Innocence ©
Copyright 2007, WGA registered #154746, Jo Malone, author

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Sometimes life’s monsters don’t always look like monsters.

Dr. Michael Reardon is a well-respected chief emergency room physician who
has been asked to sit on the Board of Philadelphia Metro Hospital.
His life is great; honored professional, large home, wife and two beautiful daughters...
until tragedy strikes.

It took just seconds for his six-year-old daughter to go missing and
he pleads for help to find her in time to save her life. There are suspects,
but little evidence. Then comes the worst news a parent could hear.
She is found, but not alive, and worse she suffered unfathomable torture
at the hands of her kidnapper. Now, the Reardon family must rely on the
law to find the perpetrator who stole their daughter’s life and “innocence”.
It’s time to bring a “monster” to justice.

INT. RITZ CARLTON HOTEL. PHILA. FORMAL DINNER. DURING CEREMONY.
We see Forester at dais in front of dining hall.

FORESTER
So tonight as we celebrate this Holiday season,
we’d like to honor the nominees for the 2005 election
to the Administrative Council. Dr. Tyrone Harrison...

Spotlite to Dr. Harrison, who stands proudly to applause; takes seat again.

FORESTER (CONT’D)
Dr. Charles R. Travers...

Spotlight to empty chair, then starts searching. Spotlight moves to Travers who enters hall waving.

TRAVERS
Sorry. Limo got held-up in traffic...

FORESTER
Last, but by no means least,
Dr. Michael Thomas Reardon.

We see Mary smile as spotlight is on Michael; she encourages him to stand. Michael not enthusiastic; half stands waves. Takes seat.

INT. IN 4X4 DRIVING NORTH ON I76 EXPRESSWAY.
We see two girls in back seat. Michelle stares out window.

REARDON
So what’s the deal? Not cool for a dad to hug a
daughter he hasn’t seen in a month?

MICHELLE
Just weird is all.

REARDON
So where is it?

MICHELLE
Where’s what?

REARDON
The ring?

Michelle puts out hand, shows Michael diamond ring she’s wearing.

MICHELLE
No big deal.

REARDON
My daughter’s engaged. A big deal to me.

MICHELLE
First, I’m not your daughter. Second, you act this
sappy at my wedding, I’m really gonna pretend
like I don’t know you.

REARDON
College’s done wonders for your outlook.

Michelle returns to stare out window.

Love you kiddo.

MICHELLE
Love you too Michael.

INT. REARDON HOME. BEDROOM.
We see Reardon enter bedroom where Mary sleeps soundly. He places RX bag on night stand, crawls in bed, kisses wife.

REARDON
Merry Christmas.

She begins to wake, he reaches across, places a small wrapped gift in front of her. She smiles, sits up. She takes off bow, paper, opens lid. Diamond ring inside.

MARY REARDON
Oh Michael, it’s beautiful. It’s perfect.

REARDON
Just like you.

INT. REARDON HOME. LIVING ROOM.
A Courier and Ives view of a family Christmas with lots of gifts and happy smiles. Michael has his head on Mary’s lap. Mary strokes Michael’s hair, they watch daughters open gifts. Reardon Yawns. Michael gets up from couch, moves toward kitchen. As he passes foyer, he catches glance of Bobby and Michelle and second young man, longer hair, punk-style dress, piercings.

BOBBY
Brandon couldn’t afford to fly home to LA, so
I asked if he wanted to spend Christmas
with you guys. It’s okay, isn’t it Dr. Reardon?

REARDON
The more the merrier. Brandon, welcome.

Reardon puts out hand, Brandon stares down at it.

Okay. Let’s close the door. I don’t pay to heat
the entire Main Line. Bob, you know where the coats go.

BOBBY
Yes Sir. Oh, Merry Christmas sir.

REARDON
Merry Christmas Bob. Send my best wishes to your parents as well.

INT. REARDON HOME. BEDROOM.
Michael lifts bags out of wife’s closet. Michelle run by doorway.

REARDON
Shelly, c’mere a minute.

MICHELLE
Michael I gotta get dressed.

REARDON
It’ll take a sec. Come here please.

MICHELLE
What? Sorry. What is it?

REARDON
How well does Bobby know Brandon?

MICHELLE
Not real well. They’ve been roommates
since September. Why?

REARDON
No reason.

MICHELLE
There’s a reason, if you’re asking.

REARDON
I’m trying to find out why Marrissa doesn’t
seem to like Brandon?

MICHELLE
Look, there’s no reason, okay? ‘Cept she’s a spoiled
brat. Anyway, Brandon’s harmless. Never says two
words to anyone and he’s not a criminal or anything.
I mean, Bobby said they went to a party on campus last
week and Brandon just sat in a corner and stared like
some zombie. If you’re worried, hide mom’s jewelry box.
Now, can I go? (Michael nods.) Cool. Love ya
Michael, but you worry way too much.

INT. REARDON HOME. KITCHEN AFTER DINNER. 4:45 PM.
Marge, Mary, Michelle and Diedra clean plates, pack leftovers. Marrissa at kitchen table, head on arm.

DIEDRA
Delicious dinner there little sis.

MARY REARDON
Can’t take credit. All I did was hit the button on
the microwave. Thank Serita when she gets back.

MICHELLE
Bobby and I are going to his parent’s.
Dinner’s at 6. Brandon’s going with us...
After all these Holiday dinners, I’ll have
to buy a size 20 wedding gown.

DIEDRA
Oh my God! That’s right! You’re engaged.
Let me see the ring...

Michelle holds out hand. Ladies see ring. Diedra hugs her niece.

DIEDRA (CONT’D)
Congrats baby. I can’t believe my niece is gonna
walk down the isle before I do. Have you set a date?

MICHELLE
December 2008, after Bobby graduates medical school;
figuring a couple of months for him to find a residency.

DIEDRA
2008? Nothing like planning ahead.

MICHELLE
Speaking of plans, if you’re not busy then,
I want you to be my Maid of Honor.

DIEDRA
Well, I will check my calendar, but are you sure
about this? You must have a gazillion younger, prettier, girlfriends.

MICHELLE
I got lot of friends. They think it’s weird that Bobby
and I are even getting married. I really want you to do it.

DIEDRA
Then, okay. I’m honored baby.

MICHELLE
Thanks Aunt Diedra. I gotta run.
We’ll be back later. Love you!

MARY/DIEDRA/MARGE
Love ya sweetie.

Michelle bounces out of kitchen.

DIEDRA
There ya go. Proof of the saying, “Always a bridesmaid...”
but, I’m so excited she wants me to stand for her.

MARGE
That is nice. I love Christmas weddings.

MARY REARDON
Not what Michael said when he found out.
You know how he gets around this time of year.
Becomes twice the workaholic he is
normally to avoid thinking about...

MARGE
(quietly)
It had to be so hard for him losing his wife
and daughter on Christmas.

DIEDRA
Thought he was doing better about that
in the last few years?

MARY REARDON
He is. Marissa seems to have had a way of taking
the edge off for him. They’re so close at times,
I worry that he’s actually replaced the memory of
his own daughter with Marrissa. He’s called her
Maggie more than a few times.

DIEDRA
Better than those arguments you two used to have.
Mom and I actually discussed not coming for
Christmas a couple years back.

MARY REARDON
It was hard trying to be sympathetic to how he was
feeling, yet still getting “in the spirit” for the kids.

DIEDRA
What changed?

MARY REARDON
Our fourth Christmas together, Marrissa made a present
for Michael. When she gave it to him, she said,
“Merry Christmas Daddy.” He was fine from then on.
Calls her his “little Christmas angel.”

Marrissa looks up. Mary wrinkles her nose at her, then moves closer to Marge and Diedra, speaks more quiet.

MARY REARDON (CONT’D)
She hasn’t exactly been a angel lately, though.
Been quite the little terror up til yesterday when
this cold got to her. Started back in September. Michelle
gave her this animated DVD for her birthday and ever
since she’s had nightmares and accidents at least twice a week.
And she almost got suspended from school for kicking a little
boy because he wouldn’t play with her – something
the little animated kid does in the movie.

DIEDRA
What’s the DVD about? Jackie Chan goes
to elementary school?

MARY REARDON
No. Cute, little furry monsters and the small
boy who creates them. Go figure. Even I was
creeped out by them. They run around making people
they don’t like disappear. It’s “G” rated,
I think these flicks are too scary for kids.

DIEDRA
Wait a minute Mar. You said since September
this was happening? Isn’t that when you started back to work?

Mary looks at her sister with a thoughtful expression.

MARY REARDON
Never thought of that. But she’s
in school all day. Wouldn’t see me anyway.

DIEDRA
Michael takes her and picks her up. Doesn’t
see you til dinner. Bet she misses you.

MARY REARDON
You may be right. Funny though,
Michelle never went though that.

DIEDRA
All Michelle had was you. Even if she did know her
daddy she would’ve never asked for the idiot anyway.

MARY REARDON
He wasn’t that bad.

DIEDRA
C’mon Mar. I had nightmares of what he’d do to her
when he got sloshed. Only a matter of time before the
bastard would start taking swings at her too.
And let’s not even discuss Marrissa’s father.
Thank God for Michael. Three times a charm I hope,
for your sake.

MARY REARDON
Michael. Poor guy. Ever since I went back to work,
I’m so tired at night; I’m never in the mood.

MARGE
I don’t need to be hearin’ this.

DIEDRA
Ma... (To Mary) What are you thinking girl? You’ve
got a gorgeous specimen lying beside you in
bed and you wanna sleep? Honey, send him my
way any day. I’ll take care of him real good...

Sisters playfully glare at one another.

MARY REARDON
Not just my job that has me tired.

DIEDRA
You pregnant again or something?

Mary is silent as she stares at her sister.

DIEDRA (CONT’D)
Oh my God, you’re not?

Mary nods in a positive way.

DIEDRA (CONT’D)
At 41? Are you crazy? Marrissa was your change
of life baby. You’re way too old to have another one...

Mother frowns at her youngest daughter.

MARGE
Diedra! You sure Mary? When I went through
the change, my cycle was a mess.

MARY REARDON
Positive. Already in my second trimester.
Gotta have an ultrasound. Might be twins.

DIEDRA
You are out of your mind. But you
look good for 3 months, and twins?

MARY REARDON
Four, and I’m bursting out of everything.

DIEDRA
What’s Michael say? Thought you two agreed.
No pitter-patter of little Reardon feet.

MARY REARDON
We did. I haven’t told him yet.

Michael enters room.

REARDON
You lovely ladies wouldn’t be talking about me would you?

INT. REARDON HOME. KITCHEN. 9:30 AM.
We see Michael make tea, eats a slice of toast. Serita’s door opens quickly, she rushes out, ties robe around her.

SERITA
Sorry doctor. All the travelling I did last night, I overslept.

REARDON
Slow down. No big deal. No one’s up but me anyway.
Welcome back.

SERITA
I get you some breakfast?

REARDON
Na. I’m headed to bed. I’m beat.

SERITA
The snowing was so hard they almost couldn’t land my plane
and my brother, it took him three hours to bring me here.

REARDON
I know. Worst winter I can recall in a while. Guy on the
radio said we got 21 inches this last storm.

SERITA
It is 80 degrees and sunny when I leave Mexico City yesterday.

REARDON
Sounds inviting Serita.

They both smile. He lifts tea cup, starts for door, notices table where a half eaten open pack of Pop-tarts is lying.

REARDON (CONT’D)
Serita, was this here when you came home last night?

SERITA
Not sure. It was dark when I came inside.

Michael sees a trail of crumbs on chair and floor. We see Michael follow trail and exit room. Crumbs go to stairway and stop, where a piece of Pop-tart is on third step. He lifts piece of Pop-tart, looks around. Michelle races down from top of stair.

MICHELLE
Michael, where is she? Marrissa! She’s not in her bed! She’s gone.
I asked mom and I’ve been to Granma’s and Aunt Diedra’s
room and I can’t find her anywhere.

Mary enters stairs, followed by Marge and Diedra.

MARY REARDON
Michael, have you seen Marrissa?

Females move downstairs as Michael looks at melting Pop-tart. He then looks up in direction of den, goes there.

MARY REARDON
Michael, what’s wrong?

We follow Michael to den. As door opens, we see Brandon and Bobby asleep. Michelle moves passed Michael, up to Bobby.

MICHELLE
Bobby, have you seen Marrissa?

BOBBY
No... not since last night. Why?

We see Michaels intense stare in Brandon’s direction. Brandon glances back. Mary comes up behind Michael.

MARY REARDON
Oh my God, maybe she went outside during the night...

We see everyone but Michael quickly turn in the other direction. Michael gives Brandon one lase stare.

INT. INT. PHILADELPHIA DETECTIVE BUREAU. THAT NIGHT.
We see Detective Townsend at his computer and he’s just seen something that he’s pleased about.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
I knew it...

Townsend walks up to Captain Johnson’s door holding file. Townsend taps on doorway. Johnson looks up.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
You got a lead on the Reardon girl?

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
I do Cap, but it’s not good news.

Townsend tosses file down in front of Captain.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND (CONT'D)
I know Reardon’s a friend of yours sir, but I found this Police
report filed March 5th,‘78. A Leslie Reardon claims she
had evidence her husband – who she was separated from at the time –
inappropriately touched their 6 year old daughter Maggie during a
scheduled visitation. I want permission to talk with the ex-wife.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
Leslie Reardon’s been dead 14 years. Killed in a head-on by an
18-wheeler on 95. Daughter died in the same accident.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Was Reardon ever questioned about this?

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
Listen John, Leslie was a nice lady, but she was a bitter, troubled
woman who felt threatened with the reality of losing her husband
and all the perks that came along with being married to a successful
physician. She was on meds for depression and under a suicide watch.
So, no. We didn’t bring Reardon in and question him.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Child protective services ever check to make sure everything was on okay?

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
John, you see this name right here?

Johnson points to file. Townsend nods.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON (CONT'D)
Tamara Jones was the DSS agent assigned to supervise the visits
from day one. Leslie insisted on it. From what I was told, Jones was
present even the day Leslie alleged the incident took place.
File this back where you got it.

Johnson lifts folder, aims it at Townsend.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Sir, I’d like to investigate some DSS records; see if there’s any
other reports like this or if they did a physical
exam to be sure the child was okay.

Johnson glares up at Townsend.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
What language would you like me to say this in to make it
clearer? I’ve known Michael Reardon nearly twenty years.
He’d never dream of inappropriately touching his kid
or any other kid. There’s nothing to investigate.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Cap, I’m just trying to do my job and find this little girl.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
Fine. But if you come across anything, I want to be the first to know.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Yes sir.

Townsend takes folder from Johnson, heads out of office. Johnson shakes his head and goes back to paperwork.

INT. REARDON HOME.
Reardon's office.

REARDON
Mary and I have no secrets. Now I’ve had enough with your 20 questions.
What about my stepdaughter? Are there any leads yet?

Townsend raises pad of paper he was taking notes on.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND
Obviously not...

Townsend exits den, moves to foyer. He turns to look at Reardon.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND (CONT’D)
At some point, doc, we’re gonna need to have everyone who was in your
home that day, submit a blood sample – just for the record.
Amazing stuff, DNA. It always tells the truth.

Detective Townsend pauses, glances at Michael.

DETECTIVE TOWNSEND (CONT’D)
Can I say the same about you Dr. Reardon?

REARDON
Good day Detective Townsend.

INT. PHILLY METRO TRAUMA CTR. ER DESK.
We see Michael at desk, signing forms. ER doors swish open and Captain Johnson and Detective Townsend enter ER.

CAPTAIN JOHNSON
Michael...

REARDON
You found her? Where is she?

Captains voice echo’s out. We see distorted view of Johnson and Reardon. Michael slowly turns, moves down corridor to sign “Coroner’s Office”. Johnson and Townsend follow. Michael bursts through door to office. Orderly covers little girl with sheet.

REARDON
(upset/angry)
No, no! Who the fuck would do this to her?
Why didn’t they call? I’d have given
them anything, anything!

INT. DR. TERSENO’S OFFICE
We see Michael staring out window in Angela’s office. We see a view of Philly downtown skyline as a backdrop.

REARDON
Val said she was raped at least three times, once
before she was even missing. I know who did this.
I should’ve seen it. I’m a survivor and a
fucking physician. How the hell’d I miss it?

DR. TERSENO
You know the answer. Sometimes life’s monsters
don’t look like monster’s. They look like hard
working, decent people from good families – like your dad.

INT. OUR LADY OF HOLY INNOCENCE CATHEDRAL, PHILADELPHIA.
We see Michael kneel in a pew, prays. A hand appears on his back. He looks up to see friendly face of a priest.

PRIEST
How can we help you my son?

REARDON
(emotional)
Father, it’s been 10 years since my last confession...

Priest sits on pew. Fade up to overhead shot of church.

If you would like to read the entire script, e-mail malonedesigns@comcast.net. A copy of the the entire script Innocence can be forwarded electronically or in hardcopy form. I welcome any and all interested parties. I also welcome any reviews of the material. Just send your review to malonedesigns@comcast.net. and let me know if it's okay to post it here. Thanks!!

This script was written by Jo Malone, who maintains any and all rights to the material you have just read. It is registered with the WGA and has been filed with the United States copyright office. Final Draft screenwriting software was used on an Apple Macintosh G4 to compose this material.

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