Rough Diamonds Page #8

JAY:

I couldn't care less.

MARIE:

What's the key for?

JAY:

The diamonds...If that's what it takes,

then that's what it takes...

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 37.

MARIE:

But...they're my inheritance...

JAY:

All my assets are tied up in the condos,

Marie. We have to pay this girl off, make

her testify that she faked the tape,

faked the evidence.

MARIE:

But, Jay...they're my diamonds...

JAY:

As soon as I'm out of here, you'll have

them back. I swear. I know people, who

can...persuade her to hand them over...

Marie shoots an uncomfortable look to Theo, then back at Jay,

uncertain what to say.

MARIE:

It's wrong.

JAY:

More wrong than what she's doing to us?

We're team Clifford, right? You know I'm

not guilty. You know I could never do

anything like this. So do the right thing

and get me out of this hellhole...

Marie's cracking...

MARIE:

I can't...

JAY:

(tenderly)

No such word as 'can't.' Please...

The tears well in her eyes.

INT. MUSEUM - NIGHT

The key slips easily into the lock below the dazzling Mother

Daughter diamonds. The alarms disabled, Marie's finally able to

reach inside the glass case and touch the priceless gems...

The Curator stands behind her in the empty Museum hall, ruefully

watching his prize exhibit being removed.

CURATOR:

I knew the day would come, still doesn't

make it any easier...

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 38.

Marie, tears welling in her eyes, takes a hold of the diamonds,

carefully takes them from the case.

CURATOR:

The offer still stands, Marie. If you

ever decide to sell them, please give us

a first chance...

Marie turns to him, the emotions overwhelming her.

MARIE:

I don't think I'll be able to, I'm

sorry...

She scampers towards the door, past the security guards.

CURATOR:

(sotto)

Me too...

EXT. THE GATOR TRAILER PARK - NIGHT

Theo's SUV drives carefully down the mud path running parallel to

the swamp, past countless rusted airboats, and into the 'GATOR'

trailer park, finally coming to a halt in front of Elena's rotting

trailer. Theo gets out carefully, his $1000 shoes sinking into the

mud. Marie reluctantly steps out of the car...

A blinding PORCH LIGHT flicks on. Theo and Marie spin round,

squint through the light to see Elena standing in her trailer

doorway...

.

ELENA:

Well, well, well. Look what the cat

dragged in...

(to Theo)

DA know you're here?

Theo squirms...

MARIE:

We need to talk.

ELENA:

So talk.

THEO:

Somewhere private, maybe?

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 39.

INT. ELENA'S TRAILER - NIGHT

An elderly man, UNCLE MARTY, in a sweat-stained T-shirt and ratty

underwear, snores on the tattered recliner, a half-drunk bottle of

WHISKY hanging from one limp hand...

Theo freezes when he sees him...

THEO:

Who's this?

ELENA:

Uncle Marty. Legal Guardian. Drunken

pervert, take your pick. Chill. He's out

til morning.

Uncle Marty's deafening SNORES confirm the assertion as Elena

leads them into her bedroom...

MARIE:

Let's just get this over with.

(to Elena)

You won. You got what you wanted...

ELENA:

(mocking)

I just wanted justice...

THEO:

Tomorrow you'll take the stand, tell the

jury you faked the evidence, faked the

tape...

ELENA:

(sarcastic)

Really?

MARIE:

We are prepared to make it worth your

while.

She holds the Daughter diamond in front of Elena's greedy little

eyes.

ELENA:

(poker face)

Not bad. But I always wanted a family...

Theo nudges Marie. She sighs, holds out the Mother diamond in the

other hand. A broad grin stretches across Elena's face.

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 40.

THEO:

They're yours after you exonerate my

client.

ELENA:

I'm afraid I'm gonna need that payment up

front.

MARIE:

No, that's not the deal.

ELENA:

It is now. Take it or leave it.

Marie takes a deep breath. It's the most difficult thing she's

ever had to do in her young life. Dead silence, except for Uncle

Marty's snoring from the front room.

Finally, with a very heavy heart, Marie hands over the diamonds.

THEO:

When this is all over, you'll leave town.

For good.

Elena points to the ankle bracelet.

ELENA:

I go more than five miles from the police

station and I'm straight back in juvie...

THEO:

I understand your Parole term is up next

week.

Elena smiles.

ELENA:

You've done your homework. Fine.

(points to the ankle bracelet)

As soon as this thing comes off, I'm

outta here...

She reaches down and grabs the diamonds. Dances past Marie...

THEO:

May I suggest a little discretion, Miss

Sandoval. Certain...questions might be

asked about this...arrangement if you

were to...say...turn up to Blue Bay High

wearing a tiara...

Elena winks.

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 41.

ELENA:

I ain't gonna flaunt it, mate. I gots too

much class for that sh*t.

MARIE:

You're going to tell the truth on the

stand tomorrow, yes?

Elena raises her right hand...

ELENA:

I swear to tell the truth, the whole

truth and nothing but the truth...

INT. COURTROOM - DAY

The court Bailiff nods, takes the Bible from Elena's hands. She's

dressed in the closest thing to a modest suit she has in her

wardrobe; a low cut jacket and tiny miniskirt...

The courtroom is packed with journalists, TV cameras and nosey

neighbors. Everyone wants a piece of this story. At the

defendant's table, Jay, slick once more in Armani, watches Theo

approach the witness box with a new-found confidence.

Sitting in the front row of the public gallery, Marie is riveted

on the action. At the back of the courtroom, Kristen fidgets

nervously beside Morrison as Theo steps up, ready to question the

newly compliant star witness in this sensational rape trial...

THEO:

It's your assertion that my client, Mr.

Clifford forcibly sexually assaulted you

on the night of the 25th. Is that true?

A hushed silence. Marie, Jay, Theo all wait expectantly...

THEO:

Is that what you say happened?

Elena clears her throat.

ELENA:

He... He didn't...

A collective intake of breath from the crowd.

ELENA:

....just sexually assault me.

Theo's balls shrink instantly.

"Wild Things 3" 03/22/2004 42.

THEO:

What...did you just say?

ELENA:

He didn't just sexually assault me. He

threatened to kill me if I told anyone...

The court is on the verge of erupting into anarchy. Theo's

reeling, caught off-guard, stumbling over his words, trying to

give the girl one last chance to make good on her promise.

THEO:

Isn't it true that you were inebriated

during the assault, that it may not in

fact have been Mr. Clifford...Or anyone?

A smirking Meese doesn't even bother to stand up.

D.A. MEESE

Objection. Leading the witness.

JUDGE WILCOX:

Sustained. Council will please rephrase

the question.

Theo's stumped. His eyes plead with Elena to take the ball and run

with it. She does. Unfortunately it's to the wrong end zone.

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