SCENE ONE - Alongside A Remote Highway
As we begin, we see Trish wandering as best as she can up a remote highway. A second later, two people, John & Martha Mahoney, spot Trish walking down the road alongside them. As we pick up the scene, Martha is trying to convince John to stop so they can pick up Trish.
MARTHA (Seeing Trish in the condition she's in) - Ohh honey...Let's stop and see if we can help this woman out. She looks like she can use it.
JOHN (In his usual New Jersey-style candor) - Are you kidding? She's a slut. Just look at her.
Just then, Martha notices what appears to be red spots on Trish's body.
MARTHA (Adamant) - Honey, she looks like she's been beaten to a pulp. I really think we should stop and help her out.
JOHN (Caving in even though he has no idea why he's even bothering) - Alright if you insist, though I have no idea WHY we're even doing this....
MARTHA (Fondly smiling) - Because after 35 years of marriage, I should know what you'll know by now.
John pulls the car over next to Trish as Martha gets Trish's attention
MARTHA (To Trish) - Can we offer you a ride?
TRISH (In response but also in denial and shame) - No. It's alright. Thank you.
MARTHA (Seeing the denial and shame) - I really think you should come with us.
JOHN - Honey....She said NO. What part of that word do you not understand?
Martha looks back at John and brushes him off.
MARTHA (Getting out of the car and opening the back door) - Here, you can have the back seat.
JOHN (Now pleading with his wife as Trish contemplates as to whether or not she wants to get in the car or not) - But honey
MARTHA (Fed up with John's pleading) - Ohh go blow it out your horn.
Just then, Trish sees the comfort Martha is trying to provide and realizes that she's in safe hands until she gets back to Cedarville. As such, she accepts the offer by getting in the back of the car. Back on the road again, Martha tries talking to Trish to get her to tell how she ended up alongside a road in the condition she's in.
MARTHA (To Trish) - Sweetie...What's your name?
Trish (Not wanting to reveal her real identity to a pair of complete strangers and still in shame for what happened to her) - Jane.
MARTHA - What happened to you?
JOHN (Before "Jane" can answer and in frustration over Martha's sudden obsession with their now equally-sudden back seat passenger and thinking that she should mind her own business) - Martha, what's with all the 20 questions? I think we have a fairly good idea what "happened" to her. Don't you think?
MARTHA - Not in the least. And if you had any sense at all, you wouldn't either.
Martha turns back to face Trish
MARTHA (Continuing) - Something happened to her. Question is WHAT?
JOHN - Well whatever IT is, it's no doubt NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.
Martha smirks in John's direction and sighs as Trish shyfully looks on in shame
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE TWO - Greg & Stephanie's House
Greg & Stephanie are seen in the bedroom of their house. As we pick up the scene, Stephanie awakens to a mysterious pain in her belly that's been bothering her for the last several days, but only in the mornings.
STEPHANIE (Grunting and groaning and semi-mumbling as she tosses and turns in bed) - Ugh....uhh....ehh...ohhh....
GREG (Laying in bed next to her and distubed by what he's seeing and hearing) - Steph? You okay sweetie?
Stephanie grunts and groans a few more times and then....
STEPHANIE (Yelling and now sitting up in bed awake, albeit barely, and doubled-over, and groping her belly) - OWWWWW!!
This sudden move scares Greg and has him concerned about Stephanie's well being. Meanwhile Stephanie is still reeling from the big throng of pain and is feeling like she had been hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Still in a daze, half asleep, and looks over at Greg as if he was just a witness of a traffic accident she was just in) - You didn't happen to catch the license plate number of the mack truck that just hit me, did you?
GREG (Perplexed & puzzled) - Steph - What are you talking about?
Stephanie begins to snap herself to reality and wake up and realizes that it just felt as though she were hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Starting to gather her wits & wake up) - Ohh... What time is it?
GREG (With a smile, knowing that everything is now okay) - It's time [Long pause] to get up.
STEPHANIE (Sarcastically and non-chalantly as she drops her head back down onto her pillow) - Ohh...Is that all?? Wake me up when the world comes to an end.
GREG - Honey, you really should see the doctor about this. She just might be able to figure out what it is and prescribe something for it.
STEPHANIE (Not in the mood for a fight with Greg over the matter) - Greg, please don't get me started. I'm not in the mood right now.
GREG - All I'm saying is that it wouldn't hurt to see the doctor on the matter. That's all.
STEPHANIE - I'll schedule an appointment.
GREG - You keep saying it, but you don't do it. C'mon, if you don't do it me, then do it for yourself - PLEASE???
STEPHANIE (Rising up in bed in anger & frustration and looking at Greg) - Ohh...ALRIGHT. I'll WALK IN and see her. Satisfied now?
GREG - For now, yes.
STEPHANIE - Great. Now can I rest a little longer to gather my wits before I start my day? (Putting the tips of her fingers to her forehead) - My head is still spinning and feels like it's on a fuckin' swivel.
SCENE THREE - Trish & Michael's House
Michael is seen waking up from a restful night's sleep after his "date" the previous evening. But as he wakes up, he is surprised to see that it looks as though Trish never came home and, as we now pick up the scene is left wondering what could've kept her out all night.
MICHAEL (To himself and now getting worried) - Her pillow doesn't even look slept on. What could've possibly kept her out ALL NIGHT?? (Shaking his head) - I don't get it.
He gets up & starts looking all over the house.
MICHAEL (Continuing as he enters the living room) - Yo Trish, you in here?
After noticing Trish is not in the living room, he heads for the kitchen
MICHAEL (Now frustrated, but still in his Philadelphia-style Italian sense of humor, thinking Trish is playing some game) - C'mon babe. This isn't fair. If you don't come out of hiding, I'm gonna find you. When I do, I'm gonna hug you and kiss you. (Jokingly) Then I'll ground you for life.
He walks into the kitchen, but doesn't see Trish
MICHAEL (Now giving up) - Okay babe, c'mon. Where....
He spots the note atop the fireplace
MICHAEL (Walking over to it) - What's this?
He picks it up and opens it
MICHAEL (Reading the note) - Gone to Mr. Gamble's. Will meet you at the restaurant at 7:30. Love, Trish
MICHAEL (Staring and the note and thinking aloud) - This was last night.
He folds the note back up
MICHAEL (Downplaying the significance of the note somewhat) - Ohh well. She's grown kinda fond of the ol' geezer. Maybe I'll go see him. Maybe he's seen her.
Michael goes back into the bedroom to get dressed, making certain to take the note with him
Meanwhile at David & Marcie's house....
Marcie strolls her way into the kitchen, where we see David, who has just spent much of the night watching TV and drinking coffee. As we pick up the scene now, Marcie strolls into the kitchen just as David is pouring himself YET ANOTHER cup of coffee.
MARCIE (Still half asleep and in her night gown as she mumbles to David) - Mornin'
DAVID (Pouring a cup of coffee and non-chalant) - Mornin'
MARCIE (Seeing the coffee) - Good. I need a fuckin' OCEAN of Starbucks today.
DAVID - I couldn't sleep a wink.
MARCIE - Yeah. I noticed.
DAVID - Too worried about Trish. She's out there. And the worst part of it all is we can't find her. And even if we could, we the Captain wouldn't let us within 10 feet of the case. THAT is what has me riled up.
MARCIE - Honey, I'd just assume not talk about that right now. Mind if I have some breakfast first?
DAVID - Go ahead. I don't see anyone stopping you. In the meantime, I think I'll turn on the morning news. Maybe there's something on there about it.
MARCIE - Alright.
Marcie grabs a coffee cup and walks over to the perculator, but notices that David took the last cup
MARCIE (Shouting to David in the living room out of anger and, predominately, frustration) - You HAD to take THE last cup, didn't you???
Marcie walks over to the cabinet where the coffee can is stored, slams it down on the counter and then takes the lid off in near-ripping fashion. She does the same thing to the coffee filters, taking out of those and later angrily inserting it into the coffee pot. Next, she non-chalantly scoops out some coffee and firmly puts it into the filter for perculation
SCENE FOUR - John & Martha's Car
John & Martha are enroute back to Cedarville with,unbeknownst to them, have picked up rape victim Trish Martin on the highway. As we pick up the scene, John & Martha are still arguing and are now trying to decide what to do with Trish.
JOHN - Look....All I'm saying is she could be a prostitute. Have you even considered that?
MARTHA - John...Have you even noticed the bruises on this woman's face?
JOHN - No because I'm too busy driving and getting us home alive and in one piece.
MARTHA - John, I think she's been raped.
JOHN - How do you know that?
MARTHA - I just do.
Trish begins to doze off to sleep
MARTHA (Noticing Trish's dozing off) - Poor thing looks like she didn't even sleep a wink last night.
JOHN - Not surprising. She probably partied all night in a wild sex party.
MARTHA - Ohh John... (To Trish, catching her in her last waking moment) - Sweetie, where would you like us to drop you off?
TRISH (Barely awake, but still able to speak) - Take me home. Please, just take me home.
Trish falls asleep, much to John's dismay, but not to his surprise
JOHN - Well....All I'm just saying is we don't know anything about this girl. And yet, you've got her in the back seat of our car. And now she's dozed off to sleep.
MARTHA - Well call it Women's Intuition.
JOHN - I prefer to call it STUPIDITY. How do we know she's not a fugitive or a terrorist or an axe murderer or something?
MARTHA - Ohh John....Does she look like someone who could kill anyone?
JOHN - I've seen psychos with nicer looks than hers.
As they travel further and further down the highway, they also get closer and closer to home. Before they know it, the Cedarville skyline can be seen off in the distance.
SCENE FIVE - The Al Faheed Family Residence
As we pick up the scene, Clarita & Khalil Al Faheed can be seen eating their breakfast. Khalil is also reading the newspaper.
CLARITA - Have you any plans today?
KHALIL - Yes. I have a very important meeting.
CLARITA - Ohh....With....Uhhh....What's his name....Michael?
KHALIL - Yes, the architect of the building my company is working on.
Just then, Aruba walks in and grabs a granola bar.
CLARITA (To Aruba) - Good Morning.
Aruba returns the greeting
KHALIL (Noticing that Aruba looks as though he's ready to walk out the door) - Aruba, aren't you going to sit down?
ARUBA - I have no time. Big day ahead.
CLARITA (Concerned about Aruba's apparent choice of malnourishment, not knowing he grabbed a granola bar) - No time for breakfast?
ARUBA - Yes. I've got some big tests today. Well...Gotta run. Later.
Aruba begins to leave.
KHALIL (Calm but firm) - ARUBA.
Aruba stops dead in his tracks upon hearing his name shouted out by Khalil
ARUBA (Not knowing what sort of trouble he got himself into) - Yes father?
KHALIL (Firm) - If there's tradition you will follow while under this roof, it is sitting down at the family table, enjoying the first meal of the day and discussing your plans for the day. I don't care what you have on your schedule. Do I make myself clear?
ARUBA - Yes father.
CLARITA - You're father's right, Aruba. When you walk into those classrooms to take those tests today, it's much better to show up properly nourished and ready to go than to go in there hungry and wishing you had eaten earlier. It's always better that way. I'll get you a bowl of cereal.
ARUBA (Resigned to the fact he's not going to be allowed to leave before he eats breakfast) - Alright, but I really don't have time, which is why I grabbed this granola bar.
KHALIL - Take it with you. You can leave the very second you finish your cereal.
Clarita returns with Aruba's cereal
KHALIL (To Clarita) - So, what plans do you have today?
ARUBA - Yeah Mom...
CLARITA - Ohh....Not much. My assistant and I will mostly be doing inventory to determine what's salvagable and what's not after the vandalism yesterday.
ARUBA - I wished some people here would just grow up and start treating us with more respect.
CLARITA - It's not us they hate. It's the people who claim to represent our best interests - but really don't - who just happen to be our brethren, that they hate.
ARUBA - I know. But between the people who always trash our front yard, the people who vandalized your store and the bullies at school, sometimes I wonder.
CLARITA (In near shock over Aruba's confession) - Aruba, are you being bullied?
ARUBA (Trying to show how much of a man he has become) - Mom, I can handle it.
CLARITA - Well still, you really should tell somebody at school. It's their job to deal with things like that.
KHALIL (Confirming what Clarita just said) - Your mother's right. You really should speak to someone at school. You should speak to your counselor.
ARUBA - Yesterday's incident got the attention of Mr. Beasley, the principal.
CLARITA - What did he say?
ARUBA - He said I should speak to my counselor.
KHALIL - That doesn't sound like a very bad idea.
SCENE SIX - Stacy's House
Brad & Stacy are seen playfully frolicking around in the kitchen. As we pick up the scene, Brad seems ready to pick up where he left off the night before while Stacy wants to eat breakfast first.
BRAD (Jokingly frustrated as Stacy moves about the kitchen, intentionally trying to evade him) - C'mon babe.
Brad finally catches up to her, hugs her body from behind, and begins necking her
STACY (Turning around) - C'mon Brad. Let me at least get breakfast down first.
BRAD (Humorously sarcastic) - You can have breakfast later.
STACY - Yeah well I'm not a hunk of a sex machine like you. Unlike you men, us women require nourishment.
BRAD - I wouldn't exactly call myself a sex machine. But I am INCREDIBLY horny.
STACY (Giggling) - That's obvious.
Just then, the doorbell rings
STACY (Wondering who it could be at her door since she's not expecting anyone) - Better get that...
Stacy heads for the door
BRAD - I'll get it.
STACY - No, that's okay. I've got it.
BRAD - Alright. I'll get breakfast then.
Brad gets out the pancake griddle, waffle maker and ingredients to make pancakes and waffles. Meanwhile Stacy answers the door and finds Michelle on the other side
STACY - Michelle. C'mon in.
MICHELLE - Thanks.
Stacy opens the door and Michelle walks inside
STACY - Can I get you anything?
MICHELLE - No...No thanks. I'm just here on a social call. You know....To take a break from the chaos that is my hotel right now.
STACY (Thinking how weird that sounds) - Ohh??
MICHELLE (Sighing non-chalantly) Yep! I've got 1200 people coming for some huge wildlife preservation convention. As such, as you can probably imagine, the preparations for it inside the place are chaotic to say the least.
Michelle's cell phone rings. She answers it as Stacy goes off to the kitchen to give Michelle some privacy and to check on breakfast
MICHELLE - Michelle here.....No I said 1200.....How many do we have?....700?....Ohh brother....Alright, alright....I'll call Brad and put him on it......Yeah, talk you later.
Michelle hangs up and flips her phone shut as she shakes her head in disbelief and puts her hands on her forehead and over her face as if she was experiencing a headache, but Brad, who overheard the conversation, doesn't pick up on this.
BRAD (To Michelle) - Put me on what?
MICHELLE (Disgusted & thinking Brad might've made a huge screw up) - You know who was just on the phone?
BRAD - Uhh....Well I think I have a fairly good idea.....
MICHELLE (Still showing her anger) - Well that was Rob. (Now wanting to determine if Brad indeed made a mistake) - Just how many of those customized plates did you order last week?
BRAD (Sensing Michelle's anger and wanting to set the record straight) - Well....To be on the safe side, I ordered 1500.
MICHELLE (Realizing Brad didn't make a mistake, but still nevertheless showing her anger) - Well, do you know how many of them showed up? Less than HALF OF THAT.
BRAD (Alarmed) - You're kidding.
MICHELLE (Calming down) - Heh...I wish I were. And here's the clincher - I have a confirmed head count of some 1200 strong coming. You know what THAT means Brad? It means that some 500+ people will be eating off plates which WE own.
BRAD (Wishing that something could be done) - Well there's nothing that can be done now.
MICHELLE (Trying to point out the significance of this disaster and its possible ramnifications) - Brad, you don't get it. Those people paid me to order those customized plates. WE DON'T OWN THEM. They do. And now they're gonna be some 500 short. That affects the hotel's bottom line. Not to mention our image.
BRAD (Trying to calm Michelle down) - Calm down. There's nothing we can do at this point. The convention is TODAY, like it or not. It's attendees are arriving TODAY, like it or not. So, like it or not Michelle, there's nothing we can do.
MICHELLE - Well either way, I need you to go into work and help Rob do damage control, though I haven't the foggiest clue how.
BRAD (Admitting this on a wing and a prayer) - Well I was kind of hoping you'd give me the day off.
MICHELLE (Floored & shocked at what she just heard) - Brad....Have you not been listening???
She begins fumbling for words before continuing
MICHELLE (Continuing, but still reeling from the bombshell Brad just dropped on her and in a panicky state of mind) - No....No.....No. No way Brad. I can't give you the day off. I've got 1200 people coming to the hotel for a convention which is already turning into a disaster. No...I'm sorry Brad.
BRAD (Resigned to the fact that he won't be getting the day off) - Okay...Okay. No need to have a cow over the matter.
MICHELLE (Apologetic) - I'm sorry Brad. Didn't mean to take it all out on you. But I am about to have a cow over the customized plates matter though. I mean HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY SCREW UP THE ORDER LIKE THAT??
Brad shrugs his shoulders. Meanwhile Stacy walks in wondering what could possibly be going on
STACY - What's going on here guys?
MICHELLE - It's nothin'. Just work stuff. Just got a bombshell dropped on me. By the way Brad, what you doing here?
BRAD - Spent the night here
Brad & Stacy wink and look at each other as Stacy pours the coffee for everyone..
SCENE SEVEN - John & Martha's Car
John, Martha & Trish are back in the Cedarville Metropolitan Area. As we pick up the scene, Trish is sleeping while John & Martha argue over where to drop her off.
MARTHA (Trying to be as quiet as possible so as to not wake Trish up) - John, she belongs in the hospital
JOHN (Also trying to be as quitet as possible so as to not wake Trish up, but is also tired of his wife driving him crazy as well) - Martha, she said she wants to go home
MARTHA - Well we don't know where that is so why don't we just drop her off at the hospital and let her get her own ride from there.
JOHN - Well why don't you just simply wake her and find out?
MARTHA (Stunned & shocked he would even make such a suggestion) - JOHN....
JOHN (Finally giving in to Martha in the hopes it'll shut her up) - Alright....Alright. We'll take her to the hospital. But if I catch heat for it from the ER staff, you won't hear the end of it.
Martha shakes her head. Meanwhile, a few minutes later, Cedarville Memorial Hospital is seen off in the distance. A few minutes after that, John pulls off the highway and heads for the ER area of the hospital and pulls in. Almost immediately, one of the ER staff members comes out with a stretcher.
JOHN (To the ER staff member) - We really don't need a stretcher. A wheelchair will suffice.
The staff member heads back in with the stretcher and returns with a wheelchair instead. John, Martha and the ER staff member all help a groggy Trish Martin transfer from the car to the wheelchair. They then escort her into the hospital.
EMT #1 (To John, jokingly) - What'd you manage to drag in this time John?
Other staff members chuckle at the joke. Meanwhile one of the female staff members visually examined
FEMALE EMT #1 (Forming an opinion of their new patient) - Ohh my god. This woman has been violated in every imaginable way possible.
One of the male EMT's takes a closer look at Trish and realizes the seriousness of the situation. As such, he to take the initiative to lead the charge of caring for Trish.
EMT #1 (Now barking out orders & taking charge) - Alright, let's get her on a stretcher and put her in an exam room. Which one is available.
FEMALE EMT #2 - Exam 5.
John & the hospital staff help Trish make the transition from the wheelchair to a waiting stretcher
EMT #1 (Continuing to bark out orders as he continues to take charge) - Alright, let's put her in Exam 5. (Pointing to an ER nurse) - You....Get a rape kit. We'll need one just in case. And get a photographer too while you're at it. The nurse acknowledges the request (Pointing to another ER nurse) - You....Call the police. Tell them we have a female assault victim. Possible rape. The nurse acknowledges the request. John....We're gonna need a statement from you and your wife.
JOHN - Don't worry, you'll have it.
John begins to feel guilty over the things he said about her without closely examining her while in the field
JOHN - My god....What that woman must be going through.
Meanwhile Trish begins to snap out of her sleepy state
TRISH (Confused) - Where am I? Where am I
FEMALE EMT #1 - You're in the hospital, Ma'am. What's your name? Can you tell me your name?
Trish gives the EMT her first name, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Trish, what's your last name? Can you tell me your last name?
Trish also manages to give the EMT her last name as well, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Ms. Martin, we're gonna take care of you, okay?
EMT #2 - Yes, we'll take good care of you.
The staff prepare and equip the room to treat Trish for any and all injuries she may have sustained. Meanwhile, one of the staff members speaks with John & his wife to find out what they know, which of course is nothing. The police have been called and a rape kit arrives from the lab
EMT #2 - Think we'll need it?
EMT #1 - I hope not. But just to cover all the bases, it's better that we do.
Suddenly Trish begins to scream out when she notices one of the male EMT's looking between her legs and poking around with his gloved fingers
TRISH (Screaming) - GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME!!! Ohh god......
The male EMT jumps back and removes his fingers fearing that she was referring to his fingers, but Trish repeats the screams, which leads the staff to thinking she's referring to something else, but they can't figure out what. Meanwhile Trish just lays in the stretcher with her legs closed and crying
TRISH (Crying) - Ohh god. It's so awful.....
Staff members are now perplexed as to what she's talking about. As the scene closes, our virtual camera shows Trish crying as she lays in the stretcher with her legs still closed as the camera fades to black.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* The Al Faheeds are targets of more trouble. Could this be the thing they need to sit down with Stephanie?
* Stephanie complains of a series of morning sickness cases to her doctor. Could she be? Naah...Couldn't be. Could it?
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
* Michelle gets a surprise visitor to her hotel, but will it be a pleasant one?
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS Standard Close (Windows Media Link)
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