 |
NOT NEWS | ||||
|
Details
|
Coffee on the Tracks EXT. DAY Train tracks on the outskirts of a city. There are
about six pairs of rails. One man (Anton) is standing on the far left of
one, smoking a cigarette. From the far right walks another man (Bram)
across the tracks and stands beside the first. He is carrying two
Styrofoam cups of coffee and a clipboard under his arm. He hands his extra
cup to the Anton man without a word. They stand silently until the Anton
finishes his cigarette, which he drops, not bothering to extinguish. Anton She keeps it pumpin’ straight to my
heart. Bram Overboard? Anton Completely. Bram Serenely and sweetly under the
ssssun. Anton Dartovsky predicts a coming war. Bram More blood for god’s unquenchable
thirst. Anton As it has been written a thousand
fold by the saints. Bram As above, so below. Anton A charming god, I pray there be. Pause, as they sip their coffees. Then they break
out in laughter. Anton Ah, fuck… so how the hell are you
doing, Bram? How’s…Sofia, right? Bram Oh, she’s fine, great. The cooking
is tops, she’s keeping the weight off. Y’know, we have a six month old. Anton Oh, right, a baby girl… Bram Boy, actually. Anton Yeah? Shit, sorry. You know how the
information gets all screwed up in the wires. How is the little one? Bram Good, I guess. It’s our first, so
we’re kind of flying by the seat of our pants. Anton I’ve got a friend who works at a
book depository. I’ll ask him for a baby book. Bram Oh, no. I don’t want you to go our
of your way- Anton No, no. Too late. It’s happening.
I’m seeing him next week. I bet he has dozens of titles on the subject. Bram You’re a king among men, Anton. Anton You sound like my mistress. What’s
on tap for this glorious morning? Bram (checking clipboard) A Chekov. Number 67341. Anton Our noble upstart writer! Christ,
they breed like rabbits. Bram They write like rabbits, too. Ever
read those pamphlets they got locked up in the ministry? It all sounds
like the same drivel, each one. Anton What’s the time? Bram (checks watch) 7:41. Anton Let’s head to the car. Actually,
wait. (he takes out a small handheld electronic device, not unlike a
remote control. He presses buttons, the waves it around a bit. Then he
checks it again) We’re clear. Let’s go. They begin to walk away from the tracks, down the
embankment to a side street with old warehouses and mechanic’s garages
lining it. Bram How long have you been using that? Anton Since Jabowski was blown to
smithereens on a bus three weeks ago. They’re trying to make ‘em mandatory
for us if they can get the parts shipped in. Bram Yeah, that one doesn’t look brand
new. Anton It’s Jabowski’s actually. Dumbass
left it at home the one day he really needed it. Bram Say, speaking of rabbits, you know
male rabbits attack each other by trying to bite each other’s dicks? They begin getting into a car parked on the side of
the road. Anton takes the driver’s seat. Anton What? Really? Bram Swear to god. Saw it on a nature
documentary. Anton Damn, everyone likes to say how much
better animals are than us, then you hear something like that. Bram By the way, congratulations on the
promotion. Anton You mean, ‘congratulations on the
promotion, sir’. Bram (grinning) Oh, so it’s going to be like that,
eh? Anton Honestly, I thought you were a
shoo-in. Figured I ruffled too many feathers upstairs. I’m sure you must
have at least been the committee’s second. Bram I have no idea. Anton (starting car) Yeah, they try to keep it all under
lock and key, don’t they? They say some underground group is gonna blow
the hall of records sky high, but if anyone does that, I’ll put fifty down
that it’s a retired agent wanting to know why his pension’s been slashed. Bram (fiddling with seatbelt) This seatbelt doesn’t seem to work. Anton (backing out) Yeah, my mech guy didn’t have the
parts. Just hold tight. CUT TO: EXT. DAY Large, faceless grey building. CUT TO: INT. Anton and Bram walking down an empty, thin, low
hallway. Anton
…instead they just cut out the whole department.
Moved ‘em three miles down the road to the…uh…16th building. Bram And what, they bus everyone to the
station? Anton Probably. The only person I knew in
audio tech support transferred three months ago, so I don’t know anyone in
building six. Supposedly the heat works only for the first two months of
winter then breaks down. Bram (putting on plastic surgeon
gloves) Well that sounds like a royal
assfucking. Anton Yeah, that’s why I never complain
about the shitbox that is my car. (stops at a door) This us? 507? Bram (grabbing doorknob) That it is. Game faces on. Anton (makes a ‘flicking of the
switch’ motion) Click. Bram opens the door and the two enter a small room.
There is a phone in a metal box beside the door. There is a table in the
middle of the room and three chairs on one side of it it. A young man is
sitting in the middle chair, looking downcast. Anton and Bram sit in the
empty chairs on either side of him. He looks at them as they sit. Joseph Vladimir? Sergei? They got both of
you? Anton and Bram say nothing. Joseph Jesus, the circle is closing in. Bram (with a thin smile) They…got us long ago, Joseph. Anton (standing up) They got all of ‘us’ in their hands
now. Joseph What…I don’t understand. Anton Changes have to be made, Joseph. Or
should I say, changes had to be, made, and, with a heavy heart, they were.
But this was done long ago. Long before we ever met. Joseph Wait, what changes… what group? Who
are you talking about? (cautious) The Awnsee Liberation Front? Bram (getting up as well and
stretching) No, not them. Joseph But then…when you worked with me…
look, you have to tell me, who are you with? Bram goes a leans against the far wall, facing the
back of Joseph’s head. Anton picks something out of his pocket. Anton I’m with the only side there is.
(throws his badge onto the table) Know what this means? Joseph Wait…(looking at it, understanding,
with venom) Oh…no. No, you’re- Anton It means I’m your new boss. Joseph You…you’re scum of the earth. You’re
a liar… a betrayer! We trusted you! Anton I know. Joseph You blew up buildings with us! You
pledged yourself to the cause! You killed your own people! Don’t you have
any loyalty at all? I respect every guard that dragged me through these
halls more than you! You shit! (spits on him) Anton (brushing off the saliva from
his shirt) Try to be civil, Joseph. I remember
you having such excellent table manners. Joseph How can you work for this
government? The things they do, of well what am I saying? You know first
hand, you do those things... Anton The devil likes us young, Joseph.
Full of energy, rosy-cheeked. Joseph How many of my comrades have you
killed? Both of you? How many families have you rounded up? How many
graves have you dug? Bram We aren’t butchers, Joseph. Joseph You’re nothing but butchers. You’re
tearing this country apart and offering it to your masters and you don’t
even know why. Anton (getting pack of cigarettes
out of his pocket) I know why, Joseph. (taps out a
single cigarette) I wouldn’t do these things if I was morally conflicted
in any way. (puts cigarette in his mouth) Joseph So you’re a monster then. Anton offers Joseph a cigarette, who doesn’t
acknowledge it. Anton leaves the pack on the table. Anton Don’t make out to be some sort of
boogeyman, Joseph. Remember what you said about propaganda at the bar
several weeks ago. Joseph That wasn’t with you. That was a man
who is now dead in my eyes. Anton (lights cigarette) Here’s the problem, Joseph. Your
desire to throw off the shackles of what you perceive as oppression is so
blinding that you let enemy agents – and not just us, might I add –
infiltrate your organization, and all it took was having you overhear us
grumble about the state of the world at one of your hangouts. You can
write a good essay, Joseph, but you can’t organize a movement to save your
life. Or your country. Joseph There are others. Bram Like us? Joseph turns and glares at Bram. Anton Look, let’s get down to heart of the
matter. Terrorism is just politics by other means. Joseph We don’t practice terrorism, we- Anton When you blow up government
buildings you are striking fear into the hearts of the public. Joseph No, just in the hearts of the
politicians. And that what we should be- Anton Look, look…the change you want, I
know it, I understand it. For gods sakes, I fought beside you, I saw in
your eyes what you wanted your world to become. Joseph You don’t know the first thing about
me and what I want. Anton
You want freedom. You want to be free from
tyranny, and free from a government that asks… no, let’s be honest here…
demands obedience. You want the people…the
people…to be in charge of the country and their own destiny. Joseph looks away grudgingly. Anton You can agree with me, Joseph. It
won’t make you a traitor to your cause. Joseph That’s what we want. That’s what the
whole country wants. Anton Is it? When was the last time you
talked to your countrymen? And I don’t mean your fellow university dropout
revolutionaries. Truth is, Joseph, the many need to be led by the few. I
know I sound like a cynic at best or a… monster… at worst, but it’s always
been this way since we grew thumbs and then left the caves. Every
civilization has operated like this. Even the smallest cultures had one or
few at the top and guided the rest. And see, it’s the same in the animal
word with species that live in groups. I’m a nature documentary buff, see?
You got the silverback gorilla in charge of his group, you got the head
male lion running his pride, hell, the top big horn ram gets first dibs on
food and his own harem of women. There’s hierarchies everywhere, my
friend. And it’s always lonely at the top. Your utopia – which I want to
believe in, I really do – is impossible, because most people aren’t strong
enough to occupy the top tier. Most people are lazy, selfish, or stupid,
and won’t fight for anything as long as there is a roof over their head
and food in their bellies. Besides, there’s no room for everyone up there.
The best float to the top and look down on the rabble below. Joseph You’re wrong. Anton I have nature on my side. You only
have your dreams. Joseph Nature? You call what you do
natural? Breaking into people’s houses and drag them off to camps? Rigged
trials and immediate executions? Bram Every nation is always at war with
itself. Joseph And you take it out on the public
who have no interest in your petty, selfish affairs. Anton Sometimes the wheels of progress
need a bit of red grease to keep running. Joseph All your fucking analogies! They
don’t mean anything when there’s millions of people starving out there!
It’s just empty words! Anton But you’re a writer, Joseph. You
know that not a single word is ever truly empty. Joseph Maybe not empty, then. But certainly
they can be manipulated and twist to support horrible things. Bram What sort of horrible things? Joseph War. The documents you gave us
proved it. That you claimed to have stolen from a government office.
Unless it was an elaborate forgery. Anton It wasn’t a forgery. Joseph I knew it. Grooming the public for
perpetual war. All rise for the flag salute. Anton Yes, a war’s going to happen,
Joseph, but I don’t want it any more than you do. Joseph That’s a lie. You need this to
happen. This is how you exercise your power over the masses. Anton Let me finish. I don’t want it any
more than you, but I’ve accepted that it has to happen. It is an
unfortunate circle of life: first life, then death, then rebirth, greater
than before. As it is with great forest and mountain ranges, so it is with
countries and peoples. It’s time for a resurrection. Are you a religious
man, Joseph? Joseph Religion is just another form of
control. Anton Finally, something we can agree on!
I would never desecrate a church like some of your compatriots have done –
I have too much respect for other peoples opinions – but I will laugh
quietly to myself at the fools walking in on Sunday. A waste of time. Not
that I don’t believe in god, but I certainly don’t think the men with the
funny hat and robes are any better in understanding him than I. Would you
agree? Silence. Anton Our friend isn’t much of a
theologian, Bram. Anyway, enough with the lectures for now. What are your
group’s future plans? What are you going to blow up or tear down next?
Where do your co-conspirators live, and where do their families live? Joseph (a sneering grin) You can’t possibly expect me to tell
you that, can you? Anton No, not at all. But I have to ask
that. Hell, now I have to threaten you with torture. Electricity,
beatings, light mutilation, that kind of thing. Joseph (still grinning) Light mutilation? Anton But see, one of the benefits of
befriending you for all those months was getting to see your real
character, which means I can save valuable time. Hooking you up to a car
battery won’t open your mouth. In terms of physicality, you’re made of
stronger stuff. So let’s move on to the bargaining. Joseph I already said I won’t say anything. Anton Listen to that, Bram. Turning me
down before hearing me out. Not giving us information, I understand. But
perhaps he can do us a favour, eh Bram? You have a degree in literature.
Not the best thing to get an office job, but the man knows his stories,
and the people are always in the mood for a good story. Joseph I’d die before working for you. Anton At least you’re aware of the options
on the table. Joseph Fine. Go ahead. Drag me out to the
yard and put a bullet in my head. Anton The noble martyr, eh? Slowly the
whispers of your fate will leak out of this building and onto the streets
and fortify your comrades, is that the idea? Joseph You can’t silence the truth. Anton Ah, the squirming, slippery fish
that is truth. You don’t think you’ll end up like your friends we caught
who ended up working for us? Like Grushenka and Smurov? Remember when we
cursed their names together when we found out they were giving away names
and plans, and taking ministry jobs? Joseph Maybe they were always traitors.
Other agents like you, sent to tear us apart. Bram No, not at all. They were good men
who believed in your revolution. And we shot them both in the back of the
head a day after we picked them up. Joseph frowns, then opens his mouth about to say
something. Anton If you won’t work for us, we’ll kill
you and then make the world think you’re working for us. We have people
write in their name. You say we can’t silence the truth? We make the
truth. You’re so sure the government newspapers are full of lies, but any
rumour you hear on the side, you treat as gospel. Who do you think starts
those rumours? Anton outstretches his hands with a smile, as
Joseph tries to take all this in with a panicked look on his face. Anton We do. We have you and your friends
in the corner, and we like to play with our prey before finally gulping it
down. Joseph No, no… you aren’t…everywhere… Bram Everywhere and everything. Anton Don’t tell us what we need to know,
fine. Couldn’t care less, really. We’ll find it out some other way.
Perhaps Bram and I will go back underground, make new friends. But right
now we want you to work for us, and if you won’t we’ll kill you and tell
everyone you gave away secrets and are now working for us. Your death will
mean nothing. That is the only thing I can promise you. Joseph looks to Anton, then back to Bram, then
looks away, breathing hard. Anton You aren’t the first person to be
put in this position. I was here when Grushenka was thinking the same
thing. He was stupid enough to take the bullet without thinking for a
moment of what living…no matter what the cost to your soul…could mean. A
compromise to your values? Your values change everyday, gun to your head
or not. What you are today won’t be what you are tomorrow, gun to your
head or not. But the state remains. It can’t change, it doesn’t dare
change, it doesn’t understand change. Gun to your head or not. Even when
you think it does, only the names and titles do, but it’s very core
remains. It is bigger than the public, bigger than you and me. Anton removes a gun from his shoulder holster and
slams the gun on the table. Anton Gun to your head or not. Joseph looks down at the gun. Bram quietly steps
towards the table and stand silently behind Joseph. Anton Use it. Go on. Grind us to dust.
Strike a blow for your cause. You think our lives mean anything? We don’t
represent the state, we are the state. And there are thousands, millions,
ready to take our place because they want to believe in the state. You
think you are fighting for your countrymen but you’re really fighting
against them. You are a marginalized few, forever condemned to loath power
that you don’t have. Your resistance is built into our strength. And when
you’re all dead, we’ll find another capable boogeyman when necessary. Is
it the best way? It doesn’t fucking matter, it just is. And if you think
I’m wrong for a second, just one fucking second, pick up the gun and do
something about it. Anton leans over the table, palms against it,
yelling down to the shaking Joseph. Anton Let’s see you try and change
history! Do something about it! I dare you try and change the fucking
world! In a flash Bram grabs the gun from
the table, points it at Anton – who’s able to register a quick face of
surprise – and then fires three times at his chest. Anton stumbles
backwards and falls to the floor dead. Joseph (shocked) You- Bram (putting the gun back on the
table) I know. I’m inside and I will
continue to fight for our cause, but you must help me. You are already
sentenced to death, you were not to leave this room alive. Take
responsibility for this and your fate remains the same, but I will make it
known you died a supreme martyr for the cause, the slayer of the
propaganda commandant. Joseph The commandant… he was?... Bram Just appointed. I will remain at my
post. I will fight secretly until they drag me to the gallows. Do this for
me. (noises outside) Quick, they are coming. For the revolution, comrade!
(holds out his gun) Joseph Of… course. (takes gun nervously) Of
course, for the glorious future…comrade. More noises outside, closer this time. Bram Hurry, I must appear to overpower
you or we’re both lost! (pulls Joseph out of his chair and grapples with
him) Fight back, fool! And play your part! Joseph (understanding) I… I did it! I did it, and I am
glad! The door opens and two guards rush in. Bram and
Joseph appear to be in a violent struggle. Bram He killed the commandant! Gun… in
his hand still! Joseph Death to tyrants! One less murderer
in the world! The revolution will outlive you all! He is wrestled to the ground, the gun taken away. Bram Careful, men! He is a quick devil. Joseph is being dragged out. Joseph The commandant is dead! A righteous
blow to tyranny! Bram (grabs phone near door) Take him to the yard and execute him
immediately! I will inform the ninth floor right now. Joseph disappears out of the room. Bram hangs up
the phone and we hear Joseph as he is being dragged down the hall. Joseph (off screen) Millions are poor, working for the
dozens of rich. Death to the empire, death to the commandants! There are
millions like me! The fight will go on! Revolution! Revolution! (fades) Bram coughs, picks up the gun, takes a deep breath,
then picks up the phone. Bram Undersecretary, please. (pause)
Peter, it’s Bram, there’s been a terrible accident. CUT TO: INT. A large, well decorated office. Bram is there
standing in front of a middle aged man in military regalia, who is
standing over his desk, shuffling papers around, not looking up. Undersecretary Well he was a damn fool for giving
the lunatic his gun. Bram You know Anton didn’t use the normal
interrogation techniques. It’s what made him so successful. He thought he
had this man broken, urging him to kill himself, that his revolution was
poisoning us all. It was a fatal error. A tragedy. Undersecretary Hmm. At least we won’t have to clean
up his messes, anymore. Being unorthodox is almost always more trouble
than it’s worth. Still, a military funeral with the highest honours, of
course. You will inform his family? Bram Yes, sir. Undersecretary Good, good. And the prisoner? Bram Executed by soldiers in the yard
five minutes after. Undersecretary Excellent. We won’t even have to
tilt the story for the press. We just questioned the man, he goes berserk.
A fine silver lining, eh? Bram I suppose there always is, sir. Undersecretary
Of course, the matter now is the empty
commandant position. Due to the national security problems we’ve been
having, obviously we need it filled immediately.
As you know, you were the committee’s
second choice for the job after Anton. In light of that –and this
situation – I can’t see the committee objecting to me offering the
position to you now. Bram I’m honoured sir, thank you.
Certainly I accept, and will defend this country and its honour to the
best of my ability. Undersecretary Excellent, so we can quickly put
this unfortunate matter to rest. Ah, but now thanks to your promotion I
can extend an offer for you to attend the governor’s retreat this weekend
up in the mountains. First class officers only. Sun, sports, cigars, that
sort of thing. Interested? CUT TO: EXT. DAY Bram is leaving the building and, and walks through
the parking lot to his car’s spot. A worker is painting his new title –
‘Commandant’ - on the concrete barrier. Bram goes to the driver door. Bram (throwing coin to worker) Give it a third coat. Worker Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Bram gets in to his car and drives off. END
|
Not voting in an election is a vote for no more elections | |||