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THE SAINTS OF NOWHERE A screenplay
By J.E. Burton
11/22/11
Forgiveness comes at great cost.
THE SAINTS OF NOWHERE
ACT ONE SCENE ONE
EXT. Noonday, thunderous rainy weather, Northern California.
Early afternoon, 1:51 p.m. PST.
MOVING
Three pair of legs sloshing through puddles across busy
street downtown.
INT. Orion Café. BEN buys children MATT and NICOLE a big
cookie and small coffee each and himself a muffin and apple
juice.
BEN
(anxious, at watch)
Oh no. My broker!
Seated across him is a young sharply dressed man.
BEN
(flagging)
Excuse me, sir; can I borrow your cell phone?
DANA
Oh, sure.
BEN
It’s a long-distance call. That okay?
DANA
Take all you need.
BEN
Yeah- thanks.
BEN
(beat)
Yeah, Chuck- I need to move my Scheimer stocks. They’re not
doin’ too well.
CHUCK
You sure?
1
BEN
It’s been six months, Chuck. I don’t know-
DANA
(leans over)
Excuse me, sir. You want to know something? Tricomn just
acquired Scheimer this morning.
BEN
(on phone)
Chuck, hold on-
BEN
Yeah- what was that?
DANA
Tricomn acquired Scheimer an hour ago. Don’t move your
shares. Buy more of them.
BEN
(nods, quiet)
Yeah, Chuck- I’m gonna- you there?
FAVORING BEN’S children, REAR.
NICOLE giving MATT his cookie back.
BEN
(relieved)
Thanks for lettin’ me use your phone.
DANA
Oh, you’re quite welcome. Just don’t mention your source.
BEN
Oh okay, no prob. Boy, it’s rainin’ cats and bears now.
It ain’t rained this much since Spring two thousand four.
Shee-it! Now what?!
DANA
Well, it’s good to be still sometimes, isn’t it?
2
BEN
Only when I’m asleep. I’m always on the move… though I’m
unemployed right now… there’s money to be made somewhere.
DANA
(tilts head back)
He-he. You sound like someone I knew once. Well… the last
five years in my career have taught me this: money does NOT
satisfy…
BEN (alert)
…
DANA
It only retires you earlier… and six feet under.
(Offers hand)
Name’s Dana.
BEN
(awe)
Ben, sir… Ben! Tell me something. You look happy. Real
happy. You got nice threads and a… you wear a SWATCH
watch?! I ain’t seen one of those in-
FAVORING MATT
MATT
Hey dad! Nicki spilled my coffee!
BEN
Look- y’all need to keep it down! Me and this guy here,
we’re talkin’.
MATT
Can we have a muffin, dad?
BEN
We’ll grab some later. Now quiet!
MATT
But Nicki wants one now and
3
BEN
We’re not getting muffins from here. They’re expensive
here!
MATT
But you got one-
BEN
We’ll get some at One Dollar-
MATT
But dad, those stick to the wrapp-
BEN (annoyed)
We’ll get some later. Now quiet! Go back to your sister.
DANA
Those are some energetic kids you’ve got there, Ben.
BEN
Those kids?
DANA
Yeah. Nice kids.
BEN
When they’re good.
DANA
Surely.
BEN
Only when he wants something.
DANA
And the girl?
BEN
She never asks for much. ‘Cause she demands it.
4
DANA
Well, it must feel nice to have young people you care about
need you.
BEN
Need? She already owns everything.
DANA
Hehe. Are you this open with every casual stranger?
BEN
Daughter’s like my ex-wife now, she owns everything. She
was always the smartest, the strongest. My daughter’s just
like her sometimes.
(pause)
BEN
Good, you know?
DANA
Heh, heh heh. Well, they have to be…
Our future rides on them… don’t you know?
BEN (beat)
Well, you woulda got along good with my dad.
DANA
Oh? He sounds like someone I’d like to get to know.
BEN
Yeah… only he ain’t around anymore.
DANA (concerned)
Oh, well. I take it you weren’t really close at the end?
BEN (beat)
We were until I graduated high school.
When I was little, he was always proud of me no matter what
I did… right or wrong. Gave me everything I wanted. Held
nothin’ back from me. But my mom, she was the rock. She
kinda held my dad in check. I was never wrong with him. You
know, he was more like my friend than a dad. My parents
5
BEN
split when I was 8 and then things slowly fell apart. Kinda
slow-like, you know. Like when ya hit an iceberg.
DANA
An iceberg? You’d notice that.
BEN
You would at first, only your folks are still racing to
save the ship, realizing you’re sinkin’- but you’re
trickin’ yourself into thinking your folks’ll fix the boat
…tryin’ to fix it… till it’s too late.
DANA
(taking it in)
So what happened?
BEN
Long story. My dad bought- no- invested his life heavily
into baseball. His dad played baseball. His granddad-
DANA
Granddad? You mean everyone played?
BEN
My dad would tell me- how his family came to Cali all the
way from Michi- M-
DANA
(interest)
Michigan? Which part?
BEN
A- Annapolis?
DANA
(humoring)
Really? Did you go to school there?
BEN
Nah, I didn’t. But I wished we’d played them.
6
DANA
Sounds like baseball’s in your blood…surely it goes back
generations?
BEN
Yeah… it’s the thing I remember most about him. His dad
grew up in a poor neighborhood.
His dad played the game since he was about eight years old.
At that time, the game was still young…. about Spring
nineteen-twenty-eight. His dad used to used to pick fruit
from the fields for two cents an hour. He had six sisters.
DANA
Big family?
BEN
It was… ‘till the three oldest died. He was real close to
them. Especially the middle oldest. The three oldest girls
worked in the fields picking crops…. And he followed them
out there. Times were hard.
EXT. Orion Café, looking in, mid- November- mid-afternoon.
Darkness starts to fall.
MOVING Through window pane at two men at center, engaged in
talking and listening
INT. Orion Café. MATT and NICOLE dancing around the
magazine rack
FAVORING DANA
BEN
Yeah, times were pretty tough, back then.
Not that these are much better.
DANA
Well, tell me more about your dad.
BEN
He ate up baseball… ’cause his dad, he pushed him to.
Dan’s granddad would starve his own dad unless he practiced
good. His papa didn’t go that far, though.
7
BEN
My dad was always a star pitcher. Member of three-time
little league champ team. High-school All-American.
Standout at Yuvapai College for a bit…before he went to ASU.
Pitched in the College World Series. Lost to U of A in the
title match then. But he helped to try ta win the thing.
DANA
A.S.U… in seventy-six?
BEN
You follow baseball?
DANA
You’re telling me he was your dad?
BEN
(slightly amused)
Heh…everybody who knows anything about baseball asks that.
Yeah, Dan Hanna.
DANA
(incredulous)
Up there with Floyd Bannister and Co… ASU was really loaded,
really deep that year. As a kid, I’d watch that series a
hundred times, no kidding. I’d watch it with –
DANA now realizes BEN is the same one he played with in
Little League, middle and high school, with BEN no wiser)
DANA
-some friends.
(getting himself together)
So, how about you? Did you follow in your pop’s footsteps?
BEN
Thought I would. But dad and me, we had some differences.
After the Expos drafted him in seventy-six, he had troubles
with vision. Couldn’t see immediately in front of himself
too good. But anyway… the baseball legacy started with my
great grandpa.
8
FAVORING BEN
MOVING in a northern Californian tomato field.
CLOSE SHOT of a child’s hands picking a crate of tomatoes.
BEN narrates as the boy works in the fields among girls.
BEN
(NARR)
It started with him… Miguel Angel… my great grandpa… he
didn’t play… He got his son into it… Miguelito… After each
long afternoon picking tomatoes, Lito would get a ride home
with his oldest sisters from a family friend, his sisters
would bring their pay, he’d bring home his 18 cents, a
small crate of tomatoes… about thirteen or so… as payment
for a day’s picking.
LITO
Aquí, papa.
BEN
Miguel Senior would keep the two greenest, shiniest ones
for himself, but he’d never eat ‘em ‘cause he was allergic
to tomatoes- what kinda Spanish guy is allergic to
tomatoes?
Wouldn’t eat ‘em. Anyway. Senior would give two to his wife,
two each to his two youngest girls, and one to the rest of
‘em.
(leaning in)
Now when father and son were standing alone, Senior would
take his only son out there in the field, bring that old
peach basket, and make Junior swap his red tomato for a
green one. And then from late afternoon to sundown, Senior
would make him throw that green one at that homemade bulls-
eye- dead-center- into that peach basket. He’d have to do
it either until his arms would be sore from the pitchin’…
or that green tomato was beaten to a pulp some three hours
later.
BEN
If Junior did good, his dinner that night was a bowl of
fried bacon fat drizzled in boiled corn meal. It was the
best they had in those days.
9
DANA
And if not?
BEN
It was that green pulp stuck to the bulls-eye of that
peach basket that night.
DANA (gasps)
So Senior would starve his kids?
BEN
No…just him… he was the only boy… he grew up to hate
pitchin’ baseball…and hated his dad, too. But he got so
good at it so quick that a farm team picked him up. That
was illegal then, too. Started makin’ enough money doin’
that, that his older sisters and he could quit workin’ the
fields. So they did.
DANA
How did Senior take that?
BEN
Not too good. He threw his only boy out… was just fifteen
years old.
DANA
And his sisters?
BEN
The two oldest died of anthrax not too long after. You know,
that was how people workin’ in the fields too much got sick.
Not at all like today.
DANA
That must’ve been so tough on him… losing them at so young
an age.
FLASHBACK INT. backyard field, early dusk.
FAVORING YOUNG MICHAEL, age eight.
MIGUEL SR.
Lito, mire. Ya sabes-
LITO
P-Papa, tengo sed.
10
MIGUEL SR.
Ya sabes la rutina. ¡Mire ya!
LITO
Papa…tengo muy hambre.
MIGUEL SR.
Y yo tambien. Tus brazos van a ganar tu cena… Toda la vida.
MIGUEL SR.
(pointing to Bulls-eye)
¡Aqui! Pon lo aqui! ¡Ven, flojito!
LITO
(throwing limply)
No puedo.
MIGUEL SR.
(grabs boy by collar)
¡Mire, pinche flojón! Era huevón como tú! Mi papa nos dejó,
mi mama y yo. Era tan culón. No asistí a mi mama. Sólo comí
y malgasté tiempo, siempre quebrando los amuebles.
LITO
…
(simpering, hungry)
…
MIGUEL SR.
Era un puerco gordo. Tú… eres fortunado… tienes un papá
… un culo, de veras… pero ahí lo tienes. Aquí estoy.
Si lo gustas o no gustas. ¡Pinche puto! No nunca aprecias
nada de los que doy. Alte de tu fastidiar!
MIGUEL SR.
(holds basket again)
(points to green tomato in boy’s hand)
Pon lo..
(points to bulls-eye)
11
¡Coge la targeta!
MIGUEL SR.
¡Cogela ‘hi!
LITO
(throwing hard, struggles)
…
MIGUEL, SR.
Mire, lo pones como una puta madre. ¿ No amas la Vírgen de
Guadalupe?
LITO.
No, Papá. Yo le amo.
MIGUEL, SR.
Entónces, pon lo ahí, como tu enemigo soy. ¡Así, demela, tu
pinche flojón!
LITO
(crying)
MIGUEL SR.
¡Pon lo ahí!
CLOSE SHOT Favoring MIGUEL SR. Lito throws hard… harder…
even harder… his arms wearing out, each pitch beating the
fruit into a pulpy mass.
MIGUEL SR.
¡Está bién, Lito! ¡Sigue!
CLOSE SHOT Favoring LITO. The creases cut into his young
forehead... he’s running on fumes…pitch after blinding
pitch…gives way to..
MIGUEL SR.
(silent eagerness)
Quiero más, Lito. ¡Dame más!
12
LITO
(weakly)
No puedo. Tengo hambre, Papá.
MIGUEL SR.
¿Hambre? ¿Tienes hambre?
Orale, huevon!
Turns basket contents into Lito’s hand.
MIGUEL SR.
(exasperated, walking away)
Con tus peticiones, no me fastidies!
CLOSE SHOT FAVORING BEN, as grown up.
BEN
Yeah… from then on, he vowed to get outta there…. Save his
sisters. Baseball was his ticket outta there. He was takin’
them…and his mom- from their dad.
DANA
You’d just started talking about his mother. Was he close
to her at all?
BEN
She felt a man oughta learn good work habits real early,
but not get forced into it. She wanted him to get a job
liked… so he wouldn’t have ta’ depend on anybody else. She
didn’t care what he did for a living. She’d never tell him-
and for good reason… but he was her favorite.
DANA
You’ve sure shared a whole lot with me.
Where do YOU figure into all of this?
BEN
My Dad was bent on makin’ baseball my future, too. But he
hated forcing stuff on me for a long time.
DANA
Because of his upbringing?
13
BEN
Yep... he’d been through a lot of shit like his dad…
FLASHBACK CLOSE SHOT of DAN C. HANNA receiving eye exam
results.
and to lose his eyesight come draft time… mackara
degeneration… that really hit him first… real hard.
BEN
Two weeks after his exam results, the Expos cut him. They
annulled his contract and gave him an agreement to sign. …
paid him his first year’s salary and freed the rest to get
another pitcher. They needed help even with Steve Rogers
there.
DANA
He must have taken that pretty hard.
BEN
Yeah… goin’ from 16th overall to nowhere.
He couldn’t keep his promise to himself… and us.
FLASHBACK to ninety eighty-two. FAVORING BEN, aged six,
sitting at the dinner table.
DAN
Look, Nica, you don’t have to take a second job. I’ll get a
third.
NICOLA
(tone rising)
And kill yourself, like your father did?
DAN
He had to, Nica. Who else was gonna support his kids?
NICOLA
You are not your father, Danny. You got me… you got us.
(pause)
I don’t care if I gotta take two more doubles ‘a week,
Danny. I’ll pick up more hours at the diner. Rose is
leavin’ this week an’ I-
14
DAN
Look, hon- I gotta do this- still got some savings left-
I’ll sell my card shop if I gotta- and renew my trucker’s
license! I’ll work the ol’ rigs again. Yeah- I’ll be gone a
while, but we’ll be alright.
NICOLA
You don’t need to-
DAN
I’ll send money and come down on Christmas. You’ll
have what you need do your Tupperware company again. We’ll
send lil’ Ben to baseball camp in the spring and-
(tousles Ben’s hair)
CLOSE SHOT FAVORING NICOLA
NICOLA
(slight cynical)
You got it all figured out, dontcha, Danny…
DAN
(massaging wife’s shoulders)
…just like before but more stable. We can still have it
like we want, babe.
(beat but still positive)
I still won’t be able to play in the majors, but… we’ll
have what we need.
NICOLA
(angry)
Danny don’t be-
STILL FAVORING NICOLA. DAN senses another big flare-up.
DAN
(calmly)
Ben, you look tired. Wontcha go ta bed. Ya got school
tomorrow.
FLASH FORWARD to ADULT BEN, sitting at the coffee table.
15
BEN
All that preparation… days in the field pitching… the hard
work and sacrifice Michaelito done went through… to pass it
on ‘ta him… All the speakers… the titles…the long road
trips…
DANA
Don’t forget the summer camps.
BEN
All for nothin’.
DANA
Well… sounds like
BEN
Nothin’. (The) MLB took Bannister later than Dad and Ban
made a decent career for himself. Dad went sixteenth
overall and didn’t even play an inning ‘cause of bad eyes.
DANA
(positive)
Well you said he found other avenues… sounds to me like he
was able to move on…
BEN
Yeah?
(pausing, as to recount bitterly)
My dad ran a card shop in Tempe in the mid eighties. Seen a
lotta baseball cards go for above book. You try tellin’
your dad he’s still the best every time some neighborhood
kid on a hot day in Tempe sells an autographed Floyd
Bannister rookie card so he can go buy a box of Nutty
Buddies ta share with his buds.
Tell me somethin’ man- what can ya buy with nothin’?
FLASH BACK to father-owned SUPER RUNNERS CARD SHOP,
nineteen eighty-five. YOUNG BEN MOVING Running about in his
dad’s shop, meeting two boys, one of whom just sold a card.
YOUNG BEN
Whoa! Is that a Bannister?
16
BOY 1
Yeah, it’s his rookie.
YOUNG BEN
I never saw his in Donruss before. Cool card.
BOY 1
Thanks.
YOUNG BEN
My dad played with him in college for ASU.
BOY 2
Yeah? What’s his name?
YOUNG BEN
Dan Hanna.
BOY 1
Who’s that?
YOUNG BEN
(points to unassuming father)
BOY 2
That’s Hanna? Get real.
YOUNG BEN
Is too! C’mere, I’ll prove it!
(BEN runs to the glass case BEN’S dad stands near as the
two boys trail behind)
YOUNG BEN
Dad- You were a star pitcher for ASU right Dad? You played
with Floyd Bannister. They don’t believe me! Show ‘em dad!
FAR SHOT from the glass case at right, revealing the
nineteen-seventy-six College World Series article.
YOUNG BEN
Tell ‘em you are, dad! Just tell ‘em!
17
DAN
(hedging)
Did you find everything else in the store okay?
Boy 1
Yes, sir. He’s tellin’ us you’re… you’re Dan Hanna.
DAN can only chuckle to himself at his son’s pride. But he
gives the kids no straight answer.
Boy 1
Well mister… are you?
DAN
(deliberating)
If I was…
YOUNG BEN
…
would I be running this shop right now…
or striking out Henderson?
Boy 1
Sorry to bother you, sir.
Let’s go, Ron.
The two boys walk out.
Boy 2
I told ya Matt. That kid’s pullin’ our chain.
The jingling bells on the door stop ringing.
YOUNG BEN
(hurt, tears welling)
Dad… why?
CLOSE SHOT FAVORING DAN, peering down at his son.
18
DAN
(grim)
Son… I’m not that man anymore.
CLOSE SHOT FAVORING YOUNG BEN, tears streaming down.
FLASH FORWARD to adult BEN, seated, looking up as if to dad.
BEN
(ahead, bitter)
Whaddayasay when you’re hangin’ out with your pop and some
ASU alums who done never played baseball- a buncha business
suits- stop through during lunch. They spot a Chris Bando
Rookie card and they’ll make a big fuss about your dad and
his college career, all the strikeouts…
… and they don’t even know he’s standin’ right there in
front of ‘em?
MOVING SHOT favoring MATT and NICOLE in the nearly empty
cafe, the two playing behind the table and chairs closely-
NICOLE dodges behind second and third “bases”. MATT stands
with stale oatmeal raisin walnut ‘hardball’ in hand as if
to tag a runner. A few customers walk in behind them, from
the rain.
REVERSE ANGLE FAVORING DANA
INT. CHILDREN. MATT ‘tags’ NICOLE out as she slips into a
coffee spill. DANA peers behind to his own right as
WAITRESS appears there suddenly.
WAITRESS
Sir! Would you quiet your kids down?! Please?
BEN
(rises toward children, angry)
STOP PLAYIN’ THERE AN’ SIDDOWN!!
The sudden hobnob of the café ceases in silence.
The children arise and stand up, ashamed.
BEN
(sheepish)
They’re just kids, miss. What’m I gonna do? Just kids.
WAITER
(subdued anger)
Yes, they are. Your kids… Please… keep the volume down…
19
WAITRESS turns to walk away, but stops mid step. She turns
to BEN, still standing.
WAITRESS
… including yours.
BEN
(gesturing with turn)
But there ain’t NOBODY HERE! Who’s gonna CARE?
WAITRESS folds arms, third degree glare visible.
BEN
(closer but still loud)
Hey, you’re new here, aintcha? ‘Cause I haven’t seen you
here be-
WAITRESS stands glaring, never shifting or flinching.
BEN
Okay, okay, we can do that. C’mon kids, you heard the nice
girl. Come ‘ere!
SHOT FAVORING DANA
BEN
(walking over)
C’mere, I said!
SHOT MOVING The children move back when Ben stops them,
putting his hand on MATT’S forearm.
BEN
You know times are hard, boy. What’s with the cookie in
your hand?
The café resumes its ambience.
MATT
Just playin’ tag, dad. Can’t eat the cookies, dad. Y’ cant
‘cause they’re
NICOLE
HAWHD LIIKE A WAHK.
MATT
So we’re playin’ baseball. We’re bored dad and-
20
BEN
Yeah, son. I see that now. And Nicole, your whole right
pant leg got coffee all on up it. What in’na world ya
doin’?
NICOLE sways, rocking the chair gently with right hand.
NICOLE
(joy)
WEYUHW PWAYIN’ BASEPOH. STEYUWIN’ TAWD. II’M SAFE!
BEN
(smile creeps up, schmaltzy)
HAhaha. Yes, you are, baby. You see that, Daney? And she
don’t even LIKE baseball.
DANA
(impressed, to Nicole)
However did you do that, little girl?
NICOLE
(coy with joy)
‘CAUSE DADDEE TOLE ME YUU KIN STEEYUHW IN BASEPOH!
BEN
As long as Daddy ain’t pitchin’, right baby?
NICOLE
(louder)
WIGHT! DIN YUU KIN STEEYUHW MOHW BASE!
NICOLE touches ‘home plate’!
NICOLE
I JUS STOLED HOAM!
BEN
(sitting down)
Lookit that! She don’t even play baseball. We got a legacy,
this family. But you think it’s enough to prep your kids…
to work hard toward your own life plan. But you learn life
can piss ya off… it rips ya up and starts ya over.
21
DANA
(pause)
Smart girl. Heh heh. She must get it from mom. So Ben…
where do you fit now in all of this?
BEN
(nursing arm)
I dunno. Marriage chilled on the rocks. Wife left me… can’t
play baseball no more, bum arm and all… served my seven in
the service. … whaddo I got ta show for it?
I dunno. But I got my associates… I could go teach but
nobody’s hirin’. I done checked an’ all. But hold up… I
could go back to sellin’ insurance… got this offer in
Louisiana… the pay’s good, but… I don’ wanna go move my
kids out there ta Hurricane Katrina. Ow! Damn arm…
DANA
(slyly)
Your arm, Ben? The arm you bet with?
BEN
(alarm)
Pardon me?
DANA
(covers up riposte)
New Orleans? That was more than three years… ago.
BEN
An’ it’s still a shithole. The mayor Junedah, JuneBob-
DANA
It’s Jindal-
BEN
He don’t know what the hell to do. He talks good government
and what-not, but don’t know how to manage his people.
Damned Democrats. They screw up everything for the rest of
us.
DANA
(irked but patient)
Jindal… is a Republican, Ben.
BEN
(surprise)
Oh he is? Damn… Republicans politicizing like Democrats!
Ain’t this the day! He might as well be one.
22
Damn anarchists, too. Look behind ya…
REAR SHOT OF KITCHEN. FOCUS ON Guatemalan barista, washing
dishes
BEN
(pointing blindly)
Look at that Mexican back there. Them damn Mexicans come in
and take all our jobs, Denny. Il-legally. Washin’ our pots,
rolling up our burritos, cleanin’ our houses. Better watch
‘em. They’ll steal your daughter and your job too.
DANA
Some US stocks are on top thanks in part to those Mexicans.
BEN
They go marry somebody, get pregnant and get a job workin’
in the fields. They work for less and cost us our jobs.
And in the process-
DANA
(interrupts)
Now wait, Ben-
BEN
(outraged)
You see Uncle Sam’s hirin’ il-legal aliens with NO degree
to do our jobs. Our jobs! Denny, How many years did you go
ta school for, mister? I went to school for six years,
mister! Six years! I did my patriotic duties in the
military seven whole years! I got two degrees and a résumé
as long as an S&P portfolio! And these il-legal aliens got
NOTHIN’ like that!
Dammit! What these aliens got that we ain’t?
DANA
(wistful)
Hunger. The desire to rise-
BEN
(wary)
RISE? Like biscuits? Damn ‘em. And damn the biscuits
they’re baking while stealin’ my job!
(pause)
You look out, Daney boy. They get educated enough… one of
‘em’ll come and take your job, too.
23
DANA
No, Ben. That’s called ‘seizing an opportunity’. Wall
Street’s full of people who do it. You could do the same.
The dollar’s gonna drop even lower, Ben. Take your advice.
Teach. Only do it overseas, where the dollar is stronger.
Lots of Americans have been taking advantage of it for
decades.
BEN
(startled)
Wha--?? And leave my country? Because them pot-scrubbers
done took my job? Did MacArthur leave the Bikini Islands in
World War II ‘cause of some–
DANA
Don’t go there, Ben.
BEN
Hell, no! I’ll go where I wanna, when I-
DANA
Ben, seems you feed your past and problems even better than
you feed your kids. You need money. You need to survive…
yet you need more. Don’t you see, Ben? You need to really
slow down to ask yourself what you need the most….now.
BEN
(missing point)
I can’t take my kids overseas… who’s gonna watch ‘em out
there?
CLOSE SHOT ON DANA. His phone vibrates; rejecting the
incoming call, he stands up. This conversation has eroded
his patience…
DANA
(indignant)
Ben… aren’t you ever… look, speaking as a friend… If I
mulled over every bad break like you…
Don’t you realize you’re dying, Ben?
(leaning in)
From middle school on you struck me as being an asshole,
Ben. You’ve gotten worse! How did you manage to do that?
24
BEN
(startled)
W-Who are you? Do I know you?
DANA
I know who you are. A failed marriage… a college baseball
scandal… public meltdown… infidelity…
I know who you are. Do you?
BEN is dumbstruck.
BEN
You gonna tell me who you are?
DANA
You’re not chasing money. You’re not chasing anything.
Certainly nothing that matters.
No, Ben… you’re running from something.
BEN
(arises, angered)
Who the fuck are you, you son of a
SOFT SHOT of NICOLE popping her head up from next table as
WAITRESS reappears.
NICOLE
(hand over mouth)
DADDEE! Wajjomaowf!
WAITRESS
(upset)
I just spoke to my boss about you.
(pause)
You’re an outburst away from a permanent ban.
(storms off)
DANA
(leaning over)
I’ve heard you do nothing but groan, wallowing in self-pity.
You’re a self-made fucking con job.
Eyes piercing into BEN’S
You’re a self-made con… the worst fucking kind. Sit down.
25
BEN sits down slowly.
DANA
Face it, Ben. You’re running away and what’s worse, you
don’t know what from or why. Do you even know how you got
to where you are?
BEN’S lips can’t even muster a whisper.
DANA
No one else can spell it for you. But you can… you can
figure it out. But that’s the scary part. No one else is
gonna do it.
It takes some self-control and some time… and from what
I’ve heard, you’ve got plenty of time. You’ve just gotta
shut up and sit still long enough for the smoke to clear.
CLOSE SHOT FAVORING BEN. DANA pushes in chair, turns and
leaves and walks out of the café O.S. MATT and NICOLE sit
at the table nearby, yet BEN sits all alone.
INT. BEN SITTING ALONE
EXT. Orion Café, MATT and NICOLE arise to gather around BEN
as he stares looking outside window.
EXT. REVERSE ANGLE, BEN’S line of sight. DARKNESS. SNOW
FALLING.
END SCENE TWO
ACT ONE SCENE TWO
EXT. Cold, wintry Sunday pitch black, Sacramento,
California. BEN’S father DAN and mother NICOLA argue over a
March school field trip to Cooperstown, Ohio.
NICOLA
(angry)
That’s the problem, Danny! He’s not ready!
We’re not ready!
DAN
(steps back): Look, baby! He’s gonna get the chances I
never got, Nici! And nobody’s taking them away-
(points finger accusatively at self and at mother)
Not me- not you- NOBODY- and that’s THAT!
26
NICOLA
But we can’t AFFORD that now, with a few other things,
Danny! Not with our money! Our jobs! Who’s paying our rent?
Ya’ mother, again? They can’t keep doin’ that!
A little boy emerges from the dark hallway into the
commotion, rubbing his eyes.
BEN
Mommy, daddy…what’s s’matter?
Father turns to son and lowers his hands.
DAN
(calmer)
Your mother and I… we… we just got to talking, that’s all.
Hey you got school tomorrow… dontcha have Little League
too?
BEN
(still rubbing eyes)
Yes, Daddy.
DAN
(gentler)
Go on, Ben…
(hand on son’s shoulder)
Go on… go on’a bed.
Walks son back to hallway, sending him off.
NICOLA
Not so fast, Danny boy!
DAN
Let him be, Nici. The pipes are callin’.
NICOLA
Wait. Did you ever think to ask him?
DAN
(turning)
Ask him what?
27
NICOLA
(calmer)
What he wants to do.
DAN
(dismissive)
You’re gonna speak up for my son and you can’t even stand
up to your own mother? Go to bed, Ben.
FLASH FORWARD to June 4th, ‘97 College World Series
Semifinals.
COACH
You’re pitchin’ phe-nomenal, Ben… but I’m worried about
your arm. Can’t letcha ruin it. Austin’s back in.
BEN
(coolly)
Hey don’t worry ‘bout it, coach. Put me in, I’m hot. I can
feel it, I just know it, I’m smokin’.
COACH
Sorry to do it to ya, Ben… Jeff’s in... end of discussion.
Ice the arm, Carson.
BEN looks to the right of the dugout, at the seat where dad
would sit…
FLASH BACK to an earlier time. Father DAN, and BEN (age 9)
are both all smiles sitting on the field in June. They
share a moment after his tenth Little League win.
DAN
You did good, Ben. Real good. Made me proud. High five bud?
BOTH
(slap hands)
Yaaaayyyy!
Amid smiles, silence dominates the air for a moment.
Suddenly BEN spins a question like any curious 9 year old.
BEN
(sincere)
Would mommy be proud-a me, too, daddy?
28
DAN’s smile melts away.
BEN
(curious)
Daddy… why did mommy go away? Why did she weally go away?
DAN
She didn’t go away, Ben. You still live with her, dontcha?
BEN
(clearly)
I… I mean away from you.
BEN studies his father’s expression, searching his father’s
eyes for a sincere answer to a question he’d long brooded
about since the divorce.
DAN
Oh, Ben… sometimes people who love each other fight
…they stop talking.
BEN
(trying to understand)
Then why did you go away?
DAN
(looking away)
Because I didn’t wanna… (slowly lifting face up to Ben) I
just… didn’t wanna fight anymore.
BEN sits there tugging at a loose string in his glove.
DAN
(humorous)
C’mon, Ben! What are you, my shrink? Can’t trust those
people, I tell ya. They’re full-a lies!
(changing subject)
Okay now tell me—
What’s daddy’s favorite TV show?
BEN
Ummm… Bawney Milloh?
29
DAN
(hints)
Duh-duh-duh-duh-duhhhh-duh…
BEN
(loudly, quickly)
Ooh! Ooh! Hawaii Five-O!
DAN
And what’s Ben’s favorite food?
BEN
I know! That’s easy. Pem-peroni Pizza!!
DAN
Okay, little guy! What’s the best candy in town?
BEN
Red Vines!
DAN
Youuuuu got it, lil’ buddy! Next pitch… what’s the number
one college baseball school in the entire U.S. of A?
BEN
A.S.U.!
DAN
Yeah, kid! It’s USC now, but A.S.U.’s my school.
Father gently playfights with son.
DAN
You’re four of four now… so now, hit the homer… who’s your
favorite Baseball player?
BEN
(thinking hard)
Hmmm… Ted Williams!
DAN
(mild disapointment)
Aw, Ben? Ted Williams? Yeah, he’s a complete baseball
player, and a fellow patriot, at that… but an outfielder?
What about me?
30
BEN
Hahahaha! Mister William’s the tops in on-base slugging.
An’ he’s the best slugger ever! Dontcha agree?
DAN
(feigning jealousy)
Ya picked him over me.
(Hugs son)
I guess I would, too. But the best All-time slugger was
Babe Ruth! Williams is second.
(kneeling to Ben’s level)
So slugging only counts, eh, Ben? C’ mere! I’ll slug YOU!
Come’ ere Ben!
(pulls Ben toward him, tickles him with light touches)
BEN
(squirming)
Heeheeha-heehee!
DAN
(teasing, pulls hat over Ben’s face)
So do you wanna be an outfielder, too?
BEN
(putting hat back)
Hahaha. You asked me, daddy. Uh-oh, mister stomach is
hungry. Can we have pizza, daddy?
DAN
(teasing)
I dunno Ben. I’m goin’ home. Ya gonna call Mr. Williams
an’ see if he’ll order ya one?
BEN squeals with laughter and father joins in.
BEN
He’s not gonna come!
DAN
Then let’s grab that pizza! Ya gotta catch me! Come on now!
BEN
I kin catch you Daddy!
31
Father runs as Ben chases him from the bleachers to car
O.S., with adult Ben looking in that direction, at Daddy’s
favorite seat.
End Scene II
ACT I SCENE III
MOVING SHOT to RE-FOCUS on BEN
EXT. Nineteen-ninety-seven College World Series Semifinal
game.
INT The dugout.
CLOSE SHOT on BEN, still gazing at Daddy’s empty seat in
the stands. Austin prepares to pitch.
Tears well up in BEN’S eyes. He rises to walk out of the
pen and emerges from it.
COACH
(startled)
Carson! Cone back!
BEN walks down to the locker room when a set of black
uniforms meet him.
DET. CASTRO
Benjamin Carson?
BEN
(gritted teeth)
Yeah?
DET. CASTRO
(flashing badge, plain)
I’m detective Nick Castro and I’m placing you under arrest
for involvement in and in connection with a series of
gambling incidents that took place in Las Vegas with
certain members of the athletics clubs in the summer of
nineteen-ninety five. Here’s our warrant in case you
wondered.
COACH sees this and, disbelieving, delegates coaching to
assistants to excuse self, approaching the fray.
COACH
Hi Officers, I’m Marco Marks and we’re playing a semifinal
here. You’ll excuse us, we’re playing a game here. What
is- WHAT in tarnation IS THIS?
32
DET. CASTRO
(plain, honest)
This is the start of a school-wide investigation, sir.
There are several players at this institution involved in
collegiate gambling since nineteen-ninety-five. My branch
takes any action that breaches integrity and honor quite
seriously.
COACH
But what’s he done? He’s kept his nose clean as far as I-
DET. CASTRO
We’ve got his warrant here, Coach. We’ll be in touch. Oh,
and good luck with your game. (police exit O.S.)
END ACT I, SCENE III
ACT II
Flashback to second-round semifinal, June 11th, nineteen
ninety-seven. Civilian type Police car en route to county
jail
BEN
Hey mister, my team’s playin’ right now. What I’m here for?
What’d I do? Am I in trouble?
CASTRO
Look, Ben. There’s a big mess you got tangled up in Las
Vegas, back in ninety-five.
BEN
What? What’s that got ta do with right now? An’ anyway- Las
Vegas? I don’t- I can’t-
CASTRO
(quietly, calmly)
You can. Look, we know of your involvement in the ninety-
five booster scandal.
BEN
Booster scandal? What?? I took no money. That’s baloney!
CASTRO
That you spent booster funds knowingly we can’t prove- but
we’ve got a source who knows you were in Las Vegas then
with your college buddies. She also knows you’re innocent.
But we need you in order to uncover evidence of their guilt.
33
BEN
(cynically)
Alright, let’s hear it.
CASTRO
You remember Kristin Mendez?
BEN
(flatly)
Nope. Don’ know her.
CASTRO
She worked at the Grandin Casino. Still does.
She says you left your buds, stopped to talk to her
INSERT fancy Stanford keychain in CASTRO’S hand. On the
back of the red S reads the content: “B.M.C. ‘94-‘98”
CASTRO
and you gave her this.
(CASTRO hands BEN keychain for perusal)
BEN
(surprise)
Who…who gave you this keychain?
CASTRO
(takes chain back)
I’ll do you one better. She’s waiting for you. Now get
outta the uniform and throw on some clothes.
BEN
(tries to remember)
You… you got this from Mendez… Kristin Mendez…Mendez.
(tapping forehead)
Take me to her.
CASTRO
(firm)
Before we go further, I need your full cooperation- you’ll
comply with our laws.
BEN
What laws ya talkin’ about?
34
CASTRO
Common laws. Uncommon laws. Ever been arrested before?
BEN
Naw.
CASTRO
Then you know the common laws.
BEN
Okay…
CASTRO
Okay, meaning you’ll cooperate?
BEN
Okay meaning okay.
CASTRO
Ben, just play ball. You’re in a world of shit right now.
You’re a ballplayer, so you know how ta play by the rules….
Or ya don’t play.
BEN
What?
CASTRO
Accepting gifts as an athlete- cash or no- is an NCAA
violation punishable by stiff fines, jailtime-
BEN
(interrupts)
Okay, okay
CASTRO
-and permanent removal of your name and records from NCAA
athletics.
BEN
(blustering)
Oh hell naw. I done worked hard to earn my right in the
record books-
35
CASTRO
(interrupts)
Yeah, you worked hard-to earn your place in prison… where
you’re known only as a number.
BEN
(getting angry)
Now that ain’t fair! You want me ta testify against my
friends when they ain’t done nothin’ wrong?!
CASTRO
If they were your friends— is jail where ya want to spend
the next five years of your life for them? Ya think they’re
saints? Heh. That’s not a bad lie, that’s bad comedy.
BEN
Jail? This saint’s goin’ nowhere ‘til you tell him what he
did wrong!!
CASTRO
You close with any family? Any relatives who support you?
BEN
Naw. Screw ‘em.
CASTRO
Is that a ‘no’?
BEN
Yeah. Fuck ‘em ta hell.
CASTRO
Easy on the language, Ben.
BEN
Sorry.
CASTRO
So you were on your own. Even while in school, you had no
one help you with living expenses?
BEN
That’s right.
INT. SHOT Moving as reflections of pine trees glide across
window.
36
CASTRO
So how did you earn money?
BEN
I got a job.
CASTRO
Yeah? What did you do?
BEN
I worked. What’s this gotta do with
CASTRO
Answer the question.
BEN
I… worked at my dad’s company for a couple a years.
CASTRO
Yeah? What kinda business does he operate? Where?
BEN
He owns a card shop in Arizona.
CASTRO
So he trusted you to run the finances?
BEN
You said it.
CASTRO
Okay. Then what was your relationship with your father?
BEN
I guess it was alright.
CASTRO
Alright as in ‘still talking’?
BEN
(starting to lose it)
Alright as in what’s the damn point?
CASTRO
You two had to be on speaking terms if he let ya operate
his own business.
37
BEN sits speechless. He thinks deliberately, as though
trying to avoid a trap. He’s deep in his thoughts.
CASTRO
How much did he pay ya?
BEN
(disturbed)
What?
CASTRO
I’m trying to help you out. How much did he pay you?
BEN
(counting in head)
Oh… what was the minimum wage back then…
(vocally)
Four dollars. I think it was four twenty-five an hour.
CASTRO
So he did pay you. How often? Hourly? Biweekly? Monthly?
BEN
Uh… what was the second one?
CASTRO
Every two weeks.
BEN
Yeah, that one.
CASTRO
Okay… so you tell me you made some money.
BEN
Yeah, I earned it.
CASTRO
Then we got more we gotta answer.
(takes out note pad to write)
CASTRO
Things like spending habits. Going back… how would ya
describe your habits with money? Do you just go buy
anything you want? Do you buy gifts? How often?
38
BEN
Whaddaya sayin’?
CASTRO
Things you do with your money. Pay attention.
(pointing to chain)
This keychain… did you pay for it?
BEN
No- I mean yeah-
CASTRO
Yeah?
BEN
That’s what I said.
CASTRO
I had this keychain ‘a yours appraised at a Zills last week.
Y’ know how much it’s worth?
BEN
(dismissive)
That piece ‘a stone? What… five bucks?
CASTRO
You know Zills?
BEN
Yeah. Ain’t it a jeweler or somethin’ like that?
CASTRO
(deft)
Somethin’ like that.
The navy sedan passes through Ben’s old neighborhood, amid
kids throwing a baseball on the side of the road.
BEN
I took it to one once. The guy there told me it wasn’t even
worth a pack ‘a Topp’s baseball cards.
CASTRO
Oh yeah? When’d you do that?
39
BEN
Two weeks ago.
CASTRO
That guy lied to you. The guy I saw set its value
at more than three-hundred fifty dollars plus interest.
(points)
That inset’s nothin’ but eighteen karat gold- and worth
three-hundred alone.
Countryside, the car slows upon a wedding reception at a
nearby chapel hosted by a smiling father. Ben catches the
face of the man.
BEN
(looking up, incredulous)
Sheeeeeeit…
CASTRO looks in the same direction as BEN.
CASTRO
(brandishing keychain)
I’ll rephrase the question for you, Ben…
Who bought it for you?
As BEN looks up, the father’s smiling eyes appear to meet
BEN’S; BEN feels paralyzed. The car then passes.
BEN
(deep breath, sighs)
Okay… I’ll cooperate. What or where do I sign?
CASTRO reaches into his briefcase to pull out a consent
form and a pen. He hands it over to BEN, who looks it over.
CASTRO
(firmly)
Read over this carefully. Everything you tell us we will
hold in the strictest of confidence. Expect to name names,
expect a lotta resistance…and you know you’re gonna hafta
testify.
BEN feels trapped but he knows he must comply.
CASTRO
You know that once you sign this… you don’t go back.
40
BEN
(rhetorically)
Do I want to go back?
BEN signs the agreement. CASTRO takes note of the young man,
certain BEN will ‘defect’.
CASTRO
(unshackling BEN’S cuffs)
Turn this around, Stiles.
TIM STILES is CASTRO’S right-hand man in the NCAA
investigation. A slender, private man, he weighs his words
carefully, mostly speaking only when needed.
STILES
We’re about outta gas, Nick.
CASTRO
We passed that chapel back there.
STILES
Come on. Didja see the bride and groom? It’s a wedding
party. Leave ‘em alone.
BEN’S skin turns pale. He looks away from the festivity, a
tear falling.
CASTRO
(playfully dismissive)
Don’t be shy, Tim. Pull over, someone might help.
The car pulls over to the right side of the road opposite
the chapel.
EXT SHOT
The secretary notes the car across the road. She tells the
FATHER LLWELLYN. He says something in her ear, reaches into
his car trunk for a two gallon full gas can. A graying yet
athletic man in his mid-fifties, he forces the trunk down,
whispers into the young woman’s ear, and starts toward the
street.
SHOT Favoring LLWELLYN
As he cars pass through the dirt covered road. CASTRO sees.
41
CASTRO
Hey look. The good father himself’s comin’ out to check on
us.
A wave of bloodcurdling fear washes over BEN. A motif of
vague but painful childhood memories flash about his mind.
CASTRO
Come on, Ben. Let’s get some air.
FATHER LLWELLYN, Ben’s old mentor and friend, reaches the
sedan.
CASTRO
Hey Ben, you okay?
BEN
No… I … I need to throw up. I needa throw up.
CASTRO
(helping BEN out)
This way, Ben. Come on.
CASTRO
(to Stiles)
I’ll take Ben out. You stay with the father.
STILES nods.
Over the shoulder of STILES as the sun gleams over from
left with approaching father, smiling.
LLWELLYN
(brandishing gas can)
Hi. Need a hand?
STILES
Yea. How’d you know we were outta gas?
LLWELLYN
Didn’t. Just a guess.
May I?
42
STILES
Sure, Father.
LLWELLYN
(filling tank)
(stopping to talk)
You’d be surprised at how many we get. The nearest gas
station is forty miles away either way you go. Helps to be
prepared.
REVERSE ANGLE favoring LLWELLYN as he reinserts the nozzle
into the opening.
WIDER ANGLE as BEN doubles over with CASTRO appearing to
shield him. LLWELLYN stops momentarily to look over… and
resumes filling the tank.
CASTRO
Breathe easy, Ben. Take it easy. You okay?
BEN chokes on regurgitated orange juice mixed with bits of
bacon.
CASTRO
Hey father! He’s choking!
LLWELLYN steps over to insert his arms to perform the
Heimlich.
LLWELLYN
(urgent)
Step aside!
BEN knows who he is and actually tries to resist his help.
LLWELLYN
(struggling)
Relax a bit! Easy now.
LLWELLYN positions to pump BEN’S stomach. BEN’S eyes bulge
as a huge yellow-brown bolus of eggs and bacon mixed with
orange juice spew out of BEN and into the dirt nearby.
LLWELLYN
More! That’s it!!
43
BEN vomits the last of it, exhausted.
LLWELLYN
(to Castro)
Couldya help me set him down?
They set BEN down carefully against the sedan. The FATHER
reaches into his pocket to give BEN a tissue.
He touches BEN’S shoulder.
LLWELLYN
(to Ben)
Thanks, young man.
(touches Ben’s shoulder)
You did g- …Ben? Is it you? Ben Car-
BEN storms out of LLWELLYN’S touch.
CASTRO
(curious)
Something wrong?
LLWELLYN
You okay, Ben? M-maybe he needs some water. He’s flushed.
CASTRO
(to Stiles)
Stiles. Wouldja go with the father?
STILES nods, and goes along.
CASTRO
(carefully)
You wanna say something, Ben?
BEN
He-he was my pastor. I went there to that church as a lil’
boy.
CASTRO
Is there anything we oughta know, Ben?
BEN
I need… I need ta clear my head. I can’t... I can’t think
good right now.
44
LLWELLYN and STILES, huffing, return with a gallon of cold
filtered water.
LLWELLYN
(offering water)
Here you are, Ben. Drink this.
BEN starts reluctantly, but is parched, and thirst
overwhelms his efforts to resist.
CASTRO
Hey Father, I’m glad you stopped by to help us. Thanks.
LLWELLYN
Nothin’ doin, gentlemen. Pleased to do the LORD’s work.
BEN
(bitter, to himself)
You coulda stood up for me, father.
LLWELLYN
(offers hand)
Name’s Llwellyn. Ioan Llwellyn.
CASTRO
Sorry for my manners. Nick Castro.
STILES
Tim Stiles. Nice to meetcha.
LLWELLYN
The pleasure’s mine. All mine. Especially since I get to
meet Ben again. Ben Miguel Hanna Carson. Say…aintcha
supposed to be playin’ the semi against LSU right now?
(more serious)
You stopped comin’ to church. We missed ya.
BEN
You know why I stopped comin’, father.
LLWELLYN
(curious)
Ben?
45
BEN
You always preached trust in the savior, father. Well tell
me what’s trust if you can’t count on your friends?
LLWELLYN
Ben, that isn’t fair. You always could trust me… you still
can.
BEN
Don’t talk to me about it, Father Lew.
WIDE ANGLE of burly man, seventies, clad in white, walking
across empty road to the men.
LLWELLYN
I… don’t understand.
BEN
(disgust)
Castro, get me away from this hypocrite.
(ducks into car, slams door)
CASTRO
(apologetic)
I apologize for his behavior, sir. We’re… I’m his counselor
and I’m trying to help him through therapy.
Wide ANGLE includes wedding reception, background.
CASTRO
Can… can I contact you? Got a contact I can reach you at-?
FATHER sees the big man arriving. It is REVEREND JIM MAKRO.
JIM waits a moment before interrupting.
LLWELLYN
(sighs)
JIM MAKRO
Hi Father.
LLWELLYN
(acting surprised)
Oh, hi, Jim. Howya been?
46
JIM MAKRO
Good. Your secretary Trish said I could find ya here.
The cadence of the new voice grips Ben’s ear from the car.
He brings up the window and turns the A.C. on.
JIM MAKRO
Afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Jim. Jim Makro. Nice ta meetchall.
CASTRO
Nick Castro. This is Stiles.
STILES
Nice to meet you.
JIM MAKRO
You two guests of the bride and groom?
CASTRO
No, sir. In fact
JIM MAKRO
-and y’all not watchin’ the Stanford-LSU game neither? It’s
in the fifth right now. Austin’s arms givin’ out. They
needa git that Carson kid back in ‘ere! He’s a reaaaal
talented kid. Knew he was really sumpin’ special when he
was little. Heckuvan arm.
BEN’S jaws tighten; he clenches his teeth at the chat,
burying his fist into the car seat.
JIM MAKRO
That boy’s like a savior… but I dunno if they gonna git
their act together against them Tigers. Heehee. Well now… I
reckon why I’m here.
STILES and CASTRO look at the time.
JIM MAKRO
Father, I gotta talk to ya now.
CASTRO
Oh we were just leaving- father?
47
LLWELLYN
(cryptic)
Oh- there’s a gas station down Moore off I-80. Filler up
there.
(hands Castro a business card)
LLWELLYN
Oh and one other thing… Nick?
CASTRO
(turns)
Yyeah?
Castro studies the card. The two exchange a glance. Castro
nods, pockets the card without a word. Castro then enters
backseat, closes door.
CASTRO
Stiles, let’s go.
Stiles starts to pull of the dirt side, when Jim quickly
turns.
JIM MAKRO
(loudly)
MISTER CASTRO?!
CASTRO
(rolling window down)
Sir?
JIM MAKRO
That fellow slumped on the rear window there yonda. Is he
sick ‘er sumpin’? We can git him healed right now.
CASTRO
(carefully hiding Ben’s face to feign inspection)
Oh that won’t be needed, sir. But thanks. Just his
breakfast didn’t agree with him.
JIM MAKRO
‘Sure? I could have somebody look at him at the nearest
hos-
48
CASTRO
That’s alright, Jim. We oughta be goin’ now, Mister Makro.
Thanks.
CASTRO gives STILES the signal and they head out into the
golden sky.
WIDER ANGLE as JIM MAKRO walks off.
JIM MAKRO
Lew?
LLWELLYN looks up at the sky for an instant. He turns and
walks away to reception.
BEN
(hard sigh)
Where… Where are we goin’ now?
CASTRO
Head to the gas station, Stiles.
BEN
You said-
CASTRO
Yeah, we can skip the county jail for now.
CASTRO places phone call to BRACH.
BRACH
Yeah, Nick.
CASTRO
Tell the girl she can go home. We’ll meet her for breakfast
at Lindy’s.
BEN
That Kristin?
CASTRO
Brach. Put her on. Our kid wants to speak to her.
BEN
…
49
KRISTIN
Ben? Ben…?
BEN
Uh… what’s goin’ on?
NEW SCENE
Sheikh Royal Hotel
KRISTIN
Ben…don’t you remember me?
BEN
Ah… tryin’.
The car pulls into gas station. It is a standard self-
service station. CASTRO hands Stiles a wad of bills
totaling twenty dollars.
KRISTIN
It’s been…two years?
BEN
Man, I swear, I don’t remember a thing.
KRISTIN
N…Nothing?
BEN
Maybe…maybe you can help me… help me remember.
CASTRO
(to Ben)
Set a time and place for breakfast. Ask her.
BEN
…
CASTRO
Maybe she knows where.
BEN
Wh… did we have a place we’d grab a bite to eat at?
50
KRISTIN
Yes! The Lindy’s on Greendale. Tomorrow morning at eight
A.M. It’ll be like… like your freshman year. Us meetin’ an’
all.
BEN
(empty)
Then… then let’s do that.
KRISTIN
Yeah! Oh, I can’t wait to SEE you again!
BEN
(still empty)
Yeah.
KRISTIN
Can you do me this one favor?
CASTRO listens in.
BEN
What.
KRISTIN
You still wear those plaid flannel shirts?
BEN
(looking down at his shirt)
How…
KRISTIN
You’ve got these three that I go crazy for. Pick one of ‘em.
You know… the very first one I picked.
BEN
Uh… okay.
KRISTIN
Great. See ya!
CASTRO
I made out flannel. What’d she say exactly?
51
BEN
She likes my shirts.
CASTRO
Alright, we’re goin’ to your house.
BEN
What?
CASTRO
To your house. It’s the only way we’re gonna get her full
cooperation. I can’t believe I’m saying this.
Two minutes and fifteen seconds have passed. Stiles hops
back into the car and they head off toward the interstate.
CASTRO
Take it easy Ben. Don’t think too hard. Tomorrow’s a big
day for you.
The sedan heads onto one hundred one. Despite the game,
they run into heavy traffic.
STILES
Is all this the game.
WIDE ANGLE to include a sea of red and white banners, with
dots of purple and yellow in between.
CASTRO
Wow, kid. Look at ‘em.
ANOTHER ANGLE inside the navy sedan.
FAVORING CASTRO looking intently at BEN.
BEN
What’s the matter? You some kinda faggot?
CASTRO
No I ain’t. I’m tryin’ ta figure you out. What’s eating
you?
BEN
Don’t bother.
52
CASTRO
Ben. You know the station your game’s on?
BEN
It doesn’t matter.
CASTRO
The hell it doesn’t. Come on, tryin’ to be a sport.
BEN
Wanna be a sport? Then forget it.
CASTRO
Forget I asked.
(to Stiles)
Tim, I think it’s A.M. 1013. Turn it on.
INSERT VOICE OF ANNOUNCER
ANNOUNCER
Well, it’s the top of the sixth. Austin is hurt and the
search is on
FAVORING LEFT SIDE OF RADIO BOX
ANNOUNCER
for Ben Carson, one of the dream pitchers for the Cardinal.
He went missing since one this afternoon. It’s still top of
the sixth as Gerut is tagged out on the play. The score
here in Omaha- LSU eleven, Stanford four.
BEN
Turn it off.
STILES
We just turned it
BEN
(interrupts)
Turn it off!
CASTRO
The announcer says you’re missing but won’t say why.
BEN
Nick, why’d ya pull me outta the game so fast?
Couldn’t you have waited ‘til it was done?
53
CASTRO
Ben… you’re missing it.
BEN
The only thing I’m missing is the only thing that matters
right now… the damn game.
CASTRO
Stiles- you know a quicker way to Reno? We’re getting
nowhere in this clutter.
STILES
Making a way now, Nick.
MOVING SHOT as the car wheels backward to the next entrance.
STILES
Tell me where you live, Ben.
BEN
On Carbondale- Five-twenty-one. Why?
CASTRO
Look- this girl likes somethin’ about you. So we gotta go
back to your house.
BEN
Just get another one.
CASTRO
No way, Ben. We do this her way.
BEN
Sheeit.
STILES
I don’t like the sound of that.
CASTRO
Not sure you answered this, but outta curiosity- are you
and your folks on speaking terms?
BEN
My mom’s gone. My dad hates me.
54
CASTRO
Oh.
BEN
He wanted A.S.U. for me… I chose Stanford.
STILES
Not good.
BEN
You don’t hafta live with him. Turn right here.
STILES
Okay.
Stiles wheels around to five-twenty one Carbondale.
INT BACKSEAT
CASTRO
Alright, Stiles. Next time, we switch and I drive.
I’m goin’ in with him. You keep an eye out. Call Brach.
Have him keep us posted on the others subjects.
STILES nods.
CASTRO
I’m gonna need a cover. I’m a buddy a yours from high
school. Think that’ll work?
BEN
Nah. Too old.
CASTRO
Stiles- you gotta basball cap? Somethin’.
STILES reaches underneath the seat. On third try, pulls out
a UA cap.
STILES
There’s this. Forgot that was down there.
BEN
You kiddin’? You wanna get inna fight today?
CASTRO puts on cap, widens it, spins it around and folds
the brim.
55
BEN
You look a little silly with that cap on. How old are you?
CASTRO
(wry)
Whatever it takes to get that flannel. Which room’s yours?
BEN
That one over the left side.
STILES
(quickly)
Lose the jacket. You look like a detective.
CASTRO
‘Cause I am one.
STILES
Nick… lose the jacket.
CASTRO
I know, I know.
(pointing)
Tim, you keep a lookout.
Some laundry’s goin’ out that window. Pick it up as it
falls and get it in the trunk of the car.
CASTRO
Now Ben… listen up. We get in, you get to your room and you
throw out all the flannel you find. Don’t stop for anything
until it’s all out.
(walking up porch steps with BEN, where he knocks on door)
Your dad pitched for ASU, I remember.
BEN
Yeah. How’d you know-
The door opens suddenly, revealing Dan, an angry dad. He
grabs his son and yanks him inside.
DAN
What the fuck are you doin’ here? You’re s’posed ta be
playin’ the semi now.
56
CASTRO
W…wait, you’re Dan Hanna, the-
DAN
And who the fuck are you? Take that fuckin’ cap off now.
Nobody wears a damn Wildcats cap in my house-
CASTRO
(removes cap)
Look, Dan-
DAN releases his son, going after CASTRO. CASTRO braces for
impact.
ANOTHER ANGLE
FAVORING CASTRO
CASTRO
(to BEN, near whisper)
Get to your room!
DAN
(charging)
We ain’t on a first name-
WIDER ANGLE
As BEN storms up the stairs
MOVING SHOT as BEN frantically dumps out his hamper,
picking out the flannel and tossing it out his window.
ANOTHER ANGLE
INT. BELOW IN LIVING ROOM as BEN’S father grabs an old
trophy
CASTRO
What?! Don’t throw that! That’s a PAC-10 Championship
trophy!
DAN
(circling sofa)
Whaddayou care? Y’ Fuckin’ hippy.
DAN throws it at CASTRO anyway; CASTRO cuts his palm
catching it.
DAN
How’d you catch that?
57
CASTRO
I’ll tell you but I’m not gonna run from ya all day.
DAN catches his breath.
DAN
(pulse dropping)
I’m getting’ too damn old for this.
They rearrange the furniture. DAN sits down, followed by
CASTRO.
DAN
(expectant)
Well?
CASTRO
I played for UA, nineteen-seventy-eight to nineteen-eighty-
two. Second baseman.
DAN
You’re uh…Castro… Nick Castro?
CASTRO
Yeah.
DAN
Didn’t you commit to ASU first in seventy-seven?
CASTRO
Yeah but there was the family emergency in the year-
ANOTHER ANGLE
FAVORING CASTRO looking up and listening for BEN’S
footsteps, while feigning to recall a date.
CASTRO
That summer- yeah.
ANOTHER ANGLE
As STILES scrambles to pick up laundry- with some in hand.
CASTRO
Seventy-seven. Say- you went high in the MLB draft that
year- sixteenth overall?
58
DAN
Yeah. You did your homework. Hey… want something to drink?
CASTRO
Nah, I’m ok. Thanks though… Homework? That’s another story.
But yeah, I knew you’d have seven or eight good years in
the league. You coulda beaten that macular degeneration if
you didn’t give in so early.
DAN
Well, you think so.
CASTRO
Listen… I believe somethin’ exists from nothin’.
DAN
…what?
CASTRO
Ya can’t just throw away your past. You grow from
everything life throws at you. Can’t run away from who you
are, is what I’m sayin’.
(pause)
Type I diabetes. I got anemia. But I can’t dwell on that
forever. Am I gonna blame others for that? God? No.
WIDER ANGLE as BEN overhears conversation.
DAN
I think you’re right, Nick. Blamin’ other people… blamin’
God. That gets me nowhere. It’s taken me too long to
realize that.
BEN comes down slowly, still OS.
DAN
Until… two months ago? I held on to my dad. Hoping I could
please him… never could… nothin’ was ever good enough for
him. He knew baseball ‘cause his dad made him play…. And ya
know… I did the same to Ben.
CASTRO
It’s all a vicious cycle.
59
DAN
Before Ben was even born, I decided he’d be a baseball
player… and my wife was right. I was… selfish.
(pause)
When the MLB relieved me- and that’s really what they did
for me- it threw us back. You’ve heard it all from somebody
else… you know? I read about it in the Sunday paper
somewhere.
BEN
Dad…
DAN
(contrite)
Son, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I-
BEN
What…what… for not comin’ to my game…?
(to Castro)
Sorry, Nick.
DAN
I… I realized it too late… you oughta live your life your
life, not mine.
BEN
(slow anger)
So… you decided to stop goin’ to my games because you’re
feelin’ guilty… about always pushing me so much when I was
young? Or because I chose Stanford over A.S.U?
DAN
Son… you’re free to live your own life, now. I admit I was
bein’ stupid about it.
BEN
You… you’re damn right, dad. Should I be grateful now?
(cynical)
Oh, thanks for letting me do that now, Dad.
Yeah… I’m gonna buy what I want, make my own money. Do it
all, alright.
CASTRO looks on as BEN storms upstairs to pack his things.
Both DAN and CASTRO stare at each other in bewilderment.
60
CASTRO
Uh... what’s goin’ on?
DAN
(silent)
…
BEN runs back down, suitcase in tow.
DAN rises to stand.
BEN
You know, Dad, I’m kinda glad I came back.
DAN stands motionless.
BEN
‘Cause I’m goin’ nowhere fast livin’ with you, chasin’ a
pipe dream. I don’t wanna live like that anymore.
CASTRO’S mouth drops.
DAN
Son… you don’t have to leave.
BEN walks out without a second thought.
DAN
I’m worried about ‘im. He can’t quite take care of himself.
CASTRO
Well who’s gonna watch him?
DAN
(pensive)
Yea…yeah, that’s it. I remember now. Right after school,
you… you went into law enforcement, didn’t ya?
CASTRO
(hesitant)
Now look, Mr. Hanna, if you’re implyin’-
DAN
Look—I don’t know anything about my son anymore. He’s out a
lot and I- I ain’t got much time left here. Nerves…
eyesight… I got cancer, too. Doctor says… I got a tumor the
size of a baseball near my lung.
61
(pause)
Heh. I lived with baseball… guess I die with one in me,
too. Heh.
CASTRO
(looking O.S. at BEN)
…
DAN
When I die, the boy’s got no where to go. The house will go
to my sister. He ain’t close to no one in the family. He
can’t manage his own life… and it’s my fault.
(pause)
I gave him so damn much I forgot to show- teach- him how to
manage it.
Sensing the urgency of the moment, CASTRO goes for BEN.
CASTRO
Excuse me, Mr. Hanna.
(down the porch steps, to Ben)
Ben…your dad and me…we were talkin’ an’… well, he’s talkin’
like he could go any moment. You’d…
ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN
STILES
You’d better go see him. This… sounds like it might be the
last time… the last you ever see of ‘im.
BEN
(tearing a little)
What… what did he say?
CASTRO
Ben… he wants to see you. Go… go talk to him…
ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN walking up the porch steps.
CLOSE SHOT as Dan walks to the screen door.
INT. FAVORING BEN as father and son stand, inches apart,
divided by the screen door… staring.
DAN blinks more slowly as BEN glares steely-eyed,
withholding tears. DAN’S blinking slows and he sighs. BEN
starts to mouth “I LOVE YOU, SON”.
62
FLASHBACK ensues for BEN, in a motif of bittersweet moments.
As BEN blinks, a tear rolls down his cheek; he steps back
to close the door firmly but quietly over his father’s
unvoiced words.
WIDER ANGLE
FAVORING BEN’S FATHER
As BEN walks down steps for the last time.
INT BEN sits in backseat with STILES.
ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN
Who squints away as
WIDER ANGLE CASTRO turns attention from BEN’S father,
fastening seatbelt to turning car around to drive away.
Silence permeates the interior as the sedan heads up-street.
END ACT II
ACT III
CASTRO
You hungry, Ben?
BEN
No.
CASTRO
A growin’ boy needs his vites. We’re gonna get some grub
and get goin’ fast, so ya better get whatcha want.
(to STILES)
Pull up there to the supermarket.
The sedan pulls into a parking lot for a Midwestern-style
supermarket.
CASTRO
Well, this is a big one.
CASTRO and STILES arise for car.
63
CASTRO
(leaning over)
You getting’ out, or are ya gonna bake in there?
BEN
Ugh…
CASTRO
Come out. This is your- OUR- time- to stock up. ‘Cause
we’re gonna be on the road a lonnnnng time. And remember…
fully cooperate, and we’ll protect ‘ya.
BEN
Well what about
CASTRO
You can’t trust anyone affiliated with your school- dean,
coach, old friends, girlfriends, fake friends- not even the
campus police. Hate to say it, but do not talk with anyone
unless we tell you to.
STILES
Every one of your teammates there is a suspect.
CASTRO
Stay away from your acquaintance and friends until we
settle this thing. Stay with us.
INT. SUPERMARKET AISLE- DELI
CASTRO
(to BEN)
Everyone grab a basket.
STILES walks ahead with BEN, looking for snacks.
CASTRO leisurely trails about ten steps behind- picking up
a few deli items. The Deli clerk recognizes BEN.
ED
Hey Ben! Hey! It’s Ed! Ed Riley!
As BEN spins around STILES directs him back. CASTRO gets
the deli clerk’s attention.
CASTRO
Excuse me… Ed. Is that… is that really a Monte Cristo?
64
He diverts the deli clerk’s attention.
ED
Uh... yes sir. We make them each Wednesday during the month
of June only.
CASTRO
Yeah? You make them yourself?
ED
Yes sir…but ya gotta make ‘em to order… else the butter
starts to spoil. Just made this one for one of our regulars
but he hasn’t shown so…
CASTRO
He won’t mind, then?
ED
Doesn’t seem the type. He pays for it ahead of time.
Reverend Jim Makro.
CASTRO
Makro…
ED
You know him?
CASTRO
Ran into him on the way here. Seemed friendly.
ED
Big guy from Baton Rouge. Awesome preacher.
Always orders them and picks them up ten a.m. In the three
years I worked in deli he’s never missed one.
It’s odd he’s missed this.
CASTRO
(jest)
Well his loss. How much?
ED
Five twenty-eight with tax.
CASTRO fishes through his wallet for exact change.
65
CASTRO
(pointing to Ben)
Hey… Ed…you know that kid up there?
ED
Yeah. That’s Ben Carson, one of SU’s star pitchers.
(musing)
He was having trouble with calculus so I tutored him before
he…he…
(returns to self)
ED
Your sandwich, sir.
CASTRO
Gonna take a bite’a this now.
CASTRO bites in the butter-laden ham and Gruyere sandwich.
He smiles.
CASTRO
It’s great. First one was with thousand island… in a little
northeast corner of New York… Julie, my girlfriend back
east, she hates them…
(mocking)
“too much butter.”
(normal)
Man, this is better ‘n that.
ED
Um, thanks.
CASTRO
Ed, I’m Nick… and I gotta say... this is a great piece ‘a
work… a piece of art.
ED
Heh, thanks again.
CASTRO
I’m comin back next Wednesday, just for this. You the only
one who makes these?
66
ED
Only in June. Wednesdays.
CASTRO
Interesting…Tell me…why June? Manager’s choice?
ED shrugs.
ED
I dunno… But I think Makro may have had somethin’ to do
with it. He asked about it before we even served it.
CASTRO
So Makro’s a really big man around these parts.
Not just (gestures with hands).
ED
Heh, heh.
CASTRO
I’m comin’ back for this, Ed. And I’m curious to learn more
about this interesting Mister Makro.
CASTRO pulls a ten dollar bill from wallet, giving it to
the clerk.
Keep the change for your trouble, Ed.
ED
Oh wow, thanks mister.
CASTRO
Sure, kid.
So you’ll be here?
ED
Yeah, Nick.
(a thought comes back to him)
Hey!
CASTRO
Yyeah, Ed?
ED
Is…is Ben with you?
67
CASTRO
Yeah…wwell…
ED
Isn’t he s’posed to be playing in the semi right now? Just
heard Stanford’s down eleven to four.
CASTRO
(sighs)
He’s… he’s not doin’ too well right now. Breakdown…. Mental
breakdown. We’re his...
ED
(surprise)
Oh, I see.
CASTRO
We’re getting’ him all the therapy we can. He’s…he’s even
had trouble rememberin’ things, who he is and all.
ED
Oh no.
CASTRO
And don’t sweat it if he doesn’t remember ya.
ED
Wow, it must be really bad.
CASTRO
You’re tellin’ me.
(to Stiles)
Stiles, wouldja come back with Ben for a second?
STILES and BEN turn and return.
CASTRO
It’s for Ben. Ben, this is Ed. Says he knows ya. Tutored
you in…
ED
Hi Ben. Math… calculus, actually. The ‘ugly’ black book
(mocks BEN)‘with them fancy words’… Ed. Ring a bell?
68
BEN takes a long look at his face.
BEN
Uh… math? Why would I need calculus?
ED
Because you’re a business major, if I recall.
BEN
You sure you ain’t got the wrong guy?
ED
(to himself)
Oh boy… it is bad.
CASTRO
He can’t even remember what he ate for breakfast… even
though he threw it up an hour ago.
ED
Is it… is it permanent?
CASTRO
We hope the doctors can figure out what ta do for him.
CASTRO eyes his watch.
CASTRO
It was good talkin’ with ya, Ed.
Starts to walk away, then turns.
CASTRO
You bet I’ll be back… for the talk, and another Cristo.
ED wears a smile but fades to a half-smile once they leave.
ANOTHER ANGLE as CASTRO waits by market exit, writing notes
on his mini-note pad as BEN pays for snacks at register.
They grab their three bags, walk out to car O.S.
CASTRO
(peeks into BEN’S bag)
Eggs…orange juice, bacon… so what else does the star
pitcher eat?
69
BEN
(annoyed)
I didn’t nose into your bag, Hoss.
CASTRO
(disgusted, throws out bags of potato chips and candy)
I gave you some money to get some food and you buy a buncha
junk!
CASTRO
(disgust)
You tellin’ me you eat this shit before every game?
The three reach the car.
BEN
Never stopped me before.
CASTRO
(throws food back into bag, pulls out candy)
CASTRO
Red vines, Ben?
BEN
(grasping)
Gimme those!!
CASTRO
Tosses candy into backseat.
(more disgust)
Get in the car.
CASTRO takes the wheel.
CASTRO
Straight to the motel, guys. Buckle up.
They head onto the interstate O.S.
STILES
You find anything?
CASTRO
Nothin’. Except that Makro character is some guy. Holds a
little influence ‘round here. Smooth like butter.
70
STILES
You’re not suggesting he might be involved somehow?
CASTRO
When you turn over a rock, you question the dirt onna rock,
too. Could be involved. I’m gonna look into it when we get
back from Vegas.
STILES
That all?
CASTRO
(handing back two sandwiches)
Well there’s this sandwich they got there. I got a couple.
Here, Tim, that’s yours.
STILES reaches for them, grabs his sandwich. He puts his
nose to the greasy wrapper.
STILES
Butter?
CASTRO
Bite into it.
Unwrapping it, STILES takes a bite of it.
CASTRO
Well?
STILES
Too much butter, Nick. You like this? What else is in that?
CASTRO
That’s your problem, Tim. No adventure. How could ya come
from Cumberland Head and not like Monte Cristos?
STILES
One slice’s got as much oil as two slices ‘a pizza.
CASTRO
You don’t want it then?
STILES
I can’t believe we’re debatin’ sandwiches.
71
CASTRO
(jest)
You’re lucky we ain’t back in Brooklyn. They’da laughed the
black right offa ya. You sure you from New York?
STILES
I don’t want to eat that oilfest.
CASTRO
Gimme it back and take your Poor Boy here.
STILES hands sandwich back to CASTRO… and eats the other
instead.
CASTRO
Fine. We’ll give it ta Mikey. Hey Ben. You want this?
(hands it to Ben)
BEN
Okay.
BEN bites into it.
CASTRO turns his head for BEN’s reaction.
STILES
Keep your eye on the road, Nick!
CASTRO purposely swerves into right lane as other car
driven by elderly woman comes in.
CASTRO
(winks)
What’s a-matter? Don’t trust the captain?
(looks in rear view mirror at Ben)
Well Ben?
BEN
It’s alright.
CASTRO
(annoyed)
Alright?! I’m in a car with taste-challenged bozos.
I’m pullin’ over. Nick, you drive. You two wouldn’t know
gourmet food if it bit your tongue clean off.
The car doors shut. STILES heads out of the curb.
72
CASTRO
Okay, I’m getting’ a nap. Wake me when we get there.
INSERT RADIO which STILES turns up the volume a bit.
ANNOUNCER
Top of the seventh! Stanford at bat…
MOVING SHOT
As the sedan passes through the golden sunset.
ANOTHER ANGLE Bird’s eye
NIGHTTIME, as the sedan pulls into Motel Grand lot. The
three emerge from car and check inside.
ANOTHER ANGLE as they arrive opening the door of double bed
room. With a bag in hand, placing bags in a chair at the
table, CASTRO locks the door, checks the bathroom and
closets.
STILES
Want a bed, Nick?
CASTRO
Nah… you two take ‘em. I’ll take a chair andkeep watch here.
STILES turns in. BEN sits down, picks up remote, turns on
T.V.
ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN
Watching sports news on T.V. screen.
SPORTS ANCHOR
(excited)
Top of the ninth- Schaeffer hit on the pitch… he advances
to second. Gerut and Schaeffer score.
BEN
Yeah, Jon.
SPORTS ANCHOR
But it is not enough as LSU advances to the final to await
their opponent. The final score- LSU thirteen, Stanford
nine.
BEN turns off the T.V. He eyes STILES, sound asleep.
73
ANOTHER ANGLE
FAVORING CASTRO watching
CASTRO
Go to bed, Ben.
BEN slips into bed, turning off lamplight.
WIDE ANGLE DENSE FOG obscures vision through the veil. The
shower turns off and the shower curtains pull back.
ANOTHER ANGLE
FAVORING BEN still in BED
CASTRO exits bathroom dressed and clean-shaven- STILES is
gone.
CASTRO
Let’s go, bright eyes.
BEN
(coming around)
Ugh…already?
CASTRO
(jest)
Time for your date.
There is a knock at the door.
CASTRO
Yeah?
STILES
(opening door)
Engine’s ready.
CASTRO
We’ll be down in fifteen.
CASTRO looks out the window. It is overcast.
CASTRO
Fog?..
He sighs.
74
(to Ben)
Alright, Sleepy. Up!
BEN is up and trying to move faster.
CASTRO
We got ten minutes. Get a shower and put one’a these on.
BEN schleps his body into the shower.
WIDE ANGLE of CASTRO, fog’s bright reflection brightening
face as BEN walks out. CASTRO turns, heads for door.
CASTRO
Leave your things here. We’ll come back.
MOVING SHOT as CASTRO locks door. The two walk downstairs
O.S. Ben starts for the exit. CASTRO stops him.
CASTRO
Wait.
CASTRO stops to pay MANAGER. He points, gestures, goes
through wallet.
CASTRO
One night…. Here’s two more.
Be back late tonight.
MANAGER nods.
CASTRO
(to Ben)
Let’s go.
WIDER ANGLE in lot as they shut car doors in tandem. The
sedan pulls out of lot, going on through fog ever so
deliberately. CASTRO pulls out his mobile phone.
CASTRO
(To Stiles while dialing number)
Stay close to the outside lane.
STILES
But-
75
CASTRO
We got ten percent visibility. Slow down… you wanna cause
an accident?
BRACH
Nick?
CASTRO
We’re in the fog, man. Almost no visibility. Tell her we’ll
be ten minutes late. About eight-thirty.
BRACH
Will do. When you come in, she’ll sit ‘cross from me, left.
Over.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The sedan pulls into Lindy’s parking lot, rear.
CASTRO
The rear of the place, Tim? Are we gangsters?
STILES
My mistake.
STILES reverses and steers to front of the house.
INT REAR SEAT
CASTRO
Now Ben… you can ask questions. But let her answer.
We ask her some things. Hopefully… we get some leads.
BEN
Okay. I ask and
CASTRO
She answers.
BEN
She answers ‘em.
CASTRO
Good.
BEN
I got it.
76
CASTRO
(hands Ben money)
Some dough for breakfast.
BEN
Thanks… but what I need this for?
CASTRO
(annoyed)
Get in there, Ben.
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the three sit near the back. Half-full place yet quiet.
Patrons eating breakfast. Forks, plates clink. Smells of
home fries, tenderloin, chicken-fried steak pervade the air.
CASTRO
Smells good. Almost forgot why we’re here. So which one is…
WIDER ANGLE to include BRACH seated at the register, whom
CASTRO spots. There happen to be three booths of single
women sitting alone, bewildering CASTRO and BEN. CASTRO
stares at BRACH for a clue. BRACH eye-motions ahead to his
diagonal right. A young woman sitting a few booths away
approaches their booth en route to BEN’S. STILES and CASTRO
move back another booth O.S.
BEN
(stands)
Kristin?
KRISTIN
BEN!
(they hug)
You… you’re WEARING it.
BEN
Oh yeah. Heh I… I think I’m… I’m startin’ to remember.
WIDE ANGLE to include CASTRO and STILES.
STILES
Business as usual?
CASTRO
Give ‘em some time.
FADE OUT WIDE ANGLE as CASTRO looks at menu, STILES opens
one and the young couple reconnect, amid ambience.
END ACT III; THE END