Get on Up Page #22

JAMES (CONT’D)

Well I was just passing. Playing ashow tonight at the Omni.

BOBBY:

Right.

JAMES:

Say. Maybe you and Vicki could comealong. We got a great new hornsection. Tight. We getting there.

BOBBY:

We got plans tonight. Vicki gotfamily coming over.

JAMES:

Well you think about it. See whatVicki say.

Bobby laughs. Rumbled.

BOBBY:

Yeah. She still in charge.

They both chuckle at this. A nod of understanding. But then:

BOBBY (CONT’D)

You look well.. Man. I ain’t seen

you since-

JAMES:

Teddy’s funeral.

Bobby pauses, grows uncomfortable. Bobby throws his cigaretteto the ground and stomps it out.

BOBBY:

Right. Teddy’s funeral. Damn. Youlook well. You shoulda called

JAMES:

You know, Bobby, they still don’tknow what happened to Teddy andthat boy. Those boys weren’tdrinkin’ or doin’ drugs.

BOBBY:

I know, James.

JAMES:

No sir. Nothin’ like that. He was

a good boy. The car just hit thatbridge head on. We ain’t ever goneknow how or why. They say he didn’tfeel a thing.

Bobby nods.

BOBBY:

That’s good, James.

JAMES:

But we brought him back to Augustadidn’t we? Got him home then sent

him on to the Lord.

BOBBY:

We did, Mr. Brown. We did.

James stands there, fixedly. The Pool cleaner comes from

around the truck, breaks the tension.

POOL CLEANER:

OK. Mr. Byrd. I fixed your problem.

I’ll be back in the Spring to openher up.

BOBBY:

I’m much obliged. Do I have to-

POOL CLEANER:

No no. We’ll send the bill on. Well

that’s that. Good day Gentlemen.

He gets in his truck and pulls away leaving Bobby and Jamesstanding in an awkward silence.

JAMES:

Look at that. We got white folkcleaning our pool. Come a long wayhuh, Mr. Byrd?

BOBBY:

Yeah. We come a long way.

129

Suddenly this is awkward. For both of them. Bobby defuses it:

JAMES:

You still makin’ the steps, Mr.

Byrd?

BOBBY:

Here and there.

JAMES:

You hurtin’ a little in the hips?

BOBBY:

A little. You?

JAMES:

Not me. I just get stronger everday. Gettin’ better every day.

James pulls out two concert tickets from his jacket and handsthem to Bobby.

JAMES (CONT’D)

Maybe you and Vicki got somefriends who could come tonight.

Good seats, too.

James turns sharply and walks back to the Limo. He sings tohimself.

JAMES (CONT’D)

(Sings)

Oh, Mary Don’t You Weep...

Bobby listens. And remembers.

JAMES (CONT’D)

(Sings)

Tell Martha Not to Moan.

He stops and turns to Bobby.

JAMES (CONT’D)

What’s the next line?

Bobby looks at James.

BOBBY:

I can’t seem to recall. Was a longtime ago.

James nods. After a moment Bobby nods.

130

BOBBY (CONT’D)

See you around Mr. Brown.

Bobby turns. James watches as he walks back to his house.

JAMES:

See you around Mr. Byrd.

James walks towards his Limo.

SFX:
Audience noise, cheering, whistles, clapping. Louder.

Louder.

154 INT. DRESSING ROOM. 1993. NIGHT. 154

Show time. James sits in front of the mirror, putting ongreasepaint with the assistance of a make-up artists.

A much older Gertrude comes in.

JAMES BROWN:

How we doin, Gertrude?

GERTRUDE:

To the rafters Mr. Brown. To

rafters.

JAMES BROWN:

That’s good. You two gimme a minute

here.

Gertrude and the make-up artist look at each other. Theyleave him.

Alone, he looks around the dressing room. At the walls. Theceiling fan. Finally at his reflection. He holds his owngaze. We push in, as he fights it. And fights it.

Slowly, inevitably the sound from the auditorium grows.

Thousands of people shouting his name: “JAMES BROWN JAMES

BROWN, JAMES BROWN, JAMES BROWN.”.

155 FLASHBACK - INT. JAIL CELL. 1949. DAY. 155

JAMES AGED SIXTEEN, SITS ALONE, staring at the wall.

Incanting his name, quietly. Intently.

JAMES:

(Quietly)

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN...

131

156 INT. AUDITORIUM. 156

The crowd are going wild.

CROWD:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

157 EXT. CHURCH/ DIRT ROAD. DAY. 1941. 157

Young James, 8, walking through the forest alone, holleringhis name.

YOUNG JAMES:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

158 INT. AUDITORIUM - EVERYONE CHANTING 158

CROWD:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

159 EXT. BARREN PATH. DAY. 1942. 159

YOUNG JAMES, nine, battered, bruised and shirtless walkstoward us with the number “One” painted on his chest. He sayshis name to himself over and over.

YOUNG JAMES:

(quietly)

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

We soon realize this is the same path where he discovered thebody of the lynched young man.

160 INT. AUDITORIUM -EVERYONE CHANTING. 160

We see Bobby and Vicki in the crowd.

Slowly Bobby begins to whisper..

BOBBY BYRD:

(To himself)

James Brown. James Brown...

CROWD:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

132

161 EXT. RIVER. DAY. 1942. 161

Bloodied 9 year old James begins walking by the side of ariver.

YOUNG JAMES:

(quietly)

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

162 INT. DRESSING ROOM. 162

SLOWLY James stands, buttons his jacket and opens thedressing room door.

JAMES:

James Brown. James Brown. James

Brown.

163 INT. BACKSTAGE CORRIDOR. 163

James marches out of the room into the corridor..

CROWD:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

...two assistants fall into step and we follow on hisshoulder as he struts his way past the dressing rooms, to thewings, where the band stand.

164 INT. STAGE WINGS. 164

Alone, JAMES closes his eyes. Bows his head.

ANNOUNCER V/O

...the Hardest Working Man in show

business, Mr. Dynamite...

165 EXT. RIVER. DAY. 165

Over announcer’s introduction we watch Young James reach theriver’s edge,

ANNOUNCER V/OMr. Please, Please himself..

His head and body proud, overlooking the mighty river.

133

DANNY RAY V/O

..ladies and gentlemen its

showtime...the one and only

JAAAAAAAMES BROWN!!!

YOUNG JAMES, eyes closed saying his name over and over.

YOUNG JAMES:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

YOUNG JAMES suddenly opens his swollen eyes and looks rightat us.

YOUNG JAMES (CONT’D)

I paid the cost to be the boss.

James leans back, widens his arms and looks to the sky.

166 INT. THE STAGE. 166

James steps forward and strides across the stage to the micstand.

CROWD:

JAMES BROWN JAMES BROWN, JAMESBROWN, JAMES BROWN.

He looks out over the crowd. Then... He begins to sing a

capella. He stares right us.

JAMES:

Try me. Try me. Darlin tell me.

I need you. Try me. Try me.

And your love will always be true

The crowd goes silent. All we hear is Mr. Brown’s soulful

voice.

JAMES (CONT’D)

Oh I need you (I need you)

Hold me. Hold me. I want you right

here by my side. Hold me. Hold me.

And your love we won't hide

Slowly Bobby smiles. Tears in his eyes.

THE END.

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