AmandaGrihm.com

 

 

PROJECT MATCH

The movie

by amanda grihm

 

 

© 1994; Revised 1996; 1999; 2007

FADE IN:

POV - JAN BROWN, driving in downtown, Atlanta, GA. Camera pans down street past several people walking. From a distance she spots a PATTY, a homeless woman with a shopping cart, pulling food from a trash bin. Above the woman’s head is a white banner that spans the length of the building.

 

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 Chicago. His eyes and mouth are opened, almost as if he were calling a name.

 

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 Crowder Street.

 

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: CROWDER STREET – DAY

 

POV: Jan driving down Crowder Street, looking for the address of the murdered woman. She sees Patty pushing her cart down the street. She blows the horn. Parks the car in front of Mrs. Miller's house and walks over to Patty.

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 Chicago in the 60's. I guess he was a hobo.

 

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?