Toxic Rage

"Toxic Rage"

By Ted Lazaris

FADE IN:

INT. LIVING ROOM - EAST PALESTINE, OHIO - MORNING

A dusty room with dim sunlight filtering through half-drawn blinds. An old TV plays a news segment on a toxic train derailment. A half-eaten bowl of cereal sits on a table.

We see and hear a reporter on a TV screen…

TV REPORTER (V.O.)

One year after the train derailment in East Palestine… and no relief in sight.

JOE "BIG JOEY" CASSIDY, mid-40s, muscular but worn, stares at the TV, tension evident in his posture.

INT. PRO WRESTLING ARENA - NIGHT - FLASHBACK

Big Joey, as "BIG BEAR", stands under the spotlight, basking in the roar of the crowd.

INT. LIVING ROOM - MORNING

TV off. The room is silent.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY

Sun beats down on workers. BIG JOEY, in a hard hat, lifts heavy equipment, muscles straining. Machines WHIR, METAL CLANGS.

EXT. LOCAL GROCERY STORE - DAY

JILL CASSIDY, early 40s, scans items, keeping a watchful eye on their 6-YEAR-OLD SON playing nearby.

EXT. EAST PALESTINE, OHIO - DAY - FLASHBACK

Smoke and fumes rise from the derailed train. Chaos everywhere.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The family sits together, but an unease is palpable. Their son COUGHS. Jill looks fatigued, eyes red.

INT. GOVERNMENT AGENCY - DAY

A busy room, WORKERS behind counters. BIG JOEY stands out, anger evident. He demands attention but is largely ignored.

JOEY:

This town is suffering! We need answers!

A WOMAN OF COLOR behind a counter sighs deeply, her patience thinning.

WOMAN OF COLOR:

Sir, I've told you. We're doing all we can.

JOEY (furious)

That's not enough!

WOMAN OF COLOR:

Get your big crazy ass out of here before I have you removed forcefully.

JOEY (shouting)

If they're anything like you, it won't end well for them!

The room goes silent. Everyone stops and stares. The tension is palpable.

EXT. GOVERNMENT AGENCY - DAY

BIG JOEY storms out, determination in every step. He's ready for a fight.

FADE OUT:

INT. JOEY'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Close up on a wall clock, the ticking accentuating the passing time. The room is dim, the ambiance heavy. JILL,  paces the floor, glancing periodically at the door and her phone.

Door SLAMS open, revealing JOEY, haggard and weary, face betraying a storm of emotions. He hesitates at the threshold.

JILL:

(voice choked with worry)

Honey, where were you? I tried calling you. I was so worried.

JOEY:

(sighing deeply)

I'm sorry, Babe. I didn't mean to worry you.

A beat. The air grows thick. The faint smell of beer drifts from Joey.

JILL:

(tensely)

Joey, have you been drinking?

JOEY:

Yeah, I stopped by Carl's after... after everything.

They lock eyes, a silent standoff of emotions. Suddenly, the soft patter of feet interrupts them. BOBBY, their 6-year-old son, stands in the doorway, confusion and concern evident.

BOBBY:

Mom, Dad, what's wrong?

JILL:

(kneeling down, comforting)

It's okay, sweetie. We're just... having a grown-up talk.

JOEY:

(voice softening)

Your mom's right, Bobby. We're just trying to figure things out.

A tense silence. Joey's fingers twitch, betraying his inner turmoil.

JOEY:

(voice trembling with anger)

Do you know what happened today at the congressman's office, Babe? They treated me like dirt. They were ready to throw me out.

JILL:

(incredulous)

What? But why?

JOEY:

(shouting)

Because they don't care, Jill! They don't care that Bobby's sick or that we're drowning in bills!

Bobby's eyes widen in fear. Jill reaches for Joey's hand, trying to defuse the tension.

JILL:

(voice calm but firm)

Joey, getting angry won't help. We'll find a way.

JOEY:

(voice breaking)

I'm tired, Jill. I can't even provide for my family.

Joey, overwhelmed, storms towards the door.

JILL:

(voice desperate)

Joey!

EXT. JOEY'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Jill rushes after Joey, catching up in a few strides. They embrace tightly, tears spilling freely.

JILL:

(voice choked)

We're in this together. We'll find a way, no matter what.

JOEY:

(holding Jill tightly)

I know, Jill. I know.

They cling to each other, two souls trying to find their way in a world filled with adversity.

FADE OUT:

INT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - MORNING

The sun attempts to break through the thick layer of morning haze. Large machinery roars to life, as workers in hard hats and reflective vests go about their tasks. Joey with a rough, determined face, steps onto the scene, clearly troubled.

Joey approaches the timecard machine, attempting to punch in. The machine flashes "Not on Schedule" in bold red. He stares at it, a mixture of disbelief and anger.

JOEY:

(muttering)

What the f***?

CARL, mid-40s with a rugged face and worn hands, approaches, concern evident.

CARL:

Joe, what's going on?

JOEY:

(with a clenched jaw)

Feels a lot like they're giving me the boot, Carl.

CARL:

(astonished)

For what? You're one of the oldest hands here.

Before Joey can respond, FOREMAN JAKE, early 50s and wearing a no-nonsense expression, yells out.

JAKE:

(shouting)

Carl! Quit yapping and get back to it!

CARL:

(defiantly)

What's happening with Joey?

JOEY:

(seething)

Enough's enough, Carl.

JAKE:

(loudly and with a note of condescension)

Joe was a no-show yesterday. That's all there is.

JOEY:

(voice dripping with anger)

Bullshit, Jake. I've never missed a day.

CARL:

(with fiery determination)

Is Joey out?

JAKE:

(dangerously)

Keep pushing, and you'll be following him.

CARL:

(resolutely)

I'll talk to the union.

JOEY:

(disillusioned)

Don't waste your time. They're as rotten as the rest.

Joey storms off, his departure deliberate and heavy. Carl watches him, a mix of concern and frustration. The construction noise grows louder, drowning out the stillness left in Joey's wake.

EXT. CITY STREET - MORNING

Joey marches down the sidewalk, the morning sun casting long shadows. His fury is evident, each step a declaration of his will to fight.

He takes a moment to pause, looking up at the glaring sun. It's clear Joey's journey has only just begun, but his resolve is unyielding.

FADE OUT:

INT. JOEY'S DRIVEWAY - EVENING

A cloud of dust billows as Joey's SUV skids to a sudden stop. The sound of gravel crunching under tires is audible. The settled dust reveals the facade of a house, which usually appears comforting, but not today.

On the porch, JILL stands bathed in the soft glow of the evening sun, worry etched on her face. She locks eyes with the vehicle, anticipation evident.

The SUV's door opens forcefully, and out steps JOEY. Every inch of him exudes anger.

Jill hesitates for a beat, torn, then musters the courage to approach.

JILL:

(softly, gently)

Joey...

JOEY:

(cutting her off, bitterly)

They cast me aside, Jill. Just like that, after everything.

JILL:

(eyes filled with empathy)

I heard from the union rep. They suggested there might be a way to amend things if you could just—

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