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7/21/2019 4

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Written by

Ryan P. Stark

1405 Scarlett WayLexington, KY [email protected]

7/21/2019 4


INT. ORPHANAGE - HALLWAY

An ORPHANAGE CARETAKER pushes a cart down a long, darkhallway. The lighting is sparse, and the wheels of the cartsqueak loudly with every rotation.

The cart is empty except for a large container of salt.

INT. ORPHANAGE - COMMISSARY

He enters the commissary, several other ORPHANAGE EMPLOYEESgather around a small black and white television and watch anews broadcast.

The Orphanage Caretaker stops behind them, curious to see what they are watching.

On the screen are two ASTRONAUTS, one bounces toward the

other, holding an American flag. Chinese subtitles flash onthe bottom of the screen.

NEWS REPORTERThere it is, a U.S. flag on thesurface of the moon.

The Orphanage Employees make a few inaudible comments. One ofthem looks back to the Orphanage Caretaker and barks an orderin Chinese. His reluctance suggests it is for him to get backto work.

The Orphanage Caretaker picks up a tray of food and

continues.

INT. ORPHANAGE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

The Orphanage Caretaker moves slowly, the wheels stillsqueaking, careful not to wake the children that are asleepin the rooms he passes.

Down a long corridor he comes to an elevator. He pushes thegate to the side and pushes the door open.

A sound from behind him causes him to turn his head, notnoticing that the elevator car is not there.

He peers behind him, down the dark corridor-- nothing.

He pushes the cart ahead-- the wheels go over the edge,sending the container of salt tumbling down into the elevatorshaft.

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He swings his head around he stops dead in his tracks-- afork slips off the cart as well and disappears into the voidbelow.

Shaken but relieved, he pulls the cart back up over the edgeand holds the button to call for the elevator. It responds

with a deep, terrifying noise as it slowly rises, like asleeping behemoth waking from the depths.

INT. ORPHANAGE - BASEMENT

The Orphanage Caretaker exits the elevator and turns downanother long corridor. Blocking the entrance is a large cell-like gate.

He shuffles through some keys and unlocks it, closing itbehind him and securing it shut.

Further down the hallway the air changes. Rooms that shouldbe full of children sleeping soundly are replaced with roomsfull of broken equipment, desolate and unkept, more like anasylum than an orphanage.

He stops in front of a steel door, much like a prison cell insolitary confinement. It is covered by rust and grime, withfaint markings scattered about. In the center there is asmall, latched opening to slide trays of food through.

There are Chinese symbols carved into each stone surroundingthe door. The number ‘4’ is carved in the top-center stoneabove. On the ground below the door a line of salt has been

poured.

The Orphanage Caretaker stares at the door with fear.

He reaches for the tray-- his hands shake almostuncontrollably.

He opens the small opening and immediately steps back, as ifexpecting something to come out.

From several feet back he bends down and tries to look in, moving his head around, trying to see anything among the

blackness.

Slowly he inches the tray forward, it shakes with his hand.

Closer-- closer-- suddenly, BANG!-- Something throws itselfagainst the door from the other side.

The Orphanage Caretaker screams and falls backward, droppingthe tray on the ground in front of the door, disturbing thesalt, breaking the solid line that guarded it.

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He’s frantic-- looking to the cart for the container of salt--it’s not there.

A wheezing sound comes from that darkness inside the room.

The Orphanage Caretaker freezes and listens-- the wheezing

gets louder-- like a collective last breath of everyone whohas ever died.

He scrambles to try and reshape the line of salt on theground, scooping up bits of salt, pushing the granulestogether, filling in the gaps.

The wheezing stops.

Breathing heavily, he thinks he’s done it. His head drops tothe ground, a sigh of relief overtakes him as he closes hiseyes tightly.

When he opens them, he sees a large portion of the salt linenear the wall is still broken.

He gasps and raises his head, just as a black hand shoots outof the opening. A dark, smoke-like essence, blacker than thedarkest night.

It latches onto his face-- the essence pours through thehand, entering his nose and mouth.

The lights flicker, then go out as the screams of theOrphanage Caretaker echo throughout the halls.

EXT. SHANGHAI - AIRPORT - DAY

Super: Present Day.

The shrill screams of the Orphanage Caretaker have beenreplaced with the hissing of jet engines.

INT. AIRPORT - IMMIGRATION

The airport is bustling with activity. People of all

nationalities and cultures stand in a line that stretchesbeyond imagination.

ELIZABETH FRANKLIN stands in line holding her bag. Midthirties, tall, with long, dark hair. Her careworn face andhollow expression tell of a tragedy that has drained the lifefrom her.

She stares at a CHINESE COUPLE that take turns doting theirINFANT.

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Behind her stands ROBERT FRANKLIN, late thirties. A ruggedly-handsome type that finds solace and comfort in his work. Hetalks on a bluetooth headset.

ROBERT(on phone)

No, I won’t have much receptionhere. We just landed. Tell them toclose at fifteen. Yeah. No- notuntil Monday.

Elizabeth is next in line at the Immigration counter. Afemale IMMIGRATION OFFICER waves her forward.

Elizabeth stands blankly, finally looking back to Robert witha glare.

ROBERT (CONT’D)(on phone)

Yeah. Okay, I gotta go. I’ll checkin later.

Robert hands the Immigration Officer two passports.

ROBERT (CONT’D)That place is going to fall apart

while I’m gone.

Elizabeth doesn’t acknowledge him.

The Immigration Officer opens Robert’s passport and eyes himup and down.

IMMIGRATION OFFICERWhere are you coming from?

ROBERTUnited States.

IMMIGRATION OFFICERPurpose of your visit?

ROBERTOh-

Robert searches his pockets for something, finally pulling itout of his jacket pocket.

ROBERT (CONT’D)We’re here to adopt a child. Wehope.

He smiles back at Elizabeth-- no response.

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The Immigration Officer studies the document, finallystamping his passport and hands it and the document back toRobert.

IMMIGRATION OFFICERNext!

Elizabeth steps forward.

Robert tries to give her a hand with her bag but she pulls itback, refusing to let it go.

ELIZABETHI’ve got it...

Robert sighs and steps off to the side.

The Immigration Officer opens Elizabeth’s passport and doesthe same routine, eyeing her up and down.

Elizabeth’s picture looks very different. It capturesElizabeth in a happier time, with joy in her eyes and abeautiful smile. She was alive.

Before her stands a shell of the woman in the picture. She’slost a lot of weight, with a hollow and expressionless face.

The Immigration Officer gives her a look of understanding, anintuition she has that makes her pity her.

She stamps the passport and hands it to Elizabeth.

IMMIGRATION OFFICEREnjoy your stay...(beat)We have excellent food in Shanghai,Misses Franklin. Please see thatyou have some. You look like youneed it.

Elizabeth forces a smile, nodding to the Immigration Officerand taking her passport.

EXT. FRONT OF AIRPORT - DAY

Robert and Elizabeth exit the airport. Cars line the streetoutside, taxis shuffle back and forth, picking up anddropping off.

ROBERTWill you let me take that bag now?You’re carrying too much.

(MORE)

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Besides, it’s got all the adoptionforms and you never can be toocareful in places like this.

ELIZABETHAre you saying I’ll lose it?

Robert looks down with a defeated look.

ROBERTYou know that’s not what I meant.

Robert’s phone rings.

ELIZABETHDon’t you have to take that?

Elizabeth walks ahead-- Robert stops to look at his phone which flashes JOHN CARTER. He reluctantly declines the call

and briskly walks to catch up.

Ahead they see a woman holding a sign that reads Franklin.

Holding the sign is Liu Min, late twenties, with short, darkhair.

LIU MINMister and Misses Franklin?

Robert nods.

ROBERT

That’s us.

LIU MINWelcome to Shanghai. I’m Liu Minfrom the orphanage, we spoke on thephone.

ELIZABETHOh yes, it’s great to finally meetyou in person, Liu Min.

LIU MIN

And you as well Misses Franklin. I will be your interpreter duringyour visit.

She snaps her fingers and a DRIVER takes their luggage andputs it in the back of a van.

ROBERT (CONT'D)

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INT. VAN - CONTINUOUS

The van exits the airport as the Driver merges onto anexpressway.

Liu Min sits in the front seat, with Robert and Elizabeth

sitting in the middle aisle.

LIU MINIs this your first time inShanghai?

ROBERTYes, first time.

ELIZABETHThe city is breathtaking.

Elizabeth stares out the window at the towering skyscrapers

and fluid architecture, already lit up in a brilliantdisplay.

LIU MINIt is. If you want to see truebeauty you must visit the ancienttowns outside the city. There is so

much history. Would you like tostop and get something to eatbefore we go to the orphanage?

Robert opens his mouth to speak but Elizabeth interrupts.

ELIZABETHNo thank you. I’m not hungry.

Robert shakes his head.

ROBERTMy wife and I will find somethingnear the hotel. Is it safe totravel around the city byourselves?

LIU MIN

Shanghai is like any city, MisterFranklin. There are the good parts,and the bad. Do your cities nothave this in America?

ELIZABETHOf course we do.

The van exits an off-ramp onto a busy street. It slows to ahalt as the line of cars stretch for miles.

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ROBERTThis we definitely have.

Liu Min asks the Driver a question in Chinese. He responds.

LIU MIN

Something is blocking the roadahead, he can’t see what it is.

ELIZABETHIs this the only way to theorphanage?

LIU MINUnfortunately, yes.

Robert shifts around uncomfortably, checking his watch.

ROBERT

What time was check-in?

ELIZABETHFour o’clock.

ROBERTWe don’t have time for this.

Robert pulls open the sliding door on the van and steps out.

EXT. SHANGHAI STREET - DAY

Horns blare all around.

ELIZABETH (O.S.)Robert! Robert get back in here!

Robert steps on the inside of the van to hoist himself up,trying to look ahead at what is causing the traffic jam.

LIU MIN (O.S.)Mister Franklin!

ROBERT

Yeah, I can’t see anything.

Robert steps back down to the ground and turns-- to his righta car speeds past in the turn lane, blaring it’s horn,narrowly missing him .

Robert stands frozen like a statue, afraid to move an inch.

Liu Min shouts something in Chinese.

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Elizabeth finally pulls him back inside.

INT. VAN - CONTINUOUS

ELIZABETH

Jesus, Robert. You almost gotyourself killed!

LIU MINAre you alright, Mister Franklin?

Robert sits dazed and slowly slides the door closed.

ROBERTI-I didn’t see it coming. It didn’teven bother to slow down.

LIU MIN

There are a lot of insurance scamsaround here. Drivers don’ttypically stop for pedestrians infear of it happening to them.

Robert and Elizabeth look at each other, Liu Min looks backat them.

LIU MIN (CONT’D)Bad part of city.

EXT. ORPHANAGE - MAIN GATE - DAY

The van drives through a gate toward the orphanage.

Despite the large and ominous look of the building, thegrounds surrounding it are beautiful and inviting.

INT. ORPHANAGE - FRONT WAITING ROOM

Robert and Elizabeth sit in chairs with an empty one betweenthem.

ROBERTDid you bring the bag in?

Elizabeth looks at her feet, the bag resting next to them.

ELIZABETHYou can see that I did.

Robert is getting frustrated, he shifts around in his chair.

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ROBERTI just want you to talk to me,Elizabeth. You know, I’m hurtingtoo. We need to deal with thistogether.

Liu Min approaches them from the hallway before Elizabeth canrespond.

LIU MINMister and Misses Franklin pleasefollow me.

INT. ORPHANAGE - CORRIDOR

Liu Min leads Robert and Elizabeth down a long corridor.

LIU MIN

I had your bags sent to your hotel.They will be waiting for you there.

ELIZABETHThank you, Liu.

Ahead, QIANG, a janitor in his fifties, sings while moppingthe floor. Next to him is ABBY, eight, a Eurasian lookinggirl with long brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin. Shedances as Qiang sings.

QIANG(in Chinese)

One day you’re going to be a starand I’ll watch you on TV!

Qiang continues to hum the melody. Abby pretends to walk inbetween the tiles as if it were a tightrope.

Liu Min stops in front of a door to the Director’s Office.

LIU MINPlease wait while I see if DirectorLee is ready for you.

Liu Min enters the office.

Elizabeth looks over and smiles at Abby.

ELIZABETHYou’re very talented.

Abby smiles back.

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ABBYThank you.

ROBERTOh, you speak English?

ABBYA little.

Robert turns and smiles at Elizabeth.

ROBERTAnd what’s your name?

ABBYAbby, and you?

ROBERTI’m Robert, and this is my wife,

Elizabeth.

ABBYNice to meet you.

ELIZABETHIt’s nice to meet you too, Abby.

Elizabeth turns back to Robert and smiles, something shehasn’t been able to do in a long time.

Liu Min opens the door for Robert and Elizabeth.

LIU MINThe Director is ready to meet withyou.

Robert nods.

ROBERTSee you later, Abby.

Abby smiles and waves, and continues to walk on the edges ofthe tiles.

INT. ORPHANAGE - DIRECTOR LEE’S OFFICE

DIRECTOR LEE, in his late forties, with greying hair andglasses, stands from behind his desk as Liu Min shows Robertand Elizabeth into his office.

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DIRECTOR LEEMister and Misses Franklin! I’mDirector Lee. Please, come in andhave a seat.

Director Lee shakes both of their hands as they all have a

seat in front of his desk.

DIRECTOR LEE (CONT’D)I trust your ride in wascomfortable.

ROBERTYes, it was, thank you.

ELIZABETHUntil Robert decided to playtraffic cop.

Liu Min translates briefly what happened in Chinese toDirector Lee.

DIRECTOR LEEAh, yes. I’m afraid Shanghai doeshave its dangers. I’m just thankfulthere were no injuries.

ELIZABETHMr. Lee, we met a lovely girloutside, Abby...

DIRECTOR LEE

Yes, sweet girl. She’s been with usfor three years now. But- before wediscuss particulars, we’ve arrangedfor you to meet with all thechildren in the Dining Hall. Someof these children have seen a harshlife, even at their young age.

Robert and Elizabeth look at each other.

DIRECTOR LEE (CONT’D)Some of them do speak English, but

not all. Liu Min here willtranslate for the ones that don’t.We try to teach English as much as

we can. We know it’s more desirablefor prospective adopting parents.

ELIZABETHWe’ve come to give a child a home.We don’t care what language theyspeak.

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Director Lee smiles and stands.

DIRECTOR LEEWonderful. Liu Min will show you tothe dining room.

INT. ORPHANAGE - DINING ROOM

About twenty children, all around the ages of six to nine,are seated at tables around the room. Each one has a romannumeral taped to their shirts. The numbers four and fourteenare omitted.

Robert, Elizabeth, and Liu Min sit at a table facing thechildren.

LIU MINRaise your hand if you have a

question for Mister and MissesFranklin.

Several children raise their hands, Abby included.

CHILD #1Did you fly on a plane to get here?

ROBERTYes, we did. It’s a long trip butyou can sleep or watch TV, so itdoesn’t seem too long.

Liu Min translates the questions and the answers for thechildren that don’t speak English. They all seem astonished

while listening.

CHILD #2How long do you have to stay on theplane?

ELIZABETHAround twelve hours.

Elizabeth points to Abby who still has her hand raised.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)Yes, Abby?

ABBYDo you have any pets?

ELIZABETHNo, I’m afraid not.

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ABBYWill you get one?

Robert smiles at Elizabeth.

ROBERT

You’d like to have a pet?

ABBYI like cats.

Elizabeth beams a big smile at her.

ELIZABETHWell, we could think about gettinga cat I suppose.

CHILD #3Do we have to go to school in

America too?

Robert laughs.

ROBERTYes, you have to go to school, evenin America.

Child #3 looks disappointed.

Child #1 raises their hand again.

LIU MIN

One question each, wait for yourturn.

Elizabeth turns to Liu Min and whispers softly.

ELIZABETHNo, that’s okay.

Liu Min nods to Child #1.

CHILD #1Why don’t you have any children?

Elizabeth and Robert are taken by surprise by the question.Embarrassed, Liu Min tries to select another student.

ELIZABETHNo, no. It’s alright.

Elizabeth instinctively puts her hand on her stomach,searching for the right words to convey their situation.

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ROBERTSo, you want brothers and sistersto share your toys with then?

Child #1 laughs and shakes his head excitedly.

Relieved, Elizabeth takes Robert’s hand and squeezes, thefirst real connection between them we’ve seen.

LIU MINAlright, children, let’s showMister and Misses Franklin thedrawings you made for them.

She repeats the instructions again in Chinese.

The children all cheer and wave pieces of paper around in theair.

EXT. SHANGHAI MARKET STREET - CONTINUOUS - DAY

Robert and Elizabeth walk down a crowded market street.Vendors populate both sides of the road. Custom made goods,ornaments, clothing, just about anything you could ask for.

Bustling with activity, they weave in and out, passingbetween the population of Shanghai.

Elizabeth smiles as she looks through the drawings from thechildren.

ELIZABETHDid you see Abby’s drawing?

Elizabeth hands it out for Robert to see. It has three stickfigures, a man and a woman, and a little girl. Behind them isa massive house with an American flag in the yard. Next tothe little girl is countless drawings of cats.

ROBERTI hope you were clear when you saida cat.

ELIZABETHI honestly didn’t expect it wouldbe like this. I’m...

Robert smiles at her.

ROBERTI know. Me too.

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Robert stops at a vendor as something catches his eye. Hetakes a scarf and puts it around Elizabeth’s neck.

She smiles at him.

The tender moment is interrupted by his phone ringing loudly.

Robert looks at it and sees that it is John Carter callingagain.

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