1
LOVE WITHOUT A LEADING MAN
By
Max Alexander Malloy
WGA:I216962
2700 Randall Ave. #1D
Bronx, New York10465
347-810-7242
FAde In:
EXT. LOS ANGELES – A DETERIORATED HOUSE – NIGHT
On a sweltering, moonlit night, a lone dilapidated house sits on a treeless street. Through an opened window, asingle, dim light is seen from without.
INT. In a dimly lit parlor, photos of seven young, smiling actors sit upon a table. An empty rocking chairsits in front of the photos; next to the chair, a bottle of bourbon and an empty glass sits on a table.
edith crane (v.o.)
(Angry raspy voice)
Just look at you deceiving bastards, all of you! And look at me; I’m an aging film queen!Many moons ago, each of you dated me, screwed me and espoused the words “I do” at the altar! But in the end, some of you traded me in for young, frisky actresses, while othersdumped me for some effeminate, baby-faced actor! Yeah! Your naïve fans believed you narcissistic creeps were sanctimonious, passionate lovers, wholesomely dedicated to your wives and lovers! Yeah! Your female fans foolishly swoonedall over you as if you possessed no human frailties! But look at you cold hearted bastards, even today, you’re as cold and frigid as the icebergs of Antarctica; more confused than any deranged schizophrenic and certainly more brutal than any pugilist champion! Yes, I know, because each of you pummeled me with excruciating blows and later abandoned me! You’ve shrunk and whittled me down to this, a quart of bourbon per day! Look at me you Judases! Now, I have no one!
Off the parlor, a creaky door opens slowly. EDITH CRANE, an elderly, frail, gray-haired lady, uses a walking cane and hobbles sluggishly into the parlor. Edith limps across the room and slide gingerly into the rocking chair. She glares menacingly at the seven photos on the table.
edith
You damn bastards, why are you staring at me? I hate all of you! Get out of my fucking house!
Edith struggles to rise from the rocking chair. She manages to scuffle free and wobble over to the photos. Edith raises her cane and whacks each photo hard, sending shards of glass flying across the floor.
Edith smiles while placing her cane on the table and slaps her hands together. She grabs her cane, limps back to her chair and sits down.
Edith pours herself a hefty shot of bourbon, takes a large swig and emits a throaty laugh. She gently unwrap another cigar, crumples the cellophane wrapper, lights and smoke the stogie. Edith displays a broad grin as she stares calmly out the window into the darkness.
edith (V.O.)
When a broad such as I have dated, screwed and married the most handsome actors in Hollywood, then I am unquestionably qualified to divulge to the world that Hollywood Actors are the coldest men in the nation; they’re wealthy, spoiled, and violent. But even more unfortunately,even today, many actorsare imbued with stages of narcissism, sexual impotency, and obscured gender identity! I hate them all! My former lovers ruined my stellar movie career and squashed my dream of ever realizing a blissful marriage. Now, how can I best warn young, upcoming starlets of the reckless and apathetic character of many Hollywood Actors, so they may avoid suffering the same romantic calamities that have acutely wounded me and other actresses? How can I alert them? Can I stop this Hollywood madness? Should I call upon them? Have they ever heard of me? Will they listen to an old witch like me? I wonder.I wonder. I wonder.
EXT. SANDY BEACH – FRONT OF THE MALIBU BUNGALOWS – DAY
On a sweltering summer afternoon, police vehicles with flashing lights are parked on the sandy beach. Curious onlookers stand far back. A long strip of yellow tape blocks off a small area – the crime scene.
Behind the tape, a body lies covered with a white sheet. Several uniformed cops guard the crime scene as two detectives and Chief of Detectives, MIKE SIMMONS, exit their vehicle. Simmons, a stern, slim, balding man of 50; speaks to the cops standing near the body.
chief mike simmons
Good morning men; what you got?
1st uniform cop
Hello Chief. I haven’t seen you around for a while. We have a dead girl.
chief simmons
Okay, thanks. I only surface when major crimes invade the rich community.
All cops chuckle.
1st uniform cop
Well, chief, in this exclusive area, everybody is rich.
Chief Simmons bends down; pulls the sheet back as he and two detectives examine the body. Chief Simmons pulls the sheet back over the body and shakes his head.
chief simmons
Who was the first officer on the scene?
2nd uniform cop
I was, sir.
Chief Simmons looks at the responding older cop and displays a surprised smile.
chief simmons
Oh, CARL SMITH, how are you?
(Turns and addresses other cops)
Fellows, Smitty is the best cop on MalibuIsland, we came through the police academy together. Smitty, what information do you have for me?
Smittty reads from his memo book.
POLICE OFFICER smitty
Chief, I responded to a call regarding a woman down on the beach. I arrived and found the young lady’s body lying as you sees it here. My partner and I guarded the crime scene and questioned several local swimmers.
Chief Simmons acknowledges all of the uniformed cops with a nod.
chief simmons
Good work, men, any witnesses?
Smitty points to a group of young onlookers.
POLICE OFFICER smitty
Yes, sir, one. Over there, the young, Albino in the red shirt and blue shorts standing among the beachgoers.
Chief Simmons and two detectives walk over to the young albino standing near a group of young beachgoers. Chief Simmons greetsthe young, brash kid.
chief simmons
Hello, son. I’m Chief of Detectives Mike Simmons; let’s take a walk.
Chief Simmons and the other detectives escort the young, hyper kid a short distant from the group and they stop to talk.
CHIEF SIMMONS
Young man, what’s your name?
YOUNG MAN
(Smiling, cheerful)
Oh, it’s Sam, Sam Turner, sir.
chief simmons
Okay, Mr. Turner, do you mind if I call you Sam?
sam
Sir, be my guest.
Chief Simmons pats Sam on his shoulder. Sam offers a broad grin as he looks up at the chief and the two detectives.
chief simmons
Okay, fine, I like the name Sam; it has a certain ring to it, as in Sam Spade, the renowned detective.
Chief Simmons winks at the detectives and they all laugh.
sam
(Not smiling)
Chief, I never heard of this Sam Spade.
chief simmons
Of course you haven’t. You’re too young. Okay, Sam, let’s get down to business. Sam, what did you see at the time of the incident on the beach?
sam
Well, I guess it was around noon when I finished swimming. As I walked along the beach, I heard a woman screaming. She was yelling for help.
Sam pauses and wipes his brow with a handkerchief.
1st detective
(Impatiently)
Yeah, Sam, go on.
sam
I turned around and I saw this young man punching a lady. She fell to the ground and suddenly she stopped screaming.
2nd detective
What happened next?
sam
The guy ran to a red sports car and sped off toward MalibuCity. I was frightened, so I ran and hid myself behind a grove of trees.
chief simmons
Sam, so far you’ve been great. And now, the plot thickens. Now, can you identify that tall guy and the car?
Sam lights a cigarette, takes a quick puff, gazes up at Chief Simmons and brandishes a confident smile.
sam
Chief, I can do better than that; I know the man who attacked that young woman.
The anxious detectives smile broadly as the chief eases closer to Sam and places his hand on Sam’s shoulder.
chief simmons
What? That’s great! Who is the guy?
sam
It’s the guy who starred in that recently released army-combat movie. Tim Peters.
The detectives’ gratifying eyes meet the chief’s.
chief simmons
Sam, give one of the detectives your address and phone number; we’ll be in touch.
The detectives wander back to the crime scene where they find medical examiner ED POST, 60, gray-haired, glasses, baggy suit, examining the body.
chief simmons
Hello, Ed. What’s your preliminary finding? As you can see there’s not much blood on the sand.
Medical Examiner replies to the chief.
medical examiner
Chief, this beautiful, young woman died of acute internal injuries, knife punctures. Those punctures triggered massive internal hemorrhaging. I’m certain she drowned in her own blood.
Chief Simmons scratches his head; he looks puzzled.
chief simmons
But Ed, our young witness claimed he saw a young man punching the woman.
Medical Examiner nods his head in agreement. He walks silently about the crime scene, examines the sand near the body and finally replies to the chief.
medical examiner
Yes, Chief, I understand. But from a certain angle, it might appear a person is being punched when in reality, the person is being stabbed. We experience this all the time. By the way, chief, I found this photo I.D. in the pocket of the deceased.
Medical Examiner gives I.D. to the chief. He looks it over and gives it to one of his detective colleagues.
chief simmons
Ed, I know her; she’s the young actress, RITA SNOW.
(To detectives)
Yeah, fellows, I heard she was dating actor Tim Peters.
(To Ed)
Okay Ed, we got enough data; we’ll see you later.
(To his colleagues)
Boys, let’s pay Mr. Peters a visit.
Chief Simmons leads his detectives to their car. The officers get in; the car drives away.
INT.LOS ANGELES – LAT TV NEWS STUDIO – NIGHT
LAT TV News Correspondent JANE ROSS, 35, sits at her news desk before TV cameras presenting Hollywood Love Woes.
jane ross
Good evening. I’m LAT TV news reporter Jane Ross with your local news. Earlier today on picturesque MalibuBeach, police reported beautiful, blond actress, Rita Snow, 25, was found slain. Police detectives are seeking Rita’s boyfriend, famed actor, Tim Peters for questioning.
EXT. LOS ANGELES – TREE-LINED STREET - LARGE SWANKY HOUSE – NIGHT
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
We see overturned chairs and tables. A pile of grimy pots and pans sit cluttered upon the washing machines. A watery substance spattersthe floor.
We hear loud angry shouts coming from another room.
amy (o.s.)
Chip, why are you so cruel?
CHIP (O.S.)
It’s because I am sick of you, bitch!
amy (o.s.)
Then, why don’t you leave!
Amy runs into the kitchens closely followed by Chip.
Actor CHIP WATTS, 35, catches Amy about her arm, spins her around and slaps her down to the floor. Actress AMY WATTS, 30 lies on the floor bleeding profusely. She tries to get up and slips down on the slippery floor.
amy
Go on, Chip! Get the hell out of here, big man! Go and stay with that young tawdry actress with whom you’ve spent most of your nights, lately!
Amy finally rises slowly from the slippery floor, limps over to the sink, wets a towel and presses it upon her bleeding nose.
chip
(Angry)
Yeah! You fat whale, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Look at you, Amy! You’ve abused your body! I want a young svelte woman! Who needs an embarrassing, obese wife?
Chip snatches his cap from atop the fridge and rushes toward the door. Amy glares at him.
amy
(Yelling)
Yeah, big lover, I’ll see you in court!
Chip stomps out and slams the door.
NEXT DAY
INT. LOS ANGELES – LAT TV NEWS STUDIO – DAY
TV News Correspondent BEN ROGERS, 40, sits at his news desk before TV cameras presenting Hollywood Love Woes.
ben rogers
Good morning. I’m LAT news correspondent Ben Rogers with Hollywood Love Woes. Last night,Hollywood was shocked to learn Malibu detectives arrested and charged Hollywood heartthrob actor, Tim Peters, with the brutal stabbing and murder of his actress girlfriend, Rita Snow. We’ve learned from reliable sources that their stormy relationship has been violent for quite sometime. Stay tuned to LAT for further details. This is Ben Rogers reporting.
EXT.HOLLYWOOD AND VINE – CORNER NEWSSTAND – MORNING
A group of stunned pedestrians loiter in front of a newsstand gazing at various newspaper headlines: ACTRESS SLAIN BY ACTOR; BEAST SLAYS BEAUTY; HOLLYWOOD MOURNS RITA;A GRUESOME MURDER IN TINSELTOWN.
INT. LOS ANGELES – HOTEL DITMAR – NIGHT
In a 5th floor hotel suite, pregnant actress, FLORA MAYS, 28, is home alone. She curiously searches her actor husband, KEITH’S, 32, suitcase.
She stumbles across a hypodermic needle wrapped in aluminum foil. Perspiration breaks out across her forehead. Flora becomes more curious and pokes around some more. This time she discovers a glassine envelope containing a white powder. While holding both the hypodermic needle and the powder in her hands, Flora flops down hard into a chair and begins to sob.
Flora hears the door opening; she looks up and sees Keith entering. Seeing Flora sobbing, a frantic Keith dashes over to Flora and kneels down next to her.Flora cringes.
KEITH
(Excited)
Honey, what’s wrong?
Flora gazes up at Keith with an evil scowl.
flora
(Annoyed)
Keith, are you asking me what’s wrong?
Flora rises up from the chair, opens both hands and displays the hypodermic needle and the aluminum foil of white powder.
Keith takes one quick peep, rises up nervously and buries his face into his hands; he walks away from Flora and avoiding her piercing stare.
keith
(Pleading)
Honey, don’t get excited. I can explain.
Flora rushes over to Keith and jerks his hands away from his face. She takes the syringe and the aluminum foil of white powder and tosses it upon the floor, nears Keith’s feet.
FLORA
(Trembling, screaming)
Listen Keith, before you attempt to suck me in, let me say this to you! Please do not attempt to insult my intelligent! I’ve baked enough bread to know baking flour and baking soda isn’t packaged in aluminum foil! In addition, I’ve been poked by enough physicians to recognize a hypodermic needle when I see one! Finally, Keith, your annual medical checkup revealed that you’re not diabetic. So, come on, Keith, let’s not give me the bullshit!What’s going on?
Keith flops down to the floorshaking his head from side to side. He finally casts his eyes up at Flora and offers an explanation.
keith
Okay, Flora, I’ll admit I have a slight problem. I’ve been shooting-up heroin for a year. But its okay, I can handle it; I got a grip on it. It’s just that as an actor, at the studio, things have gotten so wacky. I just needed a little vigor to catapult me through my laborious hours. Darling, you’re an actress, so you know how demanding our profession can be.
Floral sits down on the floor next to Keith and stares into his eyes.
floral
(Wipes her moist eyes)
Yeah, junkies, while you’re shooting-up are you sharing your needles with other misfits?
keith
Flora, you called me a damn junkie; I’m no damn junkie! I sometimes need a little thrust to get through the day. Hell, I’m not like those inner city darkies in Harlem and Watts. I’m different because I’m under control. Yeah, I control the drugs; the drugs don’t control me.
Flora gets up and points her finger at Keith.
flora
Well, Keith, I think you should check yourself into rehab. Because like all users, you’re in denial and I know that’s the indelible trademark of a hardened junkie. Meanwhile, I’m going to retire for the night, but tomorrow morning, I’ll see my doctor for a medical checkup; I’m afraid of all STD’S, especially “AIDS”.
Flora exits to the next room; Keith gets up and lies down on the sofa.
INT.MALIBU SUPERIOR COURT – DAY
In Superior Court part 1A,Judge JOHN MARSHALL,60, bald,glasses,presides. The court is packed with spectators. District Attorney PAUL WEST stands on the right. On the left, handsome actor, defendant TIM PETERS, 25, stands confidently next to his attorney, SAUL SOLOMON, 40, at his arraignment in the murder of actress Rita Snow.
JUDGE MASHALL
Good morning, D.A. West and Attorney Solomon. I will now entertain the arraignment of defendant; a Mr. Tim Peters charged with murder – first degree. Mr. Peters, how do you plea?
defendant tim peters
(Confident smile)
Your honor, I enter a plea of positively not guilty.
d.a. paul west
(Sternly)
Your Honor, the defendant is charged with murdering his actress girlfriend, Rita Snow. We have an airtight case, your Honor, in that we have a strong witness, irrefutable evidence and the defendant has made a confession. Finally, we ask that no bail be set for this defendant.