COMPULSION
by
Keifer Albin & Charles Witosky
Second Draft
1/12/17
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Silent. Dark. Still.
A small night light struggles to illuminate the empty hall.
After a moment, a toilet FLUSHES, and the bathroom door opens
slowly. Out steps JULIAN, 14, shuffling his feet, trying not
to wake himself up anymore than necessary.
He starts down the hall, then stops, listening. He rubs his
eyes, and starts towards the noise.
Finally we start to hear it, muffled whimpering.
Julian stops in front of an open door and looks in. It’s
another bedroom, illuminated by a spinning red night light,
meaning to display constellations, covering the room in a
bright red light as it spins.
The whimpering is louder now. Julian steps in, looking around
for something. Finally he sees it. CHRISTIAN, 12, is curled
up in his bed, almost entirely hidden by covers.
Julian steps closer.
Christian?
JULIAN
The crying continues.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Christian? Are you okay?
Julian moves another step closer. He reaches out and touches
Christian’s shoulder. Christian pulls away from his touch.
Julian tries again.
Finally Christian rolls over. He’s holding something close to
his chest, his face glistening from the tears.
Julian’s eyes get wide, he backs away slightly.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Why do you have-His voice catches in his throat as the passing night light
causes the ten inch chef’s knife in Christian’s grasp to
glint.
2.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
The bedroom light is on now, as is the nightlight, though the
effect is much less dramatic in the well lit bedroom. Julian
rests against the door frame watching MOIRA, 44, kneel down
next to Christian.
This is the kind of moment she was made for. Her face
radiates calm and acceptance.
MOIRA
Christian? Hey bud.
Christian sobs, and pulls away, though Moira’s had follows.
She rubs his back slowly, consistently.
MOIRA (CONT’D)
It’s okay. Please. Just tell me
what’s wrong.
She’s been through this before.
After a moment, Christian turns over, facing the wall.
I can’t.
CHRISTIAN
His hair is matted and damp, his face is puffy from crying.
MOIRA
Remember? There’s no reason to be
alone. I can’t help if you don’t
tell me what you’re thinking.
A moment.
CHRISTIAN
I just-- I just can’t stop it. I
just want it to stop.
He relaxes his grip on the knife, and slowly Moira pulls it
away. She sets it on the ground next to her. Julian moves out
of the way to let his father LEONARD, 47, into the room.
Leonard grabs the knife, gives Christian a quick grim smile,
then returns to the hallway.
Moira keeps rubbing his back knowing it’ll come out
eventually.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
I tried to stop thinking it. I did.
Then I had the knife.
(MORE)
3.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
But I wouldn’t ever hurt any of
you. I promise.
He cries a little bit, the sound no longer muffled by the
bed.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
I just kept thinking I need to
stab. I just kept seeing blood. I
couldn’t stop it.
His voice hitches.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I just
can’t stop the thought.
Moira pulls him into a hug.
Moira grabs the tissue from him. She pulls him into a hug.
MOIRA
It’s okay. You wouldn’t hurt me
would you?
No.
CHRISTIAN
(sotto)
MOIRA
You wouldn’t hurt Julian would you?
No.
CHRISTIAN
MOIRA
Or Leonard?
No.
CHRISTIAN
Moira squeezes him.
MOIRA
That’s why it’s okay. That’s why
you just tell your brain to cut it
out. You wouldn’t hurt us. I know
that.
CHRISTIAN
(sotto)
I just wanted to stab. I don’t know
why.
4.
He looks up at Julian, who smiles gently, trying to mask his
worry.
INT. KITCHEN - LATER
Julian stands in the kitchen, the sun now starting to rise
through the window.
He absent-mindedly runs his hands over the knife block.
Moira sits at the table, thoroughly worn out by the
encounter. Leonard holds her hand, squeezing lightly.
MOIRA
That was quite the-LEONARD
It’s just good he didn’t hurt
himself.
Yeah--
MOIRA
LEONARD
I think it’s time though.
Moira looks at him incredulous.
MOIRA
He didn’t even hurt himself.
LEONARD
Yes, but he’s never escalated to
that point before. He had a knife.
What if he hadn’t...
He gestures towards Julian, his voice trailing off.
Moira shrugs.
MOIRA
Why not just continue with the
exercises Dr. Fisher gave him?
Leonard nods.
LEONARD
Sure, we can, after the hospital.
Moira he could have killed us. He
could have killed Julian. Himself.
Moira nods.
5.
MOIRA
Just an observation.
Of course.
LEONARD
Moira looks at Julian, then back at Leonard. After an
excruciatingly long moment, she nods her head softly.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
Julian sits on an old swing-set trying his best to read while
he swings slowly, his feet dragging in the rutted dirt.
Christian sits down next to him, and swings slowly, matching
his speed.
Julian puts his book down and smiles at Christian.
Morning.
JULIAN
Christian looks up from his feet, forcing himself to keep eye
contact with Julian.
CHRISTIAN
Sorry that I scared you.
Julian blanches, and sticks his hand out instinctively.
JULIAN
You didn’t at all. I know you
wouldn’t...
Christian looks at him.
CHRISTIAN
I’m trying really hard. I know it
doesn’t seem like it after last
night, but I haven’t-(mimes rubbing his hands
on his pants)
in almost three days.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
That’s great. I can see how hard
you’re trying. Remember when dad
and I first moved in?
Christian smiles.
6.
CHRISTIAN
After four showers the water gets
really cold.
Julian laughs.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
Can they see how much I’m trying?
Julian nods.
I’m sure.
JULIAN
CHRISTIAN
Do you think if I try even harder
this weekend they won’t make me go
to the...
Julian shrugs.
JULIAN
Maybe.
(changing course)
But I bet it’s not that bad. I bet
they have video games and stuff.
Christian tries to smile. But it isn’t fooling anyone.
CHRISTIAN
Will you tell them how hard I’m
trying to be good?
Julian nods emphatically. Christian nods slowly in return,
then looks back at his feet. Julian watches, unsure of how
else to help.
A moment passes.
Thanks.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
Julian nods.
Of course.
JULIAN
They continue to swing, the old set creaking rhythmically
under their weight.
7.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Christian sits in the living room, trying to read a book.
From where he is sitting, he can see into the kitchen where
Moira, Julian, and Leonard are attempting to cook dinner.
He half-heartedly attempts to read his book while watching
the goings on in the kitchen.
Moira giggles watching Julian dramatically over emphasize
some unheard point. After a moment he stops, breathing hard,
and smiling.
He looks at Christian, and gives him a conspiratorial smile.
Christian returns it quickly, then looks back into his book.
Just as he’s about to find his place in the book again, the
couch shakes as Julian slides onto it next to him, but
careful to not touch him.
Christ.
JULIAN
Christian rolls his eyes.
Jules.
CHRISTIAN
JULIAN
Touché. How’s the book?
Christian shrugs.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Good. Then come help.
Christian shakes his head.
CHRISTIAN
I’m almost finished.
JULIAN
Come on, it’s fun.
Christian shakes his head again, this time less convinced.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
(into Christian’s ear)
It’ll look good. Getting dirty and
all. They’ll love it.
Christian looks up at him, grateful.
8.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
I’ll cover afterwards. You can wash
your hands as many times as you
need.
Christian smiles.
CHRISTIAN
Thanks Jules.
Julian rolls his eyes.
JULIAN
Anything for you.
He waits as Christian marks his spot and starts towards the
kitchen.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Julian leads Christian in. Moira, chopping vegetables,
notices Christian. She smiles brightly. This encourages
Christian, who smiles back.
Leonard stands over the sink skinning potatoes.
JULIAN
Christian came to help cook.
Moira and Leonard look pleasantly surprised.
MOIRA
That’s awesome. You want to, um,
take over for Leonard?
Sure.
CHRISTIAN
Leonard flashes Moira an unsure look.
MOIRA
(quietly)
He’ll do great.
Leonard hands Christian the potato peeler.
LEONARD
Like...this.
He slowly demonstrates.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
You got it?
9.
Yeah.
CHRISTIAN
Christian grabs a potato and shaves off a piece of skin. A
little bit of potato goes along with it.
No-Leonard.
LEONARD
MOIRA
Leonard and Moira’s eyes meet.
Leonard backs off. He walks to the refrigerator to pull out
more ingredients, but he doesn’t stop watching.
Christian shaves another piece of skin. This time much less
potato comes off. He then washes the skin off with a splash
of water.
LEONARD
Why are you washing it?
LEONARD.
MOIRA
Leonard actually walks away this time.
JULIAN
You’re doing great, Christian.
Christian accidentally drops the potato into the sink. He
picks it up and washes it furiously, looking around for
Leonard’s prying eyes.
JULIAN (CONT’D)
Shh, shh, it’s okay.
Leonard sees this and fumes. He looks over to Moira and then
gestures towards the two boys, indignant. Moira does the
universal hand signal for ‘calm down’.
Leonard walks out.
Moira stands there, unsure of what to do. She watches Julian
and Christian at the sink.
INT. OUTSIDE CHRISTIAN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
From the darkness of his own room, Julian watches Moira and
Leonard as they shut the door to Christian’s room.
10.
She then turns to Leonard.
Why?
MOIRA
LEONARD
I’m just trying to help.
MOIRA
How does that help?
Leonard opens his mouth to defend himself, then thinks better
of it. Then-LEONARD
He needs structure and rules. He
doesn’t have that. Not with you
helping him every time-Moira, furious, walks away. After a beat, Leonard follows.
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY
Leonard is adjusting Julian’s grin on a golf club. Satisfied,
he steps back. Julian swings. Soft, but solid. He looks up at
Leonard for reassurance. Leonard claps.
LEONARD
Beautiful. Beautiful.
Then, behind Leonard, Julian notices something. It’s
Christian, face pressed to the glass, watching Julian and
Leonard through the sliding door. It’s ominous.
JULIAN
Hold on a second, dad.
Julian steps toward the house. Leonard turns, surprised to
see Christian. He looks at the ground, then forces a smile,
and gestures to Christian.
Christian sees that Leonard noticed him, he turns and runs.
Leonard jogs inside.
LEONARD
Hold on a few.
INT. OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Leonard walks in to find Christian standing in the middle of
the room, seemingly shell-shocked.
11.
CHRISTIAN
What happened?
LEONARD
What do you mean?
CHRISTIAN
Who ruined-Leonard realizes what’s going on and drops his guard. He
approaches Christian gently.
CHRISTIAN (CONT’D)
What happened?
He runs his hand over the now clean desk, obviously
distressed.
LEONARD
Sit down with me.
No.
CHRISTIAN
Leonard backs off.
LEONARD
All right, I cleaned up. It was
time. Christian, he’s been gone for
almost a year now. Let’s just talk
about it.
No one moves or says anything for a long while.
CHRISTIAN
You said that you wouldn’t change
anything if I did better. You said
that I wouldn’t have to go to the
hospital and you said that you
wouldn’t change anything.
Something dawns on Leonard.
LEONARD
I... I’m so sorry. I never-- Hmm.
Leonard breathes and then sits down cross-legged on the
ground.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
You are under no obligation to join
me down here, but if you want to,
it’s pretty nice.
12.
Slowly, tentatively, Christian sits down in front of Leonard.
They make direct eye contact.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
I did not mean to give you the
impression that if you did well,
you would not have to go to the
hospital. We need you to go no
matter what. To get better.
Christian looks off, past Leonard.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
You’ve been doing a really great
job. And I’m--I’m sorry for how
hard I’ve been on you. I know how
hard you’re trying and it’s really
showing.
CHRISTIAN
(meekly)
Thank you.
LEONARD
So, do you wa-CHRISTIAN
You still didn’t have to change
this room.
LEONARD
We--we decided to change this so
that when you got back there would
be nothing remaining that might-(beat)
set you off.
Leonard exhales.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
I’m just trying to be honest.
After a long silence...
CHRISTIAN
(reluctant)
Thank you.
LEONARD
You’re welcome.
He stands up and helps Christian stand up.
13.
LEONARD (CONT’D)
There ya go.
They leave the room and Leonard switches the light off and
closes the door behind them, leaving us in complete darkness.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
Christian sits on the couch, holding his book firmly in his
hands. It bends under the pressure. His eyes are closed, his
chest heaving.
Behind is Leonard, a place mat in hand, watching. Not knowing
what to do or even what’s happening.
After a moment, he breaks his concentration, and with one
last look, disappears into the kitchen.
Christian opens his eyes, and stares ahead, eyes unfocused
and unblinking.
INT. PARENTS BEDROOM - NIGHT
A crash. Leonard darts up in bed. He’s wide awake. He looks
over at Moira, who is still fast asleep. He throws the covers
off of himself.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Leonard walks in and finds nothing wrong. Nothing knocked
over, nothing broken. He leaves, confused.
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
Leonard climbs the stairs as quietly as he can. But when he
looks up at the top of the stairs, he sees someone on the
ground. He sprints up the stairs up to the
HALL
Where Christian lies on the ground, curled up in fetal
position, sobbing.
LEONARD
Christian? What’s wrong?
No response. Leonard kneels down to get a closer look at him.
He sees that in his right hand, Christian is clutching a
bloody kitchen knife. Leonard’s eyes widen.
14.
He immediately turns Christian over and forces his body open.
He grabs Christian’s wrist so he can’t move the knife, then
pulls his shirt up to see if there are any cuts. None.
Leonard pulls the knife out of Christian’s hand and sits
back. He sighs, exasperated.
Then he notices the light on in Julian’s room. He stands up
slowly and walks toward it.
INT. JULIAN’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Leonard enters and blanches immediately. He looks like he
might vomit. A pool of blood collects around his feet.
Christian shows up behind Leonard, no longer sobbing. Leonard
jumps and moves away from Christian.
LEONARD
How could you?
Christian looks at the ground for a moment, then lifts his
head, determination set on his face.
CHRISTIAN
How could you?
What?
LEONARD
Christian looks down at the knife in Leonard’s hand, then
back up to his face.
Moira shows up from behind Christian. She SCREAMS
immediately, and backs away.
Christian clings onto Moira.
CHRISTIAN
Help me, mommy.
Leonard can’t move.
TO BLACK.