The Pandering

By John Lefler

Buck fill up the stove with petroleum it keeps the heat to midnight then he has to full up again, he was so drunk his had shacking can find the hole on the stove the petroleum went all over in the floor he waived had the table the lamp fall to the floor fifteen minute the hole house was burn to the ground Inside all five was dead
WHEN THE FIRE TRUCK CAME CANT SEE THE HOUSE JUST ASSES THE HOUSE BURN TO THE GROUND THE CHIEF SAID THIS WAS NOT A HOUSE TO LEAVE IN BUILD FOR PEOPLE FOR RANNI DAYS ALL PYWOOD NO SMOKE JUST BURN AS A PEPER OLD BUCK LIVE IN FOR FREE NO HIDRO NO WATHER USE RAIN WATER IM SURE OLD BUCK IS DEAD
THE POLICE OFFICER SAID I HAD TO LOOK FOR HIS BODY IT WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE OFFICER FIND FIVE DEAD BODY TO DENEFINE WAS NOT BAD ANNIES CAR I TOLD EVERYTHING WHEN IT WAS INVESTIGATION

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543473940

John Lefler

N/A

Book preview

1

LILLIAN

Every day! Every day, especially last week we went shopping. The baby’s room is so full I don’t even know where we’re going to put the baby!

JAMES

What did the doctor say?

HELEN

Almost nothing. Just walk! Walk! Walk!

JAMES

He means that all you need is exercise. He knows it will make the birth easier for you. Well, I have to go. Lillian. Call Joe and have my car brought around.

LILLIAN

Oh no! No! No, No! We need the car As long as Helen is still pregnant, the car stays in the garage.

JAMES

My car? What’s wrong with Helen’s car?

LILLIAN

Too small. We don’t want to take her car. There isn’t enough room for the three of us. Besides, this will be a special occasion and we want the cadillac!

HELEN

Why not call the office. Any one of the officers on duty will come and pick you up.

To James

LILLIAN

I already did! The officer will be here any minute. There he is now. He’s waiting for you Chief!

Lillian looks out through the curtains at the window chuckling to herself.

JAMES

You know, Lilly. Never mind!

Shakes his fist in defiance of Lillian’s assumed authority.

JAMES

Goodbye darling and take care of yourself.

He kisses his wife and leaves promptly. We see him leaving the house. He gets into the cruiser and the car pulls away.

2

ACT ONE

FULL SCREEN PHOTOGRAPH/OUT OF FOCUS

SHAW RESIDENCE DINETTE INT. MORNING

A blending of fall colors of the bright sunny morning creates a kaleidoscope of contrasting colors from the window backdrop encompassing the entire dinette of a stately home in an upper middle class district of Chicago.

IN FOCUS

An obviously pregnant white woman is seated at the table. A black housekeeper is setting the table for breakfast. Beyond the bay window is the street in front of the house on which stand the stately deciduous trees providing the backdrop of Autumn colors.

Police Chief JAMES SHAW enters the room.

JAMES

Good morning, darling!

He kisses his wife, HELEN, and sits at his place beside her.

LILLIAN

About time! The coffee’s already cold!

LILLIAN begins fussing over the table.

JAMES

How do you feel, darling?

To his wife concerned.

HELEN

Ok, I guess. Dr. Felix will be here at eleven o’clock.

JAMES

I want you to relax. Don’t do anything! Lillian, I want you to keep your eyes on her.

Still looking at his wife.

LILLIAN

Since yesterday I have been keeping a close eye on her, but as soon as I step out for a moment or even look the other way she starts to do the dishes or something else she shouldn’t be doing. I’ve already hidden the vacuum cleaner!

HELEN

I have to do something! I cannot sit or lie around every day!

3

ROOTEY

This beer doesn’t taste like it used to.

SHIRLEY

You shouldn’t drink for at least two weeks. Your time can come any day, any hour. I’d like to stay with you, but I have to get at least three johns today.

ROOTEY

You can stay with me. I’ll pay you.

SHIRLEY

I can’t take a penny from you. You’re my best friend and we always help each other. You remember when that guy didn’t want to pay you. I kicked him right in the balls. Two seconds and you got your money.

They laugh.

ROOTEY

I remember. Since that day, he has never looked for free love.

SHIRLEY

It’s none of my business but, it is about time to choose a father, don’t you think?

ROOTEY

I don’t know! Maybe it’ll be nobody!

SHIRLEY

Are you crazy! From hundreds of men, can’t you pick a rich man who can support you and the baby? How about Dave? He works for the meat market and makes four or five hundred dollars a week!

ROOTEY

He is a married man!

SHIRLEY

So what? How many married men have we had? Wait a minute! How about Sam? His father is a very wealthy man, he is single, young and handsome. Maybe he’ll marry you!

ROOTEY

Stop talking nonsense! This is my baby and I’m going to look after it myself. I will get a decent job. I will quit the night business and I’m going to be a good mother!

4

LILLIAN

When you’ve finished your breakfast, I’ll wash the dishes and we’ll go for a walk.

HELEN

I’ll help you dry!

Her spirits brighten

LILLIAN

Thanks, but no. That means no thankyou. I will take care of everything.

Speaking firmly while shaking her head.

HELEN

I’m getting sick and tired of this pregnancy. Three months now, and I haven’t, done anything.

She gets up from the table, carefully and with difficulty. We see the pregnancy is fully developed into the ninth month. She waddles from the kitchen towards the living room and stops at the entrance bracing herself and calls.

HELEN

Lillian! Lillian! I can’t walk! I can’t sit! I’m paralized!

LILLIAN

You’re not paralized. It’s time! Joe! Joe! Get the car ready and come here and help Mrs. Shaw to the car. We’re going to the hospital! C’mon dear, let me help you.

Comes to her aid and puts her arm around Helen’s waist helping her to the front door.

Meanwhile Joe drives the car around to the front of the house. He gets out and jogs to the front steps and helps Helen to the car. Lillian has in the meantime picked up the telephone and called the hospital. She puts down the telephone and on her way out picks up the suitcase she had prepared and left just inside the front door and all three get in the car, Lillian and Helen in the back seat with Joe driving. The car pulls away.

FADE OUT

FADE IN FLY INN BAR INT. DAY.

A poor district in Chicago. There is a well frequented bar in the neighborhood called the FLY INN BAR. It is used by street walkers, the unemployed, the homeless, alcoholics and any low life in general. As part of the decor, there is a music box, and a pool table nearby. The bar is half full of patrons. Two women sit at one table, one is SHIRLEY, the other, named ROOTEY is pregnant and is drinking beer from a bottle.

5

ROOTEY

And when the baby’s born, you’ll pick me up too.

GEORGE

What!!? Forget it. I’m no hooker’s servant!

ROOTEY

The first time I stepped into your bar and you laid eyes on me. . .I bacame your servant. …without pay!

GEORGE

What’s the difference?

ROOTEY

The difference is when a man pays the girl, he can call her a hooker. … . .When the man doesn’t pay the girl. . .he calls her a lover. … …Now you didn’t pay me a dime so. … . .I was your lover. Right!. … . .and now you’re going to have a baby!

GEORGE

Come on, Rootey!. …you can’t be serious. . I’m a married man with two children! Why are you pointing me out to be the father of your child.

ROOTEY

I’m not going to point at you if you pick me up again from the hospital after the baby is born.

GEORGE

Ok, ok. I will. I will! So, don’t mention my name to anyone!

Shirley comes out of the house, sits in the backseat with Rootey and George drives them willingly to the hospital.

SHIRLEY

General Hospital and the shortest way!

CUT TO MOVING SHOT OF BOTH CADILLACS. EXT. DAY.

The Shaw’s cadillac and George’s cadillac match speed and drive parallel on a four-lane street. We recognize the occupants of both cadillacs to be George and the hookers in one car and and Helen and Lillian with Joe driving in the other.

SEVERAL ANGLES EXT. DAY. MOVING, FOLLOWS BOTH CARS

6

SHIRLEY

After ten years in the business! And you’re going to quit! Like Hell you will! I believe you’ll be working twice as hard as before. You’re the leading Lady around here you know!

laughs heartily

ROOTEY

I was, but I’m not any more.

Shirley! I think my time is coming!

She grabs her stomach.

SHIRLEY

George, drive your cadillac to the front Rootey’s time is coming. We have to go to hospital!!

GEORGE

Why me! Why always me? Get a taxi. . .I don’t have the time.

SHIRLEY

Look, Honey Bunch, when you fucked Rootey you had the time. When she asks for money you don’t have the time. When anyone asks for credit your pencil has lots of time. Now, I have the time to let your wife know about you playing around. Make up your mind. .the cadillac or the taxi!

GEORGE

Ok. Ok. But I’ll never get mixed up with any more hookers!

George drives the car around to the front. Shirley helps Rootey leave the bar. George is waiting at the front door. They get in the back seat.

ROOTEY

I have to go home and get my suitcase.

SHIRLEY

Oh no. You just sit tight. George, 14 Brook St. I’ll get the suitcase and then we’ll go, to the General Hospital.

George pulls away from the bar and stops a short distance away. Shirley gets out of the car, goes up to the house to get Rootey’s suitcase.

GEORGE

You know, Rootey, the car costs me money to take you to the hospital.

7

WOMAN

Can I help you?

ROOTEY

I’d like to see a doctor.

WOMAN

Don’t you have a family doctor?

ROOTEY

No. I never needed one because I was never pregnant. Do you have any doctors available in the hospital?

WOMAN

Here is a list. Pick any one. In the meantime we have to fill out an application. Name?

ROOTEY

Rootey Hays

WOMAN

Address?

ROOTEY

Fourteen Brook Street, first floor, second door.

WOMAN

Married?

ROOTEY

No.

WOMAN

Employer?

ROOTEY

Unempoloyed.

WOMAN

Name of the father to be?

ROOTEY

Unknown.

WOMAN

How have you made your living for the past two months?

ROOTEY

From welfare and collecting food stamps.

Dr. Hill enters the room. He reads the application and signs it.

8

NEW ANGLE FOLLOWS SHAW’S CADILLAC TO PRIVATE HOSPITAL

NEW ANGLE FOLLOWS GEORGE’S CADILLAC TO THE GENERAL HOSPITAL

The General Hospital is a few blocks beyond the point at which the Shaw’s cadillac turns off to drive into the Private Hospital.

CUT TO EMERGENCY ENTRANCE. PRIVATE HOSPITAL. DAY

A nurse waits with Dr. Felix, who gives them a warm welcome Joe and Lillian drive home.

DR FELIX

Hello Helen. I’m glad to see you. The housekeeper already telephoned me. Everything is ready for you.

HELEN

Does my husband know I’m here?

DR. FELIX

Of course, my dear. But there is the telephone. You can talk with James anytime.

HELEN

I don’t even want to talk to myself. I’m sick and tired of this pregnancy.

DR. FELIX

Every woman feels the same way. But don’t worry, I’m going to examine you and I hope that by tomorrow everything is over. My nurse will stay with you.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

GENERAL HOSPITAL EXT. DAY. MOVING

Rootey and Shirley get out of the car and walk to the information desk and speak to the information clerk.

SHIRLEY

Where do we