Malcolm X Page #43

MALCOLM:

Ma'am, I'm fine.

OLD WOMAN:

Good. We need you. I recognize you,

don't pay them folks no never mind,

you keep on doing what you doing.

MALCOLM:

May Allah bless you.

OLD WOMAN:

I'll pray for you too, son. Jesus

will protect you.

She walks away, carrying her two shopping bags full of

groceries.

INT. BACKSTAGE - DAY

Malcolm walks in. Present are Brothers Earl, Benjamin 2X and

a secretary SISTER ROBIN.

MALCOLM:

Is the program ready?

BENJAMIN 2X

No, Brother Minister.

MALCOLM:

Why not? You've had ample time, you

and the sister.

SISTER ROBIN:

I apologize Brother Minister, we'll

have it next week.

He is pissed.

MALCOLM:

Folks are sitting out there today,

not next week, expecting to hear our

program.

BENJAMIN 2X

Next week, Brother Minister.

MALCOLM:

Has the Reverend called? Is he going

to show?

BROTHER EARL:

Reverend Chickenwing called last

night and said he wouldn't be able

to attend.

MALCOLM:

So now we have no opening speaker?

Why wasn't I informed last night?

BROTHER EARL:

I called Sister Betty, she didn't

tell you?

MALCOLM:

Since when do you start telling Sister

Betty my business? Since when? She

has nothing to do with this. You

tell me, not her, not anybody else.

BROTHER EARL:

I assumed...

MALCOLM:

What did I tell you about assuming?

Malcolm starts pacing the room, nobody has ever seen him

like this before.

MALCOLM:

Benjamin, you better go out there

and explain why the program isn't

ready today.

Benjamin 2X gets up to leave.

MALCOLM:

Sister, please go with the brother.

They both exit.

CLOSE - MALCOLM AND EARL

BROTHER EARL:

Brother Minister, what is wrong?

MALCOLM:

The way I feel, I ought not to go

out there today. In fact, I'm going

to ease some of this tension by

telling the black man not to fight

himself -- that's all a part of the

white man's big maneuver, to keep us

fighting amongst ourselves, against

each other. I'm not fighting anyone,

that's not what we're here for.

BROTHER EARL:

Let's cancel.

MALCOLM:

Is my family here yet?

BROTHER EARL:

Down front as always.

INT. ANTEROOM - DAY

A lone COP in uniform stands in the shadows with a walkie-

talkie.

INT. BACKSTAGE - DAY

Malcolm is about to go on stage when he sees Sister Robin.

MALCOLM:

You'll have to forgive me for raising

my voice to you.

SISTER ROBIN:

Brother Minister, I understand.

MALCOLM:

(to himself)

I wonder if anybody understands.

INT. AUDUBON BALLROOM - DAY

The place is filled. Betty and the girls sit in a boxed-off

section near the platform. Malcolm's bodyguards stand on and

around the stand.

Benjamin 2X is finishing up his speech when Malcolm walks

onto the stage and sits down.

MALCOLM:

Make it plain.

BENJAMIN 2X

And now, without further remarks, I

present to you one who is willing to

put himself on the line for you --

CLOSE - BETTY AND THE KIDS CLOSE - THOMAS HAYER CLOSE - WILBUR

KINLEY CLOSE - LEON DAVIS CLOSE - BEN THOMAS CLOSE - WILLIAM

X CLOSE - MALCOLM X CLOSE - BENJAMIN 2X

BENJAMIN 2X

-- a man who would give his life for

you. I want you to hear, to listen,

to understand one who is a Trojan

for the black man.

ANGLE - STAGE

A roar greets Malcolm's intro. He shakes hands with Benjamin

2X, then steps toward the podium.

CLOSE - MALCOLM

He starts to rearrange his 3 x 5 index cards in his hands.

MALCOLM:

Brothers and Sisters, Wa-Salaam

Alaikum.

AUDIENCE:

Alaikum Wa-Salaam.

SWIFT JERKY PAN OF CAMERA

There is a commotion in the rear of the audience.

BENJAMIN THOMAS:

Git your hand out of my pocket.

The bodyguards move toward the rear.

CLOSE - MALCOLM

MALCOLM:

Hold it, brothers. Don't get excited.

Let's cool it --

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