Gretchen Excerpt 090608
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FADE IN:
INT. LOG CABIN - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
ED and EARL, two burly men, sprawl in rickety wooden chairs
at a table. Dirty plates before them.
GRETCHEN RICHARDS (31), a classy looking despite the halter
and short skirt tiptoes closer to the men on obscenely high
heels. Studies them.
Spit dribbles from the corner of Earl's mouth and pools on
his raggedy plaid flannel shirt.
Gretchen wrinkles her nose in distaste. Creeps away.
INT. LOG CABIN - BACK ROOM - NIGHT
FREDDIE, a dirt streaked toddler, huddles pathetically in the
middle of a filthy cot.
Gretchen slides inside the room and puts a finger to her
lips.
GRETCHEN
Wanna play a game with me?
FREDDIE
Want my mama.
He sniffs pitifully.
Gretchen masks her breaking heart with a smile.
GRETCHEN
We're gonna play Find Mama!
She reaches for him. He shies away. She gives him a sad look.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
You don't wanna play?
Freddie studies her. After a long moment, he finally reaches
up. She swings him up in her arms with a grateful sigh.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
We have to be very quiet. We lose
if she hears us coming. 'kay?
She waits for his nod before slipping from the room.
EXT. LOG CABIN - CLEARING - DAWN
Gretchen silently closes the door behind her. She gives
Freddie an encouraging smile even as her eyes dart about.
Seeing no movement, Gretchen hurries off the small porch and
into a thick growth of brush and trees.
EXT. FOREST - DAWN
Gretchen stops beneath a tree and grabs a child harness
hidden under a couple branches. She straps it on and settles
Freddie on her back.
GRETCHEN
Are we having fun, yet?
He nods at her, not convinced. She winks at him over her
shoulder. Takes off through the thick vegetation.
A SCREAM pierces the silence behind them.
Freddie looks behind them. Whimpers.
Gretchen speeds up.
INT. LOG CABIN - FRONT ROOM - DAWN
MAE BELL, a haggard stump of a woman, screams furiously. She
grabs a pot of water and douses Ed and Earl.
They jump up in shock.
ED
Whassamatta?
MAE BELL
That no good tramp of a hussy took
my baby!
She launches herself at Earl. He tries to duck her flying
fists. Ends up sprawled on the floor.
MAE BELL (cont'd)
You! I tol' you not ta bring your
whores 'round here! My baby's gone--
Ed grabs Mae Bell's flying fists. Hugs her to his chest as
she sobs. He glares at Earl over the top of her head.
EARL
She couldn'ta got far.
He grabs a shotgun and scurries out the door.
Ed dries Mae Bell's tears. Grabs another shotgun.
ED
We'll get her.
EXT. LOG CABIN - CLEARING - DAWN
Earl studies the broken branches Gretchen left behind. He
motions Ed over. They plunge after her.
EXT. CREEK - DAWN
Gretchen stops to listen.
Branches SNAPPING and POUNDING footfalls snag her attention.
GRETCHEN
Hang on tight, sweety.
Freddie nods and tightens his grip on her neck.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
Maybe not that tight.
She pries his arms loose and holds his hands with hers.
Lurches across the creek in ankle-deep water.
EXT. FOREST - DAWN
Earl and Ed stop to look around.
EARL
She's headed for the road. I'll go
'round this-a-way. Cut her off.
EXT. ROADSIDE - DAWN
Gretchen bursts from the woods. She pulls a set of keys from
inside her halter and presses a button.
Headlights flash from under a pile of branches.
Gretchen yanks the limbs free. She opens the back door and
swings Freddie inside. Straps him in the waiting car seat.
She runs around to the driver's side.
A shotgun RACHET stops her dead in her tracks.
She turns around slowly.
Earl levels his shotgun at her. He smiles revealing a couple
missing teeth.
EARL
Where you goin' with the boy?
Gretchen affects a ditzy look.
GRETCHEN
Oh, Earl. You're alright. I tried
to wake you and Ed, but...and he
was screaming his little head
off...Mae Bell wasn't around. I had
to try to find somebody and...
She trails away into near hysterics.
Earl studies her warily. The shotgun wavers a bit.
Gretchen carefully approaches him.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
I didn't know what to do. I was
so...scared.
She breaks down on Earl's shoulder. He awkwardly pats her
back.
Gretchen grabs the shotgun. Whirls and knocks him in the head
with it.
Earl falls to the ground, unconscious.
Gretchen sprints back to the SUV.
INT. COMPANY SUV - DAWN
Gretchen floors the accelerator. The powerful vehicle springs
onto the road. Gretchen steadies it then picks up the mic
from the equipment laden console.
GRETCHEN
I've got the boy. You're on, Jase.
JASON (V.O.)
You got it, boss.
INT. THE WALKER'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
FREDRICK WALKER (45), a bespectacled man paces. Steps in sync
with the ticking Grandfather clock.
VIOLET PRICE (56), an efficient looking woman, sets a serving
tray on the coffee table with a reassuring smile.
NANCY WALKER (36), a mousy little thing, tries to smile her
thanks to Violet. She wrings her shaky hands instead.
Fredrick looks at Nancy. His expression softens. He sits next
to her. Kisses her temple then wraps her in his arms.
FREDRICK
Shouldn't we have heard something?
VIOLET
We will. Very soon, I'm sure.
Violet pours three cups of coffee. Fredrick waves his away.
Nancy doesn't move.
The doorbell RINGS. Shattering the silence.
Nancy leaps to her feet and races towards the door.
EXT. THE WALKER'S HOUSE - PORCH - MORNING
Gretchen bounces a sleepy Freddie on her hip.
GRETCHEN
The game's almost over. You can't
find mama with your eyes closed.
Freddie raises his head to look at her.
The door flies open. Nancy gasps; tears of joy stream down
her face.
Gretchen smiles.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
Look. We found her.
Freddie looks at Nancy and smiles. He reaches for her. Hands
trembling, she takes him from Gretchen and holds him close.
NANCY
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Fredrick appears behind Nancy. Tears well in his eyes when he
sees Freddie. He hugs both his wife and son protectively.
Gretchen smiles to fight her own tears. Violet joins them
with her own satisfied smile.
GRETCHEN
He slept most of the way back, but
he's got to be exhausted.
She shakes Fredrick's hand and walks away. Violet follows.
Gretchen and Violet climb in the SUV and drive away.
INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY - BALCONY - DAY
The CONGREGATION fills both levels to capacity. They all
stand with right hands raised and heads bowed.
Now wearing a tailored suit jacket over the halter, Gretchen
sneaks in to stand next to RACHEL RICHARDS (31). She raises
her hand and bows her head as if she's been there all along.
Rachel glances up at her with one eye and shakes her head in
amusement.
BISHOP SAM ALDEN (78), a tall lanky gentlemen wearing a robe,
prays from the pulpit.
BISHOP ALDEN
To Him be glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
The ORGANIST plays along as the congregation sings:
CONGREGATION
Aaaaamennn.
BISHOP ALDEN
Have a blessed week.
Quiet chatter erupts as people gather their things to exit en
masse. They hug and greet others around them.
INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY - LOWER LEVEL - DAY
MATT PRESCOTT (32), a tall, guileslessly handsome church
Elder, smiles fondly as he receives hugs and kisses from a
group of elderly LADIES in sharp suits and large elaborate
hats.
CARLETON JAMES (34), also a church Elder, greets PEOPLE half
heartedly as he makes his way towards Bishop. Once by
Bishop's side, his smile warms as he shakes hands.
HOLLY ALDEN (74), Bishop's elegant wife, keeps her smile in
place, but watches Carleton from the corner of her eye. She
hands an envelope to prim, proper BIANCA JAMES (33).
INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY - BALCONY - DAY
Gretchen and Rachael head for the stairs en masse.
RACHAEL
If you're that late, why come at
all?
GRETCHEN
And miss benediction? No way. I'm
getting my blessing.
RACHAEL
Speaking of getting. Did you?
Gretchen eyes sparkle with pride and excitement. Rachael
shoots her a worried look.
INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY - LOWER LEVEL - DAY
Matt joins Bishop and Carleton in the thinning crowd. Bishop
welcomes him with a hearty clap on the back.
MATT
You really preached, Bishop. I can
only pray that someday I'll be a
fraction as good.
BISHOP ALDEN
You're not but a couple sermons
away.
Bianca strategically greets people. Each one moves her a
closer to Bishop and her husband. She gives Bishop a big
smile.
BIANCA
You had the spirit moving today,
Bishop.
BISHOP ALDEN
Have you spoken to my wife, yet?
She has some invitations for you.
BIANCA
Just a moment ago. Matt, she asked
me to give this to you.
Bianca fumbles the invitations a little and gives Matt the
one that reads, "Elder and Mrs. Carleton James."
MATT
I think...
BIANCA
So sorry. Elder Matt Prescott and
Guest. Here you are.
She hands him the right invitation.
Matt stares at his name linked with the "and Guest" on the
envelope. He musters up a smile.
MATT
Thanks.
EXT. CHURCH COURTYARD - DAY
Gretchen and Rachael step outside still among the crowd.
Rachael's pagers BEEPS. She checks the display.
RACHAEL
Have you talked to your brother
about your plans?
GRETCHEN
Why? He has nothing to do with my
decision to expand my business.
Besides, I'm taking it slow.
RACHAEL
A kidnapping is not all that slow.
GRETCHEN
You've been married too long.
You're starting to sound like him.
FLASHBACK
EXT. RICHARDS' FAMILY HOME - PATIO - DAY
RACHAEL (9) colors diligently at a kid-sized round table.
TONY (14), scrawny, but tall, steps out on the patio. Looks
around nonchalantly.
TONY
Hey! You bratty little runt.
Where's Gretchen?
Rachael slowly lifts irritated eyes in his direction.
RACHAEL
Let me check my back pocket. Oh
wait, this dress doesn't have
pockets.
TONY
Cut it out, runt. Tell me where she
is.
RACHAEL
No.
TONY
I don't have time for these
childish games, Miss Priss. Mom and
Dad want her.
RACHAEL
Oh. Well in that case...no.
Tony glares at her. She glares back.
TONY
You are such a spoiled little brat!
RACHAEL
I know you are, but what am I?
TONY
I hate you. Why are you always here
anyway? No one wants you around.
Tony turns and stomps away.
Rachael tries not to cry.
END FLASHBACK
EXT. CHURCH COURTYARD - DAY
Rachael tucks her pager away and looks at Gretchen.
RACHAEL
We just...agree. That's all.
GRETCHEN
So this case came up a little
quickly. We handled it. Well. I
might add. You have to go?
Rachael shakes her head and studies Gretchen for a long
moment. She sighs.
RACHAEL
Tell me something good. How's the
pottery studio coming?
GRETCHEN
I just did. Tell you something...
Rachael slides her eyes in Gretchen's direction.
RACHAEL
Something I can tell my husband
without him hitting the ceiling, I
mean.
GRETCHEN
(smiles)
The first class is this week.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
TONY RICHARDS (36), self-assured in his tall, solid build,
strides through double glass doors with RICHARDS' SECURITY &
INVESTIGATIONS blazoned in gold letters on them.
INT. RSI OFFICES - DAY
The office bustles with activity. Unsmiling, Tony strides
down the corridor.
INT. GRETCHEN'S INNER OFFICE - DAY
Gretchen examines a huge pile of photos on her desk. Types
notes on her laptop. Her phone BUZZES.
GRETCHEN
Yes?
ALICE (O.S.)
(nervously)
There's an Agent Richards of the
FBI here to see you.
Gretchen looks at the door and rolls her eyes. She quickly
stows the photos in a drawer.
GRETCHEN
Send him in.
Tony strides in her office.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
You just love it when I have a temp
don't you?
A wicked grin shatters his stern expression.
TONY
Maybe a little.
She rolls her eyes and gets up to give him a hug.
GRETCHEN
Why are you here scaring my temps
anyway?
TONY
Can't I stop by to check on my
little sister?
GRETCHEN
Of course you can. You just never
do.
He shrugs. Flops down on her couch and stares her down.
She sits in an armchair across from him; expression
guileless.
TONY
Jason stopped by yesterday. He
brought three interesting
characters with him.
GRETCHEN
It was a favor. The Walker Group is
one of my biggest clients.
TONY
So naturally, when the CEO's son is
kidnapped, you take the case.
GRETCHEN
I just wanted to help.
TONY
What if you couldn't? You didn't
even bother to let us know until
after the fact.
GRETCHEN
It all worked out...
TONY
Not the point. You're not trained
for...
GRETCHEN
How do you know?
TONY
You deal with white collar
criminals. That does not translate
into...
GRETCHEN
I'm not a child! I can handle
myself. Pretty well, I might add.
Tony raises an amused eyebrow at her petulant expression then
stands.
TONY
Fletcher, Johnson, Wilson, Keller.
He strides to the door. She jumps up to hurry after him.
GRETCHEN
Wait a minute. What?
INT. GRETCHEN'S OUTER OFFICE - DAY
ALICE, a tiny woman, looks up startled. Tony flings the door
open and steps from Gretchen's office. She chases him.
TONY
Thompson, Sheldon, Marks, Gellar,
Stiles.
At the second door, he gives Alice a wave. Gretchen catches
up with him. He kisses her cheek.
GRETCHEN
What are you talking about?
TONY
You've got it all figured out. Add
that to your list.
He winks as he leaves. Gretchen grits her teeth and glares
after him. She straightens her spine and smiles wickedly.
INT. LIBRARY - EVENING
Gretchen tiredly scrolls through microfiche articles. Glances
at her watch. Her eyes widen. She gathers up her things and
hurries for the door.
INT. YOUTH CENTER - MATT'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Matt shoves a stack of files in his desk drawer. His
invitation slides to the floor on the other side of the desk.
CARLETON (O.S.)
Dropped something?
Matt looks up as Carleton comes in and picks up the envelope.
He drops in the chair across from Matt.
MATT
Thanks.
CARLETON
What do you think this is all
about?
MATT
Haven't thought much about it.
We've always had an open invitation
to dinner.
CARLETON
This isn't open. And all of us at
once?
MATT
We'll find out soon enough.
Carleton nods. He studies Matt's invitation.
CARLETON
And guest. Breaking out your
extensive little black book to fill
that requirement?
MATT
Yeah. Soon as you give it back.
Carleton chuckles and tosses the invitation on the desk.
CARLETON
Seriously. Who're you bringing?
MATT
Just me, myself and I.
CARLETON
And make the head count uneven? I
have it on good authority, Bianca's
anyway, that an uneven head count
is a bad thing.
MATT
I'll bring my mother. I don't know.
Carleton stands and looks out the door as two BOYS barrel
down the hallway.
CARLETON
Lacy was a long time ago. You gotta
get back out there.
(to the boys)
Hey! Cool it.
Carleton hurries out after them.
Matt picks up the invitation to stare at it. He shakes his
head and drops it on the desk. Unsettled, he leaves the
office.
INT. YOUTH CENTER - POTTERY STUDIO - NIGHT
KIDS of all ages fill the studio. Squeals of delight and
laughter echo throughout as they build clay projects.
Gretchen looks around the messy studio in satisfaction. She
keeps her amusement to herself as she slyly watches IAN (14).
He works hard at keeping his sullen expression under the
obvious adoration of PATTY (15) and SARAH (14) who admire his
pottery.
KYLE, a pre-teen, sits at a wheel and tries to shape a huge
wedge of clay with the wheel going top speed. Gretchen puts a
hand on his shoulder.
GRETCHEN
Slow it down. Learn to control it
first. And how about we start with
less clay? Work our way up.
She cuts off half the wedge with a wire tool and leaves him
on his own. She sits with another group of young GIRLS.
INT. YOUTH CENTER - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Matt walks along the corridor. LAUGHTER spills out of one of
the doorways. Matt smiles a little; follows the sound.
INT. YOUTH CENTER - POTTERY STUDIO - NIGHT
Ian presses leaves into a pot. The girls cut slabs of clay.
Matt comes to the door and peeks in.
Gretchen gives him a welcoming smile.
GRETCHEN
Enter at your own risk.
MATT
I see. You must be Gretchen
Richards. I wanted to come by to
introduce myself. Matt Prescott.
He holds out his hand to shake hers. She regrettably holds up
both of hers. Globs of clay slide down her arms.
GRETCHEN
Rain check?
MATT
(laughs)
Of course.
Gretchen smiles at him at a loss for words. She can't tear
her gaze away.
Until a large glob of slip smacks her in the face. Some of
the mud slides off her cheek. Splats on the floor.
She blinks in utter disbelief.
Everything in the room goes still.
GRETCHEN
Excuse me.
She goes back to Kyle. He stares up at her in anxious horror.
Gretchen squats next to him.
All eyes are glued to them.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
What did I tell you about the
wheel?
KYLE
That it...it was go-going too fast.
GRETCHEN
See what happens when it goes too
fast?
He nods. She gives him a long stern look then swipes some of
the clay from her face. She holds it up ominously then smears
it on his nose.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
No more fast wheels.
She winks at him. He finally breathes again. She stands and
goes back to Matt who tries desperately to contain his
laughter.
GRETCHEN (cont'd)
I'm sorry. Where were we?
MATT
Uh...you'd just given me a rain
check.
GRETCHEN
The rain check.
MATT
It looks as though you have your
hands full here.
Gretchen watches Kyle toiling on a slower wheel. She smiles.
GRETCHEN
Yeah. I guess I do.
This time, it's Matt who stares transfixed. After a moment,
he shakes himself out of it.
MATT
I'll...uh...leave you to it then. I
look forward to seeing you around.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.