THE INVISIBLE

Based on an idea by
Michele Antonio Parisi

Written By

Luka Tartaglia

Story by

Michele Antonio Parisi

Luka Tartaglia
INT. INDOOR - MORNING

On an old nightstand a shabby mirror just reflects MARK’s

(late 60’s, Black) grey beard while he’s shaving.

INT. INDOOR - MOMENTS LATER

Mark sits on a wooden box. A detailed shot of his trembling

hands reach out to grab an old pair of boots and he slowly
starts tying them up. Then he adjusts his tie, puts on a
jacket and walks away.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

Coffee comes out of a coffee machine, vapor exhales as milk

is steamed in a frothing pitcher, cups are filled up.

People are sitting around chilling. Some of them are reading

newspapers, and others are on their laptops.

INT. COFFEE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER

A man wearing an army uniform enters. It’s Mark, his face is

now completely visible.

Mark walks over to the counter.

MARK
Hello, Son.

GIUSEPPE (30’s, Caucasian) turns around.

GIUSEPPE
Good morning, Sergeant. How are you
today?

MARK
Can’t complain, pal. The Sun is
shining. It’s a good day.

GIUSEPPE
(nodding at the uniform)
Not a day off though.

Mark smiles slightly.

MARK
You don’t like my uniform?
 2.

GIUSEPPE
Oh I really do, Sergeant, but I’ve
never seen you without it.

MARK
You’re right. Some memories are a
tough monster to fight, my friend.

GIUSEPPE
The bittersweet of melancholy.

MARK
(Surprised) Precisely. Are you a
poet or something?

GIUSEPPE
I enjoy writing.

MARK
Nice.

GIUSEPPE
The usual, Sir?

MARK
With a drop of a-

GIUSEPPE
Almond milk. I remember.

MARK
That’s my guy.

Mark says it again for the room to hear and glances around.

MARK (CONT'D)
He’s my guy!

Giuseppe smiles as he makes the coffee.

MARK (CONT'D)
You could’ve been such a good
soldier, Giuseppe.

GIUSEPPE
Thank you, Sir.

MARK
I mean it.

GIUSEPPE
Maybe in another life.

Those words trigger something in Mark.

 3.

MARK
Yeah... Maybe...

A haunted look crosses Mark’s face and then his features

smooth out into a blank thousand-yard stare.

We hear muffled sounds. People screaming, explosions, the

whirl of a helicopter. Mark gets lost in memory.

GIUSEPPE
Sir?

No answer.

GIUSEPPE (CONT'D)
Sir? SIR!

Mark is back.

MARK
Yes.

GIUSEPPE
You okay?

Mark forces a laugh.

MARK
Of course I’m okay.

GIUSEPPE
(Confused) Here’s your coffee.

Giuseppe hands the cup to Mark.

MARK
Thank you, Son.

Mark grabs the cup and walks towards one of the tables
where...

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER

...HOLLAND (60’s, Caucasian) is sitting. Holland is grading

papers with a red pen. He writes a C.

Mark puts a hand on his shoulder.

MARK
Give him a C+ at least.
 4.

HOLLAND
Absolutely not. He doesn’t deserve
it.

Mark sits next to him.

MARK
But if he sees a plus he’ll be
motivated to do more.

HOLLAND
If you knew the kid you’d say I’m
being too generous already.

Holland puts down the papers, and takes a sip of his coffee.

MARK
If you say so...

HOLLAND
What happened, Sergeant? You’ve
gone soft all of the sudden?

MARK
Only on Sundays.

Holland smiles.

MARK (CONT'D)
How’s the wife?

HOLLAND
Good, thank God. Doctor said she’s
out of danger.

MARK
I’m glad to hear that.

HOLLAND
How’s yours?

MARK
Oh she’s great. That woman is full
of energy. I woke up this morning
and she was already preparing
lunch.

HOLLAND
I’m still waiting for that invite.
I‘d like to meet your family.

MARK
You’re right. As soon as we clean
up the backyard.
(MORE)
 5.

MARK (CONT'D)
My son should be back in a few
days. I need strong hands.

HOLLAND
I can help if you want.

A homeless woman approaches their table and interrupts them.

WOMAN
Excuse me.

They turn.

WOMAN (CONT'D)
You have some spare change by any
chance?

HOLLAND
I don’t. Sorry.

Holland turns back.

MARK
Wait.

Mark pulls out an old wallet and a picture falls out of his
pocket. Nobody notices it. Mark takes a crumpled dollar bill
and hands it to the woman who grabs it.

WOMAN
God bless you, Sir.

The woman walks away. Mark watches her leave.

Holland stares at Mark.

MARK
Sundays.

HOLLAND
(Sarcastic) Right.

MARK
Well, it’s been a pleasure as
usual, my friend.

Mark gets up.

HOLLAND
You’re leaving already?

MARK
Yeah. I have to. You know... Happy
wife, happy life.
 6.

HOLLAND
Sounds about right.

MARK
See you tomorrow then.

HOLLAND
Count on it.

Mark walks away.

Holland drinks his coffee and accidentally spills a bit on

his pants.

HOLLAND (CONT'D)
Oh shit!

He grabs a napkin from the table and cleans himself.

Looking down he notices the picture on the ground and picks

it up. It’s an old photo of Mark with his wife and son.

Holland looks around and sees Mark in the distance. He grabs

his papers and starts walking over to Mark to return the
photo.

EXT. HOLLYWOOD - STREET - MORNING

Holland follows Mark, he tries calling out to him a couple of

times from a distance, but the noise of the traffic is too
loud. He keeps walking.

EXT. HOLLYWOOD - STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Holland reaches a narrow street that intersects with the

Hollywood Walk of Fame. A series of tents run along the right
side of the street.

EXT. HOLLYWOOD - STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Holland sees Mark entering one of the tents and, surprised,

cautiously advances.

EXT. TENT - MOMENTS LATER

Mark gets out of the tent holding his boots. He’s not in an
army uniform anymore, he’s wearing scruffy clothes instead.
He circles the tent to place the boots in a cart. When he
turns around he sees Holland standing there.
 7.

Mark is completely taken aback. His face flushes with shame

and embarrassment. They stare at each other without saying a
word.

Then Holland takes a breath... steps his feet together,

raises his hand, and brings it to his forehead greeting
Sergeant Mark with a formal military salute.

Holland smiles and holds the position.

Mark looks at him while a tear runs down his face...

Then Mark salutes back.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

Mark and Holland are having breakfast at one of the tables.

Mark is wearing new casual clothes. They talk, laugh, drink.

They’re enjoying the moment. They’re happy.