1st scene: [Waving goodbye]

**ELLA’S FATHER**
My darling Ella, I must go, but I shall return with treasures from my travels. Something special
just for you.

(* Voiceover relapse)

**ELLA** *(clutching his hands, eyes glistening)*

You don’t have to bring me anything, Father. Just... come back to me.

**ELLA’S FATHER** *(smiling gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face)*
I promise, my love. Be brave. Be kind.

**ELLA’S FATHER** *(forcing a smile, kissing Ella’s forehead)*

I love you, my Ella.

**BACK TO PRESENT**

*(Ella wipes her eyes, turning back toward the house. LADY TREMAINE’s warm facade melts
into something colder.)*

**LADY TREMAINE** *(sternly)*

Come along, Ella. There is much to be done.

*(DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA smirk as they push past her. Ella takes one last look at the
empty road, then steps inside—her world forever changed.)*

2nd scene [The Ball Invitation]

[FADE IN]

EXT. ELLA’S FAMILY ESTATE – DAY

(A golden envelope rests on the doorstep. ELLA, dressed in her worn yet graceful attire, picks it
up with delicate hands. She traces the royal seal, her heart fluttering. She opens it and reads
quietly, eyes widening.)

ELLA (softly, hopeful)

A royal invitation… to the ball.
(She clutches the letter to her chest and hurries inside.)

INT. ELLA’S HOME – PARLOR – DAY

(LADY TREMAINE lounges in her chair, sipping tea, while DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA chatter
idly. ELLA enters, holding the letter.)

ELLA (gently, hopeful)

Stepmother, a letter has arrived from the palace. It’s an invitation to the ball.

(LADY TREMAINE raises an eyebrow, intrigued, but does not reach for the letter.)

LADY TREMAINE (coolly, setting down her cup)

A ball? How grand. And what has that to do with you?

ELLA (swallowing, gathering courage)

Well, all maidens are invited. I was wondering… might I also attend?

(A tense silence. DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA exchange amused glances.)

LADY TREMAINE (smiling faintly, voice honeyed but firm)

Oh, my dear, you? At the palace? Among all those fine people?

(ELLA’s hopeful smile falters. LADY TREMAINE rises, slowly approaching.)

LADY TREMAINE (stroking Ella’s cheek, mock sympathy)

But of course, if you can find something suitable to wear… why ever not?

(DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA snicker. ELLA nods, forcing a small smile, clutching the
invitation.)

ELLA (softly, determined)

Thank you, Stepmother.

(She turns away, hope flickering in her eyes as LADY TREMAINE watches with a knowing
smirk.)

Scene 3: [The Transformation]

[FADE IN]

INT. ELLA'S ROOM – EVENING

(ELLA stands before a mirror, wearing a gown she has lovingly refashioned from her mother's
old dress. She adjusts it, hope shining in her eyes.)
ELLA (to herself) This will do. Mother would be proud.

(She descends the stairs to the grand hall, where LADY TREMAINE, DRIZELLA, and
ANASTASIA are preparing to leave for the ball.)

ANASTASIA (noticing Ella) Look who thinks she can join us.

DRIZELLA Is that my old sash?

ANASTASIA And my beads!

LADY TREMAINE (circling ELLA, feigning admiration) You’ve done an admirable job with
such... simple materials.

ELLA (hopeful) May I join you at the ball, Stepmother?

LADY TREMAINE (smiling coldly) I did say if you could find something suitable. But this?

(She suddenly grabs ELLA's sleeve and tears it. DRIZELLA and ANASTASIA join in, ripping the
dress apart. ELLA stands in shock, tears welling up.)

LADY TREMAINE You’ll only embarrass us.

(They exit, leaving ELLA devastated.)

EXT. GARDEN – NIGHT

(ELLA flees to the garden, collapsing by the withered tree. She sobs, feeling utterly alone.)

ELLA (whispering) Why?

(A gentle light flickers nearby. An OLD BEGGAR WOMAN approaches.)

OLD WOMAN My dear, why so sad?

ELLA (through tears) I... I have no one.

OLD WOMAN Nonsense. Dry your tears.

(She reveals a wand, transforming into the FAIRY GODMOTHER.)

ELLA You’re...

FAIRY GODMOTHER Your Fairy Godmother, dear. Now, let’s get you to that ball.
(With a wave of her wand, the garden comes alive. A pumpkin transforms into a magnificent
carriage; mice become horses; lizards, footmen; and a goose, the coachman.)

ELLA It’s beautiful!

FAIRY GODMOTHER Now, for you.

(She twirls her wand. ELLA's tattered dress morphs into a stunning blue gown. Glass slippers
materialize on her feet.)

ELLA I feel... like a princess.

FAIRY GODMOTHER Remember, at the last stroke of midnight, the spell will break, and all
will return to as it was.

ELLA Midnight. I understand.

FAIRY GODMOTHER Now go, dear. Be kind, be courageous, and enjoy the ball.

(ELLA steps into the carriage, which takes off into the night towards the palace.)

[FADE OUT]

Scene 4: [ The Ball and Beyond ]

[FADE IN]

EXT. PALACE GATES – NIGHT

*A magnificent carriage arrives at the palace. ELLA steps out, adorned in a breathtaking blue
gown and glass slippers, her face radiant with anticipation.*

INT. PALACE BALLROOM – NIGHT

*The grand hall is abuzz with guests. ELLA enters, and the room hushes, captivated by her
ethereal presence. Her STEPFAMILY watches in astonishment, failing to recognize her.*

PRINCE KIT (approaching ELLA, mesmerized)

May I have this dance?

ELLA (smiling)
I would be honored.

*They glide across the floor in a dance of pure enchantment, the world around them fading
away.*
INT. PALACE CLOCK – NIGHT

*The clock's hands inch closer to midnight. ELLA notices and her eyes widen in alarm.*

ELLA (whispering)
I must go.

PRINCE KIT (concerned)

But we’ve only just met.

EXT. PALACE STEPS – NIGHT

*ELLA dashes down the grand staircase, one glass slipper slipping off unnoticed. She disappears
into the night as the clock strikes twelve.*

INT. PALACE – THRONE ROOM – DAY

*PRINCE KIT holds the glass slipper, addressing his ROYAL GUARDS.*

PRINCE KIT
Find the owner of this slipper. She is my destiny.

MONTAGE: SEARCH FOR ELLA

• *GUARDS travel the kingdom, every maiden attempting to fit the delicate shoe.*
• *At ELLA's home, her STEPSISTERS struggle to squeeze into the slipper.*

INT. ELLA’S HOME – ATTIC – DAY

*ELLA sings softly, confined by her STEPMOTHER. The door creaks open, revealing PRINCE
KIT and his GUARDS.*

PRINCE KIT (softly)

It’s you.

*ELLA steps forward as the GUARD kneels, presenting the slipper. She slips her foot in
effortlessly.*

PRINCE KIT (smiling)

Will you marry me?

ELLA (beaming)
Yes.

EXT. PALACE BALCONY – DAY

*ELLA and PRINCE KIT wave to the jubilant crowd below, now united in love and freedom.*

[FADE OUT]

THE END