The Business of the Afterlife
by harper hay
OPEN ON
INT. SHOT
A pair of swinging feet just above the beige carpet in a dark room.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
We see a pair of dress shoes laid out next to a suit on a towel in a bright, vivid field of grass. A piece of binder paper is folded and stuck under one of the shoes.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW (17) sits at his kitchen table, frustrated. He needs to leave for school and is running late.
His mother speed walks into the kitchen and kisses his head, humming quietly to herself with a foggy smile on her face.
ANDREW mutters into his hand, where his head rests:
ANDREW
Mom you hid my keys again.
She giggles from the kitchen and hands her son the coffee pot.
ANDREW shoots her a fake grin and takes his keys out of it.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW steps out of his car and walks towards the front steps of his school. Before he gets too far, however, he hears a large bump. He turns to see a small car has rear-ended his.
He straightens his back and raises his arms, preparing to fight.
The car shoots backwards and parks and a teenaged-girl scrambles out to inspect his bumper.
JILLIAN
Oh my god! I’m so so sorry!
Upon seeing her face, ANDREW softens and looks away, exhaling sharply. He walks up to the cars and sees that his got away unscathed. ANDREW tries to tell JILLIAN that it’s okay, but his stupid crush sends his tongue down his throat.
ANDREW
Oh, it…uh, don’t…I don’t…no…no problem.
JILLIAN nods along with his stammers and lets out a very audible sigh of relief when he finally makes sense.
JILLIAN
Thank God, I just got my license, I’m sorry.
ANDREW doesn’t even try to respond so he just waves it off. JILLIAN shoots him a half-smile before bouncing off to her friends.
ANDREW watches her go, then shakes himself out of it and turns back to his bumper.
CUT TO:
ANDREW is in class. He eyes JILLIAN, who is chatting with a couple of her friends, across the room. He almost smiles, and pulls a piece of paper from his pocket. Making sure no one is looking, he scribbles “Jillian Flaherty” on the Cons column.
After he glances at her again, he adds her name to the other side.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW is lying in the only space in the field clear of poppies. He is positioned the same way a corpse in a casket is – expect he wears khaki colored pants and a button-down.
Slowly, his eyes flick open. He sits up slowly, and looks around, perplexed. This isn’t the afterlife he had in mind.
When he spots the dress clothes, he reaches down and slips the binder paper from under the shoe.
As he reads the note, he begins to breathe quickly, and his eyes squint with confusion. There’s no way this came too. This wasn’t for him to keep.
In the distance, a forest lines the field. He turns to it and squints, believing he’s seen something. White flashes between two trees – he is not alone.
ANDREW (calling)
Hello?
A girl peaks out from between two trees. ANDREW quickly folds the note and pockets it, and he starts for the forest.
Knowing she’s been found, KATE (15) emerges from the forest. She wears a white sundress and is barefoot. Her hair is very messy and the dress is patterned with grass and mud stains. Her eyes shine with excitement and revitalization. She is obviously very happy to see him.
She grins sheepishly as ANDREW approaches her.
KATE
Hi.
ANDREW just stares. He is unsure of whether he’s in Heaven or if he never left the real world.
KATE (CONT’d)
I’m KATE.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting at his kitchen table once again, this time after school.
He drops a binder and textbook onto the surface and inwardly groans at the assignment.
After a moment of consideration, he pulls a piece of binder paper from his pocket and adds something to a column titled “Pros.”
He writes “No more homework.” He chuckles to himself and returns the note to his pocket.
The front door opens, and ANDREW jumps. His mother half-dances, half-walks into the house, still humming. She kisses him on the head and dances around the room before deciding to make coffee.
MS. ROBINSON
How was school, darling?
ANDREW barely calls “fine” to his mother.
MS. ROBINSON
Wonderful! Want spaghetti for dinner?
ANDREW looks up and grins.
ANDREW
We had that last night.
MS. ROBINSON
Yes, but I didn’t do any dishes.
ANDREW (pause)
I’ll take care of dinner.
MS. ROBINSON shimmies over to him and gives him a hug.
MS. ROBINSON
Yay.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
BUTT is at the end of the line at a local coffee shop. He is bored and irritated by all the people everywhere.
The bells on the door rings and he turns to see JILLIAN enter. He quickly turns away from her, his eyes wide.
However, JILLIAN still recognizes him. She smiles slightly and taps him on the shoulder. He swallows before turning.
JILLIAN
Oh my god, I thought I recognized the truck. I’ll pay for your drink, alright?
ANDREW cocks his head to the side and tries to mutter out a “what?”
JILLIAN
I still feel bad. I didn’t like, hit you again or anything.
She giggles. ANDREW takes a deep breath before answering.
ANDREW
Alright.
JILLIAN
I’m Jillian, by the way.
She reaches out to shake his hand. ANDREW hesitates for a second before obliging.
ANDREW
I’m ANDREW.
She nods, grinning.
JILLIAN
Are you new, here? Because I don’t think I’ve ever-
ANDREW
No, no. I just, don’t socialize…a lot.
He blushes, but JILLIAN laughs.
JILLIAN
Why not? I mean, you’d probably be popular.
ANDREW furrows his brow.
ANDREW
Why’s that?
JILLIAN
I mean, as long as you’re not a total freak or a racist or something.
ANDREW
No, no but why would I be popular?
JILLIAN’s face falls as she realizes what she’s saying. She avoids his gaze and stalls with filler words. ANDREW chuckles a bit as she grows more awkward.
JILLIAN
Well, you know…You’re cute, alright?
ANDREW grins a gigantic grin. JILLIAN giggles and squeezes her eyes shut in embarrassment.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
KATE and ANDREW sit on the clear rectangle he awoke in. He’s looking around in astonishment while KATE just stares elatedly at ANDREW.
KATE
I wonder why you got poppies.
ANDREW looks back at her.
ANDREW
What?
KATE shrugs.
KATE
I got sunflowers.
ANDREW looks at her confusedly, so KATE explains.
KATE
A lot of things changed when you got here. Those trees were redwoods, there were sunflowers everywhere, and it got colder. When you showed up.
ANDREW
I like it kind of cold.
ANDREW goes back to gazing around the strange world, and KATE returns to staring at him in wonder.
After a moment of silence, KATE speaks again.
KATE
I wonder why they sent you.
ANDREW
Who? What’s…What is this place? Where’s everyone else?
KATE is caught off-guard and shrugs.
KATE
I don’t know. I’ve been here for years, and nothing’s been answered. At this point I’m just kind of hoping there’s someone out there doing…something.
ANDREW stares at her for a second.
ANDREW (maudlin)
Are we dead?
KATE shakes her head frustratedly.
KATE
Maybe. Did you kill yourself?
ANDREW nods slowly.
ANDREW
How’d you know?
KATE
I’m just…hoping that this is following some sort of pattern.
ANDREW considers this. He opens his mouth to speak once or twice, but catches himself and eventually gives up. He shakes his head slowly and begins picking flowers and grass from the ground.
ANDREW
So, sunflowers, huh? Must’ve been hard to get around.
KATE finally stops staring at him and starts to weave a flower crown.
KATE
It gave me the kind of paranoia, where you think someone, or something’s gonna jump out at you.
ANDREW
Yikes.
KATE
Nah…at least I didn’t feel totally alone.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW enters his house, and hangs up his keys. He thinks for a second, then grabs and pockets them. He hears his television and slowly walks into the living room.
His mother lay on the couch, not asleep but unmoving, like a zombie. She lay twisted and with her eyes glazed over, her mouth hanging open, and a million little pills spilled on her and the floor. The only illumination in the room comes from the TV, flashing on the horrific scene.
ANDREW sighs and walks over to her. Her reaches up and turns on the overhead light, and flicks off the TV.
MS. ROBINSON
What are you doing…
She hardly breathes it out. ANDREW holds out his hand and helps her sit up straight. The pills fall off of her and bounce off the carpet.
ANDREW
Did you even take one of these, Mom?
MS. ROBINSON
The bottle wouldn’t open.
ANDREW nods and leads her to her bedroom.
She shuts the door behind her, and ANDREW, exhaling slowly, returns to the living room and begins picking up pills.
Once he has them all gathered on the coffee table, he pulls his list out and writes “Won’t have to take care of anyone” on the “Pros” column.
In “Cons,” he writes “Don’t know how Mom will react.”
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
It’s night in the world that KATE and ANDREW are stranded.
They lay shoulder to shoulder on the grass, staring up at the night sky. The moon is huge and beautiful, but there are no stars.
ANDREW
Do you know why there’s a tuxedo here?
KATE
It’s what you were buried in.
ANDREW’s eyes darken. It’s finally sinking in that he’s dead, and that he left everyone behind. He rubs his forehead and takes a deep breath.
ANDREW
Is that what you were buried in?
She smiles.
KATE
Yeah. I hardly ever wear my dead clothes anymore.
ANDREW
Well, a sundress is way easier to run around in than a tux.
KATE giggles, and ANDREW starts to laugh a little, too.
ANDREW
What do you do here?
KATE closes her eyes.
KATE
It varies.
ANDREW shifts to look at KATE.
KATE
Sometimes I swim, or explore – this place is round, by the way. I always end up back here.
She sighs.
KATE
But usually I watch.
ANDREW
Watch what?
KATE
My sister.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW is at the library with JILLIAN. JILLIAN is giggling and plays with her hair.
ANDREW
My teacher, in eighth grade, taught us this stupid song and now I sing it every time I read the quadratic formula.
JILLIAN perks up and points at him. She remembers the song, too.
JILLIAN
Oh yeah! (singing) X equals negative B, plus or minus the square root,
ANDREW grins and joins in.
ANDREW and JILLIAN (in unison)
Of B minus four A C, all over two A!
The two chuckle as they finish the stupid song.
JILLIAN
You don’t know how many times I’ve had to say I had a math problem stuck in my head.
ANDREW looks her in the eye, smiling and chuckling a bit. After a second, JILLIAN grows uncomfortable and turns back to her textbook. ANDREW’s smile fades a bit and he turns forward too.
JILLIAN (CONT’d)
Thanks for helping, by the way. There are sophomores in my class smarter than me. Make me feel stupid.
ANDREW
Hey, you’re not stupid. The sophomores are just geeks.
JILLIAN chuckles again and looks over her shoulder at him. This time, ANDREW turns away first.
She shuts her textbook and clips her binder, biting her lip.
JILLIAN
Well, I better go. My parents are super strict. I can’t even study without them freaking out.
She laughs a bit, than waves an awkward goodbye and leaves. She’s gone before ANDREW knows what to do.
He slumps back in his seat and laughs once to himself before letting his smile fade and packing up.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW walks back into his house and hears water running in the kitchen. He peers around the wall and sees his mom in front of the sink.
ANDREW
Hey, you’re doing dishes.
She looks up and smiles.
MS. ROBINSON
Where’ve you been?
ANDREW puts his backpack down and grabs an apple before answering.
ANDREW
I was, uh, at the library. Studying for the math final.
MS. ROBINSON
By yourself?
ANDREW rolls his eyes.
MS. ROBINSON (CONT’d)
Because sometimes, when people see others alone in the library, they get a weird sense.
ANDREW
Mom, I was with Jillian.
MS. ROBINSON looks over and smiles.
MS. ROBINSON
Oh, I don’t know her.
ANDREW points a finger at his mother and adopts a playfully-aggressive expression.
ANDREW
And it’s gonna stay that way.
His mother smiles and shakes her head.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting on a low tree branch. He is sweating and breathing heavy. KATE stands below him with a concerned look on her face.
KATE
Are you sure you want to?
ANDREW thinks for a second before nodding.
ANDREW
I mean I have to, right? I have to!
KATE opens her mouth to say something, but ends up nodding.
KATE
I…I guess. But it’s pretty brutal. No matter what.
ANDREW
Show me how.
KATE swallows and turns to face the same way as ANDREW. She raises her hand and points at the clear sky like you would point a remote at the TV. A giant square covers the sky like a screen.
On that screen is ANDREW’s closed bedroom door. On the floor, a knocked over chair is seen.
We HEAR MS. ROBINSON’s muffled calls and her footsteps growing closer. The doorknob twists.
ANDREW exhales.
ANDREW (under his breath)
Alright…
He braces himself for violent sobs and screams. He swallows a few times and his breathing gets heavier and faster. His brow furrows as he watches.
The doorknob turns. It swings open to show his mother with a huge smile on her face. That smile falls, however, and is replaced with an expression of uncertainty. She cocks her head and narrows her eyes.
MS. ROBINSON
Oh.
She then turns and leaves, closing the door.
Back on the ground, KATE is staring, horrified. Conversely, ANDREW’s tears cease and a saccharine grin grows across his face.
He chuckles, and then turns to KATE.
He shoots the thoroughly confused girl a huge smile.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW runs up to meet JILLIAN walking through the hall. She stops waking and talks to him. In the distance, we see another, much more attractive boy peers at them confusedly. He gets a little angry.
He runs up to talk to JILLIAN as well.
RYAN
Hey, Jill. Who’s uh, this?
JILLIAN turns to him as he puts his arm around her.
JILLIAN
This is ANDREW. I ran into his car.
RYAN eyes ANDREW, protective of JILLIAN.
ANDREW
Hi.
He gets no response but a nod.
ANDREW (CONT’d)
Are you her boyfriend?
JILLIAN
Nah, we’re just friends.
RYAN just raises his eyebrows at ANDREW. ANDREW stares back uncomfortably for a few moments, before turning back to JILLIAN.
ANDREW
Well, I’ve got to go…Bye
He waves as he turns away. In the background, we HEAR JILLIAN bickering with RYAN as she playfully punches his chest.
After he’s out of their sight, he takes out his list and scrawls “Ryan Bowler” on the pros list.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
It’s dusk.
ANDREW is once again sitting on the tree, this time accompanied by KATE. He leans his head on hers.
KATE
Is that why you did it?
ANDREW shrugs.
ANDREW
It’s always been part of it. But, by now, I’m kind of – I was kind of – used to taking care of her. So no, not really.
KATE
Why did you do it?
ANDREW shakes his head.
ANDREW
Lots of reasons.
KATE considers this for a moment. They sit together for a while, not saying anything. Every so often, ANDREW will glance at KATE with a combination of sadness, curiosity, and utter confusion.
KATE breaks the silence.
KATE
You ever hear of that thing? Like, I’m not sure if it’s a myth or not, but apparently, somewhere on the ocean there’s a point when the sun goes down – or up, like I said, I’m not sure - and there’s a giant green flash…
ANDREW
Uh, yeah…I’ve heard of that.
KATE
I’d like to see that.
ANDREW looks at the horizon of their world.
KATE (CONT’d)
I’d liked to of seen that.
She sighs.
KATE (CONT’d)
I mean, it’s beautiful here, wherever we are, but the sun sets the same everyday…nothing special.
The orange glow of the sky fades into pink, then navy very quickly. ANDREW looks around.
ANDREW
Where do we sleep?
KATE gives a chuckle and slides off the tree.
KATE
C’mon.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
RYAN and JILLIAN are walking towards the food stand at their school.
RYAN
Just, why were you talking to him?
JILLIAN scoffs and shakes her head.
JILLIAN
We’re friends! What’s so wrong with him?
RYAN
He’s a freak.
JILLIAN slaps his arm.
RYAN (CONT’d)
Ok, ow. But, really. I hear he’s suicidal, or something. He could hurt you.
JILLIAN
He’s not gonna hurt me. And he’s perfectly happy.
RYAN
C’mon, you know that doesn’t mean he won’t kill himself. Lots of kids who killed themselves “seemed perfectly happy.”
He makes air-quotes with his hands. JILLIAN lets out a hearty sigh. She runs her hands through her hair.
JILLIAN
You’re not in charge of who I hang out with, Ryan.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
KATE leads ANDREW through a thicket of trees, which then clear to show a waterfall pouring over the mouth of a huge cave. He breathes out a “whoa,” clearly taking aback by the amazing view.
KATE turns around and raises her eyebrows at him. She is proud of herself, as if she created the breathtaking view.
They go around the lake that is fed by the waterfall, and come to a creek. KATE veers to the right, into the woods, and finds a large fallen log. ANDREW struggles to keep up with her.
When she reaches the log, she turns and holds her hand out to ANDREW. He takes it and the two make their shaky way across the log.
When the two hop off the log, KATE breathes a sigh of relief.
KATE
Glad you’re here. You don’t know how many times I’ve fallen off of that thing. We may be dead, but we can still get hurt.
ANDREW humors her with a halfhearted laugh. He then refocuses his attention on beholding the strange beautiful place.
KATE pushes a low-hanging branch out of the way. She faces forward as she hikes through the forest, and calls back to bewildered ANDREW, who still struggles to keep up.
KATE
My favorite thing about this place? No bugs. As far as I know. Made me think, “hey, maybe this is Heaven!” But, uh, no. It’s definitely not.
ANDREW
Hey, uh, how much farther?
KATE
We’re almost there.
Soon after, she makes a triumphant noise. ANDREW walks up next to her, and sees the back of the waterfall. He looks down; the uneven forest terrain has turned into smooth rock, with little glittery flecks scattered randomly.
KATE flounces deeper into the cave, until it is pitch-black.
ANDREW
Uh, Kate…
Before he can complain, KATE claps twice and an overhead light and fan turns on. Placed on the smooth rock ground is a fluffy white carpet. On either sides of this are two twin beds, both made with pajamas neatly folded on the pillow.
ANDREW gasps loudly in astonishment.
ANDREW
What the fuck? Did you do this?
He turns to KATE who rolls her eyes.
KATE
Yeah, I’ve got some sheep and a cotton mill by my woodshed. No. I guess whoever put us here wants us to be comfortable.
ANDREW chuckles a little, then returns to being horrified and baffled.
ANDREW
What the hell is this place?
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting on his bed on his laptop when he hears very loud Tom Jones music. He chuckles and rolls his eyes. He slides the computer off his lap and opens the door. The music gets louder.
He enters the living room to see his mother swaying with the music. She’s wearing headphones that aren’t plugged in. After yelling a few times without a response, he walks up to his mother and pokes her arm to get her attention.
ANDREW
Mom, I’m doing homework.
His mother frowns and turns down the music.
MS. ROBINSON
You ruin all my fun.
She stomps off.
ANDREW sighs and pulls out the list. He scribbles “Tom Jones” on the pros side.
He perks up when he hears a knock on his door. He pockets the list and curiously enters the foyer.
JILLIAN stands on the porch. She appears upset, but tries to hide it.
JILLIAN
Wanna go get some coffee?
ANDREW nods, concerned, as he grabs his jacket.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
JILLIAN and ANDREW are sitting at a tiny round table in the coffee shop sipping their drinks. JILLIAN is heatedly complaining.
JILLIAN
He’s just being such a douche! And he’s been one of my closest friends forever and I just…I think he…Oh God this sounds conceited.
She covers her face. ANDREW smiles because she’s cute.
ANDREW
What?
JILLIAN
I think he…kind of likes me.
ANDREW guffaws. JILLIAN frowns and covers her face again.
ANDREW
Of course he does!
JILLIAN perks up, worried.
JILLIAN
Really? You think he does? (She sighs) Oh god…
ANDREW laughs and shakes his head.
ANDREW
Jill, you’re gonna have to get used to that.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
KATE sits on her bed, staring straight at ANDREW, who takes off his shirt. He turns and notices KATE, and raises his hands.
ANDREW
Do you mind?
KATE giggles.
KATE
Sorry, I’ve just…I’ve been alone a long time.
ANDREW sighs. He holds out his hands.
ANDREW
Take a gander.
KATE giggles again and turns away. ANDREW gives a small smile and shakes his head.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
KATE sits up on her bed and ANDREW on his. The fan turns slowly, and the light has dimmed.
ANDREW (softly)
How did you figure out that…TV thing?
KATE exhales a long breath, as if she had been holding it, waiting for him to ask that question.
KATE
I…kind of had a nervous breakdown. I started screaming about how I wanted to watch TV, and I like, pretended to have a remote and surf channels, and then I just saw my sister crying.
ANDREW scoffs
KATE (CONT’d)
Kind of a sick sense of humor. (Pause)Why, do you wanna watch again?
ANDREW shakes his head.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting in his math class. JILLIAN sits across the room, talking to RYAN. She glances over at ANDREW, and smiles. ANDREW sticks out his tongue, and JILLIAN giggles. That makes RYAN turn around and shoot ANDREW a death glare. JILLIAN slaps his arm.
Their teacher announces a partner project. ANDREW looks over at JILLIAN, who is prying RYAN off of her with a chuckle.
She gets up and walks over to ANDREW, with RYAN staring after her in disbelief. He mouths “what the fuck?”
ANDREW closes his notebook and clears it off his desk as JILLIAN sits on it.
JILLIAN
Hey, partner.
ANDREW chuckles. JILLIAN looks over at RYAN and sighs.
JILLIAN (CONT’d)
Hey, so are you gonna go to Mariana’s party tomorrow?
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
JILLIAN and ANDREW enter MARIANA’s house, which is blasting bad dance music and is extremely crowded. Teenagers are wasted left and right. ANDREW is obviously uncomfortable.
MARIANA emerges from a crowd of people, yelling at someone to stop doing something stupid.
MARIANA
Hey Jill!
She reaches out and hugs her friend. Then she notices ANDREW and gives her friend a devious smile.
MARIANA (softly)
Who’s that?
She obviously finds him attractive. JILLIAN giggles before answering.
JILLIAN
This is ANDREW.
She grabs his arm as he says hi.
RYAN walks down the hallway and finds the two. He’s already tipsy, but not drunk.
RYAN
Hey, Jilly!
He leans down and kisses her on the head.
RYAN (CONT’d)
The beer’s over here.
He puts his arm around JILLIAN and leads her away. ANDREW tries to call after her, but falls short. He puts his hands in his pocket and leans against a wall.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
RYAN hands JILLIAN a shot in the kitchen. She takes it gratefully and downs it. A couple people around her cheer.
RYAN
Why’d you bring that kid?
JILLIAN takes another shot.
JILLIAN
Andrew? We’re friends. Also he offered to drive me.
RYAN
So you’re using him? (Chuckles) Bitch.
JILLIAN makes an incoherent noise meant to signify that she resents that remark.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW scribbles something on his list. He quickly pockets it, though, when a girl holding a red cup walks up to him.
KRISTINA
Hi!
A group behind her giggles. ANDREW looks at them and then at KRISTINA.
ANDREW
Hi.
KRISTINA
You’re hot.
She takes a sip from her cup.
ANDREW
Uh, thanks.
KRISTINA looks him up and down.
KRISTINA
Can I make out with you?
Down the hallway, JILLIAN bursts through a door and marches down the hallway, just as KRISTINA smashes his face into a bewildered ANDREW.
He grabs her by the waist and pushes her off of him. He stutters.
We HEAR JILLIAN.
JILLIAN
Bitch!
She shoves KRISTINA aside and pulls ANDREW up the stairs by his jacket hood.
ANDREW (to KRISTINA)
Sorry!
He and JILLIAN are now in the master bedroom. She slams the door and then falls onto the bed.
ANDREW
Um…
She buries her face in one of the pillows and screams. ANDREW is a little scared and confused. He sits on the side of the bed and puts a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she flips around and looks at him. She’s crying.
ANDREW
What’s going on?
She sits up and tries to contain herself. She’s drunk.
JILLIAN
Ryan’s really angry at me for hanging out with you and I love him, I mean, he’s my best friend, but I can’t just… ugh.
She pinches the bridge of her nose and wipes her tears. ANDREW puts his arm around her.
JILLIAN (CONT’d)
He’s just being so mean for no reason…
She looks into ANDREW’s eyes and calms down a bit.
JILLIAN (CONT’d)
Oh, he’d hate this…
Before ANDREW can even get a “what” out she reaches up and kisses him. At first he’s surprised, but then he folds into it. He grabs her waist and kisses her deeply until –
MARIANA
Oh my god you skank!
MARIANA has burst through the door and is looking at the scene excitedly.
JILLIAN giggles a bit.
JILLIAN
Get out of here!
MARIANA makes crude gestures as she closes the door. ANDREW, still holding JILLIAN, blushes.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting in the middle of the meadow he woke up in and KATE is doing cartwheels around him.
She stands still for a moment.
KATE
So were you popular?
She returns to cartwheeling when he answers.
ANDREW
No, but apparently I was hot.
KATE
I was super popular. Even more so after I died. They held a really dumb memorial service for me in the gymnasium. I don’t think they would have cared as much if I was a burnout, or in color guard or something.
ANDREW snorts.
ANDREW
How can you stand to watch?
KATE stands still and then falls beside ANDREW.
KATE
It’s more fun to watch the people you don’t know.
She lays back and points her “remote” straight up. ANDREW falls back next to her as the scene from the real world fills the sky.
KRISTINA is sitting at her desk, diligently doing homework when her mother opens the door.
ANDREW sighs and looks over at KATE, who is staring straight ahead with curiosity.
MS. STUMP
Krissy…
She steps inside and sits on her daughter’s bed.
MS. STUMP
I just got an email from your school. Apparently, one of your classmates has…passed away.
KRISTINA (whipping around)
What? Who? How?
MS. STUMP
A boy named Andrew Robinson. He…hung himself.
KRISTINA narrows her eyes, trying to remember who he was. When she finally realizes that it was the boy she tried to kiss, she gasps.
She looks down and mouths wordlessly.
MS. STUMP
Did you know him?
She looks up at her mother quickly and shakes her head.
KRISTINA
Not really…
On the ground, ANDREW lets out a small laugh. The screen goes away, and KATE looks over at him.
KATE
Did you? Know her?
ANDREW shakes his head, still chuckling.
ANDREW
She tried to jump me at a party once.
KATE cracks up.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
It’s late at night. ANDREW tries to open and close his front door soundlessly, but fails. He cringes, and turns the corner and sees his mom standing with her arms crossed.
MS. ROBINSON (yelling)
Where were you!?
ANDREW jumps back.
ANDREW
I was with Jillian!
MS. ROBINSON
Have you been drinking?
ANDREW
What? No, Mom, I drove home!
Her eyes grow to the size of dinner plates and her arms flail wildly.
MS. ROBINSON
You’ve been drinking and driving?!
ANDREW
No! I didn’t! I haven’t!
He picks up a bottle on the counter.
ANDREW
Mom, where are all your pills?!
MS. ROBINSON
Why? Wanna get high?
She violently pokes his chest.
MS. ROBINSON (CONT’d)
Wanna get high with that little whore of yours?
ANDREW slaps his mother across the face. She grabs the counter and falls to the ground. She slowly looks up at him, absolutely livid.
ANDREW is horrified at himself. He looks down at his hand and then grabs his it.
MS. ROBINSON (growling)
Get out.
ANDREW runs out the front door and then sits in his car, an appalled look on his face. He shakily pulls his pen and list out of his pocket and writes “I deserve it” on the “Pros” column.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
RYAN is walking through his school hallway. He sees ANDREW leave a classroom, and speeds up to catch him. ANDREW jumps and looks at RYAN as if he might slap him.
RYAN
Hey, man, I need to talk to you.
ANDREW looks at the other kids in the hallway and swallows before answering:
ANDREW
Uh, yeah ok.
RYAN sighs before pulling him to the side.
RYAN (softly)
Okay…I just, I know Jill really likes you.
ANDREW brightens up.
RYAN
I also know that you’re really fucking weird. Look, I care about Jilly a lot and I don’t want some insane freak coming along and hurting her – in any way.
ANDREW
I would never hurt-
RYAN
Shut up. Just, take care of her, okay? Don’t fuck around.
ANDREW nods.
RYAN
Alright? Alright.
RYAN slaps his hands together and leaves ANDREW to think about what he said.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
In the school’s quad, JILLIAN runs up to ANDREW. She bounces on his shoulders until he turns around and smiles.
She sheepishly greets him:
JILLIAN
Hi…
ANDREW
Hey, how’s it going?
She sighs and avoids his eyes.
JILLIAN
I just wanted to apologize if I…put you in an awkward position on Friday.
ANDREW shrugs and begins to say something but JILLIAN cuts him off.
JILLIAN (CONT’d)
But I also want you know that I didn’t just kiss you because I was drunk, or because Kristina did. (Pause) I really like you.
ANDREW exhales in astonishment.
ANDREW
Really?
JILLIAN
Really.
ANDREW smiles a little too big. He never expected this to happen. JILLIAN excuses herself to return to her giggling friends, and ANDREW brings out his list. He crosses “JILLIAN FLAHERTY” off the “Pros” column.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
KATE falls into a patch of poppies.
KATE
I was never a fan of poppies.
ANDREW shakes his head as he rolls next to her.
ANDREW
Me either.
KATE lets out a theatrical sigh.
KATE
And here I thought I was a step closer to figuring this place out.
ANDREW scoffs.
ANDREW
Maybe we’re an experiment. Maybe this is a prototype for “New Heaven” and we’re testing it out.
KATE
Nah…they’d need a larger control group for accurate results.
ANDREW
Well if we’re talking about God I think he’d find a way.
KATE harrumphs.
KATE
I wish there was more to do here.
ANDREW nods. He sits up and somersaults away, leaving KATE to snicker.
KATE (CONT’d)
So why’d you do it? What lead to this?
She gestures around her.
ANDREW
I dunno. Why’d you do it?
She lets out a heavy breath.
KATE
I kind of thought that death would be like a long, long sleep. And I loved to sleep. But now I’m dead, and I have more energy than before.
ANDREW (Incredulous)
Really? You did this to sleep?
KATE kicks his leg playfully.
KATE
Hey, I had a lot of reasons!
ANDREW shakes his head and rolls his eyes as KATE pouts.
KATE (CONT’d)
Do you regret it?
ANDREW
What, killing myself? No way. I mean, this place is confusing, and weird, and you’re confusing and weird, but it’s all better than my life before.
KATE
Seriously? You’re not even guilty about your family, or friends?
ANDREW
You saw my mom’s reaction. She’s fine. And I didn’t really have friends.
KATE
Is that why you did it?
ANDREW gives her an over-the-top eye roll.
ANDREW
I had friends, sort of. But they were temporary. Nothing special.
KATE
Is that why you did it?
ANDREW frowns at her. He then somersaults again, leaving KATE to give a small, sad smile and run after him.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
MARIANA leans over in her desk to poke ANDREW with the end of her pencil. He turns his head and gives her an awkward smile.
MARIANA
So you’re Jillian’s boyfriend now?
ANDREW is uncomfortable. He grins and shakes his head. When he answers, he stutters.
ANDREW
Uh, I…I guess. Yeah.
MARIANA hooks her hair behind her ear.
MARIANA
You like her a lot?
ANDREW nods.
MARIANA (CONT’d)
Good. ‘Cause she is the sweetest person I know. She deserves a guy that likes her a lot.
ANDREW
Yeah, she is…I really do like her.
MARIANA
Better watch out for Ryan though, he gets to be kind of a douche when he’s jealous.
ANDREW
I haven’t noticed.
MARIANA raises her eyebrows and pops her gum.
MARIANA
He says you’re crazy.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
KATE and ANDREW are sitting behind the waterfall, looking through. Suddenly, KATE perks up and turns towards him.
KATE
Wanna go swimming?
ANDREW shakes his head, but shrugs and agrees. KATE smiles excitedly and starts running out of the cave. ANDREW gets up and follows her.
Way before him, KATE peels off her dress and throws it to the side. Just wearing her underwear, she dives through the waterfall.
She swims up to a hesitant ANDREW, who stands on the edge, behind the waterfall.
KATE
Come in!
He smiles and obliges. After jumping in, he breaststrokes up to KATE, who giggles and dives down. ANDREW follows.
He opens his eyes underwater and notices that the entire interior of the lake is the smooth rock, like a pool. He looks down to the bottom and sees a giant drain plug.
He sees a foot kick into a small, dark underwater cave. He swims up to it and grabs the ankle, revealing a dead, bloated, blue version of KATE. His scream is muted by the water.
He races to the surface and sees KATE sitting on the edge. He jumps out and points at the lake.
ANDREW
What the fuck was that!?
KATE looks sheepish.
KATE
Oh…did you find me?
ANDREW
What?
KATE
She shows up sometimes – to remind me.
ANDREW gestures for her to give more information
KATE (CONT’d)
I told you it definitely wasn’t heaven…They like to make fun of us.
ANDREW shakes his head and lets his jaw dangle silently.
KATE
Obviously that’s how I died. Like Virginia Wolfe.
She smiles almost proudly, but then goes back to contemplating her hands.
KATE
Filled my pockets with stones and drowned myself.
ANDREW slumps down beside her and grabs her hand. He still says nothing and stares at the water in shock.
EXT. SHOT
KATE is hanging from a tree branch by her knees. ANDREW watches her with a smile and his head cocked.
KATE
People would say I was crazy. But like, party girl crazy, not “kill herself” crazy.
ANDREW
Yeah, people said I was “kill himself” crazy.
KATE
So you lived up to their expectations?
ANDREW rolls his eyes as KATE ungracefully climbs off the tree.
KATE (CONT’d)
I knew a lot of people who would say they were OCD, or depressed, or crazy, like they thought it was a fun quirk or something to be proud of.
ANDREW makes a disgusted noise.
KATE (CONT’d)
Course I sure showed them.
She says it with a laugh.
KATE (CONT’d)
They looked like such assholes.
ANDREW
Is that why you did it?
He is mocking KATE’s behavior from before.
KATE
Don’t spin that around on me.
ANDREW chuckles as she sticks out her tongue.
ANDREW
Good because that’s the dumbest reason to kill yourself.
KATE
Not the dumbest.
ANDREW cocks his head.
ANDREW
What is?
KATE
Doing it for a girl.
ANDREW’s face falls. He looks awkward. When KATE realizes, her eyes darken.
KATE
Oh, no…
ANDREW swallows.
KATE (CONT’d)
No! You didn’t! C’mon, tell me you didn’t.
ANDREW
There were a lot of reasons…
KATE groans and covers her face with her hands.
KATE
Well what were they?! What were they?
ANDREW
Um…
He cringes and looks down.
KATE
You didn’t leave a note, right? You didn’t say it was her fault, right!?
ANDREW
No, no! I mean, not really…
KATE muffles her scream with her arm.
KATE
You don’t know what that does to a person! You don’t know what you did to that poor girl! She’s fucked up for life now, thanks to you!
She punctuates her last three words with a poke on the chest. ANDREW punches her in the face.
KATE is now sprawled on the ground, looking up at ANDREW in distress. She doesn’t bother getting up. She just looks at ANDREW in his horrified, guilt-stricken eyes. Her face softens and when she speaks it’s with a calm voice.
KATE
Oh good. You are crazy.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW and JILLIAN are talking in their schools quad. ANDREW looks troubled.
ANDREW
I mean, I don’t want to be the guy that breaks up friends.
JILLIAN
It’s not your fault, it’s his.
ANDREW
I just feel kind of bad.
JILLIAN
You shouldn’t. Ryan’s being a total ass, making up shit to get me away from you. He says you had like, fits in middle school. And that you would get violent or something.
ANDREW (Suddenly shamefaced)
He told you that?
JILLIAN
I mean, he’s so fucking dumb. I know he didn’t go to Miller.
ANDREW sighs and unconvincingly scoffs. RYAN was telling the truth, but JILLIAN doesn’t realize.
The bell rings and JILLIAN says goodbye and walks the opposite direction as ANDREW. When he’s sure no one is looking, he pulls out his list and writes “Middle School” on the “Pros” column.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW opens his front door. At first he is very hesitant but relaxes when he hears Tom Jones coming from his living room.
ANDREW
Mom?
His mother dances into the kitchen where ANDREW is unpacking a pharmaceutical bag. He hands her a pill, which she takes with a smile. He stares at her, unsure of what to do.
Finally he decides to hug her. He begins to cry silently, barely breathing out his words.
ANDREW
I’m so sorry…
She puts a hand on his back and sighs.
MS. ROBINSON
It’s okay…It’s okay.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
KATE and ANDREW are lying next to each other on the stone behind the waterfall. KATE is still seriously peeved, and ANDREW is still guilty.
KATE
So you really don’t regret it.
ANDREW shakes his head
ANDREW
Nope.
KATE scoffs.
KATE
You’re a sociopath.
ANDREW
You did it too!
KATE
But at least I know it was wrong!
ANDREW turns onto his side to face her.
ANDREW
Maybe it was wrong for you, but it wasn’t for me. No one is gonna miss me.
This time KATE full-on laughs at him.
KATE
Seriously, just look at anyone you’ve ever talked to. Name someone! Anyone!
ANDREW shakes his head before coming up with a name:
ANDREW
Mariana.
KATE summons the screen on the waterfall. We SEE MARIANA sitting on her computer on her bed.
MARIANA clicks and seems to notice something on her screen.
Her mouth drops open and she takes a deep breath in.
MARIANA
Oh no, no, no…
She slams her laptop shut and screams into her pillow.
MARIANA
That bastard! That fucking bastard!
She wipes her face with her hand.
MARIANA
Fuck…
Suddenly, the scene disappears into the waterfall. KATE turns to ANDREW and speaks quietly.
KATE
Was that the girl you did it for?
ANDREW stares at the waterfall as he answers, shaking his head.
ANDREW
No, it was just her friend…
KATE
How do you feel now?
ANDREW shrugs.
ANDREW
Apathetic.
KATE giggles and closes her eyes.
KATE
You piece of shit.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
ANDREW is sitting at the kitchen table doing his homework while his mom dances to Tom Jones in the background.
He gets up and waltzes into the kitchen. He finds his toaster and begins to make a bagel. He watches his mother sway and dance serenely in the living room with a sad smile. She acts as though she is a little kid.
The bagel pops up prematurely. ANDREW groans and pushes it back in. It does this twice before it pops a third time completely burnt.
ANDREW
Fuck.
He pulls the list out and writes “Toaster” on the “pros” column.
MS. ROBINSON
What are you writing, dear?
ANDREW looks up and hastily pockets the note.
ANDREW
Just homework.
MS. ROBINSON
Let me see it.
ANDREW
Mm-mm. No way. No.
His mother then puts her hand on her forehead and starts a fake moaning-cry, falling onto the couch.
MS. ROBINSON
My son doesn’t love me. Oh, woe is me, my own son.
ANDREW gives a small fake laugh, throws away the bagel, and marches to his room. He slams the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
KATE and ANDREW are still lying on the ground. ANDREW seems to be fermenting in his confusion, and turns to KATE swiftly, angrily.
ANDREW
Y’know, another reason I did this was to find clarity in the afterlife.
KATE nods.
KATE
Life – and death – is a bitch.
ANDREW sighs an angry sigh.
ANDREW
Why only us? I mean, tons of kids commit suicide, so that’s not the only thing that lumps us together.
KATE
Maybe we had similar family lives?
ANDREW
Ha. I doubt it. I only had my mom, and she was crazy.
KATE
I was raised by my sister.
ANDREW
Maybe we were supposed to be soul mates or something…and we weren’t allowed to completely die until we found each other.
KATE
Ha. That’s really cheesy.
ANDREW’S shoulders slump. He falls onto his back, and KATE snuggles close to him.
KATE (CONT’d)
But I like that idea…that we’re not allowed to completely die. It’s like; everyone is put on Earth for a reason, with something to do. And I guess if you end things on your own terms, you don’t get to do that. It’s kind of like, we weren’t done yet.
ANDREW smiles and hugs KATE.
ANDREW
I always thought that I was just supposed to die.
KATE
I guess the business of the afterlife isn’t ours to poke our noses into.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW is standing in a group, talking with JILLIAN and friends. RYAN walks up and violently (and deliberately) bumps ANDREW.
RYAN (unconvincingly)
Oh, sorry man. Didn’t mean to do that.
ANDREW glares at him. RYAN raises his hands, as if he expects a fight. In fact, he welcomes a fight.
JILLIAN
Oh my god, Ryan, that’s enough.
RYAN ignores her and eyes ANDREW, trying to see if he’d snap. JILLIAN sighs and pushes him away. He protests, but still watches ANDREW.
JILLIAN (Calling after him)
Douche!
She rolls her eyes to the rest of the group, who laughs, but ANDREW turns and watches a defeated RYAN walk away with guilt. He doesn’t say anything.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
After school, JILLIAN runs up to RYAN and punches him in the shoulder.
RYAN
Ok, ow.
JILLIAN
I know what you’re trying to do you asshole.
RYAN holds out his hands.
RYAN
You won’t believe me!
JILLIAN
And I’m not going to! Why are you doing this?
RYAN
I’m trying to protect you, Jilly!
JILLIAN
Why!?
RYAN scoffs and looks around, then lowers his voice.
RYAN
I love you, Jillian.
Instead of softening like RYAN expected her to do, JILLIAN grows extremely angry.
JILLIAN
You love me? You LOVE me?!
When she realizes how loud she’s being, she pouts and crosses her arms.
JILLIAN
I’m sorry…just, do it from far away, okay?
RYAN scoffs and watches her as she leaves with a very hurt expression. He raises his arms and yells after her.
RYAN
Really? Really?! ‘Cause of that kid?
Really?!
JILLIAN begins walking quicker as RYAN looks around helplessly. He closes his eyes and frowns.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
ANDREW furiously picks poppies as KATE sits back and watches.
ANDREW
Did you ever do anything bad? Like really, really bad?
KATE
I killed myself.
ANDREW
I meant besides that.
KATE
Crystal meth.
ANDREW looks at her surprised.
ANDREW
Really?
KATE nods and shrugs indignantly.
KATE
Is that hard to believe?
ANDREW
Well, yeah. When?
KATE
Right before I died. I got really scared, and felt really bad, and I was already having a bad day, and…viola.
ANDREW
So the last thing you did was crystal meth.
KATE giggles.
KATE
I’ve always been an idiot.
ANDREW jokingly agrees.
KATE (CONT’d)
What was the last thing you did?
ANDREW
Something very, very bad.
KATE shakes her head, expecting more, but he never delivers.
KATE
I’m not big on ambiguity.
ANDREW
It’s not something I want to talk about.
KATE stands up and dusts her hands off.
KATE
You are a piece of work, you know?
ANDREW smiles as KATE begins to venture into the forest. ANDREW quickly follows.
ANDREW
Any more hidden gems?
KATE
Not really, it’s all pretty much the same.
She begins to climb a tall tree near the lake. She stops and relaxes on a big branch.
ANDREW calls up to her:
ANDREW
Have you ever been on the top of that cliff?
KATE shakes her head.
KATE
I walked all around it; it’s just a ninety degree angle all the way. I could probably make it if I jumped from the top of this tree, but…
She giggles at the idea. However, ANDREW brightens up.
ANDREW
Let’s do it.
KATE
What?
ANDREW starts to climb.
ANDREW
Yeah! Let’s do it! What if the way out is up there?
KATE looks scared.
KATE
I don’t know…I mean this tree’s like 300 feet tall.
ANDREW has reached KATE and is sitting on a branch across from her.
ANDREW
C’mon, don’t you want to get out of here?
KATE looks hesitant.
KATE
I guess…
ANDREW softens when he notices her tentativeness.
ANDREW
You don’t, do you?
KATE
No, no, I do…it’s just, this could take forever and I’m scared of-
ANDREW
We could go to Heaven.
KATE
Do we even know Heaven exists? Maybe this is all we get! Ever think about that? What’re you gonna do then?
ANDREW shakes his head.
ANDREW
There has to be more.
KATE swallows and grabs the branch above her.
KATE
Better go find out.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOT
It’s dusk. KATE and ANDREW are sitting on a branch, about a quarter ways up the tree. They are both panting, and KATE rests her head on his shoulder.
ANDREW
Hey, why did you get so angry when you found out why I did it?
KATE sighs.
KATE
It was just pretty selfish.
ANDREW
How?
KATE
Well, I mean, that girl’s gonna be horribly guilty for the rest of her life. She’s gonna think she killed you. And then she won’t be able to get close to anyone again, ‘cause she’ll think she’ll just let them down and they’ll die. And by then she’ll get so lonely because she’ll never let anyone in that she’ll kill herself, only to be locked in a completely empty world to be alone for two years!
She gets more and more heated through the rant and ends with tears in her eyes.
ANDREW looks down at her sadly.
ANDREW
Is that why you did it?
KATE sniffs before looking at him.
KATE
There were a lot of reasons.
CUT TO:
INT. SHOT
RYAN bursts into his bedroom and slams the door behind him. He throws open a few drawers and empties their contents. Not finding what he was looking for, he moves to his closet.
He pushes some clothes off a shelf or two before finding a stack of yearbooks.
He trifles through before finding one with the name “James K Polk Middle School.” He hungrily flips through the pages before he finds a picture of ANDREW with a black eye.
He smiles viciously and slams the book before he slips it into his backpack.
He wipes his forehead and tries to stop breathing so heavy.
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