Sheffres,+Michelle

Movie Madness Screenplay

Fade in: Courtroom people are seated

Cut to: guards bring in Robert he is in handcuffs and takes his seat he looks straight ahead at the judge

Charlotte is in the first row and looks very worried, then cut to Charlotte seated on the witness stand.

Cut to: district attorney asking first question to Charlotte (shot of DA asking the question)

What was Robert like when you met him? (quick snapshot of Charlotte)

Flash back: Robert and Charlotte on their wedding day, soon after they are living in a very friendly community. She gets a job at the Nursing home. After a year together they have twins. (she see these images quickly flash before her) __**HOW DO YOU SHOW THIS? YOU NEED MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EXACTLY WHAT THE AUDIENCE SEES**__

Charlotte: We got a long well for a few years. We have two kids and work hard to support our family. We also live in a very nice community. I have a great job at the nursing home.

District attorney asks: Do you remember a time when you noticed Robert behaving strangely, or differently then he usually would? And if so, when did Robert start to act strange?

Flash back: Robert: (to his family and friends) I have cancer and am planning to go away. He starts to go to the Nursing home during the day to harass Charlotte. __**I'M NOT SURE THIS MAKES SENSE. WHY DOES HE DO THIS? HIS BEHAVIOR NEEDS A FULLER EXPLANATION,AS DOES THE DESCRIPTION OF THE HARASSMENT**__

Charlotte: Well… (she crosses found him acting her legs and adjust her skirt nervously) Over the course of the past year I have much different than in the past.__**THERE ARE WORDS MISSING IN THE PERVIOUS SENTENCE**__ He has a very short temper now and seemed __**VERB TENSE**__ to always get impatient with the kids, which wasn’t how he used to be.

District attorney asks: Is there any thing you remember specifically about Robert?**__SHE OBVIOUSLY REMEMBERS A LOT OF SPECIFICS ABOUT ROBERT. I'D STICK WITH ONLY THE NEXT QUESTION.__** Has he said any thing that seemed strange to you?

Charlotte: Yes, He told all of my friends and family that he had cancer and was going away.

District attorney: When did he tell you that? Charlotte: Only about two weeks before… Flash back: Charlotte is in the nursing home standing at a patient’s bedside, __**(RUN-ON)**__she hears loud gunshots and screaming. She runs to the door and slams it shut. Then she takes a nearby chair and blocks the door.

District attorney: Only about two weeks before what?

Charlotte: Before the shooting

District attorney: Has Robert ever been violent with you or your kids?

Charlotte: No, not that I can remember

District attorney: Did you know that Robert was keeping guns in your house?

Flash back: Charlotte putting laundry away in closet shelf. She then discovers shotgun hidden under clothing in Roberts closet. She carefully carries the gun into the kitchen where Robert is sitting. Charlotte: what is this?**__(CAPS)__** They begin to fight.

Charlotte: Yes, we had a huge fight because I found a gun in his closet about to __**(SPELL)**__ years ago. I made him get it out of the house because I didn’t want guns in the house around my children.

Cut to: District attorney turns and walks towards his table and presents a shotgun into evidence.

District attorney: Was this the gun that you found in Roberts closet? **__(PUNCTUATION)__**

Charlotte: No, but I cannot be positive **__(PUNCTUATION)__**

District attorney: Did you see Robert remove the gun from your home?

Charlotte: No, I just assumed he would have done what I asked him to.

District attorney: When did you last see Robert before the day of the shooting?

Charlotte: The week before, he came to drop the kids at home after they went out to dinner

District attorney: How would you describe your relationship with Robert now?

Charlotte: We have been separated for about six months

District attorney: Why did you separate?

Charlotte: He lost his job about a year ago and would never leave the house. He became very depressed and was not looking for a job. I started to have to pay all of our expenses. He also stopped taking care of himself like he had fully given up. He was really withdrawn….

Flashback: cut to Robert sitting in living room chair, TV blaring, he is very disheveled. Charlotte enters with a bag of groceries, she sees tons of dishes in the sink, she asks Robert for help with bringing in the groceries. Robert does not respond. Charlotte walks towards the chair where Robert is sitting, she picks up the remote, and shuts the TV off. It is clear she is very frustrated with him – she turns to look at him, and he has tears running down his face. __**RUN-ONS AND PUNCTUATION PROBLEMS**__

District attorney: Which of the two of you decided to separate?

Charlotte: I did **__(PUNCTUATION)__**

District attorney: How did he take that?

Charlotte: He begged me not to kick him out but I had to because it was the best for all of us. I couldn’t keep watching him act like this, especially around our kids.

Flash back: Robert: Please don’t make me leave you. I love you and the kids. Where am I going to go? I have no money for anything! I promise I will get a job.

District attorney: Do you have anyone who supports you or helps you __**DURING**__ this difficult time?

Charlotte: Yes, my life has changed completely and it will take some getting used to. I have needed some support because I am very worried about my kids future.**__(PUNCTUATION)__**

District attorney: Have you ever been afraid of Robert?

Charlotte: yes **__(PUNCTUATION AND CAPS)__**

District attorney: When did you first start to be afraid of him?

Charlotte: Well…. ever since I found the gun in his closet and he began to loose __**(SPELL)**__ his temper more often.

District attorney: Has Robert ever shown up unexpectedly at work?

Charlotte: Yes, he came to the nursing home a few weeks before the shooting.

District attorney: Did he go to see you or a patient?

Charlotte: Me **__(PUNCTUATION)__**

District attorney: What did Robert say to you when he came to the nursing home?

Flash back: Robert walks into nursing home, he looks angry. Robert: I have no money for anything and no place to go now that you threw me out of the house!

Charlotte: well….um…he was very angry with me and yelled at me for kicking him out of the house. He is upset because I left him with no place to live and no house. __**(VERB TENSE AND CAPS)**__

District attorney: What did you say to Robert after he was done yelling at you?

Charlotte: I told him that I had no other choice and that it was the best for everyone.

District attorney: Did he leave the nursing home after you told him this?

Charlotte: Yes, soon after but he was still very upset.

District attorney: Have you ever called the police on Robert? Or filed a restraining order against him?

Charlotte: No never. **__(PUNCTUATION)__**

District attorney: That will be all for now. Thank you Charlotte

Cut to: Charlotte’s mom (June) is called to the stand

District attorney: Have you always liked Robert?

June: No.

District attorney: Have you always __had your dislikes__ __**(AWKWARD)**__ for Robert?

June: well…I have always found that there is something strange about him **__(PUNCTUATION AND CAPS)__**

District attorney: Did Charlotte ever say to you that she was afraid of Robert?

June: ah…yes I believe she has told me that before **__(PUNCTUATION AND CAPS)__**

District attorney: When?

Flash back: Charlotte: (on the phone with June) I am so worried because Robert has been acting strange lately. June: How? Charlotte: Well…he gets mad almost whenever the kids and I are talking to him. I am scared for the kids.

June: About a year before the shooting Charlotte called me very upset and told me that his temper was not like it used to be and that she was scared for her kids.

District attorney: Are you and Charlotte close?

June: Yes we tell each other everything.

District attorney: That will be all for now. Thank you June.

Cut to: June walks off the stand slowly

Cut to: Rebecca Goldberg (Charlotte’s friend) is called to the stand.

District attorney: Has Charlotte ever felt like Robert was stalking her? __**YOU MUST EXPLAIN HER RELATIONSHIP TO THE CASE TO THE AUDIENCE**__

Rebecca: yes **__(PUNCTUATION AND CAPS)__**

District attorney: When?

Rebecca: A few weeks before the shooting when he came into the nursing home.

District attorney: Was this the same day that Charlotte was talking about?

Rebecca: Yes

District attorney: When you last spoke to Charlotte, what was the conversation about?

Rebecca: Well…I called her because I had a question about work

District attorney: What was the question?

Rebecca: Umm…Charlotte is a nurse and I work in the office on her schedule. A few weeks ago, I didn’t know if she was going to be working at the nursing home every day the following week. I left early that Friday and forgot to ask her.

District attorney: Did she call you often about Robert, seeking support and guidance?

Flash Back: Charlotte calls Rebecca (she is crying) Charlotte: I am scared to leave my kids with Robert because his temper gets out of hand. What should I do Rebecca? Rebecca: Well…how long ago did he begin acting strange? Charlotte: About two months ago. Rebecca: Charlotte I am sure he is just stressed out about work and takes it out on you and the kids. Try to hang in there because he will get better. Charlotte: I know but he said he might loose __**(SPELL)**__ his job soon.

Cut to District attorney: (interrupts) Rebecca please answer the question.

Rebecca: oh sorry sir…yes she often called me and needed support.

District attorney: Can you explain what one of the calls was about?

Rebecca: Well, one time she told me that she was very scared to leave her kids alone with Robert and that his temper was getting to be very bad. __THIS FEELS REPETITIVE.PERHAPS SHE CAN ADD SOMETHING NEW FOR THE AUDIENCE__

District attorney: What did you say to try and help her?

Rebecca: I told her that everything was going to be ok and Robert would get better.

District attorney: The day of the shooting had you talked to Charlotte?

Rebecca: Yes.

District attorney: Where?

Rebecca: We were at the nursing home.

District attorney: What was the conversation about?

Rebecca: well...it was a very short talk but just a regular conversation that we would have early in the morning before getting to work.

District attorney: Did Charlotte seem her every day self?

Rebecca: Yes.

District attorney: Did you talk to Charlotte after the shooting?

Rebecca: No

District attorney: Did you leave soon after the event occurred?

Rebecca: The police asked me a few questions and then I left because I was petrified. I saw Charlotte talking to a few other policemen when I left.

District attorney: Ok that will be all for now, thank you

Cut to: Rebecca walks away looking at her feet

Robert (Charlotte’s x-husband) **__WE KNOW THIS__** is called to the stand.

District attorney: How long were you and Charlotte separated before the shooting at the nursing home?

Robert: (mumbling) about three months **__(PUNCTUATION AND CAPS)__** District attorney: Do you feel that you were giving Charlotte a hard time?

Robert: No

District attorney: Did you ever harass your kids when Charlotte wasn’t with you?

Robert: No

District attorney: Did you have a feeling you were going to loose __**SPELL**__ your job before you were fired?

Robert: No

District attorney: That is strange because Charlotte explained that you told her ahead of time that you might be fired. Is this true?

Robert: No I worked very hard for my company and it was their fault for firing me.

District attorney: I heard that you started to slack off a lot at home. Is this true about work as well Robert?

Robert: No

District attorney: I think we are finished here. Thank you Robert

Cut to: Court room full of people

The jury exits court room along with the judge

Words appear on the screen soon after: __30 minutes later__

The jury and judge take their seats

The head of the jury announces that they have reached a verdict

The courtroom is silent and faces looked __**VERB TENSE**__ nervous

Cut to Judge: The following victim __**WRONG WORD:TRY DEFENDANT**__ Robert Stewart is found guilty

Cut to: Everyone gets up to leave and heads for the front door.

Cut to: Robert gets up from table and is taken away in handcuffs

Scene Change: Rebecca sits on the steps outside staring into the sun waiting for Charlotte

Charlotte leaves the courtroom and opens the door to outside

Rebecca stands up to give her a hug

Charlotte has tears running from her face

Rebecca: Everything is ok now there is nothing to worry about **__RUN-ON AND PUNCTUATION__**

Charlotte: I don’t know if I am better now or if my life is going to be worse

Rebecca: (looking confused] You and Robert were already separated long before his trial

Charlotte: Yes but what about the kids and their future?

Rebecca: You have family and friends to help support you and we will take it one step at a time to get used to this big change

Charlotte: I know but thank you so much for all of your help and for coming today

(Charlotte and Rebecca walk towards the parking lot)

Rebecca: I wouldn’t miss it and they needed me

Charlotte: (chuckles) Ok well I better get back home for the kids

Rebecca: Ok I will call you tomorrow.

Charlotte: I am trying not to get so overwhelmed and to just take baby steps toward getting back into my life

Rebecca: yes and you were doing great before and after the shooting so I know you can now!

Charlotte reaches her car and opens the front door, she gets in and turns the keys (from the window she waves to Rebecca and they smile at each other)

Rebecca: Goodbye!

Cut to: Charlotte pulls out of the parking lot and feels good about herself

Scene change: Just then Rebecca gets a call (it is from Charlottes mother June)

June: I wasn’t able to talk to charlotte after the trial but I am sure you did. Was she ok?

Rebecca: Yes we had a talk as we walked to her car and she had a good plan to get her life back in order

June: Ok great thank you so much you are a big help Rebecca. I think that this event has changed a lot of people’s lives. My good friend knows someone who was very upset when they heard this report on the news. The woman is now thinking about taking her father out of a nursing home and caring for him herself at home. I think that is terrible.

Rebecca: I think Charlotte will be fine I am going to call her soon. I just think she needs a little time to slow her life down and think. She is very overwhelmed because this has all happened so fast for her.

June: I agree

Charlotte shuts her phone and gets into her car (she breaths out heavily at the thought of how hard it is for Charlotte) she drives away

Fade out: The back of Rebecca’s car and the screen goes black