The Rose King: A Haunting Tale of Love Everlasting Starring Deborah Rombaut, Jocelyn Wright, Jonathan Le Billon, Hugo Martin, and Michael Datz

Interactive Transcript

spk_0 A late summer Sunday on a tree lined avenue in a small town.

spk_0 Well kept houses with wide front yard sit back from the street like old folks at a 4th

spk_0 of July picnic.

spk_0 Cars roll by and people call out.

spk_0 Two kids race down the sidewalk on well used bikes.

spk_0 Boy in front almost 9.

spk_0 A girl trailing all of 7.

spk_0 The boy rides with easy grace, avoiding uneven pavement and overgrown bushes with

spk_0 no effort at all.

spk_0 The girl flushed, panting, hits every crack and branch but struggles on.

spk_0 The boy looks back, smiles.

spk_0 A truck engine starts and the boy looks ahead to find a delivery truck pulling out of

spk_0 a driveway.

spk_0 He smoothly curves down into the street to avoid a collision and the girl skids to a stop.

spk_0 CHAPTER 2

spk_0 Jesse, 18, all long blonde hair and long brown limbs, sleeps in a tank top and underwear

spk_0 because it's the end of summer and the heat's been baking people night and day.

spk_0 Her window is wide open and a slow breeze from outside brings in the sound of kids playing.

spk_0 A dilapidated ceiling fan directly over the bed spins unevenly as it attempts to keep

spk_0 her cool.

spk_0 Jesse dreams.

spk_0 In a short white dress with a plunging neckline she works her way through a packed club.

spk_0 The patrons, all in black, all drinking, look at her as she squeezes past.

spk_0 The rise, all pupil and no iris, start at unsteady white pumps.

spk_0 Climb up long legs to linger where dress ends, bump up to her breasts then a light on her

spk_0 face for a fraction of a second before they lose interest.

spk_0 Jesse passes a stage where a sexy half naked lead guitarist rips through a song.

spk_0 Three half naked long hairs with wolf skins thrown over their bare shoulders back him up

spk_0 on a second guitar, bass and drum set.

spk_0 Blue lights pulse, shadows spin, people dance in spasm.

spk_0 Jesse overwhelm moves away.

spk_0 At the bar, a blonde bar man with clear bright blue eyes places a drink before her as if

spk_0 she ordered it.

spk_0 It's a crystal rose, real enough to have sharp thorns on the stem.

spk_0 The red wine inside it looks like blood.

spk_0 Fascinated, Jesse picks the glass up.

spk_0 Jesse?

spk_0 Are you ready?

spk_0 Jesse turns to find the lead singer of the band towering over her.

spk_0 It's time to go.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 The man leans forward to whisper in her ear.

spk_0 You don't want to be late.

spk_0 Jesse gasps.

spk_0 She looks down and the man is buried his hand in a wound in her chest.

spk_0 She pulls back, twists to and fro, but his hand remains deep inside.

spk_0 Thick red blood pours down her bright white dress.

spk_0 It's time to wake up, baby.

spk_0 Jesse's eyes fly open.

spk_0 She sits up her hand comes to the center of her chest.

spk_0 She can't breathe.

spk_0 Honey, are you ready?

spk_0 Thomas, Jesse's attractive 50-something father opens the door.

spk_0 Baby?

spk_0 Jesse holds up her hand to stop his approach.

spk_0 Gasps.

spk_0 Gasps again.

spk_0 At last you can speak.

spk_0 I had a nightmare.

spk_0 Thomas stares at his daughter with baffled concern.

spk_0 Are you OK?

spk_0 Jesse's panting is if she's just run a race.

spk_0 You had a nightmare?

spk_0 What a rotten dream.

spk_0 You need some water?

spk_0 Jesse shakes her head and puts her hand up to her head as if she's already had an exhausting day.

spk_0 Then she catches sight of the clock.

spk_0 9.30?

spk_0 They'll be here any second.

spk_0 They are here, baby.

spk_0 They're downstairs.

spk_0 Oh, God, I can't be late.

spk_0 I'll get the upper bunk for sure.

spk_0 Jesse dives out of bed, starts pulling on socks, shoes, jeans.

spk_0 Do they even have bunks?

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 Thomas looks around her room a little wistfully, then back at her.

spk_0 Don't you have an alarm clock?

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Well, I do have one on my phone, but I forgot to set it.

spk_0 Well, I do without you, dad.

spk_0 Can you just call me every morning and make sure I get to class on time?

spk_0 I doubt your roommate would enjoy that.

spk_0 Who cares?

spk_0 I don't know them.

spk_0 Jesse's all dressed now and she looks at her dad.

spk_0 I'll come home every weekend.

spk_0 No, you won't.

spk_0 But there's always email on the phone.

spk_0 That's what little girls do, Jesse.

spk_0 They grow up.

spk_0 Y'all be OK.

spk_0 Jesse grabs her purse.

spk_0 All your stuff's already in the car.

spk_0 You tell those girls not to drive too fast.

spk_0 I love you, dad.

spk_0 And then Jesse's gone, sliding out the door, running down the stairs,

spk_0 on her way to university.

spk_0 Thomas looks after her, then back into her room.

spk_0 I love you, too, kid.

spk_0 Jesse, Amanda and Barbara are rolling down the road to the state school

spk_0 in a big red Volkswagen convertible with white leather seats.

spk_0 Jesse's in the front passenger seat,

spk_0 rise narrowed against the wind, one hand holding her hair down.

spk_0 She pulls down her shirt little to show

spk_0 a bruise flowering over her heart.

spk_0 Barbs driving.

spk_0 She's the sexy one, platinum blonde, big bust,

spk_0 too much lipstick and bright red fingernails.

spk_0 She's wearing the kind of short skirted Catholic schoolgirl

spk_0 uniform that makes the boys squirm.

spk_0 You have a bruise from a bar you went to in a dream.

spk_0 Wow.

spk_0 That's a stigmata, right?

spk_0 Like nuns get.

spk_0 Nunds?

spk_0 Amanda's the smart one.

spk_0 She's in the backseat, reclining and reading a textbook.

spk_0 Long dark hair, big glasses, a slender figure in shorts and a t-shirt.

spk_0 Amanda has her long legs crossed at the ankles and propped in the window.

spk_0 If a truck goes by, she'll cause an accident.

spk_0 Amanda sits up and leans over the seat to have a look.

spk_0 She's talking about the wounds, saints get on their hands and feet.

spk_0 She saw movie ones with a nun in it.

spk_0 However, what you've got right there is just a big fat unclean bruise,

spk_0 which I don't believe for one minute you've gotten a dream.

spk_0 I bet she's got a secret boyfriend who beats her.

spk_0 Amanda sits back in her seat.

spk_0 Way more likely than that dream thing.

spk_0 I must have bumped into something last night when I was packing.

spk_0 It wasn't there when I went to bed.

spk_0 I'd be afraid to sleep if I woke up with crap like that.

spk_0 And again, maybe your dream boy has other tricks.

spk_0 There are other parts he can pound.

spk_0 Now you're creeping me out.

spk_0 That makes us even.

spk_0 Get over it.

spk_0 Jesse bumped into something and forgot.

spk_0 It happens.

spk_0 What did the guy look like anyway?

spk_0 The guy who killed me?

spk_0 Cute.

spk_0 Really cute.

spk_0 Lots of cute boys in that dream.

spk_0 There was this blonde guy behind the bar.

spk_0 He gave me a glass rose.

spk_0 Now that seems more like it.

spk_0 What's a few bruises from some sexy friends?

spk_0 Amanda doesn't look up from her book.

spk_0 A beating?

spk_0 Jesse wrestles an exploded suitcase down the dorm hall.

spk_0 Close threatened to spill at every step.

spk_0 And she peers at each door trying to discern its number.

spk_0 The last she reaches her door.

spk_0 Fishes in her pocket for a key that inserts into the lock.

spk_0 They won't turn.

spk_0 She tries again and again.

spk_0 Need some help.

spk_0 Without waiting for reply, the tall, attractive blonde man takes her key and opens the door.

spk_0 He steps back to find Jesse staring at him.

spk_0 Don't worry.

spk_0 I'm not a stalker.

spk_0 Just your friendly neighborhood residential assistant.

spk_0 Jesse studies the man.

spk_0 He's wearing blue jeans, a button down shirt, a red sweater, leather loafers.

spk_0 She doesn't know him.

spk_0 But everything about him is familiar.

spk_0 She stares at his eyes.

spk_0 They are bright, clear, crystal blue.

spk_0 Have we met before?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 This is going to sound crazy.

spk_0 But I think I just had a dream about you.

spk_0 Have we met?

spk_0 The guy stares at her for a long moment.

spk_0 Whoa, little girl.

spk_0 This is the worst delivery of a pickup line I have ever heard.

spk_0 Pick up line.

spk_0 I'm a grad student, honey.

spk_0 And you are what?

spk_0 Six.

spk_0 Seventeen.

spk_0 Eighteen at the end of the month.

spk_0 Well, keep giving strange men lines like that and you won't make it to eighteen.

spk_0 You can't just pick up strangers here in the big city.

spk_0 I just asked if we'd met.

spk_0 No little girl we haven't.

spk_0 Nick walks down the hall and Jesse's eyes follow him.

spk_0 Red faced and irritated.

spk_0 She walks into her room and slams the door hard.

spk_0 Jesse and her roommate Kat are lying on side-by-side beds in the narrow dorm room.

spk_0 Kat, all black, spiky air, black clothes and silver chains, is flipping through a chemistry

spk_0 book.

spk_0 Jesse is sifting through photocopy orientation pages, tossing about half of them in the trash.

spk_0 Around them, on Kat's side of the room, are pentacles and pictures of a goddess.

spk_0 Tarot cards litter or bed.

spk_0 I'm so glad we're doing that unisex shower thing.

spk_0 That is so cool.

spk_0 Yeah, great.

spk_0 Dozens of men just a few feet away when I'm taking a shower?

spk_0 That's just what I need.

spk_0 You got something other girls' doubt?

spk_0 A fear of being naked in front of fifty guys?

spk_0 What if they steal my robe?

spk_0 Are we all sky-clad under our clothes?

spk_0 You wear a bikini at the beach.

spk_0 There isn't much difference between that and nothing at all.

spk_0 In any way, there's a hook on the inside of every shower door.

spk_0 I think I'll just use the girls' only bathroom in the west wing.

spk_0 Because the shared one right outside the door is way too close.

spk_0 And you'll show way, less skin, walking 200 yards in your bathrobe, each and every morning

spk_0 to wash your hair.

spk_0 Kat smiles.

spk_0 I bet that R.A. Nick or whatever will use the men only showers on that side.

spk_0 He has a corner room in the west wing that goes with a job.

spk_0 Maybe you and he will have that special chance to bond.

spk_0 Now that you mention it, I'll just shower across the hall.

spk_0 I'd rather strip for guys who don't already think I'm a slut.

spk_0 That's what you get for telling someone that you saw him in a dream.

spk_0 Ah, honesty is never the best policy.

spk_0 Didn't anyone ever tell you that?

spk_0 You know, people do have dreams that come true.

spk_0 I didn't invent it.

spk_0 Hey, as your friendly neighborhood witch, I'm pulling for you.

spk_0 Two guys in one sexy dream, one of them's real.

spk_0 Maybe the other guy is too.

spk_0 God, I hope not.

spk_0 I don't think it sounds too bad.

spk_0 Nick, the R.A. didn't give you blood and a rose.

spk_0 Maybe the other guy won't try to rip your heart out.

spk_0 And if you think those two are too much to handle, just give them to me.

spk_0 There's a knock at the door, and Kat rises to open it.

spk_0 There's a delivery guy standing there with a dozen mums.

spk_0 He holds out a tiny card.

spk_0 Kat takes the card and the flowers.

spk_0 The delivery guy walks away and Kat lets the door shut.

spk_0 She reads the card.

spk_0 There for you.

spk_0 Jesse rises, takes the flowers, and puts them on her desk,

spk_0 which makes it useless for anything else.

spk_0 Those are some big stinky flowers.

spk_0 Will they be living here long?

spk_0 Can they pay rent?

spk_0 They're from my dad.

spk_0 In a little while, I'll put them out in the lounge for everyone to enjoy.

spk_0 I've never seen that many.

spk_0 Well, what are those?

spk_0 Mums.

spk_0 They remind me of my mom.

spk_0 Jesse caresses the blossoms.

spk_0 Kat reaches over to turn on a fan that is bolted to the windows.

spk_0 It begins to spin lazily.

spk_0 Kat gets back onto her bed.

spk_0 You know what?

spk_0 We're going to get along OK you and me.

spk_0 You're kind of a freak.

spk_0 Chapter 3.

spk_0 It's midnight, and Jesse is alone in her dorm room.

spk_0 She's dreaming.

spk_0 Jesse sits on the edge of a table.

spk_0 A hundred feet below in the darkness.

spk_0 She sees a dilapidated pleasure pier that stretches out into a stormy sea.

spk_0 One corner of the pier has collapsed, and the ferris wheel has tumbled into the water.

spk_0 It lurches violently in tempo with a heavy swells.

spk_0 The roller coaster has crumbled, and the fun-houses become a pile of mirrored shards.

spk_0 A huge plaster clown, once mounted to the side of the pier, now dances like it's drowning

spk_0 under the waves.

spk_0 Jesse looks left and right.

spk_0 She appears to be in a school library.

spk_0 The table she sits on has three legs on the carpeted floor.

spk_0 The fourth hangs over the abyss.

spk_0 This is crazy.

spk_0 It's inevitable.

spk_0 Jesse turns to see the guy who murdered her in the bar holding the far end of the table

spk_0 down, so it doesn't tip.

spk_0 You found me again?

spk_0 You found me, but I wasn't missing.

spk_0 Jesse recoils as he approaches her, sliding his hand along the table to keep it steady.

spk_0 This is just a dream.

spk_0 He is close to her now.

spk_0 His free hand comes to her neck, and he pulls her into a long, slow, kiss.

spk_0 He pulls away, looks in her eyes, and lets the table drop.

spk_0 Jesse sits up in her dark dorm room and her hand flies to her neck.

spk_0 Once again, she can't breathe.

spk_0 Panic sits in.

spk_0 A rattle at the dorm room door brings her head up.

spk_0 Cat stumbles in, drunk, weaving.

spk_0 She turns the light on and sees Jesse gasping.

spk_0 Are you okay?

spk_0 Jesse finally gets a breath.

spk_0 A second, then a third.

spk_0 Jesus, do you want me to call an ambulance?

spk_0 Jesse shakes her head.

spk_0 Just a bad dream.

spk_0 Cat sits on her bed, watches.

spk_0 After a moment, she leans over to pull Jesse's hand away from her neck.

spk_0 Cat stands up to study what she sees.

spk_0 A long, wide, welt travels from Jesse's neck down to her chest.

spk_0 It is already turning purple.

spk_0 Cat steps back, shakes her head, and starts getting undressed.

spk_0 That's a real nightmare, all right.

spk_0 I'm not judging, but I don't want boys like that around our room.

spk_0 What do you hit you with?

spk_0 A belt?

spk_0 I don't know what you're talking about.

spk_0 Jesse climbs out of bed, opens the closet door, and looks into the mirror.

spk_0 Cat moves to look in the mirror with her.

spk_0 Seriously, Jesse, that is way too far.

spk_0 You really have to tell him no dice.

spk_0 Jesse spins around.

spk_0 I had a dream.

spk_0 Cat steps back and turns away.

spk_0 Yeah, while my bullshit detector just went off.

spk_0 No, really.

spk_0 Cat ignores her, struggles out of a clothes and into a night shirt.

spk_0 Turns off the light, and climbs into bed.

spk_0 Well, a girl doesn't have to be a psychic to know that whatever dream boy you're seeing

spk_0 is bad news.

spk_0 Jesse is left standing in darkness.

spk_0 Jesse walks into a campus eatery.

spk_0 She glances at a TV showing silent news coverage of a collapsed pleasure appear in Los Angeles.

spk_0 The head of a giant plaster clown is made to the beach.

spk_0 A broken ferris wheel juts out of the water.

spk_0 The scrolling text under the video says, three found dead in the surf near Darlic Pier.

spk_0 Jesse examines a bulletin board filled with tutor postings.

spk_0 There are only two math tutors.

spk_0 Nick, located in a detrick dorm, has a two-page flyer and guarantees results.

spk_0 The other guy has a handwritten page.

spk_0 She can't read.

spk_0 Jesse glances down at the math test in her hand.

spk_0 D plus.

spk_0 She shakes her head.

spk_0 What the hell?

spk_0 Cat sits behind Jesse on her bed.

spk_0 She has pulled Jesse's hair back, and she's examining a now fully developed bruise that

spk_0 flows down Jesse's neck to just over her heart.

spk_0 How'd you get this again?

spk_0 The answer isn't going to change no matter how often you ask me.

spk_0 There's a knock on the door and Jesse rises to open it.

spk_0 Barbara and Amanda enter.

spk_0 Ready?

spk_0 Let me get my sweater.

spk_0 What happened to your neck?

spk_0 I had another dream.

spk_0 Again?

spk_0 Look at that.

spk_0 You should go to a doctor, Jesse.

spk_0 This has happened before.

spk_0 She actually has dreams that do this.

spk_0 She should go to the doctor.

spk_0 For a moment, Cat, Barbara and Amanda all contemplate the idea that Jesse might be doing

spk_0 this to herself.

spk_0 Is there another rational explanation?

spk_0 I have an idea.

spk_0 Sit down.

spk_0 Without waiting for a sign they'll comply.

spk_0 Cat reaches up to pull a box off the top of her closet.

spk_0 In a second, she has a spirit board out and on her bed.

spk_0 She kneels on the floor and places a finger on the wooden pointer.

spk_0 Come on, each of you put a finger on.

spk_0 If it is some kind of creepy supernatural thing, this thing will tell us.

spk_0 Our movie is going to start.

spk_0 It's a horror movie.

spk_0 Come on, you got five minutes.

spk_0 Jesse, Amanda and Barbara reluctantly see themselves.

spk_0 Touch the disc, just one finger each.

spk_0 The girls comply.

spk_0 Okay, let's see.

spk_0 Spirit.

spk_0 Is Jesse lying?

spk_0 Is she doing this to herself?

spk_0 Nothing happens.

spk_0 Jesse takes her finger off and sits back.

spk_0 I'm not.

spk_0 It's moving.

spk_0 The pointer slides to no.

spk_0 Put your finger back on.

spk_0 Jesse complies.

spk_0 Barbara takes her hand away.

spk_0 You know, actually, I don't want to do this.

spk_0 Come on, come on, one more question.

spk_0 Barbara slowly moves her hand back to the disc.

spk_0 Dream lever.

spk_0 Who are you?

spk_0 The pointer does nothing.

spk_0 Jesse, take your hand off.

spk_0 Why?

spk_0 I think you're stopping it.

spk_0 Jesse moves her hand away.

spk_0 The pointer starts to move very quickly.

spk_0 R-O-S-E.

spk_0 Rose.

spk_0 K-I-N-G.

spk_0 Rose King.

spk_0 Amanda stands up.

spk_0 This is some kind of sick joke.

spk_0 She glairs at cat.

spk_0 I know how long he is coming up, but this is in really poor taste.

spk_0 I didn't do-

spk_0 I came for ice cream and a movie.

spk_0 Right, right.

spk_0 My God.

spk_0 There is no spirit world.

spk_0 That's all a bunch of junk.

spk_0 How about a collective unconscious professor?

spk_0 Sometimes the group mind knows something that the individual does not.

spk_0 Amanda walks to the door, opens it.

spk_0 Barbara follows her.

spk_0 Coming, Jess.

spk_0 Jess rises, grabs a hoodie, arranges the collar and thrown back to a diiter neck.

spk_0 See you, Cat.

spk_0 Thanks.

spk_0 Peter.

spk_0 Jesse Amanda and Barbara walk out the door.

spk_0 Cat stares at the spirit world.

spk_0 Screw you, Mr. Rose King.

spk_0 You're a badden.

spk_0 Chapter 3.

spk_0 Jesse sits to the right of Nick at one of the study tables in a dorm lounge.

spk_0 She's wearing her hoodie again.

spk_0 He's dressed in jeans, a shirt, a sweater and tie.

spk_0 His sculpted features.

spk_0 Bright blue eyes.

spk_0 And round framed eyeglasses make him look like everyone's idea of the sexy professor.

spk_0 Jesse's contemplating a page of math homework.

spk_0 A huge textbook open before her.

spk_0 I don't understand.

spk_0 I used to be good at this.

spk_0 Everyone here used to be good at math.

spk_0 Good just isn't good enough anymore.

spk_0 I guess not.

spk_0 As Jesse leans over to put her math book in her bag, her hoodie gaps and shows the side of her neck.

spk_0 Nick's expression is hardened by the time she sits up.

spk_0 He starts packing up as well.

spk_0 So how are you making up?

spk_0 Have any new friends?

spk_0 Um, my roommate, Cat.

spk_0 I guess I don't need to meet as many new folks as others.

spk_0 I have friends who graduated with me and who are going here as well.

spk_0 You probably met Amanda and Barbara when we were unpacking the car.

spk_0 Guys, taking any interest in you?

spk_0 Should they be?

spk_0 Why not?

spk_0 You're pretty enough.

spk_0 Jesse stares at Nick for a long moment.

spk_0 I'm not seeing anyone if that's what you're asking.

spk_0 Nick says nothing.

spk_0 Then reaches out to move her hoodie away from her neck.

spk_0 So how'd you get that?

spk_0 That?

spk_0 It's nothing.

spk_0 I was studying late.

spk_0 I put my head down.

spk_0 I guess my neck fell across the edge of a book.

spk_0 That is some bad book.

spk_0 I'd throw it away if I were you.

spk_0 Looks like that.

spk_0 Well, you know, you just never know how to land.

spk_0 Jesse stares at him.

spk_0 Nick stands up.

spk_0 Jesse rises more slowly.

spk_0 Take me to dinner.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Walk me down to the food court and get me some dinner.

spk_0 I haven't eaten since breakfast and I don't want to walk there and back all alone.

spk_0 You're my residential assistant, so do some assisting.

spk_0 You just want to eat, right?

spk_0 It's not a date.

spk_0 I don't date little girls.

spk_0 I'm 18.

spk_0 And I'm 26, babe.

spk_0 You are just a little girl.

spk_0 And you don't date those.

spk_0 Exactly.

spk_0 But dirty old men like you.

spk_0 You still eat, right?

spk_0 The dentures work?

spk_0 I mean, am I likely to meet that book who beats you up?

spk_0 Not that I'm mind.

spk_0 I'll be the shit out of them for you and call the police.

spk_0 But I need to know.

spk_0 Is that what we're doing?

spk_0 Jesse says nothing for a long moment.

spk_0 I just want food, Nick.

spk_0 Get me dinner.

spk_0 I'll tell you what really happened.

spk_0 Nick follows Jesse up steep stairs

spk_0 that pass through a densely planted hillside park.

spk_0 Detrick dorm towers above them.

spk_0 Jesse is a white face with anger.

spk_0 So some guy beat you up in a dream.

spk_0 Why am I not surprised?

spk_0 Why did you ask me to tell you the truth

spk_0 if you aren't prepared to believe me?

spk_0 Why did you offer to tell me the truth

spk_0 if you were just going to lie?

spk_0 They walk out of the bushes to emerge alongside the door and pool.

spk_0 Just dark, because it's almost midnight.

spk_0 Jesse slows down a bit and Nick gets closer.

spk_0 If you want to date Jerks.

spk_0 Jesse shoves Nick hard.

spk_0 He has just enough time to drop his book bag on the deck

spk_0 before he hits the water.

spk_0 Jesse walks to the edge of the pool.

spk_0 You've called me a liar, a slut, and a little girl.

spk_0 400 times tonight.

spk_0 I'm none of those things.

spk_0 You're just a jerk.

spk_0 I told you the truth and screw you if you don't believe me.

spk_0 I don't really care what you think.

spk_0 Nick bobs in the deep end.

spk_0 Wipes the water from his face.

spk_0 He looks first at his book bag and then at her.

spk_0 Now that is a $4,000 laptop in that bag.

spk_0 It's a good thing it didn't make it into the water, don't you think?

spk_0 And let's hope the fall didn't break it.

spk_0 You're lucky I don't kick it in.

spk_0 Jesse starts walking towards the open door to the dorm on the other side of the pool.

spk_0 Hey! Wait!

spk_0 Jesse stops, turns back and looks at him.

spk_0 He swam to the side of the pool.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Help me up.

spk_0 Run, I can't see the ladder.

spk_0 Jesse walks over, reaches down, grabs his shirt and pulls up.

spk_0 Nick grabs her hand and Jerks her in.

spk_0 Book bag and all.

spk_0 Jesse comes up sputtering.

spk_0 Nick is face to face with her.

spk_0 So, little girl.

spk_0 I am not a little girl.

spk_0 I'm 18.

spk_0 Of course you are.

spk_0 You're every minute of 18.

spk_0 Maybe even a few seconds older.

spk_0 Then he kisses her.

spk_0 Then she kisses him back.

spk_0 Jesse and Nick are in bed in his corner dorm room.

spk_0 It's small, but the 180 degree view can't be beat.

spk_0 The softly illuminated university and a city of lights are spread out below them.

spk_0 Jesse's head is on Nick's chest.

spk_0 Ries are closed.

spk_0 Nick stares at the ceiling.

spk_0 I wish you told me.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Nick looks at her.

spk_0 Jesse smiles.

spk_0 I'm a slut, remember?

spk_0 A slut with a bad book.

spk_0 You wouldn't have believed me.

spk_0 You wanted to think I'd slept around.

spk_0 Made things easier.

spk_0 Nick shakes his head.

spk_0 Stares at the ceiling again.

spk_0 It doesn't matter, you know.

spk_0 It's not important.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 Nick rolls over to look at her.

spk_0 This is college.

spk_0 University.

spk_0 We'll have sex here all the time.

spk_0 It doesn't matter.

spk_0 I mean it doesn't have to mean anything.

spk_0 Doesn't mean anything.

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 Does it?

spk_0 It means something.

spk_0 To me, at least.

spk_0 I don't want to buy rings.

spk_0 I call a caterer, but it's not entirely meaningless.

spk_0 Jesse closes her eyes.

spk_0 It's not entirely meaningless to me either.

spk_0 I just wish I'd known.

spk_0 I'd have gone a little slower.

spk_0 Jesse, eyes still closed.

spk_0 Smiles.

spk_0 Serves you right.

spk_0 Remember this moment.

spk_0 You don't know everything.

spk_0 Cat watches Jesse pull clothes from a door more drove and put them in a box.

spk_0 Cat stands, moves to pull a sweater off a chair, and walks it over to her.

spk_0 Are you sure you want to do this?

spk_0 You haven't known him for very long.

spk_0 The door opens.

spk_0 Amanda and I are going to take this step down.

spk_0 Barbara's waiting in the car.

spk_0 I'll bring the last box.

spk_0 The door closes.

spk_0 You only met this guy a few weeks ago.

spk_0 He could be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for all you know.

spk_0 What's the rush?

spk_0 We have to move.

spk_0 He's not allowed to have relationships with girls in the dorm.

spk_0 If we stay here, he'll get in trouble.

spk_0 Well, that's a sign that dating him is not a good idea, don't you think?

spk_0 I want to go with him.

spk_0 I don't want life to pass me by.

spk_0 Ah, you're 18.

spk_0 Slow down.

spk_0 I don't want to.

spk_0 Nick loves me.

spk_0 I love him.

spk_0 We're going to be together.

spk_0 That's the way it is.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 Jesse comes over to give Kat a hug.

spk_0 Then I guess that's the way it is.

spk_0 I love you, Kat.

spk_0 You've been a great roommate.

spk_0 I'm asleep with you.

spk_0 But we'll see one another on campus.

spk_0 We share well.

spk_0 See you around, little witch.

spk_0 Nick opens the door to the dark apartment.

spk_0 Then still in the hall, he turns to Jesse.

spk_0 You know, you were no help at all with unpacking.

spk_0 I had five boxes.

spk_0 You had 19.

spk_0 And I had class, and then we had to get dinner.

spk_0 While she speaks, Nick takes her hand.

spk_0 Leads her into the apartment, turns on the light.

spk_0 The room is filled with roses.

spk_0 Hundreds of them.

spk_0 Oh my God.

spk_0 Where have I seen so many roses?

spk_0 Did a truckful explode in here?

spk_0 Nick pulls Jesse into his arms, gives her a long, hard kiss.

spk_0 Say you love me.

spk_0 I do.

spk_0 I love you very much.

spk_0 Amanda and Barbara enter the room with fast food in hand.

spk_0 Stunned.

spk_0 They look around at all the flowers.

spk_0 Roses.

spk_0 They are lovely roses.

spk_0 Aren't they Amanda?

spk_0 Barbara shoots a look at Amanda, as if to emphasize just how wonderful these roses are.

spk_0 They are.

spk_0 Well, it's an impressive display.

spk_0 Nick's quite the romantic, isn't he?

spk_0 Oh yeah.

spk_0 Absolutely.

spk_0 But hey, let's eat so Barbara and I can get back to campus.

spk_0 I have an early class tomorrow.

spk_0 Amanda moves to the room to put the fast food on the table.

spk_0 Nick and Jesse are in bed.

spk_0 He spoons her in the darkness.

spk_0 Above them a ceiling van hangs motionless.

spk_0 Jesse studies a crystal glass that looks like a rose.

spk_0 The red wine, it looks like black ink.

spk_0 Jesse extends a finger to touch one of the sharp thorns that climbed the stem.

spk_0 Nick, eyes closed, speaks.

spk_0 Amanda's not a rose person, is she?

spk_0 I guess not.

spk_0 I'm glad you like them.

spk_0 They were my mother's favorite flower.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 She loved them.

spk_0 They were my me of home.

spk_0 That's why I bought you so many.

spk_0 I wanted to bring you home.

spk_0 Jesse stares at the glass.

spk_0 I love you Nick.

spk_0 I love you too, kid.

spk_0 Jesse dreams.

spk_0 She's on her side naked, body very white against black sheets.

spk_0 Around her neck there's a leather collar.

spk_0 On her wrists are iron manacles.

spk_0 She's lying on a man's arm.

spk_0 He's curled around her, kissing her shoulder.

spk_0 A shadow spins over the bed.

spk_0 Light.

spk_0 Dark.

spk_0 Light.

spk_0 Dark.

spk_0 You like roses?

spk_0 Jesse gasps.

spk_0 Ah shhh.

spk_0 Rose petals start falling, dropping like red tears under the bed.

spk_0 Please.

spk_0 I can't breathe.

spk_0 I know all about roses.

spk_0 His hand comes between her breasts.

spk_0 See?

spk_0 He reaches inside her.

spk_0 It takes hold of something, poles at it.

spk_0 Burds it through a bleeding rift in her chest.

spk_0 It is a rose.

spk_0 Medi pulsing.

spk_0 Still tied inside her by a network of veins and arteries that stretch until they give way.

spk_0 I am the rose king.

spk_0 Jesse sits up.

spk_0 The lights are on.

spk_0 Nick is half naked in pajama bottoms.

spk_0 Phone in hand.

spk_0 He is watching her.

spk_0 Frantic.

spk_0 Jesse's lips are blue.

spk_0 Her face is dead white and she can't draw a breath.

spk_0 She falls back again, writhing, struggling to breathe, trying to make her heartbeat.

spk_0 Someone bounds on the door.

spk_0 Jesse comes awake to hear people talking.

spk_0 Mr. Dawson, I can't say for sure there's been no sexual assault,

spk_0 but I see no signs at all that there was.

spk_0 I think your daughter had a panic attack.

spk_0 A panic attack?

spk_0 It would account for her shortness of breath, her rapid pulse.

spk_0 It's not uncommon at this age.

spk_0 You're just saying that? Did you want any tests?

spk_0 Blood ox, pulse, all normal.

spk_0 We can schedule an ECG, but I think it's just anxiety.

spk_0 New school, new boyfriend, new apartment.

spk_0 Nick standing by Jesse's bed brushes hair from her face when he sees her eyes open.

spk_0 Jesse, baby, are you okay?

spk_0 What happened?

spk_0 Why don't you let us talk to her first son?

spk_0 Nick looks at Thomas, then down at Jesse.

spk_0 It's clear that he's reluctant to leave her, but he stands up and steps out of the hospital room

spk_0 to give father, daughter, and doctor some privacy.

spk_0 Thomas and the doctor approach the bed.

spk_0 Thomas lays a soft hand on his daughter's head.

spk_0 You all right, honey?

spk_0 Jesse nods.

spk_0 Caustiously takes first one deep breath, and then another.

spk_0 You don't have to be afraid.

spk_0 Just tell me.

spk_0 Was Nick hurting you? Is that what happened?

spk_0 Jesse presses a hand to her heart, struggles to sit up.

spk_0 The doctor pushes a button to adjust the bed for her.

spk_0 I had a dream. There was a man.

spk_0 He hurt me.

spk_0 The doctor and Thomas look at one another.

spk_0 You can tell us the truth, Ms. Dawson.

spk_0 You're completely safe.

spk_0 There was a man. There were roses.

spk_0 Roses?

spk_0 Rose petals falling, and then I couldn't breathe.

spk_0 Is this the first time this has happened?

spk_0 No. No, I've had other dreams.

spk_0 In my dorm at home.

spk_0 Ms. Dawson?

spk_0 Jesse.

spk_0 Sometimes the stress of going away to school, meeting new people,

spk_0 well, it's harder than people think, isn't it?

spk_0 They get anxious, agitated.

spk_0 And sometimes they have bad dreams. It's very common.

spk_0 You're afraid?

spk_0 No, that's not it.

spk_0 It's this guy in my dreams.

spk_0 He's hurting me.

spk_0 Later, Nick sits on the edge of Jesse's hospital bed.

spk_0 They're alone, and the lights are low.

spk_0 He holds her hand and presses it as they speak.

spk_0 It's the only explanation, Jesse.

spk_0 The anxiety causes both the dreams and the panic attacks.

spk_0 Why don't you believe me?

spk_0 Why don't I believe there's some dream guy stalking you?

spk_0 He's hurting me. He's hurting me.

spk_0 Honey, what I do believe is that your dad is going to put me in jail

spk_0 if this happens again.

spk_0 He suspects I'm abusing you.

spk_0 So I think you have to do what they say, at least for a while.

spk_0 I don't want to see a psychiatrist. I'm not crazy.

spk_0 What can it hurt?

spk_0 You'll meet with someone to talk for a few hours.

spk_0 It won't help.

spk_0 We'll neither be moving home with your dad, and that's what he's talking about.

spk_0 Is that what you want?

spk_0 Have you and I gone too fast?

spk_0 Do you want to take a break?

spk_0 No!

spk_0 Well then you'll go see someone.

spk_0 It's the grown-up thing to do, right?

spk_0 After a moment, Jesse nods.

spk_0 Fine.

spk_0 I'll do what the doctors say.

spk_0 Nick finds Thomas sitting in an empty hospital waiting room.

spk_0 His head and his hands.

spk_0 She says she'll go.

spk_0 Thomas sits up straight and looks weirdly at Nick.

spk_0 I'm very glad to hear that.

spk_0 Mr. Dawson, I would never hurt her.

spk_0 I would never do that. She's a great kid.

spk_0 I'm...

spk_0 I'm inclined to think that you didn't, son.

spk_0 I think she'd tell me if you had.

spk_0 We're close.

spk_0 She wouldn't lie to me.

spk_0 Thomas looks at his hands again.

spk_0 After her mom died, when she was just seven,

spk_0 it was a very hard year for her.

spk_0 Her doctors in the school said she should have counseling,

spk_0 but I wanted to put it all behind us.

spk_0 I took her places, and we played games,

spk_0 and school started, and she made new friends.

spk_0 She seemed happy again.

spk_0 I thought, people go on.

spk_0 They're the most part.

spk_0 They do.

spk_0 Her mother was sick for so long, fading away.

spk_0 There was somebody doctors, and there was nothing they could do.

spk_0 It was a degenerative disease,

spk_0 a long slide into darkness,

spk_0 then an accident.

spk_0 She watched it all.

spk_0 My mom died when I was 19, Mr. Dawson.

spk_0 It was very hard.

spk_0 My dad and I and my brothers were not over it.

spk_0 For a little kid, it must have been much harder.

spk_0 Well, Jesse seemed to understand.

spk_0 People died.

spk_0 It happens.

spk_0 Sometimes you're young.

spk_0 Sometimes you're old.

spk_0 Sometimes it's too fast.

spk_0 Sometimes it's far too slow.

spk_0 People are here today, and gone tomorrow.

spk_0 She seemed to accept all that,

spk_0 and one day it hit me.

spk_0 I noticed she'd forgotten so much,

spk_0 and it seemed right to let it be forgotten.

spk_0 Maybe she's remembering now.

spk_0 Maybe I should just take her home.

spk_0 We can work through it together.

spk_0 We can talk.

spk_0 I can help her.

spk_0 If you think that's where she belongs, Mr. Dawson,

spk_0 maybe that's a good idea.

spk_0 But she doesn't seem to want to go.

spk_0 Nick chooses this next word carefully.

spk_0 I think she does love me.

spk_0 I know I love her.

spk_0 And I think here, maybe, she can get more help.

spk_0 The university, the medical school, I mean,

spk_0 has some of the best people in the state.

spk_0 It's up to her, isn't it?

spk_0 She's all grown up now,

spk_0 and maybe I didn't know what was best for her.

spk_0 Maybe I never did.

spk_0 Let's let her decide what to do.

spk_0 Thomas leans back, rubs his face, closes his eyes,

spk_0 then leans forward again.

spk_0 He might be praying.

spk_0 Chapter 4.

spk_0 Jesse is sitting in the car,

spk_0 staring out the window at a sign that says,

spk_0 Add a Lesson Psychiatric Care.

spk_0 She's worrying about an unersured.

spk_0 Under it, we can see a large black and blue bruise

spk_0 as flowered.

spk_0 I'm not an adolescent.

spk_0 From a brain standpoint, you are.

spk_0 Treatments for folks under 24 are different.

spk_0 Don't quote textbooks at me.

spk_0 This is the best place for you, Jess.

spk_0 Now, one believes me.

spk_0 Look at this thing.

spk_0 She tugs her shirt away from her chest.

spk_0 I've seen it.

spk_0 I told you it was from the CPR.

spk_0 Jesse shakes her head and stares at the sign again.

spk_0 Why would I lie?

spk_0 What incentive do I have to lie?

spk_0 Honey, I love you.

spk_0 I don't think you're lying.

spk_0 Just go to the doctor and talk.

spk_0 I'll pick you up in a couple of hours.

spk_0 Jesse nods, waits a moment,

spk_0 and climbs out of the car and closes the door.

spk_0 Resolute, she walks towards the psychiatric offices.

spk_0 Nick pulls away from the curb.

spk_0 The psychiatrist is a handsome 30-something.

spk_0 His office is dark green as furniture warm brown leather.

spk_0 There are wind shimes in the window

spk_0 and natural objects strategically placed around the room.

spk_0 Jesse's eyes touch on a little stone found on a coffee table,

spk_0 a tiny tree, and a bowl of seashells.

spk_0 Can you tell me when you first had one of these dreams?

spk_0 At home.

spk_0 Right before school started, I had one,

spk_0 and I woke up with a bruise.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 I had another when I was at school,

spk_0 and I got a bruise on my neck.

spk_0 So, you must be wondering where these injuries come from?

spk_0 Yes, they just appear.

spk_0 When he touches me, I get hurt.

spk_0 This last time, too?

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 Could it be?

spk_0 Do you think it's possible that you're hurting yourself?

spk_0 Why would I do that?

spk_0 I don't know. Why would you do that?

spk_0 I don't know, because I didn't.

spk_0 Do you really think I'm faking this?

spk_0 No. I think you may be causing the injuries you're reporting,

spk_0 but I don't think I don't believe you're faking anything.

spk_0 But you think I'm crazy.

spk_0 I think I wonder if something might be bothering you.

spk_0 Like what?

spk_0 Stop it. Stop repeating what I say.

spk_0 I'm sorry. I know it can be annoying.

spk_0 I'm asking you to tell me what might be bothering you.

spk_0 Ugh.

spk_0 Okay. Okay.

spk_0 They probably told you that my mom died when I was young,

spk_0 when I was really young.

spk_0 But people die all the time.

spk_0 She had something wrong with her and she died.

spk_0 People die. It happens.

spk_0 I get that.

spk_0 I got that then.

spk_0 This is not about her. This is something else.

spk_0 Like what?

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 Just listen.

spk_0 Someone this man is trying to hurt me.

spk_0 I know he's just a dream, but he can hurt me.

spk_0 Tell me about him.

spk_0 Does he hate you?

spk_0 Do you think that's why he's hurting you?

spk_0 He doesn't hate me.

spk_0 He...

spk_0 He wants me.

spk_0 I think...

spk_0 I think I belong to him.

spk_0 I mean, he thinks that...

spk_0 Is there anyone else who loves you and hurts you?

spk_0 Like who? Nick, Dad?

spk_0 Why them?

spk_0 Stop that.

spk_0 Do they hurt you?

spk_0 You're trying to make me say something that's not true.

spk_0 My dad loves me. He would never hurt me.

spk_0 Nick loves me. He would never ever hurt me.

spk_0 Stop saying that.

spk_0 Well, there are other options.

spk_0 Some forms of mental illness like schizophrenia come on in the teen years.

spk_0 Do you hear voices? Do you see things?

spk_0 I'm not crazy!

spk_0 Yes, Dawson. I'm not attacking you.

spk_0 I'm here to help you.

spk_0 I'm trying to figure out how.

spk_0 There is a long silence as Jesse struggles with her anger and fear.

spk_0 The psychiatrist finally takes out his prescription pad

spk_0 and writes out a script for an anti-anxiety medication.

spk_0 I think we've done enough today.

spk_0 Get this filled on your way home and start taking them right away.

spk_0 They may help you with the dreams.

spk_0 And I'd like to come back in a couple of days so we can talk some more.

spk_0 I don't need pills.

spk_0 I have a lot of training and a lot of experience with anxiety disorders.

spk_0 Your doctor recommended me.

spk_0 Jesse takes the script.

spk_0 Fine, fine, fine.

spk_0 I'll take the pills. I'll see if they work.

spk_0 But they won't.

spk_0 Because this is real.

spk_0 It's really happening.

spk_0 Why don't you come back in two days?

spk_0 Set 3 p.m.

spk_0 Fine. Whatever.

spk_0 The psychiatrist leans forward to hand her a card.

spk_0 You can reach me 24 hours a day at those numbers.

spk_0 Please call me if you need me.

spk_0 If you have any more dreams, you see or feel anything that really disturbs you.

spk_0 Reach out.

spk_0 I can help.

spk_0 Jesse nods.

spk_0 Cricks to a fee.

spk_0 Stands.

spk_0 Jesse, these things happen sometimes.

spk_0 We can figure out what's going on if we work together.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 Yes, doctor.

spk_0 Thank you for trying to help me.

spk_0 Jesse stumbles out the door.

spk_0 Jesse marches down the stairs towards campus.

spk_0 Amanda and Barbara and Toe.

spk_0 So basically, I'm insane.

spk_0 My mom died about a million years ago.

spk_0 11 years ago.

spk_0 And I'm apparently just figuring it out.

spk_0 If I'd lost my mom.

spk_0 But you didn't.

spk_0 I did.

spk_0 And I'm telling you, I'm over it.

spk_0 I loved her.

spk_0 She loved me.

spk_0 We were happy.

spk_0 But people die.

spk_0 That's what happens.

spk_0 I'm not the first kid who has ever lost a parent.

spk_0 Couldn't it.

spk_0 Jesse turns on her.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Jesse.

spk_0 Couldn't it be something else?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Didn't anything else happen to you when you were young?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 I broke my arm in the fourth grade.

spk_0 My bike got stolen.

spk_0 What are you talking about?

spk_0 Barbara and Amanda share a look and shake their heads.

spk_0 You should keep going to the doctor.

spk_0 It's no big deal, right?

spk_0 And people need help sometimes.

spk_0 I do need help.

spk_0 This guy in my dreams.

spk_0 You dreamed him, right?

spk_0 Doesn't that mean you're trying to kill you?

spk_0 Barb, you should let the doctors.

spk_0 I have to go.

spk_0 I was out a week and now I'm behind in everything.

spk_0 I'll do it.

spk_0 You all want me to do, but it's not going to help.

spk_0 I'm not sick and I'm not crazy.

spk_0 Jesse strides off at Justin to her run, leaving a stunned Amanda and Barbara behind.

spk_0 Jesse exits her biology class into a long crowded hall.

spk_0 She keeps her head down and she shoulders her book bag and dials her cell phone.

spk_0 She puts the phone to her ear and hears a ring that sounds like a witch cackle down the hall.

spk_0 She walks towards the sound and finds herself face to face with Kat.

spk_0 Kat hangs up.

spk_0 About time you called me. Where have you been?

spk_0 Jesse hangs up her phone and wipes tears from her face.

spk_0 Trouble in paradise?

spk_0 I said it was too soon.

spk_0 Jesse turns and leads Kat out of the building.

spk_0 It's not Nick.

spk_0 What then?

spk_0 Your grades are dead?

spk_0 It's something serious.

spk_0 Jesse doesn't say anything.

spk_0 Ah, dream lover.

spk_0 The Rose King.

spk_0 It would have to be, wouldn't it?

spk_0 Nick.

spk_0 Jesse plunks herself down on a patch of grass under an autumn tree.

spk_0 Kat drops down to cider.

spk_0 They watch the colorfully dressed students walk by.

spk_0 I'm seeing a shrink.

spk_0 He says the doctor says I'm having panic attacks.

spk_0 But this guy.

spk_0 I know he doesn't exist, but he's trying to kill me.

spk_0 Honey, even I think that sounds crazy and I believe in leprechauns.

spk_0 What's wrong with me?

spk_0 Why don't people just listen to what I'm saying?

spk_0 I am listening.

spk_0 But do you really want me to believe you?

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 You really?

spk_0 You want me to believe a guy who can find you in dreams has the ability and the desire to kill you?

spk_0 Because you have to sleep, don't you?

spk_0 If there's some guy who wants you dead, who can find you whenever you close your eyes, you're a goner.

spk_0 So I must be crazy.

spk_0 Maybe you're just a little bit crazy.

spk_0 Isn't everyone?

spk_0 I'm just a little bit crazy.

spk_0 Jesse stares off into the distance.

spk_0 We learn to accept some crazy and others, so why not accept it in yourself?

spk_0 A little crazy tolerance.

spk_0 That's what's needed.

spk_0 I'm gonna go home now.

spk_0 Do some homework.

spk_0 I'll believe you if you ever want me to.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 Call me again.

spk_0 I want to hang out.

spk_0 I will.

spk_0 Keep going to your doctor.

spk_0 Jesse nods and starts walking away.

spk_0 I can't.

spk_0 See you, Jesse.

spk_0 Jesse enters the apartment to find Nick washing dishes in their tiny kitchen.

spk_0 As she drops her back back on the table, he tosses her a paper bag which has been resting next to him on the counter.

spk_0 Heads up.

spk_0 Those are the pills.

spk_0 I found the prescription this morning and picked them up from the pharmacy on my way home.

spk_0 Jesse opens the bag, takes out the bottle and reads the label.

spk_0 Nick meanwhile fills a glass with water.

spk_0 A month's supply.

spk_0 Four times a day.

spk_0 I guess so.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 She slips the pills into the pocket.

spk_0 You want to start now?

spk_0 He holds out the glass.

spk_0 Sure.

spk_0 Jesse opens the bottle, places a pill on her tongue, takes the glass and drinks the water.

spk_0 She opens her mouth for Nick to inspect.

spk_0 Uh, happy?

spk_0 Nick looks anything but.

spk_0 We have to start somewhere.

spk_0 I've been to the hospital, seen the doctor, talked to the psychiatrist.

spk_0 I think I'm fully engaged in this process.

spk_0 Nick pulls her into his arms for a long moment.

spk_0 Then turns his attention back to the dishes.

spk_0 Jesse leaves the room, walks to the bathroom, spits the pill out in the sink and turns on the water.

spk_0 She watches the medication spiral down the drain.

spk_0 I'm not crazy.

spk_0 Jesse watches the psychiatrist make a note in her folder.

spk_0 So, if you're better?

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 Oh, better.

spk_0 Much better.

spk_0 Those pills, I guess they work.

spk_0 I'm less anxious.

spk_0 Those pills normally take a couple of weeks to work.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 So how am I allowed to feel?

spk_0 Is there some happiness number I need to be aware of?

spk_0 Maybe I should laugh less.

spk_0 Have you had any more dreams?

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Can we talk about something else?

spk_0 Like?

spk_0 Can I ask you about your mother?

spk_0 Yeah, definitely.

spk_0 She's dead.

spk_0 That's the most important thing you need to know about my mom.

spk_0 She is dead.

spk_0 She died when I was seven.

spk_0 I missed her for a really long time because I loved her.

spk_0 But I think maybe I'm wrong.

spk_0 But I've gotten over losing her.

spk_0 It has been more than a decade.

spk_0 Is that possible?

spk_0 Do you think people get over losing mothers that way?

spk_0 She was really safe for a long time.

spk_0 Jesse, thanks.

spk_0 Man, I don't know.

spk_0 At the time...

spk_0 At the time I thought she was old.

spk_0 She looked old and she slept a lot.

spk_0 She was sick for a really long time.

spk_0 From the time I was about three or so.

spk_0 It's not okay when kids die, but when older people do.

spk_0 That seems sad but normal.

spk_0 What do you remember about her dying?

spk_0 Let's see.

spk_0 People made me be quiet all the time.

spk_0 Grandma and grandpa were around.

spk_0 I said I couldn't run in the house.

spk_0 I spent a lot of time playing with my friends.

spk_0 She got lots of flowers.

spk_0 Roses mostly.

spk_0 Lots of roses.

spk_0 She liked moms, but people didn't know.

spk_0 And roses are what people send when you're dying.

spk_0 Later, after she died, it was lilies.

spk_0 And then finally, the flower thing stopped.

spk_0 I suspect you don't much like roses.

spk_0 It's a flower.

spk_0 I think I would have missed my mom more.

spk_0 But I had good friends.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 Amanda, Barb, David, lots of kids on my block.

spk_0 We'd ride our bikes to the park to the candy store.

spk_0 Amanda and Barb are going to school here.

spk_0 We're like the three musketeers.

spk_0 And David, what happened to him?

spk_0 Who?

spk_0 Amanda, Barb and David were the three musketeers?

spk_0 No, we were.

spk_0 Amanda, Barb and me.

spk_0 And David?

spk_0 He was just gone one day.

spk_0 Kids disappear sometimes.

spk_0 People take them away, so they don't have time to say goodbye.

spk_0 Yeah, today, gone tomorrow.

spk_0 It happens.

spk_0 Not really.

spk_0 Not to everyone.

spk_0 Not everyone dies before their children grow up.

spk_0 And not every kid moves away from his friends without warning.

spk_0 Jesse stares at him.

spk_0 Yeah.

spk_0 I expect for a seven-year-old kid that was traumatic.

spk_0 Good to know.

spk_0 I guess I'm cured.

spk_0 Why are you so angry?

spk_0 Because you pretend to be nice.

spk_0 Everyone does.

spk_0 You, my father, Nick, my friends, you all think I'm ill and you're trying to be nice.

spk_0 So to make you happy, I have to say that I think I'm crazy too.

spk_0 You all say I'm doing great and it's okay to be a little crazy.

spk_0 Okay, as long as I get better.

spk_0 So really, it's not okay.

spk_0 It's not okay at all.

spk_0 Maybe I can't learn to live like this.

spk_0 You don't have to learn to live.

spk_0 Jesse stands up.

spk_0 You can't tell me what I have to learn to live with and what I don't.

spk_0 You want to know the truth?

spk_0 I don't think I'm crazy.

spk_0 I don't think I am at all.

spk_0 Jesse looks at her watch.

spk_0 Our session's almost over and I'm going to go.

spk_0 Maybe I can deal with all this tomorrow.

spk_0 Jesse is out the door before the doctor can say another word.

spk_0 Jesse lies next to a sleeping Nick eyes wide open.

spk_0 The clock near the bed reads 3.25 a.m.

spk_0 After a long moment careful not to disturb him.

spk_0 She gets up, pulls on his flat row, walks to the house into the kitchen and starts a pot of coffee.

spk_0 She collects her bag, sits at the table, unpacks her books.

spk_0 She sits staring at her homework, head on one hand, her eyes close.

spk_0 For a long moment she's still.

spk_0 Her head starts to fall forward and she jerks awake.

spk_0 Then, her at least she grabs a green highlighter, cracks a book and starts to read.

spk_0 Jesse exits her late afternoon biology class into a crowded hall.

spk_0 She looks gaunt and hollow eyed.

spk_0 She bumps hard into a passing guy and her book bag falls, pencils, pens and notebooks fly everywhere.

spk_0 Jesse washes the guy, unaware, walks on.

spk_0 She rarely drops her knees and begins collecting all the stuff that's fallen out.

spk_0 Jesse looks up.

spk_0 Hi Cat.

spk_0 Cat kneels down to help her.

spk_0 What happened to you? You look like hell.

spk_0 I'm just tired.

spk_0 Are you still having bad dreams?

spk_0 No, they're gone.

spk_0 They both rise.

spk_0 Do they have you on drugs?

spk_0 What kind?

spk_0 Antang's Iodie stuff.

spk_0 I'd love to talk but I have to get to the library.

spk_0 Jesse, are you sleeping?

spk_0 Like, at all?

spk_0 Of course.

spk_0 Because that's totally going to work.

spk_0 I mean, if you don't sleep, you can't dream.

spk_0 That's not funny, Cat.

spk_0 I'm sorry.

spk_0 I didn't mean to make fun of you.

spk_0 I want to help.

spk_0 I'm okay, Cat.

spk_0 I'll see you around.

spk_0 Jesse starts walking away.

spk_0 Jesse sits at a small desk in a dimly lit corner of the university library.

spk_0 Florida ceiling shelves contain thousands of volumes.

spk_0 Jesse's books are spread out before her in a tall stack of periodicals

spk_0 rests on nearby chair.

spk_0 She looks tired, haggard.

spk_0 She glances at her phone, which indicates that it is 9.48 pm.

spk_0 She slides all her stuff into a bag and stands.

spk_0 As she walks away from the desk, passing aisle after aisle, shelf after shelf of books.

spk_0 She sees there's no one else left on the floor.

spk_0 She opens a door, enters a stairwell, and realizes, belatedly.

spk_0 It's entirely dark.

spk_0 She steps back and runs into someone.

spk_0 She turns around.

spk_0 It's the Rose King.

spk_0 He's dressed in jeans, boots, a white T-shirt and leather jacket.

spk_0 It's getting late.

spk_0 Jesse stumbles away from him.

spk_0 Into the dark stairwell and runs, falls, down the steps.

spk_0 One flight, two flights, three.

spk_0 She stumbles out and emerges in the alarm blares.

spk_0 She finds herself standing on a walled access road that runs behind the library

spk_0 in half a dozen other tall school buildings.

spk_0 The walls that line the access road are 30 feet high.

spk_0 Jesse turns back to the door just as it slams shut.

spk_0 She runs up the access road, keeping close to the buildings and looking for somewhere to hide.

spk_0 Cardboard boxes and other garbage litter the long cement corridor.

spk_0 A hundred yards away, there's an exit delivery trucks can take to the street.

spk_0 Before that, though, there are only loading docks and poorly lit gaps between buildings.

spk_0 The emergency door opens again, and Jesse drops behind the cement ramp of the loading dock.

spk_0 Jesse sees the rose king walking up the alley.

spk_0 A large gray and white dog walks with him.

spk_0 Find her.

spk_0 The dog begins to run.

spk_0 Then somehow becomes three dogs that race up the access road, probing every nook, cranny and trash can.

spk_0 Jesse keeps low and backs up.

spk_0 Then slides around the corner of the building, attached the loading dock she's near.

spk_0 There's a chain link fence at the end of this little alley.

spk_0 The gate in his loosely chained, she squeezes through and dives behind a dumpster.

spk_0 She croaks like a child playing hide and seek.

spk_0 Jesse hears the dogs running down the little alley and sniffing the fence.

spk_0 Jesse, there's nowhere to run.

spk_0 Jesse pushes the dumpster away from the wall and discovers a bent bike wheel and some cast off roses.

spk_0 She squeezes past them, piles empty boxes in front of her.

spk_0 I want to wake up.

spk_0 I'm dreaming.

spk_0 I have to wake up.

spk_0 She digs her fingernails into her palms, opens and closes her eyes over and over again.

spk_0 This isn't real.

spk_0 She hears the dog scrabble through the gate.

spk_0 One, two, three.

spk_0 She hears the rose king as he ducks into the chain and padlock just like she did.

spk_0 The dogs run past the dumpster and circle back.

spk_0 They probe the boxes she's hiding behind.

spk_0 The three dogs stretch into three men as before they have pelt slung over their naked shoulders.

spk_0 The rose king comes to stand in front of them.

spk_0 It's just a dream.

spk_0 It's not real.

spk_0 Wake up, Jesse.

spk_0 Wake up.

spk_0 That's all you have to do.

spk_0 The dumpster she is hiding behind is pulled away.

spk_0 The men stand around her.

spk_0 Jesse opens her eyes as the rose king crouches down.

spk_0 Stay away!

spk_0 It's okay.

spk_0 Don't be afraid.

spk_0 Jesse screams as he moves to touch her.

spk_0 Jesse wakes up seated at the table in the library where she has fallen asleep among her books.

spk_0 She is screaming.

spk_0 A middle-aged librarian, a college girl, and a guy wearing a university hoodie or standing around her.

spk_0 The guy has his hand on her shoulder and he's shaking her.

spk_0 The librarian is on the phone.

spk_0 She's on the second floor.

spk_0 Jesse stops screaming.

spk_0 Looks around.

spk_0 Stands up.

spk_0 The guy steps back and looks at her.

spk_0 Are you okay?

spk_0 The librarian is still on the phone.

spk_0 She's awake now, but I think you should still send someone.

spk_0 Jesse gasping, hand against her heart, shakes her head.

spk_0 No.

spk_0 No, it's just a panic attack.

spk_0 The doctor told me.

spk_0 The college guy takes her hand, places the tips of his fingers on her wrist.

spk_0 Yeah, your heart's racing.

spk_0 It's really racing.

spk_0 Jesse pulls her hand away.

spk_0 It's okay.

spk_0 It happens.

spk_0 And you really pale.

spk_0 I think you should go to the hospital.

spk_0 I was just there.

spk_0 It's panic.

spk_0 I just haven't been sleeping well.

spk_0 She looks around and stands up.

spk_0 Look, I'm fine.

spk_0 I'm on my feet.

spk_0 Just let me go home.

spk_0 The college guy steps back and assesses her.

spk_0 Is there someone at home who can take care of you?

spk_0 Is there someone you want us to call?

spk_0 No, I just have to get home.

spk_0 There's someone there.

spk_0 I'll drive you.

spk_0 I can take the bus.

spk_0 Or are we going to wait for the ambulance?

spk_0 They're almost here.

spk_0 Jesse looks at the college guy.

spk_0 Okay.

spk_0 Okay, thanks.

spk_0 You can drive me home.

spk_0 The college guy pulls his car outside Jesse's apartment building.

spk_0 Jesse sits for a long moment in a weary silence.

spk_0 She turns to look at the guy.

spk_0 I'm sorry.

spk_0 I didn't mean to be so much trouble.

spk_0 Hey, I EMT during the ski season.

spk_0 I'm kind of used to a good scare.

spk_0 I know you said it was a panic attack.

spk_0 And that you've just been to the hospital.

spk_0 But I really think you should go back to the doctor.

spk_0 Your pulse seems really tacky to me.

spk_0 It could be something else.

spk_0 I will.

spk_0 Really?

spk_0 I promise.

spk_0 Good.

spk_0 Jesse opens the door and steps out of the car.

spk_0 Thanks.

spk_0 I'm just a mess at the moment.

spk_0 Just a total mess.

spk_0 But I'll be okay soon.

spk_0 Don't worry.

spk_0 Everyone's taking care of me.

spk_0 In the first year, it's really hard.

spk_0 Lots of people freak out.

spk_0 I know.

spk_0 Jesse closes the door.

spk_0 Nick stands by the picture window in the living room.

spk_0 It overlooks the street.

spk_0 He has a cup of coffee in his hand and his face is grim.

spk_0 He turns his Jess enters.

spk_0 You're really late.

spk_0 I fell asleep in the library.

spk_0 Who drove you home?

spk_0 Some guy.

spk_0 I don't know his name.

spk_0 There's a long pause as Nick waits for her to go on.

spk_0 Just some guy, Nick.

spk_0 He offered me a lift.

spk_0 Then you took it?

spk_0 Why not?

spk_0 I didn't want to ride the bus.

spk_0 Nick stares at her.

spk_0 Jesse moves into the kitchen, pours herself a cup of coffee, sits at the table.

spk_0 Nick comes over, takes the cup, walks it back to the kitchen, and pours it in the sink.

spk_0 We need to talk.

spk_0 Nick, I fell asleep in the library.

spk_0 That guy and some other people found me.

spk_0 He offered me a lift home so I didn't have to ride the bus.

spk_0 It's no big deal.

spk_0 You aren't sleeping.

spk_0 You aren't eating.

spk_0 What's going on?

spk_0 Are you taking drugs?

spk_0 Are you having an affair?

spk_0 Does the doctor...

spk_0 Maybe I am.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Maybe I am having an affair.

spk_0 Jesse rises, moves towards him.

spk_0 Maybe I am having an affair, Nick.

spk_0 Jess turns and walks into the bedroom.

spk_0 Nick follows and stands in the doorway as she addresses.

spk_0 That's it, all right?

spk_0 I'm not girl, you always thought I was.

spk_0 Jess.

spk_0 Jesse is down to a brawn underwear.

spk_0 The bruise of her heart is black in the half light.

spk_0 I've been screwing all these guys, Nick.

spk_0 After you go to sleep, I go out.

spk_0 Sometimes they come here.

spk_0 And...

spk_0 I've been afraid to confess.

spk_0 I'm afraid to tell you what I've done.

spk_0 What I let them do to me.

spk_0 Jesse walks towards and make it.

spk_0 It's...

spk_0 I don't want to tell you.

spk_0 I...

spk_0 So many men have had me, Nick.

spk_0 One, two, three at a time.

spk_0 I can't...

spk_0 I can't tell you what I've done.

spk_0 I have to show you.

spk_0 I have to show you what they make me do.

spk_0 This is seriously screwed up.

spk_0 Jesse stands inches from him, reaches up and pulls his head down.

spk_0 For a second he is still, then he kisses her long and deep.

spk_0 Chapter 5.

spk_0 Jesse dressed in a thin, form-fitting white shift walks through shallow water on the edge of a beach.

spk_0 Tiny waves, some only an inch high, lap against her feet.

spk_0 The sky above and around her is glorious, beautiful, golden.

spk_0 Just behind Jesse on the beach, two women in a man walk, they're staring at the ground.

spk_0 Each walks alone, the same tempo, apparently oblivious to one another into Jesse.

spk_0 The women wear white shifts.

spk_0 The man wears what look like white pajamas.

spk_0 From time to time, they lean down to pick things up.

spk_0 Flakes of something drift down from the sky like snow.

spk_0 Jesse holds out her hand and what falls into it looks like paper ash.

spk_0 It flutters away.

spk_0 She turns in the direction it travels and discovers the rose king walking with her.

spk_0 Behind him the placid sea is painted with fire by an illuminated sky.

spk_0 It looks warm, healthy, relaxed and strong.

spk_0 Jesse looks forward, continues walking.

spk_0 David stops, reaches down into the water and retrieves something.

spk_0 The thing is, Jesse, there's nowhere to hide.

spk_0 There's nowhere to run.

spk_0 Jesse stops, turns to look at him.

spk_0 Without meeting her eyes, he takes her left hand, he slips her ring on the third finger.

spk_0 It is a ruby rose that glitters like it's on fire.

spk_0 The rose king looks up.

spk_0 All roads lead here.

spk_0 Jesse looks up.

spk_0 Above them, an infinite slow motion.

spk_0 A commercial passenger plane is exploding.

spk_0 Its belly has been ripped open.

spk_0 Fractions of people.

spk_0 Exploded insulation and ash are falling.

spk_0 Slow inch by slow inch from the sky.

spk_0 Stretching up the beach behind her are hundreds of people.

spk_0 All walking slowly.

spk_0 All oblivious to one another, I will never let you go.

spk_0 Jesse jerks her hand away.

spk_0 Jesse's eyes fly open.

spk_0 She sits up in bed and looks at her hand.

spk_0 Nick, head propped up on one hand, watches her.

spk_0 You just went to sleep.

spk_0 Another dream?

spk_0 Jesse throws the covers back.

spk_0 You know, I'm so behind on my squirk and I'm not really tired.

spk_0 I'm going to study.

spk_0 Nick takes her hand to steal her motion.

spk_0 Is there someone else?

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Are you sure?

spk_0 Please, Nick.

spk_0 Please.

spk_0 I can't do this.

spk_0 I can't do this, too.

spk_0 I told you what you wanted to hear.

spk_0 It's a game.

spk_0 You know there's no one else.

spk_0 You need to go back to the doctor.

spk_0 Jesse riggles out of bed, pulls on her robe.

spk_0 I don't.

spk_0 It didn't help.

spk_0 Let me deal with it, okay?

spk_0 I'm an adult.

spk_0 Nick studies her.

spk_0 You should get some rest, Nick.

spk_0 I know you're tired.

spk_0 Jesse walks into the living room.

spk_0 Collects a cup of cold coffee and sits on a couch.

spk_0 She picks up the remote, turns on the TV.

spk_0 A TV anchor stands before a map of the Gulf.

spk_0 So we're hearing that the plane took off from Neuralin's at 541 this morning

spk_0 and exploded over the Gulf moments ago.

spk_0 We have an update from the scene now.

spk_0 Walter.

spk_0 Walter Banks reporting from INCN Channel 9, a terrible morning here in Louisiana.

spk_0 More than 200 people have died and their bodies litter the beach.

spk_0 Behind Ted, Jesse can see the beach she was just on.

spk_0 The wreckage of a passenger plane sticks out of the shallow water.

spk_0 Jesse sits across from the psychiatrist.

spk_0 Nick, sitting beside her, holds her hand.

spk_0 So you saw the plane crash in your dream.

spk_0 It was above me, exploding.

spk_0 People, pieces of people were falling.

spk_0 This man was there?

spk_0 Jesse nods.

spk_0 And he spoke to you.

spk_0 Jesse nods again.

spk_0 He said.

spk_0 Jesse stares at her hand.

spk_0 Would you like Nick to leave?

spk_0 Sometimes dreams are very private.

spk_0 Jesse shakes her head.

spk_0 No.

spk_0 He said.

spk_0 He said I belonged to him.

spk_0 It's just a dream, Jesse.

spk_0 Let's let her speak.

spk_0 Nick, Jesse, who do you think he is?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 I think you do.

spk_0 It's all I've thought about.

spk_0 Your mind has conjured him up.

spk_0 Do you know who he is?

spk_0 I don't.

spk_0 But I think if you let yourself remember, you'll know.

spk_0 It's just a dream, Doc.

spk_0 It's just a crazy dream.

spk_0 It doesn't mean anything at all.

spk_0 Nick, this is important to her.

spk_0 Or she wouldn't be having such a strong reaction.

spk_0 He's someone she made up, right?

spk_0 A guy she imagined.

spk_0 Because of her mom in the stress of school, he doesn't really exist.

spk_0 He's real, Nick.

spk_0 He's very real.

spk_0 I think he does exist.

spk_0 Nick shrugs.

spk_0 Then looks at Jesse.

spk_0 Tom the rest, Jesse.

spk_0 I stopped taking those pills.

spk_0 Jesse looks at Nick.

spk_0 Then back at the doctor.

spk_0 Actually, I never took them.

spk_0 I didn't need them.

spk_0 I'm not crazy.

spk_0 I'm not having panic attacks.

spk_0 You never took them?

spk_0 You're staring at her.

spk_0 I didn't want to, Nick.

spk_0 Do you still have them?

spk_0 Nick is still staring at her.

spk_0 Yes.

spk_0 I want you to start taking them, Jesse.

spk_0 I want you to try them for a couple of weeks.

spk_0 And then you can decide if they help.

spk_0 It won't.

spk_0 It won't be the only thing we do.

spk_0 It's just one thing.

spk_0 I want to go for a long time.

spk_0 I've treated a lot of patients.

spk_0 You've tried your solutions and they aren't working as well as you'd like.

spk_0 It's time we work together.

spk_0 I can't believe you never took them.

spk_0 I'm sorry.

spk_0 We just need a little time.

spk_0 Except, doctor, suddenly I don't feel like there's any time left to give you.

spk_0 Are you thinking of hurting yourself?

spk_0 No.

spk_0 I'm saying I think he'll come for me.

spk_0 Feelings are just feelings.

spk_0 Jesse, children are afraid of the dark even when there's nothing there.

spk_0 There is time, Jess.

spk_0 There is.

spk_0 You're a young woman.

spk_0 You have...

spk_0 We have all the time in the world.

spk_0 No one has all the time in the world, Nick.

spk_0 Jesse stands up and walks out of the office, leaving the door open.

spk_0 Nick rises to follow her.

spk_0 Nick?

spk_0 I have to go after her.

spk_0 I know you'll get.

spk_0 What kind of doctor are you?

spk_0 Why are you feeding her all this crap?

spk_0 Her?

spk_0 Mr. Eman does exist.

spk_0 Maybe he's someone she knows.

spk_0 Maybe he's someone she knew.

spk_0 Maybe he's a placeholder for a traumatic experience she's trying to remember,

spk_0 but she's drawing him into her dreams for a reason.

spk_0 What the hell are you talking about?

spk_0 What matters is that he's real to her.

spk_0 That is what is important.

spk_0 The more you argue with her belief that he exists, the more you force her to defend it.

spk_0 Except the possibility that he's real.

spk_0 That's crap.

spk_0 He's just a dream.

spk_0 She has to accept that.

spk_0 Nick catches up to Jesse as she walks down the street.

spk_0 He pulls her into his arms.

spk_0 It's okay.

spk_0 It's going to be okay.

spk_0 Jesse's arms hang at her sides.

spk_0 Her eyes are vacant.

spk_0 We believe I believe you're frightened that you're scared, but there is nothing to be afraid of.

spk_0 How can you say that?

spk_0 How can you know for sure?

spk_0 All those people.

spk_0 I saw it happen.

spk_0 He made me watch those people die.

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Maybe you have hyperacute hearing, and there was someone next door with a TV on.

spk_0 Maybe you saw the news report when you woke up, and your subconscious folded it into what you remembered of your dream.

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 What I do know is you're afraid of the boogie man when he doesn't exist.

spk_0 Let's her head rest against Nick's chest.

spk_0 I just want everything to be like it was.

spk_0 Jesse, Barbara and Amanda are walking to campus.

spk_0 Jesse is staring at the ground, lost in her thoughts.

spk_0 Only I could figure out what he wants from me.

spk_0 What who wants?

spk_0 Why don't you listen?

spk_0 The guy who doesn't exist?

spk_0 She doesn't know what he wants?

spk_0 He does exist.

spk_0 Even the doctor said he does.

spk_0 Or did.

spk_0 He wants to help me figure it out.

spk_0 I don't think this guy is someone I know.

spk_0 How could he be?

spk_0 I've never known anyone so cruel.

spk_0 Do you either know someone or you don't?

spk_0 You either met them or you haven't.

spk_0 Jesse, do you think it could be?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Amanda looks at Barbara.

spk_0 We should let her doctor deal with this.

spk_0 But she doesn't remember.

spk_0 Remember what?

spk_0 Jesse, just after your mom died.

spk_0 This is not about my mom.

spk_0 A wound when your mom died.

spk_0 Do you remember what else happened?

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Barbara, you're not a doctor.

spk_0 The doctor says he's real.

spk_0 Someone she knew.

spk_0 Who else could he be?

spk_0 What are you talking about?

spk_0 Jesse, what happened to David?

spk_0 Do you remember the boy we used to play with?

spk_0 He was just a little older than us?

spk_0 Jesse has reached her class.

spk_0 I remember.

spk_0 He moved away.

spk_0 Barbara grabs Amanda's arm.

spk_0 You are not her doctor.

spk_0 Cat passes by.

spk_0 Jesse looks after her.

spk_0 I have to go.

spk_0 Wait.

spk_0 Jesse runs into the building to catch up with Cat.

spk_0 Cat, Cat stop.

spk_0 Cat turns to look at Jesse.

spk_0 Jesse, hi.

spk_0 And you still look like hell.

spk_0 In fact, you look worse than ever.

spk_0 Why is that?

spk_0 Remember when I said I didn't want you to believe me?

spk_0 Well, now I do.

spk_0 I really do.

spk_0 I thought you were going to the doctor.

spk_0 Doing what he said.

spk_0 I am.

spk_0 I mean, I'm going to.

spk_0 But the dream guy.

spk_0 I need you to believe me.

spk_0 I need someone to believe me.

spk_0 Cat and Jesse sit at a small table in a campus coffee shop.

spk_0 A pair of bikes are parked nearby.

spk_0 Cat stares into her chai tea.

spk_0 Jesse drinks water.

spk_0 Well, that's horrifying.

spk_0 Are you sure you didn't see the TV thing first and just forget?

spk_0 Maybe it got worked into your dream.

spk_0 I mean, that happens.

spk_0 It's possible.

spk_0 If I'm insane, anything's possible.

spk_0 But I remember walking on that beach and waking up to see Nick looking at me

spk_0 and then turning on the TV.

spk_0 That's what I remember.

spk_0 I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe you're being haunted.

spk_0 Maybe this creature picked you up on a street or died in your father's house

spk_0 and now he stepped to you like glue.

spk_0 Does that happen?

spk_0 I don't know.

spk_0 I guess if you promise to keep going to the doctor, I'll find someone.

spk_0 Some kind of shaman to help you with this other thing that might be going on.

spk_0 You can't help me.

spk_0 I'm just a kid in which parlor magic and love spells.

spk_0 But with a little money, it's not too expensive.

spk_0 We can get help from someone who does real magic.

spk_0 Normally, I won't pay for this stuff, but in this case, I think we have to.

spk_0 I can pay.

spk_0 She reaches into her person, pulls out her credit card.

spk_0 Cat shakes her head.

spk_0 You'll pay whoever I find, not me.

spk_0 I can't promise you anything instantly, but there has to be someone around here that does dreams.

spk_0 Okay?

spk_0 They'll see you and they'll tell you what they think they know.

spk_0 Thank you so much.

spk_0 And just in case you have lost your mind, you'll keep going to the doctor.

spk_0 It can't hurt to do both, right?

spk_0 Jesse is now staring at a large grade white dog standing by Cat's chair.

spk_0 Jesse?

spk_0 Jesse forces herself to look away from the dog.

spk_0 She rises, leans over, hugs Cat and moves the chair between herself and the animal.

spk_0 I have to go.

spk_0 Please find someone as soon as you can.

spk_0 Jesse is enduring yet another romantic dinner with Nick.

spk_0 A single rose rests on the dining table in their apartment.

spk_0 Their candles, red wine, the remains of a meal.

spk_0 I was thinking, today you said there was no tomorrow.

spk_0 I'm feeling better now.

spk_0 I can see that.

spk_0 I don't mind seeing the doctor.

spk_0 Nick reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring box.

spk_0 There is a tomorrow.

spk_0 Jesse slowly reaches out to take the box, opens it.

spk_0 It's a ring.

spk_0 It is, in fact, the same ring the rose came with Gave her in her dream.

spk_0 It's a rose.

spk_0 It was my mother's.

spk_0 A rose.

spk_0 Rubies.

spk_0 Let me put it on.

spk_0 Jesse snaps the box shut, holds it.

spk_0 I don't understand.

spk_0 I want you to marry me.

spk_0 It'll be a long engagement, a couple years, but I...

spk_0 But you want to prove to me that there's a tomorrow.

spk_0 Because there is.

spk_0 Jesse puts the box back on the table.

spk_0 Places are hand over it.

spk_0 I don't know if I can accept this.

spk_0 I am so screwed up right now.

spk_0 I can't inflict myself on you.

spk_0 You know, inflict yourself.

spk_0 I'm insane, right?

spk_0 How do you know if I'm the one for you?

spk_0 I'll put it on.

spk_0 Nick.

spk_0 I can't.

spk_0 Nick rises, leaves the room, returns with the gold chain.

spk_0 He takes the ring from the box and hangs it around her neck.

spk_0 When you're ready, you'll put it on.

spk_0 Jesse weeps in a psychiatrist's office.

spk_0 You're taking your medicine?

spk_0 Jesse nods.

spk_0 It takes time to work.

spk_0 Jesse nods again.

spk_0 How well are you sleeping?

spk_0 It takes Jesse a long time to respond.

spk_0 I can't sleep for more than 15 to 20 minutes.

spk_0 But I sleep all the time.

spk_0 I can't concentrate.

spk_0 I'm failing all of my glasses.

spk_0 Do you dream?

spk_0 Jesse shakes her head, wipes away another tear.

spk_0 Should we talk more about the man in your dreams?

spk_0 The one that scares you?

spk_0 Jesse raises her eyes to look at him.

spk_0 You think he's a real person?

spk_0 I believe it's very likely someone you know or you.

spk_0 Then he scares you because of what he represents.

spk_0 It's just a guess.

spk_0 The more you talk about him, the clearer our understanding of him will become.

spk_0 I've never seen him before.

spk_0 Not even in a book or magazine.

spk_0 Tell me again what he says to you.

spk_0 But I belong to him.

spk_0 I will never let you go.

spk_0 Jesse looks around.

spk_0 What does he want?

spk_0 Me.

spk_0 Does he want to hurt you?

spk_0 Jesse thinks for a long time.

spk_0 It does hurt me.

spk_0 What else does he say?

spk_0 He doesn't want you to be afraid.

spk_0 So he's not trying to hurt you.

spk_0 Maybe he's trying to help you.

spk_0 You're right, sat down.

spk_0 Who does he remind you of?

spk_0 No one.

spk_0 Could it be?

spk_0 Jesse stands up.

spk_0 At her feet is the gray and white dog.

spk_0 Doctor, there's no time.

spk_0 Do you understand?

spk_0 I can't wait for the pills to make them go away.

spk_0 Then?

spk_0 There has to be something else.

spk_0 Why can't you wait?

spk_0 What is making this intolerable?

spk_0 Jesse says nothing.

spk_0 Are you seeing things? Hearing things?

spk_0 He's looking at the floor, trying to see what she sees.

spk_0 Jesse looks at the doctor.

spk_0 Doctor?

spk_0 I'm very tired.

spk_0 I'd give anything to sleep.

spk_0 Just sleep.

spk_0 And not dream.

spk_0 The psychiatrist stands, moves to his desk, unlocks a drawer.

spk_0 I'm going to give you something now, which will help you sleep for several hours.

spk_0 Will you go home and take it?

spk_0 Your hands are a pack of pills.

spk_0 I have one more class today.

spk_0 I think you should go home and sleep.

spk_0 Lack of sleep will give you hallucinations.

spk_0 What about school?

spk_0 I would like you to call someone to stay with you while you sleep.

spk_0 I need to know that you're safe.

spk_0 Do you want me to call Nick for you?

spk_0 Shall I ask him to meet you at home?

spk_0 Jesse nods.

spk_0 The dog has risen as well.

spk_0 I don't want to be alone.

spk_0 Jesse picks up her bag, walks to the door and leaves the office.

spk_0 The dog follows like a pet.

spk_0 As Jesse walks to the bus stop, her phone rings.

spk_0 She glances at its screen.

spk_0 It says Cat.

spk_0 She answers.

spk_0 I found someone who can help you.

spk_0 I think it's too late.

spk_0 What? Why?

spk_0 Never mind.

spk_0 Can you come now?

spk_0 Come where?

spk_0 I'm with him now.

spk_0 He says he wants me to ask you if you can come right away.

spk_0 I'm supposed to go home.

spk_0 She looks down into her left to see the dog walking with her.

spk_0 What's the address?

spk_0 Chapter 6.

spk_0 Jesse stands outside a shop staring at a rose embolazoned on its window.

spk_0 The mystic rose.

spk_0 Of course.

spk_0 I won't let you go.

spk_0 Jesse puts a hand over her heart.

spk_0 Please stop.

spk_0 Please.

spk_0 She enters the shop.

spk_0 Cat stands in a curtain doorway behind the counter inside the mystic rose.

spk_0 Jesse looks around to see bottles of herbs and fluids crowd every wall.

spk_0 Strange implements fill up baskets.

spk_0 There's a one display.

spk_0 A knife display.

spk_0 Goblets.

spk_0 Jesse walks towards Cat and in the process steps into a circle around a pentagram drawn on the floor.

spk_0 She drops to one knee.

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Are you okay?

spk_0 No.

spk_0 Jesse.

spk_0 And for a second the rose king is crouching beside her.

spk_0 His face close to hers.

spk_0 One hand on her shoulder.

spk_0 It won't let you go.

spk_0 Jesse?

spk_0 A man tall bearded slender enters the room via the curtain door.

spk_0 He's wearing a white linen robe when he studies Jesse carefully.

spk_0 He raises his hand.

spk_0 And suddenly, Jesse is alone.

spk_0 She rises looks around.

spk_0 Well, your friend is right.

spk_0 You've got a hitchhiker.

spk_0 What?

spk_0 Something.

spk_0 Someone seems to be stuck to you.

spk_0 Who is it?

spk_0 The shaman stares at her for a long moment.

spk_0 Then he pulls the curtain aside to reveal a second larger room.

spk_0 Let's see if we can find out.

spk_0 The second room of the shop is open,

spk_0 airy with warm beige walls, a large skylight and a raised wood floor.

spk_0 Inlaid into the highly polished surface of the floor as a large five pointed star within a circle.

spk_0 A circular skylight, formed by concentric circles of glass and radiating spokes, fills most of the ceiling.

spk_0 In sense burns and hangs in the still air.

spk_0 The man pulls a white silk shift off a hook on the wall and tosses it to Jesse.

spk_0 Please change into that.

spk_0 Jesse stares at him, weaving slightly.

spk_0 Why?

spk_0 I want to make sure whatever is attached to you isn't tied to something you carry.

spk_0 He leaves the room in Jesse's dresses.

spk_0 She puts the rose ring necklace on top of her pile of clothes.

spk_0 Cat watches from her post near the door.

spk_0 You're so thin.

spk_0 I can't eat.

spk_0 I can't sleep.

spk_0 A moment later the shaman returns.

spk_0 He gestures at the pentagram.

spk_0 Put your head at the top.

spk_0 Jesse lies in the middle of the pentagram.

spk_0 Her head and the eastern point of the star.

spk_0 The man moves around the room, lighting candles.

spk_0 He whispers as he works.

spk_0 Jesse looks up at the skylight.

spk_0 The concentric rings and spokes reminder of a wheel.

spk_0 They begin to spin.

spk_0 Close your eyes.

spk_0 I waited for you.

spk_0 Think of nothing.

spk_0 Let the pictures come.

spk_0 He's talking.

spk_0 What's he saying?

spk_0 I waited for you.

spk_0 A la iscalor ignites them fear and column.

spk_0 K. he say canar carví.

spk_0 Jesse sees a bicycle wheel spinning.

spk_0 A little girl's legs pumping.

spk_0 She's going as fast as she can.

spk_0 He won't wait for her.

spk_0 He never waits.

spk_0 He makes her catch up.

spk_0 I see a wheel.

spk_0 A wheel's a bike.

spk_0 Carnem haiem koriem.

spk_0 Young David is riding ahead of her down her street.

spk_0 He's a gloriously healthy, happy prince of a boy.

spk_0 Magical.

spk_0 He looks over his shoulder.

spk_0 Jesse calls out.

spk_0 Wait for me.

spk_0 The boy turns to find a rambling rose delivery truck

spk_0 sliding out of a driveway just ahead.

spk_0 He lazily curves his bike down the next driveway

spk_0 and into the street to avoid it.

spk_0 Now that he's out of the way,

spk_0 Jesse sees Amanda and Barbara on bikes of block ahead.

spk_0 Everyone is going to the park.

spk_0 There's a smash.

spk_0 Breaking glass.

spk_0 Jesse opens her eyes.

spk_0 The skylight is still spinning.

spk_0 The man she came to see is still chanting.

spk_0 Cat still stands by the door.

spk_0 Oh God.

spk_0 Her hand flies to her chest.

spk_0 It feels like her heart is being ripped out.

spk_0 I can't go out there.

spk_0 Jesse gets off her bike.

spk_0 Let's it fall to the ground.

spk_0 She walks into the street.

spk_0 She's not supposed to be there.

spk_0 There's a green car with a broken window.

spk_0 And the flower truck with its rear doors flung wide.

spk_0 But where's David?

spk_0 Jesse walks around the car.

spk_0 People are already running.

spk_0 Barbara and Amanda are riding toward her on the sidewalk.

spk_0 The three musketeers.

spk_0 Oh God.

spk_0 Please.

spk_0 Oh God, please.

spk_0 David has been hit by the green car.

spk_0 He and his bike have flown over it.

spk_0 He's lying behind it and roses.

spk_0 Red roses mostly are everywhere.

spk_0 Throne out of the van and the driver's panic stop.

spk_0 That just missed running over the boy for a second time.

spk_0 The boy's face is turned towards Jesse.

spk_0 He's staring at her with dilated eyes.

spk_0 He's trying to speak.

spk_0 Jesse falls to her knees.

spk_0 Oh no.

spk_0 Jesse creeps forward.

spk_0 Takes his hand.

spk_0 Holds it.

spk_0 Tears are running down his beautiful face.

spk_0 I'm never like you go.

spk_0 David's eyes roll back in his head and he shakes.

spk_0 Jesse's eyes fly open in the mystic rose sanctuary and she screams.

spk_0 David, the rose king, kneels inside the circle.

spk_0 His hand plunged into her chest.

spk_0 His face is grim.

spk_0 Cad and the shaman are struggling to pull her out of the circle.

spk_0 But she's rooted there.

spk_0 He jerks hard.

spk_0 Jesse convulses.

spk_0 The world goes dark.

spk_0 Jesse lies in a hospital bed wired to machines.

spk_0 Nick sits beside her holding her hand.

spk_0 At the foot of her bed there are a dozen roses in a glass face.

spk_0 Jesse stirs and Nick leans forward.

spk_0 Heart.

spk_0 I know, Jess.

spk_0 She turns to look at him.

spk_0 Puts her free hand to her eyes and turns her face away.

spk_0 It's okay.

spk_0 Jesse's body shakes.

spk_0 Every breath is an effort.

spk_0 It's your heart, Jess.

spk_0 That's what it's been all along.

spk_0 They didn't do enough tests.

spk_0 They didn't know.

spk_0 Jesse turns her head to look at him.

spk_0 Her eyes fall on the roses.

spk_0 Your heart.

spk_0 There's a valve.

spk_0 It was leaking.

spk_0 There's been restricted blood flow, atrophy.

spk_0 But it's not like with your mom.

spk_0 The doctors, they can do more.

spk_0 Heart transplant.

spk_0 Where's David?

spk_0 Honey, you're sick.

spk_0 David's gone.

spk_0 He died a long time ago.

spk_0 You forgot.

spk_0 No.

spk_0 He got hit by a car.

spk_0 It was an accident.

spk_0 Do you remember?

spk_0 Amanda told me you'd forgotten.

spk_0 I forgot.

spk_0 It was an accident.

spk_0 You forgot because you were scared.

spk_0 I'm so sorry.

spk_0 Honey.

spk_0 From a pocket, Nick pulls the chain and ring you retrieve from the ambulance.

spk_0 He takes the ring off the chain as he speaks.

spk_0 You're sick now.

spk_0 But one day we'll get married.

spk_0 And we'll have kids.

spk_0 We're going to have a happily ever after.

spk_0 Jesse watches him slip the ring on her finger.

spk_0 A happily ever after.

spk_0 Jesse stares at the rosering on her hand.

spk_0 The rubies look like drops of blood.

spk_0 Your dad is here.

spk_0 So let me go get him, okay?

spk_0 I know he wants to see you.

spk_0 Nick rises and leaves the room.

spk_0 David walks down the hospital hall, past Nick into Jesse's room.

spk_0 He stands in the doorway for a moment and meets Jesse's eyes.

spk_0 Then he moves to stand by the bed.

spk_0 I waited a lifetime.

spk_0 There's nothing left for you here.

spk_0 It's time for happily never after.

spk_0 Jesse's hand moves her heart again.

spk_0 She wins this.

spk_0 David brushes her hand away from her heart.

spk_0 Replaces it with his own.

spk_0 This time, let go.

spk_0 He reaches into her chest and pulls.

spk_0 Jesse gasps and her eyes fly open.

spk_0 Jesse, whole and healthy, rises from the hospital bed.

spk_0 Her eyes are dilated black pupils.

spk_0 She melts into David's arms and they kiss.

spk_0 Jesse looks down at the bed to see her corpse.

spk_0 Eyes wide, mouth open and surprise.

spk_0 Then she lets David usher from the room.

spk_0 As they pass the glass face filled with roses.

spk_0 David knocks it to the floor.

spk_0 The glass shatters and the roses fly.

spk_0 Jesse and David pass Nick and Jesse's father is the enterer room.

spk_0 At the end of the hall waits a three headed grey and white dog.

spk_0 Jesse kneels at young David's side.

spk_0 One hand on his heart.

spk_0 The other pressing his hand to her chest.

spk_0 A young Amanda and Barbara run a small crowd of neighbors

spk_0 on circle David and Jesse.

spk_0 As sirens get closer, they're watching.

spk_0 Watching a little girl speak to a dead boy.

spk_0 I'll never let you go.

spk_0 Never let you go.

spk_0 I'll never let you go.

spk_0 Never let you go.

The Rose King: A Haunting Tale of Love Everlasting Starring Deborah Rombaut, Jocelyn Wright, Jonathan Le Billon, Hugo Martin, and Michael Datz

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