Project 15: Part Five

INT. VAN OUTSIDE RESTAURANT - EVENING

Inside the van outside the restaurant Harvey Church and Rick Thompson argue.

HARVEY CHURCH: I’ll kill him. Three weeks I’ve been working on this job and he blows it in one night. We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t phone the cops.

RICK THOMPSON: Cool down. It’s just a setback

HARVEY CHURCH: Setback? That guy better watch his back. One day I’ll come for him. One day..

RICK THOMPSON: Lets just get the hell out of here.

EXT. STEEL BRIDGE, OUTSKIRTS OF CITY - NIGHT

Elias climbs out onto the ledge of the bridge and stares into the water below. He detects a young woman beside him.

CARLEN: 20, female, attractive, emotional, downbeat.

ELIAS: Whatever it is, its not worth it, lady.

CARLEN: You were about to jump yourself old man.

ELIAS: I was simply re-evaluating. You’re younger, you have more to live for.

CARLEN: Can’t you just leave me alone

ELIAS: I see. It takes lots of concentration.

He pauses

I don’t think you want to jump

CARLEN: Well I’m not here to talk to an old man.

ELIAS: He’s not worth it. Whoever he is. 

CARLEN: Her name is Sinitta

ELIAS: Well, I’m sure she has plenty of faults.

CARLEN: She was perfect.

ELIAS: Did she let off wind in bed or pick her nose in front of you or get all emotional at boring movies?

CARLEN: She was none of those things

ELIAS: Well, maybe she was too perfect. Don’t you hate those perfect people who just make you feel bad...

CARLEN: You’re not helping.

ELIAS: Well, if it’s any consolation my life is a whirlwind of manure, spiralling out of control.

He pauses

Eventually you will meet a woman who doesn’t let off wind in bed and who loves you for who you are.

CARLEN: You sound like my mother.

ELIAS: Well, we’re probably in the same age bracket.

CARLEN: No. She’s younger than you.

She pauses

You know what’s starting to make me feel better? I have a better chance of pulling chicks than you.

Carlen inches her way back from the edge.

INT. LOCAL SUPERMARKET - MORNING

Elias is putting some items through the supermarket checkout.

CHECKOUT LADY: That’ll be forty-five dollars and six cents

Elias reaches into his pocket and produces forty dollars.

ELIAS: I only have forty. Can I put these two items back?

He puts a jar of peanut butter and a carton of milk to one side.

CHECKOUT LADY:  That’ll be forty dollars and sixteen cent.

A middle aged man behind Elias intervenes.

WES WALDORF: Male, 50’s, thinning dark hair, slightly overweight, friendly and kind.

WES WALDORF: Here, let me help. Here’s ten bucks. You can have your peanut butter and change left over.

ELIAS: Thank you Mr...

WES WALDORF: Wes. Wes Waldorf.

ELIAS: I wish I could repay you.

WES WALDORF: Hold on there a minute.

Wes pays for his three items and follows Elias out of the store.

WES WALDORF: You know, if you need work, I run a small restaurant on this very street.

ELIAS: I think you’ve done enough for one day.

WES WALDORF: Come on man. You’d be doing us both a favour. I’m short staffed as it is. Just give it a day and see how it goes.

INT. WALDORF’S RESTAURANT - EVENING

Elias serves a family of four. He addresses a nine year old boy.

ELIAS: What would you like today young man?

SCOTTIE: A racing car.

ELIAS: I’m afraid, we don’t have one of them on the menu.

SCOTTIE: It’s my birthday

ELIAS: How would you like your racing car. Well done? Medium?

SCOTTIE: I’ll just have the hamburger... with chips. Lots of chips.

ELIAS: Don’t forget to make room for the birthday cake, young man.

SCOTTIE: I’ll manage.

ELIAS: Coming right up.

SCOTTIE’S MUM: Thank you.

Elias leaves the table and enters the kitchen. He places the order on a hook. 

ELIAS: Two Lamb shanks, one hamburger with fries and a bolognaise.

WES WALDORF: You seem to be coping quite well.

ELIAS: I had a job like this as a teenager.

WES WALDORF: I’ve a feeling we’ll just get along fine.

INT. SCHOOL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN - DAY

Cassandra, is addressing the class

CASSANDRA: Ok kids, now it is Loren’s turn. Her Father is going to tell us what it is like being a qualified Airline pilot. Go bring in your Father Loren.

Loren retrieves Elias from outside the classroom door. Elias enters and Loren returns to her seat.

CASSANDRA: Go ahead Mr Duckworth. Tell us what it is like to be an airline pilot

ELIAS: Where do I start?

CASSANDRA: An excellent question.

ELIAS: Well, if any of you have seen Top Gun, flight school is not much different for Airline Pilots. We have to undergo tests. It takes years to qualify. Only the best get to fly planes and there is no greater feeling in the world.

LUANDE: Have you been all around the world?

ELIAS: Yes. Everywhere except Delaware.

TEDDY: Do you get nervous Mr Duckworth?

Elias shows a shaking hand.

ELIAS: No Teddy. I have nerves of steel.

LOREN: Tell them Daddy, about how you fought in world war two and won the Victoria’s cross.

ELIAS: Yes.. well.

LOREN: My Dad is also a Doctor and a songwriter and a magician.

CASSANDRA: Ok, does anyone have any more questions for Mr Duckworth?

A number of hands go up.

CASSANDRA: Ok, Mr Duckworth, you are free to go. I won’t say it hasn’t been insightful.

INT. LOCAL BAR - EVENING

Elias enters a local bar and approaches Chuck.

ELIAS: Did you miss me?

Chuck turns his head.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: No.

ELIAS: Why are you giving me the cold treatment all of a sudden?

CHUCK HUMPHREY: You never were a cop. Were you Elias?

ELIAS: About that.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I thought you were a stand up guy. You’re just a fraud. The guys at the station get their kicks out of it.

ELIAS: I should know. They paid me a visit.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: In trouble with the law again. Do you remember that guy Cliff Merrit, the guy who accused you of robbery? Did you do it Elias?

ELIAS: No. No.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I covered for you. I gave you a glowing reference. What a fool I was. Just out of prison and you can’t keep your fingers out of all the pies.

ELIAS: It’s not like that? I tried...

CHUCK HUMPHREY: Well, you didn’t try hard enough.

BARMAN: What’ll it be?

ELIAS: Well, it seems I’m not welcome here.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: You’ve got that right.

Elias turns and leave.

EXT. CITY STREET - EVENING

Elias walks down the street in the evening. He turns his head to look behind and sees two strongly built men walking behind him. He walks into a park. On a park bench in front of him is a mobster (MR VANCE) with two other hired hands. He walks towards them. Mr Vance is holding a CANE between his legs.

MR VANCE: Male, late 40’s, overweight, confident, ruthless.

MR VANCE: Elias Duckworth I presume.

ELIAS: What do you need with me? I’ve stopped looking for that writer.

MR VANCE: And I want you to keep on looking.

ELIAS: And what would the cops have to say about that?

MR VANCE: In this town Duckworth, I own the law. You do your job, and you will be well paid.

ELIAS: And if I don’t?

MR VANCE: If you don’t, there will be consequences.

ELIAS: Why me?

MR VANCE: Because I think you will find him. You figured he was in Kansas. I don’t like my enemies to get away. 

ELIAS: Mr Vance, I don’t think I can do this.

MR VANCE: You don’t have a choice. Take the money Duckworth. Your house could do with a lick of paint. It could look real pretty, or it could be burned to a crisp. Your choice.

INT. OUTSIDE ELIAS HOME - DAY

Elias spies Cassandra emptying the bins and approaches her.

ELIAS: Cassandra

CASSANDRA: Go away

ELIAS: Josh is alive.

CASSANDRA: I don’t want to hear your lies anymore.

ELIAS: I’m not lying. Vance wants me to look for him. He wouldn’t want me to look for him if he was dead now would he?

CASSANDRA: So, you’re working for Vance now? Money talks. Doesn’t it Elias?

ELIAS: I didn’t say I was working for him. 

CASSANDRA: Do you know what Vance would do to Josh? Or is this another one of your lies?

ELIAS: I can’t win with you, can I?

CASSANDRA: You’re the boy who cried wolf, Elias. I’m never going to find it in my heart to trust you again.

ELIAS: I’m trying

CASSANDRA: You have no depth Elias. You care about nobody but yourself. My mother loves Josh with all of her heart and you took advantage of that. 

ELIAS: Don’t write me off Cassandra

CASSANDRA: I should have written you off from the day I met you. You don’t care about others one smidgeon as much as you care about yourself

Elias turns and walks away in frustration.

INT. ELIAS HOUSE - NIGHT

In the middle of the night Elias phone rings. He climbs out of bed and answers it.

HARVEY CHURCH: I’ll be coming for you Duckworth.

ELIAS: Harvey, it wasn’t my fault. These things happen

HARVEY CHURCH: You’re in this game long enough. You know the rules. Never give the game away.

ELIAS: I couldn’t

HARVEY CHURCH: Three weeks work down the drain because you couldn’t. You’re a dead man Duckworth.

Harvey hangs up the phone.

INT. CHUCK HUMPHREY'S HOME - MORNING

Chuck goes to wake his father in the morning but he is unresponsive.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: Dad. Dad.

He shakes him several times and then dials emergency services.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: Hello. I have a 78 year old man who is unresponsive. Can you please send an ambulance to 73 Sycamore Avenue?

EXT. LOCAL GRAVEYARD - DAY

The casket of Hal Humphreys is being lowered into the grave. Well wishers shake hands with Chuck and express their sympathies. Elias is the last in line.

ELIAS: My sincere condolences, Chuck.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: Say, would you like to grab a beer afterwards, Elias?

ELIAS: I’ll look forward to it.

INT. LOCAL BAR - AFTERNOON

Chuck and Elias are sitting at the bar.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I really don’t know anymore. My Father was so hard on me. My fellow cops are mostly assholes and you’re just about the only one who gives me the time of day.

ELIAS: Man, I’m trying to hold back the waterworks right now. That is a hard luck story.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I heard you got a job at Waldorf’s. Nice place. I’d like to believe that you’re on the straight and narrow.

ELIAS: I guess, I’m like an alcoholic. Only one drink away from falling off the wagon.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: Are you still investigating the journalist case?

ELIAS: Sure am.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I bet the old lady’s paying you a bundle of cash for it.

ELIAS: She sure is

CHUCK HUMPHREY: I can help you with that. I mean, I have a lot of spare time. The chief told me to take a few weeks off for that jackass of a Father of mine. It would be nice to do proper detective work for a change.

ELIAS: Two heads work better than one.

INT. ELIAS HOUSE - NIGHT

Chuck is holding one of Josh’s manuscripts and reading from it.

ELIAS: I’ve read everything available. There are a few words and phrases that he uses in his writing that are most common. The phrase “just as it was” appears in seven out of ten of his articles and stories. To a lesser extent he uses the words “However” and “Therefore” more than most.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: So you think, he’s gotten a job as a writer in some backward town.

ELIAS: He clearly loves to write.

CHUCK HUMPHREY: So we’re supposed to read and read and read until we find these phrases and words used excessively? That seems like a lot of work man.

ELIAS: You did say, you’ve a lot of time on your hands.

EXT. ISABELLE KAJINSKA'S HOME - EVENING

Elias rings the doorbell and waits for a response. Cassandra opens the door

CASSANDRA (in a downbeat tone): Oh, it’s you.

ELIAS: Cassandra, please don’t close the door on me.

CASSANDRA: Give me one good reason not to.

ELIAS: My mother is ill in hospital

CASSANDRA: And why should I believe that?

ELIAS: I need transportation. I was hoping...

CASSANDRA: Yeah well, you hoped wrong

Isabelle approaches the front door

ISABELLE: Cassie. Help him. 

CASSANDRA: But... Oh, alright. But if this is a ploy...

ELIAS: It’s not a ploy.