NELL

Written by

Clara Mamet
 FADE IN:

1 EXT. HOLLYWOOD SIGN - MORNING 1

We widen out to an establishing shot of the sign in its

entirety.

NARRATOR V.O.
Hollywood...a whore so craven
she’ll never show her tits, no
matter how many times you buy her
dinner. And yet, for a select few
she will deign to smile; leaving
all that cross her threshold to
wonder, will she let me fuck her in
the ass? Or am I destined to die in
obscurity? An ugly, nothing,
loser...

We boom down/fade to...

EXT. ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS

...An APARTMENT BUILDING sitting directly below the sign.

Through the window we see a WOMAN.

2 INT. BEDROOM - MORNING 2

The WOMAN sits cross-legged on her bed, texting with an

ONLINE SUITOR.

CLOSE ON: COMPUTER SCREEN

Suitor: When can we meet?

Woman: Soon <3

Suitor: How will I recognize you?

Suitor: Pics?

Beat. The Woman recoils from her computer screen, suddenly

horrified. She opens her photo booth, arching her back into
an attractive position. She attempts to take several lusty
photographs of herself. She’s dissatisfied with all of them.

The camera pans to see the curve of a cello in the adjoining

room, peeking out through the ajar door.

WOMAN
I don’t hear play-ing!
 2.

We hear the offscreen cellist stomp her feet on the floor,

counting herself in as she starts to play.

3 INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS - NOW MID MORNING 3

We are close on the CELLIST as she plays. We don’t see her

face, focusing on her torso, hands and feet. She’s dressed
modestly, in a long black mumu and white turtleneck
underneath. White socks. We see she wears SPARKLY NAILPOLISH.

INTERCUT WITH:

4 INT. APARTMENT - EARLY AFTERNOON 4

(The cello suite carries us over the action. We watch in

quick cuts as the Woman, who we will come to know as the
MOTHER of Nell...)

-Waxes her upper lip, examining the contents.

-Does sit-ups.

-Examines her butt in jeans

-Looks at her zits

5 INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON 5

Nell’s Mother is speaking to the booker for a DAYTIME TALK

SHOW. We can hear the Cellist playing in the other room.

BOOKER (V.O.)
Well, Mavis would love to have her
on the show...we’re thinking this
Wednesday but we just wanted to
know your avails, we know it can be
difficult with school...

MOTHER
Amazing! She’s actually
homeschooled so we’re totally
flexible.

BOOKER (V.O.)
Okay perfect. It’ll probably be
like a ten minute spot. Nell can
play something and then Mavis will
just like ask her a few questions,
which we’ll run by you beforehand
obviously-
 3.

The Mother reaches into the oven, extracting a large tray of

chicken fingers and fries, which she places on a pre-laid
dinner tray.

MOTHER
(getting off the phone)
Great! Yeah just send them over and
let us kn-

The Mother takes a carton of milk out of the fridge and

begins pouring a healthy serving into the mason jar on the
dinner tray.

BOOKER (V.O.)
Oh also, just quickly, just to
gauge comfort level, how would Nell
feel about showing her face?

The Mother’s face darkens, her hand frozen in the ‘pouring

milk’ position. All we hear is the milk glugging out of the
glass for a beat.

BOOKER (V.O.) MOTHER

(backtracking) No, yeah...
Totally no worries if not, we
just wanted to open the door
to that conversation-

BOOKER (V.O.) MOTHER (CONT’D)

In case that was something Right-
she’d be open to-

BOOKER (V.O.) MOTHER (CONT’D)

Just cause Mavis is all about Of course...
like unapologetic just living
and like-

The milk is about to spill over the lip of the mason jar.

BOOKER (V.O.)
But again, not a big deal. Always
just a conversat-

The Mother slams the carton down on the counter with

finality.

MOTHER
-I’ll talk to her.
 4.

6 INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER 6

The Mother, wielding the dinner tray pokes open the door to
the living room. We see the glass doors have been covered by
TRASH BAGS, obscuring the inhabitant from view.

Nell (the Cellist) abruptly stops playing at the intrusion.

This is the first time we’ve seen the room (and Nell) in
entirety.

The room is barren except for a cello, cello stand,

bookshelves, a fold-out table and a chair (where Nell sits.)
Nell, a lanky pre-teen has her face completely obscured by a
BLACK HAT AND VEIL.

(NOTE FOR EVERY SCENE: Nell’s face is always obscured, either

by the hat or the angle, until otherwise stipulated.)

MOTHER
Guess which fat singer wants to
have you on her talk shooooow?!

NELL
(through hat-veil)
Really?

The Mother places the dinner tray on the piano.

MOTHER
She’s a huge fan.

Nell grabs a fry, slipping it underneath her veil. The Mother

‘tsks’ reaching to remove Nell’s hat. Nell swats her hand
away.

NELL WOMAN
Don’t! You’ll get grease on your
veil.

NELL (CONT’D)
So, do the curtains.

The Mother sighs, walking around the room to draw the drapes.

MOTHER
(like ‘it’s a shame’)
Such nice light in the afternoon...

ANGLE ON: STREET

The Mother spots COUSIN SUZANNE (50s) frantically crossing

the street down below.
 5.

NELL (O.S.)
So, I was thinking, you know...what
if I play the Bach in D minor? The
cello suite, just the courante-do
you think the Mavis viewers will
appreciate a courante? Or are they
more a sarabande-type-crowd?
(beat)
Mom?

The Mother turns, regarding Nell.

MOTHER
I’m worried you’re not getting
enough Vitamin D...

NELL
What?

MOTHER
Why don’t you let some sun on your
face?
(beat)
Ya know? Live out loud!

ANGLE ON: Nell’s veiled head. The Mother rolls her eyes and
commences drawing the curtains.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
Finish your lunch and then you can
have a break.

The Mother draws the final drape as Nell takes off her hat.
(We remain OTS, her face is obscured. We see she wears her
hair in braids.)

NELL
Don’t forget, Cousin Suzanne’s
coming over.

The Mother pauses, shutting her eyes dramatically.

MOTHER
Ugh...
(repeating)
I totally forgot-

7 INT. FOYER - LATER 7

The Mother opens the door to greet Cousin Suzanne (who we

recognize as the Woman on the street in the previous scene.)
Suzanne blows right past her.
 6.

MOTHER
Cousin Suzanne!

COUSINE SUZANNE
Oh, fuck off.

MOTHER
Wh-

COUSIN SUZANNE
You’re always pretending like you
forgot I was coming over, but you
didn’t forget, I called ahead, we
made a plan, and I know you’re glad
to see me.

MOTHER
Of course I’m glad to-

Cousin Suzanne tromps through to the kitchen, collapsing into

a chair.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Spare me, okay?

Beat. Suddenly, she smiles, amused by her own histrionics.

The Mother smiles too. Then...

MOTHER
What’s wrong?

CUT TO:

8 INSERT: SCREEN 8

We’re looking at a SERIES OF NUDES on SUZANNE’S PHONE. The

nudes feature a busty blonde 20-something with a lot of
filler (Suzanne’s daughter.)

COUSIN SUZANNE
I told her to get a job after
college...hm? A job...like in an
office...this is not what I meant-

MOTHER
(impressed)
Woah.

COUSIN SUZANNE
And she’s got a huge following...I
had to pay for these pictures...
 7.

MOTHER
(too amused)
D’you get a discount?

Suzanne doesn’t hear the quip.

COUSIN SUZANNE
She came to see me after the
surgery...the Doctor spent the
whole time looking at her nipples!
When it was my hysterectomy! Can
you even be-lieve-

MOTHER
That’s very unprofessional-

COUSIN SUZANNE
-the ingratitude.

MOTHER
...the ingratitude of...?

COUSIN SUZANNE
Showing up all young and perky like
that with those perky pouncy
bazungas like some...some...some-

MOTHER
-bitch?

COUSIN SUZANNE
Whore!

MOTHER
Mmm.

COUSIN SUZANNE
I mean I gave her life...I gave her
those areolas...the least she could
do is...be ugly while I’m at
death’s freaking door-

MOTHER
I think you’re overexcited...would
you like some tea?

The Mother stands to make tea.

COUSIN SUZANNE
(hopeful)
Will you have some?
 8.

MOTHER
(scoffs)
I can’t afford the water weight.

COUSINE SUZANNE
You’re so lucky your daughter
actually has talent...

MOTHER
(proud)
She’s going to be on the Mavis show
next week...they’re doing a feature
on prodigies.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Brag.

MOTHER
(’tsks’)
Suzanne, Nell has a lot of
struggles as you well know. And
it’s been very difficult for me,
parenting such an exceptional child
on my own.

COUSIN SUZANNE
At least you have a boyfriend.

MOTHER
I’d hardly call him my boyfriend.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Why not? He broke up with you?

MOTHER
I’m not sure I want to make it
official yet. I have to see what
our connection’s like in person.

COUSIN SUZANNE
So you haven’t met?

MOTHER
(defensive)
No.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Does he know what you look like?

MOTHER
What’s that supposed to mean?
 9.

COUSIN SUZANNE
I’m just saying, women our age have
to manage their expectations...he
might be disappointed.

The Mother turns towards the glass, anxiously regarding her

reflection as Suzanne prattles on.

COUSIN SUZANNE (CONT’D)

Just wait till Nell hits puberty.
That’s when it all starts...they
get these funny ideas in their
heads. Suddenly, they think you’re
evil, they think they know a thing
or two...then, one day you look up
and they’ve taken your place.

The Mother starts to scheme...

MOTHER
(re: photographs)
You know? I don’t think it’s
healthy for you to be looking at
these anymore. I think you should
delete them.

COUSIN SUZANNE
But what if I feel like seeing them
again? Then I won’t have them, and
I won’t pay for them twice that’s
insane.

MOTHER
I can keep them, as a record.

Cousin Suzanne breathes a sigh of relief, gratefully pressing

her phone into the Mother’s hands.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Ugh...you are a lifesaver.

She grabs her purse, standing up.

COUSIN SUZANNE (CONT’D)

I’ll be right back, I’ve just gotta
go change my urine.

Cousin Suzanne exits to the bathroom. Long beat as the Mother

greedily sends the nudes to herself. Then-

Cousin Suzanne emits a BLOODCURDLING SCREAM from the next

room. The Mother rushes to her aid.
 10.

9 INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 9

The Mother enters. Nell is cowering in shame, frantically

trying to put her hat back on, steadying her cello as Cousin
Suzanne backtracks.

COUSIN SUZANNE
Nell honey, I’m sorry-I just wasn’t
expecting to see you...you just
startled me!

NELL MOTHER
(through tears) What’s going on?
Mom!

COUSIN SUZANNE
I forgot where the bathroom was!
She caught me by surprise! I didn’t-

NELL COUSIN SUZANNE (CONT’D)

(weeping) (to Mother)
I’m disgustiiiing! I didn’t mean to-

MOTHER
(snarling, to Suzanne)
Get out...

V.O. (PRELAP)
The Mavis show! How may I direct
your call?

CUT TO:

10 EXT. ROOFTOP - EVENING 10

The Mother paces on the phone, smoking a cigarette.

MOTHER
Oh, hi there, I’m Nell’s Mother, I
spoke with Greer earlier? I was
wondering if she-

We hear another line cut in as-

BOOKER (V.O.)
This is Greer.

MOTHER
Greer! Hi, sorry to bother you
again-
 11.

BOOKER (V.O.)
No worries. Twice in one day. Lucky
me!

MOTHER
Ha! Yeah...listen, um...I just
wanted to touch base again.
Umm...first of all, we’re all set
for Wednesday.

BOOKER (V.O.)
(like “I know...”)
Uh huh.

MOTHER
But just wanted to let you know, I
spoke with Nell and she’s not gonna
be comfortable showing her face,
actually.

BOOKER (V.O.)
(sour)
Okay yeah...that’s...fine...
(beat)
And you’re firm on that?

MOTHER
Yes. That’s...what she’ll feel most
comfortable w-

BOOKER (V.O.)
So she’ll be wearing that
hat...thing?

MOTHER
Yeah.

BOOKER (V.O.)
Okay. You know, let me just check
with Mavis, just to make sure
Wednesday still works and we’ll get
you back.

MOTHER
Oh...

BOOKER (V.O.)
Okay?

Click.

CUT TO:
 12.

11 INT. BEDROOM - EVENING 11

Nell is ensconced in the bed, shrouded in darkness. Her

Mother enters. The light from the next room casts a beam
through the ajar door.

MOTHER
...honey?

NELL
Go away.

Her Mother sighs, sitting on the foot of her bed. All we see
are Nell’s arms peeking over bedclothes.

MOTHER
Cousin Suzanne is...pathetic. I’ve
always thought so. Always.
Sometimes when I orgasm I pray she
gets hit by a bus.

NELL
...She screamed.

MOTHER
Hiding makes people think we have
something to be ashamed of. So they
react in strange ways, when they
see us.

No response. The Mother sighs, switching on the light, she

starts to pace.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
So dreary in here. Let’s...lighten
up a little bit! C’mon, what are we
grateful for?

NELL
I want to die.

MOTHER
Well you can’t, you’re alive. And I
won’t have this anymore. You’re not
some ogre...you’re an angel.

NELL
I’m a freak.

MOTHER
Hell yeah you are!

NELL
Mom!
 13.

MOTHER
Like in a good way! You’re an
except-ion. You know how many
people want to be special? ALL of
them. And you’ve GOT IT baby,
you’re a GENIUS! You’re a fuck-king
FREAK!

NELL
Please stop.

MOTHER
You know what would be hilarious? I
mean you know what would just be
the living end...? You should go on
the Mavis show just...in all your
glory, ya know? Exposed. As God
made you. Like: “Hey world! This is
me!”

Her Mother holds both middle fingers up, making a face in

example.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
Like punk rock.

NELL
What?

MOTHER
Listen to me...anybody can be
beautiful. You are in direct
dialogue with God.

ANGLE ON: NELL, her face EXPOSED to us for the first time.
She’s certainly strange-looking, but cute.

NELL
Why are you doing this? You want
people to point at me?

MOTHER
I want you to be happy!
(beat)
I’m gonna call the Mavis show and
tell them you’re showing your face.

NELL
MOM!

Her Mother snaps.

 14.

MOTHER
Well, you either show your face or
you’re off the show. Which is it?
You want to be famous? Or do you
want be dead?

Nell bursts into enraged tears, grabbing the pillow and

comforter and stumbling off the bed.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
Oh yeah, I’m the abuser...you’re
being dramatic.

Nell makes a beeline for the living room, slamming the door.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
It’s not exactly easy for me either
you know. Need I remind you that I
don’t have any skills?

The Mother starts fake crying.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
(blubbing)
I’m not as smart as you, honey, how
am I supposed to know when you’re
going to get upset? I try sooOOo
HARD to predict your MOODS!

NELL (O.S.)
You’re not crying Mom.

The Mother suddenly drops the act, too furious to perform a

smooth transition.

MOTHER
Well excuse me for trying to eke
out a fucking living! It’s an
uphill battle let me TELL YOU!
...DAUGHTER THAT’S TOO GODDAMNED
VAIN to FEED THE FAMILY!

The Mother bangs on the door, finding it locked.

MOTHER (CONT’D)
Nell!

CUT TO:

12 INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 12

Nell shuts her eyes, making a nest for herself on the floor
as she tries to tune out her Mother’s shrieks.
 15.

MOTHER (O.S.)
NELL!

FADE OUT.

13 INT. LIVING ROOM - EARLY MORNING 13

The light peeks in through the drapes, waking Nell. She looks
up at her cello.

TIMECUT.

Nell has assumed her position at the chair. She begins to

play the cello with an arresting style. We are reminded of
her skill as an artist.

She ends the piece with confidence.

14 INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER 14

Nell stands outside the bedroom door.

NELL
Mom? I’ll do the Mavis show. I’ll
show my face.

No response. Nell knocks softly, opening the bedroom door to

reveal...

ANGLE ON: Nell’s Mother, face down on the bed. Her pants are
off, a vibrating VIBRATOR next to her sweaty hands. Crusty
spit stains her mouth.

Half a bottle of COUGH SYRUP sits on the nightstand, and, on

the blinking computer screen...

An obscene TEXT EXCHANGE with the aforementioned online

suitor. As Nell approaches the blue light we see the nudes of
SUZANNE’S DAUGHTER.

Nell is horrified but can’t look away as we intercut between

her face and the conversation. Her Mother has used the photos
of Cousin Suzanne’s daughter to CATFISH her online suitor.

Nell reaches a shaky hand towards the cough syrup stained

CELLPHONE. She snaps a photo of her passed-out Mother in all
her un-adorned glory, before FORWARDING IT to the Suitor...

DISSOLVE TO:
 16.

15 EXT. STREET CORNER - MID MORNING 15

We zoom out of the apartment window, as a bare-faced NELL

looks upon her passed-out Mother in disgust.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
In a town that favors the sick,
it’s all we can do to pray for the
sinner. Pray for their humanity,
and hope they’ll see sense. Will
Nell keep being a bitch?

CUT TO:

-SHOT OF NELL waving at the camera.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Or is there no hope for this
Godless brat, born of Hollywood’s
rotting vulva? Thanks, and have a
good day.

CUT TO BLACK.