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Day 8 Assignment
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2 Replies
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LOGLINE: Northerner Nick tries to hire John to guide a trek into the Southern wilderness.
ESSENCE: Nick wants to know if the stories of lost Confederate gold are more than just rumors. John tries to learn Nick’s intentions.
SCENE:
EXT. SCIPIO CREEK MARINA – FLORIDA – DAY
Dozens of colorful shrimp boats are moored in this basin off the Apalachicola River.
NICK, mid-forties, well-dressed in casual street clothes, makes his way from his car to the docks. He is aware that several shrimp fishermen are eyeing him as he cautiously treads along a dock. Then he sees it, the Miss Lee.
EXT. MISS LEE – DAY
NICK, a tall brawny forty year old, works on deck of his fifty-foot shrimp boat.
NICK (Northern accent)
Miss Lee, she’s a beauty. You must be John Grier.
JOHN (Southern accent)
Who’s inquiring?
NICK
Buddy Ward said I could find you here.
JOHN
You must be the fellow he mentioned.
John motions for Nick to come aboard. Nick climbs onto the deck.
NICK
Nick Fairfield.
He extends his hand, but John does not reciprocate. Nick surveys the boat.
NICK (CONT’D)
Must be a lot of work operating one of these. I assume dangerous at times.
JOHN
The Gulf can rear up. Gales, hurricanes. I thrive on challenges.
NICK
That’s what I like to hear. I’m looking to organize a trek. Word has it you’re well acquainted with the wilderness in these parts.
JOHN
So they say. You’re not from ’round here. New York?
NICK
Philly.
John chuckles.
JOHN
You come what, 1200 miles to go on a hike?
NICK
It’s a little more than that. Let’s just say I’m looking for a remote place to develop.
JOHN
Like a fish camp, a hunting lodge?
NICK
You rescued a kid from a swamp in Tate’s Hell?
John nods ‘Yes’.
NICK (CONT’D)
Impressive.
JOHN
You’re looking to go into Tate’s Hell?
NICK
It’s a possibility. Are you acquainted with a Clark Grady?
JOHN
Why?
NICK
He’s something of a local history buff. He could be helpful.
JOHN
Clark is no outdoors man.
NICK
I’m thinking he could offer other areas to explore.
JOHN
Explore? What is it you’re searching for?
NICK
Clark’s grandfather supposedly disappeared on a search. Clark should know where.
JOHN
Huh. For an outsider you’re awfully well-informed. Lots have vanished. People snooping where they shouldn’t.
NICK
That’s why I can use your skills.
JOHN
What’s your surname again?
NICK
Fairfield.
JOHN
Interesting. You ever study the war?
NICK
The war?
JOHN
The American Civil War. The Yankees set up a blockade here in Apalachicola. Cut the river off
from the Gulf of Mexico. Practically killed the town.
NICK
Didn’t know.
JOHN
Maybe you know about the Confederates’ attempt to move valuables from New Orleans through here to safety in Georgia.
NICK
News to me.
JOHN
Those Confederates were attacked by a band of Yankees. The treasure never made it to safety.
NICK
What kind of treasure?
JOHN
Coins, ingots. Gold. Just vanished.
NICK
Quite the interesting story.
JOHN
What you should find particularly interesting is the Yankee commander’s name.
John pauses. Then…
JOHN (CONT’D)
Fairfield. Colonel Cassius Fairfield.
Nick contemplates this then breaks into a laugh.
NICK
Well, that is a coincidence. I don’t have any such ancestors. No. Let me skip to the core of the matter. I pay generously. Five thousand dollars.
John just stares at Nick.
NICK
Your Miss Lee here looks like she’s in need of an overhaul.
JOHN
Not interested.
NICK
Six thousand if you introduce me to Clark.
JOHN
My friendship is not a bargaining chip.
NICK
Admirable, but disappointing. At least you confirmed that the lost gold is more than a rumor.
JOHN
Clever. And you’ve more or less revealed that you’re searching for the lost gold your ancestor
attempted to steal.
NICK
You just might regret your decision.
JOHN
It’s time you leave.
Nick steps close to John
NICK
You’re not going to lead Clark Grady’s search.
Nick grabs a metal bar and swings it at John. He ducks. John flicks a net around Nick’s legs and hauls him down. John picks up a large metal hook and hovers over Nick.
JOHN
Get the fuck off my boat. Get up.
John hauls Nick up and pushes him over the gunnel. Nick drops to the dock.
JOHN (CONT’D)
Good luck trekking through Tate’s Hell.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by Patrick Malone.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by
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JOHN AND NICK – First Draft
Logline:
A Priest attempts to bring down a Cardinal who is guilty of a heinous crime.
Essence:
Two men of the cloth: one will violate the most sacred symbols of his faith to protect himself; the other with risk everything, even if it leads to his defrocking, or his death.
SCENE:
FADE IN
INT. CHURCH NAVE – NIGHT
JOHN (30), climbs down the stairs leading from the choir loft and moves in the shadows along the side wall, beneath the stations of the cross.
He pauses by the offertory candles, which cast a devilish red glow across his face — and his clerical collar. He lights a candle and makes the sign of the cross.
At the sound of FOOTSTEPS in the anteroom, he slips behind statuary of Mary.
NICK, still wearing his Cardinal’s robes enters the nave. As he passes the offertory, he too pauses — to light a cigar.
As he draws on the cigar, there is a slight tensing in his body and shift in his eyes. Has he caught sight of the cassock-clad figure hiding behind Mary?
Perhaps not. He walks toward the alter, still decorated from the Bishop’s funeral just hours ago. The Cardinal flicks some ashes, which land on a petal of one of the lilies.
He then turns, strides up the center aisle, and exists through the front doors of the church.
John emerges from his hiding spot. He approaches the alter, takes a handkerchief from his pocket, and gently removes the ashes from the lily.
INT. SACRISTRY – NIGHT
John slips silently into the room. He holds aloft a candle for light. He places it on the desk and begins rummaging through the drawers.
NICK (O.S.)
So it was you.
John whirls around. Nick crosses the threshold into room.
NICK
Always playing the innocent. Always so loyal to the Bishop. And here you are breaking and entering.
JOHN
Not breaking. I have a key.
NICK
Right. Well you tell that to the police when they arrive. Oh yes. I’ve already called them.
JOHN
That’s daring of you.
NICK
Not at all. It’s my job to tend to the souls of my flock. Sometimes the best way to do that is to help someone face up to their mistakes.
JOHN
I couldn’t agree more. So why don’t I help you with that. I’ll be by your side when you confess.
Nick takes a puff of his cigar, drops it to the ground and smashes it out with his foot. John studies him.
NICK
I know you were a favorite of his. Your grief must have you confused.
JOHN
As you like to say, “Not at all.”
The edge in John’s voice get’s under Nick’s skin. He’s across the room in three strides and smashes a fist down on the desktop.
NICK
You show me respect.
Now John’s on his feet, leaning in, nose-to-nose with Nick.
JOHN
Not on your life.
NICK
I’ll see you defrocked.
JOHN
I’ll meet you in the de-robing room. I hear it’s one of your favorite spots.
For the first time Nick looks rattled.
JOHN
Of course, I know that I’m not really your type.
With one violent sweep of his arms, Nick clears the desktop. Items crash to the floor and scatter.
NICK
You don’t know anything.
John begins circling the desk. Nick circles as well, to keep the desk between them.
JOHN
I know everything. Keeping your photos in the tabernacle. Hearing the confessions of children who thought it was their fault.
Nick, in a rage, rips a crucifix from the wall. His hand tightens around it, as he holds it like a sword.
JOHN
Oh, and how could I forget, poisoning the Bishop after he threatened to come forward.
Nick swings the crucifix at John but misses. He swings again, but John is out the door.
INT. NAVE – NIGHT
John is halfway up the aisle. Nick stops in front of the alter. His voice is icily cold.
NICK
Who do you think taught me?
John whirls around and stares at him.
JOHN
The Bishop.
Nick looks stunned.
JOHN
He confessed.
John pulls some photos and a ledger out from beneath his cassock.
JOHN
And he told me where to find the photos, the ledger.
SIRENS blare outside and flashing police lights illuminate the nave.
Nick emotes a GUTTERAL SCREAM as he raises the crucifix above his head and charges up the aisle toward John.
CUT TO BLACK.
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