IMAGE: MEN LURKING OUTSIDE PRIVATE SCREENING BOOTHS (THEY VARY IN
AGE. TYPE. ETC. -- MOST LOOK PRETTY DAMN NORMAL)
(INT./NIGHT).
IMAGE: ANDREW (PRE-AIDS) SMILES AT A FRIENDLY YUPPIE, STANDING
INSIDE A PRIVATE BOOTH (INT./NIGHT).
YUPPIE
I'm Robert.
ANDREW
Andrew.
Andrew steps into the booth.
ANDREW (CONT.)
Now what do we do?
Robert laughs, closing the door of the booth.
ROBERT
I think we'll figure it out.
BACK TO THE COURTROOM (INT./DAY):
Joe sits with a stone-sober expression: this isn't easy.
BELINDA
When? Approximately what year did
this event take place?
ANDREW
I guess it was 1984, 85.
BELINDA
Were you aware in 1984 or 1985 that there was a fatal disease out
there, called AIDS, and that
you could contract it through sexual activity?
ANDREW
It's impossible to know exactly when or how I was infected with
HIV.
BELINDA
But you were having anonymous sex in porno theaters in 1984 and
1985?
ANDREW
That happened once. People weren't talking about AIDS then, the
way we are now. Or safe sex.
BELINDA
You'd heard of AIDS in 1984, 85?
ANDREW
I'd heard of something. The gay plague, gay cancer, but... we didn't
know how you could get it,
or that it could kill you.
CLOSE SHOT ON ANDREW -- losing strength.
BELINDA (OS)
(sounds far away)
Do you need a break?
ANDREW
No.
BELINDA
While you were employed at Wyant Wheeler, you did everything you
could to make sure no one knew
you were an active homosexual, correct?
ANDREW
That is not correct. I never lied about it.
BELINDA
Did you keep a picture of your lover on your desk?
ANDREW
No.
BELINDA
Do other lawyers at the firm keep pictures of their spouses or fiances
on their desks?
IMAGE: ANDREW IN BOB SEIDMAN'S OFFICE, WORKING, SPOTTING A PHOTO
ON THE WALL OF BOB'S WIFE AND CHILDREN (INT./DAY).
ANDREW
Some do. I didn't.
BELINDA
As a homosexual, one is often forced to conceal one's sexuality,
is that right?
ANDREW
In some situations.
BELINDA
Isn't it true you have spent your life pretending to be something
you're not, so much so that the
art of concealment and dishonesty has become second nature to you?!
JOE
Objection!
BELINDA
I'll withdraw it. Mr. Beckett? Were you living with Miguel Alvarez
in 1984 or 1985 when you had your anonymous sexual encounter in
the porn theater?
ANGLE ON MIGUEL, sitting next to Sarah.
ANDREW
Yes.
BELINDA
You could have infected him, isn't that right?
ANDREW
Miguel has not been infected. As I said, we weren't aware of AIDS,
then, or how it is spread.
BELINDA
Really?
ANDREW
Yes.
Andrew wipes sweat from his forehead.
BELINDA
You've testified the lesions on your face were visible to the people
you worked with, correct?
ANDREW
That's right.
BELINDA
And it's your contention, that when the partners were made aware
of the lesions, they jumped to the conclusion you had AIDS and fired
you.
ANDREW
Absolutely.
BELINDA
Do you have any lesions on your face at this time?
ANDREW
One. Here, in front of my ear.
An ASSISTANT hands Conine a shaving mirror. She holds it before
Andrew.
BELINDA
Remembering you are under oath, answering truthfully, can you see
the lesion on your face, in
this mirror, three feet away? Answering truthfully.
Andrew looks in the mirror: the lesion is NOT very visible.
ANDREW
By the time I was fired, there were four lesions on my face, much
bigger...
BELINDA
Answer the question, please.
ANDREW
No. I can't really see it.
BELINDA
Thank you.
Andrew rubs his eyes.
JUDGE GARNETT (OS)
(far away)
This would be a good time to break for the day...
JOE (OS)
(far away)
Your Honor? May I have ten minutes in re-direct?
JUDGE GARNETT (OS)
(far away)
Beckett?
Andrew finds the Judge looking at him.
JUDGE GARNETT (CONT.)
Can you go on for ten minutes?
ANDREW
Yes sir.
Joe JUMPS UP from the plaintiff's table.
JOE
I only need five!
(to Belinda, reaching for the mirror)
May I?
Joe approaches Andrew, with the mirror.
JOE (CONT.)
Do you have any lesions on any part of your body, at this time,
that resemble the lesions that were on your face at the time you
were fired?
ANDREW
Yes. On my torso.
JOE
If it please the court, I'd like to ask Mr. Beckett to remove his
shirt, so that the jury can have an accurate idea of what we're
talking about.
BELINDA
We object, Your Honor. It would unfairly influence the jury.
JOE
Your Honor, if Mr. Beckett was forced by his illness to use a wheelchair,
would the defense ask him to park it outside? We're talking about
AIDS, we're
talking about lesions. Let's see what we're talking about.
ANGLE ON MEMBERS OF THE JURY -- LOOKING APPREHENSIVE.
JUDGE GARNETT
(a moment, then)
I'll allow it. Would you mind removing your shirt, Mr. Beckett?
ANGLE ON MIGUEL -- TENSE.
ANDREW
Allright.
The COURTROOM TURNS SILENT.
Andrew removes his suit jacket. He's weak, so the smallest gesture
requires effort.
ANGLE ON BOB SEIDMAN -- WATCHING.
Andrew undoes his tie.
ANGLE ON THE MARINE JUROR -- WATCHING.
Andrew unbuttons his collar buttons, working his way down.
ANGLE ON SARAH BECKETT -- WATCHING.
Andrew stands, pulling his shirttails out of his trousers.
ANGLE ON CHARLES WHEELER -- WATCHING.
Andrew removes his shirt -- THERE ARE PURPLE BLOTCHES SPLAYED ACROSS
HIS CHEST AND ABDOMEN AND ARMS.
The SCHOOLTEACHER JUROR GASPS.
Sarah Beckett is silently crying.
The LESBIAN JUROR closes her eyes.
JOE
Can you see the lesions on your chest in this mirror?
ANDREW
Yes.
JOE
Thank you.
CAMERA MOVES IN ON CHARLES WHEELER...
CUT TO:
COURTHOUSE CORRIDOR, ACTIVITY (INT./DAY) ...
Charles Wheeler strides down the corridor, flanked by Kenton, Killcoyne
and Belinda, discussing strategy.
Bob Seidman steps to Wheeler's side, keeping pace.
SEIDMAN
I've discovered something interesting, Charles.
WHEELER
(to Belinda)
... keep them from that area, on grounds of relevancy.
(to Seidman)
What, Bob?
SEIDMAN
No matter how hard I try, I can't lose a file in my
computer.
NOW he's got EVERYONE'S attention.
SEIDMAN (CONT.)
The system automatically makes a backup.
Belinda holds up both hands, interrupting with:
BELINDA
I don't think I should hear this.
She walks away, giving a glance over her shoulder as:
SEIDMAN
You can erase the backup...
(a challenge to Wheeler)
But why would you?
KENTON
(venomous)
What's the point, Bob?
WHEELER
(calm)
Very interesting, Bob. Let's make a note of that. Andy didn't lose
the complaint in his computer. He
never put it in. He lied about that, too.
SEIDMAN
(weary)
Charles...
WHEELER
If you feel differently, Bob, you should say so, when you're called
to the stand. After all, this
isn't a conspiracy.
Wheeler and the gang moves on, leaving Seidman alone in the high-ceilinged
corridor.
Belinda hesitates, before re-grouping with Wheeler and the rest,
casting a curious glance toward Bob Seidman.
CUT TO:
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