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BUTTON, BUTTON Written by Ignacio Morales Based on "Button, Button", by Richard Matheson

Button, Button

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Norma Lewis and Arthur Lewis are a couple in financial problems, but when a lifetime opportunity appears, they might re-evaluate their whole lives.

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Page 1: Button, Button

BUTTON, BUTTON

Written by

Ignacio Morales

Based on

"Button, Button", by Richard Matheson

Page 2: Button, Button

ii.

Page 3: Button, Button

EXT. CITY STREETS - AFTERNOON - RAIN

A woman, NORMA LEWIS, is walking to her house. She’s stranded with paranoia, and walks quickly, shoving people when necessary. A yellow umbrella protects her from the menacing rain, and a coat gives her the style she wants on her.

CUT TO:

We see a shot of her red-ish eye looking in suspicion at random directions. Her hands are sweating. Her heels advance fast.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY STREETS - AFTERNOON - RAIN - MOMENTS LATER

Norma is still walking fast.

THERAPIST (V.O.)Let me tell you something about paranoia Norma. It will always get in your nerve. Paranoia will always make you aware you have it - but it will never make itself removable. No, you have... to fight it! As simple as that, just fight those hideous thoughts, OK? And don’t be afraid of what you want.

A dog barks suddenly. NORMA LEWIS is extremely shaken and scared by this sound. Her shock reveals her face. NORMA is a lady in her early 30’s, with blue round eyes, straight blond hair and small lips. A sense of paranoia and fear invades her eyes, just as if something has been following her for a long while. NORMA first smiles nervously at the dog, then slowly moves along, her smile fading. She’s near home now.

NORMA’S MOTHER (V.O.)I don’t get it, Norm. Why are you still together then? Why don’t you just come here? I would never hurt you, nobody misses you more than your mommy... oh, please, Norma, come back! All of your brothers and sisters have abandoned me, not talked to me for, for... I don’t even know how much time - I’m making this about me again, aren’t I?

CUT TO:

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I/E. CITY STREETS/BUILDING - AFTERNOON - RAIN - LATER

NORMA enters a building. She immediately takes her umbrella away, and her coat off. We see her way more relieved than she was. No longer paranoiac. She likes home. She walks up the stairs.

ARTHUR LEWIS (V.O.)Think of us as the Schrodinger Cat thing. We’re in a box, we just need to open that box, and see if we are dead...

NORMA sees a curious carton box lying by the front door. She picks it up, examining it. She turns it around, their names and address were printed by hand: “Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lewis, 217 E. Thirty-seventh Street, Los Pinos, La Paz.”

ARTHUR LEWIS:... or alive!

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The carton box is laying there on the table, motionless. We can read the names still. It hasn’t been opened yet. The table is simple, and the carpet under it as well. Two hands go and grasp the box.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT

ARTHUR LEWIS is getting home. We see him walk the same path NORMA took, as we hear the unfolding of the package. ARTHUR always looks down, is not paranoiac, but has a tick that makes him crack his fingers constantly.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

The living room consists of the table, with three couches surrounding it - a big yellow one, a small one to its left and a green personal one to its right. The package is unfold. We see NORMA taking a push-up unit fastened to a small wooden box. A glass dome covers the button. NORMA, clumsy and paranoid as she is, automatically tries to lift the dome off, but it is locked in place.

2.

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Her eyes are devout with curiosity, and set sight upon a piece of paper clenching from the corner. NORMA grasps it.

We read: “Mr. Steward will call you at 8:00 P.M.”

NORMA involuntarily smiles reading the note, and puts down the button unit on the table. She sets off to cook dinner.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME BEDROOM/LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

NORMA gets to the Living Room, removing her kitchen clothing, and sees his husband, ARTHUR LEWIS, sitting on the couch, reading a green book. ARTHUR is a man of not much care, characterized by his quietness, glasses, and indifference at doing things - he just “does them”. ARTHUR takes an uninterested grasp at the box, and proceeds to ignore it.

NORMA LEWIS:You just got here?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Yeah. Work wasn’t very long today, thank God.

NORMA LEWIS:Why didn’t you ring?

ARTHUR LEWIS:(Putting down his book)

Because I have the keys?

NORMA LEWIS:Yeah, but, I mean... Isn’t it polite to ring?

ARTHUR LEWIS:It’s my home too, you know.

Both characters stay silent for 10 seconds or so. ARTHUR gets back to his reading.

The door bell rings. The clock in the background indicated exactly 8:00 P.M.

NORMA LEWIS:Ah, someone that does it. I’ll get it.

3.

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NORMA gets the door. There’s a small man, MR. STEWARD, in the hallway, hatted, with a suit. His smile is prominent and his eyes send good vibes - even if there’s something fishy about them.

MR. STEWARD:Mrs. Lewis?

NORMA LEWIS:Um... Yes?

MR. STEWARD:I’m Mr. Steward.

NORMA LEWIS:(She fakes a smile)

Oh, yes.

MR. STEWARD:May I come in?

NORMA LEWIS:I’m rather busy, making dinner. I’ll get you your thingy, though, if that’s what you want.

As NORMA started to turn, MR. STEWARD places his hand on her shoulder.

MR. STEWARD:Don’t you want to know what it is?

NORMA LEWIS:Not really? I’m not very interested, I was just fond of the idea of somebody calling me for once.

MR. STEWARD:I’m sorry for not calling and just coming here out of the blue, but, that... “Thingy”. It could prove valuable.

NORMA turns around.

NORMA LEWIS:Monetarily?

MR. STEWARD:Monetarily.

NORMA LEWIS:What are you trying to sell.

4.

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MR. STEWARD:I’m not selling anything.

ARTHUR is disrupted by all the noise. He comes in from the living room, taking his wife by her hip.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Something wrong honey? Who’s this salesman?

MR. STEWARD:MR. LEWIS, I assume. I’m Mr. Steward, pleased to meet you. There... there’s been a misunderstanding with your wife here. See, I just sent you that button device there, and I was just about to-

ARTHUR LEWIS:(Pointing at the couch)

Oh, the... what is that thing anyway?

MR. STEWARD:It won’t take long to explain. May I come in?

ARTHUR LEWIS:You better not be selling -

MR. STEWARD:I’m not.

ARTHUR looks up to NORMA, asking her with his eyes. NORMA just makes a head gesture pointing out it’s up to him.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Why not?

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

The three are sitting in the living room, quiet. Mr. Steward is sitting on Norma’s yellow couch, while as Norma is sitting on a chair to his left and Arthur on his green couch to his right.

Mr. Steward reaches out to his pocket and takes out a small envelope.

5.

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MR. STEWARD:Here... is a key to the bell-unit dome. It opens up so that the button can be pressed, and the bell is connected to our office, so we can provide the, um, service.

ARTHUR LEWIS:What’s it for?

MR. STEWARD:Well, that’s the interest in this little nifty device. If you push the button, somewhere in the world someone that you don’t know at all will die. In return for which you receive a payment of fifty thousand dollars.

Both Norma and Arthur stare at Mr. Steward, incredulous. The small man just smiles.

ARTHUR LEWIS:What are you talking about?

MR. STEWARD:What do you mean? But I’ve just explained. Wasn’t the explanation clear enough?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Is this some kind of a joke? Are you pranking us?

MR. STEWARD:(Laughing nervously)

Why, not at all! Not at all, Mr. Lewis, this offer is completely genuine.

ARTHUR LEWIS:No, no. You aren’t making any sense. Do you really think you can just walk into our house and expect us to believe -

NORMA LEWIS:Whom do you represent?

Everyone stays quiet for a second. Norma is looking blankly at Mr. Steward. Arthur is worried.

ARTHUR LEWIS:I don’t think that’s important -

6.

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NORMA LEWIS:Whom do you represent?

MR. STEWARD:I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to tell you that, Mrs. Lewis. However, I assure you, the organization is of international scope and very recognized worldwide.

Arthur stands up. He avoids eye contact with his wife.

ARTHUR LEWIS:I think you should leave.

Mr. Steward rises, without making any sound.

MR. STEWARD:Of course.

ARTHUR LEWIS:And take that button thingy with you.

MR. STEWARD:Sorry, Mr. Lewis - I think you’re being irresponsible. Don’t you want to think about it for a day or two?

Arthur lets go of a mockery laugh, picks up the button unit and the envelope and thrusts them into Mr. Steward’s arms. He smiles drily at him, walks into the hall and opens the door.

MR. STEWARD: (CONT’D)I’ll leave my card, then.

Mr. Steward places his card on the table, by the door, and slowly leaves. When he is gone, Arthur tears the card in two and throws it carelessly to the floor.

Norma was still sitting on the sofa, with a bland look upon her face.

NORMA LEWIS:What do you think it was?

ARTHUR LEWIS:I don’t give a single fuck.

Norma tries smiling at the dry joke but can’t.

NORMA LEWIS:Aren’t you curious? At all?

7.

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ARTHUR LEWIS:No.

Arthur returns to the sofa and keeps reading his book, while Norma goes back to the kitchen and starts washing the dishes again. Tension is almost tangible in the room.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME BATHROOM/BEDROOM - NIGHT

NORMA LEWIS: (O.S.)Why won’t you talk about it?

Arthur is facing the mirror, brushing his teeth. He rolls his eyes, and looks at the reflection of her wife in the mirror.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)Doesn’t it intrigue you?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma, it offends me.

NORMA LEWIS:(Entering the bathroom)

I know, but... (she plays around provocatively with her hair) Doesn’t it intrigue you too?

Arthur doesn’t respond. He finishes brushing his teeth and spits.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME BEDROOM - NIGHT

The characters are in their pajamas. They’re getting in bed.

NORMA LEWIS:You think it’s a practical joke?

ARTHUR LEWIS:A sick practical joke, if it’s the case.

Norma sits on the bed, facing away from her husband. She takes off her slippers clumsily, something is bugging her.

NORMA LEWIS:Maybe it’s some kind of, you know, those modern psychological researches.

8.

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ARTHUR LEWIS:(Shrugging, doesn’t care that much, articulating badly)

Could be.

NORMA LEWIS:Hmm. Maybe some eccentric millionaire is doing it.

ARTHUR LEWIS:I don’t really care?

NORMA LEWIS:Wouldn’t you like to? (She turns and stares at her husband with excitement) Wouldn’t you like to know?

Arthur looks at her with a diminishing look. He shakes his head in disapproval.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)Why?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Because! It’s immoral!

Norma loses all excitement, her face turns sad. She slides beneath the covers and turns away.

NORMA LEWIS:Well, I think it’s intriguing.

Arthur turns off the lamp and turns to kiss her wife, only to meet her immobile back. He caresses her hair troubled.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Good night, my sweetie.

NORMA LEWIS:Night.

FADE TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME BEDROOM - LATER

Norma is having trouble sleeping. She begins to move strangely, closing her eyes as if she were avoiding seeing something.

9.

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NORMA’S MOTHER: (V.O.)Always coming for money, innit? Come here. What the living hell does your husband do? Nobody misses you like...

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)Fifty...

THERAPIST: (V.O.)Paranoia, Norma. Paranoia! Fight it! Fight it! Fight him!

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)Thousand...

ARTHUR LEWIS: (V.O.)Dead... or alive!

MR. STEWARD:(Diabolical smile, presses the button)

Dollars.

FADE OUT.

I/E. LEWIS’ HOME/ELEVATOR - MORNING

FADE IN:

As she leaves the apartment, Norma sees the card torn apart on the floor. Impulsively and taking care nobody sees her, she takes them and drops them into her purse. She locks the front door and joins Arthur in the elevator.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Sleep bad last night?

NORMA LEWIS:Why, did I kick too much?

They smile at each other and kiss.

CUT TO:

EXT. COFFEE PLACE - MORNING

Norma is alone taking some coffee. She receives a message on her phone, and she takes it out of her purse. Taking out the cellphone, she accidentally takes out a little piece of the card. The message in the cellphone is a “I love you” from her husband. She doesn’t answer, intrigued by the card.

10.

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She takes all the pieces out of her purse. She holds them together and only sees Mr. Steward’s name and telephone number printed. She sees a library outside.

CUT TO:

EXT. FAST FOOD PLACE - AFTERNOON - LIGHT RAIN

Norma just finished up her lunch. She puts the plate away, takes her cellphone and indifferently finally answers to her husband’s message with a heart emoticon. She immediately takes the card pieces out of her purse again along with some duct tape she got. She starts taping the edges together, but at one point she stops and stares blankly. It’s a “what am I doing moment”. She’s no longer putting the pieces together, until she receives another chat message from his husband: a lot of heart emoticons. She immediately starts taping the pieces together again.

CUT TO:

EXT. PHONE BOOTH - AFTERNOON - HEAVY RAIN

Norma enters the phone booth, looks at Mr. Steward’s card. She calls the number, trembling with paranoia.

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)Good afternoon.

Norma almost hangs up, but something keeps her from doing so. She clears her throat, and nervously responds. Paranoia is visible.

NORMA LEWIS:Th-this is Mrs. Lewis.

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)I know, Mrs. Lewis.

NORMA LEWIS:I’m... I’m curious.

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)It’s only natural.

NORMA LEWIS:I mean not that I believe a single word of what you told us yesterday, but-

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MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)Oh, it’s genuine, Norma - you don’t mind calling you Norma right? My offer is quite authentic.

NORMA LEWIS:Look, um, whatever. When you said someone in the world would die, what exactly did you mean?

MR. STEWARD: (V.O.)Precisely that. Anyone. Oh but all we guarantee is you don’t know them. And, obviously, you wouldn’t have to watch them die.

NORMA LEWIS:For $50,000, that’s fifty fuckingthousand dollars.

MR. STEWARD:Correct.

Norma stays silent for a couple of seconds. She’s very nervous, mouth opened, sweating, hitting in an uneven rhythm the glass in the phone booth cabin. As she closes her eyes and holds them with her fingers, she makes a scoffing sound.

NORMA LEWIS:Batshit insane.

MR. STEWARD:Nonetheless, that is the proposition. Would you like me to return the button unit?

Norma hangs up quickly, turns around and makes a frustration gesture. She curses to herself while shaking her head no.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

The package was lying by the front door, the buttoned shape, covered by carton paper. The envelope with the key was lying just on it. Norma saw it to her surprise as she left the elevator, not remembering to ask for it. In defiance, she enters her apartment without taking the package with her. In the background, her husband takes dinner. She happily joins him.

CUT TO:

12.

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INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

Arthur has left the table, and Norma is finishing up dinner. She thanks her husband yelling, and leaves her plate and glass on the sink. She goes to the front hall, opens the door and picks up the package, taking care nobody sees her. She sits in the living room, looking out the window, and then gazing at her bedroom, thinking of her husband. She lets go a sigh and a “I have to”, leaves the package on the table and gets up. She calls up her husband.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

NORMA LEWIS:Maybe some eccentric millionaire is playing games with people, you know?

ARTHUR LEWIS:I don’t understand you.

NORMA LEWIS:Oh, and what does that mean now?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Why did you get it back? Let it go.

Norma looks down. Her husband is frustrated, looks out the window.

NORMA LEWIS:Suppose... suppose it’s a genuine offer?

Arthur stares at her incredously.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)Suppose. It’s a. Genuine. Offer?

ARTHUR LEWIS:All right, suppose it is! What the hell would you like to do then Norma? Push it? Murder an innocent man?

NORMA LEWIS:First of all, he’s not necessarily innocent. “Murder”.

ARTHUR LEWIS:How would you define it?

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NORMA LEWIS:If you don’t even know the person? Well, I -

ARTHUR LEWIS:Are you saying what I think you are? Are you considering doing this bullshit Norma?

NORMA LEWIS:What if it’s some old Chinese gangster, a little mafia hitman? What if it’s a dying man in the hospital, who’s gonna die anyway?

ARTHUR LEWIS:How about a baby boy in the next block? A beautiful little girl with a brilliant future?

NORMA LEWIS:Now you’re just saying things. What if Hitler won, would we be having this conversation? I don’t care. Stop being pretentious.

ARTHUR LEWIS:The point is, Norma. What’s the difference whom you kill? It’s still murder, and wrong.

NORMA LEWIS:No, the point is, if it’s someone you’ve never seen in your life and never will see, someone whose death you don’t even have to know about, you still wouldn’t push the button? I mean for fuck sake Arthur, someone just died, right now, and you’re not making a big fuss about it, are you?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Are you saying you would?

NORMA LEWIS:Fifty thousand dollars, my love.

ARTHUR LEWIS:What has the amount -

NORMA LEWIS:Fifty thousand dollars, my love. A trip in Europe, our dream, my love.

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ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma, no.

NORMA LEWIS:A cottage on the island, our ideal house, my love.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma, no.

NORMA LEWIS:The bills. Fucking payed.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma, FUCK NO!

The tension explodes. Both look away. Arthur looks out the window, worried. Norma looks in multiple directions, licking her lips. She takes his hand.

NORMA LEWIS:I’m sorry. Alright, take it easy. I’m sorry if you’re upset... it’s only a talk, OK? Maybe we could spend all of this energy somewhere else.

ARTHUR LEWIS:I’d rather not discuss this anymore, though, alright? Oh, and just keep that thing away from my sight.

NORMA LEWIS:Let’s discuss sleeping hours.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME KITCHEN - MORNING

A pancake is cooking on the pan. Norma has made pancakes, eggs, and bacon for Arthur. The very same just woke up, and walks into the kitchen with a big smile.

ARTHUR LEWIS:What’s the occasion?

Norma turns around and smiles back.

NORMA LEWIS:No occasion, I just wanted to do it...

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Norma goes and kisses him.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)... and last night. Wanted to show you I’m not...

ARTHUR LEWIS:A bad cook?

NORMA LEWIS:Selfish.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Oh, sorry (laughs). Did I say you were?

NORMA LEWIS:Well, not really... I mean, last night, um - all that talk about the button. I think you - well, I think you misunderstood me.

ARTHUR LEWIS:(Eating)

If you say so Madame Pancakes. But how?

NORMA LEWIS:You felt. I think. How do I put this... I think you felt that I was only thinking of myself.

Arthur keeps eating his pancakes, he doesn’t respond. He starts reading the newspaper.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)I wasn’t.

Arthur drops his fork and his newspaper, kind of bugged by his wife.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Darling...

NORMA LEWIS:Well, I wasn’t. Europe. The cottage on the island. The bills. All I had in my mind, was first and foremost you, Arthur.

ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma why are we getting so involved in this?

16.

(MORE)

Page 19: Button, Button

Why won’t you talk to me about, really, why are we making such a big deal out of a button!

Norma faces away, her eyes go paranoiac again. Her breath is shaking.

NORMA LEWIS:I’m not - I’m not... Involved. At all. I’m really, simply, trying to indicate that-

ARTHUR LEWIS:What?

NORMA LEWIS:That I’d like for us to go to Europe. Like for us to have a cottage on the island. Like for us, you and me, to have a nicer apartment, nicer furniture, nicer clothes, a car so that I do not walk on the rain anymore.

Arthur looks at her unbelievably. He goes back to his chair, eats and reads, as if ignoring Norma would make the conversation go away.

Norma, on the other hand, looks out the window, misty-eyed. Her fist is shaking.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT’D)Like for us to have a baby.

ARTHUR LEWIS:You’ve gotta be fucking - Norma, we will.

NORMA LEWIS:When?

ARTHUR LEWIS:Norma -

NORMA LEWIS:When?!

ARTHUR LEWIS:I don’t know, when we -

NORMA LEWIS:When we, what, when we have more money? When we can afford raising a baby?

17.

ARTHUR LEWIS: (CONT'D)

(MORE)

Page 20: Button, Button

Because there’s an open opportunity, right out there, and we’re ignoring it Arthur. You talk so much about life and its value, let’s create one. This is anyway probably for some research project, let’s stop being pretentious. They want to know what the average people would do under such a circumstance. They want to know what a broke couple would do under this circumstance. I mean, what tells you they’re not just sayingsomeone would die, in order to study reactions? So there’d be guilt, anxiety, paranoia, whatever! Well, Arthur: I’m tired of being guilty, of being anxious, of being paranoiac. That’s my reaction. That’s what I’d do. And I hope you do it with me. So, will you?!

Arthur doesn’t answer. He just looks at his wife, in pity. Her hands are trembling. Her eyes too, holding up too many tears. Norma sits down in all of this craziness, while Arthur gets up, puts on a coat and leaves for work. Norma remains at the table, staring into her coffee, staring into the pancakes his husband left. She suddenly smiles.

INT. LEWIS’ HOME KITCHEN - LATER

Norma is stacking dishes, with her yellow washing gloves on. The silence in her house is absolute. She turns abruptly, dries her hand quickly, and takes the package from the bottom cabinet where they left the button last night. Opening it, she sets the button unit upon the table. Norma stares at it for a long time, and then drops that smile she had hours ago when her husband left. She gives an ultimate look at her husband’s newspaper, lying on the ground, left unread.

NORMA LEWIS:(To herself)

I love you too much, Arthur. But I love us more.

She takes the key from the envelope, and removes the glass dome. She presses it down. There’s an eerie feeling to all of it for a second, but then Norma laughs to herself, thinking of how ridiculous it all is, just for a press of the button. She got back into the kitchen, threw the button unit on a trash can, and chooses red cleaning gloves instead of the yellow ones she was just using.

18.

NORMA LEWIS: (CONT'D)

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INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

Norma is serving up, on the table, two steaks. She plans to surprise her husband, who, after looking at her clock, realizes should arrive in 5 minutes. The steaks meat is red, as she likes it. She receives a phone call.

NORMA LEWIS:Hello?

NURSE: (V.O.)Mrs. Lewis?

NORMA LEWIS:Yes?

NURSE: (V.O.)This is the General Hospital.

NORMA LEWIS:Uh, did something happen?

CUT TO:

INT. THERAPIST ROOM - PAST - DAY

We start seeing flashbacks. The same flashbacks from the beginning, but this time, we see what’s happening.

The therapist is kissing Norma between all of those words.

THERAPIST:Let me tell you something about paranoia Norma. It will always get in your nerve. Paranoia will always make you aware you have it - but it will never make itself removable. No, you have... to fight it! As simple as that, just fight those hideous thoughts, OK? And don't be afraid of what you want.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

Norma hears about the death of Arthur, involuntarily shaking her head.

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NURSE: (V.O.)... Hit by the train, it appears as the crowd shoved him by accident, just in front of the train.

CUT TO:

INT. NORMA’S MOTHER HOME - NIGHT

Norma’s mother says her words as she analyzes the wounds on Norma’s face, caused by her husband.

NORMA’S MOTHER:I don’t get it. Why are you still together then? Why don’t you just come here? I would never hurt you. Nobody misses you more than your mommy... oh, please, Norma, come back! All of your brothers and sisters have abandoned me, not talked to me for, for... I don’t even know how much time - I’m making this about me again, aren’t I?

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

Norma is having trouble breathing.

NURSE: (V.O.)... All we can, but Mr. Lewis has left us definitely. I am very sorry Mrs. Lewis.

CUT TO:

INT. FANCY RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Arthur is proposing to Norma with a diamond engagement ring.

ARTHUR LEWISThink of us as the Schrodinger Cat thing. We’re in a box, we just need to open that box, and see if we are dead... or alive!

CUT TO:

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INT. LEWIS’ HOME - NIGHT

Norma is crying her eyes out.

NURSE: (V.O.)... The good side: your husband seems to have life-insurance policy for $25,000, with double indemnity, which would make a grand total of -

Norma hangs up the phone and drops it.

NORMA LEWIS:No.

She struggled to her feet, in tears, in hard breathing, going for the button unit on the trash can. She takes it out, trying to destroy it, looking for the way it is constructed. No screws, no nails visible. She begins to smash it in desperation on the sink edge, until splitting it in half, tearing the sides apart, cutting her fingers without noticing, the red blood fills her suffering.

CUT TO:

INT. LEWIS’ HOME KITCHEN - NIGHT

The box sits destroyed on the sink, empty. Norma is covering her face with her hands, in disbelief. The phone rings, hanging.

She stumbles and whirls to pick it up.

MR. STEWARD:Mrs. Lewis?

NORMA LEWIS:You. You said I wouldn’t know the one that fucking died!

MR. STEWARD:My dear lady. Do you really think you knew your husband?

21.