CYNDY'S BLESSED ASSURANCE

byAnne H. Harrell

Based on the bookCyndy's Blessed Assurance

Written byAnne H. Harrell

&Larry E. White, M.D.

Copyrighted 2011

Email: Ahharrell61@gmail.comPhone: (757) 559-5945

INT. HARRELL HOME -NEW YEARS DAY 1997-BEDROOM - DAY

CYNDY, 11, disabled, nonverbal white female with tight curls, takes her last breath. Unknown to KATIE, 6, long blonde hair with curls, active, and JOEL, 2, nonverbal, red curly hair, in bed beside Cyndy.

Katie and Joel wake and sneak downstairs. Cyndy lay still in bed, lifeless.

INT. HARELL HOME LIVING-ROOM - DAY

Katie skips down the stairs. MARK SR, 40, large frame man with blonde hair separates children’s medication in cups. Katie pulls on her father’s shirt.

KATIEDaddy, can I play nurse and give Cyndy her medications this morning?

Mark Sr. hands Katie the medication cup.

MARK SR.Get Cyndy a cup of water to take her medication. Make sure she takes all of them.

Katie runs up the stairs.

KATIE (V.O.)Cyndy, Cyndy, wake up. It is time for your medicine.

Katie pouts as she walks slow down the stairs. Katie hands Mark Sr. the medicine cup with the pills.

MARK SR.What’s wrong Katie? I thought you were going to give Cyndy her medicine?

KATIECyndy would not wake up.

MARK SR.Okay! Come on let’s give her the medicine.

Mark Sr. and Katie goes to wake Cyndy.

MARK SR. (V.O.)Wake up Cyndy! Wake up! Oh God! She’s dead! Honey! Call 9-1-1.

EXT. SPACE - HEAVEN - DAY

A dimension miles above the Earth, the sun shines through the clouds. Rays illuminate from the clouds to Earth mark the stairway to Heaven. A misty fog fills the air.

A host of bright spiritual angels, dress in brilliant cloth, play harps. While CHOIR ANGELS line the stairs, sings and welcomes a new soul.

SAMUEL, a young charge, born asleep, opens his eyes and detects earth.

CHIOR ANGELSHall-elu-jah, hall-elu-jah, hall-elu-jah, hallelujah!

Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

HOLY SPIRIT (O.S.)My good and faithful servant, CYNDY HARRELL come unto ME.

A large angel, GENE, an older white man with snow-white hair, in a long milky gown, with feathery wings, glows behind Samuel his young charge.

Gene watches CYNDY, 11, handicapped white female, with tight long curly dirty blonde hair rise. He reaches out to Samuel and touches his shoulder and smiles.

ANGEL GENESamuel, you look like you are deep in thought.

Samuel nods. He follows with his eyes, a soul that ascends Heaven-ward as a host of angels sings “Blessed Assurance.”

Samuel points to a girl rising with a host of angels in song. Cyndy CLAPS her hands and STUMPS her feet.

SAMUELI’m watching what’s going on down on earth. It seems like there is one song that everywhere I look keeps coming up.

2.

Samuel checks his duties as he gazes back at Gene. Gene endorses him with a smile.

ANGEL GENEWhat song is that, Son?

SAMUEL“Blessed Assurance,” Sir.

Gene smiles and glimmers with energy.

ANGEL GENESo as far as the English-speaking hymns, “Blessed Assurance” must still be number one.

In the background, a host of angels sings Fanny Crosby’s 1873 rendition of “Blessed Assurance.”

Gene carries out his duties as he joins the angels in song, singing praises and glorifies God, while he watches over his young charges that arrive before their time. Gene tells Samuel about his newest charge.

ANGEL GENE Bless-ed a-ssur-ance- Jes-us is mine. Oh- what- a- fore - taste of - glo-ry - di-vine. He-ir of sal-vat-ion...

Gene glances over at Samuel and stops in mid-sentence.

ANGEL GENEOh, Samuel! Curly Top, also known as Cyndy made that hymn familiar.

Samuel’s eyebrow rises as he smiles at Gene. He mutters.

ANGEL SAMUELExcuse me, sir? Curly Top?

Gene laughs. He lightly places his hand on Samuel’s shoulder and tells him about his new charge, a disabled girl; he must watch over.

ANGEL GENEShe’s a young angel like you. Her given name is Cyndy, with two Ys! She arrived here before her time, similar to you.

Gene reaches for the book about Cyndy. He hands the book to Samuel.

3.

Gene points to the picture of Cyndy on the cover of “Cyndy’s Blessed Assurance.” (Harrell, A. & White, M.D., L., 2011)

ANGEL GENE She made that hymn popular, as you see in the book that her doctor and mother wrote about her.

Samuel smiles as he latches onto the book and flips through the pages.

Gene tells Samuel Cyndy’s story.

ANGEL GENENew Year’s morning 1997 seemed a typical day. Mark and I slept in. The children woke us, eager to see the Rose Bowl Parade and wanted breakfast...

Gene’s voice fades as SAMUEL’S LOVING MOTHER’s 35, white female, mother’s voice replaces Gene’s.

SAMUEL’S LOVING MOTHERKATIE, 6, long blonde curly hair, sister of Cyndy’s, begs her father into letting her play nurse to Cyndy and give her, the morning medications when Katie realizes Cyndy would not wake up...

EXT. ROSEWOOD CEMETERY, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. - DAY

A hot sunny day, January 4, 1997, Cynthia Anne Harrell’s final resting place.

The light green hearse rolls along the narrow asphalt path. It rolls to a stop in front of an open grave beneath a green tent.

THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR opens the back door of the hearse. Six pallbearers line together and grip the casket.

DR. LARRY WHITE, 40’s, white with a slender built frame, short blonde wavy hair and wire frame glasses and DR. BOBBY GARRISON, late 30’s, with jet black wavy hair and beard, and glasses grips and pulls the light gray casket from the back of the hearse.

They carry the casket to the open grave.

4.

Somber, silent cries, and snorts fill the air. Cyndy’s parents and grandparents walk behind the casket.

Two radiant angels, in white gowns, stand at the head of the grave, unbeknown to the people at the funeral. They watch the pallbearers set the casket on the metal frame above the open grave.

EXT. HEAD OF THE CASKET AT FUNERAL - DAY

Gene and Samuel gaze at the people gather close to the grave site.

SAMUELWho’s the child that died?

ANGEL GENEIt’s Cyndy’s funeral. She’s survived by her parents, and her siblings, MARK JR., RICHARD, KATIE, BUDDY, and JOEL.

Samuel watches the people congregate together at the grave once the family sits. With looks of confusion, Samuel glances at Gene.

SAMUELBut..where are her siblings? Are they here at the funeral?

Gene wraps his arm around Samuel and turns away.

ANGEL GENEIt’s a long story, Samuel. An over zealous policeman reckons Cyndy was murdered by her mother---

Samuel pouts and stutters.

SAMUEL---Her mother wouldn’t kill her, would she?

ANGEL GENENo. But the policeman conjectures she did, and Cyndy’s siblings were taken away and put into foster care.

Gene nudges Samuel to come along.

5.

ANGEL GENEThe policeman thought that the parents were copycats of a few days earlier murder of a six-year-old girl.

Samuel glances and frowns at Gene. Samuel pokes his bottom lip out.

SAMUELCyndy’s siblings will go back home won’t they Gene?

Gene wraps his arms around Samuel as they hold surveillances of the funeral. He points his finger towards Heaven.

ANGEL GENEIt all depends on God. We must wait and see what the Lord has planned. God has His arms wrapped around the family. God will protect them.

EXT. GRAVESIDE SERVICES - DAY

Tears trickle from the people’s eyes. Faint cries break the silence.

A vault lid lay feet from the open grave. Written on the lid, CYNTHIA ANNE HARRELL 10/30/1985 - 01/01/1997. Loving daughter of Mark and Anne Harrell, rest in peace.

The pallbearers stand close by the casket as tears roll off their cheeks.

Cyndy’s mother cries out.

PASTOR BENDER, 35,

A white male, pastor with short blonde hair stands at the head of the casket, delivers the final message. He raises his right hand and says a prayer.

PASTOR BENDERAshes to ashes, dust to dust one’s body returns. Let us say a prayer.

EVERYBODYOur Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name, Thy Kingdom come, Thou will be done on earth, as is in Heaven...

6.

PASTOR BENDERCynthia Anne Harrell, rest in peace in the arms of Jesus. Amen.

Dr. White places a long stem white rose on the casket. He steps over to the podium as Pastor Bender steps back.

DR. WHITERest in peace Cyndy. Thank you for the lessons well learned. See you soon.

Dr. White glances at the casket. His face turns red.

DR. WHITECyndy kept me busy when I would be on call while she was sick in the hospital. She kept me company on some long nights by going on rounds with me...

Dr. White smiles as he chokes back tears.

DR. WHITEI would put her in a wagon, and she would be happy. She would blow kisses and CLAP her hands.

Laughter and a round of APPLAUSES break the silence.

Dr. Garrison places a long stem white rose on the casket. He touches and gazes at the casket.

DR. GARRISONFarewell Cyndy. We will miss your loving ways.

Each of the other pallbearers lays a white rose on the top of the casket. The pastor says one more prayer.

PASTOR BENDERLord, we thank you for Cyndy. We give her back to you. May you comfort all here today. May this tragic be used to bring glory to you. Bless Mark and Anne and the grandparents. Amen.

Pastor Bender walks to the other side of the casket. He shakes hands with each of the family members.

7.

EXT. SPACE - HEAVEN - DAY

Gene and Samuel watch the people leave the funeral as they rise into Heaven. Tears well in Samuel’s eyes.

SAMUELThat was kind of Cyndy’s doctors to speak about her, Gene. Gene, tell me more about Cyndy. Why did she die so young?

Gene nods and sits on the grass alongside the crystal clear brook. He motions for Samuel to sit beside him.

GENEWell, Samuel, Cyndy was almost not. Like you, there were complications where she almost died at the age of twelve weeks in her mom’s womb. Cyndy’s twin died at twelve weeks in the womb.

SUPER: ELEVEN YEARS EARLIER, THE BIRTH OF CYNDY

EXT. HARRELL’S APARTMENT - ESTABLISHING - DAY

INT. HARRELL APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY

ANNE HARRELL, 24, mother, wife, seven months pregnant, concentrates on the care of Mark Jr, 1, as she prepares for a party at church.

Anne mixes cupcakes ingredients together in a large bowl and pours it into a cupcake pan. She drops the spoon and grips and rubs her lower back.

Moments later, she mixes juices together in a large container and places it in the freezer.

Mark Jr. crawls into the kitchen from the dining room. He pulls up on Anne’s leg and raises his hands.

Anne reaches for Mark and puts him on her hip. She sets him back down and grips her back and grimaces.

ANNE’S MOTHER, 50, calls from work. The phone RINGS from the dining-room wall. Anne leans around the door and grabs the phone.

ANNEHello.

8.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Hey, Honey. How are you doing?

ANNEGreat Mom. But I am having some pain in my back every 30 minutes or so.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Have you called your doctor? You could be in labor.

ANNELabor! Mom! I still have two months to go. It’s is only October, and she’s due in December--

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)--That does not mean a thing! You can go into premature labor anytime.

INT. APARTMENT - DINING ROOM - DAY

Mark Jr. crawls out of the kitchen. He pulls his self onto a chair at the table and reaches for the cupcakes.

He pulls on the table cloth and the cupcake CRASHES to the floor. Cake covers Mark. He plops on the floor and eats and plays in the cake.

Anne peeks into the dining room, from the kitchen.

ANNEWait a minute Mom. Mark just pulled my cupcakes off the table unto the floor.

Cake and chocolate icing cover the floor, chair. Icing mix with cake covers the wall.

Anne’s mother laughs.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Oh no! Call me back. Bye.

Frosting and cake cover Mark’s face, hair, hands and the front of his clothes. Mark shoves cake in his mouth as Anne cleans the cake off the floor and table.

9.

INT. APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

Anne grabs Mark and carries him to the bathroom. She fills the tub with water and puts Mark in the tub.

Anne grimaces as she grabs her lower back and rubs it. She sits on the floor and washes the cake off Mark.

ANNECome on Markie, let’s get a quick bath. Rub, dub, dub!

Mark pouts and screams.

MARK JR.Mom-mom, Mom-mom.

INT. HARRELL APARTMENT - NURSERY - DAY

Anne puts Mark in the crib. She crosses her legs and takes a deep breath. She finishes dressing Mark and lays him in the crib for a nap.

Anne goes into the living room.

INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Anne doubles over in pain. She looks at the clock. Time reads “1:30 P.M.”. She lays on the couch and tosses and turns. The clock reads ”1:45 P.M.”.

ANNE (V.O.)(to herself)

Mom has to be wrong. I know I can’t be in labor. It’s too early. It’s Braxton Hicks which are normal for being seven months pregnant.

Anne turns over and reaches for the phone. She calls her mother. Phone Rings at Anne’s Mother’s work.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Thank you for calling, Mrs. Harrison speaking, may I help you?

ANNEMom!

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Are you still hurting?

10.

ANNEMom, the pain is coming closer together. But Mom, it’s just false labor!

Anne doubles over in pain. She screams out.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Anne! Anne! You Okay? I think you best call your doctor before you have a baby at home.

The clock reads “2:10 P.M.”.

ANNEMom, the pain is lasting longer! I don’t think I am in labor. I am not due for another two months.

The clock reads “2:15 P.M.”.

ANNE’S MOTHER (O.S.)Anne, your contractions are five minutes apart. You are ready to have a baby! I’m calling the ambulance! You can say what you want. I know different.

Anne’s mother calls for the ambulance.

EXT. THE HARRELL’S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

A fire truck and ambulance SIRENS blare as they turn into the apartment complex. Red lights flash. Engines ROAR.

INT. THE HARRELL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

KNOCKS on the door. Anne in distress, sits on the sofa.

MEDICS (O.S.)EMS! Open up if you are able.

ANNE(yells)

The door is open. Come in, please! I can’t move. The pain is sharp.

INT. THE HARRELL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Medics open the door and rushes in.

11.

Anne lays on the sofa unable to move. Blood drips down her legs.

Cries and BANGS on the wall come from the nursery.

MEDICSHow long have you been in labor?

Anne holds her stomach. She gimmicks in pain with the next contraction.

ANNEThe pain started about “9:00 A.M.”. I thought it was false labor until they started coming closer together.

A MEDIC helps Anne onto the stretcher and covers her with a sheet. A medic removes Anne’s shorts and panties. MEDIC JEAN checks Anne for dilation.

MEDIC JEANShe’s five centimeters. We have got to roll with her now. Vital signs can be done in the back of the unit. Let’s roll!

Anne panics and cries out. She points to the nursery.

ANNESomeone needs to get my son out of his crib. He’s got to go with us.

A MEDIC rushes into the nursery and removes Mark from the crib. He sits Mark on the stretcher beside Anne.

12.