This is one of my favorite scenes from last year’s Script Frenzy entry, Foo Fighter. As noted in the previous entry, It is the story of Danny Shepherd, a documentary film maker who stumbles onto a UFO crash site 12 miles off the cost of Long Beach. The story starts at the controversial Battle of Los Angeles, and then moves to modern day Southern California. Shepherd (a UFO skeptic), his best friend and partner, and a tabloid reporter are hunted by Naval Intelligence, the guardians of this secret since World War II. In this scene, Danny, Marcus and Lydia are on the run. The rest, is rather self explanatory.
INT. DANNY’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 43
Danny turns on the light, and we see an apartment that is totally trashed. Clothes are strewn all over the place. Books and papers are scattered on the floor. It looks like the aftermath of a moderate California earthquake. They walk in and Marcus closes the door behind him. Danny quickly moves to the bedroom.
LYDIA
Oh my God. They ransacked the place.
MARCUS
No, it was this way yesterday.
Lydia looks at Marcus in disbelief.
MARCUS (CONT’D)
He gets a little disorganized during pre-production.
LYDIA
OK.
Danny comes back carrying A BLACK BAG and his LAPTOP BACKPACK.
DANNY
Got it, let’s go.
MARCUS
How much do we have.
DANNY
A few grand.
MARCUS
That’ll help for a few days.
DANNY
I’m hoping that it won’t take that long.
MARCUS
Well, we should come up with "Plan B"
DANNY
When haven’t we?
MARCUS
I mean, something better than "get a new ’Plan A’."
We hear a noise outside the door. Marcus, still with the bat moves to the door. Danny motions for Lydia to go to the bedroom, which she does. Marcus cocks the bat, ready to swing at whoever is at the door. A BALDING MAN wearing a cheap business suit opens the door. He is in his mid 40s. The man looks like the 90 pound weakling all grown up, and without the help of the Charlie Atlas exercise plan. He turns and sees Marcus about to clock him with the bat. Marcus lets out a primal scream, prompting the balding man to put up his hands and scream as well. Marcus pulls the swing when he realizes the cowering man is not a threat to him or the others. The balding man looks over at Danny, who finally gets his first good look at his intruder.
DANNY
Morris?
The frightened man nods in acknowledgment.
DANNY (CONT’D)
Hit him anyway, Marcus.
MORRIS
I wouldn’t. I’m a lawyer.
Morris finally stands upright and straightens his tie.
DANNY
What are you doing here, Morris?
MORRIS
I heard on the news that you were presumed dead, and I--
DANNY
Was going to troll for anything that was worth something?
MORRIS
Leslie expressed an interest in finding something, for sentimental value. Besides, the divorce isn’t final yet. She’s entitled to any and all property in the event of your death.
DANNY
Which reports of have been greatly exaggerated.
Lydia walks in from the bedroom. Morris takes a look, and finds this little development interesting.
MORRIS
I’m sorry, did I come at a bad time?
DANNY
Anytime you show up, it’s a bad time.
Morris walks over to Lydia.
MORRIS
Aren’t you going to introduce me?
DANNY
Lydia, this is Morris Fletcher, Esquire; representing the future former Mrs. Sheperd. Morris, this is Lydia Ross. She’s a woman of great compassion and is giving to others needs, you’re probably unfamiliar with the type.
Morris takes her hand and he kisses it.
MORRIS
Charmed.
LYDIA
(social fakes it poorly)
Nice to meet you.
DANNY
Careful, Lydia. If he bites you, you’ll live forever.
MORRIS
Well, it’s nice to see that you are still alive.
DANNY
Yeah, I’m sure it is.
MORRIS
Anything that you want me to pass along to Leslie?
DANNY
Bite me. Burn in Hell. STD tests are free on Wednesdays at county health centers.
MORRIS
I’ll tell her that you send your best.
No comments:
Post a Comment