ACT III
FADE IN:
INT. AMY'S CAR - MORNING
Amy and Lauren are in the car driving to school.
On the radio Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You a Little
More."
BARRY WHITE
Deeper and deeper I'm falling yeah/
Sweeter and sweeter your tender
words keep calling/ I'm gonna love
ya love ya love ya just a little
more babe/ I'm gonna need ya need
ya need ya...
Disqusted with Barry, Amy turns off the radio.
AMY
Lauren, sweetie, can I ask you
something?
LAUREN
You just did, mom.
AMY
You know both mommy and daddy love
you a whole lot... Right?
LAUREN
(She's heard this before)
Right.
AMY
Well I was just...
(This is killing her but
she has to know)
Do you have a favorite parent?
Lauren thinks about it for a second.
LAUREN
Do Leesha and dad need to get
married before she counts?
AMY
(Disgusted)
Leesha?
LAUREN
(Really Cutesy)
Yeah... Does she count?
INT. VINCENT'S APARTMENT - MORNING
All we can see is DONNA'S feet as she sits on the couch. Then
we hear a KNOCK on the door.
We follow Donna's feet as she walks to the door.
The door opens, and Peter is standing in the hallway.
PETER
Donna!
We see Donna. She turns her back to Peter. She doesn't have a
shirt, on as she is nursing her baby.
PETER (CONT'D)
Can't you wear a shirt while you're
doing that?!?
DONNA
I don't want her to feel like I'm
avoiding physical contact.
PETER
Is Vincent here?
DONNA
(Calling out)
Vincent!
(To Peter)
He'll be right out.
PETER
Thanks.
Donna walks back to her room.
VINCENT (O.S.)
Put a shirt on Donna.
Vincent groggily walks into the room. He's surprised to see
Peter, but not happy.
VINCENT (CONT'D)
Peter? I thought you were working.
Peter walks through the door as Vincent closes it behind him.
PETER
I came to... I wanted to apologize.
VINCENT
Really?
PETER
I'm sorry I shouldn't have talked
to Radkie.
VINCENT
You're right. You shouldn't have.
Peter waits for Vincent to say more.
PETER
I thought you might apologize for
going off the handle.
Vincent is working on breakfast and is not paying attention
to Peter.
PETER (CONT'D)
Well I'm sorry.
INT. COURTHOUSE CORIDOR - MORNING
Amy and Bruce are walking side by side.
BRUCE
This morning you have arguments on
the Staten case. Then after lunch
you have Buckle v. Buttons.
AMY
Buckle v. Buttons?
BRUCE
That's what it says.
AMY
Trying to enforce a binding
contract?
BRUCE
Nope, untieing the knot.
AMY
Who else?
BRUCE
Just the Almamatrys at four thirty.
I'll call them at three.
Long pause.
AMY
Your kid is in New York now, isn't
she?
BRUCE
With her mother.
AMY
Do you ever worry about that?
BRUCE
About her being with her mother?
AMY
No, about her not being with you.
BRUCE
Like is she going to forget about
me?
AMY
Yeah.
BRUCE
With that mother... I know she'll
never forget me. She might not have
the best picture of me but I'm sure
she'll know who I am.
They walk into:
INT. AMY'S CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Bruce sits down on the couch as Amy takes off her coat and
puts on her robe.
AMY
Lauren's growing up so fast and I'm
just trying to do stuff while it's
subconscious.
BRUCE
(Laughing)
You're trying to brain wash her?
AMY
I just want to be thought of as the
best... Is there anything wrong
with that?
BRUCE
I just call her whenever I can and
kiss her whenever I see her and
pray to God she knows how much I
love her.
AMY
You know... It's parents like you,
that leave parents like me feeling
guilty.
Bruce laughs at the complement.
AMY (CONT'D)
Let's get in there.
INT. AMY'S COURTROOM - DAY
Mr. Babbit, Ms. Hutchinson, Mr. Staten, Amy, and Bruce are in
the court.
AMY
Mr. Babbit. I hope for your sake,
that you're prepared today.
BABBIT
I am Your Honor... My client was
mugged the Saturday prior to this
incident. He had justifiable reason
to believe that his mugger was
planning to kill him. Having a gun
in school was an attempt at self
defence. His remarks regarding Ms.
Hormel were not meant as threats,
but simply as a joke between
friends.
Mr. Babbit sits down.
AMY
Mr. Babbit, Mr. Van Exel has set
aside the entire morning for me to
hear arguments. If that's your
argument I can just lock your
client up till eighteen and go get
a tan.
(She doesn't get a
response)
I would suggest you elaborate on
your case Mr. Babbit.
Mr. Babbit gets up again but is not happy about having to.
AMY (CONT'D)
(Mad as all hell)
Mr. Babbit I can just rule against
your client right here if you don't
want to have to deal with this, but
it's your case. You're giving me
more lip then my eight-year-old.
BABBIT
Your Honor. As I said, my client
had been mugged by a student from
his school a few days prior to this
incident. Josh knew the student but
did not have the evidence necessary
for the police to even try to make
a case. On the Monday after the
assault, a local pawn shop, I have
paper clipping if Your Honor
requires seeing them. The pawn-
AMY
Yes, I do require seeing them, Mr.
Babbit.
Mr. Babbit did not plan to have to produce the clipping but
does so. Bruce grabs the file and hands it to Amy.
BABBIT
The pawn shop was robbed of a
compact semi-automatic assault
rifle. The newspapers description
of the robber, which is
highlighted, matched Josh's
description of the mugger given to
the police.
Mr. Babbit sits down and gives Amy a smug look saying "See I
can argue my case."
AMY
That's it Mr. Babbit! Your in
contempt. Five hundred dollars.
Mr. Babbit looks like the dog who just knocked over the trash
and is actually being punished.
AMY (CONT'D)
Josh, is what-
(With disgust)
-Mr. Babbit said correct?
Josh looks up for the first time. It is obvious that he has
been crying.
AMY (CONT'D)
Mr. Van Exel.
Amy motions for Bruce to bring Josh a box of tissues.
JOSH
(Stuttering)
Yes, Your Honor.
AMY
Did you want to shoot the man who
mugged you?
JOSH
(The idea repulses him)
No!
AMY
And Ms. Hormel?
JOSH
I don't even remember saying what
Mr. Davies said.
AMY
Do you mean you think he's lying?
JOSH
No! No... I may have, it just
didn't mean anything to me. So
little I don't remember it.
AMY
Then why bring the gun?
JOSH
I thought he was going to kill me.
I could handle him trying to kill
me, but he would never kill just
me... I had to do something... I
had to stop him.
AMY
Did you tell the police that you
thought it was the same guy.
JOSH
They would think I'm crazy. They
already didn't believe me.
AMY
What do you mean they didn't
believe you?
JOSH
The detective said he thought I had
a fight with that guy and just
wanted to get back at him. But it
is true, Your Honor, it really is.
Amy is disturbed to hear Josh's testimony and looks at Bruce.
INT. STATEN HOME/B&W STILLS - MORNING
Josh is packing his backpack for school.
He puts on a coat.
Then puts on his backpack.
Josh pulls a gun from under his mattress and looks at it.
He puts the gun in a pocket in his coat.
FADE OUT.
END ACT III
ACT IV
FADE IN:
INT. AMY'S COURTROOM - DAY
Amy is delivering her ruling.
AMY
This has been, by all measures, a
difficult case. We can't have guns
in our schools. That's a no no...
perhaps the biggest no no in
schools today. But some things
scare me more than guns. It scares
me when a fifteen-year-old kid goes
to school and thinks to himself, "I
bet I'm going to be killed today."
That shouldn't happen in East LA,
West Chicago, North Littltin, or
South Hartford. And yet kids do.
This one had even more reason to
than most. But how do you stop kids
from bringing guns to school with
out strict punishments... Then
again, how do you impose strict
punishments, when no kid in their
right mind would feel safe? It
might be one of our great new
paradoxes, but today it's one I
have to find an answer to... Mr.
Staten would you please stand.
Mr. Staten stands up.
AMY (CONT'D)
I think the charge of attempted
murder was nothing more than
prosecuting of hindsight and is
frivolous. But you did have a gun
at school, which is a crime. And I
do find you guilty. I'm going to
sentence you to one year at
Longlane Correctional Facility...
suspended sentence... Josh I don't
think your a bad kid, and I don't
think your going to have a hard
time staying out of trouble or out
of jail, as I'm sure your attorney
will tell you. As long as you do
stay out of trouble, you won't have
to serve any time.
BABBIT
Thank you, Your Honor.
AMY
I'm not finished with you, Mr.
Babbit.
Mr. Babbit, who was just leaving the table turns around when
he hears Amy.
AMY (CONT'D)
If you ever come into this court
again and present such a pompous,
arrogant, half hearted defence
again I'll fine you every time you
open your mouth. I'll fine you so
much you'll have to triple your
retainer just to appear in my
court.
BABBIT
(Under his breath,
Mocking)
Yes, Your Highness.
AMY
Mr. Babbit.
Babbit turns around one more time.
AMY (CONT'D)
Quadruple.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
Maxine is on the stand.
FAMILY COURT JUDGE
Ms. Gray, Mr. Rockwell has accused
Ms. Rockwell of drug use. Have you
found any evidence of that being
true.
MAXINE
Yes, it appears to be true. And she
hasn't even tried to keep Jacklyn
from knowing.
FAMILY COURT JUDGE
Does Jacklyn know of it?
MAXINE
No... But she's only been protected
by her innocence. She's seen her
mother and her friends engaged...
engaged in less than appropriate
behavior, right in front of her.
FAMILY COURT JUDGE
I have read your report... But I
would like to hear... from the
horse's mouth if you will... What's
your recommendation for this court?
MAXINE
I think Mr. Rockwell would be able
to provide a much safer environment
for Jacklyn... But you can't cut
her off from her mother. I would
give Ms. Rockwell a very...
(Looking at Ms Rockwell)
Very stern warning to stop her drug
use. If she has another incident,
it's time to end her visitations.
FAMILY COURT JUDGE
Thank you Ms. Gray.
INT. AMY'S COURTROOM - DAY
Mr. & Ms. Almamatry are sitting at the table with their
attorney.
AMY
Ms. and Mr. Almamatry, your
children are in DCF protective
custody. I've asked you to write a
brief statement for this court
about you and your children. At
this time I'd like you to deliver
it.
Ms. Almamatry stands.
MS. ALMAMATRY
Judge Gray, my son Matt was born on
April 22nd nine-teen-ninety-four.
And Samantha... Sammy born on
August 23rd nineteen-ninety-two. Me
and my husban, have fallen on hard
ti-
AMY
Ms. Almamatry I know you don't have
enough money and such, so I don't
need to hear it again...
MS. ALMAMATRY
Yes... I'm sorry Judge Gray... I
love them both more then anything
but we just can't afford two
children anymore. To give one up
was the hardest choice I...
(Looking at husband)
We have every made... you have to
believe that.
Not looking at the paper anymore, just at Amy.
MS. ALMAMATRY (CONT'D)
Judge Gray... We just want our kids
back.
AMY
Well that's the key. You're going
to get you kids back. Both your
kids.
Mr. & Ms. Almamatry are happy.
AMY (CONT'D)
And I'm going to order DCF to help
get the Almamatrys on welfare and
to help get them new jobs.
SYACAMORE
Your Honor... As you, yourself said
DCF is already overloaded... We
don't have the time to be getting
people on welfare.
AMY
It's either going to be that or
these kids go into the system. Now
look at how that will affect your
understaffed department.
INT. EXAMINER - DAY
Vincent stands in a line in front of the editor's desk.
The person talking to the editor leaves and Vincent steps up
and hands the editor the story.
VINCENT
Here's the final.
EDITOR
So...?
VINCENT
So what?
EDITOR
So what did you find?
VINCENT
He's guilty.
EDITOR
Good job, Gray.
VINCENT
Yeah.
Vincent is not as happy about how the story turned out. With
his head down, Vincent leaves the office.
INT. GRAY HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT
Amy walks in through the door still with her coat on and her
bag over her shoulder. She starts to take stuff off and put
it down.
AMY
Mom... Lauren... Vincent...
Peter?... anyone?
Realizing she is alone a grin comes over her face.
CUT TO:
INT. GRAY HOUSE/LIVING ROOM
Amy plops down on the couch with a bag of popcorn.
She turns on the TV with the remote and starts watching a
classic comedy.
The camera then begins to swing around the couch as she leans
her head down.
As the camera comes around the couch the sound fades to a
different show.
When the camera is back to the front of the couch Amy is
fully laying down with a blanket over her.
She awakens.
She looks at a clock.
INSERT CLOCK:
Clock reads "11:32"
BACK TO SCENE.
INT. GRAY HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT
Amy walks into the kitchen with the blanket wrapped around
her.
She goes to the freezer and takes out some Ben & Jerry's.
Amy walks over to get a spoon.
But as she is peeling off the top Maxine walks in wearing a
bath robe and has her hair down.
MAXINE
Put it back Amy.
AMY
(Whining)
But Ma...
MAXINE
If all you ate for dinner was
popcorn don't expect to be eating
any desert... Sit down and I'll
make you dinner.
Maxine takes the ice cream away from her and Amy goes to sit
at the bar.
At the refrigerator Maxine gets out leftovers.
MAXINE (CONT'D)
How was your day Amy?
AMY
My day? As soon as I got home I
fell asleep... What does that
say?... Can't I have just a little
ice cream ma?
MAXINE
No.
AMY
I think I loved dad the most.
MAXINE
That's alright dear... you're not
my favorite either... Vincent is.
AMY
I get that a lot... You know I
talked to Lauren... She loves
Leesha the most... God, Leesha's
such a-
MAXINE
Amy!
Maxine is pointing at Amy with a big wooden spoon.
MAXINE (CONT'D)
I raised you better then that. If
you use that word in this house,
you're not getting any ice cream.
AMY
(Thinks about it)
...such a bitch.
MAXINE
Was it worth it?
Amy doesn't answer but just looks at Maxine and makes a grin
that says "It was worth a gallon of Ben and Jerry's."
Maxine just laughs and goes back to her cooking.
FADE TO BLACK:
END ACT IV
THE END
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