CHAPTER ONE: “WEDNESDAY’S CHILD Is FuLL OF WOE” WRITTEN BY ALFRED GOUGH & MILES MILLAR \ DIRECTED BY TiM BURTON \ ) BASED ON THE CHARACTERS CREATED \ BY CHARLES ADDAMS TELEVISION >

2A FADE IN: EXT. NANCY REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY - TO ESTABLISH As all American as Hostess Cupcakes and the NRA. The sign out front proudly declares, “NANCY REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL. HOME OF THE GOPHERS!” INT. HALLWAY - NANCY REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY Pre-class insanity reigns. STUDENTS frantically crisscross THE FRAME. Through the Technicolor THRONG of Jansport backpacks and Brandy Melville ensembles, one face stands out. Wearing a signature black dress and two perfect braids, meet WEDNESDAY ADDAMS (15) Her legendary wit is still sharper than razor wire and puberty has amplified her uniquely warped worldview. She cuts a line through her fellow students like a Great White through a school of tuna. As she walks, she is met with looks of fear or derision, both of which secretly please her. WEDNESDAY (V.O.) I'm not sure whose twisted idea it was to put hundreds of adolescents in underfunded schools run by people whose dreams were crushed years ago, but I admire the sadism. Up ahead, she sees a GROUP OF STUDENTS gathered around a locker. MUFFLED SCREAMS ECHO FROM INSIDE. As Wednesday approaches, the teens guiltily scatter. Suspicious, she wrenches open the locker door and out tumbles her brother PUGSLEY ADDAMS (13) He’s been hog-tied and wrapped in bacon. The word “Pigsley” is scrawled across his plump chest in red Sharpie. She unsympathetically rips off his duct-tape gag. WEDNESDAY I want names. PUGSLEY I don’t know who they were. Honest. It happened so fast... He begins to blubber. Wednesday'’s cool demeanor cracks. WEDNESDAY Pugsley, emotion equals weakness. Pull it together now. 2A * * *

2B 2. But when she grips his shoulders, her head whips back and she experiences a PSYCHIC VISION It’s LIQUID AND BLURRED AT THE EDGES. 1IN A SERIES OF VISCERAL FLASHES, she SEES THREE TEEN BOYS grab Pugsley, tie him up, and stuff him in the locker. All wear red and white varsity hoodies emblazoned with the school’s gopher mascot and “Water Polo Gods” printed on the back. The VISION ENDS. BACK TO SCENE INT. HALLWAY - NANCY REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY Shaken, Wednesday releases Pugsley and staggers back. WEDNESDAY (V.O.) No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks, unless you received them in an illegal organ transplant. Lately, I’‘ve been seeing things, extremely bad things. PUGSLEY (concerned) You okay? WEDNESDAY (nods, collects herself) Leave this to me. PUGSLEY (even more concerned) Wednesday... what are you going to do? WEDNESDAY (smirks knowingly) What I do best. OFF Wednesday, a plan formulating... CUT TO: UNDERWATER LOOKING UP AT a collection of muscular LEGS kicking furiously. CAMERA RISES, REVEALING we are: INT. SWIMMING POOL - NANCY REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY The NRHS WATER POLO TEAM is midpractice. Even in red Speedos, these dudes exude smarmy jock entitlement. 2B *

WEDNESDAY emerges from the tunnel under the bleachers and approaches the pool. She scans the players until her eyes lock on the team captain, DALTON. We RECOGNIZE him as one of Pugsley’s tormentors from her VISION. Dalton regards her mockingly... DALTON Hey, freak, this is a closed practice! The others laugh and jeer, but Wednesday remains icily impervious to their taunts. WEDNESDAY The only person who gets to torture my brother is me. Wednesday pulls her hands from behind her back, holds up two large clear plastic bags, each filled with water and A DOZEN PIRANHA! With a casual flick of her wrists, she tosses the bags into the water. Dalton’s eyes go wide. Flailing chaos erupts as the players frantically swim for the sides. DALTON -- desperately swims for a ladder. UNDERWATER PIRANHA POV -- SPEEDING towards him, lured by the white number 23 on his Speedos. WEDNESDAY -- observing the mayhem unfold with the cool detachment of a scientist watching the Bikini Reef blasts. DALTON -- reaches the ladder, is about to haul himself up, UNDERWATER PIRANHA POV -- as the leader of the pack zeros in on the white “23” on Dalton’s Speedo. OFF DALTON’S unholy, high-pitched SCREAM... SMASH CUT TO: MAIN TITLES CUT TO: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NEW ENGLAND - DAY Crimson LEAVES TORNADO as a VINTAGE STRETCH LIMO ROARS DOWN a road that winds through an epic tree scape. Fall is in full splendor.

The limo is Batmobile-black and a silver vulture hood ornament scowls on the front, wings outstretched. A cello case and steamer trunk are strapped to the roof. CAMERA FINDS Wednesday staring out the passenger window. CAMERA PUSHES THROUGH the glass... INT. LIMO - MOVING - DAY ... and OVER her shoulder, REVEALING THE ADDAMS FAMILY LURCH (40s) is driving. Wednesday’s parents, GOMEZ (40s) and MORTICIA (40s), are in the back facing her and Pugsley. Gomez and Pugsley play “Hangman,” passing a paper back and forth, while Morticia reads a copy of Seance magazine. PUGSLEY Hangman! You lose! GOMEZ Very good, my boy! just too clever for me. Wednesday glances at the paper, unimpressed. WEDNESDAY There’s no ‘F’ in ‘Asphyxiation.’ Father is letting you cheat. PUGSLEY Why would he do that? WEDNESDAY First, tell me how many ‘K’s’ are in ‘cretin’? PUGSLEY Duh... one. WEDNESDAY I rest my case. Morticia looks up from her magazine. Wednesday turns away. MORTICIA Darling, how long do you intend on giving us the cold shoulder?

Lurch grunts. The couple gets lost in the moment. WEDNESDAY Lurch, please remind my parents that I’'m currently not speaking to them. GOMEZ I promise, my little viper, you are going to love Nevermore. Won’'t she, Tish? MORTICIA course she will. the perfect school for her. WEDNESDAY Why? Because it was the perfect school for you? I have no intention of following in your footsteps and being captain of the fencing team, or queen of the dark prom, or President of the Seance Society. MORTICIA I merely meant you’ll finally be among peers who understand you. Maybe you’ll even make some friends. WEDNESDAY Sarcasm is the only friend I need. GOMEZ Nevermore is no ordinary boarding school. 1It’'s a magical place. It’s where your mother and I met and fell in love. WEDNESDAY I suddenly feel nauseous. And not in a good way. MORTICIA Darling, we aren’t the ones who got you expelled. That boy’s family was going to file attempted murder charges. How would that have looked on your record? Gomez leans in, trying to assuage Wednesday. Gomez takes Morticia’s hand and looks lovingly into her eyes. Wednesday is disgusted. * * * % Ok % * Ok %

WEDNESDAY Terrible. Everyone would know that I failed to get the job done. CUT TO: EXT. NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY The limo sweeps through a pair of enormous wrought-iron gates. Crowned in Gothic black letters are the words: NEVERMORE ACADEMY. Suddenly, the skies open and it POURS. INT. LIMO - MOVING - DAY Morticia smiles as the raindrops hit the window. MORTICIA At least it’s turning into a beautiful day. OFF Wednesday eye-rolling, not a happy bunny. CUT TO: A HUMAN FACE FROZEN IN A PERPETUAL SCREAM... EXT. CLEARING - LAKE JERICHO - DAY ... which is staring up from the mud at SHERIFF DONOVAN GALPIN (40s) the local police chief. He'’s with his Deputy RITCHIE SANTIAGO (20s). They’re standing in a clearing next to an idyllic New England lake. RAINDROPS smack the bloodied face, giving the impression that it’s weeping red tears. SHERIFF GALPIN Where’s the rest of him? Santiago points to the yellow police tape ringing a clutch of silver birch about a hundred feet away. SANTIAGO Well, the torso and arm are over there... (pointing) We found a leg by the lake. And the rest of the parts are... so far unaccounted for. It matches the profile of the other two attacks last week.

10 11 7. Galpin shakes his head, stares across the lake. Its black surface is pocked by a trillion raindrops. SHERIFF GALPIN Issue a warning. Keep hikers out of the woods. Don’t approve any more campfire permits for the foreseeable future. SANTIAGO What do you want me to tell the press? You know they’re gonna be swarming like mosquitos in July. SHERIFF GALPIN Tell ‘em the bear is back. SANTIAGO (skeptical) You don’t really believe that, Sheriff? SHERIFF GALPIN ‘Course not. (re: head) But whatever did this wasn’t human. He indicates the three Gothic clock towers that rise above the mist-shrouded trees in the distance: the back side of Nevermore Academy. SHERIFF GALPIN I know these murders are connected to that school. I just prove it yet. Until I can, it’s a goddamn bear. EXT. NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY CAMERA FLIES ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS, SLALOMS BETWEEN THE CLOCK TOWERS and ZEROES IN ON A PAIR OF GOTHIC WINDOWS. RAIN SLUICES DOWN THE LEADED PANES. CAMERA MELTS RIGHT THROUGH THE GLASS and into... INT. OFFICE - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY ... Wednesday stares out defiantly, her back to the FIRE CRACKLING IN THE MONUMENTAL HEARTH which is fashioned after a Gorgon. Gomez and Morticia sit across from PRINCIPAL LARISSA WEEMS (40s). Although her demeanor is warm, she masks her true feelings with the skill of a seasoned diplomat. She studies Wednesday'’s transcripts, finally closes the file. 10 11 * * *

Morticia lets the barb slide. Morticia gives Wednesday a death stare. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Wednesday is certainly a unique name. I’'m guessing it’s the day of the week you were born? WEDNESDAY I was born on Friday the 13th. MORTICIA Her name comes from a line in my favorite nursery rhyme. ‘Wednesday’s child is full of woe.’ Weems smiles tightly, not sure how to react. PRINCIPAL WEEMS You always had a unique perspective on the world, Morticia. (to Wednesday) Did your mother tell you that we were roommates back in the day? WEDNESDAY (that’s news to her) And you graduated with your sanity intact -- impressive. PRINCIPAL WEEMS You’ve certainly had a very interesting educational journey. Eight schools in five years. WEDNESDAY They still haven’t built one that can hold me. I doubt this place will be any different. GOMEZ I believe what our daughter is trying to say is that she greatly appreciates this opportunity. Weems crosses from behind her desk. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Nevermore doesn’t usually accept students midterm. (MORE) Weems gets down to business. Gomez intervenes. * ¥ % * % % * * * % * * * * ok *

12 PRINCIPAL WEEMS (CONT'D) But given Wednesday'’'s perfect grades, and your family’s long history with the school, I've spoken with the Board and we've made an exception. Gomez smiles, takes hand. MORTICIA (uncomfortable topic) What about Wednesday’s... therapy sessions? PRINCIPAL WEEMS The school has a relationship with a therapist in Jericho. She can meet twice a week. GOMEZ Did you hear that, my little storm cloud? Sounds like you’re in excellent hands. WEDNESDAY I doubt she’ll survive our first session. Morticia and Gomez don’t take the bait. Weems checks her watch, turns her attention to Wednesday. PRINCIPAL WEEMS assigned you to your mother’s old dorm -- Ophelia Hall. Wednesday levels her gaze at her parents. WEDNESDAY Refresh my memory, Ophelia is the one who kills herself after she was driven mad by her family, correct? The question hangs in the air. Weems musters a forced smile. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Shall we go meet your new roommate? INT. WEDNESDAY'S ROOM - OPHELIA HALL - DAY CLOSE ON A DOOR as it opens and Weems leads Wednesday, Morticia and Gomez inside. WE STAY ON Wednesday as she regards the room, mortified. WHAT SHE SEES: The attic space is dominated by a floor to ceiling circular window. 12 %* *

10. Its spiderweb-design has been accented by multicolored gels causing the entire space to be washed in shafts of rainbow colored light! Stacks of old furniture and dusty chandeliers gather dust in a corner. GOMEZ (mustering enthusiasm) It’'s so... vivid! ENID SINCLAIR (16) grins, as she excitedly climbs off her bed to greet them. Enid is a werewolf, although you’d never know it from her sunny disposition. She’s wearing the school’s purple uniform which she’s accessorized with velvet scrunchies and rainbow-colored nails. ENID Howdy, roomie! PRINCIPAL WEEMS Wednesday, this is Enid Sinclair. Wednesday is literally at a loss for words, trying to keep her body out of the light. Enid looks at her concerned. ENID You feeling okay? You look a little... pale. GOMEZ Wednesday always looks half dead. Seems weird, but Enid just goes with it. ENID Welcome to Ophelia Hall! She goes in for a hug, but Wednesday steps back defensively. ENID Okay... not a hugger, got it. MORTICIA Please excuse Wednesday, she’s allergic to color. ENID Wow. Never heard that one before. What happens to you? WEDNESDAY I break out into hives and then my flesh peels off my bones. Enid looks at her in shock, not sure how to answer. * Ok % % * * * * ¥ *

13 11. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Luckily, we'’ve special ordered you a uniform. Enid, please take Wednesday to the registrar’s office to pick it up along with her schedule. And give her a tour on the way. As the girls exit, Wednesday shoots her parents a final heart- chilling glare. INT. HALL - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY Enid talks as she escorts Wednesday past the impressive trophy case. Wednesday stops to view a b&w photo featuring Nevermore’s triumphant 1998 National Fencing Champs. YOUNG MORTICIA ADDAMS (17) is the Captain. (NOTE: We also see their coach FRANCOIS GALPIN (25) in the picture.) ENID Nevermore was founded in 1825 to educate people like us -- Outcasts, freaks, monsters... fill in your favorite marginalized group here. Wednesday isn’t paying attention and scans the space like she’s casing a bank. WEDNESDAY You can save the sanitized sales pitch. Unless you have detailed information about weaknesses in the school’s security system. (off Enid’s confusion) I don’t plan on staying here long. ENID Why not? WEDNESDAY Because this was my parents’ idea. been looking for any excuse to send me here. It’s part of their nefarious yet completely obvious plan. ENID Okay, I’ll bite. What plan? WEDNESDAY To turn me into a version of themselves. 13 * *

14 12. ENID In that case, maybe you can clear something up. Rumor’s been swirling you killed a kid at your old school and your parents pulled strings to get you off. WEDNESDAY (deadpan) Actually, it was two kids, but who’s counting. Wednesday heads through the doors. Enid can’t tell if she’s joking or not, follows after her. EXT. QUAD - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY The octagonal space features a large courtyard encircled by arched cloisters. An ancient gnarled tree sprouts from the reflecting pool in the middle of the space. It’s lunchtime and STUDENTS and FACULTY relax. They are a unique bunch. ENID Welcome to the Quad. WEDNESDAY (studies the space) It’s a pentagon. ENID Whatever... it’s where the popular and the thirsty intersect. You crush it here, you get invited to all the best secret parties. Wednesday looks around, unimpressed by the packs of kids huddled in different sections of the courtyard. WEDNESDAY I'1ll be sure to RSVP never. Enid stops, turns to Wednesday. ENID The whole bored goth girl thing may have worked in Normie school, but here you need to up your game. Let me give you the quick Wiki on Nevermore’s social scene. WEDNESDAY I'm not interested in joining some adolescent tribal cliche. 14 * * % * * % * * * * ok % % * *

13. ENID Then use it to fuel your obviously bottomless pit of disdain. (off Wednesday, touché) There are four main cliques: Fangs, Furs, Stoners, and Scales. She points to a SHADED ALCOVE where a group of tall, pale, angular TEENS, all wearing Ray-Bans, sip blood from eco- friendly, matte-black Hydro Flasks. YOKO TANAKA (16) adds her own Harajuku-inspired Goth flair to the gathering. ENID Those are the Fangs, aka vampires. They like to liquid-lunch together and silently judge the rest of us. A group of rowdy BOYS howls at Enid. Their baying is deep, animalistic. Wednesday is surprised when Enid howls back. ENID That bunch of knuckleheads are Furs, aka werewolves. I'm related to half of them. My pack’s from San Francisco. Full moons are high decibel around here. That’s when furs ‘wolf out’. I suggest you pick up some noise-cancelling headphones. As Wednesday follows Enid past the reflecting pool, she notices a striking teen girl, BIANCA BARCLAY (16). Bianca is sitting on the stone bench that rings the pool, talking to her friend KENT (16). Wednesday watches the skin on Bianca’s arm MORPH FROM SCALES TO FLESH as she absentmindedly swishes her hand in the water. Bianca silently clocks Wednesday but doesn’t acknowledge her. WEDNESDAY I'm guessing Scales are sirens. ENID You catch on quick. (re: Bianca) And that girl, Bianca Barclay, is the closest thing Nevermore has to royalty. Although her crown’s been slipping lately. She subtly points to a teen boy sitting in a corner alcove alone, drawing on a sketch pad. This is XAVIER THORPE (16). Enid whispers conspiratorially. * ¥ * * * X * *

14. ENID She used to date Xavier Thorpe. But they broke up at the beginning of the semester. Reason: unknown. WEDNESDAY (could care less) Fascinating. ENID I know, right? My vlog is the number-one source for Nevermore gossip. AJAX (0.S.) Yo, Enid! You’re not gonna believe the dirt I heard about your new roommate. AJAX PETROPOLUS (16) approaches, wearing a purple Supreme beanie covering his head of limp snakes. He's Enid’s secret crush and her cheeks immediately flush. AJAX She eats human flesh! Totally chowed down on that kid she murdered! Better watch your back! He stops when he sees Enid’s mortified face pointing behind him. He turns and finds Wednesday. WEDNESDAY Actually, I filet the bodies of my victims and feed them to my menagerie of pets. Ajax stares at her. Enid interjects, embarrassed: ENID (through gritted teeth) Ajax, this is my new roommate, Wednesday . AJAX (to Wednesday) Whoa... you’re in black and white. Like a living Instagram filter. ENID You’ll have to excuse Ajax. Gorgons spend way too much time getting stoned.

15. Annoyed, she smacks him on the side of the head. As he walks away, she looks at Wednesday, trying to explain. ENID Don’t worry about Ajax, he’s cute but clueless. It’s a small school and there wasn’t much online about you. You really need to get on Insta and Snapchat. WEDNESDAY I don’t do social media. I find it to be a soul-sucking void of meaningless affirmation. As Wednesday heads into the Registrar’s Office, STAY ON Enid, not sure how she feels about her new roommate. TIME CUT TO: A PAIR OF POLISHED BLACK SHOES striding across the gravel. PAN TO REVEAL WEDNESDAY . Now wearing a b&w version of the school uniform: black blazer, b&w checkered skirt, black knee-high socks, and black tie against a white shirt. She’s walking towards... EXT. FRONT GATE - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY Morticia, Gomez, and Pugsley wait by the limo as she approaches. Gomez gives her a wide, paternal smile. GOMEZ Look at you, my little death trap! Seeing that uniform brings back so many terrible memories, doesn’t it, Tish? Morticia looks at Wednesday, suddenly overcome. MORTICIA Why don’t you boys wait in the car? Wednesday and I need a moment. Pugsley throws his arms around Wednesday in a hug. She doesn’t return the gesture. WEDNESDAY Pugsley, you’re soft and weak. You’ll never survive without me. I give you two months tops. 15 *

16. PUGSLEY I'm gonna miss you too, sis. Gomez and Pugsley climb in. Morticia focuses her gaze on her daughter. MORTICIA Any plans you have of running away end right now. I’'ve alerted all family members to contact me the minute you darken their doorstep. You have nowhere to go. Wednesday doesn’t break eye contact. WEDNESDAY As usual, you underestimate me, Mother. I will escape this educational penitentiary and then you will never hear from me again. MORTICIA You are a brilliant girl, Wednesday, but sometimes you get in your own way. I’m sure you’ll grow to love Nevermore and find it as life-changing as I did. (then) I got you a little something. She presents Wednesday with a pendant. It features a small onyx “W” which can be spun to form an “M” too. MORTICIA “W” and “M”. Our initials. (putting it around Wednesday’s neck) It’s a symbol of our connection. Wednesday studies the gift. Then looks at her mother. WEDNESDAY Which one of your spirits suggested this toe curling tchotchke? I'm not you, Mother. I will never fall in love or be a housewife or have a family. Morticia is pained by Wednesday’s words. MORTICIA I preferred when you took aim at me with your crossbow. (MORE) * ¥ % * * * *

16 17 18 19 17. MORTICIA (CONT'D) I'm told that girls your age can say hurtful things and that I shouldn’t take them to heart. WEDNESDAY Luckily you don’t have one. MORTICIA Finally, a kind word for your mother. (hands her a crystal ball carrier box) We can’'t talk to you for the first week while you’re settling in. So we’ll call next Sunday. As she watches her family drive away, she reaches for the onyx necklace, unconsciously revealing a hidden insecurity. CUT TO: INT. LIMO - MOVING - DAY Morticia dabs tears from her cheeks. Gomez offers her a reassuring smile. GOMEZ Don’t worry, my love, our little scorpion won’t be alone. He surreptitiously hits a button on the dash. CUT TO: UNDER THE LIMO A red light flashes, signaling THING to drop from the undercarriage Mission Impossible-style. As the LIMO SPEEDS OFF, the hand races back up the drive towards the school. CUT TO: EXT. WEDNESDAY'S ROOM - OPHELIA HALL - NIGHT CAMERA LOOKS THROUGH a panel of candy-pink glass to REVEAL Wednesday on her knees, razor blade in hand, carefully shaving the colored gels off the spiderweb window. INT. ROOM - OPHELIA HALL - NIGHT ... Wednesday steps back, REVEAL that half the window is now plain glass. At that moment, Enid enters behind her and regards the space in shock. 16 17 18 19 * * * %

18. REVEAL THE ROOM. Enid’s side is still in Technicolor while Wednesday's, complete with gramophone, cello, and vintage Smith-Corona typewriter, is practically black and white. There is a line of black duct tape down the center to divide the space. ENID What the hell did you do to my room? Wednesday regards Enid’s side in disgqgust. There’s a candy- colored bedspread along with pink and yellow throw pillows and enough stuffed animals to fill three zoos. WEDNESDAY Dividing our room equally. It looks like a rainbow vomited on your side. Wednesday sits at her desk, rolls a piece of clean white paper into her typewriter. WEDNESDAY Silence would be appreciated. This is my writing time. ENID Your ‘writing time’? WEDNESDAY I devote an hour a day to my novel. Perhaps if you did the same, your vlog might be coherent. ENID You read my vlog? WEDNESDAY More like deciphered it. I’ve seen serial killer diaries with better punctuation. ENID I write in my voice! It’s my truth, that’s what my followers love. WEDNESDAY Your followers are clearly imbeciles. They respond to your stories with insipid little pictures. *

19. ENID (incredulous) You mean emojis? It’s how people express their feelings. I realize that’s a foreign concept to you. The girls glare off. WEDNESDAY When I look at you, I imagine the following emojis: Rope. Shovel. Hole. (turns back to typewriter) By the way, there are two D’s in Addams. If you’re going to gossip about me, at least spell my name correctly. Pissed, Enid opens her iPhone, starts playing K-POP THROUGH HER BLUETOOTH SPEAKER. Wednesday spins in her chair. WEDNESDAY Turn that off. This is your final warning. Wednesday makes a move, but Enid points to the duct-tape line on the floor and snaps out her wolf claws, which extend three inches from her fingertips. ENID Do not mess with me, this kitty’s got claws and I'm not afraid to use them! Suddenly, the door swings open and TAMARA NOVAK (40) enters wearing muddy red boots and holding a potted black flower. She’s Ophelia‘s Hall’s Dorm Mom. Quirky but perceptive, she senses the tension between them, and smiles warmly. MS. NOVAK Good evening, girls! Sorry about the mud. Wanted to make sure Wednesday was settling in! (re: standoff) Is this a bad time? Enid TURNS OFF THE MUSIC and retracts her claws. Wednesday steps back to her side of the room. MS. NOVAK (to Wednesday) I'm Ms. Novak, your Dorm Mom. (MORE ) * * %

MS. NOVAK (CONT'D) Apologies I wasn’t here to greet you when you arrived, but Outcast Bio won’t teach itself! I trust Enid has given you the old Nevermore welcome. WEDNESDAY (deadpan) She’s been smothering me with hospitality. I look forward to returning the favor... in her sleep. MS. NOVAK A little welcome gift from my greenhouse. I try to match the right flower to each of my girls. When I read your personal statement in your application, I thought of this one. WEDNESDAY (taking flower) A Black Dahlia. MS. NOVAK You know it? WEDNESDAY Of course. It’s named after my favorite unsolved murder. (genuine) Thank you. MS. NOVAK Okie dokie, before I leave, I want to go over a few house rules: lights out by 10:00; no loud music and no boys... ever. She winks mischievously, turns... MS. NOVAK (pointed to Enid) Also, keep your claws to yourself. (to Wednesday) No smothering anyone in their sleep (smiles again) Are we clear? Good talk! 20. Ms. Novak overlooks the dig and hands Wednesday the flower.

20A 21. As Ms. Novak exits, OFF the girls, chastised. CUT TO: THE SOUND OF CLASHING BLADES INT. FENCING HALL - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - DAY STUDENTS in white fencing outfits square off in 10 lanes. Thrusting and parrying as they move up and down this grand hall. They are under the watchful eye of COACH VLAD (30s), a debonair Romanian. Wednesday enters wearing AN ALL-BLACK FENCING ENSEMBLE. She makes eye contact with Xavier, who has traded his pencil for a rapier. He gives her a friendly wave like he knows her. She glances away, confused, and focuses on the TWO FENCERS closest to her. FENCER #1 toys with FENCER #2, moves in for the kill. Showing no mercy, Fencer #1 forces Fencer #2 to trip and fall. Fencer #1 holds the tipped blade to Fencer #2's throat, then flips off her own mask, revealing BIANCA BARCLAY She mockingly scowls at Fencer #2 as he wrenches off his mask. This is ROWAN LASLOW (16). Rowan’s a bookish nerd. He stares at Bianca, bitter. ROWAN Coach, she tripped me! COACH VLAD It was a clean strike, Rowan. BIANCA Maybe if you whined less and practiced more, you wouldn’t suck. On the verge of tears, Rowan rises. As he storms to the exit, he passes Wednesday, offering her a wounded look with his bloodshot eyes. BIANCA Seriously, Coach, when am I going to get some real competition? (to class) Anyone else want to challenge me? PUSH IN ON Wednesday, formulating her next move. 20A * *

22. WEDNESDAY (V.O.) If there’s one thing I hate more than a bully, it’s a bitch. The entire class, including Xavier, reacts in disbelief as Wednesday steps forward, saber raised. WEDNESDAY I do! BIANCA (smirking, unimpressed) You must be that psychopath they let in. WEDNESDAY And you must be the self-appointed queen bee. Interesting thing about bees, pull out their stingers and they drop dead. The class lets out a collective “Ooh” as Wednesday throws down the gauntlet. BIANCA Rowan doesn’t need you to come to his defense. He’s not helpless, he’s lazy. WEDNESDAY Are we doing this or not? Both girls step into the lane and eye-fuck as they put on their helmets and hook up their scoring cords. COACH VLAD (raises his hand) En garde! The class watches as the girls square off. Bianca thrusts first, Wednesday expertly blocks it, then attacks with a quick, clean stroke, scoring the first point! There is an audible gasp from the onlookers. Xavier smiles. Even Coach Vlad is surprised. The girls take their positions again. This time, Wednesday thrusts first, but Bianca is ready and strikes, successfully evening the score.

20B 23. BIANCA (condescending) That first point was clearly beginner’s luck. Let’s finish this. Wednesday takes off her mask, a glint in her eye. WEDNESDAY (to Coach Vlad) For the final point, I would like to invoke a military challenge. No masks, no tips. Winner draws first blood. BIANCA (removing mask) What are you trying to prove? WEDNESDAY That I'm better than you. Bianca bristles as her classmates giggle and whisper. COACH VLAD It’s your decision, Bianca. She removes the protective cap from the tip of her saber and tosses her mask aside. BIANCA (to Wednesday) Let’s see if you bleed in black and white. CUT TO: SABERS CLASHING INT. FENCING HALL - NEVERMORE ACADEMY - MOMENTS LATER Wednesday and Bianca spar like Jedi while their classmates watch, mesmerized. Wednesday'’s strokes are fast, precise, and confident. She’s giving Bianca a run for her money. But Bianca is taller and stronger, giving her a natural advantage. Bianca backs Wednesday into a corner, looks like she’s going to strike, when Wednesday BACK FLIPS OVER HER HEAD 20B *

21 22 24. and spins, taking Bianca by surprise. As Bianca faces her, Wednesday sweeps up her blade. But before she makes contact, Bianca limbos clear. GO TIGHT as Wednesday'’s blade passes within a mouse-hair of Bianca’s face. Now Bianca goes on the offensive, swings up her sword, and expertly nicks Wednesday just above her right eye. SLO MO as A TEARDROP OF BLOOD drips onto Wednesday'’s black vest. Bianca grins, raises her saber in triumph while the rest of the class erupts into cheers. BIANCA (re: bloody cut) Your face finally got the splash of color it so desperately needed. (off laughter) Did you really think you were going to roll in here on day one and take me down? (leans in) Word of advice: stay in your lane, which is as far out of my eyeline as possible. Angry and humiliated, Wednesday stabs her sword into a nearby wall and storms out. OFF Xavier watching her go... CUT TO: INT. INFIRMARY - DAY CLOSE ON a frosted glass door. “Infirmary” is etched across it in faded gold paint. It opens and Wednesday angrily strides out, now sporting three neat black stitches above her eye. Still fuming, she crosses the cavernous marble foyer, has her hand on the door when she hears a NOISE behind her. She spins, on alert, but no one is there. As she exits, THING peeks out from behind a potted fern. EXT. EDENVALE HALL - DAY A THUNDERSTORM RUMBLES and fat RAINDROPS POUND the foot-worn stone steps. Wednesday fishes a black umbrella from her backpack, plumes it open, and steps into the DOWNPOUR. ANGLE ON A MASSIVE STONE GARGOYLE 21 * 22

23 25. glowering from the roof as WATER CASCADES OFF its snarling face. It’s under repair, surrounded by scaffolding. Suddenly, the BASE CRACKS and the HULKING STONE CREATURE SUPERNATURALLY LURCHES FORWARD. Wednesday looks up as the Gargoyle smashes through the scaffolding and hurtles towards her! But a second before impact, she’s tackled out of the way by XAVIER. As she smacks her head on the ground and blacks out... CUT TO: INT. INFIRMARY - EDENVALE HALL - DAY CLOSE ON Wednesday as her eyes groggily open. She SEES A BLURRED FIGURE. It takes a moment for her VISION TO SNAP INTO FOCUS, REVEALING Xavier. He offers a smile of relief. XAVIER Welcome back. Wednesday sits up in the bed, disoriented, holds her head. XAVIER Go easy, the nurse said you don’t have a concussion, but you’ll probably have a nasty bump to go with your stitches. WEDNESDAY The last thing I remember was standing outside feeling a mixture of rage, pity, and self-disgust. I've never felt that way before. XAVIER Losing to Bianca has that effect on people. WEDNESDAY I looked up and saw that Gargoyle coming at me, thinking at least I‘ll have an imaginative death. Then you tackled me out of the way. (off his nod) Why would you do that? XAVIER call it instinct. 23

26. WEDNESDAY So you were guided by latent chivalry, which is just a tool of the patriarchy designed to extract my undying gratitude? XAVIER Most people would say thank you. WEDNESDAY I didn’t ask you to rescue me. XAVIER So I should have let that thing smash you to mush? WEDNESDAY I would rather have saved myself. Xavier shakes his head, amused by Wednesday’s attitude. XAVIER It’s good to see you haven’t changed. Still as defiant as ever. If it makes you feel better, let’s just say I returned the favor. (off her confusion) Xavier Thorpe. You really don’t remember me, do you? To be fair, the last time we met, I was two feet shorter and 40 pounds heavier. WEDNESDAY What happened? XAVIER Puberty... I guess. And I started hitting the gym... eating better. WEDNESDAY I meant what happened the last time we met. XAVIER (smiles, embarrassed) It was my godmother’s funeral. She was close with your grandmother. Apparently, they spent their 20s together in Europe swindling the rich and notorious. Anyway, we were 10 and bored. (MORE)

24 27. XAVIER (CONT'D) Decided to play hide and seek, and I had the inspired idea to hide in her casket. I got stuck as it was heading into the crematorium... WEDNESDAY (remembering) I heard muffled screams. At first I thought your godmother had somehow cheated death and was trying to claw her way out. I‘ve always wanted to see what a zombie looks like. XAVIER Either way, you hit the big red stop button and saved me from being flame broiled. (stands) So now we're even. He smiles charmingly and exits. OFF Wednesday, confused by the new emotions brewing inside her. CUT TO: A record spinning on Wednesday'’s gramophone... INT. WEDNESDAY'S ROOM - OPHELIA HALL - DAY ... it’s Edith Piaf’s plaintive Non, Je Ne Regret Rein. PULL BACK TO REVEAL Wednesday sitting at her desk, furiously typing. Suddenly, she sees the curtains flutter in her mirror. Suspicious, she YANKS THE NEEDLE OFF THE RECORD, stalks over, and whips back the curtains, revealing THE WINDOW IS CRACKED OPEN. She turns toward her desk when she sniffs the air like a predator sensing prey. With lightning speed, she reaches into the curtain folds and grabs Thing by the wrist! WEDNESDAY Hello, Thing. It’s a tug-o-war as the frightened appendage clings to the curtain for dear life, but with a forceful yank, Wednesday wrestles him free. Thing squirms in her grip. 24

28. WEDNESDAY Did you really think that my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn't pick up the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion? Like a flapping fish, Thing tries to wriggle free, but Wednesday subdues him by grabbing him with her other hand. WEDNESDAY I can do this all day long. (beat) Surrender? Thing stops struggling and gestures “okay” with his fingers. Wednesday sits, drops him on her desk, and points her desk lamp at him, interrogation style. WEDNESDAY Mother and Father sent you to spy on me, didn’t they? Thing points to himself, feigning surprise. WEDNESDAY Don’t try and play innocent. Your palm gets clammy when you lie. She rubs her finger down his palm, sure enough it’s moist. WEDNESDAY I'm not above breaking a few fingers. Thing wilts under the pressure and signs “yes.” Wednesday leans back, absorbing his confession. WEDNESDAY The fact that they thought I wouldn’t find out just proves how much they underestimate me. Thing signs “They are worried about you.” WEDNESDAY Thing, you poor, naive appendage. My parents aren’t worried about me. They'’re evil puppeteers who want to pull my strings even from afar. (opens her desk drawer) The way I see it, you have two options. (MORE)

25 26 27 29. WEDNESDAY (CONT'D) The first: I lock you in here for the rest of the semester and you go slowly insane trying to scratch your way out. That, of course, will ruin both your nails and your supple, smooth skin. And we both know how vain you are. Thing recoils in terror, holds up two fingers. WEDNESDAY Option two. (beat) Pledge your undying loyalty to me. Thing thinks, then bows his fingers in compliance. Wednesday nods, offers her hand, and they shake. WEDNESDAY Oour first order of business is to escape this teenage purgatory. Things signs “Do you have a plan?” WEDNESDAY Of course I have a plan. And it begins right now. OFF her malevolent smirk... CUT TO: EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY An SUV drives past a sign that reads: “WELCOME TO JERICHO. ESTABLISHED 1625. HOME OF PILGRIM WORLD”. EXT. MAIN STREET - JERICHO - DAY The SUV sweeps through this postcard-perfect New England town. A farmer’s market is winding down in the town square, where a statue and fountain are under construction. The SUV parks in front of a handsome colonial building. EXT. SUV - JERICHO - DAY Weems and Wednesday step out. WEDNESDAY I haven’t had a baby sitter since I was eight. I nailed the last one under the floorboards playing hide and seek. 25 26 27 * * * * * % % % * * * %k % %

28 around the world. PRINCIPAL WEEMS (points to building) Dr. Kinbott'’s office is on the second floor. Other Nevermore students swear by her. WEDNESDAY And you’ll just wait here, until I'm done. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Perhaps afterwards we can stop by the Weathervane for hot chocolate. WEDNESDAY Principal Weems, this feeble attempt at bonding is beneath you. And chauffeuring students is clearly below your pay grade. PRINCIPAL WEEMS Given your history, I’m sure you're intent on running away. here to prevent that from happening. WEDNESDAY (gauntlet thrown) I wish you luck. OFF Weems, as Wednesday heads inside. KINBOTT (0.S.) That one was made by a remote tribe in Papua New Guinea. 30. CUT TO: INT. WAITING ROOM - KINBOTT'S OFFICE - JERICHO - DAY Wednesday stands in front of a wall of carved folk masks from Wednesday leans in, studies one. 28 * N * * * * % * % X * * * * Ok Wednesday doesn’t turn as DR. VALERIE KINBOTT (40s) steps to her side. She’s an Earth-mother type, with a cashmere poncho draped around her elegant shoulders. WEDNESDAY Yes, the Citak. headhunters. KINBOTT Impressive. Are you interested in anthropology?

31. WEDNESDAY Decapitation. Kinbott smiles tightly, motions Wednesday into... INT. OFFICE - JERICHO - DAY Calming dove-gray walls feature a dozen masks curated from Kinbott’s travels. The space is accented by table lamps and scented candles which gently flicker. KINBOTT I read the notes from your school counsellor. WEDNESDAY Poor Mrs. Bronstein. She had a breakdown after our last session. Had to take a six-month sabbatical. KINBOTT How do you feel about that? WEDNESDAY Vindicated. But someone who crochets for a hobby isn’t a worthy adversary. KINBOTT (smiles demurely) Adversary? I hope we can forge a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. (gestures to chair) Go ahead and take a seat. Wednesday perches on the edge of a white overstuffed armchair. Kinbott sits cross-legged opposite, a Moleskin notebook and Montblanc pen at the ready. KINBOTT This is a safe space, Wednesday. A sanctuary where we can discuss anything. What you’re thinking... feeling... your views on the world... personal philosophy. WEDNESDAY That'’s easy. I think this is a waste of time. I see the world as a place that must be endured. My personal philosophy is kill or be killed.

Kinbott motions for Wednesday to sit back down. KINBOTT So for instance, when someone bullies your brother, your response is to dump piranha in the pool. WEDNESDAY You know the old saying. Never bring a knife to a sword fight. Unless it’s concealed. KINBOTT The point is, you assaulted a boy and showed no remorse for your actions. That'’s why you’re here. WEDNESDAY He lost a testicle. I was doing the world a favor. Mouth breathers like Dalton shouldn’t be allowed to procreate. (standing) I've answered all your questions. reluctantly. Wednesday isn’t convinced. KINBOTT Therapy is a valuable tool to help you understand yourself. It can teach you new ways to deal with your emotions. It can also help you build a life that you want. WEDNESDAY I know the life that I want. KINBOTT Tell me about it. (off her hesitation) Everything said in these sessions is strictly confidential. glances at the clock, still 40 minutes to go. forward. KINBOTT Do your plans involve becoming an author? (off Wednesday’s surprise) I understand you’ve written three novels about a teen girl detective. Viper Del Morte. Can you tell me about her? 32. She does She stares at Kinbott, then Kinbott leans

33. WEDNESDAY Viper’s smart, perceptive, chronically misunderstood. KINBOTT Any luck getting your work published? WEDNESDAY Editors are short-sighted, fear- based life forms. One described my writing as ‘gratuitously morbid’ and suggested I seek psychiatric help. huh? KINBOTT How did you take that? QUICK FLASH CUT: Wednesday sending the editor a box of preset mousetraps. FLASH CUT: the EDITOR opening the box, getting her fingers caught, and screaming. CUT BACK TO: WEDNESDAY I'm always open to constructive criticism. KINBOTT I'm glad to hear that. Because I was sent the manuscripts as part of your psych evaluation. She pauses, assessing Wednesday’s reaction. KINBOTT The relationship I found most intriguing was that of Viper and her mother -- Dominica. Why don’t we dig into that? Wednesday looks away. KINBOTT Wednesday, part of this journey requires us going to uncomfortable places emotionally. WEDNESDAY I don’t travel well. Would you mind if I used your powder room first? Kinbott nods, motions to a door...

30 31 32A 33 34. INT. POWDER ROOM - KINBOTT'S OFFICE - DAY Wednesday twists the door latch, looks out the window. Sees that it opens onto the roof. She tries to slide it open and discovers a safety latch. She whispers to Thing. WEDNESDAY Nail file. Suddenly, fingers plume through the top of the backpack with a nail file. Wednesday uses it to expertly jimmy the lock. She gently slides open the window, is climbing out when she accidentally knocks over a candle. It shatters on the floor. KINBOTT (0.S.) (through the door) Wednesday, is everything okay? You can’t hide in there for the rest of the session. Wednesday Be right out... She steps through the window onto the roof. Wednesday ... just preparing myself for our uncomfortable journey. As she gently slides the window shut... EXT. ROOF KINBOTT’S OFFICE - JERICHO - DAY Wednesday looks over the side. WHAT SHE SEES: Weems'’ SUV parked. Weems is on the phone, still in the driver’s seat. Across the street is the farmers market. Then she spots a drain spout. CUT TO: EXT. STREET - JERICHO - DAY Wednesday slides down the drain pipe like a fire pole. She drops behind a potted tree, crouch-runs to stay out of Weems’ rear view sight line. She’s half way across the street when WEEMS STEPS OUT OF THE SUV to stretch. Forced to hide, Wednesday races into the Farmer'’s Market and bumps into a FARMER (50s) loading a crate of apples into the rear of a red truck. The contact triggers ANOTHER PSYCHIC VISION 30 31 32A 33 * * * % % * *

32B 34 35 35. The IMAGES COME at Wednesday IN QUICK FLASHES: apples tumbling into a pool of blood, a truck tire spinning, the Farmer'’s face staring in blank astonishment, his neck horribly broken. The VISION ENDS. BACK TO SCENE EXT. STREET - JERICHO - DAY Irritated, the Farmer “tuts” at Wednesday as he passes. FARMER Who let you out? Goddamn weirdo! Still rattled, Wednesday sees Weems climb into the SUV. She takes off again, disappearing into the alley. CUT TO: EXT. WEATHERVANE CAFE & BAKERY - JERICHO - DAY - TO ESTABLISH Oon the corner, with striped white and sage-green awnings that shield the outdoor tables from the New England elements. INT. WEATHERVANE CAFE & BAKERY - JERICHO - DAY A vintage industrial ESPRESSO MACHINE, the size of a small organ, GROANS, SHOOTING STEAM from various orifices. TYLER GALPIN (16) is behind the counter, futilely trying to tame the mechanical beast. He’s the kind of kid constantly overwhelmed by his underwhelming life. The MACHINE VIOLENTLY SHAKES, like it’s about to explode. Freaked, he turns to flee, but is startled to find Wednesday standing a foot behind him. TYLER Holy crap! How long have you been...? Do you make a habit of scaring the hell out of people? WEDNESDAY It’s more of a hobby. TYLER (re: uniform) You go to Nevermore? Didn’t realize they’d changed up the uniform. WEDNESDAY (ignoring his question) I need a quad over ice. an emergency. (MORE) 32B * 34 * * 35 *

36. WEDNESDAY (CONT'D) (off his look) That’s four shots of espresso. TYLER I know what a quad is. But -- spoiler alert -- the espresso machine’s having a seizure. (nodding to coffee pot) So all we have is drip. WEDNESDAY Drip is for people who hate themselves and know their lives have no real purpose or meaning. She looks at a MIDDLE-AGED MAN about to top off his coffee cup. Shamed, he puts it down and exits quickly. WEDNESDAY What’s wrong with your machine? TYLER Uhhh... it’s a temperamental beast with a mind of its own. (checking manual) Doesn’t help that the damn instructions are in Italian! Wednesday snatches the manual, gives it a quick scan. WEDNESDAY Get me a tri-wing screwdriver and a four-millimeter Allen wrench. TYLER Wait... you read Italian? WEDNESDAY Of course. It’s the native tongue of Machiavelli. (ignoring his confusion) Here'’s the deal, I fix your machine, then you make my coffee and order me a taxi. TYLER (fishes tools from a drawer) No cabs in Jericho. Try Uber. WEDNESDAY I have a phone. I refuse to be a slave to technology.

37. TYLER Then you’re out of luck. (handing her tools) Where are you going anyway? She begins tinkering with the HISSING BEHEMOTH. WEDNESDAY That’s on a need-to-know basis. What about trains? TYLER Nearest station is Burlington. It’s half an hour away. WEDNESDAY You have a valve issue. I’'ve seen it before. TYLER Where? You got one of these monsters at home? WEDNESDAY Steam-powered guillotine. I built it when I was 10. (off his look, shrugging) I wanted to decapitate my dolls more efficiently. TYLER (not sure she’s kidding) Sure, Grim Reaper Barbie, makes perfect sense. Wednesday does a few adjustments and the MACHINE INSTANTLY STOPS GROANING. TYLER Wow... thanks. Never met a Nevermore kid who got their hands dirty. I'm Tyler, by the way. Didn’t catch your name... Or is that on a need-to-know basis too? WEDNESDAY TYLER Tell you what, Wednesday. To show my appreciation, how about I drive you to Burlington myself?