INT. KENT HOME/LIVING ROOM — DAY
The Kents sit at their table, fiddling with the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle they have no interest in. Worry for their son is etched on their faces.
There are loud knocks at the door.
MARTHA
Clark!
They bolt from their chairs.
INT. KENT HOME/ENTRANCE HALL — DAY
Answering the door, they find Clark and Luma on the other side. Luma, semi-conscious on her feet, is braced against Clark’s body, her arm slung across his back.
INT. KENT HOME/GUEST BEDROOM — DAY
Lying in bed, her bodysuit removed, Luma has regained full consciousness. Martha ministers to the blonde, cleaning her face and shoulders with a warm, wet washcloth.
LUMA
(weak) Ta-khukp nim….
MARTHA
I imagine you have a hundred questions on your mind. We certainly have that many. (sighs) I reckon the answers’ll remain long in coming for us all.
Finished with the washcloth, Martha takes up a towel and gently pats the girl dry. Once that is done, she collects the black bodysuit and goes to leave. Luma takes her wrist. Martha looks back to her. Luma gives her a nod and smile of thanks. Martha returns the smile, then is gone.
INT. KENT HOME/HALLWAY OUTSIDE GUEST BEDROOM — DAY
Clark and Jonathan are waiting outside when Martha emerges.
CLARK
Can I see her?
MARTHA
She needs rest.
CLARK
I just want to talk with her awhile.
MARTHA
Awhile.
Martha allows Clark into the room, then closes the door after him.
INT. KENT HOME/GUEST BEDROOM — DAY
Clark approaches Luma. She watches him as he takes a seat in the chair beside the bed.
CLARK
Ma says you’ll be sitting pretty soon enough.
LUMA
(mimicking) “Sitting pretty.”
CLARK
It means to be in a favourable position.
She accepts this explanation with silent obliviousness.
CLARK
We haven’t been formally introduced. (gestures to himself) Name’s Clark. Clark. (gestures to her) Yours?
LUMA
Luma-Lyn. Luma.
INT. KENT HOME/GUEST BEDROOM — DAY
It is a new day. Luma stands nude before a full-length mirror, examining herself.
There are two knocks at the door.
MARTHA
(O.S.) It’s Martha.
After some seconds, Martha opens the door. She finds the young woman standing there, not at all ashamed to be caught in the buff.
MARTHA
(eyes Luma’s lean musculature) You certainly weren’t raised in the Bible Belt. (beat) Let’s get you decent.
Martha picks up the periwinkle dress she left in the chair by Luma’s bed. She helps Luma slip the garment on over her head, then ties the sash snug around her waist. Luma touches the fabric, feeling the unfamiliar material, then looks at herself in the dress in the mirror.
LUMA
(faces Martha; grins) Gehd dhoia nahn!
MARTHA
(smiles) It is lovely on you.
INT. KENT HOME/ENTRANCE HALL — DAY
Clark is about to start up the stairs, Luma’s breakfast in hand, when he sees Martha and the girl climbing down. Upon sighting the statuesque blonde in her elegant dress, Clark’s mouth falls agape.
MARTHA
(half-smiles) You’ll catch flies.
The two women reach the bottom of the steps. Clark and Luma make eye contact.
CLARK
(distracted; frowns) Uh … is she…?
MARTHA
Much improved.
INT. KENT HOME/DINING ROOM — DAY
The Kents and Luma sit around the dining table. Knife and fork in hand, she looks upon the plate before her; two fried eggs, three strips of bacon, and a side of home fries look back at her. As her apprehension would suggest, she is unfamiliar with such cuisine.
Spearing an egg on her fork, she raises it to her eye; yellow yoke oozes from the pierced egg. Repulsed, Luma looks to her hosts. Seeing them partake of the food casually, their own eyes upon her, she stuffs the egg in her mouth whole. Biting through the rubbery white meat, she suppresses the urge to gag as yoke gushes across her tongue. Then the flavour hits her palate. Three seconds later, the remaining egg, bacon, and home fries are gone.
JONATHAN
(to Clark) You don’t eat that fast.
Luma burps loudly. Martha scowls deeply. Luma blushes, embarrassed.
INT. KENT HOME/LUMA’S BEDROOM — DAY
A week has passed. Clark sits with Luma on her bed. With the aid of picture and storybooks, he is helping her learn English.
EXT. KENT FARM — KENT HOME/FRONT PORCH — DAY
Lana comes down the driveway on her bicycle. Pulling up to the front, she climbs off. Propping the bike up, shouldering a leather bag, she climbs the porch steps and knocks at the door. Jonathan answers.
JONATHAN
(smiles) Hello, Lana.
LANA
Hello, Mr. Kent. May I see Clark, or is he indisposed?
JONATHAN
Be right back with him.
Jonathan closes the door. Lana whistles while she waits.
INT. KENT HOME/LUMA’S BEDROOM — DAY
Jonathan peeks inside.
JONATHAN
Lana’s here for you.
Clark rises from the bed.
CLARK
(to Luma) I won’t be a moment.
EXT. KENT FARM — KENT HOME/FRONT PORCH — DAY
The door opens. Stepping out onto the porch, Clark closes the door after him.
CLARK
Lana, hi.
LANA
You’ve been out of school all week; Hel’s been asking after you. Is everything alright?
CLARK
I’ve been down with the flu, but I’m feeling much better. I should be back in class Monday or Tuesday.
Touching Clark’s face, Lana begins feeling around his ears and jaw.
CLARK
What’re you doing?
LANA
Feeling for the edges of a mask.
CLARK
(brushes hand off; laughs) Cut it out.
LANA
(reaches into bag; pulls out paperwork) Here’s your homework.
CLARK
(takes papers) Thanks. (beat) Tell your aunt I’ll be in to see her tomorrow.
LANA
Will do. Hope to see you Monday.
CLARK
(smiles) Bye.
Returning his smile, Lana returns to her bike. She takes off, pedalling up the driveway as Clark heads back inside.
INT. KENT HOME/LUMA’S BEDROOM — DAY
Clark returns to find Shelby and Rusty in the room. Shelby sits at Luma’s feet, wagging her fuzzy tail, while Rusty stands atop the bed, slurping Luma’s face. Luma, taking the dog’s slimy kisses in stride, returns his affectionate gesture with vigorous rubs and scratches along his neck and floppy ears.
CLARK
(bemused) Rusty, Shelby, out! Get out!
Obeying their master, the two dogs bolt from the room, scattering books in their wake. Sighing, Clark picks the books up from the floor at super speed.
LUMA
Who girl was at door?
CLARK
My friend Lana, from school.
LUMA
What “school” is?