1 INT. ORLANDO AIRPORT - EARLY AFTERNOON - PRESENT 1
PATRICK CAMPBELL, mid-60s, salt & pepper hair, wearing jeans,
a short-sleeve polo shirt, and sneakers, walks through the
airport, pulling a small suitcase and wearing a backpack. He
passes a sign that says: WELCOME TO ORLANDO.
Patrick is handed keys, he smiles and walks out the door to
the parking lot.
3 EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - CONTINUOUS - PRESENT 3
Patrick turns the car into an immaculate mobile home park,
complete with manicured lawns and a fountain at the entrance.
The car stops in front of a mobile home, white with yellow
trim. There is a small front porch and a walkway leading up
to the home.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
A Visit of Hope
4 EXT. MOBILE HOME - CONTINUOUS - PRESENT 4
Patrick exits the vehicle, grabs his backpack from the
backseat and starts up the walkway.
As he nears the porch, the door opens and a young lady steps
out. She is dressed in blue scrubs, like a nurse. This is the
care-giver. Her name is CARRIE.
CARRIE
Hi, are you Patrick? I’m Carrie
from Healthcare Services
Patrick sticks out his hand to shake and she takes it.
PATRICK
Yes, nice to meet you. I didn’t
know Aunt Jessie had a nurse
visiting.
CARRIE
I come twice a day to check on her
and bring meals. But she still
likes to do things herself.
Patrick chuckles.
PATRICK
Well, if you lived her life, you’d
understand.
Carrie tilts her head in a bit of confusion
PATRICK (CONT’D)
So, how is she?
CARRIE
The cancer has metastasized. Not
sure if you knew that. It’s
advancing rapidly, but you’re in
luck. Today is a good day. I’m
pretty sure it has a lot to do with
your visit. It’s all she’s been
able to talk about for a week.
She opens the door.
CARRIE (CONT’D)
Let’s go on in. It’s the end of my
shift, but I’d love to see her face
when she sees you. She made me
dress her up in her Sunday best.
That’s how excited she is.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Aunt Jessie's Legacy
5 INT. JESSIE’S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - PRESENT 5
A tapestry of light and color shining through open windows on
decorations that look fitting for an elderly person’s home.
Vases on every table, pictures on every wall.
In the middle of the small room, in an overstuffed, amber-
colored velvet chair, complete with tarnished brass tacks and
gnarled wood arms, sits AUNT JESSIE (80), smiling ear to ear.
She’s wearing a pink dress, her neck adorned with a strand of
pearls. Her hair is gray, with a few streaks of auburn.
She stands. Walks over and gives Patrick a hug.
JESSIE
My boy! It’s wonderful for you to
come. You look like your daddy, you
know.
PATRICK
I’ve heard that all my life. You
look wonderful, Aunt Jessie. I
think the Florida sun suits you.
JESSIE
Here, sit.
She pulls him over to the sofa and they both sit.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
Your mother called me yesterday. We
had a pleasant chat. We were both
excited you were coming to visit.
PATRICK
It’s long over due. We get so
wrapped up in our own lives that we
don’t stay in touch with family
like we should. I was surprised to
get your call.
JESSIE
Well, you’re here now. (She winks)
I made up the spare room for you.
Carrie comes twice a day, but it
will be nice to have you here for a
spell.
PATRICK
Are you sure? I was going to get a
hotel room, but I’d rather stay
here with you.
She squeezes Patrick’s arm.
JESSIE
It’s settled then.
She looks off, thinking. Eyes closed.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
There are so many things I want to
say. After I turned twelve, I never
went to Mass again. Think of this
as my last confession. And I know
I’m dying. Carrie likes to tell me
differently, but I’m not stupid. If
I’m going to tell my story, it has
to be now. I wasn’t sure you’d be
interested, being a famous author
and all.
Patrick laughs, shakes his head
PATRICK
I’m hardly famous. I wrote one book
that sold enough copies to buy me a
new car. Are you sure you still
want to do this?
JESSIE
Oh, yes. I’ve never shied away from
anything.
Patrick and Jessie sit around a small white table, sipping
coffee
PATRICK
First, I’m in no hurry. I plan to
stay as long as you’ll have me, and
as long as it takes to get
everything for the book.
JESSIE
Oh dear, that could take a long
time!
PATRICK
I brought my recorder, so all you
need to do is talk. And I’m hoping
this will be good for you…good for
us both. But I don’t want this
causing you distress or making you
sad.
JESSIE
No, no. Ever since we spoke, I’ve
thought of nothing else. Besides, a
little sadness is not so bad, is
it?
PATRICK
It’s the heart of every good story.
JESSIE
So, you work at a newspaper?
PATRICK
Recently retired. I was an
investigative reporter for the
Denver Post. Thirty years.
JESSIE
What type of things did you
investigate?
PATRICK
Mostly white collar crime, some
government corruption
JESSIE
I’m not sure my life will be very
exciting, compared to that.
PATRICK
I think you’re teasing me. Mom used
to tell me bits and pieces. To hear
it now directly from you…well, I
want to hear it all, no matter how
risqué. All the juicy details.
A deep-throated laugh.
JESSIE
Are you sure? There definitely are
some juicy parts.
She pats Patrick’s leg, walks into the living room, and
returns holding a small picture in a wooden frame. CLOSE ON
PICTURE. It’s a much younger Patrick, standing with a young
woman.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
Your mother sent this to me many
years ago. Are you still married?
Patrick takes the picture, studies it a minute
PATRICK
We divorced a long time ago. I’ve
been married to a wonderful woman
now for twenty-one years.
Jessie looks off into the distance again, her mind drifting.
JESSIE
(softly)
I never married.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Reflections in the Morning
7 INT. JESSIE’S KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING NEXT DAY - PRESENT 7
Patrick strolls into the kitchen. Jessie is sitting at the
table.
PATRICK
Good morning, Aunt Jessie.
JESSIE
Just Jessie, please. Coffee is
ready. You know where the cups are.
They sit, drinking coffee and eating toast
JESSIE (CONT’D)
You know, my friend Agnes, next
door, made this marmalade. She
creates the most delicious things.
Jams and jellies, and wonderful
cakes. I’m not much of a cook
myself. Joe and I always ate out…
Jessie’s gaze drifts out the window.
Patrick places a small recorder on the table, and pushes the
record button.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
I don’t quite know where to begin.
PATRICK
Mom once told me Grandma Helen sent
you to live with your dad when you
were only thirteen or fourteen. Why
don’t you start there?
Jessie gives Patrick a stern look. He’s hit a nerve, but her
look softens.
JESSIE
My daddy survived the First World
War with hardly a scratch. Most of
the men from Allentown and
Bethlehem who made it back went to
work at Bethlehem Steel. It was
difficult, dirty work. Looking
back, I try not to blame him for
doing the things he did. What did a
steel worker know about raising a
teenage girl? (She gulps a sip of
coffee and clears her throat) But
it's hard, even after all these
years.
PATRICK
So, how bad was it, living with
your father?
JESSIE
I have always tried to think more
about my blessings than my burdens.
Life with Momma wasn’t any better.
You’ve seen how she could be. Plus,
she’d always bring men home and
stay out ‘til the wee hours of the
morning. Your Aunt Gloria and I
practically raised ourselves.
Gloria got sent to South Carolina
to live with Aunt Blanche, and it
didn’t take long before Momma
shipped me off, too.
Jessie winces slightly
PATRICK
Do you need something for pain?
JESSIE
No, no… I’m fine. It will take more
than a little cancer to keep me
down.
Patrick reaches across and squeezes Jessie’s arm
PATRICK
What happened after Gloria was sent
to South Carolina?
JESSIE
Well, let’s see. Mother came home
from work one day and said I was
going to stay with Daddy for the
summer. Truth was, she was getting
married again and didn’t want any
of us around. But she couldn’t
desert your mother and your uncle
Tommy because they were too young.
So, she abandoned me and Gloria.
And she never came back… or
honestly, I didn’t wait around long
enough to find out if she would or
not.
She closes her eyes, a dream, a thought, she says,
JESSIE (CONT’D)
I needed to run away from Daddy’s
abuse. And I needed money to do
that.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Call for Friendship
8 EXT. ALLENTOWN, PA RESIDENTIAL STREET - MORNING - 1936 8
A street lined with small, clapboard houses, and large oak
and magnolia trees.
ALICE BYRNE, fifteen, stands on the sidewalk, looking up at
the second floor window of an unkempt white house, with
peeling paint, missing roof tiles, and a broken screen door
barely hanging by one hinge.
She is wearing a sky-blue sweater over a white dress covered
in yellow daisies. She’s blonde, petite, pretty.
JESSIE’S (V.O.)
I had only been living with Daddy
for six months. Every day was a
nightmare. I used to think my life
was a bucket of water, made up of a
million tiny drops, both good and
bad, that never really made a
whole…because it could spill out at
any time and I could never get it
all back in the bucket again.
One of those good drops was my new
best friend, Alice.
ALICE
(shouting up at the window)
Jessie Mae Vasily! Stop fidgeting
and get your butt down here! Now!
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Reflections of a Troubled Heart
9 INT. JESSIE’S BEDROOM - MORNING - 1936 9
A young Jessie (13), auburn hair, goes to the window, looks
out
JESSIE
Coming! Coming! Keep your knickers
on!
Jessie stands in front of a dresser mirror, staring at a
small silver bracelet, before slipping it on.
JESSIE V (V.O.)
Momma gave me a bracelet when I
turned ten. It had a single charm,
a cross. Other than beatings, it
was about the only thing she had
ever given me. After that gesture
of love, her heart closed, never to
open again for many years.
Jessie puts on a pretty green dress, that compliments her
auburn hair.
She rubs a purple bruise on her left arm.
DISSOLVE TO:
FLASHBACK:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Tense Dinner Preparation
10 INT. JESSIE’S KITCHEN LATE AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK)- 1936 10
Jessie has a pot of spaghetti boiling on the stove. She
slices a loaf of bread, places it on a pan, spreads butter
over each piece, then sprinkles each with garlic powder.
The table is set, everything ready for Daddy’s supper.
She hears the front door open, and glances at the wall clock:
5:45, fifteen minutes early.
We can see the tension in her face. She quickly opens the
fridge and pulls out a bottle of beer. She grabs the opener
and pops the cap off, then runs out of the kitchen.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
A Tired Homecoming
11 INT. FOYER - LATE AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK) - 1936 11
Her DADDY is taking off his work boots. He is not a tall man,
but his arms are so think, it looks as if his sleeves might
burst.
Jessie hands him the beer.
JESSIE
Here, Daddy. How was your day? I’m
making your favorite spaghetti.
He is dirty and sweaty. His eyes look tired.
DADDY
Is it ready yet?
JESSIE
Almost, Daddy.
He takes a swig of the beer.
DADDY
Damn, that’s good. Work was a
pisser.
JESSIE
I’m sorry, Daddy. Get out of your
work clothes, and dinner will be
ready.
DADDY
Thanks, baby.
He squeezes her shoulder, kisses the top of her head and
walks upstairs.
Jessie leans against the wall for a minute and closes her
eyes. Then she goes back into the kitchen.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I would listen for the shower to
turn off before putting the bread
in the oven. I hoped it would be a
good night. Daddy usually read his
paper after dinner and drank beer.
I prayed his friend Mr. Mike would
come over and they would sit on the
front porch drinking. I wanted
badly to finish my Nancy Drew book,
The Mystery of the Ivory Charm.
DADDY (O.S.)
Jessie! Where’s my other slipper?
Immediate panic. She quickly pulls the bread from the oven,
rushes out of the kitchen, to the bottom of the stairs.
JESSIE
It should be in your bedroom,
Daddy.
DADDY (O.S.)
Well, get your ass up here and help
me look for it.
Jessie looks frantically for the slipper. She spots it beside
the bedside table.
JESSIE
There it is Daddy.
DADDY
Don’t be stupid, girl. That’s the
one I already found.
Daddy looks at her with shifty eyes.
DADDY (CONT’D)
You been in my room? You move my
stuff around?
JESSIE
No...No, Daddy.
He suddenly grabs Jessie by the arm and she yelps. He
squeezes her arm so hard, she cries out.
Then, with his other hand, he pulls Jessie’s face to his. She
tries to turn away, clearly scared to death.
Then he slings her down to the floor. POV: She spots the
other slipper behind the bathroom door.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
(pointing)
It’s...it’s in the bathroom, Daddy.
Behind the door.
He looks at her with disgust, then grabs the slipper.
DADDY
Clean your face and get dinner
ready.
END FLASHBACK.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Day of Dreams and Responsibilities
13 INT. JESSIE’S BEDROOM EARLY MORNING - 1936 13
Jessie finishes buttoning up her dress, takes a last look in
the mirror.
ALICE
Jessie! Now we only have five
minutes!
Jessie races downstairs and flings the door open, pulling it
closed behind her.
14 EXT. SIDEWALK - 1936 14
Jessie skips down the walkway to where Alice is standing.
ALICE
(Hands on hips)
How will it look to Mr. Barnes if
we’re late our first day?
Jessie smiles like the Cheshire Cat.
JESSIE
Two beautiful girls like us?
She twirls and starts skipping away. Looks back over her
shoulder.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
He will be awed by his good
fortune! (her face betrays her
cheery attitude)
Walking down the sidewalk
ALICE
I’m glad you moved here. I hope you
can stay forever.
JESSIE
I know. Me too. But I don’t want to
live with Daddy.
This clearly makes Alice feel awkward, so they walk a while
in silence.
ALICE
(breaking the silence)
So, what DO you want to do?
JESSIE
I’m gonna be a Ziegfeld Folly!
ALICE
You mean like one of those dancing
girls that wears all the feathers?
JESSIE
Exactly. And I’m gonna be on
Broadway and become the most famous
dancer in the world.
They pass an elementary school across the street. School is
out for the summer, so its dark and gray.
ALICE
We’ll be finished by four today.
Your daddy won’t be home until six.
So, don’t worry. You’ll have plenty
of time to make dinner.
JESSIE
(panicked)
Dinner!
(MORE)
JESSIE (CONT’D)
I haven’t even thought about
dinner! Oh, wait. I have leftover
spaghetti.
ALICE
See? Everything is fine.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Nervous Beginnings
15 EXT. BARNES DRUG STORE MORNING - 1936 15
They reach Barnes Drug Store, a brick building with a dirt
parking lot.
The two girls stand outside the door.
ALICE
Are you nervous?
JESSIE
Yes. I just hope he doesn’t
question my age.
ALICE
Jessie, with your bosom, you look
eighteen already. Stop worrying.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
First Day at the Drug Store
16 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE - 1936 16
PHARMACY is on the left side, and on the right a long bar,
with a huge mirror behind on the wall. At the end of the bar,
behind a six-foot section of ROUNDED GLASS, buckets of ICE
CREAM sit in an open cooler. Along the bar are SILVER STOOLS
with RED VINYL seats, bolted to the floor.
Jessie points to Mr. Barnes, standing on a rolling ladder,
filling shelves with various bottles.
JESSIE
There’s Mr. Barnes
ALICE
You can see his butt-crack
They both laugh out loud, causing Mr. Barnes to turn around.
He climbs down the ladder
MR. BARNES
Girls! Don’t you both look lovely.
Jessie and Alice look at each other and roll their eyes.
MR. BARNES (CONT’D)
Well, let’s get your hats and
aprons. Then I’ll introduce you to
Gladys. She’ll train you in what
you need to know. We won’t get busy
for another couple of hours, so
don’t worry. You’ll be jerking soda
before you know it.
JESSIE (V.O.)
Gladys was a very nice young lady,
maybe eighteen. She taught us how
to make various drinks, like cherry
cokes, and vanilla cokes, and how
to change out the syrup when it ran
low.
Gladys shows each girl the cash drawer.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I remember staring at the money in
the cash drawer. The most money I
had ever seen. For a fleeting
moment, I thought about just
grabbing it and running out the
door. Fifty dollars would get me to
New York and last me a month or
more. But, of course, I didn’t
Alice makes sodas, Jessie agrees works the ice cream counter.
Kids pile into the store, ordering sodas and ice cream.It
gets hectic.
Alice is rattled by the orders being shouted at her, but
Jessie calls to her and gives her a thumbs up, which calms
her.
Near the end of the day, RICHARD STROUD, a blond, handsome
boy of 16, walks in, holding the hand of his little brother.
They stop in front of the ice cream counter.
RICHARD
Hi, Jessie. Love the hat.
Jessie blushes. Instant surprise and infatuation in her
brilliant green eyes.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
After Work Whispers
17 EXT. SIDEWALK LATE AFTERNOON 17
Jessie and Alice walk home after the first day’s work.
ALICE
Oh my God, Jessie. Richard Stroud
likes you!
Jessie wrinkles her nose and turns to Alice.
JESSIE
Don’t blow your wig. He only said
hi.
Alice punches her lightly in the right arm. Jessie
instinctively grabs her left arm where the bruise is.
ALICE
He knew your name!
JESSIE
You really think he likes me? He
doesn’t even know me. And what
about you? I saw at least ten boys
practically drooling over you.
ALICE
You’re sillier than a goose.
JESSIE
Have you ever kissed a boy?
ALICE
JESSIE! (Alice blushes)
JESSIE
Well, have you?
ALICE
You want to kiss Richard Stroud,
don’t you?
JESSIE
I wouldn’t mind. You think he’s a
good kisser?
ALICE
God, you’re a floozy!
JESSIE
Stop it. So, did you ever kiss a
boy?
Alice points at the elementary school across the street
ALICE
I did once. Daryl Abney. Right on
that playground.
JESSIE
Well, you could have gotten fifty
kisses today, the way those boys
were looking at you.
ALICE
Gosh, Jessie, stop. You’re
embarrassing me. Besides, boys
never noticed me before.
Jessie stops, grabs her shoulders and turns her around.
JESSIE
Alice, I’m going to say this for
the hundredth time. You’re
gorgeous. Don’t you ever look in
the mirror?
Alice gives Jessie a light hug
ALICE
I love you, Jessie.
JESSIE
I love you too, honey.
ALICE
So, what did you think of Mr.
Barnes?
Jessie thinks for a minute
JESSIE
Seemed like just a nice, old man.
ALICE
He’s kind of creepy. When I asked
him where the flavorings were kept,
his eyes went up and down my whole
body.
JESSIE
All men are lechers. Especially the
old ones. If he tries to put his
hands on you, scream and I’ll come
running.
ALICE
He’d never do that.
JESSIE
Don’t be so sure.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Secrets on the Sidewalk
18 EXT. IN FRONT OF JESSIE’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON - 1936 18
Standing on the sidewalk in front of Jessie’s house.
ALICE
So, what does your dad think about
you having a job?
Jessie’s eyes get big
JESSIE
Are you crazy? Daddy doesn’t
know…and I need to keep it that
way.
Alice is mildly shocked
ALICE
Why don’t you want him to know?
Jessie sighs and shakes her head
JESSIE
He thinks I should be home all day,
cleaning and cooking…and playing
with dolls or something. I’m still
a little girl to him. Anyway, it's
better if he doesn’t know.
ALICE
Well, what are you going to do if
he finds out?
JESSIE (V.O.)
I didn’t know what Daddy would do
if he found out. I might have to
run away sooner than I planned.
Alice and I had a slang we used for
‘I’ll be seeing ya’.
JESSIE
Abyssinia!
ALICE
Abyssinia!
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Uncomfortable Dinner Preparations
19 INT. JESSIE'S BEDROOM LATE AFTERNOON - 1936 19
Jessie changes out of her green dress. Hangs it in her
closet.
Only 2 other dresses hang there, along with a plain
housedress. She puts on the housedress and slippers and goes
downstairs.
20 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN LATE AFTERNOON - 1936 20
Pulls the spaghetti out of the fridge and puts it on the
stove on low to heat up. She sets the table for two, then
makes more garlic bread and sits down to wait for Daddy to
get home. Nervous tapping of her foot.
She hears the front door open and looks at the clock. A
little after six.
She glances down the hall to the foyer and sees Daddy walk in
with MR. MIKE (40’s), one of her father’s co-workers.
She grabs two beers from the fridge, opens them and is
holding them out when Daddy and Mr. Mike walk into the
kitchen.
She hands them both a beer.
JESSIE
Hi, Mr. Mike
MR. MIKE
(staring at Jessie’s chest)
Hi, Jessie. You’re looking prettier
and prettier.
Jessie glances over at Daddy, who just looks away.
JESSIE
I’ll set another place for dinner.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Intimidation on the Porch
21 INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING - 1936 21
Jessie curled up on the couch with her Nancy Drew mystery.
Daddy and Mr. Mike are on the front porch drinking beer. She
can hear them talking and see them through the front screen
door.
DADDY
Jessie! Beer.
Jessie jumps up, runs into the kitchen, then back out again
holding two beers, which she takes out to the two men on the
porch.
LATER
Jessie is so engrossed in her book, she doesn’t hear Daddy
when he calls.
Close-on book. A hand. Suddenly the book is jerked away and
Daddy is standing over her.
DADDY (CONT’D)
(Menacingly)
You trying to make me look bad in
front of Mike?
JESSIE
No...no, Daddy. I’m sorry, I was
reading my book.
He pulls her up and pushes her toward the kitchen.
DADDY
Get us another beer or I’ll rip
that book to shreds.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
A Quiet Escape
22 INT. KITCHEN LATE EVENING 1936 22
The clock in the kitchen reads 10:00. Jessie hears Mr. Mike
leave, and hears Daddy stagger and stumble up the stairs.
Jessie sits and waits until the clock reads 10:15, then she
tiptoes out of the kitchen to the stairs.
23 INT. TOP OF THE STAIRS - 1936 23
She listens at Daddy’s door and hears him snoring, then she
quietly goes down the hall to her bedroom. Comes out a minute
later, carrying her pajamas and goes into the bathroom. Runs
the bath.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Dreams of Intimacy
24 INT. JESSIE'S BEDROOM - 1936 24
Jessie crawls into bed, pulls the covers tight and closes her
eyes
DREAM SEQUENCE
25 INT. JESSIE’S BEDROOM NIGHT 1936 25
Richard Stroud is lying in bed with Jessie, kissing her neck.
She is smiling and hugging him close.
DREAM END ABRUPTLY!
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
A Disturbing Awakening
26 INT. JESSIE'S BEDROOM NIGHT 26
Jessie suddenly jerks awake to find Daddy partially on top of
her, caressing her legs.
DADDY
I’m so sorry I yelled at you, baby.
He continues touching her, moving his hand farther up her leg
JESSIE
Daddy! Please stop! Don’t!
DADDY
It’s ok honey. Daddy loves you so
much.
Jessie closes her eyes, as tears flow. SCENE GOES BLACK.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I learned to pretend it wasn’t
real, that I was a bird flying
away.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Morning Reflections
27 INT. JESSIE'S BEDROOM EARLY MORNING NEXT DAY - 1936 27
Jessie wakes up, throws the covers back and sees her panties
are still on. She starts crying.
28 INT. JESSIE’S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS - 1936 28
She climbs into the bath, tears mixing with the bathwater.
She finishes her bath, puts on a dress and goes downstairs
29 INT. KITCHEN EARLY MORNING - CONTINUOUS -1936 29
She fries bacon, then eggs. She sets out two place-settings.
At 6:30, Daddy comes down and eats without saying a word.
He finishes, hands Jessie two quarters and kisses the top of
her head.
DADDY
Pick up a chicken and fry it up for
dinner.
30 INT. JESSIE'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS - 1936 30
Back in the bathroom, Jessie stares at herself in the mirror.
JESSIE
(to herself in a whisper)
You have to go to work, Jessie. You
need the money.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
A Magazine Surprise
31 EXT. JESSIE’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS - 1936 31
When Jessie steps out of her door and walks down the walkway,
Alice is standing there, bouncing on the balls of her feet,
and holding her hands behind her back.
JESSIE
You look like you’re about to pee
in your pants.
Jessie tries to look behind Alice to see what she’s hiding,
but Alice turns away, laughing.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
What are you hiding?
Alice laughs again, and whips out a large magazine.
ALICE
Look! It’s one of my mom’s
Cosmopolitan magazines. It has an
article about your Ziegfeld
Follies!
Jessie jerks it out of her hand, opens it and starts flipping
through pages. She finds the article, with pictures of
dancing girls on a stage
JESSIE
Won’t your mom miss it?
Alice shakes her head
ALICE
This is an old edition. She has a
whole stack of them.
JESSIE
Can I take it home tonight and read
it? I’ll bring it back tomorrow.
ALICE
Sure. My mom won’t miss it, trust
me.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming of Age"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
A Day in Charge
32 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE - CONTINUOUS - 1936 32
Mr. Barnes meets the girls at the door and informs them that
Gladys is ill, and they will have to run things themselves
for the day.
MR. BARNES
I know it’s only your second day,
but I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Jessie helps Alice with her apron.
ALICE
You’ll have to help me make sodas
today.
JESSIE
Good lord, you’re shaking like a
leaf. This is our chance to show
Mr. Barnes we can do this by
ourselves.
ALICE
I know. I get rattled when
everybody’s shouting orders at me.
Jessie takes Alice’s hand, spins her around and begins
singing:
JESSIE
Me and my shadow, strolling down
the avenue. Me and my shadow, not a
soul to tell our troubles to.
(Jessie does a little dip). And
when it's twelve o'clock, we climb
the stair, we never knock, cause
nobody's there, just me and my
shadow all alone and feeling blue.
Jessie finishes with a flourish and takes a bow.
MR. BARNES
Alright girls. Enough fooling
around. Very nice, Jessie. I’m sure
you’ll be a star one day. Now you
two get to work.
Jessie and Alice both laugh.
JESSIE
See? Even Mr. Barnes recognizes
talent when he sees it!
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Unwelcome Advances
33 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE ICE CREAM COUNTER - 1936 33
MONTAGE OF JESSIE LOOKING AT THE DOOR AND AT THE CLOCK. THE
CLOCK SLOWLY MOVES THROUGH THE DAY AND SOON IT’S ALMOST 4:00
Richard Stroud never shows up.
34 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE BACK STORAGE AREA - 1936 34
Jessie takes the empty flavoring bottles to the back and
passes Mr. Barne’s office. He is working at his desk. He
looks up when she walks by
MR. BARNES
Jessie. I wanted to talk to you
about something.
He motions Jessie around his desk to where he is sitting.
MR. BARNES (CONT’D)
I wanted to tell you how much I
enjoyed your singing.
He reaches out and pulls Jessie onto his lap. Jessie
stiffens, staring straight ahead.
Mr. Barnes has his hand on her back, but it slowly slides
down toward her bottom.
Jessie starts sobbing, and Mr. Barnes lifts her off his lap.
MR. BARNES (CONT’D)
I...I’m so sorry, Jessie. I didn’t
mean anything by this.
JESSIE
I need to fill the flavorings
MR. BARNES
Yes, yes of course.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Dreams and Ice Cream
35 EXT. SIDEWALK MORNING NEXT DAY - 1936 35
Warm, sunny day. Jessie and Alice skip to work
JESSIE
You’ve go to read the article,
Alice. It’s amazing! There’s a
story about a dancer named Ellie,
who grew up in Virginia on a farm.
Can you believe it? A farm! And now
she’s a Ziegfeld Folly!
Alice smiles, her turquoise eyes sparkle.
ALICE
Keep dreaming, Jess. I know you’ll
make it one day.
JESSIE
You’re making fun of me. You don’t
think I can do it?
ALICE
Well, you have a pleasant singing
voice.
JESSIE
...Me and my shadow...
ALICE
What did Mr. Barnes want yesterday
when he called you into his office?
JESSIE
You saw that? He just asked if I
could do an inventory of the ice
cream toppings. I think he has to
put an order in on Friday.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
A Sweet Encounter
36 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE ICE CREAM COUNTER AFTERNOON - 1936 36
MONTAGE: Throughout the day, Jessie watches the door. A few
times Alice gives her a sad look and shakes her head. Once,
she comes over and pats Jessie’s shoulder.
ALICE
Maybe tomorrow, huh?
Just then, the bell on the door jingles, they both look up
and Richard Stroud strolls in with little Dennis.
Jessie turns quickly and starts wiping down the counter,
trying to act nonchalant.
RICHARD
Hey Jessie.
JESSIE
Hi Richard.
Jessie glances down at his little brother
JESSIE (CONT’D)
And what’s your name?
LITTLE BOY
Dennis. And I want strawberry!
JESSIE
Well, strawberry it is. Would you
like that in a cup or a cone?
DENNIS
A cone!
Jessie grabs a cone and starts scooping strawberry ice cream.
She notices Richard staring and she blushes.
JESSIE
So, what have you guys been doing
today?
Richard ruffles Dennis’ hair
RICHARD
I took little man here over to
Roosevelt Park. The have a great
slide, don’t they, little man?
Jessie pauses, scrunches up her face.
JESSIE
Where’s Roosevelt Park? I’ve never
been there.
RICHARD
Really? It’s not that far. Just
past Main, across the railroad
tracks, right after Dermot’s
Machine shop.
Jessie stares at him gaping. Richard chuckles
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Guess you don’t know where Dermot’s
is either.
JESSIE
No, I haven’t been here that long.
RICHARD
Well, I tell you what. Do you work
on Saturday?
Jessie is frozen.
JESSIE
No...no, I don’t work on Saturday
this week. (shoots a glance at
Alice)
Alice raises her eyebrows like a silent cheerleader.
Richard smiles, his perfect teeth white, sparkling
RICHARD
We could meet here at ten. And walk
down to the park.
Jessie stands there just staring, her mouth slightly open.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
So, what do you think?
JESSIE
Yes, I’d like that very much.
Richard looks down. Dennis’ cone is a mess.
RICHARD
Hey, little man, you’re dripping
all over the floor. (glances up at
Jessie) Sorry about that.
Jessie grabs a handful of napkins, then comes around the
counter.
JESSIE
Oh, it’s fine. Happens all the
time.
She helps Richard clean up the spill, when their hands touch.
They look up at each other, then Jessie, looks away and
stands up.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
There. Good as new.
Richard smiles a lopsided grin
RICHARD
So, see you on Saturday at ten.
Richard and Dennis walk out the door and after it closes,
Jessie smiles
JESSIE
Bye.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
A Dress for Confidence
37 EXT. SIDEWALK LATE AFTERNOON - 1936 37
Jessie and Alice skip home.
ALICE
Jessie has a date!
JESSIE
We’re only going to the park,
silly.
ALICE
You should wear the green dress. It
looks good with your hair.
Jessie is silent, looking down.
ALICE (CONT’D)
What’s wrong?
JESSIE
I only have three dresses. He’s
already seen the green one.
ALICE
Oh, honey. Really?
They walk on in silence, when Alice’s face brightens
ALICE (CONT’D)
I have the perfect dress with blue
polka-dots. Although it might be a
little tight in the chest since I’m
flat as a pancake and you’re built
like Mae West.
JESSIE
Oh, Alice. Really? That would be
wonderful! Can I try it on?
ALICE
Now?
JESSIE
Well, if that’s okay. I have a
leftover casserole in the fridge,
so I have time.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
A Dress for Confidence
38 INT. ALICE’S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON - 1936 38
Jessie is squeezing into the dress, which is very tight.
JESSIE
It’s beautiful.
ALICE
You look a lot better in it than I
do. Take it with you and bring it
back after your date.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
An Evening Apart
39 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN LATE AFTERNOON CONTINUOUS 1936 39
Jessie has the table set and is waiting for Daddy to come
home. She hears the door open and takes a beer from the
fridge
40 INT. FOYER - LATE AFTERNOON CONTINUOUS 1936 40
She hands Daddy the beer.
DADDY
Mike’s coming over, and we’re going
out to eat over in Easton tonight.
Without another word, he goes upstairs to get dressed.
41 INT. JESSIE'S LIVING ROOM LATE EVENING CONTINUOUS - 1936 41
Jessie enjoys the quiet, sitting on the couch reading the
Cosmopolitan for the tenth time. Eventually she turns to her
Nancy Drew mystery. After a bit, she yawns, puts down the
book and heads upstairs.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Morning Responsibilities
42 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING NEXT DAY - 1936 42
Jessie has breakfast ready when Daddy comes down. He sits and
gobbles up the food.
JESSIE
Where did you and Mr. Mike go last
night?
DADDY
Just some steak joint over in
Easton.
He pushes away from the table and grabs his lunchbox.
DADDY (CONT’D)
I left fifty cents on the counter.
Pick up some pork chops for dinner.
JESSIE
I made a beef casserole last night,
and it's still in the fridge. I can
heat it up for dinner tonight.
DADDY
That’s fine.
He starts to walk away, then turns around
DADDY (CONT’D)
When are you gonna do some laundry?
My basket is full.
JESSIE
Sorry, Daddy! I’ll do it today.
He walks out of the kitchen and we hear the front door open
then close.
Jessie pulls all the clothes out of the basket and hurries
back downstairs.
44 INT. ENCLOSED BACK PORCH - MORNING CONTINUOUS - 1936 44
Jessie drops the clothes on the floor in front of the WRINGER
WASHER. Beside the washer is a sink with a hose attached to
the faucet. She turns on the faucet to fill the washer.
She goes through Daddy’s clothes, checking all the pockets,
when she pulls out a receipt and what looks like a business
card.
INSERT ON CARD: The card is green, with a semi-naked woman on
the front and across the top the words: PINE ST ALE HOUSE.
Below that the words: GENTLEMAN’S CLUB & BURLESQUE.
Jessie stares at the card, her mouth half open. She stuffs it
into her apron pocket and throws all the clothes in the
washer.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
A Burlesque Discovery
45 EXT. SIDEWALK - MORNING CONTINUOUS - 1936 45
Jessie and Alice walk down the sidewalk on their way to work.
Jessie pulls out the card from her dress pocket and hands it
to Alice.
JESSIE
Daddy went to this burlesque club
last night in Easton.
Alice stares wide-eyed at the card.
ALICE
Where did you find this?
JESSIE
In his pant’s pocket this morning
when I was doing the laundry.
ALICE
What’s a burlesque?
JESSIE
You never heard of Minsky’s?
Alice shakes her head
JESSIE (CONT’D)
What about Sally Rand?
ALICE
Everybody’s heard of her. She’s a
dancer. Cosmo had an article about
her.
Alice hands the card back and Jessie sticks it in her bra.
JESSIE
She’s not only a dancer. If you
read the Cosmo article, you would
know she does stripteases at
Minsky’s in New York, which means
she takes her clothes off. But they
call it burlesque.
ALICE
I sure hope your father doesn’t
notice the card missing!
JESSIE
I’ve got that all figured out. I’m
gonna drop it behind his dirty
clothes basket. He’ll just think it
fell out of his pocket.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
A Day at the Drug Store
46 INT. BARNES DRUG STORE - AFTERNOON CONTINUOUS - 1926 46
Jessie is cleaning the counter behind the ice cream cooler.
The bell over the door rings. Jessie looks up and Richard
walks in, wearing a baseball uniform.
He walks down to the ice cream cooler.
JESSIE
Hi, Richard. I didn’t know you
played baseball.
RICHARD
Hey, Jess. Yeah, I play in the city
league. We have games twice a week.
You should come watch sometime.
JESSIE
Where do you play?
RICHARD
I’ll show you tomorrow. There’s a
field right next to Roosevelt Park.
You’re still gonna meet me, right?
JESSIE
Of course. I’m looking forward to
it.
RICHARD
Swell. I just wanted to stop by to
make sure you were still coming.
JESSIE
Yes, I’ll meet you here at ten.
At the end of the day, Mr. Barnes gives Jessie and Alice a
dollar as pay for the week.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Abyssinia: A Walk of Hope
47 EXT. SIDEWALK LATE AFTERNOON - 1936 47
Alice and Jessie are walking home from work
JESSIE
It’s not an actual date. He’s just
taking me to the park.
ALICE
It’s more of a date than I’ve ever
had.
JESSIE
The way the boys look at you...I
predict you’ll have a date...maybe
a bunch of dates before the summer
is over.
Alice smiles and walks away.
ALICE
Abyssinia!
JESSIE
Abyssinia!
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Secrets in the Chores
48 INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS - 1936 48
Jessie rushes in the door and bounds up the stairs.
49 INT. DADDY'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS - 1936 49
Jessie pulls the card out of her bra and drops it on the
bathroom floor behind Daddy’s clothes basket.
She runs back downstairs.
50 MONTAGE OF JESSIE BRINGING IN THE LAUNDRY - 1936 50
Jessie runs out the back door and pulls the laundry off the
clothesline.
She runs back into the house and folds the clothes on the
kitchen table.
She takes the clothes upstairs to Daddy’s room and puts them
away
She runs back downstairs and sits at the kitchen table.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Evening Disruption
51 INT. KITCHEN - EVENING - CONTINUOUS - 1936 51
Daddy in the kitchen eating supper. He finishes, grabs a beer
from the fridge, his newspaper, then out onto the front
porch.
Jessie cleans up the kitchen, flops on the couch in the
living room to read Nancy Drew.
Jessie puts on her pajamas and crawls into bed, the tears
seeping onto her pillow.
She closes her eyes and falls asleep.
LATER
She wakes with a jerk. Daddy is sitting on the edge of the
bed.
DADDY
How’s my little girl?
She squeezes her eyes shut. FADE TO BLACK.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I fought against the tears. What he
did shattered things in me. But I
refused to be broken.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Reflections in the Kitchen
57 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON - PRESENT 57
Patrick and Jessie at the kitchen table. Recorder in the
middle of the table.
JESSIE
I think that’s all for now.
Her voice is raspy, laden with the weight of her
recollections.
Patrick shuts off the recorder, stands, stretches.
PATRICK
Shall we have some lunch?
She pushes her chair back, and Patrick helps her stand.
JESSIE
Would you like to see my flowers? I
have a beautiful little garden out
back.
PATRICK
Of course. Do you need me to get
your walker?
JESSIE
No, that stupid thing gets in the
way. As old as I’ve gotten, and
even with the cancer, my legs have
never given me any trouble. That’s
a bit odd, don’t you think?
Patrick laughs.
PATRICK
Maybe, but I hope I have some of
your genes running in my veins.
JESSIE
Hopefully not the bad genes.
Besides, I try not to sit too long.
Agnes usually comes over in the
late afternoon and we take a turn
or two around the block.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Gardens of Memory
58 EXT. JESSIE’S BACK YARD - AFTERNOON - PRESENT 58
A garden right out of a storybook. Beautiful rose bushes and
daisies.
Jessie slips on a pair of gloves lying on the stoop and picks
up a small set of shears.
PATRICK
Did you ever imagine you would
retire in Florida?
JESSIE
Ha! I had never even been to
Florida until twenty years ago.
Remind me to tell you a story about
Miami later.
PATRICK
Momma Helen lived with you for
quite a few years, right? In
Allentown, and here? She died
what... ten, twelve years ago?
JESSIE
Yes, that’s about right.
She snips some roses.
PATRICK
When did your dad die?
She finishes cutting the roses and stands.
JESSIE
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
You want to hear the complete
story, don’t you?
PATRICK
Sorry, I always read the last page
of a book first. So, did you hear
from your brother, Stevie or Gloria
very often?
JESSIE
I didn’t know how to contact Stevie
in the Army. He wrote to me
occasionally. But I called Gloria.
She met a boy that summer and
married him a couple of years
later.
PATRICK
Did she know anything about how
your father treated you?
JESSIE
Oh God, no.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
A Toast to Normalcy
59 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON - PRESENT 59
She pulls a vase from a cabinet, fills it with water, and
arranges the flowers before setting the vase in the middle of
the kitchen table.
JESSIE
I think I will lie down for a bit.
Carrie should be here sometime this
afternoon. Would you mind doing me
a big favor?
PATRICK
Anything
JESSIE
I’m not supposed to have anything
alcoholic while I’m taking these
pain pills, but I’d love a glass or
two of red wine.
PATRICK
Have you always been bad?
JESSIE
You have no idea!
SERIES OF SHOTS: Patrick pulls into parking lot of a liquor
store. Patrick inside picking out a bottle of wine. Back at
Jessie’s house, sitting in the car. Sitting in the car;
pensive.
END OF SERIES.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
A Call for Help
60 INT. CAR - AFTERNOON - PRESENT 60
Patrick picks up his phone, dials. Puts it on Speaker.
DENVER POST OPERATOR
(Over the phone)
Denver Post. How may I direct your
call.
PATRICK
Brian Day, please
BRIAN DAY
(Over the phone)
Brian Day.
PATRICK
Brian, it’s Pat. How’s it going?
BRIAN DAY
(Over the phone)
Hey! Good, good. Juicy story I’m
working on.
PATRICK
Uh oh, I know how you are when you
sink your teeth into something.
BRIAN DAY
(Over the phone)
So, you in Florida?
PATRICK
Yep, at my aunt’s. Hey, I need a
favor.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Reflections in the Kitchen
61 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON - PRESENT 61
Jessi’s up from her nap, back in the kitchen.
JESSIE
Carrie should be here in a bit, so
let’s wait on the wine.
PATRICK
You want to continue with your
story?
JESSIE
Yes, I’m fine. I locked those
memories away for years, and now
it's almost therapeutic to speak
about them. I can recall the
tiniest detail, like it was
yesterday. Don’t the flowers smell
divine?
PATRICK
They’re beautiful. You have a green
thumb.
JESSIE
I think the credit goes to the
Florida sun. So, where was I? Oh,
yes, I remember.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Morning After
62 INT. JESSIE'S BEDROOM EARLY MORNING - 1936 62
Jessie opens her eyes to the morning’s first light.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I pulled myself out of bed and
stared at the blood-soaked sheets.
It was the first time Daddy had
gone that far.
Jessie tears back the fitted sheet. A dark patch stains the
mattress. She rips the sheet off, balls it up. Collapses to
the floor crying.
JESSIE (V.O.)
Like I had done so many times
before, I told the bad thoughts to
go away. Besides, I was seeing
Richard that day.
She touches the right side of her nose. Winces slightly.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Morning Reflections
63 INT. JESSIE'S BATHROOM - MORNING - 1936 63
Ambles to the bathroom. Dares a glance in the mirror. Faint
redness under her eye. She tries to smile. Winces a little.
JESSIE (V.O.)
The swelling in my nose was all but
gone. All I wanted was for Richard
to wrap me in his arms and tell me
I was pretty. But how could I act
normal around him, after feeling so
dirty.
She splashes water on her face, puts on her house dress and
goes downstairs to start breakfast.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Fractured Reflections
64 INT. JESSIE'S KITCHEN EARLY MORNING - 1936 64
Daddy eats while reading the morning paper. Doesn’t say a
word. Jessie picks up a fork, stabs it gently into her hand.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I wanted to grab a fork and stab it
in his neck.
Jessie hands Daddy his lunchbox, steps back out of his reach.
He pauses; looks at her oddly, then leaves.
Jessie spits at the door after it closes.
JESSIE
Way to go Jessie. More for you to
clean up.
LATER
She picks up the phone. Calls Alice. Her mom answers.
JESSIE (CONT’D)
Hi, Mrs. Byrne. This is Alice’s
friend, Jessie. Is she there.
Through the phone we hear Mrs. Byrne holler for Alice.
ALICE
(over the phone)
Hey, shouldn’t you be getting
dressed for your date?
Jessie cries. Sobs turn to hiccups.
JESSIE
I’m sorry...I’m so stupid.
ALICE
Tell me what’s wrong. Are you still
meeting Richard?
JESSIE
Yes. I...I need some makeup, but I
don’t have any.
ALICE
Makeup? I’ve never seen you wear
makeup. I’m sure Richard won’t
care.
JESSIE
Please. Can you sneak some from
your mom and come over. It’s
important.
ALICE
Something happened, didn’t it?
Jessie, you can tell me.
JESSIE
Please, just bring some makeup
over.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
A Moment of Comfort
65 INT. JESSIE'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS - 1936 65
Alice applies makeup to Jessie’s face.
JESSIE (V.O.)
While I sat on the toilet seat,
Alice patted powder all over my
face and put a little rouge on each
cheek. She even brought some
lipstick.
ALICE
Okay, you look beautiful. Richard
won’t notice a thing. Now tell me
what happened.
JESSIE
I went in the bathroom, and I
didn’t notice the door swung a
little closed behind me, so when I
turned around, I walked right into
it!
Alice kneels in front of Jessie and put her hands on her
legs. Jessie flinches.
ALICE
Jessie, I’m your friend. Please
tell me what happened.
JESSIE (V.O.)
What happened? Something Alice
would never understand. In fact,
getting hit was one of the more
normal nights.
ALICE
Tell me
JESSIE
It’s embarrassing. Daddy was
drinking, like he does every night.
He fell down, and I tried to help
him up, and he accidently hit me,
that’s all.
More crying.
ALICE
Oh, darling, now stop or I’m gonna
have to do your makeup all over
again. Now stand up.
Alice turns Jessie around in circles.
ALICE (CONT’D)
You’re perfect. Even the dress is
not as tight as I thought it might
be.
She gives Jessie a big hug and whispers in her ear.
ALICE (CONT’D)
I’m sure he didn’t mean to hit you,
but if it happens again, you call
me, ok?
JESSIE
Okay, I promise. Oh, God!
ALICE
What?
JESSIE
The sandwiches!
Big smile from Alice.
ALICE
Come on, I’ll help. You have plenty
of time.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
A Warm Encounter
66 EXT. SIDEWALK - CONTINUOUS - 1936 66
Jessie walks quickly down the sidewalk, holding a brown paper
bag with the sandwiches.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I remember a few wispy clouds hung
in the air, but otherwise it was a
beautiful, warm day. I let the sun
wash over me, willing it to calm my
nervousness, and cleanse away the
horror of the previous night.
A block from Barnes, he waits for her, leaning against the
building.
Jessie smiles, wets her lips.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
A Morning of Blossoms and Promises
67 EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE BARNES DRUG STORE MORNING - 1936 67
He pushes away from the building. In his hand is a small
bouquet, and Jessie’s eyes go wide.
RICHARD
Jessie?
JESSIE
Hi Richard.
He holds out the flowers.
RICHARD
Wow, you look swell. These are for
you.
She takes the flowers. Breathes them in.
JESSIE
You’re sweet to say that. You look
nice too. Thank you, they’re
beautiful.
He picks up two bottles of Coca-Cola that are sitting at his
feet. He takes the bag of sandwiches and drops the soda in
the bag.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I laced my fingers with his other
hand and pulled him close, so he
knew what the flowers meant to me.
He stiffened, and I suddenly
worried he might want no one to see
him holding my hand, but I didn’t
let go and he relaxed.
RICHARD
I can’t wait to show you the park.
Oh, and the ballfield too.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
A Walk to the Park
68 EXT. SIDEWALK - MORNING - 1936 68
They continue to hold hands and talk as they make their way
down the street and over to the park.
RICHARD
So, you read Nancy Drew? I’ve read
all the Hardy Boys. I like the
mysteries.
JESSIE
Well, a handsome, athletic boy who
also loves to read. I wonder what
other surprises you have in store?
Patrick blushes. Ignores the compliment.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
A Swing of Fate
EXT. ROOSEVELT PARK - DAY - 1936
Big, public park. Lots of grass, swingsets
RICHARD
You came here near the end of the
school year, right?
Jessie climbs onto a swing, and he stands behind, pushing.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Where did you live before.
JESSIE
We lived over in Bethlehem for a
few years. Daddy works at the steel
mill. Daddy and Momma got divorced
two years ago, and I moved with
Momma to Harrisburg.
RICHARD
What made you and your mom move
back to Allentown?
There it was. No way to avoid it.
JESSIE
She didn’t, only I did. Momma got
remarried and wanted me to live
with Daddy for a while until she
got settled.
RICHARD
What do you mean ‘for a while’? Are
you going back to Harrisburg?
JESSIE
Oh, I don’t know. Momma is so busy
with her new husband.
RICHARD
Well, I sure hope you stay.
Jessie jumps off the swing and kisses him on the cheek.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
What was that for?
JESSIE
I’m sorry...I thought...
RICHARD
It was nice. I just wasn’t
expecting it.
He takes her hand and they drift across the grass toward the
ball field.
JESSIE
Do you have any other brothers or
sisters besides Dennis?
RICHARD
I have two sisters. Ethel is eight
and Shirley is twelve.
JESSIE
Well, at least you and Dennis
aren’t outnumbered.
They reach the ball field and there’s a game in progress.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I knew nothing about baseball, so
we watched for a bit, and he
described the rules. I thought it
would be fun to watch him play. I
shared my dancing aspirations and
he never made fun of me.
RICHARD
I’d like to see you dance.
JESSIE
Oh, I don’t know. I’m not that
good.
ALICE (O.S.)
JESSIE!
Jessie stands up quickly to see Alice racing across the park,
waving her hands.
JESSIE
Something’s wrong.
Jessie and Richard run to meet Alice. She bends over,
gasping.
ALICE
Your dad. He’s been in an accident
at the mill.
JESSIE
An accident? Is he dead?
RICHARD
What happened?
ALICE
I went to Barnes to get Mom’s
medicine. I saw a police car in
front of your house. I rushed over
to see what was wrong. One of the
policemen told me there was an
accident at the mill. He wanted to
know if your dad had a wife.
JESSIE
What did you tell him?
ALICE
I said no, only a daughter, and he
asked me if I knew where you were.
I said yes, and took off running
here to find you.
RICHARD
What kind of accident?
ALICE
Some kind of explosion he said.
Jessie glances at Richard.
JESSIE
I better go.
RICHARD
Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I thought about what would happen
to me if Daddy died. I didn’t much
care what happened to him. All I
knew was I wasn’t going back to
live with Momma in Harrisburg. Not
with a new husband, probably a
lecher, like I thought all men
were. Daddy kept some emergency
money in a shoebox in his closet.
If he died, I would take the money
and run away. Got to Easton and
maybe get a job dancing in that
burlesque nightclub.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
A Distressing Call
69 EXT. SIDEWALK OUTSIDE OF JESSIE’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS 1936 69
Jessie, Richard and Alice reach the house. TWO POLICEMEN are
sitting in their car. They both get out.
POLICEMAN #1
Are you Miss Vasily?
JESSIE
Alice already told me about the
accident. How bad did he get hurt?
Where did they take him?
POLICEMAN
Yes, Miss, there was an accident at
the mill. An explosion of some
sort. We don’t have a lot of
details. They took your father to
the Allentown Hospital.
POLICEMAN #2
We can drive you to the hospital.
Do you have a way back home?
ALICE
You go with them, Jessie. I’ll get
my dad to drive me there and we can
bring you back.
Richard gave Jessie a squeeze.
RICHARD
I’ll come by tomorrow and check on
you. Try not to worry. I’m sure
he’s all right.
Jessie climbed into the police car.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Reflections at Allentown Hospital
70 EXT. ALLENTOWN HOSPITAL - AFTERNOON - 1936 70
They arrive at the hospital, three stories high, with beige
brick, a red tile roof, and red and white striped awnings
over every window.
JESSIE (V.O.)
Daddy didn’t deserve to die in such
a nice place. If he was going to
die, he should have been blown to
pieces in the mill.
The policemen drop Jessie me off at the front entrance and
told me to check with the information desk.
POLICEMAN #1
Check in with the information desk.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I had never been in a hospital
before. A pleasant lady sitting
behind a desk told me to go to the
second floor to the nurse’s
station.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
A Father's Fight
71 INT. HOSPITAL WAITING AREA - CONTINUOUS - 1936 71
JESSIE (V.O.)
After giving my name, one nurse
hugged me and told me they had
taken Daddy in for surgery and had
me sit on a couch in a small
waiting area.
A MAN in a business suit approaches the nurse’s station, and
the nurse points in Jessie’s direction. The man steps over
MAN
Are you Jessie Vasily?
JESSIE
Yes, sir.
MAN
I’m John Eddleston, your father’s
supervisor at the mill. Do you mind
if I sit for a minute? I understand
you live with your father. Is your
mother in Allentown? Do you know if
she’s been notified?
JESSIE
She’s in Harrisburg. I’ll call her
when I get back home tonight.
EDDLESTON
Okay, you do that. I spoke to the
doctor, and I’m sure he will come
out and talk to you soon, but I
wanted to let you know your father
is alive, but he was hurt pretty
bad.
JESSIE
The policeman said something about
an explosion.
Eddleston rubs a hand across his forehead.
EDDLESTON
Yes, well, one thing we do at the
mill is make bullets and some
explosives for the U.S. Army. We’re
still investigating what happened,
but one explosive... detonated.
Several men were killed. Your
father and another man, Mike
Henderson, were injured.
JESSIE
Mr. Mike?
Eddleston pats her hand. He reaches into his coat pocket,
pulls out a card, and hands it to her.
EDDLESTON
My work number is on the front, and
I wrote my home phone number on the
back. If you need anything, and I
mean anything, you call me, okay?
JESSIE
My friend Alice will stay with me
until Momma comes.
He stands.
EDDLESTON
Well, that sounds ok. Call me if
you need anything.
JESSIE (V.O.)
Alice arrived with her mom and dad,
and they all took turns consoling
me, forcing me to act despondent
when I didn’t feel sad at all.
Alice kept her arm around me the
whole time.
LATER
The nurse approaches accompanied by a doctor.
DOCTOR
Hello, Miss Vasily. I’m Doctor
Schlesinger.
JESSIE
Daddy’s dead, isn’t he?
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
No, no, your father’s not dead,
sweetheart.
(MORE)
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER (CONT’D)
But he suffered severe injuries.
Did they tell you about the
explosion at the mill?
JESSIE
Mr. Eddleston talked to me.
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
Well, right now your daddy is in a
coma. Do you know what that means?
JESSIE
That means he’s not awake?
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
That’s right. Metal from the
explosion struck him in the head.
We removed it, but it may be a
while before he wakes up. The
explosion affected your father’s
left side the most. He lost his
left eye. But his right eye is
fine. The explosion almost severed
his left arm, which forced us to
amputate above the elbow.
Mrs. Byrne gasps, and Alice’s eyes are wide with shock.
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER (CONT’D)
His workstation protected the lower
half of his body, or he might have
lost a leg as well, or worse. So,
all in all, very lucky.
JESSIE (V.O.)
For me, there couldn’t have been a
worse scenario. I pictured myself
as a caretaker for the rest of my
life.
JESSIE
Will he wake up?
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
There’s nothing to show he suffered
any brain damage, so yes, I expect
him to. We don’t know exactly when.
It could be five minutes from now
or next week. Even when he wakes,
we’ll need to monitor him for
infections for at least a week.
MRS. BYRNE
We can bring you here to see your
daddy every day. Don’t you worry.
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
Miss Vasily, is your mother in
Allentown?
JESSIE
She’s in Harrisburg, but I’ll call
her tonight.
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
Well, you are welcome to come back
tomorrow and sit with him.
JESSIE
What about Mr. Mike?
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
You mean Mike Henderson?
JESSIE
Yes. Mr. Eddleston said he was
hurt, too.
DOCTOR SCHLESINGER
Mr. Henderson will be fine. A few
scratches and some burns on his
face. But he is awake and I believe
his son is with him now.
JESSIE (V.O.)
It was almost six by the time we
got back to the house. Mrs. Byrne
agreed to let Alice spend the night
with me. I told her I had a
casserole in the fridge, so we
didn’t need her to bring dinner
over.
As soon as Alice’s parents leave, Jessie stands and hovers
her hand over the phone.
ALICE
Are you gonna call your mom?
JESSIE
I don’t want to. We don’t get
along.
ALICE
Call her, Jessie. She needs to come
and stay with you. Your dad might
not be home for weeks.
JESSIE (V.O.)
I lifted the receiver and dialed
the operator. When she answered, I
asked her to ring Momma’s number in
Harrisburg. A minute later, I heard
Momma’s voice for the first time in
six months.
JESSIE
Momma, it’s Jessie. Daddy had a
terrible accident at the mill.