The New Kid Word[1]

8/14/2019 The New Kid Word[1]

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The New Kid

A short Film

By Mark R. Morris Jr

int jeremy roland's homeroom

Jeremy sits at a desk with a piece of notebook paper titled "My Favorite ChristmasMemory" he smiles and puts his pencil to work

TEacher's voice:

A minimum of five hundred words please, you may begin now.

Jeremy: (voice over)

Some of the world's greatest stories begin in the weirdest places. Christmas began in abarn, this one starts out in a prison. The man in the orange jumpsuit is quite possibly mybest friend in the whole world, Mr. James Gacy ISNT THERE A SERIAL KILLERWITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR NAME?. Today he stands before the parole board toplead his case for early release. They won't let him out, but that won't stop him fromleaving today, but I am getting ahead of myself.

ext. prison day

Fade in exterior prison/guard in tower.

Cut to

int. cell-block day

inmate walking down row of cells toward camera. folded clothing in hands, passescamera enters cell

Dissolve to

int. cell day

Int cell, over the shoulder into mirror

he shaves and dresses.

freeze frAme

gacy with razor in mirror


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cut to

prison parking lot

man climbs out of compact car w/briefcase. Enters prison and submits himself and case

to a search.

Jeremy:

VO This is prison chaplain Todd Crawford. Every Monday afternoon he leads a Biblestudy here at the prison. He doesn't know it yet but his life is fixing to change in a bigway.

Dissolve to

prison hallway

longshot

chaplain enters and submits himself and case to a search. walks toward us

Chaplain walks toward the camera he reaches intersection with another hall, prisonguards escorting Mr. Gacy to parole hearing. No clear image of his clean shaven face.Neither man notices the other . Todd continues to room marked chapel and enters.

Jeremy: (Voice Over)

Some people call it fate, some call it karma, but I know for a fact that what happenednext was the hand of almighty God. You see, Todd Crawford was in the habit of prayingthe same prayer every morning since he was a boy. Today God would answer it in a verystrange way, the prayer was, "God I know there are things you want me to do today thatno one else can do, lead me to them and give me the courage I need to get them done."

Interior of chapel, day.

Todd is setting up for Bible study. A distraught James enters the chapel.

JAMES:

and Todd looks up, he removes his glasses and chokes.

Todd's POV James Gacy's face

continued:

reverse angle


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both men realize they are identical. both equally startled

Jeremy:(voice over)

As strange as it sounds, what God had planned for Todd today was a prison break. Don't

worry youll get it later. It seems my friend Mr. Gacy hadn't spent much time on theinside going to Church, but that was about to change too.

James:

I didn't mean to startle you. I just needed to be alone for awhile. I thought today I wasgoing to get another shot at being a Dad for my son, but my parole hearing didn't.... areyou okay, hey can you hear me?

MAYBE WE COULD ADD A SCENE LATER WHERE HE IS SITTING IN BEDLOOKING AT A PHOTO OF HIS SON, BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY TIME HE IS

MENTIONED, BUT I LIKE THE LINE BECAUSE THE AUDIENCE IS CONNECTEDTO HIM EMOTIONALLY FROM THIS POINT ON.

Close up of James as he regains his composure.

top view of the two men

Todd collapses onto the floor. James rushes for help, stops himself and locks the knob onthe door.

ADD THE LINE: WE NEED A DOCTOR IN HERE. ALSO HAVE HIM CHECK HIS

VITALS. THE AUDIENCE WILL LIKE HIM EVEN MORE. HE THEN REALIZESNO ONE HEARD HIM MAYBE WE CAN SHOW A SHOT OF SECURITYGUARDS WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME JAMES WALKS OUT THE DOORTHEN WE DO A FAST TRACKING SHOT TO CU ON HIS FACETHE MOMENTOF REALIZATION THAT THIS IS HIS CHANCE TO ESCAPE.

cut to:

MID SHOT OF JAMES

he paces the room trying to decide what to do. He notices a small mirror on the wall and

checks his face, comparing,

OVER THE SHOULDER

he removes Todd's glasses and puts them on and checks mirror again. traces finger on apaper schedule taped to the wall "Bible study Monday 11:30 AM" Cut to James checkingTodd's watch, it reads 11:20.


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the alarm button and follows the beep to Todd's car,climbs in throws the briefcase on theseat, and pulls out a little too cautiously. He drives toward the horizon.

Cut to

truckstop, sign says EAT, zoom in to Todd's car parked next to the caf, zoom to windowwe see James in booth with cup of coffee. Cut to OTS of waitress.

Waitress:

You gonna drink that?

James:

Wha..

Waitress:

You been sittin here with that cup halfway to your mouth for nearly forty-five minutes,you're starting to creep me out.

James:

Oh, sorry (he takes a sip, but spits it back) Uhhh!

Waitress:

Want me to freshen that up for you?

James:

Please.

Waitress:

What else can I get you?

James:

Uh, I'm not sure, let me see.

(she holds out the menu but he is reaching for a wallet, he silently counts, seems satisfiedand looks up )


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Yeah, I'll have the special.

Waitress:

Okay, honey, it'll be right out.

dissolve to:

EXT. cafe noon

CLOSEUP,JAMES

in the window as he pulls the briefcase up to the table and pops it open, inside he finds aBible, several other books, some sermon notes and a PDA.

cut to:

reverse angle

He takes it out and begins to scroll through it. He puts it back and starts to close case,stops as he notices a plane ticket, pulls it out and closes the case.

POV James

JEREMY: (VOICE OVER)

What he needed more than anything was a way of escape, the fifty bucks in the wallet

and the half tank of gas would only take him so far, and he knew the fate of criminalsstupid enough to use "borrowed" credit cards. Then out of the blue the sky opened upwith a gift from heaven in the form of..

JAMES:

A plane ticket, huh.. WE DONT NEED THIS LINE. JUST SHOW IT. LETS SEE THEEXPRESSION ON HIS FACE.

reads ticket. There is a letter with it from a church welcoming Todd as their new associatepastor. POV James looks up as waitress brings food to the table.

Waitress:

So, where you headed?

James:

Who me?


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Waitress:

No, your imaginary friend on the other side of the table, yeah you.

James:

(glancing at the ticket)

Oklahoma City.

fadeout/fadein

ext. house w/moving truck day

Jeremy is seen carrying a carton up the ramp into the back of the moving truck.

JEREMY:

That's me the skinny little kid in the tshirt and jeans lugging what must be my millionthmoving carton, not an exaggeration, we have moved six times in the last nine years!

front of house

overweight fortyish man in jeans and sweatshirt carries one end of a sofa backwards outof the house

JEREMY:

That, is my Dad, pastor Ronald Roland. Well the name is better than what his fatherwanted to call him, get this Poland, Poland Roland, what kind of name is that I ask you?So anyway here we are loading the seventh moving truck in less than a decade. What myDad sees in this job I'll never understand. He gets overworked, underpaid and way underappreciated. this time the great adventure in moving takes us to the great state ofOklahoma where my Dad is going to be the pastor at Rolling Oaks community church.that's where I'll be meeting Mr. James Gacy, it seems he and my dad... maybe I'd better letyou find out for yourself.

fadeout/fadein

ext. airport day

Establishing shot of runway, plane comes in for landing, cut to Interior airport, day.James walks toward camera, eager man rushes to meet him.

Glen: PLEASE TELL ME THIS CHARACTER WAS INSPIRED BY GLEN FROMGROUNHOGS DAY!!!!!!


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Pastor Todd, Pastor Todd! So good to see you, glad you're finally here.

James pulls away, the man is insistent

James:

I'm not who you think I am, you got the wrong guy.

Glen:

No I don't think so, they sent me with a picture, cause I mess up a lot, see, it's you,remember when you came to speak last Summer? It's me Glenn Shubeck, remember?

A nearby security officer hears the commotion and walks toward them, saying somethinginto his radio. James rethinks, realizes that questions are not in his best interest and grabsGlenn by the shoulder in a friendly way. I HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR HOW TO

SHOOT THIS PART. DONT LET ME FORGET IT!

James:

No, I was just teasing of course I remember you.

Glenn:

You do? Oh thank goodness, let me tell you, you had me going there for a minute, well,let's get your bags, shall we?

James:

Nope, no bags, just my briefcase.

Glenn:

Really? So your stuff is coming later...

James:

Nope, new town, new job, new stuff, going to make a whole new beginning of it, so

where did you park?

Medium shot of James and Glenn walking down corridor security guard says somethinginto radio and someone else steps up to ask him a question.

INTERIOR CAR DAY,



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This, is Glenn Shubeck, church deacon, and professional nice guy. He sells insurance andvisits widows and orphans in his free time. NOT SURE IF JEREMY NEEDS TO KEEPINTRODUCING PEOPLE THIS FAR INTO THE SCRIPT. MAYBE A DECISION TOMAKE IN THE EDITING ROOM AFTER THE FIRST OR SECOND CUT. ALSO, ITHINK THE SETTING MAY BE BETTER IF IT WERE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

LET HIM FLY INTO OKC, BUT MAYBE AFTER A LONG DRIVING MONTAGE,THEY ARRIVE IN TECUMSAH OR SOME PLACE.

Glenn is driving James sits in the passenger seat.

Glenn:

We are really excited that you are finally here, this is a big step for us. Pastor Rolandwon't be here until the end of the week, so you'll have the whole show to yourself thisweek, but I know you're probably chomping at the bit.

James:

Right, uh, refresh my memory about the "big step" and how are you connected to thiswhole thing?

Glenn:

Really? Well, okay. River Oaks Community Church was founded sixty years ago by...

James:

Let's try the reader's digest version.

Glenn:

Well, after pastor Jacobs passed away this Summer we knew we had to make somechoices, so we offered it to his associate pastor Joe.

James;

So where's joe now?

GLENN:

He was already considering a new position for another church and decided this was agood time to make a clean break. So. now here we are with this whole fundraiser thingand two new pastors, you can't believe how glad I am to see you.

JAMES:


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Fundraiser?

GLENN:

Yeah the twentieth anniversary of project Barabas, you remember. It was pastor Jacob's

baby. We talked about canceling it, but it didn't seem right. Don't worry the fundraising ismostly done. We just have the pledge collection to finish, but even that's huge!

JAMES:

Huge, huh? Just how huge are we talking?

GLENN:

You don't remember much do you?

JAMES:

No, I guess I don't

GLENN:

It'll be about $75,000 mostly cash. So security is our biggest issue, I sure am glad to beable to hand it off to you.


James Gacy had determined not to waste his new-found freedom, he was going straighthe just needed a day or two to figure out his next step, but some opportunities are toogood to pass up.

James:

Hand it off to me, huh? So what else does an associate pastor do?

Glenn:

Here it is.

POV JAMES

looking out window at a stereotypical church building.

James:

I live in the church?


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12/65

James sits sandwiched between two ladies on the small sofa while a crowd of aboutfifteen stand in a circle facing him. Many of them have plates of snack food and cups ofpunch. There is half of a welcome banner hanging from the wall.

Rosemary:

I am so sorry about the banner, I was on the chair hanging it when the lights were turnedoff, and when they came on, well I guess I was a bit surprised.

(she hands the other half of the banner to James)

James:

Don't mention it.

Thelma:

(an older "church lady" )

I think it might be best if we didn't mention any of the details of this little "shindig" I'dhate to think what the Methodist Ladies circle could do with a story like this.

Susan:

(this is Glenn's wife, thirtyish, not unattractive )

Well, Thelma. It could have been worse.

Voice in crowd:

Yeah, it could have been Thelma in the towel.

(general laughter )

Thelma:

Loyd Perkins, I know that was you.

Loyd:

No, it wasn't either, but I'll take credit if I have to.

James:


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Well, I apologize for my unorthodox entrance, but I really had no idea you all were here.

(he stands, fully clothed now in shirt and slacks)

I really appreciate the welcome. It certainly has been nice to meet you all. It is getting a

little late, and I do have a new job to start tomorrow, so..

Cut to crowd from doorway as they bundle up and get ready to go. They stop by to shakehands and wander out in twos and threes, taking their leftovers with them. Susan andGlenn stay behind.

Susan:

Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning, that is, if that's what you want.

James:

I wouldn't dream of taking your job, besides you seem to know all the inside secrets, I'msure we'll be keeping you, but at any rate I'll let pastor Roland worry about that.

NOT SURE IF THESE LAST TWO LINES TRANSLATE WELL. ARE THEYTALKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW SECRETARY OR HIM TAKING OVER HERJOB AS DIRECTOR OF THE MUSICAL? MAY WANT TO REWRITE.

SUSAN:

I almost forgot, here's your score.

hands James a bound music score

JAMES:

score?

SUSAN:

The music, for auditions tomorrow, Oh you forgot, Oh, I'm sorry, I suppose we couldreschedule.

JAMES:

Musical, auditions, of course, I didn't forget, just keeping you on your toes.Tomorrow?..will be just fine. Will you be trying out?

SUSAN:


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(giggling)

Glenn was right about you, you are funny. Me? In the kids Christmas pageant?

RESTRUCTURE LAST LINE: ME? IN THE KIDS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT?

(GIGGLES) GLENN WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE FUNNY.

Freeze frame on James' terrified and confused face


It was at this moment THAT James Gacy reached the point of no return. His greed finallyovercame his fear of children and made his resolve to get his piece of that $75,000stronger than ever.

NOT SURE IF FINDING OUT THAT IT WAS A KIDS MUSICAL WOULD MAKE

HIM WANT THE MONEY MORE SINCE HE HATES KIDS. IT WOULD MAKEMORE SINCE IF HE WAS READY TO GIVE UP AFTER THE PARENTSBARRADING HIM UNTIL LATISHAS MOM ENCOURAGED HIM. AND THATSWHEN HE FEELS AS THOUGH THIS MAY BE SOMETHING HE COULDACTUALLY PULL OFF.

JAMES:

Kids? Right, the musical. Wouldn't miss it.

James shows them out, then collapses to the floor

JAMES:

Kids? I hate kids!

MAY BE A BETTER DEILVERY IF HE SAYS IT UNDER HIS BREATH IN HALFDISPAIR AFTER A LONG SIGH. I KNOW ITS A MOVIE, BUT PEOPLESCREAMING TO THEMSELVES IS FAR LESS REALISTIC THAN A SIGH.

Jeremy: Voice Over

James figured that whatever happened it would take our chaplain friend at least two daysto convince the guards to listen to his story, if he was still alive. Although he had neverput much faith in anything but himself his year and a half as the foster son of a baptistpreacher made him confident that kids or no kids he could fool these people long enoughto figure out his next move. In the meantime he had free food, and a place to sleep. Sureit wasn't the ritz, but it beat the bighouse any day. A good night's sleep and a niceleisurely morning without bells and whistles was just what the Dr. ordered.


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SUSAN:

I believe it's on your desk.

(she nods)

Next to your CD player.

EXTEND IT ONE STEP FURTHER: SUSAN--IN YOUR OFFICE.

JAMES:

And my office is?

SUSAN:

Really, you are such a kidder.

she turns to her computer and begins to type, James remains where he was

SUSAN:

You weren't kidding...were you?

JAMES:

I went through so many places before I decided to come here.

SUSAN:

But I thought the prison thing was your first job out of seminary.

JAMES:

Oh it was, but internships and residency and..

SUSAN:

(giggling again)

You are so funny, residency! Internships and residency, for ministers, although sometimesI think it's not a bad idea. Come on, your office is down the hall.

JAMES:

Oh, by the way, know anybody that would have a good cheap used car?


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SUSAN:

I'll have Glenn bring pastor Jacob's loaner up to you at lunchtime. It doesn't look likemuch but it runs.

int. assoc. pastor's office

JEREMY:

Right about now "Pastor Todd" is putting the finishing touches on his auditionpreparations. I think the friendly staff at the bookstore would agree that he is putting hisnew copy of "Directing for Dummies" to good use.

it is some time later and James is snoring heartily while the SCORE OF THECHRISTMAS MUSICAL BLARES from his CD player we hear Susan KNOCKINGAND CALLING from the hall

SUSAN:

Pastor Todd! Todd! Are you in there? Your actors are here!

She opens the door and pokes her head in

SUSAN'S POV of James asleep at desk his face is in a copy of Directing for dummies

JAMES:

What, lockdown already?

SUSAN:

Excuse me? The children are here. They're waiting for you in the sanctuary.

James looks around regaining his composure, he jumps from his seat and heads for thedoor.

susan:

Won't you need the score, and the Cd player?

JAMES:

Right.

James goes back to the desk to grab the things


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20/65

You have a question?

Lexie:

Whose going to be Mary, Pastor Joe's daughter Liz always was Mary, but they ran away.

JAMES:

Ran away?

SUSAN:

You mean to say they moved away.

LEXIE:

My Momma says pastor Joe couldn't take it so he ran away, anyway can Latisha be Mary,cause she says she is but she wears glasses and my Bible has pictures and everything andMary's does not wear glasses!

JAMES:

Um, well, we'll have to see. Do you want to be Mary, uh..

SUSAN:

Lexie.

JAMES:

Right, Lexie, do you want to be Mary?

LEXIE:

No, I'm the Angel, I'm always the Angel 'cause I talk the most. Everybody says I do. Myteacher Miss Myer's said she wished there was such a thing as a speaking bee, like aspelling bee only for talkers, because if there was she would enter me and we'd be sure towin.

JAMES:

Okay, well thank you Lexie. I'm not an expert on Biblical illustrations, but I'm pretty surewe don't know exactly what Mary looked like, I'm sure Latisha would make a lovelyMary.


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(indidcating the direction of the assoc. pastor's office)

In there. By the way, how did the auditions go?

JAMES:

Great! If we can find everyone but Mary in the next three days I think we'll be alright.

int assoc pastor's office

There is a crowd of disgruntled parents in the office when James walks in, they wait untilhe is behind the desk

JAMES:

Good morning.

They all begin to talk at once, ad lib. James looks to Susan for assistance.

SUSAN:

Alright, one at a time.

angry mom1:

Why isn't my daughter Mary? She's been understudying that part for the past three years,and...

angry Dad:

Yeah and my son came home talking about how the Flannigan brothers are wisemen, isthat right? Now I know you're new here but if you take my advice you'll realize thatchurch is no place for a bunch of thugs like the Flannigans.

angry mom2:

He's right you know Jimmy Flannigan baptized my daughter again last night for the thirdtime this year.

They all talk at once again demanding justice, ad lib

SUSAN:

All right, all right, OKAY! Now listen we all voted to bring pastor Todd here to help usout. I suggest we give him a chance to prove he knows what he's doing.


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JAMES:

Thank you, Susan.

SUSAN:

If it doesn't work out we can all vote on his severance package at the next businessmeeting.

James looks uncomfortable with this but it seems to calm the crowd. Susan holds the doorfor them and they exit all except for one.

SUSAN:

Now if you'll excuse him he has two hours to prepare for his first rehearsal.

Mom 3:

Pastor Todd?

JAMES:

Yes?

Mom3:

I'm sorry for the way they're acting, but I just came to say thank you for the way you

treated my daughter last night, she came home happy for the first time in I don't knowhow long. You treated her just like everybody else. Made her feel like a part, thank you.

JAMES:

Nice to know I did something right, you're welcome. Which one is your daughter?

MOM3:

Her name is Latisha. She's the one who has to wear her headgear after five PM.

JAMES:

Yeah, Lexie introduced us, but I don't think she even sang for me last night.

MOM3:

You offered, that's more than most would do, thank you. You keep up the good workpastor Todd.


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SUSAN:

Don't forget, rehearsal at six thirty. Oh, and Pastor Roland will be here tonight so heasked me to make sure you were here at nine sharp tomorrow.

JAMES:

How do you like that? A thank you...nine? Sure no problem, I've been getting up prettyearly anyway.

WHAT IF JAMES IGNORES THE 9AM THING AND JUST SAYS A THANK YOU?THEN SHE SNAPS BACK WITH 9AM. AND THEN JAMES FINISHES HIS LINEABOUT GETTING UP EARLY.

dissolve to

INT. CHURCH SANCTUARY

About a dozen kids range across the room, some in pieces of costume some with props.Jimmy and Mikey, two of the Flannigan brothers, are dueling with shepherd's staves,balanced on the alter rail.

JAMES:

Hey, you...tell me their names again?

LEXIE:

The big one is Jimmy, the little one's Mikey, their last name is Flannigan and my Fathersaid he told you..

JAMES:

Thanks, that's all for now. Jimmy, Mikey, cut that out, I thought I made you wise men soyou wouldn't have these.

he confiscates the staves

Jimmy:

You did, but stupid over their said we couldn't be wise men and told us we had to trade.

Mikey:

Yeah, said we couldn't be trusted with baby Jesus' Christmas presents.


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Travis:

I'm the stupid one? They were birthday presents, Christmas wasn't invented yet. Besidesyou tried to pawn the gold last year.

LEXIE:

That's Travis he's the fastest boy at our grade school, some of my friends think he's hot,but not me, my Mom said I'm not allowed to say..

JAMES:

Thank you Lexie.

YOU HAVE GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE MINDS OF KIDS. THEIR LINES AREGREAT AND I LOVE HOW JAMES BITES BACK.

JIMMY:

How did I know you guys were so cheap you used fake gold?

TRAVIS:

Can you believe this guy? That's why they're called props, ape face!

LEXIE:

(reading from Directing for Dummies)

Actually props is short for properties, and according to this not all of them are fake. Infact they list more real items than fake on their "common props"...

JAMES:

(taking the book gently from Lexie)

Thank you Lexie. You should probably go help with costumes for a minute.

Jimmy and Travis are facing off, James grabs them by the collar and hustles them outonto the front steps

JAMES:

(in a growling whisper)


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We can be friends, or I can be your worst nightmare, do you get me? Now I want youguys to go home and cool down. Be sure your ready to work together before you comeback to rehearsal, you got me?

The two boys shrug off his hands and start off in opposite directions

JAMES:

Hey, Flannigan. One more thing. I'm not blind. If I see you picking the lock on theoffering box again, I'm callin' the cops, do we understand each other?

JIMMY:

(bowing up to him)

You don't know who you're messing with, Preacher Man. this isn't over, you too Travis!

TRAVIS:

Whatever, whenever you're ready Flannigan.

Cut to

int drugstore Raining


James Gacy could only take so much before he started falling back on old habits. Hedecided that tomorrow would look much brighter through the bottom of a bottle, ormaybe more than one.

A bedraggled James enters the store and walks up to a display of beer. just as he isreaching for a case he hears...

Thelma:

Yoohoo! Pastor Todd? I thought that was you, what on earth happened, you look awful.

JAMES:

Oh, just rehearsal, I'm a little tired.

THELMA:

So what did you come in for, I can probably tell you where to find it, I practically livehere.


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29/65

The light next to his bed snaps on, james lies peacefully asleep with earplugs and mask inplace. two thugs stand on either side of the bed wearing ski masks, one holds a bat.

shawn flannigan:

Wake up Preacher Man!....

A long pause

shawn:

Wake up!

Tommy Flannigan:

Shawn, I don't think he can hear you.

SHAWN:

I said Wake UP!

tommy:

No, I mean he's wearing earplugs.

SHAWN:

He's got a mask on too.

TOMMY:

Maybe we should shake him.

Shawn positions himself at the ready with the bat

SHAWN:

OK go ahead.

TOMMY:

Hey wake up! Preacher Man.

James sits up pulling off the mask and earplugs

JAMES:


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What the...who are you guys.

Shawn pokes him in the chest with the bat laying him back in the bed.

SHAWN:

Hey, slow down, we're asking the questions here. That's a cute little mask you're wearing.

TOMMY:

Yeah nice...purple, ain't that for sissies?

JAMES:

Sorry, they were all out of skull and crossbones.

TOMMY:

Oh, so you think you're funny, huh.....

(he thinks very hard and even scratches his head)

funny guy?

SHAWN:

Will you shut up?

Tommy holds his mouth closed

SHAWN:

So Preacher Man, we heard you threatened to call the cops on a friend of ours.

TOMMY:

Yeah, that friend happens to be our little brother.

SHAWN:

Shut UP! You were not supposed to tell him that.

He pokes Tommy with the bat

TOMMY:


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Ow! That hurts.You can't tell me what to do, Dad never said you were in charge, Shawn!

SHAWN:

Oh, nice! Of course he didn't I'm always in charge, Tommy!

TOMMY:

Hey Dad always says no names, jerk!

SHAWN:

You used mine first, now we're even!

JAMES:

You ladies gonna argue all night or can I get back to sleep?

SHAWN:

You shut up, we're asking the questions.

TOMMY:

Yeah, hey Shawn, this preacher's got a tattoo.

SHAWN:

Good job Tommy, stand him up so I can get a better look at that.

TOMMY:

All right preacher man, stand up nice and slow.

We see James grab the bat, swing on Shawn and just before he makes contact SMACKSOUND WITH BLACKOUT

cut to black

ext. flower shop sign reads flannigan's flowers

INT. FLOWER SHOP WORK ROOM EARLY MORNING LIGHT COMES IN THEFRONT WINDOW


32/65

Tommy and Shawn are seen nursing wounds in the back room of the flower shop, theyare speaking with an older, only slightly more refined version of themselves.

mickey flannigan:

So, a preacher got the best of you, take your lumps and get over it.

TOMMY:

That's not all Pops, this guy ain't right, he hits too hard to be a preacher, tell him the restShawn.

SHAWN:

Dude's got a tattoo on his chest.

Mickey:

You want me to call out the cavalry 'cause the new preacher gots a tattoo.

(he laughs out loud)

I gotta laugh, the pope could have a tattoo these days and nobody'd even tell him to pullup his pants so it wouldn't show. Used to be you needed a reputation just to walk into atattoo parlour,now what's the world coming to?

Tommy:

Shawn says it's a jailhouse tattoo, Pops.

MICKEY:

And? You know how many guys I knew found Jesus in the can?

SHAWN:

Dad, this one was new, six months tops.

MICKEY:

That's a different story, wonder what his game is?

TOMMY:

That's what Shawn said , only he said "I wonder what he's up to" and he had an icepackon his face so it came out kind of funny like "Iwunnerwhaheupto"


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Mickey and Shawn:

Tommy, shut up!

MICKEY:

What Church did you say he was from?

SHAWN:

Rolling Hills, or something like that.

MICKEY:

I know what it is.

He stabs his finger into a note pinned to the bulletin board: Barabas Project Fund RaisingDinner centerpieces.

dissolve to

INT. JAMES BEDROOM

He lies curled tightly around the bat snoring peacefully earplugs and mask firmly inplace, he begins to wake up slowly with a smile.

James moving about his morning routine slowly happily, we see him come back into the

room with coffee, in his robe and slippers and the paper. He sits on the bed

SHOT OF CLOCK READING 9:45

James jumps out of bed and flies around

JAMES RUNNING TO CAR ONE SHOE ON THE OTHER IN HIS TEETH

He steps into a giant puddle with the bare foot

int pASTOR'S OFFICE MORNING

Susan's desk sits empty, James enters panicked and looking like a mess, he looks aroundfrantically for somebody,he is still carrying the bat for some unknown reason. PastorRoland and Susan enter from office door laughing.

Pastor roland:


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PASTOR ROLAND:

You're right, he is funny. you really had me going there, but seriously you do know weare running a strictly batless operation here, right?

Pastor Roland grins and James slowly catches on that he is joking back

JAMES:

Batless, that's a good one.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Susan was just catching me up to speed. I have to go talk with the florist about thecenterpieces for the fundraiser. i'm afraid my family is down to one car for the moment,would you mind driving me over?

JAMES:

Oh, sure, no problem.

cut to

int florist shop

We are looking out the front window as the Flannigan's are busily cleaning, sorting,whatever. We see James' car pull into the lot. Tommy is the first to notice.

TOMMY:

Hey, Shawn look at that.

SHAWN:

It can't be.

MICKEY:

Can't be who?

SHAWN:

The preacher from last night.

TOMMY:


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He found us already? Great!

MICKEY:

Come on you're over reacting, besides he won't recognize you, you wore masks right?

Both boys are silently staring anywhere but at their Dad

MICKEY:

Right?

SHAWN:

Well, he might of made us take 'em off, but just for a minute.

MICKEY:

It was dark, he won't remember..

TOMMY:

He might, you better tell him Shawn.

MICKEY:

Tell me what, what had you better tell me?

SHAWN:

It's just that he might have...

MICKEY:

Might have what?

SHAWN:

Taken our picture.

MICKEY:

He might have taken your picture? You two that stupid you don't know if he took yourpicture or not?

TOMMY:


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Shut up half whit! Now, you're going to give us half and I'm gonna tell you why.

James glares at him silently

SHAWN:

You're gonna do it because wherever you got that tattoo I'm betting there's a cell withyour name on it, so unless you wanna go back there, empty handed I suggest you take myoffer, do we have a deal?

HOW DO THEY KNOW HE SHOULD STILL BE IN PRISON? MICKEY EXPLAINSAWAY THIS IDEA WHEN HE SAYS THAT HE KNOWS PLENTY OF MEN WHOFOUND JESUS IN THE CAN.

James nods, tommy releases him. james exits the bathroom turning back to say

JAMES:

You may be smarter than I gave you credit for.

The door closes and the Flannigan's slap each other on the back and generally celebrate.

WORKROOM OF THE FLOWER SHOP

Pastor Roland and Mickey sit at a table as James enters

PASTOR ROLAND:

There you are, I wondered if you fell in.

JAMES:

I was pushed.

He grins to show it's a joke. Pastor Roland chuckles, Mickey looks at him suspiciously.Pastor Roland stands and shakes Mickeys hand, we watch them leave and climb into thecar, it backs out and Tommy and Shawn enter the workroom.

MICKEY:

See you had nothing to worry about he wasn't even here for you.

SHAWN:

It's alright Pops, we took care of it.


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TOMMY:

Tell him what we did Shawn.

SHAWN:

Let's just say the more he gets away with, the happier you'll be with us.

MICKEY:

Taking initiative, my boys, conning a con, I'm so proud.

Mickey places an arm around each of his sons.

cut to

car interior

James is driving, looking nervously in his rearview, Pastor Roland sits in the passengerseat

PASTOR ROLAND:

What's the matter Todd, you look like you just escaped from prison or something.

James chuckles nervously

JAMES:

I'm not feeling so hot.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Well, Mickey seemed like a nice guy. I'll have to make sure he gets an invite to thedinner.

JAMES:

I have a feeling he'll be there.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Why, do you know something I don't?

JAMES:


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No, he just seems like a very giving sort of guy.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Boy, you seem jumpy. Everything Ok?

JAMES:

Just saw some old friends this morning, sorry must be a little distracted.

PASTOR ROLAND:

No need to apologize. Would you mind stopping by my house, I told my wife I would tryto check in on them today.

dissolve to

int Roland's living room

We see Jeremy and his mother at the piano she plays while he sings a Christmas song,he's great!

reverse angle

int roland's living room front door

We see James and Pastor Roland enter. Pastor Roland goes out to check something and

James stands looking around like he's casing the place for a break in. Gradually hebecomes aware that the music is live and follows it to the piano. Pastor Roland comes inbehind him.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Honey, I'd like you to meet someone. This is my partner in crime, Todd. Todd, this is mywife Darla. I'm sorry I've forgotten your last name?

It's obvious that James has forgotten as well, he recovers quickly.

JAMES:

Todd is fine, Ronald, may I call you Ronald.

Darla:

You better call him Ron, Ronald makes him break out in hives.


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JAMES:

Yeah, a little more volume on the second verse and a little less on the high notes, andwe'll be ok. How about the rest of you? Jenny you sounded great!

All:

Yeah Jenny etc.

JENNY:

Thanks you guys I'm really enjoying it, I gotta go. My mom's picking me up and we'regoing to my Grandma's don't worry we'll be back on Christmas eve about noon, plenty oftime.

JAMES:

Okay well, I guess that's it I'll see you guys in two days for the real deal! Paula? Keepworking on those lines, okay?

The kids are exiting. Everyone drops off their costumes as they leave.

JAMES:

Well, what did you think?

JEREMY:

You've never done this before, have you?

JAMES:

Sure lots of times, why would you say that.

JEREMY:

Well, first of all the Christmas story is in Luke chapter two, not the second book of Luke,and Jesus father wasn't the Joseph who was sold into Egypt.

JAMES:

I knew that, I was just..

JEREMY:


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JAMES:

What, of course I am!

JEREMY:

Dude, you're so obvious! Don't worry it's cool I won't tell. In fact it's kind of cool. Justtell me this, did you mean what you said, about my Dad being a great guy. 'Cause I won'tcover for you if you're going to do anything to hurt him.

JAMES:

Yeah, you're Dad is a great guy. I wouldn't hurt him for anything. I gotta go talk to somepeople.

James is exiting as Pastor Roland enters the sanctuary.

PASTOR ROLAND:

You ready to go bud?

JEREMY:

Yeah Dad. Hey J...Pastor Todd! About the pageant, if you still want me, I'm in.

JAMES:

Really? Great, that is great news,

thanks Jeremy.


My decision to join the cast of the Christmas pageant was based on two factors. Numberone I still didn't trust Todd, or whoever he was, number two I thought it might be a goodway to catch my Dad's attention. As the saying goes one out of two isn't bad, My Dadcouldn't talk about anything else. I wanted so much to tell my dad what I knew aboutPastor Todd, but after all a promise is a promise, and it was kind of exciting being on the

inside of the secret for once. I might have felt differently if I had overheard a certainphone conversation that was taking place not two blocks from my house.

cut to


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int James' car

JAMES SITS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT TALKING ON THE PHONE

JAMES:

Look, I just can't do it. Did you know that money goes to prisoner's kids? Who cares? Icare that's who cares! Too late there Flannigan, I already called my ex-wife you'll neverfind her in time. You'll have to kill me first! Pastor Roland's kid, you mean Jeremy?Why? What? You leave him out of this! No, this has nothing to do with him or his family!Okay, okay I'll do it, but only under one condition, you only get the original cut. I don'tcare half the money stays, got it? Oh you don't think so? Look I got nothing to lose, afterthis is over I'm turning myself in anyway. Personal reasons. You wouldn't understand, Ijust got things I gotta do. Fine, There's a boy out there who needs his Dad to get his lifetogether. 9 PM Christmas eve, I'll be there.


Christmas eve came quicker than than anyone realized. I was glad to see that the rain hadfinally left town for a while and the day turned out to be beautiful. Things seemed to begoing well. As my Grandpa used to say if everything is coming your way, you're probablyin the wrong lane. It seems that Shawn "Gacy" Flannigan's reassurance of the identity ofhis cousin did not have the desired effect. When they checked it out the prison authoritywas forced to release Todd. It seems Shawn had overlooked one tiny detail. Prisonershave no secrets and Mr. Gacy had no cousins. It only took moments for them to confirmTodd's fingerprints and he was a free man. A free man on a mission, to get his lifeback.Which only half explains what happened next.

INT PASTOR'S OFFICE

SUSAN:

Pastor Roland, there was a call from you from a Todd Crawford. You'll never believe this,but he claims to be your assistant pastor, says that a prisoner traded places with him afterhe had what they think was a stroke. He also said that...

PASTOR ROLAND:

Whoa, slow down, I think I know what's going on here. When was this because I justpassed Todd in the sanctuary putting up lights for tonight's performance?

SUSAN:

Just about five minutes ago. I told him I'd have you call.

PASTOR ROLAND:


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Uh huh. And where did this call come from?

SUSAN:

I don't know, let me check the caller ID, Georgia Dept of Corrections.

PASTOR ROLAND:

There, you see?

SUSAN:

No, I don't.

PASTOR ROLAND:

Someone at the prison obviously got this number and is playing a trick on Pastor Todd.The Church used to get all kinds of weird calls when I was chaplain at the state pen inWyoming.

SUSAN:

Oh, now I get it. Here he comes.

Pastor Todd enters office, with a ball of tangled lights, he plugs them in and begins to testthem until he turns the right one and they come on.

SUSAN:

We just got a call from a friend of yours, from Georgia.

JAMES:

Oh, and who might that be?

PASTOR ROLAND:

He thought you might remember him from the prison.

JAMES:

I don't know. A lot of guys come through there, who was it?

PASTOR ROLAND:

He said his name was Todd Crawford, something about you trading places with him?


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Pastor Roland is laughing silently, Todd has his back to Ronald and Susan, we see hisface go suddenly white, he drops the bulbs which begin to pop like popcorn showeringsparks, he jumps back. Pastor Roland and Susan are laughing out loud now and Jamessmiles, warily.

PASTOR ROLAND:

See, I told you it was just a prank. Sure threw you though. Wait until I tell Darla, she'llget a kick out of that.

JAMES:

Yeah, that's a good one. Oh, what am I gonna do with these lights?

SUSAN:

Don't worry I'll call Glenn and have him pick up a new strand, all white?

JEREMY:

Little did we know that the real Todd Crawford hadn't even waited for a call back but waseven now winging his way toward us on the earliest available flight.

The one thing I don't think I'll ever get used to about performing, is all that makeup.Especially the old fashioned pancake kind. the stuff makes my skin crawl, but hey you

gotta suffer for your art. So there I was putting the finishing touches on my best "biblicalcharacter" look, including beard when the next bit of good news came.

int. baptistry robe room

OVER THE SHOULDER JEREMY APPLYING GLUE TO A BEARD

Two or three other boys are admiring themselves in the mirror. James enters, obviouslydistressed.

JAMES:

We have no Mary, where's Latisha?

LEXIE:

The last time I saw her Mikey Flannigan was making her cry. He kept saying, "HeyBaby" and making kissing lips at her. Then Tony came up and threatened to punch him


54/65

until Jimmy knocked him down the basement stairs and knocked one of his teeth loose,so Tony's Mom...

JAMES:

Lexie! Just tell me where she is?

LEXIE:

Sorry, girl's bathroom.

James goes down the hall to the girl's room.

BATHROOM STALL DOOR OPEN TO SEE BATHROOM ENTRANCE LATISHAHUDDLED IN CORNER

James knocks on the bathroom door and enters slowly.

JAMES:

Latisha, are you in there?

LATISHA:

Go away, I'm not coming out.

JAMES:

Sweet heart, what's wrong?

EXT CHURCH BUILDING

MEDIUM SHOT FROM FRONT DOOR TAXI PULLS UP

A man climbs out of the cab with a hat pulled down low and a scarf over his face. heapproaches Glenn who is standing by the front door ushering and handing out programs,several well dressed people pass by and take programs during this exchange.

Todd:

Excuse me, do you work here?

GLENN:

I'm a deacon, can I help you with something, sir?


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TODD:

I'm here to see Todd Crawford, can you tell me where to find him?

GLENN:

I'm sorry ,sir, Mr. Crawford is busy until after the performance. Why don't you join us forthe pageant? I'm sure he'd be happy to speak with you afterward.

TODD:

It's imperative I see him now.

GLEN:

I see, would you mind telling me what about?

TODD:

It's personal, I'm his brother.

GLENN:

Well, why didn't you say so? Right this way, down that hall.

Todd Walks with a purpose he looks ready to kick some butt. We see James come out ofthe bathroom following Latisha. Todd removes his hat and is pulling off his scarf to

reveal himself, but he stops to listen.

JAMES:

Jenny can't make it her Mom decided to leave tonight, to miss the snow. You're herunderstudy, we really need you.

We still have not seen Latisha's face, she is wearing the body of a donkey costume, facein her hands.

LATISHA:

Can't someone else do it?

JAMES:

You're the only one that knows the part.

LATISHA:


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You're just saying that to get me to stop crying.

JAMES:

No, really.

He turns to Todd, who he doesn't recognize.

JAMES:

Sir, give us an unbiased opinion, is she not the most beautiful Mary you've ever seen?

TODD:

Absolutely

LATISHA:

(hugging James)

Oh, thank you Pastor Todd, thank you so much.

Todd replaces his hat and heads back to the lobby, where Glenn finds him

GLENN:

Did you talk with him?

TODD:

Not exactly.

GLEN:

Well, here, hold these, I'll go get him for you.

TODD:

There's no need, it can wait until after the performance.


We gave the performance of our lives that night. Little Lexie didn't miss a beat, theshepherds came in on cue and even the kid we grabbed at the last minute and shoved intothe donkey suit added a nice touch when he nearly launched the baby Jesus with a wellplaced kick, it was awesome!


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CLIP OF JAMES PRAYING WITH THE KIDS BEFORE THEY GO ON

JAMES:

...so let's remember this is all about who?

kids:

(almost whispering)

Jesus!

MONTAGE OF PAGEANT CLIPS AND AUDIENCE REACTIONS

JEREMY:

But by far the most amazing thing of the entire evening was Mary and Joseph's duet andit had very little to do with me, or Latisha for that matter, that night we all sang for Jesus,and pastor Todd.

CLIP OF LATISHA SOUNDING AND LOOKING BEAUTIFUL AS SHE PORES OUTHER HEART

JEREMY:

After that the details get a little fuzzy. All I remember is going into the bathroom to washoff my makeup, a really sick sweet smell, and then nothing.

EXT CHURCH BUILDING

LONG SHOT OF REAR AND SIDE DOORS.

We see the older Flannigan's carrying a large bundle out to a waiting car where they pileit in the trunk.

MICKEY:

Mikey, Jimmy get in the car, will you?

Shot of mostly darkened hallway, James heads toward back door, Pastor Roland comesout of a door headed toward him

PASTOR ROLAND:


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Todd enters diner and takes a seat near the door, watching him. After a minute he gets up,crosses to James and sits down, bare faced.

TODD:

Don't do it.

JAMES:

I was wondering when you might show up.

TODD:

Whatever it is, don't do it.

JAMES:

I'm not, I mean I won't it's just...these guys.

TODD:

The Flannigan's?

JAMES:

Yeah, how did.. never mind it doesn't matter.

TODD:

How do they figure into all of this?

JAMES:

They want a cut.

TODD:

And?

JAMES:

And I think they may have Pastor Roland's son, Jeremy.

TODD:

Oh. What about you?


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TODD:

Just consider it a gift, one brother to another. BesidesI was getting used to the orange jumpsuit.

JAMES:

What?

TODD:

I found out some things there aren't time for now.

JAMES:

Like what?

he stands and they head for the restroom

TODD:

For one thing Dad, didn't die in prison, and your last name? It isn't Gacy.

ext cafe parking lot

The two men climb into their cars, Todd now dressed as James waits for James to leavenow driving Todd's rental car. He pulls out his phone, looks at the caller ID which reads

Rolling Hills Community Church and punches dial.

TODD:

Pastor Roland? Meet me at Flannigan's Flowers. No time to explain you'll just have totrust me.

ext flower shop, cop cars fill the parking lot

Todd pulls up in his beat up loaner and runs over to the officer in charge carrying thebank bag. Pastor Roland is right behind him.

Police officer one:

You the one that called?

TODD:

Sort of.


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POLICE OFFICER ONE:

You the father?

PASTOR ROLAND:

I'm not sure what's going here, but I'm guessing the answer is yes.

POLICE OFFICER ONE:

Weeelll, "Pastor Todd" I think you got some 'splaining to do.

dissolve to

ext flower shop, behind cop car trunk open

Pastor Roland is being fitted with a bullet proof vest while pastor Todd is havinghandcuffs installed

POLICE OFFICER ONE:

You sure you want to do this, we got trained guys for this job.

PASTOR ROLAND:

That's my son in their. His mother will never forgive me if I let anything happen to him.

POLICE OFFICER ONE:

Alright, there's a small chance they could get away with the money you know?

PASTOR ROLAND:

It's insured.

He begins walking toward the flower shop with his hands out at his side, the money bagin one the other empty.

PASTOR ROLAND:

I'm unarmed and I'm bringing the money with me.

He walks up to the door Shawn and Tommy Flannigan meet him with shotguns, Jeremy isin the background being held by Mickey.

PASTOR ROLAND:


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Okay, let my son go, I'll stay with you until this is over, deal.

MICKEY:

(after slight hesitation)

Deal.

Pastor Roland drops the money bag, tommy grabs it, Jeremy runs to his Dad and is pulledkicking and screaming off of him and shoved out the door by Shawn into the waitingarms of a police officer still trying to get back to his Dad.

JEREMY:

DAD! DAD! No, you can't leave him in there,they'll kill him, NO!

police officer two:

It'll be alright son, your Dad's gonna be alright.

We see Shawn grab the door handle and pull, Tommy opens the bag and finds they'vebeen double crossed, we see two canisters roll through the crack in the door a big flash oflight and the room fills with smoke as cops pour in. Newspaper scrap flies everywhereand the look on Pastor Roland's face indicates he didn't have the foggiest idea.

ZOOM OUT AS THE PAPER PIECES BLEND INTO NEW SNOW FALLING THECOPS WHO ARE STILL OUTSIDE LOOK UP JEREMY IS HUGGING HIS MOM

PASTOR ROLAND STAGGERS OUT COUGHING TO JOIN THEM

JEREMY:

So, that's my favorite Christmas memory. Not all the bad stuff, but just my Dad, standingthere in that flak jacket, ready to take a bullet for me. I used to wonder whether he lovedme or the ministry more, now I know. The rest of the details sort of worked themselvesout. The Flannigan's are finishing a three year sentence in the state prison, Todd pickedright up where his twin brother left off, oh didn't I tell you, most of you probably alreadyguessed. He did have some explaining to do after they finally believed the story, but itturned out okay. And as for James Gacy Crawford. He'll be here in a week or two, with

his newly remarried wife and ten year old son to begin work on the Chritmas pageant.After word got out about how he figured in the transformation of Latisha, and the rest ofit, kids are waiting in line to get in. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, the money, it was safe andsound right where my good friend Mr. James Gacy had left it.

MONTAGE OF STORY ELEMENTS ENDING WITH A VERY EXCITED JANITORDISCOVERING THE MONEY AND RUNNING INTO THE CHURCH BUILDING


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WITH IT, A MOMENT LATER A LAUGHING PASTOR ROLAND COMES OUTWITH A PHONE TO HIS EAR, THE CREDITS ROLL

PASTOR ROLAND:

Yeah, Lucas just found it!

dissolve to

jeremy's paper hanging on the fridge door with an a and the inscription "what animagination"

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The New Kid Word[1]