Bringing Out the Dead Page #17

Frank pulling the tube out, trying again.

Somewhere:
CY Coates laughs.

LARRY (CONT'D)

You're in the stomach! Let me try.

FRANK:

One more time!

Rose going blue, pulse rate dropping, EKG Slowing: Jim

Morrison singing.

LARRY:

Stomach again.

FRANK:

No way!

Larry ripping the tube from Frank's hands, taking over,

pushing Frank aside, trying CPR, intubating Rose, air moving

into her lungs--it doesn't matter. Rose is gone.

Frank hears a SCREAM: it's his own voice.

CUT TO:

INT. THE OASIS--DAY

Frank standing screaming in the living room. CY walking over,

Kanita standing, the sleeping man awaking.

COATES:

Frank, take it easy. what happened?

KANITA:

He flipped out.

Frank bends over in pain.

COATES:

Be cool, man. You're having a

paradoxical reaction. It can happen.

(to Kanita)

Didn't I tell you this guy was

stressed out?

KANITA:

Stressed? He's psycho.

Frank heads to where Mary sleeps.

COATES:

Frank, where you going?

In the BACK BEDROOM, Frank picks up Mary, hoists her over

his shoulder fireman-style and heads out.

COATES (CONT'D)

You're making a mistake. Sit down

and relax a minute.

Frank opens the front door--no one stops him--exits.

COATES (CONT'D)

(calling)

She'll be back. And, by the way, you

owe me ten bucks.

CUT TO:

INT. STUYVESANT LOBBY--DAY

The elevator doors open. Frank sets Mary on her feet.

MARY:

I can walk.

She says weaving out of the front doors.

CUT TO:

EXT. STUYVESANT TOWN--DAY

Mary walks a Few steps into the plaza, stumbles; Frank catches

her.

MARY:

Let go of me.

(he relaxes)

You shouldn't have come up. I told

you not to. You could have gotten us

both killed.

Mary heads up the avenue: past baby strollers, postal workers,

deliverymen.

MARY (CONT'D)

You and CY have a nice talk? He tell

you about Sunrise Enterprises, helping

people? Well, I've seen him hurt

people. Why are you following me?

FRANK:

Because you can barely walk.

Frank walking slightly beside and behind, lights a cigarette.

MARY:

You remember Noel, from the other

night, how Noel is now? He wasn't

always like that. He was my brother's

best friend. Cy or Tiger or one of

those other goons put a bullet in

Noel's head. He was in a coma three

months. Crazy ever since.

They stop at a three-story brick apartment building.

MARY (CONT'D)

This is my place.

She unlocks the door. He follows her in.

CUT TO:

INT. MARY'S APT. BUILDING--DAY

Mary grabs the railing, heads up the stairs.

MARY:

What is it? You want to help me, you

feel sorry for me? Keep it to

yourself.

FRANK:

I need to sit down a minute.

MARY:

Or maybe you wanna f*** me? Everyone

else has.

Mary opens the door to her first floor apartment; Frank

follows. The room is clean and feminine. Unframed water colors

stacked against the wall atop a desk. A black lab greets

Mary, she pets him. Frank slumps on the sofa.

MARY (CONT'D)

I've been clean two years now. I got

a job. I paint when I'm home. Don't

bother anybody. Then all this sh*t

happens.

Frank keels over onto his side, his head hitting a cushion,

eyes closed, dog licking his cheek.

MARY (CONT'D)

Oh no you don't. You can't stay here.

He's asleep, the sound of her crying fading in his head.

FADE OUT:

INT. MARY'S APT.--NIGHT

FADE IN:
a passing siren wakes Frank. He thinks back, looking

around the darkened room, realizes where he is. The dog comes

over, licks his hand.

FRANK:

Hello, I'm Frank. Mary's friend. A

very close friend who loves animals.

He removes the blanket Mary has laid over him, stands:

FRANK (CONT'D)

Hello?

Frank walks cautiously through the dark, finds a bathroom

lit by a glowing Mickey Mouse switch. He flips on the switch:

a string of green and red Christmas lights glow. Three types

of soap sit on the sink. He turns on the faucet:

FRANK (V.O.) (CONT'D)

I washed my face with three kinds of

soap, each smelling like a different

season. It felt good to be in a

woman's room again, especially a

woman who wasn't comatose or severely

disabled. I felt that perhaps I had

turned a corner, like I saved someone,

though I didn't know who.

CUT TO:

INT. EMS GARAGE OFFICE--NIGHT

Frank standing at Captain Barney's desk.

CAPT. BARNEY

You're late, Pierce. I know, but I

can't fire you. I've got nobody to

work sixteen XRay with Walls.

FRANK:

No ...

CAPT. BARNEY

I got some forms here to fill out

about that accident when you get the

time.

(hands him keys)

I'll fire you tomorrow. I promise.

FRANK:

What if there is no tomorrow?

CAPT. BARNEY

Go on, get outta here, Pierce, before

I give you a big hug.

(to Miss Williams)

I love this guy.

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