Screenplay / Bodybag

FADE IN:

Ext. MAY, TEXAS BAPTIST CHURCH GROUNDS – EARLY 1960 – DAY

A congregation of 30 Black church members gossip and gawk at little RUDY SIMMONS.

Rudy, 6 years old, is dressed in brand new suit. His two front teeth are missing and his top lip is puffy.  There is a small hole in his right cheek.

Standing next to Rudy is REVEREND SAMUELS, someone Rudy clearly dislikes. The Reverend, dressed in his finest
white suit, is a first rate con man and a second rate preacher.

Rudy looks away and towards the smelly, fly infested WATER TANK he was about to be baptized in.

                        RUDY
                (In a meek voice)
        I don’t think I can do this.

No one pays heed to Rudy.

Suddenly, Rudy’s eyes open up wide. He grabs his stomach with one hand and covers his mouth with the other.

                        RUDY
        I think I’m gonna be sick.

Again no one pays attention.

Reverend Samuels moves away from Rudy and mingles with the crowd.

A little girl, BETHANY JOHNSON, tugs on her momma’s white dress and points at Rudy.

WILMA BETHANY JOHNSON, a 20 year old mother, looks down at her daughter and follows her finger.

                        BETHANY
I think he’s gonna throw up, momma.

Rudy is now heaving.
                        WILMA
Now don’t you worry, Beth. Let momma go check on him.

Wilma walks to Rudy and taps him on the shoulder.

                        WILMA
Are you going to be ok, little Rudy?

At that moment, as Rudy turns, he spews a mouthful of vomit on Wilma.

Wilma pays little attention to the mishap and bends down.
        
                        WILMA
Now, now.  Everything’s gonna work out, Rudy.  You’ll see.

A single tear runs down Rudolph’s face.

                        RUDY
I don’t want to go to juvi tomorrow or any other day, I didn’t do nothing.

Wilma wipes Rudy’s face with a napkin.

                        WILMA
We all know what happened, Rudy. Trust in the Lord to get you through.

Reverend Samuels walks back toward Rudy who was now cleaned up.

The congregation closes in and around the Reverend and Rudy as Wilma walks back to her daughter.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
We are gathered here at the request of this young man’s mother, Sister Simmons, to baptize and pray for her son.

The congregation murmurs its agreement.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
                (continuing)
By now, we have all learned of the events that took place a few days ago.  We all know what really took place and we all know that justice will never be served.  So we place our faith in the Lord!

Some in the crowd yell chants of praise.

Reverend Samuels turns to face Rudy and places his hands on his head.

Rudy tries to pull away, but the Reverend holds his head in place and prays silently for a dramatic second or two then turns back to the crowd.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
                (preaching)
Do not say in your heart who will ascend to heaven, or who will descend into the abyss.  But what do we say?  The word is near you, on your lips; in your heart, because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved!

More praise from the crowd

Reverend Samuels grabs the back of Rudy’s neck.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
                (under his breath)
        Grab your breath, boy.

The Reverend then dunks Rudy’s head in the water and holds it there.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
Rudy begins to struggle slightly.

Bethany Johnson looks on with an angry stare.

Reverend Samuels pulls Rudy from the water.
        
                        REVEREND SAMUELS
The scripture says ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ The same lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.  For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Reverend Samuels walks away from Rudy and towards the crowd and begins shaking hands.

                        REVEREND SAMUELS
We have cake and coffee in the church and be sure to make your offering. You folks leaving now best get on before the White church lets out.

The congregation begins ambling toward the church.

Rudolph, wet and alone, watches with envy as his mother lovingly rounds up his brother.

Rudolph’s father approaches Rudy.  He is tall man with a hard working farmers physique.

When he is near, he hands Rudolph a card.

                        FATHER
                (in a gruff tone)
This favor from God cost me 20 dollars.  You better keep that Baptism card safe. Let’s get moving, boy.

Rudy looks at the card and turns it in his hands.  He looks up and watches his father walk away and begins taking half steps to follow.

Bethany surprises Rudy by walking up behind him and taking his hand in hers.
        
                        RUDY
You better go back, you’ll get in trouble.

                        BETHANY
No, momma said it was ok.  She’s gonna pick me up from your house.

They walk hand in hand, following his father to the tractor that they rode in on.

INT.  OFFICE BUILDING, DALLAS TEXAS 1986 – DAY

A young, smartly dressed WOMAN is walking down a hallway of offices.  She is wearing a tweed winter coat and the combination of her long hair and big glasses covers her face.  

The only sounds are the building’s ventilation system.

The woman stops at a door and reads the name on it and smiles.

INSERT: REYNOLDS AND JENKINS – CLINICAL PSYCOLOGISTS

The woman turns the handle and enters the room.

INT.  OFFICE OF REYNOLDS AND JENKINS – SAME

KAYLEIGH REYNOLDS is pouring a spoonful of sugar into her coffee when the front door of the small office opens.  She smiles upon recognizing the woman.

                        KAYLEIGH
        Wendy!  I’m so glad you’re here.

Wendy Jenkins closes the door behind her and approaches her old college roommate.  

        
                        WENDY
Hi Kay!  I’m just glad I was able to get my office organized over the weekend.

                        KAYLEIGH
        I saw that and I’m glad you did.

They embrace in a quick hug.

                        WENDY
I hope you’ve got something for me to do.

Kayleigh crosses the room and into her office.  She emerges with a file and hands it to Wendy.

                        KAYLEIGH
                (smiling)
I got a juicy one this morning.  I was going to take it, but I’m booked and can’t squeeze in a man much less another client.

INSERT:  FILE NAME

        Simmons, Rudolph – #46257-Hutchins

BACK TO SCENE

Wendy opens the thin file and glosses over it.

                        WENDY
        A murderer up for parole?

Kayleigh turns and walks away.

                        KAYLEIGH
Hey don’t knock it.  My first case was 55 year old paranoid schizophrenic with a fake hand and a tit fetish. Every time he moved to touch me, he’d pull his fake hand off with his good one and slap himself silly.

Wendy laughs a semi-fake laugh.
                        KAYLEIGH (OS)
The prison isn’t too far from here and your appointment is on Thursday at 3:00.

An office phone rings twice before Kayleigh answers.

Wendy walks into her office and sits at her desk and goes over every word of the 6 page file.  

She opens a desk drawer and pulls out a brand new map and begins plotting out her route.

EXT.  HUTCHINS STATE PENITENTIARY – DAY

Wendy pulls into a parking space and shuts off her car.  She looks out the driver window and is immediately in awe at what she sees.  

Guards armed with M-16’s roam the rooftops and more in high towers watch the grounds inside.

Wendy takes a few deep breaths and gets out of the car.  She beelines for the sidewalk leading to the front doors.

INT.  HUTCHINS STATE PENITENTIARY CHECK IN DESK – SAME

Wendy walks up to a guard on duty with her credentials in her hand.  

The guard, who is attempting to pry a rogue staple from his stapler, ignores her.

                        WENDY
Excuse me, I have an appointment to see Mr. Rudolph Simmons.

                        GUARD
                (focused on the stapler)
        Sign in and wait over by the door.

The guard lifts his head a second and looks at Wendy.  He immediately jumps from his chair.

                        GUARD        
                (suddenly very interested)
        Oh, I’m sorry, Ms. – -

                        WENDY
        Jenkins.  Dr. Jenkins.

The guard fumbles with a clipboard suddenly very nervous and unsure.

Wendy signs in with a smile.        

                        GUARD
        I think uh…
                (raising his eyebrows)
…yeah right here.  Dr. W. Jenkins for 46257 Simmons. Ok. Good. I’ll just need you to sign in doc –-

Interrupting, Wendy points to the sign in sheet.
                
                        WENDY
        I’ve already done that.

The guard picks up the clipboard and scans it.

                        GUARD
Good.  Then you’re all set. Pretty handwriting by the way.

Wendy rolls her eyes.

                        WENDY
        Thanks. Can I see my patient now?

The guard reaches down and a buzzer goes off.

Wendy walks towards the door pointed out.

A guard on the other side of the door can be seen approaching through the square Plexiglas.

The door opens and Wendy walks through. She follows the guard until he stops in front of the fifth door on the right.

                        GUARD 2
        Mr. Simmons is in here.

Wendy looks through the door’s small window.

                        WENDY
I’m going to be alone with him in there?

The guard smiles.

                        GUARD 2
Don’t worry, he’s secured to his chair and I’ll be watching from here.  You’ll be fine, Ms.

                        WENDY
Ok. Good.  Well, I’ll just go on in.

                        GUARD 2
        Yes Ma’am.

INSIDE THE ROOM

Rudolph Simmons, now 30 years old, sits in his chair turning an index card in his hands over and over again.  He is now 6 foot 1 with a chiseled hard body.

The door opens and Rudy watches a young woman walk in.   Her hair is pulled back and she wears glasses that cover half her face.

Wendy sits down across from Rudolph and removes a file and a pad from her bag.  She never makes eye contact.

                        WENDY
                (a little nervous)
Good afternoon Mr. Simmons.  My name is Dr. Jenkins, I was appointed by the state to perform an evaluation for your upcoming parole hearing.

Silence.

                        WENDY
        I see you got my card.  

                        RUDOLPH
                (menacing)
Yeah, what was supposed to happen when I read it?

Wendy looks Rudolph in the eye for the first time.  

                        WENDY
Well, Mr. Simmons.  It’s a feeler question.  It’s supposed to evoke old memories in a non-evasive way.  You receive the card before the interview and are a little more comfortable talking about it when we meet.

                        RUDOLPH
        I’m comfortable. Are you?

                        WENDY
                (totally lying)
        Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be.

                        RUDOLPH
Because you’re sitting in front of  Black murdering child rapist?  Most white women wouldn’t have even come in.

Wendy ignores the comment.

                        WENDY
I went over your file, such as it is, and I’m no lawyer, but you didn’t have much of a defense. I understand that times were different—

                        RUDOLPH
                (mockingly)
        You understand?

        

                        WENDY
—back then.  Yes sir, I think I do understand.  Now what about your lawyer.  What has he told you?

                        RUDOLPH
        I fired him.

                        WENDY
Fired him?  Mr. Simmons, you can’t fire a court appointed attorney.

                        RUDOLPH
I told him that if I ever saw his face again that I would break out of here and kill him, his family and his family’s family.  Ain’t seen him since.

Rudolph looked up at Wendy expecting to see fear in her eyes.  He didn’t.

Wendy removes her glasses.

                        WENDY
So what’s your answer to my question?

Rudolph looks at the card.

INSERT:  INDEX CARD
What is your recollection of the first time you were really scared?

BACK TO SCENE
        
                        RUDOLPH
I ain’t saying shit.

                        WENDY
                (growing frustrated)
Mr. Simmons you can’t expect me to help you if you don’t cooperate.

Rudolph’s muscles begin flexing.

                        RUDOLPH
I didn’t ask you to help me!  The last time someone court appointed asked me to cooperate, I cooperated my ass right to this prison for something I didn’t do.  So if you think I’m just going to spill what I’ve been waiting 10 years to say, you can forget it lady.  I’m educated now.  I can read and write now, and I’m gonna get out when they hear the truth.

Wendy jumps from her chair and begins gathering her things.

                        WENDY
                (fed up)
Fine.  You just do that.  Just another con deciding to finally defend himself after 10 years in a State Pen.  You’re an educated man now, you go with that and see what it gets you, asshole.

Wendy turns to leave.

                        RUDOLPH
                (shouting)
        Why do you care?

Wendy whips around and faces him again.

                        WENDY
                (shouting)
I don’t!  And if you’re so smart figure this out: You have one more chance to make me start!

Wendy bangs on the door and the guard on the other side opens it for her.

                        RUDOLPH
        Wait a minute.

                        GUARD 2
Is everything all right Ms. Jenkins?

Wendy turns and looks at Rudy.

                        WENDY
        I don’t know, is it?

Rudolph looks hard into Wendy’s eyes then softens a bit.  He nods his head yes.

Wendy looks back to the guard.
                        WENDY
        I’ll knock when I’m ready.

The guard shakes his head in understanding and closes the door.

Wendy puts her things back on the table to include a small tape recorder.

Rudolph eyes the tape recorder.

                        WENDY
        It’s part of the deal.

Rudolph shakes his head yes.

Wendy clicks on the recorder.

                        WENDY
Tell me about your childhood. Where did you grow up?

                        RUDOLPH
        May, Texas.

                        WENDY
What kind of child were you?  Were you happy, sad, normal?

Rudolph lets out a chuckle.

                        RUDOLPH
Normal? Anything but normal.  Now if my choices are happy or sad, I’d have to say sad.

Wendy looks up at Rudolph.
                        WENDY
When was the first time you ever cried from anger or real fear?

Rudolph smiles.

                        RUDOLPH
        Subtle.

Wendy looks down at her paperwork like she was caught.

                        WENDY
I skipped down a couple of questions.

                        RUDOLPH
It’s all right.  I need to make sure my recollections are correct anyway.

                        WENDY
        Good.  Then talk away.

                        RUDOLPH
The first time I was really scared… ain’t no coincidence that it was the beginning of what got me here.

FLASHBACK SEQUENCE – MAY, TEXAS 1968 – DUSK

Rudy is walking down a long dirt road.  Along side the road runs a north/south railroad track.  The sun is a couple of hours from setting.

A train’s whistle can be heard in the far background.        

                        RUDOLPH (VO)
The town I grew up in had a railroad right down the middle of it.  One side belonged to the whites and the other side us.  A dirt road ran alongside on the black side, paved one on the other side.  You know?                

Rudy sees an old can and begins kicking it.

                        RUDOLPH (VO)
We used to have to walk down that road to get home from school. It was the only way to get home.  One day, towards the end of summer…

A scream erupts from up ahead of Rudy.

Rudy immediately recognizes the voice and begins running up the road.

                        RUDY
        Bethany!

Another scream makes him kick into another gear.

                        RUDY
        I’m coming Bethany!

Rudy hits a crossroad and runs over the tracks and onto the white side without a second thought. He looks up and comes to a full stop.

50 yards away, Bethany is on the ground with her arms covering her face.  Her knees are pulled up to her chin.

Across the street from her are two White early teens. Each are equipped with state of the art BB guns and are taking turns shooting at Bethany.

Rudy takes off running towards Bethany.

                        RUDY
Cut it out!  Stop it, you’re hurting her!

Rudy makes it to Bethany and begins picking up and throwing rocks at the boys across the street.

Both boys fire upon Rudy and he is hit by both.

                        RUDY
        Get out of here, leave us alone!

They exchange fire upon one another when Rudy hits one of the boys in the forehead, drawing blood.

The other boy looks to his friend and in anger fires one last shot before helping his friend.

The BB hits Rudy in the cheek and he falls from the hit.  He quickly gets up and unloads a few more rocks.

An OLD WOMAN emerges from the house behind the boys and runs to them.

Rudy launches one last rock before seeing the old woman.

                        OLD WOMAN
Look what you niggers done!  I see you Bethany Johnson!  I’m gonna tell your momma!  I called my boy already!

The rock hits the old woman in the mouth, sending her to the ground in a THUD.        

A police car with it’s lights on pulls in front of the house in the background.

Office DAN SHELTON jumps from the squad car and runs towards the scene.

                        DAN SHELTON
        Momma!  What happened?

The two White boys take off running.

The old woman points at Rudy and screams through a bloody mouth.

                        OLD WOMAN
        That’s him there, son!

Dan looks up at and sees a black boy helping a black girl.  His anger fires up quickly.

                        DAN SHELTON
You there!  You niggers get over here!

Dan begins running towards Rudy.

Bethany is just to her feet and her eyes widen.

                        BETHANY
        Rudy, look out!

Rudy turns just in time for

DAN

to land his fist in Rudy’s mouth.

Rudy hits the ground hard, his mouth erupts with blood. He turns his face towards the ground and spits his two front teeth out.  

                        RUDY
        Run Beth, run!

Dan begins pulling Rudy up when in the background, another POLICE CAR screeches up behind them.  Dan slugs Rudy to the ground again.

Officer JOHN MUELLER, a 40 something police veteran, jumps out of his car and grabs a hold of Dan.

                        JOHN
Take it easy, Danny boy, take it easy. You’re just rookie son, don’t get the reputation for beating up youngsters.

John checks on Rudy.

Dan goes back to his mother.

                        RUDOLPH (VO)
I never did thank that man.  I still think that he would have killed me if he didn’t stop him..

BACK TO PRESENT DAY

Wendy is visibly moved.

                        RUDOLPH
        Spent 7 years in Juvenal.

                        WENDY
        7 years…

A KNOCK at the door breaks the moment.

                        RUDOLPH
        You understand, remember?

Wendy looks at him and realizes she is indeed caught.  She shuts off the recorder and begins gathering her things.

                        WENDY
Well, that’s my cue to go.  I’ll check up on you in a couple of days.  I’ll do a little snooping around.

                        RUDOLPH
                (wryly)
        Ain’t gonna find shit.

Wendy stands and moves to the door.

                        WENDY
        Let me find that out for myself.

The door opens.

                        RUDOLPH
I’ll tell you more if you come back.

Wendy turns back to Rudolph.
                        
                        WENDY
        I’ll be back.

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