i am afraid...
Barney carefully removes the DVD from
the box and pops it into a player.
Betty and Barney's largest monitor
dissolves from black to a flicker and then
a hand held camera's POV image appears.
The POV image walks a wide and grassy
The POV image walks a wide and grassy
path beneath enormous power lines.
The sound on the DVD is only footsteps
and breathing - until a soft whisper of a
voice begins:
"I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME, SO I WILL
TRY TO MAKE MY REPORT TO YOU SHORT
AND CONCISE. MY NAME, AS YOU MAY KNOW
BY NOW, IS PEEPS. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT
I BELIEVE MY NAME TO BE. MY MEMORY IS
SHAKY AT BEST."
(strained breathing)
I BELIEVE MY NAME TO BE. MY MEMORY IS
SHAKY AT BEST."
(strained breathing)
"WHENEVER I CLOSE MY EYES TO SLEEP OR TO
TRY TO REMEMBER, I AM SUDDENLY FALLING
DOWN A VERY LONG AND AT TIMES FRIGHTENING
TUNNEL. I SEE MANY FACES AND MANY OBJECTS
WHILE I AM FALLING BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHERE
I AM FALLING FROM OR WHY."
(strained breathing)
"I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PART OF SPOOCHEEE."
(strained breathing)
"I CAN TELL YOU THIS MUCH - THE SKY ABOVE
(strained breathing)
"I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PART OF SPOOCHEEE."
(strained breathing)
"I CAN TELL YOU THIS MUCH - THE SKY ABOVE
ME IS SOMETHING TO SEE. IT IS A HAZY ORANGE
AND YELLOW GREEN. STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL.
(strained breathing)
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY LOUD BREATHING, BUT
IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO CATCH MY BREATH
HERE."
(strained breathing)
"AS YOU CAN SEE, I AM MOVING AS FAST AS I
(strained breathing)
"AS YOU CAN SEE, I AM MOVING AS FAST AS I
CAN TO GET TO SOME OTHER PLACE."
(strained breathing)
"MY LEG STILL HURTS FROM MY FALL BUT
I AM ABLE TO USE IT WELL ENOUGH. THIS
NICE ORDINARY MAN, WITH A HAIRY FACE -"
The camera's POV turns and shows a scruffy looking
The camera's POV turns and shows a scruffy looking
HAIRY FACED MAN with a long beard who smiles
and waves.
The camera's POV then turns back to the path ahead.
"HE HAS LED ME TO THIS WIDE PATH. HE TELLS
ME THIS PATH WILL TAKE ME TO A BETTER PLACE.
I HOPE IT IS A PLACE WHERE I CAN BREATHE EASIER.
The camera's POV then turns back to the path ahead.
"HE HAS LED ME TO THIS WIDE PATH. HE TELLS
ME THIS PATH WILL TAKE ME TO A BETTER PLACE.
I HOPE IT IS A PLACE WHERE I CAN BREATHE EASIER.
(strained breathing)
THIS NICE, HAIRY FACED, ORDINARY MAN HAS ALSO
PROMISED TO GET THIS VIDEO RECORDING TO OTHERS
WHO CAN HELP. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHY... BUT I AM VERY AFRAID."
The image on Betty and Barney's monitor
flickers and dissolves back to black.
starry, starry night
room, have also just finished watching
the DVD.
The opened box sits on the coffee table.
Ben turns off the DVD player, "That
was amazing. If I wasn't so busy with
SAT's I would so do this game."
Happy reaches into the box and pulls
The opened box sits on the coffee table.
Ben turns off the DVD player, "That
was amazing. If I wasn't so busy with
SAT's I would so do this game."
Happy reaches into the box and pulls
out a Greyhound ticket, a Dunkin Donuts
coupon and a typed note.
Ben grabs the note and reads it out loud,
"If an Ordinary Man needs a cup of coffee
and a donut, what should a Sammeee do?"
Happy opens the ticket, "It's for Chicago."
Ben half laughs, "On a greyhound bus?"
Happy nods, "Tomorrow morning at 9:25."
Ben grimaces, "But you're not going."
Happy takes the note out of Ben's hand and
grabs up her box, "If you were playing,
wouldn't you go?"
"I'm not you - or rather you're not me.
You're a Mom."
"Don't worry. I'll have Jayne come over and
Ben grabs the note and reads it out loud,
"If an Ordinary Man needs a cup of coffee
and a donut, what should a Sammeee do?"
Happy opens the ticket, "It's for Chicago."
Ben half laughs, "On a greyhound bus?"
Happy nods, "Tomorrow morning at 9:25."
Ben grimaces, "But you're not going."
Happy takes the note out of Ben's hand and
grabs up her box, "If you were playing,
wouldn't you go?"
"I'm not you - or rather you're not me.
You're a Mom."
"Don't worry. I'll have Jayne come over and
make dinner for you. You know, we need to be
thinking about poor Peeps, Ben."
"Do you hear yourself? You realize
that Peeps is an imaginary person?
"Do you hear yourself? You realize
that Peeps is an imaginary person?
He's a character in a game."
"I am going."
"You are too old to do this."
Happy walks out of the room on
that remark and heads upstairs.
Ben follows, "What if you get killed?
Dad's going to freak when he hears
about this."
Happy stops, "Dad is not going to hear
about this. It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I'll
be in a public place. Nothing bad is
going to happen at a Dunkin Donuts."
"I am going."
"You are too old to do this."
Happy walks out of the room on
that remark and heads upstairs.
Ben follows, "What if you get killed?
Dad's going to freak when he hears
about this."
Happy stops, "Dad is not going to hear
about this. It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I'll
be in a public place. Nothing bad is
going to happen at a Dunkin Donuts."
"What happens to me if you vanish?"
Happy half laughs, "Dunkin Donuts.
Think about it, Ben."
"Promise me you won't go anywhere
but the Dunkin Donuts."
Happy walks into her bedroom,
Happy half laughs, "Dunkin Donuts.
Think about it, Ben."
"Promise me you won't go anywhere
but the Dunkin Donuts."
Happy walks into her bedroom,
"Good night, Ben."
"Mom."
Happy shuts her bedroom door,
"Mom."
Happy shuts her bedroom door,
"Good night."
the sun also rises
A dog barks.
Trinket opens her eyes and looks
at the clock.
The clock reads 8:30 AM.
Trinket sighs and throws off the
Trinket opens her eyes and looks
at the clock.
The clock reads 8:30 AM.
Trinket sighs and throws off the
covers.
"boo!"
One Times Square.
It is morning.
Parker Media Corporation's elevator
doors open and Addison, with the
unopened manila envelope in hand,
emerges.
He smiles "hello" as he passes the busy
reception desk. The receptionist, on the
phone, gives him a big smile and a wave.
As Addison quickly makes his way to
his office, his assistant, ANN (30),
is on his heels, "TMG is going to
be here at ten." She hands Addison
a coffee, "Tommy and Carol have
the conference room set to go. Do
you want to go to the meeting or
should I take notes?"
Addison stops at his office door,
"Let's have you take notes."
"Everything okay?"
Addison smiles, "Great. Beautiful day."
"I guess it is - if you go for sunshine,
birds singing and all that crap. And
It is morning.
Parker Media Corporation's elevator
doors open and Addison, with the
unopened manila envelope in hand,
emerges.
He smiles "hello" as he passes the busy
reception desk. The receptionist, on the
phone, gives him a big smile and a wave.
As Addison quickly makes his way to
his office, his assistant, ANN (30),
is on his heels, "TMG is going to
be here at ten." She hands Addison
a coffee, "Tommy and Carol have
the conference room set to go. Do
you want to go to the meeting or
should I take notes?"
Addison stops at his office door,
"Let's have you take notes."
"Everything okay?"
Addison smiles, "Great. Beautiful day."
"I guess it is - if you go for sunshine,
birds singing and all that crap. And
BTW, you're going to love my weekend
rundown."
"Never a dull rundown with you, Ann."
"Wild per usual. Gory details over lunch?"
Addison sort of chuckles, "Can't wait."
He enters his office and shuts the door.
Six tarot cards are taped to the back of
his door. Taped next to the tarot spread
is a little pink post-it that reads "boo!"
"Never a dull rundown with you, Ann."
"Wild per usual. Gory details over lunch?"
Addison sort of chuckles, "Can't wait."
He enters his office and shuts the door.
Six tarot cards are taped to the back of
his door. Taped next to the tarot spread
is a little pink post-it that reads "boo!"
Trinket scrolls down her computer screen.
As the photos roll by, Trinket's room fills
with the sound of teenage girls laughing.
Trinket whispers, "Where's Tutu?"
Her voice echoes again and again -
"Where's Tutu? Where's Tutu? Where's
Tutu? Where's Tutu? Where's Tutu?"
Trinket stares at the empty field
on the screen in front of her.
An instant message "im" bounces up
and down in the corner of her computer
screen. Trinket clicks it.
an IM from ruasammeee
ruasammeee(9:14:01):
Trinket, your help is required
immediately.
ruasammeee(9:14:015):
Trinket?
response from Trinket:
yes
ruasammeee(9:14:039):
Your help is required
ruasammeee(9:14:015):
Trinket?
response from Trinket:
yes
ruasammeee(9:14:039):
Your help is required
immediately.
response from Trinket:
okay
ruasammeee(9:15:015):
Will you be home today?
response from Trinket:
yes - why?
ruasammeee(9:16:055):
response from Trinket:
okay
ruasammeee(9:15:015):
Will you be home today?
response from Trinket:
yes - why?
ruasammeee(9:16:055):
Thank you, Trinket
response from Trinket:
you're welcome
response from Trinket:
anything else? hello? hello?
ruasammeee(9:18:42 AM):
response from Trinket:
you're welcome
response from Trinket:
anything else? hello? hello?
ruasammeee(9:18:42 AM):
ruasammeee has signed off
Chicago - the time is 8:20:48 AM
and Betty and Barney never went to bed.
Both are still in the same clothes from
the night before. Laid out on the floor,
next to the empty box, are a bunch of
ceramic tiles.
Painted on the tiles are ancient symbols.
Betty states the obvious, "Well, they are
definitely ancient symbols."
"Are you sure that's the correct order?"
"They are numbered along the edge,
sweetie."
Barney turns one of the tiles around
in a circle, "Y?"
Betty shrugs, "I have no idea. Email the
California boys. Maybe one of them
has the key to our alphabet."
Both are still in the same clothes from
the night before. Laid out on the floor,
next to the empty box, are a bunch of
ceramic tiles.
Painted on the tiles are ancient symbols.
Betty states the obvious, "Well, they are
definitely ancient symbols."
"Are you sure that's the correct order?"
"They are numbered along the edge,
sweetie."
Barney turns one of the tiles around
in a circle, "Y?"
Betty shrugs, "I have no idea. Email the
California boys. Maybe one of them
has the key to our alphabet."
paradise
The Smiths are, again, at the
kitchen table, devouring break-
kitchen table, devouring break-
fast and the Los Angeles Times.
Dwin quietly munches his cereal
and thumbs through a very worn
copy of "Paradise Lost".
Dwin quietly munches his cereal
and thumbs through a very worn
copy of "Paradise Lost".
The school bell rings.
Ben gets out of the car and slams
the door.
the door.
Happy Rogers BEEPS
and waves a "goodbye".
and waves a "goodbye".
Ben stands there and watches
his Mom drive away.
video from Higgs
computer monitor:
Higgs smiles and waves, “Good morning, fellow
Sammeees!” Higgs points to his t-shirt, “Thought
for the day.” He laughs. “Sorry Betty and Barney,
but no sign of the alphabet here. My mysterious
box task is to visit my father and go to a Dodger
Game. Did everyone get the DVD?
Who is the craaaazy Puppet Master?
My head is in the crouds.”
Who is the craaaazy Puppet Master?
My head is in the crouds.”
He laughs again, “Later.”
The Quicktime video ends.
ha - ha - ha
Betty is disgusted, "Oh great. Higgs
doesn't have the alphabet AND he is
a freakin' racist."
Barney balks, "He's completely kidding.
Barney balks, "He's completely kidding.
It's from engrish.com. My brother sends
me stuff from that site all the time."
"Your brother hates being Asian."
"He does not."
"If you don't mind, I'm going to inform Higgs
"Your brother hates being Asian."
"He does not."
"If you don't mind, I'm going to inform Higgs
that you are Asian American and also tell him
we don't appreciate his humour. AND while I
do that, you can email Dwin."
There is a TAP-TAP-TAP on their apartment door.
get on the bus
Happy Rogers is sitting in the parking lot
of the Richmond, Indiana bus station.
She watches as the driver takes tickets.
Holiday Villa
Higgs wheels his Dad down the sterile
corridor of the Holiday Villa Retirement
Home. Higgs' Dad has had Alzheimers
for five years. His memory is nearly gone.
Higgs keeps it light, "Did you go to the
concert last night, Dad?"
corridor of the Holiday Villa Retirement
Home. Higgs' Dad has had Alzheimers
for five years. His memory is nearly gone.
Higgs keeps it light, "Did you go to the
concert last night, Dad?"
Higgs Dad nods.
"Any nice ladies?"
Higgs Dad smiles, "Yes.
Nice ladies."
Nice ladies."
"Did you dance, Dad?"
"I love to dance. Always love to
dance. Did you dance, Charlie?"
"You know me, I never miss a dance."
As they pass the recreation room, he hears
Dwin reading, "Freely they stood who stood,
and fell who fell. Not free, what proof could
they have given sincere Of true allegiance,
constant faith or love.."
Higgs wheels his Dad into the recreation room.
Dwin continues reading to his audience, two
elderly women and one elderly man, "Where only
As they pass the recreation room, he hears
Dwin reading, "Freely they stood who stood,
and fell who fell. Not free, what proof could
they have given sincere Of true allegiance,
constant faith or love.."
Higgs wheels his Dad into the recreation room.
Dwin continues reading to his audience, two
elderly women and one elderly man, "Where only
what they need must do appear'd, Not what they
would? What praise could they receive? What
pleasure I from such obedience paid -"
Dwin stops when he sees Higgs.
Higgs give him a wave, "Paradise Lost?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to go see a Dodger game today?"
"You're Higgs?"
Higgs nods, "R U A Sammeee?"
Dwin stops when he sees Higgs.
Higgs give him a wave, "Paradise Lost?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to go see a Dodger game today?"
"You're Higgs?"
Higgs nods, "R U A Sammeee?"
The Prius scoots east on the 10
"The Puppet Master asked you to
skip school and read Paradise
Lost at the Holiday Villa?"
Dwin wipes his sweaty palms on
his jeans, "They didn't ask me to
skip. I just did. The note in my box
asked, Would you please help
someone find their Paradise
Lost? ... and then they had circled
certain sections to read and then this
morning the Holiday Villa address was
on my cell."
Higgs turns up the air conditioner,
"And my instructions said, Let's spend
some of that free time, Sammeee. Visit
your father and ask the man that is seeking
Paradise to a Dodger game.
It is completely weird to me that, 'A',
some Puppet Master knows I'm on leave from
my job starting today and, 'B', that my father
lives at the Holiday Villa."
Dwin wipes his palms again, "Why do
you think they want us to go to a
Dodger game?"
"No idea."
"Maybe we'll get the alphabet that
Betty and Barney need."
"Who the hell knows?"
Higgs pulls into the Dodger
Stadium parking lot and parks.
The two walk toward the entrance.
Higgs turns up the air conditioner,
"And my instructions said, Let's spend
some of that free time, Sammeee. Visit
your father and ask the man that is seeking
Paradise to a Dodger game.
It is completely weird to me that, 'A',
some Puppet Master knows I'm on leave from
my job starting today and, 'B', that my father
lives at the Holiday Villa."
Dwin wipes his palms again, "Why do
you think they want us to go to a
Dodger game?"
"No idea."
"Maybe we'll get the alphabet that
Betty and Barney need."
"Who the hell knows?"
Higgs pulls into the Dodger
Stadium parking lot and parks.
The two walk toward the entrance.
EXIT THE LOOP
greyhound bus, a WOMAN approaches her
with a big smile, "Are you a Sammeee?"
Happy nods.
The Woman speaks directly into Happy's
ear, "Exit the Loop out the south side of
the station." And the woman turns and
walks away.
Happy exits the south side of the station
and almost immediately a young man,
about 20 dressed in an old argyle sweater
Happy exits the south side of the station
and almost immediately a young man,
about 20 dressed in an old argyle sweater
and very faded blue jeans approaches.
Happy smiles, "I have the coupon."
The young man brushes by her and
quickly knocks her with his elbow
and then weaves himself back into
Happy smiles, "I have the coupon."
The young man brushes by her and
quickly knocks her with his elbow
and then weaves himself back into
the crowded sidewalk.
Happy stops. She's a bit embarrassed and
a bit frightened. A moment later Happy feels
Happy stops. She's a bit embarrassed and
a bit frightened. A moment later Happy feels
a tug on her purse. She spins around,
"Excuse me?"
A well dressed GENTELMAN, around
eighty years old, is standing there
with a briefcase in hand, "Do you
dunk your donuts, miss?"
Happy hesitates and then answers,
"Yes. Yes, I do. May I get you a cup of
coffee and a donut?"
Happy follows the Gentleman across the
street. The twosome walk in silence
down S. Wabash street until they
reach their destination.
The elderly Gentleman holds the Dunkin
Donuts' door open and Happy Rogers
"Excuse me?"
A well dressed GENTELMAN, around
eighty years old, is standing there
with a briefcase in hand, "Do you
dunk your donuts, miss?"
Happy hesitates and then answers,
"Yes. Yes, I do. May I get you a cup of
coffee and a donut?"
Happy follows the Gentleman across the
street. The twosome walk in silence
down S. Wabash street until they
reach their destination.
The elderly Gentleman holds the Dunkin
Donuts' door open and Happy Rogers
enters.
"Who is he?"
There is a tap on Addison's office door.
Addison calls out, "Come in."
Ann enters with two huge deli sand-
wiches, "I know it's late for lunch but
I didn't eat and I'm sure you didn't."
Addison calls out, "Come in."
Ann enters with two huge deli sand-
wiches, "I know it's late for lunch but
I didn't eat and I'm sure you didn't."
Addison clears a space on his desk.
Ann puts the sandwiches down on
Addison's desk and then pulls up a chair,
"Okay, remember on Friday when I said
I was going out to Fire Island with friends?
Well, I lied. I did go to Fire Island but I went
with someone I met on J-date. And, yes, I
know I'm not Jewish but Jewish guys are hot.
So, I signed up."
Addison looks up from his sandwich,
"You went away with a complete stanger?"
"Don't get all Mommy on me."
Addison laughs, "Continue."
Ann pulls a photo from her back pocket,
"This is him. Hot, right?"
Addison over nods.
Ann hits his hand, "Well, guess what?
Tres hottie is tres-tres craaazy and not Jewish.
Ann puts the sandwiches down on
Addison's desk and then pulls up a chair,
"Okay, remember on Friday when I said
I was going out to Fire Island with friends?
Well, I lied. I did go to Fire Island but I went
with someone I met on J-date. And, yes, I
know I'm not Jewish but Jewish guys are hot.
So, I signed up."
Addison looks up from his sandwich,
"You went away with a complete stanger?"
"Don't get all Mommy on me."
Addison laughs, "Continue."
Ann pulls a photo from her back pocket,
"This is him. Hot, right?"
Addison over nods.
Ann hits his hand, "Well, guess what?
Tres hottie is tres-tres craaazy and not Jewish.
Pretending to be Jewish so he could use J-date
too. Long story short, he tried to pull a Ted Bundy
and shoved me into the back of his van, but I had a
and shoved me into the back of his van, but I had a
gun in my sock."
"You had a gun in your sock!?"
"Someone like me needs protection.
And thank God I did. Right?"
"Who is he?"
"I have no clue, but I'm going to the
police station after work to talk to some
"You had a gun in your sock!?"
"Someone like me needs protection.
And thank God I did. Right?"
"Who is he?"
"I have no clue, but I'm going to the
police station after work to talk to some
detective and hand this trophy pic of
VAN GUY over to them."
"Jesus, Ann, you've got to start dating in a
"Jesus, Ann, you've got to start dating in a
more normal way."
"So says you, my sister, and about twenty
of my dearest friends. And I promise I will
try." Ann spots the tarot, still on the back
of Addison's door, "Mixin' up a little magic
in here, boss?"
"Do you know anything about tarot?"
"Are you kidding? I am all about the occult."
"Can you tell me what those mean?"
Ann gets up and studies the cards,
"Did you put these up here?"
"Does that matter?"
"Just curious."
Addison is impatient, "Just tell me if it
is something bad. I mean with Death,
Devil and whatever, it can't be good."
"So says you, my sister, and about twenty
of my dearest friends. And I promise I will
try." Ann spots the tarot, still on the back
of Addison's door, "Mixin' up a little magic
in here, boss?"
"Do you know anything about tarot?"
"Are you kidding? I am all about the occult."
"Can you tell me what those mean?"
Ann gets up and studies the cards,
"Did you put these up here?"
"Does that matter?"
"Just curious."
Addison is impatient, "Just tell me if it
is something bad. I mean with Death,
Devil and whatever, it can't be good."
"Don't get all tweeked out because Death
and the Devil are up here. This is not like
scary oh my god run for your life."
"What does it mean, Ann?"
"Well, your cards are in a very interesting
spread. The Tower is first, so we're talking
about some sudden change in your life or
"What does it mean, Ann?"
"Well, your cards are in a very interesting
spread. The Tower is first, so we're talking
about some sudden change in your life or
a disaster."
"Like, let's say, my wife and two children being
"Like, let's say, my wife and two children being
killed in a car accident. I'd guess that rates as a
sudden change and disaster. Although that was
over eighteen months ago. Maybe I'm due for
some new shake up."
Ann stops on his sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, Ann. Please continue."
"The Devil is warning you against obsessing on
Ann stops on his sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, Ann. Please continue."
"The Devil is warning you against obsessing on
something."
"Like my wife and children?"
"Did you put these up here to just mess with me?"
"Like my wife and children?"
"Did you put these up here to just mess with me?"
"Me?"
"I'm not going to read anymore for you."
Ann grabs up the remainder of her sand-
wich, "What you're doing isn't funny and
nobody is buying the sarcasm."
"Well, this has been enlightening," Addison
gets up from his desk. "Thank you, Ann."
Ann doesn't respond.
Addison holds the door open and attempts
to smooth things over, "Why don't you
knock off early and go deal with the police
and your Ted Bundy?"
"Thanks. That would be great."
Ann exits, "I'll give you all the glorious
details tomorrow."
"I look forward to it."
Ann stops in the hallway, turns around
and faces Addison, "Don't worry about
the Death card. That card in that position
means that your life is about to be filled
with a new beginning."
Addison shuts the door and locks it.
He looks at the cards for a moment.
And then Addison leans his head against
the door and sobs.