Written by
Justin Brown
105 Columbia Ave Crisfield, MD 21817 (571) 426-1558
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
DR. ELLIOT GOODMAN, 39, stands in front of his mirror. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
CASE: 2234. April 12, 1993, 09:45, Haverville Police Station. For the purposes of this investigation, please state your name, age, and occupation.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Elliot Goodman, Psychiatrist, St. Mary’s Institution, age 39.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
Dr. Goodman, we are here to discuss your patient, Elizabeth June.
Goodman opens his mirror and takes out a bottle. ELIZABETH JUNE, 27, comes into view behind him as he shuts the mirror.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) What would you like to know?
Goodman doesn’t acknowledge the spectre in the background as he studies his own image.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) What can you tell me about her?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Well, uh, due to a variety of
obstacles, stemming from Angelman’s Syndrome, she wasn’t able to care for herself. After her mother’s death, Elizabeth came to St. Mary’s.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) Angelman’s Syndrome?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) A rare neurological disorder. Developmental issues, lack of
speech, fascination with water and so on.
Goodman presses a finger to the corner of the mouth on his own reflection, and then draws a smile on the mirror.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) And the most intriguing symptom, they’re always...happy.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) How did you come to work with her?
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
A PATIENT, 30, HOWLS as he wrestles with CHARLIE DAVIS, 52. Goodman helps subdue the Patient. As the three fight, a
NURSE, 24, wheels a blissful Elizabeth by. Goodman spots her and stares transfixed as she passes.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
I’d been approached for my opinion on treatment options.
Charlie SWEARS as the Patient flails. Goodman takes an elbow to the cheek, but doesn’t break his gaze from Elizabeth.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) After reviewing her records, I found her case, well, interesting. I volunteered to oversee her.
Charlie pins the patient and Goodman rises from the floor, smooths his clothing, and peaks around the corner. He watches the Nurse wheel Elizabeth into her room.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) Is this typical?
After the Nurse leaves, Goodman walks over and peers through the window on Elizabeth’s door. She smiles and looks serene.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Typical? No, but I felt I could offer unique insight.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Goodman leans over the sink to study his face in the mirror. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
Please explain.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
She was born into a singular state of mind. I know that sounds like a gift because it was happiness, but in my experience...
As he leans into the mirror, Goodman studies his face. He mimics a smile, a frown, and then looks placid.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Any emotion felt at a constant is just as bad as feeling no emotion. It’s a prison.
Goodman leans in closer and studies his eyes. DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
I’ve seen it enough to know that is the truth of it. She was just a song played with one empty note.
INT. ELIZABETH’S ROOM - DAY
Goodman briskly enters and paces around Elizabeth, but she takes no notice as she stares off into nothing.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
My goal was to find other notes. At least one.
When she laughs unexpectedly, he turns to the window to see the cause, but there’s nothing there. Goodman pulls down the shade and sits down. He smiles and places a hand on hers.
DR. GOODMAN Let’s begin, shall we?
MONTAGE - GOODMAN WORKING WITH ELIZABETH
-- Elizabeth’s room -- Goodman shows Elizabeth a series of pictures, both pleasant and unpleasant. Elizabeth stares past all of them as she smiles dreamily.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I exposed her to a variety of
stimuli intended to invoke specific emotional responses.
-- Common Room -- As the Patient blubbers incoherently and cries, Elizabeth sits next to him and smiles. Goodman watches with folded arms and looks deep in thought.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) And did she?
-- Common room -- Goodman holds a crayon in Elizabeth’s hand and doodles a on a piece of paper, tracing a flower. When he lets go of her hand, she lets the crayon drop.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Did she what?
-- Elizabeth’s room -- Gesturing with his hands, Goodman reads poetry INAUDIBLY. When Elizabeth reaches for the book, and breaks his cadence, he slaps her hand and looks annoyed, but her expression doesn’t change. Goodman leaves the room.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) Respond?
-- Elizabeth’s room -- Goodman stands close by Elizabeth as she sits by her window. They both look outwards.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) No. Sadly, I’m left to wonder if she was aware of me at all.
END MONTAGE
INT. GOODMAN’S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Goodman leans on his sink and stares at his reflection. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
But you continued to treat her? DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I had hope.
Goodman breathes on his mirror and steps back. Fog covers the mouth in his reflection.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I knew I could get through, but needed the right approach.
Goodman draws a frown in the fog, nods, and then walks away.
INT. ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY ROOM - DAY
Charlie straps Elizabeth to a table, and inserts a piece of rubber between her teeth. Goodman appears from behind and pats Charlie’s shoulder.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) But you weren’t able to?
Charlie leaves the room and shuts the door. Goodman
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Despite my best efforts, I was not.
As Goodman combs her hair back with his hands, her eyes wander around the room. When she gives a muffled laugh, Goodman responds with a weak smile and appraises her. As he is about to flip a switch Goodman watches her face.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The lights in the hallway flicker and Charlie winces. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
And then?
INT. ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY ROOM - DAY
Elizabeth looks dazed on the table. Dr. Goodman wipes the sweat from her brow with a towel and studies her face.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
I failed. She remained unreachable. Elizabeth smiles and Goodman frowns.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
The lights flicker in the hallway again. Charlie walks away.
INT. ELIZABETH’S ROOM - DAY
As Elizabeth stares out the window in her room, Goodman stands by and looks out the same window.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) My understanding is that you were to be taken off her case?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Yes.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) Why?
Goodman looks away from Elizabeth to the file in his hands and thumbs through the pages.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Our sessions were a bit time consuming.
My department head suggested I take time off in order to gain
perspective.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
I see. On the day in question, you left the hospital with Ms. June, is that correct?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) And Charlie, yes. It was my last day with Elizabeth, and thought it would be a pleasant end to our time together.
Goodman reads the file.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Charlie suggested a path on the grounds that leads to a pond. INSERT - ELIZABETH’S FILE, which reads:
“Bathroom assist required at all times.
Drowning risk d/t pre-occupation w/water.
Shower only - no tub baths.” DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
It sounded like a wonderful idea. I thought Elizabeth would like that.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Goodman strolls down a dirt path as Charlie walks behind him and pushes Elizabeth in a wheelchair while WHISTLING.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Charlie was right, it was lovely.
Goodman’s pensive expression snaps into a smile as he turns his head to acknowledge something Charlie said. As he does so, he appraises Elizabeth and then turns back around.
EXT. MEADOW BY LAKE - DAY
Goodman stops 20 feet from the dock of the pond, and points to a spot. Charlie wheels Elizabeth there, takes the blanket from Elizabeth’s lap, and spreads it on the ground.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
When we arrived, Charlie set up for our picnic, while I made sure
Elizabeth was comfortable.
Goodman steps up to Elizabeth, and extends his right hand. She stands, notices the pond and perks up.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) It was bit emotional for me. I hated the thought of her locked away in her silent world for the rest of her days. I still hoped for some sign of awareness or emotion.
Goodman tries to make eye contact with her, but she only seems interested in the water. Disappointed, Goodman leads her to the blanket.
INVESTIGAOR (V.O.) What happened next?
The BUZZ of Cicadas rises. Charlie skips rocks on the water; Elizabeth laughs at every splash. Goodman looks deep in
thought as he watches her.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Nothing much. All in all, it was a very pleasant afternoon.
After he fumbles with a cigarette, Goodman takes a puff, and then closes his eyes with his hand on his head. The BUZZ of cicadas becomes a ROAR.
INVESTIGAOR (V.O.) And then?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) And then I came to a decision.
The ROAR stops as Goodman stands up and speaks INAUDIBLY to Charlie, who nods in understanding and gives a wave.
As he passes Elizabeth, who stares transfixed at the pond, Goodman doesn’t look her way, but touches her shoulder as he heads towards the woods.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) A decision?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Yes. I could hold it no longer, and decided I must use the facilities.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
As he enters the woods, Goodman rushes into the forest, hides behind a berm and checks his watch.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Afterwards, I found myself
marvelling at the flora; botany has always fascinated me.
Goodman sits down and closes his eyes.
Birds CHIRP and squirrels TITTER in the trees. Goodman checks his watch and stands up.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
The Wisteria vines were in bloom. Purple-hued blossoms cascaded all around me. I found myself
captivated and I wandered for a bit, studying them.
As he peers over the berm, Goodman sees Charlie as he looks towards the wood line while he stands near Elizabeth.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
I thought I had only been away for a few moments. Later, Charlie told me it was closer to half an hour. It’s no wonder I got so lost.
Goodman half turns to the woods, and cups his mouth. DR. GOODMAN
HELP! CHARLIE!
As Charlie runs towards the woods, Goodman hides. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
After you got lost, what happened? Charlie hits the woods with a CRASH of branches.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I continued in the direction I thought lead back to the pond.
CHARLIE (O.S.) Doctor!? Doctor!?
When the RUSTLE of branches fades, Goodman stands up, and rushes back to the water.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I heard Charlie calling, but couldn’t decipher where from.
EXT. POND - DAY
Goodman stops as he nears Elizabeth. She stands. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
So Mr. Davis, Charlie, left Elizabeth alone when he went looking for you?
Elizabeth shuffles to the end of the dock as Goodman looks on. She kneels down, and dips a hand in the water. Swells and ripples form as she moves her hand in circles.
As Elizabeth stands, Goodman takes one step forward. DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
An unfortunate decision, yes. Charlie was unaware her peculiar predisposition.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.) Which was?
Elizabeth jumps into the water with a loud SPLASH. DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
A fascination with water. I believed I mentioned that.
Goodman runs down to the end of the dock. Elizabeth flails in the pond while Goodman stands above and observes. He frowns when he sees she smiles still.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) Charlie and I missed each other, but I managed to find my way back to the pond but it was too late.
Dejected, he reaches in and grabs Elizabeth’s arm, but stops when he sees her expression has changed to fear.
Goodman’s wide eyed, smiling, reflection is seen on the
surface of the water over Elizabeth’s face. He lets go of her arm and marvels down at her as her fear-stricken image fades.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.)
Poor Charlie, he feels awful about what happened to Elizabeth.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Goodman stares at his reflection in the mirror. INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
And how do you feel about it Dr. Goodman?
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) An absolute tragedy.
Goodman breaks into a smile, turns, and walks away, revealing the spectre of Elizabeth standing in the background.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) I simply don’t have the words.
INVESTIGATOR (V.O.)
Those are all the questions I have for now, thank you for coming in.
DR. GOODMAN (V.O.) My pleasure.
