vessels (t.v. pilot - first act competition)

7/31/2019 Vessels (T.V. Pilot - First Act Competition)

1/27

VESSELS

written by

Eric Peter Schwartz

May 28, 2012Copyright (c) 2009-2012Eric Peter SchwartzAll Rights Reserved


2/27

EXT. MT. OLIVE CEMETERY - NIGHT

It is a clear, quiet night in the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Young,excited VOICES, trying hard to whisper, bounce around themarble gravestones.

TED, an excited twenty year old clad in a black hoodie,tries to talk to his friend SHILA while walking backward.Shila is a slender, red-haired girl of roughly the smae age.She is holding a video camera and is trying to keep Ted inshot as she moves. She tries to frame Ted, in night visionon the LCD screen, as best she can.

TEDIt is not much after two-thirty inthe morning. We are in Mt. OliveCemetery. Why? We are hoping toget YOU...

(points into

camera)our loyal BOO-STALKERS BLOGviewers, something special.

Ted stops in his tracks and a creepy grin draws across hisface.

TED (CONT'D)Footage of the legendary "WomanThat Weeps".

He holds his smile for a second. Then Shila stops the cameraand shakes her head.

SHILAI hate it when you smile on nightvision. You look like... some kindof demon game show host.

Ted pulls out a map of the cemetery with some areas circledin red.

TEDOkay, it should be only a few rowsover.

He looks past Shila at two others with them.

TED (CONT'D)Hey! Are you guys coming?

Quite a way off DEVON and TYNA (also 19 or 20) are walkingvery slowly together talking. They hear Ted call to them.

They look at each other and giggle.


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2.

DEVONWe're good!

They wait for Ted's response. Finally it comes, echoingthrough the dark...

TEDWhatever! Don't blame me if youmiss the crying ghost.

They laugh and move off in another direction, their bodiesclose but not quite touching. The tentative body language ofa budding relationship.

DEVONThanks for coming. Ted lives forthis stuff.

TYNA

Not you?

DEVONMeh. I can take it or leave it. Irarely find anything of interestin a cemetery.

Tyna stops him by standing in front of him. She smiles andmoves in close, her knees bouncing with nerves.

TYNAWhat about tonight? Did you findanything of interest in a cemeterytonight?

Devon smiles. Then Tyna pulls him into their first kiss.

The kiss lingers for a moment. Their lips separate as theycome out of the kiss.

Devon's eyes are closed, so he doesn't see her step back,stumble and plummet from sight.

Tyna lets loose a blood chilling scream. Devon shudders andhis eyes open. He looks for where the sound came from. He

looks down.

Tyna is at the bottom of a crudely dug grave. She has landedinside a coffin that appears to be hacked open.

Tyna opens uses the light from her cell phone to look at hersurroundings and screams in terror again.


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3.

EXT. MT. OLIVE CEMETERY - DAY

Morning finds the grave surrounded by police tape. UNIFORMOFFICERS are taking the statements of Tyna and Devon.

FORENSICS TEAMS move around the scene wearing paper suits

and marking evidence.

In the center of it all stand DETECTIVE COLLEEN WINTERS, anattractive woman in her mid-to-late-thirties. Her dark hairis pulled back into a simple pony tail. She wears earthtonesand black, nothing flashy. An air of professionalismsurrounds her. She sips on a cup of coffee shop coffee.

Next to her is her partner, EVAN PARKER. He's slightlyyounger than Winters but his hair has thinned a bit and hekeeps it trimmed close to his head. He wears a sport coat,but his tie is much brighter and more colorful than youwould expect. Under his bordering-on-hideous tie he's got

the paunch of a married man. It gives him a jocular look.

The headstone reads ALAN BRYCE - LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER -1929 - 1994

Winters moves near the grave, being careful to disruptnothing. She crouches down and looks at a hole punched inthe grass.

WINTERSParker, check this out.

Parker is across the grave from her, looking at the ground.

PARKERThere's another one over here too.

Notices another one a few paces away.

PARKER (CONT'D)Two... actually.

Winters stands and looks from mark to mark.

WINTERS

All about the same distance apart?

Parker nods.

WINTERS (CONT'D)Hand crank?

PARKERLike a winch on a tripod to pullthe coffin up?


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4.

WINTERSThat's what I'm thinking.

Parker nods.

PARKER

Could be. You know, this hole wasdug with a shovel and there's justone pile of dirt. Plus the coffinwas hacked at horribly. I'mthinking this was one guy. Mymoney is on a fetishist ratherthan robbers.

WINTERSThat's a hell of a fetish - thisguy's been here for 16 years.

The two shudder sarcastically.

Winters calls over to the Forensics Team.

WINTERSHey, can you guys get some plastercasts and measurements on theseholes?

The nearest FORENSIC OFFICER rolls his eyes and nods.

FORENSICYeah, we're on it.

Parker grins and looks at Winters. The two move togetherbeyond the police tape.

WINTERSLove the attitude.

PARKERCan you blame them? They wentthrough all that schoolingthinking that they would beworking with super high techequipment and Marg Helgenberger.

All those crushed dreams. It'ssad.

WINTERS(chuckles)

Nice.

They reach the car and open the trunk. They begin taking offthe plastic on their shoes and their latex gloves, placingthem in a plastic bag in the trunk.

Parker leans backward against the open trunk.


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5.

PARKERSo... new boss today. What do youthink we'll get?

WINTERSI think it'll be... different.

I'll wait and see.

PARKERD'you think it's gonna suck?

Winters just chuckles and shakes her head.

PARKER (CONT'D)You do, don't you. You think we'rescrewed.

Winters grabs him by the tie and pulls him out of the way asshe shuts the trunk with a laugh.

WINTERSI think you're screwed. Scanlonlet you get away with a ton.

They open the car doors and climb inside, Winters isdriving.

PARKERThat's true. Man! I hate breakingin a new enabler.

INT. EQUIANO'S OFFICE OFF THE SQUAD ROOM - DAY

CAPT. RON EQUIANO is trying to balance his cell phonebetween his shoulder and his ear because he is carrying anold file box filled with stuff for his new office.

For a man in his late forties, he is in great shape. Notmuch gives away his his true age except the gray that dustshis dark hair at the temples.

He drops the box on his desk and finally takes the phone inhis hand.

EQUIANOI'm sorry, hon, what?

(pause)No. I wouldn't say it's weird...just... I don't know...

He looks out of his office into the bustling squad room.


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EQUIANO (CONT'D)It's feels like so much haschanged but it's stayed the same.I'm not explaining it well.

(pause)No, the gang is all gone - but the

desks... the vending machines...they're all the same. Newcomputers. Anyway...

(pause)Oh, that sounds good. Why do youdo that? Why do you tell me what'sfor dinner at the beginning of myshift?

He turns and moves toward his desk as DESK SERGEANT RICHKOSMAN appears in the door with a file folder. He knocks onthe door jamb and Equiano turns and sees him.

EQUIANO (CONT'D)Oh! Hey, hon. Somebody's here. Youcan ply me with food talk later,okay? Love you too.

He hangs up and shoots his hand out to Kosman.

KOSMANCapt. Equiano?

EQUIANO(smiling)

I sure hope so.

KOSMANRich Kosman, desk sergeant. Gladto have you here, sir.

(hands him thefile)

This is all your computer accessinformation. Please change yourpassword when you first log in. Ihave emailed you this month'smanpower projections.

Equiano looks over the file.

EQUIANOGreat! Thank you. Listen - overthe next couple of weeks I'd liketo do one on one meetings witheveryone here. Just a "get to knowyou" type of thing. Can you getthose scheduled for me.


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KOSMANConsider it done. Is it strange tobe back here after all this time,sir?

EQUIANO

A little.(beat)

So... everything... okay thismorning?

KOSMANAbout normal. Oh, DetectivesWinters and Parker are outinvestigating a grave desecration.That's a little different.

Equiano's ears perk up.

EQUIANOReally?

KOSMANYes, sir.

Equiano smiles slightly to himself.

EQUIANOThank you, so much Rich.

KOSMANLet me know if you need anythingelse.

Kosman exits.

EQUIANOI guess some things will neverchange.

INT. POLICE LOADING DOCK - DAY

EVIDENCE OFFICER STEVE RYOO paces on the dock. He is a youngKorean officer of 26. He wears plain clothes, with a badge

and name card ID badge on the pocket of his shirt. Under hisarm he carries his ever present clipboard. His cell phone isalso the only thing holstered on his belt.

He checks his watch and rolls his eyes.

A moment later Winters and Parker come through the hugeoverhead door into the dock area. Ryoo breathes a sigh andmoves to them.


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RYOOYou do understand that I don't sitaround waiting for your call. Mytime is at a premium.

PARKER

Oh! Hello, Ryoo.

RYOORight. You asked me to meet youhere.

From the looks that Winters and Parker exchange, they seemto enjoy having a little fun with Ryoo.

WINTERSSo we did. Thanks for meeting ushere.

RYOOYou're 15 minutes late. I need topull evidence for a court case intwo hours. Now, what do you havefor me?

Parker and Winters continue to walk past him toward theelevator.

PARKERWe don't have anything for you.

Ryoo watches them pass in disbelief.

RYOOWhat?! You had me come downhere...

Winters turns and points behind Ryoo.

WINTERSWe don't have anything for you...they do.

Ryoo turns to see a huge flatbed truck backing into the

dock. The hacked open coffin, completely wrapped in plasticand police tape, rides on the back of the truck.

Ryoo's mouth drops open.

RYOOWhat the hell is that?

Winters and Parker have stopped to enjoy his reaction.


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WINTERSIt's a coffin.

PARKERA gift wrapped coffin.

They turn and make their way to the elevator.

RYOOWhere am I going to put a coffin?

He turns to see them step into the open elevator. His facefalls, dejected.

PARKERRyoo... you're looking a littledown. You might want to go talk toChristmas.

Ryoo just shakes his head and goes to sign for the coffin.

Winters looks at Parker.

WINTERSWe are so lucky that he doesn'tcarry a gun.

Parker grins as the elevator doors close.

INT. CHRISTMAS' OFFICE - DAY

OFFICER DANNY WOODS sits in a comfortable chair. His eyesare red and puffy like he's been crying. He looks at hishands.

Across from him ELIOT "CHRISTMAS" MOORE sits quietlylistening to him. He's dressed in full police blues, but hasno badge or gun. He is an older man in his late forties orearly fifties. His thin, salt and pepper hair is cut closeto his head and a pair of glasses ride his nose.

CHRISTMASI'm so glad you came to talk withme, Danny.

DANNYThanks for listening.

CHRISTMASThey teach you a lot of thingswhen they're getting you ready tobe a cop. They never teach youwhat it's like to have a gun aimedat you and fired. It's terrifying,isn't it?


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DANNYIt was okay for a few days - butthen I started to see it everytime I close my eyes.

CHRISTMAS

Haven't been sleeping?

DANNYI can if I have a few drinks. Evensober, I eventually get there... Imean, he didn't even hit me - Ididn't think that...

Danny stops, keeping himself from crying again.

CHRISTMASThey make it look easy on T.V.don't they? They don't talk much

about the adrenaline and comingdown from that. They don't talkabout the night terrors. It's alot to take. Have you talked toyour wife about this?

DANNYI haven't. I can't. I don't wantto worry her. I don't want her tobe a "cop's wife."

CHRISTMASBut she is.

DANNYI saw what that constant worry didto my mom. I don't want to do thatto her.

CHRISTMAS(smiles)

You don't think she's alreadyworrying?

Danny smiles sadly and nods.

DANNYProbably.

CHRISTMASLook, Danny, I'm so happy that youopened up to me... but I'd likeyou to talk to someone else too.

Christmas gets up and moves to his desk and looks in hisdrawer. He extracts a business card and holds it out toDanny.


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CHRISTMAS (CONT'D)She's a therapist. She works withpolice officers and their familiesfor free. You should give her acall. I would hate to see you andyour wife lose anymore time not

communicating.

Danny stands and takes the card. He smiles.

DANNYThank you, Christmas.

CHRISTMASOf course, Danny. Why don't youcome and see me in a few days andwe'll talk some more.

DANNY

Do you mind if we pray for asecond?

Christmas pauses for a moment. Then he smiles and takesDanny's hand.

CHRISTMASGo ahead.

They both close their eyes and lower their heads. Dannymutters some words quietly - Christmas does not.

Finally they both raise their heads. Danny shakes Christmas'hand.

DANNYThanks.

He opens the door to exit. The sign on the door clearlyreads "Chaplain".

Christmas leaves the door open and returns to his desk. Heturns on the little CD player boombox that sits on his desk.

The holiday song "LET IT SNOW" plays quietly as he makes a

couple of notes in Danny's file and then closes it.

He turns to put it in his filing cabinet when Parker pokeshis head through the door and knocks on the jamb.

PARKERKnock knock.


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CHRISTMASDetective Parker! Always nice tosee your face come through mydoor. Are you having anotherattack of conscience before apractical joke?

Parker laughs.

PARKERNot this time. I was wondering ifyou might have time to ride alongwith me and Winters. We need totalk to a family.

CHRISTMASSure. What is it?

PARKER

Somebody dug up a grave and tookthe body.

Christmas' eyebrows raise.

CHRISTMASSure.

PARKERGreat. Give us fifteen minutes tocheck in with the new boss.

Christmas nods. As Parker leave, Christmas stares into themiddle distance, his mind turning.

INT. CARDEN HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

The kitchen door of a run down house opens. BILLY CARDEN,hurries through the door. Closes it quickly behind him andthen leans against it to catch his breath.

Billy is in his late thirties and his clothes and body arecovered in mud and filth.

He moves through the unkept kitchen into the family room.

Two children, a LITTLE FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL and an OLDER BOYsit in front of a television. Magazines, toys and clothesclutter the room, but the kids couldn't care less.

The girl turns and looks at Billy over the couch. She waves.

GIRLHi, Uncle Billy.

Billy, his face smudged with grime, says nothing. He turnsand makes his way to the stairs.


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INT. CARDEN HOUSE - BATHROOM - DAY - LATER

Billy stands in a steaming shower, letting the water cascadeover him. His eyes closed.

His shoulders slump as his muscles begin to relax.

EXT. CARDEN BACKYARD - DAY - LATER

Billy, now clean and wearing fresh clothes, steps out of theback door. He carries his filthy clothes in his arms.

He makes his way through the overgrown, toy littered backyard, finally stopping behind the garage.

There is a small fire pit there, with some folding chairsaround it. Billy drops his clothes into the pit.

He grabs a bottle of lighter fluid, drowns his clothes in

it. Then he drops a match onto the pile.

There is a loud WHOOSH and the flames leap up as the clothescatch on fire.

Billy stares into the fire.

INT. DALTON HOME - DAY

Winters and Parker sit across from PAUL DALTON and his wifeOLIVIA. Paul's arm is firmly around his wife, who seemsslightly shaken.

Christmas sits in a chair near them.

Paul shakes his head.

PAULWho would do something like this?

WINTERSWe don't know, Mr. Dalton. That'swhat we're trying to find out.

PARKER

Mrs. Dalton, was your fatherburied with anything valuable.Anything that someone might wantto retrieve?

Olivia tries to think.

OLIVIAI don't think so.


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PAULHe wasn't a wealthy man oranything.

PARKEROkay. How about enemies. Someone

mad at you or the family? Someonewho might want to send you amessage. A business associate?

OLIVIALike who? We're not in the mob,Detective.

WINTERSWe understand, we just need tolook at all possibilities.

OLIVIA

I know, I'm sorry.

PAULDo you think that it might be... Idon't know... devil worshippers orsomething.

Parker looks over at Christmas, who smirks slightly tohimself.

WINTERSActually, Mr. Dalton, most "devilworshippers" are more interestedin making their parents mad thandoing anything evil.

PAULWell, do you have any ideas.

The two detectives look at each other.

WINTERSActually, Mr. Dalton, I would hateto speculate at this point and bewrong...

PAULPlease...

WINTERSIt could possibly be a fetishist.

OLIVIASo we might never get my father'sbody back.

Parker shrugs sadly.


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PARKERIt's a possibility, ma'am. Butlet's not assume that's the case.

Olivia stands, she looks ill.

OLIVIAI'm sorry, please excuse me.

She leaves the room, heading into the kitchen.

A silence comes over the room.

WINTERSMr. Dalton, I can't tell you howsorry we are to have to bring thisnews to you and your family.

Paul nods.

PAULI know, Detective. I appreciatethat. My wife... her father isstill a sore spot for her. I'mafraid she's going to take thishard. She never felt that thefamily did right by him with thefuneral.

As they talk, Christmas looks over his shoulder at thekitchen. He rises from his seat and makes his way to thekitchen.

INT. DALTON KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Christmas finds Olivia standing over the sink, her face inher hands.

CHRISTMASMrs. Dalton?

She jumps slightly and tries to hurry the tears from hereyes.

CHRISTMAS (CONT'D)I'm sorry. I didn't mean tofrighten you. I was wondering if Imight have a glass of water.

OLIVIAYes, of course.

She moves to a cabinet and pulls out a glass. She moves backto the sink and begins to fill the glass.


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CHRISTMASIncidentally, I don't have anyquestions for you or anything. I'mjust the police chaplain.Detective Parker brought mealong... just in case.

OLIVIAJust in case?

Christmas takes a drink and smiles.

CHRISTMASJust in case anyone needed totalk.

(he pauses)Do you... need to talk?

Olivia forces an uneasy smile.

OLIVIAThank you officer.

CHRISTMASPlease, my friends call meChristmas.

OLIVIAReally?

CHRISTMASIt's a long story.

OLIVIAWell, Christmas, I'm just having ahard time believing that this ishappening. My father died verysuddenly. He was diagnosed withcancer and was dead within amonth. He never even had afighting chance. The funeral andburial were such a mess. I felt weall did it wrong.

Christmas moves close to her, he puts a gentle hand on hershoulder.

CHRISTMASAnd now... this.

OLIVIAExactly.


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Christmas has become very focused on something. He pulls outa laminated card. It gives the date and location of thevisitation: "4p.m. February 12, 1994 - Paley BrothersMortuary"

Christmas' eyes grow wide. He hesitates for a moment, then

he pulls out a small notebook and pen. He jots theinformation down quickly.

EXT. SUNDOWN CREEK PARK - DAY

It is late afternoon and the sun shines down on two CITYFORESTERS, working in the park. They are clearing fallenbrush from a gulley.

FORESTER 1 tosses the brush out of the gulley, FORESTER 2(the older of the two) throws it into a chipper.

FORESTER 2

Look, I'm not saying it's notgood... I'm just saying... I don'tget it.

FORESTER 1Do you actually watch it?

Forester 2 waits for the chipper to finish grinding up adead branch before he responds.

FORESTER 2Sometimes it's on in thebackground when I'm reading.

FORESTER 1Okay! Then how can you say youdon't get it if you haven't givenit a chance.

FORESTER 2I'm just saying... I'm glad youlike the show. I just don't followit. It's just not my style.Period... What?

Forester 1 has stopped listening. His eyes are transfixed bysomething he's found.

He throws a dead shrub out of the way.

Beneath is the 16-year-decayed body of Alan Bryce.


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INT. POLICE STATION HALLWAY - DAY

Equiano is exiting the lunchroom, sipping a can of soda.

Ryoo steps up with his clipboard, almost knocking Equianoover.

RYOOCapt. Equiano?

Equiano splutters and checks his shirt for any spills.Satisfied that he did not spill he looks up.

EQUIANOYes?

RYOOCaptain, I'm Steven Ryoo. I'm theEvidence Officer and archivist.

Equiano shakes his hand.

EQUIANOOh. Fantastic. I've been lookingover your file. Great record.Really impressive.

RYOOThank you, Captain.

EQUIANOWhat can I do for you?

Ryoo holds out his clipboard.

RYOOI need you to sign off on thetransfer of a large piece ofevidence to an off-site storagefacility.

Equiano signs.

EQUIANO

Wow. What is it?

RYOO(sighs)

It's a coffin. Winters and Parkerthought it was very very funny tohave it delivered here to me -rather than taking it to, say, theimpound yard. I don't know ifyou've met them yet...

Equiano is beginning to smirk at how angry Ryoo is getting.


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20.

EQUIANOBriefly, yes.

RYOOThey can be... well, Winters isusually alright - but Parker is

really childish. If there is everany disciplinary action, I willgladly testify.

Equiano puts a hand on his arm to stop him.

EQUIANOI appreciate that Officer Ryoo. Iwill let you know.

Ryoo knows when to shut up. He smiles, nods and moves away.

Equiano smiles and takes a sip of his soda. As he moves up

the hall. He stops again because he hears "LET IT SNOW"playing.

He turns and sees a door reading "Chaplain" partially open.He looks confused for a moment. He checks the date on hiswatch. As he suspected - it's nowhere near Christmas.

He moves toward the door and is about to knock when the dooropens and Christmas almost slams into him.

They both jump a bit and then stare at each other.

EQUIANOEliot?

CHRISTMASRon?

They both beam and laugh as they throw their arms aroundeach other.

EQUIANOLet me look at you! I thoughteverybody from the old gang wasgone.

Christmas raises his eyebrows, not knowing how to respond.

CHRISTMASWell, actually...

He points to the door and Equiano reads.

EQUIANOYou're... not a detective anymore?


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CHRISTMASI'm afraid not. I do this now.

EQUIANOOf everything today that hassurprised me... that takes the

trophy. Eliot Moore - policechaplain. That's got to be a hellof a story.

Christmas grins sheepishly.

INT. SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Winters and Parker are at their desks.

A UNIFORM OFFICER is leading a HOOKER through the squad roomto book her.

They pass near Parker's desk.

OFFICERC'mon!

HOOKERStop pushing you jagoff!

Parker looks up.

PARKERHey! Hey! Hey! You kiss your pimpwith that mouth?

Winter's PHONE RINGS. She pulls the receiver to her head.

WINTERSWinters.

(pause)Yeah. Got it. Thanks.

She hangs up and jots down a note.

PARKERWhat is it?

Winters stands and pulls on her blazer.

WINTERSI think we've got Bryce's body.

Parker leaps up and they head out.


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INT. POLICE STATION HALLWAY - DAY

Equiano and Christmas still stand talking and catching up.

EQUIANOYeah... Lisa is 16 now. Can you

believe it?

CHRISTMASOh my God! You're kidding me.

EQUIANOOkay - I gotta ask. What's withthe Christmas music.

Christmas is about to answer when Winters and Parker roundthe corner.

WINTERS

Oh, great! Here you are. HiChristmas.

Equiano looks at Christmas confused.

WINTERSLooks like we've got the body fromthe grave desecration thismorning.

EQUIANOFantastic. Where?

WINTERSLooks like a couple of cityworkers found him at Sundown CreekPark.

Those words hit Christmas and Equiano like a body blow.

EQUIANOSay that again?

WINTERSSundown Creek Park. Why?

Christmas and Equiano look at each other, stunned.

PARKERGuys?

CHRISTMASThe guy was buried in February of94 and was worked on at PaleyBrothers.

The two grow pale.


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23.

EQUIANOSundown Creek Park...

Christmas looks over at Winters and Parker.

CHRISTMAS

He's back.

FADE OUT.


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END ACT ONE

EXT. CITY SKYLINE - DAY

The sun rises over the city skyline, heralding a new day.

INT. DINER - DAY

Several CUSTOMERS sit around the eating their breakfast.Some wait for take out orders. SEVERAL WAITRESSES movearound taking orders and filling coffee cups.

A T.V. behind the counter plays the local morning news.

Billy Carden sits with a disheveled looking YOUNG MAN in acamouflage jacket.

They are talking very closely and quietly.

Under the table, Billy pulls a small paper bag out of abackpack that is sitting close to him on the seat.

The young man reaches under the table discretely with asmall roll of cash.

The two exchange items and sit back casually as each stashtheir item.

YOUNG MANIt's good to see you on theoutside.

Billy nods and smiles.

BILLYThanks.

The young man gets up and finishes the last drink of hiscoffee.

YOUNG MANCall me this weekend if you arelooking for something to do.

Billy nods, but the conversation is hollow.

BILLYI'll do that.

Elsewhere in the diner, the bell above the door RINGS.

The young man nods and moves toward the door.

Billy looks down and returns to his hamburger.

After only a moment alone he becomes aware of another


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25.

presence at the table.

He looks up into the face of TYLER. His eyes grow wide.

Tyler is in his late thirties and is wearing a polo andkhaki shorts - a picture of the middle class.

Billy is dumbstruck.

TYLERHello, Billy.

He slides into the booth opposite Billy.

BILLYTyler.

TYLERYou're looking well. Fit. Those

prison yard workout programs don'tseem to have done you any harm.

BILLYHow did you know...

TYLERYou're a creature of habit, Billy.As often as possible you do thethings you know best. That's whyI'm here.

BILLYI...

TYLER(cutting himoff)

We need to have a talk, you andme. And not here.

Billy shrinks at the idea but nods anyway.

BILLYOkay.

Tyler hands him a slip of paper.

TYLERMeet me here tonight at 2 o'clock.

Billy reads the paper. "Mr.Sudsy's Around-the-Clock CarWash."

Billy looks up again as Tyler gets out of the booth.


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26.

TYLER (CONT'D)I'll see you there?

Billy nods. Tyler nods and smiles back, but the smile isfull of disdain for Billy.

TYLER (CONT'D)It's good to see you.

He turns and heads for the door leaving Billy, who lookslike someone just kicked him in the crotch.

vessels (t.v. pilot - first act competition)

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