Precious PDF

PUSH:
Based
d on the novel by
y Sapphir
re
Scre
eenplay by
b
Geoffr
rey Fletc
cher
(as Daamian Pau
ul)
Lesslie conliffe
9200 Sunset t Boulevard, Suite
S 820
L
Los Angeles, California
C 900069-3605
Phon
ne: (310) 402-55163 / Fax: (3
310) 246-4424
4
Email: [email protected]
l com
A line at a time, the following quote appears over a black
screen.
Every blade of grass has its Angel

that bends over it and whispers,
"Grow, grow."
The Talmud
FADE IN:
1 EXT. HARLEM STREET - DAY 1
A COLD WIND blows a bright red scarf tangled high on a street

lamp.
An iron waste bin lays sideways in the intersection as a

stray dog investigates it briefly and then moves on.
A book bag drops onto the pavement.
Visible from the waist down, a LARGE YOUNG WOMAN in a

disintegrating leather jacket turns the waste bin upright and
then maneuvers it onto the sidewalk.
Once finished, her thick hands wipe each other until they
stop abruptly.
Here, for the first time, we see her PLUMP, YOUTHFUL, VACANT
AFRICAN AMERICAN FACE. It is 16-YEAR-OLD PRECIOUS JONES.
Something inside the bin has caught her attention.
Precious gazes down upon a soiled and tattered paperback book

as the breath from her nostrils steams. The title of the book
staring back up at her is unintelligible.
She pushes debris aside to get to it.
The book plunges deeper into the trash, as if trying to flee.
The sound of an ONCOMING CAR approaches.
Precious pins the book against the bottom of the bin as the
sounds of the oncoming car close in.
Precious finally comes up with the book. Its title is still

unintelligible. When she flips it over, however, the letters
on the cover, which are facing us now, make sense. They read
CRYSTAL STAIR: SELECTED WORKS BY LANGSTON HUGHES.
The car sounds incredibly close.

2.
Precious looks sharply to her left.
AN EERIE SKID precedes an eerier THUD! Precious catapults

into the air as her book skips across the intersection and
down into a drain.
She lays on the sidewalk pressed against the base of the

street lamp with her eyes closed.
The car reverses, skids, shifts and SCREECHES off.
The garbage bin, overturned yet again, rocks side to side

until settling to a stop.
An ambulance eases up to the intersection.
When the stoplight changes, the ambulance motors past

Precious in no hurry. A moment later, its sirens BLARE and it
speeds off into the distance.
The stray dog returns, re-investigates the garbage bin and

then leaves.
Moments later, Precious' still vacant eyes finally open to

see the red scarf tangled high above her.
Above it, the following handwritten words appear faintly in

the sky upon a giant piece of notebook paper.
"HI MY NAME IS..."
A SCHOOL BELL RINGS.
2 EXT. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 111 - DAY 2
The end of a final wave of students pours inside.
Precious scurries in behind them donning the red scarf and

lugging her book bag.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Hi. My name is Precious Jones. I
goes to I.S. 111. In Harlem. New
York. Today I was almost late.
That'd a been a problem.
3 INT. CLASSROOM - DAY 3
Precious sits in the last row behind 26 children half her

size, 3 years younger and entirely African American. Noise
and projectiles fill the air.
3.
MR. WICHER - A FRAIL MAN IN A BOW TIE AND TWEED COAT, stands
at the head of the class trying to establish order.
MR. WICHER
Class, would you please turn to
page 122...Class! 122!
Precious' book stays closed as the other students find the

page.
TWO BOYS in front of Precious giggle boisterously at some

private joke.
Mr. Wicher looks annoyed but accustomed to this.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I like maff but I don't say nuffin'
- don't open my book even. Just sit
there.
The giggling boys continue their shenanigans.
MR. WICHER
Boys?
The boys finally open their books.
MR. WICHER
Page 122 please.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Everyday I tell myself something
gonna happen, like I'm gonna break
through or somebody gonna break
through to me - I'm gonna learn,
catch up, be normal, sit in the
front...someday.
The giggling flares up again. Precious sneers at the boys.
MR. WICHER
Today we are going to review
Monday's assignment. Would anyone
like to begin?
The boys get louder.
Mr. Wicher looks at them helplessly.
MR. WICHER
Boys!!!
4.
BOY # 1
Excuse you?!
The entire class cries, "OOOOOH". Mr. Wicher looks scared.
BOY # 1
Nobody 'spect us to learn nuffin no
way. Now I'm tryin' to have a
motherfuckin' conversation back
here if you don't mind Mr. Bitcher,
I mean, Mr. Wicher.
The boys fall out slapping hands.
The class turns to Mr. Wicher in unison to see what he will

do.
MR. WICHER
I want to see you boys after class.
BOY # 2
Sorry Mr. Wicher but you ain't my
type. Grow some tits.
MR. WICHER
Well then just...be quiet.
Mr. Wicher tries to carry on throughout the boys' unrelenting

defiance. Other students are continually distracted by the
boys. Precious looks bothered the most as Mr. Wicher's soft
voice loses the battle.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I feels sorry for Mr. Wicher. He do
his best but he ain't got no voice.
He scared too. I feels sorry for
him.
The boys break out in RIOTOUS LAUGHTER until...
CRASH! A desk slams against the floor. The boys whirl around
to see two large hands take hold of them and snatch them out
of their chairs.
Precious has had enough.
PRECIOUS
Shut up motherfuckers, I'm trying
to learn something! Hard enuff
wiffout you stupid clowns carryin'
on!
5.
BOY # 1
(trembling)
...We sorry Precious.
BOY # 2
(trembling)
We Didn't know.
Precious shoves them down in their seats and huffs.
PRECIOUS
Go on 'bout cha lesson Mr. Wicher.
They ain' gonna give you no more
trouble today.
Precious turns her desk upright and sits back down. Mr.
Wicher looks grateful.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I'm like the polices for Mr.
Wicher. Tha's why I can't be late
to maff.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Someone is outside the classroom.
Mr. Wicher waves her inside.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN, A SKINNY WOMAN IN HER THIRTIES WEARING A

DARK SKIRT SUIT enters, squints to find Precious, points
briefly and then whispers something to Mr. Wicher. Precious
rolls her eyes.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Now dis...
Mrs. Lichenstein sends Precious an oversized grin and beckons

to her.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Claireece...
Precious sighs.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
What this bitch want? Claireece...
Only motherfuckers I hate call me
Claireece.
Precious gathers her belongings. The other children watch

every move in silence. When she reaches the front of the
class...
6.
PRECIOUS
You gonna be okay Mr. Wicher?
MR. WICHER
(forcing a smile)
Of course Precious. Thank you.
An unconvinced Precious grins sadly as Mrs. Lichenstein

motions for Precious to step out ahead of her.
Mr. Wicher looks abandoned. The door closing behind Precious

might as well be to a prison cell block. Noise inside the
classroom returns immediately.
4 INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY 4
Precious and Mrs. Lichenstein head off down the wide hallway
in silence.
5 INT. MRS. LICHENSTEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 5
Precious waits among plants, plaques, pictures and file

cabinets while Mrs. Lichenstein sits across from her reading
from a file.
Mrs. Lichenstein closes the file and sets it on the desk

between them.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
You're sixteen, still in junior
high school and pregnant with your
second child. Correct Claireece?
Precious stares at the file without responding.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Do you have any thoughts about your
situation?
Precious shrugs her shoulders.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Claireece?
Precious doesn't respond.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
(beat)
Claireece, I'm talking to you.

7.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Claireece?!
PRECIOUS
Am I in trouble?
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
What?
PRECIOUS
Am I in trouble?
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
...No.
PRECIOUS
(beat)
Then I don't want to miss no more
of maff class.
Precious starts to rise.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
(firmly)
Sit down Claireece.
Precious sits and sighs.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
(beat)
You know what I think? I think we
should have a parent-teacher
conference - me, you and your mom.
PRECIOUS
My muver is busy.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Well maybe I could arrange to come
to your house.
PRECIOUS
My muver wouldn't like that.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Well then Claireece, I'm afraid I'm
going to have to suspend you.
PRECIOUS
For what?
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
You're pregnant.
8.
PRECIOUS
That ain't fair. I ain' done
nuffin! I doose my work. I ain' in
no trouble. My grades is good...
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Your attitude is one of total
uncooperation and that won't help a
thing...
PRECIOUS (V.O.) MRS. LICHENSTEIN (CONT'D)

Now I heard everything. Nosy Defy me as you may but I'm
ass white bitch mad 'cause not the enemy here. If
she can't come over my house. there's something going on at
I don't be coming to this home that you would like to
bitch's house in Weschesser. talk about, you should feel
I'll be damned. I done heard free to do so here. If you
everything. White bitch wanna find that the added stress of
visit. Then I thought about caring for your child is
Mr. Wicher all alone up affecting your concentration,
against the fools in his maff that would be helpful to
class... know.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN (CONT'D)

Now according to our records, your
mother also looks after the child.
Is that correct?
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
No kids on her pictures. Maybe she
jealous. I still don't say nuffin.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Are you in contact with the father?
(beat)
Is he at all involved in your
child's care?
No answer.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Fine! If that's the way you wanna
play it, we can do this all day.
The hand on Precious' lap makes a fist.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Thas when I knew I'd never get back
to maff class...Lawd I hate this
hoe.
Precious lunges from her chair and reaches over the desk.
9.
Mrs. Lichenstein vaults backwards in terror and tumbles to

the floor.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
SECURITY! SECURITY!
6 INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY 6
Precious bursts out of Mrs. Lichenstein's office and runs for

the exit. Mrs. Lichenstein's distant voice still cries for
security.
7 EXT. I.S. 111 - DAY 7
Precious heads for the street without looking back. Even

outside, Mrs. Lichenstein's CRIES are still audible.
8 INT. PRECIOUS' APT 444 LENOX AVE. - DAY 8
A faucet runs.
Precious stands over the sink washing dishes. A moment later,

a WOMAN'S VOICE speaks over the sound of a TELEVISION.
MARY (O.S)
You get my cigarettes?
Precious freezes. Her HEART BEATS loudly.
PRECIOUS
(delicately)
No Mama, I dropped some of my
thangs on the way to school.
A SCREECHING CAR echoes distantly.
MARY - INCREDIBLY LARGE, OILY SKIN, UNKEMPT HAIR, AND WEARING

A GRIMY HOUSE DRESS sits on the couch with her back turned to
Precious. This mass of woman looks as if she is one with the
furniture - if not the entire apartment.
A cigarette smolders between her fingers as she watches a

television show called Judge Jesse.
Precious, still waiting for the other shoe to drop, looks

momentarily relieved and returns to the dishes until...
CRACKKKK!
A thick glass ashtray smashes into two over Precious' head.

10.
Precious falls and lands...
...onto a bed completely naked.
9 INT. PRECIOUS' BEDROOM - NIGHT 9
CARL KENWOOD JONES, A LARGE AND NAKED MAN MUCH MORE THAN
TWICE HER AGE falls on top of her and gyrates.
Moments later...
PRECIOUS
(softly)
Daddy?
An enormous hand muzzles her.
Precious lays there impassively as her vacant eyes fixate on

a long crack in the ceiling.
As we drift towards the crack it seems to widen - to open

into another world where...
Blinding flashbulbs pop everywhere.
Precious rides away from the paparazzi on the back of a

motorcycle with her arms wrapped tightly around an older man
who resembles Tom Cruise, though it's difficult to say who he
is for sure from this perspective. Both he and Precious are
wearing sunglasses and dressed for a red carpet.
THUNDER RUMBLES. Precious removes her sunglasses and searches

the sky.
A LIGHTENING CRACK ROARS. Rain starts to fall as...
Drops of water seep from the crack in the ceiling accompanied

by the sound of distant THUNDER and MASCULINE GRUNTS morphing
into...
MARY (O.S.)
(at the top of her lungs)
I SAID I'M HONGRY YOU FAT LITTLE
PIGGY CUNT BITCH!!! Git your
Jezebel ass up and git to dinner
'fore I give you something to cry
about.
11.
11 INT. KITCHEN 444 LENOX AVE. - DAY 11
Eyes closed with ashes and tears on her face, Precious lays
still on the floor. Her hands are still wet from the dishes.
GOOOSH! 2 gallons of water splash down on her. Her eyes

spring open.
Mary stands over Precious with a large dripping pot in her

hands. She drops it on the floor and returns to the couch to
watch another program.
MARY
...I ain' gon' say it again.
Pots and pans sizzle on the stove.
Precious, now wearing a dry T-shirt, tends to dinner

meticulously until...
ANNNNT! The sharp sound of a BUZZER rings.
Mary and Precious turn to the door in unison.
MARY
Tell them assholes to stop ringing
my bell.
Here is our first good look at Mary. One of her eyes is blue.
The other is brown.
Precious wipes her hands and heads for the door though Mary
sits much closer to it.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
No one ever ring the bell but crack
addicts. I hates crack addicts.
Give the ghetto a bad name.
Precious presses TALK on the intercom.
PRECIOUS
Stop ringing the goddam buzzer
motherfucker!
Precious heads back to the dishes until...
ANNNT! The buzzer again.
Precious returns to the intercom.

12.
PRECIOUS
Stop ringing the goddam buzzer.
ANNNT!
PRECIOUS
Stop it!
ANNNT!
PRECIOUS
Stop it!
MARY
Press LISTEN stupid.
Precious sighs and presses LISTEN.
FEMALE VOICE
<< It's Sondra Lichenstein for
Claireece and Ms. Mary Johnston. >>
Precious' face goes blank. Mary looks alarmed and mutes the
television.
MARY
Who that Precious?
PRECIOUS
White bitch from school.
12 EXT. 444 LENOX AVE. - NIGHT 12
Mrs. Lichenstein stands by the buzzer bundled up. THUMPING

RAP MUSIC FROM A CAR passes behind her.
She bounces lightly to the beat.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Lord, where is crack addicts when
you need 'em...
13 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. - NIGHT 13
Precious and Mary still try to sort this out.
MARY
What she want?
PRECIOUS
I don't know.
13.
MARY
Ask her.
Precious presses TALK.
PRECIOUS
What you want?
Precious presses LISTEN.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
<< I want to talk to you about your
education. >>
MARY
Eighty-six that bitch.
Precious looks unsure.
A young man exits the building smoking a cigarette. Mrs.

Lichenstein puts her hands together, dramatically pleads for
a smoke and gets one.
She puts it in her mouth and lights hers to his. Bouncing to

stay warm, she nods in gratitude as the man walks off.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
This bitch crazy. 'Sides, my muver
don't want to get cut off welfare
and that's what Mrs. Lichenstein
comin' to visit result in. It's
hard to believe a hoe dis retarded
sposed to educate somebody.
PRECIOUS
Git outa here Mrs. Lichenstein
'fore I kick your ass.
ANNNT!
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
<< Claireece I am so sorry about
today.
(MORE)
14.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN (CONT'D)

I had only wanted to help you.
I...Mr. Wicher says you're one of
his best students and that you have
an aptitude for math - or at least
potential.
(beat)
I've called a Mrs. McKnight at
Higher Education Alternative / Each
One Teach One. It's an alternative
school.
(beat)
Claireece, are you listening? >>
Precious looks at her mother. Mary clearly finds this all

bizarre.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
Claireece, did you hear me?
PRECIOUS
Yeah.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
<< As I was saying, I've called Ms.
McKnight at Each One Teach One.
It's located on the nineteenth
floor of the Hotel Theresa on 125th
Street. That's not too far from
here. >>
PRECIOUS
I know where that is.
Precious releases the button.
PRECIOUS
Bitch.
MRS. LICHENSTEIN
<< The phone number is 555-0831. I
told them about you. Call or drop
in, nineteenth floor. >>
PRECIOUS
I heard you the first time.
15.

Mrs. Lichenstein bounds off into the night with her
cigarette.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I don't know what an alternative
school is but I feel I want to
know...
Precious leans against the refrigerator glowing.

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
My heart is all warm...Mr. Wicher
say I'm a good student.
There is silent movement behind Precious.
Mary approaches quietly wielding a skillet.
Mary swings for a head shot but Precious easily sidesteps the
blow.
The refrigerator takes the hit and a new dent.
Precious stares calmly at her mother.
Mary almost looks ashamed.

Still aglow, Precious grins absently at her mother and then
leaves the kitchen.
Mary watches her go and then waddles back to the television

speaking to herself.
MARY
School can't help none. Go down
welfare. Who she think she is?
(beat)
Think she cute now right? Shoulda
kept her mouf shut. Uppity now
cause he give her more childrens
than he did me. Should've kept her
damn mouf shut. Stupid little pig.
Who she think she is? What I'm
sposed to do for cig'rettes now?
16.

Precious, now dressed for bed and still beaming, pulls the
covers to her chest.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
19 EXT. HARLEM CITYSCAPE - DAY 19

The sun races into the sky.
The shadow of a tree draws shorter as does that of an open
gate.
20 INT. PRECIOUS' BEDROOM - DAY 20
The clock on the night stand reads 8:29.

We drift back to find Precious sitting on the side of her bed
fully dressed with neon yellow leggings and her red scarf as
she stares at the clock.
Various sheets of colored construction paper display

Precious' handprints on the wall. Their sizes increase
progressively and end beside a poster of Britney Spears.
When the clock reads 8:30, Precious stands, looks in a
mirror, sees a pretty blond white girl and leaves the room.
21 INT. PRECIOUS' APT - DAY 21
Precious heads for the front door.

MARY (O.S.)
Where you going?
DUNK, CLINK, CLONK, CLANK - Precious opens 4 locks with swift

precision.
MARY (O.S.)
You hear me talking to you?!
Precious leaves slamming the door behind her.
17.
22 EXT. 444 LENOX AVE. - DAY 22

We track with Precious as she exits her building. RUBY, A
DARK-SKINNED HEAVY-SET LITTLE GIRL WITH A "NATURAL" HAIRSTYLE
WHO COULD EASILY PASS FOR A YOUNGER PRECIOUS, trails
Precious. A naked blond armless Barbie doll dangles by it's
hair from Ruby's hand.
RUBY
Precious when we gon' play?
PRECIOUS
(without turning around)
Ain' you s'posed to be in school?
RUBY
You said we was gon' play.
PRECIOUS
See, thas jus exackly why we ain'
gon' be playin'. I never said
nuffin like it.
RUBY
Why not?
PRECIOUS
Cause you a mess. Look at ya' - no
style, no friends, no mama, no
daddy.
RUBY
So?! I ain' the only one.
Precious stops abruptly and turns around.
PRECIOUS
What you say?!
RUBY
...nuffin.
PRECIOUS
Thas what I thought.
Precious heads away into the distance.

RUBY
I check in wif you tomorrow
Precious.
18.
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
You do that.
23 EXT. STREET - DAY 23

Precious walks gazing upward.
Street lamps pass beneath the sky as autumn leaves fall from
nowhere.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I'm lookin' up. Lookin' out for a
piano to fall, a desk, couch, TV -
Mama maybe? Always somethin' in the
way. Alternative. I'm gon' see all
about it.
BOY'S VOICE
Watch where you goin' Free Willy!
Precious looks down to find three skinny boys, each much
smaller than she, taunting her.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Then my mind come back down to
Earf.
2ND BOY
Shut up fool, she gon' eat you.
The boys burst out in laughter slapping hands and grabbing

their crotches.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Boyz always been little things that
laff and grab they selves - cept
for when I's real big and pregnant
wif my first baby. Then boyz don't
say nuffin. They stand out the way
real quiet like I'm Queen of
England...
Pointing at her leggings, the boys erupt some more.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Still, I wonder...what could I wear
that boyz don't laff?
Precious crashes to the ground. The boys look surprised a
moment and then howl harder than ever.
19.
PRECIOUS
I always be fallin like that when
my mind be wanderin. Mama say I
gonna fall to my death one day.
Wonder what that be like?
The boys continue to taunt her from above. Precious stares
into space as if they aren't there.

Precious steps into the Hotel Theresa, a beautiful pre-war
building.
25 INT. HOTEL THERESA - DAY 25

Precious enters the lobby. An older black man in a blue
uniform sits in a chair reading the Daily News through thick
glasses.
He doesn't move, react, speak to or look at Precious as she
passes him.
Precious glances back at him as she reaches the elevators,

presses the button and waits.
The elevator doors open. Precious steps inside and turns
around. Her eyes widen and time slows down. The sound of WIND
rises.
Moments later, Precious snaps out of her daze and hastily

pushes button 19.
The doors close.
26 INT. ELEVATOR - DAY 26

As Precious rises, the roof of the elevator transforms into a
partly cloudy sky closing in until...
DING!
The elevator doors fly open.
27 INT. HOTEL THERESA 19TH FLOOR - DAY 27

Precious steps out to find an AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN IN HER
EARLY 30'S WEARING HER HAIR IN "CORNROWS".
20.
She sits behind a desk while speaking on the phone with a

sign in front of her made up of senseless lines and circles.
CORNROWS
...Don't say that shit unless you
mean it Trey! I'm not playing with
you! I know that wasn't your damn
sister neither because you don't
have one...Fine! Fine! It's over
then! Fine!
CRASH! Cornrows slams the phone down, exhales, mumbles and
looks over a file.
PRECIOUS
This the alternative?
CORNROWS
(looking up)
The what?
PRECIOUS
This the alternative?
CORNROWS
What exactly are you looking for?
PRECIOUS
(pointing)
Well what is this here?
CORNROWS
This is Higher Education
Alternative / Each One Teach One.
PRECIOUS
I'm looking for alternative school.
CORNROWS
This is an alternative school.
PRECIOUS
What alternative is?
CORNROWS
I don't know if I understand what
you're asking me.
PRECIOUS
Alternative. Lady from my other
school tell me to come here to
Hotel Theresa, nineteenth floor,
it's "alternative" school.
21.
CORNROWS
Okay. Okay. Each One Teach One is
an alternative school and an
alternative school is like a
choice, a different way to do
something.
PRECIOUS
Oh.
CORNROWS
You need your discharge papers from
your old school saying they have
formally discharged you or we can't
allow you in the program.
PRECIOUS
I got kicked out 'cause I was
pregnant.
CORNROWS
Yes, yes, I understand but you
still need formal discharge papers
or we can't let you in. It's the
law.
PRECIOUS
Mrs. Lichenstein ain' say all that.
CORNROWS
Oh you're the one Mrs. Lichenstein
called about.
PRECIOUS
What she say?
CORNROWS
Said to be on the lookout for you,
you might be coming our way.
(searching papers)
Are you Claireece P. Jones?
PRECIOUS
Thas me.
CORNROWS
Well the principal at I.S. 111
already sent your discharge papers
and stuff over.
PRECIOUS
What stuff?
22.
CORNROWS
Your academic record.
Suddenly, Precious looks very concerned.
CORNROWS
Are you all right?
Precious looks both angry and disappointed.

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I thought this was new start. File
and tesses chase me to the grave.
CORNROWS
Claireece?
PRECIOUS
Huh?
CORNROWS
We had to have certain information
before we could accept you into the
program. So really, their sending
your records over was just a way of
speeding things up for you.
PRECIOUS
Can I start today?
CORNROWS
Well of course. The only other
thing we need right now is income
verification. Are you currently
receiving AFDC?
PRECIOUS
No...My muver get AFDC for me and
my daughter.
CORNROWS
Oh, you've had amniocentesis?
PRECIOUS
Huh?
CORNROWS
You said your mother has custody of
you and your daughter?
PRECIOUS
Not this baby! I got another one
'sides this coming.
23.
CORNROWS
Oh I see. Your mother has custody
of you and your daughter so you're
on her budget.
Precious nods.
CORNROWS
Okay, well I need a copy of your
mother's budget and a current phone
and utilities bill, okay?
PRECIOUS
I got to go get all that now?
CORNROWS
No, no relax. We're gonna give you
a few tests - test your reading and
math level, see where to place you.
PRECIOUS
What's the difference?
CORNROWS
Well, to enter G.E.D. classes a
student should be able to read on
an eighth-grade level. They should
score 8.0 or better on the TABE
reading test.
PRECIOUS
I was in ninfe grade at I.S. 111.
CORNROWS
(smiling)
Then you should have no problem.
Precious doesn't look as convinced.
28 ECU - SHEET OF PAPER 28

Precious neatly writes CLAIREECE P. JONES on the top of the
page.

Precious sits alone behind a smattering of empty desks in a
bright classroom.
24.
She looks over her test, exhales and starts to write.

DISSOLVE TO:
A TICKING CLOCK accompanies...
...misspelled words
...eraser shreds
...tapping feet
...sweat
...giant letters
...tapping thumb
...tapping pencil
...frowns
...giant numbers
...eraser shreds
...sighs
BZZZPFFT!
Precious looks up sharply.

A square fluorescent in the ceiling blinks and buzzes as if
struggling to stay alive.
We tilt down from the blinking light to find that we are in a
different place...
30 INT. DIFFERENT CLASSROOM - DAY 30

A YOUNGER PRECIOUS with uncombed hair sits with her back to
us in a bright pink dress. She is at the very back of the
classroom.
The many children seated in front of her are all blurs that
gradually fade into darkness while raising their hands.
As we drift towards young Precious, the stains on her dress

become more apparent.
As we continue drifting, the PLAYGROUND VOICES OF OTHER YOUNG
CHILDREN ECHO out...
25.
GIRL # 1 (O.S.)
<< ...What that on your dress
Precious? >>
GIRL # 2 (O.S.)
<< She don't say nuffin'. Don't
talk to nobody. >>
GIRL # 1 (O.S.)
<< She nasty. >>
GIRL # 3 (O.S.)
<< When the last time yo head was
combed? >>
GIRL # 4 (O.S.)
<<...What?! Shut up Precious. You
talk funny. You was better when you
was on mute. >>
BOY
<< Here come the wide load... >>
Boys makes a lengthy FARTING sound triggering a CHORUS OF
LAUGHTER.
Our drift finally lands on a puddle of urine at her feet.
GIRL # 5 (O.S.)
<< Teacher! Teacher! Precious
messed herself again! >>
GIGGLES fill the air.
A small pencil falls into the puddle making a large ripple.
DISSOLVE TO:
31 INT. CLASSROOM - DAY - PRESENT 31

Precious' pencil point has broken but she still holds the
pencil as if about to write.
Precious sits with an absent look on her face and a bead of
sweat on her temple. A moment later, a shadow moves over her
test.
ADMINISTRATOR (O.S.)
Claireece, do you need another
pencil?
The administrator stands over Precious waiting for an answer.
26.
ADMINISTRATOR
Claireece...
Precious looks up to her blankly.
ADMINISTRATOR
Are you finished?
Precious nods absently.

The administrator gently takes the test from Precious' desk
and leaves.
Precious lingers pensively in the back of the room.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
There has always been something
wrong wif the tesses...

Precious walks with her hands in her pockets watching the
pavement pass beneath her.
PRECIOUS (V.O. CONT.)

...The tesses paint a picture of me
wif no brain. The tesses paint a
picture of me 'an my muver - my
whole family as less than dumb -
just ugly black grease to be wiped
away, punished, caged up, kilt,
changed, finded a job for.
Precious leaves us behind.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Sometimes I wish I was not alive.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
33 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. APT - DAY 33

...A hand shuts off a shower.
...A toothbrush lands in a mug.

...A hairbrush lands on a dresser.
...Thick hands remove a red scarf from a drawer.
27.
...The clock on the night stand reads 8:29.
34 INT. PRECIOUS' BEDROOM - DAY 34

Precious sits on the side of her bed fully dressed with red
leggings and her red scarf staring at the clock with a
notebook in her hands.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Today is first day. I been tessed.
I been incomed eligible. I got
medicaid card, proof of address,
self, pencil, notebook - alla dat
shit.
When the clock reads 8:30, she stands, turns to a mirror,

sees a pretty blond white girl and leaves the room.
35 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. KITCHEN - DAY 35

...Precious stares into the refrigerator.
...Precious stares into the freezer.
Finally, she closes the door.

PRECIOUS
MA!!!
No answer.
PRECIOUS
MA!!!
MARY (O.S.)
What?!
PRECIOUS
I need some money.
MARY (O.S.)
For what?
PRECIOUS
Sumthin' to eat. My head hurt.
MARY (O.S.)
(beat)
How much you need?
28.
PRECIOUS
Five dollars...or four.
MARY (O.S.)
(beat)
Come and git it then.
The air changes. Time stands still.

A look that is both childlike and gray comes over Precious'
face.
36 INT. MARY'S BEDROOM - DAY 36

Large panties fall to the floor from beneath the sheets.
Mary's knees widen beneath the covers.
37 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. KITCHEN - DAY 37

A frozen Precious stares across the apartment for a brief
eternity.
Finally, she dashes for the front door, throws open the locks
and bolts out of the apartment slamming the door behind her.
MARY (O.S.)
Where you going?!
Precious walks briskly.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
The other day I cried, felt stupid.
Guess what...Fuck that other day.
Thas why God or whoever make new
days. Still hungry tho.
Precious stops and looks up at something.
Before her stands a fast food restaurant with a giant sign
atop it that says KICKIN FRIED CHICKEN.
Precious looks around, takes a deep breath and steps inside.
29.
39 INT. KICKIN FRIED CHICKEN - DAY 39

Precious approaches the counter with a strained
"nonchalance".
A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN IN A BLUE UNIFORM AND VISOR waits behind
the register.
Precious sets her notebook and pencil down on the nearest

table.
WOMAN
Hello and welcome to Kickin Fried
Chicken. How may I help you?
PRECIOUS
Give me a basket please.
WOMAN
Would you like any sides?
Precious' eyes wander from the fry bin all the way over to a
refrigerator towards the back.
PRECIOUS
Ain't sure. Still thinkin'.
Watchin' the weight you know.
The woman smiles and then leaves for the chicken.
The digital clock on the wall reads 8:53.

Precious whirls around to see A YOUNG MAN IN A BLUE UNIFORM
AND VISOR spraying the door with glass cleaner and then
wiping it from the bottom up.
Precious turns back around to find her server selecting

pieces of chicken from a huge tray with large silver tongs.
The clock on the wall reads 8:54.
Precious turns to the door again to find the young man still
cleaning it.
Precious turns back around to see her server returning with a
basket of chicken.
PRECIOUS
Potato salad! Thas it.
The woman nods, sets the chicken on the counter and heads
back towards the refrigerator in one fluid motion.
30.
The young man wipes the top of the front door and looks to be
about finished.
40 EXT. KICKIN FRIED CHICKEN - DAY 40

Precious bursts out of the restaurant with the bucket under
one arm and sprints off down the block.
A SCREAM from inside follows.
WOMAN (O.S.)
REGGIE!!! CODE 6!!!
A second later, Reggie, the young man who cleaned the glass,
dashes out after Precious.
Precious looks back while sprinting and scarfing down pieces
of chicken at a remarkable rate.
After about 50 yards, however, Reggie ducks into an alleyway,
lights up a cigarette and then saunters towards a dice game
happening deeper inside. He pulls a few bills from his
pockets as he goes.
Precious turns the corner of 126th street and onto Clayton

Powell Jr. Boulevard still devouring chicken.
A SKINNY DISHEVELED MAN sitting on a standpipe calls out to
her.
SKINNY MAN
You gon catch indigestion girl.
41 EXT. HOTEL THERESA - DAY 41

Precious finishes off the chicken at the exact moment she
reaches the Hotel, stuffs the bones and basket into a trash
bin and dashes into the building.
42 INT. HOTEL THERESA ELEVATOR 42

Precious looks at her watch and then freezes as if something
terrible has just dawned on her.
43 INT. KICKIN FRIED CHICKEN - DAY 43

Precious' notebook and pencil sit on the table where she left
them.
31.
44 INT. HOTEL THERESA ELEVATOR 44

Precious looks crestfallen. A glance at her watch makes it
worse.
Her stomach GROWLS. She suddenly looks unwell.
45 INT. HOTEL THERESA 19TH FLOOR - DAY 45

The elevator doors open. Precious exits and then lunges for a
trash bin, into which she promptly vomits.
She quickly catches her breath, wipes her mouth and starts
down the hall. Cornrows speaks on the phone while picking her
nails. She waves from behind her sign of senseless lines and
circles as Precious walks by.
CORNROWS
(on the phone)
...What else would get away with
wasting your time, clouding your
mind, breaking your heart and
leaving the goddamn seat up? Be
glad you ain't in love girl. I know
I am....
Precious' feet stop moving 10 feet away from a bright and
open doorway. Her HEART BEATS loudly.
Precious stands outside for a considerable spell.

A blur of a young girl darts into the room from the other end
of the hall without looking at her.
Finally, MS. RAIN - PETITE, AFRICAN AMERICAN, THIRTIES, ALERT

EYES, BOHEMIAN TINGE leans out of the room looking at her
watch and then up to Precious.
MS. RAIN
You alright?
MS. RAIN
Are you in the A.B.E. class?
PRECIOUS
Yes.
MS. RAIN
This is it.
32.
Ms. Rain looks at her watch, beckons Precious with one arm
and disappears inside.
MS. RAIN (O.S)
Time's a wastin'.
Precious still doesn't move.
Ms. Rain appears again.

MS. RAIN
You in or you out? This door closes
in thirty seconds.
Ms. Rain disappears again.
Precious' feet finally transport her into the bright doorway.
Its blinding light envelopes her completely.

Ms. Rain's desk sits before six smaller ones situated in a
semi-circle. Four of them are occupied by girls roughly
Precious' age:
RHONDA JOHNSON - AFRICAN AMERICAN, STOCKY AND EVEN TALLER
THAN PRECIOUS, RITA ROMERO - LATIN DESCENT, MEDIUM BUILD,
FRIENDLY FACE AND DRESSED ENTIRELY IN BLACK, JERMAINE HICKS -
WIRY, LEAN, SEATED AND DRESSED LIKE A BOY and CONSUELO
MONTENEGRO - LATIN DESCENT, PETITE GLOWING AND GORGEOUS. She
twirls her hair incessantly with slender painted fingertips.
A seventh desk sits well apart from the others back beneath
the windows.
The girls all stare up at Precious blankly as she enters the

room. Precious looks to be in a mild state of shock as she
gazes around from the girls to Ms. Rain to the clouds outside
the windows.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
First thing I wonder is where is
everybody - the boyz, the
noises...this feel like Sunday
school or crazy house...or
something like bof' but different.
Smell different too.
Precious' eyes land on the lone desk in the rear of the room.
MS. RAIN (O.S.)
Have a seat.
33.
Precious looks from the distant desk to one up front and then
back to the distant desk.
She sits with the other girls delicately, as if she were a
visitor in a complete stranger's home.
Ms. Rain finishes marking the roll sheet, places the cap on
her pen and holds up a notebook identical to the one Precious
left at the Kickin Fried Chicken.
MS. RAIN
Does everyone have her notebook?
Precious sucks her teeth in self-disgust as she looks around
to find that all the other girls have theirs.
JO ANN ROGERS - CAREFREE, CUTE AND SMUG, then breezes into
the room with an air of insubordination.
MS. RAIN
It's 9:07. Jo Ann you're late.
Jo Ann points into her mouth, which is full.
JO ANN
(chewing)
I had to. Most important meal of
the...
MS. RAIN
Starting tomorrow, this door will
be locked at 9:00.
Jo Ann rolls her eyes and sits beside Precious.
MS. RAIN
Class, today we have some new
people so let's just...
JO ANN
Ooh! Hold up! Wait up! Hold up! I
found something!
MS. RAIN
I beg your pardon Jo Ann!
JO ANN
2000 'pologies Miz Rain but I jus'
want to say, do anyone need an
extra notebook I foun' in the
chicken place?
34.
PRECIOUS
It's mine!
JO ANN
Okay hoe. I found your Lexus too.
It's parked out front.
Jo Ann rolls her eyes.

PRECIOUS
I leff it! I did! I leff it at the
Kickin Fried Chicken on Lenox tween
one-two-seven and one-two-six this
morning.
JO ANN
For real?
PRECIOUS
For real!
JO ANN
...Alright girl, I was just fuckin'
with you then.
Jo Ann returns the notebook to Precious.
MS. RAIN
Mind your mouth in here Jo Ann.
JO ANN
What I say?!
MS. RAIN
Just watch the language.
Jo Ann shrugs her shoulders, looks down and then turns her
eyes to Precious' stomach.
JO ANN
(quietly)
When you due?
Precious looks down and shrugs her shoulders.
MS. RAIN
Since we have more new people than
old people today, let's just go
back to square one and get to know
each other. State your name, where
you were born, your favorite color,
something you do well and why
you're here.
35.
CLASS
What?!
Ms. Rain points to the blackboard where each of the 5
questions are written neatly to the side.
MS. RAIN
I'll start. My name is Blu Rain...
CLASS
What?!
JERMAINE
Thas your real name?
MS. RAIN
That's my for real, hope to die if
I'm lying name.
JERMAINE
Your first name Blue?
MS. RAIN
Yes it is. My favorite color is
purple...
PRECIOUS (V.O.) MS. RAIN (CONT'D)
Off da bat sumthin' different ...What do I do well? I sing
wif dis lady. She like Mr. pretty well. And I'm here
Wicher but more a man and because a dear friend used to
like Miss Lichenstein 'cept teach at this school. She was
not a cuckoo. Dress like she out one day and asked me to
ride in out the village too. substitute for her. When she
quit, they asked me if I
wanted the job. I said yes
and I've been here ever
since. Rhonda?
RHONDA
My name Rhonda Patrice Johnson. I
was born in Kingston Jamaica...
Precious looks her over.
PRECIOUS (V.O.) RHONDA (CONT'D)
Big redbone girl big like me My favorite color is blue. I
but don't talk funny like how cook good. My mother usta
coconut head peoples do. have a restaurant on Seventh
Ave. Before she got sick, she
taught me everything. I'm
here to bring up my reading
so I could get my G.E.D.
36.
Rhonda turns to Rita who sits beside her.

RITA
My name is Rita Romero. I was born
right here in Harlem. I'm here
because I was an addict and dropped
out of school...
PRECIOUS (V.O.) RITA (CONT'D)
Skinny Spanish girl seem a ...and never got my reading
little sad but maybe jus and writing together. My
quiet. Could be bofe. I check favorite color is black but I
into it. guess you could tell that.
JO ANN
What do you do good?
MS. RAIN
Well. What do you do well Jo Ann?
Jo Ann points to herself as if to say, "Me?!" and Ms. Rain
shakes her head and points to Rita.
RITA
(softly)
I'm a good mother, a very good
mother.
Jermaine is next in line.
JERMAINE
My name is Jermaine. My favorite
color...
RHONDA
Tell us where you born first.
JERMAINE
(mildly annoyed)
I was born in the Bronx, still live
there...
PRECIOUS (V.O.) JERMAINE (CONT'D)
Me and her about the same ...Red is my favorite color.
color but I think thas all we Usta be blue. I'm a good
got the same. I is all girl. dancer if I do say so. A
Don't know here. Jermaine, friend told me about Each One
which I don't have to tell / Teach One. I came here to
you, is a boy's name. get away from bad influence.
RITA
You come to Harlem to get away from
bad influence?
37.
JERMAINE
I'm afraid so.
JO ANN
Can I go Miz Rain?
MS. RAIN
When it's your turn Jo Ann.
Consuelo?
CONSUELO
(still twirling her hair)
Favorite color? Why I'm here?
What's alla dat shit?
MS. RAIN
It's just a way of breaking the ice
- a way of getting to know each
other better...
Ooohhh, dis pretty Spanish ...by asking nonthreatening
girl, coffee cream color wit questions that allow you to
long ol' good hair. She look share yourself with the group
nice but got some attitude. without having to reveal more
Ain' like she tha first tho. of yourself than might be
comfortable...
MS. RAIN (CONT'D)
...You don't have to do it if you
don't want to but you do have to
watch your language.
CONSUELO
I don't want to.
MS. RAIN
You don't want to do what,
participate or watch your language?
CONSUELO
The first part.
Precious is next.
MS. RAIN
Claireece?
MS. RAIN
Claireece?
38.
PRECIOUS
(softly)
Could I skip too Miz Rain?
MS. RAIN
(beat)
Certainly. Jo Ann?
Precious exhales looking astoundingly grateful and then turns

to Jo Ann.
JO ANN
I'm Jo Ann.
(waving enthusiastically)
Hi! My favorite color is
fluorescent beige. My ambition is
to have my own record layer.
Ms. Rain and the class look confused.

RHONDA
Where were you born and why are you
at this school?
PRECIOUS (V.O.) JO ANN
Jo Ann like the spotlight and I was born in King's County
can't sit still. Teacher Hospital. My mother moved us
don't need no outside to Harlem when I was nine
policin' tho. She ain' years old. I'm here to get my
'fraid. I wonder what is a G.E.D., then, well I'm
record layer anyway. already into the music
industry. I just need to take
care of the education thing
so I can move up.
MS. RAIN
Well, that's everyone. Welcome
to...
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
I could...Could I...go?
Surprised, Ms. Rain and the class turn to Precious. She is
visibly uncomfortable and seems as if trying to hide in plain
sight.
MS. RAIN
Okay Claireece.
The air is sucked out of the room.

39.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Everybody looking at me now.
Everybody see me. I wish for back
of class again...
The distant desk vanishes over Precious' shoulder.
PRECIOUS (V.O. CONT'D)

...then I think, never that again.
Precious exhales.
PRECIOUS
My name Claireece Precious Jones. I
go by Precious. I was born in
Harlem. I like yellow 'n I had a
problem at my old school so I come
here.
MS. RAIN
(beat)
Something you do well?
Precious thinks for a moment and then shrugs.
PRECIOUS
...Nuffin.
MS. RAIN
(softly)
Everybody is good at something.
Precious shakes her head.
MS. RAIN
One thing?
PRECIOUS
(looking down)
I can cook and...
The room waits.
MS. RAIN
And?
PRECIOUS
I never...
The room continues to wait.
40.
PRECIOUS
Well...I never talked in class
before. I guess now I could do that
too.
MS. RAIN
(beat)
How does it make you feel?
Precious looks around but seems to be searching inside more
than anywhere else.
After a moment...
PRECIOUS
...Here. It make me feel...here.
The class is quietly taken aback.
Precious smiles as if having just made it ashore from a ship

lost at sea.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
47 EXT. HOTEL THERESA - DAY 47

The girls pour out onto the street like dandelion seeds
setting out into space.
All but Precious head in the same direction. Precious walks
off alone still beaming from the new world she has
discovered.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Before, I got A minus in English
and never say nuffin', never do
nuffin'. But Miz Rain say we gonna
read and write in our notebooks
every day. Thas sumthin' seeing how
we can't really do none of those
things and then I think maybe this
ain' tha class for me. But when Miz
Rain see the worry on my face, she
look at me and start to talk in
Chinese...
The ghostly image of Ms. Rain appears on the sidewalk ahead
of Precious. It is a glimpse from back in the classroom. Her
voice ECHOES.
41.
MS. RAIN
<< The longest journey begins with
a single step... >>
Ms. Rain vanishes and Precious shakes her head.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
...Whatever the fuck that spozed to
mean. This school different, okay.
But this not Star Trek neitha'.
Precious continues into the distance.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Complicated, complicated - Chinese
journeys, 2 books, write 'n you
don't know how? Dawg...
48 INT. CLASSROOM - ANOTHER DAY 48

Ms. Rain writes the letter A on the board and then hands the
chalk to Jermaine. Jermaine writes B and then hands it to
Consuelo. Consuelo writes C and hands it to Rhonda. Rhonda
writes D and hands it to Rita.
Rita takes a step and starts to cry. She drops the chalk. It
shatters on the floor.
MS. RAIN
We're all in this together Rita.
Class?
ALL BUT RITA
E!
Rita picks up the largest shard of chalk from the floor and
writes E on the board. She hands the chalk to Precious and
Precious writes F.
The entire class sits simultaneously and then giggles at
their synchronicity.
MS. RAIN
This is the beginning. There are 26
letters in the alphabet. They all
have a sound. These letters make up
all the words in our language.
Please open your notebook, write
the date and then write the
alphabet in your notebook.
The girls begin to write.
42.
Precious soon sets her pencil down, moves her hands to her
stomach and looks faint. She gathers herself, catches her
breath and trudges on.
MS. RAIN (O.S.)
This is going to be painless...
49 INT. SMALL OFFICE - DAY 49

Precious and Ms. Rain sit close together over a small table
looking down at a large colorful children's book.
MS. RAIN (CONT'D)

...I just want you to read a page
from this book.
Precious looks up at her blankly and then back down at the
book with trepidation.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Sure lady, right after I get voted
president.
MS. RAIN
Precious?
PRECIOUS
I can't do that Miz Rain.
MS. RAIN
C'mon Precious. Give it a try.
Precious looks mortified and starts breathing heavily.
RAPID MONTAGE - DOOR SLAMS, MOANS, PANTING, PLATES BREAKING,

MEAT SIZZLING, ZIPPERS, GRUNTS, SQUEAKING BED SPRINGS,
LAUGHTER, SCREAMS, A RAZOR SLICING YOUNG FLESH, SWEAT and
DAYTIME TELEVISION all assault her mind's senses.
Ms. Rain speaks with a dire look of concern on her face but
no words come out.
She places a hand on Precious' shoulder and the kaleidoscope
of sounds sucks away into the air. The words from Ms. Rain's
mouth finally register.
MS. RAIN
Precious. Honey are you okay? Try
to relax. Should I call an
ambulance? 911? Your moth...
43.
PRECIOUS
NO!!!
Ms. Rain jumps.
MS. RAIN
What is it?
PRECIOUS
The pages...
Ms. Rain looks down perplexed.
PRECIOUS
(defeated)
They all look alike to me. Always
did.
MS. RAIN
(beat)
The words or the pictures?
PRECIOUS
The words.
Ms. Rain sighs. She sits back for a moment and looks as if
she's processing more than just the tragedy of this
particular situation but what is that of countless others.
In a decisive, almost militaristic movement, Ms. Rain sits up

again.
MS. RAIN
I think I understand you Precious
but I still want you to try. You're
going to have to push yourself.
Precious looks back down at the page. There are people of

various colors on a beach.
MS. RAIN
What do you think the story is
about?
PRECIOUS
Peoples at the beach?
MS. RAIN
That's right.
Ms. Rain points to the letter A. It is the first word on the
page.
44.
MS. RAIN
Do you know what that is?
PRECIOUS
Yes. A.
Ms. Rain points to the next word.
MS. RAIN
Do you know that word?
PRECIOUS
No. I don't.
MS. RAIN
Do you know the letters.
Precious nods. Ms. Rain points to the letters...
PRECIOUS
D, A, Y.
MS. RAIN
Do you know that word?
Precious shakes her head.
MS. RAIN
Day. That word is day.
Ms. Rain points to the next word.

MS. RAIN
What's that word?
PRECIOUS
Ate.
MS. RAIN
Good! Almost! The word is 'at'.
Ms. Rain points at the next word.
PRECIOUS
The!
Miz Rain points to the next word.

PRECIOUS
...Beach?
45.
MS. RAIN
'Shore'. That word is 'shore'.
That's almost like 'beach'. Very
good.
Can you read the whole thing?
Precious nods.
PRECIOUS
A-Day-at-the-Shore.
Amazed the words that escaped were from her very own mouth,
Precious' jaw drops. She whirls to Ms. Rain.
Ms. Rain smiles.
We ease away from the office as the two of them continue
working down the page.

Precious enters the apartment. Mary sits on the couch
watching Judge Jesse.
MARY
Bring your fat ass in here!
Precious suddenly looks exhausted.
MARY
Where you sneak your ass off to
this morning?

MARY
You hear me talking to you! Where
you sneak your ass off to this
morning?!
PRECIOUS
School! I was at school!
MARY
You lying whore!
PRECIOUS
Am not!
46.
MARY
You is! The welfare done called
here, saying they is removing you
from my budget 'cause you not in
regular attendance in school.
PRECIOUS
Mama, I tole you I got kicked out.
I been home mostly every day for
two weeks.
MARY
You didn't say nothin' 'bout no
damn school today.
PRECIOUS
Mama, I tole you dis morning I was
goin to school.
At a loss but still angered, Mary turns back to the

television slowly. Precious starts for her room until...
MARY
I ain' had no breakfast.
Precious stops, sighs, heads to the sink and starts washing
her hands.
Mary talks to Precious while watching television.
MARY
...Need to forget school. Need to
git your ass on down to welfare.
Precious dries her hands and reaches for a pan.
PRECIOUS
I'm gonna get stipend for school
and then...
MARY
Fool fuck a stipend. What's that? I
said take your ass down to welfare.
Precious stops everything with the pan in her hand.
PRECIOUS
Now?
MARY
No stupid. Got to be there at 7 in
the A.M. if you gonna talk to
anybody...
47.
Precious shakes her head, huffs and turns on the stove. Mary
then presses the mute button on the remote and whirls around
with a cold cigarette between her fingers.
MARY
-Oh you too good for that? Is that
what you is now, too good for
welfare?
(beat)
More white folks on 'ssistance than
there is niggas Miss Onassis. Other
ones got trust fund welfares from
'sploitin po dumb asses like yo
dumb ass for centuries...Man on TV
say let's end 'Firmative Action.
Fine wit me. And while we at it,
let's take out son-in-laws, country
clubs, white motherfuckers and then
call it a day.
Precious turns to her mother looking surprised but pensive.
MARY
Now hurry yo ass up. I'm gon die of
starvation over here. Then where
you be at then?
CUT TO:
A picturesque plate of pork chops and mashed potatoes.

Precious delivers it to the couch with a fork and knife.
MARY
What you gon' have?
PRECIOUS
I ain' hungry. I...
MARY
Yes you is.
PRECIOUS
But Mama I...
MARY
Sit your ass down.
Precious sighs and joins Mary on the couch.
Mary hands Precious the plate and silverware.
48.
MARY
Jus make mine after you done. This
gon' get cold if it sit.
PRECIOUS
But I thought you said you was
hongry?
MARY
Do what I say don't say what I say.
Now eat bitch!
Precious starts eating slowly. Mary lights her cigarette.
MARY
...Best feed like a pig and not a
cow so's you can git yo ass back to
the stove. If I croak off
starvation, where in the world you
be at then?
Precious eats reluctantly.

CUT TO:
Pots and pans sit drying on the counter.
Precious wipes her hands on a dishcloth.
The room is quiet and empty now.

Precious walks over to a window and looks outside for a
spell...
...She then goes to the television, presses the remote and
sits down. Judge Jesse is on again. Seconds later, she turns
the TV off, sets the remote down and then walks to her
mother's door.
...Precious pushes the door open just enough to see Mary's
face SNORING rhythmically but with extremely unpleasant
noises.
...Precious closes the door quietly and heads into her own
room.
...She looks out of the window and down upon a young couple
snuggling playfully on a park bench. Her attention lingers
here longer than anywhere else thus far.
...Finally, she backs away from the window and falls back
across her bed with her arms spread.
49.
She stares up at the crack in her ceiling. Moments later it

widens again to reveal a large dusty mirror in which Precious
appears still laying on the bed.
In this overhead mirror's view...
...A hand darts into frame, touches Precious' side and then
quickly withdraws. Precious ignores it. The hand returns for
another jab. Precious restrains a grin. Finally the hand
tickles her fiercely. She giggles uncontrollably. The hand
belongs to Tom Cruise though it is again difficult to be sure
it is he from within this overhead vantage point. He wears a
leather jacket with a cherry red motorcycle helmet tucked
under one arm. The helmet has a golden bow stuck on its
crown.
...Precious chases him out of frame for some revenge tickling
as they both laugh quietly.
...The helmet falls to the floor with a bounce.
WOMAN'S VOICE (O.S.)

...Claireece, would you like to
talk about your home life?
51 INT. CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST'S OFFICE - DAY 51

Precious sits on a small couch in a modest office containing
2 bookshelves, several plaques and 2 file cabinets.
MS. WEISS - 40's, CAUCASIAN, CONSERVATIVELY DRESSED sits

across from Precious with a clipboard on her lap and glasses
low on her nose. A strap hangs down from the glasses and
snakes around the back of her neck.
PRECIOUS
What do you want me to say?
MS. WEISS
Whatever comes to mind when you
think about your home.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Seem like inquiring white bitches
always want to know.
PRECIOUS
I wish I had a TV in my room.
MS. WEISS
(beat)
Is that all?
50.
PRECIOUS
No...My muver is a like a whale
person for the couch. Her arms seem
like giant arms, her legs seem like
ugly tree logs. The apartment is
little because of her. She ain'
leff the house since I was small
and sometimes I feel I could just
sit there wif her everyday wif the
shades drawed, watch TV, eat, watch
TV, eat. Can we talk about
something else now?
MS. WEISS
Of course. I want to learn more
about your father anyway.
PRECIOUS
I don't know much more than you do
Miz White...
MS. WEISS
Weiss.
PRECIOUS
He the original man like Farrakhan
be saying but little do he know
about it. He give me this baby
comin and my other one before. Thas
all I know. Don't see him. Don't
need to I guess.
MS. WEISS
(quickly)
What did you say your father gave
you?
PRECIOUS
(catching herself)
...Nuffin.
MS. WEISS
Yes you did Claireece. You said
your father gave you...
PRECIOUS
No I didn't neitha. If you heard
that, then you heard sumthin' else
cause I ain' said nuffin like it!
Ms. Weiss' wariness looks unmoved.
51.
PRECIOUS
Now whas next?
MS. WEISS
Um...How about your first child?
You haven't spoken much about
her...
Precious turns to Ms. Weiss. A DOORBELL RINGS...
52 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. APT. - DAY 52
TOOSIE, A WOMAN IN HER LATE 50'S RADIATING A TOUGHNESS OF

PRIOR GENERATIONS, enters the apartment in a business-like
manner with MONGO, A SMALL, DISTRACTED AND OBVIOUSLY
HANDICAPPED CHILD. Toosie has a bag of groceries in her other
arm.
Precious watches TV beside her mother. Both appear as if
they've just woken up.
Toosie gives Mongo to Mary, whose eyes never leave the
television, and then hands the groceries to Precious, who
takes them directly to the kitchen as Toosie leaves without a
word.
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
Mongo?
MS. WEISS (O.S.)

Excuse me?
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
Mongo? Thas short for Mongoloid.
She got Down Sinder.
MS. WEISS (O.S.)
You mean she has Down Syndrome?
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
Alla dat.
The child seems only mildly aware of what is going on.
The DOORBELL rings again. Precious opens the door. A HISPANIC

WOMAN IN HER THIRTIES with an attaché case enters.
As the woman steps inside, we see that Mary and Precious have
cleaned up considerably.
Mary and the woman exchange small talk while Precious
listens. Mary has never seemed so congenial.
52.
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
My grandmuver Toosie, brangs Little
Mongo over on days social worker
come so it look like Mongo live wif
us. Then my mama get the check 'n
food stamps for me 'n Little Mongo.
But it's my baby. Little Mongo is
money for me, not her!

Precious continues speaking to Ms. Weiss from the couch.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
...Sometimes I see vampires too.
They come for me sometimes and they
say that I am one of them. They
say, "Precious, you belong wif us."
MS. WEISS
How do you respond to them?
PRECIOUS
I say, "Check wif my muver." After
that, they just look at me and go
down through the floor. The family
downstairs is vampires so that's
where they should go.
Ms. Weiss looks up from her clipboard and over her glasses.
Precious reflects a moment and then looks up.
PRECIOUS
I'm going to the doctor now too.
It's nice. Miz Rain, she fall out
when she finded out that I ain'
been to no doctor. Whole class
scream 'preenatal' at me. They
don't know I had my first baby on
the kitchen floor wif my muver
kicking me upside my head. I mean,
who would believe?
Precious snickers reminiscently a moment and then turns to
Ms. Weiss.
PRECIOUS
Them the kind of thangs you mean
when you say talk about whatever
come into my mind?
53.
Ms. Weiss looks up and nods through a perplexed daze.
54 INT. CITY BUS - DAY 54

Precious rides lost in thought.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I still don't know why I said all
them thangs. I know I wasn't
s'posed to. Just tired. Tired of
lying I guess. Hope mama don't find
none of it out. She kill me for
real cause that be tha end of them
welfare checks.

The girls burst into frame followed by Ms. Rain and Cornrows
and then bound up a large number of steps leading into THE
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART.
56 INT. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM PERMANENT EGYPTIAN ART COLLECTION 56
Led by a spirited guide and trailed by Ms. Rain and Cornrows,

the girls scrutinize colossal tombs, various artifacts,
hieroglyphics and photographs.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain brang us out to see some
real old stuff. Thangs and stuff
before TV's was made, before Mr.
Abraham Lincoln, before Miz Harriet
Tubman - maybe some stuff before
Miz Weiss even.
Precious and Rita fearfully enter the Tomb of Perneb. 2 steps
in, Rita grabs Precious hand tightly.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Before we turn tha corner in a
mummy tomb, Rita grab hold of my
hand. No one in my life ever do
that. Ever. None would be seen.
(beat)
How Rita do it wiffout a thought?
Rita and Jermaine study a sphinx.
54.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Guide lady smart. Say dis the first
civilization of the Earf. Black
folks, first!
Jo Ann poses like an Egyptian hieroglyphic.
Consuelo examines her nail polish.

Ms. Rain writes briskly across the blackboard.
As she makes her way across the frame, a barrage of letters
and numbers peel off the board, fly across the room, converge
and enter Precious' forehead.
Just before the letters and numbers reach Precious, lifelike
holographic images flank them. They are SPINNING PLANETS,
FLYING PTERODACTYLS, STAMPEDING ELEPHANTS, EMMETT TILL, MLK,
JFK, MALCOLM X, CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHERS, FIRE, TIDAL WAVES, A
VOLCANIC ERUPTION, CONTINENTS, MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS, LIGHT
BULBS AND THE INVERTED WORDS "JANIE", "SULA" AND "CELIE"...
A few letters, numbers and images try to reach Jo Ann but

most just bounce off of her and fall away. Consuelo bats a
few mathematical symbols off as if they were flies.
Finally we land on Precious as she confidently stabs her hand
into the air to answer a question.

Precious rides on one of the side seats towards the back
while wearing her red scarf.
The New Yorkers surrounding her are men and women of various
backgrounds. All wear dark suits.
Precious looks up to find two of the businessmen staring down
at her.
We pan from them and around the bus to find all of the other
passengers studying Precious in silence as well.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Peoples...They only look when my
belly big. They minds all made. But
do they know? No. They do not know
that I am a girl for flowers and
thin straw legs.
(MORE)
55.
PRECIOUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)

If other peoples could see that the
way I do, they would see that I am
a real person inside.
Our long circular pan finally lands on Precious' seat but
sitting there now is the pretty blond white girl from
Precious' bedroom mirror wearing Precious' clothes.
The bus grinds to a stop.

A man smiles at Precious and steps off the bus.
The original Precious takes the abandoned newspaper from his
empty seat and tries to read it.
Precious stops to watch two "society" ladies in hats and
gloves push antique buggy style baby carriages along the
sidewalk.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain say the longest journey
begin wif a single step. I wonder
what step they journeys begin on.
Mama always talk about how there be
all different types of welfare. I
want filfy rich white folks
welfare. Mama crazy but Mama not
stupid.
Precious continues observing pensively as the ladies pass a

bearded and bedraggled elderly white man laying on the street
in tattered clothes.
As Precious studies him, her expression changes ever so
slightly.
Enormous handwritten letters forming "NOT STUPID" overtake

her face as we DISSOLVE TO the PAGE upon which she wrote it.
59 INT. HOTEL THERESA CLASSROOM - DAY 59

Precious writes in her notebook. All of the other girls do
the same.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I am happy to be writing. I am
happy to be in school. I am happy
to know my baby coming soon. Don't
see the sense in pretending I am
not pregnant anymore. I am also
thinking about lil Mongo a lot.
Miz Rain say we gonna write
everyday, that mean home too.
(MORE)
56.
PRECIOUS (V.O.) (CONT'D)

And she gonna write back everyday.
Thas great.
Precious looks up to find Jo Ann tapping her pencil, looking
around annoyed and literally at a loss for words.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Mama say this new school ain' shit
tho. Say you can't learn nuffin'
writing in no book. Gotta git on
that computer you want to make some
money. But Mama wrong about that. I
is learning. Gonna read to dis baby
too and hang colors on its walls.
We close in on Precious writing as we hear her whisper the
following.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Listen Baby, Muver love you. Muver
not dumb. Listen:
PRECIOUS PRECIOUS (V.O. CONT'D)
(in a whisper) Thas the alphabet. Twenty-six
A B C D E F G H I J K L P M N letters in all. Them letters
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z. make up words. Them words
everything.
Precious looks up from her page gazing in an otherworldly
way. THUNDER RUMBLES in the distance.
One by one, the other girls stop what they're doing and stare
at Precious curiously.
Their eyes turn downward in unison.
CLOSE ON Precious' legs.
A gush of water pours down between them as if it were a tidal
wave.
60 INT. HOSPITAL - DAY 60

SILENT MONTAGE
...The wheels of a speeding gurney waggle to remain straight.
...Fluorescent lights stream by overhead.
...Name tags dangle from the chests of attendants pushing the

gurney.
57.
...Covered in sweat, Precious screams without our hearing a

sound.
61 EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY 61

...Two rain drops dance atop a puddle outside.
...Water drips from a tree limb.
...Lightening electrifies the city skyline.
62 INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT 62

...A match lights a candle in a windowsill.
...Precious holds a newborn in blankets.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
His name Abdul Jamal Louis Jones.
He healthy. His muver love him.
Ms. Rain crochets in the corner.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
We are close on Precious. Her eyes focus intently and

occasionally dart up and down.
JOHN, AN EXTREMELY GOOD-LOOKING 32-YEAR-OLD NURSE is doing

the same thing.
His hands lay on top of Precious' with their palms touching.
We glimpse both of their searching eyes again.
Suddenly, Precious whips her hands over and SLAPS the back of
John's before he can pull them away.
PRECIOUS
I win.
JOHN
That hurt girl.
PRECIOUS
Get to X-Ray.
58.
JOHN
(leaving)
Maybe I will.
PRECIOUS
You gon have to if you don't
practice.
JOHN
Alright.
John exits.
The girls from class ogle him from another part of the room
as he leaves and then nudge and bicker with each other for
pole position to hold Abdul.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Dear Miz Rain, All the years I sit
in class I never learn, but now I
got baby again by my fahver.
Behind the girls, Precious sits up in bed writing in her
journal.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I wish I had a boyfriend like other
girls and then I'd feel right that
I have to quit school. I love my
baby but want school too.
Precious closes her book. Jo Ann backs away from the others,
takes the notebook and then leaves.
Rhonda returns Abdul to Precious. The remaining girls embrace
Precious one at a time and then file out of the room.

As the girls stream into the classroom, Jo Ann sets Precious'
notebook on Ms. Rain's desk.
Ms. Rain opens it immediately.

Ms. Rain writes at her desk.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)

Dear Precious, I am glad you love
your baby.
(MORE)
59.
MS. RAIN (V.O.) (CONT'D)

I think a beautiful young girl like
you should have a chance to get an
education. I think your first
responsibility has to be to
yourself. You should not drop out
of school...

Precious reads from her journal.
MS. RAIN (V.O. CONT'D)
Come back to class. We miss you.
Love, Ms. Rain.
Precious immediately writes back.

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Dear Miz Rain...

The girls write diligently in their journals as Ms. Rain
paces the room silently reading Precious' journal.
PRECIOUS (V.O. CONT'D )
Social worker ask me if I want to
give Little Mongo and Abdul up for
adoption. Trufe is, I feel I could
kill her. She never help before.
Now she want to take kids away. If
she take Abdul, I will have nothing
anymore.

Jo Ann bounds into the room with the journal in her hand,
swipes an apple from Precious' tray and takes a bite.
Precious snatches the journal and opens it quickly.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)
Dear Precious, It seems the
opposite to me. If you keep Abdul
you might have nothing. You are
learning to read and write, that is
everything. Come back to school
when you get out of the hospital.
(MORE)
60.

You're only seventeen. Your whole
life is in front of you.
CUT TO:
TOOSIE paces Precious' hospital room briskly while holding
Abdul and lecturing Precious fiercely.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Dear Miz Rain, Grandmuver come
visit and say only a dog will drop
a baby and walk off. Say later not
even a dog.
Precious' grandmother continues her sermon. Precious sighs.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)
Dear Precious, You are not a dog.
You are a wonderful young woman who
is trying to make something of her
life. I have some questions for
you. 1. Where was your grandmother
when your father was abusing you?
2. Where is Little Mongo now? 3.
What is going to be the best thing
for you in this situation?
Ms. Rain sits at her desk reading with her pen ready.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Dear Miz Rain, Lot of questions you
ask. No muver, no grandmuver and
father rape me years. Little Mongo
wif my grandmuver. Best for me to
stop breaving sometimes I think. I
want to be a good mother too tho.
Ms. Rain writes immediately.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)
Dear Dear Precious, Being a good
mother might mean letting your baby
be raised by someone who is better
able than you to meet the child's
needs.

Precious writes while breast-feeding Abdul.
61.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Dear Miz Rain, I is best able to
meet my child's need.
The page turns.

We are in Ms. Rain's office as the page falls. She writes the
following.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)
Dear Precious, When you are raising
a small infant you need help. Who
is going to help you? How will you
support yourself? How will you keep
learning to read and write?

We drift towards Mary, at one with the couch, watching
television. One hand holds a cigarette while the other mines
an enormous bag of potato chips elbow-deep.
Her greasy mouth remains occupied with either a cigarette, a

potato chip or both at all times.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
The welfare help Mama, it help me.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)

Dear Precious Miss, When you get
home from the hospital, look and
see how much welfare has helped
your mother.
Precious, now wearing her jacket, packs up her things, takes

Abdul and heads out of a spotless room with her child in one
hand and two bags in the other.
74 INT. LIVERY CAB - DAY 74

Precious rides holding Abdul.
MS. RAIN (V.O.)
You could go further than your
mother. You could get your G.E.D.
(MORE)
62.

and go to college. You could do
anything Precious but you have to
believe it. Love, Blu Rain.

Precious heads into the main entrance holding Abdul and her
bags as snowflakes start to fall.
76 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY 76

Ruby plays alone with her broken Barbie doll. Precious passes
her without a word. Ruby springs to her feet to trail her.
RUBY
Hi Precious. You back? That your
new baby? What it's name? Can I
hold it?...Precious?
Ruby can only watch as Precious disappears into the

stairwell.
Signs on the elevators read "OUT OF ORDER".
77 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. STAIRWELL - DAY 77

Precious climbs the stairs growing short of breath holding
Abdul, her bags and her coat folded over one arm.
Once on the landing, she searches for her keys while trying
to balance Abdul and everything else.
After turning several locks, she pushes into the apartment,

looks up and ducks.
CRASH!!! A flying vase barely misses Precious and Abdul and

then shatters against the wall.
Abdul WAILS.
PRECIOUS
MAMA!!!
SMASH! A plant comes next.
Precious barely dodges that one too and she drops everything
but Abdul.
PRECIOUS
MAMA!!!
63.
MARY (O.S.)
YOU RUIN MY LIFE YOU FAT LITTLE
SLUT!!!
Mary charges into frame to ram Precious and Abdul like a
bull.
Precious sidesteps the charge as Mary leaves a huge

indentation in the wall knocking over a side table and a
potted plant in the process. She grabs her shoulder in pain.
Precious backs away around the living room to flee.
Mary hurls what's left of the plant at Precious from down on
the floor.
Precious turns her back to shield Abdul. The pot strikes her
in the back. ABDUL SCREAMS louder. Dirt covers Precious.
PRECIOUS
STOP IT MAMA! YOU GON CRAZY?!!!
As Mary gets to her feet...
MARY
FIRST YOU STEAL MY HUSBAND, THEN
YOU GET ME CUT OFF THE WELFARE YOU
STUPID-MOUTH BITCH!
PRECIOUS
I AIN'T STEAL NUFFIN FROM YOU MAMA!
YOUR HUSBAND RAPE ME AND I NOT
STUPID!
MARY
YOU IS! YOU IS TOO! YOU IS AND YOU
ALWAYS GON BE NUTHIN BUT STUPID TIL
THE DAY YOU DIE! YOU HEAR ME?!!
STUPID!!!
Tears well in Precious' eyes.
PRECIOUS
SHUT UP MOMMA! I NOT STUPID! I AM
NOT STUPID! DON'T SAY THAT!
Mary GROWLS and charges Precious again.
Precious turns the TV over between them. Electrical sparks
fly as it hits the floor. Mary trips and crashes down on top
of the overturned television.
64.
Precious dashes out of the apartment with only Abdul as Mary

struggles to get up.
MARY
I'M GON KILL YOU BITCH!
PRECIOUS
HOW YOU DIDN'T ALREADY YOU CRAZY
BITCH?! HOW YOU DIDN'T ALREADY?!
78 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. STAIRWELL - DAY 78
Precious dashes out of the apartment with tears in her eyes,

dirt on her clothes, no coat and Abdul SCREAMING IN HER ARMS.
MARY (O.S.)
YOU HEAR ME PRECIOUS! GET YOUR
BLACK ASS BACK IN HERE!
Precious looks back, trips on the landing and tumbles down a
flight of steps cradling and shielding Abdul all the way.
THUD! A hard floor abruptly halts Precious' descent.
She checks Abdul immediately.

He is smiling.
A DOOR OPENS followed by GRUNTS and a CRASH. Precious looks
up to find the broken television tumbling down the steps
towards them.
At the last second, Precious manages to roll them both out of
the way as the television crashes to the landing shattering
some more.
79 INT. 444 LENOX AVE. MAIN ENTRANCE - DAY 79

Precious bursts out of the stairwell with blood streaming
down her nose and Abdul in her arms. Ruby dashes to intercept
them.
RUBY
Hey Precious! I heard sumthin'.
What happened?
Ruby places herself between Precious and the door while

moving. Precious however, is in a big hurry.
65.
RUBY
Precious, could I see him now? I
just wanna see.
Precious shows no sign of slowing down. Ruby looks concerned.
RUBY
Precious, what's wro...
Precious knocks Ruby out of her way and to the floor without
losing stride.
Ruby lands hard and CRIES loudly.

Abdul still in her arms, Precious heads away from the
building under dressed.
The falling snow has thickened considerably.
As she makes her way into the distance, Precious fades into
the snowstorm carrying Abdul.

Mary barrels into Precious' bedroom yelling and screaming as
she turns the place upside down.
She rips down Precious' handprints along with her Britney

Spears poster. She then picks up a brush and hurls it into
Precious' mirror, shattering it to pieces.

Precious steps out of an elevator wet from the snow and still
splattered with dirt. She approaches a desk with urgency.
PRECIOUS
I need to see Nurse John. Where
Nurse John at?
ATTENDANT
He's on break but he should be back
soon. Have a seat.
Precious sits on one of a row of chairs by the wall. She
tries to settle Abdul as he starts to CRY.
A skinny nurse's legs approach and stop in front of Precious.
66.
NURSE
Hey...You don't remember me do you?
Precious looks up to find A SOUR-LOOKING WOMAN glaring down
at her.
NURSE
I delivered your last one.
Precious pauses as if searching for a response to satisfy
this woman.
PRECIOUS
...Thank you.
Precious looks away. The nurse doesn't leave.
NURSE
You know I'm sorry to see you back
here.
(beat)
I remembered hoping that you would
have learned from your mistakes.
PRECIOUS
You don't know me bitch. Get lost
'fore I kick your ass.
The nurse finally starts away.
PRECIOUS
Bitch?
The nurse turns around.
PRECIOUS
I ain't make no mistake unless it
was being born.
DING! The elevator doors open.
John steps off between Precious and the nurse.
Precious starts to rise and John motions for her to stay
seated. He sits beside her.
JOHN
What happened?
PRECIOUS
I'm sorry Nurse John but I just
ain' gonna let Mama kick my ass 'n
shout on me.
(MORE)
67.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
And I ain' giving Abdul away. And I
ain' gonna stop school...I
just...ain't.
John looks concerned.
Precious speaks with great resolve as if forcing herself to
believe her words.
PRECIOUS
I'm gonna get Little Mongo back
too.
(sighs)
I don't hardly even know what she
look like now. Don't matter tho.
That don't matter.
John looks on heavy-hearted.
83 EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY 83

It is still snowing. John holds an umbrella over Precious and
a bag in one hand as he escorts her out onto the driveway and
into a large gray van.
John places the bag in the van, hugs Precious, closes the
door and then waves as the van pulls away.
Precious turns to watch him recede into the snow through the
back window.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Nurse John say lots of people get
out of hospital wif no place to go.
His eyes look worried tho...Wonder
what next? Scared now.

The van comes to a stop.
The driver opens the door and helps Precious out.
She looks up to find a huge, brick, dungeon-like armory
before her.
She holds Abdul closer, takes her bag and then steps through
a dark cavernous opening that a truck could pass through.
The darkness swallows her whole.
68.
85 INT. ARMORY - DAY 85

Bare light bulbs hang from the ceiling.
Precious lays on a bed breast feeding Abdul and staring up at
the ceiling while covered in a blanket.
We sail away to find they are surrounded by scores of

rudimentary beds, many of which are filled with other women
of varying ages.
A YOUNG WOMAN lies next to her with unkempt hair and sores on
her skin.
YOUNG WOMAN
(murmuring)
...Put your bags in bed with you.
Put your bags in the bed with you.
Put 'em in. Tuck 'em in bed with
you...
The skinny woman on the other side sits up and grabs herself
feverishly as if there were bugs all over her.
AN ENORMOUS AND FEROCIOUS-LOOKING WOMAN IN HER FORTIES steps

up, snatches the blanket off of Precious and Abdul and walks
off.
YOUNG WOMAN
Give the chile back her blanket!
FEROCIOUS WOMAN
Fuck you. I ain' giving back shit.
The woman walks away.
Physically and emotionally spent, Precious sighs and then

lifts her bed's top sheet, beneath which is a plastic-covered
mattress.
She then wraps the sheet around Abdul and herself and hunkers
down.
Precious rocks Abdul gently as her eyes wander around the
cavernous armory.
PRECIOUS
(humming)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P, Q
R S T U V, W X Y Z.
(singing softly)
(MORE)
69.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
Now I know my ABC's, tell me what
you think of me.
Precious kisses Abdul on the head.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain say I was moving through
the vowel 'n consonant sounds
faster than even Rhonda Johnson
was. Maybe could've even catched up
to Jermaine. Maybe...
FADE OUT
FADE IN
Precious sleeps soundly.
Something nudges her slightly.

When she finally opens her eyes...
Abdul is gone! So is her bag.
Precious springs up in a panic turning in every direction.

PRECIOUS
Where my baby?! Where my baby at?!
The bug girl casually points to the exit.

The large ferocious woman heads for the exit with Abdul in
one arm and Precious' bag in the other.
She looks down at Abdul making "baby" faces and sounds.
Precious dashes after her but winces in pain grabbing her

pelvic area along the way.
The bug girl follows Precious as a speed walker might.
Precious snatches Abdul and promptly knees the ferocious
woman hard in the gut.
The ferocious woman MOANS as she falls to the ground.
Precious continues kicking and stomping her without abandon.

The bug girl observes stoically. Abdul WAILS.
As she trounces the woman, Precious' eyes fill with a rage we
haven't yet seen.
70.
Finally, two other women pull Precious away while she still
kicks at the woman.
The ferocious woman, now bloodied, falls over on her back
with her eyes closed and her mouth hanging open.
86 EXT. HARLEM - DAY 86

A bright morning skyline stretches over the Hotel Theresa.
87 INT. HOTEL THERESA - DAY 87

Ms. Rain steps into the lobby removing her sunglasses and
carrying two bags.
The sight of something before her stops her in her tracks.
She drops her bags immediately.
It is Precious, sleeping on the floor with Abdul in her arms.

Ms. Rain looks incensed.
Precious sits rocking Abdul.

Ms. Rain, still fuming, sits on the other side of the office
dialing a phone number from a list on the wall.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I can tell by Miz Rain's face that
I ain' gonna be homeless no more.
Only I ain' so sure where I'm gon
end up tho.
MS. RAIN
(sternly)
Yes I'll hold.
(grumbling while on hold)
Safety net huh? What damn safety
net?! A newborn child! A NEW BORN!
In this fucking day and...
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Thas the one time I heard Miz Rain
curse.
MS. RAIN
Excuse my language Precious.
71.
Precious nods.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I feels really sorry for her. She
just a ABC teacher, not no social
worker. But she all I could think
of.
Rhonda and Jermaine appear in the doorway.

RHONDA
Hi Precious!
They start for Abdul immediately.
Ms. Rain stops them just as quickly.
MS. RAIN
Good morning girls. Tell the others
to start writing when they come in.
Whichever one of you is older is in
charge until I get back.
The girls nod and leave.
89 INT. HALLWAY - DAY 89

Rhonda and Jermaine head off down the hall.
RHONDA
How old you is?
JERMAINE
Same age as you.
RHONDA
When your birthday?
JERMAINE
When yours?
RHONDA
I asked you first.
JERMAINE
So...

Ms. Rain still waits on hold until...
72.
MS. RAIN
Well why didn't you tell me that
before!!! I'm sitting here half the-
Ms. Rain slams the phone down, shakes her head, finds another
number on the wall and then dials again while speaking to
Precious.
MS. RAIN
Before this day is up, you will
have a place to live Precious.
Ms. Rain suspends her frustration with a brief smile as she
waits for the other end of the line to pick up.

Jo Ann saunters in.
The other girls are writing already.
Rhonda is at the head of the class displaying unusually good
posture.
RHONDA
(looking at her watch)
Jo Ann, you late.
JO ANN
You ain't the teacher.
RHONDA
I am today. Miz Rain busy wif
Precious.
JO ANN
(thrilled)
Alright!!!
(concerned)
How Precious?

Ms. Rain hangs up the phone.
She looks tired.

PRECIOUS
They have...something. It's an
immediate opening and it's in
Queens.
73.
Precious looks concerned.

PRECIOUS
Queens?
MS. RAIN
Yeah. Queens...What do you think?
PRECIOUS
(beat)
I don't really know Queens.
MS. RAIN
Me either. You should stay in
Harlem...long as we can anyway.
Ms. Rain takes an organizer from her bag, looks for another
number and picks up the phone.
MS. RAIN
I have a hard-ass West Indian
acquaintance with a council member
boyfriend.
(with uncertainty)
We'll see what they can do...
93 INT. HALLWAY - DAY 93

Precious exits the girls bathroom carrying Abdul.
She pauses before entering Ms. Rain's office and observes her
speaking on the phone for a moment.
MS. RAIN
...C-L-A-I-R-E-E...
Precious continues down the hall, stops outside the classroom
and forlornly watches the other girls through the door's
glass window.
A moment later...
WOMAN'S VOICE
Hey Precious.
Precious jumps and turns around to find Cornrows passing by.

PRECIOUS
Hi Miss Lisa.
74.
CORNROWS
(still moving)
How you been?
PRECIOUS
Good. How you been?
CORNROWS
I don't know. I could use a man I
suppose...Cute kid.
Cornrows continues to her desk.
Precious turns back to the classroom.

The girls write studiously as Rhonda supervises in a staid
manner. Clearly she is enjoying her new appointment.
RITA
How do you spell "Aquarius"?
JO ANN
What you want to spell that for?
JERMAINE
A-Q-U-A-R-I-U-S.
RITA
Is that right?
JERMAINE
Of course it's right. I'm one of
'em.
CONSUELO
I wonder can you spell "boy" then.
JERMAINE
I wonder can you spell "slut" then.
CONSUELO
Maybe, but I bet Miss Lisa can.

Ms. Rain speaks on the phone.
PRECIOUS
Yes Brenda. Thank you.
75.
Ms. Rain hangs up the phone, turns to Precious and exhales.

MS. RAIN
They can take you. Tomorrow...at a
place here in Harlem.
Precious looks relieved.
MS. RAIN
You just need somewhere to stay
tonight.
(beat)
Do you like Sushi?
PRECIOUS
What's that?
MS. RAIN
Probably much better than it
sounds.
96 INT. MS. RAIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 96
Precious sits at a small kitchen table in a modest but cozy

and craftily-decorated apartment.
She breast feeds Abdul and drinks from a tall glass of grape
juice. Ms. Rain clears the table of plates and take-out
containers.
The DOORBELL rings followed by the sound of a KEY TURNING.

Ms. Rain wipes her hands and heads to the door.
KATHERINE, AN ATTRACTIVE WHITE WOMAN APPROXIMATELY MS. RAIN'S

AGE steps in the door with flowers in one hand.
She and Ms. Rain hug.
Precious watches them curiously while taking another sip of
juice.
When they peck each other on the lips, Precious holds her
last gulp.
Ms. Rain leads Katherine to Precious by the hand.

KATHERINE
(warmly)
You must be Precious.
76.
Katherine hands the flowers to Precious. Precious looks

confused.
MS. RAIN
Precious, this is my wife
Katherine.
Precious spits her drink all over the flowers.

After she wipes her mouth and settles...
PRECIOUS
What?
MS. RAIN
I said that this was my wife
Katherine.
Precious coughs.
PRECIOUS
...Oh...
KATHERINE
(smiling at Abdul)
What's his name? He's adorable.
PRECIOUS
Uh, this Abdul.
KATHERINE
He looks just like you.
PRECIOUS
Okay.
(beat)
Y'all married for real?
MS. RAIN
Yes Precious. Very much.
Precious still looks confused.
CUT TO:
97 INT. MS. RAIN'S APARTMENT 97
The ladies lounge around the living room. Ms. Rain and
Katherine hold glasses of wine. Precious still looks as if
she's trying to keep up.
77.
KATHERINE
...Ask yourself. Just ask yourself;
if Ronald McDonald were running the
show and the price of hamburgers
skyrocketed, wouldn't you be
suspicious?
MS. RAIN
I just think you should finish the
book.
KATHERINE
Who's gonna read it?
MS. RAIN
Nobody if you don't write it.
Precious writes everyday. You
should try it.
KATHERINE
What do you write about Precious?
PRECIOUS
I don't know. Stuff in my life.
Abdul.
(beat)
How come y'all don't like
McDonalds?
MS. RAIN
Katherine was just drawing a
comparison so that her point could
be more easily understood...
Together, these homo ladies It's called an analogy. For
talk like TV channels I don't example, my uncle Clayton
watch. I'm glad Abdul here to used to smoke like a chimney
listen in on 'em tho cause I and drink like a fish before
know they smart. he got saved.
An Etta James tune begins...

CUT TO:
Ms. Rain and Katherine, high from the wine, spin each other
lazily in a playful dance.
Precious sits watching carefully and lifts the flowers from
Katherine to her nose.
Precious then starts to pour a bottle of wine into her glass.
78.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Mama say homos is bad peoples...
A hand intercepts the bottle. It is Ms. Rain's. She then
pours it into her own glass and takes the bottle with her as
she returns to Katherine.
PRECIOUS (V.O. CONT'D)

...But homos not who rape me, homos
not who let me sit up in school 16
years and learn nuffin and homos
not sell crack to peoples in
Harlem.
Ms. Rain looks over to Precious.
MS. RAIN
You okay Precious?
Precious nods.
Ms. Rain winks.

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain the one who put the chalk
in my hand, make me queen of ABC's.
Precious smiles with gratitude and affection.
98 EXT. MS. RAIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 98

Ms. Rain and Katherine continue dancing in the window as
Precious observes.
The evening cityscape sparkles around them.

Streamers hang from the walls. Various handwritten versions
of "Congratulations Precious", obviously written by the
girls, stretch across the blackboard in uneven-sized letters.
Precious stands beside Ms. Rain holding a small trophy and a
check. The other girls flank them standing very straight. All
wear paper party hats.
FLASHPWOOWF!
Nurse John, also wearing a party hat, has just taken a
picture of everyone.
79.
The girls go straight for the cookies and punch waiting atop
an orange tablecloth on Ms. Rain's desk.
They chat around the desk as Nurse John approaches Ms. Rain
to converse.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
After I settle in halfway house, I
work my hardest to memorize letter
sounds, write in journal and read
smaller and fatter books. Then I
find out Mayor's office give me
Literacy Award and check for
progress. Everybody at the party -
even Nurse John. Cornrows and the
staff stop in too but need to get
back to they desks before too long.
Whole operation can't stop just
cause Miss Precious get a trophy.
John discreetly beckons Precious over to the side as she
blows into a noisemaker. Both she and John are still donning
their party hats.
John hands Precious a giftwrapped present. She shakes it and

then opens it.
It is a leather bound journal with blank pages. Precious
flips through it.
PRECIOUS
Thanks Nurse John.
They exchange a familiar, moderately complicated handshake.
JOHN
You're welcome Precious. What are
you gonna do with your award money?
PRECIOUS
I owe the chicken place for a
bucket that I swiped last year.
Thas first. After that, get some
thangs for Abdul.
JOHN
Can I ask you something?
PRECIOUS
Shoot.
JOHN
You know Blu?
80.
PRECIOUS
Miz Rain?
JOHN
Yeah.
Precious holds up two intertwined fingers.
PRECIOUS
Like dis.
JOHN
Well she has, has she uh...got a
man?
PRECIOUS
...No. Not really.
JOHN
Well I was hoping you could put in
the good word.
PRECIOUS
The good word...wif Ms. Rain?
JOHN
Yeah, that's what I'm trying to
say.
PRECIOUS
(beat)
Wow...Can I level wif you Nurse
John?
JOHN
Sure.
PRECIOUS
You ain't her type.
John looks confused.
100 INT. HOTEL THERESA CORRIDOR - DAY 100

Precious leads John down the hall by the hand.
She stops in front of Cornrows' desk as Cornrows converses on
the phone while picking her nails.
The previously illegible sign on her desk now reads "EACH ONE
TEACH ONE".
81.
CORNROWS
...If I have to choose between a
who and a pile of what?! ...I fail
to see the difference Sallie. I
don't know, at least with one you
know what you're in for.
(noticing Precious)
Hold on girl.
Cornrows lowers the phone and waits for Precious to speak.
PRECIOUS
Miss Lisa this Nurse John. Nurse
John this Miss Lisa.
Cornrows looks up at John.
Precious heads back to the party. Nurse John and Cornrows
watch her curiously.
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
Y'all work it out.
Nurse John and Cornrows turn to each other.
JOHN
Hi...How are you?
Cornrows looks him up and down then hangs up the phone
without looking.
CORNROWS
I get off at 4.
The room is empty except for Ms. Rain standing on a chair

taking streamers down.
Precious appears in the doorway and studies Ms. Rain a moment
as if seeing her for the first time.
Ms. Rain steps down from her chair looking tired.
Precious enters the room.
PRECIOUS
Miz Rain?
MS. RAIN
Precious, I thought you went home.
82.
PRECIOUS
Not yet. I forgot to say thank you
for my party.
MS. RAIN
You're welcome. It was my pleasure.
Precious just watches her.

MS. RAIN
Was there something else?
PRECIOUS
I...No...
MS. RAIN
(beat)
Are you sure?
PRECIOUS
Well, I was thinking...
MS. RAIN
Yes?
PRECIOUS
You talk to us girls in the class
when we be working out problems and
thangs and stuff, right?
Ms. Rain speaks to Precious while picking up around the room.

MS. RAIN
Mm hm...
PRECIOUS
Well, who do you talk to?
Caught off guard, Ms. Rain looks at Precious curiously.
PRECIOUS
(quickly)
Or you probably don't have no
problems so...
MS. RAIN
Everybody has those Precious.
PRECIOUS
I begs to differ Ms. Rain. Seem
like some folks just got it made in
the shade.
83.
MS. RAIN
It only looks that way. And yes, I
talk to people all the time for
support.
PRECIOUS
Oh, okay...I didn't have nobody to
really speak wif for a long time. I
know how that be sometimes so thas
why I asked cause almost evrybody
need a little help once in a...
Ms. Rain abruptly stops what she's doing. Precious looks
alarmed.
MS. RAIN
What on earth are you talking
about?
PRECIOUS
(confused)
Well...only that - well, evrybody
need a little help once in a...
MS. RAIN
What?!
PRECIOUS
(scared)
I jus...
MS. RAIN
You just what?!
PRECIOUS
(terrified)
I just thought that if you might
need some...
MS. RAIN
Precious?!
PRECIOUS
(trembling)
...Yes.
MS. RAIN
You've helped me already.
Precious looks both confused and relieved. Ms. Rain sits
while motioning for Precious to do the same.
84.
PRECIOUS
(sitting)
Me? I never...
Precious stops as Ms. Rain looks away as if gathering her
thoughts.
Finally...
MS. RAIN
Last night...Just last night I had
a conversation with my mother,
which is a rare occurrence because
our relationship is complicated to
put it lightly. We hardly speak
because it always ends in some
awful brawl about my filthy
misguided existence. Most times I
feel terrible for days afterwards
wondering whether all the hateful
things she said are true. Those
days I just feel like...like...
PRECIOUS
Nuffin?
MS. RAIN
...Yeah, nothing. But you know
what? I didn't feel so bad this
time. And you know why?
(beat)
Because this time I thought about
how strong you've had to be and
then I decided that I had nothing
to be ashamed of and that my mother
was wrong about me - wrong about
me, my dad and 5 or 6 hundred other
things. You ask if you can help me?
Well Precious, sweetheart, you
already have.
PRECIOUS
...For real?
MS. RAIN
That's the for real, hope to die if
I'm lying truth. Now shouldn't you
be out the door?
PRECIOUS
I jus help you finish up first. I
got some time.
85.
MS. RAIN
(standing)
Suit yourself.
Ms. Rain motions to the other end of a long folding table.
Precious takes hold of it and they carry it across the room
together.
As we watch from a distance...

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Some folks got a light around them
that shine for other peoples. I
think maybe some of them was in a
long tunnel before. And in that
tunnel, maybe the only light they
had was one that was inside of them
and then - even long after they
escaped that tunnel, they still be
shining for everybody else. Thas
Miz Rain to me.
102 INT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE: PRECIOUS' ROOM - DAY 102
Precious' trophy sits on the windowsill beneath a thin a

layer of dust.
A stack of books sit on her bureau.
Colorful letters and numbers hang on the wall. Beneath them

hang postcards featuring Zora Neal Hurston, Alice Walker,
Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey.
Abdul sleeps in his crib.
Precious makes her bed.

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
In a book I read, a lady escaped to
a 1/2 way house. And the lady, she
asked the people there just what a
1/2 way house was. They tole her,
you is 1/2 way between the life you
had and the life you want to
have...Thas nice. That also mean I
can't stay here forever and that
there is still a ways to go. It be
something to get apartment of my
own.
86.
103 EXT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE PARK GROUNDS - DAY 103

A larger Abdul steps towards us with Precious behind him
wearing a cotton dress that looks vaguely like one Ms. Rain
might wear.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Abdul nine months old and walking!
Smart too. I been reading to him
since the day he was born almost.
Barely talkin' and he countin'.
104 INT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE - DAY 104

Precious walks through the halls with Abdul in her arms. She
passes other residents and staff members along the way.
A fight breaks out between two women. A staff member quickly
intervenes. Precious just holds Abdul a little closer, steps
aside and keeps walking as if accustomed to this.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Mama, Daddy, I.S. 111 and 444 Lenox
Avenue already seem like a past
life or some old bad dream. I wish
I could have started out from here
but still wif Abdul and poor Mongo.
Precious looks out of her open window with a glass of water

in her hand.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
PRECIOUS
Come in...
Precious closes her window.
The door to her room opens. CHELSEA, A 30-SOMETHING SOCIAL
WORKER steps in looking slightly uncomfortable.
CHELSEA
Precious...you have a visitor.
PRECIOUS
Thas Rhonda. She always early.
Precious rises.
87.
PRECIOUS
I should've said 4 'cause then that
way...
CHELSEA
It's not Rhonda.
Precious stops.
106 INT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY 106

Precious descends a staircase to a long corridor clearly deep
in thought every step of the way.
She stops momentarily to straighten her clothes.
When she finally reaches a day room at the other end of the
hall, she looks through its window for a moment.
Mary sits inside crushing and dwarfing the couch upon which
she waits. She looks bad. Her hair is half combed and her
enormous dress looks old, thin and limp. She wears brogan
shoes.
Precious covers her nose a moment, lowers her hand, readies

herself and then steps into the room.
107 INT. DAY ROOM - DAY 107
Once inside the room, and for the first time, Precious' soft
face looks like stone.
Mary looks up with a brief but quickly fading smile that is
pathetic, apologetic and grim.
Precious waits.
The air is thick without a single word between them.

Finally, Mary looks down.
MARY
Your daddy dead.
Precious looks surprised for a moment but still composed.
Mary waits for a response.

PRECIOUS
...Is that all?
88.
MARY
No.
(beat)
Carl...Carl had that AIDS virus.
A previously unseen man sitting across the room looks up from
behind a newspaper.
Precious stays stone-faced until she finally GASPS as the

aftershock of the revelation hits her squarely.
The man across the room collects his hat and coat and leaves.
INSERT - GLIMPSES OF CARL REMOVING HIS BELT, CARL THRUSTING
ON TOP OF PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS FOLLOWING ABDUL TAKING EARLY
STEPS.
We return to the dayroom as Precious opens her eyes and lifts
them to Mary slowly.
PRECIOUS
...You got it?
MARY
Got what?
PRECIOUS
The AIDS virus.
MARY
No.
PRECIOUS
How you know?
MARY
We never did, you know...
PRECIOUS
No, I don't know Mama.
MARY
We never did what you got to do to
get it.
PRECIOUS
He never been wif you?
MARY
Oh yeah...but not like faggots, in
the ass and all, so I know.
89.
Precious is speechless. It looks as if some of her anger has

suddenly been displaced with pity.
Precious sighs.
PRECIOUS
You better get tested.
Mary looks up delicately.

MARY
You welcome back home.
PRECIOUS
I'm home here.
(beat)
I better go see 'bout Abdul and do
homework.
Mary doesn't move as Precious leaves.
Mary sits staring at the floor at the far side of the room.

Precious enters, takes Abdul from his crib, holds him closely
and sits on her bed.
Moments later, a TAPPING on the window draws her attention.
Precious rises to find Tom Cruise hurling pebbles up at her

window in a leather jacket.
A MOTORCYCLE sits a few feet away from him.
He beckons her.
She stares down at him with solemn eyes.
Tom finally mounts his bike and vanishes into thin air while
revving its engine.
Mary then crosses the frame where he was.
Precious turns to Abdul and kisses him on the head.

DISSOLVE TO:
90.

Precious walks over the crest of a hill deep in thought with
her hands in her pockets. The constant HUM of the city seems
lower than usual as Precious' FOOTSTEPS make the most
prominent sound.
From this distant view, it appears as if she is almost

walking in place.
Ms. Rain stands before the blackboard with a piece of chalk

in her hand pointing to the word "unrelenting", which is
written behind her.
Consuelo is missing and TWO NEW GIRLS, AISHA, INDIAN AND FROM
GUYANA AND BUNNY, VERY THIN WITH BAD TEETH have joined the
class.
MS. RAIN
Rita, what do I mean when the
author describes her protagonist's
circumstances as "unrelenting"?
RITA
I don't know Miz Rain.
MS. RAIN
C'mon Rita, think about the
question before you just give up
like that...
Ms. Rain's voice trails off as we find Precious lost in
thought.
111 EXT. CEMETARY - DAY 111

Precious wears black except for her jacket and vacantly
tosses a flower into the grave.
She steps away as Ms. Rain and Rita stand behind her. They
are also dressed in black.
112 INT. DINER - DAY 112

Precious and Rita sit on one side of a booth. Ms. Rain sits
on the other. Precious stares out the window.
91.
Partially eaten slices of custard pie sit before them. Rita

and Ms. Rain converse but in tones so distant that, like
Precious, we can barely hear them.
RITA
...First my grandad - no my mama
was first then my grandad right
after, then my sister, then my
grandma, then my dog Buster and
then my little brother Alex.
MS. RAIN
Do you miss them?
RITA
Some I guess.
MS. RAIN
Well maybe you'll see them again.
RITA
I don't think so.
MS. RAIN
Why not?
RITA
If there's such a thing as heaven
and everyone who ever died is in
there, you probably couldn't find
nobody you wanted to - like how it
is in the malls. You see everybody
over and over 'cept for the ones
you looking for.
MS. RAIN
I hadn't thought about that Rita.
RITA
Yeah. Well...
As Ms. Rain and Rita continue, Precious might as well be
miles away.
113 INT. CLINIC - DAY 113

Precious waits in a small gray office.
A FEMALE COUNSELOR WITH SYMPATHETIC EYES carrying a file sits

across from her.
Her eyes say everything.
92.
The counselor places a hand on top of Precious'.

All the girls write in their journals except for Precious,
who again looks preoccupied.
Ms. Rain watches her.
MS. RAIN
Precious?

MS. RAIN
Precious?
The entire class looks up at Precious.
Ms. Rain waits for a response.
MS. RAIN
Precious, bring your journal to me.
Precious waits a moment and then shakes her head without

looking up.
Ms. Rain goes to her desk and picks up the journal without
resistance.
The words "Why me?" sit alone on the page with lines crossed
through them. Ms. Rain returns the journal to Precious' desk
still opened to the same page.
MS. RAIN
Precious, would you come to my
office for a moment?
The class still watches curiously.

Ms. Rain, steps back, sits on the edge of her desk and folds
her arms.
MS. RAIN
Preci-
PRECIOUS
Nurse say I am H.I.V. positive.
The air changes sharply.
93.
Everything stops.
Precious exhales.
PRECIOUS
I don't have nuffin to write today
and I don't hate no one. Not even
my muhver. My head is all dark
inside so I don't have nuffin to
write today...Maybe nuffin never.
Rita rises, walks to Precious and embraces her. Tears well in
Precious' eyes.
Still trying to stay composed, Precious wipes her face.
Ms. Rain rises, walks to Precious and rubs her back as she
looks around to the other girls who are still stunned.
RHONDA
Your baby okay?
The class waits on pins and needles. Precious doesn't answer
at first and just looks down until...
PRECIOUS
Yeah. He good...Won't bress feed
him no more to be safe.
MS. RAIN
(to Precious)
One time in your journal you told
me that you had never really told
your story.
(softly)
Write.
Precious' eyes well up some more.

She wipes her face again.
PRECIOUS
What for? How?! I feels like...
Precious stops herself abruptly as if being overwhelmed by a
sense of futility.
MS. RAIN
Feel like what?
PRECIOUS
-Like I am drowning inside a giant
river Miz Rain. Thas what.
94.
MS. RAIN
I think telling your story will get
you over that river Precious...
Precious erupts hurling her journal sharply across the room.
It bounces hard off the blackboard and stops abruptly on the
floor facedown.
PRECIOUS
FUCK YOU! YOU DON'T KNOW NUFFIN
WHAT I BEEN THROUGH!!! I NEVER HAD
NO BOYFRIEND! MY DADDY SAY HE GONNA
MARRY ME BUT HOW HE DO THAT,
FUCKING ME ILLEGAL? I NEVER BEEN NO
CHILD! NOT EVEN ONE DAY!!!
The class looks shocked. Precious' wet eyes are filled with
fury.
A moment later, Ms. Rain walks calmly across the room,

retrieves the journal and places it back on top of Precious'
desk.
MS. RAIN
Open your notebook Precious.
PRECIOUS
(exasperated)
I'm tired Miz Rain!
MS. RAIN
I know you are but you can't stop
now. You gotta fight through this.
You still have to live your life
and do the best you can with the
hand you've been dealt. If not for
yourself then for the people who
love you.
Precious HUFFS cynically.
PRECIOUS
Nobody love me. Thas a lie.
MS. RAIN
People do love you Precious.
PRECIOUS
Please don't lie Miz Rain! Love?!
Me?! Love rape me, beat me, call me
animal, get me sick and make me
feel wurfless. I had enough love.
95.
MS. RAIN
That wasn't love. There are people
in this room who love you. Your
child loves you too. Is that clear
Precious? Now if Rita decided to
just give up? Would you let her?
Precious doesn't answer.

MS. RAIN
Would you?!
PRECIOUS
(reluctantly)
No.
MS. RAIN
And why not?!
Precious doesn't answer.
MS. RAIN
Because you love her...as much as
she loves you.
Precious looks to her side and finds Rita smiling
reassuringly through her crooked teeth.
MS. RAIN
Now the rest of the world can judge
you, cheat you, beat you, dismiss
you and abandon you all it wants
but we won't let you give up and
that's the only thing that matters.
Some people have less than that on
their side and still manage to keep
going.
(beat)
It's up to you.
Precious thinks a long moment, wipes her face and exhales.
She doesn't move for what seems like ages.
The whole class watches her until Ms. Rain motions for them
to continue working. Finally, Precious takes hold of her pen,
opens her journal, sighs deeply and starts to write again.

Pairs of girls' feet walk upon a curb's edge one after
another.
96.
The class strides in a row with their journals in hand.

Rhonda leads.
Ms. Rain walks beside them along the sidewalk.
As we watch Rhonda...
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Some things is hard to say and
maybe not your business no way but
Rhonda's brother rape her for years
and when her muhver fine out, she
throw Rhonda out her house.
As we watch Rita smiling...
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Rita's daddy kill her muhver in
front of her eyes and Rita been out
on the street selling herself since
she 12.
As we watch Jermaine laughing...
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Jermaine say mens beat her and then
rape her for what she is. Muhver
throw her out the house when she
fine out that she different from
other girls.
As we watch Ms. Rain.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain still a sort of mystery,
but a nice one like the sun.
As we watch the group from a distance...

PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain right too. These girls is
my family now. They visit me at
hospital when I had Abdul and even
take up a collection when Mama kick
me out. They got love in they eyes
and in they hearts for me, same as
I got for them.

Ms. Weiss speaks from behind her desk as Precious sits on the
couch beside her backpack looking bored.
97.
MS. WEISS
...You know you can use your
notebook between sessions
Claireece.
PRECIOUS
I do.
MS. WEISS
I mean you can use it specifically
for trying to recover certain early
memories.
Precious nods mechanically.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Tired of this lady asking me
questions. Miz Rain say talk anyway
but Miz Weiss just a spy for the
State who write reports on me
undercover. Reports go in file.
File say what I could get, where I
could go and if I could get cut off
and kicked out of Advancement
House.
MS. WEISS
(beat)
What are you thinking?
PRECIOUS
Nothing.
MS. WEISS
Oh I doubt that Claireece. It seems
like you're always thinking about
something.
PRECIOUS
I don't know. It's sort of hot in
here I guess.
MS. WEISS
It is, isn't it? As a matter of
fact, I'm going to get myself
something to drink. Would you like
something to drink Claireece?
PRECIOUS
A soda sounds nice...please.
MS. WEISS
What kind?
98.
PRECIOUS
I don't care.
MS. WEISS
Oh c'mon, you must.
PRECIOUS
Orange.
MS. WEISS
Okee Dokee.
Ms. Weiss collects some change, grins at Precious and then
steps out of the room leaving her purse open on the desk.
MS. WEISS
Back in a jiffy.
The moment the door closes, Precious dashes across the room
for the file cabinet behind Ms. Weiss' desk.
Precious searches the drawers in the cabinet and rifles

through the files.
117 EXT. HALLWAY - DAY 117

Ms. Weiss inserts several pieces of change into a vending
machine and presses a button. A can of Soda CLUNKS down
through the bowels of the machine.
118 OFFICE 118

Pouring through the "J" files, Precious stops at Jones and
then first goes for "P". She sees nothing, sucks her teeth,
thinks a moment and then looks for "C".
119 HALLWAY 119
Ms. Weiss saunters back towards the office whistling softly

with 2 sodas in her hand.
120 OFFICE 120

Precious finally finds the file with her name on it and looks
up as FOOTSTEPS sound outside the door.
Ms. Weiss steps in.
99.
Precious is now seated on the couch again with a corner of

her file protruding from her bookbag.
Ms. Weiss hands Precious her soda.
PRECIOUS
Thank you.
MS. WEISS
You know your mother's been calling
here wanting to come visit.
PRECIOUS
Really?
MS. WEISS
Would you like her to come to a
counseling session with you?
PRECIOUS
I don't know. I never really
thought about it before.
MS. WEISS
Well that's just one more thing to
consider before I see you next
week.
Ms. Weiss smiles at Precious. Precious smiles back.
121 EXT. PAY PHONE - DAY 121

Precious dials with urgency.
She waits as the phone RINGS and RINGS.

PRECIOUS
(under her breath)
C'mon Rhonda...
Finally Precious hangs up the phone and dials another number.

She waits as the phone RINGS and RINGS.
PRECIOUS
(under her breath)
C'mon!
The other end picks up.
YOUNG WOMAN
Hello?
100.
PRECIOUS
Jermaine?
JERMAINE
Yeah? Precious?
PRECIOUS
Yeah. You busy?

Jermaine rocks Abdul's crib with one hand while looking at
the file with Precious as both girls sit cross-legged on
Precious' bed.
Precious reads carefully.

PRECIOUS
'I have just finished a session
with Claireece Precious Jones, an
eighteen-year-old African American
female. According to her teachers
at Each One Teach One where she
attends school she is a pen-, phen-
JERMAINE
...'phenomenal'
PRECIOUS
...success. Having made strides so
tre-men-tremendous in the past
year, she was given the mayor's
award for outstanding achievement.
She seems actively en...engaged in
all aspects of the learning
process. However, her TABE test
scores are disappointingly low...' -
Not to Miz Rain! Not to Miz Rain!
(continuing)
'She scored 2.8 On her last test.' -
So what! Miz Rain-
JERMAINE
Get a grip and gon' read the report
and don't get all emotional about
what this silly hoe got to say.
Anyway, if your shit wasn't dope
you wouldn't be standing up here
readin' - what, what's her name-
(looks up on the page)
Ms. Weiss. What Ms. Weiss got to
say.
101.
Precious continues.
PRECIOUS
'She will need at least an 8.0
Before she can enter G.E.D. Class
and begin work toward her high
school e-q...equivalency.'
Surprised and impressed, Jermaine double takes on Precious.

JERMAINE
...Nice.
PRECIOUS
Thanks.
(beat)
'Abdul is the client's second-born
child. He's from all outwhere...
JERMAINE
'outward'...
PRECIOUS
'Appearances, a healthy and well-
adjusted toddler. Precious attends
to his needs a-s-s-i-d-u-o-s-l-y...
Precious and Jermaine look at each other. Both are at a
loss...
PRECIOUS & JERMAINE

Whatever.
PRECIOUS
...'and with great affection and
ee...'
JERMAINE
'eagerly'
PRECIOUS
...'seeks any and all information
on child rearing. The time and
resources it would require for this
young woman to get a G.E.D. or into
college would be considerable'...
Precious stops reading abruptly and hands the file to
Jermaine. Jermaine looks at Precious oddly.
PRECIOUS
Finish reading this...I know what's
coming.
102.
Jermaine pauses and then continues reading the file as

Precious rises and paces the room.
JERMAINE
'Although she is in school now, it
is not a job readiness program.
Nonetheless, Claireece is capable
of going to work. In January, her
son will be two years old. In
keeping with the new initiative on
welfare reform, I feel Claireece
would benefit from any of the
various workfare programs in
existence. Despite her obvious
intellectual limitations she is
quite capable of working as a home
attendant.'
PRECIOUS
I don't want to be no motherfucking
home attendant! I wanna be...
JERMAINE
Hush! 'My rapp-o-r-t with Precious
is minimal. Although I am not sure
with whom, she evidently has access
to counseling services provided by
Each One Teach One. She has a
history of sexual abuse and is
H.I.V. positive.'
PRECIOUS
She say she not put that in my
file! Bitch!
JERMAINE
That's the bitch's job, to get the
mofuckin' goods on you!
(continuing)
'The client seems to view the
social services, AFDC, as taking
care of her forever.'
Jermaine sets the file down and looks up at Precious.
PRECIOUS
(beat)
That file do show one thing - that
this hoe don't know nuffin wurf
knowing about C. Precious Jones.
(MORE)
103.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
I'm getting my G.E.D., a job, and a
place for me and Abdul, then I go
to college. I don't want to 'home
attend' nobody!
JERMAINE
You better put this shit back
before you get in trouble. We talk
about it with Ms. Rain in the
morning.
123 INT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE HALLWAY - DAY 123

Precious hurries into a room carrying Abdul. The sign on the
door says "DAYCARE".
Precious dashes out of the room alone.
WOMAN'S (O.S.)
And don't be coming back late for
his bad ass neither.
Precious marches to school with her bookbag and red scarf.

She clearly has a lot on her mind.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Weiss just part of the gang but
definitely not cool. And social
worker look at me like I am ugly
freak who did something to make my
own life like it is. I guess I am
trying to figure out just what has
happened to me while Miz Weiss just
hell bent on making me go wipe old
people's asses.
Precious crosses the street.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Got to sort dis out quick tho 'fore
Abdul's next birthday - coming up
fast.
The whole class writes until Ms. Rain looks at her watch
and...
104.
MS. RAIN
Time is up. Does anyone want to
share?
The only hand up belongs to Precious'.
MS. RAIN
Okay Precious.
PRECIOUS
I don't really want to read all I
wrote, I jus' wanna kinda say what
it is I'm writing about and how it
came about.
AISHA
What happened?
PRECIOUS
Well, to make a long story short,
the counselor at Advancement House
quizzing me about Mama and Daddy
etc., etc. But it's really about
workfare. She want to send me out
as home attendant.
RHONDA
How you know?
PRECIOUS
Cause I stole my file from
Advancement House and read it.
The class GASPS.
JO ANN
Next time get mine's too.
PRECIOUS
All this 'What you wanna be?' And
'You can talk to me.' They ain' no
motherfucking therapists on our
side, they just flunkies for the
'fare. I wanna work, but not for no
motherfucking welfare check in
Central Park - displacing brothers
and sisters who really got jobs
cleaning up 'cause I'm there
working for free.
Jermaine speaks while slouched in her chair with her feet
crossed and arms folded.
105.
JERMAINE
And what kinda shits is it for
someone like Precious to have quit
school before she get her G.E.D. to
work at some live-in job for some
old-ass crackers. She'll never make
a rise she get stuck in some shit
like that!
MS. RAIN
Sit up straight Jermaine and watch
your language. Both of you. Please.
Jermaine reluctantly sits up.
MS. RAIN
Now I see your points, but is
stealing...
PRECIOUS
Miz Rain, If I didn't steal that
file I wouldn't know what I was
facing!
MS. RAIN
You read the whole thing by
yourself?
PRECIOUS
Yeah...basically.
JO ANN
Rhonda home attend. Say old bitch
would ring a bell when she want
Rhonda in the night!
JERMAINE
Rhonda used to have to go all the
way out to Brighton Beach where she
work for them people.
PRECIOUS
The people had her there all day
and night - 'on call' they call it.
But you only get pay for 8 hours so
that's 8 X $6.37
(referring to her
notebook)
= $50.96 a day, but then you is not
really getting that much cause you
is working more than eight hours a
day. You is working 24 hours a day
and 50.96 divided by 24 is...
(MORE)
106.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
(referring to her
notebook)
$2.12 by my count.
JO ANN
Rhonda say old bitch would ring a
bell - a actual bell - when she
want Rhonda in the night!
PRECIOUS
Home attendants usually work six
days a week. I would only see Abdul
on Sundays? When would I go to
school?
(beat)
Am I gonna hafta go be home
attendant like Rhonda was?
MS. RAIN
No! So stop worrying about it.
We'll cross that bridge when we get
to it. Trust me - no, trust
yourself. My concern now is that if
this Ms. Weiss is someone you're
working with but feel you can't
trust, you're not getting the help
you need.
PRECIOUS
(beat)
Well, I just write in my notebook
till I get wif some kinda therapist
I can trust. Actually that always
help me more than talking to her.
Plus, I'm going to start going to
meetings wif Rita for insect
survivors.
BUNNY
Incest.
PRECIOUS
That's what I mean.
BUNNY
Well it ain't what you been saying.
PRECIOUS
What's the big deal?
BUNNY
One's where your family molest you,
the other is like a roach or bugs.
107.
MS. RAIN
Precious, have you ever had your
hearing tested?
PRECIOUS
No. I never really had nothing
tested...nothing like that. Glasses
is what I really want so my eyes
don't hurt when I be reading at
night.
The sound of a RUMBLING BUS ENGINE accelerating leads us
to...

Rita looks out the window of a moving 102 bus and then steps
across the aisle and sits beside Precious who stares out the
window pensively.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Rita and me on our way. I look at
subway map sometimes and wonder
where I be if I go to the end of
the line. Jermaine say there be a
white boy wif a baseball bat when
you get off. Rita say it's not
true, or if it be true, it's only
part true.
The bus comes to a stop and the girls dash out the back door.
127 EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - DAY 127
RYAN, A WELL-DRESSED THIN CAUCASIAN MAN IN HIS LATE TWENTIES

holds Rita tenderly as they lean against a late-model Buick
silhouetted by the sunset.
They speak in whispers.
RYAN
...Why you wanna go there?
RITA
Just do.
RYAN
What for? You don't even play
nothin'.
108.
RITA
I just wanna ride out there, that's
all. Boardwalk's nice.
RYAN
Funnel cakes ain't bad either,
right?
Rita laughs and Ryan gives her a bear hug.

RITA
Now you talkin'.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
New guy Rita with got money. Got
H.I.V. too. His parents stop giving
him money when he was addict. But
now he's sick and they want to give
him everything. He loves Rita.
128 EXT. UNION SQUARE SUBWAY EXIT - DAY 128

Precious and Rita climb up out of the subway and head away
from Union Square Park.
129 EXT. 14TH STREET - DAY 129

Precious and Rita walk east with Precious looking around as
Rita hums quietly.
130 INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY 130
In a simple meeting room, women of all different ages, colors

and strata sit in a large circle.
IRENE, A GORGEOUS SLENDER BLOND WITH LUSTROUS HAIR AND
SPARKLING EYES stands.
IRENE
Hello and welcome to our Tuesday
night beginner's meeting...My name
is Irene. I am an incest
survivor...
Precious looks utterly amazed. Her jaw drops. From here, the
women's voices are so faint that they are barely audible as
we hear Precious' thoughts.
109.
PRECIOUS (V.O.) IRENE (CONT'D)

This girl look like a movie It started when I was about 4
star and she in here too?! or 5 years old with him
All kinda women in here. fondling me. By the time I
Princess girls, big girls, was 12, he was having
old women, young women, white intercourse with me 3 or 4
women, lotta white women. times a week...
A montage of other women standing and speaking follows. As
the women talk, Precious' face fills with the wonder of
seeing the world through the window of a spacecraft headed
for re-entry.
CANDACE, SIXTIES, WHITE speaks next.

PRECIOUS (V.O.) CANDACE
What am I hearing?! What in ....I didn't remember what my
this world?! One hour and a father did to me for so many
half women talk. How can this years until after he died...
happen to so many people in
modern days?
CAITLIN, 20's, WHITE speaks.
PRECIOUS (V.O.) CAITLIN
And these is just the ones ...I am a proud lesbian. But
that come out to the meeting. it's the only thing I'm proud
What about the rest? Do I of. I was confined to a
pass them in the street and mental institution for 14
do not know? years....
Finally, Precious stands.
She looks around as if seeing from the top of a mountain.

Finally she clears her throat and then...
PRECIOUS
I was raped by my father and beat
by my mother ever since I could
remember anything at all. Raped and
beat by both. The worst part about
it...the part even worse than them
doin' it...was how shamed I felt
during the times it felt...good.
Anyway, I see a girl and always
think I know how easy or bad she
have it just by lookin'. Now I
wonder if everybody go through
sumthin' - sumthin' that leave a
shadow in they life.
(exhales)
Never said alla that before...
110.
Precious looks around the room to find herself surrounded by

understanding eyes.
PRECIOUS
Anyway, thas all I'd like to say
for today. Thank y'all for letting
me share...
Irene nods and Precious sits. Rita squeezes her hand. Another
woman stands up to recount her story. Precious looks aglow.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Everything is floating around me
now. Like geeses from the lake. I
see flying. Feel flying. Am flying.
Far up...Thank you Rita for getting
me here on time.

The entire group crosses the intersection almost as one.
132 INT. COFFEE HOUSE - DAY 132
Irene chats with Candace over a cup of coffee while an

attendant leads us to the table where Precious and Rita sit
and talk with TWO OTHER YOUNG WOMEN, MIRIAM, BLACK 20's LONG
PRETTY DREADLOCKS and LISA, WHITE 20's.
PRECIOUS
...How you get your hair like that?
MIRIAM
Oh, you like it? I do yours one day
if you want. That's what I do - fix
people's hair and makeup.
Miriam hands Precious a card. Precious reads the card

carefully and puts it away with care.
PRECIOUS
Thank you Miriam.
RITA
(to Precious)
Do you want another hot chocolate?
Precious smiles and shakes her head. Rita gets up. Precious
watches her go as Miriam and Lisa chat.
111.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Rita ask me do I want another hot
chocolate. I do but I don't want to
be greedy, even if her boyfriend do
give her money.
Precious looks around at all of the other girls.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
I'm alive inside. A bird is my
heart. Mama and Daddy didn't win.
I'm winning. I'm drinking hot
chocolate in the Village with girls
- all kind who love me. How does a
stranger meet me and love me?
Two cups set down on the table. Rita lifts one and nods for
Precious to take the other.
Precious thanks Rita with her eyes.
Rita winks back at her.
133 EXT. COFFEE HOUSE - EVENING 133

Night falls colorfully on the Village as the glow of the
coffee house protrudes softly into the oncoming night.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
134 EXT. PARK - DAY 134
Precious sits on a bench with an open book on her lap.

Crumpled wrapping paper lays beside her. The book's first
page reads:
CONGRATULATIONS PRECIOUS! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU YET AGAIN.
LOVE, MS. RAIN
Precious wears new eyeglasses and her red scarf. Little girls
play all around her - mostly jumping rope and playing
hopscotch.
An old man sits near them on a folding chair reading a
newspaper beside a standing rack of mirrors that are all
shapes and sizes.
112.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Thangs pile up but I'm good at not
crying. Crying don't seem to really
matter less you some TV movie bitch
anyway.
Precious closes her book. Its cover reads:
CRYSTAL STAIR: SELECTED WORKS BY LANGSTON HUGHES

Precious looks up to watch Ruby standing by herself under
dressed for the cold weather as the other girls play.
When Ruby approaches them to join in...
GIRL # 1
Get away Ruby, you too ugly.
GIRL # 2
Yeah, gon' get away from us.
GIRL # 1
Shoo now...
The girls LAUGH.

Ruby backs off trying to act as if it doesn't matter but
clearly it does. She then glances up at Precious seemingly
afraid to make eye contact.
PRECIOUS (CONT'D)
One day Miz Rain ask us to write
about our ideal self...I wrote that
I would be light skinned and small
wif wavy swing-job hair.
(beat)
Miz Rain read all that and then say
I am beautiful like I am. I never
believe her before but somehow,
today, this moment - can't say why,
I do. Just now...The inside I
thought was so beautiful is a black
girl too.
Precious closes her book, tucks it under one arm and
approaches Ruby who is still standing by herself.
Precious removes her scarf and wraps it gently around Ruby.
Ruby looks surprised. The other girls stop what they are
doing to watch.
113.
Precious starts away from Ruby but something takes hold of

her.
Precious turns around to find that Ruby has grabbed her leg.
She then reaches up and hugs Precious tightly.
Through the embrace, Precious finds herself facing the many
mirrors on display by the old man on the folding chair. In
her reflections, she sees the skinny white girl who she has
frequently imagined herself as gradually transform into the
real Precious one by one.

We tilt down upon a stately pre-war building bathed in stark
wintry light.
MS. WEISS (O.S.)
Perhaps we should begin by talking
a little bit about the abuse.
Mary looks worse than ever. Her hair and clothing are
disastrous. She rocks somewhat anxiously on the edge of her
seat like a desperate salesman looking to close a deal.
MARY
'Buse?
MS. WEISS
Yes Ms. Johnston. Abuse.
MARY
There was no drugs in ma house! No
drugs! 'Cause Precious know damn
well I whoop her ass bright blue if
she bring some drugs in ma...
MS. WEISS
I'm referring to inappropriate acts
of a physical and sexual nature
involving Precious.
MARY
Why'nt you say dat? Dat?! Okay.
When it first start?
114.
MS. WEISS
Yes. According to Precious' files
she has had two children by your
boyfriend, the late Carl Kenwood
Jones, who is also her father?
You've been calling here saying you
want to be reunited with your
daughter and grandson and that you
want them to come home. Well I
think you'd better explain just
what happened in that home.
Precious waits nervously.

MARY
...Well, I, Precious b'long at home
cause I'm a good mother. She had
everything. I done tole her that.
Pink 'n white baby carriage, little
pink bootie socks, dresses;
everything I put on her pink.
Precious, she so smiling and
healthy. A day don't go by I don't
take her wheeling in the air - to
church, to somewhere, me 'n Carl
loved Precious. I dreamed of the
day we was gonna you know, git
married, git house wif grass, color
TV's in all the rooms. Precious,
she born about the same time as Miz
West son that got kilt. You
remember him don't you Precious?
Precious looks at a loss.

MARY
He born summertime 'bout same time
as you.
PRECIOUS
I was born in November...far as I
know.
MARY
Yeah yeah thas right. My little
Scorpio chile! Scorpio's crafty. I
ain' sayin' they lie, jus' you
cain't always trust 'em.
Precious looks embarrassed beyond embarrassment.

115.
MS. WEISS
Ms. Johnston, when did the abuse
happen, how often, where? And, when
were you first aware of what was
going on?
MARY
When? I don't know when it start.
When I remember it? She still
little. Yeah, around three maybe. I
give her a bottle. I still got milk
in my bresses but not from her but
from Carl sucking. I give him
tittie, Precious bottle. Hygiene,
you know?
MS. WEISS
(floored)
Excuse me?
MARY
Huh?
MS. WEISS
You mentioned something about
hygiene in connection with...
Ms. Weiss can't go on.
MARY
I bottle her, tittie him. Bottle
more better for kidz. Sanitary. But
I never git dried up 'cause Carl
always on me. It's like that you
know. Chile, man - a woman got
bofe. What you gonna do? So we in
bed. I put her one side of me on
pillow, Carl on other side of me.
Ms. Weiss looks as if she's stopped breathing.
MARY
I think thas the day IT start. So
he on me. Then he reach over to
Precious! I say Carl what you
doing! He say shut your big ass up!
This good for her. I say stop Carl
stop! I want him on me! I never
wanted him to hurt her. I didn't
want him doing anything to her. I
wanted my man for myself - to sex
me up, not my chile. Me God damn
it!
(MORE)
116.
MARY (CONT'D)
So you cain't blame all that shit
happen to Precious on me. I love
Carl, I loved him. He her daddy but
he was my man!
Mary can't help but to shoot a look of anger at Precious
while Ms. Weiss pauses to regain her composure...
LONG DISSOLVE TO:
Precious enters the apartment with her bookbag. She seems

surprised by what she sees.
On the couch sits Carl Kenwood Jones in his underwear. His

face, however, lies entirely in shadow. The only thing alight
above his neck is the glowing tip of a smoldering cigarette.
CARL
You home early.
Precious doesn't answer. She just puts her hands in her
pockets and shrugs her shoulders.
CARL
You in trouble?
Precious nods.
CARL
For fighting?
Precious nods.
CARL
You win?
Precious nods.
CARL
Good. Do me a favor? Raise the
shade up girl.
Precious pulls the drawstring on the shade. Light falls

across Carl's face. This is our first good look at him. His
features are hard yet his expression exudes extraordinary
warmth. Precious returns her hands to her pockets.
CARL
Where your mama's cigarettes at?
117.
PRECIOUS
I don't know. Where Mama at?
CARL
Running fifth in the New York
Marathon...Sleep. Where else?
What's in your pocket?
PRECIOUS
Nuffin.
CARL
(waving her closer)
C'mon. Let me see. I ain't gon tell
nobody.
Precious approaches Carl, pulls three small slips of paper
from her hand and gives them to him.
CARL
Lotto? This for only 3 million
girl.
(handing them back)
Good luck.
(pointing)
Reach in my coat.
Precious walks to a long overcoat hanging on the door and
reaches into a pocket.
CARL
...Th'other pocket.
Precious pulls out a carton of cigarettes.
CARL
I brung your mama that carton but
she don't know about it yet. Keep
it hid in your room for whenever
she fixin to beat yo ass for
sumthin...
Precious doesn't move.

CARL
G'head.
Precious takes them into her room and stashes them under her
bed.
118.
CARL
(amused)
So what you gon do with the Jackpot
money?
PRECIOUS (O.S.)
What?
Precious returns to the living room.

CARL
The Lotto. The jackpot.
PRECIOUS
I'on't know. Go somewhere.
CARL
Yeah? Where's that?
PRECIOUS
I'on't know. Somewhere.
CARL
Ain't gotta win no Lotto for that.
Shoot, you wanna go somewhere, you
just go. Look at me - go where I
want, when I want. It's just as
simple as that. There's a time to
go and a time to sit there and take
people's stupid-ass shit. Maybe you
too young to know the difference
yet but you find it out and when
you do, just get yo ass up and get
yo ass goin'.
Carl pats a knee suggestively as his face grins seductively.
CARL
Now ain't you forgettin 'bout
sumthin? Sumthin for your old man?
Precious thinks a moment and then moves towards the door.
CARL
What you doin'?
Precious stops beside the door.

Carl smiles tenderly until...
The door SLAMS.
Precious is gone.
119.
MARY (O.S.)
(sleepily)
Who dat Carl?
CARL
Nobody. Go back to sleep.
(under his breath)
Get yo big ass back to sleep.
MS. WEISS (O.S.)
Precious, you've been writing in
your journal about this...
DISSOLVE TO:

Precious nods reluctantly.
MARY
Lady from Each One Preach One say
she got poems too. In fact...
PRECIOUS
That's enough Mama. That's...
enough.
(beat)
You know, I didn't realize what you
was until this day - even after all
those thangs you did. Maybe I
didn't know no better or maybe I
just didn't want to but I finally
see you crystal clear for the first
time.
(beat)
I forgive you too.
Mary smiles warmly and nods confidently to Ms. Weiss.
PRECIOUS
...but I'll never see you again.
Not even if you dead.
Mary's expression drops. Precious turns to Ms. Weiss as Mary
starts to spring up from her seat.
PRECIOUS
(without looking at her)
Stay down Mama.
Mary sits obediently. Precious turns to Ms. Weiss.
120.
PRECIOUS
I forgive you too. I can tell right
now that you ain't qualified for
dis kind of mess.
Precious thinks a moment and grins a grin that seems much
older.
MS. WEISS
...Precious? I was thinking we
might...
PRECIOUS
I took the TABE test again. This
time it's 7.8. Last time it was
2.8. According to the test, I'm
reading around 7th or 8th grade
level now. High school level next.
College after that.
MS. WEISS
...Why congratulations Precious.
That's...
Precious stands abruptly, startling both women.

Precious takes a step towards her mother. Mary winces. Ms.
Weiss looks concerned.
MS. WEISS
Precious, perhaps it's best if you
remain seat...
Precious leans and kisses Mary tenderly on the cheek, turns
and gently touches Ms. Weiss' shoulder.
Precious takes a good look at them both, smiles and leaves

the room.
MS. WEISS (O.S.)
Precious?!
139 EXT. CORRIDOR - DOOR 139

Ms. Weiss calls after her. Precious keeps walking.
MS. WEISS (O.S.)
Precious!
Precious doesn't stop.
121.

Precious bursts out onto the street and hurtles down the
block...
...Precious turns onto another street
...and then another

...up out of a subway
...and through the park where she trips and stumbles
considerably.
It looks as if she'll fall until...
She regains her feet and sprints on.
DISSOLVE TO:
141 INT. ADVANCEMENT HOUSE DAYROOM - DAY 141

Precious sits on a leather stool with Abdul on her lap. The
sun pours down through the window bathing them in gold.
A children's book sits open on Abdul's lap.
Precious gazes lovingly at Abdul as he awaits the next page
in their story.
Entranced by her child's beauty, Precious has stopped

everything.
PRECIOUS (V.O.)
Miz Rain got a birthday coming up.
Say she don't want nothing. Say
that me happy is gift enough to
her. I been saving up tho. Some
kind of bracelet or necklace might
be nice. Maybe a shelf for books.
I'll think of sumthin'.
Finally, Abdul tugs at her to continue their story.
Precious returns from her trance, smiles and turns another

page.
DEDICATION
122.
...for precious girls everywhere.

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PUSH:

Every blade of grass has its Angel

1 EXT. HARLEM STREET - DAY 1

A COLD WIND blows a bright red scarf tangled high on a street

An iron waste bin lays sideways in the intersection as a

A book bag drops onto the pavement.

Visible from the waist down, a LARGE YOUNG WOMAN in a

Precious gazes down upon a soiled and tattered paperback book

She pushes debris aside to get to it.

The book plunges deeper into the trash, as if trying to flee.

The sound of an ONCOMING CAR approaches.

Precious finally comes up with the book. Its title is still

The car sounds incredibly close.

Precious looks sharply to her left.

AN EERIE SKID precedes an eerier THUD! Precious catapults

She lays on the sidewalk pressed against the base of the

The car reverses, skids, shifts and SCREECHES off.

The garbage bin, overturned yet again, rocks side to side

An ambulance eases up to the intersection.

When the stoplight changes, the ambulance motors past

The stray dog returns, re-investigates the garbage bin and

Moments later, Precious' still vacant eyes finally open to

Above it, the following handwritten words appear faintly in

"HI MY NAME IS..."

A SCHOOL BELL RINGS.

2 EXT. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 111 - DAY 2

The end of a final wave of students pours inside.

Precious scurries in behind them donning the red scarf and

3 INT. CLASSROOM - DAY 3

Precious sits in the last row behind 26 children half her

Precious' book stays closed as the other students find the

TWO BOYS in front of Precious giggle boisterously at some

Mr. Wicher looks annoyed but accustomed to this.

The giggling boys continue their shenanigans.

The boys finally open their books.

The giggling flares up again. Precious sneers at the boys.

The boys get louder.

Mr. Wicher looks at them helplessly.

The entire class cries, "OOOOOH". Mr. Wicher looks scared.

The boys fall out slapping hands.

The class turns to Mr. Wicher in unison to see what he will

Mr. Wicher tries to carry on throughout the boys' unrelenting

The boys break out in RIOTOUS LAUGHTER until...

Precious has had enough.

Precious shoves them down in their seats and huffs.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Someone is outside the classroom.

Mr. Wicher waves her inside.

MRS. LICHENSTEIN, A SKINNY WOMAN IN HER THIRTIES WEARING A

Mrs. Lichenstein sends Precious an oversized grin and beckons

Precious gathers her belongings. The other children watch

An unconvinced Precious grins sadly as Mrs. Lichenstein

Mr. Wicher looks abandoned. The door closing behind Precious

4 INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR - DAY 4

5 INT. MRS. LICHENSTEIN'S OFFICE - DAY 5

Precious waits among plants, plaques, pictures and file

Mrs. Lichenstein closes the file and sets it on the desk

Precious stares at the file without responding.

Precious shrugs her shoulders.

Precious doesn't respond.