Screenplay

EXT. HOUSE-NIGHT

LAUREN sits up stairs in her room doing homework. She can

hear the sounds of her MOM on the phone with a friend and

her little sister SARAH asking her mom plenty of

questions. Next door she can hear her brother BRAD

listening to his rap music. This is a normal school night

for this family. Then their DAD bursts open the garage door.

DAD

Pack your things!

The whole family is all downstairs now confused. No one

moves. Everyone’s waiting for someone to ask questions.

MOM

Honey, What is going on?

BRAD

What do you mean pack? Pack what?

DAD

Pack all your clothes and

valuables, but don’t bring your

cell phones!

LAUREN

I’m not leaving my cell phone! I

don’t even know what’s going on!

DAD

Don’t ask questions just do what I

say. Everyone has 10 minutes to be

in the car.

Everyone runs to their rooms and starts packing. Everyone is

screaming at each other.

LAUREN

Mom! Do you have my new pink shirt?

MOM

It’s in the wash sorry.

SARAH

Daddy, where are we going?

JACK

Dad are we leaving forever? Or are

we going on a surprise vacation?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

DAD

There is no time to answer

questions just continue to pack! We

need to be in the car now in 5

minutes.

The family all piles in the car.

EXT. CAR-NIGHT

The car is silent. The dad is driving and the mom is

sitting next to him in the front reading a book. Brad and

Lauren are in the next row listening to their ipods. Sarah

is sleeping in the back next to Jack playing his hand held

video game. Finally Jack speaks up.

JACK

How long have we been driving?

DAD

About 12 hours now.

LAUREN

Are we ever going to stop?

DAD

Yes when the sun comes up we will

stop and eat and rest for a while

until it’s dark again.

BRAD

Why do we have to drive in the

dark?

DAD

(pause)

because that’s when it’s easier for

me to drive.

BRAD

I don’t believe that, but whatever.

JACK

Where are we going?

DAD

Washington.

LAUREN

What! That is so far away from

home!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

BRAD

Why are we going so far away? When

are we going back home.

JACK

When will I see my friends again?

LAUREN

Stop the car NOW! I want to get

out!

JACK

How long will it take us to get

there?

DAD

Stop! Enough! I don’t know all the

answers to your questions right now

so when I figure it out I will let

you know, but for now I need you

guys to all stay calm. I need to

go back to a quiet ride!