Ray of Sunshine
PRODUCTION SCRIPT 5
by Clifton D. Cardin
FADE IN
EXT - STONEBRIDGE STREET - NIGHT
Perfectly manicured lawns, a sprinkler system running, and various autos parked on the street indicate tranquility. There is a person sitting in one of the parked cars. A figure lurks in the shadows. The silhouette of DON hiding behind a hedge, watches the following action.
INT - PAUL'S CAR - NIGHT
PAUL WEBER is an older man. Years of experience wrinkle his face. He patiently watches the night. His eyes show no emotion as they penetrate the night's darkness in search of prey.
INT - TREVOR'S TRUCK - NIGHT
In this vehicle sits TREVOR BILLINGSLEY, who is younger with a shaved head and fu Manchu beard. He is a bull dog, stocky and strong.
They are on stakeout watching for the Southside rapist. The vehicles are their personal cars because they don't want to tip off the rapist to the stakeout. Adorning Trevor's truck is a Confederate Flag sticker.
Trevor yawns, checks his watch, then picks up a radio off the seat of the truck. He keys the radio and talks into it.
TREVOR BILLINGSLEY
(into radio)
4:30 a.m. Nothing yet!
INT - PAUL'S CAR - NIGHT
Paul Weber reaches onto the seat and picks up a thermos and pours coffee into a Styrofoam cup. He takes a sip and winches at the pain. Static comes over his radio. He adjusts the volume so that he can hear Trevor.
PAUL WEBER
(into radio)
Partner, this is what police work mostly is, hours of surveillance and pounding the pavement with shoe leather.
TREVOR BILLINGSLEY
(voice over)
Cut it out. Eight years on the force — I know a little about police work. I don't mind the hours, especially if we catch the black ass buck that's raping these white women.
Paul catches the racist remark and decides to prod his young protege.
PAUL WEBER
(with a sarcastic smile on his face)
I thought you liked your women like your coffee? Black and strong!
INT - PAUL'S CAR - NIGHT
TREVOR BILLINGSLEY
(voice over)
I don't even like coffee, let alone black women.
PAUL WEBER
The only thing awake this time of night is the sprinklers and coons.
TREVOR BILLINGSLEY
That's what we're lookin' for!
PAUL WEBER
No, the kind that digs through the trash, with the tails.
A third person interrupts their conversation.
RADIO - POLICE CHIEF BARRY PARKER
(voice over)
Okay guys, lets cut it out and keep your eyes on the job.
INT - POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Police Chief Barry Parker is in the control room of the rape investigation squad. The walls behind him are covered with photos, notes, and memos of the rape investigation.
CHIEF BARRY PARKER
(into radio)
Remember, be on the look out for a tall black man, brown hair, brown eyes, dressed in dark sweats. We haven't figured out yet how he's gaining access to the houses, but we know it's not by forcible entry.
EXT - STONEBRIDGE STREET - NIGHT
Just then a tall dark image comes into view. It is RAY EVANS, a tall black man dressed in dark sweats. He jogs toward the police cars, unsuspecting.
INT - TREVOR'S TRUCK - NIGHT
TREVOR
(keys radio)
Possible suspect sighted! Paul, be on your toes.
Ray Evans turns the corner. He gets closer and closer to Trevor. Trevor barks into the radio.
TREVOR
Paul, if you will block him from your end, we'll take this guy down.
INT - TREVOR'S TRUCK - NIGHT
Trevor turns on the headlights almost blinding Ray. Ray covers his eyes protecting them from the bright lights.
EXT - STONEBRIDGE STREET - NIGHT
As Ray protects his eyes from the headlights he also slows his running and moves aside assuming the car wants the right of way. Trevor stops in front of Ray, and Paul parks behind Ray.
Paul opens the door to his car, pulls a revolver, and points it at Ray.
PAUL
Hold it right there.
Ray is shocked by the second car and turns in disbelief, facing Paul and away from Trevor.
RAY EVANS
What?
Trevor bolts from his car rushing toward Ray.
Ray holds his hands up in surrender.
Trevor rushes in and bulldogs Ray to the ground. As he does he whispers into Ray's ear.
TREVOR
(whispers)
Get down, n….
(spits)
Boy!
This enrages Ray. He begins to fight Trevor back. As Ray looks up he sees Paul holding the revolver pointed at him. Trevor puts his knee into Ray's back.
TREVOR
Quit resisting!
Ray tries to talk, but Trevor is pushing Ray's head into the dirt, and Ray's voice is muffled.
RAY EVANS
(muffled voice)
Paul holsters his gun and moves in to help Trevor. Paul helps Trevor hold Ray's hands while Trevor quickly handcuffs Ray. Soon Ray cannot breathe and gives up fighting.
Trevor turns Ray over.
RAY EVANS
Dammit man! I couldn't breathe.
TREVOR
Ya want to tell us now about all the rapes?
RAY
I have not committed any rapes. What are you talking about?
TREVOR
Ya know what I'm talking about. Four women in five weeks, all in this subdivision. What, ya got something against white women. Black women ain't good enough for ya.
RAY
(clinching his teeth)
I am not a rapist. If you hadn't been shoving my face into the dirt, you would have found out I've been an FBI agent for the last 14 years. I have a badge in my wallet.
Trevor reaches into Ray's back pocket and pulls out a wallet. When he flips it open, it has a badge.
TREVOR
Is that how you gained entry to the houses? Ya flash a fake FBI badge, and they let you in?
RAY
(getting loud)
Aren't you listening? I am an FBI agent.
TREVOR
No ya not. You're a tall black man, brown hair, brown eyes in a white neighborhood.
Just then a third car pulls up. Police Chief BARRY PARKER quickly gets out of the car.
TREVOR
(to Chief)
We caught him, Chief. We got him before he committed another rape.
Barry Parker walks over and looks at Ray.
CHIEF PARKER
Anyone got a flashlight?
Paul reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a flashlight which he hands to the Chief. Barry Parker shines the flashlight into the face of Ray. Ray guards his eyes from the bright light. (We still haven't seen Ray's eyes yet.)
Barry Parker shakes his head "no." He motions to Trevor.
CHIEF PARKER
Trevor, come here.
Trevor gets next to Barry and Ray.
CHIEF PARKER
Every one of the rape suspects described the rapist as a tall dark man with brown hair and brown eyes.
TREVOR
So!
Chief Parker shines the flashlight into Ray's face. Ray's green eyes come clearly into focus. Trevor is apparently shocked. He reels from the mistake he has made.
CHIEF PARKER
Trev, take the handcuffs off Mr. Ray Evans.
Trevor takes the handcuffs off.
TREVOR
How do you know his name, Chief?
BARRY PARKER
You've been hounding me for weeks wanting to know who I was going to hire as the newest detective? Well, meet your new partner, Ray Evans. He has fourteen years experience with the FBI and just moved here this weekend.
Trevor begins to fumble, realizing the mistake he has made. He extends his hand to Ray to shake.
CHIEF PARKER
Ya might want to apologize while you're at it.
TREVOR
I'm sorry. I didn't realize!
CHIEF PARKER
Mr. Evans, uh, what can we do to make up for this mistake?
Ray rubs the raw skin on his wrist where the handcuffs were chafing him. Ray looks directly at Barry, almost ignoring Trevor.
RAY
Just keep this bulldog off me.
CHIEF PARKER
Mr. Evans, you're free to go. I hope this doesn't change your mind about coming to work for the Police Department.
RAY
I'll be there Monday morning. If nothing else, just to teach this guy how police work should be done.
Ray still rubbing his raw wrist hesitates, jogs off into the darkness. Don, the dark shadowy figure watches.
