REBEKAH’S CLOSET
1. INT. REBEKAH’S PARIS LOFT, NIGHT
Rebekah goes to her clothes closet, to ready for bed. Pulls out a hat box from the darkness. Takes it to the bed. Inside are mementos, family photos. She starts to go mad, believing the photos have come alive. We see the photos move in a ghostly way, with intense eyes, sometimes smiling. Talks to the photographs as if her family were there. Pauses on one photo for a few moments ...
REBEKAH
Why didn’t you treat me like your sister? I’d still be with you...
Rebekah eventually puts everything back in the box. Feels comforted somehow, softly soothed by the Moon in the windows, while she reads more Mallarme, until she falls asleep.
2. INT. WOOD SHOP, 1972
Rebekah is flashing back on what happened in the wood shop as a little girl. Close up of a seven year old girl. She is lying on a green wool blanket looking up at a bare bulb light. She is confused. Crying. Closes her eyes. Whispers, Daddy, Daddy plaintively, counting up from one to ten, then starts over. We see a full screen of red, then black. Close up of very tan, wrinkled hand putting a metal can on a wooden shelf. The hand holding a cigarette as it burns away...
3. INT. COUNSELOR ROSEMARIE’S OFFICE
Cozy but professional office. Rosemarie and Rebekah are sitting opposite each other in comfy floral chairs. Rebekah is holding a soft pillow over her chest, trying to catch her breath. Rebekah shakes her head, trying to make the memories stop.
ROSEMARIE
Try to remember that it’s not happening anymore. You’re safe.
Rebekah laughs.
REBEKAH
I never feel safe. That’s a joke.
Rosemarie is quiet. Gets out of her easy chair. Goes to her bookcase. Produces a beautiful, thick, blank journal. Gives it to Rebekah, whose eyes widen. Overwhelmed.
REBEKAH
Are you sure I can handle all this?
ROSEMARIE
I believe in you. Think of what you’ve already survived!
REBEKAH
What survived? I’m a mess!
ROSEMARIE
You are a loving, creative, intelligent, passionate woman.
REBEKAH
Wow. Thank you for saying that. I don’t know who I am.
ROSEMARIE
You will see your true self more in time.
Rebekah admires the journal in her hands.
REBEKAH
I always wanted to be a writer.
Rebekah opens the journal, stroking a beautiful blank page.
4. EXT. PARIS STREET, NIGHT, 1990S, SIX MONTHS LATER
Rebekah is walking ahead in the fairly empty street. Rebekah and Rupert are walking to her apartment with their rescue puppy. They are holding hands. Rupert is walking in rhythm with Rebekah as best he can, but something is wrong. He stops and puts a hand on her shoulder, then strokes her hair.
RUPERT
Hey baby ... Where are you?
REBEKAH
So many flashbacks! I’m sorry sweetie, it’s just all the junk in my head. Hard to be in the moment ...
REBEKAH
I hear my brothers shouting curse words at me ... Foul things I would never say.
REBEKAH
I don’t know what to do anymore. The flashbacks don’t stop, like it’s happening right now ...
REBEKAH
It’s in my mouth ...
REBEKAH
Do you have any chewing gum ... To get the taste out?
RUPERT
No. Let’s go get some for you, though ...
Rupert shakes his head. He looks around for a moment before speaking, then back at Rebekah.
RUPERT
Wait... It’s been like this for six months ... Can’t we do anything?
REBEKAH
Rosemarie says if I can stand this intensity for a while longer ... I’ll know all the details of what happened to me growing up ...
Rupert is insistent, though. He’s had enough of this already, and his true feelings of loving concern are coming through.
RUPERT
But at what price, Rebekah?
Rupert pulls Rebekah just enough out of the path of passerby on the sidewalk, into a garden-like space with a soothing fountain.
RUPERT
You’re so distant ...
from me, from your friends ...
Rebekah focuses on her breath, trying to get her mind and emotions to calm down, so she can speak again.
REBEKAH
My heart is so broken from all the abuse and ... Betrayal? It’s like my heart’s dead or ... Something.
Rebekah gazes off into the distance, absolutely numb.
REBEKAH
I don’t feel anything positive anymore. Joy, compassion, love?
Rebekah looks back Rupert like a child, not knowing how to express herself.
REBEKAH
I know I have a heart but it’s ... Gone somewhere right now ...
RUPERT
Oh baby, don’t say that. Of course you have a heart. You are a very loving person. You know that.
REBEKAH
But I can’t feel ... Love! ... Warmth!
She pounds her chest slightly over her heart. Rebekah starts to cry loudly now, bowing her head. Rupert holds her.
RUPERT
Please talk to Rosemarie about medication. This has gone too far.
Rebekah vehemently shakes her head no. Not willing to say it out loud to Rupert. She is scared. Rebekah and Rupert stand there holding each other. Rebekah cries and focuses on her breathing. The water fountain sends soothing sounds into the air ... Rupert is beside himself. He’s been so patient, but as a caregiver, he is burned out. He is having a hard time calming down anymore.
RUPERT
Okay ... Okay. Just breathe it down ... That’s all we’ve got ... One day at a time ...
Rebekah nods and focuses on her breath. Tries to keep it slow, steady. Her eyes are big as saucers, in shock, from so much trauma.
5. RUPERT’S ARTIST LOFT, EARLY MORNING IN BED
Rebekah wakes up when the alarm goes off at 6:00 am, turning on the daily radio news show. Rupert turns off the alarm and presents himself as snuggle material ... Rebekah inches her way over to his side and puts her head in place, cupping her ear on the ball of his shoulder, placing the rest of her body where it will fit all the way down to his feet. They both shiver in pleasure, as she does.
RUPERT AND REBEKAH
You feel so good!
Laughing, they both shiver again with incredible delight. Rupert rubs Rebekah’s shoulder with a free hand, lovingly.
RUPERT
I love you so much...
REBEKAH
I love you ... I’m so glad I went on the meds six months ago. I can feel it!!! I feel you, all over! I feel safe!
Rupert kisses the top of Rebekah’s head over and over. Then Rebekah starts to speak, dreamily.
REBEKAH
I think this is what Rosemarie meant ... It’s about love after all...
Rebekah smiles sweetly in wonder, glowing. Rupert can’t see her face.
RUPERT
Right?
They laugh, then Rebekah nods slowly, the truth of that dawning on her, deliriously happy, her eyes glowing with delight, truly happy ... Rebekah turns her head up to face Rupert ... Rupert finally sees her amazing glow. It sparks Rupert into a state of wonder ... He lights up into a dazzling smile, stunning her as he did the first day Rebekah met him, subconsciously trusting him with this journey ... Rebekah lowers her head, humbled. He takes her chin lightly with his hand and lifts it up to kiss her gently ... They hold each other close, satisfied, and have a deep breath, as the morning Sun shines on them from a nearby window ...