Malcolm X Page #29

MALCOLM:

(to Captain)

You bastards.

CAPTAIN GREEN:

All right, okay. Now disperse this

mob.

MEDIUM SHOT - MALCOLM, FRUIT OF ISLAM AND CROWD

It's clear the decision is in one man's hands, Malcolm's.

CLOSE SHOT - MALCOLM

He makes a gesture with his hand, the Fruit of Islam disperse.

ANGLE. People moving away, going home. Only one person remains

from the Fruit of Islam and the crowd, it's Benjamin.

CLOSE - CAPTAIN GREEN

CAPTAIN GREEN:

That's too much power for one man to

have.

INT. MUSLIM CAFETERIA - NIGHT

Everyone is in a somber mood over the evening's events.

ANGLE - TABLE

Malcolm sits with Brothers Earl and Sidney.

SIDNEY:

Brother Minister, we need to strike

back.

BROTHER EARL:

Put fear into those devils.

MALCOLM:

I want to also, but until we are

instructed by the Messenger to do

so, we will just wait and pray.

BROTHER EARL:

I'm tired of praying.

MALCOLM:

That's enough, Brother Earl.

ANGLE - ENTRANCE

Benjamin comes into the cafeteria and everyone looks at him.

He sees Malcolm sitting and moves toward his table.

ANGLE - TABLE

Brothers Sidney and Earl get up to intercept him but Malcolm

waves him through. Benjamin stands.

MALCOLM:

Sit down, son.

Malcolm pours some cream into his cup of black coffee, then

also some white sugar.

MALCOLM:

There is only one thing I like

integrated. My coffee.

Benjamin laughs.

MALCOLM:

What can I do for you?

BENJAMIN:

Mr. X, I was out there tonight. I

saw what you did. I want to be a

Muslim. I ain't never seen a Negro

stand up to the police like that.

ANGLE - SIDNEY AND EARL

They exchange dubious looks.

MALCOLM:

Do you know what it means to be a

true Muslim?

Benjamin hesitates.

MALCOLM:

Do you?

BENJAMIN:

Not exactly, but I want to be one,

like you.

MALCOLM:

I admire your enthusiasm but you

should never join any organization

without first checking it out

thoroughly.

Benjamin is crushed and he starts to get up.

MALCOLM:

We need more young warriors like

yourself, stick around and we shall

see if your heart is true.

BENJAMIN:

Mr. X, I won't make you out a liar.

INT. TEMPLE #1 - DETROIT - DAY

CLOSE - NEWSPAPER HEADLINE (DAILY NEWS)

MALCOLM X WINS $70,000 JUDGMENT FOR BEATEN NEGRO

An AIDE of Elijah puts down the newspaper and shakes Malcolm's

hand.

AIDE:

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad would

like to see you now.

INT. ELIJAH'S OFFICE - DAY

Elijah is sweeping the floor with a plain hand broom. Malcolm

enters the room, is surprised and waits at the door. The two

are alone together.

ELIJAH:

If I surprise you, let me explain.

Menial work teaches us humility.

MALCOLM:

Let me do it then.

ELIJAH:

No, each of us must relearn that

work is the only worthwhile thing.

Allah has given you a great gift.

Use it wisely, never forgetting that

we are nothing, while He is all.

MALCOLM:

Allah Akbar.

The sweeping done, they stand together near a table at a

window.

ELIJAH:

Tonight I shall introduce you as my

National Representative. It will be

a difficult task. Your assignment is

to build temples all over this nation.

More work than you have ever done in

your life and you will be in the

public eye. My son, beware of those

cameras, they are just as bad as a

narcotic.

ANGLE - AIDES and OTHERS come into the room now. They are

listening.

ELIJAH:

Yes, the white devil will watch your

every step. Even your own Brothers

will become jealous, and hostile, go

slowly. So I offer you a parable --

regarding your work.

Elijah picks up a glass and sets it before Malcolm.

ELIJAH:

Here is a glass, dirty and its water

foul. If you offer it to the people

and they have no choice, they must

drink out of it. But if you present

them with this glass --

He is holding a clean glass, with clear water in it.

ELIJAH:

-- and let them make their decision,

they will choose the pure vessel.

Islam is the only religion which

addresses the needs and problems of

the so-called Negro, especially in

the ghettos -- Islam is the only way

out from drugs, crime, unemployment,

prostitution, alcohol, gambling,

fornication and adultery.

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