!

BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

Screenplay by: Isabella Johnson

Based on

PARADISE LOST (Books III-IV)

by JOHN MILTON

Peachy Productions

Saint Joseph High School

5825 N Woodruff Avenue
Lakewood, Ca 90713

productionspeachy@gmail.com
1(562)735-3377
 !2

Scene 1

INT. INSIDE PROFESSOR GEORGES HOUSE

GEORGE is watching the TV with SAM sitting at his right hand.

The TV is playing a speech from Malcolm X and his oldest son,
JAY, makes eye contact with them as he walks out the door and
slams it shut.

PROFESSOR GEORGE
Did you see the anger in Jay's eyes? He is
too far gone to be convinced of goodness. He
wants revenge. Revenge, however, will be his
demise.

SAM
Where is he headed?

PROFESSPR GEORGE
He heard the television. Hes headed to the
Malcolm X rally. He wants to punish the
white man instead of focusing on equality
between the races. His support of Malcolm X
will only create further division.

PROFESSOR GEORGE stands up and walks to look out the window with
his hands in his pockets.

PROFESSOR GEORGE
Malcolms lies are causing Jay to sin.

SAM
Father, Jay will be okay right?

PROFESSOR GEORGE
Jays actions will be his own fault. I gave
him everything he needed to be successful:
 !3

knowledge, opportunity, freedom. He took it

all for granted.

PROFESSOR GEORGE sighs and walks towards SAM

PROFESSOR GEORGE
I let him choose. He just chose wrong. If he
was forced to believe in nonviolence like
us, his support would have been a lie, at
least he is telling the truth now. I would
be a bad father if I forced my beliefs onto
him. Now he cant blame me for his failures.

SAM
What about your students? Adam and Eve? Will
you forgive them?

PROFESSOR GEORGE sits down and puts his hands together.

PROFESSOR GEORGE
They will be forgiven, but only because they
do not know better. They are still students,
still learning. But Sam, he knows better, I
raised him. He will not be forgiven.

SAM
Youre a great teacher and an even greater
father. Im sorry Jay betrayed you.

SAM crosses left.

SAM
Youre right about Adam and Eve. Dont give
up on them. Youre doing the right thing.
Theyre the new generation, you are guiding
the new generation.

PROFESSOR GEORGE gets an idea, his face lightens a bit.

 !4

PROFESSOR GEORGE
I always favored you more than your brother.
Youre wise, like me. Its like we share the
same brain. Adam and Eve, theyre bright,
but not wise. They have much to learn from
me and show the most potential out of their
class.

SAM
What about the rest of the class? What will
happen to them? What side will they choose?

PROFESSOR GEORGE
Some will follow, others, however, will
neglect my teachings and listen to the side
of violence and black supremacy. I am too
knowledgeable to waste my teachings on
simple minds. I will not let them into my
class. I need a protege to take on the
responsibility of teaching the less educated
students, so I can focus on the more
intelligent ones. But who could I trust?

PROFESSOR GEORGE looks in the distance. The silence is

uncomfortable.

SAM
I could try, father. I will pretend to be a
regular student in your class and aid the
ones who lag.

PROFESSOR GEORGE looks up and smiles at Sam.

PROFESSOR GEORGE
You are going to bring hope to our people.
The hope that equality can come about
without violence. You can change the minds
 !5

of those who have been brainwashed by

Malcolm Xs speeches.

SAM
I am honored to be able to further your
teachings, father. I am, however, worried
about my own knowledge and education. I
believe in nonviolence, but fear that the
students ill be teaching will have militant
thoughts that will corrupt me.

Scene shifts to JAY, while PROFESSOR GEORGE is still talking.

JAY is sitting outside a cinema. It is late at night. Everyone
has gone home and only a few cars drive by. JAY is in deep
thought and stares at the moon. Camera goes from wide shot of
JAY and follows his eyes to capture the moon.

(voiceover) PROFESSOR GEORGE

No, my influence on you is too strong to be
swayed. Once you have convinced the new
generation to achieve civil rights through
nonviolence and peace, you can come back to
teaching as a professor with me. In fact,
you could essentially replace me as the head
professor of the university. When equality
is achieved, you and those who you have
educated will be the most successful in
finding peace and success in the new
society. Those who chose to not listen,
though, will be despised and find themselves
lost in the new society of equality.

Camera then follows JAYS view that shifts to a poster with an

advertisement featuring white people and is filled with hate.

Scene 2
INT. RESIDENTIAL STREET
 !6

JAY is walking home in the night. Now there are no cars, just
heavy silence and his breath. As JAY reaches his house he stands
in front of it. JAY stares at his front door, a few feet away.
Camera sweeps from door, straight down to JAYS feet, he is
conflicted. Suddenly JAY sees the light turn on in SAMS room
and is filled with jealousy. JAY turns, spits on the lawn and
runs.

Scene 3
INT. PARKING LOT OF GEORGES UNIVERSITY

JAY is at the parking lot of his fathers university, sleeping.

He is sitting down, leaning against the wall of a corner. As he
wakes up, the sun is rising and he stares at it. URIEL, a police
officer who watches the school, turns the corner and sees him.

JAY
Oh Uriel, hello

URIEL
Im sorry sir I dont recognize you, who are
you?

JAY
Its me, Daniel. Im a student in Professor
Georges class. You probably dont remember
me, Im one of the quieter students, an
observer.

URIEL
(embarrassed) Oh my apologies, yes...
Daniel. What are you doing at school so
early?

JAY
You know I really admire you work Uriel.

URIEL
 !7

Thank you, but-

JAY
I came to find Adam and Eves classroom

URIEL
Adam and Eves?

JAY
Yes, I heard they show lots of potential in
the political world. You know, how they were
handpicked by Professor George himself to
represent their generation in his personal
mentoring program. Can you direct me to
their classroom? I would really enjoy
congratulating them.

URIEL
Of course, Adam and Eve are brilliant
students, theyd be happy to meet you. The
classroom is just around this building here.

JAY smiles and nods at URIEL as he puts his hands in his

pockets. As JAY walks past URIEL, his face returns to a scowl.

Scene 4
INT. COLLEGE BUILDING

JAY is looking in the windows of the building where ADAM and

EVES classroom is located. His eyes are shifty, and he is a
little sweaty. JAY looks up at the sun, which has now fully
risen, and wipes his forehead. JAY sees his horrible expression
reflected in the window. JAY closes his eyes for a couple
seconds, takes a breath, then puts on a fake smile. JAY breaks
down in tears, immensely overwhelmed with feelings of hate and
regret. JAY begins talking to his reflection in the window.
 !8

JAY
You were so glorious. Its your that pride
made you betray your father and believe in
violence. All I had to do was thank him, and
follow his beliefs, but it was his beliefs
that made me turn. He didnt respect you.
You had a high position in the school, but
not high enough. He was more focused on
students who werent even of his own blood.
He said he loved you and Sam equally, that
he respected all positions at the school
equally. He lied to you. His version of
equality has made you search for other forms
of equality- through violence. I chose this
though, but now I fear I regret it.
Everywhere I go I am looked at with disgust
and hate. No one takes me seriously. How and
I supposed to achieve equality for society
if I cant even achieve it for myself? I
cant go back to him, my father. Ive
already committed to violence, giving up now
would be giving up on the idea of racial
equality. Racial equality by any means
necessary. That is what you promised. By any
means necessary, that is what you live by
now.

JAYS face then softens as he is taken out of the conversation

with his reflection. JAY suddenly gets nervous again, thinking
someone saw him talking to himself. JAY looks around, scanning
the school and sees Uriel from behind the corner he had come
from, secretly watching. JAY straightens up and walks into the
building that holds ADAM and EVES classroom.

Scene 5
INT. INSIDE COLLEGE BUILDING
 !9

The building is very clean and the sun shines its rays through
the windows. The door slowly closes behind him. Camera does a
sweeping shot of JAY being amazed by the inside of the building.

Scene 6
INT. ADAM AND EVES CLASSROOM

Camera scans the room, exhibiting the beauty of the classroom.

ADAM and EVE are studying books about plants and animals.

EVE
Theyre so beautiful.

ADAM
Youre so beautiful.

EVE blushes

Scene 7
INT. HALLWAY OF COLLEGE BUILDING

JAY is walking down the hallway looking through each door. He

looks in the third doors window. ADAM and EVES backs are to
the door. Camera is directed at the window on the door, showing
ADAM and EVE laughing and smiling. Camera is directed at JAYS
face, which is confused and disgusted. Camera inside the room
now, showing ADAM and EVE, with Jay in the doors window. ADAM
turns right, facing EVE. JAY ducks. Camera is back outside,
showing JAY ducking. JAY puts his ear to the air vent on the
bottom of the door. Camera back inside the classroom.

ADAM
I cant believe that Professor George chose
us for the mentoring program. He told me he
has the key to gaining civil rights, a way
to end the discrimination. He gave us this
(gestures to the classroom) and these
 !10

(gestures to the books in front of them).

Hes giving us knowledge.

EVE smiles.

ADAM
All we have to do is promise to solely
attend the lectures held in the university.
Not that Id ever want to, I wouldnt want
my education to get corrupted by bad ideas.
He provides us with access to all these
books and articles, its amazing. The
coursework is difficult, but Im still
thankful, Im even more thankful that he
chose you to be in the program alongside me.

ADAM stares and EVE and pushes a strand of her hair behind her
ear. EVE blushes.

EVE
Adam you tutored me all last year, youre
the reason Im here. Im thankful for the
program too, especially you.

EVE looks off into the distance in thought

EVE
I wasnt always involved in politics or even
academics. So, when I did start studying
books and the government, I didnt recognize
myself anymore. I remember looking in the
mirror one morning after a long night of
studying and just not recognizing my face.
Initially I was scared, but then I thought
about the bigger picture and how badly I
wanted to be a part of this world, our
university, and I fell in love with that
face I saw. Looking in that mirror I knew
 !11

what I wanted, at that stage it was merely a

dream. It was only when a teacher at the
university recommended me to attend here
that I knew how to achieve my dream. My
first day I saw you.

EVE looks at ADAM

EVE
I saw you and I knew. I knew I wanted to be
with you forever. A part of me was still
scared, still wanted to go back to the time
when my dreams were simply dreams, rather
than reality, but you helped me. You are the
reason Im here. If I hadnt seen you that
first day, I wouldnt be here.

ADAM kisses EVE. Camera directed to JAY outside of classroom.

JAY has heard the whole conversation. JAYS back is to the door,
his shoulders on his knees with his head in his hands. JAY is
sweating and angry. JAY becomes still and looks up.

JAY
(whispering to himself) all we have to do

JAY smiles and lightly laughs to himself.

Scene 8
Inside a teachers office. GABRIEL is sitting at the desk,
writing. There is a knock on the door. Gabriel looks up.

GABRIEL
Come in.

URIEL
Good afternoon Gabriel, I have some rather
urgent news.
 !12

GABRIEL
Go on

URIEL
Today a student I didnt recognize came up
to me, asking about Adam and Eves
classroom. At first I didnt think anything
of it, since everyone wants to meet them,
but then I saw something. He was talking to
his reflection in the window and he looked
different. And...

GABRIEL
and?

URIEL
And i think I heard him mention change with
violence.

GABRIEL
Youre right, this is urgent. Well find him
before first class tomorrow morning.

Scene 9
INT: CLASSROOM

ADAM
Its getting dark, we should go catch some
sleep. Professor George encourages us to
sleep a full nine hours after studying so
intensely. We should sleep.

EVE
Youre right, we should sleep. I didnt even
realize the sun went down. Being with you
makes me forget about time.
 !13

Scene 10
INT. OUTSIDE OF CAMPUS

ADAM and EVE are outside, walking, holding hands. EVE looks up
at the sky.

EVE
Arent they beautiful?

ADAM
Beautiful. And they shine not only to
provide light for life to continue on Earth,
but light for me to see your beautiful face.

EVE kisses ADAM. Kissing gets more intense.

Scene 11
INT. ADAMS DORM ROOM

ADAM and EVE are in his dorm room making out and undressing each
other. EVE falls back on the bed and looks up at ADAM.

Scene 12
INT. GABRIELS OFFICE

The room is tense. GABRIEL stands behind his desk.

GABRIEL
Uriel, youll be checking the south side,
take some men. Ill go with the remaining
officers to check the north campus. Ithuriel
and Zephenon, you two will be searching
inside Adam and Eves classroom and the
building its located in. Dont forget to
check around their dorms as well. I just
received word from professor George himself
saying that he kicked out his oldest son
 !14

from his house, who is corrupted with ideas

of Malcolm X.

URIEL
Jay was?

GABRIEL
Yes, Jay was the student at the school
today, and he intends to tell others about
his new belief.

The men all look around at each other, nervously.

Scene 13
INT. OUTSIDE ADAMS DORM

JAY stands in front of the door looking at a piece of paper. The

words on the paper cannot be read, but a red x is clearly
visible in the top right corner. JAY smiles and slips the paper
under the door. JAY stands and looks tries to look through the
window.

ZEPHENON
Stop

ITHURIEL points his gun at JAY. JAY slowly turns around.

ITHURIEL
Jay?

JAY chuckles.

JAY
You dont recognize me?

ITHURIEL
Well, no. No, I dont.
 !15

ZEPHENON
Youre a mess. Now start walking.

JAY scoffs.

JAY
As long as I get to talk to someone
competent for once.

ITHURIEL and ZEPHENON look at each other apprehensively and

begin walking JAY along.

Scene 14
INT. GARIELS OFFICE

GABRIEL is pacing in his office. The door opens and GABRIEL

turns.

ZEPHENON
We found him.

GABRIEL
Jay

JAY
Gabriel

GABRIEL
You look, different.

JAY
So Ive been told.

GABRIEL
Why?

JAY
Why what?
 !16

GABRIEL
Dammit Jay, why were you at Adams dorm
tonight?

JAY
I thought you were taught by my father,
Gabriel. You should be smarter than this. If
my father doesnt want me home, wants me to
just live in the streets, why not come to
the school? Its a beautiful place, is it
not? Why should I not be attracted to
beauty? Yes Im at my fathers university,
but have I hurt anyone? Thats what you
expected me to do right? Hurt someone,
because I think differently than you?
Because I see the injustice of this damn
University and of my fathers damn treatment
of all of you, of all of us?

GABRIEL
You think youre smart, huh? You think
youve figured out the world, figured out
the best way to achieve equality for us?
Well thats not how we want to be
represented. And those kids, Adam and Eve,
theyre our future. And if you dare to
threaten our future I will not hesitate to
stop you.

JAY
You remember our last debate on how to
change our position in society. Look at you
now, threatening me with violence.

GABRIEL
I didnt thre-
 !17

JAY
See? You cant win in arguments unless my
father is here to help you, to give you the
answers. Youre incompetent.

GABRIEL
And youre a hypocrite.

JAYS face is confused.

GABRIEL
Thats right, a hypocrite. You talk about
how unfair your father is, yet you never
complained when you were on top. You had no
problem loving your father and his beliefs
when he favored you. Disgusting. Now get
out. Leave. Run back to your useless
rallies. Run away, like a coward.

JAY
I could-
JAY becomes angry and tries to lunge forward. HE stops once he
sees a picture on the wall of his father.

GABRIEL
Exactly, you could, but you wont. We had
the same teacher. You know youll lose. You
know youre wrong

JAY glances back up at the photo of his father and walks out.