ACT 6, SCENE 1, INT: APARTMENT – NIGHT
JAMAL and RICKY walk through the front door. News is playing in the background. Sirens heard from outside.
MS. COLE:
Jay, where the hell have you been? I was calling you!
RICKY:
Nah, Ms. Cole we’re safe.
MS. COLE:
Is your name Jamal Cole?
RICKY:
No ma’am.
MS. COLE:
Who the hell is this? Where are you coming from?
JAMAL:
This is Ricky. The one I was talking about. As soon as we heard shots, we kept low until it was safe. We ran all the way over here.
RICKY:
Yea, I ain’t going back out there unless I have to.
MS. COLE:
Astro City is out of control. I’m over all this shit.
JAMAL:
I feel you, Ma. Ricky needs to crash here for a bit? Until the police go away?
MS. COLE:
This isn’t a hotel. Where are your parents?
RICKY is quiet.
JAMAL:
He has a foster home, but he hasn’t been there in a minute. They’ll send him to a program if he goes back.
MS. COLE:
Answer me honestly. Are you involved with this shit in any way? I swear to God if you are, I’m done with you. I ain’t harboring a criminal in this house. I’m not being evicted for your friends.
JAMAL is about to say something, but RICKY places his hand on his shoulder first.
RICKY:
No ma’am, we ain’t got shit to do with that.
MS. COLE:
Again, I’m speaking to my son. Jay, do you know anything about this?
JAMAL looks to RICKY.
JAMAL:
No.
MS. COLE:
It’s all over the news. They’re looking for a black car with tinted windows. If you ever see one, get the hell away from it. (BEAT) Tonight’s fine, but by tomorrow, I need Ricky to find another place to stay.
JAMAL:
Thanks, Ma.
RICKY:
Yes, Ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.
CUT TO: THE BOYS walk down the hall to his room…
JAMAL:
I can’t be lying to her anymore.
RICKY:
What else could we do? Walk the streets like chumps?
JAMAL:
I don’t know.
RICKY:
Well until you figure that out, I’m sticking with you. I ain’t stupid.
JAMAL give him a look.
RICKY:
You’ll think of something that won’t get me arrested or killed.
JAMAL rolls his eyes.
ACT 6, SCENE 2 INT: HOSPITAL – EMERGENCY ROOM – NIGHT
REV is walking around a busy ER. Around him our victims of the shooting covered in bleeding gauze, tears, and sweat. DOCTORS and NURSES move around busily to tend to the wounded.
As he moves, some people are in awe of him and others turn their heads in fear.
REV turns into a room where a woman is screaming.
ACT 6, SCENE 3 INT: HOSPITAL – ER ROOM – CONT’D
REV enters the room where RACHEL is being held down by orderlies and a social worker is attempting to calm her down. RACHEL is tearful and frantic.
RACHEL:
No, you don’t understand. He touches me. That’s how he controls me.
REV:
Rachel…
RACHEL freezes in fear.
SOCIAL WORKER:
Mr. Maccabee, how are you?
RACHEL:
No no no don’t touch him!
They shake hands.
REV:
Blessed and highly favored. It’s a miracle I wasn’t injured, but I worry this has done some damage to my wife.
SOCIAL WORKER:
I’m told she’s been hysterical since she was brought in. Is she on any medication or working with a psychologist?
REV:
No. Why?
SOCIAL WORKER:
She sounds very delusional.
REV:
The devil is a lie.
RACHEL:
Joe…
SOCIAL WORKER:
I understand she’s been through something traumatic, but if she doesn’t calm down, we might have to sedate her.
REV:
No needles, please. She has a history.
SOCIAL WORKER nods in understanding.
REV pats the orderlies on the arms.
REV:
Thank you for all you’ve done. Can my wife and I have a moment please?
The SOCIAL WORKER and ORDERLIES leave the room without question.
REV:
Make sure we’re not disturbed.
RACHEL:
No no no, DON’T LEAVE ME WITH HIM! Please!
REV:
Shush, I’m here.
RACHEL:
Don’t touch me. Joe! Don’t!
RACHEL fights futilely under her restrains.
REV:
Look what this has done to you.
RACHEL:
Joe, please, stop. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t do this. I know what you’re doing. You can’t control everyone.
REV:
This is the only way to keep what I have. Things can be better for me, for you, for all of us. I’m stronger. I’m so close to getting everything my family slaved for.
RACHEL:
No more Joe, please, no more.
REV:
Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of here. You won’t even remember this or the pain. You’ll stay with me and see what I’ve done for us.
RACHEL:
Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me!
REV:
You sound like Bettie. I hate that.
RACHEL:
I remember what you did to her. How many have you touched?
REV grabs her head in his hands and places his forehead to hers.
RACHEL:
How many, Joe?
REV:
I love you Rachel.
RACHEL:
I can never love a monster like you.
REV:
Yes you can. You will.
REV’S FACE is crawling with engorged wormy veins, even his eyes. RACHEL’S FACE is growing dark veins as well.
REV:
Forget.
ACT 6, SCENE 4 INT: HOSPITAL – ANOTHER PATIENT ROOM – NIGHT
OMAR and AMED are in a hospital room. OMAR’S side is bandaged up. AMED is kneeling at his bedside.
OMAR:
I’m not dying. You can stop praying.
AMED:
When it looks like you’ve done all you can, fall on your knees and pray.
OMAR:
And you said you never listened to Rev.
AMED:
You were bleeding. You shouldn’t be bleeding. I don’t understand.
OMAR:
I know. It makes sense though. I haven’t been feeling right for a while. Something’s off. Maybe it’s wearing down.
AMED:
This is my fault. I should’ve never been down there. They started shooting because of me, because of what I did. It’s the curse.
OMAR:
Relax, Amed. You sound paranoid.
AMED:
You almost died because of me. That’s not paranoia. That’s a fact.
OMAR:
The doctor said I’m actually healing pretty fast. It’s like a miracle, she said. We know enough about miracles, don’t we? Everything happens for a reason. Everything’s gonna work out fine.
AMED:
It’s happening again. This time you’re the one in pain. I’ll find a way to stop this. I’ll beg Nebthet to make me stronger.
OMAR grabs AMED’S hand.
AMED:
I don’t care what you’re going to say. I’m your brother. I will always protect us.
OMAR:
But we’re stronger together. Always have. Always will be.
KNOCK on the door. Disheveled MAYOR enters the room.
MAYOR:
I heard voices so I figured it was alright to come in.
OMAR:
George…you look like shit.
MAYOR:
You don’t look so hot yourself. It’s been a rough night. I haven’t been home since all of this happened.
AMED:
You don’t say.
OMAR:
Amed…
MAYOR:
You must be Omar’s brother, Mohamed. It’s nice to finally meet you. You’re a hero.
AMED doesn’t shake his hand.
AMED:
This city is out of control. It starts from the top.
MAYOR:
I hear you. I got all hands on deck, and people working on this around the clock. I promise results.
AMED:
I’ll hold you to that.
MAYOR:
Would you mind if we had some privacy?
AMED:
I prefer to stay.
OMAR:
Please, Amed. I’ll check in with you later.
AMED:
Fine. I’ll pick up Sister from the house. I’m sure she’ll want to be here.
OMAR:
Okay.
AMED leaves the room.
MAYOR:
Your brother’s kinda scary.
OMAR:
It sucks you’re only meeting him now. He’s a softie really, but under these circumstances, I’d probably be grumpy too.
MAYOR:
I heard they might discharge you soon. That’s good.
OMAR:
Yea, the wound must not have been that bad.
MAYOR:
Seven wounded. None fatally. A lot of people scared. I didn’t know you were going to be down there. Why were you?
OMAR:
I wasn’t there for the protest if that’s what you’re getting at.
MAYOR:
Well, I’m sorry this happened to you.
OMAR:
Don’t be sorry. You didn’t do anything.
MAYOR is silent and sighs deeply.
OMAR:
George…?
MAYOR:
You’re brother’s right. Things are out of control in this city. There were a lot of obstacles in the way of making this city great. I don’t know how my father did it. The stress of keeping it all together is immense.
OMAR:
You’re sounding a lot like your old self.
MAYOR:
But things are getting handled this way. Rest. I’ll take care of everything.
OMAR:
George, what are doing? I thought you were clear headed and…
MAYOR:
I’m taming the lion.
OMAR:
Wait a minute. Let’s figure this out.
MAYOR:
Now that you’re in this position, let’s get one thing straight between us. We’re not partners, Omar. Your name isn’t in the papers or on posters protesting me. That’s me. Only me. They’re after me. Even down to that news reporter and those church folks, they’re after me! I won’t be cheated by people like them. Small people that don’t know shit! I’ve worked too hard for that, but you obviously can’t see that right now. Not in your condition. So please take a break. Skip work.
OMAR is panicking.
OMAR:
You’re making a mistake. We worked this together.
MAYOR:
We? There you go again getting big again, boy. I’m Astro City. You are just my help. Just focus on getting better and stay out of the way. I hate for something worse to happen to you.
OMAR:
George, what are you gonna do? George?
MAYOR walks out the room. OMAR quickly reaches for his phone.
ACT 6, SCENE 5 INT: GARAGE – NIGHT
MELISSA storms out of an elevator. Her cellphone rings and she angrily picks it up.
MELISSA:
Are you deaf? This is stalking and harassment. I’m blocking your calls and getting a restraining order, asshole! Enjoy prison.
OMAR (O.S.)
Listen to me! You’re in danger.
MELISSA:
Danger my ass!
She hangs up. She pauses to make another call.
MELISSA:
I’m going into the office. No, I’m not fine, JOHN!
She hangs up. When she looks up, the garage is scarier than she imaged. It echoes with water drops. Lights flicker.
She remotely unlocks her car, until she hears something behind her.
MELISSA:
Not again. Not again.
She runs to her car and slams the door shut.
ACT 6, SCENE 6 EXT: CITY –
She drives off out of the garage and into the city. She realizes that she is being followed at every turn. The car looks black in the rearview mirror.
It blinks headlights in her view.
The car keeps attempting to rev up alongside her, but she floors it in an attempt to escape.
She can’t get far. She finally pulls over and jumps out the car. The chasing car pulls up behind her.
MELISSA:
Help! Help!
AMED jumps out the black car with a gun drawn.
AMED:
Are you alright?
MELISSA:
Get away from me.
AMED:
I was trying to get your attention. There was someone in your backseat.
MELISSA:
What?
AMED checks the backseat of her car, but it’s empty.
MELISSA:
There!
AMED looks just in time to see a dark figure running between housing. He attempts to give chase.
MELISSA:
Don’t leave me. Please! Don’t leave me.
MELISSA cries. AMED calls for backup.
ACT 6, SCENE 7 EXT: CITY – NIGHT
The dark figure running away and uncovers his mask. It’s LOCO with a gleeful grin.
END OF ACT 6