Slumber Days By ANTHONY CARDENAS
EXT. PARK - MORNING DEVON, a young man in his mid-twenties is sitting down on a park bench constantly checking his cell phone. His body language gives us the impression that he is waiting impatiently for someone to arrive. A few moments pass and a STRANGE MAN sits on the park bench next to DEVON. The STRANGE MAN is wearing sunglasses and an outfit that conceals his identity. STRANGE MAN Theyre on their way. DEVON Shit, already? How much time you figure we got before they find out? STRANGE MAN Its hard to say exactly, probably a few more hours at the most. DEVON Should we run? STRANGE MAN No, Im tired of running and besides theres a good chance wed just run ourselves right back into the same mess we came from. DEVON You know we cant take them. STRANGE MAN I didnt say we were. DEVON You got a plan then? STRANGE MAN Wait it out. See what happens. DEVON Youre kidding, right? These guys wouldnt give mercy to a kid in a wheelchair and you want us to just wait here and see what happens? STRANGE MAN It could be to our benefit.
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2.
DEVON Oh, yeah? How? STRANGE MAN Sometimes the greatest battles are won without any fighting. DEVON (sighs)Jesus Christ, were dead. CUT TO: INT. CAR - MORNING BOSS, an older looking gentleman is driving a vehicle while chewing on a tooth pick. His phone goes off and he immediately answers. BOSS What you got for me? VOICE We think we got em, sir. BOSS Whats going on? VOICE We spotted the two culprits at Adamor Park, sir. BOSS Did they have the package with them? VOICE No sir. We believe the package has been transferred to a third party. BOSS (sigh) Stay on their tail. If you find out anything about the package let me know asap. Got it? VOICE Yes, sir. BOSS hangs up the cell phone.
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3.
BOSS (To self)I sure hope these poor bastards know what theyre getting themselves into. BOSS picks up his cell phone and begins to call someone else. CUT TO: EXT. PARK - MORNING We cut back to DEVON and STRANGE MAN walking in the park. They are having a conversation about their next plan. DEVON Im telling you man, once they find out, thats it. Game over. We all go back to the hell we created. STRANGE MAN Let me ask you this, Devon. When you picked up the goods, what was your immediate response? DEVON What do you mean? Get the stuff and run, duh. STRANGE MAN Did you expect them to find ya? DEVON What do you think? Of course not! STRANGE MAN Then maybe its time you expected the unexpected. DEVON Yeah, right... Well, it dont matter anymore. We lost it and it aint be coming back. STRANGE MAN Dont be so sure of yourself. STRANGE MAN digs into his pocket and pulls out a golden watch.
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4.
DEVON (grinning and laughing to self) Oh you son-of-a-bitch CUT TO: INT. APARTMENT - AFTERNOON A crazed-look man in his mid-30s is standing in his kitchen making a drink when he hears a knock at his door. He heads over to the door and answers it. A big older mafia-like man dressed in a gray suit hands him a scroll-like document. BIG MAN Youve been summoned. CRAZED MAN Christ, didnt I tell you guys I was through with this shit? BIG MAN The boss calls on you only during times of great despair. CRAZED MAN Somethings always gotta be goin down, dont it? Opens the letter and begins to scan it. CRAZED MAN (While scanning) Lets see what it is this time. Close up on YOUNGER MANS face reveals interest in the document he is reading. With a grin, he looks up at BIG MAN. CRAZED MAN Tell him I got it under control. BIG MAN (nods) The family gives you their divine gratitude. BIG MAN turns and leaves. YOUNGER MAN shuts the door and goes back into his apartment. He then walks over to his drawer where he opens it to reveal a revolver gun. He picks up the gun and holds it about chest level while looking at himself in the mirror.
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5.
CRAZED MAN (To Self While Smiling) Time to finish the game. EXT. PARK - AFTERNOON The two men stalking DEVON and STRANGE MAN, named GOON 1 and GOON 2, are discussing their plans. GOON 1 Do we keep following them? GOON 2: What else are we gonna do? Have a goddamn picnic in the park? GOON 1: Doesnt sound like a bad idea. Getting kinda hungry here. GOON 2: If we screw this up, well never earn the familys respect. We gotta carry through. GOON 1: Where you think they are going? GOON 2: Who the hell knows? Probably stalking their next victim; the sick bastards. GOON 1: Cant we just kill them? GOON 2: I sure wish we could. Ive been waiting all day to use this bad boy. GOON 2s cell phone rings. He answers. GOON 2: (After a pause) Alright, were coming. GOON 2: Come on, the boss got new plans. Lets get out of here.
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6.
GOON 1: Sounds good to me. Can we get something to eat? GOON 2: Sure, well shoot up a vending machine on the way out. I need to get it out of my system anyway. GOON 1 and GOON 2 get up and leave frame. We cut to DEVON and STRANGE MAN where they are walking towards the street at the end of the park. STRANGE MAN turns in front of DEVON. STRANGE MAN Devon, take care man. DEVON Where are you going? STRANGE MAN Im going to finish the job by myself. I dont want you to take anymore risks. You got a family, you know. DEVON Fine, go and finish the job. I will wait for you. STRANGE MAN I cant guarantee well meet again, Devon. DEVON What the hell are you talking about? STRANGE MAN Times have changed. Things between the families havent been so tense since the early years. If I dont make it back, you know what to do. DEVON Go and do what you need to do. I can take care of myself. STRANGE MAN (Pause) Bye Devon.
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7.
STRANGE MAN and DEVON part ways. DEVON walks and takes time to reflect. He sits down on the park bench and pulls out his wallet. In the wallet he pulls a picture of his family himself, a woman and a young daughter. He looks at the picture with great melancholy and begins to weep. DEVON looks up into the sky and screen fades. THE END
