Term
| Daylight. A gray day. Paul lies helpless on the floor. Could be the worst shape we've seen him in. Annie unlocks the door, starts inside, stops suddenly as she sees Paul. She is stunned. |
|
Definition
Oh my God- Oh my God-
(kneels alongside him)
Have you been on the floor all this time? This is all my fault- leaving you alone.
(Paul tries to speak, can't. Finally, he manages a nod)
I have to get you into the bed. |
|
|
Term
Oh please. Wait... Wait!
(she begins to drag him toward the bed)
Ah, pain...! Annie, for God's sake. |
|
Definition
(Put strong arms under his body. Hoist him on the bed. It is excruciating for Paul)
Are you ok? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
(smile sweetly at him)
I have the biggest surprise of your life coming up- but first , there is one thing you must do. |
|
|
Term
| How about my pills and a little snack while I wait for my surprise? |
|
Definition
I'll get them for you, but first you must listen to me. Now I know tht sometimes my thinking is a little muddy. I can't always tell what's right. I accept that. But this time I thought so clearly- because I asked God about you.
(carefully choosing her words)
And God said, "I delivered Paul Sheldon unto you so that you could shew him the way." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Yes.
(step out of the room and come back wheeling a barbeque with several items in her arms. Take lid off barbeque, put manuscript into the barbeque itself where the charcoal goes. The barbeque is close to the bed now, very close.) |
|
|
Term
| Before, when I mentioned a snack, I was thinking more along the lines of cheese and crackers. |
|
Definition
| This is not a time for jokes, Paul. I've been trying to understand you. Trying to understand what made you kill Misery. Wanting to believe that you really are good. I went back and finished the swearing book last night, at least I tried to, and I had a revelation. You must rid the world of this filth. |
|
|
Term
| You're going to burn my book? |
|
Definition
No, Paul. You're going to do it.
(tosses a box of matches onto the bed) |
|
|
Term
| Annie, I've been lyiing on the floor all night. I need my pills. |
|
Definition
| And I'll get them for you. But this is first. |
|
|
Term
| Annie, can we talk about this tomorrow? I'm in so much pain I can't think straight. |
|
Definition
| I know this may be difficult for you. |
|
|
Term
| It's... really not difficult at all, Annie. There's stuff about publishing you don't know. I mailed a copy to my agent and by now she's made dozens of copies every powerful publisher in New York is reading it. So if you want to burn this copy, fine- but you're not ridding the world of anything. |
|
Definition
| (Just watching him) Then light the match. |
|
|
Term
| If that's what you want, sure. |
|
Definition
Then do it.
(Paul holds the box of matches, and he tries for a smile, but it won't hold, and worse, his hands are starting to tremble)
I know this is the only copy in the world Paul. When you were twenty-four you wrote your first novel, but you didn't make a copy because you didn't think anyone would take you seriously. But they did. And ever since you've never made a copy because you're so superstitious. It's why you always come back here to the Silver Creek Lodge to finish your books. You told that story on Johnny Carson eleven years ago. |
|
|
Term
| Annie,this books will go to auction in New York and will sell for a lot of money... my attorney will make sure you get half of it... Nobody deserves it more than you. |
|
Definition
| This is not about money. It's about purity and God's values. |
|
|
Term
| You're right. I'll tell you what- I won't publish it- I'll just keep it for myself. No one will even know it exists. |
|
Definition
(Long silence now. Annie seems like she's about to agree with him)
As long as it does exist, your mind won't ever be free. You'll never write the books you're meant to write. I think you should light that match now. |
|
|
Term
Annie, please listen. I know you hated the profanity, and I'm not saying you're wrong, but you've got to understand something. This book was hard to write. I quit so many times, but I kept coming back- I needed to write it. Every ambition I have as a writer is in those pages.
(pause) It took me three years to write this book. (stares at her) Three years. A thousand days. If you care about me, how can you ask me to destroy a thousand days? |
|
Definition
| It's not a very good book, Paul. (This hits Paul) And I know good when I see it. You are good. All you need is a little help. This is the only way. God's never wrong. |
|
|
Term
(Paul is silent this time. There is no way he can do it)
No... |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Please let me help you, dear.
(and now she flicks some drops of lighter fluid on his bed)
We're only put on this earth to help people, nothing else matters.
(now more lighter fluid flicks out)
You're so brilliant, Paul, I think you'd be able to see that. (smiles) I think you do see it.
(flicks a few more. And a few more. No question if she lit a match on the bed now, she would probably burn him alive.) |
|
|
Term
| Annie, please don't make me do this. I'm begging you, please. |
|
Definition
| You can do as you choose. Do the right thing now. |
|
|
Term
| (Paul, dazed and confused, manages to light a match- and drops the match on his fluid-soaked manuscript. For a moment, nothing- And then- and then, Jesus! - all hell explodes. KABOOM!! And flames leap out. Paul can only stare. The flames grow and grow) |
|
Definition
Goodness! GOODNESS!! Heavens to Betsy!!
(they both stare at the fire. As it dies down, Annie removes two pills from her pocket.)
Here's your Novril. Though honestly I'm giving you too much as it is. Too much of anything can kill you.
(help him take the pills)
How does tuna casserole sound for dinner? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
