the art of persuasion
DESCRIPTION
Screenplay for a short filmTRANSCRIPT
1 EXT. MIAMI BOAT DOCKING AREA - DAWN
It’s a clear and sunny morning in Miami with the sun
reflecting on the calm waters near the harbor. A luxurious
yacht is docked nearby.
2 INT. LIVING ROOM OF YACHT
JANE SAUNDERS is sitting on a couch, paralyzed, with only
her eyes seen moving. Her son BEN, with bruises on his
face is tied to a chair while JAMES STEWART is seated
facing towards BEN’S mother.
JAMES
Oh Jane, do you see what you’ve
caused. Now an innocent person
like your son has to suffer as
well. Of course, you don’t care.
You make so much money out of
other people. It sickens me
looking at you.
BEN
Please...just let my mom go,
you’re killing her.
JAMES
Ben, you’re mother has done
something extremely stupid, but
if everything goes according to
plan. I’ll let you go.
3 EXT. HARBOR - MORNING
The Miami Police Department’s SWAT team and negotiator
unit is on the scene preparing to make contact with James.
TOM HARRISON, captain of the negotiator unit is standing
next to the SWAT commander PETER ELLIOT close to the
police vehicles.
TOM
So, what is the situation?
PETER
Well, do you know Jane Saunders?
TOM
No, never heard of her.
PETER
She’s one the best attorneys in
the country. She and her son Ben
is being held hostage on this
yacht, which is hers by the way.
Anyway, we received a phone call
half an hour ago from this man.
Peter handing Tom a photograph of the suspect.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
PETER
His name is James Stewart, 35
years old. He’s a medical doctor.
He told us that he’s holding them
captive. And he continued by
saying that if her husband wants
to see them alive again we’re
gonna have to do as he tells us.
TOM
Well we’ve got ourselves a normal
hostage situation then.
PETER
We’ll see about that. Ask Amy how
far she is with establishing
communication. You’re gonna have
to start talking to this guy.
4 INT. SWAT NEGOTIATION UNIT VAN
Tom inside van with headphones on his head getting ready
to talk to James.
AMY
Alright Tom it’s ringing.
ON JAMES
He answers his cellphone.
JAMES
Yes.
TOM
Hi. This is Tom. Are you Mr
Stewart?
JAMES
Yes I am.
TOM
Good I’m phoning on behalf of the
Miami police department. You
phoned us earlier saying that you
have Mrs Saunders and her son
with you and that you wanted to
talk to us.
JAMES
Yes. Yes. I did. Tell me. Are you
the man that can make a lot of
things happen for me.
Tom showing a slight grin on his face.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
TOM
Well, I can only do the things
that are possible. I’ll try my
best. First just tell me is Jane
and Ben still doing okay?
JAMES
They’re both still alive, that’s
the most important thing. Of
course there is one thing I
should mention. I’ve injected Mrs
Saunders with Pavulon. Do you
know what that is?
Tom looking concerned.
TOM
I am not aware of what Pavulon
is, no.
JAMES
Pavulon is a drug that causes
muscle paralysis. She can’t move.
She can’t express herself. And
for a woman who sure talks a lot,
she can’t even open her mouth. My
point is that she’s got about
three hours to live. Could be
less. Ultimately she’ll die
because of respiratory arrest.
There is a slight pause. Tom now looks worried. He also
takes a glimpse at his watch.
TOM
Okay, what is it that we can do
for you?
JAMES
My father is in jail because of
Jane. And she made sure of it.
And I want him released. I want
him brought here. Today still.
TOM
What is your father’s name?
JAMES
It’s George. And while we’re at
it, I want him to get immunity as
well, so no one can touch him.
And Tom you have less than three
hours left. Jane is depending on
you.
James ends the call abruptly.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
Tom looks down at the desk, slowly taking off the
headphones and turns to Peter.
TOM
This guy is not gonna break. He
clearly knows what he wants. Do
you have your team ready?
PETER
They’re ready. We’re just not
clear if he has any weapons on
him. Are you telling me this is
it? You’re not gonna keep on
talking to him?
TOM
There might be something we can
try. Amy I want you to find
someone in the department that
looks similar to James’ father.
We can use this person as a
decoy.
PETER
Is that the best you can come up
with Tom. We have a woman in
there. She’s dying. If Stewart
figures out anything suspicious,
who knows what the hell he’ll do.
TOM
You don’t have another plan. You
just said you don’t even know if
he’s armed. Look, it’s worth a
shot.
PETER
Alright.
5 INT. LIVING ROOM OF YACHT - ONE HOUR LATER
James is looking out of one of the windows with his arms
behind his back. He then walks into Ben’s direction and
suddenly his phone rings.
JAMES
Good news or bad news.
ON TOM
TOM
Your father’s here.
George’s decoy can be seen.
James is content but suspicious at the same time. He
quickly goes to a window to get a closer look at his
father.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
JAMES
I didn’t think you’d pull it off
that quickly. What about the
immunity? I want a copy of it
sent to my phone.
TOM
It will be ready. It’s being
signed by the senator as we
speak. Look James you need to
understand. I’ve done my part.
Your dad’s here, but I need
something from you now. Will it
be possible for you to release
Ben?
James takes his time to answer and looks at Ben.
JAMES
Okay. I can do that. I’m coming
out now.
6 EXT. ON THE YACHTS DECK
ALEX MONROE, one of the members on the sniper team has a
clear view on James who’s holding Ben at gunpoint as he
exits a door on the left of the boat.
PETER
Monroe, if you have a clear
shot.Take him out.
ALEX
Affirmative Sir.
As James takes his final steps. A loud gunshot goes
off.James falls to the ground and Ben in complete shock,
gets down on his knees.
PETER
Get paramedics on the boat now!
After a few minutes Tom heads to the yacht and on to the
scene where James was shot. He walks up to James’ body,
and stops to take a look at his face. He stares at him for
a while, also showing a regretful expression. He then goes
through the door that heads to living room, all in a
hopeful manner. He enters the living room.
TOM
How is she doing?
MEICAL TEAM MEMBER
She didn’t make it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
TOM
Impossible, there’s still time
left.
The medic shakes his head. Tom gets a quick glimpse at
Jane’s face. In shock he realises that she really didn’t
survive. Tom leaves the scene without talking to anyone.
7 EXT. OUTSIDE THE POLICE STATION - AFTERNOON
As Tom heads to his his car, getting ready to go home, he
walks into Peter.
PETER
You haven’t said a word all day.
You know that you shouldn’t feel
guilty about anything that
happened today.
TOM
A son lost his mother today. I
can only imagine what’s going
through his right now. If we only
had a little more time.
PETER
The boy is safe Tom. Now go home
and spend some time with your
family.
TOM
Of course I will. Just need to
process all of this. Anyway, see
you tomorrow.
Tom sitting in his car, letting his mind drift off for a
few seconds...he eventually starts the car, puts on his
sunglasses and drives off.
FADE OUT.
THE END