1. “A Flash of Reality”
Draft #2
WRITTEN BY: Elizabeth Buncher
CHARACTER PROFILES
Lizzie: 20 years old, Senior in College, originally from
San Diego. Her family still lives back in California,
parents divorced, has an older problematic brother.
Nicole: one of Lizzie’s roommates at school
Brooke: Lizzie’s other roommate
Music: “Adrift” by Tycho
FADE IN:
shots 1 and 2:
LIZZIE is walking back from class down the alley
FADE TO:
shots 3 and 4:
INT. INSIDE GIRLS HOUSE – AFTERNOON
LIZZIE enters through the front door to an empty house,
takes a deep breathe of solace in the serenity. Removing
her jackets and backpack in one swift schlep; she plops
onto the forgiving couch.
NICOLE and BROOKE burst in just moments after,
energetically recounting their day of classes, completely
disregarding the peace of the house.
NICOLE
Oh what’s up dude, thank God we don’t
have developmental homework tonight,
I’m so done with school.
BROOKE
Yea the guys wanna watch the game and
maybe play snappa or somethin’.
Shots 5:
Lizzie chuckles at the thought of hanging out with the
guys. You see her gaze drift away, recalling recent
deterring events. She grabs her pack of Turkish Royals and
gets up for the door.

2. 2.
NICOLE
(to Lizzie) Are you going next door?
Lizzie throws her head back and scoffs.
LIZZIE
Hah NO. I’m calling my mom back, she was fighting
with my brother when I called her last night…
MUSIC FADES OUT
CUT TO:
Shot 6:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, THE FRONT STOOP – AFTERNOON
Lizzie closes the door and sits on the stoop, dials her
mom, in search of some comfort in her mother’s usually
joyous attitude.
LIZZIE
(on the phone/ cheerful) Hi Mommy, what
are you up to right now?
Lizzie’s smile almost immediately drops and she tenses the
phone and sits up straight as if to hear the phone call
better.
Music: dramatic chords in the background
LIZZIE (CONT’D)
What do you mean you’re in the
Emergency Room right now? [breathless]
What happened?
A look of terror crosses her face as her eyes begin to
water with shock and panic. Her entire demeanor has
altered, she’s stiff, now pacing the 4x4 slab of front
patio.
LIZZIE (CONT’D)
He pushed you?! Are you fucking kidding
me?! [pause] Okay after you talk to
them, please call me back, …and careful
what you say to them. I love you mommy.

3. 3.
Lizzie’s face turns to stone as she stares blankly across
the parking lot between her and the neighbors. After a
moment, she shakes her head in disbelief.
LIZZIE (CONT’D)
[exasperated/talking to the sky] What?.
The shock is gone from Lizzie’s face and the tears have
begun to fill her eyes. She gazes up to the sky as the
tears overflow and individual streak down her cheeks. She
drops her head in her hands and as you hear her sniffle and
sip for air.
FADE to BLACK.
FADE IN:
Shot 7:
INT- THE LIVING ROOM –afternoon
Flustered, Lizzie enters the house and immediately snags
the attention of Brooke and Nicole.
BROOKE & NICOLE
[in unison] Lizzie, are you okay? What happened?
LIZZIE struggles for composure; becoming stern in her
posture searching for the words.
LIZZIE
[stern yet disbelieving, exclaims]
My brother fucking pushed my Mom down
the stairs. She broke her hip and is in
the Emergency Room preparing for
surgery.
Nicole and Brooke, both shocked, squirm with discomfort in
the wake of Lizzie’s explanation. Also at a loss for words,
look to each other, then back at Lizzie.
NICOLE
[solemnly] I’m so sorry.
Brooke and Nicole get up and join Lizzie on the loveseat,
embracing her.
FADE TO BLACK.

4. 4.
FADE IN:
Shot 8:
{flash forward 2 weeks}
LIZZIE standing behind her mother, brushing her hair as
they both look at one another in the mirror. Her mother is
slightly out of focus and the scene is vignette.
Music: “Another Day” acoustic version by James Taylor
LIZZIE
*inner monologue
As I stood behind my mother, looking at our
reflections in the mirror, I couldn’t have been
more humbled. The super mom who once took care of
me, I had just bathed. With each stroke of the
hair brush, I was trying harder and harder not to
tear up. My beautiful mother, feeling so
vulnerable as I care for her. I could see in her
eyes, the hurt, but with a gentle touch and a big
smile I reassured her that I was there for her,
always have been and always will be. The
struggles we have been through, and the
relationship I have had with her is what made me
who I am today. For that, I couldn’t be more
thankful. I kissed her on the top of her head and
she always did when she tucked me into bed and
told her I love her.
FADE OUT.
END SCENE.