The scene opens on Van inside the
police station. He’s talking with his superior.
VAN
I’ve decided against the transfer.
“So you’re leaving the force?”
VAN
No, I want to stay here.
“You can’t. We’re already
transferring in your replacement.”
VAN
My replacement?
“You don’t seem to understand Van,
that seven members of the SWAT team lost their lives. Your bomb squad failed to
do their jobs.”
VAN
Your SWAT team entered the building first, and the doors to the lunchroom were
barricaded.
“Someone has to take the fall on
this Van. Originally, it was going to be you taking the transfer. But now, I
guess it’ll have to be you settling for retirement.”
VAN
What are you saying?
“I’m saying, you are no longer employed by the LAPD.”
The opening credits roll
‘Chariot’ by Gavin DeGraw plays.
MBN
And Mac The
Movieguy Productions Present
LL COOL J
is
CARTER WINSLOW
CARLA GUGINO
Is
HARPER
JULIAN MCMAHON
Is
MEKHI PHIFER
is
MALCOM PALMER
ALLISON MACK
Is
RENEE TAGGERT
And
RICHARD DREYFUSS
is
VIC WARNER
With
MAGGIE SMITH
As
JEAN COOPER
Created By Mac The
Movieguy
Written By Mac The
Movieguy
Episode 7
Beginnings
The scene changes to
JEAN
There you go.
Thanks.
Jean kisses her son on the cheek.
Can I ask you something?
JEAN
Of course. What
is it?
What do you think of Van?
JEAN
He’s a very nice man.
I mean, really. I’ve noticed you two.
JEAN
I’m just being a good hostess.
Is that all?
JEAN
Honey, he’s a good ten years younger than I am…
Malcom is younger than Harper.
JEAN
Does this upset you?
No. It doesn’t. I
just wanted to know.
JEAN
I like Van. But that’s all. I like him.
Jean kisses
The scene changes to the station,
with Carter, Harper, and Malcom sitting behind a desk, in a large open room.
Van walks out of his meeting, and brushes past the trio.
HARPER
Van?
Carter, Harper, and Malcom run after
Van.
The scene cuts ahead to them exiting
the police station.
CARTER
Van. Whoa. Wait.
VAN
It’s over. You guys can forget about me.
MALCOM
Wait. Stop.
Van stops and turns to face his
team.
VAN
There’s nothing I can do.
CARTER
We can fight this transfer.
VAN
There is no transfer. I’m done.
HARPER
You’re what?
CARTER
They fired you?
VAN
I refused the transfer, but my position is no longer open.
MALCOM
They replaced you?
VAN
You guys will get to meet him soon.
CARTER
That’s a load of shit. I’m sorry, but that… none of
this is your fault.
VAN
Don’t worry about me. It was my time to retire. Now,
if you’ll excuse me, I promised to meet someone.
Van leaves the team.
CARTER
Great. Now what?
Van’s superior officer exits the
building.
“Officer Winslow. Can I see you
inside for a moment?”
Carter follows the superior inside.
The scene changes to the superior’s
office.
“I see here that you passed your
lieutenant’s test.”
CARTER
The only job I was offered was not on this team.
“You turned down that big of a raise
just to remain on the bomb squad?”
CARTER
These guys are my family and my friends. Including Van.
“Forget about Van. He’s gone. You
can’t save him.”
CARTER
Why not? It wasn’t his fault.
“You should be happy.”
CARTER
Why is that?
“You’re the one filling his position.”
CARTER
What?
“You’re getting promoted.
Congratulations, Lieutenant Winslow.”
CARTER
I’m Van’s replacement?
The scene cuts to a bar, where Van
walks in and sits down.
VAN
Two bourbons, straight up.
The bartender fixes the drinks for
Van. Van stares at the drinks. He’s about to take a shot when another person in
the room walks over to him.
“Maybe you shouldn’t do that.” The
person says.
Van turns around to see a man.
VAN
I know you…
“AA.”
VAN
Did you fall off the wagon or something?
“Yeah. A while back. And I don’t want to
see the same thing happen to you.”
VAN
There isn’t a wagon to fall off of anymore.
“There’s always something or
someone.”
VAN
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
“Trust me, I do know. I know more
than you think.”
VAN
FUCK YOU. Alright? FUCK YOU and your
condescening tone.
Van starts to cry.
VAN
You DON’T know. Alright?
Van quickly drinks his first glass. The other man stands there amazed.
“Now comes
the pain, from knowing that you broke your winning streak. That
you’ll never be able to stop again. You’ll always be an alcoholic.”
Van drinks his second glass.
VAN
(to the
bartender)
Keep em coming.
“You’re right. I can’t help you.”
VAN
You can’t even help yourself.
The other man walks away, hurt.
The scene cuts to a church, with
people moving slowly to seats in the room. Everything is set up for a wedding.
Renee is standing in the back, waiting for
“So where is this guy?”
RENEE
He’ll be here.
Renee turns around to see
Hey Renee.
Renee puts her arm on
RENEE
Mom, this is
Hello Mrs. Taggert.
“Pleased to meet
you
Well, believe only half of what you hear, and none of
what you see… oh wait… none of what you hear?
Renee laughs.
Well, you know what I mean.
Music starts playing.
RENEE
I have to take my spot up there. I’m a bridesmaid.
“You can come
sit with us in the front row. With the family.”
Renee’s mom takes
The scene cuts back to the police
station, with Carter walking down the front steps. Harper and Malcom are
standing outside.
MALCOM
What’d he want?
Carter ignores Malcom.
HARPER
Did you talk to him about Van?
Carter ignores Harper and tries to walk away.
MALCOM
Carter, what’s wrong.
CARTER
I can’t do this…
HARPER
Do what?
CARTER
I feel like I’m… betraying him…
MALCOM
Who? Van?
Carter is silent.
MALCOM
Carter, you’re not making any sense.
CARTER
I got promoted. I’m taking Van’s spot.
Harper and Malcom stare at Carter. Silent.
The scene changes to
JEAN
How’d everything go?
VAN
I don’t want to talk about it…
JEAN
What’s wrong?
Jean walks over to him.
JEAN
Have you been drinking?
Van brushes past Jean.
JEAN
Answer me. Have you been drinking.
VAN
I didn’t have a…
Van sits down on the couch and
starts crying.
VAN
It’s just… Everything… This… Was MY LIFE!
Van sobs harder and Jean moves to
his side.
JEAN
I know what you’re going through. Just remember, you can’t rely on alcohol to
solve your problems. You were making great strides…
VAN
But I just can’t…
JEAN
(finishing
his sentence) Make the pain go away… I know. (pause)
There’s something I never shared with you… about four years ago,
VAN
(coming out of his crying) I… I’m sorry.
JEAN
I started drinking. I didn’t know where else to go. Before I knew it, I was
lost more than I was before. I forgot dates, friends, appointments… I hurt
people more than I knew…
VAN
I don’t want to go back… I want to stop…
JEAN
You can still stop.
Van looks at Jean, and starts crying
again. Jean pulls Van in to her, and Van rests his head on her shoulder.
JEAN
It’s OK… I’m here…
The scene changes to back at the
wedding, with Renee’s sister standing at the alter.
“I now pronounce you, husband and
wife. You may kiss the bride.”
The newlyweds kiss, and everyone stands
up and applauds. The camera focuses on Renee who is crying her eyes out.
The scene changes to Carter, who is
now entering his home, minus Harper and Malcom. His son Kevin (from Episode 4)
runs to him.
“Hey dad.” Kevin says, as he moves to hand his
dad something. “I need you to sign this…”
CARTER
Not now. Later. Have your mother sign it.
“OK… Dad, what’s wrong.”
CARTER
Nothing. I just need to think.
Carter moves into his bedroom and
shuts the door.
The scene changes to Harper and
Malcom who have reentered the police station, and they’re talking with Van’s
now former superior officer.
HARPER
I just want to let you know… how disgusted I am…
“Officer Jordan, you should watch
your tone…”
HARPER
What, you’re gonna fire the whole squad now?
MALCOM
Harper, calm down.
HARPER
No. I want to
tell you… just how SICKENED I am. Vic gave his LIFE to this job, and you just
throw him out… like trash. Not even a desk job.
“We lost some good men that day…”
HARPER
So what? One more wouldn’t hurt?
“You’re out of line.”
HARPER
You have NO idea how out of line I can get.
Harper storms out of the office.
There’s a pause, where Malcom seemingly feeling awkward waits, before following
Harper.
“Malcom!”
Malcom stops.
MALCOM
What?
“You two are missing the good side.
Carter got a promotion out of this.”
MALCOM
I saw Carter outside. I’ve never seen a man with less spirit. You’ve killed
this team. Congratulations.
Malcom leaves.
The scene changes back to the
wedding, with the newlyweds outside preparing to enter their car. The camera closes on
So what now? Is there an afterparty.
“Patience. Good things come to those who
wait.” Renee’s mom tells
Renee’s sister throws the bouquet,
and it flies right into Renee’s hand. Renee is overjoyed. She starts jumping up
and down, and turns to
The screen fades to black.