Lesson 22

[Chris Spizuoco]

Act 4 Climax – Hal and Cheryl provide great examples via the script examples for this lesson.

EXT. FARMHOUSE – DAY
A large crowd gathers in the open space between the barn and farmhouse. AUCTIONEER is in discussion with BANKER; Frank stands next to a young COUPLE with SMALL CHILD.
Banker approaches Frank.
BANKER
I’m sorry about this Frank, it has to go to auction. The only way…I’m afraid…sell us your book rights and keep the farm – for now.

To be honest, I’m not 100% sure of its value but it will buy you some time. We just can’t keep going down this path; our business terms and your ability to pay – don’t reconcile.
FRANK
A moment please…
Frank paces across the road. Admires the vast fields and woods on the other side.
DREAM SEQUENCE – EXT. FARMLAND
A series of past images flash by; from corn to wheat to alfalfa in the fields. Horses to cattle and calves to beefy bulls to sheep.
The summer turns to fall to winter, and spring.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
Frank crosses the road back and returns to face the banker.
FRANK
Take the farm – I don’t need it. I’ll go confidently in the direction of my dreams and continue to live the life I’ve imagined. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Frank feels something tugging at this pant leg and looks down. It’s the small child.
SMALL CHILD
You can come stay with us Frank. I just started school. We can learn stuff together.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Chris Spizuoco.

[Douglas Booth]

Hey Chris,

Hope you’re getting ready for a great New Year! I’ve managed to stumble through to Day 23 so far – looking forward to pushing ahead “shortly” – and then, reading everyone else’s work to-date!

All the best with this project and everything else!

Doug Booth

[Benita Cullingford]

INT. MARTY’S HOUSE – DAY

A large bay-windowed room. Tracy and Jim sit together on

the sofa. Mary sits opposite them in an armchair.

Behind Mary, a dining table shows the remains of an

enjoyable meal. Empty wine glasses and a third full

decanter. Abandoned napkins, a glass jug used for cream.

And three empty desert bowls with spoons in them.

In front of Mary, and Tracy and Jim, is a coffee table

with –

A pile of sparkling jewels.

MARY

You could’ve asked me I knew the

combination. Although I am

grateful to you, Jim.

Tracy and Jim are staring at her.

MARY

Oh, I’ve always known about

Marty’s ‘little expeditions’ as he

called them. Marty was very good

with his hands, but increasingly

bad at remembering things.

Tracy gives Jim a raised eyebrow look. Jim looks equally

taken aback.

Mary bends forward and lifts a turquoise pendant necklace

from the pile.

MARY

I knew nothing about these. Marty

did this one on his own. Poor

lamb.

Mary sighs.

TRACY

I only glanced into the bag for a

moment in the lock-up. Now, seeing

them in this light, well they

‘re… They‘re so beautiful. And

Mary, there’s a large amount of

cash. I only brought the jewels.

Mary shrugged, almost dismissive.

MARY

Leave that where it is for the

moment. It’s the jewellery I want

to discuss.

They all stared at the assortment of jewels for a moment.

Then Mary spread the items across the table, showing off

their full glory.

MARY

I’m no expert, but their quality

seems clear. They ‘re of some

considerable age too, I’d guess,

very special (beat). But they do

present us with a problem.

Tracy laughed.

TRACY

Yes, but a good problem, I think.

Mary takes off her spectacles and lets them hang round

her neck on a black cord. She rubs her eyes and sits up

straight.

MARY

Let me explain. As I said, I knew

when Marty was going out, and

something of the way he worked. He

almost never took anything but

cash and he always stuck to a

Rigid code – he never stole from

anyone unless he felt they

deserved it.

Tracy opened her mouth to interrupt. Mary shushed her.

MARY (CONTINUING)

I know these jewels could only

have come from George Godwin.

Marty developed a strong dislike

of the man, and I think he made an

exception and knew he’s stolen

them from someone who didn’t

deserve to lose them.

Tracy nodded.

TRACY

That sounds just like the Marty I

knew. Though, of course, I didn’t

know the half of it until the last

few days.

MARY

And I bin the safe temporarily

until he discovered where Godwin

had got them from.

Tracy leaned forward.

TRACY

You mean, you think he was-

MARY (INTERRUPTING)

I’m sure he planned to return

them(beat). Now it’s down to us.

That means we have to find out who

the owner is and get them back to

their proper home. Yes?

Tracy and Jim nodded enthusiastically.

Mary beams and puts her glasses on.

Tracy gives her the drawstring bag to hold open. Then Jim

helps her to scoop up the jewels and deposited them

back in the bag.

[Douglas Booth]

Doug Booth – as in previous lessons – quite rough – I’m learning a lot of things that I need to know, as I lunge forward – but it feels most appropriate to keep going! And – it’s fun!

THE APARTMENT
They’re outside on the street.

CARL
You know which apartment?

NICK Yup.

CARL
(a little incredulous)

You been here before?
Nick grins. Carl slaps Nick’s open hands.

                    CARL (CONT’D)

My man!
(looking up)

So – would this fire escape have any relevance to her apartment?

Nick thinks.

NICK
Her bedroom, I think. 5th floor.

CARL I’ll boost you.

He does, so Nick is able to grab the bottom rungs of the retracted ladder, and clamber up onto the first landing.

CARL (O.S.) (CONT’D) Lower the ladder, sucker!

Nick hesitates…

CARL (CONT’D)
Hey, it’s MY neighborhood we’re

saving, Superman! So do it!

Nick releases the catch – the ladder clangs down – and Carl hustles up.

HIGHER UP THE BUILDING

(OR MAYBE CARL GOES IN AND TALKS TO THE DOORMAN… AND ASKS FOR THE APARTMENT NUMBER – AND NICK TELLS HIM – 5E)

ANYWAY- yeah, I’ll go with the second (and original) version.

Nick looks in one window. Nope – an old couple, oblivious to his presence, are within. He looks over to his right. Oh!

12.

Another fire escape – about 25 yards over. He sighs, braces himself… and, climbing over the protective railing of the fifth floor landing, he starts to inch his way across on the narrow ledge. As…

INSIDE THE LOBBY
Carl is talking intensely to the CONCIERGE.

CARL (CONT’D)
No! Do NOT call Apt. 5E and tell

them they have a guest! Just send me up!

CONCIERGE
That is completely against

management protocol. Do you want me to lose…

CARL
Do you want Ms. (Shania’s last

name) to lose her life? Oh – and, in the meantime, call 911 and let them know that the folks holding Shania prisoner in her own apartment have guns!

CONCIERGE Okay, okay, okay!

(beat) Good luck!

Carl rushes to the elevator, as… OUTSIDE ON THE BUILDING

Nick has just made his way to the next fire escape landing and is very carefully and quietly climbs over the protective railing, collects himself, and looks in through the window…

NICK’S POV

And there they are. And, just as things are getting deadly inside (remember, the guys were going to use “harm to Shania” as the way to get Athena to tell them what they want to know)

INT. ROOM
Nick SHATTERS the window and leaps into the room!

He lunges for the guys holding Shania and breaks her loose as…

13.

EXT. HALLWAY

Carl exits the elevator on the 5th floor – looks up and down – spots 5E – and charges the door…

INT. APARTMENT

As the bad guys react to Nick’s attack and pull out their guns, ready to shoot…

When Carl batters down the door (it’s wood, not steel)… And with this new distraction…

Nick and Shania are each able to go after the two guys with guns and disarm them (Shania is much better at this than Nick) – and then – as the third guy now holds a gun to Athena’s head…

Athena gives

And, with no in a heap!

Athena kicks other two… staggers in.

her daughter a little nod…
hesitation, Shania shoots the guy and goes down

him away, grabs the weapon, and turns it on the just as Carl, holding his very bruised shoulder,

CARL
Oh. I see you’ve got everything

under control here! Didn’t mean to impose…

NICK
No, bro’ – your grand entrance

saved the day!

(Note – this could be a much more extensive fight – with the mother and daughter team going to town! Might be fun – especially With the older Athena showing her stuff – and teaming up with her daughter. (Wing Chung Mother and Daughter classes? Let’s do it!)

And now, as they hear a police siren…

Don’t know if Ernesto is there – or if she tells the guys (and let’s say Shania didn’t kill him, but shot off his ear… and he’s complaining –

THUG
You shot out my diamond stud!

SHANIA
Claim it on your homeowner’s

insurance, asshole. Now get out of here fast – take the stairway to the basement, exit by the garbage area, and… with meaning… let’s hope we never see each other again!

As Athena calls Ernesto:

ATHENA (on phone)

Senor Ballena – sometime in the next hour, I want you to share your GPS location with me – and it had better be JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark – or there will be an all points out for you and all of your idiots.

NOTE: the other part of her dialogue could be – I hope your passport, Interpol and FBI record are completely squeaky clean, and you’re wearing clean underwear, because I’ll be pulling all your VIP perks with customs, immigration, and the FBI with my next call … IF within the next hour you are not sharing your GPS location – (and then – a photo of you and all your idiots once you’re all seated on your flight to ANYWHERE out of the U.S.A.!

(beat)
And once you have landed in your preferred destination, outside of the U.S.A., I will be happy to have a civilized conversation with you to discuss the disposition of the funds you have transferred into my holding account – and how we might be able to invest them, together, in a way that will to create – a problem – for you or for any one in my daughter’s adopted town.

(beat)
Or I may have to simply consider them abandoned funds, and invest the $150 million myself!

ERNESTO (V.O.) (over phone)

Oh,nonono. Iamsososorryfor the misunderstanding! My men are idiots – I will…

15.

Si, Madre! Athena grins.

ERNESTO (V.O.)

ATHENA (cutting him off)

GPS in an hour – and a picture of all five of you – getting ready to board the plane. Comprende?

ATHENA Pendejo!

ON THE OTHER END

Ernesto winces… as the line goes dead. He resignation, and starts shouting at everyone

BACK ON THE BLOCK

shrugs with around him…

DISSOLVE TO:

The group – ext from a Lyft SUV – (Carl, Nick, Shania, and Athena) and walk past the HDFC. The tenants are still on the sidewalk – with Jenice now with Riley. Firemen there – probably a local news van or two.

FIREMAN
All clear. We’ve inspected the

building – it’s totally safe. You can all go back inside.

OR – THEY HAVE TO STAY OUT FOR 24 HOURS AS A TOTALLY THOROUGH SEARCH TAKES PLACE. Sorry for the inconvenience. We can help with accommodation – but it will take a while to sort it all out… but we do need to make sure everything is safe before you can return (they have their dogs and cats with the).

As they get into the bus – Riley sees Nick – gives him a thumbs up – while Jenice is comforting the weeping board president (who seems to be having a change in the way she feels about the building)

OR – Shania steps up – motions to the fireman for his bullhorn…

16.

SHANIA
Gilt Edge Realty will be able to

accomodate you at the Hotel Caribe at W 145th St. You may have to double-up, but it will be on the house! I’ll let them know to expect you…

She gives Queen Mother a look (who is still weeping on Jenice’s shoulder) –

SHANIA (CONT’D)
As long as Queen Mother will allow your homes at Holstein Court to be

TRULY saved.
She looks again and Jenice smiles – as QM lifts her head.

QM
(even though she’s a

wreck, she still won’t

quit)
But my home in Kississimme?

ATHENA
We will work that out.

QM looks from Shania to Athena – and takes both their hands,

QM Yes.

SHANIA I’ll make the call.

(and – yeah – we’ll see her home – and someone there says – how does QM and Alex afford all this – and off to Disney World, where they are both giant costumed characters – inside – working away)

As people disperse, they walk silently past the church – now a rubble-filled hole in the ground –

AND now enter the Mansion.

CARL
Glory Hallelujah – safe and sound!

WALKING INTO THE ENTRY Looking around.

17.

CARL (CONT’D)
But bankrupt and broke as the day

is long!

There, looking back at them, is a (the?) portrait of C.H. – which suddenly falls off the wall with a crash.

All react – and then – they see that there is a small wall safe behind it!

All are astounded – rushing over to look,

ALICE (V.O.)
Oh, poppa! What a nice touch!

CASPAR (V.O.) (satisfied laughter)

The young folks have done well!

Nick seems to be regarding the safe with a somewhat professional air.

NICK
Well… it’s your house. Wanna

give it a try?

CARL
Somehow I get the feeling that you

have a bit more training in this kind of thing than I do.

Nick grins?

NICK
Well, I could get into almost

anyone’s hall locker in high school – so…

FIRST POSSIBILITY

Nick tries many times – over and over – and then, as a luminous figure leans over Nick’s shoulder and faint heavenly music wafts through scene…

Nick’s fingers momentarily glow – as he spins the dial – and the safe opens!

OR…

AND THEN IT TAKES A LONG TIME – with a series of shots – and then, finally Carl comes up from the basement with a sledgehammer and a wrecking bar – or whatever you’d call a giant cold chisel…

18.

Alice winches as Caspar grins.

ALICE
Oh my beautiful house!

CASPAR
It’s not yours anymore, it’s your

son’s… (proudly)

And my grandson’s!

And… as Nick tentatively holds the cold chisel up to the edge of the safe – Carl smashes it with the sledge hammer – cutting the safe out of the wall – prying it loose so it crashes to the floor – and then uses the chisel and hammer to batter the door and hinge so severely that it gives up the ghost and swings open!

There’s an age-discolored folder inside. Nick takes it out and gives it to Carl.

The label reads – Deed to (indistinguishable address).

ATHENA
Be very gentle – that looks old and

very fragile!

Carl pulls out a document. All that can be read of the copperplate manuscript writing is the top bold-face word: DEED.

CARL (eyes widening)

I always knew Grandpa invested locally – I just didn’t know where.

INSERT – DRAMATIC UP-ANGLE – IMPOSING STATE HOUSE/SKYSCRAPER DISSOLVE TO:

[michelle patnett]

INT. COURTROOM – DAYTIME

Monique on the witness stand, speaking in a slow, halting way.

MONIQUE

It belong to my husband’s grandparents. And when he died – was killed – I inherited it. It was a beautiful house. Lots of bedrooms – for children. But…

Jack at the defendant’s table, sighing and rolling his eyes.

MONIQUE

He didn’t just steal my house. It was my entire identity. I couldn’t prove who I was. No one believed me. No one. I was homeless, hungry, desperate.

Jack smirking behind his hands.

Mark testifies in Monique’s defense.

MARK

My team and I worked overtime to wade through all the records. We had to search through each alias, and dig through all the various identities. And, of course, there were his accomplices. We’ve uncovered evidence of at least three state employees who were involved.

Lynette, the Hall of Records clerk, nervously testifies.

LYNETTE

I didn’t know what he was doing. I swear. He said it was a victimless crime, and it was a way to make easy money. I have two kids. I’m taking care of my mother. I have bills…

Jack scowls at her from across the room.

Judge deliberates and decides on a verdict. Jack is found guilty of identity theft and falsifying property records. He is released on bail. He stares down Monique as he swaggers from the courtroom.

Monique collapses.

MONIQUE

He’s free on bail until the sentencing. He can keep right on doing what he’s been doing and no one can stop him.

MARK

No, we’re on to him now. He’s not gonna get away with it. They’re gonna lock him up.

Two months later, they return for sentencing. Jack is sentenced to two years in prison, and two years’ probation.

Jack smirks as he’s led away. He yells at Monique as he leaves.

JACK

Six months. Tops. Then I’ll be back. And I’m coming especially for you!

Monique cries and bows her head as Mark hugs her.

MONIQUE

It’s not enough. Never enough time…