John Q Page #12

MITCH:

So what's the plan, Stan? I mean, exactly? How long are you going to hold us hostage? Until your son gets a new heart?

J.Q.

I don't know.

MITCH:

Think, Einstein. Use your head. Correct me if I'm wrong, Doctor, but hearts don't come just like that. It takes months, years sometimes.

J.Q.

I know.

MITCH:

Then what's your move?

J.Q.

I'm not letting my kid die! I'm out of options, alright?! I have no more ideas. This is it. The end of the road. I'm looking for an act of God. I'm looking for a miracle.

EXT. TWO-LANE HIGHWAY - DAY

The white BMW speeds along the highway, tries to pass the semi in front of her, and smashes into the embankment. It's the same accident as before, only this time, it's regular speed.

INT. PEDIATRIC I.C.U. - DAY

Frank Grimes stands outside Mike's room, just watching him through the glass.

CLOSE ON MONITOR

Mike's blood pressure has fallen to 68. He is asleep, each breath magnified by the hollow, mechanized wheeze of the ventilator pump. Denise sits by his side, praying hard, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Payne arrives, and the two stand there a moment. Watching the scene, Grimes is visibly moved. Even Payne and her super b*tch attitude are a little humbled.

PAYNE:

No matter how many times I see it, this is the part I always hate.

GRIMES:

Do you have any children, Miss Payne?

PAYNE:

No. No I don't.

They move to the doorway and tap lightly on the door.

GRIMES:

Mrs. Archibald?

Denise's wet face turns to see the cause of the intrusion.

GRIMES (CONT'D)

Could we have a word with you?

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

Denise, Grimes, and Payne by the elevators.

DENISE:

This is my fault. When the hospital told me they were releasing Mikey, I was furious. I yelled at John to do something, anything. I never thought...

GRIMES:

I understand. Is he a violent man, Mrs. Archibald.

DENISE:

No. Heavens, no. He's gentle. He's sweet. He wouldn't hurt a fly.

GRIMES:

That's not what he's saying. He's talking about killing people. Has he spent any time in the military?

DENISE:

Hey, what is this? I get what's going on here. You want me to tell you something you can use to hurt my husband.

GRIMES:

He's in a lot of trouble, Ma'am. We're going to need you to talk to him.

DENISE:

Let's get something straight, Mister. You can't use me to make a case against John. I support my husband. Whatever he does. I'm on his side. Not yours.

PAYNE:

Mrs. Archibald...

DENISE:

You, don't talk to me. I'd tell you what I think of you but I'm a Christian woman. Now you people leave me alone. I have a sick child to look after.

PAYNE:

I've decided to put Mike's name on the organ recipient list, Mrs. Archibald. The hospital will pay for everything.

Denise looks at Payne, not daring to believe.

DENISE:

Really.

Payne nods. This is too much for Denise. She throws her arms around Payne, sobbing tears of joy.

DENISE (CONT'D)

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

Payne pats Denise on the back, awkwardly trying to comfort her.

INT. HOPE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - CORRIDORS - DAY

Grimes and Payne move quickly through the corridors.

GRIMES:

You're good.

PAYNE:

Excuse me?

GRIMES:

With the Archibald woman back there. Quite a performance. The sincere look, the comforting embrace. For a minute, I almost believed you cared.

Payne's eyes flash with anger. She looks like she wants to say something, but she just turns and walks away.

EXT. HOPE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - DAY

A restless crowd encircles the hospital, cordoned off by police blockades, uniformed cops forming a human wall around people. EMS rescue vehicles rumble onto the scene, sirens blaring.

A police bus drives slowly into the parking lot. A SWAT team, dressed in flak jackets and riot gear, pours out.

An armada of soft drink, hot dog and ice cream vendors smell gold, and stake out their claims. It's Saturday afternoon, and the circus is in town.

INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

J.Q. and the hostages watch Tuck Lampley on an overhead TV. Jimmy Palumbo is being interviewed. ON SCREEN, J.Q. sees the massive police build-up, swallows. He looks at the clock. 5:05 PM. Ten minutes and counting.

EXT. TWO-LANE HIGHWAY - LATE AFTERNOON

A red and white medical helicopter descends from the sky. The accident scene is now secured by the flashing lights of police and medical teams. The screeching sound of cutting metal is heard as the rescuers use the jaws of life. As we see the car more closely now, we notice that the woman's arm rests out the open window. On her wrist is a silver donor bracelet.

EXT. COMMAND POST - LATE AFTERNOON

Grimes returns to find the post empty. Nobody there except a few policemen and Sergeant Moody, who is doing a check on his walkie.

GRIMES:

What's going on? Where is everybody?

Moody indicates the map and the monitor.

MOODY:

We're sending in one of ours through the ventilation ducts.

ON SCREEN:

He indicates the red nurses' phone.

MOODY (CONT'D)

If we can get the target to that phone, it's a clear shot.

GRIMES:

Is that right?

MOODY:

Yes, Lieutenant. That is right.

GRIMES:

On who's orders?

INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE - LATE AFTERNOON

Police Chief Gus Monroe, Wally Pitoniak, and a SWAT Team are in strategy session. They surround a sniper decked out in HBT regalia. A green video mini-monitor is being checked and fastened to the front of the sniper's vest. In the distance, Grimes bursts into the parking garage.

GRIMES:

Gus...

MONROE:

Not one word. I don't want to hear one goddamn word out of you, Frank.

GRIMES:

I'm not going to say anything. I'm just going to go get you your red nose.

MONROE:

What did you say to me? Are you calling me a clown?

Monroe goes after Grimes and has to be restrained.

MONROE (CONT'D)

I swear to God, I'll kill you.

Boys. Boys.

GRIMES:

You going to do this behind my back, you sonofabitch?

MONROE:

Check the time, Frank. Look at your watch, Frank. The guy said at a quarter after he was going to start killing everybody, and we don't have any reason not to believe him.

GRIMES:

So goddamn stupid.

MONROE:

Yeah? What's your great idea?

GRIMES:

There are no great ideas!

MONROE:

Right! Exactly. But right now I've got a shot at this guy. I don't even know what we're talking about. You know the score. You always take the clear shot.

GRIMES:

The wife has agreed to speak to him. Let her talk him down.

MONROE:

That's exactly what we're going to do.

GRIMES:

What? You use the man's wife to set him up?

MONROE:

Whatever works. Let me paint a picture for you. And I hope it's clear. What we've got is a lose/lose. If this guy starts whacking out the hostages, it's bad, right? But if we give in to this a**hole, it's also bad.

GRIMES:

Bad for who?

MONROE:

It's an election year. Do you want me to spell it out for you? A, B, C. However it goes down, this guy's not going to make it.

GRIMES:

So, you kill him? That's a P.R. bonanza.

MONROE:

There's not going to be a slaughter in there. Not on my watch. You're out, Frank.

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