The Kindly Ones
by
Tarl N. Telford
FADE IN:
INT AIRPLANE - DAY
MATT GUNDERSON (early 20's), a quick tempered student of mythology, leans his head back sadly against the seat. A letter from his mother sits in his lap.
Matt retreats into his memory.
MARJORIE GUNDERSON (V.O.)
Dear Matt, it's been a long time since you've written or called us. I hope that your studies are going well in Greece. It sure is beautiful over there. Things are going well here at home. Your sisters are both doing well in school. I'm going to open a new gallery next week here in Farmington. We miss you, and hope that you will call or write soon. Love, Mom.
Matt remembers the phone call yesterday. He imagines the squeal of brakes, and his mom's Chevy Blazer going over the cliff.
POLICE CHIEF (V.O.)
Matt Gunderson? There's been an accident. Your mother is dead. Went over a cliff in her vehicle. You should come home. There are some things I need to tell you. This might not have been an accident.
The plane touches down. Matt comes back to reality. He folds the letter and sticks it in his pocket.
EXT ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT - DAY
The plane taxis to the terminal.
INT ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT - CONTINUING
Matt disembarks. He spots his friend, WILLOW MICHAELS (early 20's), a dedicated literature student. Willow closes her book, A Tale Of Two Cities, and greets Matt. They walk toward the luggage pickup.
WILLOW
Matt, it's good to see you.
MATT
Yeah. I just wish it were under better circumstances.
WILLOW
I'm sorry about your mom. Has your stepdad talked with you yet?
MATT
No, why?
WILLOW
He's pretty upset. I just don't want anything to happen between you two.
MATT
How are Jenny and Carly doing?
WILLOW
Carly hasn't left her room for two days. Jenny's still in shock.
MATT
Have you tried talking to them?
WILLOW
It's still too soon for them. They don't want to believe that this really happened.
MATT
There's my suitcase.
Matt grabs his suitcase.
WILLOW
Can I take anything for you?
MATT
I've got it all right.
EXT ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT - PARKING LOT - CONTINUING
Matt and Willow approach Willow's car. Matt gestures to her car.
MATT
I see you brought Pip.
WILLOW
He wanted to see you.
MATT
Mom always thought it was funny that you called your car Pip.
WILLOW
What can I say? I love Dickens, especially Great Expectations.
Matt puts his suitcase and jacket in the back seat. They climb into the car.
INT WILLOW'S CAR - CONTINUING
Willow exits the Airport and heads for the freeway.
WILLOW
It really is good to see you again. It's been what, three months?
MATT
Can I ask you a question, Willow?
WILLOW
Sure.
MATT
Why did you come down to Albuquerque to pick me up? I could have caught a flight up to Farmington.
WILLOW
I figured that you needed some time to talk. You know, get your feelings out.
MATT
Right.
Matt picks up her book, A Tale Of Two Cities. He opens to the first page.
MATT
(continuing; reading)
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". You know how many times I've heard that? It never made any sense until this happened.
WILLOW
So what does it mean to you now?
MATT
Things were going well in Greece. We were visiting all the ruins. I was almost done with my paper. Things couldn't have been better...then the phone call came.
WILLOW
I would have called first, but the Police Chief said it would be better if he talked to you first.
MATT
What about you, Willow? How are you handling all of this?
WILLOW
It's been hard. I've been waiting until you came home. It's been eating me up inside. I really liked your mom a lot. She was the best boss I ever had.
MATT
When Dad died, I didn't think Mom was going to be able to keep the Gallery open. She wrote me a letter...it's dated last week.
Matt pulls out the letter.
MATT
She said she was getting ready to open another gallery. I guess that's not going to happen.
WILLOW
We had it scheduled for Friday. I don't know, maybe we'll still do it. It all depends on what the lawyers say tomorrow.
MATT
What lawyers?
WILLOW
They've scheduled a meeting with you and Doug for tomorrow morning. They're going to go over your mom's will.
MATT
I didn't even know Mom had a will. I knew Dad did, but he left everything to Mom.
WILLOW
Your dad had a little more time to prepare.
MATT
Yeah. At least he didn't suffer long with the cancer. I can't believe Mom married Doug after that.
WILLOW
She needed someone to be with her. Doug just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I guess.
CUT TO:
INT GUNDERSON HOUSE - EVENING
DOUG TUBIAK (late 40's), a cold and unforgiving parasite, paces angrily around the house.
TYSON PHILLIPS (40's), Doug's friend, a lazy tag-along, sits back in a chair. He toys with a butcher knife.
DOUG
Where is he? He's supposed to be here by now!
TYSON
Hey, relax, man. He'll be here. His mom's dead, what do you expect?
DOUG
I expect that you won't mention that again. Do I make myself clear?
TYSON
Oh, yeah. Definitely. You got it, boss. I won't mention the dead broad again, okay?
DOUG
She was my wife, and she deserves a little more respect that that.
TYSON
Since when have you gone soft? When she was alive you couldn't wait to get rid of her, and now-
DOUG
Shut your face!
JENNY GUNDERSON (8 yrs), spunky and headstrong, walks into the kitchen, where Doug and Tyson argue. Both of them straighten up, acting completely innocent.
JENNY
I'm hungry.
DOUG
I know, Jenny. The pizza should be here any time now.
JENNY
When?
DOUG
I don't know. Five minutes. Go watch TV and wait for it, all right?
JENNY
It'd better be here in five minutes.
Jenny exits.
TYSON
Bossy, isn't she?
DOUG
Hey, Tyson, you had better watch what you say. The funeral is in six days. Until that time, be appropriately sorry. After that, I'll get custody of the kids, and we'll be home free.
TYSON
Look, Doug, I'd like to act sorry, but, man, I'm not an actor. I can't do that stuff.
DOUG
Whatever. Just don't say anything about Marjorie.
TYSON
So now you call her Marjorie? Well, I guess those other names weren't very respectful, were they?
The doorbell chimes.
JENNY (O.S.)
Pizza's here!
Doug goes to the front door to pay the PIZZA GUY.
DOUG
How much?
PIZZA GUY
Two large pizzas... sixteen dollars and ninety-four cents.
DOUG
Here's seventeen dollars.
PIZZA GUY
Six cents is your change.
The Pizza Guy turns to leave.
DOUG
Oh, wait. Here's your tip.
Doug drops a nickel into the Pizza Guy's hand.
PIZZA GUY
Gee, thanks.
Doug slams the door. Tyson comes out of the kitchen.
DOUG
Did you see that? He pulled an attitude on me. Who teaches them that? No respect.
TYSON
What kind of pizza you get?
JENNY
We got one pepperoni and one plain cheese.
DOUG
Jenny, go get your sister.
JENNY
Carly! Dinner time!
DOUG
I said go GET your sister.
JENNY
She heard me yell.
DOUG
Do I have to tell you again?
JENNY
I'm going.
Jenny skips down the hall to Carly's room.
JENNY
Carly, pizza's here. It's dinner time.
CARLY GUNDERSON (13 yrs), moody and pensive, especially after her mother's demise, spends most of her time in her room.
CARLY (O.S.)
I'm not hungry.
JENNY
(to Doug)
She's not hungry!
DOUG (O.S.)
You tell her to get out here or I'll drag her out here myself!
JENNY
Carly, Doug's kind of mad. I think you'd better come.
Carly's door opens a crack. Carly slowly comes out. Her eyes are red from crying.
JENNY
Dinner won't be very long. Then you can come back.
CARLY
Is Matt home yet?
JENNY
Nope. Doug's pretty mad about that. I heard him.
DOUG (O.S.)
Get in here! The pizza's getting cold!
The front door opens. The light from outside silhouettes Matt's shadow on the entryway floor.
DOUG (O.S.)
Well, it's about time you got home.
MATT (O.S.)
Pleasure to see you, too, Doug.
Jenny leads Carly by the hand into the living room.
JENNY
Hi, Matt.
MATT
Hi to you, too, Jenny. Are you doing all right, Carly?
Carly nods softly.
DOUG
Got Pizza here. You can have some if you want.
TYSON
Hey, Doug, I'm going to go out and get a beer. Matt, Willow, nice to see you.
Tyson exits through the front door.
DOUG
I think I'm going to go out, too. Matt, glad you're home. Pizza's hot. I'll be back later.
Doug slams the door behind him.
MATT
A little testy, isn't he?
WILLOW
He's been like that since the accident.
Jenny jumps up and gives Matt a big hug.
JENNY
I've missed you, Matt. You haven't called for forever.
MATT
I know. I've been a little bit busy. I'm sorry. Carly, come here.
Matt brings Carly into a group hug.
WILLOW
Aww. Let me in.
Willow joins in the group hug.
CUT TO:
INT GUNDERSON HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Matt, Willow, Carly, and Jenny sit in the living room, watching TV and eating pizza.
CARLY
After you left, Matt, Doug started yelling at us a lot, but only when Mom wasn't around.
WILLOW
Why didn't you say anything before?
CARLY
I was afraid that he would hurt me, or maybe Jenny. He scares me.
MATT
Well, I'm here now. Nothing is going to happen to anyone.
JENNY
Did you bring us anything from Greece, Matt?
MATT
This came up so suddenly I didn't even think about getting you anything. But I did bring something home.
JENNY
What is it?
Matt pulls a statuette out of his bag. It is a statue of the Three Furies - they who punished people who committed perjury or parricide in Greek mythology.
WILLOW
They look so cruel.
JENNY
I think they look nice.
MATT
A friend found this for me in Athens. Look at it from both sides. One side looks nice, the other mean.
CARLY
Who are they?
MATT
This is a statue of The Furies. In Greek mythology, they were the ones who punished anyone who committed perjury or killed their parents.
CARLY
That's awful.
WILLOW
I think it's a good legend. We need something like that. Someone who takes care of the bad guys.
JENNY
So they're both good and bad?
MATT
If you're a good person, The Furies helped you. But if you were a bad person, The Furies would be after you.
CARLY
What did they do to the people that they caught?
Matt and Willow start to speak at the same time.
MATT
Well, they- Sorry. Go ahead, Willow.
WILLOW
They- oh, sorry. You go ahead. No, you.
WILLOW
No, you go ahead, Matt. You're the expert.
MATT
In Greek mythology, there were only two times that The Furies were ever called out to punish someone. The first time was a man named Alcmaeon - he killed his mother because he thought the gods wanted him to. The Furies killed him.
JENNY
He did a bad thing. What was the other story?
WILLOW
Is that the story of Orestes?
MATT
Yeah. You want to tell it?
WILLOW
You know it better than I do.
MATT
Well, Orestes was the son of Agamemmon and Clytaemnestra. It's confusing, but Clytaemnestra and another guy, Aegisthus, killed Agamemnon. Orestes grew up and killed them both. The Furies chased him for a great many years. They drove him mad, but finally the gods were able to get the Furies to stop chasing him.
CARLY
Do you think someone killed Mom?
WILLOW
Now why would you think that?
CARLY
I don't know. It just doesn't seem right that Mom would just drive off a cliff. So if someone did kill Mom, do you think the Furies would get them?
MATT
I don't know. It's a nice thought, to think that there are forces out there that protect the innocent. But it's bedtime now. We'll talk again in the morning.
Jenny and Carly head for bed.
WILLOW
Do you think she's right? I mean about your mom. It does seem kind of strange.
MATT
The Police Chief said on the phone that they don't think it was an accident. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.
CUT TO:
INT GOLDEN NUGGET TAVERN - NIGHT
The place is smoky, with only a few regulars shooting pool or watching the TV. Doug and Tyson enter. They wave a greeting to the bartender, CLIFF.
TYSON
Hey, Cliff, what's up?
CLIFF
What'd you do to my truck?
TYSON
I didn't do nothing to it.
DOUG
What happened to your truck, Cliff?
CLIFF
You tell me. I loan it to you for one day, and it comes back dented and a brake light's broke. I want to know why.
TYSON
Man, why're you blaming me? I didn't do nothing.
CLIFF
You're the one who borrowed it. What'd you need it for, anyway?
DOUG
We had a client that we had to show to some of the ruins. My truck wasn't big enough.
CLIFF
So why'd you have to go and dent it up?
TYSON
I told you, man, I didn't do it.
DOUG
I was driving, and I backed up into a boulder.
CLIFF
So, what? Are you going to fix it, or what?
DOUG
I'll pay for the damages, don't worry.
CLIFF
When?
DOUG
Give me a couple of days. We've got this funeral for Marjorie on Monday. I've got to talk to the lawyers tomorrow. I'm sorry, there's just a lot going on right now.
CLIFF
Yeah, I heard about your wife. I'm sorry, man. Let me get you a beer - on the house.
Cliff gets a beer for Doug.
TYSON
Hey, what about me?
CLIFF
What about you?
TYSON
Aren't you going to get me a beer?
CLIFF
Did your wife die, too? No offense, Doug.
TYSON
This is a bar, isn't it? Give me a beer, Cliff.
Cliff gets a beer for Tyson.
DOUG
Hey, Cliff, I've had a tough day. I'm just going to go over there and sit for a while, okay?
CLIFF
Yeah, all right, Doug. If there's anything I can do...
DOUG
Thanks.
Doug and Tyson go over to a table in the corner.
TYSON
Can you believe that? He made me buy my own beer. How cheap can you get?
DOUG
What are you trying to do?
TYSON
What? I just wanted a free beer.
DOUG
Cliff's truck. I thought we agreed that I would do all the talking about that.
TYSON
He was saying that I dented it. I didn't.
DOUG
You are really getting on my nerves, Tyson. We had all of this planned out, remember?
TYSON
So what do you want me to do? I told you, man, I'm not an actor.
DOUG
If it wouldn't look too suspicious, I'd tell you to leave town, but it's too late for that.
TYSON
You're the boss, Doug. Just say the word.
DOUG
We'll see what happens tomorrow with the lawyers. Then we can put the final touches on this masterpiece.
They both raise the beers in toast.
DOUG
To good plans well-executed.
TYSON
To rich broads lonely enough to marry you.
DOUG
Okay, to Marjorie, the woman who's making me filthy stinking rich.
CUT TO:
INT GUNDERSON HOUSE - CARLY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Carly lies awake in the dark. Her door creaks open. Jenny tiptoes in.
JENNY
Hey, Carly, are you awake?
CARLY
Yeah. Where's Matt?
JENNY
He's outside with Willow. Um, Carly, why do you think Mom died?
CARLY
I don't know. I think someone made her die.
JENNY
Who would want to kill Mom? She was nice to everyone.
CARLY
It just seems like this wasn't an accident. Why would Mom drive off a cliff?
JENNY
Maybe there was something in the road.
CARLY
Is Matt still outside?
Jenny looks out the window. Matt and Willow are talking outside of Willow's car.
JENNY
Yeah. He's still talking with Willow.
CARLY
I want to look at that statue he brought home.
Carly and Jenny sneak out into the living room.
INT. GUNDERSON HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUING
Carly picks up the statue of The Furies. An engraving on the base reads, "THE KINDLY ONES".
JENNY
What does it say?
CARLY
The Kindly Ones. Matt said they were The Furies.
JENNY
Do you think what Matt said is true?
CARLY
About what?
JENNY
About the Furies punishing the bad people.
CARLY
I want to believe it's true, but I think it's just a story.
Carly sets the statue down.
JENNY
I believe Matt. I think The Furies are real. Maybe they'll come help us.
A brief glow surrounds the statue.
Outside, Willow's car starts up.
CARLY
Uh oh.
Carly and Jenny run back to Carly's room.
Matt enters the living room. He sits down on the couch and puts his head in his hands and starts sobbing.
Carly and Jenny peek out of Carly's room. They see Matt crying. They look at each other, then close the door.
CUT TO:
INT GUNDERSON HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - MIDNIGHT
A glow surrounds the statue of The Furies.
INT EREBUS - CONTINUING
Erebus is the home of The Furies. Three women, The Furies, stand and look off into the distance. These are ALECTO, TISIPHONE, and MEGAERA.
JENNY (O.S.)
I think The Furies are real. Maybe they'll come help us.
Alecto, the leader of the group, waves her hand. A glow surrounds the Furies, and they disappear.
CUT TO:
INT CONVENIENCE STORE - MORNING
Doug enters the store. He gets himself a cup of coffee.
DOUG
Morning, Pete. How's it going?
PETE, the store manager, looks up from the morning paper.
PETE
Going all right. How about you, Doug?
DOUG
It's been rough since my wife died.
PETE
Yeah, I heard about that on the news. I'm sorry.
Doug looks out the window. A woman, Alecto, gives him an accusing stare.
DOUG
It's...it's all right. We'll manage. Did you see that woman out there?
PETE
Where?
Doug and Pete walk to the front door. No one is in sight.
DOUG
She was right there, staring at me.
PETE
Don't worry about it. It's probably just nerves.
DOUG
You're right. I've got to go talk with the lawyers today.
PETE
That's enough to make anybody jumpy.
Doug tosses some change on the counter for his coffee.
DOUG
Keep the change. Buy yourself a donut.
PETE
Good luck, Doug.
Doug exits. He climbs into his truck and starts it. He looks in his mirror. Alecto stares in accusation at Doug.
Doug turns around. No one is there.
DOUG
Nerves. It's just nerves. Like Pete said.
CUT TO:
INT GUNDERSON HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING
The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity. Matt struggles to get everything ready for the day.
JENNY
I want cereal for breakfast.
MATT
You said you wanted eggs.
CARLY
I wanted eggs.
MATT
I thought you wanted toast.
JENNY
You wanted toast.
MATT
I was going to have cold pizza.
JENNY
You said you wanted toast.
MATT
I did not.
CARLY
You did.
MATT
Okay, I'll eat toast and pizza.
CARLY
The eggs are burning.
MATT
Here, Carly, you take care of the eggs. Jenny, there's the cereal, go for it. I've got to call Willow.
Matt goes to the phone.
CARLY
He's not very good a cooking breakfast.
JENNY
He's better than Doug. Doug burns everything, then he yells at everyone.
CARLY
Are you going to school today?
JENNY
Yeah. I don't want to go talk to boring lawyers.
CARLY
I'm going to go over to the gallery. Richard said I could come over anytime I wanted to.
JENNY
What are you going to do at the gallery?
Matt hangs up the phone.
MATT
Who's going to the gallery?
JENNY
Carly is.
MATT
Why are you going to the gallery? I thought you were both going to school today.
CARLY
I don't want to go to school.
MATT
Carly, I know that things are tough right now, but we have to be strong, all right?
CARLY
Okay.
JENNY
When do you have to see the lawyers?
MATT
The meeting is in town at Nine O'clock. I've got some things to do before then, so I have to trust both of you to get yourselves off to school.
Matt grabs two slices of pizza from the refrigerator.
JENNY
When are you going to be home?
MATT
I'll be here when you get done with school. Have a good day. See you later.
Matt hurries out the front door. He takes the statue of The Furies with him.
CARLY
Do you think Willow would take us to the gallery?
Jenny munches on her cereal.
JENNY
Probably.
CUT TO:
INT POLICE STATION - MORNING
Matt pulls into the police station and enters.
MATT
I'm looking for Sheriff Reynolds.
An officer points Matt to the Sheriff's office.
INT POLICE STATION - SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CONTINUING
SHERIFF TOM REYNOLDS, a gruff but sympathetic fellow, stands and greets Matt.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
Come in, have a seat. You're Matt Gunderson, right?
MATT
That's right.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I'm Sheriff Tom Reynolds. The Police Chief talked with you on the phone. He's on another assignment right now. What did he tell you when he called?
MATT
He said you thought that my mom's death might not have been an accident.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I know this must be a difficult time for you, Matt. I wish that I had better news for you.
MATT
I just want to know why this happened.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
At the site of the accident, there is one set of skid marks, where your mother tried to stop. We found some plastic from a brake light.
MATT
So she hit somebody?
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
There is that possibility. We don't have any suspects right now.
MATT
Is there anything else?
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
Here's what we think happened. Have you been out to the accident site yet?
MATT
Not since I've been back, but I driven by that area a lot. I know the place you're talking about.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
There's a dirt road that joins up with the main road just before the road turns. We think that someone pulled onto the main road right in front of your mom's truck. She tried to stop, but she lost control and went over the edge.
MATT
Kind of like a hit and run?
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I'm having one of my men look over your mom's Blazer. There might be more evidence that this wasn't an accident.
MATT
So what can I do?
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I wish there was something you could do. Unfortunately, we're doing all that we can right now. I'll give you a call just as soon as we have some more information.
Matt gets up to go.
MATT
Thanks. Hey, Sheriff, what if this wasn't an accident? Do you think anyone else in the family is in danger?
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I don't know. We don't have enough information yet to make that call. If you want, I can have one of the boys drive by your house on patrol a couple of times a day.
MATT
That would probably be a good idea. I've got a meeting to go to with my mom's lawyers.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
Good luck.
MATT
Thanks again. Hopefully you'll hear something more soon.
SHERIFF REYNOLDS
I hope so. Your mom was a good woman.
CUT TO:
EXT LAW FIRM PARKING LOT - MORNING
Doug parks his truck. He sips his coffee.
DOUG
Mmm. That's good.
He glances in his mirror. Alecto stares at him. He panics and drops his coffee on his lap. Doug leaps out of his car and tries to brush the hot coffee off.
Doug looks around for the woman. Alecto is nowhere to be seen.
DOUG
I'm imagining it. That's all.
INT LAW FIRM - CONTINUING
Doug enters the law firm. The RECEPTIONIST greets him.
RECEPTIONIST
Good morning, Sir. Do you have an appointment?
DOUG
Yeah, I'm Doug Tubiak. I'm here to see Mr. Shamus.
RECEPTIONIST
I'll let him know that you're here.
DOUG
Do you have something I can clean off my pants with? I spilled coffee on myself.
RECEPTIONIST
There is a restroom right over there.
Doug heads to the restroom. There is a woman sitting in the waiting room, reading a magazine. The woman, TISIPHONE, one of the Furies, looks up at Doug. Her stare carries the wait of accusation. Doug looks down quickly after meeting her gaze.
Matt enters the Law Firm.
RECEPTIONIST
Hello. Can I help you?
MATT
I'm Matt Gunderson. I have an appointment with a Lance Shamus.
RECEPTIONIST
His office is at the end of the hall. He's expecting you.
Matt goes to Mr. Shamus' office.
Doug exits the restroom. He glances around the waiting room. It is empty.
DOUG
Excuse me, where's the woman that was in here.
RECEPTIONIST
There wasn't anyone in there, Mr. Tubiak.
DOUG
No, I saw her. She was sitting right there.
RECEPTIONIST
You and Mr. Gunderson are the only ones who have come in this morning.
DOUG
She was sitting right there. How could you not see her?
LANCE SHAMUS, a no-nonsense attorney, steps out of his office.
LANCE SHAMUS
Mr. Tubiak, are you ready to join us?
DOUG
Yeah.
(to Receptionist)
She as right there.
INT LAW FIRM - OFFICE - CONTINUING
The office is lavishly decorated. Shelves of books line the walls. A small sculpture of the goddess JUSTICE stands on the desk.
Both Doug and Matt take seats in front of the desk. Lance Shamus pulls out a sheaf of papers.
MATT
First time I've seen justice in a lawyer's office.
LANCE SHAMUS
Unlike most stereotypical lawyers, I feel that justice is the foremost priority, not money.
DOUG
Yeah, right. All you guys are the same.
LANCE SHAMUS
And just how many lawyers have you known, Mr. Tubiak?
DOUG
Uh...a few. But I've seen them on TV. Even on the news, they're all greedy shysters.
LANCE SHAMUS
Well, contrary to the popular belief, I began practicing law so that justice might be served.
MATT
You look like you make a pretty good living.
LANCE SHAMUS
If you're honest, word gets around. Business seems to find me. I am well enough off.
MATT
Where'd you get the sculpture?
LANCE SHAMUS
Coincidentally, your mother sold it to me when I first opened this firm. She was one of my first clients.
MATT
Are we going over the will today?
LANCE SHAMUS
Just a few highlights. The formal reading of Marjorie Gunderson's last will and testament will occur in one week - next Wednesday. I felt that it was most important to get the funeral taken care of, and relatives all gathered before we read the will.
DOUG
Why can't we read it now?
MATT
He just told you.
DOUG
I think we should read it now. I'm her husband. That means I've got some rights.
LANCE SHAMUS
I would choose my words carefully if I were you, Mr. Tubiak. Mrs. Gunderson left me as executor of her entire estate. So until the will is read, I retain complete control of all her assets.
DOUG
What?!
MATT
So what did you want to review with us?
DOUG
That ain't right. I'm family. I ought to get something now.
MATT
I'm family, too. You don't see me complaining.
DOUG
Yeah, well you've got your stuff over in Europe that you're doing. I need money to live.
LANCE SHAMUS
You are hardly at a loss for anything right now, Mr. Tubiak. I believe that you can make it through a week. But if you would like, I might be able to arrange for a part-time job for you.
MATT
Wasn't there another lawyer that was supposed to be here?
LANCE SHAMUS
My brother, Victor. He's in his office right now, talking with Mrs. Gunderson's financiers. He'll join us momentarily.
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EXT ART GALLERY - PARKING LOT - DAY
Carly and Jenny climb out of Willow's car.
CARLY
Thanks for giving us a ride, Willow.
WILLOW
And Matt knows that you're going to be here all day?
JENNY
Um, yup.
WILLOW
Sure he does. Come on in.
INT ART GALLERY - CONTINUING
The Art Gallery holds the greatest collection of art and sculpture in New Mexico. There is a variety of Soutwestern Native art, but there is also a great diversity of art from around the world.
The entrance bell rings as they enter. RICHARD COBURN (30's), a smiling, jovial art conniseur, comes out of his office.
RICHARD COBURN
Ah, Willow, good morning.
JENNY
Hi, Richard.
RICHARD COBURN
And hello to you, Jenny. And Carly, always an honor.
Richard bows theatrically to Carly.
CARLY
How's your cat?
RICHARD COBURN
Palindrome is doing just fine, Carly. He's in the back, if you want to see him.
JENNY
Oh, I want to see him.
Jenny and Carly rush off to the back office.
WILLOW
So now your cat has a name? Up till now, you've just called him "Cat".
RICHARD COBURN
Carly named him. I humor her.
WILLOW
But why "Palindrome"? That's a word that spells the same thing forward and backward.
RICHARD COBURN
I figure that cat's so ugly, it looks the same whether it's coming or going. I came up with the idea, and Carly came up with the name. She's pretty smart, you know.
WILLOW
What are we going to do about the grand opening?
RICHARD COBURN
Everything's ready. It's just that Marjorie won't be here.
WILLOW
What do you think we should do?
RICHARD COBURN
I've been reviewing Marjorie's notes and plans. We should be able to pull it off.
WILLOW
Have you talked with Dean recently?
RICHARD COBURN
Dean? Oh, Santa Fe Dean. There's another Dean here in Farmington. I thought you meant him. Last time I talked with Dean, he said the gallery down there was doing well, and that he would be up here for the grand opening.
WILLOW
How long ago was that?
RICHARD COBURN
He called me on Saturday. The accident was Sunday. I think things are still going according to the schedule we decided on.
WILLOW
There are going to be a lot of people that came a long way to see this. I don't want to disappoint them.
RICHARD COBURN
I think we should be able to get things to work. Have you called the caterer?
WILLOW
Yeah. For both the funeral and for this grand opening. They should be calling me back with the cost later today.
RICHARD COBURN
This has been hard on us all. Marjorie had all the contacts. She left good records, but I don't know half the people she knew.
WILLOW
Have the lawyers talked with you about the grand opening? Last I heard, they hadn't made a decision whether or not we could go through with this.
RICHARD COBURN
Matt and Mr. Tubiak are meeting with them right now. They're going to get everything decided at that meeting. Then Lance Shamus, he's the lawyer, he's going to call us.
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