ACT 3, SCENE 1 INT: AMED/LINDA HOME – NIGHT
LINDA BUTLER comes running into the front door of the house.
LINDA:
Amed. Amed, where are you?
The house is dark. LINDA turns on the light, but everything appears normal. In the distance, there are voices. She follows them into the LIVING ROOM, where the television is on. She turns on the lights, but no one’s in there.
LINDA:
Amed?
She follows the voices into the kitchen.
ACT 3, SCENE 2 INT: AMED/LIND HOME – KITCHEN – CONT’D
LINDA turns on the light in the kitchen.
AMED is standing in boxers, facing the stove.
CU AMED’S FACE: He’s sweating, because his face is hovering over a steaming boiling pot of water.
LINDA:
Amed what are you doing?
AMED doesn’t answer. LINDA steps forward cautiously.
LINDA:
Are you okay?
AMED (whisper):
Shut up and eat your food.
LINDA:
There’s nothing on the table.
AMED:
Everything’s gonna be alright, baby.
LINDA reaches AMED’S side.
LINDA:
What are you cooking?
CU of boiling water.
AMED:
We all gonna be alright.
LINDA:
I’m gonna shut this off. Okay? There’s nothing in there.
CU of LINDA’S hand slowly reaching over the pot and across AMED.
AMED (o.s.):
We all gonna be alright.
LINDA exhales when she shuts off the fire.
AMED grabs her arm. Linda screams.
LINDA:
Let me go.
AMED:
What if I’m possessed like my mother?
LINDA:
You’re not Amed. You’re alright, but you have to let me go.
AMED:
She snapped, accused my father of cheating, and bashed his head in right in front of us. His blood was on me. I can’t be like her. I thought it would never happen to me.
LINDA soothes and caresses AMED’S face. AMED visibly softens and lets her go. He crunches over.
LINDA:
You’re nothing like her. You will never be her.
AMED:
The angel promised us that this would never happen again, because of the gifts she gave us.
LINDA:
What are you talking about?
AMED:
But she lied. Knowing the truth is useless. I killed that kid, Linda. I’m a demon just like my mother.
AMED cries and LINDA has to cradle him to the floor. AMED cries in her arms.
AMED:
I killed him.
LINDA:
That’s not what they’re saying. It’s all over TV. They’re calling you a hero.
AMED:
I killed just like her!
LINDA:
Amed, stay in the present with me. Come back.
AMED:
Why weren’t you here when I needed you?
LINDA:
I was at work. I came as soon as I heard.
AMED stares at her suspiciously.
AMED:
Where were you really?
LINDA:
I’m worried, Amed. This isn’t you.
AMED:
Where were you?
AMED allows her to hold him tighter, but he is confused.
ACT 3, SCENE 3 INT: HOSPITAL GALA – HALLWAY – NIGHT
In the background music and light party noise.
MAYOR GEORGE APOSTOLOU – dressed in a tailored tux – is outside the women’s restroom, pacing. An ASSISTANT walks out.
MAYOR:
Well?
ASSISTANT:
She was throwing up.
MAYOR:
She’s sick? Find out how soon before they call me up to speak. Find Omar, and get me a drink. (Beat) Scratch the drink. Just water. But still find Omar.
ASSISTANT:
She also wants to talk to you.
MAYOR:
Everyone needs me right now. That’s the problem. When you come back, bring a wheelchair too.
ASSISTANT is a bit overwhelmed, but nods.
MAYOR inhales deeply before walking into the BATHROOM.
ACT 3, SCENE 2: WOMEN’S BATHROOM/POWDER ROOM – CONT’D
MAYOR walks into the BATHROOM and is a bit stunned by CHRISTINA APOSTOLOU – an early to mid-40s lanky woman with almost blonde shoulder length hair that cascades over her back and skin that is almost too pale – is sitting before a vanity mirror, elegant and poised.
MAYOR:
Feeling any better?
CHRISTINA:
You know how much I hate these things. All the smoozing and smiling in front of the camera, like everything’s ok.
MAYOR:
I hate them too.
CHRISTINA rolls her eyes.
MAYOR:
But I got to give everyone a piece of me to calm them down.
MAYOR reaches over and kisses her hand and then runs his finger through her hair.
CHRISTINA:
Stop. This wig’s worse than knives digging into my scalp.
MAYOR:
Just keep it on a while longer. I’ll make my speech and we can get the hell out of here.
CHRISTINA:
I can’t be under this much strain, George. You know this.
MAYOR:
I promise tonight’s the last night I put you through this. Any of this. I wouldn’t need you if it wasn’t for the bad press spinning out there.
CHRISTINA:
Bad press? Buildings are exploding and boys are eating people’s faces off. It’s all horrible. What more do you need to say?
MAYOR:
It was drugs. Bad drugs are floating around out there.
CHRISTINA:
Drugs are turning people into cannibalistic zombies? I don’t believe it.
MAYOR:
I didn’t believe it either, but it’s a strange concentration of events. This is the only thing that’s on everyone’s mind. Astro City’s most vulnerable people are scared, and I need to show them strength; that I could ease their fear. And when I’m up there, I need you with me.
CHRISTINA:
I can barely stand today George. You ask so much of me. I hate it. I can’t be your superwoman any more than…
ASSISTANT enters with a wheelchair.
ASSISTANT:
Omar is keeping the press happy.
MAYOR:
Thank you. Can we get some privacy, please?
ASSISTANT leaves.
CHRISTINA:
Why is that here?
MAYOR:
Pretending is hard. I know. So let’s stop.
CHRISTINA:
What?
MAYOR:
You and this city are fighting for your lives, and I will not leave either of your sides. I have enough fight in me to go around.
MAYOR kisses CHRISTINA’S forehead and sniffs her hair.
CHRISTINA:
That’s beautiful. Did Omar put you up to this?
MAYOR pulls away frustrated.
MAYOR:
Did you hear what I said? Those were my words out of my mouth. Not that fucking gollywag.
CHRISTINA:
And there’s the George I know. You say a lot of wonderful things. Some good, some horrible, but always about you and your damn pride. Stop lying to me. I’m not one of your employees or constituents. I know you need a drink or whatever it is you do behind closed doors.
MAYOR:
I’ve got things under control. I’m sober, cold turkey, and clearer than ever. I’ve got no distractions in my way.
CHRISTINA:
I pray to God you stay that way. (beat) Before your father died, he told me about all your messes he had to clean up.
MAYOR:
Burying himself in the court wasn’t cleaning up my messes.
CHRISTINA:
Oh how hard that must’ve been for you. You’re still trying to prove something to him, aren’t you? Little did I know that the torch of cleaning up your mess was passed on down to me.
MAYOR:
You don’t have to do anything. I got this.
CHRISTINA:
It’s too late for that pity card, George. I’ll be your angel, like always, but you just do your part. Don’t embarrass me or the kids. I’ve been with you too long for this to crumble.
MAYOR kneels before CHRISTINA. He holds and kisses her hand royally.
MAYOR:
I’m making this better for us. Everything I do…
CHRISTINA fights off a wave of pain.
CHRISTINA:
Stop. Chemo doesn’t make me stupid. You’re doing this for you and whatever sins you think you’ve committed against me.
MAYOR:
Can you forgive me?
CHRISTINA:
It’s not my place to forgive. You might want to speak to a pastor about that. Pass me my pocket book. The last thing I want is to look like the Grim Reaper in front of those cameras.
MAYOR:
Yes whatever you want. Whenever you’re ready.
ACT 3, SCENE 3: GALA – SAME NIGHT
MELISSA DAY is sitting alone at a dinner table, ignoring the GALA around her. She is more focused with her phone.
MELISSA:
Pick up your phone.
OMAR BUTLER sits down next to her.
OMAR:
You got the worst press seat in the house. Someone must really hate you.
MELISSA:
Why are you here bothering me and not with your brother? He killed a boy today.
OMAR:
You don’t know Amed like I do. He’s tough as nails. Stronger than me probably. From what I saw, he was doing his job. He stopped a killer. The victim’s face was practically gone by the time Amed showed up.
MELISSA hangs up her phone in frustration and throws it down.
ASSISTANT comes to grab OMAR, but he shoos them away.
ASSISTANT:
Mr. Butler, the Mayor wants to see you.
OMAR:
Tell him I’m keeping the press happy.
MELISSA:
We’re far from happy, like in another galaxy far, far away unhappy.
ASSISTANT:
Sir?
OMAR:
I’m serious. I’ll check in with him when I’m done.
As ASSISTANT walks away…
OMAR:
What can I do to make your night better? I can have your seat changed. Maybe a seat closer to me?
MELISSA:
Can you make sure my lead picks up her damn phone?
OMAR:
Shit happens, but we persevere.
MELISSA:
Beautifully said, especially in an age of burning buildings, dirty politicians, and zombies running amuck. Can I quote you on that?
OMAR:
I can’t take credit for something Sister said to me. What’s your story about anyway?
MELISSA:
If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.
OMAR:
C’mon. Just a tease. Like ol’ times.
MELISSA:
I’ve been busting my ass for months, and I finally feel like I have enough ammo in my gun to pull the trigger. I know things, Omar. I’m saving the AC with or without you.
OMAR is caressing her hand.
OMAR:
You always had this strength about you. That’s what I was attracted to the most.
MELISSA:
What are you doing?
OMAR:
I like this song.
OMAR drags her to the dance floor while a jazz band plays. MELISSA fights futilely, because OMAR is using his strength to his advantage.
MELISSA:
Let me go. Nobody else is dancing.
OMAR:
Let’s start the party then.
MELISSA:
You’re one tug away from committing assault, King Kong. Keep it up.
OMAR:
Oh! I love the way you say that.
MELISSA:
God, you’ve lost your damn mind. What’s the Mayor doing to you?
OMAR:
Can you stop playing journalist and just be here with me? In this present moment? Please? I want to do this with you.
They keep dancing slowly, closely. He spins her around and pulls her back.
OMAR:
You look beautiful tonight. And you smell really good.
MELISSA shudders when OMAR breathes in her neck.
MELISSA:
There are cameras everywhere. What will the other reporters think?
OMAR:
She’s getting all his juicy details.
MELISSA:
Why do you keep making me feel like I’m crazy?
OMAR:
How so?
MELISSA:
It shouldn’t be this easy to fall for you again.
OMAR:
That’s a bad thing?
MELISSA:
Because I still want to slap the shit outta you.
OMAR:
That’s kinky. *You* thinking you can hurt *me*.
MELISSA:
I’ll have you down on your knees faster than Apostolou running towards an exit during a press conference.
OMAR:
I’d go down for you any day. (winks) Just tell me when.
MELISSA:
What happened to us, Omar?
OMAR:
There was someone else.
MELISSA:
There was always someone or something else, but this time it sucked you in deep. I couldn’t be around that anymore. Even when I needed you the most, I knew you wouldn’t be around. I was alone for so long. Are you coming back to your senses?
OMAR:
I don’t think so.
MELISSA:
Your honesty’s atrocious.
OMAR:
Blame my brother. He kinda forces it outta you.
They lean in for a kiss, until the place erupts with gasps and camera flashes.
They stop dancing long enough for MELISSA to watch the MAYOR push CHRISTINA into the gala in a wheelchair.
MELISSA:
You asshole. Was this some kind of plan to distract me?
OMAR:
I didn’t know anything about this.
MELISSA:
Then you’re useless and an asshole.
OMAR:
I told you his wife had cancer. You didn’t bite.
MELISSA:
God, I feel like such an…
OMAR:
Asshole?
MELISSA:
They’ll be talking about how strong Apostolou is. Being Mayor and taking care of his wife at the same damn time.
OMAR:
He’s always been about fixing things.
MELISSA:
Hiding things is more like it. They set the bar low for men like him. I got a permanent fix for him soon enough.
Phone rings.
MELISSA eagerly picks up her phone only to be disappointed when it was actually OMAR’S.
OMAR:
Excuse me, I got to take this. Hello?
ACT 3, SCENE 5: AMED/LINDA HOME – CONT’D
LINDA:
Omar, I need you to come by the house. Now please.
INTERCUT between OMAR and LINDA
OMAR:
Why? What’s wrong?
LINDA:
Amed’s talking about angels and demons. I don’t want to call the police. He’s already all over the news. I’m scared reporters will find out where we live. I don’t know what to do.
OMAR:
Shit. I’m on my way.
LINDA:
Omar, be quick.
CU of AMED seating at the kitchen table, glaring at LINDA.
End of ACT 3