Post by Admin: Scott on Nov 21, 2015 23:33:35 GMT -5
INT. COURT ROOM - WASHINGTON - MORNING
Our scene opens up inside of the courtroom of the HONORABLE JAMES PARKER, JR., presiding judge of the criminal division of the Grant County Courthouse. The court room is packed with attorneys and self-represented litigant's all waiting for the arrival of the judge to call the morning calendar.
The doors to the entrance of the courtroom open, and in enters MORT GOODMAN, ESQ. He shuffles into last row, finding a seat while he waits, like everyone else, for his case to be called.
At the front of the courtroom, Sheriff's Officer MELVIN HURLEY, bald, black and built like a brick shit house in uniform, addresses the courtroom with the congeniality of a drill sergeant.
Everyone stands as Judge Parker, early 60's, thin, graying hair and glasses, takes the bench.
Standing at the counsel table facing the bench is the first name on the docket, JAMIE WHEELER, 21, fidgety and bored at the same time.
He is wearing an orange jump suit, and he is tapping his fingers together as he waits for the judge to look up from reviewing his papers.
Judge Parker looks up at Jamie and smiles.
Jamie winks at the judge's law clerk, VERONICA, early 20's, wearing a skirt and blouse, legs crossed, taking notes at the chair near the Judge's bench. She blushes.
Judge Parker gives a double take as he looks over the wrap sheet.
Jamie raises his hand.
Jamie nods in the direction of OFFICER HURLEY, who leers in Jamie's direction.
Jamie has a seat. The judge is consumed by Mr. Wheeler's wrap sheet. He shakes his head.
Jamie is staring off, in the direction of Veronica Parker-- or, more specifically, in the direction of Veronica Parker's legs.
The judge bangs his gavel to grab Jamie's attention.
Jamie sits up straight.
Judge Parker pans the court room, looking for a victim. Most of the attorneys attempt to avoid eye contact, burying their faces in their legal documents or newspapers.
And then the judge spots him.
Mort looks up. It takes him a moment to realize what is happening; but by the time he begins shaking his head, it is too late.
Mort looks about as thrilled as a root canal candidate.
INT. JUDGE PARKER'S CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Mort follows Judge Parker into his office. The judge takes off his black robe and hangs it up, and has a seat at his desk. Before sitting Mort takes in the decor. Plaques and diplomas and law books-- that much was a given. What catches Mort's attention, however, are the wide variety of photographs that hang on the wall and fill the book shelves, all with a common subject-- wrestling.
Mort picks up one of the framed photographs from the book shelf and examines it. It's a photo of a younger Judge Parker standing beside a high school wrestling team, a banner hangs on the wall behind the team. It reads "Fall City Comets: 2010 District Champions." Among the many faces is a young Jamie Wheeler.
Mort puts the picture back on the shelf and turns to the judge, who, without his robe, looks like any other man.
Mort sits.
Mort smiles.
Before Mort can even get the sentence out, he sees what is coming.
The judge slides a folder across the desk to Mort. He opens it up. Inside are newspaper clipping after newspaper clipping of the high school career of Jamie Wheeler. As he studies the material, Judge Parker continues to speak.
Mort looks up at the judge.
The judge chuckles, shakes his head.
Mort shifts through the photographs of Jamie as the judge continues.
Mort continues to look at the photos, taken by a shot of Jamie using a spladle to pin an opponent.
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Mort looks up, interested.
Judge Parker nods.
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Mort's waiting for the answer.
The judge takes the folder from Mort, puts it aside, making sure he has Mort's undivided attention.
INT. COURT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The door leading from Judge Parker's Chambers to the courtroom opens. Everyone in the court room stands as Judge Parker and Mort enter the courtroom.
Judge Parker takes his spot on the bench, and Mort moves next to Jamie Wheeler at the counsel table. Jamie looks at Mort, trying to size him up. Mort puts his briefcase on the table and opens it it.
As Judge Parker speaks, he is searching his desk.
Judge Parker looks over at Jamie, who sits in his chair, playing with a cell phone.
Jamie shrugs. Mort snatches the phone Jamie and hands it to Officer Hurley, who hands it to Judge Parker. He peruses his phone, and then looks upon Jamie with disgust.
Mort's poker face cannot conceal his shock.
Jamie cringes.
Jamie turns to Mort, extends his hand.
FADE TO BLACK
Our scene opens up inside of the courtroom of the HONORABLE JAMES PARKER, JR., presiding judge of the criminal division of the Grant County Courthouse. The court room is packed with attorneys and self-represented litigant's all waiting for the arrival of the judge to call the morning calendar.
The doors to the entrance of the courtroom open, and in enters MORT GOODMAN, ESQ. He shuffles into last row, finding a seat while he waits, like everyone else, for his case to be called.
At the front of the courtroom, Sheriff's Officer MELVIN HURLEY, bald, black and built like a brick shit house in uniform, addresses the courtroom with the congeniality of a drill sergeant.
SHERIFF OFFICER
All rise! Court is now in session! The
Honorable James Parker, Jr. is presiding!
If you want to talk, take it outside! If
you have a cell phone, make sure it is
off, or it will be confiscated!
Standing at the counsel table facing the bench is the first name on the docket, JAMIE WHEELER, 21, fidgety and bored at the same time.
He is wearing an orange jump suit, and he is tapping his fingers together as he waits for the judge to look up from reviewing his papers.
Judge Parker looks up at Jamie and smiles.
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Wheeler, back so soon, I see? I
thought you might have been sick of
this place by now, but I guess that
would be wishful thinking on my part.
JAMIE
Judge, what can I say? You're law
clerk is hot, and I'm a persistent
man. I can't take no for an answer.
Jamie winks at the judge's law clerk, VERONICA, early 20's, wearing a skirt and blouse, legs crossed, taking notes at the chair near the Judge's bench. She blushes.
JUDGE PARKER
First of all, Mr. Wheeler, I would
have you know that's my daughter.
And second, based upon your latest
charge, I can see that you don't
take no for an answer. Two counts.
solicitation of prostitution, as
well as impersonating an officer.
JUDGE PARKER
And to be clear, the actual act that
is described in the complaint is the
"solicitation of prostitution while
impersonating an officer.
JAMIE
Judge, in all fairness. Men in
uniforms get the best rates.
JAMIE
This guy knows what I'm talking
about. Am I right, or am I right?
JUDGE PARKER
Sit down, Mr. Wheeler.
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Wheeler, what am I going to do
with you? I have given you every
chance to redeem yourself, and only
because you have shown such potential,
but you are making this very hard on me.
The judge bangs his gavel to grab Jamie's attention.
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Wheeler, are you
evening listening?
JAMIE
Yes, judge, you were saying
something about by hard on.
JUDGE PARKER
Hard on? What? Mr Wheeler,
am I to assume that you are
representing yourself again?
JAMIE
I have applied for a public defender.
JUDGE PARKER
I see that. But none of them will
even work with you anymore! And
unfortunately, I am required to
make sure you are provided with
an attorney, which means that I
have to ruin some poor schmuck of
an attorney's day by appointing
someone to represent you pro bono.
And then the judge spots him.
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Goodman!
JUDGE PARKER
You are just the man I was
looking for. Would you be
as kind as to join me in
my chambers, please?
MORT
(under his breath)
Ah shit.
CUT TO:
INT. JUDGE PARKER'S CHAMBERS - CONTINUOUS
Mort follows Judge Parker into his office. The judge takes off his black robe and hangs it up, and has a seat at his desk. Before sitting Mort takes in the decor. Plaques and diplomas and law books-- that much was a given. What catches Mort's attention, however, are the wide variety of photographs that hang on the wall and fill the book shelves, all with a common subject-- wrestling.
Mort picks up one of the framed photographs from the book shelf and examines it. It's a photo of a younger Judge Parker standing beside a high school wrestling team, a banner hangs on the wall behind the team. It reads "Fall City Comets: 2010 District Champions." Among the many faces is a young Jamie Wheeler.
JUDGE PARKER
You see? That look on your face, right
there, I knew I had the right man.
MORT
Huh?
JUDGE PARKER
Mort, have a seat.
JUDGE PARKER
I've done my research on you, Mort.
I understand you made quite the name
for yourself back in Jersey. One of
the top in your trade, is what I hear.
MORT
The legal profession has treated me well.
JUDGE PARKER
I'm not talking about the law, Mort.
I'm talking about about the game. I
have read about what you did for that
kid Carter. I've read the headlines
and saw the videos, even been to a
couple of matches down in Kennewick.
MORT
Yeah, that's over now.
JUDGE PARKER
So I hear. Heard him and your daughter are
having a baby, moved back to Jersey. Also
heard Priscilla Price is gone, Damian Cole's
gone. Sounds to me like you have an empty nest.
having a baby, moved back to Jersey. Also
heard Priscilla Price is gone, Damian Cole's
gone. Sounds to me like you have an empty nest.
MORT
I'm looking forward to the break...
MORT
Or, perhaps I have spoke too soon?
JUDGE PARKER
Let me tell you about that kid out there.
Jamie Wheeler. He's the reason I've followed
your career with Carter Hayes so carefully,
because from everything I've read about your
boy Carter, and everything I know about
Jamie, there paths cannot be more similar.
MORT
Because you coached him.
JUDGE PARKER (O.S.)
Undefeated in regular season, his
freshman, sophomore and junior year.
MORT
What happened his senior year?
JUDGE PARKER (O.S.)
Didn't wrestle. Just
called it quits.
MORT
You said he was undefeated
in his regular season. How'd
he do in the states?
JUDGE PARKER
Freshman year, he makes the state
finals, and misses weight-- word
is because he got high and got the
munches an hour before weigh-ins.
JUDGE PARKER (O.S.)
Sophomore year, he simply no-showed for
the finals, because apparently he had
tickets to go see a band called, hmmm,
what where they called-- oh yeah, the
Menstrual Cramps--in Seattle. Senior
year, well, senior year was the best.
the finals, because apparently he had
tickets to go see a band called, hmmm,
what where they called-- oh yeah, the
Menstrual Cramps--in Seattle. Senior
year, well, senior year was the best.
JUDGE PARKER
Junior year he makes the finals. He's
set to face his longtime rival, this
rich prick from Clyde Hill, Kip Calhoun.
MORT
Kip Calhoun? Would that be Kip Calhoun--
JUDGE PARKER
Son of T.J. Calhoun of Calhoun
Industries? That would be him.
JUDGE PARKER (CONT'D)
Kid's as big a prick as his old
man. Anyway, Jamie's scheduled to
wrestle Kip in the finals. They
call Jamie's name, but he doesn't
show. They call his name again,
he doesn't show. Third time, no
show, and they call it, give
the gold to Kip. And where was
Jamie at the time, you ask?
JUDGE PARKER
He's under the bleachers, banging
Bunny Calhoun, Kip's mom, T.J.'s wife.
JUDGE PARKER
I have never seen a kid as talented
as Jamie. I've also never seen anyone
waste their potential like Jamie. After
that, he dropped out, got involved with
the wrong crowd, became one of those
skate rats, and ever since, he turns up
in my courtroom every couple months for
some petty disorderly, and I throw some
probation at him. But here's the thing.
I'm retiring. He's about to become
someone else's problem. And I can assure
you that whoever is taking over for me,
they ain't gonna be as lenient as I am.
MORT
So what do you want from me?
JUDGE
A miracle. I want you to take him under
your wing, give him some direction, do
for him what you've done for Carter, for
Priscilla, for Jack Cameron. That's right,
I've done my research on you, Mort. You
think it's a coincidence you had a matter
scheduled before me for this morning?
CUT TO:
INT. COURT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The door leading from Judge Parker's Chambers to the courtroom opens. Everyone in the court room stands as Judge Parker and Mort enter the courtroom.
SHERIFF OFFICER
All rise.
JUDGE PARKER
Counsel, may I have your appearance?
MORT
Good morning, your honor, Mort
Goodman appearing on behalf of
the defendant, Jamie Wheeler.
JUDGE PARKER
Everyone be seated. Let the
record reflect that I had a
conference in chambers with
Mr. Goodman with regard to
this matter, and Mr. Goodman
has accepted his appointment
as attorney for Mr. Wheeler,
and so what we're gonna do is--
JUDGE PARKER
Where is my cell phone?
Officer Hurley, have you
seen my cell phone? I
left in on my desk when--
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Wheeler, is that--
is that my cell phone?
JUDGE PARKER
Mr. Wheeler, why is
there a photograph
of your scrotum on
my cell phone?
JAMIE
I'm sorry, judge, my what?
JUDGE PARKER
Your balls, Mr. Wheeler?
Why is there a picture of
your balls on my phone!?
JAMIE
I would like to ask you
the same question, judge.
JUDGE PARKER
That's it. Mr. Wheeler, this
is how this is going to work.
You have two choices. Not three--
two. First, I will release you
into the custody and supervision
of Mr. Goodman, who is going to
oversee your rehabilitation,
through gainful employment in
the Internet Wrestling Alliance.
JAMIE
Fuck that. What's behind
door number two?
JUDGE PARKER
Trust me, Mr. Wheeler, you
don't want any part of door
number two. A nice looking
boy like yourself, with a
scrotum like that, they'll
love you up in in Washington
State penitentiary.
JUDGE PARKER
The choice is yours, Mr.
Wheeler. What's it gonna be?
JAMIE
Hi. I'm Jamie. When
do we get started.
