PERSONS UNKNOWN (Working Title) an original screenplay by Kera Hildebrandt Based on a logline by Roger Avary
Kera Hildebrandt kerahildebrandt@yahoo.com (269) 325-0126
FADE IN: INT. CHAPEL - DAY A large chapel. The whole place is ethereal, as if from a dream or an eighties music video. At the front is a closed ivory casket surrounded by flowers. There's almost no life here... In the back pews is Jakob (38). Always dressed for a funeral and stylishly groomed as such. At first, he's hunched over, but then he slowly lifts his head up and looks around, sighing in a way that says "not this again." Suddenly, a teenage girl's whimpering echoes through the otherwise-vacant chapel. Alarmed at first, Jakob realizes the whimpering is coming from the direction of the casket. Reluctantly, Jakob gets up and cautiously makes his way to the casket's side. But once he's by it, the whimpering stops. This actually makes Jakob more nervous. He looks at the casket a bit before turning away... Then a trickle of blood comes from out of the casket's lid. Jakob is understanbley shocked by this and backs away slowly. More streams of blood come from the casket. Jakob backs away faster. Now the blood is just streaming from the casket lid. Jakob breaks into a full-on run towards the chapel doors, only to find VERONA (13) lying on the ground, facing away from him. Verona's a vision of innocence, as far as Jakob's memories are concerned. She's lying in a pool of her own blood. A RADIO PERSONALITY's voice is heard. RADIO PERSONALITY I tell ya, it must be in the water. INT. JAKOB'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - DAY Nice bedroom.
Mostly tidy.
Jakob, lying in bed and dressed for the occasion, awakens to the sound of a radio alarm clock. The radio story continues playing as Jakob moves. For a moment, he's still scared, but then slowly realizes it was just a dream. RADIO PERSONALITY This is the seventh suicide this month. The seventh one. (MORE)
2. RADIO PERSONALITY (CONT'D) I know kids these days are more depressed and stuff, but this is ridiculous! Hell, some of 'em aren't even kids! What is with people?! He shuts off his alarm clock, hating himself for being scared. INT. JAKOB'S BATHROOM, BATHROOM - DAY Modern fixtures. Jakob washes remnants of shaving cream off his face. Then he reaches into his medicine cabinet and sets six bottles out on a row- five kinds of vitamins and Prozac. He gathers a pill from each bottle and takes them one at a time. INT. JAKOB'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - DAY Nice and tidy. Contemporary decor. Framed movie posters are on the walls and an impressive collection of DVD's is seen. Jakob, dressed in his funeral attire save for his jacket, which is hanging on the front door, is looking for something. He looks through key bowels, in couch cracks, and in the pockets of his jacket. He looks at the clock; it's eightthirty. JAKOB Dammit, where is it? Jakob looks for a little more as Binet's voice is heard. BINET (O.S.) Ricardo Montalban. INT. BINET'S OFFICE - DAY Shrink's office.
Nice decor; stylish, yet still conservative.
Jakob is in a leather seat across from Dr. BINET (29). The good doctor is usually calm, composed, and always wearing something that covers her neck. (Jakob and the receptionist are the only ones who say Binet's name properly- the "t" being silent. Everyone else says the "t.") Love him.
JAKOB He's always great.
BINET Tell me about him.
3. JAKOB Oh...he was in Star Trek. No duh. Did lots of TV roles. BINET How about a little trivia? Little info about the man himself. Jakob's train of through hits a bump. JAKOB What? Binet smiles and sprinkles her voice with friendly sarcasm. BINET Isn't that what you film buffs live for? Jakob's a little uneasy, but he still smiles. JAKOB Little hard to do it on the spot...uh... He thinks a bit. Then a little confidence brightens Jakob's expression. JAKOB (CONT'D) He did something very recent. Binet's slowly starts to wane. JAKOB (CONT'D) I know that. Not sure what, but...It involved a theater or something... BINET He passed away in 2009, Jakob. Jakob's confidence dies. Now all that's left is bitterness. He's silent for a moment. JAKOB What? Now're you gonna ask me what time he died or something? Binet's smile is gone. She allows the dim glint of hurt professionals frown upon. Guilt slowly seeps into Jakob's expression. JAKOB (CONT'D) Sorry. Binet fishes her smile back.
4. BINET How about we talk about another actor. What's another one you like? Jakob scoffs, not liking his lack of trivia here. JAKOB None that I can tell you anything about. BINET Do you want to go back to normal people? I thought movie actors would be easier forJakob goes for the defensive. JAKOB I don't see what the big deal is. Last I checked, it's good enough knowing everyone's names. BINET But people are more than just names. JAKOB (Finishes with Binet) More than just names. Dr. Binet... His voice trails off.
Binet sighs.
BINET Do you remember what you told me the first day you walked in here? Jakob shrugs and shakes his head. JAKOB Barely. BINET "I see people, but I don't know them. I feel like an alien." Jakob scoff wryly and smiles. JAKOB Did I really say the word "alien?" Binet nods. his grin.
Jakob smiles wryly, but his bleak eyes betray
JAKOB (CONT'D) Right word...
5. INT. ELEVATOR HALLWAY - DAY A hallway in the same building; elevator area. Jakob gets onto an elevator as another one opens. In the other one, out walks LIZ (27), coat on, scarfed wrapped around her head, and ear buds in. She's one to try to keep the rest of the world at a safe distance; from showing little skin to not shaking hands. BINET (O.S.) Did you shake it? INT. BINET'S OFFICE - DAY Liz is sitting father from Binet than Jakob was. Underneath the scarf and jacket, both removed, is a long-sleeved shirt. LIZ Hm? His hand.
BINET Did you shake it?
Liz smiles a bit and nods. LIZ Yeah...Took a while, but...yeah. Binet reaches for her nearby phone. becomes a little concerned.
Liz notices this and
LIZ (CONT'D) Oh, uh...Who are you calling? in the middle of...
We're
BINET Just though I should call the front desk. Liz knows what's going on and becomes nervous. BINET (CONT'D) Not every day the security downstairs gets asked for a handshake. LIZ Well, he's probably busy. Binet's back with the friendly sarcasm. Nonsense. the time.
BINET We chat on the phone all
6. LIZ No...! Binet stops and looks at Liz with a expression saying "I know the truth." Liz can do nothing but feel terrible about herself. Liz silently wallows in self-loathing for a few moments. LIZ (CONT'D) I know...disappointed, right? Binet leans towards Liz, making her scoot away ever so slightly. The doctor's expression is all-sincerity. BINET I'm not disappointed. It just means that we need more time. Liz is silent.
She's slowly hating herself a little more.
LIZ I stood there for five minutes, trying to reach for his hand...He probably thought I was a freak. People always do. Not Joe.
BINET He's a nice guy.
Liz sniffs, not from crying, but to seem a little tough in the face of weakness. Binet goes to change the subject BINET (CONT'D) So...have you been listening to the CD I gave you? LIZ It's on my iPod, but I've been meaning to ask you. Do you have anything else besides whales crying? Binet raises an eyebrow at the phrase. BINET Oh...whales crying. Liz shrugs. LIZ What it sounds like to me. INT. LOBBY - DAY The lobby of the building. Not bustling, but a few people are in small groups talking.
7. Liz walks out of an elevator, iPod ear buds in and scarf back around her neck. She nears the security desk. Behind the desk is security guard JOE (57). One look at him and you think- "nice guy." There are TWO OTHER GUARDS behind the desk; college kids needing spare cash. Joe looks at Liz and smiles. JOE Have a nice day. Liz barely glaces and keeps on walking. Joe is a little disheartened, but he still understands. The two young guards crack jokes, to which Joe glares and points a stern finger at them. INT. BINET'S OFFICE - DAY Dr. Binet's writing at her desk when her RECPETIONIST calls in over the intercom. RECEPTIONIST
(O.S.)
Dr. Binet? Binet presses a button on the intercom. BINET Yes? RECEPTIONIST Your eleven o'clock called. going to be a little late.
He's
INT. SUB SHOP - DAY A submarine sandwich store. Empty save for three employeesa CASHIER (23) at his post texting, a SUB JOCKEY (22) sweeping the floor, and, refilling sandwich ingredients, JACKIE (26). Jackie would have a pleasant, sincere air about him if he wasn't displeased with a certain someone. (NOTE: There is nothing that reveals Jackie's name at this point.) As the sub jockey sweeps, he occasionally looks out the window. On one occassion, he sees an approaching CHASE (28). Chase is half-hipster, half-fun-loving playboy. The sub jockey smiles wryly. SUB JOCKEY Oh, must be ten-thirty. Chase walks in and heads to the cashier; as in, the pick-up area. After all, he always gets the same sandwich. CHASE Set me up, fellas.
8. Jackie starts making the sandwich. Chase looks at Jackie, smiling, but Jackie only gives him the cold shoulder. Chase's phone chimes; he's got a text. As Chase is distracted, Jackie starts loading on the peppers, finishing it off with hot sauce. His coworkers look on in confusion; this is not "the usual." They try to say something, but Jackie's glare tells them to not utter a word. The sandwich is done, Chase pays for it, and the ritual is complete. Jackie immediately begins washing knives and stuff. Chase begins to leave. He looks at Jackie. CHASE (CONT'D) Take it easy, guys. Jackie's still not looking in Chase's direction. smiles uneasily, and leaves.
Chase nods,
EXT. SUB SHOP - DAY The city street outside the sub shop. People going about their business on the side walk. Chase walks out. He's about to take a bite of the sandwich when a HOMELESS GUY across the street catches his eye. The man's sitting on the ground against a building wall; sign next to him as he's limp and unmoving. Chase is a little saddened by the sight... Then he takes a bite and, shocked at how spicy it is, almost spits it out. He gets to a trash can and spits out the offending bite, much to the spectacle of those around him. He glances at Jackie through the window, who is only working. INT. BINET'S OFFICE - DAY Now Chase is the patient. He's relaxed and the tone of the meeting is like that of a pleasent conversation. BINET So, what did you and Jackie do this weekend? CHASE Oh, lesse...We went to that photo exhibit at the art museum. Jackie liked that. Then to the place you recomended. BINET Did you order the...? CHASE I did, but Jackie can't stand seafood.
9. BINET Not even really good halibut? Chase shakes his head. CHASE Not even really good halibut. took pictures. Wanna see?
I
BINET Oh, of course. Chase hands her his cell.
She looks at the photos and smiles.
BINET (CONT'D) Lovely... Suddenly, the phone chimes. Another text. Binet reads it and her brow furrows. Chase knows this isn't good. CHASE Oh, sorry, that's just aBinet shows Chase the phone. BINET Who's Kelly? Chase is a little worried.
A storm is coming...
CHASE Uh....just a friend. Binet reads the text, surprised at what it says, but still assertive. BINET Really? So just friends like to, and I quote..."make use of those magic hands?" Chase sighs. He's been made. Binet tries to think of where to take the conversation next. She settles on a route after a moment. BINET (CONT'D) How would you feel if you found a message like this on Jackie's phone? Chase shrugs after a moment of thought. BINET (CONT'D) You've been going together for a year, right? How can you not know how-
10. CHASE It was a one-time thing, doc. Binet's still not pleased, so much as she is dismayed. BINET Oh...another one? Chase tries to say something, but half-words only leave his lips. He's silent, then smiles assuringly. CHASE It's natural. I mean...y'know. Variety...spice of life...all that. If I saw it on Jackie's phone, I'd be...I'd be cool. Binet only raises an eyebrow. chair.
Chase uneasily shifts in his
CHASE (CONT'D) Yeah....Can I use your bathroom? BINET Something you've eaten not agreeing with you? The words don't sit well with Chase at first. and laughs uneasily before getting up.
Then he smiles
INT. FUNERAL HOME, VIEWING ROOM - DAY A room big enough to accommodate a bunch of mourners. Generic organ music plays as people cling in groups, mourn, and chat. Against a wall, an open cherry casket with flowers around it. Inside is a corpse who was in his fifties at the time of his death. The corpse is nicely-dressed and has a worn, brass rosary in his hands. (This isn't a catholic funeral, though.) There's a line to see the body. In walks Jakob, who scans the setting a bit before drifting towards a display showing photos of the deceased. As he looks at them, a TRIO OF OLD WOMEN look at the photos and chat. OLD WOMAN 1 Horrible way to go. OLD WOMAN 2 Yes, horrible. All alone in that alley... OLD WOMAN 3 I heard they didn't even find the one who did it.
11. Jakob scratches the back of his neck nervously, but still has an "I have a secret" glint in his eye. They're talking about a certain someone, after all... OLD WOMAN 1 Frightening! I don't know about this city sometimes! OLD WOMAN 3 Do you think this had to do with his...? OLD WOMAN 2 Not to speak ill of the dead but...would not doubt it. Would not...He looks good, though. OLD WOMAN 1 Yeah...but I could swear I saw a rosary in the casket. Jakob's attention is caught. Funny story- he's missing a rosary. He puts his hand on the coat pocket where he usually keeps it, thinking about what might have happened. OLD WOMAN 2 You did. Jakob's mortified.
This isn't good.
OLD WOMAN 3 What's it doing in there? OLD WOMAN 1 They said they found it on his body. Jakob starts sneaking to the casket line as indiscreetly as he can. OLD WOMAN 3 He wouldn't have a rosary. Not him. Jakob waits in line to see the body, trying his hardest not to seem nervous and mostly achieving his goal. He watches the people at the coffin side speak quietly, hoping that too much attention isn't being drawn to the rosary. After a few tense moments, he's at the casket's side. Sure enough, Jakob's rosary is in the stiff's folded hands. Jakob looks around. Not too many people are looking, so much as they are comforting each other and talking. He carefully sneaks his hand over....
12. A horrible, screechy excuse of an old woman's voice cuts through the tension like a car through a fence. ANNOYING OLD WOMAN What'cha doin' there? Jakob, alarmed, turns and sees an ANNOYING OLD WOMAN (68). With her thick spectacles, blank half-smile, and unkept hair, she's a cautionary tale of aging. Jakob tries to keep his cover. JAKOB Oh, uh...just... He musters a pleasant smile. JAKOB (CONT'D) A tradition of mine. The woman looks at him blankly for a moment as the information sinks in, a difficult task. She still has no concept of volume control. ANNOYING OLD WOMAN You Jewish? Jakob's still smiling, but allows some confusion. JAKOB I'm sorry? You a jew?
ANNOYING OLD WOMAN Is that a jew thing?
Jakob's not liking this attention. JAKOB Uh... ANNOYING OLD WOMAN We're Lutherans. The woman turns to the mourners ANNOYING OLD WOMAN (CONT'D) 'Cept for Aunt Sadie's girl. Or...who's girl is that? JAKOB I...I don't... The woman takes Jakob around the shoulder and guides him turn towards the people.
to
13. ANNOYING OLD WOMAN Look over there. Jakob tries to resist and get back to the coffin. The woman becomes insistant and starts guiding him to the crowd. ANNOYING OLD WOMAN (CONT'D) No, over here. JAKOB I'd ratherANNOYING OLD WOMAN Let's justJakob gets himself free and puts on the best smile he can muster, but it's clear his patience with this woman is thin. JAKOB May I pay my respects, please? ANNOYING OLD WOMAN I'll go get 'em, okay? Jakob only nods. The woman starts shuffling towards some people, still in her own little world. Jakob goes back to the coffin, smiling and nodding to some funeral-goers that briefly look his way. Now back to business. Making sure no one is looking, he slowly reaches in and begins prying the rosary loose. It takes some doing, but he does it. After he gets it, he notices a patched-up bullet wound in the body's neck, making him sigh and smile lightly in knowing. His rosary back in his possession, he starts to quickly leave the room. The annoying woman, now latched onto another group of unfortunate people, notices him leaving. As she screeches in his direction, he doesn't give her any attention. ANNOYING OLD WOMAN (CONT'D) Oh, he's scared. (To Jakob) It's okay. We don't care that you're Jewish. Jakob's out the door. INT. FUNERAL HOME, HALLWAY - DAY Lobby of the funeral home. Some FUNERAL HOME hands and FUNERAL GOERS are out there. Jakob's comes out the door and closes it behind him. to people as he goes, he walks out the front door.
Nodding
14. EXT. FUNERAL HOME - DAY A nice street in a brownstone neighborhood. going in or smoking outside and talking.
Mourners are
Jakob walks out the door and, once a good twenty feet away, sighs in relief. Once he's around a corner, he takes out the rosary, looks at it, and smiles wryly. JAKOB Found you. He puts it in his pocket and begins walking down the street. Some text appears- "Jakob- Killer #1."