The following scene, I feel, is crucial to the dynamic of the leading men and the movie as a whole. Henry and Paddy are angry at each other for the wrong reasons. Paddy is trying to "do the right thing" which is the exact opposite of what he wants; so he's also mad at himself and mad at the world and the only person he has to take it out on is the one he's in love with. Henry knows that Paddy is bullshitting him; and so he's more angry about that, than he truly is at Paddy.
The scene should be many things at once: intense and exciting but also sad and yearning...and yes, erotic. Heart plays into this again. It seems the driving, menacing rhythm of "Barracuda" would be a natural to play over this. And I think a liberal use of De Palma-esque super slo-mo would be very cool, as it would showcase the beauty of the male athletic form. And of course, allow us to oggle the two men for that much longer!
The scene should be many things at once: intense and exciting but also sad and yearning...and yes, erotic. Heart plays into this again. It seems the driving, menacing rhythm of "Barracuda" would be a natural to play over this. And I think a liberal use of De Palma-esque super slo-mo would be very cool, as it would showcase the beauty of the male athletic form. And of course, allow us to oggle the two men for that much longer!
CUT TO:
INT. GYM -DAY
Paddy comes out of the locker room and stands opposite Henry. Roddy sizes them up.
RODDY
You're both wearing red. One of you is supposed to be in blue.
PADDY
One of us is about to be in black and blue.
HENRY
(Stone faced) Greco-Roman or freestyle--you weren't clear boss.
PADDY
Submission. No holds barred. First to pin for count of three wins.
He puts what could only be 14k gold whistle to his lip and WHISTLES. Paddy and Henry come out of their corners and begin circling one another.
So, this fight is not so much about the moves as the physical closeness that is both violent and intimate. Suffice to say, that both men keep getting the better of one another. Henry is more skilled than Paddy, which enrages him. Picture something along these lines, for now (I will come back later and write all of this out).
INT. GYM -DAY
Paddy comes out of the locker room and stands opposite Henry. Roddy sizes them up.
RODDY
You're both wearing red. One of you is supposed to be in blue.
PADDY
One of us is about to be in black and blue.
HENRY
(Stone faced) Greco-Roman or freestyle--you weren't clear boss.
PADDY
Submission. No holds barred. First to pin for count of three wins.
He puts what could only be 14k gold whistle to his lip and WHISTLES. Paddy and Henry come out of their corners and begin circling one another.
So, this fight is not so much about the moves as the physical closeness that is both violent and intimate. Suffice to say, that both men keep getting the better of one another. Henry is more skilled than Paddy, which enrages him. Picture something along these lines, for now (I will come back later and write all of this out).
As the fight gets more intense, many of the men drift over to watch. Henry is clearly gaining the advantage. He gets Paddy in a leglock.
HENRY
Feel the burn old man!
Paddy manages to get himself in a sitting position, which allows Henry to put him in a choke-hold. Paddy kind of snaps and elbows Henry in the ribs, hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Seizing this opportunity, Paddy leaps to his feet and goes to the opposite side of the mat and breathing heavily; assumes a judo stance.
HENRY
Oh! Here we go...
He gets to his feet and assumes the same stance.
PADDY
Bring it on Yank--
Roddy blows the WHISTLE but they ignore him. They fly at each other and Paddy easily flips Henry over his back and on to the mat. Roddy WHISTLES again. Suddenly, the lights dim: a power surge.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER CONTROL ROOM
CHRIS, the controller of the wind tunnel, is standing at the window, where he's been watching the fight. The camera zooms in on the air-flow speed counter, which suddenly begins to shoot up from 120mph.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -DAY
Ick, who is flying (and not wearing protective gear) is hurled against the glass, which knocks him unconscious. As the wind speed increases, he begins to spin around the chamber like a Styrofoam peanut in a hurricane. An ALARM sounds.
I want the alarm SFX to be the exact ones from the soundtrack of Alien, when Sigourney Weaver scuttles the ship. Why? Because I LOVE them!
HENRY
Feel the burn old man!
Paddy manages to get himself in a sitting position, which allows Henry to put him in a choke-hold. Paddy kind of snaps and elbows Henry in the ribs, hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Seizing this opportunity, Paddy leaps to his feet and goes to the opposite side of the mat and breathing heavily; assumes a judo stance.
HENRY
Oh! Here we go...
He gets to his feet and assumes the same stance.
PADDY
Bring it on Yank--
Roddy blows the WHISTLE but they ignore him. They fly at each other and Paddy easily flips Henry over his back and on to the mat. Roddy WHISTLES again. Suddenly, the lights dim: a power surge.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER CONTROL ROOM
CHRIS, the controller of the wind tunnel, is standing at the window, where he's been watching the fight. The camera zooms in on the air-flow speed counter, which suddenly begins to shoot up from 120mph.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -DAY
Ick, who is flying (and not wearing protective gear) is hurled against the glass, which knocks him unconscious. As the wind speed increases, he begins to spin around the chamber like a Styrofoam peanut in a hurricane. An ALARM sounds.
I want the alarm SFX to be the exact ones from the soundtrack of Alien, when Sigourney Weaver scuttles the ship. Why? Because I LOVE them!
CUT TO:
INT. TRAINING FLOOR -DAY
Roddy, Paddy, Henry and Cal and several other men rush to the stairs leading to the control room.
CUT TO:
INT. CONTROL ROOM -DAY
Roddy rushes in to find Chris desperately trying to shut down the system.
RODDY
Hit the kill switch!
CHRIS
I did! Nothing's happening.
Roddy rushes out of the room. The men look on helplessly as Ick starts spinning faster and faster.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND TUNNEL FAN ROOM -DAY
Roddy rushes in and smashes a glass panel on the wall, and retrieves a fire axe. He runs to the fan apparatus and raises the axe above his head and brings it swiftly down on the power cable. The fan winds down.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -DAY
As the air current slows, Ick lowers down to the safety net. Paddy and Henry rush in. Paddy checks his breathing, looks at Henry and nods. Henry, who is chekcing Ick's pulse, also nods. Paddy gently shakes Ick, who groans.
PADDY
(LOUDLY) Are you all right?
ICK
(Weakly) I think so...
They move Ick into the recovery position.
HENRY
What's your name?
ICK
Cupe.
PADDY
Who's the Prime Minister?
ICK
...Oldilocks...
Roddy rushes into the chamber and kneels next to Ick.
RODDY
Is he all right? Medical's en route.
PADDY
He seems so.
ICK
(Singing) ...I'm sick and tired of working...instead of digging praties I'll be diggin' lumps of gold...
Roddy looks up and then at his son and starts quietly crying. Henry and Paddy stare at one another until the EMT's arrive.
INT. TRAINING FLOOR -DAY
Roddy, Paddy, Henry and Cal and several other men rush to the stairs leading to the control room.
CUT TO:
INT. CONTROL ROOM -DAY
Roddy rushes in to find Chris desperately trying to shut down the system.
RODDY
Hit the kill switch!
CHRIS
I did! Nothing's happening.
Roddy rushes out of the room. The men look on helplessly as Ick starts spinning faster and faster.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND TUNNEL FAN ROOM -DAY
Roddy rushes in and smashes a glass panel on the wall, and retrieves a fire axe. He runs to the fan apparatus and raises the axe above his head and brings it swiftly down on the power cable. The fan winds down.
CUT TO:
INT. WIND CHAMBER -DAY
As the air current slows, Ick lowers down to the safety net. Paddy and Henry rush in. Paddy checks his breathing, looks at Henry and nods. Henry, who is chekcing Ick's pulse, also nods. Paddy gently shakes Ick, who groans.
PADDY
(LOUDLY) Are you all right?
ICK
(Weakly) I think so...
They move Ick into the recovery position.
HENRY
What's your name?
ICK
Cupe.
PADDY
Who's the Prime Minister?
ICK
...Oldilocks...
Roddy rushes into the chamber and kneels next to Ick.
RODDY
Is he all right? Medical's en route.
PADDY
He seems so.
ICK
(Singing) ...I'm sick and tired of working...instead of digging praties I'll be diggin' lumps of gold...
Roddy looks up and then at his son and starts quietly crying. Henry and Paddy stare at one another until the EMT's arrive.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRPLANE -NIGHT
Gran, Donna and Stacey enter the business class cabin, where four empty seats in the first row are.
STACEY
I want an aisle seat...
DONNA
I only do aisle seats--
GRAN
Well take them, I'll sit by the window next to Stacey.
They get seated and a FLIGHT ATTENDANT approaches.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Would you ladies care for some champagne?
GRAN
That would be lovely!
DONNA
Yes please.
STACEY
No thanks.
The flight attendant goes to the galley.
GRAN
You don't like champagne?
STACEY
Let's just say it doesn't agree with me. (She looks around) This is sweet. Nice goin' Mary! You got the luck of the--
GRAN
I don't like that expression love. I prefer "pluck" of the Irish.
DONNA
I can't wait to see the boys...
GRAN
Are you including Danny in that?
DONNA
Yes. I actually kind of miss him.
STACEY
Say, why does Danny have an accent and Henry doesn't?
GRAN
Well, you see Danny--
She falls silent when she sees Claudio come through the entry door. In fact, all the women's jaws drop. Claudio looks at his boarding pass and gestures to the seat next to Donna.
CLAUDIO
This must be me...
DONNA
(LAUGHING nervously) Must be...
Claudio takes his seat. The women look at one another. He places his arm on the armrest, where Donna's arm already is.
CLAUDIO
Oh, pardon me! I overshot!
He gazes steadily into her face with a smile that is as dazzling as it is friendly. Donna gulps.
INT. AIRPLANE -NIGHT
Gran, Donna and Stacey enter the business class cabin, where four empty seats in the first row are.
STACEY
I want an aisle seat...
DONNA
I only do aisle seats--
GRAN
Well take them, I'll sit by the window next to Stacey.
They get seated and a FLIGHT ATTENDANT approaches.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Would you ladies care for some champagne?
GRAN
That would be lovely!
DONNA
Yes please.
STACEY
No thanks.
The flight attendant goes to the galley.
GRAN
You don't like champagne?
STACEY
Let's just say it doesn't agree with me. (She looks around) This is sweet. Nice goin' Mary! You got the luck of the--
GRAN
I don't like that expression love. I prefer "pluck" of the Irish.
DONNA
I can't wait to see the boys...
GRAN
Are you including Danny in that?
DONNA
Yes. I actually kind of miss him.
STACEY
Say, why does Danny have an accent and Henry doesn't?
GRAN
Well, you see Danny--
She falls silent when she sees Claudio come through the entry door. In fact, all the women's jaws drop. Claudio looks at his boarding pass and gestures to the seat next to Donna.
CLAUDIO
This must be me...
DONNA
(LAUGHING nervously) Must be...
Claudio takes his seat. The women look at one another. He places his arm on the armrest, where Donna's arm already is.
CLAUDIO
Oh, pardon me! I overshot!
He gazes steadily into her face with a smile that is as dazzling as it is friendly. Donna gulps.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -NIGHT
Roddy is looking through a window into Ick's room. Ick is awake and sitting up. He's smiling. Kelly is leaning over him.
Paddy is sitting in a chair, speaking to Cal. DOCTOR JAWAD, 40's approaches Roddy.
RODDY
If there's bad news, I want it first.
DR. JAWAD
He's had a mild concussion--
RODDY
Mild? He's lost an entire day of memory!
DR. JAWAD
That's not uncommon. But the CT and MRI both looked good...no swelling or bleeding. We just have to monitor him for the next forty-eight hours.
RODDY
Yes. Whatever it takes--
DR. JAWAD
After that we can administer a panel of neuropsychological tests...
RODDY
Whatever it takes!
DR. JAWAD
It's important to stay calm Mr. Shannon.
Roddy nods and goes into the room.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -NIGHT
Roddy crosses to the bed and looks down on his son and strokes his hair.
FRANKIE
Hey dad!
RODDY
Hey Ick!
FRANKIE
Who's "Ick"?
RODDY
That's your knick-name son. That's what everybody calls you...
FRANKIE
(LAUGHS) No dad. They call me Cupe!
RODDY
Oh, that's right. Sorry Cupe.
KELLY
"Cupe." I like that. He is just a little Kewpie doll, idn't he?
FRANKIE
It's short for Cupid...everybody calls me that!
From here on in, Francis/Frankie/Ick is now going to be "Cupe."
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -NIGHT
Roddy is looking through a window into Ick's room. Ick is awake and sitting up. He's smiling. Kelly is leaning over him.
Paddy is sitting in a chair, speaking to Cal. DOCTOR JAWAD, 40's approaches Roddy.
RODDY
If there's bad news, I want it first.
DR. JAWAD
He's had a mild concussion--
RODDY
Mild? He's lost an entire day of memory!
DR. JAWAD
That's not uncommon. But the CT and MRI both looked good...no swelling or bleeding. We just have to monitor him for the next forty-eight hours.
RODDY
Yes. Whatever it takes--
DR. JAWAD
After that we can administer a panel of neuropsychological tests...
RODDY
Whatever it takes!
DR. JAWAD
It's important to stay calm Mr. Shannon.
Roddy nods and goes into the room.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM -NIGHT
Roddy crosses to the bed and looks down on his son and strokes his hair.
FRANKIE
Hey dad!
RODDY
Hey Ick!
FRANKIE
Who's "Ick"?
RODDY
That's your knick-name son. That's what everybody calls you...
FRANKIE
(LAUGHS) No dad. They call me Cupe!
RODDY
Oh, that's right. Sorry Cupe.
KELLY
"Cupe." I like that. He is just a little Kewpie doll, idn't he?
FRANKIE
It's short for Cupid...everybody calls me that!
From here on in, Francis/Frankie/Ick is now going to be "Cupe."
RODDY
That's right. We all call him "Cupe" from now on; just as we always have. Paddy, can I have a word with you...
Roddy exits the room. Paddy stands.
CUPE
Paddy, wait a second--
PADDY
What 's up?
CUPE
I have something really important to tell you!
PADDY
What is it?
CUPE
...I...I can't...it has something to do with diamonds...
PADDY
It'll come to you lad.
He exits the room.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -NIGHT
Paddy finds Roddy at a hot beverage vending machine.
RODDY
Fancy anything?
PADDY
No thanks...
They watch as the paper cup finishes filling with tea. Roddy picks it up and sits on a nearby bench.
RODDY
Like it or not, I'm teaming you and Notlad up.
PADDY
That's your decision. But I think me and Terry Zhao would be the better--
RODDY
What's your problem with Hank? He seems like a great guy? Why don't you like him?
PADDY
He's arrogant--
RODDY
Well, that's the pot calling the kettle black! Paddy, I want you to take a couple of weeks off and get your head together.
PADDY
My head's fine and dandy.
RODDY
I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. You can stay in my house in Agay--
PADDY
Come again? (CHUCKLES)
RODDY
It's in the South of France.
PADDY
I appreciate that Roddy; but I haven't seen me Da in a while...
RODDY
Well you do that then...(he sips his tea and winces. Paddy squeezes his shoulder).
PADDY
I think Frankie--
RODDY
"Cupe."
PADDY
Cupe is going to be fine. I've banged my head a lot harder than that and look at me.
Roddy looks at Paddy and raises his eyebrows and drops his tea into the trash bin.
That's right. We all call him "Cupe" from now on; just as we always have. Paddy, can I have a word with you...
Roddy exits the room. Paddy stands.
CUPE
Paddy, wait a second--
PADDY
What 's up?
CUPE
I have something really important to tell you!
PADDY
What is it?
CUPE
...I...I can't...it has something to do with diamonds...
PADDY
It'll come to you lad.
He exits the room.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -NIGHT
Paddy finds Roddy at a hot beverage vending machine.
RODDY
Fancy anything?
PADDY
No thanks...
They watch as the paper cup finishes filling with tea. Roddy picks it up and sits on a nearby bench.
RODDY
Like it or not, I'm teaming you and Notlad up.
PADDY
That's your decision. But I think me and Terry Zhao would be the better--
RODDY
What's your problem with Hank? He seems like a great guy? Why don't you like him?
PADDY
He's arrogant--
RODDY
Well, that's the pot calling the kettle black! Paddy, I want you to take a couple of weeks off and get your head together.
PADDY
My head's fine and dandy.
RODDY
I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. You can stay in my house in Agay--
PADDY
Come again? (CHUCKLES)
RODDY
It's in the South of France.
PADDY
I appreciate that Roddy; but I haven't seen me Da in a while...
RODDY
Well you do that then...(he sips his tea and winces. Paddy squeezes his shoulder).
PADDY
I think Frankie--
RODDY
"Cupe."
PADDY
Cupe is going to be fine. I've banged my head a lot harder than that and look at me.
Roddy looks at Paddy and raises his eyebrows and drops his tea into the trash bin.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRPLANE -NIGHT
The cabin lights are dimmed. Many passengers are asleep. Gran is "resting her eyes" as Stacey watches a movie. Donna is now in a cozy tete-a-tete with Claudio.
CLAUDIO
...so, my dad worked in finance and my mom was a teacher...pretty normal. I never thought I'd end up doing what I do.
DONNA
What do you do?
CLAUDIO
I'm a personal trainer.
DONNA
Really? Where?
CLAUDIO
All over the world--you have the prettiest eyes...
DONNA
Thank you.
CLAUDIO
Sei una bella ragazza...
DONNA
(Blushing) Grazie ma non dovrei flirtare.
CLAUDIO
You speak Italian?
DONNA
Yeah...
CLAUDIO
You speak it beautifully.
DONNA
My mom grew up in Naples, so I grew up speaking it right along with English.
CLAUDIO
(Glancing at Gran and Stacey) Do your friends speak it?
DONNA
No...
CLAUDIO
Then it will be just between us...
Gran stirs in her seat and raises her eye shades. She elbows Stacey.
GRAN
Is she speaking Italian with that man?
STACEY
How should I know?
GRAN
Change seats with her.
STACEY
No.
GRAN
No good can come of a seven foot, caramel-brown eyed man whispering in a Romance language thirty-eight-thousand feet in the air...
STACEY
Que sera, sera...
GRAN
That's not funny.
STACEY
I thought it was.
Gran puts her eye shades back as Stacey glances over at her friend; who it must be said, is officially (mentally, anyways) canoodling.
INT. AIRPLANE -NIGHT
The cabin lights are dimmed. Many passengers are asleep. Gran is "resting her eyes" as Stacey watches a movie. Donna is now in a cozy tete-a-tete with Claudio.
CLAUDIO
...so, my dad worked in finance and my mom was a teacher...pretty normal. I never thought I'd end up doing what I do.
DONNA
What do you do?
CLAUDIO
I'm a personal trainer.
DONNA
Really? Where?
CLAUDIO
All over the world--you have the prettiest eyes...
DONNA
Thank you.
CLAUDIO
Sei una bella ragazza...
DONNA
(Blushing) Grazie ma non dovrei flirtare.
CLAUDIO
You speak Italian?
DONNA
Yeah...
CLAUDIO
You speak it beautifully.
DONNA
My mom grew up in Naples, so I grew up speaking it right along with English.
CLAUDIO
(Glancing at Gran and Stacey) Do your friends speak it?
DONNA
No...
CLAUDIO
Then it will be just between us...
Gran stirs in her seat and raises her eye shades. She elbows Stacey.
GRAN
Is she speaking Italian with that man?
STACEY
How should I know?
GRAN
Change seats with her.
STACEY
No.
GRAN
No good can come of a seven foot, caramel-brown eyed man whispering in a Romance language thirty-eight-thousand feet in the air...
STACEY
Que sera, sera...
GRAN
That's not funny.
STACEY
I thought it was.
Gran puts her eye shades back as Stacey glances over at her friend; who it must be said, is officially (mentally, anyways) canoodling.
Please see Heartfight: A Screenplay Pt. 9 for the next installment
CFR 5/17/23
CFR 5/17/23
RSS Feed