NINE LIVES
Written by Lonzo Lucas II
FADE IN:
INT. RILEY'S GOOD TIME SHACK, BAR - NIGHT
LOS ANGELES-CALIFORNIA, CURTIS JACKSON, age 42, occupation, Musician, sits at a bar. He’s had a few drinks and now he is having a conversation with a lovely lady who is sitting next to him. In the middle of the conversation CURTIS has an epiphany.
CURTIS'S MINDS EYE
EXT. OCEAN CITY, HIGHWAY - LATE AFTERNOON
Ocean City, CURTIS is stuck in traffic, he looks down to change the radio station, and rear-ends another car, another driver rear-ends CURTIS. The first driver gets out of his car, approaches CURTIS'S vehicle. CURTIS rolls up his window.
1ST DRIVER
You piece of shit! Why don't you watch where you're going. Damn, now I'm going to miss the got damn game because of you, idiot!
CURTIS JACKSON
Hey buddy it was an accident..No need to get rude.
1ST DRIVER
Rude?...Rude! You want to see fuckin' rude, wait right here.
The male driver walks to his car, reaches into the glove compartment takes out a snubbed nose .38 pistol, walks toward CURTIS, who runs to the back of his car.
CURTIS JACKSON
Hey man what the hell are you doing?
1ST DRIVER
What does it look like I'm doing?
CURTIS JACKSON
Somebody call the Police.
A woman sitting three cars back, picks up her cell- phone, dials 911.
911 (O.S.)
911, what's your emergency?
WOMAN
Yes..Yes there is a man on the freeway brandishing a gun hurry! He is going to shoot him.
Three gunshots ring out, the woman screams.
911 (O.S.)
Ma'am what is your location?
WOMAN
Oceanside City Highway, hurry he's been shot.
The woman hangs up the phone.
911 (O.S.)
Dispatch all officers and Paramedics to the Ocean City Highway immediately.
The 1ST DRIVER sees CURTIS lying on the sidewalk bleeding from his lungs, he drops the gun. Two Police cars from an overhead pass, make their way to the scene, subdue the shooter and arrest him.
INT. COP CAR
1ST DRIVER
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
(sobs)
OFFICER LIVINGSTON
We need the Paramedics out here right away!
DISPATCH (O.S.)
Paramedics en route...I repeat Paramedics en route.
Minutes later, the Paramedics arrive on the scene, get to CURTIS who is lying on the highway, next to his car.
PARAMEDICS
Come on we're losing him!
The Paramedics stop the bleeding, put CURTIS on a stretcher and place an oxygen mask on him.
INT. BACK OF THE PARAMEDICS VAN - LATE AFTERNOON
PARAMEDIC
Just hang in there you are going to be ok, we'll get you to a hospital.
BAR
Drunk and feeling a bit depressed, CURTIS gets off his bar stool, stumbles to the bathroom.
BATHROOM
CURTIS'S MINDS EYE
EXT. CEMETERY, GRAVEYARD SITE - DAY
CURTIS sees an image of his coffin being lowered into the ground, a strange feeling overwhelms his body jolting him awake, like a hard slap to the face.
BATHROOM
CURTIS JACKSON
Why won’t these visions just go away?
CURTIS stumbles out of the bathroom.
BAR
CURTIS grabs his head in pain, the people in the bar, distance themselves from him. Curtis sits down at the bar.
THE BARTENDER
Hey buddy, are you alright?
CURTIS JACKSON
Oh no, not again.
CURTIS grabs his head in pain.
CURTIS'S MINDS EYE
EXT. SIMON BLVD, CROSSWALK - NIGHT
CURTIS crosses the street after having just performed at The Razzmatazz Night Club. A drunk driver loses control of her car, crosses over the median, strikes CURTIS, the impact knocks him fifteen feet into the air, he tries to break his fall but lands on his head.
SPECTATOR
Oh my God did you see that?
The PARAMEDICS and POLICE OFFICER arrive on the scene. The POLICE OFFICER places the drunken driver into the backseat of his car.
DRUNKEN DRIVER
(slurring)
I'm not drunk officer, see?
The COPS drive off.
INT. DANIEL MORGAN HOSPITAL, ER - NIGHT
Two PARAMEDICS wheel CURTIS into the hospital.
PARAMEDICS
Get out of the way. Doctor! Doctor!
The DOCTOR looks at CURTIS'S injuries.
DOCTOR LUWOSKI
Looks like a compound fracture to the skull, get him into emergency surgery now!
INT. SURGERY ROOM - CONTINOUS
The DOCTORS operate on CURTIS but are unable to save him, he flatlines.
DOCTOR LUWOSKI
Damn! I think we are going to have to call it.
NURSE
Wait doctor look!
A faint pulse registers on the electrocardiogram, the DOCTORS stitch up CURTIS'S wounds and fit him with a headcast.
RECOVERY ROOM - LATE NIGHT
CURTIS flatlines and comes back. DOCTOR LUWOSKI stands by CURTIS'S bedside. He turns to face the NURSE.
DOCTOR LUWOSKI
I don't expect him to survive the night, keep an eye on him, if anything changes you let me know?
NURSE
Ok Doctor.
The DOCTOR leaves the room, the NURSE watches CURTIS, who passes in and out of consciousness.
EMERGENCY ROOM, CURTIS'S ROOM - MORNING
The NURSE walks into the room, gets on the intercom.
NURSE
Paging Doctor Luwoski, I think you had better get down here and see this.
The DOCTOR walks into the room with a grim look on his face. He sees CURTIS sitting up in his bed. A look of wonder crosses the DOCTOR'S face.
DOCTOR LUWOSKI
It can't be, you are sitting up in bed like nothing happened to you.
CURTIS JACKSON
I can't explain it Doctor but I feel fine.
DOCTOR LUWOSKI
How does a man recover after sustaining such massive damage to his spine and cranium? It’s a medical marvel Mr. Jackson we don’t know how you survived but we'll do some more tests just to make sure that everything is ok and from there you are free to go.
Shocked and confused, CURTIS snaps back to this reality,
BAR
CURTIS'S vision is blurry, he grabs his head in pain.
CURTIS'S MINDS EYE
EXT. INTERSTATE 10, CURTIS'S CAR - EARLY EVENING
Two am CURTIS drives home from San Leandro, he’s trying to make it to a show in Carmel City. Static comes from the speakers, CURTIS searches for a radio station, something loud to help keep him awake. The car swerves, jolting CURTIS awake, he notices that the car has drifted two lanes over.
CURTIS JACKSON
Oh shit! That was close.
A classic rock track blares over the radio, CURTIS rolls down the window on the driver’s side, he yawns
CURTIS JACKSON
Only one more hour and then I’m there. Should have bought some coffee from the convenience store. Damn.
CURTIS falls asleep, the car swerves, careens off the road, rolls down a hill, off a steep precipice into the Pacific Ocean.
The impact, along with the cold dark water jolts CURTIS awake, disoriented, he swims through an open window, and up to the surface. CURTIS breaks the plane between water and air, oxygen fills his lungs, he takes a deep breath.
The Darkness combined with the fog and cold water makes it hard for him to focus, from below a ripple grows, something brushes up against CURTIS.
It glides through the dark water, a panicked CURTIS swims toward the shore; he hears a loud noise like the roar of a jet engine coming from behind him. CURTIS dives underwater as something huge rises to the surface.
CURTIS JACKSON
A shark.
CURTIS swims for his life. A charter boat, on its way back to port, lights from the boat bounce off the water's surface, one of the crew members, getting the gear in order notices something
DECKHAND
Captain I think you had better take a look at this?
The CAPTAIN approaches the radar, sees two bleeps fifty feet ahead of them.
CAPTAIN
Sound the alarm.
A beam from the ship’s overhead light shines into the water.
CAPTAIN
My God it’s a man and he’s being attacked by a shark! Quick get my gun.
The first mate standing ten feet away reaches up, grabs a rifle from the hoist.
FIRST MATE
Here you are Captain.
The CAPTAIN cocks the rifle, aims it at the shark’s head, pulls the trigger. The behemoth stops its pursuit, blood gushes from its body the water around it turns red. The FIRST MATE throws out a life preserver, CURTIS grabs the preserver, the FIRST MATE pulls CURTIS toward the ship and helps him onto the boat.
FIRST MATE
You are very lucky to be alive mate, only minor cuts and bruises, those White Pointers do massive damage.
CURTIS snaps back to this reality.
BAR
The lady sitting next to him is still talking; she stops and gives CURTIS a look of concern.
LADY
Are you alright?
CURTIS looks at her expression with confusion.
CURTIS JACKSON
Are you serious?
A CAB DRIVER enters the bar.
BARTENDER
Curtis your cab is here and don’t worry about it, it’s on me.
The BARTENDER signals for one of the workers to help CURTIS to his feet and into the cab.
EXT. RILEY'S GOOD TIME SHACK, FRONT OF THE BUILDING - NIGHT
CURTIS and the DRIVER exit the building, the WORKER helps CURTIS into her cab. The WORKER walks to the passenger side.
WORKER
Here's the fare to get him home. Thank you.
INT. CAB - SAME TIME
Ten minutes later, CURTIS gets out the cab and walks to the front of his house turns around smiles, salutes the cabbie.
EXT. CURTIS'S HOUSE, FRONT DOOR - NIGHT
CURTIS walks to the front of his house, turns around smiles, salutes the cab driver, stumbles up the stairs, opens the front door, stumbles inside, closes the door.
FRONT DOOR
The next evening a hung over and tired CURTIS gets into his car, takes off.
INT. CURTIS'S CAR - LATE AFTERNOON
CURTIS can’t seem to get those past thoughts out of his head. On his right hand side he notices a little shop nestled between a liquor store and rib joint, it draws him in he pulls into the parking lot. A blue neon sign reads MADAME LEONTINE'S Palm Reading, CURTIS looks around, walks inside.
INT. MADAM LEONTINE'S PALM READING SHOP, MAIN LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
CURTIS smells a pungent odor. The combination of the low light and musty smell creates an ominous atmosphere. Far as the eye can see are candles of every size and color dispersed around the room.
Charms, bracelets, stuffed animals, bottled animal parts and other strange artifacts lie about. In the distance a plump woman with European features, dressed in a gypsy outfit calls CURTIS to the back.
BACK ROOM
MADAME LEONTINE
Have a seat?
MADAME LEONTINE opens up a cabinet grabs a few items and closes the door, she approaches the table, her movements almost ethereal, she places a large garnet gem on the table.
MADAME LEONTINE
It is my eyes and ears into the netherworld.
MADAME LEONTINE sits down, stares across the table at CURTIS.
MADAME LEONTINE
I saw you in my dreams and summoned you here.
MADAME LEONTINE wrings her hands anxiously,
MADAME LEONTINE
There is something of utmost importance that I must warn you about. Hold out your hands?
MADAME LEONTINE takes ahold of CURTIS'S hands and begins to chant.
MADAME LEONTINE
Will the spirit who is following this man reveal yourself, we wish to speak with you, we wish to know who you are?
MADAME LEONTINE'S eyes roll violently into the back of her head, her body slams back into the chair, her face grows pale.
Three quick flashes of light resonate about the room a thin-veiled mist appears behind MADAME LEONTINE, morphs into a dark mass resembling a shadow with humanoid features.
The atmosphere grows heavy and depressing. MADAME LEONTINE'S expression, becomes trance-like, she begins to chant, CURTIS sits wide-eyed, scared out of his mind. The ENTITY binds him to his seat. MADAME LEONTINE speaks.
MADAME LEONTINE
You are followed by a special presence, it never leaves your side.
MADAME LEONTINE tightens her grip on CURTIS'S hands.
MADAME LEONTINE
The presence is here with us, its purpose is unclear, but.
CURTIS JACKSON
But what?
MADAME LEONTINE
Silence! there is more, a curse was placed on you at birth for the wrong doings of your ancestors.
MADAME LEONTINE'S body rocks back and forth in her chair. Her body slumps forward, she slowly raises her head and looks at CURTIS with a blank stare.
MADAME LEONTINE
This curse will be your death.
MADAME LEONTINE gets pinned against the chair, the ENTITY leaves her body. CURTIS sits back in his chair, he eyes the woman warily.
CURTIS JACKSON
This curse that you spoke of what is it?
MADAME LEONTINE shakes her head in pity.
MADAME LEONTINE
You were given nine lives at birth, only you weren’t aware of it, each time that you cheat death you lose a life and someone close to you dies, that is your curse.
CURTIS has a look of disbelief on his face.
CURTIS JACKSON
Over the years what I thought were accidents, claimed the lives of most of my friends and now you’re telling me that it was my fault all along that they are dead?
CURTIS suddenly feels sick to his stomach, he runs into the bathroom, throws up, minutes later he emerges,
CURTIS JACKSON
I’m so sorry can I ask you another question?
MADAME LEONTINE nods.
CURTIS JACKSON
How many lives do I have left?
MADAME LEONTINE walks around the table, stands over CURTIS.
MADAME LEONTINE
It doesn’t matter how many lives you have left because your immortal soul is already doomed.
CURTIS JACKSON
I see, is there anything that I can do about it?
MADAME LEONTINE shakes her head.
CURTIS JACKSON
Thank you for helping me to understand.
CURTIS pays the woman $30.00, walks toward the door, MADAME LEONTINE catches up with him.
MADAME LEONTINE
Just a word of warning, what you will experience after death is far worse than death itself.
Stunned by her words, CURTIS scratches his head. A look of confusion on his face.
CURTIS JACKSON
What did you mean by that?
MADAME LEONTINE
Watch yourself your guardian is not what it seems.
MADAME LEONTINE looks over CURTIS'S shoulder as if something is watching her.
MADAME LEONTINE
I have felt its power.
CURTIS walks outside.
EXT. MADAME LEONTINE'S PALM READING SHOP, FRONT DOOR - 30 MINUTES LATER
MADAME LEONTINE watches CURTIS walk away, she closes the door.
EXT. CURTIS'S CAR -CONTINOUS
CURTIS gets into his car, drives away.
INT. BACKROOM
MADAME LEONTINE walks into the backroom to retrieve her medallion of protection, she feels a slight breeze coming from behind her.
MADAME LEONTINE
That’s funny I know that I closed that door.
She turns around, something frightens her beyond words, MADAME LEONTINE backs away slowly toward the backroom.
MADAME LEONTINE
No...No...What are you demon!
THE ENTITY
Your time has come!
MADAME LEONTINE
No! Go away!
The ENTITY picks MADAME LEONTINE and slams her, head first into a wall.
EXT. PEACOCK CLUB, BACK ENTRANCE - EARLY EVENING
Later on that night Curtis approaches the backdoor to the nightclub, walks inside. There are 200 people sitting out in the audience. The lights dim, the curtain raises up, causing the audience to break out into applause, the MASTER OF CEREMONIES stands at the microphone.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Ladies and gentlemen the Peacock Club is proud to present the headliner for tonight. The Jackson Street Revue!
THE MAIN STAGE
The crowd goes nuts, CURTIS steps on stage, plays his signature song 'Big City Blues.'
AUDIENCE, BACK OF THE ROOM
A classy looking woman dressed in black sits in the corner of the room, her face barely discernable as the shadows conceal her identity. She watches intently observing CURTIS'S performance.
THE MAIN STAGE
A few songs later CURTIS comes out, joins his bandmates in a lively rendition of Calypso Blues.
MAIN STAGE
MASTER OR CEREMONIES
On the drums T.J. Johnson.
T.J. JOHNSON launches into a drum solo. The crowd applauds, loudly.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
On the bass Johnny Blue.
The crowd applauds loudly.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
And on the lead guitar...Curtis Jackson!!!
The crowd stands up and roars in approval, the curtain descends, the band members walk off the stage to their dressing room, stage hands dismantle the drum set and take down the props.
BACKSTAGE, JACKSON REVUE'S DRESSING ROOM
CURTIS sits in a dressing room putting away his guitar while JOHNNY BLUE, the band’s lead guitarist is having a conversation with T.J. JOHNSON, the band’s drummer.