IntroScene

ext. pinnacle house - sunset

The sun sets over the urban sprawl behind a sterile, modern house that sits alone at the top of a twisty drive. Orange sunlight gleams off of the freshly whitewashed exterior and twinkles on the clean windows.

In the front yard, water in a shallow reflecting pool barely moves as a breeze blows across the hilltop. Birds twitter and hop amongst the saplings that divide the property from the street.

A MAN'S EAR-PIERCING SCREAM BREAKS THE SILENCE. A MAN IN A WHITE COAT pushes a YOUNG COUPLE through the front door.

man in white coat

It's best that you wait out here. We may have to sedate him.

young woman

No! Please don't hurt him!

The Man in the White Coat rushes back into the house. The Young Man reaches after her and holds her back.

young man

We have to let them do it. It's the only way, Mara. . . It's the only way.

More screams from inside the house.

screaming man (O.S.)

No! NO! I mustn't leave! It's not finished yet! I'm too close! Too close to perfection! No!

The Young Woman crumples into the Young Man's arms. She holds her hands over her ears.

The screams from inside degrade into indiscernible yells.

The sun dips behind the looming white house on the hilltop.

EXT. PINNACLE HOUSE - SUNSET

33 YEARS LATER

The shining white house looks untouched by time, as new as the day it was built. The street around the house is now built-up. Large, Mediterranean-style mansions dominate both sides of the property.

In the valley below, barely visible between the massive houses, skyscrapers break up the skyline and freeway lights twinkle in the distance.

Luxury cars are parked up and down the street. Uniformed valets rush to park more, as a line of cars wind their way up the twisted drive.

The bass beat of music and the high pitched laughter of party-goers makes its way out the open windows.

People file down the slate path, past the reflecting pool and in through the wide front door.

int. pinnacle house - continuous

As guests enter, they stop to admire the glass floor that covers another pool running under the center of the house.

They pluck champagne from waiters' trays as they pass by a square fireplace embedded in the wide stone wall that reaches up through the center of the house.

Behind the stone wall, up the broad staircase, down the darkened hallway and through the master bedroom . . .

int. master bathroom, pinnacle house - continuous

MITCH stands in front of the bathroom mirror, contemplating his reflection. He turns his face one direction then the other. He pokes at the crow's feet around his eyes. He lifts the loose hairs dangling over his forehead and examines the silvery ones around his hairline.

mitch

Forty two, huh? Not bad.

(beat)

Think I can get another forty two out of you?

Mitch looks down at several prescription bottles lined up in front of the mirror. He picks one up and shakes it.

MITCH

Right. Gotta stick to the terms of the contract. You got it.

Mitch takes a large pill out of the bottle and swallows it without any water, shuddering as it goes down his throat.

ROSIE enters behind Mitch. Her figure appears in the reflection of the bathroom mirror. Mitch turns to face her.

rosie

Are you hiding?

MITCH

Nope. Just putting my face on.

Mitch dons a broad smile full of perfect white teeth. Rosie giggles. They embrace each other and kiss.

ROSIE

Come on. Your public is waiting.

MITCH

As always.

They leave together, arms intertwined.

INT. LIVING ROOM, PINNACLE HOUSE - Continuous

As Rosie and Mitch make their way down the stairs, Mitch is greeted by a sea of people below, calling his name and wishing him a happy birthday. He thanks them with smiles, handshakes and cheek kisses.

JASPER COLLINS, a pointy man with an enthusiastic smile on his face, pushes his way through the crowd toward Mitch. Rosie notices Jasper's head bobbing across the crowd.

ROSIE

Incoming.

MITCH

Aw shit.

ROSIE

I'm outta here. Good luck.

MITCH

Thanks.

Rosie ducks under Mitch's arm and disappears into the crowd. Jasper appears in front of Mitch and opens up his arms in greeting. Mitch keeps his distance.

jasper

Mitchell.

MITCH

Hi Jasper.

JASPER

What's with the dark tone, man? I just came to wish you a happy birthday.

Jasper wraps one arm over Mitch's shoulder and leads him away from the crowd.

MITCH

And?

JASPER

And what?

MITCH

And whenever I get a greeting like that it means you have something to say. You usually make me sit through a few minutes of bullshit before you get to it, so whether it's a negotiation, a speech, a pep talk, or just more bullshit, I prefer if you got straight to the point. I'm officially too old to shoot the breeze.

JASPER

So I have to change my style just because you're becoming a crusty old man?

Mitch gestures for Jasper to get on with it.

JASPER

Alright, alright. I just wanted to give you a little heads up. The studio execs are getting nervous. They expected to see something by now. A summary, a treatment, something. I know you've been busy with the move and all, so I got them to hold off the dogs for a while, but those needle dicks are starting to poke up my ass, and I'm all out of lube.

MITCH

In case you hadn't noticed, they're not my studio anymore. I am under no contract, and I make my own deadlines.

JASPER

I know. I know. But I'd like to think that after sixteen years, you'll give them first rights. Is a little loyalty too much to ask?

MITCH

Not at all. Like I already said, they'll get first rights, when I'm ready.

JASPER

Alright Mitchy, alright.

(beat)

Any idea when that will be?

MITCH

It's my birthday, Jas. You think you can put the questions on hold for one night?

JASPER

I'm just wondering, and this is me talking now, if you've chosen the right path, you know? Is screenwriting really your thing?

MITCH

Why wouldn't it be?

JASPER

I don't know. You're just so used to being at the helm, the fearless leader, the man whose got everybody by the balls. And now . . .

MITCH

What?

JASPER

It's like you dropped your VIP pass and you're trying to sneak in through the back door.

MITCH

I didn't drop a fucking thing, Jasper, and that includes my asshole agent. Of course, that can still change.

JASPER

Alright, Herr Director, I take it back. Don't give yourself a fucking aneurysm.

A look of anger immediately jumps into Mitch's face. Jasper blushes and starts to stammer.

JASPER

Oh Shit. I didn't mean. I'm sorry. It just came out.

Mitch watches Jasper squirm for a moment and then a broad smile forms on his face. Jasper breaths a sigh a relief.

MITCH

Don't worry. Once you read the first ten pages, those little dollar signs will jump right back into your eyeballs.

JASPER

Oh, they never left. These are just contacts.

ext. backyard, pinnacle house - continuous

Mitch and Jasper step through the glass doors by the busy bar, out into the backyard.

A narrow walkway divides the house from another square pool and another stretch of fresh green lawn expands from the pool to the edge of the property.

In the center of the pool, ARIANA, AGE 8, and JASON, AGE 10, splash each other enthusiastically.

JASPER

Hey, another pool. I get it, three of a kind. Neat house, man. A little unconventional if you ask me but then again, so are you.

Jason squirms his way over the edge of the pool and sprints around the narrow walkway, dangerously close to the edge of the pool.

jason

I told you I was faster!

Ariana scrambles out of the pool and chases him.

ariana

You can't get out. You're breaking the rules. You get back here Jason Allan Porter!

JASON

Make me.

Mitch immediately jumps in to intervene. He snatches one child in each arm, halting them in their tracks.

MITCH

Whoa! Whoa! What did I tell you about running around the pool?

ARIANA

That I might fall.

MITCH

Not just fall. Do you remember?

ARIANA

That I was gonna crack my head open, make a bloody mess in the backyard, fall in the pool and sink to the bottom like a rock.

Jason looks wide-eyed in fear as Ariana recites.

MITCH

Right. Which is why the most important new house rule is?

ARIANA

No running around the pool.

MITCH

Thank you. And that applies to you too, killer. Got that?

Jason nods, his eyes still dazed from Ariana's vivid description. Mitch releases the children and they step politely back into the pool.

Mitch looks down and realizes there are wet spots on his shirt from grabbing the kids.

MITCH

Shit.

He turns to head back into the house.