TOM MALONEY (50s, weary and devoted) climbs the steps slowly,
holding the handrail for support. Labored breathing increases
as he reaches the fourth floor.
He holds a single red rose in his hand, and he sighs as he
trudges down the long hallway to room #474.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM 474 — DAY — CONTINUOUS
MARNA MALONEY (50s, frail, unmoving) lies motionless in the
hospital bed. Her eyes are wide open, but her gaze is empty,
devoid of life. She is locked-in, a state of complete
paralysis, unable to speak or move, but fully conscious and
aware of her surroundings.
MARNA (V.O.)
He’s coming.
She listens intently to the familiar sound of FOOTSTEPS
shuffling up the hall, slow, exhausted, as they have for
months.
The door handle turns. She braces herself, trying to force a
smile.
The door swings open and Tom enters, holding a single red
rose. He walks across the room and replaces the one already
there.
The dim fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow throughout the
room, and the steady BEEP of a heart monitor echoes in the
silence. As Tom nears the bed, the monitor displays an
increase in heart rate.
For a moment — a short one — Tom is filled with excitement.
He turns to NURSE DEBBIE (40s, trim, compassionate but
realistic), sitting comfortably in a chair against the wall,
but she shakes her head.
NURSE DEBBIE
The heart rate varies, Tom. We
don’t know why, but it does.
TOM
I thought —
Debbie steps over and holds his hand.
NURSE DEBBIE
There’s been no change. Not yet.
Now that you’re here, I’m going to
check on other patients. I’ll be
back shortly.
Tom pulls a chair next to her bed and sits to read a book.
TOM
I know this isn’t an adult book,
but the kids loved it so much when
you read it to them.
(a beat)
I’ll teach my dog 100 words…
MARNA (V.O.)
You don’t have to come so often.
Spend more time with the kids.
As Marna lies motionless on the hospital bed, she struggles
to move her head — to move anything — but despite valiant
efforts, nothing happens.
With unblinking eyes, she studies Tom’s face, so familiar, so
full of love — and pain. She wants to tell him to move on,
but she still has hope. God has worked miracles before.
Besides, even if she finds the courage to let him go, there
is no way to tell him. She can’t speak. Can’t move.
MARNA (V.O.)
Do you know I won’t get better? Do
the kids know?
Tom steps forward, pulling a chair close. He reaches out his
hand and smooths her hair, then brushes it.
MARNA (V.O.)
Why are you staring like that —
your eyes — so cold? I don’t know
what you feel when you look that
way.
Tom closes his eyes and lifts his head up. He recalls the
best of their life:
FLASH IMAGES:
- Their wedding day.
- The birth of their kids.
- The trip to Italy.
The images run through his mind like a silent film. With his
eyes fixed on Marna, he folds his hands and prays.
TOM
For richer or poorer. In sickness
and in health ...
Until death do us part.
(beat)
Please help her, God.
He shudders, not wanting to dwell on the past; instead, he
focuses on Marna, desperate to hear her voice.
Despite her inability to move, a single tear manages to well
up and roll down Marna’s cheek.
Tom stands, wipes his eyes, then walks toward the door. As it
opens, Debbie enters, and Tom smiles politely.
TOM (CONT’D)
Will she ever recover? Will she
ever be able to speak? To move?
Marna stifles a scream. She struggles to move, but gets no
response.
MARNA (V.O.)
I hear you, Tom. I’m here. I’ll get
better. I promise.
She feels herself cry, but she’s a prisoner in her own body.
Debbie gently takes Tom’s hands, and lowers her head.
NURSE DEBBIE
We’ll take care of her. I don’t
know if she’ll get better, but
we’ll keep her as comfortable as
possible.
Tom swallows hard.
NURSE DEBBIE (CONT’D)
Tom, you don’t have to come every
day. She doesn’t know you’re here.
Tom’s face contorts in shock.
TOM
But she’ll miss me.
NURSE DEBBIE
I doubt she hears you. Why not come
once a week, twice if it helps?
TOM
I’ll consider it.
Marna panics.
MARNA (V.O.)
No! Don’t believe her. Don’t
listen.
Tom stares at Debbie, his lips slightly parted. He looks
down, thinking.
TOM
On second thought, I’ll be back
tomorrow.
MARNA (V.O.)
Thank God.
Tom stops at the door, then turns back.
TOM
(to Debbie)
Are you certain she can’t hear me?
Can’t see me?
Nurse Debbie hesitates, then nods solemnly.
NURSE DEBBIE
I’m sorry, Tom.
Marna fights harder, wills her body to refute Debbie’s words.
MARNA (V.O.)
Just one movement. One blink. One
sound. Do something, damn it!
Marna tenses, as if insulted. Then, she smiles to herself. A
small one, but real.
Tom notices, and it both excites and crushes him.
TOM
She smiled! I saw her smile.
The nurse walks to Marna and looks closely at her. She taps
Marna’s arm, but sees no response. She looks at the monitor,
and though it shows a small increase in heart rate, it’s
almost negligible. She turns back to Tom.
NURSE DEBBIE
That could have been an involuntary
muscle contraction. But whatever it
was, it’s not there now.
Tom lowers his head and sobs.
TOM
I’m leaving, Marna. I’ve got to get
to work.
He leaves, his footsteps retreating down the hallway, then
echoing in the emptiness of the stairwell.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
A Day for Family
INT. INTERNATIONAL SOLUTIONS — DAY
Tom exits the elevator, looks at the time, and rushes toward
his desk. As he takes his seat, his BOSS (50s, stern) turns
the corner. He pulls a rolling chair beside Tom.
BOSS
(whispering)
Tom, I can’t tell you how bad I
feel about Marna ... and we’ve gone
to great lengths to accommodate
you. But I can’t have you coming in
late every day.
Tom nods.
TOM
I’ll do better. I need this job to
pay bill. I’ll put in extra hours
on the weekend if I have to.
BOSS
Never mind that. Just get here on
time from now on.
Tom’s boss gets up to leave, then turns.
BOSS (CONT’D)
And take off early today. Spend
time with the kids.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Balancing Bills and Bonding
INT. TOM AND MARNA’S HOUSE — DAY
Tom sits at the kitchen table his computer screen filled with
spreadsheets showing bills that are due. He shakes his head,
muttering.
TOM
(to himself)
How the hell am I gonna pay these?
The front door opens, and JUDY (6, all smiles, optimistic)
and ETHAN (4, bursting with energy) run to Tom and wrap their
arms around him.
JUDY ETHAN
Daddy! You’re home. Daddy!
Tom scoops them up in his arms, hugs, and kisses them.
TOM
I missed you so much. It’s been
almost ... a day.
The kids laugh and jump down.
JUDY
Can we play games or go to the
park?
TOM
It will have to be another day,
guys. I have to finish paying
bills, and then do some work.
ETHAN
Yuk. Do I have to do work when I
grow up?
Judy laughs.
JUDY
Of course, silly. Everybody works.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Silent Longing
EXT. HOSPITAL — NEXT DAY
Tom replaces the rose by her bed, then sits and chats.
TOM
The kids were in a great mood last
night. They miss you a lot.
(a beat)
And Ethan seems to have grown so
much. He’s almost as tall as Judy
now, but thankfully not as sassy.
Marna doesn’t move, doesn’t smile, or even blink. Tom reads a
chapter from The Mayor of Casterbridge, another one of her
favorites, then he sets it down gently and kisses her lips.
TOM (CONT’D)
I need to go. I can’t afford to be
late for work again.
Marna hears the echoes of his footsteps fade as he goes down
the hallway.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Promise in the Wind
EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY
The wind howls as the heavy door slams shut behind him. Tom
doesn’t flinch. His breath fogs in the cold air, but he
doesn’t seem to notice. As he walks toward the parking lot,
slow but deliberate, his shoes crunch softly against gravel
and patches of ice.
TOM
(to himself)
It’s not right. We were supposed to
grow old together.
He stops near the car, leans against the hood, and looks up.
The sky is overcast, fitting the day perfectly.
Tom reaches for his keys, and brings out a few wilted petals
from the red rose. It brings a smile.
TOM (CONT’D)
(to himself)
She’d say I should have brought
tulips.
A gust of wind rips through the open parking lot. Tom shivers
and gets in the car.
TOM (CONT’D)
(softly)
I’ll be back tomorrow.
He opens the car door and gets in, but doesn’t start the
engine right away. He just sits and holds the steering wheel.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Game of Hearts
INT. TOM AND MARNA’S HOUSE — NIGHT
A soft lamp glows in the corner of the living room,
illuminating a game board spread across the floor. It is
surrounded by snacks and scattered cards.
Tom sits cross-legged with Judy and Ethan. They laugh as
Ethan moves the wrong piece across the board.
TOM
Ethan! That’s not even your piece.
ETHAN
I always play with the green one.
Judy laughs loudly, slapping her hands on the floor.
JUDY
That’s the brown piece, Ethan.
They collapse into laughter, a welcome change in the house.
And even though the sound feels strange — new, maybe even
forced — it’s a sound they all needed. One that was missing
for too long.
Ethan crosses the finish with his last roll of the dice. He
jumps up and down, shouting.
ETHAN
I win. I win.
TOM
All right, rascals. Time for bed.
The kids groan in unison, and Judy tugs his sleeve.
JUDY
Did you see Mommy today? You didn’t
tell us how she was.
Ethan runs over, suddenly serious.
ETHAN
Did she ask about me? Did she talk?
Or do anything?
Tom crouches, arms wide. They rush into his embrace, and he
holds them tightly, longer than usual.
TOM
I did see her, but she didn’t talk.
Maybe tomorrow. I’ll let you know.
He kisses the tops of their heads, then slowly releases them.
TOM (CONT’D)
(gently)
Come on, let’s get you upstairs.
Genres:
["drama","family"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Stairway to Memories
INT. STAIRCASE — MOMENTS LATER
Tom walks them up the stairs, one hand on Judy’s shoulder,
the other holding Ethan’s tiny fingers.
ETHAN
Can she still dream?
Tom pauses halfway up the stairs, taken off guard, but he
makes sure not to cry.
TOM
I don’t know, buddy. I hope so.
JUDY
Maybe she dreams about us?
ETHAN
Mostly me, though.
Tom smiles, but it’s pained. He nods, eyes misting.
TOM
I’m sure she dreams about both of
you.
They reach the top. Tom flips the hallway light on, casting
light over framed photos: Marna with the kids, Tom and Marna
in Italy, and another picture showing Marna dancing barefoot
in the kitchen.
He stares at the pictures — maybe for too long.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Tender Goodnights
INT. KIDS’ BEDROOMS — LATER
Tom tucks Judy in, then Ethan. He sits on the edge of the bed
for a moment, brushing Ethan’s hair back.
TOM
We need to get this mop of yours
cut, or at least trimmed.
Ethan shakes his head, then holds up a family drawing.
ETHAN (SLEEPY)
Tell Mommy I drew her a picture.
TOM
I will.
JUDY’S BEDROOM — NIGHT — CONTINUOUS
He stops by Judy’s room, who’s already curled up under her
blanket, staring at the ceiling.
JUDY
Does she still remember my favorite
color?
Tom freezes.
TOM
I’ll be sure to remind her. It’s
orange, right?
Judy playfully slaps his arm.
JUDY
You know it’s purple.
He kisses her forehead and turns off the light. As he closes
the door behind him —
JUDY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Tell her we love her.
TOM
Every day.
TOM’S ROOM — NIGHT — CONTINUOUS
Tom enters slowly, his shoulders slumped. He closes the door
behind him without turning on the light, then sits on the
edge of the bed. The room is lit only by moonlight filtering
through the curtains.
He flops on his side of the bed, and reaches over to an empty
pile of blankets and two pillows. After lying down, he stares
at the ceiling. His breath catches as he squeezes his eyes
shut.
TOM (WHISPERING)
Don’t cry. The kids might hear.
He curls slightly onto his side, and a single sob escapes
before he buries his face in the pillow.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Morning Reflections
INT. KITCHEN — DAY — CONTINUOUS
Morning light spills across the kitchen counter as Tom stands
at the stove, flipping pancakes. A small radio plays softly
in the background — cheerful music that doesn’t match how he
feels. Eggs sizzle. Toast pops up, and he moves like a
machine — present, but not really there.
The kids sit at the table, still in pajamas. Ethan cuts up a
pancake with too much syrup, a sneer on his face. And Judy
stares into her orange juice.
TOM
What’s wrong with your juice?
JUDY
Mommy always strained my orange
juice. I don’t like the stringy
things in there.
Tom smiles — a genuine smile.
TOM
I’ll make sure to do better.
JUDY
Tell her we said hi.
TOM
I will.
Ethan grabs his backpack and heads for the door.
ETHAN
And tell her we love her and miss
her! Especially her breakfast.
Tom wipes his eyes quickly with the back of his hand, then
forces a smile.
TOM
I’ll tell her everything.
The kids rush out, and the door closes behind them. Tom
exhales. His hands tremble as he pours himself a cup of
coffee. He takes a sip, then glances upstairs.
The hum of the refrigerator is the only sound in the room. He
looks down at his shirt and notices a syrup stain from
Ethan’s hug. It produces another genuine smile, the second of
the day.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Urgent Descent
INT. ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL — DAY
Tom climbs the stairs, slower than usual. His knees ache and
his breath is shallow, but he keeps going, each step an echo.
As he reaches the fourth floor, he glances up — and freezes
as the intercom crackles.
INTERCOM (V.O.)
Code blue! Room 474 — code blue!
SEVERAL DOCTORS in white coats rush down the hall and into
Marna’s room. Nurses and aides gather outside.
Tom quickens his pace, dropping the rose as he runs.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Heartbeat Away
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM 474 — DAY — CONTINUOUS
Nurse Debbie grabs Tom’s arm and pulls him aside.
NURSE DEBBIE
You’ll have to wait, Tom. The
doctors are with her now.
Tom tenses as the heart monitor BEEPS wildly.
Defibrillator paddles are prepped and placed on her chest.
Her cardiologist speaks loudly.
DOCTOR
Clear!
A jolt shakes Marna’s body, then again. The monitor
flatlines. There is a buzz of activity as a sense of panic
fills the air.
Tom breathes deeply and holds it as he stares and waits.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Again! Clear!
Another jolt. Nothing.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
One more time. Clear!
Still nothing. The doctors step away, casting defeated looks
to each other. The cardiologist gives a loud sigh and looks
at the clock. Just then, a low beep is heard, and when the
doctor looks, a few blips show on the monitor. Then more.
Tom lets out a huge sigh, and weeps openly. He walks toward
her, but Debbie stops him.
DEBBIE
(whispering)
The doctors need to work.
TOM
Just one minute? Please?
Debbie looks to the cardiologist, who nods.
Tom moves closer, leans down and kisses her cheek.
TOM (CONT’D)
Don’t worry, I’ll be with you again
someday.
MARNA (V.O.)
My sweet darling, it’s time for me
to go. We’ve had a wonderful life
together, and all I want is for you
to be happy and give the same love
you gave me to the kids. I’ll be
waiting for you. Love you always.
Nurse Debbie softly holds his hand and leads him to the door.
NURSE DEBBIE
Marna’s probably exhausted, Tom.
And I’m sure the doctors will need
to keep a close watch on her.
Tom nods, almost unconsciously, then jumps up, a panicked
look on his face.
TOM
I forgot about the kids. They get
off early today.
He runs down the hallway, his heels echoing loudly, then down
the stairs until he gets outside.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
A Change of Heart
EXT. ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL — DAY
As Tom steps onto the sidewalk, a gentle breeze brushes him,
causing a shiver. He shakes his head as if to clear it, then
shakes it again.
The wind swirls around him, rustling leaves. He listens to
the sounds that calm him, and thinks:
TOM
(to himself)
I swear I heard her voice, almost
like she whispered in my ear.
He shrugs and buttons his coat, then fastens his collar. Tom
continues on his way, but there is a new bounce to his step.
A passerby tips his hat.
PASSERBY
Looks like you’re having a good
day.
Tom smiles.
TOM
I am, thank you. I’m having a great
day.
Tom exhales. His breath lingers in the air, and for the first
time in months, he feels ... warm. As he continues down the
street, a CABBIE (40s, gruff-looking) pulls over and rolls
down the window.
CABBIE
Hey, pal. Want a ride?
Tom smiles and shakes his head.
TOM
It’s a nice day. I think I’ll walk.
The cabbie looks at him in amazement.
CABBIE
You’re nuts.
Tom laughs, then glances at the clock on the bank across the
street.
TOM
(aloud)
Shit! Eleven o’clock.
He looks back to the cabbie, who is just pulling from the
curb. Tom WHISTLES loudly, causing the cabbie to stop.
TOM (CONT’D)
On second thought, I’ll take that
ride. I’ve got to pick my kids up
at noon.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
A Warm Embrace of Hope
EXT. ST. CATHERINE’S ELEMENTARY — DAY
Tom stands tall and rubs his hands together to keep warm.
When he sees the kids coming, he kneels down and spreads his
arms wide, embracing them in a big hug.
JUDY
You’re happy today. Is Mommy
better?
TOM
Not yet, but maybe getting there.
They all get in the car and head home.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Final Goodbye
INT. MALONEY HOUSE — DAY
As he enters, the phone rings.
NURSE DEBBIE (V.O.)
Mr. Maloney, this is Debbie from
St. Luke’s.
(a beat)
I’m so sorry ... Marna passed. It
was only a few moments after you
left.
(a beat)
If it makes a difference, the time
of death was 10:58.
Tom stares blankly at the wall and lowers the receiver
slowly. He sets it on the hook, then he thinks back.
TOM
That was when I was leaving. When I
heard her voice. I think she said
goodbye.