Five Television Plays (David Mamet) by David Mamet Read Free Book Online Page A

Police responding.
    P RICE: We're on our way. ( He gets into the car. To B ILLY:) Buckle it up tight.
    EXTERIOR: ROADSIDE. INTERSTATE. DAY.
    A car wreck, paramedics, police cruisers. P RICE’S car pulls up. P RICE gets out, followed by B ILLY. Walks over to a T ROOPER. As he walks over, he puts his shield on his jacket pocket.
    P RICE: Whadda we got?
    T ROOPER: Three car. First guy jumps the divider, headon the second car, three dead, mother, two young girls. Third car tries to swerve, over the embankment, and they're down there . . .
    ( Camera follows P RICE, the T ROOPER, and B ILLY to the side of the road. Down below is a totaled car, and paramedics coming up the hill. One shakes his head. )
    ( The group starts back toward one of the cars on the side of the road. One man is being taken out on a stretcher. In the background, another Bradford police cruiser pulls up. Another T ROOPER comes up to the group. )
    S ECOND T ROOPER: You got a car reeking of liquor and a broken bottle in there.
    ( He hands the wallet to the F IRST T ROOPER, who hands it to P RICE. P RICE calls B ILLY over, shows him the wallet. )
    P RICE: This mean anything to you?
    B ILLY: Yes, Sir, I knew him.
    (B ARNES comes out of the cruiser, over to P RICE and the group. )
    B ARNES: What is it?
    (P RICE hands him the wallet, B ARNES looks at it. )
    B ARNES: Is he dead?
    P RICE: If he ain't, I think he's going to wish he was. You want to meet me at the hospital . . . ?
    ( They nod to the T ROOPER.)
    T ROOPER: Chief, wish we coulda’ met under better circumstances . . .
    (P RICE nods. Looks back at the scene. )
    INTERIOR: HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. NIGHT.
    P RICE, B ILLY In the background, B ARNES talking to a doctor, an officer at his side.
    B ARNES: . . . need a blood sample, alcohol content, get it right now, Officer, you stick with it, watch ‘em draw it, seal it, and you sign the seal. Draw two, you sign ‘em both. You hear me . . . ?
    (P RICE turns. )
    ( Angle: The P RIEST, coming into the hospital. P RICE goes over to him, hands him a list. )
    P RIEST: All dead?
    P RICE: . . . all but the man.
    P RIEST: Uh-huh . . .
    P RICE: . . . he has a drinking problem, did he . . . ? ( Beat. )
    P RIEST: Did he?
    P RICE: Looks like it. We'll find out tomorrow, we get the tests. ( To B ARNES:) The chain of evidence tend to get muddy sometimes?
    B ARNES: The man is well liked in these parts . . .
    P RICE ( nods ): Yeah. That's a tough one.
    ( The P RIEST comes up. )
    P RIEST: Seems we'll be postponing our drink this evening.
    ( A N URSE calls them. )
    N URSE: Father . . .
    ( They turn to look at a man who has just come into the hospital waiting room. )
    P RIEST ( sotto ): His wife and daughters.
    (P RICE takes a deep breath. Starts over to the man. )
    P RIEST ( stopping him ): No, he's one of mine. I'll tell him.
    P RICE ( to B ILLY): Can you get home from here?
    B ILLY : Yessir. Is there anything I can do?
    P RICE: No . ( He checks his list. ) I've got to take some people some bad news.
    EXTERIOR: BRADFORD MAIN STREET. NIGHT.
    P RICE walks down the quiet street. An O FFICER falls into step beside him.
    O FFICER: A long day, sir.
    P RICE: Yes.
    O FFICER: Thrown right into it.
    P RICE: Well, it never stops, does it.
    O FFICER: No , sir, it does not. ( Pause. ) Changes a little, time-to-time, though . . .
    P RICE: . . . that's right.
    O FFICER: Summer people falling out the boat; winter people falling through the ice.
    P RICE: Uh-huh. You keep an eye, your rounds—the burnt-out building.
    O FFICER: Yes, sir, I will.
    P RICE: Good night.
    (P RICE has arrived at M RS. M OORE‘ s house. He starts up the walkway, turns off the light, tries the door. It is open, he enters. )
    INTERIOR: MOORES’ HOUSE. NIGHT.
    P RICE enters, hangs up his coat. Sees something. Looks.
    Angle point of view: M RS. M OORE, in a wrapper, coming out of the kitchen.
    P RICE: Um, evening.
    A NNA: Good evening.
    P RICE: Uh, you, you weren't waiting up for me?
    A NNA: No , not at all. Ginny's out on a