Excerpt from the screenplay "The Sunday Mail"
(blog does not allow for standard screenwriting formatting)
THIS TEXT APPEARS AGAINST A CLEAR BLUE SKY THEN DISSOLVES. THE SOUND OF BIRDS IS HEARD.
This is a true story. The events depicted in this film took place in New Mexico in 1996. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. The story is told exactly as it happened.
FADE IN:
EXT. FRONT PORCH - SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1996 - DAY
ANNIE is a pleasant, short, gray haired, sixty five YEAR OLD retired school administrator. She walks out the fron door followed by her constant companion, BLOSSOM, the little dog she adores. They pause on the porch, then walks down the steps, going down the sidewalk leading to the street. she stops, turns and looks back at her house, admires her flower garden in front of the porch. She then picks up Blossom and continues toward the street stopping at the mailbox.
ANNIE
Blossom, what am I doing? It’s Sunday.
Absentmindedly, she opens mailbox while talking to her dog.
Oh. Good God, Blossom, look at that, I must have forgot to get the mail again. C’mon girl, let’s go see what we have here.
Annie and Blossom return to porch and sit on the swing.
She looks up and sees her neighbor working in his flower bed.
(waves hand)
AnnIE (CONT’D)
Hello Lloyd, isn’t this a lovely Sunday?
Lloyd is on his knees planting marigolds.
LLOYD
(Looks up at Annie)
Well, hi Annie. Yes, it’s quite a beaut’, eh? Good for working in my garden. Looks like you forgot to get your mail again.
ANNIE
I surely did. I guess I’m just getting absent minded.
Lloyd stands up, brushes off clothes, removes gloves.
LLOYD
Well aren’t we all? Got to get cleaned up now. Grand kids coming over. You enjoy this sunshine.
Annie and Blossom sitting on the porch swing. Annie begins to look through the stack of mail.
ANNIE
Have fun with your grand kids.
(Talking to dog)
Blossom, a lot of trees were killed sending out all this junk mail to people who don’t want it. Uh oh, I can tell these are all credit card companies. Credit cards are like little plastic traps. Go get whatever you want and they got ya. You end up paying 20 times what the thing you had to have originally cost. I sure don’t need any credit cards. Look at this one, I can get my oil changed on Ladies Day at Jiffy Lube for only $19.95. Guess I’ll keep that one ‘cause we could use an oil change. Good Lord, the phone company sends me 6 pages just to say I didn’t make any long distant calls. And look at this, Publisher’s Clearing House says I’m definitely going to be a winner if my number is selected.
(Looks up and sighs)
I wonder what we would do with all that money. You know we got every thing we need and then some. Guess we could go on a little trip, put some in the bank and give the rest away. J. C. Penny’s. Well, I don’t really need any new clothes either.
(puzzled expression)
Wait just a minute Blossom, look, here’s a card addressed to me. Now why would someone be sending me a card? Its not my birthday or Cindy’s or a holiday? It’s just a beautiful ordinary Sunday.
(She examines envelope)
No return address. This envelope looks so old it has turned yellow, but look at the handwriting. Handwriting tells a lot about character. Well, let’s open it.
(Opens envelope)
“You wanted to talk, so I am here.”
(irritated expression)
That’s it? No name, no nothing? Who is here?
Suddenly, the breeze slightly increases and Annie hears a very pleasant voice.
GOD (O.S.)
I am.
ANNIE
(Startled expression)
What?
(looks at dog)
Blossom, I must be hearing things.
GOD (O.S.)
You’re not hearing things, it’s me. You know, God.
ANNIE
God who?
GOD (O.S.)
THE God. You know, the one you people call the One and only. I’m not quite into the texting thing yet, so I sent a card.
ANNIE
Oh no! Don’t tell me!
GOD (O.S.)
Tell you what?
ANNIE
Am I dead? And my little Blossom, too?
GOD (O.S.)
Of course not and Blossom is fine.
ANNIE
Then why am I talking to God? Have I completely gone ‘round the bend? Cindy always says I imagine things.
GOD (O.S.)
She’s right, but imagining things is fun. I do it all the time.
ANNIE
Somehow, I don’t think Cindy means it quite that way.
GOD (O.S.)
I’ve been watching you two for, what is it now, 30 years? I knew you two would hit it off...just right for each other. As far as I can see, and you know I can see really far, you two have been doing fine for years. Okay, now, you said you wanted to talk. So here I am.
ANNIE
You don’t have a problem with Cindy and me, together? It’s really alright with you? I mean you know how some people keep saying you don’t approve.
GOD (O.S.)
Holy crap, Annie. Don’t you think I have a few things more important to worry about than two people who have loved and cared for each other all these years. Remember, I had a little something to do with it too, no matter what others say. Now that that is out of the way, what did you want to talk about?
ANNIE
Now let’s see. Now I remember. I was thinking, really more like daydreaming --- I do that a lot when I work in the flower garden.
GOD (V.O.)
Yes I know.
ANNIE
Yes, I guess you would, wouldn’t you? So I was daydreaming about God. You know, you, and we’re sitting on the front porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Me and you on your front porch? Now that’s gotta’ be a new one.
ANNIE
(Looks around porch)
Well now, I think our porch is a nice place to sit and admire the flowers, visit with neighbors,
friends, or just sit and do nothing.
GOD (O.S.)
Yes it is, it’s very comfortable. Anyway, I got your message and--
Blossom jumps off the swing to go chase a butterfly. A depression in the cushion beside Annie suddenly appears.
Ahhh, nice, just sitting on your porch. I don’t get to sit down too often and my feet are killing me. So, what’s on your mind?
ANNIE
God has feet?
GOD (O.S.)
My feet is what’s on your mind? How else do you think I would walk with people who need me? I walk with a lot of folks all the time, sometimes all of them at the same time. I know, I know, I’ve heard about the spirit and wing stuff. Don’t believe everything you hear.
What gets me is the “in my image” stuff.
ANNIE
I should have swept the porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Swept what?
ANNIE
I said I should have swept the porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Strange how people always say they should have cleaned up something when I drop in on them. I’m kind of on a schedule here. So what’s on your mind?
ANNIE
I’m not sure I have a mind. I mean, I think I’m sitting here talking to God.
GOD (O.S.)
I hear that almost every time I drop in on someone too. Did you want to talk about anything in particular?
ANNIE
Well no, I mean yes, I don’t know what I mean, but since you’re here and all, I have wondered about a few things. You know, at my age, probably the usual things like oh I don’t know... the weather maybe, or how about religion, you being God and all?
GOD (V.O.)
Why does everyone want to know about religion? Well alright, what about it?
ANNIE
I sometimes wonder why there are so many and they seem to never agree with each other too much. And each one thinks it is better than the other. I guess you already know we don’t do religion per se. So what do you think?
GOD (V.O.)
That’s your area, not mine.
ANNIE
Religion is not God’s area? I mean, really, not your area?
GOD (V.O.)
What I mean is you all invented religion, not me. Support groups I guess.
ANNIE
Support groups? Religion? I suppose you could look at it that way. Well, okay then, what about this idea of eternity that preachers are always talking about and some people can’t wait to see?
GOD (V.O.)
Now that’s a little more involved. Take a look at your flower garden. It really is a pretty garden. I see you have what you call annuals and perennials, right?
ANNIE
Yes, but I don’t see....
GOD (V.O.)
Anyway, eternity is kind of like the difference between your annuals and your perennials. Annuals bloom for one season, produce seed, then that’s it, poof, they’re gone. Perennials, on the other hand, they bloom every year. Year, after year, after year. You could say eternity is something like your perennials, it just goes on year after year.
ANNIE
I see, so life blooms just one time for a short while, but eternity keeps happening year after year. Right?
GOD (V.O.)
That’s about how it works, more or less. I gotta’ tell you though, sometimes I have to send some folks back a few times until they can get it right. Been doing it for years and its been working great. Pretty clever, huh?
ANNIE
So you decide who is going to be a perennial?
GOD (V.O.)
Well, not exactly. I do decide the annuals, but then we both actually decide on the perennial deal.
Blossom runs back up on the porch and jumps on Annie’s lap.
ANNIE
We do? We both decide, hmmmm. Well then what about my Blossom?
GOD (V.O.)
Blossom’s included.
ANNIE
Thank God! I mean thank you. That makes me happier about the whole thing. She is such a sweet little girl and I love her dearly. I worry about her though, since she is getting up in age.
GOD (O.S.)
Not to worry. Already got it covered. She’ll be fine. I’d say she will be a really sweet little “perennial.”
The depression on the swing’s cushion begins to fade.
If that’s about it, I probably need to scoot. You know, I’ve always thought gardening is just about the best way to do what you people call praying. You get your hands in the soil, you plant the seeds, give ‘em water, and nurture them, then watch them bloom. And all the while, I hear what you are thinking-praying.
ANNIE
Sorry you have to leave. I’ve enjoyed visiting with you. You cleared up a couple of things I have thought about from time to time. Stop in again when you can. Next time we will have tea, unless you care for something a little stronger.
GOD (V.O.)
Thanks for wanting me to drop by for a little visit. I’m pretty sure I won’t need to be back to see you for a long time, but don’t worry about it. Just keep tending your garden, okay? I’ll be seeing you later --- much later.
INT. DAY -- HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1996
Dr. Allen enters and begins talking to Annie’s family members.
DR. ALLEN
Well, Dr. Henderson tried to put in stents and that didn’t work. Her vessels are too small. I’m sorry, but it really doesn’t look good. He is going to try bypass surgery. Just know it might not work.
THREE DAYS LATER:
INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT -- FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1996 -- MORNING
Dr. Henderson and two nurses enter room and begin removing the breathing tube connected to a ventilator machine. The doctor listens to the patient’s heart and checks the bandages on her chest and legs. Doctor takes Annie’s hand.
DR. HENDERSON
Annie, open your eyes. We are going to sit you up on the side of the bed for a few minutes. Wake up now.
The nurses lift Annie into a sitting position, then swing her legs over the side of the bed. One nurse moves in front of Annie and one is on the her left side and the doctor is on her right side.
DOCTOR HENDERSON
I’m going to let you go to the Cardiac Unit on the 4th floor after the nurses finish getting you ready to move there.
ANNIE
Wait, I can’t see things too good. Why am I all bandaged up?
NURSE
Because you had surgery. You need to hold my arm and sit up for just a few minutes.
ANNIE
Surgery? When did I have surgery? No wonder I feel like I’ve been run over by a semi. He didn’t tell me that all this was going on.
NURSE
No, the doctor probably didn’t tell you. You were unconscious. Your heart stopped while you were having an arteriogram. You had surgery three days ago and the doctor thinks you are doing well enough to move to another room downstairs. Your family can come in and see you for a few minutes. Then we will get you ready to move.
ANNIE
No, I wasn’t talking about the doctor. I was talking to... I think I need to lie back down (beat) Is Blossom okay? Was she hurt. He said she would be fine. Where is Cindy?
NURSE
Who is Blossom?
ANNIE
She’s my precious little dog. I was sitting with her on the front porch, looking at the mail and.... could you find Cindy?
Quite weak and becoming nauseated, Annie starts to fall back.
NURSE
Let’s get you back in bed and your family can come in and see you one at a time for just a few minutes. Maybe they know about Blossom.
ANNIE
Can you find Cindy?
Cindy, Annie’s life long partner enters the room.
CINDY
I’m here. Right here.
(takes Annie’s hand.)
You gave all of us a big scare.
ANNIE
Look at all these bandages, what happened to me. I mean one minute I am talking to... well what happened and our Blossom, is she alright?
CINDY
Linda is taking care of Blossom and she is fine. You had a heart attack and had emergency open heart surgery. A quadruple bypass.
ANNIE
I had surgery four times? I.. we were sitting on the front porch...
I think I’m kind of sleepy.
(squeezes Cindy’s hand)
Stay with me. I’m just going to take a little nap.
CINDY
I’m going to let Shannon and Lisa come in for a minute. And your brother is here too, from Virginia.
ANNIE
Okay, I’ll wake up when they all get here, but I want you stay with me
(closing eyes)
always.
ELEVEN DAYS LATER:
EXT. DAY --HOSPITAL ENTRANCE - THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH, 1996
Orderly is standing beside Annie’s wheelchair and a nurse assistant is with a cart full of flowers. Cindy drives up, gets out of the car.
CINDY
I think we better put her in the back, there is a little more room there.
The orderly and Cindy help Annie out of the wheelchair and the orderly puts the hospital blanket over her in the back seat. The nurse assistant helps put the flowers in the car. Annie tries to hand back the blanket.
ORDERLY
It’s okay, you keep the blanket ...take care of yourself... remember what the doctor said, no foot races for awhile, okay? Bye, bye.
EXT. DAY -- FRONT PORCH -- FRIDAY, JUNE 29TH, 1996
Annie sitting on the porch swing holding Blossom and watching Cindy watering the flowers.
CINDY
These flowers really needed some water. I think they are going to be okay though.
Annie sitting in the swing patting Blossom on the head.
ANNIE
I’m glad to hear that. You know the last thing I remembered before all this happened was when we got home from that Italian restaurant, I wasn’t feeling too well.
CINDY
I know, you went to bed early and woke me up in the middle of the night having terrible pains. I took you to the Emergency Room, remember?
ANNIE
Yes, yes, I remember now. I think I had the best ambulance driver in the world, maybe the universe.
CINDY
Scared the crap out of me.
ANNIE
I know. I was a scared too. The whole thing was quite an experience.
CINDY
Standing between a rose bush and a Peony turning off a faucet.
What? Now, what were you saying? I didn’t hear you.
Cindy walks up steps and sits beside Annie who is holding Blossom.
ANNIE
I was saying, I remember you taking me to the hospital. And being in the ER, but then the pain came back and I suddenly was in a dark room with a doctor and nurse who were wearing masks. They were talking, but I don’t know what they were saying. Then the nurse pulled the sheet up over me.... I couldn’t move. I asked her to please don’t, but I guess she didn’t hear me, ‘cause she did it anyway....... then nothing. Everything went away. It was so peaceful and quiet and I didn’t hurt anymore... then the mail came....
CINDY
The mail came? You had another heart attack and they took you to surgery... you don’t remember that?
ANNIE
No, I don’t remember that, but I do remember Blossom and I getting the mail, then sitting right here on our porch and...
Suddenly, once again the breeze slightly increases and Annie hears the same pleasant voice she heard several days earlier.
GOD (O.S.)
It wasn’t your time. You still have gardens to tend.
ANNIE (V.O.)
(whispering)
Thank you.
The breeze stops as suddenly as it began. Annie looks at Blossom, Cindy, and the flowers, and smiles.
CINDY
You were in surgery for hours... it seemed like an eternity to me. I was so happy when I got to see you even if you were asleep. You woke up a couple of days later holding my hand.
ANNIE
Annie takes Cindy’s hand and looks at the garden.
Love you. I’m so glad I’m home. Everything is so beautiful... the garden, our little Blossom, and you, especially you.
Annie looks down the sidewalk then at the mailbox.
Say, do you know the real difference between annuals and perennials?
(hugs Blossom)
And before I forget, I have it on very good authority everything is going to be just fine. You. Me. Us. Blossom... for a long, long
time....
THE END?
GOD (O.S.)
Hey, That’s my call!
FADE OUT.
(blog does not allow for standard screenwriting formatting)
THIS TEXT APPEARS AGAINST A CLEAR BLUE SKY THEN DISSOLVES. THE SOUND OF BIRDS IS HEARD.
This is a true story. The events depicted in this film took place in New Mexico in 1996. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. The story is told exactly as it happened.
FADE IN:
EXT. FRONT PORCH - SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1996 - DAY
ANNIE is a pleasant, short, gray haired, sixty five YEAR OLD retired school administrator. She walks out the fron door followed by her constant companion, BLOSSOM, the little dog she adores. They pause on the porch, then walks down the steps, going down the sidewalk leading to the street. she stops, turns and looks back at her house, admires her flower garden in front of the porch. She then picks up Blossom and continues toward the street stopping at the mailbox.
ANNIE
Blossom, what am I doing? It’s Sunday.
Absentmindedly, she opens mailbox while talking to her dog.
Oh. Good God, Blossom, look at that, I must have forgot to get the mail again. C’mon girl, let’s go see what we have here.
Annie and Blossom return to porch and sit on the swing.
She looks up and sees her neighbor working in his flower bed.
(waves hand)
AnnIE (CONT’D)
Hello Lloyd, isn’t this a lovely Sunday?
Lloyd is on his knees planting marigolds.
LLOYD
(Looks up at Annie)
Well, hi Annie. Yes, it’s quite a beaut’, eh? Good for working in my garden. Looks like you forgot to get your mail again.
ANNIE
I surely did. I guess I’m just getting absent minded.
Lloyd stands up, brushes off clothes, removes gloves.
LLOYD
Well aren’t we all? Got to get cleaned up now. Grand kids coming over. You enjoy this sunshine.
Annie and Blossom sitting on the porch swing. Annie begins to look through the stack of mail.
ANNIE
Have fun with your grand kids.
(Talking to dog)
Blossom, a lot of trees were killed sending out all this junk mail to people who don’t want it. Uh oh, I can tell these are all credit card companies. Credit cards are like little plastic traps. Go get whatever you want and they got ya. You end up paying 20 times what the thing you had to have originally cost. I sure don’t need any credit cards. Look at this one, I can get my oil changed on Ladies Day at Jiffy Lube for only $19.95. Guess I’ll keep that one ‘cause we could use an oil change. Good Lord, the phone company sends me 6 pages just to say I didn’t make any long distant calls. And look at this, Publisher’s Clearing House says I’m definitely going to be a winner if my number is selected.
(Looks up and sighs)
I wonder what we would do with all that money. You know we got every thing we need and then some. Guess we could go on a little trip, put some in the bank and give the rest away. J. C. Penny’s. Well, I don’t really need any new clothes either.
(puzzled expression)
Wait just a minute Blossom, look, here’s a card addressed to me. Now why would someone be sending me a card? Its not my birthday or Cindy’s or a holiday? It’s just a beautiful ordinary Sunday.
(She examines envelope)
No return address. This envelope looks so old it has turned yellow, but look at the handwriting. Handwriting tells a lot about character. Well, let’s open it.
(Opens envelope)
“You wanted to talk, so I am here.”
(irritated expression)
That’s it? No name, no nothing? Who is here?
Suddenly, the breeze slightly increases and Annie hears a very pleasant voice.
GOD (O.S.)
I am.
ANNIE
(Startled expression)
What?
(looks at dog)
Blossom, I must be hearing things.
GOD (O.S.)
You’re not hearing things, it’s me. You know, God.
ANNIE
God who?
GOD (O.S.)
THE God. You know, the one you people call the One and only. I’m not quite into the texting thing yet, so I sent a card.
ANNIE
Oh no! Don’t tell me!
GOD (O.S.)
Tell you what?
ANNIE
Am I dead? And my little Blossom, too?
GOD (O.S.)
Of course not and Blossom is fine.
ANNIE
Then why am I talking to God? Have I completely gone ‘round the bend? Cindy always says I imagine things.
GOD (O.S.)
She’s right, but imagining things is fun. I do it all the time.
ANNIE
Somehow, I don’t think Cindy means it quite that way.
GOD (O.S.)
I’ve been watching you two for, what is it now, 30 years? I knew you two would hit it off...just right for each other. As far as I can see, and you know I can see really far, you two have been doing fine for years. Okay, now, you said you wanted to talk. So here I am.
ANNIE
You don’t have a problem with Cindy and me, together? It’s really alright with you? I mean you know how some people keep saying you don’t approve.
GOD (O.S.)
Holy crap, Annie. Don’t you think I have a few things more important to worry about than two people who have loved and cared for each other all these years. Remember, I had a little something to do with it too, no matter what others say. Now that that is out of the way, what did you want to talk about?
ANNIE
Now let’s see. Now I remember. I was thinking, really more like daydreaming --- I do that a lot when I work in the flower garden.
GOD (V.O.)
Yes I know.
ANNIE
Yes, I guess you would, wouldn’t you? So I was daydreaming about God. You know, you, and we’re sitting on the front porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Me and you on your front porch? Now that’s gotta’ be a new one.
ANNIE
(Looks around porch)
Well now, I think our porch is a nice place to sit and admire the flowers, visit with neighbors,
friends, or just sit and do nothing.
GOD (O.S.)
Yes it is, it’s very comfortable. Anyway, I got your message and--
Blossom jumps off the swing to go chase a butterfly. A depression in the cushion beside Annie suddenly appears.
Ahhh, nice, just sitting on your porch. I don’t get to sit down too often and my feet are killing me. So, what’s on your mind?
ANNIE
God has feet?
GOD (O.S.)
My feet is what’s on your mind? How else do you think I would walk with people who need me? I walk with a lot of folks all the time, sometimes all of them at the same time. I know, I know, I’ve heard about the spirit and wing stuff. Don’t believe everything you hear.
What gets me is the “in my image” stuff.
ANNIE
I should have swept the porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Swept what?
ANNIE
I said I should have swept the porch.
GOD (O.S.)
Strange how people always say they should have cleaned up something when I drop in on them. I’m kind of on a schedule here. So what’s on your mind?
ANNIE
I’m not sure I have a mind. I mean, I think I’m sitting here talking to God.
GOD (O.S.)
I hear that almost every time I drop in on someone too. Did you want to talk about anything in particular?
ANNIE
Well no, I mean yes, I don’t know what I mean, but since you’re here and all, I have wondered about a few things. You know, at my age, probably the usual things like oh I don’t know... the weather maybe, or how about religion, you being God and all?
GOD (V.O.)
Why does everyone want to know about religion? Well alright, what about it?
ANNIE
I sometimes wonder why there are so many and they seem to never agree with each other too much. And each one thinks it is better than the other. I guess you already know we don’t do religion per se. So what do you think?
GOD (V.O.)
That’s your area, not mine.
ANNIE
Religion is not God’s area? I mean, really, not your area?
GOD (V.O.)
What I mean is you all invented religion, not me. Support groups I guess.
ANNIE
Support groups? Religion? I suppose you could look at it that way. Well, okay then, what about this idea of eternity that preachers are always talking about and some people can’t wait to see?
GOD (V.O.)
Now that’s a little more involved. Take a look at your flower garden. It really is a pretty garden. I see you have what you call annuals and perennials, right?
ANNIE
Yes, but I don’t see....
GOD (V.O.)
Anyway, eternity is kind of like the difference between your annuals and your perennials. Annuals bloom for one season, produce seed, then that’s it, poof, they’re gone. Perennials, on the other hand, they bloom every year. Year, after year, after year. You could say eternity is something like your perennials, it just goes on year after year.
ANNIE
I see, so life blooms just one time for a short while, but eternity keeps happening year after year. Right?
GOD (V.O.)
That’s about how it works, more or less. I gotta’ tell you though, sometimes I have to send some folks back a few times until they can get it right. Been doing it for years and its been working great. Pretty clever, huh?
ANNIE
So you decide who is going to be a perennial?
GOD (V.O.)
Well, not exactly. I do decide the annuals, but then we both actually decide on the perennial deal.
Blossom runs back up on the porch and jumps on Annie’s lap.
ANNIE
We do? We both decide, hmmmm. Well then what about my Blossom?
GOD (V.O.)
Blossom’s included.
ANNIE
Thank God! I mean thank you. That makes me happier about the whole thing. She is such a sweet little girl and I love her dearly. I worry about her though, since she is getting up in age.
GOD (O.S.)
Not to worry. Already got it covered. She’ll be fine. I’d say she will be a really sweet little “perennial.”
The depression on the swing’s cushion begins to fade.
If that’s about it, I probably need to scoot. You know, I’ve always thought gardening is just about the best way to do what you people call praying. You get your hands in the soil, you plant the seeds, give ‘em water, and nurture them, then watch them bloom. And all the while, I hear what you are thinking-praying.
ANNIE
Sorry you have to leave. I’ve enjoyed visiting with you. You cleared up a couple of things I have thought about from time to time. Stop in again when you can. Next time we will have tea, unless you care for something a little stronger.
GOD (V.O.)
Thanks for wanting me to drop by for a little visit. I’m pretty sure I won’t need to be back to see you for a long time, but don’t worry about it. Just keep tending your garden, okay? I’ll be seeing you later --- much later.
INT. DAY -- HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1996
Dr. Allen enters and begins talking to Annie’s family members.
DR. ALLEN
Well, Dr. Henderson tried to put in stents and that didn’t work. Her vessels are too small. I’m sorry, but it really doesn’t look good. He is going to try bypass surgery. Just know it might not work.
THREE DAYS LATER:
INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT -- FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1996 -- MORNING
Dr. Henderson and two nurses enter room and begin removing the breathing tube connected to a ventilator machine. The doctor listens to the patient’s heart and checks the bandages on her chest and legs. Doctor takes Annie’s hand.
DR. HENDERSON
Annie, open your eyes. We are going to sit you up on the side of the bed for a few minutes. Wake up now.
The nurses lift Annie into a sitting position, then swing her legs over the side of the bed. One nurse moves in front of Annie and one is on the her left side and the doctor is on her right side.
DOCTOR HENDERSON
I’m going to let you go to the Cardiac Unit on the 4th floor after the nurses finish getting you ready to move there.
ANNIE
Wait, I can’t see things too good. Why am I all bandaged up?
NURSE
Because you had surgery. You need to hold my arm and sit up for just a few minutes.
ANNIE
Surgery? When did I have surgery? No wonder I feel like I’ve been run over by a semi. He didn’t tell me that all this was going on.
NURSE
No, the doctor probably didn’t tell you. You were unconscious. Your heart stopped while you were having an arteriogram. You had surgery three days ago and the doctor thinks you are doing well enough to move to another room downstairs. Your family can come in and see you for a few minutes. Then we will get you ready to move.
ANNIE
No, I wasn’t talking about the doctor. I was talking to... I think I need to lie back down (beat) Is Blossom okay? Was she hurt. He said she would be fine. Where is Cindy?
NURSE
Who is Blossom?
ANNIE
She’s my precious little dog. I was sitting with her on the front porch, looking at the mail and.... could you find Cindy?
Quite weak and becoming nauseated, Annie starts to fall back.
NURSE
Let’s get you back in bed and your family can come in and see you one at a time for just a few minutes. Maybe they know about Blossom.
ANNIE
Can you find Cindy?
Cindy, Annie’s life long partner enters the room.
CINDY
I’m here. Right here.
(takes Annie’s hand.)
You gave all of us a big scare.
ANNIE
Look at all these bandages, what happened to me. I mean one minute I am talking to... well what happened and our Blossom, is she alright?
CINDY
Linda is taking care of Blossom and she is fine. You had a heart attack and had emergency open heart surgery. A quadruple bypass.
ANNIE
I had surgery four times? I.. we were sitting on the front porch...
I think I’m kind of sleepy.
(squeezes Cindy’s hand)
Stay with me. I’m just going to take a little nap.
CINDY
I’m going to let Shannon and Lisa come in for a minute. And your brother is here too, from Virginia.
ANNIE
Okay, I’ll wake up when they all get here, but I want you stay with me
(closing eyes)
always.
ELEVEN DAYS LATER:
EXT. DAY --HOSPITAL ENTRANCE - THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH, 1996
Orderly is standing beside Annie’s wheelchair and a nurse assistant is with a cart full of flowers. Cindy drives up, gets out of the car.
CINDY
I think we better put her in the back, there is a little more room there.
The orderly and Cindy help Annie out of the wheelchair and the orderly puts the hospital blanket over her in the back seat. The nurse assistant helps put the flowers in the car. Annie tries to hand back the blanket.
ORDERLY
It’s okay, you keep the blanket ...take care of yourself... remember what the doctor said, no foot races for awhile, okay? Bye, bye.
EXT. DAY -- FRONT PORCH -- FRIDAY, JUNE 29TH, 1996
Annie sitting on the porch swing holding Blossom and watching Cindy watering the flowers.
CINDY
These flowers really needed some water. I think they are going to be okay though.
Annie sitting in the swing patting Blossom on the head.
ANNIE
I’m glad to hear that. You know the last thing I remembered before all this happened was when we got home from that Italian restaurant, I wasn’t feeling too well.
CINDY
I know, you went to bed early and woke me up in the middle of the night having terrible pains. I took you to the Emergency Room, remember?
ANNIE
Yes, yes, I remember now. I think I had the best ambulance driver in the world, maybe the universe.
CINDY
Scared the crap out of me.
ANNIE
I know. I was a scared too. The whole thing was quite an experience.
CINDY
Standing between a rose bush and a Peony turning off a faucet.
What? Now, what were you saying? I didn’t hear you.
Cindy walks up steps and sits beside Annie who is holding Blossom.
ANNIE
I was saying, I remember you taking me to the hospital. And being in the ER, but then the pain came back and I suddenly was in a dark room with a doctor and nurse who were wearing masks. They were talking, but I don’t know what they were saying. Then the nurse pulled the sheet up over me.... I couldn’t move. I asked her to please don’t, but I guess she didn’t hear me, ‘cause she did it anyway....... then nothing. Everything went away. It was so peaceful and quiet and I didn’t hurt anymore... then the mail came....
CINDY
The mail came? You had another heart attack and they took you to surgery... you don’t remember that?
ANNIE
No, I don’t remember that, but I do remember Blossom and I getting the mail, then sitting right here on our porch and...
Suddenly, once again the breeze slightly increases and Annie hears the same pleasant voice she heard several days earlier.
GOD (O.S.)
It wasn’t your time. You still have gardens to tend.
ANNIE (V.O.)
(whispering)
Thank you.
The breeze stops as suddenly as it began. Annie looks at Blossom, Cindy, and the flowers, and smiles.
CINDY
You were in surgery for hours... it seemed like an eternity to me. I was so happy when I got to see you even if you were asleep. You woke up a couple of days later holding my hand.
ANNIE
Annie takes Cindy’s hand and looks at the garden.
Love you. I’m so glad I’m home. Everything is so beautiful... the garden, our little Blossom, and you, especially you.
Annie looks down the sidewalk then at the mailbox.
Say, do you know the real difference between annuals and perennials?
(hugs Blossom)
And before I forget, I have it on very good authority everything is going to be just fine. You. Me. Us. Blossom... for a long, long
time....
THE END?
GOD (O.S.)
Hey, That’s my call!
FADE OUT.
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