Witness Page #8

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RACHEL:

At home you'd never hear a woman

scream at a man that way.

ELAINE:

No? Why not?

RACHEL:

You just wouldn't. It's not the

Amish way.

(then)

But I think it would have done me

good if I could have screamed at

your brother last night.

ELAINE:

Listen, I don't know what's going

on or how you got mixed up with

him, but don't you let that self-

righteous sonofabitch push you

around, okay?

Rachel smiles.

RACHEL:

Okay.

51 INT. BOOK'S CAR (MOVING) - DAY51

Book glances irritably at Rachel:

BOOK:

Now what's the problem?

RACHEL:

The problem is I don't happen to

think my son should be spending

all his time with a man who

carried a gun under his coat and

goes around whacking people.

Book gives her a look:

BOOK:

Whacking?

CUT TO:

51 CONTINUED:

RACHEL:

(firmly)

Yes. And I also want to leave this

city.

BOOK:

Believe me, I'm trying to get this

over with as fast as I can. But

Samuel will probably have to come

back and testify.

RACHEL:

We do not go into your courts.

BOOK:

People who don't go into our courts

when they're told to sometimes go

directly into our jail.

Rachel glares at him and the ride continues on that

chilly note for a beat.

BOOK (CONT'D)

Look, I'm genuinely sorry. . .

RACHEL:

(snaps)

No you' re not -

(off his look)

You're glad, because now you've

got a witness.

(and)

I heard the other police talking

last night.

(and)

They don't seem to like you very

much.

BOOK:

They kid a lot.

RACHEL:

(glances at him)

I would not be too sure.

51 CONTINUED:51

Samuel has been glancing at Book; finally he says

something to his mother in German. Book gives her

an inquiring look.

RACHEL:

He says you look very tired.

I thought the same thing.

Book says nothing.

RACHEL (CONT'D)

But not a good tired.

BOOK:

What's a 'good' tired. Tired is tired.

She doesn't bother to explain; 800k settles even

deeper

into his funk as Samuel glares at him with hostility.

51A INT. IDENTIFICATION ROOM - POLICE H.Q. - DAY51A

Samuel sits with Book at a desk, Rachel just behind.

They are looking at a police line-up of known black

drug-dealers. Samuel shakes his head - another

negative.

Book winks, slyly reaches into a pocket, produces a

yellow gumball. He surreptitiously shows it to Samuel,

gives him an inquiring look. It's a peace offering.

Samuel grins, nods imperceptibly.

ANOTHER ANGLE:

as Book rolls the gumball down the table to Samuel.

But just as Samuel is about to cover it with his hand,

Rachel reaches over and plucks it off the table. She

shakes her head at Samuel.

BOOK:

(to Rachel)

Just wanted to see if you were on

your toes.

52 OMITTED52

52B EXT. CITY PARK - DAY52B

Book, Sam and Rachel sit on a park bench eating a lunch

of hot dogs heaped with kraut.

Book watches with amusement as Samuel wolfs down his

lunch. Rachel eyes him a beat. then:

RACHEL:

Your sister said you don't have a

family?

BOOK:

No.

RACHEL:

She thinks you should get married

and have children of your own.

Instead of trying to be a father

to hers. Except she thinks you're

afraid of the responsibility.

Book gives her a look:

BOOK:

Oh? Anything else?

52B CONTINUED:52B

RACHEL:

Oh yes. she thinks you like

policing because you think you're

right about everything. And

you're the only one who can do

anything. And that when you drink

a lot of beer you say things like

none of the other police would

know a crook from a... um... bag

of elbows.

Book is staring at her. Rachel nods.

RACHEL:

(continuing)

I think that's what she said.

Just then Samuel belches with huge satisfaction,

drawing looks from Book and a couple of passersby.

Rachel smiles proudly.

RACHEL:

(continuing)

Good appetite.

CUT TO:

52C INT. OUTER OFFICE/WAITING ROOM, NARCOTICS DIVISION-52C

DAY:

Rachel sits uneasily in the outer office, one or two

police clerks eyeing her curiously. A sign on the desk

reads "Narcotics Division."

Rachel cranes forward trying to peer through a par-

tially open door.

52D INT. DETECTIVES ROOM, NARCOTICS DIVISION, POLICE H.Q. 52D

DAY:

A group of Narcotics Detectives are interrupted in mid-

conversation by the opening of the main office door.

They stare in considerable surprise.

CUT TO:

John Book standing in the doorway, holding little

Samuel by the hand.

BOOK:

Afternoon, gentlemen. I'd like

you to meet Samuel Lapp. We'd

like a little help.

52E INT. SMALL OFFICE, NARCOTICS DIVISION - DAY52E

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