INT. DENNIS BUCHBINDER'S 3 ROOM HOME
The CAMERA pans across a mantle, decorated with photographs
The Camera Starts from right to left, picture, to picture.
DENNIS and Kelly's WEDDING PHOTO, to a picture of Kelly in a
hospital bed holding two infants DENNIS JR, and AIMEE, A
picture of DENNIS, DENNIS JR, and AIMEE (ages 6) caught in a
birthday cake food-fight, A PICTURE of DENNIS, Kelly, DENNIS
Jr., And AIMEE posing for a family picture. The Camera pans
from the mantle piece to the floor revealing more pictures
scattered across the floor, empty bottles of Vodka, Boxes
filled with papers, photographs, Children's Toys, and Books,
CUT TO:
A TORN NEWSPAPER
The headline reads (TANKER TIPS ON ROUTE 49 3 DEAD 9 INJURED)
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FLOOR LITTERED WITH SYMPATHY CARDS, AND 3 DEATH CERTIFICATES
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Dining room table. A HUGE pile of mail, newspapers, Dirty
plates, old food, To a Kitchen sink Filled with old dishes, A
refrigerator adorned with children's drawings, more family
photographs, into a door, the CAMERA points to the floor
covered with laundry, and into a bedroom. On a Drawer there
are more family photos, emptied alcohol bottles, empty
bottles of pills, to a BED, the sheets are messy, and show
signs of furious sleep We see DENNIS from behind in a fetal
position. CAMERA pans Over him to reveal him clutching onto a
wedding dress.
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CLOSEUP SHOT
DENNIS' HANDS holding onto the dress, His grasp Tightens.
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DENNIS' POV
A Blurry, Hazy Shot of a photograph, Slowly the image comes
into focus it is of DENNIS, Smiling at the wheel of his car
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CLOSEUP ON DENNIS' EYES.
Bloodshot, and Pained. They he clenches his eyelids shut for
a few moments, than opens them, as if in a trance, fixated.
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PHOTOGRAPH
Now animated. Dennis laughing.
CAMERA PANS FURTHER IN, and the Shot Fills the screen.
KELLY (O.C.)
So now she's just out of control,
and I'm just standing there, in
shock. The poor girl at the counter
is almost in tears, while this
woman is screaming at her, calling
her names, demanding to talk to
management.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM SHOT
Kelly's Profile.
KELLY (CONT'D)
and she's jamming on this button
trying to get the manager out to
the floor. The woman is just
scrambling through this box, and
than she just shuts up.
CUT TO:
SHOT FROM BACKSEAT
KELLY (CONT'D)
The whole place is quiet, except
her nasty little poodle, Just
yelping away. The manager finally
comes out from the back, I look
into the box, and I saw the button
thingie, the thing she's been
screaming fall from a fold in the
cloth right next to her hand
CUT TO:
DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
KELLY (CONT'D)
and takes it out. The girl sees
the button and says "It's
detachable so you can take it to
the jeweler for cleaning, or
modification. So now trying to save
face she said "Well there should be
something on the tag or the box, To
keep the consumer notified of such
things". Than she turns around to
this huge line of people behind
her, as if she's doing us a favor.
So these teenage girls behind me
finally say (in an exaggerated
ghetto dialect)"Yo Motha time!
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CLOSEUP OF AIMMEE
Makes a face of amusement at her mom's language
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PROFILE OF KELLY
KELLY (CONT'D)
I got five minutes left on my
break, so you, and that nasty dog
best drag ass befo i toss it out da
line"
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WIDESHOT OF BACKSEAT
Dennis Jr, and Aimee reacting to their mom. They start
Giggling.
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SHOT FROM RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF KELLY AND DENNIS
They all start laughing.
KELLY
I couldn't help myself... I just
burst out laughing, so the lady
huffs, gives us this look, and
grabs her box. As she's leaving she
starts screaming, and the line is
howling with laughter, so i turned
around, to see that her dog had
urinated all over her hands, and
arms.
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BACKSEAT
Dennis Jr, and Aimee wild with laughter.
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DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
DENNIS
You know maybe the pet store should
have put something on the dog
notifying the consumer of such
things.
The laughter intensifies
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CLOSEUP OF DENNIS, AND KELLY'S HANDS HOLDING EACH OTHER
BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS
The Laughter is reverberated, and is interrupted by the
ringing of a phone The Shot freezes, and the Camera
PANS OUT
From the shot to reveal a frame, panning further to reveal a
night table. Next to the picture is a phone
CUT TO:
OVERHEAD SHOT
Dennis squirms in the bed. He turns over
JUMP CUT TO:
NIGHTABLE
Dennis violently pushes the phone off the nightable. Knocking
over a bottle of alcohol along with the phone. We hear faint
words from the phone.
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MEDIUM SHOT BETWEEN NIGHT-TABLE, AND THE FLOOR
We see the liquid spilling onto half exposed prongs
protruding from an electrical outlet.
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WIDESHOT OF DENNIS IN BED
slowly he adjusts himself up he turns his head to the left
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CLOSEUP OF A CLOCK WITH NO DISPLAY
BACK TO:
WIDESHOT OF DENNIS IN BED
He turns back on his side towards the right.
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SHOT FROM BELOW THE LEFT NIGHTABLE LOOKING UP BETWEEN THE
BED, AND THE TABLE
Dennis opens up the drawer, fumbles around inside,
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OVERHEAD SHOT
Of Dennis opening up a bottle of pills. He takes the bottle
to his mouth, and ingests what seems to be the whole bottle.
He returns it inside the drawer
CUT TO:
OVERHEAD SHOT OF THE INSIDE DRAWER
The pills are tossed inside, and the camera gives it's focus
to a map. It zooms further into the map. The Map becomes
animated and the camera pulls back to reveal Kelly holding
onto it.
KELLY
Dennis,
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DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
KELLY (CONT'D)
It's already ten of 5, I don't
think we should take forty nine
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WIDESHOT FROM BACKSEAT OF DENNIS AT THE WHEEL, AND KELLY
HOLDING ONTO THE MAP
DENNIS
I don't see why not. I'm sure rush
hour won't start for another two
hours
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MEDIUM SHOT KELLY'S PROFILE
KELLY
It's... it's not just that.
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BACKSEAT
Dennis Jr, and Aimee fast asleep
DENNIS
That stomach thing again?
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CLOSE SHOT FROM RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT
KELLY
Well no... not really. It's
strange..
DENNIS
Well what's wrong?
KELLY
Just one of those wierd feelings...
I guess we can go back the old
way. I'm just afraid of getting
stuck in a jam, and the kids waking
up all hungry, and cranky
DENNIS
Take a xanax. You're gonna give
yourself an ulcer, with your
worrying.
KELLY
Thats my job.
DENNIS
But your on vacation
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CLOSEUP OF PURSE ON KELLY'S LAP
Kelly opens up her purse, grabs an orange bottle, and takes
two pills from it.
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SHOT OF KELLY FROM LEFT
KELLY
You're absolutely right
Kelly pops this pills, and takes a sip of water.
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EXT.
The Buchbinder's car taking a turn into a country road.
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INT BUCHBINDER'S CAR SHOT OF DENNIS FOCUSED ON THE ROAD
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WIDESHOT OF BACKSEAT
The Children still sleeping
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MEDIUM SHOT KELLY'S PROFILE
Silent yet showing signs of concern on her face.
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EXT
OVERHEAD SHOT OF BUCHBINDERS CAR
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BACKSEAT
Dennis Jr. Waking up, and showing signs of urgency
DENNIS JR.
Mommy!
DENNIS
Whats goin DJ?
DENNIS JR.
Mommy?
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KELLY STARING OUT THE WINDOW LOST IN THOUGHT.
Dennis tugs at her shoulder, She snaps out of it
KELLY
What's wrong, bugg?
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SHOT FROM REARVIEW MIRROR
DENNIS JR.
I gotta pee.
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DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
He looks off to the side of the road
DENNIS
I've gotta go so bad, my teeth are
floating. Im gonna pull over.
EXT SHOT FROM THE GROUND
The buchbinder's car pulling over. The Car drives over the
view of the camera leaving darkness
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INT. DENNIS BUCHBINDER'S BEDROOM
The Camera emerges from under the bed.
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP OF ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Sparks are starting to fly from the electrical chord.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT ROAD. FAR OVERHEAD SHOT OF CAR PULLED OVER
Dennis, and Dennis Jr exit the car They walk off camera to
pee
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PANNING SHOT.
Kelly Sniffing the air
KELLY
DENNIS! I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING
DENNIS (O.S.)
ITS THE ELECTRICAL TOWER UP ON THE
HILL ITS NOT BURNING. THAT'S JUST
THE SMELL OF THE OZONE INTERACTING
WITH ALL THE ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR
Kelly looks into the rearview mirror, to see Aimee still fast
asleep. She Gets Out of the Car.
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OVERHEAD SHOT
Kelly making her way around the car to the backseat
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SHOT FROM LEFT BACKSEAT DOOR
The door next to aimee opens, and Kelly reaches in to grab
her.
KELLY
Hey hun. Wake up.
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SHOT FROM LEFT PASSENGER DOOR LOOKING IN
Aimee, yawns, and opens up her eyes.
KELLY
We stopped off cus the boys had to
make number one. You have to go?
Aimee shakes her head "yes"
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FRONT OF THE CAR
Kelly scoops Aimee up into her arms.
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MEDIUM SHOT
Dennis, Holding Dennis Jr Makes his way towards the Camera
He turns his head to the side, and views the truck speeding
towards the car on the narrow road. He puts Dennis Jr. down,
and starts running towards the camera.
DENNIS (SHOUTING)
GET OUT OF THE ROAD. GET OUT OF THE
ROAD
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WIDESHOT FROM ACROSS THE ROAD KELLY HOLDING AIMEE
She looks to her right, and screams. A SPEEDING OIL TANKER
FILLS THE SCREEN.
JUMP CUT TO:
SHOT FROM LEFT BACKSEAT DOOR
Kelly Lunges into the Car holding Aimee.
SHOT FROM ROAD
The Tanker Speeds it's way onto the Route 49 on ramp
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WIDESHOT OF FAMILY BY SIDE OF THE ROAD
Kelly exits the car, holding Aimee. Dennis, and Dennis JR
Rush up to embrace them
DENNIS
That son of a bitch was inches away
from him
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KELLY HOLDING AIMEE TIGHT TO HER CHEST
KELLY (DAZED)
I didn't even hear him
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OVERHEAD SHOT
Family huddled together
DENNIS
Its okay, we're all okay.
MEDIUM SHOT OF FAMILY
The two relieved parent's Holding onto their children. Trying
to regain a sense of calm. Regaining composure, Dennis smiles
at Dennis Jr.
DENNIS
I hate those things
CUT TO:
LOW SHOT OF KELLY HOLDING THE KIDS
DENNIS JR.
I hate those things.
CLARISSA
Its okay. It's okay.
Sound Cue (Car horns, and Cars Crashing)
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SHOT FROM BEHIND FAMILY FACING THE ONRAMP TOWARDS ROUTE 49
JUMP CUT TO:
CLOSEUP DENNIS
Dennis' Reaction to the noise
JUMP CUT TO:
INT DENNIS' BEDROOM
CLOSE SHOT OF ELECTRICAL OUTLET
The sparks have now ignited the pool of alcohol that had
collected beneath
JUMP CUT TO:
MEDIUM SHOT OF KELLY, AND CHILDREN
SOUND CUE EXPLOSION
Kelly instinctively holds her children closer She looks over
to Dennis
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CLOSEUP OF DENNIS
Looking over at her, bewildered
DENNIS
You knew...
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FAR SHOT. OF ROAD THE FAMILY IN THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE FRAME
Smoke is billowing from the distance.
JUMP CUT TO:
INT DENNIS' BEDROOM
OVERHEAD SHOT OF DENNIS IN BED
Flame is spreading from the outlet on the right, and smoke is
rising up from around the bed
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SHOT FROM BOTTOM OF ONRAMP
A Huge tire that looks like it could have been from an oil
tanker rolls down the hill.
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WIDESHOT OF FAMILY NOW GATHERED IN FRONT OF THEIR CAR
The Wheel rolls down, and stops at Dennis' Feet.
A Siren can be heard coming closer up the road. A Police car,
and an ambulance rush up onto the onramp, Another makes its
way down the road blocking the entrance to the forty nine.
CUT TO:
MEDIUM SHOT OF FAMILY
KELLY
I don't want them to see this.
DENNIS
Lets just get home than, okay.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT DENNIS' BEDROOM
SHOT FROM ABOVE
Dennis sleeping in his smoke filled bedroom. There is a moat
of Fire surrounding his bed
CUT TO:
CLOSEUP OF DENNIS
Fast asleep with a content look on his face.
JUMP CUT TO:
DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
Same look of contentment. And peace
JUMP CUT TO:
SHOT FROM THE BEDROOM WINDOW LOOKING OUT INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
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EXT SHOT OF BUCHBINDERS' CAR DRIVING INTO A SUBURBAN AREA
CUT TO:
Wide Shot of Buchbinder Family in their vehicle.
Looking relieved. The kids are waking up. Dennis, and Kelly
Look at each other lovingly
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REARVIEW MIRROR
Aimee yawns silently and Dennis pops his thumb into her
mouth.
AIMEE
Mom! Tell Dennis to stop
Dennis giggles, and Aimee pinches his cheek
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PROFILE OF KELLY
DENNIS (O.C.)
Guys!
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DENNIS AT THE WHEEL
DENNIS
Too much excitement for you brats
today...
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SHOT INTO PASSENGER WINDOW
Kelly displaying shock. A burning house is reflected into the
window
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INT DENNIS' BEDROOM
CLOSEUP OF DENNIS
His head surrounded by flame
DENNIS (MURMURING)
Too much excitement for us all