The Cerebral Catalyst

On an INT C/U of EMMA: late 20s, intense eyes, nervous smile, perfect skin. Pretty, but tough. Think: Frida Kahlo or maybe just Gina Gershon in Bound.

EMMA

So, William, tell me, (beat) what was jail like?

The rising sun shines brilliantly through the blinds, laying luminous stripes across the left side of Emma's attractive face.

WILLIAM
(O/S)

I wasn't in there more than ten minutes before the biggest guy in the place walks up to me and says, "I know who you are, I saw you on TV."

William's VOICE is low, almost weary. It speaks volumes of too many broken promises, battles lost, and sleepless nights. As he speaks, we can see the sincere interest in Emma's eyes. There's a connection here, but it's hard to tell what it is.

EMMA

What did you say?

WILLIAM
(O/S)

Nothing. He just smiled a mean smile and told me that he was already in for life.

EMMA
(eyebrows raised)

Murder?

WILLIAM
(O/S)

Triple rape and murder. Three fifteen year-old girls. I found that out afterwards. Anyway, he looks around to make sure he has an audience and sorta yells to me, "You know, I could become real famous for killing you."

In the b.g., the SOUND of a car alarm can be heard.

Emma brings a small glass to her mouth and drinks. Wherever she is, it's hot. Sweat beads on her ample forehead.

EMMA

He's right, you know? (she takes another sip) So, how'd you handle it?

CUT TO

An EXTREME C/U of WILLIAM BLADES. He looks to be in his early 30s. The sun stripes are on the right side of his handsome face: two-day stubble, sincere brown eyes, long eyelashes, years of hard work etched into his sweaty skin. This guy is a cross between Che Guevara and Johnny Depp. A revolutionary for the twenty-first century.

William allows himself the tiniest of smirks as he exhales and answers Emma's query. The car alarm shuts off just as he begins speaking.

WILLIAM

I leaned in real close, so close only he could hear, and I told him real slow, "Or else you could become real famous as the guy who died trying to kill me." (two beats) C'mon, Emma, let's take a walk. It's getting hot in here.

WIPE TO

EXT. SANTA MONICA BOARDWALK — MORNING

William and Emma walk slowly, not hand-in-hand, but close enough that their shoulders occasionally touch. Emma is wearing a short summer dress and the early morning chill causes her to fold her arms for warmth — her gait is confident but friendly. William is dressed in torn jeans and baggy sweatshirt. He doesn't walk, he swaggers: John Wayne-style.

You know it's early when the sea gulls outnumber the humans and the only people Emma and William encounter are before-work JOGGERS.

WILLIAM

So, how's Simon?

EMMA

Great. He's great. He's at my mother's right now. (beat) He was so curious to see you on TV last night.

Emma's eyes can't hide a subtle concern; William picks this up immediately and gazes at her. The crashing SOUND of breakers punctuates the silence.

WILLIAM

But?

EMMA

I worry about him sometimes, William. He's so serious all the time. And so sensitive. Too sensitive. (deep breath) I mean, it tears him up to see a bird in a cage, and homeless people? Forget about it. He cries. I tell him, you're ten years old, Simon, it's okay to be silly. I mean, he can be serious sometimes, but you need that balance, you know?

WILLIAM

You gotta be patient, Em, it took me almost thirty years to learn that lesson.

EMMA

You know what he said the other night?

William stops to lean against the railing. Emma joins him — staring at the waves. They both inhale deeply, savoring the salty ocean air.

WILLIAM
(takes Emma's hand)

Tell me.

EMMA

Simon was looking at a Superman comic when he suddenly tossed it aside. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that he didn't understand why Superman didn't use his powers to help the whole world.

WILLIAM

Good question.

EMMA

He asked why Superman didn't just suck in all the pollution and then blow it into outer space and why he didn't just feed everyone and destroy all the guns, (beat) stuff like that.

WILLIAM

Well, he's way ahead of me. When I was a kid, my biggest problem with Superman was the whole phone booth thing. For some reason, I just couldn't buy him changing clothes in a phone booth.

Emma giggles to herself.

WILLIAM

What?

EMMA

Nothing.

William takes a firm hold on Emma's shoulders and turns her to fully face him.

WILLIAM

C'mon, tell me. I know that expression; this'll be good.

EMMA

Well, (nervous giggle) I remember wondering what would happen if Superman had sex and, kinda just got too aggressive, you know? I mean, he is Superman.

WILLIAM

I always knew you were a pervert.

EMMA

Hey, I grew up with three older sisters. I learned young.

William takes Emma's hand and they continue walking along the boardwalk. In the few minutes they've been out, more PEOPLE have made the scene: rollerbladers, women pushing baby carriages, a drug dealer or two. One of them has turned on a radio: house music BLARES. It's not so serene anymore.

WILLIAM

Anyway, I'm interested to hear how you answered your son's Superman questions.

EMMA

I told him that Superman was just make-believe, but even in real life, we can't expect one person to save the world or change things. I told him we all have to work together.

WILLIAM
(wistful)

Solidarity...

EMMA

I told him that there are no heroes. Just people. Real people.

This brings a smile to William's jaded face; the deepest smile he's shown yet. He and Emma stop again and watch some seagulls circle overhead.

EMMA

You know, I even repeated something I heard you say once.

WILLIAM

Uh-oh, what was that?

EMMA

Something about not needing heroes or leaders or secret formulas. I remember you telling a small group of people back in New York that all you needed to start a revolution was—

WILLIAM
(overlapping)

—air in my lungs, ideas in my head, and some good friends by my side.

EMMA

Yeah, Simon really liked that. It made him smile.

It has also made William smile. The sun is getting warmer and he peels off his sweatshirt to reveal a tight T-shirt underneath.

EMMA

You still look good.

WILLIAM

It's more of a struggle these days, but I do feel strong.

EMMA

You've got focus, William. I believe that's the source of your power.

Before William can respond, a GROUP OF FIVE PEOPLE move towards him quickly. His first reaction is an almost imperceptible shift of body weight as if to protect Emma while simultaneously gauging the meaning of this intrusion. However, when he sees the young, exuberant faces walking in his direction, he allows himself to relax.

The YOUNG MAN at the front of the group has clearly been elected (or self-appointed?) as spokesperson. He is white, in his mid-20s.

YOUNG MAN

Hey man, we saw you on TV last night. Keep up the good work. This country needs more people like you to take charge.

WILLIAM

But, I—

A young Latina jumps forward.

LATINA

Mr. Blades, can I have your autograph?

William looks wounded; his face appears to have aged ten years in ten seconds. Off to the side, Emma fluctuates between sympathy for William and anger at his "fans."

WILLIAM

Why would you want me to sign my name for you? What does that have to do with what needs to be done?

The Latina's face reddens with indignation. Her smug grin screams: "I knew you were a fake!" Emma tries to intervene but a second GROUP approaches. She is accidentally bumped back — and she chooses to remain there. Tears well in her eyes.

FIRST SPANISH MAN

William Blades! My brother! You were fuckin' awesome last night! I knew they couldn't keep you in prison.

SECOND SPANISH MAN

Yeah man, when you gonna run for President or some shit like that? We really need a leader like you.

WILLIAM
(low, muffled)

It's not leaders we need...

The first group of "fans" are jostling with this new group to maintain William's attention. The Latina tries again.

LATINA

I'd follow you anywhere, Mr. Blades, you're my hero.

Through the madness, William is able to make direct eye contact with Emma.

CUT TO

C/U OF EMMA'S FACE: She is crying. Not sobbing, mind you, her face looks calm but tears are rolling down her cheeks.

CUT TO

William. He inhales deeply as a seagull CRIES OUT overhead. This summoning of strength causes William's admirers to take a tiny — almost involuntary — step back.

WILLIAM

I must apologize that I can't stay and talk now, but I do want to tell you something.

William inhales again, just as the house music comes to an abrupt halt in the distance. Except for the SOUND of the relentless waves pounding the shoreline, William's voice in the only thing we hear.

WILLIAM

As someone very wise once told me, (beat) there are no heroes. Just people. (beat) Real people.

William reaches a muscular arm through the crowd to take Emma's hand. He pulls her towards him. They both turn and walk slowly away just as the house music resumes BLARING and the SOUND of a loud car horn fills the air.

We try to see where William and Emma are going, but the sun's glare has rendered them invisible.

FADE OUT

______________________________________
Mickey Z. can be found on the Web at mickeyz.net.

posted 01.21.08.

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