The Devil's Advocate Page #2

BARBARA:

Yes, but -

(CONTINUED)

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 8.

5 CONTINUED:
(2) 5

KEVIN:

You wrote this in his class.

BARBARA:

It's a joke.

KEVIN:

'He's a huge hog beast. He

probably eats a thousand pancakes for breakfast.' You're writing here about Mr. Gettys, aren't you?

BARBARA:

It was meant to be a joke.

KEVIN:

Have you ever had a party at your house when your parents were away?

(waiting)

Yes or no?

PROSECUTOR:

Objection. This is way out of...

KEVIN:

Credibility and bias.

JUDGE:

Overruled. Answer the question.

BARBARA:

(rattled)

Yes.

KEVIN:

The word special came up in your testimony earlier. You claimed

that Mr. Gettys asked you whether you had special feelings, if you felt special.

(beat)

Have you ever heard of a gamecalled 'Special Places?'

(waiting)

You're under oath, Barbara. A

man's career -- his reputation -his

life is on the line. This is

not a joke. Have you ever played the game Special Places?

BARBARA:

Yes.

(CONTINUED)

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 9.

5 CONTINUED:
(3) 5

KEVIN:

Is this game sexual in nature?

(waiting)

Is this game sexual in nature?

BARBARA:

We only played it once.

KEVIN:

This special party, Barbara, this was the first time you told the story about Mr. Gettys.

BARBARA:

Yes.

KEVIN:

I've spoken to the other children who were there that day. Can you think of anything else, Barbara,

they might have told me about that party?

PROSECUTOR:

Objection. Your Honor, if he has

other witnesses let him call them.

KEVIN:

(right at Barbara)

If I need to call those other

children, I will.

JUDGE:

I'm gonna sustain that, Mr. Lomax.

Rephrase your question.

KEVIN:

You threatened those children,

didn't you?

BARBARA:

That's not the way it happened -

KEVIN:

You told them to falsely claim that Mr. Gettys had hurt them,

didn't you?

BARBARA:

These things did happen!

(CONTINUED)

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE - Rev. 11/15/96 9A.

5 CONTINUED:
(3A) 5

KEVIN:

Because if they didn't go along you were going to tell everyone about this special party.

BARBARA:

They happened to me.

KEVIN:

So you made up a story. A

special story, about a math teacher -- a disgusting pig monster -- you didn't like.

That's what really happened,

isn't it?

BARBARA:

I didn't want to be the only one!

BARBARA'S FATHER can take it no longer -- suddenly on his feet -- charging -

BARBARA'S FATHER

You son of a b*tch!

The bailiff making a diving grab -

KEVIN:

I have no further questions, Your Honor.

Chaos -- court officers struggling with Barbara's Father and people yelling and Gettys hugging his wife and son and the gavel banging like mad and Kevin just sitting there, staring at the floor, completely drained,

emotionally, morally, physically and -

In the back of the room, a man. He's black. Elegant.

Amused by the scene. His name is LEAMON HEATH.

MARY ANN LOMAX leans in behind her husband. She is a

doll. We love her.

(CONTINUED)

10.

5 CONTINUED:
(4) 5

MARY ANN:

Pack it up, baby. You need a

drink.

CUT TO:

6 INT. FLORIDA NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT 6

It's a rock and roll joint. Florida style. But it's

early and empty. Kevin is at the bar with Mary Ann, two LAWYER friends, the Reporter and someone's girl friend.

12 shot glasses, two rows of six. A perfect tequila pour and -LAWYER

#1 (O.S.)

In the event we all get drunk and forget, I suggest we frontload the ceremonial bullshit...

(a toast)

To the best damn trial lawyer in Alachua County.

Kevin, subdued, watches the rest of them drink.

REPORTER:

So, Kev, off the record, how's it

feel to squeeze a man like Gettys through the door of reasonable doubt?

MARY ANN:

No.

(waving him off)

I told you already, we're not gonna discuss that damn case

anymore. Done.

(to Kevin)

Am I right?

KEVIN:

I'll drink to that.

(as he does)

No shop talk.

CUT TO:

7 MONTAGE 7

Tequila pours. As the night goes on.

CUT TO:

11.

8 INT. FLORIDA NIGHTCLUB - MEN'S ROOM - NIGHT 8

Drunk frat boys laughing as they exit. A BAR BAND in the

distance. Kevin done pissing. Moving for the sink, when he suddenly stops. Freezes. A mirror above the sink.

There he is. The guy that set Gettys free.

HEATH (O.S.)

Mr. Lomax?

Kevin turns -- Leamon Heath standing beside him.

HEATH:

Helluva job today.

(quickly presenting

his card)

I didn't want to disturb your

party.

KEVIN:

Milton, Chadwick, Waters. Never

heard of it.

(looking up)

What're you gonna do? Sue me?

HEATH:

Actually, we were hoping to retain your services. We've been

following your progress.

KEVIN:

From New York.

HEATH:

You've never lost a case.

KEVIN:

I've had some sympathetic juries.

HEATH:

That's exactly what we're looking for. We want you to come to New York. Help us pick a jury.

KEVIN:

Really.

(amused now)

I'll tell you, man. You're pretty damn good. And the card is great.

And the black thing -- you being black -- whose idea was that?

Paul's? 'Cause that's just brilliant.

(as he's walking)

I'm just not drunk enough yet to fall for it.

(CONTINUED)

12.

8 CONTINUED:
8

HEATH:

You'd have to start next week.

(waiting as Kevin

stops there)

All expenses. First class travel

and lodging. You and your wife.

A lump sum payment, regardless of

verdict in the amount of, well...

(in his hand)

Here. Take a look.

Kevin takes the check. Still looking at it, as we -

CUT TO:

9 EXT. FLORIDA CINDERBLOCK CHURCH - DAY 9

Two dozen cars parked. MUSIC and SINGING from inside. A

sign reads:

"SEMINOLE CALVARY CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER"

10 INT. FLORIDA CINDERBLOCK CHURCH - DAY 10

Inside the church. Plain and functional. Poor but

faithful. A trio -- electric guitar, accordion,

tambourine -- playing a hymn. Forty-five voices raised

in song. The tempo is ragged and the pitch shaky, but

the feeling is strong. They mean it.

The CAMERA FINDS -- MRS. LOMAX. Kevin's mother. Forty- six.

Singing her heart out. A woman with faith, in the

presence of her Lord.

The CAMERA FINDS -- Kevin. In the very back. Standing

in the doorway. Halfway in. Halfway out. Shadow.

Light. Waiting.

CUT TO:

11 EXT. FLORIDA CHURCH PARKING LOT - DAY 11

Post-service. Mrs. Lomax and Kevin walking to her car.

KEVIN:

It's two weeks at most.

MRS. LOMAX

You've never been to New York.

(CONTINUED)

13.

11 CONTINUED:
11

KEVIN:

Every dog gets a day.

MRS. LOMAX

Pick a jury...

(ridiculous)

I feel the hand of Mary Ann on this adventure.

KEVIN:

Mom.

MRS. LOMAX

New York is not a good idea.

KEVIN:

Look, how you fixed for cash?

MRS. LOMAX

I have my bad feeling.

KEVIN:

(an envelope)

I put a couple hundred in here...

MRS. LOMAX

Sounds like more than two weeks.

KEVIN:

Mary Ann typed out the numbers for you -- phone, the flights -- it's all in there.

MRS. LOMAX

Let me tell you about New York.

KEVIN:

(with a smile)

Babylon.

MRS. LOMAX

Forewarned is forearmed.

(half-serious)

'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the

great. It has become a dwelling place of demons.' Revelation

Eighteen. Wouldn't hurt you to look it over.

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