Everyone's Darling to a Nobody
The calm before the storm of regret
Sunlight streams into the Reyes' living room. JANE, 10, in a frilly pink dress, twirls excitedly. PAULETTE, her mother, beams at her.
Jane Reyes
Look, Papa! Look at my dress!
Jane spins towards WILLIAMS, her father, who catches her in his arms.
Williams Reyes
My little princess. You look beautiful.* lifting her high*
KATELYN, 14, sits on the sofa, smiling indulgently, but with a hint of teenage eye-rolling. She tosses a stuffed rabbit to Jane.
Katelyn Reyes
your spoiling her mom!
JAMES, 16, grunts from the couch, engrossed in his phone. JANE clambers onto his lap.
Jane Reyes
James, look! I'm a princess!
James, despite himself, wraps an arm around her, letting her play with his phone. JAY, 6, toddles in with a crayon drawing.
jay Reyes
Jane! I drew you!
Jay holds up a drawing of a stick figure labeled "Jane" next to another labeled "Me."
REYES HOUSEHOLD - GARDEN - CONTINUOUS
ARNOLD, Jane's next-door neighbor and best friend, runs into the garden, holding a handful of dandelions. He sees Jane through the window.
Arnold Cruz
*Calling Jane*
JANE!
He pushes open the back door and enters.and presents Jane with dandelions
Arnold Cruz
You’re prettier than these.
*Jane giggles, taking the flowers.*
Jane Reyes
Silly, you’re my best friend.
Jane sits at a table, surrounded by classmates. She shares her snacks and helps with homework. We see her standing up for a quiet new girl.
Jane Reyes
(To a group of kids)
Everyone deserves a friend.
The other kids look ashamed and include the new girl in their group.
EXT. REYES HOUSEHOLD - GARDEN - DAY
Jane and Arnold sit under a tree.
Arnold Cruz
You're so nice, Jane.
Jane Reyes
It's just the right thing to do, Arnold.
INT. REYES HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
PAULETTE and WILLIAMS are in the kitchen. Paulette's face is etched with concern.
Paulette Ryes
(Softly)
There’s a little girl…Kate. She’s 8. Her parents… they passed away.
*Williams squeezes her hand*
Williams Reyes
Are you sure about this, Paulette?
*Paulette glances at Jane, who is coloring at the table, oblivious. She looks back at Williams, determination in her eyes.*
Paulette Ryes
She needs a family.
*Jane looks up, tilting her head.*
Jane Reyes
Can we keep her, Papa?
*Williams hesitates, then forces a smile.*
Williams Reyes
If that’s what you want, princess.
*Jane cheers, running to hug Paulette.*
Jane Reyes
We’ll be sisters!
*Arnold, who’s been over to play, frowns.*
Arnold Cruz
But who’ll be your best friend?
*Jane hugs Arnold too.*
Jane Reyes
You, silly. Kate can be my sister and you can be my best friend. It’ll be perfect!
JANE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jane lies in bed, eyes closed. A montage of happy images flashes across her mind: playing with Kate, laughing with Arnold, the whole family together.
Social worker
(Ominous, over montage)
She didn’t know then that "perfect" would soon crack. That the girl they brought home would change everything.
INT. REYES HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
The Reyes family sleeps soundly. Jane's laughter echoes faintly. The camera lingers on Jane’s face, a sense of foreboding hangs in the air.
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