MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
1.
ACT ONE
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
The family finishes dinner.
HALEY
That was delicious, mom.
Thank you.
Haley grabs her phone and begins texting as she heads out of
the dining room.
ALEX
Thanks, Mom.
Alex grabs a text book.
Luke and Alex follow after Haley.
LUKE
Thank you.
CLAIRE
Not so fast! Two weeks ago you all
promised me you would help out more
around the house. Slowly but surely
you’ve all been doing less and less.
I want the table cleared and the
dishwasher loaded.
The children groan.
PHIL
Listen to your mother, children.
HALEY
What about Dad?
LUKE
Yeah!
ALEX
He promised to help out more.
CLAIRE
Your father promised me he would keep
the floors clean. And in two weeks I
haven’t seen so much as a dust bunny
so, unlike you three, he’s kept his
word.
PHIL
Thank you, honey.
delicious.
Dinner was
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
2.
Phil walks off, looks back, spots Alex watching him
suspiciously, continues out of the room.
PHIL INTERVIEW
PHIL
The truth is my robot assistant cleans
the floors. That’s right, I have a
robot.
Phil lifts a Roomba (floor cleaning robot) box from the
floor, displays it.
PHIL (CONT’D)
It’s quiet, cleans great and works
smart. Scary smart. It knows when
it’s running out of battery, returns
to its base and recharges itself.
That’s nearly sentient. It’s a gift
for the family but until someone
figures it out, it’s my own personal
time saver. I hid the base under the
couch and programmed it to clean in
the wee hours of the morning. Sure
someone will eventually figure it out.
(shrugs)
When it’s discovered we’ll all have a
big laugh.
EXT.
PUBLIC PARK - DAY
Mitchell, carrying a tripod, and Cam, a professional camera
over his shoulder, pulling Lily along, hurry towards a large
public fountain.
LILY
Why are we running?
CAM
We‘re gonna take some photos at the
new fountain, Honey, and we gotta get
there before they shut it down for the
night.
MITCHELL
We should have left earlier.
CAM
We’ll be fine.
The Gordons, an elderly couple, obviously tourists with their
map and colorful clothes, approach. Mrs. Gordon holds out a
small camera.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
3.
MRS. GORDON
Excuse me, would one of you be kind
enough to snap a picture of us by the
fountain? They’ll be shutting it off
soon.
MITCHELL
Oh, it’s funny, cause we were just-CAM
We would be delighted.
Cam snatches the small camera.
Mitchell sighs.
MITCHELL INTERVIEW
MITCHELL
Cam is a giving person. He can’t
resist helping those in need. Even if
those in need aren’t really in need
and someone else could easily snap a
photograph. He’s a show off is what
it is. A giving show off.
INT.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Jay pours a glass of wine, reaches for it.
GLORIA (O.S.)
Jay!
Jay knocks the glass off the counter.
Gloria enters.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
I hear a strange noise going on
upstairs! It’s very spooky. It
sounds like EErrrrrRrrrRrrrrrrr...
no! What happened?
JAY
I spilled my wine.
GLORIA
On the new rug? Maybe you've had
enough.
JAY
It was my first glass!
Jay inspects the spill.
Oh
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
4.
JAY (CONT’D)
Huh!
(amused)
Wouldja look at that!
Gloria moves beside him, eyes the rug.
Her eyes widen.
JAY (CONT’D)
It looks like a face. Like the face
of-GLORIA
El Diablo!
Gloria bolts from the room.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
(Panicked Spanish)
The devil. He’s in our home! Manny,
where are you, Love! Come to me! We
must flee.
She hurries upstairs.
for a short moment.
Jay is only surprised by her reaction
JAY
Oh, hell.
MAIN TITLES
EXT.
PUBLIC PARK - BY FOUNTAIN - DAY
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, smiling, stand side-by-side in front of
the fountain. Mitchell stands back with Lily. Cam aims the
dated camera.
CAM
I want emotion.
No holding back.
A long moment passes.
MR. AND MRS. GORDON
Cheese!
Another long moment.
CAM
I’m sorry, this angle does not offer
the best composition, just one second
here.
Mitchell rolls his eyes.
Lily skips around Mitchell.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
5.
Cam gets down on one knee, prepares to take the shot.
Another long moment passes. Cam cringes, gets to his feet,
approaches the Gordons.
CAM (CONT’D)
You know what? I’m actually a semipro photographer. But there’s only so
much I can do with this...
Cam holds up the small camera, makes a face.
CAM (CONT’D)
On the other hand...
Cam holds up his pro camera.
CAM (CONT’D)
With this puppy, I could get some
fabulous shots and all I’d need is an
e-mail address and I could shoot them
off to you tomorrow. Do you have an email address?
MOMENTS LATER
Mr. Gordon sits on the edge of the fountain. Mrs. Gordon
stands next to him with her arm around his shoulders.
Cam gets into an awkward stance, adjusts the lens, snaps a
photo just as the water shuts off.
Mitchell throws up his arms, defeated.
CAM (CONT’D)
Not to worry! I got it!
Cam checks his camera’s digital display.
I got it!
CAM (CONT’D)
It’s gonna look great.
MOMENTS LATER
Cam, Mitchell and Lily head out of the park.
MITCHELL
You know, I was really hoping to show
our pictures to the family this
weekend.
CAM
We’ll come back tomorrow.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
6.
MITCHELL
Oh. Simple. Did you hear that, Lily?
We’re coming back tomorrow.
LILY
Yay!
MITCHELL
Yes, cause we have all the time in the
world and nothing else we need to
accomplish.
CAM
Lily and I, for different reasons, are
not appreciating your sarcasm.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Alex does schoolwork at the table. She’s distracted by a
glare on the spotless tiles. She studies the floor, gets
down on her knees.
Claire enters.
her throat.
Alex stands, straightens her clothes, clears
CLAIRE
Everything okay, Alex?
ALEX
Have you ever seen dad cleaning the
floors?
CLAIRE
Alex-ALEX
I asked Haley and Luke and they’ve
never seen it.
CLAIRE
Things tend to get past those two-ALEX
Don’t you think it’s odd that no one’s
witnessed him even holding a broom?
CLAIRE
I suggest you concern yourself less
with how your father keeps the floors
clean, and more with finishing your
homework.
Claire gestures to Alex’s books.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
7.
ALEX
That’s extra curricular.
Claire glares at Alex.
All right!
ALEX (CONT’D)
Okay.
Alex, defeated, returns to the table.
clean floor.
Claire scans the super
CLAIRE INTERVIEW
CLAIRE
Phil’s up to something. He’s playing
some sort of game and I’m going to
figure out what it is. I could ask
him what he’s up to but then he wins
the game. So I will find out what
he’s up to without his help, thereby
destroying him at his own game. The
game’s more fun for me that way.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Claire opens a closet, reaches in, pulls out a broom and
dustpan, inspects them.
She un-clips and then re-clips the dustpan onto the broom
upsidedown close to the handle end of the broom. She places
the broom at an awkward angle in the closet and closes the
door.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - KITCHEN
Claire keeps an eye on Alex as she secretly pulls a box of
cereal out of the cupboard and pours some cereal into her
hand. She replaces the cereal box and closes the cupboard
door.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Haley lounges in a chair chatting on her cell phone.
HALEY
(on the phone)
He was watching her without her
knowing?
Claire steps in, inspecting the spotless floor.
up from the chair.
Haley gets
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
8.
HALEY (CONT’D)
(on phone)
On the topic of privacy, I wish people
would allow me a little when they see
I’m on the phone.
Haley heads to the stairs.
CLAIRE
You’re always on the phone, Haley!
you’re going upstairs, take your
sweater with you.
If
Claire grabs a sweater Haley left lying over the chair and
throws it to her.
CLAIRE (CONT’D)
And stop leaving your clothes all over
the house.
Claire secretly pours her handful of cereal onto the floor
under a skirted chair. The doorbell rings.
PHIL (O.S.)
I got it!
Phil hurries down the stairs, spots Claire standing awkwardly
by the chair. Claire crosses her arms, tries to appear
casual. Phil opens the front door.
On the front step, Gloria stands behind Manny, her hands on
his shoulders.
GLORIA
(distressed)
We seek sanctuary.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER
The entire Dunphy family and Manny listen as Gloria paces on
the phone.
GLORIA
(On Phone)
Manny and I are never stepping feet
back in that house! ...Yes, you can
talk to Claire. You can talk to your
whole family and you can downplay what
happened but they didn’t see what I
saw! They didn’t see it!
Gloria shoves the phone into Claire’s hands.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
Hi, Dad.
9.
CLAIRE
...You took a picture?
Haley’s smart phone beeps.
She checks it.
HALEY
I got it.
Phil’s smart phone beeps.
He checks it.
PHIL
Here it is.
HALEY
Wow!
PHIL
(laughing)
Whoa, look at that.
That is so--
Phil spots Gloria glaring at him.
PHIL (CONT’D)
(stops laughing)
--concerning.
Alex looks at Haley’s phone, cocks an eyebrow.
the phone, studies the image.
Luke takes
LUKE
Whoa, that’s cool!
GLORIA
That’s not cool! You go on, Manny.
See it for yourself. You will know
why we had to abandon our home.
Phil shows the image on his smart phone to Manny. Manny,
clearly not concerned, looks up at Gloria. Manny’s eyes go
wide as he feigns concern for his mother’s benefit.
MANNY
It’s the face of Lucifer!
Gloria hurries to Manny, holds him.
GLORIA
It’s okay, darling.
here.
We’ll be safe
END OF ACT ONE
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
10.
ACT TWO
INT.
CAM & MITCHELL’S HOUSE - OFFICE - NIGHT
Cam works at the computer.
Mitchell enters.
MITCHELL
I know you like to be the last thing
Lily sees before she falls asleep but
it could end up being me if you don’t
get in there.
CAM
Okay, okay, I wouldn’t want her to
have nightmares. I’m just about to
send the Gordons their photo. But
tell me what you think. I did a few
more edits than usual.
Cam gestures to the computer screen.
MITCHELL
It looks great. They’ll love it.
Send away.
CAM
Wait. Here it is side by side with
the original. Look close. It’s like
those spot-the-difference games Lily
likes to play.
Mitchell sighs, moves in closer to the screen.
MITCHELL
The lighting looks good. You cropped
it well. ...Cam! Did you change Mrs.
Gordon’s hair color?
CAM
I’m sure she didn’t mean for it to be
as blue as it was.
MITCHELL
You can’t make personal edits like
that! Oh my God. Did you erase his
comb-over? Mr. Gordon had a combover!
CAM
I used the airbrushing and cloning
tools. Its a flawless retouching.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
11.
MITCHELL
You removed a man’s comb-over. You
can’t send the photo with those
changes.
CAM
They probably won’t even notice, but
if they do, they’ll realize they look
better with more natural hair.
MITCHELL
They did not hire you to be their
hairstylist!
CAM
The retouched photo looks better.
Admit it.
MITCHELL
It’s not like you removed some redeye. I know you’ve invested time here
but you need to take a step back and
rethink what you’re doing. You’ve
lost perspective.
Cam clicks the mouse.
Too late.
they see.
sleeping!
Cam exits.
INT.
CAM
Trust me, they’ll like what
Lily, wake up if you’re
Time for your lullaby!
Mitchell stares at the computer in disbelief.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Jay and Claire stand over the stained rug.
JAY
I need you to talk some sense into
her. Help her see how silly she’s
being.
Claire stares at the rug.
JAY (CONT’D)
Claire?
CLAIRE
(snaps out of it)
Yes. Of course. I will talk to her.
How did it happen like this, exactly?
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
12.
JAY
I spilled my wine and that’s how it
stained the rug. It’s just a crazy
fluke, Claire.
CLAIRE
Oh, I know it’s a fluke. I’m not
saying it means anything. You know I
don’t believe in...
(gestures to rug)
...This kind of thing.
JAY
I just don’t know why it couldn’t have
been Jesus or his mother. They’ve
been showing up all over the place.
Or even Bill Cosby.
CLAIRE
Bill Cosby?
JAY
Gloria’s a big fan.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Phil, in pajamas, throws one of Haley’s sweaters off the
couch, onto a chair. He makes up the couch with a blanket
and pillow.
Claire and Gloria prepare to head upstairs for the night.
GLORIA
Phil, are you sure you don’t mind
sleeping down here while I’m upstairs
in your bed with Claire?
Phil takes a moment to answer.
PHIL
Actually, that’s something-Claire glares.
PHIL (CONT’D)
--that I don’t mind because I like
getting away from the bedroom once in
a while. Not because of Claire. It’s
not like her snoring is... She
doesn’t snore. I just like the
feeling of waking up on the couch and
not knowing where I am for a few
seconds. It’s a refreshing mystery.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
13.
CLAIRE
Maybe we can arrange for you to sleep
down here more often.
GLORIA
Good night, Phil.
PHIL
You two have fun... a good sleep.
Sleep tight. Don’t bite... let the
bed bugs bite.
INT.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
A low rumbling sound. Jay, enters, listening carefully. He
approaches the night stand, opens a drawer. The rumbling
sound gets louder. It’s more of a buzzing.
Jay reaches down. CLICK.
night stand drawer.
The sound stops.
JAY
Not so spooky. Threatening?
INT.
Jay closes the
Maybe.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LUKE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Luke lies in bed.
Manny lies in a sleeping bag on the floor.
LUKE
You sure you don’t want to sleep up
here? I don’t mind the floor.
Sometimes I sleep down there just so I
can wake up and not know where I am
for a couple minutes.
MANNY
I’m afraid I won’t be sleeping well
tonight regardless of where I lay my
head. What if I’m never going home
again? I like that house. So many
memories.
LUKE
What’s your mom so scared of the devil
for anyway?
MANNY
The devil was a legitimate concern
back in Columbia and a fairly popular
topic of discussion when things went
wrong. So I suppose it’s cultural.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
14.
LUKE
I think it’s silly.
MANNY
Aren’t you afraid of anything?
LUKE
I’m afraid of some things. But only
real things. Real things that can
actually get you. Like robots.
Manny considers.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Claire and Gloria climb into the bed.
GLORIA
I can’t thank you enough for having
Manny and I stay with you during this
dark time.
CLAIRE
It’s no problem at all.
you actually--
Gloria, do
GLORIA
Yes I do!
CLAIRE
Okay.
GLORIA
You saw his face! What more proof do
you need? I don’t know why he’s in my
house but he’s in my house. And you
don’t know the whole story.
CLAIRE
No?
GLORIA
A short time before his face appeared,
I was upstairs and I heard an out-of
this-world noise.
Claire pulls her covers up.
CLAIRE
A noise?
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
15.
GLORIA
It was like something from beyond.
Like a door to another world was
opening. And when I saw the face I
knew that world was the underworld.
The sound was coming straight up from
the bowels of Hell. RrrrRrrrrrrrrr...
Claire’s eyes go wide.
INT.
She swallows hard.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER
Phil sleeps on the couch.
A low rumbling noise - not unlike the noise Gloria made for
Claire. The Roomba starts out from under the couch, crosses
the room and cleans under the skirted chair.
A loud rattling sound as the Roomba sucks up the cereal
Claire planted.
Phil startles awake.
the skirted chair.
He spots the Roomba exiting from under
PHIL
(smiles wide)
God speed, little Buddy.
Do me proud.
Phil falls back to sleep.
END OF ACT TWO
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
16.
ACT THREE
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Claire quickly tiptoes downstairs, sees Phil is not on the
couch. She spots Haley’s sweater on the chair, grabs it.
She peers under the skirted chair. The cereal is gone. Phil
pokes his head in.
PHIL
Morning!
Claire jumps to her feet.
Phil!
CLAIRE
You’re up.
PHIL
Up and at ‘em. Nothin’ better than
gettin’ a head start on the day.
Coffee?
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
Claire, with her coffee, sneaks to the closet, opens it and
peeks in. The broom and dustpan are exactly as she left
them. Her eyes narrow.
EXT.
PUBLIC PARK - DAY
Mitchell, Cam and Lily prepare to set up their tripod and
camera.
CAM
I haven’t received a thank you yet so
I’m assuming they haven’t checked
their e-mail.
MITCHELL
It’s more likely they did check their
e-mail and weren’t at all thankful.
Lily points to the other side of the fountain.
LILY
Look!
Mitchell spots the Gordons handing their camera to a
TEENAGER.
MITCHELL
Oh my God, Cam, it’s them!
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
17.
Mitchell looks for a place to hide, fails.
CAM
What are they doing here?
MITCHELL
Trying to get an accurate photo of
themselves by the new fountain no
doubt.
Cam heads towards the Gordons.
MITCHELL (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon pose as the Teenager prepares to snap a
picture of them. The Gordons spot Cam. They speak privately
to each other.
The Gordons smile warmly at the camera.
their picture, hands the camera back.
The Teenager snaps
The Gordons look to Cam, approaching, and quickly lose their
smiles. Mitchell pulls Lily along.
CAM
Hello again! And how are the Gordons
today?
MR. GORDON
Hello, doing very well, thank you.
CAM
Great, did you get the photo?
No.
MR. GORDON
We did not.
MITCHELL
(relieved, all smiles)
You didn’t get it?
No.
MRS. GORDON
No email.
MR. GORDON
That’s why we’re back. See, we’re
flying home tonight so we thought we
should make sure we got a shot by the
fountain just in case you forgot about
us.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED: (2)
18.
CAM
Oh, God, no. I didn’t forget about
you. I’m not evil.
Everyone laughs.
CAM (CONT’D)
The photo turned out great. Now did
you check your junk mail? It’s a
folder you have to check regularly.
MR. GORDON
We checked it. Maybe you forgot to
hit the send and receive button. The
e-mail’s probably sitting in your
outbox.
CAM
I’m quite sure I remembered to send
it. Perhaps you mistakenly gave me
the wrong e-mail address.
MRS. GORDON
Perhaps you copied our e-mail down
wrong when we gave it to you.
An awkward moment passes.
MITCHELL
Lost in cyber space, either way.
That’s unfortunate.
CAM
I’ll just get your e-mail again. Very
carefully this time. And I’ll re-send
the picture.
EXT.
PUBLIC PARK - BY FOUNTAIN - DAY
Mitchell and Lily pose for a picture.
camera, set up on a tripod.
Cam prepares his pro
CAM
Okay, setting the timer. Not so quick
that we can’t get settled and not so
long that our genuine smiles begin to
fade.
The Gordons walk between Mitchell and Lily and Cam.
Gordon snaps a picture of Cam with his camera.
MR. GORDON
Have a nice day!
Mr.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
19.
Cam waves to the Gordons, looks to Mitchell.
CAM
They took my picture.
MITCHELL
I saw that.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY
Jay leads Gloria into the dining room. Alex sits at the
table with text books, paper and an ink well.
JAY
Oh, hello, Alex.
What are you up to?
ALEX
Hi, Grandpa. Hi Gloria.
GLORIA
(privately)
What are you up to, Jay?
JAY
Nothing.
(to Alex)
What are you working on there?
ALEX
I’m revisiting a lesson from school on
patterns in chaos. How the human mind
is hard-wired to see things,
especially faces, in random shapes.
I’m about to try a Rorschach blot ink
test.
GLORIA
Okay, you two, I know what you’re up
to and I know all about the blobs of
ink.
Not blob.
JAY
Blot.
Alex drops some ink on a piece of paper, folds it over,
reopens it.
ALEX
Do you see anything here?
GLORIA
Looks like a blob of ink.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
20.
JAY
No, that’s what it is. But it’s
always gonna look like something else.
Like a butterfly or a vase.
GLORIA
Okay, then, it looks like a splash of
black paint on a white wall.
JAY
Gloria, you’re not-ALEX
I think she’s right. Nothing really
pops out with this one.
JAY
Give me that.
Jay snatches the paper, struggles to see anything, turns it
upsidedown.
JAY (CONT’D)
Okay maybe this one takes too much
imagination. Let’s do another.
ALEX
Gloria, why don’t you try one?
Gloria reluctantly makes an ink blot.
GLORIA
This one looks even more like a random
blob.
JAY
It can’t look more random.
Manny enters the room.
JAY (CONT’D)
Manny! Manny, come here.
what you see here.
Tell us
Manny studies the ink blot.
MANNY
Confusion and longing, mixed with a
touch of nostalgia.
JAY
(to Gloria)
Look, never mind these blobs of ink.
(MORE)
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED: (2)
21.
JAY (CONT'D)
The image of the devil’s face,
appearing when I spilled my wine, was
an amazing fluke, but a fluke
nonetheless. You have to believe
that.
GLORIA
Don’t tell me what I have to believe!
Jay takes Gloria’s hands.
JAY
We’re hosting the family dinner
tomorrow. What is it going to take to
get you and Manny back home where you
belong?
Gloria considers.
INT.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - DAY
A PRIEST walks through the home, blessing it.
follow from a distance.
JAY
What’s this procedure going to cost,
anyway? It’s gonna be pricey isn’t
it?
GLORIA
At what price does it become too
expensive to banish the Prince of
Darkness from your home?
JAY
I don’t know, somewhere around-GLORIA
Jay, there is no cost. So don’t even
worry your pretty little head about
it.
Really?
JAY
It’s a free service?
GLORIA
A generous donation to the church
would be appropriate.
JAY
(to himself)
Pricey.
(to Gloria)
(MORE)
Jay and Gloria
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
22.
JAY (CONT'D)
You could’ve brought Manny, you know.
If he’s as upset as you say he is,
this display might give him some piece
of mind.
Display!
GLORIA
It’s not a display!
The priest, concerned, turns to Jay and Gloria, frantic.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
And how many times have I told you! I
will not allow my precious and only
son back under this roof until Satan
is out!
JAY
Father, you don’t by chance perform
exorcisms, do you?
The priest smiles.
Gloria fixes her mussed hair.
GLORIA
You know, Jay, there is still the
unexplained mystery of the noise that
I heard.
Jay speaks privately but Gloria speaks so the priest can
hear.
JAY
That mystery is no longer unexplained.
Oh no?
GLORIA
What was it?
JAY
It was a toy. A battery operated toy
that was left on or was accidentally
switched on.
GLORIA
But Manny doesn’t...
Oh!
The...
JAY
(nods)
Manny’s rock tumbler.
Gloria smiles innocently at the priest.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED: (2)
23.
GLORIA
The motorized rock tumbler. My son
Manny left it on and it made a motor
noise. It tumbles rocks.
JAY & GLORIA INTERVIEW
GLORIA
It wasn’t really a rock tumbler that
made the noise.
JAY
They know.
GLORIA
I feel bad because I lied. But I
would feel worse if I told the truth.
Jay nods.
INT.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - DAY
Jay and Gloria stand with the priest by the front door.
PRIEST
What I sensed in this house was an
abundance of love. No trace of evil.
I’m confident you have nothing to
worry about.
GLORIA
Thank you so much, Father.
The priest exits.
GLORIA (CONT’D)
I’ll call Manny. He’ll be so
relieved. Maybe tomorrow we can use
that fancy tablecloth I bought.
Gloria heads into the house.
heavens.
Jay prays, looks to the
JAY
(mouthing)
Thank you.
INT.
CAM & MITCHELL’S HOUSE - OFFICE - DAY
Mitchell enters holding the phone.
Good news.
MITCHELL
Dinner’s on.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
24.
CAM
Hurray!
MITCHELL
With a few stipulations. No
discussions of wine, rugs, hell or any
of its inhabitants.
CAM
Of course. We certainly wouldn’t want
to spark any unnecessary tension or
awkwardness.
Mitchell eyes the computer screen.
MITCHELL
Oh, wow. Look at Lily. She’s so
adorable. The family is gonna love
these.
CAM
And you’ll be happy to know I’ve sent
the Gordons their original photograph,
sans hair alterations.
Mitchell clicks through the photos on the computer.
CAM (CONT’D)
It’s funny though. I checked today’s
e-mail with the one they gave us
originally. It seems to be the same.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - PHIL & CLAIRE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Claire and Phil in bed.
at the ceiling.
Phil is sound asleep.
CLAIRE
Phil!
Phil startles awake.
CLAIRE (CONT’D)
I can’t sleep. Let’s talk.
Sure.
PHIL
What should we talk about?
CLAIRE
The kids. They helped out around the
house a lot more today.
Claire stares
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
Yes.
25.
PHIL
They’re good kids.
Deep down.
CLAIRE
And I appreciate you doing your part,
keeping the floors clean. At all
times.
PHIL
Oh, think nothing of it.
CLAIRE
It’s funny how you manage to keep the
floors spotless even though I’ve never
seen you clean the floors and neither
have the kids.
PHIL
I prefer to clean them when no one’s
around.
CLAIRE
When no one’s around?
often.
That’s not too
PHIL
That’s true. But it’s easier because
there’s no one there to get in the
way. Why can’t you sleep?
CLAIRE
I’m creeped out about Gloria’s devil
talk.
PHIL
What? You don’t believe in that
stuff.
CLAIRE
It’s not that I believe in it.
just ...creepy.
It’s
PHIL
If the devil existed, would he really
look like the stain on that rug? With
horns and the goatee? And the staring
eyes?
CLAIRE
(considers)
No. You’re right. If the devil
existed he would be alluring.
Handsome. Attractive.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED: (2)
26.
PHIL
I guess. I was thinking he would look
like a rat monster. Or a snake. Or a
snake-rat kind of creature. Let’s get
some sleep, Honey. Good night.
Phil kisses Claire, turns out his night light.
at the ceiling.
INT.
Claire stares
DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The Roomba rolls out from under the couch. Haley’s sweater,
thrown on the couch, snags on the Roomba and is pulled across
the floor.
INT.
DUNPHY HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Claire sneaks downstairs and eyes the spotless floor.
She opens the broom closet. The broom and dustpan remain how
she left them. She removes them and hides them beside the
refrigerator.
Claire pulls the cereal box from the cupboard and spreads
cereal on the kitchen tiles. She nods at her handy work and
sticks the cereal box back in the cupboard.
She hears the low rumbling of the Roomba and freezes.
GLORIA (V.O.)
...something from beyond. Like a door
to another world was opening
...straight up from the bowels of
Hell.
The Roomba appears, draped in Haley’s sweater.
Claire, cornered, screams and repeatedly stomps the Roomba.
The family hurries down the stairs. Phil clicks on the
lights. They all stare at the smashed Roomba and a wide-eyed
Claire.
PHIL
Surprise.
ALEX
What is it?
HALEY
My sweater!
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
27.
PHIL
It’s a robot.
The Roomba twitches.
INT.
Luke bolts upstairs.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - DAY
Jay opens the door for Cam, holding a cake, and Mitchell,
carrying a laptop.
CAM
We brought angel food cake. My
mother’s recipe. It is divine.
MITCHELL
Gloria is gonna love it.
Gloria steps in.
Mitchell gestures to her.
MITCHELL (CONT’D)
Speak of the deeeevvvvv...
GLORIA
What was that?
MITCHELL
I said... speaking of divine, look at
that dress!
Oh!
GLORIA
Thank you, Mitchell!
JAY
(privately)
Nice.
MITCHELL
Thanks.
INT.
JAY & GLORIA’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
The entire family eats dessert, watches fountain photos of
Cam, Mitchell and Lily on the television screen, which is
connected to a laptop on Cam’s lap.
GLORIA
Oh, look at that! Lily is such a
doll. What wonderful pictures, Cam!
CAM
Thank you, Gloria.
A notice window pops up on the screen.
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
CONTINUED:
28.
JAY
What’s that?
CAM
Oh, sorry, it’s just an e-mail coming
through.
(to Mitchell)
It’s from the Gordons.
Watch out.
MITCHELL
It’s got an attachment.
CAM
It’s not a virus, it’s a photo file.
Cam clicks the mouse.
The photo of Cam, taken by Mr. Gordon, appears on the
television screen for all to see. The photo has been altered
so that Cam has horns, a goatee, tail and carries a
pitchfork.
GLORIA
Oh, you think that’s funny?
Gloria storms out.
Jay hurries after her.
JAY
Gloria!
Cam studies the image.
CAM
They didn’t put much time into that.
END OF ACT THREE
MODERN FAMILY
"Imagery"
29.
TAG
INT.
DUNPHY’S HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY
Phil works at fixing the Roomba.
Luke enters from the house.
LUKE
Hey, Dad, do you think you can get it
working?
PHIL
I don’t know. Your mother really did
a number on it.
LUKE
Yeah, that was funny. It was funny
how I ran away too. I guess I was
really tired and not thinking
straight.
PHIL
It was pretty early in the morning.
The Roomba sparks. Luke runs out of the garage, out the lane
and down the sidewalk.
END OF SHOW