by bob chartain
THE SUBMARINE BRIDGE, - Manny paces the deck in circles around the Captain. The bosun watches the instrumentation.
FLASH TO:
THE BOMB'S CLOCK showing twenty minutes.
BACK TO:
CAPTAIN
Go down and get some sleep.
We'll call you when Guillermo
lets up.
MANNY
Bosun, what's the weather topside?
The BOSUN looks at the captain who nods an approval.
BOSUN
Twenty one, point seven six miles
per hour. We're in the center of the
storm.
MANNY
Get me up there right now.
I have a funny feeling in my gut.
CAPTAIN
We can't do it, Goddamnit!.
It's the eye of the hurricane.
Within five minutes the winds will --
MANNY
That's all I need.
THE FORT -
Comandante Uno and a few men brave the wind and run towards a small seaplane beached on the island with it's engines revving. Commandante Uno looks back at David's cell window.
COMANDANTE UNO
Stupid gringos, they'll never
understand.
MANNY AND A COUPLE OF OTHER SEAMEN -
on a raft in the heavy seas that seem beyond human capability.
SEAMAN
(yelling)
You're going to kill us. Ramirez.
Manny - green himself, glares at him, grunts and then hangs his head over the side.
DAVID'S CELL -
Above his sleeping body there are only minutes left.
TOMMY'S BEDROOM –
the shadowy figure of Tommy moves from his room and down the hall.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS blink softly against the wall. Suddenly, Tommy turns on his battery - powered lantern and with Smudge at his side, he looks exactly like the "forties," Fisk ad, "It's time to retire." He moves into Jeanie's room. She stirs, then rises with a start.
JEAN
Tommy! You startled me.
She turns on a bedside lamp. There are tears in Tommys eyes.
JEAN (cont'd)
What's wrong.
TOMMY
I couldn't sleep. I'm scared.
JEAN
Did you listen for the sandman to say
Ho Ho Ho, Tommy are you asleep?
TOMMY
I tried and tried. but all
I could hear were the fog horns and
they sounded like Daddy, Manny, and
Santa Claus all talking at once.
THE HALLS OF THE DUNGEON -
where the wind whistles an un-godly SOUND and the sinister shadow of Manny moves ominously along the slimy block walls.
DAVID IN HIS CELL –
in a fetal position, staring at the weathered limestone blocks.
THE BLOCKS -
waver, then form the outline of a face, then waver again.
DAVID watches, then hits his head.
THE BLOCK SLOWLY TAKES ON THE FACE OF SHERRY
SHERRY
(V.O,echoing)
Higher and higher into the sky so blue.
The most wonderful thing a child can do.
Sherry swings up and up with Tommy on her lap.
THE IMAGE FADES
DAVID
(husky)
NO, Please. Don't go.
Don't take Tommy, Oh God.
DON'T LEAVE.-
THE CELL DOOR creaks open.
MANNY O.S.
- Why should'nt I leave you.
You dumb sonna of a bitch.
You walked right into a .
Manny sees the nuclear device and the clock.
ONLY FIVE SECONDS REMAIN.
MANNY
DAVY, what the hell have you done?
Carson motions Manny to come closer with his finger. His catatonic stare goes through Manny, who freezes in fear.
THE CLOCK COUNTS DOWN -- THREE -- TWO -- ONE -- ZERO
MINUS ONE -- MINUS TWO -- MINUS THREE.
DAVID'S LAUGHTER PEELS THROUGH THE ROOM.
GOLDEN GATE PARK ON A CLOUDY DAY,
where children play in the beautiful gardens and ride the carousel. Tommy and a friend play with the latest radio controlled off road cars.
FRIEND
What are you doing for Christmas, Tommy?
TOMMY
I dunno. The usual, I guess.
You need to adjust your camber.
As they race the cars a sad look comes over Tommy's face.
FRIEND
I'm going to Hawaii with my mom
and dad.
They both rises as the cars come closer to the finish line. Several other children gather around and in the AD LIBBED excitement Tommy grasps his neck then falls forward with the control in his hand.
FRIEND
What's wrong Tommy?
TOMMY
I'm all right but my neck burns.
A group of children gather around Tommy's prone body. He struggles to get up.ﾍ
A MONTAGE OF SHOTS:
THE UNION SQUARE AREA OF SAN FRANCISCO
IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE -
the joyous sounds of the Christmas season RING up from below the window. The doctor applies ointment to a blotch on Tommy's neck, nods his head in to Rosy then leads Tommy to the door and hands him a candy cane.
AT A SALVATION ARMY POT ON THE SIDEWALK, -
Tommy tugs Rosy to a stop and puts in a donation.
ALONG STORE WINDOWS JAMMED WITH EVERY GOODIE A KID EVER WANTED -
Tommy and Rosy turn and walk through the aisles of an elaborately decorated department store on their way to see Santa Claus. Rosy checks Tommy's list of presents and sees:
MY DADDY HOME, underlined.
AT SANTA'S THRONE -
Tommy ducks shyly into Rosy's skirt, then reluctantly climbs on Santa's lap as Rosy shoos him on. The glare of a flash bulb blinds Tommy as Santa asks what he wants for Christmas and Tommy mouths my D - A - D - D - Y.
OUTSIDE DAVID'S HOUSE - KICKING A TIN CAN -
in a soft drizzle as Christmas lights reflect from the puddles.
IN DAVID'S HOUSE -
MAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES.
THEN DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Tommy picks at the blotch on his neck, slowly climbs the ladder and puts the angel on the top, almost loosing his balance.
TOMMY RUNS TO THE FRONT DOOR IN HIS NIGHT CLOTHES -
throws it open, expecting his father, but it's Manny. Tommy's disappointed expression changes as Manny sets his packages down, grabs Tommy's face and kisses his forehead.
TOMMY
Where's my Daddy?
Manny shrugs an I don't know. Rosy runs to Manny's embrace.
MANNY
Rosy.
ROSY
Manny. Did things go well?
(he nods)
IN HIS ROOM - TOMMY LISTLESSLY PLAYS WITH TOYS -
that once brought pleasure. His movements are slower and he picks at the spot under his sweater.
AT BEDTIME -
Tommy drowses off to sleep with a medical book in his hand.
IN THE MORNING -
Tommy is out cold as Jean and Rosy both try to awaken him.
JEAN
Come on Tommy, rise and shine.
ROSY
Come on Bambino.
It's time for breakfast.
AN AIRPLANE AMONG THE CUMULUS CLOUDS ABOVE THE CARIBBEAN, -
David stares pensively at the shimmering sea and cloud formations. A few fluffy clouds assume amorphous shapes, blotting out the rest of the sky. A collage forms in the sky, as David reminisces.
A SERIES OF DREAM SHOTS:
ON A JUNGLE ROAD, David's jeep moves rapidly past a collection of peasant houses and enters a clearing in front of -
MARIA'S HOUSE.
David turns off the motor. There is no life other than the relentless CROWING of the rooster. He walks toward the house, hesitates at the door, knocks, then knocks again.
THE DOOR opens slowly and MARIA'S MOTHER, dressed in black appears. Her face is ageless, chiseled in sorrow.
IN A DREAM-LIKE pantomime, we understand the grief and sorrow.
DAVID takes his helmet off, looks down and speaks.
MARIA'S MOTHER listens without expression, then makes the sign of ﾍ
the cross on herself and disappears for a moment.
MARIA APPEARS IN THE DOORWAY, dressed in black and as pregnant ﾍ
as one can get. DAVID'S look expresses his deep anguish as - MARIA gently puts her and on David's lips to shush him, tears well from her eyes. David hands her an -
AMERICAN VISA and an envelope we can presume is cash.
She disappears for a moment, then returns with the well-worn cowboy hat Joe always wore and hands it to David, who takes it reluctantly. David shakes his head, Maria insists, he turns to go and Maria hugs him impulsively.
IN THE JEEP, David watches the doorway frame the two womens' sorrow, then drives off and the jeep moves into the clouds.
END OF MONTAGE -
- BACK ON THE PLANE:
THE STEWARDESS' HAND AWAKENS DAVID FROM HIS REVERIE.
STEWARDESS
Excuse me, Sir. Please fasten
your seatbelt. We're about to land.
The stewardess takes his tipping drink as he wipes a tear.
BENSON O.S.
Carson, you are to report immediately
to Langley for debriefing and reassignment.
A WET SAN FRANCISCO EVENING AND -
A PANORAMA OF UNION SQUARE - THE WONDERS OF CHRISTMAS.
DAVID V.O.
Benson. Screw you.
FROM A TAXI -
David watches a young boy kicking a can along the street and then motions the cabby to pull over in front of a large store.
THE STORE -
where David, like a recalcitrant Scrooge, loads up with practically all the goodies a boy might want - computer games, baseballs and footballs, etc. DAVID, really into the spirit of Christmas, AD LIBS - "GOOD TIDINGS," etc. to one and all as well as -
LEAVING VERY GENEROUS TIPS and DONATIONS to every one he sees.
OUTSIDE THE STORE, A SALVATION ARMY WORKER THANKS HIM PROFUSELY.
DAVID
And a Merry Christmas to you.
(balances his packages)
I'm going home.
David sees a special set of toy soldiers in the window, loads his packages in the taxi and goes back in.
TAXI DRIVER
Hey bub, you're going to get me arrested.
DAVID
(to the driver)
Don't worry, I'll be right back.
FROM AN OUTSIDE POV
David points and an amused clerk loads boxes.
DAVID'S HOUSE
David juggles the packages as he enters the quiet house.
DAVID
Hello.
(pats Smudge, who greets him)
Hey! I'm here!
Where is everybody?
A NOISE FROM THE KITCHEN --ROSY'S VOICE.
ROSY V.O.
Dios mio! David!
DAVID fumbles the packages and they spill all over the hallway as Rosy appears in a flour-covered apron, wiping her hands. She hurries to David, hugs him with enthusiasm. David hugs her back but frowns.
DAVID
Where's Tommy?
Rosy steps back, looks David over.
ROSY
Uno momentito, joven.
(helping him out of a wet coat)
I'm so glad to see you.
Manny's off on business.
DAVID
(concerned)
Where's Tommy?
ROSY
Jean took him to the doctor.
He'll be back soon.
(beat)
You need a cup of coffee.
She drags him into the kitchen and past the Christmas cookies -
DAVID
(sharply)
The doctor? Why? What's wrong?
- then pours the hot coffee and pushes the cup to him.
DAVID
How long ago did they leave?
A WIDE AERIAL SHOT OF A HOSPITAL AT NIGHT.
HOSPITAL CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TOMMY'S ROOM –
where David finishes a conversation with a DOCTOR who shakes his head sadly.
DOCTOR
A week or two on the outside.
Only a miracle will save him.
TOMMY'S HOSPITAL ROOM,
Tommy sits, propped on pillows, under a beside lamp, and in the dim light he looks mortally ill. On the smoothed-out bedsheets, - ﾍ
THE TOY, LEADEN SOLDIERS -
that David bought long ago are lined up in battle positions. Tommy moves a piece with great difficulty as –
DAVID KNOCKS SOFTLY, -
and enters. Tommy smiles, and waves feebly.
DAVID
Hi kid. How ya' feelin?
TOMMY
(more slurred than ever)
Hi, Daddy. Okay, I guess.
DAVID
(studying soldiers)
The good guys winning?
TOMMY
Which ones are the good guys?
DAVID SITS on the bed as Tommy struggles to place the -
TOY SOLDIERS, ON THE SHEETS.
TOMMY
Dad, I.
DAVID
Yes, Tom?.
TOMMY
I've read all those diagnostic and
pathology books. --
A LARGE PILE 0F BOOKS lies on a nearby table.
TOMMY (cont'd.)
A guy here, got them for me.
The doctors here don't think I
know. or understand. but I do.
TOMMY STOPS PLAYING and looks directly into David's eyes.
TOMMY (cont'd.)
. They all think It's some
tropical disease you picked up in
Central America. and gave me.
DAVID, WORRIED, LOOKS AT HIS INSECT SCARRED HANDS.
TOMMY (cont'd.)
They're wrong , Dad.
DAVID
They know their business.
TOMMY
-- I know what's wrong with me, Dad.
(David is shocked)
It's a drug. Mom took some kind of
drug, Dad, . before I was born.
DAVID
Tommy, you're guessing.
TOMMY
Listen to me, Dad. I know .
I'm not blaming you. or Mom.
but it's my only chance. I have to
know what drug it was.
David is defense, but soft to his dying son.
DAVID
Tom! Your mother. didn't
take drugs. She may not have been
the smartest mother in the world, but she
didn't take - need - any damned narcotics .
TOMMY
(calmingly)
I didn't say narcotics , Dad.
I said some drug.
DAVID'S EXPRESSION FREEZES IN A FLASH OF MEMORY
TOMMY (cont'd.)
Something you might have taken.
A SPFX, starry night fills the window behind him.
DAVID
The green capsules -
The weird guy with the finger nail.
TOMMY WATCHES INTENTLY AS DAVID POUNDS HIS FOREHEAD.
DAVID (cont'd.)
Your mother, Tommy. Your mother
was a model and she was getting older.
And like a lot of models she was a
patsy for "youth" drugs.
(grimacing)
. stuff that supposedly gets rid
of wrinkles . helps a woman .
stay young-looking.
A REVERSE POV, OUTSIDE THE WINDOW as if someone was looking in.
DAVID V.O.
I was on assignment in this Iron
Curtain country. Your mother heard
there was a wonder drug available
that wasn't licensed here.
I brought back some -- green capsules --
God knows what was really in it.
BACK IN THE ROOM.
DAVID (cont'd)
(now extremely distraught)
She took them when you were conceived.
They were meant for me. Tommy,
I killed your mother.
David holds his head again. Tommy, with great courage and his slurring even more pronounced:
TOMMY
Don't blame yourself, Dad.
Somebody wanted to kill you and
instead they killed mommy.
(David, wet eyed, nods)
I tried to get her records.
But I think they've burned them.
DAVID
(husky)
I don't know what to do, son.
Tommy tries to pat his dad on the arm.
TOMMY
Get me out of here, Dad. We'll find
the man. find out what it was.
(beat)
It's my only chance.
(long beat)
Can you do it, Dad? Can you and me
at least try.
David, now standing, absent-mindedly moves a toy soldier.
DAVID
(arms around Tommy)
Damned right we can try, Tommy.
(to himself)
Manny'll help us.
A WIDE AERIAL VIEW OF THE HOSPITAL, THE LIGHTS EXTINGUISH UNTIL
ONLY TOMMY'S WINDOW IS LIT.
Below, David enters his car.
DAVID V.O.
I'll be back, Tommy.
TOMMY LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AT THE SPFX NIGHT, -
one star seems to twinkle a little brighter than the others.
FROM THE REVERSE POV:
THE AERIAL CAMERA FLOATS SLOWLY TOWARDS TOMMY'S WINDOW,
SHERRY'S VOICE with the same ethereal quality of the earlier dream sequence, begins to speak softly and lovingly:
SHERRY V.O.
"WHEN I WAS SICK AND LAY ABED,
I HAD TWO PILLOWS AT MY HEAD,
AND ALL MY TOYS BESIDE ME LAY
TO KEEP ME HAPPY ALL THE DAY”.
TOMMY'S DARKENED ROOM
Tommy is outlined on the bed with the shadows of toy soldiers scattered among the covers. Sherry's voice is picked up again in the Stevenson Poem.
SHERRY V. O.
“AND SOMETIMES FOR AN HOUR OR SO
I WATCHED MY LEADEN SOLDIERS GO,
WITH DIFFERENT UNIFORMS AND DRILLS,
AMONG THE BEDCLOTHES, THROUGH THE HILLS."
DAVID'S HOUSE IN SAN FRANCISCO ON THE SAME NIGHT, -
David with Rosy's and Jean's help, tensely and fatalistically finishes packing travel bags. David moves quickly to the bedroom and bundles up the sleeping Tommy and moves rapidly toward the door.
DAVID
They're going to be here soon. All
of them. Cops. Company goons. ﾍ
everyone.
(moving towards door)
Make it easy on yourselves,
but I'll appreciate all the headstart
I can get.
(they nod)
ROSY
(in the door way)
Vaya con dios, big and little amigos.
JEAN
Go with god, David.
DAVID
(moving out door)
Thanks -- both of you.
