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INT. MARISSA'S HOUSE -- DAY
Rik and Robbie walk inside.
RIK
Marissa! Marissa!
Place is a mess. Robbie walks over to pile of paintings, picks out some, puts them up against wall.
RIK
I feel like a fool here. She knows she's got my number, man, and she's just playing with me. I hate it.
ROBBIE
You think she'd make all this up just to freak you out?
RIK
She had some reasons.
ROBBIE
Look at this.
Robbie picks up painting of strange ROCK FORMATION with words, "SHINE OR DIE." on it.
ROBBIE
Heavy, subconcious stuff. Dreams. This would be an interesting study for a psychiatrist.
RIK
(barely looking at painting) She's psycho.
ROBBIE
I mean seriously. It's deep.
Rik leans against door, arms crossed, waiting for Robbie who's still examining paintings.
RIK
Ready?
ROBBIE
Yes...oh, no I still want to look at this one in a better light. This is just fabulous.
Robbie grabs painting with RED VELVET BOX and HUGE HAND.
92
He moves it to window. Painting, lit from behind, suddenly reveals images that had been painted over. Now visible is:
SHE-WOLF with RED CIRCLED- EYES surrounded by FLAMES
ROBBIE
I like this!
SHE-WOLF image now blends with image of HUGE HAND.
RIK
She started this one three times. I know she painted that monster over. Spooky stuff! Look at it in the right way, will you.
BLUE RAYS OF LIGHT stream from FINGERS of HUGE HAND into RED CIRCLED-EYES surrounded by FLAMES. It looks like new, complete painting.
ROBBIE(looking at painting)
Wait. Blue rays shooting right into these eyes man. Then she painted a red box on top.
Rik notices closet behind where painting has been resting.
RIK
Hey, a closet. Maybe my tape is in there.
Rik looks through shelves, gets to bottom, looks down.
RIK
Ahhh! Man, I'm standing in a puddle of blood.
Robbie is right there on his knees examining it.
ROBBIE
You're right. It's not paint. Blood. My God.
RIK
Jesus.
ROBBIE
We have to call the police.
RIK
No, no, she was scared shitless of the police.
93
ROBBIE
But I'm not.
CUT TO:
INT. DRESSING ROOM -- DAY
Mother sits in front of mirror, applying make-up to her face. She smiles sweetly, trying her best to look loving and compassionate.
Mother opens sliding door of closet. It's huge space with endless rows of ceremonial robes, headdresses and other garments. She picks modest pink dress.
Now clothed in pink outfit, Mother unlocks door of another smaller, closet. Inside is single garment, a beautiful PURPLE DRESS, like one worn by Sheila Morandi in opening sequence. She reverently takes it off hanger.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIGHT ROOM -- DAY
Marissa sits on bed, pensive. Mother enters, carrying purple dress.
MOTHER
Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry to have had to lock you up like this. You don't realize how hard it was to save you.
MARISSA
You didn't save me from anything. You brought me here by force.
MOTHER
Oh, please, don't remind me of that. It hurts. Soon you'll be out of here, playing with us in the circle of light.
She tries to hand Marissa the purple dress.
MOTHER
Look, I've brought you...
MARISSA
(refusing to take it) What is this? You're trying to push me into something against my will.
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MOTHER
Oh, never. I promise...oh my little butterfly, you'll look so pretty in this gown.
MARISSA
I don't want it.
MOTHER
Oh, please, help us. It's so important for the planet that your being rejoices with us in prayer. And believe me, it's importnt for you, too, after all you've suffered in the Land of Shadows. Your pain will be lifted from your heart. It will disappear...
MARISSA
All these beautiful words. I don't believe them.
MOTHER
Belief is a personal matter. I'm talking about the truth. The truth that unites both of us and everyone else on the planet. We're not asking you for much. Just a little dance, then you can leave.
MARISSA
You want me to participate in some dance?
MOTHER
Hear me, my rainbow heart. A little dance, and you can leave. All you have to do is look beautiful and your essence will flow among us and empower us. It will be easy and fun...
Mother puts dress on Marissa's bed
MOTHER
...but gosh, time is running out, and there are still so many things we have to prepare.
She embraces Marissa.
MOTHER
See you very soon, Bright Light! I'll send you some helpers.
Mother rushes to door.
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MARISSA
Don't lock the door.
MOTHER
Of course, darling.
Mother exits. Marissa stands in middle of room
MARISSA (V.O)
That witch really got to me. She knew how scared I was. It confused me. I felt like a little girl.
Marissa walks to door, opens it. Walks outside.
CUT TO:
INT. DARKNESS
Everything is pitch black. Marissa is lost.
MARISSA
(yelling into darkness)
Hello! Hello! ... Mother?
Marissa's voice ECHOES through what seems like empty space.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIGHT ROOM -- DAY
Marissa comes back into room. Goes over to bed. She stares helplessly at purple dress lying on it. Suddenly something catches her eye.
MARISSA'S POV -- LABEL OF PURPLE DRESS
has unusual logo -- a peculiar rock formation in shape of three triangles, exactly the same as one in her paintings.
FLASHCUT -- ROCK FORMATION IN MARISSA'S PAINTING
with words: "SHINE OR DIE" on stones. In bg. is heard CROWD NOISE from Runway. Then Ray's voice.
RAY (O.S.)
(very faintly) And this beautiful lady is auditioning tonight. She is dying to dance for you. But will she get the job....
Marissa examines label closely.