Death of a Rose: Scene ix

Scene ix

Cut to James in the hospital, sitting outside of her hospital door.

A doctor comes out with a clipboard and the book.

James: How is she?

Doctor: Well Mr. Carter. Things are grim. We got the bullet out of her.

James: It was stuck inside of her?

Doctor: Well, this book kept it in her. She was shot through this book, so the bullet didn’t go through…..everything. But it’s very bad. With a normal wound, it would have killed her in a matter of minutes, but this book. It bought us time. (Hands James the book. It’s a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird.) There is damage to her liver and one lung. The bullet stopped there. We are doing all that we can. But she doesn’t have much time.

James: (looks up worried) Can I talk with her?

Doctor: I can only let family in.

James: But……….

The Doctor: I’m sorry.

James: She hasn’t got much time, right?

Doctor: I’m afraid not.

James: Please sir. I need to get in there. I love her.

Doctor: (looking into James eyes) Alright go in.

(James walks into the room to see Claire, lying down. Eyes open, struggling to breath.)

James: (now choked up) Claire…….

Claire: Hi...(struggling)....James.

James: (kneeling by her bedside and crying now) Oh Claire, i’m so sorry, none of this should have happened.

Claire: James…..don’t.

James: (takes her hand) I love you Claire, so much.

Claire: I love you to.

James: You are the best thing that has happened to me. And, I just wish none of this happened.

Claire: James…...stop. Just…...live here, right now (coughs). Don’t apologize.

James: (crying still, and giving a slight chuckle) Okay, I will. I will be here with you. I promise.

Claire: I know you will (Smiles, then inhales sharply but then levels out again.) James….whatever happens…

James: Claire…….

Claire: Whatever happens, you will make it through.

James: Oh Claire (cries more).

Claire: Come closer. To me.

(James moves closer, and closer and they kiss, one last long kiss).

Claire: Thank you James. I love you.

James: I love you too.

(Claire, for a moment livens up, her eyes brighten and she smiles, getting one last look at James. As she is content, she closes her eyes, still smiling and dies.)

James: No,Claire? Claire? Oh no………..no……… no…….

fade out

fade in.

James is sitting the the hospital, outside of her room. Alfred comes in.

Alfred: James, is everything alright? (James looks up at Alfred, unable to speak at all, just looking at him, tears in his eyes). Oh…. (he sits next to James, and puts his arm around him) I’m sorry…….

James: I just…..(unable to speak, gives up).

Alfred: It’s alright, just be still.

(They sit there, quietly as James weeps. A couple of minutes go by, and the chief of police walks in.)

Chief: Good news……..we got them.

(James looks up, and is more afraid than before. More sad, then just goes back to weeping.)

Alfred: Um…..could you just give us a moment?

Chief: Yes of course.

Fade out on Alfred sitting with James.

Fade in

Courtroom, the Frank is standing is standing up.

James is sitting in on the hearing.

Judge: …...This is merely a sentencing hearing. Franklin van Wright will serve 10 years in prison for possessing stolen goods, and assisting in the murder of Claire Borden. John Caine will be deported back to his home country and will be tried there for numerous crimes including spontaneous manslaughter of Claire Borden. (The judge slams his gavel and the hearing is over. James stands up, and walks out of the room silently).

fade out.

fade in

Alfred is selling the museum to another curator.

Alfred: To be perfectly clear, the objects of this museum are to stay with the exception of the Temeraire which has been sent back to England. You understand this. Mr. Carter wants it this way. Do I have your word that you will do everything you can to keep this museum running?

Curator: I will.

Alfred: Then it’s all yours. (Holding out the keys, yet finding it hard to let go. He drops the keys into the palm of the curators hand). Goodbye.

fade out.

fade in

James, sitting outside the museum, holding the book, on the same bench that him and Claire sat on 6 months earlier. Solitary and quiet.

Alfred comes and sits by him.

Alfred: Alright, the deed is done.

James: (quietly, almost a whisper) Thank you….

They sit there quietly, staring at the passing cars.

James: Have you ever read this book? (waving To Kill A MockingBird, with the bullet hole in it)

Alfred: Yeah, i have.

James: I was forced to read it in school. And I never understood it. Like I never understood a lot of things. But I finally get one line of it now……

Alfred: What was that?

James: “Mockingbirds won’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy….but sing their hearts out for us. That is why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Alfred: . . .

James: She never did anything wrong Alfred…..(crying now).....not a single thing. And that man. John Caine…….he just killed her. With no remorse.

Alfred: I’m sorry James…...I’m so sorry. I should not have pushed you to…

James: No! Don’t tell me that, i could not imagine what it would have been like if I never went on a date with her.

Alfred: (Tries to console James a little more, but fails). It’s alright, (pauses) I think we should head over to your moms. Would you be alright with at?

James: (nodding) yeah, okay…..

fade out as they stand up

fade in

James is on the outside porch of their mothers house. Gale walks out to him.

Gale: Hey, how’s it going?

(James does not answer)

Gale: I see. James, i’m so sorry all of this had to happen.

James: It’s my fault…

Gale: No…….

James: It’s my fault, i should not have stolen the painting……

Gale: James, you didn’t steal anything.

James: Yes I did…..yes I did….

Gale: (hugging him) I know we’ve been through thick and thin, and i thought i could level with you on the pain from before. But i can’t tell you I know how you feel James. But I will tell you one thing. The only person to blame is that man. That man who stole that painting.

James: He was hired by Penny to get me back. To steal The Death of a Rose. That’s who hired him. Chief found out yesterday. He was hired because I took The Temeraire from Penny. I guess. Penny just didn’t anticipate the criminal he hired would steal what he wanted. Now Penny is gone too, for consulting. That’s besides the point Gale.

Gale: The point is that that man, him and only him chose to shoot.

James: Because I jumped at him Gale.

Gale: James, enough. I won’t have you blame yourself. It’s not your fault.

James: I…..I just don’t know anymore.

(James just cries more as Gale cradles him).

fade out.

fade in

James is walking at sunset, along a bridge above the Hudson river. He walks to the edge. Standing and peering over the edge. He contemplates. A homeless woman walks to the edge next to him.

Woman: It’s a good sunset isn’t it.

James: Yeah, I guess.

Woman: You didn’t see it.

James: No…..

Woman: Well, quit looking down at the water and look up and behind you.

James: (looks up, to see the sunset)

Woman: Now isn’t that beautiful. I live for these things man.

James: (Contemplating the sunset more) Yeah…..

Woman: (looking at James) Now, I don’t know what you have gone through at all, i just saw you looking over that edge. I’ve seen that look, i’ve had that look. And honey…..it’s not a good look.

James: Why did you come over here?

Woman: ‘cause everyone I see doesn’t ever look up at the sunset, if they just look up and look to the west. They can see, that life is worth living.

James: (Stepping away from the edge) Thank you then….

Woman: Plus, I don’t know why you thought of this, but i’m sure whatever it is, whoever it was, would not want you to do this.

James: (struck by a chord, a tear falls down his face) You’re right. (smiles, thinking of Claire).

Woman: That’s what the sunsets do to people. I’ve been over at my spot for nearly two years, and when I’m down I have that sunset to look forward to. And a nice bench to view it from. Now, come on over to my bench over here, and watch the sunset with me.

(They sit on the bench, they look down the bridge, to the west and watch the sun set.)

(After a minute, James stands and shakes her hand. He smiles gets up and walks away leaving a 100 dollar bill on the bench, this time on purpose).

James: (Yelling back), Thank you!

Woman: Where are you going now?

James: To visit the girl who I care about most!

(The woman smiled, for she had saved a life :) )

fade out