AARON
I’m sorry I loused up the party.
BARRETT
It’s probably me who owes you the apology. I went after you too loud.
AARON
You thought you were right.
BARRETT
That’s beside the point. I was right, but it didn’t give me the right to use a rubber hose on you. I apologize.
AARON
I got her out this morning.
BARRETT
How was it?
AARON
(in pain)
She – she didn’t look the same. I think she’s been speeding.
(1/2 beat)
For a long time.
BARRETT
And the baby?
AARON
I…don’t…know…
Barrett looks at him. Aaron is at a low ebb.
BARRETT
You ought to be alone for a while.
He turns to go, stops.
BARRETT
(continuing; softly)
You know, it’s been years since I’ve cried. The last time was when my father died. Isn’t that a peculiar thing?
Then he goes. And closes the door tightly. Aaron sits for a few beats, then slumps a
little more…then he lays his head down on the desk, on his arms. Is he crying?
Perhaps.
DISSOLVE TO:
46 INT. COURTROOM – DAY
as Aaron comes through the door marked SESSION TWO (plus whatever legend is appropriate for a Boston courtroom). The courtroom is staffed by only the necessary people: JUDGE, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, BAILIFF, CLERK and COURT RECORDER, plus half a dozen silent players who will be defendants and attorneys of cases also on the docket.
Aaron looks around. He looks at his wrist and pushes up his sleeve to check his watch. No watch. He sold it, remember. A MAN comes through the door just then and Aaron stops him.
AARON
(whispers)
Excuse me, what time do you have?
The Man extends his wrist, shows Aaron the watch.
MAN
Nine-fifteen.
AARON
Thanks.
The Man goes and sits down next to a woman.
CLERK
The Commonwealth vs. Hallie Benda Peterson.
Aaron comes forward, through the swinging gate.
JUDGE
Is Mrs. Peterson represented?
AARON
Yes, Your Honor. Aaron Silverman of the Neighborhood Law Office.
JUDGE
Where is your client, Mr. Silverman?
AARON
I’m afraid I don’t know, Your Honor.
JUDGE
That’s rather a cavalier attitude by counsel. Was your client apprised of the time of this arraignment?
AARON
Yes, Your Honor.
PROS. ATTORNEY
Your Honor, I’ve been looking over the charge sheet on the accused.
JUDGE
I’m familiar with it, Mr. Klegg.
PROS. ATTORNEY
With Your Honor’s permission, I’d like to make a motion for the issuance of a bench warrant.
JUDGE
Mr. Silverman, before we hold your client in forfeit of bail, can you suggest any reason why such an order should not be issued by the District Attorney’s office?
AARON
Your Honor, I suspect my client is ill. When last I saw her, she was not well. I ask the court’s indulgence, to put this matter over for 24 hours. I’m sure I can produce Miss Benda.
The Judge glances down at the charge sheet.
JUDGE
I thought your client was Mrs. Peterson?
AARON
I’m sorry, Your Honor. I meant Mrs. Peterson.
JUDGE
(considers; then)
All right, Mr. Silverman. I’ll set this over till tomorrow at 9:00, but be advised I’ll call this matter first on the docket.
AARON
Thank you, Your Honor.
JUDGE
And Mr. Silverman…
(beat)
I suggest you learn the name of your client. It might serve to reassure the bench that you can locate her.
Aaron looks woebegone, nods, and turns to go. As he comes to the back of the room, Bernie Yoakum is standing there. They go out together.
47 HALLWAY
as Aaron and Yoakum emerge.
YOAKUM
She jumped bail.
AARON
Looks like it.
YOAKUM
Oh boy.
AARON
At least you didn’t do an I-told-you-so.
YOAKUM
Can I help?
AARON
No, thanks, Bernie. I copied her home address off the police blotter. I’ll find her.
YOAKUM
You’ll find her? You poor dingdong, how the hell you gonna find someone in a city the size of Boston if they don’t wanna be found?
AARON
I’ve got to, Bernie.
(beat)
I haven’t got fifteen hundred dollars to pay you if I don’t.
He smiles wanly and walks away as we HOLD on Bernie Yoakum, looking sick about it all.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
84: 13 NOVEMBER 70
“THE WHIMPER OF WHIPPED DOGS”
Part Three
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
48 INT. TENEMENT HALLWAY – ON AARON – DAY
as he opens the door of Apartment 6. The door opens a crack and Aaron sees no one. Then he HEARS a VOICE.
DRUDGE
Whaddaya want?
He looks down. There in the door crack is a fat little head covered with hair curlers.
AARON
Where will I find Apartment number fourteen?
DRUDGE
How the hell should I know?
AARON
Here in the building, I mean.
DRUDGE
There ain’t no fourteen…up to ten and that’s all.
She starts to close the door. Aaron holds it open.
AARON
Is there a Miss Benda living here…or a Mrs. Peterson?
DRUDGE
I don’t like cops, but I’ll call one, you don’t get offa my door.
Aaron steps back, the door SLAMS. Hard.
AARON
(to CAMERA)
Phony address. Yeah. Sure.
DISSOLVE TO:
49 EXT. SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY (STOCK)
as the NLO van pulls up in front of a small, neat house. Aaron gets out and walks up the walk.
50 EXT. HOUSE – ON AARON – DAY
as he RINGS the doorbell. A moment passes, he RINGS again. Then the door opens and a very plain, but clean, HOUSEWIFE opens the door. She has on slacks and a sweater and her hair pulled back with a bandanna. She has a mixing bowl in her hands.
AARON
Miss Benda?
GRACE
Mrs. Delany.
AARON
Uh, excuse me…are you Hallie Benda’s sister?
GRACE
(a shadow on her face now)
Yes…why?
AARON
I’m Aaron Silverman, from the Neighborhood Law Office. I was supposed to represent Hallie at an arraignment this morning…
(beat)
…but I’m afraid she’s jumped bail.
GRACE DELANY stares at him a moment, gauging him. Then she opens the door farther.
GRACE
This is just what I needed to make my day.
(beat)
But come on in, you can tell me the gory details while I make some banana bread.
(beat)
Do you like banana bread?
AARON
I don’t think I’ve ever had it.
GRACE
Well, it’s not bad for a start. Come on.
Aaron follows her as the door shuts and we
CUT TO:
/> 51 INT. DELANY’S KITCHEN – DAY
as Aaron and Grace enter. Aaron is looking around, confused. Grace notices, as she indicates a kitchen stool on which he can sit, and she returns to the mixing.
GRACE
You don’t have to say a word. I can tell. You’re amazed that Hallie’s slut sister, who runs down the street with a mattress on her back yelling “curb service,” lives in such a sweet little ivy-covered cottage.
AARON
(bumbles)
I, er, uh –
GRACE
It’s okay. That’s what she tells everyone. Just to get the record straight, Mr. Silver — ?
AARON
Silverman.
GRACE
Mr. Silverman. I am not, nor have I ever been, a card-carrying streetwalker. Nor do I head up a suburban matron’s call girl ring, nor do I even make nice on anyone but my husband, Dr. Philip Delany, your friendly neighborhood orthodontist.
AARON
(whipped)
Can I have a glass of water, please?
GRACE
I’ll give you ginger ale. It helps settle the stomach.
She goes to the refrigerator, takes out a bottle and pours him a glass of ginger ale. He takes it, sips.
AARON
But I thought, Hallie said, that is, when her mother died –
Grace turns. There is no humor in her voice or face now.
GRACE
Our mother lives three blocks from here. She has varicose veins, she plays a rotten hand of bridge, and the only joy she gets from her children are my two kids, whom she dotes on. God knows she never got anything but heartache from Hallie.
Grace comes over and slumps down on another stool.
GRACE
(continuing; wearily)
Why does she do it? Why does she lie to everyone?
AARON
This time I’m afraid she’s in serious trouble. With her husband gone and her baby in custody…
GRACE
(horrified)
Vikki? Where is she?
AARON
The county home. You mean she never told you, never asked for help?
GRACE
Mr. Silverman, you’d better understand something. We’re not talking about a rational human being here. Hallie is a pathological liar. Ask her if it’s January and she’ll tell you it’s May.
(beat)
There is no husband. The baby is illegitimate.
AARON
Everything she said…everything she told me…she was lying…all of it.
GRACE
And that’s why she didn’t call us for help. We’ve helped too many times. Phil won’t give her another cent, and she’s bled Mom dry. When she stole Mom’s credit cards, that was the final straw.
AARON
She used one to try and rent a car. They caught her and she called me. I – I used to date Hallie. I went her bail. Arraignment was a few hours ago. She never showed.
GRACE
I thought you were something more than an attorney for her.
AARON
Do you have any idea where I could locate her?
(beat)
Mrs. Delany, I think you should know: I’m almost dead certain Hallie is on drugs. Methedrine, some kind of speed. She looked bad on Saturday when I got her out of jail.
GRACE
(head in hands)
Oh god. Oh, dear god.
AARON
Is there anything you can tell me to help me find her? I’ve gotten a twenty-four-hour stay from the court. If I can get her back, it’ll be easier on her.
GRACE
No, nothing. We never knew where she lived. She never told us.
AARON
Anything.
Grace thinks, ponders, considers, then spreads her hands.
GRACE
I’m sorry.
Aaron rises, sets down the glass.
AARON
Well, thanks anyhow. I’ll keep in touch with you. If she calls or anything, will you call me at the Neighborhood Law Office?
Grace nods agreement and walks Aaron toward the kitchen door.
CUT TO:
52 EXT. HOUSE – ON DOOR – DAY
As it opens and Aaron comes out. Grace stands there, looking devastated.
GRACE
Where will you look?
AARON
(shrugs)
I don’t know.
(beat)
Listen, you couldn’t have helped, unless you’d known. She’s like a lot of other people; I really think she doesn’t mean any harm, but she has to keep scoring that dope, and when people like that run out of what they’ve got around to sell, they just start ripping-off their friends, relatives, mothers…
GRACE
And finally they call people like you. She must have thought a lot of you, Mr. Silverman, to save you for last.
Aaron gets hit with that one. His stomach drops, his expression goes dead.
AARON
Yeah.
(beat)
Goodbye.
He turns to go, and the door closes. CAMERA HOLDS ON Aaron as he comes toward us and CAMERA PULLS BACK. He walks to the bus and starts to get in, when the door suddenly bursts open and Grace Delany runs out.
GRACE
(shouts)
Mr. Silverman! Mr. Silverman!
Aaron turns as Grace comes up to him.
GRACE
(continuing)
She came once with a boy. To get money. She said it was for the baby. Phil wouldn’t give it to her, we knew she was lying, but we didn’t know what she wanted it for.
(beat)
Phil and I both remembered the name of the boy. It was Joe Bob Holiday. He spoke with a very heavy Southern kind of accent. Tall boy, long hair, he got very nasty when Phil turned him down.
(beat)
Does that help any?
AARON
Maybe. I’ll let you know. Thanks.
He gets in and drives away as Grace stands there watching and we
DISSOLVE TO:
53 INT. NLO OFFICE – BARRETT’S OFFICE – DAY
PAT WALTERS, Aaron and Barrett.
AARON
And that’s all of it.
(beat)
You were right, sir. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time.
BARRETT
Mmm. Well, now you have to find her, and there’s some help on that score.
(beat)
I had Hallie’s girlfriend come in after we heard she hadn’t showed up at the arraignment.
(beat)
Incidentally, you’ll be interested to know the girl friend’s attorney got the charges dismissed. It was obvious she’d been the dupe, not Hallie.
AARON
Did she have anything to say?
BARRETT
(chiding him)
More than you deserve to know.
AARON
Uncle! Don’t hit me again.
BARRETT
(smiles)
Okay, just so you longhaired young punks understand there are a couple of good minutes in even the old of us.
He slides a sheet of paper across to Aaron, then another.
BARRETT
A list of names and addresses of all Hallie’s friends the girl could remember.
Aaron picks them up. Looks at them.
AARON
How come the duplicate copy?
BARRETT
I thought you might need someone to help you check them out. Two copies, fer shtay?
AARON
(to Pat)
Hey, I hate to ask, with all the cases you’ve got,
but –
Pat reaches over and takes a copy.
PAT
It’s more than you deserve, treating this fine old gentleman the way you do.
Aaron gives a MOAN, clutches his head and turns to go. Pat starts after him. Barrett stops him.
BARRETT
Hey, Renfrew of the Royal Mounted!
&
nbsp; Aaron stops and turns around. Barrett is holding a wrist watch.
BARRETT
You’d better take this. So you’ll know what time it is.
AARON
My watch! But I sold it Friday night.
BARRETT
I bought it from a student who came in today looking for you.
(hands it to him)
My gift.
Aaron takes it, slips it on, smiles his thanks.
AARON
Thanks.
BARRETT
You can pass on the thanks. You owe me twenty bucks.