Friday, September 3, 2010

John Constantine - Hell to Pay - Simon McDonald

1. John Constantine is speaking with Judge Eisler (no reference - new character) in the judge's chambers. Constantine is staring out the window. We can't see what he's staring at - his back is to us, but we recognize him thanks to his overcoat and a plume of cigarette smoke. The judge is seated on a couch, perched on its edge, uneasy as he converses with the occult detective.

JOHN CONSTANTINE (1)
You're making a mistake.

JUDGE EISLER
Mistake?
Forgive me John, but weren't you the very man who gave evidence, not two hours ago, dismissing the validity of their case?

JOHN CONSTANTINE (2)
Didn't say I'd made a mistake.


2. On Judge Eisler, scowling.

JUDGE EISLER
You came into my courtroom.
Convinced the jury that the Patterson Gang were not under the Devil's Influence during their killing spree.
Consequently, they've been sentenced to imprisonment for the rest of the lives.
And I've made a mistake? 


3. Constantine smiles grimly, still looking out the window.

JOHN CONSTANTINE
Like I said in court.
The Devil doesn't often waste his time fucking with people like the Patterson's.
They were using the Devil's Influence as an excuse to escape their charges.

JUDGE EISLER
(off panel)
And I sentenced them appropriately.
Your point?


4. Constantine has turned, now looking at Judge Eisler.

JOHN CONSTANTINE
The Devil doesn't like it when people use his name like that; falsely
He'll want to punish the Patterson's personally.


5. Tight on Constantine.
JOHN CONSTANTINE
The easiest way to avoid what's coming is to just kill them.
Sentence the Patterson's to death, Judge.


6. On Judge Eisler, incredulous, not quite grasping Constantine's point.

JUDGE EISLER
Avoid - - 
Avoid what?
We don't have capital punishment in this country, John, you know that - - 


7. On Constantine; the window is behind him now, and things look ominous, the sky blood-red.

JOHN CONSTANTINE
Take a look outside, Judge.
See if that doesn't change your mind.

4 comments:

  1. Hell yeah, now that's putting JC right into a story where he belongs, and it's got good logic, and it sets up well.

    You've done a right bleedin' good job on this one, Simon. Nice.

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  2. Simon, this is fantastic work man. Well done!

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  3. Great set-up, expertly delivered, Simon... though I do question whether any member of the judiciary would rely on John Constantine's help for anything. With HIS reputation? ;-)

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  4. This is why I'm glad we only write a single page of script... saves me from trying to craft an explanation!!

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