So, here is the wrap-up for the HEARTFIGHT screenplay. I've transposed it here from a Word document that was typed in Courier font. I will come back and tidy it up later. You can also find the entire script in a recent blog entry: HEARTFIGHT: A SCREENPLAY: The Complete Script.
DANNY
(Quietly to himself as he looks at his reflection in the window glass) I just might be future brother-in-law to the goddamn Godfather from Dingle…
FADE FROM BLACK
INT. LANI-BATALI HEADQUATERS -NIGHT
The main floor of the H/Q is set up with bleachers where a crowd of five-hundred or so SPECTATORS are sitting. The room is now tarted up with video screens, where we see the polished version of the official Lani-Batali video. Elizabeth Tan in the video is explaining the game as graphics swirl about; but she can hardly be heard over the DIN of the crowd and the pounding, cheesy ROCK MUSIC. Klieg lights of various colors illuminate the room and the wind chamber, with shafts of brilliant light. Clearly, Roddy is all-in on the show-biz glitz.
CUT TO:
INT. VIP ROOM -NIGHT
An elaborate buffet and bar are set up in a sky-box overlooking the floor and the wind chamber. Roddy is holding court with numerous and sundry CELEBRITIES and MEDIA PEOPLE. Also in the room are Gran and Danny and Kelly and Sean. As well as Cal. Danny sidles up to Gran. She looks resplendent in her dress with a deep decolletage; as she puts a sampling of hors d’oeuvres on her plate.
GRAN
Oooh, melon!
Danny sees Seamus and Claudio enter the room.
DANNY
Gran, listen. My friend Seamus is here with Claudio--
GRAN
(Fire in her eyes). Well, have I got an earful for the Swiss fellah! Are those girls here?
DANNY
No. I told Donna that you would be here and they bowed out.
GRAN
“Chickened out” you mean!
DANNY
Listen, they’re coming this way. Please be nice. Claudio has no idea that Donna was Henry’s girl.
GRAN
Then he did Henry a favor, now didn’t he?
Seamus and Claudio join them.
SEAMUS
Hello Danny boy!
CLAUDIO
So, you survived the kelpy! Good to see you.
DANNY
Boys, I’d like you to meet my gran, Mary Murphy.
Greetings are exchanged. Gran is cool, yet remains charming.
GRAN
Look at the size of you two! Now what were they putting in the water where you fellahs came from?
SEAMUS
(Guilelessly) I might say the same about you Mrs. Murphy.
Gran glances down at her chest and smiles. She’s won over.
GRAN
(To Danny) Oh, I like this one!
Danny smiles nervously as he shifts on his feet. He’s saved from the awkwardness by Roddy, who has drifted over.
RODDY
Thanks for coming folks. Enjoy yourselves. I’ve got to go start the proceedings!
Seamus looks up at a monitor. An image of Henry with his stats fills the screen.
SEAMUS
Your boy is in fine form, Danny.
DANNY
Idn’t he though?
SEAMUS
Yeah. I’ve got twenty-thousand pounds riding on this and if I lose it, I’ve got no one to blame but myself.
CUT TO:
INT. LBHQ -NIGHT
The lights go down. We hear the voice of an ANNOUNCER. A deep, overly dramatic masculine voice.
ANNOUNCER
(O/S throughout) Welcome, one and all, to the first tag-team exhibition game of LANI-BATALI!
The crowd CHEERS.
ANNOUNCER
And now…your host…and the man behind Lani-Batali…Mr. Roddy Shannon!
A DRUM ROLL. APPLAUSE, CHEERS ETC. As Roddy materializes in a blazing white spotlight. An old-fashioned microphone is lowered and he speaks into it.
RODDY
Hello everyone out there in fight-land! Welcome to Lani-Batali. Let’s just get to it, roight! Let’s bring out the boys…
The lights go down again as we hear DRAMATIC MUSIC. Kliegs search the space until they settle on a scrim, behind which we see the silhouettes of two very large men. The scrim parts, revealing Magnus and Orca in their fighting gear, which is far flashier than anything we’ve yet seen.
RODDY
Here they are: Team Euro. Mr. Magnus,”The Viking,” Bang!
Magnus steps forward as a BIKINI LADY #1 runs up to him and hands him a tao stick, which he raises triumphantly.
RODDY
And Mr. Orca from Majorca, Torrens!
Orca steps forward as SPEEDO MAN #1 runs in and hands him a stick. He shakes it in the air and he and Magnus stride towards the steps leading up to the wind chamber.
RODDY
Let’s meet Team Hibernian…
The light show continues, this time illuminating a second scrim. It too has the silhouettes of two men. It opens to reveal Henry and Paddy. They too are in fighting gear that is much showier; but not nearly as showy as their opponents. In the light they glow; but it is clear the glow is from being near one another. As Paddy said, they sparkle.
RODDY
Mr. Paddy O’Riada!
Paddy steps forward to more CHEERING, due to his relative fame. BIKINI LADY #2 runs out with his tao stick. He gives it a few quick spins.
RODDY
And last but certainly not least; Mr. Henry Notlad!
Henry steps forward, nods to the crowd. He takes his tao stick from SPEEDO MAN #2. He lunges at Paddy and flips Paddy’s stick, which Paddy is still spinning. It flies into the air and seems to hover there for a moment. It plummets back down and Paddy catches it. The crowd, as they say, goes wild. Henry and Paddy move towards the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -NIGHT
Inside the wind chamber we can see that there are now entrances onto platforms on either side, mid-way up. Each is large enough to hold two men. Above the platform is a handrail, where a contestant, not engaged in play, can station himself. His team-mate, if he decides to “tap out” must reach the platform from the air, in order to do this. Magnus and Orca are on one side; Henry and Paddy on the other.
CUT TO:
INT. CONTROL ROOM -NIGHT
Roddy enters the room and goes to the console, which is now manned by several MEN, including Chris, Cal and Cupe.
RODDY
(Barely able to contain his excitement) Bring it on boys!
The camera ZOOMS in on the wind control lever, as Chris begins to slowly push it forward.
CUT TO:
INT. LBHQ FLOOR -NIGHT
From the AUDIENCE’S view-point, we see the four men start to rise into the air to the opening strains of Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom.” There is no question now that Lani-Batali is on a show-biz trajectory.
ANNOUNCER
(O/S) The match will start when the bell rings. But first, the men of Lani-Batali are going to give you all a little taste of what they can do.
Like watching fireworks, there are OOOHS and AHHHS as the four men do a coordinated routine in the chamber. It’s rather like synchronized swimming but in the air. And MACHO.
Then we hear a classic wrestling bell RING. The MUSIC cuts out; the regular lights go up and the men return to their platforms. Paddy readies his weapon and launches into the air as Magnus does the same.
CUT TO:
INT. CHAMBER -NIGHT
A MONTAGE. QUICK CUTS.
Paddy flies up towards Magnus, his stick spinning. He does a barrel roll and comes up behind his opponent. He hits Magus in the crook of his knee. We hear a distinct three-note TONE that indicates points have been scored.
CLOSE ON: The scoreboard. A number 3 lights up and flashes on Team Hibernians side.
Magnus does a summersault and pushes his legs off the opposite side of the chamber. He pummels Paddy three times, in quick succession; going for the elbow crook, the underarm and the heel. No luck. Paddy manages to protect his “kamoi points.” Magnus flies down to Orca and taps him. Orca, now launches into the air. Paddy dives down to their platform and taps Henry, who launches into the air. Orca comes at Henry with the ball end of the tao stick. He swings and nails Henry’s Achille’s tendon. Team Euro’s scoreboard lights up with a flashing 3 as we hear the CHIME.
Magnus shoots upwards off of his platform and corkscrew spins to the top of the chamber.
CLOSE on Paddy’s face, as a look of confusion crosses it.
CUT TO:
INT. SKYBOX -NIGHT
Sean presses his nose against the glass and then turns to Danny.
SEAN
Is that move legal?
DANNY
I have no idea. Does this game even have set rules yet?
GRAN
Is it two against one now?
SEAN
I’d put money down that Roddy told those two to break a rule or three.
DANNY
So, there are rules?
The camera CLOSES on Gran’s worried face.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -NIGHT
Orca and Magnus come at Henry from either side, tao sticks spinning. The lunge and jab, but Henry’s acrobatics outwit them. Henry flies down towards Paddy. Paddy stretches his hand to try and tag Henry. Paddy's fingers just miss as an up-gust hurtles Henry towards the ceiling. Magnus, who is hovering above, delivers a blow to Henry's back with the paddle end of the tao stick. At the same time, Orca is shooting upward with the ball end of the tao stick at chest level. As he nears Henry, he thrusts the stick upwards. But Henry is coming too fast and takes a direct hit to his chest. The scoreboard CHIMES as a giant number 10 flashes bright red. The camera CLOSES on Henry's face, now twisted in pain. His eyelids flutter. He lets go of his stick and starts tumbling randomly in the air. Orca and Magnus come to his aid.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER PLATFORM -NIGHT
Paddy leaps from the platform and goes to the other three. The crowd begins to realize that something’s not right.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER CONTROL ROOM -NIGHT
Cupe and Roddy are observing.
CUPE
Dad, something’s wrong--
RODDY
(To Chris) Bring them down!
Chris turns to the console.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDITORIUM -NIGHT
We see the four men in the chamber descend to the bottom. Cupe rushes in and kneels next to Henry.
CUPE
What happened?
ORCA
He blacked out.
HENRY
I'm not getting a pulse!
CUPE
We've got to get him to a hard surface...
They pick up Henry and bring him out of the chamber and lay him on the metal grating. Cupe kneels over Henry and starts CPR. He checks Henry's airway and starts chest compressions. He pinches Herny's nose and delivers two rescue breaths. Nothing. He starts compressions again.
RODDY
Where is my fucking medical team?
Cupe looks at Paddy who returns a beseeching look.
PADDY
Please Cupe...Frankie...please...
ORCA
It was an accident!
Cupe continues the CPR: 30 compressions, two rescue breaths; but Henry remains unresponsive. Finally, after what seems an eternity, two EMTs bound up the stairs with a defibrillator or AED. They cut Henry out of his suit. As the EMTs place the pads, Cupe continues his exertions.
EMT #1
Everyone clear!
The machine emits a BEEP and shocks Henry. Paddy looks on helplessly. He crosses himself and starts praying.
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE UP:
Henry is remembering the day that he, Danny and Paddy visited Big Ben and met Gran. The dialogue is muffled and we only hear bits and pieces of what’s being said.
INT. BEDROOM -DAY
Paddy is standing on a step-stool as he holds up some drapery against the window. Gran is instructing him how high or low to hold them. Henry looks on. Paddy steps down and puts the curtain over his head and clasps it under his chin, like a nun’s habit. He does the sign of the cross as Gran playfully swats at him. Paddy LAUGHS.
INT. KITCHEN -DAY
Henry, Danny and Paddy are seated at table as Gran ladles stew into their bowls. Paddy tries the stew and a look of delight lights his face. He starts enthusiastically gesticulating. It’s clear he likes the stew.
INT. BIG BEN -DAY
The tour group is looking at the clock mechanism. CLOSE UP on the pendulum weight, where we can see a number of coins stacked. Danny raises his hand and the tour guide points to him. This we hear clearly:
TOUR GUIDE
Yes Sir?
DANNY
What are the coins there for?
TOUR GUIDE
I was just getting to that.
DANNY
Then I suppose I asked at the right time.
TOUR GUIDE
The clock managers use the pennies to gain time, as it takes the pendulum two seconds to swing back and forth each way. Each penny gains two-fifths of a second over a twenty-four-hour period.
DANNY
Seems a bit jerry-rigged to me.
TOUR GUIDE
You mean “jury-rigged”; and this clock is accurate to within two seconds a week.
DANNY
I thought you said two-fifths--
HENRY
(Elbowing Danny) Give her a break.
DANNY
I’ll give you a break.
Danny elbows Henry in the chest. He realizes it may have been a bit too hard.
HENRY
That hurt.
DANNY
Sorry Hank, I over-shot…
DIZZOLVE TO:
CLOSE on Henry’s chest as the EMT delivers another shock. Still nothing. Cupe continues CPR. The camera hovers over Henry’s face, as though he’s leaving this realm.
EMT
Clear!
Another shock. Finally, Henry takes a breath. His eyelids flutter open. We see his P.O.V of the concerned faces above his.
CUT TO:
INT. O’RIADA HOUSE, DINGLE -DAY
The doorbell RINGS and Brian O’Riada goes to the door. He opens it. Standing on the stoop is Gran.
GRAN
You must be Brian. I’m Mary Murphy.
BRIAN
Hello Mary, please come in.
He ushers her into the house.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN -DAY
Gran is at the table with Paddy as Brian, at the sink, pours water from a kettle into a teapot.
BRIAN
How do you take your tea Mary?
MARY
Plain as the nose on my face.
BRIAN
That’s how I prefer it too.
MARY
This is lovely china. My favorite. Old Country Roses.
BRIAN
It was a wedding gift.
MARY
(Tentatively) And, where is Mrs. O’Riada?
BRIAN
Oh, we’ve been apart for some time. She’s remarried to--
PADDY
They’re not married.
MARY
Sure enough it’s none of my business. I just want to thank you again for letting Henry recuperate here. London would make a werewolf nervous. Is Henry up and about?
PADDY
He’s upstairs, resting his eyes. I’m sure he’d love to see you.
MARY
Well, dear, you know I’ve never been dubbed as a sight for sore eyes.
BRIAN
Now even a blind man wouldn’t believe that!
Bemused, Paddy looks at his father who winks at him.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM -DAY
Henry is lying on the bed, dozing. A soft KNOCK rouses him. He sits up.
HENRY
Come in.
The door opens and Paddy enters with Gran behind him.
PADDY
You have a visitor.
GRAN
Hello darling!
HENRY
Hi.
PADDY
I’ll give you two some privacy.
GRAN
Nonsense. You’re part of this too, love. (Gran sits on the bed and Paddy sits on the window ledge). I told Mr. O’Riada and Paddy about your ailment because I knew you probably wouldn’t. And maybe I crossed a line; but sometimes they need to be. I’ve been told you’ve been feeling down, son.
HENRY
Yes, I’ve been feeling down. I almost died.
GRAN
But you didn’t. That’s the important thing.
HENRY
(To Paddy) So, you know all about my bum ticker, huh?
PADDY
I do.
HENRY
(Angrily) Then you know I could drop dead by, oh, I don’t know? Tea time?
Paddy doesn’t respond. Gran pats Henry’s shoulder.
GRAN
The doctor said that’s unlikely. That this was just a freak accident. That you could go back to the game tomorrow if you wanted to—not that I’d let you.
HENRY
So, you’re listening to the quacks now?
GRAN
As a matter of fact, I am. Henry, you can get mad at me as much as you like; but not this gentleman. (She points at Paddy).
HENRY
I’m sorry.
Gran SIGHS as Paddy smiles sheepishly.
PADDY
Would you like to stay here tonight, Mary?
GRAN
Oh, thank you; but no. I’m staying nearby with cousins. (To Henry) What do you want for dinner?
HENRY
Stew.
GRAN
Stew. Stew then!
DIZZOLVE TO:
EXT. BEACH -SUNSET
CLOSE on shards of orange light on the ocean surface, at Dingle. The camera PANS and then moves over the water to the beach, where Henry, Cupe and Kelly are sitting in beach chairs. Paddy comes up behind them with an armload of wood and drops it on the sand.
CUPE
So, Paddy, I never could remember what I wanted to tell you about diamonds.
PADDY
Well, make something up then.
CUPE
Okay. (Thinks a moment) How about this: Love is like a diamond. It’s beautiful; but it’s the hardest thing on Earth.
PADDY
I rather like that.
KELLY
Yeah babe. Not bad. And they say he’s just a pretty face.
HENRY
Could you guys give me and Paddy a minute?
CUPE
Sure. Mister O’Riada wants me to sing something for him.
Cupe and Kelly stand and walk towards the house. Paddy sits in a chair and puts some more wood on the fire. The sun is starting to sink.
HENRY
I have to leave tomorrow.
PADDY
I don’t think you should rush anything--
HENRY
You heard what Gran said. I could return to the game right now, if I wanted to.
PADDY
Do you?
HENRY
I don’t know.
PADDY
Are you going back to London?
HENRY
No…the States.
PADDY
Why? Are you having visa problems? Roddy can take care of all that.
HENRY
I actually have Irish citizenship.
PADDY
Then you could just--
HENRY
I can’t do this.
PADDY
Do what?
HENRY
Stay with you.
PADDY
Da doesn’t mind. He likes the company!
HENRY
I mean I can’t stay with you.
Paddy is silent as he stokes the fire.
PADDY
Don’t you fancy me anymore?
HENRY
That’s the problem. I fancy you too much.
PADDY
I don’t see how that’s a problem.
HENRY
I don’t want to put you through this. I can’t.
PADDY
Put me through what?
HENRY
(Pointing to his chest) This. I could drop dead tomorrow--
PADDY
So could I. So could any of us.
HENRY
It’s not the same thing!
PADDY
But isn’t it though?
HENRY
And speaking of rushing things; maybe this is all too fast.
PADDY
But that could be a good thing.
HENRY
(Stands, agitated) We’re each other’s firsts Paddy. What happens if we get bored? What happens if one of us—or both of us wants to experiment? See other people. Meet someone else?
PADDY
Have you met someone else?
HENRY
No! I don’t want anyone else.
PADDY
And yet you want to leave me?
HENRY
I don’t want to look in your eyes and see worry every time I do.
PADDY
I’m Irish that’s never gonna happen.
HENRY
It wouldn’t be fair to you.
PADDY
That’s bullshite. You’re the one being unfair. And selfish as well.
Henry doesn’t respond. He turns and starts walking away.
PADDY
Where are you going?
HENRY
I need some time. I’m going for a walk.
PADDY
Now? I don’t tink so.
Paddy runs at Henry and takes him down. They wrestle in the sand. Paddy quickly subdues Henry, whose heart isn’t really in it. Henry tries to push Paddy off; but Paddy gets the advantage again and ends up straddling Henry, his knees in the sand and his hands on Henry’s shoulders.
PADDY
(As he cries) Nobody knows how much time they have. Didn’t you tell me that once? Please stay with me. You make me happy. Do I make you happy?
Henry nods.
PADDY
(An epiphany as he frantically searches his pockets) Henry, remember that day at Big Ben? When Danny asked about the coins on the pendulum? (He finally finds what he’s searching for: a penny, which he shows Henry). It buys time Henry! One penny buys—what was it?
HENRY
(Crying now too) Two-fifths of a second…
PADDY
That’s right! Two-fifths of a second! So, every day, I give this penny to you and then you give it back to me and we’ve bought some time!
HENRY
Not enough…
PADDY
But it is enough! Because we paid good money for it!
HENRY
Two-fifths of a second?
PADDY
Two-fifths of a second! Two-fifths of a second!
He rolls off of Henry and starts sobbing. Henry stands, brushes off the sand, and stands over Paddy. He extends his hand.
HENRY
Come on, get up.
Paddy takes Henry’s hand and Henry pulls him to his feet. Henry puts his arm around Paddy and walks him to the water’s edge. Henry puts out his hand a second time.
HENRY
Give me the penny.
Paddy puts the coin in Henry’s palm. Henry steps back and then pitches the penny with all his might into the dark Atlantic. He returns to Paddy’s side.
HENRY
I just bought us an ocean of time.
Paddy rests his head on Henry’s shoulder as the sun dips into the sea.
CUT TO:
INT. DUSK -O’RIADA LIVING ROOM
Mr. O’Riada is sitting on the bench of an upright piano. Cupe and Kelly are looking through a pile of old sheet music. One of them flutters to the floor and Kelly picks it up. It is for The Bangles “Eternal Flame.”
KELLY
How about this one Frannie?
She hands it to Cupe, who considers and then nods.
CUPE
Sure, why not?
He hands the sheet music to Mr. O’Riada who turns to the keys. Cupe sits on the bench next to him. As Cupe begins to sing, the camera tracks out of the house, over the dunes, down the beach to where Paddy and Henry are now sitting in the sand in front of the fire, Henry’s comforting hand on Paddy’s back. The camera passes between the two and comes a stop just above the campfire flames, as the sun finally dips below the horizon.
The camera lingers on the fire as the song continues and we:
FADE TO BLACK
DANNY
(Quietly to himself as he looks at his reflection in the window glass) I just might be future brother-in-law to the goddamn Godfather from Dingle…
FADE FROM BLACK
INT. LANI-BATALI HEADQUATERS -NIGHT
The main floor of the H/Q is set up with bleachers where a crowd of five-hundred or so SPECTATORS are sitting. The room is now tarted up with video screens, where we see the polished version of the official Lani-Batali video. Elizabeth Tan in the video is explaining the game as graphics swirl about; but she can hardly be heard over the DIN of the crowd and the pounding, cheesy ROCK MUSIC. Klieg lights of various colors illuminate the room and the wind chamber, with shafts of brilliant light. Clearly, Roddy is all-in on the show-biz glitz.
CUT TO:
INT. VIP ROOM -NIGHT
An elaborate buffet and bar are set up in a sky-box overlooking the floor and the wind chamber. Roddy is holding court with numerous and sundry CELEBRITIES and MEDIA PEOPLE. Also in the room are Gran and Danny and Kelly and Sean. As well as Cal. Danny sidles up to Gran. She looks resplendent in her dress with a deep decolletage; as she puts a sampling of hors d’oeuvres on her plate.
GRAN
Oooh, melon!
Danny sees Seamus and Claudio enter the room.
DANNY
Gran, listen. My friend Seamus is here with Claudio--
GRAN
(Fire in her eyes). Well, have I got an earful for the Swiss fellah! Are those girls here?
DANNY
No. I told Donna that you would be here and they bowed out.
GRAN
“Chickened out” you mean!
DANNY
Listen, they’re coming this way. Please be nice. Claudio has no idea that Donna was Henry’s girl.
GRAN
Then he did Henry a favor, now didn’t he?
Seamus and Claudio join them.
SEAMUS
Hello Danny boy!
CLAUDIO
So, you survived the kelpy! Good to see you.
DANNY
Boys, I’d like you to meet my gran, Mary Murphy.
Greetings are exchanged. Gran is cool, yet remains charming.
GRAN
Look at the size of you two! Now what were they putting in the water where you fellahs came from?
SEAMUS
(Guilelessly) I might say the same about you Mrs. Murphy.
Gran glances down at her chest and smiles. She’s won over.
GRAN
(To Danny) Oh, I like this one!
Danny smiles nervously as he shifts on his feet. He’s saved from the awkwardness by Roddy, who has drifted over.
RODDY
Thanks for coming folks. Enjoy yourselves. I’ve got to go start the proceedings!
Seamus looks up at a monitor. An image of Henry with his stats fills the screen.
SEAMUS
Your boy is in fine form, Danny.
DANNY
Idn’t he though?
SEAMUS
Yeah. I’ve got twenty-thousand pounds riding on this and if I lose it, I’ve got no one to blame but myself.
CUT TO:
INT. LBHQ -NIGHT
The lights go down. We hear the voice of an ANNOUNCER. A deep, overly dramatic masculine voice.
ANNOUNCER
(O/S throughout) Welcome, one and all, to the first tag-team exhibition game of LANI-BATALI!
The crowd CHEERS.
ANNOUNCER
And now…your host…and the man behind Lani-Batali…Mr. Roddy Shannon!
A DRUM ROLL. APPLAUSE, CHEERS ETC. As Roddy materializes in a blazing white spotlight. An old-fashioned microphone is lowered and he speaks into it.
RODDY
Hello everyone out there in fight-land! Welcome to Lani-Batali. Let’s just get to it, roight! Let’s bring out the boys…
The lights go down again as we hear DRAMATIC MUSIC. Kliegs search the space until they settle on a scrim, behind which we see the silhouettes of two very large men. The scrim parts, revealing Magnus and Orca in their fighting gear, which is far flashier than anything we’ve yet seen.
RODDY
Here they are: Team Euro. Mr. Magnus,”The Viking,” Bang!
Magnus steps forward as a BIKINI LADY #1 runs up to him and hands him a tao stick, which he raises triumphantly.
RODDY
And Mr. Orca from Majorca, Torrens!
Orca steps forward as SPEEDO MAN #1 runs in and hands him a stick. He shakes it in the air and he and Magnus stride towards the steps leading up to the wind chamber.
RODDY
Let’s meet Team Hibernian…
The light show continues, this time illuminating a second scrim. It too has the silhouettes of two men. It opens to reveal Henry and Paddy. They too are in fighting gear that is much showier; but not nearly as showy as their opponents. In the light they glow; but it is clear the glow is from being near one another. As Paddy said, they sparkle.
RODDY
Mr. Paddy O’Riada!
Paddy steps forward to more CHEERING, due to his relative fame. BIKINI LADY #2 runs out with his tao stick. He gives it a few quick spins.
RODDY
And last but certainly not least; Mr. Henry Notlad!
Henry steps forward, nods to the crowd. He takes his tao stick from SPEEDO MAN #2. He lunges at Paddy and flips Paddy’s stick, which Paddy is still spinning. It flies into the air and seems to hover there for a moment. It plummets back down and Paddy catches it. The crowd, as they say, goes wild. Henry and Paddy move towards the stairs.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -NIGHT
Inside the wind chamber we can see that there are now entrances onto platforms on either side, mid-way up. Each is large enough to hold two men. Above the platform is a handrail, where a contestant, not engaged in play, can station himself. His team-mate, if he decides to “tap out” must reach the platform from the air, in order to do this. Magnus and Orca are on one side; Henry and Paddy on the other.
CUT TO:
INT. CONTROL ROOM -NIGHT
Roddy enters the room and goes to the console, which is now manned by several MEN, including Chris, Cal and Cupe.
RODDY
(Barely able to contain his excitement) Bring it on boys!
The camera ZOOMS in on the wind control lever, as Chris begins to slowly push it forward.
CUT TO:
INT. LBHQ FLOOR -NIGHT
From the AUDIENCE’S view-point, we see the four men start to rise into the air to the opening strains of Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom.” There is no question now that Lani-Batali is on a show-biz trajectory.
ANNOUNCER
(O/S) The match will start when the bell rings. But first, the men of Lani-Batali are going to give you all a little taste of what they can do.
Like watching fireworks, there are OOOHS and AHHHS as the four men do a coordinated routine in the chamber. It’s rather like synchronized swimming but in the air. And MACHO.
Then we hear a classic wrestling bell RING. The MUSIC cuts out; the regular lights go up and the men return to their platforms. Paddy readies his weapon and launches into the air as Magnus does the same.
CUT TO:
INT. CHAMBER -NIGHT
A MONTAGE. QUICK CUTS.
Paddy flies up towards Magnus, his stick spinning. He does a barrel roll and comes up behind his opponent. He hits Magus in the crook of his knee. We hear a distinct three-note TONE that indicates points have been scored.
CLOSE ON: The scoreboard. A number 3 lights up and flashes on Team Hibernians side.
Magnus does a summersault and pushes his legs off the opposite side of the chamber. He pummels Paddy three times, in quick succession; going for the elbow crook, the underarm and the heel. No luck. Paddy manages to protect his “kamoi points.” Magnus flies down to Orca and taps him. Orca, now launches into the air. Paddy dives down to their platform and taps Henry, who launches into the air. Orca comes at Henry with the ball end of the tao stick. He swings and nails Henry’s Achille’s tendon. Team Euro’s scoreboard lights up with a flashing 3 as we hear the CHIME.
Magnus shoots upwards off of his platform and corkscrew spins to the top of the chamber.
CLOSE on Paddy’s face, as a look of confusion crosses it.
CUT TO:
INT. SKYBOX -NIGHT
Sean presses his nose against the glass and then turns to Danny.
SEAN
Is that move legal?
DANNY
I have no idea. Does this game even have set rules yet?
GRAN
Is it two against one now?
SEAN
I’d put money down that Roddy told those two to break a rule or three.
DANNY
So, there are rules?
The camera CLOSES on Gran’s worried face.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -NIGHT
Orca and Magnus come at Henry from either side, tao sticks spinning. The lunge and jab, but Henry’s acrobatics outwit them. Henry flies down towards Paddy. Paddy stretches his hand to try and tag Henry. Paddy's fingers just miss as an up-gust hurtles Henry towards the ceiling. Magnus, who is hovering above, delivers a blow to Henry's back with the paddle end of the tao stick. At the same time, Orca is shooting upward with the ball end of the tao stick at chest level. As he nears Henry, he thrusts the stick upwards. But Henry is coming too fast and takes a direct hit to his chest. The scoreboard CHIMES as a giant number 10 flashes bright red. The camera CLOSES on Henry's face, now twisted in pain. His eyelids flutter. He lets go of his stick and starts tumbling randomly in the air. Orca and Magnus come to his aid.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER PLATFORM -NIGHT
Paddy leaps from the platform and goes to the other three. The crowd begins to realize that something’s not right.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER CONTROL ROOM -NIGHT
Cupe and Roddy are observing.
CUPE
Dad, something’s wrong--
RODDY
(To Chris) Bring them down!
Chris turns to the console.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDITORIUM -NIGHT
We see the four men in the chamber descend to the bottom. Cupe rushes in and kneels next to Henry.
CUPE
What happened?
ORCA
He blacked out.
HENRY
I'm not getting a pulse!
CUPE
We've got to get him to a hard surface...
They pick up Henry and bring him out of the chamber and lay him on the metal grating. Cupe kneels over Henry and starts CPR. He checks Henry's airway and starts chest compressions. He pinches Herny's nose and delivers two rescue breaths. Nothing. He starts compressions again.
RODDY
Where is my fucking medical team?
Cupe looks at Paddy who returns a beseeching look.
PADDY
Please Cupe...Frankie...please...
ORCA
It was an accident!
Cupe continues the CPR: 30 compressions, two rescue breaths; but Henry remains unresponsive. Finally, after what seems an eternity, two EMTs bound up the stairs with a defibrillator or AED. They cut Henry out of his suit. As the EMTs place the pads, Cupe continues his exertions.
EMT #1
Everyone clear!
The machine emits a BEEP and shocks Henry. Paddy looks on helplessly. He crosses himself and starts praying.
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE UP:
Henry is remembering the day that he, Danny and Paddy visited Big Ben and met Gran. The dialogue is muffled and we only hear bits and pieces of what’s being said.
INT. BEDROOM -DAY
Paddy is standing on a step-stool as he holds up some drapery against the window. Gran is instructing him how high or low to hold them. Henry looks on. Paddy steps down and puts the curtain over his head and clasps it under his chin, like a nun’s habit. He does the sign of the cross as Gran playfully swats at him. Paddy LAUGHS.
INT. KITCHEN -DAY
Henry, Danny and Paddy are seated at table as Gran ladles stew into their bowls. Paddy tries the stew and a look of delight lights his face. He starts enthusiastically gesticulating. It’s clear he likes the stew.
INT. BIG BEN -DAY
The tour group is looking at the clock mechanism. CLOSE UP on the pendulum weight, where we can see a number of coins stacked. Danny raises his hand and the tour guide points to him. This we hear clearly:
TOUR GUIDE
Yes Sir?
DANNY
What are the coins there for?
TOUR GUIDE
I was just getting to that.
DANNY
Then I suppose I asked at the right time.
TOUR GUIDE
The clock managers use the pennies to gain time, as it takes the pendulum two seconds to swing back and forth each way. Each penny gains two-fifths of a second over a twenty-four-hour period.
DANNY
Seems a bit jerry-rigged to me.
TOUR GUIDE
You mean “jury-rigged”; and this clock is accurate to within two seconds a week.
DANNY
I thought you said two-fifths--
HENRY
(Elbowing Danny) Give her a break.
DANNY
I’ll give you a break.
Danny elbows Henry in the chest. He realizes it may have been a bit too hard.
HENRY
That hurt.
DANNY
Sorry Hank, I over-shot…
DIZZOLVE TO:
CLOSE on Henry’s chest as the EMT delivers another shock. Still nothing. Cupe continues CPR. The camera hovers over Henry’s face, as though he’s leaving this realm.
EMT
Clear!
Another shock. Finally, Henry takes a breath. His eyelids flutter open. We see his P.O.V of the concerned faces above his.
CUT TO:
INT. O’RIADA HOUSE, DINGLE -DAY
The doorbell RINGS and Brian O’Riada goes to the door. He opens it. Standing on the stoop is Gran.
GRAN
You must be Brian. I’m Mary Murphy.
BRIAN
Hello Mary, please come in.
He ushers her into the house.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN -DAY
Gran is at the table with Paddy as Brian, at the sink, pours water from a kettle into a teapot.
BRIAN
How do you take your tea Mary?
MARY
Plain as the nose on my face.
BRIAN
That’s how I prefer it too.
MARY
This is lovely china. My favorite. Old Country Roses.
BRIAN
It was a wedding gift.
MARY
(Tentatively) And, where is Mrs. O’Riada?
BRIAN
Oh, we’ve been apart for some time. She’s remarried to--
PADDY
They’re not married.
MARY
Sure enough it’s none of my business. I just want to thank you again for letting Henry recuperate here. London would make a werewolf nervous. Is Henry up and about?
PADDY
He’s upstairs, resting his eyes. I’m sure he’d love to see you.
MARY
Well, dear, you know I’ve never been dubbed as a sight for sore eyes.
BRIAN
Now even a blind man wouldn’t believe that!
Bemused, Paddy looks at his father who winks at him.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM -DAY
Henry is lying on the bed, dozing. A soft KNOCK rouses him. He sits up.
HENRY
Come in.
The door opens and Paddy enters with Gran behind him.
PADDY
You have a visitor.
GRAN
Hello darling!
HENRY
Hi.
PADDY
I’ll give you two some privacy.
GRAN
Nonsense. You’re part of this too, love. (Gran sits on the bed and Paddy sits on the window ledge). I told Mr. O’Riada and Paddy about your ailment because I knew you probably wouldn’t. And maybe I crossed a line; but sometimes they need to be. I’ve been told you’ve been feeling down, son.
HENRY
Yes, I’ve been feeling down. I almost died.
GRAN
But you didn’t. That’s the important thing.
HENRY
(To Paddy) So, you know all about my bum ticker, huh?
PADDY
I do.
HENRY
(Angrily) Then you know I could drop dead by, oh, I don’t know? Tea time?
Paddy doesn’t respond. Gran pats Henry’s shoulder.
GRAN
The doctor said that’s unlikely. That this was just a freak accident. That you could go back to the game tomorrow if you wanted to—not that I’d let you.
HENRY
So, you’re listening to the quacks now?
GRAN
As a matter of fact, I am. Henry, you can get mad at me as much as you like; but not this gentleman. (She points at Paddy).
HENRY
I’m sorry.
Gran SIGHS as Paddy smiles sheepishly.
PADDY
Would you like to stay here tonight, Mary?
GRAN
Oh, thank you; but no. I’m staying nearby with cousins. (To Henry) What do you want for dinner?
HENRY
Stew.
GRAN
Stew. Stew then!
DIZZOLVE TO:
EXT. BEACH -SUNSET
CLOSE on shards of orange light on the ocean surface, at Dingle. The camera PANS and then moves over the water to the beach, where Henry, Cupe and Kelly are sitting in beach chairs. Paddy comes up behind them with an armload of wood and drops it on the sand.
CUPE
So, Paddy, I never could remember what I wanted to tell you about diamonds.
PADDY
Well, make something up then.
CUPE
Okay. (Thinks a moment) How about this: Love is like a diamond. It’s beautiful; but it’s the hardest thing on Earth.
PADDY
I rather like that.
KELLY
Yeah babe. Not bad. And they say he’s just a pretty face.
HENRY
Could you guys give me and Paddy a minute?
CUPE
Sure. Mister O’Riada wants me to sing something for him.
Cupe and Kelly stand and walk towards the house. Paddy sits in a chair and puts some more wood on the fire. The sun is starting to sink.
HENRY
I have to leave tomorrow.
PADDY
I don’t think you should rush anything--
HENRY
You heard what Gran said. I could return to the game right now, if I wanted to.
PADDY
Do you?
HENRY
I don’t know.
PADDY
Are you going back to London?
HENRY
No…the States.
PADDY
Why? Are you having visa problems? Roddy can take care of all that.
HENRY
I actually have Irish citizenship.
PADDY
Then you could just--
HENRY
I can’t do this.
PADDY
Do what?
HENRY
Stay with you.
PADDY
Da doesn’t mind. He likes the company!
HENRY
I mean I can’t stay with you.
Paddy is silent as he stokes the fire.
PADDY
Don’t you fancy me anymore?
HENRY
That’s the problem. I fancy you too much.
PADDY
I don’t see how that’s a problem.
HENRY
I don’t want to put you through this. I can’t.
PADDY
Put me through what?
HENRY
(Pointing to his chest) This. I could drop dead tomorrow--
PADDY
So could I. So could any of us.
HENRY
It’s not the same thing!
PADDY
But isn’t it though?
HENRY
And speaking of rushing things; maybe this is all too fast.
PADDY
But that could be a good thing.
HENRY
(Stands, agitated) We’re each other’s firsts Paddy. What happens if we get bored? What happens if one of us—or both of us wants to experiment? See other people. Meet someone else?
PADDY
Have you met someone else?
HENRY
No! I don’t want anyone else.
PADDY
And yet you want to leave me?
HENRY
I don’t want to look in your eyes and see worry every time I do.
PADDY
I’m Irish that’s never gonna happen.
HENRY
It wouldn’t be fair to you.
PADDY
That’s bullshite. You’re the one being unfair. And selfish as well.
Henry doesn’t respond. He turns and starts walking away.
PADDY
Where are you going?
HENRY
I need some time. I’m going for a walk.
PADDY
Now? I don’t tink so.
Paddy runs at Henry and takes him down. They wrestle in the sand. Paddy quickly subdues Henry, whose heart isn’t really in it. Henry tries to push Paddy off; but Paddy gets the advantage again and ends up straddling Henry, his knees in the sand and his hands on Henry’s shoulders.
PADDY
(As he cries) Nobody knows how much time they have. Didn’t you tell me that once? Please stay with me. You make me happy. Do I make you happy?
Henry nods.
PADDY
(An epiphany as he frantically searches his pockets) Henry, remember that day at Big Ben? When Danny asked about the coins on the pendulum? (He finally finds what he’s searching for: a penny, which he shows Henry). It buys time Henry! One penny buys—what was it?
HENRY
(Crying now too) Two-fifths of a second…
PADDY
That’s right! Two-fifths of a second! So, every day, I give this penny to you and then you give it back to me and we’ve bought some time!
HENRY
Not enough…
PADDY
But it is enough! Because we paid good money for it!
HENRY
Two-fifths of a second?
PADDY
Two-fifths of a second! Two-fifths of a second!
He rolls off of Henry and starts sobbing. Henry stands, brushes off the sand, and stands over Paddy. He extends his hand.
HENRY
Come on, get up.
Paddy takes Henry’s hand and Henry pulls him to his feet. Henry puts his arm around Paddy and walks him to the water’s edge. Henry puts out his hand a second time.
HENRY
Give me the penny.
Paddy puts the coin in Henry’s palm. Henry steps back and then pitches the penny with all his might into the dark Atlantic. He returns to Paddy’s side.
HENRY
I just bought us an ocean of time.
Paddy rests his head on Henry’s shoulder as the sun dips into the sea.
CUT TO:
INT. DUSK -O’RIADA LIVING ROOM
Mr. O’Riada is sitting on the bench of an upright piano. Cupe and Kelly are looking through a pile of old sheet music. One of them flutters to the floor and Kelly picks it up. It is for The Bangles “Eternal Flame.”
KELLY
How about this one Frannie?
She hands it to Cupe, who considers and then nods.
CUPE
Sure, why not?
He hands the sheet music to Mr. O’Riada who turns to the keys. Cupe sits on the bench next to him. As Cupe begins to sing, the camera tracks out of the house, over the dunes, down the beach to where Paddy and Henry are now sitting in the sand in front of the fire, Henry’s comforting hand on Paddy’s back. The camera passes between the two and comes a stop just above the campfire flames, as the sun finally dips below the horizon.
The camera lingers on the fire as the song continues and we:
FADE TO BLACK
CFR 9/17/23
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