(Shows the cover to JONAH)

We can read these together sometime. Would you like-

MARIE

-no, no.

(Shakes her head adamantly)

He knows how to read and if he has help, he’ll just get lazy. I know my Jonah.

DONALD

(A little uncomfortable)

Oh…I find that hard to believe.

Jonah? Lazy?

(Shocked)

A long pause. DONALD feels awkward, looking from MARIE to JONAH.

DONALD

(Inhales deeply, widens eyes)

Well then-

MARIE

-take your present upstairs, Jonah.

(Strict and serious tone. DONALD looks embarrassed and uncomfortable and MARIE takes a sip of her drink)

Read one tonight.

(Demanding tone)

DONALD looks to JONAH who gets up and collects the books from the table and looks at JONAH for a short time. DONALD smiles at JONAH and makes a move to wave goodbye, but JONAH begins to walk away and DONALD is embarrassed again.

12 INT. – KITCHEN – DAY 12

MARIE sits at the breakfast table with bills all over the table, a cordless phone and a large calculator. She looks incredibly impatient and frustrated as she’s drumming a pencil in between her fingers. She sighs and runs a hand through her hair, then brings her head down onto the table in exasperation. After a while, she straightens an arm and reaches for the phone without lifting her head, as if only the one arm has any motor function. She dials with her thumb, instinctively, without looking. She places the phone near her ear lazily. A long pause passes as she waits and a faint ringing sound can be heard.

MIK

This is Mik. Uh…I might be screening this call so…you might as well risk it and say who you are…I might just pick up.

(The message is followed by a loud beep)

MARIE

(Quiet, bored voice)

Pick up, Mik.

(A short pause)

Need to talk…really need…to…talk.

(Sighs heavily)

Jonah and I shouldn’t be sacrificed for your dreams. Do you think I like what I do?

MIK

Don’t do it.

(Monotone)

MARIE raises her head quickly from the table and sits upright. She seems a bit nervous and surprised. She swallows hard.

MARIE

Well…then we wouldn’t have a home…a life.

(Starts to doodle)

MIK