CHRONICLES OF A HOMELESS/ Raul E Garcia Lamoutte
Chronicles of a Homeless
SCRIPT By Raul E Garcia Lamoutte © 2007
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Scene opening: Still shots approaching a large city, Skyscrapers and small buildings from afar, CLICK, CLICK approaching…. CLICK, a large avenue, CLICK, a small street, CLICK, a broad side of a small park. A Gazebo painted green with gray columns and concrete floor; green benches around; a small water fountain, people in the benches, children playing and chasing pigeons. Picture comes alive with the loud noise of many pigeons taking off scared by the children.
Panning from left to right slowly up to the gazebo on the far right corner of the plaza. Slow close up to a body sprawled on the rough concrete floor of the gazebo. From the soot blackened and broken toed tennis shoes with dirty toes sticking out, upwards the torn, dirty and faded olive drab army fatigues, to what seemed an inflated chest due to five T Shirts worn one over the other; the one on top reads PUEBLO in large red cursive letters; up to a dirty but handsome face, with a scraggly unkempt beard, topping to a dirty and torn baseball cap with faded NY letters; covering long dirty black and white dreadlocks or badly knotted hair. A medium sized brown multi-mix breed male dog curled in front of his face. Back to his chest, a small movement for shallow breathing is the only indication of life. Another fluttering noise from the flock of pigeons and the cocky Coo Coo from pigeons walking near this wretched human.
BOY 1
LET’S WAKE THE DOG UP TO SEE WHAT HE WILL DO!
BOY 2
NOT A GOOD IDEA, MAN. HE MIGHT WAKE UP AND CHASE US. BESIDES THEY BOTH STINK.
BOY 1
OK, AS MAMA SAYS LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.
The homeless man (Craig) fluttered one eye and semi opened it, a cracked smile acknowledged having heard the boys, but decided to keep napping despite the morning heat.
Later he decided to arise, sat; cocked one knee and the other straight, sidled sideways to let the railing of the gazebo serve as a back rest. Dug his hands in both pockets and drew ¼ loaf of stale, hard bread and with some green spots. Broke a piece and placed it before the dog, the dog sniffed at it, growled at it, ignored it and sat looking at him. He nibbled at it while fondling the thin gold chain around his neck.
THINKING OUT LOUD. I have been very hungry and down in luck, but I will never sell this, It is my only link to my sanity. Sanity, hah,,,
TEN YEARS BEFORE.
Scene: Night time: Slow close up to a two story house. Inside, the living room with Craig sitting on the sofa; slacks, turtleneck and socks; all alone strumming his guitar.
CRAIG (singing)
♫ FLY ME TO THE MOON, AND LET ME SIT UPON A STAR . . .
At this moment a FLASHBACK. Craig is 12 years old, birthday party around him….
UNCLE
HOW IS MY FAVORITE NEPHEW?
And bringing his hands forward which had been hidden behind his back.
THIS IS YOUR BIRTHDAY GIFT. (Producing a guitar)
SHE WILL BE YOUR FRIEND, ALSO YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER, AND YOUR CONFIDANT. SHE WILL BE WITH YOU DURING YOUR DAYS OF HAPPINESS AND DAYS OF SADNESS. BE GOOD TO HER AND SHE WILL BE GOOD TO YOU.
Fade out to sofa (Craig w/ guitar)
The grandfather clock started to toll ten o’clock. Craig stopped strumming and looked at the clock. As the tenth hour was ringing, he strummed a short Flamenco flurry and stopped. Took the guitar lovingly and placed it inside the case. Carried it upstairs into the room on the right, it was a small office/ studying place for the family. Placed the case on his chair and caressed the case lovingly. Closed the door, came out, opened the second door to their daughter’s room….. she was sound asleep. Went in, kissed her cheek lovingly, and came out and in the third door to the Master bedroom… His wife asleep and snoring lightly.
Friday AM: Kitchen, wife in rollers getting the waffles ready for the daughter, and for Craig.
WIFE
HON! HON! HURRY UP, OR YOU’LL BE LATE FOR WORK.
To daughter… JEEZ, HE IS SLOWER THAN A SCHOOLGIRL.
PATRICIA (daughter)
COME ON MOM, YOU KNOW HE TAKES HIS SWEET TIME TO SHAVE AND MORE TO LOOK AT HIMSELF AT THE MIRROR… HE IS OR AT LEAST HE BELIEVES HE IS A HANDSOME DEVIL.
Both laugh
CRAIG
GOOD MORNING LADIES! Kissing both on the cheek and sitting down at the counter along Patricia
PATRICIA
MOM, DAD. I WAS INVITED BY THE HARRISONS TO SPEND THIS WEEKEND AT THEIR HOUSE. CAN I GO? PLEASE PLEASE.
Mom and dad looked at each other, mom said yes with her eyes.
CRAIG
WELL……. I DON’T KNOW……… IT IS AN HOUR DRIVE TO THEIR HOUSE.
PATRICIA
PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE. (With sad eyes and pouting) I PROMISE TO WASH YOUR CAR ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AS SOON AS WE ARRIVE. OK? PLEASE PLEASE
CRAIG
OH, OK. Patricia stood up and kissed them both.
School bus Horn honking repeatedly, yellow bus visible partially through living room window.
MOM
THERE’S YOUR SCHOOL BUS, YOU BETTER HURRY.
PATRICIA
BYE MOM. BYE DAD, LOVE YOU !
CRAIG (finishing waffles and downing OJ)
GOOD, I HAVE SOME ERRANDS TO DO IN THAT AREA, I’LL TAKE PAT TO THE HARRISONS AT 8 AM, GO TO THE HARDWARE STORE TO GET SOME STORM SHUTTER CLIPS, AND THERE IS A BARBER SHOP THERE SO I WILL GET A HAIRCUT THERE. I SHOULD BE BACK AROUND 3 PM…… WOULD THAT BE OK WITH YOU?
WIFE
PERFECT! (With a strange gleam in her eyes)
AND YOU SHOULD HURRY TOO, YOU’LL BE LATE!
Kiss goodbye at the door.
Once the car goes around the corner, Wife goes to the phone
WIFE
BABY, LONG TIME NO SEE. NOT SINCE MONDAY AND I MISS YOU SOOOOOO….. I NEED TO SEE YOU SOON, ARE YOU COMING TODAY? WE HAVE ALL DAY AND I AM AS HORNY AS HELL!
………………..
I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT BABY, BUT TOMORROW I WILL BE FREE FROM 8:30 TO AROUND ONE…… I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY TO COME TOMORROW; I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU……….. YOU WILL! …… GREAT ! BABY I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW. I LOVE YOU…. NO . . . I LOVE YOU MORE
She went to the bathroom and took a long hot shower, while showering she got excited and started to sensuously touch herself, first the nipples and her hands went downward….
Fade out
Fade In- Craig’s Office Clock in wall shows 3: 20PM.
BOSS
WELL LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND I USE THAT TERM LOOSELY…. ER.. I MEAN IN RESPECT. ALL OF YOU HAVE MET THE QUOTAS THIS QUARTER, SOOOOOOOOO WHAT I DID WAS, INSTEAD OF THE $500 PER PERSON I AM GOING TO GIVE ONLY $100 TO EACH AND WILL RAFFLE A CRUISE FOR FOUR PEOPLE ON THE CARIBBEAN FROM THE MIAMI PORT.
IT COSTS ME MORE MONEY BUT I AM HAPPY THAT ALL MADE THEIR QUOTAS.
IS EVERYBODY IN AGREEANCE, OR IS ANYBODY AGAINST.
All 6 employees looked at each other and neither agreed nor disagreed.
BOSS thinking “Sphinxes”
BOSS
OK, SINCE ALL ARE IN AGREEANCE LET EACH ONE WRITE YOUR NAME IN THESE PAPERS, FOLD THEM IN 8 FOLDS AND PLACE THEM IN THIS PENCIL HOLDER. I WILL TAKE ONE AND DISCARD IT; THE SECOND ONE WILL BE THE WINNER.
AND THE WIIIIIIIINEEEEER IIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS CRAIG! CONGRATULATIONS CRAIG!
Scene: Back to the house, around the kitchen counter again, late afternoon..
CRAIG
WONDERFUL NEWS GANG! I JUST WON A CRUISE TO…. TAA DAA TA TAAAAAAAAA
THE CARIBBEAN!
WIFE
WONDERFUL HONEY, WHEN? Gave him a kiss on the cheek
PATRICIA
FOR ONE WHOLE WEEK? YOU MEAN JUST THE 3 OF US ONE WHOLE WEEK ON A CRUISE SHIP!
CRAIG
YUP. I STOPPED BY THE TRAVEL AGENCY AND HERE IS THE BROCHURE OF OUR TRIP!
IT IS FOR 4 PEOPLE SOOOOOOO, PATRICIA CAN BRING A FRIEND. WE LEAVE ON A SATURDAY FROM MIAMI , FLORIDA WE WILL SPEND SUNDAY CRUISING; MONDAY WE STOP IN LABADEE, HAITI; TUESDAY IN OCHO RIOS IN JAMAICA; WEDNESDAY IN GEORGE TOWN IN GRAND CAYMAN; THURSDAY IN COZUMEL MEXICO; FRIDAY CRUISING AGAIN AND SATURDAY IN THE AM BACK TO MIAMI.
PATRICIA, YOU WILL BE IN CHARGE TO PLAN OUR STAY IN THOSE PLACES, WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO SEE. BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT GOING ALONE, PICK ACTIVITIES SO YOU CAN ENJOY AT YOUR 12 YEARS OF AGE AND ALSO FOR US, THE ELDERLY CROWD.
Fade out Fade in at house door, in the early AM….. Wife waving goodbye to Craig and Patricia. In the background the Grandfather clock was chiming the 8 bells.
Wife went to telephone.
WIFE
HEY BABY, THE COAST IS CLEAR. BE HERE IN 15 MINUTES. I WILL LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN, PARK AROUND THE BACK AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE BEDROOM.
In car;
CRAIG
I ONLY HAD SOME OJ AND I AM HUNGRY. WHAT DO YOU SAY WE STOP AT IHOP?
PATRICIA
OK
At IHOP, on a window table.
PATRICIA
I AM NOT VERY HUNGRY; I’LL JUST HAVE EGGS, SUNNY SIDE UP AND TOAST.
Revealing the oops I forgot face!
DAD, DON’T BE MAD. BUT I FORGOT MY BACKPACK WITH THE VIDEO GAMES I PROMISED SHARON TO BRING HER. CAN WE JUMP BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR A SEC?
CRAIG
OK, NO PROBLEMO. ANYTHING FOR YOU MY DEAR.
Car back in front of the house. Craig leaves car running with Patricia inside and walks fast to the house. Lock not set…… puzzled look. Entered, Clock chimed twice….. rushed up the stairs to Patricia’s room, got her backpack. Clock chiming from afar. Exiting he hears a mumbling sound from the master bedroom. Opens the door and finds his wife and male lover naked on the bed in a 69 position. He stood there for five seconds; they were oblivious to his presence. Bowed head, went to the STUDY and grabbed the guitar.
Down the stairs, Clock chimed again and made a strange whirring sound; he emerged from the house into the car, placing the guitar on the back seat.
PATRICIA
HEY! PLANNING SOMETHING SPECIAL?
CRAIG
NOT YET, BUT YES………. SOMETHING SPECIAL.
He drove on looking pensive and sullen.
PATRICIA
ANYTHING WRONG DAD? YOU SEEM FAR FAR AWAY.
CRAIG
NO,. . . . . . . .. NOT REALLY…..
Scene: Leaving Patricia at friend’s house. Entered the bank and withdrew all the money from his savings and checking account $13,000 plus, in Travelers Checks and $100 bills. Checked himself in at a small motel. Went to a nearby liquor store, bought a 12 pack of cold beer, a bottle of Aňejo Tequila and a newspaper. Went wearily back to the motel room, paced around the room. Sat at the small table, popped a beer can, opened the tequila bottle; took a swig from the bottle and a sip of beer. Another swig and emptied the rest of the beer. Popped another beer and just sat looking pensively at the Tequila bottle, looking at it but not seeing it.
FLASHBACK back to his wife on her 69 with her lover.
Fade out-Fade in. Craig passed out sprawled on the bed, embracing the empty tequila bottle, 12 empty and bent beer cans on the table and floor.
SUNDAY
Back at IHOP. (Red eyed and disheveled) Sitting at the same window table as before. Picking at the pancakes…. Looking but not seeing…. Thoughts in his mind:
WHAT TO DO, GO BACK HOME AND FORGIVE MY WIFE? BULLSHIT! GET AN APARTMENT AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE? PATRICIA, HOW WOULD SHE BE AFFECTED?
I CANNOT GET THE IMAGES OF HER IN MY. . . OUR………BED WITH HER LOVER! WHAT TO DO?
OK….. I’LL GET AN APARTMENT AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE….
OH. . . A GOOD IDEA, INVITE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS, TAKE AND GO ON THE CRUISE. THAT SHOULD CLEAR MY MIND.
Went to a shopping mall and bought some clothes for the next days.
Back at the motel room, another 12 six pack and another bottle of tequila.
Thoughts. GET DRUNK AGAIN TO GET THE IMAGES OFF MY MIND….. GREAT EXCUSE!
Monday at work.
RECEPTIONIST
CRAIG YOU HAVE FIVE CALLS FROM YOUR WIFE AND TWO FROM PATRICIA.
He crumpled them and threw them in the trashcan
At lunch break, he went to a Mall and bought 2 cell phones, drove to Patricia’s school and found her at the Cafeteria. She sprung up and ran to him and embraced each other.
PATRICIA
DADDY, DADDY, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? , WE HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT YOU. I MEAN MOM AND I…
CRAIG
I AM SORRY BABY, BUT I AM NOT COMING HOME ANYMORE.
PATRICIA
WHAT HAPPENED, DON’T YOU LOVE US ANYMORE?
CRAIG
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN EVER, BUT SOMETHING THAT I CANNOT EXPLAIN NOW HAPPENED ….. THAT… I JUST CAN’T.
THIS PHONE IS JUST FOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN US; DON’T LET YOUR MOTHER KNOW MY NUMBER. OF COURSE YOU CAN USE IT FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE, IT HAS UNLIMITED CALLS. BUT DO NOT ABUSE IT PLEASE. (Said with a smile) DON’T BE ON THE PHONE FOR HOURS ON END.
TELL MOM . . . TELL HER THAT I WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE ON SATURDAY MORNING AT 9 AM. ALSO TELL HER THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE MORTGAGE, ALL CREDIT CARDS AND I WILL GIVE YOU SOME SPENDING MONEY EACH MONTH.
ALSO THAT SHE SHOULD GET A JOB……..
I. . . I . . . HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK, I WILL COME BY AND CALL YOU OFTEN.
I LOVE YOU! (kiss)
Back at the Motel, dial clock at 8:45 PM with a 10 empty cans around the floor, ½ bottle of vodka on the side table. Sitting on the bed strumming the guitar, glassy eyes, looking into space not really seeing.
Next morning at work 9:30 AM.
RECEPTIONIST
GOOD MORNING CRAIG, YOU ARE LATE! ARE YOU ILL, OR SOMETHING? YOU DO NOT LOOK WELL.
CRAIG
SORRY, ALARM DID NOT GO OFF. I FEEL FINE, JUST A LITTLE TIRED. But under his breath “FUCK OFF BITCH”
He went to the small cafeteria and got a V8 from the vending machine, took a swig out and looking around, poured a small bottle of vodka in it. Stashed the empty bottle in the trash can, burying it deep. And walked back to his stall, sipping the V 8.
SCENE: Back at Motel, sitting in front of the TV, empty bottle of Vodka, 6 empty and crumpled cans of beer on the floor. Next day late for work, deepened eyes, a bit disheveled.
BOSS
CRAIG, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU, PLEASE COME INTO MY OFFICE.
CRAIG, THIS PAST WEEK YOU HAVE BEEN LATE EVERY DAY, YOUR QUALITY OF WORK HAS GONE DOWN, AND YOU LOOK LIKE CRAP. WHAT IS GOING ON? HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
CRAIG
PERSONAL PROBLEMS. I LEFT MY HOUSE AND HAVE BEEN LIVING AT A MOTEL.
BOSS
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON, YOU LOOK LIKE IF YOU HAD NOT SLEPT IN A LONG TIME, YOU REALLY LOOK LIKE SHIT.
CRAIG
I HAVE NOT BEEN SLEEPING WELL, AN UNFAMILIAR AND HARD BED AT THE MOTEL…..
BOSS
WELL, GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER AND SPRUCE UP.
Scene: Back at the motel, 11 PM….. Crumpled on the bed.
Cell phone on side table starts to flash and vibrate and ♫ Fur Elise theme playing (Patricia’s).
He did not wake up, cell phone rang again and again….. and kept beeping every 30 seconds.
3AM. Lazily and stumbling, got up to pee, when coming back heard the phone beeping…. MESSAGE. Missed calls from Patricia.
Turned the table light on and dialed the Message retrieving #....with some difficulty due to the blurry vision caused by the alcohol consumption..
VOICE
THIS IS DOCTOR CAVANAUGH AT COUNTY HOSPITAL, THERE HAS BEEN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IN WHICH WHOM I BELIEVE ONE IS YOUR DAUGHTER AND POSSIBLY HER MOTHER. I AM USING THE GIRL’S CELL PHONE. PLEASE COME TO THE HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY ROOM AND ASK FOR ME.
Mechanical voice: End of Messages
SCENE: Regular busy E/R….. Receptionist’s window…
CRAIG
EXCUSE ME, WHERE CAN I FIND DOCTOR CAVANAUGH?
RECEPTIONIST
MAY I ASK WHO YOU ARE?
CRAIG
SHE CALLED ME; MY NAME IS CRAIG DONOVAN, ABOUT AN ACCIDENT WITH MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE?
RECEPTIONIST
ONE MOMENT WHILE I PAGE HER.
CRAIG
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? WHERE ARE THEY? WHY WAS I CALLED?
RECEPTIONIST
THE DOCTOR WILL INFORM YOU SOON ENOUGH, PLEASE TAKE A SEAT.
Voice On the intercom
DR CAVANAUGH, PLEASE CALL RECEPTION. DR CAVANAUGH PLEASE CALL RECEPTION
SCENE: Busy E/R two EM teams brought patients in. Craig was getting restless. Went back to the window.
CRAIG
MISS, WHERE IS DR CAVANAUGH, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER AN HOUR. HER MESSAGE DID SOUND URGENT.
RECEPTIONIST
SHE JUST CALLED ME, WE HAVE BEEN SWAMPED AND SHE WILL BE HERE. .. THERE SHE IS. Pointing….
CRAIG- Almost running to her….
DR CAVANAUGH I AM CRAIG DONOVAN, I CAME BECAUSE YOU CALLED ME REGARDING AN ACCIDENT, MY DAUGHTER, WIFE….. WHAT IS HAPPENING? I COULD NOT GET ANY INFORMATION FROM THE RECEPTIONIST. WHAT HAPPENED? ARE THEY ALLRIGHT?
DR CAVANAUGH
MR DONOVAN, AS I SAID THERE WAS A CAR ACCIDENT AROUND 9 PM LAST EVENING, YOUR DAUGHTER PATRICIA, YOUR WIFE AND ANOTHER GENTLEMAN. THEY WERE SIDEWSIPED BY A RIG , THEY TUMBLED, HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THEN HIT THE CURB. I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT ACCORDING TO THE PARAMEDICS THEY DIED INSTANTLY. I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Craig crumbled to his knees sobbing. The receptionist came around the corner and between the two of them could get him up and on a waiting chair.
Craig still slumped on the
chair, hands over his face.... He straightened up and started to
stare blankly….tears pouring from his eyes.
Slowly got up out into the night, head down still sobbing.
Slow fade out;
SCENE: From the inside, eyelids opening up slowly, vision blurry and slowly started to focus, on a spot of light…..eyelids fluttering.
He was on a gurney at the entrance of the E/R. Tried to move but his body did not respond.
A sorry piece of a human. Dirty clothes, no shoes, dirty feet, a ski cap covered his long locks of hair. Long unkempt scraggly beard, skinny, with sunken eyes. A large figure of a baby faced angel with 3 wings on each side hovered over him, with a flaming sword raised above his head as to strike…. Craig yelled in fear……..
A nurse face appeared on his still blurry eyes. Her nose responded to his bad smell.
NURSE
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? HOW DO YOU FEEL?
CRAIG
. . . . . CRAIG.. . . CRAIG DONOVAN. WHAT HAPPENED, WHERE AM I?
NURSE
MR DONOVAN, YOU WERE BROUGHT BY PARAMEDICS ABOUT ONE HOUR AGO. THEY FOUND YOU UNDER THE CONSTITUTION BRIDGE. IT SEEMS YOU ROLLED FROM THE KNOLL TO UNDER THE BRIDGE. A NASTY FALL. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
CRAIG
NOTHING HURTS BUT I CANNOT MOVE. WHAT IS HAPPENING?
His eyes wandered around not moving the head. Regular scene from an E/R.
WHY CAN’T I MOVE? WHERE IS MY GUITAR?
NURSE
THE DOCTOR STILL HAS TO EVALUATE YOU; IT IS POSSIBLE YOU INJURED YOUR BACK IN THE FALL. THE GUITAR WAS FOUND ON TOP OF THE HILL AND IT IS UNDER THE GURNEY. YOUR LABS CAME BACK WITH A VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF ALCOHOL. THAT IS MAYBE WHY YOU DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING.
Started to push him towards the exam rooms.
While waiting. He saw snakes coming out of the light fixtures, snakes of all sizes and colors. He tried to scream but could not. His eyes closed…. Darkness
DOCTOR
MR DONOVAN, MR DONOVAN!
Craig opened his eyes…. Saw the doctors face hovering over him….
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
CRAIG
WHERE ARE THE SNAKES?
DOCTOR
WHAT SNAKES?
CRAIG
THERE WERE SNAKES FALLING FROM THE CEILING.
DOCTOR
WELL, THEY STOPPED. HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
CRAIG
I CANNOT MOVE BUT I FEEL NO PAIN.
DOCTOR
I WILL TOUCH YOU IN VARIOUS PLACES; LET ME KNOW IF IT HURTS.
……… NO PAIN ANYWHERE?
CRAIG
NO
DOCTOR
TO EVALUATE YOU FURTHER WE NEED THE ALCOHOL IN YOUR BLOOD TO COME DOWN. THE NURSES WILL BATHE YOU, CUT YOUR HAIR, SHAVE YOU, AND GET YOU SOME CLEAN CLOTHES. THEN WE WILL START AN IV TO HIDRATE YOU AND BRING THE ALCOHOL LEVELS DOWN AS FAST AND AS SAFE AS WE CAN. THEN WE WILL TALK AGAIN, OK?
ASSISTANT NURSE
Stating to bathe Craig…who fell asleep …. Thinking…….. SHEESH WHAT A SMELL, IT SEEMS HE DIED AND STARTED TO ROT. WHY DO I ALWAYS GET THE CRAZIES AND THE BUMS? At that moment a male nurse came in wielding and snipping scissors.
Craig awoke blinking his eyes, his head was throbbing, his eyes bulged with each throb.. Tried to move, to no avail. The illuminated ceiling started to turn purple with a million dots blinking on their own. Blurry faces started to fall from the ceiling each star would turn into a face and drop fast upon him. He tried to lift his arm to protect his face, to no avail. He closed his eyes shut and fell asleep again.
DOCTOR
HI, MR DONOVAN. ARE YOU FEELING BETTER?
CRAIG
NOT REALLY, BUT I AM SEEING THINGS THAT ARE NOT THERE.
DOCTOR
MORE SNAKES? IT COULD BE DELIRIUM TREMENS, ACCORDING TO YOUR RECORD, FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN A HOMELESS ALCOHOLIC. YOU HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF HOSPITALS FOR VARIOUS REASONS. EVEN ONCE YOU GOT BEAT UP BY SOME HOODLOOMS WHO TRIED TO STEAL YOUR GUITAR. HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT GUITAR TO YOU?
CRAIG
SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME SINCE I WAS A CHILD, SHE HAS HEARD ME SING, HAS HEARD MY PROBLEMS, HAS BEEN MY FRIEND, AND ONE OF MY REMINDERS OF SANITY.
DOCTOR
YOUR ALCOHOL LEVELS ARE DOWN AND STILL YOU ARE NOT FEELING ANY PAIN. NOW THAT YOU GOT CLEANED UP WE CAN SEE SOME BRUISES ON YOUR ELBOWS, KNEES, AND LOWER BACK AREA. WE ARE GOING TO DO SOME MORE BLOOD WORK AND ALSO A CT SCAN OF YOUR BACK…… I WILL SEE YOU LATER. PERHAPS YOU CAN PLAY SOMETHING FOR US? HUH?
Craig smiled weakly
SCENE: Cat Scan being done……
SCENE: Doctor’s face on his eyes.
DOCTOR
HUMMMMMM! MR DONOVAN, IT SEEM THAT YOUR SPINAL CORD HAS SUFFERED IN THE ALLEGED FALL. THAT IS THE REASON THAT YOU DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING AND YOU CANNOT MOVE. IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO HEAL, WE CAN TREAT YOU HERE FOR ONE WEEK, BUT AFTER THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO EITHER HOME OR TO A REHAB CENTER. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY?
At that moment the face of Patricia appeared in his mind, playing in the school recess.
Tears ran from his eyes.
CRAIG
NO, NO FAMILY, NO HOME, NO LIFE, NO NOTHING.
DOCTOR
ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS YOUR ALCOHOLISM HAS BEEN PRETTY BAD, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN SOBER FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS. SOOOOO IT IS GOING TO BE ROUGH FOR YOU. ANY QUESTIONS?
CRAIG
IF IT IS FOR MY HEALTH I WILL TRY NOT TO ESCAPE…. With a smile. AFTER ALL THIS ROBES ARE DESIGNED FOR THAT, WITH THE REAR OPENED….
DOCTOR
To nurse: CALL FOR A PHSYCH CONSULT
CRAIG
A passing peripheral sight of a blue pony with a horn on the snout.
NURSE NURSE! Nurse’s face arriving to his vision span
NURSE
WHAT IS ALL THIS SHOUTING ABOUT? ARE YOU IN PAIN?
CRAIG
NO, NO PAIN. BUT I JUST SAW A BLUE HORSE. . . LOOKED LIKE A BLUE UNICORN.
NURSE
THERE ARE NO ANIMALS IN HERE. MUST BE YOUR DETOX PROCESS. HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED DELIRIUM TREMENS, THE LIQUOR DETOXIFICATION PROCESS?
CRAIG
YES BUT JUST FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THINGS THAT ARE NOT THERE, JUST THE BLURRYNESS, THE PAIN AND THE TREMORS….
NURSE
WELL, THERE ARE DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT DR. CASTILLO WILL BE SOON HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.
Sleep overcame Craig, time passes 8- hours later. Wall clock reveals the time.
DR CASTILLO
Prodding Craig. MR DONOVAN, MR DONOVAN, ARE YOU AWAKE.
Craig opening eyes- Blurry vision, his vision was pounding like a bad headache but no pain just a dull thudding.
CRAIG
YOU ARE THE SHRINK?
DR CASTILLO
WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT?
CRAIG
YOU GUYS ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH QUESTIONS NOT BEING JEWISH.
DR CASTILLO
FAIR ENOUGH. WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
CRAIG
I WAS BROUGHT OVER BY THE PARAMEDICS, APPARENTLY I FELL. BUT I HAVE BEEN PARALYZED SINCE I GOT HERE. DO YOU KNOW WHEN I WILL BE OUT?
DR CASTILLO
Checking his chart….. NO, THERE ARE A LOT OF TESTS TO BE DONE, SOME TAKE SOME TIME TO GET THE RESULTS. IT SEEMS THAT YOU WILL BE OUR GUEST FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WAS CALLED IN TO SEE YOU IN ORDER FOR YOU TO COPE WITH THE ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. EVEN THOUGH. . .. I SEE HERE THEY GAVE YOU SOMETHING TO . . . HUMMMM HUMMMM AHA. HUMMMMMMM.
CRAIG
The Dr Castillo’s face was turning blue and little red horns were appearing all over his face like thorns.
DOCTOR I DON’T KNOW BUT YOU ARE TURNING BLUE AND . . .
DR CASTILLO
AND WHAT?
CRAIG
YOUR FACE SEEMS LIKE THE STEM FROM A ROSE, THORNY
DR CASTILLO
YES……. HMMMMM. HAVE YOU BEEN SAD OR ANXIOUS LATELY?
CRAIG
SAD FOR THE PAST YEARS, YES, ANXIOUS NO… BUT THE PAST YEARS HAVE BEEN BLURRY.
DR CASTILLO
HAVE YOU EVER HAD THOUGHTS OF HURTING YOURSELF OR OTHERS?
CRAIG
EVER SINCE. . . . . .. MY DAUGHTER DIED SOME YEARS AGO…. MYSELF.
DR CASTILLO
HAVE YOU ACTED ON THESE THOUGHTS? HAVE YOU TRIED TO HURT YOURSELF OR HURT OTHERS?
CRAIG
NO, NOT REALLY…. BUT I HAVE BEEN HIDING THE TRUTHS BEHIND MY ALCOHOLISM.
DR CASTILLO
WHAT TRUTHS?
CRAIG
I DON’T KNOW…… FACING REALITY? MY DEMISE? LOSING MY DAUGHTER? MY LIFE?
NURSE
MR DONOVAN WE ARE GOING TO MOVE YOU TO THE WARD. THERE WE WILL START AN IV TO KEEP YOU HYDRATED, AND ALL THE MEDS WILL BE PUSHED THROUGH THE IV. OK?
DR CASTILLO
I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW AND WE WILL TALK AGAIN.
CRAIG
PLEASE DON’T LOSE MY GUITAR.
SCENES: In bed in the ward staring at ceiling….. Fading in and out Day Night Day Night….Clock whirring fast hours passing…..
Two male nurses pick him up from bed and place him in a wheelchair.
MALE NURSE #1
MR DONOVAN WE ARE TAKING YOU TO YOUR FIRST REHAB SESSION.
MALE NURSE #2
I KNOW YOU CAN MOVE YOUR NECK AND ARMS A BIT. LET’S SEE IF YOU CAN SIT UP.
GREAT.! YOU CAN PLACE YOUR ELBOWS ON THE SIDE RAILS AND PROP YOURSELF UP.
MALE NURSE #1
LISTEN, I NOTICED YOUR GUITAR CASE, DO YOU HAVE AN ACTUAL GUITAR THERE OR A MACHINE GUN?
CRAIG
(Smiling weakly) GUITAR.
MALE NURSE#1
CAN YOU PLAY SOMETHING FOR US SOON, OF COURSE WHEN YOU GET YOUR ARMS TO WORK PROPERLY?
CRAIG
SURE
THERAPIST
HI CRAIG, HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY!
CRAIG
GOOD.
THERAPIST
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO WORK IN STRENGHTENING THE HAND MUSCLES. YOU WILL TAKE THIS RUBBER BALL AND SQUEEZE IT STARTING WITH YOUR PINKY WORKING TOWARDS THE INDEX FINGER. THERE YOU GO! GOOD!
TAKE THE BALL WITH YOU AND KEEP DOING THIS WITH EACH HAND UNTIL YOU TIRE, AND CHANGE HANDS. AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE SQUEEZING YOU WILL BEND YOUR ELBOW AND BRING THE FIST TOWARD THE SHOULDER.
ANY QUESTIONS?
CRAIG
NO.
Back at ward doing exercises.
DR CASTILLO
HELLO, MR DONOVAN. SORRY I HAVE NOT SEEN YOU LATELY BUT I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?
CRAIG
GOOD. DO YOU HAVE ANY NEWS FOR ME?
DR CASTILLO
NEWS? ABOUT WHAT?
CRAIG
ME, MY HEALTH, WHEN AM I GETTING OUT? I CAN’T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM THE REGULAR DOCTORS.
DR CASTILLO
ACCORDING TO YOUR CHART YOU ARE DOING WELL. SOME OF THE TESTS ARE STILL NOT BACK BUT… IT SEEMS YOU INJURED YOUR DISKS ,,,HUMMMMMM….. THEY SHOULD HEAL ON THEIR OWN HMMMMMM BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME….. YOUR UPPER LIMBS WILL BE OK SOON; YOUR LEGS ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME MORE TIME. WE WILL TRY TO MAKE YOUR STAY AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. HOW IS THE STAFF TREATING YOU?
CRAIG
PRETTY WELL. EVERYBODY IS ESPECIALLY NICE EVEN THOUGH THE NURSES ARE NOT PRETTY. Laughter.
DR CASTILLO
Pulled up the arm chair closer to the bed. Went around and buzzed the bed to bring the headrest up.
LET ME KNOW IF THIS CAUSES ANY BOTHER….
DONE. Sat….. Craig in a semi sitting position
SO…… YOU SAID THAT THIS GUITAR HAS BEEN WITH YOU A LONG LONG TIME. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT IT.? CAN I SEE IT?
CRAIG
YES TAKE IT OUT OF THE CASE. SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH MY HAPPY TIMES, SAD TIMES, SOBER AND DRUNK TIMES. IT’S COMPANIONSHIP HAS LED ME THROUGH ROUGH TIMES; I WOULD RATHER LOSE A LEG THAN THE GUITAR.
IT WAS A PRESENT FROM MY UNCLE; HE DID NOT HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW USEFUL SHE WOULD BE FOR ME.
DR CASTILLO
IS THAT UNCLE STILL ALIVE?
CRAIG
NO,,,,,, HE PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS 15.
DR CASTILLO
ASIDE FROM THE GUITAR, DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY?
CRAIG
Pensive for a few seconds, looking forward but not seeing….
NO, NO FAMILY…. MY FAMILY DIED SOME YEARS AGO……
DR CASTILLO
DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?
CRAIG
NOT REALLY, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.
DR CASTILLO
OK, I’LL RESPECT THAT. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DRINKING?
CRAIG
OHHHHH, LET ME THINK….. A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE MY FAMILY DIED I HAD STARTED TO D… D… DRINK, I HAD LEFT THE HOUSE DUE TO A PERSONAL PROBLEM. BOILERMAKERS AT FIRST, ANYTHING LATER…
SOON MY WORK STARTED TO SLACK IN PERFORMANCE, I WAS TAKING LITTLE SAMPLE LIQUOR BOTTLES TO WORK TO MIX WITH JUICES AND V8’S TO KEEP THE TREMORS OF THE HANGOVER IN CHECK. STARTED WITH 2 CREPT TO 5.
MY BOSS SAT WITH ME ONE DAY…..
Flashback: At Boss office…
BOSS
CRAIG, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH YOU? I KNOW YOU ARE GOING THROUGH A VERY ROUGH TIME. I CANNOT EVEN START TO IMAGINE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. BUT YOUR WORK HAS BECOME SLOPPY, YOUR TARDINESS HAS GONE OFF THE SCALES, AND I SUSPECT YOU ARE DRINKING A LOT. POSSIBLY ON THE JOB….???
Craig was just looking down not at the boss.
LET’S DO THIS. TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS OFF; GO ON THAT CRUISE YOU WON. THAT MAY CLEAR YOUR HEAD. HOW DOES THAT SOUND?
Craig nodded
SCENE: Cruise Line near the bar, in a chaise lounge near the pool. Area was almost empty.. Large dark glasses, skimpy bathing trunks… Lolling in the mid morning sun. At his side a plastic bucket filled with shaved ice and two FOSTERS beer cans (large-oil cans). He was reading The Adventures of Don Juan Tenorio… his left hand picked the opened beer can, shook it in the air, no sloshing sound (empty) he placed it along the legs of the chair. Took the other can, opened it and poured it into the large plastic cup. Took a large swig and replaced the can in the opening it left in the ice. Pulled a small bottle and poured its content inside the can and the last few drops inside the cup.
PRETTY LADY (ANGELA)
HELLO THERE, MY NAME IS ANGELA, IT SEEMS WE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE EITHER TOO TIRED OR NOT ENTHUSED ENOUGH TO GO ASHORE. She pulled a chair near but not too near.
Craig looked up. Sun shining behind her, he had to shade further his eyes. Blurry vision. Only took a good look when she sat down.. Pretty woman thirtyish, light brown hair up in a pony tail, full length (conservative) bathing suit. Nice figure on the skinny side, large round designer sun glasses, and barefoot..
I SEE YOU ARE FOND OF THE AUSTRALIAN (imitating accent) OIL CANS!
AND THAT IS A NOVEL WAY TO KEEP THEM COLD. The waiter had just arrived.
I WILL HAVE THE SAME 2 OIL CANS IN THAT SAME WAY. To Craig- WILL YOU ACCOMPANY ME? Craig nodded.
THE SAME FOR HIM PLEASE, HERE IS MY CARD. THANK YOU
SCENE: Back at hospital:
CRAIG
LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER LIGHT CHITCHAT WE MADE A DINNER DATE AT THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT, SHE MADE THE RESERVATION VIA OUR WAITER. WE PARTED A LITTLE AFTER NOON TIME AND WENT OUR WAYS. I WAS ALREADY BUZZED SO I TOOK 4 MORE FOSTER BEER TO MY CABIN. SAT ON THE BED AND POURED MORE VODKA FROM THE BOTTLE I HAD BOUGHT AT THE SHIP’S SHOP INTO THE BEER CANS. TURNED ON THE TV SET AND KEPT DRINKING. NEEDLESS TO SAY I MISSED THE DINNER DATE; I PASSED OUT UNTIL NEXT MORNING. I DID NOT SEE HER FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP.
I TRIED TO GO ASHORE IN THE DIFFERENT ISLANDS BUT I JUST GOT TO THE FIRST BAR IN THE WAY AND STAY THERE UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK TO THE SHIP. ONCE I ALMOST MISSED THE BOAT!
I HAD THE NEXT WEEK OFF SO …… I MOVED BACK TO THE HOUSE I USED TO LIVE IN, AND KEPT DRINKING.
SCENE---FLASHBACK: Back at the house…. Breakfast counter but late at night….The place is a mess,,,, old pots and pans everywhere…. Slumped over the counter, an empty bottle of vodka and a half filled glass no ice….. Loud running footsteps. He looks up bloodshot eyes, sunken eyes, through his eyes he sees his daughter running from the living room in slow motion. The grandfather clock was striking twelve chimes. He saw her at the first chime and she disappears on the 12th.
She was dressed the same as that Saturday (IHOP).
She stood in front of him.
PATRICIA In echo like voice
DADDY. . . DADDY . . . WHY ARE YOU SO SAD? IS IT BECAUSE OF MOMMY?
CRAIG (crying)
NO HONEY, IT IS BECAUSE A MISS YOU . . . A LOT!
PATRICIA
DADDY. DADDY. LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
She fades out as the clock struck the 12 th bell.
SCENE: Back to hospital
CRAIG
IT WAS VERY PAINFUL TO STAY THERE, TOO MANY MEMORIES. SO I SOLD THE HOUSE AND MOVED TO A SMALL APARTMENT WHICH I BOUGHT. EVENTUALLY…….. I LOST MY JOB AND IN ONE YEAR OF DRINKING NON STOP, PARTYING, FAST WOMEN AND SLOW HORSES,,,,, I BLEW ALL THE MONEY I HAD INCLUDING THE MONEY FROM THE SETTLEMENT THAT I GOT FROM THE ACCIDENT.
DR CASTILLO
I SEE, HMMMMM, I UNDERSTAND…. I STILL HAVE SOME TIME…. DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REASON YOU MOVED OUT, OR THE ACCIDENT?
CRAIG
NO NO I AM A BIT TIRED, COULD WE GO AT IT AGAIN TOMORROW?
DR CASTILLO
OK … NO PROBLEM. ONE MORE QUESTION. YOU ALWAYS MENTION DAUGHTER AND FAMILY. . . . WHO ARE THE FAMILY?
CRAIG
. . . . . . MY EX . . . AND MY DAUGHTER PATRICIA. NO BROTHERS OR SISTERS NO MORE FAMILY.
DR CASTILLO
OK, I’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
Scene: At therapy….
THERAPIST
YOU ARE DOING VERY GOOD WITH THE 10# WEIGHTS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR ARMS.
AND YOUR TORSO IS MOVING SIDEWAYS REAL GOOD. ON MONDAY WE WILL START SOME THERAPY ON YOUR LEGS. WE LEFT THAT FOR LAST BECAUSE IT IS VERY PAINFUL. YOUR LEGS HAVE BEEN CRAMPED UP FOR SOME TIME NOW AND WE NEED TO STRETCH THEM.
HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING YOUR GUITAR?
CRAIG
NO, I HAVE NOT FELT LIKE PLAYING. WHY?
THERAPIST
IT IS A GOOD EXERCISE FOR THE FINGERS; ALSO IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL.
AND IF YOU PLAY FOR THE STAFF, IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR THEIR SOULS.
IT MIGHT HELP YOU MORE THAN MY THERAPY SESSIONS. (With a big smile and a wink)
Back at the ward. Craig is sitting upright in the bed, strumming the guitar and humming the FLY ME TO THE MOON song.
Dr. Castillo walks in.
DR CASTILLO
GOOD MORNING! SEEMS YOU ARE IN A GOOD MOOD TODAY.
CRAIG
THERAPIST’S ORDERS, BUT YES MY FRIEND HERE HAS HELPED WITH MY MOOD.
DR CASTILLO
GREAT! I SEE THEY ASSIGNED YOU A WHEEL CHAIR, LOOKS BRAND NEW. DO YOU MIND IF I TRY IT? And sat in the wheelchair and wheeled it around, then waited until Craig put the guitar down
TODAY LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX. HOW HAS BEEN YOUR SEX LIFE LATELY?
CRAIG
THAT IS A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD QUESTION. LET ME THINK…… HMMMMM. WELL AFTER I STARTED DRINKING 5-6 YEARS AGO SINCE I HAVE BEEN MOSTLY DRUNK, MY SEX DRIVE WENT IN SLOW MOTION. SOMETIMES I WANTED IT BADLY BUT SCORED ABOUT 1/3 OF THE TIME. . . MOSTLY WITH VIAGRA. ONCE IN THE STREETS, NO PRIVACY, SOME OF THE WOMEN YOU ENCOUNTER WOULD DO SOMETHING FOR 3-5 DOLLARS. THESE PAST WEEKS WHEN THE NURSE WASHES ME DOWN THERE MY MIND RACES WITH SEXUAL IMAGES BUT I CANNOT FEEL ANYTHING FROM THE WAIST DOWN. HOPEFULLY ON MONDAY I WILL START WITH THE LEG THERAPY….MAYBE IT WILL GET THINGS GOING DOWN THERE.
DR CASTILLO
I SEE, HMMMM. WELL YOU HAVE BEEN HERE ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITHOUT A DRINK. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN FEELING?
CRAIG
THE WORST PART OF THE LIVING HELL IS WHEN YOUR ALCOHOL LEVELS DROP DRASTICALLY AND ARE MAINLY OVER. IT’S LIKE THE PANGS OF A BAD HANGOVER; THE HEADACHE, QUEASY STOMACH, TREMORS, CHILLS, THE OVERALL FEELING THAT YOU WANT TO DIE, YOUR HEAD WHEIGHS A TON. . . THOSE FEELINGS ………BUT MULTIPLIED BY 100 TIMES WORSE. I STILL MISS THE LIGHTHEADED EFFECT AND THE FORGETFULNESS THAT THE ALCOHOL BRINGS; I CAN TASTE GIN OR VODKA ON MY WATER AND MY JELLO.
I HAVE BEEN SLEEPING WELL. . . NO NOT REALLY WELL, I WAKE UP A LOT DURING THE NIGHT FOR NO REASON, NO NIGHTMARES, NO DREAMS, NO DESIRE TO PEE. ANYWAY I HAVE THIS BAG HANGING TO COLLECT MY URINE. I FEEL SOMEWHAT DEPRESSED BUT I TRY NOT TO THINK A LOT, THOSE THOUGHTS WERE THE ONES I TRIED TO DROWN BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE LEARNED HOW TO SWIM. Slight laugh…
DR CASTILLO
HOW DID YOU BECOME HOMELESS?
CRAIG
I REMEMBER WHILE IN THE APARTMENT I WAS WITHOUT A JOB, NO WAY OF GETTING ONE WHILE I WAS DRUNK ALL DAY, I EVEN KEPT A VODKA, GIN, OR ANY TYPE OF LIQUOR UNDER THE BED OR ON THE NIGHT STAND, TO TAKE A SWIG IF I WOKE UP.. I THINK I WENT TO LAS VEGAS FOR A WHILE. I AM NOT SURE; IT SEEMED LIKE A BAD B MOVIE. I REALLY LOST TRACK OF TIME AND SPACE. ONE DAY I KIND OF WOKE UP IN A HOSPITAL BED. THE DOCTORS TOLD ME I HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR; HIT AND RUN MIND YOU! SO. . . I HAD A COUPLE OF BROKEN RIBS, HAD BEEN AT THE HOSPITAL FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS UNCOUNCIOUS. I LOOKED AT MY CLOTHES IN THE CLOSET AND COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. THEY WERE DRAB, TORN, DIRTY AND SMELLY. ALSO THE GUITAR WAS THERE. I WASHED THE CLOTHES UNDER THE SHOWER CAREFULLY DUE TO THE PAIN IN MY RIBS. I FOUND $4 CRUMPLED IN ONE POCKET, MOLDY FOOD SCRAPS, AND A BATTERED WALLET WITH MY FADED DRIVER’S LICENCE. THAT SAME DAY A LADY CAME TO ASK A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS FOR THE MEDICAL INSURANCE. ALL WENT WELL UNTIL SHE ASKED MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE. I WENT BLANK. “I don’t know” I TOLD HER. “I don’t have the slightest idea. There is a blank from a while back; I do not remember what has happened or where I have been for quite some time. Last thing I remember was being in Vegas; nothing else. Amnesia?” SHE SAID THAT IT COULD BE ALCOHOLIC AMNESIA.
I WAS WIDE AWAKE THAT DAY, NO WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS,…. SO THAT NIGHT I PUT ON MY STILL WET CLOTHES AND CHECKED MYSELF OUT…., YOU KNOW,…. JUST SLIPPED OUT.
OUT IN THE COLD NIGHT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO. I WALKED AIMLESSLY FOR HOURS UNTIL I FELT THE DESIRE TO DRINK ALCOHOL. TOO LATE IN THE NIGHT TO A STORE TO BE OPENED SO . . . I WENT TO THE BATTERY PARK, THE ONE NEAR THE BRIDGE AND FOUND SOME HOMELESS PEOPLE SLEEPING UNDER CARDBOARDS AND NEWSPAPERS. THE STENCH WAS UNBEARABLE AT FIRST, BUT YOU KIND OF GET USED TO IT. ONE WOMAN UNDER A MAKESHIFT TENT HAD AN ARM OUT CLASPING A MEDIUM SIZED BOTTLE OF WHAT SEEMED LIKE RED LIQUID. TOOK IT FROM HER, SMELLED IT…. I STILL REMEMER THE SMELL….. IT WAS LIKE A MIXTURE OF TURPENTINE AND BOURBON. TASTED IT, NOT TOO BAD. DRANK IT. . .BOTTOMS UP.
SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TO JAIL A COUPLE OF TIMES, HOSPITALS A COUPLE OF TIMES. SOMETIMES SOME VOLUNTEER PICK US UP, WE GET A HOT BATH, A HAIRCUT, A SHAVE, NEW CLOTHES, ILL FITTING OF COURSE, BUT AT LEAST WARM AND A HOT MEAL.
I MADE MY PLACE ON THE STEPS OF THE SAINT LUKE CHURCH, ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE IS A SMALL ALLEY THAT KEEPS WARM DURING THE WINTER. THE PRIEST “PADRE JOSE MARIA”; MEXICAN I THINK; LET ME BE AS LONG AS I DON’T HARRAS THE CHURCHGOERS. SO…… I WOULD STAY AROUND THE STEPS TO THE CHURCH ON THE SIDE OF THE ALLEY AND PLANTED MY FLAG THERE. THE PADRE USUALLY GAVE ME HOT MEAL AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, ….WELL REALLY AT NIGHT. DURING THE DAY I WOULD WANDER TO A NEARBY SMALL SHOPPING AND IN THE FAR CORNER I WOULD STRUM THE GUITAR, WITH THE GUITAR CASE IN FRONT FOR ALMS. I CAN CARRY MANY TUNES, I KNEW MANY SONGS BUT. . . . MY SINGING VOICE WAS NOT AT BEST…. WHATEVER MONEY I MADE WENT FOR ALCOHOL. PADRE JOSE MARIA’S LECTURES WENT IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER… HE WAS, I MEAN IS A VERY NICE PERSON, HE USED TO CALL ME “Mijo”
THAT HAS BEEN MY LIFE FOR THE PAST YEARS, AT LEAST OF WHAT I REMEMBER.
DR CASTILLO
INTERESTING! WELL LET’S WRAP UT UP FOR TODAY, I WILL SEE YOU ON TUESDAY AND YOU CAN TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LEG THERAPY. LISTEN, SINCE YOUR MIND IS CLEARER, CAN YOU REMEMBER SONGS? CAN YOU SING ALONG YOURSELF?
CRAIG
I DON’T KNOW, I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT.
DR CASTILLO
Tapping Craig’s heart… IF THE SONGS ARE HERE………. THEY WILL ALSO BE HERE Tapping the guitar.
SCENE” Craig strumming and singing softly……. Day light…. Night….. day….. night…Clock hands whirring rapidly….
DOCTOR BLANCO
GOOD MORNING MR DONOVAN, MY NAME IS DOCTOR BLANCO. I AM A NEUROSURGEON AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALL THE TESTS TO COME BACK IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. AND I HAVE GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS..
THE GOOD NEWS FIRST. I BELIEVE THAT IF WE IMPLANT A SMALL PUMP TO INJECT A SOLUTION IN YOUR SPINE AND WITH THERAPY THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT YOU MAY REGAIN MOVEMENT OF YOUR LEGS, YOU MAY NEED A WALKER OR A CANE TO HELP YOU WALK BUT IT WILL BE A BETTER SOLUTION THAN BEING TIED TO THAT CHAIR FOREVER. THE OPERATION IS VERY RISKY, THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES, ALTHOUGH MINIMAL OF BLEEDING, INFECTION, DAMAGE TO THE SPINE OR SPINAL CORDS. IN MY OPINION THIS WOULD BE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION. OF COURSE THE DECISION IS YOURS.
CRAIG
WOULD I DIE?
DR BLANCO
WE WILL ALL DIE EVENTUALLY AND AMAZINGLY EVEN THOUGH YOUR ALCOHOLISM AND VISIBLE UNDERNOURISHMENT YOU ARE HEALTHY AS A HORSE AND MAY OUTLIVE ME.
CRAIG
AND THE BAD ONE?
DR BLANCO
YOUR LIVER IS SEVERELY DAMAGED; IF YOU HAVE ONE MORE DRINK . . . IT WILL CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO YOUR LIVER, KIDNEYS AND BLADDER.
CRAIG
WOULD I DIE FROM THAT?
DR BLANCO
NOT REALLY BUT IT IS VERY PAINFUL AND WILL GUARANTEE A LONG STAY IN A HOME, IT MAY INCAPACITATE YOU.
In mind…… Note to self, e mail the shrink about this visit
ANY QUESTIONS?
CRAIG
NO, UNTIL WHEN I HAVE TO DECIDE?
DR BLANCO
FRIDAY. IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO HAVE IT WE WILL MOVE YOU TO A HOME FOR LONG TERM CARE. IF YOU SAY YES …. AFTER THE OPERATION, IF ALL GOES WELL YOU WOULD BE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS THEN TO A RECOVERY/REHABILITATION HOUSE.
CRAIG
Strumming the guitar in the wheelchair. ♫ STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF…..
DR CASTILLO
Craig in wheel chair, hair still wet…… recently shaved.
HELLO, HOW ARE WE FEELING TODAY?
CRAIG
GOOD MORNING TO YOU, I FEEL FINE. GOOD BREAKFAST, AND NICE THREE ESSES.
DR CASTILLO
THREE ESSES???
CRAIG
YUP, A SHIT A SHOWER AND A SHAVE!
DR CASTILLO
THAT’S A NEW ONE FOR ME. ANYTHING NEW HAS HAPPENED THAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
CRAIG
WELL A DOCTOR CAME YESTERDAY AND OFFERED AN OPERATION TO PUT A PUMP FOR MEDICATION FOR MY SPINE. I AM THINKING ABOUT IT.
DR CASTILLO
WHAT IS TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES.
CRAIG
IF I DO IT THERE MAY BE COMPLICATIONS, I GUESS IF THE KNIFE SLIPS I CAN BE PARALIZED FOR LIFE. BUT I F I DON’T, I MAY BE PARALIZED ANYWAY…
DR CASTILLO
SO. . .. … IT SEEMS THAT THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES ARE THE SAME. BUT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WALK WITH THE OPERATION AND THERAPY.
HMMMMM, DOCTOR BLANCO SENT ME A MESSAGE STATING THAT HE MAY BE A LITTLE WORRIED BY YOUR STATE OF MIND. WHAT I GOING ON?
CRAIG
WHAT ARE YOU REFERING TO?
DR CASTILLO
YOU ASKED HIM OF POSSIBILITES OF DEATH.
CRAIG
Pensive for a while MAYBE MY MAIN IDEA ALL THE TIME THESE YEARS IS OR HAS BEEN TO KILL MYSELF; BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE COJONES TO DO IT.
I HAD A GOOD LIFE, A JOB, A . . . FAMILY. I HAVE BEEN HIDING BEHIND THE BOTTLE FOR A LONG TIME. FAMILY. . . . HAD A FAMILY. . . WIFE CHEATED ON ME AND NOT BEFORE LONG SHE AND MY DAUGHTER PATRICIA DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER THAT MY LIFE WENT DOWNHILL…..
Pensive for a while….. YOU KNOW IT’S FUNNY, YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME OUT BUT NEVER HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE MUMBO JUMBO OF WHAT I SHOULD DO, WHAT I SHOULD THINK.
DR CASTILLO
I BELIEVE THAT THINGS TEND TO RESOLVE THEMSELVES. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES ARE THE STEPPING STONES AND GIRDERS OF THE FUTURE. THE MIND CAN TAKE YOU WHERE YOUR BODY CANNOT.
SCENES: Surgery, Therapy, song practicing around other patients and staff in the recreation rooms. He was moved to a long term care facility. Dr Castillo visited him and also participated his singing.
SCENE: Outside the facility, shaven, clean clothes, carrying the battered guitar case. He puts his hands in his pockets and found just 5 $1 bills. Shrugging he started to walk, still a little wobbly and with a cane.
SCENE: Back to St. Luke’s Church, but in his spot he saw Madeline another homeless…. Lowered his head and kept walking….. Arrived at a small plaza with a gazebo near City Hall and the St Mary’s Cathedral. A Carrillon announced Noon time.
He sat on a bench and watched the surroundings. Children playing, doves taking flight around the running children, couples in other benches……… He got up walked to the gazebo, sat on the stairs, placed the guitar case in front of him, slowly took the guitar out and left the case opened in front of him….. started to strum the guitar……
CRAIG
♫ Raindrops keep falling on my head………….
People walking by, leaving tips inside the case… Quarters, dimes, dollars….. For every tip he would smile and thank with a gesture…..
Time passes, his hair grows, clothes get dirtier……… Background music……♫ I’ll never fall in love again……..
Back to present… to the gazebo
CRAIG
HEY DOG, LETS GO GET SOMETHING BETTER TO EAT. LET’S SEE, TO WHICH RESTAURANT SHOULD WE GO? HOW ABOUT PUERTORRICAN FOOD? Dog wags tail.
OK LET’S WALK TO THE ALLEY BEHIND THE “OLD SAN JUAN” RESTAURANT.
SCENE: Scavenging for food in the dumpsters behind the restaurant…..
SCENE: Back at the gazebo…. Raindrops….far away thunder…. Drizzling……
VOICES
HELP! HELP! STOP HIM! STOP HIM! HELP! HELP HELP!
He saw down the street a tall white man, running towards him. Behind a fat policeman with his gun drawn running and puffing….
POLICEMAN (KEITH)
STOP, STOP, OR I’LL SHOOT! FREEZE!…. POLICE!, FREEZE!
The man passed by Craig who pushed his guitar case with his foot in front of the running man. The man tripped, stumbled, and fell. Stunned tried to get up but he was slipping in the wet slick pavement; and stumbling… The policeman arrived, grabbed him by the scruff of the neck; pushed him down and cuffed him..
POLICEMAN
YOU ARE A HERO CRAIG! Puffing and huffing
NEWSPAPER PAGE 4:
“Spectacular arrest by policeman Keith Williams. Alleged robber Maurice Radner had held up at gunpoint a busy MC Donald’s restaurant two blocks from City Hall. Following on foot under heavy rain for two blocks, agent Williams finally arrested him with the help of a homeless person. Mr Craig Donovan the local known homeless guitarist at St Mary’s Plaza’s gazebo. Good citizens like Mr. Donovan. . .. “
SCENE: Back at the Gazebo. Craig sitting Yoga like strumming the guitar in the middle of the Gazebo, Raining Cats and dogs…. He heard the Porta-Toilet door slamming and running steps towards him above the rain noise Keith the policeman ran in, shuddered, took of his raincoat and shuddered again… Shook the raincoat and took his cap off….. shook it. Pulled out a paper bag a little wet.
KEITH
DAMNED RAIN! ITS COOOOOOLLLLLLLDDDDD……. HI CRAIG, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING, HERE I BROUGHT YOU A TURKEY SANDWICH. STILL WARM… AND A T BONE FOR YOUR DOG. BYTHE WAY WHAT IS THE DOG’S NAME?
CRAIG
DOG, HIS NAME IS DOG. THANKS FOR THE FOOD; THE RAIN HAS STOPPED US FROM GOING TO THE USUAL RESTAURANTS…. Chuckled…
He kept playing the guitar at low volume….back ground
KEITH
THAT’S FUNNY …. Looking out…HEY IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS TODAY.
CRAIG
YUP, I GOT MINE…..BUT IF YOU FIND A LABRADOR LET ME KNOW! (laughter)
DOG----- whimpered
KEITH
YOU ARE ABOUT THE ONLY HOMELESS PERSON THAT I HAVE NOTICED THAT DOESN’T DRINK OR DO DRUGS. HOW IS THAT?
CRAIG
I STOPPED DRINKING ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO (DOCTOR’S ORDERS), AND I HAVE NEVER DONE DRUGS, NOT EVEN IN SCHOOL I SMOKED A JOINT. NO NEED. BESIDES FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, WHERE THERE ARE DRUGS, THERE IS VIOLENCE AN SORROW.
KEITH
SCHOOL, HEH,,,,,, HOW FAR DID YOU GO IN SCHOOL?
CRAIG
FINISHED UNIVERSITY AND GOT MY BA IN MARKETING/
KEITH
YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER IF I STEP INTO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE… BUT…. WHAT HAPPENED????
CRAIG
LONG STORY SHORT…. HAD A LIFE, A JOB, FAMILY….. LOST IT ALL….. ALL I HAVE LEFT IS THE GUITAR…. (ended with a Spanish flurry)… AND DOG. AND A TURKEY SANDWICH, THANKS TO YOU.
KEITH
ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP?
CRAIG
NOT REALLY. I HAVE BEEN WANDERING FOR SO LONG THAT THIS HAS BEEN MY LIFE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.. I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO… I KNOW I SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BUT . . . ONE…. I DON T CARE…. TWO… DON’T KNOW WHAT NOR HOW….. THIRD, I DON’T CARE
Rain lets up,,,, Keith leaves…..
SCENE: Craig strumming the guitar, some dollars in the guitar case,,,, no shadows… Carillon music. Beautiful day, park is full, children, elderly folks, lovers,,,,,,,,
RAVI
To Craig>>>>> SIR SIR…. EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU MR CRAIG DONOVAN?
Craig nodded without stopping playing the guitar….
RAVI
SIR, YOU DO NOT REMEMBER ME? I AM RAVI WILSON, I AM A REAL ESTATE AGENT AND YOU CONTRACTED MY SERVICES TO SELL OR RENT YOUR APARTMENT. DO YOU REMEMBER?
CRAIG
(Stopped playing, looked puzzled)
NO, NOT REALLY…..
RAVI
AROUND TEN YEARS AGO YOU CONTRACTED ME TO EITHER SELL OR RENT YOUR APARTMENT. HERE IS A COPY OF THE CONTRACT. …………… REMEMBER NOW?
CRAIG
NO,,, BUT…….. WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?
RAVI
WELL, I DID NOT SELL THE APARTMENT BUT DID RENT IT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF YOU FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. I DID GET OFFERS TO BUY THE APARTMENT BUT SINCE I COULD NOT CONTACT YOU I DECIDED TO KEEP THE APARTMENT RENTED UNTIL I COULD FIND YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER. I RENTED THE APARTMENT WITH 5% INCREASES PER YEAR. I HAVE KEPT THE COMMISSION THAT WE CONTRACTED, ONE MONTH’S RENT PER YEAR AND I HAVE SET UP AN ESCROW ACCOUNT FOR YOU.
CRAIG
HOW DID YOU FIND ME?
RAVI
NEWSPAPER … SOME DAYS AGO, THE NAME WAS FAMILIAR SO I LOOKED IT UP ON MY DATABASE. I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, THE AMOUNT IN THE ACCOUNT IS AROUND $140,000 AND THE APARTMENT COULD BE READY FOR YOU AS SOON AS YOU WANT IT….OR NEED IT. I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION SO I WILL BE BACK TOMORROW IF YOU LIKE TO SEE WANT YOU DECIDE TO DO, IS ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU?
CRAIG
…………….. NO……. NO HMMMMM I .. . I. . . I. .. HAVE TO THINK THINGS OVER…. BUT BUT THANKS ANYWAY….. SEE YOU TOMORROW, SAME TIME?
His past life fast forwards in his eyes. He petted DOG….. Strumming the guitar,……Close up of his face. A single tear.
THE END
Fade out and credits roll
The author also publishes in Spanish, please Google his name.
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