ANNOUNCER
This is 13 Reflections.
Reflection 13 Epilogue.
- INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 77
MUSIC CUE ASHLEY TRUCK DRIVING
PAULA
We moved away. Taking only our truck, the dragon mirror cabinet and our wraith.
LEATHERY WINGS FLAP FRIENDLY DEMON CHITTER
PAULA (CONT'D)
Maybe because the worlds were in balance or maybe it was something Waipoh had done but something about it was different. It didn’t have a hunger to kill. In fact it didn’t eat at all and because of that it didn’t poop. No one could see it so it was sort of a perfect pet. I named her Noodle.
LEATHERY WINGS FLAP DEMON NUZZLING YOUNG POLLY GIGGLES
PAULA (CONT'D)
At first Noodle was just trying learn about our world. I mean she was still a newborn. She’d sit on my shoulder and nuzzle my ear. But she didn’t seem to understand commands. Since she didn’t desire any food there was no way to train her. Then one night I reached up and petted her on her hips just above her tail.
DEMON PURR (CAT PURR) YOUNG POLLY AW
PAULA (CONT'D)
To my astonishment she started to purr. I figured out all she wanted was affection and rubbing her hips was like catnip to her. I’m telling you this so that you know how to take care of her.
EERIE WHOOSH
BLANKETS SLIDE OVER WOOD CHAIN RATTLE
LOCK CLICKS
PAULA (CONT'D)
So mom and I never really spoke about the cabinet or the dragon mirror. We wrapped it in moving blankets and put a bicycle chain around it to keep it from accidentally...or purposely opening. We didn’t have any mirrors in our place so it was sort of difficult to learn to put on make up...but the selfie camera worked ok.
PHONE RINGS
ASHLEY DISTANT FLASHBACK REVERB
ASHLEY (V.O.)
Hello? This is she. What? He did what?
ASHLEY CRYING
PAULA
Things were tight at first, we didn’t have much money and no cash flow but a few months went by and mom discovered that Ray had made her the beneficiary of his life insurance policy. She cried for weeks after that. The money helped get us started.
DOOR OPENS CLOSES
YOUNG POLLY SAYS “HI”
ASHLEY SAYS “HOW WAS SCHOOL?”
PAULA (CONT'D)
Mom used her engineering knowledge to draft plumbing and electrical designs for large buildings. This way she could work remotely and not have to talk to anyone. I went to school and everything was cool until the middle of junior high.
That’s when things got a little hairy.
KIDS ON THE PLAYGROUND
PAULA (CONT'D)
Since no one could see Noodle, and mom was creeped out by her so Noodle followed me around where ever I went...that included school. Well as you know kids can be pretty mean in their mid teens.
TEEN POLLY “LEAVE ME ALONE” DEMON GROWL
LEATHERY WINGS FLAP BOBBIE EDWARDS SCREAMS
PAULA (CONT'D)
Nothing unusual about that but when Bobbie Edwards cornered me outside the bathroom something in Noodle snapped. I was able to wrangle her off of Bobbie but not before he lost a finger and most of his right ear. The school went into lock down until they were sure the mountain lion had gone. Of course none were ever there. It took Bobbie two months before he would talk about what happened and when he did he didn’t seem to remember that I was there. And yet the mean kids stayed away from me from then on. I never told mom about it. I was afraid she’d want to put Noodle down. But I’m telling you because you’ll have to keep Noodle out of trouble for me.
PHONE BEEP
- INT. HOSPITAL - DAY HOSPITAL AMBIENCE DOOR OPENS
BOOTS ON LINOLEUM
JAMES
Polly?
PAULA
Yes James?
JAMES
It’s time. The doctor is are ready for McKenna.
NURSES MUMBLE
MCKENNA IS ROLLED OUT ON A DOLLY DOOR CLOSES
JAMES (CONT'D)
I hope the tumor hasn’t grown any larger.
PAULA
It won’t have.
JAMES
You seem so sure.
PAULA
I’m am. I expect McKenna will come out of this in perfect health.
JAMES
Honey. I’m sure you want to believe that...
PAULA
I do believe it.
JAMES
Okay. I know you do but I want you to be prepared if the MRI shows bad news.
PAULA
I’m prepared for bad news, if it indeed comes.
JAMES
Okay. Let’s hope for the best.
PAULA
You’ve been a good husband James and a fantastic father.
JAMES
You sound like you’re planning on going somewhere.
PAULA
I just want you to know that I appreciate you, that’s all.
JAMES
I appreciate you too Polly. You’ve been so strong through your mom’s passing and then McKenna’s cancer. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.
PAULA
Don’t be silly. Without me I’m sure you’ll do just fine.
PAULA (CONT'D)
Oh before I forget. This is a new phone for McKenna.
JAMES
Did she lose her old one?
PAULA
No, but she was asking for a new one a month back and I thought it would be a nice gift. I recorded a few things on it.
JAMES
Like what? You doing the latest dance challenge?
PAULA
No. It’s a mom to daughter thing so for her eyes only.
JAMES
Now I’m very curious.
PAULA
James? Promise?
JAMES
Oh alright. You Harker women are so mysterious.
PAULA
I’ve written down the password on the back.
JAMES
Noodle?
PAULA
She’ll understand. Well, maybe
not right away.
DOLLY WHEELS SQUEEK AND ROLL
JAMES
That was fast. Maybe too fast?
PAULA
Hello Doctor Chu.
DOCTOR CHU
Well Polly, I don’t know what kind of magic you are weaving in here but keep it up.
JAMES
What do you mean?
DOCTOR CHU
The reason McKenna is back so soon is because she’s going to be fine.
JAMES
I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying the tumor hasn’t grown?
DOCTOR CHU
The tumor isn’t there.
JAMES
But that’s...
PAULA
Not impossible. Thank you for the good news, Doctor Chu.
PAULA (CONT'D)
Right. I need to go...
JAMES
What? Where?
PAULA
To the bathroom.
JAMES
Oh. Don’t let me stop you.
BATHROOM DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES
MCKENNA
Dad?
JAMES
Hi McKenna. You’re awake.
MCKENNA
I had the strangest dream. Mom took me into the bathroom and held my hand against the mirror. Then I went swimming in a pool. There was a little KID and really old man that tapped me on the head and blessed me.
JAMES
That’s a strange dream for sure. I’d like to thank that old man because he must have been some sort of wizard.
MCKENNA
Where’s mom?
FOOTSTEPS
JAMES
Let me get her. She’s gonna want to hear all about your dream.
KNOCK ON INTERIOR DOOR
JAMES (CONT'D)
Polly? McKenna is awake. She’s asking for you.
LEATHERY WINGS FLAP
JAMES (CONT'D)
Polly honey?
INTERIOR DOOR OPENS
JAMES (CONT'D)
Polly? McKenna is...Where in the hell did she go? Polly?
MUSIC CUE - MAIN THEME
ANNOUNCER
This has been 13 Reflections.