Written by
Pamela Gray
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © COPYRIGHT 2008 Innocence Productions Inc. NO PORTION OF
THIS SCRIPT MAY BE PERFORMED, PUBLISHED, REPRODUCED, SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED BY ANY
MEANS, OR QUOTED OR PUBLISHED IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING ANY WEB SITE, WITHOUT THE
PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. DISPOSAL OF
THIS SCRIPT COPY DOES NOT ALTER ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE.
CONVICTION
(AKA BETTY ANNE WATERS)
An original screenplay by
Pamela Gray
PROPERTY OF:
INNOCENCE PRODUCTIONS, INC.
REVISED DRAFT
OCTOBER 6, 2008
WHITE SHOOTING SCRIPT
DECEMBER 6,2008
BLUE REVISED SCRIPT
FEBRUARY 14, 2009
PINK REVISED SCRIPT
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
GREEN REVISED PAGES
MARCH 02, 2009
FADE IN:
1
EXT. TRAILER - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - WINTER, 1980
1
A PINK TRAILER sits on a rural lot. Silence. Slowly we
begin to hear THE SOUNDS of late morning -- children
playing in the b.g., birds, a wind chime. We MOVE IN,
through the trailer's PORCH DOOR, through the PORCH, then
through the FRONT DOOR with WHITE BLOOD-STAINED CURTAINS.
We float in and see BLOOD-STAINED DRAPES.
We move to a BLOOD-COVERED DINING ROOM WALL and then into
a KITCHEN: a FAUCET RUNNING... a WET, BLOODY TOWEL in the
sink... a GAS STOVE BURNER left on... a CHAIR
OVERTURNED... BLOOD on the countertop... BLOOD SPLATTERED
on SPICE JARS... a SMASHED TOASTER on the floor, BROKEN
PIECES. A BLOOD-STAINED WASTEBASKET tipped over, near it
we see a BLOODY PARING KNIFE.
Into the HALLWAY where an open LINEN CLOSET has been
ransacked, the SHEETS and TOWELS stained with BLOOD. One
perfectly white TOWEL on the HALLWAY FLOOR. Peer into
what appears to be a sewing room. A CAT lies asleep on a
chair. Float past a BATHROOM with BLOOD-STAINED WET
TOWELS on the floor and a BLOOD-STAINED CONTOUR RUG
around the toilet.
FOLLOW BLOODY FOOTPRINTS on THE HALLWAY FLOOR into the
MASTER BEDROOM. BLOOD on the carpet. A BED with SLASHED
BLOODY PILLOWS, A BLOOD-SOAKED BEDSPREAD, BLOODY SHARDS
of a BROKEN CERAMIC LAMP BASE. An intact, matching LAMP
on a NIGHTSTAND; the other NIGHTSTAND is empty. Float
over to the FLOOR next to the bed: A CAVED-IN
LAMPSHADE... more pieces of a SMASHED LAMP... a glimpse
of a GREEN/BLUE SWEATER, a FLOWERED NIGHTGOWN... a
WOMAN'S BLOODY HAND SLASHED OPEN. A glimpse of the
WOMAN'S HEAD, lying in a pool of BRAINS AND BLOOD.
We float up to a BEDROOM WINDOW above the body; THROUGH
THE WINDOW we follow a hill ascending from the rear of
the trailer and find a weather-beaten WHITE NEW ENGLAND
FARMHOUSE.
Pre-lap: the SOUND OF CHILDREN yelling.
2
INT. BARN - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - SUMMER, 1966
KENNY WATERS (9), a cute boy in a crewcut, LEAPS on top
of BETTY ANNE WATERS (6), his tomboy sister, knocking her
to the dirt as they wrestle in a "RING" -- a rope tied
around four posts.
2
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
2.
They're dressed in their own version of "pro" wrestling
attire: Kenny wears a ragged bath towel as a cape, and
his Jockey shorts outside his pants; Betty Anne wears a
one-piece bathing suit over her pants and a pair of old
boots.
BOY (O.S.)
Good one, Kenny!
GIRL (O.S.)
Get 'im, Betty Anne! Get 'im!
A chubby, curly-haired boy (9) and a tiny girl (5) in a
sun dress cheer from the sideline; the girl rings a
COWBELL.
No!
BOY
Don't ring it till the end!
Betty Anne scrambles out from under Kenny and STRAIGHTARMS HIM IN THE FACE. He staggers back, then tries to
hit her but she ducks it. This is not make-believe -these kids are tough. Through the open barn doors we see
the WHITE NEW ENGLAND FARMHOUSE we saw earlier, dirt-poor
with a rickety porch.
BACK TO THE WRESTLING MATCH: Kenny gets Betty Anne in a
headlock and starts swinging her around, whooping like an
Indian. Betty Anne -- in mid-swing, feet off the ground - punches him in the stomach. Kenny screams and releases
her. Betty Anne comes up with a forearm, catching him in
the nose. KENNY'S DOWN. Betty Anne leaps on top of him,
pinning his shoulders. The other little girl cheers and
rings the bell like a crazed Salvation Army Santa.
BOY (CONT'D)
Get up, Kenny! Get up!
GIRL
Yay Betty Anne!
BETTY ANNE
One... two...
BOY
(to girl)
Stop ringing the goddamn bell!
BETTY ANNE
THREE!
Betty Anne jumps up and down, fists raised in triumph.
Kenny sits up, wipes his bloody nose.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
3
3.
INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
3
Kenny stands on the counter and opens every cabinet,
looking for food in almost-bare cupboards: a few canned
goods, a near-empty box of saltines, vinegar, etc.
Betty Anne looks in the fridge: a piece of rotten fruit,
one egg, a milk bottle with a few drops, three six-packs
of beer. She peels the plastic off the last piece of
American cheese.
O.S. AN OLD TRUCK ENGINE ROARS TO LIFE. Kenny and Betty
Anne look at each other: They have the same thought.
4
EXT. FARMHOUSE - DAY
4
Betty Anne and Kenny sprint down the driveway chasing an
old pick-up truck. As it hesitates by the road they hop
onto the passenger side running board, hiding from the
driver’s view as the truck swings out onto the tarmac.
5
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY
5
The PICK-UP barrels past the PINK TRAILER - now pristine
and new - Kenny and Betty Anne cling to the side of the
truck, loving every minute.
6
EXT. AYER, MA - ROAD - DAY
6
The two kids hunker down as the pick-up crosses through
AYER, a faded New England mill town, depressed and
depressing. Once-quaint dilapidated houses... overgrown
lawns with rusty tricycles -- a startling contrast to the
children's idyllic farm. We see small-town STORES, a
CHURCH, A LIBRARY, THE PARKWAY DINER, the POLICE STATION.
Betty Anne lifts up her t-shirt, licks a spot, then wipes
the blood beneath Kenny's nose.
7
EXT. FEED STORE - AYER - DAY
The pick-up pulls up in front of an OLD FEED STORE. BEN
DAVENPORT (”GRANDPA”) (65) -- once strong, now beaten
down -- exits the truck and makes his way into the store.
Once the coast is clear, the children hop off the truck
and run across train tracks toward a small GROCERY STORE.
7
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
8
4.
INT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - DAY
8
Betty Anne keeps an eye on the clerk while Kenny deftly
swipes a grocery bag.
9
EXT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - REAR - DAY
9
Kenny holds open the empty bag, staring up at a rear
window. Suddenly, PACKAGES OF CANDY, CAKES AND COOKIES
fly out of the window and Kenny catches them.
10
INT. "FOOD MART" GROCERY STORE - REST ROOM - CONTINUOUS
10
ON THE BACK OF BETTY ANNE as she stands on the toilet,
throwing the goodies out the window.
11
EXT. PINK TRAILER - DAY
11
Years before the crime scene, the trailer looks shiny and
new, sitting alone on a rural lot.
12
INT. PINK TRAILER - DAY
12
The interior is pristine, newly decorated: a bowl of
oranges, a vase of flowers, tied-back lace curtains, sun
rays spilling in. WE HEAR A WINDOW being opened: a
little boy's hand pushes it up and Kenny climbs inside.
He hoists Betty Anne up. Both kids stare in awe.
BETTY ANNE
It's so beautiful.
13
INT. PINK TRAILER - DUSK
The CAMERA PANS the wreckage the kids have made of the
trailer -- candy wrappers, sandwich fixings, spilled
milk, an open refrigerator. We continue down the narrow
hall towards THE BEDROOM; we hear their voices, O.S.
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)
I hope our place is this nice.
KENNY (O.S.)
Ahh, we're not living in no trailer.
We're gonna have a mansion with a hundred
rooms.
FIND THEM snuggled together on the bed, eating sandwiches
and candy.
13
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
5.
BETTY ANNE
And TEN refrigerators filled with candy -KENNY
And our own private lake.
BETTY ANNE
Lake Betty Anne and Kenny...
KENNY
(an old routine)
Lake Kenny and Betty Anne.
BETTY ANNE
I said it first!
KENNY
I'm older!
As they argue, Kenny starts a tickle fight; they're both
laughing hysterically.
14
INT. PINK TRAILER - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
BETTY ANNE and KENNY are asleep on the bed. O.S. BANGING
startles them awake. They jump up, scrambling for their
shoes.
OFFICER BOISSEAU (O.S.)
(banging on door)
POLICE! COME OUTTA THERE, HANDS RAISED!
MRS. BROW (O.S.)
(heavy German accent)
I saw the window open and I didn't know
if the robbers they are still inside -OFFICER BOISSEAU (O.S.)
Lee -- go around back. Just stay out
here, Mrs. Brow. We'll take care of it.
(banging on door)
Open up in there! Police!
Kenny almost has the bedroom window open when he sees the
cop, LEE, outside. Kenny grabs Betty Anne and rushes to
the front door just as BOISSEAU bursts in with his gun
trained on them. Kenny instinctively covers Betty Anne
with his own body. They all freeze. Then:
OFFICER BOISSEAU (CONT'D)
(relieved)
Goddamnit! What I tell you kids about
trespassing?!
14
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
6.
MRS. BROW (30), quietly attractive, steps inside.
Children?!
MRS. BROW
Children did this?!
As Boisseau reaches for the kids, Betty Anne KICKS HIM in
the groin; he doubles over in pain. She and Kenny dash
out, running past Mrs. Brow.
15
EXT. TRAILER - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
Betty Anne and Kenny run towards the woods; Lee catches
up and grabs Betty Anne. She screams, kicking him.
BETTY ANNE
KENNY!!!
Kenny stops and sees the cop with his hands on Betty
Anne. He picks up a ROCK AND THROWS IT.
HEY FAT ASS!
AH!
KENNY
YOUR MOTHER'S A DIRTY HOO-
The ROCK hits Lee in the head.
Ow!
Kenny cheers.
LEE
You little bastard!
Lee grabs Betty Anne like a kicking bundle under his arm
and heads towards Kenny. When Kenny sees his sister
being manhandled, his intense rage is like an adult's.
KENNY
AAAAHHHH!
He charges the cop, attacking him, beating at his face.
Lee lets go of Betty Anne and tries to restrain Kenny,
who’s out of control.
KENNY (CONT'D)
YOU DON'T TOUCH MY SISTER! DON'T YOU
TOUCH MY SISTER!
Betty Anne jumps on the cop, trying to get him off Kenny.
Boisseau comes out of the trailer.
RUN!
KENNY (CONT'D)
(to Betty Anne)
RUN!
15
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
7.
Betty Anne runs and the two men restrain Kenny, throwing
the small boy face down into the dirt. MRS. BROW steps
from her trailer door, enraged, and yells at Kenny.
MRS. BROW
You are very bad boy! Evil boy!
you pay for what you do!
16
I make
EXT. FARMHOUSE - PORCH - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
The two cops hold Kenny -- squirming, dirt-covered, with
dried blood on his shirt -- opposite RAY (30's), a
freeloader with a beer and cigarette, and BEN
("GRANDPA").
OFFICER BOISSEAU
... Someone’s gotta talk to her.
RAY
Hey, they're not my fucking kids.
GRANDPA
She won't listen to me!
people into my house --
She brings
RAY
Shut the fuck up, old man!
O.S. a SCREEN DOOR SLAMS. ELIZABETH WATERS (28), in red
high heels and a red dress with gold polka dots, steps
out of the house, en route to a night on the town. She
seems oblivious to the cops.
ELIZABETH
(to Kenny)
How'd ya get so filthy?
KENNY
Playing house.
OFFICER BOISSEAU
Elizabeth, you treat ‘em like trash,
they’re gonna grow up to be trash.
ELIZABETH
YOU GO TO HELL! I work day and night for
these kids! Everything I do is for them!
(to Kenny)
Get upstairs and take a bath! And you're
goin’ to school tomorrow, you hear me?
She smacks Kenny in the head and he runs inside.
Elizabeth heads down the front steps.
16
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
8.
RAY
(to Elizabeth)
Where the hell are you going?
ELIZABETH
I don't have to answer to you!
RAY
The fuck you don't!
A POV FROM BELOW THE PORCH - ELIZABETH'S STOCKINGED LEGS
and RED HIGH-HEELS as she walks down the steps.
Elizabeth!
GRANDPA (O.S.)
Get back here!
SAME POV - The back of Elizabeth Waters, walking away.
RAY (O.S.)
Fucking whore.
O.S. the SCREEN DOOR SLAMS.
GRANDPA (O.S.)
They're YOUR kids, Elizabeth! Who's
supposed to take care of them?
REVEAL BETTY ANNE, hiding beneath the porch.
BETTY ANNE as she watches her mother leave.
HOLD ON
PROFESSOR BLOCK (V.O.)
Betty Anne Waters...
17
INT. WESTERN N.E. COLLEGE SCHOOL OF LAW - SPRINGFIELD,
MASS - LECTURE HALL - DAY - 1995 (THE PRESENT)
ON BETTY ANNE, now 36: attractive, strong, a little
weary, with kind blue-green eyes. At the sound of her
name, she nervously stands up, knocking into a pile of
cap-less pens on her armchair-desk. The PENS ROLL OFF.
Betty Anne grabs some from the floor and puts them back,
then anxiously faces THE PROFESSOR, standing in front of
a board that reads CONTRACT LAW 501. PROFESSOR BLOCK.
PROFESSOR BLOCK
Please define "contract" for us.
Betty Anne’s surrounded by bright-eyed, bushy-tailed law
students, early 20's. SCOTT (21), the smug little prick
next to her, can't wait to see her humiliate herself.
17
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
9.
BETTY ANNE
A contract is a promise or a set of
promises -Her PENS fall again.
People snicker.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
-- that the law in some way recognizes as
a duty, and when it's breached, the law
provides a remedy.
Scott’s surprised (and disappointed) by her competence. A
student in front of Betty Anne hands her a runaway pen.
PROFESSOR BLOCK
And in the case of Shaheen v. Knight, was
the defendant liable?
BETTY ANNE
No. Plaintiff Robert Shaheen claimed
that when his wife Doris became pregnant,
it was a breach -THE CLASSROOM DOOR BURSTS OPEN and a frazzled ABRA RICE
(35) enters -- long blonde hair, sexy without trying,
high-heeled boots clomping on the floor.
PROFESSOR BLOCK
(to Abra)
And you are...?
ABRA
I know. I'm sorry.
(realizing)
Abra Rice.
Late.
He gives her a look.
PROFESSOR BLOCK
Continue, Ms. Waters.
While Betty Anne speaks, Abra has to step over seventeen
students to get to the one empty seat. Betty Anne is a
bit irritated, trying to ignore the distraction.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
ABRA
(sotto)
Excuse me... excuse me...
excuse me... excuse me...
18
10.
BETTY ANNE
-- it was a breach of
contract because Dr. Knight
had performed a vasectomy.
INT. CELL - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY
18
CLOSE ON TWO FADED SCRAPS OF LEGAL PAPER with handwritten quotes: I don't like jail, they got the wrong
kind of bars in there - Charles Bukowski and They call me
Muddy Waters, I'm just as restless man as the deep blue
sea You know I've been like that, ever since my baby been
gone from me
PAN ACROSS a collection of photos and mementos taped to a
wall, clearly amassed over a number of years. CONTINUE
PAN to find an isolated, faded photo of A YOUNG MAN
(20’s) HOLDING A TODDLER GIRL ON HIS SHOULDERS. Below
this photo is a narrow prison cot. Next to the cot, a
toilet... a footlocker... a 13-inch T.V... two handcarved, lacquered wooden boxes... stacks of magazines,
papers and marked-up COURT TRANSCRIPTS.
O.S. We hear a loud metallic slide and a MALE VOICE:
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Let’s go, Waters.
A body crosses through the frame as we CUT TO:
19
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - HALLWAY - DAY
19
THE BACK OF A PRISON GUARD leading a MUSCULAR INMATE down
a hall, towards a door. The guard opens the door to:
A VISITING ROOM where BETTY ANNE sits among the visitors.
She turns toward camera and smiles.
REVERSE SHOT - KENNY WATERS (37) smiles back. In prison
t-shirt and jeans, shaved head, cropped beard streaked
with gray, his baby face belies his intimidating
appearance.
20
INT. BETTY ANNE'S LIVING ROOM - SPRINGFIELD - NIGHT
Late night. ON A COMPUTER MONITOR with an unfinished
term paper typed on it. WIDER - A scribbled-on draft of
the paper is beside the computer along with law school
textbooks. Betty Anne is at her desk in this modest,
comfortable house, intently reading one of two huge
binders.
20
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
10A.
She HIGHLIGHTS various sentences and takes notes. As we
move in closer we see that she's reading the COURT
TRANSCRIPTS of COMMONWEALTH V. KENNETH WATERS.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
21
11.
TIME DISSOLVE - MORNING
21
Daylight, and Betty Anne sits at the computer, sound
asleep. O.S. KITCHEN NOISES and the VOICES of TWO BOYS.
Betty Anne opens her eyes, looks at her monitor.
INSERT - The page is all gibberish, typed by a sleeping
woman.
BACK TO SCENE - A bowl of LUCKY CHARMS enters THE FRAME
as BEN (11) -- sweet but a bit of a goof-off -- puts it
down on Betty Anne's papers, sloshing milk.
BETTY ANNE
What time is it?
BEN
Eight-fifteen.
Shit.
BETTY ANNE
I didn't finish my paper!
RICHARD (13) -- the son who's taken the role of "man of
the house" -- brings her a scary cup of coffee with
grounds floating on top.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
You did your math?
RICHARD
I left my book at Dad’s.
BETTY ANNE
Richard!
RICHARD
I’ll do it in school.
Eat, Mom.
Betty Anne sips the coffee -- vile -- and starts typing.
BETTY ANNE
Did you finish your poem, Ben?
RICHARD
Thanks to me.
BETTY ANNE
Get yourselves ready -- we'll leave in a
minute.
Betty Anne quickly tries to finish her paper.
types, Ben steps beside her with his poem.
As she
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
12.
BEN
"If There Was Peace in the World" by Ben
Miller: "Children would no longer have
bad dreams/of guns and bombs and deadly
screams"
Deathly.
RICHARD
I wrote that line.
BEN
You did not!
Betty Anne kisses Ben's hand.
BETTY ANNE
(still typing)
It's beautiful. Read me the rest.
22
INT. LAW SCHOOL - ANOTHER LECTURE HALL - DAY
22
ON THE WALL CLOCK which reads 9:59.
ON A STACK OF TERM PAPERS on the professor's desk. The
PROFESSOR puts the stack into a box. As THE CLOCK'S HAND
hits the 10, BETTY ANNE rushes in, breathless, holding
out her paper. ABRA watches from her seat.
The PROFESSOR closes the flaps of the box, refusing to
take it. Betty Anne sighs in frustration.
23
INT. AIDAN'S PUB - SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - NIGHT
It's a busy time of night and Betty Anne, wearing tight
jeans and moving with skill and ease, tends bar alongside
AIDAN McLAREN (40's), a handsome, affable Irishman. He
watches her. It appears she's unaware of this, but -BETTY ANNE
You keep watching my ass, Aidan, I'm
gonna have to clock you!
AIDAN
You keep wearing those jeans, I'm gonna
have to marry you!
She shoves him away; this is a game between them.
BETTY ANNE
Give it up, Aidan!
She CROSSES TO A TABLE with a tray of drinks.
23
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
13.
ABRA (O.S.)
Hey, I know you!
Betty Anne turns to see Abra sitting with her boyfriend,
DON (late 30’s), and another couple.
BETTY ANNE
Oh... hi.
ABRA
(turns to friends)
This is the other old lady in the class.
But Betty Anne’s already moved on.
24
Abra feels dissed.
INT. AIDAN’S PUB - LATER
The pub is quieter, less crowded now. Aidan and Betty
Anne work behind the bar; Abra crosses to them but Betty
Anne acts like she doesn’t see her.
AIDAN
(smiles at Abra)
Still thirsty?
ABRA
Bushmills, please.
(re: Betty Anne)
You’re her boss?
BETTY ANNE
(before he can answer)
So he says. He can’t function without
me.
AIDAN
So she says.
He gives Abra her drink, smiles and moves off.
ABRA
(to Betty Anne)
Bummer about your paper.
BETTY ANNE
Oh... Yeah well...
Betty Anne keeps doing bartending stuff.
ABRA
NOW you’re starting to hurt my feelings.
24
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
What?
ABRA
Don’t you wanna be my friend? We’re the
only ones in class who’ve been through
puberty!
BETTY ANNE
I’m just really busy.
Betty Anne moves off but Abra follows.
ABRA
O.K. I’ll start. So... I have these
lefty parents who told me I should put my
big mouth to good use and try to change
the system. Of course I ignored them -and then after being a party girl for a
few too many years, I finally figured out
what I want to be when I grow up. My
parents were right -- goddamnit! -- and
here I am.
(beat)
You?
BETTY ANNE
Look -- I’m not trying to be rude -- but
I really don’t have time for a friend
right now.
ABRA
The hell you don’t -- I’m all you’ve got!
(beat)
Except for that boy with the acne and
braces -- I think he wants to be your
homework buddy.
Betty Anne laughs, in spite of herself.
BETTY ANNE
(sotto)
I don’t want anyone to know what I’m
doing there.
ABRA
I do have a big mouth, but I know how to
keep a secret.
Betty Anne pours herself a drink, deciding.
Then:
14.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
My brother Kenny got “screwed by the
system.”
(beat)
(MORE)
14A.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
15.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
He's been in jail twelve years -- life
without parole.
ABRA
Shit.
BETTY ANNE
He’s innocent.
ABRA
O.K.
BETTY ANNE
I’m gonna find a way to get him out.
ABRA
(simply)
O.K.
(beat)
Innocent of what?
As Betty Anne pours more Bushmills into Abra’s glass...
MATCH CUT TO:
25
INT. CLUB - NIGHT - 1980 (FLASHBACK)
A WOMAN’S HAND POURS JACK DANIELS INTO A SHOT GLASS.
WIDER - a female bartender hands it to MRS. BROW (now 44)
sitting alone at the bar in this crowded, smoky club. A
BAND PLAYS ON STAGE.
At the bar a few feet away, another bartender hands four
beers to KENNY (25) -- with a mop of brown hair, a
scruffy mustache, and a devilish glint in his eyes.
Kenny holds a 1-year-old baby, MANDY, on his hip. He
catches MRS. BROW’S eye, raises the beers to her. She
looks away, uncomfortable with him.
We follow Kenny to A NEARBY TABLE where Betty Anne (21),
wearing an engagement ring, sits with her fiance RICK
MILLER (30) and Kenny's girlfriend BRENDA (25). Brenda
is making a fuss over Betty Anne’s ring.
KENNY puts down the beers, gives Mandy a raspberry on her
cheek and carries her onto the dance floor. As he twirls
her around, the baby squeals with delight.
Kenny clearly adores this kid. Entranced by her, he
accidentally knocks into a couple's TABLE, spilling over
the guy's drink. The GUY jumps to his feet; he's twice
Kenny's size.
25
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
16.
GUY BEHIND KENNY
FUCK!
Kenny tries to wipe up the drink, making matters worse.
KENNY
Oh, sorry man -GUY BEHIND KENNY
Who the hell brings a baby into a bar?!
KENNY
She likes the band!
GUY BEHIND KENNY
If you can’t take care of your kid, you
should keep your dick in your pants.
Kenny just looks at the guy. Then he turns and heads
back to his table. He gives the baby to Brenda, then
calmly walks back across the floor.
BETTY ANNE doesn’t like the look on Kenny’s face.
As Kenny approaches the other table, the guy starts to
get up.
Without warning, Kenny SLAMS HIS FOREHEAD INTO THE GUY'S
FACE. The guy goes down. Kenny kneels down, his hand on
the Guy’s throat.
KENNY
(right in his face)
You ever say another word about my
daughter I’ll fucking kill you,
understand?
The guy is clearly terrified.
GUY'S GIRLFRIEND
You asshole!
BETTY ANNE
Kenny!
RICK
Jesus.
Betty Anne races across the dance floor. Brenda just
rolls her eyes. Kenny immediately regrets his hairtrigger temper.
KENNY
He's O.K. -- get him some ice.
(yells)
Can we get some ice for my friend here?
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
KENNY (CONT'D)
(to the girlfriend)
Sit him up. You O.K., man?
You’re OK.
The guy, dazed, is gradually coming back.
is heading towards them.
KENNY
We’re cool! We’re
drink.
(sniffs the
Wild Turkey for my
17.
The Bartender
(CONT'D)
cool! Lemme buy you a
guy's glass)
buddy here!
BETTY ANNE
Kenny -- come on!
Betty Anne forcibly drags Kenny back to their table.
small cut has opened on his forehead.
A
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Sit down!
Kenny obediently sits next to Brenda but she shoves him
away.
BRENDA
You’re such an asshole!
Both Brenda and Betty Anne glare at Kenny.
in shock at the violence of his behavior.
Oh, come on.
Rick is still
KENNY
Don’t be like that!
But the girls are pissed. This is clearly a familiar
routine. Kenny starts to dance for Brenda, trying to
make her laugh. She remains stone faced. He tries to
pull her to her feet. She yanks her hand away.
Undeterred, Kenny drops into a James Brown split. This
gets an grudging smile out of the girls. Encouraged,
Kenny starts a cheesy strip tease, whipping off his
shirt, twirling it above his head and throwing it at
Betty Anne. Brenda can’t stop herself from laughing.
Now he slowly starts to unzip his pants.
SOMEONE IN THE CROWD
Oh man -- I dare ya!
Not one to pass up a dare, Kenny walks to the
the stage, turns his back to the audience and
starts to slide his jeans down over his ass.
begins to pump him up -- they love him and he
front of
slowly
The crowd
feels it.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
18.
KENNY steps onto THE STAGE. Sure enough, he drops his
pants and kicks them into the crowd. The people go
crazy.
ANGLE - THE TABLE - Betty Anne laughs, half-covering her
eyes. Rick is mortified. Brenda cracks up.
BACK TO KENNY, now with his butt to the crowd, dancing.
ANGLE ON MRS. BROW, disgusted, heading for the exit.
26
EXT. TRAILER - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY - WINTER, 1980
26
THE PINK TRAILER is now surrounded by YELLOW CRIME SCENE
TAPE, COP CARS, A COUNTY CORONER'S VAN, REPORTERS. ONE
COP CAR drives slowly INTO FRAME, passing the trailer,
and we FOLLOW IT UP THE HILL TOWARDS THE FARMHOUSE, now
worn down by the years, roof sagging, paint peeling.
27
EXT. FARMHOUSE - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - DAY
A CHAINSAW CUTS THROUGH A TREE that’s fallen across the
driveway. REVEAL KENNY, sweating in a t-shirt and
flannel shirt with rolled-up sleeves, as he cuts branches
and stacks them. His arms and face are SCRATCHED. The
cut from last night’s fight has become more pronounced.
The COP CAR pulls up in front of the house. NANCY TAYLOR
(35), a patrol cop with a chip on her shoulder, steps
out, walks to the side of the house and approaches Kenny.
NANCY TAYLOR
Kenneth Waters?
Kenny looks up and smiles when he sees her.
KENNY
Well I'll be damned -- finally someone
who looks good in a uniform.
Taylor is immediately uncomfortable, not knowing if he’s
flirting or ridiculing her. She assumes the latter.
NANCY TAYLOR
I'm Officer Nancy Taylor.
come with me.
I need you to
KENNY
(wipes his forehead)
I'd love to, but I'm already spoken for.
27
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
19.
NANCY TAYLOR
Where'd you get those scratches?
KENNY
(re: the tree branches)
Look around you, sweetheart.
NANCY TAYLOR
Sir, I need you to step into the patrol
car.
KENNY
My Grandpa needs this tree outta here.
NANCY TAYLOR
Now, Mr. Waters. Put down the chainsaw.
KENNY
I tell ya what -- you go give out some
parking tickets, then come back when I'm
done.
NANCY TAYLOR
Put down the chainsaw -- NOW.
Kenny stares at her, affronted by her tone.
KENNY
Get the fuck off my Grandpa's property.
You're trespassing.
Taylor draws her gun and levels it at him.
NANCY TAYLOR
Drop the weapon.
Kenny looks at her in disbelief.
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)
I said, drop your weapon!
KENNY
You're shittin' me, right?
28
EXT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY
Betty Anne exits her car and rushes up the front steps.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
Jesus! Every time something happens in
this godforsaken town, you have to pick
him up?
28
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
29
20.
INT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY
Betty Anne is pissed off as she speaks to a DESK
SERGEANT.
DESK SERGEANT
You know the drill, Betty Anne. He's got
a record, so we gotta bring 'im in.
BETTY ANNE
Well that just SUCKS. Kenny would never
hurt Mrs. Brow.
O.S. MEN’S LAUGHTER as KENNY enters from the rear
INTERROGATION ROOM, buttoning his shirt, alongside LT.
BOISSEAU, now a gray-haired veteran cop in his 50's.
NANCY TAYLOR -- the only female officer -- types at her
desk. KENNY knows every cop in the room.
KENNY
(to one cop)
Hey Dave -- Boisseau finally got my
clothes off. The man's been wanting to
get me alone naked for years.
(to Boisseau)
You're gonna have to marry me now -- you
know that!
The other cops laugh, except for Nancy who fumes.
Boisseau gives Kenny a friendly smack on the head.
KENNY (CONT'D)
(to Betty Anne)
Here I am -- the usual suspect!
BETTY ANNE
Let's go.
Betty Anne’s irritated -- she's been through this before.
Kenny can't keep himself from crossing to Taylor's desk.
KENNY
(to Nancy)
Look -- no hard feelings. But may I say
you are one of my absolute favorite
arrests.
NANCY TAYLOR
You think this is a joke? She was
stabbed 30 times and had her head smashed
in till her brains flew out. You think
that's funny?
29
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
21.
This stops Kenny -- who's shaken by the description -- as
is Betty Anne.
LT. BOISSEAU
(to Kenny)
Don't leave town for awhile, O.K.?
might have some more questions.
We
KENNY
There goes my trip to Aruba.
(to cops)
So long, gentlemen...
(bows to Nancy)
...and lady.
Shit.
Nancy shoots him a hateful look; Betty Anne grabs Kenny's
hand and drags him out.
30
OMIT
30
31
OMIT
31
32
INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - WINTER, 1982 32
(FLASHBACK)
On a sleeping SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY BOY (RICHARD) lying in a
BASSINET. We hear muffled sounds of lovemaking.
ANGLE ON THE BED where Rick lies on top of Betty Anne.
He's very turned on; she's distracted.
BETTY ANNE
Rick -Rick grunts a little response in between heavy breathing.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
We're gonna wake him!
RICK
He's fine.
Rick continues to make love to her. REVEAL a BASSINET in
the room, with a sleeping six-month-old RICHARD.
BETTY ANNE
He's stirring.
She gets out from under Rick and crosses to the baby.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
22.
RICK
If you keep checking on him, you're the
one who's gonna wake him!
BETTY ANNE
Ssshh!
Betty Anne strokes the baby’s head, gives him a little
kiss, then reluctantly returns to bed.
RICK
You're gonna drive yourself crazy.
gotta calm down!
You
BETTY ANNE
(almost to herself)
I will not turn out like my mother.
RICK
(with compassion)
Oh baby...
He puts his arm around her; she puts her head on his
chest. THE PHONE RINGS and the baby immediately CRIES.
BETTY ANNE
SHIT!
Betty Anne grabs the phone and rushes to the baby.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Hello?...
She stops in her tracks as she listens; the baby WAILS.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Oh no...
33
INT. CHAPEL - DAY (FLASHBACK)
ON GRANDPA'S CASKET.
MINISTER (O.S.)
Benjamin Davenport was a hard-working man
who always put his family first -REVEAL A YOUNG MINISTER speaking to Betty Anne, Kenny, a
group of younger siblings and ELIZABETH WATERS, now in
her 40's. The other mourners include the spouses and
children of the Waters siblings. Betty Anne sits between
Rick and Kenny, who holds a NOW 3-YEAR-OLD MANDY in his
lap. Kenny weeps openly. Betty Anne squeezes his hand.
33
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
23.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
-- devoted to his beloved wife, Eliza,
until the day she died, his daughter,
Elizabeth -The CHAPEL DOORS open and A MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER
and an AYER POLICE OFFICER enter. Betty Anne and some
others turn to see who's come in.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
-- his nine grandchildren...
As the cops walk up the aisle, people start murmuring.
MINISTER (CONT'D)
Even when times were roughest, Benjamin
made sure there was always food on the
table...
The Ayer cop points out Kenny and they cross to him.
STATE TROOPER
Kenneth Waters, you're under arrest.
KENNY
It's my Grandpa's funeral! Jesus Christ!
STATE TROOPER
We need you to come with us.
BETTY ANNE
Can't it wait? Show some respect!
STATE TROOPER
Now, Mr. Waters.
They start to grab Kenny and he pulls away.
KENNY
I'm comin', all right?
Shit.
Kenny hands Mandy to Betty Anne and the cops handcuff
him, leading him out. The minister isn't sure what to do
-- this is a first for him. Betty Anne, holding Mandy,
and some others follow them out.
BETTY ANNE
What’s this for? A goddamn parking
ticket?
34
EXT. CHAPEL - CONTINUOUS
As the cops pull Kenny outside into the bright sunny day:
34
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
24.
KENNY'S POV - TWO AYER POLICE CARS, TWO MASSACHUSETTS
STATE TROOPER'S CARS, four STATE TROOPERS and TWO OTHER
AYER POLICE OFFICERS, including OFFICER NANCY TAYLOR,
having the happiest day of her career.
BACK TO SCENE - Kenny and the others are stunned.
KENNY
What the fuck -- ?
Nancy Taylor crosses to Kenny.
NANCY TAYLOR
Kenneth Waters, you're under arrest for
the murder of Katherina Brow.
KENNY
Are you out of your fucking mind?
let me off two years ago!
You
NANCY TAYLOR
Well, we got you now.
Taylor mirandizes him as the cops push Kenny into an Ayer
Police car. HOLD ON BETTY ANNE's astonished expression.
35
INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY JAIL - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Betty Anne talks to Kenny through a small window.
BETTY ANNE
These lawyers want twenty-five thousand
up front!
KENNY
If I had twenty-five grand, I’d buy a
fuckin’ yacht!
(beat)
This is a joke! They got nothin' on me!
BETTY ANNE
They arrested you for murder, Kenny!
They must think they have something!
KENNY
A public defender'll be fine. C'mon -you're gonna get wrinkles.
(smooths her forehead)
Cops are drawn to me like bees to honey -you know that. I have a gift.
BETTY ANNE
Yeah, great gift.
35
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
25.
Kenny puts his hand over hers.
Don't worry.
36
KENNY
They got nothin'.
INT. COURTROOM - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - BOSTON, 36
MA - DAY - 1983 (FLASHBACK)
BRENDA
He had a scratch on his face.
BRENDA's on the witness stand, being questioned by D.A.
ELIZABETH FAHEY (40's).
ELIZABETH FAHEY
On the morning of February 21st, 1980, he
came home with a scratch on his face?
BRENDA
Yes.
(indicating down the side of
her face)
Right here.
WIDER - THE COURTROOM
Kenny, in the DEFENDANT'S CHAIR, shakes his head in
disbelief. His public defender, ROBERT BRADLEY (50),
whispers to him not to do that. BETTY ANNE and other
family members sit in the area behind Kenny's table.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
For the record, you're showing them just
below the eye to just below your lip?
BRENDA
Right.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Did you make any other observations of
Mr. Waters' physical condition?
BRENDA
He’d been drinking.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Did you and Mr. Waters have an argument
in July, 1980 -- five months after the
murder?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
26.
BRENDA
Yeah -- he tried throwing me out a second
floor window.
JURY MEMBERS react.
Betty Anne is upset.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
And at some point during the argument,
did Mr. Waters say something to you?
BRENDA
I asked him if he killed that woman and
he said "Yeah, what's it to you?"
The JURY takes this in.
Betty Anne watches them.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Miss Marsh, can you please tell the jury:
why did you wait more than two years to
tell the police that Kenny said he killed
Mrs. Brow?
BRENDA
I was afraid of him.
me too.
I thought he'd kill
The JURY reacts.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
I show you, Miss Marsh, what's marked as
Exhibit #64, and I'd ask if you can
identify that.
BRENDA
It's the same knife Kenny carried.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
When was the last time, approximately,
that you saw that knife?
ON ARTHUR JOHNSON (30's), in a GLOBAL VAN LINES uniform.
[Note: Cuts between witnesses and lawyers should be
seamless so we don't realize right away that there's been
a switch]
ARTHUR JOHNSON
It was always on the wall at the
warehouse until after Kenny quit.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
And when did he quit Global Van Lines?
ARTHUR JOHNSON
January, 1980.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
27.
JURY MEMBERS react to this.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
And when Kenneth Waters was brought in as
a suspect, did he have an alibi for the
period between midnight and nine a.m. on
February 21st?
ON NANCY TAYLOR, in the witness stand.
NANCY TAYLOR
He claimed that he was working as a cook
at the Park Diner.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
What did you discover when you checked
out his alibi?
NANCY TAYLOR
We confirmed that he was at the diner
until five a.m. -- but beyond that, there
were no witnesses who saw when he left.
And his time cards were never found.
ON KENNY and BETTY ANNE, reacting to this.
DR. KATSAS (V.O.)
The head and chest were struck by a
ceramic lamp and a metal toaster...
ON DR. KATSAS, 60's, in the witness stand.
DR. KATSAS
...and there were thirty stab wounds: six
in the head and the neck, three on the
back, one in the abdomen...
ON BETTY ANNE, watching the JURY MEMBERS' horrified faces
as they pass around FIFTEEN DIFFERENT CRIME SCENE PHOTOS.
DR. KATSAS (O.S.) (CONT'D)
...two on the left wrist, four on the
left hand, which were in the way of the
weapon... and fourteen in the chest -ON KENNY, sitting with his lawyer, head down...
DR. KATSAS (O.S.) (CONT'D)
-- penetrating the heart five times -one time it went through the front and
almost came through the back...
KATHLEEN HIGGINS (O.S.)
There was an enormous amount of blood --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
28.
ON KATHLEEN HIGGINS (30’s) on the witness stand, being
questioned by ELIZABETH FAHEY (ANOTHER DAY)
KATHLEEN HIGGINS (CONT’D)
-- mostly from the victim, but some from
the perpetrator.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
And what, if anything, did you determine
with respect to the blood of Katherina
Brow?
KATHLEEN HIGGINS
Katherina Brow would be identified as
Blood Group B.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
With respect to Exhibits 68A through F,
did you examine those items from the
murder scene and determine the blood
group present on each?
Fahey hands her a large GLASSINE ENVELOPE -- inside are
small glassine envelopes containing bloody pieces of
fabric.
KATHLEEN HIGGINS
Yes. The blood on each of those items
was Blood Group O.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
And did you have occasion to test a blood
sample from the defendant, Kenneth
Waters?
Yes.
KATHLEEN HIGGINS
His sample is from Blood Group O.
BIG RESPONSE from the JURY MEMBERS, looking over at
Kenny.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
What was your relationship with Mr.
Waters after you met the summer of 1980?
ON ROSEANNA PERRY, blonde, trashy, missing some front
teeth. She's in her late 20's, but alcohol has aged her.
ROSEANNA PERRY
Well, I guess you could say we were
lovers for awhile -- about six months.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
ELIZABETH FAHEY
On those occasions when you did some
drinking with Mr. Waters, do you recall
anything he said to you?
ROSEANNA PERRY
He told me he got picked up for a murder
in Ayer and they couldn't pin it on him.
And he laughed about it.
ON BETTY ANNE, disgusted.
She glances at THE JURY.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Sometime after the summer of 1980, did
you have another conversation with Mr.
Waters about this murder?
ROSEANNA PERRY
Yes. He told me he stabbed her and took
money and jewelry.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Did he tell you anything else?
ROSEANNA PERRY
Well, he called her an old German bitch -a fucking old German bitch.
Fahey pauses for this to impact THE JURY.
It does.
ON ROBERT BRADLEY
MR. BRADLEY
After Kenneth Waters is supposed to have
said to you, "I killed her," did you
terminate seeing him?
ROSEANNA PERRY
No.
MR. BRADLEY
So you believed him to be a murderer but
you continued to be romantically
involved?
ANGLE - Betty Anne is relieved that ROSEANNA's
credibility looks shaky.
Yeah.
ROSEANNA PERRY
Until he bashed my teeth in.
ON BETTY ANNE, her heart sinking.
29.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
30.
MR. BRADLEY
When your son Kenneth was nine years old,
was he sent to the Middlesex Training
School by Mrs. Brow?
ON ELIZABETH WATERS, dressed modestly, a little nervous.
ELIZABETH
Certainly not. He was sent by the state.
MR. BRADLEY
And why did the state send him there?
ELIZABETH
For truancy.
ON ELIZABETH FAHEY
ELIZABETH FAHEY
You have nine children by seven different
fathers, is that correct?
MR. BRADLEY
Objection!
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Didn't the state, in fact,
declare you an unfit mother
and take your children away
from you?
JUDGE
Sustained.
Objection!
MR. BRADLEY
Irrelevant.
Sustained.
JUDGE
Watch yourself, Miss Fahey.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
(a beat)
Wasn't Kenny sent to training school for
breaking into Mrs. Brow's home?
No!
ELIZABETH
That wasn’t --
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Didn't your son in fact regularly break
into houses in the neighborhood?
ELIZABETH
I never condoned that type of behavior
from my children --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
31.
ELIZABETH FAHEY
Just answer the question, please.
ELIZABETH
(beat)
Yes.
37
INT. COURTHOUSE HALLWAY - DAY
37
Betty Anne buys some pretzels from a vending machine
while Elizabeth sits with Rick on a bench.
BETTY ANNE
(angry, exasperated)
We were just kids! We'd play in people's
houses and pretend we had a normal life.
ELIZABETH
I don't know what you're talking about.
You had a perfectly normal life.
BETTY ANNE
Yeah. Eight foster homes.
normal.
Perfectly
ELIZABETH
People always said how well I dressed all
of you. The only reason they took you
away from me is because I worked too
much. I had no life except for you kids.
Betty Anne mouths "I HAD NO LIFE" in sync with her mother
-- who pulls out a cigarette and lights it.
BETTY ANNE
We know, mom. You were practically a
nun.
ELIZABETH
(to Rick)
But Kenny... he could be like a wild
animal. I'm not saying he was born bad,
but he had that temper.
(casually)
I was always afraid he might kill
somebody.
Betty Anne snaps, smacking her mother's cigarette and
lighter out of her hand.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
32.
BETTY ANNE
Don't you ever say that to me or anyone
else! Don't you even think it, you
understand me? What kind of mother would
say something like that?!
Betty Anne sits back down, shaking.
38
INT. GRANDPA'S HOUSE - DAY - 1966 (FLASHBACK)
38
ON BETTY ANNE (7), dressed in a PIRATE'S COSTUME as she
sits on the floor outside an upstairs room, listening.
ELIZABETH (O.S.)
(through sobs)
They're my babies! They can't do this!
GRANDPA (O.S.)
They bloody well can -- and you have no
one to blame but yourself!
Kenny (11) in a COWBOY COSTUME, comes tearing down the
hallway and draws his six-shooters. He stops short when
he sees his sister crying, and sits down beside her.
ELIZABETH (O.S.)
I do everything for these children!
can't take them!
They
GRANDPA (O.S.)
I warned you this would happen!
Kenny puts his arm around Betty Anne.
ELIZABETH (O.S.)
Why do they have to separate them?
can't they go to one foster home?
Why
Betty Anne and Kenny exchange a look, once again sharing
the same thought.
39
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
A SEMI TRUCK ROARS PAST. In its wake we find the two
cold, tired children trudging along a deserted highway,
still in their costumes, carrying only their trick-ortreat bags. Betty Anne stumbles. Kenny picks her up,
hoists her onto his back. They continue up the highway.
39
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
40
33.
EXT. SHED, SOMEONE'S PROPERTY - NIGHT
40
Kenny POUNDS A ROCK against the lock on a storage shed;
Betty Anne shivers beside him.
41
INT. SHED, SOMEONE'S PROPERTY - LATER
41
The kids are huddled, eating their candy, shaking with
cold. A POLICE CAR’S RED LIGHTS illuminate the shed.
42
INT. AYER POLICE STATION - HOLDING AREA - NIGHT
KENNY and BETTY ANNE sit together on a bench, anxiously
watching LT. BOISSEAU talk to a SOCIAL SERVICES WOMAN.
OFFICER BOISSEAU crosses to them.
O.K. Kenny.
OFFICER BOISSEAU
Come with me.
Betty Anne looks alarmed.
Kenny doesn't move.
BETTY ANNE
Where you taking him?
The WOMAN approaches.
SOCIAL SERVICES WOMAN
(to Betty Anne)
You'll come with me, honey.
KENNY
NO!
OFFICER BOISSEAU
C'mon, fella -- now.
He pulls Kenny up and Betty Anne attacks Boisseau like a
little lioness, punching him, trying to free her brother
from his grasp, tears streaming down her face.
BETTY ANNE
(hysterical)
No! Let go of him! Don't take my
brother! We have to stay together!
As the two adults try to take the children in opposite
directions -CLERK (V.O.)
Will the defendant please rise?
42
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
43
34.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
Kenny rises.
43
BETTY ANNE watches, terrified.
CLERK
On indictment 82-4115, this indictment
charging Kenneth Waters with murder, what
say you, Mr. Foreman -- is the defendant
guilty or not guilty?
ON Betty Anne's worried face.
FOREMAN
We find the defendant guilty, your Honor.
CLERK
Guilty of what?
FOREMAN
Murder in the first degree.
ON KENNY, afraid to turn back and look at his family. ON
BETTY ANNE, devastated. As the rest of the family react
to the verdict with outrage and tears -CLERK
82-4116, this indictment charging Kenneth
Waters with armed robbery. What say you,
Mr. Foreman -- is the defendant guilty or
not guilty?
FOREMAN
We find the defendant guilty.
Kenny looks shell-shocked.
BETTY ANNE
We'll appeal it, Kenny!
out!
We'll get you
The BAILIFF and A COP start to take him away.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
We'll get you out, Kenny!
And he's gone.
HOLD ON BETTY ANNE.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
May it please the court, my name is Betty
Anne Waters and the issue today --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
44
35.
INT. LAW SCHOOL LECTURE HALL - DAY - FALL, 1997 (THE
PRESENT)
44
A stage-frightened BETTY ANNE stands in front of A
PROFESSOR and a full lecture hall, attempting an opening
argument. In the AUDIENCE, Abra anxiously watches her
friend; Scott enjoys seeing Betty Anne struggle.
BETTY ANNE
-- is whether my client... the issue
today is whether Ms. Cooper... the issue
today is... Shit.
She looks at her notes, starting to hyperventilate.
PROFESSOR
Start again, Ms. Waters.
And breathe.
Betty Anne takes a deep breath.
BETTY ANNE
The issue today is whether my client's
arrest was in violation of her constitu -PRE-LAP:
46
THE SOUND OF A LOUD CRASH.
INT. GARAGE - DAY
46
FIND BEN (13) and RICHARD (15) in a crammed garage where
A BOX-FILLED UTILITY SHELVING UNIT has just collapsed.
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)
You guys O.K.?
Betty Anne rushes in from the house. RICHARD, climbing
over things, grabs FISHING POLES from the wreckage.
RICHARD
Ben had the brilliant idea to climb the
shelves...
BEN
Hey -- you got 'em, didn't you?
As Betty Anne sees the fishing poles, her face drops.
BETTY ANNE
Oh, shit.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
RICHARD
Did you forget?!
36.
BEN
You forgot the fishing
trip?
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
No, of course not! I just... I just
didn't remember that it was this weekend.
(sighs)
Guys...
Ben looks near tears; Richard's fuming.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
I'm so sorry... I can't go... I have to
argue this brief in front of real judges
and lawyers!
RICHARD
I don't believe this!
He throws down the poles.
BETTY ANNE
I'm sorry -- I'm really sorry!
BEN
You promised, Mom.
BETTY ANNE
I know, honey -- I'm sorry.
another weekend -When?
We'll go
RICHARD
When Uncle Kenny gets out of jail?
He storms out. Betty Anne watches after him, then turns
to Ben, standing there with a wounded expression.
BETTY ANNE
I'm really sorry, honey.
BEN
(quietly)
I know.
He exits.
47
Betty Anne stands there, feeling awful.
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITOR'S ROOM - ANOTHER DAY
Mid-conversation as Betty Anne visits Kenny (40), looking
as he did earlier: shaved head, body pumped from years of
weight lifting. He's hyped up with a new idea; Betty
Anne is distracted but tries to appear upbeat.
47
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
KENNY
I found this book in the library that
says that women hardly ever shoot
themselves when they commit suicide.
BETTY ANNE
Uh-huh.
KENNY
So Romeo Collad’s screwin' Mrs. Brow,
right? And then his wife puts a bullet
in her head -- you follow? So what if we
can prove he shot her?
BETTY ANNE
His wife?
KENNY
Yeah.
BETTY ANNE
How we gonna do that?
KENNY
I don't know -- we'll investigate. And
then they'd take him more seriously as a
suspect in the Brow case and -BETTY ANNE
But Romeo Collad’s dead.
KENNY
It could still be enough to re-open the
case -- we just gotta find a precedent!
Ask your Evidence teacher.
Betty Anne tenses at the suggestion.
BETTY ANNE
I really can't right now -- I've got a
ton of work...
He watches her.
She's coiled tightly.
KENNY
What's wrong?
BETTY ANNE
Nothing!
KENNY
Don't bullshit me.
What is it?
37.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
It’s nothing! I’m fine.
KENNY
Something goin’ on with the boys?
BETTY ANNE
It’s nothing! Forget it!
He stares at her.
KENNY
Tell me.
A beat.
Betty Anne knows he can see through her.
BETTY ANNE
(hesitates, then)
I'm on probation at school.
What’s that?
KENNY
What does that mean?
BETTY ANNE
It means... If I don't improve... I'm
out.
KENNY
(shaken)
But... you're doing great!
BETTY ANNE
I'm not... I've had late papers... I
flunked my Torts exam...
KENNY
They can't do this to you! You’re the
smartest person in the whole goddamned
school! I'm gonna write a letter to
those scumbag teachers-BETTY ANNE
Yeah -- and make sure you call them
scumbags in the letter.
KENNY
FUCK them! You should at least get extra
credit for working on a real fucking
case!
BETTY ANNE
They don't care about that.
(tearing up)
(MORE)
38.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
39.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Don't worry about this, O.K.? I'll take
care of it.
KENNY
Aww, don't cry. You’re worth a thousand
o’ them preppy shitheads. C'mon -- don't
cry.
He puts his hand over hers -GUARD
NO TOUCHING!
Kenny pulls his hand back.
48
EXT. RICK'S HOUSE - WINTER -1997 DAY (EVENING)
48
BEN AND RICHARD, holding their weekend bags, are talking
with RICK in the front doorway of this suburban house.
REVEAL BETTY ANNE watching from her car, idling in front.
The BOYS look uneasy. Rick re-enters the house without
acknowledging Betty Anne. The boys approach the car.
Richard gets into the front seat, Ben in the back.
BETTY ANNE
All set?
RICHARD
Yep.
Betty Anne starts the car.
The boys are quiet.
BETTY ANNE
You have a good weekend?
The boys nod, grunt.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
Get any homework done?
RICHARD
Yeah.
BEN
A little.
Irritated, Betty Anne puts the car into gear and pulls
away.
49
INT. BETTY ANNE’S HONDA -- DRIVING -- DAY
Betty Anne and the boys drive in silence.
moments:
49
After a few
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
40.
BETTY ANNE
O.K. -- what's going on?
No response.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
C'mon -- talk! What happened?
A long beat.
her gaze.
Betty Anne looks at Richard, who can’t meet
RICHARD
We were thinking... You've been so busy
and all... We were thinking maybe we
wanna live with Dad.
BETTY ANNE
(kicked in the gut)
Son of a bitch! He put you up to this?!
RICHARD
No!
Betty Anne, desperate, looks at Ben in the rearview
mirror.
BETTY ANNE
Did he?
BEN
No.
RICHARD
I need a guy around -- ya know?
things?
For guy
Betty Anne turns to Ben.
BETTY ANNE
You feel the same way?
BEN
(sheepishly)
Kinda.
Betty Anne swallows. They continue to drive in silence.
50
EXT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY
ON THE BOY'S BICYCLES on top of Rick's car as RICK
finishes tying them down. He's all business, but enjoying
his triumph.
50
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
41.
BETTY ANNE says her final goodbyes to Richard, in the
front seat, and Ben, squished in the back next to
suitcases. The boys are subdued.
BETTY ANNE
(to Richard)
Call me, O.K.? Let me know how you do on
your math test.
RICHARD
O.K.
BETTY ANNE
(to Ben)
Make sure you set the alarm -- if you're
late for English again -BEN
I know.
Rick gets in, starts the car.
one last kiss.
Betty Anne gives each boy
BETTY ANNE
I love you!
RICHARD/BEN
Love you too.
As the car pulls out, she waves.
BETTY ANNE
See you Friday! We'll go to the movies.
She holds her smile another beat, then walks a few steps
to the house. HER LEGS SUDDENLY GIVE WAY BENEATH HER as
she dissolves into wracking SOBS.
51
INT. BETTY ANNE'S BEDROOM - DAY
51
In darkness. Betty Anne's in bed, the shades drawn, her
room in disarray. Dirty clothing, coffee mugs, crumpled
tissues. The PHONE RINGS and she ignores it.
52
INT. LAW SCHOOL - LECTURE HALL - ANOTHER DAY
PROFESSOR BLOCK is taking attendance.
PROFESSOR BLOCK
Thomassen... Vaughn... Waters....
(looks up)
Waters? Betty Anne Waters?
52
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
42.
Abra sits beside an empty seat, worried for her friend.
53
INT. BETTY ANNE'S BEDROOM - ANOTHER DAY
53
Abra tugs on Betty Anne who's still depressed in bed.
ABRA
C'mon -- UP.
BETTY ANNE
I'm unfit -- just like my mother.
ABRA
That's ridiculous! C'mon, honey.
(pulls her up)
If you keep missing classes, you’re gonna
fail.
BETTY ANNE
I've already failed. I've lost my boys -ABRA
You have not lost them.
Mom!
You’re their
BETTY ANNE
-- I can't help Kenny -ABRA
Especially if you get kicked out of law
school.
(throws clothes at her)
Get dressed.
BETTY ANNE
I can't.
ABRA
Does Kenny know you're giving up?
Betty Anne can't answer. She lies back down. Abra lets
go of her "tough love" stance and gently touches her arm.
ABRA (CONT'D)
Just come to school today.
Start there.
Betty Anne doesn't respond.
OMIT
54A
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
54
43.
INT. BETTY ANNE'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT
54
Betty Anne is DUMPING STACKS OF PAPER INTO GARBAGE BAGS.
Years of files, briefs, textbooks. She's like a woman
possessed. As she pulls things off shelves, she sees A
BULGING ACCORDION FOLDER and stops. She opens it:
KENNY'S LETTERS FROM PRISON are stuffed into sections,
arranged by year. BETTY ANNE sits down on the floor,
amidst the mess, pulls out a letter and reads it.
KENNY (V.O.)
... Life's swell here at the Hilton -lots of new friends -- food's fuckin'
fantastic, just like Mom used to make...
Betty Anne smiles.
KENNY (V.O
Can you send me more white socks? Love
you and miss you, Your 4ever brother...
Betty Anne pulls out another letter, getting upset as she
reads it.
KENNY (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Fuckin' Brenda tells me to stop writing
Mandy -- says I'm never gonna see my
little girl again, says I'm dead to her.
We gotta win this fuckin’ appeal!
55
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY - FALL, 1986 (FLASHBACK)
Kenny (28) RAGES inside his cell, ripping apart his
mattress, throwing the metal cot frame against the bars.
The only thing untouched is that PHOTO ON THE WALL of
Kenny holding toddler MANDY on his shoulders.
KENNY
Fuck you! Fuck you all!
cocksucking bastards --
Fucking
The GUARDS race towards the cell where Kenny picks up a
pile of SHIT and throws it at them.
GUARD
Goddamn it!
Come on!
KENNY
Come and get me, motherfuckers!
55
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
44.
As the GUARDS rush in, Kenny THROWS HIS T.V. at the wall
AND IT SMASHES INTO PIECES. The GUARDS throw him to the
ground and restrain him.
KENNY (CONT'D)
You think I care? You think I FUCKING
CARE?!!!
56
INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
56
Domestic chaos: Betty Anne paces anxiously as she talks
on a wall phone (the long cord twisting around her) -ignoring the dinner she’s cooking; Richard (4) bangs on
an irritating toy piano, Ben (2) sits on the floor,
crying, surrounded by pots and pans to play with --but he
wants the piano and Richard keeps pushing him off.
BETTY ANNE
Did you tell Mr. Peters it was urgent?
haven't heard from Kenny in TWO WEEKS!
I
RICK swoops in, picks up Ben, crosses to the stove and
turns down a pot that's boiling over. Ben calms down.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
(into phone)
I don't give a crap! This is more
important!
Rick shuts off the flame under a frying pan that’s
overcooking a steak, then grabs the handle and YELLS,
burning himself. BEN WAILS AGAIN -- louder now.
SHIT!
RICK
SON OF A BITCH!
BETTY ANNE
Just find my brother!
(slams down phone)
DAMN it! Where IS he?
RICK
Where are YOU, Betty Anne?
JESUS!
He hands Ben to her, then opens the freezer and grabs a
bag of frozen peas to cool his hand.
BETTY ANNE
There’s something wrong, I KNOW it!
Kenny shoulda called by now!
RICK
You’ve gotta make peace with this.
have a family here!
You
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
Make peace?
chance!
45.
BETTY ANNE
The appeal was his last
RICK
Exactly. Kenny's in prison for the rest
of his life.
ACCEPT it!
BETTY ANNE
I will NEVER accept it.
She's spoken the words that Rick was afraid to hear; he
looks as if he's just been given a life sentence. The
PHONE RINGS and Betty Anne grabs it.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Hello?
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)
It's Harvey Peters -- I'm
sorry I haven't had a
chance to call --
BETTY ANNE
Finally! I haven't heard
from Kenny and no one will -
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)
-- but everything's OK now - nothing to worry about --
BETTY ANNE
What do you mean? What
happened?
HARVEY PETERS (O.S.)
Your brother's in isolation
so no calls or visitors for
a month...
BETTY ANNE
Why is he in isolation?
HARVEY PETERS
He tried to kill himself.
HOLD ON BETTY ANNE.
57
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY
Kenny walks slowly towards Betty Anne; she gives him a
quick “non-conjugal” hug -- wishing she could hold him
tightly -- and then sits down opposite him. She’s
wrecked. Kenny has FRESH SCARS (a month old) ON HIS
WRISTS. We have never seen him in such a dark, cynical
place.
BETTY ANNE
How could you do this?
KENNY
You'd be better off.
57
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
(furious)
Don't you dare say that! You know what
this would've done to me?
KENNY
Yeah -- you'd finally get on with your
life...
BETTY ANNE
Goddamnit, Kenny! Promise me you won't
do this again.
KENNY
There's nothin' left.
It's over.
BETTY ANNE
There's still the Supreme Court.
KENNY
The Supreme Court ain't gonna hear this
case! I'm FUCKED! I was fucked right
from the start.
BETTY ANNE
You can't give up! We'll find someone
else -- I’ll take out a loan -- we’ll get
a top lawyer this time -KENNY
(overlapping)
When you gonna get it, Betty Anne? There
is no one else. There's not a lawyer on
earth who'll give a fuck about me.
BETTY ANNE
There has to be. You're innocent!
KENNY
You sure about that?
Betty Anne stares at him in shock.
BETTY ANNE
How could you even ask me that?
KENNY
Because the truth is, it doesn't matter.
Whether I killed Mrs. Brow or not, I'm
still trash. I'm no good to anybody.
BETTY ANNE
What about your daughter?
46.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
47.
KENNY
What daughter? She's being poisoned
against me. I'll never see her again.
BETTY ANNE
That is not true!
KENNY
(starting to cry)
My baby girl...
BETTY ANNE
Oh, Kenny...
Kenny quickly wipes his eyes and pulls himself together.
KENNY
I'm doing Mandy a favor. She's the only
good thing I ever did in my piece-of-shit
life and I've got NOTHING to give her...
BETTY ANNE
Please, Kenny -- just promise me you
won't hurt yourself. Promise me.
A beat.
KENNY
I can't spend the rest of my life in
here.
He stands, nods to the guard who leads him back out.
Betty Anne sits there, shaken to her core.
58
INT. BETTY ANNE’S CAR/EXT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS
DAY
-
58
Betty Anne sits in her parked car, finishing a good cry,
then wipes her nose and looks out the window.
HER POV - STUDENTS chat, walk across campus, study under
trees, drink coffee. They look like teenagers.
59
INT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY
Betty Anne sits in a waiting area outside an ADMISSIONS
OFFICE. Beside her, a young girl (17) chews gum and
reads the school paper. Betty Anne holds a catalogue and
an application. The office DOOR opens, and a student
exits, along with the Admissions Counselor (30's).
59
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
48.
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
Kelly Bergin?
GUM-CHEWING GIRL
Hi.
ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
(re: Betty Anne)
And is this your Mom?
GUM-CHEWING GIRL
Uh -- no.
Betty Anne smiles lamely. The counselor and girl enter
the office and close the door. Betty Anne sits there:
what the hell am I doing?
60
INT. BETTY ANNE AND RICK’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
As Betty Anne undresses for bed -RICK (O.S.)
What’s this?
Betty Anne turns to see Rick standing there, holding the
COURSE CATALOGUE AND APPLICATION.
BETTY ANNE
(trying for nonchalance)
I was thinking about maybe getting a
degree finally.
RICK
Why?
BETTY ANNE
(casually)
I just thought maybe -- I don't know -maybe eventually I could apply to law
school.
He stares at her -- catching on immediately.
RICK
Oh my God. This is out of fucking
control.
(beat)
It stops here, Betty Anne. Right now.
That's it.
BETTY ANNE
I could go part-time. I could --
60
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
49.
RICK
Are you INSANE? This obsession is
killing us! You're a mother, you're my
wife -- you're married to me, not him!
You're not doing this! ENOUGH.
61
INT. VISITING ROOM - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY
Betty Anne takes a deep breath as she sits and waits. A
REAR DOOR OPENS and Kenny enters, sits down opposite her.
Betty Anne takes another deep breath.
BETTY ANNE
O.K. This is what I'm gonna do -- and
don't laugh, all right?
Kenny nods, baffled.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
I'm gonna start by trying to get a B.A. -after I finally take the stupid GED tests
-- and then, if I can make it that far -and there's no guarantee I'd even get in - I'll apply to law school. But it's
gonna take a long time, Kenny -- a really
long time -- I might be 80 years old when
I finally become a lawyer. And I still
don't know if I'm gonna find the answer -but you have to promise -- you just have
to -- that you won't try to kill
yourself, ever again. Cause if you do...
(she can't bear it)
... Just don't.
A beat.
KENNY
O.K.
A beat.
BETTY ANNE
I don't know if I can even do this -KENNY
(matter-of-fact)
You'll do it.
She looks at him, exhales.
love and gratitude.
He looks at her, filled with
61
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
62
50.
INT. LAW SCHOOL - STUDENT UNION - DAY - SPRING, 1998
Abra sits with four other students.
meeting.
62
SCOTT leads the
SCOTT
So two of us will be defense attorneys,
two will be the prosecutors...
Betty Anne crosses to them, dressed in wrinkled clothes
from her bedroom floor, holding a notebook with papers
falling out of it. She sits down with the group.
SCOTT (CONT'D)
Thanks for dropping by, Waters.
ABRA
(sotto, to Betty Anne)
Nice ironing job.
SCOTT
(back to all)
Then we need a defendant, and a
paralegal.
ABRA
I nominate Betty Anne to be the
defendant.
BETTY ANNE
What's my alleged crime?
MALE LAW STUDENT
Rape.
Gee, thanks.
us?
BETTY ANNE
What case did they assign
SCOTT
You'd know that if you actually came to
class.
Abra shoots him a look.
ABRA
(to Scott)
Shut the fuck up.
(to Betty Anne)
Sewell v. State, 1992.
Scott begrudgingly hands Betty Anne a thick binder.
starts looking through it, alongside Abra.
She
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
51.
SCOTT
Sewell had already served ten years for
rape, and then he sued the state for the
right to DNA-test the rape kit.
BETTY ANNE
(suddenly alert)
DNA test?
SCOTT
Yeah -- it wasn't his semen in the rape
kit. The DNA didn't match.
BETTY ANNE
So he won?
SCOTT
(impatient)
YES.
Betty Anne absorbs this, her heart racing. Abra points
to something in the binder, then reads it aloud to Betty
Anne.
ABRA
"Advances in technology may yield
potential for exculpation where none
previously existed..."
Betty Anne grabs the binder from Abra. While Scott
drones on in the b.g., Betty Anne looks through it, a
lightbulb going off.
63
INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY
On an ENCYCLOPEDIA PAGE explaining DNA.
it.
63
BETTY ANNE reads
TIME DISSOLVE - ON A COMPUTER MONITOR with "Law Review"
DOCUMENTS on it. BETTY ANNE searches through articles,
stops short, reverses the dial and finds AN ARTICLE ABOUT
DNA TESTING. Her eyes highlight the INNOCENCE PROJECT.
She fast forwards to another article, and there it is
again: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT, with a PHOTO OF ATTORNEY
BARRY SCHECK.
TIME DISSOLVE - NIGHT
BETTY ANNE sits with a dusty little book about early DNA
cases. Once again, she finds the name BARRY SCHECK.
PRE-LAP:
A DOORBELL RINGING.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
64
52.
INT. ABRA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Abra, wearing just a man's shirt and poofy little
scuffies, opens the door to reveal BETTY ANNE, hyped as a
coke addict, holding library books and a huge stack of
copied articles.
BETTY ANNE
(entering)
It's the blood!
ABRA
Excuse me?
BETTY ANNE
This is the key! There was so much
blood.
(throws stuff down)
I'm gonna get Kenny out.
She starts handing pages to Abra.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
There were no DNA tests then -- they only
knew that the murderer was type O and so
is Kenny.
ABRA
(looking at pages)
Right...
BETTY ANNE
But now, if we can DNA-test the
murderer's blood and Kenny's, it'll prove
Kenny's innocent. There’s been fortynine cases like this!
DON appears behind Abra, half-asleep.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
Hi Don.
DON
Hi Betty.
ABRA
How do you know there's still blood
evidence?
64
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
53.
BETTY ANNE
Cause we’re gonna find it -- and Barry
Scheck's gonna help.
Oh.
I see.
ABRA
Barry Scheck.
BETTY ANNE
This is what he does! He's got this
Innocence Project in New York -ABRA
So you'll just call him up and he'll take
your case?
BETTY ANNE
Yes!
ABRA
(a beat)
Are we both gonna sleep with him or just
you?
PRE-LAP:
the sound of typing.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
Dear Mr. Scheck...
65
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
65
Betty Anne sits at her desk writing at the computer.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
I would greatly appreciate any assistance
you and the Innocence Project can provide
in helping me free my brother Kenny from
a life without parole sentence.
66
EXT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - BOSTON - DAY - FALL, 1998
66
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
In 1983, Kenny was convicted in
Massachusetts of First Degree Murder with
Extreme Atrocity and Armed Robbery.
67
INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - BOSTON - CONTINUOUS
Abra and Betty Anne enter the lobby where a SIGN directs
them to: MASSACHUSETTS BAR EXAM, CHECK-IN.
67
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
54.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
My brother is innocent of these crimes
and will be vindicated through DNA
evidence.
68
INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - CHECK-IN TABLE - DAY
At a long table, people check ID'S at different stations.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
The day that my brother was unjustly
convicted of this crime changed not only
his life, but mine....
Betty Anne and Abra wait in the R-Z line.
rifles through her purse, panicking.
Betty Anne
BETTY ANNE
Oh my God -- my I.D.! Where is it?
She continues to search -- we see TONS of UNCAPPED PENS,
NUBBY PENCILS, even a lipstick with its cap off.
ABRA
You checked your whole wallet?
WOMAN (O.S.)
Next!
BETTY ANNE
Twice!
WOMAN
Next!
Abra nudges Betty Anne up to the table.
BETTY ANNE
(to woman)
I can't find -Abra pulls Betty Anne's student ID card out of her own
purse.
Hey look!
ABRA
How the heck did I get it?
Betty glares playfully at Abra as Abra hands it to the
woman.
BETTY ANNE
You bitch.
68
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
69
55.
INT. COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
69
Betty Anne and Abra head towards their examination room.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
Mr. Scheck, I have done everything in my
power for the last sixteen years to
prepare myself to prove my brother's
innocence...
Betty Anne stops short, then rushes to the LADIES ROOM.
70
INT. LADIES ROOM - COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - MOMENTS LATER
70
At the sink, TWO YOUNG WOMEN (20's) brush their hair,
freshen lipstick. O.S. Betty Anne RETCHES in one of the
stalls. The women exchange a look and exit just as Abra
enters. She hears the retching and knows it's her
friend. Betty Anne exits the stall, crosses to the sink,
splashes water on her face. Abra gets a paper towel,
hands it to her. Betty Anne dries her face, then holds
onto the sink, breathing rapidly.
BETTY ANNE
(softly)
I have to pass this test.
Abra gently rubs Betty Anne's back.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
Dear Ms. Waters, I've enclosed an
application for your brother Kenny to
complete and return to our office.
71
INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL - DAY
71
In a BALLROOM with two hundred students, PROCTORS
patrolling, FIND Betty Anne and Abra taking the essay
portion of the Bar exam.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
I must stress that we only accept cases
where DNA evidence can exonerate the
accused.
72
INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY
HUY DAO (early 30's), a serious-looking Vietnamese man
with glasses, writes to Betty Anne on his computer.
There's a tall stack of files on his desk. A NAME PLATE
on the desk reads HUY DAO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
72
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
56.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
Once we evaluate the validity of your
brother's case, it will be vital to find
out if any DNA evidence still exists...
PAN to STACKS AND STACKS OF FILES on the office floor.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
Without that evidence, it will be
impossible for us to proceed.
73
INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - SECOND DAY
73
Betty Anne and Abra take the Multi-State portion of the
Bar exam -- different clothes, same seats.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
The Innocence Project currently has a
backlog of several hundred cases...
74
INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY
74
As Huy Dao types, PULL BACK into the hallway where STACKS
AND STACKS OF FILES are on the floor.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
...so I must caution you that it will be
at least eighteen months before we can
begin to evaluate your brother's case.
PULL BACK to see more of THE INNOCENCE PROJECT -- interns
at computers... a mail carrier bringing in overflowing
plastic BOXES OF MAIL... a secretary opening one of
hundreds of envelopes...
HUY DAO (V.O.)
If, however, you pass the Bar exam and
become your brother's attorney...
75
INT. BALLROOM/EXAM ROOM - DAY
Betty Anne finishes the exam, closes the book.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
...you, of course, can look for the DNA
evidence immediately.
Betty Anne sits back and heaves an exhausted sigh.
75
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
57.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
If you manage to locate it, Mr. Scheck
may agree to act as consulting attorney -Abra puts her head on her desk, spent.
HUY DAO (V.O.)
-- in which case we can work together
towards exonerating your brother.
76
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY - SPRING, 1999
At the counter, Betty Anne has her hand, wrist deep,
inside a chicken, trying to yank out the frozen neck and
gizzards. She retrieves an ice-encrusted chicken heart,
then reaches in with both hands to get a better grip.
RICHARD (O.S.)
Mom?
BETTY ANNE
Damn thing's still frozen.
Richard STEPS INTO FRAME beside her, holding up a thin
LETTER FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BAR. BETTY ANNE
swallows, her hands still in the chicken.
RICHARD
Thin's good, right? Didn't you say that?
BETTY ANNE
Open it.
RICHARD
You sure?
BETTY ANNE
(nods)
But don't look at it. Hold it up for me
to read.
A beat, and Richard carefully opens the letter -BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
Don't look!
RICHARD
I'm not.
He holds it out to her, holding his breath.
reads. She exhales.
Betty Anne
76
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
58.
BETTY ANNE
Thank you God.
Betty Anne breaks into a huge smile -- pulls her red,
slimy hands out of the chicken, throws her arms around
her son and they jump up and down, screaming for joy.
77
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY
Betty Anne has just told Kenny the good news.
to have no reaction.
77
He seems
BETTY ANNE
Did you hear what I said?
(nothing)
Kenny?
Then, suddenly, Kenny LETS IT ALL HANG OUT.
KENNY
AAAAHHHHHH!!
BETTY ANNE
No -- Kenny -- Don't!
Kenny jumps up and down, dancing, beating his chest.
KENNY
WE DID IT! WE DID IT! MY
BABY SISTER DID IT! YA
HEAR ME??!!
HEY!
GUARD
BRING IT DOWN THERE!
Kenny kisses the Guard.
GUARD
Get the hell off of me!
you're back inside!
SIT DOWN or
Kenny sits; Betty Anne is delighted to see Kenny so high.
KENNY
So what do we do first?
BETTY ANNE
First I have to get the DNA evidence from
the trial -KENNY
How you gonna do that?
BETTY ANNE
I have to make some phone calls.
KENNY
But how are you gonna --
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
78
BETTY ANNE
Hey! I'm your attorney now.
let me do my job, alright?
Shut up and
KENNY
Alright! Alright, COUNSELOR!
THE HOT SHOT LAWYER, HERE!
LISTEN TO
59.
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY - SUMMER, 1999
Betty Anne sits at her desk, staring at the PHONE.
takes a deep breath, then dials.
78
She
DESK SERGEANT (O.S.)
Ayer Police...
BETTY ANNE
Hi. I'm an attorney, and I'm calling
regarding evidence from a 1983 case -DESK SERGEANT (O.S.)
Your name, please?
Betty Anne hesitates, not prepared for this.
BETTY ANNE
Umm -- Abra Rice.
79
OMIT
79
80
INT. ABRA’S LIVING ROOM - SPRINGFIELD - NIGHT
80
Abra is “modelling” new work clothes for Betty Anne -combining items into different outfits, walking in and
out of the room as they talk. Betty Anne indicates her
opinions; various shopping bags are strewn about.
BETTY ANNE
(to Abra, who’s OS)
If they realize I’m one of the “Waters
kids,” God knows what they’d do to that
evidence. I just don't trust them.
ABRA
(entering in a new suit)
You could have used your married name.
BETTY ANNE
(re: outfit)
Nice! I love those shoes.
(beat)
(MORE)
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
60.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
But then when I wanna be me, I won't be
able to ‘cause I was someone else.
I wanna be me when I need to be me.
ABRA
So to solve this problem, you decided to
be me.
Abra holds up a different new blouse to match the skirt.
Betty Anne shakes her head no.
BETTY ANNE
Just this once. But from this point on -ABRA
-- you need me to be me.
Betty Anne nods; Abra exits.
BETTY ANNE
I don't wanna do anything to jeopardize
your new job -Betty Anne looks through one of the shopping bags.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
I'll understand if you can't help -(re: a new purse)
Great bag!
(beat)
I mean, this is my cause, not yours -Abra re-enters holding a pair of new slacks.
ABRA
It's my cause too.
Betty Anne gives her a grateful look.
BETTY ANNE
I don't deserve a friend like you.
ABRA
Damn right you don't.
They crack up.
ABRA (CONT’D)
So what did the Ayer Police tell me?
BETTY ANNE
There's no evidence there anymore. It’s
at the courthouse where we had Kenny's
trial.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
81
61.
INT. LEGAL AID OFFICE - SPRINGFIELD - DAY
Next to a framed PHOTO of ABRA and DON, A NAME PLATE on
the desk reads ABRA RICE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. WIDER Abra’s on the phone, and Betty Anne’s beside her in the
cubicle, cluttered with boxes.
ABRA
That's right -- Waters.
1983.
Abra listens, her face looking grim.
BETTY ANNE
(whispering)
What? What are they saying?
ABRA
But isn't it possible that it's still...
Do you have an actual date when that
would have happened?... All right. Thank
you.
Abra hangs up, looking ill.
What?
She can barely speak.
BETTY ANNE
What did they say?
ABRA
(hesitates, then)
They destroyed it.
Betty Anne is momentarily stunned.
BETTY ANNE
What?!
ABRA
According to Massachusetts law, they
destroy evidence after ten years.
(beat)
Kenny's evidence was destroyed in April
1993.
Betty Anne stands there, in shock.
BETTY ANNE
That's not possible. I did NOT get this
far, after all this time... It has to be
there. It just has to! It's his only
chance!
ABRA
Betty Anne --
81
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
62.
BETTY ANNE
We're gonna make them look for it.
ABRA
There's nothing to look for.
82
INT. AIDAN'S PUB - MORNING
82
Abra and Betty Anne, both looking disheveled, are on
separate phones in the closed pub. Lots of papers and
coffee cups.
ABRA
Yes, I KNOW what your
records say -- but the
woman I spoke to last week
said she would look!
BETTY ANNE
I know that, but I was
hoping that by some chance,
the samples might have been
left at your lab...
ABRA
(looks at notes)
Alice O’Malley... Maternity
leave? Jesus. Did someone
else look instead?...
(writing name)
Linda Clarke... And she
checked every single box in
that basement?
BETTY ANNE
Is Kathleen Higgins still
working there?... She
testified at the original
trial... Oh. Do you know
where she works now?...
BETTY ANNE
(hisses to Abra)
Ask for the supervisor!
ABRA
Can you put your supervisor
on the phone?
Betty Anne hangs up.
at Abra waits.
BETTY ANNE
(back to her call)
Thank you anyway.
She and Abra exchange tense looks
ABRA
(into phone)
Mrs. Halloran? This is Abra Rice again.
I’m sure Ms. Clark searched thoroughly,
but if you yourself could look -(listens)
What?...
She listens, getting upset, scribbling the note Halloran
looked, 8/15/99. Betty Anne moves in closer.
ABRA (CONT'D)
Uh-huh... Uh huh. No, I didn't realize
you -- I understand... Thank you anyway.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
63.
Abra hangs up and looks at Betty Anne.
83
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - EVENING
Abra brings ketchup and mustard to the table where the
boys await dinner. O.S. Betty Anne bangs in the kitchen.
ABRA
(sotto, to boys)
Your mom's not in the best mood.
BEN
Something happen?
She hushes them as Betty Anne enters with a bowl of
mashed potatoes.
BETTY ANNE
OK... Start eating.
The boys just sit there, watching her.
RICHARD
What's wrong, Mom?
BETTY ANNE
Nothing. Don’t let it get cold.
(beat)
So how's your father's new girlfriend?
What is she -- fourteen? Fifteen?
Tell them.
ABRA
They have a right to know.
RICHARD/BEN
BETTY ANNE
It's just a setback.
What?
ABRA (CONT’D)
Betty -BETTY ANNE
What should I do, Abra? Give up?
that what you're saying?
ABRA
It's GONE.
RICHARD
They looked?
Abra nods.
Is
83
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
64.
BEN
Can't they look again?
ABRA
They did.
The boys take in the implications of this.
BETTY ANNE
Mistakes happen -- OBVIOUSLY -- or Kenny
wouldn't be in jail!
Betty:
ABRA
They destroyed it.
BETTY ANNE
NO. That evidence exists -- somewhere -and I'm gonna find it.
A beat as the boys and Abra silently acknowledge that
Betty Anne is in denial.
ABRA
Let’s say you do find it.
(beat)
What if the DNA matches Kenny's?
O.K.
Abra has spoken the unspeakable.
BETTY ANNE
GET OUT! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE -RIGHT NOW!!
ABRA
NO! YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS! Even if
you're the most amazing fighter in the
world and the most brilliant lawyer,
there are forces greater than you and you
still may not win!
BETTY ANNE
(trembling with rage)
And you think I haven't thought of that?
No.
ABRA
You haven't.
Betty Anne looks to her sons and realizes they see it too
-- she has never truly accepted the possibility of her
own failure -- or of Kenny's guilt.
BETTY ANNE
(to Abra)
Just go.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
84
EXT. THE TOWN OF AYER, MASS. - TRAVELING SHOT - DAY FALL, 1999
THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW:
Angle on Betty Anne.
85
65.
84
A sign reads “ENTERING AYER.”
Lots of bad memories.
EXT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY
85
The police station looks just as it did in 1980; cars and
passersby indicate that it’s now the late 90’s.
WIDER - This is Betty Anne’s POV from her car, parked
across the street. She takes a deep breath, then exits.
86
INT. AYER POLICE STATION - DAY
86
The station is busier than when we last saw it, but still
very much a small town precinct. BETTY ANNE enters,
warily looking around to see if there’s anyone who might
recognize her. Satisfied that she’s “safe,” she crosses
to the front desk, smiling at the DESK SERGEANT we saw
her speak to on the phone.
BETTY ANNE
Good morning.
DESK SERGEANT
Can I help you?
Hope so.
BETTY ANNE
I’m an attorney...
She hands him ABRA’S BUSINESS CARD.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
... Abra Rice ... and I’m trying to
locate evidence from Kenneth Waters’-DESK SERGEANT
(reads card)
Oh yeah -- we spoke on the phone.
check with the courthouse?
BETTY ANNE
They can’t locate it.
You
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
66.
DESK SERGEANT
Yeah -- well, like I said, they probably
destroyed it by now. I mean, it’s been -MALE VOICE (O.S.)
Betty Anne Waters?
Betty Anne turns to see A POLICE LIEUTENANT who’s just
entered the station. He’s one of the cops who was in the
station when Kenny first got arrested in 1980.
BETTY ANNE
(can’t place him)
I’m sorry, I don’t...
LT. DANIELS
Lieutenant Daniels. I knew your brother
Kenny -- I was a rookie here when -DESK SERGEANT
You’re his SISTER?
BETTY ANNE
(nods, sheepishly)
But I am an attorney... and he IS my
client.
LT. DANIELS
Holy shit! Good for YOU!
(laughs)
My sister won’t even send me a birthday
card!
DESK SERGEANT
I was just telling Miss WATERS that we
don’t have any evidence here.
Here?
LT. DANIELS
From back then?
BETTY ANNE
Would you mind looking?
He looks at her, realizes she won’t give up.
LT. DANIELS
Come with me.
Relieved, Betty Anne FOLLOWS HIM DOWN A HALLWAY...
glancing at THE BENCH where she and Kenny were held as
kids... the HOLDING ROOM where she talked to Kenny after
his first arrest... then INTO...
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
87
67.
INT. SMALL SUPPLY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Daniels crosses to a CLOSET and opens it: mostly office
supplies, coffee filters, etc., but the TWO TOP SHELVES
are labelled EVIDENCE, 1998-1999. There’s ONE FILE BOX
on a shelf, marked “OLAFSEN, 1998.”
LT. DANIELS
That’s it for our “older” evidence.
BETTY ANNE
And there’s nowhere else?
LT. DANIELS
(shakes his head)
Sorry.
He closes the closet door.
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)
How’s Kenny holding up?
BETTY ANNE
Not so great.
As they walk out...
LT. DANIELS
Yeah, I remember that case...
Betty Anne FOLLOWS HIM BACK INTO THE HALLWAY.
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)
I gotta tell ya -- even
with what he did --
BETTY ANNE
(bristling)
He didn’t do it.
He gives her a sympathetic glance, touched by her
loyalty.
LT. DANIELS (CONT’D)
-- I liked Kenny. We all liked him.
BETTY ANNE
Nancy Taylor didn’t.
LT. DANIELS
Yeah, well... Nancy Taylor doesn’t work
here anymore.
BETTY ANNE
Why not?
The guy smiles ruefully.
87
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
68.
LT. DANIELS
She got herself into a little hot water.
BETTY ANNE
How hot?
88
INT. GROTON POLICE DEPT. - NANCY TAYLOR'S OFFICE - DAY
A SIGN on a desk reads NANCY HARRIS, SECRETARY. WIDER An older, gaunt NANCY TAYLOR (52) sits behind an IBM
typewriter, where she’s been typing file labels.
NANCY TAYLOR
Kenneth Waters killed Kay Brow.
REVEAL Betty Anne standing opposite her.
BETTY ANNE
There’s DNA evidence that will prove he
didn’t.
NANCY TAYLOR
No, honey, it won’t. And anyway, that’s
just one small fragment of the whole
case.
Nancy’s phone rings.
She answers it.
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)
(into phone)
Groton Police Department, Chief
O’Connell’s office...
Betty Anne notices Nancy’s very own "Wall of Fame": her
police academy graduation photo; a "Police Officer of the
Year" certificate from Ayer; and, prominently featured, a
FRAMED CITATION and a FRAMED ARTICLE: GOVERNOR HONORS
POLICE OFFICER FOR SOLVING BRUTAL MURDER CASE. The
article has a PHOTO of a younger Taylor, citation in
hand, posed with the Governor.
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)
(into phone)
He’s not available right now... I gave
him your message, sir... I understand.
(scribbles message)
I’ll let him know.
She hangs up, a tad annoyed, and finishes writing the
message.
88
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
(casually)
Why aren’t you a cop anymore?
NANCY TAYLOR
I left the force when I got married.
BETTY ANNE
Really? You mean it had nothing to do
with you framing another cop?
NANCY TAYLOR
I beg your pardon?
BETTY ANNE
(feigns forgetfulness)
What was his name...? Oh yeah -- Stanley
Randall! He found out you were dirty, so
you got a waitress from the Rusty Scupper
to accuse him of rape.
NANCY TAYLOR
Is that what they told you over in Ayer?
Betty Anne doesn’t respond.
NANCY TAYLOR (CONT’D)
Honey, I’m sure you can imagine what it
was like to be the only woman on that
police force. I wasn’t dirty, and the
rape charge wasn’t false.
(beat)
The truth is, they never got over me
solving the Brow murder.
BETTY ANNE
You didn’t solve it. You put an innocent
man in jail.
A beat.
NANCY TAYLOR
I’m sorry you wasted your life on this.
Your brother killed that woman.
BETTY ANNE
I’ll be having the District Attorney
investigate you.
NANCY TAYLOR
Young lady, you do what you need to do.
(beat)
I have to get back to work.
69.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
89
70.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - AYER, MASSACHUSETTS - TWILIGHT
89
The old WHITE FARMHOUSE from Betty Anne’s childhood is
now dilapidated, the windows boarded up.
WIDER - BETTY ANNE’S CAR sits parked by the old tree in
front of the BARN. We see the silhouette of someone
inside the open barn doors.
ANGLE ON BETTY ANNE looking small and vulnerable, like
the girl who used to wrestle with her brother in that
barn.
PRE-LAP:
90
A DOORBELL RINGS OVER AND OVER
INT. ABRA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT/EARLY MORNING
90
DON, half-asleep, opens the front door, revealing BETTY
ANNE with raccoon eyes and stains down her cheeks from
mascara and tears.
BETTY ANNE
Is she asleep?
DON
She usually is at five in the morning.
91
INT. ABRA’S KITCHEN - A LITTLE LATER
91
Abra, with a serious case of “bed head,” makes COFFEE;
Betty Anne’s at the table, ripping napkins into tiny
pieces.
ABRA
I wish we could use this!
a COP for Chrissakes --
If she framed
BETTY ANNE
It still doesn’t prove she framed Kenny.
It wouldn’t be enough -ABRA
(overlapping)
-- enough grounds for a new trial. I
know, I know.
(big sigh)
I hate the damned legal system. It’s
so... inconvenient.
They both smile slightly, and look at each other.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
I’m sorry I kicked you out of my house.
That’s O.K.
Betty Anne’s relieved.
ABRA
Your mac-and-cheese sucks.
Friends again.
70A.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
71.
ABRA (CONT’D)
You were wearing that outfit when you
said you were me?
BETTY ANNE
(smiles, then)
Too bad being you didn’t get me anywhere.
ABRA
(thinks)
There is something we haven’t tried.
Betty Anne looks at her, curious.
ABRA (CONT’D)
How long will it take you to make
yourself look like a lawyer?
SMASH CUT TO:
92
EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE, DOWNTOWN BOSTON - DAY 92
Betty Anne and Abra, both in sharp power suits and sexy
high heels, shiny briefcases gleaming in the sunlight,
walk up the steps to the courthouse. They are hot.
93
INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - CLERK'S OFFICE - DAY 93
Abra and Betty Anne stand at the counter, trying to look
tough. Abra deftly whips out a card and hands it to the
male clerk opposite them.
ABRA
I'm attorney Abra Rice and this is my
associate. We'd like to speak to Mrs.
Halloran.
MAN
Do you have an appointment?
ABRA
This is a pressing legal matter.
Halloran's aware of it.
Mrs.
A short woman (60's), with soft gray hair framing her
face, approaches the counter. She wears a pin that's a
photo of her grandkids.
MRS. HALLORAN
I'm Mrs. Halloran.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
ABRA
(shakes her hand)
Abra Rice -- we spoke earlier.
MRS. HALLORAN
Yes -- but as I told you on the phone -BETTY ANNE
I'm Betty Anne Waters.
(she shakes her hand)
The evidence in question is from my
brother's trial.
MRS. HALLORAN
Oh, well we can't just have family
members -BETTY ANNE
I'm also his attorney. I became an
attorney just to help him. Can you
please just look again?
MRS. HALLORAN
If we did this for every person who came
in here... We don’t have the staff!
BETTY ANNE
Look, I don't know what else to do except
beg. I'm asking for a favor -- a favor
from a complete stranger... but please.
Mrs. Halloran takes this in -- feeling badly, but
remaining the bureaucrat.
MRS. HALLORAN
You're talking about evidence that's
sixteen years old. Our record shows it
was destroyed!
BETTY ANNE
Isn't it possible that the record is
wrong?
MRS. HALLORAN
That's highly unlikely.
BETTY ANNE
But possible.
Mrs. Halloran stays silent. Betty Anne takes a beat,
then smiles at the woman's pin.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Are those your grandkids?
72.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
73.
MRS. HALLORAN
(smiles)
Yes.
BETTY ANNE
Beautiful. They look like you.
(softly; heartfelt)
Please. My brother's innocent, and
you're right -- it's been sixteen years.
Our family really wants him home.
94
INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE - LATER
94
ON THE CLOCK: 3:05. Abra and Betty Anne wait on a bench
in the office. Every time someone walks in, they both
jump. No Mrs. Halloran. Betty Anne can't sit still.
She gets up.
95
INT. HALLWAY - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - DAY
95
Betty Anne walks up the hallway, busy with people, stops
to take a drink from a fountain, wipes her mouth, stares
at a wall CLOCK: 3:50.
96
INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE - DAY
ON THE CLOCK: 4:45. Abra and Betty Anne are still
waiting. Abra suddenly ELBOWS Betty Anne as
MRS. HALLORAN enters the room -- EMPTY-HANDED.
THE WOMEN are crushed.
But a beat later --
A JANITOR follows behind MRS. HALLORAN, carrying a dusty
cardboard FILE BOX with "KENNETH WATERS - 1983" scrawled
on it in black felt-tip marker.
BETTY ANNE grabs Abra's arm and stands, not breathing.
MRS. HALLORAN
Why don't we come back here?
Betty Anne and Abra FOLLOW HER BEHIND A PARTITION. The
JANITOR follows, places the BOX onto a table and exits.
Mrs. Halloran opens the box. She gestures to Betty Anne
and Abra to come forward, then stands back to observe.
BETTY ANNE swallows, looks INSIDE THE BOX. On top are
the CRIME SCENE PHOTOS. Betty Anne puts them aside. She
pulls out a CHART describing EXHIBITS and hands it to
Abra.
96
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
74.
Beneath is a GLASSINE ENVELOPE with the paring KNIFE from
the trial. It's marked EXHIBIT #64 and wrapped in FBI
tape. QUICK FLASHBACK to Mrs. Brow's bloody walls, blood
soaked bed.
BETTY ANNE puts the knife aside, then takes out a
GLASSINE ENVELOPE with a piece of bloody fabric in it -EXHIBIT #49. Abra checks the number against the chart.
ABRA
Victim's blood.
Betty Anne takes out more GLASSINE ENVELOPES -- some with
blood samples on slides, many with pieces of bloody
fabric. QUICK FLASHBACK to the forensic doctor holding
the glassine envelopes during the trial.
BETTY ANNE'S afraid to breathe.
Abra checks the numbers.
ABRA (CONT'D)
Victim.
Betty Anne takes out a few GLASSINE ENVELOPES with more
bloody samples, EXHIBITS 63A-F. Abra looks at the chart - then looks at Betty Anne.
ABRA (CONT'D)
Perpetrator.
Betty Anne looks at Abra, barely containing her
excitement. Abra nods, almost in tears.
ABRA (CONT'D)
Good job, Counselor.
Betty Anne turns to Mrs. Halloran.
BETTY ANNE
I'll need to file a Motion to Preserve
the Evidence.
MRS. HALLORAN
That office is closed now -- but I'll
turn it in for you in the morning. I'll
get you that paperwork.
BETTY ANNE
(grabbing her)
You're gonna keep the box out on this
table?
MRS. HALLORAN
It'll be fine.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
75.
BETTY ANNE
My brother's life is in there. Can't I
just put a sign on it with my name?
MRS. HALLORAN
That's really not necessary.
Please.
BETTY ANNE
If anything happened to this --
MRS. HALLORAN
Well, all right.
Betty Anne exhales, relieved.
BETTY ANNE
Could I borrow some tape?
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
We hear the SCREECHY SOUND of TAPE being yanked from a
dispenser and we find THE BOX now swaddled with Betty
Anne's legal letterhead as she wraps more tape around it.
ABRA
You missed a spot.
Abra points to a tiny spot without paper. Betty Anne
doesn't realize she's joking, then tapes a BUSINESS CARD
over it. With a squeaky magic marker, she writes:
DO NOT DESTROY THIS... DO NOT DESTROY THIS...
97
EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE, DOWNTOWN BOSTON - DAY 97
Betty Anne and Abra head down the steps, composed and
professional. They walk a few feet, then both SCREAM,
jumping up and down.
98
EXT. SHIRLEY PRISON - EXERCISE YARD - DAY
98
As GUARDS observe, INMATES work out on weight equipment.
Kenny comes running into the yard, jubilant. He hugs a
GUARD who shoves him away, leaps over a guy who's working
out on a bench press, then grabs a barbell and lifts it
over his head victoriously.
99
INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT, N.Y., BARRY SCHECK'S OFFICE - DAY 99
ON a PAPER-COVERED DESK, as a MAN'S HANDS search through
different piles.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
76.
BARRY SCHECK (O.S.)
Shit.
WIDER - BARRY SCHECK (40's), an overworked genius -charismatic, attractive, and slightly rumpled -- looks
through papers. His office has views of lower Manhattan;
walls with honorary plaques, framed newspaper articles,
photos, etc.
BARRY SCHECK (CONT'D)
(calling)
Jocelyn? Can you find me Betty Anne
Waters' number?
JOCELYN (O.S.)
It's in your Roladex.
BARRY SCHECK
(looks in Roladex)
How do you expect me to find anything if
you put it in the right place?
JOCELYN, a young, hip-looking legal intern, pokes her
head in just as Barry finds it.
JOCELYN
It would be under "W."
Barry gives her a look that says "very funny."
BARRY SCHECK
This woman actually went to law school to
save her brother?
JOCELYN
He's her only client.
Jeez.
100
BARRY SCHECK
I hope he's innocent.
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY
100
ON BETTY ANNE'S LEG, covered with shaving cream, a RAZOR
sliding upwards. WIDER - Betty Anne has one leg up on
the edge of the bathtub. The PHONE RINGS.
BETTY ANNE
Shit.
She runs into HER BEDROOM, razor in hand, shaving cream
dripping from her leg. Betty Anne grabs the phone.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
77.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Hello?
INTERCUT BARRY in his office.
BARRY
Is this Betty Anne Waters?
BETTY ANNE
Yes?
BARRY
This is Barry Scheck.
Oh my God.
BETTY ANNE
Hi.
BARRY
How are you?
Fine - fine!
BETTY ANNE
Great!
She grabs a pen and a newspaper that's on her bed, open
to a half-finished crossword puzzle.
BARRY
Congratulations on finding the evidence.
It's extraordinary.
She quickly scribbles onto the newspaper:
"Congratulations on finding the evidence..."
BETTY ANNE
Thank you. But I really didn't do
anything -BARRY
You mean, besides becoming a lawyer?
BETTY ANNE
(smiles)
I meant -- you know, we were just lucky
that the box was still there.
BARRY
I hear you beat up an old lady to find
it.
They both laugh.
BETTY ANNE
No, that was gonna be my next step.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
78.
BARRY
Your brother's lucky you're so
persistent.
BETTY ANNE
Kenny thinks he's getting out of jail
tomorrow.
BARRY
I wish. D.A's don't like admitting
they've put an innocent person into
prison. And this D.A., Martha Coakley,
just got elected so she’s really not
gonna like it.
Betty Anne continues to write down everything Barry says.
BETTY ANNE
How long do you think it will take?
BARRY
We'll have some hoops to go through -- it
might be a couple of months -BETTY ANNE
A couple of months!
BARRY
Maybe less. But the important thing is,
if your brother's innocent -BETTY ANNE
He is.
BARRY
-- then this is a travesty of justice -and we will get him out.
Betty Anne gets teary-eyed by this as she writes this
down, boldly underlining "we will get him out."
101
OMIT
101
102
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM - SUMMER
2000
102
Through a small window in the door we see Betty Anne,
dressed in a suit, waiting tensely at a table. Her
briefcase is at her side. An ORANGE SHAPE fills the frame
as the door opens.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
78A.
Reverse on KENNY in an ORANGE PRISON JUMPSUIT WITH LEG
IRONS AND MANACLES, shuffling in alongside a GUARD.
BETTY ANNE tries to hide her distress as she crosses to
hug her brother.
GUARD
No hugging.
BETTY ANNE
I’m his sister!
GUARD
He’s in seg. Those are the rules.
They sit, and the guard exits, positioning himself right
outside the door.
BETTY ANNE
Are you O.K.?
KENNY
Fine!
(making light of it)
I kinda like being shackled up like this.
Makes me feel dangerous.
*
BETTY ANNE
You’re dangerous to yourself! What were
you THINKING? Why wouldn’t you just take
the test?!
KENNY
It’s been a year, Betty! A fucking year!
I don’t trust them.
(beat)
I’m not doin’ it.
BETTY ANNE
(flabbergasted)
Jesus Christ -- are you out of your mind?
This is IT, Kenny! This is what we’ve
been waiting for!
KENNY
Why NOW, all of a sudden, out of the
blue, huh? And why can’t you be in the
room when they test me? Why can’t Barry
Scheck?
BETTY ANNE
They won’t agree to that!
*
*
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
KENNY
So I’m supposed to trust State Troopers
to do it?
78B.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
This isn't a choice, Kenny!
do this!
79.
You HAVE to
A beat.
KENNY
It’s gonna test positive.
Betty Anne stares at him, uncomprehending.
KENNY (CONT’D)
(quietly)
They’ll find a way. You’ll see.
fuck me again.
They’ll
BETTY ANNE
I’m leaving.
(rising)
DO IT, or I’ll kill you. That’s your
sister AND your lawyer talking!
103
INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY - FALL, 2000
103
BETTY ANNE and ABRA push grocery carts down the aisle of
a SUPERMARKET. Betty Anne speaks on her cell, angrily
throwing items into the cart and moving quickly while
Abra tries to keep up with her.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
80.
BETTY ANNE
(into cell phone)
What the hell is going on over there?!
Why don’t we have the test results yet?
104
INTERCUT BARRY - DAY - LOWER MANHATTAN STREET
BARRY walking briskly down a LOWER MANHATTAN STREET,
talking into his cell phone as he approaches a corner
SABRETT'S HOT DOG STAND.
BARRY
The evidence is still sitting in the
crime lab.
He indicates to the vendor that he wants one hot dog.
BETTY ANNE
Just SITTING THERE?! SIX months to
approve the testing, FIVE to decide how
to test it, and now they’re doing
NOTHING? THAT’S what you’re telling me?
Yes.
BARRY
That's what I'm telling you.
BETTY ANNE
This is bullshit, Barry!
BARRY
I know. Martha Coakley's definitely
stonewalling us.
Abra watches Betty Anne throw huge quantities of food
into her cart.
ABRA
Are we expecting a famine?
BETTY ANNE
(snapping, to Abra)
I have teenagers, remember?
(to Barry)
Do we even know if Kenny’s DNA ever got
there? Or if the crime samples are still
there?
BARRY
They’re there.
BETTY ANNE
Have you seen them?
Barry sighs; the vendor hands him a hot dog.
104
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
81.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
Why aren’t you doing anything about this?
BARRY
We call the D.A.'s office every day -and the crime lab -- the interns have
sent like eight thousand e-mails -Interns?
interns!
BETTY ANNE
Jesus, Barry, this is beyond
Barry squeezes mustard onto his hot dog and it squirts
onto his tie.
BARRY
(to himself)
Shit.
(to Betty Anne)
It's just gonna take some more time.
BETTY ANNE
Great. You and your interns take your
time while Kenny rots in jail.
She angrily clicks off.
his ruined tie.
Barry sighs, then looks down at
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
FUCK.
She stops short, and Abra almost runs into her. Betty
Anne stands there, trying to figure out what to do.
ABRA
You shouldn't be taking it out on Barry.
Betty Anne looks at her, an idea forming.
BETTY ANNE
You're right.
105
INT. MASSACHUSETTS CRIME LAB - BOSTON - DAY
Betty Anne walks briskly down a hallway, calling to the
back of a woman in a lab coat.
BETTY ANNE
Dr. McGilvray?
The woman turns around.
105
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
82.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Betty Anne Waters. I need that evidence
sent today.
DR. MCGILVRAY
(affronted)
Excuse me? I'm sorry, I'm not sure who -BETTY ANNE
The DNA evidence from Kenneth Waters'
trial. Why is it just sitting here?
DR. MCGILVRAY
We have procedures to follow -BETTY ANNE
I'll tell you the procedures: test the
goddamn evidence today and Fed Ex the
results to Ed Blake's lab in California.
How hard is that?
The doctor glares at Betty Anne, then turns around and
proceeds down the hall. Betty Anne follows after her.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
So what is it? Martha Coakley's telling
you not to do it?
(no response)
Is there some kind of promotion you'll
get if you kiss her butt?
The woman walks more quickly to get away from her.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
(still following)
You can't keep fucking with my brother's
life like this!
106
EXT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - DAY - DECEMBER, 2000
Richard and Ben, hockey gear in hand, yell to the
upstairs window.
RICHARD
MOM! Let's go! We're gonna miss the
kick-off!
BETTY ANNE
(from the window)
Be right down!
106
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
107
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
83.
107
In the empty room, A FAX MACHINE prints out pages on
Betty Anne's desk.
108
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - STAIRCASE - DAY
108
Betty Anne rushes downstairs, grabs her bag and car keys,
exits. We hear the door LOCK. A few beats, then:
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)
Shit.
The door is unlocked, and Betty Anne comes flying in.
Ben and Richard stand outside with impatient expressions.
BEN
Mom!
BETTY ANNE
I forgot my phone!
She starts searching.
The boys enter.
RICHARD
When's the last time you used it?
BETTY
I don't remember.
(to Ben)
Call me. Maybe it'll ring.
While Betty Anne and Richard keep looking, Ben crosses to
Betty Anne's messy desk and dials from the fax phone,
glancing at the TWENTY PAGES that have spilled out of the
FAX MACHINE.
A CELL PHONE RINGS TO THE TUNE OF BEETHOVEN'S ODE TO JOY.
Ben notices a COVER SHEET from FORENSIC SCIENCE
ASSOCIATES, then quickly skims the fax pages.
BETTY ANNE
Where's it coming from?
RICHARD
The couch?
Ben finds a page titled KENNETH WATERS ITEM 17.
as Richard and Betty Anne ransack the room.
He reads
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
84.
BEN
Holy shit...
(shouting)
He's innocent! Uncle Kenny's innocent!
It wasn't his DNA!
Ben waves the page and Betty Anne rushes up to him,
grabbing it. The cell phone keeps RINGING. Richard
reads over Betty Anne's shoulder.
RICHARD
"Kenneth Waters is eliminated as the
source of the male blood..."
They scream, jumping up and down, hugging and kissing.
And, somewhere in the house, Betty Anne's CELL PHONE
continues to play "Ode to Joy."
109
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM - DAY
109
In a small room adjacent to the regular visitor’s room,
Kenny sits opposite Betty Anne, who’s dressed in “lawyer
clothes,” briefcase at her side, with a grim expression
on her face.
What?
KENNY
What is it?
Betty Anne takes a piece of paper from her briefcase and
soberly hands it to him. Kenny takes it, reads it. He
looks up at Betty Anne, in near shock.
KENNY (CONT’D)
This what I think it is?
She holds on to her poker face for another second, then:
BETTY ANNE
Yep.
KENNY
(still trying to absorb it)
Holy shit.
BETTY ANNE
We did it.
KENNY
YOU did it! YOU DID IT!
it! Holy fuck!
You fucking did
He’s electric with excitement and can barely sit.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
KENNY (CONT’D)
When? When am I gettin’ out?
BETTY ANNE
A few days.
A few days?!
KENNY
I can't wait a few days!
BETTY ANNE
There's paperwork, Kenny -- you can't
just walk out of here.
Why not?
KENNY
They know I'm innocent!
He stands, rushes into
THE ADJACENT VISITORS’ ROOM
KENNY (CONT’D)
(waves DNA results; to
everyone)
You hear that, motherfuckers?
INNOCENT. NEGATIVE DNA TEST!
I'm
GUARD
Shut up, Muddy! Get back in there!
KENNY
My baby sister’s a fuckin' genius and
she's gettin' me out of here!
BETTY ANNE
(calling from the other room)
Kenny, SIT! They can still kick your
ass!
Kenny steps back into the LAWYER’S VISITING ROOM.
KENNY
So whattya think? Monday?
Tuesday?
BETTY ANNE
I have to hear back from Barry. As soon
as he reaches Martha Coakley -- [and she
vacates the conviction --]
KENNY
Well you tell Miss Martha Fuckhead
Coakley I want a shiny new limousine
picking me up, with a fully stocked bar!
They laugh together, then Kenny leans in.
85.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
86.
KENNY (CONT’D)
Ya gotta call Mandy for me. Tell her
they know I’m innocent... Tell her I’m
gettin’ out.
110
EXT. SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY
110
Betty Anne stands outside and talks into her cell phone.
BETTY ANNE
Mandy, this is your Aunt Betty Anne -your father's sister. You probably don't
remember me but I really need to talk to
you about your Dad.
111
INT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY
111
ON AN ANSWERING MACHINE, recording Betty Anne's message.
BETTY ANNE (V.O.)
It's very important -- it’s nothing bad -I mean, it's GREAT. We found the
evidence that proves he's innocent and -A WOMAN'S HAND comes INTO FRAME and DELETES the message.
112
INT. AIDAN'S PUB - NIGHT
112
Betty Anne is AT THE BAR, taking care of customers.
AIDAN (O.S.)
Stop working! That’s an order!
FIND AIDAN, filling champagne glasses at a nearby table,
where Abra, Don, Ben, Richard, and a few friends try to
celebrate. There’s a big vase of flowers and a cake.
BETTY ANNE
We’ve got customers!
ABRA
Come on, Betty Anne!
Aidan approaches her with a glass of champagne.
BETTY ANNE
I can’t celebrate till Kenny’s out!
O.K.
AIDAN
That’s it.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
87.
Aidan puts down the glass, comes around the bar, PICKS
BETTY ANNE UP, and sits her down on the counter. People
are laughing.
Oh great!
Good!
BETTY ANNE
I’m sitting in Stoli!
ABRA
At least your butt is celebrating!
Laughter.
AIDAN
Everyone, a toast to Betty Anne and Abra!
Ad libs:
Here here!
BETTY ANNE
Aidan -AIDAN
It’s time to be happy! You DID IT, Betty
Anne! You did the fucking impossible!
(to boys)
Oops, sorry boys....
RICHARD
Hey, it’s true!
ABRA
OK, like it or not, I’m making a toast.
(to Betty Anne)
From the first day I set eyes on you in
law school, I thought -- god, she’s even
older than I am!
(laughter)
But seriously, I’ve never met anybody
like you -- you never gave up, you never
stopped fighting -- it’s been an honor
working with you on this.
(beat)
A gigantic pain in the ass -- but an
honor.
Betty Anne gets teary, and mouths “thank you” to Abra.
They all toast, applaud, drink -- including Betty Anne.
113
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - MASSACHUSETTS - DAY
113
It's a beautiful winter afternoon. Richard and Ben are
moving a DRESSER out of a U-HAUL VAN, and carrying it
over to the enclosed porch of a small, ramshackle "fixerupper" on a lake.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
88.
INT. LAKE HOUSE PORCH - CONTINUOUS
The porch is full of boxes and furniture that they’ve
already unloaded. DISHES have been taken out of a box
and are STACKED on top of a table. BETTY ANNE is in the
adjacent kitchen, making sandwiches.
BETTY ANNE
(stepping onto porch)
Take a break, guys -- I got lunch.
She grabs a couple of plates. Richard and Ben are
looking around, trying to figure out where to put the
dresser for now.
RICHARD
Did it every occur to you that this place
is TOO SMALL for all this STUFF?
No.
BETTY ANNE
Not for a minute.
The boys put down the dresser.
BEN
At least Uncle Kenny will think it’s big
enough... compared to a jail cell.
The boys crack up, and Betty Anne laughs with them.
PHONE RINGS from inside the house.
The
BETTY ANNE
That's BARRY!
She runs into the house. THE BOYS exit and head BACK TO
THE VAN to get more things.
114
INT. LAKE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
114
Betty Anne has arranged the crappy, dusty interior into a
temporary living space with used furniture, a phone and
fax machine. She grabs her cell phone.
BETTY ANNE
(out of breath)
Barry?
BARRY (O.S.)
Hi.
BETTY ANNE
Oh, thank God! I'm going crazy here -and Kenny's absolutely insane!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
89.
She crosses back to THE PORCH.
I know.
BARRY (O.S.)
I'm sorry I didn't --
BETTY ANNE
Did you reach Martha Coakley?
BARRY (O.S.)
Yes.
BETTY ANNE
What'd she say? How long will it take?
BARRY (O.S.)
There’s a problem.
(beat)
She won’t vacate the conviction.
115
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY
115
Ben and Richard are stepping out of the VAN with more
crap. Ben glances up at the house.
HIS POV - Through the PORCH windows, Betty Anne is RAGING
-- a force of nature throwing DISHES, furniture, kicking
things, going crazy with rage and frustration.
BACK TO SCENE - Ben and Richard drop what they’re
carrying and they run up to the house as Betty Anne
throws A CHAIR against the window.
116
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - VISITING ROOM - DAY
116
KENNY’S in SHOCK; BETTY ANNE, looking grim, sits across
from him.
BETTY ANNE
She told Barry... She said...
(struggling)
She said there’s still enough evidence to
try you as an accomplice.
Kenny just stares at her, incredulous.
to hold herself together.
Betty Anne tries
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
She's not gonna let you out.
Kenny remains still. Betty Anne watches him, terrified
of his reaction. And then:
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
90.
KENNY
Mother Fucker. I’ll KILL that fucking
BITCH!
BETTY ANNE
Kenny, listen to me -He jumps up.
KENNY
MOTHERFUCKER!! I KNEW it, Betty Anne!
TOLD you!
WATERS!!
I
GUARD
Sit the fuck down!
Kenny sits -- but he’s still riled up.
BETTY ANNE
We can’t give up! We’ve got Barry on our
side now -- we’ll fight her in court -KENNY
(overlapping; almost
laughing)
We are WAY past that, little sister.
What a fucking IDIOT I was! What a
CHUMP!
BETTY ANNE
Kenny -- please -KENNY
(rising)
Everything you’ve done? All of it? A
FUCKIN’ JOKE! We got fuckin’ PLAYED!
What a fuckin’ ASSHOLE I was!
GUARD
Sit the fuck down, Waters -- or you’re
OUTTA HERE!
KENNY
(to guard)
Haven’t you heard? They’re NEVER letting
me “outta here”! NEVER!
Kenny THROWS OVER THE TABLE and Betty Anne jumps back.
The GUARD crosses to restrain Kenny -- but Kenny shoves
him away -- HARD. It knocks the guard over.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
91.
KENNY (CONT’D)
(to Betty Anne)
They made fools outta BOTH of us! I TOLD
you! I TOLD you!
... and in an instant, THREE GUARDS come charging in from
different doors...
... and tackle him, as he goes crazy...
I TOLD YOU!
KENNY (CONT’D)
I TOLD YOU!
... while Betty Anne SCREAMS AT THEM, tears streaming -STOP!!
BETTY ANNE
STOP!! DON’T!!
She moves towards them, and one guard pushes her back.
KENNY
Don’t touch her! Don’t you fuckin’ touch
my sister!!
PRE-LAP:
VOICES (V.O.)
Congratulations!
117
INT. INNOCENCE PROJECT - NEW YORK - DAY
117
As Betty Anne walks towards Barry's office, interns and
others, including Huy Dao and Jocelyn, surround her,
congratulating her. She strains to look appreciative.
118
INT. BARRY SCHECK'S OFFICE - DAY
118
Betty Anne enters. Barry gives her a hug; she closes her
eyes, collapsing into him. They pull back from each
other, and she looks at him -- she's miserable.
BETTY ANNE
Kenny’s in solitary, for Chrissakes!
Why is everyone congratulating me?
BARRY
You proved he’s innocent.
BETTY ANNE
Not to Martha Coakley, I didn’t.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
I know.
92.
BARRY
But if we --
BETTY ANNE
We are NOT going back to court -BARRY
We don’t -- [have to] --
BETTY ANNE
Kenny will not survive
another trial!
BARRY
Betty Anne --
BETTY ANNE
And I’ll be damned if I
have to prove his innocence
ALL OVER AGAIN just because
that evil bitch -BARRY
(loud)
BETTY ANNE!
This gets her attention.
BETTY ANNE
What?
BARRY
There won’t be a trial if we gather new
evidence.
BETTY ANNE
How we gonna do that?
BARRY
Think about it. The DNA doesn't just
prove Kenny's innocent -Betty Anne looks at him, realizing.
BETTY ANNE
It proves all those "witnesses" were
lying.
BARRY
Right.
BETTY ANNE
So we just have to get someone to recant.
Barry looks at her, nods.
expression brightens.
A beat as Betty Anne’s
BARRY
Road trip?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
93.
119
OMIT
119
120
EXT. ROSEANNA PERRY'S TRAILER - AYER - DAY
120
Betty Anne, Abra and Barry exchange looks as they
approach a run-down trailer, the front littered with
empty beer cans, cigarette butts, etc. Betty Anne
knocks. A beat, and the door opens, revealing ROSEANNA
(mid-40's), cigarette in hand.
ROSEANNA
Oh shit.
121
INT. ROSEANNA PERRY'S TRAILER - DAY
121
Betty Anne sits opposite ROSEANNA on a plaid couch.
ROSEANNA drinks a beer and chain smokes. She's missing
several teeth; the years of alcohol have not been kind to
her. A mute T.V. plays in the b.g. Barry types on his
laptop. Abra stands.
ROSEANNA
I was threatened, O.K.?
(to Barry)
Hey -- didn't I see you on TV?
BETTY ANNE
Who threatened you?
ROSEANNA
(still on Barry)
Yeah! I know! You're that famous Jew
lawyer!
Barry is too stunned to respond.
ROSEANNA!
BETTY ANNE
Who threatened you?
Abra gently touches Betty Anne, silently reminding her to
stay calm.
ROSEANNA PERRY
Ya know, that fuckin’ cop Nancy Taylor
had it out for Kenny -- She fuckin’
kidnaps me, right? Her and the Chief of
Police -- and they bring me to this hotel
room against my will-(to Barry)
That’s not legal, right? -(back to Betty Anne)
(MORE)
*
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
ROSEANNA PERRY (CONT'D)
-- and they get me drunk and then the
Police Chief, he gets down on his knees
and makes me pray with him -- I ain’t
shittin’ you! -- Ya see, they lied -they told me they had all this other
evidence and that I could be an accessory
too and they could take my daughters away
-- They had me on ‘terrogation -- and uh,
I mean I was absolutely totally SICK, I
mean I pee-uked! I never seen pictures
like those in my life -(re: the TV)
Wait-- I gotta see this part.
93A.
*
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
94.
She grabs the remote, puts on the sound for a few beats.
BETTY ANNE
Pictures of Mrs. Brow?
ROSEANNA
Yeah! The stab wounds all over her whole
goddamned body and you could see her
brain and everything. And I just went...
I just went hysterical, I mean I just
completely broke down. "Ya want
something like this to happen to you? Do
you want a fuckin' murderer like that
walking the fuckin' street? It could
happen to anybody, your mother, your
kids, you" -- ya know, meaning me -BARRY
So Nancy Taylor said that Kenny could
murder you or your mother or your girls?
ROSEANNA PERRY
She fuckin' did. Excuse my French but
yes, that's exactly it.
Barry, Abra and Betty Anne exchange looks -- suppressing
their excitement.
ROSEANNA PERRY (CONT'D)
There was just a lot of thing [sic] That
were not quite right in Denmark. And I
kept telling them that I was PALASTERED
and I wasn't even SURE what Kenny said
that time -BETTY ANNE
And you'll sign this affidavit after
we're done?
ROSEANNA PERRY
I cannot live like this any longer, I'm
serious. I'm the one who stuck 'im
there. I’m sorry, Betty Anne -- I’m
SORRY! I was railroad [sic], O.K.? I
told them Kenny was innocent! That Nancy
Taylor she says, "Once I get on a lead, I
never let it go."
BETTY ANNE
Roseanna -- I need to know -- will you
sign the affidavit?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
95.
ROSEANNA PERRY
Yeah!
BETTY ANNE
And then we'll have to take you with us
to get it notarized -A beat as Roseanna takes this in.
ROSEANNA
What about perjury?
A beat. Barry, Betty Anne and Abra exchange a look.
ABRA
What about perjury?
ROSEANNA
Well, if I sign this, then they'll know I
lied before, right?
She looks from Betty Anne to Barry for an answer.
ROSEANNA (CONT'D)
What's the “statue of limitations”?
122
EXT. ROSEANNA PERRY’S TRAILER
As Betty Anne, Abra, and Barry walk back to the car -ABRA
I didn't know she could even say so many
syllables.
BETTY ANNE
I'd like to knock out the rest of her
teeth -BARRY
Taste in women was not one of your
brother's strong points.
ABRA
Hey, in her younger days, Roseanna was
Miss Massachusetts.
BARRY
Seriously?
ABRA
(cracks up, then)
Hot shot famous lawyer, here.
122
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
96.
BARRY
Hot shot famous Jew lawyer.
Abra and Barry laugh; Betty Anne’s in too dark a mood to
join them.
123
OMIT
123
124
EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY
124
Betty Anne rings the bell of a second floor apartment in
a low-income, two-story building. The DOOR OPENS,
revealing MANDY (20) a heavyset young woman.
BETTY ANNE
Mandy?
MANDY
Yeah?
BETTY ANNE
I'm your Aunt Betty Anne.
(beat)
Your father's sister.
Mandy pales.
MANDY
Whatta you want?
BETTY ANNE
Did you get my messages?
MANDY
I have to go.
Mandy tries to close the door.
Betty Anne stops her.
BETTY ANNE
I really need to talk to your mother.
MANDY
She’s not home.
BETTY ANNE
Please -- your father's innocent.
MANDY
He's a murderer.
BETTY ANNE
The DNA test proved he's not.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
97.
Mandy's rattled. She hasn't heard a word about this.
She starts to close the door -BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Did she ever give you his letters?
The door closes in her face.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
He wrote to you every week!
(banging on door)
He’s innocent!
ANGLE - BARRY AND ABRA, watch from the car.
125
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - ENTRANCE TO VISITING ROOM - DAY
125
CHRISTMAS EVE. A GUARD unwraps a GIFT BOX for
inspection. WIDER - BETTY ANNE, wearing a BRIGHT RED
CHRISTMAS-THEMED SWEATER, watches him tear the paper,
then glances into the VISITING ROOM.
HER POV - Sad-looking garlands "decorate" the room.
Inmates sit opposite family; KENNY waits for her. He
looks thinner, more beaten down.
126
INT. VISITING ROOM - SHIRLEY PRISON - DAY
As Kenny sits across from Betty Anne. Betty Anne is
chatty, trying to be upbeat.
BETTY ANNE
It’s so silly that I wrap it every year
but I figure crumpled paper’s better than
none -- so there’s socks in there,
shampoo, underwear -- the boys got you a
video but God knows how long it’ll take
to approve it -- Remember the year they
wouldn’t let me give you BABE? -- I
wasn’t sure they’d even let me in with
this sweater... I mean it’s RED -- I
could be in a gang -KENNY
It’s O.K., Betty Anne.
I’m O.K.
BETTY ANNE
Huh?
KENNY
They’re not gonna let us win.
126
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BETTY ANNE
What?! What are you talking about?
course we are.
98.
Of
KENNY
It’s not your fault.
BETTY ANNE
Kenny, let’s not talk about this today.
It’s Christmas.
KENNY
Time for you to start living your life.
BETTY ANNE
(offended)
This is my life!
Kenny just looks at her. “Exactly.” Betty Anne is
silent, feeling the weight of her own words.
127
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATE NIGHT
127
Betty Anne's on the phone, drinking eggnog from a
McDonald’s juice glass. A rum bottle and a jar of nutmeg
are on the counter.
BETTY ANNE
Am I disturbing your Christmas?
128
INTERCUT BARRY IN BED, HIS WIFE ASLEEP BESIDE HIM.
Christmas?
BARRY
No. Sleep?
Yes.
BETTY ANNE
Sorry.
BARRY
I don't have Christmas, by the way.
Oh.
BETTY ANNE
Well, your Hanukkah.
BARRY
That was last month.
BETTY ANNE
I thought it was the same time as
Christmas.
128
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
BARRY
That was last year.
BETTY ANNE
Huh.
Betty Anne adds more rum and nutmeg to her drink.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Anyway, I was thinking -- we need to stay
focused on trying to find the murderer.
There's that boyfriend Brow's daughter-inlaw had, and that guy whose car was seen
by the trailer, and -BARRY
Have you thought about doing nothing for
a few days? Drinking eggnog, enjoying
your family?
(silence)
I didn't think so.
BETTY ANNE
I'm drinking eggnog.
BARRY
Are your boys there?
BETTY ANNE
Tomorrow.
BARRY
Good.
(beat)
Look, right after New Years', I'll come
back up there, we'll get someone to talk - whatever it takes. O.K.?
BETTY ANNE
(deflated)
O.K.
BARRY
I’m sorry Kenny’s not there with you.
wish I could have made that happen.
Betty Anne tears up.
BETTY ANNE
(quietly)
I know.
BARRY
Merry Christmas.
I
99.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
100.
BETTY ANNE
You too -- I mean, Happy Han -- oh shit -good night.
She hangs up.
129
Sits there a beat.
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
129
Sitting by the Christmas tree, surrounded by wrapping
paper and bows, Ben and Richard check out their presents.
Through the windows, we see a nasty-looking winter storm.
BEN
Hey Mom -- are the pancakes almost ready?
Betty Anne enters, bundled in a coat, scarf, hat, gloves
and boots, carrying a tray with pancakes, syrup, butter.
BETTY ANNE
Anybody up for a drive?
The boys look at her -- then look out the window -- then
back to her.
130
INT. BETTY ANNE'S HONDA - MOVING - DAY
Betty Anne drives slowly in the snow. Richard's beside
her; Ben's in the back, polishing off the pancakes.
RICHARD
Any pancakes left back there?
Oh.
BEN
Did you want some?
RICHARD
Give me one -BEN
Forget it -- you lose!
They laugh as they pretend to fight.
Anne's mood a little.
It lightens Betty
BETTY ANNE
You gonna tell your father this is how I
made you spend Christmas?
BEN
Your secret's safe with us.
130
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
RICHARD
Besides, we're willing accomplices.
Betty Anne smiles gratefully.
worse.
The storm is getting
BETTY ANNE
You would do this for each other, right?
RICHARD
(laughs)
If Ben tried to go to law school for me,
I'd die an old man in prison.
BEN
Don't worry about it -- I wouldn't do it.
BETTY ANNE
You wouldn't?
BEN
(shrugs)
I mean, I'd want to help and all but I
don't think I could give up what I really
wanted to do.
RICHARD
Which is -- what? Sleeping till noon and
hanging out at the mall?
Shut up.
BEN
What -- would you do it for me?
RICHARD
(thinks, then)
Yeah.
BEN
You'd sacrifice your whole life for me?
Betty Anne reacts to this description.
RICHARD
Well, when you put it that way...
(beat)
Forget it.
The boys crack up.
rearview mirror.
Betty Anne glances at Ben in the
BETTY ANNE
You think I sacrificed my whole life?
101.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
102.
The boys look at each other, feeling guilty. Betty Anne
takes this in, then looks ahead at the blinding snow.
131
EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY
131
Snowing and blustery. Betty Anne, holding a small
Christmas present, rings the bell, Richard and Ben beside
her. A few beats and the door opens. Mandy. Betty Anne
gestures to the boys, as if saying, here are your
cousins, then holds out the present. Mandy closes the
door in their faces.
AIDAN (V.O.)
It's almost time!
132
INT. AIDAN'S PUB - NIGHT - 2000/2001 (THE PRESENT)
132
In a New Year's Eve top hat, Aidan tries to steer a happy
crowd towards the stage area where there's an Irish band,
Christmas and New Year's decorations, TV sets turned to
the Times Square countdown, and someone passing out horns
and blowers. Among the revelers are Abra and Don in
matching New Years' crowns. Aidan looks for Betty Anne.
The DRUMMER bangs the drum with each number:
ALL
Ten, nine, eight, seven ...
133
EXT. AIDAN’S PUB - NIGHT
133
Betty Anne, hugging herself, stands across the street
from the back of Aidan's Pub and looks at the train
tracks. Her breath mists in the cold.
ALL (O.S.)
... three, two, one -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!
In the b.g., we hear horns and an Irish-sounding AULD
LANG SYNE. Aidan, still in his party hat, steps out of
the pub's back door, sees Betty Anne and crosses behind
her, puts his arms around her waist and envelops her.
Betty Anne starts to cry quietly. Aidan holds her
tighter. As Betty Anne stands on the precipice of a new
year, her tears turn to sobs and she begins to pour out
two decades of pain.
134
EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY - JANUARY, 2001
Mandy, in a waitress's uniform, exits the building and
walks down the street.
134
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
103.
WIDER - Betty Anne watches from her car, across the
street.
135
EXT. FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANT - WORCESTER, MASS - DAY
135
Through the WINDOW, we see Mandy taking an order.
WIDER - Betty Anne watches from her car, in the parking
lot.
136
INT. FRIENDLY'S RESTAURANT - DAY
136
As Mandy heads to the kitchen, Betty Anne intercepts her.
MANDY
I'm working.
BETTY ANNE
Please.
137
EXT. FRIENDLY'S RESTAURANT - DAY
137
Betty Anne and Mandy stand to the side of the restaurant;
Mandy smokes a cigarette.
MANDY
I have this memory -- I'm sitting on the
kitchen floor -- I'm three or four years
old -- and my mom and aunt are talking
about Daddy's shirt being covered with
blood. I couldn't figure it out. Why
would Daddy's shirt be covered with
blood?
BETTY ANNE
It wasn't.
Mandy takes this in.
MANDY
She lied?
BETTY ANNE
The DNA proves she did.
We see this register briefly on Mandy's face but she
tries to hide her reaction. She puffs on her cigarette.
MANDY
Why would she lie that way?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
104.
BETTY ANNE
That's what we need to ask her, honey.
A long beat as Mandy takes this in.
waves.
It’s hitting her in
MANDY
Did he really write me every week?
BETTY ANNE
For eighteen years. Even when you were
just a baby.
MANDY
(a beat; hiding her upset)
Is he getting out of jail?
BETTY ANNE
They won’t let him out without new
evidence.
MANDY
Why not?
BETTY ANNE
Because people don't like to admit that
they've made a mistake.
Mandy listens.
The double meaning isn't lost on her.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
We need a statement from your mother.
A beat.
Mandy turns and heads for the restaurant door.
MANDY
I can't control what she does!
BETTY ANNE
(following her)
Yeah -- either could Kenny.
(beat)
If Massachusetts had the death penalty,
he'd be dead by now.
Mandy swallows. Betty Anne reaches into her purse and
pulls out a Christmas gift.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Your father made this for you.
Mandy hesitates, then takes it. She rips off the paper,
revealing a lacquered wooden jewelry box with flowers
carved on top.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
105.
She touches the flowers, then opens the box: inside is
the PHOTO KENNY HAD ON HIS PRISON WALL -- Kenny with
toddler Mandy on his shoulders.
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
He's had that on the wall of his cell
this whole time.
Mandy takes out the photo and looks at it, trying to hide
her emotions.
138
EXT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY
138
Betty Anne rings the bell; Abra and Barry are behind her.
The door opens, REVEALING BRENDA, 45 going on 65. Betty
Anne looks into the face of the woman who ruined her
brother's life.
PRE-LAP:
139
The sound of TYPING.
INT. BRENDA MARSH'S APARTMENT - DAY
139
Through a haze of cigarette SMOKE we see a disaster of an
apartment: dirty dishes, ashtrays filled with butts and
half-smoked joints, a jungle's worth of unhealthy potted
plants. BETTY ANNE holds a tape recorder as Brenda speaks
while smoking a cigarette. Mandy stands, a few feet away
from her mother -- steeled, angry, and smoking a
cigarette -- but we can see the hurt in her eyes.
BRENDA
After me and Kenny split up, I had this
boyfriend, Robert, and he says we could
get money from the cops if we rat on
Kenny.
Abra takes notes and Barry, perched precariously on a
small wooden chair, types on his laptop. A little MUTT
keeps yipping.
BRENDA (CONT’D)
So he goes to Nancy Taylor and says I
told him Kenny confessed to Mrs. Brow's
murder...
BARRY
Wait, wait!
His LAPTOP plug has fallen out of a crappy-looking
outlet. Abra plugs it in, keeping her eye on it. The
dog YIPS.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
106.
BETTY ANNE
(to Brenda)
Go on.
BRENDA
Nancy Taylor tells Robert he can fuck
himself -- and then she hauls me in,
brings me to this hotel, makes me look at
these gross pictures...
(she shudders)
She says they can prove I was an
accessory... and that they'll take Mandy
away...
Brenda looks to Mandy, hoping she'll understand -- but
Mandy stays poker-faced, absorbing the enormity of what
she's just learned. She won't look at her mother.
140
EXT. WORCESTER STREET - DAY
140
Betty Anne’s Honda drives slowly up a commercial street.
The car passes an INSURANCE COMPANY with a sign in the
window: NOTARY AVAILABLE.
There!
141
BARRY (V.O.)
Stop the car!
INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - FRONT OFFICE - DAY
141
With laptop in hand, Barry rushes into this office,
followed by Betty Anne, Abra, Brenda and Mandy. The
RECEPTIONIST looks startled.
BARRY
You guys have a printer I can use?
142
INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - REAR OFFICE - DAY
142
THROUGH THE GLASS WALL of the office, we see a WOMAN
NOTARY sitting across from Brenda. Mandy, Betty Anne,
Abra and Barry stand, surrounding Brenda. We move INSIDE
THE OFFICE where, pen in hand, Brenda looks for the
signature line on her affidavit. The NOTARY points to
the place for Brenda to sign. Betty Anne, Barry and Abra
are afraid to breathe. Brenda's about to sign it, then:
BRENDA
(to Barry)
Can you guarantee that I won't go to jail
if I sign this?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
No.
107.
BARRY
I can't.
Brenda hesitates.
MANDY
(firmly)
Sign it, Ma.
Brenda looks at her. A beat. As she signs it, Betty
Anne exhales and SQUEEZES Abra's fingers.
143
OMIT
143
144
EXT. WORCESTER STREET - DAY
144
Betty Anne's on her cell phone as she, Barry and Abra
walk to her car.
BETTY ANNE
Martha Coakley please.... I have Barry
Scheck calling. It's urgent.
Betty Anne waits, looks at Barry.
Then:
BETTY ANNE (CONT'D)
Ms. Coakley? Betty Anne Waters. Barry's
tied up right now, but he wanted me to
let you know that Brenda Marsh, your key
witness in the Kenneth Waters case, has
just recanted her original testimony.
I'll be faxing that affidavit shortly...
Oh -- here's Barry now!
She hands the phone to Barry.
BARRY
Martha! That's something about Brenda
Marsh, isn't it?
He, Betty Anne and Abra are loving every minute of this.
BARRY (CONT'D)
Listen, Martha -- while you decide
whether to vacate Kenny's conviction, I
wanted to give you a heads up --some
folks over at the Boston Globe and the
New York Times just love this story.
He and Betty Anne exchange triumphant smiles.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
145
108.
INT. SHIRLEY PRISON - KENNY'S CELL - DAY - FEBRUARY, 2001
145
In a white t-shirt and jeans, Kenny sits on the edge of
his cot, deep in thought. The WALLS and surfaces are
completely clear of his possessions. O.S. FOOTSTEPS
approach. Kenny looks up as a familiar GUARD opens the
door. Kenny rises. A beat, and he exits his cell.
146
INT. COURTROOM - SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT - DAY
146
Barry and Betty Anne stand at the defense table, tensely
watching a JUDGE read through some paperwork. KENNY, in
hand and leg cuffs, stands near the witness stand,
flanked by two courtroom GUARDS. MARTHA COAKLEY (50’s)
and an ASSISTANT D.A. stand at the prosecution table.
THE JUDGE looks up, addressing Barry and Betty Anne.
JUDGE
Are all sides in agreement to vacate the
conviction?
BETTY ANNE/BARRY
Yes, your honor.
The Judge turns to the D.A.
anxiously.
Betty Anne watches
MARTHA COAKLEY
Yes, your honor.
A beat.
JUDGE
Kenneth Waters -- you're free to go.
He bangs his GAVEL. BETTY ANNE exhales. KENNY turns to
her -- elated -- and the guards start to remove his
cuffs. BARRY puts his arm around Betty Anne, squeezes
her tightly as they cross to Kenny. In the b.g., the
Coakley team exits.
KENNY
(to Barry)
So that's it?
BARRY
That's it.
A beat and the cuffs are off. Kenny and Betty Anne look
at each other, speechless. They embrace.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
109.
OVERHEAD SHOT as Betty Anne, Kenny and Barry walk in
silence through the courtroom, their footsteps echoing.
They push the double doors open into:
A 147
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE COURTROOM - CONTINUOUS
A 147
Long shot of Betty Anne and Kenny exiting the courtroom
and heading down the deserted corridor. Barry brings up
the rear.
As they approach the elevators, Barry hits the “down”
button
147
INT. SUFFOLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
147
CLOSE ON elevator doors opening to reveal:
FLASHBULBS popping as Betty Anne, Kenny and Barry are
unexpectedly greeted by A MOB OF PRESS. REPORTERS shout
out questions. The crowd includes the WATERS FAMILY;
Aidan, Ben, Richard, Abra and Don. Kenny hugs his mom
first. Lots of tears, lots of cameras.
ANGLE - A REPORTER interrupts as Kenny hugs his mom.
REPORTER #1
Hey Kenny -- can we get a picture of you
and Betty Anne?
Kenny moves to Betty Anne and puts his arm around her -FLASHBULBS POP.
148
EXT. POST OFFICE SQUARE COURTHOUSE - DAY
148
More PRESS wait outside. Martha Coakley stands next to
her associate on the steps and addresses reporters.
MARTHA COAKLEY
The D.A.'s office is happy to see that
justice was done and an innocent man can
go free today -ANGLE - BARRY watches with a wry expression.
REPORTERS RUSH UP TO HIM.
SOME
REPORTER
Mr. Scheck! How do you feel about what
happened here today?
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
110.
BARRY
I’m thrilled for Kenny. But we can’t
forget that there are hundreds of
innocent men and women still languishing
in prison.
(beat)
Justice was done today because of an
extraordinary woman named Betty Anne
Waters -- with the help of the Innocence
Project and DNA. DNA is God’s signature.
He writes no forgeries, and his checks
don’t bounce!
The crowd laughs. BETTY ANNE scans the crowds, searching
for someone; Kenny looks at her and she shakes her head.
The PRESS barrage them with overlapping questions.
REPORTER #2
Kenny -- you spent eighteen years in jail
for a murder you didn't commit -KENNY
That’s right. And my family suffered
unbearable.
REPORTER #2
You must be pretty angry.
KENNY
Angry? No. Those eighteen years... man,
they’re gone. Right now -- I see the
sky -- I got my family with me -- I’m the
happiest man alive.
REPORTER #3
Kenny -- what did you learn from this
experience?
Kenny takes a moment to think about this one.
KENNY
I guess I learned my mother was right -“Never hit your sister!”
THE REPORTERS LAUGH.
REPORTER #2
And how are you gonna thank your sister
for what she did?
KENNY
I don't know... How would you thank her?
I mean, look at her -- she’s beautiful -she's... she's it...
(MORE)
*
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
KENNY (CONT'D)
How do you thank someone for devotin'
their whole life to you?
REPORTER #3
Betty Anne, you have any big cases lined
up after this?
BETTY ANNE
Uh -- no. I never really planned on
practicing law.
What?
REPORTER #3
After all that work?
BETTY ANNE
(simply)
All I ever wanted was to get my brother
out.
As the reporters fire questions at her...
110A.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
149
111.
EXT. STREET - DAY (A FEW MOMENTS LATER)
149
A STRETCH LIMO is parked near the courthouse; a LIMO
DRIVER stands next to the open door. As the crowd begins
to disperse, Barry, Abra, Don, Aidan, the boys, and
family members start to pile in, rowdy and excited.
BETTY ANNE sees someone at the back of the crowd -- and
she puts her hand on Kenny's arm.
MANDY is standing there, smoking a cigarette.
BETTY ANNE smiles, tremendously relieved -- then turns to
KENNY: His lip trembles; tears fill his eyes. Betty
Anne touches him gently, then walks over to the limo.
KENNY stands there, staring at his grown daughter. MANDY
looks scared. She takes another puff off the cigarette,
tosses it. KENNY cautiously approaches her.
KENNY
Hi.
MANDY
Hi.
They stand there awkwardly.
KENNY
Ahh, hell -He puts his arms around her and enfolds her in a bear
hug, tears filling his eyes. MANDY doesn't show emotion,
but accepts the hug. She gently pulls back from Kenny
when it seems to go on too long.
KENNY (CONT'D)
(choked up)
You're so beautiful.
MANDY
(self-effacing laugh)
No I'm not.
KENNY
Yeah, you are.
(beat)
This is the moment that kept me going for
eighteen years...
MANDY
I’m sorry I can't just... My whole life - I thought you killed that woman!
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
112.
KENNY
Not your whole life.
MANDY
(embarrassed)
I don't remember that part.
KENNY
I do.
(beat)
Look -- I'm not perfect, Mandy -- I
wasn't before I went to jail, and I'm not
now. But you gotta know... you have a
dad who loves you more than anything in
the whole world.
Mandy starts to choke up but she stops it.
MANDY
What my mother did to you... I'm so
sorry.
KENNY
It's not your fault.
KENNY (CONT’D)
You never have to apologize to me.
Ever.
A beat.
MANDY
I'm gonna need time.
KENNY
I can wait.
ON BETTY ANNE, watching them from INSIDE THE LIMO.
HER POV - KENNY holds out his hand; Mandy hesitates, then
takes it, and they walk together to THE LIMO.
KENNY looks at BETTY ANNE who smiles at him, both
acknowledging that this is the gift she gave him.
ON BETTY ANNE.
HOLD
DISSOLVE TO:
150
INT. LAKE HOUSE - MORNING
Pre-dawn.
Betty Anne is lying awake in bed.
150
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
151
113.
INT. LAKE HOUSE - HALLWAY
151
Dressed in a sweatshirt, sweatpants and thick wool socks,
Betty Anne crosses to the other bedroom. She peeks in
and sees AN UNTOUCHED BED. FOLLOW BETTY ANNE as she
crosses to THE KITCHEN: no Kenny. She walks into the
LIVING ROOM, where BEN AND RICHARD lie, dead to the
world, in sleeping bags. Betty Anne glances out the
front window:
KENNY, his back to us, sits on the edge of the snowcovered dock, feet dangling over the frozen lake.
152
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - MORNING
152
Kenny breathes deeply as he inhales the view: whitishblue ice stretches out in front of him; the sky blushes
pink over the mountains ahead; a few scattered stars
twinkle; rays of sunlight pour through the snow-laden
trees. He’s holding a HALF-EATEN CHERRY PIE, eating
directly from the pie plate with a fork -- while using
the fork to scoop from a tub of ice cream beside him.
BETTY ANNE (O.S.)
Did you sleep?
Kenny turns; Betty Anne’s hugging herself in the cold.
KENNY
Naah... couldn't. I mean, look at this.
(he makes a sweeping gesture
to the view)
Besides -- my mind -- it's goin' a
hundred miles an hour.
Betty Anne sits down beside him.
Yeah.
BETTY ANNE
Mine too.
KENNY
Hey -- you're off-duty now.
to get some rest.
Time for you
BETTY ANNE
What -- are you kidding? You're finally
out! I don't wanna miss anything.
He smiles, takes her hand.
They gaze at the view.
KENNY
Lake Betty Anne and Kenny.
*
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
114.
BETTY ANNE
(correcting him)
Lake Kenny and Betty Anne.
They share a smile.
BETTY ANNE (CONT’D)
(re: the house)
It’s not exactly a mansion.
KENNY
It's perfect.
(beat)
Ya know, even if it'd taken you another
twenty years, I woulda been O.K.
BETTY ANNE
Twenty more years? Jesus.
lost my mind!
I would've
KENNY
(laughs, then)
I know. I woulda lost my mind too! It's
just... just knowin' you were out here,
working so hard for me... knowin' you
loved me that much...
He gets choked up.
to lighten it up:
Betty Anne gets choked up too.
Then,
BETTY ANNE
I just did what any sister would do.
KENNY
Yeah, right.
They both laugh and Kenny puts his arm around her, kisses
her forehead. They look out at the view, breathing
deeply. We leave them to their private moment as the
CAMERA PULLS BACK slowly; the landscape expands and
brother and sister start to appear smaller and smaller,
like the two children they once were.
FADE OUT.
THE END
CRAWL:
There have been 210 post-conviction DNA exonerations
since 1989, including fifteen from Death Row.
Exonerations have been won in 31 states.
BETTY ANNE WATERS - GOLDENROD PAGES - 04-03-2009
115.
The Innocence Project currently has 291 cases in active
litigation, hundreds in the screening process, and
thousands of initial letters under review. In 2006, they
received 3,259 new requests for assistance.
Betty Anne Waters still co-manages Aidan's Pub and works
part-time with the New England Innocence Project.
A civil suit against the State of Massachusetts, the Ayer
Police, and former police officer Nancy Taylor is
pending.
The murderer of Katherina Brow has never been found.
FOR KENNY