by Shawn James
PARTYGOER#2
OH MY LORD JESUS HE GONNA KILL HIM!
Mama pleads for her son’s life as-
MAMA
LORD, JESUS DON’T HURT MY BABY!
Charles rushes through the crowd with his nine drawn. With the red light of the laser scope between his eyes, Dex-
CHARLES
Dex you do it and I’ll drop you right here-
DEX
What? You trying to flex Blue Knight-
Charles
You do it and I’ma make sure you take a trip to Hell tonight-
Puts the nine back in his waistband.
DEX
Next time nobody gonna save you from getting one right between the eyes Soldier boy.
Dex glares at John’s Mama and tells her-
DEX
The party’s over. Shut it down or me and my boys shut it down for you.
On Dex’s command-
John’s Mama relents.
Mama
Okay, everybody, the party’s over. Thanks for coming out.
The remaining guests file out of the room grousing as Dex shuts off the stereo-
And his henches storm out slamming the door behind them. One of them takes the Sweet potato pie. Mama starts to take the rest of the food into the kitchen. John stops her-
John
Ma, what you doing?
MAMA
Cleaning up. The party’s over.
JOHN
So I’m not supposed to have a coming home party just because Dex says so?
MAMA
Ain’t nobody here to be partying with.
JOhn
That’s cause Dex drove everybody out-
mama
Boy don’t be starting no trouble with Dex-
JOHN
Who is Dex to tell us how to live and what to do? We didn’t elect him-
MAma
Boy he had a gun right to your head. That’s law enough for me-
John
And I’ve had guns pointed to my head in Iraq. I ain’t afraid of Dex-
MAMA
Boy this ain’t the army. Dex was gonna kill you-
JOHN
For dancing with Marcia. A girl I knew since High school. Since when was that against the law?
CHarles
Since she became Dex’s lady two years ago.
JOHN
How was I supposed to know that? Last time I saw Marcia she was checking groceries at the C-Town-
CHARLES
Look John, a lot has changed around here since you went into the military. It’s a whole different world with a bunch of different rules. You got to watch what you do.
John
Man, ya’ll got it sounding like it’s crazier here than in Iraq. I thought this was the land of the free-
CHARLES
You got freedom. You just got to watch how you practice it around here.
John
Is this what I fought for? Is this the country I fought to protect? I thought this was America-
CHARLES
It’s the America we have to live in.
John’s Mama fixes him a plate. John digests more food for thought while-
IN THE ELEVATOR
Dex and his henches scarf down sweet potato pie on the ride up to the-
16th Floor
And get off and walks down the-
HALLWAY
to-
HENCH#1
Yo Dex, you was in full effect!
Hench#2
Had the nine to soldier boy’s head in a room full of people and you wasn’t scared to kill a nigga!
HENCH #3
That was some badass shit!
DEX
Yo, I had to send a message. You know, you can’t let niggers disrespect you on your turf.
Hench #1
Yo, I think the message was received. I think I smelled piss on that nigger.
Apt 16L
Dex gestures to his henches-
DEX
Wait right here. I got to handle some business with Marcia right quick.
Dex unlocks the door of-
INt. APT 16L – Night.
A rundown project apartment decorated ghetto fabulous. Big screen TV, top of the line furniture, expensive rugs and drapes. A nervous Marcia paces about frantically as-
SLAM! Dex storms into the apartment seething with anger. He charges at Marcia-
DEX
So you grinding on niggers when I’m not around-
Marcia’s eyes well up with tears as she backs away-
MARCIA
Dex, John’s an old friend of mine from High School-
Dex looks her up and down-
DEX
Since when you dressing up for niggers? You don’t’ even look this good for me-
MARCIA
I wanted to show John what he was missing-
An enraged Dex grabs her violently and tells her-
DEX
What you showing niggers shit for! YOU MY WOMAN! YOU SHOW ME SOME RESPECT!
WHAP! The back of his hand goes across her cheek and- THUD! Marcia tumbles to the carpeted floor. Dex glares down at Marcia-
DEX
You like grinding up on niggers so much, maybe I ought I’ll put you ass out on the stroll like the rest of my hoes. Make some money for me instead of spending it on all this shit in here.
A sobbing Marcia jumps off the sofa and gets in Dex’s face-
MARCIA
You ain’t gonna turn into no trick-
SMACK! Pimp hands her across the cheek. Marcia crashes into the sofa. Dex gives her an icy glare and tells her-
DEX
Bitch, whatever I want you to do, you’ll do. If I want to put yo ass out on the street I’ll put it out there.
DEX
You don’t seem to understand how good you got it. If it wasn’t for me you’d still be checking groceries at the C-Town down the street!
Dex heads for the door and warns Marcia to-
DEX
Stay away from Soldier boy.
A whimpering Marcia buries her head in the sofa as-
SLAM! Dex leaves the apartment to go back into the-
HALLWAY
DEX
We gonna have to do something about Soldier boy.
Hench #2
You gonna smoke that fool?
DEX
Nah, we gonna send that nigger a message.
Dex comes up with a plan as the-
NEXT DAY
INT. JOHN’S BEDROOM - MORNING
A small cramped room decorated with basic bedroom furniture, basketball posters and an American flag. John clad in dogtags, standard issue boxers and T-shirt is sprawled on the bed as the clock across from him reads-
5:59.
As the clock changes to-6.00- John hits the button before the buzzer turns on and-
Springs out of bed and hurries over to get changed into Army issue sweats and sneakers. As he makes his way into the-
KitchenETTE
His mama in a robe and slippers shuffles out to greet him.
MAMA
Morning John. Thought you’d be sleeping in after two tours in Iraq.
John
Workouts have been part of my routine since Basic Training. I’d like to keep that going that is, if it’s not gonna interrupt Dex’s beauty sleep.
MAMA
I don’t think Dex and his boys are gonna be up at this hour.
John gives his mama a kiss on the cheek and-
JOHN
I’ll be back in about an hour.
Heads out the door downstairs to-
EXT. WEBSTER HOUSES PLAYGROUND – Morning.
Rundown children’s playground. John fresh off his morning run around the project pathways makes his way to the park-
monkeybars
And gets his chin ups on. Upstairs in-
The window of APT 16L
Marcia in a silk nightgown watches John working out. She turns away from the win
dow and hurries-
DOWNSTAIRS to the WEBESTER HOUSES PLAYGROUND
Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt-
And approaches John from behind as he works out.
john
Living dangerously don’t you think Marcia?
Marcia
How’d you know-
John
I learned a lot of tricks in Iraq that kept me alive.
Halfway through a chin up John lets Marcia know how he feels.
John
And I’m learning a few things here that’ll keep me from winding up in a body bag.
John drops off the monkeybars and is about to walk away when-
Marcia grabs his shoulder.
MARCIA
I just want to apologize for ruining your party last night.
John gets a good look at Marcia’s bruised face.
John
Looks like Dex decided to put a mark on his stuff.
MARCIA
He wanted to send me a message-
John
The message is received.
John is about to walk away again when Marcia blocks his way-
MARCIA
Dex doesn’t tell me what to do-
JOHN
I think you ought to listen to your man before you get yourself hurt-
MARCIA
Look, I come and go like I want-
JOHN
And you ran out of the apartment because you wanted to last night.
MARCIA
This is a free country-
JOHN
Not around here.
MARCIA
Are you still mad that Dex ruined your coming home party-
JOHN
It ain’t about Dex ruining my party. It’s about him ruining everybody’s life around here-
MARCIA
Dex ain’t ruining nobody’s life-
JOHN
Says who. Ya’ll worship Dex like a god and all he does is take from you-
MARCIA
At least he’s offering us something for what we give him. What are those politicians you serve in Washington doing for people around here?
JOHN
They represent us-
MARCIA
They ain’t representing shit! Dex is the one who protects us from the gangs, the police, and all the other crazy shit that goes on around here.
JOHN
You didn’t elect him-
MARCIA
So what? Those bastards who we voted for in Washington ain’t doing shit for nobody around here. They’re the ones who are taking from us. They took you from me-
John sees tears in Marcia’s eyes and hangs his head down-
JOHN
Look I had to go. There weren’t any jobs around here when I graduated-
Marcia takes John’s hand-
MARCIA
John, we could’ve made it together-
JOHN
Doing what? Me slinging rocks, hustling on the corner like a dozen other brothas who are dead or in jail-
MARCIA
I’m sure you would have found something at a store or somewhere-
JOHN
Look, the only way I could make a living was serving my country-
MARCIA
Well, you need to think about how your country is serving you-
JOHN
And Dex is serving the needs of the community-
MARCIA
He protects us from that government you serve-
John brushes his hand against Marcia’s cheek and asks-
JOHN
So who’s protecting you from Dex?
John leaves Marcia with something to think about as he heads upstairs to-
INT. APT 5A LIVING ROOM – MORNING
A picture of Jesus in the background. John showered, shaved and dressed in civilian gear lounges on the sofa with his laptop surfing the net as his mother approaches-
MAMA
How long are you going to be on leave this time John?
John smiles at his mother and tells her-
JOHN
I’m not going back Ma. I got honorably discharged. I’m gonna try to make it on my own from here on in.
John’s mother is shocked.
MAMA
So what are you gonna do now that you’re out of the service?
JOHN
I might go into the NYPD with Charles, or I might take advantage of the G.I. Bill and go to school like I wanted to when I graduated.
MAMA
And what are you gonna major in?
JOHN
Criminal Justice or Business. I have about 60 credits from courses I took off and on in the military, so I’m halfway to a degree-
The conversation is interrupted by-
BRRRING! John’s cell phone. He slips it out of his pocket-
JOHN
Williams.
To talk to-
INt. Police cruiser 3430 – morning
Charles sitting outside the entrance of the Webster Houses.
CHARLES
Yo, John, it’s Charles. Some of the brothers at the precinct want to meet the man who took out Samhal Hussein. You got a minute?
JOHN
Man, don’t tell me you’re telling stories about me-
CHARLES
It came up at Roll Call-
JOHN
You knowing me conveniently came up at Roll Call? Come on man-
CHARLES
Hey, it’s not every day you can say you know a real live American hero-
JOHN
Alright, I’ll meet you downstairs.
As the call ends-
Back to Apartment 5A
John puts his phone in his pocket and smiles at his mother as he tells her-
JOHN
That was Charles. The guys at the precinct want to meet the man who took out Samhal Hussein. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.
John gets a kiss from his smiling mother and heads out the door to the-
ELEVATOR
As-
EXT. 169th STREET and WEBSTER AVENUE – MOrning
Parked outside the Pioneer Supermarket. Dex and his henches are sitting in their-
INT. GOLD LEXUS LS 450
Watching as-
POLICE CRUISER 3430
Waits outside of the entrance of the Webster Houses across the street. Charles sitting in his cruiser watches the-
Walkway
As John heads down to meet him. It’s a busy weekend, kids are playing, parents on their way to and from the nearby market. Dex sees John approaching the cruiser and-
SCREEEECH! The Lexus burns rubber to-
Block the cruiser in and keep traffic out. Dex and his henches jump out the ride with an uzi and MAC-10’s. He looks directly at-
John
As Charles jumps out of the cruiser.
Charles
Yo, are you crazy?
DEX
You the crazy one Blue Knight. Trying to step to me like you so tough?
Charles goes for his gun and-
BRRRRAAAP! BRRRAP! BRRRAP! BRRRRAP! Is sprayed up in a hail of gunfire by Dex and his crew before he can reach it.
People on the street scream and scramble for cover. John watches in horror as his best friend-
Charles’
Body is sent reeling from the impact of the bullets. He crashes into the hood of the cruiser.
DEX
Well, you look like a punk when I spray you up.
John rushes over to his friend. He locks eyes with Dex as he tells him-
DEX
That’s what happens to heroes around here Soldier boy.
HenCH#1
Keep fuckin with us and that’s gonna be you next nigga!
People react to Charles’ death as-
Dex and his henches get in the Lexus and-
SCREEECH! Speed down Webster Avenue.
KID
Yo, Dex just killed a cop in the street!
&nb
sp; GIRL
Yo, he aint’ just kill a cop, he kilt a nigga in broad daylight!
kid #2
They wasn’t even afraid of the blue uniform! You see how Dex and his boys rolled up and sprayed that cop up like he was nothing!
KID #1
I think they was trying to send a message to somebody.
GUY
What message? Nigger Dex ain’t no joke! I ain’t gonna fuck with that nigger.
The message is received as-
John grabs the radio in Charles’ cruiser and reports-
JOHN
911! OFFICER DOWN! OFFICER DOWN! SEND A BUS TO WEBSTER AVENUE AND 168th STREET! OFFICER DOWN!
The sounds of police cruisers and ambulance sirens can be heard in the distance.
hours LATER
INT – 44th PRECINCT INTERVIEW ROOM – AFTERNOON
John sits quietly grieving his friend as-
INSERT
A TV mounted on the wall broadcasts the TV News-
REPORTER
Police Officer Charles Jackson was gunned down in a hail of gunfire today outside of the Webster Houses in the Bronx. Witnesses say Jackson was sitting in his patrol car when he was ambushed by a group of three men. Police are still looking for the suspects.
As-
The District Attorney RONALD JOHNSON, 50, a dedicated civil servant approaches John to offer his condolences.
RONALD
I’m sorry about your friend.
John still tries to make sense of it all.
John
It was like being in Iraq all over again.
ronald
That’s life in The South Bronx.
JOHN
The way those kids talked about Dex was the way people used to talk about Samhal Hussein.
Ronald
Some people will support anyone because they don’t have to anything around them to believe in.
JOHN
It was crazy. On one hand they were scared of him, and on the other they had respect for him.
RONALD
He’s their hero because they fear his violence. That fear is what gives him the power the people respect and admire-
JOHN
You make it sounds like he’s got their hearts and minds-
ronald
That’s the power of Dex. One part pimp, one part politican, one part terrorist. Even all the cops here are so scared of him that they just take his hush money-
John
No man should be above the law-
RONALD
Ronald Johnson, District Attorney for Bronx County.
John remembers where he is when he see’s Ronald’s hand and shakes it.
john
John Williams. So you’re saying the department is dirty?
Ronald
Not dirty, but scared like Charles was. A lot of these men have families to take care of and I can’t blame them for not risking their lives to take on Dex-
JOHN
Yeah, they probably feel they have to look out for their own above all else-
RONALD
Unfortunately, I can’t get anything to stick to Dex or his boys. No one will testify against him-
John
Charles was a good man. He didn’t deserve to be shot up in the street like that-
RONALD
I want to help you get him justice.
John’s eyes light up.
John
I’m with you.
Ronald
When men like Dex start killing cops, no one is safe.
john
All it takes is for good men to do nothing-
Ronald
And a fascist will come to power.
John
It’s only a matter of time before men like Dex start imposing their will on the people.
ronald
And that’s how terrorists become warlords like Samhal Hussein.
John
That’s what I try to get people in the neighborhood to understand. But everyone is so scared-
Ronald
They refuse to take a stand against the people who are oppressing them.
john
I went halfway across the world to stop a terrorist in Iraq only to come home to one oppressing people in my own country.
ronald
We have to stop him.
John
How? No one’s gonna testify-
The District Attorney reveals his plan.
RONALD
We don’t need anyone to testify. We have video of Charles being killed from security cameras. I just want you to be there when me and my guys raid his apartment. It’ll let them know that the community is behind them.
John gets up out of his seat and extends his hand-
john
I’ll be there.
Ronald
I’ll let you know when we’re ready.
The deal is agreed to as the men shake hands. The
NEXT DAY
EXT. Woodlawn Cemetary - afternoon
A somber ceremony. Police officers in dress blue and family dressed in black suits and dresses watch as-
Officer Charles Jackson is laid to rest. In the distance John notices-
MARCIA
Dressed in a tasteful black sheath dress and heels. As the service ends, he excuses himself and approaches her-
John
This is a private funeral. Friends and family-
Marcia
Charles was my friend too.
john
And you’re just as responsible for his death as Dex is-
marcia
I didn’t have anything to do with Dex killing Charles-
JOHN
You reap the benefits of him oppressing our people-
MARCIA
And I pay the price for it too-
JOhn
Living large-
Marcia
I’m not your enemy John.
The air is tense as John calms down. Marcia sighs frustrated at the impasse between them-
MARCIA
Look I’m sorry Charles is gone. But getting angry at me isn’t gonna bring him back-
John
You have a point.
Marcia takes John’s hand.
Marcia
Look, let’s get out of here. There’s a coffee shop across the street.
JOHN
You sure that’s smart?
Marcia
Dex doesn’t have eyes all over the place.
A reluctant John sighs and joins Marcia at the-
Int. Coffee shop - Afternoon.
A local diner in the South Bronx. John and
