Kanazaka
Potential
Honestly, I was unaware of "Habeas Corpses" when I wrote this, as I hadn't yet seen that episode of Angel. I hope you enjoy this!
TEASER
INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL--CLASSROOM--DAY
A male teacher stands at the front of an elementary school classroom, holding a pointer in his right hand; children fill the seats of the many desks in front of him. To his right is a photograph of a squirrel sitting on grass, projected by an overhead projector onto a pull-down screen; he is pointing to this as he speaks.
TEACHER
Finally, class, this is the common gray squirrel. It is found throughout most of the forests in North America, as well as, of course, many of the parks in this town. Can anyone here tell me what squirrels like to eat?
CUT to a medium shot of a boy--JIMMY--raising his hand.
CUT back to the teacher.
TEACHER
Yes, Jimmy?
CUT back to the boy.
JIMMY
Acorns.
CUT back to the teacher, who walks over the the chalkboard and writes "ACORNS" in large letters, then turns back to the class and begins speaking. We cut mid-speech to a young girl of about seven or eight wearing a bright-colored, simple dress. It's SUZY REDDING. She stares intently in his direction as he talks off-camera.
TEACHER
Yes, Jimmy, that's right. Acorns. Squirrels love to eat acorns and other nuts, either right when they find them or back in their trees.
TEACHER (O.S.)
(cont'd)
During autumn, they store these nuts for eating during the winter. (bell rings) Well, thats all for today, class. Make sure to read Chapter Five of your Biology textbook for tomorrow.
CUT to the Suzy running away from the school and onto some grass. She stops suddenly and looks intensely at whatever has drawn her attention.
We CUT and see that it is a squirrel eating an acorn.
CUT back to Suzy, who is slowly walking forward.
As we CUT back to the squirrel, it has been startled, and begins to run away.
Suzy freezes and puts out her arms, palms facing upward.
SUZY
Stop!
The squirrel suddenly freezes in its tracks and keels over to one side.
We CUT back to Suzy, who walks toward it at a normal pace, then stops in her tracks. She then crouches down and points her index finger at the squirrel, slowly moving that hand toward it as she does so.
CUT to a close-up of the now-twitching squirrel, which suddenly flips on its back and spreads out its arms and legs as Suzy's finger approaches it. Its head thrashes violently from side to side. Suzy's finger softly touches the squirrel's chest right below the neck, then slowly begins to trace a line downward.
We CUT back to Suzy, who looks at it curiously with her head cocked slightly to one side. Suddenly, she gives a wide-eyed, slightly-startled jump as we hear a mild tearing sound.
We cut back briefly to the squirrel, and see that it is now lifeless and skinned down to its musculature.
End TEASER
CUT to Opening Credits
INT. SUZY REDDING'S HOUSE--KITCHEN--DAY
A middle-aged woman--SALLY REDDING--stands at the sink washing dishes. Soon, the young girl opens the door and rushes in.
SUZY
Mom! Mom! Guess what I found today!
SALLY
What, honey?
SUZY
A squirrel!
SALLY
That's nice. Was it cute?
SUZY
Yeah ... well, it was. It's dead now. Wanna see?
Sally sighs, stops washing dishes and dries her hands. She folds her arms under her chest, then shoots the young girl a look of exasperation.
SALLY
Suzy, how many times to I have to tell you not to bring home dead animals? Please throw it away.
Suzy looks down for a few seconds, thinking. Then, having made up her mind, she looks back up at her mother.
SUZY
No!
Suzy runs past her mother, and we track her as she runs past the dining room and up the stairs near the living room. Sally reaches out to her.
SALLY
Suzy! Get back here right now!
We freeze on Sally and the empty stairwell as Suzy's footsteps clomp loudly and slowly fade away.
SALLY
(softly)
That girl. I swear. (sighs)
A few seconds pass, then Suzy comes rushing back down the stairs and stops about a foot from her mother.
SALLY
So where is it?
SUZY
In my closet.
SALLY
Is it at least in some kind of container?
Suzy shoots her mom a look that says, "Well, yeah".
SUZY
Yeah, it's still in my backpack. I don't wanna touch it again.
Sally still has her arms crossed, and she now rolls her eyes.
SALLY
Well, I guess I'll be buying you a new backpack tomorrow.
Suzy opens her mouth and starts to say something.
SALLY
But I'm not buying you new books. Those cost me a lot of money, so you'll just have to take them out later. I'll give you an old gym bag to put them in ... and some scented soap for the smell. Now go up to your room, young lady. Your dad and I will have a talk when he gets home.
Suzy rolls her eyes and sighs exaggerated, then slowly walks away from her mom and starts to walk up the stairs.
SALLY
(loudly)
Oh, and wash your hands before you touch anything else. Thoroughly. I don't want you spreading germs.
SUZY
O-kay.
Sally walks to the stairs once her daughter is halfway up, then looks up for a few seconds. Briefly satisfied, she walks back into the kitchen and paces, looking up at the ceiling with her hands folded behind her back. After a short while, she pauses, then walks over to the phone on the wall, across from the dining room table. She then picks up the push-button, handset phone and starts dialing, talking under her breath as she does so.
SALLY
I didn't want to resort to this, but you've left me no choice.
As the dial tone starts, Sally looks up and lets out an exasperated sigh.
INT. DR. ROSS'S OFFICE--WAITING ROOM--DAY
JODIE CHESTERTON sits at the reception desk, typing on her computer. Suddenly, the phone rings. She picks it up.
JODIE
Hello, Dr. Ross's office, this is Jody speaking.
Sally stands near her dining room, looking calm and composed.
SALLY
Hi, my name is Sally Redding, and I'm calling about my daughter, Suzy. You see, for the past two months, she's been bringing home dead animals, and I'm afraid that it might be some sort of obsession.
Jodie suddenly looks disturbed and a bit disgusted.
JODIE
Hmm, I see. Is there anything special about these dead animals?
SALLY
No, I don't think so. Although ... now that you mention it, they have been getting bigger. First it was frogs, then birds, and today she brought home a dead squirrel.
JODIE
Okay, I'll put you through to one of our psychiatrists now. Hold on, please.
CUT to AMY MADISON. She sits at her desk in her office, writing on a notepad. Her phone begins to ring, and she picks it up with one hand while continuing to write with the other.
AMY
Hello, Dr. Madison speaking.
SALLY
Hello, Ms. Madison. As I just told your receptionist, I'm calling about my daughter Suzy. Lately, she's been bringing home dead animals. As you might imagine, it's a bit disturbing.
Amy seems a bit surprised, but mostly composed. She stops writing and puts down her pen.
AMY
Yes, I can imagine. Did she bring anything home today?
SALLY
Yes, a dead squirrel.
AMY
What does it look like?
SALLY
Well, I haven't seen it yet. It's in Suzy's bookbag, or at least I'm pretty sure it still is.
AMY
Why's that?
SALLY
Suzy said that she didn't want to touch it, so I don't think she will. She seemed pretty disgusted.
AMY
That's understandable.
(beat)
Ms. Redding, could you please ask your daughter to hand her your bookbag?
Sally looks confused.
SALLY
All right. She's in her room right now. I'll go up there.
Sally--phone in hand--walks past the dining room and up the stairs, then walks down the hallway and pauses at the first door on the right. After emitting a nervous sigh, she knocks three times.
SALLY
Suzy, could you please open the door and hand me your bookbag?
SUZY (O.S.)
Why?
SALLY
I want to see the squirrel. It might be carrying some sort of disease.
SUZY
(grumpily)
Fine.
A few seconds pass, then the bedroom door opens. Suzy appears and hands her mom her bookbag, then shuts the door again. Sally rolls her eyes, but doesn't say anything. With the bookbag in her right hand, she puts the phone back to her ear, but not before gasping slightly and making a nauseous expression.
SALLY
Okay, I have the bookbag, and it smells terrible. Now what?
AMY (O.S)
Now I'll need you to look in the bag. You don't need to take out the squirrel, but I would like you to peek in and tell me what you see.
Sally places the bookbag on the hallway floor and places the phone right beside it. With one hand on one of the zippers, she pulls down the other zipper about a third of the way and peers in (but we don't see anything). Suddenly, she gasps and puts her hand to her mouth, then covers her nose as well. She gags a bit, both from the stench and from shock.
SALLY
(horrified)
Oh, god.
AMY (O.S.)
Ms. Redding, are you there?
Sally picks up the phone and places it to her ear, nervously combing her hair with her other hand as she does so.
SALLY
(shaken)
Yes, I'm still here.
AMY
You sound a bit upset. Would you mind telling me what just happened?
SALLY
I looked in the bookbag, just as you asked me to, and ... and the squirrel was ... skinned.
AMY
(shocked)
Skinned? Completely?
Sally wipes a hand across her face, then places it on her forehead.
SALLY
Yeah. (Chuckles nervously) And Suzy told me it was cute.
AMY
(stunned)
Was ... cute.
Suddenly, we see as split-second flashback of Willow Rosenberg skinning Warren in a dark forest.
AMY rapidly and violent shakes her head to clear that memory from her mind.
AMY
Sorry. Um, I'd like to schedule a one-on-one appointment with Suzy, as soon as possible. When's the earliest you could bring her in?
SALLY
Tomorrow afternoon, I suppose. I was planning on buying Suzy a new bookbag after she gets home from school, but her father and I can take her out later in the evening.
AMY
Okay, how does 5:30 sound?
SALLY
(nervously)
That sounds fine. We'll be there.
AMY
Thank you, Ms. Redding. Oh, and this might sound strange, but could you please also bring in the squirrel? I'd like to see it for myself.
SALLY
(confused)
Okay.
AMY
I'll see you tomorrow, then. Goodbye.
SALLY
Bye.
Sally hangs up her phone.
Amy hangs up her phone and places it back on the hook, then places her arms on her desk and worriedly looks down at it.
AMY
(Sighs) Damn it.
INT. DR ROSS'S OFFICE--WAITING ROOM--DAY
CLOSE-UP of a young girl's feet and legs as they swing back and forth underneath a chair. We slowly pan up and see that they belong to Suzy, who has her arms crossed and is grimacing impatiently.
CUT to a full shot of Suzy and her parents. They are sitting in the lobby of Dr. Ross's office. JOHN REDDING is reading a magazine, and Sally is checking her watch. Suzy's bookbag lies near Sally's feet.
SUZY
(grumpily)
I don't see why you've taken me to a doctor. There's nothing wrong with me.
Sally sharply turns her head to look at Suzy.
SALLY
Dr. Madison isn't that kind of doctor, honey. She's not going to examine you. She just wants to talk with you.
SUZY
She better not touch me.
SALLY
She's not going to touch you, I promise. (Sighs) Tell you what, if you're a good girl in there, we can have pizza for dinner. Sound good?
Suzy glares up at her mother in response.
Sally frowns and shakes her head.
Amy's office door opens, and she walks out. Mr. and Mrs. Redding rise, but Suzy--still grumpy--remains seated.
A smiling Amy extends her hand as she approaches Suzy's parents. She begins speaking as she shakes Sally's hand.
AMY
Mrs. Redding, nice to see you.
AMY turns to John and shakes his hand.
JOHN
Hi, I'm John, Suzy's father.
AMY
Nice to meet you, John.
Amy lets go of John's hand and looks between Sally and John.
CUT to a mildly grumpy Suzy.
CUT back to a smiling Amy.
AMY
And that must be Suzy.
John rolls his eyes.
JOHN
Yes, our little angel.
SALLY
I'm sorry, she's been like this ever since I told her that her father and I were going to take her to see you.
AMY gently sighs.
AMY
I don't blame her. (to Suzy) I'll let you know when I'm ready for you okay?
Suzy nods once, her eyes looking intently at Amy. Her face is expressionless.
AMY
Sally, could you please hand me Amy's bookbag?
SALLY
Yes, of course.
Sally walks over to the bookbag, picks it up, and hands it to Amy.
AMY
I'll just be a minute.
SALLY
All right.
Amy walks down a hallway and opens a door, then steps inside a small break room. She places the bookbag in the center of a dining table, unzips it and slowly shakes out the contents--three textbooks, two notebooks and the squirrel, which comes out first and rolls briefly before coming to a stop. Amy grimaces and puts a hand over her nose and mouth. After a couple of seconds, she releases her hand, takes a quick breath in and out, and places both her hands several inches above the skinned squirrel, which is barely in view. Suddenly, a fairly bright, glowing, swirling mist surrounds Amy's hands.
CUT to a medium close-up of Amy's head and torso. The mist eminates at the bottom of the frame. Amy's eyes are closed, and her lips are pursed in concentration. A few seconds pass, and the glow disappates, then disappears. Amy slowly opens her eyes. Her face takes on a rueful expression, and she releases a heavy sigh.
CUT to a full shot of Amy walking back into the waiting room. She is carrying Suzy's bookbag in her right hand.
AMY
(gesturing to Suzy, then to her office door)
Suzy, could you please step into my office? I'm ready to see you now.
Suzy hops down from her chair and walks into the office.
Amy hands Sally the bookbag.
AMY
Thanks again for this. I learned a lot.
Sally takes the bag.
SALLY
What did you learn?
AMY
I'll tell you later, I promise. First, I need to talk to Suzy.
SALLY
OK.
AMY walks to her office door, but suddenly stops and looks at the reception desk. We PAN over and see Jodie at the far left of the frame.
AMY
Jodie, please hold all my calls.
JODIE
All right.
AMY walks into her office and starts to close the door behind her.
CONTINUOUS CUT of Amy as she enters her office and closes the door, then sits down in a chair in front of her desk that is facing toward the left wall (from the desk). Suzy is already sitting on a leather couch that is flush against the wall, and is nervously looking down at her feet.
AMY
So, I hear you really like animals! Could you tell me a little more about that?
SUZY
(looking up with her head down)
Why did you want to see my squirrel?
Amy immediately looks embarrassed as she looks up and away from Suzy.
AMY
(Chuckles nervously) Well, I just wanted to make sure it didn't have any diseases. After all, it had been skinless for ... who knows how long.
Amy grimaces and flashes Suzy a "You believe me and think I'm right, right?" face.
SUZY
I don't believe you.
Amy sighs and tilts her head back to look at the ceiling, then folds her arms across her chest in an exasperated manner. It's clear that she doesn't want to be talking to Suzy. She brings her head back down, then looks Suzy directly in her eyes.
AMY
Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I performed a spell on the squirrel in order to find out whether or not a magic user had skinned it. I discovered a magical signature, and that signature belongs to you.
Suzy tenses up and pushes herself back into the couch.
SUZY
(frightened and angry)
How do you know it was me?
Amy brings up both hands and clasps her fingers around an invisible ball.
AMY
(Sighs) Reveal.
The invisible ball becomes one of orange, swirling energy. Suzy begins to glow a bright blue. She notices this and emits a sharp yelp, then starts shuddering.
AMY
I'm sorry, but it was the only way.
SUZY
(trembling)
Okay, fine, I did it. But I only wanted to see what the squirrel looked like inside. I didn't want to kill it.
AMY
(pleading)
But you did kill it. And that was wrong.
SUZY
(calmly)
Why?
AMY
Because you shouldn't open up living things, unless there's something wrong with them. And if that's the case you need to do it properly, and be trained and qualified to do so. Unfortunately, since you're neither, you couldn't have known that the squirrel was sick. And since the squirrel couldn't tell you whether or not it was sick, you couldn't tell you whether or not it wanted you to open it. That's why you shouldn't have done it.
Suzy has relaxed now, and she is sitting up straight and hanging on Amy's every word.
SUZY
So, if it was dead, I could have looked inside it?
AMY
Yes, but only when you're older. You're too young to do that now.
Suzy grimaces and shrugs uncomfortably.
SUZY
Then how do I find out what the inside of a squirrel looks like?
AMY
(smiling)
There are books that can show you that. I can recommend some to you if you want.
SUZY
(blithely)
That's okay. I don't need them now.
AMY
(flustered)
All right. Just please promise me that you won't hurt any more animals. Or people.
Suzy looks a bit disappointed as she looks down at her feet, but she nods.
AMY
Okay. Now let's go see your Mom and Dad.
Suzy hops off the couch as Amy rises from her chair. Amy opens her office door, and they both walk out, Amy leading.
CONTINUOUS CUT to both of them walking out of the door, then Suzy rushes over to Sally and hugs her.
SALLY
There, there. Are you okay?
SUZY
(meekly)
I guess.
SALLY
And Dr. Madison didn't hurt you, right?
Suzy looks back at Amy. Amy looks pleadingly at Suzy, silently and subtly begging her not to say yes.
SUZY
No, she didn't hurt me.
SALLY
(warmly)
Just like I promised.
(beat)
Suzy, could you please go with your dad back to the car? I'd like to talk to Dr. Madison alone for a moment.
Suzy lets go of Sally and walks to John, who opens the office door and takes his daughter's hand as they walk out. Sally watches them leave, then turns to Amy and looks at her intently.
SALLY
So, what did Suzy tell you?
AMY
(sighs)
I probably shouldn't betray our doctor-patient confidentiality but ... she admitted to using magic to skin the squirrel. (reacting to Sally's shocked expression) She didn't mean to kill it, she just wanted to look inside it. Unfortunately, since she's young and untrained in surgery, she couldn't do that without killing it.
SALLY
(worried)
And what did you tell her?
AMY
(flushed and nervous)
I told her that she was too young to look into the insides of animals, or people, whether they're dead or alive. And that it was wrong, unless she had permission, was well-trained, and--if alivee--the animal or person was sick. I know this must sound crazy, but --
SALLY
(interrupting)
No, it doesn't. My mom used to tell me that her mom was a witch, but I thought she was speaking figuratively. Now I'm beginning to wonder.
(beat)
Thank you, Dr. Madison. You said the right thing.
AMY
(relieved)
You're welcome. And thank you, too. That means a lot.
SALLY
(stepping backward)
Well, I better get going. They're waiting.
AMY
Yes, of course. And thanks again for bringing Suzy to me. If you ever need to speak with me again, about anything, please call me.
SALLY
I hope I don't need to, but I will.
Sally and Amy shake hands, then Sally turns and leaves.
Amy folds her arms under her chest and sighs.
JODI (O.S.)
Do you think they'll be all right?
Startled, Amy turns around.
CUT to a worried Jodi, then back to Amy, who is flustered, then smiles.
AMY
(slightly worried)
I hope so.
INT. BILLY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Billy and Suzy are on the rug atop the bare wood floor of the living room; Billy is pushing around a fire truck as Suzy watches him, and he is making fire-truck sounds as he does so (sirens, engine, etc.). Billy's mom walks into the room from the adjacent hallway, wearing a floral-print house dress.
BILLY'S MOM
Would either of you two like some Kool-Aid?
BILLY
(looking up)
Sure, Mom.
SUZY
Yes, please.
BILLY'S MOM
Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes.
Billy's mom walks away, and Billy continues to play with his fire truck. Suzy watches him for a while, but then lets out a huff of boredom.
SUZY
Can we play a new game now?
Billy continues to push around his truck.
BILLY
Like what?
SUZY
How about "Doctor"?
BILLY
(making a disgusted face)
Uhhh ...
SUZY
(rolling her eyes)
Not like that. First, I'll need you to take off your shirt and lie down.
Billy stops playing with his truck.
BILLY
Just my shirt?
SUZY
(authoratively)
Yes.
Billy removes his shirt so that he's bare-chested, and lies down on the rug. Suzy moves over to him and places her ear on his chest. We cut to a CLOSE-UP.
SUZY
(whispering)
Now, I'll need you to be quiet and stay still while I listen to your heartbeat.
Billy looks nervously left and right.
Suzy furrows her brow and frowns.
SUZY
Hmmm ... that doesn't sound too good. I'm afraid I'll have to operate.
BILLY
Huh?
Suzy removes her ear from Billy's chest and sits up. CUT back to a medium shot.
SUZY
Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. You'll be fine. And after all, it's just pretend.
BILLY
OK.
Suzy places her finger at the top of Billy's chest and begins to trace a line downward.
BILLY
(giggles)
That tickles.
SUZY
Shh. I need to concentrate.
SUZY continues to trace a line down Billy's chest.
CUT to a medium close-up of Suzy, with the hallway in the background. Suddenly, Billy's mom walks down the hallway with a pitcher of lemonade in her right hand; we hear her footsteps as she walks toward the living room.
BILLY'S MOM
(while walking)
OK, guys, I'm back. I hope ...
She trails off as she sees Suzy, and stops dead in her tracks, a look of shock on her face. CUT to a POV shot of Suzy and Billy from over the mom's shoulder, as Suzy looks up in surprise and her eyes briefly flash a bright white. A split-second later, a large (but not deep) vertical gash appears on Billy's chest, and it begins bleeding. CUT to a full-shot of Billy's horrified mom; Suzy is in the foreground and Billy is barely visible in the frame, but we hear him cry out in pain. As he does so, Billy's mom drops the pitcher of lemonade and it shatters on the wood floor. We TRACK Billy's mom as she dashes over to Billy, grabs his shirt off the floor and presses it tightly to his chest.
BILLY
(concurrently to tracking shot)
Someone help me, I'm bleeding! It hurts!
BILLY'S MOM
(panicked)
Calm down, baby. Mommy's here. It'll be all right. Just stay still and don't say anything okay? Just try to relax, just try.
CUT to a POV shot over Suzy's shoulder as Billy's mom looks up at Suzy; the mom has tears in her eyes as she angrily glares at Suzy.
BILLY'S MOM
(furiously)
Call 9-1-1.
CUT to a POV from the floor, looking up at Suzy, who is frozen with fear and wears a terrified expression on her face. CUT back to Billy's mom.
BILLY'S MOM
Now!
CUT to a full shot of Suzy as she runs across the living room floor, and track her as she dodges the broken glass and runs into the KITCHEN. She must not have dodged the glass completely, because she hops on her right foot as she reaches the phone. Suzy picks up the phone and dials as we move in on her and hold. She is crying as she waits for the operator to pick up.
FEMALE OPERATOR
(Click) 9-1-1. What's your emergency?
SUZY (crying hard)
I-it's Billy. He's on the floor and he's bleeding. Hurry!
FEMALE OPERATOR (with calm urgency)
OK, please calm down. Now tell me, why is he bleeding?
SUZY
(trembling)
I-I cut him on the chest. I didn't mean to, I swear. We were just playing, and (gasps) then his mom walked in and I--
Suzy cuts herself off as she starts bawling.
FEMALE OPERATOR
OK, calm down, I've sent an ambulance and it's on its way. Is the boy's mother there?
SUZY
Y-yes ...
FEMALE OPERATOR: May I speak with her, please?
SUZY
(sadly)
Okay.
Suzy walks back into the living room and presents the phone to Billy's mom.
SUZY
The lady on the phone wants to talk to you.
Billy's mom snatches the phone from Suzy's hand and puts in to her ear while tightly pressing the bloody shirt to Billy's chest.
CUT to Suzy, who slowly backs away from Billy and his mom.
BILLY'S MOM (O.S.)
Hello? Yes? OK.
(to Suzy) Get me a warm, wet washcloth. Hurry!
Suzy takes one more step back, then turns around and dashes down the hallway.
CUT to an ambulance speeding down a traffic-filled street, sirens flashing and blaring loudly. CUT again to the ambulance pulling up the the curb of a HOSPITAL. The ambulance stops, and two men rush out and run to the back of the vehicle. They open the back doors and pull out a stretcher, upon which lies Billy.
CUT to a close-up of a barely-conscious Billy as two EMT's wheel him down the hospital's hallway.
CUT to a waiting area just outside the emergency room. Suzy and her parents sit in chairs and watch as the EMTs wheel the stretcher through the room's doors. John is on the left, then Sally, then Suzy. Slowly ZOOM IN as everyone starts speaking.
EMT 1
(shouting)
Let's go! We don't have much time!
EMT 2
(urgently)
Hang in there, kid. They're almost ready for you.
SUZY
(afraid)
What's going to happen to him?
SALLY
(somberly)
I don't know sweetheart, he's lost a lot of blood.
SUZY
But he's going to be okay, right?
SALLY
I don't know.
Suzy bows her head and looks down at her feet.
JOHN (quietly to Sally)
What did you say she cut him with again?
SALLY
(shaking her head)
She didn't say. All she told me was that they were just playing and he started bleeding.
JOHN (to Suzy)
Honey, you know you shouldn't play with knives--
SUZY
(angrily)
It wasn't a knife! You wouldn't understand!
As she says this, Sally sits bolt upright and her eyes widen in shock and recognition.
JOHN
Then what--?
Still looking straight ahead, Sally puts a palm up to him to stop him from saying anything further.
SALLY
Not now. She feels bad enough right now as it is. I'll explain later.
John glares at Suzy, but also grimaces in resignation to his wife's request.
Just then, a doctor walks into the waiting room.
DOCTOR
You're friends of Billy's family?
SALLY
(looking at the doctor)
Yes.
DOCTOR
Well, then, I can tell you that he'll live, but he's in pretty bad shape. We'll have to keep him overnight, and probably longer. Worst case scenario, he might need a blood transfusion.
SALLY
Oh my god, that's awful. May we see him?
DOCTOR
(shaking his head)
I'm afraid not. He's unconscious right now, and I can't allow anyone into the operating room, not even his mother.
SALLY
(nods)
Yes, of course.
SUZY
But I want to SEE him!
SALLY
We can't right now, honey. Maybe next week. C'mon, let's go.
John rises and starts to walk out of the room as Sally lifts Suzy out of her chair. Sally tries to drag Suzy behind her as she starts to walk away, but Suzy gently starts to pull away and looks anxiously back at the operating room.
SUZY
(gently pleading)
Nooo-o ...
Sally tugs her daughter with more force and Suzy reflexively trots to keep up with her mother as the young girl looks backwards.
CUT to Sally talking on the phone in her house.
SALLY
Mrs. Mason is thinking of pressing charges, even though I told her that this wouldn't happen again. But of course I don't have complete control over that, since I can't keep an eye on her 24 hours a day. So, Dr. Madison, I thought you'd be able to help.
CUT to Amy sitting at her office desk, looking harried.
AMY
I'm sorry, Mrs. Redding, but you know I can't babysit your daughter. I have too many other clients.
SALLY (O.S.)
I know that, doctor, which is why I want you to treat her ... "problem".
CUT to Sally listening with her eyes closed and a pallid look on her face.
AMY (O.S.)
I can't --
(beat)
Wait. You don't mean ...
SALLY
I'm afraid I do. And I don't think that Suzy will argue very much, because this accident has shaken her very badly. I can tell that she hates herself for what she's done, and I wouldn't be surprised if she hates her powers now.
CUT to Amy.
AMY
Have you spoken to her since you got back from the emergency room?
CUT to Sally.
SALLY
No. I've tried, but she always looks down, furious. I think she wants me to think she's mad at me, but I can just ... tell, you know? I guess it's mother's intuition.
CUT to Amy.
AMY
Yeah, you're probably right. (Chuckles) It sure would be nice not to have to use magic to try to read people. I almost envy you ... (trails off)
SALLY (O.S.)
(laughing nervously)
Trust me, it's nothing to envy.
Amy shakes her head, as if to clear it.
AMY
If you say so. Anyway, if you're sure about this, please bring her to my house on Saturday night at eight.
CUT to Sally.
AMY (O.S.)
(cont'd)
I need room for the procedure and my friends, and my office is too small. Is that fine with you, Mrs. Redding?
Sally nods.
SALLY
Yes, that will be fine.
AMY (O.S.)
Okay, then I'll see you then.
SALLY
You will. Have a good night.
AMY (O.S.)
You, too. Bye.
SALLY
Bye.
Sally hangs up the phone.
CUT to Amy, who hangs up her phone, then pauses, contemplating her next move. With a sigh, she picks the phone back up and pushes a button. The other line rings a couple of times, then there is a click.
JODIE (O.S.)
Hello, Dr. Ross's office.
CUT to Jodie, who looks surprised by Amy's tone of voice, then intent to hang onto her every word.
AMY (O.S.)
Jodie, please call Patty right away. Suzy's used magic again, and it looks like we'll have to take drastic measures.
JODIE
Will do. But if I may ask, how drastic?
CUT to a CLOSE-UP of Amy, who looks strained.
AMY
We'll need to perform ... a TOTAL cleansing.
INT. AMY MADISON'S HOUSE--LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
FADE in on Patricia Jennings, who sits with her eyes closed and a calm, stoic expression on her face.
AMY (O.S.)
Patty, are you ready?
PATTY
Yes.
CUT to Jodie, who sits in the same manner as Patty, and also has her eyes closed, but her face looks a bit more tense.
AMY (O.S.)
And you, Jodie?
JODIE
Y-yes.
AMY (O.S.)
Are you sure?
JODIE
Yes.
CUT to Suzie, who lies rigid and still on the living room floor, her eyes closed and her face tranquil.
AMY (O.S)
Suzie?
SUZIE
I'm ready.
CUT to Amy, who looks simultaneously determined and concerned.
AMY
Okay. Before we put you to sleep, I want to remind you that we're doing this because you want us to remove your magical abilities. Your parents brought you here because they feel that you will be happier and safer after we perform this ceremony, now and for the rest of your life. But only you can tell us to extinguish the magic within your body. May we begin?
SUZIE
Yes.
(beat)
I want to be a doctor someday. I don't want to be a witch. I want to heal people, and I don't want to accidentally hurt them like I did to Billy. I want to be normal again.
AMY smiles and looks down at Suzie, proud of the young girl's composure.
AMY
Then, as I put my hand on your shoulder, please count backward from ten to one until you fall asleep.
AMY slowly reaches down and places a hand on Suzy's left shoulder as the girl begins to count.
SUZY
(quietly)
Ten ... nine ... eight ... seven ... six ... five ...
(beat)
four ... three ...
Suzy finally falls asleep, silent and shallowly breathing.
AMY directs a steely and determined gaze to her right.
AMY (to Patty)
Now.
CUT to an overhead shot of Patty, Amy, Jodie and Suzy. Patty is on Suzy's right, and she places her hand on the girl's bare right arm. Amy sits next to the top of Suzy's head, and her hand remains on the girl's left shoulder. Jodie is on Suzy's left, and she places her hand on Suzy's bare left arm. The three women remain still for a few seconds.
CUT to Amy, who begins chanting as a pale blue glow eminates from below her. Her eyes are closed and her face is calm.
AMY
Oh, magic, that coarses through this young girl's veins ...
CUT to Patty, who chants the next line of the incantation. The same blue glow eminates from below her.
PATTY
I command you to extinguish, cell by cell ...
CUT to Jodie, who chants the third line as the blue glow eminates from below her as well.
JODIE
... never to return.
For the next several minutes, CUT between the women's faces and the blood cells--red and white--within Suzy's bloodstream. Each cell briefly glows a pale green as it floats in plasma, but suddenly blinks out and returns to its normal color.
CUT back to the overhead shot with Patty, Amy, Jodie and Suzy in their same positions, only now we see Suzy's glowing green cells rapidly blinking out as Suzy herself glows a pale blue.
CUT between the close-ups and the overhead shot until all of the cells have blinked out. Hold on the overhead shot as Suzy's body glows blue for a few seconds, then the light slowly fades away.
CUT to Amy, who slowly opens her eyes and lets out a shallow sigh, then looks to her right.
AMY
It's over.
EXT. PARK--DAY--TWO WEEKS LATER
DISSOLVE into a busy day at the park. Several people walk along a walking/bike path--a couple with their children, a younger couple, two thirtysomething female joggers. On a green patch to the right of the path, a man plays frisbee with his dog.
CUT to a full shot of Amy and Patty sitting on a bench. Amy begins speaking as two men walk past them.
AMY
So, I talked to Suzy yesterday afternoon at my office. She seems happy. Didn't even bring up magic once.
CUT to a close-up of Patty as she looks warmly and knowingly upon Amy.
PATTY
And that's an improvement, correct?
CUT to Amy, who is smiling but whose eyes register sadness.
AMY
(softly)
Yes, thank God.
(beat)
I mean ... I don't know. I still feel terrible about stripping her magic away, even though I know it's what she wanted. On the other hand, I feel glad that I was able to prevent that dangerous energy from hurting more people.
PATTY
So what's troubling you?
AMY
The hunch that there are thousands more little girls out there, and I can't help them all. I can't play God, even when people expect me to.
PATTY
(with pained reassurance)
I don't expect that of you. One person can only do so much at once, and I don't want you to stretch your limits. You shouldn't hurt yourself to heal others ... unless perhaps the fate of the universe is at stake.
CUT to Amy, who looks sadly at Patty.
PATTY
(cont'd)
But of course you shouldn't think about that right now. That's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
AMY
Thanks. But I've been thinking about something else. About my mother.
Patty sighs and shakes her head, then looks imploringly at Amy.
PATTY
How many times to I have to remind you? You're not your mother, not any more. You've given yourself a purpose in life, and you've found friends. As long as you hold onto that, you'll never again delve into that dark place where she resided. I have faith in you.
AMY
(tearfully)
I know, but I can still feel her magic inside me. I've felt it ever since she left my body thirteen years ago. It courses through my veins. Like an virus. And just like Suzy, I didn't ask for it. I didn't have a choice. She gave it to me, and now I have to live with it. As best as I can. And I do, but sometimes I wish I could ... get ... rid--
AMY breaks off and starts sobbing, then forcefully throws her arms around Patty, who gently embraces her.
PATTY
(whispers)
No. You don't.
CUT to a closeup of Amy's face over Patty's shoulder. She is extremely anguished.
AMY
(sobbing)
Why ... me?
CUT to Credits.
THE END
TEASER
INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL--CLASSROOM--DAY
A male teacher stands at the front of an elementary school classroom, holding a pointer in his right hand; children fill the seats of the many desks in front of him. To his right is a photograph of a squirrel sitting on grass, projected by an overhead projector onto a pull-down screen; he is pointing to this as he speaks.
TEACHER
Finally, class, this is the common gray squirrel. It is found throughout most of the forests in North America, as well as, of course, many of the parks in this town. Can anyone here tell me what squirrels like to eat?
CUT to a medium shot of a boy--JIMMY--raising his hand.
CUT back to the teacher.
TEACHER
Yes, Jimmy?
CUT back to the boy.
JIMMY
Acorns.
CUT back to the teacher, who walks over the the chalkboard and writes "ACORNS" in large letters, then turns back to the class and begins speaking. We cut mid-speech to a young girl of about seven or eight wearing a bright-colored, simple dress. It's SUZY REDDING. She stares intently in his direction as he talks off-camera.
TEACHER
Yes, Jimmy, that's right. Acorns. Squirrels love to eat acorns and other nuts, either right when they find them or back in their trees.
TEACHER (O.S.)
(cont'd)
During autumn, they store these nuts for eating during the winter. (bell rings) Well, thats all for today, class. Make sure to read Chapter Five of your Biology textbook for tomorrow.
CUT to the Suzy running away from the school and onto some grass. She stops suddenly and looks intensely at whatever has drawn her attention.
We CUT and see that it is a squirrel eating an acorn.
CUT back to Suzy, who is slowly walking forward.
As we CUT back to the squirrel, it has been startled, and begins to run away.
Suzy freezes and puts out her arms, palms facing upward.
SUZY
Stop!
The squirrel suddenly freezes in its tracks and keels over to one side.
We CUT back to Suzy, who walks toward it at a normal pace, then stops in her tracks. She then crouches down and points her index finger at the squirrel, slowly moving that hand toward it as she does so.
CUT to a close-up of the now-twitching squirrel, which suddenly flips on its back and spreads out its arms and legs as Suzy's finger approaches it. Its head thrashes violently from side to side. Suzy's finger softly touches the squirrel's chest right below the neck, then slowly begins to trace a line downward.
We CUT back to Suzy, who looks at it curiously with her head cocked slightly to one side. Suddenly, she gives a wide-eyed, slightly-startled jump as we hear a mild tearing sound.
We cut back briefly to the squirrel, and see that it is now lifeless and skinned down to its musculature.
End TEASER
CUT to Opening Credits
INT. SUZY REDDING'S HOUSE--KITCHEN--DAY
A middle-aged woman--SALLY REDDING--stands at the sink washing dishes. Soon, the young girl opens the door and rushes in.
SUZY
Mom! Mom! Guess what I found today!
SALLY
What, honey?
SUZY
A squirrel!
SALLY
That's nice. Was it cute?
SUZY
Yeah ... well, it was. It's dead now. Wanna see?
Sally sighs, stops washing dishes and dries her hands. She folds her arms under her chest, then shoots the young girl a look of exasperation.
SALLY
Suzy, how many times to I have to tell you not to bring home dead animals? Please throw it away.
Suzy looks down for a few seconds, thinking. Then, having made up her mind, she looks back up at her mother.
SUZY
No!
Suzy runs past her mother, and we track her as she runs past the dining room and up the stairs near the living room. Sally reaches out to her.
SALLY
Suzy! Get back here right now!
We freeze on Sally and the empty stairwell as Suzy's footsteps clomp loudly and slowly fade away.
SALLY
(softly)
That girl. I swear. (sighs)
A few seconds pass, then Suzy comes rushing back down the stairs and stops about a foot from her mother.
SALLY
So where is it?
SUZY
In my closet.
SALLY
Is it at least in some kind of container?
Suzy shoots her mom a look that says, "Well, yeah".
SUZY
Yeah, it's still in my backpack. I don't wanna touch it again.
Sally still has her arms crossed, and she now rolls her eyes.
SALLY
Well, I guess I'll be buying you a new backpack tomorrow.
Suzy opens her mouth and starts to say something.
SALLY
But I'm not buying you new books. Those cost me a lot of money, so you'll just have to take them out later. I'll give you an old gym bag to put them in ... and some scented soap for the smell. Now go up to your room, young lady. Your dad and I will have a talk when he gets home.
Suzy rolls her eyes and sighs exaggerated, then slowly walks away from her mom and starts to walk up the stairs.
SALLY
(loudly)
Oh, and wash your hands before you touch anything else. Thoroughly. I don't want you spreading germs.
SUZY
O-kay.
Sally walks to the stairs once her daughter is halfway up, then looks up for a few seconds. Briefly satisfied, she walks back into the kitchen and paces, looking up at the ceiling with her hands folded behind her back. After a short while, she pauses, then walks over to the phone on the wall, across from the dining room table. She then picks up the push-button, handset phone and starts dialing, talking under her breath as she does so.
SALLY
I didn't want to resort to this, but you've left me no choice.
As the dial tone starts, Sally looks up and lets out an exasperated sigh.
INT. DR. ROSS'S OFFICE--WAITING ROOM--DAY
JODIE CHESTERTON sits at the reception desk, typing on her computer. Suddenly, the phone rings. She picks it up.
JODIE
Hello, Dr. Ross's office, this is Jody speaking.
Sally stands near her dining room, looking calm and composed.
SALLY
Hi, my name is Sally Redding, and I'm calling about my daughter, Suzy. You see, for the past two months, she's been bringing home dead animals, and I'm afraid that it might be some sort of obsession.
Jodie suddenly looks disturbed and a bit disgusted.
JODIE
Hmm, I see. Is there anything special about these dead animals?
SALLY
No, I don't think so. Although ... now that you mention it, they have been getting bigger. First it was frogs, then birds, and today she brought home a dead squirrel.
JODIE
Okay, I'll put you through to one of our psychiatrists now. Hold on, please.
CUT to AMY MADISON. She sits at her desk in her office, writing on a notepad. Her phone begins to ring, and she picks it up with one hand while continuing to write with the other.
AMY
Hello, Dr. Madison speaking.
SALLY
Hello, Ms. Madison. As I just told your receptionist, I'm calling about my daughter Suzy. Lately, she's been bringing home dead animals. As you might imagine, it's a bit disturbing.
Amy seems a bit surprised, but mostly composed. She stops writing and puts down her pen.
AMY
Yes, I can imagine. Did she bring anything home today?
SALLY
Yes, a dead squirrel.
AMY
What does it look like?
SALLY
Well, I haven't seen it yet. It's in Suzy's bookbag, or at least I'm pretty sure it still is.
AMY
Why's that?
SALLY
Suzy said that she didn't want to touch it, so I don't think she will. She seemed pretty disgusted.
AMY
That's understandable.
(beat)
Ms. Redding, could you please ask your daughter to hand her your bookbag?
Sally looks confused.
SALLY
All right. She's in her room right now. I'll go up there.
Sally--phone in hand--walks past the dining room and up the stairs, then walks down the hallway and pauses at the first door on the right. After emitting a nervous sigh, she knocks three times.
SALLY
Suzy, could you please open the door and hand me your bookbag?
SUZY (O.S.)
Why?
SALLY
I want to see the squirrel. It might be carrying some sort of disease.
SUZY
(grumpily)
Fine.
A few seconds pass, then the bedroom door opens. Suzy appears and hands her mom her bookbag, then shuts the door again. Sally rolls her eyes, but doesn't say anything. With the bookbag in her right hand, she puts the phone back to her ear, but not before gasping slightly and making a nauseous expression.
SALLY
Okay, I have the bookbag, and it smells terrible. Now what?
AMY (O.S)
Now I'll need you to look in the bag. You don't need to take out the squirrel, but I would like you to peek in and tell me what you see.
Sally places the bookbag on the hallway floor and places the phone right beside it. With one hand on one of the zippers, she pulls down the other zipper about a third of the way and peers in (but we don't see anything). Suddenly, she gasps and puts her hand to her mouth, then covers her nose as well. She gags a bit, both from the stench and from shock.
SALLY
(horrified)
Oh, god.
AMY (O.S.)
Ms. Redding, are you there?
Sally picks up the phone and places it to her ear, nervously combing her hair with her other hand as she does so.
SALLY
(shaken)
Yes, I'm still here.
AMY
You sound a bit upset. Would you mind telling me what just happened?
SALLY
I looked in the bookbag, just as you asked me to, and ... and the squirrel was ... skinned.
AMY
(shocked)
Skinned? Completely?
Sally wipes a hand across her face, then places it on her forehead.
SALLY
Yeah. (Chuckles nervously) And Suzy told me it was cute.
AMY
(stunned)
Was ... cute.
Suddenly, we see as split-second flashback of Willow Rosenberg skinning Warren in a dark forest.
AMY rapidly and violent shakes her head to clear that memory from her mind.
AMY
Sorry. Um, I'd like to schedule a one-on-one appointment with Suzy, as soon as possible. When's the earliest you could bring her in?
SALLY
Tomorrow afternoon, I suppose. I was planning on buying Suzy a new bookbag after she gets home from school, but her father and I can take her out later in the evening.
AMY
Okay, how does 5:30 sound?
SALLY
(nervously)
That sounds fine. We'll be there.
AMY
Thank you, Ms. Redding. Oh, and this might sound strange, but could you please also bring in the squirrel? I'd like to see it for myself.
SALLY
(confused)
Okay.
AMY
I'll see you tomorrow, then. Goodbye.
SALLY
Bye.
Sally hangs up her phone.
Amy hangs up her phone and places it back on the hook, then places her arms on her desk and worriedly looks down at it.
AMY
(Sighs) Damn it.
INT. DR ROSS'S OFFICE--WAITING ROOM--DAY
CLOSE-UP of a young girl's feet and legs as they swing back and forth underneath a chair. We slowly pan up and see that they belong to Suzy, who has her arms crossed and is grimacing impatiently.
CUT to a full shot of Suzy and her parents. They are sitting in the lobby of Dr. Ross's office. JOHN REDDING is reading a magazine, and Sally is checking her watch. Suzy's bookbag lies near Sally's feet.
SUZY
(grumpily)
I don't see why you've taken me to a doctor. There's nothing wrong with me.
Sally sharply turns her head to look at Suzy.
SALLY
Dr. Madison isn't that kind of doctor, honey. She's not going to examine you. She just wants to talk with you.
SUZY
She better not touch me.
SALLY
She's not going to touch you, I promise. (Sighs) Tell you what, if you're a good girl in there, we can have pizza for dinner. Sound good?
Suzy glares up at her mother in response.
Sally frowns and shakes her head.
Amy's office door opens, and she walks out. Mr. and Mrs. Redding rise, but Suzy--still grumpy--remains seated.
A smiling Amy extends her hand as she approaches Suzy's parents. She begins speaking as she shakes Sally's hand.
AMY
Mrs. Redding, nice to see you.
AMY turns to John and shakes his hand.
JOHN
Hi, I'm John, Suzy's father.
AMY
Nice to meet you, John.
Amy lets go of John's hand and looks between Sally and John.
CUT to a mildly grumpy Suzy.
CUT back to a smiling Amy.
AMY
And that must be Suzy.
John rolls his eyes.
JOHN
Yes, our little angel.
SALLY
I'm sorry, she's been like this ever since I told her that her father and I were going to take her to see you.
AMY gently sighs.
AMY
I don't blame her. (to Suzy) I'll let you know when I'm ready for you okay?
Suzy nods once, her eyes looking intently at Amy. Her face is expressionless.
AMY
Sally, could you please hand me Amy's bookbag?
SALLY
Yes, of course.
Sally walks over to the bookbag, picks it up, and hands it to Amy.
AMY
I'll just be a minute.
SALLY
All right.
Amy walks down a hallway and opens a door, then steps inside a small break room. She places the bookbag in the center of a dining table, unzips it and slowly shakes out the contents--three textbooks, two notebooks and the squirrel, which comes out first and rolls briefly before coming to a stop. Amy grimaces and puts a hand over her nose and mouth. After a couple of seconds, she releases her hand, takes a quick breath in and out, and places both her hands several inches above the skinned squirrel, which is barely in view. Suddenly, a fairly bright, glowing, swirling mist surrounds Amy's hands.
CUT to a medium close-up of Amy's head and torso. The mist eminates at the bottom of the frame. Amy's eyes are closed, and her lips are pursed in concentration. A few seconds pass, and the glow disappates, then disappears. Amy slowly opens her eyes. Her face takes on a rueful expression, and she releases a heavy sigh.
CUT to a full shot of Amy walking back into the waiting room. She is carrying Suzy's bookbag in her right hand.
AMY
(gesturing to Suzy, then to her office door)
Suzy, could you please step into my office? I'm ready to see you now.
Suzy hops down from her chair and walks into the office.
Amy hands Sally the bookbag.
AMY
Thanks again for this. I learned a lot.
Sally takes the bag.
SALLY
What did you learn?
AMY
I'll tell you later, I promise. First, I need to talk to Suzy.
SALLY
OK.
AMY walks to her office door, but suddenly stops and looks at the reception desk. We PAN over and see Jodie at the far left of the frame.
AMY
Jodie, please hold all my calls.
JODIE
All right.
AMY walks into her office and starts to close the door behind her.
CONTINUOUS CUT of Amy as she enters her office and closes the door, then sits down in a chair in front of her desk that is facing toward the left wall (from the desk). Suzy is already sitting on a leather couch that is flush against the wall, and is nervously looking down at her feet.
AMY
So, I hear you really like animals! Could you tell me a little more about that?
SUZY
(looking up with her head down)
Why did you want to see my squirrel?
Amy immediately looks embarrassed as she looks up and away from Suzy.
AMY
(Chuckles nervously) Well, I just wanted to make sure it didn't have any diseases. After all, it had been skinless for ... who knows how long.
Amy grimaces and flashes Suzy a "You believe me and think I'm right, right?" face.
SUZY
I don't believe you.
Amy sighs and tilts her head back to look at the ceiling, then folds her arms across her chest in an exasperated manner. It's clear that she doesn't want to be talking to Suzy. She brings her head back down, then looks Suzy directly in her eyes.
AMY
Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I performed a spell on the squirrel in order to find out whether or not a magic user had skinned it. I discovered a magical signature, and that signature belongs to you.
Suzy tenses up and pushes herself back into the couch.
SUZY
(frightened and angry)
How do you know it was me?
Amy brings up both hands and clasps her fingers around an invisible ball.
AMY
(Sighs) Reveal.
The invisible ball becomes one of orange, swirling energy. Suzy begins to glow a bright blue. She notices this and emits a sharp yelp, then starts shuddering.
AMY
I'm sorry, but it was the only way.
SUZY
(trembling)
Okay, fine, I did it. But I only wanted to see what the squirrel looked like inside. I didn't want to kill it.
AMY
(pleading)
But you did kill it. And that was wrong.
SUZY
(calmly)
Why?
AMY
Because you shouldn't open up living things, unless there's something wrong with them. And if that's the case you need to do it properly, and be trained and qualified to do so. Unfortunately, since you're neither, you couldn't have known that the squirrel was sick. And since the squirrel couldn't tell you whether or not it was sick, you couldn't tell you whether or not it wanted you to open it. That's why you shouldn't have done it.
Suzy has relaxed now, and she is sitting up straight and hanging on Amy's every word.
SUZY
So, if it was dead, I could have looked inside it?
AMY
Yes, but only when you're older. You're too young to do that now.
Suzy grimaces and shrugs uncomfortably.
SUZY
Then how do I find out what the inside of a squirrel looks like?
AMY
(smiling)
There are books that can show you that. I can recommend some to you if you want.
SUZY
(blithely)
That's okay. I don't need them now.
AMY
(flustered)
All right. Just please promise me that you won't hurt any more animals. Or people.
Suzy looks a bit disappointed as she looks down at her feet, but she nods.
AMY
Okay. Now let's go see your Mom and Dad.
Suzy hops off the couch as Amy rises from her chair. Amy opens her office door, and they both walk out, Amy leading.
CONTINUOUS CUT to both of them walking out of the door, then Suzy rushes over to Sally and hugs her.
SALLY
There, there. Are you okay?
SUZY
(meekly)
I guess.
SALLY
And Dr. Madison didn't hurt you, right?
Suzy looks back at Amy. Amy looks pleadingly at Suzy, silently and subtly begging her not to say yes.
SUZY
No, she didn't hurt me.
SALLY
(warmly)
Just like I promised.
(beat)
Suzy, could you please go with your dad back to the car? I'd like to talk to Dr. Madison alone for a moment.
Suzy lets go of Sally and walks to John, who opens the office door and takes his daughter's hand as they walk out. Sally watches them leave, then turns to Amy and looks at her intently.
SALLY
So, what did Suzy tell you?
AMY
(sighs)
I probably shouldn't betray our doctor-patient confidentiality but ... she admitted to using magic to skin the squirrel. (reacting to Sally's shocked expression) She didn't mean to kill it, she just wanted to look inside it. Unfortunately, since she's young and untrained in surgery, she couldn't do that without killing it.
SALLY
(worried)
And what did you tell her?
AMY
(flushed and nervous)
I told her that she was too young to look into the insides of animals, or people, whether they're dead or alive. And that it was wrong, unless she had permission, was well-trained, and--if alivee--the animal or person was sick. I know this must sound crazy, but --
SALLY
(interrupting)
No, it doesn't. My mom used to tell me that her mom was a witch, but I thought she was speaking figuratively. Now I'm beginning to wonder.
(beat)
Thank you, Dr. Madison. You said the right thing.
AMY
(relieved)
You're welcome. And thank you, too. That means a lot.
SALLY
(stepping backward)
Well, I better get going. They're waiting.
AMY
Yes, of course. And thanks again for bringing Suzy to me. If you ever need to speak with me again, about anything, please call me.
SALLY
I hope I don't need to, but I will.
Sally and Amy shake hands, then Sally turns and leaves.
Amy folds her arms under her chest and sighs.
JODI (O.S.)
Do you think they'll be all right?
Startled, Amy turns around.
CUT to a worried Jodi, then back to Amy, who is flustered, then smiles.
AMY
(slightly worried)
I hope so.
INT. BILLY'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Billy and Suzy are on the rug atop the bare wood floor of the living room; Billy is pushing around a fire truck as Suzy watches him, and he is making fire-truck sounds as he does so (sirens, engine, etc.). Billy's mom walks into the room from the adjacent hallway, wearing a floral-print house dress.
BILLY'S MOM
Would either of you two like some Kool-Aid?
BILLY
(looking up)
Sure, Mom.
SUZY
Yes, please.
BILLY'S MOM
Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes.
Billy's mom walks away, and Billy continues to play with his fire truck. Suzy watches him for a while, but then lets out a huff of boredom.
SUZY
Can we play a new game now?
Billy continues to push around his truck.
BILLY
Like what?
SUZY
How about "Doctor"?
BILLY
(making a disgusted face)
Uhhh ...
SUZY
(rolling her eyes)
Not like that. First, I'll need you to take off your shirt and lie down.
Billy stops playing with his truck.
BILLY
Just my shirt?
SUZY
(authoratively)
Yes.
Billy removes his shirt so that he's bare-chested, and lies down on the rug. Suzy moves over to him and places her ear on his chest. We cut to a CLOSE-UP.
SUZY
(whispering)
Now, I'll need you to be quiet and stay still while I listen to your heartbeat.
Billy looks nervously left and right.
Suzy furrows her brow and frowns.
SUZY
Hmmm ... that doesn't sound too good. I'm afraid I'll have to operate.
BILLY
Huh?
Suzy removes her ear from Billy's chest and sits up. CUT back to a medium shot.
SUZY
Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. You'll be fine. And after all, it's just pretend.
BILLY
OK.
Suzy places her finger at the top of Billy's chest and begins to trace a line downward.
BILLY
(giggles)
That tickles.
SUZY
Shh. I need to concentrate.
SUZY continues to trace a line down Billy's chest.
CUT to a medium close-up of Suzy, with the hallway in the background. Suddenly, Billy's mom walks down the hallway with a pitcher of lemonade in her right hand; we hear her footsteps as she walks toward the living room.
BILLY'S MOM
(while walking)
OK, guys, I'm back. I hope ...
She trails off as she sees Suzy, and stops dead in her tracks, a look of shock on her face. CUT to a POV shot of Suzy and Billy from over the mom's shoulder, as Suzy looks up in surprise and her eyes briefly flash a bright white. A split-second later, a large (but not deep) vertical gash appears on Billy's chest, and it begins bleeding. CUT to a full-shot of Billy's horrified mom; Suzy is in the foreground and Billy is barely visible in the frame, but we hear him cry out in pain. As he does so, Billy's mom drops the pitcher of lemonade and it shatters on the wood floor. We TRACK Billy's mom as she dashes over to Billy, grabs his shirt off the floor and presses it tightly to his chest.
BILLY
(concurrently to tracking shot)
Someone help me, I'm bleeding! It hurts!
BILLY'S MOM
(panicked)
Calm down, baby. Mommy's here. It'll be all right. Just stay still and don't say anything okay? Just try to relax, just try.
CUT to a POV shot over Suzy's shoulder as Billy's mom looks up at Suzy; the mom has tears in her eyes as she angrily glares at Suzy.
BILLY'S MOM
(furiously)
Call 9-1-1.
CUT to a POV from the floor, looking up at Suzy, who is frozen with fear and wears a terrified expression on her face. CUT back to Billy's mom.
BILLY'S MOM
Now!
CUT to a full shot of Suzy as she runs across the living room floor, and track her as she dodges the broken glass and runs into the KITCHEN. She must not have dodged the glass completely, because she hops on her right foot as she reaches the phone. Suzy picks up the phone and dials as we move in on her and hold. She is crying as she waits for the operator to pick up.
FEMALE OPERATOR
(Click) 9-1-1. What's your emergency?
SUZY (crying hard)
I-it's Billy. He's on the floor and he's bleeding. Hurry!
FEMALE OPERATOR (with calm urgency)
OK, please calm down. Now tell me, why is he bleeding?
SUZY
(trembling)
I-I cut him on the chest. I didn't mean to, I swear. We were just playing, and (gasps) then his mom walked in and I--
Suzy cuts herself off as she starts bawling.
FEMALE OPERATOR
OK, calm down, I've sent an ambulance and it's on its way. Is the boy's mother there?
SUZY
Y-yes ...
FEMALE OPERATOR: May I speak with her, please?
SUZY
(sadly)
Okay.
Suzy walks back into the living room and presents the phone to Billy's mom.
SUZY
The lady on the phone wants to talk to you.
Billy's mom snatches the phone from Suzy's hand and puts in to her ear while tightly pressing the bloody shirt to Billy's chest.
CUT to Suzy, who slowly backs away from Billy and his mom.
BILLY'S MOM (O.S.)
Hello? Yes? OK.
(to Suzy) Get me a warm, wet washcloth. Hurry!
Suzy takes one more step back, then turns around and dashes down the hallway.
CUT to an ambulance speeding down a traffic-filled street, sirens flashing and blaring loudly. CUT again to the ambulance pulling up the the curb of a HOSPITAL. The ambulance stops, and two men rush out and run to the back of the vehicle. They open the back doors and pull out a stretcher, upon which lies Billy.
CUT to a close-up of a barely-conscious Billy as two EMT's wheel him down the hospital's hallway.
CUT to a waiting area just outside the emergency room. Suzy and her parents sit in chairs and watch as the EMTs wheel the stretcher through the room's doors. John is on the left, then Sally, then Suzy. Slowly ZOOM IN as everyone starts speaking.
EMT 1
(shouting)
Let's go! We don't have much time!
EMT 2
(urgently)
Hang in there, kid. They're almost ready for you.
SUZY
(afraid)
What's going to happen to him?
SALLY
(somberly)
I don't know sweetheart, he's lost a lot of blood.
SUZY
But he's going to be okay, right?
SALLY
I don't know.
Suzy bows her head and looks down at her feet.
JOHN (quietly to Sally)
What did you say she cut him with again?
SALLY
(shaking her head)
She didn't say. All she told me was that they were just playing and he started bleeding.
JOHN (to Suzy)
Honey, you know you shouldn't play with knives--
SUZY
(angrily)
It wasn't a knife! You wouldn't understand!
As she says this, Sally sits bolt upright and her eyes widen in shock and recognition.
JOHN
Then what--?
Still looking straight ahead, Sally puts a palm up to him to stop him from saying anything further.
SALLY
Not now. She feels bad enough right now as it is. I'll explain later.
John glares at Suzy, but also grimaces in resignation to his wife's request.
Just then, a doctor walks into the waiting room.
DOCTOR
You're friends of Billy's family?
SALLY
(looking at the doctor)
Yes.
DOCTOR
Well, then, I can tell you that he'll live, but he's in pretty bad shape. We'll have to keep him overnight, and probably longer. Worst case scenario, he might need a blood transfusion.
SALLY
Oh my god, that's awful. May we see him?
DOCTOR
(shaking his head)
I'm afraid not. He's unconscious right now, and I can't allow anyone into the operating room, not even his mother.
SALLY
(nods)
Yes, of course.
SUZY
But I want to SEE him!
SALLY
We can't right now, honey. Maybe next week. C'mon, let's go.
John rises and starts to walk out of the room as Sally lifts Suzy out of her chair. Sally tries to drag Suzy behind her as she starts to walk away, but Suzy gently starts to pull away and looks anxiously back at the operating room.
SUZY
(gently pleading)
Nooo-o ...
Sally tugs her daughter with more force and Suzy reflexively trots to keep up with her mother as the young girl looks backwards.
CUT to Sally talking on the phone in her house.
SALLY
Mrs. Mason is thinking of pressing charges, even though I told her that this wouldn't happen again. But of course I don't have complete control over that, since I can't keep an eye on her 24 hours a day. So, Dr. Madison, I thought you'd be able to help.
CUT to Amy sitting at her office desk, looking harried.
AMY
I'm sorry, Mrs. Redding, but you know I can't babysit your daughter. I have too many other clients.
SALLY (O.S.)
I know that, doctor, which is why I want you to treat her ... "problem".
CUT to Sally listening with her eyes closed and a pallid look on her face.
AMY (O.S.)
I can't --
(beat)
Wait. You don't mean ...
SALLY
I'm afraid I do. And I don't think that Suzy will argue very much, because this accident has shaken her very badly. I can tell that she hates herself for what she's done, and I wouldn't be surprised if she hates her powers now.
CUT to Amy.
AMY
Have you spoken to her since you got back from the emergency room?
CUT to Sally.
SALLY
No. I've tried, but she always looks down, furious. I think she wants me to think she's mad at me, but I can just ... tell, you know? I guess it's mother's intuition.
CUT to Amy.
AMY
Yeah, you're probably right. (Chuckles) It sure would be nice not to have to use magic to try to read people. I almost envy you ... (trails off)
SALLY (O.S.)
(laughing nervously)
Trust me, it's nothing to envy.
Amy shakes her head, as if to clear it.
AMY
If you say so. Anyway, if you're sure about this, please bring her to my house on Saturday night at eight.
CUT to Sally.
AMY (O.S.)
(cont'd)
I need room for the procedure and my friends, and my office is too small. Is that fine with you, Mrs. Redding?
Sally nods.
SALLY
Yes, that will be fine.
AMY (O.S.)
Okay, then I'll see you then.
SALLY
You will. Have a good night.
AMY (O.S.)
You, too. Bye.
SALLY
Bye.
Sally hangs up the phone.
CUT to Amy, who hangs up her phone, then pauses, contemplating her next move. With a sigh, she picks the phone back up and pushes a button. The other line rings a couple of times, then there is a click.
JODIE (O.S.)
Hello, Dr. Ross's office.
CUT to Jodie, who looks surprised by Amy's tone of voice, then intent to hang onto her every word.
AMY (O.S.)
Jodie, please call Patty right away. Suzy's used magic again, and it looks like we'll have to take drastic measures.
JODIE
Will do. But if I may ask, how drastic?
CUT to a CLOSE-UP of Amy, who looks strained.
AMY
We'll need to perform ... a TOTAL cleansing.
INT. AMY MADISON'S HOUSE--LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
FADE in on Patricia Jennings, who sits with her eyes closed and a calm, stoic expression on her face.
AMY (O.S.)
Patty, are you ready?
PATTY
Yes.
CUT to Jodie, who sits in the same manner as Patty, and also has her eyes closed, but her face looks a bit more tense.
AMY (O.S.)
And you, Jodie?
JODIE
Y-yes.
AMY (O.S.)
Are you sure?
JODIE
Yes.
CUT to Suzie, who lies rigid and still on the living room floor, her eyes closed and her face tranquil.
AMY (O.S)
Suzie?
SUZIE
I'm ready.
CUT to Amy, who looks simultaneously determined and concerned.
AMY
Okay. Before we put you to sleep, I want to remind you that we're doing this because you want us to remove your magical abilities. Your parents brought you here because they feel that you will be happier and safer after we perform this ceremony, now and for the rest of your life. But only you can tell us to extinguish the magic within your body. May we begin?
SUZIE
Yes.
(beat)
I want to be a doctor someday. I don't want to be a witch. I want to heal people, and I don't want to accidentally hurt them like I did to Billy. I want to be normal again.
AMY smiles and looks down at Suzie, proud of the young girl's composure.
AMY
Then, as I put my hand on your shoulder, please count backward from ten to one until you fall asleep.
AMY slowly reaches down and places a hand on Suzy's left shoulder as the girl begins to count.
SUZY
(quietly)
Ten ... nine ... eight ... seven ... six ... five ...
(beat)
four ... three ...
Suzy finally falls asleep, silent and shallowly breathing.
AMY directs a steely and determined gaze to her right.
AMY (to Patty)
Now.
CUT to an overhead shot of Patty, Amy, Jodie and Suzy. Patty is on Suzy's right, and she places her hand on the girl's bare right arm. Amy sits next to the top of Suzy's head, and her hand remains on the girl's left shoulder. Jodie is on Suzy's left, and she places her hand on Suzy's bare left arm. The three women remain still for a few seconds.
CUT to Amy, who begins chanting as a pale blue glow eminates from below her. Her eyes are closed and her face is calm.
AMY
Oh, magic, that coarses through this young girl's veins ...
CUT to Patty, who chants the next line of the incantation. The same blue glow eminates from below her.
PATTY
I command you to extinguish, cell by cell ...
CUT to Jodie, who chants the third line as the blue glow eminates from below her as well.
JODIE
... never to return.
For the next several minutes, CUT between the women's faces and the blood cells--red and white--within Suzy's bloodstream. Each cell briefly glows a pale green as it floats in plasma, but suddenly blinks out and returns to its normal color.
CUT back to the overhead shot with Patty, Amy, Jodie and Suzy in their same positions, only now we see Suzy's glowing green cells rapidly blinking out as Suzy herself glows a pale blue.
CUT between the close-ups and the overhead shot until all of the cells have blinked out. Hold on the overhead shot as Suzy's body glows blue for a few seconds, then the light slowly fades away.
CUT to Amy, who slowly opens her eyes and lets out a shallow sigh, then looks to her right.
AMY
It's over.
EXT. PARK--DAY--TWO WEEKS LATER
DISSOLVE into a busy day at the park. Several people walk along a walking/bike path--a couple with their children, a younger couple, two thirtysomething female joggers. On a green patch to the right of the path, a man plays frisbee with his dog.
CUT to a full shot of Amy and Patty sitting on a bench. Amy begins speaking as two men walk past them.
AMY
So, I talked to Suzy yesterday afternoon at my office. She seems happy. Didn't even bring up magic once.
CUT to a close-up of Patty as she looks warmly and knowingly upon Amy.
PATTY
And that's an improvement, correct?
CUT to Amy, who is smiling but whose eyes register sadness.
AMY
(softly)
Yes, thank God.
(beat)
I mean ... I don't know. I still feel terrible about stripping her magic away, even though I know it's what she wanted. On the other hand, I feel glad that I was able to prevent that dangerous energy from hurting more people.
PATTY
So what's troubling you?
AMY
The hunch that there are thousands more little girls out there, and I can't help them all. I can't play God, even when people expect me to.
PATTY
(with pained reassurance)
I don't expect that of you. One person can only do so much at once, and I don't want you to stretch your limits. You shouldn't hurt yourself to heal others ... unless perhaps the fate of the universe is at stake.
CUT to Amy, who looks sadly at Patty.
PATTY
(cont'd)
But of course you shouldn't think about that right now. That's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
AMY
Thanks. But I've been thinking about something else. About my mother.
Patty sighs and shakes her head, then looks imploringly at Amy.
PATTY
How many times to I have to remind you? You're not your mother, not any more. You've given yourself a purpose in life, and you've found friends. As long as you hold onto that, you'll never again delve into that dark place where she resided. I have faith in you.
AMY
(tearfully)
I know, but I can still feel her magic inside me. I've felt it ever since she left my body thirteen years ago. It courses through my veins. Like an virus. And just like Suzy, I didn't ask for it. I didn't have a choice. She gave it to me, and now I have to live with it. As best as I can. And I do, but sometimes I wish I could ... get ... rid--
AMY breaks off and starts sobbing, then forcefully throws her arms around Patty, who gently embraces her.
PATTY
(whispers)
No. You don't.
CUT to a closeup of Amy's face over Patty's shoulder. She is extremely anguished.
AMY
(sobbing)
Why ... me?
CUT to Credits.
THE END
