Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By
Tom Hayes
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
NURSE 1
(detached)
Six years ago. Head trauma. Hit by
a car on the Santa Monica Freeway.
He was at St. Marks for a month or
two.
A beat. The nurse inspects one of her fingernails.
NURSE 1(CONT’D)
No ID, no money ... nothing. No one
ever came to ask about him. They
sent him to us about the time I
started working here.
Zitteraal puts the file down on the empty nightstand, takes
out a small penlight, bends over John, opens one of his
eyes, takes a brief look.
Cut to John’s POV: We vaguely see the penlight, then the
light from the penlight grows in size until we can see
nothing else, then, suddenly, darkness again.
Cut back to: Room in nursing home. Zitteraal turns off the
penlight, stands up straight, takes out a hospital lancet
from his coat pocket, opens the package, starts to gently
prick the ends of John’s fingers. John doesn’t move. He
tries another spot. No response.
Zitteraal drops the lancet in a nearby waste can, picks up
the clipboard, makes a notation. He takes a final look at
John.
ZITTERAAL
No one knows anything about him?
The nurse shakes her head.
NURSE1
No, doctor. After the accident, no
one came to ask about him. That’s
why they brought him here.
Zitteraal cocks his head quizzically.
ZITTERAAL
A human being disappears from the
face of the earth. Strange.
He turns to look at the nurse. The nurse shrugs, obviously
not interested.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
NURSE 1
(flat)
After a few hundred ... you get
used to it.
Zitteraal nods, turns back to John.
ZITTERAAL
(back to business)
OK, see that he gets 50 milligrams,
twice daily.
NURSE 1
Yes, Doctor Zitteraal.
He flips the papers on his clipboard back into place and the
two leave, turning out the dim light just before closing the
door.
John opens one of his eyes slightly.
John’s POV: We see sunlight streaming through a blind, then
John closes his eye.
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
He pulls off the sheet covering him, sits on the edge of the
bed, puts his feet on the dais, stares at the wall in front
of him.
Cut to: John again sees the light of the penlight
approaching, the light growing in size until he can see
nothing else.
Cut back to: The bedroom. John rubs his face again, shakes
his head, tries to forget it, rubs his arm, then looks at
it. He is muscular. He feels his bicep, lets his hand slide
across his well-developed chest, gives a small smile of
satisfaction.
CLARISSE
(sleepy)
Hey, looking good, Superman.
John turns back to her. She is smiling. He scoops her gently
into his arms.
JOHN
You’re not so bad yourself,
Wonderwoman.
She runs one hand across his chest, lets it linger there,
sighs.
CLARISSE
Do you really have to fly over to
Texas today?
JOHN
Back tomorrow, baby.
She pouts.
CLARISSE
Yeah, but what about tonight?
She pats her hand softly on the bed.
JOHN
Maybe you can get a guest husband.
This is LA, you know.
She gives his chest a playful slap.
CLARISSE
(teasing)
Maybe I will. That would shut you
up.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
JOHN
You could kiss me and that would
shut me up.
She kisses him on the lips, a little peck, lets her head
fall back on her pillow.
CLARISSE
(teasing)
Shut up.
He leans down, gives her a good kiss, pulls away slowly.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
(still teasing)
I said, "Shut up."
She takes his face in her hands, gives him a long passionate
kiss. He holds her close and covers them both with the sheet
with his free hand as they continue to kiss.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
COBB (CONT’D)
Hey, Tammy.
She looks up, smiles.
TAMMY
Hey, Jay.
She gives him a little wink.
COBB
(to John, still watching
Tammy)
You should go to a doctor.
He hands John a piece of paper. John reads it.
JOHN
What’s this?
COBB
(looks back at John)
A doctor. Want you to go over and
interview him before you fly down
to Waco.
JOHN
(annoyed)
Why?
COBB
(smirking)
Because I told you to. Also because
he just came on staff at Serenity
East and they’ve started a new
therapy program.
JOHN
(sarcastic)
Whoa, stop the presses. Can’t you
get one of the interns to do this?
That’s why they hang around here,
isn’t it?
Cobb glances at his screen, starts to type again, looks back
at John while continuing to type.
COBB
What devotion to duty. Look it’s on
the way to the airport and ... the
old man wants it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
COBB
Ah, and here’s some more good news,
my friend: Bush has consented to an
interview with us.
JOHN
No shit?
COBB
Sheer desperation, man.
Cobb follows Tammy’s with his eyes as she walks away. A
beat. He looks back at John, starts typing again, his eyes
on John.
COBB (CONT’D)
You’re going to interview him.
JOHN
(excited)
You’re kidding.
COBB
You the man. We’ve got 30 minutes
arranged for you ... still
tentative, but it looks like it’s
going to happen.
JOHN
What about the Wilcox interview?
Cobb scoffs, stops typing, makes a dismissive gesture. He
stands.
COBB
Ah, if you got time, give him a few
minutes. This is A1, son, Front
Page for Sunday. You got as much
space as you want.
He shoos John away from his desk, sits back down and begins
to type again.
COBB (CONT’D)
Now, go forth and conquer.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
KEVIN
He snagged me last week. Did he
tell you you should be happy
because the "old man likes you"?
He makes quotation marks in the air with his fingers. John
pretends to be hurt.
JOHN
You mean it was just a lie?
Andy laughs out loud again.
ANDY
Farr loves everyone. Haven’t you
heard? He’s like Jesus. His love is
unconditional. He raineth down upon
us all ... golden showers of love.
JOHN
Seems like I always get to bear the
cross though.
ANDY
Hey, I’ve done my share of Farr
stories.
He holds out one hand, palm up, fingers extended.
ANDY (CONT’D)
See the nail scars?
KEVIN
So what’s the old man got you
doing?
JOHN
Serenity East has a new director.
ANDY
(munching his sandwich)
Hey, I’ve done a story on him. Kind
of a cold bastard, a real lizard.
He came up with some new type of
drug therapy ... when was that...?
Eh, must’ve been a couple of months
back.
KEVIN
It’s one of Farr’s pet charities
... so you better not fuck it up.
He reads every word of those
stories.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
ANDY
(leans forward)
To hell with that shit. What about
Bush?
JOHN
What about him?
KEVIN
Well, you going to the ranch?
JOHN
Dunno. Bush’s people are going to
let me know when I get to Waco.
ANDY
If he picks up his coon dogs by the
ears, make sure and get some
pictures.
JOHN
That was LBJ.
KEVIN
You sure it wasn’t Carter?
John nods. Andy keeps munching on his sandwich, lost in
thought.
ANDY
(hopefully)
You sure you don’t want me to watch
Clarisse for you?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
BETTY (CONT’D)
What’s your name, hon?
JOHN
John ... John West.
Betty dials a number, waits.
BETTY (CONT’D)
(on the phone)
Dr. Zitteraal? The man from the
newspaper is here.
She listens.
BETTY (CONT’D)
I’ll tell him.
Betty hangs up the phone. She stands, walks over to the
counter.
BETTY (CONT’D)
He said he’ll be just a minute.
He’s coming over from the West
Building. Why don’t you have a
seat? Would you like some coffee?
John sits in a chair next to the coffee table.
JOHN
I’m fine, thank you.
Betty leans against the counter.
BETTY
Wow, must be exciting being a
reporter.
John looks around the room.
JOHN
(deadpan)
Yeah. Real exciting.
BETTY
I always wanted to be a reporter.
JOHN
Really?
Betty nods.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Why didn’t you then?
BETTY
(sighs)
Got married when I was 17. Had kids
and that was it. We all make our
choices.
John nods.
JOHN
So, how did your choices end up?
BETTY
Kids are OK. One’s a lawyer, makes
a ton of money. The other’s a
minister in the Anglican Church.
JOHN
Well ... that sure is different.
Betty shrugs, rests her chin on her hands on the counter.
BETTY
Everybody makes their choices. Just
like you ... you chose to come here
today, didn’t you?
JOHN
Not exactly. So, what about your
husband?
BETTY
Ah, he was a bum. Finally got rid
of him 20 years ago. All he wanted
to do was drink.
JOHN
Sorry.
Betty shrugs.
BETTY
Be sorry for him, not for me. We
all make our choices.
A beat, Betty watches him.
BETTY (CONT’D)
So, why did you choose to come here
today, Mr. West? You didn’t have
to, you know. For all you know, it
might have been better had you not.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
ZITTERAAL
(deadpan)
I’m sorry, Mr. West. I’m afraid
I’ve gotten rather used to these
things.
JOHN
Must be difficult.
ZITTERAAL
One learns to adapt. In any case,
there is some hope. We’re beginning
clinical testing on a new drug,
diplomithol, that has been shown to
promote regenerative cerebral cell
growth in laboratory animals.
JOHN
Really?
Zitteraal nods.
ZITTERAAL
Yes. Anti-depressants like
fluoxetine, that is, Prozac, and
cannabinoids, drugs derived from
cannibas, have been shown to cause
cerebral cell regeneration in
laboratory mice. Diplomithol
combines the effects of both a
cannabinoid and a fluoxetine-class
drug.
JOHN
Isn’t that ... a bit dangerous,
experimenting with new drugs ... on
people?
ZITTERAAL
The risk factors are minimal, I can
assure you, Mr. West. And in any
case ... our patients have little
to lose. For most of them, a slow,
progressive, degenerative death is
certain unless some change can be
effected to reverse their
condition.
A beat.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
It’s really their last chance.
A beat. He stares at John, waits.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
JOHN
Have you ... had any success so
far?
ZITTERAAL
It’s a bit premature to make a
judgment at this point.
A beat. Zitteraal looks at his watch.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
Might I show you around?
Familiarize you with our facility
and our work, perhaps?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
John nods. They stand and watch the patients. An old man
sitting on one of the benches nearby, GABRIEL, looks up at
John.
GABRIEL
(friendly)
Hello, young man.
JOHN
(smiles)
Hello. How are you today?
GABRIEL
Why, I’m doing well. Thank you.
ZITTERAAL
This is Gabriel. He’s been a
resident at our facility for a
number of years now, I’m told.
JOHN
(to Gabriel)
Do you like it here, sir?
GABRIEL
Oh, yes, very much so. The people
here are kind and it’s nice sitting
in the sunshine, listening to the
fountain.
John glances at the fountain.
JOHN
Yes, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?
GABRIEL
(seriously)
Oh, yes. You’d never know we’re all
flying in a rocket ship to the
moon, would you?
John fights back a smile.
JOHN
No ... no, you wouldn’t.
Gabriel nods. He looks steadily at John.
GABRIEL
(suddenly)
It’s all just a dream, son.
A beat. He watches John, who unconsciously takes a step
back.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
GABRIEL (CONT’D)
Are you sure you want to open that
door?
JOHN
(disconcerted)
Uh ... I ....
GABRIEL
It’s a big price to pay.
Gabriel keeps looking at him steadily. An uncomfortable
moment passes.
ZITTERAAL
Well, as you might have gathered
... some of our residents can be
... rather outspoken.
John nods, is at a loss for words. Zitteraal motions to a
nearby building.
ZITTERAAL
Perhaps we should view the rest of
the facility?
John nods.
JOHN
Yes. That’s a good idea.
They walk toward another building on the other side of the
courtyard and Gabriel watches them steadily as they leave.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
ZITTERAAL
(tinge of annoyance)
I see.
JOHN
Just be a second.
Zitteraal nods, walks away a few paces down the corridor,
stands near the fire extinguisher, waiting.
JOHN
(on the phone)
What’s up?
Cut to: Clarisse talking on her cell phone, sitting on the
couch in their apartment.
CLARISSE
(nervous)
Hey, baby. What are you doing?
Cut back to John:
JOHN
I’m on a story. What’s up?
Cut to Clarisse. A beat. Clarisse begins to cry.
CLARISSE
I want you to come home, John. I
want you to come home now.
Cut back to John:
JOHN
Clarisse ... I can’t do that. I
have a flight in three hours to
Waco. I’m going to interview the
President.
We hear Clarisse’s voice on John’s phone.
CLARISSE
(on John’s phone)
John, something bad is going to
happen.
JOHN
What? What’s going to happen?
CLARISSE
(on John’s phone)
I want you to come home now.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
JOHN
I’ll ... I’ll swing by the house on
the way to the airport.
CLARISSE
(on John’s phone)
No, John, come home now.
JOHN
I can’t. You know that. What’s
wrong?
CLARISSE
(on John’s phone)
If you don’t come home now ....
JOHN
What, Clarisse? What?
Zitteraal walks over, looks at his watch.
ZITTERAAL
I’m sorry. I’m on a rather tight
schedule today. Perhaps we should
reschedule?
John shakes his head.
JOHN
Clarisse, I have to go. I’ll drop
by on the way to the airport.
He ends the call.
ZITTERAAL
If you have an emergency situation,
we can always reschedule.
JOHN
(uncertain)
No, no ... I want to finish the
story. I have to go to Texas this
afternoon.
Zitteraal nods.
ZITTERAAL
As you wish.
26.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
ZITTERAAL
(sarcastic)
Bush? Did he learn to speak the
English language?
John smiles.
JOHN
I take it you don’t care much for
the President.
ZITTERAAL
Actually, I’m rather apolitical. I
find politicians to be basically of
the same type, to be quite honest
....
Dr. Zitteraal stops in front of a door, puts his hand on the
door handle.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
Now, before we enter the patient’s
room, I just wanted to provide you
with a little background
information. First of all, the good
news. Since we began treatment,
this patient seems to be making
modest progress. "Seems" is the key
word here. Of course, it’s too
early to decide if the medication
is having any substantive effect,
but there has been a steady
increase in reflex response over
the past 3 weeks. We had assumed he
was nearly brain dead, but that
does not seem to be the case.
JOHN
And the bad news?
ZITTERAAL
He’s still comatose and there’s
been no measurable increase in
higher functions. No significant
brain wave activity, for example.
JOHN
Does that discourage you?
ZITTERAAL
No. Not yet. I still feel that it’s
early to make any kind of judgment.
This individual suffered massive
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
ZITTERAAL (cont’d)
brain trauma. I would have been
amazed if we would have seen sudden
significant improvement.
John takes out a reporter’s pad and a pen.
JOHN
So, what’s his name?
ZITTERAAL
Even if I knew the answer to that
question, I couldn’t tell you.
Hospital confidentially policy.
JOHN
Of course. But why don’t you know
his name?
ZITTERAAL
Well, he was struck by an
automobile on the Santa Monica
Freeway some six years ago. He was
in a hospital for a few weeks, then
they brought him to this facility.
He’s a ward of the state.
JOHN
So, why was he on the highway?
ZITTERAAL
That’s unclear. From what I
understand, he was running down the
middle of the expressway.
JOHN
You’re kidding.
Zitteraal shakes his head.
JOHN (CONT’D)
No one ... claimed him?
ZITTERAAL
No. As I noted, he’s a ward of the
state.
John nods, writes in his notebook.
JOHN
Could he have been a transient?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
ZITTERAAL
Apparently not. According to the
information in his patient file ...
Zitteraal flips through the file.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
... he was transported to the
emergency room wearing a dress
shirt and a tie, slacks, and was
wearing a watch. We’re holding the
watch in a file in the property
room. It’s a Rolex, by the way.
JOHN
No one missed him?
Zitteraal shakes his head.
ZITTERAAL
He’s been a patient here for six
years and no one has inquired about
him. Not once.
JOHN
Sad....
Zitteraal stares back, says nothing.
Zitteraal depresses the door handle and pushes the door open
slowly. John looks inside, sees an emaciated body lying in
the bed, then slowly turns his attention to the face.
Despite the wasted and spare frame, the man lying in the bed
is unmistakably John himself. He stares in transfixed
horror, then looks at Zitteraal, then back at the body in
the bed. Slowly, the notebook falls from his hand.
ZITTERAAL
(concerned)
Mr. West?
John shakes his head, takes a step back. He looks at
Zitteraal and then again at the man in the bed. Obviously,
Zitteraal doesn’t understand John’s reaction.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
Is something wrong? You look ill.
John backs up some more.
JOHN
This can’t be true.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
CLARISSE
(concerned)
Come home now, OK?
John nods.
JOHN
Clarisse? You ... You’re ....
CLARISSE
What, baby?
John is unable to speak.
JOHN
(blurts out)
I think I’m losing my mind,
Clarisse!
CLARISSE
Come home, baby, and we’ll talk.
John nods again.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Did you hear me?
JOHN
Yes ... Yes ... I’m ... I’m coming
home.
John ends the call, tosses the phone on the passenger’s
seat.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
JOHN
(muttering)
No ... no....
He flails his arms at something or someone only he can see.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Get away! Get ... back!
John staggers a few more feet, falls on his knees in the
parking lot. He mutters and flails his arms about.
Cut to John’s POV: Fuzzy and out-of-focus, Zitteraal stands
by his bed in the hospital, taking his pulse.
JOHN
No!
Slam cut back to parking lot. Clarisse kneels in front of
John trying to put her arms around him. John thrashes about
as if in a trance.
CLARISSE
(shouting)
John ... John ... John! It’s me,
baby! It’s me!
John finally realizes she is there. He stops thrashing
about, his eyes focus on Clarisse. He is panting and
sweating. He embraces her tightly.
JOHN
Clarisse!
He touches her face. Clarisse helps him to his feet, he puts
his arm around her shoulder for support, and they walk
toward the apartment building.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
JOHN
Oh, god, yes ... a beautiful dream.
INT. JOHN AND CLARISSE’S BEDROOM - moments later
John lies on his back resting with his eyes open, the sheets
covering his body up to his waist. Clarisse sits in the nude
on her calves beside John in their bed. Her hands and her
head rest upon his bare chest.
She kisses him on the chest. A moment passes.
JOHN (CONT’D)
I don’t know what could’ve happened
to me.
He closes his eyes.
JOHN (CONT’D)
The headaches ... the
hallucinations. Maybe I should see
a doctor.
He looks at her. Clarisse says nothing.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Do you think I shouldn’t go over to
Texas?
CLARISSE
(quickly)
Are you kidding? How could you
think of such a thing? John, this
is your chance. Your dream.
John turns his face away from her. She puts her hand on his
cheek, gently turns his face back to her.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Think of how hard you’ve worked for
this, John. How much you sacrificed
to get to this point.
John says nothing.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
If you ask me, you’re just working
too hard. Go and do the interview
and if you’re still having the
headaches, then go and see a doctor
when you get back.
A beat.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Or ... you can try my cure.
She gives him a wicked little smile.
JOHN
(raises an eyebrow)
And what would that be?
CLARISSE
How about two weeks in Mexico?
Don’t you think you deserve a
vacation? It’s been two years since
we went to Mexico.
JOHN
Two weeks?
CLARISSE
Hey, one week on the beach ... and
one week in bed.
She kisses his chest, looks at him seductively.
JOHN
Mexico?
CLARISSE
Mexico.
She begins kissing him over and over on the chest, working
her way up his neck.
JOHN
(aroused)
And if I say no?
CLARISSE
I’ll have to overpower you.
She finds his lips, they begin to kiss.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
JOHN
(irritated)
I was just wondering if this is the
road to Bush ranch.
ENOCH
Maybe it is, maybe it ain’t. Who’re
you supposed to be?
JOHN
(frustrated)
I’m a reporter. I have an
appointment with the President.
ENOCH
You ain’t no reporter.
A beat. John gives him a pissed look.
JOHN
Look ... sorry I asked.
He turns to get back in his car, but stops as Enoch speaks.
ENOCH
(pointing)
Just up the road yonder a piece.
You’ll see the gate on the right.
JOHN
(a little sarcastic)
Thank yuh kindly.
He walks toward his car.
ENOCH
You ain’t no reporter.
John turns, gives the man a dirty look.
JOHN
Look ...
ENOCH (CONT’D)
(interrupts)
You jes thank you are.
JOHN
... Beg your pardon?
Enoch walks a little closer to John.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
ENOCH
Now ... the New York Times ...
there’s a fine newspaper. Run by
Jews, you know.
JOHN
Is that right?
Enoch smiles.
ENOCH
Yeah ... that’s right. You know, we
don’t got no Jews much down here in
Crawford. Just the guy what runs
the furniture store downtown ...
Bernard Fitz is his name.
JOHN
I’ll have to look him up when I go
back down to Crawford.
ENOCH
You do that. Corner of Fifth and
Avenue G. Big brick building with
the Menorah in the window. Now,
Bernie ... Bernie’s a pure Jew ...
distilled essence ... dropped a
quarter on the sidewalk one time
and it hit him on the neck when he
bent over to pick it up.
He laughs. John raises an eyebrow, shakes his head, looks at
his watch.
JOHN
You don’t say? Well ... I gotta be
go---
Enoch interrupts, ignoring John’s obvious dislike for the
conversation. He plows ahead with his treatise.
ENOCH
(reflectively)
I never much cared for Jews, but
you got to give ’em one thing for
sure. They’re better organized and
smarter than we are.
JOHN
That’s actually two things, but I
can see how you might feel
inferior.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
ENOCH
(ignores his sarcasm)
God’s chosen, it’s the damn truth.
A beat as they look at one another. John shakes his head.
JOHN
Well ... thank you for your help
....
ENOCH
(distracted)
I never much cared for the whole
God-shtick in general, to tell the
truth. You know, all the
Bible-thumpin’, fundamentalist,
Jesus-loves-you-yes-I-know crap. Of
course, the boss says we gotta play
the game. Keep the peckerwoods in
line.
JOHN
Hmm....
ENOCH (CONT’D)
(confidentially)
You know, the only thing worse than
a Jew is an A-rab ... grind up an
A-rab and you can make about 10
Jewburgers ... at least that what
the boss says.
John raises one hand, shakes his head in shock and
disbelief, turns to leave.
JOHN
Well, party on, old dude. I can see
you have a lot of carp to land.
ENOCH
(aggressively)
You sure you wanna open that door,
boy?
John stops, turns back to Enoch.
JOHN
(suspiciously)
Who are you?
ENOCH
There ain’t no going back ... you
understand that, don’t you?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
JOHN (CONT’D)
(voice trembles a bit)
I know it’s important. I won’t mess
it up.
He listens.
JOHN (CONT’D)
OK ... OK .... I’ll call when it’s
finished. I’ll call just as soon as
I leave the ranch.
John ends the call. Leans against the car, looking worried.
He watches Enoch fish for a moment. Enoch doesn’t look back.
JOHN (CONT’D)
(mutters)
Great, just fucking great.
He gets back into his car.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 43.
JOHN
I’m a reporter with the Orange
County Times. I have an appointment
with President Bush.
The trooper yawns, scratches under his arm.
TROOPER 1
(lazily)
You’ll have to git out of the car,
sir.
John obliges him. TROOPER 2 exits his vehicle and waddles
over. A man in a PLAIN DARK SUIT WEARING MIDNIGHT FRAMES
gets out of the Lincoln, his eyes on John and the troopers.
He begins to speak into a shoulder held microphone.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
(to Trooper 2)
Tell him he’s got an appointment.
Orange County Times.
Trooper 2 turns and walks back to his car, talks into his
shoulder-held microphone.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
I’m going have to search you and
the car, son.
JOHN
OK.
TROOPER 1
You got any ID?
John reaches in his pocket for his wallet. He hands the
trooper his Driver’s License and Press credentials. The
trooper squints his eyes, holds the cards at arms length,
reads them.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
(overdoing the Southern drawl)
John West. Orange County
Taihmes....
He smiles a big, fake smile.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
Never read it.
He hands the press ID and the license back.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
JOHN
Probably hard to get home delivery
out here, isn’t it?
TROOPER 1
(smirks)
Prob’ly. Empty out your pockets and
put everything here on the hood of
the car, son.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 45.
JOHN
Well ... I’ve been on the national
desk for seven years now ... if
that’s any consolation.
Baker makes a dismissive gesture.
BAKER
When I was your age I was covering
the White House ....
JOHN
And then moved on to an illustrious
career at Fox, I believe. Didn’t
you used to do commercials for Post
Crispies as well? Or was it Apple
Jacks?
BAKER
(defensive)
No one likes a smart-ass. Fox is
the only network out there with the
guts to tell it like it is.
JOHN
Like it is, huh? Interesting.
Baker shakes his head.
BAKER
In any case, Bush wanted you. He
asked for you.
JOHN
He asked for me?
BAKER
Called Farr personally. He liked
your series on the Indian
reservations ... what was it?
Economic development on the rez ...
some crap like that. You got an
award for it didn’t you? Have to
say, I didn’t read it though.
A beat passes while John soaks in this revelation.
BAKER (CONT’D)
Don’t look so shocked ... Bush
reads the papers.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
JOHN
(quickly)
I’m sure he does.
Baker gives him a sideways glance.
BAKER
You think he’s a huge dumbass ...
don’t you? Just like the rest of
the press.
JOHN
I don’t suppose what I think
matters, does it?
Baker watches John, chuckles.
BAKER
Just don’t fuck it up, OK? Too much
is riding on this ... I think you
know what I mean.
John shakes his head.
JOHN
No, I don’t. Maybe you could
illuminate things for me.
BAKER
(irritated)
Maybe I should ... you don’t seem
up to the task, to be quite honest.
JOHN
I think I already clued into your
thoughts on the subject of my
abilities.
BAKER
(ignores him)
Ok, smart boy. Off the record?
John nods reluctantly.
BAKER (CONT’D)
You don’t understand this, most of
the world doesn’t get it either,
but this is a crusade, buddy boy.
And whoever wins this thing is
going to call the shots for the
next hundred years ... up until the
end of oil. There’s about a
century of crude left in the ground
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Nothing. Just waiting on the
prez....
Listens.
JOHN(CONT’D)
No, I’m better now. No problems.
Listens.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Yeah, me too. Love you, baby.
Listens.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Bye.
He ends the call, puts the phone away. John watches the fire
crackle in the fireplace.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.
NURSE 1
Are you sure?
He stops writing, looks over his glasses at the nurse.
NURSE 1(CONT’D)
(flustered)
Of course, doctor....
She leaves. Zitteraal takes out his penlight, opens one of
John’s eyes, watches as the pupil contracts immediately when
he shines the light into John’s eye.
ZITTERAAL
(under his breath)
Unbelievable....
Fade to: John watching the fire crackle as he waits to
interview the President. John leans forward suddenly, his
hands over his face.
JOHN
No, no ....
John’s POV: The fire fades into Zitteraal standing over him
at the side of the bed, the penlight in hand. Zitteraal
smiles down at him, fade back slowly to the room with the
crackling fire.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
John nods.
JOHN
Yeah, I’ll have to admit that I’m a
bit tired.
BUSH
Can I get you a coffee ... a
cappuccino ... a latte ...? They
got most everything in the kitchen.
Whatever you like.
JOHN
Just a coffee would be nice.
Bush turns. We see that Enoch is standing in the room behind
him.
BUSH
(to Enoch)
You think you might could get this
young man a coffee?
ENOCH
Sure enough, George.
Enoch leaves and a surprised John watches him go. Bush
watches John.
BUSH
Enoch told me he saw you down by
the old McClellan place. He’s
somethin, idn’t he?
JOHN
Who is he?
BUSH
Oh ... he’s what you would call
local color, I guess. He’s lived
around here forever. Does odd jobs
for us from time to time. I was
just going to show him some stone
that needs to be replaced on the
fireplace. He’s a good stone mason.
John nods.
BUSH (CONT’D)
Did he tell you any of his theories
about Jews?
John nods vigorously.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.
JOHN
Oh yeah.
Bush shakes his head.
BUSH
Well ... I hope you won’t hold it
against him. Like people say down
here ... he’s a bit "tetched."
Bush points at his head.
JOHN
And he works for the president.
Bush smirks.
BUSH
Well ... if you call rakin leaves
working for the president ....
JOHN
Isn’t it a bit improper to have a
man with views like that around?
Bush laughs.
BUSH
Son, you can’t choose your
neighbors. The best you can do is
just try to understand ’em and help
’em on their way. Look, if we
didn’t give Enoch an odd job ever
now and then ... he’d be on welfare
or worse, I imagine.
Bush makes a dismissive gesture with one hand.
BUSH (CONT’D)
John did you come all the way down
here from LA to talk about the guy
who takes out our garage or was
there something more important on
your mind?
John laughs.
JOHN
Fair enough. Well, I did have a
couple of questions.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
BUSH
(smiling)
Well, that’s good. That’s real
good.
Enoch returns with the coffee, including one for Bush.
ENOCH
I brung you one too. Poured a
little Irish whiskey in it to take
off the chill of mid-summer.
He turns to John.
ENOCH (CONT’D)
Just kiddin, Mr. reporter fella
....
Bush winks at John.
BUSH
You’re just determined to get me in
trouble, aren’t you, Enoch?
ENOCH
Trouble falls on everybody every
once in a while ... just like the
rain.
Enoch gives John his coffee, then gives the other to Bush.
ENOCH (CONT’D)
Whelp, you gonna show me what needs
to be fixed?
Bush puts his coffee aside, stands up.
BUSH
This won’t take but a second, John.
He and Enoch walk over next to the fireplace, where Bush
points at some stonework and explains something to Enoch in
a low voice, his arm around the older man’s shoulder. After
a few second Enoch nods and Bush gives him a pat on the
back, comes back to sit down across from John. Enoch leaves
the room without a word.
BUSH (CONT’D)
You want to go ahead and get
started?
John nods, takes out a reporter’s pad and a pen.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
BUSH (CONT’D)
First of all, I just wanna give you
a little background on ....
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
JOHN
Could we ...? I mean, this is kind
of loud. It’s rather difficult to
work with this dust and noise....
He motions toward Enoch.
BUSH
(still oblivious, still
digging)
Really?
John stares at the President for a couple of beats.
JOHN
Yes, really.
BUSH
(still oblivious)
Oh.
Bush takes his finger out of his nose, wipes his finger on
the arm of the chair, but otherwise doesn’t move. John cocks
his head in confusion.
JOHN
Mr. President ... I really am going
to have to insist that we move ....
I ....
Bush suddenly springs to his feet.
BUSH
(enthusiastically)
Let’s shoot pool!
John is flabbergasted.
JOHN
What?
BUSH
Pool! Let’s play a game of
eight-ball!
Bush starts to walk over to the pool table, but John stands
up, calls to him.
JOHN
Mr. President ....
Bush stops, turns to look at John. Enoch continues to batter
the fireplace.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Mr. President ... respectfully, I
didn’t come here to play pool.
A beat.
BUSH
(hurt)
You don’t like me.
John looks like a duck that has been slapped on the head.
JOHN
(fumbling)
Mr. President ... I ... I don’t
know ... I ....
BUSH
(exaggerated whining)
Oh, come on .... Please!
John shrugs his shoulders.
JOHN
(confused, reluctant)
OK.
BUSH
All right!
He bounces over to the pool table on the other side of the
room. John follows, pad and pencil in hand, clearly
uncomfortable with things. He watches while Bush racks the
balls, takes up a stick and chalks the end of it.
(While they are playing, Enoch continues to bang away like a
moron, reducing the fireplace to more or less rubble.)
BUSH (CONT’D)
You mind if I break?
JOHN
No ... no, not at all. Your table.
Bush breaks. Two balls fall in on the break.
BUSH
Yeah! I got stripes.
He pumps his arm, looks at John with a satisfied grin.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 56.
BUSH (CONT’D)
Actually, it’s Laura’s.
JOHN
What’s Laura’s?
He points at the pool table with his stick.
BUSH
Laura’s table.
JOHN
Really?
BUSH
Yep. She’s quite a pool shark.
Wanna beer?
Bush strips off his jacket, tosses it in the corner, walks
over to a refrigerator against the wall, opens it up, takes
out a can of beer, pops the top and begins to chug-a-lug.
John stares at him in speechless horror.
BUSH (CONT’D)
You want one?
JOHN
Mr. President ... you’re an
alcoholic.
Now Bush seems confused.
BUSH
Really?
He thinks about it a minute, shrugs his shoulders, chugs
some more until the beer is empty, tosses the can in the
corner on top of his jacket. He walks over, lines up his
stick on the cue ball, expertly sinks a shot.
BUSH (CONT’D)
You know why I like pool?
John just shakes his head slowly, clearly disturbed with
things.
BUSH
Because you can learn so much about
life from pool.
JOHN
(weakly)
Yeah?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.
JOHN
My ... my car won’t start.
TROOPER 1
Won’t start?
JOHN
(nods)
Yeah.
TROOPER 1
Whelp ... you got yurself a problem
then, don’t you, Mister New York
Times.
JOHN
(tense)
Orange County Times.
TROOPER 1
Whatever ... hell, it’s just
bullshit anyways. Might as well say
you’re the US correspondent for Le
Monde in Paris. Hell, might as well
say you work for a newspaper on
Mars. Just make it up as you go
along ... hell, sounds better like
that, don’t it?
He takes another deep drag, passes it to John.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
You want some of this, boy?
John eyes fill with anger. He lurches at the Trooper, pushes
him and grabs his gun simultaneously, points it at his
chest.
TROOPER 1 (CONT’D)
Whoa, son, now you have done
carried thangs into a new
dimension.
JOHN
I’m taking your car!
The trooper laughs.
TROOPER 1
Take it, boy! Take whatever you
fucking want. Dumbass!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 60.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.
ENOCH
I told you you wudn’t a reporter.
JOHN
God, I hate you, you crazy fuck.
Isn’t there anyway to kill you?
Enoch is unperturbed, glances over his shoulder, then back
at John.
ENOCH
Fish ain’t a-biting today ....
JOHN
Who are you?
Enoch shakes his head sadly.
ENOCH
... ain’t a-biting....
He walks away, past John and then up Prairie Chapel Road.
Comatose John now passes.
COMATOSE JOHN
... ain’t a-biting.
John’s POV: John watches them as they go, until about 50
yards away a small light begins to glow in the middle of
Enoch’s back and then grows larger and larger until it
consumes everything.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 64.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
(cute pout)
Come, baby.
JOHN
(tinge of desperation)
Where do I work?
Clarisse looks concerned.
CLARISSE
Come here, baby ....
JOHN
(shouting)
Where do I work? Can’t you answer
one simple, fucking question?
She begins to cry.
CLARISSE
You work at the newspaper ... the
Orange County Times!
He throws his pillow at her.
JOHN
(angry)
There is no Orange County Times!
Where do I work, damn it?
CLARISSE
(sobbing)
I... I don’t know. Anywhere you
want to, baby. I’m sorry. I just
want to please you. What do you
want from me?
John picks up a book lying nearby, throws it at the wall.
She cringes in fright. The book slams into a lamp, knocking
it off.
JOHN
(shouting, out of control)
You’re not even fucking here! None
of this shit is here! It’s all
bullshit, isn’t it?
She looks at him in terror.
JOHN
(shouting)
Isn’t it?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 65.
CLARISSE
(sobbing)
I’m sorry.... I... please, John.
Please come ....
She holds out her hand.
JOHN
(loud, but not shouting)
You are not real! You are not here!
He gestures in a frustrated way.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Here? There is no fucking here!
She gets out of bed, trembling, cautiously approaches, her
hands out.
CLARISSE
Come ... come, my baby, please....
Now John begins to cry.
JOHN
(mumbling)
No, Clarisse ... no ... I won’t
....
She embraces him.
CLARISSE
Don’t let them do this to us, John.
I beg you. Don’t let them do this.
You can stop this, baby. Please.
Don’t let them take this from us.
You don’t have to do this. I won’t
let you ... I need you ....
John buries his face against her bosom, sobs uncontrollably.
She takes him by the hand, leads him to the bed.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Please come to bed ... Please, I’ll
make it right. I promise.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 66.
CLARISSE
(cautiously)
We can go away, John.
He looks at her.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
We can go away forever and they’ll
never find you again.
He looks away again.
JOHN
(flat)
Where would we go?
CLARISSE
Mexico.
John smirks.
JOHN
You mean, fantasy Mexico .... Can I
pretend like I’m president of
Mexico?
She buries her face against his chest.
CLARISSE
(hurt, mumbles)
We can go anywhere you like.
He pulls her by the hair so that she is looking up at him.
She cringes with pain, but doesn’t resist.
JOHN
(aggressive)
How ’bout to the moon? Can we go to
the fucking moon? Can we go to
Pluto?
She reaches up and takes his hand.
CLARISSE
You’re hurting me, John.
He lets go of her hair.
JOHN
Who am I, Clarisse? Who am I
really?
She looks away.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 67.
JOHN (CONT’D)
You know, don’t you?
She shakes her head.
JOHN (CONT’D)
(angry)
You know, you little bitch ...
you’ve known all along ... haven’t
you?
She starts to get up, but he grabs her arm.
CLARISSE
(pleading)
Don’t John ... please don’t. I’ve
loved you, John. I’ve loved you
with all my heart ... I ....
He moves close, inches from her face.
JOHN
(shouting)
You are not even here! Goddamn you!
He pushes her away. Now she gets angry.
CLARISSE
Goddamn you, John! I am not here?
Do you not understand anything?
This is not real? I am not real? Do
you not see me standing before you?
Do you not feel me?
She takes his hand, puts it against her breast.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Do you not feel the beating of my
heart? Kill me, John. Kill me and
see how real I am.
Suddenly she produces a knife from god only knows where,
presses it into John’s hand.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
Kill me, John. Kill me. I can’t
stand this. I won’t go on this way.
He backs away from her, knife in hand.
JOHN
(afraid)
Stay away, Clarisse.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
CLARISSE
(shouting)
Kill me! Rip out my heart and see
that I live!
She lunges at him, but John drops the knife, backs away onto
the balcony. She picks up the knife, follows until both of
them are standing naked in the door to the balcony, a huge
semicircular structure attached to the building. They
struggle and John looks about as he backs up. A look of awe
slowly overcomes him as they move out onto the balcony, and
they slowly stop struggling with each other. He holds
still-upset Clarisse close to him, gently takes the knife
away from her, drops it onto the balcony.
JOHN
(quietly)
Stop Clarisse.
He holds her until she is calmer.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.
CLARISSE
It’s real, John. In your heart,
what is ... and what can be ... are
the same. It is your story.
They watch the night sky, holding hands.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
I waited for you ... trapped in an
eternity of possibility, like an
image imprisoned in a mirror. When
you touched me, you gave me life.
She reaches up, takes a glowing star into her hand, watches
it transform into a hibiscus. She puts it in her hair behind
her ear.
CLARISSE (CONT’D)
I would gladly give everything I
have for one second of the life
that you gave me ....
She kisses his cheek. There is a low rumbling and the
balcony shakes. Clarisse is suddenly troubled. Tears well up
in her eyes.
CLARISSE
Hold me....
John takes her in his arms.
JOHN
(concerned)
What is it?
She shakes her head sadly, pushes away.
CLARISSE
He’s coming, John. Goodbye, my love
....
She touches his chest with the palm of her hand, her eyes
fixed on his.
In an instant, the tentacles of a huge sea monster, slam
over the side of the balustrade, crushing it and
simultaneously grabbing and wrapping about Clarisse. It
begins to crush her as John watches. He claws uselessly at
the arms of the beast as bright red blood oozes from her
lips and the monster begins to retreat over the side of the
balustrade with its prey. John takes her hand, tries to hold
on, but she is gone in another second. He watches the arm of
the monster disappear over the side of the balcony, ripping
out a fresh section of the balustrade as it retreats.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 71.
JOHN
(flat)
Yeah ... welcome ... back.
Zitteraal leans in close.
ZITTERAAL
Can you tell me your name?
John shakes his head. Feebly, he takes Zitteraal by his
white lab jacket.
JOHN
You had no right ....
John can’t finish the sentence, drops his hand. Zitteraal
looks at the nurse.
ZITTERAAL
Give him 50 milligrams of Demerol
... let him rest.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
(to John)
That’s enough for today. You rest.
JOHN
(mumbling)
Don’t give me Demerol.
ZITTERAAL
What?
JOHN
Just ... go away.
He grabs Zitteraal’ coat again feebly.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Sea monster ....
He loses consciousness.
FADE OUT.
FADE INTO:
72.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 74.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
You ... still have no idea who you
are? Nothing has come back?
JOHN
The only thing I remember is waking
up here.
Zitteraal looks at the nurse. She steps forward.
NURSE 1
Here.
She puts the bag on his bed. John picks it up, opens it.
Inside he finds his Rolex.
JOHN
A going-away present?
ZITTERAAL
No. Apparently, it was your
property when you arrived at this
institution. You were wearing it.
Do ... you remember anything about
it?
John gives it a cursory inspection.
JOHN
Nope.
Zitteraal looks at the nurse. He is clearly frustrated at
John’s lack of progress.
ZITTERAAL
Nothing?
John looks at Zitteraal for the first time.
JOHN
Nothing.
ZITTERAAL
Are you sure?
John turns red with anger.
JOHN
(bitterly)
You want to know what I remember,
doctor? I remember I was happy.
I remember clearly that I was with
someone who loved me with all her
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.
JOHN (cont’d)
heart, who would do anything for
me, and I remember I had a great
life and a wonderful job ... and I
remember that you took all that
from me.
He drops the Rolex in a trash can by his bed.
JOHN (CONT’D)
That’s what I remember.
Zitteraal shakes his head impatiently.
ZITTERAAL
I know this has been very difficult
for you, but I think it would be
beneficial if you listen to me.
Your experiences during your coma
were fantasies. The sooner you come
to terms with that reality, the
sooner you can begin your recovery.
The nurse takes the watch from the waste can. Puts it on
John’s nightstand.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
And the sooner you will start to
remember what is really important
in terms of your past ... and your
future.
John looks at the trees outside the window.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
No matter how appealing or
comforting your hallucinations were
during your coma, they were not
reality ... and it’s illogical to
continue hoping that they will
return. Do you understand that?
JOHN
You are a gigantic prick, do you
understand that?
Zitteraal smirks. A beat.
ZITTERAAL
Ok.
He turns to the nurse.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
Let’s go.
The nurse leaves. Zitteraal starts to do the same, tarries
in the doorway a moment. Turns back to John.
ZITTERAAL (CONT’D)
Give life a chance, John. Real
life.
JOHN
What the fuck would you know about
it? Half the people in this
hospital are living better lives
than you could ever imagine ... and
you pity them for it.
ZITTERAAL
No, John. I don’t pity them. I just
know the difference between reality
and fantasy.
He looks at John a beat to let that sink in. Turns and
leaves. John looks out the window for a few seconds, then
turns and looks at the watch. He picks it up slowly and
begins to examine it, carefully turning it around and around
in his hands while he looks at it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.
JOHN
Smoking what?
The worker looks irritated.
WORKER 2
Oh, boy. Are you going to be a
problem, chief? No smoking anything
... capiche? No cigs ... no wacky
backy ... nothing.
The worker leaves. John stands looking about the drab and
depressing room, sits on the bed, stares straight ahead.
Finally, he opens the travel bag, takes out his Rolex, looks
at it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
DAVE
(under his breath)
Maybe he’d like to share that
fucking Rolex with us....
John and a couple of the men snicker. The Young Psychologist
shoots Dave another dirty look, turns back to John.
YOUNG PSYCHOLOGIST
As you can see, a lot of the men
are interested in knowing a bit
more about you ....
John shakes his head.
JOHN
No thanks.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.
DAVE
Well, there’s just one little
problemo. Since I got sick, I can’t
control my anger without the
medication. But when I’m on the
medication, I can’t think ... I
can’t concentrate .... Kind of
fucked up, huh?
A beat. John says nothing.
JOHN
Do you know if there is a watch
repair shop in the mall?
DAVE
Why, something wrong with the
Rolex?
JOHN
Needs a new battery, I think.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
DAVE
It’s a PIN Number.
JOHN
Well, I’ll be damned.
DAVE
Looks like a message in a bottle.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 83.
DAVE
Well, I’ll be damned. You’ve got
shares of stock in Microsoft and
here some for Walmart ... that’s a
fucking lot of money.
JOHN
What’s Walmart?
Dave looks at John askance. A beat, then he breaks out into
laughter.
DAVE
Man, you have been in a coma.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.
JOHN
Nice to meet you.
WORKER 3
I was wondering if anyone actually
lived in this house. I’ve never
seen anyone come in or out.
DAVE
Well, he’s been away ... in Europe.
He looks around
DAVE (CONT’D)
You’re paid by direct deposit,
aren’t you?
WORKER 3
Yeah, I am. My dad built this
business and I took over four years
ago when he retired. Never saw
anyone come in or go out of the
house. I was starting to think a
ghost lived here.
John and Dave look at one another.
WORKER 3 (CONT’D)
(to John, a bit eager)
Say ... since I finally get to meet
you, I was wondering if you have a
second to come around back with me.
You’ve got a major infestation of
dandelions near the pool and I was
wondering if you’d like us to take
care of that for you. I didn’t want
to get into anything like that
without the owner’s permission
because it can get costly ....
John again looks at Dave, seems unsure what to say.
DAVE
Uh, I’ll tell you what, if you
could just leave your card ....
He walks aside with Worker 3 and John goes over to the front
door, takes out the keys he took from the safety deposit
box, finds the right key, opens it.
85.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Oh, my god ... Don’t even think
about looking in there.
JOHN
Pretty bad?
He puts his arm around John’s shoulder.
DAVE (CONT’D)
(in a low voice)
Just buy a new refrigerator.
John laughs, puts down the cup.
JOHN
I don’t remember anything, David.
DAVE
Take it slow, bud. Just give it
some time.
A beat. John looks at the table.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Did you go in the bedroom yet?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.
JOHN
(trembling, crying)
Clarisse!
QUICK FADE OUT.
FADE INTO:
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 88.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 89.
A beat.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Am I right?
John nods.
DAVE
You must have loved her dearly.
JOHN
(quietly)
Yeah.
DAVE
Do you remember everything now?
John nods.
JOHN
I think so. Most everything anyway.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Lucky you. I still can’t remember
lots of things from before. I
remember my second wife leaving me
though. Soon as the money stopped
coming in, she skedaddled ...
didn’t even let the door smack her
tremendous fat ass on the way out.
She divorced me and took what
little I had left.
He takes the bottle back, takes a big swig.
DAVE (CONT’D)
After I got out of the hospital, I
would get so mad I would pound on
the walls until my fists were
bloody, then I’d laugh like a moron
for hours. Couldn’t control myself.
He shakes his head, passes the bottle back to John.
JOHN
And now?
DAVE
Well, I take the drugs ... and I
can function ... sort of ....
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 90.
JOHN
You know, you never told me what
happened to you.
DAVE
Fucking stupid, it was. I don’t
really remember much. I was late,
was on my way to court, was
hustling down the street from my
office ... just up the block. I was
talking on the cell phone with a
client, I saw a bright flash of
light and felt a tremendous pain
in my head, and the next thing I
knew I woke up in the hospital and
two months were gone.
John drinks, passes the bottle back. Dave puts the bottle to
his lips, takes a drink.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Stroke. Couldn’t even sue anyone
... not even God.
He leans back in the armchair.
DAVE (CONT’D)
They said I’d never walk again, but
that was just bullshit. Doctors
don’t know shit from Shinola, I
tell you.
A beat.
JOHN
Well, I guess I was a reporter
after all. I worked at the
Register, covered national news. I
even remember that I did interview
Bush .... He wasn’t that funny
though.
Dave smiles, drinks more whiskey.
JOHN (CONT’D)
At least, not in this reality.
Dave passes the bottle back.
JOHN (CONT’D)
I met Clarisse in college ...
Berkley. She was in Marketing. We
were going to have a child the year
... the year it all happened.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 92.
DAVE (CONT’D)
She could pull a truck with it ...
easy.
He passes another photo to John.
DAVE (CONT’D)
This is my kid.
John looks at the picture. It’s a woman about 25 years old
with curly blond hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and has
her arm around Dave.
JOHN
She looks like you.
John hands the photo back.
DAVE
She’s a marine biologist. Loves the
sea. We used to go sailing all the
time when we I was married to her
mother. Real smart kid. If there’s
one thing I’ve done in this life
that was right ... it was her.
Dave drinks again.
JOHN
(slowly)
David, I ... I’ve got to go to
Mexico ... to a beach in Sonora.
A beat.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Do you wanna come with me?
Dave puts the bottle down.
DAVE
Well ... I’m so fucking busy, you
know ....
John shakes his head, grins.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Sure. Why not? Of course, you know
we’ll have to miss group therapy.
JOHN
That would be a shame, wouldn’t it?
Give me that bottle.
93.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 94.
DAVE (V.O.)
Almost there, he says. This bumfuck
place got a name?
JOHN (V.O.)
Sueno. It’s called Sueno.
DAVE (V.O.)
And they got tequila?
JOHN (V.O.)
Lots of tequila. Trust me.
The old Jeep rounds a corner, out of sight.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 95.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 96.
JOHN
Sueno Welcome Wagon.
DAVE (CONT’D)
(under his breath)
What is this ... the fucking
Twilight Zone?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 97.
DAVE
Sweet.
JOHN
Clarisse and me came here many
times.
John shuts the door of the Jeep.
JOHN (CONT’D)
A German guy named Jurgen owns the
cantina and the bungalows. Let’s go
see if he remembers me.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 98.
JURGEN
John West. Mein Gott. I buy you ein
beer!
He motions to Rosita, who goes over to a rusty yellow
horizontal refrigerator with a bottle opener on the side. On
the side of the refrigerator in faded red lettering is
"Drink Royal Crown Cola." She opens the door on top and
takes out four bottles of beer.
The dog looks up from his place on the floor, barks
indolently, lays his head back down and falls to sleep.
JOHN
Still got old Max, I see.
JURGEN
Ja, and now all he does is eat and
dig the holes everywhere.
DAVE
What kind of dog is it?
JURGEN
I zink he is the full-blooded sheet
eater.
Max looks up, wags his tail lazily, goes right back to
sleep. John nods at Dave.
JOHN
This is Dave.
Jurgen and Dave shake hands.
JURGEN
I am pleasured.
Jurgen motions for them to sit
JURGEN (CONT’D)
Please ... bitte sehr.
They all sit and Rosita brings the beer, sits with them. She
says something to Jurgen in Spanish, nods at Dave, giggles.
DAVE
(eying Rosita)
Something funny?
JURGEN
She says, you have the face like
the eagle, bald with a big hook-ed
noses. She like your face.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 99.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 100.
John and Dave enter holding travel bags in one hand, glowing
kerosene lanterns in the other, behind them is Rosita,
carrying blankets and towels. John puts his lantern on the
table, Dave on the coffee table. Dave looks around at the
stark surroundings.
DAVE
(sarcastic)
Wow! Now this is fucking luxury!
Concrete walls and floor!
John grins.
JOHN
Best place in town. You should see
the hotel.
Rosita hands her load of blankets to Dave. She doesn’t move
away from him.
ROSITA
I think you get very cold here
tonight, Eagle man.
Dave looks at John. Wow, she can speak English!
ROSITA (CONT’D)
What you look at him for? It is I
who speak to you.
Dave grins at her.
DAVE
Should I look at you, then?
ROSITA
(bold)
You look where the hell you want,
old man.
A beat. She reaches up touches his cheek.
ROSITA (CONT’D)
I think you get very, very cold
here tonight, old Eagle.
John knows when three’s a crowd.
JOHN
Hey, I’m going to go for a walk on
the beach.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 101.
DAVE
(not really listening)
Hmmm ....
John shakes his head, walks out the door, living Rosita
stroking Dave’ cheek.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 102.
JOHN
It’s Sueno.
DAVE
Sueno, Draino ... whatever the fuck
it is, just what the fuck is it?
Where are we?
JOHN
Sueno means "dream," David.
Dave sits beside John. A beat. They listen to the waves
pounding on the shore.
DAVE
So, you’re trying to tell me that
this is not real?
John picks up some sand, gives it to Dave.
JOHN
What do you think?
Dave feels the cool sand sliding between his fingers.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Most of us spend our lives ... like
a little bug crawling across the
sand on a beach, never knowing
there’s a huge ocean just a few
feet away.
He looks at Dave.
JOHN (CONT’D)
We can only read one word at a
time, but God sees everything at
once, all the present, all the
past, all the future. Everything.
DAVE
(skeptical)
That may be true ... but there is a
reality. One reality.
As Dave finishes speaking, one of the moons and many of the
stars fade from the sky.
JOHN
See what you did?
Dave looks at the sky in shock, then at John.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 103.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Just imagine that one thought has
so much power ... the power of one
negative thought can reverberate
across the entire universe.
He snaps his fingers. Slowly, the rest of the stars and the
moon fade until the sky is pitch dark, the waves stop
pounding, the breeze stops and there is total silence.
JOHN (CONT’D)
I kind of think there’s more ...
than one way of looking at things.
Slowly, the moons and all the brilliant stars return, the
sea pounds, the wind blows. Dave watches in astonishment.
JOHN (CONT’D)
You can call it a dream if you
like.
Dave thinks about this.
JOHN (CONT’D)
So, how was it with Rosita.
DAVE
(quietly)
Aye caramba! What a dream!
John laughs.
DAVE
Then ... Clarisse ... is still
alive ...?
John shakes his head.
JOHN
(quietly)
I don’t know. I have to find her,
but I don’t know where to look.
They both look out at the sea for a moment.
DAVE
(suddenly)
Maybe that’s why I’m here.
John looks confused.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 104.
DAVE (CONT’D)
Can we get a boat from Jurgen?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 105.
JOHN
OK, then. That way.
John points southwest and Dave steers the boat in that
direction.
They look back. Rosita is still there.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Maybe we shouldn’t’ve left.
DAVE
Don’t you feel in your guts that
this is right?
John thinks about it.
JOHN
Maybe I’m crazy.
DAVE
Well, then you’ve got company.
John grins. Dave looks back again at Rosita.
DAVE
We’ll be back.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 106.
JOHN
What’re we going to do?
DAVE
We wait. Nothing we fucking can do.
We wait.
Dave checks their provisions. There is hardly any food left
and only a little water.
JOHN
Pretty bad, huh?
DAVE
Well, it ain’t good.
He passes the water bottle to John.
DAVE (CONT’D)
(smirks)
Hey, where’s your dream now? Why
don’t you dream us up some fucking
wind?
John drinks.
JOHN
There’s always wind. We just have
to find it.
Dave scans the flat, hot horizon.
DAVE
Maybe it’ll find us.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 107.
DAVE (CONT’D)
I saved a big piece of SPAM for
bait.
JOHN
Could have saved it all, as far as
I’m concerned.
Dave laughs. He secures the line to an old rusty nail on the
boat.
DAVE
You’ll be glad to get some SPAM in
a few days. You should have been
with me in Nam.
JOHN
You were in Viet Nam?
DAVE
I sure has hell didn’t dream it, I
can tell you that.
JOHN
So, tell me about it.
DAVE
You don’t wanna hear about that
shit.
JOHN
Sure I do.
Dave is obviously reluctant to talk about it
DAVE
(slowly, flat voice)
Well, it was a spectacular country
... like paradise ... great food,
beautiful women, the people are so
fucking friendly, so polite,
especially the kids ... I ....
He stammers to a halt.
JOHN
You gonna tell me about it or not?
Dave takes a deep breath.
DAVE
Ok ... the worst part was one
mission I was on, up near the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 108.
DAVE (cont’d)
Cambodian-Laotian border, northwest
of Camp Enari. That was our base
camp, Fighting Fourth Division ....
He looks out over the sea. A beat.
DAVE (CONT’D)
I went out as a volunteer once with
a bunch of Green Berets, special
ops, really scary macho fucks ...
but I was young and I wanted to be
a hero or some shit like that. At
least I wanted to think I was one.
CUT TO: Night scene, rural Vietnam, jungle, 1967. A much
younger Dave in regular army garb walking along with five or
six beefy Green Berets wearing camouflage makeup. He is
carrying a radio. They pass an old peasant woman on the path
who watches them fearfully out of the corner of her eye. One
of the Green Berets, GREEN BERET 1, pulls out his gun and
points it at the woman.
She holds up her hands in terror.
GREEN BERET 1
(quietly)
Bang!
He chuckles, reholsters his weapon and they walk on.
DAVE (V.O.)
They let me be their radio man for
the night. Boy, I felt like I was
John Wayne. Our mission was to raid
a small village up near Laos and
try to apprehend this guy.
Intelligence said he was a Vietcong
commander and lived in the village.
They cross an exposed area along a levee through a rice
field and approach a small collection of homes with thatched
roofs on the edge of the field. As the approach, there is
some shouting and movement in the village and tracer rounds
blip through the night toward them. One of the Green Berets
goes down and the rest take cover, begin to return fire.
John dives over the levee to protect himself.
DAVE (V.O.)
It was a pretty short firefight.
Maybe five minutes. Basically, the
VC just ran off into the jungle,
but one of the Green Beret was hit,
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 109.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 110.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 111.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 112.
DAVE
(coarsely)
End of the day, you’ll have more
water than you want.
He points at the horizon. John looks, shrugs.
JOHN
I don’t see anything.
DAVE
You don’t see those clouds?
John looks again, peering hard at the horizon.
JOHN
I see ... some clouds.
Dave chuckles.
DAVE
You’ve never been on the ocean
before, have you?
John shakes his head.
DAVE (CONT’D)
(under his breath)
I hope you can drink a lot of
water.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 113.
DAVE (CONT’D)
You better tie your ass down to
something. We’re going to be right
in the middle of it in about an
hour.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 114.
JOHN
David!
The waves crash against him and the storm roars on. He holds
on to the wreckage.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 116.
BUSH
I guess you’re probably hungry,
aren’t you?
JOHN
You cannot imagine....
Bush nods.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 117.
BUSH (cont’d)
imagine ... but it’s just the same
wave in the end, isn’t it?
He looks again at John, winks, grins.
BUSH (CONT’D)
Yeah, the possibilities are
endless, my friend, but it all
reduces to the same thing in the
end ... it’s the ocean.
He looks again at the sea.
BUSH (CONT’D)
But the thing that you don’t
understand ... can’t understand ...
can’t even begin to imagine is that
everything that can exist, does
exist ... every possibility, every
random permutation, every chance
event that you can imagine ... and
even those you can’t imagine.
He looks deeply and calmly into John’s eyes.
BUSH (CONT’D)
And here’s the clincher, son ...
He puts his hand on John’s shoulder.
BUSH (CONT’D)
... these permutations ... have
always existed ... always. At all
times. All the present, all the
past, all the future ... every
possibility ... simultaneously and
forever ...
Bush snaps his fingers. The waves stop and the sea is calm.
There is no breeze, total silence.
BUSH (CONT’D)
... and never. Can you get your
mind around that? If you can, then
I’ve answered your question ....
John seems skeptical ... if not fucking just confused.
BUSH (CONT’D)
(extremely disappointed)
Ah, son ... do you really think
there’s not at least one universe
where George Bush is a genius?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 119.
John chuckles. Bush snaps his fingers and the waves begin
again, a gentle breeze blows.
BUSH (CONT’D)
(smiling)
Come on, John. It’s not much
farther.
Bush walks on. George takes one more look at the ocean,
follows.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 120.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 121.
DAVE
So, now you’re starting to swear.
Picking up my bad habits, I see.
JOHN
Yeah, in this universe.
DAVE
(smiling)
It’s good to see you again, John
... or Paul ... or Ringo ... or
whoever the fuck you are.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 122.