Shine Page #5

Peter proudly puts his hand on David's shoulder. On the

wall there's a communist flag and a Stalin portrait.

The gathering consists of 25 people, members of the society.

One woman, in her mid-seventies, warmly applauds her

appreciation of David's talent.

Cut to later. Cocktails are being served. Peter is

involved in a discussion. He looks around for David. No

sign.

INT. THE SOCIETY READING ROOM - NIGHT

David takes a book from the shelf - it's on Russia. A GIRL,

about 17, stares at him through the shelves.

GIRL:

You play beautifully.

David

Thank you.

GIRL:

My name is Sonia.

David

I'm David.

SONIA:

I know who you are.

She laughs; so does David. He's quite taken.

SONIA:

You have the most wonderful hands.

He looks at his hands, like he'd never noticed. Then looks

at hers.

David

So do you.

She smiles warmly.

SONIA:

You're going to America?

David

That's right.

Sonia

Perhaps one day you will go to Russia too.

David

Yes. Why not?

Peter - (O/s)

David.

David puts his hands in his pockets.

David

Right here.

Peter gives SONIA a charming smile.

Peter

Excuse us. Ther eis someone important who wants to meet

you, David.

INT. THE SOCIETY READING ROOM - NIGHT

We recognize the woman from above - KATHERINE SUSANNAH

PRICHARD. Her face reflects a sharp intelligence and strong

humanity.

Katherine

I've never met anyone who plays the piano as beautifully as

you, David.

David

And I've never met a writer before, Mrs. Prichard.

KATHERINE:

You must be very proud of him.

Peter

As proud as a father can be.

KATHERINE smiles.

KATHERINE:

I have a long-suffering old piano at home.

Peter

A suffering piano?

Katherine

From neglect. Perhaps you'd come and play it for me, David?

Peter goes to speak, but David interrupts.

David

Oh yes, anything to help.

Katherine

I'd like that very much.

David

Me too.

SECRETARY - (O/S)

Your attention Comrades. I wish to propose a toast to our

founder -

Katherine

That's my cue. Excuse me.

SECRETARy

- and very special guest this evening, Katherine Susannah

Prichard.

Peter applauds along with everyone else.

Peter

You will learn much from this old woman, David. She has

been to Soviet Union.

As KATHERINE joins the SECRETARY up front, she smiles at

David.

Peter

(Nudges David)

Smile. Look happy.

EXT. HELFGOTT HOUSE - DAY

David hurries out the front door excitedy at the sound of

the POSTMAN's whistle. The POSTMAN finds a letter for David

in his satchel and holds it away before playfully dropping

it into the letter box. David grabs it and registers where

it's come from.

David

America!

INT. HELFGOTT HOUSE - NIGHT

David excitedly reads a letter from 'The Michleburg family -

New Jersey'.

David

''we have been informed of your exceptional talent and can

only say how privileged we feel to have you come and stay

with us'.

Peter listens as he chops vegetables on a board, alongside

several marrow bones.

David

'You will be pleased to know that we are having the

Bosendorfer tuned especially for you.'

Peter scoops the vegetables into a steaming pot.

David

'We eagerly await your innement -'

Margaret

Imminent, fool.

SUZIE:

I wonder if they've got a cadillac?

David

'Imminent arrival' And look forward to hearing you play for

us. Kindest wishes, Simon and Basha Mickleburg.'

Peter chops more vegetables - the simple words are like

daggers. RACHEL is mindful of his brooding silence.

SUZIE:

Read it again.

Margaret

Not again!

She turns the radio up.

David

You're just jealous.

Peter simmers.

SUZIE:

Just the bit about the parakeet and the dog and the two

cats.

Margaret puts her hands over her ears.

David

'' you'll enjoy the company of our parakeet and our poodle

called Margaret'.

Margaret

Pig! It is not!

She grabs the letter and David tries to get it; all yelling,

playing 'keepings off' around the room.

David

Jealous, jealous, give it!

Margaret

Pig! Pig!

Peter

ENOUGH!

He sweeps a bottle of milk off the bench; it explods at

SUZIE's feet.

Peter

Enough of this nonsense!

David pales as Peter tears the letter up. SUZIE cries.

David

Daddy?

Peter

Forget it! You are not going. David is not going anywhere.

(Silence.)

What are you looking at, you fools? He is not going to

America! I won't let anyone destroy this family!

David

Daddy, but Daddy please -

Peter

I know what is best, David. I know because I am your father

and this is your family.

Stunned silence. David runs out of the house.

Peter

David! David come back -

The door slams.

RACHEL:

(in Yiddish)

Why now!? Why!?

Peter slaps her.

EXT. BEN Rosen'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The house is in darkness. David knocks. He's been running,

in a sweat.

David

Mr. Rosen?

No answer.

David

Mr. Rosen. It's David.

(He bangs at the door.)

Please Mr. Rosen. Please.

There's nobody home. David slides down the door, clutching

his knees, bewildered.

Cut to water rippling in the moonlight. David's reflection

appears in the pond. He watches the distortion of his face

in the water, then slaps the surface and after a moment the

image settles again. He puts his head under, right up to

his shoulders.

Cut to underwater, David's face, as bubbles escape from his

mouth. In fact we are :

INT. HELFOTT BATHROOM - NIGHT

We realize David's face is underwater in the bath. He

surfaces, for air' and just stares, breathing awkwardly.

Peter enters in a dressing gown.

Peter

Come on David, you have been long enough. Are you feeling

better now? Silly boy, all this nonsense. This is your

home, this is where you belong'

David's POV:
Peter peeling off his dressing gown singlet,

talking but there is no sound - it's like a dream. Peter

goes to get in but stops as he sees something in the bath

that horrifies him.

Peter

David!

(He slaps David's head.)

You animal. You disgusting animal.

He slashes at David with a white singlet, splashing water

everywhere.

Peter

To sh*t in the bath. To do this to me. You callous boy.

To sh*t like an animal.

David barely reacts as the attack with the wet singlet

continues, across his bare back, his head' water arcs across

the small bathroom with each blow.

Just as suddenly as it started, it's over. Peter is gone.

Water runs down the walls like blood. A drop forms on the

flickering light globe, then falls. David just stares' in

shock. Silence.

INT. SYNAGOGUE - DAY

RACHEL is huddled with SUZIE, Margaret and LOUISE in the

upper balcony. The Jewish community watches as David sings

from the Torah, taking his bar mitzvah, head bowed, almost

cowering.

Rosen senses something is wrong. He looks across at Peter

whose stern unwavering expression gives nothing away.

Close-up:
Peter, a man of steel.

EXT. HELFGOTT HOUSE - NIGHT

Wide shot. The house is in near darkness. Rosen walks up

purposefully and scrapes the front gate open. He knocks at

the door. No answer.

INT. HELFGOTT HOUSE - NIGHT

In the hallway - Rosen's silhouette through the opawue

glass. He knocks again.

Reveal Peter, in the shadowy darkness, the outside world

completely shut out.

INT. THE LOUNGEROOM - NIGHT

The air is thick with tension. RACHEL amuses little LOUISE.

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