the goode samaritans - "goode deeds"

8/11/2019 The Goode Samaritans - "Goode Deeds"

1/10

THE GOODE SAMARITANS

"Goode Deeds (Pilot)"

Written by

Robert William McCormack

4420 Arlington AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90043

912 755 [email protected]


2/10

TEASER

BLACK SCREEN:

The MURMUR of the city is distant.

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

They call it the Windy City for a reason.

The gusts off of Lake Michigan are fierce, buffeting thedisheveled, well-worn suit that barely fits REX GOODE.

Unkept in every sense, he stands precariously close to theedge, staring down the side of the high-rise.

Rex clutches a white envelope, slipping it in his jacketpocket as --

A cell phone RINGS.

He fumbles, searching desperately. Could this be the call?

Astor (Mobile).

He pulls the cell from his pocket, gazing at the dancingphone icon on his home screen. Answer or --

The ringing stops, the call going to voicemail.

For a fleeting moment, Rex considers the alternative...

Suddenly, he heaves himself up onto the ledge.

Without a moments hesitation, he steps off.

In an instant, Rex is gone.

INT. MAIN OFFICE - SAMARITANS OFFICE - NIGHT

From within the darkness, a light flickers on.

Then another one. And another.

Finally, the entire room.

Equal parts grace and power, DR. ASTOR GOODE stands by thereception desk, cell phone in hand.

No answer.

She shrugs it off, turning back to --


3/10

SAM (O.S.)Lets do this quick. My flightleaves at eight forty-five.

DR. SAMANTHA SAM GOODE, classically beautiful, strides pasther mother as she takes in cavernous office space.

SAM (CONTD)You certainly got one thing right.Its big.

Astor cracks a sly smile, approaching.

ASTORI knew youd like it.

SAMI never said I liked it. I said itwas big.

(beat)Maybe a little too big. You reallythink youd need all this space?

Astor begins to take off her coat.

ASTORSix offices, two conference rooms,and a beautiful view of MichiganAve. And why not? We --

SAMYou. Theres no we in this.

Astor frowns, but plows forward.

ASTORWe can actually afford to rent aspace like this. If its going tohappen, it may as well happen instyle.

Sam pokes her head into a dark office. As she comes out, sheturns to her mother, hesitant about something.

SAMCan you actually afford this?

ASTORYour father seems to think so. Itsan old friend who manages theproperty. Were getting a goodrate.

2.


4/10

SAMSpeaking of, where is he?

ASTORYour father? I havent theslightest idea. Late, as usual.

(beat)Shall we look at the conferencerooms?

INT. LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM - SAMARITANS OFFICE - NIGHT

Light from the city outside seeps through the blinds,spilling in slotted patterns across the floor.

Astor flips on the light, immediately basking the room in aflorescent glow. She stands proudly at the head of the long,oak conference table.

ASTORSo, have I won you over?

Shes too pleased with herself.

ASTOR (CONTD)You cant tell me youre not just alittle curious?

SAMNo, Im really not. Its all verynice, but Im happy in Boston.

(beat)Plus, it sounds great on paper, butin reality --

ASTORWhat? Still?

SAMYes, still. This is not the marketto be opening a non-profit in --

ASTOR

Shes been filling your head withnonsense, hasnt she? Teddy hasalways been territorial with you --

Mother and daughter begin a tense dance.

SAMThis has nothing to do with her.She actually thinks its a greatidea --

3.


5/10

ASTORShes right about something foronce.

SAMCan you just imagine for a second

that I might be content at work?Things have been good --

ASTORHave they, though? Are you evenseeing patients at that hospital?

Sam is annoyed, growing angry.

SAMThats only for another month. Theboard said its temporary.

Astor laughs callously. Yet, its not atypical for her.

ASTORYes, sure, temporary. Thats justtheir way of phasing you out. Butby all means, call it what youwant. A doctor thats not seeingpatients --

SAMWhy do you do this? It makes mewonder if you actually want me tocome home or if you just enjoy this

game?

ASTORThis isnt a game! I want to seeyou succeed, Sam! I see how muchpotential, how much talent youhave, yet you squander it at aninstitution that has no goddamnrespect for you!

SAMThat couldnt be further from the

truth!

ASTORI just want you to be --

SAMWhat, like you? Bored andmiserable?

(beat)To hell with that.

4.


6/10

Sam turns and heads for the door, leaving Astor alone.

Neither have anything left to say to each other.

EXT. MICHIGAN AVENUE - NIGHT

Sam bounds out of the building lobby, headed south towardsthe subway. Racing in the opposite direction --

An ambulance. Lights ablaze.

INT. AMBULANCE - NIGHT

Inside the rig, a PARAMEDIC prepares his kit as the DRIVERsquawks into his walkie-talkie.

DRIVERResponding to a reported suicideattempt at Division and Clybourn.Patient is a jumper.

EXT. MICHIGAN AVE - NIGHT

The ambulance fades away as it pushes up Michigan Ave.

Sam doesnt even think twice about it.

END OF TEASER

5.


7/10

ACT ONE

INT. ELEVATOR - SAMARITANS OFFICE - DAY

SUPER: EIGHT MONTHS LATER

The elevator doors slide open.

Its clean, glossy, and empty. Until --

JILL SCHOLL, pretty but hidden beneath a dowdy wardrobe.

She doesnt get out much.

KEVIN (O.S.)Wait! Hold it!

KEVIN DAYTON barely makes it through the elevator door. Hes

close to a stereotype -- slick hair, immaculate suit, thoughhis demeanor betrays that. Hes quiet, reserved... and sad.

KEVIN (CONTD)Thanks. Always miss these things.

Jill just smiles.

Only slightly awkward.

INT. LOBBY - SAMARITANS OFFICE - DAY

Open into the Samaritans lobby.

Simple, sleek, modern.

And then theres MARYBETH MULLEN.

Older, scrawny, in an outfit she has no business wearing.

She sits behind the large reception counter.

MARYBETHHere for orientation?

Shes curt, with a slight Southern drawl.

MARYBETH (CONTD)Marybeth Mullen, office manager.Can I get your names?

JILLJill Scholl.

6.


8/10

KEVINKevin Dayton.

With two taps on her iPad --

MARYBETH

Okay, excellent! Youre all checkedin. If youd just head back to thatlarge conference room, the meetingwill be getting under way shortly.

Jill leads the way, Kevin following.

Marybeth eyes the latter, glued to his --

ALISON (O.S.)Can we perhaps hold off on thesexual harassment suit? At leastgive us a month or two.

Beside her is DR. ALISON MOORE.

Shes tall, dark, mysterious.

And very wry.

MARYBETHGlad were finally getting a littleeye candy in here.

Alison just rolls her eyes.

INT. LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM - SAMARITANS OFFICE - DAY

Jill and Kevin enter the conference room.

Motivational posters and promotional material line the walls.

Already seated is REESE MEYERS. Hes young, college-aged withmop-top hair and wire-rimmed glasses.

REESEI though Id be the only one.

He smiles, extending a hand.

REESE (CONTD)Reese Meyers.

KEVINKevin Dayton, nice to meet you.

7.


9/10

REESELikewise.

He looks to Jill.

JILL

Jill Scholl. A pleasure.

The three settle in.

JILL (CONTD)Do you go to school around here,Reese?

REESENorthwestern. Pre-med.

JILLOh, how funny! I have a son at

Northwestern. Journalism. Loves it.

REESEI hear good things about theprogram.

JILLYou must --

Her cell phone begins RINGING --

JILL (CONTD)Speak of the devil, this is him

now! Excuse me.

She rises, jumping on.

Jill clearly has a tendency to be frazzled.

JILL (CONTD)Hello.

(beat, whispered)Andy, no, we --

(beat)No, Andy, can we discuss this

later? I told you, I --(beat)Yes, I promise. Did you get therefill like I --

She turns sympathetically to the men, rolling her eyes inmock exasperation, then disappears out into the hallway.

8.


10/10

KEVINPre-med must keep you busy. Why thevolunteer work?

REESEPerspective.

KEVINPerspective?

REESEFor the longest time, I wanted tobe a shrink. Not what most teenageboys aspire to.

Kevin laughs.

KEVINI think I still dreamed of playing

in the NHL at your age.

REESEThis place seemed like the rightplace to gain some perspective.Make sure its the direction Ireally want to go in.

KEVINSo long as you dont end up trappedin a cubicle, youre gonna be set,kid.

Kevin hoists his briefcase as evidence.

Reese laughs.

Friends already.

INT. SAMS OFFICE - SAMARITANS OFFICE - DAY

Sam seems out of place.

She spins slowly in her office chair, eyes cast down.

In her hand, a folder shes not reading.

Then, a KNOCKING.

Alison stands in the doorway.

ALISONHey, were just about ready.

9.

the goode samaritans - "goode deeds"

Documents