Shadows_of_Love--2nd_Draft_by_louis

FADE IN:
EXT. LAWN - DAY
We are at the home of young MEGAN DeCARLO, 4,
beautiful brunette. Megan's house is in a
middle-class section of Toronto, Canada.
Her mother ANNE DeCARLO, 22, young Italian woman,
watches her play.
Suddenly, Megan's father, RICHARD DeCARLO, 22,
tall, dark and handsome, tears out of the house
in a huff.
He is carrying his suitcase. Anne runs over to
him and tries to stop him; he pulls his arm away.
ANNE
Please, Richie, don't leave!
RICHARD
I can't take this bullshit anymore!
You, with your tight pants and your
swinging your ass in every guy's
face! I can't take it anymore!
ANNE
What do you mean? That is not
true !
He gets in the car and STARTS the engine.
ANNE
(continuing)
Okay, okay, if you say you don't
like the way I dress, I can change,
please give me a chance!
He GUNS the engine.
RICHARD
It's too late!
He backs the car out of the driveway and speeds
off.
ANNE
Richie no! No!
CONTINUED

She falls down on the lawn, bawling. Megan sees
her crying and starts to cry herself.
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
A now eight-year-old Megan plops down at her mom's
dinner table. Her hair is twisted into a pony-tail
and she is a lovely girl.
Megan's well adjusted young sister, PIPER, 6, sits
happily eating at the table -
Anne, carrying meatloaf, sits down at the table.
She looks harried and tired.
ANNE
Okay, Megan. Make sure to eat
your vegetables.
PIPER
(holding up her
fork)
I'm eating my vegetables.
ANNE
Good, honey.
MEGAN
(fuming)
Oh, you spoiled brat! Why don't
you just...
ANNE
Megan!
(deliberately)
You have been a real handful
lately, young lady. Do you
know how hard it is for me
to work all day and then
come home and feed you girls?
I'm stressed out!
MEGAN
Why do you always listen to her!?
How come I am always the wrong
one? If daddy were here I bet he
would take my side!
CONTINUED

ANKE
Your father did not care enough
about you to be here! I am here
and I am your mother. Now give
me a break.
MEGAN
Oooh!
She shoots out of her chair and runs to her room.
ANNE
Megan/ you come back here and
eat your dinner!
The door SLAMS in Megan's room. Piper looks at
her mother as green bean juice streams down her
chin. Anne palms her forehead.
ANNE
(continuing)
Oh. . .
INT. MEGAN'S ROOM - NIGHT
Megan lays on her bed and cries. She kicks her
legs in frustration. She feels alone. She's angry
at the world, wishing it would blow up.
EXT. LAWN - DAY
Megan is standing on the edge of a well. She is
reliving her father's exit from her life.
Richard pulls the car out of the driveway and
takes off.
MEGAN
screams out for him to stop. She loses her footing
and falls into the well.
She lands deep at the bottom of the well. She
screams at the top of her lungs for help, nobody
comes.
She cries profusely and slips her back against the
well -
CONTINUED

She sees the silhouette of her father at the top
of the veil.
MEGAN
Daddy! Help!
(crying)
Please help me!
He stops for a moment as if he hears her pleas.
Megan cries as she watches him pause above.
After a moment he moves again and proceeds to
cover the veil. Megan panics as she watches the
darkness form.
MEGAN
(continuing)
No...!
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Megan wakes up from a nightmare. She is crying
and shaking. She folds into the fetal position
and bavls loudly.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. PSYCHIATRIST OFFICE - DAY
Megan is sitting on a couch. A PSYCHIATRIST listens
as she speaks.
MEGAN
I saw him doctor. I saw him the
other day!
PSYCHIATRIST
Where did you see him?
MEGAN
At the park. He was with some
lady. He was at the park with
some lady and it wasn't my moml
EXT. PARK – DAY
Megan is walking through the park, kicking the
dirt as she walks. She passes a grove of trees
and hears laughing.
CONTINUED

She stops and peers around a tree.
MEGAN'S POV - HER FATHER
who is with a WOMAN. A young, pretty woman. They
are having a picnic. They are spread over a bright
red table cloth.
They laugh and cavort. She tries to eat as he grabs
her and kisses her.
MEGAN is in shock. She covers her mouth and tries not
to scream.
Richard hears her and looks in her direction. He
sees her peering around the tree.
He looks at her and smiles. Not a friendly smile,
but a wicked, sly smile.
Megan, caught, runs from the tree and disappears -
Richard laughs and grabs the woman. He lays her
on the ground and kisses her as she giggles.
INT. PSYCHIATRIST OFFICE - DAY
PSYCHIATRIST
And it upset you to see this, Megan?
MEGAN
Yes, it did!
PSYCHIATRIST
Why did it upset you, Megan?
MEGAN
Because he was with that lady!
That stupid, stupid, lady!
PSYCHIATRIST
Why do you think you are upset by
your father, Megan? Why can't you
just let him be and get on with
your life?
MEGAN
I don't know.
CONTINUED

PSYCHIATRIST
Do you love your daddy?
MEGAN
(cries)
I don't know.
The doctor hands her some kleenex. She wipes her
eyes.
PSYCHIATRIST
Megan, you have to remember that
your father is just a man and you
need to understand that he is not
a perfect man. Can you understand
that?
MEGAN
(feebly)
Yes.
PSYCHIATRIST
You were very young when your
daddy left. It is okay that you
have mixed feelings about him.
You have the right. All we can
hope for in this life is for
things to go as smoothly as
possible. That is all you can
do. You need to continue with
your life and hope your father
will come around/ otherwise, you
are just going to feel miserable
all the time, waiting for him to
become a better person. Do you
understand what I am saying?
MEGAN
I guess so.
(sobs)
He pats her on the back.
PSYCHIATRIST
Get it all out, Megan. Just cry
all your sad feelings out and you
will feel better.
She bawls uncontrollably.
)
^,

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY
Megan/ now twenty-two, is a graduate student in
physics at CalTech in San Luis Obisbo, Califor-
nia .
She sits under a tree doing her homework. She is
approached by ROGER WILKES, 22.
ROGER
Hello! Megan? Is it?
He puts out his hand and Megan shakes it.
MEGAN
Yes.
ROGER
You are in my analytical physics
class.
Roger looks quite similar to Richard. Megan smiles
freely at his handsome face.
ROGER
(continuing)
That answer you had about hard
water. . - I just wanted to tell
you, I completely agree with you.
You were right on with that answer.
MEGAN
Sit down.
ROGER
Thanks.
He sits down with her. They begin a long conversation
and look deep into each other's eyes. There is a
spark between them.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Megan and Roger sit in class listening to the
professor lecture. They sit with their desks
next to each other.
As the professor continues to speak they explore
each other's palms with their fingers.

INT. MEGAN'S DORM - NIGHT
Roger and Megan are alone in her dorm. They sit
on the couch and attempt to do homework.
They are failing miserably. They lay down on the
couch and make out. After a few moments they get
back to work.
MEGAN
(looking at Roger)
Do you love me?
ROGER
(stops; smiles)
What?
MEGAN
Do you love me?
ROGER
Yea/ you know I do.
Megan pauses a beat.
MEGAN
Then, if you love me, don't you
think we should make some official
commitment to each other?
ROGER
Like what?
MEGAN
How about exchanging pledges?
ROGER
(laughs)
That's silly . We don't need to
do that. I like things the way
they are. Let's just keep it at
that.
MEGAN
(angry)
I don't want to! How do I know
you are not going to leave me/
if I can't get any kind of
commitment out of you!?

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Their conversation continues over dinner.
ROGER
I don't even know what you mean
by pledges?
The WAITRESS, who is very cute, brings them their
drinks.
ROGER
(to waitress)
Oh! You are fast! I don't think
I *ve ever gotten my dinner here
this rapidly.
WAITRESS
Thank you very much,
(she curtsies)
ROGER
Thank you!
WAITRESS
Is there anything else I can get
you?
ROGER
I think we're okay.
The waitress smiles and leaves. Megan glares at
Roger.
MEGAN
That's why I want a commitment
out of you!
ROGER
(pouring ketchup)
What? The waitress? She just did
a good job.
MEGAN
You are sitting here with me and
you are acting like I am not here.
I don't like that- I don't have
any patience for being treated
badly• I had too much of that
when I grew up.
CONTINUED

ROGER
(takes her hand)
What exactly are you trying to
say? Marriage?
MEGAN
(head cast down)
I would feel much better... Uh,
I was wondering... Do you think?
Yes... I am wondering if you will
marry me?
ROGER
Oh, I don't know... I mean, I
want to date other women...
A broad smile forms across his face. Megan, perplexed,
studies his face.
MEGAN
Do you mean... You will?
ROGER
Of course I will. I don't need
anybody else. You just needed to
convince me. You're stuck with
me forever.
MEGAN
(tears up)
Forever!?
(beat)
That sounds like a good deal!
They hug over the table and kiss. They sit back
down and Roger continues to eat. Megan wipes her
eyes dry.
MEGAN
(continuing)
I'm going to write this in my
journal right away. I don't want
to lose this joy I am feeling.
ROGER
Touche.
They take each other's hands and hold them together
over the table.

Roger and Megan are making love. They have now
been married three years.
We are in their Baltimore, Maryland apartment.
With a grant from the University of Maryland,
they are experimenting with nuclear fusion
containers.
EXT. OPEN SEA - DAY
A troller fights waves as Roger and Megan stand
aboard.
Large yellow barrels are hoisted by a crane onto
the deck. The barrels are filled with seawater.
Roger hugs Megan from behind as they watch the
workers lift the barrels.
The deck has about fifty barrels on it. Roger and
Megan will extract lithium and deuterium from the
seawater, by which they will produce plasma.
Roger hugs Megan tighter.
ROGER
I wish you didn't have to go out
of town tomorrow. I hate it when
you are gone.
Megan cranes her neck towards him.
MEGAN
We need to supplement our grants.
Without the lecturing and research
I do, we wouldn't have enough funds
to complete our research.
(beat)
Do you think we have true love?
ROGER
What do you mean?
MEGAN
(turns around)
You know, a Romeo and Juliet kind
of love? A love that is so strong
that nothing can break the bond,
not even death.
CONTINUED

ROGER
Yea, I'd say we have that kind
of love.
She kisses him passionately.
MEGAN
Do you really think so? Did you
feel it just now when T kissed
you?
ROGER
(blushing)
I'd say so. That feels like real
love to me.
MEGAN
Don't forget that kiss. That is
what you are going to miss if you
lose me.
She puts her arms across his neck.
MEGAN
(continuing)
We have a good kind of love here,
Roger. We have that special kind
of love, not the common kind. Do
you know how many people there
are out there who are together
just out of convenience? We
don't have to be like those
people. We have true love, don't
you think?
She kisses him again.
ROGER
You're not going to get any
argument out of me.
MEGAN
Good.
They embrace each other tight.
INT. AIRLINER - NIGHT
Megan is sitting in her seat.
CONTINUED

She is writing notes ana thoughts on her laptop.
As she works she begins to fall asleep.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Megan stands in the middle of the park. The wind
blows the trees in the isolated park.
She hears Roger's voice talking to her/ but she
cannot see him.
ROGER (O.S.)
I won't disappoint you Meggie.
Megan looks around/ wondering where he is.
MEGAN
What? Roger, where are you?
ROGER (O.S. )
I won't leave you. You can
depend on that.
Richard appears before her eyes.
RICHARD
Megan, I won't leave you.
MEGAN
Daddy?
RICHARD
(smiles sweetly)
I love you Megan. I want to be
there for you. We won't disappoint
you.
MEGAN
Won't disappoint me? Why are you
here? Where is Roger!?
He walks to Megan and extends his hand. Megan reaches
for the hand.
She morphs into herself at eight-years-old. She
continues to reach for the hand and it dissolves.
INT. AIRLINER - DAY
A FLIGHT ATTENDANT wakes Megan
CONTINUED

ATTENDANT
Ma'am, we'll be landing soon. Please
secure your seat belt and place your
seat in the upright position-
Megan is slightly dazed.
MEGAN
Oh... okay.
She puts her seat upright and fastens her seat
belt. She appears slightly numb.
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
CLOSE ON ROGER as he drinks a cup of coffee. PULL
BACK as he buys a paper from a street vendor.
It is a dark fall night in Baltimore. Browning
leaves blow everywhere. Roger folds the paper
under his arm and walks down the street.
ANOTHER ANGLE AT A BRIDGE
which Roger is walking across. He sees JUDITH
HACKBARTH, 19, crying and cursing on the bridge.
Judith is Roger and Megan's neighbor in their
apartment building. She attends the Maryland
Institute College of Art.
She renders on post cards to pay her tuition and
her rent. She is quite similar looking to Megan.
This has caused some consternation for Megan and
she does not like Roger being friendly with Judith.
Roger approaches her to see if she is all right.
ROGER
Judith, are you okay?
She is slightly startled and turns her head suddenly
JUDITH
Goddamned, Peter... What?
(beat)
Oh, it's you, Roger.
CONTINUED

Roger delicately reaches out to her.
ROGER
Are you all right?
JUDITH
(wipes tears; embarrassed)
Yes, yes, I am all right.
ROGER
What are you upset about?
JUDITH
I'm just a little pissed.
(sniffles)
You know Peter, my fiance?
ROGER
Yes.
JUDITH
The bastard broke up with me. The
marriage is off.
ROGER
Oh, I am sorry.
He hands her a handkerchief•
ROGER
(continuing)
Let me buy you a cup of coffee
and we can talk.
She blows her nose and wipes her eyes.
JUDITH
Why not?
INT. COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT
They sit drinking coffee.
JUDITH
Anyway, I came home and heard a
message on my answering machine
saying he didn't want to be with
me anymore.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

JUDITH (CONT'D)
Some way to break up with someone,
on a machine!
ROGER
It seems kind of cowardly, yea.
He takes her hand.
ROGER
(continuing)
This is rough, Judith, I'm sorry
it's happened.
She looks at him for a second and smiles.
JUDITH
You are such a great guy, Roger.
I don't know why you put up with
that b.s. Megan gives you. If you
were my guy I'd thank ray lucky
stars.
He laughs nervously
ROGER
Now, careful, Judith. I love Megan.
I don't want to badmouth her behind
her back.
She taps Roger on the hand.
JUDITH
I'm sorry. I know she is your wife,
but she's just so jealous. You are
such a caring person. You're always
there when people need you.
ROGER
Megan has her problems, Judith.
She doesn't mean to be jealous.
JUDITH
Yea, I suppose you're right.
She begins to cry.
JUDITH
(continuing)
I suppose a roll in the hay to
raise my spirits is out of the
question?

ROGER
Judith!
She cries with her head down.
ROGER
(continuing)
Judith...
She continues to cry.
ROGER
(continuing}
Judith...
He lifts her head and dabs her eyes. He holds her
chin and looks at her sternly.
ROGER
(continuing)
Now. listen, Judith. You are
going to bounce back from this.
It will just take a little bit
of time. Now, straighten out
those shoulders and perk up.
She swipes her eyes with her arm and fashions a
smile.
JUDITH
Okay.
ROGER
Great!
(beat)
Now, Meggie is out of town on
a lecture again. I want you to
have dinner with me tomorrow
night and we'11 keep each other
company, alright?
JUDITH
Do you think that will be okay?
I mean, what if Megan finds out?
ROGER
You let me worry about Megan.
JUDITH
(smiles)
Okay. I will be glad to have
dinner with you.
CONTINUED

ROGER
Good, it's settled.
He smiles and takes a sip of coffee.
INT. AIRPORT - DAY
Megan is walking through the airport terminal.
She steps over to a phone to make a phone call.
She picks up a phone and proceeds to call. As she
makes her call, she sees the back of a man■s head.
She thinks it might be Roger.
She hangs up the phone and walks towards the man.
He picks up luggage and starts walking down the
terminal. He proceeds so fast Megan struggles to
keep up.
She follows him for maybe half the length of the
airport. He steps out of the terminal and Megan
follows him.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
A car comes up to the curb and stops. A woman
steps out of the car and hugs the man.
Megan runs over to the man and turns him. She sees
that it is not Roger.
MEGAN
Oh, I am sorry.
She walks away rapidly. The man and woman stare
at her incredulously.
INT. ROGER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Roger and Judith sit eating dinner.
ROGER
Excuse me, I need to go to the
bathroom.
JUDITH
Sure .
CONTINUED

Roger leaves the room. The phone RINGS.
ROGER (O.S.)
Judith, can you get that?
JUDITH
Sure/ no problem.
Judith gets up to answer the phone.
JUDITH
(continuing)
Hello.
INTERCUT
with Megan in her hotel room.
MEGAN
Hello? Is that you Judith?
The bathroom door is open a crack. Judith tries
to sneak a peek at Roger.
JUDITH
Yes, it's me, Megan.
(false sincerity)
How are you!?
MEGAN
What are you doing there?
JUDITH
We're just having dinner. A little
neighborly dinner.
MEGAN
Do me a favor, Judith, and put
Roger on.
MEGAN
looks infuriated.
ROGER
comes back in the room.
JUDITH
(holding phone out)
It's Megan.
CONTINUED

ROGER
oh.
(grabs receiver)
Hello, sweetheart.
MEGAN
Why is Judith having dinner with
you?
ROGER
Oh, her fiance, Peter, broke up
with her so I thought I'd give
her a shoulder to cry on, no big
deal.
MEGAN
You don't think that's a little
dangerous considering the situation
she's in?
ROGER
No, 1 think she's holding up okay.
MEGAN
(curt)
I don't want Judith in our
apartment when I am gone.
ROGER
Megan, you are being ridiculous.
MEGAN
Roger, you are making me angry!
Why can't you just do this simple
thing for me? You were supposed to
be the one human being who treated
me with a modicum of respect. I
don't think that's too much to ask.
ROGER
(glances at Judith)
Look, Meggie, you are blowing this
out of proportion! You need to stop
being this way. Do you think this
is good for your psychological
health, being this way?
MEGAN
I don't trust you!
CONTINUED

ROGER
Meggie, I love you. I love you
more than my life. I am committed
to you, you can depend on that.
MEGAN
1 don't know if I believe you.
ROGER
What more can I say?
MEGAN
(sighs)
I'm going to try and get some
sleep.
ROGER
Okay, I love you and I'11 see
you soon.
MEGAN
hangs up the phone. Tears fall down her cheek.
MEGAN
(to self)
Stupid, Megan. Stupid, Megan.
She pulls at her hair. Her hands start to shake,
just as they did when she was a child.
She starts to cry uncontrollably. She goes over
to the sink and pours herself a glass of water.
She lays down on the bed and folds into the fetal
position.
MEGAN
(continuing; to self)
Roger, help me!
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
Roger comes out of an elevator. Immediately in
front of him is a door to his lab.
Roger and Megan work with radioactive material,
so their security must be tight.
The lab is on its own floor and a series of fail-
safes must be eliminated in order to gain entry.
CONTINUED

This is done with a series of codes and electronic
keys. Roger inserts an electric key and opens the
door.
INT. LAB - DAY
We are in Roger and Megan's lab. The overcast sky
pours in the windows from the Baltimore skyline.
The lab is strewn with metals and wires and other
materials involved in fusion containers.
All over the lab are pictures of Megan and Roger
together; pictures of vacations, anniversaries,
etc.
In the lab is a large doughnut shaped container.
The container has a few magnets placed here and
there for conductivity.
They have been experimenting with using less magnets
to cut down on heat loss. This has been experimental
and they have not been very successful.
A ladder leads up to a three foot wide opening.
The container is eighteen feet high and is hollow
inside.
It is metallic and shines brightly under the lab's
lights. Roger walks over to a chalkboard.
He draws a haIf-section of his reactor. With red
chalk to represent heat, he draws plasma filling
the reactor.
The plasma formed from the lithium and deuterium,
derived from the seawater is heated to 180,000,000
degrees.
The lithium and deuterium form to make tritium,
which makes radioactive hydrogen.
INT. POWER PLANT - DAY
We are in Belaruse, Russia, with FRANK PAULSEN,
31, light brown hair. Frank is Roger and Megan's
partner.
CONTINUED

Frank is very good at research, which is why Roger
and Megan chose him.
Frank is standing before a tokamak nuclear reactor
The tokamak looks like a doughnut like Roger's
reactor, but it has numerous magnets.
The reactor in front of Frank is one of many in
the plant. The reactors are warming up and they
are very LOUD.
Frank puts his finger in one ear and pulls out
his cell phone.
INTERCUT
with Roger in his lab.
ROGER
Hello.
FRANK
Yea, Roger, this is Frank. Can
you hear me?
ROGER
Yea, I can hear you fine. What's
up Frank?
FRANK
I'm standing next to the tokamak
right now. It's just getting started,
warming to 180,000,000 degrees.
ROGER
How's she looking?
FRANK
Well, there are a hell of a lot
more magnets on it than ours, but
they say it cuts down on energy
loss, they're still experimenting.
ROGER
Okay.
FRANK
(beat)
It's lonely here, Roger, not
having many conversations in
English.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

FRANK (CONT'D)
But/ the ladies are beautiful,
so there are compensations.
ROGER
I believe you- Balkan women can be
very beautiful.
FRANK
You're telling me.
(beat)
Okay/ Roger. I am going to go
now. I'll see you later.
ROGER
Okay, take care.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
Roger walks up to his apartment building. Waiting
for him is Piper who is now twenty-three and has
long flowing cherry-coke hair.
Piper lives in New York and works as an insurance
investigator. Her personality is much as it was
when she was a child, carefree and happy.
She sees Roger walking down the street and runs
over to hug him.
PIPER
Roger, my pal!
Roger hugs her back and kisses her cheek.
ROGER
Piper? When did you get in town?
PIPER
Just the other day. I'm here for
work. I just thought I would say
hi. . .
Roger is distracted by the sight of Judith coming
down the street■
ROGER
(waves)
Hi, Judith.
CONTINUED

Judith approaches them.
JUDITH
Hello, Roger.
Roger motions to Piper.
Judith, this
Piper. Piper,
neighbor.
They shake hands.
PIPER
Nice to meet you. Have you lived
here long?
JUDITH
About a year.
PIPER
Well, it's nice to meet you.
JUDITH
Mice to meet you too.
(beat)
I better get going.
ROGER
Rye, Judith.
She heads up to her apartment.
PIPER
She's pretty.
ROGER
You could say that.
PIPER
Anyway! I just wanted to touch
base and say hi. I wish I wasn't
so busy.
ROGER
I understand that- You might know,
that Meggie is in New York, she'll
be back tomorrow.
CONTINUED
ROGER
is my sister-in-law,
this is Judith, my

PIPER
I know she is. She told me she'd
be there, but I told her I'd be
traveling too. It's so hard to
keep in contact these days.
ROGER
True.
They hug.
ROGER
(continuing)
I'll tell her you stopped by.
PIPER
You do that.
INT. AIRPORT RESTAURANT - DAY
Megan sits drinking orange juice. She is waiting
for her flight.
Through a glass wall we notice Piper walking down
the terminal in the b.g.
Piper sees Megan and walks into the restaurant.
Megan sees her and smiles.
MEGAN
Piper?
She stands up and they hug.
PIPER
It's so great to see you. We
thought we weren't going to see
each other, but my plane was
delayed. I guess that is what
it takes to get us together.
MEGAN
I guess so. Why don't you have
a seat. Do you want anything?
PIPER
Just a cup of coffee.
MEGAN
Stay right here. I'll be right
back.
CONTINUED

Piper sits down. Megan comes back with a cup of
coffee. She sits down.
PIPER
Thank you.
MEGAN
... I really have a lot on my mind. I
am really have run into
you.
PIPER
(sips coffee)
What's wrong?
MEGAN
I■ve been feeling run down... and
I have been having some weird
dreams.
PIPER
You have? Are you in analysis again?
MEGAN
No, I haven't been since I've been
married.
(tugs her hair)
I just feel really confused.
Piper touches her hand.
PIPER
Megan... you seem like you are
really disturbed.
(beat)
Why don■t you tell me about your
dreams?
MEGAN
I've had many dreams... I had
one the other night...
JUMP CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Megan stands alone in the middle of a stark, barren
desert. She is, once again, eight years old.
MEGAN (V.0-)
... I had a dream I was alone in
the desert. I was a little girl.
CONTINUED
of things
glad I

Megan feels a great sense of loneliness. The desert
is quiet and the only noise is a light WIND.
MEGAN (V-0.)
(continuing)
It was very quiet; I could hear
myself breathe.
ANOTHER ANGLE
as Megan finds a 1967 Mustang Fastback. It is the
same car her father had and it is just sitting in
the desert.
Megan approaches the car and sees Richard sitting
inside, reclining. He sees her and sits up.
RICHARD
Oh/ there you are. I thought I
was going to wait all day for some
sex. Hop in and we'11 get it over
with.
MEGAN (V-0.)
(continuing; tears)
I saw daddy. He was sitting in
his car.
(hysterically)
He told me he wanted to have sex!
MEGAN
(to Richard)
You want to have sex with me? I
am only eight years old. Besides,
I am your daughter. Are you sick!?
Roger appears next to the car. He grabs Richard's
collar.
ROGER
Yea! Are you sick!? Do you want me
to pound the crap out of you!?
Megan morphs into herself at twenty-five. She is
wearing a very sparse bikini. She flashes Roger
a come-hither look.
He lets go of Richard and walks over to Megan. He
looks at her lustily. He lays her down on the hood
of the car and makes out with her. Richard looks
at them from behind the wheel, upset.
CONTINUED

RICHARD
Hey! What about me!?
INT. AIRPORT RESTAURANT - DAY
MEGAN
(more hair tugging)
Pretty screwed up dream/ huh!?
PIPER
(concerned)
Have you told Roger about your
dreams?
MEGAN
(wiping tears)
No... He'll think I'm nuts!
PIPER
Mo, Megan. He wouldn't think you
are nuts. He loves you.
(beat)
If I knew you were having these
problems, I would•ve talked to
him about it when I said hi to
him in Baltimore. He was with
your neighbor, Judith, though/
so I guess it wouldn't have been
a good time anyway.
MEGAN
(caught off guard)
Wait... wait... wait. What do you
mean/ with Judith?
PIPER
(wiping spilled
coffee)
She was walking into your building
and he introduced me.
MEGAN
I don't like her!
PIPER
She seemed nice enough.
MEGAN
She's a little tart. Roger has
had his eye on her every since
she moved into our building.

PIPER
I don't believe that!
MEGAN
I don't trust Roger/ or anybody!
People let you down. They wrestle
your heart out of your body and
throw it into the garbage like
a piece of shit!
PIPER
Megan! This is Roger you are
talking about. You two have a
real bond. I can't believe you
are feeling this way about him.
MEGAN
You try being married to him for
a few days! You'll see what he is
really like.
PIPER
You can't expect me to believe
that you feel this way about him.
You have to know that he loves
you deeply.
(beat)
You know those are your true
feelings, don't you?
MEGAN
(softening)
... I guess so.
PIPER
(affirmatively)
I don't know what's going on
with you, but I know that if
you are having doubts about
Roger, you should get them
out in the open, don't you
think?
MEGAN
Yes, I'll try.
INT. LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LAB - DAY
Frank stands before a fifty-four foot high laser
sphere in Livermore, California.
CONTINUED

The building is as large as a basketball arena.
The sphere (chamber) is filled with conduits.
192 laser beams fire from the sphere and travel
through the length of the building.
The lasers gain strength with each pass of the
building. Frank walks with HOWARD, who works at
the lab.
HOWARD
When completed, she'11 be able to
deliver 40,000 joules of energy in
a pulse lasting one billonth of a
second.
FRANK
So, the newton moves the object
one meter in the direction of the
force 40,000 times in a billonth
of a second?
HOWARD
That's right... It is not all
wine and roses, though. We are
having problems, as you might
have heard.
FRANK
Not the least of which are costs
overages.
HOWARD
That's right. Unfortunately we've
had our share of problems, audited
by Congress, problems with the
laser glass production and on and
on.
FRANK
This is surprising considering
your resources -
(beat)
I understand you can•t reach
ignition at half power, which
is what you are operating at now?
HOWARD
That is correct... Have you had
much success with your research?
CONTINUED

FRANK
We're still working on a unique
angle, just like with you guys,
it's a struggle.
HOWARD
Tell me about it.
(beat)
Come on, let me show you our
clean room. We have been building
it ourselves and have been running
into quite a bit of trouble...
Make sure your pink pass is visible,
we're a bit sticky about scrutiny
in there.
FRANK
Sure.
Frank straightens out the pass hanging off his
shirt.
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Judith is coming home from the store. She is carry
ing groceries. Roger, who saw her entering the
building, is helping carry them.
INT. ROGER AND MEGAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Megan is in the apartment. She is walking past
the apartment door. She hears talking outside
of the door.
She looks through the peephole on the door.
MEGAN'S POV - PEEPHOLE
Roger is putting the groceries in front of Judith'
door. Judith leans over and gives Roger a peck on
the cheek.
Roger pulls away. She then lunges towards him and
gives him a wide, open mouthed kiss.
MEGAN
is in shock. She runs from the door in hysterics.

INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT
Roger pushes Judith off of him.
ROGER
No!
JUDITH
(smiling)
I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to
do that.
ROGER
What are you thinking/ Judith!?
I am married.
JUDITH
I'm sorry. I just felt an urge.
ROGER
(emphatically)
Bye, Judith.
He pulls his keys out and unlocks the door.
JUDITH
(laughing)
I'm sorry. I am truly sorry.
He walks into his apartment and closes the door.
Judith unlocks the door to her apartment.
She scoots the groceries in. She hears shouting
in Roger's apartment. She shakes her head.
JUDITH
Pathetic.
She walks into her apartment and closes the door -
INT. ROGER'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Megan is hysterical. She is screaming at Roger at
the top of her lungs.
MEGAN
What was that!? What was that I
saw through the door!?
CONTINUED

Roger is dumbfounded.
ROGER
What? What through the door?
MEGAN
I saw Judith kissing you! I have
been watching you! Watching you
for years! What have you been up
to!?
(beat)
Have you been fucking her, huh?
Do you think I am a fool? How
long has this been going on?
How long have you been duping
me?
ROGER
I'm not... I'm not duping you.
Nothing happened. She kissed me.
I did not want her to. I stopped
her. I am not having an affair
with her. You must believe me,
Megan.
MEGAN
You expect me to believe that
after what I just saw!? You must
think I am a real idiot!
ROGER
I told you...
MEGAN
You've probably been with her
for months!
ROGER
Megan!
MEGAN
You are a real bastard!
ROGER
Megan!
MEGAN
Well/ two can play this game! I'll
just go out and...
CONTINUED

Roger pulls Megan towards him and kisses her, hard.
She pulls away and slaps him.
MEGAN
(continuing)
You bastard!
He kisses her again and forces her to kiss him.
After a few moments/ he stops. He takes her by
the shoulders and looks deep into her eyes.
ROGER
Nothing is going on. She kissed
me and I stopped her, that is all/
you got that?
Megan is exhausted from emotion.
MEGAN
Yea... I got it.
He hugs her. She hugs him back, but keeps her
hands in a fist.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Roger is sitting at a booth. He sips a cup of
coffee. After a few moments Judith walks into
the restaurant.
ROGER
Judith, please sit down.
She sits down. She seems tense and uncomfortable
ROGER
(continuing)
Would you like anything?
JUDITH
No.
Roger pauses a beat-
ROGER
What I wanted to talk to you about
is... It is how... I know you are
lonely, Judith. Believe me, I have
a lot of sympathy for that. The
problem is... I love Megan.
CONTINUED

Judith shakes her head and glares at Roger.
ROGER
(continuing)
Take my word for it, Judith. If
it wasn't for Megan, I would love
to be with you. That's the problem.
But, you must understand, I love
Megan. I have chosen to live the
rest of my life with her.
He, again, pauses for a beat.
ROGER
(continuing)
Can you understand that?
JUDITH
(angry)
How many times do you think I
can have my heart ripped out!?
Look at you.
She gestures towards him.
ROGER
Please, Judith.
JUDITH
No, you think you are this great
guy. You come to the rescue of the
poor girl on the bridge. Your poor,
pathetic neighbor, crying on the
bridge. But you don•t understand.
You don't understand how there
are lonely people, lonely people
like me, who can't get a break.
You have somebody! You have someone
to go home to. What do I have? I go
to school during the day and come
home to a lonely, dinky apartment.
You can't understand how lonely
that can be!
ROGER
I have committed myself
person, Judith. I can't
that.
JUDITH
(crying)
Well, you can take your sanctimonious
stance and go to hell!
CONTINUED
to another
just drop

She scoots out of the booth.
JUDITH
(continuing)
You just stick to your side of
the building and I'll stick to
mine.
(beat)
Maybe someday you'11 have your
heart broken twice in one week
Then you'll know how I feel.
Until then, you can piss off!
She storms off. Roger looks exhausted.
INT. LAB - DAY
CLOSE ON RED PENCIL twirling in a hand. PULL BACK
TO REVEAL Megan- She is sitting at her desk, staring
at the pencil.
Roger walks into the lab and she is startled.
ROGER
Megan, I've been doing some thinking.
MEGAN
What is it?
ROGER
I've got an idea.
MEGAN
What?
He walks over to his chalkboard. He points to the
reactor on the board.
ROGER
Now, here is our reactor. Our problem
is heat loss from our container, right?
MEGAN
Yes.
ROGER
Well, the solution is to find the
right material with which to make
the container out of. By which we
can contain our heat loss.
CONTINUED
DISSOLVE

MEGAN
Right.
He takes a piece of chalk and writes on the board/
"gold." He begins to get excited.
ROGER
Gold! Problem is, gold is the perfect
conductor.
MEGAN
Right, it causes heat loss.
ROGER
Right/ but you could mend that gold...
He draws criss-cross lines on the board.
ROGER
(continuing)
... say in a fiber. And then combine
it with a hard, non-conductive material,
you would have the perfect non-heat
absorbing container.
MEGAN
I see, the only problem is, what
material is hard as well as
non-conductive?
ROGER
I don't know... but I know we'11
find it.
Roger hugs her from behind as she sits in her chair.
She swings the chair around and kisses him- She
kisses him in a passionate, breathless way.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Megan is on the phone with a fellow scientist, WILMA
She is working late at Scandia National Laboratories
WILMA (V.O.)
So/ you need a strong, non-conductive
material to manufacture a reactor?
(sighs)
That's a tough one. Have you considered...
CONTINUED

Megan has been twirling her red pencil, while talking
to Wilma. She begins to experience a massive headache
She drops the receiver and grabs her head.
WILMA (V.O.)
(continuing)
Hello? Megan, are you there?
(to someone else)
I was talking to her and she's
gone.
The phone CLICKS and we hear the dial TONE.
INT. APARTMENT - LATER
Megan is waking up from unconsciousness. She is •
blurry-eyed and weak.
She tries to get up/ but stumbles badly. She tries
to open her eyes wider and get up.
MEGAN'S POV - APPARITION
which is standing in front of her. It is Richard.
BACK TO SHOT
Richard leans over her. He doesn't look a day over twenty
RICHARD
He will leave you.
Megan backs up against the wall, trembling in fear.
MEGAN
Leave me? Who will leave me? Who
are you? How did you get here?
RICHARD
I am your daddy, Megan.
MEGAN
My daddy? Are you dead? I haven't
seen you since I was a kid!
RICHARD
(laughs)
No, I am not a ghost. Megan! I
am here for you now.
CONTINUED

MEGAN
(rubs eyes)
This can't be. I am seeing things.
Richard sits on the floor with her. Megan grabs
her Knees and hugs herself in fear.
Richard scoots close to her. He strokes her hair.
RICHARD
Megan, my dear/ sweet daughter. I
am here to make things up to you
and to tell you that no good shit,
Roger will leave you just like I
left your mother.
Megan, relaxed by the stroking, calms down a bit.
MEGAN
How can you know this, whatever
the hell you are?
He puts his arm around her. Megan's muscles are
obviously tense/ but she actually begins to listen
to the apparition.
RICHARD
I know this because I am a man.
Roger is going to leave you because
he can't keep his pants on. That's
just the way we are. We have
absolutely no redeeming values
whatsoever. But, I am here for you
now. I am here to make up for past
mistakes.
MEGAN
But... but, why are you so young?
You haven't aged a day.
RICHARD
Let's say I've been in storage.
I've been waiting for the right
time to come to you and figured
now was as good a time as any.
A large mirror sits on the wall opposite Megan.
We notice that she sits on the floor alone.
MEGAN
This sounds so ridiculous. I can't
be talking to you. I must have hit
my head.
CONTINUED

He looks into her eyes.
RICHARD
If I am not real, then how could
I know this, That slut, what's her
name, Judith? He was screwing that
whore like a dog the whole time you
were out of town.
MEGAN
(tears up)
He was? How do you know?
RICHARD
I was here watching thera the whole
time! It was disgusting.
MEGAN
(wipes her eyes)
I am in shock. I don't know what
to say.
RICHARD
Just know that I am here for you.
I won't let you down again. I will
be here whenever you need me.
Megan begins to trust the apparition. She hugs it
tight and rests her head on his shoulder -
MEGAN
Oh, daddy, I'm so glad you are
here, I missed you so much! You
can't imagine how lonely I have
been without you. Even in a world
filled with people, I have been so
very alone!
The apparition turns into a red mist and disappears
MEGAN
(continuing)
Daddy?
Megan sees that there is no one in the room. The
phone HONKS and lays off the hook.
She hangs it up. She grabs a pillow from the couch
and rocks it between her legs. She pulls at her
hair. She cries and looks confused.

INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY
Judith is at the routing center of her postcards.
She is signing an authorization form to increase
her distribution.
The clerk takes her signature to the back to copy
it. Judith stands and waits for her to return. She
appears listless and tense.
A man on a forklift drives up to her. MIKE EARHART
has seen Judith on various other visits.
He is one of those guys who thinks every girl
cannot resist his charms. He gets off the fork-
lift and approaches her.
EARHART
Miss Hackbarth! You are looking
beautiful today. How do you do it?
Judith is irritated by his presence.
JUDITH
Do what?
EARHART
Manage to look so sexy every time
I see you?
She shakes her head in disbelief -
JUDITH
(sweetly)
Let me tell you.
She motions him closer. He smiles and anxiously
stands close to her.
She leans in as if she is going to hug him. She
then, suddenly, knees him in the groin.
He reels in pain and climbs back on his forklift.
EARHART
You are insane!
JUDITH
Stay away from me next time!
He drives the forklift off. She laughs as he drives
off, then, suddenly, frowns.

INT. LAB - DAY
Roger and Frank are looking over plans for a new
reactor.
ROGER
So, let me explain some of my
ideas.
Frank looks at the plans attentively.
ROGER
(continuing)
Megan and I were discussing how
to make a container that won't
cause heat loss.
FRANK
Yea.
INSERT - PLANS
which show a reactor woven together with gold
strands. The spaces in between the strands are
empty.
ROGER
Okay, you see these yellow strands
here.
FRANK
Yes, what are those?
ROGER
These are strands of gold. Now what
we were thinking is, mend this gold
with a hard, non-conductive material.
The majority of the reactor would be
made of this material, thereby cutting
down on the conductivity.
FRANK
I can't think of such a material,
Roger.
ROGER
That's what we have to figure out.
BACK TO SHOT
FRANK
You don't want to work with the
magnets anymore?
CONTINUED

ROGER
Well/ it hasn't gotten us anywhere
yet. We can't seem to compensate
for the heat loss with the magnets
FRANK
Well, it certainly would be
different. I can't think of any
reason why we shouldn't try a
different track. We've been trying
low conductivity for a year and
haven't reached breakeven, I don * t
see any problem with starting over
ROGER
Great! We'11 start as soon as
possible on a new reactor,
(pats Frank's back)
I think we can do this, Frank. I
really do.
FRANK
(smiles)
Let's reach for the brass ring.
Roger smiles.
EXT. AIRPORT - DAY
Roger drives up to the unloading zone in front
of the airport. He gets out of the car and lets
Megan out. He pops the trunk for the luggage.
Megan is frowning and does not look happy. Roger
gives her luggage to the skycap. He takes Megan
in his arms and hugs her; she does not hug him
back.
ROGER
Have a good trip, Meggie.
He kisses her, but she does not kiss back. Roger
moves her hair out of her eyes.
ROGER
(continuing)
I'll see you when you get back.
I love you.
MEGAN
Okay, good. I better get going.
She walks into the terminal.

INT. AIRPORT - DAY
HOLD CAMERA ON MEGAN as she walks into the airport.
She has a strange, determined look on her face.
She appears cold and listless as if she were possessed.
INT. LAB - DAY
CLOSE ON PAD as Roger writes ideas for a possible
container material. He scratches out "plastics."
He writes a note, "melting point too high." He
writes, "What is hard, but low in its conductivity?"
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NEW MEXICO DESERT - DAY
CLOSE ON CLAY EMBANKMENT. PULL BACK to reveal
Megan's car driving through the desert. She is in
Los Alamos, doing research at the National Lab-
The car comes to a stop. It backs up and parks
near the embankment.
Megan gets out of the car. She crouches over the
clay. She rubs it in her fingers and ponders. She
gets back in the car.
INT. CAR - DAY
She pulls out her laptop. CLOSE ON SCREEN as she
creates a three-dimensional graphic of a reactor.
She draws in the yellow strands of gold. She fills
in the blanks with a brick color.
She places a marker pointing at the color and
labels it, "ceramic."
MEGAN
closes her laptop and puts it away. She starts the
car and drives away.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Megan is driving through the desert, trying to clear
her head. She seems restless and tense.
CONTINUED

MEGAN'S POV - THROUGH WINDSHIELD
of the desert night. A jackrabbit runs across the
road. The road is very isolated and quiet. Not a
soul is around.
Megan drives slowly, through the dark, quiet night.
Suddenly she sees the mutilated body of a coyote on
the road. Blood covers the roadway.
Megan feels a sudden rush of pain. She sees the
apparition floating above her windshield.
He rests on thin air. He has his hands crossed
behind his head. He looks at Megan and smiles.
MEGAN
slams on the breaks. She loses control and skids
out in the sand. The car comes to a sudden halt
in a sand bank.
Megan is jarred. She sits for a few moments, then
exits the car. She leaves the lights on.
The apparition floats to the ground. He is humming
"Love Me Do," by the Beatles.
RICHARD
How are you sweetheart?
Megan backs up in fear. She trips in the sand.
Richard walks over to her and helps her up. She
can feel the solidness of his body.
MEGAN
What the hell is going on? Why
are you here again? You left.
Richard, his arm around her, walks her through the
cold desert night.
RICHARD
I know I left abruptly last time.
I had some other engagements. You
see, there's this stripper club I
like to pop into every so often
and...
CONTINUED
46.

MEGAN
Thing! Or dad, or whatever you
are, I don't want to hear this.
RICHARD
A young man needs to sew his wild
oats.
(beat)
But, I digress... You know, T am
so proud you are a scientist, I
didn't even finish high school.
Megan's face is filled with bewilderment.
MEGAN
What do you want? Why are you
torturing me? What are you?
She covers her eyes. He takes her hands off her
face.
RICHARD
Megan, let's sit down.
They sit in front of the car. The headlights light
up Megan, but the apparition is in shadows.
RICHARD
(continuing)
Let' s get down to brass tacks -
(hugs her)
I want you to leave Roger before
he leaves you. Before he hurts
you. Let's call it a preemtive
strike. You know it is going to
happen. You know I am right. His
eyes have been wandering every
since we... I mean, you, met.
MEGAN
I am unsure. I am unsure if you
are right. How can I even be
talking to you!?
(screams)
Figment of my imagination!
He rocks her gently.
RICHARD
Megan, sweetie, take it easy. Such
a fretter!
CONTINUED
47.

He looks her in the eye.
RICHARD
(continuing)
You know I am real. You can feel
me holding you. How can that be
wrong? You are not imagining me -
I know you are a scientist and
you need proof.
The apparition waves his hand in front of them.
A projection of Megan as an infant flashes before
them.
Megan looks at the image and starts to cry. The
image is in faded color and shot in 8MM.
Richard looks at Megan watching the image. He
smiles as the light flickers across her face.
RICHARD
(continuing)
I shot this when you were three
months old.
(beat)
It seems like yesterday.
MEGAN
But... How do you..- What is this?
How do you do... ?
Megan grabs him and bawls with appreciation. The
image fades. The cold wind blows as they sit there,
hugging.
DISSOLVE
INT. CAR - DAY
Megan wakes up in her car. It is morning and she
is parked by the side of the road.
She wipes her eyes and tries to wake up. Was last
night real? After a few moments she starts the car
and drives away.
EXT. GAS STATION - DAY
Megan drives up to a gas station. She gets out of
the car and approaches a pay phone.
CONTINUED

She dials the phone. As the phone KINGS she notices
a YOUNG MALE HITCHHIKER standing by the side of the
road.
He is around twenty and wears jeans and a teeshirt.
Megan stares, he is very attractive. The phone is
answered.
ROGER (V-O.)
Hello.
MEGAN
It's me, Roger. I have something
I need to tell you.
ROGER (V.O.)
Meggie! Sweetheart! It's so good
to hear your voice. How are you
honey?
Megan continues to peer at the hitchhiker.
MEGAN
Good... I'm doing good. Look...
I need to talk to you about the
reactor.
ROGER (V.O.)
Did you learn something at Los
Alamos?
MEGAN
So to speak.
Megan acts as if she is talking to a stranger.
MEGAN
{continuing)
I just wanted to throw some light
on an idea I have. You can take it
or leave it-
ROGER (V.O. )
Okay, what is it?
MEGAN
I saw some clay here in New Mexico
and I thought you could use a ceramic
to complete the reactor.
CONTINUED
49.

ROGER (V.O.)
A ceramic... Yea, there is a
precedent for that. Ceramics
are used on the space shuttle
and in some experimental car
engines... There are possiblities.
(excited)
I don't know why I didn't think
of this earlier. You are a genius,
Meggie!
Megan can't take her eyes off the hitchhiker.
MEGAN
I hope you can use this, Roger...
I have to go now... I don't know
when I'll be home... I'll talk to
you later.
ROGER (V.O.)
Well, thanks for the idea, Meggie-
I'll start running with it.
(beat)
I love you Meggie. I hope you
are home soon. I have missed
making love.
Anger forms on Megan's face as he says that.
MEGAN
... I have to go now.
ROGER (V.O.)
Okay, sweetie. I'll see you later.
MEGAN
Yes... bye.
She hangs up the phone. She holds the receiver for
a beat, as if that is the last conversation she is
going to have with him.
ANGLE ON CAR
as Megan stops to talk to the hitchhiker.
MEGAN
You need a ride?
HITCHHIKER
Just into town, if you don't mind?
CONTINUED

MEGAN
Sure, get in.
HITCHHIKER
Thanks, thanks a lot.
He gets in the car and they drive off.
INT. CAR - DAY
HITCHHIKER
It's hot out there.
(extends hand)
I'm Patrick Hanely, by the way.
MEGAN
(shakes it)
Megan Wilkes... uh, DeCarlo...
So, where are you heading?
PATRICK
I'm journeying all over New Mexico,
studying the native plants. I'm
hoping to get into graduate school
and get a masters in botany.
MEGAN
Really? You are studying to be a
scientist? I am a scientist, a
nuclear physicist.
PATRICK
Really? I'm not too into that. I'm
hoping we can use alternative forms
of energy, you know, something safer?
Megan seems very distracted. She spends'more time
looking at Patrick, than at the road.
MEGAN
Well, you know, nuclear energy is
really quite safe, if you take
proper precautions...
Megan looks in the rearview mirror.
INT. MOTEL - DAY
Megan and Patrick are in a motel. They are ripping
off each other's clothes.
CONTINUED
51.

Megan gets astride him and thrusts him with gusto.
INT. CAR - DAY
Megan is looking at the rearview mirror as Patrick
gets out of the car in a small town.
He reaches out his hand to shake hers. He notices
her peering at the mirror.
PATRICK
Are you okay, Miss DeCarlo?
Megan turns her head towards him.
MEGAN
What?
PATRICK
I just wanted to thank you for
the ride.
She shakes his hand.
MEGAN
Uh... Good luck with your studies.
PATRICK
Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your
trip.
MEGAN
Thank you, I will, bye.
PATRICK
Goodbye.
He closes the door and walks away. Megan sits for
a few moments. She turns her head and watches him
walk away.
She pauses a few more moments; she drives away■
INT. LAB - DAY
Roger and Frank are sitting before a computer.
CLOSE ON SCREEN as they create a graphic of a
working reactor.
They are running simulations to see if the gold
and ceramic combination will work.
CONTINUED
52.

ROGER
All we need to do is keep the
heat in the plasma. And if that
happens, and we keep the nuclei
at 100 trillion for one second,
we will breakeven.
FRANK
Right.
The simulation is set and he lets it run.
ROGER AND FRANK
watch with baited breath.
CLOSE ON SCREEN as the simulation runs its course.
We see a reactor, shinny brick in color, heating
up artificially.
A clock registers the ever climbing temperature
of the synthetic reactor.
Slowly, but surely, the simulated temperature
reaches 180,000,000 degrees.
ROGER AND FRANK
look at each other.
FRANK
She's holding.
Roger smiles.
ON SCREEN
a red atomic symbol blinks and SOUNDS an alarm.
The plasma begins to flow from the reactor. The
simulation stops and the screen goes blue.
ROGER
ROGER
Great, we just flooded the room
with a level seven accident! We
are dead with severe radiation
exposure!
FRANK
Maybe our metal and ceramic
combination was off. We'11 try
again.
CONTINUED
53.

Frank pats Roger on the back.
DISSOLVE
INT. LAB - DAY
Roger and Megan are working in the lab. Their
reactor is heating up.
Megan steps into a radiation suit. She hands Roger
his. He is about to step inside of it when a crack
forms on the reactor.
An ALARM SOUNDS and Megan runs to turn the reactor
off. A green flash shoots out from the crack.
Roger takes the shock of the blast. Megan runs
over to him. She gets on her knees and lifts
his head up.
Roger's face is badly burned. Radiation burns
have altered his face so much he can barely
speak.
ROGER
(barely audible)
I love you...
Tears fall from Megan's cheeks.
MEGAN
I love you.
Roger begins to have convulsions.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Oh, Roger!
Megan bawls as she tries to keep him still. He
begins to gasp for breath as he chokes on his
swollen tongue. Megan tries to pull it out.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Roger, breathe ! Roger, breathe!
He slowly dies in her arms.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Nooo! Don't leave me, Roger!
CONTINUED

She rocks his dead body back and fourth.
MEGAN
(continuing)
I'm so sorry, Roger! I'm sorry
for not having faith in you.
She takes her protective helmet off. She wipes
the tears from her eyes.
The green plume is long gone. CLOSE ON A GEIGER
COUNTER leaning by the wall, which hardly regis-
ters any radiation.
MEGAN
sits and holds Roger on her lap. She has a blank
look on her face -
MEGAN
(continuing)
You were right/ Roger. You were
not sleeping with Judith. I am
sorry. I am sorry I was tempted
to cheat on you. I am such a
jealous idiot... I will always
love you.
With tears pouring down her face she kisses Roger
on the lips, ignoring the possible radioactive
contamination.
MEGAN
(continuing)
I will be okay without you. I
should've known it all along.
I can live without you.
Suddenly, by some miracle, Roger opens his eyes
and smiles.
ROGER
I fooled you Meggie! I fooled you!
(laughs)
Don't worry. I can live without
you too, Meggie!
(laughs dementedly)
Megan is horrorified.
CONTINUED
55.

No...!
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
MEGAN
No ... !
Megan wakes up from a nightmare. She looks around
the dark room for a moment. She lays in bed and
weeps uncontrollably.
INT. LAB - DAY
Roger and Frank are running another computer test
CLOSE ON SCREEN as the simulation starts up.
ROGER
Here goes nothing.
FRANK
Saints be with us.
The clock shows the temperature climbing slowly -
After a few moments the simulated reactor reaches
180/000,000 degrees.
The computer holds at 180,000,000 degrees. The
simulated reactor begins producing energy.
ROGER AND FRANK
give each other high fives.
ROGER
All right!
FRANK
I knew we could do it!
ROGER
Oh, what a relief.
They both laugh hysterically.
Roger and Megan are at home.
CONTINUED
MEGAN

ROGER
I don't understand, Meggie? We
haven1
t made love since you've
been back. What is going on?
MEGAN
I just don't feel like doing it.
I have the right, you know.
ROGER
You do have the right. But I
think I have the right, as your
husband, to know why?
The doorbell RINGS. Roger opens up the door and
sees Judith. She does not look friendly.
JUDITH
Here.
She hands him mail.
JUDITH
(continuing)
This was put in my box by mistake.
ROGER
Uh, thanks, Judith.
She begins to walk away, but Megan notices her.
MEGAN
What are you doing here, Judith!?
JUDITH
I'm just dropping off some mail,
put in my box by mistake.
MEGAN
I want you to come in here. I
want to know what you and Roger
are up to..
She pulls her into the apartment and closes the
door.
ROGER
Megan.
MEGAN
I need to know whether you two
are having an affair or not!?
CONTINUED
57.

JUDITH
This is ridiculous. I don't want
to have this conversation.
ROGER
Megan, let her leave. She has
nothing to do with you and me.
MEGAN
IJve seen that look that Roger
gives you, Judith! It is the same
look my father gave to his whore!
(beat)
I want a straight answer from you.
Tell me you are not having sex with
my husband!
JUDITH
I am not having sex with your
husband, and he does not want to
have sex with me. He has made that
very clear.
MEGAN
When, Roger? When did you even
have a conversation with her
about this?
ROGER
You are over analyzing things,
Megan - Why don't you just let
Judith go, and we can talk this
out?
MEGAN
Because I want answers! Because I
don ' t trust you! Either of you!
JUDITH
Look, Megan, why don't you just
quit it? You are making a fool
out of yourself! I told you
nothing happened and that is the
truth!
(beat)
Why do you have to be such a
shrew? I've never understood
what makes you tick. You've got
a really good lay here. Why can't
you just do him and shut up about
it? I think it would make you a
much happier girl.
CONTINUED
58.

ROGER
Judith!
MEGAN
You bitch! You unmitigated bitch!
You have a lot of nerve judging me.
You twinkle your eyes with every
guy you see, including my husband!
Judith charges at her; Roger stops her.
JUDITH
(crying)
What the hell do you know about
me ! ? You don't know a thing about
me!
MEGAN
I know you're a slut! A dirty,
slimy slut!
JUDITH
I'm out of here!
She opens the apartment door and runs out. Roger,
who looks like he has been hit by a freight train,
closes the door. Megan slaps him.
MEGAN
You son-of-a-bitch! Who do you
think you are!?
Roger cries, with the sting of the slap and the
words.
ROGER
Megan, why don't you give me a
chance to explain?
MEGAN
Explain what!? How you are having
an affair, or why you are meeting
Judith behind my back?
ROGER
How... how I told Judith that
she must stop flirting with me.
I know that she is a flirt. I am
completely aware that she is
flirting with me. I told her it
must stop. She hasn't bothered me
since.
CONTINUED
59.

MEGAN
You expect me to believe that?
She lives in our building, Roger.
How could you resist sleeping with
her?
ROGER
Because I love you! Because I have
always loved you! Why can't you
understand that?
MEGAN
Nobody loves me! I have always
known that! Nobody has ever loved
me !
(beat)
I need time to think... I am so
confused! I don't know what I
believe and don't believe!
Roger attempts to touch her.
ROGER
Why don't you just take some time,
honey? Take all the time you want.
She pushes him away.
MEGAN
Don't touch me! I don't want you
touching me!
ROGER
Okay... okay. I am sorry. Take
all the time you need - I'll leave
you alone.
Roger walks away and Megan breaks into tears.
INT. LECTURE HALL - NIGHT
Megan is giving a lecture at the University of
Minnesota. She seems listless and worn and not
quite herself.
The students, however, sit and listen calmly as
she speaks.
CONTINUED
60.

MEGAN
As you all may, or may not, know.
An inertial confinement reactor
works by heating the target so
rapidly that the nuclei fuse
before the target can fly apart.
Laser beams hit the target in a
spherical chamber, producing
X-rays. The rays then hit a
hydrogen-filled pellet, vaporizing
its shell and compressing the
hydrogen. The hydrogen then becomes
so hot that the nuclei fuse.
She pauses for a few moments.
MEGAN'S POV - AUDIENCE
who are obscured by the bright lights.
MEGAN
feels disoriented; she continues.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Now the question that is always
asked with nuclear energy is:
"Is it safe?" I think the answer
to that is an unequivocal, "Yes."
Now, this could be an unpopular
notion...
DISSOLVE
INT. RECEPTION HALL - NIGHT
The university is holding a reception for Megan.
Megan sits on a couch drinking a glass of wine.
She closes her eyes to relax. A woman approaches
her and Megan opens her eyes -
JANE MARSH, 60, is the dean of the University of
Washington. She is dignified and has an air of
authority about her.
She introduces herself to Megan and shakes her hand
JANE
Hello, my name is Jane Marsh. I'm
dean at the University of Washington.
CONTINUED

MEGAN
Oh, nice to meet you. Why don't
you sit down?
She sits down.
JANE
Thank you. T was very interested
in your lecture. It was very
fascinating.
MEGAN
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
JANE
(beat)
I couldn't help noticing that you
seemed distracted, somehow.
Megan, who is slightly drunk, is taken aback.
MEGAN
Oh, really? How... how was I acting?
JANE
Well, you looked as if you were
going to faint.
MEGAN
Wow! I cannot believe I am that
transparent.
(wipes her eyes)
I've been having some personal
problems.
(beat)
I didn't get much sleep before
the lecture... I flew here just
a short time ago.
JANE
Is there anything you'd like to
talk about?
MEGAN
Well...
JANE
I'm prying...
MEGAN
No, it's okay, I'd like to talk
about it. Maybe it will make me
feel better.
CONTINUED
62.

JANE
Fire away.
MEGAN
Well, where do I start with my
stupid problems?
(rubs her hair)
I'm having problems with my
marriage, to tell you the truth.
JANE
You are?
MEGAN
(fidgets with her
limbs)
I. . . I don't think I can trust
my husband anymore. I... still
love him, but I don't trust him.
JANE
That sounds unfortunate•
(beat)
How long have you been married?
MEGAN
About three years.
(beat)
The problem is. . . maybe the
problem's with me... I have
always had problems with trust,
especially men. You see, my father
left us when I was young and I
think it scarred my youth.
JANE
Oh, that must've been rough.
(beat)
But, you seem so brilliant. You
have achieved so much in your young
life.
Megan looks at her incredulously.
JANE
(continuing)
I have been watching you. You are
quite accomplished. You don't seem
to show any signs of childhood
trauma.
CONTINUED
63.

Megan takes a sip of wine and laughs.
MEGAN
Oh, they're there!
(beat)
I did see a psychiatrist, but
I don't think I gave him enough
of my money.
JANE
Well, Megan, do you think you
are being paranoid, or do you
have some specific allegation
against your husband?
MEGAN
Well, it's not as if I saw him
cheating on me, before my own
eyes. It's just that... I guess,
it's just that I can't believe
with all the beautiful women
walking around, he would want
to be with plain old me.
JANE
Oh, that's not true! You are very
beautiful, young lady.
(beat)
Don■t sell yourself short! I have
an idea I would like to run past
you.
MEGAN
(sips some wine)
What is it?
JANE
Well, I don't mean to be presumptive
or anything, but there is a position
available at my school. I know we
are in the middle of the school
year, but maybe you could take the
position? It would only be until
the school year ends and then you
could decide what you want to do
with the rest of your life. It
would give you a chance to clear
your mind and think... What do you
think?
CONTINUED
64.

MEGAN
Well, maybe... I don't know. I
haven't ever done any teaching/
just lecturing... I guess I
would have to secure a teaching
credential?
JANE
Yes, but with your qualifications,
I don't think it would be any
problem at all. We could rush you
through it.
MEGAN
Really?
(beat)
This sounds like an intriguing
offer, Jane. I'll have to think
about it awhile, I think.
JANE
That is no problem. Take all the
time you need. Right now we are
using temporaries, but you would
be worth the wait.
MEGAN
What subject is the class regarding?
JANE
It is a hypothetical physics class,
right up your alley, I think.
MEGAN
Interesting.
Jane gets up from the couch. She pulls a card out
of her purse and hands it to Megan.
JANE
Here's my card. Give me a call if
you decide to take the position.
Megan shakes her hand.
MEGAN
Thank you, I will. I will give it
a great deal of thought.
CONTINUED
65.

JANE
It's been very nice to meet you,
Megan and I hope we get a chance
to work with each other.
MEGAN
Thank you for your kindness, bye.
JANE
Goodbye -
She walks away. Megan looks at the card and contem-
plates deeply.
INT. LAB - DAY
A newly assembled team works on the new reactor.
An eighteen foot high frame sits in the middle of
the lab.
Frank watches the laborers work and keeps an eagle
eye on them.
Yellow barrels of radioactive hydrogen are being
wheeled into the lab. A radioactive symbol is
printed in red on each side of the barrel.
One of the workers trips as he helps roll in a
barrel - The barrel tips to one side and almost
falls.
Frank rushes over and helps put the barrel back
on the cart.
FRANK
You must be careful! This is
volatile stuff!
He wipes his brow.
FRANK
(continuing)
Whew!
Roger walks into the lab. He looks depressed/ but
he notices Frank's strain.
ROGER
I'm going to have to get you an
assistant, Frank. You are carrying
too much of a load.
CONTINUED
66.

Frank notices him.
FRANK
You might be right. I feel like
I'm carrying a little too much.
ROGER
(to crew)
Why don't you guys take a half
hour break.
The crew leave the lab.
ROGER
(continuing)
The reactor is shaping up well,
though.
FRANK
Yes, I think so.
(beat)
Why are you in so late, Roger?
Is there something wrong?
Roger sits at his desk.
ROGER
Megan and I are having some
problems.
Frank sits by him.
FRANK
Is there anything I can do?
ROGER
Just keep doing a good job here.
I'll find you some help because
I don't think Megan and I are
going to be much help to you in
the next few weeks. She has gone
on the road lecturing and I don'
think she has much interest in
what we are doing here... and
frankly, I can't work as hard
as I want to, because she has
my head spinning. But I will try
to be here as much as I can.
FRANK
This is distressing, Roger. What
is Megan upset about?

ROGER
She is under the impression I am
having an affair with our neighbor.
FRANK
That is ridiculous, Roger! What
gave her that idea? You guys have
a really good thing going.
ROGER
She's had problems like this for
a long time. I knew about it when
we were married, but it has gotten
worse in the last few months-
FRANK
What are you going to do?
ROGER
Just try to love her. That's all
I can do, love her. It really
galls me, though, that she doesn't
realize how much I love her. If
she knew how much I loved her, she
wouldn't have all these problems
with trust that she has.
FRANK
Well, I am with you, Roger. I love
Megan, but I don't think she is
being fair to you.
(beat)
What the hell would make her think
you are sleeping with this neighbor
anyway?
ROGER
Well, maybe it's my fault to a
degree. I have tried to be nice
to this girl because she has
problems, but Megan is just so
jealous, she can't separate
friendship from infidelity. She
thinks that my interest in helping
other people means I have ulterior
motives.
FRANK
I hope you guys can work this out.
(MORE)

FRANK (CONT'D)
I'd hate to see one of the best
marriages to come down the pike
in years, go down in flames.
ROGER
I feel the same way. I'm hoping
she comes to her senses before
it's too late.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Judith is sitting in a bar. Using a fake i.d., she
orders shots of whiskey.
MACK BENNET, 66, enters the bar and sits by her.
MACK
(to bartender)
Screwdriver, please.
The BARTENDER serves him the drink; he pays him.
Judith looks at Mack,
JUDITH
Do you like men? Do you like women?
Do you like either of them?
MACK
Excuse me?
JUDITH
Why do people have to be such jerks?
MACK
I don't know.
(drinks)
JUDITH
If you knew a woman who had this
guy, this perfect guy and acted
like a miserable bitch, would you
think much of her?
She takes a swig.
MACK
Well, I don't know. I would have
to know more about her.
CONTINUED

JUDITH
Know more about her!? What do you
mean?
MACK
I don't know... maybe this young
lady has some personal problems
that are keeping her from being
happy.
(beat)
It could be she doesn1
t realize
she loves him because she is
distracted.
JUDITH
You have got to be kidding!? Are
you aware how many lonely people
there are out here? There are
people who have everything they
need, but can't seem to forget
the little things.
(beat)
I don't care what someone's
background is like! They should
just be happy with what they've
got and just get on with it!
MACK
... Why aren't you happy with
what you've got?
JUDITH
What!? What are you talking about?
I haven't got anybody! Every guy
I have been with has betrayed me
in one way or another. I have
nothing to be happy about! I
can't just forget the little
things, because I have no one
to distract me from the little
things. This chick does. She has
everything! Do you know what I
would give to have the guy she's
got? She's got everything! She
just doesn't know it!
She takes another swig.
CONTINUED
70.

MACK
You are a very hostile young lady.
JUDITH
You don* t know anything about me.
MACK
I think you should count your
blessings, my dear.
JUDITH
Oh, what do you know, you old fart?
He backs out of his stool and begins to leave.
MACK
Take care of yourself, young lady,
you are in a dire state.
He leaves. Judith looks at the bartender.
JUDITH
Some guy, huh? He doesn't know
what the hell he is talking about.
I am totally together.
(laughs )
INT. LAB - DAY
The reactor is now half complete and is shaped
like a doughnut like the previous reactor.
The shell is a shinny red color and there are no
magnets at all on the outside.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Megan is sitting on a bed opening a travel pouch
of aspirin. The apparition sits on a chair looking
at her.
MEGAN
(pops aspirin)
Did you love my mother?
RICHARD
I was certainly in lust with her.
I know that.
CONTINUED
71.

MEGAN
You know, she is still a beautiful
woman.
RICHARD
I'm sure she is, but I am still a
young man. She is old enough to be
my mother. T prefer to think of her
like she was. That is the woman who
turned me on.
MEGAN
You don't have any love for her at
all!?
RICHARD
You need to look at it from my
point of view, Megan. When you
are young, all you can think about
is, getting laid. 1 think that is
all I wanted from her.
MEGAN
Then, why were you mad at her? I
remember you fighting with her. If
she was so unimportant to you, why
did you fight for her?
RICHARD
No one wants to share his girl. It
is as simple as that.
(beat)
But, maybe there was a part of me
that was fighting for you and your
sister. I was just too young and
naive to know it.
MEGAN
But I don't understand, daddy!?
She was our mother. How could you
treat her that way!? Do you know
how much she was hurt? She couldn't
see other guys for years. She spent
many years being lonely. You were
very cruel to her and us. I hate
you for what you did!
RICHARD
You are not being fair to me,
Megan. I told you before, I was
a young man. I was not ready to
be a father.
CONT

MEGAN
Then, why did you have children?
Don't you think it was irresponsible
to create a family and then just
leave it?
RICHARD
I don't want to be lectured by a
child! You have no right to judge
me! I am going to give you some
breathing room.
The apparition turns into a red mist.
MEGAN
No! Come back here! I want to talk!
I want to know why you did it!?
She screams in frustration. She sits for a few
moments and then proceeds to the bathroom.
She fills the sink with water. She washes her face.
She washes the water all over her face.
She lifts her head with her hands still on her
face. She looks in the mirror.
She sees the image of Richard's face SUPERIMPOSED
over her's.
She reels backwards in fear and runs screaming from
the bathroom.
She jumps in bed and covers herself. She cries
and screams and curses.
MEGAN
I can't take this anymore! Am I
totally insane!? Dear God, please
help me!
She bawls and screams so loud the walls shake.
INT. LAB - DAY
The reactor is now complete. It is an intimidating
behemoth -
Roger, Frank and their new assistant, BILL FINCHER,
24, sit before a computer control bank.
CONTINUED
73.

The reactor makes a RUMBLING SOUND as it warms the
plasma.
CLOSE ON COMPUTER CONTROL as graphics light up the
screen.
We see digital bars lining the screen. When each
bar is fully raised, the reactor will be at full
power.
Slowly, the bars begin to rise, one by one.
IN THE REACTOR
the plasma glows orange as it spins around.
ROGER
watches the reactor heat up with anticipation.
The RUMBLING is deafening as the reactor continues
to heat.
ANGLE INSIDE HOSE
which pumps tritium into the reactor - The hose
begins to bulge with the pressure flowing through
it.
IN THE REACTOR
the plasma is spinning extremely rapidly. It seems
that there is too much plasma in the reactor.
CLOSE ON SCREEN as the bars continue to rise.
INSIDE HOSE
the bulge builds and looks as if it is going to
burst.
ON SCREEN
is an indicator of tritium levels. Normal would be
about 200 mi 11irems. The indicator shoots up to
2000 millirems.
ROGER
notices the level.
CONTINUED
74.

ROGER
(loudly)
There■s something wrong with the
tritium level! The room is filling
up with vapor!
Suddenly the reactor shuts itself off. The SOUND
slowly begins to subside as the reactor shuts down.
ON SCREEN
the bars begin to drop off.
CLOSE ON RED LIGHT on wall; an alarm SOUNDS.
ROGER
rushes over to a switch and flips it. The switch
sucks water into the tritium canisters.
We hear a loud VACUUM SOUND; along with the sound
of RUSHING WATER. After a few moments, the sound
stops and the red light stops.
Roger, out of breath, looks at Frank and Bill.
ROGER
(continuing)
Oh, that was a close call!
BILL
How the hell did we have a tritium
leak?
FRANK
The tubing must've not been up
to spec.
Roger leans on his knees.
FRANK
Are you okay, Roger?
ROGER
I'm just a little startled. I'm
okay.
FRANK
(laughs)
We really bit the bullet on that
one, huh?
CONTINUED
75.

BILL
We sure did! I think we have a
legitimate complaint on the
quality of that tubing!
ROGER
It was probably just an oversight.
These companies are generally
reliable with their equipment. I
don't want to assign blame. Let's
just replace it and move on.
FRANK
(touches Roger)
We'll get right on it, Roger. As
a matter of fact, I'll make a call
right now.
He walks away.
BILL
I think I need a cup of strong
coffee. How about you, Roger?
ROGER
No, thanks, I'm okay. I'm just
going to get off my feet -
BILL
Okay.
Roger sits down at his desk; he looks at his hands
as they shake. He hides them so no one sees.
Piper comforts Roger in his apartment.
PIPER
You have been holding up really
well since Megan passed away,
Roger. I am really impressed
with your ability to hold yourself
up in this dark time.
ROGER
Thank you.
PIPER
She would've wanted us to go on.
You need to be strong and continue
on with your life.
CONTINUED
76.

ROGER
I know... I know.
(cries )
It's just so hard, you know?
I miss her so much.
Piper holds him in her arms.
PIPER
It's okay, Roger. It's okay to
cry. You need to let go, let go
of your emotion.
He weeps in her arms.
Roger gets out of bed. He turns on a small light.
He walks into the bathroom and gets a drink.
He drinks some water and proceeds back to bed.
He is shocked by the sight of a lump in the bed.
He walks over and looks at the lump. He is very
afraid and hesitates.
He slowly grabs the covers and pulls them away.
He sees Megan who is horribly burned by radiation
He jerks backwards and knocks over the lamp.
MEGAN
(drowsy)
Can I have some water?
ROGER
(horrorified)
You're dead! How can you be here?
Megan, still drowsy, looks at him. She is an un-
believable sight. The tendons and muscles are
visible on her face.
The flesh is all melted together in one ugly mass
of flesh. She acts as if nothing is wrong.
MEGAN
what's wrong with you? What are
you talking about?
CONTINUED

He turns his eyes from her; he cannot look.
MEGAN
(continuing)
What has gotten into you? I'll
get it myself.
She gets out of bed and proceeds into the bath-
room. A stripe of radiation burns runs down one
whole side of her body.
She picks up the lamp and puts it back on the
table. In the full light she is even harder to
look at.
Roger collapses on the bed, weak with fear. Megan
gets her drink and comes back to bed.
She turns off the light and gets in bed.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Come here you!
In the shadows we see Megan pull Roger on to her.
She kisses him; Roger, wide-eyed, trembles with
fear.
MEGAN
(continuing)
What is wrong with you!? Don't
you want to make love to your
wife ! ?
ROGER
{sobbing)
You're not my wife.
He looks into her cold, dead eyes.
ROGER
(continuing)
What are you? Where did you come
from? Were you sent here from hell?
She throws him off.
MEGAN
You're crazy! I'm going back to
bed!
CONTINUED
78.

79.
She rolls over and pulls the covers on. Roger sits
on the edge of the bed/ with his hands clasped over
his head.
ROGER
(upwards)
Please dear God, wake me up! Wake
me up!
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
Roger abruptly sits up. He has been dreaming a
terrible nightmare. He grabs his forehead.
ROGER
(to self)
Oh, God! It was only a dream!
Thank God, it was only a dream!
He sits up at the edge of the bed.
ROGER
I need you home, Meggie! You need
to come home!
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Megan and Piper are eating in a restaurant in Chicago
MEGAN
I need you to be supportive, Piper.
PIPER
But separating from Roger? I don1
t
get it, why?
MEGAN
I've got my reasons. I just want
to take this teaching job and get
some distance from him. At the end
of the school year, I'll make up my
mind about him.
PIPER
But I don'fc understand why you
want to split from Roger, I
thought you two were doing well,
weren■t you?
CONTINUED

MEGAN
There are very personal reasons
I have for feeling this way. I
don't want to go into them/ though.
You wouldn't understand.
PIPER
I don't understand now! What would
it hurt to explain this to me? You
are talking about throwing away your
marriage.
(beat)
You know, Megan, there has always
been a part of me that has been
jealous of you getting Roger. He
just seems like such a wonderful
man .
MEGAN
That's your perspective from afar.
You don't know the intricacies of
our relationship. You don't know
how his eye tends to wander with
other women. You may think he is
just this really polite, helpful
guy, but you haven't been watching
him as long as I have. There are
real issues I have with him about
trust. I don't know if he is someone
I can trust and I need that. I need
someone who is open with me, otherwise
I can•t be with them. I can't open
up my soul to them. I have felt this
way every since daddy left and it
has not changed. What would have
happened if I trusted daddy more?
Megan looks around the room, leery that Richard
may show up again.
PIPER
That's a lot to swallow.
(beat)
First of all, you must understand,
I support your decision whatever it
may be, I just want a chance to try
and talk you out of it. Will you
give me a shot?
CONTINUED
80.

MEGAN
Re my guest/ but my mind is made
up.
PIPER
Okay.
(beat)
I just feel that this is a mistake.
Megan... Roger is a good man. T
can't find it in myself to believe
these things you are saying about
him, surely you are mistaken.
MEGAN
I don't think I am. I know him
better than you.
PIPER
But I don■t think you are treating
him fairly. You are being too
mysterious. I think you should go
home and face him. He deserves a
chance to defend himself.
MEGAN
I will give him a chance to defend
himself, just not face to face. I
need to have distance from him in
order to keep my objectivity.
PIPER
Objectivity? What objectivity?
You haven't even got any evidence
he has done anything wrong.
Megan pulls a tip out of her purse.
MEGAN
(angry)
I don't need this from you, Piper!
I am being pulled in two different
directions! I need to make up my
own mind about my own life!
PIPER
Megan...
Piper grabs her and gives her a strong hug.
CONTINUED
81.

MEGAN'S POV - REFLECTION IN SPOON
on a table. Richard smiles at her.
MEGAN
squeezes her eyes shut.
INT. LIQUOR STORE - NIGHT
Judith is showing a CLERK her fake i.d. He looks
at the i.d and looks at her.
CLERK
$12-50.
She pays him and he gives her the change. She
walks out with a bottle of whiskey.
EXT. LIQUOR STORE - NIGHT
Judith walks out of the store. The streets are
crowded and she appears irritated.
She is excited, however, by all the men that are
on the street. She smiles freely at them as she
walks.
She comes to a man standing with one foot against
a brick wall. BEN WALTERS is forty-five. He is a
loose operator and loiters often.
He lights a cigarette. Judith stops and peers at
him; he smiles. He gives her a cigarette and lights
it.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
Judith and Ben sit in bed at her apartment. Judith
lights a cigarette.
JUDITH
You men are all such bastards.
BEN
What, me? what did I do?
JUDITH
You're all the same.
CONTINUED
82.

BEN
Look, I can leave if you want
me to?
JUDITH
No. . .
(looks at him)
I want you to explain yourself.
BEN
What do you mean, explain myself?
JUDITH
Why do you treat us women the way
you do? We are not disposable bags,
you know.
BEN
Look, we had a good time here.
What's wrong with that?
(beat)
Did some guy do something to
you? You seem like you are
really hung up on some problem.
JUDITH
It's all of you. You're all in
the same league - You don1
1 treat
us women with respect. Without us,
you guys wouldn•t even be here.
Our wombs bring you guys into the
Earth. Do you realize that, Ben?
BEN
I think it's time I should be
going.
He gets up and puts his clothes on.
BEN
(continuing)
Can I do anything for you?
JUDITH
Yea, you can pour me a drink.
You see that bottle on the table?
He picks it up.
BEN
Isn't it a little early?
CONTINUED
83.

JUDITH
I don't care! It's my bottle!
BEN
I've had enough of this. Here,
take it.
He hands her the bottle and leaves. Judith takes
a glass and pours a drink. A tear falls down her
cheek.
JUDITH
(to self)
Fine, leave, you * re all the same.
She takes another drink and devours every drop.
INT. LAB - DAY
The team is performing another test. They sit before
the control bank.
The reactor RUMBLES as it warms up.
ON SCREEN
the digital bars come to life.
IN THE REACTOR
the plasma shoots out its conduit. It tears its
way around the reactor, spinning with glee.
BACK TO SHOT
The RUMBLING continues to build.
ON SCREEN
the bars continue to rise, unabated.
CLOSE ON BILL
as he winces in anticipation.
BACK TO SHOT
They watch the reactor warm up normally.
CONTINUED

FRANK
watches the reactor warm/ excitedly. Suddenly he
begins to turn green.
He throws up in front of Bill and Roger.
BILL
There's something wrong!
ROGER
moves rapidly and shuts everything down. The reactor
slowly shuts down and quiets.
BACK TO SHOT
as Roger and Bill help Frank to a seat. Roger
looks at the computer.
ROGER
We forgot to turn on the ventilation
fans! There were too many ions
floating around in the room.
BILL
I'll get you a glass of water,
Frank.
Roger leans over Frank.
ROGER
I'm sorry, Frank. We screwed up.
I have been distracted.
Frank is still green.
FRANK
It's okay, Roger, it happens.
ROGER
There is no excuse for my behavior!
I am in charge and I have messed up!
FRANK
It's okay, Roger. Don't worry...
Roger sees him about to throw up and grabs him a
garbage can. He holds it under Frank as he throws
up- Roger pats him on the back.
85.

INT. BAR - NIGHT
Roger sits in a bar, drinking. He looks haggard.
He lets loose on the bartender, telling hira all
his woes.
ROGER
I don't know what she is intending.
She won't even call me! And, don't
get me started on my problems at
work!
He takes a sip of vodka.
ROGER
(continuing)
She's never stayed away this long
before. I don't know what she's
thinking anymore.
(beat)
She's not the woman I married.
BARTENDER
Give her some time.
ROGER
Why should I? What about my
feelings? My heart is breaking!
BARTENDER
Nobody said love was easy, pal.
ROGER
You're telling me?
(quietly)
The only problem is, I don't
think I'm going to see her
again, outside of a courtroom. I
love her so much. I don't want to
lose her!
BARTENDER
Then fight for her.
ROGER
I'm not sure if I have it in me.
I don* t know if my heart can take
anymore of thi s. I don't have the
strength..
CONTINUED
86.

BARTENDER
Listen to yourself. Are you a man?
Get some backbone, buddy. Show
some self respect. Get out of your
doldrums.
ROGER
(sips)
But you don't understand! You don't
know what Megan is like. She has
had some serious emotional problems
in the past.
(beat)
She has held a grudge against her
father all her life. As long as I
have known her she has been angry
with him. I think/ she takes her
anger against her dad and takes it
out on me, which is totally unfair,
because I have been nothing but
understanding about her problems
with him.
BARTENDER
What did her father do?
ROGER
He left! That bastard abandoned
his family! She has never gotten
over it. I have heard her railing
about him for years. The thing I
can't understand is, why care about
someone like him? Get on with your
life and forget about him. That is
what I say!
BARTENDER
Maybe she blames you because you
are a man like her father,
(cleans glass)
ROGER
What?
BARTENDER
Maybe she thinks all men will hurt
her at some point.
ROGER
That's not fair! I have been very
kind to her. I love her!
CONTINUED
87.

BARTENDER
You need to look at things from her
perspective. She doesn't trust men
because her father left. It seems
pretty simple to me -
ROGER
You think so? I have to think on
this. Pour me another drink and
I'll pontificate what you said.
BARTENDER
Another drink won't make you think
easier.
ROGER
No, but it won't hurt either.
The bartender pours him another shot. Roger shoots
it down.
INT. LAB - DAY
Frank and Bill sit before the control bank.
The reactor RUMBLES, once again, as it warms up.
ON SCREEN
the digital bars rise.
IN THE REACTOR
the plasma whips around in a frenzy.
BACK TO SHOT
The RUMBLING builds.
ON SCREEN
the bars are almost completely raised.
THE REACTOR
looks normal and it settles into a quiet BUZZ. It
begins to produce plasma.
ON SCREEN
all the bars raise and indicate that the reactor
is active.
CONTINUED
88.

FRANK AND BILL
look at each other and hoot in joy.
BILL
We're producing plasma! We did it!
FRANK
We sure did!
(they shake hands)
I can't believe it, but we did!
Frank runs to a cabinet and pulls out a bottle of
champagne. He pours each of them a glass.
FRANK
(continuing)
I was wondering if we were ever
going to get a chance to drink
this, but, here we are.
Bill laughs.
FRANK
(continuing)
And now a toast.
They hold up their glasses.
FRANK
(continuing)
To Roger and Megan. Unfortunately
they could not be here to join in
the celebration with us, so we
will toast them in their absence.
Their glasses CLING and they drink.
BILL
I think you better call Roger and
tell him we did it. Of course, you
might want to leave out how many
attempts it took.
FRANK
I'm going to wait till he calls in.
He told me he wanted his space, so
I'm going to give it to him. I know
he'll be happy we succeeded, but he
is in a pretty strained state right
now.
CONTINUED
89.

Frank leans in on the computer bank to see if
everything is working properly.
BILL
What exactly is going on with
Roger and his wife?
FRANK
... It's pretty personal stuff,
but they are strong people and
they'll work it out.
BILL
I've seen some of the papers they
have written together and they
seem like such a good team.
FRANK
I know. I have never seen two
researchers work so well together,
married, or not.
(beat)
I have faith they will work it out.
We, however, better get back to work.
We need to test the reactor's output.
BILL
(looks at board)
Yes, it looks like there are some
adjustments to be made.
FRANK
(looks as well)
Yea, I see, vre' re going to need
to adjust that.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY
Roger groggily walks past his answering machine.
He sees it flashing and checks the message.
MEGAN
(on machine)
Roger, I'm going to take some
time away from you. Don't be
hurt and please understand.
(cries)
Please don't try to find me.
I'm sorry I have to do this,
but I feel betrayed... I hope
you can find happiness while I
try to figure things out.
(MORE)
CONTINUED
90.

MEGAN (CONT'D)
(on machine)
... maybe we weren't meant for
each other, I don't know. I'll
be in touch, my lov... Uh, just,
goodbye '.
Roger slumps onto the couch, in shock.
SLOW DISSOLVE
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Megan, now teaching at the University of Washington,
is giving a lecture.
MEGAN
... And that is the Lasnex code.
My speciality in nuclear physics
is ICF, or, Inertial Confinement
Fusion. Now, you might remember
yesterday, when I was telling
you about the impurities in the
laser glass used at Lawrence
Livermore Lab in California- As
I discussed, they are not only
having trouble producing the
glass, but they also are having
trouble with the coatings and
reflective surfaces of the glass.
BETHANY ROYCE, 21, petite with short brown curly
hair speaks up.
BETHANY
And they are also having trouble
with the ultraviolet crystals,
they make the laser light too
powerful and destroy the glass.
MEGAN
Right, Bethany. As a matter of fact,
many in Congress want to dismantle
the program, which shows you how
fierce funding competition is...
Now, all these technical problems,
of course, then ensue. Such as,
cracks, as the laser light hits
the glass loafs inside the laser.
Another problem they are confronting
is, loading the tiny tritium and
deuterium pellets into the target
chamber.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

MEGAN (CONT'D)
Now, you might say that ICF is
too difficult to complete. However,
keep in mind that once you determine
how to keep the glass free from
defects, you will have a very
proficient energy producing
machine.
BETHANY
Which you told us, you will prove
in the next few months.
The class laughs.
MEGAN
That's right, Bethany. I did say
that, didn't I?
Bethany smiles.
MEGAN
(continuing)
Now, tomorrow, we will be discussing
the production of pellets, which
have to be produced in an environment
at twenty degrees above zero. We
will be discussing the difficulty
of keeping the pellets, formed
from the hydrogen isotopes, cold
until successfully loaded. I'll
see you all tomorrow.
EXT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Bethany exits the classroom. She walks down the
walkway. Roger, wearing dark glasses, approaches
her.
BETHANY
Oh, hi, Mr. Wilkes -
He pulls her into a bank of bushes.
ROGER
Shhh!!
(takes glasses off)
You don't want Megan to hear you.
CONTINUED
92.

BETHANY
(covers mouth)
Oh, sorry.
ROGER
Have you talked to Megan about me
yet?
Bethany smiles at Roger and seems smitten with him.
BETHANY
No, I haven't had a chance yet.
ROGER
You've had two weeks! I can't wait
around here forever! You need to
tell her T want to talk with her.
BETHANY
I'm sorry, Mr. Wilkes. I will talk
with her about you.
(beat)
I can't imagine why your wife is
giving you the cold shoulder. You
are so decent and kind.
ROGER
She's being silly, Bethany! That's
why I need your help.
ANGLE ON MEGAN
as she leaves the classroom.
ROGER
pines for her.
ROGER
(continuing)
Oh, she is so beautiful, Bethany.
BETHANY
Quiet, you don't want her to hear
you.
ROGER
(quietly)
I wish T could tear out of these
bushes, take her in my arms and
kiss her till we die.
CONTINUED
93.

BETHANY
pulls him back.
BETHANY
You'll get your chance. Just be
quiet.
MEGAN
looks over at the bushes, as if she hears something.
ROGER AND BETHANY
duck.
MEGAN
hesitates for a moment and walks away.
ROGER AND BETHANY
relax.
BETHANY
(continuing)
Now/ you just be calm and give me
a chance. I'll tell her you are
here and want to see her, don't
worry.
Roger looks off in the direction Megan walked in.
He stares off into the distance.
ROGER
I really appreciate you helping me,
Bethany. You are very sweet.
He looks at her and kisses her on the cheek. She
turns red with embarrassment.
BETHANY
Oh, thank you, Mr. Wilkes.
ROGER
Call me Roger.
BETHANY
Okay, Roger.
CONTINUED

Roger puts his glasses back on.
ROGER
Okay, I'll be in touch. See you
later.
BETHANY
Okay, bye.
Roger sneaks off.
BETHANY
(to self)
Amazing guy!
INT. MEGAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Megan, with a bottle of aspirin on table, is eating
dinner. Richard, much to her chagrin, sits across
the table from her.
He is, once again, smiling. Megan anxiously eats
her meal, uncomfortably aware of his constant
stare.
MEGAN
(drops fork)
Look, don't you have anywhere
else to go?
RICHARD
I like sitting here watching you.
You are my dear, sweet daughter.
MEGAN
I wonder about that.
RICHARD
What is that supposed to mean?
Megan studies him a moment.
MEGAN
I used to think I hated mom. But
I am starting to wonder if it is
you I have hated all along. I
mean, look at you. You are just
a juvenile delinquent. You talk
about goinq to stripper bars.
(MORE)
CONTINUED
95.

MEGAN (CONT'D)
Why haven't you aged? You are too
young. I am older than you, for
God's sake! You can't be my father.
How do I know you are not a figment
of my imagination?
RICHARD
Megan! I thought we settled this.
I cannot believe you are still
hung up on these ideas. Seriously...
(laughs)
. . . not your father! Give me a
break, sweetheart.
MEGAN
Don't laugh at me.
(beat)
T am seriously starting to believe
you are not real. I think I am
talking to myself right now. If
someone took a photograph in this
room, there would be only me...
What do you think of that?
RICHARD
Megan! I am real! I am going to
give you a chance to be alone.
I'll give you a chance to work
this idea out of your mind.
(laughs)
Not your father. Oh/ that's funny!
He turns into a red mist and disappears.
MEGAN
Wait! Come back here! I am not
done talking! Why did you laugh
at me!?
She pushes her plate across the table and crosses
her arms.
MEGAN
I will get rid of you! You cannot
hide forever! I will rid my psyche
of you!
She takes her plate and throws it against the wall -
96.

EXT. FASTFOOD RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Roger and Bethany sit outside on a cold Seattle
night and eat.
BETHANY
I really appreciate you taking
me out tonight, Roger. I was
really bored.
Roger appears tense.
ROGER
I just couldn't take another
minute in that hotel room. I
was going stir crazy!
BETHANY
I know what you can do to feel
better! Why don't you tell me
how you and Megan met? Maybe it
will make you feel better, you
know, remembering all those old,
sweet memories!?
ROGER
(reluctant)
Oh, I don't know.
BETHANY
Oh, come on!
ROGER
... Okay, if it makes you happy.
Bethany smiles her infectious smile.
ROGER
We were in class together. I was
impressed by her, so I introduced
myself to her.
BETHANY
Was it love at first sight!?
ROGER
You could say that.
(beat)
At least, I knew X loved her from
the first time I saw her.
CONTINUED
97.

BETHANY
Oh, this is so romantic! I can't
believe your problems have gotten
to this point. It just seems like
you guys were meant for each other.
ROGER
I appreciate you saying that,
Bethany, it raises my spirits
quite a bit.
BETHANY
... Would you like to go see a
movie!?
ROGER
Oh, I don't know if I am in the
mood .
BETHANY
What else were you going to do,
go back to your stupid hotel room?
ROGER
Well...
BETHANY
It'll be fun! Come on...
She bats her brown lashes at him.
ROGER
... Okay, but I don't want to see
a drama. It must be a comedy. My
heart can't take anymore drama.
BETHANY
Of course! A comedy! Let's go!
She pops up from the bench and grabs Roger's arm
Roger smiles and laughs. Her bubbly personality
is contagious.
INT. LAB - DAY
Frank and Bill work in the lab. Frank sits down
at his desk and opens up a manila envelope.
He pulls out a certificate, encased in a picture
frame.
CONTINUED
98.

INSERT - CERTIFICATE
"This certificate, given by the University of
Maryland Board of Directors, in recognition of
stupendous scientific achievement, is hereby
bestowed upon this team, for your outstanding
contribution to the science of nuclear fusion."
BACK TO SHOT
FRANK
Ah, it's a certificate, Bill.
Bill leaves the computer bank and walks over. He
looks at the certificate.
BILL
We should be proud. I think we
earned this, don1
t you?
FRANK
It isn't worth much without Roger
and Megan's presence, is it?
BILL
I think they would be proud too,
if they weren't so distracted.
Frankly, I think they are being
immature. We have made a huge
scientific discovery and they
are off sulking like puppies.
FRANK
Don't be so hard on them, Bill.
They have a very passionate
relationship and passionate
relationships are all consuming.
BILL
Yea, but what are they doing,
Frank? Have you even heard
anything from Roger? Has he
talked to her? When is he
coming home? We have a lot of
work to do, securing a patent
and et cetera. They shouldn't be
running around out there when
there is so much hard work to do.
Roger should either relenqui sh
his work to us or come back.
CONTINUED

FRANK
Wait a second, Bill. You are
crossing a boundary I don't want
you to cross. These are my friends
we are talking about.
Bill sits down.
BILL
I'm sorry, Frank. I guess I am
just stressed out- I mean, I
only got out of graduate school
a few months ago. A lot has
happened in just a couple of
months.
FRANK
It's okay. I know you are young.
I think I would be anxious too if
I were your age, but just remember
that people have complicated lives.
Roger and Megan haven't always been
this way.
BILL
Wellt do you think they can work
things out? I don't know if passion
is worth the strain those two are
going through.
FRANK
... I think, if they have a little
bit more time, they will work this
out and I do think what they are
going through is worth it- I'm
thirty-one and still looking for
that one true love. I think once
you have that special something
with someone you should hold on
to it.
(beat)
For all we know, they have kissed
and made up and are on their way
home now.
BILL
Well, even if they aren't, I am
going back to work. This is my
pascion for the time being.
Frank smiles and looks at the certificate.
100.

EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT
Roger waits for Bethany, late on a rainy night.
He stands in the rain/ impervious to the wet.
He appears anxious, as Bethany has news for him
from Megan. He sees the light from her car approach.
The car pulls up and stops. Bethany exits her car
and opens up her umbrella. She notices that Roger
is drenched and stands over him.
BETHANY
How long have you been waiting
here?
ROGER
Don't worry about that. What did
Megan say?
BETHANY
Can we go somewhere and get out
of the rain?
ROGER
You know the abandoned drive-inn
by your dorm? We can get some
privacy there, can't we?
BETHANY
Yea, it's pretty quiet there and
there are the old carports so we
can get out of this rain.
ROGER
Okay, let's go.
They get in their cars and drive off.
EXT. DRIVE-INN - NIGHT
We are at an old fifties style drive-inn. The old
carport still stands, but it is very rickety and
the paint is old and cracked.
Roger and Bethany get out of their cars. Roger has
a towel and dries his hair.
ROGER
I can't take the suspense any
longer, Bethany. What did she
say?
CONTINUED
101.

BETHANY
. . . She said, you should go back
to Baltimore and live your life.
(beat)
She said she didn't want any
pressure from you to come home
and that you should continue
on, regardless of what she
decides to do with her life.
Roger is confused by Bethany's words.
ROGER
I don't understand? How does she
feel about me? Does she want me
to just leave and never see her
again?
BETHANY
She said... something about,
being tired of all the voices
in her head and how she is trying
to find her own voice in all the
noise.
ROGER
She told me to go home?
BETHANY
Yes, she did.
Roger is insensed. He grabs at one of the carport's
pillars and shakes it- Chipped paint and old pine
needles fall from the rafters. The carport seems as
if it might come tumbling down.
Bethany winces and tries to cover her head. She
has not seen this rage in Roger since she has
known him.
ROGER
She makes me so angry! I should
divorce her for lack of affection!
Why should I let her get away with
this!? Why should I, Bethany?
BETHANY
I don't know.
CONTINUED

ROGER
She is just so Goddamnned
insensitive! I never did
anything to deserve this
treatment! Why the hell have
I put up with it!?
BETHANY
Take it easy, Roger. Maybe you
should get some sleep?
ROGER
I don't want to get any sleep!
Please, just give me a chance to
express myself. I have held it in
too long. Can you understand what
this has done to me? Can you see
what she has put me through? I
have tried to be patient, what
has it gotten me!?
BETHANY
Roger, you are scaring me.
Roger rushes towards her and firmly grabs her
shoulders.
ROGER
No/ Bethany, don't be scared. I
am not mad at you. I just need a
sympathetic ear. I have been even
keeled for too long. I need a
chance to express all these angry
and confused emotions I have been
holding in all these years.
BETHANY
(shaking)
Okay, I'll hear you out. Just take
it easy.
ROGER
It's just that I love her so much,
Bethany and this is how she rewards
me. She doesn't even have the integrity
to see me face-to-face. What is
wrong with her? You are a woman. What
is she thinking?
BETHANY
I don't know. I have never been
married before. I don't know what
she is thinking.
CONTINUED
103.

Shadows_of_Love--2nd_Draft_by_louis

Shadows_of_Love--2nd_Draft_by_louis

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