The Verification (2)
tie-ups, but not too bad,
TOMMY
Grandpa, can we go swimming now?
BARBARA
I'm sure Grandpa would let you, but
now we'll talk to Grandpa first.
GEORGE
We'll go swimming soon. And now that
everyone's here, we're all going to
have ourselves a big party.
LEAH
Will there be any presents?
GEORGE
Of course.
GERALD, a servant appears. Barbara hands him her car keys.
He opens the car trunk and takes out several bags.
They walk into the house.
Rays of sunlight bounce off the cathedral ceiling, lighting up
the marble floors and walls.
Gerald starts to climb the stairs.
BARBARA
Children, you go up with Gerald. I'll
be up soon.
The children follow Gerald up the stairs.
GEORGE
You look very tired.
BARBARA
I sometimes wonder if I'm being paid
back for some sin?
GEORGE
You were always headstrong, but that's
not a sin.
BARBARA
The children are growing fast and they
have no father.
GEORGE
We'll talk about it later. Now let's
enjoy the weekend.
BARBARA
Thanks for everything Dad.
She kisses George and climbs the stairs.
EXT. POOL - DAY
In a large Olympic size pool, George swims with Leah and
Tommy. He beams with joy, as he gazes at Leah and Tommy
swimming above and underneath the water.
Barbara sits under an umbrella, sipping a coke, watching the children.
After a beat she gets up and walks to the pool.
BARBARA
Come on kids. It's time to get out.
LEAH
We don't want to.
GEORGE
Let them stay a while.
BARBARA
Five more minutes and then you're out.
The children swim energetically.
George gets out of the pool. He towels off and sits next
to Barbara.
GEORGE
I wish you'd take me up on my offer and
move in here with the children.
BARBARA
I just can't.
GEORGE
Alan is a born loser. I've always told
you he'd amount to nothing.
BARBARA
I've got to find him. I need your help.
GEORGE
There's a private detective agency that
does some work for us occasionally.
They're very good. I'll set up an
appointment for you.
BARBARA
Will it be expensive?
GEORGE
I'll take care of it.
BARBARA
All right kids, out you come.
The children begrudgingly get out of the pool.
INT. DINING ROOM
A large crystal chandelier shines on the glittering plates,
silver and crystal glasses.
George sits at the head of a large table. Leah, Tommy and
Barbara are seated next to him. Gerald, dressed in a formal
attire, serves dinner.
BESS, a middle age maid, brings out a large ice cream cake.
She serves everyone slices.
George and Barbara exchange smiles, as they observe Tommy
and Leah gorging themselves with the cake.
After everyone has had their fill of the desert, Tommy
suddenly gets up from his chair.
TOMMY
Grandpa, you promised us presents.
GEORGE
There is a way you can get the presents,
but we have to do something first.
George takes a whistle from his pocket and hands it to
Tommy.
GEORGE
Now when I give you the signal, blow
the whistle as loud as you can.
Tommy holds the whistle. He stares at George surreptitiously.
GEORGE
Now!
Tommy blows the whistle with all his might.
The kitchen doors fling open. Gerald and Bess carry several
gift wrapped boxes and hand them to Leah and Tommy, who
hastily start to open them.
BARBARA
Don't you think you should thank Grandpa?
LEAH AND TOMMY
(in unison)
Thank you Grandpa.
BARBARA
You spoil them.
GEORGE
What other pleasures do I have?
INT. RED CROSS - DAY
A line of frail-looking homeless men with trays, stand in front
of a lunch counter. They wait patiently, as employees dole out
food and beverages.
Alan fills a homeless man's tray.
ALAN
(smiling)
Now eat slowly, you'll enjoy it so much
more.
The man nods, gives him a half smile and trudges away.
Alan and the other employees continue to serve the men.
On tables, men eat slowly, their faces dark and solemn.
After a beat, the line thins out.
Alan and the employees start to stow away the food and
clean up the area.
MARY, a middle-age woman, approaches.
MARY
Alan, Mr. Johnson wants to see you.
ALAN
I'll be right there.
Mary walks away.
Alan takes off his apron and exits the lunch room.
INT. JOHNSON'S OFFICE
Alan sits at a desk in front of TOM JOHNSON.
A husky, broad shouldered man with a weather-beaten face.
JOHNSON
You've done an excellent job here. We're very proud of you.
ALAN
Then why do I have to leave?
JOHNSON
It's time now that you became a part
of the outside world. We've been
fortunate in obtaining a position for
you at a book store They're good people
and I'm sure you'll enjoy working there.
We also got you an apartment nearby.
ALAN
I enjoyed working here.
JOHNSON
When we picked you up some time ago, you
were in terrible shape. Some of us didn't
think you'd make it. You've done an out-
standing job here and with yourself.
ALAN
I tried my best.
JOHNSON
We know that you can contribute something
of value to the outside world.
ALAN
I'll try not to disappoint you.
JOHNSON
The best of luck to you.
Alan and Johnson get up. They shake hands.
INT. GEORGE'S OFFICE - DAY
It is a large office. The walls are dark brown with
matching carpets,
George sits behind a large desk. He nervously smokes a
cigar.
On the wall behind him, are pictures of George as a Marine
officer and several testimonials.
Seated in front of him is BEN GOLD. He is a middle age,
obese man with hunched shoulders. His skin laps over his
shirt collar. He takes notes, as George speaks.
GEORGE
I want you to be discreet and send all
your bills to me.
BEN
I've got all the information from your
daughter. I'll be investigating everyone and
every place that Alan has been to.
GEORGE
I'm depending upon you.
BEN
I'll leave no stone unturned.
GEORGE
Keep me posted.
George gets up and shakes Ben's hand.
EXT/INT. BOOK STORE - NIGHT
People walk slowly past the sidewalks and store fronts
decorated with their wares.
An old beggar sits before an abandoned building with
withered palm outstretched to all that pass by.
In the store, people browse. Some pay for their books,
magazines and videos at cash registers.
Alan is at a cash register, ringing up a sale.
ALAN
Thank you. Come again.
The next customer hands several books to Alan. He rings up
their prices.
LATER
The last customer leaves.
HOWARD, a young man in his thirties, with a pony tail, is ready
to lock up the store.
Alan approaches.
HOWARD
What a day we had.
ALAN
We were very busy.
HOWARD
Some of my friends and I are going to
the new club that opened downtown.
It's called the Kitten Club. It's
wild. Join us.
ALAN
Thanks for the invite, but I've got some
work to do at home. Maybe another time.
HOWARD
Okay.
Howard locks up the store.
Howard and Alan walk away in opposite directions.
EXT. BUS STOP- DAY
Alan and several people stand at the bus stop. Alan reads
a newspaper. After a beat, he looks up from his paper and
sees
ALICE, a young slender blind woman, and her seeing-eye dog,
BUDDY, approach the bus stop.
Buddy cuddles up to Alan, who puts away his paper and starts
to pet Buddy.
ALICE
I sense my Buddy has found a new friend.
ALAN
He's a beautiful dog.
ALICE
That's what they tell me.
Buddy keeps snuggling against Alan.
ALICE
My name is Alice. What's yours?
ALAN
Joseph. Where are you headed for?
ALICE
Marine Avenue.
ALAN
Huh! That's also my stop.
ALICE
You have a very nice voice.
ALAN
Can I ride with you on the bus?
ALICE
Buddy and I wouldn't mind.
A bus glides up to the bus stop. Passengers get off the bus.
Alan helps Alice and Buddy onto the bus. Alice shows a card
to the driver. Alan pays his fare and helps Alice and Buddy
into their seats. He sits beside them. Other passengers board
the bus.
The bus slowly leaves the bus stop, picks up speed and
drives toward the next stop.
ALICE
Do you ride the bus often?
ALAN
Only when my car is in the garage for
repairs. I moved here recently.
ALICE
Where do you come from?
ALAN
I don't remember.
ALICE
I remember the good moments of my past.
ALAN
Where do you live?
ALICE
303 Marine avenue.
ALAN
I'm only two blocks away. I'll walk
you home.
ALICE
You don's have to. I can find my way
ALAN
I'm sure you can. I would like to.
ALICE
All right.
After several stops, Alice, Buddy and Alan get off the bus.
They start to walk. They come to a one story house and walk
up to a stoop.
ALICE
Thank you for the escort. It was very
kind of you.
ALAN
It was my pleasure.
ALICE
Would you like to come in? I could
make some tea.
ALAN
You can do that?
ALICE
I may be blind, but I'm not crippled.
ALAN
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...
ALICE
I make a special blend of tea.
ALAN
Sounds good.
Alice takes out a key from a pocket in her skirt. She
inserts it in the door lock and opens the door.
INT. HOUSE
Alice, Alan and Buddy enter. Alice closes the door. She
clicks the light switch on the wall, that lights up the
foyer that leads to the parlor.
Sunlight streams through a misty, old parlor.
Alice unleashes Buddy, who happily rushes to the kitchen.
ALICE
(pointing to a couch)
Get comfortable. I'll just be a moment.
Alan sits on the couch.
Alice exits the parlor.
Alan gets up from the couch and studies several photos on
the wall. They are of a young ballerina.
ALAN
These photos on the wall. Who is the
ballet dancer?
INTERCUT
ALICE
(feeding Buddy)
That's me when I was a ballerina.
I danced with several ballet companies.
ALAN
They're beautiful pictures.
ALICE
Well, tea is about ready.
ALAN
Shall I give you a hand?
ALICE
No thanks.
END INTERCUT
Alice returns to the parlor. She carries a tray of tea,
cups and cookies. She places the tray on a small coffee
table in front of the couch. She pours the tea for Alan
and herself. She sits next to Alan, who takes a sip.
ALAN
You're remarkable.
ALICE
(sipping her tea)
I know every little corner of the house.
ALAN
You make me feel very comfortable.
ALICE
I rarely have guests here, but I do
practice being a hostess. Would you
like to hear some music?
ALAN
That would be nice.
Alice gets up and turns on the stereo. Soft dance music is
played. Alice returns to Alan.
ALICE
I Sometimes forget that I'm blind and
I dance to the music for hours.
Alice takes Alan's face in her hands. She caresses his
entire face.
ALICE
A handsome face but a troubled one.
ALAN
How do you know?
ALICE
Would you like to dance with me.
ALAN
It would be a pleasure.
They get up and dance, their bodies close and swaying with
the music. They are enraptured with each other. After a
beat, the music ends. They return to the couch.
ALAN
I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer.
ALICE
I'm going to have an operation on my eyes
soon. They tell me that it may restore my
eyesight
ALAN
I'll say a prayer for you.
ALICE
That's very sweet of you.
ALAN
I should be going now.
ALICE
I hope we'll be seeing each other again.
ALAN
I'm sure we will.
He and Alice walk to the door. He kisses Alice.
ALAN
Thanks for the tea.
He exits the house.
INT. STEWART'S REAL ESTATE OFFICE- NIGHT
Barbara talks on a telephone
BARBARA
Hello Nancy...How are my kids doing?...
Not too much television...Please make
sure they're in bed by eight... I should
be home by nine... You're a doll for
helping me out tonight... Give the
children my love.
She hangs up.
Stewart enters the office.
STEWART
We wrapped up the last block of the
Stepping properties. The president
tells me that they'll be building an
even greater complex. And who do you
think they want for their sales and
marketing?
BARBARA
Stewart's Real Estate.
STEWART
We're moving fast. I need good help in
the worst way.
BARBARA
Will you be hiring more people?
STEWART
I need high performers and high quality
people. I want you to head a new department.
BARBARA
(getting up)
I couldn't take on such a job.
STEWART
You could make tons of money.
All expenses paid and if you need anything at home we'll
foot the expense.
BARBARA
What's needed at home is me and money's
no substitute for that.
Stewart comes closer to Barbara.
STEWART
I can be more than a business partner.
I can be all and everything you need.
He looks tenderly into her eyes.
He twines his arms around her waist and kisses her.
Barbara's eyes are wide open as she pulls away.
BARBARA
You're a handsome man and I'm sure women
would find you desirable. Why don't you
find one?
STEWART
There's none like you.
BARBARA
You could find quite a few that
are better qualified than me.
STEWART
I want you.
Barbara gathers her coat and bag.
BARBARA
I've got to get home.
STEWART
You're still my star sales gal. Right?
BARBARA
I don't think so.
Barbara exits the office.
INT. RED CROSS OFFICE - DAY
Men and women in cubicles work on computers.
Ben stands with Johnson and Mary.
JOHNSON
Alan Taylor? The name doesn't ring
a bell.
MARY
Would he go by another name?
BEN
(handing a picture to Mary)
Maybe. Here's a picture of him.
Johnson and Mary stare at each other.
JOHNSON
That's Joseph Smith!
BEN
When was the last time you saw him?
MARY
He left here about a month ago.
He was picked up with a group of homeless
and sent here for a clean up, meals, new
clothes and some cash.
JOHNSON
He was very intelligent. He was different
than the usual homeless person. He worked
here for a while and made quite a few
improvements here. We then got him a job
at a book store.
BEN
What's the name of the book store?
JOHNSON
Mary will give you all the details.
When you find him, tell him to call me.
BEN
I will.
Johnson leaves. Mary escorts Ben to an office.
EXT. BOOK STORE - DAY
Ben walks up to the book store. He looks at the window
display of books, while observing Alan in the inside of
the store.
He takes out a notebook and makes some notations. He
returns to his car and takes out a camera with a zoom
lens. He takes some pictures.
He waits a while and when Alan leaves the store, he takes
several more pictures.
EXT. ALICE'S HOUSE - DAY
Alan and Alice emerge from the house.
Ben sits in his car and takes pictures of Alan kissing Alice good-bye.
Alan gets into his car and drives away.
Ben starts his car and follows Alan.
INT. BRADDOCK'S MOTEL - NIGHT
Ben eats a hamburger and French fries, as he writes a report.
The phone rings. He picks up the phone.
BEN
Hello?...Oh Mrs.Taylor...Yes as a matter
of fact, I was going to call you... I've
located him and have some very interesting
reports...I can't discuss it over the phone.
I'm taking the first plane out...I'll see
you first thing tomorrow...Good bye.
He hangs up the phone and resumes working on his report.
After a beat, an opening of a door is HEARD. Ben slowly
turns around.
BEN
Who's there?... How'd you get in here?
Ben's face is twisted in horror.
A black mass moves slowly and envelopes Ben
BEN
(shrieking)
No!...No!
EXT/INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT
The area is cordoned off by the police.
Newspaper and TV newsmen interview several guests and
employees.
In the motel room, policemen and forensic experts are
searching for evidence.
Casey enters the room. He approaches a Sergeant.
CASEY
Have you got anything yet?
SERGEANT
Everything's been cleaned out. There's
only a body.
CASEY
Check the telephone records for all
calls in and out. Something's got to
show up.
SERGEANT
We'll get right on it.
Casey walks up to SAM, a medical examiner who examines a
body.
CASEY
What do we have Sam?
SAM
He's completely eviscerated.
Casey looks at him searchingly.
CASEY
Meaning?
SAM
The body is completely disemboweled.
It's as if a surgeon did the job.
Casey moves closer and stares at the body. He draws away,
revolted.
CASEY
I'm going to be sick. When was the murder
committed?
SAM
I haven't completed my tests.
CASEY
An educated guess?
SAM
Between ten to eleven, tonight.
CASEY
Call me when the results are in.
Casey exits the room.
EXT. OUTDOOR CAFE - DAY
Alan sits at a table. He eats a sandwich and drinks a soda.
He unfolds a newspaper.
INSERT
The front page heading reads: MAN KILLED MYSTERIOUSLY IN
BRADDOCK'S MOTEL.
END INSERT
He starts to read the article. He suddenly looks up from
the newspaper. He stares at a table at the back of the cafe,
confusion and wonder stabbing his face.
Alan's duplicate, sits at the table and drinks a coffee. He
smiles at Alan, gets up and leaves.
Alan immediately springs up, drops some bills on the table,
and rushes after him.
The man turns a corner.
Alan turns the corner.
The man is nowhere in sight.
INT. BOOK STORE - DAY
Alan enters the store. He moves to a cash register.
Howard approaches him.
HOWARD
You had a telephone call from Alice.
ALAN
I did?
HOWARD
You've been holding out on me. Huh?
ALAN
She leave a message?
HOWARD
She wants you to call her at home. She
said it was important.
ALAN
Thanks, Howard.
HOWARD
Any time.
Alan walks to an office and picks up a phone. He punches a
number. The phone RINGS several times. A recorded message
comes on and is interrupted by Alice's voice.
INTERCUT
Alice at home.
ALICE
Alan, how are you?
ALAN
I got your message. I'll see you tonight?
ALICE
I can't. I have to leave town for a few
days. I'll call you as soon as I return.
ALAN
I can go with you if you like.
ALICE
I'll be all right by myself.
ALAN
I'll wait for you.
ALICE
See you soon.
ALAN
Soon.
Alan hangs up and exits to office. Howard approaches.
HOWARD
I'm going to the Kitten club tonight. How
about joining me?
ALAN
...Okay.
HOWARD
Copyright © 2001 Stanley Heisler |