The Verification (3)
Good, I'll pick you up.
BLACK
Loud raucous music and loud CHEERS are HEARD.
FADE IN
EXT/INT KITTEN CLUB - NIGHT
Bright blinking neon lights illuminate the club.
An endless row of incoming cars are being parked by valets.
Young and older men pack the club, their faces alight with excitement,
as they gaze at
Young women with only G strings, performing their bumps
and grinds around long silver poles.
After several beats, the performance ends.
There is a round of cheers and applause.
The dancers take their bows in front of the stage.
Howard and Alan sit at a corner table.
HOWARD
Do you want to pay your respects?
ALAN
No thanks.
In front of the stage a line of men wait their turn to
insert their bills into the dancers G strings. The
dancers then walk off the stage.
ALAN
Are we leaving now?
HOWARD
Relax, the best is yet to come.
Alan shakes his head in resignation.
There is a loud drum roll with a trumpet fanfare.
HOWARD
Get a load of the next act.
The curtain opens. Standing on stage is POLLY, a young,
attractive, curvaceous woman with long black hair. She
wears a long tight gown. The music begins. She sways
with the music, as she starts to shed parts of her gown,
until she is left with only her G string. She is a symphony
of legs and curves.
The audience HOWL with animal lust.
Polly wraps herself around a pole, gyrating her body in
various exotic positions, coupled with bumps and grinds.
The audience CHEER and APPLAUD.
After several beats, the performance ends.
Polly takes her bows and accepts the bills that are
inserted in her G string with a sparkling smile.
Howard walks up to Polly. He points to the table where Alan
sits. Polly nods her head in agreement The music ends.
The musicians leave the bandstand.
Howard returns to his table.
HOWARD
So how'd you like the show?
ALAN
The last dancer was very professional.
HOWARD
That's Polly, She's a college student.
She'll be joining us soon.
ALAN
It's getting late. I'll take a taxi.
HOWARD
Don't be a wet blanket. Stay. You might
enjoy yourself.
ALAN
All right, just for a while.
After a beat, the musicians return and start to play.
Several more dancers appear on the stage. They dance with
bored abandonment.
Polly approaches Alan's table. She is dressed in a simple
skirt and blouse.
Howard and Alan get up from their seats.
HOWARD
(to Polly)
This is Alan.
POLLY
How do you do? Howard talks about you.
ALAN
It's nice meeting you.
They all sit down.
Polly runs her fingers through her long hair, which make
it billow outward and fall on her shoulders
POLLY
You've never been here before. Have you?
ALAN
I haven't
POLLY
I would have noticed if you were.
HOWARD
Alan usually stays home.
POLLY
What do you do at home?
ALAN
I read books.
POLLY
Books can take you to far away places.
A waitress dressed in a skimpy costume approaches.
She chews gum energetically.
WAITRESS
What'll it be?
POLLY
The usual.
WAITRESS
One champagne cocktail. And how about
you guys?
HOWARD
We're all right for now.
The waitress ambles away, her hips swaying with the beat
of the music.
ALAN
Howard tells me that you're going
to college while you're working here.
POLLY
Dancing pays for my tuition.
HOWARD
She's burning candles at both ends.
ALICE
Howard wants me to give up my job here
and move in with him.
ALAN
What are you studying?
POLLY
I'm interested in the field of human genetics.
I'm a Pre med. student.
HOWARD
Polly's very independent and doesn't want
HOWARD (cont'd)
any help from anyone.
POLLY
(to Howard)
I like your friend.
The waitress arrives, serves Polly her drink and leaves.
Polly lifts her glass.
POLLY
Here's to the human species.
Alan and Howard lift up their glasses and drink.
Polly stares at Alan searchingly.
POLLY
Tonight could be the beginning.
ALAN
(confused)
The beginning?
POLLY
A bud blossoming into a beautiful
flower.
After several beats, the dancers finish their performance.
They start to mingle with the patrons. The music is soft
and slow. Several couples dance on the dance floor and on
the stage.
POLLY
(to Alan)
Let's dance.
ALAN
How about Howard?
POLLY
Howard doesn't dance.
Alan stares at Howard.
HOWARD
Go ahead. Enjoy yourself.
Polly grabs Alan's hand and they walk to the dance floor.
Alan and Polly start to dance, their bodies closely
entwined. Polly smiles at Alan who is a bit ill at ease.
POLLY
What do you think of me?
ALAN
You seem to know where you're going.
POLLY
Is that all?
ALAN
I'm not here to pass judgment on you.
Polly suddenly kisses him hard on the lips.
POLLY
The next time we meet, you'll know more.
ALAN
I'm involved with someone.
POLLY
You're not married and neither am I.
Alan shakes his head. The music ends. Alan and Polly
return to the table.
HOWARD
Let's have another round.
POLLY
I have an early class tomorrow morning.
Howard beckons the waitress, who hands him a check.
Alan starts to take out some bills from his pocket. The
jade amulet drops out of his pocket and onto the floor.
Radiant, blazing, multicolor lights glow from the amulet.
Polly's eyes light up, as she stares at the amulet. Alan
retrieves the amulet and places it back in his pocket.
HOWARD
Put away your money. I've got it.
Alan puts the bills back in his pocket. Howard looks at the
check and drops some bills on the table.
They start to exit the club.
POLLY
That jade that came out of your pocket.
What is it?
ALAN
It's a good luck charm.
POLLY
Where did you get it?
ALAN
From a close friend.
POLLY
How much do you want for it?
ALAN
Why would you want to buy it?
POLLY
I could use some luck.
ALAN
It's not for sale.
Howard gives the valet his car check.
LATER
INT. ALAN'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT
Alan, dressed in a bathrobe, brushes his teeth. The bell
rings. Alan quickly rinses his mouth. He moves to the
door and opens it. Standing at the door is Polly.
ALAN
What are you doing here?
POLLY
Can I come in?
ALAN
Sure.
Polly enters the apartment.
POLLY
Would you have a drink?
ALAN
Some whiskey?
POLLY
Thanks. I could use some.
Alan walks into the kitchen, while Polly sits on a couch.
Within minutes, Alan returns with a bottle of scotch and a
glass. He starts to pour whiskey in a glass.
ALAN
Tell me when.
POLLY
That's fine.
He hands Polly the glass. She gulps it down quickly.
POLLY
` I apologize for barging in on you like this.
ALAN
Does Howard know that you're here?
POLLY
Howard is just a friend and nothing more.
ALAN
Why are you here?
POLLY
You know why.
ALAN
The jade?
Polly moves close to Alan. She presses her body close to
his. She kisses him long and hard. He pushes her away.
POLLY
I would do just about anything to have
the jade.
ALAN
You made an unnecessary trip. It's not
for sale at any price.
POLLY
I could do a lot for you. If it's not money
you want, I can give you wondrous things you've
never dreamed of.
ALAN
I made a promise that I must keep.
POLLY
Can I see the jade?
ALAN
It's late. I think you should leave.
\
POLLY
Just let me see it, then I'll leave.
Alan leaves the room, Within minutes, he returns with the
amulet. Multi color lights radiate from the amulet.
Polly's eyes glisten with hungry excitement, as she grabs the
jade. She screams and drops the amulet.
Her palm smokes with burning flesh.
Alan picks up the jade from the floor.
Polly still screaming, dashes out of the apartment.
EXT. POLICE STATION
JIM, a husky FBI man sits with Casey and Barbara in a room.
CASEY
Several calls were made between you and
Ben Gold from the Braddock motel.
BARBARA
I've already told you that Mr. Gold was
hired by my father to find my husband.
CASEY
On the last call you made to him, what
was the conversation about?
BARBARA
He had found my husband and that he was
going to see me the next day.
JIM
Why did you hire a private detective?
BARBARA
(glaring at Casey)
Because our police are too busy to spend
time on these small cases.
CASEY
This isn't a small case anymore.
Jim takes out a photo from a folder. He shows it to
Barbara.
INSERT
JIM
Is this your husband?
BARBARA
Yes, but what is he doing there?
JIM
That's what we'd like to know.
JIM
The motel's security system photographs
all incoming and outgoing cars from the
motel. This photo was taken on the night
that Ben Gold was murdered.
END INSERT
BARBARA
Are you suggesting that my husband killed
Mr. Gold?
JIM
It's possible.
BARBARA
My husband wouldn't hurt a fly.
CASEY
Thank you for coming. If he should contact
you, call us.
Barbara exits the room.
EXT/INT. APARTMENT - WASHINGTON- DAY
Jim knocks on the apartment door.
MORTON (O.S.)
Who's there?
` JIM
Jim,
The door unlocks and opens. MORTON SMALL, appears. He is
in his mid-fifties and wears thick eyeglasses.
MORTON
Jim! It's good to see you. Come in.
Morton escorts Jim to the parlor.
MORTON
Can I get you a drink?
JIM
No thanks. How's Helga?
MORTON
She left the hospital a few days ago.
They didn't operate.
JIM
There's no hope?
MORTON
None at all.
JIM
Does she know?
MORTON
I think she does.
JIM
Helga was such a hell raiser. It's
hard to think of her this way.
A door is heard opening. HELGA SMALL. A thin frail looking
woman appears.
Jim embraces Helga and kisses her on the cheek.
HELGA
So how's the bachelor?
JIM
My status hasn't changed since you
refused to marry me.
Helga wearily sits on the couch.
MORTON
(at Helga)
A drink?
HELGA
Some tea for all of us.
Morton exits the parlor.
HELGA
So how are things at the FBI?
JIM
It's bigger and busier.
HELGA
Don't waste your life. Find a nice
woman for yourself.
JIM
How are you doing Helga?
HELGA
There's a very sweet girl working in
Morton's lab. You'd like her.
Morton returns with a tray of tea and cookies.
MORTON
Here we are.
Morton pours the tea, They drink tea and eats cookies.
MORTON
It's a treat having you here, even
if it's only for a short visit. You
bring back good memories.
JIM
I wish we did have more time together.
After a beat, Helga gets up. She embraces Jim.
HELGA
It was good seeing you Jim. Remember
what I told you.
Helga leaves the room.
Morton and Jim exchange doleful looks.
INT. TAYLOR'S HOUSE = FAMILY ROOM - NIGHT
Barbara knits a sweater. Leah and Tommy work on a
crossword puzzle. Radio music is played.
THE DOORBELL rings. Barbara turns off the radio and moves
to the door.
BARBARA
Who's there?
ALAN (O.S.)
It's Alan.
Barbara whips the door open.
Alan's duplicate stands at the door. He is immaculately dressed
in a high fashion designer suit.
BARBARA
Heavens! Alan! I'd just about given up
hope
Alan's duplicate kisses her.
The children walk slowly up to Alan. They stand off at a
distance.
BARBARA
Aren't you going to give your Daddy a hug?
The children begrudgingly give him a hug.
Stella, the dog sniffs him and moves away.
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
(sitting on couch)
It's so good to be home.
Barbara sits close to him. She holds his hand.
BARBARA
You look different.
ALAN DUPLICATE
How?
BARBARA
You never dressed like this before.
Where have you been? We've been
worried sick over you.
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
You won't have to worry anymore.
LATER
INT/EXT. HOUSE -BREAKFAST ROOM - DAY
Barbara and the children are finishing breakfast. She
feeds Stella and hurriedly drinks a cup of black coffee.
BARBARA
Come on children. Get your things together
and let's go.
They gather their bags and exit the house.
They get into the car and drive off.
INT. CAR
LEAH
Where's Dad?
BARBARA
He had to go into town early this morning
on some business. He'll be back tonight.
LEAH
Tommy and I don't like him anymore.
BARBARA
Why do you say that?
TOMMY
He doesn't play with us anymore.
BARBARA
He's been very busy.
LEAH
He doesn't love us.
BARBARA
I'll talk to him. I'll make sure that
he spends more time with us.
EXT. PARK - DAY
Couples in casual dress walk through the park.
In a band shell, a concert band plays a Sousa march.
People sit on the grass, listening to the music. Barbara,
Alan's duplicate and the children are sprawled out on a blanket.
The music ends and the audience applauds.
Barbara and Alan's duplicate fold the blanket.
They and the children walk away from the area.
They come to a line of swings.
Leah and Tommy get on the swings and swing energetically.
BARBARA
I'm glad you're spending more time with
the children. I hope there'll be more
days like this
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
I'm leaving for Washington on a business
trip tomorrow.
BARBARA
When will you be back?
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
When my business is finished.
Barbara's face flushes with anger.
The clouds suddenly darken. Thunder and lightning splits
the sky, as torrents of rain pummel the park.
Barbara, the family and people rush to the exit of the park.
EXT. SEAPORT - DAY
The sky is blue with whisps of clouds.
Ships enter and leave the seaport.
George and Barbara walk along the port.
GEORGE
Are you happy?
BARBARA
I guess I am.
GEORGE
You guess?
BARBARA
He's made a hundred and eighty degree turn in his life and he's
everything I ever wanted him to be.
Yet, there's something very strange
about him.
GEORGE
What are you saying?
BARBARA
The children feel the same way. Even Stella
treats him like a stranger.
GEORGE
He's made a remarkable change. That's why
he acts differently. The only thing I
can't figure out is how he got to look so
much younger.
BARBARA
Have you heard anything about him.
GEORGE
I hear he's running for a political
office.
BARBARA
He doesn't tell me anything.
George and Barbara exchange doleful looks.
INT. FBI OFFICE - DAY
Jim sits at a desk cluttered with stacks of files.
Alan' duplicate, dressed in a designer suit, sits in front of him.
He studies a photo.
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
That could be me.
JIM
The motel's security systems takes photos
of all incoming and outgoing cars. And
that's you coming out of the limo.
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
It's not a very clear picture.
JIM
Were you at the Braddock motel on the night
of the twenty ninth of May?
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
Not that I remember. Even if I was there, it
doesn't prove that I was involved in a murder.
JIM
Thanks for coming in.
Jim rises from his chair. Alan's duplicate also rises.
their eyes lock on each other.
JIM
We'll be in touch with you.
ALAN'S DUPLICATE
(a sneer across his lips)
It's reassuring to know that we're in
the protective hands of the government.
JIM
Is that so?
Jim stares at him with unwavering hatred.
Alan's duplicate leaves.
Jim picks up a phone and punches a number.
INTERCUT
LT. CASEY AT POLICE STATION
CASEY
Hi. What do you have?
JIM
I've just interviewed Alan Taylor.
CASEY
So what do you think?
JIM
Too slick for my taste. He thinks he
has all the answers.
CASEY
That doesn't sound like the Alan Taylor
I know.
JIM
Shrewd and overconfident. They always
trip themselves up. Just wait and see.
What's doing over your neck of the woods?
Anymore leads on the Braddock case?
CASEY
There's a few more.
JIM
I'll be in your town tomorrow.
CASEY
See you then.
JIM
Okay. Keep me posted.
Jim hangs up.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT
The fog is thick. The rain pounds the road.
INT/EXT. CAR
A woman drives a car. Fear storms her face.
The windshield wipers are not completely clearing away the
rain from the windshield.
Oncoming car lights are blinding her. A truck horn blasts
its horn, as the woman quickly turns her wheel to avoid
crashing into the truck. The car careens through a winding
road.
The car wheels SCREECH. The car swerves off the road, flips
over like a kicked beer can, rolling, crumpling and crashing
into a tree.
The woman's body is smashed against the windshield.
The rain splatters over the crushed car.
LATER
Two policemen attempt to extricate the woman's body from
the car. They stop and stare at each other, their faces
a mixture of horror and disbelief.
The woman's eyes are completely cut out.
Lieutenant Casey appears.
FIRST POLICEMAN
Lieutenant, look here.
Casey looks at the body.
CASEY
Jesus! Don't move anything until the
examiners come.
LATER
T FACE="Courier">INT. ALICE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Alice, is dressed in a high fashion designer dress.
She feeds Buddy in the kitchen.
She walks into the parlor and turns on the television. Her
eyes glisten, as she watches a program.
The doorbell RINGS. Alice moves to the door and whips it
open.
Alan stands at the door, stunned, as he stares at her.
Alice kisses him and pulls him into the house.
ALAN
You're so beautiful.
Alan picks her up and twirls her around several times,
Buddy leaps up at Alan and attempts to kiss him. They
enter the parlor and sit on the couch.
ALICE
(caressing Alan's face)
Your prayers for me were answered.
ALAN
I can't get over the change.
ALICE
You look exactly as I pictured you.
ALAN
We should celebrate. What would you
like to do?
ALICE
I want to see all the beautiful things
of the world
ALAN
We'll see them together.
INT. BOOK STORE NIGHT
Alan and Howard are in the process of closing the store.
HOWARD
Well, have a wonderful vacation.
ALAN
I'd like to put something in a safe place
HOWARD
You know where.
Copyright © 2001 Stanley Heisler |