FADE IN:
INT: Gabriel Red’s apartment – Night
The apartment is cramped. One room. Mattress at the front of room, next to the door. A radio, a bottle of rum, a half empty pack of cigarettes, a lighter, and a lamp on a table at the foot of the mattress. Beyond that is a fridge next to a counter with a hotplate on it. At the end of room is a window with a view of more dingy apartment buildings, small restaurants, a subway station, and lights flashing from the neon sign on the corner bar. It’s lightly snowing outside. The radio is playing the news. Gabriel Red is lying on the mattress with a notebook open on his lap.
GABRIEL RED, mid 30s, fairly attractive. Has messy hair and stubble on his face. He’s listening to an interview with a policeman on the news.
NEWSPERSON (v.o.)
Is there anything more you can tell us about Damien Lauder’s murder or murderer?
POLICEMAN (v.o.)
I’m afraid not. We’ve given out all the information we can, regarding Damien Lauder’s murder. I will say this. Despite the rumors that have been flying around all weekend, Lauder was not a victim of a serial killer.
There’s a knock at the door. Gabriel shuts the book closed and turns the radio to a music station.
GABRIEL
Come in.
WILLIAM, 40ish, mustached and slightly overweight African American, opens the door and steps in.
WILLIAM
Hey, Gabe. We’re starting a poker game down in the rec room. You in?
Gabriel fakes a yawn.
GABRIEL
Nah. I’m probably gonna pass out soon.
WILLIAM
It’s 9:30. What’s someone your age doing, passing out at 9:30?
GABRIEL
I’m not that young. And I’m nearly drunk.
Gabriel points the half empty bottle of rum.
GABRIEL (cont)
Perfect time to pass out.
WILLIAM
We need more people for a good game. Get your drunken ass up and try to feign interest.
GABRIEL
Just go get some of the guys on the street. I’m sure they’d be happy to take your money.
WILLIAM
You’ve been in this small room all weekend. Come on.
Gabriel fakes another yawn.
GABRIEL
I’ve got nothing to bet with.
WILLIAM
Of course you don’t. That’s why you live here. We’re only playing for nickels and dimes.
GABRIEL
I’ve literally got nothing. No nickels. No dimes. I spent my last bit of money on rum and pizza. I’m seeing my brother in-law tomorrow and he said he’d loan me a few dollars. I’ll play tomorrow.
WILLIAM
You still see your brother in-law?
Gabriel smiles faintly.
GABRIEL
Only when I need money.
Gabriel opens his book again.
WILLIAM
Whatcha reading?
Gabriel looks up.
GABRIEL
It’s a scrapbook. I’ve been working on it since Julia died.
WILLIAM
What kind of scrapbook? Something sappy? Full of wedding pictures and other cherished memories?
GABRIEL
(laughing)
Not quite. This is something very different. I’ll let you know what it is when I’ve finished it. I can’t tell you now, though.
William grins.
WILLIAM
Well that’s just making me more curious. C’mon, you can tell me. I’m not gonna tell anyone.
GABRIEL
Sorry, Will. But it’s of major importance, and it needs to stay secret. I’ll tell you this, though. If all goes as planned, the police, the F.B.I., the entire government is gonna want to give me a fucking medal.
William holds a blank stare for a moment.
WILLIAM
Um, yeah. Well, stay cool. I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, also, the bathroom on this floor is out of order, so you’re going to have to go downstairs to take a piss. The other bathroom is on the second floor.
GABRIEL
Thanks for the advice. Could you pass me that shit on your way out?
Gabriel points to the lighter, the cigarettes, and the rum. William passes Gabriel stuff and walks out. Gabriel takes a swig, gets up, goes over to his phone, picks up the receiver and dials.
24/8/2007, 8:22 pm
