"MISERY"

					    by

				   William Goldman

				Based on the Novel by

					Stephen King



FADE IN ON


A SINGLE CIGARETTE. A MATCH. A HOTEL ICE BUCKET that holds a 
bottle of champagne. The cigarette is unlit. The match is of the 
kitchen variety. The champagne, unopened, is Dom Perignon. There 
is only one sound at first: a strong WIND --

-- now another sound, sharper -- a sudden burst of TYPING as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

PAUL SHELDON typing at a table in his hotel suite. It's really a 
cabin that's part of a lodge. Not an ornate place. Western themed.

He is framed by a window looking out at some gorgeous mountains. 
It's afternoon. The sky is grey. Snow is scattered along the 
ground. We're out west somewhere. The WIND grows stronger -- there 
could be a storm.

PAUL pays no attention to what's going on outside as he continues 
to type.

He's the hero of what follows. Forty-two, he's got a good face, 
one with a certain mileage to it. We are not, in other words, 
looking at a virgin. He's been a novelist for eighteen years and 
for half that time, the most recent half, a remarkably successful 
one.

He pauses for a moment, intently, as if trying to stare a hole in 
the paper. Now his fingers fly, and there's another burst of 
TYPING. He studies what he's written, then --

CUT TO

THE PAPER, as he rolls it out of the machine, puts it on the 
table, prints, in almost childlike letters, these words:

				THE END

CUT TO

A PILE OF MANUSCRIPT at the rear of the table. He puts this last 
page on, gets it straight and in order, hoists it up, folds it to 
his chest, the entire manuscript -- hundreds of pages.

CUT TO

PAUL, as he holds his book to him. He is, just for a brief moment, 
moved.

CUT TO

A SUITCASE across the room. PAUL goes to it, opens it and pulls 
something out from inside: a battered leather briefcase. Now he 
takes his manuscript, carefully opens the briefcase, gently puts 
the manuscript inside. He closes it, and the way he handles it, he 
might almost be handling a child. Now he crosses over, opens the 
champagne, pours himself a single glass, lights the one cigarette 
with the lone match -- there is a distinct feeling of ritual about 
this. He inhales deeply, makes a toasting gesture, then drinks, 
smokes, smiles.

HOLD BRIEFLY, then --

CUT TO

LODGE - DAY

PAUL -- exiting his cabin. He stops, makes a snowball, throws it, 
hitting a sign.

				PAUL
		Still got it.

He throws a suitcase into the trunk of his '65 MUSTANG and, 
holding his leather case, he hops into the car and drives away.

CUT TO

A SIGN that reads "Silver Creek Lodge." Behind the sign is the 
hotel itself -- old, desolate. Now the '65 Mustang comes out of 
the garage, guns ahead toward the sign. As "Shotgun" by Jr. Walker 
and the Allstars starts, he heads off into the mountains.

CUT TO

THE SKY. Gun-metal grey. The clouds seem pregnant with snow.

CUT TO

PAUL, driving the Mustang, the battered briefcase on the seat 
beside him.

CUT TO

THE ROAD AHEAD. Little dainty flakes of snow are suddenly visible.

CUT TO

THE CAR, going into a curve and

CUT TO

PAUL, driving, and as he comes out of the curve, a stunned look 
hits his face as we

CUT TO

THE ROAD AHEAD -- and here it comes -- a mountain storm; it's as 
if the top has been pulled off the sky and with no warning 
whatsoever, we're into a blizzard and

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG, slowing, driving deeper into the mountains.

CUT TO

PAUL, squinting ahead, windshield wipers on now.

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG, rounding another curve, losing traction --

CUT TO

PAUL, a skilled driver, bringing the car easily under control.

CUT TO

THE ROAD. Snow is piling up.

CUT TO

PAUL driving confidently, carefully. Now he reaches out, ejects 
the tape, expertly turns it over, pushes it in and, as the MUSIC 
continues, he hums along with it.

CUT TO

THE SKY. Only you can't see it.

There's nothing to see but the unending snow, nothing to hear but 
the wind which keeps getting wilder.

CUT TO

THE ROAD. Inches of snow on the ground now. This is desolate and 
dangerous.

CUT TO

PAUL, driving.

CUT TO

THE SNOW. Worse.

CUT TO

THE ROAD, curving sharply, dropping. A sign reads: "Curved Road, 
Next 13 Miles."

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG, coming into view, hitting the curve -- no problem -- 
no problem at all -- and then suddenly, there is a very serious 
problem and as the car skids out of control --

CUT TO

PAUL, doing his best, fighting the conditions and just as it looks 
like he's got things going his way --

CUT TO

THE ROAD, swerving down and

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG, all traction gone and

CUT TO

PAUL, helpless and

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG, skidding, skidding and

CUT TO

THE ROAD as it drops more steeply away and the wind whips the snow 
across and

CUT TO

THE MUSTANG starting to spin and

CUT TO

THE MOUNTAINSIDE as the car skids off the road, careens down, 
slams into a tree, bounces off, flips, lands upside down, skids, 
stops finally, dead.

HOLD ON THE CAR A MOMENT.

There is still the sound of the WIND, and there is still the music 
coming from the tape, perhaps the only part of the car left 
undamaged. Nothing moves inside. There is only the WIND and the 
TAPE. The wind gets louder.

CUT TO

THE WRECK looked at from a distance. The MUSIC sounds are only 
faintly heard.

CUT TO

THE AREA WHERE THE WRECK IS -- AS SEEN FROM THE ROAD. The car is 
barely visible as the snow begins to cover it.

CUT TO

THE WRECK from outside, and we're close to it now, with the snow 
coming down ever harder -- already bits of the car are covered in 
white.

CAMERA MOVES IN TO

PAUL. He's inside and doing his best to fight is, but his 
consciousness is going. He tries to keep his eyes open but they're 
slits.

Slowly, he manages to reach out with his left arm for his 
briefcase --

-- and he clutches it to his battered body. The MUSIC continues 
on.

But PAUL is far from listening. His eyes flutter, flutter again. 
Now they're starting to close.

The man is dying.

Motionless, he still clutches the battered briefcase.

HOLD ON THE CASE. Then --

DISSOLVE TO

The BRIEFCASE in Paul's hands as he sits at a desk.

				SINDELL (o-s)
		What's that?

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

We are in New York City in the office of Paul's literary agent, 
MARCIA SINDELL. The walls of the large room are absolutely crammed 
with book and movie posters, in English and all other kinds of 
other languages, all of them featuring the character of MISERY 
CHASTAIN, a perfectly beautiful woman. Misery's Challenge, 
Misery's Triumph -- eight of them. All written by Paul Sheldon.

CUT TO

PAUL, lifting up the battered briefcase -- maybe when new it cost 
two bucks, but he treats it like gold.

				PAUL
		An old friend. I was rummaging through
		a closet and it was just sitting there.
		Like it was waiting for me.

CUT TO

				SINDELL
			(searching for a compliment)
		It's ... it's nice, Paul. It's got...
		character.

CUT TO

THE TWO OF THEM.

				PAUL
		When I wrote my first book, I used to
		carry it around in this while I was
		looking for a publisher. That was a
		good book, Marcia. I was a writer
		then.

				SINDELL
		You're still a writer.

				PAUL
		I haven't been a writer since I got
		into the Misery business --

				SINDELL
			(holding up the cover art
			of Misery's Child)
		Not a bad business. This thing would
		still be growing, too. The first
		printing order on Misery's Child was
		the most ever -- over a million.

				PAUL
		Marcia, please.

				SINDELL
		No, no. Misery Chastain put braces on
		your daughter's teeth and is putting
		her through college, bought you two
		houses and floor seats to the Knick
		games and what thanks does she get?
		You go and kill her.

				PAUL
		Marcia, you know I started "Misery"
		on a lark. Do I look like a guy who
		writes romance novels? Do I sound
		like Danielle Steel? It was a one-time
		shot and we got lucky. I never meant
		it to become my life. And if I hadn't
		gotten rid of her now, I'd have ended
		up writing her forever.
			(touches his briefcase)
		For the first time in fifteen years, I
		think I'm really onto something here.

				SINDELL
		I'm glad to hear that, Paul, I really
		am. But you have to know -- when your
		fans find out that you killed off their
		favorite heroine, they're not going to
		say, "Ooh, good, Paul Sheldon can
		finally write what we've always wanted:
		an esoteric, semi-autobiographical
		character study.

				PAUL
			(passionately)
		Marcia, why are you doing this to me?
		Don't you know I'm scared enough?
		Don't you think I remember how nobody
		gave a shit about my first books? You
		think I'm dying to go back to shouting
		in the wilderness?
			(beat)
		I'm doing this because I have to.
			(Marcia is stopped)
		Now, I'm leaving for Colorado to try
		to finish this and I want your good
		thoughts -- because if I can make it
		work ...
			(beat)
		I might just have something that I
		want on my tombstone.

On the word "tombstone"

CUT TO

PAUL'S TOMBSTONE -- the upside down car with the blizzard coming 
gale-force and his motionless body trapped inside the car.

The WIND screams. PAUL'S EYES flutter, then close.

HOLD

KEEP HOLDING AS --

Suddenly there's a new sound as a crowbar SCRATCHES at the door --

-- and now the door is ripped open as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

A BUNDLED-UP FIGURE gently beginning to pull PAUL and the case 
from the car. For a moment, it's hard to tell if it's a man or 
woman --

-- not to let the cat out of the bag or anything, but it is, very 
much, a woman. Her name is ANNIE WILKES and she is close to Paul's 
age. She is in many ways a remarkable creature. Strong, self-
sufficient, passionate in her likes and dislikes, loves and hates.

CUT TO

PAUL AND ANNIE as she cradles him in her arms. Once he's clear of 
the car, she lays him carefully in the snow.

CUT TO

PAUL AND ANNIE: CLOSE UP. She slowly brings her mouth down close 
to his. Then their lips touch as she forces air inside him.

				ANNIE
			(Their lips touch again.
			Then --)
		You hear me -- Breathe! I said breathe!!!

CUT TO

PAUL, as he starts to breathe --

-- in a moment his eys suddenly open wide, but he's in shock, the 
eyes see nothing --

CUT TO

ANNIE -- the moment she sees him come to life, she goes into 
action, lifting PAUL in a fireman's carry, starting the difficult 
climb back up the steep hill.

As she moves away, she and Paul are obliterated by the white 
falling snow.

DISSOLVE TO

THE WHITE OF WHAT SEEMS LIKE A HOSPITAL. Everything is bled of 
color. It's all vague --

-- we are looking at this from Paul's blurred vision.

And throughout this next sequence, there are these SOUNDS, words 
really, but they make no sense.

				"...no...worry...
				...be...fine...
				...good care...you...
				...I'm your number one fan..."

The first thing we see during this is something all white. It 
takes a moment before we realize it's a ceiling.

Now, a white wall.

An I.V. bottle is next, the medicine dripping down a tube into 
PAUL'S LEFT ARM. The other arm is bandaged and in a sling.

ANNIE is standing beside the bed. She wears off-white and seems 
very much like a nurse. A good nurse. She has pills in her hands.

CUT TO

PAUL. Motionless, dead pale. He has a little beard now. Eyes 
barely open, he's shaking with fever.

				PAUL
			(hardly able to whisper)
		...where...am I...?

ANNIE is quickly by his side.

				ANNIE
			(so gently)
		Shhh...we're just outside Silver Creek.

				PAUL
		How long...?

				ANNIE
		You've been here two days. You're
		gonna be okay.
			(relieved)
		My name is Annie Wilkes and I'm --

				PAUL
		-- my number one fan.

And now the gibberish words make sense.

				ANNIE
		That's right. I'm also a nurse. Here.
			(Now, as she brings the
			pills close)
		Take these.

She helps him to swallow, as Paul's eyes close.

DISSOLVE TO

AN EXTERIOR OF THE PLACE. It's a farmhouse -- we're in a desolate 
area with mountains in the background.

THE HOUSE is set on a knoll so that Paul's room, although on the 
first floor, is ten feet off the ground.

CUT TO

PAUL, in the room. He's not on the I.V. anymore. His fever has 
broken. Annie enters, pills in her hand.

				ANNIE
		Here.

				PAUL
		What are they...?

				ANNIE
		They're called Novril -- they're for
		your pain. (helps him take them)

ANNIE applies a cool rag to his forehead.

				PAUL
		Shouldn't I be in a hospital?

				ANNIE
		The blizzard was too strong. I couldn't
		risk trying to get you there. I tried
		calling, but the phone lines are down.

PAUL tries to test his left arm.

				ANNIE
			(Gently, her fingers go
			to his eyelids, close
			them)
		Now you mustn't tire yourself. You've
		got to rest, you almost died.

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP. Sometimes her face shows the most remarkable 
compassion. It does now.

HOLD ON IT briefly.

DISSOLVE TO

CLOSE UP ON PILLS IN ANNIE'S HAND.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		Open wide.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM

He lies in bed. His fever is gone, but he's terribly weak.

CUT TO

ANNIE. As she lays the pills on PAUL'S TONGUE, she gives him a 
glass of water from the nearby bed table.

CUT TO

PAUL, swallowing eagerly.

CUT TO

ANNIE, watching him, sympathetically.

				ANNIE
		Your legs just sing grand opera when
		you move, don't they?
			(Paul says nothing, but
			his pain is clear)
		It's not going to hurt forever, Paul,
		I promise you.

				PAUL
		Will I be able to walk?

				ANNIE
		Of course you will. And your arm will
		be fine, too. Your shoulder was
		dislocated pretty badly, but I finally
		popped it back in there.
			(proudly)
		But what I'm most proud of is the work
		I did on those legs. Considering what
		I had around the house, I don't think
		there's a doctor who could have done
		any better.

And now suddenly she flicks off the blankets, uncovering his body.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring, stunned at the bottom half of his body as we

CUT TO

PAUL'S LEGS. From the knees down he resembles an Egyptian mummy -- 
she's splinted them with slim steel rods that look like the 
hacksawed remains of aluminum crutches and there's taping circling 
around.

From the kness up they're all swollen and throbbing and horribly 
bruised and discolored.

CUT TO

PAUL, lying back, stunned with disbelief.

				ANNIE
		It's not nearly as bad as it looks.
		You have a compound fracture of the
		tibia in both legs, and the fibula
		in the left leg is fractured too. I
		could hear the bones moving, so it's
		best for your legs to remain immobile.
		And as soon as the roads open, I'll
		take you to a hospital.

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP.

				ANNIE
		In the meantime, you've got a lot of
		recovering to do, and I consider it
		an honor that you'll do it in my home.

HOLD ON HER ECSTATIC FACE. Then --

CUT TO

MISERY'S PERFECT FACE. We're back in SINDELL's office in New York. 
The office looks just the same, posters and manuscripts all over. 
But she doesn't.

She holds the phone and she is fidgety, insecure.

				SINDELL
		This is Marcia Sindell calling from
		New York City. I'd like to speak to
		the Silver Creek Chief of Police or
		the Sheriff.

				MALE VOICE (o-s)
		Which one do you want?

				SINDELL
		Whichever one's not busy.

CUT TO

A SMALL OFFICE IN SILVER CREEK

... with a view of the mountains.

A MARVELOUS LOOKING MAN sits at a desk, by himself, holding the 
phone. In his sixties, he's still as bright, fast and sassy as he 
was half-a-lifetime ago. Never mind what his name is, everyone 
calls him BUSTER.

				BUSTER
		I'm pretty sure they're both not
		busy, Ms. Sindell, since they're
		both me. I also happen to be
		President of the Policeman's
		Benefit Association, Chairman of
		the Patrolman's Retirement Fund,
		and if you need a good fishing
		guide, you could do a lot worse;
		call me Buster, everybody does,
		what can I do for you?

CUT TO

SINDELL in her office. She pushes the speakerphone, gets up, 
paces; she's very hesitant when she speaks about Paul. Almost 
embarrassed --

				SINDELL
		I'm a literary agent, and I feel
		like a fool calling you, but I
		think one of my clients, Paul
		Sheldon, might be in some kind of
		trouble.

				BUSTER
		Paul Sheldon? You mean Paul Sheldon
		the writer?

				SINDELL
		Yes.

				BUSTER
		He's your client, huh?

				SINDELL
		Yes, he is.

CUT TO

BUSTER'S OFFICE

He rolls a penny acrossthe back of one hand -- he's very good at 
it, doesn't even look while he does it.

				BUSTER
		People sure like those Misery books.

				SINDELL
		I'm sure you know Paul's been going
		to the Silver Creek Lodge for years
		to finish his books.

				BUSTER
		Yeah, I understand he's been up here
		the last six weeks.

				SINDELL
		Not quite. I just called, and they
		said he checked out five days ago.
		Isn't that a little strange?

				BUSTER
		I don't know. Does he always phone
		you when he checks out of hotels?

CUT TO

SINDELL, really embarrassed now.

				SINDELL
		No, no, of course not. It's just
		that his daughter hasn't heard
		from him, and when he's got a book
		coming out, he usually keeps in
		touch. So when there was no word
		from him...

				BUSTER
		You think he might be missing?

				SINDELL
			(shakes her head)
		I hate that I made this call -- tell
		me I'm being silly.

CUT TO

BUSTER. He nods as a WOMAN enters, carrying lunch. It's his wife, 
VIRGINIA. She begins putting the food down on a table for the both 
of them.

				BUSTER
		Just a little over-protective,
		maybe.
			(beat)
		Tell you what -- nothing's been
		reported out here --
			(he puts Paul Sheldon's
			name with a ? on a 3 x 5
			card)
		-- but I'll put his name through
		our system.
			(he tacks the card to a
			bulletin board)
		And if anything turns up, I'll call
		you right away.

CUT TO

SINDELL. She smiles, a genuine sense of relief.

				SINDELL
		I appreciate that. Thanks a lot.

CUT TO

BUSTER.

				BUSTER
		G'bye, Ms. Sindell.

As he hangs up --

				VIRGINIA
		We actually got a phone call. Busy
		morning.

				BUSTER
			(smiles)
		Work, work, work.
			(gives her a hug)
		Virginia? When was that blizzard?

				VIRGINIA
		Four or five days ago. Why?

CUT TO

BUSTER. The penny flies across the back of his hand. He doesn't 
look at it, stares instead out the window at the mountains.

				BUSTER
			(a beat)
		...no reason...

HOLD ON BUSTER for a moment.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

				PAUL'S VOICE
			(soft)
		I guess it was kind of a miracle...
		you finding me...

ANNIE's soft, sweet laughter is heard. She stands over him, 
finishing shaving him with a very sharp straight razor. She wears 
what we will come to know as her regular costume -- plain wool 
skirts, grey cardigan sweaters.

				ANNIE
		No, it wasn't a miracle at all...
		in a way, I was following you.

				PAUL
		Following me?

ANNIE concentrates on shaving him with great care; she has 
wonderful, strong hands.

				ANNIE
			(explaining, normally)
		Well, it wasn't any secret to me that
		you were staying at the Silver Creek,
		seeing as how I'm your number-one fan
		and all. Some nights I'd just tool on
		down there, sit outside and look up at
		the light in your cabin --
			(gently moves his head back,
			exposing his neck; this next
			is said with total sincerity,
			almost awe)
		and I'd try to imagine what was going
		on in the room of the world's greatest
		writer.

				PAUL
		Say that last part again, I didn't
		quite hear-

				ANNIE
			(smiles)
		Don't move now -- wouldn't want to hurt
		this neck --
			(shaving away)
		Well, the other afternoon I was on my
		way home, and there you were, leaving
		the Lodge, and I wondered why a literary
		genius would go for a drive when there
		was a big storm coming.

				PAUL
		I didn't know it was going to be a big
		storm.

				ANNIE
		Lucky for you, I did.
			(pauses)
		Lucky for me too. Because now you're
		alive and you can write more books.
		Oh, Paul, I've read everything of
		yours, but the Misery novels...

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP

				ANNIE
		I know them all by heart, Paul, all
		eight of them. I love them so.

CUT TO

PAUL, looking at her. There's something terribly touching about 
her now.

				PAUL
		You're very kind...

				ANNIE
		And you're very brilliant, and you
		must be a good man, or you could
		never have created such a wondrous,
		loving creature as Misery Chastain.
			(runs her fingers over
			his cheek)
		Like a baby.
			(smiles)
		All done.
			(starts to dab away the
			last bits of soap)

ANNIE starts cleaning up.

				PAUL
		When do you think the phone lines'll
		be back up? I have to call my daughter,
		and I should call New York and let my
		agent know I'm breathing.

				ANNIE
		It shouldn't be too much longer.
			(gently)
		Once the roads are open, the lines'll
		be up in no time. If you give me their
		numbers, I'll keep trying them for you.
			(suddenly almost
			embarrassed)
		Could I ask you a favor?
			(Paul nods)
		I noticed in your case there was a new
		Paul Sheldon book and...
			(hesitant)
		and I wondered if maybe...
			(her voice trails off)

				PAUL
		You want to read it?

				ANNIE
			(quietly)
		If you wouldn't mind.

				PAUL
		I have a hard and fast rule about who
		can read my stuff at this early stage --
		only my editor, my agent, and anyone
		who saves me from freezing to death in
		a car wreck.

				ANNIE
			(genuinely thrilled)
		You'll never realize what a rare treat
		you've given me.

CUT TO

PAUL. His eyes close briefly, he grimaces.

CUT TO

ANNIE, watching him, concerned. She glances at her watch.

				ANNIE
		Boy, it's like clockwork, the way
		your pain comes -- I'll get you your
		Novril, Paul. Forgive me for
		prattling away and making you feel
		all oogy.

She turns and goes out of the room.

CUT TO

PAUL, watching her.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		What's your new book called?

				PAUL
		I don't have a title yet.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		What's it about?

				PAUL
			(fast)
		It's crazy, but I don't really know,
		I mean I haven't written anything but
		"Misery" for so long that -- you read
		it you can tell me what you think it's
		about. Maybe you can come up with a
		title.

				ANNIE
			(in the doorway)
		Oh, like I could do that?

CUT TO

THE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT THE SILVER CREEK LODGE

Small, neat, one window -- outside, snow covers all.

BUSTER AND LIBBY, THE MANAGER, are going over books and records. 
Libby is an old guy, walks with a cane.

				LIBBY
		Nothing unusual about Mr. Sheldon's
		leaving, Buster -- you can tell by
		the champagne.

				BUSTER
		Maybe you can, Libby.

				LIBBY
		No, see, he always ordered a bottle
		of Dom Perignon when he was ready to
		go. Then he'd pay up and be out the
		door.

				BUSTER
		No long-distance phone calls, Federal
		Express packages -- anything at all
		out of the ordinary?

				LIBBY
			(head shake)
		I don't think Mr. Sheldon likes for
		things to be out of the ordinary.
		Considering who he is and all, famous
		and all, he doesn't have airs. Drives
		the same car out from New York each
		time -- '65 Mustang -- said it helps
		him think. He was always a good
		guest, never made a noise, never
		bothered a soul. Sure hope nothing
		happened to him.

				BUSTER
		So do I...

				LIBBY
		I'll bet that old Mustang's pulling
		into New York right now.

				BUSTER
		I'm sure you're right.

But you can tell he's not sure at all as we

CUT TO

A SPOON FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH BEEF BARLEY SOUP.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

He lies in bed. Sun comes in the lone window. ANNIE sits on the 
bed, a large bowl of soup in her hands, feeding him.

				ANNIE
			(almost shy about this)
		I know I'm only forty pages into
		your book, but...

She stops, fills the spoon up again.

				PAUL
		But what?

				ANNIE
		Nothing.

				PAUL
		No, what is it?

				ANNIE
		Oh, it's ridiculous, who am I to make
		a criticism to someone like you?

				PAUL
		I can take it, go ahead.

				ANNIE
		Well, it's brilliantly written, but
		then everything you write is brilliant.

				PAUL
		Pretty rough so far.

				ANNIE
			(a burst)
		The swearing, Paul.
			(beat)
		There, I said it.

				PAUL
		The profanity bothers you?

				ANNIE
		It has no nobility.

				PAUL
		Well, these are slum kids, I was a
		slum kid, everybody talks like that.

CUT TO

ANNIE. She holds the soup bowl in one hand, the muddy-colored beef 
barley soup close to spilling.

				ANNIE
		They do not. What do you think I say
		when I go to the feed store in town?
		"Now, Wally, give me a bag of that
		effing pigfeed and ten pounds of that
		bitchly cow-corn" --

PAUL is amused by this.

CUT TO

THE SOUP, almost spilling as she gets more agitated.

				ANNIE
		-- and in the bank do I tell Mrs.
		Bollinger, "Here's one big bastard of
		a check, give me some of your Christing
		money."

CUT TO

PAUL, almost laughing as some soup hits the coverlet.

				ANNIE
			(seeing the spill,
			suddenly upset)
		There! Look there! See what you made
		me do!

CUT TO

PAUL -- his smile disappears.

CUT TO

ANNIE, and she is just totally embarrassed.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
		Sometimes I get so worked up. Can you
		ever forgive me? Here...

She hands him his pills and starts to clean the soup off the 
coverlet. Then she makes the sweetest smile.

				ANNIE
		I love you, Paul.
			(more embarrassed than
			ever)
		Your mind. Your creativity --
		that's all I meant.

Flustered, she turns away as we --

CUT TO

A ROAD IN THE MOUNTAINS. Piles of snow all around but it's been 
ploughed enough so it's driveable.

CUT TO

A CAR coming into view. Up ahead is the sign we've already seen: 
"Curved Road, Next 13 Miles."

CUT TO

INSIDE THE CAR.

BUSTER AND HIS WIFE VIRGINIA: Virginia is driving while Buster 
intently studiesthe terrain. He reaches fora large thermos, pours 
some coffee, offers it to her. She shakes her head. He begins to 
sip it.

				VIRGINIA
		This sure is fun.

She puts her hand on his leg.

				BUSTER
			(removing it)
		Virginia, when you're in this car,
		you're not my wife, you're my
		deputy.

				VIRGINIA
		Well, this deputy would rather be
		home under the covers with the
		Sheriff.

CUT TO

THE CAR. Suddenly, it goes into a little icy spin -- she fights it 
back under control.

CUT TO

INSIDE THE CAR.

				BUSTER
			(suddenly)
		Stop -- stop right here.

				VIRGINIA
		What? What is it?

CUT TO

THE CAR, skidding, slowing, stopping. BOTH OF THEM get out, go to 
the edge of the road. Mountains of snow. Nothing much else 
visible. Then Buster points.

				BUSTER
		Look at that broken branch there...

CUT TO

VIRGINIA, seeing it, unconvinced.

				VIRGINIA
		Could be the weight of the snow.

				BUSTER
		Could be -- or a rotten branch or a
		mountain lion could have landed on it.
		Could be a lot of things.

He steps off the road, starts down.

CUT TO

VIRGINIA, watching him, worried -- it's very slippery.

CUT TO

BUSTER, graceful, in great shape, navigating down easily.

CUT TO

THE TREE that the car ran into. BUSTER reaches it, studies it.

CUT TO

VIRGINIA, staring out after him -- she can't see him because the 
drop is both too steep and covered with trees and mounds of snow.

				VIRGINIA
		Anything down there?

				BUSTER'S VOICE (o-s)
		Yeah. An enormous amount of snow.

CUT TO

BUSTER. He's moved away from the tree now, going toward where the 
Mustang is buried.

CUT TO

THE MOUND OF SNOW with the Mustang inside.

CUT TO

BUSTER, making his way closer to it, closer, staring around.

CUT TO

THE AREA. Nothing to be seen -- everything is covered with 
mountains of snow. You could have a house down there and not be 
able to see it. Just glaring white.

CUT TO

BUSTER, angry, frustrated, turning around and around and

CUT TO

BUSTER from another angle, from behind the mound with the Mustang 
inside -- and out of his sight, glistening in the sun, a bit of 
the door protrudes. But, of course, Buster can't see it.

HOLD ON BUSTER, in a sour mood, staring around as the edge of the 
door continues to glisten.

CUT TO

VIRGINIA, on the road as Buster makes his way back up, still 
ticked.

				VIRGINIA
			(they move to the car)
		You really think Sheldon's out there?

				BUSTER
		Hope not -- if he is, he's dead. Let's
		go to the newspaper office.

As they get in the car --

ANOTHER CAR DRIVING BY -- it's Annie in her Jeep -- neither she 
nor Buster notice each other.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

The door opens and ANNIE enters.

				ANNIE
		Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
		wake you.

				PAUL
		It's fine.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

Paul's eyes fluttering awake to see the hardback copy of his 
novel, Misery's Child, in Annie's hands. She's never been more 
excited --

				ANNIE
		They had it at the store, Paul, there
		was a whole batch of them there. As
		soon as I saw it, I slammed my money
		down. I got the first copy.

				PAUL
		Then the roads are open...

				ANNIE
		The one to town is, but that's about it.
		I called the hospital and talked to the
		head orthopedic surgeon. I told him who
		you were and what had happened. He said
		as long as there's no infection, you're
		not in any danger, and as soon as the
		road to the hospital is open, they'll
		send an ambulance for you.

				PAUL
		The phones are working?

				ANNIE
		Well, mine's still out. But the ones in
		town were working just fine. I called
		that agent of yours.
			(soft now)
		Oh, Paul, I peeked at the very
		beginning.
			(looks at him)
		What a wonderful first page -- just to
		read the name Misery Chastain...

				PAUL
		My daughter must be going nuts.

				ANNIE
		...it's like a visit from my oldest,
		dearest friend.

				PAUL
		I was supposed to be home for her
		birthday three days ago.

				ANNIE
		Your agent said she would tell her you
		were okay. But I'm afraid you'll have to
		wait until tomorrow if you want to speak
		to her yourself.

She starts to leave, stops at the door.

				ANNIE
			(She looks at him now
			with almost a look of
			amazement)
		Oh, Paul, what a poet you are...

As she leaves --

DISSOLVE TO

PAUL, watching as she enters, moves to him, carrying a tray.

				ANNIE
		I made you my speciality -- scrambled
		eggs a la Wilkes. And I'm on page 75.

				PAUL
		I guess that means it's okay.

				ANNIE
		No. No, it isn't, it's --
			(halts)
		-- oh pooh, I can't think of any words.
		Would "great" be insulting?

				PAUL
		I can live with "great."

He starts, with effort, to eat.

				ANNIE
			(as she turns, goes)
		No, it's not just great, it's perfect,
		a perfect, perfect thing.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. MID-AFTERNOON.

ANNIE is clearing Paul's tray. She hands him his Novril; he 
quickly swallows them.

				ANNIE
		I'm up to page 185. I always get sad
		when I pass the halfway point. Will
		you do me a favor? I'd love it if you
		would autograph my copy. I already
		have your autograph on a picture, but
		it would mean so much to me to get it
		in person. I know you're right-handed,
		so don't worry if it's not so legible.
		I'll cherish it anyway.

As PAUL signs the book:

				ANNIE
		I don't mean to pry, but I've read in
		two magazines now where you were seeing
		this model who does those disgusting
		jeans commercials. And I said it can't
		be true. Paul Sheldon would never waste
		his time with a trampy woman like that.

				PAUL
		Well, you can't believe everything you
		read in magazines.

				ANNIE
		I knew it. I knew it wasn't true. Boy,
		how do they get away with printing
		stuff like that?

				PAUL
		You'd be amazed at what some people
		will believe.

He finishes the autograph, hands the book back to her.

				ANNIE
		Thank you so much.

				PAUL
		My pleasure.

DISSOLVE TO

THE WINDOW. LATE - AFTERNOON SUNLIGHT.

CUT TO

THE DOOR. IT opens and guess what -- a sow lumbers in.

CUT TO

PAUL, kind of stunned as this female pig skitters its way around 
the room, excited, confused, slipping and sliding.

CUT TO

ANNIE, all smiles and happiness, laughing in the doorway.

				ANNIE
		I thought it was time you two should
		meet. Paul, say hello to my favorite
		beast in all the world, my sow, Misery.

				PAUL
		Misery?

CUT TO

THE PIG, snorting around the room.

CUT TO

PAUL AND ANNIE, watching it.

				ANNIE
		Yes. I told you I was your number-one
		fan.

				PAUL
		I'm getting to believe you.

				ANNIE
		This farm was getting kind of dreary,
		what with just the few cows and chickens
		and me --
			(happy)
		But when I got Misery here, everything
		changed -- she just makes me smile so.

				PAUL
		She's a fine...uh...pig is what she is...

				ANNIE
			(scooping up the pig,
			holding it tight as she
			stands by Paul)
		I'm on page three-hundred now, Paul, and
		it's better than perfect -- it's divine.
		What's the ceiling that dago painted?

				PAUL
		The Sistine Chapel?

				ANNIE
		Yeah, that and Misery's Child -- those
		are the only two divine things ever in
		this world...

PAUL watches as the pig skitters out of the room with ANNIE in 
pursuit, happily imitating the pig.

				ANNIE
		Woink! Whoink! Whuh-Whuh-WHOINK!

CUT TO

PAUL staring after them -- what the hell was that?

CUT TO

THE WINDOW. DUSK.

ANNIE'S VOICE is heard softly.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		When my husband left me... I wasn't
		prepared, it wasn't an easy time...

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

ANNIE, standing at the window, her back to the room.

In bed, PAUL is dealing with a bedpan, peeing.

				ANNIE
		For a while I thought I might go
		crazy.

				PAUL
		I know how that can be.

				ANNIE
		I don't know about you, but what I did
		to get through it was I dove into work --
		days, nights -- night shifts can be
		lonely at a hospital. I did a lot of
		reading. That was hen I first discovered
		Misery. She made me so happy. She made
		me forget all my problems.
			(She smiles now)
		'Course, I suppose you had a little
		something to do with that too.

There is a peeing sound.

				PAUL
		Yeah, well...

He is embarrassed.

				ANNIE
			(She isn't)
		I just kept reading them over and over.
		I know when I finish this one -- and
		I've only got two chapters to go -- I'll
		just turn right to the front page and
		start reading it again.

				PAUL
		I'm...

				ANNIE
			(She turns around,
			moves to the bed)
		Done?

				PAUL
		Yeah, thanks.

				ANNIE
		No problem.

As she takes the bedpan...

				ANNIE
		Don't get me wrong. I'm not against
		marriage per se. But it would take a
		pretty special guy to make me want to
		go down the aisle again.

				PAUL
		Well, it's not something you should
		enter into lightly.

				ANNIE
		It boils down to respect. People just
		don't respect the institution of
		marriage anymore. They have no sense
		of real commitment.

CUT TO

PAUL, attempting to smile. There is not much he can say to this.

				ANNIE
		I'd love to stay here and chat, but
		I'm right at the end and I gotta find
		out what happens.

				PAUL
		Well, I hope you like it.

				ANNIE
		Of course I'll like it. Misery's about
		to have her child. What's it gonna be,
		a boy or a girl? Ooh, don't tell me.

With that, she exits.

CUT TO

THE WINDOW. MOONLIGHT.

CUT TO

PAUL. He's been dozing but now his eyes flutter awake as we

CUT TO

THE DOOR. It opens and ANNIE enters, comes to his bedside.

CUT TO

PAUL. Hard to see. He squints up as we

CUT TO

ANNIE. CLOSE UP: her face is ashen pale.

				ANNIE
		You...you dirty bird. She can't be 
		dead. Misery Chastain cannot be dead!
		How could you?

				PAUL
		Annie, in 1871, women often died in
		childbirth, but her spirit is the
		important thing, and Misery's spirit
		is still alive --

				ANNIE
			(screaming)
		I DON'T WANT HER SPIRIT! I want HER!
		And you MURDERED her!

				PAUL
		I DIDN'T...

				ANNIE
		Then who did?

				PAUL
		No one -- she just died -- she slipped
		away, that's all.

				ANNIE
			(screaming)
		She slipped away? She slipped away? She
		didn't just slip away. You did it. You
		did it. You did it. You did it. You
		murdered my Misery.

And now she has lifted a chair -- it's heavy but she's very strong 
-- and she raises it and turns on Paul, and it's high above her 
head, and PAUL realizes that this might be it, she might shatter 
him with it, crunch his skull -- and that's just what she seems 
she's about to do -- and then she swings it, not against him but 
against the wall, and it shatters and she's panting from the 
effort as she turns on him again, her voice surprisingly soft.

				ANNIE
		I thought you were good, Paul, but
		you're not good, you're just another
		lying old dirty birdie and I don't
		think I better be around you for
		awhile.
			(she crosses to the
			door, then stops)
		And don't even think about anybody
		coming for you, not the doctors, not
		your agent, not your family -- because
		I never called them. Nobody knows
		you're here. And you better hope
		nothing happens to me because if I die,
		you die.

CUT TO

PAUL, watching as she closes the door behind her. Then there is a 
RATTLE OF A KEY and the sound of the door to his room LOCKING.

CUT TO

ANNIE, getting in her Cherokee and gunning away.

CUT TO

THE ROOM.

PAUL lies still. He looks around the room and listens for sounds. 
All he hears are the SOUNDS OF A WINTER NIGHT in the mountains. 
After a few beats, he takes a deep breath and then begins his 
greatest effort of all: to force his body out of bed, to make it 
move.

He's still weak from what he's endured, but that's not the main 
thing: it's the pain. Any attempt at movement and his legs scream. 
He sags back, lies there still a moment. Slowly he tries to 
maneuver his body off the bed. He rolls over onto his stomach, 
then tries to lower himself onto the floor by moving down head 
first. His good arm hits the floor, and he is able to hold himself 
up but, realizing there is no way to get out of bed without 
causing tremendous pain, he girds himself and flings himself out 
of bed and comes crashing to the floor.

The pain is excruciating. After he regains his composure, he 
slowly crawls toward the door.

He reaches up and tries the handle. It is, in fact, locked. He 
awkwardly tries to slam up against the door, but it is much too 
painful and to no avail. He crawls back over to the bed, realizes 
there's no way to climb back in, then grabs the blanket from the 
bed, wraps it around himself, and closes his eyes.

DISSOLVE TO

BUSTER'S OFFICE. DAY.

He sits alone at his desk on the telephone, staring at the Rocky 
Mountain Gazette spread in front of him.

CUT TO

THE NEWSPAPER'S FRONT PAGE.

In a prominent spot on the top is what is most likely a book-
jacket photo of Paul. Above the picture is the following: "HAVE 
YOU SEEN PAUL SHELDON?"

BUSTER is on the phone with Marcia Sindell.

				BUSTER
		No, Ms. Sindell, there's no point in
		coming up here now. Everything that
		can be done is... Yes, we're working
		closely with the state police, and
		the FBI has been informed. Right...
		Right... As soon as we know anything
		we'll let you know. No, it's no
		bother. Call anytime. Bye, Ms. Sindell.

VIRGINIA enters, carrying some files.

				VIRGINIA
		Here's the list of all Sheldon's
		credit charges. Nothing after the
		Silver Creek.
			(With a glance at his
			dour face, she
			indicates the photo)
		Any calls?

				BUSTER
		Just from his agent.

CUT TO

BUSTER. His eyes flick up to her. An almost imperceptible shake of 
the head.

HOLD FOR A MOMENT, then --

FACES. They are distorted, and they come into view but briefly, 
then change into the next distorted face. All kinds -- there is no 
order to them -- young, Oriental, female, male, pretty, sad, 
black, not so pretty, happy, white, old -- what we HEAR is this:

	"...You've changed my life..."

	"...I'm your number one fan..."

	"...I'm a really big fan of yours..."

	"...I'm your biggest fan..."

	"...Don't ever stop writing those Misery books..."

	"...I've read all your books, but the Miserys... well..."

	"...I'm your numbe rone fan..."

	"...You've given me such pleasure..."

	"...I feel like you're writing just for me..."

AND NOW, IT GETS KICKED UP IN SPEED AND ALL GOES FASTER, MANY 
TIMES OVERLAPPING.

	"...I love you...I'm your number one fan...I'm your biggest
	fan...We love you...number one...love you...biggest...love
	you...number one...number one... you poor dear thing..."

This last was said by Annie, out of focus, and for a moment, she 
stays that way --

CUT TO

THE ROOM, AS IT SNAPS BACK INTO FOCUS -- ANNIE is standing by the 
bed. It is dusk.

She wears a dark blue dress and a hat with a sprig of flowers. Her 
eyes are bright and vivacious -- the fact is, this is the 
prettiest ANNIE WILKES has ever looked.

				ANNIE
		What are you doing on the floor?
			(crossing to the bed)
		It's my fault. If I'd had a 
		proper hospital bed, this never
		would have happened. Here, let me
		help you back in.
			(She lifts him back
			into the bed, which
			causes considerable
			pain)
		I know this hurts, but it'll only
		take a few seconds. There you go.
		Comfy?

				PAUL
			(in pain)
		Perfect.

				ANNIE
		You're such a kidder. I have a big
		surprise for you. But first there's
		something you must do.

				PAUL
		I don't suppose I could have a
		little snack while I wait for the
		surprise?

				ANNIE
		I'll get you everything you want,
		but you must listen first. Sometimes
		my thinking is a little muddy, I
		accept that. It's why I couldn't
		remember all those things they were
		asking me on the witness stand in
		Denver.

Now she turns, goes to the doorway, keeping on talking. She is 
never out of sight.

				ANNIE
		But this time I thought clearly. I
		asked God about you and God said "I
		delivered him unto you so that you
		may show him the way."

				PAUL
		Show me the way?

				ANNIE
		Yes.

She exits and re-enters wheeling something toward his bed. It's a 
charcoal barbecue, the kind you use in summer for cooking 
hamburgers. She holds several items in her arms: a box of Diamond 
Blue Tip wooden matches, a can of lighter fluid. And most 
noticeably, Paul's manuscript.

CUT TO

ANNIE AND PAUL. He watches, mute, as she takes off the grill, puts 
the manuscript into the barbecue itself where the charcoal goes, 
spritzes it with lighter fluid. The grill is close enough to the 
bed for him to reach out and drop a match.

				PAUL
		When I mentioned a snack, I was
		thinking more along the lines of a
		cheese and crackers kind of thing.

CUT TO

ANNIE, looking at him.

				ANNIE
		Paul, this is no time for jokes. You
		must rid the world of this filth.

She hands him the box of kitchen matches.

				PAUL
		You want me to burn my book?

				ANNIE
			(she nods)
		Yes.

				PAUL
		You want me to burn my book?

				ANNIE
		I know this may be difficult for
		you, but it's for the best.

				PAUL
		This isn't difficult, my agent's
		made dozens of copies. There's gonna
		be an auction on this, and every
		publishing house in New York is
		reading it now. So if you want me to
		burn it, fine. You're not ridding the
		world of anything.

CUT TO

ANNIE, watching him.

				ANNIE
			(quietly)
		Then light the match, Paul.

				PAUL
		No big deal.

				ANNIE
		So you've indicated. Do it.

CUT TO

THE MATCHES. PAUL'S HANDS are starting to tremble now. He can't do 
it.

				ANNIE
		I know this is the only copy, Paul.
		When you were twenty-four you wrote
		your first book and you didn't make
		a copy, because you didn't think
		anybody would take it seriously.
		But they did. And ever since you've
		never made any copies because you're
		superstitious -- it's why you always
		come back to the Silver Creek Lodge.
		You told that story to Merv Griffin
		eleven years ago.

				PAUL
		You know, Annie, this book never
		would have survived without you.
		When it gets to new York, there will
		be a big auction, and whatever it
		brings we can split.
			(pause)
		God knows you're entitled to it.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul. This isn't about money.
		It's about decency and purity. It's
		about God's values.

				PAUL
		You're right. You're right. I don't
		know what I was thinking. I'll tell
		you what. It doesn't have to be
		published. Nobody ever has to see it.
		I'll just keep it for myself. No one
		will ever have to know it exists.

				ANNIE
		As long as it does exist, your mind
		won't ever be free. I think you
		should light the match, Paul.

There is a long silence. PAUL doesn't move.

				ANNIE
		Can't you see it's what God wants?

She's holding the can of lighter fluid in her hand as she speaks 
and absentmindedly flicks a few drops of the fluid on the bed.

				ANNIE
		You're so brilliant. I would think
		you'd certainly be able to see that.
			(More drops fall on
			the bed)
		We're put on this earth to help
		people, Paul. Like I'm trying to help
		you.

PAUL watches as the fluid continues to drop on the bed.

				ANNIE
		Please let me help you.

CUT TO

PAUL. His hands shaking. Almost robot-like, he strikes one. It 
flames.

				ANNIE
		You're doing the right thing, Paul.

CUT TO

THE BARBECUE, as Paul's hand appears, drops the match on the 
fluid-soaked manuscript. For a moment -- nothing --

-- and then, KABOOM, the goddam thing practically explodes and

CUT TO

PAUL, staring, dazed, and as the flames leap higher,

CUT TO

ANNIE, suddenly scared and startled at the heat and the size of 
the flames and the full baking heat and

				ANNIE
			(crying out)
		Goodness!

CUT TO

THE BARBECUE. The sound is LOUDER as the flames leap up and now 
charred bits of paper begin floating upward and

CUT TO

ANNIE, watching, as more bits of paper rise.

				ANNIE
		Goodness -- Goodness -- Oh, my
		gracious --

And she starts trying to catch them.

CUT TO

A PIECE OF BURNING PAPER in midair, floating against the gauzy 
curtain, and for a moment it looks like the curtain will catch 
fire and

CUT TO

ANNIE, panicked, racing out of the room, going "Goodness, heavens 
to Betsy" --

CUT TO

THE BARBECUE, and what's left of the book.

CUT TO

PAUL, and he cannot take his eyes off the disaster.

CUT TO

ANNIE, hurrying back in, carrying a big bucket, slopping water as 
she lifts the bucket.

CUT TO

THE LAST of the manuscript as the bucket of water is tossed onto 
it -- there's hissing and steam and as the steam clears it all 
looks now like a log in a brackish pond.

				ANNIE
		Well, isn't that an oogy mess?

As she starts to wheel the barbecue out, suddenly there is a new 
and different sound as we

CUT TO

PAUL, head turning toward the window.

CUT TO

ANNIE taking a step toward the window, stopping for a moment. The 
sound we're hearing is a motor. A HELICOPTER MOTOR. And it's 
getting louder. Annie goes to the window now, looks toward the sky 
as we

CUT TO

A HELICOPTER flying along.

CUT TO

INSIDE THE HELICOPTER.

BUSTER and a PILOT are in the machine. Buster has a pair of 
binoculars looped around his neck, a map rumpled in his lap.

				BUSTER
			(pointing out)
		That's the Steadman place up there.
			(The pilot nods.
			Buster points again)
		The only other place up here is the
		Wilkes farm.

Another nod. The PILOT points down. BUSTER stares through the 
binoculars.

WHAT HE SEES: ANNIE'S JEEP parked in front of her house.

CUT TO

INSIDE THE HELICOPTER.

				BUSTER
		That's no '65 Mustang. There's
		nothing else out this way --
		circle on back.

As the pilot starts to change direction

CUT TO

ANNIE at the window, watching, as the helicopter turns, starts 
off.

CUT TO

PAUL, listening as the MOTOR sound recedes.

CUT TO

ANNIE, staring out the window.

				ANNIE
		I do believe the winters are getting
		shorter and shorter every year.
		People say it has something to do
		with the ozone layer. What do you
		think?

				PAUL
		I don't know.

				ANNIE
		Yeah, well, it's a theory. Here's
		your Novril.
			(she wheels the
			barbecue to the
			door; stops)
		How does tuna casserole sound for
		dinner?

				PAUL
		Great.

She exits. PAUL takes the two Novril, stares at them, then 
deliberately tucks them under his mattress.

DISSOLVE TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

As PAUL is finishing the last of his tuna casserole. There are two 
Novrils on his tray. We hear strains of TV GAME SHOW THEME MUSIC. 
These sounds are not surprising. Paul has heard them before.

CUT TO

ANNIE'S ROOM. NIGHT.

It is much smaller than Paul's and filled with religious bric-a-
brac, pictures of Paul Sheldon, and a TV on a portable stand. 
Annie lies in bed, with an open bag of Cheetos resting on her 
stomach and a big quart-sized plastic bottle of Coke on the 
nightstand. As she munches away, she is heavily engrossed in her 
favorite TV show, "The Love Connection." As Chuck Woolery extracts 
the embarrassing details of a couple's romantic interlude, we

CUT TO

Paul faintly hearing the sounds of the TV. He has now finished 
eating. He takes the two Novril from under the mattress. He then 
undoes the sheet, takes his fork and delicately pokes a hole in 
the mattress, then stuffs all four pills back into the hole.

DISSOLVE TO

FARMHOUSE.

Coming up to dawn.

CUT TO

PAUL'S DOOR slowly opening.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring at the door.

CUT TO

WHEELS, seen from underneath the bed, being rolled around the foot 
of the bed. We realize PAUL is in a wheelchair with ANNIE pushing 
him.

				ANNIE
		See, isn't this nice?

				PAUL
		Great. I've always wanted to visit
		the other side of the room.

				ANNIE
		And look what I've got for you. An
		electric razor so you can shave
		yourself now.

				PAUL
		If I knew this was gonna be the
		surprise, you could've gotten me to
		burn all my books.

				ANNIE
			(She hands him some
			Novril)
		Now don't josh. This is a very big
		day for you, Paul. Here. You just sit
		tight, and I'll set everything up.

ANNIE exits.

CUT TO

PAUL, quickly shoving the Novril into the mattress.

				PAUL
		Set what up?

				ANNIE (o-s)
		That's the big surprise. Your new
		studio -- after all, writers do need
		a place to work.

				PAUL
		Work? You mean write? What in the world
		do you think I'd write?

				ANNIE
		Oh, but Paul!
			(flushed)
		I don't think, I know! Now that you've
		gotten rid of that nasty manuscript,
		you can go back to doing what you're
		great at --
			(beat)
		-- you're going to write a new novel --
		your greatest achievement ever --
		Misery's Return.

CUT TO

PAUL. Stunned.

				PAUL
			(after a beat)
		Misery's Return?

				ANNIE
		I know you didn't mean it when you
		killed her, and now you'll make it
		right.

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP. In an almost religious fervor.

				ANNIE
		Yes. It will be a book in my honor.
		For saving your life and nursing you
		back to health. I'll be the first
		one to read it.
			(beat)
		Oh, Paul, you're going to make me
		the envy of the whole world...

CUT TO

PAUL.

				PAUL
		You just expect me to whip something
		off, that it?

				ANNIE
			(nods)
		I expect nothing less than your
		masterpiece.

				PAUL
		You do understand that this isn't the
		ordinary way books get written -- I
		mean, some people might actually
		consider this an oddball situation.

She rolls him over to a table she has set up by the window.

				ANNIE
		I have total confidence in your
		brilliance -- besides, the view will
		inspire you.

CUT TO

THE WINDOW, as the wheelchair approaches it.

The sky is innocent of clouds. There's a green forest climbing the 
flank of the nearest mountain. A plot of open ground between the 
house and the mountain. A neat red barn where the livestock stay. 
A Jeep Cherokee, maybe five years old. A Fisher plow. And no 
neighbors in sight. This is a desolate place.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		You just inhale that. I'll be right
		back.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring out the window.

				PAUL
			(calling out)
		I guess you don't get bothered by
		neighbors much.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		Don't worry about that. You'll have
		total solitude so you can
		concentrate on your work.

				PAUL
		Great.

CUT TO

ANNIE in the doorway, carrying reams of typing paper, pencils, 
pens and sharpener.

CUT TO

CUT TO

PAUL, watching her -- it's all kind of amazing. She hands him a 
box of typing paper.

				ANNIE
		I got you this expensive paper to
		type on.

CUT TO

PAUL, looking at the paper. It's Corrasable Bond. An idea hits 
him; he masks it as best he can.

				ANNIE
			(putting the rest
			of the paper on the
			table)
		And I got a great deal on this
		fifty-pound clunker -- on account
		of it's missing an "n." I told the
		saleslady "n" was one of the
		letters in my favorite writer's
		name.

				PAUL
		It's two of the letters in my
		favorite nurse's name, Annie.

				ANNIE
			(embarrassed, blushing)
		You -- fooler...!
			(turns, grabs up pens,
			pencils, paper)
		Did I do good?

				PAUL
			(gesturing to the
			box of paper)
		You did great, except there's just
		one little thing -- I can't work
		with this paper. It's Corrasable
		Bond, it smudges. Maybe you could
		go back into town and bring me some
		white, long-grained mimeo.

				ANNIE
		But mine cost the most so I don't
		see how it could smudge.

				PAUL
			(quickly taking a
			sheet of paper, making
			a pencil mark on it)
		C'mere, I'll show you.

As she approaches, he rubs his thumb over the pencil mark.

				ANNIE
			(looking at it)
		Well, it does smudge after all --
		isn't that fascinating?

				PAUL
		I thought you'd be interested. I'd
		like you to be in on everything,
		Annie. Not just the finished book,
		but how it's written.

				ANNIE
		Thank you for thinking of me.
			(She can be so
			charming when she
			wants)
		Anything else I can get while I'm
		in town? Any other crucial
		requirements that need satisfying?
		Would you like a tiny tape recorder?
		Or maybe a handmade set of writing
		slippers?

				PAUL
		No, just the paper will be fine.

				ANNIE
			(suddenly very agitated)
		Are you sure? 'Cause if you want,
		I'll bring back the whole store
		for you.

				PAUL
		Annie, what's the matter?

				ANNIE
		What's the matter? I'll tell you
		what's the matter. I go out of my way
		for you. I do everything to try and
		make you happy. I feed you, I clean
		you, I dress you. And what thanks do
		I get? "You bought the wrong paper,
		Annie. I can't write on this paper,
		Annie." Well, I'll get your stupid
		paper, but you just better start
		showing me a little more appreciation
		around here, Mister Man.

With that, she throws the ream of paper in PAUL'S LAP, causing 
considerable pain.

CUT TO

THE DOOR as she slams it shut, locks it, stomps off and

CUT TO

THE WINDOW. Annie, in a parka, can be seen storming out in the 
direction where her Cherokee was parked. She gets in and drives 
off.

CUT TO

PAUL. He heaves a sigh, reaches out toward his tortured knees, 
then drops his head. He sees something.

CUT TO

A BOBBY PIN on the floor.

CUT TO

PAUL, as he moves toward the bobby pin. Or tries to. It's brutally 
hard for him. The chair moves half a foot. Stops. Paul strains 
again. Another half foot. Another.

CUT TO

The BOBBY PIN. The wheelchair is beside it now. PAUL reaches down 
for it. Can't make it. Tries again. Can't. He takes a deep breath, 
forces himself to bend, ignoring the pain. The bobby pin is in his 
hands.

CUT TO

PAUL, inserting the bobby pin into the keyhole, beginning to jimmy 
the lock.

CUT TO

THE LOCK -- it makes a SOUND -- something has caught.

CUT TO

PAUL, excited, trying to force the bobby pin and he's doing great-

-until it slips from his hands, falls to the floor again.

				PAUL
			(furious)
		Shit...

CUT TO

THE BOBBY PIN. Paul reaches for it. The pain has him. He reaches 
again, involuntarily cries out. But he grabs it, clutches it 
tight.

CUT TO

THE KEYHOLE. Paul is trying to jimmy the lock a second time.

No luck.

CUT TO

PAUL. In wild frustration.

				PAUL
		You've written how to do this --
		now do it!

CUT TO

THE KEYHOLE. There is a loud CLICKING sound.

CUT TO

THE DOOR as Paul turns the knob. The door opens a crack.

				PAUL
			(amazed)
		What do you know, it actually works.

CUT TO

PAUL, trying to get out of the room -- but it's a bitch because in 
order to get to the lock he had to move the wheelchair up to the 
door and in order to get out, he's got to maneuver it out of the 
way of the door and every turn of the chair's wheels is an effort 
for him. He works at it and works at it, but his energy is failing 
him. He's pale, perspiring. Finally he succeeds, barely forces his 
way into the hall.

CUT TO

PAUL, in the hallway outside. He looks around for a phone. Doesn't 
see one. He wheels himself over to the front door, tries it. It's 
locked from the outside.

				PAUL
		What a surprise.

He looks off into the living room, and...

CUT TO

THE TELEPHONE.

CUT TO

PAUL, wheeling into the living room. Dark red predominates. It's a 
musty room. Over the mantel, a photograph of a six-year-old ANNIE, 
with her mother and father in front of the family car -- a new 
1952 Buick. These were happier times.

The windows have bars on them.

As PAUL begins to wheel as fast as he can toward the phone --

CUT TO

THE PHONE as PAUL at last grabs for it, gets it, punches the 
"operator" button --

				PAUL
		Operator...
			(nothing)
		...OPERATOR...
			(wildly frustrated)
		...Shit!

He shakes the phone. It's terribly light. He picks it up, turns it 
over -- it's hollow, just a shell of a telephone. He stares at it 
for a long moment, shaking his head, the disappointment plain.

				PAUL
		You crazy bitch...

He puts the phone back on the table.

CUT TO

THE GENERAL STORE. DAY.

Annie exits the store, carrying new paper, hops into her Cherokee 
and drives off.

CUT TO

THE STUDY, as PAUL enters. He looks around.

It's stuffed with heavy, graceless furniture as well as lots of 
coffee tables covered with knickknacks. As he, with effort, wheels 
across it --

CUT TO

A shelf of BOOKS. PAUL SHELDON books. EVERY Paul Sheldon book.

CUT TO

PAUL, pausing, looking at her collection. The only book on the 
shelf that isn't his is a large scrapbook. The title on the back 
reads "My Life."

He glances back at the shelf as he forces his wheelchair across 
the study, and we

CUT TO

A SMALL TABLE with little ceramic doodads on top. The wheelchair 
his it, one of the doodads topples -- it's a penguin, fragile 
looking, and as it's about to fall to the floor and shatter --

CUT TO

PAUL, grabbing for it, catching it, putting it back where it was. 
He continues his slow way across the room and

CUT TO

THE HALLWAY.

Out in the hallway, on his way toward the kitchen, PAUL notices a 
door to his right. He wheels over and surprisingly it opens. 
However, this is not a door to the outside of the house, only a 
storage pantry. He looks around -- nothing but canned goods, 
potato chips, cereals and large plastic Coke containers, etc. Just 
as he is about to close the door, he notices an open cardboard 
box. He opens the flap and sees all kinds of prescription drugs. 
Among them are a couple of strips of Novril encapsulated in 
blisters. He grabs them and stuffs them into his sweatpants. Now 
he closes the pantry door and heads to the kitchen.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN.

As PAUL approaches it. He starts to wheel his way in, but he has 
trouble.

He backs up slightly, wheels forward again --

-- but the door is too narrow for the chair to fit through. He 
pounds his fists on the chair arm, staring as we

CUT TO

THE BACK DOOR. It's at the far end of the kitchen leading to the 
outside. It seems somehow less formidable than the front door did. 
The windows around the kitchen are barred.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring at the kitchen door --

-- then without warning, he makes his move, starting to lower 
himself out of the chair gently to the floor --

-- only it doesn't work that way. It's too awkward, he doesn't 
have the strength to maneuver properly --

-- and his body tilts awkwardly out of the chair, slams hard 
against the hard floor.

CUT TO

PAUL, crying out in pain as he lands. He lies there for a moment. 
Little droplets of sweat are on his forehead now. He is hurting.

He closes his eyes, gathering strength --

-- and then slowly, very slowly, inch by inch, he moves his body 
across the floor toward the kitchen door.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN DOOR. It's still a long way away.

CUT TO

PAUL, ignoring his pain, his awkwardness, making his body move.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN DOOR. Closer now.

CUT TO

PAUL, growing pale, but he won't stop, and now the door is just 
ahead of him, and with his good arm he reaches out and up and 
grabs the doorknob --

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN DOOR. Locked solid.

CUT TO

PAUL: CLOSE UP. The disappointment and anger is plain on his face. 
His arm drops. He lies still for a moment, panting from his 
effort. Then --

CUT TO

PAUL, and his eyes are wide for a moment. You can feel his wild 
excitement, as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

Sitting on the counter: A SET OF CARVING KNIVES sticking out of a 
slotted wooden block.

They seem to be out of reach, but that doesn't stop him. He starts 
to crawl over to the counter.

CUT TO

THE ROAD.

ANNIE is driving along in her Cherokee. She is heading home.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN.

Now at the counter, PAUL tries to pull himself up with his one 
good arm, but even though he is able to chin himself up to the top 
of the counter, he is still unable to reach the knives. He makes a 
desperate attempt which sends him crashing to the floor.

As he starts to force his way up again -- from outside there comes 
a sound -- the motor of a car.

CUT TO

OUTSIDE ANNIE's.

ANNIE, driving up to the house.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN.

PAUL, throwing himself back to the floor, starting a wild crawl 
back across the kitchen toward the wheelchair and

CUT TO

OUTSIDE ANNIE'S.

ANNIE, getting out of her Jeep and

CUT TO

KITCHEN.

PAUL, crawling, crawling and

CUT TO

OUTSIDE ANNIE'S.

ANNIE, walking around to the back of the Jeep and

CUT TO

KITCHEN.

PAUL, scrambling wildly up into his wheelchair, starting to get it 
turned and

CUT TO

ANNIE'S.

ANNIE, opening the back of the Jeep and lifting out several 
rectangular boxes of paper and

CUT TO

PAUL, straightened out now, forcing the wheelchair to move, and 
now we're into a race, a crazed life-and-death race and the cuts 
go fast --

-- and ANNIE closes the door of the car --

-- and PAUL is suddenly stuck, there's no traction on the rug --

-- now ANNIE, purchases in hand, starts away from the car for the 
house --

-- and now PAUL is finally moving toward the bedroom.

-- and ANNIE is moving swiftly toward the front door.

-- She drops one of the packages of paper.

CUT TO

PAUL, still biting down, churning his arms with all the strength 
he has left. PAUL'S ARMS, aching, start to turn to rubber.

CUT TO

ANNIE'S FEET, walking quickly across the snow-covered area in 
front of the house and

CUT TO

THE BEDROOM DOOR as Paul gets through it, shuts it, and attacks 
the bedroom lock with the bobby pin and

CUT TO

ANNIE, unlocking the front door of the house and

CUT TO

THE BEDROOM DOOR, as it locks and

CUT TO

THE FRONT DOOR, unlocking and

CUT TO

ANNIE balancing the bundles under her chin as she jiggles the key 
out of the front door lock and

CUT TO

PAUL, soaked.

				ANNIE (v-o)
			(her voice from the
			hallway, close and
			growing closer)
		Paul, I've got your paper.

CUT TO

PAUL. He wheels to exactly where he was when she left him. He at 
last allows himself a sigh of relief.

CUT TO

THE DOOR as the sound of a lock CLICKING is heard.

				ANNIE (v-o)
		Just the kind you asked for.

And as the door opens --

CUT TO

PAUL -- looking down. Paul's waistband -- a half a dozen strips of 
Novril ominously stick out.

As the door swings open, he quickly covers the Novril with this 
hands.

CUT TO

ANNIE, in the doorway, a strange look on her face.

				ANNIE
		Paul, you're dripping with
		perspiration, your color is very
		hectic -- what have you been
		doing?

				PAUL
		You know goddam well what I've been
		doing -- I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE
		SUFFERING. I need my pills.

				ANNIE
			(tenderly, as she
			starts toward him)
		Poor dear...Let's get you back in
		bed and I'll get them for you.

				PAUL
			(exploding -- a real
			child's tantrum)
		I want my pills NOW!

				ANNIE
		It'll only take a second.

				PAUL
		I want my pain to go 'way, Annie --
		make it go 'way, please Annie --
			(She looks at him --
			you can't tell if
			she's buying it or not)
		-- please...

CUT TO

ANNIE. She stares a moment more, then turns, starts for the door.

				ANNIE
			(upset)
		It just breaks my heart to see you
		like this...

CUT TO

PAUL watching, and the instant she is out the door in the hallway, 
he stuffs the Novril into his pants.

				ANNIE
			(o-s, coming closer)
		I've done a lot of thinking on the
		drive...

CUT TO

ANNIE, entering the room, the Novril in her hand. She is genuinely 
contrite.

				ANNIE
		...and I'm absolutely convinced that
		the main reason I've never been more
		popular is because of my temper. You
		must be so mad at me. The truth now.

She hands him the pills. And rolls him over to the bed.

				PAUL
		Well, I don't hold grudges. After
		all, who doesn't let off a little
		steam once in a while.

CUT TO

PAUL putting the pills in his mouth, as she picks him up from the 
chair and puts him gently down in bed.

				ANNIE
		My genius needs his rest before he
		writes.

She hands him a pad and pencil.

				ANNIE
		Here, in case you think of any ideas.

				PAUL
		Yeah, well I wouldn't expect too much.

				ANNIE
		Don't be silly. You'll be brilliant.
		Think of me as your inspiration.

CUT TO

THE DOORWAY, as ANNIE starts to it.

				ANNIE
		I have faith in you...
			(beat)
		...my darling...

On that she turns -- for the first time, a coquettish look comes 
to her face.

				ANNIE
		Catch this --
			(she throws him a
			kiss -- it's grotesque)
		-- ummmm-wahhhh.

CUT TO

PAUL, summoning up all his courage, as he mimes catching it and 
forces a smile on. She waves, closes the door.

HOLD ON PAUL. The smile dies. He reaches in and pulls the two 
Novril capsules out of his mouth. Now --

CUT TO

THE SOUND OF A HELICOPTER.

CUT TO

INSIDE THE HELICOPTER.

BUSTER AND PILOT flying along. Buster is all bundled up as he 
stares out, using the binoculars...

CUT TO

SOMETHING SHINY reflecting the sun.

HOLD AS IT ALMOST BLINDS US -- we're looking at the part of Paul's 
Mustang that was revealed by the snow when Buster almost found the 
car.

				BUSTER
			(to Pilot)
		Walter, we could be skipping lunch
		today.

CUT TO

CRASH SITE.

Paul's car being hoisted by chains from the ground and, as it 
starts to rise up into the afternoon air...

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

THE AREA BY THE CAR -- BUSTER is there and a bunch of STATE 
POLICEMEN and various MEDIA PEOPLE are there -- Buster stands with 
the STATE POLICE CHIEF watching as the car is hoisted via derrick; 
the sound of the powerful MOTOR lifting the car is enormous and as 
the car keeps rising higher and higher and PEOPLE take pictures 
and stare and

CUT TO

THE STATE POLICE CHIEF is addressing maybe a dozen REPORTERS. It's 
very cold. BUSTER stands slightly away from the group.

				STATE POLICE CHIEF
		The presumption must now be that Paul
		Sheldon is dead. We know he somehow
		crawled out of his car. But we have
		been unable to locate his body in the
		vicinity of the crash. We also know
		if anyone had found him, they would
		have taken him to an area hospital.
		His body is undoubtedly out there
		buried somewhere in the snow. We'll
		find him after the first thaw --
		unless the animals have gotten to
		him first.
			(beat)
		I'll take questions.

After the first sentence, a very cold and very unhappy BUSTER 
leaves the gathering.

CUT TO

PAUL'S CAR as Buster studies it, especially the area by the 
driver's side where there are still dents visible from Annie's 
crowbar.

VIRGINIA moves to him now. They exchange a glance, start walking 
together toward their car.

CUT TO

THE CHIEF, surrounded -- people are asking questions, raising 
hands for attention, and as he answers them --

CUT TO

BUSTER AND VIRGINIA, close together, walking toward their car.

				VIRGINIA
		You don't think he's dead, do you?

				BUSTER
		He might well be. But not the way
		they say. He didn't crawl out of that
		car by himself. You saw those dents
		on the door -- someone pulled him out.

				VIRGINIA
		It was an old car -- those dents
		could have been there forever.

				BUSTER
		There's two kinds of people that
		drive around in old cars: the ones
		that can't afford new ones, and the
		ones who wouldn't give 'em up for
		anything in the world. That second
		bunch don't drive around with twenty-
		five-year-old dents.

As they drive off...

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

PAUL lies in bed listening to the strains of "The Love 
Connection," coming from upstairs. As Chuck Woolery drones on, 
Paul is intently involved in folding a piece of paper from his 
pad. He is making a container of some sort. He finishes, then 
reaches down and grabs the Novril capsules that he has been 
stashing in the mattress.

Carefully, he opens one and pours it into the palm of his hand. 
First he smells it -- no odor -- then he takes a tiny bit on a 
finger and tastes it -- no taste. Then, he takes his paper 
container and empties the contents of all the pills into it, then 
places it under the mattress.

Now, what to do with the empty capsules. He thinks for a second, 
then -- what the hell -- he swallows them. He then places the 
packet back in the mattress.

CUT TO

THE TYPEWRITER. DAY.

The window is visible behind it. From this angle, it almost seems 
to be staring at PAUL, broken "n" and all. PAUL tests his wounded 
arm. He's able to raise it a few inches, but that's it.

CUT TO

OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.

ANNIE is visible heading for the barn, followed by MISERY, the 
pig. For a moment, she stops, turns to look back.

				ANNIE
			(calling out)
		Don't be nervous --
			(beat)
		-- just remember, I'll treasure
		whatever you do.

Now, as she turns again, moves quickly away --

CUT TO

THE TYPEWRITER.

CUT TO

PAUL. He rolls in a piece of paper, types briefly.

CUT TO

WHAT HE'S WRITTEN, AND IT'S THIS:

				"Misery's Retur ."
				by Paul Sheldo
				for A  ie Wilkes.

CUT TO

PAUL, studying the paper. He takes it out, starts to roll in a new 
sheet.

CUT TO

THE MACHINE as the new sheet is rolled in.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring at the blank page. He takes a deep breath, glances 
outside, then back to the paper.

CUT TO

THE BLANK PAGE.

CUT TO

PAUL, and now there's a brief light behind his eyes and suddenly 
he types a burst, stares at what he's written.

CUT TO

THE PAPER and these words: "fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck."

CUT TO

PAUL. He closes his eyes briefly, mutters something, kind of nods, 
opens his eyes, grabs for another piece of paper, rolls it in and 
starts mechanically to type.

DISSOLVE TO

A NEW PIECE OF PAPER with the words "Chapter Two" and a half 
paragraph of writing as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

PAUL WORKING in his room. ANNIE enters, the first pages of 
manuscript in her hands. It's dusk.

				ANNIE
		I'm sorry, Paul. This is all wrong,
		you'll have to do it over again.

				PAUL
			(totally stunned)
		What? What happened to "I'll treasure
		whatever you do?"

				ANNIE
		Paul, it's not worthy of you. Throw
		it all out except for the part of
		naming that gravedigger after me.
		You can leave that in.

				PAUL
		I really value your criticism, but
		maybe you're being a little hasty
		here.

				ANNIE
		Paul, what you've written just isn't
		fair.

				PAUL
		-- not fair?

				ANNIE
		That's right -- when I was growing up
		in Bakersfield, my favorite thing in
		all the world was to go to the movies
		on Saturday afternoons for the chapter
		plays...

				PAUL
			(it just comes out)
		-- cliff-hangers --

				ANNIE
			(suddenly angry)
		I know that, Mister Man -- they also
		call them serials. I'm not stupid,
		you know.
			(and she's a child again)
		Anyway, my favorite was Rocket Man,
		and once it was a no-brakes chapter,
		the bad guys stuck him in a car on a
		mountain road and knocked him out and
		welded the doors shut and tore out the
		brakes and started him to his death
		and he woke up and tried to steer and
		tried to get out, but the car went off
		a cliff before he could escape and it
		crashed and burned and -- I was so
		upset and excited and the next week
		you better believe I was first in line
		and they always start with the end of
		the last week and there was Rocket Man
		trying to get out, and here came the
		cliff and JUST BEFORE the car went off
		he jumped free and all the kids
		cheered --
			(standing up now)
		-- but I didn't cheer, I stood right
		up and started shouting, "This isn't
		what happened last week -- have you
		all got amnesia? -- THEY JUST CHEATED
		US -- THIS WASN'T FAIR --"

ANNIE: CLOSE UP. Still in her childhood reverie. Shouting:

				ANNIE
		"HE DIDN'T GET OUT OF THE COCKADOODIE
		CAR!"

				PAUL
		They always cheated like that in
		cliff --
			(stops himself)
		-- chapter plays.

				ANNIE
		But not you. Not with my Misery.
		Remember, Ian did ride for Dr. Cleary
		at the end of the last book, but his
		horse fell jumping that fence and Ian
		broke his shoulder and his ribs and
		lay there all night in the ditch so he
		never reached the doctor, so there
		couldn't have been any "experimental
		blood transfusion" that saved her life.
		Misery was buried in the ground at the
		end, Paul, so you'll have to start
		there.

As she goes --

				PAUL
		Look at this, I've got Lizzie Borden
		for an editor, here.

PAUL slumps, staring barefully at the typewriter.

DISSOLVE TO

OUTSIDE THE FARMHOUSE. NIGHT.

DISSOLVE TO

OUTSIDE THE FARMHOUSE. NEXT MORNING.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. DAY.

PAUL is at the table. He takes the Novril off his breakfast tray, 
wheels over to the bed, and stuffs them into the mattress. He 
hears FOOTSTEPS coming down the hall. He smoothly wheels back to 
the table. A pause.

ANNIE enters to remove the tray.

				ANNIE
		What's the matter, Paul? You haven't
		written a word.

				PAUL
		I can't write this anymore.

				ANNIE
		Don't be silly. Of course you can.

				PAUL
		I'm telling you, I can't.

				ANNIE
		You can -- you have the "gotta" --

				PAUL
		The what?

				ANNIE
		The "gotta." Remember, you talked
		about it in Playboy magazine. You
		said there's a million things you
		can't do in this world; you can't
		his a curve ball, you can't fix a
		leaky faucet or make a marriage
		work -- but there's one thing you
		always have, and that's the power
		of the "gotta."

				PAUL
		I said that?

				ANNIE
		You said you can make it so they
		gotta turn the page. You know, "I
		'gotta' know will she live," "I
		'gotta' know will he catch the
		killer." "I gotta see how this
		chapter ends." You said it. I don't
		usually buy that magazine. I only
		got it, 'cause they were
		interviewing you.

CUT TO

PAUL: CLOSE UP. Blinking.

				PAUL
			(quietly)
		What about a bee...?

				ANNIE
		What?

				PAUL
		Nothing.

CUT TO

THE KEYBOARD as the piece of paper slides in and the keys start to 
move. Annie stands there for a moment, then quietly backs out of 
the room.

DISSOLVE TO

THE WINDOW. It's late afternoon.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

PAUL in the wheelchair watching as ANNIE finishes reading.

				PAUL
		Well, is it fair? Should I keep
		going?

				ANNIE
		You better. Oh, Paul, when Ian
		realized that the reason they'd
		buried Misery alive was because
		the bee sting had put her in that
		temporary coma --

CUT TO

ANNIE, in a fervor.

				ANNIE
		-- and when Gravedigger Wilkes
		remembered how thirty years earlier,
		the same thing had happened to Lady
		Evelyn-Hyde --
			(hands clasped)
		-- and then old Dr. Cleary deduced
		that Misery must be Lady Evelyn-
		Hyde's long-lost daughter because of
		the rarity of deadly bee-stings --
		my heart just leapt.

CUT TO

PAUL, watching her. It's as if he had nothing to do with anything 
she's read as she goes on.

				ANNIE
		I've known from the very first book
		that Misery had to be born of
		nobility and I was right!

				PAUL
			(mumbling to himself)
		Yeah, yeah...

CUT TO

THE TWO OF THEM; she touches the pages as if they were gold, 
rubbing gently with the tips of her fingers.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul, can I read each chapter
		when you finish? I can fill in the
		"n"s.
			(Paul nods, and
			she's off again)
		Will she be her old self, now that
		Ian has dug her out, or will she
		have amnesia...?

				PAUL
		...have to wait.

				ANNIE
		Will she still love him with that
		special perfect love?

				PAUL
		Have to wait.

				ANNIE
			(pleading)
		Not even a hint?

Paul shakes his head.

CUT TO

ANNIE, spinning around the room like a happy child.

				ANNIE
		Misery's alive! Misery's alive. Oh,
		it's so romantic -- this whole
		house is going to be filled with
		romance. I'm going to put on my
		Liberace records --
			(stops, looks at Paul)
		-- you do like Liberace, don't you?

				PAUL
			(quickly)
		Whenever he played Radio City, who
		do you think was right there in the
		front row?

				ANNIE
		I'm going to play my records all day
		long -- to inspire you -- he's my
		all-time favorite.

And with that, she starts to leave.

				PAUL
		Annie?

She stops at the door.

				PAUL
		Would you have dinner with me tonight?

She can't speak.

				PAUL
		To celebrate Misery's return. I
		couldn't have done it without you.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul. It would be an honor.

ANNIE dashes excitedly out of the room. PAUL wheels over to the 
bed, pulls the packet of Novril poder out from the mattress and 
stuffs it in his pants. The sound of Liberace playing "Tammy" with 
orchestra and chorus booms in from beyond the door.

				PAUL
		Jesus Christ.

CUT TO

BUSTER'S OFFICE. DUSK.

VIRGINIA is on the phone.

				VIRGINIA
			(into phone)
		No, he's not here. I don't know where
		he went. He never tells me anything
		anymore. He's probably out having an
		affair somewhere. Wait a minute. I
		think I hear him coming.

BUSTER enters carrying a bagful of books.

				VIRGINIA
			(to Buster)
		It's Jim Taylor. He wants to know who
		you've been having an affair with.

CUT TO

BUSTER. He puts the bag down, shoots Virginia a look and grabs the 
phone. VIRGINIA looks in the bag.

				BUSTER
		Hey, Jim, what's doing? Uh-huh...
		uh-huh...Jim, we've been over this.
		If you're gonna have benches in
		front of your store, people are
		gonna sit on them. I don't like him
		either, but I'm not going to come
		over there and tell him to move.
		Give my best to Denise. Bye.

				VIRGINIA
			(looking through the
			books; all paperback
			Misery novels)
		Well, whoever she is, she sure likes
		to read a lot.

				BUSTER
		Virginia, I'm flattered you think I
		got that much energy. I just figured
		if I can't find Paul Sheldon, at
		least I can find out what he wrote
		about.

				VIRGINIA
		What do you expect to find? A story
		about a guy who drove his car off a
		cliff in a snowstorm?

				BUSTER
		Now, you see, it's that kind of
		sarcasm that's given our marriage
		real spice.

CUT TO

STUDY. NIGHT.

PAUL is sitting at a table that Annie has set up with her best 
china and silverware. It is as romantic as Annie Wilkes gets. 
ANNIE enters, carrying a basket of rolls. She sits and serves 
Paul.

				ANNIE
		I hope you like it.

				PAUL
		It looks wonderful. And so do you.

				ANNIE
		Oh...

They eat in awkward silence. Finally:

				PAUL
		I've never had meatloaf this good,
		what do you do to it?

				ANNIE
		My secret is I only use fresh
		tomatoes, never canned. And to give
		it that little extra zip, I mix in
		some Spam with the ground beef.

				PAUL
		Oh.
			(pause)
		You can't get this in a restaurant
		in New York.

After another pause:

				PAUL
		Annie, I think we should have a
		toast.

				ANNIE
		A toast?

				PAUL
		Yes, to Misery. Let me pour you some
		more wine.

Paul pours more of the Gallo wine, then raises his glass.

				ANNIE
		To Misery.

				PAUL
		Wait, let's do this right. Do you
		have any candles?

				ANNIE
		Oh, I don't know. I think so. I'll
		go look.

She exits into the kitchen. PAUL quickly pulls the pasket filled 
with Novril powder from his pants. He empties it into her glass of 
wine, stuffs the empty packet back into his pants, talking the 
whole time:

				PAUL
		Did you study decorating, or do you
		just have a flair?

				ANNIE (o-s)
		Oh, you. I just picked things up
		over the years.

				PAUL
		Well, it certainly says you.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		You really think so?

				PAUL
		Absolutely. Listen, if you can't
		find any, it's okay. I just thought
		it might be nice.

ANNIE re-enters with a candle.

				ANNIE
		Are you kidding? If anyone ever told
		me that one day I'd be having a
		candlelit dinner with Paul Sheldon
		in my own house, I woulda checked
		both legs to see which one was being
		pulled. Will this do?

				PAUL
		It's perfect.

She places the candle on the table. With a slight tremor in her 
hand, she lights the candle. PAUL raises his glass.

				PAUL
		To Misery and Annie Wilkes, who
		brought her back to life.

ANNIE raises her glass.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul, every time I think about
		it, I get goosebumps.

They clink glasses.

And with that, her emotions having gotten the best of her, she 
knocks over the candle. In trying to right the situation, she 
places her glass back down, and as she reaches for the candle, she 
knocks over her glass, spilling the wine.

				ANNIE
			(wiping up the
			spilled wine with
			her napkin)
		Oh, God, what have I done? I'm so
		sorry, Paul. I ruined your beautiful
		toast. Will you ever forgive me?
		Here, let me pour another one.
			(she does)
		Can we pretend this never happened?
		To Misery?

				PAUL
		To Misery.

So they drink their wine.

CUT TO

OUTSIDE THE FARMHOUSE. DAY.

The snow, although still present, has melted somewhat. And 
starting now and continuing throughout is this: the sound of 
typing.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

PAUL, working at his typewriter.

CUT TO

THE MANUSCRIPT. Growing.

CUT TO

ANNIE'S BEDROOM. DUSK.

ANNIE, in her room. Reading and loving it.

CUT TO

BUSTER'S DEN. NIGHT.

BUSTER sitting in his den reading a Misery novel by the fire. 
VIRGINIA brings him a cup of tea.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. DAY.

PAUL, the sling off, moving his injured arm. It's more mobile than 
before. Testing his strength, he uses his arm to remove the page 
and place it on the pile. He puts in another page and continues to 
type.

CUT TO

ANNIE, entering Paul's room, carrying a chapter. Handing him a cup 
of tea.

				ANNIE
		Paul, this is positively the best
		Misery you've ever written.

				PAUL
		I think you're right.

CUT TO

THE PILE OF PAPER. Bigger.

CUT TO

OUTSIDE THE BARN.

ANNIE, out by the barn. She stares in at the house. Framed in the 
window is PAUL, working. She smiles, enters the barn.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

He stretches but only briefly, then back to his typing.

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN.

ANNIE, cooking happily away, reading a chapter.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

PAUL, arm out of the sling. He manages to lift the typewriter 
once, sets it back down, puts the sling back on.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. LATER.

ANNIE, bringing a tray of food.

				ANNIE
		I think it's so wonderful that 
		Misery would sacrifice her title
		to take up the cause of her people.
		That's true nobility.

Paul hands her some new pages. As she exits,

CUT TO

BUSTER'S OFFICE.

BUSTER, in his office reading. He is alone.

CUT TO

ANNIE'S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT.

Annie is reading by the fire. Her pig Misery sits beside her, 
staring at the pages.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. DAY.

His fingers just fly, faster than he's ever typed and

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

PAUL, staring and

CUT TO

THE PILE, growing, growing and

CUT TO

PAUL'S FINGERS

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

PAUL, ripping open a new ream of paper...

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. DUSK.

His lips move silently. He's not even aware of it as he nods 
and...

CUT TO

THE PAPER IN THE TYPEWRITER, line after line being written.

INTERCUT WITH

Paul's face at DAY, NIGHT, and DUSK in rapid succession, ending 
with

CUT TO

ANNIE'S FARMHOUSE. NIGHT.

Lightning! Giant deep rolls of THUNDER as RAIN begins...

CUT TO

TYPEWRITER being lifted out of frame, then back in, then out 
again.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

The pile of manuscript has doubled. Maybe two hundred pages.

PAUL, with some effort, is pumping the typewriter up and down. 
Finally, he places it back down and puts his arm back in the 
sling.

CUT TO

PAUL, looking outside breifly.

CUT TO

THE RAIN. Worse. The SOUND hits the roof of the house, hits the 
window.

CUT TO

ANNIE, lumbering in -- she's never looked lke this: She's wearing 
her slippers and her pink quilted housecoat. Her eyes are without 
life. Her hair, loose and straggly, hangs around her face. Slowly, 
like a robot, she goes to PAUL, who looks silently up at her.

				ANNIE
		Here's your pills.

She drops them on the table.

CUT TO

PAUL, as the pills hit his chest and bounce into his lap.

				PAUL
		Annie, what is it?

CUT TO

ANNIE.

				ANNIE
			(half turns away,
			turns back, gestures
			outside)
		The rain...sometimes it gives me
		the blues.

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP. And suddenly it's as if she's been turned off, 
gone lifeless.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring at her. No sound but the rain.

CUT TO

ANNIE, seen straight on. No light in her eyes.

				ANNIE
		When you first came here, I only
		loved the writer part of Paul
		Sheldon. But now I know I love the
		rest of him too. As much as Misery
		loves Ian.
			(beat)
		I know you don't love me -- don't
		say you do -- you're a beautiful,
		brilliant, famous man of the world;
		and I'm...not a movie star type.
		You'll never know the fear of losing
		someone like you if you're someone
		like me.

				PAUL
		Why would you lose me?

				ANNIE
		The book is almost finished. Your
		legs are getting better. Soon you'll
		be able to walk. You'll be wanting
		to leave.

				PAUL
		Why would I want to leave? I like it
		here.

				ANNIE
		That's very kind of you, but I'll bet
		it's not altogether true.

				PAUL
		It is.

She slowly reaches into the pocket of her bathrobe and pulls out a 
.38 Special.

				ANNIE
		I have this gun, and sometimes I
		think about using it.

She is absentmindedly clicking the empty gun.

				ANNIE
		I better go now. I might put bullets
		in it.

Robot-like, she crosses to the door and leaves. As she closes and 
locks the door --

CUT TO

PAUL, stunned, listening, waiting --

-- there is the sound of the front door closing --

-- then footsteps on the outside walk --

-- the sound of a car door opening and slamming shut.

Now comes the GUNNING of the motor.

CUT TO

THE WINDOW as ANNIE drives by, hunched over the wheel. The MOTOR 
sound grows fainter, faint...

CUT TO

BUSTER AND VIRGINIA'S BEDROOM. NIGHT.

BUSTER AND VIRGINIA are lying in bed. Buster is reading yet 
another Misery novel, Misery's Trial. Virginia is also reading.

				BUSTER
		"There is a justice higher than that
		of man. I will be judged by Him."

				VIRGINIA
		What?

				BUSTER
		They're hauling Misery into court.

				VIRGINIA
		That's nice.

				BUSTER
			(mutters under
			his breath)
		"There is a justice higher than that
		of man -- I will be judged by Him."

CUT TO

ANNIE'S KITCHEN.

The kitchen KNIVES on the counter.

CUT TO

PAUL, now using both arms, forcing his body up toward them.

This isn't easy, it was a bitch the first time he tried it, but 
nothing's going to stop him now. He's leaning against the 
cupboard, using it for balance --

-- his balance starts to go but he won't let it as we

CUT TO

THE KNIVES, AS HIS HAND grabs the largest one, a fat-handled sharp 
beauty and

CUT TO

PAUL, and you can sense the relief as he begins to lower himself 
to the floor.

CUT TO

THE STUDY.

PAUL, back in his wheelchair, knife in his lap, carefully opening 
drawers of little tables, looking inside. He closes them, moves 
on, unmindful of the rain. Now --

CUT TO

THE SHELF OF PAUL SHELDON BOOKS. As before --

-- except the "My Life" scrapbook is gone.

CUT TO

PAUL, glancing around --

-- and there it is, on a coffee table in the living room. Also on 
the table are a roll of Scotch tape, a pair of scissors, and a 
copy of Newsweek. Paul wheels toward thetable and the book, which 
is as big as a folio Shakespeare play and as thick as a family 
Bible.

CUT TO

THE LIVING ROOM.

PAUL, opening the book.

CUT TO

THE FIRST PAGE OF THE BOOK, as Paul opens it. It's a newspaper 
clipping as is almost all of what follows. A small article: simply 
a birth announcement for Anne Marie Wilkes.

PAUL turns the page. This headline reads: "Investment Banker Carl 
Wilkes Dies in Freak Fall."

"USC Nursing Student Dies in Freak Fall." That's the headline on 
the next page.

Now: "Miss Wilkes is Nursing School Honors Graduate."

Paul turns the page.

Manchester, New Hampshire, Union Leader: "Ernest Gonyar, 79, Dies 
After Long Illness."

Now that phrase seems to be what catches our eye -- "after long 
illness" is from the next article. "Long illness" from the one 
after that. Then, on the next page, a variation: "Short Illness."

Now we're in Pennsylvania: "New Hospital Staff Announced."

And here come those phrases again on page after page -- "After 
Long Illness." "After Long Illness."

"After Long Illness."

CUT TO

PAUL, transfixed; he keeps on turning the pages -- the states keep 
changing, moving west. Pennsylvania to Minnesota, Minnesota to 
North Dakota. And always the clippings reporting deaths and deaths 
and --

-- and now we're in Colorado. "NEW HEAD MATERNITY NURSE NAMED." 
And now the dead are young and helpless; babies. More and more of 
them.

				PAUL
			(stunned)
		Holy shit.

Then a headline which reads:

	"HEAD MATERNITY NURSE QUESTIONED ON INFANT DEATHS"

Next page:	"MISS WILKES RELEASED."

Next page:	"THREE MORE INFANTS DIE"

Next page, at last: "DRAGON LADY ARRESTED."

Then a photo: the front page of the Rocky Mountain Gazette. Annie 
on the courthouse steps. "DRAGON LADY CLAIMS INNOCENCE," under 
which there is a statement by Annie Wilkes.

Paul turns quickly to the next page and a very large headline:
			"DRAGON LADY FOUND NOT GUILTY"

PAUL just sits there, shaking his head in bewilderment.

CUT TO

THE BOOK, as Paul turns the LAST page.

CUT TO

PAUL, stunned and now we find out why, as we

CUT TO

THE PAGE IN THE BOOK. It's an article from Newsweek magazine, a 
picture of Paul's car being hauled up out of the snow. Above it 
this caption: "Presumed Dead -- Paul Sheldon."

CUT TO

PAUL. Slamming the book shut, putting it back on the coffee table, 
then quickly turning his wheelchair as we

CUT TO

PAUL, steering his wheelchair toward the front door. He tries to 
position himself for a surprise attack of ANNIE, but he can't find 
a way to get close enough. The wheelchair is too cumbersome. He 
looks around and decides to head back to his room. He is faced 
with the same problem there -- so he struggles into bed and, lying 
on his back, he rests the knife on his chest and stares up at the 
ceiling.

DISSOLVE TO

PAUL'S WINDOW, hours later. The rain has stopped.

CUT TO

PAUL -- trying to stay awake. After a few beats, he hears 
something. It's the sound of a CAR PULLING UP.

HEADLIGHTS can be seen flashing through the window. PAUL grips the 
knife and hides it under the covers. The sound of a CAR DOOR 
OPENING AND CLOSING, then FOOTSTEPS.

As the FRONT DOOR OPENS, PAUL girds himself for attack. THE FRONT 
DOOR CLOSES, then a couple of FOOTSTEPS. Then silence. Then the 
FOOTSTEPS continue down the hall and up the stairs.

After a beat, we hear the TELEVISION. Someone is explaining how 
you can buy millions of dollars of prime real estate with no money 
down.

PAUL, allowing himself to relax, slips the knife under the 
mattress. As the TV DRONES ON, Paul lies staring up at the 
ceiling.

DISSOLVE TO

OUTSIDE THE FARMHOUSE. NIGHT.

We hear a clap of THUNDER and once again the rain pours down.

CUT TO

CLOSE UP: PAUL -- eyes closed. There is another loud THUNDERCLAP 
which causes Paul to stir and open his eyes.

He turns his head and another CLAP OF THUNDER is heard, LIGHTNING 
flashes and reveals ANNIE standing over his bed.

Before he can react, she jabs a needle into his arm, pulls it out 
and starts out of the room.

PAUL tries to raise himself, but the power of the drug causes him 
to collapse, unconscious.

CUT TO

THE ROOM. EARLY MORNING.

It's stopped raining, PAUL lies asleep. Now, surprisingly, we hear 
a VOICE we've never heard in the movie before -- loud -- for an 
instant we don't recognize the voice, then we do: It's LIBERACE 
talking to his audience on a record going, "Thank you, thank you, 
what a wonderful thing it is for me to be back with you in 
Paris..." PAUL stirs and awakens to discover that he is strapped 
to his bed. He can move his arms, but that's it.

CUT TO

ANNIE, standing in the room, and she looks very together; her eyes 
are bright. Too bright. Way too bright.

She comes to the foot of his bed.

CUT TO

PAUL, groggy from being drugged, tries to clear the cobwebs.

				ANNIE
			(in a soft voice)
		Paul, I know you've been out.

				PAUL
		What?

				ANNIE
		You've been out of your room.

				PAUL
		No, I haven't.

				ANNIE
		Paul, my little ceramic penguin in
		the study always faces due south.

				PAUL
		I don't know what you're talking
		about.

PAUL looks up at her -- he is totally honest and sincere. As he 
talks, his hand surreptitiously begins moving toward the mattress 
edge.

CUT TO

ANNIE, as she brings the fat-handled knife out of her skirt 
pocket.

				ANNIE
		Is this what you're looking for? I
		know you've been out twice, Paul.
		At first, I couldn't figure out how
		you did it, but last night I found
		your key.
			(She holds up the
			bobby pin)
		I know I left my scrapbook out, and
		I can imagine what you might be
		thinking of me. But you see, Paul,
		it's all okay.

CUT TO

ANNIE, as she walks slowly back to the foot of the bed.

And now a THUMP comes from the foot of the bed. Something is out 
of sight.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring at her; waiting.

				ANNIE
		Last night it came so clear. I
		realize you just need more time.
		Eventually, you'll come to accept
		the idea of being here. Paul, do you
		know about the early days at the
		Kimberly Diamond Mine? Do you know
		what they did to the native workers
		who stole diamonds? Don't worry,
		they didn't kill them. That would be
		like junking a Mercedes just because
		it had a broken spring -- no, if they
		caught them they had to make sure
		they could go on working, but they
		also had to make sure they could
		never run away. The operation was
		called hobbling.

And with that, she reaches down out of sight and comes up holding 
a 16-inch piece of 4 x 4 wood.

				PAUL
		Annie, whatever you're thinking
		about, don't do it.

CUT TO

ANNIE. She wedges the 4 x 4 firmly between his legs, just above 
the ankles, secures it and adjusts his feet.

				ANNIE
		Now don't fuss, Paul.

				PAUL
		Why would I run away? I'm a writer,
		Annie -- it's all I am -- and I've
		never written this well -- even you
		said that this is my best, didn't
		you?

ANNIE picks up a sledgehammer.

				PAUL
		Didn't you? Why would I leave a
		place where I'm doing my best work?
		It doesn't make any sense.

CUT TO

ANNIE, positioning herself to the side of his right ankle.

				ANNIE
		Shh, darling, trust me --
			(taking aim at
			his ankle)
		It's for the best.

She takes the sledgehammer back.

				PAUL
		Annie, for God's sake, please.

As ANNIE swings, the sledgehammer makes contact with the ankle. It 
breaks with a sharp CRACK.

CUT TO

PAUL: CLOSE UP, shrieking.

CUT TO

ANNIE, moving to the other side of the bed.

				ANNIE
		Almost done, just one more.

And as she breaks the other ankle, PAUL shrieks even louder.

CUT TO

ANNIE: CLOSE UP.

				ANNIE
		God, I love you...

CUT TO

PAUL'S FACE. He is beyond agony.

FADE TO BLACK.

For a long moment, nothing.

Then...a FAINT SOUND. After a moment, it begins to become more 
intrusive and we can tell what it is: a car horn HONKING.

FADE IN ON

SILVER CREEK and ANNIE in her Cherokee, HONKING for another car to 
get a move on.

CUT TO

A HAND AND A COIN MVOING ACROSS IT, from finger to finger.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

BUSTER, sitting by the front window of his office, reading The 
Rocky Mountain Gazette.

He watches idly as ANNIE yells out the window to the car in front 
of her. THE DRIVER of the car yells back. Annie yells louder. The 
Driver guns off, and Annie pulls into the parking space next to 
the General Store.

CUT TO

ANNIE, getting out, shaking a fist at the other car, calling out, 
"You poop!" She enters the store.

CUT TO

BUSTER, staring straight ahead. Something is gnawing at him.

CUT TO

VIRGINIA, in his office, tidying the desk. BUSTER enters, looks 
angry.

				BUSTER
		Just leave it, all right?

				VIRGINIA
		Oh, I like that tone.

				BUSTER
		How many times do I have to tell
		you -- I have a system here.
			(rooting through a
			pile of papers)
		Where the hell is that thing?

				VIRGINIA
		What thing?

				BUSTER
		That thing.
			(finding what he's
			looking for, a
			3 x 5 card)
		Here it is. Right where it's
		supposed to be.

				VIRGINIA
		What is it?

				BUSTER
		I'm not sure. Maybe nothing.

				VIRGINIA
		It's good you found it.

				BUSTER
		There's that spice again.

As BUSTER leaves, VIRGINIA goes back to tidying the desk.

CUT TO

A LARGE LIBRARY as Buster leaves his car, hurries inside and

CUT TO

LIBRARY STACKS.

BUSTER, wearing bifocals, sits poring over bound volumes of The 
Rocky Mountain Gazette.

CUT TO

BUSTER, frustrated, puts one set of volumes down, picks up 
another, starts through it, as we

CUT TO

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GAZETTE, as the pages turn.

-- only now they stop moving.

CUT TO

BUSTER, tense, adjusting his bifocals.

CUT TO

A SERIES OF HEADLINES pertaining to Annie Wilkes' murder trial.

CUT TO

A HEADLINE which reads, "DRAGON LADY CLAIMS INNOCENCE."

Under a PICTURE OF ANNIE on the courthouse steps, we see a 
CAPTION: "Wilkes told reporters on the courthouse steps, 'There is 
a higher justice than that of man; I will be judged by Him.'"

CUT TO

BUSTER. He takes the 3 x 5 card out of his pocket.

CUT TO

The CARD -- on it is printed the exact quote we just saw in the 
paper.

CUT TO

BUSTER, sitting there, staring at the quote.

				BUSTER
		Interesting.

HOLD ON HIS FACE, then --

CUT TO

ANNIE, carrying a bag of feed, followed by MISERY, the sow, comes 
into view. She slows, smiles, waves --

				ANNIE
		Hi, Punkin.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring out at her.

				ANNIE
		Give us a smile?
			(Paul gives her the
			finger. She laughs)
		Such a kidder.

As she exits our view --

CUT TO

PAUL, lifting the typewriter and repeatedly raising it over his 
head, this time without any difficulty.

CUT TO

THE GENERAL STORE IN SILVER CREEK. EARLY AFTERNOON.

BUSTER enters. The place is empty. It's one of those wonderful 
spots that stocks pretty much everything in what seems like 
complete disarray. Buster goes to the coffee urn behind the 
counter, helps himself. He speaks to the guy who sits behind the 
counter nearby; these two have known each other forever.

				BUSTER
		Hey, Pete.

				PETE
		Buster.

				BUSTER
		Answer me a couple things?

				PETE
		If I can.

				BUSTER
		Do you have any of those new Paul
		Sheldon books?

				PETE
		We had a batch. Sold 'em all in
		three days.

				BUSTER
		You wouldn't happen to remember if
		Miz Wilkes bought one, would you?

				PETE
		Are you kidding? Every time that
		fella writes a book, she makes me
		set aside the first copy.

BUSTER opens the cash register, drops his coffee money inside, 
closes the register.

				BUSTER
		Has she been buying any odd things
		lately?

				PETE
		Miz Wilkes? Same old stuff.
			(beat)
		-- Lest you call paper odd.

				BUSTER
		Newspapers?

				PETE
			(mimes typing)
		No, the typing kind.

CUT TO

BUSTER: CLOSE UP.

				BUSTER
		Oh. That kind. Nothing odd about
		that.

He cannot hide his excitement now as we --

CUT TO

ANNIE, entering Paul's room. He lies back in the wheelchair, eyes 
closed. Liberace music playing in the background. From the start, 
PAUL'S TONE is different -- strong, he's in control.

				ANNIE
		Paul, don't you think it's time for
		you to start writing again? It's been
		over a week.

				PAUL
		I don't know, it's weird, but a couple
		of broken bones hasn't done a lot for
		my creative juices. Get the fuck out
		of here.

				ANNIE
		Don't talk to me like that.

				PAUL
			(staring at her now)
		Why, what are you going to do?
			(spreading his arms wide)
		Kill me? Take your best shot.

				ANNIE
			(taken aback)
		Why are you so mean, Mister you'd-
		be-dead-in-the-snow-if-it-wasn't-
		for-me?

				PAUL
		Oh, no reason, you keep me prisoner,
		you make me burn my book, you drive
		a sledgehammer into my ankles...

				ANNIE
		I'll drive a sledgehammer into your
		man-gland if you're not nicer --

				PAUL
			(He spreads his legs)
		Be my guest.

				ANNIE
			(after a beat)
		That's disgusting.

As she exits.

CUT TO

A ROAD. Empty. Hold for a moment -- now a car appears around a 
curve.

CUT TO

THE CAR. BUSTER is driving fast.

CUT TO

PAUL in his room. He sits as before, by the window. He doesn't 
move. Now he closes his eyes, stretches, sighs as we

CUT TO

THE KITCHEN.

ANNIE, busily making cocoa.

CUT TO

BUSTER IN HIS CAR. He stops at a mailbox. The name on the box is 
WILKES. Buster turns his car slowly into the driveway by the 
mailbox.

CUT TO

PAUL. He yawns, opens his eyes briefly. Closes them. In the 
distance now, growing more and more visible is Buster's car --

-- and now PAUL'S EYES go open wide, and he's staring out the 
window at the car as it keeps on coming, closer, closer and

CUT TO

BUSTER, looking around. He's driving very slowly, carefully.

CUT TO

PAUL. Fixating on the window and now it's all going to be all 
right, everything's going to be all right --

-- and then ANNIE is on him, hypodermic needle in hand, jabbing it 
into his arm. He desperately tries to fight her off, but the drug 
starts to take hold. He tries to grab her by the neck, but she 
fights him off as she wheels him out of the room, down the hall 
and towards the cellar door.

				ANNIE
		I don't think I'll ever understand
		you. I cook your meals, I tend to 
		you practically twenty-four hours a
		day, and you continue to fight me.
		When are we going to develop a sense
		of trust?

ANNIE opens the cellar door. PAUL is all but limp by now. As she 
picks him up and starts to carry him down the steps --

CUT TO

BUSTER pulling up in front of the house. As he gets out of his 
car-

CUT TO

ANNIE placing Paul on the cellar floor and heading up the stairs. 
PAUL is out.

CUT TO

BUSTER heading up the steps to the front door.

CUT TO

ANNIE stashing the wheelchair in the hall closet. She crosses to 
the front door, opens it, revealing BUSTER.

				ANNIE
			(gasping)
		Oh, my!

				BUSTER
		Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.
		You didn't give me a chance to
		knock.

				ANNIE
			all charm)
		I guess you can tell from my
		reaction, I'm not all that used to
		visitors out here. What can I do 
		for you?

				BUSTER
		I was just wondering if you happen
		to know anything about Paul Sheldon.

				ANNIE
			(stammering)
		What do you want to know?

				BUSTER
		Anything you can tell me might help.

CUT TO

ANNIE. The words pour out --

				ANNIE
		Well, he was born in Worcester,
		Massachusetts, forty-two years ago,
		the only child of Franklin and
		Helene Sheldon, mediocre student,
		majored in history...

CUT TO

BUSTER, watching her, surprised.

				BUSTER
			(cutting in)
		Excuse me, that's not exactly the
		kind of information I was after. You
		see, he's been missing for quite some
		time now, and...

				ANNIE
		I know. It's so upsetting. I'm his
		number-one fan...I've got all his
		books, every sentence he ever put
		down. I'm so proud of my Paul Sheldon
		collection...
			(stops suddenly,
			almost embarrassed)
		...here I am, prattling on and my
		manners have just flown away. I
		haven't invited you in. Please.

				BUSTER
		Thank you.

ANNIE lets BUSTER in, closes the door. They linger in front of 
Paul's door. Buster idly checks out the hallway.

				ANNIE
		'Course you must know about that
		horrible accident.

BUSTER nods and wanders into the living room. ANNIE follows. He 
crosses into the study and checks out a bookcase that contains the 
complete works of Paul Sheldon. One shelf below contains Annie's 
infamous scrapbook.

				ANNIE
		Almost killed me, too. I prayed when
		I heard the news. I got down on my
		knees and begged for it not to be
		true.

CUT TO

ANNIE. She's so moved. Buster wanders into the kitchen.

				ANNIE
		You're going to laugh at what I'm
		about to say, but go ahead, I don't
		care...
			(beat)
		...when I was praying, God told me
		to get ready.

CUT TO

BUSTER, watching her. This isn't at all what he expected.

				BUSTER
		Get ready for what?

CUT TO

PAUL, trying to fight the drug; just his eyes flutter.

CUT TO

ANNIE and BUSTER heading back down the hallway toward Paul's room.

				ANNIE
		To try and be his replacement -- he
		gave so much pleasure to so many
		people and there's a shortage of
		pleasure on this planet these days,
		in case you hadn't noticed.

BUSTER enters Paul's room. ANNIE follows.

				ANNIE
		God told me, since I was his number-
		one fan, that I should make up new 
		stories as if I was Paul Sheldon. So,
		I went to town. And I bought a
		typewriter. And paper to type on. The
		same kind Paul Sheldon used. And I
		turned the guest bedroom into a
		writing studio. Would you like to see
		it?

				BUSTER
		Sure.

				ANNIE
		It's right this way.

BUSTER takes a look in the bathroom. ANNIE waits for him.

				ANNIE
		It's right here. I knew how he wrote,
		the kinds of words he used, the
		wonderful stories he told --
			(moved)
		-- I've spent the last four weeks
		trying to write like Paul Sheldon.
			(sad shake of
			the head)
		But I can't do it right. I try and I
		try and I know all the words --
			(eyes closed
			in despair)
		-- but it's just not the same.

CUT TO

BUSTER. He just stands there, watches her.

				BUSTER
		Well...
			(long pause)
		...maybe it takes time to get the
		hang of it.

				ANNIE
			(holding up pages
			from the
			manuscript)
		I could give you a couple of hundred
		pages of mine, and you could tell me
		what you think.

				BUSTER
		I'm not much of a critic.

				ANNIE
		Well, I just thought -- oh, look at
		me. You'd think I'd never had a
		houseguest before. Would you like
		something to drink?

				BUSTER
		Sure.

				ANNIE
		How does a nice cup of cocoa sound?

				BUSTER
		Sounds good.

As she exits into the kitchen.

				ANNIE
		There's some already made.

BUSTER lingers in Paul's room for a beat, then goes into the 
hallway.

				BUSTER
		Must get lonely, living out here
		all by yourself.

				ANNIE (o-s)
		I always say if you can't enjoy your
		own company, you're not fit company
		for anyone else.

				BUSTER
		You got a point there...

As Buster moves up the stairs --

CUT TO

PAUL, still fighting the drug. His arm twitches almost 
involuntarily, grazing the barbecue.

CUT TO

BUSTER opening the door to Annie's room. He looks around and just 
as he is about to turn to leave --

CUT TO

ANNIE, standing right in front of him.

				ANNIE
		Here you are.

BUSTER heads down the stairs, ANNIE follows.

				BUSTER
		Thanks, Miz Wilkes, but I don't
		want to take up any more of your
		time. I best be going.

				ANNIE
		But you didn't even taste your
		cocoa.

They cross to the front door.

				BUSTER
		I'm sure it's wonderful, but I
		really should be getting back.

BUSTER opens the door.

CUT TO

PAUL stirring.

CUT TO

BUSTER and ANNIE at the door.

				BUSTER
		If you don't mind, perhaps I
		could pay you another visit
		sometime.

				ANNIE
		I'd be delighted. Now that you know
		the way...

With that, she closes the door. We stay with BUSTER. He stands on 
the front porch for a beat, thinking, then starts heading down the 
porch steps. Just as he reaches about halfway down, we HEAR A LOUD 
CRASH coming from inside the house.

CUT TO

PAUL -- he has managed to partially fight his way through the 
drug, and in waking has accidentally knocked over the barbecue. He 
fights to clear the cobwebs.

CUT TO

				BUSTER
		Miz Wilkes, are you all right?

There is no answer. He quietly moves into the house.

				BUSTER
		Miz Wilkes?

Again, no answer.

CUT TO

PAUL, still fighting to gain complete consciousness.

				PAUL
			(weakly)
		Here. I'm down here. Down here.

CUT TO

BUSTER. Hearing Paul's muffled call for help, he tracks the sound 
to the cellar door. As PAUL continues to call out, Buster looks 
around, sees no one, and opens the cellar door. The shaft of light 
from the open door pours down on Paul, who is still lying on the 
floor.

				BUSTER
		Mr. Sheldon?

But before Paul can answer, there's the sound of a LOUD EXPLOSION. 
Seemingly from nowhere a hole is ripped through Buster's chest, 
knocking him out of frame, revealing Annie, smoking shotgun in 
hand, standing at the top of the cellar steps.

				ANNIE
		Don't feel bad, Paul. It had to
		happen. I've been waiting for this
		sign.

ANNIE walks toward BUSTER'S BODY and very casually takes his gun 
out of its holster.

				ANNIE
		I've known for some time why I was
		chosen to save you. You and I were
		meant to be together forever. But
		now our time in this world must end.
		But don't worry, Paul. I've already
		prepared for what must be done. I
		put two bullets in my gun, one for
		you and one for me. Oh, darling, it
		will be so beautiful.

With that, ANNIE turns and exits the cellar.

Paul's mind races desperately. He looks at the barbecue again. 
Next to it is a messy table with a dozen jars and cans on it.

CUT TO

THE TABLE. One of the cans is LIGHTER FLUID.

CUT TO

PAUL. He stares at it for a moment. An idea hits him --

-- now, PAUL struggles and crawls over to the table. He grabs the 
lighter fluid in his hands, jams it into the rear of his pants and 
scrambles back to where ANNIE left him.

CUT TO

ANNIE returning with her .38 Special and a hypodermic needle. She 
stops at the top of the stairs.

				ANNIE
		Now don't be afraid. I love you.

She starts toward him.

				PAUL
		I know you do. I love you too, Annie.
			(this stops her)
		And you're right. We are meant to be
		together. And I know we must die.
		But it must be so that Misery can
		live. We have the power to give
		Misery eternal life. We must finish
		the book.

				ANNIE
		But the time is now. Soon others
		will come.

				PAUL
		It's almost done. By dawn we'll be
		able to give Misery back to the
		world.

ANNIE stares at Paul. She could go either way on this. Then, 
without a word, she turns and goes back up the stairs.

				ANNIE
		Here, Paul. I'll fix you something
		to eat.

She exits. PAUL hesitates for a moment, then realizes he has no 
choice. He starts dragging himself over BUSTER and up the stairs.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. NIGHT.

PAUL working. Typing like a madman, totally concentrated on the 
white paper. His lips move but he's not even aware of it.

ANNIE enters quietly, holding a few pages.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul. It's beautiful.

				PAUL
		Three more chapters to go.

She looks at him now, enthralled.

				ANNIE
		The stranger staying at the Inn, is
		he someone from Misery's past?

				PAUL
		Maybe.

				ANNIE
		This is so exciting. It's Windthorne,
		her first love, right?

				PAUL
		Maybe. Are you ready for the next
		chapter?

He taunts her with it.

				ANNIE
			(brimming with
			enthusiasm)
		Oh you!

She takes the pages and goes.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. LATER.

PAUL types a moment then rips out the page and starts over.

CUT TO

ANNIE, putting the coffee down for him, putting the pages back on 
the main pile.

				ANNIE
			(more excited now
			than the last time)
		It WAS Windthorne. I knew it -- what
		does that do to her love for Ian? --
			(thinks)
		-- of course, if she hadn't thought
		Windthorne was murdered she never
		would have fallen in love with Ian
		in the first place.
			(Paul glares at her,
			she turns to the door)
		Sorry, it's just that this is so
		wonderful.

				PAUL
		I'm glad you like it.

				ANNIE
		Paul, this will be our legacy.

				PAUL
		It will.

He hands her a few more pages, she starts reading as she exits.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM. MUCH LATER.

PAUL rubs his eyes. For a moment, he sags, but he fights it. He 
puts a clean page into the typewriter.

ANNIE bursts in.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul. I'm dying. Does she wind
		up with Ian or Windthorne? You have
		to tell me.

				PAUL
		You'll know very soon. I'm starting
		the last chapter. And when I finish,
		I want everything to be perfect. I'll
		require three things.

				ANNIE
		What things?

				PAUL
		You don't know?

				ANNIE
			(smiling)
		I was fooling, silly.
			(ticking them off)
		You need a cigarette, because you
		used to smoke but you quit except
		when you finish a book, and you
		just have one, and the match is to
		light it. And you need one glass of
		champagne.
			(thinks)
		Dome Pear-igg-non.

				PAUL
		Dome Pear-igg-non it is.

AS ANNIE exits.

CUT TO

THE WINDOW.

The first light of morning is starting to break through.

CUT TO

PAUL, stretching. He makes sure everything is set.

				PAUL
			(calling out)
		Annie! Annie!

With that, she enters.

				ANNIE
		Yes, Paul.

				PAUL
		I'm almost done.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul, this is so romantic. Ian
		and Windthorne dueling for the right
		to Misery's hand. Does Ian win? Oh,
		don't me. It's Windthorne, right?

				PAUL
		You'll know everything in a minute.
		Get the champagne.

				ANNIE
			(dying from the
			suspense)
		Ahh!!!

She exits; PAUL adjusts the manuscript on the table and then types 
the last line.

CUT TO

ANNIE IN THE KITCHEN. She takes the bottle of Dom Perignon out of 
the icebox, places it on a tray with two glasses -- opens a drawer 
-- takes out the gun -- places it in her pocket -- then takes out 
the hypodermic needle and places it on the tray.

CUT TO

PAUL'S ROOM.

ANNIE enters with the tray. She sets it down on the table.

				ANNIE
		Did I do good?

				PAUL
		You did perfect. Except for one thing.
		This time we need two glasses.

He takes the last page out of the typewriter.

				ANNIE
		Oh, Paul.

As soon as she exits, PAUL drops the manuscript to the fllor, 
pulls the lighter fluid from his pants, and starts dousing the 
manuscript with lighter fluid. He grabs the last chapter and 
twists the last few pages together torch style. He douses it with 
the fluid and holds the match out of sight.

He smiles as we

CUT TO

ANNIE entering with the second glass...

				PAUL
		It's all right here, Annie. Remember
		how for all those years no one ever
		knew who Misery's real father was, or
		if they'd ever be reunited? It's all
		right here. Will Misery finally lead
		her countrymen to freedom? Does she
		finally marry Ian or will it be
		Windthorne? It's all right here.

CUT TO

THE MATCH, as he strikes it and

CUT TO

ANNIE screaming --

				ANNIE
		Paul, you can't.

And as her hands fly out beseechingly --

CUT TO

THE CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE -- it falls to the floor, explodes like a 
torpedo, shards of glass all over, curds of foam everywhere --

				PAUL
		Why not? I learned it from you...

And on that --

CUT TO

THE LAST CHAPTER as Paul brings the match close to it and it 
bursts into flame. And Paul, holding it like the torch it is. 
Annie starts moving forward now.

				ANNIE
		No, no, NOT MISERY -- NOT MY MISERY...!

He drops the last chapter into the soaked manuscript and

CUT TO

THE MANUSCRIPT, as KABOOM!, it bursts into flame and --

CUT TO

ANNIE, transfixed by the sight for a moment,

-- AND THEN SHE CHARGES.

CUT TO

THE FIRE as ANNIE rushes to the book, stoops down, grabs it with 
both hands, brings the burning mass up to her body, both arms 
across it, trying to smother the flames --

CUT TO

PAUL, grabbing the typewriter, raising it high above his head, 
then throwing it down on her with all his power and

CUT TO

THE TYPEWRITER, crashing into the back of her head.

CUT TO

ANNIE, screaming, driven to the floor by the blow, the book 
beneath her, and the flames fly up, her sweater is starting to 
burn and she's covered with shards of glass from the shattered 
bottle of champagne and some of the manuscript is hissing from the 
liquid, but she is able to struggle to her knees --

				ANNIE
		I'm going to kill you, you lying
		cocksucker...

As she struggles to her feet, she pulls out the gun and shoots at 
Paul, hitting him in the shoulder. Just as she's about to shoot 
again, Paul quickly wheels the chair up to her, throws himself out 
of the chair, and tackles her. The gun flies out of her hand and 
lands in the hallway, going off as it lands. They wrestle on the 
floor.

Flames still around them, PAUL gets on top of her, grabs some 
burning pages, stuffs them into her mouth, shouting --

				PAUL
		Here. Here. You want it? You want it?
		You can eat it -- eat it -- eat it
		till you fucking CHOKE -- you sick,
		twisted fuck.

And as he forces more paper into her mouth --

CUT TO

ANNIE, and she's hideous -- blistered, her hands claw at her 
throat. She makes horrible sounds, spitting the charred chunks of 
manuscript out of her mouth. Shards of glass are in her hair. Now 
a shriek and a tremendous jerk of her body and

CUT TO

PAUL, falling away --

CUT TO

ANNIE, still making the sounds as she gets to her feet, and

CUT TO

PAUL, trying to crawl away after her.

CUT TO

ANNIE -- heading for the door, she takes a step away from Paul, 
then another, then

CUT TO

PAUL, suddenly kicking out with his shattered leg, screaming in 
pain as it crashes into her ankle and

CUT TO

ANNIE, trying to keep her balance, not doing well, her arms 
windmilling as she fights for balance one last moment, fights and 
loses, and now, as she topples over --

CUT TO

THE TYPEWRITER as she falls and her head slams into it, collides 
with the sharp metal and a great wound opens in her head. There is 
one final cry. Blood pours. It's over. All over. We are looking at 
a dead body.

CUT TO

PAUL, exhausted, panting, lying there, trying to gather his 
energy. He starts to crawl for the door. Just as he reaches the 
doorjamb, an arm grabs his leg, and

CUT TO

PAUL, shrieking, and

CUT TO

ANNIE, pulling herself up his body and

CUT TO

PAUL, trying to buck her off, but he can't and

CUT TO

ANNIE, the stronger, relentless, moving up on him, and

CUT TO

PAUL, his grip broken as he turns and

CUT TO

ANNIE, all-powerful, looming over him and

CUT TO

PAUL, hitting up at her and

CUT TO

ANNIE, swelling, and the blood pours down and if she feels his 
blows she doesn't show it and

CUT TO

PAUL, whatever energy he has left he uses now, trying to twist and 
strike and as his body moves --

CUT TO

A METAL BASED FLOOR LAMP and

CUT TO

PAUL, grabbing the thing, suddenly bringing it across his body, 
clobbering Annie in the face and

CUT TO

ANNIE, startled by the power of the blow and for a moment she is 
stopped and

CUT TO

PAUL, as with everything he has left, he crunches her forehead 
with the sharp heavy metal base, just creams her as the air is 
forced out of her --

CUT TO

ANNIE. Her eyes roll up into her head. For a moment all we see are 
the whites --

-- then she collapses on PAUL, a motionless mountain of slack 
flesh.

CUT TO

PAUL, scrambling free, pushing her off him, crawling for the door-

CUT TO

-- outside the door, as PAUL crawls into view, makes it to the 
corridorr, reaches back, closes the door, locks it.

Safe, he collapses, exhausted against the wall opposite the door.

DISSOLVE TO

PAUL. HOURS LATER. It is dawn. He is awakened by a loud smashing 
at the front door. After a couple of heart-stopping pounds,

CUT TO

THE FRONT DOOR smashes open, revealing two cops with guns drawn.

THE POLICEMEN, hurrying to PAUL. The YOUNGER COP kneels beside 
Paul.

				YOUNGER COP
		It's the writer -- the dead one --

				PAUL
			(trying to keep
			himself together)
		-- right! I'm the dead one --

				OLDER COP
		Where's Sheriff McCain?

				PAUL
		He's in the cellar. She killed him.

				OLDER COP
		Annie Wilkes?

				PAUL
		Yeah. She's in there.

CUT TO

The OLDER COP, taking the key to the room, unlocks the door, 
throws it open, and as he steps inside --

CUT TO

INSIDE THE BEDROOM.

The OLDER COP has his gun ready to fire, but even with it tight in 
his hand, he's edgy as hell.

He looks around --

-- glass and bloodstains on the floor. The charred remains of a 
manuscript.

He kneels quickly, glances under the bed -- nothing.

He looks at the window -- wide open.

CUT TO

PAUL and the YOUNGER COP. Pause. The OLDER COP is in the doorway 
now.

				OLDER COP
		Mr. Sheldon? There's no one in there.

CUT TO

PAUL: CLOSE UP. In shock.

DISSOLVE TO

PALM COURT, PLAZA HOTEL

This legend appears:

				ONE YEAR LATER

MARCIA SINDELL is seated at a table. PAUL enters, walking briskly, 
and he's never looked this good before. He's gained his weight 
back, his color is normal again. He appears to be, for the first 
time in the movie, a jaunty, happy figure.

				PAUL
		Sorry I'm late. Jenny's basketball
		game went into overtime. If anybody
		ever told me I'd have a daughter
		who'd get a triple double, I'd...

				SINDELL
		Did they win?

				PAUL
		Yeah. They're in the semis.

				SINDELL
		Here it is.
			(big moment)
		Very first copy.

And she hands him a wrapped package. PAUL sits, begins unwrapping 
it. It's a book. A new one by Paul Sheldon. The Higher Education 
of J. Phillip Stone. Paul turns it over gently in his hands.

CUT TO

SINDELL.

				SINDELL
		The word I'm getting is the Times
		review is gonna be a love letter.

				PAUL
		That'd be a first.

				SINDELL
		And my contacts at Time and Newsweek
		tell me they're both raves. And don't
		laugh -- for the first time, I think
		you've got a shot at some prizes.

				PAUL
			(flatly)
		Great.

				SINDELL
		I thought you'd be thrilled. You're
		being taken seriously.

				PAUL
		I'm delighted the critics are liking
		it, and I hope the people like it, too.
		But it's not why I wrote the book.

CUT TO

PAUL: CLOSE UP. There is a genuine sense of peace about him. He 
has been through the fire and survived.

				PAUL
		I like it. Remember how you once said
		I live my whole life as if I'm in
		danger of being found out? Well, I
		believe I've managed to get that guy
		down on paper.
			(He touches the
			book. Beat.)
		Don't think I'm completely nuts, but
		in some way, Annie Wilkes, that whole
		experience, helped me.

				SINDELL
		Paul, since you brought her up, I have
		to ask you this, or I'd be drummed out
		of the agents' union -- what about a
		non-fiction book? The truth about what
		went on in that house.

				PAUL
		Gee, Marcia, if I didn't know you
		better, I'd think you were suggesting
		I dredge up the worst horror of my
		life just so we could make a few bucks.

				SINDELL
		Now you've hurt me, Paul.

As Paul glances around...

CUT TO

PAUL, looking past MARCIA.

CUT TO

DESSERT TROLLEY, some distance away, being pushed by a waitress. 
It is ANNIE.

CUT TO

PAUL AND SINDELL.

				SINDELL
		I thought you were over it.

				PAUL
		I am. Well, maybe not completely --

He glances toward the trolley.

CUT TO

THE DESSERT TROLLEY, moving inexorably closer to PAUL. ANNIE 
reaches down and pulls out a very sharp knife.

CUT TO

PAUL AND SINDELL.

				PAUL
		I don't know if you can ever be
		totally over something like that --
		I just don't think about it as much
		anymore, and when I do, it's not so
		terrifying.

CUT TO

ANNIE, with the knife raised.

CUT TO

PAUL, staring up at ANNIE.

				PAUL
		I mean, once they found her body,
		my nightmares stopped.

CUT TO

PAUL AND ANNIE -- only it isn't Annie, just a WAITRESS. She stands 
by the trolley, the knife in her hand, ready to slice whatever 
anyone wants.

				WAITRESS
		Would you care for anything?

				PAUL
			(smiles)
		Cut me something sinful...

CUT TO

PAUL. The smile holds. In the background now, soft music: someone 
might be playing "Liberace."

HOLD ON PAUL.

FINAL FADE OUT.

				THE END