Joan is asleep in her bed, tossing and turning because a voice is whispering her name.

She wakes with a startle and tries to catch her breath. Looks around her room and decides she must be hearing things. Not quite relaxed, she lies back in bed, grabs a stuffed animal and puts on her headphones. As she pulls the blankets over her head the title credits play.

- Commercial Break -

Scene begins with Joan digging through her closet, trying to find something to wear to school. She fusses with her hair and different outfits in front of a mirror, not really happy with anything she tries.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs,

Helen-(to Joan upstairs) Joan! I dont want to be late for work!

Camera follows Helen into the Kitchen.

Helen-(under her breath) why have my kids stopped listening to me?

Luke-Weve never listened to you Mom.

Helen-Thank You! Mystery solved.

Will- Girardi enters the room.

Will- Morning.

Helen- Everything ok?

Will- (quietly) yep

Helen- Aw, there was supposed to be a perk to this position, like not having to go out in the middle of the night.

Will- Oh, you thought that was police business?

Helen- Cute! (Calling upstairs again) Joan! I mean it! Kevin!

Will- Let him sleep.

Helen- Why?

Luke- Mom, you know all that stuff in my room. You know, the candles and the crystals and stuff? Yeah, dont-dont touch that. Im doing this experiment with light.

Helen- (ignoring Luke) I want him to go job hunting today Will.

Luke- Really important experiment.

Will- (ignoring Luke) He doesnt know anybody. Give him time to adjust.

Luke- Life altering stuff.

Helen- Im not listening to you Luke.

Luke- Good to know.

Helen- Weve been here 4 months. Joans adjusted, Lukes adjusted.

Luke- Also good to know.

Will- World wont end if he sleeps another half hour, Helen.

Helen- Doctor was very specific about this. No preferential treatment. We all agreed. If we treat him special, hell expect the world to do that.

Will- Ive heard all the same lectures as you

(The conversation is cut short as Kevin wheels into the kitchen. It is obvious that they all feel awkward about being over heard talking about him)

Kevin- (to everyone) Ever had a strange feeling that you are being discussed?

Luke- I never get that.

Kevin- Because youre too boring.

Luke- Yeah-yeah, thats what Im thinking.

Helen- I, I put the classifieds there, and I circled some things.

Kevin- What, No C.E.O positions available? Just as well. Id be the only one whose mother has to drive him to work.

Helen- You are gonna learn how to drive.

Kevin- UH. I already know how to drive. Thats how this all started.

Helen- you know what I mean. You (Will grabs Helens wrist and she stops talking) never mind. Apparently, you dont have to do anything.

(Breakfast ends in an awkward silence.)

Back upstairs in Joans room. She is still trying to find something to wear. She goes to throw something on the bed glances out the window. She is startled to see someone standing in the shadows of her front yard, looking up into her second story window.

She runs downstairs.

Back in the kitchen

Luke- (to Kevin) So, what you do, is that, you shoot these photon with a of paper

Joan- (running in) Theres A Pervert In The Yard!

Luke- and a pervert appears in the yard.

Joan- Im telling you!

Kevin- Uh, um, if you need any muscle, just yell.

Joan- Will and Helen go out into the front yard to investigate.

Joan- He was standing right here. Looking up at my window. He was here.

Helen- What did he look like?

Joan- I dont know. I couldnt see his face. He h-He had a dark coat on.

Luke- (now outside) Pervert coat?

Joan- He was here.

Will- did you notice anything else? Did you happen to see his shoes?

Joan- Oh yeah, I think they were gucci.

Helen- It was probably Mr. Sellers. Hes always out early. Hes overly involved with his gutters.

Joan- It wasnt Mr. Sellers, and last night I heard someone calling me. In this weird voice, in my room.

Helen- Joan, there definitely wasnt anyone in your room last night.

Joan- Im not crazy!

Helen- Come eat your breakfast. Youre going to be late for school.

Luke- Please, excuse Joan from first period. She was hallucinating

Joan- Oh, Shut Up weirdo

Luke- Oh, Im the weirdo?

Joan- yeah! You are

Helen- Eh,Eh Enough! Lets go eat a civilized family breakfast

Luke- Always good to try something new.

Joan- I saw him daddy.

Will- Come here.

Next scene begins in a police office. Will and other officers are being caught up on a case.

Lt. Michael Daghilan- Abigail Dorset is the victims name. 18 years old, a run away. She spent the last couple of nights at a teen shelter. Were still looking for the next of kin. The Victim was sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled. Forensics has determined that she did not die in the location she was found.

Will- Got forensics on the boot print?

Lt. Michael Daghilan- Government issue. Probably Army boot.

Will- Someone with a military history?

Lt. Michael Daghilan - Its possible. Alright, I need you guys to hit all the teen shelters, find out if there are any missing girls.

City bus on the way to school. Joan has a funny feeling someone is staring at her. She looks around to see. A cute, young boy is looking at her and smiles. She gets off the bus at the school. So does the boy.

Cute boy- Hey, Hows it going?

Joan-That depends, are you following me?

Cute boy- Me, no. Just going to school.

Joan- You go to my school? Ive never seen you before.

Cute boy- Well, you know. I keep a low profile.

Joan- Oh. Im Joan (shakes his hand)

Cute boy- Its nice to meet you.

Joan-(waiting) Heres the part were you say- your name.

Cute Boy- Lets walk this way.

Joan- In the opposite direction of school. I dont think so

Cute Boy follows her around school

Cute Boy- Joan, I wanna talk to you.

Joan- I must be missing something, we are talking.

Cute Boy- I mean, I wanna be honest

Joan- Ok, Who are you?

Cute Boy- I saw you today.

Joan- Saw me where?

Cute Boy- Outside of your house. Look, I didnt mean to scare you

Joan- Wa-wait that was YOU?

(Cute boy shakes his head in confirmation)

Joan- That guy was an old guy

Cute Boy- Ok, this is the difficult part. I dont always look the same

Joan- W-What are you talking about? What do you want with me? Cause I gotta

warn you, my Dads a cop. Hes not just any cop, he is The Cop.

Cute Boy- I know who your father is, Joan. He is Will Girardi. Born September 4th 1955, Chicago. His father was Gerald Girardi, his mother was Alma Monroe. He had an uneventful childhood. Attended Mother Caprini High School and Morten Junior Collage. After that he joined the police force in 1980. Then he met your mother, one Helen Brodie. She was an art school drop out. Youre the middle child of three. About a year and a half ago your older brother, Kevin, was in a car accident. Fractured his back. Left him a paraplegic. You have one other brother. Luke, whos 15. Your favorite color is green. You love salt on Cantaloupe. Jim Das broke your heart in 8th grade. And, youre afraid of clowns.

Joan (shakes her head, as she is shaken by what he knows) who are you?

Cute Boy- Ive known you since before you were born, Joan.

Joan- Im going to ask you one more time.

Cute Boy- I am God.

Joan- Youre What?

Cute Boy- God.

Joan- Dont EVER Talk To Me Again.

She walks slowly away, looking back at The Cute Boy (A.K.A God) who is still looking at her. We now enter our first commercial break.

Scene begins in a classroom. The teacher is reciting French sentences. The students are repeating them back to her, without energy or feeling. Two girls sitting behind Joan are giggling.

Joan- What?

Girl One - Youve attracted the attention of the future Unabomber.

Joan turns around to see a gawky teenager looking at her. She sighs.

Joan - What am I supposed to do?

Girl Two - Youre on your own.

Joan- This is the last thing I need

Gawky guy smiles when he sees Joan looking at him. He then leans back in his chair and Joan sees The Cute Boy (A.K.A God) standing outside her classroom.

Teacher - Joan! Joan? Joan! Joan? Pourriez-vous lire le paragraphe suivant, s'il vous plaît? (to which Joan looks puzzled) Will you read the next paragraph please?

Joan - I dont think so

Teacher - No? Pourqois Pas?

Joan - Porqois I - dont speak French

The class laughs at this. Joan is given Detention. She walks down the hall to the office and suddenly hears choir music. She turns around suddenly expecting to see that Cute Boy again. But then hears the choir director conducting.

In the office, Helen (who works at the school) walks around a desk.

Helen - Marlene? Did you see this excuse slip for Marty Wilkens?

Marlene - Maybe.

Helen- Dont you think his mother, whos a lawyer, would know how to spell either sore or throat. Shed get one of them right.

Marlene - Ill call him in after lunch. Oh, look whos here.

Helen- Joan?

Joan- Mom. Apparently Im getting some kind of award.

Helen - Oh really? Most likely to end up in Big Rig School?

Joan - A lot of people would consider you working here (whispers) a conflict of interest.

Helen- Thats fascinating.

Principal- Ah Miss Girardi. Lets have a chat.

Joan- This was really just a misunderstanding.

Principal- Well I look forward to being enlightened.

Marlene - Fifth time this month.

Helen- Fourth!

After her meeting with the principal Joan is walking through the halls and sees the Cute Guy again leaning against a wall.

Joan - Hey God! Get lost, I mean it.

God - I know you think you mean it

Joan - You know, Im going to give my father a full description and a composite drawing of you, both before dark.

God - Maybe, hell be too busy looking for creative ways to ground you for mouthing off in French class.

Joan - Are you spying on me?

God- Im omniscient Joan, comes with the Job.

Joan- Ok. So, youre God.

God - Yes

Joan - As in - God.

God - Right.

Joan - Old Testament, Tower of Babel, Burning bush, Ten Commandments - God

God - I come off a little friendlier in the new testament and the Koran but uh, Yeah, same God..

Joan - And, Im supposed to believe you - because?

God - Because you have a feeling.

Joan - No, I dont. (She turns to walk away)

God - How about you believe me if I agree to over look that promise you didnt keep.

Joan - (she turns back) What promise?

God - Lets see. That you would study hard, stop talking back, clean your room, and even go to church, if I recall, If I let your brother live.

Joan - (after a very long pause) How did you know about that?

God - Omniscient! Look it up.

Joan - So - you let my brother live, and now youre here to collect?

God - No. I dont bargain. That would be cruel.

They both start walking away from school

Joan - Ok. So, Lets say youre God.

God - Thank you.

Joan - I want to ask you some questions.

God - No.

Joan - No?

God - No. As a general rule, I ask the questions.

Joan - Are you, Are you being snippy with me? God is snippy.

God - Let me explain something to you Joan. It goes like this: I dont look like this. I dont look like anything youd recognize. You cant see me. I dont sound like this. I dont sound like anything youd recognize. You see Im beyond your experience. I take this form because youre comfortable with it. It makes sense to you. If Im snippy with you its because you understand snippy. Do ya get it?

Joan - Sort of.

God - Good, cause Im really not snippy. Ive got a great personality. Youd like me.

Joan - Uh, Im not religious you know.

God - Its not about religion Joan. Its about fulfilling your nature.

Joan - Oh, Uh, I definitely havent done that.

God - Exactly

Joan - Uh, um well, lets say youre God.

God - Joan, I am God! (Getting a bit tired of trying to convince her)

Joan - Ok, well lets see a miracle.

God - Ok, How bout that? (He motions to a tree)

Joan - Thats a tree.

God - Lets see you make one.

They continue to walk

Joan - So, do you just go around, appearing to people?

God - Um, a minor correction. Im not appearing to you. You are seeing me.

Joan - Ok fine! (pause) Is it kinda weird that I have a crush on you?

God - Im not gonna look like this the next time.

Joan - The next time?

God - Im gonna be dropping in on you Joan. Now and then.

Joan - Why?

God - Lets just say I need you to do some favors.

Joan - Why?

God - Do you notice how Im not answering any of the whys? I want you to get a

job, at the Skylight bookstore. Its about 3 bus stops from here. Managers name is Sammy. Now, Hes snippy. Its important you do this pretty soon. Dont ask why.

Joan - And if I say no? Am I gonna burst into flames?

God - (laughing) Where do you people get this stuff? Have I ever made any body

burst into flames? Do as I ask. Ill see you around.

Joan - Wait one more thing.

God - Soon! Joan.

Joan walks down the to the bookshop where she sees a help wanted sign in the window. Inquire within the sign says. A man is walking out of the store. He holds the door for Joan who shakes her head and says no. She then runs away from the store.

We forward to the night Helen and Will are sitting in their bedroom. Helen is sitting on the bed. Will is walking in.

Helen - The Florida Keys. Weve always wanted to go there.

Will - You always wanted to go there. I hate sand, water and bugs. And I really hate it when they all get together.

Helen - Ok. How about Canada? We could do that Rail Thing.

Will - Helen, Canada is where people go when they cant really afford to go on a vacation.

Helen - Ok, you win. Well go visit my parents.

Will - Oh! I dont think I can get away. Really. The job is too new. Im still on probation as far as this city concerned.

(They make up the bed, moving a lot of pillows)

Helen - We used to always go somewhere for Christmas.

Will - Well, thing how it would be for Kevin. Putting him in that same old situation where he has to look at the difference.

Helen - He needs to start looking at something, besides MTV.

Will - Theres no rule that says he has to bounce back right away?

Helen - Its been a year and a half since the accident. If he did something. If he got a job, I think hed feel better.

Will - He would? Or you would? Hey! Were doing ok.

Helen - We are? Your daughter is hallucinating men in the backyard.

Will - Couldnt we talk about this some other time?

Helen- Yeah Yeah! The thing about going away for Christmas, Will, is that it would be a start. And we could get up there, and we could see what the world looks like to us now.

Will - I cant think more then a day ahead, because I cant imagine my life, of my sons life, being the way it is forever.

Helen - Cant you just be happy he lived?

Will - Of course I can. Im grateful for that every day.

We skip to Lukes room. Candles are burning but aside from this and one desk lamp the rest of the room is dark. Luke is typing on his computer. A knock at the door.

Luke - Enter

Joan - Hey, Whatya doing?

Luke - Rehearsing for my part in a big musical. - Im studying, what else do I do? No, I wont do your math.

Joan - No, no, no I dont want you to do my math. I just wanted to, you know, talk.

Luke - Right.

Joan - So, youre a science geek right?

Luke - I prefer man of science but..

Joan - Do you believe in God?

Luke - Sure! Its Logical.

Joan - It is?

Luke - If you accept the special theory of relativity, which I do, and the laws of thermo dynamics, which I do, and then you throw in the fact that life is conscious, which it appears to be, you know, how can you argue?

Joan - Do you think it could be, you know, just walking around in the world?

Luke - Like a person? (Joan shakes her head to confirm) Um. Er. You know, its not empirically inconsistent. You know because everything is energy, and energy can manifest itself into any form, depending on its rate of vibration.

Joan - So, God could like vibrate himself into the form of a really cute guy around my age?

Luke - See. I knew there was a guy in this.

Joan - Yes, or No. Could it happen?

Luke - As the great physics Pharaday once said. Nothing is too wonderful to be true.

Joan Smiles and we enter another commercial break.

Next scene begins with Joan walking thru the halls of her school. She is joined by girl one and girl two (you will remember them from the French class)

Girl 1- Hey Girl, ok, so whos the guy?

Joan - What guy?

Girl 2- I saw you talking to him after school.

Girl 1- Is he from where you used to live? Cause he is definitely not from around here.

Joan - Wait you saw him?

Girl 1- Well, you were just standing out there

Joan - What did he look like? (in a panic, she grabs the girls arm)

Girl 1 - Take it easy.

Girl 2- You want to know what your own boyfriend looks like?

Girl 1 - Hes cute. You hurt my arm.

Joan - Describe him.

Girl 1 - Brown hair.

Girl 2 - Corduroy Jacket

Girl 1- (Sorry, but I cant catch what she says here. I think its something like (something blue jeans)

Girl 2 - And it looked like you too were having a fight.

Joan - OH my god. I knew it, you saw him, he is just a guy

Girl 1 - Are you ok?

Joan - Yeah, Im fine. Hes not my boyfriend; hes some weirdo who started talking to me on the bus.

Girl 2 - So, are you going to go out with him?

Joan - No. Im telling you, hes crazy. Thinks hes god.

Girl 2 - What else is new?

Next scene is in the police station. A mother is speaking with the Lt. Michael Daghilan.

Mrs. Dorsett - You fix this. You do something about it right now. Its a lie! They cant just print this lie.

Lt. Daghilan - It has nothing to do with us Mrs. Dorsett. We released a general statement.

Mrs. Dorsett - Who released it? You? This is my baby girl. Do you realize that?

Will - Whats the problem.

Lt. Daghilan - This is Mrs. Dorsett. Abigails mother.

Mrs. Dorsett - On T.V. they called her a prostitute. I got this off the Internet where

everyone can see it.

Lt. Daghilan - This is chief Girardi.

Mrs. Dorsett - Did you do this?

Will - Im very sorry for your loss.

Mrs. Dorsett - Doesnt it occur to you people that she was someones daughter?

Will - Of course it does. We release a general statement, the press often provides the details, Mrs. Dorsett, and for that I am truly sorry.

Mrs. Dorsett - I know what this means, Mr. Girardi. Call her a Hooker, no body has to panic. No body has to find who killed her. This was my baby! You find him!

She throws down her Internet print out and storms out of the room. Lt. Daghilan picks it up and hands it to Will.

Next we jump to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A car jerks by a line of cones and Helen walks out of the building. A mother and son walk by her and you can see Helens hurt at not being able to walk with her son. A priest with a donations basket is standing near by

Priest - Help for the homeless? Anything you can give. (Helen puts some money in the basket) God bless you.

Helen- Let me ask you something. What is God thinking?

Priest - Excuse me?

Helen- Whats He thinking? Um. Whats he up too? You know, the parking lot version.

Priest - Well, its not really something Im prepared to answer.

Helen - Why not, you got the collar on. Says to the world you got some sorta handle on it.

Priest - What youre asking is complicated.

Helen - Well, give it a shot. Starting with why He lets people suffer? (The priest struggles to find the words) Im putting you on the spot. Um, Im sorry. Ill just be going. (Helen starts to walk away, then turns back and puts more money in the basket. She is nearly crying.) Hes a father right, hes supposed to be a father. What father wouldnt fix his kids problems if he possible could? And hes master of the universe, so hes pretty capable. Is he out of ideas? Is he bored? What?

Priest - Maam, I can see youre in a spiritual crisis. (Helen laughs) and if you would like to make an appointment, you could come down to my parish, I would be more then happy to.

Helen - (cutting him off) No, no. Im sorry, Im pretty emotional right now. (She starts to walk away) Good luck with the homeless.

Priest - No, wait. Look, Ill pray for you.

Helen - Really! What will you say?

Priest - Help that emotional woman from the parking lot.

Helen - Ok. Sure. (She walks away)

Back at Joans high school in the lunchroom, Joan waits in line for her food.

Girl 2 - What part of the fish is this anyway?

Joan - I dont want to go there.

Girl 1 - Im on a diet. Im just having cake. Do you want to come sit with us?

Joan - Yeah, sure.

Girl 2 - Well be over there.

Joan - (to the lunch lady) Hi. Can I get some extra tartar sauce?

Lunch Lady - Sure you can baby. This is a five star restaurant. How come you didnt get the job?

Joan - Excuse me?

Lunch Lady - I think I made myself clear. I told you that crush thing wouldnt be a problem.

Joan - (looks over her shoulder to see if anyone is watching) Could we possibly talk about this somewhere else?

Lunch Lady- Well just do what I tell you and we wont have to discuss it. Couldnt be easier. Move along now, your holding up the line. (to the next in line) What you need sugar?

We are now in Kevins room. He is painting some little collectables. Helen knocks on the door.

Helen - Hey.

Kevin - Hey, whats going on? Why are you home?

Helen - I took the day off work.

Kevin - What for?

(She puts the driving with hand controls manual on his desk and starts to leave the room)

Kevin - Wow, see how happy they look (sarcastically) Will my teeth be that straight too?

Helen - No need to thank me.

Kevin - Thing is, Im afraid its going to make me too popular.

Helen - You could reconsider collage.

Kevin - No. The only reason I was going to collage was to play baseball. Im not the brains of the family.

Helen - Yeah, well theres still so much you could do.

Kevin - Mom! Dont you think I wish I was one of those people who gets all jazzed about the wheelchair Olympics? Im doing ok, considering. Stop trying to make me the worlds best invalid.

Helen - When you were little, and I would take you to the park or a store

Kevin - People would stop you and tell you how beautiful I was.

Helen - How special you are. You have this quality, everyone senses it. I cant believe your purpose in life is over just because you lost the ability to walk.

Kevin - Mom.

Helen - Walkings over rated anyways. Most people try to avoid it. Thats why we have so much traffic and skateboards, scooters and golf carts and road rage. Because of how much everyone hates walking. (Kevin shakes his head and goes back to the painting) When your sister gets home I want you to talk to her.

Kevin - About what?

Helen - Shes going through something.

Kevin - Do you think shes cracking up?

Helen- No! I think shes going through something. She needs a big brother. That hasnt changed.

Helen leaves the room. Kevin looks over at the driving manual again. He laughs and picks it up. Looks at it for a while and shakes his head.

In the living room, Joan is laying on the couch with her feet draped over the arm so they dangle. Kevin wheels himself into the room.

Kevin - Hey!

Joan - (without getting up) Hey!

Kevin - Mom wants me to talk to you.

Joan - (sitting up) To make sure Im not crazy?

Kevin - Yep, so, are you crazy.

Joan - (laying back down) No.

Kevin - Ok, Im glad we had this talk.

Joan - (sitting up again) Maybe. I dont know. How are you supposed to know? Is there a sign or a checklist or website?

Kevin- I guess its just the usual stuff. Do you believe in U.F.O's? Do you hear voices? Are you Michael Jackson?

Joan - If voices have people attached are they still considered voices?

Kevin - Joan, heres the thing. Mom likes normal. Dad really likes normal. Before my accident, Luke was all they could handle in the freak for a kid department. Now theyve got me. Youre their only hope for normal.

Joan - Thats just wrong.

Kevin - But it sounded good though didnt it.

Joan and Kevin laugh and she kicks his leg.

Joan - (worried that she hurt him) Im sorry. What did I do? Did you feel that?

Kevin - (shaking his head) Yeah. No - No I cant feel it. No way.

Joan - You jerk! (She splashes a glass of water in his face)

Kevin - I felt that!

Kevin grabs Joans feet and they begin to play fight. They continue until there is a fade out to the next commercial.

We come back in on the Sky Light bookstore. Joan is walking down the street towards the store, obviously nervous. She opens the door with the help wanted sign and goes inside.

Sammy - (On the phone) Calm down. Youre wheezing. . Yes you are. (He takes the phone from his ear and looks at Joan, she smiles and walks away, Sammy goes back to the phone) Just start over. Is it moving? Is it breathing? If its moving and breathing its not dead. Damn it Heidi, if its hopping its really not dead. Its cheerful. I told you we should get a rabbit for a pet. Its not a pet its food. Heidi, Heidi, dont. (He hangs up the phone because she hung up on him)

Joan - (extending her hand for a shake) Hi, Joan Girardi.

Sammy - I dont sell Harry Potter anything. (Sammy turns away)

Joan - No, Im here about the Job. Yeah, the one that you were advertising.

Sammy- Oh sorry, thats for someone who can see over the counter.

Joan - Well, Im 16. Ive had lots of jobs.

Sammy- Really? Name all 4 books in the Alexandria quartet. (Joan pauses, she doesnt know the answer) See, now somebody might ask you questions like that.

Joan- And then Id say Ill look it up in the computer. Im good with computers.

Sammy- Yeah, everyones good with computers, Digital cameras, cell phones, and TV. But no one can form an objective thought to save their lives. Go home, Please. Hiring you would only complicate my life because I would have to rant and rave about your shabby education, and I have enough to rant and rave about.

Joan - Was that your daughter on the phone?

Sammy- My wife. A grown woman who is hysterical over a sick rabbit. I dont need any more adolescents in my life. (He motions towards the door)

Joan - Well, if you hire me, then you can go take care of it. I know how to run a cash register and I know how to answer the phone. And I can count way past ten. So if you just run along and take your wifes rabbit to the vet. And when you come back, if I havent burnt down the store or something, you could hire me.

Sammy- You dont happen to have any references on you?

Joan - No, but I was sent by God. (Sammy looks at her funny and there is an awkward pause) She said, revealing her acerbic wit. My dads Will Girardi, hes the chief of police. Really.

Sammy- Dont steel anything. Dont take any checks, dont give any refunds, I will be back at 6.

And with that Sammy leaves the keys and the store in Joans hands.

We begin the next scene outside in a field. Dozens of police are all around. Lt.

Daghilan and Will are walking towards a womans body.

Lt. Daghilan- Her name is Lindsay Mitchell. Junior at AHS. Her mother reported her missing yesterday afternoon. Shes been dead about 24 hours.

Will - Its the same guy.

Lt. Daghilan - Same M.O. Foot prints a match.

Will - Well, How do you want to handle this. Its your call.

Lt. Daghilan - What would you do?

Will - Id go to medical school like my mother wanted.

Lt. Daghilan - Yeah, no kidding.

Will - Baptism by napalm.

The next scene is more of a flip between the crime scene and the bookstore. No words are spoken. First shot is Joan walking the aisles. She has her headphones on. Straighten books and looking at the displays. Then back to the crime scene where the police are putting a white sheet over the victim. Then a quick pan to Joan in the store again. Next is Kevin sitting in his room eating a sandwich, watching football. Then back to Joan, who is now sitting on a bench in the center of the store. She has picked up a book. Police wheel the body into the van and Will is on a cell phone. Next a shot from outside the bookstore. Its raining and the street is empty. Then Inside to Joan who is walking around again. She flips through a book about historical religious figures and comes across Joan of Arc. A quick shot from outside now, to catch the lightning. Back to Joan who, as we can tell, has her mind racing about the possibility that she is not crazy after all. If it happened to Joan of Arc, why not her? She slams the book shut. Looks at her watch and starts to get ready to leave. She writes a quick note to Sammy and leaves the store. Locks the door and puts her coat over her head to protect it from the rain. As she is walking down the street a man with an umbrella follows her.

Man - You wanna share this?

Joan - Is that you?

Man - Come on, your getting wet. Youll catch cold.

Joan - Look, can we think of some way to do this. You know, like some kind of code word, because that stunt in the cafeteria was trees un-amusing.

Man - Ill give you a ride, my cars right here.

Joan - Wow, God has a car.

Man - Yeah (he unlocks her side first.)

Joan - God has a bad car (she looks inside) God has The Club. (She doesnt trust him now) You know, I think Im going to walk.

Man - (trying to grab her) Na, come on. You dont want to do that, (Joan screams no) its cold. Its going to be fine.

Joan screams no again and starts to run. The man closes the car door and follows her. Joan runs back to the bookstore and struggles with the key in the door. A man comes from behind her and she screams.

Sammy- What the hell are you doing? Why are you leaving?

Joan - (crying) There was a man.

Sammy- What, what man?

Joan- A man tried to get me in his car.

Sammy- What? What man?

Joan and Sammy look down the street towards where the car was parked. Its not there now. She doesnt say as much but you can tell Joan is wondering if that really was God. Who has now disappeared?

Back at home now, in front of a fire. Joan is talking to her parents. She is sitting on the floor.

Joan - I thought I was going to be home by six, but then the owner was late getting back. Im sorry I scared you.

Helen- You go and get a job. Just like that. Without telling any body.

Joan - Youre always bugging Kevin to get one.

Helen - Thats Kevin. Youre in school.

Joan - Some parents would say I was industrious.

Helen - Some parents havent seen your report card.

Joan - And then there was this man, was kind of following me.

Helen - What?! You were saving that for later?

Joan - I didnt want to upset you.

Helen - Too late!

Will - Why dont you let me handle this?

Helen - Ok, fine. I kinda miss the 50s (she leaves the room)

Joan - I swear there was a man daddy.

Will - The same man?

Joan - No, a different one.

Will - Why are you doing this. Is this some kind of prank? For attention. Because there is really is someone out there Joan. And if theres a man following you, I need to know.

Joan - There is. I mean, I think there is. The one earlier, he turned out to be someone else. But the one tonight, he seemed real. (She starts to cry) I dont want this to be happening to me dad.

Will - What is happening? You can tell me. What ever it is, well deal with it. Joan, Ill get you a doctor, a counselor, a priest. Well make it ok. Thats my job. Look at me (he holds her face in his hands) Im not going to loose you, for any reason. Do you understand?

He kisses her on the forehead and gives her a comforting hug. She is still crying.

Next to the police station. Lt. Daghilan is working late.

Sgt. Drake - Chief keeping bankers hours tonight?

Lt. Daghilan - He had some family business.

Sgt. Drake - Hes a funny one isnt he.

Lt. Daghilan - Hes the boss sergeant.

The Sgt. leaves the room and Officer Osborne walks by with the man from the street. Osborne says goodnight and the man gives a strange look to Lt. Daghilan. They sit the man down and handcuff him to a chair.

Lt. Daghilan - Osborne, Give me a minute. Whats this?

Osborne - Guy was doing 60 down Grand View, ran a red light, mouthed off a bit. Decided Id drag it out, not let him go.

Lt. Daghilan - You run the check on him?

Osborne - Hes got nothing, not even a speeding ticket.

Lt. Daghilan - You let him kick him?

Osborne - I just thought, he mouthed off, I teach him a lesson.

Lt. Daghilan - Lets put him up over night.

Osborne - Sir, for what?

Lt. Daghilan - Call it resisting arrest. I want to talk to him in the morning.

Osborne - Ok.

Sgt Drake - You want to talk to the guy for running a red light?

Lt. Daghilan - Uh, yeah. And I want the chief to be there too.

Lt. Daghilan notices the muddy footprints of the man. Looks once more to the man and walks out of the room.

Back at the Girardi house, in Joans room, she is having a restless sleep. Someone is calling her name. A light opens on her bed and she wakes up.

Kevin - Joan. (She sighs) Hi. I appreciate what you did. I mean, it was kinda

stupid and you got in trouble, but it was brave and I get your point.

Joan - I have a point?

Kevin - My little sister can get a job, Ive got no excuse. So, youre shaming me back into the world. But youre right. Its time. Ah, go back to sleep.

Joan starts to put her headphones on but decides against it. She rolls over and goes back to sleep. The camera pans out of her window and up to the black sky. We fade out to credits.