JOE COMES DOWN THE HALLWAY OF THE MODERN CONDO BUILDING
(INT./NIGHT) ...
JOE
Jesus.
Suddenly, Joe HEARS: OPERA MUSIC PLAYING AGAIN.
He pauses, listening.
INTERCUT WITH:
ANDREW MOVES THROUGH THE ROOM, DRINKING IN THE BEAUTIFUL, passionate
MUSIC (INT./NIGHT) ...
The IV stand catches against the sofa, tugging the line.
Andrew pulls the line out of his arm. He moves, freer now.
INTERCUT WITH:
JOE STANDS OUTSIDE ANDREW'S DOOR, OPERA MUSIC PLAYING
(INT./NIGHT) ...
Joe lifts his hand to KNOCK.
He changes his mind.
JOE
Fucking guy...
Joe moves down the corridor, rings for the elevator.
INTERCUT WITH:
ANDREW MOVING THROUGH SHADOWS, IN THE APARTMENT, LETTING THE MUSIC
pull him along (INT./NIGHT) ...
INTERCUT WITH:
JOE STEPPING INTO THE ELEVATOR (INT./NIGHT).
The doors closing.
INTERCUT WITH:
ANDREW AND THE MUSIC (INT./NIGHT).
MUSIC FADING, CROSSES THE CUT TO:
EXTERIOR: JOE'S SUBURBAN HOUSE LATE AT NIGHT...
Joe crosses the yard to his dark house.
MUSIC DISTANT, CROSSES THE CUT TO:
JOE'S BABY LIES SLEEPING IN HER CRIB (INT./NIGHT).
Joe looks down on the baby, adjusting the blanket.
CONTINUOUS CUT TO:
LISA FACES CAMERA, ASLEEP IN THE DARK BEDROOM (INT./NIGHT).
Joe doffs his jacket, sinking quietly onto the edge of the bed,
careful not to disturb Lisa.
With his BACK TO CAMERA, Joe puts his head into his hands...
And begins to weep.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN: PANORAMIC SHOT OF PHILADELPHIA EXTERIORS...
CUT TO:
HIGH, WIDE ANGLE ON THE COURTROOM, IN SILENCE (INT./DAY) ...
Andrew moves very slowly with his cane across the courtroom, toward
the witness stand.
--JUDGE GARNETT crosses his arms, waiting.
--JOE glances at some notes.
--MIGUEL and SARAH BECKETT look on anxiously.
--WHEELER and the others observe in silence.
CAMERA HOLDS ON BIBLE BEING CARRIED IN GLOVED HANDS, ACROSS THE
COURTROOM. OVER THIS SHOT IS A...
TITLE: "Plaintiff's case. day fourteen."
The BAILIFF places the Bible in front of Andrew (a purple blotch
is showing in front of Andrew's ear.)
BAILIFF
Place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand.
Andrew places his hand on the Bible.
BAILIFF
"Do you swear to tell the truth...
DIALOGUE OVERLAP AND DISSOLVE TO:
ANDREW ANSWERING A QUESTION AN HOUR OR SO LATER (INT./DAY).
ANDREW
Wyant Wheeler had aggressively recruited me. They were the most
prestigious firm in Philadelphia, full of opportunity. And I was
impressed by the partners.
JOE
Including Charles Wheeler?
(Andrew frequently wipes sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
His voice is hoarse, raspy.)
ANDREW
Particularly, Charles.
ANGLE ON WHEELER.
JOE
What impressed you about him?
ANDREW
He was... the kind of person I thought I wanted to be.
JOE
What kind of person is that?
ANDREW
Possessed of an encyclopedic knowledge of the law. A razor sharp
litigator, a genuine leader, gifted at bringing out the very best
in others. An awesome ability to illuminate the most complex of
legal
concepts to colleagues, courtrooms, the person on the street.
(a smile)
The kind of person who plays three sets of tennis but doesn't sweat.
But underneath the elegant surface, was an adventurous spirit.
Belinda Conine MAKES A NOTE ABOUT THAT.
JOE
Obviously, at this time, you weren't sick.
ANDREW
It's possible I was infected with the HIV virus at that time, but
I wasn't diagnosed until several years later.
JOE
You didn't look then, the way you look now?
REVERSE -- ON ANDREW IN THE WITNESS STAND, BUT NOW HE LOOKS COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT (The healthy. pre-AIDS Andrew.)
ANDREW
No. I was thirty pounds heavier. I was athletic.
JOE
A regular all-American guy?
ANDREW
I suppose you could say that.
JOE
Except... you were gay?
ANDREW
I still am.
SPECTATORS CHUCKLE.
JOE
In the years you worked at Wyant Wheeler, did you ever tell Charles
Wheeler you were gay?
ANDREW
No. I didn't.
JOE
Can you explain why you didn't?
ANDREW
You don't bring your personal life into a law firm. You're not supposed
to have a personal life, really. Anyway, I did plan to tell Charles,
eventually. But then, this thing happened at the tennis club...
IMAGE: WHEELER. ANDREW. SEIDMAN. OTHERS IN A LOCKER ROOM OF A TENNIS
CLUB, WEARING TOWELS, ENTERING A SAUNA (INT./DAY).
WHEELER
Longstreet's interested in the Harrisburg deal.
ANDREW
I'm seeing him this afternoon.
INSIDE THE SAUNA: CAMERA PANS SEVERAL MEN.
ANDREW (VOICE OVER)
"Somebody started telling jokes."
FIRST MAN
What do you call a woman who has PMS and ESP at the same time?.
SECOND MAN
What?
FIRST MAN
A bitch who knows everything.
LAUGHTER. Andrew keeps his eyes closed, leaning against the wall
of the sauna, next to Wheeler, relaxing.
CHARLES WHEELER
How does a faggot fake an orgasm?
Andrew opens one eye.
CHARLES WHEELER (CONT.)
He spits on your back.
SEIDMAN
Charles, that's revolting!
All the men LAUGH, and Wheeler LAUGHS THE HARDEST.
JOE (VOICE OVER)
How did that make you feel?
IMAGE: BACK TO THE COURTROOM. ANDREW IN THE WITNESS STAND (And
it's the sick, thin Andrew with AIDS).
ANDREW
Relieved. That I'd never told him I was gay. Very relieved.
ANGLE ON CHARLES WHEELER: shakes his head, a denial.
JOE
Are you a good lawyer?
ANDREW
I'm an excellent lawyer.
JOE
What makes you an excellent
lawyer?
ANDREW
I love the law. I know the law. I excel at practicing it. It's the
only thing I've ever wanted to do.
JOE
What do you love about it?
ANDREW
Well... many things. But I think the thing I love the most, is that
every once in a while, not that often, but occasionally... you get
to be part of justice being done. It's really quite a thrill when
that happens.
CUT TO:
BELINDA CONINE STANDS BEFORE ANDREW (INT./DAY).
BELINDA
You said earlier you aspired to be the kind of person who had "an
adventurous spirit." Is
that correct?
ANDREW
Something like that.
BELINDA
Do you take risks?
ANDREW
In my work? Yes. Calculated risks. You have to.
BELINDA
In general. Do you take risks in other areas of your life?
ANDREW
Not unnecessary ones.
BELINDA
Have you ever been to the Apollo Cinema on Sansom Street?
Joe cringes a little with discomfort.
ANDREW
(looking Belinda right in the eye)
A few times.
IMAGE: FLASHING LIGHTS AT THE "APOLLO" THEATER ENTRANCE
(EXT./NIGHT).
BELINDA (OS)
What kind of movies do they show there?
ANDREW (OS)
Gay movies.
BACK IN COURT (INT./DAY):
BELINDA
Gay pornographic movies?
ANDREW
Yes.
BELINDA
Do men have sex with each other in that theater?
ANDREW
Yes.
IMAGE: MOVING POV SHOT PAST ROWS OF GAY PORN MAGAZINES
(INT./NIGHT).
BELINDA (OS)
How about you, Mr. Beckett?
IMAGE: MOVING POV SHOT PAST FACES OF THE JURORS (INT./DAY)
BELINDA (OS) (CONT.)
... Have you ever had sex with someone in that theater?
IMAGE: MOVING POV SHOT PAST A GLASS COUNTER HOLDING SEXUAL DEVICES,
LUBRICANTS, CONDOMS (INT./NIGHT).
ANDREW (OS)
Yes.
BACK IN COURT, ON ANDREW:
ANDREW (CONT.)
Once.
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