TOM WAITS MADE ME CRY WRITTEN BY FERGAL ROCK

RTE/FILMBASE SHORT FILM AWARD WINNER, 2004

fergalrock@gmail.com

2. INSERT CAPTION ON BLACK: 1984 FADE IN: INT. YOUNG VINCENTS HOUSE DAY

FRANK LEVINE and his seven-year-old son, VINCENT, sit in a darkened sitting room watching a video recording of ELVIS PRESLEYS funeral. VINCENT (V.O) My name is Vincent Martin Levine. I was born in the summer of 1977, the year of Star Wars and the unrelated death of Elvis Presley. Frank, slightly overweight, wears a yellow jump suit and fashions an Elvis haircut. He dabs his eyes with a tissue whilst mechanically feeding himself chocolates. VINCENT (CONTD) I never saw Star Wars. My father, Frank, referred to it as puerile propaganda. He claimed it filled young childrens minds with irresponsible notions of hope and ambition, nurtured in them dreams and passions that he said could never be realised. Vincent busies himself making a model aeroplane. VINCENT (CONTD) I saw the funeral of Elvis Presley fifty-seven times. FRANK (Between tears) Never have heroes, son. The bastards will just let you down. As for hobbies Frank grabs Vincents model plane and hurls it across the room. It hits the wall and SMASHES into pieces. Frank turns to face his stunned son, points a finger at him and gravely cautions FRANK (CONTD) Lesson one son, and mark my words. This life will be the death of you. FADE TO BLACK. INSERT CAPTION ON BLACK: PRESENT DAY, 2009

3. INT. VINCENTS APARTMENT DAY

An alarm clock SHRILLS to life. A hand stretches out from a duvet, picks up the clock and hurls it across the room. It CRASHES against the wall and stops ringing. CREAKING BEDSPRINGS and ECSTATIC MOANS emanate through the wall VINCENT throws the duvet to one side and sits up on the bed. Dressed in a crumpled black suit, white shirt and black tie he places his naked feet on the floor next to a sparkling pair of black shoes. A packet of cigarettes and a lighter rest on the bedside locker to his left. At the foot of the bed, there is an open closet, containing a single wire hanger and just above his head a small framed picture of an aeroplane. It tilts to one side. Vincent lights a cigarette. INT. VINCENTS KITCHEN DAY

Vincent sits at the breakfast counter. He sips his coffee and smokes a cigarette. A black briefcase stands upright on the counter to his right. Vincent unfolds the paper in front of him. The headline reads GOVERNMENT SAYS EVERYTHINGS GOING TO BE A-OK! VINCENT (V.O) Two years ago the countrys elite entertainers and celebrities merged together to run for Government. Vincent stabs out his cigarette and picks up his briefcase. He climbs the single step to the front door and sets about unbolting the series of locks that run down the right side of its frame. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD A nation, fed up with hypocrisy and corruption, rallied to the call of the Government-elect to ROCK THE VOTE and did just that, voting in there VINCENT (V.O) CONTD thousands for what would become a

4. landslide victory for the beautiful people. Vincent opens the door and steps out into the hallway. INT. HALLWAY VINCENTS BUILDING - DAY

Next door a WOMAN dressed in the style of a 1920s starlet kisses a MAN in a grey suit goodbye. They turn briefly to offer Vincent a look of disdain. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD The good times were back, the state was declared officially COOL! and never before had the country maintained such a heightened political awareness. EXT. ROW OF APARTMENTS - DAY

Vincent goes door-to-door attempting to sell his wares but has one door after another slammed in his face. His potential CUSTOMERS are all glued to magazines and newspapers dedicated to the lives and loves of celebrities. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD I would soon discover, however, that everything was going to be far from okay. INT. HARRY PORTERS OFFICE DAY

HARRY PORTER, a small, rotund man, sits with his feet up on a desk, flicking through the pages of a magazine. A small framed, photograph of the singer, TOM WAITS stands upright on the neatly arranged desk and behind him on the wall is a large picture of a rain forest waterfall. A number of cardboard boxes are stacked high in the tiny office. Filing cabinets lie empty and a pile of ledgers rest on the desk by Harrys side waiting to be packed away. A KNOCK at the door Come in. HARRY

The door opens and Vincent enters the office. Harry throws the magazine to one side The article headline reads -

5. CHART-RIGGING AND EUGENICS: A BOYBAND MANAGERS STORY Harry stands up to offer Vincent a seat. HARRY (Brusquely) Vincent, come in. Take a seat. VINCENT You wanted to see me Harry? Harry picks up the pile of ledgers and begins packing them into boxes. Vincent takes a seat. HARRY Yeah, sure kid. Vincent, how long you been working here? Six? Seven years? You like it here son? Its okay. VINCENT

Harry looks up sharply and drops the remaining ledgers into the box. He rounds the desk, sits on the edge and looks Vincent in the eye. HARRY No its not, Vincent! Despite what certain parties would have you believe everything is not okay! Fact is Vincent some things are shit and this job is one of them. Harry leans forward, almost to the point of falling over. Thats why Im firing you kid. Youre worth more than this door-to-door hustle but you aint got no passion, no fire in your belly. You need to get yourself an interest, a hobby. You got any hobbies kid? No. VINCENT

Harry stands up, scratches his head and walks over to the blind-covered window. He raises the blinds revealing a view of a concrete wall, then lets them fall back into place and turns on his heel. HARRY Let me tell you something Vincent.

6. HARRY (CONTD) Passion is important. A life without passion, its like, its like (Searches for simile) we dont have time for similes you and I. Were busy people right? He walks over to the desk again. See this man? Harry picks up the photograph of Tom Waits This is probably the greatest living entertainer in the world today. I read once, that he said, owning a Tom Waits record didnt help you score with chicks, that he had all of them and it never helped him. Guys a fucking legend! Harry stares at the photograph for a prolonged beat, then places it carefully on top of the ledgers and closes the box. Hand me that Scotch tape will you Vincent. Vincent gets up and hands Harry the tape dispenser. Harry tapes the box shut. HARRY Collect your money outside kid. Ill see you around Vincent. In the distance the sound of POLICE SIRENS grows ever nearer. EXT. RUN DOWN STREET DAY

Vincent stops to light a cigarette before continuing his walk home. VINCENT (V.O) For some people losing their job would be the worst thing in the world. Not me. I didnt mind. Nothing ever bothered me that much. Vincent approaches a KID in an over-sized suit and Bowler hat. They stop and speak briefly before the kid hands Vincent a roll of bank notes in exchange for his briefcase. Vincent counts the money and puts it in his pocket. He walks on.

7. INT. INDEPENDENT RECORD SHOP DAY

Vincent picks up Tom Waits BLUE VALENTINE on vinyl and turns the record over in his hands. VINCENT (V.O) Losing my job, the death of my father, Tom Hanks winning all those Oscars. It was all just a bunch of stuff that happened. Vincent buys the record. INT. HALLWAY VINCENTS BUILDING - DAY

Vincent stands in the hallway smoking his cigarette. VINCENT (V.O) I suppose it was around the time of the Presidential Parade that I first became suspicious. A door opens and the WOMAN next door kisses a different MAN goodbye. He fixes his tie and shuffles cheerfully down the hall. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD There was something about his assurances that we were all great craic that rang hollow in my ears. The Woman turns to re-enter her apartment but catching Vincents eye she stops. She is dressed as before, though this time she holds a champagne flute in her right hand. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD It smacked too much of desperation. The Government, despite its collective good looks and undisputed chart success was running the country into the ground. Halfway down the hall the MAN jumps into the air and attempts to click his heels together. He falls hard on the ground but neither Vincent nor the Woman notice. The Woman watches Vincent smoke his cigarette, before allowing her eyes to drift down his body eventually resting her gaze on the record sleeve held in his left hand. VINCENT (V.O) CONTD But of course none of this meant anything to me at the time. It was all okay with me.

8. The Woman sips her champagne and takes a nonchalant step back, almost losing her balance in the process. She smiles, slightly flustered and caresses her neck with her free hand. In one graceful movement she turns her entire body and disappears into the apartment. She leaves the door open. Vincent takes a final drag from his cigarette. He throws it to one side and follows her in. The door closes behind him. INT. WOMANS APARTMENT DAY

The bedroom door opens and Vincent, once again carrying the record under his arm exits the room. As he reaches for the handle of the door, Vincent, expressing no discernible emotion, looks to his left and sees a goldfish swimming about happily in a bowl. INT. VINCENTS HOUSE NIGHT

Vincent, still smoking and wearing the same blank expression, feeds a goldfish, swimming about apathetically in a fish bowl. A miniature aeroplane is embedded in the grit at the bottom of the bowl. A toy figurine attached to a parachute sinks to the bottom. Vincent sits cross-legged on the floor staring, passively, at a clapped out TV screen. A Star Wars videocassette lies by his side, next to an overcrowded ashtray and a model aeroplane. There is a KNOCK at the door. Vincent turns slowly and looks over his shoulder. FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: INT. COFFEE SHOP DAY

JON FRASER is in his early twenties. Dressed in jeans and an army jacket, he quietly sips his coffee. A large palm-plant arcs down, over his head, giving the appearance of heavy forestation and his expression, in another context, might well have been referred to as the thousand-yard stare.

9. INT. SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE DAY

Jon approaches the counter and hands the WELFARE OFFICER his social security card. JON Hi. My names Jon Fraser. I didnt receive my unemployment benefit this week. I just wanted to check that there wasnt anything wrong. The Officer eyes Jon with a hint of suspicion and presses a red button concealed beneath the counter. OFFICER Just one second. Two BURLY MEN in overcoats and brimmed hats step up behind him. Mr. Fraser? MANS VOICE

Jon begins to turn but stops still, feeling the tip of a gun in the small of his back. MANS VOICE (CONTD) I wouldnt turn around Mr. Fraser. Just walk towards that office over there and every thing will be A-okay. INT. OFFICE SOCIAL WELFARE - DAY

Jon sits in a chair in the middle of the room. The two Men stand against the wall behind him. In front of them, wedged behind a large desk, sits another MAN dressed in military uniform. JON What is this? Whats going on? The Man behind the desk opens a file. MAN Jonathan Peter Fraser, born 1984. Parents, Dolores and Peter, retired schoolteachers. Education, St. Marys Primary School, showed promise. Postprimary - St. Declans. Junior Cert. - 6 honours. Leaving Cert. - 5. Third Level U.C.D, one semester. Dropped out.

10. JON Is somebody going to tell me whats going on? MAN (Matter of fact) Were with the Government Jon. Were recruiting. JON Recruiting? For what? MAN Let me get to the point Jon. The Government has a list, detailing names and addresses of any person who is considered to pose a threat to national security. The Man pauses to allow his words hang in the air. Satisfied that they have achieved their full resonance he continues. The Government feels that these individuals, whether through their cynicism, left-wing idealism or general laissez-faire attitudes are quite frankly spoiling the fun for those who simply want to live lives of carefree ignorance. JON But Im not a threat? The Man smiles broadly and clasps his hands together in a gleeful manner. MAN Of course not, youre far too indolent to pose a threat to anyone. No, we want you on our side son. You see in order to weed out and eliminate this rogue element we need a select group of individuals, trained with the stealth and expediency more commonly associated with that of Political Assassins. JON You want me to be a Political Assassin? The Man leans forward in his seat, taking Jon into his confidence.

11. MAN The way we see it, you have two choices son. You can join us and keep your precious dole. Or you can get a job. Whats it going to be kid? INT. HALLWAY VINCENTS BUILDING - DAY

Jon holds a gun in his right hand, a look of steely determination on his face. He stops outside Vincents door, takes a deep breath and KNOCKS. INT. VINCENTS HOUSE DAY

Vincent opens his front door to find Jon pointing a gun in his face. JON Back away from the door Mr. Levine. Vincent backs away and Jon enters. He closes the door behind him. JON (CONTD) Sit down on the floor with your hands on your head. Vincent does as he is told as Jon casts a nervous eye around the apartment. VINCENT Is this a robbery? JON A robbery? No. This is red-letter day. The Government wants you dead. Im the one they sent to take you out? VINCENT But why would the Government want to kill me? JON Are you kidding? Youre a high-risk situation. Vincent Martin Levine - 32 years old has never been a member of an organisation in his life. Jon moves somewhat over-dramatically around the apartment, opening presses, checking doorways, and peering through blinds. You dont even have a fucking library

12. JON (CONTD) card! A radical, free thinker whos just lost his job? Youre a walkingtalking time bomb, friend. Jon picks up the Tom Waits record and momentarily distracted, he begins perusing the sleeve notes. VINCENT Are you going to shoot me with that gun? Jon looks up, caught off guard. He places the record back on the ground. JON What? No. Maybe. Im not sure. Im trained in knives as well but Look this is my first day. Youll have to bear in mind that this is all quite new to me. Vincent nods considerately. JON (CONTD) You know Vincent I have to be honest with you. I have absolutely no desire to kill you. I just really dont want to lose my dole. Vincent lowers his arms, then remembering theyre supposed to be on his head, he puts them back again. VINCENT You get paid to do this? JON Oh sure. Rent allowance, Fuel allowance, Medical card, the lot but I never asked for this. This isnt me. I just wanted a quiet life Vincent cautiously reaches into his pocket and retrieves a packet of cigarettes. He offers one to Jon. Jon accepts. Cheers. JON

Jon hunkers down to accept a light from Vincent, and only now notices the film playing on T.V. JON (CONTD) Is that Star Wars?

13. VINCENT Yeah. Want to watch it? Jon COUGHS and hurries over to the ashtray to quench the cigarette. He turns to Vincent with renewed concentration. No. I cant. JON

Jon raises his gun and points it at the passive Vincent. JON (CONTD) I really wish there was some way out of this Mr. Levine but Im afraid there just isnt. FADE TO BLACK. INT. SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE DAY

A large, bored looking, WOMAN sits behind the counter. VOICE (O.S) Hi. My names Vincent Levine. I recently lost my job as a door-to-door salesman. I wanted to sign up for unemployment assistance. The Woman looks up to see a smiling Jon, staring back at her. EXT. FLAT ROOFTOP DAY

Vincent, still dressed in the same suit, lies flat on his stomach assembling a sniper rifle. The obligatory cigarette hangs once more from his lower lip. VINCENT (V.O) Before he died my father told me that Elvis Presley was the only person to ever make him cry. I often wondered if Tom Waits made Harry cry. Vincent looks through the sights of his rifle and searches for his target. As for me, I cried once. The night my father threw my model aeroplane against a wall and told me life would be the death of me. Vincent fixes the target in his sights, takes a breath and

14. calmly squeezes the trigger. VINCENT (V.O) Just before he died my father confided to me lesson number two. Vincent rolls over on his back and staring into the sky, he takes the cigarette out of his mouth, exhales Vincent, he said. Get yourself a good suit. Youll never know when youre going to need one. and smiles. FADE TO BLACK.

THE END