AGUALIQUE
Original Screenplay
By
Teresa Aguilera
And
Joseph Cahill
“Agualique”
FADE IN:
INT. ROOM – NIGHT
Interrupted CLICKS of tiny metal on metal. Someone working within the darkness. The subtle sound coming from an area of moonlight falling upon an old WOODEN DESK. The only thing older within the room is the OLD DOCTOR DAMIEN(70’s) sitting at it.
The moonlight, coming in from a four-paned, curtainless window, cuts the small, cube-like room in two. The light providing the only working illumination for the doctor. It also giving hints of the room’s bareness.
The doctor tinkers with something in front of him on the desk. Squints at it to get a better look.
The source of each CLICK, a small worktool against the metal of an expensive, SILVER WRISTWATCH.
The smallest inkling of sweat forming on the doctor’s forhead. Evidence of a few hour’s work.
The watch’s insides lay exposed on the desk in front of the man. Completely gutted.
The doctor grunts in disgust.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
Stupid thing.
Frees his hand of the small tool. Frustration finally getting the best of him. Sits back into his chair, resting. Looks out the lone window at the large courtyard just outside his window.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
If I lose time, everything I’ve worked for will be lost.
He eyes the ROSEGARDEN situated in the middle before
looking up at the WALL CLOCK, the plain, institutional-type on the far wall within the room. Its reading obscured by the darkness. Grabs the small tool and leans back in to finish what he started. Nervously, prods at the watch.
The CLICKS of the watch’s metal interrupt the silence once more until...
LAWYER(VO)
You think my father will ever recognize me, Doctor?
EXT. AGUALIQUE HOSPITAL – COURTYARD – DAY
The same expensive silver watch taking up the field of view. It’s hands showing just after eight.
Attached to it, the old doctor sits at a park-style bench and table. He listens carefully to the young LAWYER(30’s), blonde haired and blue-eyed, sitting across from him. Searches for words to answer the young man.
Within the courtyard several of the same benches filled with PATIENTS and VISITORS. Young INTERNISTS walk through the courtyard with stethescopes draped over their shoulders conversing about recent patients.
The doctor looks at his watch, his hands. Robust, miner’s hands. Then back to the young lawyer across from him.
OLD DOCTOR
I’m sorry. Your father is incapable of realizing the world around him. He can’t,
(pause)
he won’t recognize you.
With that, the young lawyer turns his expecting eyes down. Tries understanding.
The lawyer then looks back up at the old doctor. A plain, unsatisfied look.
LAWYER
I’ll be back, then. Next Sunday.
The doctor gives his best sympathetic smile.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
Fine.
The old doctor looks down at his wrist watch. Just past eight. Readies himself to leave.
The lawyer is already standing.
OLD DOCTOR
I would walk you out. It’s late. I have some charts to review, still.
The young lawyer holds out a firm hand. The Old doctor returns his. They shake.
LAWYER
I understand.
(smiles)
The doctor smiles then leaves.
INT. ROOM – DAY
The old doctor’s room. Much larger in the sunlight. It’s walls no less bare, though. The wall clock reads half past twelve.
A ceramic crucifixion hangs over the window overlooking the old doctor sitting at his desk. The doctor studies an open patient file. Takes handwritten notes on a note pad. Stops. Flips through a page. Reads.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
You didn’t think I’d ever get out of here, did you?
The doctor CHUCKLES to himself. His thought. Looks out at the courtyard through his window. Crowds of PATIENTS walking here and there until...
EXT. STATE UNIVERSITY OF PSYCHIATRY – GRADUATION – DAY
They become crowds of GRADUATED STUDENTS in cap and gown. Most visit with family some taking photos to remember the day. Groups of friends pose for cameras. The graduation ceremony just ended.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
I so desperately wanted to prove you wrong.
The newly graduated, YOUNG DOCTOR DAMIEN(20’s), takes an expensive box from his MOTHER(40’s), a woman with at least ten more years on her face and her clothes too expensive for her dark complexion.
MOTHER
It was the most expensive one they had.
The mother finds her cigarette case. Lights a thin cigarette. Takes a drag.
The young doctor flips open the box’s lid. Eyes the expensive, SILVER WATCH inside. Runs his finger across its face.
Interrupting the moment...
STUDENT(OS)
Hey, miner.
Reflexively, the new doctor looks towards the source of the comment.
The STUDENT(20’s), with a face never bothered by the sweat of real work, smiles. Looks around at his FRIENDS(20’s) for approval.
STUDENT
You’ll never leave Agualique, Miner.
The student and his friends LAUGH. Keep moving.
Irritated by the familiar comments though not responding, the young doctor turns back towards his mother.
MOTHER
Why don’t you say something?
The young doctor looks at his hands. Young, robust, miner’s hands. The only thing left from his father.
INT. ROOM – NIGHT
YOUNG DAMIEN(VO)
They’re probably right.
The old doctor still sits at his desk. Papers and the patient’s file covering its top. The doctor struggles to keep his eyes open. Falling asleep.
OLD DOCTOR(VO)
Still, I must solve this one case. To do so would set me free.
The doctor closes his eyes for just an instant.
Blackness.
The BANG of something heavy hitting wood within the emptiness.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR(VO)
Blanca, no!
INT. STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE – DAY
Once more the BANG of something. That something being a large AX being swung wildly within the fancy, State Office.
A hysterical, teen girl, BLANCA HIGAREDA(16), lifts the ax over head readying for another swing.
Her father, the STATE ADMINISTRATOR(40’s), stands back pointing at his daughter with one hand. A disciplining glare in his eyes.
The SECRETARY(50’s) stands behind the safety of the office door. Her face showing from behind the door’s edge.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
Don’t do it, girl. It will be the last...
Before he can finish, Blanca buries the ax’s edge into the hundred-year old antique desk with a BANG! She SCREAMS with fury and rage.
The secretary hides behind the door.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
Time.
Again, without hesitation, the young girl readies the ax. Swings it sideways dumping the desk’s contents onto the floor. SCREAMS. Everything in pieces.
The Administrator takes a cautious step back.
Hatred mixed with fear shows in the young girl’s eyes. Someone or something has caused her to break.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
(softer)
Blanca, please.
Huffing with adrenaline, Blanca hesitates for just an instant.
Just enough time for...
From nowhere, two SECURITY GUARDS(20’s) rush the girl. Catch her off guard. Force the weapon from her hands.
The girl struggles violently. SCREAMS, again. A continuous SCREAM this time.
The State Administrator casually walks towards the struggling girl. Picks up the ax from the floor. Gets right in front of his daughter.
The guards struggle to hold onto the tiny girl. One on each side.
The Administrator’s face now solid. Mean. The father SLAPS the daughter’s face. Turns it sideways. Stops her struggling for an instant.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
Ungrateful wench.
The daughter stares back defiantly. Then, spits in the Administrator’s face. Causes him to wince. Wipes his eye.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
Get her out of here.
With that, the guards pull the young girl towards the exit.
Blanca SCREAMS for her life. Struggles Furiously.
The secretary, now from behind the saftey of the office door, moves to allow enough room for the flailing girl and her escorts to leave.
The administrator pulls a tissue from his pocket. Wipes his soaked face.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR
(to secretary)
Make sure she gets to Agualique.
(pause)
And get this office cleaned up.
Slow, but obediente, the secretary leaves to do her boss’s bidding.
EXT. AGUALIQUE – COURTYARD – DAY
PATIENTS sitting, walking, conversing.
A young AUTISTIC BOY(12)rocks rythmically back and forth on a bench by himself.
Another patient, THE PROPHET(50’s) mumbles something to no one in particular. No one seen anyways.
Several other patients make up the scenery, including, THE NUN(50’S), Several DEPRESSIVES, the SELF-MUTILATOR(20’s). All making obvious the type of hospital Aqualique is.
Young doctor Damien breezes by. Several of the patients smile and aknowledge the new doctor. Most his patients. The young doctor responds courteously. Keeps moving.
INT. AGUALIQUE – TREATMENT ROOM – DAY
Several hospital beds lined in a neat row. PATIENTS of varying ages lie quietly, waiting their turn. Most dozing in and out of sleep. IV BAGS of clear fluids hang nearby.
A LEAD DOCTOR(50’S) and NURSES surround a YOUNG PATIENT’s(20’s) bed. All moving about. Pulling medicines, checking charts, taking vital signs.
A NURSE’S ASSISTANT pulls a curtain to, hiding the young patient from the others in the room.
The young patient looks around wide-eyed. Courious at all the attention surrounding him. Unaware of what is about to happen.
The HEAD NURSE(40’s) injects a syringe full of something into the young patient’s arm. Within seconds, the young man’s worried face turns to unconciousness.
Reflexively, the doctor places several wire leads to the young patient’s forehead. Adjusts a knob reading VOLTAGE.
Then, the young doctor enters from the other side of the curtain.
Everyone looks up for an instant. Then, back to task.
YOUNG DAMIEN
Sir, you wanted to see me.
The head nurse places a MOUTHPIECE into the young patient’s mouth. Secures it.
LEAD DOCTOR
Clear.
The nurses and staff step a few inches away from the young patient’s bed.
The lead doctor hits a switch on the machine. Causes the young patient’s face to grimace, his body tighten.
The young doctor watches the patient.
LEAD DOCTOR
(to Damien)
Yes. I need you to pick up an incoming from the station.
The lead doctor hits the switch again, causing the young patient’s body to relax once more. The nursing staff moves in to attend to him. Removes the mouthpiece.
The lead doctor makes a note on the clipboard in his lap about the young patient’s condition.
YOUNG DOCTOR
Certainly. When?
LEAD DOCTOR
(without looking up)
Tonight.
YOUNG DOCTOR
Certainly.
The young doctor turns to leave.
LEAD DOCTOR
Blanca. Blanca Higareda.
(pause)
That’s her name.
The young doctor takes mental note of the name. Leaves.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
A newer, mostly wooden train station. Modern for its day.
Several NIGHT TRAVELERS, most dressed warm, wait at the trainless loading deck for the next train.
The young doctor Damian, in jacket and scarf, sits silently at a bench. He too waiting for the next train to arrive.
A cold WIND blows through the station.
Then, the light and sound of an approaching train, following the wind, it seems.
The travelers ready themselves and their luggage.
The young doctor stands.
The train slowly approaches. Finally stops at the loading deck. A HISS and a bellow of SMOKE from the engine.
After a moment, the passenger cars come alive with people exiting. PASSENGERS greet waiting RELATIVES.
The young doctor waits patiently for his incoming. Watches and waits.
After most passengers have debarked, finally, the doctor sees his newest patient.
Blanca, looking younger and more frightened, steps down onto the wooden loading deck. Looks around hesitantly. Pulls the blanket over her shoulders tight.
Two ESCORTS(30’s), accompany her. Lead her off to one side.
The young doctor approaches. Waves. Catches the attention of the escorts.
The escorts walk to meet the young doctor. Get right in front of him.
Courteous smiles from the doctor and the escorts.
Blanca looks up at the young doctor. A sense of exhaustion in her eyes.
The escorts hand the doctor a form. He signs it. Gives it back.
ESCORT #1
You want us to walk you, Doc?
YOUNG DOCTOR
That won’t be necessary.
(to Blanca)
Are you Blanca?
Blanca doesn’t bother looking up.
ESCORT #1
She’s all yours, Doc.
YOUNG DOCTOR
Thanks.
The escorts leave. Board the waiting train.
Alone with his newest patient, the young doctor gets near. Tries looking into the young girl’s eyes.
She catches his look. Her soft, child-like eyes peer up at the young doctor. A tear formed in the corner of her eye, drops down on her cheek.
Immediately the young doctor gets a sense of her pain. Smiles. Gently wipes the tear.
Blanca allows it.
YOUNG DOCTOR
Don’t worry, you’ll be safe where you’re going.
Blanca looks away. Pulls the throw blanket tight around her thin shoulders to keep out the cold wind.
The young doctor gently leads the young girl away.
EXT. AGUALIQUE – COURTYARD – DAY
The same patients in their usually spots, The Prophet, The Autistic, everyone doing their habitual things. Mostly talking to themselves and avoiding the others.
From a distance, Blanca sits on a bench, directly in front of the rose garden. Stares at nothing. Searching for something. That lone, permanent tear stuck to the side of her cheek. Never seeming to go anywhere. Just there.
The young doctor sits next to her. Speaks gently to her every now and then. Blanca not responding. Not sure if she even hears him.
INT. AGUALIQUE – SOLITARY ROOM – DAY
A fury of SCREAMS fills the white-walled room.
Blanca struggles against several MALE ATTENDANTS(30’s).
INT. AGUALIQUE – HALLWAY – DAY
Blanca’s SCREAM echoes through the hallway.
INT. AGUALIQUE – SOLITARY ROOM – DAY
The Attendants attempt to restrain the out of control Blanca. For her size she puts up a pretty good fight.
The young doctor stands at the door watching, worried.
YOUNG DOCTOR
Don’t hurt her.
Soon, though, the young girl is restrained. Continues to struggle beneath the wieght of the Attendants. The OLDEST ATTENDANT finally gets a shot of medicine in her arm.
INT. AGUALIQUE – HALLWAY – DAY
A NUN(40’s) walks the pristine hallway. The screams from Blanca gone now.
The rythmic FOOTSTEPS of the nun the only sound.
INT. AGUALIQUE – SOLITARY ROOM – DAY
Blanca lies quietly on the white-sheeted bed. Her lethargic eyes look at the far wall. The tear still there.
The young doctor sits on the floor besides her bed, near her head. Gently brushes her hair from her eyes, wipes the tear from her cheek.
YOUNG DAMIEN
What did they do to you, Blanca?
Blanca doesn’t respond. Continues her medicated stare.
INT. ROOM – DAY
The young doctor, now with a few months worth of facial hair, stands at the window. Watches the courtyard. PATIENTS going here and there.
In particular, across the courtyard, The doctor watches Blanca standing near the rose garden.
EXT. AGUALIQUE – COURTYARD – DAY
At the rose garden, Blanca waters the blooming plants with a water can.
The Autistic sits in the grass nearby. Counts the marbles in his marble bag. Occasionally watches Blanca.