The Late Shift
Page 4
SOUND
UNFOLDING AND SNAPPING CRISP PAPER MONEY.
DIRECTOR
Here’s five hundred cash, out of my own pocket. I consider it a charitable contribution. Now keep your mouth shut and do your job.
JIM
Please. . .
SOUND
THE CREWMAN HALF-CARRIES JIM AWAY.
CREW #4
(to Jim) You are one brave son of a bitch.
JIM
What. . .?
CREW #4
Don’t know if I could do what you’re doin’. Just keep thinkin’ about that beautiful wife and kids. A minute from now it’ll all be over. I’ll use extra
CREW #4 (cont’d)
pyro – you won’t feel a thing. (moving off, emotional) God bless you, man. . .
DIRECTOR
(calling) Fire extinguishers!
CREW #1
(off) Here, boss!
DIRECTOR
Who wants to wrap this sucker?
CREW VOICES
Me!
DIRECTOR
Places! Once I yell “action,” we won’t have a second chance! Get ready to burn, baby, burn! Let’s light up the sky like the Fourth of July!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE UP.
FADE DOWN.
ANNOUNCER
We’ll return with the conclusion of Dreadtime Stories. . . after these words.
MUSIC
THEME.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
MUSIC
THEME.
ANNOUNCER
And now back to Dreadtime Stories and Act Three of. . . “The Late Shift.”
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
THRU TO:
SOUND
EXT. NIGHT – FILM SHOOT – IN THE PROP CAR.
JIM
(groggy) Unhh. . .
SOUND
THE PROP CAR DOOR SLAMS.
SOUND (cont’d)
FOOTSTEPS OF A CREWMAN RUNNING AWAY.
CREW #4
(moving off) Clear!
NARRATOR
He opened his eyes again to blinding light. He was behind the wheel of a car pointed into darkness. He tried to move but the harness held him firmly to the seat. . .
SOUND
THE CAR SEAT CREAKS AS JIM STRUGGLES.
NARRATOR
Then there was only the night and the sound of his breathing. The sky was black above the end of the ramp. The trees stopped moving and the crickets fell silent – as the first crack appeared in the clouds. Something was coming. It would be here soon. . .
SOUND
A RUMBLE OF THUNDER.
DIRECTOR
(off) Track?
CREW #2
(off) All set.
DIRECTOR
Dolly!
CREW #3
(off) Ready.
DIRECTOR
Remote starter!
SOUND
THE IGNITION CATCHES AND THE ENGINE REVS.
CREW #2
Revving up.
DIRECTOR
Roll camera. . . and. . . action!
SOUND
THE ENGINE REVS FASTER. A SQUEAL OF TIRES AS THE CAR TAKES OFF ALONG A WOODEN RAMP, THE SOUND PANNING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CAR REACHES THE END OF THE RAMP AND THE TIRES LOSE CONTACT.
CREW #1
Off the ramp. . .
DIRECTOR
Ready to cue pyro!
SOUND
SUDDENLY THERE IS A CRACK OF THUNDER DIRECTLY OVERHEAD. A HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN BEGINS.
THE CAR COMES DOWN ON THE GROUND, BREAKING LEAVES AND BRANCHES.
A SWITCH CLICKS.
A SMALL, MUFFLED EXPLOSION.
A CRACKLE OF FLAMES. . .
FOLLOWED BY A SIZZLING – AS THE RAIN IMMEDIATELY DOUSES THE FLAMES.
DIRECTOR
Throw the switch!
CREW #1
I am! It’s too wet to burn!
SOUND
THE SWITCH CLICKS REPEATEDLY.
SOUND
CUT TO:
IN THE PROP CAR.
THE FLAMES SIZZLING OUT AS RAIN FALLS ON METAL.
JIM
(groaning) Let me out. . .!
SOUND
HE UNLATCHES THE SEAT BELT AND TRIES TO FORCE THE DOOR. WINDSHIELD GLASS BREAKS. HE STRUGGLES OUT OF THE CAR AND LIMPS AWAY THRU WET LEAVES AND BRUSH.
CREW #1
(off) What in the. . .?
DIRECTOR
(off) Get him!
CREW #4
(off) But – what happens to his wife and kids now?
SOUND
MORE THUNDER AND RAIN.
FOLLOWING JIM:
AS HE SCRABBLES THRU MUD AND LEAVES.
THE RAIN FALLING ALL AROUND.
MUSIC.
EPISODE SCORE UP.
BRIDGE THRU TO:
SOUND
INT. – GROUNDSKEEPER’S SHED.
NOW THE RAIN IS ONLY A FEW DROPS ON A TIN ROOF. AS THE GROUNDSKEEPEER POURS A CUP OF COFFEE.
RADIO DJ
(from a small radio) And that was The Doors, trying to set the night on fire. Good luck, boys, because it’s been a wet one. That’ll have to do it for the late shift. If you’re just getting off work,
RADIO DJ (cont’d)
take her easy on the way home. . . and if you’re ready to hit the freeways – take time to smell the flowers – and the coffee. Ear Witness News is next, so stay tuned. . .
SOUND
TUNING ACROSS THE DIAL. BLIPS OF MUSIC. THEN – A WEAK KNOCK ON A WOODEN DOOR. THE RADIO CLICKS OFF.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Yes?
SOUND
THE KNOCKING AGAIN.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Someone there?
SOUND
HE CROSSES A WOOD FLOOR, UNLATCHES THE DOOR AND OPENS IT.
JIM
(out of breath) Please. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Can I help you?
JIM
I have to get down the hill.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Car trouble? I could call a tow. . .
JIM
Please. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Come-inside. You’re soaked.
SOUND
THE DOOR SWINGS WIDE. JIM ENTERS UNSTEADILY. THE DOOR CLOSES.
JIM
Lock it.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Why?
JIM
They’re coming.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Who is?
JIM
They!
GROUNDSKEEPER
You don’t look so good, mister. Why don’t you sit down.
SOUND
HE HELPS JIM TO A CHAIR.
JIM
I need the police. They won’t believe me unless I show them. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Show them what?
JIM
You wouldn’t believe me, either. Where’s the phone?
GROUNDSKEEPER
Right over there.
JIM
Give it to me. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Easy, now. I’ll do it for you.
SOUND
THE GROUNDSKEEPER CROSSES, LIFTS A TELEPHONE RECEIVER AND DIALS.
JIM
Hurry, please. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
(into phone) Dee? This is Kelly, over at the shed. Listen, I have a young man here. He’s in quite a state. (pause) Hold on. (to Jim) Do you need an ambulance?
JIM
Just the police.
GROUNDSKEEPER
(into phone) He wants to speak to the authorities. Mm-hm. I understand.
SOUND
HE HANGS UP THE PHONE.
GROUNDSKEEPER
I called the main building. They’ll take care of everything. Meanwhile, how about some coffee. It’s fresh.
SOUND
THE GROUNDSKEEPER PICKS UP A TIN POT AND POURS A CUP OF COFFEE.
JIM
; The police are on the way?
SOUND
THE GROUNDSKEEPER CARRIES A CUP OF COFFEE TO JIM.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Sure are. It won’t be long. Now why don’t you tell me what happened? An accident, was it?
JIM
It was no accident. They drugged me. I remember some kind of needle gun. Not what they gave the others. . . They got a different drug – to keep them awake. And something else. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Who are we talking about, now?
JIM
The ones no one sees! They’re all around. Gas stations. Fast-food places. All-night markets. . . while everybody else is sleeping. It’s so wrong. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Is it? Somebody has to do those jobs. Wouldn’t you say?
JIM
You don’t understand.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Then why don’t you explain it to me?
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
JIM
What is this place?
GROUNDSKEEPER
The grounds office. Don’t worry. You’re safe now.
JIM
But the van’ll be back. They’ll look for me. . .
GROUNDSKEEPER
Which van is that?
JIM
The blue one.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Ah. I think I know the one you mean.
JIM
(suspiciously) You said this is the grounds office. (beat) What kind of grounds?
GROUNDSKEEPER
Why, Dry Lawn, of course.
JIM
Dry. . .?
GROUNDSKEEPER
Dry Lawn Cemetery. Where did you think you were?
SOUND
JIM STANDS, TIPPING THE CHAIR OVER.
JIM
Keep away from me.
GROUNDSKEEPER
Why make it hard? You don’t have Lo run anymore.
SOUND
JIM CROSSES THE ROOM. THE GROUNDSKEEPER FOLLOWS.
JIM
Stay back!
GROUNDSKEEPER
It’s so much easier this way. . .
JIM
You go to hell.
SOUND
JIM OPENS THE DOOR AND STUMBLES OUT.
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE UP.
FADE THRU TO:
SOUND
EXT. DAY – CITY STREET – EARLY MORNING.
OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE. BIRDS. THE STREET IS NOT BUSY YET BUT THE CARS AND PEDESTRIANS ARE BEGINNING TO MULTIPLY. A BUS PULLS TO A STOP (AIR BRAKES) AND THE DOOR HISSES OPEN. PEDESTRIANS FILE ON.
WOMAN #3
Excuse me, driver. Is this the bus to Long Beach?
BUS DRIVER
No, ma’am.
WOMAN #3
Oh, dear. My car broke down. I have to get to work.
BUS DRIVER
Transfer at Rimpau. Watch your step. All aboard. . .
SOUND
THE DOOR FLAPS SHUT. THE BUS STARTS OFF. . . AND STOPS AGAIN WITH A SQUEAL OF BRAKES, AS JIM RUNS RAGGEDLY ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. TWO CARS HONK.
PEDESTRIAN #1
What’s the matter with that guy?
PEDESTRIAN #2
Watch out, fella! What’re you, blind? The light says don’t walk!
JIM
(out of breath) Give me your phone.
PEDESTRIAN #1
No way.
JIM
I need it!
PEDESTRIAN #1
GeL your own.
JIM
Please –
PEDESTRIAN #2
There’s a pay phone in front of the flower shop.
SOUND
JIM HURRIES OFF ALONG THE SIDEWALK.
CUT TO:
A PHONE BOOTH. AS JIM OPENS THE RICKETY DOOR, STUMBLES INSIDE AND CLOSES IT.
HE LIFTS THE RECEIVER AND DIALS 9-1-1.
911 OPERATOR
(filtered) Nine-one-one.
JIM
Get me the Police.
911 OPERATOR
What is your emergency?
JIM
Just put me through!
911 OPERATOR
Your name?
JIM
It doesn’t matter. Please –
911 OPERATOR
What address?
JIM
I don’t know the address! I want to report a crime!
911 OPERATOR
What kind of crime, sir?
JIM
I’ll explain it when they get here.
911 OPERATOR
Sir, this number is for emergencies. . .
JIM
This is an emergency! You have to do something! There’s a van. A blue van. There may be others, I’m not sure. I think they work with the hospital. . .
911 OPERATOR
Hospital?
JIM
And the cemetery. They have to be in on it. They take people – people who die – and they use them. A day, two days – as long as they can. They’ve invented a way to –
911 OPERATOR
Slow down. What medications are you on?
JIM
I’m talking about criminal activity!
911 OPERATOR
I’ll connect you with the Mental Health Hotine.
JIM
I don’t need a psychiatrist!
911 OPERATOR
For future reference, the direct line is –
JIM
Will you listen to me? What happens to people when Lhey die – before they get put in the ground? It’s a scam! If you don’t have any family, you’re out of luck! They won’t let you rest, till they get one last pound of flesh!
911 OPERATOR
Sir, you need help. . .
JIM
Don’t you get it? They’ll never let us rest, as long as there’s money to be made! It’s the system. They want to bleed us dry. We’re in it like rats. . .
911 OPERATOR
Give me an address. I’ll send someone –
JIM
They shoot you up with some kind of super-adrenaline, right in the heart. And there’s a pacemaker – a little silver thing they strap to your chest, to keep it pumping – just enough. All you can say is “please,” “sorry,” “thank you,” stuff like that. . . but it’s the cheapest labor there is! Who will bury them? That’s what I want to know! What kind of sick, twisted –?
911 OPERATOR
Try to remain calm, sir. Sir?
JIM
Why won’t you listen?
SOUND
JIM HANGS UP. THEN HE BEGINS FLIPPING FRANTICALLY THRU THE PAGES OF A LARGE PHONE DIRECTORY.
JIM
(intensely, to himself) What’s the number? Gotta be in the book. . .
SOUND
HE PUNCHES IN A SEVEN-DIGIT NUMBER.
OPERATOR
(filtered, recorded) Please deposit fifty cents for the first three minutes.
SOUND
JIM FUMBLES TWO QUARTERS INTO THE SLOT. THE PHONE RINGS ON THE OTHER END.
POLICE OPERATOR
You have reached the Los Angeles Police Department. All our personnel are busy serving other citizens. A representative will take your call in the order received. Please remain on the line. . .
JIM
Damn it!
SOUND
JIM IIANGS UP IN FRUSTRATION. THEN LIFTS THE RECEIVER AGAIN AND PUNCHES IN ANOTHER NUMBER.
NURSE #1
(filtered) Good morning, Saint Sebastian’s. May I help you?
JIM
Sixth floor.
NURSE #1
One moment.
MUSIC
FILTERED MUZAK AS HE IS PLACED ON HOLD.
NURSE #3
(filtered) Nurse’s station.
JIM
Six-two-six.
NURSE #3
Oh. Are you immediate family?
JIM
Yes!
NURSE #3
I’ll get the attending physician.
SOUND
MUZAK RESUMES AS HE IS PLACED ON HOLD.
DOCTOR
This is Dr. Benway.
JIM
Let me talk to him.
DOCTOR
That’s. . . not possible.
JIM
(assertively) Then wake him up.
DOCTOR
I’m afraid he never regained consciousness.
JIM
What?
DOCTOR
When you’re ready to make arrangements, the Coordinating Office will take care of everything. Or, if you’d rather come in, Mr. Macklin. . .