The Next Three Days Page #6

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DAMON (O.S.)

You want somewhere that doesn't

attract American tourists and doesn't

get American newspapers. Think Yemen

and you get the idea.

72 INT. BAR -- DAY 72

Then money.

DAMON:

73 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 73

John's writes "MONEY."

DAMON (O.S.)

You need a truck load of it.

Everything's expensive: hotels,

travel, information.

74 INT. BAR -- DAY 74

How much?

JOHN:

DAMON:

Enough to last at least five-six

years. Run out of money and you run

out of friends.

75 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 75

John underlines "MONEY."

76 INT. BAR -- DAY 76

John is starting to understand the enormity of this

undertaking.

DAMON:

But before you do anything, you have

to ask yourself if you can do it.

Can you forget about ever seeing

your parents again. Can you kill a

guard, leave your kid at a gas

station, push a nice old lady to the

ground because she is between you

and the door? Because to do this

thing, that's who you have to become.

And if you can't, don't start, because

you'll just get someone killed.

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77 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 77

John backs away from the wall to see it covered in a spiderweb

of notes.

JOHN (O.S.)

How did you get caught?

78 INT. BAR -- DAY 78

DAMON:

I gave myself up. I couldn't take

wondering when someone was going to

come through the bedroom door.

(beat)

Got what you need?

JOHN:

Yeah.

DAMON:

What do you have in your pocket?

John opens his billfold. Damon takes the cash, leaves him a *

twenty. *

79 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 79

On the wall we see the massive diagram John has created.

The screen goes BLACK. Read:

THE LAST THREE MONTHS

80 EXT. T-TRAIN -- DAY 80

The train crosses a bridge.

81 INT. T-TRAIN -- CONTINUOUS 81

John rides, looking down at the river below.

82 INT. COUNTY JAIL - ENTRY HALL -- DAY 82

John steps through the puffer (the machine that detects drugs)

and into the secure area. He makes a mental note of

everything he sees: the number of guards, cameras, etc.

83 EXT. COUNTY JAIL - DELIVERY AREA -- DAY 83

John sits in his car on the road above, surreptitiously taking

pictures of the vehicles coming and going from the prison.

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84 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 84

He tapes the photos to the wall.

85 INT. COUNTY JAIL -- DAY 85

Walking down a corridor with the other visitors, John steps

in a puddle of water. Behind him the others notice and step

around it. Moving on, they pass a trustee on a ladder pulling

a water-stained ceiling tile away as two guards watch.

86 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 86

John traces a route on a map with a highlighter.

87 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- DAY (NEW DAY) 87

The wall grows thick with photos and notes.

88 INT. CLASSROOM -- NEW DAY 88

He reads an article on his computer -- about illegal aliens

and fake ID's.

89 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 89

John enters his bedroom and closes the door. We see how

dramatically his plan has evolved on the wall as every inch

is covered in notes, photos, maps, and various writings. He

studies it as he bites into a sandwich.

90 INT. COUNTY JAIL - CORRIDOR -- DAY 90

John and Luke walk near the front of the group of visitors

toward the visitation rooms.

Just ahead he notices a guard using a key to call the

elevator. John stops near the elevator and kneels, pulling

one of Luke's shoelaces loose.

LUKE:

It was already tied.

John reties the lace as the group moves on. He keeps one

eye on the elevator.

The door opens and the guard steps in - and John notices two

WORKMEN in hardhats inside. The elevator closes, the shoelace

is tied, the group has moved on down the hall and they are

alone. John pulls the laces and unties Luke's shoe.

LUKE (CONT'D)

You untied it again! *

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The guard looks back, now impatient. John offers a smile

and throws a look down at the elevator tread, sees the name:

OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY. Suddenly a voice comes from behind:

WOMAN'S VOICE

Mr. Brennan?

Startled, John turns to see DR. LIFSON.

DR. LIFSON

We met briefly. Byrdie Lifson.

JOHN:

Oh, sorry. Hello, Doctor.

DR. LIFSON

(to approaching guard)

I'll bring them back myself. *

91 INT. COUNTY JAIL - CLINIC -- DAY 91

John leaves Luke playing and steps into the office. Lifson *

partially closes the door, so John can still see his son. *

DR. LIFSON

We check your wife's blood regularly.

She's been refusing her insulin. I

don't want to sound dramatic, but

it's just another form of suicide.

JOHN:

I'll talk to her.

DR. LIFSON *

If she doesn't --*

JOHN *

I'll talk to her. *

(steps out) *

Let's go, Squirrel. *

92 INT. COUNTY JAIL - CONTACT VISITING ROOM -- DAY 92

John and Luke wait. The prisoners enter. Lara looks

terrible. John stands and embraces her.

JOHN:

Hey. Are you alright? *

LARA:

I'm fine. I'm fine.

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Lara smiles to cover and bends down and kisses her son, who

is engrossed in his toys as usual.

LARA (CONT'D)

Hi, sweet potato. How are you doing?

He doesn't respond. She kisses him on the head then takes a

seat. John sits beside her. They speak in whispers.

JOHN:

The doctor told me about the insulin.

LARA:

(watching Luke)

Yeah, I forgot. It's no big deal.

JOHN:

You forgot? For how many days?

LARA:

I forgot, okay? I have things on my

mind.

JOHN:

--And so much to do.

LARA:

Oh, that's nice.

JOHN:

Why are you doing this?

LARA:

Can I please just watch him play?

Tell me about kindergarten.

JOHN:

No. I need you to -

LARA:

Fine, I won't forget again, okay?

(trying to fight away these

thoughts:
)

I am just never going to walk him to

school or wash his clothes or make

him dinner...and I don't know how I

can live knowing that. Okay?

JOHN:

Lara. Look at me. Something will

happen. I promise.

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LARA:

(cruelly - but hushed)

What? What is going to happen?

There are no more appeals, there are

no more anything. Exactly what

miracle are we hoping for, John?

He looks down, beaten. She lets go of her anger.

LARA (CONT'D)

I need you to do something for me.

Sure.

JOHN:

LARA:

Stop bringing him. *

Come on...

JOHN:

LARA:

He hates coming here. Look at him.

Lara....

JOHN:

LARA:

Please. It's not his fault. It's

too hard to watch him forget me.

*

John looks at his son, playing at a distance, his back to

them. It's hard to argue with her, she's right.

LARA (CONT'D)

You want to hear something funny?

Yes.

JOHN:

Anything.

LARA:

My mother tried to send me anti-aging

cream.

John smiles, but like hers it may be the saddest smile in

the world. They sit and watch Luke play.

93 INT. JOHN'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT 93

John checks his bank statements and adds them up on the wall

under MONEY. The total is $8,840.00.

He stares at that figure for a moment.

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