FRAGMENT FROM MEMORY ROAD, by Kara Wild

This was originally going to be a flashback in DWU #20, "Memory 
Road," but because I had so much to cover, I thought this would 
clutter it up.  Still, it has some nice moments, and lends more 
detail to Helen and Amy's past relationship. 


******


(It's winter of 1968-69.  Teenaged Helen, home from her first 
semester of college, is on the phone in the den, sitting alone 
beside a bare Christmas tree.  She is dressed plainly, but signs 
of hippieness lurk around her -- a bead bracelet on her wrist, 
a few symbols carved into her patent leather shoes, the braid 
she's unconsciously weaving as she talks.)        

HELEN: (into the phone)  Of *course* I'll be happy to come back.  
(awkward hippie speak.)  Man, it's such a *drag* being at home, 
y'know what I'm saying?  The 'rents bothering me and my sisters 
getting into my things.  (murmurs on the other end.) Oh I *know*!

(From outside the room, we hear a male voice, loud and angry.  
The words are muffled.  Helen flinches a little, then rolls her 
eyes with patented teen annoyance.)

HELEN:  God, they're all such squares.  Mom won't even let me 
listen to the King.  (more murmurs on the other end.)  No, *Jimi*.  
You thought I meant Elvis?  (chuckles uneasily.)  Oh no, no, no! 
Elvis is *through*, man!  He's over the hill.  (quickly changes 
subject.)  So are we still on for the Mexico trip?

(Dissolve to shot of the base of the stairs.  Helen walks over 
and is about to climb on up when she notices someone hiding 
in corner.)

HELEN:  Why Amy, what are you doing there?  

(Amy stares back at her with wide, frightened eyes.  She's bent 
forward, hugging her knees, so that the tips of her long ponytails 
brush against the floor.)    

HOWARD: (OS)  ... COULD'VE RUINED MY PAPERS!  SHE COULD'VE WRECKED 
THE LAMP -- A FAMILY HEIRLOOM!    

EVELYN: (OS)  But she didn't, Howard!  Now calm down!

(Helen swerves her head in the direction of the noise, then looks 
at Amy, whose eyes glisten.)
      
HELEN: (realizing)  Amy, you didn't go into Daddy's office, did you?
(When her sister doesn't reply.)  You know you can't do that 
without asking.

AMY: (whisper)  I wanted his magnifier glass!  It was just gonna 
be for a minute!

HELEN:  Why do you always want other people's things?

AMY: (sulky)  'Cause they're better than my things?

(Helen groans quietly, takes Amy's hand.)

HELEN:  Come on, honey... let's go see Daddy and --

AMY:  NO!

HELEN:  It's okay, I'll be with you the whole --

AMY:  No, no, NO!

(Helen looks at her, surprised by her level of terror.  Then her 
father's voice rises up again, causing her to shudder involuntarily.)

HELEN:  All right, fine.  You can stay there.

(She tries to withdraw her hand, but Amy grips it tightly, as though 
her fingers are lined with super glue.  After a few more attempts, 
Helen rolls her eyes and nods toward the stairs.)

(Dissolve to later, in Helen's room.  Elvis's "Jailhouse Rock" plays on 
the record player.  Amy is now lying on Helen's bed, looking through her 
assortment of books.  As she turns a page, a small bag of pot falls 
out and lays beside her.  She gazes at it for a few seconds before slipping it back into the book.  Helen, meanwhile, sits at her desk, 
writing "Thank You" notes for her Christmas gifts.  Just then, a knock 
on the door.)

EVELYN: (OS)  Helen!  Have you seen your sister?!

HELEN:  You mean Rita?

EVELYN: (OS)  No, Amy!

(Helen looks at Amy, who shrinks back against the pillows.)

HELEN:  No Mother, I haven't seen her.

(Outside their mother huffs, then retreats.  Helen returns to her 
work, while Amy smirks faintly and returns to the book.)