[Speaking directly to the listener.]

ELLEN

I'm not suicidal, though there were times I came close. I can't say that I like my life, because I don't know what it is, yet. But I can say that I like cheese fries and racing movies and watercolors. (pause) I think being out here in the wilderness changes you. (pause) God I hope so. (pause) Out here, danger is different. Better, almost, than back home. It's honest. The danger is rotten trees ready to fall on you. The danger is loose gravel or a hidden root that breaks your ankle. The danger is food and water and time--gotta be off the trail by winter. I've been hiking two months now and I've never felt the kind of focus that I do. And I think that's why I'm out here. I need focus. I need a change. My birthday is next month, I'm turning 21 on the trail. Maybe coming out here will show me who I really am.

Ellen encounters “Mix” on the trail and suspects he means her harm. Do not record Mix’s lines, they are included for reference. VO lines are addressed directly to the listener.

MIX

Call me Mix.

ELLEN

Mix? That your trail name?

MIX

Yeah. You know, like Trail Mix!

ELLEN

(VO) (sarcastic)

Original.

ELLEN

Call me Cuppa J. I like coffee.

MIX

Cuppa, huh? Nice, nice, nice. You got a good look about you, Cups.

ELLEN

... Cuppa J. And uh, yeah, thanks.

ELLEN

(VO)

You know what's coming. Hairs on the back of my neck. The leer of my mother's boyfriends, leaning their drugged out faces into my doorway. (Pause) Breathe. Maybe not. (pause) But I know that look.

MIX

Where you headed?

ELLEN

There's supposed to be a hostel in this little town nearby. Trying to get there ahead of the rain.

MIX

Oh is there? But you know, I found a shelter nearby! It's so cool, this like old house. It's huge. Like an old mansion or something but now it's abandoned. There's a fireplace and everything. You should check it out.

ELLEN

(VO)

It's the look. The way he flicks his eyes over you. Under that friendly smile, something a little hungry. A look that boxes you in, sizes you up. Categorizes you, with a confidence that he thinks he's got the right.

ELLEN

Nah, that's okay. Old buildings are dangerous and plus, no trespassing, right? I'm going to head on.

MIX

Well, listen, if this is the trail to the town, I'll walk with you. The house is just around that bend.

ELLEN

... yeah, sure, okay.

MIX

Cool, cool. Hey, you've got a pretty smile.

ELLEN

... thanks.

ELLEN

(VO)

Shit.

There are several scenes where we flashback to Ellen as a girl. Please record the following in a more youthful voice. It’s more important to suggest her age than hit it exactly.

Ellen and her friends find a dead bird on the playground.

YOUNG ELLEN
Oh no... What happened? Did you hurt it?  Maybe a cat got it. (pause) We should get a shoebox and put it in, then we can bury it. We could hold a funeral. Like they did in that book Miss Adams read to us, about the goldfish who died and the family put him in a box and buried him.