Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Almost Gone

INT. - TIM'S HOUSE - MORNING

The doorbell at Tim's house rings. Mrs. Thompson calls from the kitchen--

MRS. THOMPSON
Tim! Get the door!

Tim answers the door toothbrush in hand, mouth filled with toothpaste. Sophie is standing on the front stoop, looking scared, a backpack over her shoulder.

SOPHIE
Hi, Tim.

TIM
Hi. What's going on? I was just getting ready. Come in.

SOPHIE
I'm sorry. I wouldn't do this. We've got to go.

TIM
(concerned)
What?

SOPHIE
My father found out about me. We've got to go. He had a fit. Do you have any money?

TIM
Wait. Calm down.

SOPHIE
I'm sorry. This is stupid.

TIM
What did he do?

SOPHIE
He just freaked out.

A siren sounds in the near distance. Sophie tenses.

MRS. THOMPSON (V.O.)
Tim! Who is that?

TIM
(calling)
It's for me!

MRS. THOMPSON
(approaching)
Who is it?

She enters the front hall and comes face to face with Sophie -- the counselor and counseled.

MRS. THOMPSON
(surprised)
Oh, hello.

Sophie looks at Tim.

SOPHIE
This is your mother?

MRS. THOMPSON
I'm his mother. Can I help you, Sophie?

TIM
(understanding)
The clinic.

SOPHIE
(to Mrs. Thompson)
How could you tell my father that I'm pregnant? You ratted on me.

MRS. THOMPSON
We call parents when we think a client may endanger herself.

SOPHIE
You fucked up my life.

MRS. THOMPSON
Come to the clinic if you have a problem. This is my home. I want you to leave.

SOPHIE
Fine.
(to Tim)
Let's get out of here. Enough of this.

TIM
Okay, hold on--

SOPHIE
I'm leaving. Are you coming or not?

MRS. THOMPSON
(closing the door on Sophie)
Please go now.

TIM
Just wait a second.

SOPHIE
Forget it, I'll catch a bus. Thanks, Thompsons. Good-bye.

Sophie storms away. Mrs. Thompson closes the door after her. She looks at Tim.

MRS. THOMPSON
Don't you have to get to work?

TIM
No.

MRS. THOMPSON
(not hearing him)
And don't forget the interview, two o'clock.

TIM
She needs a ride.

MRS. THOMPSON
What?

TIM
I'm going with her.

MRS. THOMPSON
No, absolutely not.

Tim grabs his keys off the front table.

MRS. THOMPSON
If you can't listen to me, there's no reason for you to be here. We've been through this before.

One too many times. Tim meets his mother's stare.

TIM
You know, what do I get out of living here anyway? Tell me.

MRS. THOMPSON
Why should you get anything? Why should you be any different than anyone else in this family?

Tim puts his jacket on.

MRS. THOMPSON
If you can do better, go. Don't talk, do it.

Tim looks at her for a moment, then walks out the front door, leaving it swinging behind him.

INT. - TIM'S CAR

Tim climbs into his car and starts the ignition.

SOPHIE
Hi.

Sophie is slouched down in the passenger seat. Tim pulls the car onto the road with a screech, saying nothing.

CUT TO:

EXT. - MAIN ST.

Tim's car speeds through Bedford.

INT. - TIM'S CAR

Tim looks serious as he drives. Sophie is still slouched down in her seat.

SOPHIE
I don't believe that's your mother.

TIM
Maybe I'm adopted.

Tim looks at Sophie curiously.

TIM
You all right?

SOPHIE
I'm fine. I don't want my father to see me. Let's just get out of this town.

TIM
We're almost gone.

Sophie sits up a little and looks back at the town receding into the distance.