Chappaquiddick Page #5

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TED (V.O.)

“I attempted to open the door andwindow of the car but have no

recollection of how I got out.”

The only thing out of place in this serene summer coastlineis the ghostly visage of headlights creeping below sea level.

Ted BURSTS to the surface. GASPING for air.

His body is immediately ripped away from the car by a rush ofwater. He pushes through it, kicks his legs and pulls forward.

Ted nears the shoreline. He stands up, still waist deep inthe water. Immediately, he grabs his back, in severe agony.

He scans the surroundings, uncertain of his bearings. A look

of dread washes over his face as he sees the headlamps.

TED:

Mary Jo! MARY JO! MARY JO!

Ted dives headfirst back into the water. With every stroke,

he winces in pain but inches closer to the submerged vehicle.

TED (CONT’D)

Mary! Mary Jo! Can you hear me?!

Ted swims to the middle of the pond surrounded by completedarkness. He splashes frantically around the lights belowhim. His hand suddenly finds a grasp. The rear wheel well.

Holding himself in place, Ted feels around for a door handle.

TED (CONT’D)

HELP! HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE!

His fingers strain to hold on. The current pushes Ted withsuch great force he must let go. Undeterred, he dives down.

UNDERWATER:

22.

Ted plunges into the darkness. He moves around the perimeter

of the car, but can't see his own hands in front of his face.

He finds a door handle. Pulls it as hard as he can. Nothingbudges. The strain on his face masks his sheer desperation.

SURFACE:

Ted rushes back above water, coughing and fighting for air.

TED (CONT’D)

Please. Please. God. No.

Ted takes a giant breath and dives down again.

UNDERWATER:

Ted circles the car. He struggles through the darkness to

find a way inside. Out of breath, he returns to the surface.

TED (V.O.)

“I...repeatedly dove down...in an

attempt to see if the passenger wasstill in the car.”

Ted reenters view and continues searching for an entry point.

He bangs on the window, but underwater his fists can't break

the glass. He resurfaces again.

He dives down once more with no clear objective.

TED (V.O.)

“I was unsuccessful in the attempt.”

EXT. POUCHA POND BEACH - NIGHT

Ted trudges up the beachhead. Every step through the waterand deep sand, a struggle. Exhausted, he collapses.

Ted sits up and buries his head in his knees. After a longsilence, he lifts his eyes and peers out to the water. He canbarely process what is happening, let alone what will happen.

CUT TO:

EXT. POUCHA POND BEACH - LATER

Ted still sits on the beach. His breathing now returned to

normal. His hair no longer wet, his body no longer cold.

He just sits there. Staring. For a long beat.

An uncomfortably long beat.

23.

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - DIKE ROAD - NIGHT

A pair of fine leather shoes, soaking wet, SQUISH along agravel road. With each step, water seeps through the tongue.

The entire area surrounding Ted is dark and desolate. Thereis NO AMBER HUE, in contrast with what was seen before.

TED (V.O.)

“I recall walking back to where myfriends were eating.”

EXT. LAWRENCE COTTAGE - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

Ted approaches Lawrence Cottage, resembling the peacefulbeauty of an Edward Hopper painting. Through a window, allthe party guests enjoy a nice steak dinner with large glassesof water in front of their plates.

Ted walks over to an empty, white Plymouth Valiant. Opens oneof the back doors and takes a seat.

IN THE CAR:

Ted looks at his watch. Taps it a few times. It's dead.

He looks up to the dash. An ornate analog in-dash clock reads

12:
20 AM. A shadow passes in front of the dashboard.

Ted turns to see Ray LaRosa standing outside.

TED:

Get me Joe Gargan. We got a problem.

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - SCHOOL ROAD - NIGHT

The Plymouth Valiant races towards the intersection where thepaved road continues along a curve.

TED (V.O.)

“I then asked someone to bring meback to Edgartown.”

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - FERRY LANDING - NIGHT

The quiet city lights of Edgartown shine across the harbor,

blocked by a metal gate with a sign reading: “FERRY CLOSED”.

The Valiant, with open doors, sits parked in front of theblocked ferry entrance. An argument ensues. Gargan shovesMarkham to the side and gets inches from Ted's face.

24.

GARGAN:

There’s no two ways about it! Youhave to report this to the police.

You. Not me.

Ted barely listens. Practically waving Gargan off.

TED:

Alright. I’m tired of listening toyou. I’ll take care of it.

He hops over the gate and walks toward the water.

GARGAN:

So you’re going to report it?

TED:

(without looking back)

I’ll take care of it.

Ted leaps into the water, splashing into the flowing current.

Gargan and Markham exchange shocked looks of confusion. Theystand baffled and motionless as Ted recedes into the dark.

EXT. EDGARTOWN HARBOR CHANNEL - NIGHT

Ted struggles to keep himself moving forward. With each breath,

he heaves in all the air he can. He’s only halfway to shore.

EXT. EDGARTOWN COASTLINE STREET - LATER

Ted strains as he climbs up the shoreline to an empty street.

TED (V.O.)

“I remember walking around for aperiod of time and then going backto my hotel room.”

EXT. SHIRETOWN INN - LATER

Ted trudges up the stairs towards the entrance.

A MONTAGE OF EXTREMELY QUICK CUTS -

-IN THE STAIRWELL, Ted takes out his key.

-IN TED’S ROOM, he peels off his soaking wet clothes.

-IN THE CLOSET, Ted grabs pants, dress shirt and jacket.

-IN THE COURTYARD, a HOTEL CLERK passes by Ted.

TED:

Do you have the time?

25.

HOTEL CLERK:

Oh. Sure. It’s...uh...2:25.

-BACK IN TED’S ROOM, Ted removes his dry clothes.

-IN THE BATHROOM, Ted showers, warm water rolling over him.

-IN TED’S ROOM, he collapses in his bed, the phone right infront of his face. He shuts his eyes.

- MORNING. Sunlight fills the room. Ted turns over. AWAKE.

-OVER BRUNCH, Ted laughs with fellow socialites.

-OUTSIDE AT FERRY LANDING, Ted speaks into a pay phone.

-ON THE FERRY, the wind blows through Ted’s hair.

-AT THE POLICE STATION, Ted pulls open the door.

END MONTAGE.

INT. CHIEF ARENA'S OFFICE - PRESENT

Behind the chief’s desk, Ted pauses. Sets down the paper he’sbeen reading from and looks directly into Chief Arena's eyes.

TED:

“When I fully realized whathappened this morning, Iimmediately contacted the police.”

Chief Arena takes a long beat, his brain racing and yetslowly processing all this information.

CHIEF ARENA:

Well, I’m glad you’re okay, Senator.

26.

EXT. LAWRENCE COTTAGE - NIGHT

The gravel crunches beneath Ted’s feet as he steps into thedriver’s seat. The V8 engine roars to life. The Oldsmobileidles and pulls out of the driveway and into the darkness.

EXT. CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND - SCHOOL ROAD - NIGHT

From overhead, Ted’s Oldsmobile cruises along a paved street.

The brake lamps ignite, casting a red haze over the brush.

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