Carmen, a screenplay by Clowey Goodwin
FADE IN:
PINEGROVE LIBRARY- DAYTIME
Carmen goes to the local library to look for answers. There have been some suspicious things going on in her home, and she wants to figure out why.
DISSOLVE TO:
PINE GROVE LIBRARY- HISTORICAL RECORD LIBRARY- DAYTIME
CARMEN, 17 year old girl living in Massachusetts Walking into the Pinegrove Library
Carmen: Do you have any records on 342 Magnolia Drive?
Librarian: …..yes…..over in the old historical records section.
Carmen: How are they classified?
Librarian: By year and location…
Bystander: Did you say 342 Magnolia Drive?
Carmen: Yes I did.
Bystander: Oh I thought so.
Carmen: Why does everyone keep acting weird?
Bystander: Well…it's just that there's a known history in the house.
Carmen: What do you mean?
Bystander: I think that it's better if you find out for yourself.
Carmen walks over the the historical record section in the library. She goes to find her last name, and her address. She finds strange records about a woman killed in the Salem Witch Trials named Bridget Bishop. After finding this information, she heads home to show her parents.
Carmen: Look what I found. Hands Jane the files
Jane (Carmen's mom), picking up the files: What is this?
Carmen: These are the files I found from the library.
Jane, who appears anxious and frantic: Why were you looking for files at the library?
Carmen: Haven't you heard me talk about a weird feeling? I have been talking about this for 2 years. Have you been listening?
Jane: Of course I have, but I told you what the problem is. You are just an anxious, paranoid person.
Carmen: You always tell me that, but these files show differently.
Jane: What do you mean?
Carmen: Take a look. This information is the reason why I have been feeling this way.
Jane Looks at files: This is what you get for looking for answers all the time. Sometimes, you don't need to know the answers.
Carmen: What are you talking about? Why are you so mad?
Jane: That's it. I am done talking about this. Never bring this up to me again. Jane storms off angry.
James (Carmen's dad) Walks over: What's the problem?
Carmen: Remember how I have been telling you that I have been feeling a strange feeling for 2 years?
James Yes, and don't even explain. I know what this is all about. Let me explain this all to you. Bridget Bishop is your great great grandmother, on your moms side. Ever descendant of Bridget Bishop is a witch. This house belonged to Bridget during the times of the Salem Witch Trials, and has been passed on throughout the family, ever since her death. Your mom didn't want to tell you, but you need to know sooner than later.
Carmen Puzzled look: Wow. It all makes sense.
James: I have been wanting to tell you, but it's a very sensitive subject to your mom.
Carmen: Is she going to be mad that you told me?
James: No. She's probably going to be relieved.
Carmen, still puzzled: Well okay then, I need some time alone.
James: I understand.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Screenplay by Katharine Guthrie
Ext. City Street - Day (walking)
VAL and CHAROLETTE are seen walking side by side down a crowded, soggy city sidewalk. CHAROLETTE seems more lively, while VAL seems like she hasn't slept in a few days.
A gruff pedestrian appears from out of the crowd, bumping into CHAROLETTE
CHAROLETTE
Oof!
The pedestrian swivels around angrily, facing CHAROLETTE
PEDESTRIAN
Watch where you´re going, lady!
VAL cuts in between the two, defensively heated
VAL
Hey, buddy! What´s your probl-
CHAROLETTE pulls VAL back, cuts her off nervously
CHAROLETTE
We´re sorry, sir. Have a nice day.
Pedestrian puffs off, grumbling incoherently. The two continue walking, after storm air hanging above them.
VAL
Hhh. Why are you so nice to people, Charolette? That guy was a turd.
VAL retrieves a cigarette from her pocket, motions for CHAROLETTE to give her a light. CHAROLETTE pauses, digging around her purse for her lighter. Distracted.
CHAROLETTE
Well, my nona used to say- Oh, here.
CHAROLETTE pulls a red lighter from her back pocket, hands it to VAL.VAL cups the lighter to the cigarette in her mouth. Muffled.
VAL
Thanks.
VAL flicks the lighter and takes a tired drag.
CHAROLETTE
Nona used to say this thing, ¨A single kind word will keep one warm for years.¨ (waves hand)Or something like that.
The two turn down a street, diverting from the large morning crowd. It's quieter, more serene.
CHAROLETTE
I don't know. I guess it stuck with me for some reason. I always thought that even if somebody was mean, maybe if I was nice to them things would change.
The girls continue walking in nostalgic silence. VAL takes another drag, brakes the quiet.
VAL
Some warmth certainly wouldn't hurt me today. Brr!
VAL turns to CHAROLETTE playfully, exaggeratingly shivering with cigarette hanging out of mouth.
CHAROLETTE
Yeah?
CHAROLETTE jokingly throws a dramatic arm around VAL, pulling them into each other.
CHAROLETTE
VAl! You´re the most wonderful, beautiful, amazin-
VAL´s cigarette is knocked out of her mouth by CHAROLETTE´s arm, falling onto the front of her jacket and forming a small flame. Sparking frantic energy in the two.
VAL and CHAROLETTE yell, swiftly beating out the flame.
VAL
Not that warm!
Screenplay by Katharine Guthrie
Ext. City Street - Day (walking)
VAL and CHAROLETTE are seen walking side by side down a crowded, soggy city sidewalk. CHAROLETTE seems more lively, while VAL seems like she hasn't slept in a few days.
A gruff pedestrian appears from out of the crowd, bumping into CHAROLETTE
CHAROLETTE
Oof!
The pedestrian swivels around angrily, facing CHAROLETTE
PEDESTRIAN
Watch where you´re going, lady!
VAL cuts in between the two, defensively heated
VAL
Hey, buddy! What´s your probl-
CHAROLETTE pulls VAL back, cuts her off nervously
CHAROLETTE
We´re sorry, sir. Have a nice day.
Pedestrian puffs off, grumbling incoherently. The two continue walking, after storm air hanging above them.
VAL
Hhh. Why are you so nice to people, Charolette? That guy was a turd.
VAL retrieves a cigarette from her pocket, motions for CHAROLETTE to give her a light. CHAROLETTE pauses, digging around her purse for her lighter. Distracted.
CHAROLETTE
Well, my nona used to say- Oh, here.
CHAROLETTE pulls a red lighter from her back pocket, hands it to VAL.VAL cups the lighter to the cigarette in her mouth. Muffled.
VAL
Thanks.
VAL flicks the lighter and takes a tired drag.
CHAROLETTE
Nona used to say this thing, ¨A single kind word will keep one warm for years.¨ (waves hand)Or something like that.
The two turn down a street, diverting from the large morning crowd. It's quieter, more serene.
CHAROLETTE
I don't know. I guess it stuck with me for some reason. I always thought that even if somebody was mean, maybe if I was nice to them things would change.
The girls continue walking in nostalgic silence. VAL takes another drag, brakes the quiet.
VAL
Some warmth certainly wouldn't hurt me today. Brr!
VAL turns to CHAROLETTE playfully, exaggeratingly shivering with cigarette hanging out of mouth.
CHAROLETTE
Yeah?
CHAROLETTE jokingly throws a dramatic arm around VAL, pulling them into each other.
CHAROLETTE
VAl! You´re the most wonderful, beautiful, amazin-
VAL´s cigarette is knocked out of her mouth by CHAROLETTE´s arm, falling onto the front of her jacket and forming a small flame. Sparking frantic energy in the two.
VAL and CHAROLETTE yell, swiftly beating out the flame.
VAL
Not that warm!