Creative writing: Short Film Script based on 'Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway'

SCREEN BLACK

Sounds of SEX. The man’s GRUNTS dominant, the woman’s feeble. FADE IN:

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

A low rate room. Sounds of the street seep through the thin windows.

An Austin university jumper and other clothes lie on the bed, along with FREDERIC and CATHERINE who are in the missionary position.

Frederic is early 30s, balding and appealing only in the face.

Catherine is mid 20s, pretty in an unconventional way.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

Grimy white tiling and shoddy plaster. The ceiling light hangs lower than it should.

Catherine stands crying at the bathroom mirror pulling at her hair. She yanks her CROSS NECKLACE from her neck and throws it in the bin.

She deliberates for a time, then picks it back up.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Frederic standing naked throws clothes and bags on to the bed, waking Catherine.

CATHERINE

I thought we were going to the

river to fish today?

FREDERIC

Well we’re not. We’re leaving for

Madrid in 20 minutes. This place is full of cabrons. Pigs who bathe in filth and drink cheap beer.

CATHERINE Frederic-

FREDERIC

I don’t want to hear it.

Catherine sits up. She is wearing the CROSS NECKLACE

CATHERINE

Well if you honestly expect me to

go out in this heat carrying two bags on an empty stomach -

FREDERIC

I told you I didn’t want to hear

it, didn’t I? KNOCK at the door.

HOTEL OWNER (O.S.) (in Spanish; English subtitles) 

Sir the payment for this week is due.

Frederic yanks the door open still naked.

FREDERIC

(In Spanish; English subtitles)

We will be leaving soon and will pay you in the reception as we do. Please don’t bother us until then.

Frederic slams the door shut.

CATHERINE (wry smile)

And you call them Cabrons.

FREDERIC What did you say?

CATHERINE

Oh nothing darling. So what are we

doing for breakfast?

Frederic walks to the bathroom and the SHOWER patters, followed shortly after by Frederic’s SINGING.

Catherine packs slowly. She sees a group of young boys out of the window playing football and squabbling over a penalty. She LAUGHS and then stops suddenly, a look of anguish crossing her face.

FREDERIC (O.S.) (Shouting)

Where’s my razor?

CATHERINE In the blue washba-

FREDERIC (O.S.) In the what?

CATHERINE (louder)

The blue washbag, on the sink! Frederic’s SINGING starts again.

Catherine sits on the unmade bed fiddling with her NECKLACE.

FREDERIC (O.S.) (muffled)

What the hell? CATHERINE!

Catherine freezes in fear looking toward the bathroom.

FREDERIC (CONT'D) Catherine get the hell in here!

CATHERINE walks into the bathroom out of sight. A SMACK and then several SCREAMS and PLEAS.

Meanwhile a new squabble breaks out in the game of football in the street outside.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

The station is old and poor but fairly busy. The single platform is located in between two tracks.

Catherine and Frederic sit on a bench side by side.

Frederic produces a bottle of beer from his bag and begins sipping.

STATION TANNOY (in spanish; Englishsubtitles)

The train for Madrid on platform 1 will be arriving in approximately 15 minutes. Please remember to mind the gap and keep behind the line until the train is stationary. (in English)

Run and don’t look back Cat. (spanish; English subtitles) Thank you.

3.

Catherine jumps in surprise and looks to the bystanders for a reaction.

A train flies past and children wave and SHOUT happily.

Catherine shakes her head and closes her eyes. She opens them to look at the sky.

CATHERINE

The clouds look a lot like white

elephants don’t they Fred?

FREDERIC (Not looking)

Sure they do.

CATHERINE

Don’t it remind you of being a kid,

when you’d go down the park and just shoot the breeze. I’d watch them change for hours and then-

FREDERIC

It’s really an awfully simple operation, Cat. They just let

air in and then it’s over.

A moment of silence between them as the bystanders continues.

CATHERINE

What will we do afterward?

FREDERIC

We’ll be happy afterward.

CATHERINE 
How do you know?

FREDERIC

I’ve known lots of people who

done it.

CATHERINE

So have I. And afterward they're

all so happy.

Frederic glares at Catherine in silence.

Another train flies past.

STATION TANNOY 
The train for Madrid will be

arriving in 10 minutes.

STATION TANNOY (CONT'D) (in English)

This is your chance.

Catherine remains transfixed by the clouds.

EXT. RANCH - SUNSET - FLASHBACK

A 10 year old Catherine lies on a vast field looking at the clouds and blowing on a dandelion.

Nearby is a modest ranch made of faded red wood. Her MOTHER stands on the porch.

MOTHER

Catherine come along now before

your supper gets cold.

CATHERINE 
Coming Mama.

INT. KITCHEN - SUNSET - FLASHBACK

The space is warm and homely.

Catherine sits and eats her dinner.

Catherine’s mother stands watching her, deep in thought.

CATHERINE

Why did God make the clouds Mama?

MOTHER
Huh?

CATHERINE

Why did God make the clouds?

MOTHER

Well I’m not sure. Why do you think

honey?

CATHERINE

I think he made them to show us the

animals in heaven. Up in heaven there are huge zoos full of white elephants.

MOTHER (smiling)

Is that so huh?

CATHERINE

Yep. And sometimes God lets them be

clouds for the day. What do you think?

MOTHER

I think that’s as good an

explanation as any, sweetie. 

A truck RUMBLES outside.

Catherine’s Mother jumps.

MOTHER

C’mon Cat, lets get you to bed now

quickly.

She takes Catherine’s hand.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK

Catherine lies in her bed with her eyes closed and her CROSS NECKLACE held up to her lips.

Her FATHER’s violent SHOUTING comes from downstairs. FLASHBACK ENDS.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

A train flies by.

Catherine looks at the crowds of people waiting.

She sees a man standing in BLOODY OVERALLS standing looking at her. She recoils in shock then blinks and he’s gone. She bites her lip, trembling.

Frederic still sits, glancing at Catherine.

Catherine breathes deeply and looks back to the clouds.

CATHERINE

We could have everything. But

everyday it becomes more impossible.

FREDERIC 
What does?

CATHERINE
 Happiness.

FREDERIC

We’ll have happiness. We’ll have

the whole world.

CATHERINE
You will.

FREDERIC

Yeah I will. Now compose yourself.

People are starting to look.

CATHERINE

Oh well I’m sorry Fred. Sorry for

being such a god damn inconvenience.

FREDERIC 
What did you say?

She stands up. Fred looks at her in anger.

FREDERIC

Why don’t you sit down.

CATHERINE

No. No I won’t. Maybe I’ll stand.

FREDERIC

Catherine this is neither the time

or place.

CATHERINE (louder)

Oh really Fred. Really? Because I can’t think of a better time than now, in front of all these Cabrons, huh?

A few bystanders look towards them. Frederic glares at Catherine.

She storms off towards the station bathroom.

INT. TRAIN STATION BATHROOM - DAY

Catherine locks herself in a cubicle and cries.

She holds the CROSS NECKLACE against her lips and closes her eyes.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY - FLASHBACK

The young Catherine lies drawing clouds in her drawing book on the floor. Birthday Balloons crowd the room.

Mother sits behind her watching a couple argue on the television. She stands up.

MOTHER 
Whatcha doing honey?

CATHERINE 
Just drawing.

MOTHER

Now listen, before your friends get

here I want to give you a very special present.

Catherine sits up and looks at her Mother, excited.

Catherine’s mother kneels down and produces the CROSS NECKLACE.

MOTHER

This was given to me by your Nana.

You remember her, dontcha? 

Catherine nods.

MOTHER

She was a fine woman. Now you never

met your Grandpa, but he used to be a fisherman, one of the finest ones around, and he used to go out to plenty of places, sometimes halfway across the world in the worst kinds of weather.

CATHERINE 
Like rain, Mama?

MOTHER

Sure. But not just that. Rain and

storms and hurricanes, enough to capsize just about anything or anyone. Anyway Nana bought two of these necklaces

She shows the necklace. 

MOTHER (CONT'D)

for her and Grandpa, so no matter

where they were, they’d be together. Then one day, about 4 months before I was born, Grandpa left and never came back. Nana wept and prayed to God and the sea to send him home on the tide, but both were deaf to her calls. And so she looked to this necklace for strength. Soon after, I was born, and Nana raised me all by herself.

CATHERINE 
In Texas?

MOTHER

That’s right baby, right here in

Texas... And every night she would tuck me in and we would pray to the stars and the sea and Grandpa and she would hold the necklace to her lips like this.

She holds the necklace to her lips and closes her eyes.

MOTHER

And every day the sea and God and

the stars and Grandpa would give us strength through that necklace... Then when her time came and she followed your Grandpa out to the sea she left it to me.

CATHERINE

And has it given you strength Mama?

MOTHER

It sure has baby. Now listen Cat,

you turn 10 today and I know it’s not been easy here, for both of us. I know you’ve seen and heard things that I never wanted you to, but I want you to have this now and know that whatever happens, you’ve got strength, OK?

Catherine nods.

Mother hands her the necklace.

MOTHER

Because I ain’t always gonna be

here baby.

She wipes her eyes.

CATHERINE (frowning)

What d’you mean Mama? Mother looks back at the television.

MOTHER

I mean one sunset I could be gone,

just like Grandpa. 

Catherine starts to cry.

Her mother worriedly turns from the TV and holds her in her arms.

MOTHER

Shh, shh now honey, it’s alright. I

wouldn’t leave you for all the world.

CATHERINE (muffled)

And the universe?

MOTHER

Course. I just want to tell you all

this because your a big girl now right?... Right?

Catherine nods into her Mother’s chest. She releases her.

MOTHER

And as a big girl I need you to

promise me that if one day I’m not there for you, you use that necklace. And with the strength of Grandpa and Grandma, the sea and me, you run. You run until fear runs out of breath and can’t follow you. Until you find a place where you don’t need that strength anymore. A place where you’re safe. Do you understand?

FLASHBACK ENDS.

INT. TRAIN STATION BATHROOM - DAY

Catherine still sits in the cubicle, her eyes closed with the CROSS NECKLACE up to her lips.

STATION TANNOY (O.S.) (in Spanish; English subtitles)

The train for Madrid on platform 1 will be arriving in 5 minutes.

(in English) Run, run, run, ru-

FREDERIC (O.S.) 
Cat!...Cat come out here!

CATHERINE (shouting)

Ok would you just give me a damn minute!...

(to herself, quiet) I just need a minute.

Catherine gets up and exits the cubicle and walks over to wash her hands.

The bathroom is worn and old.

As Catherine looks into the mirror a quick flashback occurs of her in the hotel bathroom earlier, followed by a longer flashback of her barely clothed, this time bruises around her stomach are visible in the mirror.

Back to the present. Catherine takes a deep breath and exits.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY

As Catherine comes out of the door Frederic pounces and grabs her arm. He starts to drag her back to their bags.

CATHERINE

OK Fred I think I can wa-

FREDERIC

I don’t want you to think anymore.

I want you to grab our bags and come with me quietly.

They walk hurriedly, seemingly arm in arm but with Fredric leading her.

Catherine grabs their bags and they head to the far end of the platform.

Catherine shakes off Frederic’s hand.

CATHERINE

Touch me again and I’ll scream.

FREDERIC

Scream and you’ll regret it.

CATHERINE

I already have too many...

She looks up to the sun.

FREDERIC (voice fading)

Too many what?

INT. BEDROOM - SUNRISE - FLASHBACK

A rising sun beams into 10-year-old Catherine’s room waking her.

The ranch is perfectly silent. Catherine exits her room.

INT. HALLWAY - SUNRISE - FLASHBACK

She walks down the stairs. They CREAK. She stops.

CATHERINE

Mama?

A RUNNING TAP and MUTTERING from off-screen. A scared Catherine continues.

INT. KITCHEN - SUNRISE - FLASHBACK

Mother lies dead on the kitchen floor face down. Her arm is outstretched holding a phone whose wire is cut. A small pool of blood seeps out from underneath her stomach.

Catherine rushes over to her mother.

CATHERINE

Mama?

She begins to shake her shoulder.

CATHERINE

Mama watcha doing down here?

She continues to shake before turning her over.

Catherine’s Mother’s face is bruised and her stomach is wounded. Her eyes are open.

Catherine speaks in pleas whilst cradling her Mother until they become simply sobs.

The signs of a clear struggle are seen around the kitchen, with a drawer still yanked open and a few broken plates scattered across the floor. Then Catherine’s drawing of cloud animals on the fridge door.

The TAP and MUTTERING become more prominent as Catherine’s sobbing begins to cease.

She looks to the bathroom, where the sounds are coming from, then moves hesitantly toward it. She stops at the doorway.

Her Father stands in BLOODY OVERALLS washing his clean hands vigorously and muttering. His eyes are crazed and reflected in the mirror.

FATHER

It’s so cold. Sure it’s freezing as

hell but isn’t it clean? It feels clean but it looks red, why is it red-

CATHERINE 
Daddy what are you doing?

He looks directly at Catherine wide eyed through the mirror.

FATHER

Daddy? Washing. Got to keep

washing. Got dirty. Got red.

CATHERINE 
What happened to Mama?

CATHERINE’S FATHER

She got red too. Because she didn’t

listen. (loud)

Once. He hits the wall.

Again

Twice.

CATHERINE’S FATHER

And Daddy got tired. Daddy got real

tired about not being listened to. So tired tired tired-

Catherine in complete fear flees

EXT. RANCH - SUNRISE - FLASHBACK Catherine runs across the field, The CROSS NECKLACE glitters. FLASHBACK ENDS.

EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY 

Catherine fiddles with the CROSS

FREDERIC 
Too many what?

Catherine snaps back from gazing the house.with the red sun rising.

CATHERINE

Regrets.

STATION TANNOY The train for Madrid will be

arriving in two minutes. Please keep behind the line at all times.

(in English) It’s time Cat.

Catherine looks toward the train far in the distance.

MOTHER (V.O.)

I need you to promise me that if

one day I’m not there for you. You use that necklace. And with the strength of Grandpa and grandma, the sea and me, you run. You run until fear runs out of breath and can’t follow you. Until you find a place where you don’t need that strength anymore. A place where you’re safe.

Catherine smiles before a look of determination flashes across her face.

She goes to run and Frederic yanks her back.

FREDERIC

Where the hell do you think you’re

going?

CATHERINE

I’m leaving. I can’t take this

anymore Fred. I made a promise a long time ago, and I intend to keep it.

FREDERIC

You’re staying exactly where you

are and getting on this train with me.

CATHERINE

No.

She tries to break free again.

FREDERIC

This isn’t up for argument. Shut up

and wait.

CATHERINE (shouting)

No. I won’t shut up.

The entire station’s attention now watches on.

CATHERINE 
It’s over. Let me go.

Frederic’s rage is clearly evident. He forgets about the onlookers.

FREDERIC (shouting)

I say when it’s over, not you!

A struggle ensues. Catherine slaps Frederic across the face and he soon after reciprocates.

They fall down to the floor on the edge of the platform with Frederic on top of Catherine, attempting to choke her.

Frederic’s face is one of blind rage. Catherine’s one of determination

MONTAGE

A) The off-screen hotel bathroom scene is now shown. With Catherine pleading and being hit in the stomach by Frederic, a pregnancy test in his other hand.

B) The squabbling children.

C) Catherine’s discovery of her dead mother.

D) Her Father’s crazed look through the mirror. 
E) The awkward sex in the hotel room

F) 10-year-old Catherine lies on the field blowing dandelions from earlier scene but a naked arrogant Frederic and her crazed eyed father now lie on either side of her. They both smile falsely.

BACK TO SCENE

Frederic’s face is now maniacal.

The train’s sound’s are close. Catherine struggles. The CROSS NECKLACE dangles.

CATHERINE’S MOTHER (V.O.) 
Every day the sea and god and the

stars and Grandpa would give us strength through that necklace.

SCREEN BLACK

Catherine’s scream echoes. 

FADE IN:

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT 

Catherine sits with a bruised blank face. The tape recorder is turned on.

POLICE OFFICER 
Interview with Miss Catherine

Mortimer commencing at 18:26. Now Catherine can you try to describe for me the events occurring at midday today between you and Mr Frederic Anderson?

Catherine shows no response.

POLICE OFFICER

Catherine we have several witnesses

that have gone on record today who witnessed the struggle between you and Frederic, would you care to clarify your version of the events at the station?

Catherine sits motionless.

She then puts the CROSS NECKLACE up to her lips and closes her eyes.

SCREEN BLACK

The police officer’s talking continues but fades.

The voice comes back into focus.

FADE IN:

Catherine opens her eyes again, they have tears in them.

CATHERINE

He got red. He got red because he

didn’t listen... He didn’t listen and I got tired. Real tired.

THE END.

FADE OUT.