Int. Living Room. Evening.

We see a middle-class living room with two a loveseat, two armchairs, and an end table holding a white lamp. In the background is a wooden staircase leading to the second floor. A girl of about twelve with short light brown hair and green eyes and a four-year-old boy with similar looks huddle in one corner, between the end of the couch and the wall. There is a scuffle of footsteps, and they crouch lower. Still crying, Ashley moves into view walking slowly down the stairs. We can still hear the rock music faintly from their mother's room. The younger girl pushes her brother further into the corner, but peeks around the corner of the couch. Seeing Ashley, she jumps up and runs to meet her at the bottom of the steps.

EMILY

(worried)

We heard a crash! Are you all right?

Ashley nods dejectedly as she heads for the door to the kitchen. The boy peers out at them from behind the couch but doesn't move.

EMILY

(filled with concern)

Ash...what happened?

She touches her sister's arm gently, and Ashley raises tear-streaked face to her. However, there is still defiance there. She shakes her head.

ASHLEY

Mother got angry because her soup was cold.

Emily's eyes widen in alarm.

EMILY

Did she-?

ASHLEY

(nodding)

Yeah, she threw the bowl at me. She missed though - too drunk to aim properly.

She snorts derisively, them spots the boy still cowering in the corner. A different look, regretful and motherly, comes over her face as she moves forward and holds her arms out to him.

ASHLEY

(softly)

It's all right, Danny. Come here.

Daniel refuses to move, instead looking to Emily for permission.

EMILY

(soothingly)

Come on out, Danny. We're all right now.

He hesitates for a moment more, then comes scurrying and runs over to Emily, who wraps her arms around him. Ashley sighs and puts her arms down.

ASHLEY

He always did like you better.

EMILY

(shrugging)

I'm sorry; I can't help that.

Ashley reaches over to tousle her brother's hair, smiling.

ASHLEY

I know.

She grows more serious as she meets her sister's eyes.

ASHLEY

Emily, we've got to get out of here. Mom's out of control. I mean, Danny and you...we shouldn't have to live like this!

She moves out of the shot toward the kitchen and Emily follows, holding Danny's hand.