Remembrance Photo: The Screenplay

By Michael Hoffman

In the Antebellum South, when a family was about to lose a child to yellow fever or small pox, a photograph of the dying child would be commissioned. A desperate and frightening memento, it was called a remembrance photo.

Three days ago, ten-year-old Steven Haggerty, son of successful attorney and true crime author Richard Haggerty, disappeared from a playground near his Marin County home.
This morning, Richard received a manila envelope in his San Francisco office stamped with a New Orleans postmark. The envelope contained a sepia-toned photograph virtually identical to a remembrance photo from the 1800’s.

Except the child in the photo was Steven.

Now Richard must return to New Orleans, the city where he began his career. The city from which he escaped, leaving behind a dark secret. The city where someone from his past is holding his son.

Remembrance Photo is a dark thriller that takes its audience on a journey through the shadowy underbelly of New Orleans and the surrounding swampy woods and bayous of southern Louisiana. It contains a strong but flawed male protagonist, a dangerous and terrifying antagonist and a series of disturbing twists leading to a shocking conclusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Hoffman
• Release date: May 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476010571

Book preview

REMEMBRANCE PHOTO:

The Screenplay

By Michael R. Hoffman

Copyright 2007 Michael R. Hoffman

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FADE IN

EXT. BOOKSTORE, WEST HOLLYWOOD - DAY

A line of ANXIOUS CUSTOMERS winds its way along the sidewalk and into the store's front entrance.

A sign in the window:

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9

1 P.M - 3 P.M.

ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR

RICHARD HAGGERTY

SIGNING COPIES OF HIS NEW BOOK

BLOOD EVIDENCE: THE PORTLAND SERIAL KILLER

INSIDE THE BOOKSTORE

The line terminates at a large folding table where author RICHARD HAGGERTY autographs another book. Richard is 37, rangy and athletic. Burned out from a long book tour, he's cordial to his fans but anxious to keep the line moving.

FAN

It's an honor to meet you. I'm a huge fan of your writing. Huge. Read all your books.

RICHARD

Thank you.

Richard scribbles in his signature, hands the book over.

FAN

The best was the first. You mind?

The fan shoves a copy of THE CRESCENT CITY MURDERS under Richard's nose.

RICHARD

(forces)

Of course not.

He opens the book to the first page, autographs it above the epigraph. A passage from the bible. Deut. 24:16.

FAN

So, they're finally gonna fry the kid. Next Friday. Right?

Richard's put off.

RICHARD

Lethal injection is the method of execution in Louisiana.

Richard closes the book hard, pushes it to the front of the table. It almost drops off.

FAN

Oh, right. Anyway, I read somewhere that you're gonna be there. Right?

INT. BOOKSTORE BATHROOM - DAY

Richard splashes water on his face, stares into the mirror. Wishes the day was over.

INT. BOOKSTORE - DAY

Richard walks back toward his table. A YOUNG WOMAN, maybe 21 and scary pretty, stops him.

YOUNG WOMAN

Excuse me, Mr. Haggerty. I just wanted to tell you, I'm a huge fan.

Richard puts out his hand. She gently squeezes it and smiles.

YOUNG WOMAN

Huge.

INT. LUXURY SUITE, BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - NIGHT

Richard's naked on the edge of the bed, talking into his cell phone.

RICHARD (ON PHONE)

I'm meeting with a producer in the morning and then I'm flying home after that.

The woman from the bookstore steps out of the bathroom, lays down on the bed next to Richard. She's naked, too.

RICHARD (ON PHONE)

Of course I'll be home for your party. Maybe I got you something, maybe I didn't. OK, buddy. Be good tonight. Now put your aunt back on.

The woman stretches for the nightstand, grabs Richard's wallet, finds a picture inside. An attractive woman and a young boy.

RICHARD (ON PHONE)

Alright, sis. I'll see you tomorrow.

Richard hangs up. The woman presses up behind Richard, kisses the side of his neck, throws her arm over his shoulder, holds the wallet photo in front of his face.

YOUNG WOMAN

Who's this?

RICHARD

My wife... late wife. And my son.

INT. HAGGERTY HOME, MARIN COUNTY- DAY

STEVEN HAGGERTY, Richard's son, ten-years-old today, stands in the middle of a very large, Spanish-style living room decorated with bunches of multi-colored balloons and a banner overhead that reads:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVEN!

He's surrounded by dozens of KIDS. Richard stands directly behind him, his hands covering Steven's eyes.

BIRTHDAY CROWD

(in unison)

One... two... three. Happy Birthday!

Richard removes his hands, revealing to Steven his cache of gifts including a prominently displayed shiny new bicycle. Steven bounds for the bike.

STEVEN

Oh, wow!

RICHARD

It's the one you wanted, right?

Steven grabs the handle bars. One clean movement, he jumps aboard and he's gone.

RICHARD

Whoa, Steven! Not in the house!

Steven pedals up to the front door, pulls it open and rides out.

EXT. HAGGERTY HOME - LATER

Richard sees off the party guests at the front door. MIA, Richard's sister, is with him. Steven's riding around the front drive.

RICHARD

Still on the bike.

MIA

Congratulations. You scored big with him today.

RICHARD

Thanks again for all your help with Steven, sis. And for agreeing to put him up while I'm out of town.

Mia puts her arm around her brother.

MIA

Anytime.

RICHARD

(calling out)

Steven!

Steven pedals over, hops off, hugs his father.

STEVEN

I love my bike, Dad. Thanks.

RICHARD

Think about what you want to do in the city next weekend, OK?

STEVEN

Exploratorium!

RICHARD

Exploratorium it is.

STEVEN

Promise?

RICHARD

Promise.

INT. AIRLINER - DAY

Richard's asleep in First Class.

PILOT (V.O.)

Ladies and gentlemen, we're beginning our final approach into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport...

A FLIGHT ATTENDANT taps Richard on the shoulder. Richard wakes, glances out the window.

RICHARD'S POV

The plane passes over the expansive swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin.

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - DAY

The terminal's decked out floor to ceiling for Mardi Gras.

ALBERT COLLIER, 56, waits at Richard's gate. Hair a little too black for his age, he's clearly enjoyed too much rich New Orleans food. He's wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt.

ALBERT

Richard! Over here!

RICHARD

Albert!

ALBERT

Welcome back. Let me take that.

Albert grabs one of Richard's bags. They hoof it together through the terminal building.

RICHARD

How's the law school business?

ALBERT

Beats the DA's office. No elections,