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SHADES OF GRAY
by Ricky Nations and Lance Ringler (rnations@yahoo.com)

Rated: R   Genre: Drama   User Review: ****
Certain actions result in certain consequences. For Jim Watson, a functioning alcoholic in the midst of a divorce, he could only hope for things to be so black and white. His inability to make the right choices will lead to extraordinary circumstances that will forever change his life and the lives of those around him. WGA Registration # 1477597


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



FADE IN:

EXT. BLACK SCREEN - NIGHT
                                                            
SUPER: "TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD, YOU MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND A
PLACE LIKE MISSISSIPPI."

WILLIAM FAULKNER
                                                            
Just before the Black Screen fades to action, the faint
sound of a boat motor is heard.
                                                            
EXT. LAKE PEND ORIELLE, IDAHO
                                                            
SUPER: MID-OCTOBER, 2010
LAKE PEND OREILLE, IDAHO
                                                            
A full moon shines over the lake. A light fog just above
the water, the moonlight highlighting the mountains that
outline the horizon. All is quiet except the faint hum of a
small boat motor.

A small flat bottomed fishing boat enters the frame. The
boat is operated by a solitary individual, the faint sound
of the outboard motor becoming somewhat louder as it becomes
more prominent. The boat slows to a stop, the engine idled.
Only being able to see a shadowy figure in the boat without
any defining characteristics.

With glove covered hands, the figure in the boat struggles
and rolls a squirming body bag over the edge of the boat
into the lake. A small splash is heard over the idling of
the engine.

The body bag descends deeper and deeper into the 1100 ft
deep lake. It is apparent from the movement of the bag that
a live body is inside.

The engine revs back up and the boat makes a wide arching
turn and returns in the direction from which it came.
                                                            
 
INT. MISSISSIPPI RIVERBOAT CASINO, VICKSBURG, MS - NIGHT
                                                            
SUPER: TEN MONTHS EARLIER
CHRISTMAS DAY, 2009
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
The faint jingle of slot machines, the casino is mostly
empty. KEISHA JACKSON, 34, African American female, her skin
color is light to medium brown and creamy, her hair in curls
just below shoulder length. She is very attractive. She is

2.

dressed in attractively fitted faded jeans and a snug
fitting low cut sweater showing her curves.

She sits at a slot machine dropping quarters into the
machine before rising and heading towards the bar.

JIM WATSON, white male, 41, brown hair medium length, fairly
handsome, is seated on a bar stool at the bar. Jim is
dressed in khakis and a plaid button down shirt. He sits
alone at the bar playing video poker, not really caring
about winning or losing. Keisha walks to the right side of
Jim and starts a conversation.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You mind if I sit here?
                                                            
Barely turning his head towards Keisha, Jim slightly lifts
his hand and nods yes before replying.
                                                            
                       JIM
Sure, go ahead.
                                                            
A brief moment of silence between the two characters, the
noise of the casino in the background.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I never have any luck on these
poker machines. You doin' any
good?
                                                            
                       JIM
Nah, just killin' some time...
wettin' my whistle. I think I'm
up two dollars.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Better than bein' down two
dollars.
                                                            
Jim nods his head in the affirmative trying not to pay much
attention to Keisha's conversation.

Keisha glances at Jim's left hand and notices a gold wedding
band.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
What'chu doin' here on Christmas
day? -- Don't you have a family
you need to be with?
                                                            
                       JIM
I had to work today. Just got off
and was thirsty.
                                                            

3.

                       KEISHA
Where are you from?
                                                            
                       JIM
I live over in Clinton.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Naw, I mean, where you really
from? You sound like you might be
from up north -- am I right?
                                                            
Jim pauses a moment before replying, looking downward at his
beer filled glass. Slowly and a bit more warmly, he speaks.
                                                            
                       JIM
Yeah, I'm not from around here. I
grew up in Ohio... in Youngstown.
Went to college at Penn State. I
moved down this way a while back
for a job.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
What kind'a place works a man on
Christmas Day?
                                                            
                       JIM
The nuclear power plant... the one
down at Grand Gulf.
                                                            
Keisha, looking at Jim, her fingers tossing the curls of her
hair.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Curious.)
Hmmm, really... Whata'ya do down
there?
                                                            
Jim turns his head and looks at Keisha.
                                                            
                       JIM
I'm a nuclear engineer.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
No shit!? That's like a brain
surgeon or sumthin.
                                                            
A slight grin comes across Jim's face.
                                                            
                       JIM
No shit.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
So nuke... what's ya' name?
                                                            

4.

                       JIM
Jim, Jim Watson.
                                                            
Keisha turns sideways, facing Jim. Keisha leans farther
onto the bar, looking into Jim's face, her cleavage catching
Jim's attention. Keisha extends her hand to Jim for a
brief, polite handshake, a mischievous expression on
Keisha's face.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Keisha Jackson, good to meet'cha.
You gonna buy me a drank or let me
sit here and dry up?
                                                            
                       JIM
Sure, what would you like?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
How 'bout a vodka tonic...
although I'm really not that big'a
drinker.
                                                            
Jim raises his hand to the bartender, the bartender not
paying attention.
                                                            
                       JIM
Wish I could say the same.
                                                            
Keisha reaches and brings down Jim's arm. She pauses for
the briefest of moments before cocking her head and
speaking.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Your wife must be a lucky woman.
                                                            
                       JIM
I'm not sure she thinks that.
                                                            
A brief moment of awkward silence before Jim speaks.
                                                            
                       JIM (cont'd)
You're here by yourself --
certainly you've got a boyfriend?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Naw, too many creeps out there.
                                                            
Keisha and Jim stop what they are doing and just look at
each other silently.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You must be as lonely as I am?
                                                            

5.

                       JIM
You might say that.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You're not goin' home tonight are
ya?
                                                            
Jim pauses for a couple of seconds before responding, a
certain sadness in his tone.
                                                            
                       JIM
No... I'm not going home.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Hesitantly but
       resolute.)
You know, you're white and I'm
black... but two folks ought not
be alone on Christmas Day.
                                                            
Contemplating what has just been said, Jim pauses for the
briefest of moments before speaking with interest.
                                                            
                       JIM
What do you have in mind?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Maybe you oughta come over to my
house.
                                                            
Jim smiles slyly at Keisha.
                                                            
                       JIM
You think so?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Yeah... I think so... I don't live
too far from here.
                                                            
                       JIM
You have beer?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I've got two six packs sittin' in
the back of my frig... Maybe, I'll
cook us up somethin' to eat -- ya'
like grilled cheese?
                                                            
Turning on his bar stool, Jim looks Keisha over for the
first time, nodding his head and smiling broadly.
                                                            
                       JIM
Yeah... yeah, that sounds good!
                                                            

6.

Jim reaches into his wallet and drops $20 on the bar. He
and Keisha rise from the bar.

Jim walks behind Keisha towards the exit door. Keisha
looking over her shoulder, smiling at Jim.

Jim smiles back while watching her body move across the
floor.
                                                            
 
EXT. KEISHA JACKSON'S SMALL HOME - NIGHT
                                                            
Jim pulls his red Jeep Cherokee in behind Keisha, parking in
her single lane concrete driveway.

Exiting their vehicles, Keisha turns and smiles at Jim. He
smiles back and follows her to her front door.
                                                            
KEISHA'S LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Keisha closes the door behind Jim as he enters the living
room.

Not a word is said as Keisha turns and embraces Jim, each
kissing the other in a hungry, passionate way, their hands
reaching for the buttons of each others clothes, trying to
remove them as quickly as possible.
                                                            
KEISHA'S BEDROOM
                                                            
Jim is on top of Keisha, vigorously thrusting. The
headboard rocks in rhythm as they make love in a
lustful,noisy and rowdy manner.
                                                            
After Jim climaxes, he slowly collapses onto Keisha as she
pulls Jim against her warm body, hugging him tightly, her
brown arms wrapped around his untanned back.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Oh, baby... oh, that was so good
-- Gawd, I needed that!
                                                            
Jim mumbles something inaudible back to her before rolling
out of the grip of her hug and onto his side of the bed. His
head sunk into the pillow, his eyes closed, breathing
heavily. Keisha lies motionless with a grin on her face.
                                                            
 
EXT. KEISHA'S SMALL FRAME ONE STORY HOME - DAY
                                                            
It is the morning after and Jim is standing just outside the
front door, the door half open. Keisha, dressed in a long
t-shirt is standing there. There are smiles from both

7.

characters and unheard conversation. Jim and Keisha lean
forward for a short passionate kiss.

A smile on her face, Keisha looks into Jim's eyes, her arms
lying on his shoulders.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
If it's OK, I'd like to see you
again.
                                                            
                       JIM
You bet.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You got my number, right?
                                                            
                       JIM
Oh, yeah, I'll give you a call.
                                                            
After another short kiss and embrace, Jim turns and walks
towards his newer model red Jeep Cherokee. Keisha remains in
the doorway, waving a half-armed goodbye as he pulls from
the driveway.

An older white female neighbor across the street, RUTH
TAYLOR, is retrieving her newspaper from the driveway and
observes Jim and Keisha. With pursed lips, she shakes her
head in dismay at the interracial couple.
                                                            
MONTAGE - JIM TRAVELS FROM VICKSBURG TO HIS SUBURBAN HOME
                                                            
-- Mild to no traffic on Interstate 20 as Jim travels in the
early morning, the day after Christmas, towards his suburban
family home in Clinton, MS, 30 miles east of Vicksburg. The
interstate is wooded on each side with an occasional country
home dotting the landscape.

-- Three tall wooden crosses stand side by side in an open
pasture. The middle cross is slightly taller and painted
yellowish-gold. The crosses on each side are painted white.

-- Jim reaches into a Styrofoam cooler on the passenger
floorboard and pulls out a can of beer from the melted ice.
He pops the top and begins to drink as he drives.
                                                            
-- Jim takes the exit ramp from the interstate. The exit
sign reads "Exit 35, Clinton".

-- Jim turning into an upper middle-class subdivision and
then into his driveway, the Jeep parking in the drive of his
two story brick home.


8.

Jim sits for several seconds before exiting the vehicle to
reunite with his family.
                                                            
 
INT. JIM & JANE WATSON'S KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
Jim enters his family's home through the door off of the
garage and into the kitchen.

His wife, JANE WATSON, 37, attractive, average height,
mid-length brunette, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, is
waiting for him in the kitchen when he walks in.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (loudly and with
       great
       exasperation)
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??
                                                            
                       JIM
I told you that I was going to
work.
                                                            
                       JANE
Yeah, that was yesterday --
CHRISTMAS DAY, at two in the
afternoon. I tried callin' work
and your cell phone. Nobody
answered!
                                                            
                       JIM
Let me explain --
                                                            
                       JANE
-- People... people who are
husbands and fathers, they don't
abandon their family and go to
work on Christmas Day.
                                                            
                       JIM
Ah, I, uh --
                                                            
                       JANE
-- Is that all you have to say for
yourself?... You're seein' another
woman aren't you?
                                                            
                       JIM
Don't be stupid.
                                                            
Jim and Jane's two children, CHRIS, 11 and EMMA, 7, dressed
in their pajamas, have walked in from the living room and
stand a couple of steps behind Jane.
                                                            

9.

                       JANE
Jim, you gotta decide! This has
been going on for too long... for
years!!
                                                            
Jane tries to compose herself before her last assault.
                                                            
                       JANE
It's not fair to me and it's not
fair to the kids... I need to know
-- do you still want to be a
husband and a father!? Do you? I
need to know -- NOW!!
                                                            
Jim pauses for several seconds before a smirk comes across
his face.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (Flippant.)
Maybe... yeah, maybe.
                                                            
As Jim utters his reply, he crosses in front of Jane and
their two children and leaves them standing together yet
alone.
                                                            
 
EXT. OFFICE BUILDING, DOWNTOWN, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: EARLY JANUARY 2010
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
L.J. SYKES, early 50's, dark thinning hair. average size,
wearing a white shirt and bow tie. He sits in his modestly
sized office, looking over a file.

At the doorway to his office suddenly appears BOBBY LEBLANC,
mid 40's, tall and handsome with thick brown hair, wearing a
business suit and red and blue striped tie.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
      (Excitedly.)
Hotty Toddy!... How 'bout those
Rebels?!
                                                            
L.J. looks up and acknowledges Bobby.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Oh, ah... yeah -- yeah, Bobby,
they did well.
                                                            

10.

                       BOBBY
Well?!... Hell, they kicked ass is
what they did... sent Oklahoma
State packin'.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
So, I take it you had a good time
at the Cotton Bowl?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Oh, it was great... Ellen and I
had a blast. Ya' know, Dallas is
a heck of a city --
                                                            
Just as Bobby is speaking, L.J.'s secretary, BARBARA walks
to the doorway coming up beside Bobby.
                                                            
                       BARBARA
-- Excuse me, Mr. LeBlanc... Mr.
Sykes, Mrs. Watson is here to see
you.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Very good, send her on in.
                                                            
Barbara vanishes quickly as Bobby begins to exit the
doorway.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Well, I gotta get moving.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
See 'ya.
                                                            
Barbara brings JANE WATSON to the doorway of L.J. Sykes
office and shows her in.
                                                            
                       BARBARA
Mr. Sykes, this is Mrs. Watson.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Thank ya', Barbara.
                                                            
Once again, Barbara vanishes quickly, closing the door
behind her. L.J. steps around the side of the desk to shake
Jane Watson's hand.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Have a seat, Mrs. Watson.
                                                            
Jane takes a seat in from of L.J.'s desk.
                                                            

11.

                       JANE
So, have you had a chance to go
over everything?
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Yes... actually, I was just going
over your file before you got
here.
                                                            
                       JANE
How long do you think it'll take
to get the divorce?
                                                            
L.J. slightly leans back in his chair, an ink pen spanning a
bridge between his two hands.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
I'll be honest with ya',.. it's
gonna depend on a lotta things.
                                                            
                       JANE
Such as?
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Things like, if he wants to put up
a fight, be an ass about this
whole thing... then there could be
a good bit of negotiation.
                                                            
L.J. leans forward in his chair placing his hands on his
desk.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES (cont'd)
On the other hand, if he basically
decides to take his medicine...
ya' know, roll over and play
dead... then there won't be much
of a fight and we could have the
divorce signed and finalized in
sixty to ninety days.
                                                            
                       JANE
Sixty to ninety days... what if
he's screwin' around on me, won't
that speed things up?
                                                            
L.J. nods his head.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
It might. It just depends on his
attitude... maybe his
conscience... maybe his bank
account -- If you can get all
three of those to line up, then
            (MORE)

12.

                       L.J. SYKES (cont'd)
you might be OK. If not, well, you
never know.
                                                            
Jane shakes her head, her brow furrowed, confused with the
whole process.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES (cont'd)
Now, from looking at the file, you
said that he's been drinkin' a
lot?
                                                            
                       JANE
Yeah, he's just like he was before
he went off to rehab back in the
summer. The last couple'a credit
card bills show him spending
around a thousand dollars a month
on beer and liquor... some at the
casino -- free drinks while you
play, ya' know.
                                                            
Trying to seem concerned, L.J. sits with a stern, interested
look on his face.
                                                            
                       JANE (cont'd)
      (Determined.)
But, I want his ass for cheatin'
on me!... I can live with a man
that's got a bit of a drinkin'
problem -- but I'm not gonna live
with one that's cheatin' on me.
                                                            
L.J. folds his arms in front of him on his desk. He looks
directly at Jane.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
You mentioned this cheatin'
several times. You certain about
this foolin' around?
                                                            
                       JANE
I'm almost damned certain.
                                                            
L.J. nods his head in the affirmative and pulls a business
card from his desk drawer. As he begins to speak, he hands
the card across his desk to Jane.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Almost? -- We need to be damned
certain.
                                                            

13.

Jane's face registers with a bit of shock at L.J.'s
frankness.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES (cont'd)
If you're right about ya' husband,
that's a fella that can find out
for us... He might help this case
to move along rather quickly --
ya' know, put a little grease on
the tracks.
                                                            
Jane stares at the business card in her hand: HANK ROSE,
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR.
                                                            
 
INT. NICE RESTAURANT, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - DAY
                                                            
Brunch is being served as ELLEN LEBLANC, 37, tall, lean with
long auburn hair, dressed nicely, and her friend KATHY, 36,
visit with each other. All of the brunch patrons appear to
be upscale Caucasians.
                                                            
                       KATHY
So, how was Dallas?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Unenthusiastic.)
It was good... ya' know.
                                                            
                       KATHY
Sounds like somebody didn't have a
good time.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
No, it was OK... it's just hard
bein' an Ole Miss fan and havin'
-- havin' to stay sober.
                                                            
                       KATHY
I guess I've never thought about
that. Alcohol is indeed a part of
the game-day tradition -- and we
do love our traditions!
                                                            
Feeling clever, Kathy smiles broadly at what she has just
said.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Yeah... but look what's happening
to our traditions.
                                                            

14.

                       KATHY
I know girl. Don't get me
started, and especially don't get
my husband started.
                                                            
Ellen shakes her head in agreement. A slight pause in
conversation as they sip their drinks.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
When we were little girls... ya'
remember... we used to go to the
Ole Miss games with our Dads...
we'd have on our red and blue --
and everybody had a Confederate
flag.
                                                            
Kathy nods her head.
                                                            
                       KATHY
Yep... there'd be forty thousand
Confederate flags waving at those
games.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
I remember how pretty it was, all
the flags wavin' at one time...
now we can't even play Dixie, and
the flag... hell, they banned the
flag about fifteen years ago.
                                                            
                       KATHY
And takin' the mascot, Colonel Reb
from the sidelines -- that's just
wrong... What is it, they said he
looked like a plantation owner or
something?
                                                            
Both shake their heads in dismay.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
You know what's odd... none of
that bothers my husband, Bobby...
He says it's what we gotta do if
we wanta be competitive
now-a-days,
                                                            
Kathy shakes her head in disagreement, her lips closed
tightly.
                                                            
                       KATHY
He's such a liberal... it just
seems wrong to me.
                                                            

15.

Ellen and Kathy continue their brunch and conversation as
the African American busboy cleans the table next to them.
                                                            
 
EXT. MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL - DAY
                                                            
Jane eases her mini-van into a parking place in front of the
Mississippi State Capitol building.

She exits the van and walks towards the capital.
                                                            
STATE CAPITOL, JANE WALKS IN DOOR FROM EXTERIOR
                                                            
Jane walks to a desk about 15 feet from the door and talks
to a security guard sitting behind the desk beside the metal
detector. The security guard picks up a walkie-talkie and
seconds later HANK ROSE walks into screen dressed in a
Mississippi Capitol Security guard uniform.

Hank, mid 50's, tall, average size with a small gut and thin
dark hair, extends his hand to Jane for a handshake.
                                                            
                       HANK
You must be Miz Watson.
                                                            
                       JANE
Yes, that's right, and you're Mr.
Rose?
                                                            
                       HANK
Honey, you can just call me Hank.
                                                            
                       JANE
Ok... Hank.
                                                            
                       HANK
Now, lets go down this way to one
of them conference rooms... we can
talk there... step around that
thang, c'mon, with me.
                                                            
Jane walks around the metal detector and follows Hank.

Hank and Jane walk down the marbled hallway and into a
conference room with a long oak table and high back chairs.
                                                            
                       HANK
So, have a seat, Miz Watson. Let's
talk about this situation you got.
                                                            
Jane and Hank sit down. Hank is at the head of the table
and Jane in the chair to his right.
                                                            

16.

                       JANE
You were referred to me by my
attorney, L.J. Sykes. He said
that you'd be a good man to have
on our side.
                                                            
                       HANK
Good ole L.J. He and I work
together a good bit, mainly
divorce cases.
                                                            
                       JANE
If you don't mind, I'd like to
know a little bit about your
background.
                                                            
                       HANK
Sure... I been in law enforcement
for near 'bout 32 years as either
a police officer or a deputy. I
sorta retired a few years back.
Took this job with Capitol
Security.
                                                            
Hank pauses for a moment as if confiding a secret to Jane.
                                                            
                       HANK (cont'd)
It's easy work. I put in three
days during the week here. Gives
a man time to hunt and fish.
                                                            
                       JANE
Very good.
                                                            
                       HANK
Now if I remember right, you want
me to do some huntin' on your
husband, Id'n that right?
                                                            
                       JANE
Yes, that's right.
                                                            
                       HANK
So you think this husband of yours
is gittin' with some other woman,
is that what ya' thinkin'?
                                                            
Jane filled with anger and embarrassment, looks directly at
Hank, glaring at his face.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Somewhat hostile.)
Yeah, he's cheating on me!
                                                            

17.

                       HANK
How come ya' think that?
                                                            
Irritated, Jane responds.
                                                            
                       JANE
After Christmas, I started going
to the cell phone store and
gettin' a print out of his cell
phone records... The same two
numbers keep showin' up over and
over. I think he might be --
                                                            
                       HANK
-- The same TWO numbers, calls a
lot, huh?
                                                            
                       JANE
Some are phone calls and some are
text messages. Some days he might
send out thirty or forty text
messages to each of'em.
                                                            
                       HANK
Sounds like our boys pretty busy.
'Bout don't sound like he's got
time to work.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Finishing the
       second sentence
       in a hushed
       voice.)
I've called both numbers. Each
number's a different woman... and
I think one of 'em might be black.
                                                            
Jane slides the phone records across to Hank. Hank faintly
shaking his head at what Jane has just told him.
                                                            
                       HANK
Black, hmmm... Now, Miz Watson.
don't go callin' these numbers no
more, that's my job.
                                                            
                       JANE
I understand.
                                                            
Hank leans back in his chair, looking at Jane.
                                                            
                       HANK
Miz Watson, you a nice lookin'
lady... now you might be a bitch
and I don't know it, but from just
            (MORE)

18.

                       HANK (cont'd)
lookin' at ya, I gotta wonder --
why in the hell would ole Jim need
two more women?
                                                            
Jane dips her head as if in shame before responding with
vigor.
                                                            
                       JANE
I don't know... To be honest with
ya', I just need you for one
reason. I need proof that son of
a bitch husband of mine is
cheatin' on me.
                                                            
                       HANK
I can take care of that. I'll be
on his ass like stink on a skunk.
                                                            
 
INT. JAIL CELL - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: MID JANUARY 2010
EAST TEXAS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
                                                            
A prison guard hands a letter to JJ through the bars of his
cell.

JJ, mid-40s', tall, muscular, African American with short
cropped hair and goatee, wearing a prison jumpsuit, takes
the letter and walks to his bed where he sits down and
glares at the letter. It is addressed to KEISHA JACKSON.
Stamped on the envelope is "no forwarding address".

JJ takes down two other letters from a small shelf in his
cell and compares the envelopes of the previous two letters
with the one that he has just received. Both of the
previous letters addressed to Keisha Jackson, with "no
forwarding address" stamped on the envelopes.

He slings the letters onto his bed.
                                                            
                       JJ
Fuck this shit!
                                                            
 
EXT. TWO LANE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO - NIGHT
                                                            
SUPER: MID-JANUARY 2010, SANDPOINT, IDAHO
                                                            
Officer TANNER PITTS, 32, tall, broad shouldered and
muscular with a military haircut, sits in his Ford Bronco
patrol vehicle, hidden and parked on the northern outskirts

19.

of Sandpoint, Idaho, watching for drunk drivers along the
north bound highway. It is just before midnight and there
is very little traffic. The surrounding landscape is
snow-covered and heavily wintered.
                                                            
INT. OFFICER TANNER PITTS PATROL VEHICLE
                                                            
Tanner takes a sip of coffee as he watches the nasty weather
of snow and ice hit his windshield, his wipers sweeping it
away. Tanner notices a white Ford delivery van slowly
driving by his location headed north.

The lettering on the side of the van reads, Spokane Flower
Shoppe. The van has a broken/burned out tail light.

Taking a last sip on his coffee, Tanner pulls out onto the
highway behind the van without turning on his blue lights.
                                                            
                       TANNER
      (Speaking to self.)
Who's delivering flowers at
midnight?
                                                            
The patrol vehicle trails the van as it travels down the
highway.

The MEXICAN VAN DRIVER notices in his rear view mirror that
he is being followed by the police. He and the MEXICAN VAN
PASSENGER converse nervously.
                                                            
INT. VAN
                                                            
                       MEXICAN VAN DRIVER
      (In Spanish;
       subtitled.)
Shit, the police!
                                                            
                       MEXICAN VAN PASSENGER
      (In Spanish;
       subtitled.)
Calm down! Drive carefully. We
don't need trouble.
                                                            
                       MEXICAN VAN DRIVER
      (In Spanish;
       subtitled.)
Maybe we're driving too slow on
the highway.
                                                            

20.

                       MEXICAN VAN PASSENGER
      (In Spanish;
       subtitled.)
Then speed up, but be careful, the
roads are slick.
                                                            
The van starts to slowly gain speed as the patrol vehicle
remains behind them.

Officer Tanner Pitts begins to speak into his police radio
to dispatch.
                                                            
INT. OFFICER TANNER PITTS PATROL VEHICLE
                                                            
                       TANNER
Come in Central, this is 114. I
need a tag run.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
This is central, go ahead 114.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Washington plate, Tango, Charlie,
Tango, 5, 5 7, 6.
                                                            
About ten seconds pass before there is a response.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
114, tag came back clean.
                                                            
                       TANNER
10-4. I'm headed north on 95,
about four miles out. Something
doesn't seem right, there's a
broken tail light... I'm gonna
check it out.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
Roger that, call if you need back
up.
                                                            
EXT. PATROL VEHICLE FOLLOWING VAN
                                                            
The blue lights and the siren come on in the patrol vehicle.
The van begins to speed up, the patrol vehicle directly
behind it, lights flashing. The van speeds around the slick,
curvy, icy roads.

In an attempt to turn onto a side road off of the highway,
the van misses the turn, losing control. The van slides off
the main highway, through the snow and head on into a giant
pine tree about 50 feet off the highway. It is a massive
crash that pancakes the front of the van.

21.


Tanner's Bronco stops along the shoulder of the highway
behind the van's final resting place.

He steps out with his gun drawn, lights flashing. There is
no movement nor any sounds from the passengers, only the
hiss of the steam coming from the engine. He slowly
approaches the front of the van and peers inside with gun
drawn and flashlight in hand.

Tanner approaches the passenger door which has been opened
by the impact.

Inside the van are two Hispanic men. Tanner's flashlight
beam bouncing around the interior of the vehicle. The
driver has his head impaled through the front windshield
while his passenger is slumped over onto the seat with blood
coming out of his nose and ears. Both men are not moving
and appear to be dead.

Inside the van is a sawed off shotgun on the seat beside the
driver and an Uzi on the floor board.

Tanner takes a couple of steps away from the van and speaks.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Fuckin' wetbacks.
                                                            
Tanner holsters his pistol and pulls his radio from his
belt.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Come in Central, this is 114.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
Go ahead 114.
                                                            
                       TANNER
I'm gonna need the coroner and an
assisting unit about 8 miles north
on 95. There's been an accident
with two fatalities.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
Roger that. Assisting unit on the
way.
                                                            
Tanner goes to the side of the van and opens the side
loading door.

Inside is a mess of various floral arrangements, green
plants, flowers, and floral supplies strewn everywhere.


22.

Exposed from the crash is a hidden compartment next to the
cab with the compartment door knocked open from the force of
impact.

Shining his flashlight inside the compartment, Tanner can
see some large brown leather satchel handbags with heavy
brass zippered tops.

Curious, he starts pulling out the bags to the snowy ground
outside the van.

He opens the first one. It is full of cocaine bricks. Then
he grabs the second bag. It is also filled with cocaine
bricks. And then the third and final bag. He opens it
expecting to find the same thing. Instead, it is full of
cash, $100 dollar bills all wrapped up neatly and perfectly
in large plastic wrap bundles.

He slits one bundle open and inspects the contents.
                                                            
                       TANNER
      (Talking to self.)
Must be at least fifty grand.
                                                            
Grabbing four bundles of cash, he stuffs them into his
jacket and zips the top of the satchel, leaving the
remainder of the cash in the bag.
                                                            
Trotting towards his Bronco, the sound of sirens in the
distance.

He lifts the back hatch of the Bronco, he removes the four
bundles of cash from his jacket and hides the money beneath
a body bag and some tarp material in the rear of the
vehicle.

The other Sheriff's vehicle pulls up as Tanner closes the
back hatch. Tanner turns and motions to the other Deputy in
the direction of the accident.
                                                            
 
INT. EMMA WATSON'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Emma, 7, dressed in a night gown is lying in bed beneath the
covers.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Mama, when is daddy comin' back
home?
                                                            
Her mother, Jane, in jeans and sweatshirt, sits on the edge
of the bed looking down at Emma.
                                                            

23.

                       JANE
I don't know honey. Daddy's got a
lot'a problems he's gotta work
out.
                                                            
                       EMMA
He took his clothes with him. Is
he not comin' back home?
                                                            
Jane runs her hand through Emma's hair, stroking the side of
her face.
                                                            
                       JANE
Emma, Daddy's lost right now.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Shouldn't we go look for him?
                                                            
                       JANE
Not that kind of lost. I know
where Daddy is. He's in
Vicksburg, but, I -- I really
don't know if Daddy knows where he
is.
                                                            
                       EMMA
How come Daddy don't know he's in
Vicksburg?
                                                            
                       JANE
He knows he's in Vicksburg... but,
it's kinda hard to explain.
Daddy's spirit, his soul, what
makes Daddy who you love, well,
it's confused right now. It's
what's lost.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Is he gonna be able to find what's
lost? I want him to come back
home.
                                                            
                       JANE
You remember when Daddy went to
rehab back in the Summer?
                                                            
                       EMMA
Yes, ma'am.
                                                            
                       JANE
Well, Daddy's started drinkin'
again, drinkin' real bad. It's
just like he did before rehab.
                                                            

24.

                       EMMA
I thought that rehab fixed him.
                                                            
Jane reaching out and holding Emma's small hand.
                                                            
                       JANE
I don't think it did.
                                                            
Chris, 11, dressed in warm-up pants and a t-shirt, walks
into Emma's room, coming to hug his mother goodnight,
hugging her from behind, around her shoulders.
                                                            
                       CHRIS
Love'ya mama. G'night.
                                                            
Jane turns around slightly to put her arm around Chris,
pulling him closer, holding Emma's hand.
                                                            
                       JANE
I love you too, baby. I'm so
proud of both of y'all. Y'all say
a prayer for your daddy tonight,
ok?
                                                            
 
INT. HANK ROSE'S PICKUP TRUCK - NIGHT
                                                            
Hank, in jeans, western shirt and cowboy boots, sits in his
truck in Jim's apartment parking lot waiting for Jim to make
a move for the night.

Jim exits the apartment dressed in khakis, dress shirt and
jacket. He gets into his 2009 Jeep Cherokee and pulls from
the parking lot.

Hank follows him.
                                                            
EXT. HANK'S TRUCK TRAVELING DOWN I-20
                                                            
INT. HANK'S TRUCK
                                                            
                       HANK
      (Talking on
       cellphone.)
Miz Watson, this is Hank. Hey,
look, I'm on ya' boy's trail
tonight. We left Vicksburg about
30 minutes ago headed east on
I-20.
                                                            
A brief pause for an unheard response from Jane.
                                                            

25.

                       HANK (cont'd)
Naw, he's not headed to your
house, we jus' came through
Clinton. Looks like he's goin'
somewhere over in Jackson... I'll
let ya know later.
                                                            
Another brief pause for an unheard response.
                                                            
                       HANK (cont'd)
Alright... OK, yeah, I'll talk to
ya' later.
                                                            
Hank exits the interstate onto a main corridor following
Jim.

He tails him to a church parking lot in Jackson with about
15 cars scattered closely near the entry to the church.

Jim drives into the parking lot and pulls his Jeep beside a
newer model Mercedes that is parked away from the other
cars.

Jim exits the car and slips into the Mercedes which has
Ellen LeBlanc, 37, dressed in a short loose flowered print
skirt and a lacy white top behind the wheel.

As they begin to exit the parking lot, Hank who has parked
in the corner of the parking lot eases out of his truck,
placing a baseball cap tightly atop his head with the brim
pulled low.

He lifts the hood as if he has engine trouble, writing down
the tag number of the Mercedes as it drives away.

He then walks from the truck towards the church.
                                                            
EXTERIOR GLASS DOOR OF THE CHURCH
                                                            
Hank stops at the glass entry door and reads the sign posted
on the door. The sign reads: "AA MEETING, FELLOWSHIP HALL,
TUESDAY, 7:00 PM."
                                                            
Hank nods his head and turns, the church in background. He
begins to slowly walk across the parking lot to his truck.
                                                            
                       HANK
      (Talking to self.)
They'll be back.
                                                            
INT. HANK'S TRUCK
                                                            
Hank dials a number into his cell phone.
                                                            

26.

                       HANK
      (Talking on cell
       phone.)
T.K., this is Hank Rose... things
slow at Sheriffs dispatch tonight?
(PAUSE)

That's good. Look, I need ya' to
run a tag number... OK, ya' ready?
Tag number Marco, Lizard, Bronco,
7, 4, 2. (LONG PAUSE)

OK, hang on, let me write this
down, 2008 Mercedes, owner Bobby
and Ellen LeBlanc. (PAUSE)

Yeah, I think he's that big
lawyer, downtown. (PAUSE)

Naw, can't say what it's about,
but thanks for ya' help. I owe
ya' one. (PAUSE)

Yeah, yeah, ya' right. I owe you a
bunch. I 'preciate it -- So,
how's ya' family doin'?
                                                            
 
INT. PANHANDLE CAFE, SANDPOINT, IDAHO - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: THE PANHANDLE CAFE
SANDPOINT, IDAHO
                                                            
DAVE SALISBURY,63, average height, lean with a white pony
tail, wearing a slightly stained apron, BECKY 30, cute with
blond hair, waitress uniform and Tanner, in uniform, look
at the local newspaper with the front page headline and
photo concerning the Mexican drug bust just outside of town.
                                                            
                       BECKY
      (Excited.)
Oh, Tanner, look at you. All that
cocaine and money spread out on
that table 'cause of you.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Ah, Beck, it's just my job... I
try to keep a keen eye on
things... When I see a van full a'
beaners up this way -- I check it
out.
                                                            

27.

                       DAVE
Beaners!?
                                                            
                       TANNER
Yeah, you know, Wetbacks.
                                                            
                       DAVE
You amaze me Tanner. Living in the
panhandle of Idaho -- 99.9% white
and all you worry about is the
tenth of a percent that doesn't
look like you.
                                                            
Tanner lifts the newspaper from the counter, holding up the
story and photo concerning the Mexican cocaine van, pointing
it towards Dave.
                                                            
                       TANNER
You ever think there might be good
reason for thinkin' like that?
                                                            
Dave shakes his head in disgust.
                                                            
                       DAVE
You know... there's a reason why
cops don't eat here free.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Yeah, 'cause you're cheap.
                                                            
Waving his hand at Tanner as if telling him to go away. Dave
turns and walks away from Tanner and Becky.
                                                            
                       BECKY
      (Glowing.)
I'm so proud of you, Tanner.
                                                            
Tanner and Becky continue talking to one another over the
counter, Becky beaming at Tanner, him playing the role of
the tough guy.
                                                            
 
INT. EAST TEXAS MINIMUM SECURITY PRISON - DAY
                                                            
JJ, dressed in prison jumpsuit, stands cued in line to use a
prison telephone. There is a bank of five prison telephones
that can be used for collect telephone calls.
                                                            
                       PRISON GUARD ONE
Alright, Jackson, five minutes.
                                                            
JJ moves forward to one of the telephones and dials "0" for
an operator to help make a collect call.
                                                            

28.

                       JJ
Yeah, I'd like to make a collect
call to my sister, Keisha Jackson,
601-555-0852.
                                                            
                       OPERATOR
Your name, sir?
                                                            
                       JJ
Jamarcus Jackson.
                                                            
The telephone rings four times before the operator speaks.
                                                            
                       RECORDED OPERATOR VOICE (O.S.)
You have reached a number that is
disconnected or is no longer in
service. If you think this
recording --
                                                            
                       OPERATOR (O.S.)
-- Sir, the number is disconnected
or no longer in service. Is there
another number that I can try for
you?
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Aggravated.)
Naw, that's it. Ah, you did dial
601-555-0852, right?
                                                            
                       OPERATOR
Yes, sir, that's the number on the
computer screen. Shows no
forwarding number.
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Downtrodden)
OK... alright, thanks.
                                                            
JJ hangs up phone and turns and walks away from the phones.
About halfway down the line of prisoners waiting to use the
phone, he slams his fist into his other open hand in
frustration.
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Speaking to self.)
Damned Bitch!
                                                            
 
INT. RECEPTION AREA IN EXPENSIVE LAW FIRM - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: MID-JANUARY
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            

29.

The elevator door opens and Ellen LeBlanc, dressed in an
expensive and well fitting dress, exits into a large
reception area.

She is facing the RECEPTIONIST who is seated in front of a
wood paneled wall. The lettering on the wall behind the
desk reads: Gresham, Evans, Yates and LeBlanc, Attorneys at
Law.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Hello, Mrs. LeBlanc. Is Mr.
LeBlanc expecting you?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
No, I was just downtown and
thought I'd drop by for a minute.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Oh, I'm sure he'll be glad to see
you. Let me make sure that he's
not with a client.
                                                            
Receptionist keys in Mr. LeBlanc's extension.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Keisha, Is Mr. LeBlanc free? Mrs
LeBlanc has come to see him.
                                                            
There is a slight pause.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Great, I'll send her back.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Aloof.)
Thanks.
                                                            
Ellen walks from the receptionist desk towards a hallway,
her walk somewhat sensual.

At the end of the hallway is Keisha Jackson's desk. Keisha
is dressed in dark slacks and a "V" neck sweater that
compliments her figure.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Sugary sweet.)
Hello, Mrs. LeBlanc. It's good to
see ya'. Mr. LeBlanc's in his
office if you'd like ta' go right
on in.
                                                            
From her standing position, Ellen looks down at Keisha with
an almost disapproving look.
                                                            

30.

                       ELLEN
Thanks, I think I will.
                                                            
Flipping her head forward, in perfect posture, Ellen glides
into Bobby's large elegantly furnished corner office,
closing the door behind her.
                                                            
BOBBY LEBLANC'S OFFICE
                                                            
                       BOBBY
If I had known you were coming
downtown, we could have had lunch
together.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Well, I just had lunch with Mary
Bratton. We were discussing the
Auxiliary fund raiser for the
children's cancer hospital.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Out doing your good deeds.
                                                            
Ignoring his remark, Ellen continues to speak.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Bobby, did you draw the short
straw or something?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
What do you mean?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
That secretary of yours, what's
her name, Keisha? God, can't you
do better than that?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
      (Emphasis on the
       word "exactly".)
Look Ellen, I don't think you're
being very fair... she does a good
job -- I know exactly what you
don't like about her.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
And what is that?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
It could be that she's black or
that she's attractive or maybe
both. Personally, I think your
main problem is her skin color.
                                                            

31.

                       ELLEN
      (Irritated.)
Bobby, you're such a dumb-ass
sometimes.
                                                            
Bobby dismissively waves his hand towards Ellen.
                                                            
                       ELLEN (cont'd)
I didn't come by here to be called
a racist.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
      (Irritated.)
I'm not going to discuss this
anymore.
                                                            
Ellen turns and walks towards the closed door, turning
around and facing Bobby.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Well -- I can see what you think
of my opinion!
                                                            
Reaching out, her hand touching the doorknob.
                                                            
                       ELLEN (cont'd)
You just remember one thing, Bobby
LeBlanc. You're the only partner
that has a black face sitting at
their front desk --This is not the
Young Democrats at Ole Miss --
this is real life Mississippi.
                                                            
Turning the doorknob, Ellen opens the door and walks out.
                                                            
 
INT. COFFEE SHOP, TABLE IN REAR AWAY FROM OTHERS. - DAY
                                                            
L.J. Sykes and Hank Rose sit at a table discussing the
Watson divorce.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
So you think ya' might have
somethin' that'll help me to get
this divorce on over with.
                                                            
                       HANK
Oh, yeah, I got ya' somethin'
alright. I got trouble, that's
what I got. Trouble for you and
me.
                                                            

32.

                       L.J. SYKES
I thought ya' said that you had
photos or video of my client's
husband.
                                                            
                       HANK
I got that. The problem is -- who
else I got video of.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
I don't think I'm likin' the way
this sounds.
                                                            
Hank leans in closer towards the table, a flick of his two
fingers to L.J. Sykes indicating that L.J. do the same.
                                                            
                       HANK
      (Speaking in a
       lower tone.)
Ya' know Bobby LeBlanc?
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
      (Also speaking in
       a lower tone.)
Of course I know Bobby -- he's one
of the partners in the firm.
What's this got to do with Bobby?
                                                            
                       HANK
Well, I've been knowin' there
might be problems soon as I got
confirmation of who the phone
numbers belonged to -- the ones
that our client's husband keeps on
callin'.
                                                            
Hank looks from side to side making sure that no one is
listening.
                                                            
                       HANK
Last week, I follow my client's
husband from Vicksburg. As soon
as he gets to Jackson he pulls
over in a church parking lot and
parks his Jeep.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Go on.
                                                            

33.

                       HANK
Anyways, he hops in this Mercedes
that's parked in the lot and
drives off. A good lookin' woman
behind the wheel.
                                                            
L.J. rubbing his forehead as if foreseeing a problem.
                                                            
                       HANK (cont'd)
Well, I find out it's an AA
meetin' that's goin' on in the
church. He's probably supposed to
be goin' to it and then I start
thinkin', this just might be a
weekly event.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
So was it?
                                                            
                       HANK
Yep. Last night, I park my truck
at the edge of the lot where the
AA meetin's held. Sure nuf' they
show up and ride off together.
This time, I follow'em when they
leave.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
And what's this got to do with
Bobby LeBlanc?
                                                            
                       HANK
Everything. It's his wife that's
bangin' my client's husband.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Ah, crap.
                                                            
                       HANK
And I got some great video of it
too.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Ah, shit.
                                                            
                       HANK
They went down by the river to
that parkin' lot behind those
soccer fields on Westbrook... Ya'
know, that's kinda isolated -- did
it right there in the car.
                                                            

34.

                       L.J. SYKES
This is not good.
                                                            
                       HANK
I had to get out on foot so I
wouldn't be seen, but it gave me a
great angle to shoot straight
through the front windshield. Got
me some great video.
                                                            
L.J. looks down shaking his head, his lips screwed tightly,
trying to think the situation out. Hank sits as if a master
storyteller, waiting to hear the listener's response. L.J.
raises his head and begins to speak.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
What'cha think we oughta do Hank?
                                                            
                       HANK
      (Slower more
       measured tone.)
I don't wanta lose ya' firm's good
payin' business... jus' cause
Bobby's wife likes screwin'... so,
let's just say out of professional
courtesy, we don't bring LeBlanc's
wife into this mess -- but we
gotta get her outta the way.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Yeah, yeah, how we gonna do that?
                                                            
                       HANK
Let me think on it a bit longer --
but I think I got a plan.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
      (Sternly.)
Hank, don't do anything stupid.
                                                            
                       HANK
Gim'me 72 hours and I'll know if
my plan works or not.
                                                            
                       L.J. SYKES
Just don't do anything stupid.
                                                            
 

35.

EXT. ELLEN LEBLANC'S MCMANSION HOME - DAY
                                                            
Ellen steers her Mercedes onto the long drive leading to her
home parking in the circular drive in front.

She exits the car and enters her home.
                                                            
ELLEN'S LARGE, WELL FURNISHED, LIVING AREA
                                                            
Ellen is walking across the room when her telephone rings.
After two rings, Ellen answers the phone.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Hello.
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
May I speak with Miz LeBlanc,
please.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
This is she.
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
Ellen, we need to talk.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Indignant.)
Who is this!?
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
My name's Hank. I'm a private
detective.
                                                            
Hank pauses for a moment, letting his introduction sink in.
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
      (cont'd)
I've got some unflatterin' photos
and video of someone ya' love.
                                                            
Contemplating the situation, Ellen hatefully responds.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
I'm about to hang this phone up.
                                                            
In a slow and dareful manner, Hank responds to the threat.
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
Go ahead... It'd be your loss.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Is this some kind of a joke? Who
is this!?
                                                            

36.

                       HANK (V.O.)
I've already answered that
question. Let's meet somewhere
public, say, the Truck stop off'a
Gallatin Street at high noon...
I'll be in a white GMC pickup with
a Mississippi flag magnet on the
tailgate. I'll be parked away
from the buildin'.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
That's in a rough part of town,
besides, I don't even know who you
are.
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
You gonna wanta see what I got.
It's kinda explicit, almost
embarrassin' showin'em to a lady.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Who is my husband screwin'?
                                                            
                       HANK (V.O.)
You'll have to come and see. If
you ain't there by 12:15, I'm
gone, and take my word for it --
ya' gonna wanta see what I got.
                                                            
Ellen stands, silent, phone in hand, perplexed and unsure as
Hank hangs up the phone after completing his last sentence.
Slowly hanging up the phone, she responds.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Shit!
                                                            
Ellen begins to slowly walk across the room, talking to
herself.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Emphasis on last
       half of sentence.)
When I get those photos -- his ass
is gonna pay!!
                                                            
 
EXT. LARGE TRUCK STOP - DAY
                                                            
Ellen steers her Mercedes into the large parking lot of the
yellow and red truck stop.

She eases around the truck stop and finds the white GMC
truck with Mississippi flag magnet on the tailgate. It's at

37.

the rear of the lot and a distance away from the building.

The clock on her dashboard reads, 11:59.

She pulls her car near Hank.

Hank motions for her to come to his truck. Uncomfortably,
Ellen exits her car and walks to the passenger side of
Hank's truck. Hank rolls down the tinted passenger window.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Are you Hank?
                                                            
                       HANK
You're right on time. Why don'cha
hop on in.
                                                            
INT. HANK'S TRUCK
                                                            
Reluctantly, Ellen enters the truck cab and closes the door
as Hank raises the window. Feeling very uncomfortable, she
tries to maintain an edge about herself.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Before we play show and tell, it
seems like you know a lot more
about me than I do about you.
                                                            
                       HANK
Yep, that'd be true.
                                                            
Feeling more sure about herself, Ellen responds.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Who hired you to take photos of my
husband?
                                                            
                       HANK
Ya' know, I can't go and tell
that...client confidentiality --
Who said it was ya' husband?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Confused.)
You did. You said it was someone
that I loved very much. Who else
could it be?
                                                            
                       HANK
I did say that it was photos of
someone ya' loved... I jus' didn't
say it was ya' husband.
                                                            

38.

                       ELLEN
      (Angry.)
I'm leavin'.
                                                            
Feeling extremely dissatisfied and tricked, Ellen reaches
for the door handle of the truck. Hank responds sternly.
                                                            
                       HANK
Don't be a fool. I done told ya',
you gonna wanta see what I got.
                                                            
Ellen eases her hand back into her lap as Hank clumsily
plugs the mini-DVD player into the cigarette lighter, it's
screen coming to life.

The first thing that she sees is the green and black imagery
of night vision filming. She first sees an exaggerated
light in a parking lot. Then, she sees her car on the
screen as a Jeep Cherokee pulls up beside her. The
passenger of the Jeep, JIM WATSON, slipping into the
passenger side of her car.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
What the hell is this!!??
                                                            
                       HANK
It's the person you love most --
ya'self.
                                                            
Ellen watches as the image on screen shows Ellen and Jim
through the front windshield of her car in a passionate
kiss, than after a brief time, Ellen's head disappears into
Jim's lap.
                                                            
                       HANK
That lil' DVD player is small but
it's got a good picture.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Listen, you bastard, did my
husband have me followed?
                                                            
                       HANK
Ain't you a feisty thang? Ya'
need to calm down, it's about to
be rodeo time.
                                                            
Both watch the screen as Ellen slides over to the passenger
seat and places herself atop Jim's lap.

Ellen stares at herself on the small screen as the black and
green images show her straddling Jim, her face towards the
windshield. Jim's hands reach around her and cup her breasts

39.

as she rides him hard.

Hank reaches down and turns off the DVD.
                                                            
                       HANK
Well, that's 'bout enough. Ya'
gotta admit, it's a hell ov'a
show.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Did my husband hire you? Is this
some sort'a blackmail?
                                                            
                       HANK
First, ya' husband didn't hire
me... The wife of that fella ya'
bumpin' uglies with -- that's who
hired me. You know, you're one of
two women that he's got a thang
for -- but you the only white one.
                                                            
About to lose it, Ellen responds fiercely.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
WHAT!?? Who's the other woman?
                                                            
                       HANK
Now, would she be the other woman
or would you be the other woman?
                                                            
Ellen glares at Hank. Her lips tight.
                                                            
                       HANK (cont'd)
Now, this ain't blackmail but I do
need two thangs from ya'.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Angrily.)
I knew you wanted something.
                                                            
                       HANK
On both thangs, all I need is ya'
cooperation. First, I need you
to quit seein' Jim Watson.
                                                            
Ellen is visibly relieved.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
No problem. So... you're not
asking for money?
                                                            

40.

                       HANK
Nope, ya' got lucky... Every year,
ya' husband's firm hires me for
some pretty high payin'
surveillance jobs -- divorce work.
I don't need to be the one
turnin' his life upside down. So,
if ya' cooperate, I'm cuttin' ya'
loose... But, I'm just curious --
where'd you meet this Jim Watson
guy?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
We were in rehab together back in
the Summer. He's not anything
special to me. I can quit Jim
Watson like a bad habit.
                                                            
                       HANK
Good.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
You said there were two things,
what's the other thing?
                                                            
Hank slyly looks at Ellen before reaching for the fly of his
pants, a loud zipping sound is heard.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
Aw, Gawd!!
                                                            
 
INT. MINIMUM SECURITY PRISON, EAST TEXAS - DAY
                                                            
PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
                                                            
JJ and a Prison Guard enter the office of the PRISON WARDEN.
                                                            
                       WARDEN
Have a seat, men.
                                                            
JJ and the Prison Guard sit in the two chairs in front of
the Warden's desk. The Warden sits behind his desk and
looks at JJ's file.
                                                            
                       WARDEN
Mr. Jackson, I think you've been
aware of what's goin' on in the
Texas Legislature.
                                                            
                       JJ
Yes Sir.
                                                            

41.

The Warden grasps the folder and looks at the papers inside.
                                                            
                       WARDEN
Now, let's see... Hmm, you are
with us for vehicular homicide
which in the eyes of the Texas
legislature will be considered a
non-violent crime.
                                                            
The warden raises his head for a moment, touching his
glasses, looking at JJ.
                                                            
                       WARDEN (cont'd)
Vehicular homicide -- Not sure how
homicide idn't a violent crime,
but far be it from me to question
the wisdom of the legislature.
                                                            
The Warden turns his attention back to the file and
continues on.
                                                            
                       WARDEN (cont'd)
Due to the new legislative
guidelines, you'll be released a
week from today. Is that
understood?
                                                            
                       JJ
Yes Sir.
                                                            
                       WARDEN
I suppose you've told ya' family
that you're expecting to be
released early. Now you can
let'em know the exact date.
                                                            
                       JJ
Sir, it's just me and my sister.
My Mama, she died last year of
cancer and my Daddy, he's been
dead for awhile. I hadn't been
able to get a'hold of my sister.
                                                            
The Warden, looking at JJ, nodding his head concerning what
he has just been told.
                                                            
                       WARDEN
That's unfortunate... I'm sure you
and your sister'll get back
together -- once you're a free
man.
                                                            
 

42.

INT. BLACK SCREEN - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "UNLESS YOU'RE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF NOW AND THEN,
YOU'RE NOT BEING HONEST"

WILLIAM FAULKNER

Just before the black screen fades to action, the faint
sound of a calculator is heard.
                                                            
 
INT. SMALL BRANCH BANK, VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI - DAY
                                                            
Keisha steps up to the bank counter for a bank transaction.

With the ink pen chained to the counter, she scratches out a
check and signature on her brother's check. The BANK TELLER
slightly inspects the check.
                                                            
                       BANK TELLER
Do you have your ID, Mrs. Jackson?
                                                            
Keisha pulls her driver's license from her wallet and shows
it to the Bank Teller.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Yeah, and it's Miss Jackson. We're
not married, he's my brother.
                                                            
The Bank Teller pecks on the computer keys as she responds.
                                                            
                       BANK TELLER
Oh, I'm sorry... OK, ah, you're
Keisha, his sister. Looks like
you've got power of attorney on
the account.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Yep.
                                                            
The Bank Teller reaches into the money tray and counts the
money onto the counter.
                                                            
                       BANK TELLER
One hundred, two hundred, three
hundred, three hundred ten, three
hundred eleven. So Miss Jackson,
do you intend on this withdrawal
closing out the account?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Yeah, that's the right balance
idn't it -- is there more?
                                                            

43.

                       BANK TELLER
Oh, no ma'am, It's just that --
that this withdrawal takes ya'
brother's account balance down to
zero. I didn't know if you wanted
to deposit somethin' or leave a
little in just to keep the account
open.
                                                            
Keisha smiles directly at the Bank Teller, shaking her head
from side to side.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Naw, just close it on out.
                                                            
 
INT. JANE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Clock in background shows time as 1:55.

Emma, dressed in jeans and a sweater, her jacket across her
lap, and Chris, in jeans and a sweatshirt, waiting on their
father to take them to the movies.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Mama, what time does the movie
start? We don't need to be late.
                                                            
                       JANE
It starts at 2:15... Daddy's
probably just running a few
minutes late. I'm sure he'll be
here in time to take you and
Chris... I hope.
                                                            
                       CHRIS
      (Angrily.)
He's not gonna be here on time.
It's gonna be just like last time
-- like everytime!
                                                            
                       EMMA
Don't say that! Daddy's gonna
take us to the movies. You wait
and see.
                                                            
                       JANE
Y'all calm down. Chris, you go
play your video game and keep your
opinions to yourself. Emma, go to
your room. I'll call you when
Daddy gets here.
                                                            

44.

Shot of clock shows time as 3:35.

There is a knocking at the door, Emma and Chris remain on
the sofa watching television as Jane walks to the door.
                                                            
                       CHRIS
I told you so.
                                                            
Emma is teary eyed, arms crossed tightly.
                                                            
                       EMMA
You shut up! Just shut up.
                                                            
Jane opens the door.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Disgusted.)
Jim, what the -- step away from
the door.
                                                            
EXT. FRONT DOOR ENTRY AREA OF JANE'S HOME
                                                            
Jim steps back shakily as Jane walks out of the door,
closing it behind her.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (Sheepishly.)
Sorry.
                                                            
                       JANE
Yep, you are. You're a sorry
son-of-a-bitch! You're a sorry
dad, You're a sorry husband.
You're right Jim -- you're sorry!
                                                            
                       JIM
Ah, don't be mad, I, ah --
                                                            
                       JANE
-- I'm listening.
                                                            
                       JIM
I got caught up with a project at
work. I didn't realize what time
it was.
                                                            
                       JANE
That's bullshit, Jim, that's what
it is, just another lie... Ya
know, the sad thing is that I
loved you once, loved you enough
to marry you, to have your kids.
I was foolish enough ta' think
that we could spend the rest of
            (MORE)

45.

                       JANE (cont'd)
our lives together -- but that was
just foolish thinkin'.
                                                            
                       JIM
Jane, I --
                                                            
                       JANE
-- Have you looked at yourself
Jim, ya' look awful, you smell
like a brewery... you're not
taking my kids anywhere... you're
drunk!
                                                            
Jim looks downward, almost tearful.
                                                            
                       JANE (cont'd)
You don't need to be on the road
in your condition. Come in here
and sober up -- at least try to be
a good Dad.
                                                            
 
INT. KEISHA'S BATHROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
SUPER: LATE JANUARY
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
Keisha, dressed in sweat pants and sweat shirt, sits on a
closed toilet seat, her back bent forward, her elbows on her
knees, re-reading the directions on a pregnancy kit.

She checks her watch and slowly rises to look at the
pregnancy stick that is sitting on the edge of the sink next
to the toilet.

Facing the mirror above the sink, she looks down and picks
up the pregnancy stick.

Raising the stick up so that the positive pregnancy reading
is visible, she looks into the mirror with a broad grin.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Cha-ching!
                                                            
Keisha is pregnant!
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT OF JANE'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The long yellow school bus stops in front of Jane's house
and deposits Chris and Emma onto the sidewalk. They run
across the yard and up to the door of the house.

46.


Chris opens the door and he and Emma enter the home.
                                                            
JANE'S KITCHEN
                                                            
When the door opens, Jane is sitting at the kitchen table,
sobbing.
                                                            
                       EMMA
      (Concerned.)
You ok, Mama?
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Sniffling.)
I'm just sad.
                                                            
Jane pauses for a moment to compose herself before saying
more.
                                                            
                       JANE (cont'd)
Your daddy and me... we, ah...
we're not gonna make it. We're
getting a divorce.
                                                            
Both children react with sad expressions. Emma's eyes begin
to well with tears.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Can't Daddy just go back to rehab?
They can try and fix him again?
                                                            
                       JANE
Maybe, Emma, but I can't keep
going on like this. I can't have
ya' Daddy not comin' home at night
and leaving us on Christmas Day...
I just can't put up with it
anymore.
                                                            
Chris walks to the chair where Jane sits. He puts his arms
around her and hugs her.
                                                            
                       CHRIS
It's gonna be ok, Mama.
                                                            
Emma also goes to where Jane is sitting and hugs her mother.
As she pulls back away from the hug, she speaks.
                                                            
                       EMMA
Did Daddy not find his soul yet?
                                                            
Jane sniffles as she speaks.
                                                            

47.

                       JANE
I don't think so.
                                                            
                       EMMA
I been praying for Daddy. I been
prayin' that God would help him
find his soul.
                                                            
                       JANE
That's good, Emma. You keep on
prayin'.
                                                            
 
INT. KEISHA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Jim and Keisha are lying in bed beside each other, the
covers pulled over their naked bodies up to chest level,
looking upwards at the ceiling as they talk.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Any chance you and ya' wife might
get back together?
                                                            
                       JIM
Naw, she filed for divorce last
week. Had the papers served to me
while I was working at the plant.
                                                            
Keisha turns and looks at Jim, his eyes still focused on the
ceiling. She is taken aback by this news.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I didn't know that.
                                                            
                       JIM
Yeah, irreconcilable
differences... that's a great
legal term isn't it?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
In your case, what's it mean?
                                                            
                       JIM
It means my wife's a bitch, that's
what it means. She says that I
don't spend enough time at home,
says that I drink too much.
                                                            
Jim turns towards Keisha.
                                                            
                       JIM (cont'd)
Do you think I drink too much?
                                                            

48.

Keisha responds carefully.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Naw, I don't think so, I mean, I
get you. You drink 'cause ya'
like feeling good -- Sounds like
your wife's not very
understanding.
                                                            
Jim places his hand on Keisha's hip as a sign of affection.
                                                            
                       KEISHA (cont'd)
Ya' gonna miss your kids?
                                                            
                       JIM
      (Distant.)
Yeah. I'll miss'em.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You think ya' might ever want kids
again?
                                                            
Jim looks at Keisha as if she were insane, removing his hand
from her hip.
                                                            
                       JIM
I don't think so... why do you
ask?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Timidly.)
I don't know... I was just
curious. I thought you might want
a chance at a do-over.
                                                            
Jim laughs as he begins to speak.
                                                            
                       JIM
A do-over!... a do-over? That's
funny, Keisha. What about you --
do you want a do-over?
                                                            
There is a moment of troubled silence before Keisha speaks.
Her words and actions completely changing the subject. Her
naked body rolling over against Jim, her hand running
beneath the covers towards Jim's crotch blanking out his
thoughts.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
The only think I wanna do over --
is you.
                                                            
 

49.

INT. MINIMUM SECURITY PRISON, EAST TEXAS - DAY
                                                            
A Prison Guard dressed in standard issue stands at JJ's open
cell door.
                                                            
                       PRISON GUARD TWO
Ok, Jackson, move out.
                                                            
JJ exits the prison cell and walks down the long prison
hallway, Prison Guard, following behind.
                                                            
SERIES OF SHOTS - JJ RELEASED FROM PRISON
                                                            
--Prison Guard and JJ wait as the double barred doors open
to allow them to pass from the prison into the
administrative portion of the prison.

--Prison Guard and JJ walk into a room with a counter built
into the wall. A PRISON ADMINISTRATOR stands behind the
counter.

--Prison Administrator reaches behind him for a cardboard
file box. He removes the clothes and personal belongings
that JJ had when he entered into the system. He pushes them
across the counter to JJ.
                                                            
                       PRISON ADMINISTRATOR
You learn anything in here?
                                                            
                       JJ
Yes, sir. Learn't I don't wanna
do no more time.
                                                            
The Prison Administrator nods his head in approval as he
slides some documents across the counter to JJ pointing to
places for him to sign.
                                                            
                       PRISON ADMINISTRATOR
Sign here sayin' that you got ya'
stuff, and sign here for ya' gate
money.
                                                            
JJ signs the two documents.
                                                            
                       PRISON ADMINISTRATOR
Texas law, when ya' exit the
system, ya' get a bus ticket and
$100 gate money from the State of
Texas... here's ya' cash and
here's ya' ticket to Crystal
Springs, Mississippi -- wher'ever
the hell that is.
                                                            

50.

                       JJ
Thank ya' sir.
                                                            
JJ begins to turn and leave the window when the Prison
Administrator speaks again.
                                                            
                       PRISON ADMINISTRATOR
Jackson.
                                                            
                       JJ
Yes, sir.
                                                            
                       PRISON ADMINISTRATOR
Good luck, stay outta trouble.
                                                            
 
EXT. SMALL EAST TEXAS BUS STATION - DAY
                                                            
The bus is in the process of being boarded.

JJ, dressed in jeans and a solid colored shirt and tennis
shoes, is standing in line before walking up the steps to
board the bus.
                                                            
INTERIOR OF GREYHOUND BUS
                                                            
JJ picks a seat beside a BUS PASSENGER that is a stranger.
He carries his few belongings in a paper grocery bag.
                                                            
                       JJ
Mind if I sit here?
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
Naw, go ahead.
                                                            
The Greyhound bus pulls out of the station and makes it's
way to the interstate.
                                                            
MONTAGE:
                                                            
--Bus traveling west along I-20 through East Texas,
Louisiana and into the Louisiana Delta.

--Exterior shots of bus and interior shots of passengers.
The passengers are reading magazines, sleeping, eating and
having conversation while traveling.

--Bus is traveling in the flat barren lands of the Louisiana
Delta near the Mississippi River. Bus passenger next to JJ
is playing a game on his I-Phone.
                                                            

51.

                       JJ
What ya' got there? Is it some
kind'a Gameboy?
                                                            
Bus Passenger tries to ignore JJ, concentrating on his game.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
I-Phone.
                                                            
                       JJ
Is it for playin' games?
                                                            
A frustrated look comes across the Bus Passenger's face as
his game ends.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
Damn!... Yeah, you can play games
on it, talk on it too... Ya' know,
it's a phone, you can look at the
internet, it'll do just about
whatever ya' want'a do.
                                                            
                       JJ
Never seen one.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
Where ya' been livin', in a cave?
                                                            
                       JJ
Yeah, just about. I guess I been
workin' too much... hadn't been
keepin' up with what's goin' on.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
I guess not. What kind'a cell
phone ya' got?
                                                            
                       JJ
Ain't got one.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
You got a computer don't ya?
                                                            
                       JJ
Naw, ain't got one of them either.
                                                            
                       BUS PASSENGER
Man, you have been livin' in a
cave.
                                                            
Looking forward with a satisfied look, JJ responds.
                                                            

52.

                       JJ
I reckon so, but I'm gonna change
that.
                                                            
Bus crossing over the Mississippi River at Vicksburg. An
"Entering Mississippi" sign is seen midway across the river.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Yep, I'm gonna change that.
                                                            
 
EXT. SMALL DOWNTOWN, CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: EARLY FEBRUARY
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
JJ walks from the bus station near the railroad tracks in
the center of town. The bus is still parked at the station
as he walks away, his small paper grocery bag of personal
belongings in his hand.
                                                            
EXT. SINGLE STORY FRAME HOME BUILT IN THE 1940'S
                                                            
JJ takes the first step from the sidewalk onto the front
steps leading to the porch. He approaches the door and
knocks.

In a few seconds, the RENTER, a big African-American lady,
opens the door. A look of uncertainty is on JJ's face.
                                                            
                       JJ
Is Keisha here?
                                                            
                       RENTER
She don't stay here no more.
                                                            
A confused look comes across JJ's face.
                                                            
                       JJ
When did she leave?
                                                            
The Renter answers with an attitude.
                                                            
                       RENTER
Who you to be askin'?
                                                            
                       JJ
I'm Keisha's brother, JJ.
                                                            
The Renter looks JJ up and down as if suspicious of him.
                                                            

53.

                       RENTER
Honey, you didn't come home for
the holidays did ya'? I been in
this house since before
Thanksgiving.
                                                            
JJ shakes his head.
                                                            
                       JJ
Any idea where she went off to?
                                                            
                       RENTER
You not the first person that's
come lookin' for her... you the
only relative though.
                                                            
                       JJ
Who else came lookin' for her?
                                                            
                       RENTER
Not meanin' no disrespect, but I
think they was all bill
collectors.
                                                            
JJ shakes his head in disapproval.
                                                            
                       JJ
That sounds 'bout right.
                                                            
                       RENTER
You know, I'm talkin' out'a turn
with it bein' ya' sister, but she
moved outta here in the middle of
the night -- left owing three
months rent.
                                                            
                       JIM
Do you know where she went?
                                                            
                       RENTER
Ain't nowhere 'round here... she
done beat too many folks outta
money, and this is a small town --
I do know she loved going to them
casino boats over in Vicksburg.
                                                            
JJ nods his head as he and the Renter continue talking.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOWNTOWN CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS REGIONS BANK - DAY
                                                            
JJ walking down sidewalk and entering door into the bank.
                                                            

54.

INT. SMALL TOWN BANK - DAY
                                                            
JJ walks over to a BANKER's desk for assistance, clearing
his throat to get her attention.
                                                            
                       JIM
Excuse me, ma'am.
                                                            
                       BANKER
      (Very friendly.)
Yes sir, how may I help you?
                                                            
                       JJ
I need to check on an account of
mine and get some money out of it.
                                                            
                       BANKER
Certainly. Do you have your
account number?
                                                            
                       JJ
Naw, my sister, she's been keepin'
up with it for me. Can you look
it up by my name?
                                                            
                       BANKER
We can certainly try. What's your
name?
                                                            
                       JJ
Jamarcus Jackson.
                                                            
The Banker begins using her keyboard and keys in JJ's name.
A look of puzzlement comes across the Banker's face.
                                                            
                       BANKER
I have a Jamarcus Jackson in
Vicksburg, would that be you?
                                                            
                       JJ
Naw, it should be right here in
Crystal Springs.
                                                            
The Banker pecks a few more strokes into the keyboard before
addressing JJ.
                                                            
                       BANKER
There's a Keisha Jackson connected
to that account. Is that your
wife?
                                                            

55.

                       JJ
That's my sister. She's the one
that's takin' care of the account.
How much money's in the account?
                                                            
A few more keystrokes by the Banker and she turns to face JJ
straight on.
                                                            
                       BANKER
Sir, I show the account with a
zero balance. It looks like it
was closed out just this week at
one of our branches over in
Vicksburg.
                                                            
JJ is confused and angered by the information that he has
just been given.
                                                            
                       JJ
Closed? Vicksburg?
                                                            
                       BANKER
Yes sir.
                                                            
                       JJ
You sure about that -- zero
balance?
                                                            
The Banker hesitant to respond, speaks.
                                                            
                       BANKER
Yes sir. Would you like me to
print you a copy?
                                                            
                       JJ
Yeah.
                                                            
The Banker punches a key on the keyboard and pulls the
printed statement from the printer and hands it to JJ.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Thanks.
                                                            
JJ stands and looks at the printed page and speaks, almost
to himself as he turns and heads towards the exit door.
                                                            
                       JJ
      (cont'd)
Vicksburg... 1958 Bluff Drive.
Looks like Keisha's livin' in
Vicksburg now.
                                                            
Pushing the door open, JJ exits the bank.
                                                            
 

56.

EXT. TWO LANE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF CRYSTAL SPRINGS - DAY
                                                            
JJ stands beside a two lane highway, his thumb up to catch a
ride. In his other hand is a piece of cardboard with the
word, VICKSBURG, scrawled onto it.

A couple of vehicles pass before a truck with a horse
trailer pulls to the side of the road. JJ approaches the
truck and says a few words through the front passenger
window before getting into the truck. The truck drives
away.
                                                            
MONTAGE:

-- Truck pulls from side of road, traveling down a two lane
road towards the interstate.

--Exterior shots of truck traveling along the interstate.

--Interior shots of JJ and the TRUCK DRIVER traveling,
talking and laughing. The truck driver is smoking a
cigarette.

--Truck pulls to the side of the interstate in Vicksburg on
the last exit before the Mississippi River Bridge.

JJ exits the truck waving goodbye to the truck driver.

JJ hikes up the entrance ramp of the interstate towards the
Mississippi Welcome Center as the truck pulls back into the
interstate headed towards the Mississippi River Bridge, the
sun beginning to set in the western sky.
                                                            
EXT. MISSISSIPPI WELCOME CENTER, VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
The Welcome Center has a number of columns around the
structure giving it a somewhat antebellum look. JJ pulls
open the door and enters the building.
                                                            
INTERIOR, MISSISSIPPI WELCOME CENTER
                                                            
JJ walks towards the counter.
                                                            
                       WELCOME CENTER ATTENDANT
      (Extremely
       friendly.)
Welcome to Mississippi. Can I
help ya'?
                                                            
JJ looks sternly at the WELCOME CENTER ATTENDANT and
responds firmly.
                                                            

57.

                       JJ
I just need a map. A map'a
Vicksburg.
                                                            
The Welcome Center Attendant reaches below the counter and
slides the map to JJ.
                                                            
 
EXT. VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI RIVER BOAT CASINO - NIGHT
                                                            
SUPER: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2010
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
                                                            
Jim and Keisha are seated at their table in the casino
restaurant. As Bobby LeBlanc and Ellen LeBlanc begin to
leave the same restaurant, Bobby notices Keisha there. He
and Ellen go to her table to exchange pleasantries. Jim is
on his way to a good buzz when they arrive at the table.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Keisha, I didn't know that I'd see
you here tonight.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Hey, Mr. LeBlanc, how ya' doin'?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
We're doing just fine. Of course
you remember my wife, Ellen. We
thought we'd come over and play
some blackjack.
                                                            
Saying nothing, Ellen nods her head at Keisha. Her emotions
running high knowing that the man that she was having sex
with is now probably doing the same with her husband's
secretary.

Ellen gives Keisha a scornful look.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Oh, you'll have to excuse me, I'm
not mindin' my manners. This is
my friend, Jim Watson. Jim this
is my boss, Bobby LeBlanc and his
wife Ellen.
                                                            
Jim rises just out of his chair to shake hands with Bobby
LeBlanc. Ellen does not extend her hand. Jim smiles
broadly.
                                                            
                       JIM
It's good to meet'cha -- both of
you.
                                                            

58.

Jim turning his head to face Ellen.
                                                            
                       JIM (cont'd)
You look very familiar. Do we
know each other?
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Abruptly.)
No, I don't think so.
                                                            
Ellen turns to Bobby and speaks.
                                                            
                       ELLEN (cont'd)
Bobby, let's go. I don't want'a
stay in this smoky casino half the
night watchin' you play cards.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
It was good to see y'all. Good
luck, Keisha... don't win so much
that ya' don't show up for work on
Monday,
                                                            
Keisha smiles at Bobby as Jim begins to speak.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (Speaking to
       Bobby.)
Yeah, it was good to meet you too.
                                                            
Jim turns his attention from Bobby and looks directly at
Ellen.
                                                            
                       JIM (cont'd)
I still think you look familiar,
Ellen. Good to meet you.
                                                            
                       ELLEN
      (Ignoring Jim.)
Good to see you, Keisha.
                                                            
Nodding her head towards Keisha, Ellen continues to ignore
Jim. Ellen pivots to turn and walk away. Bobby follows in
with her.
                                                            
ACROSS THE RESTAURANT AT A TABLE FACING JIM AND KEISHA
                                                            
Hank sits at a table across the restaurant taking
surveillance notes as he enjoys the casino buffet.

Bobby and Ellen make their way across the restaurant heading
towards the exit door.
                                                            

59.

                       BOBBY
I didn't expect to see Keisha here
tonight... Are you ok?
                                                            
A sullen Ellen responds with a crisp nod of her head.
                                                            
                       BOBBY (cont'd)
That guy she was with -- he really
acted like he knew you somehow.
                                                            
Ellen does not respond as they step from the restaurant onto
the main floor of the casino. Feeling distressed, Ellen
reaches out and touches Bobby's arm.
                                                            
CASINO MAIN FLOOR JUST OUTSIDE RESTAURANT
                                                            
                       ELLEN
I'm not feelin' real good right
now... sick to my stomach. You go
on ahead and play some blackjack.
I need to go to the ladies room.
                                                            
Ellen quickly heads for the ladies room with her hand
covering her mouth, the sound of slot machines fill the air.
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Jim and Keisha arrive together in separate cars after a
night at the casino. They laugh in the cool air as they
make their way to her front door.
                                                            
EXT. FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE
                                                            
Standing face to face, Jim wraps his arms around her and she
responds accordingly, sharing a passionate kiss. As the
kiss subsides, Jim looks into Keisha's face, smiling
broadly.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Playfully.)
You must think ya' gonna get lucky
tonight.
                                                            
                       JIM
Oh, yeah. I might have lost at
craps but I'm still thinking this
might be my lucky night.
                                                            
Looking into Jim's eyes, Keisha lowers her right hand to
Jim's crotch and gives it a gentle squeeze.

With a devilish smile, she speaks.
                                                            

60.

                       KEISHA
It just might be.
                                                            
EXT. HANK'S TRUCK
                                                            
Hank is parked in his truck just a few houses up from
Keisha's home. He has his camera and is taking photos.
                                                            
EXT. FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE
                                                            
Keisha and Jim enter her home, Jim playfully swatting her on
the butt as they cross the threshold. As the door closes, a
light comes on in the living room.
                                                            
 
INT. KEISHA'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Keisha scoots from beyond the reach of Jim. She turns and
speaks.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
What'cha in the mood for?
                                                            
                       JIM
You have Corona?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
And lime!
                                                            
Jim walks to Keisha, kissing her on the forehead.
                                                            
                       JIM
You're certainly learning what I
like.
                                                            
KEISHA'S KITCHEN
                                                            
Jim walks to the refrigerator in the kitchen right beside
the living area. He opens the refrigerator and pulls out a
Corona and sits it on the counter. Keisha reaches into the
refrigerator and pulls out a plastic produce bag with three
limes in it, playfully dangling it in front of Jim.

Smiling, he takes the limes from her, pulling one from the
bag.

Reaching into Keisha's kitchen cabinet, he pulls out a knife
larger than needed.
                                                            
                       JIM (cont'd)
Is this the smallest knife that
you have?
                                                            

61.

                       KEISHA
It'll work.
                                                            
Jim takes the knife and starts to cut the lime into wedges.
Opening the Corona, Jim inserts the lime wedge.

Keisha takes him by the hand, leading him to the sofa,
sitting him down as she continues to stand.
                                                            
KEISHA'S LIVING ROOM
                                                            
                       KEISHA (cont'd)
I need to tell you something.
                                                            
Turning the beer bottle up, Jim takes a couple of swallows.
                                                            
                       JIM
      (Feeling good.)
Sure.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Promise me that you're not gonna
get mad.
                                                            
Jim's brow furrows, unsure of what Keisha needs to tell him.
                                                            
                       JIM
Ok... sure.
                                                            
Nervously, Keisha continues.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
There's no way to tell ya' this
but to just go ahead and say it --
                                                            
Keisha wringing her hands, her head down.
                                                            
                       KEISHA (cont'd)
-- Jim, I'm pregnant.
                                                            
Jim explodes from the sofa, standing.
                                                            
                       JIM
PREGNANT! What the hell? You're
kidding me! This is a joke,
right!?
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I took the home pregnancy test a
week ago.
                                                            
Jim looking at Keisha as if she were insane. He feels angry
and betrayed.
                                                            

62.

                       JIM
Are you fuckin' crazy!? You're a
piece'a work. Are you trying to
say that this is my baby?
                                                            
Keisha responds calmly.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
It's yours, Jim. You're the only
one I've been with.
                                                            
                       JIM
I'm in the middle of a divorce.
You're gonna fuckin' destroy me!!
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I'm sorry, Jim -- I love you.
                                                            
Jim is astounded, frantic and angry.
                                                            
                       JIM
Love?! -- You've got a hell'ova
way of showin' it... I've got to
get outta here, I've got to think
-- I can't be around you right
now!
                                                            
Jim moves quickly for the front door, slamming it behind
him.
                                                            
EXT. FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE
                                                            
A 1990's Crown Vic with 22" rims cruises down the street,
rap music blaring from the car as it slowly approaches and
begins to pass in front of Keisha's house.

Jim exiting the house as the Crown Vic passes.
                                                            
INT. OLD WHITE NEIGHBOR LADY'S HOUSE
                                                            
The sound of the rap music from the car penetrates into RUTH
TAYLOR's home. She quickly rises from her chair and moves
to the front window.
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
      (Talking to self.)
What is that racket?
                                                            
Pulling the curtain back, she sees Jim trotting across the
yard, jumping into his Jeep and quickly backing from the
driveway. As he leaves, his tires squeal. Ruth shakes her
head in disgust.
                                                            

63.

EXT. KEISHA'S STREET.
                                                            
Jim's vehicle speeds away in the opposite direction from
HANK. He cranks his pickup and follows Jim, his tail lights
disappearing into the darkness.
                                                            
VACANT HOUSE CADDY CORNER ACROSS THE STREET FROM KEISHA
                                                            
The house beside Ruth Taylor's is vacant. The windows
boarded, the shrubs grown up, the limbs on the trees hanging
low. Across the front of the house in front of the covered
porch going to the front door is a row of shrubs that are
overgrown.

With his rear almost seated on the concrete walkway to the
front door and his legs drawn up to his chest, his arms
wrapped around his legs, JJ shivers as he watches Keisha's
home from just above the overgrown shrubs, his head sticking
just above the shrubs. He has seen everything that has
occurred, the whiteness of his eyes in contrast to the
darkness of the night.
                                                            
 
INT. KEISHA'S BATHROOM. - NIGHT
                                                            
Keisha is wetting a bath cloth, mildly sobbing, sniffling.
She raises the cloth to her face and washes it.
                                                            
EXT. KEISHA'S FRONT DOOR
                                                            
JJ knocks on Keisha's front door. The knock on the door
brings hope to Keisha.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Jim, is that you? Jim?
                                                            
Keisha leaves the bathroom, heading for the front door. She
opens the front door.
                                                            
KEISHA'S LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Keisha screams at one she sees and then continues in a more
hushed voice.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Shit! JJ -- what the hell!?...
Whatta ya' doin' here, you're
supposed to be in prison!
                                                            
JJ stands at the front door, staring at Keisha, before
stepping forward through the open door and into her living
room.

64.


Keisha closes the door and speaks.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Did you escape... you in trouble
aren't ya'? How'd you find me?
                                                            
Looking harshly at Keisha, JJ speaks in a slow measured
tone.
                                                            
                       JJ
I didn't escape -- I got out
early.
                                                            
JJ pauses, his face looks mean as he stares at Keisha. They
both move back into the middle of the living room with JJ
being aggressive and Keisha back-peddling. JJ continues to
speak slowly, his voice rising as he continues to speak.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Ya' know, I wrote ya' three
letters lettin' you know that I
was gettin' outta prison early --
THREE LETTERS! And everyone of'em
came back, "no forwardin'
address"... Called ya' too, number
was disconnected or no longer in
service -- no forwardin' number.
The operator asks me, "You got
another number for your sister?"
-- Hell no!
                                                            
                       KEISHA
It's not like that JJ.
                                                            
                       JJ
You jus' disappeared off'a the
face of the earth... no forwardin'
address, no phone number -- you
left me in prison to rot!!
                                                            
                       KEISHA
JJ, I was gonna write ya'. Honest,
I was. I jus' been so busy with
movin' and work and everything.
I'm so --
                                                            
                       JJ
-- I'll tell you what ya' are. You
ain't shit, that's what ya' are.
                                                            

65.

JJ begins to move towards Keisha, she looks mortified. JJ's
temper not totally in check. Keisha begins to move from the
living room towards the kitchen, her back to the kitchen.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
JJ, calm down, let's talk.
                                                            
                       JJ
Oh, we talkin' alright... we got
some talkin' to do.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You've forgotten what it's like to
be on the outside... I've got
responsibilities -- I've got
things you haven't had to worry
about for the last seven years.
                                                            
JJ becomes very angry.
                                                            
                       JJ
Yeah, like spending my money at
those fuckin' casino boats. What'd
you do -- gamble all my money
away?
                                                            
A scared expression comes across Keisha's face.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Just calm down and let's talk.
                                                            
                       JJ
Yeah, let's talk.
                                                            
JJ steps forward towards Keisha, her moving back almost into
the kitchen.

JJ reaches into his pocket and pulls out his bank statement,
holding it in front of Keisha's face. JJ's voice rising in
volume as he speaks.
                                                            
                       JJ
Let's talk about the damned money
ya' stole from me. I sold all my
shit 'fore I went to prison. My
truck -- all my shit! You was
supposed to take care of it -- can
ya' explain that!? That was my
start up money -- almost twelve
grand -- and you took it all!!
                                                            
JJ takes another step towards Keisha, her stepping
backwards.
                                                            

66.

                       JJ
You the one that ought'a be in
prison -- you a fuckin' thief!
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I was gonna win it back, JJ. I
didn't know you were getting outta
prison early.
                                                            
                       JJ
Win it back, my ass. Yeah, right!
                                                            
A slight pause as Keisha does her best to mount an
aggressive stance for her defense against JJ. She speaks
firmly in a nervous sort of way.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You need to leave right now... get
outta here or I'm gonna hav'ta
call the police!
                                                            
JJ's face is vicious, almost wild.
                                                            
                       JJ
That'd be ya' first and last
mistake, Keisha.
                                                            
Keisha starts to move for the cordless phone on the edge of
the kitchen counter, picking it up.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
      (Defiant.)
Fuck you, JJ!
                                                            
                       JJ
Give me that damned phone!
                                                            
JJ reaches out grabbing Keisha's arm that is holding the
phone.

In the struggle for the phone, he pushes her into the
cabinets slamming her hand into the upper cabinets, making
the phone drop from her hand and to the floor, breaking the
phone. Anger seethes from him.
                                                            
                       JJ
You ain't callin' the cops!
                                                            
JJ steps back a couple of steps, looking at Keisha.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
I ain't goin' back to no fuckin'
prison on account'a you.
                                                            

67.

Keisha standing against the cabinet where Jim earlier sliced
the lime, the knife still on the counter.

She quickly reaches down for the knife, raising it towards
JJ. She is angry and scared.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
You get the fuck outta my house!
                                                            
In anger, Keisha steps towards JJ, the knife pointing
towards him.
                                                            
                       JJ
You better back off.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
Get outta my house!
                                                            
A moment of silence passes as JJ glares at Keisha, knife in
hand.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
So -- this is how ya' treat ya'
brother.
                                                            
Keisha moves her arm holding the knife towards JJ in a more
aggressive manner.
                                                            
                       KEISHA
I said -- get outta my house!!
                                                            
JJ's hand darts out and grabs Keisha's wrist just above the
knife, the knife turning upwards.

Keisha lowers her shoulders and exerts her weight towards
JJ, fighting against him, the knife pointing towards JJ
again. Charging back against her, JJ overpowers her, the
knife turning upwards as his weight slams against Keisha,
driving her into the cabinets, the knife between their two
bodies.

Keisha yells out and then is suddenly still and silent. The
knife has entered her chest and into her heart.

JJ looks at her face, she is dying.

JJ steps backwards as Keisha starts to slide down the
cabinets to the floor. Her eyes staring blankly.

JJ squats to look Keisha into her almost dead eyes.
                                                            
                       JJ
Shit! Oh, shit!
                                                            

68.

JJ sees the knife stuck into Keisha's chest. Grabbing her
by her shoulders, he shakes her.
                                                            
                       JJ
C'mon Keisha... c'mon.

Oh, God... Oh God... I didn't mean
for this to happen.
                                                            
JJ eyes begin to tear up, upset over what has happened.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
      (Remorseful.)
I'm sorry Keisha... I'm really
sorry.
                                                            
Pausing for a moment in disbelief, slightly sobbing. In
anger and frustration of the situation, he continues.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Damn! Damn Keisha! I'm sorry!...
there ain't nothin' I can do -- I
can't go back to prison, this
ain't my fault.
                                                            
JJ shakes his head, sobbing.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
You brought this -- all on
ya'self.
                                                            
Wiping the tears from his eyes on his sleeve, JJ rises and
walks to the backdoor.

He untucks his shirt tail and opens the door with the shirt
tail covering his hand. Looking back, he sees Keisha for
one last time.

She lies motionless in the kitchen floor.

Reaching behind, he locks the door before closing it.
                                                            
EXT. BACK OF KEISHA'S HOUSE
                                                            
JJ sprints across the backyard.

He jumps the back cyclone fence and crawls into the drainage
ditch that runs behind Keisha's home, making his escape.
                                                            
KEISHA'S KITCHEN
                                                            
Keisha lies motionless in the kitchen floor, dead in a pool
of her own blood.
                                                            
 

69.

EXT. VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI TRUCK STOP - NIGHT
                                                            
JJ is in the parking lot watching as an African-American
trucker leaves the restaurant to head towards his parked
truck.

He approaches him and walks along beside the TRUCKER. They
continue to walk as they speak.
                                                            
                       JJ
Excuse me sir, which way you
headed?
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Headed straight across that river
bridge, goin' west.
                                                            
                       JJ
You wouldn't mind givin' a brother
a ride would ya'?
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Might get in trouble doin' that.
Company rules say no passengers.
                                                            
                       JJ
Mister, I really need a ride. All
I got's about $60 to my name, no
car, no bus ticket. I'm jus'
tryin' to get the hell outta here
and start over.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Sixty dollars ain't gonna get you
much of a start.
                                                            
The Trucker stops walking towards his truck and turns to
look at JJ before speaking.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER (cont'd)
You in some kind'a trouble?
                                                            
                       JJ
No sir.
                                                            
The Trucker pauses for a second, looking JJ over before
speaking.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Ya' plan on knockin' me in the
head and takin' my money?
                                                            

70.

                       JJ
I jus' need a ride.
                                                            
The Trucker shakes his head as if responding in a manner
that is against his better judgement.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
I reckon rules are made to be
broken... Actually, I could use
the company tonight. I'm goin' on
a long ass haul -- cross country.
                                                            
JJ reaches his hand out to shake the Trucker's hand in
appreciation. JJ and the Trucker turn and begin to move
across the parking lot towards the row of parked trucks.
                                                            
 
INT. BOBBY LEBLANC'S LAW OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010
THREE DAYS LATER
                                                            
Bobby is sitting behind his desk with his telephone in his
hand. He is talking to the Receptionist.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Hey, has anyone heard from Keisha
yet? It's 2:30 and I haven't
heard a word from her. That's not
like her.
                                                            
LAW OFFICE LOBBY, RECEPTIONIST DESK
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
I'll try her home and her cell
number again. I tried both about
an hour ago with no answer on
either.
                                                            
BOBBY LEBLANC'S LAW OFFICE
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Ok, thanks.
                                                            
Bobby hangs up his phone, sitting at his desk looking a bit
perplexed.
                                                            
 
EXT. TRUCK DRIVING ACROSS THE OPEN PLAINS - DAY
                                                            

71.

MONTAGE: JJ GOES CROSS COUNTRY
                                                            
Throughout the entire montage, the weather is sunny and
bright.
                                                            
--The 18-wheeler with JJ in it on it's cross country trek,
into the Midwestern plains.

--JJ and the Trucker in the cab of the truck as they cruise
down the interstate. Not a word is spoken as JJ stares at
the changing landscape.

--The 18 wheeler travels through the great plains of Kansas
with flat wheat fields and no trees, then the foot hills of
the Rocky Mountains with intermittent pine trees and
sagebrush flat. There are lots of cattle and sheep and an
occasional antelope.

--JJ and the Trucker continue their travels, conversing with
one another as they drive in the high mountains with
gorgeous mountain scenery, high peaks, winding roads, clear
streams and beautiful valleys.
                                                            
 
EXT. RUTH TAYLOR'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Keisha's old white lady neighbor, Ruth Taylor goes to the
street to pick up her trash can.

When she reaches the curb of the street, she sniffs her nose
as if she smells something. She sniffs towards the trash
can and shakes her head acknowledging that the smell of the
trash can is not the odor she smells.

She sits the can down and crosses the street towards
Keisha's house, Keisha's car in the driveway.
                                                            
FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE
                                                            
She continues to sniff, starting to cover her nose with an
open hand as she closes in on Keisha's front door.

She knocks on the door twice. There is no answer.
                                                            
 
INT. RUTH TAYLOR'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
Ruth Taylor stands with phone in hand.
                                                            
                       911 OPERATOR (V.O.)
Vicksburg Police, 911. Please
state your emergency.
                                                            

72.

                       RUTH TAYLOR
This is Ruth Taylor at 1959 Bluff
Street. There's a bad smell
coming from my neighbor's house
across the street. Might jus' be
a dead animal under the house but
somethin' smells like it's dead.
                                                            
                       911 OPERATOR (V.O.)
Any reason to suspect anything out
of the ordinary?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
I don't suppose so, but she works
somewhere over in Jackson and her
car's been in the drive all day.
                                                            
                       911 OPERATOR (V.O.)
Ok, Ms. Taylor. We'll send an
officer out.
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT OF RUTH TAYLOR'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Ruth Taylor stands in her front yard as a Vicksburg Police
car pulls in front of her home.

The VICKSBURG PD OFFICER gets out of the car and goes to
talk to Ruth Taylor. She talks to the officer for just a
few seconds before raising her arm towards Keisha's house.

The Officer and Ruth walk across the street to Keisha's
home.
                                                            
                       VICKSBURG PD OFFICER
You're right, there is a bad
smell.
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
      (Feeling
       important.)
That's what I told'em.
                                                            
The Vicksburg PD Officer walks to the front door, Ruth
Taylor standing in Keisha's yard watching the Officer work.

The Officer knocks on Keisha's door several times. There is
no answer. He turns to Ruth Taylor.
                                                            
                       VICKSBURG PD OFFICER
The smell seems like it's comin'
from the house.
                                                            

73.

                       RUTH TAYLOR
Yep, that's what I told'em.
                                                            
The Officer pulls out his radio and speaks.
                                                            
                       VICKSBURG PD OFFICER
Dispatch, I'm gonna need a
locksmith at 1958 Bluff Street.
We've got a possible situation
here.
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Five Vicksburg Police cars line the street in front of
Keisha's home. A TV News van has also made it's way to
Bluff Street. The Coroner's van with bold lettering,
"Warren County Coroner's Office" on it's side has backed
across the yard to near the front door.

A police officer is placing yellow crime scene tape around
the home.

DETECTIVE PERRY, late 30's, medium height, dressed in
slacks, white shirt and POLICE windbreaker, is speaking with
Ruth Taylor concerning Keisha's death.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
So, over the past 48 hours, did
you see anything out of the
ordinary?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
Not really. Well, there might'a
been something.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
And what was that?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
Friday night, I was watchin' TV
and I heard this racket from
outside. Anyways, I walked to the
window and there was this white
guy running from her door and
across the yard. He got in that
Jeep he drives and left goin' down
the road burnin' rubber.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Had you ever seen this man before?
                                                            

74.

                       RUTH TAYLOR
Oh, yeah. I first saw him the day
after Christmas, leaving her house
early that mornin' -- he was over
there a good bit.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
But you don't know his name?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
No, but I'll tell ya' this, I
don't much agree with race mixin'.
This is the kind of thing that
happens when you go doin' that.
                                                            
A gurney with a black body bag is rolled from the front of
the home and placed in the rear of the Coroner's van.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Thank ya' ma'am. I'll be in
touch.
                                                            
Detective Perry turns and walks away from Ruth Taylor.

He walks up the front steps of the home and inside.
                                                            
KEISHA'S LIVING ROOM
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Ya' coming up with anything?
                                                            
                       VICKSBURG PD OFFICER
Her caller ID shows what looks
like a law firm that's called five
times today. Here's the number.
                                                            
The Officer hands a small notepad piece of paper to
Detective Perry with the phone number written on it.

Detective Perry looks at the paper before speaking.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Thanks, I'll give this a call.
                                                            
 
INT. RECEPTION AREA IN EXPENSIVE LAW FIRM - DAY
                                                            
The Receptionist sits behind her large wooden desk answering
and transferring phone calls.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Gresham, Evans, Yates and LeBlanc,
how may I help you?
                                                            

75.

INTERCUT - FRONT OF KEISHA'S HOUSE / RECEPTIONIST AREA
                                                            
Detective Perry stands leaning against his unmarked car,
parked at the curb near Keisha's house. He has his cell
phone held next to his ear.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
This is Detective Perry with the
Vicksburg Police Department. I'm
investigatin' a crime and saw that
someone from this number had
called Keisha Jackson five times
today. Are you familiar with a
Keisha Jackson?
                                                            
A concerned look comes across the Receptionist's face.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST
Yes sir, Keisha works here. Hold
on, let me connect you with the
attorney she works for.
                                                            
The Receptionist punches a button on her phone control
system before speaking.
                                                            
                       RECEPTIONIST (cont'd)
Mr.LeBlanc, a Detective Perry with
the Vicksburg Police is on hold.
He's calling about Keisha -- I
think there might be a problem.
                                                            
BOBBY LEBLANC'S LAW OFFICE
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Put him through.
                                                            
Bobby is seen talking on his phone in his office, his head
downward, elbow on his desk, hand on his his forehead, as he
shakes his head at the bad news.
                                                            
 
EXT. BLACK SCREEN - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "A GENTLEMAN ACCEPTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS
ACTIONS AND BEARS THE BURDEN OF THEIR CONSEQUENCES."

WILLIAM FAULKNER
                                                            
 
EXT. IDAHO LAKE CABIN - DAY
                                                            
An ariel view of Lake Pend Oreille closing in on the lake
cabin that sits isolated on it's shore.
                                                            

76.

SUPER: LAKE PEND OREILLE, IDAHO
                                                            
LAKE CABIN, ARYAN SHRINE ROOM
                                                            
In the Aryan Shrine room, A person lifts weights as a DVD
player sends a message from a white supremacist into the
television.

The television screen is the main part of this scene.

The person is lifting weights to increase his upper body and
bicep muscles. He is shirtless, a large swastika tattooed
across the middle of his upper back.

The room is covered in Aryan flags and posters, a Hitler
bust on a shelf. He listens to the message as he lifts
weights.

The screen shows several hooded Klan like characters in the
dark with torches. For a moment, the words, ARYAN NATION,
are superimposed onto this image.
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONY LEADER
      (Speaking loudly.)
... strength and guidance of our
Father... and the strength of our
Savior -- WHITE POWER!... Whadda
we want!?
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONIAL GROUP
      (Shouting in
       unison.)
WHITE POWER!!
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONY LEADER
Whadda we need!?
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONIAL GROUP
WHITE POWER!!
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONY LEADER
Whadda we gonna have!?
                                                            
                       ARYAN CEREMONIAL GROUP
WHITE POWER!!
                                                            
During the process of the give and take between the LEADER
and the GROUP, three crosses are being set afire, the middle
cross taller than the crosses to each side.

The flat screen TV then shows a close up of a middle aged
white man in a small meeting hall. He is dressed in a black
suit coat with a white shirt and black tie. The man has

77.

short black hair and a black mustache. A microphone from a
podium is in front of him. He speaks in a slow and measured
tone.
                                                            
                       ARYAN LEADER
I would be remiss if I did not
tell you what the real problem is,
cause you need to hear it.

The real problem is white folk.
It's you and it's I. Our
weaknesses, our laziness... our
not loving enough, not caring
enough, has given this land to
it's enemies.

There is no such thing as Black
Power -- never has been... it is
only white weakness. But when
there is white strength, there can
be no Black Power!
                                                            
As the last of the speakers words are spoken, a bulging
white man's bicep is flexed in the foreground in
front of the television. The screen goes back to the
three burning crosses with the singing of the Aryan anthem.
                                                            
 
EXT. 18 WHEELER ON HIGHWAY, NORTHERN IDAHO - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: SANDPOINT, IDAHO
                                                            
The 18 wheeler rolls down a state highway in the mountains
of N. Idaho. Lake Pend Oreille is off to the passenger side
of the vehicle. It is morning and the sun has risen to just
above the lake. The clear water reflecting the mountains.

Inside the cab of the vehicle, JJ and the Trucker talk.
                                                            
INTERIOR OF TRUCK CAB
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Partner, I'm gonna get fuel up
here in Sandpoint. That'll be our
last stop before Canada.
                                                            
JJ not looking at the Trucker but observing the huge clear
lake and the mountains outside his passenger window.
                                                            
                       JJ
Ain't this somethin'... I ain't
never seen country like this.
                                                            

78.

EXTERIOR VIEW OF 18 WHEELER
                                                            
The truck continues on, traveling down the mountainous
highway.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANDPOINT, IDAHO TRUCK STOP - DAY
                                                            
The 18 wheeler carrying JJ turns into the truck-stop and
comes to rest beside the diesel fuel pumps.

Both JJ and the Trucker exit the cab of the 18 wheeler. As
JJ exits the vehicle, he puts on his jacket and walks around
the truck looking at his surroundings, the mountains in the
distance and the clear blue sky.

JJ speaks to the Trucker.
                                                            
                       JJ
This looks like a nice place.
                                                            
The Trucker nods. JJ pauses for a moment more, thinking of
what he has just said. JJ speaks with enthusiasm.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
I might just stay here for a lil'
while.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
You sure you want'a get off here?
There ain't many people like you
and I up this way -- if you know
what I mean. I've heard stories
--
                                                            
                       JJ
-- Ah, I can take care of myself.
Can't be no worse than
Mississippi.
                                                            
JJ extends his hand for a handshake with the Trucker.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Thanks for the ride. This is
gonna be the end of the line for
me -- there's just somethin' 'bout
this place that feels right.
                                                            
                       TRUCKER
Good luck to ya'.
                                                            
Another 18 wheeler pulls into the truck-stop as JJ continues
talking to the Trucker.
                                                            
 

79.

EXT. DOWNTOWN SANDPOINT, IDAHO, THE PANHANDLE CAFE - DAY
                                                            
JJ walks with a purposeful stride down a sidewalk in the
small tourist town of Sandpoint, Idaho. Looking at the
different shops and stores he stumbles upon a cafe where he
slows down to look at a sign in the window.

In the window of the cafe is a "HELP WANTED" sign.
                                                            
INT. THE PANHANDLE CAFE
                                                            
JJ steps into the cafe. At the table to his right sit two
men, SID, late 20's, short crew cut and goofy looking, and
LEONARD, early 50's, with sharp features and shaved head.
Both with empty plates from a finished meal, sipping on
their coffee. Only one other table is occupied with an
elderly couple.

JJ turns toward Sid and Leonard as he passes them, nodding
his head in their direction.
                                                            
                       JJ
How y'all doin'?
                                                            
Sid and Leonard just stare.
                                                            
                       SID
What the hell is that?
                                                            
                       LEONARD
Looks like that boy's lost.
                                                            
Behind the counter of the bar stands the cafe owner, Dave
Salisbury, 65, average height, lean with a white pony tail.
He wears a slightly stained white apron.
                                                            
                       JJ
Sir, are you the owner?
                                                            
                       DAVE
I am.
                                                            
                       JJ
I was wonderin' about that sign
ya' got in the window.
                                                            
Dave places his hands on the counter, leaning onto it.
                                                            
                       DAVE
I'm needing a cook... you looking
for work?
                                                            

80.

                       JJ
Yes, sir.
                                                            
                       DAVE
You can cut that sir stuff out, a
simple yes or no's fine -- Where
are you from?
                                                            
                       JJ
I'm from Mississippi.
                                                            
                       DAVE
I didn't think you were from
around here.
                                                            
Dave pauses for a moment before continuing.
                                                            
                       DAVE (cont'd)
Don't know if I like hiring
somebody that's just drifting
through these parts.
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Pleading.)
Mister, I'd do ya' a fine job.
I've done some cookin' before.
                                                            
Dave pauses for a moment, taking in what JJ has said.
Looking him over, gathering his thoughts.
                                                            
                       DAVE
Come down this way.
                                                            
Dave walks to the end of bar farthermost away from the
entry, out of earshot of his diners. JJ follows.
                                                            
                       DAVE (cont'd)
Seems to me like you might be
running from something.
                                                            
There is a pause as JJ looks directly at Dave before he
speaks.
                                                            
                       JJ
I'm running from my past.
                                                            
                       DAVE
What kind of trouble are you in?
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Firmly.)
None.
                                                            

81.

JJ pauses for the briefest of moments before continuing.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
I've been in trouble in my life...
but I served time for the mistakes
that I made.
                                                            
JJ briefly pauses again, trying to see what response he is
receiving from Dave. Dave stands stoically, listening.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
They ain't nothin' on my
conscience that I can't sleep well
at night about -- I'm a free
man... and I want'a fresh start...
I want'a just vanish off'a the
face of the earth for awhile -- I
want'a feel free.
                                                            
Dave stands looking at JJ, silent for a few moments in
contemplation of what he has just been told.
                                                            
                       DAVE
I'm a pretty good judge of
character... honesty's hard to
come by. I'm hopin' you don't
mind a little hard work, would I
be right?
                                                            
                       JJ
      (Excited.)
Oh, yes sir, I mean, yeah -- hard
work ain't no problem for me.
                                                            
                       DAVE
If you're needing a place to stay.
I've got a trailer down the
highway on the edge of town that
I'll rent to you. We'll work it
out.
                                                            
Dave reaches his hand out to shake JJ's hand. They shake
hands.
                                                            
                       JJ
Mister, ya' not gonna be sorry
about this decision.
                                                            
                       DAVE
Call me Dave, and your name is?
                                                            
                       JJ
JJ, Jamarcus Jackson.
                                                            

82.

Dave nods his head, pausing a moment before speaking.
                                                            
                       DAVE
JJ, what you told me about serving
time... that's just between you
and I.
                                                            
JJ shakes his head in appreciation.
                                                            
                       DAVE
I served a couple'a years in
Folsom back in the 70's... I know
where you are right now --
everybody's got something in their
past that they'd like to hide.
                                                            
With a big smile, JJ shakes Dave's hand once again.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAKE CABIN - DAY
                                                            
LAKE CABIN LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Tanner and his friends, Sid and Leonard sit in chairs and on
the sofa in the living area, a fire burns in the fireplace.
Each is sipping on a bottle of beer.
                                                            
                       SID
Have you been to the Panhandle
Cafe today?
                                                            
Tanner shakes his head no.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Not today.
                                                            
                       LEONARD
When you get there... you ain't
gonna believe your damned eyes.
                                                            
Tanner scrunches his forehead.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Why, what's Dave done now?
                                                            
                       SID
It's who he's hired.
                                                            
Tanner grins.
                                                            
                       TANNER
She look good?
                                                            

83.

                       SID
It ain' no damned she, it's a he.
                                                            
                       LEONARD
And it ain't just any kind of
he... not one like we see around
here every day.
                                                            
                       TANNER
What'd Dave do, go and hire one of
his fag friends from San Franciso?
                                                            
Leonard turns his bottle up as Sid responds.
                                                            
                       SID
Naw, he hired a damned nigger --
black as an ace of spades... back
there in the kitchen acting like a
regular Aunt Jemima.
                                                            
Sid and Leonard wait on Tanner's response, a perplexed look
on Tanner's face.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Where in the hell did he find a
nigger up this ways?
                                                            
The three continue on with their conversation, the fire
burning in the background.
                                                            
 
INT. VICKSBURG PD, DETECTIVE PERRY'S OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Bobby LeBlanc sits across the desk from Detective Perry
discussing the last time that he saw Keisha Jackson.
                                                            
                       BOBBY
My wife and I last saw her at the
casino, Friday night.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
And was she alone?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
No, she was with a guy, a white
guy. She introduced him to us...
I remember he worked at the
nuclear plant --
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
-- You remember his name?
                                                            

84.

                       BOBBY
Yeah, his name was Watson, Jim
Watson.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Jim Watson. You're sure about
that name?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Yeah. It was odd, my wife and I
went over to speak to Keisha and
she was with this white guy.
That's kinda unusual, even these
days. Anyway, she introduced him
to us... I'm terrible with names,
but my wife, Ellen -- somehow she
remembered his name.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
So you could recognize him in a
line up?
                                                            
                       BOBBY
Definitely. My wife and I both
could.
                                                            
LATER THAT DAY, DETECTIVE PERRY'S OFFICE
                                                            
Detective Perry writing notes as he listens to RUTH TAYLOR.
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR (O.S.)
He was over there quite a bit,
especially at night.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Was it normal for Keisha to have
men over at night?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
I'd seen men over there before,
not very often, but never a white
man.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
This white man, did he come by
often?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
Oh, yes, he was over there quite a
bit. I would see'em at the door
kissin' and gropin' on each other
-- it made me sick watchin'em.
                                                            

85.

A slight pause as Ruth Taylor leans in towards Detective
Perry's desk, speaking in a more hushed voice, shaking her
head in disgust.
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR (cont'd)
I don't know if I mentioned it but
I just don't agree with race
mixin'.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Yes, ma'am.
                                                            
Ruth Taylor eases back into her chair, her old self again.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
You had mentioned that a vehicle
had sped away from the house on
Friday night, can you describe the
vehicle?
                                                            
                       RUTH TAYLOR
It was a Jeep, a red Jeep.
                                                            
EVEN LATER THAT DAY, DETECTIVE PERRY'S OFFICE
                                                            
Detective Perry stands behind his desk, looking down at the
top of the desk.

Spread across his desk are the 8x10 photos of KEISHA and JIM
on the night of Keisha's death.

He holds up the photo of Keisha groping Jim's crotch at her
front door, looking at it before sitting it back down with
the others. HANK stands on the opposite side of the desk.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Mr. Rose, I'm glad you saw the
story on the news last night.
These photos, your surveillance
notes and all of the other
collaborating info that we've got
-- Hell, you may have just made
our case.
                                                            
                       HANK
You think ya' got enough to arrest
him?
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
      (Confident.)
Oh, yeah -- that boy's done shit
in his nest.
                                                            
 

86.

INT. THE PANHANDLE CAFE, SANDPOINT, IDAHO - DAY
                                                            
MONTAGE - DAVE SHOWS JJ AROUND THE CAFE.
                                                            
-- Dave showing JJ around the kitchen, eggs and sausage
cooking on the griddle.

-- Becky taking an order, laughing at something that one of
the customers has said.

-- JJ laying out food on the grill, Dave looking over his
shoulder, nodding his head that all is well.
                                                            
Dave and JJ stand in the kitchen talking. They can see
through the opening from the kitchen to the restaurant area.

Tanner, dressed in his Deputy's uniform sits on a bar stool
finishing his coffee. He and Becky are talking.
                                                            
                       BECKY
You're still going with me to see
my mother down in Boise this
weekend, right?
                                                            
                       TANNER
No can do, Beck. Gonna be working
around the hunting camp, bear
season's comin' up -- can't miss
that.
                                                            
                       BECKY
But you promised!... that's an
eight hour drive.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Give your mom my best.
                                                            
Becky rips off Tanner's lunch ticket from her pad and slams
it onto the bar. She is very angry.
                                                            
                       BECKY
I should have figured as much --
all you ever think about is
yourself!
                                                            
Becky turns quickly and begins to walk away. Tanner
responds just loudly enough to be heard.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Quit being a bitch.
                                                            
Dave turns to JJ, both having observed the conversation.
                                                            

87.

                       DAVE
You watch that guy -- he's
trouble.
                                                            
 
EXT. VICKSBURG POLICE DEPT - NIGHT
                                                            
Jim is led by Detective Perry to a table just outside of the
interior of the Vicksburg Jail. On the table sits a
telephone.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Ok, Watson... one call.
                                                            
Jim sits in the chair in front of the table as Detective
Perry takes a couple of steps back and leans against the
wall. Reaching out for the phone, Jim dials home.
                                                            
JANE'S BEDROOM
                                                            
Jane lies sleeping in bed. The phone rings twice as she is
blasted from her sleep and into reality. She pounces on the
phone quickly and answers.
                                                            
INTERCUT - JANE'S BEDROOM / VICKSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Groggy.)
Hello.
                                                            
                       JIM
Jane, this is Jim -- I'm in
trouble.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Disgusted.)
Are you drunk again!?
                                                            
                       JIM
No... I'm very sober... I've been
arrested.
                                                            
                       JANE
What! What are you talkin'
about?... why have you been
arrested?
                                                            
Listening to Jim's response, Jane's face quickly turns from
concern to sadness. Her cheeks turning red as tears begin
to run from her eyes.
                                                            
                       JANE (cont'd)
Oh, Jim... Oh, Jim -- Oh, no!
                                                            

88.

Jane sits in her bed in the darkness, phone in hand,
sobbing.
                                                            
 
INT. DETECTIVE PERRY'S OFFICE, VICKSBURG PD - DAY
                                                            
Jane sits across the desk from Detective Perry. His office
is small and cluttered.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
I understand your concern, Miz
Watson, but there just idn't that
much I can do.
                                                            
                       JANE
I know there's been a terrible
crime -- but I know my husband,
and I tellin' ya', he's not
capable of what he's accused of.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
If he's such a fine fella, then
why ya' divorcin' him?
                                                            
Jane sits silent for an extended period before looking
directly at Detective Perry and responding.
                                                            
                       JANE
I'm divorcing my husband because
he can be so... so inconsiderate,
so unloving... he's not been a
good husband for the past four or
five years --
                                                            
Jane shakes her head.
                                                            
                       JANE
-- but he's not a murderer! There
just has to be some mistake.
                                                            
                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Your husband ever drink too
much... maybe gets a little rough
with ya'? Anything like that ever
happen?
                                                            
The question makes Jane indignant.
                                                            
                       JANE
No!! He's never lifted a hand to
me.
                                                            
Detective Perry nods his head.
                                                            

89.

                       DETECTIVE PERRY
Listen, Miz Watson... my advice to
you is to go and get the best
attorney that you can find -- ya'
husband's gonna need it.
                                                            
Rising from her seat, Jane responds in a loud and angry
manner.
                                                            
                       JANE
The best attorney that I can
find... that's just a grand idea!
I've got two kids, a mortgage and
my husband behind bars -- what the
hell am I supposed to pay him
with!?
                                                            
Jane quickly turns and walks out the open door of the office
and into the noisy hallway. Sitting on a long wooden bench
at the end of the hall are her children, EMMA and CHRIS,
their frightened faces watching everything around them. As
Jane nears the bench in full gait, she speaks out to her
children.
                                                            
                       JANE (cont'd)
C'mon, let's go!
                                                            
 
INT. PANHANDLE CAFE, SANDPOINT, IDAHO - DAY
                                                            
The cafe is near empty. JJ stands at the opening between
the kitchen and the cafe looking out over the restaurant.

Becky is cleaning away dishes from the bar. As she bends
over to wipe the bar clean, the sleeve of her waitress
uniform rides up her arm exposing a large bruised area.
                                                            
                       JJ
Becky!
                                                            
JJ motions that she come to where he stands.

Becky walks over to the wall that separates the kitchen from
the cafe and looks at JJ through the large opening.
                                                            
                       JJ
What's that wrong with ya' arm?
                                                            
Becky tugs at the sleeve of her uniform pulling it downward.
                                                            
                       BECKY
      (Meekly.)
My arm's ok.
                                                            

90.

                       JJ
Naw... naw, it ain't OK, it's all
bruised up -- right up here on ya'
arm.
                                                            
JJ motions to the upper part of his arm.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Let me take a look at it... who
did that to ya'?
                                                            
Becky looks downward, away from JJ.
                                                            
                       BECKY
It's -- it's nothin', I just ran
into the door.
                                                            
JJ squints his eyes in disbelief, looking at Becky as if
examining her.
                                                            
                       JJ
I don't believe no door did
that... somebody hurt you -- was
it Tanner? Did he do that to ya?
                                                            
Becky begins to turn away from JJ, her face filled with
emotion.
                                                            
                       BECKY
I don't want'a talk about it.
                                                            
As she walks away, JJ nods his head in a knowing way.
                                                            
 
INT. WARREN COUNTY JAIL, VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: SEVEN MONTHS LATER
MID-SEPTEMBER, 2010
WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
                                                            
Jane sits alone in a small room. There is a metal table
bolted to the concrete floor with four folding chairs
surrounding it. Jane sits in one of the chairs, looking at
the blank, stark gray walls.

At the lone entry to the room, the door opens and Jim enters
the room handcuffed, followed by the DEPUTY. The Deputy
steps behind Jim and unlocks his handcuffs.
                                                            
                       DEPUTY
Ma'am, I'll be right outside the
door.
                                                            

91.

Acknowledging the Deputy, Jane looks in his direction and
nods her head.
                                                            
                       JANE
Thanks.
                                                            
Jane rises from her seat and steps towards Jim. They hug
one another. As they release one another, they each begin
to walk to the table and chairs.
                                                            
                       JIM
I'm sorry.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Irritated.)
Don't say it Jim... I don't wanta
hear it!
                                                            
They sit silently in their folding chairs for a few moments,
Jane staring at the blank wall, Jim looking at Jane.
                                                            
                       JIM
I thought the attorney was going
to be here.
                                                            
                       JANE
Yeah... he's probably running
late.
                                                            
HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
                                                            
The DISTRICT ATTORNEY leans against the door frame talking
to ATTORNEY BYRNE.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY
You tell ya' boy that that's the
best deal he's gonna get out'a
this office.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
I'll do it. I'll let you know
what he says.
                                                            
JAIL WAITING/CONFERENCE ROOM
                                                            
Jane and Jim waiting on the attorney.
                                                            
                       JIM
How are the kids.
                                                            
                       JANE
      (Briskly.)
They're doin' fine.
                                                            

92.

Jim nods his head.
                                                            
                       JIM
And you?
                                                            
The door opens and into the room steps Attorney Byrne. He
steps to the table and takes a chair.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
How are you folks today?
                                                            
Jane sits silently.
                                                            
                       JIM
OK.
                                                            
Attorney Byrne places his hands onto the metal table,
slightly leaning onto it.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
Well, that's good... Look, I just
left the DA's office and they're
willing to offer a deal.
                                                            
                       JANE
What kinda deal?
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
Basically we've got three
choices... two really, but one has
two different outcomes.
                                                            
Jane impatiently responds.
                                                            
                       JANE
So what's the deal?
                                                            
Attorney Byrne pushes back from the table.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
Of course, you can go to court. If
ya' win, you'll walk... if ya'
lose, ya' probably looking at
life, no parole.
                                                            
                       JANE
So what's the damned deal?
                                                            
Attorney Byrne directs his attention towards Jim.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
The DA's offered First Degree
Manslaughter... they'll recommend
a ten year sentence -- you could
            (MORE)

93.

                       ATTORNEY BYRNE (cont'd)
be out in six or seven.
                                                            
All three sit silent, Jim and Jane stunned at the reality
that Jim may go to prison.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE (cont'd)
It's a good deal... the best we
gonna get.
                                                            
Jim places his arms on the table, wringing his hands.
                                                            
                       JIM
But, I didn't do it.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
I understand ya' situation. You
need to think on this offer...
it's very generous.
                                                            
                       JIM
But I didn't do it!!
                                                            
Attorney Byrne clears his throat.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
Well... the prosecution feels like
they've got a good case... all the
evidence, it's circumstantial -- I
mean you've got a shot.
                                                            
Jim and Jane sit silently, not knowing how to respond.
                                                            
                       JIM
I can't admit to something that I
didn't do.
                                                            
Jane's head bows as the words leave Jim's mouth.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
Well, we've got 'til tomorrow to
let the DA know... court'll be
next week... you sleep on it and
let me know tomorrow.
                                                            
The three sit silently around the metal table.
                                                            
 
EXT. GRACE CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER - DAY
                                                            
A car drives by the red brick building, a stucco finish on
the front. A sign with a commercially stylized cross
contains the words: GRACE CHRISTIAN COUNSELING.
                                                            

94.

COUNSELING OFFICE
                                                            
Jane and COUNSELOR BRAD, late 50's, sit in two chairs in
front of the counselor's desk. The office is spacious and
is covered in bookshelves, diplomas, certificates and
Christian memorabilia.
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
Jane, this has been a good
session. Is there anything else
that we need to talk about today?
                                                            
A moment of hesitation as Jane collects her thoughts.
                                                            
                       JANE
I just feel helpless. I was so
mad when I found out he was
cheatin' on me... and now, now
that he's about to go to trial --
I'm just pissed off...excuse me,
angry.
                                                            
Counselor Brad pauses for a moment, a slight grin on his
face.
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
You know, Christians can get
pissed off. You need to feel free
to express yourself, so go ahead.
                                                            
                       JANE
I'm just... it's just that... what
I don't understand is why -- why
do innocent people, my kids, me,
why do we have to be the ones to
carry the burden?
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
I'm not sure --
                                                            
                       JANE
-- I mean, what have we done?
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
I don't have an answer for that. I
wish I did.
                                                            
                       JANE
It's just not fair!
                                                            
Counselor Brad writes something in his pad as he listens.
                                                            

95.

                       COUNSELOR BRAD
You're right, it's just not fair.
But I suppose fair is a relative
term... When this is all over --
what will it take to make you
happy again?
                                                            
Jane sits for a moment processing the Counselor's question,
glaring at him.
                                                            
                       JANE
Ya' know this is gonna wipe us
out... we can't keep on payin' for
the house without Jim's salary --
it's for sale right now, we're
gonna have to move. And the
savings... it's gonna be gone
paying legal bills.
                                                            
With a gentle look on his face, the Counselor responds.
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
I understand... but what is it
gonna take to make you happy
again?
                                                            
Jane sighs deeply.
                                                            
                       JANE
I think... I think in a perfect
world, that Jim would be set free
and we'd just go back to bein' a
normal family... but we haven't
been a normal family in a while.
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
And if Jim has to go to prison?
                                                            
Jane sits for a moment thinking, knowing her answer.
                                                            
                       JANE
If we could just be happy, me and
the kids... that's really what's
most important... just being
happy... just bein' a family. It's
time for us to get on with our
lives.
                                                            
Counselor Brad smiles at Jane's answer nodding his head in
affirmation. He places his pad on the table next to him,
                                                            

96.

                       COUNSELOR BRAD
When that day comes, you'll feel
it -- you'll know it.
                                                            
Counselor Brad reaches out his hands to Jane.
                                                            
                       COUNSELOR BRAD
Shall we pray?
                                                            
Jane extends her arms, her hands holding the hands of
Counselor Brad. Both bow their heads.
                                                            
 
EXT. WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY
                                                            
The Warren County Courthouse sits atop a great hill on the
bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The courthouse,
with large columns on all fours sides of the building, a
raised bell tower overhead looks down upon the City of
Vicksburg.

The flag pole flys the American flag, below it, the
Mississippi flag with it's Confederate banner in the upper
corner of the flag.
                                                            
INT. WARREN COUNTY COURTROOM
                                                            
It is a typical courtroom scene where everyone is sitting
and talking while the court is in recess.

The jury comes in and is seated. The jury is comprised of
eight African American jurors of mixed ages and sexes and
three older white jurors and one younger white male juror.
The older white jurors all appear to be in their late
sixties to mid seventies.

The door from the JUDGE's chamber opens and the BAILIFF
steps forward into the courtroom. He speaks loudly.
                                                            
                       BAILIFF
All rise! Court is in session.
The honorable Judge Tomie Brisco
presiding.
                                                            
The people in the courtroom rise as the African American
Judge makes her way from her chambers to behind her desk.

The Judge sits and the people in the courtroom are seated.
After a few moments of looking over the papers on her desk
and getting them arranged, she begins to speak.
                                                            

97.

                       JUDGE
Mr. District Attorney, are you
prepared to make your closin'
statement?
                                                            
The District Attorney rises from his chair.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Yes, your honor, I am.
                                                            
                       JUDGE
Proceed.
                                                            
The District Attorney walks from his table in almost a
swagger before beginning his closing statement. He will
pace before the jury box as his statement is being made.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Not often in a town as peaceful as
Vicksburg do we see the ugly
brutality of man that has been
displayed by the defendant, Jim
Watson.
                                                            
Having spoken JIM's name in contempt, the District Attorney
turns and glares at Jim before turning back to the jury.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
This double murder! The murder of
Mr. Watson's mistress, Keisha
Jackson and the subsequent death
of their unborn child is
unforgiveable.
                                                            
The District Attorney pauses to let the affects of his words
settle in on the jury.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
Keisha Jackson's death and the
death of the child in her womb was
no accident... It was a
calculated, cold blooded, savage
act! An act that I hope disgusts
you as much as it does me.
                                                            
The District Attorney walks across the courtroom in front of
the judge before returning to the jury as he speaks.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
And while this case is one of the
most brutal acts that I have ever
been a party to, it is indeed one
of the easiest to try.
                                                            

98.

The District Attorney pauses once more before laying out the
facts of the case.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
the following are the facts as
were given by sworn testimony.
The defendant, Jim Watson, a white
man --
                                                            
Attorney Byrne rises quickly from his chair.
                                                            
                       ATTORNEY BYRNE
-- Objection, your honor.
                                                            
                       JUDGE
Sustained.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY
As I was sayin', Jim Watson, a
married man, had an ongoing
adulterous relationship with Miss
Keisha Jackson... During the time
of this relationship, Jim Watson
was not only served divorce papers
from his wife -- but he
impregnated his mistress, the
deceased, Keisha Jackson.
                                                            
The District Attorney looks the jurors over, pausing for
emphasis.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
I can imagine that a situation
such as that would put a man in a
very stressful position.
                                                            
The District Attorney holds both of his hands about chest
high, his hands cupped as if holding each juror's brain,
trying to mold it.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
Now I want you to imagine that
stressful position and compound it
with the fact that Mr. Watson was
seen drinkin' at the casino that
night, as well as hurriedly
fleeing from Miss Jackson's home
-- by two separate witnesses.
                                                            

99.

The District Attorney walks to the prosecution table and
picks up 8x10 photos taken by HANK Rose on the night of the
murder. KEISHA and Jim in a passionate kiss at her front
door.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
When you add the facts together,
and let's go over them one more
time... We have finger print
evidence on the murder weapon. We
have one witness who saw the
defendant enter the home with
Keisha Jackson -- and two that saw
him flee the home in a rush... And
most important, we have motive...
A married man in the midst of a
possible costly divorce murdering
his pregnant mistress -- ladies
and gentleman that is a motive for
murder!
                                                            
The District Attorney pausing, making sure that his words
are sinking in to the jury.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
There is no verdict that can be
given other than guilty. Guilty
of the murder of Keisha Jackson
and guilty of the death of the
fetus within her womb. The fetus
that DNA has proven would have
been the defendant, Jim Watson's
child! -- Double murder! The
death of a lover and the death of
an unborn child.
                                                            
The District Attorney looks at the photos in his hand before
raising one of them to the jury. It is the photo of Keisha
Jackson's body lying in a pool of blood in her kitchen.
                                                            
                       DISTRICT ATTORNEY (cont'd)
There is only one verdict. Only
one that is just -- and that
verdict my friends is GUILTY!
GUILTY! GUILTY!!
                                                            
District Attorney pounding his fist on the rail separating
himself from the jurors as he repeats the word guilty.

He turns and begins his return to the prosecution table.

While he is returning, Jim looks over his shoulder like a
deer in the headlights, looking for JANE in the courtroom.

100.

When turned, he sees ELLEN, nicely dressed, sitting with her
husband, BOBBY, about four rows back from the District
Attorney's table.

She looks him in the eye and raises her right hand to above
her heart and with her hand pressed against her breast,
Ellen gives Jim the finger!!
                                                            
 
INT. COURTHOUSE JURY ROOM - DAY
                                                            
The jurors file into the jury room to discuss the case.

As the final juror enters the room, the door is closed. JURY
FOREMAN, an African-American man in his mid sixties,
addresses the group of jurors.
                                                            
                       JURY FOREMAN
I need a cup'a coffee. Let's all
get somethin' to drink and sit
down and talk about the case in
'bout 30 minutes.
                                                            
The other jurors nod in agreement and go to the two tables
in the room to get bottled water, soft drinks and coffee,
then segregating themselves by race as they find somewhere
to sit around the room.

Sitting in one area of the room are the African American
jurors. After being seated, Jury Foreman speaks to the
small group.
                                                            
                       JURY FOREMAN
Seems like there's plenty'a
evidence... I don't know about
y'all, but I done seen enough of
us goin' down for killin' one of
them.
                                                            
                       HEAVY AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE JUROR
Ain't that the truth. One of them
gets killed or raped, innocent or
guilty, one of us goin' to jail.
                                                            
                       GRAY HAIRED AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE JUROR
You got that right, girl... jail
or worse.
                                                            
                       HEAVY AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE JUROR
      (In agreement.)
Um-huh, sho' nuff.
                                                            

101.

The remainder of the African American jurors sit, nodding
their heads in agreement of what has been said.
                                                            
                       JURY FOREMAN
Now -- now the shoes on the other
foot.
                                                            
Across the room, the four white jurors sit with their
folding chairs facing each other.
                                                            
                       OLDER WHITE MALE JUROR
This is what happens when you go
datin' outside'a ya race.
                                                            
OLDER WHITE FEMALE JUROR shakes her head.
                                                            
                       OLDER WHITE FEMALE JUROR
It sure is. It's just a shame.
                                                            
YOUNGER WHITE MALE JUROR looks incredulously at OLDER WHITE
MALE JUROR and Older White Female Juror.
                                                            
                       YOUNGER WHITE MALE JUROR
That's asinine. How can y'all say
that?
                                                            
                       OLDER WHITE MALE JUROR
OK, college boy... Jim Watson --
innocent or guilty?
                                                            
Younger White Male Juror, mid 20's, sits for a couple of
seconds before responding in a low tone.
                                                            
                       YOUNGER WHITE MALE JUROR
Guilty.
                                                            
The other white jurors nod their head in the affirmative.
                                                            
                       OLDER WHITE FEMALE JUROR
It's just a shame, just a shame.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAKE CABIN - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: MID-OCTOBER 2010
LAKE PEND OREILLE, IDAHO
                                                            
Tanner and his Aryan friends, Sid and Leonard sit on the
front porch of the lake cabin drinking beer and talking. All
three wear jeans, flannel shirts and jackets. The frame is
wide and shows the lake, lake cabin and the friends sitting
around the front porch of the cabin that overlooks the lake.
                                                            

102.

                       TANNER
That's what happens when you elect
a damned baboon to run the
country.
                                                            
All three nod in agreement, snickering at Tanner's remark.
Each turns their longneck up for another swallow. There is a
slight break before Sid speaks.
                                                            
                       SID
Tanner, I was down at the
Panhandle Cafe the other day. Was
Becky sick?
                                                            
                       TANNER
Naw, not that I know of... why'd
you think she was sick?
                                                            
                       SID
I don't know, looked like she had
a fever.
                                                            
                       TANNER
When'd you become a doctor?
                                                            
Leonard abruptly interrupts the conversation with a stern
remark.
                                                            
                       LEONARD
Maybe it ain't no normal fever.
                                                            
Tanner turns and looks at Leonard long and hard.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Whatta you mean by that?
                                                            
                       LEONARD
Just that it seems like your
woman, Becky's awful friendly to
that nigger that Dave went and
hired.
                                                            
Tanner rises from his chair, anger in his face.
                                                            
                       TANNER
You best shut your fuckin' mouth.
                                                            
Leonard slowly rises from his chair, looking directly at
Tanner, nodding his head. Leonard speaks in a matter of fact
way.
                                                            

103.

                       LEONARD
I've said all I'm gonna say... but
Sid and I... we just thought you
ought'a know. We're afraid that
Becky might have a little case of
-- jungle fever.
                                                            
 
EXT. BECKY'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Tanner's white Ford Bronco patrol vehicle pulls into the
driveway where Becky lives. She has a small frame one story
home with a small stone chimney.

Tanner dressed in his deputy's uniform walks from the Bronco
to the front door and knocks.
                                                            
INT. BECKY'S LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Becky walks to the door and opens it.
                                                            
                       BECKY
I didn't know that you were coming
by.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Wadn't planning on it, but there's
something that we need to talk
about.
                                                            
Tanner walks past Becky and into the house. As he walks
into the house, Becky speaks.
                                                            
                       BECKY
What's that?
                                                            
As Becky closes the door, the Deputy spins around to face
her. He appears angry.
                                                            
                       TANNER
I'll get right to it.... I don't
like that nigger working at the
cafe with you. You're being way
too friendly to him, I don't like
it one damned bit.
                                                            
                       BECKY
Oh Tanner, don't be that way. If
you're talking about JJ, he's a
nice guy.
                                                            

104.

                       TANNER
I don't give a shit how nice he
is. He's a nigger, Becky, and
that's all that he'll ever be.
He's not welcome up in these
parts.
                                                            
                       BECKY
He hasn't done anything wrong...
As far as I'm concerned, he's
welcome to stay, and I can be nice
to him if I want to.
                                                            
                       TANNER
That's exactly why women don't
need to be making big decisions.
I'm telling you -- I don't wanta
see you talking to that ape! You
leave him alone, you understand.
                                                            
Standing her ground, the anger rising up in her, Becky
stands up to Tanner, responding in an angry tone.
                                                            
                       BECKY
Tanner -- You need to leave, now!
                                                            
The Deputy steps quickly towards Becky and grasps her
tightly around the top of her arms, holding her forcefully,
standing inches away from her, he fiercely looks down upon
her, his teeth clenched, speaking in a slow and menacing
tone.
                                                            
                       TANNER
You - leave - that - nigger -
alone!
                                                            
 
EXT. THE PANHANDLE CAFE - NIGHT
                                                            
It is closing time at the cafe and the exterior neon sign
has been turned off. The sign on the door reads "closed".

Across the street in a half deserted parking lot with the
lights off is Becky's boyfriend, Tanner. He is sitting in
his patrol Bronco watching what is going on inside through
the front glass of the dimly lit cafe.
                                                            
PANHANDLE CAFE DINING ROOM
                                                            
                       BECKY
Man, I sure am tuckered out...
what a day. I could really use a
drink.
                                                            

105.

                       JJ
Ain't that the truth. I know I
could.
                                                            
Becky pours coffee into two cups that are sitting at the end
of the bar. She speaks as she pours.
                                                            
                       BECKY
This is the strongest drink we've
got.
                                                            
She walks around the end of the bar and sits in the swivel
chair beside JJ. As she walks JJ speaks.
                                                            
                       JJ
Thanks.
                                                            
JJ takes a sip of his coffee.
                                                            
                       BECKY
      (Sincerely.)
You know JJ, I'm sure glad you
decided to come work here. You've
been really sweet to me.
                                                            
Becky pauses a moment, taking a sip from her coffee.
                                                            
                       JJ
I'm glad I stopped here too. Y'all
been real good to me, you and
Dave.
                                                            
There is a moment of silence and contemplation, both sitting
quietly, enjoying the companionship of another individual.
JJ speaks, somewhat sadly.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
I ain't said this to nobody else,
but I don't know how much longer
I'm gonna be around -- it's
gettin' kinda cold for a fella
from down south.
                                                            
Becky looks sad, her lips exaggeratedly pouted.
                                                            
                       BECKY
Aw, don't go.
                                                            
                       JJ
You'll still have Dave and Tanner.
You'll be ok.
                                                            

106.

                       BECKY
Tanner... He can be such an
asshole sometimes. I think I've
just about had enough of him.
                                                            
For a moment, both sit silently, each taking a sip from
their coffee.

A sad look remains on Becky's face as JJ leans forward,
looking Becky straight into her eyes, gently pointing his
finger as he continues talking.
                                                            
                       JJ
I don't wanta speak out'a turn but
I just need to say this -- You too
good for him, Becky... I been
watchin' the last couple'a months,
and honestly, Tanner don't treat
you right... If you was my woman,
I'd treat ya' like a queen, I
shor' would -- just like a queen.
                                                            
Becky rises from her seat and looks into JJ's eyes. Cupping
her hands around his face, she bends forward and kisses him
on his forehead. Her arms dropping to his shoulders and her
face close to his, she speaks.
                                                            
                       BECKY
You're a good man, JJ. A good
man.
                                                            
Across the street in the parking lot, Tanner sits in the
Ford Bronco with binoculars watching the two through the
front glass of the cafe.

There is a look of anger on this face as he crushes an empty
soft drink can with his hand.
                                                            
INT. TANNER'S PATROL VEHICLE
                                                            
                       TANNER
That niggers gonna die!
                                                            
 
EXT. DESERTED TWO LANE HIGHWAY, SANDPOINT, IDAHO - NIGHT
                                                            
It is a cold night in late September. JJ walks alone down
the deserted highway away from the cafe and towards his
trailer out on the edge of town. His back is to the camera.
He wears a hooded sweatshirt, jacket and gloves to keep
warm. Tanner's Ford Bronco patrol vehicle comes up behind
JJ, his tail lights turning bright red as he stops beside
JJ.

107.


Tanner rolls the passenger side window down.
                                                            
                       TANNER
You look cold, you need a ride?
                                                            
                       JJ
Naw, that's ok. It ain't that
much further to go.
                                                            
                       TANNER
No need to walk, I'm headed your
direction... hop on in.
                                                            
JJ nods his head, pausing for a brief moment before
responding.
                                                            
                       JJ
Ok, that's right nice of ya'.
                                                            
CAB OF TANNER'S FORD BRONCO.
                                                            
JJ enters the vehicle and fastens his seat belt.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
It shor' is gettin' cold outside.
                                                            
Tanner begins to accelerate the vehicle as he responds.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Fall's starting to set in.
                                                            
                       JJ
Back where I'm from, Fall means
that ya' might need to find a long
sleeved shirt, not three layers of
clothes.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Just where in the hell are you
from?
                                                            
                       JJ
Mississippi, Crystal Springs,
Mississippi. Hey, ya' know where
I live, don'cha?
                                                            
                       TANNER
Oh, yeah.
                                                            

108.

                       JJ
Probably need to start slowin'
down, ain't much farther up this
way.
                                                            
JJ slightly accelerates the vehicle and continues on.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
Tanner, you jus' passed me up. Ya'
jus' passed my place.
                                                            
                       TANNER
I suppose I did. You haven't ever
been out to my place have you?
                                                            
JJ is puzzled and concerned over being mislead.
                                                            
                       JJ
Naw, I don't reacon I have.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Why don't we run out that way, I'm
just a mile or two over the
bridge. I forgot something I need
to pick up, won't take 15 minutes.
You don't mind do you?
                                                            
JJ responds with a sense of relief.
                                                            
                       JJ
That'd be jus' fine. You got this
truck nice and warm.
                                                            
EXTERIOR OF POLICE VEHICLE AS IT ENTERS ONTO BRIDGE
                                                            
 
EXT. AERIAL VIEW OF BRONCO TURNING OFF HIGHWAY - NIGHT
                                                            
An aerial view follows the vehicle down a winding dirt and
gravel drive towards the lake cabin. Tanner pulls the
vehicle behind the lake cabin and parks.

Tanner exits the vehicle and starts to close the door before
opening it wide again and speaking to JJ.
                                                            
BACK OF LAKE CABIN
                                                            
                       TANNER
Hey, why don't you come on in. I
want'ta show you my place.
                                                            
JJ exits the vehicle and both close their doors. They walk
towards the doorway with Tanner in front, JJ slightly

109.

behind.

Tanner slightly turns to speak.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
It's not big, but it's mine.
                                                            
Tanner turns the key in the lock and both Tanner and JJ
enter the lake cabin.

Tanner reaches for the light switch and turns on the lights.
He begins giving the tour of his home his arm pointing here
and there.
                                                            
LAKE CABIN KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM
                                                            
                       TANNER
Of course, right here is my
kitchen, and over there is my
living room.
                                                            
JJ nods his head as he looks at the two rooms.

Tanner begins walking down the short hall and JJ follows.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
That's my bathroom and that right
there is my bedroom.
                                                            
Tanner and JJ stand at the end of the hallway at the doorway
to Tanner's bedroom, an almost closed door across from the
open door to the bedroom. There is a chin-up bar across the
upper doorway. Tanner turns towards JJ and continues to
speak.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
It's a small place, was built up
here to be a weekend getaway, but
it's my home.
                                                            
                       JJ
It's a nice place ya' got here. I
shor' wish I had me somethin' like
this -- right on the lake and
everything. I bet it's nice and
quiet up in these woods.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Oh, yeah.
                                                            
JJ nods his head towards the almost closed door.
                                                            

110.

                       JJ
You got ya' another room there,
looks like.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Yeah, I was gonna show that to
you. Push that door open, I'll
get the light.
                                                            
JJ's pushes the door open and takes a couple of small steps
into the dark room as Tanner turns on the light.

JJ stops cold. He quickly turns and Tanner stands blocking
the doorway. The walls of the room are covered in Aryan,
Nazi and Confederate flags, posters and paraphernalia.
                                                            
                       JJ
Shit, Tanner, you in the Klan or
somethin"?
                                                            
                       TANNER
Not the Klan, the Almighty Aryan
Nation. You know what that is?
                                                            
JJ is a bit scared, trying to keep his cool.
                                                            
                       JJ
Not rightly... but I'm thinkin' I
'bout got an idea.
                                                            
                       TANNER
The Aryan Nation is for the
preservation of the superiority of
the white race.
                                                            
JJ nods at Tanner, trying to figure out how to escape from
the lake cabin.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
One thing we don't tolerate is
niggers. Niggers like you. In
fact, we'd just as soon hang
everyone of you bastards in a tree
like they used to.
                                                            
JJ trying to keep his composure, fearful of the prospects of
leaving the lake cabin alive.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
I hadn't figured you out, boy. You
dragging your black ass up into
this part of the country... Did
you think you saw a "Coon's
Welcome" sign or something? And
            (MORE)

111.

                       TANNER (cont'd)
you! -- you working up in that
cafe with my girl --
                                                            
Tanner shoves JJ in the chest, pushing him farther into the
room.

JJ slightly loses his balance as he goes backwards a couple
of steps.

Tanner getting very angry, his hand on his police belt.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
-- You being friendly to her. Her
treating you like you were a white
man! I told myself then, that
niggers gotta go!
                                                            
Tanner pulls the taser gun from his belt. JJ regains his
balance raising his hands upward, afraid.
                                                            
                       JJ
You -- you don't need ta' do that
now, Tanner! I can leave, I can
be gone tonight.
                                                            
Tanner sneers at JJ.
                                                            
                       JJ (cont'd)
They don't even do this kind'a
shit down South no more.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Well,you ain't down South, boy.
Your ass is gonna look good at the
bottom of that lake.
                                                            
Tanner pulls the trigger on the taser gun, the taser wires
attaching just above JJ's left hip.
                                                            
                       JJ
OWWW!!! OWWW!!!
                                                            
JJ falls out onto the floor as if having a small seizure,
twitching before lying still.

Tanner drops to the floor, placing his knee into JJ's back.
He grabs one of JJ's wrists and places a handcuff around it,
pulling the other wrist behind JJ's back, he cuffs his
wrists together.

Tanner, a mean smile on his face, turns and leaves the room.
                                                            
 

112.

EXT. BACK OF LAKE CABIN, TANNER'S PATROL VEHICLE - NIGHT
                                                            
Tanner walks down the three steps from his backdoor to the
ground, walking over to his patrol vehicle.

He raises the back hatch of the Bronco and digs around in
the back for a few moments before pulling out a body bag.
The bag coming unfolded as he pulls it from the vehicle. He
closes the hatch and begins his return to the house.
                                                            
INT. LAKE CABIN, ARYAN SHRINE ROOM
                                                            
JJ's vision is blurry as he raises his head from the floor.
The room is filled with Aryan paraphernalia. Flags and
posters fill the wall. He looks at the shelf on the wall in
front of him and a heavy, bronze bust of Adolf Hitler looks
down upon him.

His hands cuffed, JJ pushes forward into the floor, rising
to his knees as Tanner walks into the room.

Tanner kicks JJ in the rear end making him fall flat onto
the floor.
                                                            
                       TANNER
How many times am I gonna have to
kick your ass, boy?
                                                            
Tanner spreads the body bag onto the floor beside JJ.

JJ's eyes wide and scared at what is happening.

Tanner drops to a knee, looking directly into JJ's scared
eyes.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
I got a little something special
here for you.
                                                            
JJ begins to rock violently on the floor fearing what is
coming next.

Tanner stands and begins to patiently load the taser gun.
                                                            
                       TANNER (cont'd)
If you'd have just kept your black
ass down in Mississippi, and your
eyes off'a my woman -- you
wouldn't be having this problem
tonight.
                                                            
JJ responds fiercely.
                                                            

113.

                       JJ
Fuck you!!
                                                            
Tanner extends his arms, the taser gun in hand pointed
towards JJ's back.
                                                            
                       TANNER
No, Nigger -- Fuck you!
                                                            
Tanner fires the taser into JJ.
                                                            
                       JJ
OWWW!! OWWW!!
                                                            
Tanner stands over JJ's twitching body watching his victim
become immobilized.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAKE CABIN, NEAR PIER - NIGHT
                                                            
Bent over at the waist, Tanner tugs at the body bag,
dragging it down the slight incline and onto the pier.

Stepping back off of the pier, he goes to the edge of the
water and picks up two smooth, dark, oval stones, bringing
them back to the pier.

Stepping into the flat bottomed boat, Tanner lifts the
squirming body bag and places it into the boat. He then
reaches out and picks up the stones placing them beside the
bag.

Looking down at the body bag, Tanner goes to his knees,
straddling JJ and unzips the body bag. JJ squirms, his
hands cuffed behind his back. Tanner picks up the first
stone and places it inside the bag near JJ's midsection. He
takes the second stone and places it just below the first.
The whole time JJ is squirming.

As Tanner bends and reaches for the zipper, JJ spits into
Tanner's face. Saying nothing, Tanner takes his sleeve and
wipes the spit from his face.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Boy, I ain't never liked you --
and you just gave me one more
reason.
                                                            
Tanner zips JJ closed in the body bag before turning and
cranking the boat motor. He eases out into the lake.
                                                            

114.

MIDDLE OF LAKE PEND OREILLE
                                                            
The boat eases to a stop in the middle of the lake. Tanner
rises from the rear of the boat, the motor idling. He goes
to the middle of the boat where JJ lies in the body bag.
                                                            
With a bit of effort, Tanner's gloved hands flips the
squirming body bag over the edge of the boat and into the
water.

The bag sinks into the 1100 foot deep lake, the body
writhing in the bag as it drops deeper and deeper.
                                                            
Tanner goes to the idling boat motor and revs it up, making
a wide arch turning the boat back towards shore, the
reflection of the moon on the lake.
                                                            
 
EXT. PIER AT LAKE CABIN - NIGHT
                                                            
The sound of the boat motor increases as the boat comes
closer to the pier.

Tanner pulls the boat beside the pier, getting out of the
boat and onto the pier, tying the boat to one of the raised
posts. He walks across the dark grass towards the lake
cabin, clouds beginning to cover the moon.

As he nears the cabin and his patrol vehicle, the sound of a
gunshot rings out and Tanner falls to the ground, gripping
his right leg, moaning loudly.

Squirming on the ground, clutching his leg, he looks up to
see a brown skinned figure walking around the side of his
house approaching him, rifle in hand. Groaning in pain,
Tanner speaks.
                                                            
                       TANNER
What the fuck!
                                                            
Tanner reaches for his gun, his body lying on the holstered
pistol. The brown skinned figure continues closing in on
Tanner, his rifle pointed directly at Tanner.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
      (Heavy Mexican
       accent.)
Don't do it. I'll kill you.
                                                            
Tanner raises his hands upwards towards his chest, looking
fearfully at the barrel of the rifle pointed towards him. He
begins to urinate on himself. Tanner sobs.
                                                            

115.

                       CARTEL ASSASSIN (cont'd)
The one who pisses himself and
cries like a girl... are you the
hero?
                                                            
                       TANNER
      (Very panicked.)
You don't have to kill me. What
do you want?
                                                            
The CARTEL ASSASSIN grins wickedly at Tanner, lying on the
ground in front of him.

Aiming at his good leg, the Cartel Assassin fires off
another round.

A howl comes from Tanner as the bullet pierces his left leg.
The two bullet wounds staining his khaki pants with blood.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
Are you listening to me?
                                                            
Tanner is frantic.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Yes!
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
In the newspaper... it said that
there was $300,000 of cash
recovered by your police
department -- but, you and I, we
know there was more. There was
$500,000.
                                                            
The Cartel Assassin steps forward placing the barrel of the
rifle against Tanner's temple. Tanner continues to sob,
snot running from his nose.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN (cont'd)
So my question is -- where is the
money?
                                                            
                       TANNER
Don't kill me, please! I'll tell
you -- it, it's in the cabin, in
the back of the freezer, all four
bundles, all of the money.
                                                            
The Cartel Assassin pulls the barrel back from Tanner's
head. Keeping the rifle pointed at Tanner, he reaches
beneath Tanner, pulling the pistol from his holster and

116.

tucking the pistol into his pants. The Assassin speaks
calmly.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
I hope you have told me the truth.
                                                            
The Cartel Assassin turns and walks towards the cabin,
disappearing behind the cabin.

His silhouette is seen through the window as Tanner trys to
pull himself away from the cabin towards the lake with very
little success. He moans in pain as he makes his attempts to
move.

In a very short time, the Cartel Assassin returns. Looking
down on Tanner, he speaks.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
You were a truthful man.
                                                            
Tanner begs to the Cartel Assassin.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Yes, please don't kill me!! You
have the money, please don't kill
me!
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN
But you are a thief! -- and you do
not steal from the cartel... you
do not steal from La Familia, and
live to tell.
                                                            
The Cartel Assassin places the barrel of the gun beside the
badge on Tanner's chest, looking down upon him with no
emotion. Tanner is still sobbing.
                                                            
                       CARTEL ASSASSIN (cont'd)
Be ready to meet your God.
                                                            
Tanner sobs loudly as he begins to pray.
                                                            
                       TANNER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thou name --
                                                            
"BLAM", The rifle is fired and Tanner's shirt fills with
blood, the badge soaked in blood as the rifle is removed
from his chest. Tanner's blood soaked body lies dead on the
grass.
                                                            
 

117.

EXT. TANNER'S LAKE CABIN - NIGHT
                                                            
INTERIOR OF TANNER'S PATROL VEHICLE FOCUSING ON POLICE RADIO
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
Come in 114... 114 state your
location.
                                                            
EXTERIOR OF LAKE CABIN
                                                            
Atop a stair rail post beside the front steps is TANNER's
decapitated head.
                                                            
                       COMMAND CENTRAL (V.O.)
Come in 114. 114, please state
you location.
                                                            
Nailed to the post beneath his head is a small wooden sign
in green lettering, "la divina justica". Divine Justice.
                                                            
 
EXT. MISS. STATE PENITENTIARY, MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT - DAY
                                                            
The entry to the Mississippi State Penitentiary, an old
metal sign arches the entry way into the Penitentiary.
                                                            
INTERIOR OF MAXIMUM SECURITY UNIT
                                                            
A MAXIMUM SECURITY GUARD, dressed in guards uniform and cap,
walks down the middle of the cell block. The prisoners, all
convicted of something bad, locked tightly into their cells.
It is a very gray and gloomy place, full of despair. The
Guard is handing out mail to the prisoners.

The Guard walks from cell to cell calling out the prisoners
last name and then sliding the mail through the bars and
into the prisoner's hand.
                                                            
                       MAXIMUM SECURITY GUARD
Hood... Scruggs... Rigsby...
Watson.
                                                            
Jim reaches up to the bars to receive the one envelope of
mail.

He looks at the envelope and realizes that it is the letter
that he mailed to Jane. On the envelope is stamped in bold
red lettering, "No Forwarding Address".

He stands silently staring at the envelope as the Guard
continues to hand out mail.
                                                            

118.

                       MAXIMUM SECURITY GUARD (O.S.)
Patterson... Moore... Bratton...
Langston.
                                                            
 
EXT. BRICK APARTMENTS - DAY
                                                            
It is fall and the hardwood tree in front of the apartment
building drops leaves on the front lawn.
                                                            
INT. JANE'S APARTMENT
                                                            
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM
                                                            
Jane, dressed in jeans and t-shirt, is sitting at the
kitchen table paying bills. The kitchen table is facing the
living room. A small calculator and her checkbook are on
the table.

Her face is emotionless as she goes through the bill paying
process.
                                                            
LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Emma, dressed comfortably, sits on the floor facing the wall
where the television is. Her text books and composition
book open on the coffee table in front of her. She is doing
her homework. Chris, wearing cargo shorts and sweatshirt
sits on the sofa behind her. Something that is said by Chris
makes Emma laugh deeply.

Emma turns her head and slaps her brother on the knee, both
still laughing.
                                                            
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM
                                                            
Jane raises her head from her bill paying and sees the two
people that she loves the most, laughing, loving, enjoying
life.

As she gazes upon this, for the first time in a while, Jane
feels happy... she smiles.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Joseph Bricky Date 2/20/2011 ****
Shades of Gray is a very well written story. I found the characters to be quite real. I found the writing to bring out the flavor of the locales in a way that you could almost smell the locales. The world in this screenplay is dirty, gritty, and real. The Story: It starts out like any other man cheating on wife story, but bad news for the main character, Jim Watson. His simple affair sends him on a collision course with bad luck and timing. In the end, it seems, everyone got what they deserved, and even though Jim's wife probably didn't want a divorce, she was happy in the end. Characters: The people in the story seemed very believable. The Dialog: Good dialect. Good use of Southern accents. Direction and Description: The direction is very good and really describes what should be happening in a scene. Overall, I really enjoyed reading the script. This should probably be an R rated movie. The subject matter is very mature and would appeal to an older, more worldly audience.


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