Death of A Rose: Scene vii

Scene vii

6 months later

Fade in

Alfred and James in James’ apartment. They were just on the phone with Mr. Day.

James: Sir Penny, for the last time, I will not give you the Temeraire. You might as well stop calling as I will not answer any more! I do not know how you got my personal number. The answer is No, period! (<--- haha, except it’s an exclamation mark.)

Alfred: Did he take that well?

James: (annoyed) I don’t know, i hung up before I could find out.

Alfred: Lets hope they don’t call anymore.

James: And lets hope they don’t steal anything else?

Alfred: Well…...

James: (Rubbing his forehead) Alfred, what have I done? Should have just given them back the Temeraire?

Alfred: Perhaps, but there is nothing you can do about it now.

James: Why not?

Alfred: What would giving it back do? Will the The Death of A Rose miraculously make it’s way back if you do. How do we know the british even stole it? We have no cause.

James: I know. It’s just bugging me that we don’t know who took the painting, and where could it even be?

Alfred: James, I don’t think we will find it. The trail has been dead for a long while.

James: There has got to be something. Something we missed.

Alfred: We had that Museum sweeped from the front to back, we didn’t miss anything. They were really good. I don’t know how, they seemed like ametuer punks, but they did it.

James: I can’t live with that.

Alfred: You can look all you want, but I think you could put your time to better use.

James: Of all the museums in New York, why mine? Why not the Museum of Modern art, they have all sorts of funky looking art.

Alfred: They also have a better security system than us. And it’s hard to hide anything that they have over there.

James: I know.

Alfred: Well, if you need me I’ll be at the Museum, attending to business.

James: If Sir Penny calls tell him……

Alfred: No. (smiling, nodding and leaving)

James: yeah…..that was what I was going to say.

Cut to James walking through the museum and observing the old placement of The Death of A Rose.

James: What could we have missed?

(In comes Claire. He notices, walks over to her and casually kisses her. They have obviously started dating.)

Claire: Still waiting.

James: Yeah. I just wish i could get it back. I have had nothing stolen ever, and I don’t know who did it, (getting increasingly angrier) or where they took it, or why they wanted it!

Claire: (grabs his hand) Relax, they may find it.

James: How could they find it? It’s been six months.

Claire: You remember the Monuments Men right? And how the Nazi’s stole all sorts of art?

James: Yeah?

Claire: Well they are still finding all that art today, and it’s been nearly 60 years.

James: (exhaling) I guess you’re right. There isn’t much I can do but hope. It might turn up.

Claire: There you go, just focus on other things.

James: Alright, I can do that.

Claire: Alright good. I stopped by to give Alfred that book he wanted.

James: Good thing you have almost every book.

Claire: (smiling) Only the good ones. (walks into Alfred office.)

(James Walks over to the door, unlocks it. The Museum is now open. He then walks back to the empty space on the wall. Wondering. As he stands we see the people behind him shuffle in, until a man wearing a grey hooded jacket walks and stands next to him.)

Hooded Man: (British Accent) Hm, what happened to the painting here? With the guy and the rose?

James: (in thought, slightly distracted by it) It um…...was stolen. (Turning to the hooded man)

Hooded Man: (Smiling now, turns and looks at James. It’s the British tourist that was a fanatic) That’s a shame…….

James: (James in astonishment, is dumbstruck.) What?

Hooded Man: When you love a painting so much, then suddenly, someone steals it from you. (Smiling)

James: Wait…..you’re that man.

Hooded Man: Me? I’m just an admirer of art. (Start to walk away)

James: Wait! (The British Fanatic does not stop walking), Hey! I have a few questions for you! Hold it there! (The hooded man walks out) Hey, stop that man. (The security guards run after the man, the man runs out the door.) Alfred, call the police! (James runs after the man as well).

(James gets out and sees the man running to the left, the guards running as well. James goes after them. The British man dodges to the left and around the building. He runs across the street, dodging cars. James catches him jumping into a black van and driving off towards the museum yet taking a left as to avoid the guards and the museum. The guards charge across the street through a gap in traffic, going after the van. James however, catches a the license plate of the van: INM-009. James remembering that runs into the museum and into the office where Alfred is on the phone with the police. And Claire is standing next to him)

James: I have the license plates. INM-009, New York plates.  It was the british guy, he ran into a black van, probably the one from the other night.

Alfred: Here take the phone and tell them that.

James: (Take the phone) Yes, hello, this is James Carter, we had a painting stolen, and we suspect we found the culprits. They just drove down 59th. I have their license plate. It’s INM-009.

(Listens) Ok. Thank you. (hangs up)

Claire: What did they say?

James: They said they are sending someone over for more questions, but they are going to look up the plates and get the location.

Alfred: Are they going after them?

James: Well our guards are.

Alfred: Well. Maybe they will actually do something.

James: I know. But I think we got them!

fade out

fade in

It is later in the day. A policeman is in the museum and just finished questioning them, then goes to talk on his phone to get updates. The guards came back empty handed

Claire: See, it turned up.

James: I hope it did.

Alfred: James, if we get this painting back, I think we should give the Temeraire back, just to end this conflict.

James: Agreed.

Policeman: (Walking back) Hey, it seems we have found the place. But you might want to come with us.

James: To the place?

Policeman: Yes.

James: Alright, lets go. (James, Claire, and Alfred walk out to go to the place)

fade out

fade in

They pull up to a warehouse. It used to be a car repair shop. They walk inside and see the black van, with the license plates.

Policeman: This is the van?

James: Yes.

Policeman: We searched the whole place, and there was no sign of your painting or the culprits.

James: (disappointed, and angry) Really?!

Policeman: We are sorry, we will try and dust for prints, and we’ll get the guys name, but for now, his is still out there.

James: Well, is there anything else i’m needed for?!

Policeman: We have all the information for you. We are really sorry, we will find him for you. (Walks to another policeman on the scene)

Alfred: Hey, it’s fine, at least this is a lead.

James: I was duped Alfred. That guy wanted me to follow him, this is just some ploy. We won’t find anything.

Claire: We might?

James: He just threw us off his trail. Who knows where he is?

Alfred: Calm down. We’ll work it out.

James: Fine. Okay, we’ll see how things turn out. I need to get back to the museum. (walks out the door)

Alfred: (to Claire) You should go with him. I’ll catch up later, I need to sort out the logistics of this.

Claire: Okay, (hurrying after James).

fade out.

Death of A Rose: Scene vi

Sorry it took two day to get out, it's a little longer and it just took longer to write and refine. Hope you like! (P.S, sorry for the weird Highlighted portions, I don't know how to make them go away).

Scene vi

fade in

James waiting at the Bluebird coffeehouse, Claire has not shown up yet. He checks his watch, she is late. He takes a sip from his cup and looks out the window. He checks his watch. He wonders if he should call her. Instead he calls Alfred, worried.

James: (Alfred picks up the phone). Hi Alfred…..

Alfred; James, what do you need, is everything alright?

James: Well……..

Alfred: What?

James: She isn't here yet, what do I do?

Alfred; What?!

James: I know, i’m concerned.

Alfred; No, why are you calling me?

James: I just thought….

Alfred: What can I do?

James: I’m sorry, i’ve never done this before.

Alfred: She will probably show up, quit worrying.

James: Geez, cool it. Why are you so angry?

Alfred: I’m sorry, you caught me at a bad time. I’m being heckled by our friends across the ocean.

James: I’ll sort that out after this date.

Alfred: Just have fun. I got to go. Bye, (hangs up).

James: Bye…….

(Finally he sees Claire rush into the coffee shop, book in hand. James waves. She waves back and smiles)

Claire: I am so sorry, everything has gone wrong as I was getting ready.

James: It’s fine, I’m sorry it was so frantic getting here.

Claire: Yeah, Becky, my roommate was gone and I lost my key to the apartment. I went to go do my laundry and I was locked out. My bag was in the apartment, and Becky was not answering her phone. Luckily I had my clothes and my book with me, so I just ran into the bathroom down the stairs, changed and ran down the street to get here. That’s why i’m so frazzled.

James: Oh, you’re fine. What did you do with the laundry?

Claire: (her face goes pale) I left it in the Bathroom!

James: (chuckles) Do you want to go get it?

Claire: Would you come? I mean, that’s so stupid of me to do that, but I don’t think I can leave my stuff there.

James: Oh yeah, sure.

Claire: You’re fine?

James: It’s fine, I ate. (Gesturing to his finished drink and pastry)

Claire: Sorry again.

James: It’s fine. Lets go. (He grabs his coat and walks her out the door).

fade out

fade in.

They arrive at the apartment complex in which Claire walks into the bathroom at the pool. She comes out horrified.

Claire: It’s not there!

James: Well, that’s not good.

Claire: What do we do?

James: I um……..i’m not sure. Ask around?

Claire: Maybe they returned it to my room, or tried.

James: We could check there.

Claire; Yes, good idea.

(They go to her apartment upstairs in which they find the door unlocked. They walk into the apartment to find Becky, hair wet.)

Becky: Missing something? (pointing to a clothes basket on the couch)

Claire: But…..

Becky: I was out swimming. I get into the changing room and what do I see near the bathroom stalls? A cute purple jacket, along with some other clothes. ‘Now that looks like Claire’s’ i thought. So I investigated. I don’t know how they got there, but I was done swimming so I took them up.

Claire: Oh thank goodness.

Becky: Now how did they get there?

Claire: Well I did my laundry and I lost my key and you were gone and you weren't answering your phone, and I had a date and I panicked.

Becky: (noticing James and waving, James waves back) It’s fine. That’s just a weird coincidence.

Claire: Yes it is.

Becky: Well all is good now. You can go back to your date.

Claire: Ah yes. We were just going to Central park.

James: Yes.

Claire: Lets go then.

fade out

fade in

They are walking to Central park.

Claire: Sorry, i’m not usually like that.

James: Ha, you are fine.

Claire: I guess I just panicked and things fell apart.

James: Hey, it was not that bad.

Claire: Haha, I guess not.

(They walk in silence for a second)

James: Did you still want to get some food? Are you hungry?

Claire: Yes, thanks for asking.

James: Alright, good thing I know the area since the Museum is around the bend. We could go for some Pizza at Ray’s. Or the standard Mcdonalds. Or we could head over to Sarabeth’s. That’s a nice place.

Claire: We could head to Sarabeth’s, I have heard good things about that place.

James: Alright, we will go there.

Fade out

Fade in

Sarabeth’s near the end of their dinner. James is telling his story about how he accidentally called London.

James: …...I called, and the receptionist answered and I said: “The answer is yes”, and the receptionist got excited and I had to tell her I got the wrong number.

Claire: (laughing) That’s funny.

James: Yeah, you think you’re a klutz, you don’t compare to me.

Claire: No, you seem quick on your feet.

James: Well sometimes. If I get stressed or worried sometimes I don’t know what to do.

Claire: That can’t happen very often.

James: More than you know….(smiling)

Claire: That’s too bad that they are giving you a hard time about the Temeraire.

James: I know, Alfred is taking a lot of heat over it.

Claire: I’m sorry for that, i’m sure it will all work out.

James: I hope it does.

(They pause for a second, Claire finishes her meal.)

Claire: Wow, this was some good Risotto.

James: Yeah, I like the food here.

Claire: Do you come here often?

James: Well, growing up in the city Mom and Dad would take us here in the summer. Usually after their anniversary.

Claire: Why that?

James: Well, they said their anniversary was the celebration of when they were married, but they said that they wanted to celebrate having us, it was Dad’s idea.

Claire: Well you have birthdays don’t you?

James: Well yeah, I guess it was just Dad being Dad. Gale is a lot like him.

Claire: I take it you take from your Mother?

James: I guess you could say so. I always kind of connected with her a little more.

Claire: What do you mean?

James: Well, she always sees things they way I do, and no one else does but her.

Claire: I see.

James: But Dad was a whole other story. (He looks down at the table envisioning his father. Pausing between sentences as he thinks of him, as if discovering his father himself). He was so calm and collected, very strict in his moral codes, yet I didn't know he was having us live by them until I look back now, it always just seemed like it was the right thing to do. He would come home from work, and he was so cheerful in a subtle kind of way. He kind of just emanated happiness (smiling). I never saw him down on the world, he never swore, despite the fact that he was raised by crazy New York parents. I’m not saying he was gentle though, if we stepped out of line, he would let us know, we did not test him. And then one rainy day he got on a plane, CA 1450, on his way to California, and…….(pauses)......it was struck by lightning and it crashed, and then went Dad. (Pauses as a solitary tear falls down James’ face).

Sorry, (Wiping it off) I didn’t realize I would be telling this story, usually I prep myself and it’s not that emotional for me.

Claire: It’s fine, you’re totally fine. No one should have to go through that.

James: It’s okay now. I think i’ve been through the worst.

Claire: I’m sorry, I should have been more sensitive…..

James: No, you’re fine. I kind of forgot about him, but I rediscovered him just then. I guess I just got so caught up in life that I almost forgot about that. Thank you.

Claire: I’m glad I could help.

(Pauses again)

James: So you wanted to walk through the park?

Claire: Well, I thought it might be a good idea.

James: Sure, why not. Lets go to the park. (Smiles).

fade out as they walk out of Sarabeth’s

Fade in

It is dusk and they are walking through Central Park, talking and laughing.

James: …..Anyways, I’m not sure which paintings to switch out for The Great Wave.

Claire: Hmm, that’s a tough one.

James: I have about two walls that it would actually fit on.

Claire: What are on those walls?

James: Well, models of Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series. They are blown up to size, I guess I could take those down.

Claire: You could keep some of them.

James: True, he made a lot of them, and I guess only 4 will do.

Claire: There you go.

James: I think I may do that.

(They keep walking, the come across a street performer dancing in the park.)

Claire: Woah, hold on. I love watching these guys.

James: I have never seen them before.

Claire: Really? You need to get out of the house.

James: (Chuckles) Yes I do.

(They stand there, listening to the music and watching the man dance. It’s insanely cool! James laughs out loud as he sees this performer dancing. Claire smiles and looks up at him and casually grabs his hand. James tenses, as he did before, but then looks at Claire and smiles again. The street performer finishes his routine and walks along the line of viewers with a hat, they casually drop tips into his hat.)

James: Hold on, I got some. (James, pulling out a 100 dollar bill, thinking it is a 10 dollar bill, drops it into the mans hat).

Claire: (Surprised) Um…...that was a lot of money.

James: It was just 10 dollars.

Claire: Um….no that was a 100 dollar bill.

James: (Panics) Oh, excu…….(Claire nudges him)

Claire: It’s too late now.

James: (calms) I Suppose.

(The walk on. Suddenly James phone rings, it’s Alfred. James looks at his phone and ignores it).

Claire: Who was that?

James: Oh, just Alfred.

Claire: You can take it if you want.

James: It’s alright. (Phone starts ringing again)

Claire: Just take it.

James: Alright, (answers the phone)

Alfred: James.

James: Alfred, what on earth do you need!

Alfred: Well um….you might want to meander over to the museum.

James: Why?

Alfred: Are you near?

James: Well, yeah, we are just in the park.

Alfred: Just get over here.

James: Ok, fine. (Hangs up, to Claire) Do you mind if we run over to the museum?

Claire: Not at all.

Fade out as they walk out of the park.

Fade in as they arrive at the museum. We see that the Museum has been heavily vandalized.

Police cars are positioned around the building. On the building we see “THIEF!” in red paint on the wall. The lights around the building have been busted, and the front windows of the museum are broken.

James: What on earth? (He walks to Alfred who is being questioned, as well as some of the night guards in the museum). What Happened?!

Alfred: Well, we were vandalized.

James: Did they break in?

Alfred: Well, they broke the window, but didn’t try to enter.

James: Why?

Alfred: We don’t know, we don’t know anything. The outside camera picked up multiple hooded figures.

James: A gang?

Alfred: But who?

James: I think I know who.

Claire: Was it the British?

Alfred: That was my suspicion as well.

James: They can’t be acting under orders though. This has to be an art fanatic.

Alfred: I don’t know. I was just sitting in the office at the Museum, it was just me and the night guards. Then there was a crash. So I ran out to see what happened. The main hall was pretty dark. I called out to the night guards, they were just as confused as me. We made it to the front where the windows were broken, and we saw a man who broke it. He then ran off, the guards pursued, but they were gone down the street and into a black van. Nothing was………...

Night Guard: (Running out of the Museum) Sir, they got something.

Alfred and James: What‽ (←notice the interrobang)

Night Guard: Yes, one is missing.

Alfred: Which one?

Night Guard: Death of a Rose.

James: Really?

Night Guard: It was there, just a minute ago, then it was gone.

James: How‽

Night Guard: I don’t know. Maybe in the confusion, they got it.

James: Well, go check that nothing else is missing!

Night Guard: Alright sir. (he runs back).

Alfred: Why Death of A Rose? That makes no sense.

Claire: It is the highest ranking painting as of yesterday.

Alfred: But you would think the British would go after the Temeraire.

Claire: We don’t know for sure it’s the British.

James: That is true, but it seems highly likely.

Alfred: I’ll go talk with the Chief of Police and try and get things sorted out. (Alfred walks out).

James: (rubbing his forehead, as he sits on a bench, Claire sits next to him). Sorry about this whole ordeal.

Claire: It’s not your fault.

James: But it perfectly ruined the date.

Claire: No, it didn’t ruin the date, I still had a ton of fun.

James: (half-heartedly chuckling) Well, that is good.

Claire: It’s alright.

James: (exhales) Alright, should we call it a night?

Claire: Yeah, I would think so.

James: I’ll walk  you home. Actually…(Sees Alfred’s Car)….Alfred!

Fade out

Fade In

Outside of Alfred’s Car.

Claire: Thanks again it was fun.

James: Of course, i’m glad we could do this again.

(They embrace, there is an awkward shuffle, as Claire decides to go into the apartment, but, turns around unexpectedly)

Claire: James. (James turns towards her), I actually have tickets to this music festival that Betty is in. Would you want to come with me, maybe?

James: Yeah, I would like to.

(Overjoyed Claire gives him a quick kiss)

Claire: (Calming herself) Thank you James, (Smiling, she backs up into her apartment and closes the door.)

(James is struck, but he happily walks to Alfreds car, we see him smile. Fade out.)