PROJECT
MATCH
The
movie
by
amanda grihm
©
1994; Revised 1996; 1999; 2007
FADE IN:
POV - JAN BROWN, driving in
downtown,
As Jan gets closer, the writing on the banner becomes clear -
HAMBURGERS 39 cents, CHEESEBURGERS 49 cents. CLOSE UP on the woman, placing
food from the trash bin in her mouth. As Jan gets closer still, she notices
that she takes more food out of the bin and holds it auspiciously in place in
the center of her shopping cart.
Jan, still driving, digs in her
purse for money. She slows almost to the point of stopping as she nears the
woman. She pulls up into the restaurant parking lot and blows the horn to get
the woman’s attention. She ignores Jan
so she parks the car and walks over to the woman. She is surprised to hear
cries of a baby coming from the shopping cart.
JAN
Ma'am, here's a few dollars. Go
inside and get yourself something to eat.
Turning to Jan and taking the food away from her
baby's mouth.
PATTY
God bless you.
JAN
You were feeding garbage to your
baby.
PATTY
She has to eat.
JAN
Why
didn't you go inside and tell them you were hungry?
PATTY
I guess you think I prefer to eat
garbage.
Jan reaches into her purse for more money. Jan hands
Patty $20.00.
JAN
It's
all I have. Please, go inside and get something to eat.
Patty doesn’t
want Jan to see her with a tear in her eyes.
PATTY
What’s your name? One day I'll be
able to pay you back.
JAN
That's okay. Can I do anything else
for you? Take you somewhere?
Patty hugs her baby and flashes back to her son sitting at the
kitchen table, unable to move as she runs out of the house with her newborn
baby.
PATTY
Would you mind going inside
to get something for us? They don't allow me in there.
JAN
What do you mean?
PATTY
I mean, they won't let me in cause I offend their
customers.
JAN
But you are a customer when you're buying.
PATTY
Am I the first homeless person you ever set eyes on?
JAN
No, no…you’re the first one I ever spoke to.
Jan flashes to the image of a man frozen to death,
on a street in
PATTY
Figures!
Here, get a couple of cheeseburgers and a milk shake. Since this is all
you have, if you like, get something for yo’self, too.
JAN
No, that’s for you.
Jan goes inside to order the food.
CUT TO:
INT – MICKIE’S FRESH FOOD RESTAURANT – DAY
A heavyset COUNTER GIRL barely out of her teens
stands behind the counter with a bored look on her face. Her uniform is greasy and dirty. She sees Jan, turns her back and starts
mixing the French Fries.
COUNTER GIRL
Can
I help you?
JAN
Yes, I'd like to have 2 cheeseburgers and a vanilla
shake.
COUNTER GIRL
Will that be all?
JAN
Oh,
let me have 2 medium fries.
COUNTER GIRL
That'll be $4.00.
JAN
Miss, did you know that there’s a homeless woman in
front of your restaurant eating garbage out of your trash bin. She is feeding
it to her baby, too.
COUNTER GIRL
Da’ always do dat! Da’getting on my last nerve
comin’eat’n our garbage.
JAN
Well, I was telling you to see if... maybe you could
just give her some food for later on.
COUNTER
GIRL
No. I can't. She can eat that garbage as far as I’m
concerned.
JAN
Most restaurants throw away food at the end of the
day. Does this restaurant throw out food?
COUNTER
GIRL
If you so concerned why don't you just buy her some
food or take her home with you and feed her?
Counter girl pushes the food across the counter at
Jan.
JAN
Maybe I will.
She turns to walk away, and then turns back to the
girl.
JAN (Continued)
Who is the manager, here?
COUNTER GIRL
I am. And I ain't giving away no free food. We in
the business to make money. You betta tell that fool to stop begging and get a
job!
JAN
Will you hire her?
COUNTER GIRL
Hell no.
JAN
Why not?
COUNTER GIRL
Cause she stinks... and she's crazy.
JAN
How can you suggest that she get a job if you're not
willing to hire her?
COUNTER GIRL
I tell you what. You wash her butt, get her some
psychiatric help and then I'll hire her. Oh.... and find somebody to keep her
baby all day.
JAN
They really don't have a chance, do they?
COUNTER GIRL
Not here.
PATTY
Why did it take you so long?
JAN
I was trying to see if I could get some free food
for you.
PATTY
Ain't nobody giving me nothing free.
Patty starts talking to herself.
PATTY
Send this woman in to get a couple of cheeseburgers
and she cain't even do that. What the hell am I gonna do for the rest of the
night? I guess she meant well. Who you talking to Patty? I'm talking to you
Patty? These do gooder's don't know nothing ‘bout what I need.
Patty walks away.
JAN
Hey, can I take you somewhere?
PATTY
Didn't we tell her, we ain't got nowhere to go. Yes
we did. Look, Miss ... We ain't got
nowhere to go... we already told you that. We are going to the shelter.
JAN
Well, I'll take you. But I don't know how to get
your shopping cart there.
PATTY
Go back in there and get me some more
cheeseburgers... Get me bout 6 more.
JAN
Six
PATTY
Better make that 8.
JAN
Okay. Eight, anything else?
PATTY
That's $4.00. That only leaves me with $12.00. I can
stretch it out. I can eat the bread and the meat separately. I gotta go get
some milk for my baby.
JAN
Eight cheeseburgers. Do you want any fries?
PATTY
No.... ain't nothing worse than paying for fries and
eating 'em cold.
Jan goes in
and comes back with the cheeseburgers.
JAN
Here you go. Come on, I'll take you to the shelter.
Patty starts talking to
herself in a very loud voice.
PATTY
How many times we got to tell her. We can't go to
the shelter till 6:00 o'clock.
JAN
Why 6 o'clock?
PATTY
That's when they let us in. We get in at 6 in the
evening and leave at 6 in the morning.
JAN
It's only 1:30 now. What’ll you do until 6?
PATTY
Walk around. Try to find some shade to sit in.
JAN
You know... you keep talking to yourself.
PATTY
Who else gonna talk to us? People don't want us to
live on the same planet with them. They
don't ever talk to us. You are the exception!
JAN
Do you hear yourself answer?
PATTY
Ain't nothing wrong with my hearing.
I’m homeless, not deaf or crazy!
JAN
Sorry.
PATTY
You know my baby is gonna be somebody special when
she grows up.
JAN
Yes, she's a beautiful baby.
PATTY
They tried to take her from me. But I hid.
JAN
Who is they?
PATTY
The police.
JAN
Why did the police try to take your baby?
PATTY
Cause I reported being raped. When they saw my baby
they said that I couldn't take care of her properly?
JAN
But wouldn't you like to know that she's eating and
being properly taken care of?
PATTY
Whose gonna take better care of my baby than me? You
people are all the same.
Patty shakes her fist at Jan then she starts talking
to herself again. She wants to frighten
Jan into leaving her alone. But she is
saddened that no one seems to understand that even though she is homeless she
is the best one to take care of her child.
PATTY
Everybody knows what's best for my baby. But don't
nobody love her but me. How is someone gonna treat a baby they don't love?
Whose gonna love my baby more than me?
JAN
I didn't mean any harm. I just thought...
PATTY
You just thought you knew
what was best for my baby, and I didn't.
Patty reaches into a sock that is sitting upright in
her cart and pulls out a rusty knife.
Jan begins backing, slowly, away from Patty.
JAN
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
PATTY
Look, don't come out here trying to help people if
you gonna get scared and back down so fast.
JAN
I am not scared.
Patty Jumps at Jan. Jan runs down the street,
leaving her car in the lot.
PATTY
Told you, you was scared. Don't try this no more girl...These people
feed off of your fear.... They'll eat you alive. Com’on back and get in yo’ car.
Patty talking to her baby.
PATTY (Continued)
You gonna be somebody special when you grow up...
You ain't gonna be scared of nothing.
I'm scared and angry all the time... but don't nobody know it. I have a
boy that I have to raise to be a good man. We are going to get your brother,
baby. I love my son. He will grow to be a good man. I don't hate men! I don't,
and I don’t want you to hate men when you grow up. When I come out of this, I'll be alright. I
don't hate men...just some of them, I just hate some of them!
CUT TO:
Jan is speeding down the street; she runs through a
red light and keeps going.
JAN
I can't believe I ran from her...I was scared... I
won't do that again... Those people are crazy.
CUT
TO:
INT - CRIME SCENE... HOME OF ELDERLY WOMAN.
Detectives Jenstin and Spender step inside the house
holding their noses.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Damn... she’s been here for awhile.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Yeah, but how long... from the smell... must have
been at least a month.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Where was her family?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
What you wanna bet she didn't have any?
A neighbor walks into the house, escorted by a uniform
policeman.
POLICEMAN
Detectives... here's her neighbor. She says she
didn't see or hear anything.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
What's your name miss?
EVELYN
My name is Evelyn... want my phone number?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Yeah, but just for the
record.
EVELYN
Look! I haven't seen Mrs. Saunders for about two
weeks.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
What about her family?
EVELYN
She ain't got no family! If she do, don't nobody
come to visit her.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Who looks after her?
EVELYN
Look, she ain't my responsibility. I got my hands
full with my kids.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
I understand, but who looks after her?
EVELYN
Nobody that I know of.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
You mean nobody looked out for this poor, old woman?
EVELYN
Nobody don't want to be bothered. We got enough to
do just watching out for our kids and ourselves. We cain't be taking on no
extra responsibilities. Besides, she wasn't very friendly. All she ever did was
hide behind those curtains peeking out at us. Sitting there staring at people
all day long!
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Maybe she was afraid. You know its kinda scary being
old and alonge these days.
EVELYN
Hell, she should have been scared... she was robbed
I don't know how many times.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
How do you know about the previous robberies?
EVELYN
You see some of the crack-heads carrying her stuff
out and you just assume that
she was robbed.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Did you report it?
EVELYN
Look, I got to live here, I can't get involved in
nobody's mess.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
This woman was killed. If somebody had reported the
robberies maybe she would have gotten some help. We could have gotten Senior
Services involved, and at least she would have had somebody to look out for
her.
EVELYN
Look, I didn't rob her and she ain't my mamma. I
ain't responsible for her. Anything
else?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You can go... thanks for nothing.
EVELYN
To hell with you! You ain't gonna make me feel
guilty bout her death. She was old and would have been dying sometime soon,
anyway... I got to try to live here.
Evelyn exits.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Man, people just don't care... why are we in this
line of work, if nobody even cares about people.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You taking this kinda hard and personal ain't you?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
It makes me sick to see people treat old people bad.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
I know what you mean... We gonna get this guy. Look
at what he did to her. Man, he didn't have to leave the broom in her.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
I'm getting sick.
An ambitious REPORTER pulls up in a News truck.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
We got
company.
They walk outside.
REPORTER
(To cameraman)
Setup and give me five.
(To Detective Jenstin)
What's the story here? I hear she was elderly.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Yes, I guess she's in her 80's or 90's.
REPORTER
What
do we know so far?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
We know she's dead.
REPORTER
Come on, detective... you work with me and I'll work
with you. Can I go inside?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
No ... You don't want to see
this.
REPORTER
I'm a professional. This is
my job.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Let her go in.
The Reporter motions for cameraman to follow her onto the steps
of the house.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You.
The Reporter motions for the cameraman to wait on the steps.
REPORTER
Thanks.
Reporter walks inside and runs back out gagging. Then she runs to the banister and hangs off
of the side and vomits.
REPORTER
What kind of animal did that to that old woman? I mean, who could hate her so much?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Whoever did that didn’t hate that old woman. They were making a statement to the rest of
the neighbors. Nawl, that wasn't a hate
crime... that was a show of insane power.
We'll know more after forensics sends the lab reports.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
You want to help us?
REPORTER
What can I do? Whoever did this is sick!
DETECTIVE SPENDER
We need a lot of coverage on this one.
REPORTER
You got it.
CUT TO:
EXT. – MRS MILLER’S HOUSE – NIGHT
MRS. MILLER, an 80+-year-old woman, asleep in her
easy chair. She is awakened by a
TEENAGED BOY AND TEENAGED GIRLS making noise in one of the bedrooms in the back
part of the house.
MRS.
MILLER
Hello. . . hello. . . is somebody there?
VOICE
OF TEENAGED GIRL
(O.C.)
Don’t you come back here old lady! You hear me?
MRS.
MILLER
Yes, I heard you baby. I ain’t coming back there. I’m just going to sit back down here in my
chair okay?
VOICE
OF TEENAGED BOY
We’ll be done in about another 20 minutes. But then my boy, Hersey and his girl will be
coming in so you better not come back here then either. Got that?
MRS.
MILLER
Yes, baby I’ll just stay here.
Mrs. Miller sits in her chair, wraps her hand up in her sweater
and stuffs it in her mouth to muffle the sound of her voice as she speaks.
MRS.
MILLER
(Continued)
Lord, why?
Why is it like this now? What
have I done to have to live in this kind of hell? Why?
Why? Why? What did I do? Tell me!
You tell me why I’m living like this in the last days of my life? Why do I have to be afraid to walk in my own
home?
VOICE
OF TEENAGED BOY
Old woman, I hear you sayin’ something! I can’t hear what you saying but you better
not be on that phone. Now shut the hell
up!
Mrs. Mrs. Miller is barely
able to speak.
MRS. MILLER
Sorry! I
didn’t mean to disturb you. I have to go
to the bathroom, baby. So, I’m gonna be
walking towards the back there in a few minutes but I won’t go in none of the
bedrooms, okay?
VOICE
OF TEENAGED BOY
Hell No!
Don’t you bring yo old, wrinkled…
Mrs. Miller interrupts him.
MRS.
MILLER
I’m sorry. I won’t go come back there. I’ll just sit here!
VOICE
OF TEENAGED GIRL
Let her go to the bathroom.
The man hits the woman and she is screams out in
pain.
VOICE
OF TEENAGED GIRL
Don’t come back here old woman! Do yo business in that chair. Yeah, just do
yo business in da’ Goddamn chair.
The boy hits the girl and
kicks her out of the bed.
VOICE OF THE TEENAGED BOY
Come on back here and go to the bathroom. I’m gonna stand right here and watch you
too. Now come on!
Mrs. Miller runs back to the bathroom and sits on the toilet but
she doesn’t take her panties down.
The teenaged boy walks over to her and grabs her by
the collar with both hands and lifts her off of the toilet.
VOICE
OF TEENAGED BOY
Old woman. I
will kill you if you call yo-self messing with me. You just pulled me up at a critical moment,
you better do some business and I mean right now. Now you take those panties down and sit yo’
flat ass on that toilet and do yo business, NOW!
Mrs. Miller, crying and pulling her panties down.
Mrs. Miller starts urinating before she can sit on
the toilet.
The teenaged boy pushes her onto the toilet. She falls on the floor and stays there until
the boy leaves the room. She stares at
the door from the floor.
Miller hears the kitchen door slam shut. She lifts her head and tries to see if there
are any shadows in the hallway as she lay still, listening for voices.
Remembering that teenaged boy said his friend would
be coming in next, she gets up and washes herself and goes back into the living
room and sits in her chair.
While sitting in her chair she hears the window in
the back bedroom open and close. She
sits there with her sweater wrapped around her hand and her hand shoved in her
mouth.
Mrs. Miller keeps her hand in her mouth while tears
continuously flow from her eyes.
Finally, she falls asleep.
HERSEY, a neighbor hood boy enters the house.
HERSEY
(Shaking
Mrs. Miller)
Mrs. Miller… wake up Mrs. Miller.
MRS.
MILLER
(Groggy)
Yes… Yes… I’m awake.
I’m up honey.
HERSEY
Where yo clean sheets? The sheets on both these beds stink. I need some clean sheets in a hurry. Git up and fix that bed in the back room.
MRS.
MILLER
I’m sorry baby but that other boy just left
here. I didn’t hear him leave.
Mrs. Miller opens the cabinet door and gets a set of
sheets. She sees an old cigar box in the
corner. She lifts the lid of the box and
sees the gun her husband left her. That
gun hadn’t been used in more than 35 years.
She put her hand on the gun and looked over her
shoulder at Hersey. She places a set of
sheets on top of the cigar box, takes two sets of sheets out of the cabinet and
changed both beds.
Mrs. Miller sits sleeping in her chair again, the
warmth and brightness of the sun woke her.
The sun is so bright that she is barely able to open her eyes.
MRS.
MILLER
Another day Lord!
Another day! When is it going
to end?
Mrs. Miller goes outside to sit on her porch. Tommy, a teenaged neighbor boy is passing by
her house.
TOMMY
Mrs. Miller.
I’ve been waiting out here for you.
MRS.
MILLER
Tommy, is that you?
TOMMY
Yes ma’am, it is me.
Are you alright?
MRS.
MILLER
I guess that’s a matter of opinion.
TOMMY
(In
a sad, low voice)
I know what you mean.
Tommy walks up onto Mrs. Miller’s porch and sits
down next to her.
TOMMY
(Continued)
I brought you some breakfast. You better eat it fast. It’s only 2 cans of Vienna Sausages. I couldn’t find anything else.
MRS.
MILLER
Thank you, Tommy.
I appreciate what you doing for me.
I was so hungry, baby… you just don’t know!
TOMMY
I can imagine.
One day I’m going help you. I
mean really help you out. I’m just
afraid that those guys will kill me and my family if I try to interfere right
now. But when I grow up, I’m gonna take
care of guys like that. They ain’t brave
at all. They pick on little old ladies
or they have to have a bunch of them before they make a move on anybody. I hate them.
MRS.
MILLER
Baby, it ain’t right to hate nobody, but I know what
you mean. I hate what they doing. I hate the way we all got to live. Hating them is a waste of time. The only one it works against is you. They don’t even know or care that you hate
them. Just do what you said and put your
energy to doing something about this situation when you get grown. Don’t ever forget the way things are right
now. You visit yo’ granny every chance
you get…you hear?
TOMMY
I do, Mrs. Miller.
I see her every weekend. I just
wanted to make sure that you got something to eat today. I’ll see you tomorrow.
MRS.
MILLER
Thank you baby, I sure do appreciate what you doing
for me.
Tommy takes a small piece of wax paper out of his
pocket and places it on Mrs. Miller’s lap.
Then he takes four toothpicks and hands them to her. She opens the cans of sausages and lays them
on the wax paper. Tommy takes the cans
and puts them in a paper bag. He hugs
Mrs. Miller and leaves.
MRS.
MILLER
(Continued)
Thank you Lord for Tommy.
She eats each of the sausages, meticulously drops the
toothpicks between the cracks on the porch and balls the wax paper into a tiny
ball and throws it into the grass.
CUT TO:
EXT. – MRS. MILLER’S FRONT PORCH – EARLY EVENING
Mrs. Miller sitting in her rocker. She sees Billy walking up to her but she
doesn’t look up until he speaks to her.
Meals-On-Wheels just left Mrs. Miller’s house.
BILLY
Hi, Miss Miller... how you
doing?
MRS. MILLER
Who is that?
BILLY
It's me... Billy.... you know me don't you?
MRS. MILLER
Oh yeah... How you, Billy?
Billy reaches over to eat some of the food off of her plate.
BILLY
I'm doing okay... I'm a little hungry. I'm gonna eat
that sandwich.
MRS. MILLER
Me, too, Billy.
I’d like to eat that sandwich myself, I’m very hungry right about now.
BILLY
Come on Mrs. Miller... you know our arrangement. You
give me what I want and nobody gets hurt.
Haven’t I been protecting you? Huh?
You still here because of me! I
don’t think you appreciate what I do for you.
You gonna hafta act more grateful.
Okay?
MRS. MILLER
Okay.. but it ain't right. Just ain't right.
BILLY
Right and wrong... It's right for me. Don't you have
no food in the house? Can't you cook?
MRS. MILLER
Not no more... I use to cook all the time. When my
husband died 35 years ago I really stopped cooking.... You know my husband was
a....
Billy interrupts her.
BILLY
Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I don't want to know your life
history... Did your check come today?
MRS. MILLER
No it didn't. I was expecting it though... Today is
the first ain't it?
BILLY
No... it's the 3rd... you wouldn't be holding out on
me now would you? You old bitch!
MRS. MILLER
A bitch is a female dog, Billy. I ain’t no dog. I’m a woman.
BILLY
You calling me stupid old woman. You think I don’t know what a bitch is?
Huh? What are the rules here, Mrs.
Miller? Do you know what the damn rules
are?
MRS.
MILLER
I sho’ didn’t want to upset you, but I wish you
wouldn’t call me that name. I use to
take care of you when you was a child and I always treated you with respect.
BILLY
Why you think I been so good to you. I could been done killed yo’ ass, but I been
keeping the others off you, ain’t I?
MRS.
MILLER
Yes, Billy you have.
I guess under the circumstances you have been good to me. Oh, did you see the policemen and the fire
wagon across the street?
BILLY
Yeah ... that old lady got killed! See that could have been you. So don’t you ever correct me again. People round here getting killed all the
time, specially old bitches.
MRS. MILLER
Ain't that terrible... Who would want to kill her?
BILLY
Somebody she wouldn't cooperate with or somebody she
questioned too much... See, Mrs. Miller...that's why it's important for you to
cooperate.
MRS. MILLER
I see.
BILLY
You better see... now when you get your check don't
you let nobody cash it for you but me.
Billy takes the rest the carton of milk off Mrs.
Miller’s tray and drinks it, then he spits it out and laughs.
BILLY
How many times I got to tell you to put the lunch in
the refrigerator. Now the milk is soured
and the sandwich was stale. Don’t you
know nothing? What time they deliver
your dinner?
MRS. MILLER
5:30.
BILLY
I'll be back at 5:35 and don't you eat it.
MRS. MILLER
Billy, I want to eat too... I'm hungry.
BILLY
Remember what I said about cooperating?
CUT TO:
INT. – JAN’S APARTMENT – EARLY EVENING
Jan, outside of her apartment, hears the phone ring.
It stops ringing after two rings. After
entering her apartment, she turns on the television and walks into the kitchen.
The phone rings, she turns the volume of the television down. On the television, you see the body of Mrs.
Saunders being carried out. As they put the body into the ambulance, Jan spots
Patty and her baby standing in the crowd.
JAN
Let me call you back... I want to see the news.
She turns up the volume on the television.
JAN
Okay, okay, I'll call you back... Look, I hate to be
rude but I really want to hear this. Bye!
REPORTER
... neighbors say that it is not uncommon for them
not to see Mrs. Saunders for weeks at a time. Mrs. Saunders had no relatives
and lived in relative obscurity from the rest of the world.
Neighbors commented that this woman had been the
victim of previous robberies,
but no one cared enough to report it to the police. Who cares anymore? Who
cares? Mrs. Saunders should not just be considered another old woman who died.
She was a wonderful woman who contributed to the well being of this community.
She gave 40 years service as a nurse, and 15 years as a volunteer nurse after
she retired, she served on the
Women's Board in her church, she took abandoned children in and raised them.
She deserved more than what she got. She deserved to
have the care and concern of this community. No one cared enough to check to
see if she was all right. She lived alone in that big house. She deserved
more... she deserved so much more.
This is Veronica Willing reporting live for WKKA TV.
Jan calls Information to get the number of WKKA.
JAN
Give me the number for WKKA
TV.
JAN (Continued)
Thank you.
She dials WKKA.
JAN
May I speak to Veronica Willing? Oh, hello, Ms.
Willing I didn't think I'd be able to speak directly to you, I just saw your
news story. I only got to see the tail end of it though... Can you give me the
details of that woman's death. No, no.
I'm just concerned... How old was she... 89! Eighty-nine years old and nobody
looked out for her! I'm sorry, I know you are a very busy person, but how can I
get more information about her? I don't know... I just know I gotta know more
about her. Okay, Detective Jenstin and Spender. Thank you very much.
Jan hangs up the phone and talks out loud.
JAN (Continued)
Who cares? Who cares? I do. That could be me 40 or
50 years from now. And who would even care? Where were her family, and her
neighbors? That could be me 60 years from now.
Jan is overcome with sadness and begins to cry. The phone rings.
JAN
Yeah... I said I would call you back.
CUT TO:
INT. - POLICE STATION – DAY
Jan sits next to a woman holding a baby.
JAN
Hi.
WOMAN
You want a baby? Give me $10 and you can have her?
JAN
What?
WOMAN
$5.00 but that's a low as I'm
going.
JAN
Are you joking?
WOMAN
Hell, I ain't got nothing to joke about. Now, you
want her or not?
JAN
No! I mean I can't believe this!
WOMAN
You got $5.00 lady?
JAN
No...no I don't.
WOMAN
Well give me those earrings and we'll call it even.
JAN
You could get arrested for trying to sell your
baby…and in a police station!
The woman gets up and lays the baby down, walks down
the stairs and out of the building.
WOMAN(Yelling back)
She ain't mine. I found her.
JAN picks up the baby and takes her to the policeman
at the desk.
JAN
Hello...sir...my name is Jan Brown. A woman just
left this baby on the bench. She said that she found her. She tried to sell her
to me for $5.00.
OFFICER
Have a seat, I'll be right with you... You mind
holding her until I get a uniform down here to take her?
JAN
No, not at all.
Jan sits down. A uniform policewoman
takes the baby. Detective Jenstin walks
up to Jan.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Jan Brown... Are you Miss
Brown?
JAN
Yes... I am... How are you
today?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
What can I help you with?
JAN
I wanted to find out more about that elderly woman
who was killed and left in her house for weeks.
I saw it on the news yesterday.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Yeah, and?
JAN
I saw her on the news.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Miss, would you please get to the point.
JAN
I'm sorry. She was left alone for weeks in her
house.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Okay, so you just narrowed the list down to just 3.
You wanna be a little more specific?
JAN
She lived on
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Okay... are you a relative?
JAN
No. But I would like to know more about her?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Why?
JAN
Because the news reporter implied that nobody cared
and I do.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Lady, I can't help you.
JAN
You got to help me.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Lady, go home!
Stop wasting my time.
JAN
But I need to know more about her?
CUT TO:
INT. – POLICE STATION INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
Two detectives watch Jan from the hallway through a
two-way mirror.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
She's a do-gooder.
A nosy do-gooder. Could get in
the way if she persists!
Detective Jenstin walks into the hallway to talk
with the other detective.
DETECTIVE
JENSTIN
That's all the hell we need.... some do-gooder
butting her nose into this investigation.
CUT TO:
INT – INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Miss Brown, you can leave
now.
JAN
No I can't... I have some questions for you now.
Detective Jenstin motions for Detective Spender to come inside.
Detective Spender walks into the room.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
She won't leave. She's got some questions now.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
She got some questions... What questions?
JAN
Did she have any children? What about brothers and
sisters, maybe in another state or something?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Look lady, we got the file in our office... If you
want to look through them, be my guest.
JAN
Really?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
No! Until this case is solved all information is
privileged.
JAN
Well, what information do you have that isn't
privileged? I mean it's not like I'm asking you guys for details of her murder.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
She didn't have any relatives… none. She lived at
18726 Crowder and she didn't appear to have any friends, either.
JAN
That’s so sad. I wonder why?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
When you find out, let us know... will ya?
JAN
Yes, I will.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
This ain't your business... You liable to mess up
our investigation.
JAN
Detective, I am involved now because I care about
her now.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
This is what I know, one woman has already been
murdered. You get into this mess and you could get hurt or murdered, too. Why
are you so interested anyway?
JAN
I don't know? I just care.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Go on, get the hell out of
here!
CUT
TO:
EXT:
POV: Jan driving down
JAN
Hi...hi there...I saw you on the news the other day.
PATTY
You didn't see me.
JAN
Yes I did... I saw you and your baby, when the
ambulance was at that lady's house.
PATTY
So. . . what you want? An
autograph?
Jan starts rummaging through her purse looking for
money.
JAN
Here's $20... It's all
I got.
PATTY
No it ain't... you got more.
JAN
No, I don't.
PATTY
But you got more in the bank, don't you?
JAN
Of course, I do!
PATTY
Go
get some more money!
JAN
I will not. Who do you think you are demanding money from
me? I don’t owe you anything. I just wanted to help you!
PATTY
Okay, so you are a naïve do-gooder. You live over here?
JAN
I live uptown.
PATTY
Uptown! ...That figures... What you doing here?
JAN
I want to know more about
that lady.
PATTY
Look, that lady was murdered... You ran because I
hollered at you. You got a death wish?
JAN
I just want to find out why nobody cared.
PATTY
Oh, is that all...hell, I can answer that for
you…they don’t care cause it ain’t them. It's called looking out for number 1
and the hell with number 2.
JAN
I care?
PATTY
You are just plain ole’ nosy.
JAN
No, I care about what happened.
PATTY
Do yourself a favor and try to mind your own
business. Just this once, mind your own
business.
JAN
Is that the house across the
street?
PATTY
Yeah that's it.
JAN
I've never been in a house where a murder took
place. This is a little unnerving.
PATTY
You can't come out here scared... You are in the
wrong part of town for that.
JAN
It's broad daylight.
PATTY
I know you mean good, but you are just plain old
dumb.... Lady, everybody knows who killed that woman... but ain't nobody gonna
say nothing... These kids do their dirt in the daylight just like in the dark.
JAN
You got to tell the police if you know.
PATTY
I can only guess, but the neighbors know for sure...
They see the kids who come and take these old people's money and jewelry and
their food, too.
JAN
They even take their food. What do they eat?
PATTY
Whatever is left, or whatever they can manage to
hide.
Mrs. Miller falls on her porch. Jan and Patty turn
to see if they can see who fell. Jan
runs up to the porch.
JAN
Ma'am, you alright?
MRS. MILLER
I've fallen and I need help getting up. I can’t get up! Can you help me, please?
JAN
I'll call 911. They can tell me whether it’s safe to
move you or not.
Patty walks up to the porch. Stoops down to feel
Mrs. Miller's
leg.
PATTY
Can you move your legs?
MRS. MILLER
No. I don't think so. Good thing I was on the porch,
I'd been on the floor in the house for months before anybody would have found
me... Just like my neighbor across the street.
JAN
Maybe you ought to get to know some of your
neighbors so that they can come over and check on you.
MRS. MILLER
I know my neighbors... they don't want to know you
when you get as old as I am. It ain’t
good for my health or theirs to get this old.
PATTY
Go call 911... In the meantime, I'm gonna lift you
up onto this seat. Put your arms around my neck and don't put any pressure on
your leg if you can help it.
Patty picks Mrs. Miller up and gently places her in
the chair.
PATTY
Do you have a broom I can break or something that I
can make a splint with? And how about an ACE bandage?
MRS. MILLER
Look in the broom closet in the hallway; you'll see
3 brooms in there.
PATTY
Can I break two of them to brace your leg?
MRS. MILLER
Yes, you can baby.
The baby starts to cry.
MRS.
MILLER (Continued)
Hand me that precious baby.
Patty hands the baby to Mrs. Miller.
MRS.
MILLER(Continued)
Hey there precious... how's my precious little
jewel?
Patty looks up and smiles at Mrs. Miller. She is very proud of her baby. Jan walks back
into the room.
JAN
What a pretty picture... You guys look like a
family.
Ambulance arrives on the scene to take Mrs. Miller to the
hospital.
PARAMEDIC
Somebody did a very good job
here.
PATTY
Thanks.
MRS. MILLER
Thank you.
The paramedics close the ambulance door and drive
off. Mrs. Miller is smiling and waving to Patty and Jan. Evelyn walks out of
her house.
EVELYN
Did that old lady die?
PATTY
No, she didn't.
EVELYN
Oh...
JAN
Excuse me... Did you know the lady next to you?
EVELYN
Yeah, I knew her. What about
it?
JAN
What happened to her?
EVELYN
She got killed.
JAN
May I come over and talk to you about her? I just
want to get a little bit of information.
EVELYN
No you may not come over and talk to me about her.
Are you the police?
JAN
Ma'am I'm not the police and I only have a few
questions.
EVELYN
You’re not the police! Then, let me change my answer from NO to HELL
NO! And, lady, I don't care if you only
have one question... I don't want to talk about that old woman. She was old and
now she's dead, she would have died soon anyway.
JAN
But she was murdered... Right next door to you.
Don't you care about your neighbor, a little old lady … being murdered?
EVELYN
People are murdered everyday... I can't be bothered
with worrying about who it is, long as it ain't me.
PATTY
The next time you close your eyes, it may just be
you.
Evelyn slams the door.
JAN
Can you believe her?
PATTY
Yes, but I can't believe you. You are getting in
over your head... For all you know she could have set that woman up to be
murdered.
JAN
I didn't even think about anything like that.
PATTY
You ain't thinking at all... you just doing things,
and you may end up like that old woman...dead.
JAN
Yeah... I guess you're right... but you know how it
is when you just got to do something and you don't even know what it is. You
don't know how you gonna do it... you just know you got to do it.
PATTY
Of course, I do... I got a baby and no way to take
care of her...but everyday I find a way.
JAN
You were pretty good with Mrs. Miller back there.
PATTY
Yeah, she was a sweetheart.
JAN
Did you see how skinny she
was?
PATTY
They have been taking her
food.
JAN
I just can't understand who would do that to an
elderly woman?
PATTY
It had to be somebody she knew, cause she's still
alive... She must just be cooperating with them.
JAN
What can we do to help?
PATTY
Don't be including me in your plan... I got a baby
to take care of.
JAN
Okay... I got to think about this... Hey, you look
like you're about a size 10 would you like to come to my house and try on some
of my older clothes?
PATTY
Ain't you scared to take a homeless person home with
you?
JAN
I ain't scared of you.
PATTY
No, I guess you ain't but you sure took off the
other day.
JAN
You caught me off guard.
PATTY
I know you're getting your kicks off doing this, but
you take a lot of chances you shouldn't... You know... The next person you
meet, don't you invite them to your home... you could get ripped off, or even
killed. You don't know nothing 'bout the streets do you?
JAN
I just want to help.
PATTY
Help yourself. Get smart. I am a size 10, but my
hips ain't as big as your's but I'll try some of your old things anyway.
CUT TO:
INT. JAN’s HOUSE – DAYLIGHT
Patty is in the bathroom; she is relishing every moment of
relaxation in the tub. She keeps
looking over into the mirror at herself. Jan knocks on the door.
JAN
(O.C.)
Try on some of that make-up, you can have whatever
you see that you like... I sell it part-time... I have plenty.
PATTY
I ain't had on no lipstick in a long time. You sure
I can have what I want.
JAN
Positive.
PATTY
Thanks.
JAN
You must prefer baths to
showers.
PATTY
I ain't had a bath in a long, long time. You know
you can only shower at the shelter, ain’t no bath tubs.
PATTY (Continued)
It's close to 6:00, I better get back to the
shelter.
JAN
Well, I can make up the sofa and you can sleep in
there if you want to stay the night.
PATTY
You are just one of those lonely do-gooders ain't
you? You ain't got no friends do you?
JAN
I have plenty of friends and a boyfriend, everywhere
I go I meet new people...but I got a void in my life... I got to do something
about these poor senior citizens getting killed. And I can do something about homelessness I
just don’t know what yet. And you know what?
PATTY
I'm scared to ask. But...What?
JAN
My real father froze to death on the streets in
PATTY
A hobo! Where
the hell you been the last century?
Okay, okay so that's why you keep trying to help me ‘cause you see your
father doing the things that I do, huh?
JAN
I never knew him. To tell the truth, I was ashamed
of him. Sometimes when I see homeless
people on the street, I can't stop crying because I’m so angry with him and, I
guess my spirit is crying out to help him. Who knows?
PATTY
What were you ashamed of? He the one that went
through the hell! At least he didn't drag you or yo’ mother into his hell with
him. So only part of you is a do-gooders, the part just feels guilty.
JAN
I guess so. But in all honesty, I feel like I'm
being pulled into this.
PATTY
This
what?
JAN
This, whatever THIS is! I think I can change things for homeless
people.
PATTY
You probably will make a change. But where will you
start.
JAN
I don't know... I guess at the beginning...Look at
it...For so long, it didn’t matter to anyone as long as the main victims were
men. The hobo's of yesterday have evolved into the homeless families of today.
And, look at the way people are treating our senior citizens. Now, they don't count nobody wants them
around.
PATTY
Sad, ain't it. They already killing off the seniors,
next it'll be the homeless people. We in a world that don't give a damn.
JAN
People care, we just got to find a way to translate
care into action and make it
count.
PATTY
Yeah, well...I better get back. If I don't show up,
I could lose my space.
JAN
I told you, you could stay here tonight.
PATTY
Can't do that... they'll give my space away if I
don't show up.
JAN
Okay, just thought I would offer.
Patty walks over to Jan.
PATTY
I can see you care, but you better be more careful.
I wasn't joking when I said you shouldn't bring homeless people in your home. I
ain't gonna steal from you cause I ain't no thief, let me tell you what could
happen. You bring somebody home, okay...
Your extra keys are on the wall next to the door, they take your key. You leave
out to go to work, they clean you out. Or, how bout this, you in there sleep,
they sell your key for some
crack or some wine, next thing you know, you waking up to some stranger standing
over you with a gun pointed at you or a knife to yo’ throat telling you to open
yo’ legs and shut yo’ mouth... Don't be so trusting... Take care of yourself.
JAN
You are very observant. But I'm a good judge of
people.
PATTY
You'd do better trying to judge a person's
circumstance rather than the person.
Patty pulls out some cheese, crackers, and juice out of her
pockets, and a watch out of her baby's diaper.
JAN
Yes, I am... You didn't have to give them back.
PATTY
You so smart that you just plain dumb. You missed my
point!
JAN
No I got your point Patty. You're pretty smart how
did you become homeless.
PATTY
Bring out yo violin and take out your handkerchief.
Here's the story. Okay...had a husband who beat the crap out of me for being
alive, long as he was beating me I stayed...he grabbed my baby and was getting
ready to throw her across the room. I grabbed a knife, stabbed him in the
chest, ran like hell, couldn't go back to get my son who went in shock watching
that whole thing and couldn’t go to work because he would find me. Scared to breathe hard, cause he got my
number, so boom, - I'm homeless. Oh yeah and he said that he would kill me if I
ever showed my face in town again and he don’t make no idle threats!
JAN
What about the police? Why didn't you call them?
PATTY
Cause . . . I
stabbed him, remember. And, he is a policeman... I would be calling his
friends.
CUT TO: EXT. - MRS. MILLER'S
FRONT PORCH – DUSK
MRS. MILLER
I sprained my ankle, Billy.
BILLY
Who cares? Did that check come today?
MRS.
MILLER
I couldn't check the box.
BILLY
Do I got to do everything for you? I
Billy goes to the mailbox and opens it. A woman’s
hand taps him on the back and takes the mail out of his hand.
JAN
Thanks for getting my aunt's mail, but I'll be doing
that for her now.... I'm gonna be staying here with her.
BILLY
Who are you?
JAN
I'm Jan. I'm Mrs. Miller's niece. Who are you?
BILLY
I'm just a neighbor boy.
JAN
You don't look like nobody's boy to me... You look
like a big strong man.
BILLY
Yeah, baby. You got that
right.
JAN
But, you got me wrong... I ain't nobody's baby. I'm
FBI.
BILLY
FBI. Thought you said you was her niece.
JAN
I am. I'm also FBI.
Detectives Jenstin and Spender drive up.
JAN
Hey guys, what brings you here? How's the investigation
going?
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
It's going on and on and on.
JAN
Any suspects?
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Why
you here? You got something?
Jan looks into Billy's face.
JAN
Would you excuse us? Oh… yeah, let me introduce
you... What was your name Mr. Neighbor man?
BILLY
What? Oh, yeah, my name is Jack. Yeah, it's Jack,
Jack Stewart.
JAN
Jack Stewart these are detectives Jenstin and
Spender... They are investigating the murder of the woman across the street.
Did you get her mail for her, too?
BILLY
Look I don't know nothing bout that lady across the
street. I got to go.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You mind answering some questions for me, Jack
Stewart?
BILLY
Give me your card and I'll get in touch with you...
I got to be going right now.
Billy puts his hands in his pocket and his wallet drops on the
ground. Jan picks up his wallet. Flips open the wallet and shut it back.
JAN
Here you go Billy.
Billy runs in the back of one of the houses.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
I didn't plan to be chasing nobody...I ain't in the
mood for this.
Jan takes off running after Billy. Both detectives look at each
other in disbelief.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
What the hell! Damn, get her!
Detective Jenstin runs up on Jan and grabs her.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Stay
put.
Jan takes off her shoes and run after Billy. Jan runs past
Detective Jenstin after Billy. Detective
Jenstin and Detective Spender follow her into someone’s back yard. When they
get to her she is standing next to a fence. Two big dogs are jumping at her and
barking from the other side of the fence.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
He must have jumped the
fence.
Jan Looks across the fence at the dogs in the yard.
JAN
No, I don't think so. Those dogs would have chased
him. They were jumping up at this fence
when I got here. He's hiding right up under our noses.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
What are you trying to prove? We'll handle this.
JAN
I'll go see about Mrs.
Miller.
Some change drops down from a tree.
JAN (Continued)
Something fell from that
tree.
Both detectives look at each other, they both draw
their guns and point up into the tree at Billy.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Bring yo’ monkey ass out of that tree! You betta jump now cause I’m shooting on
three.
Billy starts to climb down the tree. He reaches for his pistol and drops it.
JAN
Oh my God, oh my God . . . he had a gun!
Both detectives look at each other and then at Jan.
BILLY
I don't know nothing... What's the charge? Man, why
is the FBI involved in dis? Dis’ a local thang!
Jan runs back to Mrs. Miller's house. She sees some of the boys
in the neighborhood running out of the deceased woman's house with a radio, and
a TV.
JAN
The woman is dead and still being robbed. When does it stop?
CUT TO:
EXT – MRS. MILLER’S NEIGHBOR’S BACK YARD – DAYLIGHT
BILLY
Look, can we make a deal.... I didn't kill nobody!
DETECTIVE SPENDER
The deal is that you tell us everything you know and
we'll think about it. There's been a string of robberies and murders, if you
don't want to get hammered on all of them, you better be straight with us. I
know one lady who will be glad to see you stop taking her money.
Looking at Detective Jenstin.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
(Continued)
Read him is rights.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you
say can and will be held against you. You have the right to an attorney... If
you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you...
Billy interrupts him...
BILLY
Look man... I know the drill... I wanna make a deal.
I cain't go back to jail. I didn't kill that old lady but I can give you the
names of some drug boys here in the hood.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Yeah, yeah, yeah.... Read him his rights.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
If you cannot afford an attorney the court will
appoint one for you.
BILLY
Look man, I said I want to make a deal. I can give
you the names of some of the drug boys.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Call it in to the precinct. We’re working on a
murder investigation, not a drug deal... better yet... call the DEA.
BILLY
How you know they ain't the same people? I mean
these boys are mean; they
always somehow end up using the homes of the old people who get killed to sell they shit.
CUT
TO:
EXT. - MRS.
MILLER'S PORCH – DUSK
Billy is in the back seat of the car looking at Mrs. Miller.
JAN
That man is going to jail Mrs. Miller; he won't be
taking your money or food anymore.
Mrs. Miller scared to look at Billy.
MRS. MILLER
He ain't been taking my money and food.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Ma'am are you sure?
MRS. MILLER
Yeah, I'm sure.
Detective Spender steps in front of Billy to block Mrs. Miller’s
view of him.
DETECTIVE
SPENDER
Ma'am, I know you said he didn't take your food and
money. He will hurt you if he's left on
the street.
MRS. MILLER
No. He'll
only hurt me if I don't cooperate.
JAN
Cooperate with the police and you'll be protected.
MRS. MILLER
Girl, you know where you at. The police don't come
round here. I'd be dead for weeks before
they come to help me, just like that ma’ neighbor ‘cross the street. Nawl, no thank you. Billy ain’t took nothing from me.
DETECTIVE
SPENDER
Ma'am we are here now... and excuse me but we don’t
come cause y’all don’t call. People like
you don't press charges. See, we can't take him away from here if you don't press
charges.
MRS. MILLER
Yeah, and someday he's gonna come back. Y'all don't
keep those boys no time. I'm old but I ain't try’n to die no time soon.
JAN
Ain't you tired of living in
fear?
MRS. MILLER
Yeah, but I ain't tire of living. When you get old
nowadays, that's the only kind of life that's left for you. When you ain't got
nobody to come see 'bout you.... everybody who come round is somebody to fear.
JAN
Mrs. Miller I'll come around to see about you? I
don't want to take advantage of you. I'd just like to come for a visit. Is that
okay?
MRS. MILLER
Yeah... that's okay... you seem like a nice girl.
You know that boy gonna come back here again...me and you can't do nothing
against that kind of animal. I know you got good intentions but you don't use
much good sense...cause you could have got hurt coming down here.
JAN
I'll be careful when I come here and I can do a
little bit more than you think. But you got a better chance cooperating with
the Police. Mrs. Saunders probably
cooperated and they still killed her. I don't want to make you worry. I want
you to stop living scared. I'll help you.
MRS. MILLER
I am tired of being scared. He was taking my money
for a long time. And he eats my food too. And I be so hungry. So hungry!
He took the rings off of my fingers. My husband been dead for 35 years
and I never wanted to take his ring off...but that Billy took them from me. He
probably sold them for some of that opening.
DETECTIVE
JENSTIN
Opening... what's that?
MRS. MILLER
Now I'm not sure about the name but I believe it’s
some kinda cocaine. It has something to do with an opening in space.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Would
you mean crack?
MRS. MILLER
That's it... I knew it referred to an opening in
space.
JAN
Did you tell Billy that he couldn't have your rings?
DETECTIVE
SPENDER
Mocking Jan.
Did you tell him that he couldn't have them?
MRS. MILLER
I never said that he couldn't have them, but I did
cover my hand and try to put my hand in my pocket.
DETECTIVE
SPENDER
Oh, okay. You got any more questions?
JAN
Yes, Mrs. Miller why didn't you tell him that he
could not have your rings? And what did it mean when you covered your hand.
MRS. MILLER
I didn't tell him because I was scared of him. And
he said that if I said anything he would chop my finger off. I got a little bit
of sense. I may be old but I ain't stupid.
JAN
What did it mean when you covered your hand?
MRS. MILLER
It meant No. you can't have my ring.
JAN
Are you going to be alright here tonight?
MRS.
MILLER
I ain't never alright here at night. At night is
when the rest of them come tapping on my window and taking my stuff. Only
reason they don't do more is because they know Billy gets my money and food and
they scared of him, too. He's crazy. Everybody knows that!
JAN
Would you like to come and stay at my house with me
for a few days?
MRS. MILLER
Then what?
What happens when I come back home?
JAN
Well, I'm sure the police will be coming around a
little more often now.
MRS. MILLER
Why don't you come over here? I would feel so much
better if you was here with me. You are a good FBI agent.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
FBI?
MRS. MILLER
You did tell the boy you was with the FBI, didn't
you?
JAN
No. I said I am FBI. That stands for Frustrated Big
time and inexperienced.
MRS. MILLER
That's right you did say that
you were FBI. People think that cause you get older that you can't hear. Well I
still hear fine... I hear all kinds of things that's been going on here for a
long time. People just say stuff in
front of me like I don't count no more.
That's how they treat you when you old.... like you ain’t nothing. But
you did say... I am FBI.
JAN
Right.
MRS. MILLER
I'll show you your room... I haven't been able to
clean it like I use to... so, it may need a little dusting.
JAN
Ma'am... I don't think I can stay.
MRS.
MILLER
Well do you know anybody else who could stay here
with me? They won't have to pay no rent. The house is paid for.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Yeah... Ms. Brown, if you want to help us... find
somebody to stay with Mrs. Miller... that'll be the best way you can help. Or
you stay with her... and stop worrying the hell out of us.
JAN
Mrs. Miller, I'll stay tonight, okay...
MRS. MILLER
Okay... but what about tomorrow and the day after...
cain't you just move in? I won't charge you no rent. And you could have company
... I won't get in your way; I just don't want to spend my last days alone.
The detectives pull off and Patty walks up.
Jan looks at Mrs. Miller then flashes back to Patty
when Patty says, "Don't bring no homeless person in your house, you could
get ripped off or killed".
Jan walks out to the greet Patty.
PATTY
You really did take an interest in this didn't you?
You’re sincere about helping, aren't you?
JAN
Yes, I am.
PATTY
Well good for you.
JAN
I know I'm in the way here... but I can't help it...
I gotta be here.
PATTY
How's the old lady?
JAN
She's fine...Why don't you come visit for a while.
PATTY
Okay. I really like her. She's sweet.
They walk up to Mrs. Miller.
PATTY
Hi... how's the ankle.
MRS. MILLER
It was a sprain... I was lucky... doctor said you
did a good job wrapping it. He said you must have had been a nurse or had some
training.
PATTY
No. Actually I use to do the illustrations for
medical books. So, I am familiar with a
lot of those procedures.
MRS. MILLER
Lucky for me you were here. Now, give me my precious
jewel.
Patty hands the baby to Mrs. Miller.
MRS. MILLER
I think she made a boo boo.
PATTY
Can I use your bathroom?
MRS. MILLER
Sure... go to the back of the house, through my
bedroom and make a left.
Jan flashes back to Patty pulling the watch out of
her baby's diaper.
JAN
Sit there.... Mrs. Miller, do you have a small tub
or something wherw she can wash the baby?
PATTY
Don't worry... I won't take anything.
MRS. MILLER
What... take what?
PATTY
I said I wouldn’t take
anything.
MRS. MILLER
Nobody accused you of taking anything.
PATTY
I know, but I could just feel the negative energy.
JAN
I'm sorry... I was just thinking about what you told
me at my place.
PATTY
I know what you were thinking. Thanks Mrs. Miller...
I got to go.
JAN
Look... you're the one who told me not to be so
trusting.
PATTY
That's right... I did.
Patty takes her baby from Mrs. Miller and walks off of the
porch.
MRS. MILLER
Where you going?
PATTY
I'm going for a walk.
MRS. MILLER
Ain't you tired of walking, girl? I see you walking
all the time.
PATTY
Ma'am I'm tired of
everything.
MRS. MILLER
Well, then come on back up here. You go on in there and relax for a while.
I’ll watch the baby for you. Don't pay
no attention to her, she still got some learning to do.
Patty walks into the living room and lays down on
the couch.
Mrs. Miller takes the diaper off of the baby.
MRS.
MILLER
(To Jan)
Go in there and get my purse... I want you to go and
get this child some diapers.
Here... go shake this diaper out in the toilet and
wash it. Bring me a soft towel to wrap this child in. Look up on the second
shelf in the linen closet next to the bathroom. And while you in there... you
apologize to that child.
JAN
Okay...I'm sorry.
MRS.
MILLER
You got good intentions baby... don't be sorry for
that.
JAN
Thanks, I'm going to stop by my house to pick up my
nightclothes, okay.
MRS. MILLER
Is your house on the way, cause you know these
babies just go when they have to go... they can't wait on you?
JAN
I better get the diapers first. I'll be right back.
CUT TO:
INT - INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT
BILLY
Man, I told you I didn't kill that old woman. Yeah,
I took a couple of checks and some of her food, but I ain't no killer.
Detective Jenstin slams Billy's head into the table.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
You make me sick...Those old people can't get out
and do nothing for themselves. They can't cook... why you think their food is
brought to them? You punks make me sick.
BILLY
Man, everybody do it... everybody... I ain't the
only one.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
So what about these drug boys... you said they
usually end up in the houses of the old people.
BILLY
They do a lot of business in the area... They pick a
place where they want to set up shop and they take over.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
What you mean they take over?
BILLY
Everybody knew that old lady lived alone. She
wouldn't cooperate with ‘em. When you ain't got nobody, you got to cooperate!
DETECTIVE SPENDER
I had enough... give me the
names.
BILLY
Man, I ain't sure of who it is... but they gonna be
opening shop tomorrow. The word is already out.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
So who are they? You give me the names or I'll lock
your ass up and lose yo' paperwork.
It'll be 2060 before you see daylight.
You’ll be a little old man when you get out. Punks’ll be taking all yo’
shit and whippin’ yo’ ass for being alive.
How’s that?
BILLY
I told you I'm not sure of who it might be... but I
tell you what…it was messed up what happened to that old lady.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Book
him ... suspicion of murder.
BILLY
I didn't kill that woman... man I'm telling you I
didn't kill her... He's the one you want...you know... whoever is moving in her
house... that's how they doing it now.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
You telling me she was killed so that some drug boys
could sell drugs out of her house.
BILLY
More than likely, they so hyped they don't care.
Nobody was going to miss her, anyway.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Well, somebody missed her.
BILLY
Nawl, man... nobody missed her... the smell was
wrecking everybody who passed... that's why that old lady was found.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
Book him.
BILLY
Man I told you what you wanted to know... Just watch
the house. You'll get what you want... just watch the house.
DETECTIVE SPENDER
Book him.
BILLY
I told you what you wanted to know... Man, I told
you what you wanted to know.
DETECTIVE JENSTIN
So what you think we s'posed to do.... let you go
back and keep terrorizing Mrs. Miller and the rest of the old women in your
neighborhood?
BILLY
That lady will never testify against me. You wasting
yo' time and you know it.
CUT TO:
INT – COURT ROOM – DAY
Mrs. Miller is on the witness stand. She is trying to avoid looking at Billy.
ATTORNEY
Did William Wright ever threaten you, Mrs.
Miller?
Attorney stands in front of
Mrs. Miller so that she cannot see Billy.
MRS. MILLER
Yes.
ATTORNEY
How did he threaten you, Mrs. Miller?
MRS.
MILLER
Which time? Cause he threatened me a lot of times...
Let's see there was the time that he took his gun and pressed it against my
head to tell me how important it was for me to give him my social security
checks. And then there was the time that he cut my hand and told me that he was
going to cut my finger off if I didn't give him my ring. And the first time
that he took my food, he hit me with his fist and told me that next time he
would kill me if I ate any of the food they brought me.
ATTORNEY
Thank you Mrs. Miller, I don't want to hear
anymore... It is clear that he has been terrorizing you for a long time now.
Why are you just now coming forward?
MRS.
MILLER
Cause I'm tired of being scared and starving and
being broke. It ain't right for him to
keep doing this to me, or any old person... I'm just good and tired of him and
his mess.
ATTORNEY
Thank you Mrs. Miller.... Your honor I have no
further questions.
JUDGE
Cross?
ATTORNEY 2
I have no questions for this witness your honor.
BILLY
Well, I do... What the hell you gonna do when I get
out? Huh? I'm going to get you when I get out.
JUDGE
Restrain your client.... Young man... you just made
a terroristic threat in the presence of all of these witnesses.... If there was
any doubt about your innocence you just removed it. Sentencing will take place one week from
today. This court is adjourned.
MRS. MILLER
Billy.... I'll see you burn in hell before I let you
treat me like that again... I deserve better from you... you picking on old
people, little old women. You weasel. I ain't running from you no more. No
more, you hear me Billy? I ain't running from you no more!
I’m gonna sit down with the detectives and tell them
everything I know about you.
You'll be lucky to get out in 20 years!
Entire courtroom, stand up and cheer and clap for
Mrs. Miller.
Billy tries to get to Mrs. Miller but a guard restrains him.
BILLY
I'm gonna kill yo’ ass when I get out. Bitch, you
hear me! I’mo get out and cut yo’ goddamn throat! I’ll be out before you know it!
CUT TO:
INT – MRS. MILLER’S HOUSE – DAY
MRS. MILLER
You know I'm just plain ole tired of being
scared. I'm going to start living
again. I'm so glad that you girls have
started coming round.
PATTY
Me too. But don't underestimate his friends.
JAN
I've been here every night since the trial.
PATTY
What did you do with your
apartment?
JAN
I still have it. I don't
live here.
Patty sits in the corner by herself... The baby
starts to cry.
PATTY
I wish she would stop. I just need a break. God, I
just need a break.
JAN
What's wrong Patty?
PATTY
Oh, nothing... you have two places you can stay and
my time is expiring at the shelter. I'm at my wits end.
JAN
What would it take to help you get back on your
feet?
PATTY
To tell you the truth, I don't really know. I can't
seem to get my mind straightened out. I mean, I'm not crazy but I do alot of
things that I just can't explain and I don't understand. I can't get a job
because I'm afraid my ex-husband will find out where I'm at and hurt my baby
and me. He has my son, now. I need to know that my son is okay. I need to find
a way to let my son know that I'm okay.
I just can’t get my mind straight.
MRS. MILLER
Well, why don't you go and see a psychologist or a
psychiatrist.
PATTY
I am not crazy.
MRS. MILLER
Sanitariums are for crazy people. Psychologist and
psychiatrist are the steps you take to keep you from becoming crazy. If you need to talk out your problems and
find some answers that's who you should be talking to!
PATTY
I can't afford to see a psychiatrist.
MRS. MILLER
No, you can't afford not to.
JAN
She's right. That's your first step to recovery.
PATTY
Yeah, but I don't have any medical coverage at all.
I don't have any money.
JAN
Well, then we'll have to get you signed up for some
welfare or state aid.
PATTY
You have to have an address to get benefits.
JAN
Why didn't you sign up while you were at the
shelter?
PATTY
Because. . . I am on the run. And I am still afraid
that the police would find me.
JAN
On the run... for what?