ALICE
by
Nick Willing
Night one
Based on the books by Lewis Carroll
Alice in Wonderland
And Alice through the Looking Glass Draft APRIL 17 2009
INT. JUDO CLASS – EVENING
Men and women in white Judo outfits are locked together.
occasionally one spins his/her opponent to the mat with a thump.
ALICE Hamilton 21, casually beautiful and appropriately feisty, teaches the class, moving between each wrestling couple with a critical eye.
She approaches a man, Hal, who's struggling.
ALICE
Don't push, Hal. Pull him off center...
Your left leg between his... that's it...
Hal tries, gains an advantage... flips his man over.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Uki Waza.
Alice moves to the door and claps her hands together loudly.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Hai-kwan-do!
This is the signal to stop.
Everyone lines up, bows. Alice bows back.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Thank you all. That's it for tonight. See you next Tuesday. Mr. Chase...
Her eyes go to a handsome if disheveled man, late twenties, breathless from the workout. JACK CHASE.
ALICE (CONT'D)
I believe we have a private lesson.
He nods, leans down hands on knees, as the others troop out.
ALICE (CONT'D)
How many classes have you taken now, Mr.
Chase?
MR. CHASE
(English accent) Ten... in six weeds. But I could always do with more.
ALICE
As you know, I'm only here part time. You'd have to see one of the other instructors.
Mr. Chase
(nods) Who do you recommend? Alice lines up in front of him. He straightens up.
ALICE
Kai-do!
He takes his guard and... they lock together... Grabbing each other's robes, moving their feet...
ALICE (CONT'D)
Tim Roberts is a very good instructor.
MR. CHASE
I heard he has a mean streak...
Alice drops a shoulder, sticks out a leg, but Chase sees it coming and jumps clear.
MR. CHASE (CONT'D)
What about Jenny Moyers?
ALICE
Jenny isn't right for you.
MR. Chase
Why not?
ALICE
She's too...
Alice searches for the word.
MR. Chase
Pretty?
Alice throws him down hard.
MR. CHASE (CONT'D)
0wwww!
Alice jumps on top of him, clamps him down.
MR. CHASE (CONT'D)
Ouch, Alice... that hurt.
Jack Chase's tone suddenly changes. It's obvious these two know each other intimately.
ALICE
Sorry honey, where?
JACK
Everywhere.
ALICE
Let me kiss it better.
Alice plants a soft kiss on Jack's lips.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Better?
JACK
The pain's lower down.
Alice laughs and slides off of him.
JACK (CONT'D)
No, don't stop. I need medical attention.
She jumps up, grabs a towel. Jack gets to his feet more gingerly.
JACK (CONT'D)
So, tonight...
ALICE
Seven o'clock. My mom is so looking forward to it.
JACK
Good for your mom. I am too.
He heads for the changing roomer then stops.
JACK (CONT'D)
What have you told her about me?
ALICE
That your leg kicks need work.
JACK
True.
He exits. Alice turns finds herself in the big mirror across the room. She pulls the scratchy from her hair, letting it fall free. Smiles.
EXT. A QUIET STREET OF A BUSY METROPOLIS - LATE AFTERNOON
Alice hurries across the with grocery bags.
HOMELESS MAN
Spare some change ma'am?
Alice jumps sees a ragged figure in a doorways glasses held together with duct tape.
She pulls out a bag of apples and drops them in his lap.
ALICE
No, but I have this...
She hurries on leaving the Homeless man staring at the apples.
INT. ALICE AND CAROL'S APARTMENT – EVENING
Alice enters the front door of a sprawling urban apartment; open plan living room and dining room which Alice shares with her mother, CAROL Hamilton.
She drops the grocery bags in the kitchen, hurries into her bedroom and immediately turns on her computer.
Alice eagerly sifts through 23 new e-mails...
Each one includes a head shot of different middle aged men.
Alice examines each one carefully.
ALICE
No... Nope... Absolutely no…
CAROL, Alice's mom, appears at the door.
CAROL
Where are those from?
ALICE
Kokatahi.
CAROL
Where's that? Hawaii?
ALICE
New Zealand.
CAROL
Nice. If Daddy's in New Zealand maybe I'll go looking for him too.
Alice looks at the last e-mail and rejects it.
ALICE
Well. He's not in Kokatahi.
She moves to a map on her wall takes a pin from a pile of pins on her lap and sticks it in Kokatahi. There are hundreds of other pins in the map... all over the world.
CAROL knows better than to criticise her daughter disappears into the living room.
CAROL (o.s)
(Dry) Should I use the fine china? Alice follows her mother into the kitchen area.
ALICE
I thought you were excited to meet him?
CAROL
Of course I am honey. Only I hope it's not the kiss of death... again...
ALICE
What are you talking about?
CAROL
You know it's true. You no sooner bring a guy home than you've got a million reasons why he should never come back...
ALICE
This one's different.
CAROL
(Genuine)
Oh?
Alice gives her a look and a smile to suggest Jack may be the 'one'.
CAROL (CONT'D)
(impressed)
I see. Are you sure?
ALICE
No. But he fits most of the criteria.
CAROL
I was beginning to think that was impossible. The list is getting so long.
ALICE
I think I can trust him.
CAROL
But you know nothing about his family, the world he comes from.
ALICE
That's the next stage.
CAROL
Uh-oh, one more hurdle for the poor guy.
She gives Alice the once-over.
CAROL (CONT'D)
Is that what you're wearing?
She's in somewhat severe trousers and a shirt.
ALICE
What's wrong with it?
Carol just gives her a ''look'', disappears into the kitchen.
EXT. A ROUGHER PART OF TOWN - EVENING.
Jack exits his building and looks around. The streets are quiet. He hurries along, checking the doorways as he goes.
EXT. STREET CORNER – EVENING
Jack walks quickly, glances back, starts down the busy street. He seems edgy. He stops at a Florist Shop, looks in the window, sees in its reflection:
A Man across the street WHO SEEMS TO BE WATCHING HIM.
Jack turns. The Man sticks some money in a parking meter, walks away. Jack watches him, then enters the shop.
INT. ALICE AND CAROL'S APARTMENT – EVENING
Alice opens the door. She has changed into a sexy dress with some genuine cleavage. Jack smiles. He has brought a bouquet of white roses.
ALICE
Hey, you, we were just talking about you.
JACK
Need more time?
ALICE
No, I think we've covered it. Come in.
He gives her a kiss hands her the roses, as he enters.
ALICE (CONT'D)
For me?
Jack
For both of you.
Carol emerges from the kitchen, sans apron.
CAROL
(re the roses) How lovely...
ALICE
This is my mom, Carol... Jack...
CAROL
Hi Jack. Wonderful to meet you at last.
JACK
Same here.
CAROL
(takes the flowers) Let me put these in some water.
She exits into the kitchen. Alice starts to embrace Jack.
JACK
Hang on...
He reaches into his packs pulls out - a single red rose.
JACK (CONT'D)
This is for you.
She takes it, beaming.
ALICE
Thank you.
She kisses him. Carol calls out from the kitchen.
CAROL (O.S.)
Dinner's going to be twenty minutes so you two entertain each other!
ALICE
We will.
Jack wanders to the window, peers out, and down.
Across the street, a dark Figure lounges in a doorway.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Something wrong?
Jack turns away from the window, reaches out for her.
JACK
Not a thing.
INT. ALICE and CAROL'S APARTMENT - EVENING (LATER)
Dinner is over. Alice and Jack and Carol sit at the table sipping wine. He looks around.
JACK
I love this flat.
CAROL
Thanks. It feels like we've been here forever. Because we have!
(she laughs)
It's been the two of us for, what? Almost ten years.
ALICE
Ten years August fifth.
CAROL
Alice is meticulous about dates.
ALICE
Well, yeah... that one.
JACK
That's when..?
CAROL
Her dad disappeared on us.
JACK
Yes, of course.
CAROL
Listen, my show is coming on and I'm thinking you'll probably be okay without me for a while, so I'm going to say good night. Leave everything on the table.
She stands. Jack stands.
JACK
Thank you for dinner. It was a treat.
CAROL
My pleasure, Jack. See you soon, I hope.
JACK
I hope so too.
ALICE
Night, mom.
She exits. Alice turns to Jack a wan smile.
ALICE (CONT'D)
I didn't mean to do the family baggage thing.
JACK
No, I want to know all about you.
Jack's cell phone - in his rucksack - makes a beeping sound. He moves to it and
flips it open - a text - one word: ''RUN''
ALICE
What's up?
Jack looks up at her, smiles.
JACK
How would you like to meet my family?
ALICE
Are they coming to town?
JACK
No. We'd have to go there.
ALICE
Wow. Of course... when?
JACK
How about right now.
ALICE
Are you crazy.
JACK
Why not? It'll be an adventure. Some things are more exciting on the spur of the moment, don't you think?
ALICE
No... not when it comes to meeting your parents. I need some time to get myself together.
JACK
You're perfect as you are. Come on, we can be back on Monday morning.
ALICE
But I know nothing about them... what if they don't approve of me?
JACK
They'll approve when they see you with this.
Jack goes to his bag, pulls out a small box, tosses it to Alice - it's an antique box, made of wood, worn at the edges.
She tries to open it, can't.
JACM (CONT'D)
It's got a hidden catch, see..?
He pushes in a corner of the box, slides a panel opens and flips a hidden catch. The lid springs open. Inside is - an ancient ring, gold with a gleaming stone.
ALICE
Whoa, this looks old...
JACK
It's been in my family a very long time.
Alice takes a step back.
ALICE
Wait a minute? Are you giving me this?
JACK
Want to try it on?
ALICE
I can't take it, I'm sorry.
She shuts the box and hands it back.
ALICE (CONT'D)
A ring means something, Jack... It's too fast.
She turns away from him, agitated.
ALICE (cont'd)
It's way too fast.
JACK
Okay. I'm sorry, I got the wrong idea.
Maybe after you've seen my home, met my friends...
ALICE
I can't go with you Jack, not tonight, I'm just not ready.
JACK
When?
ALICE
I don't know.
She turns back to him, her voice softens.
ALICE (cont'd)
Maybe we should take it easy for a while, see how we feel in a few days.
JACK
Alice I-
ALICE
Give me some time.
Jack just looks at her. He goes to the door, turns back to her.
JACK
Don't I at least get a proper goodbye?
She hesitates then goes to him. He embraces her, but she's cold.
ALICE
Goodbye, Jack.
He goes. She shuts the door. Slumps down on the nearest chair. When she looks up, her mother is standing there, staring at her.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Don't say it.
EXT. ALICE'S STREET – NIGHT
Jack emerges from Alice's apartment building, looks across to the doorway where the Man was lurking earlier. No one is there. He hurries away.
INT. ALTCE AND CAROL'S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Alice is still slumped in the chair. Carol is in another chair across from her.
Carol
Was it a diamond ring?
ALICE
No, but it looked incredibly valuable.
CAROL
And after weighing up all the possible cons against all the unlikely pros, you kicked him out.
ALICE
I don't need the lecture.
CAROL
You know, honey, just because your dad left, doesn't mean they all will.
Alice sits up. In doing so she feels something in the pocket of her dress. She pulls it out - the little wooden box.
ALICE
The ring. He slipped it in my pocket.
She jumps up.
ALICE (cont'd)
There's no way...
She heads for the door.
CAROL
You can't go out dressed like that!
Alice flies out the door without a coat.
EXT. ALICE'S STREET – NIGHT
Alice exits her building, heads up the street, turns the corner, sees:
A scuffle between Three Men on the sidewalk. She hesitates, moves closers, and realizes:
One of the Men is JACK! He's fighting off the other two.
ALICE
Hey!
She runs toward them. But too late... Jack is clubbed by one of the attackers, bundled into the back of aVan.
The other two Men jump in and the Van pulls away.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Stop!
Alice runs after the Van, but it's useless.
WHITE RABBIT(O.S)
You won't catch them.
A smartly dressed Man steps out of the shadows. He wears neatly pressed pants, a white shirt, white shoes, a dark blue blazer and a tie with a tie-pin shaped like a WHITE RABBIT.
Like Jack, he has an English accent. Alice takes in the tie pin of the WHITE RABBIT.
ALICE
Who are you?
WHITE RABBIT
A friend of Jack's I'm here to help him.
ALICE
Then why didn't you? Who were those guys?
WHITE RABBIT
Jack took something that didn't belong to him. We need it back.
ALICE
What are you talking about? The White Rabbit holds out his hand.
WHITE RABBIT
The ring, Alice...
The ring box is in Alice's hand... she hides it behind her back.
ALICE
How do you know my name? Where have they taken him?
WHITE RABBIT
He's quite safe.
ALICE
Then bring him back. Let him tell me in person.
WHITE RABBIT
I'm afraid he's got to go back with me to face charges.
Behind her back - Alice pops the ring box open. It makes a distinctive sound which alerts the White Rabbit.
WHITE RABBIT (CONT'D)
So you do have it.
Snap! She snaps the box shut!
His Rabbit's face darkens. He lunges at Alice. She counters with a Judo hold, throws him against a wall.
ALICE
Back off!
But the White Rabbit has a few moves of his own... He spins around, throws a punch. Alice parries, locks him in another hold. They struggle.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Where have you taken Jack!
Alice digs her knee into his midriff, flips backwards, pulling him with her, throwing him onto the side walk.
And THE ANCIENT BOX falls out of her hand and skitters into the gutter.
The White Rabbit sees it... grabs it... and runs.
Alice is up quickly, chasing.
EXT. DARK ALLEYWAYS - NIGHT.
The White Rabbit's footsteps echo through the dark alleys.
Just as Alice thinks she's closing in, he veers away, down another, narrower passage.
She sees his shadow thrown up on a wall - looking strangely like a rabbit - as he disappears into an abandoned building
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - NIGHT.
Clank! Clank! Footsteps climbing a metal staircase. Alice follows, takes the steps two at a time.
INT. LARGE DISUSED HALL - NIGHT.
Alice emerges in time to see the White Rabbit running down the length of a huge empty warehouse.
ALICE
Stop!
But the White Rabbit rounds a corner and - unseen by Alice - runs straight into an OLD ORNATE MIRROR hanging on the wall, magically disappearing through its rippling surface.
Alice chases after him, rounds the same corner, sees the mirror too late, tries to stop but –
Skids, trips, stumbles against it... and... through it...
ALICE (CONT'D)
AHHH!
Then –
The mirror literally vanishes... as if it were never there.
INT. VORTEX – NIGHT
Shards of brilliant light kaleidoscope around Alice as she spins in slow motion through a spiraling vortex.
She looks around her, terrified.
Odd debris whips past... keys, a cell phone, a comb, a handkerchief, credit cards, a wallet... stuff that's flown out of other people's pockets...
Alice ducks the stuff, grabs a bottle as it whizzes by…looks at it... Mylanta...
ALICE
What the...?
Is she falling...? Or is she, in fact, rising...?
She settles into a sort of weightlessness... hair billowing around her, dress entangling her legs.
ALICE (CONT'D)
Alice, what have you done?
A black hole appears in the bright light, getting larger. Accelerating towards Alice...
ALICE (CONT'D)
No!
It fills the space around her, swallowing her up... until...
CRASH!
Alice hits a wall.