The Sixth Sense Movie Script

COLE:

Something I want?

MALCOLM:

If we could change something in your life, anything at all, what would you like that to be? Cole's brow furrows as he thinks about it carefully.

MALCOLM:

You don't have to answer now. Malcolm heads for the door, stops when Cole emerges from behind the couch. Cole is wearing his father's jacket, it hangs to the ground like a dress.

COLE:

Instead of something I want, can I have something I don't want? Malcolm turns back to Cole. Malcolm nods "Yes." Beat.

COLE:

I don't want to be scared anymore. Cole's sad eyes stare up at Malcolm.

CUT TO:

INT. BASEMENT OFFICE - NIGHT The surface of Malcolm's desk is covered with open texts. Malcolm pours over a thick reference book. He circles a phrase... "...resulting bruises and abrasions on arms and legs may, in fact, be self-inflicted." Malcolm appears disturbed by the thoughts running through his head. ANNA'S MUFFLED VOICE CARRIES DOWN THE STAIRS. His face turns up to the ceiling.

MALCOLM:

(loud) Are you calling me? WE HEAR ANNA'S FOOTSTEPS MOVE ACROSS THE BASEMENT CEILING. WE HEAR THE FRONT DOOR OPEN. ANNA (o.s.) What? You don't see enough of me at the store? Malcolm gets up and moves closer to their voices as he stretches his legs. MAN'S VOICE (o.s.) On my way to the flea market in Amish country. Thought maybe you want to come. Show me how to buy at these things. ANNA (o.s.) I trust you... Besides, I don't know if I'm up for the Amish today. You can't curse or spit or anything around them. Malcolm smiles at Anna. MAN'S VOICE (o.s.) I thought you'd want to get out. You've been kind of down. Malcolm slowly stops smiling. ANNA (o.s.) That's very sweet. I'm okay. MAN'S VOICE (o.s.) Do you think I should stop by on my way back? Show you what I got? It's not a problem. Malcolm shakes his head in disbelief. ANNA (o.s.) You know that's probably not the best idea. I'll just wait to see them in the store. MAN'S VOICE (o.s.) Okay. Fine. Understood. (beat) I'm off then. ANNA (o.s.) Don't step in the horse manure. MAN'S VOICE (o.s.) Thanks.WE HEAR THE FRONT DOOR SHUT. Malcolm moves to the narrow basement window. INT./EXT. MALCOLM'S HOUSE - DAY We see SEAN, an attractive young man in his late twenties. He gets into his car across the street. He just sits there for a moment before putting his forehead to the steering wheel.

MALCOLM:

(under his breath) Give it up, kid. Malcolm turns away from the window as Sean's car starts up and pulls away from Malcolm's house.

CUT TO:

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY STANLEY CUNNINGHAM is a teacher in his late forties. He writes a question on the board. MR. CUNNINGHAM Can anyone guess what city was the capital of the United States of America from 1790 to 1800? Mr. Cunningham turns and stares at his class of eight and nine year old private school students. They stare back at him blankly. Cole rests his chin on his desk and watches the class with big eyes. MR. CUNNINGHAM ...I'll give you a hint, it's the city you live in. The class says the answer in unison.

CLASS:

Philadelphia. MR. CUNNINGHAM Right... Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the country. A lot of generations have lived and died in this city... Almost every place you visit has a history and a story behind it. (beat) Even this school and the grounds they sit on... Can anyone guess what this building was used for a hundred years ago, before you went here, before I went to this school even? Stanley Cunningham looks over the class of blank faces. He's just about to answer his own question when he sees a hand go up. Mr. Cunningham looks surprised to see who it is. MR. CUNNINGHAM Yes, Cole?

COLE:

They used to hang people here. Mr. Cunningham furrows his brow. Beat. MR. CUNNINGHAM That's not correct. Where'd you hear that?

COLE:

They'd pull the people in crying and kissing their families bye... People watching would spit at them. Beat. MR. CUNNINGHAM Cole, this was a legal courthouse. Laws were passed here. Some of the first laws of this country. This building was full of lawyers. Lawmakers.

COLE:

They were the ones who hanged everybody. Mr. Cunningham chuckles. Cole's face turns cement grey. MR. CUNNINGHAM I don't know which one of these guys told you that, but they were just trying to scare you, I think. Tommy Tammisimo leads the class in a wave of snickering. Cole glances up. Sees all the eyes on him. He glances at the teacher who is still staring.

COLE:

I don't like people looking at me like that. MR. CUNNINGHAM Like what?

COLE:

Stop it! Mr. Cunningham sees the traumatized expression on Cole's face and instantly stops smiling. MR. CUNNINGHAM I don't know how else to look--

COLE:

You're a stuttering Stanley! Mr. Cunningham's face becomes still. So does the classroom. MR. CUNNINGHAM Excuse me?

COLE:

You talked funny when you went to school here. You talked funny all the way to high school! The class falls into stunned silence. Mr. Cunningham takes an involuntary step towards Cole's desk. MR. CUNNINGHAM What--

COLE:

You shouldn't laugh at people. It makes them feel bad. Mr. Cunningham moves closer to Cole. MR. CUNNINGHAM How did you--?

COLE:

Stop looking at me. Cole covers his eyes with his hands. MR. CUNNINGHAM Who have you been s-speaking to? We see Cole's mouth under his covered eyes.

COLE:

Stuttering Stanley! Stuttering Stanley! MR. CUNNINGHAM Who! Mr. Cunningham is standing right over Cole's desk now.

COLE:

Stuttering Stanley! MR. CUNNINGHAM S-ssstop that!

COLE:

Stuttering Stanley! Stuttering Stanley! MR. CUNNINGHAM S-ssssstop it!

COLE:

Stuttering-- MR. CUNNINGHAM --Shhhhhhut upppp you fffffffreak! MR. CUNNINGHAM SLAMS HIS HAND ON COLE'S DESK. Cole's hands drop from his eyes. The teacher's face is burning red. The children in the room are frozen. Completely startled. Cole's eyes are filled with tears. Mr. Cunningham's expression drains of anger as Cole Sear begins to cry.

CUT TO:

INT. ANTHONY'S LIBRARY - SAME AFTERNOON Cole is seated in the school library by himself. He sits at a long center table near the windows. His head is laying on his folded arms on the table. Malcolm peeks his head in the door -- unsure if he's in the right place. He spots Cole and enters the room. He silently takes a seat across from Cole. The eight-year-old looks up. Cole's eyes are hard -- filled with anger.

MALCOLM:

Hey, big guy. Cole stares for a second.