Sides for Chuck & Jim, Gemini Casting Call, April 15th, 2009, Downtown Lansing Library Auditorium

27. EXT. DARK HIGHWAY – NIGHT

Chuck’s headlights move alone down a dark road.

28. INT. CHUCK’S CAR – NIGHT

Chuck’s cell phone rings on the passenger seat. Caller I.D. pops up as “Charlie.”

Chuck looks down at the phone. He picks it up, a little confused.

CHUCK
So did I forget something?

29. INT. BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS

Jim is on Charlie’s cell phone, looking at himself in the shattered mirror, comparing himself with Charlie.

JIM
You tried to. Hey, Dad.
It’s your son.

INTERCUT BETWEEN THE BATHROOM AND CAR.

CHUCK
(confused)
Charlie?

JIM
Wrong son.

Chuck’s eyes go wide and he slams on the breaks.

30. EXT. DARK HIGHWAY – CONTINUOUS

Head lights pull to the right as the car screeches to a stop, crossing both lanes.

31. INTERCUT BETWEEN THE BATHROOM AND CAR.

Chuck is horrified and sweating.

32. Jim looks at Charlie’s pills, then dumps them in the toilet. He starts to shave in the shattered mirror.

CHUCK
Jimmy-

JIM
(serious)
I prefer ‘James,’ father.

CHUCK
Okay...James-

JIM
I’m just fuckin’ with ya. How’s
The drive away from home? Pretty
Far by now?

CHUCK
Son, what have you done?

JIM
It’s what I’m gonna do, Chuck.

CHUCK
Son, don’t...wait, I can help, I can-

JIM
Oh, like you did before? By
drugging me up so I was so numb
I didn’t know who the hell I was?
Is that how you help your boys?

CHUCK
I didn’t know what else to do!

JIM
So you just abandoned me. Me. The
One who could actually admit what
Happened! The one who was dealing
With it! ME!

CHUCK
You were sick, son! You were becoming
Dangerous to yourself and others!

JIM
So you solution was to lock me up and ignored me!? Then cover it up and lie
about it until everyone forgot I existed?!
What a great plan, Dad. I mean,
What the fuck?! Talk about insane!

CHUCK
Son...I...

JIM
Tell me Dad...what would Mom think
Of all this?

CHUCK
Oh, God. Son...I’m sorry. I’m so
Sorry.

JIM
You could have just let me die.
When you had the chance. Now? Now
I want to live. I want what you
Took from me. I want his perfect life!

CHUCK
(in despair)
No.

JIM
And I want to fuck it up!

CHUCK
NO!!

JIM
I’m disappointed, Lieutenant. You
Never say “no” to a hostage taker. Especially when he’s crazy.

CHUCK
Son, you don’t have to do
This. It’s not his fault. And its
Not yours either. It’s mine. Take
It out on me!

JIM
Oh, I will. After I’m done with his
Family.

CHUCK
Stop this! Stop yourself, dammit!

JIM
Not an option. Do you know how long
It took to claw my way out of that...
hole? How...hard it was to get here?
I’m finishing this.

CHUCK
Son, wait-

JIM
Bye, Dad.