En Oh En Eeee REGISTERED WGA/w NO. 639294
Run-time approximately 30 min. Reader 1
FADE IN:
EXT. PORTLAND -- DAY
A townhouse on the River in downtown Portland,
Oregon.
INT. TOWNHOUSE -- DAY
Nice, simple. Tasteful stone sculpture in the
living room.
Another room is draped in clear plastic sheeting--
the entryway, walls and floors. In the middle of
the room a heavy butcher block sits with a block
of granite atop resting on sand bags. The stone
has a shape drawn on it. Other rock sculptures in
various stages of completion are on the floor.
A PERSON wearing coveralls, face shield and paper
filter mask wheels in a steel cart. You can't
tell if it's a man or a woman. The person parks
the cart and unrolls a canvas tool wrap revealing
a variety of chisels. The person selects a wide
flat chisel and hammer and approaches the granite
block.
The person carefully places the chisel near the
squared edge of the block on a grease pencil line,
holds the tool at an angle, and PING, taps it with
the hammer. The person continues to work the stone.
TAP PING TAP PING.
BAM BAM BAM. A pounding noise comes from the wall
and startles the sculptor who was about to TAP the
chisel. An irritated grunt. The sculptor
recomposes and, PING, strikes again.
BAM BAM BAM. A groan. The sculptor walks to the
wall and lifts the face shield then removes the
filter mask. The sculptor is NIKKI, a pretty woman
in her 30's. She shouts.
NIKKI
We have an agreement Mister Lenke.
RON (O.S.)
(sarcastic; effeminate)
You have an agreement with Gilbert,
not me, Nikki.
NIKKI
And it's his townhouse, Ron. How
many times do we need to have this
argument?
Silence. She puts her gear back on and begins
scribing crosshatch lines with a point.
TAP TAP TAP TAP. From the wall BAM BAM BAM.
Groan. TAP TAP TAP. -- BAM BAM BAM.
Growing irritation. TAP TAP. -- BAM BAM.
TAP TAP. -- BAM BAM.
In her anger she misaligns the point and swings
the hammer too hard. TAP PING CRASH. A huge piece
of the Stone sloughs off. The hammer grazed her
hand. She glares at Lenke's wall.
NIKKI
You miserable maggot!
She drops the chisel and shakes her throbbing hand.
She lifts the face shield and filter mask. She
walks around the shattered stone. The sculpture
is ruined. She groans.
NIKKI
Nooo!
Nikki pounds the wall with her hammer. BAM BAM
BAM! From the side her granite block resembles a
giant phallus.
NIKKI
Mr. Lenke? Ron?
RON (O.S.)
Yes?
NIKKI
You are a total dick.
INT. MEXICAN RESTAURANT - PORTLAND -- DAY
Nikki and Carol, her older sister, have lunch.
Nikki dresses in a contemporary, artsy style.
CAROL
And then you stick cloves all over
it and put the sugar--
NIKKI
--Wait. What was that first thing.
CAROL
What?
NIKKI
The ham. What did you do first?
CAROL
Oh! I excoriated it... That's my
new word. I'm trying to improve my
vocabulary so I try to use new words
I hear in a sentence.
NIKKI
Uh-huh... um, Carol, did you look
it up after you heard it?
CAROL
(she scores her
frijoles)
You know... excoriate.
Nikki doesn't look convinced. Carol gets serious.
CAROL
Nikki, don't go!
NIKKI
C'mon, Care. You know how it's
been since I lost the gallery.
It's like, everything's gone wrong
here. And that jerk Lenke next
door...
BOTH
(effeminate voices)
Ron... Uhfff.
They both do a limp wrist gesture. Laughs.
CAROL
Nikki, we've never been apart. I
don't know what I'll do without you
nearby.
NIKKI
It isn't like you're an orphan here.
You have your husband and Jilly.
CAROL
With Roger I'm the wife. With Jill
I'm Mommy. Jeez, half the time I'm
Mommy with Roger. But when she's
at kindygarden and he's at work. I
get to hang out with you and be
this wild, sexy chick.
Nikki was in mid sip with her drink. She's caught
off guard and laughs. Liquid from her drink drips
from her nose.
NIKKI
Oh, that's attractive. Thanks a
lot.
Carol has fun with it. She smooths her hair and
poses.
CAROL
Sophisticated babe on the loose.
NIKKI
Hey! Aren't you the big sister?
(Carol acts shamed)
Listen, you'll be okay. I'm stifled
here. Why don't you help me move?
If you see the place, You'll
understand.
EXT. HARMONY, OREGON -- DAY
Carol drives a U-haul with a car in tow through
the pristine rural town. Inside with her are Nikki,
and JILLY, 5.
CAROL
It's beautiful.
NIKKI
(pointing)
Up there, go right.
Carol begins a turn just as a car pulls up from
the other direction blocking the way. Carol gets
panicked.
CAROL
Nikki, I can't back this thing.
The car backs up. The teen driver smiles
courteously and motions come. Carol looks stunned.
CAROL
Where are the road warriors? He
didn't even honk.
NIKKI
This ain't the big city, Sis. They
don't play highway kamikaze here...
Told you it was nice.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
The U-haul pulls up to a small house. They all
climb out.
CAROL
This is cute, Nikki.
NIKKI
(perfect contentment)
Um-hmmm.
CAROL
Seems a little small, don't you
think? Where you going to work?
NIKKI
I'm going to enclose the carport
later. For now, I'll work in the
house.
(Jilly tugs at her)
What sweetie?
JILLY
Can we go inside?
NIKKI
In a minute.
Nikki notices the NEIGHBOR MAN rubbernecking from
his porch. Nikki waves. The old man waves back--
seems stiff. Nikki's artsy way of dressing looks
out of place here. Jilly latches on to Nikki's
leg and motions her closer.
JILLY
(whispers)
Aunt Nikki, I have to go to the
bathroom.
NIKKI
Oh, you have important business to
do.
Jilly grins. Nikki takes her hand and leads her
to the door. Carol goes to the truck and to unhitch
the car. The nosey neighbor gawks. Nikki, at the
door, lets Jilly in.
NIKKI
(waving her in)
Carol, forget that.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
NIKKI
The only other space would be the
dormer, and I'm not going to be
lugging blocks of stone up there.
CAROL
But your living room?
NIKKI
I'll Put down visquene. It's just
until I get the carport done.
CAROL
When's that?
NIKKI
I found this contractor who'll do
it on the cheap, but he's got to
squeeze me in between jobs.
CAROL
Nikki, you do remember when Roger
hired that remodel guy to do our
bathroom...
NIKKI
So, did you actually file the missing
persons report?
CAROL
Exactly! Fourteen weeks of sponge
baths while waiting on a job that
was
(mimics contractor)
guaranteed done in three weeks,
ma'am.
NIKKI
I know. I know. But it got done.
Jilly appears in the hall. Seems apprehensive.
JILLY
Mommy c'mear.
CAROL
What is it, honey?
JILLY
Mommy, I broke Aunt Nikki's toilet.
CAROL
Let's go look.
A Moment later from down the hall...
CAROL (O.S.)
Nikki, come here.
INT. BATHROOM -- DAY
Water on the floor. Nikki enters--looks upset.
CAROL
You got to call a Rooter guy. Look!
It's coming up in the tub.
JILLY
I didn't mean to break it, Aunt
Nikki. I only peed. Honest.
NIKKI
(hugs her)
You didn't break it, Sweetie.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
The two women unload the truck. The old man next
door watches from a porch swing. Jilly approaches
Nikki.
JILLY
Can I go down the sidewalk?
Nikki looks at Carol. She shrugs why not.
NIKKI
Okay, Sweetie. Don't go too far.
Jilly skips away. The two women struggle with a
sofa.
EXT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. -- DAY
Jilly stops and looks up at the old man in the
porch swing.
JILLY
You got any kids, mister?
NEIGHBOR MAN
Yes, but their all grown up now.
JILLY
(disappointed)
Oh.
NEIGHBOR MAN
(eying the women)
Is that your mommy?
JILLY
Uh-huh.
Jilly skips away.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
Plastic on the floor, over the sofa, everywhere.
The butcher block stands in the middle of the room.
A few blocks of raw stone and the damaged "phallus"
stone rest near the wall. Jilly sleeps in a chair.
Nikki sprawls half asleep on the sofa. Carol enters
from the kitchen with a mug of coffee. She sets
it down and falls back on the other side of the
sofa.
CAROL
Ouch!
NIKKI
Watch out for the visquene.
Carol wrestles out a roll of plastic sheeting behind
her.
CAROL
Thanks... Whew! I am totally
expunged.
NIKKI
That one of you're new words?
CAROL
Uh-huh.
NIKKI
Carol, trust me. Lay off the "ex"
words.
(Carol doesn't get it)
Stay the night. Okay?
CAROL
Uhn. Roger needs Mommy to tuck him
in.
NIKKI
Screw Roger.
CAROL
Too tired... Too sticky.
NIKKI
Seriously, stay. I'll drive you
down to Albany tomorrow so you can
catch the train. That'll be a lot
nicer than a stupid bus ride.
CAROL
Okay. Screw Roger.
NIKKI
(giggles)
Yeah, screw him.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Jilly plays in the driveway. GRETTA LAWTON, walks
up.
GRETTA
Little Girl? Is you mama inside?
JILLY
Shhhh. She's sleeping.
GRETTA
(seems troubled)
How old are you, hon?
JILLY
Six. Five. I'll be six on my
birthday.
GRETTA
And your mama lets you play outside
all by yourself?
JILLY
Yeah!
(wilting)
I'm not s'posed to unless she says
so, but there's no TV and she's
asleep and I looked outside and saw
a dog and I wanted to pet it but it
was a stupid cat then--You won't
tell my mom on me?
GRETTA
No, hon. Not if you scoot yourself
inside. Okay?
JILLY
Okay.
GRETTA
I'll come back by in few days...
And lock that door. Okay, hon?
JILLY
Okay. Thanks for not telling.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- LATER
Carol helps Jilly with her sweater.
CAROL
Go get your Barbie purse, Jill.
JILLY
Oh yeah! Okay, mom.
NIKKI
She's so cute.
CAROL
Nikki, I'm going to miss you.
NIKKI
Jeez! It's only like, seventy miles.
CAROL
It might as well be some weird
alternated universe. You know how
Roger gets when I'm away. I can
picture the headlines: WIFE AWAY
FOR ONE DAY, MAN LOSES HIS OWN BUTT.
NIKKI
C'mon, Sis.
CAROL
I know. I know. He gets so lonely.
It's actually kind of flattering.
JILLY
Aunt Nikki, I'm going on a train.
NIKKI
I know, Sweetie.
(to Carol)
We better go or we'll miss it.
JILLY
Mom, hurry. We'll miss it.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
They get in the car. Nikki pulls out of the drive.
EXT. AMTRAK PLATFORM -- DAY
Tearful hugs at the train. Carol's making too
much of it.
CONDUCTOR
Board.
JILLY
Mom, he said it again.
CAROL
You'd think she's never been on a
train before... and you'd be right.
(to Jilly)
Okay Sweetie, calm down.
(to Nikki; hugs; kisses)
I'll call you this afternoon.
JILLY
Mom! Bye Aunt Nikki.
NIKKI
Bye Sweetie.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Nikki enters the living room and looks over her
stone collection. Her eyes fix on the damaged
phallus-like one.
NIKKI
Why not?
She sets down her coffee and wrestles the stone to
the butcher block. She takes out her pencil and
marks the phallic shape.
NIKKI
(mimics an art teacher)
Remember class, let the stone suggest
it shape to you. Don't fight it.
With hammer and point, face shield and filter mask,
TAP TAP TAP, she begins roughing it out. Suddenly,
she stops, lifts the face shield. She eyes the
wall expecting a BAM.
NIKKI
Ummmmmm. Good riddance, Ron.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- LATER
A "RABID ROOTER" van is parked in front. Close
up, the "B" in RABID is actually a "P" altered
with spray paint.
On the roof stands the ROOTERMAN with a power tool.
He grinds away with great difficulty then stops
and shakes his head.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Nikki answers a knock at the door.
ROOTERMAN
Ma'am, I'm sorry, but your pipes is
shot. Ain't nothing left there to
ream. They got to be dug and put
new again out to the cesspool.
NIKKI
Is that a lot?
ROOTERMAN
Yes, ma'am, but if you knows a
somebody who can dig 'em, I can
show you where. It ain't hard to
fix, but It'll be spendy if'n I do
it.
NIKKI
I know someone who can dig. Show
me.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE - BACK YARD -- NIGHT
Nikki has a desk lamp rigged to light the short
trench she's digging from the back of her house to
the septic tank.
The light comes on at the back of the nosey
neighbor's house. His head pops out of his door
and cranes. Funny, from his yard, Nikki's trench
looks like a grave.
Nikki stoops and picks up a pipe section. She
cradles it in both arms as she walks to the trench
and carefully, lowers the pipe into place being
carful not to drop or damage it.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
The sound of a toilet flushing. Nikki appear from
the bath and walks down the hall zipping up her
overalls.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -- DAY
With face shield in place, she chisels away at the
stone phallus. It's really taking shape. She
lifts the face shield. She's embarrassed and
amused. She strokes it and snickers.
A knock at the door. Nikki removes the shield and
answers.
GRETTA
Hi, hon. I'm Gretta Lawton from
Community Welcoming. I just wanted
to drop by and say howdy to a new
neighbor.
Gretta stares at Nikki's coveralls. Nikki suddenly
becomes self conscious about her appearance and
her messy house.
NIKKI
That's so nice. I'm Nikki Black.
I'd invite you in, but things are a
mess.
GRETTA
Never you mind. I don't mind the
mess a bit, hon. Movin's a pain.
I know!
(strains to see inside)
My husband's a Marine Captain,
retired. He's the sheriff here
now. Lawton the lawman.
Nikki opens the screen door for her but suddenly
glances at the phallus. She jerks her head back
toward Gretta.
NIKKI
Uh, No! I'm sorry. I'm too
embarrassed-- the mess. You
understand.
GRETTA
Don't you worry, hon, I sure do.
Gretta noticed Nikki's head snap. She looks and
catches a glimpse of the phallus sculpture. Nikki
tenses and shifts position to block the view.
Gretta tries even harder to see it again. Nikki
comes outside and pulls the door shut.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
NIKKI
But this is so sweet. Maybe we
could have coffee soon.
GRETTA
I'd like that.
(pulls a paper from
her attaché case)
Hon, if you don't mind, we ask
everyone to fill one of these out.
Sometimes if we know a little more
about you, we can help you settle
in. It's kind of a neighborly thing
the city does.
NIKKI
Sure. I don't mind.
GRETTA
Great. Here's an envelope so you
don't need a stamp.
NIKKI
Great.
Nikki backs in the door while perusing the form.
Gretta strains to see the stone phallus as she
does.
NIKKI
Bye.
Gretta snaps back her rubber neck and smiles.
GRETTA
Later, hon.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
NIKKI
Okay, good neighbor time.
(sings, smiles)
Won't you be, my neighbor.
She writes her name and address on the form, checks
some boxes and comes to: CHIDREN:
____________________(names/ages)
NIKKI
That's easy. En oh en eeee.
With a flourish she writes: None. The "e" looks
like an "I".
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Nikki's at the mailbox posting the form. The old
man next door waves. She waves back. He looks
around her yard like he's looking for someone.
She goes back inside.
INT. OFFICE -- DAY
Hands open a letter. It's Nikki's welcome form.
Hands place it in a page holder and type on a
computer keyboard. A hand adjusts the line guide
on the page holder even with the "CHILDREN:" line.
The hands are Greta Lawton's at the Community
Welcoming office.
GRETTA
Non? Oh, Noni! Like my great
granny.
She types in, NAME: NONI
GRETTA
Let's see, how old'd that little
cutie say she was?
She types in, AGE: SIX .
INT. CAROL'S HOME - PORTLAND -- NIGHT
CAROL
(dials the phone)
I miss you... But it's been a whole
week. How much can a sister
endear... Yeah, endure. I meant
that.
(laughs)
Are you working?
(beat; laughs)
Oh God. I knew you were going to
do that. So how shlong is it?
(laughs)
The noise? No complaints?
Fantastical! I going to do a drive-
by mooning at your old neighbor's,
Ronnyboy.
(beat)
No, mine! If Roger stuck his out,
Ron-Ron'd probably chase after it
whining like a bitch in heat.
(laughs)
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
TAP TAP TAP. A few final wacks at her stylized
stone phallus. She picks up a rasp and begins the
smoothing.
RING. The telephone. Nikki lifts her shield and
filter mask. She reaches for the speaker phone
button.
NIKKI
Oh, Carol. Come on now.
(pushing the button)
Hi.
TELEPHONE MESSAGE
(recorded voice)
Hello, this is Wilson Elementary
School calling to inform you that
your child
(computer generated
voice)
Noni
(recorded voice)
is absent without parental excuse
for
(comp-gen voice)
three days.
(recorded voice)
Please call Mrs. Anderson in the
office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thank you.
NIKKI
Huh?
She shrugs it off and returns to her work stroking
the phallus up and down with the rasp. She becomes
uneasy and stops.
NIKKI
This is too weird.
She grabs the statue and places it on the floor
staring at it a moment. She leaves the room and
returns with a black towel. She covers the phallus.
EXT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - BACK YARD -- DAY
The old man prunes his bushes. Nikki comes outside
with a small box of grass seed. And grabs a rake
on her way to the filled-in trench.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE - BACK YARD -- DAY
NIKKI
(reads)
Covers 300 square feet. Rake in.
Water twice a day 'til an inch high.
She sprinkles the seed and rakes. She gets the
hose and waters. She shuts the water off an heads
for the house.
NEIGHBOR MAN
I haven't seen the little girl
lately...
The phone rings in Nikki's house.
NIKKI
(distracted, to herself)
Little girl... Oh!
(to the neighbor)
She's gone. Got to get my phone.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
She grabs the handset and puts it to her ear.
INT. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICE -- DAY
The lights flash on a telephone messaging machine.
TELEPHONE MESSAGE
(recorded voice)
Hello, this is Wilson Elementary
School calling to inform you that
your child
(comp-gen voice)
Noni
(recorded voice)
is absent without parental excuse
for
(comp-gen voice)
four days.
(recorded voice)
Please call Mrs. Anderson in the
office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thank you.
(another light flashes;
another recorded
voice)
A reply is necessary today to avoid
further action being taken.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
She's confused. She looks up the number and dials.
NIKKI
Mrs. Anderson please... Oh. When
would be a good time?... Well,
okay. Tell her that Nikki Black
called about the phone messages for
some kid called, Noni? Um, I don't
have any kids.
(smiles, beat)
Oh, okay, sure, thanks. I'm sure
that will straighten it all out...
Okay. Thanks. Bye.
She's happy. All is well. She looks out the back
window. The neighbor man is ogling the sewer repair
in her yard. She walks to the door, but the
neighbor is already walking away.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Nikki circles a new stone sandbagged on the butcher
block. She stands and squats as she reconnoiters
it occasionally making a grease pencil mark. --
RING. The phone.
NIKKI
(hits the speaker
button)
Hi, this is Nikki.
TELEPHONE MESSAGE
(recorded voice)
Hello, this is Wilson Elementary
School calling to inform you that
your child
(comp-gen voice)
Noni
(recorded voice)
is absent without parental excuse
for
(comp-gen voice)
five days.
NIKKI
This is crazy. I'm going
to fix this mess.
TELEPHONE MESSAGE
Please call Mrs. Anderson
in the office between
She grabs her bag and storms out the door without
hanging up.
TELEPHONE MESSAGE
8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thank you...
(beat; a different
recorded voice)
Because you have not previously
responded, County Social Services
has been informed of this situation.
We regret any inconveniences that
may result.
INT. WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - ATTENDANCE OFFICE --
DAY
Nikki sits at a desk talking with MRS. ANDERSON, a
warm pleasant woman.
MRS. ANDERSON
You see, we're all on the same
mainframe to save costs. The city
offices, the police, the local school
district, we all have local work
stations networked with the same
computer. Anyway, someone somewhere
along the way entered some data on
you and made you a mother.
(pages the screens)
Here it is. Dependent children:
Noni, age six. Very specific.
(she highlights it)
All I have to do is hit delete.
You sure you don't want to be a
mother?
Nikki gives her a look. She hits DELETE.
MRS. ANDERSON
As though it were never there...
NIKKI
You sure?
MRS. ANDERSON
You're completely out of the school
district files.
NIKKI
Hmm, that was easy. Thank you so
much.
MRS. ANDERSON
Your welcome. Drop by again. Maybe
you'd like to give a talk to the
children on sculpting.
NIKKI
I'd like that.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
A man and a woman, PETE and LINDA, are at the door
as Nikki pulls in the drive. She parks and goes
to meet them.
NIKKI
Can I help you?
LINDA
I'm Linda Rancor and this is my
assistant Pete Short. Are you Nikki
Black?
NIKKI
Yes.
LINDA
Ma'am, we're from Social Services
Child Welfare Division, and we need
to speak with you about your daughter
Noni.
NIKKI
This is too much! I've already
wasted my whole morning on this
nonsense. There is no Noni. Go
talk with Mrs. Anderson at Wilson
and straighten it out with her.
She blows by them and jams her key in the door.
LINDA
Ma'am, we will not tolerate that
tone. I don't think you understand--
NIKKI
--YOU don't understand. Noni is a
blip. A computer error. Persona
non, uh, nonexistent. Now quit
bothering me and talk with Mrs.
Anderson at the school. It's all
fixed.
She goes in and slams the door.
EXT. CITY STREETS -- LATER
GEORGE LAWTON, the genial sheriff, drives. He
munches on a celery stick and fumbles with a file
folder. It's amazing that he doesn't run into
something. He turns down Nikki's street and parks
behind the social workers' car.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
They greet each other and talk as they walk to
Nikki's door. The Sheriff knocks. Nikki answers.
The social workers stand behind the Sheriff.
SHERIFF
Missus Black?
NIKKI
Oh, shit! Uh, no. I'm not married.
It's Miss Black--Nikki. Look, I'm
sorry. I over-reacted. It's just
that this has all been unnerving.
SHERIFF
That's okay, ma'am. My wife said
you seemed a reasonable person.
You met her. Gretta Lawton?
NIKKI
Oh, you're Lawton the lawman.
SHERIFF
Yes, ma'am. I'm just here to
facilitate. May we come inside?
NIKKI
Honestly, I'd rather you didn't.
It's kind of a mess.
SHERIFF
Yes, ma'am, but please. Out here
isn't a proper setting.
NIKKI
Well, okay.
SHERIFF
(motions the case
workers inside)
Please.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
As the social workers enter they disapprovingly
look around at the plastic lined room. Dust and
rock chips everywhere. The new sculpture stone
rests on the butcher block.
SHERIFF
Sculptor?
(Nikki smiles)
My nephew's a--well, no. Not like
this. He puts the names on
headstones.
(all move to the
kitchen)
Ladies... Gentleman... Work this
out!
Nikki takes a dish cloth and wipes the table and
chairs.
NIKKI
Please, sit.
The social workers sit with Nikki. The Sheriff
moves back and examines the living room/sculpting
studio.
PETE
Missus Black--
NIKKI
Miss Black.
PETE
Uhn. It is our job to intervene
when the welfare of children is at
stake.
NIKKI
But there are no--
LINDA
--AND, as district supervisor, it
is up to me and my staff to make a
determination as to what is in the
best interest of the child.
NIKKI
But--
LINDA
Let me finish! When we receive a
call, we make a personal visit to
the home environment to make an
assessment, and I must tell you,
looking over your surroundings,
that this mess, is not conducive to
a child's well being.
The sheriff raises the black towel covering the
phallus sculpture and is startled by the monolith.
SHERIFF
Whoa!
LINDA
(turns to see)
All right. What's going on here?
(to Pete)
This could be cult thing. Satanic.
PETE
(eyes glued to the
phallus)
Jeez, that's a big one.
NIKKI
It's a sculpture. I'm an artist.
LINDA
Quiet. That's not art. I know
what art is. Where's Noni? Where's
the little girl?
NIKKI
There is no--
LINDA
Stop lying to us.
Nikki bangs her fist on the table.
NIKKI
You stop and listen. Will you?
Please. There is no child. Hello?
I do not have any children.
LINDA
That, is not true. Our computer
records specifically state one child:
female, name: Noni, age: six, Missus
Black.
NIKKI
It's MISS Black, and I don't care
what your computer says. I don't
have a kid. I don't even have a
stretch mark.
LINDA
Who in the hell do you think--
SHERIFF
Calm down, everyone.
He drops the towel on the phallus. Pete finally
quits staring.
LINDA
Sheriff! She can't--
SHERIFF
Stop! Miss Black, Nikki, My wife
told me that a couple days before
she met with you, she came by your
house and talked with a little girl
playing in the drive. The child
said her mother was inside this
house asleep.
NIKKI
What?... Oh, oh, oh. That was my
niece. My sister, her mom, helped
me move... I took them to the train.
Must have been the same day.
SHERIFF
Uh-huh. Okay. Miss Black, we don't
have rail service in Harmony.
NIKKI
Not here, for Christ's sake! We
went to Albany to catch the damn
train.
SHERIFF
Okay. Calm down.
(beat)
Miss Rancor, Mister Short. Let's
give Miss Black some space while I
check into this.
LINDA
I cannot leave the little girl in
this environment.
SHERIFF
Miss Rancor, she says there is no
child here. Now let's leave her
alone until I check things out.
LINDA
But--
SHERIFF
No but.
They get up and walk out the door. The sheriff
lingers behind.
SHERIFF
Miss Black?
NIKKI
Yes?
SHERIFF
That train. What time was that?
NIKKI
About eleven. It was a little late.
SHERIFF
Thank you. I'm sure we'll get this
all taken care of for you.
NIKKI
I hope so.
SHERIFF
Miss Black? That statue? My wife
says you had that on kind of an
alter?
NIKKI
My God, NO! It was on my work table.
I was shaping it. Jeez! It was
lark. I don't do that sort of work
normally.
SHERIFF
Uh-huh.
NIKKI
I don't! It's a joke.
SHERIFF
Yes ma'am.
The sheriff exits. Nikki shivers. She calms
herself.
NIKKI
Good!
She stomps through the room and grabs her coveralls.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
The Social Workers get in their car.
SHERIFF
Just be patient. I'll be in touch
in a day or two.
LINDA
I'm going to speak with my supervisor
about your action in this
investigation.
SHERIFF
You do what you have to, but I'm in
authority here until I hear
different.
They pull away. Lawton walks to his patrol car.
The old man from next door jogs over to him.
NEIGHBOR MAN
George? Could I have a word with
you?
SHERIFF
Sure thing, Ev.
The two men talk. Lawton looks concerned and ogles
the house.
INT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- LATER
TAP TAP. Nikki works on her new sculpture. TAP
TAP TAP. She walks around the work tapping at the
top removing material. She takes extra time to
line up the chisel when she reaches a critical cut
to remove the center chunk.
She takes a breath, draws the hammer back, and
swings.
VAROOOOOM! BEEP BEEP BEEP. Heavy machinery roars
outside. SLAM! The hammer contacts the chisel at
the wrong angle. CRASH! The stone splits in two
and THUD. Both halves fall from the work table.
Her hand is again nicked.
NIKKI
Damn, damn, DAMN! Not again!
She drops the chisel and shakes her throbbing hand.
Suddenly, red and blue lights flash across the
pulled curtains. The incessant beeping and engine
gunning grows louder yet. Nikki flips up her face
shield and storms to the front door.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- DAY
Nikki yanks the door, kicks open the screen, and
storms out towards a deputy standing next to a
roaring backhoe. VARROOOM! She is beyond pissed
and still clutches her two pound hammer as she
menaces towards Bobby, the DEPUTY.
NIKKI
What in the God damn HELL do you
think you're doing?
The deputy panics when he sees the hammer in her
hand. He jostles his pistol from its holster as
Nikki stomps closer.
DEPUTY
You, stop! Put your hands up.
Nikki's momentum carries her forward. She see the
gun rising towards her. Fear! She tries to stop
as she raises her hands unconscious of the hammer
she still grasps. Bobby's eye bug. The sheriff
sees what's about to happen.
SHERIFF
Bobby no! NO!
The deputy looks at the sheriff.
BANG! His gun accidentally discharges. Everything
stops. The Deputy looks cross-eyed at the swirl
of smoke rising from his gun barrel and for a long,
scarey moment, everyone is frozen--Nikki with her
hands raised part way.
There's a smoking hole in the hammer's handle.
The hammer head topples like a falling tree and
THUDs on the ground.
SHERIFF
(stomping toward Nikki)
That's it!
(passing the Deputy)
You're damned lucky, Bobby.
The sheriff goes to Nikki and cuffs her. She's
still in shock.
SHERIFF
Miss Black, I wish you hadn't
charged out like that.
NIKKI
Why are you doing this to me?
The Sheriff pulls out a paper and shows it to her.
SHERIFF
Ma'am, this is a search warrant.
We got a report about a grave being
dug.
NIKKI
Grave?! I dug my pipes. I was
fixing my pipes.
SHERIFF
Pipes? Uh, yes, ma'am. That's
what we're here to determine.
EXT. NIKKI'S HOUSE -- LATER - NIGHT
The place is a disaster. Searchlights everywhere.
The backhoe has cratered both the front and back
yards.
People are all around. It's like a circus. Gretta
Lawton and the nosey neighbor are talking.
Nikki and the sheriff sit in his car.
VARROOM. The backhoe takes another gouge out of
the lawn as Nikki stares out in disbelief. She
bangs her head against the car window in
frustration.
Things are wrapping up. The backhoe operator
empties the scoop.
BACKHOE OPERATOR
Ain't nothing here, Bobby.
DEPUTY
You positive.
The place looks like the moon.
BACKHOE OPERATOR
Bobby?
DEPUTY
What?
BACKHOE OPERATOR
(motions to the craters)
Duh!
Bobby sneers and waves the sheriff over.
The sheriff opens the car door and helps Nikki to
her feet. He leads her over near the Deputy and
the backhoe operator.
DEPUTY
Okay, boss, here's how I see the
situation...
The backhoe operator sneers as Bobby takes over
and tweaks the shovel blade. It nudges the deputy.
He almost falls. The deputy shoots the operator a
look.
DEPUTY
(clears his throat)
Here's how I see it. She's clean.
SHERIFF
What?!
DEPUTY
She's clean, Boss. The only bodies
'round here is the earthworms.
The Sheriff considers this then looks around the
crowd. He glares at the nosey neighbor and
shouts...
SHERIFF
Ev! Get over here.
The nosey neighbor and Gretta come over. Nikki
looks up with sad plaintive eyes and then looks
down. Gretta grimaces.
Another car pulls up and double parks in the street.
SHERIFF
(to the neighbor)
Ev, you said you saw her bury a
body.
NEIGHBOR MAN
She dug a hole and went next to the
house. I saw her heft it up. She
had to use both arms. Then she
lowered that poor innocent babe
into that pit.
NIKKI
(outraged)
It was a pipe, you moron. I just
wanted to flush my toilet.
Carol emerges from the double-parked car and stares
at the scene dumbfoundedly. Jilly comes out behind
her and latches onto her leg. Stunned, they walk
toward the Sheriff and Nikki.
SHERIFF
Ev? Was it a pipe?
NEIGHBOR MAN
I saw what I saw, and I haven't
seen that little girl since.
SHERIFF
Did you have your glasses?
NEIGHBOR MAN
I saw what I saw.
Carol and Jilly approach. She looks over at Nikki.
CAROL
Nikki?
Before Nikki can answer, Gretta screams.
GRETTA
AAAUUUGGHH! That's her! That's
the little girl!
The neighbor sees her too as Jilly scoots behind
her mother.
NEIGHBOR MAN
It's, but, but, but, but...
SHERIFF
Ev, shut your fool mouth. You sound
like a motor boat.
JILLY
Did I do something bad, Mommy?
EXT. EFFICIENCY APARTMENT - PORTLAND WATERFRONT --
DAY
The finished and polished stone phallus sits
predominantly on the railing of the terrace
glistening in the sunlight like a beacon, making a
visual statement for all to see.
Nikki, looking recovered, lounges on a chaise in
the shadow of the sculpture. She sips coffee from
a Starbuck's mug.
INT. EFFICIENCY APT - PORTLAND WATERFRONT -- DAY
Everything is settled. Her belongings in place.
It's obvious she's been here for a while.
RING. The telephone. She enters and answers.
NIKKI
Hi... Oh hi, Carol!
INT. CAROL'S HOME - PORTLAND -- DAY
CAROL
How does it feel now that you're
settled again--A regular denizen of
Metropolis, so to speak.
(beat)
No. This time I know it's right.
You look it up!
(beat)
Want to get some lunch? Just a
couple of hot babes out at a trendy
eatery... Fantastical! I'll come
pick you up.
INT. EFFICIENCY APT - PORTLAND WATERFRONT -- DAY
Nikki pushes the back on her earring and spritzes
herself with perfume. She straightens her outfit.
Seems relaxed.
BUZZ. The doorbell.
NIKKI
Coming Care.
She opens the door. A man and a woman are there.
NIKKI
Yes?
MAN
Nikki Black?
NIKKI
Yes?
MAN
We're from the Department of Human
Services, Child Protective Agency.
(they both flash I.D.'s)
A distressing memo came through the
inter-county computer network, and
ma'am, we need to see your daughter
Noni, right now.
FADE OUT:
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