Categories: Working with the disabled community
Date: Mar 26, 2008
Title: Inside A Tomato Can (Part I)
EXT. FRONT OF THE BUILDING – EARLY MORNING A man opens the door and he stands in front of an apartment building, which is located in a low-income area of Harlem. Elias is an African American in his early twenties. He has a slender but muscular build, a short haircut, and no facial hair. He adjusts the collar on his coat, so that it covers his neck from the early morning chill, and he adjusts his workbag on his shoulder. He looks up at the sky, takes a deep breath, and he begins to limp down the street. EXT. HARLEM – EARLY MORNING Elias limps down the street studying his surroundings; a habit he picked up in the Vietnam. He encounters an old acquaintance that looks like he has fallen upon hard times. CAESAR is a dark skinned man in his late 20’s.
CAESAR(Holding an cigarette)It’s a cold day in Harlem, baby. Hey, man, you got a light?(Getting a good look at Elias)I almost didn’t recognize you. I see you made it back in one piece. ELIAS(Making slight eye contact)I’ve been back a month, now. CAESAR(Looking down at Elias’ leg)What happened to your leg, man? ELIASI got shot. I was honorably discharged. CAESARI dig it! But better your leg than your dick. Caesar laughs. ELIAS(Looking around)I see Harlem hasn’t changed much.(Looking at Caesar)How have you been, Caesar? CAESAR(Gestures with cigarette)I take it as it comes, baby. You know me. ELIASHave you seen Eleonore? CAESAR(Scratching like an addict)Yeah jack. She be down at Talley’s at night. I don’t go in there anymore, Talley be actin’ funny and shit. ELIASHow is she? CAESARYou know Eleonore, baby … it’s day to day with that chick. (Gesturing with a cigarette)I neva figured you’d to be with a chick like Eleonore. You’re a levelheaded dude, got your high school diploma, Army benefits -- hey! Can I get a loan? Elias goes into his pocket and takes out two dollars. CAESAR(Snatching the money)Your generosity is appreciated. ELIASI have to get going, Caesar … nice seeing you, again. CAESARYeah baby. Glad to see you back. Stay up. Elias limps down the street. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BILLY JR’s BAKERY – 140th STREET and 8th AVENUE - EARLY MORNING A big sign reads: “Billy Junior’s Bakery.” BILLY is a heavy set Afro-American male in his mid 20’s. BILLY is outside the bakery, having a hard time taking the locks off the gate, stopping occasionally to pull his pants out of his behind. Elias limps up behind him. ELIASMorning, Billy. BILLY(Yelling)Nigga, I told you to be here on time, didn’t I? See you’re in the real world now, not over there in Vietnam with those other reject niggas. Billy continues to struggle with the gate. ELIAS(Checking his watch)I’m sorry, but I thought you said, six … it’s only ten to. BILLYAre you sassin’ me? I said you’re late. Now, sweep up the sidewalk and make it quick. I’m expecting a lot of customers this week. Valentine’s Day is on Friday. Don’t make me sorry I gave your ass a job. Billy spits on the sidewalk and half on Elias’ shoes. He removes the locks, pulls up the gate, and opens the door. BILLYNobody else would fuck with you, War Monger! Now, look at you, just an Aaron boy, nigga, please! Now, get in there, get the broom, and sweep up like I told you to! The next time you’re late, I’m gonna dock you. Billy enters the bakery, and Elias limps in behind him. INT. BAKERY - EARLY MORNING Billy turns on the lights and he takes off his hat and coat. Elias stands near the entrance, looking on the wall at the signed pictures of the famous people that have come into the bakery. Billy examines the oven. BILLYAfter you finish sweeping outside, the oven needs fixin’. I don’t know why I’m messin’ with you in the first place. If it wasn’t for momma I’d … Billy leans on the counter and he buries his head in his hands, visibly upset. Elias limps over to Billy. ELIASI’m sorry about AUNT CANDACE, I never meant … BILLYGet the broom and get out my face! Elias looks at Billy with sadness; he grabs the broom and limps outside the bakery. EXT. BAKERY – EARLY MORNING - SUN COMING UP Elias begins to sweep the front walk. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. BAKERY – EARLY AFTERNOON – SUN IS OUT Elias is washing the windows of the bakery, and Billy comes out with sweat pouring down from his head. He wipes the sweat with a paper towel. BILLY(Yelling)Didn’t I tell you to fix that oven? It’s hotter than the Devil’s asshole in there. ELIASThe temperature gauge must be off a bit, no problem, I’ll look at it in a minute. BILLYAre you sassin’ me? Are you givin’ me lip? Billy blows his nose in the paper towel, and he puts it in Elias’ face. BILLY(Yelling)You ain’t nothin’ but the snot in my nose. Billy crumbles the paper towel and throws it at Elias’ feet. BILLY(Yelling)Clean that up! Get in there and fix that oven like I told you! Billy spits on the sidewalk, and he walks swiftly into the bakery. Elias kicks the snotty paper towel into the street, and he follows Billy into the bakery. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BAKERY - AFTERNOON Elias wipes the sweat from his forehead, and he looks at his watch, it reads: 12:05 p.m. ELIAS(Gathering up his tools)Hey, Billy, I have to get going. I have another job to do. Billy appears from the back of the bakery, and he opens the oven door, examining it. BILLYYour crippled ass better had fixed my oven proper. If my pies burn, I’ll put you in this oven and make an ugly nigga pie.(Holding private area)With nuts. Elias puts on his hat and coat, and he places the workbag strap onto his shoulder. He gazes at the freshly baked sweet potato pies cooling on the counter. ELIASYou shouldn’t have any more problems with the oven.(Smiling)I sure would like a piece of one those pies … if it’s not too much trouble. Elias offers his hand as a gesture of no hard feelings for Billy’s behavior. Billy smiles, takes Elias’ hand, and quickly puts it in the oven. Elias SCREAMS in agony as he falls to the floor, holding his burned right hand with his left hand. BILLY(Screaming)Did you really think that you would be welcomed back here? Take your crippled ass back to Nam. Harlem was a better place without you; my life was better without you. Billy digs in his pocket, takes out ten dollars, and shoves it into Elias’ back pocket. BILLYYou better not be late again, tomorrow. Billy closes the oven door, and he stomps off to the backroom. Elias gets up slowly, favoring his right hand. He grabs his workbag with his left hand and limps out of the door. CUT TO: INT. TALLEY’S BAR – AFTERNOON TALLEY is taking the chairs off the tables, setting up for customers. Talley is a middle-aged, Afro-American man, with a slender build. Elias opens the door, and he limps over to the counter with a pained look on his face. TALLEY(Not looking)I ain’t open, yet. Elias(Pained voice)Not even for an old buddy. Talley turns around and he smiles. TALLEYMy man made it back from the war. Talley walks over to Elias and he hugs him; Elias flinches in pain. TALLEYWhat happened? ELIASI need something for my hand. TALLEYDid you stick your hand in some bad pussy? ELIAS(Not Amused)I burned my hand in Billy’s oven. Talley walks to the back to get something for Elias’ hand; Elias puts his workbag on the counter. TALLEY (O.S.)I’ve been meanin’ to go by the bakery for some banana puddin’. Your cousin can sure put a hurtin’ on some banana puddin’. Talley comes back, holding a container of butter. TALLEYI thought you and Billy were … ELIASWe settled our differences. Talley puts the container of butter on the counter. TALLEYPut some of this butter on your hand, and I hope your hands are clean. You used to be a nasty motherfucker, diggin’ in your ass and all. Talley and Elias laugh. Elias opens the container, and he spreads the butter on the burn. ELIASI’m glad to see you, Talley. Talley puts the top back on the container. TALLEY(Smiling)I’m glad to see you, too; I’m happy you made it home. TALLEY(Laughing)You look like Magilla Gorilla in those clothes. Talley starts to sing the MAGILLA GORILLA THEME SONG.Elias laughs. Talley gets a towel, and he wraps Elias’ hand in it. TALLEYHave you seen Eleonore since you been back? ELIAS(Discomfort)I haven’t seen her, yet. TALLEYShe got turned out. This cat named MUNGA got her hooked on dope. ELIAS(Startled)Munga! TALLEYAfter you left for Vietnam, this downtown cat named MUNGA got pretty large: dope dealin’, numbers, hookers, you name it, he got it.(Looking at Elias)What possessed you to follow your dumb ass friend, JOHN, that night? That wasn’t like you. And Candace -- man, oh man! (Changing the subject)Look here! Why don’t you come by tonight, have a drink or two on the house, Eleonore will be here. ELIAS(Sad)I can’t see her like that. I can’t let her see me like this. TALLEYYou need to see one another, friends need each other. ELIASI don’t think Eleonore’s my friend, anymore. TALLEYThere’s only one way to find out. ELIASI’m not a drinking man, anymore. TALLEYCome by anyway, listen to the music and watch the ladies. ELIASI’ll come by. (Extending his left hand to Talley, smiling)I’ll come by to sit and talk with my friend. TALLEY(Shaking Elias’ hand)Solid. See ya tonight. Elias takes his bag off the counter and places the strap on his shoulder. He holds the towel in place with his left hand, and he limps towards the door and exits. FADE OUT: INT. PHARMACY - EARLY AFTERNOON Elias limps into the Pharmacy with his hand wrapped in the towel. He takes his hat off and makes his way over to the counter; he stops suddenly when he sees SARAH. Sarah is an Afro-American female in her early 20’s. She has a shapely slender build, a neatly kept afro hairstyle, and a walnut brown complexion. Sarah is reading a textbook, unaware that Elias is staring at her. Elias CLEARS HIS THROAT to get her attention. Sarah looks up and smiles. SARAHHi, may I help you? ELIASI came to get something for my hand. Elias removes the towel, showing the burn. SARAH(Concerned)Come closer, let me look at it. Elias limps shyly to the counter and Sarah smiles as he gets closer. SARAHThat’s better. May I see your hand? Elias stares into Sarah’s eyes as he slowly puts his hand on the counter for her to see. SARAHWhat happened? ELIASI burned my hand in an oven, and I’m late for work. SARAHAloe gel should help. ELIASWhat’s that? SARAHAloe is a plant that is used for healing. Manufacturers processed the plant, and made it into a gel for home use. ELIAS(Amazed)I guess you learn something new everyday. SARAHYeah, some people do. What type of work do you do? ELIAS Odd jobs, mostly: Painting, plumbing, landscaping, that type of work. SARAHDid you put butter on your hand? ELIAS(Embarrassed)Yeah, I did. SARAHBlack folks and home remedies. We’ll use anything around the house so that we won’t have to pay out any money. Elias shakes his head in agreement and smiles. SARAHI’ll get the Aloe gel for you. Sarah walks towards the back of the pharmacy, and she stops, placing her hands on her hips. SARAHWhat’s your name? ELIASElias, Elias Dunham. SARAH(Smiling)Pleased to meet you, Elias. I’m Sarah James. Elias watches as she walks away, and he puts his bag on the floor. Elias looks down at Sarah’s book and he scrolls through the pages. Sarah comes back with the Aloe gel and a bandage, and she creeps up behind him. SARAHRead anything interesting? ELIAS(Startled)No -- I mean, yeah -- I mean are you a student or something? SARAH (Sarcastic)Yes, I’m a student or something. I attend City College. Sarah walks behind the counter, and she opens the Aloe gel. ELIASWhat are you majoring in? SARAHAfrican History. Sarah holds Elias’ hand, and she softly spreads the gel over his burned hand. SARAHI hope to one-day study abroad in Africa. I want to see how our people really live, not the stuff they want you to believe in books. ELIASThat’s really nice. You’re different. Most of the black girls I know are … SARAH(Angry)Well, I’m not! I’m gonna be somebody. My mother, God rest her soul, said I’m gonna be somebody. ELIASI didn’t mean to insult you, I just … SARAHMen are all alike. All you want us to do is have babies and stay in the kitchen all day. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in the bedroom with my legs open and in the kitchen fixing bottles. ELIASNo, Sarah. I see more to you than just your legs open -- no! I mean, you’re different from the other girls I know, that’s all. SARAHI bet.(Opening the bandage)Lift your hand so I can wrap it. Elias lifts his hand. SARAHIt may hurt a little, but I expect a strong man like you can take. Sarah begins to wrap Elias’ hand with the bandage. Elias flinches from the pain. SARAHStop being a big baby, and let me wrap your hand. (Smiling)You need to keep your hands out of hot ovens. ELIASI think you’re right. Sarah looks at Elias’ wrist, and she touches the rope burn. SARAHThat’s not an oven burn. It’s a rope burn. How did you get it? ELIASIn Vietnam. SARAH(Amazed)You were in Vietnam? Elias looks down at the bullet wound on his left leg. ELIASI was honorably discharged because of this bullet wound to my leg. SARAH(Coy)Maybe one day you will tell me about it. Well, I mean if your wife or girlfriend doesn’t mind. ELIAS(Shyly)I don’t think there’s a woman crazy enough. SARAHWhy do you say that? Elias looks down to the ground.
To be continue...
By Christopher D. Dungie
205 Langdon AvenueMount Vernon, NY 10553(914) 699-5363mdmcdd1117@aol.com