I'd like to lay you in the closet... Or anywhere else.

His buddies snicker. India stares straight ahead, a statue. Pitts grins. Fish in a barrel.

We reveal another boy behind India: WHIP TAYLOR (lean, good- looking) , sitting with the jocks but of a different breed. Middle Bend's answer to Steve McQueen. He looks on with mild interest.

PITTS (CONT'D) Three minutes. That's Cl X i I need.

More snickering. India keeps her eyes front.

PITTS (CONT'D)

Two?

His buddies crack up, louder now, finally catching Mr. Feldman's attention.

MR. FELDMAN

Mr. Pitts?

PITTS Yes, Mr. Feldman?

MR. FELDMAN Do you have something you'd like to share with the rest of us?

PITTS (smirking) Yeah... I've got something I'd like to share.. .

Guffaws from the back row. The bell rings. School's out.

MR. FELDMAN Perhaps tomorrow, Mr. Pitts.. Something to look forward to.

The class rises, gathering their belongings, chatting amongst themselves, Mr. Feldman already forgotten.

MR. FELDMAN (CONT'D) We'll pick up where we left off... Hopefully some of you will find Mr. FitzGerald's translations a little more worthy of your attention...

India bolts from her seat, beelines for the door, holding her books in front of her like a shield.

Pitts and crew watch her go, laughing.

EXT. MIDDLE BEND SENIOR HIGH - DAY - CONTINUOUS

India exits the building amid a flood of students, a loose leaf on the current. She stops when she sees who's waiting at the curb.

We reveal Uncle Charlie, leaning against the 450SL, wearing a new pair of tortoise shell sunglasses. He's looking very dashing indeed.

As the students around her stop and stare (India talking, India talking to a boy, India talking to a boy with a car, etc.), she walks forward hesitantly.

INDIA

What are you doing here?

UNCLE CHARLIE I thought you might like a ride.

INDIA

But I always take the bus home from school.

His eyes are unreadable behind the sunglasses.

INDIA (CONT'D)

Always.

UNCLE CHARLIE

(mild) Suit yourself.

CUT TO:

EXT. MIDDLE BEND - DAY - CONTINUOUS

A big yellow school bus passes through frame, trundling down the street.

A moment later, the Mercedes passes through frame as well, following behind, same speed.

CUT TO:

EXT. STOKER ESTATE - FRONT GATES - DAY - CONTINUOUS

The bus pulls away, leaving India outside the entrance to the estate. She looks over, sees the Mercedes idling nearby.

India turns away, walking through the gates and starting up the long road to the house.

CUT TO:

EXT. STOKER ESTATE - THE DRIVE - DAY - CONTINUOUS

India enters frame, trudging up the winding drive, eyes straight ahead, dragging her schoolbooks with her.

The Mercedes enters frame behind her, crawling along, same speed.

They caravan like that all the way up to the house. It takes awhile. CUT TO:

EXT. STOKER RESIDENCE - DAY - CONTINUOUS

India arrives at the front porch, and,for the first time since she was dropped off at the gates, looks behind her. Uncle Charlie is parking the car on the turnaround.

He gets out, closes the door, leans on the hood.

UNCLE CHARLIE That was fun. We should do it again tomorrow.

India goes into the house, slamming the front door. BEGIN MONTAGE - SCENES FROM THE NEXT FEW DAYS

EXT. STOKER RESIDENCE - MORNING - MONTAGE (I)

The front door opens. India walks out, dressed for school.

She's several paces down the drive when the door opens again. Uncle Charlie appears with a brown paper bag.

UNCLE CHARLIE Don't forget your lunch!

INDIA (not turning around) I don't eat lunch.

She keeps walking. Uncle Charlie keeps watching.

CUT TO:

INT. STOKER RESIDENCE - FOYER - AFTERNOON - MONTAGE (II)

The front door opens. India walks in from school.

Hearing laughter, she goes to the living room doorway. Uncle Charlie and Evie are down on the rug, playing a board game. Evie looks up, sees her daughter,

EVIE

India! I'm teaching your uncle how to play Monopoly! And he's already beating me! It's not fair...

UNCLE CHARLIE Why don't you come play with us, India?

EVIE (somewhat less enthusiastic) Yes, come and play...

India turns and walks down the hall, straight up to her room.

CUT TO:

EXT. STOKER RESIDENCE - MORNING - MONTAGE (III)

The front door opens. India walks out, dressed for school. As she clears the turnaround and starts down the drive -

UNCLE CHARLIE (O.S.) Clarkia Unguiculata. Also known as "Farewell to Spring."

India keeps walking as WE PAN DOWN from her face to the ground, revealing Uncle Charlie on his hands and knees. He's working alongside the drive, all sweaty with his sleeves rolled up, busy planting spring bulbs.

UNCLE CHARLIE (CONT'D) ...They're for your mother, (then)

(MORE)

UNCLE CHARLIE (CONT'D) Native to California, really, but I'm hoping they might take here too...

India keeps walking, eyes on the horizon, disappearing down the drive.

Uncle Charlie smiles to himself, starts digging a new hole. CUT TO:

INT. STOKER RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT - MONTAGE (IV)

The swing door opens. Uncle Charlie, wearing his navy blue sweater, enters with dinner. As he sets it down in front of Evie -

UNCLE CHARLIE ...Apparently Mr. McGarrick has been telling everyone she ran off with another man. He's saying it was just a matter of time...

EVIE Good for her!

(laughing boozily) Although I have to admit she never struck me as the type...

(looking to her left) Maybe India knew something the rest of us didn't...

We reveal India sitting next to her, silent and stony-faced as Uncle Charlie ladles some green beans onto her plate.

EVIE (O.S.) (CONT'D) Oh, Charlie - gratin dauphinois.' My favorite. . .

CUT TO:

EXT. STOKER RESIDENCE - DAY - MONTAGE (V)

The back door opens. Evie steps out onto the terrace, carrying a racquet and dressed in tennis whites. She sees her daughter reading a book in a lounge chair, walks over.

EVIE

Good morning, sleepyhead! India's been up for hours, but she lets it go.

EVIE (CONT'D) Charlie cleared off the court yesterday so we're going to walk on over... He says he's never played before. Isn't that funny?