Redemption-A Spec Script - Patrick Sean Lee (best black authors TXT) 📗

moment of silence follows.

 

                         TRISH HARRIS

                Darling, is that you?

 

                         MARIBETH

                Yes, Mama.

 

The SOUND of footsteps approaching. Maribeth picks up the book, and then tries to usher Marvin to the stairwell door. Another book tumbles out of Marvin's grasp onto the floor. She quickly bends over to retrieve it. Four people round the corner into the hall.

 

                         TRISH

                Maribeth? Who is that...what's going on?"

 

                         RICHARD

                What the hell is this?

 

Beside her parents, a COP and another MAN in a Salvation Army uniform approach Marvin and Maribeth standing motionless.

 

                         MARIBETH

               Hi Momma, Daddy! This is...uh...

               Professor Phalgraf...stad. From school!

               We're working together on...um...

               a science project.

 

                         RICHARD

               On summer break?

 

The four adults semi-encircle Marvin and Maribeth. The cop eyes Marvin.

 

                         COP

                     (to Marvin)

                You look awful familiar.

 

                         RICHARD

                A science project here?

 

Questions continue. Maribeth lies. Marvin remains silent as the major and the cop peer more closely at the mansion intruder.

 

                         MAJOR

                I could swear I've seen your face

                before, Professor.

 

                         MARVIN

                Not likely, sir.

 

                         COP

                Wait a minute. You're the bum

                I rousted this morning downtown!

 

                         MAJOR

                Now I recall! It's you, Fuster! I've

                seen you at the mission.

                     (to Richard)

                This man is no professor, Governor.

                I don't know what he's doing

                here with the young lady, but

                other than being cleaned up, he's

                just a common indigent!

 

                         TRISH

                Oh dear. Maribeth, darling, if what

                theY say is true...Can you explain?

 

Maribeth conceives more lies. Marvin nods. The governor and the two visitors mirror doubt on their faces.

 

                         Richard

                     (to the cop)

                Get him out of here.

 

The cop moves on Marvin, who backs up, dropping the remainder of books. The cop lurches forward, grabbing Marvin by the neck of the sweater borrowed from Richard's closet. Marvin's head BANGS into the wall. He collapses. The cop tightens his grip on the sweater neck and yanks upward until the vee cuts off Marvin's air supply.

 

                          COP

                Get up!

 

                          MARIBETH

                He can't, you monster! Let go of him!

                Mama! Daddy!

 

The melee continues. Trish covers her mouth with both hands. The Major pulls out a pocket bible. Richard finally intervenes.

 

                         RICHARD

                Wait, officer. Stop. I'll handle this.

 

The cop lets loose of Marvin, who collapses into a heap, his face blue.

 

                         RICHARD

                     (to the Major and the cop)

               Thank you for coming by, gentlemen.

               I'll check our calendar regarding the

               benefit dinner at the mission. Now,

               if you don't mind...

 

He motions for the two men to leave, back the way they came. Trish and Maribeth rush to semi-conscious Marvin. The cop and the Major slowly back away, the cop muttering. Robert stands at the end of the hall, taking the scene in, ready to escort the two men out.

 

                         TRISH

                Oh dear, he's coming back, darling.

                He's trying to speak. Thank goodness!

 

                         MARVIN

                It...shall be so: Madness in great

                ones shall not...go unwatched.

 

                         TRISH

                What? What is he saying, darling?

 

                         MARIBETH

               I think it's Shakespeare, Mamma. Oh,

               he's a genius, I swear it. Please, please

               let him stay, just for the evening until

               he recovers, anyway.

 

                                                                          FADE

 

INT. THE MANSION-LATER

 

Recovered Marvin, along with Maribeth, Trish, and Richard (standing) are in the drawing room.

 

                         RICHARD

                No, no no! Not a chance. I'll call social

                services; have them send someone

                over to pick him up.

 

                         TRISH

                Oh Richard, for the love of Jesus, don't

                be so heartless.

                     (to Marvin)

                You will stay the evening, Mr. Fuster,

                that's all there is to it. Have you eaten

                today?

 

                         MARIBETH

                Oh thank you, Mamma!

 

                         RICHARD

                Oh Christ almighty.

 

                                                                     FADE

 

int. the mansion basement-morning

 

It is evident that days have passed. Marvin is seated at the bar, Maribeth calmly at his side. Marvin is scratching notes on a legal pad, several books lying open beside the pad. Robert hovers at the hall corner, out of sight, listening.

 

MARVIN

 

It all makes sense, but I need to have a look at samples of my genes, dear Maribeth. We need an electron microscope.

 

MARIBETH

 

They have one at the university lab! We can go there tonight if you like. There won't be many campus cops around if we go late. JONATHAN has a key to the lab.

 

MARVIN

 

Excellent. Give the guy a call. Tell him to meet us there at ten.

 

MARIBETH

 

Eleven. Just to be safe.

 

cut

 

ext. the campus lab parking lot-night

 

Maribeth exits the sports car, calling out for Jonathan. Marvin cringes, and then joins her in front of the car.

 

MARVIN

 

For the love of God, girl, keep it down!

 

MARIBETH

 

Oh don't worry, Marvin. The campus police are, like, rent-a-cops. Besides, they're probably across the street at Starbucks yucking it up.

 

MARVIN

 

I hope for our sakes you're right.

 

Maribeth squints in the dim light, searching the shadows.

 

MARIBETH

 

(loudly)

 

Jonathan, are you here?

 

A figure takes a step from the corner of the building fifty feet away. His arms are stretching outward, waving back and forth slightly.

 

jonathan

 

Maribeth, is that you?

 

MARIBETH

 

Yes, Jonathan. Just stay where you are. We're here. Did you bring the key?

 

Jonathan pats his pant pocket.

 

Jonathan

 

Right here.

 

Maribeth walks toward Jonathan, Marvin close behind her. She reaches him. He stares forward blankly, not directly at her.

 

MARIBETH

 

Hi buddy. Glad you made it. Give me the key.

 

Oh, sorry. This is the man I told you about. Jonathan...Marvin. Marvin...this is genius Jonathan.

 

Jonathan grins and reaches out with his right hand, far to the left of Marvin.

 

JONATHAN

 

Pleasure to meet you, sir.

 

MARVIN

 

I'm over here.

 

Not able to locate Marvin's hand, Jonathan reaches into his pocket and pulls out a key.

 

JONATHAN

 

Anyway, here's the key.

 

He lifts the key up, not toward anyone in particular. Maribeth snatches it. Looks at it for a second.

 

MARIBETH

 

Jonathan, this is a car key! Where's the keyy to the lab door?

 

Jonathan

 

Huh?

 

MARVIN

 

Jesus Jones, a blind man?

 

Jonathan squeezes both pant pockets over and over.

 

JONATHAN

 

Crap. Must have grabbed the wrong one.

 

MARIBETH

 

Jonathan, where are your glasses? Tell me you didn't drive here without them.

 

JONATHAN

 

Oh no. I couldn't find them tonight. Anyway, I walked.

 

Jonathan mumbles; continues to search for the lab key.

 

MARIBETH

 

Great. Now what?

 

MARVIN

 

I don't like this, Mare. Let's call it a night. Try again tomorrow when genius boy here finds his glasses.

 

JONATHAN

 

Can't tomorrow night, sir. I'm hosting a LAN party.

 

MARVIN

 

A what party?

 

MARIBETH

 

It's a group of computer nerds and hackers. Maybe...wait a minute. Marvin, you tole me you used to break into houses that were locked. Do you think you could...

 

MARVIN

 

It takes specialized tools, kiddo. Which I don't have right now.

 

MARIBETH

 

What kind of tools?

 

MARVIN

 

Hardened steel. Precisely milled. Just specialized, my dear.

 

MARIBETH

 

I have some!

 

She rushes back to the car. Marvin eyes Jonathan, who is staring up into the sky above Marvin's head. Maribeth returns with a manicure case.

 

MARIBETH

 

Here you go. Will any of these work?

 

Marvin takes the case, opens it, and plucks a pair of tweezers and a needle from the contents.

 

MARVIN

 

Maybe thirty-five thousandths. Might work if...

 

He hands the tweezers to Jonathan.

 

MARVIN

 

Pry these open, kid. Break one half off if you can.

 

Jonathan begins. Marvin walks to the steel door of the building, pokes the needle in, and bends it into a rough hook. Jonathan and Maribeth join him, Jonathan handing the tweezer half, with Maribeth's assistance, to Marvin.

 

MARIBETH

 

This is too awesome!

 

Marvin begins working both instruments inside the lock tumbler.

 

MARVIN

 

Pretty common bolt. It's been a while, but...

 

A BRIGHT LIGHT from the parking lot illuminates the lab entry stoop. The three burglars turn and freeze. From a loudspeaker atop a campus police squad car, an OFFICER speaks.

 

OFFICER

 

Hold it right there. Don't move. Raise your hands.

 

The three do as instructed, Maribeth emitting a low wimper.

 

MARVIN

 

(whispering to Maribeth)

 

I thought you said they were rent-s-cops.

 

The officer approaches them, flashlight held at his shoulder, panning each of them.

 

OFFICER

 

What's going on here?

 

Jonathan begins to bolt sideways. The cop follows him with the light. In the distraction, Marvin tosses the lock-picking tools into the bushes next to the step.

 

OFFICER

 

I said don't move!

 

Jonathan stumbles on the grass and falls forward onto his stomach, his arms extending outward when he lands. The cop returns his attention to Marvin and Maribeth.

 

OFFICER

 

Now, suppose you tell me what you're up to. Who are you?

 

MARIBETH

 

Oh sir, this is Professor Phalgrafstad beside me. That's Jonathan lying over there. We, um...we were here knocking on the lab door, trying to get...

 

MARVIN

 

Professor Anselm, sir. He's inside. We think. We hope.

 

OFFICER

 

Yeah, right.

 

MARIBETH

 

It's true, sir! We were shouting for him. You must have heard us.

 

MARVIN

 

Bad heart. We're very concerned. He's brilliant, but older than Methuselah.

 

The radio on the cops hip squawks.

 

voice

 

What's up, Thompson?

 

thompson

 

Got three possible burglars over here at the science building.

 

voice

 

Roger that. On the way.

 

Thompson

 

Now, why don't the three of you show me some ID.

 

Marvin cringes.

 

MARVIN (V.O.)

 

Wonder what's happening at the jail these days?

 

Jonathan rolls over and retrieves his wallet. Maribeth implores the officer.

 

MARIBETH

 

My purse is still in the car, sir. I'll go...

 

THOMPSON

 

Stay put.

 

A second squad car races into the lot, headlights blaring, cherry-top spinning. The SECOND COP dashes across the grass and joins his partner, surveying the three criminals.

 

second cop

 

What gives?

 

Thompson

 

Caught them trying to break in. The girl says her ID is in her purse in the car over there.

 

SECOND COP

 

I'll get it.

 

He walks casually to Maribeth's car. Jonathan, still lying on his back, holds a student ID card high over his head. Marvin doesn't move.

 

THOMPSON

 

(to Maribeth)

 

Go get that guy's ID, then get back over here.

 

(to Marvin)

 

Make it snappy, bud. Get your ID out. Slowly.

 

The second cop returns with Maribeth's purse. He opens it and pulls out her wallet, searching for ID.

 

From the far corner of the building, Anselm strides forward, limping, dressed in a rumpled suit of gray. Thompson notices the movement and brings the flashlight to bear on the angel.

 

THOMPSON

 

You! Get over here!

 

Anselm limps forward, coming to a halt below the stoop.

 

THOMPSON

 

That's far enough. Who are you?

 

ANSELM

 

Oh my goodness, what's going on, Professor? I'm so sorry I'm late...but what are these officers doing here?

 

Thompson

 

Get your ID out, Mack.

 

ANSELM

 

Of course, officer.

 

Anselm pulls a wallet out of his rear pocket, takes a laminate card out, and then hands it to Thompson. Thompson scans it.

 

thompson

 

Chemistry, huh? You the guy they thought was inside?

 

anselm

 

Oh my. Inside? No. You see, I just arrived to escort these two students and Professor Phalgrafstad in. That is certainly plain enough to see.

 

The second cop nudges Thompson.

 

second cop

 

Check out the last name of the girl. You any relation to the governor, Maribeth Harris?

 

MARIBETH

 

Of course I am, you twit. Look at the address on the license!

 

SECOND COP

 

400 East Eighth Avenue. Uh, that's the address of...

 

MARIBETH

 

The Governor's Mansion. I'm the governor's daughter, and if the two of you don't back off right this minute and leave us, I'll see that you're brought up on harrasment charges.

 

Thompson

 

I'm still not buying the story. Something smells fishy.

 

Anselm

 

I would do as the young woman suggests, officers.

 

Anselm's eyes glow fiery red momentarily. Thompson takes notice and frowns.

 

second cop

 

Sorry miss. C'mon, Thompson. They're okay. Let's get out of here.

 

The second cop turns and begins walking back to his squad car. Thompson lingers for a second, glaring at Anselm, and then he turns and retreats.

 

cut

 

ext. Science Building-later

 

Anselm, Marvin, and Maribeth stand on the stoop together. Jonathan stands on the grass by himself.

 

Anselm

 

That was a foolish thing you did, Marvin. I strongly suggest that you leave before getting yourself into any further difficulties.

 

Maribeth stands staring at Anselm, a look of wonder on her face.

 

MARVIN

 

Thank you for showing up, Anselm, but everything would have been fine if young Jonathan over there had broughtthe right key.

 

Anselm brings his eyes to bear on Maribeth for a moment, and then turns and walks back the way he came.

 

Anselm

 

(over his shoulder)

 

Just go home.

 

He reaches the end of the building and disappears around the corner. Maribeth's jaw is slack.

 

MARIBETH

 

Was-that-him?

 

MARVIN

 

It was, my dear. You've just met an honest to goodness angel.

 

Now, where were we? Help me find the pick and the torque. They should be right over here.

 

Marvin steps off the stoop onto the grass. He searches through the bushes, and beneath them. Maribeth stands staue-like, staring in the direction Anselm took a moment earlier.

 

fade

 

int. governor's mansion basement bar-indeterminate

 

Marvin sits at the lower work station of the bar on a rolling chair in front of a new computer. Maribeth stands at his shoulder beaming, pointing at the screen.

 

cut

 

int. Governor's mansion basement bar-indeterminate

 

Marvin sits behind the bar on his rolling chair in front of the computer. Maribeth stands on the other side, opening