Ashes to Ashes
12/13/2019
Written by
Victoria [Torrie] D. Mills
FADE IN:

INT. CAMP SIN LÍMITES, MEN'S BATHROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
SUPER: 9 years ago, June 2011
A cold and dark room.
Moonlight shines through the thin windows that stretch across the walls near the ceiling. The windows do not lend much light to the room.
DAVID, 14, is facing a mirror that sits above a sink, holding an unlit candle. We see a dim reflection of him. Nervous, he reaches for a lighter and brings it to the wick of the candle. As his hand shakes, he rolls his thumb against the lighter's sparkwheel. He can't make a flame.
David is struggling to stay calm. We hear his breath tremble. Desperate to get light into the room, he continues to CLICK away at the lighter.
CLICK, CLICK.
David is frustrated. He argues with his siblings, RONNIE, 12, and CHARLIE, 12, who are standing outside.
DAVID
Why couldn't I just do this with a flashlight?!
There's no response, but David hears giggling.
DAVID (CONT'D)
(mumbling)
I guess Bloody Mary doesn't like flashlights.
Irritated, David complains by reiterating a conversation he had with his siblings earlier. He mimics them in a whiny voice as he tries with the lighter again.
DAVID (CONT'D)
(mimicking)
Oh, don't worry, it'll be fun.
Trying to get it to work, he holds the lighter in front of himself. He shakes it and then hits it with his palm.
DAVID (CONT'D)
(continues mimicking)
Oh David, its not--
CLICK.
He finally makes a flame.
David's eyes widen and dart to his reflection in the mirror. He has dark brown hair and is a little tall for his age. He's wearing an oversized army green jacket and a t-shirt with a logo belonging to his favorite band on the front of it.
David lights the candle and tosses the stubborn lighter to the floor.
Darkness still envelops the room, but the lit candle illuminates David's face. It's so cold that we see his short breaths escape his mouth.
He takes a deep breath.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Bloody Mary.
EXT. CAMP SIN LÍMITES, MEN'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Twins, Charlie and Ronnie, have their ears to the door trying to listen for David's "Blood Mary". Both Charlie and Ronnie have long brown hair that reaches their waist. Ronnie is wearing a plaid pajama set. Charlie's outfit holds a strong resemblance to David's: a rock tee with an oversized flannel.
Because she hears David start the game, Ronnie pats Charlie's back. Knowing it's their cue, Charlie, with fake blood under their eyes, nods with a mischievous grin. Charlie shoves their long hair in front of their own face and slowly pushes the bathroom door open.
INT. CAMP SIN LÍMITES, MEN'S BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS
The bathroom door CREAKS open.
Charlie SLAMS the door behind themself and quickly hides behind a trashcan.
Frightened, David jumps in the direction of the noise.
DAVID
Who was th--
He swallows his words.
DAVID (CONT'D)
This isn't funny!
David looks around the room but sees no one.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Charlie? Ronnie?
Silence.
Charlie comes out from behind the trashcan and is crouched down as they carefully creep toward David.
Not knowing Charlie is in the room, David turns back to the mirror and attempts to shake off fear.
He closes his eyes.
Charlie covers their own mouth once they arrive behind David, still crouched down.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Bloody Mary.
Slowly, Charlie stands up, positioning themself over David's shoulder in the mirror. They look scary.
David hesitates to say his third and final "Bloody Mary".
DAVID (CONT'D)
Bloody Mary.
David opens his eyes to see the results of the game.
He sees "Bloody Mary" over his shoulder. Charlie begins to chant gibberish in order to scare their brother even more.
David SCREAMS.
INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM, RODRIGUEZ HOME – NIGHT
SUPER: Present-day, December 2019
Raindrops viciously tap the window in the room.
END FLASHBACK
David, age 23 and tall, and Ronnie, age 21 with teal colored hair, are dressed business casual. Their clothes are all black. David looks exhausted with bags under his eyes. He's been crying a lot. He's in shock that Ronnie hasn't cried once. They are present at the gathering following Charlie's funeral mass.
As David looks around the room, he's about to be sick. Looking through, or even being in their dead sibling's room is surreal. Everything is in the same spot Charlie left it. The bed is unmade. An unfinished sketch sits on their
dresser. Ronnie proceeds with looking under Charlie's bed, throwing shoes and anything else aside. She's making a mess.
Irritated by his sister, David groans.
Ronnie continues to dig, trying to find the Ouija board her and Charlie had used in the past to contact spooky spirits. Through her exploration, she finds an ancient bologna sandwich and holds it up for David to see.
DAVID
Ew.
RONNIE
Here. Something to remember Charlie by.
She throws it in David's direction.
David furrows his eyebrows as he intercepts the sandwich.
Ronnie finds the game. The box is dusty and falling apart, but Ronnie holds it up with exaggerated fascination. She gasps.
RONNIE
(smiling)
Oh. My. God.
She rushes to the center of the room holding the game up high.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
Got it!
Ronnie plops the game onto the floor and hurries to Charlie's closet, digging for candles. She tosses any clothes aside that get in her way.
DAVID
We shouldn't be doing this. 
I honestly think it's just plain disrespectful.
Ronnie finds the box of candles and turns to her brother, annoyed.
RONNIE
You said you wanted to get close to Charlie. 
This is the way to do it.
She races back to the game and sets the box of candles down. In a hurry, she opens the game board box and holds up the Ouija board. It's seen better days.
Ronnie places the board onto the floor and decorates around it with the candles she found.
DAVID
Yeah. I wanted to, but she's--
RONNIE
--They.
DAVID
What?
RONNIE
Never mind. Do you have a lighter?
David regretfully pulls a lighter from his pocket and tosses it to Ronnie. Ronnie catches it and points it in his direction as if she is raising a glass in a toast.
Ronnie drops down to the game and CLICKS the lighter on. She easily makes a flame. As David covers his face in frustration, Ronnie starts to light each candle one by one.
DAVID
She's dead now, Ron. I missed my chance.
Ronnie doesn't appear to be listening to David as he rants.
She continues to set up the game without glancing at him once.
DAVID (CONT'D)
No stupid game is gonna fix that.
Ronnie shoots her hand in David's direction.
RONNIE
Don't disrespect the Ouija.
Finished with setting up the game, Ronnie drags her feet as she walks to the light switch across the room. She doesn't want to hear David's complaints.
DAVID
Don't disrespect the Ouija?
He chuckles.
DAVID (CONT'D)
That's just great.
Tears start to well up in David's eyes.
DAVID (CONT'D)
This is stupid.
Once she arrives at the light switch, Ronnie throws her head back, tired of David's fussing.
DAVID (CONT'D)
And here I thought going to you for 
this was a good idea... Shit.
RONNIE
Are you done?
Silence.
Ronnie flicks off the lights. She rushes over to David and pushes him toward the Ouija board.
DAVID
Dude, I'm not doing this.
When Ronnie finally gets David to the center of the room he tries to walk away, but she grabs onto his arm.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I said I'm not.
RONNIE
Charlie would want this.
DAVID
No she wouldn't!
RONNIE
You wouldn't know that.
DAVID
Fuck you. Our sister died and you're 
making a joke of it.
RONNIE
Whatever, yeah. Just sit down.
DAVID
No.
Ronnie rolls her eyes.
RONNIE
I thought you were a sceptic.
Ronnie sits herself in front of the game. She carefully takes the plastic planchette out of the box and places it on the Ouija board.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
So, why are you so scared?
DAVID
I'm not.
RONNIE
Then sit.
She pats the spot on the floor next to her.
DAVID
Fine.
With hesitation, David finally takes a seat on the floor next to his sister. Ronnie places all of her fingers onto the planchette with a smile. She looks toward David. David rolls his eyes but follows her lead.
Ronnie closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and begins to adopt a lower and dramatic tone of voice.
RONNIE
(mysteriously)
Demons from hell. I welcome you into--
David lifts his fingers from the planchette.
DAVID
No!
He looks up at the ceiling and around the room, waving away any "demons" Ronnie may have conjured up.
DAVID (CONT'D)
No. We don't.
Ronnie starts laughing.
INT. HALLWAY, RODRIGUEZ HOME - CONTINUOUS
We see a framed picture of Charlie, Ronnie, and David hanging on the wall. The three are pictured at Sin Límites lake. Charlie and Ronnie are standing side by side laughing while David stands behind them expressionless.
We hear the harsh blaring of a television and multiple conversations coming from numerous GUESTS in the living room. The power suddenly goes out in the home. Everything goes dark and there is silence. Suddenly, there are gasps and grunts leaving the mouths of the guests in the home.
We hear UNCLE MANNY loudly complain because he was watching a
football game.
UNCLE MANNY
¡Hay que caray!
INT. CHARLIE’S BEDROOM, RODRIGUEZ HOME – CONTINUOUS
Ronnie is still laughing. David's eyes widen as he hears the grievances coming from the living room. David looks at the crack below the door. He realizes there's no light coming from under it.
DAVID
The power went out.
He looks at Ronnie who is still giggling. David is upset. How could she still be laughing? He furrows his eyebrows.
RONNIE
Maybe... Charlie did it?
DAVID
This isn't a joke, Ron. Shut up.
Ronnie continues to laugh.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Shut up! Charlie's dead.
RONNIE
Will you ease up, mood-killer?
She tries to mitigate her laughter.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
Really though. Put your fingers back 
on the planchette or the demons 
are gonna come after you.
DAVID
Yeah, right.
RONNIE
I'm serious. It's part of the rules.
DAVID
You're so immature.
RONNIE
And you're such a stick-in-the-mud.
DAVID
No.
RONNIE
Just do it.
DAVID
Fine!
He begrudgingly places his fingers onto the planchette. Ronnie recomposes herself in order to continue with the game. Her fingers remain on the planchette.
Ronnie starts to purposefully move the planchette in circular motions.
DAVID (CONT'D)
You're moving it.
RONNIE
Duh. I gotta warm it up.
David shakes his head. He can't believe he's going through with this.
Ronnie abruptly stops moving the planchette and takes a deep breath. She slowly exhales.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
(gently)
Ouija, we are here.
DAVID
(mumbling)
So stupid.
RONNIE
Is Charlie with us tonight?
Although slow in progress, the planchette moves to "yes".
Ronnie gasps and shifts side to side. She's excited.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
Charlie! How's it going? Okay, okay. 
That's not my question.
DAVID
Get on with it.
RONNIE
Shut up.
David sighs loudly.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
Charlie, is there anything you 
wanna tell us? Take your time.
The planchette slowly shifts to the letter "R".
DAVID
(straight-faced)
You're moving it... Again.
RONNIE
R...
The planchette moves to "O", and then "S".
DAVID
Stop moving it!
The planchette shifts to "E".
RONNIE
Rose. Okay?
The Ouija board has Ronnie's full attention. She takes decoding her sibling's message very seriously.
The planchette continues its message with the letter "B".
"U".
"D".
RONNIE
Rosebud.
Ronnie starts laughing again, driving David nuts.
DAVID
How could you be laughing? 
This isn't funny!
RONNIE
(giggling)
That's because you've never 
seen the movie.
DAVID
What?
RONNIE
Don't worry about it.
At this point, David's eyebrows seem to be permanently furrowed.
DAVID
You always do this.
RONNIE
That's a lie.
DAVID
Is it?
Ronnie shrugs her shoulders. There's no point in arguing about this.
RONNIE
Fine. Why don't you ask one?
DAVID
One what?
RONNIE
A question.
DAVID
No. You were moving it 
this whole time.
RONNIE
I wasn't. Just ask one.
DAVID
Fine! Uh...
Unsure of what to ask, David scratches his head. Ronnie's eyes widen. They're not supposed to take their fingers off the planchette.
RONNIE
(smiling sarcastically)
What'd I say about taking 
your fingers off?
David jokingly waves both of his hands in the air. Ronnie is straight-faced. She's angry David's not taking the game seriously.
DAVID
And I'm the stick-in-the-mud?
David finally puts all of his fingers back onto the planchette. Before he asks his question, he clears his throat.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Is there anything we could 
do for you, Charlie?
The planchette moves to "S". Then to "I" and "N".
DAVID (CONT'D)
Sin. She wants us to sin?
RONNIE
No. They're not done.
The planchette shifts to "L", and then "I".
As the planchette moves, David repetitively glances back and forth between the game piece and his sister.
The planchette follows with the letters "M", "I", "T", "E", and "S".
DAVID
Sin Límites. What 
does that mean?
RONNIE
Ashes.
DAVID
What?
RONNIE
(to the Ouija board)
Charlie, you want your ashes 
spread there?
There's no response from the Ouija board.
DAVID
(chuckling)
Well... I guess that's a no.
RONNIE
It's not funny.
DAVID
That's what I've been saying this 
whole time. What? You could 
laugh, but I can't?
RONNIE
It was funny before,
but now it's not.
DAVID
Why?
RONNIE
Because... This is actually, like,
Charlie's wish.
DAVID
No. It's your wish. You were the 
one moving it.
RONNIE
I wasn't. Charlie wants this 
and I'm gonna do it whether 
you come with me or not.
DAVID
You're insane!
RONNIE
Yeah. What's new?
In a hurry, Ronnie quickly stands up and walks to the foot of Charlie's bed. She grabs the flashlight that sits next to it, clicks it on, and points it in David's direction. David squints, trying to block the light with his hand.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
So, you coming with me?
FADE OUT.

FADE IN:

INT. HALLWAY, RODRIGUEZ HOME - NIGHT
We see the door of Charlie's room slowly open.

Ronnie pops her head out first, trying to assess the situation. Not wanting to raise any suspicion, she walks out casually. David quickly comes out of the room without taking any caution.
DAVID
Can we just rethink for a second? 
Like, really think about this?
Ronnie loudly shushes him.
RONNIE
No. We can't. We're doing this.
DAVID
You clearly haven't thought this through. 
You don't think people are gonna 
notice the urn's gone? It's not like 
we can easily pry it open either.
RONNIE
The power's out.
DAVID
Not forever.
RONNIE
(smiling)
You know what. How about 
you do the honors.
Ronnie shoves David in the direction of the living room.
David chuckles sarcastically.
DAVID
Uh... No.
INT. LIVING ROOM, RODRIGUEZ HOME - NIGHT
The room relies on moonlight. Beads of rain dance on the windows of the home.
We see groups of guests using flashlights to illuminate their space as they converse with each other.
Charlie's urn rests on the fireplace mantel. It's a dark wooden box with a carving of a mockingbird in the front of it.
David slowly walks toward the fireplace. His breath grows short as guests pass by him. He greets them with a forced smile. Once he arrives at the fireplace, he stops and turns himself around. He can't do this.
Ronnie is speaking to GRANDMA GLORIA who has stopped her in her tracks. Ronnie tries her best to listen to the story she's telling her, but we see she is distracted. Ronnie spots David who appears frozen in one spot.
Determined, she gives him a thumbs up and waves her hand in his direction.
Nervous, David shakes his head.
Ronnie aggressively nods her head. He has to do this.
David grunts and turns himself around. He doesn't wanna do this. He is now facing the fireplace.
GRANDMA GLORIA
(loudly)
Oh mija, your sister was so--
Ronnie gently places her hand on Grandma Gloria's shoulder with a wide grin. Her eyes dart to David who is finally grabbing onto Charlie's urn.
RONNIE
--Hey Grandma? I know. Charlie was...
David's eyes shift side to side as he carefully grabs onto the urn. He turns to Ronnie to get her attention. Ronnie makes a fist and throws it in the air with a smile.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
...awesome.
(to Grandma Gloria)
Charlie loved you a lot.
David grins and quickly walks toward the front door.
Ronnie pulls Grandma Gloria into a hug to distract her from seeing David escape with the urn. She pats her back and pulls away from their embrace.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
I have to head out for a sec, 
though. Is that okay with you?
GRANDMA GLORIA
(smiling)
Oh, mija. Of course.
Grandma Gloria pulls Ronnie into another hug and kisses her cheek. Ronnie smiles and pulls away. She makes her way to the front door.
INT. CAMP SIN LÍMITES, WOMEN'S BATHROOM - DAY - FLASHBACK
SUPER: 4 years ago, June 2015
A hot and sunny day.
Long chunks of hair decorate the bathroom floor. Charlie, 17, is standing in front of the bathroom mirror smiling. They're happily pinching the ends of their short hair.
Ronnie, 17, ruffles Charlie's hair with her free hand. In the other, she's holding a long pair of scissors. From behind, she grabs onto Charlie's shoulders on each side, excited.
RONNIE
You like it?
In disbelief, Charlie laughs.
CHARLIE
Yeah, dude! You did a good job.
(mumbling)
Mom and dad will hate it, though.
RONNIE
Who cares! We could tell 
them the tips of your hair 
got caught in a campfire 
or something. Like some 
tragic accident.
CHARLIE
Like they'll believe that.
EXT. CAMP SIN LÍMITES, WOMEN'S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
We see Ronnie and Charlie exit the bathroom. David is standing outside with his back facing the bathroom door.
RONNIE
(excitedly)
Hey, David. Look at Charlie!
David gets startled. He turns around to look at the two of them. Charlie is smiling ear to ear.
DAVID
Whoa. That's short.
RONNIE
Yeah. And it's awesome.
DAVID
You...kinda look like a boy.
Charlie's smile slowly disappears.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Is that what you want?
Charlie shrugs.
END FLASHBACK
FADE OUT.

FADE IN:
INT. DAVID'S CAR - NIGHT
SUPER: Present-day, December 2019
A cold and messy car.
The road is dark and David and Ronnie are in the middle of nowhere.
David is driving while Ronnie is sitting in the passenger seat with Charlie's urn on her lap. Ronnie is trying to unscrew the wooden urn with a mini screwdriver she found in the glove compartment. She's almost got it.
DAVID
Don't do that in here. 
You're gonna drop it.
RONNIE
Charlie isn't an "it". Plus, 
what's wrong with having a 
little of them in your car?
DAVID
'Cause it'd be gross.
RONNIE
You think Charlie's gross?
DAVID
No. Of course not. You
 know what I mean.
RONNIE
Well you always treated 
them like they were.
DAVID
No I didn't.
Silence.
Ronnie sighs and continues unscrewing the lid of the urn.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Dude, what'd I say?
Ronnie doesn't listen. She continues what she's doing. David gives up.
More silence.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Why would you even say that?
RONNIE
Because.
DAVID
'Cause what? Was she 
hurt by something I did?
RONNIE
Why is it so hard to say "they"?
DAVID
(chuckling)
What?
RONNIE
You haven't even tried.
DAVID
It's hard.
RONNIE
What's so hard about it?
Frustrated, Ronnie jerks the box.
RONNIE (CONT'D)                             DAVID
You say "they" all the time when             Careful with that thing!
       you don’t know someone's gender.
DAVID (CONT'D)
"They" is plural. That's why it's hard.
RONNIE
You're stupid.
DAVID
I'm telling you. It's plural.
RONNIE
It's not fucking plural!
The car starts sputtering. Eventually it comes to a slow
stop.
DAVID
Ah no... No!
David tries the ignition twice, but his car won't start.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Oh, come on. Jesus.
RONNIE
Maybe it's Charlie.
DAVID
Will you stop? Ghosts aren't real.
RONNIE
What more proof do you need?
The Ouija worked--
DAVID
--You were moving it!
Ronnie's eyes widen and she tosses her hand to her forehead.
RONNIE
We didn't say goodbye!
DAVID
Goodbye to what?
RONNIE
Your car just broke down.
DAVID
Like I really needed a reiteration 
of what just happened?
RONNIE
Admit it. You're scared.
DAVID
I'm not. You know what? I'm 
tired of arguing with you.
RONNIE
If you didn't believe you 
wouldn't be here right now.
DAVID
I don't even know why I'm here.
David throws his hand onto the door handle and opens it.
Ronnie throws a hand in the air, unsure of where he's going.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I'm just gonna check 
out the car, okay?
Before he goes, he reaches over to the backseat to grab the flashlight they brought with them from Charlie's room.
EXT. DAVID'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
David shuts the car door behind himself.
There aren't any streetlights. It's pitch black outside. The only things lending light are the car's headlights and David's flashlight.
He runs over to the front of the car and pops open the hood.
INT. DAVID'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
As David checks out what's wrong with the car, Ronnie sits alone with Charlie's urn. Shaking her head, she looks at the box, and then at the car hood. David knows nothing about fixing his car.
Ronnie places her hand on the door handle and pulls. She kicks the door open and steps out.
EXT. DAVID'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Ronnie pushes the door closed with her side and walks toward David with the wooden urn. Once she reaches David, she taps him on the shoulder.
RONNIE
Should we just call someone?
DAVID
No. They're gonna find out 
we stole our sister's ashes.
RONNIE
You did it again.
DAVID
Did what?
RONNIE
You don't get it do you?
DAVID
What am I supposed to get, Ronnie?
RONNIE
Do I have to give you some 
scientific analysis or something? 
Like, do you just not 
believe in other genders?
DAVID
I just don't get it. You're 
either a girl or boy. 
It's that simple.
RONNIE
Except it's not.
Ronnie sighs and tries to shake off the tension between them.
It's not working.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
I don't think you could get it.
Silence.
David looks at her, confused and sad.
DAVID
Maybe I can.
RONNIE
You just don't listen. You say 
you wanna get close to 
them, but all you do 
is push everything away. 
Maybe you're right. 
Maybe it is too late.
DAVID
No. No, it's not.
Tears begin to well up in David's eyes.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Here.
David reaches for the wooden box. Ronnie brings it closer to
herself.
RONNIE
No.
David reaches for the urn again. Ronnie pulls it away.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
You know what? I'm just gonna 
walk. Can't be too far now.
DAVID
(sarcastically)
Oh yeah, it'll take you maybe...
5 hours?
Determined, Ronnie frowns and starts to walk along the side of the dark road. David follows behind.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Ronnie! Come on. You're insane!
RONNIE
You keep saying that, but it doesn't 
mean crap to me. Just go away!
DAVID
Ronnie.
RONNIE
(mimicking David's tone)
Ronnie.
DAVID
Ronnie, just...
David walks faster to catch up with Ronnie. Finally, he reaches her and grabs onto the urn, but Ronnie won't let go.
They yank it back and forth between each other. They forget that the screws that keep the lid on the urn are loose.
David yanks it.
Ronnie pulls back.
David yanks it again.
Because David is pulling on the side of the urn that the loose lid is on, he gets the worst of it. David yanks so hardthe lid flies off. The ashes shoot out of the urn and onto David. David's face is covered in Charlie's ashes. He freezes in position with the urn in his hands.
Silence.
Ronnie gasps, but her shock evolves into laughter.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Why are you laughing!?
Ronnie gives no explanation, but offers continuous laughter.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Shut up!
Ronnie doesn't shut up.
Eventually, Ronnie's laughter becomes so contagious that David starts to chuckle.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I don't know why I'm laughing. 
Maybe I'm going nuts. Like you!
RONNIE
(tittering)
Maybe that was the plan all along.
We hear nothing but the laughter that they attempt to suppress.
The two spend a moment in silence examining each other's condition.
DAVID
I wish Charlie was here.
RONNIE
They are... On you.
DAVID
(chuckling)
Yeah. They are.
RONNIE
They are.
Ronnie steps toward David and places her hand on his shoulder.
RONNIE (CONT'D)
At least there's one thing 
you got out of this.
DAVID
What could I possibly 
get out of this?
RONNIE
You wanted to get closer 
to Charlie. Well, now you're 
the closest anyone 
has ever been to them.
As David examines the urn, he nods, trying not to laugh.
Unable to hold it in, the two start laughing again. David reaches over to Ronnie and pulls her in for a hug, regardless of the ashes he's covered in.
FADE OUT.
Writings