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THE DEFENDANT

Written by

R. Mike Lyons

Draft 7November 3, 2011

rmikelyons@gmail.com+1 (719) 310-6660

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FADE IN:

INT. CAR - DAY

KENNETH DEAKINS, a fresh out of college kid, drives along in

his economical contraption of a vehicle. One amongsthundreds of similar vehicles on the highway.

He takes a sip out o his Starbucks cu when his cell phoneRINGS. He chances a look, and then back to the road.

KENNETHShit!

He slams on the brakes and spills coffee all over.

KENNETH (CONTD)Goddammit.

The phone continues to ring as he slowly starts back todriving. He picks up the phone, sliding his index fingeracross it while one of his knees steers.

OPERATOR (O.S.)Hello, Mr. Deakins?

KENNETHSpeaking.

He pats at some of the wet spots from the coffee debacle.

OPERATOR (O.S.)Hi, yes. This is Major Medical,your health insurance company,calling. It has come to ourattention you have not seen yourprimary care physician in nearlytwo years. And, according toArticle 5 Section 42 of the UniformCode of Human Affairs, you couldface fines and penalties, includingimprisonment. We have already doneyou the favor of scheduling yournext appointment for tomorrow at11am.

KENNETHThat's complete bullshit, I'm inperfect health--

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OPERATOR (O.S.)Thank you, Mr. Deakins, and pleasekeep in mind the consequences ifyou miss your appointment.

INT. JURY WAITING ROOM - DAYA COURT OFFICER opens the door to a small room with a fewchairs. FIVE JURORS enter the room single-file behind theofficer. Motivational posters adorn the walls, and outsidethe windows is a scenic view of an industrial center.

COURT OFFICERWait in here.

Most of the jurors have a seat, but DANAE, a twenty-somethingwoman dressed in boots and a dress. She stands over in acorner by a window, looking back at the door.

The officer leaves. A male jock of a juror approaches Danae.

MALE JURORIt's a shame you're a juror and notthe judge.

Danae gives a quizzical look.

MALE JUROR (CONTD)Cause I want you to bang my gavel.

DANAE

Really?

MALE JURORHey, at least I'm trying. Butseriously, though, ready to be ajuror?

DANAEHonestly? I can't wait to get outof here.

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE WAITING ROOM - DAY

Kenneth sits inside a waiting room next to a pile of oldmagazines on a table. Muzac fills the room. A KID, maybe 8,makes a face at Kenneth. His MOM sits, reading on of themagazines.

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INT. COURTROOM - DAY

The five jurors, including Danae, sit in a dim room with along table. They all sit on one side, each with a microphonebefore them. On the other side of the table sits thePROSECUTOR. Next to the prosecutor is a small television on

a stand.

At the far end of the table is a large television with theJUDGE displayed with the state lag waving behind him.

PROSECUTOR...and that is why we are heretoday, ladies and gentlemen. Thedefendant is clearly guilty ofencouraging terrorism. An act oftreason. An act not only deservingof death, but required.

The lawyer then grabs a remote and turns on the small TV.

He presses play. The jurors lean forward to try and see thevideo. The television plays a YouTube video of a groupsurrounding a man, not entirely recognizable as KennethDeakins, burning a flag.

The prosecutor pauses the video.

PROSECUTOR (CONTD)Ideas inspire. Inspiration leadsto fanaticism. Fanaticism leads toacts of terrorism. This is why you

must find this man guilty. To saveyour country. To save yourselves.To save your children.

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY

Kenneth sits on top of a doctor's table in a gown. TheDOCTOR, an older man with a Southern charm, walks into theroom with a patient folder.

DOCTORMister... Deakins?

KENNETHThat's me.

DOCTORGood to hear. Speaking of hearing,let's hear those lungs of yours.

The doc puts on his stethoscope.

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DOCTOR (CONTD)Deep breaths.

(listens)Alright, now let's check from theback.

He puts the stethoscope away.

DOCTOR (CONTD)You know, this job is not like itused to be. Open up and say, 'ah.'

KENNETHAhhh...

Doc shines a light into Ken's mouth.

DOCTORYup. Used to be we'd see patients

only when they were sick. Now it'salmost never.

He puts the light away.

DOCTOR (CONTD)Preventative care and new medicineshave gotten us to the point that,well, you only see a patient whenthey're about to die.

Doc gives a laugh and checks Ken's pulse. Ken responds witha chuckle.

KENNETHYou'd rather have a bunch of sickpeople around all the time?

The doctor grabs Ken's folder and looks with a sigh.

DOCTORWell, you seem to be a picture ofperfect health, Mr. Deakins. Letme just go grab some flu shots,administer those, and you'll be on

your way.The doc finishes his sentence with a smile and a pat onKenneth's back as he proceeds to leave the room.

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

In the dimly lit room, each juror speaks into theirmicrophone, overseen by the prosecutor and the TV judge.

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JUROR #1Guilty.

JUROR #2Guilty.

MALE JURORGuilty.

JUROR #4Guilty.

DANAEI'm not certain how to respond,your honor.

JUDGEWhat do you mean?

Somehow, it's as though the judge is looking directly at her.

DANAEI mean, he's guilty of burning aflag, but I don't see how thatmakes him a terrorist.

JUDGEI'll take that as guilty, then.

DANAEBut--

JUDGEBut what? Would you rather aterrorist live and grow, mutateinto something larger andeventually become an incurabledisease of our society? You saidhe was guilty, number five. Anymore remarks and I'll hold you incontempt.

(waits for a remark)Seeing as you remain silent hereand now, the court will continue.

INTERCUT - DOCTOR'S OFFICE / TELEVISION JUDGE

Kenneth sits still as the doctor walks in with three needles.

The doctor takes off the protective cover of one of thesyringes.

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On the screen in the courtroom, the judge delivers hisverdict and sentencing.

JUDGEThe court finds Kenneth Deakinsguilty of propaganda of the deed by

advancing terrorist ideology.Given the nature of the crime, atreasonous act against our greatnation...

The syringe plunges into Kenneth's arm.

JUDGE (CONTD)...it does me no joy but tosentence Mr. Deakins to death.

Kenneth's eyes roll back slightly, but he regains somecomposure.

KENNETHThis is one heckuva flue vaccine.

DOCTORDon't worry, son. It'll be oversoon.

The judge's eyes, cold and empty, continue to look oneveryone in the room.

JUDGEI am only thankful that we live in

such a society where we can protectour interests while at the sametime...

The second syringe plunges in.

JUDGE (CONTD)...take into consideration ourenemies.

KENNETH(barely coherent)

Mind if I take the next one lyingdown, Doc?

The doctor nods yes as Kenneth lies down without even waitingfor the response.

JUDGEMr. Deakins won't even know whatwill happen.

(MORE)

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He can live the remainder of hislife believing he has done right.That's something our enemies do notunderstand and hate about us...

The doctor inserts the third and final syringe.

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

JUDGE...our compassion.

The judge bangs his gavel down. The male juror leans over tolook at Danae and gives her a wink.

The jurors stand up from their seats and exit single-file.The judge turns around as the large television turns off.

INT. STUDIO - DAY

The judge is standing behind his chair, back towards acamera. A green screen is behind the desk. A grip walksbehind the judge as he puts a cell phone to his ear.

JUDGEYes, that's right. Juror #5.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

The room is sparse, little more than a bed and books lyingaround. A phone RINGS.

DANAE (O.S.)Hold on, I'm coming.

Danae pops out of the bathroom and grabs the phone.

DANAE (CONTD)Hello?

OPERATOR (O.S.)Hello, Ms. Robinson? This is Major

Medical, your health insurancecompany, calling...

THE END

JUDGE (CONT'D)

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