Roommate, The

THE ROOMMATE
By
Sonny Mallhi
November 19, 2008

Vertigo Entertainment
Screen Gems
EXT. BUILDING - DAY
A brick colonial style building on the edge of a large

college campus. Moving trucks, and double parked cars
congest the open driveway.
INT. BUILDING LOBBY - SAME
Inside, newly minted college students are milling about in

the lobby; in line to get carts for their boxes. Parents
follow them, looking proud and sad at the same time.
Through the glass front doors we see --
EXT. SIDEWALK
SARA MATTHEWS (18) standing just outside, luggage and boxes

by her feet. Dark brown hair, just above her shoulders.
Dressed to move boxes but still pretty hip. She’s got a
backpack and a duffle bag hanging from her shoulders. No
parents.
She watches the chaos inside. Not yet ready to enter the
fray. Nervous. She delicately plays with a simple silver
chain around her neck. Takes a deep breath. Exhales.
She grabs the glass door and yanks -- it’s locked. She pulls
a couple more times but no luck. Everyone inside is too
consumed to notice her. Sara stands there until, finally, a
a guy with a nametag, a RESIDENT ASSISTANT, notices her and
opens the door.
R.A.
Welcome. Sorry. We keep it
locked.
SARA
Thanks.
Sara officially starts her new life. Propping the door open
and lugging in her things.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Sara is pushing a large flat-bed cart, loaded down. She’s

having a hard time controlling the ancient cart with its
wobbly wheels. She bumps into other carts. No one’s upset.
Just laugh it away.
2.
INT. DORM ROOM - DOORWAY
She opens the door: your run of the mill freshman dorm room.
Tiny; bathroom down the hall; twin beds. Heaven.
Sara walks in, looking back and forth between the two empty
beds. Big choice here. She finally chooses the one on the
right, throwing her jacket on it.
INT. DORM ROOM - LATER
Sara’s moved more boxes inside. She reaches for a box in her
cart when it’s SLAMMED, making her lurch back. Boxes go
flying.
Sara gathers herself and sees a GIRL, picking up boxes,

apologetic.
GIRL
Sorry. Bad driver.
They both pick up their stuff from the floor.
GIRL (CONT’D)
Tracy.
SARA
Sara.
Balancing boxes they manage to shake hands.
INT. THEATER - LATER
There’s a giant “Orientation Week” banner hanging over the

stage where a crowd of freshman are laughing at the
obligatory skit on safe sex. Sara sits next to Tracy and a
few other guys and girls from her floor.
BOY
(leaning over)
You know, in the boys bathroom they
have condoms. What about the
girls?
Tracy and Sara look at each other. Laugh.
TRACY
Dork.
3.
EXT. QUADS - DAY
A gorgeous fall day. Sara walks around. Cellphone to her

ear as she takes it all in. Kids tossing frisbees. Laying
out on the grass.
SARA
Dad. What’s up? Come on, please
stop worrying.
(exasperated)
Nope. No roommate yet. I’m sure
she’ll be great...
A work/study ad in front of a campus coffee shop.
SARA (CONT’D)
You don’t have to send me any more
money. I’m fine.
She tears a tab off the flyer.
INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT
The place looks slightly more lived-in. Sara finishes

putting up a poster on the wall. Then moves her Ikea-bought
lounge chair in the middle. A framed picture of a young girl
sits on her dresser
She’s startled by a knock on the door. It’s Tracy and the

group we saw earlier. Dressed up.
TRACY
First frat party of college. You
coming?
SARA
A frat party? Sounds a little
cliche.
TRACY
Of course it’s cliché. It’s trés
cliché. You go now and then you
can be too cool for school for the
next four years.
SARA
I think I’m going stay here and
unpack. Wait for my roommate.
Groans all around. “Come on”...”Don’t be lame”.

4.
SARA (CONT’D)
Alright, alright. Let me change.
Cheers.
INT. FRAT HOUSE
Extreme fire-hazard. Kids are drunk or well on their way.
Sara’s dressed up. A little overdressed for a frat party but

she’ll learn. She traverses one crowded room to another with
her beer.
Music is blasting in one room while your typical college band

is playing in the main room. They’re not very good but they
don’t know it. Sara notices the DRUMMER in particular who
looks spastic but also like a cute goof.
She attempts a sip of her drink, but it keeps spilling on her

dress as she gets bumped into. She’s getting annoyed when
out of nowhere, a hand comes in and yanks her out of the
crowd and onto the dance floor.
TRACY
Where’ve you been?
SARA
Getting a beer.
Tracy looks at Sara. Completely drenched.
TRACY
You’re supposed to drink it?
SARA
It’s impossible with all these
people.
Tracy pushes her own cup to Sara’s lips and makes her chug.
Sara struggles but finishes and wipes her mouth.
TRACY
Not if you drink it like that.
Tracy grabs her hand and they both start dancing with the
others.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - DANCE FLOOR - LATER
There’s a DJ now that the band has stopped playing. Tracy,

is doing a beer bong with the crowd cheering her on.
5.
She can’t get it right and half the beer spills on her. Sara
finishes her own cup, pretty drunk herself. Tracy turns to a
GIRL.
TRACY
Kim, it’s your turn.
Kim, scared, vigorously shakes her head and backs away.

Tracy turns to Sara and holds out the bong for her. The
crowd’s cheering. Sara waves them off.
SARA
No way. I don’t want any more
spilled on me.
She turns to get away and gets smashed into, more beer
spilling all over her. It’s the drummer from the band.
DRUMMER
Damn!
Drenched. Sara makes a futile attempt to wipe herself dry.
SARA
Don’t worry. I’m used to it.
DRUMMER
Actually, I’m mad I have to go all
the way back and get another drink
(smiles)
I’m Stephen.
SARA
(smirks)
Come on, Stephen, I’ll show you a
trick.
She grabs his hand and takes him off the dance floor.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - BAR
Sara makes Stephen chug his beer. He’s choking, can’t

finish.
SARA
That’s a pretty sad display.
STEPHEN
(coughing)
My plan backfired.
SARA
What plan?
6.
STEPHEN
To spill beer on you so I can start
a conversation.
SARA
You spilled beer on me on purpose?
He nods. She thinks for a second. Then dumps her beer all
over his shirt. Stephen recoils.
SARA (CONT’D)
(smiles)
So let’s talk.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - DANCE FLOOR - WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH LATER
Stephen and Sara are dancing close, having a good time.

Still the same amount of people at the party. If not more.
STEPHEN
This will sound sleazy but do you
want to go up to my room and
actually talk?
SARA
You’re in this frat?
STEPHEN
Uh oh. What do you have against
frat guys?
SARA
Nothing. Just, I can’t believe
you’re in a frat and you chug beer
like a girl.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - HALLWAY
Tracy’s wasted. Talking gibberish to some guy. From behind

him, she spots Stephen and Sara going upstairs.
TRACY
That’s my friend.
(yelling out)
SLUT!
She nearly falls over. The guy tries to catch her.

7.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - ROOM
Stephen opens the door to his room. A complete disaster.

Papers and clothes are everywhere.
SARA
My roommate better not be as messy
as you.
STEPHEN
I hated having a roommate.
SARA
Bad roommate experience?
STEPHEN
I was the bad roommate.
SARA
(looks around)
I get that.
Sara sits down on the floor, back resting against the bed.
Stephen sits on a chair by his desk, all the way on the other
side of the room.
STEPHEN
I told you I wasn’t sleazy. There
is no way I could seduce a girl in
here.
SARA
Oh sure. I bet this is a ploy.
You come off all casual, non-
threatening. Then you’ll play
something for me.
STEPHEN
With my drums? Doesn’t work. I’ve
tried.
SARA
Well. In that case.
Sara gets up from the floor, a little off balance. She

saunters over to Stephen; puts her hand on his face; leans
down to kiss him.
BANG BANG BANG. There’s a loud knock on the door that makes
her stand up straight...The door creaks opens and the boy who
was talking to Tracy peers in.
8.
GUY
I’m really sorry.
(looks over to Stephen)
Seriously. Extremely sorry.
(to Sara)
You know Tracy, right?
Students are staring, snickering at the girl passed out on

the stairs. Of course it’s Tracy. A FRAT BROTHER stands
over her.
FRAT BROTHER
Who’s going to take care of her?
Sara appears at the top of the stairs. Coming to the rescue.
SARA
That would be me.
Sara walks down the stairs but stumbles, nearly falling down
herself. She grabs the handrail with one hand.
SARA (CONT’D)
(drunk)
Whoa.
He looks at her, leeringly.
FRAT BROTHER
So who’s going to take care of you?
She struggles to lift Tracy, who’s completely limp. Stephen

now appears at the top of the stairs.
STEPHEN
Guess that would be me.
The frat brother looks up at him, a little disappointed.

Stephen makes his way down the stairs but stumbles himself.
He’s also a little drunk. Sara looks up at him.
SARA
(smirks)
So who’s taking care of you?
Stephen gives Sara and a passed out Tracy a once-over.
STEPHEN
(smiles)
Apparently God.
9.
Sara gives him a look: “Haha”. He helps her pick up Tracy.
INT. DORM HALLWAY - LATER
Sara and Stephen hold Tracy up as they stumble, tumble down

the hallway. Kim is holding all their stuff. Stephen looks
back at her.
STEPHEN
Are you alright?
KIM
Yeah. I don’t drink.
TRACY
(chortles)
We’ll fix that.
Tracy turns to Sara. Whispers but way too loudly.
TRACY (CONT’D)
Did you seal the deal?
Sara cringes. They get to Tracy’s door. Kim hands over

Sara’s stuff.
KIM
Don’t worry. I’ll put her to bed.
SARA
(appreciative)
Thank you.
Kim unlocks the door as Sara and Stephen walk to her room.
TRACY (O.S.)
I’M HOME.
Sara and Stephen both laugh as they stand in front of her

door. Sara fishes for her keys and unlocks the door with an
unsteady, drunk hand. Opens it a crack. It’s pitch black.
Turns to Stephen.
SARA
Thanks for helping.
STEPHEN
Sure. Are you going to be alright?
SARA
I’m fine. I didn’t have that much
to drink.
10.
Her hand slips off the knob and she almost falls. Stephen
catches her.
SARA (CONT’D)
Do you want to maybe come inside?
STEPHEN
More than I can tell you.
He’s still holding her, looking into her glazed over but
still pretty eyes.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
But that wouldn’t be fair. Trust
me.
He slowly lets go, making sure she’s steady. He starts to

walk away but she grabs him and kisses him. Then lets him
go. He stumbles away as she watches him walk down the
hallway towards the elevator. He turns around and smiles as
he disappears around the corner. She hears the elevator
ding, and only then enters her room.
INT. DORM ROOM
It’s pitch black as Sara opens the door and closes it behind
her. She fiddles for the lights but gives up. Knocking into
boxes and furniture as she tries to find her bed. She runs
into the Ikea chair. Yells out in pain. She moves more
cautiously for her bed.
Plops down on her back. Breathing hard. Clenching her eyes

shut. The room is spinning. She may puke at any second.
She struggles to get back up. Fumbles for a lamp next to her
bed, almost knocking it over. She hits the switch revealing--
A GIRL with dirty blonde hair and pale blue eyes sitting on
the other bed.
Sara screams. Trips backward onto the bed.
GIRL
Hi.
FLASH. The girl takes her picture, further blinding and

disorienting her.
SARA
(rubs her eyes)
Who are you!?!
11.
GIRL
Rebecca.
SARA
Who?!
REBECCA
Your roommate.
Sara’s still breathing hard but catches on. Calms down a bit.
SARA
What are you doing?
REBECCA
I was taking your picture
SARA
Why?
Rebecca shrugs. Sara grabs her stomach.
SARA (CONT’D)
Oh god.
Her cheeks chipmunk as she rushes out the door. Rebecca

smiles.
INT. HALLWAY
Sara gingerly walks out of the bathroom back to her room.

Holding her head. Her dorm room door is slightly open.
INT. DORM ROOM
It’s completely dark. Rebecca’s covers are pulled over her

now to her neck. Asleep. Sara manages to navigate the room
a little better.
SARA
(whispers)
Rebecca?
No answer. Sara falls down on her bed. Turns towards the

wall.
Rebecca’s eyes open. Stay open as she watches Sara go to

sleep.
12.
INT. DORM ROOM - MORNING
Sara wakes: headache; drymouth; the whole bit. She slowly,

turns over. Rebecca is arranging her side of the room.
Putting up her drawings. Sara tries to focus. Looks around
the room. Notices the Ikea chair moved to her side of the
room. She looks at Rebecca’s drawings.
SARA
Did you do those?
Rebecca turns. Nods. In the light of day, we see that she’s

a knockout.
SARA (CONT’D)
They’re cool.
REBECCA
(earnest)
Thanks.
Sara turns serious.
SARA
Rebecca, did I throw up on you?
REBECCA
(laughs)
You made it to the bathroom.
Sara lays back down. Rebecca gets down off the bed.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I was going to the bookstore to buy
some textbooks.
SARA
(groans)
Too early for me.
REBECCA
It’s three in the afternoon.
Sara’s eyes bug out.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Sara is weighed down with textbooks. All look used and worn.
Fashion Design. Psychology. Calculus.
13.
She spots the last one she needs and reaches for it just as
another GIRL reaches for it. They both pull back. Neither
sure who has claim to it.
GIRL
So what do we do?
Sara looks her over. Checks out her outfit.
SARA
Nice bag. Dior?
GIRL
(flattered)
Yeah.
Sara snatches the book.
SARA
I’m on financial aid. The book’s
mine.
INT. BOOKSTORE - LATER
Sara and Rebecca stand in a long line at the register. Sara

scans Rebecca’s books, all have to do with art. All shiny
and brand new.
Sara’s phone rings. She looks at it.
JASON
She gently places her hand on the “talk” button and hits it
right before it goes to voicemail.
SARA
Jason. What are you doing?
JASON (O.S.)
I just wanted to hear your voice.
SARA
Please don’t say that.
JASON (O.S.)
Why not?
SARA
Because I’m here and you’re there
and I need to move on. We both do.
JASON (O.S.)
Maybe I should come visit.
14.
SARA
You’re just making it harder.
JASON (O.S.)
That’s the point. Sara --
SARA
(snaps)
Jason...
She says it a little loud and notices people in line eyeing

her.
SARA (CONT’D)
(quieter)
Jason, I have to go.
Sara hangs up. Exhales; flustered and frustrated.
REBECCA
Who’s Jason?
Sara’s caught off-guard. Forgetting Rebecca was there.
SARA
We dated since sophomore year.
He’s the reason why I came here but
then he got into a better program
on the east coast.
REBECCA
You didn’t want to transfer?
SARA
It was too late to apply.
Rebecca looks away as Sara resumes standing in line.
REBECCA
It’s hard to let go.
Sara turns back to look at her.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
(smiles)
I know from experience.
This makes Sara smile, albeit still a little melancholy.
SARA
I still care about him, though.
Rebecca nods. Gets it.

15.
REBECCA
But you’re in college now. A new
life. You have to move on. For
your own good.
Sara takes a deep breath. Looks at her phone. Stuffs it

into her pocket as she gets to the register.
INT. DORM - LOBBY
Tracy’s hanging out with Kim in the lounge. They spot Sara
and Rebecca as they get off the elevator.
TRACY
Hey Sara.
SARA
(walks over)
What are you guys doing out here?
TRACY
My roommate. She’s afraid to use
the showers. Our whole room smells
like baby wipes.
SARA
(laughs)
Oh, this is my roommate, Rebecca.
She turns, not realizing that Rebecca didn’t follow her over.
She’s standing by herself, looking everywhere but at them.
SARA (CONT’D)
Rebecca!
Sara waves her over and only then, does Rebecca walk over.
SARA (CONT’D)
Tracy. Kim. This is my roommate
Rebecca.
REBECCA
(small wave)
Hi.
TRACY
RRRRRREBECCA. Your name’s sort of
a mouthful. What can we call you?
KIM
I like Reba.
16.
Tracy sticks her finger down her throat, makes gagging

sounds.
SARA
I like Becca.
TRACY
(shakes her head)
How about Becky?
SARA
Becky’s good.
They simultaneously turn to Rebecca for approval.
REBECCA
I like Rebecca.
Buzzkill.
TRACY
OOOKAAAY.
SARA
(to Rebecca)
We better take these books back to
the room.
Without saying goodbye. Rebecca leaves. Sara gives Tracy

and Kim a look. Shrugs her shoulders.
INT. DORM ROOM
Sara is putting her books away on a shelf, her back to

Rebecca who is on her bed, drawing.
SARA
So Rebecca, where are you from?
REBECCA
Pasadena.
SARA
That’s not far, right? You’ll
probably be going home a lot. Free
laundry. Free meals.
REBECCA
No. I won’t be going home
much...if at all.
17.
Sara turns. Looks at her. But guesses it’s probably too

soon to pry. She notices Rebecca drawing.
SARA
Can I take a look?
Sara moves to come over to Rebecca’s bed.
REBECCA
I don’t really like showing them
til I’m done.
Sara stops dead in her tracks. Rebecca realizes she was a

bit harsh.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Sorry. It’s nothing personal.
It’s just my...process. I don’t
know, it takes me a little while to
get it right.
(smiles)
And I wouldn't want to show you
anything unless it was perfect.
SARA
(smiles back)
Ok. I get it.
INT. CAFETERIA - MORNING
Sara, Tracy and Kim are sitting amongst a group of people

from the floor. Rebecca is off to the side, closest to Sara
but a chair separates them. Sara is chowing down on a big
breakfast burrito.
TRACY
You’ve heard of the freshman
fifteen, right?
Sara stops chewing. Gives Tracy a dirty look and then puts
down the burrito. Tracy stifles a laugh. Kim is looking
through Sara’s schedule.
KIM
Why are you taking Calc and
Psychology if you’re a Design
major?
SARA
(swallows)
I like to be well-rounded.
18.
They give her a look.
SARA (CONT’D)
(truthfully)
And it’s a requirement.
Sara’s phone rings. “Jason”. She turns the ringer off this
time.
SARA (CONT’D)
Ex-boyfriend, again.
TRACY/ KIM
Ugh. Lame
REBECCA
(emphatic)
You need to forget about him.
TRACY
Sounds like you speak from
experience, Becster.
Kim bursts out laughing.
KIM
(to Sara)
I’m sure he’ll figure it out.
SARA
Hope so. College is supposed to be
a fresh start.
(smiles at Rebecca)
A new life.
Rebecca nods. Smiles back.
SARA (CONT’D)
(getting up)
I better go to class. Seeya guys.
Seeya Rebecca.
Rebecca waves. Then gives Tracy a bit of a gloating glare

before she goes back to eating her breakfast.
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
Sara sits in a psychology class. The PROFESSOR is in his mid-

40’s, a little suave for a professor.
He dismisses the class and she stays to talk to him.

19.
SARA
Professor Roberts?
PROFESSOR
(all charm)
Call me Charles.
He smiles. It’s disarming.
SARA
Is there any way you could sign
this request to let me in? I’m not
registered and this is a
requirement.
ROBERTS
Is that the only reason you want to
take it? Because it’s a
requirement?
SARA
No not at all. It seems really
interesting.
Roberts takes the form, considering the request. She bites

her lip anxious. He might construe it as something else.
ROBERTS
I keep the class small so I can
connect with all my students.
SARA
Totally understand, I can always
take it next semester.
Roberts stares at her for a bit. Finally, he signs the

request and hands it to her.
ROBERTS
Welcome.
Sara and Rebecca are sitting on their respective beds. Both

in complete silence. Rebecca has her IPOD on. Sara is
typing on her computer.
SARA
Hey.
Rebecca removes her earbud.

20.
SARA (CONT’D)
You have a Facebook page? I can
add you as a friend.
REBECCA
(shakes her head)
I don’t.
Sara looks at Rebecca, incredulous.
SARA
You should have one. It’s good for
keeping track of people. Like my
friend Irene. She graduated from
the Art Institute out here last
year.
REBECCA
(intrigued)
She’s an artist?
SARA
(shakes her head)
She’s a design apprentice for Ralph
Lauren. She checks in from
wherever she is. London. Milan.
Sara puts down the laptop. Leans in and sternly looks at

Rebecca.
SARA (CONT’D)
You have to get a Facebook page.
REBECCA
(cracks up)
Alright, I’ll think about.
Tracy bangs on the partially open front door.
TRACY
I heard about a very cool club on
Sunset. You guys wanna go?
SARA
Sure.
TRACY
You need a fake ID.
SARA
I have one. Friend’s older sister.
21.
REBECCA
I don’t have one.
SARA
You know, my friend’s sister looks
a lot like you. You can take my ID
and I can figure out a way to get
in.
Rebecca stares at Tracy for a beat, sizing her up. Then

turns to Sara.
REBECCA
I’m not really that into clubs.
INT. CLUB - LATER
This is a huge Hollywood night club. It’s manic and it’s

loud. Sara and Tracy look out of place here. Definitely
like naive college kids.
They’re at the bar buying drinks, getting pushed around.

Much older guys are smiling, mouthing “Hi”. Sara’s trying to
ignore them but Tracy is making eye contact with each and
every one of ‘em.
TRACY
How great is this? No parents. No
curfews.
SARA
(toasts)
No shit!
Sara puts her wallet and cell phone into Tracy’s purse.
TRACY
Too bad Rebecca couldn’t show. She
seems like the life of the party.
SARA
Don’t be mean.
TRACY
Just saying.
SARA
She’s just a little hard to get to
know.
Tracy gives her a look, “yeah, whatever”.

22.
INT. CLUB - DANCE FLOOR - LATER
Sara’s dancing, drink in hand. A supremely cheesy looking,

forty year-old MAN starts dancing close with her. She wants
nothing to do with him. She tries to leave the floor but he,
in a sort of friendly, sort of forceful way puts his arms
around her shoulder.
She shoves him off and walks away. Freaked out. Looks
around the dance floor for Tracy but can’t see her anywhere.
INT. CLUB - BATHROOM
Sara walks in. Looks around. It’s crowded. She glances

underneath one stall. A couple of pairs of feet
inside...maybe three. It might be Tracy but, either way, she
doesn’t want to find out.
EXT. CLUB - NIGHT
Sara walks out of the bar. She rubs her arms. A little bit
of a chill.
She has no idea what part of the city she’s in and has no
money. She scans the stragglers hanging outside, nervously
tugging on her silver chain.
SARA
(loud)
Tracy.
She takes one last peek into the club doorway hoping that
Tracy magically appears. No luck.
She starts walking down the street, away from the club.
Weary and unnerved.
INT. DORM ROOM - SAME
Rebecca is asleep when the dorm phone rings. She wakes up

and answers it.
OPERATOR
Would you accept a collect call
from...Sara?
REBECCA
(confused)
Yes.
23.
EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
An old school gas station on a barren corner of the city. No

cars in either direction. A lone white 328i BMW with a black
soft top sits next to an ancient pump.
Rebecca, half asleep, climbs out and grabs the nozzle,

sticking it in the fuel tank. Starts pumping.
MAN (O.S.)
Can I help you out?
She turns to see a 20-year-old, good-looking gas station

attendant. His name tag: “Rick”.
Rebecca sizes him up.
REBECCA
I’m fine. Just in a hurry.
She keeps pumping. Speeding it up. Rick ambles up to her,

treading beyond appropriate personal space. He points to the
“Full Service” sign.
RICK
Just doing my job.
She stands her ground as he places his hand over hers on the
gas pump and squeezes. She looks down at his hand on top of
hers. Then lets go of the pump, nudging his hand away.
REBECCA
All done.
She pulls the nozzle out of the tank and tries to place it
back at the pump. He stops her. Motions to her face.
RICK
You have a little something.
No, she doesn’t.
He, ever so gently, rubs his index finger and thumb on her
cheek to remove the imaginary smudge until he lurches back.
RICK (CONT’D)
The hell?
His crotch is wet as gasoline drips from the nozzle.
REBECCA
Sorry.
24.
But she does it again, holding the lever down, dousing him
head to toe. He scrambles backward out of range.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Sorry again. Rick.
The nozzle’s still in her hand, pouring gas in every

direction. She opens her car door, grabbing a lighter.
Rick’s pissed. Charges towards her.
RICK
You spoiled c---
He spots the lighter in her hand. Dead stop. She

absentmindedly flicks it. It sparks but doesn’t light. The
gas is now pouring towards him. The meter on the pump is
still ticking up.
He scrambles again as she casually flips the lighter at him

and drops the still pouring nozzle.
A hint of a grin and a pitying shake of her head as she pulls

out a loose hundred dollar bill. Places it on top of the
pump.
REBECCA
Pussy.
She gets into her car and drives off. Leaving Rick soaked in
gasoline.
INT./EXT. DINER - LATER
Sara’s half-asleep sitting by herself in a booth next to the

window. Sobering up. Drinking a cup of coffee.
Rebecca’s car pulls up in the parking spot outside of Sara’s

booth. The headlights shine right in Sara’s eyes and then
turn off.
Sara’s tired eyes light up as she sees Rebecca get out of the
car. She waves to Rebecca who doesn’t wave back as she heads
for the door.
INT. DINER - SAME
Rebecca walks up to Sara’s booth as Sara quickly downs the

rest of her coffee.
25.
SARA
Nice car. Must be expensive.
REBECCA
Not sure. My dad’s accountant
deals with it.
Sara lets out a short laugh. But Rebecca gives her a

quizzical look. Not sure what’s so funny. Sara gathers her
things and gets up.
SARA
Thanks for rescuing me.
REBECCA
Hold on.
Rebecca sits down. Dropping her purse and keys on the table.
Picking up a menu.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
We might as well get breakfast.
Sara sits back down, thankful and suddenly very hungry.
SARA
Pie sounds good.
Rebecca nods in agreement.
REBECCA
Blueberry?
SARA
Definitely.
Rebecca puts the menu down.
SARA (CONT’D)
Tomorrow, let’s explore the city
and do whatever you want to do.
Deal?
Rebecca looks at her straight-faced for a moment. Then

reveals a small smile.
REBECCA
Deal.
26.
INT. LOS ANGELES MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART - DAY
Rebecca gives Sara a guided tour through the museum. Rebecca

is more confident here. At ease. She’s studying the pieces.
Sara notices her. Impressed.
Sara walks over to a bizarre metal structure. Rebecca

follows her over.
SARA
You can call me a hick, but I have
no idea what this is supposed to
be.
REBECCA
Come on. Let me show you
something.
INT. LOS ANGELES MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART - LATER
Rebecca shows Sara into a room full of paintings.
They stop in front of a painting. It’s Richard Prince’s

“Nurse of Greenmeadow” -- a portrait of a woman wearing a
nurse’s mask, her eyes peering directly at you. Blood
smeared on her smock.
REBECCA
This is my favorite.
Sara examines it. Steps towards the painting. Rebecca stays

behind her.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I love how he captures her
personality through her eyes. Like
she really wants to help you.
Sara steps closer to it. Squints a bit, trying to see what

Rebecca sees. The woman’s expression in the painting
actually appears a bit sinister.
Rebecca’s hands anxiously tug the bottom of her shirt.

Sara’s a little freaked out by the painting but turns to see
Rebecca’s hopeful expression. Sara brightens.
SARA
Amazing. I love it.
27.
EXT. SIDEWALK - EVENING
Sara and Rebecca are window shopping by thrift stores. Sara

spots a graffiti laden wall next to a tattoo parlor.
SARA
Cool, graffiti. They don’t have
that in Des Moines.
Rebecca pulls out her camera.
REBECCA
Let me take your picture in front
of it.
Sara poses but then grabs Rebecca by her shoulder and pulls
her in.
SARA
Both of us.
They both hold the camera, extended at arm’s length and

Rebecca clicks. She looks at the picture. Notices part of
the tattoo parlor in the background.
REBECCA
I don’t understand why anyone would
get a tattoo.
SARA
I have one.
REBECCA
(surprised)
Where?
Sara pulls down her shirt and sweater a bit to reveal over
her heart, “Emily” written simply.
SARA
My older sister. She died when I
was nine.
REBECCA
I’m so sorry.
SARA
(puts her hand over her
heart)
This keeps her with me.
28.
REBECCA
I always wanted a sister.
Sara smiles and interlocks her arm with Rebecca’s as they

walk down the street.
Sara‘s in sweats. Sitting on her bed. On her laptop.

Rebecca’s on the other bed, drawing while intermittently
glancing at Sara.
SARA
Okay. I’m putting Richard Prince
in my Facebook page as my favorite
artist.
REBECCA
Really?
Rebecca comes over to her bed to look.
SARA
(nodding)
Yup.
Rebecca checks out her other favorites.
REBECCA
(laughing)
Your favorite movie is “Coyote
Ugly”?
SARA
Don’t laugh. It’s about a small
town girl making it in the big
city...like me!
EXT. CITY STREET - DUSK
Sara, in shorts and a warm up jacket, runs down the sidewalk,

breathing hard. Her head’s on a swivel, taking everything in
as she runs.
INT. DORM ROOM
Rebecca has removed some of her drawings from her wall and
replaced it with a big “Coyote Ugly” poster. She straightens
it out. Satisfied.
29.
She looks out the window, anxious for Sara to come home. She
looks over at Sara’s side of the room. Curious, she starts
perusing her things.
She goes over to the dresser. She picks up the picture of

Sara’s sister. Tenderly brushes Emily’s face with her thumb.
Rebecca then spots Sara’s silver chain on top of the dresser.

She picks it up and places it around her neck. She looks at
herself in the mirror. Carefully fingering the necklace.
Admiring it and herself.
The dorm phone rings loudly, startling her. She goes to pick
it up, leaving the chain on.
REBECCA
(answers)
Hello?...oh Mrs. Matthews. No
Sara’s not here. Everything seems
good with her...Don’t worry. I’m
watching over her for you.
EXT. STREET - DUSK
Sara runs up to the dorm when she spots a stray kitten pawing
the glass door. She comes to a stop and watches as the black
and white kitten turns towards her.
SARA
I know how you feel.
She kneels down and pets the kitten, who affectionately

purrs. Sara looks around to see if anyone is watching.
CUT TO:
INT. DORM ROOM
Sara quickly walks in and closes the door as Rebecca sits

back on the windowsill, drawing. Sara sits on her own bed.
Notices the “Coyote Ugly” poster.
SARA
(taken aback)
Wow.
REBECCA
I thought you’d like it.
Rebecca sees the moving bulge under Sara’s jacket. Points.

30.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Uh. What’s that?
SARA
(apprehensive)
Surprise.
She unzips her jacket and the kitten pops out. Rebecca sits
up. The kitten is hyper but cute. Rebecca pets it.
REBECCA
What are you going to do with this?
SARA
My parents never let me have a pet.
So...
REBECCA
We’re not allowed to have pets.
SARA
We’d have to keep it a secret.
Just between us.
Rebecca keeps petting the kitten. Getting more attached.
REBECCA
So what’s her name?
SARA
Cuddles.
Rebecca gives her a queer look.
SARA (CONT’D)
(proud)
I named her in the elevator.
(then notices)
Is that my necklace?
Rebecca touches it, forgetting that she’s still wearing it.
REBECCA
Sorry. I was just trying it on.
Sara quickly puts the kitten down and walks over to Rebecca,
who quickly takes it off. Sara takes it, annoyed. She looks
at it protectively.
SARA
This was my sister’s.
31.
REBECCA
Oh.
Sara looks at it a moment longer. Then looks at Rebecca.
SARA
(bittersweet)
You can borrow anything of mine.
But just not this. Okay?
Rebecca nods. Understands.
REBECCA
Okay.
Sara sits down on the bed next to her.
SARA
Don’t worry. You didn’t know.
Rebecca impulsively hugs Sara.
REBECCA
I’m really sorry.
Sara returns the hug.
SARA
It’s alright.
INT. CAMPUS COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT
Cool college hangout. Lined with old wooden tables and comfy
couches. More like a living room than a coffee shop. But
the laid back atmosphere is belied by the stressed out Sara
dropping drinks off and rushing back to the register for the
next order. Her CO-WORKER, who may very well be stoned, is
moving extremely slow. Not a care in the world.
SARA
You wanted a mocha smoothie?
Right? Ok. Got it. Do you know
what’s in that?
The kid shrugs.
She goes back to the blender and guesses some ingredients.

Doesn’t notice Stephen walking in. Suddenly, the blender
explodes, splashing mocha smoothie all over her apron. She’s
frozen in shock as the co-worker casually hands her a towel
which she snatches. She turns to find Stephen at the front
of the line.
32.
STEPHEN
This seems like a pattern.
SARA
You know. Just because I kissed
you doesn’t mean I’ll let you cut
in line.
STEPHEN
So what does it mean?
She coyly shrugs.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
You know. We’re having another
party tonight.
SARA
Oooh, I dunno.
STEPHEN
Me neither. I was wondering if you
could be my excuse not to go.
Sara mulls this over. Smoothie bits dripping from her apron.
INT. DORM HALLWAY - LATER
Sara exits the elevator, spring in her step. Tracy spots her
from the lounge.
TRACY
Hey.
Sara, thinks about ignoring her but stops.
SARA
(cold)
Hey.
TRACY
Going to the frat tonight. You in?
SARA
Dunno. Are you going to ditch me?
Because it was a lot of fun last
time.
TRACY
I’m really sorry about that. I
completely screwed up.
33.
Tracy’s caught her in a good mood. Down the hall, we see

Rebecca, opens her door and peeks out, watches Tracy and
Sara.
Sara looks at Tracy, who gives her the sad, puppy dog eyes.
SARA
(tries to keep from
laughing)
Enough. Apology accepted.
Tracy gives her a big, exaggerated embrace. She spots

Rebecca looking at them. Tracy flashes a big smile.
Probably because of her making up with Sara, but Rebecca
construes it a different way.
Sara and Tracy break apart.
SARA (CONT’D)
But I can’t go out tonight. Gotta
date.
Rebecca hears this, slips back into the room and closes the
door before Sara turns and walks down the hallway.
SARA (CONT’D)
(back to Tracy)
And sorta thanks to you.
INT. DORM ROOM
Sara walks in to find Rebecca getting dressed. A simple

black dress.
SARA
You look...nice.
REBECCA
(excited)
Richard Prince is having a showing.
SARA
Wow. Have fun.
REBECCA
I’ve got two tickets.
SARA
Rebecca, I didn’t...
REBECCA
I know he’s your favorite artist.
34.
SARA
I actually...sort of had a date?
REBECCA
(disappointed)
Oh. I’m sorry.
Rebecca goes back to getting dressed. Silent. Sara watches

her. Then --
SARA
You know what though? This is a
one time only thing. So, I can
always resked.
REBECCA
(being a martyr)
You don’t have to.
Sara turns and goes to the closet.
SARA
But one condition.
She grabs a cute jacket and puts it on Rebecca.
SARA (CONT’D)
You have to wear this. It goes
with the outfit.
They both look in the mirror. Rebecca smiles.
SARA (CONT’D)
Wait a sec. I also have some cool
earrings that will go with this.
Sara grabs a pair of small, gold hoop earrings from her

dresser. She places them in Rebecca’s hand.
SARA (CONT’D)
Lemme go take a shower. I’ll be
just a second.
She grabs her stuff and rushes out the door leaving Rebecca,
standing there. Earrings in her palm. She turns towards the
full length mirror behind the door.
As she leans into the mirror, we see her ears aren’t pierced.
Nevertheless, she takes one of the earrings and touches the
pin against the skin of her right lobe. After a moment of
hesitation. She pushes the pin in hard. A small pop. She
flinches slightly.
35.
Blood trickling down her ear, onto her neck. She wipes it
off with her thumb and places the other hoop to her left ear.
INT. GALLERY - LATER
The gallery displays paintings similar to the one in the

museum. It’s a series of women, peering at the viewer.
Rebecca wears her hair up. Showing off her earrings.
Both girls are attracting attention from every guy in the

room. But Rebecca’s into the art and Sara’s texting Stephen:
“sorry. next time :(”
Rebecca notices her. Frowns. Sara puts the phone away.

Puts some effort into studying the paintings.
Sara sleeps. Peaceful. Cuddles lays on top of her, awake.

Its eyes glow in the dark. Creepy.
Creepier still is Rebecca in the other bed who is staring

back at the kitten. A little envious - of Cuddles or of Sara?
She removes the covers and quietly gets out of bed. She
walks over to Sara’s bed but not to pet Cuddles. She gets so
close she’s standing directly above Sara. Watching her. If
Sara simply opened her eyes, she’d see her.
INT. DORM ROOM - BARELY SUNRISE
Tracy’s passed out in her room. She stirs as she wakes.

Reaches around her, slapping her end table.
TRACY
Water. I need water.
She gets up and stumbles over to the mini-fridge and looks

in. Empty. Tracy groans.
She grabs an empty cup and opens the door, letting loose a
quick SCREAM.
INT. DORM - HALLWAY - SAME
Rebecca is sitting across from her door, back against the

wall. She doesn’t say anything -- just stares at Tracy.
TRACY
What are you doing?
36.
Rebecca cocks her head at Tracy, as if she’s trying to

comprehend her.
REBECCA
You’re kind of a whore, huh?
TRACY
(now angry)
What did you say?
Tracy takes a step forward into the hallway but stops as

Rebecca gets up and approaches. Tracy takes a step back,
intimidated by Rebecca’s calm and morose demeanor.
Rebecca moves into the doorway, situating herself so that

Tracy doesn’t have a chance to close the door.
REBECCA
It’s just a matter of time before
something bad happens to you.
Rebecca makes a slight move forward that makes Tracy flinch.

Rebecca, though, is only reaching for the door knob. She
smiles as she closes the door.
EXT. QUADS - DAY
From a distance, we watch Sara and Rebecca walk to class.

Tracy’s following them. They wave “goodbye” to each other
and go their separate directions. Tracy follows Sara’s path,
quickly catching up to her.
SARA
Hey, you. Didn’t see you at all
yesterday.
Tracy pulls Sara to a stop.
TRACY
Your roommate threatened me.
SARA
What?
TRACY
She was waiting outside my room.
SARA
Rebecca? Are you sure?
37.
TRACY
(hurt)
You don’t believe me?
SARA
I just can’t imagine her doing
that.
TRACY
She’s evil.
Annoyed, Tracy turns away but Sara grabs her.
SARA
Look. I’ll ask her.
TRACY
Whatever.
Tracy shakes her loose and walks away. She looks up and
spots Rebecca standing in the distance, staring at her.
Tracy puts her head down and keeps walking. Maybe a little
faster.
INT. CLASSROOM / STUDIO
Sara’s in a large hall for her Design class. The teacher

stands in front with dress patterns displayed behind her,
lecturing. A couple costumes, including a Victorian dress,
are off to the side. Sara listens intently, genuinely
interested. This is why she came to college. Her cell
buzzes with a text message. She discreetly takes a look.
It’s from Irene.
“4th & ford. be there now. walk out.”
Sara looks at the message. Quizzical. Decides to ignore it

for now.
EXT. BUILDING - DAY
Sara exits. Takes out her cellphone to text Irene back when
she sees Rebecca holding two cups of coffee.
SARA
How did you know my class got out
now?
Rebecca shrugs. Plays it off. Sara grabs a cup.

38.
SARA (CONT’D)
Thanks roomie.
CUT TO:
EXT. QUADS - LATER
They walk through the quads. Some students strolling. Some

rushing to get to class.
SARA
Hey, Tracy says you threatened her?
Rebecca stops in her tracks and looks at Sara seriously.

Then starts laughing.
REBECCA
She said that?
SARA
Yeah.
REBECCA
I ran into her in the hallway on
the way to the bathroom. She was
bolting out of her room. Probably
to puke. I offered to help.
SARA
Oh.
Sara nods her head, thinking about this.
SARA (CONT’D)
Well, I wouldn’t worry too much
about what Tracy says.
Rebecca takes a victory sip as Sara gets another text from

Irene:
“where r u?!?!?!”
SARA (CONT’D)
I have to go. I’ll seeya later.
(raises her cup)
Thanks again for the coffee.
Sara veers off as Rebecca watches her go. Taking another

sip.
39.
EXT. STREET CORNER
Sara gets out of a cab. Looks up at the building.
INT. STUDIO - HALLWAY
She’s walking through people running around. Models, make-up

artists. People dragging thousands of dollars worth of
dresses. Sara’s completely bemused. Energized by the chaos.
She knocks on a door and sees a young model being worked on

by a not so much older DESIGNER...this is IRENE. She turns
to see Sara.
IRENE
(mouth full of pins)
Finally.
She gets up to hug her. Nearly tearing the dress.
INT. STUDIO - BACKSTAGE - LATER
Irene is putting a dress together on a MODEL. Sara sits on a

couch watching in awe. An older designer walks in just to
check to see how she’s doing. Nods his approval and leaves.
SARA
Irene, I so want to be you when I
grow up.
IRENE
I want to be me when I grow up too.
MAKE-UP GIRL
(to Sara)
She’s going to be a star.
Irene snorts. Sara covers her mouth trying not to laugh.
IRENE
Your parents called me by the way.
Told me to look out for you.
SARA
Oh god. What did you tell them?
40.
IRENE
I told them I’m always traveling
for gigs so if you turn into a
coked-up prostitute, don’t blame
me.
Even the model laughs.
SARA
Thanks.
INT. STUDIO - BACKSTAGE
Irene is rushing. In line with the models, putting together

the last minute touches. Sara tries to keep up with her.
IRENE
So, I’ll call you when I’m back in
town. I’m heading to Paris
tonight.
SARA
Wow.
Irene pulls her close.
IRENE
I’ll kill you if you tell anyone I
said this but...yeah...It’s pretty
cool.
She blows Sara a kiss.
INT. LIBRARY
Sara walks through the library, looking for a table. She

spots Stephen, who’s not so intently reading.
STEPHEN
I haven’t seen you around too much
since you blew me off for dinner.
SARA
Sorry again. Actually, how about
dinner tonight?
STEPHEN
Hellllo. I’m studying.
She takes his book. He’s on page two.

41.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Okay. Let’s go.
INT. DORM BATHROOM - NIGHT
Tracy, in just a towel, walks into the communal bathroom,

already brushing her teeth. Humming to herself as she spits
out the toothpaste.
She removes the towel and gets in, closing the shower stall.
She puts on shampoo when the lights go out.
TRACY
You have to be kidding me.
It’s pitch black. She continues to quickly shower. From a

window, there is a little bit of distorted moonlight but
otherwise, completely dark.
She’s washing the soap out of her eyes so she doesn’t see
through the frosted glass of the stall door a FIGURE walk
past.
Tracy turns off the shower. It’s completely silent. Then

one of the other showers turns on.
TRACY (CONT’D)
Hey, how about turning on the
light?
No response. Another shower turns on.
TRACY (CONT’D)
Hey. Is anyone there?
Tracy, a little more perturbed, steps out into a little space

to dry off between the shower and the stall door. She hits
her foot against the corner. She rubs the pain away and
looks up --
The figure stands outside the stall door, facing her.
Tracy jumps and screams. The figure slowly walks towards the
door. Tracy steps back into the shower, bumping into the
wall.
The figure gets close enough to the door to turn the knob.
Tracy’s shivering, from cold and fear.
TRACY (CONT’D)
I know it’s you.
42.
The hand releases the knob. The figure pauses for a moment,
then walks away. Tracy stands; back up against the shower.
Still in the dark. It takes her a moment, but then --
TRACY (CONT’D)
Bitch.
She gets her courage back; wraps the towel around herself;
and storms out of the shower stall.
TRACY (CONT’D)
(yells)
I’ve had enough of you, Rebecca.
She makes her way to the next one. Dramatically pulls back
the curtain --
Nothing but a running shower. She turns it off.
TRACY (CONT’D)
(taunting)
You know, Rebecca. Sara thinks
you’re kind of weird. She told me.
She walks to the next stall. Pulls back another curtain. No

one. Just a running shower. She turns it off.
She checks the other stalls. Nobody. She calms down a bit.
Relaxes.
TRACY (CONT’D)
(to herself)
Freak.
She walks back to her stall to get her things. Doesn’t

notice her curtain is now pulled shut. She then senses
something and looks up.
There’s an outline of a person behind the curtain. Before

she can scream, the figure rushes her, pulling the curtain
down with it, slamming Tracy to the floor. The curtain
covers her face as the figure, on top of her, pulls it tight
on either side.
Tracy can’t breath as she tries to struggle but to no avail.

The curtain is taut against her face. She can see the blurry
image of a head but that’s it. She’s losing air as her
struggling slows.
Suddenly, the figure releases the curtain. Gets up and walks

away. Tracy coughs, flailing the curtain off of her.
Regaining the breath in her lungs.
43.
INT. DORM LOUNGE - LATE NIGHT
Sara and Stephen are sitting on a couch in her dorm lounge.

He has his arm around her shoulder, lightly playing with the
ends of her hair.
STEPHEN
I’m going to flunk my test tomorrow
because of you.
SARA
Let’s make sure it was worth it.
She gives him a slow, lingering kiss.
STEPHEN
Jokes on you. I was going to flunk
anyway.
Rebecca is on Sara’s bed, petting Cuddles and sketching in

her drawing pad, humming the tune Tracy was humming in the
bathroom. She hears someone talking and walking in the
hallway in the direction of her room. She quickly turns off
the light and pretends to sleep. But the steps keep going
down the hallway. False alarm.
She picks up her cellphone. No calls. She dials.
INT. DORM LOUNGE - SAME
Sara’s phone rings. She takes it out of her purse and

notices it’s Rebecca. She also notices that she’s called a
few times.
SARA
It’s my roommate. She called a
bunch.
STEPHEN
I’ll let you go.
He gets up and walks to the elevators. They kiss again as

the elevator opens. He steps in. They look at each other,
awkwardly waiting for the ancient doors to close. Then he
quickly moves forward and gives her a peck as the doors
finally start to close.
44.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Sara’s on cloud nine as she walks back to her room. She

quietly unlocks the door and sneaks in. Rebecca is sleeping.
Even though she called just a minute ago.
SARA
(whispers)
I’m back. I was just in the
lounge.
Rebecca sleepily grunts.
SARA (CONT’D)
I saw you called a few times.
No answer. Sara shrugs and then bumps into her chair. She
picks it up and moves it back into the middle of the room.
Rebecca opens her eyes but doesn’t say anything.
EXT. QUADS - DAY
They’re walking to their respective classes -- sipping their

coffees in silence. Rebecca looks straight ahead, listening
to her IPOD. Sara turns to her.
SARA
(walking away)
I’ll see you later I guess.
REBECCA
Hey Sara.
She turns.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I was just worried about you.
SARA
You don’t need to worry about me.
I can take care of myself. Okay?
Sara puts her hand on Rebecca’s arm.
SARA (CONT’D)
Thanks for the concern, though. We
good?
Rebecca slowly nods.

45.
INT. LIBRARY
Sara sits with Stephen. He’s trying to read but has the
attention span of a gnat. Sara’s not studying either. She’s
on her Facebook page. Gets a message for adding a new
friend...from Rebecca.
Sara clicks to add her.
INT. LIBRARY - STAIRS
Rebecca walks down the stairs and stops, spotting Sara and
Stephen. She stops and hides behind the doorway. Watching
them.
INT. LIBRARY
Sara goes to Rebecca’s Facebook page. Sara’s her only

friend. The picture of Sara and Rebecca in front of the
graffiti is on the site. There are more of her drawings and
a picture of a brunette haired girl with the caption “Maria”.
Sara looks at her interests. Favorite Artist: Richard

Prince. Favorite Passion: Drawing. Favorite movie: Coyote
Ugly. Sara smiles. Best Friend: SARA. She loses the
smile.
SARA
I’m already her best friend?
STEPHEN
That’s a little sad.
SARA
Shut up.
But the look on her face says she agrees.
STEPHEN
Maybe she REALLY likes you...if you
know what I mean.
She looks at him quizzically.
SARA
I don’t.
He just looks at her, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

46.
SARA (CONT’D)
You...are...a...moron.
He grins.
STEPHEN
I’ll see you later. I have to get
another book from the stacks.
They both get up.
INT. LIBRARY - STAIRWELL
Rebecca watches them kiss. Entranced for a moment but then

quickly goes back up the stairs before they start walking
out.
INT. LIBRARY - STACKS - LATER
Stephen searches for a book in the remote stacks of the

library. It’s row after row of books; massive and endless.
Stephen’s alone, thumbing through books, not finding the one
he needs.
Stephen drops a book, bends down to pick it up and then over

his shoulder, from the row behind, we see Rebecca standing
there, watching him. Her eyes barely visible in the space
between the shelves and the books.
Stephen replaces the book. He starts walking down the aisle,

looking at the numbers of the books, quietly counting to
himself.
Rebecca mimics his pacing as she follows him down her aisle.
Her hands gently brush against the books, as her eyes stay on
Stephen. He turns towards Rebecca’s direction and stops in
his tracks.
So does Rebecca. She’s completely still.
Stephen walks over, looks at a book that’s covering Rebecca.

She blends in. He puts his hand on the book, about to pull
it out and reveal her. But it’s not the right one. He
doesn’t notice her and keeps walking.
He gets to the end of his aisle as does Rebecca. He peers

around the markers at the end of the aisle, trying to figure
out which direction to go.
Rebecca’s hands are sweaty. She’s nervous. It’s not clear

whether she wants him to find her or not.
47.
Stephen takes another look at both aisles, and then goes

right, walking into the next aisle.
Rebecca softly exhales. Whispers to herself.
REBECCA
Stephen.
Stephen stops dead. Did he hear something? He decides he

didn’t and keeps going. He looks at the books again.
STEPHEN
Shit, wrong aisle.
He walks out of the aisle, towards the direction of

Rebecca’s. He turns the corner to walk in and it’s --
EMPTY.
He continues down the aisle. We hear a door close in the

distance.
EXT. BEACH - LATE NIGHT
Stephen and Sara are walking, holding hands, alone on the

beach. She has her other hand in her empty pocket, fussing
around.
SARA
I can’t believe I forgot my cell
phone.
He looks at his watch.
STEPHEN
Should we head back home?
They walk by a small playground comprised of the slide,

jungle gym, etc.
SARA
The question is “whose home?”
STEPHEN
Hmmm...
SARA
I’ll make you a bet. I go back to
your place or you take me home to
my twin bed and roommate.
STEPHEN
What’s the bet?
48.
She eyes the jungle gym.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH - PLAYGROUND
Sara and Stephen are each hanging from the jungle gym. This
has been going on for a few minutes. Both straining.
Stephen’s worse off.
STEPHEN
This is kind of a stupid bet.
SARA
Why’d you agree?
STEPHEN
Apparently, I’m kind of a stupid
guy.
SARA
Making me laugh isn’t going to help
you.
They stare each other down. She’s stifling a laugh, much

more in control as Stephen is straining. He tries to swing
his legs and kick her. She avoids him. He catches a peek at
her bare midriff. Belly button piercing. Finally, this
makes him fall. She then lets go, victorious.
SARA (CONT’D)
I was a gymnast until I hit a
growth spurt my freshman year.
Stephen brushes himself off. Dejected that he was “this

close”. She walks up to him. Cocky. Gives him a playful
shove.
SARA (CONT’D)
So I win.
He gives her a playful shove back.
STEPHEN
So.
She seductively walks back towards. Takes his hand.
SARA
So...let’s go back to your place.
She gives him a seductive grin.

49.
INT. DORM ROOM
Rebecca sketches. She looks at the clock. It’s 2 am, no

Sara. She gets up. Part worried. Part annoyed. Seeing the
chair in the middle of the room just makes her more upset.
She angrily moves it back towards Sara’s side.
She picks up her phone. She remembers what Sara said to her.
Struggles to not make the phone call but gives in and dials.
She hears a buzzing from Sara’s desk. Rebecca gets up and
finds Sara’s cell phone in her desk drawer. She then starts
flipping through the contacts on Sara’s phone. She stops at:
JASON
Rebecca looks at the name and then clicks the call button.
JASON (O.S.)
(sleepy)
Hello?
Rebecca still looks at the phone. Frozen. Not entirely sure

what’s her next step.
JASON (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Sara?
Now something clicks. Rebecca takes the phone and then lays
down on Sara’s bed, roughly pushing Cuddles off of it.
REBECCA
(whispers)
Jason?
JASON (O.S.)
Sara? Is that you?
She continues to talk in a whispery low voice.
REBECCA
I know it’s late. But I was
thinking about you
JASON (O.S.)
It’s no problem.
She pauses.
REBECCA
I missed you.
50.
Rebecca pulls the covers over her. She’s leaning against the
wall.
JASON (O.S.)
Can we talk...about us?
REBECCA
I don’t want to talk. It’s late.
JASON (O.S.)
Then what?
Under the covers, Rebecca fidgets, unbuttoning her jeans.
REBECCA
I miss holding you.
She closes her eyes, her hand under the covers. She lets out
a soft sigh.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Do you miss touching me?
JASON (O.S.)
Every day.
REBECCA
Prove it.
Sara and Stephen stumble, kissing each other...missing each

other’s mouths mostly as they anxiously get to his room.
STEPHEN
Give me one second to clean up.
SARA
You’re kidding?
He closes the door behind him, leaving her outside by

herself.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - ROOM - SAME
Stephen is frantically throwing clothes into the closet.
STEPHEN
One more second!
51.
SARA (O.S.)
(through the door)
I'm going to start taking my
clothes off out here.
STEPHEN
Yeah, right.
Continues cleaning.
SARA (O.S.)
Ooops! There goes my shirt.
This gets his attention. Then starts cleaning faster.

Stuffing clothes under his bed.
STEPHEN
You know I don’t believe you.
(a little worried)
And that’s supposed to be my strip
tease.
SARA (O.S.)
Now come the jeans.
He’s popping some breath mints. Chomping down.
STEPHEN
I’m just going to put your clothes
back on and make you strip again.
SARA (O.S.)
Hmmm. What’s next? Top or bottom?
Stephen stops, looks at the door.
CUT TO:
INT. FRAT HOUSE - HALLWAY - SAME
All her clothes are still on. She looks down the hallway
which is empty.
SARA
Who do we have here? Hey guys!
Let me ask you. Bra or panties?
Bra? Ok. Ok. Just calm down.
The door swings open. Stephen stands in front of her,

grinning.
52.
STEPHEN
I knew you didn’t have the guts.
She flicks her bra at his face. He catches it, shocked for a
moment. He then tosses it aside and yanks her into the
room. Slamming the door shut behind them.
Rebecca’s breathing harder and faster. Still holding the

phone from which we hear Jason’s breathing and moaning.
Sara and Stephen are now both half-naked, making out on his
bed in a sweet, intimate moment.
The moaning crescendos on both sides of the phone and then

gradually slows down and comes to an end.
JASON (O.S.)
(catching his breath)
We’ve never done that.
Rebecca smiles to herself.
JASON (O.S.) (CONT’D)

I miss you so much.
Her smile fades.
REBECCA
I don’t want you ever calling me
again.
She ends the call and deletes it from the phone log. She
waits for him to call back...but after a few moments, nothing
happens.
EXT. DORM HALLWAY - MORNING
Sara, hair mussed up, happily takes the walk of shame down
her hallway. She spots Tracy’s door is open and peeks in to
find Tracy hanging out with her roommate and Kim.
SARA
Hey guys.
53.
KIM
Hey.
Tracy’s mellow. Like a dog that’s just been neutered.
SARA
I talked to Rebecca, by the way.
This gets Tracy’s attention.
SARA (CONT’D)
She said it was all just a
misunderstanding. I was going to
see if she was around to get some
breakfast. Wanna come with and we
can talk it out?
Tracy’s demeanor stiffens.
TRACY
I already ate.
SARA
Ok. Cool. Maybe we can talk later?
TRACY
Can you close my door?
SARA
Sure.
Tracy doesn’t look up as Sara closes it.
INT. DORM ROOM - DAY
Sara opens the door, tentatively, assuming she’s going to get

chastised. But instead, Rebecca’s eyes light up when she
sees her.
REBECCA
Hey roomie!
SARA
Hey. Sorry I didn’t call. I
forgot my phone.
REBECCA
No problem.
Sara opens her desk drawer and grabs her phone out of the
drawer. She quickly checks. No calls.
54.
SARA
I was going to get some breakfast.
You ---
Before she can finish, Cuddles bolts out the door and down
the hallway.
SARA (CONT’D)
Oh no.
Sara runs into the hallway. Rebecca gets up from her bed.
INT. HALLWAY
The resident assistant is holding Cuddles, cradled in his

arms. Sara apprehensively walks up to him.
RA
Is this your cat, Sara?
SARA
Maybe...
RA
He’s cute.
She nods as she gingerly takes Cuddles from his arms. Turns
to walk back to the room.
RA (CONT’D)
You know you have to get rid of
him?
She stops. Turns. Looks at him.
SARA
Okay.
Sara walks back towards her room, where Rebecca stands at the
door. Rebecca exchanges a despondent look with Sara as she
walks in with Cuddles.
EXT. SIDEWALK RESTAURANT - EVENING
Sara and Irene are eating. Sara looks down at the piles of
bags at her feet.
SARA
Thanks for taking me shopping. I
needed to get out.
55.
IRENE
Sure, of course.
SARA
So do you want a kitten? A
realllly cute one?
IRENE
I can’t, I travel way too much.
Sara gives her a disappointed look as her phone rings. She

answers.
SARA
Hey, I’m fine. I’ll be home soon.
Bye.
Sara hangs up.
SARA (CONT’D)
My roommate. She was just checking
up on me.
IRENE
Checking up?
SARA
Yeah, Rebecca. She’s a little over-
protective.
IRENE
Ah, Becky!
SARA
Ummm, yeah...no. She’s no “Becky.”
IRENE
Why don’t you move in with me? My
place allows pets. It’s huge and
I’m never there, anyway.
SARA
Isn’t it in a pretty bad area?
IRENE
It’s L.A. It’s all a bad area.
Besides, I own a gun. So it’s
safe.
SARA
What?!
Sara shakes her head in disbelief.

56.
IRENE
Whatever. Just think about it. So
how’s...Jason, right? I always
liked him.
SARA
We broke up.
IRENE
Yeah, he sucked.
INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT
Sara’s stuffing clothes into her tiny closet with more bags
filling up what little room there is on the floor. Rebecca’s
on her laptop and types while Sara talks.
SARA
Irene’s so put together. Not
dependent on anyone.
Rebecca’s looking at Irene’s Facebook profile.
REBECCA
(under her breath)
Sounds a little sad.
SARA
Huh?
REBECCA
Nothing.
Sara looks at her tiny, overfilled closet. Trying to

navigate around the room she knocks into her chair. Moves
it.
SARA
Actually, Irene said maybe I could
move in with her.
REBECCA
(worried)
You want to move?
SARA
Of course not, I love being your
roommate, but I don't know what to
do about Cuddles.
Sara sits down next to Rebecca, trying to put a bright spin

on things.
57.
SARA (CONT’D)
I’d still officially be living
here. So you wouldn’t get another
roommate. We’d both have a lot
more space.
REBECCA
I don’t mind. Really.
Sara gets up.
SARA
It’s just something to think about.
Rebecca stares at Cuddles.
INT. CAMPUS COFFEE SHOP - LATER
Sara’s on her cellphone while she’s making a latte. She

grabs a book out of her lazy co-worker’s hand and motions for
him to get back to work. She’s completely got the hang of it
now and is in charge.
SARA
Hey. I was just calling to say Hi.
What? I do call, Mom. Geez.
She hands a drink to a kid standing in line, who rolls his

eyes as he walks away. They’ve all been there.
SARA (CONT’D)
Uh. Thanksgiving? I’m not sure
yet. It’s a pretty long flight...I
might just stay here. Save some
money.
No one else in line.
SARA (CONT’D)
You know what? It’s pretty busy.
I gotta go. Bye, Mom.
She hangs up the phone.
Rebecca gathers her laundry into a giant duffle bag. She

picks up the bag and starts to walk out when she looks at
Cuddles. She scoops the kitten up.
58.
REBECCA
You want to go outside, don’t you?
INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - LATER
Rebecca waits for her clothes to finish drying. She watches

Cuddles play on top of the washers. It’s very cute but
Rebecca displays complete ambivalence as she eyes the kitten.
She gets up to check on her clothes which have dried. Takes

them out of the dryer. There’s still a couple of minutes
left on the timer. She goes over to the washers and grabs
Cuddles, petting the kitten gently. Walking back to the
dryers, she places Cuddles inside.
REBECCA
(baby talk)
See how nice and warm it is in
there.
The kitten seems to enjoy the warmth. Then Rebecca closes

the glass door and watches the confused kitten paw at the
glass. She gently pushes the start button just enough to get
the dryer moving for a sec. Cuddles stumbles, falls over but
then gets back up. Rebecca pushes the button again, a little
longer this time. Cuddles stumbles. Flips over.
The dryer beeps. Out of time. Cuddles meows at her. Wanting

out. Instead, Rebecca reaches into her pocket. Digs around
and finds one last quarter. She gently places it in the
slot. Another 15 minutes. She bends down. Places her hand
lightly on the button. Looks at the kitten.
Before she pushes --
CUT TO:
Sara walks in to find Rebecca bawling. She rushes to her

side.
SARA
What’s wrong?
Rebecca looks up at her, eyes red. Ashamed.
REBECCA
Cuddles got out.
59.
SARA
Where?!
REBECCA
Outside.
SARA
What?!
REBECCA
I was doing laundry and took her
with me. She got out of the bag
and ran out. I went after her
but...
(whimpers)
I’m so sorry.
Sara gets up. She really wants to go off on Rebecca but sees
how distraught and fragile she is.
SARA
Maybe she’ll come back.
REBECCA
She won’t.
She says it like she knows for sure.
SARA
I’ll go look for her.
REBECCA
Do you want me to help?
But Sara’s already gone, closing the door hard behind her.
INT. CAFETERIA - NIGHT
Sara and Rebecca are quietly eating by themselves.
REBECCA
(whispers)
I loved Cuddles too.
Sara puts down her fork.
SARA
We weren’t supposed to have pets
anyway.
REBECCA
I know you’re mad at me.
60.
Sara takes her hand.
SARA
It’s okay. I know it was an
accident. I’m just stressed,
dealing with...
Sara sits back in her chair.
SARA (CONT’D)
...everything.
She looks off to the side.
SARA (CONT’D)
My mom wants me to come home for
Thanksgiving but the holidays just
make my parents so...emotional.
REBECCA
You can come home with me.
SARA
(thrown)
What?
Rebecca sits up. More excited.
REBECCA
You can come home with me for
Thanksgiving.
SARA
Well...
REBECCA
Only if it makes it easier for you.
Sara thinks about this for a second.
SARA
Your family wouldn’t mind?
REBECCA
My parents won’t care. They don’t
care about anything I do.
SARA
I’ll think about it.
(smiles)
Thanks for the offer.
61.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Professor Roberts lectures but Sara’s not paying attention,

looking off in the distance with tired eyes.
ROBERTS
Pathological attachments are
associated with a lack of early
attachment to others in the family.
Roberts notices Sara is spacing. He walks towards her as he

continues to lecture.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
Their relationships tend to be
sadistic, based in power over
others. Meloy claims that
psychopaths are biologically
predisposed to antisocial activity
because they have a hyper-reactive
autonomic nervous system.
Exploiting others excites them.
He gets closer to her, she’s nowhere close to paying

attention. The rest of the class notices what he’s doing
with a smattering of laughter.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
That means they're motivated to do
things that heighten their nervous
system and have no real conscience
about hurting others.
(overly loud)
Sara.
Sara jumps and snaps out of her daze.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
I do have office hours right after
this class. In case you need to
catch up.
Sara nods, embarrassed.
INT. OFFICE - LATER
Typical professor’s office. Tiny. Intimate. Books stacked

along every wall.
62.
Roberts sits back in his chair. Nonchalant. You know he’s

the cool teacher but you also know he tries a bit too hard to
be the cool teacher.
SARA
Sorry about the lecture, Professor
Roberts. It’s not any indication
of how I feel about the class. I
really enjoy it.
ROBERTS
(very serious)
I asked you to call me Charles.
Sara chuckles, exhales.
SARA
Sorry, again. Charles.
She takes out her notebook, not noticing Roberts getting out
of his chair. He sits down right next to her. Close.
ROBERTS
We’re not in class. Let’s make
this more of a discussion
SARA
Great.
ROBERTS
So, how’s college so far? More
studying or more partying?
SARA
(sly grin)
A fairly healthy dose of both I
would say.
ROBERTS
The social part of college is just
as important as the educational.
The close proximity is making Sara fidget. A little

claustrophobic. She crosses her legs and accidentally
brushes up against his leg.
SARA
So, okay. What did I miss in the
lecture? Sorry again.
ROBERTS
It was about pathological
attachments.
63.
SARA
Hmmm, so what characteristics
qualify as pathological attachment?
Sara’s genuinely interested but Roberts doesn’t seem to want

to rehash the lecture.
ROBERTS
What was preventing you from paying
attention? What was going on in
here?
He gently taps the side of her head with his finger.
SARA
Not sure. Just a lot of things,
I --
Before she can react he comes in close and kisses her. She
pushes him away. Reels back. Finding her balance as she
gets out of her chair.
SARA (CONT’D)
I better go.
She bolts out of the office, looking back to make sure he’s
not following her.
INT. LIBRARY
Sara loudly drops her books down next to Rebecca. She gets
looks but doesn’t care, staring blankly into space. She
shakes her head, trying to scramble her memory of what just
happened. Rebecca leans over, concerned.
REBECCA
What’s the matter?
SARA
My psych professor just kissed me.
Rebecca turns very serious. She gets up and sits down next
to Sara.
REBECCA
Are you alright?
Sara nods.
SARA
I think the asshole is married. I
thought I saw a ring.
64.
Rebecca puts her hand on Sara’s.
REBECCA
I won’t let him hurt you.
SARA
I can handle it.
Rebecca gives her a look like she doesn’t believe her.
INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
It’s late. Roberts gathers his books and puts them in his
briefcase. He hears footsteps coming down the hall, towards
his office. Stop in front of his door. He glances at the
door. Waiting for a knock but the footsteps walk off into
the distance.
He opens his drawer. Grabs his wedding ring. Slips it on

his finger.
The footsteps grow louder again as they start back down the
hallway and to his office. Stops. Roberts watches the door.
Waits. Nothing. He closes his briefcase. Walks around his
desk.
Sees the silhouette of two feet at the bottom of the door.

He reaches for the doorknob but stops short when he hears a
couple of loud knocks. He opens it, revealing --
Rebecca. Wearing a tight v-neck cardigan. Slim, black

jeans. Feet are fitted with silver heels.
REBECCA
Professor Roberts?
He nods. Wary, but not unpleased.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
You still have office hours right?
I heard you stay pretty late.
ROBERTS
I was leaving, actually.
Although, he steps back into his office to give her room to

come in.
65.
INT. OFFICE
He puts his briefcase down on the chair next to him. She

walks into the cramped office, slowly towards Roberts.
REBECCA
A friend of mine in your class was
raving about you. I was wondering
if I could still get in this
semester.
ROBERTS
(furrows his brow)
We’re over halfway through.
She’s closer.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
It’s a little late in the game.
Closer.
REBECCA
Can’t you make an exception?
ROBERTS
It would be a bit unusual.
She’s very close now, looking into his eyes. But something
else catches her attention.
REBECCA
Oh.
She maneuvers around him, ever so slightly brushing up

against his coat. She picks up the portrait of his wife and
two kids on the shelf.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Is this your family?
He looks her up and down. Takes off his coat. Places it on

his chair
ROBERTS
My sister...and...her kids.
In the reflection she can see him slipping off his wedding
ring. Smirks. Quickly turns. About to drop the ring on his
chair, Roberts now grips it tightly. Almost caught.
66.
REBECCA
Sorry to waste your time. I’ll try
next semester.
She walks towards the door and is about to open it.
ROBERTS
(can’t let her go)
What was your name?
She turns.
REBECCA
(coy)
What does it matter if you’re not
going to let me in?
ROBERTS
I said it would be unusual. Not
impossible.
She walks back into the office and leans against the edge of
his desk.
REBECCA
So what do I have to do?
Now he looks her up and down so she’ll notice. She doesn’t

leave so he takes it as a sign. Walks just a couple of small
steps closer to her.
ROBERTS
You’ve done quite a bit so far.
She gives a small, nervous laugh. Starts to get up.
REBECCA
Maybe I’ll wait til --
But he kisses her. She shoves him away. His ring goes
flying. Hits the wall.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
(upset)
What are you doing?
He gains his balance.
ROBERTS
I thought you were --
67.
REBECCA
I was getting up to leave.
(wipes her mouth)
How could you do that?
She moves towards the door. Quickly. He instinctively grabs

her arm.
ROBERTS
Wait.
But she slaps it away.
REBECCA
(flustered)
That was extremely inappropriate.
She quickly opens the door.
ROBERTS
You bitch tease.
She stops. Slowly turns to look at him. A very small hint

of a smile. As if she takes it as a compliment. She walks
out the door, slamming it shut behind her.
He’s left standing there. Pissed. He grabs his briefcase.

Knocks his coat to the floor. Snatches it. Puts it on
hastily and sloppily. He’s about to walk out when he
remembers the ring. Looks around the office. Where did it
go? He spots it behind an easy chair in the corner.
He gets on his knees. Reaches under the chair. Grabs the

ring and jams it back on his finger. This calms him down for
a moment. Takes a deep breath to compose himself.
He stands up. Straightens his jacket up. Chuckles to

himself at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Calmly opens the door.
INT. HALLWAY
He looks down the long, empty corridor that stretches from

one end of the building to the other. He’s all the way at
the back end. Not tenured yet.
He locks his door and walks down the hallway. Gets about a
third of the way down when the lights go out. It’s pitch
black. A faint, dying light from the “exit” sign in the
distance.
68.
ROBERTS
What now?
We hear him shuffle around in the dark.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
(loud)
Hello? I’m still here.
The lights go back on.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
(loud)
Thank you.
He shakes his head and continues to walk when the lights go

off again.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
Oh come on. What the f--
The lights go back on again, shutting him up. He looks

around with a bit more urgency.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
Is anyone there?
Actually taking a few steps back to his office. Looking

around but it’s just closed office doors.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
You can turn them off in a second.
I’m just leaving.
He starts to walk out when the lights go off.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
(yells)
Enough. Whoever you are. Enough!
The words echo until it’s completely silent. Waiting for a

response.
The lights go back on. He composes himself again. Starts to

walk towards the exit when the lights go off. Silence. Just
his breathing.
His loafers shuffle down the hallway for a bit. The faint
sound of a door opening behind him, followed by the click-
clacking of heel-to-toe in the distance. He stops. The
click-clacking continues.
69.
ROBERTS (CONT’D)
Hello?
No response from the dark hallway. Just slow click-clacking.

He shuffles for the exit. By the sound of his loafers, at a
little faster pace.
The click-clacking is intermittently quicker. His footsteps

are faster. Then running. The click-clacking even faster.
His breathing is harder and then a crash into the wall.
A loud, pained grunt follows. Again. Again. Again.

Again...softer this time. Then a body drops to the floor.
EXT. QUADS - DAY
A few police cars line the circular driveway in the middle of

the quads. Students mill about in a somber mood.
Sara takes notice of the commotion as she walks into the

psych building.
INT. HALLWAY
There are more policemen inside as she walks up to the

doorway of her classroom.
INT. CLASSROOM
A WOMAN sits on Professor Robert’s desk. She gestures for

Sara to come in.
WOMAN
I’m Dean Jacobs. Please sit down.
Sara takes a seat. Confused like the rest of the class.
INT. DORM LOUNGE
Sara gets out of the elevator in a bit of a daze and finds

Rebecca sitting in the lounge. Other students are milling
about but Rebecca sits by herself, drawing. Sara sits next to
her after waving to the others. Rebecca protectively closes
the cover of her book.
SARA
You’re not going to believe what
happened. My psych professor was
killed.
70.
REBECCA
Oh my god. Are you okay?
Sara nods.
SARA
It was some random attack,
apparently. They said we’re in the
middle of the city, stuff like this
happens.
Sara holds her head.
SARA (CONT’D)
My head is killing me.
Rebecca reaches out with both hands and gently rubs Sara’s
temples. Sara watches her while she does this. Closes her
eyes as it starts to feel good.
REBECCA
It’s convenient though.
Sara opens her eyes.
SARA
What?
REBECCA
I mean. He kind of deserved it.
Pulls back out of her reach.
SARA
I would never think that.
REBECCA
I know you wouldn’t.
Sara phone buzzes. A text from Irene: How r u feeling?
SARA
It’s Irene. She’s worried about
me.
REBECCA
Oh, you already told her?
SARA
She called. It’s all over the
news.
As Sara gets up, she starts to dial.

71.
SARA (CONT’D)
You guys really have to meet.
You’d love her.
Rebecca, hugs her book, as she watches Sara walk down the
hall.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN
Rebecca is standing up. Hanging on the handle. Staring out

the window. No emotion. She looks like she’s staring at her
own reflection. The train comes to a halt. Riders shuffle
around.
Rebecca sees a seat open up and sits down. We see what she
was staring at as she sits facing Irene. Rebecca continues
to stare at her until Irene finally looks up. Rebecca
doesn’t avert her stare. Furrows her brow. Curious.
Before Irene becomes too weirded out, the train comes to

another stop and Rebecca gets up and walks out. Irene looks
at her for a moment as she leaves but thinks nothing more of
it when the doors close.
INT. CAMPUS COFFEE SHOP
Sara’s serving drinks. She pauses to lean against the

counter and watch the band playing. Stephen’s band. They’re
surprisingly not...horrible. He catches her looking at him.
A small smile as he continues to play. They’re both smitten
with each other.
INT. CAMPUS COFFEE SHOP - LATER
Stephen, sweaty, is behind the counter helping Sara clean up.
SARA
I think you need to quit college
and go on tour.
STEPHEN
Hmmm. Let me think about this. The
only places we can get booked is at
my own frat and at my girlfriend’s
coffee shop. I think “no”.
SARA
(smirks)
Girlfriend?
72.
STEPHEN
You heard me.
SARA
So you think it’ll be fun to stay
here during Thanksgiving?
STEPHEN
Dinner at the frat, the football
games. Don’t forget the always
awkward, homoerotic humor.
SARA
Sounds like a blast.
STEPHEN
It will be.
INT. DORM ROOM
Rebecca. Somber. Stares at herself in front of a full

length mirror in their dorm. Behind the front door. She
looks herself over. No sure what she’s thinking. Then.
She hits herself. On the temple. Hard. With her fist. She
leaves a mark. She wobbles for a bit. Nearly knocked herself
unconscious. But she straightens herself up. Examines herself
in the mirror. Then she hits herself again. Same spot.
Then again, with her other arm. Hitting her shoulder. Then
again. And again. It’s painful to watch. But she seems to
be getting more and more numb to it.
She inspects herself. Then reaches down and grabs an

artist’s UTILITY KNIFE. Looks like a large, retractable box
cutter. She fully extends the blade. Searches herself
through the mirror for the right spot. She pulls up her
shirt. Turns to the side a bit. Places the knife against
her skin and...
CUT TO:
Sara opens the door and finds Rebecca curled up in a fetal

position in a corner of the room. Sobbing. Sara drops her
things and runs over to her.
SARA
What happened?
73.
She cradles Rebecca who buries her head in between her knees.
Sara checks the bruises on the side of her head and her arms.
SARA (CONT’D)
Rebecca. It’s okay. You’re safe
now. I’m here.
Rebecca pulls her head up. Trying to talk.
REBECCA
A man...
Sara holds her.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I was looking for Cuddles.
This hits Sara hard.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
(between tears)
Someone...just pulled me into an
alleyway. He tried...
She can’t finish.
SARA
It’s okay. It’s okay. Shhh.
REBECCA
I got away.
SARA
You’re alright now.
Sara then notices a streak of blood against Rebecca’s shirt.

She pulls it up and sees a slash. Gasps.
Rebecca has showered. Her hair’s still wet. She’s just in

her underwear. Sara tends to her wounds. She flinches a bit
while Sara dabs at it with a gauze.
SARA
The cut isn’t too deep. We need to
get you to a doctor though.
REBECCA
No.
Sara looks up. Surprised.

74.
SARA
Rebecca we have to. And then the
police.
Rebecca pulls back on her bed.
REBECCA
I don’t want to. I can’t.
SARA
You have to.
REBECCA
(Starts crying again)
Please. I didn’t see him.
She’s so frazzled. She’s undoing the nursing efforts Sara’s

performed for her.
SARA
Okay. Okay. We won’t go. Just
let me help you.
Rebecca calms down. Let’s Sara finish. Watching her

intently as she works.
EXT. STREET - DORM - DAY
Sara’s on the sidewalk in front of her dorm with Stephen.

Inside, the lobby is busy with students getting ready to go
home for the holiday.
SARA
Sorry about not staying. But,
Rebecca...
STEPHEN
I get it.
(kisses her)
I’m going to make out with my
pillow and pretend it’s you.
SARA
Just say you’ll miss me.
STEPHEN
I’ll miss you.
Rebecca pulls up in her car. Sara gets in. Rebecca gives

Stephen an “I win” look as Sara closes the door.
75.
INT. CAR - LATER
Sara looks down at her phone.
SARA
It’s weird how Jason stopped
calling.
REBECCA
It’s what you wanted, right?
Sara nods, reassuring herself.
SARA
Yeah. Yeah it is.
Sara looks out the window as Rebecca lets out a hint of a

smile.
EXT. SIDEWALK - EVENING
Rebecca and Sara stand in the driveway of a mansion. Sara is

flabbergasted.
SARA
This is your house?
REBECCA
It’s not that great.
INT. FOYER
Rebecca enters. The lights are off. She timidly walks further
in, looking around. Sara puts her bags down, closing the
door, making Rebecca jump a bit. She’s definitely on edge.
Rebecca turns to Sara.
REBECCA
This is typical of them.
MOM/DAD (V.O.)
SURPRISE!
Rebecca’s parents rush in from the living room. Her father

gives Rebecca a big hug. Her mother looks at the bruises on
her face.
76.
MOM
(alarmed)
What happened?
REBECCA
Nothing.
DAD
It’s not nothing.
REBECCA
(snaps)
Leave it alone.
Stuns Sara. But her mother and father cease. Her mom gives
her a tender, protracted embrace. Rebecca barely raises her
arms to return it.
DAD
Hello. And you are?
SARA
I'm Sara.
She puts out her hand while simultaneously looking at

Rebecca, puzzled, they don’t know about her.
REBECCA
Sara is my roommate.
DAD
(pleased)
I’m Jeff.
Rebecca’s mother comes over to Sara and unexpectedly embraces

her.
MOM
It’s so great to meet you, Sara.
I’m Alison.
Rebecca grabs Sara by the arm.
REBECCA
Come on, let me show you my room.
INT. REBECCA’S ROOM
Rebecca slams the door behind them. Startles Sara.
SARA
You didn’t tell them I was coming?
77.
REBECCA
They didn’t need to know.
Rebecca plops down on the bed. Sara looks around. Typical

teenage girl’s bedroom. Except, no posters. Just drawings
covering the walls. Sara takes a closer look at them. They
are mostly self-portraits.
SARA
These are interesting.
Sara looks at one where Rebecca is staring straight back at

us. No smile.
REBECCA
I just like capturing my moods.
Sara, nods still looking around.
INT. DINING ROOM - LATER
Family and guest sit around a very nice, but not too large
dining table. The contents of the house are expensive but
not pretentious.
Rebecca plays with her food, clearly not wanting to engage

her parents who are undaunted with their warm demeanor.
SARA
Rebecca’s a pretty great artist.
JEFF
We think Rebecca is so talented.
Rebecca shakes her head, uncomfortable with the flattery.
SARA
She’s an awesome roommate.
JEFF
(looks at his daughter,
pointedly)
That’s really great.
ALISON
Sara, I’ll make up a room for you --
REBECCA
She’ll stay in my room.
Sara turns to Rebecca confused but willing to go along.

78.
INT. REBECCA’S ROOM - NIGHT
Sara and Rebecca are getting ready to sleep. Sara has made a
makeshift bed in the middle of the floor.
REBECCA
We can share the bed if you want.
Sara looks down at her own “bed” and takes a glance at the
walls. On the floor, she’s going to be surrounded by the
drawings of Rebecca looking at her.
SARA
Sure.
Sara climbs into bed with Rebecca. They lay back to back.
Rebecca turns the lamp off next to the bed.
REBECCA
Thanks for coming.
SARA
Next Thanksgiving, you have to run
interference with my family.
REBECCA
Done.
Sara closes her eyes. It’s silent. Then, Rebecca turns

over. Another beat. She then opens her eyes -- inches from
Sara. She ever so slowly raises her hand and gently strokes
Sara’s hair. Sara opens her eyes for a second. Not sure if
she felt something.
But then she closes them again.
INT. HOUSE - LATER
It’s still the middle of the night. Jeff walks from the
stairs into the pitch black kitchen. He’s lived here long
enough to know where everything is in the dark.
KITCHEN
He opens the fridge and the soft light barely illuminates

Rebecca sitting stoically at the table behind her father.
REBECCA
Hey, Dad.
Jeff jumps. Stands by the open fridge.

79.
JEFF
Becs.
Rebecca, glass of milk in her hand, gives her father a dirty

look. We know how much she hates nicknames.
JEFF (CONT’D)
How are you doing?
REBECCA
Fine. My grades are good.
JEFF
That’s not what I mean.
She looks down at the table.
REBECCA
I’m making friends.
Jeff, very subtly, cringes.
JEFF
Your mother and I care for you
quite a bit.
Now she looks at him.
REBECCA
Okay.
He doesn’t know what else to say.
JEFF
Just so you know.
He closes the fridge door and walks out of the kitchen,

leaving his daughter in the dark.
INT. FRONT DOOR - DAY
Sara waits by the front door. Alison walks in.
ALISON
Hi Sara.
SARA
Rebecca’s grabbing her sweater.
She’s going to show me some of her
high school hang outs.
80.
ALISON
Wonderful.
SARA
It was soooo long ago. I hope she
remembers.
Sara snickers at her own joke. Alison does not. Instead,

she peers up the stairs.
ALISON
Rebecca seems to be doing well.
SARA
Uhhh, yeah. I think she is.
ALISON
So she’s been taking her
medication, right?
SARA
Medication?
The conversation is interrupted as a door slams upstairs.

Alison turns to smile at her daughter as she comes down the
stairs.
ALISON
Hey sweetheart.
She kisses her on the cheek. Rebecca is annoyed.
REBECCA
(to Sara)
Ready?
Sara nods but is unsteadied by what Alison just said. She

looks back but Alison waves cheerfully.
EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY
It’s an affluent but quaint little town’s main street.
Rebecca and Sara stroll down the sidewalk. Sara, from time
to time, catches herself staring at Rebecca.
REBECCA
Is something wrong? You’re looking
at me weird.
SARA
It’s just...
81.
She wants to ask her about the “medication”.
SARA (CONT’D)
It’s just nice to know so much more
about you.
REBECCA
(embarrassed)
Come on.
INT. COFFEE SHOP
Sara and Rebecca are in line ordering drinks. The teenage

cashier takes their orders but keeps staring at Rebecca. She
doesn’t pay any attention to him. Sara takes her coffee.
SARA
Thanks.
He looks at Sara. As if trying to figure her out. What’s

she’s doing with Rebecca?
They sit down at a table. The cashier and barista glance

over at them from time to time, whispering to each other.
Rebecca gives them a look. Like a warning. They freeze.
Afraid to talk. Rebecca turns her attention back to Sara.
REBECCA
I came here like every afternoon
after school.
SARA
(sips)
Cool.
(nods to the cashier)
They look like they recognized you.
REBECCA
(looks down at her coffee)
Yeah.
The door opens. A group of girls walk in, laughing and

chatting. One BRUNETTE comes to a screeching halt when she
spots Rebecca. Sara recognizes her, MARIA, from the picture
on Rebecca’s Facebook. The others go silent.
SARA
You know them?
REBECCA
They went to my high school.
82.
SARA
Friends?
Rebecca doesn’t answer her as she makes eye contact with one
girl in particular.
The girls, by the door, confer amongst themselves. The

Brunette who keeps glancing at Rebecca sits down at a table
by the entrance. As far away from Rebecca’s and Sara’s table
as possible. The rest of the girls order their drinks,
making quick glances towards Rebecca.
Sara looks back and forth between Rebecca and the girls.
Rebecca doesn’t waver. She keeps focusing on the one girl by
the entrance. Suddenly, Rebecca gets up.
REBECCA
Let’s leave.
Rebecca starts walking towards the entrance. Sara, confused,

gathers her things and then gets up as Rebecca is already
almost at the door. The other girls notice and quickly walk
back.
The brunette sits there like a deer caught in headlights.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Hello, Maria.
MARIA
(wary)
Hello.
The other girls, and Sara join the two. Rebecca simply looks
them over. Unfazed. Sending shivers down their collective
spine. They want to back up their friend but there is also a
sense that they’re just as afraid as she is. Sara observes,
standing behind Rebecca.
Rebecca suddenly turns cheerful.
REBECCA
Oh, I wanted to introduce you to
Sara. My roommate.
Sara gives a small wave to Maria who looks her over. Almost
as if she feels sorry for her.
MARIA
Hi.
83.
Rebecca just keeps eyeing Maria, with a happy, superior grin.

There’s an awkward pause amongst all. Everyone’s tense.
Sara tries to end it.
SARA
Well, we better go.
Rebecca snaps out of it. Nods. They start to walk out but
as they open the door.
MARIA
Rebecca.
Everyone turns to Maria. She looks Rebecca directly in the

eye.
MARIA (CONT’D)
Stay away from me.
Rebecca stares at her, grinding her teeth. The tension

building. Maria doesn’t back down though. Feels like she
needed to say this. Sara grabs Rebecca’s shoulder, gently.
SARA
Come on, let’s go.
INT. CAR - DAY
They are driving back. Sara looks out the window. Lost in
thought.
SARA
I guess college is a fresh start
for both of us.
Rebecca doesn’t look at her. Just a hint of acknowledgement

on her face.
Sara’s phone buzzes. This gets Rebecca’s attention. Sara

looks at the text message she just received from Irene:
“back in LA. lemme know abt movin in.”
SARA (CONT’D)
Irene’s back in town.
Sara types and sends a text back. Rebecca watches her.

84.
EXT./INT. DORM
Sara is coming from a run, timing it perfectly as someone

walks out the front door. She sneaks into the doorway without
missing a step, forgoing the elevator to take the stairs.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
She bursts out the door and into the hallway.
INT. DORM ROOM
Still a bit out of breath. She walks in, hands on her hips.
Rebecca is packing her school bag.
REBECCA
(not looking up)
How was the run?
SARA
(between deep breaths)
Great. You wanna go get dinner?
REBECCA
I’m going to the art studio.
SARA
I’ll catch you later then.
REBECCA
I’ll probably be late.
(grins)
I feel inspired.
She’s out the door. Sara notices that she left her sketchpad
behind on her bed. Sara eyes it for a beat and then looks at
the closed door.
She gets off the bed and moves towards it when Rebecca
charges back in.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Forgot my pad.
She snags it from her bed and leaves. Sara eyes Rebecca’s
drawer. This time, before she goes over there, she opens the
door.
85.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Sara peeks her head out and looks down both sides of the
empty hallway. She hears the elevator ding.
INT. DORM ROOM
She goes back inside and stealthily goes straight for

Rebecca’s dresser. She opens the top drawer and finds school
supplies. She then goes for the second drawer and finds a
bunch of sketchpads. She leafs through them but they are
empty, yet to be used.
She searches the third drawer; finds sweaters. She feels

around underneath the sweaters and finds something else. She
pulls out a couple of prescription bottles, CLORAZIL. Both
bottles are full.
Sara looks at them. Not sure what to make of it beyond that

when --
A HAND TAPS HER SHOULDER.
She leaps a hundred feet. It’s Stephen.
STEPHEN
Your door was open.
Sara quickly stuffs the bottles back in the drawer where she
found them.
SARA
Call next time.
STEPHEN
(hurt)
Okay. I'll leave.
Sara grabs him.
SARA
Wait. Don’t go.
She gives him a long hug. Stephen holds her tight and speaks,
muffled by her neck.
STEPHEN
You know you smell, right?
86.
EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Sara’s thumbing through her psychology book.
SARA
(reading)
Clorazil is an antipsychotic drug
for bipolar disorders.
STEPHEN
Jesus.
SARA
Do you even know what that means?
STEPHEN
(shakes his head)
No, but it doesn’t sound good.
She closes the book.
SARA
Maybe she’s taking her drugs.
Maybe it’s a refill.
STEPHEN
Maybe. Maybe not.
SARA
Either way I’m calling Irene about
moving in with her.
STEPHEN
Or you can crash with me.
SARA
“Crash” with you?
He nods, but clearly not enthusiastically.
SARA (CONT’D)
Don’t worry. I’ll call Irene. I
have to tell Rebecca first though.
STEPHEN
I don’t envy you.
Sara gives him a look.
SARA
Thanks.
87.
Waitress comes to take their order.
STEPHEN
Two beers.
Stephen takes out his ID and hands it to the waitress. She

inspects it for a bit and then gives it back to him. Sara is
fishing through her purse.
SARA
Uh. I can’t find my license.
WAITRESS
Sorry, I can’t serve you then. The
manager’s here.
Sara sets down her purse.
INT. NIGHT CLUB
A stylish, hip nightclub. A sophisticated crowd. Irene sits

with friends in the lounge section. She sips her martini
while watching the dance floor.
We move towards the dance floor to see one particular woman,

dancing by herself, oblivious to everyone around her. Lost
in the music. She turns as she dances and we get a glimpse
that it’s Rebecca.
Irene gets up and heads towards the bathroom. She winds her
away around the borders of the dance floor, passing Rebecca.
INT. NIGHT CLUB - BATHROOM
Irene, alone in the bathroom, is fixing her make-up. The

door opens and closes. She barely takes a glance,
preoccupied with her face.
Rebecca ambles up to the sink next to her. She’s sweaty and

a little out of breath. Irene notices her again. A little
competitive maybe.
Irene turns to leave when Rebecca abruptly steps in front of

her, startling Irene who almost bumps into her.
IRENE
Uh, excuse me.
REBECCA
Sorry.
88.
Irene tries to move around her but Rebecca shuffles in front

of her again.
IRENE
What the hell is your problem?
Rebecca looks Irene over. Irene stares back, now ready to

get into a fight.
IRENE (CONT’D)
Do I know you?
Rebecca studies her.
REBECCA
You’re not so special.
Irene moves around her. This time Rebecca doesn’t move in

her way.
IRENE
Screw you.
She gets to the door but is violently yanked back by Rebecca

grabbing her mouth and neck.
Irene kicks as Rebecca, with shocking strength, pulls her

into a stall and slams it shut. She reaches with her other
hand and puts a cloth in front. Just as --
A woman walks into the bathroom and turns on the sink.
INT. NIGHT CLUB - BATHROOM STALL
Irene is now unconscious as Rebecca, out of breath but being

quiet leans against the stall wall.
TAPPING at the door.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Are you alright?
EXT. NIGHT CLUB - BATHROOM STALL - SAME
The woman hears a flush as the stall door opens and she sees
Irene slumped over the toilet. Rebecca stands to the side,
looking stressed. The woman looks them both over.
89.
WOMAN
She looks like she’s going to die.
(laughs)
You better get her home.
She leaves, letting the stall door swing shut.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
Sara is going for a run through the city. She stops at an

old art deco apartment building.
INT. LOBBY
Sara spots Irene’s name on the buzzer and calls up. No

answer.
EXT. STREET
She walks out the door. Looks around. And then takes off
running again.
CUT TO:
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Sara, hands on hips, walks down the hallway and opens the
door.
INT. DORM ROOM
She finds Rebecca, sitting on her bed. Drawing. She looks

up when Sara opens the door, her eyes lighting up.
REBECCA
Hey!
SARA
Hey yourself. Where were you all
night?
REBECCA
I couldn’t stop working.
Sara pulls off her sweaty top and throws it in the hamper,
grabbing a towel. She’s wearing a sportsbra, revealing her
tattoo. Sara grabs a robe.
90.
SARA
Rebecca --
REBECCA
I was thinking.
Sara turns.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I want a tattoo. Will you come
with me?
SARA
Uhhh.
REBECCA
Please. It would mean a lot to me.
I won’t be able to do it without
you.
She looks back at Rebecca’s wanting stare.
SARA
Alright. Let me take a shower.
INT. TATTOO PARLOR
They are looking at samples on the wall.
SARA
We can always come back when you
have a better idea.
REBECCA
I know what I want.
SARA
Okay, scream if you need me.
Sara sits down as the tattoo artist escorts Rebecca upstairs.

She looks giddy and nervous. Sara waves. When she’s gone.
Sara takes out her phone, texts Irene.
INT. TATTOO PARLOR - LATER
Sara is bored, leafing through a tattoo magazine for probably

the 100th time. Her phone buzzes. A response from Irene:
“outta town for a gig. will call when back ;)”
Sara’s relieved.
91.
STAIRS
Rebecca walks down. Winces in pain. Sara puts the phone

back in her pocket. Stands up.
SARA
So, let’s see it.
Rebecca walks up to her. She pulls down the collar of her

shirt to reveal her tattoo, just under her collar bone,
“Emily”, exactly the same as the one Sara has over her heart.
Sara is speechless, steps backward, keeping her distance from

Rebecca.
REBECCA
(sweetly)
Think of me as your sister.
Rebecca is oblivious to the rage building in Sara.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
If you want. You can call me
Emily.
Sara’s fists clench. She steps towards Rebecca, whose grin

fades.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
What’s the matter?
Sara walks up to her, inches away, ready to beat the shit out
of her. Rebecca’s searching for some kind of answer; a
little afraid herself for a moment.
Sara abruptly turns and walks out the door. Rebecca watches
her leave through the front window. Sara never looks back.
CUT TO:
INT. DORM LOBBY
The elevator doors open and Sara, emotionally exhausted,

carries a box of her things. She brings it to the front door
where Stephen waits.
STEPHEN
This is all you want to take?
SARA
I’ll get the rest of my things when
Irene comes back to town.
92.
He takes the box. Then notices --
STEPHEN
Where’s your necklace?
She instinctively rubs the base of her neck.
SARA
I can’t find it. It’s okay. Let’s
go.
He hands her the box back. He knows how it important it is

to her.
STEPHEN
Wait here. I’ll go look for it.
She gives him a tender kiss, unbelievably appreciative.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Sara walks out to the cab. Pauses. She’s tempted to look

back at her dorm room window but she struggles and succeeds
in not doing so.
In the window, Rebecca’s sitting on the ledge, looking down.

Her face is blank. Not hurt, not angry -- completely blank.
INT. DORM ROOM
Rebecca still sits at the window. She holds her camera up,
taking a picture down below. She turns as Stephen enters.
Puts the camera down.
STEPHEN
Have you seen Sara’s necklace?
Rebecca solemnly shakes her head. He looks around the

dresser. In the drawers. He flips over Sara’s pillow.
Rebecca just watches him as he does all this.
REBECCA
What did I do?
He stops searching. Looks at her.
STEPHEN
She just needs to move on.
REBECCA
With you?
93.
He shrugs. Looks around some more but now feels Rebecca’s

eyes. He gives up.
STEPHEN
If you see it. Can you let me
know?
She doesn’t respond. She simply raises the camera and takes
his picture. Stephen’s unnerved. Not sure what to make of
this. He finally snaps out of it and walks out the door as
she watches him go.
Sara is cleaning; a little bothered by the mess but still

feeling a weight off her back.
STEPHEN
You should call someone.
She continues to clean.
SARA
What has she really done to me?
Besides. Her own parents are scared
of her. No one’s going to help.
STEPHEN
Well she scared the shit out of me.
She looks up at him, really wanting to change the subject.
SARA
Are these dirty or clean?
STEPHEN
Somewhere in between.
She throws some clothes at him.
EXT. CAMPUS QUADS - DAY
Sara is walking to class, faster paced than usual. She bumps

into people while looking all around, trying to spot Rebecca
before Rebecca spots her.
She makes it to the front door of the building, looking back

at the quads.
94.
EXT. CAMPUS COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT
Sara locks the front door and heads back home.
She walks down an empty quad when she spots Rebecca on the
other end, walking directly towards her.
It’s late at night and no one else is on the quad. Sara

thinks about veering off to the side but thinks it would be
too obvious. She continues to walk straight towards Rebecca.
Rebecca keeps her pace; looking down at the pavement,

listening to her IPOD.
Sara takes a deep breath as they get closer to each other,

preparing herself for the confrontation --
But Rebecca passes her without looking. Sara walks a little

further and then turns around.
Rebecca keeps walking. Did she even see her?
INT. FRAT HOUSE - ENTRANCE
Sara reaches the safety of the house and closes the door
behind her. She looks around at the messy first floor - guys
watching TV loud in the living room. Safe.
INT. ART STUDIO
Rebecca is alone, with just a crack of light coming from the

open door to the hallway. She’s painting, still wearing her
IPOD. The camera pans around to reveal she’s painting a
portrait of Sara.
INT. FRAT HOUSE ROOM
Sara is trying to study at a cramped desk but the music from

outside the room is too loud. Stephen is on the bed,
reading. He’s used to it. She hears a loud commotion from
the hallway. Frustrated, she gets up.
It’s a couple of guys moving furniture.

95.
SARA
Seriously. Is it a game to be as
loud as you possibly can?
She waves her arms like a crazy person.
SARA (CONT’D)
How many walls can we bump into!?
They just return blank stares. She slams the door shut.
Sara tries to go back to studying. Stephen, warily eyes her.

Her cellphone rings. She pulls it out of the purse -- Jason.
She hesitates but then stuffs the phone back in her bag as
she gets up from the table.
STEPHEN
Who was that?
She closes her book. Shakes her head.
SARA
No one. Hey, I’m going to go to
the library.
Stephen gets up.
STEPHEN
You want me to come with you?
SARA
It’s okay. I’ll be back later for
the party.
STEPHEN
Promise?
Sara gives him a kiss.
SARA
Promise.
EXT. DORM - EVENING
JASON, a handsome all-American Midwestern kid, stands in

front of Sara’s dorm. He’s leaving a voicemail.
96.
JASON
Sara. I’m actually...I’m in front
of your dorm...I just flew in. I
want to talk about...everything.
Please just call me back.
He hangs up. Some students leave the dorm and he grabs the
door before it closes.
INT. DORM - SHOWER
Rebecca lets the water soak her. Eyes open. She runs her
fingers through her now long dark brown hair. Black water
trickles down her legs and puddles near the drain.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Jason walks through the hallway, past the bathroom, checking

the numbers on the doors. He stops in front of Sara’s room.
Knocks lightly on the door. No answer. Knocks again.
INT. DORM BATHROOM
She stands naked in front of the mirror, staring at her

reflection. She then digs into her bag and pulls out a long
pair of shears. Her “Emily” tattoo is starting to heal. She
gently traces the letters with the sharp tips of the shears,
still looking at it in the mirror.
She then takes the shears and starts cutting her hair
shorter, just above her shoulders.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Jason is writing a note. After he’s finished, he folds it

and then wedges it in the door frame. He hesitates for a
second, hoping this is the right thing to do, then walks back
down the hallway towards the elevator. As soon as he turns
the corner, the bathroom door opens.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
Rebecca, short dark hair now, exits the bathroom and walks
down the hall to her room. She notices the note. Plucks it
and opens the door as she starts to read:
Sara -
97.
I know you won’t take my calls, but I’m here and I just want
to see you. I’m staying down the street at The Roosevelt
Hotel until...however long it takes. Please.
Love,
Jason
Rebecca crumples up the paper as she closes the door.
INT. DORM ROOM
She goes to her own closet but stops. She walks over to
Sara’s closet, opens it and thumbs through some of Sara’s
clothes that she left behind. She pulls out a dress. Holds
it in front of herself as she stands in front of the mirror.
She frowns. Something’s missing.
She kneels down in front of the dresser. Opens the bottom

drawer with her sweaters. She fishes underneath. Pulls out
the medication. But just looks at it. Some anger there.
She then puts the bottle of pills back and fishes around some
more until she pulls out the silver chain. She stares at it.
Rushing back to the mirror, she barely bumps into Sara’s

chair in the middle of the room. Rebecca takes a moment to
look it over. Then calmly goes over to her purse and pulls
out her utility knife.
She walks back to the chair and starts stabbing it repeatedly

and violently. Shredding it. Grunting with each thrust
until it’s completely destroyed. Breathing hard.
Finished, she stands up straight and gathers herself.
INT. LIBRARY - LATER
Sara’s kicked her feet on the table, reading a book.

Enjoying the silence.
INT. FRAT HOUSE - LATER
There is a raucous party in full swing. Stephen’s band has

just finished playing and he’s walking off the cheap stage.
A girl stops.
GIRL
You want to get a drink with me?
98.
STEPHEN
Sure, I have to go look for my
girlfriend anyway.
She walks away...”jerk”.
He grins as he checks his watch. It’s getting late with no

sign of Sara.
INT. HOTEL - HALLWAY
The elevator door opens, revealing Rebecca, now fully made

up. The hair. The dress. The tattoo. She looks just like
Sara.
As she steps out of the elevator into the hallway, she

delicately fingers the necklace, looking at the room numbers
as she walks down the corridor.
She stops in front of one room and is about to knock when she
sees a housekeeping cart a few doors down, in front of an
open room.
She walks up to the cart, slyly peeks inside as she quietly

picks up the master key card.
INT. HOTEL ROOM
Jason, still dressed, is lying on his stomach, passed out.
The front door clicks and slowly creaks open just enough for
a silhouette of a woman to appear as she steps in and closes
the door. Jason barely acknowledges the noise in his sleep.
The woman walks closer to the bed and the moonlight allows us
to see that it’s Rebecca, walking towards him. Stopping at
the foot of the bed, staring at Jason.
Rebecca climbs onto the bed behind him. Jason stirs awake.
REBECCA
Shhhh.
He groggily opens his eyes.
JASON
(whispers)
Sara?
99.
Before he can turn to see her, she crawls on top of him and
starts kissing the back of his neck. She pulls his shirt off
and starts kissing his back, moving lower.
JASON (CONT’D)
That feels good.
She works her way back up to his ear and whispers.
REBECCA
I’ll do all the work.
Kind of didn’t sound like Sara. He takes a peak and sees her
“emily” tattoo which looks just like Sara’s.
Rebecca leans in and nibbles on his ear. This time she

doesn’t whisper.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I love you, Jason.
Jason spins around and roughly pushes Rebecca off of him as

he gets to his feet.
JASON
Who are you?!
She doesn’t move.
REBECCA
I’m Sara’s roommate.
(smiles)
We’ve met.
Jason’s confused as Rebecca slowly saunters towards him. He

now notices her wearing Sara’s necklace.
JASON
Where’s Sara?
She’s closer now. He takes a step back. Obviously weirded

out but not completely threatened by her, as she gets very
close to him.
REBECCA
I’ll let you call me “Sara”.
She goes in to softly kiss him but he stops her, holding her
back by the shoulders.
JASON
Get the hell out of here.
100.
She frowns.
REBECCA
Is this how you treated her?
JASON
You’re not Sara.
But just as he says it, he feels a punch to his gut. It’s

shocking more than painful.
Jason looks down and sees Rebecca holding the utility knife
that is handle deep into his gut. His eyes go wide, pushing
her away. She keeps hold of the knife which slips out of his
stomach and causes Jason to tumble to the floor.
REBECCA
I won’t let you hurt her.
Jason is bleeding badly. Rebecca shoves the knife back in

her purse and walks out, closing the door behind her.
INT. LIBRARY
Sara’s still reading when a hand touches her shoulder. She

jumps but it’s just the LIBRARIAN.
LIBRARIAN
We’re about to close.
Sara’s surprised that it’s gotten so late. She puts her

things away. Grabs her phone to check the time, distracted
by the “1 new voicemail” message. She’s about to press the
voicemail button when she gets a text from Irene:
“in town but leaving again. stop by for a sec to talk about
movin in :)”
INT. FRATHOUSE
Stephen is walking around without a drink in hand. He cranes

his neck looking to see if Sara is back. He checks his watch
and pats his pocket for his cellphone.
He heads up the stairs and into his room.
INT. BEDROOM
Stephen picks his phone off the dresser. Sees he has a new
text from Sara:
101.
“stopping by irene’s for a sec. will be home soon. xoxo.

sara”
He lets out a groan. He looks around his room. Grabs a

jacket.
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING
Sara takes the elevator up to Irene's floor.
INT. HALLWAY / DOORWAY
She gets to Irene’s apartment. The door is already slightly

ajar.
SARA
Irene?
INT. IRENE’S APARTMENT
She walks down the long entryway into a large, renovated

living room. Empty and dark. She walks into the open door
of the bedroom and sees Irene laying on the bed. Something
smells pretty bad.
SARA
Irene?
(walking over)
Are you feeling alright?
She turns on the lamp on the side table. Irene’s on her side
facing the other way but Sara can see she’s gagged and her
hands are tied.
She quickly turns Irene around. Her eyes are open. Her
throat is slit. Sara screams and runs for the front door,
pulling out her phone when she’s stopped by the sight of --
Rebecca, standing in the middle of the entryway, holding a

gun.
SARA (CONT’D)
Oh my god, Rebecca.
REBECCA
Seems like Irene really couldn’t
make it on her own. Not much of a
role model.
Rebecca points the gun at her.

102.
SARA
(shakes her head)
Please don’t.
REBECCA
Sit down Sara.
Sara backs into a chair and sits. Rebecca reaches out with
her free hand, making Sara flinch. But Rebecca just grabs
her phone. Looks at the new voicemail from Jason, flashing.
She presses the button.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I have to protect you.
SARA
Protect me from what?
Rebecca puts the phone on speaker and plays it for Sara.
JASON (O.S.)
(filtered)
Sara. I’m actually...I’m in front
of your dorm...I just flew in. I
want to talk about...everything.
Please just call me back.
Sara feels a pit in her stomach. Rebecca walks to her purse

sitting on the entryway table against the wall, and places
the phone inside, next to the bloody utility knife
SARA
What did you do to Jason?
REBECCA
He was a liar and a cheat.
Sara shakes her head in disbelief. Rebecca motions to Irene

as she walks back towards Sara.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
And she tried to take you from me.
So I couldn’t watch over you.
SARA
Like you watched over Maria?
Rebecca gives Sara a swift elbow to her head, knocking her

back over the chair and to the floor.
She kneels by the downed Sara, worried. Clearing the hair

from Sara’s face.
103.
REBECCA
(gentle)
Shhh. I’m so sorry.
Sara backhands her. Knocks the gun out of her hand and
across the room. Sara looks for the gun but can’t find it
and, instead, bolts for the door.
ENTRYWAY
Sara frantically undoes the latch when she’s slammed against

the door. Rebecca grabs her by the neck.
Sara backs Rebecca into the wall, hard. Rebecca manages to

keep her grip on Sara. Sara continues to slam her against
the wall.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I won’t leave you like your sister
did.
Sara suddenly headbutts Rebecca with the back of her head and
throws an elbow against Rebecca’s jaw, forcing Rebecca to let
go of her.
Sara goes for the door but Rebecca knees her in her stomach,
knocking the wind out of her and throws Sara back into the
living room.
She spots the cordless home phone in the bedroom and makes a
dash for it.
BEDROOM
Sara slams the door shut, locking it. Sara tries not to look
at Irene’s body as she grabs the phone. Dead.
LIVING ROOM
Rebecca walks back into the main room and looks around for
the gun. Throwing chairs and furniture. She finds it.
Blood drips down Rebecca’s chin from her cut lip. She wipes
it away and stalks towards the bedroom.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I will hurt you, Sara, if it means
helping you.
BEDROOM - SAME
Sara looks at the window to the alleyway as the bedroom door

shakes.
104.
LIVING ROOM - SAME
Rebecca slams her shoulder into the door again with a force
greater than her petite body.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
I know you’re scared. But, I
promise, I’m not going anywhere.
BEDROOM
Sara goes over to the window and struggles to open it. It’s
painted shut. She finally gets it open.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
It’s a straight shot down. Ten floors. Sara yells out

anyway, hoping for help but the alley is empty.
INT. BEDROOM / EXT. WINDOW - NIGHT
Sara spots the fire escape attached to the living room window
and a nearly impossible leap away. She has no choice,
tentatively placing a foot out on the slim, slippery ledge.
She almost loses her footing as the bedroom door keeps

getting pounded by Rebecca trying to break it down.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DOORWAY
Rebecca gathers herself.
REBECCA
(yells)
We’re friends right, Sara?
Waits for an answer. She wears a look of resolve and anger

again, slamming the door one more time.
LEDGE
Sara, completely on the ledge, sees the door break open.

She contemplates leaping to the fire escape. She has no
chance of making it.
BEDROOM
Rebecca sees Sara on the ledge. She starts to rush to the

window but is GRABBED from behind and thrown backwards into
the living room by --
105.
STEPHEN
The gun fires...missing them both.
EXT. BUILDING - NIGHT
Sara’s startled by the gunshot and slips off the ledge,

grabbing on by her fingertips. Her face hitting the brick
wall.
SARA
(crying)
Ohgodohgodohgod.
The more she screams, the more she loses her grip.
LIVING ROOM
Both on the floor. He doesn’t let go of a struggling

Rebecca. He knocks the gun out of her hand.
She gets loose from his grip and tries to run to the bedroom
but Stephen trips her. Gets on top of her. Rebecca punches
him to little effect and he returns the punch...hard.
Knocking her out. She lays prone on the floor.
Stephen breathes hard. He looks around for the gun. Spots

it. Grabs it. Puts it inside his belt.
SARA (O.S.) (CONT’D)

(screaming)
Help. Please.
Hearing her voice, Stephen runs by an unconscious Rebecca

into the --
BEDROOM
He hesitates for just a split second as he spots Irene’s body

and then rushes to the window to find Sara dangling outside.
EXT. BUILDING - SAME
Sara’s crying, barely mouthing his name in recognition as

Stephen quickly grabs her arms. Leaning halfway outside, he
starts to pull her up.
STEPHEN
Hold on. I’ve got you.
106.
Sara’s about halfway in when the tip of a knife appears

through his stomach. Stephen’s stunned. Looks down and
stops pulling. He makes eye contact with Sara just before he
lets go. Sara falls back down but manages to hook onto the
ledge as Stephen disappears from the window frame.
With a slightly better grip, Sara uses the brick wall for
leverage and, arduously, lifts herself up into the window.
Almost in, she sees Stephen, glassy-eyed, backing away to the

other side of the bedroom. The knife is pulled back out of
his gut, and he slumps to the floor, revealing Rebecca, a
crazed mess.
Sara lets out a gasp but still struggles to get inside. She
falls in a heap onto the floor. Getting to her feet as
Rebecca walks towards her, a serrated kitchen knife in her
hand, as long as her forearm.
Sara stares at the knife. Stares at Rebecca’s face as she

comes closer.
Rebecca gets very close, directly in front of her. Sara

shudders as Rebecca drops the bloody knife on the floor
between them, making a loud clang.
Sara locks eyes with her, flinches as Rebecca gingerly puts

an arm on Sara’s shoulders.
Stephen groans, coming back to life, squirming on the floor.

Sara quickly pushes Rebecca aside and rushes to Stephen.
SARA
Stephen.
STEPHEN
(whispers)
Gun.
He gestures as much as he can to the gun still under his

belt. She pulls the gun out as Rebecca stands up. Sara
stands up and points the gun at Rebecca, the gun quivering in
her hand.
REBECCA
(calm)
I know you won’t do it. We’re fr--
Sara pulls the trigger but it clicks. Rebecca’s startled.

Sara keeps pulling the trigger but nothing happens. She
closes her eyes in frustration. Drops the gun.
107.
Rebecca’s eyes moisten. Her hands are balled up fists. Her

knuckles turning white. Sadness turns to rage. And then she--
CHARGES at Sara, full force. Slamming her against the wall.

Sara bangs her head against the wall.
Rebecca grabs her like a ragdoll and throws Sara into the --
LIVING ROOM
Sara’s completely out of it. On the floor. Rebecca grabs

her by the neck and pulls her up.
She shoves Sara against the wall in the entryway, knocking

Sara into the entryway table, spilling Rebecca’s purse and
its contents onto the floor. Sara limply slides to the floor
as Rebecca turns away while she wipes tears from her eyes,
not wanting Sara to see how much she’s hurt her.
REBECCA (CONT’D)
Friends help each other. They take
care of each other.
SARA (O.S)
(matter of factly)
We were never friends.
Rebecca turns. That was the last straw. She stalks back and
pulls a beaten Sara up from the floor. Rebecca grabs her
throat, choking the life out of Sara but her grip immediately
loosens. Sara pulls her hand off her neck with one hand.
The utility knife is in her other hand, stuck between
Rebecca’s shoulder blades.
Rebecca falls to the floor, bringing Sara down with her.

Rebecca won’t let go.
She’s gasping for her last breaths when she sees Sara’s
tattoo, revealed by her torn shirt. Sara self-consciously
notices her looking at it. Rebecca puts her hand on her own
tattoo, and her heart.
REBECCA
I’ll watch over Emily for you.
With that, she closes her eyes and stops breathing, in Sara’s
arms. Sara removes Rebecca’s hands from her. Hands shaking,
she removes the necklace from around Rebecca’s neck.
STEPHEN
(groans)
Sara.
108.
She quickly gets up and runs over to Stephen, still barely

alive.
SARA
I’ll get help. You’ll be alright.
She runs back into the living room. Past Rebecca’s dead
body. She grabs her cell phone from Rebecca’s purse and
dials 911 as she kneels by Stephen’s side. The phone rings.
Stephen expends as much energy as he can to grab a weak hold

of her free hand. She looks down at him as they make contact
when the 911 operator answers.
EXT. BUILDING - DAY
It’s a warm, spring day. Sara, melancholy but looking in

much better shape since the last time we saw her, stands in
front of her dorm, looking to restart her college career.
She plays with the silver chain once again around her neck.
She opens the front door and walks in. Students milling about
look at her. Know who she is. We see Kim and Tracy. They
don’t say anything. Don’t know what to say.
INT. DORM ROOM
Sara opens the door. The simple room is identical to her

previous one. She hesitates at first but then walks in.
There is a box marked “SARA” filled with the things she left
behind in her old dorm. Her cellphone rings.
SARA
(answering)
Hey. How are you feeling?
STEPHEN
I can eat solid foods again.
She’s silent.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
It’s alright, you can laugh. It’s
a joke.
She nervously chuckles.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
How’s moving in going?
109.
SARA
I just got here. You sure you want
to come back next semester?
STEPHEN
Not really.
SARA
Oh.
STEPHEN
But if you’re there...I’m
definitely coming.
She crinkles her nose. Happy and relieved.
STEPHEN (CONT’D)
You’re smiling, right?
SARA
Yes.
STEPHEN
I’ll call you later.
SARA
Ok.
She hangs up the phone. On top of the box is the picture of

her sister. She picks it up and places it on the dresser.
Sifting through the box, she comes across Rebecca’s

sketchbook, accidentally left in there. She opens the book
and finds a portrait of herself. She shudders.
She then flips through the rest. Nothing but portraits of

Sara. She finally throws the book back in the box, not
wanting to touch it.
Sara turns and stares at the empty bed across from her.
INT. DORM HALLWAY
The twin bed is pushed into the hallway and the door closes.
INT. DORM ROOM
Sara looks the room over now. Her own bed in the middle of
the room. Better.
THE END

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THE ROOMMATE

November 19, 2008

A brick colonial style building on the edge of a large

INT. BUILDING LOBBY - SAME

Inside, newly minted college students are milling about in

Through the glass front doors we see --

SARA MATTHEWS (18) standing just outside, luggage and boxes

INT. DORM HALLWAY

Sara is pushing a large flat-bed cart, loaded down. She’s

INT. DORM ROOM - DOORWAY

INT. DORM ROOM - LATER

Sara gathers herself and sees a GIRL, picking up boxes,

They both pick up their stuff from the floor.

Balancing boxes they manage to shake hands.

INT. THEATER - LATER

There’s a giant “Orientation Week” banner hanging over the

Tracy and Sara look at each other. Laugh.

EXT. QUADS - DAY

A gorgeous fall day. Sara walks around. Cellphone to her

A work/study ad in front of a campus coffee shop.

She tears a tab off the flyer.

INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT

The place looks slightly more lived-in. Sara finishes

She’s startled by a knock on the door. It’s Tracy and the

Groans all around. “Come on”...”Don’t be lame”.

INT. FRAT HOUSE

Extreme fire-hazard. Kids are drunk or well on their way.

Sara’s dressed up. A little overdressed for a frat party but

Music is blasting in one room while your typical college band

She attempts a sip of her drink, but it keeps spilling on her

Tracy looks at Sara. Completely drenched.

INT. FRAT HOUSE - DANCE FLOOR - LATER

There’s a DJ now that the band has stopped playing. Tracy,

Kim, scared, vigorously shakes her head and backs away.

Drenched. Sara makes a futile attempt to wipe herself dry.

INT. FRAT HOUSE - BAR

Sara makes Stephen chug his beer. He’s choking, can’t

Stephen and Sara are dancing close, having a good time.

INT. FRAT HOUSE - HALLWAY

Tracy’s wasted. Talking gibberish to some guy. From behind

She nearly falls over. The guy tries to catch her.

INT. FRAT HOUSE - ROOM

Stephen opens the door to his room. A complete disaster.

Sara gets up from the floor, a little off balance. She

INT. FRAT HOUSE - HALLWAY

Students are staring, snickering at the girl passed out on

Sara appears at the top of the stairs. Coming to the rescue.

He looks at her, leeringly.

She struggles to lift Tracy, who’s completely limp. Stephen

The frat brother looks up at him, a little disappointed.

Stephen gives Sara and a passed out Tracy a once-over.

Sara gives him a look: “Haha”. He helps her pick up Tracy.

INT. DORM HALLWAY - LATER

Sara and Stephen hold Tracy up as they stumble, tumble down

Tracy turns to Sara. Whispers but way too loudly.

Sara cringes. They get to Tracy’s door. Kim hands over

Sara and Stephen both laugh as they stand in front of her

He slowly lets go, making sure she’s steady. He starts to

INT. DORM ROOM

Plops down on her back. Breathing hard. Clenching her eyes

Sara screams. Trips backward onto the bed.

FLASH. The girl takes her picture, further blinding and

Rebecca shrugs. Sara grabs her stomach.