Soul Searcher

"Annuit Coeptis (He nods approval of beginnings)"

Written by Tarl N. Telford

FADE IN:

EXT SALT LAKE CITY - STREET - AFTERNOON

ALTHEA COLEMAN (18 yrs), fair haired and pretty, keeps her eyes on the ground. She walks quickly, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

ALTHEA (V.O.)

Mom and Dad, I'm sorry. You didn't understand me when I was younger, and you won't understand me now. Your friends all talk about me. They think I'm a freak. Don't try to find me. Althea.

An ambulance siren WAILS in the distance.

RICKY CHARLES (18 yrs), captain of the football team, and Althea's ex-boyfriend, sees her walking along the street. He says some quick words to his friends, and hurries after her.

RICKY CHARLES

Hey, Althea, long time, no see.

Althea slows down a little bit. She glances sideways at Ricky.

ALTHEA

You never called.

RICKY CHARLES

I called last.

ALTHEA

So we're taking turns now?

RICKY CHARLES

I'd like to think so.

ALTHEA

No. I'm sorry.

Althea tries to push past him. He grabs her arm.

RICKY CHARLES

Where are you going, huh?

ALTHEA

Let me go.

RICKY CHARLES

You don't know anyone up here.

ALTHEA

I'll make do.

RICKY CHARLES

Althea, I'm sorry about what happened at Prom. But you don't have to do this.

She finally looks up and meets his gaze.

ALTHEA

How would you know? You're Ricky Charles, quarterback, all state runner, valedictorian, all the girls love you. You're not a freak.

RICKY CHARLES

You're not a freak.

ALTHEA

So you believe me?

Ricky's silence answers her.

ALTHEA

(continuing; fighting emotions)

All right. Fine.

Althea walks away. Her hair rustles in the slight breeze, revealing a white patch in her blonde hair.

CUT TO:

EXT SALT LAKE CITY - ALLEY - AFTERNOON

A homeless man, BARIC HORTENSON (70's), staggers across Althea's path. He trips and falls into the wall. He slumps to the ground.

An AMBULANCE stops a short distance away. A crowd of people forms around the paramedics on the ground.

Althea glances over at them, then kneels down next to Baric. His breathing comes in shallow gasps. Dark blood seeps down from beneath his knitted cap.

ALTHEA

Are you all right.

Baric opens his eyes briefly. They roll around uncontrollably. His words slur on his tongue.

BARIC HORTENSON

... hit me. Car. Crashed. Right into me.

His eyes close again.

Althea looks over to the group of milling bystanders.

ALTHEA

Hey! HEY!

Her eyes scan Baric for any other injury. She pulls off her light jacket and balls it up under Baric's head.

ALTHEA

Don't go to sleep. Stay awake, okay?

Baric's eyes roll around again.

BARIC HORTENSON

Head hurts.

ALTHEA

I know.

She panicks, not knowing how to best help him.

ALTHEA

(continuing; to crowd)

Help him! Please, someone help me.

A few people turn their heads to look at Althea.

ALTHEA

He's hurt.

Baric stirs a little. He looks off into the distance.

BARIC HORTENSON

It doesn't hurt anymore.

His words trail off. Althea knows she's losing him.

ALTHEA

Please, someone! He's dying.

The paramedics cover the body in a sheet and wheel the stretcher to the ambulance.

ALTHEA

You've got to save him.

She breaks down in sobs.

ALTHEA

Please, someone.

Althea looks around for anything she can use to stop the bleeding on Baric's head.

ALTHEA

Help him.

A crowd gathers around this screaming girl.

A POLICE OFFICER, JERALD MARKHAM (30's), looks down at Althea with some measure of unsurety.

JERALD MARKHAM

Are you all right, Miss?

ALTHEA

Save him!

Jerald Markham looks down at Althea skeptically.

JERALD MARKHAM

Save who?

ALTHEA

Can't you see him? He's right here.

Her face contorts in misunderstood rage and grief.

ALTHEA

He's right here!

Jerald puts a hand on her shoulder.

ALTHEA

He's right here!

She collapses in tears. Sobs wrack her frame.

JERALD MARKHAM

I think you should come with me.

ALTHEA

You can't leave him here.

Jerald gestures to another OFFICER.

Jerald picks up Althea around the waist.

ALTHEA

You can't leave him here!

She kicks and screams, doing everything in her power to escape from his grasp.

JERALD MARKHAM

Put the cuffs on her.

The other Officer grabs Althea's hands and slaps handcuffs on her.

ALTHEA

You've got to help him. He's right there!

They put Althea into the squad car. She screams and kicks at the windows. She pounds her head against the window.

The crowd disperses.

ALTHEA

Can't you see him? He's right there!

The police car drives away.

In the alley, all that remains is Althea's bunched up jacket.

CUT TO:

End Teaser