This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are
the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, organizations or
locales is entirely coincidental.
3ACE9CEE6E9F
Use of this script is prohibited without the direct, expressed permission of
the author.
EXT: NIGHT – WINTER - light snow – bad area in Manhattan.
Street lamp in front of a downtown 2 story building on a back street with a
back-lit sign “St. John's Withdrawal Management”. There are some Christmas
lights around the door. The snow is fresh with no foot prints or tire marks.
It is 9 pm, about a week before Christmas. There is a big “H” visible
demarcating a hospital on a much taller building on the block behind the
clinic.
There is a feral dog, head stuck in a garbage bag on the ground next to a
dumpster, munching away on something.
After about 10 seconds, a homeless guy walks through the scene pushing a
shopping cart through the shallow snow. He has a flashing, battery powered
Christmas light on top of his stuff. He stops, grabs a length of rope out of
the buggy and heads soberly towards the dog. He surreptitiously slip knots the
rope over the dog's head and starts leading it away. Dog is growling seriously
and pulling back but he drags it through the snow anyway. He walks out of the
shot, pushing buggy, dog growling and biting rope like a rabid animal, half
dragging through the snow. Their sound fades and then silence.
(5 beats)
THE SILENCE IS BROKEN by a ambulance siren kicking in close by and wailing
until it goes out of earshot. After the siren fades, scene returns to silence
with snow falling in the lamp light.
(10 beats)
A VERY EXPENSIVE MERCEDES briskly pulls into the shot in front of the detox
door and comes to a sliding stop. Immediately the passenger door flies open
and a women gets out, very business like and not in a great mood. She is
dressed for a dinner party with evening gown and fur coat, jewelry. She slams
her door and opens the back door in a determined fashion.
COLLEEN
Come on. Let's go. Out.
WHOMEVER is in the back seat seems reluctant to come out. After an awkward
pause, the driver door opens and a man in equally nice clothes steps out and
comes around to the woman. She holds up her hand to stop him as he corners the
rear of the car. He obeys, dejectedly and stops quickly. Her gaze returns to
the occupant of the back seat. This is an intelligent and thoughtful woman who
has grabbed the reins.
COLLEEN
Let's go, Mike. (then loudly)
I'm not fuckin' around!
After some time, MIKE puts a foot out of the car, wobbily moves to stand and
makes it awkwardly to his feet. He is in evening wear but sloppy, disheveled
and pale, expensive but wrinkled trench coat. He collects himself for a bit and
fishes out a smoke and lights it. He falls back against the car and rests,
lowers his head in uncustomary contemplation.
COLLEEN
They're only gonna hold the bed
for a while.
MIKE lifts his head and looks back at the driver and then at COLLEEN.
He says this very perfunctorily, heart is not in it.
MIKE
Look, guys…. I said I was sorry.
Can I just say I'm sorry...
Jeez..
COLLEEN
That apology is bizarre. Jesus,
get it together baby brother.
Stuff's happening, here. I know
you're in there. Stuff's actually
happening!
MIKE looks back at the driver with some familiarity, looking for some help to
get out of this. MIKE is normally a speed talking, hard driving professional
and, though a bit drunk, he is slowly resuming his former posture.
The driver pipes up.
SILAS
Look ..Colleen... do we really
have to do this? Guy just had a
few too many pops and lost it,
stepped over the line. Come on...
a fuckin' hospital?
COLLEEN keeps her stare on MIKE.
COLLEEN
He's been sorry for fifteen years
and nothing ever changes. Ever.
(3 beats)
No one's gonna save your ass
this time, Mikey.
Silas's face changes, is defeated and steps back.
MIKE meets COLLEEN's stare and something sinks in, takes another drag of his
smoke. He fishes into his pocket and pulls out a tiny bottle of liquor.
MIKE
Jesus. In there?
COLLEEN
Ya. It's really happening, Mikey.
For real. Your time.
MIKE
Well..Gonna need a fuckin' drink
for this. Last drink. Honest.
MIKE cracks open the bottle and downs it like a pro, turns and throws it off
screen. He looks up at the clinic and grimaces.
MIKE
This place is a fuckin' dump.
COLLEEN
It was in the paper. A couple of
celebrities came here. It's
this ...this or the big D.
MIKE turns his head to SILAS for support. (Sotto)
MIKE
Get me outta this buddy.
..Silas..
SILAS is having a few revelations of his own, has his
own shit with MIKE, looks at COLLEEN and demures, looks
away. He can’t do it anymore.
MIKE glares at Silas, stands straight and delivers this loud speech from the
gallows, shows signs of inebriation. Anger is out of proportion, shocking.
MIKE
Seriously? Oh. BEAUTIFUL. Well,
thanks for nothin', pal(!) Say
goodbye to Mike. You understand?
Jesus, Colleen, reach into your
purse and find my buddy's balls,
would ya? Well, FUCK YOU! You
just finished me, buddy!
SILAS is stunned a bit, hurt, remains silent with a look of genuine concern.
SILAS
Jesus. Mike.
SILAS drops his stare, really hurt and gets back in the car, closes the door
and turns off the engine. COLLEEN drops her head, crying silently, gives a sob
and collects herself.
MIKE
Jesus. What's the matter now?
COLLEEN has fought back tears successfully but her voice is emotional. (light
snow continues)
COLLEEN
You know Michael Francis, I
always knew you'd eventually burn
your last bridge. I just never...
I just never thought I'd be there
when it happened. Ya
know?...Jesus Christ. Laura's
destroyed, Mike. DESTROYED! The
whole firm was there. Do you
understand!!?
MIKE wobbles on his feet a bit and grabs onto the car to
steady himself. He is pathetic, a bit slurred.
MIKE
Don't exaggerate. Jesus.
COLLEEN, flustered, marches a few steps towards the door of the facility, bangs
on the metal fire-door like a castle gate and it booms loudly. MIKE has not
moved. Through old tears, she turns around and faces him defiantly.
COLLEEN
This is it. It stops today.
MIKE
Heeere we go. MY sister, the
bitch friend of my bitch wife in
lock step. I mean what is the big
fuckin' deal?!! Everybody gets a
little out there after a few too
many.. I mean... Jesus!
COLLEEN
(peaks)
A little out there ?! My God,
Michael. Do I really have to say
it, Michael? I will. I'll say
it, Mikey. Try me. (she pulls up
her cell phone). I have an
idea... let's fuckin' POST it
online! Good for you Mikey?!
MIKE's posture changes instantly, he is beaten, and he straightens up, grabs a
gym bag angrily out of the car and slams the car door, stomps awkwardly over to
the entrance next to COLLEEN.
There is a loud bolt-click from the door and it opens outward, MIKE steps back
5 steps and COLLEEN takes her cue, starts back for the car.
MIKE
Jesus. Where the hell are you
going? Colleen... Guys? What's
goin' on? !
MIKE is standing alone in the snow, imploring them with
his open arms. COLLEEN stops and turns calmly to look at
MIKE.
COLLEEN
I been waitin'..prayin' for this
day for 15 years, Mikey. Cuz of
Pop. I been readin'. This is
something you've got to do for
yourself, Michael. Or it doesn't
work. You'll see that. You gotta
walk in under your own power.
You're in there... I see you. You
gotta do this.
She gets in the car and it begins to move off.
MIKE
What? You're just... just gonna
fuckin' leave me here?! Jeesus!!
Fuckin' psychos! Jeez.. Silas!
Silas, I'm sorry! Come back!
Fuuuck.
Car smoothly pulls away with MIKE looking on in disbelief. The attendant,
likely a counselor, LOUIS DUBOIS, who opened the door, pipes up.
LOU
Can I help you?
MIKE spins back and looks at the attendant. The interior light spills out into
a long shadow in the snow landing on MIKE. MIKE averts his eyes with his hand
temporarily.
LOU is black, born elsewhere but raised in the U.S., late 30's, is wearing
steel rimmed glasses. Snow continues to fall slowly in a dead of winter
silence with LOU mostly silhouetted in the interior light, a ghostly figure.
(Big pause)
RESUME PREV SHOT – Medium distance.
LOU
Buddy?
(3 beats)
LOU
Are you MIKE?
(3 more beats)
MIKE
Ya. I'm uh.. Mike.
LOU
Well, Mike. Come in.
MIKE lifts his foot cautiously from the snow and starts to step toward the
building while the LOU holds the door.
***END OF SCENE
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Facing the Truth
SCENE – INT. Admitting desk/reception for the city withdrawal management
clinic(detox). All lights are off save for the dated desk lamp on an old and
heavy, metal desk.
LOU moves past MIKE in the hallway and takes a seat behind the desk. A
Christmas CD is playing in the background, low volume (Burl Ives, Dean Martin,
Andy Williams, etc.)
LOU
Have a seat..
MIKE breaks from looking around the room, sits stiltedly at one of two worn
chairs in front of the desk. He has landed on Mars.
LOU
K...Uh, I need your work
insurance card.
MIKE fishes for his wallet and produces his insurance card, hands it over. He
shows some exasperation, does NOT want to be here at all.
LOU
Great .. thanks..
MIKE
Look, I uh..think there's been a
mistake. I'm not supposed to be
here. We should probably just
stop here. Really.
LOU
A mistake, eh. Hmm.
LOU ignores MIKE and swipes the card into his computer and hands it back. He
scans down the basic info on the screen and begins his admission.
LOU
Alrighty, then. You are Mike
Mulvenna?
MIKE
Ya.
LOU
14 Fairchild Ave?
MIKE
Ya. That's my address but...
LOU
Lou. Lou Dubois.
LOU is a practiced handler of alcoholics. Can spot them at 1000 yards. He
studies MIKE's face for a bit and leans back. MIKE is normally a wise-ass and
is resuming this personality. Getting his grin back. LOU jumps right in.
LOU
Are you an alcoholic, Mike?
MIKE is surprised, rolls back a bit at the question. He smirks a bit to blow it
off but he can't answer. He looks stumped.
LOU is bit burnt out, job weary, but on a mission. Waits for an answer. He is
the picture of calm.
LOU
Yes?.... No? Can't ya even say
no?
MIKE
(-)
LOU
You really have no idea, do you.
(pause)
I am.
LOU takes up position in front of the computer again.
LOU
I have all your medical stuff
here.. allergies, etc. You ever
been through this process before,
trying to stop drinking for any
length of time?
MIKE still seems a bit inebriated though sobering up fast. Silent belch.
MIKE
Uh.. 2005. I had my knee done.
Didn't drink for 23 hours. I, uh,
had some great drugs though.
(pause)
I was unconscious.
(grins)
LOU
You mean 23 hours is the longest
you've gone without a drink
...since 2005?
MIKE
(shrugs)
LOU
Ummm.. OK. Ever had DT's before?
MIKE (annoyed)
DT's? What, like pink elephants?
No. I have never seen a pink
elephant. Uuuh, what the fuck...
LOU
It's a bit more serious than
that. I'll put “No”. You would
have remembered, trust me.
MIKE
Sounds fucked up. Well I only
drink the best, pal. Single malt,
imported beers. None of that low
priced brain rot for this guy.
LOU hits the print button and waits for some pages to come off the printer.
LOU
OK, Mike. You're being admitted
to a drug and alcohol withdrawal
management facility. Do you
understand?
MIKE
Ya. Detox. You guys don't serve
alcohol.
LOU
You will refrain from using drugs
and alcohol for the duration of
your time here.
MIKE
How long is that gonna be?
LOU
How long do you think it's gonna
be?
MIKE
Just long enough to get the
screaming banshees off my ass.
Shit, can I make a call?
LOU
No cell phones. You'll have to
use this phone when we're done.
Someone will have to monitor the
call. In case you were thinking
of calling your dealer. Detox
usually takes 4-6 days.
MIKE
6 days!!? Did you just say 6
days?
LOU
That a problem? You wanna get
better, right?
MIKE unhinges a bit.
MIKE
Me get better? Jeeezus. That's
really rich.
LOU
This is a hospital, friend. You
are NOT a well man.
MIKE
You wanna talk fuckin' mental
health? Talk to the wife and my
boss, coupla psychos who really
should be in the nuthouse. Fuck,
you'd drink too if you had these
two platinum ball-busters in your
life, trust me. Look, I just
need to hang out till things cool
down and they lay off, that's
really all I need. Please.
LOU
So, you're not the problem. No
fuckin' shit. (2 beats) Well,
bin there... so I feel ya, buddy.
You don't know shit, yet.
MIKE
Look, I like a drink. I'm a
drinker. I'm Irish. Sue me. See
that.? Fuckin' Rolex ! (shows his
wrist upright) Fuck, I'm a
lawyer for chrissakes(!)
LOU
A lawyer? Well, pardon me.
(pause)
Would you believe, counselor,
that you're the 2nd lawyer I've
checked in today?
LOU leans out and calls down the hall.
LOU
Jerry!! Get in here!!
A rough, gravely, old voice calls back from outside the
room.
JERRY
Preacher told me I can't go in
there anymore!! Fuck off!!
LOU
It' OK! Get in here!
WE HEAR stocking feet in paper slippers stomping down an institutional hallway
for several beats and JERRY enters the room. He's a street guy, late 60's,
sleeping outside for years with few teeth left in his head and a overgrown
white beard, in a hospital robe. He's wearing a Santa cap. He is like a crazy
old prospector from a western movie. LOU has known Jerry for years.
LOU
Now where'd you get that hat?
JERRY
Outside. Traded for it.
LOU
Bullshit. That's my hat and you
got it off my desk. You know
you're never gonna get better if
you lie literally every time your
open your fuckin' mouth! Take it
off.
JERRY
Asshole. What'll ya give me?
LOU reaches into a small fridge next to his desk and
pulls out a Jello cup with a plastic spoon attached with
a rubber band, throws it over to JERRY. JERRY catches it
and tosses back the hat. LOU absent mindedly frizbees
the hat onto a porcelain rabbit's head on the file
cabinet (Shot catches close up of plain faced porcelain
rabbit receiving the hat in profile without complaint)
LOU
Eat all of that. The doctor wants
you to eat.
(pause)
Jerry, Mike here's a lawyer.
MIKE
Uh...Hi.
JERRY
Cool. I'm a lawyer too. Big time.
Downtown.
MIKE .. smug and condescending. Thinks JERRY is probably
delusional.
MIKE (sotto at LOU)
You're a lawyer. Then I'm Shamu.
Formerly of Seaworld.
LOU
Jerry used to be a lawyer.
MIKE
Big time, eh? I'll bite. Who
with?
JERRY has started digging into his Jello and is
answering with a full mouth. He is a shaky, neurotic
fellow with no discernible focus, eyes are darting
around. He eats throughout the exchange.
JERRY
Floyd, Gould....(chews).. and
Barrow.
MIKE
F, G and B, huh? (grunts,
chuckles) I dunno, chief.
That's pretty up there , little
out of my league even.
MIKE spins his index finger beside his head at LOU.
Thinks JERRY is off his nut.
JERRY
Fuckin' big time. (chews) Told
ya.
JERRY continues shoveling pudding into his mouth like a
ravenous street person.
MIKE
Uhh..This guy smells. Is this
going somewhere?
JERRY
(eating, mumbling)
I'm Barrow. I'm the B. At least
I was the B.(still eating ) My
asshole son took over the “B”
when those bastards stabbed me in
the fuckin' back and disbarred me
15 years ago. Fuckin' bitch wife
put 'em up to it. (chews) Nice
Rolex.
MIKE's eyebrows lift, snorts.
MIKE
You're Jerry Barrow Sr.
LOU
Jerry's a frequent flyer, right
Jerry? Comes here when his
welfare cheque runs out and he
needs some good chow and a roof.
Better chow here than the
shelter.
(2 beats)
How many admissions you got here,
Jerry?
JERRY
317. Here. Got any more pudding?
LOU
Later.
MIKE
Jesus, Mary(!) Three hundred and
seventeen?! Three hundred and
seventeen. Did I hear that right?
LOU puts up his hand to silence MIKE.
LOU
You an alcoholic, Jerry?
JERRY
Fuck no. That's what my asshole
partners convinced the state bar
though. That's what you get for
fucking a client's wife. A lot of
clients. Ya and tell that fuckin'
newbie to stop coughin' on me.
Fucker's got TB.
LOU is impatient with JERRY, they have history. Voice
slowly raises.
LOU
He ain't got TB. You leave that
guy alone. Hear me?. He's
probably got your mutant goddamn
street flu. Now get outta here.
Jesus.
JERRY splits the room with amazing efficiency and a
fearful respect he learned on the streets.
LOU puts a foot up on the desk, stares down MIKE, hint
of a smile.
LOU
Jerry came in from Emerge this
morning for drinking aerosol cans
of Lysol for the alcohol.
MIKE
This is all a little much.
LOU
Lysol. The air freshener. They
find a nail on the street and
poke a hole. Suck it back like
Dom Perignon. You don't think
Jerry started out as a scotch
man?
MIKE is not buying...
MIKE
No fuckin' way that's Jerry Barrow,
pal. He spoke at my law school. J.
fuckin' Barrow was a giant.
LOU
Oh, it's him. His daughter still visits
once in a while. Drives up in a Bentley
and brings him clean socks and
underwear. The guy gets his fuckin'
mail here.
MIKE
(-)
LOU
Anyway. Think you might wanna hang out
here a while , that you might need to
be here, counselor? Wanna maybe nip
this in the bud?
MIKE is silent... pregnant pause while LOU waits for an answer.
MIKE
Ya, Ya..blah, blah, scared fuckin'
straight. Seen it and the sequel, pal.
And, wow, you got some sack comparing
me to that bone heap. J. Barrow had a
couple of reputations. One for being a
giant in the industry and the other
for being a giant asshole who couldn't
handle his booze. Not gonna work. Move
on.
MIKE sits back in his chair with this little victory.
LOU sits back up, dovetails seamlessly into his next
approach and engages MIKE up close, friendly like.
LOU
Alright. No problem. Look, you need a
couple of days to get the heat off,
wouldn't be the first time we did that for
a client. And you are special, I can tell.
We can set that up.
Just for you.
MIKE
Awesome.
LOU
This your lucky day, pal. Sign here.
MIKE
Great. Awesome. I'll be outta your hair
soon. This is really good of you.
MIKE signs the form and slides it back to LOU, starts
collecting his stuff.
LOU
Thanks Mike.
LOU takes the forms and creates a new folder, takes a
key and opens a metal file cabinet and files MIKE's
forms, closes the drawer and locks it with the key.
LOU
K.. I need to see your bag.
MIKE's posture changes..
MIKE
My bag? I don't think so, pal.
Constitution..right? Sorry.
LOU
Just wanna make sure you're not
tryin' to sneak in any gum or
candy. Maybe wanna share some
with your new friends. Helps keep
down our body count.
MIKE
Na,na, I'm pretty sure you can't
do that. Buddy, you really don't
wanna do that. I'd change up
unless you wanna be buried in
legal forms.
(pause then MIKE points at himself, smiles)
Lawyer. Remember?
LOU gets smug, sarcastic, starts closing the web...
LOU
Wow, you're still pretty fuckin'
drunk, aren't you? Well,
counselor, I think you're
slippin'. You should really read
shit before you sign. That's like
the first day of law school,
right?
MIKE
Admission form. Looks pretty
standard. What are you tryin' to
say.
LOU(sorting papers)
Well, it is pretty standard. For
a short-term voluntary committal.
48 hours to be exact. You know, I
think I just gots to save your
life, friend.
MIKE's face heats up...
MIKE
Committal? What, like..like
fuckin'...fuckin' Cuckoo's Nest?!
I'm being committed?!!
LOU
It's all in the form, Mike. Have
to say, I was pretty shocked when
you didn't read it. As of 11
seconds ago, you have very few
rights in the State of New York.
I figured you knew all the ins-
and-outs, you know, being a
lawyer and all. Doesn’t this tell
you you're fucked up? Defective?
MIKE stands.
MIKE
I'm in FRIGGING REAL ESTATE! That
is so fucked up!! Look slick...
this ain't right. This fuckin
stinks! I'm getting' fucked
around here. Fuck, and my head
is starting to split..
(Calms himself. Starts
backpedaling nervously. Massages
his temples.)
Look, honestly, I am NOT crazy. I
got a little too drunk and got
into a bad scene at a Christmas
party. That's all.
LOU is being annoyingly sarcastic, real New York.
LOU
Oh, Mikey. Late stage active
alcoholism, by law, can be a form
of insanity and is grounds for
committal. Plus, you're pretty
wasted and you walked straight
into a medical facility.. I don't
think you could even vote legally
right now. Judge will probably
back it up.
MIKE
Jesus. I'm a party guy, ya know?
My God… a couple of fucking
drinks, right? Something stinks
here.
LOU plays the innocent sarcastic..
LOU
I just can't let you loose on
society . By law, you are non
compus mentus, pal. (screws up
his face comically) That's a
legal term, right?
MIKE
Non compus..? This is a just a
bad fuckin' dream.. Jeeesus. I am
not that drunk, pal. Let me OUTTA
here! I'm NOT CRAZY!
LOU
Expecting to carry drugs and some
booze into a detox, no questions
asked? That's what we in the
rehab biz call 'magical
thinking'. Technically, it's a
mania. It is not good, Mike.
LOU takes his foot off the gas, gets all buddy buddy.
LOU
Relax, counselor. It's not as
iron-clad as a long-term
committal. Now, you could
probably get out of it in a
couple of hours. But you couldn't
represent yourself, you know,
being temporarily mentally
unsound and all. You need one of
your lawyer friends to come down
and sign you out, drive you home.
LOU lifts the phone handset and slides it in front of
MIKE.
LOU
You, uh, got any friends left
back at the firm?
LOU grins for effect. MIKE's face goes blank, then limp.
He stares off a bit and then down at the ground.
LOU
Lesson 1. Drunks don't have any
friends. All gone. Ya, that's
right. I know.
(Pause)
Now … bag.
MIKE is starting to bust. He is really just defending
the stash in his gym bag.
MIKE
Holy...look. What kinda fuckin'
health care professional are you
anyway?! I don't think you can
talk to me this way! I mean, you
guys are supposed to be fuckin'
nice! Jesus!
MIKE is peaking, incredulous. LOU changes gears like a
pro..
LOU
Wo, Wo.. Calm yourself.
(cont'd)
You know, you're right. Let's
start again. Reset. Get some
perspective.
LOU cools it and leans forward, closes the web.. .
LOU
Look. Door No. 3. You know this
shit really doesn't work unless
you “wanna” be here. Know what
I'm sayin? So say the word and
I'll tear up those forms and you
can go back out there and deal
with whatever unholy shit
happened tonight that chased you
in here.
(pause)
Try me. I will put your ass back
out into the world, brother. Out
there. (Points)
MIKE's eyes widen... he collects himself.
LOU
You look scared shitless, friend.
LOU clicks a mouse on the desk and blows up a pre-loaded video of exterior
surveillance that MIKE can see. It shows the stand off between him and COLLEEN
and her threat, him grabbing his bag and slamming the car door. LOU clicks the
mouse again and the scene runs in a repeating loop.
LOU
Now we ain't got no sound here
but that looks bad. So just say
the word, brother. You just ain't
got no gas anymore, friend. I see
it. There can be no peace without
surrender. Good news. The war's
over pal.
MIKE's face smarts and he backs off, looks away with
pain. He sighs, heaves his bag onto the desk and sits.
MIKE
Fuck. Fine. Take it.
LOU leans into MIKE, winks, pointing to the front door
down the hall. Drives it home, calmly.
LOU
I'll let you in on a little
secret, counselor, something to
help you along, and you can take
this to heart and holy mother.
This is the last stop on the
block. Nobody ever.. EVER comes
through that door ... by mistake.
MIKE gets a little paler and puts his elbows on his
knees, face in hands and starts pumping his knee. LOU
throws on some purple latex gloves and starts digging
through the bag.
LOU
Any needles in here?
MIKE
No, of course not. Jeez.
(MIKE is shaking his head,
incredulous, volume increasing
incrementally.
He stands.)
Holy Jesus, what the hell is
going on here! Tonight was
supposed to be just a nice
Christmas party. 3 hours ago, I
was drinking Scotch in a 20
million dollar apartment in
Manhattan. Now I'm locked in a
goddamn psycho ward with some
psycho ex-alcoholic warden!
Heavy sarcastic from LOU.. looks up from checking Mikes'
bag.
LOU
Oh, Mikey(!) Now is that any way
to talk about your last friend in
the world? Oh My, My...
Now Mike is just annoyed...
MIKE
You!? You're my friend?! Jesus,
am I in the freakin' Twilight
Zone here?!
MIKE reels and turns, sits in his chair and leans over
grabbing his head between his hands.
LOU starts pulling small bottles of liquor and pill
bottles from the bag and throwing them in a plastic
pail. He finds an empty coke baggie and holds it up.
LOU
Jackpot.
MIKE reels away in his chair, still holding his head,
leaning over. Starts bitching loudly.
MIKE
Fuck, I am getting the mother of
all headaches. Right now. You
guys have percacet, right? This
is a hospital, right? You have to
give me something. You took an
oath, right!?
LOU
That's not the oath I took,
friend.
In the meantime AL Maddox, aka. PREACHER, another rehab counselor, has quietly
appeared silhouetted in the doorway to the rest of the clinic, calm smile and
leans on the jam, folds his large arms.
PREACHER is an ex-gang member, biker, 40-50's, covered in tattoos, massive arms
and a shaved head with a pirate earring. He is from Oklahoma, has a wizened
drawl and is a seriously qualified addictions counselor.
MIKE catches a glimpse of PREACHER's intimidating
presence and turns away in his chair.
MIKE (under his breath)
Mother of God.
LOU
We're not allowed to give you
anything. We aren't doctors. Feel
the pain, pal. Might as well
start now, Mike. You've always
avoided it before. Builds
character.
(softens a bit)
A nurse will be by to draw some
blood. She can probably give you
a Tylenol. That's it.
MIKE reels again at the prospect of not having access to
drugs, rubs his temples and forehead.
MIKE
Fuuuuck...
LOU has cleaned out the bag and turns it over, shakes it
over the pail. An assortment of a few pills falls out.
He lifts the pail and shakes it, full of small liquor
bottles, pill bottles, to make noise in MIKE's face. It
makes quite a racket.
LOU
Now that .. is crazy. Absolutely
crazy.
LOU grabs a large brown envelope off of a pile and
writes MIKE's information on it.
LOU
K. Cell phone and valuables.
MIKE starts emptying his pockets of his wallet, cash,
coins, keys and reluctantly hands over his cell phone.
LOU
And the watch, ring. You don't
wanna flash that shit around in
here.
MIKE clicks off the watch, takes off his ring, cuff
links and ceremoniously drops them in the envelope.
Voice is slightly shaky..
MIKE
I've really done something,
haven't I. I'm in it now.
LOU seals the envelope and puts it in front of MIKE.
LOU
Yup. You have. You are. Welcome
to bottom. Sign here.
MIKE signs the bottom of the envelope and slides it
back. LOU takes the envelope and rolls in his chair to
an ancient upright vault in the back of the office,
turns the combination, opens the safe and deposits the
envelope. He closes the safe and clicks the lever shut.
LOU
Al here will take you upstairs
and show you to your bed. People
call him Preacher. A church group
dropped of a donation so there's
some food out in the TV room.
Help yourself. Eat as much as you
can. You probably won't keep it
down but you should try anyway.
(pause)
LOU
Welcome to St. John's.
MIKE starts stuffing his shaving kit, clothes back into
his gym bag. He leans in to whisper to LOU.
MIKE
Uh... Is everything OK with this
guy over here? (Tilts his head
to indicate AL MADDOX)
LOU
What'ya mean?
MIKE
What do I mean? I mean I look at
him and think Manson got paroled
from hell.
LOU
Well, he's a PhD candidate in
addiction psychology. He's also a
minister of a church. Any more
questions?
MIKE is a little more ingratiating, nervy. And he is a
bit embarrassed at his stereotyping.
MIKE
No. No. Thanks.
He walks stiffly over to PREACHER with his bag and
stops. Delivers this very awkwardly, still kinda drunk.
MIKE
Just so you know, I ain't got no
beef with Jesus. Really. Great
guy.
PREACHER looks him up and down..
PREACHER
No beef, eh? Shit, I would if I
looked like you. You been short
changed, friend. Truly.
PREACHER extends his large arm to show MIKE down the
hall.
PREACHER
This way, Michael.
MIKE and PREACHER exit the scene. LOU gives a big sigh and slumps back in his
chair. He reaches up and turns up the volume on the Christmas music, pulls up
some paperwork on the desk and starts reading, picks up the phone to dial.
END OF SCENE
THE SCENE – Interior – Detox Hallway.
It is night and at half-lighting. PREACHER is walking ahead of MIKE, fiddling
with some keys and humming a song. MIKE is walking apprehensively, bag in
hand, keeping a distance from PREACHER. PREACHER is a pretty nice guy,
reformed and polite.
WE HEAR the sound of a booming old TV coming from a lounge at the end of the
hall.
Some very rough looking guys are peering out from rooms in hospital jammies.
PREACHER is giving MIKE the tour.
PREACHER
So whaddya think of Lou?
MIKE
Mr. Ham and Eggs back there? He's
kinda fucked up, isn't he.
PREACHER
We lost a guy this morning.
Holiday rush. He’s pissed. On a
crusade.
MIKE
What? Lost? Someone escaped?
PREACHER's face pinches.. He continues in his laconic,
disinterested manner. (a la Tommy Lee Jones)
PREACHER
Uh.. No.
(pause)
PREACHER
Oh, he'll put a scare in ya. Just
his way of saving your ass. And
he had a pretty messed up start.
You know.. in life.
MIKE
What? Bed-Stuy? The projects?
PREACHER
Kinda. Sierra Leone. Came over
here when he was 11. Seen a lot,
way too much for a kid. Took to
drugs like a long lost lover.
Most of his friends are dead now.
Shot or OD'd. But, he's comin' up
to 12 years clean. Another
miracle. This place is full of
miracles, Mike.
MIKE (yikes face)
Uhhhm... OK.
PREACHER
People think they got it bad, ya
know? Just watched a guy bitch
cuz he had to give up his Rolex
for 48 hrs. Lou's had it the
worst I've ever seen. Dodgin'
AK47 fire when he was 4 years
old, shit like that. Yet there he
is, helpin' out.
(pause)
Miracle. Straight up. You're damn
lucky he was on shift. Most guys
would have cut your wise ass
loose.
A couple of younger guys in bath robes, looking pretty
pale and sick shuffle past them in the hall. MIKE
nervously presses up against the wall tight to let them
pass.
MIKE
Ya. Miracles in Lower Manhattan.
All I see are probable
outstanding warrants.
PREACHER
(chuckles genuinely)
Outstanding warrants. That's
good. (sarc.) Well you just might
be too smart for this simple
Okie, friend. Time will tell.
(wink)
PREACHER continues the tour, they enter the group
washrooms.
PREACHER
This is the bathroom, showers.
There are no doors on the stalls.
Guys used to shoot up in them so
we took 'em off. Ones that
weren't kicked off, anyway.
Showers are over there past the
stalls.
The place is ancient, built in the 50's , tiles haven't been replaced in a
generation and there is mold everywhere. It is falling apart and smells. MIKE,
disgust, looks the pastor straight in the face, implores him, gesturing at the
mess.
MIKE
There is... no God. You must
sense that sometimes, right?.
PREACHER
(chuckles again, a little longer)
Oh, you're a funny one, Mike.
That sense of humor is gonna come
in handy in the next coupla days.
I'd hang on to it.
They arrive at the end of the hall at a dorm. It has 8 bed/cots
with 5 or 6 guys in bad shape sprawled out in various positions on
their beds, a couple have IVs. PREACHER is scanning the half-lit
room with a pen light. They all look like very rough characters...a
couple of face tattoos and scars.
PREACHER
This is our intake and transition
room. It's where you'll stay for
the first 24 hrs. First 24 hours
are the roughest. You won't feel
very good. That's your bed over
there. There's a clean bucket
under the bed if you feel sick.
There is a freshly made up bed among the mess visible at
the end of a row. They are whispering loudly by this
point.
MIKE
I gotta sleep here? At the
Shawshank infirmary?! Oh, no, no,
no. I don't think so, pastor. I
saw some empty beds in the rooms
up the hall. Fuck, for the love
of God, gimme one of those.
PREACHER
I can't keep an eye on you there.
And I have these guys to look
after as well. My call,
counselor.
MIKE
Jeez, well aren't you just Dr.
Phil in a Hess Cross tattoo.
Look, I appreciate the concern
but I'll be fine. Just need a
room and a door, preferably one
that locks. I'll be OK.
Seriously.
PREACHER
Uh..No. No you won't. Trust me.
When was the last time you tried
to sleep without booze or drugs?
MIKE
I can't remember. College?
One of the guys bolts up in his bed and shouts at
PREACHER. It is RON MURPHY, black, late 30's and a
regular, in cold turkey.
RON
Jesus, Preacher, will you guys
shut the fuck up! I'm tryin' to
sleep here. Jesus!
PREACHER(warmly)
Sorry, Ron. Can I get you
anything, buddy?
RON
Ya! A piece of crack like the
fuckin' Hope Diamond and a butchy
lookin',fat-assed, white girl!
Fuck, I'm vibratin' man! Cool it!
PREACHER
You shaky, Ron? They won't give
you anything till you're blood
work's back. Need some juice? Get
some minerals. Don't want
anything bad to happen.
RON is swirling a bit from the outburst, sleepy. He puts
his head in his hand. Shaky voice..tears
RON
Ya. Better get me some. Thanks
Preacher.
RON settles back down and rolls over, sighs. PREACHER
produces a juice box from a cupboard and puts in on the
side table next to RON, touches RON on the arm.
PREACHER
Hang in there, buddy. I'm right
outside.
RON
I'm sorry, Preacher. (sobs) God
bless you, man.
They step out into the hall. PREACHER closes the curtain
in the doorway. MIKE is blown by the range of emotion
he's just witnessed. His face says “Jesus Christ! What a
bunch of loonies!”
MIKE (sotto)
I-I don't think I can stay in
there.
PREACHER
What are you afraid of?
MIKE (sotto)
Oh, I dunno. Sexual slavery..
Being forced to join the Aryan
Nation..
`
PREACHER chuckles.
PREACHER
These guys are too sick to hurt
anyone.
MIKE lifts his arms in a half surrender and recoils,
steps back from PREACHER and down the hall away from the
door, shaking his head. He is shaky, holding his gut.
MIKE
Look, I uh..I think I just wanna
go home. Really. Now.
PREACHER
Something brought you here, Mike.
Your past, your future, whatever.
Trust me when I say, no foolin',
you have got to deal with it now.
MIKE's voice is now shaky, emotional, more like a little
boy. He is starting to sink fast without booze and
drugs, breathing heavier.
MIKE
Look. Maybe I could just come
back after Christmas. I promise.
PREACHER
We lose 3 or 4 guys a week here.
You might not make it back. I'm
serious. This ain't no regular
sandbox you landed in, buddy.
MIKE belches.. holds his stomach again. Remains stooped.
MIKE
I dunno... I'm shaking... I don't
feel so good...
PREACHER
No kidding you don't feel so
good. Drinkin' Formula One racing
fuel daily for decades will do
that to a guy. Look man, don't
leave before the miracle happens.
Give it a little time.
MIKE is ticked off by the religious reference and blows,
delivers a measured polemic in PREACHER’s face(sotto-
ish) .
MIKE (in rising voice)
Oh Jesus, wake up, loboto-miracle
boy. My God, all I see around
here is the fuckin opposite ! I
mean I look around and think, am
absolutely convinced, this is
where the Anti-Christ stays when
he's in town. This godforsaken
place is the end of the line and
you? You know it, don't you.
Fuckin' right you do. So can you
stop givin' me all this fuckin'
miracle and happy Jesus crap,
already? All these guys are
toast, finished!
PREACHER smiles at MIKE. He resumes walking and stops in
front of a statue of St. John mounted on the wall, gazes
on it.
PREACHER
You got me. They're pretty fucked
alright. Most of them are
probably gonna die. (pause) So
how do you explain your being
here with all these fine citizens
then, Mike? End of the line? You
got that right. And here.. you..
are.
MIKE is silent, pensive, chastened posture. No answer.
PREACHER
(Big Pause then gazes up at
statue, reverent)
Powerful symbol, don't ya
think? . You know why I became a
minister, Mike?
MIKE (exasperation,leans
now on the wall,rubs his head)
Jeez..No. After seeing this
joint, I got no fuckin' earthly
idea. Fuck.. Gandhi would take
the fuckin' hinges off runnin'
outta here.
GO To MEDIUM SHOT – PREACHER – his tempo slows and his
voice softens, he becomes the Oklahoma orator.
PREACHER
Cuz this place was a lot like the
Bible. Now, I'm not a literalist,
I don't believe in a literal
translation of the Bible but it's
like a living Bible, going on in
front of my eyes, everyday. I
understood the symbolism,
metaphors instantly, like a door
opened. Death, life, temptation,
sin and redemption, the real deal
in living color. Some being
resurrected and others destroyed.
All this unseen quantum machinery
that modern science barely has a
clue about much less fix. It was
the ultimate metaphor, a place of
convergence where the dark side
crashes and burns in complete
hellfire, everyday. Einstein was
right, time stops around here,
God's time. Different rules in
here, friend. It's full on Dante.
The belly of the whale.
(PREACHER folds his arms and
leans against the wall)
PREACHER
When I landed here from jail 20
years ago, I was pretty well
dead. It really was the end of
time.. for me. Think about it.
The end of all things. Most
people don't get to see it up
close, you know? People got taken
here. Taken without word or
warning. This is really a
timeless place, Mike, a crossing
over place, one of many chaotic
portals in this world to the
beyond, like a war or a plague. I
love my country but this thing
laughs at modern democracy so
don't expect to get a vote.
Prayers are not always heard
here, either. Like a decision's
already been made elsewhere in
the universe. Poor souls come
crawling in with a deadly
disease, cryin' for their mama
and prayin...Then ..poof. (snaps
his fingers)..gone. Everybody's
number comes knockin' in here,
boy. Thing is, if the chance
comes and if you're lucky, you'll
get to decide. That's the miracle
part.
(pause)
So I'll give you one piece of
advice. I don't expect you to
come to Jesus. I honestly don't
care. None of my business what
you believe. Just open your mind
a bit, this in not entirely an
intellectual exercise. Choose
your thoughts carefully if you
wanna live through this.
MIKE is mesmerized a bit by the PREACHER and reflective. His face cringes in
some emotion but he goes back to his smart ass routine and returns to the real
snot people know him to be. It's an effort, breath failing at times, pathetic
last stand.
MIKE
Ya. Look... I'm not like you
friend. I made it...I own shit...
Not some Okie raised on hay and
moonshine who spent Christmases
talking to his daddy through
Plexiglas. No disrespect.
PREACHER(unfazed, subtle
grin)
Wow. So The lesson begins.
PREACHER face stays still, hides the rebuke and the disappointment, still
looking at MIKE. He is unfazed, undeterred.
Out of the blue, and in a seemingly wild coincidence, a ruckus erupts down the
hall in the TV lounge. We hear a plate break. Men are shouting, some are
wailing, general mayhem. A larger grin creeps into PREACHER'S expression as he
looks at MIKE then up the hall. A flashing light starts going off over the
entrance to the room and a beeping noise. The PA comes on with a bunch of
feedback and a blaring voice is shouting over the intercom. It is a patient.
[Intercom]
Lou! Lou! TV Room!
Fuckin MOVE IT!!
MIKE is startled, looks up.
MIKE
What’s that?! What's happening?
What the fuck's going on?
PREACHER is calmer than you might expect and he fixes his stare, continued
subtle grin, on MIKE.
PREACHER
Armageddon.
PREACHER grabs a big Red Cross kit off the wall and
grabs MIKE powerfully by the arm.
PREACHER
Come with me.
PREACHER scooches MIKE politely, though powerfully, down the hall towards the
the TV lounge. MIKE drops his bag along the way.
RESUME Admitting Desk with Lou. He unlocks a clear plastic box on the wall and
hits a big blue button with the flat of his hand. A silent code blue to goes to
the hospital a block away. He peels out of the shot.
Genres:
["Drama","Dark Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Chaos in the Lounge
INT. HALLWAY DETOX – We resume with MIKE and PREACHER with MIKE's jilted POV as
they approach the TV LOUNGE entrance. MIKE is a bit breathless and spurting out
words.
MIKE
Fuck.... My arm. ...Ease up.
You're hurting me.
PREACHER drags MIKE into the TV ROOM. A circle of 8+ guys is standing around a
patient we don't see yet on the floor. Arguments between guys about what the
best thing to do is. Two of the guys in the circle decide to dig up a previous
beef and start shoving.
PREACHER separates them with ease, pushing them far apart.
PREACHER
Get back! Clear some room! Get
some pillows!!
MIKE has backed up to the wall, and is wide-eyed, scared.
The two guys PREACHER separated have formed up again , headlocks and punches.
They knock a bowl of salsa off of a table , scatter sandwiches and chips all
over, and salsa splashes across the TV screen over a scene from “It's a
Wonderful Life”. PREACHER grabs the instigator and throws him bodily out of
the room.
The room quiets and PREACHER gets down on the floor next to the convulsing
patient. He is placing pillows under his head. The client is in his 40's, in
good clothes, Vietnamese, semi-conscious, shaking like a leaf.
PREACHER
I'm here, Ming. You're doing OK.
Try to breathe.
MING
Aaagh.!! (cackle)
PREACHER looks at the clock and makes note of the second hand as it passes the
12. He fixes on MING, puts his hand on MING's forehead.
PREACHER
Ming? You have to try to get some
breaths when it eases up a bit.
OK? You with me? You're gonna
black out soon.
The seizure is not letting up and MING hasn't taken a
breath in a while. He's pointing at his mouth saying
“need air – help”.
PREACHER
You're doing fine, Ming. It's OK.
You're gonna make it.
WE HEAR some of the patient's freaking out. “FUCK! He's not breathing man! Get
the paramedics!!” “FUCK!! He's dyin'!! He's fuckin' dyin'!!
PREACHER
SHUT UP!!
Lou enters the room and looks at PREACHER.
Lou
Paramedics are on their way.
How long?
PREACHER
60 seconds, maybe less. He's just
blacked out. Does he have meds?
Lou
He checked in with Nitro-
glycerin. BP issues. Smoker.
PREACHER
Well, he is fuckin' GRAND MAL
now. Better pull out the defib
kit.
MIKE takes Lou's entrance as a cue to leave, he skulks
away a bit but Lou catches him and snaps his fingers.
Lou
No, counselor(!) You stay. You
watch this.
MIKE stops, horrified and goes back to the wall. He looks briefly at the TV.
The salsa looks like a crime scene over Jimmy Stewart's face.
RESUME PREACHER and MING
Every muscle is in full contraction and MING's eyes are darting around. His
head comes forward a bit indicating a possible lull.
PREACHER
BREATHE! BREATHE NOW!
YOU CAN DO IT!
PREACHER looks up at the clock as the second hand passes the 12 again. He puts
his hand on MING's soaked forehead, strokes it. He understands he is talking to
an unconscious man.
PREACHER
Hang in there, Ming. We're still
good, buddy. Everything's good.
FROM the panicked Patients we hear..” WHERE ARE THE PARAMEDICS!!? IT's NOT
STOPPING! HE'S DYIN'! Mothafucka is gonna STROKE OUT!!”
ROOM grows silent save for the banging of MING's feet on the ground. (30 beats.
)
PREACHER looks up again to see the second hand pass the 12 for the 4th time. He
leans over and speaks into MING's ear.
PREACHER
I'm here. Everything's OK.
Everything's OK.
MING's legs let up a little and gaps start appearing between bangs on the
ground. Room becomes animated with hopeful anticipation and chatter.
MING is coming out of it, looking at PREACHER's face. .
PREACHER
You're gonna make it, Ming!
Won't be long now. Hang on,
buddy. You're doin' good.
MING makes a noise. It is a god awful, primitive, hoarse vocalization and the
seizure subsides.
MING then opens his mouth but doesn't have the energy to take in a breath and
PREACHER pumps his stomach a couple of times. MING sucks in the biggest breath
imaginable and let's out a huge wail and cry. He cries himself breathless like
a child. He is soaked through with sweat.
PREACHER sits him up and begins to rock him om his arms. MING is sobbing and
wailing uncontrollably. Arms and legs are slack due to exhaustion. He cries
himself breathless again.
PREACHER
There, there. Breathe, Ming.
Keep breathing. You're OK. You
did it, buddy! You're OK!
A couple of the guys crouch next to MING and put a hand
on him in consolation.
PREACHER
Keep back guys. He might go
again. Give him some air.
MING stiffens all of sudden and his legs begin a slow vibration. PREACHER has
been through the drill before and positions MING gently back on the pillows.
PREACHER
OK. Ming? This is gonna be a
short one. Don't worry, just a
minute or so. Hang in. I'm right
here. You're gonna make it. It's
OK. LOU! Ambulance!
CUT TO MIKE against the wall. He is in disbelief, horror that this is starting
up all over again. He looks away.
The room wakes up again and there are hues and cries “Jesus! IT's NOT FINISHED!
HOLY SHIT! GOD HAVE MERCY.!” The Latinos are making the sign of the cross,
others are crying silently. Street guys have seen it all before and are moving
off.
JERRY is in the room. He is no stranger to seizures.
JERRY
Jeez. Just a fit for chrissakes.
That chink's tough.
JERRY grabs a sandwich from off of the ground and takes
a bite.
PREACHER
Lou! EMS in the building yet?
Lou looks out the windows. There are flashing lights.
Lou
They're just in the front door.
Lou runs to the door of the lounge and shouts.
Lou
GUYS!! TV ROOM!!
An EMS runs in momentarily with a black case and immediately opens it, pulls
out a syringe and a vial, cracks off the covering, loads up the syringe and
injects MING in the arm. The seizures subsides almost immediately. Another EMS
appears with a stretcher.
MING has come out of it again and is gasping and crying uncontrollably.
PREACHER takes him up and holds him, soothing and rocking with MING crying into
his shoulder. EMS signal they need to take him but PREACHER waves them off.
PREACHER
He's gonna need a minute guys.
Give me some space. Not goin'
anywhere.
MING's crying has not subsided and still occasionally
fills the room. PREACHER brings him up into his arms
again and soothes him, slight rocking.
CUT TO HALLWAY – MIKE has left the room and is leaning forward against the wall
with both arms trying to collect himself, shaking.
In a few beats, MING is wheeled out in an oxygen mask, past MIKE, who
straightens up. PREACHER follows shortly after and stops in front of MIKE.
PREACHER is flustered, dabbing a bit of sweat on his brow with a napkin and
manner has lapsed a bit into the biker he once was, collecting himself.
PREACHER
How you doin', Mike?
MIKE
How am I doin'? I am … I am, I
don't know what the fuck I am.
Other than fuckin' seeing someone
almost die horrifically in front
of my fuckin' eyes, I..I'm.... I
am fucked up.
PREACHER starts moving off, not looking at MIKE.
PREACHER
Why don't we go put your stuff
away, Mike, and you can watch
some TV.
MIKE shakily follows behind him. He is definitely more
impressed with PREACHER. He is wide eyed and still
overwhelmed, shaky voice.
MIKE
What was wrong with him? What the
fuck just happened? M-Ming. What
the fuck is going on here??!!
PREACHER
Booze ..maybe pills, benzos.
Happens sometimes when you drink
as long as he did and then stop
cold.
MIKE
Jesus! Wh-Wh-Why wasn't he in a
fuckin' hospital?! Guy's just
dying right there on the floor!
PREACHER
He is in a hospital, technically.
When they built this hospital 70
years ago, they figured to park
the drunks and addicts 700 feet
away. Nobody in polite society
wanted to look at stuff like
this. Not even the doctors. Shit,
still don't. Can't blame 'em.
Since crack and oxy, fentanyl,
cancer ward's probably got better
numbers than this fuckin' place.
So ...we have to call for an
ambulance from our own
institution any time something
happens.
MIKE
I-I thought he was gonna die for
sure. What the fuck just
happened?! That guy should be
dead! I mean that, that was a
fuckin' ...
PREACHER
(stops, shakes his head with
a grin)
Miracle? Nothing miraculous
there, Mike. Just the miracle of
modern medicine. And he just
happened to be here when it hit.
He probably tried to dry out at
home for a day then came here
when he felt sick. If he'd a bin'
sitting at home, munchin' Fritos
watchin' Survivor, he'd a bin' a
goner.
(PAUSE... PREACHER stops, turns
back to MIKE, and winks.)
PREACHER
But don't worry, Mike. You'll
know one when you see it.
MIKE slows and puzzles PREACHER's remarks. PREACHER breaks off and continues
down the hall, stoops and grab's MIKE's bag in one motion without stopping,
taps the foot of St. John's statue on the way by, and waves to MIKE to follow.
MIKE is not sure about anything at all now. He takes a deep breath and follows
PREACHER.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Christmas at the Detox: A Struggle for Redemption
THE SCENE –INT. FRONT DESK – SAME NIGHT, some time after the episode with
MING. Another client, ex-military, marine with “Semper Fi” tattoo and
“FALLUJAH” with a screaming eagle on his neck, khaki T-shirt. He is on the
phone at the front desk with LOU in attendance.
WE HEAR the ring tones as he waits for someone to pick up. His name is Desmondo
Ortiz (Desi). The phone picks up at the other end. It is young hispanic woman's
voice, Desmondo's wife, LAURA. He is on thin ice and his voice shows this.
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Hello..
DESI
Hey baby..
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Oh, shit. One second, I gotta get
to another room.. hold on.
DESI
“SHIT”? What kinda hello is that,
baby? .. Baby?
There is grappling and moving noises on the line as
LAURA gets to another room.
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Mama's on the warpath. She's
cursing you up and down all
fucking day. She'd kill me if she
knew I was talking to you. What
do you want? Where the fuck have
you been?
DESI
Just wanna talk with my special
girl, that's all baby. How are
the kids?
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
They're asking where their daddy
is and I'm running out of stuff
to say, Des. Maria thinks you've
run off again for months and
can't stop crying.
Tears are forming in DESI's eyes.
DESI
Tell her Daddy's gonna be home
soon and everything's gonna be
good. I've learned my lesson this
time baby. No more shit from now
on.
LAURA's patience begins to wear with DESI's N-th promise
to get back on track, reform.
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Desi.... really... She's 4 years
old but she's not fuckin'
stupid. I could tell her our
account was cleaned out 6 days
ago. AGAIN.
(pause)
You know anything about that,
daddy?
DESI
Look.. baby I...
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Maybe you could tell our girl how
her daddy took all the money to
smoke crack so she could eat
Captain Crunch and fuckin' potato
chips for 3 days while her mother
worked up the nerve to ask her
grandmother for some food cuz her
shitless, crack-head husband ran
off with the rent for the 10th
time to go smoke crack in an
abandoned fucking building. (!!)
DESI is now talking slowly in a pleading but firm tone.
DESI
Look, baby. I'm in a hospital. I
just saw some shit. It's
different this time, I'm gonna
make it this time. You gotta
understand where I'm comin' from.
I've got a disease and I'm at the
hospital. I'm getting help.
LAURA's patience has broken with this last declaration
from DESI. It shows her nothing has changed and she
stays on the offensive.
LAURA(V.O. Phone)
Oh, you've got a disease alright,
Desi. And now we've got it too.
We're all infected now baby, you
got that? So what are you gonna
do for us!!? If this is the
“fucked in the head” disease,
then I really got it for sure for
lettin' you back in the house
last time. Can we come and stay
at the hospital too, Desi? We
sure could use the meals, paco.
And your kids are gonna need 24-
hour shrinks to get over this
last one.
DESI
I swear this time, Laura. I know
I've been in rehab before but I
promise you this is different. I
SWEAR!
LAURA (V.O. Phone)
Jesus, Desi. You don't even
understand enough to know that
you are so fucked up, so
DISEASED, you can't make that
promise. Ever. Jesus Christ,
Desi, you haven't learned a
fucking thing!
The line disconnects abruptly and the dial tone kicks in. DESI sits in silence
for a few beats, puts his hand over his eyes and lowers his head.
JERRY scampers into the room with a handful of candy canes, fake antlers on his
head, stops in front of DESI and offers one like a deck of cards.
JERRY
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Have a candy
cane.
DESI looks up at JERRY's messed up , toothless old grin
and stops in a dead stare as if to be looking into his
future.
DESI gets up slowly and shuffles past JERRY without grabbing a candy cane and
then out of the room. LOU puts the receiver back on the phone, sighs and gets
back to his paperwork.
WE HEAR a banging on the big metal front door. LOU looks up and checks the
clock and looks at the security CAM on his computer.
THE CAMERA shows four guys standing at the front door, one in a Santa suit.
Santa looks up and into the camera and waves. LOU hits a buzzer under the desk
to open the door and the guys file in. They are a happy bunch.
JERRY
Oh fuck. It's the hallelujah
crew. I'm outta here.
CUT TO EXTERIOR SHOT OF guys and Santa filing in front
door. In the foreground is the unmistakable roof and
lights of a parked police cruiser. The last guy in
line, SANTA, looks up, stops and stares momentarily at
the cruiser before going in.
RESUME PREV. SHOT - AS JERRY scurries away, LOU picks up
the phone and hits the intercom button.
LOU
Attention people(!) AA meeting
starting in 5 minutes in the TV
room. 5 minutes in the TV room.
Residents are not required to
attend nor does the City of New
York necessarily endorse the
views expressed by participants.
(pause)
But, as a private citizen, I am
allowed to have and express an
opinion on the matter...which
is... DO THE STEPS OR DIE.
(pause)
Your choice people. That is all.
Intercom squawks off. The guys are now in the detox,
shaking off snow, standing in front of the desk.
LOU
Heads up. Clients are a bit
rattled. Just had a guy tuna in
the TV room.
SANTA is an older gent, Snr. Member, no BS kinda guy.
(looks like Wilford Brimley) He is LOU’s current sponsor
in AA.
SANTA
Shit. Did he make it?
LOU
Ya. Shoulda died, shoulda popped
an artery. Guy didn't take a
fuckin' breath for over 3
minutes. See that shit all the
time.
SANTA
Higher Power stuff? You forsaking
the dark side?
LOU
Don't do the God pitch with me
tonight, Jimmy. K? It's
Christmas.
SANTA
12 years in recovery without God.
You gotta be some kind of record.
SANTA pulls out a compact, opens it and start dabbing
rouge on his nose, looking in the mirror.
LOU
“As we understood him”. Read the
book. My higher power is my
business. And he ain't no
Charlton Heston sitting on no
throne.
SANTA
Lawyer Lou strikes again.
CUT TO reflection of SANTA in compact mirror, putting
the fine points on his nose.
SANTA
You get me a speaker?
LOU
Ya. Probably tied up on the GW.
I'd start without him.
RESUME PREVIOUS SHOT of Group
SANTA
Who'd you get?
LOU
Cam W.'s in town for Christmas.
SANTA
Whoa, big shot. Now he was one
sick fuck. He's still got time
for the little people?
LOU
Damn right. I'll kick his ass if
he don't. He knows it, too. You
know he dried out here. Drops
whatever he's doin' and comes
back every Christmas.
GUY#2
Cam Williams dried out here? You
serious?
LOU is up and strutting, testifying like a fireball
minister... some of it in Jimmy's face.. Jimmy plays
along.
LOU
Oh, he tried about 4 or 5 country
club rehabs and a couple of other
Malibu spin dries but couldn't
stay stopped, know what I mean,
brothers? Then his agent heard
the word..
SANTA and Crew (Simul)
HALLELUJAH!
LOU
..I said his agent HEARD the
WORD of this holy place! And flew
him straight here from Miami on
magical wings. He was soooo sick
of this sinful, drunken soul, he
drove him right to the front door
from the airport, I say he
droooove him from the airport
straight to this holy place,
placed him on the steps like
Moses in the reeds and rang the
bell. Thanks be to Bob!
The crew claps and guffaws. Lou takes a bow. Santa, not
amused by the dig at him,finishes up rouging.
RESUME SANTA in MIRROR. Santa imagery is not lost on the
viewer.
SANTA/Jimmy
Fuck. Humility much? You are
supposed to interpret that as the
living God. None of that
spiritual, yogurt, back-to-the-
woods nonsense. (he clicks the
compact shut to make the point
and pockets it)
Call your sponsor.
LOU
You're my sponsor.
SANTA segues... leans in to LOU.
JIMMY (SANTA)
You've got a cruiser parked
outside with cops drinking coffee
and readin' the comics. Looks
like they're waitin' for somebody
to walk out.
LOU
Shit. They don't wanna just chat,
that's for sure. They probably
got paper. Thanks.
AS SANTA/JIMMY and the crew head off to the TV room WE HEAR banging on the
front door. LOU checks out the security cams on his monitor and sees 2 young
cops in winter uniforms. The lead cop notices the camera, pulls a folded blue
paper from his inside pocket and holds it up to the lens. The words “WARRANT
FOR ARREST” appear clearly on the page.
LOU
Fuckin' cops. Give it up.
RESUME EXTERIOR SHOT – DOOR of Detox with cops standing
in lamp light, snow falling. Door opens and LOU
addresses the cops. He is pretty smarmy, sarcastic
throughout. COP#1 is black, more senior than COP#2 who
is white.
LOU
Ya?
COP #1
We have an arrest warrant for
Ronald Jones Murphy. Is he here?
LOU
You're new. This is a mental
health facility, gentlemen. I
couldn't tell you even if he was.
And you guys aren't allowed to
stake out detoxes.
COP #1
We'll be leavin'. Don't get your
shorts in a knot. It's all
square.
LOU
Fuckin' Royson sent you to spook
him, right? Make him run so you
could grab him off the premises.
COP#1
That's “CAPTAIN” Royson. And I
don't think we have to remind you
that we are within the law to ask
and that you are legally required
to convey this information to Mr.
Murphy.
LOU
Does Patrolman Royson still like
to rehab junkies with a
nightstick?
COP#1
We wouldn't know about that. And
it's “Captain” Royson. Try and
get that right.
COP#2
Ya, friend... watch it. Royson's
got three decorations.
LOU
Not back when I knew his sorry
black ass. You know he used to
quote Martin Luther King between
whacks to my kidneys? I can't
tell how much fun that was for a
poor illiterate kid born in
Africa who'd never heard of
American slavery. Ow! Ow! Oooo! I
shall overcome,.. I guess! Ow!
(He gives a cordial, nostalgic
laugh sardonically and smiles)
Oh, my goodness. How is ol'
Blacky McBlack?
COP#2
Whaddya want? I heard he lost his
mom to dope when he was a kid.
COP#1
Can we get back to it, Arsenio?
Ronald Jones Murphy?
LOU
What makes you think he's in
here?
COP#1
Looks like he got himself evicted
or something. Einstein changed
his primary mailing address with
Welfare a week ago to this place.
They're gonna start sending his
cheques here.
LOU rolls his eyes.
LOU
Fine. I'll check. Wait here.
LOU steps back, closes the door quickly and re-appears
about 1 second later.
LOU
He's not here.
COP#2
That was fast.
LOU
Before I dropped out, I ran
track.
COP#1
Asshole.
COP#2
Are you allowed to say he's not
here even if he's here?
LOU
I'm allowed to maintain your
level of knowledge prior to the
request, and can say most
anything I want to achieve that.
Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. For
the record, I won't confirm he's
here. You're gonna need to get
used to that.
COP#2
What the fuck is that? Can he do
that?
COP#1
Shut up, Ed. Captain said you'd
give us lip.
LOU
“Lip”? (Sarc) That's the language
of our oppressor, brother.
(Pause) Fuck, we done?
COP#1
Not by a long shot. Our new
mutual friend just got ratted
out. Word is he's moved up to
dealing. We'll be back.
LOU gays this up..
LOU
Dealing? In fashion? Oh my, well
that's our Ronny!
COP#2
Fuck off. You know we're just
trying to help this guy.
LOU
Merry Christmas, gentlemen.
LOU is about to close the door and COP#1 stops him as
COP#2 moves off.
COP#1
Look, buddy. I'm on your side. My
sister's an addict. 4 years
clean. Pretty tired of busting
people just cause they're sick
and don't know it. But he's
dealing now. And dealing means
bullets and bystanders. We have
to assume dealers are packing,
and as it's every cop's favorite
pastime to end his shift alive,
the safety's off, got it? Mr.
Murphy would be doing himself a
serious solid by coming quietly.
LOU
Ya, well.. whatever.
COPS step off and LOU slams the door. COPS start heading
back to their cruiser through the snow.
RESUME INTERIOR – PREV. Shot – PREACHER is standing in
the room, waiting for LOU. LOU heads for his desk to
resume work, filing etc.
PREACHER
What they want?
LOU sits and starts paperwork, working on the computer
and moving about papers.
LOU
Ronny. Keep him inside. They have
paper. Right now they are
probably parking around the block
hoping he'll spook and make a run
for it.
PREACHER
Law says we gotta tell him.
LOU
We tell him when he's leveled out
or he'll run outta here screamin'
through the snow in his jammies.
They'll put 8 bullets in him
before he hits the ground.
PREACHER
You think the man is ever gonna
get Step 1? He's pretty fried,
brother. Maybe beyond any earthly
help. I ain't givin' up but the
budget's in , prioritizing
resources. Being locked up will
probably save his life.
LOU
His tweeky ass would never make
it to the station house. Besides,
you and I both seen better come
outta worse. Give it a day. Cool?
PREACHER has a revelation.
PREACHER
He's dealing. Right? Gotta be.
Hiding out, got people after him.
Shit, could get fun around here.
Cops found him in 3 hrs. Do me a
favor and print out a req. I
gotta piss test Mr. Giggles.
PREACHER grabs a bag of plastic urine sample kits and
exits.
TWO clients have been having an animated discussion
waiting off to one side for LOU. He sits and waves them
over. Clients are both white boys, 40's, in STP
baseball hats and from out of state.
LOU
How can I help you guys?
OKIE#1
Sir? We were having an argument
and were hoping you could settle
something for us?
LOU
Clement, right? Is it recovery
related?
OKIE#1
Call me Clem. Sort of. Just a
small wrinkle from our last
bender, the mess that ran us in
here. Something we need to clear
up before our public defender
gets here.
LOU
Shoot.
CLEM
Sir, what is the age of consent
in New York State?
LOU
Get away from me. Now. Fuckin
crackers!
LOU's cell bleeps an incoming text and he pulls out his
cell to look.
MESSAGE READS “FROM CAM W: Held up... start without me.
I can drop in 2morrow. Lemme know.. :) “
RESUME LOU AT DESK
WE HEAR Banging on the door again. LOU checks the CAM on
the computer. It is a youngish Nun/Nurse escorting a
psych patient from the hospital to attend the meeting.
He buzzes them in.
The NUN/Nurse brings the patient inside and they stop in
front of the desk. The patient seems a bit sedate,
wearing foil on his wool hat but dressed normally
otherwise. The sister has a definite Irish accent.
LOU
Sister.
SISTER PHILOMENA
Louis. Francis here is going to
the meeting. He's from the 9th
floor.
LOU
Hi Francis. You hangin' in,
buddy? They're starting now if
you want to head in, sister.
The good sister leans in to LOU and whispers.
SISTER PHILOMENA
Sister Katharine's asked about
points on the Nets.
LOU
She wants points?! I've got kids
not born yet I wanna send to
college. No way.
SISTER PHILOMENA
I'm just the messenger, sweetie.
LOU
Ask her to call me please. I'd
like to get some of my money back
before I have to tell my wife
it's gone.
SISTER PHILOMENA
Reprobate. I'll take some of that
action. You know you 're never
gonna win. She was player and
coach at Georgetown. Big 10.
Lebron follows her on Instagram.
You poor sod.
LOU (shock)
Georgetown?! Soft cheeses..(!)
Nets? No points?
SISTER PHILOMENA
Done. Sisters of St. John rule.
You're goin' down.
SISTER PHILOMENA does the peace sign to her eyes thing
and then back at LOU. She gently puts her hand on
FRANCIS' shoulder and escorts him out of reception
toward the TV Room.
END OF SCENE
Genres:
["Drama","Dark Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Disconnection in Detox
THE SCENE – INT. - TV ROOM at the DETOX – SAME NIGHT. MIKE has since gotten
into his gym clothes, paper slippers and a robe. He is not feeling well at all.
He is sitting weakly on an old couch.
CUT TO CLOSE UP of TV SCREEN, fills the shot.
WE SEE an Hispanic Evangelist, preaching fire and brimstone with English
subtitles at a Los Angeles mega-church.
(5 Beats)
CUT TO – CLOSE UP of front of MIKE's face. He is watching inattentively, pale
and in a stupor. He blinks weakly. It seems to add to his sense of unreality.
RESUME PREV. SHOT – CLOSE UP of TV. It continues.
(5 beats)
CUT TO EXTREME CLOSE UP OF the evangelist's mouth. It looks bizarre, speaking
fast Spanish and saying “Jesu Criste”, “Espiritos Santos” and other
recognizable phrases.
RESUME MIKE's Face – It is unchanged.
CUT To WIDE SHOT of TV Room. 7 or 8 guys in hospital robes are seated in
plastic patio chairs glued to the TV. They occasionally pipe up with
“Hallelujah/Praise Jesus!” They seem to have found some religion after the
earlier incident.
MIKE is seated on an old couch and has a generic juice box with a straw in his
hand. He turns his head slowly to look up the hall. He gives his head a shake.
CUT TO POV of MIKE
ANOTHER patient, JAN GUNDERSON, steps purposefully into MIKE's POV and stares
him in the face. Guy is in his 40s, white, bi-polar and it is evident he is in
a manic phase. He starts drilling on MIKE, guy is a million miles an hour,
gesticulating all over.
JAN
Buddy... check this out.
“I think therefore I am”. Fuckin'
amazing right? What about the
whole fuckin' rest of the world?
Guys like us. What do they..WE
get to say for ..reality.. THE
reality ….that isn't like...four
hundred fuckin' years old. I been
working on this. It's really for
druggies, man, guys who evade
every aspect of reality every
time they get out of fuckin' bed.
Nothing is real for them, right?
Us. What do you tell a ego
maniac crackhead? I think
therefore I AM!!?? You tryin' to
swell their fuckin' heads some
more? No fuckin' way, man! You
say “Hey man, reality IS... K? It
really IS is.. hear me?” Not
some flash in your head you don't
like. It actually IS!!! FUCKIN
AMAZING!!! Everything is actually
fucking REEAALL!! Your car, the
ground, hockey, your pain, your
ex's boyfriend, Child Services,
EVERYTHING!!!
You got a pen, man? I GOTTA
write this shit down now man!!
PREACHER (O.S...mildly
stern)
JAN! You spitting out your pills
again!? Cool it buddy!
JAN straightens up and postures at PREACHER (O.S),
points his finger.
JAN
Not taking your fuckin' Hitler
pills anymore, Preacher(!) I see
things now, friend. No more(!)
JAN holds his hands to his ears, shakes his head and runs out of MIKE's POV.
IN SLO-MO we see SANTA/JIMMY and the guys who came in with him coming down the
hall.
THE SCENE : ***** FLASHBACK – EARLIER THAT EVENING – HARD CUT TO WHITE******
WE HEAR Acid Metal music a la Iron Maiden – volume slowly builds with FADE IN.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Descent into Darkness
INT. Front Seat of MIKE's Mercedes Benz – Latest E Series. It is dark outside.
MIKE is head-banging to the music as he drives. He is all decked out for a
posh Christmas gathering.
THE MUSIC is automatically lowered when a cell call comes through the dash.
MIKE reads the caller ID, hits the touch screen and answers.
MIKE
Royce.. baby.. finally. What do
you got for me?
ROYCE is a smart guy, a good vocabulary punches through his Ebonics regularly
and is a childhood friend of MIKE's.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
Sorry man. Just picked up your
message. What's up, Moby?
MIKES grins in anticipation, whoops out loud.
MIKE
Woo! Need a white Christmas,
buddy.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
White? Fuck man. Know I coulda
used a heads up.
MIKE
I..uh..I..I don't like where this
is going, Royce. Fuck. Heading to
a partner's party and I'm tapped,
pal. Out. Zip.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
Fuck, you know you always tapped
lately. I gotta throw a yellow
card. What is fuckin' goin' on
with you?
MIKE's desperation builds...starts floundering..
MIKE (darkens,
despair)
Look, I'm 15 out. Do NOT make me
go in there straight, man. This
is me, Royce. This is me begging,
bud. 30 minutes in a room with
those guys and I'm gonna start
taking fuckin' hostages. You
don't set me up and you're gonna
be fuckin’ readin' about it
tomorrow, I swear! I need this
solid, buddy.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
It's Christmas, Michael. The
entire fuckin' professional
community of Manhattan wants
powder. Been beatin' em off with
a fuckin' stick. Stockbroker's
are startin' to bid up the price,
pat me on the head thinking I'll
just shit eightballs like a like
some ghetto genie.
MIKE
You gonna help me out or what!?
Just send me somewhere.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
I just gave you a shitload, dude.
Used to last you a coupla weeks.
MIKE
Ya.. well.. it's gone. What can I
say. Had more parties than I
thought, more assholes to put up
with.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
Shit, Michael. Goodness.
Mike
Fuck this. I'm gonna swing by.
I'm coming right now!
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
I'm in Atlanta. And you sound
absolutely fucked up. Again.
MIKE (nervy)
Fuck. Parties, you know. Passing
lines out to friends. I'm a
generous guy, Royce. That's where
it's all going, ya know?
ROYCE (V.O. Phone)
Ya. Right. Michael, do you know
where you headed? What dark
shit's comin' for you?
MIKE
No. But you're gonna tell me,
right? Holy freakin' downer...
ROYCE(V.O. Phone)
Desperation, midnight calls and
there just ain't enough coke in
the world... hear me? You got a
deep six sign flashin' on your
forehead. I am serious, brother.
You have actually managed to
scare a gun toting, normally
ruthless, underprivileged black
drug dealer. Congratulations.
MIKE has since grabbed a Kleenex and is blowing his
nose. He tosses the Kleenex and grabs a silver flask
from the center console and takes a huge swig.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
Mike?... Michael!
MIKE
Fuck. I am hurtin' buddy. Hook me
up. Look.. Call around. That
joint on Mulberry.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
I just don't know, dude. You
sound right fucked up. Look, you
ain't in the right frame to talk
with that guy. DON'T go there. DO
NOT go there!
MIKE
I'm goin' , pal.
ROYCE(V.O. Speaker)
Now listen up, Michael, listen
good. You have seriously got that
end-of-days stink on you. And the
last thing I need is cops pullin'
my hot little cell number offa
your cold body. This is ME, your
friend... YOU have got a
PROBLEM.. Dig? So, just CHILL the
FUCK OUT!
MIKE stabs the touch screen pointedly and hangs up.
Music automatically begins to ramp back up to full
volume in the car, he bashes the steering wheel with his
hand and shouts.
MIKE
FUUUCk!!!
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Echoes of Addiction
INT. RESUME – TV ROOM – WIDE SHOT
MIKE has snapped back to the present and sees the AA
MEETING is underway. Guys have started sharing. One of
the 4 guys begins his story. Name is TYLER GALLO, white,
24.
TYLER GALLO
My name is Tyler and I'm an
alcoholic/addict.
THE ROOM responds “Hi, Tyler!”
TYLER
When I was 12, I didn't want to
be an addict. Nobody plans on
being an addict when they grow
up. Just not something that comes
up with the guidance counselor,
you know?. No brochure for that
shit, man.
Room chuckles.
TYLER
I wanted to be a vet.. a
veterinarian. I love animals.
(pause)
When I come here, I like to talk
about the day I came in... about
the thing that brought me to my
knees. So I never forget.
(pause)
Three years ago, I was on the
street. If you think you'll never
get there, you will. So don't
worry that you won't. Just a
matter of time if you keep on.
CUT TO NIGHTIME - FLASBACK, 3 white guys in hoodies,
sitting on a hill in the woods in the rain, nice
neighborhood, trying to stay out of sight. The house
lights are visible through the woods 50 yards away. They
are huddled like soaked chimps.
TYLER (V.O.)
One night, I needed to score...
bad. Fuck, I always needed to
score bad. I was sitting in the
woods, in the rain, scoping a
house with my boys. We were
waitin' for the people to leave,
grab shit. Steal. Fuck, sittin'
in the rain. This place we were
at, I knew the people would be
leaving soon.
(pause)
How did I know you ask? How did
my master criminal mind figure
this out? These people were my
parents. My Mom had cancer. We
were their for her pain meds. No
feeling about anything. This was
the house I grew up in. That was
where addiction brought me,
people.
RESUME TV ROOM – AA MEETING
ROOM is silent.
TYLER
We were set. We were smilin'. I
didn't count on one thing though.
CUT BACK TO TYLER and his buddies running down the hill in the rain as his
parents car pulls out of the driveway. They jimmy the front door and the alarm
goes off. TYLER stumbles over to the keypad and punches in the correct code.
TYLER (V.O)
Rufio.
TYLER looks around and sees the family dog standing in the hall. He crouches to
invite the dog forward. It is a GREAT DANE. The dog doesn't move, doesn't
offer any hint of familiarity..beginnings of a growl.
TYLER (V.O.)
You know I hadn't seen Rufio in 2
years. I was so messed up, dirty
and smelly and skinny, he had no
idea who this creature was
standing in the hallway. When I
was a kid, I used to imagine
animals were God's eyes in the
world. I looked at Rufio and
thought... God didn't even
recognize me.
RUFIO starts barking like a rabid animal and attacks TYLER, bowls him over and
starts making inroads to TYLER's throat. TYLER is barely fighting him off,
screaming for his life.
TYLER (V.O.)
Jesus. Here I was, fighting for
my very life with my best friend
growin' up. And God himself was
tryin' to tear my throat out. I
thought things couldn't possibly
get worse.
CUT TO one of TYLER's cohort coming into the hall to see what the fuck is going
on. He sees the rear view of RUFIO on top of TYLER going in for the kill. He
hesitates, shaky like a junkie and pulls a shiny 38' snub nose from the front
of his pants, fires 2 shots into RUFIO. The dog yelps and falls dead on top of
TYLER.
TYLER (V.O.)
I was wrong.
(pause)
One of my crew killed Rufio.
Killed God.
(Pause)
That really fucked me up.
TYLER rolls RUFIO off of him and stands up in a panic, breathing heavy. He has
blood on his shirt and arms. He looks down at RUFIO. Another guy shows up, they
all look at each other scared shitless and take off out of the house.
RESUME TV ROOM – FRONT SHOT OF TYLER
TYLER GALLO
For the addict, it's always
darkest ...before it gets darker.
(pause)
Destroyer of all things. That's
what my counselor at rehab said.
Goddamn right. Yet here I sit, a
whole man. I stumbled in here 3
days later after a mouth wash
binge, stinking of eucalyptus and
speakin' in tongues. That was 3
years ago and I'm here to say, by
God's grace, I been clean ever
since. One day at a time. I can't
say if I'll ever be forgiven. My
sponsor says people don't have to
forgive me if they don't want to.
I'll have to live with it. If I
can forgive myself? I'm tryin'.
Every day.
THE ROOM responds “Thanks Tyler!”
CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT of FRANCIS, psyche patient from earlier. He is pensive, more
alert. He slowly removes his hat.
RESUME SHOT – MIKE close up from the front with same expression, looking in the
direction of the speaker. He lifts his eyebrows and drops them derisively in
silent criticism of what he's just heard. He puts his head forward into his
hand and closes his eyes. He is outside the circle of chairs on the couch. He
gets up and slowly saunters from the TV room to the hall. CUT TO...
*****FLASHBACK*** 8 years before
INT – DAY – CONDO in Manhattan, nice place. MIKE's place
Saturday afternoon. MIKE is hurting and passed out in
the den on a couch, dead to the world. His young son,
about 4 or 5, stands at the door, looks in furtively,
carrying a football, eyeing his dad. He steps in and
stands next to his unconscious father, breathing heavily
in his sleep.
MIKE SR. has wet himself while sleeping and has a big
wet stain on the front of his suit pants he didn't
bother to take off the night before.
HIS son gives a sniff and gets a grave look, steps back.
His eyes moisten and his face grimaces like he may cry.
His older sister steps into the doorway and maturely
assesses the scene, knows her father's antics despite
her young age, about 8. She steps in to get little Mikey
out of the room.
BRIGID
Mikey, Daddy's sleeping. Let's
go. We gotta leave him alone.
MIKEY Jr.
Daddy made in his pants. (sob)
What's wrong? Is Daddy OK?
(tears) Daddy's a grown up. Why
did Daddy go in his pants?
LAURA, MIKE’s wife, now steps to the door and catches
the whole scene, Mikey crying. She boils...
LAURA (Loud)
JEESUS! MIKE! MIKE! Get the fuck
up! Brigid, get him outta here.
YOU PISSED YOUR PANTS! Jesus, YOU
PISSED YOUR PANTS!
MIKEY JR. has now started into a full cry, with all the
yelling. Brigid stares at her father in digust and
concern, fear.
CLOSE UP of BRIGID's fearful look at her father. Her
mother sees her paralyzed by the image and snaps her out
of it.
RESUME SHOT
LAURA
Brigid! Now! He doesn't need to
see this. NOW!
Brigid startles, collects herself and puts her arms
around her crying brother, soothing tones and leads him
out of the room. LAURA boils over, MIKE stirs, and they
get into it.
LAURA
MY fucking God, Michael.!! Get
the fuck up! Look at yourself!
Christ Almighty.
MIKE
Wha? What the fuck is going on?
I'm trying to fucking sleep here!
Keep it down! FOR FUCK SAKES YOU
BITCH! ENOUUGGHH!!
CUT TO SHOT in hallway just outside den as Brigid is
consoling her little brother, massive fight happening in
the den and both brother and sister are now curled in
protective embrace against the noise they can't escape.
Fight escalates in volume and they hug closer. She looks
up pauses and strokes her little brothers hair amidst
the chaotic sounds.
Genres:
["Drama","Addiction","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Echoes of the Past
RESUME : INT. HALLWAY – DETOX – MIKE is tenderly moving down the hall toward
his bed, one hand on the wall. He stops in a jerk and puts his hand to his
mouth like he's just controlled a puke. Collects himself and starts moving
again.
INT – DETOX – NIGHT – Transition Room
MIKE enters the room and moves as gracefully as his condition will allow
quietly past the beds of his roomies to the last bunk. He lifts the covers and
flops down, covers himself and holds his head in his hand, mouth open.
CUT TO CLOSE Up of MIKE's face falling asleep. His eye's start darting around
under his lids. He is dreaming.
*************MIKE'S DREAM SEQUENCE***************
EXTERIOR – DAY – All American tree lined street of low income townhouses. It is
30 years in the past.
3 boys, 8-9 years old, are riding banana seated bikes with high handle bars.
The lead is MIKE as a boy. One of the kids is black... This is ROYCE, MIKE's
current dealer. All have plastic light sabers circa 1980 looped in their belts
and Star Wars T-shirts.
CUT TO SHOT of the front of a house, MIKE's boyhood home. The 3 guys pull in
front of the house and stop.
MIKE nervously looks at the house and waits, listens. There is loud arguing
going on between his parents. He doesn't wait and takes off, leaving the 2
others momentarily. They get the message and follow MIKE out of the shot.
RESUME PREV SHOT – MIKE in his cot, close up. His eyes flash open in a start
and he makes a noise.
Genres:
["Drama","Addiction","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Support in the Shadows
THE SCENE – INT. Darkened washroom in the detox, later that night. Scene is in
SLO-MO. Light is coming in through the doorway and the windows from the
streetlights casting long shadows.
CAMERA pans down close up from the top of the front of a stall slowly till we
see MIKE sitting, leaning against the wall of the stall next to the toilet rim.
MIKE's eye's are closed and he is resting from a bout of vomiting, breathing
heavy.
PREACHER steps into the shot, squats and pulls a pen light, opens MIKE's pupils
one at a time, checks dilation. He comforts MIKE, rubs and pats his shoulder
and remains at MIKE's side.
CUT TO FRONT Shot of stall, still in SLO-MO as MIKE rouses and heaves for the
n-th time with PREACHER supporting him, patting his back. Round is over and
MIKE leans back and catches his breath. PREACHER gauges that this bout is
likely finished and helps MIKE to his feet, put MIKE's arm around his neck and
helps him to his feet and then out of the shot.
*********
Genres:
["Drama","Addiction","Medical"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Snowy Intervention
THE SCENE – EXT. DAY - NEXT morning in front of the
clinic. Snow has stopped.
CUT TO CLOSE UP – WE SEE the side of a portable CD player/blaster, ancient,
worn and out of date. It is being carried by the small hand of a woman in a
woolen glove. There is a worn pewter crucifix adhered to the side of the
blaster in plain view bobbing with the swing of the player being carried.
RESUME PREV SHOT – WE SEE 3 NUNs with head coverings but wearing winter coats
and dated gym jumpers. They approach the door in single file in the foot deep
snow and climb the steps. The first nun rings the bell and they wait patiently.
A PRISTINE BMW 540 IL pulls in slowly behind the nuns and parks. The driver
turns off the engine and organizes papers into a leather clipboard. He takes a
deep breath and drops his head. He opens the door slowly and gets out. He is in
serious lawyer gear, angora coat, white scarf and Carrera's. The door to the
detox opens and the nuns enter, he follows them in.
INT – DETOX – FRONT DESK. DAY - PREACHER is on duty.
PREACHER is on the intercom announcing the arrival of the nuns as they walk by
the desk on their way to the TV room.
PREACHER(Intercom)
Waky, waky, gentleman. It's time
to get your bodies moving, get
that blood circulating. A healthy
body is a healthy mind. NUN-
cercise in the TV room.. 5
minutes. NUN-cercise, 5 minutes.
Another glorious day to be alive,
people.
The lawyer guy following them stops in front of the desk
and looks at PREACHER. His name is CARMEN DEANGELO and
is a colleague of MIKE's from his firm.
CARMEN
Mike Mulvenna?
PREACHER
Name?
CARMEN
Carmen Deangelo.
PREACHER
You understand I don't
necessarily confirm that he's
here. You might have wasted a
trip.
CARMEN
Yes. I understand.
PREACHER
Wait here.
PREACHER gets up and leaves the room.
CUT TO COTS – INTAKE ROOM – MIKE sitting on his cot. PREACHER appears in
doorway.
PREACHER
You got a visitor. Guy named
Carmen. Fancy shoes.
MIKE
Buddy from work... probably with
bad news. Gonna be unemployed in
about 7 minutes.
PREACHER
Find me after. We gotta go over
rehab options today.
MIKE
Got all the rehab I need right
here fella. (Points to his
temple). Willpower friend. You
think I'm gonna touch anything
after last night, you're nuts.
Don't lump me in with these moon
people.
PREACHER
Your call, amigo...looks like
after a little rest, you're your
old self again (sarc)... but
skippin' treatment's kinda like
playing Russian Roulette with 5
bullets. Think it over.
PREACHER follows MIKE out of the room.
RESUME RECEPTION – CARMEN sitting, waiting. Not so great looking MIKE enters
PREACHER hangs back. MIKE recognizes CARMEN and walks over, takes a seat on one
of the chairs. CARMEN takes the other chair. PREACHER leaves the room.
CARMEN is very business-like, direct, and a real New York, big booming paisano
(a la Tony Soprano). He puts on reading glasses. MIKE is bleary, tired.
MIKE
Carmen. Hatchet man. You drew
short? Cool.
CARMEN
How you doin', Mike.
MIKE
Been better. Better just get it
over with, Carmen. I dunno but I
think I got like holy aerobics or
somethin'. We're pals. Just a
clean thrust. K?
CARMEN cracks his leather clipboard and rests reading
glasses on his nose..
CARMEN
Not why I'm here, Mikey. Believe
it or not.
MIKE pauses, more circumspect...
MIKE
What are you doing here,
Carmen(-?) Not in the mood for
Buckman's head games.
CARMEN
You know we are two of kind,
Mike, you and me.
MIKE
We are? Two what? Pisces? I ain't
folly ya.
CARMEN locks MIKE's gaze..
CARMEN
Mike... I'm an addict.
MIKE
You're an addict. Well I wasn't
expecting that. For a second
there, I thought you were gonna
say you were gay and we should
like run away or something.
Sorry, I'm not thinking good. An
addict? ADDICT addict?
CARMEN
Ya. Real fuck up at one time.
Total coke-head, Mike. Nobody
knows at the firm. I uh...how you
say.. got better.
MIKE
Really? Fuck.
CARMEN
I asked to come here, Mike. Just
came from a meeting and the
partners were in a major pile-on.
Buckman was about to pull the
trigger. I, uuh.. stopped it.
MIKE lights up...smiles..
MIKE
Holy Jeeesus. I figured those
fuckin' meat eaters would be down
to the bone by now. I was dead
man walking. That's just un-
fucking believable. So this is a
fuckin' walk?! How in Christ did
you pull that off? I'm fucking
spinnin' here.
CARMEN
You know I specialize in risk,
help the firm avoid law suits.
Despite your improprietous
circumstance, I strongly advised
them against firing you.
MIKE (animated,
smiley)
Holy fuck!! Carmen, I love you.
For real. You're beautiful. Like
I'm startin' to wish we WERE gay,
brother. I am chubbin' here.
Seriously. Let me get my stuff.
Buddy, you're a freakin' miracle
worker!
CARMEN
Hang on, Mikey. Slow down.
There's a whole thing, buddy.
MIKE's enthusiasm goes.. smells a rat.
MIKE
A thing? A catch. Buckman wants
his pound. Knew it.
CARMEN
Ya, a catch, a thing. Buckman
can't do shit. It's a health
provision in employment law,
Mike. Prevents people from being
fired for health reasons. And you
are a sick man, Mikey. Sick.
Unwell. Got it?
(pause, shuffling papers)
MIKE
Beautiful. Fuck, sign me up.
What do I got?
CARMEN
With the media, Hollywood rehab
culture on the front page of
every goddamn newspaper in the
country, I convinced them,
legally, they'd have an easier
time clubbing baby seals on a
float in the Macey's parade. What
do you got? Buddy, you got what I
got.
MIKE
Now hang on, Carmen. I am just
cooling off here. On a break.
Let's get that straight. I know
stuff now, seen stuff. A little
willpower and brains, K? So if
you're tryin' to spin any kinda
born-again AA crapola with me...
Some exasperation/tension from CARMEN... He gets up and
walks about, makes his point like Clarence Darrow.
CARMEN
On a break? Seriously? This has
gotta be your 400th “break”..And
that's just since I've known
you... You have got a problem,
pal. If you're anything like I
was, you're probably drinking a
fifth a day, puttin' Mt. Everest
up your nose twice a week. Want
more? Wife's on Xanex, wants a
divorce... your balls stuffed and
mounted and your head on a pike.
And your kids? Jeez, they're
probably half feral by now, Mike,
reclaimed by nature. Online
checkin' out piercings and
tattoos as we speak. Pretty soon
they'll be hanging out with Meth
bikers on long weekends while
you're passed out in the fuckin'
den. Jesus, Michael. Your world
is coming apart.
MIKE
Wo, jeez... slow down dooms boy.
Real sorry if things got that bad
for you. I know you like a show.
CARMEN
You think this is all dramatics?
Christ..
MIKE
I'm not you, K?. And, anyway,
you just said you fuckin' took
care of it. Right? That just
proves I ain't so bad. So why am
I still in this fucking chair,
Carmen?
CARMEN
Cuz you gotta get it looked
after, Michael. And, man, believe
me, time's running out. Look at
yourself. Christ.
MIKE
Come on, Carmen. Let's get outta
here. I'm not kidding(!) (sotto)
I'm in serious peril here. You
have no idea.
CARMEN
You're fine. You're where you
should be.
MIKE (tantrum)
Fuck. I'm not going home, am I.
Why did you tell me I was going
home!!? Fuck, you're just like
everyone else. Jesus!
CARMEN
Ya, Ya, rave on victim-boy, it's
your favorite move, always has
been. Home? Wow. You must still
be high. I talked to Laura, Mike.
So listen up, fucko. You can't go
home. She's retained counsel. In
fact, if you leave this building,
you'll be fired and the firm
would pursue ethics charges.
MIKE's face drops..
MIKE
Charges? Charges.
CARMEN
Ya. They've got fuckin' video,
Mike. HD. It's slim, dry humpy
shit but they'll do it just to
fuck with your license. Major
ethics probs snorting coke and
getting a hand job from your
bosses daughter. Buckman is
spitting pure fire. Look buddy,
you've got one play. Do the detox
and a rehab and you can probably
keep your license. And the way
things are lookin', you're gonna
need the income for alimony.
(pause)
If you don't, I can't do a
fucking thing for ya. You'll be
on the street tomorrow. Options
forfeit, state bar, whole
enchilada. You're a very lucky
guy, Michael, a very fucked up
and sick guy, but a lucky guy.
This deal is a kiss.
MIKE's face says “fuck it” and he lights a smoke, gets
up and paces.
MIKE
So I'm “sick”, eh? Nuts, right?
Fuck, you could work here.
Really.
CARMEN
You would be nuts if you don't
take this. Jesus. Look, pal, I
know everything. So it's taking a
fuckin' lot to be your friend
right now. And don't think for a
minute I'd be able to lift a
finger if you decide to cut
you're own throat. In recovery,
I'm not required to save your
ass. Just to offer to save your
ass. And don't you confuse me for
one of those guys who thinks “Oh
poor me, the drugs made me do
it”. My compassion only goes so
far. Sure, you've got a medical
problem and your judgment was
compromised. But at the end of
the day, you did these things,
pal! You! Not just some guy with
your face and the same birthday.
You gotta fix it! I'm know I'm
hard..but I AM TRYING to SAVE
your LIFE. You gotta repair your
life, your people. Fixing IT
fixes YOU. NO OTHER WAY. You
don't and you're gonna die.
That's right, you heard me. Die.
Don't think it can't happen to
you, Mikey.
(CARMEN pauses, takes a
breath and mellows)
Look. If you take this, I'll be
there all the way.
There is a short pause while MIKE appears to ponder things. Could go either
way.
JERRY happens to walk by the doorway, stops, looks in on MIKE and CARMEN. They
both look at JERRY. JERRY has a weird look, staring off. He suddenly gets a
major facial tic, shakes his head and runs off stomping down the hall.
MIKE sees this and rubs his forehead earnestly, takes a deep breath...
MIKE
Well, Carmen, looks like they're
makin' it easy. I'll get cozy if
it means that much to everyone.
CARMEN
Super. I have something for you
to sign.
CARMEN produces a form from his folder and MIKE reads,
then signs it.
CARMEN
OK, Mike. This is them covering
their asses. OK? It's not love.
Step out and they'll cut you in
half, got it?
(pause)
You have been duly informed of
the conditions and consequences
and have so acknowledged with
this signature at this time and
on this day.
CARMEN stands and hands Mike his card.
CARMEN
This is my non-work cell. Call me
when you get into a rehab.
MIKE
Ya... thanks. Bye.
CARMEN makes his departure professionally and MIKE sits
alone for a bit and takes it all in. Surprised at the
amazing turn of events, he shakes his head. He leans
back and looks thoughtful, remembering.
****** FLASHBACK ********
EXT – DAY – STREET of low income townhouses from previous flashback.
CUT TO INT – TOOL SHED in ROYCE's Driveway, MIKE's CHILDHOOD.
WE SEE MIKE and ROYCE as kids, 15 years old. MIKE finishes rolling a joint and
licks it, lights it up. Coughs a bit and laughs, hands it to ROYCE who takes
it.
MIKE
Fuckin' great shit. Get that into
you.
ROYCE
You're a druggie, man. Total
head. My momma told me not to
hang around you anymore.
MIKE steals back the joint.
MIKE
You been saving that up? Your
momma's smart. I'm gonna take you
down, Royce. I'd fuckin' run.
ROYCE
You're corruption. That's my
momma's name for you,
“corruption”. She'll say, “You
still hangin' out with
Corruption? Quit that boy.” But I
don't mind. I don't even know why
I don't mind. Weird.
ROYCE grabs the joint back. Takes a toke... chokes a
bit.
MIKE
My girlfriend said the same
thing. Guess it works for people.
What can I say. If it ain't
broke...right?
They take another toke and extinguish the joint. They straighten up, fix their
hair and step out of the shed trying not to be seen. They hop on their bikes
and head up the driveway away from the house. An older matronly black lady in
her Sunday best on the porch next door sees them, stands and shouts, pointing
her finger.
OLD LADY
Michael Mulvenna! I know what you
boys are doin'! Don't think I
don't know what you're doin'!
That stuff will take you straight
to hell! Hear me?! I know your
people, Michael Mulvenna! I'm
gonna tell your mother !
They stop.
ROYCE
Wo.. Mrs. Tines.
MIKE
Kiss my ass, lady!
ROYCE
Oh, fuck.
They laugh uproariously as they ride off.
EXT - DAY – TOWNHOUSES on low income street.
STILL IN FLASHBACK – FLASH FORWARD 18 years from PREV FLASHBACK. Mike is a
young lawyer in a flash car. He pulls up in a Jaguar in front of ROYCE'S house,
still on the same run down street.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Crossroads of Choice
CUT TO INT. of MIKE's Jaguar.. he is putting together cash to buy dope. He is a
sharp dressed guy, sunglasses, Italian suit, longer hair, but antsy, needs his
coke. He hurriedly counts up the cash and stashes it in his breast pocket,
opens the door and gets out of the car.
He walks to a side door of the house and knocks, steps in.
INT. TOWNHOUSE - ROYCE's BASEMENT
ROYCE has turned it into an apartment. It is decked out with stereo, large rear
projection TV, leather sofa and beads, espresso maker, shag rug and waterbed.
MIKE walks in and stands near the door.
MIKE
Royce, need a gram buddy.
MIKE heads straight for a mini fridge, grabs a beer and
cracks it, big gulp. Royce is seated like a king in a
Lazy Boy, surveilling Mike in his realm. They have their
own jabs and banter.
ROYCE
Well hello to you too. Cool. 100.
Beer, man? It's 10:30 in the
morning. How's Laura?
Royce moves off the chair..goes to a cupboard, talking
and moving through the next exchanges.
MIKE
Great. She's great. Due any day
now.
ROYCE
Congrats, man. Really. You hopin'
for a boy? Just so you
understand, I fear for this
child, Millertime. 'Member that?
“Millertime Mulvenna”.
MIKE
Boy? Uhh.. I don't care, you
know? Just as long as it's
healthy, got all its fingers and
toes and a penis. And this kid's
Dad is great, by the way,
luckiest kid in the world.
ROYCE pulls a gram baggie into view..
ROYCE
Here. Now go easy.. dad.
MIKE
Yes... mom.
ROYCE tosses MIKE the baggie and MIKE catches it, throws
back a bundle of cash. He starts to leave but ROYCE
stops him.
ROYCE
Hey, what's the rush, friend? You
used to stay and talk.
MIKE
Fuck, sorry. Meetings and shit,
you know. Also, I'm in Manhattan
now and my new office doesn't
like me talking to black people.
ROYCE
Ya, well I suppose it don't
matter anymore I scored higher
than you on the admissions exam
and couldn't swing the tuition.
And my neighbors ain't exactly
thrilled with the high flyin'
white trash that comes knockin'
here either. Best wishes to
Laura, K? You don't deserve her.
You know that, right? I mean you
really don't.
MIKE
Oh, ya, I know. I'm a lucky guy.
Oh, and she hates your living
guts, by the way. She's wants me
to tell you she's joining the
NRA.
ROYCE
No shit. But you're the real
fuckup here. We both know that,
right? Shit. I'll accept the
judgment of society but not when
it comes to your crazy Irish ass.
MIKE
Just a dealer with a heart of
gold. You know I'd ask you to be
Godfather but I don't want gun
play at the baptism.
ROYCE
Now that sorta hurts.. but you
like hurtin' now. You didn't
before. And I don't see anyone
else looking out for you,
brother. I'd cool shit down when
the baby arrives. Now I want you
to think about the sad state of
affairs in progress when your
dealer is the one who has to tell
you to cut down. You are in
Wonderland now, brother.
ROYCE
Look, I'll lay off when the time
comes. Responsibilities, I know.
Shitty diapers, midnight
feedings, just the boot in the
ass I need. I hear ya. Thanks
buddy.
MIKE anxiously heads out the door, puts his sunglasses
back on and starts walking briskly back to the cardown
the driveway. That same OLD LADY from 18 years ago is on
the same porch and sees MIKE. She stands and starts
waving her finger.
OLD LADY
Michael Mulvenna! I know what you
boys are doin'! Don't think I
don't know what you're doin'!
That stuff will take you straight
to hell, Michael Mulvenna. I know
your people, Michael Mulvenna!
I'm gonna tell your mother !
During the tirade, MIKE startles, turns and then stares
at her in disbelief. He turns back quickly and hustles
his pace nervously, scooches stiffly back to the car,
looking back once.(The old women’s voice ringing
throughout)
MIKE (sotto to himself)
Jeesus, lady! Every fuckin'
time(!) Give it a Goddamn rest(!)
Rips open car door, jumps in and starts it. He tears off
in a massive peel out.
Genres:
["Drama","Crime"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Struggles and Revelations
INT. - DAY – DETOX – TV ROOM - Exercise class
WE SEE JERRY's profile in CLOSEUP. He is motionless, looking straight ahead
like a mug shot looking right in the fluorescent lights of a room. He is
expressionless... waiting.
(5 beats)
CUT TO SISTER PHILOMENA in profile CLOSEUP looking left in the same lighting.
She is smiling.
WE HEAR a snare roll, a long lead up to a Family Stone song. When the first
note hits CUT TO:
INT – DAY – TV ROOM – WIDE SHOT
CLIENTS are standing in rows in front of 3 nuns, cheery and smiling, leading
the exercise group. They start jumping jacks in unison the instant the snare
roll stops and the music begins. The sisters are encouraging guys along with
head bobs and smiles.
CUT TO SHOT of clients trying to follow along and not quite making it. 3 or 4
are flawless, half are struggling and JERRY is right out to lunch, just
flailing around.
PREACHER is leaning against the far wall, arms folded keeping an eye on things.
CUT TO SHOT OF ENTRANCE to TV Room where we see MIKE pull up, look at the group
bobbing around to the music. He smiles and is surprised a bit at his own mood.
He leans against the door jams and decides to watch, get a kick. He still looks
like a bag of shit.
RESUME NUNS at FRONT. The exercise is choreographed at certain points to
reflect phrases in the lyrics, hand gestures and facial expressions. and there
are changes in exercises at these points. (Toe stretches, running on the spot,
lunges, etc.) NUNs are smiling big the entire time, very committed to helping
these poor souls.
RESUME CLIENTS - after some time, some of the clients simply start dancing and
grooving, roboting and head jiving. Group forms a circle and a couple of guys
solo in the middle, tag back and forth, very good dancing, almost professional.
Rest of the group bobs and claps, including the nuns. Happiness all around.
JERRY bobs around like an imbecile, moves towards a good looking young nun and
grabs her hands, moves to dance with her awkwardly like an old perv. PREACHER
steps in quickly and pulls him off.
THE SONG eventually ends and everyone claps. The NUNS shake a few hands and
offer encouragement, smiling. The patients are lifted up, happy and smiling.
The NUNs begin to dress and get ready to leave.
CUT TO PREACHER as he spots MIKE in the doorway. He walks toward MIKE, cracks
open a clip board with a pen to take notes
CUT TO SHOT OF PREACHER arriving next to MIKE. MIKE still looks like a wreck,
puffy eyes and pale, but his wise-ass is back.
PREACHER
How you feelin', counselor?
MIKE
Is this a metaphysical question,
pastor? Total Jesus muggle here,
if you're wonderin'. I get my
magic from the Church of the
Force now. Luke Skywalker's the
shit. You should get out more.
PREACHER
You still fancy yourself some
kinda Jedi Master.? In here?
Strictly medical so don't go
getting' all mushy. Gotta do a
follow up, write somethin' in
your file. So. How you feelin'?
MIKE
Well, I sure as fuck don't wanna
be here. Inside of my head feels
like broken glass. And I'm afraid
of everything. Name something.
Anything. Milk? Bovine
tuberculosis. Puppies? All I see
is a fuckin' dozen feral dogs
tryin' to eat the liver outta my
warm corpse. Pretty fucked right?
PREACHER is looking at clipboard, taking notes
throughout.. pulls out his pen light..clicks it.
PREACHER
No. That's about right for coke.
Anything else? You're hearing
spotty? You get gaps? Vision
problems?
MIKE's face register a little shock, he changes posture,
engages. PREACHER check's each of MIKE's pupils.
PREACHER
Heavy coke users can get mini-
strokes, crosses their wires.
(chuckles) Betcha Cheech and
Chong never told you about that
shit.
MIKE
No. No, nothin' like that. Just
an overwhelming urge to stick a
fuckin' dump-truck of coke up my
nose. Pretty sure I'm gonna go
certifiable if I don't. But not
before I barf up my lungs and
feet. So if you're askin', that's
how I feel.
PREACHER
Shaky?
MIKE
Well, can't seem to fill my
coffee more than halfway without
spillin' it all over myself. Oh,
and I almost shit myself at
breakfast. That was clarifying.
Eggs were good, though.
PREACHER
P.A. should be over today, get
you checked out.
PREACHER finishes up notes..
PREACHER
You able to keep those eggs down?
MIKE
Ya... for about 2 minutes.
PREACHER
We'll see if we can't get you an
I.V., see if that helps.
(pause, he hands MIKE a Jellow
cup)
One more. Are you an addict,
Mike?
MIKE is mildly stunned by the question, opens his mouth... dead air. A moment
of truth passes and he gives PREACHER an annoyed look, blows it off.
PREACHER (moving away,
big cheesy smile)
We'll chat again tomorrow. Have a
nice day.
MIKE barks back with a snarky grin, gives a feigned
Brooklyn fungula chin salute.
MIKE (sotto, clenched)
Ya. A va fun guy..
PREACHER takes the dig in good humor, smiles. He moves
to the front of the room for an announcement.
PREACHER
OK, gentlemen. Good work on the
NUN-cercise. As a reward, I'm
pulling out the big guns for TV
time. Recovery is all about
REWARD. Grab a seat guys. Before
it starts, a coupla rules.
(points at the group)
Now I don't want anymore fights
like last time I let you watch
this, no arguments about plot
lines or bitches or bling or
who's got more money or the best
ride or who's gonna screw who.
Got it? Group is after lunch.
The guys have pulled out chairs and are seated politely,
anticipating and in rare form behavior wise.
PREACHER
Alright... enjoy.
PREACHER presses the button for a DVD and walks out. We see the PBS logo
followed shortly by the intro for Downton Abbey. The guys are rapt, motionless.
MIKE is mildly stunned. He turns and leaves to go down the hall to his bed.
CUT TO HALL as MIKE is walking down toward the room. DESI is standing in the
hall with an opened letter, reading it in some distress. MIKE sees him and does
a move in advance to avoid him, averting his look. DESI sees him and starts a
conversation.
DESI
Hey , Mike right? You're Mike.
You're the lawyer right?
MIKE
I'm..I'm not feeling so good,
pal.
DESI
My wife's lawyer sent me this
thing. I don't understand it.
MIKE
Look, I don't do family stuff.
I'm in real estate. Sorry, bud.
DESI
Just take a look, man. Please. I
think it says somethin' about a
separation. That can't be right.
I'm tryin' to get better.
MIKE
Let me take a look.
DESI hands him the letter.
MIKE
Was this delivered by hand?
Special delivery?
DESI
Ya.. had to sign for it.
MIKE reads it … sighs..
MIKE
Well.. this is a temporary
restraining order.
DESI
She wants a divorce?
MIKE
Doesn't say that. Just a TRO,
pal. Look, you can get it removed
if you play nice. She's
probably just blowing off steam,
buddy. You got options here. Not
the end of the world.
DESI is anxious, pumped..
DESI
Ya, but it could mean divorce,
right?
MIKE
Buddy, I seen guys who could
paper a wall with these and they
never got divorced, OK? Guys
straightened up, they reconciled.
I'd start working on that if I
were you.
DESI
K.. thanks, man. Is that what
you're gonna do?
MIKE
I..uh... ya. I guess I am. Gonna
cut way back... weekends and special occasions, right?
Wife can't argue with that, right?
DESI
I tried that. 5 years ago. I
dunno, man. Special occasions?
Like coke on Christmas?
Anniversary? Kid's birthdays?
You're the boss.
MIKE's face register's mild annoyance with DESI's logic, hands back the
letter in a snap and DESI heads. MIKE continues down the hall and into the
smoking room.
INT – DAY – SMOKING ROOM AT THE DETOX.
2 guys are seated on old and torn waiting room chairs, one of whom is RON
MURPHY, smoking, shooting the shit. MIKE grabs a seat across from them, pulls
out a pack, takes out a smoke and lights it. He is still in withdrawal, arms
tucked in a bobbing a bit.
RON stands and gets in MIKE's face.
RON
You Russian?
MIKE
Russian? What the... ?
RON
Yuri, right? Yuri put you in
here.
MIKE
Yuri? Who? Fuck. Buddy, I was
born in Brooklyn.
RON
You sure?
MIKE
Ya. I know where I was born, OK?
RON is still fucked in the head, paranoid and withdrawing. He backs off and
sits down but keeps a hairy eyeball on MIKE. The other guy jumps in, black,
GENE PARIS, late 30's and the voice of reason.
GENE
Don't mind him. His head's still
broke. Major bender. He likes a
speed kicker. Old school. He'll
be sorta normal tomorrow. Right,
Ron? Ronny and I go back. We
traded Hot wheels.
RON is silent, staring and has the occasional facial
tic. GENE extends his hand to MIKE. MIKE takes it.
GENE
Gene Paris. Crackhead.
MIKE
Mike Mulvenna. Uh..lawyer.
GENE
My other full-time job is a
Broker at Fargo. Welcome to the
Astoria. First time?
MIKE
Ya. (sotto) Honestly, he gonna be
OK?
GENE
Never. He was fucked long before
crack. Dealer put a bullet in
his daddy's eye when he was 8.
Moving car battle. Bystander. A
little Brooklyn friendly fire.
Dealers? Ya... guess it beats
going to work flippin' burgers
slowly starving while you're
surrounded by food.
RON is TENSE.....
RON
Don't talk about me, (shaky
pause) like I ain't here.
GENE
You just ain't here, stir fry.
Dig? I'm tryin' to help you,
brother.
RON
Mutha...
MIKE raises his hands and jumps in..
MIKE
Hey, hey, Gene, jeez ...Cool the
black-on-black(!) My god. Guy's
hurtin'.
RON's had enough and lights out of the room. GENE takes
a long drag, blows out the smoke. They settle in for a
chat.
GENE (to MIKE)
You a twelve stepper?
MIKE
No. No, sir.
GENE
I am. Had 4 years. Relapsed 5
weeks ago. Came in here 2 days
ago.
MIKE
You had 4 years clean. And just
started again. How do you do
that? Seriously. You'd think..
GENE
That's the insanity. Looks like
you're already learnin' about
that. It was the usual story.
Stopped goin' to meetings. Had a
job, car and a fiance. Used to
have a down payment, too.
MIKE
Used to? Down payment is, what,
50k minimum in NYC? Used to.
GENE
57.
MIKE
You blew 57k in 5 weeks(?!)
GENE
Four. Four weeks. Was on the
street for a week. Hookers, crack
and Courvasier. Fiance got a beep
on her debit card tryin' to buy a
packa gum. Changed the locks. So
right now, I got a “resentment”
against technology. Like ALL
technology.
MIKE
Jesus Christ. Makes me wanna run
to meetings. You supposed to be
their poster boy?
GENE
You're goddam right I am. Now you
take a good whiff, rookie, take
it all in. You a Manhattan powder
boy, right? Watch out for the
pipe, friend. It's like suckin'
on Satan's dick. But you pay him
to do it, give him your damn
house if he asks. Your wife, your
life, your soul while he's just
laughing his ass off and you're
swallowing every drop. Most
fucked up thing that ever was.
(disturbing chuckles, laughter
throughout next phrase)
Now here's the real shit.
(chuckle) Here I was my whole
life (hehe) ...thinking me and my
generation would never again have
to worry about slavery!(knee
slap, maniacal laughter) Shit!
Aaaahahahaaahaa!
MIKE waits for laughter to die down.. takes a bit.
MIKE
All due respect, I'm not like
that. Never could be. Nothing
personal.
GENE (catching his breath)
YET. Not yet you ain't. I wasn't
either. I'm a fucking Marine, 50
miles with 50 lbs in 100 degree
heat. It don't matter. He don't
care. Pride? Ego? Disciplined in
every other part of your life?
He's fuckin' countin' on it. You
don't believe in the Devil,
right?
MIKE
I do, actually. She just retained
a lawyer.
GENE
Neither did I. You think about
that. BUT... Gonna pick up a
desire chip tonight, though. Got
to.
MIKE
A what?
GENE
One day chip. AA. Rich or broke,
gotta start the fuck all over.
Shit motherfucker.
MIKE
If that shit happened to me, pal,
I'd grab a coupla cinder blocks
and jump in the East River.
Jesus..
GENE
I just might. Tomorrow. Today …
today, I'm just gonna get that
chip. Binge is over. Time to show
up.
MIKE
Ya, well, good luck with that.
Later.
GENE
See you in group, Mike. Can't
wait to here your story. Shit.
Bet you can't either.
MIKE finishes his smoke, tips his head to GENE awkwardly, exits the room. LOU
enters almost immediately after with a sealed urine sample cup.
LOU
Gene... piss test.
LOU tosses the cup. GENE catches it.
GENE
Fuck.. again? What, I'm gonna
pull a pound outta my ass?
LOU
You did last time you were here.
Preacher ordered it. He's been
watchin' when you go to the can,
how you walk after.
GENE
The man don't trust me?
LOU
If it helps, I don't trust you
either. Fuck, do you?
GENE has a stunning and comic reversal of attitude..
GENE
No.. no I do not. Preacher is a
smart man. A good man.
Hallelujah.
GENE extinguishes his smoke, gets up enthusiastically and they both leave the
room.
INT – DAY – HALLWAY at DETOX – MIKE is walking out of the smokeroom and walks
by the door of reception area. LOU is there with a NURSE. She's carrying a tray
of blood samples in tubes.
LOU
Counselor(!) Nurse is here.
MIKE detours into the reception office.
INT – DAY – RECEPTION AREA – DETOX
MIKE enters. A NURSE, asian girl, DELORES KIM, not a
nun, is waiting.
DELORES
Mike Mulvenna?
MIKE
Ya.
DELORES
Have a seat, Mike. I'm just going
to draw some blood.
MIKE
You a nun?
DELORES
No. I'm a civilian. Well, that's
what the nuns call regular
nurses. Civilians. Cute, huh?
Roll up your sleeve.
MIKE obeys and takes a seat, starts rolling up his sleeve. DELORES grabs a
fresh syringe, pops the cap and inserts a test tube to draw blood.
DELORES
How you feeling, Mike?
MIKE
Um... question with a question.
(He lifts his shirt to expose his
stomach while he turns his head
away). Are my liver and other
organs still on the inside?
DELORES
Well... yes.. of course.
MIKE
(drops his shirt, turns deadpan
back to Dolores...bit of a pause)
I don't believe you. That's how
I'm feeling. Jeesus, is there
anything you can give me? Never
felt so bad in my whole life...
seriously.
DELORES
Have to wait for the bloodwork to
come back. Have to rule out major
liver disease, stuff like that.
MIKE
When is that?
DELORES
Later today. Lab's backed up.
Sorry.
MIKE
No problem... just another
awesome thing breaking my way in
this creepy new hellish
reality .. Jeeezus....
DELORES
You been able to eat anything?
MIKE
Eating is one thing. Keeping it
off the floor or outta my
shorts...
DELORES smiles, is peppy.
DELORES
Well, that's no good, Mr.
Mulvenna (!). Lou will give you
a Jello when I'm done. I'll come
back later with an I.V., Lou.
DELORES takes his BP. She checks his pupils.
DELORES
You're jacked. BP is high.
She checks his pupils again. Her posture changes. She
looks at LOU with some concern. LOU picks up the cue and
moves around the desk.
DELORES
Lou said you did a lot of booze
and coke? Anything else? Valium,
oxy, …stuff like that?
MIKE
Why? What's wrong?
DELORES
Mike, I gonna take you back to
your bed and you're gonna lie
down. Let's go. Right now.
MIKE
(-)
DELORES
Mike? Mr. Mulvenna? (snaps her
fingers)
DELORES looks down at MIKE's crotch and sees a growing
wet stain forming in his track pants. MIKE is staring
blankly.
DELORES
SHIT! LOU, punch the code! JESUS!
MIKE starts vibrating in his chair like low level
electric shocks. He is uttering words, but can't form
syllables.
MIKE
aaaaaaaah..
LOU opens the plastic case and punches the code while
DELORES moves MIKE off the chair and onto the ground.
LOU grabs his coat of the rack and scrunches it under
his head. MIKE is slowly entering grand mal, eyes are
darting around.
MIKE
(Mouth is drool and froth)
DELORES
Seizure. Christ!
MIKE's movements become more violent and his legs start
banging the floor. PREACHER and the rest of the crew
crowd at the door.
PREACHER
SHIT! Dammit.
DELORES
He's out. Pull up his file..
CUT TO POV – MIKE in seizure. Sounds of people talking are echoed, getting more
indiscernible. Vision is fading, fading to...
HARD CUT TO FLASH - WHITE with discordant high pitched note in the background.
****FLASHBACK*****
SLOW FADE IN FROM WHITE – WE SEE the front of a PARK AVE. apartment entrance at
NIGHT with a concierge in uniform at a desk and a valet/doorman, high end
Christmas decorations. MIKE's car pulls in front and stops. It is a
continuation of previous car interior FLASHBACK.
Genres:
["Drama","Addiction","Medical"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
A Night of Illusions
CUT TO INT. MIKE's CAR – NIGHT . MIKE is extremely anxious, leaves the engine
running. He pops open the glove compartment and grabs eye drops and a tube of
Preparation H. He dabs the Prep H on a finger and applies it expertly under his
eyes, drops in some eye drops, finishes up as the valet arrives and opens his
door.
VALET
Sir?
MIKE
Ya Ya, jeez. Give me a minute,
will ya? Christ. Fuckin' road
hump.
VALET's face reads “asshole alert” and he sighs quietly. MIKE loads everything
back into the glove compartment and grabs his flask.
MIKE
Buddy, you fuckin' dent that and
I'm gonna dent you. Got it?
VALET jumps in the driver seat, pulls away slowly. MIKE grabs a healthy swig
from his flask and pockets it, half stumbles briskly to the front door. Booze
just ain't doin it.
INT – FOYER - ENTRANCE TO BUILDING - NIGHT
MIKE storms/bumps in through the glass door and flies past the concierge,
staggering a bit. The concierge is alarmed and stands.
CONCIERGE
Excuse me , SIR!! Sir! Can I help
you?
MIKE is startled and stops, walks slowly back to the
front desk. CONCIERGE is pretty concerned. MIKE is
pretty speedy, pumped and offensive.
MIKE
Shit! Fuck, sorry man. Buckman
party. Uhh.. 19th floor. Mike
Mulvenna. My wife should be here
already. Go ahead. Call. Call up,
man.
CONCIERGE
One moment.
CONCIERGE picks up the phone and punches in 4 numbers, waits for rings, has an
eye on MIKE. Somebody answers at the other end. MIKE grabs a few Kleenex from a
dispenser on the desk.
CONCIERGE
Mr. Buckman, front desk. A Mike
Mulvenna is here. Very good, sir.
MIKE
What'd I tell ya? See? And
what're you pullin'.. I been here
lots of times. Fuckin dick.
CONCIERGE(deadpan)
Go on up.
MIKE doesn't like the guy's look and blows him off. Heads to the elevator
quickly and gets in. Door closes.
INT – ELEVATOR- MIKE is with uniformed elevator operator. Door closes and
elevator guy looks back at MIKE.
ELEVATOR GUY
Floor, sir?
MIKE
19.
MIKE showing signs of distress, breathing is audible and he leans on a rail,
takes a deep breath.
ELEVATOR GUY
You OK, sir?
MIKE
Just drive, pal. K? (slight
shame) And stop lookin' at me.
MIKE pulls out the wads of Kleenex and fills up a couple in an extended nose
blowing session. ELEVATOR GUY's face registers disgust but nothing new to him.
MIKE grabs another shot from his flask. They reach his floor.
ELEVATOR GUY
19th floor. Have a good evening,
sir.
MIKE says nothing and gets off the elevator. ELEVATOR guy rolls his eyes. Door
closes.
INT – VERY LARGE and SWANKY PENTHOUSE APARTMENT OF LEO BUCKMAN – SNR. PARTNER
AT MIKE's law firm.
We are looking at the two oak doors, interior entrance to the apartment. A
FOOTMAN of sorts is standing by, wearing a very authentic Santa hat, when the
doorbell rings. FOOTMAN walks from his post and opens the door. We see MIKE
standing in a sweaty and partially disheveled state.
FOOTMAN (mid-Atlantic)
Sir?
MIKE blows his nose again.
MIKE
Mike Mulvenna. I'm on the list.
Fuck. Wait.
MIKE digs into his trench-coat breast pocket and pulls
out a mangled invite card and hands it over.
FOOTMAN
Yes, sir. I remember you from
before. Come in.
MIKE is mildly frantic, bundling off his coat.
MIKE
Ya. Geeves, where's the booze?
FOOTMAN
Drinks are being served in the
living area. (sarcastically) So
very glad you remembered my name,
sir.
MIKE doesn't bother to acknowledge the FOOTMAN, dumps his trench-coat on him
and heads out for the living room.
INT – APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – Gathering of extremely well dressed people
standing and talking. MIKE is visibly out of sorts, slides through and between
people and bumps a couple of them. They are a bit miffed but polite and he gets
through. He reaches the bar.
MIKE
Glen Fiddich. Single Malt.
Bartender pulls out a stopped bottle and pours a measured shot into a glass,
slides it over with a napkin. MIKE grabs it and knocks it back, puts it back in
front of the bartender.
MIKE
Again. Double.
BARTENDER complies. MIKE knocks back the whole thing
again.
MIKE
Again.
BARTENDER complies. MIKE grabs the glass, deep breath, and moves out of shot.
A work buddy, standing in a group of suits, chatting, SILAS, his brother-in-
law, sees MIKE from across the room and shouts.
SILAS
MIKE!! Over here!
MIKE is too messed up to talk with people.
MIKE
Jeeezus. RIGHT THERE, BUDDY!
MIKE makes his stilted way over to SILAS. It is a painful journey for the very
self-conscious MIKE.
He knocks a drink off of a table, glass smashes, people look around. He
continues in a dead stare toward SILAS. SILAS's expression drops. He steps away
from his group of suits to receive MIKE.
MIKE arrives at SILAS, smiles meekly and he makes his
excuses.
MIKE
Shit! Fuck. Sorry man. Gotta hit
the head. Nature calls.
SILAS puts out his hand to steady MIKE. He is Mike's
biggest enabler.
SILAS
Ya, sure buddy. No problem. I'll
be right here, OK?
MIKE takes off out of the living area and down a
hallway.
INT – HALLWAY of apartment, very long and full of doors and paintings. MIKE
moves along and checks for likely washroom. A young woman steps out into the
hall from a room and closes the door. She is NAOMI, Leo Buckman's 18 year old
daughter. She is smart, chippy, and GORGEOUS.
NAOMI
Hey, there. You lost?
MIKE
Washroom.
NAOMI sizes MIKE up like Lauren Bacall, sesses him out
immediately.
NAOMI
Wow. You are fucked up. Wow.
MIKE snaps back.
MIKE
Yeah? Nice mouth. Just need the
can or I'm gonna piss on this
Persian.
NAOMI
Uhh...You need more than that,
pal.
MIKE
Look. The can. Pleeease.
NAOMI
You're Mike. Gotta be. My dad
talks about you. You're a fuck
up. He says you drink a lot.
(Pause)
You're bad.
MIKE
Jeez. Nice to know people are
saying nice things about me when
I'm not around.
NAOMI
Your ears don't burn?
MIKE
7-24 kid. (stares off – then
sotto to himself) And still..
death eludes me.
NAOMI
My dad's an ass. Never has any
fun. Mom fucks her masseuse.
Tuesdays and Thursdays. My dad
doesn't give a shit. I hate him.
TMI for MIKE... he reels and gathers a bit..
MIKE
Whoa. Sorry, sweetie. Don't
exactly have Dr. Phil in my
fuckin' pocket here. And I really
gotta go, you know?
NAOMI taps the side of her nose.
NAOMI
Need a taste, Mike?
MIKE's head swims..
MIKE
Oh boy..whoa... red alert. Just
go back to your room sweetheart.
It's been 40 seconds since you
posted something. Your Facebook
pals are gonna think you died or
somethin'.
NAOMI
I got tons. Got it from my mom's
masseuse. Tons.
NAOMI likes to be bad, her eyes light up at MIKE, big
high-beams. MIKE falters.
`MIKE
Look, just a taste,K? You're my
boss' daughter for Pete's sake. A
taste, that's it.
NAOMI
He's a fag, now. Likes it up the
ass. That's why he won't fuck my
mother.
A bit more TMI for MIKE. He massages his temple.
MIKE
Holeee fuck. Really did not need
to know that. And you just can't
un-remember those little gems.
Go. Move.
HE moves her back to a den door and she opens it, they
step in and close the door.
RESUME LIVING ROOM – LEO BUCKMAN, MIKE's boss, is showing off his state of the
art, wall size digital set up. He is playing STAR WARS on XBOX with another
partner, showing off. LEO is a douche bag.
LEO BUCKMAN
CHECK THAT OUT! ONE HUNDRED AND
TWENTY fuckin' inches!
LEO drops the controller and grabs a tablet, has all the TV controls. He taps
the screen and “Casablanca” appears 10 feet wide in the living room, room goes
“OOOoo. Aaawww”. Ingrid Bergman is in tears, Bogie leans in and they do the
big kiss.
INT- MASSIVE DEN/Library – MIKE and NAOMI have just closed the door. NAOMI goes
to a desk drawer, lifts a pile of papers and pulls out a locked wooden box,
turns the key and pulls out a big bag of cocaine. MIKE's eyes lock on and he is
motionless.
NAOMI
Think I'll join ya. Makes me
fuckin' horny. And I'm bored as
fuck.
MIKE
Give me that.
NAOMI pulls the bag back.
NAOMI
You're a bad boy.
MIKE snags the bag...
MIKE
Jeez.
MIKE dumps some on a glass work area on a desk and starts chopping it up with a
blade from the box. He pulls a tube out of the box and takes a huge snort.
NAOMI takes the straw and sticks it in the bag, takes a massive snort that goes
on forever. MIKE is dumbfounded. She squeals and gets up, dances a bit. MIKE
gets back to the coke.
MIKE
Jeez. Nice fucking lungs. You're
too young to need that much.
Just a couple more and I'll be
outta here.
NAOMI
Fuck. I am soaked! And what's
with up the ass anyway? That
should hurt like hell. What's the
deal?
NAOMI moves behind MIKE and starts dancing on her own, flips on the BOSE radio
next to the couch. Starts to resemble the seven veils. MIKE is oblivious,
digging into the coke and snorting. He dumps out more and starts chopping it
up.
MUSIC is gangsta, HIP HOP and NAOMI is really getting down, caressing herself
and occasionally lifting her skirt and eyeing MIKE. MIKE has no idea. NAOMI
starts unbuttoning her shirt to the music. MIKE has doubled down.
RESUME LIVING ROOM – LEO is continuing with the
demonstration. He pulls up pay channel selection HBO –
FX, etc.
LEO
Got ALL the pay channels...
naturally. BBC live, every PBS
station in the country. I got
Rwanda State Television for fuck
sakes. Watch this.
He taps the tablet. The screen immediately shows the security cam showing the
front lobby. He taps the screen and the TV toggles through all the security
cams in public areas. All of a sudden they see themselves in the living room on
an interior cam.
LEO
Sweet eh? Smile..!
RESUME DEN
MIKE is well into things, coughing and clearing his throat from the coke. NAOMI
is getting down and dirty, shirt is completely undone and she is wearing a
Victoria Secrets bra, purring and getting closer to MIKE from behind. MIKE is
oblivious, snorting away.
RESUME LIVING ROOM. SILAS breaks off to go speak with a woman, LAURA MULVENNA,
MIKE's wife. His face says everything as he approaches her. LAURA gets
instantly weary and cynical. She's had a few, is pretty loose. Real BROOKLYN.
LAURA
Someone said Mike's here.
SILAS
Arrived about 5 minutes ago.
He's, uh, pretty tight. Just a
heads up.
LAURA
I know. Jesus, he was tight when
he left for work this morning.
I'm just gonna get outta here I
think. I was just talking with
Helen.
SILAS
Helen? In family law?
LAURA slows and talks in more emotional measure, up then
down then fast, choppy neurotics... still Brooklyn
throughout.
LAURA
If it was just me. Shit. But it's
not. I gotta do something. I'm
gonna do something. He's like the
Walking Dead now.. 'cept now he's
eating his own fuckin' brain. Do
you think that's the original
metaphor? It's fuckin' perfect
for coke heads. That's gotta be
the symbolism. Helen's cleared
the decks. Should fly through.
SILAS
Just seems drastic. Guys snap out
of it all the time.
LAURA
Drastic? Little Mikey's 12 and he
wet the bed again. Brigid's just
turned 16 and I have it on good
authority, a nun no less, she's
the blow-job queen of Holy Name
Prep. Fuckin' drastic alright.
SILAS
Jeez. Laura. Kids are gonna do
stuff. Right? I know it looks
bad...
LAURA
Christ, Silas. It LOOKS bad
because it IS BAD! VERY FUCKING
BAD!
Two other guests hear LAURA's raised voice and stop talking, look over. SILAS
gives them an all clear and pulls LAURA in close.
SILAS
Look, he could turn it around. My
brother pulled out of it. And he
was BAD. Seriously. Bad as Mike.
He snapped out of it. Mike will.
For fuck's sake, we were all
tailgaters, partiers, we all
drank the same, right?
LAURA
You think Mike is just partying?
Fuck, I am really alone here.
SILAS
I've seen you barf in your purse
at the Met. Mike's a strong guy.
He'll come around.
Low boil from LAURA...
LAURA
You honestly think that's gonna
happen? Na, na, this is
different. Messed up. Deep brain
stuff. He's gone sun up to
midnight every day. Hardly eats
anything and his inbox is full of
unreturned mail. His goddamn old
man was the same way and that guy
died with a bottle of whiskey in
his mouth. Christ, Helen just
gave me one word of advice..
“Run”. I'm gettin' off this train
Monday morning.
SILAS
It might push him over. We could
lose him. Jeez, it's Christmas.
LAURA
You think Mike understands
...cares it's Christmas? Every
day's the same for him. He'll
promise you whatever it takes and
be on the phone to his dealer 10
minutes later. You wanna be his
wife for a while, you go right
ahead.
(pause...more Ophelia-esque,
checking out the bottles of booze
distractedly)
Jesus, we are just over our heads
here, aren't we. I'm not mad
anymore, Silas, just finished. I
mean, Mike is twenty different
guys with twenty different lies
when it comes to scoring. Happy..
then sad.. smart... then stupid,
then funny, then brilliant... my
god, so brilliant...like the
fucking sun..that's when I love
him again.. then he takes that
and turns it into a chance to
score, crack a bottle or get out
of the house. ..whatever it
takes. He's like this fucking
invisible army. Face it, Silas,
we are just fucking outnumbered.
SILAS (pensive pause)
He'll crack.. seriously. Let me
read him the riot act. He's
special. You know he's special,
not like other people.
LAURA
Fine. Whatever. What's a couple
of days in this unending fucking
shit pile, anyway. I already left
him in my mind a while ago,
Silas. I really didn't leave
though. He booted me out. Out of
his heart. No notice. Just
silence. And now I've got this
mean, sick stranger living in my
house, Silas, raising my kids
(stops, tears build, she
rallies). The formality and
billable hours and the destroyed
lives of children begins. I've
always wanted to be Manhattan.
Well I'm true blue Manhattan now.
Cheers! (she takes last swig from
her glass)
SILAS (flagging)
This'll work. Mikey's made of
different stuff.
LAURA
Oh, Saint Silas. You do try, my
but you do. Didn't anyone ever
tell you that most saints... most
saints are MARTYRS?! And I need
a fucking drink. Christ. Look at
me, Silas. My saint. I never
used to drink like this. Is this
me, now? Is this really me? Is
this it? Silas?
Silas' look gets grave and he looks away.
RESUME NAOMI's ROOM. MIKE is still snorting but with
longer spaces between sessions. He is feeling great,
audible sounds of gratification. NAOMI is near her bed
still doing her dance when MIKE turns around, sees her.
MIKE
WHOA..Jesus. What the fuck are
you doin?! Na, Na, don't touch
that. I'm not kidding! Pretty
sure it's a felony... for me.
NAOMI
Don't you like it, Mike? Awww. My
yoga instructor says I give the
best...
MIKE is staring, shakes his head..waves his finger to
fend her off..
MIKE
You..are my bosses daughter! You
are LEO fuckin' BUCKMAN's
daughter. Do you understand?!!
I'll swing by my neck in a
fuckin' electric chair while my
house burns to the ground and he
sterilizes my children. You have
no idea.
MIKE is still staring..
NAOMI
I turned 18 last month. He can't
do shit. I can do whatever I want
now.
MIKE is weak...
MIKE
HO Jesus. Look, you can't just do
whatever you want, kid. Life
ain't like that.
NAOMI
Nice talk from a guy snorting
coke with his boss' teenage
daughter. Check me out.
Braziliano.
NAOMI grabs MIKE's hand and jams it between her legs,
she makes a sound. MIKE delays a bit then pulls back his
hand. He is weakening, trying to convince himself.
MIKE
Jesus, YOU are fucking nuts.
That's it. The coke's kicking in
now, helping me think. THANK YOU
GOD. That's it. You.... are just
a whacko rich kid ...trying to
fuck her parents over.
NAOMI moves in and presses MIKE against the desk.
NAOMI
Wanna help me? This would take
them down. They'd be reading
about it for years on page 6.
MIKE
Not likely, kid. They'd just pack
you off to some comfy nuthouse in
Connecticut, sweetheart and pay
off the papers. They wouldn't get
a scratch. Me and all my kinfolk,
on the other hand, would be
erased from history. I gotta get
outta here.
NAOMI does the pouty rich girl.. stamps her foot.
NAOMI
AAww... I thought you wanted to
party! And why are you getting a
boner?
NAOMI grabs his crotch and gets to work..MIKE falters
and makes feeble attempts to push her off, failing. He
closes his eyes in a poor attempt at prayer as he caves.
MIKE
Jesus, kid, it's a reflex! God,
take away my boner! Please take
away my boner. Why must I have a
boner?! Killed by my own boner!!
Dear God!!
RESUME LIVING ROOM – LAURA and SILAS in a medium shot with the huge TV screen
in the background. Someone has picked up the tablet and starts messing with it.
The screen is jumping around from HBO, to ABC, to parking lot security, to a 4
screen security shot. The guy stops.
MIKE and NAOMI are in one of the black and white shots from the den. NAOMI is
working MIKE's junk and MIKE is weakly fending her off. The guy with the tablet
pipes up.
GUY with Tablet
Holy Fuck! Is this here? Is this
in here somewhere?
LAURA looks and slowly her face shows recognition.. she is horrified.
Background music, low tones to indicate gravity and turning point.
GUY with Tablet
Fuck... Is this a tape?Is that
Mulvenna? HOLY FUCK!
LEO BUCKMAN turns from his conversation and looks at the screen. The quarter
image is still about 5 ft. high and 5 ft. wide. His look first shows amusement
and then grows to white hot anger, recognition. The room chatter starts to
swell and BUCKMAN runs across the room to the guy with the tablet. He grabs it
and hits the screen. Doesn't work a couple of times but finally it switches to
broadcast TV and we see the Fonz giving the thumbs up at ARNOLD's and then back
to MIKE and NAOMI. BUCKMAN's anger has deflated and he gives up, tosses the
tablet away. He sinks, puts his head in his hand and weeps.
The room goes silent and people are taken with LEO's display of emotion. The
man is destroyed. COLLEEN, MIKE's big sister AND SILAS' wife, appears from out
of the crowd. She is the only one in motion. She slams down her glass and fumes
toward the den.
COLLEEN
THAT is FUCKIN' IT!!! YOU ARE
DONE, MISTER!!
LAURA puts her hand up to her mouth, face cringes and
she cries silently. SILAS moves up and embraces her. She
cries into his shoulder.
SLOW FADE TO WHITE
REVERSE FADE TO:
INT – HALLWAY OF ST. JOHN's HOSPITAL PROPER. MIKE has been transferred to
emergency in the main building. Seizure left him unconscious.
A BLACK MALE NURSE is wheeling MIKE on a gurney in a hurried fashion. MIKE is
coming to. The NURSE, WINSTON notices and engages MIKE professionally.
WINSTON
Well, hey there stranger. You
know what day it is?
MIKE is weak, slurred a bit...
MIKE
...Wed-Wednesday?
WINSTON
That was close. We give points
for that. Can you tell me your
name, sir?
MIKE
Uhhh... it's …
MIKE's eyes widen with surprise. MIKE is speaking in a
daze...
MIKE
Shit... I don't... know. Fuck, I
don't... know... my own name.
WINSTON's eyebrows lift.... concern.
WINSTON
Don't worry, sir. It will
probably come back. MOLLY! Get me
a head CT, priority! Sir, we're
going to do a quick chest x-ray
now, make sure you didn't damage
your heart during the seizure.
Jesus! Clear out a' fuckin' way!
MIKE
My... heart?
WINSTON
Just a precaution. Here we are.
WINSTON wheels MIKE into the X-ray room and hands off a chart to the
radiologist. He picks up the wall phone in an urgent fashion and punches in
some numbers.
CUT TO MIKE in the gurney.. he is fading out, sounds are fading ...fading to
WHITE.
RESUME MIKE and NAOMI in NAOMI's room. MIKE has successfully pushed her off but
she is still being goofy and grabby.
MIKE
Jesus... stop! You goddamn whacko
nymph job.!
NAOMI
Sorry. I'm just not gonna till I
get something. It's your fault,
you wanted to party!
MIKE
Fuuck..
THE DOOR to the room flies open and COLLEEN is standing there, eye's wide with
Irish rage. NAOMI jumps back from MIKE, very scared, she covers up.
MIKE
FUCK!! Jesus, COLLEEN! This is
not what..
COLLEEN
Just shut the fuck up, Michael!
NAOMI
GET OUTTA HERE, BITCH!! WHO THE
FUCK ARE YOU??!!
MIKE
Relax. It's my sister.
NAOMI
Well then tell her to fuckin' get
out!!
COLLEEN is staring wild-eyed at NAOMI and loses it. She
grabs her by the hair, whips her across the room in a
Celtic rage and she falls on the couch screeching.
COLLEEN
Fuck off.. YOU RICH SLUT!!
MIKE
CHRIST!! COLLEEN!!
COLLEEN
Shut the fuck up, Mike. We're
leaving. Now!! Get your coat.
MIKE knows COLLEEN's anger and complies quietly, ashamedly. They leave the
room.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Addiction"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Moments of Clarity
THE SCENE – INT. TRANSITION ROOM at ST. JOHN's at NIGHT – ROOM is dark except
for light coming in from the hallway.
CUT TO – CLOSE-UP – MIKE is OUT COLD on one of the cots with an IV , returned
to the detox from the hospital. PREACHER's silhouette is standing in the
doorway, leaning on the jam, looking over him, checks his watch and walks off.
INT – TV ROOM at DETOX – SOME TIME AFTER MIKE's SEIZURE – NIGHTLY AA MEETING
CHAIRS ARE FORMED IN A CIRCLE WITH the AA Service guys in the front. One of the
guys, ROLEY PARENT, has begun the day's sharing.
ROLEY
My name is Roley. And I'm an
alcoholic-addict.
Room responds “Hi, Roley!”
ROLEY
You know I never lived on the
street. My skid row was 200 feet
in the air over Central Park
West. I was riding high. Chief
engineer on the crack express. I
had it all. I mean I had it ALLL!
CUT TO FLASHBACK – ROLEY's facial profile as he is screwing a GORGEOUS escort.
HE is making all the facial contortions and noises associating with fucking.
SHOT PANS BACK and was see ROLEY on a king size bed in a posh hotel room,
another woman in a furry squirrel costume (SANs head, is it visible on the bed
next to them) is jamming 2 fingers up his butt and grabs his hair, pulls his
head back. HE exclaims loudly and seems close to coming.
ROLEY
NOW! .. NOW!... DO IT NOW!!
The second escort uses her free hand and grabs the
squirrel head, slams it on his shoulders and in quick
succession, pulls out a pink taser and zaps his balls.
ROLEY
AAAAAAAGH!!! YEEEESSSS!!!
YEEESSS, YOU FUCKIN' BITCH!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!
ROLEY's pubes are burning, smoking..he sees the smoke
and flips..
ROLEY
JEEESUS! ENOUGH!! STOP!!!
He backhands the squirrel girl in the head and she flies off the bed. He
scrambles to the bedside table and grabs a pitcher of water and pours it on his
balls. He grabs a crack pipe and takes a huge hit, eyes roll and he hits the
ground coughing like a maniac.
ROLEY (V.O.)
It was crackhead heaven.
CONT'd FLASHBACK – STREET LEVEL of the hotel as doorman
opens the front door and ROLEY exits in a strut with a
small entourage of characters in sunglasses, 1000 dollar
shoes and long leather jackets.
ROLEY (V.O.)
I was the king of New York. All
women wanted to fuck me, all men
wanted to kill me. Fuckin' Tony
Montana, man.
Shot cuts: Guys loading money into a money counter... ROLEY in a shoot out in
an alley, kills a couple of guys...Taking a picture with a kids baseball team
in Harlem, holding a businessman of the year award … camera flashes ...
CUT TO ROLEY and his entourage in a booth at a night club, major DJ and lights,
people crowding the dance floor. One of his entourage stands with a knife and
goes for ROLEY. We hear a gun shot and he drops revealing another member of the
entourage at sentry pointing straight armed having just killed the guy. THIS
guy adjusts his aim, incredibly, AT ROLEY but is again taken out by another of
the entourage seated in the booth. Screaming and panic, people stampeding and
entourage whooshes him out of the club.
RESUME TV ROOM and MEETING
ROLEY
Fuck. That used to be my favorite
movie.
(pause)
Anybody remember the end ?
Room reacts... giggles and chatter..
RESUME FLASHBACK – ROLEY , end of days, is holed up in his apartment, dark,
with a Desert Eagle and a candle in a dark apartment. He sucks a huge blast
from a pipe and reels, holds his head... starts twitching more and pointing
his gun around at phantoms, wide eyed.
CUT TO – PARK AVE. Balcony of ROLEY's neighbour. Ritzy martini party happening.
Couple of recognizable NY Celebs, Gay Talese-types, Mike Tyson and Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
CUT TO a cat approaching an empty food bowl in ROLEY's dark kitchen. Cat sniffs
the bowl, empty and it meows loudly for someone to feed it.
ROLEY freaks and springs to action, runs across an open space madly unloading
the gun in a deafening display of muzzle flash and screaming.. he empties it
and reloads, starts turning and firing in every direction, screaming. CAT is
freaking, scrambling and getting the fuck out of the way.
RESUME PARK AVE BALCONY – GUESTS ARE FREAKING, screaming... glass flying from
the windows next door... people running for their lives. Tyson is first
through the door, knocking people down and stepping on their backs.
ROLEY (V.O.)
Just my luck. The Manhattan DA, a
gun owner and the former governor
of California, the FUCKIN'
Terminator, just happened to be
10 feet away.
A sharp dressed guy stands his ground, the DA, tosses his drink away and pulls
a weapon, starts returning fire.(SLO-MO throughout) He tosses the former
republican governor his back up piece and they both start unloading into
ROLEY's apartment from the neighboring terrace.
CUT TO ROLEY – scrambling through the fire and flying glass and debris on the
floor. The firing stops and he lifts his head and sees ARNOLD's glinty eye (in
close up) sighting him with his piece. He is incredulous and ducks slowly back
behind the couch.
ROLEY (V.O.)
Talk to a lot of addicts and they
will tell you about a moment of
clarity. When God sends an
unmistakable message and they
know they've hit rock bottom.
RESUME ARNOLD's eye beaned on ROLEY through the gunsite.
RESUME ROLEY behind the couch.. stunned and shifting perspectives in a hurry.
He raises his hands in surrender and throws out his piece.
RESUME Arnold. He walks over, gun still trained, kicks away ROLEY's piece and
sees the crack and pipe on the ground. He lowers his gun, relaxes and crouches
down next to ROLEY in a compassionate posture.
ROLEY (V.O.)and SCHWARZENEGGAR (Simul.)
You had enough yet, pal?
ROLEY (V.O.)
That's what he said to me...”You
had enough yet, pal?”. God sent
an angel to terminate my drinking
and drugging.
CUT TO DETOX WIDE SHOT– ROOM is dead silent. ROLEY
continues.
ROLEY
So I ask you... WHO is your
angel? Who is your Arnold
Schwarzenegger? Did they bring
the message and you missed it?
You better fuckin' hope not.
Think back. How many messages has
the universe sent your way? Was
one of them your last? It don't
have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It could be your baby daughter,
your boss, your crying kids or a
judge. My name is Roley and I'm
an addict.
CUT To EXTERIOR – NIGHT – St. John's DETOX front door. An older women in dated
hat and coat, galoshes walks up the steps and rings the bell. She looks like
Queen Elizabeth in the 50's. PREACHER opens the door.
CUT TO CLOSE UP - PREACHER opens the door, sees the elder woman and
immediately invites her inside.
Genres:
["Drama","Addiction","Psychological"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
A Mother's Turmoil
INT. HALLWAY of the Detox – PREACHER has brought in the elder woman, is
attending to her in a gentlemanly fashion. This woman is Mike Mulvenna's
mother.
PREACHER
Please come in, mam. How can I
help you?
She is a bit frail/nervous.. hint of an Irish accent
after many years in the US.
MRS. MULVENNA
My son. They said my son was
here. My daughter-in-law said my
son was here. His name is
Michael... Michael Mulvenna.
PREACHER
Normally, I wouldn't be able to
tell you. I'm sorry Mrs.
Mulvenna, but he's not feeling
well. He isn't awake right now...
had a very rough day . Just back
from the hospital a coupla hours
ago.
MRS. MULVENNA
Is he OK? Jesus, I said I wasn't
going to worry over his pathetic
soul. I don't know why I do it.
Nothing but worry and then worry
some more. Just like his useless
father.
PREACHER
Yes, mam. I was a lot of trouble
to my people as well. And I
honestly don't know what's in
store for Michael, what he will
do after this.
MRS. MULVENNA
Of course you don't. Don't you
think I know it's in God's hands?
Well, just my luck. God's had it
in for me for a while now so I'll
not hold my breath if that's OK.
PREACHER
Yes, Mam.
MRS. MULVENNA
His father was the worst. An evil
man for sure. Women, booze and
the cards. Home for Sunday dinner
if I was lucky. Cops would call
and the first words out of my
mouth weren't “Hang the bastard
and send me the bill!” It was
always, “Is he OK? “. Aye,
there's something wrong with me.
Now my son is the same horrible
creature and I am back to where I
was... “Is he OK?”. Jesus what
they do to us.
PREACHER
Yes mam.
Mrs. Mulvenna
Well... Well, fuck him and his
evil ways! I've had it.! He's
gotten me all the way down here
and he's too sick from pukin' to
come see his own mother ! (slams
the counter)
PREACHER is silent and she pulls back.. tears well and
she softens.
MRS. MULVENNA
Jesus. Forgive me. Don't tell him
that. Please. It's just that the
whole time his father was out
there, our whole marriage, I
thought...I thought I had been in
the wrong. Imagine that. He's out
whoring and drinking and I'm
feeling the guilty party. I mean
I must be mad. Right?
PREACHER
That is a common feeling of the
family, mam. Alcoholics are
masters of chaos.
MRS. MULVENNA
I am crazy. I must be. And here I
am feeling the same with my own
shite son. You think it's done
when they die but no sir. It's
never done, is it(?) It's never
fuckin' done! (emotional cringe)
PREACHER
I pray, mam, that some peace is
delivered to you.
She cools off from the exasperation and changes gears,
dabs some tears, then smiles at PREACHER.
MRS. MULVENNA
You're a kind soul. Thank you.
She turns to leave and turns back again, takes a sad
breath and rallies..
MRS. MULVENNA
And tell my boy his mother came
to see him.
PREACHER stands solemnly, respectfully as MRS. MULVENNA
opens the door slowly and walks out. The door clangs
dully behind her.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Trapped in the Compactor
INT. NIGHT – MIKE out cold with an IV in the half lit intake room
of cots. Camera moves in and hovers over MIKE's sleeping form. His
posture is disturbed, flayed about. Ultra slow zoom on his face.
Eyebrows are beginning to furrow. We hear whale sounds slowly
rising in the background.
FLASH to DREAM SEQUENCE: We see MIKE in very low light,
coming from above. Industrial sounds, a steel room
though we can't see it yet, sounds are echoed metallic-
ally, can barely make out MIKE's face. He's suddenly
aware of his surroundings, head darting, looking around
frantically, heavy breathing.
MIKE
Hello?! Hello?!
A buzzer sounds and a flashing alarm light appears over
his head. Fluorescent lights labor and then come on in a
wash of light. He is in the trash compactor scene from
Star Wars dressed in a stolen storm-troopers armor. But
he's really stuck, can't move much. We hear the
hydraulics whurr with a start and the walls close in.
MIKE
Hello?!! Heeelp! Heelp!
Mother of God, HEEELP!
What the fuck is this!
He seems to have much less time than Han and Luke did
and he can't move around. We hear whale bass notes,
popping and cracks, grunts, then more whale song. Pretty
soon MIKE is scrunched to the point he can't move his
head. His hand is propped in front of his face with the
mini-radio, just like in the movie. He gets an idea. He
is still frantic, terrified, wide eyed.
MIKE
Shit. That's right, C3PO.
C3PO!! C3PO!! Come in C3PO!!
A scary pause while he waits for the answer.
C3PO
Oh Master Luke! Thank goodness
I've found you. Praise the Maker!
MIKE
Shut Up! There's no time! Turn
off the trash compactor! TURN OFF
THE TRASH COMPACTOR!!
C3PO
I can't!! I can't!! I need the
number!! What section?! Give me
the number, sir!! It's on the
door, sir!!
WALLS have really closed in and MIKE can't move. His
head is being smunched by debris and he can't turn his
head. He is frantic, pleading, near crying.
MIKE
Oh, help me! Jesus, I can't see
the door! Oh my God, I CAN'T SEE
THE DOOR! I CAN'T SEE THE DOOR! I
can't remember the line!! Oh my
God, I can't remember the line!!
C3PO (Radio)
Oh my. Well I guess that's it for
you sir. Everyone else sees the
door. You've got your hands on
a bad script, sir, I'm afraid.
Take care of yourself, sir. It's
really too bad you left us before
you had a chance to be happy at
all. I say, this is a rather
horrifyingly modern hell-metaphor
you've found yourself in.
Couldn't think this one up if I
tried. And I've got a positronic
brain! Oh, and your wife,
children. What a mess! How sad.
You'll leave them probably
thinking they will always hate
your guts and they are happy to
be rid of you. Such an end, sir.
MIKE's face is now smushed enough that he can't form
words. He tries but all that comes out is a “ffff” sound
and a whimper.
C3PO
Oh my goodness, HOW appropriate!
A whimper!! I must say,sir, your
English literature pre-law is
paying off handsomely in your
final moments. VERY clever. Not
very Jedi stuff but.... my hat is
off, sir, regardless! Now you
should be near to suffocating
right about now so I'll just say
ta ta then and good luck to you
in that ambiguous quasi-
nothingness you believe that
follows! Not even the Force can
help now, sir. You've actually
even failed to live up to a
single standard in this made up
movie religion at all, anyway.
You're just too much, I'm afraid.
We did try. I'll just say
goodbye now, sir. R2! Stop that!.
MIKE is crying now, sobs. He's approaching the end but
he gives one last try to speak. He throws his neck back
and clears a spot. He half mumbles, breathless at
first, his tone is uncharacteristically sincere, deep.
MIKE
Oh, God. I'm sorry. ...So sorry.
At that instant, the hydraulics stop. Silence. Long
pause.
C3PO
Oh my! Now there's a bit of luck!
Very good, sir!
We hear low whale pops and grunts again, then a higher
pitched whale sound. We hear a bang and the bottom drops
out of the compactor as MIKE and all it's contents drop
through an unseen hatch and out of sight.
Genres:
["Sci-Fi","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
From Depths to Clarity
EXT. SCENE – DAY - MIKE and flotsam from compactor
underwater after the big splash. He is naked as a babe
now. There is debris and sinking stuff all around. MIKE
slowly orients himself and starts heading slowly,
floating to the surface. He slowly approaches near the
surface, is about to break through and...
CUT to WHITE FLASH that fades into MIKE on his cot with
an IV from above. He startles awake, couple of gasps.
Pats himself to reassure he is alive and then looks
around, remembers where he is. His heads klonks back on
to his pillow… breathing heavy, looking cleared eye for
the first time. Deep thoughts..
Genres:
["Drama","Psychological Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
A Step Towards Clarity
INT. INTAKE ROOM with cots.NEXT Morning. MIKE is
sitting on his bed in thought. PREACHER steps into the
doorway but doesn’t say anything for about 5-7 beats,
studies MIKE’s face and posture, senses a change.
PREACHER
Morning Michael. How’d ya sleep?
Breakfast is up.
MIKE
Ya. Thanks. Sleep was.. uh,
different.
PREACHER
That happens.
MIKE
Ya.
PREACHER
You hungry? You need some food
buddy.
MIKE
Sure.
PREACHER
You up for a visitor?
MIKE
I wanna say no. I usually say no
here. Something’s up. I wanna say
a bunch of stuff to a bunch of
people.
PREACHER
That’s detox, counselor.
Detoxify. You’re clear...probably
for the first time in your adult
life.
MIKE
Ask me.
PREACHER
You an addict, Mike?
MIKE
Ya... I'm an addict. I'm an
addict.
PREACHER
The first step. It's a big one.
MIKE
Vistor female?
PREACHER
Good instincts. They usually are.
Not your wife if you were worried
about that hurdle first thing.
MIKE
I know who it is. Expecting this
for a long time. Is this how it
works? You just know?
PREACHER
Ya. Happens a lot.
MIKE
I, uh, feel... right.
PREACHER(folksy)
Right is right. Always is.
MIKE
Thanks. Really … Thanks. Lou
too.
PREACHER
You’re welcome. She’s out front.
PREACHER smiles at MIKE warmly, nods and heads off. MIKE
rises deliberately and moves soberly, intentfully
through the doorway and out of shot.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
A Father's Return
INT. DETOX Seating area by Reception at DETOX where MIKE
met CARMEN DEANGELO.
MIKE’s daughter, BRIGID MULVENNA is sitting uncertainly
in one of the chairs. She is a bit Goth, leather jacket,
colored hair and nose piercing. She is the family
caretaker, the adult, and on a mission of sorts. MIKE
enters. She looks up and their eyes meet, both are
locked in a gaze of mutual understanding of what is to
take place.(several beats. MIKE keeps his gaze on his
daughter as he moves toward her and takes the chair
opposite.
BRIGID (firm)
Mom said you’d gone to the
hospital. That you had to quit.
MIKE
Ya. That’s about right.
BRIGID (softens)
I had to see for myself. What
you’d be like without it. What
you would sound like. If it was….
real.
MIKE
That’s still happening.
Something’s happening.
BRIGID
Shit. That’s not a lie.
MIKE
Ya. It feels strange. And Good.
BRIGID
Your eyes. Something’s missing.
You’re not scared. People always
thought you were angry, told me
you were angry. I knew different.
You were scared.
MIKE
I know.. now.. and I knew you
knew... even when you were a kid.
That’s why it had to be you.
BRIGID
So what is this? That’s
happening.
MIKE
The guy here told me to watch out
for it. I would know it when I
saw it.
BRIGID
It feels like I should introduce
myself.
(pause..shifts in her chair.
Wisdom well beyond her years)
I need to hear who YOU are.
MIKE(slows..emotional)
I’m Michael. I’m your father.
BRIGID tears up a bit.
BRIGID
I’m … I . This can’t go away.
This has to stay. You can’t leave
again. I have been waiting all
this time. Me? I’d be OK. Little
Mikey ..Little Mikey would break
for good.
MIKE
I don’t want to leave.
BRIGID
Mom, Mikey Jr. ? What are they?
I need to hear you say more.
MIKE
My wife, my son. Family.
BRIGID breaks into a sob.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
A New Beginning
FLASHBACK INT. Hospital on the day of Brigid's birth, 16
years ago. Baby viewing window at night.
MIKE is standing off from the window in the shadows,
leaning against a wall like a thief, flask in hand. Deep
thought looking at his baby daughter... takes a swig,
thinks some more. Head drops at the thought of his
desperate situation and what to do. That this might be
the answer... his daughter.
MIKE (V.O. Over Flashback)
I’ve been waiting too. Since that
day in the hospital..when you
were born. Drinking, drunk. I
looked down at you through the
window and said this girl...this
little girl will save me. One
day.
BRIGID’s body sobs and looks into her father’s eye’s
directly.
MIKE(welling emotion)
That day ...is today.
BRIGID puts her hand to her mouth with some emotion and
looks away. It’s real and she is overcome by this
moment. There is a long silence and MIKE and she sit in
this truth, new existence. In true fashion, BRIGID
summons something beyond her years and stands, wipes her
eyes, stands straight and steps slowly over to her
father. Her look is serious and MIKE’s expression is
uncertain but curious, she could blow, she could hug
him… either way. She does neither.
BRIGID
A few months ago, you were out on
a tear and Mom was sipping scotch
… she did that when you took off.
She was pretty mad and let me know
that my father missed my first
steps… missed them passed out
..passed out in the middle of the
day. My first steps… do you know
what that feels like?
MIKE’s face is sinking… pretty sure the hammer is gonna
drop and he looks down.
BRIGID moves another step to stand by her father’s side,
still the adult.
BRIGID
I do. .
She offers her hand to MIKE..
BRIGID
.. I don’t want to miss yours.
MIKE looks up, surprised and smiles emotionally, gently
takes her hand and stands and she leads him a few steps,
turns and hugs him like a daughter meeting her father
for the first time. She takes his hand again and slowly
leads them out of the room.