INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Santina arrives home to find Edgar is sitting on the couch drinking beer and watching a sports channel while the kids are in the kitchen.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Honey did you cook any dinner while you were home?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
You know I can’t cook. If you don’t mind, this is an important game.
Santina enters the kitchen.
Kitchen
BERTIE
Mum, why is he here?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Because I love him and he’s your father.
FRANCESCA
Is he going to hit you again?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Darling, of course not.
BERTIE
Not until his team loses or he gets into a temper
SANTINA RAMIREZ
He’s a changed man. He told me so. He’s always saying how beautiful I am. Everything is going to be great now that we’re a family again.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
Santina is on a lunchbreak. She shares a table with Jasmine.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Isn’t it great. Edgar is back.
JASMINE
Is that supposed to be great or the worst news ever?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I think that this time he has matured and is more committed
JASMINE
He’s about as committed to you as I am to unflavoured rice cakes and aerobic exercise. It just isn’t going to happen.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
You’ll see. I’ve even stopped taking the tablet.
JASMINE
Don’t you have enough kids as it is
SANTINA RAMIREZ
No. The dream making tablet.
JASMINE
I don’t envy you. At least in your dreams, Edgar had a perfect body, was a renowned masseuse and was a cordon bleu chef. In reality...
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Maybe I should talk about your love life.
INT. LOCAL PARK - DAY
Julius and Calum are seated on a park bench. Each of them has a can of beer in their hand.
CALUM RODGERS
I heard a rumour about Santina
JULIUS SPECTOR
What kind of rumour?
CALUM RODGERS
One of them rumours that goes through Mrs Claidemore, Mrs Peabody and Mrs Templeton.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Sounds very reliable. What’s the rumour?
CALUM RODGERS
She’s taking a tablet to help her with her dreams.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Sounds very far fetched
CALUM RODGERS
Then just the other day I saw an advertisement that promised the exact same thing.
JULIUS SPECTOR
And what is that exactly?
CALUM RODGERS
It promises control of your dreams.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Has it been tested properly?
CALUM RODGERS
Some guy at the store said his wife left him because he took the drug and his hair fell out and he put on weight.
JULIUS SPECTOR
This could make an interesting story.
CALUM RODGERS
You’re not thinking of involving her?
JULIUS SPECTOR
Of course not. Though it doesn’t speak well of you if she chooses both Edgar and this tablet over you.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - MORNING
Santina arrives back into the house. Edgar is on the couch
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Honey, I’ve taken the day off and the kids are in school. We have five hours all to ourselves. What would you like to do?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Well, I was hoping to watch the rerun of the baseball game.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Didn’t you watch that last night?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
No, it clashed with the football.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Well, we could at least snuggle up on the sofa
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Honey, you know how I don’t like to be distracted. There’s nothing like watching a game and drinking the odd beer. Say honey would you mind restocking? I think we’re a little low.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Anything else?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Well, some dry roasted peanuts and crisps and those cookies that I really like. You could stock up on them also.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
When is the game over?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
About 1o’clock.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Well that would just give us enough time to....
EDGAR RAMIREZ
I’m going to level with you honey. The doctor told me I have an aversion to close contact but that it would get better over time. He said the best cure is to drink beer and watch football games. I can get better. I know I will.
Edgar tosses an empty beer can at a waste bin and misses. There are several cans in the vicinity of the bin.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
See. I told you I’m not quite 100%
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Well, I could keep my distance.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Actually, I was planning on meeting a few of the boys at lunch time. It’s been a while. I’d like to catch up on old times. You know how it is.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Oh Edgar
EDGAR RAMIREZ
I keep telling them I have the most beautiful wife in the neighbourhood and they all agree.
EXT. LOCAL PARK - DAY
Calum is walking Lydia’s dog. It is pulling him along like a train and he is finding it hard to keep up. Eventually the dog jumps up on a woman from behind. It turns out to be Santina. Santina looks around
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I should have known it was you. Are you stalking me?
CALUM RODGERS
No, it’s Jeff. I think he likes you.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Can you and your dog just keep your distance?
CALUM RODGERS
He’s not my dog. He’s Lydia’s
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Is one woman no longer enough for you?
CALUM RODGERS
No it’s not like that
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Not from where I’m standing.
CALUM RODGERS
I’m sure you’re attractive and all but...
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Only attractive?
CALUM RODGERS
I don’t know what your kids are telling you but I’m not interested
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Ditto
CALUM RODGERS
I don’t mean not interested. I mean...
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Yeah well its a pretty big park so stay in your half and I’ll stay in mine.
EXT. LOCAL BASEBALL FIELD FOR CHILDREN - DAY
Before the baseball match, Bertie is kitted out. Edgar, Santina and Francesca are about to wish him well.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Remember Bertie, its just a game, so do your best. That’s all you can do.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
This isn’t just a game son. It’s a war of attrition. Did I tell you about how I got to the state finals but picked up an injury and couldn’t play. Gutted I was.
FRANCESCA
Yeah, Mr Brentwood said you got a blister
EDGAR RAMIREZ
It would take more than a blister to stop me from playing.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Yeah you sprained your wrist
EDGAR RAMIREZ
No. I broke my hand in two. It was practically falling off me. I said to the doc: “I think I can play on” but he said, if I did one of my Edgar Specials, my hand would be halfway to Alabama.
FRANCESCA
Yeah Alabama’s quite far. Isn't it Mom?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Yeah I didn’t fancy going that far to find my hand. Anyway son, little things like that can get in the way of a brilliant career. I could of been the greatest.
BERTIE
I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as you pop.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
I could have been better than Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio. People would see me in the street and say there goes Edgar Ramirez, the greatest, full stop. So don’t embarrass me you little scut.
CUT TO:
EXT. LOCAL BASEBALL FIELD FOR CHILDREN - DAY
The baseball teams are in position and Edgar, Santina and Francesca look on. Bertie enters the field of play as a pitcher.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Come on son. Remember everything I told you.
Bertie throws the ball and the batter hits a clean strike
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Rubbish. Rubbish. Throw it harder. Are you a man or a wimp?
Bertie throws the ball and the second batter also gets a clean strike
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Get off the pitch. My granny could do better than that.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Come on Bertie. Come on Bertie.
FRANCESCA
You can do it Bertie
Bertie throws the ball again and the third batter also gets a clean strike. A demoralised Bertie hangs his head in shame and walks off the pitch.
INT. LOCAL BUS (MOVING) - DAY
The Ramirez family are seated on a bus on the way home from the baseball match. Bertie looks despondent.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Don’t worry Bertie. You did your best.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
He did his best? Who taught you to throw like that?
BERTIE
Mrs Sanchez
EDGAR RAMIREZ
A woman? You take lessons from a woman? What would a woman know about baseball?
FRANCESCA
A lot more than you.
Edgar turns to Santina and grasps her hand
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Don’t worry honey. I just want him to be good enough to kiss his old man’s toes.
EXT. LAKE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
A teenage boy is walking near a lake when he sees a young girl get into difficulty. He panics and watches on, helpless.
He mutters something incoherently until a woman notices him and the girl in difficulty and dives into the water. She drags the girl to the shore and gives her CPR.
The girl is revived and the woman addresses the teenager who is standing over them.
WOMAN AT LAKE
Why didn’t you do anything?
CALUM RODGERS (13 YEARS OLD)
I, I...
INT. CALUM’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Calum wakes up from his nightmare in a stressed out manner.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD (SANTINA'S BEDROOM) - NIGHT
Santina climbs into bed with Edgar
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Honey, the kids are asleep. Do you want to....
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Not tonight honey, I’ve got a bit of a headache and tomorrow is a big day. The Giants are playing the Cowboys.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Maybe tomorrow
EDGAR RAMIREZ
One day honey, the earth will move and pictures will fall off the walls and it will be worth waiting for.
He turns in the bed.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Just not tonight.
Santina reaches for a tablet and glass of water.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
What’s that honey?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Just a tablet to make me sleep better.
EXT. ITALIAN FOREST NEAR MOUNTAINS (1943) - EVENING
Within Santina’s dream three American soldiers in civilian clothing dispose of their parachutes and congregate together in a forest clearing. There is a thick layer of snow on the ground.
CAPTAIN FOX/EDGAR RAMIREZ
How do we contact the resistance?
The mystery man’s face is never revealed.
COLONEL VERGUARD/MYSTERY MAN
They will contact us Captain. If all goes to plan it will only be a matter of time.
LIEUTENANT GRANT: 29, male, average height, slim, loyal
LIEUTENANT GRANT
I hope its not too long or I’ll freeze to death
They notice a group of two women and three men armed with guns approaching them slowly.
LEONORA/SANTINA
Who are you and what is your business here?
COLONEL VERGUARD/MYSTERY MAN
Operation Goldenarm
LEONORA/SANTINA
It’s a long way to Tipperary
COLONEL VERGUARD/MYSTERY MAN
But I’d rather go to Paris
LEONORA/SANTINA
So you are Colonel Verguard, the man with the expertise to blow up the bridge. At all costs we will protect your safety first and foremost. It is better that you don’t know our names.
INT. BASEMENT OF WOODEN HOUSE IN NORTHERN ITALY (1943) - DAY
Within Santina’s dream, the American officers are hiding in the basement of a safe house when German soldiers call to it.
GERMAN CAPTAIN: 28, male, dark hair, slim, tall, stern
GERMAN CAPTAIN (O.S.)
Ms Capelli, my men will check your house. We have reason to believe that there are American soldiers in this area. I will give you the opportunity to be honest with me. Where are they?
MS CAPELLI (O.S.)
I don’t have anything to do with American scum. Are you crazy?
GERMAN CAPTAIN (O.S.)
If you are lying to me, you and your family will be shot. Where are they?
The German soldiers move around the house, overturning furniture and other household items. The soldiers can hear the sound of the wooden floor above them CREAKING.
MS CAPELLI (O.S.)
I am loyal to Il Duce. I always have been. I would rather shoot myself than harbour enemies of Italy
GERMAN CAPTAIN (O.S.)
I have heard that your Father was a communist before he was executed. The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree. Is there a basement?
The German soldiers locate the door to the basement. They open it and point there guns down. Because it is dark, they can’t see clearly. The German Captain peers down.
GERMAN CAPTAIN
We know you are there Colonel Verguard. Come out before we shoot you.
INT. GERMAN INTERROGATION ROOM (ITALY 1943) - DAY
The three American soldiers and three resistance fighters, including Leonora are held in an interrogation room together. There are five soldiers with machine guns. The Captain is smoking and examining every flicker or movement the captives make.
GERMAN CAPTAIN
Which one of you is Colonel Verguard?
Nobody speaks.
GERMAN CAPTAIN
If nobody speaks I will kill each of you, one at a time starting with this woman
He points to Leonora. The German Captain rises and walks slowly around the captives.
Which one of you is gentleman enough to save her?
CAPTAIN FOX/EDGAR RAMIREZ
What do we get if we betray the Colonel?
GERMAN CAPTAIN
Your life. The possibility of freedom.
CAPTAIN FOX/EDGAR RAMIREZ
And cigarettes? I could murder one right now.
GERMAN CAPTAIN
Only the finest German cigarettes.
The German Captain approaches Captain Fox and places a cigarette in his mouth and lights it.
CAPTAIN FOX/EDGAR RAMIREZ
I don’t want to die. It’s him. It’s him.
Captain Fox points to Colonel Verguard
GERMAN CAPTAIN
Tell us where the explosives are Colonel and I will put in a good word for you.
COLONEL VERGUARD/MYSTERY MAN
I can’t tell you.
CAPTAIN FOX/EDGAR RAMIREZ
He doesn’t know. But I bet she knows.
EXT. YARD OF GERMAN ARMY BARRACKS IN ITALY 1943 - DAY
Five bloodied and beaten men and women are lined up against a wall in front of armed German soldiers. Colonel Verguard’s face is not revealed.
COLONEL VERGUARD/MYSTERY MAN
It’s been a pleasure knowing you. I wish in another life I could have known you better.
He holds hands with Leonora. She smiles faintly.
The SOUND OF GUNSHOTS rings out
CUT TO:
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD (SANTINA'S BEDROOM) - NIGHT
Santina awakens in her bed.
INT. CLINIC OF DREAMS (DR DRAGO’S OFFICE) - DAY
Dr Drago is sitting behind his desk and his assistant Mr Veratini is standing beside him when Santina enters his office.
MR VERATINI: 43, male, tanned complexion, slim, strongly built, average height, well dressed.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Thank you for coming Mrs Ramirez. As you are aware, this is a, routine, thirty day check-up.
Santina sits down in a chair opposite Doctor Drago
DOCTOR DRAGO
Have you been experiencing any side effects since we last spoke?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
No vomiting or hair loss Doctor
DOCTOR DRAGO
How have your dreams been? Are you happier?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I don’t know.
DOCTOR DRAGO
By that you mean..
SANTINA RAMIREZ
There is a mystery man in my dreams.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Who is he?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I don’t know.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Mrs Ramirez, if you control your dreams, you must know who he is.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I can never remember his face.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Can you tell me about him?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
He’s honest, courageous... he makes me feel happy when I’m around him.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Mrs Ramirez, this sets a dangerous precedent. You must be in control of your dreams, otherwise the tablet fails to work. I would suggest that you arrange for an emergency session within a matter of days. Now. Do you have anything at all for us to go on to establish the identity of this mystery man.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
There is a man from the cafe who is about my age but ever so handsome. I don’t really know him. He’s a customer, like me. The other thing you should know is that my husband has returned to me. We are together now, though it is not how I dreamed it would be.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Thank you Mrs Ramirez, we will look into it. Please arrange an urgent appointment with my secretary on the way out.
Santina leaves.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Mr Veratini, please find out more about this mysterious man of hers.
MR VERATINI
Yes sir.