Benefactor cont'd

 

Part 2

 

FADE IN

 

HUDSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, JERSEY CITY – INT – DAY- ONE WEEK LATER

JUDGE MAUREEN WOOLSEY walks into an office. Also present is Frank Messina, Theresa, their attorney, THOMAS LAURENZANO, FATHER TOM REINBOLD, SISTER MARY LUKE, and US attorney GLENN CLAY, who is behind the only desk in the room. Everyone in the office rises when the judge walks in.

 

CLAY

                                                Your honor. (The judge nods to everyone) Your honor, this is Mr. and Mrs. Messina, their attorney, Mr. Laurenzano. (They shake hands) Father Tom Reinbold, pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Hoboken, the children’s parish. (They shake hands) And Sister Mary Luke, who is Mother Superior at the orphanage where the children are staying. (They shake)

 

Everyone takes a SEAT.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY 

 

Mr. Clay, would you step from behind your desk and sit somewhere on this side, please?

 

The judge points to the area in front of the desk, where everyone else is sitting. Clay looks a bit shocked, but complies with the judge’s request. He ROLLS his BIG LEATHER CHAIR around to the front of the desk. The judge takes a standing position against the front of the desk. Before Clay sits, he starts to speak.

 

CLAY

Your honor, the issue at hand is…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

Mr. Clay, please. I know the issue at hand… Let’s clear the air, shall we…I will not, despite this media circus, sacrifice the interests of those children…(with emphasis) for anything…Are we all clear about that?

 

Everyone is nodding.

 

                                                All right. That being said…I have read the preliminary briefs submitted by you, Mr. Laurenzano, and you, Mr. Clay. I have also read the numerous stories in the New York papers and seen much of the coverage on TV. I have spoken to colleagues and child psychologists. (Turning to the Messina’s). Everyone has an opinion on where these children should go. Now I want to hear your opinion.

 

CLAY

                                                (now seated) Your honor, before we begin…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                Mr. Clay, please.

 

Clay is a big-time government attorney who thinks he’s more powerful than the judge, who he thinks of as just a lowly family court judge

 

CLAY

                                                But your honor…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                Not another word, Mr. Clay!

 

CLAY (smarmy)

                                                But Judge Woolsey…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

(angry)

                                                Mr. Clay, shut the fuck up!

 

Clay’s face goes hard. Frank approves, but his look stays sad. The judge turns to the priest and nun, bowing

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                Excuse me. (turning to Messina's) Excuse me. Now, I’d like to hear why those two children should be turned over to your care.

 

Frank and Theresa look worn and humble. They look at each other, and Frank yields to Theresa

 

THERESA

                                                Your honor, I’m not sure where to start. I’m…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                Mrs. Messina, let me make this easy for you. One… do you deny that the father of those children died in a…in an assassination of your father-in-law?

 

Theresa is surprised by the judge’s directness. She’s speechless at first. Frank is looking down.

 

THERESA

                                                Your honor…no one knows what happened that day.

 

The judge, sighing, looks at Theresa, Frank, and the priest, in turn. The priest looks down.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

Two…are you asking me to allow those children to be raised in the home of a maf … of a convicted felon?

Theresa heard it.

THERESA

                                                Felon? Your honor, tax evasion is hardly a felony that warrants…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

(correcting her) RICO tax evasion, Mrs. Messina, and  I know you understand the difference. Those RICO laws are written in blood, so please, spare me the speech about how your husband is persecuted.

 

Everyone is quiet

All three of your felony convictions, Mr. Messina, were RICO convictions - two for tax evasion and one for interstate trafficking in firearms. In my cursory review of your trial records, I noted at least three people who died, one of them a Miami police officer.

 

THERESA

Judge Woolsey, Frank had nothing…

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

Mrs. Messina, please, let me finish…(her anger is increasing) At last count, four people who played material roles in those cases – people both inside and outside of organized crime – have been found dead or are currently missing. The money trail…

 

The judge suddenly stops. She walks to a WATER COOLER, pulls out a SMALL PAPER CUP, and takes a drink. She moves over to the window. No one is talking. 

 

CUT TO – POV OF JUDGE LOOKING OUT WINDOW – INT - CONTINUOUS

The offices overlook the Jersey City waterfront, Hoboken to the left, New York City to the right, across the river. The judge returns to the front of the desk.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                I’ve said enough…Excuse my high emotion…I’m going to say this, and then I’m going to call this informal meeting to a close…(controlled) I am outraged. I am outraged that I cannot do what needs to be done in this case. I am outraged that people who don’t know me, and know nothing about the law, are giving me advice on what to do

 

The judge runs her hands through her hair, stressed, and walks to the water cooler again. As she’s walking back to the desk, she speaks.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

I am outraged that you have left me no choices… Mr. Messina, do you have anything you’d like to say? (subtly sarcastic) This is off the record. I know you worry about such things.

 

Frank never even looks up

FRANK

                                                Do you have children, Judge Woolsey?

 

This question seems ominous. The judge shows the first sign of losing the edge she’s had until now. She hesitates.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                Yes, I do.

 

FRANK

                                                And have you thought about who would care for them, if something happened to you?

 

LAURENZANO

                                                (Cautioning) Frank.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

                                                (Flustered but pissed) Are you threatening me, Mr. Messina?

 

FRANK (now looks up)

                                                Judge Woolsey, I run a multimillion-dollar shipping operation. I negotiate contracts with big companies and powerful unions. I have been in and around the legal system since I was fifteen years old. Do you actually think I would threaten you…in front of my priest, my lawyer, and my wife? I am asking you a simple question…as a father – as a parent. Who would care for your children if you had no family and something happened to you and your husband?

 

There’s silence for a moment.

 

JUDGE WOOLSEY

Mr. Messina, I am sorry, but I cannot allow those children to live with you.

 

The Judge waits to let it sink in, then slowly rises from the desk. She begins to walk out of the office

 

THERESA

(with a look of pain – stays seated, head down)

Your honor, those children have no one…

 

The judge stops with her hand on the doorknob. She doesn’t turn. She waits a moment, then opens the door and walks out.

 

FADE OUT

 

FADE IN

 

YACHT – ON THE HUDSON RIVER - NEW YORK CITY NORTH OF STATUE OF LIBERTY– EXT – DAY – JULY 4, 1976

The Hudson River is filled with SHIPS of every kind. There are Navy ships, new and old; masted schooners, sailboats, huge cruise ships. Jenny and Nina are dressed in beautiful summer dresses. It’s a very formal party. They are sitting quietly at a table on an outer deck.

 

JENNY

                                                Nina, will you come to the bathroom with me.

 

NINA

                                                OK. Let’s go to the one on top.

 

The children stand up and walk meekly to MEG WALES, a woman in UPSCALE SUMMER ATTIRE. She’s in her late thirties.

 

NINA

Meg, can Jenny and I go to the bathroom?

 

MEG

                                                On a ship, Nina, a bathroom is called a “head”. And , yes, you may go to the head. You’ll stay together, right?

 

BOTH

                                                Yes.

 

MEG

                                                OK. Be careful. Don’t go near the rails, OK?

 

She watches the children walk up the LADDER to the UPPER DECK. The children walk up the ladder slowly. They don’t seem to be enjoying themselves. The WOMAN to whom Meg was talking says

 

WOMAN

                                                They call you “Meg”?

 

MEG

                                                Yes. “Mother” just doesn’t seem right…Richard has them calling him “Father”. It sounds ridiculous.

 

WOMAN

                                                They seem well behaved. Are they?

 

JENNY

                                Yes, they are. Excuse me.

 

CUT TO INT – YAHCT’S CABIN - CONTINUOUS

Meg walks into the cabin, where her husband, RICHARD, is sitting with TWO OTHER MEN. They are all talking loudly. Richard’s BACK IS TO MEG. She walks up to the area where he’s sitting. One of the men who can see Meg coming leans over and whispers to Richard.

 

MEG

                                                Richard?

 

Richard looks over his shoulder

 

RICHARD

                                Just a minute.

 

He turns back in his seat to finish a conversation.

 

CUT TO MEG’S POV – OVERLOOKING RIVER - CONTINUOUS

Meg shows frustration, then goes to the window and looks out over the water. She notices the Statue of Liberty, the celebration of ships, and then she notices a TUGBOAT pulling near. Richard interrupts her.

 

RICHARD

                                                Where are the girls?

 

She’s focused on the tugboat, which – dirty and loud - is oddly out of place near the yacht.

 

MEG

                                                They, ahm…went to the bathroom

 

RICHARD

                                                The head.

 

She snaps her head to Richard and stares for a second

 

MEG

The head…whatever…I’m, ah…I’m going to take the next skiff back and take the girls home. They’re too tired to be here until midnight.

 

Richard’s eyes are over Meg’s shoulder. She notices this, and looks down. Richard looks back to her

 

RICHARD

                                                Look, wait a bit longer, then I’ll go with you.

 

MEG

                                                No, Richard. The skiff’s leaving shortly. We’ll see you at home.

 

Meg turns to leave. Richard frowns. The two girls come into the cabin just as Meg is walking out. Richard sees them, and sips his drink. He watches them gather up to leave. Meg puts one hand on the backs of each of the girls and leads them through the cabin door.

 

CUT TO AFT END OF THE SHIP – EXT

The SKIFF is pulling up. It’s big enough for about fifteen people. Meg and the girls climb down a steep ladder onto a landing aft of the ship. A DECK HAND from the yacht grabs the line thrown by the skiff operator.

 

CUT TO POV OF MAN ON TUGBOAT - CONTINUOUS

All the MEN on the tug are in WORK CLOTHES. One MAN, out of place in black slacks and a Hawaiian shirt, watches Meg and the girls get onto the boat.

 

CUT TO JENNY’S  POV

As the skiff heads upriver, Jenny looks to the HOBOKEN WATERFRONT. She sees SIGHTS she knows.

 

APARTMENT – INT – NIGHT – THREE YEARS LATER - 1979

UPSCALE apartment. TWELVE-YEAR old Jenny comes out of the bathroom. The rooms are DARK. She shuffles into the KITCHEN. She grabs a COOKIE off a PLATE on the kitchen TABLE. There’s a NOTE on the table.

 

CUT TO JENNY’S POV ON NOTE

which reads “MEG’S NUMBER IN CALIFORNIA – PENINSULA HOTEL 310-464-1234”

 

JENNY’S POV - CONTINUOUS

A WOMAN, LATE 50’S, is sleeping in front of the TV SET. Jenny shuffles out of the kitchen back into the hallway toward the bedrooms. She sees Richard coming out of fourteen-year old Nina’s room. Richard looks right at us with disregard. He walks right toward us, then turns into HIS BEDROOM and closes the DOOR. Jenny is confused and scared. She walks slowly down the hall, and turns into Nina’s room. Nina is sitting at the head of her BED, with her knees drawn to her chest. She flinches when Jenny walks in, but then relaxes.

 

NINA

                                                Leave me alone – get out.

 

Jenny stands just inside the doorway.

 

NINA

(jaw clenched but voice firmer)

I said get out!

 

FADE OUT

 

FADE IN

 

HOBOKEN, NJ – INT - BACK ROOM OF DELI – NIGHT - 1979

Frank Messina sits behind a DESK. FOUR MEN stand around the desk, looking at a PLAN SPREAD out on the desk. They are all wearing DARK CLOTHING.

 

FRANK

Any more questions? (He looks at each man) Let’s do it.

 

DELICATESSEN – CLOSED – INT – NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The men walk through the CLOSED DELI and out into the street. They get into a LARGE, DARK CAR. Frank gets into a SEPARATE CAR.

 

CUT TO NEW YORK STREET – EXT – SHORT WHILE LATER

Frank pulls up to a VALET in front of a RESTAURANT.

 

CUT TO RESTAURANT – INT

Frank walks to a table in the back of the restaurant. A FEW PEOPLE recognize him. Theresa is sitting at a back table. She smiles as he walks up to the table.

 

FRANK

                                                Hey. How was the show?

 

Frank sits – Theresa waits till he’s settled. The HOST leaves a MENU.

 

FRANK

                                                (to waiter) Thank you

 

THERESA

                                                It was so funny! Although I don’t think my mother cared for it much.

 

WAITER

                                                Would you care for a drink, sir?

 

FRANK

                                                Double Glenlivet, neat.

 

THERESA

                                                I was going to order some wine, too. Will you still have some?

 

FRANK

                                                Sure, sure…so tell me, why the Manhattan restaurant?

 

THERESA

                                                Frank, we eat in Hoboken restaurants three nights a week. Can’t we try a place without “all-Sinatra all the time”?

 

FRANK

                                                Very funny. But, let me give you my theory. (He begins talking lower) You spent three hours milling around this neighborhood hoping to get a glimpse of those kids, didn’t you?

 

Theresa looks down at her drink, then back at Frank. She’s getting excited.

 

THERESA

                                                Frankie, if this guy’s as big a prick as you think he is, well…then…I can’t bear to think of them here by themselves

 

FRANK

                                                Calm down, calm down. They are not alone. The wife is OK. She watches out for them. Don’t worry.

 

She frowns. She knows when he’s trying to placate her.

 

FRANK

(now getting excited himself) I am taking care of it, all right! (she’s still frowning) You have five kids of your own to worry about, so knock it off.

 

THERESA

(scolding) No, Frankie, you knock it off. And don’t you dare bring our kids into this. (he knows he’s wrong. They’re quiet for a moment. Then, softly…) You’re always telling me – “no women and no children.” Well, then why are those kids suffering?

 

Frank sits back frustrated because he knows she’s right.

 

FRANK

                                                Theresa, we bugged his place – his room, the kids’ room. I’m gonna get the tapes to the judge…

 

THERESA

                                                (Loudly) No!

 

People around them are looking, except for the ones who know who Frank is. Frank gives Theresa a warning look.

 

THERESA

(softly)

What good will that do? Frank, we have to get those children to a safe place!

 

They say nothing for a moment. Then she takes Frank’s hand.

 

FADE OUT

 

FADE IN

 

 

CUT TO LAS VEGAS SUBURB - GOLF COURSE – INT – DAY – PRO SHOP

RICHARD

                                                Hi. Reservation for Wales - first name Richard.

 

GOLF PRO

                                                Ah…yes. The fourth in your group was here, but he had to leave suddenly. So, you’ll have your own cart. The other twosome is outside.

 

RICHARD

                                Great! I hear the course is tough?

 

GOLF PRO

                                                Well, if you play it close, it’s average. But it’s a doozy of a desert course if you go wide. Rocks, cactus, snakes. Be careful if you’re not hitting them straight. There are markers that tell you what’s out-of-bounds.

 

CUT TO GOLF COURSE STARTER AREA – MINUTES LATER

Richard is getting into a cart by himself

 

CUT TO EXT – 1ST TEE

Richard drives off the first tee. OTHER TWO MEN, MID TWENTIES, a bit SEEDY-LOOKING, but good golfers, drive off the first tee

 

CUT TO EXT – 2ND GREEN

Richard and the OTHER TWO MEN putt out

 

CUT TO RICHARD DRIVING SLOWLY AROUND A BEND

Richard stops the cart and looks into the STEEP CANYON on the side of the bend. He pulls away, going up the steep grade to the elevated green.

 

CUT TO RICHARD PULLING UP TO GREEN – EXT

Richard pulls the cart up near the green. The area is ROCKY AND RUGGED, except for the green

 

CUT TO RICHARD – EXT – PUTTING GREEN – 5th HOLE

He finishes his PUTT.

 

PLAYER 1

                                                Nicely done. Good putt.

 

The other TWO PLAYERS walk off the green in front of him and drive off. Putter still in hand, Richard detours to the small BATHROOM near the green.

 

CUT TO RICHARD EXITING THE BATHROOM MOMENTS LATER

He walks to the back of the cart to put his putter in his bag.

 

CUT TO POV OF RICHARD’S FACE AS HE’S PUTTING THE CLUB IN THE BAG

Richard screams in pain and jerks backward from the waist. He screams again.

 

CUT TO RICHARD’S POV - CONTINUOUS

There’s DOZENS of RATTLESNAKES in the bottom of the bag shelf. The snakes are HISSING and crawling and striking him in the thighs and groin. He gets bit numerous times. He’s screaming.

 

PULL BACK TO REVEAL – CONTINUOUS

He runs and gets in the cart. There’s ANOTHER BOX FULL OF SNAKES on the floor of the cart. The snakes start jumping out at him, striking him in the calves and ankles. He kicks the box out of the cart and starts driving for the clubhouse, back toward the way he came, as fast as he can go, already feeling the venom. He goes down a VERY STEEP HILL, picking up a lot of speed. He tries braking, but the BRAKE PEDAL has been CUT so that it BREAKS OFF when he presses down on it. The cart crashes through the WOOD RAILING AND THE CART CRASHES FAR BELOW TO THE CANYON FLOOR

 

FADE OUT

 

Thomas McKeon

Tomatsasco@worldnet.att.net

Santa Clara, CA 95050