Heinz 57-revised 6-11-16 - Patrick Sean Lee (best book club books of all time txt) 📗

complies and looks up at the giant towering above him.

 

                    MARSTEN

          Now, tell me just what the hell is going on, Fleur.

 

                    MYRON

          Well, sir, it's this.

 

                                                                                                                                             FADE

 

EXT. EXERCISE YARD-AFTERNOON

 

A smaller crowd of inmates stands around Rollo and Myron who are seated on the concrete table. Laverne stands at the end seemingly content with where he is at. His hands rest at eye level with the table top.

 

                    MYRON

(answering a question posed by one of the inmates)

          He said that we were crazy as loons.

 

                    LAVERNE

          We're not, though!

 

                     MYRON

          Deep down he knows that, Laverne. I saw it in his eyes.

 

                    ROLLO

          As did I. We all know his job as warden is in jeopardy if the destruction and violence continue. He has to come up with somethin', and that's where we come in.

 

                    MYRON

        Correct, and further, I believe he is a liberal-minded man, and that our plan meshes with his better instincts. What choice does he have at any rate?

 

                    LAVERNE

          Heeth been tuthed, too!

 

                    INMATE

          What did he say?

 

                    ROLLO

          He said the warden has been touched...

 

                    INMATE

          No, the warden. What did he say?

 

                    ROLLO

          Ah. That he would consider it, but to not get our hopes up. How did he put it, Myron?

 

                    LAVERNE

         He thaid,"Ith crathy, an' I'll looth my job over it. I'll think about it, though. Now, get outta' here and thay outta' trouble you thupid fucks." Thath what he thaid.

 

                    MYRON

                  (laughing)

          Not exactly, Laverne, but essentially you are correct.

 

                    LAVERNE

          I added that lath part.

 

                    MYRON

          In the meantime, while he is being prompted by powers far outside his knowledge, we must draw up the plans. How many of you have a facility for drawing?

 

                    INMATE

          What's that?

 

                    ANOTHER INMATE

          How many of us can draw, stupid.

 

A single hand rises in the small crowd. Laverne raises his, also.

 

                    ROLLO

          Very good. We have a start.

 

                    MYRON

          How many of you have ever painted a picture?

 

                    INMATE

          I used to do them paint by number things.

 

                    MYRON

(a low aside to Rollo, after which he sighs)

          This is a very select bunch.

 

                    ROLLO

          That isn't our concern, Myron. Our part will be to imagine the skyscraper. They will make certain the builders and trucks arrive on schedule.

 

                    MYRON

          I hope so.

(to the men standing in front of them)

        Very well, then. We'll meet after dinner, with Warden Dick's blessing, in the library. We'll need reference material...

 

Zippo and his gang have been standing beneath the basketball hoop all the while. As the crowd disperses, one among them nods to Zippo, and then melts away with the other inmates, back into the jail. Zippo motions to his men to follow him.

 

                                                                                                                                             FADE

 

INT. ZIPPO'S CELL-AFTERNOON

 

Zippo is on his throne at the bed end. His boys are gathered around him. MERCURIO SALVATORE ESTRELLA y PENA is finishing up his report to Zippo.

 

                    MERCURIO

          ...meetin' in the library after chow.

 

                    Zippo

          Be there.

 

                    MERCURIO

          You gonna' come and bust it up?

 

                    ZIPPO

                (snickering)

          You fuckin' piss-head, 'course I ain't. Just keep me posted. I got a better idea.

 

INT. CELL 57-CONTINOUS

 

Several inmates are standing inside the cell. Rollo and Myron are seated on the bed. Laverne is explaining something to Myron.

 

                    LAVERNE

          Ith true! I painted a Bottithelli when I wath a teenather. The Birth of Venuth. It wath good, too. I did loth of other thuff, but my dad got drunk an' tore 'em all off the wallth one night. He tore 'em all to peetheth. I hate him.

 

Myron blinks quickly, moves his head backward, and then wipes dabbles of spit from his cheek.

 

                    MYRON

                    (kindly)

          Slow down, Laverne. You're all worked up again. Enunciate slowly.

 

                    LAVERNE

          I'm thorry.

 

                    MYRON

          It's quite all right...Hate is no longer in our vocabulary, Laverne. From this day forward we don the vestments of enlightened men. You must find it in your heart to forgive your father.

 

                    LAVERNE

          I thould? Heeth dead.

 

                    ROLLO

          That makes no difference, little man. The point is to cleanse your soul so that if you're chosen as chief painter, you have the capacity to fulfill that calling without ugly memories coloring your work.

 

                    LAVERNE

          Wath capathity?

 

A loud klaxon noise outside the cell shatters the conversation. The assembled inmates turn after a pause and then begin to leave the cell.

 

                    LAVERNE

          Wonder wha-they're gonna' make uth eat tonight?

 

                    MYRON

       Whatever it is, I'm sure Philip has done his best to create a feast, be it shoe leather soup or Filet Mignon. Shall we?

 

Rollo, Laverne, and Myron make their way to the open cell door to join the other inmates.

 

                                                                                                                                             FADE

 

INT. MESS HALL-CONTINUOUS

 

Men are seated, conversing in a hum of disenchanted voices in the large room. There are no windows; the only light filling the room comes from row after row of fluorescents running strategically dead center above each line of tables. Four guards are stationed at the corners of the room. Rollo, Myron, and Laverne are seated amongst friends near the entrance door from Cellblock 1. Zippo and company are seated at the far end of the hall near the other door.

 

                    ROLLO

          Was that what you call shoe leather soup, Myron?

 

                    LAVERNE

          Wath better than the thit on a thingle.

 

                    MYRON

          I believe it was the same, Rollo. I do believe we must speak to Warden Dick concerning the lack of imagination regarding food preparation. That alone sets the men's...

 

Myron is interrupted by a guard entering who taps his shoulder with his baton.

 

                    GUARD

          The warden wants to see you three right after you finish eating. I'll be over at the door waiting.

 

The guard walks purposefully down the aisle as heads turn to watch him. He goes to the door at the far side of the room near Zippo and his gang, and there positions himself.

 

                    ROLLO

          I think tonight would be a perfect time to bring up the subject of the menu.

 

Myron lowers his head slightly, brings a fist to his mouth and burps slowly, with disaffection.

 

                    MYRON

          Excuse me...Well then, if you're ready, and enjoyed the repast as much as I, I think we should be off.

Gentlemen?

 

He glances quickly at Laverne, who has already begun to stand, and then Myron rises. The three men begin to file down the aisle toward the far door.

 

                    INMATE (O.S.)

          Good luck, mates! Off ta' see the warden?

 

                    ANOTHER INMATE (O.S.)

          Give 'im a kiss for me, Fleur!

 

As they near Zippo's table, one of Zippo's gang spouts off.

 

                    INMATE

          Tell 'im to haul his old lady's ass down here. She can come to my cell...

 

The second guard near Zippo's table moves on the man swiftly, placing his drawn baton close to the inmate's mouth, interrupting him.

 

                    GUARD

          Shut the fuck up.

The man chuckles, along with his friends. Zippo glowers silently as he watches Myron, Rollo, and Laverne follow the guard through the doorway.

 

INT. DOORWAY LEADING TO DICK'S OFFICE-CONTINUOUS

 

The three inmates stop at the warden's door and wait as the guard lifts a hand and knocks. Within a