4-7-11 chasing shadows 11th draft 3-30-12

8/2/2019 4-7-11 Chasing Shadows 11th Draft 3-30-12

1/18

"chasing shadows"11th Draft 3/30/12

By

Joseph Eulo

"The Waif of Ocean City"by Mark Soifer

(C) 2012 Joey Eulo

NULL&Void Films

Joseph Eulo

[email protected]


2/18

INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM - NIGHT

ANTHONY HEAVENS, 9 years old, lies in bed awake, fullydressed in a short sleeved shirt, dirty blue jeans and apair of faded chuck taylors sneakers.

Anthony clutches a old metallic FLASHLIGHT to his chest. Hiseyes are locked on the bedroom door.

The CLOCK on the night stand behind him reads 4:59AM. ABROKEN TOY TRUCK and a TABLE LAMP occupy the space next tothe clock. The TICKING of the clock fills in the silence.The numbers on the clock slowly turn to 5:00AM.

FRONT DOOR

GLORIA, mid 30s, unlocks the front door and enters dressedin a wrinkled and soiled waitress uniform complete withapron.

She stumbles inside fumbling with a large bag of groceriesin one hand, and a bottle of whiskey wrapped in a brownpaper bag in the other.

A red leather handbag hangs from her shoulder. Keys danglefrom her fingers.

The grocery bag slips and smashes to the floor. Fruits andvegetables roll out in different directions. The bottle ofwhiskey settles on the floor next to her foot.

GLORIA

(putting her keys in her pursedefeated)

Great...just..Great!

She looks at the ripped grocery bag on the floor and SIGHS.She picks up the the bottle of whiskey, removes the cap,leans against the wall, and takes a long satisfying drinkfrom the bottle.

She wipes her face with her hand and kicks the door behindher. The door SLAMS shut.

CUT TO ON DOOR SLAM

BEDROOM

Anthony, jumps out of bed, flashlight in hand. He moves tothe closet, opens the door, kneels and checks the contentson the floor inside:


3/18

2.

A rolled up green SLEEPING BAG, a SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK, aCIGAR BOX, a CRUCIFIX, a King James BIBLE with the covertorn off, and a half eaten bag of COOL RANCH DORITOS.

KITCHEN

Gloria drops the torn grocery bag on the counter. She grabsthe bottle and takes another drink.

LIVING ROOM

Gloria walks to the TV, bottle in hand, handbag on hershoulder, and turns the knob on the TV set.

A old B&W Orson Wells film plays on the TV. Gloria dropsherself down on the sofa and takes another long drink fromthe paper bag.

A half eaten bowl of fruit loops sits on the coffee table in

front of her. She removes her purse from her shoulder andtosses it on the table. Milk and bits of cereal fly into theair and land on her.

Abruptly, she stands up. The bottle of whiskey falls to thefloor and spills.

GLORIADamn it!

CUT TO ON DAMN IT

BEDROOM

Anthony, looks up from the closet and stares at the door.

LIVING ROOM

Gloria picks up the bottle, rips off the paper bag and likea jeweler examining a diamond, scrutinizes its contents.

She curses under her breath and takes another drink.

Gloria slams the bottle down hard on the coffeetable. Glares at the upended bowl of fruit loops. Reachesfor her belt and with one swift movement removes it from herwaist.

GLORIA(Inebriated)

Anthony!,...how many times do Ihave to tell you..


4/18

3.

BEDROOM

Anthony, startled, quickly looks down into his flashlight.He flips the switch. Nothing. He looks at the door, afraid.

LIVING ROOM

Gloria picks up the bottle from the table and steps towardthe hallway.

HALLWAY

She trips over a broken toy truck on the floor and stumblesinto the hallway into a FRAMED FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH on thewall.

Gloria gazes into the tilted FRAMED FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH onthe wall. The photo captures her attention.

She stares, first with a look of confusion then with

recognition.

BEAT

A slight smile fills her face. Her eyes moisten.

BEDROOM

Anthony unscrews the flashlight, two dead "D" batteries fallto the hardwood floor.

THUMP, Anthony looks up in regret at the door. THUMP.

CUT TO ON SECOND THUMP

HALLWAY

The sound coming from Anthonys room brings Gloria back tothe present. Her smile fades.

GLORIA(Angry, yelling)

Anthony!...Anthony!....Get...

CUT TO ON "GET"

BEDROOM

GLORIA (CONTD O.S.)...Your Ass Out Here!...Now!

Anthony rushes to the dresser and opens the drawer. Heurgently searches through socks, underwear, and flashlightparts.


5/18

4.

HALLWAY

Gloria, reaches up to touch the faces in the FRAMED PHOTO.The bottle of whiskey slips through her fingers. The Bottleshatters on the hardwood floor.

BEDROOM

SOUND OF GLASS SHATTERING (O.S.)

GLORIA (O.S.)Damn it!

Anthony, quickly snatches two "D" batteries from the drawerand jams them into the flashlight.

HALLWAY

Light spilling from underneath Anthonys door illuminatesthe broken glass in the hallway. Gloria steps to avoid them.

SOUND OF GLASS BEING CRUSHED UNDER FOOT

GLORIA (CONT)Damn it!

BEDROOM

Anthony frantically points the flashlight it into his faceonce more AND flips the switch. It flickers. He smacks it.It lights up.

HALLWAY

Gloria, snatches the frame off the wall, punches theglass, rips out the photograph, and drops the frame to thefloor.

She stares at the photo in her hand. She scowls at Anthonysdoor then takes a determined step forward.

STOMP, belt in one hand STOMP photograph in the other

CUT TO ON SECOND STOMP

BEDROOM

Anthony looks down at the flashlight in his hand, STOMP, atthe closet, STOMP. at the bedroom door.

SILENCE. The hardwood floor creaks.

In one quick movement he turns, throws the flashlight intothe closet, flips off the light, and dives into bed.


6/18

5.

HALLWAY/BEDROOM

Gloria SLAMS open the door.

Anthony lands on the bed facing the wall, his backside tothe door, his eyes closed tightly.

Gloria stands in silhouette for a long moment in thedoorway.

She raises her hand, like a graceful ballerina, and flips onthe lights. She steps slowly toward Anthony.

Anthony turns to face his mother. She glares at him.

BEAT

Anthony stares back

SILENCE

Gloria raises her belt.

Anthony shakes his head No.

BEAT

Gloria suddenly, like a lion pouncing on her prey, grabsAnthony by the arm, drags him out of bed, across the roomand into the closet.

She SLAMS the door shut with her back to the door. Gloria

slides to the floor, photograph in hand crying.

CLOSET

Darkness.

A beam of light illuminates Anthonys face Halloween style.It turns to shine on the cigar box resting in Anthonys lap.

He opens the box and scans its contents. The beam of lightstops on a old metal dog tag and photo of a man in a US armyuniform.

Anthony gently picks up the dog tag then the photo. Hestares into the photograph and traces the mans face withhis thumb.

BEAT

(CONTINUED)


7/18

CONTINUED: 6.

ANTHONY(whispering to the photograph)

Where are you?

A single tear streaks down his face. The flashlight dims,then flickers, then darkness.

FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - AROUND OCEAN CITY - MONTAGE

Anthony and his dad playing tag on the beach.

Anthonys and his dad watching TV

Anthony and his dad playing catch.

Anthony and his dad on the Jetty watching the sunset/rise.

A BUZZ FROM THE ALARM CLOCK GOES ENDS FLASHBACK

END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

BEDROOM - 6:00 AM

BUZZ

Anthony opens the closet door. dashes over to the nightstand and silences the Alarm clock. The Clock reads 6:01 AM.

He grabs his flashlight and blanket and tiptoes through hisopen bedroom door.

LIVING ROOM

Gloria is passed out on the sofa. Her red handbag lying openon the coffee table.

Anthony places his blanket over his mother. He reaches forher handbag, removes the change purse, and opens the clasps.

A single dime and pink and purple prayer card are inside.Anthony removes the card and reads the words:

ON CARD

TRIALS ARE NOT ENEMIES OF FAITHBUT ARE OPPORTUNITIESTO PROVE GODS FAITHFULNESS.

ON ANTHONY

Gloria stirs and mumbles, Anthony quickly takes the dime andreturns the change purse to the handbag. He stuffs theprayer card in his back pocket.


8/18

7.

He quietly exits the apartment. Dog tag, around his,flashlight in hand.

EXT. 5TH STREET JETTY - SUNRISE

Anthony sits on the large rocks close to the end of a jetty.

The dog tag hangs from his neck. Flash light in his grasp.

Seagulls are flying around him. Crying out to each other.

The sun is rising over the ocean. Anthony looks toward thehorizon. He reaches for the prayer card in his back pocketand reads it again.

EXT. STREET

Anthony walks on the edge of the curb, like a tightropewalker, trying to keep his balance.

A dozen or so KIDS are walking past him, carrying schoolbooks, backpacks, and lunch boxes.

Anthony makes it to the corner without falling. He looks up.A man in a U.S. ARMY UNIFORM catches his eye.

The uniformed man his holding the hand of a young boy. Theycross the street in front of him.

Anthony reaches for the dog tag hanging from his neck hiseyes fixed on the man and boy crossing the street. Theyenter the corner store. Anthony follows.

INT. CORNER STORE - DAY

The BELL over the door RINGS as Anthony enters. The STORECLERK, early 40s, medium build, sporting a dirty apron,looks up from the counter.

A small sign on the cash register gives warning.

ON SIGN

SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE SHOT

ON STORE CLERK

STORE CLERKHey Kid, you gonna buysomething?

Anthony nods his head YES.

(CONTINUED)


9/18

CONTINUED: 8.

STORE CLERKYou got 5 minutes to find what yourlooking for Kid.

Anthony ducks down the candy aisle and stops behind abattery display. He looks over to the uniformed man and theyoung boy at the counter.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(to the uniformed man as herings up a pack of smokes anda candy bar)

That will be a buck fifty?

The uniformed man hands the store clerk two bills andpockets the smokes.

UNIFORMED MAN(handing the boy the candybar.)

dont tell your mother...here

The boy looks up..smiles.

YOUNG BOYI wont..Thanks pop!.

Anthony, looks down at his sneakers.

The store clerk hands the man his change.

BEAT

Anthony checks if the store clerk is looking. He stuffs apack of "D" batteries in his pocket. The bell over the doorRINGS as The uniformed man and boy exit.

The store clerk turns to Anthony.

STORE CLERKTimes up Kid. find what yourlooking for?

Anthony, grabs a pack of candy from the rack and approachesthe counter. He holds up the pack of candy.

STORE CLERKEight cents kid.

Anthony, looks out the window and watches the man and boycross the street.

He slaps a dime on the counter, and rushes toward the door.

(CONTINUED)


10/18

CONTINUED: 9.

STORE CLERKHey Kid, your change!

Anthony, walks through the door, looks over his shoulderwaves to the clerk to "just keep it".

EXT. CORNER STORE - DAY

Anthony, in a rush, bumps into JONATHAN a boy one yearolder, two years dumber, and twice his size.

Jonathans new blue beach cruiser crashes to the ground.Jonathan shoves Anthony to the sidewalk. two of Jonathansfriends point and laugh at Anthony on the ground.

The candy, flashlight, and stolen batteries shake loose fromAnthonys pants.

JONATHAN

Watch where your going!

Jonathan picks up his bike and looks it over. He kicks downthe bike stand then turns to Anthony sitting on the ground.

JONATHAN(picking up the candy from theground)

Normally I would pound you forthis..(examining the candy)...But..

School KIDS gather around as Anthony stands up.

JONATHAN (CONTD)...I am willing to make anexception...this time

Jonathan raises the candy in the air.

JONATHAN (CONT)(to the crowd of kids, evilgrin on his face)

a sweet deal...wouldnt you say?!

A little girl, nods her head up and down.

Anthony steps closer, and angrily shakes his head NO.

JONATHAN (CONT)(to Anthony with a smile)

have it your way Heavens(shrugs)...its your funeral...

(CONTINUED)


11/18

CONTINUED: 10.

Anthony jumps up to snatch the candy from Jonathans handbut misses. Jonathan grabs Anthony and puts him in a headlock. More Kids gather around them.

KIDS(as a group chanting)

FIGHT.... FIGHT.... FIGHT

Jonathan rubs his knuckle into his scalp.

KID(shaking her head)

He should of taken the deal.

KIDS (CONTD)(as a group)

FIGHT.... FIGHT....

Anthony struggles to get free. A little girl covers hereyes.

The store clerk emerges from the store.

STORE CLERK(to the bully)

Break it up...I SAID! (louder toJonathan) Break it up...

Jonathan lets go. He pushes Anthony to the ground.

STORE CLERK(to the kids)

Now you better get going!..theschool bells is about to ring.

The kids run off. Jonathan gets on his bike.

JONATHAN(as he peddles off)

Well finish this atRecess..Heavens!

School kids hurry past. Anthony rubs his knee.

BEAT

STORE CLERK(offering his hand to Anthonysitting on the sidewalk)

Hey kid... didnt your pop teachyou how to fight?

Anthony gives him a hard look, refuses his hand, and gets upby himself.

(CONTINUED)


12/18

CONTINUED: 11.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(raising his hand in the air)

Ok..have it your way kid!

The store clerk, bends to pick up Anthonys flashlight fromthe ground.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(as he reaches for theflashlight)

Want some advice Kid?

Anthony wipes his face with his hand.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(not waiting for an answer)

Your smaller then his is...so Nexttime, kick him as hard as youcan...right.. square.. in the

crotch.

The store clerk smiles, stands chuckling. HoldingAnthonys flashlight.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(turning to Anthony)I promise you ... he willnever...

Store clerk turns, and notices the Purple bruises onAnthonys back Anthony as he is tying his shoe.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(smile gone, voice trailing)

.... bully you again...

They lock eyes, a quiet moment ensues between them.

The store clerk holds out the flashlight. Anthony, grabs it,wipes his tears away with his hand.

BEAT

The store clerk uncomfortably looks away. He notices thestolen pack of batteries on the sidewalk.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)Hey!

He reaches to pick up the batteries

(CONTINUED)


13/18

CONTINUED: 12.

STORE CLERK (CONTD)(incredulous)

whats this?!

SCHOOL BELL BEGINS TO RING

Anthony, runs off toward the boardwalk in the oppositedirection of the school and the store clerk.

END SCHOOL BELL

The store clerk holds up the pack of batteries and wavesthem in the air at Anthony as he Runs toward the boardwalk.

STORE CLERK(pissed)

Hey Kid!

MONTAGE - AROUND OCEAN CITY

A) Anthony watching salt water taffy being made.

B) Anthony helping little old ladies at the grocery store.

C) Anthony ducking behind a trash can to avoid the TRUANTOFFICER.

E) Anthony leaning into the wishing well grabbing change.

F) Anthony stealing a stack of newspaper from vendingmachine.

G) Anthony putting a grocery bag into the trunk of a car.

H) Anthony selling newspapers on the Boardwalk

I) CU of change being put in Anthonys hand.

I) The truant officer looking for Anthony at the mini golf.

J) Anthony running to St. Vincents on 13th Street. puttingmoney into the collection box. Making a cross on his chest.

K) Anthony back at SHRIVERS pointing to a piece of candy.

L) Anthony sitting on a bench at the music pier eatingtaffy.


14/18

13.

INT. BOARDWALK ARCADE - DAY

Anthony checks the coin return on a row of video games. Onthe last machine he finds a quarter and a dime.

Anthony dashes over to the skeeball machines at the back of

the arcade.

He pockets the quarter and inserts the dime into the coinslot. Eight baseball-sized wooden balls roll into place.

He rubs his hands together and with the concentration of aprofessional ball player, grabs the first ball, winds up androlls a 50-pointer. He smiles.

The truant officer spots Anthony in the arcade, he entersand creeps behind him. Anthony winds up and rolls again.

The truant officer raises his clipboard and flips the

page.He finds Anthonys name adds red X next to it.

ON CLIPBOARD

OCNJ TRUANCY REPORT MAY-JUNE 1981

HEAVENS, Anthony 4th grade X X X X X X X X X X X X X XMcCARTHY, Lori 5th grade X X X XPILEGGI, Johnny 7thgrade X X X X X

ON TRUANT OFFICER

Anthony grabs the another ball and rolls a 100 pointer. He

Jumps up and down in celebration laughing and smiling.

The truant officer taps him on the shoulder. Anthony, turnsaround, and looks up. His smile drops from his face.

TRUANT OFFICERCome on...Lets go Anthony...

Anthony mockingly thrust his arms out to him to behandcuffed.

INT. PRIMARY SCHOOL - VICE PRINCIPALS OFFICE

Anthony, stands in front of a principals desk, his headdown. The VICE PRINCIPAL sits reading Anthonys attendancerecord.

ON ATTENDANCE RECORD

STUDENT: Anthony Heavens, Jr. GRADE: 4thTRUANT: 15/60ABSENT: 10/30 LATE: 12/30

(CONTINUED)


15/18

CONTINUED: 14.

ON VICE PRINCIPAL

The vice principal leans back and looks at Anthony indisbelief.

VICE PRINCIPAL

(incredulously)Anthony this is the 16th time youhave been caught on the boardwalkthis spring.

SILENCE.

The vice principal leans forward and flips the page onAnthonys attendance report.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)(looking down flipping throughattendance record)

you somehow eluded Mr. Rooney sixtime by hiding out under theboardwalk....What do you have sosay for yourself?

BEAT.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)(with concern)

...Anthony whats going on? iseverything Ok at home?

Anthony, looks up, locks eye with the vice principal, opens

his mouth to speak THEN the SECRETARY enters and Interruptsa typed INDEX CARD in hand.

SECRETARYHere is...

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)(motioning to the secretary tostop)

What is it Anthony?

Anthony drops his head and stares at the floor.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)Anthony, is your mother home?

BEAT.

Anthony shakes his head.

(CONTINUED)


16/18

CONTINUED: 15.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)is she at work?

he shrugs.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)

Anthony I cant help you if youdont talk to me....

Silence.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)Are you going to talk to me?

he shakes his head.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)(signals secretary toapproach)

Then...you leave me with no otherchoice.

The secretary steps closer hands the vice principal thetyped index card.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)Im going to have to call yourfather.

Anthonys head snaps up.

SECRETARY

(to the vice principal)his (nodding to Anthony) fathershome address and phone number.

Anthony stares at the index card.

VICE PRINCIPAL(looking at Anthony with phonein hand ready to dial)

Last Chance...!

Anthony is frozen. He stares at the index card. The viceprincipal begins to punch in the numbers.

Loud VOICES OF KIDS arguing in hallway, stops the viceprincipal in mid dial. The secretary exits the viceprincipal places the phone down and follows.

VICE PRINCIPAL(to Anthony as he walks out)

Dont go anywhere.

(CONTINUED)


17/18

CONTINUED: 16.

Anthonys watches them leave. He darts over to the desk andpicks up the index card:

ON INDEX CARD:

ANTHONY HEAVENS, 4TH GRADE

PARENTS DIVORCED

FATHER: RON M. HEAVENS.MOTHER: GLORIA HEAVENS

FATHERS Phone # (609) 555-1212

501 59TH STREET,APT 4COCEAN CITY, NJ 08244

ON ANTHONY:

Anthony, looks over his shoulder then stuffs the index cardin his pocket.

He creeps past the vice principle and secretary in thehallway. BEAT.

The vice principal returns with TWO KIDS the secretaryfollows.

VICE PRINCIPAL(to secretary)

Where did he go?

Anthony can be seen through the window exiting the school.

SECRETARY(looking around)

I dont know...

Anthony stops at the bike rack in front of the school.

VICE PRINCIPAL(to secretary)

Call Police Department and notifycounty child services...

Secretary reluctantly taking notes.

VICE PRINCIPAL (CONTD)(frustrated)

..let them deal with him.


18/18

17.

EXT. SCHOOL - BIKE RACK

Anthony scans the crowded bike rack. He locks on to afamiliar blue beach cruiser and grins.

He grabs the bike, removes it from the rack, gets on, andbegins to peddle away.

Jonathan is at the window. He watches Anthony ride off onhis bike. He pounds on the window. Other KIDS rush over tosee whats going on. Anthony hears the pounding, smiles andrides off.

MONTAGE - ON BIKE TO FIND DAD OCEAN CITY

The sun is setting as..

A) Anthony rides past the Corner Store, Clerk issweeping the sidewalks.B) CU of Anthony Riding Bike

C) Anthony riding past the Jetty.D) Anthony riding past the Music Pier.E) Anthony riding past the Arcade.F) Anthony riding past the truant officer.G) past the Church.H) Past The little old ladies at the supermarket.

END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

EXT. 59TH STREET APARTMENT BUILDING -

Anthony stops on the sidewalk in front of the apartmentbuilding. He is out of breath. He drops the bike on thesidewalk. The Index Card in his hand, dog tag around hisneck, Flashlight in his back pocket. He enters the building.

INT. 59TH STREET APARTMENT BUILDING -

The doors of the elevator open. Anthony steps out looks leftthen down at the Index Card in his hand.

He stands in front a apt 4C and rings the door bell.

The door opens. The light from the apartment illuminates hisface.

His face full of hope.

ANTHONYDad?

FADE OUT

THE END

4-7-11 chasing shadows 11th draft 3-30-12

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