Project 16: Part Four
INT. VICARIO’S RESTAURANT - DAY
Devon Sommerset and Calvin Roberts sit opposite each other dining at a reputable restaurant.
DEVON SOMMERSET: I’m worried about you Calvin. I thought you weren’t going to take the damn case
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m just doing it for the money
DEVON SOMMERSET: Even I’m afraid to be seen with you. It could be toxic
CALVIN ROBERTS: And I thought we were friends
DEVON SOMMERSET: It’s not too late. Do you want the whole nine yards and an idyllic life with Marjorie or become a penniless crusader like your sister?
CALVIN ROBERTS: When the time is right, I’ll pull out.
DEVON SOMMERSET: Good. We wouldn’t want both our careers to go down the toilet now would we?
INT. SOUTH CITY, MAYOR’S OFFICE, BRIEFING ROOM - DAY
MAYOR CALHOUN addresses a crowd of journalists in his briefing room.
MAYOR CALHOUN: Male, 50’s, overweight, shallow.
MAYOR’S PRESS OFFICER: Male, 30’s, diligent
JOURNALIST THREE: Mr Calhoun, I’ve heard your wife is a wonderful cook. What is your favourite meal?
MAYOR CALHOUN: If I were pick one, I might be eating the same meal every day for the rest of my life. Who wants that?
JOURNALIST ONE: What do you think of the Verdi Ococha case?
MAYOR CALHOUN: Who?
JOURNALIST ONE: The changeling case.
MAYOR CALHOUN: Oh yes. Well as mayor I try not to interfere in such matters. I leave it to the D.A.’s office.
JOURNALIST THREE: Do you think he did it?
MAYOR’S PRESS OFFICER: Ok, we’ll leave it there
INT. SOUTH CITY, MAYORS OFFICES - DAY
CORRIDOR
Mayor Calhoun burst through double doors, flanked by his press officer and his chief adviser (Mr Hannibal).
MR HANNIBAL: 40’s, Male, Confident, Authoritative.
MAYOR CALHOUN: I’m fed up with this changeling case. I want him crushed. I want him or it to be made an example of. Take no chances. Understand?
MAYOR’S PRESS OFFICER: What exactly do you want me to do?
MAYOR CALHOUN: Jefferson didn’t ask questions. He got things done. When this is over I want the changeling begging for mercy. I want his lawyer or anyone helping him begging for mercy.
MR HANNIBAL: Is this a code red sir?
MAYOR CALHOUN: Damn right it is.
The Mayor enters his office. Mr Hannibal and the press officer remain outside the office.
MAYOR’S PRESS OFFICER: Does anything go?
MR HANNIBAL: What the Mayor wants, the mayor gets. You should know that by now.
INT. SOUTH CITY, GUIDO’S CAFE - DAY
Marjorie and her friend Victoria are seated at a coffee table beside the window.
VICTORIA: So how have you been?
MARJORIE: Mostly its been good. I think Calvin’s going to propose soon. Once he makes partner. The sooner he drops this changeling case the better.
VICTORIA: I wouldn’t want to burst your bubble darling but he’s more likely to get fired than he is to make partner. Why, there was a write up in the paper today.
MARJORIE: What did it say?
VICTORIA: It said, he lied in court, withheld evidence, bribed a witness--
MARJORIE: --that’s not all bad right?
VICTORIA: The worst is that they insinuated he’s really a changeling.
MARJORIE: Oh my god. I knew there was something wrong with him. He does kind of eat funny... like he’s a washing machine.
VICTORIA: You’ve got to dump him. There’ll be other Calvin’s who don’t end up in the gutter and who have class and who aren’t changelings.
MARJORIE: Is that my only option?
VICTORIA: Well, you’re not going to stand by him now are you?
MARJORIE: Do you think I could get the house?
INT. SOUTH CITY, CAFE OF HOSPITAL - EVENING
Calvin and Cherise are seated at a table drinking coffee
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m thinking of quitting the case.
CHERISE JORDAN: The shapeshifter?
CALVIN ROBERTS: Marjorie walked out on me.
CHERISE JORDAN: I never liked her
CALVIN ROBERTS: You never met her
CHERISE JORDAN: I knew her by reputation
CALVIN ROBERTS: I also got an anonymous call. A guy saying that if I quit, it will all go away.
CHERISE JORDAN: You’re not a quiter, are you?
CALVIN ROBERTS: It would be the first time. Everything financially and career-wise rests on this case. If I stick with it, I could lose everything.
CHERISE JORDAN: Like your sister
CALVIN ROBERTS: It’s not like that
CHERISE JORDAN: You want to keep the case because of your pride and not your principles? Have you ever cared about how they might feel?
CALVIN ROBERTS: I should have known you wouldn’t understand. Business is business.
CHERISE JORDAN: Every person on this planet wants to be happy, to have a future, to feel wanted and you’re oblivious to that.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m the only one who took Verdi’s case. Nobody else. Just me.
CHERISE JORDAN: Without you, he has nothing.
INT. SOUTH CITY, OFFICES OF LEOPOLD AND LEOPOLD, SIXTH FLOOR
Calvin sits at the opposite end of a long table from Morecambe and Mortimer Leopold
MORTIMER LEOPOLD: Mr Roberts, lets be Frank. We want you to drop this Changeling case.
MORECAMBE LEOPOLD: This case could destroy our reputation. In fact, it already has.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’ve never dropped a case before.
MORTIMER LEOPOLD: Can’t you see that this thing is toxic. It’s not a Leopold and Leopold case
CALVIN ROBERTS: Is it always about money?
MORECAMBE LEOPOLD: Up to this point Mr Roberts we thought you were a team player. It’s always about the money.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m not about to throw it away for stubborn pride
MORTIMER LEOPOLD: We thought you’d see sense. That is all.
CALVIN ROBERTS: Mr Leopold, have I hit a wall?
MORECAMBE LEOPOLD: I don’t follow
CALVIN ROBERTS: No matter what I do, no matter how hard I work, do you ever see me becoming a partner?
MORTIMER LEOPOLD: You? Become a partner? You are good at what you do Mr Roberts but I think we are agreed, you are not partnership material.
MORECAMBE LEOPOLD: Don’t we pay you enough?
MORTIMER LEOPOLD: Quite right. You are not one of us Mr Roberts.
EXT. SOUTH CITY, HOSPITAL CAR PARK - NIGHT
Calvin walks to his car. Mrs Woodhall calls out to him
MRS WOODHALL: Mr Roberts. Your receptionist, told me that you were too busy lately to talk to me.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m sorry, I’ve just been overloaded with work. You know how it is.
MRS WOODHALL: I’m worried about my son. I know you did your best for him. I know it’s the only case you actually lost but my son is a good man--
CALVIN ROBERTS: Mrs Woodhall, I’m exhausted. You know you can’t afford an appeal.
MRS WOODHALL: Can’t you see he’s a guy who deserves a second shot? You know he didn’t do it.
CALVIN ROBERTS: It’s not really my problem.
MRS WOODHALL: You lawyers are all alike, cold and self absorbed.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I tried everything I could. You didn’t even pay his fees. I can’t take a case that doesn’t pay.
MRS WOODHALL: I sold my house. Me and my husband are living with my sister for the last two years. I did everything I could to pay your bill. I did everything. How dare you.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m not the only lawyer in town. Now if its ok with you, I’d like to get into my car and go home.
Calvin opens the car door.
MRS WOODHALL: Haven’t you got a heart?
INT. SOUTH CITY, CALVIN'S HOME, BEDROOM - NIGHT
Calvin sees images of Mrs Woodhall in his mind. He pictures her son.
MRS WOODHALL (V.O.): Haven’t you got a heart?
CALVIN (SIX YEARS OLD) (V.O.): I want to become a lawyer and fight justice pop.
LISA MAE ROBERTS (V.O.): You’re a hero to me.
MRS WOODHALL (V.O.): Haven’t you got a heart?
He wakes up
INT. SOUTH CITY, HOSPITAL WARD - DAY
Lisa Mae is lying in bed when a minister enters.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: Minister Jacobs. How nice to see you.
MINISTER JACOBS: How is my favourite member of the congregation.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: Going home tomorrow. As long as they don’t stick me in a nursing home.
MINISTER JACOBS: I hear your son is involved in the Changeling case.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: And?
MINISTER JACOBS: We don’t think its a case... Well changelings aren’t human
LISA MAE ROBERTS: Do you think that God made the earth but left the other planets to other inferior gods?
MINISTER JACOBS: Well...
LISA MAE ROBERTS: Did god say, love thy neighbour as thyself but not the aliens?
MINISTER JACOBS: I don’t think you’re seeing things from my point of view.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: I don’t like your point of view Minister. A man or alien is innocent until proven guilty.
MINISTER JACOBS: He will lose.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: Not if my son has anything to do with it.
INT. SOUTH CITY, OFFICES OF LEOPOLD AND LEOPOLD, FOURTH FLOOR - DAY
Calvin sits behind his desk. In front of him are Verdi and Mr Duncan
CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m sorry Verdi, but I’m going to have to drop the case.
VERDI OCOCHA: I know you tried Mr Roberts.
ROD DUNCAN: I guess it takes courage to take a case like this.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I wouldn’t be where I am today without courage Mr Duncan.
ROD DUNCAN: I’m talking about the kind of courage for which there is no monetary reward. The kind of courage where you show faith in a true friend and support him through thick and thin.
VERDI OCOCHA: Mr Roberts is a good man.
ROD DUNCAN: You said the same of Mr Milburn.
Mr Duncan turns back to Calvin
Mr Roberts, you have surrounded yourself with weak willed money grubbing friends and not the kind of friends who will stick by you when the chips are down.
CALVIN ROBERTS: I understand you’re upset Mr Duncan--
ROD DUNCAN: --You can’t achieve anything worthwhile in life without taking risks. Men of character don’t run away from conflict.
CALVIN ROBERTS: You don’t know what I’ve done to get where I am today.
ROD DUNCAN: How many true friends do you have Mr Roberts?
There is a pause in the conversation
VERDI OCOCHA: I am your friend Mr Roberts. I don’t know how to repay you.
EXT. SOUTH CITY, CALVIN'S HOME - EVENING
Calvin climbs out of his car. A television journalist and cameraman approach him.
JOURNALIST ONE: Mr Roberts, why did you cease representing the changeling?
CALVIN ROBERTS: No comment
JOURNALIST ONE: Is it because he’s guilty
CALVIN ROBERTS: No comment
JOURNALIST ONE: Do you think he deserves to hang, Mr Roberts?
INT. SOUTH CITY, HOSPITAL WARD - DAY
A television in the corner of the room, shows rioting on the streets of south city.
LISA MAE ROBERTS:Your Father lived through a time when he was bullied and intimidated. He did what he thought was right and endured so that you and Cherise could have a future.
CALVIN ROBERTS: He had a drinking problem. He left.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: He is a good man. He had his demons and every decision he made was with you at its heart. Don’t you think that Verdi deserves a future too?
CALVIN ROBERTS: It’s complicated
LISA MAE ROBERTS: It’s always complicated Calvin
CALVIN ROBERTS: I could lose my job, my house and be treated just like Verdi.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: If I could be a man and travel back in time forty years back, I would like to be the guy who stood by your Father and supported him every step of the way.
CALVIN ROBERTS: You always had a heart of gold.
LISA MAE ROBERTS: And you? Do you still have a heart of gold?
INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTROOM - DAY
JUDGE ORMSBY: In the case of the state versus Ococha, I understand that the accused has no representation. Is that correct?
Mr Duncan stands up
ROD DUNCAN: Your honour, I would like to represent the accused.
JUDGE ORMSBY: Do you have legal qualifications?
ROD DUNCAN: No, your honour
Calvin enters the courtroom and stands beside Mr Duncan and Verdi
JUDGE ORMSBY: Mr Roberts, what are you doing here?
CALVIN ROBERTS: Doing what I always do. Defending the innocent.
Miss Tremblay coughs
JUDGE ORMSBY: Mr Verdi, do you accept the appointment of Mr Roberts as your attorney?
VERDI OCOCHA: Yes your honour
JUDGE ORMSBY: Very well, we shall proceed with jury selection, if that’s alright with you Mr Roberts. I’d like to get this case over with.
CALVIN ROBERTS: Yes your honour.
CUT TO:
COURTROOM
MR EASKEY takes the stand.
MR EASKEY: 40’s, male, white
CALVIN ROBERTS: Do you have any political allegiances Mr Easkey
MR EASKEY: Hell no, I even voted democrat at the last election.
CALVIN ROBERTS: What’s your view on changelings?
MR EASKEY: I think they’re no different from anyone else. Hell, I might even marry one if it came to it.
CALVIN ROBERTS: Your honour we’d like to strike Mr Easkey from the jury
Mr Duncan turns to Calvin and whispers
ROD DUNCAN: I thought, he was one of the better ones.
CALVIN ROBERTS: He’s trying too hard. He wants in.
CUT TO:
COURTROOM
MISS RAMIREZ sits in the stand.
MISS RAMIREZ: Female, 30’s, Hispanic
CALVIN ROBERTS: Miss Ramirez, do you hate changelings?
MISS RAMIREZ: One of them raped my sister.
CALVIN ROBERTS: How do you know the changeling did it?
MISS RAMIREZ: She told me.
CALVIN ROBERTS: Did you know that changelings are the least likely group to commit a crime in this country? What do you think of that?
MISS RAMIREZ: Well, it’s hard to believe.
ROD DUNCAN: Aren’t you going to strike her?
CALVIN ROBERTS: I think we can win her over.