
VIOLET
Hm. Your interest is with Derek
then? I wonder if he swings. I
could ask him perhaps.
EMMA
No way!
vioet
Well, I guess I don’t see what you see. My dreams are more
.....I don’t know.
EMMA
Maybe you’re eyes should do more
searching.
Silent moment between the two. Derek finds Violet and,
annoyed, beckons for her to come.
DEREK
Violet?
VIOLET
My life is calling.
EMMA
It’s okay.
VIOLET
Thanks for the cigarette.
Emma watches in awe as Violet walks away, then looks down
and notices a handbag she’s left behind.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - EVENING
Note is on her door: YOU SO MUCH LOUD! She smirks. Book and
handbag under arm and sack of groceries in hand, she digs in
her jean pocket for keys.

5. 5.
INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Magazine clippings, quotes, glass, dead flowers and
newspaper clippings cover the walls. There’s one small table
covered with written on napkins, couch, and a TV sitting on
box. Emma enters and throws keys on side table, heading for
kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
Classical music turned up. Emma’s wearing sweats and her
hair is up. She’s boiling water for spinach and cutting
apples. She glances at the handbag, sitting on the opposite
end of counter. She stops chopping, contemplates whether or
not to open it,and walks toward it. Phone rings.
INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING
She’s sitting on the couch, talking on the phone and picking
at her food. TV is on mute in the background. Handbag rests
on side table, next to her.
EMMA
Yes, I got the journal. Thank you,
it’s beautiful. Yeah, I’ve written
a lot in it.
She flips through empty pages.
(long pauses)
But you really shouldn’t--Look, I miss you too, but...We’re
so far from... Opens book and touches letter and picture of
her and ex boyfriend. ....and, I don’t know, maybe you
should try and--
She glances at handbag and there’s an immediate knock on the
door.
Hey, I have to go, someone’s here. Okay--love you too bye.
Knocking continues.
I turned the music off so--
Opens the door and Violet’s there, wearing a beautiful dress
and holding a dog. Long pause. Emma says nothing.
VIOLET
I found your dog.
Silence.
Can you let me in before I get stabbed?
(CONTINUED)

6. CONTINUED: 6.
EMMA
Uh, sure. How did you find where I
live?
VIOLET
(playful whisper)
I followed you.
Violet looks around room.
EMMA
Where did you find this dog?
VIOLET
Penny?
Emma notices Penny name tag on dog.
EMMA
Ri-yes. Penny. Thanks for uh
bringing her back to my home. Home.
Our home.
VIOLET
Whoa, you really are single.
EMMA
Does the thought amuse you?
VIOLET
No. Sorry. It’s amazing, really.
This must’ve taken you a
long--’He’s my delicate prince and
I his stray, depriving him of
innate luxury.’. That’s beautiful.
Did you write that?
EMMA
Yes, I did. Thanks.
VIOLET
So the cat does has a boyfriend.
Good for you. What’s he look like?
Is he back in Australia? I couldn’t
do a long distant relationship. How
do you two make it work?
EMMA
I really don’t want to talk about
that.
(CONTINUED)

7. CONTINUED: 7.
VIOLET
Oh okay. Sorry. ...I won’t turn you
in if you grab a beer with me.
EMMA
Pardon?
VIOLET
My handbag.
EMMA
I did not steal that. You left it
and I didn’t want to be rude and
go--
Violet picks up jeans and shirt off floor and hands them to
Emma.
VIOLET
Here. What? You don’t have to come
if you don’t want to.
EMMA
Where are we going? Violet walks
away.
VIOLET
I’m parked out front.
INT. CAR - MOMENTS LATER/SUNSET
They’ve arrived at the beach. Violet gets out of car.
EMMA
Are we...okay, we’re getting out.
VIOLET
(poking head back in)
Grab the beer.
EXT. BEACH - SUNSET
Violet runs, screaming, toward the water and spins around in
it. Emma watches in amusement. Violet runs to Emma and grabs
her hands, but she’s very resistant. Violet pulls Emma in
the water.

8. 8.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Emma, in dry clothes, towel dries her hair and hands Violet
dry clothing.
VIOLET
Thanks, mate.
She undresses in front of Emma. Emma nervously looks away
and finds something to distract her focus.
EMMA
Beer. Would you like a beer?
VIOLET
Yeah.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Emma opens up two beers, confusion spread across her face.
She turns around and Violet’s standing right in front of
her.
EMMA
Um.
VIOLET
(holding wet towel)
Where should I put this?
EMMA
Oh. Here I’ll take that.
Emma hands Violet the beers.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
They sit on the couch, drinking beer.
VIOLET
How do you do that?
EMMA
What?
VIOLET
(referring to Em’s work)
Make life look more mysterious.
EMMA
I don’t blind myself from its real
beauty. It’s failure. It’s
weakness. Or it’s end...how do you
do that?
(CONTINUED)

9. CONTINUED: 9.
VIOLET
Do what?
EMMA
Find a stranger’s home.
VIOLET
(shrugs)
I insist on making new friends.
Plus, your landlord banks at my
boyfriend’s business and you’re the
only Australian who manages to be
late on her rent every month.
EMMA
Some call that stalking.
VIOLET
Mm...Curious.
Phone rings.
EMMA
Your life?
VIOLET
See you tomorrow?
EMMA
I do have things to do, you know.
Violet walks out door. She’s left her handbag again. Emma
takes a napkin and writes on it. Pebbles hit her window.
Emma opens it.
VIOLET
(yelling from street)
Don’t dress up tomorrow.
EMMA
You left your handbag again.
VIOLET
(getting in car)
Bye, mate!
Emma picks up handbag and opens it. Inside are many
seashells and a note: For your wall.

10. 10.
INT. VIOLET’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Derek sits at the table, organizing paperwork. Violet comes
in with wine and cheese.
VIOLET
Hey.
(kisses forehead)
DEREK
Hey. Just get out of the shower?
VIOLET
No.
He mumbles to himself as he skims his work. Violet goes into
kitchen.
INTERCUT CONVERSATion
DEREK
How was your day?
VIOLET
I went swimming with my friend and
then she showed me her apartment.
She’s a writer...I think. Anyway
we--
DEREK
That’s good.
VIOLET
Yeah.
Violet walks in with a full glass of wine and a plate of
cheese.
VIOLET
How was your day?
DEREK
Long. Awful. My boss is turning me
into the very thing I told myself I
wouldn’t become. A machine. I’m his
machine. But I guess this is what
happens when you want the best of
both worlds. He never listens to me
and you know I’ve told him maybe
fifteen times that my show is
tomorrow, but he still wants these
papers on his table by six in the
morning. Six in the fucking
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

11. CONTINUED: 11.
DEREK (cont’d)
morning. Does he really expect
these to all be finalized over
night? Am I Tony Richards? No, I’m
a goddamn musician. This is
pollution, this is all pollution.
There’s no way in Hell I can keep
going like this. If I have to look
at another statement again, I’ll
hang myself from booth three and
leave a little thought for Tony to
read in horror. We’re not living,
we’re sucking waste down our
throats and praying for more paper
to keep us in this phony decorated
cage. It’s filth. Look at you,
swallowing the very poison to curb
reality. Don’t you see what’s right
in front of you? Society’s killing
me, Violet. It’s killing me. God
help me. Oh God...help me. Please
Lord.I just want out. I want to be
free.
Violet drops to her knees beside Derek and holds his face.
She begins to unbutton her blouse, but Derek takes her
hands.
Stop. Stop. Violet! What are you doing?
VIOLET
I want to feel you. I want you
inside me.
DEREK
It’s not right.
He’s about to give in.
VIOLET
God would want us --
She slips her underwear off.
DEREK
No. Not yet.
Derek kisses her cheeks.
I love you.
He unbuckles his pants and puts his hand on her head.

12. 12.
INT. APARTMENT - EVENING
Violet, wearing a beautiful red dress with white arm gloves,
opens Emma’s front door. Loud classical music fills her
ears. She turns her camera on and takes a few pictures of
Emma’s wall, but notices some things are missing. The
seashells and a quote have replaced pieces of writing. She
follows the sound of running water and finds Emma sitting on
the bathroom floor. The shower and sink are running. There
are ripped out blank sheets of paper all over the ground,
but one with a drawn broken heart has been pinned to the
wall by a pencil.
EMMA
(crying to herself)
I had to. I’m sorry. I had to.
Please forgive me. I’m so stupid.
I’m stupid. I-I can’t...do it
anymore.
Violet immediately grabs Emma.
VIOLET
Oh my God. What’s wrong? Hey.
What’s wrong.
EMMA
Please go. Please. I don’t want you
to see me like this. Just go.
VIOLET
I’m not going anywhere.
Emma cries in her arms until she can’t cry anymore.
VIOLET
What happened?
EMMA
I had to leave him. I had to. I
just don’t love him anymore. I’ve
ruined him.
They sit in silence.
EMMA
What are you doing here? You don’t
even know my name.
VIOLET
What’s your name?
(CONTINUED)

13. CONTINUED: 13.
EMMA
Emma.
VIOLET
Emma. I like that name.
EMMA
I hate it.
VIOLET
Wanna get out of here, stranger?
INT. CAR - EVENING
They drive through LA, listening to music, and enjoying the
scenery.
EXT. HOUSE - EVENING
Violet and Emma are walking towards a nice suburban home.
EMMA
This is a joke right?
VIOLET
Relax. We’ll be in and out.
EMMA
(stopping)
I can’t go in there. I’m wearing
jeans, Violet. I really don’t feel
like being everyone’s comic relief.
VIOLET
We can switch outfits if you’d
like.
They proceed.
They’ll love you.
Violet takes Emma’s hand.
INT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Emma is stuck in a conversation with a group of men, while
Violet stands with Derek and a wealthy looking man near a
painting. The group of men are dressed in Vegas-inspired
costumes.
MAN 1
You think Derek came up with that
idea or Violet?
(CONTINUED)

14. CONTINUED: 14.
EMMA
(sipping on champagne)
Women know what sells.
MAN 3
Der doesn’t give a shit.
(obnoxious laugh)
MAN 2
How long have you known Violet?
MAN 1
Did you go to school with her?
EMMA
(looking at her)
No. I don’t actually quite know Ms.
Violet Lemieux.
Champagne waiter offers a drink.
MAN 3
Your accent is awesome.
Emma is not pleased. She puts her glass on the tray and
takes two more.
EMMA
Thank you.
MAN 1
We have stronger drinks in the
back, if you would like me to take
you.
EMMA
Oh, that won’t be nece--
Waiter with pork skewers offers her some.
No, thank you. That wouldn’t agree with my stomach. It looks
great, but i’ll--
Violet takes one off the tray and holds up to Emma’s mouth,
demanding she take a bite.
VIOLET
Don’t whine. Try it.
She does.
Like it?
(CONTINUED)

15. CONTINUED: 15.
EMMA
It’s delicious. I’m just going to
grab a nap--
Emma turns around and accidentally runs into the champagne
waiter, pissing him off.
EMMA
Oh, I am so sorry! Here let me.
VIOLET
(grabbing her arm)
We’ll go get a towel.
They walk away. Violet is having a laughing fit.
EMMA
It’s not funny. I pissed on that
servers big night. He’ll probably
never be important now.
Violet laughs hard. They walk outside.
Where are--are we leaving?
VIOLET
(stopping)
We can stay if you want.
Emma keeps walking. She turns to look at Violet then starts
to playfully run away. Violet runs after.