ONCE UPON A TIME
By Martin Douglas
Helen had an affair and as a result got pregnant. Her husband
Clark has up to this point been thinking the child was his.
On this night Helen decides to break the news to him.
INT. FRONT ROOM -- EVENING
Clark sits on an old reclining chair watching a show on T.V.
His wife Helen sits next to him staring blankly into space.
Clark begins to get up.
CLARK
I'm getting a coke. You want one?
No reply. He glances at her.
CLARK (CONT'D)
Hey Helen...
HELEN
Oh...sorry, what'd you say?
CLARK
I said I'm going for a coke. Did
you want one?
HELEN
Huh yeah sure.
He walks into the next room and comes back carrying two cokes.
He hands one to her.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Thanks.
She stares down at the can and rolls it around in her hand.
He watches her curiously.
CLARK
Are you okay?
Again no reply.
CLARK (CONT'D)
Helen!
HELEN
Yeah, yeah I'll get it.
She starts to get up.
CLARK
Get what?...Helen what's wrong with
you?
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2.
HELEN
Wrong? Nothing, it's just...did you
want anything from the kitchen?
CLARK
No.
She starts to walk away.
CLARK (CONT'D)
Get back here.
HELEN
What?
CLARK
Sit down and tell me what the hell's
up. You've been like zoned for the
last week. Like out of it. Ever
since you took Jonathan to the doctor
you...
He pauses and glances at her.
CLARK (CONT'D)
Is something wrong with Jonathan?
HELEN
...no...our son's...I mean Jonathan's
fine.
CLARK
Then what's with the act. This space
case stuff is kind of spooking me.
HELEN
It's just...the doctor...he said...he
huh...
CLARK
I thought you said Jonathan was fine?
HELEN
He is.
CLARK
Well what is it then?
HELEN
You know how...remember when your
mother said that...
CLARK
That what?
HELEN
Jonathan looked nothing liked you.
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3.
CLARK
My mother's half blind. She mistook
the microwave for the T.V. and watched
it for half a hour trying to figure
out why there was no picture.
HELEN
That was kind of funny...
CLARK
So you're upset because my mother
said my son doesn't resemble me?
HELEN
He doesn't resemble you
because....he's not yours...
CLARK
That's really funny not Helen. How
could Jonathan not be mine. The
only possible explanation for that
would be....
He glances at her questioningly.
HELEN
....Yeah.
CLARK
But there's no way you....my wife
wouldn't....
HELEN
I'm sorry...
CLARK
What did you do?
HELEN
I met him...It was...
CLARK
Helen what did you go and do?!
HELEN
It was just once...I didn't think it
would...I didn't know that...He's
just not your son.
CLARK
You're not my wife. My wife would
never...get out of my sight.
HELEN
Clark it was a mistake....
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4.
CLARK
I'm closing my eyes and when I open
them I want you gone or else...
Helen starts to reach out for Clark but thinks better of it.
She slowly pulls her hand back and quietly exits the room.