By Misti Lake
Date: 8 March 2001
Scene 52
INT.-Dr. Whitlow's office-Day
Dr. Whitlow is sitting at her desk, which is covered with framed
pictures of her and her family. Shelli is sitting in a big blue chair
across from the desk.
Dr. Whitlow: So you just moved to L.A.?
Shelli: Yeah. But I was born in L.A. We moved to Texas when I was five.
Dr. Whitlow: Why did you come back? Are you wanting to get into the film industry?
Shelli: No. I just had to get out of Texas. It's haunted. And I've always
felt like this is home.
Dr. Whitlow: What do you mean by "haunted"?
Shelli: A lot of things happened that I don't want to talk about. The reason
I'm here is because I carry death around. My parents both died a few
months ago. And I lost some friends in a tornado recently. When I'm
having sex with my boyfriend I have to block things out. I can't get lost
in the moment anymore. And now he's got an agent and he's adapting really
well and I just feel like I'm sort of disintegrating. Like I'm sinking
deep inside myself. And I keep having nightmares about the bottomless
pit.
Dr. Whitlow: The bottomless pit?
Shelli: Yeah. From the Bible. I had a strict Fundamental Baptist
upbringing. Couldn't wear shorts, couldn't swim with boys, couldn't
dance- had to give my heart to Jesus and get dunked in water so that
I wouldn't end up in the lake of fire. The bottomless pit is where
Jesus is going to hurl Satan after the Tribulation.
Dr. Whitlow: Do you still believe in the Bible?
Shelli: I don't think so. No more than I believe in all the other lies
I was told. But the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy
were good lies. I still carry all the guilt around. And I still have
nightmares.
Dr. Whitlow: I'm sorry to hear about your parents and friends. Were you
close to your parents?
Shelli: I was close to my dad. I had a complex relationship with my
mother. She was a true lady, like Melanie Wilkes in "Gone With the
Wind." I always felt like I could never be as good as her. Everyone
loved her.
Dr. Whitlow: If you could talk to your mother right now, what would
you tell her?
Shelli: I'd say..."I'm sorry we weren't on speaking terms when you
died. I'm sorry I hated you for judging me for my lifestyle. I knew
I'd never be as good as you so I went the other way. I'm sorry.
I'll always be making it up to you somehow. I love you."
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