Diamonds and Opals

INT. PRISON CELL - DAY

Rough male hands reach for the taps in a chipped sink. A man splashes water on his face, wetting prison issue clothes. He has brilliant blue eyes and a sculptured jaw. This is GABE.

The cell walls are covered with painted words. Values in vivid hues, poetry in plaintive lines like "Every man creates his own prison."

Gabe leans on the sink, looks at the wall and speaks in a quiet voice...

GABE

I want to go over the plan one last time.

SIMON (OS)

We been over and over this, you be OK. You got gooood luck!

GABE

I wish you could come with me...

SIMON, a frail black man with a face like a walnut, very expressive is sitting on a bunk with a backpack.

SIMON

No use wishin'. I prob'ly die here.

Simon nearly COUGHS up a lung.

GABE

I'll be back for you, old man, you hang on.

Gabe and Simon clasp arms, look at each other real hard. Their eyes lock for a significant moment. Gabe turns away.

CREDITS roll over a montage of images. Gabe in black, carrying a backpack, walks on all kinds of roads, on a rail bed, over a field, through a city. He's walking on a two-lane country road and up to an old-fashioned silver train car diner as the CREDITS end.

INT HOUSE, KITCHEN - DAY

HANNAH is on the phone. She's mid-30's, hair curls softly around her face. She has a Marilyn Monroe figure, all lush and voluptuous, but hidden under dowdy clothes and an apron.

HANNAH

No way! Stop trying to "arrange" my social life, will you?

Hannah puts pies on a cooling rack.

SUE (FILTER)

I thought you said you were ready to date again? I'm just trying to help.

HANNAH

I'm open, I'm not hunting. There's a difference! There's just no one around I want to go out with.

SUE (FILTER)

Well Bob's been pretty stuck on you forever. He's still upset about the way you greeted him on Valentine's.

Hannah pulls out a sheet of card stock and a large black marker.

HANNAH

That jerk can't get through his thick skull that a couple of dates in high school does not make us an "item". I just got so tired of him showing up all happy and expectant...I guess my shotgun greeting made an impression, huh?

Hannah writes WANTED across the top of the page.

SUE (FILTER)

Oh! I wish I coulda seen his face at that. But still...lotsa women dream about that kind of devotion.

HANNAH

The difference between a dream and a nightmare is the man. My dating prospects do seem a bit slim. I know all the guys in town, Yuck! I almost never get away from the farm, so unless I suddenly fall for one of the stock boys at Wal*Mart. I may be doomed. Actually, if I did, I would be doomed.

Hannah writes in the phone number on the bottom of the page.

SUE (FILTER)

I don't know why you won't give Charlie a chance. He works with John at the college, you guys might really hit it off.

HANNAH

I just don't feel comfortable being set up on a blind date.

Hannah writes FARM HAND in between.

SUE (FILTER)

How about if we happen to invite him for the next Saturday night at our house? It wouldn't be a date, just a normal game night with a fourth player...

HANNAH

Well, I can't tell you who to invite to your house when it's your turn to host...and I wouldn't miss a Saturday night for such a thin reason...so I guess it's OK.

SUE (FILTER)

That's great then, that's what we'll do. In the meantime, you keep shopping. You do deserve to have some fun. I'd better get back to work. See you Saturday!

HANNAH

See you then, bye.

Hannah takes the page and blows on it.

INT HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

HANNAH

Joelle! Can you take this up to Pop's and hang it in his window?

JOELLE walks in and takes the sign. She's a pretty young blonde woman in her very early twenties.

INT. DINER - DAY

The door SWINGS closed behind Gabe. He has stubble on his face, his clothes are wrinkled and quite dusty.

RADIO plays "High on Cocaine" in the background.

LOCALS sit in booths and at the counter.

There are SIGNS posted all around the cash register and front door, advertisements for homey events: a seniors dance, a beef and beer at the fire hall, a Boy Scout breakfast fund raiser.

ANGEL, a 40-something flamboyant waitress with dyed red hair eyes him up immediately.

ANGEL

Hello there! Take a look at the menu and let me know if you've any questions.

Gabe NODS at her and takes the menu from between the ketchup and sugar as he drops his backpack protectively between his feet.

Angel wipes the counter near him as she checks him out.

ANGEL (CONT'D)

Do you know what you'll be having today?

GABE

What would you recommend? I'm starving!

Angel leans over and smiles.

ANGEL

Why, if what you're looking for is a full belly, I'd recommend Pop's Chicken and Dumplings. It's uglier than sin but tastes like heaven and sticks to your ribs 'til morning!

GABE

Sounds like just the thing! I'll have that and a tall glass of milk, thanks!

Gabe takes out his wallet and quickly checks the remaining bills as Angel walks away.

Angel puts the glass of milk down.

Gabe's looking in the bakery case at the pies and cakes on display there. Each one has a hand-lettered sign declaring its name. There's Peach Pie, Apple Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Fantasy, etc.

Angel comes back with a large bowl of Chicken and Dumplings and sets it on the counter in front of him.

ANGEL

Here ya go, dear!

GABE

Thanks!

Gabe digs right in. He enjoys it very much.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (OS)

Recapping the top story of the day, there's been an escape from Graterford State Prison. The escapee is white, 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 185 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He escaped on foot early this morning. If you have any information, there is a cash reward being offered by Crime Stoppers. Do not approach this man; call your local authorities as soon as possible if you see him. Now, back to our commercial free block of music.

Gabe STOPS...spoon suspended, his eyes quickly scan the room. No one is looking at him. The spoon makes it the rest of the way to his mouth.

ANGEL

Wow, you weren't kidding about being hungry were you! Do you think you could cap that meal with a slice of pie? It's baked fresh every morning by our own Hannah.

GABE

I'd love a slice of that peach pie, thanks.

Angel pulls the pie out and cuts a slice.

ANGEL

Hannah wins the blue ribbon every year. Keeps her recipes secret but sells us the pies. Let me know if you've ever had a better tasting pie. I'll bet you haven't!

Gabe takes a bite of peach pie. It looks like he's having a religious experience.

GABE
(to himself)

Here's to you Simon.

Gabe puts last bite of pie in his mouth and pushes the plate away.

GABE

That was the best.

ANGEL

Don't I know it. Here's your bill, come on back sometime and try the rest of them.

Gabe grabs his backpack and goes to the cash register. JOELLE comes sailing in carrying a sign. She leans over the counter.

JOELLE

Hey, Pop? Can I put our sign in your window?

POP comes out of the kitchen, drying his hands on his apron. He's a big, round guy, totally bald with a bushy mustache.

POP

What for?

JOELLE

Someone to replace Joss. I thought we'd have a better chance if we put the sign here.

Joelle takes the sign from the counter and holds it up for Pop to see.

POP

See if you can find a place for it. Don't take down anything that isn't past its day. OK?
(to Gabe) How was everything?

GABE

Great, thanks.

Pop takes Gabe's money, hands him change.

POP

Thanks for coming, hope we see you again.

Gabe nods to Pop and turns to Joelle

GABE

You looking for a worker?

JOELLE

We need someone to help out on our farm. You interested?

Gabe nods.

JOELLE (CONT'D)

Well, you can come over and get interviewed by my sisters. Tonight OK?

Gabe nods.

JOELLE (CONT'D)

I'll give you directions in a minute.

Joelle takes down a sign for a Cancer Walk that is so faded you can barely tell that the paper was once red. She puts up the farm worker wanted sign with an apologetic glance towards Gabe.

Gabe looks around the place again. He turns back to look at Joelle.

Joelle takes a long, appreciative glance up and down Gabe's body. When she gets to his face, his eyes catch hers.

A slow smile transforms Gabe's face and he goes from hard and dangerous to totally harmless in 1.2 seconds.

Joelle, flustered, grabs a pen from the counter and starts scribbling directions and drawing a map on the back of the Cancer Walk sign.

JOELLE (CONT'D)

Where you from?

GABE

Around Cleveland.

JOELLE

Here you go. I drew a map for you. I'll let my sisters know you'll be around after dinner tonight, OK?

GABE

Thanks!

Gabe takes the paper from Joelle, and then holds the door open for her.

Gabe looks down at the map, looks around to get his bearings and starts walking.

If you want to read the rest of it, send me an e-mail and I will mail it out to you.

All comments are welcome.