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Page 1: Saints of Nowhere
Page 2: Saints of Nowhere

THE SAINTS OF NOWHERE A screenplay

By J.E. Burton

11/22/11

Forgiveness comes at great cost.

[email protected]

Page 3: Saints of Nowhere

THE SAINTS OF NOWHERE

ACT ONE SCENE ONE

EXT. Noonday, thunderous rainy weather, Northern California.

Early afternoon, 1:51 p.m. PST.

MOVING

Three pair of legs sloshing through puddles across busy

street downtown.

INT. Orion Café. BEN buys children MATT and NICOLE a big

cookie and small coffee each and himself a muffin and apple

juice.

BEN

(anxious, at watch)

Oh no. My broker!

Seated across him is a young sharply dressed man.

BEN

(flagging)

Excuse me, sir; can I borrow your cell phone?

DANA

Oh, sure.

BEN

It’s a long-distance call. That okay?

DANA

Take all you need.

BEN

Yeah- thanks.

BEN

(beat)

Yeah, Chuck- I need to move my Scheimer stocks. They’re not

doin’ too well.

CHUCK

You sure?

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Page 4: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

It’s been six months, Chuck. I don’t know-

DANA

(leans over)

Excuse me, sir. You want to know something? Tricomn just

acquired Scheimer this morning.

BEN

(on phone)

Chuck, hold on-

BEN

Yeah- what was that?

DANA

Tricomn acquired Scheimer an hour ago. Don’t move your

shares. Buy more of them.

BEN

(nods, quiet)

Yeah, Chuck- I’m gonna- you there?

FAVORING BEN’S children, REAR.

NICOLE giving MATT his cookie back.

BEN

(relieved)

Thanks for lettin’ me use your phone.

DANA

Oh, you’re quite welcome. Just don’t mention your source.

BEN

Oh okay, no prob. Boy, it’s rainin’ cats and bears now.

It ain’t rained this much since Spring two thousand four.

Shee-it! Now what?!

DANA

Well, it’s good to be still sometimes, isn’t it?

2

Page 5: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

Only when I’m asleep. I’m always on the move… though I’m

unemployed right now… there’s money to be made somewhere.

DANA

(tilts head back)

He-he. You sound like someone I knew once. Well… the last

five years in my career have taught me this: money does NOT

satisfy…

BEN (alert)

DANA

It only retires you earlier… and six feet under.

(Offers hand)

Name’s Dana.

BEN

(awe)

Ben, sir… Ben! Tell me something. You look happy. Real

happy. You got nice threads and a… you wear a SWATCH

watch?! I ain’t seen one of those in-

FAVORING MATT

MATT

Hey dad! Nicki spilled my coffee!

BEN

Look- y’all need to keep it down! Me and this guy here,

we’re talkin’.

MATT

Can we have a muffin, dad?

BEN

We’ll grab some later. Now quiet!

MATT

But Nicki wants one now and

3

Page 6: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

We’re not getting muffins from here. They’re expensive

here!

MATT

But you got one-

BEN

We’ll get some at One Dollar-

MATT

But dad, those stick to the wrapp-

BEN (annoyed)

We’ll get some later. Now quiet! Go back to your sister.

DANA

Those are some energetic kids you’ve got there, Ben.

BEN

Those kids?

DANA

Yeah. Nice kids.

BEN

When they’re good.

DANA

Surely.

BEN

Only when he wants something.

DANA

And the girl?

BEN

She never asks for much. ‘Cause she demands it.

4

Page 7: Saints of Nowhere

DANA

Well, it must feel nice to have young people you care about

need you.

BEN

Need? She already owns everything.

DANA

Hehe. Are you this open with every casual stranger?

BEN

Daughter’s like my ex-wife now, she owns everything. She

was always the smartest, the strongest. My daughter’s just

like her sometimes.

(pause)

BEN

Good, you know?

DANA

Heh, heh heh. Well, they have to be…

Our future rides on them… don’t you know?

BEN (beat)

Well, you woulda got along good with my dad.

DANA

Oh? He sounds like someone I’d like to get to know.

BEN

Yeah… only he ain’t around anymore.

DANA (concerned)

Oh, well. I take it you weren’t really close at the end?

BEN (beat)

We were until I graduated high school.

When I was little, he was always proud of me no matter what

I did… right or wrong. Gave me everything I wanted. Held

nothin’ back from me. But my mom, she was the rock. She

kinda held my dad in check. I was never wrong with him. You

know, he was more like my friend than a dad. My parents

5

Page 8: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

split when I was 8 and then things slowly fell apart. Kinda

slow-like, you know. Like when ya hit an iceberg.

DANA

An iceberg? You’d notice that.

BEN

You would at first, only your folks are still racing to

save the ship, realizing you’re sinkin’- but you’re

trickin’ yourself into thinking your folks’ll fix the boat

…tryin’ to fix it… till it’s too late.

DANA

(taking it in)

So what happened?

BEN

Long story. My dad bought- no- invested his life heavily

into baseball. His dad played baseball. His granddad-

DANA

Granddad? You mean everyone played?

BEN

My dad would tell me- how his family came to Cali all the

way from Michi- M-

DANA

(interest)

Michigan? Which part?

BEN

A- Annapolis?

DANA

(humoring)

Really? Did you go to school there?

BEN

Nah, I didn’t. But I wished we’d played them.

6

Page 9: Saints of Nowhere

DANA

Sounds like baseball’s in your blood…surely it goes back

generations?

BEN

Yeah… it’s the thing I remember most about him. His dad

grew up in a poor neighborhood.

His dad played the game since he was about eight years old.

At that time, the game was still young…. about Spring

nineteen-twenty-eight. His dad used to used to pick fruit

from the fields for two cents an hour. He had six sisters.

DANA

Big family?

BEN

It was… ‘till the three oldest died. He was real close to

them. Especially the middle oldest. The three oldest girls

worked in the fields picking crops…. And he followed them

out there. Times were hard.

EXT. Orion Café, looking in, mid- November- mid-afternoon.

Darkness starts to fall.

MOVING Through window pane at two men at center, engaged in

talking and listening

INT. Orion Café. MATT and NICOLE dancing around the

magazine rack

FAVORING DANA

BEN

Yeah, times were pretty tough, back then.

Not that these are much better.

DANA

Well, tell me more about your dad.

BEN

He ate up baseball… ’cause his dad, he pushed him to.

Dan’s granddad would starve his own dad unless he practiced

good. His papa didn’t go that far, though.

7

Page 10: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

My dad was always a star pitcher. Member of three-time

little league champ team. High-school All-American.

Standout at Yuvapai College for a bit…before he went to ASU.

Pitched in the College World Series. Lost to U of A in the

title match then. But he helped to try ta win the thing.

DANA

A.S.U… in seventy-six?

BEN

You follow baseball?

DANA

You’re telling me he was your dad?

BEN

(slightly amused)

Heh…everybody who knows anything about baseball asks that.

Yeah, Dan Hanna.

DANA

(incredulous)

Up there with Floyd Bannister and Co… ASU was really loaded,

really deep that year. As a kid, I’d watch that series a

hundred times, no kidding. I’d watch it with –

DANA now realizes BEN is the same one he played with in

Little League, middle and high school, with BEN no wiser)

DANA

-some friends.

(getting himself together)

So, how about you? Did you follow in your pop’s footsteps?

BEN

Thought I would. But dad and me, we had some differences.

After the Expos drafted him in seventy-six, he had troubles

with vision. Couldn’t see immediately in front of himself

too good. But anyway… the baseball legacy started with my

great grandpa.

8

Page 11: Saints of Nowhere

FAVORING BEN

MOVING in a northern Californian tomato field.

CLOSE SHOT of a child’s hands picking a crate of tomatoes.

BEN narrates as the boy works in the fields among girls.

BEN

(NARR)

It started with him… Miguel Angel… my great grandpa… he

didn’t play… He got his son into it… Miguelito… After each

long afternoon picking tomatoes, Lito would get a ride home

with his oldest sisters from a family friend, his sisters

would bring their pay, he’d bring home his 18 cents, a

small crate of tomatoes… about thirteen or so… as payment

for a day’s picking.

LITO

Aquí, papa.

BEN

Miguel Senior would keep the two greenest, shiniest ones

for himself, but he’d never eat ‘em ‘cause he was allergic

to tomatoes- what kinda Spanish guy is allergic to

tomatoes?

Wouldn’t eat ‘em. Anyway. Senior would give two to his wife,

two each to his two youngest girls, and one to the rest of

‘em.

(leaning in)

Now when father and son were standing alone, Senior would

take his only son out there in the field, bring that old

peach basket, and make Junior swap his red tomato for a

green one. And then from late afternoon to sundown, Senior

would make him throw that green one at that homemade bulls-

eye- dead-center- into that peach basket. He’d have to do

it either until his arms would be sore from the pitchin’…

or that green tomato was beaten to a pulp some three hours

later.

BEN

If Junior did good, his dinner that night was a bowl of

fried bacon fat drizzled in boiled corn meal. It was the

best they had in those days.

9

Page 12: Saints of Nowhere

DANA

And if not?

BEN

It was that green pulp stuck to the bulls-eye of that

peach basket that night.

DANA (gasps)

So Senior would starve his kids?

BEN

No…just him… he was the only boy… he grew up to hate

pitchin’ baseball…and hated his dad, too. But he got so

good at it so quick that a farm team picked him up. That

was illegal then, too. Started makin’ enough money doin’

that, that his older sisters and he could quit workin’ the

fields. So they did.

DANA

How did Senior take that?

BEN

Not too good. He threw his only boy out… was just fifteen

years old.

DANA

And his sisters?

BEN

The two oldest died of anthrax not too long after. You know,

that was how people workin’ in the fields too much got sick.

Not at all like today.

DANA

That must’ve been so tough on him… losing them at so young

an age.

FLASHBACK INT. backyard field, early dusk.

FAVORING YOUNG MICHAEL, age eight.

MIGUEL SR.

Lito, mire. Ya sabes-

LITO

P-Papa, tengo sed.

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Page 13: Saints of Nowhere

MIGUEL SR.

Ya sabes la rutina. ¡Mire ya!

LITO

Papa…tengo muy hambre.

MIGUEL SR.

Y yo tambien. Tus brazos van a ganar tu cena… Toda la vida.

MIGUEL SR.

(pointing to Bulls-eye)

¡Aqui! Pon lo aqui! ¡Ven, flojito!

LITO

(throwing limply)

No puedo.

MIGUEL SR.

(grabs boy by collar)

¡Mire, pinche flojón! Era huevón como tú! Mi papa nos dejó,

mi mama y yo. Era tan culón. No asistí a mi mama. Sólo comí

y malgasté tiempo, siempre quebrando los amuebles.

LITO

(simpering, hungry)

MIGUEL SR.

Era un puerco gordo. Tú… eres fortunado… tienes un papá

… un culo, de veras… pero ahí lo tienes. Aquí estoy.

Si lo gustas o no gustas. ¡Pinche puto! No nunca aprecias

nada de los que doy. Alte de tu fastidiar!

MIGUEL SR.

(holds basket again)

(points to green tomato in boy’s hand)

Pon lo..

(points to bulls-eye)

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Page 14: Saints of Nowhere

¡Coge la targeta!

MIGUEL SR.

¡Cogela ‘hi!

LITO

(throwing hard, struggles)

MIGUEL, SR.

Mire, lo pones como una puta madre. ¿ No amas la Vírgen de

Guadalupe?

LITO.

No, Papá. Yo le amo.

MIGUEL, SR.

Entónces, pon lo ahí, como tu enemigo soy. ¡Así, demela, tu

pinche flojón!

LITO

(crying)

MIGUEL SR.

¡Pon lo ahí!

CLOSE SHOT Favoring MIGUEL SR. Lito throws hard… harder…

even harder… his arms wearing out, each pitch beating the

fruit into a pulpy mass.

MIGUEL SR.

¡Está bién, Lito! ¡Sigue!

CLOSE SHOT Favoring LITO. The creases cut into his young

forehead... he’s running on fumes…pitch after blinding

pitch…gives way to..

MIGUEL SR.

(silent eagerness)

Quiero más, Lito. ¡Dame más!

Page 15: Saints of Nowhere

12

LITO

(weakly)

No puedo. Tengo hambre, Papá.

MIGUEL SR.

¿Hambre? ¿Tienes hambre?

Orale, huevon!

Turns basket contents into Lito’s hand.

MIGUEL SR.

(exasperated, walking away)

Con tus peticiones, no me fastidies!

CLOSE SHOT FAVORING BEN, as grown up.

BEN

Yeah… from then on, he vowed to get outta there…. Save his

sisters. Baseball was his ticket outta there. He was takin’

them…and his mom- from their dad.

DANA

You’d just started talking about his mother. Was he close

to her at all?

BEN

She felt a man oughta learn good work habits real early,

but not get forced into it. She wanted him to get a job

liked… so he wouldn’t have ta’ depend on anybody else. She

didn’t care what he did for a living. She’d never tell him-

and for good reason… but he was her favorite.

DANA

You’ve sure shared a whole lot with me.

Where do YOU figure into all of this?

BEN

My Dad was bent on makin’ baseball my future, too. But he

hated forcing stuff on me for a long time.

DANA

Because of his upbringing?

Page 16: Saints of Nowhere

13

BEN

Yep... he’d been through a lot of shit like his dad…

FLASHBACK CLOSE SHOT of DAN C. HANNA receiving eye exam

results.

and to lose his eyesight come draft time… mackara

degeneration… that really hit him first… real hard.

BEN

Two weeks after his exam results, the Expos cut him. They

annulled his contract and gave him an agreement to sign. …

paid him his first year’s salary and freed the rest to get

another pitcher. They needed help even with Steve Rogers

there.

DANA

He must have taken that pretty hard.

BEN

Yeah… goin’ from 16th overall to nowhere.

He couldn’t keep his promise to himself… and us.

FLASHBACK to ninety eighty-two. FAVORING BEN, aged six,

sitting at the dinner table.

DAN

Look, Nica, you don’t have to take a second job. I’ll get a

third.

NICOLA

(tone rising)

And kill yourself, like your father did?

DAN

He had to, Nica. Who else was gonna support his kids?

NICOLA

You are not your father, Danny. You got me… you got us.

(pause)

I don’t care if I gotta take two more doubles ‘a week,

Danny. I’ll pick up more hours at the diner. Rose is

leavin’ this week an’ I-

14

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DAN

Look, hon- I gotta do this- still got some savings left-

I’ll sell my card shop if I gotta- and renew my trucker’s

license! I’ll work the ol’ rigs again. Yeah- I’ll be gone a

while, but we’ll be alright.

NICOLA

You don’t need to-

DAN

I’ll send money and come down on Christmas. You’ll

have what you need do your Tupperware company again. We’ll

send lil’ Ben to baseball camp in the spring and-

(tousles Ben’s hair)

CLOSE SHOT FAVORING NICOLA

NICOLA

(slight cynical)

You got it all figured out, dontcha, Danny…

DAN

(massaging wife’s shoulders)

…just like before but more stable. We can still have it

like we want, babe.

(beat but still positive)

I still won’t be able to play in the majors, but… we’ll

have what we need.

NICOLA

(angry)

Danny don’t be-

STILL FAVORING NICOLA. DAN senses another big flare-up.

DAN

(calmly)

Ben, you look tired. Wontcha go ta bed. Ya got school

tomorrow.

FLASH FORWARD to ADULT BEN, sitting at the coffee table.

15

Page 18: Saints of Nowhere

BEN

All that preparation… days in the field pitching… the hard

work and sacrifice Michaelito done went through… to pass it

on ‘ta him… All the speakers… the titles…the long road

trips…

DANA

Don’t forget the summer camps.

BEN

All for nothin’.

DANA

Well… sounds like

BEN

Nothin’. (The) MLB took Bannister later than Dad and Ban

made a decent career for himself. Dad went sixteenth

overall and didn’t even play an inning ‘cause of bad eyes.

DANA

(positive)

Well you said he found other avenues… sounds to me like he

was able to move on…

BEN

Yeah?

(pausing, as to recount bitterly)

My dad ran a card shop in Tempe in the mid eighties. Seen a

lotta baseball cards go for above book. You try tellin’

your dad he’s still the best every time some neighborhood

kid on a hot day in Tempe sells an autographed Floyd

Bannister rookie card so he can go buy a box of Nutty

Buddies ta share with his buds.

Tell me somethin’ man- what can ya buy with nothin’?

FLASH BACK to father-owned SUPER RUNNERS CARD SHOP,

nineteen eighty-five. YOUNG BEN MOVING Running about in his

dad’s shop, meeting two boys, one of whom just sold a card.

YOUNG BEN

Whoa! Is that a Bannister?

16

Page 19: Saints of Nowhere

BOY 1

Yeah, it’s his rookie.

YOUNG BEN

I never saw his in Donruss before. Cool card.

BOY 1

Thanks.

YOUNG BEN

My dad played with him in college for ASU.

BOY 2

Yeah? What’s his name?

YOUNG BEN

Dan Hanna.

BOY 1

Who’s that?

YOUNG BEN

(points to unassuming father)

BOY 2

That’s Hanna? Get real.

YOUNG BEN

Is too! C’mere, I’ll prove it!

(BEN runs to the glass case BEN’S dad stands near as the

two boys trail behind)

YOUNG BEN

Dad- You were a star pitcher for ASU right Dad? You played

with Floyd Bannister. They don’t believe me! Show ‘em dad!

FAR SHOT from the glass case at right, revealing the

nineteen-seventy-six College World Series article.

YOUNG BEN

Tell ‘em you are, dad! Just tell ‘em!

17

Page 20: Saints of Nowhere

DAN

(hedging)

Did you find everything else in the store okay?

Boy 1

Yes, sir. He’s tellin’ us you’re… you’re Dan Hanna.

DAN can only chuckle to himself at his son’s pride. But he

gives the kids no straight answer.

Boy 1

Well mister… are you?

DAN

(deliberating)

If I was…

YOUNG BEN

would I be running this shop right now…

or striking out Henderson?

Boy 1

Sorry to bother you, sir.

Let’s go, Ron.

The two boys walk out.

Boy 2

I told ya Matt. That kid’s pullin’ our chain.

The jingling bells on the door stop ringing.

YOUNG BEN

(hurt, tears welling)

Dad… why?

CLOSE SHOT FAVORING DAN, peering down at his son.

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DAN

(grim)

Son… I’m not that man anymore.

CLOSE SHOT FAVORING YOUNG BEN, tears streaming down.

FLASH FORWARD to adult BEN, seated, looking up as if to dad.

BEN

(ahead, bitter)

Whaddayasay when you’re hangin’ out with your pop and some

ASU alums who done never played baseball- a buncha business

suits- stop through during lunch. They spot a Chris Bando

Rookie card and they’ll make a big fuss about your dad and

his college career, all the strikeouts…

… and they don’t even know he’s standin’ right there in

front of ‘em?

MOVING SHOT favoring MATT and NICOLE in the nearly empty

cafe, the two playing behind the table and chairs closely-

NICOLE dodges behind second and third “bases”. MATT stands

with stale oatmeal raisin walnut ‘hardball’ in hand as if

to tag a runner. A few customers walk in behind them, from

the rain.

REVERSE ANGLE FAVORING DANA

INT. CHILDREN. MATT ‘tags’ NICOLE out as she slips into a

coffee spill. DANA peers behind to his own right as

WAITRESS appears there suddenly.

WAITRESS

Sir! Would you quiet your kids down?! Please?

BEN

(rises toward children, angry)

STOP PLAYIN’ THERE AN’ SIDDOWN!!

The sudden hobnob of the café ceases in silence.

The children arise and stand up, ashamed.

BEN

(sheepish)

They’re just kids, miss. What’m I gonna do? Just kids.

WAITER

(subdued anger)

Yes, they are. Your kids… Please… keep the volume down…

Page 22: Saints of Nowhere

19

WAITRESS turns to walk away, but stops mid step. She turns

to BEN, still standing.

WAITRESS

… including yours.

BEN

(gesturing with turn)

But there ain’t NOBODY HERE! Who’s gonna CARE?

WAITRESS folds arms, third degree glare visible.

BEN

(closer but still loud)

Hey, you’re new here, aintcha? ‘Cause I haven’t seen you

here be-

WAITRESS stands glaring, never shifting or flinching.

BEN

Okay, okay, we can do that. C’mon kids, you heard the nice

girl. Come ‘ere!

SHOT FAVORING DANA

BEN

(walking over)

C’mere, I said!

SHOT MOVING The children move back when Ben stops them,

putting his hand on MATT’S forearm.

BEN

You know times are hard, boy. What’s with the cookie in

your hand?

The café resumes its ambience.

MATT

Just playin’ tag, dad. Can’t eat the cookies, dad. Y’ cant

‘cause they’re

NICOLE

HAWHD LIIKE A WAHK.

MATT

So we’re playin’ baseball. We’re bored dad and-

Page 23: Saints of Nowhere

20

BEN

Yeah, son. I see that now. And Nicole, your whole right

pant leg got coffee all on up it. What in’na world ya

doin’?

NICOLE sways, rocking the chair gently with right hand.

NICOLE

(joy)

WEYUHW PWAYIN’ BASEPOH. STEYUWIN’ TAWD. II’M SAFE!

BEN

(smile creeps up, schmaltzy)

HAhaha. Yes, you are, baby. You see that, Daney? And she

don’t even LIKE baseball.

DANA

(impressed, to Nicole)

However did you do that, little girl?

NICOLE

(coy with joy)

‘CAUSE DADDEE TOLE ME YUU KIN STEEYUHW IN BASEPOH!

BEN

As long as Daddy ain’t pitchin’, right baby?

NICOLE

(louder)

WIGHT! DIN YUU KIN STEEYUHW MOHW BASE!

NICOLE touches ‘home plate’!

NICOLE

I JUS STOLED HOAM!

BEN

(sitting down)

Lookit that! She don’t even play baseball. We got a legacy,

this family. But you think it’s enough to prep your kids…

to work hard toward your own life plan. But you learn life

can piss ya off… it rips ya up and starts ya over.

Page 24: Saints of Nowhere

21

DANA

(pause)

Smart girl. Heh heh. She must get it from mom. So Ben…

where do you fit now in all of this?

BEN

(nursing arm)

I dunno. Marriage chilled on the rocks. Wife left me… can’t

play baseball no more, bum arm and all… served my seven in

the service. … whaddo I got ta show for it?

I dunno. But I got my associates… I could go teach but

nobody’s hirin’. I done checked an’ all. But hold up… I

could go back to sellin’ insurance… got this offer in

Louisiana… the pay’s good, but… I don’ wanna go move my

kids out there ta Hurricane Katrina. Ow! Damn arm…

DANA

(slyly)

Your arm, Ben? The arm you bet with?

BEN

(alarm)

Pardon me?

DANA

(covers up riposte)

New Orleans? That was more than three years… ago.

BEN

An’ it’s still a shithole. The mayor Junedah, JuneBob-

DANA

It’s Jindal-

BEN

He don’t know what the hell to do. He talks good government

and what-not, but don’t know how to manage his people.

Damned Democrats. They screw up everything for the rest of

us.

DANA

(irked but patient)

Jindal… is a Republican, Ben.

BEN

(surprise)

Oh he is? Damn… Republicans politicizing like Democrats!

Ain’t this the day! He might as well be one.

Page 25: Saints of Nowhere

22

Damn anarchists, too. Look behind ya…

REAR SHOT OF KITCHEN. FOCUS ON Guatemalan barista, washing

dishes

BEN

(pointing blindly)

Look at that Mexican back there. Them damn Mexicans come in

and take all our jobs, Denny. Il-legally. Washin’ our pots,

rolling up our burritos, cleanin’ our houses. Better watch

‘em. They’ll steal your daughter and your job too.

DANA

Some US stocks are on top thanks in part to those Mexicans.

BEN

They go marry somebody, get pregnant and get a job workin’

in the fields. They work for less and cost us our jobs.

And in the process-

DANA

(interrupts)

Now wait, Ben-

BEN

(outraged)

You see Uncle Sam’s hirin’ il-legal aliens with NO degree

to do our jobs. Our jobs! Denny, How many years did you go

ta school for, mister? I went to school for six years,

mister! Six years! I did my patriotic duties in the

military seven whole years! I got two degrees and a résumé

as long as an S&P portfolio! And these il-legal aliens got

NOTHIN’ like that!

Dammit! What these aliens got that we ain’t?

DANA

(wistful)

Hunger. The desire to rise-

BEN

(wary)

RISE? Like biscuits? Damn ‘em. And damn the biscuits

they’re baking while stealin’ my job!

(pause)

You look out, Daney boy. They get educated enough… one of

‘em’ll come and take your job, too.

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DANA

No, Ben. That’s called ‘seizing an opportunity’. Wall

Street’s full of people who do it. You could do the same.

The dollar’s gonna drop even lower, Ben. Take your advice.

Teach. Only do it overseas, where the dollar is stronger.

Lots of Americans have been taking advantage of it for

decades.

BEN

(startled)

Wha--?? And leave my country? Because them pot-scrubbers

done took my job? Did MacArthur leave the Bikini Islands in

World War II ‘cause of some–

DANA

Don’t go there, Ben.

BEN

Hell, no! I’ll go where I wanna, when I-

DANA

Ben, seems you feed your past and problems even better than

you feed your kids. You need money. You need to survive…

yet you need more. Don’t you see, Ben? You need to really

slow down to ask yourself what you need the most….now.

BEN

(missing point)

I can’t take my kids overseas… who’s gonna watch ‘em out

there?

CLOSE SHOT ON DANA. His phone vibrates; rejecting the

incoming call, he stands up. This conversation has eroded

his patience…

DANA

(indignant)

Ben… aren’t you ever… look, speaking as a friend… If I

mulled over every bad break like you…

Don’t you realize you’re dying, Ben?

(leaning in)

From middle school on you struck me as being an asshole,

Ben. You’ve gotten worse! How did you manage to do that?

24

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BEN

(startled)

W-Who are you? Do I know you?

DANA

I know who you are. A failed marriage… a college baseball

scandal… public meltdown… infidelity…

I know who you are. Do you?

BEN is dumbstruck.

BEN

You gonna tell me who you are?

DANA

You’re not chasing money. You’re not chasing anything.

Certainly nothing that matters.

No, Ben… you’re running from something.

BEN

(arises, angered)

Who the fuck are you, you son of a

SOFT SHOT of NICOLE popping her head up from next table as

WAITRESS reappears.

NICOLE

(hand over mouth)

DADDEE! Wajjomaowf!

WAITRESS

(upset)

I just spoke to my boss about you.

(pause)

You’re an outburst away from a permanent ban.

(storms off)

DANA

(leaning over)

I’ve heard you do nothing but groan, wallowing in self-pity.

You’re a self-made fucking con job.

Eyes piercing into BEN’S

You’re a self-made con… the worst fucking kind. Sit down.

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25

BEN sits down slowly.

DANA

Face it, Ben. You’re running away and what’s worse, you

don’t know what from or why. Do you even know how you got

to where you are?

BEN’S lips can’t even muster a whisper.

DANA

No one else can spell it for you. But you can… you can

figure it out. But that’s the scary part. No one else is

gonna do it.

It takes some self-control and some time… and from what

I’ve heard, you’ve got plenty of time. You’ve just gotta

shut up and sit still long enough for the smoke to clear.

CLOSE SHOT FAVORING BEN. DANA pushes in chair, turns and

leaves and walks out of the café O.S. MATT and NICOLE sit

at the table nearby, yet BEN sits all alone.

INT. BEN SITTING ALONE

EXT. Orion Café, MATT and NICOLE arise to gather around BEN

as he stares looking outside window.

EXT. REVERSE ANGLE, BEN’S line of sight. DARKNESS. SNOW

FALLING.

END SCENE TWO

ACT ONE SCENE TWO

EXT. Cold, wintry Sunday pitch black, Sacramento,

California. BEN’S father DAN and mother NICOLA argue over a

March school field trip to Cooperstown, Ohio.

NICOLA

(angry)

That’s the problem, Danny! He’s not ready!

We’re not ready!

DAN

(steps back): Look, baby! He’s gonna get the chances I

never got, Nici! And nobody’s taking them away-

(points finger accusatively at self and at mother)

Not me- not you- NOBODY- and that’s THAT!

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26

NICOLA

But we can’t AFFORD that now, with a few other things,

Danny! Not with our money! Our jobs! Who’s paying our rent?

Ya’ mother, again? They can’t keep doin’ that!

A little boy emerges from the dark hallway into the

commotion, rubbing his eyes.

BEN

Mommy, daddy…what’s s’matter?

Father turns to son and lowers his hands.

DAN

(calmer)

Your mother and I… we… we just got to talking, that’s all.

Hey you got school tomorrow… dontcha have Little League

too?

BEN

(still rubbing eyes)

Yes, Daddy.

DAN

(gentler)

Go on, Ben…

(hand on son’s shoulder)

Go on… go on’a bed.

Walks son back to hallway, sending him off.

NICOLA

Not so fast, Danny boy!

DAN

Let him be, Nici. The pipes are callin’.

NICOLA

Wait. Did you ever think to ask him?

DAN

(turning)

Ask him what?

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27

NICOLA

(calmer)

What he wants to do.

DAN

(dismissive)

You’re gonna speak up for my son and you can’t even stand

up to your own mother? Go to bed, Ben.

FLASH FORWARD to June 4th, ‘97 College World Series

Semifinals.

COACH

You’re pitchin’ phe-nomenal, Ben… but I’m worried about

your arm. Can’t letcha ruin it. Austin’s back in.

BEN

(coolly)

Hey don’t worry ‘bout it, coach. Put me in, I’m hot. I can

feel it, I just know it, I’m smokin’.

COACH

Sorry to do it to ya, Ben… Jeff’s in... end of discussion.

Ice the arm, Carson.

BEN looks to the right of the dugout, at the seat where dad

would sit…

FLASH BACK to an earlier time. Father DAN, and BEN (age 9)

are both all smiles sitting on the field in June. They

share a moment after his tenth Little League win.

DAN

You did good, Ben. Real good. Made me proud. High five bud?

BOTH

(slap hands)

Yaaaayyyy!

Amid smiles, silence dominates the air for a moment.

Suddenly BEN spins a question like any curious 9 year old.

BEN

(sincere)

Would mommy be proud-a me, too, daddy?

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28

DAN’s smile melts away.

BEN

(curious)

Daddy… why did mommy go away? Why did she weally go away?

DAN

She didn’t go away, Ben. You still live with her, dontcha?

BEN

(clearly)

I… I mean away from you.

BEN studies his father’s expression, searching his father’s

eyes for a sincere answer to a question he’d long brooded

about since the divorce.

DAN

Oh, Ben… sometimes people who love each other fight

…they stop talking.

BEN

(trying to understand)

Then why did you go away?

DAN

(looking away)

Because I didn’t wanna… (slowly lifting face up to Ben) I

just… didn’t wanna fight anymore.

BEN sits there tugging at a loose string in his glove.

DAN

(humorous)

C’mon, Ben! What are you, my shrink? Can’t trust those

people, I tell ya. They’re full-a lies!

(changing subject)

Okay now tell me—

What’s daddy’s favorite TV show?

BEN

Ummm… Bawney Milloh?

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29

DAN

(hints)

Duh-duh-duh-duh-duhhhh-duh…

BEN

(loudly, quickly)

Ooh! Ooh! Hawaii Five-O!

DAN

And what’s Ben’s favorite food?

BEN

I know! That’s easy. Pem-peroni Pizza!!

DAN

Okay, little guy! What’s the best candy in town?

BEN

Red Vines!

DAN

Youuuuu got it, lil’ buddy! Next pitch… what’s the number

one college baseball school in the entire U.S. of A?

BEN

A.S.U.!

DAN

Yeah, kid! It’s USC now, but A.S.U.’s my school.

Father gently playfights with son.

DAN

You’re four of four now… so now, hit the homer… who’s your

favorite Baseball player?

BEN

(thinking hard)

Hmmm… Ted Williams!

DAN

(mild disapointment)

Aw, Ben? Ted Williams? Yeah, he’s a complete baseball

player, and a fellow patriot, at that… but an outfielder?

What about me?

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30

BEN

Hahahaha! Mister William’s the tops in on-base slugging.

An’ he’s the best slugger ever! Dontcha agree?

DAN

(feigning jealousy)

Ya picked him over me.

(Hugs son)

I guess I would, too. But the best All-time slugger was

Babe Ruth! Williams is second.

(kneeling to Ben’s level)

So slugging only counts, eh, Ben? C’ mere! I’ll slug YOU!

Come’ ere Ben!

(pulls Ben toward him, tickles him with light touches)

BEN

(squirming)

Heeheeha-heehee!

DAN

(teasing, pulls hat over Ben’s face)

So do you wanna be an outfielder, too?

BEN

(putting hat back)

Hahaha. You asked me, daddy. Uh-oh, mister stomach is

hungry. Can we have pizza, daddy?

DAN

(teasing)

I dunno Ben. I’m goin’ home. Ya gonna call Mr. Williams

an’ see if he’ll order ya one?

BEN squeals with laughter and father joins in.

BEN

He’s not gonna come!

DAN

Then let’s grab that pizza! Ya gotta catch me! Come on now!

BEN

I kin catch you Daddy!

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31

Father runs as Ben chases him from the bleachers to car

O.S., with adult Ben looking in that direction, at Daddy’s

favorite seat.

End Scene II

ACT I SCENE III

MOVING SHOT to RE-FOCUS on BEN

EXT. Nineteen-ninety-seven College World Series Semifinal

game.

INT The dugout.

CLOSE SHOT on BEN, still gazing at Daddy’s empty seat in

the stands. Austin prepares to pitch.

Tears well up in BEN’S eyes. He rises to walk out of the

pen and emerges from it.

COACH

(startled)

Carson! Cone back!

BEN walks down to the locker room when a set of black

uniforms meet him.

DET. CASTRO

Benjamin Carson?

BEN

(gritted teeth)

Yeah?

DET. CASTRO

(flashing badge, plain)

I’m detective Nick Castro and I’m placing you under arrest

for involvement in and in connection with a series of

gambling incidents that took place in Las Vegas with

certain members of the athletics clubs in the summer of

nineteen-ninety five. Here’s our warrant in case you

wondered.

COACH sees this and, disbelieving, delegates coaching to

assistants to excuse self, approaching the fray.

COACH

Hi Officers, I’m Marco Marks and we’re playing a semifinal

here. You’ll excuse us, we’re playing a game here. What

is- WHAT in tarnation IS THIS?

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32

DET. CASTRO

(plain, honest)

This is the start of a school-wide investigation, sir.

There are several players at this institution involved in

collegiate gambling since nineteen-ninety-five. My branch

takes any action that breaches integrity and honor quite

seriously.

COACH

But what’s he done? He’s kept his nose clean as far as I-

DET. CASTRO

We’ve got his warrant here, Coach. We’ll be in touch. Oh,

and good luck with your game. (police exit O.S.)

END ACT I, SCENE III

ACT II

Flashback to second-round semifinal, June 11th, nineteen

ninety-seven. Civilian type Police car en route to county

jail

BEN

Hey mister, my team’s playin’ right now. What I’m here for?

What’d I do? Am I in trouble?

CASTRO

Look, Ben. There’s a big mess you got tangled up in Las

Vegas, back in ninety-five.

BEN

What? What’s that got ta do with right now? An’ anyway- Las

Vegas? I don’t- I can’t-

CASTRO

(quietly, calmly)

You can. Look, we know of your involvement in the ninety-

five booster scandal.

BEN

Booster scandal? What?? I took no money. That’s baloney!

CASTRO

That you spent booster funds knowingly we can’t prove- but

we’ve got a source who knows you were in Las Vegas then

with your college buddies. She also knows you’re innocent.

But we need you in order to uncover evidence of their guilt.

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33

BEN

(cynically)

Alright, let’s hear it.

CASTRO

You remember Kristin Mendez?

BEN

(flatly)

Nope. Don’ know her.

CASTRO

She worked at the Grandin Casino. Still does.

She says you left your buds, stopped to talk to her

INSERT fancy Stanford keychain in CASTRO’S hand. On the

back of the red S reads the content: “B.M.C. ‘94-‘98”

CASTRO

and you gave her this.

(CASTRO hands BEN keychain for perusal)

BEN

(surprise)

Who…who gave you this keychain?

CASTRO

(takes chain back)

I’ll do you one better. She’s waiting for you. Now get

outta the uniform and throw on some clothes.

BEN

(tries to remember)

You… you got this from Mendez… Kristin Mendez…Mendez.

(tapping forehead)

Take me to her.

CASTRO

(firm)

Before we go further, I need your full cooperation- you’ll

comply with our laws.

BEN

What laws ya talkin’ about?

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34

CASTRO

Common laws. Uncommon laws. Ever been arrested before?

BEN

Naw.

CASTRO

Then you know the common laws.

BEN

Okay…

CASTRO

Okay, meaning you’ll cooperate?

BEN

Okay meaning okay.

CASTRO

Ben, just play ball. You’re in a world of shit right now.

You’re a ballplayer, so you know how ta play by the rules….

Or ya don’t play.

BEN

What?

CASTRO

Accepting gifts as an athlete- cash or no- is an NCAA

violation punishable by stiff fines, jailtime-

BEN

(interrupts)

Okay, okay

CASTRO

-and permanent removal of your name and records from NCAA

athletics.

BEN

(blustering)

Oh hell naw. I done worked hard to earn my right in the

record books-

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35

CASTRO

(interrupts)

Yeah, you worked hard-to earn your place in prison… where

you’re known only as a number.

BEN

(getting angry)

Now that ain’t fair! You want me ta testify against my

friends when they ain’t done nothin’ wrong?!

CASTRO

If they were your friends— is jail where ya want to spend

the next five years of your life for them? Ya think they’re

saints? Heh. That’s not a bad lie, that’s bad comedy.

BEN

Jail? This saint’s goin’ nowhere ‘til you tell him what he

did wrong!!

CASTRO

You close with any family? Any relatives who support you?

BEN

Naw. Screw ‘em.

CASTRO

Is that a ‘no’?

BEN

Yeah. Fuck ‘em ta hell.

CASTRO

Easy on the language, Ben.

BEN

Sorry.

CASTRO

So you were on your own. Even while in school, you had no

one help you with living expenses?

BEN

That’s right.

INT. SHOT Moving as reflections of pine trees glide across

window.

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36

CASTRO

So how did you earn money?

BEN

I got a job.

CASTRO

Yeah? What did you do?

BEN

I worked. What’s this gotta do with

CASTRO

Answer the question.

BEN

I… worked at my dad’s company for a couple a years.

CASTRO

Yeah? What kinda business does he operate? Where?

BEN

He owns a card shop in Arizona.

CASTRO

So he trusted you to run the finances?

BEN

You said it.

CASTRO

Okay. Then what was your relationship with your father?

BEN

I guess it was alright.

CASTRO

Alright as in ‘still talking’?

BEN

(starting to lose it)

Alright as in what’s the damn point?

CASTRO

You two had to be on speaking terms if he let ya operate

his own business.

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37

BEN sits speechless. He thinks deliberately, as though

trying to avoid a trap. He’s deep in his thoughts.

CASTRO

How much did he pay ya?

BEN

(disturbed)

What?

CASTRO

I’m trying to help you out. How much did he pay you?

BEN

(counting in head)

Oh… what was the minimum wage back then…

(vocally)

Four dollars. I think it was four twenty-five an hour.

CASTRO

So he did pay you. How often? Hourly? Biweekly? Monthly?

BEN

Uh… what was the second one?

CASTRO

Every two weeks.

BEN

Yeah, that one.

CASTRO

Okay… so you tell me you made some money.

BEN

Yeah, I earned it.

CASTRO

Then we got more we gotta answer.

(takes out note pad to write)

CASTRO

Things like spending habits. Going back… how would ya

describe your habits with money? Do you just go buy

anything you want? Do you buy gifts? How often?

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38

BEN

Whaddaya sayin’?

CASTRO

Things you do with your money. Pay attention.

(pointing to chain)

This keychain… did you pay for it?

BEN

No- I mean yeah-

CASTRO

Yeah?

BEN

That’s what I said.

CASTRO

I had this keychain ‘a yours appraised at a Zills last week.

Y’ know how much it’s worth?

BEN

(dismissive)

That piece ‘a stone? What… five bucks?

CASTRO

You know Zills?

BEN

Yeah. Ain’t it a jeweler or somethin’ like that?

CASTRO

(deft)

Somethin’ like that.

The navy sedan passes through Ben’s old neighborhood, amid

kids throwing a baseball on the side of the road.

BEN

I took it to one once. The guy there told me it wasn’t even

worth a pack ‘a Topp’s baseball cards.

CASTRO

Oh yeah? When’d you do that?

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39

BEN

Two weeks ago.

CASTRO

That guy lied to you. The guy I saw set its value

at more than three-hundred fifty dollars plus interest.

(points)

That inset’s nothin’ but eighteen karat gold- and worth

three-hundred alone.

Countryside, the car slows upon a wedding reception at a

nearby chapel hosted by a smiling father. Ben catches the

face of the man.

BEN

(looking up, incredulous)

Sheeeeeeit…

CASTRO looks in the same direction as BEN.

CASTRO

(brandishing keychain)

I’ll rephrase the question for you, Ben…

Who bought it for you?

As BEN looks up, the father’s smiling eyes appear to meet

BEN’S; BEN feels paralyzed. The car then passes.

BEN

(deep breath, sighs)

Okay… I’ll cooperate. What or where do I sign?

CASTRO reaches into his briefcase to pull out a consent

form and a pen. He hands it over to BEN, who looks it over.

CASTRO

(firmly)

Read over this carefully. Everything you tell us we will

hold in the strictest of confidence. Expect to name names,

expect a lotta resistance…and you know you’re gonna hafta

testify.

BEN feels trapped but he knows he must comply.

CASTRO

You know that once you sign this… you don’t go back.

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40

BEN

(rhetorically)

Do I want to go back?

BEN signs the agreement. CASTRO takes note of the young man,

certain BEN will ‘defect’.

CASTRO

(unshackling BEN’S cuffs)

Turn this around, Stiles.

TIM STILES is CASTRO’S right-hand man in the NCAA

investigation. A slender, private man, he weighs his words

carefully, mostly speaking only when needed.

STILES

We’re about outta gas, Nick.

CASTRO

We passed that chapel back there.

STILES

Come on. Didja see the bride and groom? It’s a wedding

party. Leave ‘em alone.

BEN’S skin turns pale. He looks away from the festivity, a

tear falling.

CASTRO

(playfully dismissive)

Don’t be shy, Tim. Pull over, someone might help.

The car pulls over to the right side of the road opposite

the chapel.

EXT SHOT

The secretary notes the car across the road. She tells the

FATHER LLWELLYN. He says something in her ear, reaches into

his car trunk for a two gallon full gas can. A graying yet

athletic man in his mid-fifties, he forces the trunk down,

whispers into the young woman’s ear, and starts toward the

street.

SHOT Favoring LLWELLYN

As he cars pass through the dirt covered road. CASTRO sees.

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41

CASTRO

Hey look. The good father himself’s comin’ out to check on

us.

A wave of bloodcurdling fear washes over BEN. A motif of

vague but painful childhood memories flash about his mind.

CASTRO

Come on, Ben. Let’s get some air.

FATHER LLWELLYN, Ben’s old mentor and friend, reaches the

sedan.

CASTRO

Hey Ben, you okay?

BEN

No… I … I need to throw up. I needa throw up.

CASTRO

(helping BEN out)

This way, Ben. Come on.

CASTRO

(to Stiles)

I’ll take Ben out. You stay with the father.

STILES nods.

Over the shoulder of STILES as the sun gleams over from

left with approaching father, smiling.

LLWELLYN

(brandishing gas can)

Hi. Need a hand?

STILES

Yea. How’d you know we were outta gas?

LLWELLYN

Didn’t. Just a guess.

May I?

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42

STILES

Sure, Father.

LLWELLYN

(filling tank)

(stopping to talk)

You’d be surprised at how many we get. The nearest gas

station is forty miles away either way you go. Helps to be

prepared.

REVERSE ANGLE favoring LLWELLYN as he reinserts the nozzle

into the opening.

WIDER ANGLE as BEN doubles over with CASTRO appearing to

shield him. LLWELLYN stops momentarily to look over… and

resumes filling the tank.

CASTRO

Breathe easy, Ben. Take it easy. You okay?

BEN chokes on regurgitated orange juice mixed with bits of

bacon.

CASTRO

Hey father! He’s choking!

LLWELLYN steps over to insert his arms to perform the

Heimlich.

LLWELLYN

(urgent)

Step aside!

BEN knows who he is and actually tries to resist his help.

LLWELLYN

(struggling)

Relax a bit! Easy now.

LLWELLYN positions to pump BEN’S stomach. BEN’S eyes bulge

as a huge yellow-brown bolus of eggs and bacon mixed with

orange juice spew out of BEN and into the dirt nearby.

LLWELLYN

More! That’s it!!

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43

BEN vomits the last of it, exhausted.

LLWELLYN

(to Castro)

Couldya help me set him down?

They set BEN down carefully against the sedan. The FATHER

reaches into his pocket to give BEN a tissue.

He touches BEN’S shoulder.

LLWELLYN

(to Ben)

Thanks, young man.

(touches Ben’s shoulder)

You did g- …Ben? Is it you? Ben Car-

BEN storms out of LLWELLYN’S touch.

CASTRO

(curious)

Something wrong?

LLWELLYN

You okay, Ben? M-maybe he needs some water. He’s flushed.

CASTRO

(to Stiles)

Stiles. Wouldja go with the father?

STILES nods, and goes along.

CASTRO

(carefully)

You wanna say something, Ben?

BEN

He-he was my pastor. I went there to that church as a lil’

boy.

CASTRO

Is there anything we oughta know, Ben?

BEN

I need… I need ta clear my head. I can’t... I can’t think

good right now.

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44

LLWELLYN and STILES, huffing, return with a gallon of cold

filtered water.

LLWELLYN

(offering water)

Here you are, Ben. Drink this.

BEN starts reluctantly, but is parched, and thirst

overwhelms his efforts to resist.

CASTRO

Hey Father, I’m glad you stopped by to help us. Thanks.

LLWELLYN

Nothin’ doin, gentlemen. Pleased to do the LORD’s work.

BEN

(bitter, to himself)

You coulda stood up for me, father.

LLWELLYN

(offers hand)

Name’s Llwellyn. Ioan Llwellyn.

CASTRO

Sorry for my manners. Nick Castro.

STILES

Tim Stiles. Nice to meetcha.

LLWELLYN

The pleasure’s mine. All mine. Especially since I get to

meet Ben again. Ben Miguel Hanna Carson. Say…aintcha

supposed to be playin’ the semi against LSU right now?

(more serious)

You stopped comin’ to church. We missed ya.

BEN

You know why I stopped comin’, father.

LLWELLYN

(curious)

Ben?

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45

BEN

You always preached trust in the savior, father. Well tell

me what’s trust if you can’t count on your friends?

LLWELLYN

Ben, that isn’t fair. You always could trust me… you still

can.

BEN

Don’t talk to me about it, Father Lew.

WIDE ANGLE of burly man, seventies, clad in white, walking

across empty road to the men.

LLWELLYN

I… don’t understand.

BEN

(disgust)

Castro, get me away from this hypocrite.

(ducks into car, slams door)

CASTRO

(apologetic)

I apologize for his behavior, sir. We’re… I’m his counselor

and I’m trying to help him through therapy.

Wide ANGLE includes wedding reception, background.

CASTRO

Can… can I contact you? Got a contact I can reach you at-?

FATHER sees the big man arriving. It is REVEREND JIM MAKRO.

JIM waits a moment before interrupting.

LLWELLYN

(sighs)

JIM MAKRO

Hi Father.

LLWELLYN

(acting surprised)

Oh, hi, Jim. Howya been?

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46

JIM MAKRO

Good. Your secretary Trish said I could find ya here.

The cadence of the new voice grips Ben’s ear from the car.

He brings up the window and turns the A.C. on.

JIM MAKRO

Afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Jim. Jim Makro. Nice ta meetchall.

CASTRO

Nick Castro. This is Stiles.

STILES

Nice to meet you.

JIM MAKRO

You two guests of the bride and groom?

CASTRO

No, sir. In fact

JIM MAKRO

-and y’all not watchin’ the Stanford-LSU game neither? It’s

in the fifth right now. Austin’s arms givin’ out. They

needa git that Carson kid back in ‘ere! He’s a reaaaal

talented kid. Knew he was really sumpin’ special when he

was little. Heckuvan arm.

BEN’S jaws tighten; he clenches his teeth at the chat,

burying his fist into the car seat.

JIM MAKRO

That boy’s like a savior… but I dunno if they gonna git

their act together against them Tigers. Heehee. Well now… I

reckon why I’m here.

STILES and CASTRO look at the time.

JIM MAKRO

Father, I gotta talk to ya now.

CASTRO

Oh we were just leaving- father?

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47

LLWELLYN

(cryptic)

Oh- there’s a gas station down Moore off I-80. Filler up

there.

(hands Castro a business card)

LLWELLYN

Oh and one other thing… Nick?

CASTRO

(turns)

Yyeah?

Castro studies the card. The two exchange a glance. Castro

nods, pockets the card without a word. Castro then enters

backseat, closes door.

CASTRO

Stiles, let’s go.

Stiles starts to pull of the dirt side, when Jim quickly

turns.

JIM MAKRO

(loudly)

MISTER CASTRO?!

CASTRO

(rolling window down)

Sir?

JIM MAKRO

That fellow slumped on the rear window there yonda. Is he

sick ‘er sumpin’? We can git him healed right now.

CASTRO

(carefully hiding Ben’s face to feign inspection)

Oh that won’t be needed, sir. But thanks. Just his

breakfast didn’t agree with him.

JIM MAKRO

‘Sure? I could have somebody look at him at the nearest

hos-

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48

CASTRO

That’s alright, Jim. We oughta be goin’ now, Mister Makro.

Thanks.

CASTRO gives STILES the signal and they head out into the

golden sky.

WIDER ANGLE as JIM MAKRO walks off.

JIM MAKRO

Lew?

LLWELLYN looks up at the sky for an instant. He turns and

walks away to reception.

BEN

(hard sigh)

Where… Where are we goin’ now?

CASTRO

Head to the gas station, Stiles.

BEN

You said-

CASTRO

Yeah, we can skip the county jail for now.

CASTRO places phone call to BRACH.

BRACH

Yeah, Nick.

CASTRO

Tell the girl she can go home. We’ll meet her for breakfast

at Lindy’s.

BEN

That Kristin?

CASTRO

Brach. Put her on. Our kid wants to speak to her.

BEN

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49

KRISTIN

Ben? Ben…?

BEN

Uh… what’s goin’ on?

NEW SCENE

Sheikh Royal Hotel

KRISTIN

Ben…don’t you remember me?

BEN

Ah… tryin’.

The car pulls into gas station. It is a standard self-

service station. CASTRO hands Stiles a wad of bills

totaling twenty dollars.

KRISTIN

It’s been…two years?

BEN

Man, I swear, I don’t remember a thing.

KRISTIN

N…Nothing?

BEN

Maybe…maybe you can help me… help me remember.

CASTRO

(to Ben)

Set a time and place for breakfast. Ask her.

BEN

CASTRO

Maybe she knows where.

BEN

Wh… did we have a place we’d grab a bite to eat at?

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50

KRISTIN

Yes! The Lindy’s on Greendale. Tomorrow morning at eight

A.M. It’ll be like… like your freshman year. Us meetin’ an’

all.

BEN

(empty)

Then… then let’s do that.

KRISTIN

Yeah! Oh, I can’t wait to SEE you again!

BEN

(still empty)

Yeah.

KRISTIN

Can you do me this one favor?

CASTRO listens in.

BEN

What.

KRISTIN

You still wear those plaid flannel shirts?

BEN

(looking down at his shirt)

How…

KRISTIN

You’ve got these three that I go crazy for. Pick one of ‘em.

You know… the very first one I picked.

BEN

Uh… okay.

KRISTIN

Great. See ya!

CASTRO

I made out flannel. What’d she say exactly?

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51

BEN

She likes my shirts.

CASTRO

Alright, we’re goin’ to your house.

BEN

What?

CASTRO

To your house. It’s the only way we’re gonna get her full

cooperation. I can’t believe I’m saying this.

Two minutes and fifteen seconds have passed. Stiles hops

back into the car and they head off toward the interstate.

CASTRO

Take it easy Ben. Don’t think too hard. Tomorrow’s a big

day for you.

The sedan heads onto one hundred one. Despite the game,

they run into heavy traffic.

STILES

Is all this the game.

WIDE ANGLE to include a sea of red and white banners, with

dots of purple and yellow in between.

CASTRO

Wow, kid. Look at ‘em.

ANOTHER ANGLE inside the navy sedan.

FAVORING CASTRO looking intently at BEN.

BEN

What’s the matter? You some kinda faggot?

CASTRO

No I ain’t. I’m tryin’ ta figure you out. What’s eating

you?

BEN

Don’t bother.

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52

CASTRO

Ben. You know the station your game’s on?

BEN

It doesn’t matter.

CASTRO

The hell it doesn’t. Come on, tryin’ to be a sport.

BEN

Wanna be a sport? Then forget it.

CASTRO

Forget I asked.

(to Stiles)

Tim, I think it’s A.M. 1013. Turn it on.

INSERT VOICE OF ANNOUNCER

ANNOUNCER

Well, it’s the top of the sixth. Austin is hurt and the

search is on

FAVORING LEFT SIDE OF RADIO BOX

ANNOUNCER

for Ben Carson, one of the dream pitchers for the Cardinal.

He went missing since one this afternoon. It’s still top of

the sixth as Gerut is tagged out on the play. The score

here in Omaha- LSU eleven, Stanford four.

BEN

Turn it off.

STILES

We just turned it

BEN

(interrupts)

Turn it off!

CASTRO

The announcer says you’re missing but won’t say why.

BEN

Nick, why’d ya pull me outta the game so fast?

Couldn’t you have waited ‘til it was done?

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53

CASTRO

Ben… you’re missing it.

BEN

The only thing I’m missing is the only thing that matters

right now… the damn game.

CASTRO

Stiles- you know a quicker way to Reno? We’re getting

nowhere in this clutter.

STILES

Making a way now, Nick.

MOVING SHOT as the car wheels backward to the next entrance.

STILES

Tell me where you live, Ben.

BEN

On Carbondale- Five-twenty-one. Why?

CASTRO

Look- this girl likes somethin’ about you. So we gotta go

back to your house.

BEN

Just get another one.

CASTRO

No way, Ben. We do this her way.

BEN

Sheeit.

STILES

I don’t like the sound of that.

CASTRO

Not sure you answered this, but outta curiosity- are you

and your folks on speaking terms?

BEN

My mom’s gone. My dad hates me.

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54

CASTRO

Oh.

BEN

He wanted A.S.U. for me… I chose Stanford.

STILES

Not good.

BEN

You don’t hafta live with him. Turn right here.

STILES

Okay.

Stiles wheels around to five-twenty one Carbondale.

INT BACKSEAT

CASTRO

Alright, Stiles. Next time, we switch and I drive.

I’m goin’ in with him. You keep an eye out. Call Brach.

Have him keep us posted on the others subjects.

STILES nods.

CASTRO

I’m gonna need a cover. I’m a buddy a yours from high

school. Think that’ll work?

BEN

Nah. Too old.

CASTRO

Stiles- you gotta basball cap? Somethin’.

STILES reaches underneath the seat. On third try, pulls out

a UA cap.

STILES

There’s this. Forgot that was down there.

BEN

You kiddin’? You wanna get inna fight today?

CASTRO puts on cap, widens it, spins it around and folds

the brim.

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55

BEN

You look a little silly with that cap on. How old are you?

CASTRO

(wry)

Whatever it takes to get that flannel. Which room’s yours?

BEN

That one over the left side.

STILES

(quickly)

Lose the jacket. You look like a detective.

CASTRO

‘Cause I am one.

STILES

Nick… lose the jacket.

CASTRO

I know, I know.

(pointing)

Tim, you keep a lookout.

Some laundry’s goin’ out that window. Pick it up as it

falls and get it in the trunk of the car.

CASTRO

Now Ben… listen up. We get in, you get to your room and you

throw out all the flannel you find. Don’t stop for anything

until it’s all out.

(walking up porch steps with BEN, where he knocks on door)

Your dad pitched for ASU, I remember.

BEN

Yeah. How’d you know-

The door opens suddenly, revealing Dan, an angry dad. He

grabs his son and yanks him inside.

DAN

What the fuck are you doin’ here? You’re s’posed ta be

playin’ the semi now.

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56

CASTRO

W…wait, you’re Dan Hanna, the-

DAN

And who the fuck are you? Take that fuckin’ cap off now.

Nobody wears a damn Wildcats cap in my house-

CASTRO

(removes cap)

Look, Dan-

DAN releases his son, going after CASTRO. CASTRO braces for

impact.

ANOTHER ANGLE

FAVORING CASTRO

CASTRO

(to BEN, near whisper)

Get to your room!

DAN

(charging)

We ain’t on a first name-

WIDER ANGLE

As BEN storms up the stairs

MOVING SHOT as BEN frantically dumps out his hamper,

picking out the flannel and tossing it out his window.

ANOTHER ANGLE

INT. BELOW IN LIVING ROOM as BEN’S father grabs an old

trophy

CASTRO

What?! Don’t throw that! That’s a PAC-10 Championship

trophy!

DAN

(circling sofa)

Whaddayou care? Y’ Fuckin’ hippy.

DAN throws it at CASTRO anyway; CASTRO cuts his palm

catching it.

DAN

How’d you catch that?

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57

CASTRO

I’ll tell you but I’m not gonna run from ya all day.

DAN catches his breath.

DAN

(pulse dropping)

I’m getting’ too damn old for this.

They rearrange the furniture. DAN sits down, followed by

CASTRO.

DAN

(expectant)

Well?

CASTRO

I played for UA, nineteen-seventy-eight to nineteen-eighty-

two. Second baseman.

DAN

You’re uh…Castro… Nick Castro?

CASTRO

Yeah.

DAN

Didn’t you commit to ASU first in seventy-seven?

CASTRO

Yeah but there was the family emergency in the year-

ANOTHER ANGLE

FAVORING CASTRO looking up and listening for BEN’S

footsteps, while feigning to recall a date.

CASTRO

That summer- yeah.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As STILES scrambles to pick up laundry- with some in hand.

CASTRO

Seventy-seven. Say- you went high in the MLB draft that

year- sixteenth overall?

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58

DAN

Yeah. You did your homework. Hey… want something to drink?

CASTRO

Nah, I’m ok. Thanks though… Homework? That’s another story.

But yeah, I knew you’d have seven or eight good years in

the league. You coulda beaten that macular degeneration if

you didn’t give in so early.

DAN

Well, you think so.

CASTRO

Listen… I believe somethin’ exists from nothin’.

DAN

…what?

CASTRO

Ya can’t just throw away your past. You grow from

everything life throws at you. Can’t run away from who you

are, is what I’m sayin’.

(pause)

Type I diabetes. I got anemia. But I can’t dwell on that

forever. Am I gonna blame others for that? God? No.

WIDER ANGLE as BEN overhears conversation.

DAN

I think you’re right, Nick. Blamin’ other people… blamin’

God. That gets me nowhere. It’s taken me too long to

realize that.

BEN comes down slowly, still OS.

DAN

Until… two months ago? I held on to my dad. Hoping I could

please him… never could… nothin’ was ever good enough for

him. He knew baseball ‘cause his dad made him play…. And ya

know… I did the same to Ben.

CASTRO

It’s all a vicious cycle.

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59

DAN

Before Ben was even born, I decided he’d be a baseball

player… and my wife was right. I was… selfish.

(pause)

When the MLB relieved me- and that’s really what they did

for me- it threw us back. You’ve heard it all from somebody

else… you know? I read about it in the Sunday paper

somewhere.

BEN

Dad…

DAN

(contrite)

Son, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I-

BEN

What…what… for not comin’ to my game…?

(to Castro)

Sorry, Nick.

DAN

I… I realized it too late… you oughta live your life your

life, not mine.

BEN

(slow anger)

So… you decided to stop goin’ to my games because you’re

feelin’ guilty… about always pushing me so much when I was

young? Or because I chose Stanford over A.S.U?

DAN

Son… you’re free to live your own life, now. I admit I was

bein’ stupid about it.

BEN

You… you’re damn right, dad. Should I be grateful now?

(cynical)

Oh, thanks for letting me do that now, Dad.

Yeah… I’m gonna buy what I want, make my own money. Do it

all, alright.

CASTRO looks on as BEN storms upstairs to pack his things.

Both DAN and CASTRO stare at each other in bewilderment.

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60

CASTRO

Uh... what’s goin’ on?

DAN

(silent)

BEN runs back down, suitcase in tow.

DAN rises to stand.

BEN

You know, Dad, I’m kinda glad I came back.

DAN stands motionless.

BEN

‘Cause I’m goin’ nowhere fast livin’ with you, chasin’ a

pipe dream. I don’t wanna live like that anymore.

CASTRO’S mouth drops.

DAN

Son… you don’t have to leave.

BEN walks out without a second thought.

DAN

I’m worried about ‘im. He can’t quite take care of himself.

CASTRO

Well who’s gonna watch him?

DAN

(pensive)

Yea…yeah, that’s it. I remember now. Right after school,

you… you went into law enforcement, didn’t ya?

CASTRO

(hesitant)

Now look, Mr. Hanna, if you’re implyin’-

DAN

Look—I don’t know anything about my son anymore. He’s out a

lot and I- I ain’t got much time left here. Nerves…

eyesight… I got cancer, too. Doctor says… I got a tumor the

size of a baseball near my lung.

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61

(pause)

Heh. I lived with baseball… guess I die with one in me,

too. Heh.

CASTRO

(looking O.S. at BEN)

DAN

When I die, the boy’s got no where to go. The house will go

to my sister. He ain’t close to no one in the family. He

can’t manage his own life… and it’s my fault.

(pause)

I gave him so damn much I forgot to show- teach- him how to

manage it.

Sensing the urgency of the moment, CASTRO goes for BEN.

CASTRO

Excuse me, Mr. Hanna.

(down the porch steps, to Ben)

Ben…your dad and me…we were talkin’ an’… well, he’s talkin’

like he could go any moment. You’d…

ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN

STILES

You’d better go see him. This… sounds like it might be the

last time… the last you ever see of ‘im.

BEN

(tearing a little)

What… what did he say?

CASTRO

Ben… he wants to see you. Go… go talk to him…

ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN walking up the porch steps.

CLOSE SHOT as Dan walks to the screen door.

INT. FAVORING BEN as father and son stand, inches apart,

divided by the screen door… staring.

DAN blinks more slowly as BEN glares steely-eyed,

withholding tears. DAN’S blinking slows and he sighs. BEN

starts to mouth “I LOVE YOU, SON”.

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62

FLASHBACK ensues for BEN, in a motif of bittersweet moments.

As BEN blinks, a tear rolls down his cheek; he steps back

to close the door firmly but quietly over his father’s

unvoiced words.

WIDER ANGLE

FAVORING BEN’S FATHER

As BEN walks down steps for the last time.

INT BEN sits in backseat with STILES.

ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN

Who squints away as

WIDER ANGLE CASTRO turns attention from BEN’S father,

fastening seatbelt to turning car around to drive away.

Silence permeates the interior as the sedan heads up-street.

END ACT II

ACT III

CASTRO

You hungry, Ben?

BEN

No.

CASTRO

A growin’ boy needs his vites. We’re gonna get some grub

and get goin’ fast, so ya better get whatcha want.

(to STILES)

Pull up there to the supermarket.

The sedan pulls into a parking lot for a Midwestern-style

supermarket.

CASTRO

Well, this is a big one.

CASTRO and STILES arise for car.

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63

CASTRO

(leaning over)

You getting’ out, or are ya gonna bake in there?

BEN

Ugh…

CASTRO

Come out. This is your- OUR- time- to stock up. ‘Cause

we’re gonna be on the road a lonnnnng time. And remember…

fully cooperate, and we’ll protect ‘ya.

BEN

Well what about

CASTRO

You can’t trust anyone affiliated with your school- dean,

coach, old friends, girlfriends, fake friends- not even the

campus police. Hate to say it, but do not talk with anyone

unless we tell you to.

STILES

Every one of your teammates there is a suspect.

CASTRO

Stay away from your acquaintance and friends until we

settle this thing. Stay with us.

INT. SUPERMARKET AISLE- DELI

CASTRO

(to BEN)

Everyone grab a basket.

STILES walks ahead with BEN, looking for snacks.

CASTRO leisurely trails about ten steps behind- picking up

a few deli items. The Deli clerk recognizes BEN.

ED

Hey Ben! Hey! It’s Ed! Ed Riley!

As BEN spins around STILES directs him back. CASTRO gets

the deli clerk’s attention.

CASTRO

Excuse me… Ed. Is that… is that really a Monte Cristo?

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64

He diverts the deli clerk’s attention.

ED

Uh... yes sir. We make them each Wednesday during the month

of June only.

CASTRO

Yeah? You make them yourself?

ED

Yes sir…but ya gotta make ‘em to order… else the butter

starts to spoil. Just made this one for one of our regulars

but he hasn’t shown so…

CASTRO

He won’t mind, then?

ED

Doesn’t seem the type. He pays for it ahead of time.

Reverend Jim Makro.

CASTRO

Makro…

ED

You know him?

CASTRO

Ran into him on the way here. Seemed friendly.

ED

Big guy from Baton Rouge. Awesome preacher.

Always orders them and picks them up ten a.m. In the three

years I worked in deli he’s never missed one.

It’s odd he’s missed this.

CASTRO

(jest)

Well his loss. How much?

ED

Five twenty-eight with tax.

CASTRO fishes through his wallet for exact change.

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65

CASTRO

(pointing to Ben)

Hey… Ed…you know that kid up there?

ED

Yeah. That’s Ben Carson, one of SU’s star pitchers.

(musing)

He was having trouble with calculus so I tutored him before

he…he…

(returns to self)

ED

Your sandwich, sir.

CASTRO

Gonna take a bite’a this now.

CASTRO bites in the butter-laden ham and Gruyere sandwich.

He smiles.

CASTRO

It’s great. First one was with thousand island… in a little

northeast corner of New York… Julie, my girlfriend back

east, she hates them…

(mocking)

“too much butter.”

(normal)

Man, this is better ‘n that.

ED

Um, thanks.

CASTRO

Ed, I’m Nick… and I gotta say... this is a great piece ‘a

work… a piece of art.

ED

Heh, thanks again.

CASTRO

I’m comin back next Wednesday, just for this. You the only

one who makes these?

66

Page 69: Saints of Nowhere

ED

Only in June. Wednesdays.

CASTRO

Interesting…Tell me…why June? Manager’s choice?

ED shrugs.

ED

I dunno… But I think Makro may have had somethin’ to do

with it. He asked about it before we even served it.

CASTRO

So Makro’s a really big man around these parts.

Not just (gestures with hands).

ED

Heh, heh.

CASTRO

I’m comin’ back for this, Ed. And I’m curious to learn more

about this interesting Mister Makro.

CASTRO pulls a ten dollar bill from wallet, giving it to

the clerk.

Keep the change for your trouble, Ed.

ED

Oh wow, thanks mister.

CASTRO

Sure, kid.

So you’ll be here?

ED

Yeah, Nick.

(a thought comes back to him)

Hey!

CASTRO

Yyeah, Ed?

ED

Is…is Ben with you?

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67

CASTRO

Yeah…wwell…

ED

Isn’t he s’posed to be playing in the semi right now? Just

heard Stanford’s down eleven to four.

CASTRO

(sighs)

He’s… he’s not doin’ too well right now. Breakdown…. Mental

breakdown. We’re his...

ED

(surprise)

Oh, I see.

CASTRO

We’re getting’ him all the therapy we can. He’s…he’s even

had trouble rememberin’ things, who he is and all.

ED

Oh no.

CASTRO

And don’t sweat it if he doesn’t remember ya.

ED

Wow, it must be really bad.

CASTRO

You’re tellin’ me.

(to Stiles)

Stiles, wouldja come back with Ben for a second?

STILES and BEN turn and return.

CASTRO

It’s for Ben. Ben, this is Ed. Says he knows ya. Tutored

you in…

ED

Hi Ben. Math… calculus, actually. The ‘ugly’ black book

(mocks BEN)‘with them fancy words’… Ed. Ring a bell?

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68

BEN takes a long look at his face.

BEN

Uh… math? Why would I need calculus?

ED

Because you’re a business major, if I recall.

BEN

You sure you ain’t got the wrong guy?

ED

(to himself)

Oh boy… it is bad.

CASTRO

He can’t even remember what he ate for breakfast… even

though he threw it up an hour ago.

ED

Is it… is it permanent?

CASTRO

We hope the doctors can figure out what ta do for him.

CASTRO eyes his watch.

CASTRO

It was good talkin’ with ya, Ed.

Starts to walk away, then turns.

CASTRO

You bet I’ll be back… for the talk, and another Cristo.

ED wears a smile but fades to a half-smile once they leave.

ANOTHER ANGLE as CASTRO waits by market exit, writing notes

on his mini-note pad as BEN pays for snacks at register.

They grab their three bags, walk out to car O.S.

CASTRO

(peeks into BEN’S bag)

Eggs…orange juice, bacon… so what else does the star

pitcher eat?

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69

BEN

(annoyed)

I didn’t nose into your bag, Hoss.

CASTRO

(disgusted, throws out bags of potato chips and candy)

I gave you some money to get some food and you buy a buncha

junk!

CASTRO

(disgust)

You tellin’ me you eat this shit before every game?

The three reach the car.

BEN

Never stopped me before.

CASTRO

(throws food back into bag, pulls out candy)

CASTRO

Red vines, Ben?

BEN

(grasping)

Gimme those!!

CASTRO

Tosses candy into backseat.

(more disgust)

Get in the car.

CASTRO takes the wheel.

CASTRO

Straight to the motel, guys. Buckle up.

They head onto the interstate O.S.

STILES

You find anything?

CASTRO

Nothin’. Except that Makro character is some guy. Holds a

little influence ‘round here. Smooth like butter.

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70

STILES

You’re not suggesting he might be involved somehow?

CASTRO

When you turn over a rock, you question the dirt onna rock,

too. Could be involved. I’m gonna look into it when we get

back from Vegas.

STILES

That all?

CASTRO

(handing back two sandwiches)

Well there’s this sandwich they got there. I got a couple.

Here, Tim, that’s yours.

STILES reaches for them, grabs his sandwich. He puts his

nose to the greasy wrapper.

STILES

Butter?

CASTRO

Bite into it.

Unwrapping it, STILES takes a bite of it.

CASTRO

Well?

STILES

Too much butter, Nick. You like this? What else is in that?

CASTRO

That’s your problem, Tim. No adventure. How could ya come

from Cumberland Head and not like Monte Cristos?

STILES

One slice’s got as much oil as two slices ‘a pizza.

CASTRO

You don’t want it then?

STILES

I can’t believe we’re debatin’ sandwiches.

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71

CASTRO

(jest)

You’re lucky we ain’t back in Brooklyn. They’da laughed the

black right offa ya. You sure you from New York?

STILES

I don’t want to eat that oilfest.

CASTRO

Gimme it back and take your Poor Boy here.

STILES hands sandwich back to CASTRO… and eats the other

instead.

CASTRO

Fine. We’ll give it ta Mikey. Hey Ben. You want this?

(hands it to Ben)

BEN

Okay.

BEN bites into it.

CASTRO turns his head for BEN’s reaction.

STILES

Keep your eye on the road, Nick!

CASTRO purposely swerves into right lane as other car

driven by elderly woman comes in.

CASTRO

(winks)

What’s a-matter? Don’t trust the captain?

(looks in rear view mirror at Ben)

Well Ben?

BEN

It’s alright.

CASTRO

(annoyed)

Alright?! I’m in a car with taste-challenged bozos.

I’m pullin’ over. Nick, you drive. You two wouldn’t know

gourmet food if it bit your tongue clean off.

The car doors shut. STILES heads out of the curb.

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72

CASTRO

Okay, I’m getting’ a nap. Wake me when we get there.

INSERT RADIO which STILES turns up the volume a bit.

ANNOUNCER

Top of the seventh! Stanford at bat…

MOVING SHOT

As the sedan passes through the golden sunset.

ANOTHER ANGLE Bird’s eye

NIGHTTIME, as the sedan pulls into Motel Grand lot. The

three emerge from car and check inside.

ANOTHER ANGLE as they arrive opening the door of double bed

room. With a bag in hand, placing bags in a chair at the

table, CASTRO locks the door, checks the bathroom and

closets.

STILES

Want a bed, Nick?

CASTRO

Nah… you two take ‘em. I’ll take a chair andkeep watch here.

STILES turns in. BEN sits down, picks up remote, turns on

T.V.

ANOTHER ANGLE FAVORING BEN

Watching sports news on T.V. screen.

SPORTS ANCHOR

(excited)

Top of the ninth- Schaeffer hit on the pitch… he advances

to second. Gerut and Schaeffer score.

BEN

Yeah, Jon.

SPORTS ANCHOR

But it is not enough as LSU advances to the final to await

their opponent. The final score- LSU thirteen, Stanford

nine.

BEN turns off the T.V. He eyes STILES, sound asleep.

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73

ANOTHER ANGLE

FAVORING CASTRO watching

CASTRO

Go to bed, Ben.

BEN slips into bed, turning off lamplight.

WIDE ANGLE DENSE FOG obscures vision through the veil. The

shower turns off and the shower curtains pull back.

ANOTHER ANGLE

FAVORING BEN still in BED

CASTRO exits bathroom dressed and clean-shaven- STILES is

gone.

CASTRO

Let’s go, bright eyes.

BEN

(coming around)

Ugh…already?

CASTRO

(jest)

Time for your date.

There is a knock at the door.

CASTRO

Yeah?

STILES

(opening door)

Engine’s ready.

CASTRO

We’ll be down in fifteen.

CASTRO looks out the window. It is overcast.

CASTRO

Fog?..

He sighs.

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74

(to Ben)

Alright, Sleepy. Up!

BEN is up and trying to move faster.

CASTRO

We got ten minutes. Get a shower and put one’a these on.

BEN schleps his body into the shower.

WIDE ANGLE of CASTRO, fog’s bright reflection brightening

face as BEN walks out. CASTRO turns, heads for door.

CASTRO

Leave your things here. We’ll come back.

MOVING SHOT as CASTRO locks door. The two walk downstairs

O.S. Ben starts for the exit. CASTRO stops him.

CASTRO

Wait.

CASTRO stops to pay MANAGER. He points, gestures, goes

through wallet.

CASTRO

One night…. Here’s two more.

Be back late tonight.

MANAGER nods.

CASTRO

(to Ben)

Let’s go.

WIDER ANGLE in lot as they shut car doors in tandem. The

sedan pulls out of lot, going on through fog ever so

deliberately. CASTRO pulls out his mobile phone.

CASTRO

(To Stiles while dialing number)

Stay close to the outside lane.

STILES

But-

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75

CASTRO

We got ten percent visibility. Slow down… you wanna cause

an accident?

BRACH

Nick?

CASTRO

We’re in the fog, man. Almost no visibility. Tell her we’ll

be ten minutes late. About eight-thirty.

BRACH

Will do. When you come in, she’ll sit ‘cross from me, left.

Over.

ANOTHER ANGLE

The sedan pulls into Lindy’s parking lot, rear.

CASTRO

The rear of the place, Tim? Are we gangsters?

STILES

My mistake.

STILES reverses and steers to front of the house.

INT REAR SEAT

CASTRO

Now Ben… you can ask questions. But let her answer.

We ask her some things. Hopefully… we get some leads.

BEN

Okay. I ask and

CASTRO

She answers.

BEN

She answers ‘em.

CASTRO

Good.

BEN

I got it.

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76

CASTRO

(hands Ben money)

Some dough for breakfast.

BEN

Thanks… but what I need this for?

CASTRO

(annoyed)

Get in there, Ben.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As the three sit near the back. Half-full place yet quiet.

Patrons eating breakfast. Forks, plates clink. Smells of

home fries, tenderloin, chicken-fried steak pervade the air.

CASTRO

Smells good. Almost forgot why we’re here. So which one is…

WIDER ANGLE to include BRACH seated at the register, whom

CASTRO spots. There happen to be three booths of single

women sitting alone, bewildering CASTRO and BEN. CASTRO

stares at BRACH for a clue. BRACH eye-motions ahead to his

diagonal right. A young woman sitting a few booths away

approaches their booth en route to BEN’S. STILES and CASTRO

move back another booth O.S.

BEN

(stands)

Kristin?

KRISTIN

BEN!

(they hug)

You… you’re WEARING it.

BEN

Oh yeah. Heh I… I think I’m… I’m startin’ to remember.

WIDE ANGLE to include CASTRO and STILES.

STILES

Business as usual?

CASTRO

Give ‘em some time.

FADE OUT WIDE ANGLE as CASTRO looks at menu, STILES opens

one and the young couple reconnect, amid ambience.

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END ACT III; THE END