Mountain Falls (Screenplay)

Part 2

DR. SLATE:  What are you going to name her?

JAMES:  (ponders for a moment) Gwendalynn.

DR. SLATE:  That's a beautiful name.

They both take in the sight of new life for a moment. Dr. Slate breaks the silence.

DR. SLATE (CONT'D):  (softly) Would you like to see your wife now?

James touches the glass then looks at Dr. Slate and nods his head.

INT. HOSPITAL - NINA'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Nina lies in a coma in a similar, dimly lit room. Her heart monitor beeps. Her respirator hisses.

James enters, the open door fills the room with light from the hallway. He slowly wheels his chair to her bedside and takes her hand in his.

JAMES:  Hi, baby... (beat) It's me.

James starts to sob but fights it back.

JAMES (CONT'D):  The doc says you should wake up any day now.

James lowers his head and kisses her hand.

JAMES (CONT'D):  Guess what? (beat) You're a mommy. (chokes up) I named her Gwendalynn. I know it's not one of the names we talked about, but, she really looks like a Gwen. (smiles) She's so pretty.

James wipes his eyes.

JAMES (CONT'D):  The doctor says I'll be here for a few months while I go through physical therapy. I'll visit you often. (beat) I'll go and look after our little girl now. I'll bring her in to see you later. (beat) I love you, Nina.

James kisses Nina on the cheek and leaves the room.

MONTAGE - JAMES TAKES CARE OF NINA AND GWENDALYNN

-- James taking care of Nina and Gwendalynn in the hospital.

-- James going through rehabilitation sessions.

-- Some of James' FAMILY visiting.

-- James getting to know Gwendalynn, playing with her on Nina's bed.

-- James sitting by Nina's side pleading with her to wake up.

-- James staring blankly out a hospital window.

END MONTAGE.

INT. HOSPITAL - NINA'S ROOM - DAY

James sits at Nina's side; he pleads for her to wake up.

JAMES:  Please, baby. You have to wake up. I don't know if I can do this alone. (beat) I need you.

Dr. Slate enters from behind.

DR. SLATE:  James?

JAMES:  Yeah? Oh, hey doc.

DR. SLATE:  James, you can't keep doing this to yourself. I know you want to be with her. But you must go on with your life. (beat) I think Nina would want it that way.

JAMES:  I know. It's just hard.

DR. SLATE:  I know it is. But you must go on, James. You have a baby girl now.

JAMES:  What if she wakes up?

DR. SLATE:  Then you will be the first to know. I promise. But you must understand, James. She... she may never...

JAMES:  (getting frustrated) You said five months ago she could wake up any day now. (beat) Do you remember saying that to me, doc? (beat) What happened to any day now?!

DR. SLATE:  (remains calm) I'm sorry, James. We were hoping since you woke up—

JAMES:  You were hoping?!

DR. SLATE:  Yes, James, just as you were. You know as well as any how this works. We have no choice but to just wait... and hope.

James takes one last look at Nina lying there, silent and unresponsive.

INT. HOSPITAL - NINA'S ROOM - NEXT DAY

James just finishes packing up some clothes. He grabs Gwendalynn and sits by Nina.

Gwendalynn is able to sit up quite well on her own now.

JAMES:  Well, baby, I have to go now. I know you'll come back to us soon. I'll try and visit twice a week, and I'll bring the baby always. (to Gwen) Say bye-bye to mommy, Gwendalynn.

James kisses Nina on the cheek then gets up to leave. He just reaches the door when he hears Nina's voice.

NINA (O.S.):  (weakly) James.

James is startled. He turns to see that Nina still lies there motionless. He walks over to her bed.

JAMES:  Nina?

No response. James leans in closer. Tears welling in his eyes.

JAMES (CONT'D):  Baby?

James is inches from her face when her eyes pop open. Pure white. She screams a horrible, unearthly scream.

CUT TO:

INT. DURANT'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING

James wakes and shoots upright in a cold sweat in his own bedroom. He gasps as he tries to catch his breath.

Gwendalynn coos and fusses on the baby monitor. James calms down, wipes the sweat from his brow, then drags himself out of bed and goes to check on his baby girl.

BABY'S ROOM

A cute little room. The light yellow has been replaced with Pink-on-pink paint and decor. Typical baby girl's room for first time parents.

He finds Gwendalynn sitting up in her crib. She smiles up at daddy. He scoops her up and takes her to the changing table and changes her diaper and clothes.

James then grabs a blanket from the crib and they head for the kitchen.