Charlayne Woodard: Elijah's Mother

Unbreakable

Elijah's Mother

[Elijah's mother has just given birth to him in a '60s dress store; a doctor, Dr. Mathison has arrived to take care of her before the ambulance arrives]
Dr. Mathison: Is there a name yet?
Elijah's Mother: Elijah.
[She hands him the wrapped child. We can't see the baby, but the piercing cries seem to get louder]
Elijah's Mother: [almost laughing] Is he supposed to crying like that?
[Elijah's mother can't see her baby anymore. She watches Dr. Mathison as he looks down and examines her child. Dr. Mathison doesn't look up for the longest time]
Elijah's Mother: Can I have him back?
Dr. Mathison: [looking at the saleswoman through the mirror] What happened during the delivery?
Saleswoman: Nothing. It was very quick. The baby just wanted to come right out. There was no problems.
Dr. Mathison: Did you drop him?
Saleswoman: What?
Dr. Mathison: Did you drop this baby?
Saleswoman: [indignant] Jesus Christ, no.
[the baby continues to scream]
Dr. Mathison: [to the saleswoman] Inform the ambulance we have a... situation.
[to Elijah's mother]
Dr. Mathison: I've never seen... this. It appears that your infant has suffered some fractures while in your uterus.
[beat]
Dr. Mathison: His arms and legs are broken.

[Elijah is sitting alone in the living room of his apartment staring at the TV]
Elijah's Mother: No more sittin' in this room. I let it go on long enough.
Elijah Age 13: I'm not goin' out there any more. I'm not getting hurt again. This was the last time, I told you.
Elijah's Mother: You might fall between this chair and that television. If that's what God has planned for you, that's what's gonna happen. You can't hide from it sittin' in a room.
Elijah Age 13: They call me Mr. Glass at school 'cause I break like glass.
Elijah's Mother: You make this decision now... to be afraid... and you will never turn back. Your whole life, you will always be afraid.
[beat]
Elijah's Mother: I got a present for you.
Elijah Age 13: Why?
Elijah's Mother: Forget why. You want it or not?
[Elijah nods]
Elijah's Mother: Well, go get it then.
Elijah Age 13: Where is it?
Elijah's Mother: On a bench. Across the street.
[Elijah and his mother look at the window. There is a bright purple wrapped gift outside sitting on a bench]
Elijah Age 13: Someone's gonna take it.
Elijah's Mother: Then you better get out there soon.