Concussion Page #16

Duerson performing that move they teach d-backs Day 1 in

camp, swim past the block at line of scrimmage to destroy the

QB. And Duerson swims past Waters down Park--

WATERS (CONT’D)

I don’t got another play left!

Dave!

(then)

Somebody help me!

--now leaving Waters to watch Duerson vanish until he’s

alone, holding his head because the migraine has come, in a

sea of strangers who have no f***ing clue who he ever was,

nor will they ever care. And we cut to-

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 80.

117 PIXILATED NEWSPAPER PORTRAIT OF ANDRE WATERS

--in Philadelphia Eagles jersey. Playing days: chiseled;

direct gaze of a carnivore. PULL BACK TO REVEAL--

“Eagles Defensive Back Andre Waters, 44, commits suicide”-

The paper in Wecht’s hands. Wecht standing outside Bennet’s

little office, as Bennet walks up in his scrubs--

WECHT:

(reading to Bennet)

“--known as ‘Dirty Waters’,

notorious for his aggressive style

of play-

(and FLASH TO--)

FOOTAGE OF A HORIZONTAL WATERS LIKE A FLYING SPEAR IMPALING A

RECEIVER WITH THE CROWN OF HIS HELMET

Otherwise MUTE, under-

WECHT:

Devastating hits that filled

highlight reels ... died of a self-

inflicted gunshot wound to the

head.”

Wecht looks up at Bennet. And as he hands him the paper and

leaves him standing there-

118 EXT. CEMETERY - RURAL FLORIDA - DAY

The poor Cracker South. Crabgrass pushing through sandy

scrub. Eagles balloons rise from the coffin. A propped photo

of Waters from playing days.

CAMERA FINDS BENNET at the edge of the crowd. He's clocked by

a league REPRESENTATIVE in a suit. Now an ex-PLAYER or three.

First time Bennet’s been face-to-face with the live humans

involved. And it feels like a mistake. Flop-sweaty, he turns

to go. While-

O.S. someone starts coming at him through the tombstones. Big

MAN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. Big strides. Extreme emotion on his

face. Fury? Fear? Bennet spots him, spots that, picks up his

pace. Big guy closing in. Running for the car now-

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 81.

MAN:

Hey! Get over here--!

(on top of Bennet now,

breathing labored)

Why’d you do that, man?

Bennet terrified, braces to be hit. Or something. But the man

doubles over, trying to catch breath.

MAN (CONT’D)

Christ-

(out of breath)

You were leaving. But Andre’s

mother. You wanted to talk to

Andre’s mother, right?

(INTERCUTTING with--)

120 INT. BAILES’ HOME - EVENING

Bailes at his desk, bathed in computer light, solitary

contemplation. Mindlessly stirring his drink with his finger.

And we PULL AROUND Bailes’ head and over his shoulder on WHAT

HE’S SEEING:
a picture of Strzelczyk. Now-

119* INT. WATERS FAMILY HOME - SUNNY ISLE, FL - DAY

Neat. Devout. Family pictures. Legions of grandchildren.

Bennet sitting adjacent to WATERS’ MOTHER, 70.

They’re watching a DVD of an Eagles game ON THE TV:

Waters getting hit so hard he lays on the ground,

unconscious. Then is helped up. Then wanders toward the

opposing sideline. Then is led back straight to the huddle,

staggering through the next play.

Waters’ mother watches Bennet watch. She’s seen it a hundred

times. She wants to watch Bennet’s reaction. Alternatively

volcanic with grief, and letting rays of light burn through-

WATERS’ MOTHER

He said he was alright. He said he

was dazed for a minute then he was

alright-

(--)

A121 EXT. COFFEE SHOP - PITTSBURGH - DAY

Bailes pulls up in his Porsche, parks. Crosses the street.

Gritty industrial Pittsburgh.

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 82.

A woman in the window feels him, turns: a changed Keana

Strzelczyk. Thinner. Tired. As Bailes hesitates, then goesin, we go back to-INT.

WATERS FAMILY HOME - SUNNY ISLE, FL

Bennet and Mrs. Waters.

WATERS’ MOTHER

Let me tell you about my son. Weused to call him Spanky. His daddygave him that name-And

reaches in her bag

WATERS’ MOTHER (CONT’D)

I’m going to read you something.

The last thing he wrote me.

(reading from a letter)

“...There isn’t a day that goes bythat I don’t thank God for blessingme with you as my mom. HappyMother’s Day. Your son, Andre M.

Waters.”

(then)

His signing bonus, he bought methis house. He bought all hisbrothers cars. He was the sun and

we were planets.

Bennet’s eyes closed, nodding, feeling Andre’s presence.

WATERS’ MOTHER (CONT’D)

After he gave me this card, hesaid, “Ma, I’m ready to go.” Heknew people started thinking he was

crazy.

BENNET:

Not crazy. He’d already becomesomeone else-And

she looks at him. Her eyes welling up. Anger.

WATERS’ MOTHER

Suicide. He took it out of

God’s hands.

BENNET (CONT'D)

He was sick. *

*

WATERS’ MOTHER

He definitely had this disease?

Because I want to believe that.

Because you’re not supposed to putyour own child in the ground.

(MORE)

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 83.

WATERS’ MOTHER (CONT'D)

Nature’s not supposed to work that

way.

(--)

Now. You want what’s left of my

son? Because Dr. Omalu, I don't

want to feel another thing I have

to survive. Don’t let me feel hope,

then not have this come out right.

(and takes his hand)

BENNET:

I understand, yes-

And Bennet slides next to her. Takes a knee. Bows, prays. She

prays. She’s crying. Now he’s crying. Then-

WATERS’ MOTHER BENNET (CONT'D)

Heavenly Father, you know And please lead us to the

every heart. Please mend our truth. Soothe this family

souls. with your grace.

WATERS’ MOTHER

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then she abruptly stands. Drying her eyes.

WATERS’ MOTHER (CONT’D)

I’m going to get us some coffee.

(and exits, and back to--)

122 EXT. COFFEE SHOP - PITTSBURGH

We find Bailes & Keana at a table outside, under the awning.

It’s cool. Neither feel it. Their breath ballooning in front

of their faces-

BAILES:

You look good. How are the kids?

KEANA STRZELCZYK

The kids are fine. I am fine. What

do you want?

BAILES:

I’m sorry I couldn’t make the

funeral.

KEANA STRZELCZYK

No one made it to the funeral.

Then.

CHERRY PAGES 1.21.15 84.

BAILES:

You heard about Mike Webster.

And she just looks at him. She heard.

KEANA STRZELCZYK

And Terry Long. And and and. And

who else?

(--)

What do you really want to ask me,

Julian?

(and now a hard cut to--)

A122 OMIT

(123 & 124 ARE NOW A81 & B81)

125 BENNET WALKING IN DARKNESS

Following him through a lightless basement passage. All we

HEAR, his footsteps, the thrum of a boiler, hum of fans.

Then - BANG! - he shoves at a door. Bailes is standing out

there in the night in the rain. Bennet lets Bailes enter, and

126 INT. ALLEGHENY COUNTY CORONER - NIGHT

Bennet leads Bailes through the underground tunnel, through a

warren of basement labs, to-

127 INT. BASEMENT LAB - ALLEGHENY COUNTY CORONER

--where Wecht is waiting in the half-dark. Around them, the

silhouettes of fresh bodies for tomorrow.

BENNET:

(introducing)

This is Dr. Wecht.

Bailes shakes his hand. We’re TIGHT ON WECHT. He’s not so

sure about Bailes - friend of enemy, fish or fowl?

Bennet hands Bailes a short stack of slides.

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