ANNOUNCER 

This is 13 Reflections. 

Reflection 13 Epilogue.

1. 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

1. 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.