refusing to kick the bucket

8/14/2019 Refusing to Kick the Bucket

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SOULSBY PRODUCTIONS FILM CORPORATION

"REFUSING TO KICK THE BUCKET"

An Original Screenplay

Written by

Andrew Soulsby

1st Draft script

2008 Andrew Soulsby


2/121

"REFUSING TO KICK THE BUCKET"

FADE IN:

LONG EXTERIOR SHOT OF CITY #1.

EXT. PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY

A well dressed man is taking a long walk across the

stage towards a Podium in front of thousands of people.

The crowd are extremely loud with cheers.

JACK

Good morning America.

TITLE: REFUSING TO KICK THE BUCKET

MONTAGE:

EXT. PRESS CONFERENCE DAY

You see press footage of Governor going up to a podium

to loud cheers.

From a different angle of press footage clip you see a

different perspective of JACK at the podium.

JACK

If you vote for me, by my word ofhonour we can improve this humble

state and reclaim the glory and

respect it once had and deserves.

Crowd cheers.

JACK (CONT'D)

Because as a proud home grown man

of this state, I and I'm sure many

of you, are sick of seeing and

letting politicians spew promises

and sometimes down right lies tothere public and getting away with

it. I will stand by my word. I

will not let you down. Vote for me

and gain trust in your government.

Vote for me cause I will not talk

down to you. Vote for me because I

will not belittle you. Vote for me

because I will not hide the truth

from you. Vote for me and God as

my witness I swear... I will do


3/121

"REFUSING TO KICK THE BUCKET" 2.

everything in my power to restore

the pride and communal spirit that

are fathers and grandfathers

fought for. God bless you and god

bless America.

Crowd cheers as JACK walks away.

NEWS READER #1 (V.O)

Its coming up to voting day and

going in it seems Mr. Vanes strict

view's on crime and immigration

have really rallied support...

promising he will pass legislation

to cut back crime by 20 percent in

the first 6 months of his term if

he gets elected and I don't know

about the rest of the voters out

there but I for one am backing Mr.

Vane... He's got my vote. He's

earned it.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE JACKS PENTHOUSE - DAY

Press footage shows crowds cheering At JACK getting

into a limo.

JACK turns and waves.


Its official JACK VANE has now

been elected... Governor VANE.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET NEAR JACKS PENTHOUSE - DAY

JACK is walking down the street surrounded by

bodyguards they are trying to get through a gathering

of press.

NEWS REPORTER #1 fights his way to the front of a

crowd and shouts for the attention of a JACK who is

entering a office building.

BODYGUARD #1

Can you step back please sir.

JACK

No its okay let him through.


4/121


NEWS REPORTER #1

Governor VANE, how does it feel to

finally be elected?

JACK

Well its just feels good now I can

finally start helping people. Yerit feels good to finally get my

plans in action.

The press goes wild but the bodyguards get JACK

through and into the office building.

NEWS READER #1(V.O)

Its been 3 months now since

Governor Vane got elected and no

word now on any of the promises he

made during his election run being

for-filled.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOLF COURSE DAY

JACK is standing on a golf course. A group of press is

standing near by.

PRESS REPORTER #2

Sir, Sir the people are getting

impatient when are we gonna see

these changes you promised.

JACK

Well I've been getting things in

line until this point but I assure

you that we'll start seeing big

changes...

JACK takes a swing and watches his ball sail off into

the distance.

JACK (CONT'D)

Very, very soon.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRESS CONFERENCE DAY

You see press footage of Governor at a podium to loud

Boos from the crowd.


5/121


JACK

I know that you people are getting

impatient and I can see your point

of view, however these changes

take time, a little longer than I

though but on my word...

HECKLER #1

Your word means nothing!

JACK

Just give me time.

HECKLER #2

you've had enough time.

JACK

Just listen and I'll explain...

The crowd erupts into boos and irate screams.

NEWS READER #1(V.O)

It has just came to light today

that The new Governor, is an

atheist. Now ladies and gentleman

I'm not saying there is anything

wrong with being an atheist but Is

it not misleading and some would

say down right blasphemous for an

atheist to say a statement such as

god bless America and even going

so far to swear by god which

Governor Vane has done frequently

throughout his speeches and

debates, Even with that said...

How far can we trust a man who

swears by a god... He doesn't even

believe in. well in this reporters

opinion not very far at all...

CUT TO:

EXT. CAR PARK OUTSIDE DAY

JACK is getting into his car.

A crowd appears out of no where and throws eggs at JACK

ANGRY MAN #1

Hey Mr Governor that's what we

think of your word.

The crowd runs off.


6/121



Its been 7 months now and not only

has Governor Vane not for-filled

any of his promises but in fact

crime has actually risen since his

term and now we are defiantly

seeing a growing unpopularity withthe once popular Governor Vane. My

question is what is going through

The Governors head as he sits in

his office knowing that we as the

public are not prepared to take

his lies any more.

END MONTAGE:

FADE TO:

INT. THE HEAD OFFICE - DAY

The back of a high backed office chair can be seen,

you can not see the character but you can make out

that there is a figure sitting there.

You can hear the typing of the keyboard and the

clicking of a mouse.

TONY (O.S)

Sir remember that you have to be

at that press conference this

morning at 11...

TONY enters and stands formally behind of the chair

and adjusts his appearance.

TONY (CONT'D)

So we should go over the agenda as

soon as possible. Get you prepared

and briefed. You know so you don't

get caught off guard with any

questions again. Especially when

it comes to your on your position

on the increase of crime in this

state since the new administration

has taken over...

You can hear that the typing stops.


7/121


TONY waits for a response and doesn't get and the room

goes silent one takes a step closer to the chair and

looks worried.

TONY (CONT'D)

Sir is everything ok?

TONY pauses for a second and waits for a response

which he doesn't get.

TONY (CONT'D)

Sir we really should start

preparing for this conference its

quite crucial to are image. We've

taking a battering the last few

months but now is the time to

really start cleaning this mess up.

TONY looks even more worried and takes yet another

step forward.

TONY (CONT'D)

Sir...sir... JACK!

JACK (O.C)

Ever feel like your throwing your

life away.

TONY

ermmm... Sir?

JACK

You know like none of this shit

matters.

TONY

Well sometimes sir but... mostly

when I'm spending time trying to

get you prepared for a press

conference...

TONY laughs but notice when the room goes silent againthat JACK may not have appreciated that joke.

TONY (CONT'D)

*clears throat* Sorry, not often

sir... why?


8/121


JACK spins his chair and faces TONY.

JACK

They don't care.

TONY

Who doesn't care sir.

JACK

Nobody cares, nobody could give a

shit about what I do, if I decide

to clamp down on crime or ease up

on it... nobody cares.

TONY

But sir...

JACK stands up and stands next to TONY.

JACK

And I can tell you something

now... they shouldn't care,

because if they think I have any

power, there wrong, there just

wrong.

TONY

Come on you've worked hard to get

here just do the press conference

and we'll get this mess sorted outand then we can focus on your

goals.

JACK starts pacing the floor.

JACK

HA my goals don't make me laugh, I

don't have power to do what I said

I would, what I promised I'd do

for all those people out there.

JACK walks over to the window and gestures.

TONY

Of course you do... look where we

are... you made it your a

Governor... its what you wanted...

JACK your wrong you do have the

power now... you do. Now you can

deliver what you've been


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promising. you can, you really

can... your not just another

politician pedalling shit now.

Your Governor for Christ sake

listen to me.

JACKNo you listen to me I don't have

the power I thought I would when I

got in to this position,but I

don't have the power I should...

the power I've earned. This isn't

what I wanted.

TONY

This is what you wanted.

JACK

No... No. its what I thought I

wanted but I'm just another

slave... another slave like

everyone else. Where all slaves,

none of us are free none of us has

any real freedom and the only

reason they think where free is

because they want us to think

where free, so we don't rebel and

meanwhile the world as we know it

is becoming smaller. more

confined. Were always being

watched by some one, where always

being listened into by someone so

don't you talk to me like you know

power... ha power and then I get

egged on the streets because I

haven't cut down on the crime or I

haven't fixed the pot hole down

there streets or I haven't

implicated a better education plan

or health plan... well I tell you

why because it cant be done, there

is no one man who can change astate especially with the power we

have now, Ha or rather lack of it

so forget about changing a

country. DO you know who the most

powerful man in the country is.

TONY goes to answer the question but jack stops him.

JACK (CONT'D)

Well I don't know who it is but I

tell you who isn't... the


10/121


president. Oh no, not the

president. The fools out there

think he is but he's not. You know

who he is, he's just another

puppet. The front man for the guy

behind the curtain. Yes the guy

behind the curtain he's the manmaking all the decisions and there

all made for his personal agenda.

So they invent a reason for a war

to suit THE MANS agenda who

knows why. Oil... I mean I don't

know... I don't know why we are in

this war but I tell you we are not

fighting a war for the reasons

they tell us we are. We aren't

using war to make peace... how

anyone ever bought that is a joke.

Jack sits down on his chair and adjusts his tie.

JACK (CONT'D)

So then we all get together and

refocus are agenda make sure

people can't catch us off guard

with a question... because god

help us if the people ever find

out the truth and without truth

how can we ever live in freedom?

Land of the free home of the

brave... HA.

TONY looks at jack in awe and confusion.

TONY

So would you like me to reschedule

your conference to a later date?

JACK

Ha... that would be lovely.

TONY

You know you do this ever time you

have a press conference.

JACK stands up and walks past TONY without looking at

him and bumps his shoulder passing him and continues

unaffected out the door.


11/121


INT. THE SECRETARIES OFFICE - DAY

JACK leaves THE HEAD OFFICE and enters THE SECRETARIES

OFFICE TONY follows.

JACK passes walks straight past the Secretary In a

rush.

JESSICA

Sir you have a message.

JACK

I'm talking the day off!

JESSICA

Press conference?

TONY

You bet.

JACK

This isn't just me avoiding

another conference.

JESSICA

But sir this message is quite

important.

JACK stops walking and turns to face JESSICA

JACK

I don't care!

JACK continues walking

JESSICA

JACK It was the hospital.

JACK stops in his tracks and looks taken a back.

With his back to JESSICA.

JACK

Was... was it my results?

JESSICA

Yes.

JACK

What did they say?


12/121


JESSICA

They need to speak to you.

Jack turns and faces TONY who is leaning against the

door frame.

JACK

What do ya think that means is

that good or what?

TONY

I think we should get you down

there, the press will understand.

JACK

Screw the press I was just about

to take the day off to to re

evaluate my political career doyou really think I care about the

press... screw the press.

TONY

So it really wasn't just to avoid

that press conference.

JACK looks down and sighs

TONY (CONT'D)

I'm sorry Sir come on lets go.

JACK looks down in deep thought, but you can tell

there is a hint of worry in his eyes.

TONY (CONT'D)

Come on I'll call us a cab.

JACK

Us?

TONY

Well I'm not gonna let you facethis alone... Oh come on JACK I'm

your friend.

JACK

Well thanks TONY. I really do

appreciate it.


13/121


TONY goes to hug JACK but JACK backs off.

JACK (CONT'D)

You know where not there yet.

TONY

I sensed it.

JACK

Yep, sure ya did.

TONY puts JACKS coat over him and opens the door for

him.

TONY looks back at JESSICA rolls his eyes and mouths

I'm sorry.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR CAANS OFFICE DAY

You can see JACK sitting on the bed at the doctors

office with his legs dangling off the side, kicking

his feet.

DOCTOR CAAN enters smiling and holding a clip board.

DOCTOR CAAN

Ah Mr. Vane how are you this

morning?

JACK

I don't know. That's what I'm here

to find out. Isn't it?

DOCTOR CAAN

Well yes that's what we called you

in here for.

DOCTOR CAAN smile turns to a more serious face as he

looks down at his chart.

DOCTOR CAAN (CONT'D)

Are you sure you want to be alone

for this, you can call your

friend...

JACK

Assistant.


14/121


DOCTOR CAAN looks up for his chart at JACK.

DOCTOR CAAN

Oh, well you can call your

assistant in if it would make you

more comfortable.

JACK

Thank you but I'm fine really.

DOCTOR CAAN looks back down at his chart. Long pause.

JACK (CONT'D)

so... what's the verdict. I mean,

how am I doing.

DOCTOR CAAN closes the chart and sits next to JACK on

the bed.

DOCTOR CAAN

Well I'm gonna level with you Mr.

Vane it isn't good.

JACK

Come on I can take it.

DOCTOR CAAN

Well you have something called

Hairy cell leukaemia.

JACK while looking down looking down.

JACK

Cancer?

DOCTOR CAAN

Yes cancer... and its progressed

to quite a advanced stage, it can

be aggressive but if we get

started with treatment as soon as

possible the survival rate couldbe 70-75 percent. That's quite

good...

JACK looks down stunned and the room goes silent. Long

pause.

DOCTOR CAAN(CONT'D)

I know of course this is going to

be a big shock to you and your


15/121


going to need time to take it all

in but we should really act

immediately on getting you into

your first course of treatment as

soon as possible so if there is

any arrangements you need to

make...

JACK

I'm not going to do any course of

treatments.

long pause.

DOCTOR CAAN

I don't think you understand.

JACKNo I don't think you understand, I

know what those treatments are

like, the radiation, the kimo...

the pain from those treatments

alone can be worse then the pain

of the cancer right?

DOCTOR CAAN

Well some patience find that, but

the cancer itself if left un-

tackled will make you as if not

more uncomfortable.

JACK

What are the symptoms?

DOCTOR CAAN

Well, Weakness, fatigue, weight

loss...

JACK

Oh no not weight loss... please

doc. I could spend to loose a few

pounds.

JACK laughs.

DOCTOR CAAN doesn't he looks even more serious.

DOCTOR CAAN

And recurring infections, you

always be sick... you wont be able

to cope.


16/121


JACK

Don't worry about me.

DOCTOR CAAN

I'm afraid without taking any

course of action you could be as

few as 5 to 6 months.

The room goes quiet again and there is

another long pause


come on... if your not gonna do

this for yourself do it for your

family...

JACK looks at DOCTOR CAAN.

JACK

What family?... I don't have a

family.

DOCTOR CAAN

I'm sorry I was sure you had a kid.

JACK

I did.

Long pause.

DOCTOR CAAN

I'm sorry...

Long pause.

JACK

Its ok...

DOCTOR CAAN

No really I'm sorry.

JACKLook I don't want to talk about

it... Lets just drop it.

DOCTOR

Ok... Then can you do it for your

friends.

JACK

I'm not, gonna do... any

treatment...


17/121


DOCTOR CAAN sighs.

JACK (CONT'D)

What did you think? That you where

really gonna win me round with the

do it for your friends speech.

DOCTOR CAAN

Ah... well.

JACK looks at him accusingly.


Ok... no I didn't.

JACK smiles.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSTPITAL HALLWAY DAY

TONY is trying to keep up with JACK as he walks down

the hallway.

TONY

What he say?

JACK

Oh you know doctors... blah blah

blah.

TONY

Come on. What he say?

JACK

Nothing... I'm gonna be fine.

TONY puts his hand on JACKS shoulder and stop him.

JACK turns to face him.

TONY

Come on what did he say?

Long pause.

JACK

5 months.

TONY

5 months till what?


18/121


JACK

What the hell do you think 5

months till I need another hair

cut. 5 months and that's my lot.

TONY

Whoa! wait a minute I don'tunderstand.

JACK

I'm sorry did I not make it

clear...

JACK clears his trout

JACK (CONT'D)

5 months till I'm having a Dirt

nap, Pushing up the daisies, 5

months till I'm Ceased to be,Stone dead, Gone to meet my maker,

Expired, no more, Deceased, 5

months till I will have to Kick

the bucket.

JACK turns and continues walking.

TONY

But this is all sudden.

JACKYour telling me?

TONY

Why are you just ok with this?

JACK doesn't respond.

TONY (CONT'D)

Well isn't there anything they can

do?

JACKI don't want them to do anything.

TONY

But why?

JACK

see ya.

JACK continues walking at a high pace and with out

looking back waves over his shoulder.


19/121


TONY looks confused and turns and walks the other way

down the corridor.

CUT TO:

INT. JACKS HOME OFFICE NIGHT

You see JACK in the dark with a glass of whiskey in

his hand and a almost empty bottle on the table next

to him

A cigar is slowly burning through in the ash tray next

to him.

The camera slowly zooms in on his shadow covered face

and you cannot make out his expression.

The phone is ringing in the background JACK doesn'tmove...

TONY (V.O)

Answer the phone JACK I know your

their... Come on. You cant hide

from this for ever, your really

gonna have to face this thing at

some point and time...Look I

talked to ...

JACK puts down his glass and presses the button on the

receiver hanging the call up. He picks up his cigarand takes a puff the camera focuses in as if going

through that smoke.

FADE TO:

INT. JACKS OLD HOUSE NIGHT 1973

JACK enters his house and is greeted by a woman who

kisses him on the cheek.

KARENHi nice day at the office Hun.

YOUNG JACK

Actually I have really big news.

KAREN

Actually me too.

YOUNG JACK

Ok you go first.


20/121


YOUNG JACK takes off his jacket and hangs it up on the

back of the door then walks into the kitchen and sits

down with his wife.

KAREN

Well I know we haven't exactly

been planning for this butsometimes god throws you a curve

ball and I think this is gonna be

really great for us and well...

YOUNG JACK

What? Come on Karen what?...

KAREN

Well... I'm pregnant.

They both look at each other in stunned amazement and

KAREN gets up and without saying a word hugs YONG JACKand sits on his lap. KAREN is crying with happiness.

KAREN (CONT'D)

I Wasn't quite how sure you'd take

it but... I'm so happy I know

where probably gonna have to get

married and stuff but, well we can

talk about that later can't we.

KAREN sitting on YOUNG JACKS lap looks into his eyes

and smiles YOUNG JACK stares blankly.

KAREN (CONT'D)

So what was your news?


KAREN (CONT'D)

JACK.

KAREN (CONT'D)

JACK... is everything ok.

END FLASHBACK.

FADE TO:

INT. JACKS HOME OFFICE NIGHT

JACK is still sitting in his office when TONY bursts

in.

TONY

What the hell are you doing?


21/121


JACK jumps up.

JACK

Whoa. What? What's going on?

TONY starts pacing the floor.

JACK (CONT'D)TONY what are doing here? what's

going on?

TONY

I cant believe your gonna do this.

JACK

You almost give me a freaking

heart attack. here what's going on?

TONY

I'm sorry are you okay?

JACK

Am I okay? you burst into my house

and ask if I'm okay? Well let me

think.

JACK looks at his watch

JACK (CONT'D)

its 2.30 in the morning and my

assistant just burst into my

house... well TONY I'm just dandyhow are you?

TONY

I'm fine JACK... thanks. What the

hell are you doing?

JACK

what the hell am I doing? What the

hell are you doing in my house?

TONY

No what the hell are you doingJACK?

JACK

Unbelievable you burst into my

house and at 2.30 ask me what I'm

doing.

TONY

They can help you, let them help

you.


22/121


JACK looks side to side in confusion and sits down.

JACK

I locked the door didn't I.

TONY

How you can just throw your lifeaway and not even attempt to...

JACK

no I'm sure I locked the door. Did

you break in?

TONY

I used the key you gave me for

emergency's.

JACK

I gave you a key.

TONY

JACK?

JACK

I don't remember giving you a key.

TONY

JACK!

JACK

It doesn't sound like something Iwould do.

TONY

JACK!... I talked to DOCTOR CAAN.

Long pause.

JACK

You had no right?

TONY

Oh would you forget about the keyall ready?

JACK stands up.

JACK

I just did. You to talk to my

Doctor!...

TONY

Oh come on I was worried about you.


23/121


JACK

Don't worry about me.

JACK walks over to a side table where a near empty

bottle of whisky and a empty glass sits. JACK refills

his glass with the last of his whiskey.

TONY

Well I do worry about you, JACK

your my friend.

JACK

Wow, we are NOT friends your my

assi...

TONY

Oh enough with this assistant crap

we're friends... like it or not

where friends.

JACK

Ah...

TONY

And you know what?

JACK

What?

TONY

I'm the only friend you've got.

JACK looks at the floor.

TONY

So stop pretending that where not.

Its not fooling anyone. Its not

fooling Jessica.

JACK

Who's JESSICA?

TONY looks at JACK stunned.

TONY

Your secretary.

JACK

Oh!

TONY

How long has she been your

Secretary JACK 3-4 years?


24/121


JACK

I don't care?

TONY

Well...

JACKWell nothing. Look TONY I don't

care I just don't care! When are

you going to to learn I don't

care. I don't care about you I

don't care about about my

Secretary I don't care about what

DOCTOR CAAN thinks is going to

happen to me I don't care about

the people on the street I swear

By god to help. I just don't

care.

TONY

Oh please. Your not really the

cold heart-ed bastard you'd love

everyone to think you are.

JACK

Why do you think I have no friends?

TONY

JACK. You can't do this alone

JACK

Get out!

TONY

JACK you cant hide from this.

JACK

Get out of my house.

TONY walks right up to JACK.

TONY

I know you. I know what your

thinking you fought your way to

the top, on your own. You fought

your way to the top against the

odds. You and you solely built

this empire and won the votes of

your people to get to where you

are... to where you always wanted

to be, on your own... but this you

cant do. This you cant do alone.


25/121


JACK looks down considering what TONY has said and

looks up.

JACK

get out!

TONY looks at jack and shakes his head and raises hishands and walks out.

JACK downs his glass and walks off into the darkness

of his empty house and slowly you can no longer see

him.

CUT TO:

INT. ENTRANCE TO JACKS WORKPLACE DAY

Its the next morning and jack walks in holding his

head with a coffee in one hand and shades on.

DOORMAN #1

Good morning sir!

JACK stops and walks uncomfortably close to DOORMAN #1.

JACK

Is it?

JACK continues on walking along the corridor and into

a lift.

INT. SECRETARIES OFFICE DAY

JACK exits the lift and walks into the SECRETARIES

OFFICE.

JESSICA

Good morning sir how are you today?

JACK

Ah JESSICA!

JESSICA

Yes sir?

JACK

JESSICA JESSICA JESSICA. No... how

are you... JESSICA?

JESSICA

I'm... well sir but more

importantly how are you?


26/121


JACK

Well you know I've been better.

JESSICA grasps jacks hand.

JESSICA

Have you sir why what's wrong?

JACK

I've got a bit of a hang over from

last night I think I drank a bit

to much.

JESSICA

Oh, is that all that's wrong

nothing you wanna tell me?

JACK

No.

JESSICA

No, cause you know I'll be here

for you if there is something you

have to tell me

JACK

No I've got nothing to tell you.

JESSICA

Are you sure you've got nothing to

tell me about?

JACK

Wait what are you doing?

JESSICA

Nothing I'm was just asking how

you are.

JACK

Oh my god he told you, didn't he?

JESSICAI swear he was just trying to help.

JACK

How could telling you possibly

help.

JESSICA

Ok he didn't tell me cause he

thought I could help you I forced

it out of him.


27/121


JACK holds his head in his hands and turns away from

JESSICA.

JACK

For god sakes, it had nothing to

TONY and it has nothing to do with

you.

JESSICA

Your right, your right but you

know if you ever need anyone to

talk to...

JACK

Yes whatever I can talk to you.

JESSICA

Well I was gonna say the suicide

hotline is just a Google searchaway.

JACK

Ha ha ha. Have I got any messages

then... today.

JESSICA

yes sir you have 3 and I'm afraid

you still gonna have to do a press

conference on the crime situation

at some point and...

TONY enters.

The room goes silent.

JACK

Ah TONY good morning.

TONY

Good morning sir.

JACK

Anything you wanna say?

TONY

Oh yeah look about last night, I

know there's a line and maybe I

crossed it but...

JACK

What do you mean last night?

nothing happened last night.


28/121


TONY

What?

JACK

I'm mean do you want to brief me

on this press conference I have

been scheduled for.

TONY

Oh, oh, yes of course.

JACK

Good.

JACK turns to walk away

TONY

So about last night.

JACK

Last night didn't happen.

TONY

But we cant just ignore it.

JACK walks up JACK

JACK

listen to me when I say this, last

night didn't happen.

TONY

Right ok you go in there and get

ready and I'll get the briefing

notes from JESSICA.

INT. THE HEAD OFFICE DAY

JACK walks in to his office, shuts the door and sits

down without putting the light on and holds his head

in his hands.

Its dark as the blinds and curtains are shut JACK is

only visible by the light coming in from the glass on

his office leading to the SECRETARIES OFFICE.

FADE TO:

EXT. FRONT YARD JACKS OLD HOUSE DUSK 1973


29/121


You cans see removal men taking boxes away in the

background YOUNG JACK approaches KAREN.

KAREN

You know you don't have to do

this.

YOUNG JACK

You know I do.

KAREN

Your being selfish.

YOUNG JACK

That's exactly why I have to leave

you.

KAREN

What your leaving me because yourbeing selfish?

YOUNG JACK

No I'm leaving you because I am

selfish and as much of a cold

heart-ed son of a bitch I am I

don't want to ruin your life.

KAREN

Let me make that decision not you.

I know your selfish. I know your

arrogant. I know that you thishouse isn't big enough for me you

and your ego but I love you, I

wish I didn't but I do.

YOUNG JACK

I was, that's why I was with you

because it was your decision to

stay with me.

KAREN

What's changed?

YOUNG JACK

Your not just making a decision

for yourself now your making one

for your baby to.

KAREN

Our baby.

YOUNG JACK

Not any more.


30/121


KAREN

Oh so it's the baby.

KAREN starts to cry hard she covers her face

there is a long pause

KAREN

Well there are ways... Of getting

rid of them you know.

YOUNG JACK

Stop that now! you've always

wanted a baby,that's not what you

want.

KAREN

JACK I want you, I'd throw it all

away for you.

YOUNG JACK

I'm not worth it.

KAREN

I know your not. Your sleazy and

old fashioned and charmless power

hungry and arrogant and I hate

you. But I love you. I know it

makes no sense but I love you

JACK... and what Your gonna throw

that all away and leave me and mybaby for a job?

YOUNG JACK

Look KAREN I'm poison, I'm sick of

hurting you and if I was gonna

stay that's what I would do.

YOUNG JACK wipes KARENS tears

YOUNG JACK (CONT'D)

I love you, I hope you know that.

KAREN

Ha.... do you know there was a

time back when we first started

dating and I said I love you.

JACK

Of course I do.


31/121


KAREN

You know that you never returned

it. Not once have you told me you

love me, not once. Ha and do you

know what the funny thing is, it

got to the point that I thought

you where incapable of love... andyet I stood by you.

YOUNG JACK

So did I until I realized to truly

love some one I have to do the

best thing for them. The best

thing I can do your You is let you

go. SO I guess what I'm trying to

say is for me to be able to love

you I have to let you go.

KAREN shakes her head

YOUNG JACK (CONT'D)

I now as I leave you. I know what

love is and I know I will never

love anyone or anything as much as

I loved you. No matter how far a

climb, how big my empire gets It

will all be nothing to you.

KAREN goes to hug JACK

YOUNG JACK

Don't, because I know if you hug

me I wont ever want to leave go.

Goodbye KAREN, I hope for your

sake you never see me again.

JACK runs up to the back moving truck that had been

putting his stuff on in the background and jumps on.

KAREN chases after him but the truck starts driving

away.

KAREN

No! No! No! Don't leave, you don't

have to do this, please you don't

have to do this please.

The camera focuses on Karen and she gives up chancing

and falls to her knees sobbing.

END FLASHBACK.

FADE TO:


32/121


INT. THE HEAD OFFICE DAY

TONY enters with a pad full of notes.

TONY

Right ready, lets get started.

JACK

Wait a second... Just wait a

second I've got something to tell

you sit down.

TONY sits across the table from JACK

JACK (CONT'D)

Listen I want to apologize for the

other day I was just a bit

TONY

A bit what?

JACK

well you know.

TONY

No I don't want to explain it to

me.

JACK

Stop making this so hard on me. I

was being a bit of... a...

TONY

Prick.

JACK

Come on now, I'm still your boss.

TONY

Yes well you where being one

of those.

JACK

Well I might be a prick now but I

wasn't always like that...

TONY

You don't have to explain your

self to me or anyone else for that

matter.


33/121


JACK

Well maybe I don't need to but I

want to.

TONY

There's only one thing I want to

know about you.

JACK

Go on.

TONY

Why wont you try the treatment?

JACK looks blankly and the room goes silent.

there's a long pause.

TONYLook if you don't want to answer

the question don't.

JACK

I wasn't always like this I used

to be nice, I had a fianc and

family but its this job you know

it turns you into something, Its

turned me into something I never

wanted to be. Something I hate.

TONYListen in the last few days I've

learned something about you. Your

a coward who hides from your

emotions because your scared of

the pain of getting hurt,now

you've shown me that I don't care

how you've got to the way you are

because you are simply incapable

of change so maybe your right,

maybe I am just your assistant.

JACK looks hurt but is holding back his pain as he

gives a slight nod

TONY (CONT'D)

So we best get on with this

meeting ay.

JACK gives a slight nod to TONY


34/121


TONY (CONT'D)

Right so we should started by

planning your responses to the

inevitable questions on crime....

CUT TO:

EXT. PRESS CONFERENCE - DAY

JACK walks out to a crowd of press. Its very loud.

JACK walks up to the podium and knocks the microphone

to get the press to shut up

room goes quite.

JACK straightens up his notes and clears his thought

JACKLadys and gentlemen we all know

that crime has risen in last year

as it has been rising steadily for

the last decade, but we must keep

it is perspective...

A member of the press pushes his way to the front.

REPORTER #1

Sir what of this news that you

have cancer

JACK looks shocking and and goes silent.

TONY walks out from where he was hidden of the camera

and walks up to the microphone.

TONY

Sorry the Governor will not be

taking questions

JACK looks at TONY and gestures for him to go back.

TONY edges off camera.

JACK

Yes we wont be disguising that in

this conference. Now where was i...

another member of the press steps in front.

REPORTER #2

So is it true?


35/121


JACK

Listen we already told you we

aren't going to talk about it,

don't make me pull a no comment

on you

The crowds laugh.

JACK

So where was I.

JACK looks down at his notes and starts moving them

around.

Of screen TONY says

TONY (V.O)

Crime.

JACK looks at TONY and nods

JACK

So like I was saying if you put

the rise in crime that's taking

place in the last complete of

years in perspective you'll...

see... right ok I was diagnosed

with Hairy cell leukaemia they've

given 5 maybe 6 months.

REPORTER #2

So sir isn't there anything they

can do?

JACK

No more question please.

CROWD

But sir, sir.

Walks up to the microphone again.

TONY

No more question, we wont be

taking any more questions sir.

JACK pushes TONY of camera.

JACK

Ok look I'm not gonna get any

treatment.


36/121


REPORTER 1#

Why

JACK

because, because I don't know.

CROWD(In audible shouting)

TONY

This conference is over.

TONY rushes JACK of the stage and they walk of shot

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY 1# - DAY

TONY and JACK are walking done a hallway back inside.

TONY

What where you doing out there.

JACK

My job.

TONY

We told them you weren't taking

questions so you didn't have to

tell them anything.

JACK

Why does it mater

TONY grabs JACKS shoulder and stops him walking.

TONY

Why doesn't it matter.

JACK

listen you want to know the truth.

TONYYes.

JACK

Because I'm not gonna die.

TONY

What.

JACK

I'm not gonna die.


37/121


TONY

I don't understand, why aren't you

gonna die have they found a cure.

JACK

What for cancer I think you would

of heard about it.

TONY

Then what.

JACK

I don't know it hard to explain

TONY

Try me.

JACK

Well do you no when the doctortold me in was gonna die.

TONY

yes.

JACK

well I don't believe him.

TONY

What, you think he lied.

JACKNo of course not, I know he thinks

I'm gonna die but I'm not.

TONY

What are you talking about?

JACK continues walking

TONY (CONT'D)

wait a second.

JACK turns around

JACK

I've got nothing more to say.

TONY

Sir with all due respect I think

you've gone insane.

JACK

Oh well it happens.


38/121


TONY

I mean real Doctor Strangelove

style.

JACK

Doctor Strangelove wasn't crazy

was he?

TONY

I meant the general from the movie

doctor Strangelove.

JACK

Oh... well its a great movie.

TONY

I mean come on he's a doctor.

JACKAh Doctors.

TONY

In fact he's a damn good doctor,

not likely to get his diagnoses

wrong.

JACK

He better be good for the amount

of money I'm paying.

TONYand your gonna trust, what your

gut over him.

JACK

I'm not gonna die.

TONY

Look I know facing your own

mortality can be hard but they can

help you if you let them.

JACKI'm not sure I want to have this

conversation with you right now.

TONY

Ok we'll talk later.

JACK

But mom do we have to?


39/121


TONY

Yes.

JACK

ohhhh

JACK turns and starts walking away TONY stays still

TONY

Look I have to go sort something

out I see you at your office at

about...

JACK looks at his watch

TONY (CONT'D)

4.

JACKOk!

CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR CAANS WAITING ROOM DAY

DOCTOR CAANS rushing around busy reading files and re-

arranging

TONY is following him from place to place trying to

speak to him.

TONY

Doctor

DOCTOR CAANS still moving about busy.

TONY (CONT'D)

Doctor can I please just have a

quick word with you.

DOCTOR CAAN

I am very busy right now can youcome back later or make an

appointment.

TONY

Please I just need to ask you

something really quick.

DOCTOR CAAN

If I just gave everyone a moment

of my time I would never leave

here.


40/121


TONY

Yes I know but its important.

DOCTOR CAAN

Is it an emergency?

TONYYes.

DOCTOR CAAN

Then I suggest you go to the

emergency room.

TONY

Look its about JACK.

DOCTOR CAAN stops what he's doing and looks at TONY

DOCTOR CAAN

Go through to room 1. I'll be

there in a minute.

TONY

Thank you.

CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR CAANS OFFICE DAY

DOCTOR CAAN enters and then shuts the door and stands

inside by the door.

TONY is sitting on a stool looking down. (long pause)

DOCOTOR CAAN

Well.

TONY looks up and stands up.

TONY

Oh sorry, I was lost there for a

second.

DOCOTOR CAAN

You said that there was something

wrong with JACK.

TONY

Yes he's been acting real weird.

DOCTOR CAAN

You pulled me off my clinic duty

for acting weird?


41/121


TONY

No you don't get it, I was with

him a couple of hours ago and I

finally got him to tell me why he

didn't want the treatment.

DOCTOR CAANLook, he told me that he's scared

of the pain of the treatment

that's no uncommon, some people

feel that...

TONY

No its not that he just said that

for an excuse.

DOCTOR CAAN

Well some people don't want to

mess with there gods will.

TONY

no...

DOCTOR CAAN

or sometimes they feel like there

messing with their destiny.

TONY

But?

DOCTOR CAAN

Maybe JACK'S just ready to die.

TONY

NO!

DOCTOR CAAN

Well what else could it be.

TONY

Listen to me I was talking to him

and he said he wont get the

treatment because he doesn't

believe you.

DOCTOR CAAN

What why? Have I proved myself

untrustworthy?

TONY

No its not necessarily you...


42/121


DOCTOR CAAN

I always thought of me and JACK...

well hell as... friends

TONY

You don't understand.

DOCTOR CAAN

What exactly did I do to annoy him.

TONY

Wow your insecure. Its not you he

doesn't believe, its the prognosis.

DOCTOR CAAN

Oh well I can redo all the tests.

TONY

Its not the test.

DOCTOR CAAN

What a second opinion? well I can

suggest a few good colleges but I

assure you my prog...

TONY

No its not that either.

DOCTOR CAAN

Then I'm afraid I don't understand.

TONY

Well actually neither do I. He

said he doesn't think that the

results aren't true or that your a

bad doctor and he is sure that you

fully think he is going to die but

his gut is telling him he's not

going to.

DOCTOR CAAN smiles and sits down

DOCTOR CAANOh of course.

TONY

What, what, what do you know the

problem?

DOCTOR CAAN

Yes its obvious now, it clearly

just denial. It happens sometimes

but if it is just denial he'll


43/121


come around. It really nothing to

worry about.

TONY

Well is there anything I can do to

speed him along.

DOCTOR CAAN

Well no he should snap out of it

eventually, but you could get the

point across that trying couldn't

hurt.

DOCTOR CAAN stands up and goes to open the door.


Look I've got to go, give JACK my

wishes and stop worrying it

happens.

TONY

Well thanks have a nice...

DOCTOR CAAN leaves.

TONY (CONT'D)

Day.

CUT TO:INT. THE HEAD OFFICE DAY

JACK is sitting in a chair squeezing a lump of play

doe and chewing good on with his feet on his desk.

TONY rushes in flustered.

TONY

Hi.

JACK points to the time on his computer Monitor

JACKYour late.

TONY

Yer I'm sorry about that.

JACK

You are?

TONY

Yes


44/121


JACK

Are you feeling alright?

TONY

Yes why?

JACKyou do realize your supposed to be

annoyed with me?

TONY

What? Oh yeah I'm over that I'm

gonna let you do what you wanna do.

JACK

Your over it? I'm gonna die and

your over it.

TONY

what you said you weren't going to

die.

JACK

Well no, but from your

perspective...

TONY

Hey do you wanna grab lunch your

paying.

JACK looks extremely confused.

JACK

Sure... where?

TONY

Anywhere expensive, your paying.

TONY picks up JACK's coat and passes it to him.

JACK stands up and collects the coat

JACK

I knew there was a catch.

TONY laughs

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE OFFICE AFTERNOON


45/121


JACK and TONY are waiting outside for a Taxi

TONY

So where we going?

JACK

Where would you like to go?

TONY

I'm not fussy.

JACK

MacDonald's then.

TONY

What?

JACK

Well I'm paying aren't I

TONY

HA, HA, HA... seriously though

where we going.

JACK

Nivarinas?

TONY

Yer sure

JACK looks at TONY shocked

JACK

What? You hate Nivarinas.

TONY

I said I'm not bothered

JACK

Well where not going to Nivarinas.

TONY

Why?

JACK

Because I don't fucking like

Nivarinas its sewage.

TONY

Then why did you suggest it.


46/121


JACK

Because more importantly I know

you think its fucking sewage.

TONY

So why would you suggest a

restaurant you don't like and youknow I don't like?

JACK

No the better question is why

would you agree to go to a

restaurant that you hate?

TONY

Oh my god, JACK where going to

dinner... why every time we go out

socially you have to analyse every

thing I do like I'm the Enigma

machine.

TONY steps out and looks down the road.

TONY (CONT'D)

Oh, lets just walk

TONY starts walking. JACK looks at him fascinated the

catches up with him.

JACK

First off Its phrases like everytime we go out socially that

makes people thing your gay and

second off...

TONY

What? Who thinks I'm gay.

JACK looks at him as if he's stupid.

TONY (CONT'D)

Who?

JACK

I may as well tell you who doesn't

its a shorter list.

TONY

Ahhhh.

JACK

and secondly...


47/121


TONY

I know its been a slow year for me

but for people to think I'm gay.

JACK

Slow? Slow? More like none

existent. Anyway...

TONY

Hey when was the last time you had

a lady?

JACK

what are you talking about? All

the time.

TONY

Not a hooker.

JACK

Anyway! Secondly ever since you

had something to do this this

morning you've been acting really

weird.

TONY

How?

JACK

Well before the interview you

seemed to be really annoyed withme about, well you know the hole

death thing or lack of death

thing...

TONY roles his eyes.

JACK (CONT'D)

And now.

TONY

What?

JACK

Well you've been really nice...

TONY

Nice?

JACK

Yer.


48/121


TONY

Nice?

JACK

Yer.

TONYOh well Sherlock you've got me,

I've been much nicer to you after

I've had to do something earlier

yes.

JACK

So you admit it.

TONY

No! there's nothing to admit.

JACKreally?

TONY

Yes.

JACK

Look at me.

They both stop walking.

JACK (CONT'D)

Really?

TONY looks down and thinks for a second.

TONY

Ok I talked to DOCTOR CAAN again.

JACK

Again? After we had that huge

argument about the first time you

violated my human right of doctor

patient confidentiality and also

ended are social relationship asmy acquaintance.

TONY

Yes again after all that... sorry.

JACK

Oh that's ok then.

JACK starts walking again.


49/121


TONY

What seriously?

JACK stops walking and turns around.

JACK

No! No not seriously.

TONY puts his hands on his head and turns his back to

JACK.

JACK (CONT'D)

I knew there was something fishy

going on.

TONY turns back to face JACK.

JACK (CONT'D)

and just when I was starting tothink you might have got over it.

TONY sighs.

JACK (CONT'D)

Why again

TONY

I'm sorry.

JACK

No I mean why did you see himagain not why did you betray me

TONY goes to speak but is stopped

JACK (CONT'D)

Which you did.

TONY

I needed to find out something.

JACK

What else is there to know aboutme?

TONY

Oh this wasn't about you

JACK

What? Then who was it about.


50/121


TONY

Well, I have this friend and I

just wanted to ask DOCTOR CAANS

opinion on they way he has been

acting lately.

JACKOh? So this friend how has he been

acting?

TONY

Well see he has quite recently

been diagnosed with cancer.

JACK

Ah.

TONY

And this he, well he really isquite foolish.

JACK

How is he being foolish TONY?

TONY

Well for some bizarre reason he

doesn't believe his doctors

prognosis.

JACK

Well what did DOCTOR CAAN Sa...

TONY

and this friend well he refuses to

believe that he will die.

JACK

Ok, I get your point.

TONY

And this friend doesn't realize If

he doesn't do something now. he

will die.

JACK

Right ok.

TONY

I mean this friend or moron if you

will has this real god complex and

doesn't think its possible that he

can die.


51/121


JACK

Ok stop.

TONY

And he is so widely self absorbed

in his own denial that he actually

thinks he will live forever.

JACK

Ok

TONY

So yer... this guy actually thinks

he can avoid... well... avoid

kicking the bucket.

JACK

Stop it! Stop it! I don't need totake this crap from you.

TONY

What are you talking about? JACK I

was just talking about my friend,

but where not friends are we no we

're just associates, aren't we?

JACK

You know what screw you and one

more thing where were we walking

to... we hadn't decided on a

restaurant yet... idiot.

JACK starts walking back again.

TONY

So what are you gonna do run

away,run away like your gonna run

away from death. Well see where

that gets you.

JACK hail a taxi and and opens the door and looks at

TONY

TONY (CONT'D)

It's not gonna work, your just

proving yourself a coward.

JACK shuts the gets in the taxi and shuts the door.


52/121


TONY (CONT'D)

Coward. That's right coward.

The taxi pull away.

TONY (CONT'D)

Yes run away Coward. RUN AWAY! YOUCOWARD!

FADE TO:

INT. JACKS LIVING ROOM NIGHT

JACK is in the dark and the only light in the room is

coming off the TV and it is illuminating him. He is

looking through a picture album and turns to one

particular page and with a picture of his wife and him

hugging.

The camera focuses in on this picture.

JACK slides the picture out of the plastic wallet it

is in and pulls out a letter Entitled Your Daughter.

JACK (V.O)

I have never opened this letter to

this day. I don't quite no why.

I'm not sure if its that if I readthis letter and learned about my

daughter I'd want to meet her. I

can never let that happen. If I

was ever to meet my daughter she

would just end up getting hurt.

She would just end up getting hurt

like anyone I've ever let into my

life. There's a reason I don't let

TONY to close to me. Its not that

I don't like him, In fact its

because I like him to much. I

would never admit it to him buthe's my best friend. Hell even

with keeping him at arms length he

still ends up getting poisoned. I

don't know if there's a god up

their, In fact I'm fairly sure

there ain't... but if He is real

and sitting on his big cloud in

the sky I'd love to ask him why...

why me... why pick on me. Call me

unlucky, hexed or Jinxed but when


53/121


it comes to human relationships

I'm the devil. Maybe its on a

physiological level or maybe my

parents screwed me up or even if

its just that I was born with out

a religious man would call a soul

but anyway it seems to be I justain't right. I now it comes to

this... opening a letter that I

swore I would never open. I don't

know why I'm doing it but I am.

JACK opens the letter

KAREN (V.O)

Today I had our baby. I didn't

have time to name her, she was

taken away from me to fast.

Although you wish for me never to

refer to it as your baby she had

some of you in her. I really need

to see you, other wise I don't

know what I'll do. They say she is

very sick. Please you need to

come, I need to see you. I've

never been able to get you out my

mind since you left. You where

right when you said you would

never love again I know I wont. I

would rather go through my lifeliving in the misery that you

cause me then the misery I feel

without you. Please come back. I

need you now more than ever. We

can work out away for this to work

and the baby will be fine and so

will everything else if you just

come back.

Yours always KAREN.

You can see JACKs hand start to shake as he finishesreading the letter

JACK

No, NO, NO, NO!

JACK stands up and falls against the wall.

JACK (CONT'D)

She needed me. She needed me. SHE

NEEDED ME!


54/121


JACK throws his glass against the wall and turns over

the coffee table.

JACK (CONT'D)

It was for the best, It was for

the best. I couldn't let myself

ruin her life it was for the goddamn best.

JACK slides down the wall and sits down

JACK (CONT'D)

But what if it wasn't. I wish I

could see her one more time. Just

once more.

JACK heavily breathing puts his hands on his head and

sinks into his knees.

CUT TO:

INT. THE SECRETARIES OFFICE - DAY

TONY walks in holding a cup of coffee and a newspaper

under his arm

JESSICA is typing on her computer behind her test.

TONY walks through the door and into THE SECRETARIES

OFFICE

TONY

Morning

JESSICA

Good morning TONY

TONY keeps walking straight into THE HEAD OFFICE.

The camera stays on JESSICA who stands up and peaks at

TONY walking into THE HEAD OFFICE.

TONY (V.O)GOD DAMN IT!

JESSICA sits down and gets back to work.

TONY storms back into THE SECRETARIES OFFICE.

TONY (CONT'D)

Snappily

Where is he.


55/121


JESSICA

Well...

TONY

Snappily

He didn't show up today did he?

JESSICA

Nope.

TONY

Did you ring him?

JESSICA

Yep.

TONY

Did he answer?

JESSICA

Nope.

TONY

Leave a message?

JESSICA

Yep.

TONY

He Reply?

JESSICA

Nope.

TONY

Does he have a lot to do today?

JESSICA

Yep.

TONY

You worried?

JESSICA

Nope.

TONY keeps on walking straight across the THE

SECRETARIES OFFICE.

JESSICA (CONT'D)

Going to get him?


56/121


TONY

Yep.

JESSICA

Think its a good idea?

TONYNope.

JESSICA

Are you worried?

TONY

Worried if he's ok or worried if

about what evens gonna do when I

try and go get him.

JESSICA turns her head to one side and looks at TONY

like he's stupid.

TONY (CONT'D)

Ok both would mean yes.

JESSICA laughs and rolls her eyes.

TONY exits.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE JACKS PENTHOUSE DAY

TONY presses his ear against the door to JACKS

PENTHOUSE.

TONY cant hear anything and takes out his key gingerly.

TONY goes to put the key in the lock carefully but

stops.

TONY pushes his ear against the door again.

TONY wipes his forehead.

TONY

Oh come on this is ridiculous

what's he gonna do.

TONY goes to put the key in the lock again but again

cant force himself to do it.


57/121


TONY (CONT'D)

For god sakes TONY your such a

fucking coward.

TONY goes down on to his knees and looks under the

door.

POSH WOMAN #1 walks along the hallway with her dog and

sees TONY.

POSH WOMAN #1 walks up to TONY and stands along side

him and looks at him with a scolding look.

TONY notices and slowly looks up at her while still on

his hands and knees.

TONY (CONT'D)

It's not what it looks like.

POSH WOMAN #1

Is that JACK VANES the Governors

penthouse?

TONY

Yes.

POSH WOMAN #1

Rob him blind son.

POSH WOMAN #1 steps over TONY and along the corridor.

TONY gets on to his knees and turns.

TONY

I wasn't...

POSH WOMAN #1

Rob him blind.

TONY looks confused.

TONY

Thanks mam.

TONY stands and This time confidently opens the door.

CUT TO:

INT. JACKS PENTHOUSE - DAY

Long shot shows the entire view of the penthouse.

TONY investigates the penthouse.


58/121


TONY walks in and walks straight into JACKS HOME

OFFICE. There are a bunch of messed up paper on the

desk and in the waste paper basket. All the electrics

are still on: Computer, printer, laptop etc.

TONY looks inquisitive and turns. He sticks his head

in JACKS KITCHEN and notices that it was perfectlytidy to the point that it seems unused. TONY laughs to

himself.

TONY notices the TV is on and walks up stairs to

follow it.

TONY walks Across the landing popping his head in and

out of room until he see the disturbed living room.

TONY rushes over and see's jack lying on the floor.

JACK is lying on the ground with photos all over him.The coffee table and sofa are a mess.

TONY quickly grabs his cell phone and dials 911.

Camera focuses in slowly on JACK as a line of vomit

comes out of his mouth.

TONY (V.O)

(Into phone)

Hello, yes excuse me I need an

ambulance.

TONY supports his head.

JACK

Gargling

TONY.

TONY is pacing the floor and still talking on the

phone but from this perspective it is un-audible.

JACK

Gargling

TONY.

TONY is still talking on the phone.

JACK

Gargling

TONY!

TONY notices and finishes giving the details over the

phone.


59/121


TONY drops the phone and runs over then kneels beside

him.

JACK

Gargling

What are you doing here?

TONY

Softly.

Shut up! JACK what happened?

JACKS eyes role back in his head.

JACK

Gurgles.

I'm sorry... tell K-KAREN I love

her.

TONYKaren?

JACK looks around and see a empty bottle of whisky and

pills.

JACK collapses again.

TONY sits with him.

FADE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL, PRIVATE ROOM - DAY

JACK is sitting holding his stomach in pain.

TONY walks in with a coffee.

TONY

Wow, your up.

JACK moans and holds his head.

JACKCan you not talk... that... loud

TONY sips his coffee.

JACK looks at him accusingly.

TONY

So what happened.


60/121


JACK

What my doctors at this hospital

didn't divulge any information to

you that was confidential to me.

TONY

I know I tried a couple of minutesago what's that all about.

JACK

Ha... ow don't make me laugh.

TONY

So... you where saying.

JACK

I wasn't saying anything.

TONYWhat's up.

JACK

Ok... they pumped my stomach.

TONY

Why cause of the pills.

JACK

What pills.

TONYJACK I found you. I saw the pill

JACK

What... oh the aspirin?

TONY

Yes the empty bottle of aspirin.

JACK

I know when ever you need it its

never there... why are you asking

about that?

TONY

What... What happened?

JACK

Well I was drinking wayyyyyyy to

much and I went to get a aspirin

and a there was none left and when

I got up to get a new bottle I

collapsed.


61/121


TONY

Oh.

JACK

Why what did you think happened?

TONYNothing any who...

JACK looks confused.

TONY (CONT'D)

So who's KAREN

JACK

KAREN?

TONY

Yer.

JACK

How did you get that name?

TONY

How much did you drink?

JACK

2-3...

TONY

Well that's not to ba...

JACK

Bottle of Bourbon

TONY

Thought so... where was I, yes

KAREN... Well in between vomiting

on yourself and collapsing in my

arms you said tell KAREN I'm sorry.

JACK

Did I.

TONY

Yep.

JACK

Sure.

TONY

Positive.


62/121


JACK

Ah.

TONY

So?

JACKWell you see... wait there is no

way after me saying that you

didn't go off and find out who she

was.

TONY smiles.

TONY

Ah how well you know me.

JACK

What did you find out?

TONY

Well I'm glad you asked.

JACK roles his eyes.

TONY (CONT'D)

Now KAREN is your ex-wife.

JACK

Actually we never married but

straight up, well done on theresearch.

TONY

Thanks, but the P.I did say on the

database divorced under her name.

JACK

Well I guess Your P.I was wrong.

TONY

Or more likely she married some

one else after you left her.

JACK

Impossible.

TONY

Ok, wow are you arrogant. you've

told me you've never talked to her

in years you don't think in all

that time she could remarry?


63/121


JACK

Listen you don't know her she

wouldn't marry someone else.

TONY

Right.

JACK

Seriously she wouldn't.

TONY

Ok.

JACK

Seriously your... your P.I, well

he must be wrong.

TONY

She must be wrong.

JACK

Your P.I is a woman? Seriously?

TONY

Yes what's wrong with that?

JACK

Look why don't you just meet woman

like normal guys do at bars?

TONYIts not like that ok.

JACK

Oh yer.

TONY

She comes highly recommended.

JACK

I bet she does.

TONYListen, she's good at what she

does.

JACK

Of course she is good at what she

does because out of the little

information you've given me just

now she had gotten wrong.


64/121


TONY

Under his breath.

Or you where wrong.

JACK

What's that?

TONY

Nothing.

JACK

Good because I know I'm definably

not wrong.

TONY

To be 100 percent honest I cant

remember a time you've ever been

wrong actually.

JACK

Thanks it means a lot.

TONY

Under his breath.

I was being sarcastic.

JACK

What's that?

TONY

Nothing, noisy in here isn't it.

JACK

Yer, sort of but its sounds like

you keep mumbling something.

TONY

Ha, nah... lets change the subject

yer.

JACK

Ok So what else did you find out.

TONY

Nothing else interesting, I was

really just looking for her

relation to you.

JACK

So nothing else worth note.

TONY

No.


65/121


JACK

What about children? Find anything

about her having kids?

TONY

None listed.

JACK starts to get up.

JACK

See I know that's wrong as well.

TONY

How would you know that's wrong.

You where with her until you left

to become a Governor and you

haven't seen her since.

JACKI just no ok.

TONY

Seriously how could you possibly

know.

JACK

Because we had a...

TONY

What?

JACK

Nothing. I didn't say anything its

a bit noisy like you say.

TONY

Wait you defiantly said because we

had a you have a... you had a

what... you had a kid?

JACK doesn't respond and gets up.

TONY (CONT'D)You did didn't you. You have a kid.

JACK still doesn't respond.

TONY (CONT'D)

Why haven't you mentioned that

before?

Yet again JACK still doesn't respond.


66/121


DO you see him or her often?

JACK looks at TONY with a cold looks.

TONY (CONT'D)

Or ever?

JACK STANDS up holding his head in pain.

JACK

I don't want to talk about it.

TONY

Ok... but by the way this P.I Amy

really needs to get her eye on the

prize If she wants to be a good

P.I.

JACKAmy?

TONY

Yer I think her name was Amy

F..F..F...

JACK

Flint? Amy Flint?

ADNRE

Yer that's her. Do you know her.

JACK

Yer I know her. Amy flints one of

the best in the business. Being a

Governor you should know

personally i have to check on up

on people. See if they have any

criminal records or...

TONY

Or dig up dirt on your opposition?

But I bet you never use that

service for personal gain ay

JACK

I'm not gonna answer that question

because what I say isn't gonna be

good for anyone.

TONY

Yer especially not you.


67/121


JACK

DAMN SKIPPY! But ANYWAY! Are you

sure it was Amy flint who you got?

TONY

Yer that's her?

JACK

First off then I'm so sorry dude

but she's married.

TONY adjusting his tie

TONY

Actually she's not she's divorced

we discussed it over a coffee.

JACK

Ok well second off you dog come onhigh five.

JACK and TONY high five

JACK (CONT'D)

And third off Amy wouldn't make

such elementary mistakes. Did she

give you a address for KAREN

ADNRE

Yes but why? What are you gonna do?

JACK

I'm gonna go check it out myself.

TONY

Well here is a note pad of all the

things she found out.

TONY goes in his pocket and finds a little notepad

almost full of note.

JACK takes it and flips through and stops on one

particular page.

JACK

Oh good she hasn't moved. So I'm

gonna go and I'll be back...

JACK looks at his watch.

JACK (CONT'D)

Well I'll be back when I'm back.


68/121


JACK walks a few steps forward towards the door then

holds his head in pain.

TONY smiles.

TONY

Hang over.

JACK

So bad.

TONY

Yer.

JACK

Well I mean I don't have to go...

TONY

Coffee?

JACK

That would be lovely.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL, COFFEE SHOP - DAY

TONY and JACK are sitting in a small comer of a packed

coffee shop.

They are sitting opposite one another on a smallcircle Coffee table

TONY

Feeling better man.

JACK

I dunno, my heads still sort of

throbbing you know.

Long pause as JACK takes a sip of his coffee.

TONYSo what ya gonna do man.

JACK

I dunno maybe I'll just take a

couple of aspirin. why do you

think it could be more serious.


69/121


TONY

Not about that man about KAREN,

you cant go down their alone in

the shape your in right now.

JACK

What then? Do think I should waita couple of days see if I fell

better. I mean I could but...

TONY

Yer you could or someone could

take you down there to see her you

know watch your back.

JACK

Oh I see what your doing.

TONY

You do? What?

JACK

your trying to get rid of me so

you can spend more time with that

Amy aren't you.

TONY

Wha... what! No man! I was hinting

that I could take you down there

to see KAREN.

JACK

You? I dunno about that...

TONY

Come on man it'll be fun.

JACK

Listen, I'm not after fun. I'm

after seeing the one love in my

life again after years. I'm up for

seeing my child for the first

time. If all your bringing to the

table is fun then, I don't need

you.

TONY

We can go half-ers on gas money.

JACK

Do you really think I need to

split money on gas? I'm a million


70/121


air. I could buy a new car every-

time the tank runs out from here

to Texas.

TONY

Yer you could but you wont. Its

preciously because your a millionair why you would like us to share

the gas price. The richer the guy

the cheaper he becomes.

JACK

You know what no. You cant come.

I'll just wait it out a few days.

I mean my curiosity doesn't

exactly have to be quenched right

away. I think can wait a few days.

Long pause.

TONY

So do you wanna go now or wait to

finish are coffees.

JACK

Now's fine. So you gonna drive us

down the there.

TONY

Yer... I cant drive.

JACK

Well I'm not driving all the way

down there.

TONY

Cab?

JACK

What? Come on do you know how much

that would cost?

TONY

Guess it looks like we cant go

then.

Long pause.

CUT TO:

INT. BACK OF CAB - DAY


71/121


JACK is leaning against the window of the cab.

TONY is sitting twiddling his thumb bored.

TONY

Right now that where stuck

together in the back of a cab for

a couple of hours. We can talk

about the whole you having cancer

thing.


TONY (CONT'D)

Well if your not gonna talk to me

about it I'll just spend the whole

time contemplating, aloud! Why

your not getting treatment.

JACK still doesn't respond.

TONY (CONT'D)

Right so I think the whole reason

you aren't willing to try the

treatment and you know potentially

save his life is because, well on

a basic level because your simply

depressed and your sub-

consciously in denial of your own

mortality because you want to letyourself self-destruct. Your

killing yourself maybe punishing

yourself for something bad you did

in your past. I don't know but the

sooner...

JACK

I'm not going to die, lets just

drop it.

TONY

But why do you think your notgonna die.

JACK

I don't like to explain myself,

especially in this case because

there's nothing to explain. It

isn't a sub-conscious reaction, it

isn't some deep seeded

physiological comforting mechanism

and its not because I'm depressed


72/121


and trying to self destruct. I'm

not gonna die I don't know how I

know but I do. Now I'm not saying

this is some sort of god given

epiphany or that god has came down

from heaven and told me I'm gonna

live because I don't even believein the supernatural or the

superstition that we call god but

there is a god but I do know there

are some things that happen in

this world science can't explain

and sometimes you've just got to

trust your gut... and I don't feel

like a man who's gonna die.

TONY

But how could you ever know what a

dying man feels like. You've never

experienced what a dying man

feels. Unless of course you are

dying now and because you have

nothing to compare the feeling

your feeling now to you cant

identify the feeling.

JACK

Ok I didn't understand what you

just said... What so ever!

TONY

How did you feel when the doctor

told you where dying.

JACK

Oh I don't know.

TONY

See so you see my point then?

JACK

Nope.

TONY

Then answer the question? What did

you feel when DOCTOR CAAN told you

that you had terminal cancer?

JACK

You wanna know what I felt?

TONY

Yer.


73/121


74/121


JACK

Yes. Its hard to explain.

TONY

just try.

JACKOk.

JACK pauses to think.

JACK

Right... before I got the news it

was like I was ready. It was like

I was prepared for this life

changing diagnosis, I was almost

bracing myself for a hit but when

he told me... I just felt... I

Just felt empty. I felt like... Iwas still braced for this impact

and an impact never came. It was

like nothing had just happened...

nothing. I just felt... nothing.

It was a weird experience, I

always thought that when I was

told I was gonna die I'd feel...

TONY

Depressed?

JACK

Relived, like my journey was over

no more worry's. Just my one big

sleep.

TONY

Oh, I never thought of it like

that.

JACK

Yer. But I didn't feel that. I

didn't feel regret, sorrow,

sadness, I didn't feel

unfulfilled, scared or relieved I

felt...

TONY

nothing.

JACK

Yer. So... does that answer your

question? Does that quench your

thirst? Are you happy now?


75/121


JACK goes back to leaning against the window.

TONY (CONT'D)

Ah... well.

TONY feels uncomfortable and fidgets for a long time.

TONY (CONT'D)

Radio not working up there.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Are you talking to me?

TONY

Oh sorry excuse me. Yes I'm your

talking to you. Is the radio

working up there?

TAXI DRIVER #1Sorry no.

TONY

Shame...

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer I'm real sorry its been real

buggy lately. Ha good think I've

had you two yapping on for

entertainment.

TONY looks shocked at the driver then turns to faceJACK who once again is leaning away from him against

the window.

TONY

So JACK...

JACK

Don't!

TONY

No its just that.

JACK

Don't talk to me.

TONY

Ok, ok I won't. I won't.

JACK

Good.


76/121


TONY

But can I just say.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Oh come on Governor, let him talk.

JACK now stops leaning against the window and looks atTAXI DRIVER #1 shocked.

JACK

Wow I didn't think you'd

recognised me.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Oh come on everyone knows you,

they all think your a real jerk

don't they?

JACKExcuse me?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer you where the one who made all

those promises and didn't deliver

on therm aren't you?

JACK

Emmm?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer everyone hates you you mustget that all the time mustn't you?

JACK

Well...

TONY

Well, that's not true JACK you

don't hate him do you.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer well I'm not exactly impartialam I?

TONY

Why cause he's sitting right here?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Na, cause I hate all politicians

so...


77/121


JACK

Oh good, I'll keep that in mind

when I'm giving the tip.

TONY

Oh anyway, what was I saying.

TONY clutches his head trying to remember.

TONY (CONT'D)

Oh forget it I can remember

JACK smiles.

JACK

Oh, well I guess...

TAXI DRIVER #1

Oh I remember. You had justfinished talking about how

Governor Vanes felt nothing after

been giving some sort of terminal

diagnosis and you where about to

ask a follow question and He kept

interrupting you, you know not

letting you speak.

TONY

Ah yes now I remember what I was

gonna ask...

JACK stares and TAXI DRIVER #1 angry.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Go ahead already then. Ask him.

JACK

Can I ask you something?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Me? sure.

JACKDo you know your radio, its not

working... right?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer.

JACK

What's wrong with it.


78/121


TAXI DRIVER #1

Oh, well it doesn't matter how far

I crank up the volume it doesn't

make a sound.

JACK

Oh great can you do em a favour.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yer sure go ahead.

JACK

Imitate it.

TONY looks and JACK annoyed.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Oh sorry sometimes I talk a little

to much. I think it all startedwhen I was young, I used it like a

sort of protection Method for

those long award silences, you

know?

Long silences.

TONY

Anyway... Yes I was gonna ask you

a question.

JACKYes you where...Anyway.

TONY

Can we just talk like regular

people? not me fighting you until

you give me a response, over every

little thing.

JACK

Yes but regular people just let

things lie when they know the

other person don't want to talk

about.

TONY

Fine I won't talk to you.

JACK

Good.

Long silence.


79/121


TAXI DRIVER #1

Award silence...

The driver reaches down and fiddles with the radio

then gives it a smack.

Radio blasts.

TAXI DRIVER #1

(CONT'D)

Shouting

Oh I guess the radio was working.

JACK

Yer I guess it was.

INT. BACK OF CAB NIGHT

JACK and TONY are asleep at either side of the cab

leaning against the opposite windows.

The cab stops.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Where here.

JACK slowly gets up and rubs his eyes.

JACK

Whats that?

TAXI DRIVER #1

I said where here.

JACK

What? Now?

TAXI DRIVER #1

Yes sir.

JACK gets up and knocks TONY on the arm

JACK

Where here... Where here... Wake

up where here.

JACK flails his arms futilely and gets out the Taxi.

JACK looks around.

JACK (CONT'D)

Wow it hasn't changed.


80/121


Long pause as JACK is struck still with the awe of

seeing his old house.

TAXI DRIVER #1 coughs to get JACKs attention.

JACK (CONT'D)

Oh yer sorry... Can you drivearound the corner and wait... oh

and try not to wake up that idiot.

TAXI DRIVER #1

Whispering.

No problem Mr. Governo

refusing to kick the bucket

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