Power Play
Episode #14 : Everything is Broken
Written by : Glenn Davis and William Laurin
Revised Pink Script June 14, 1999
Starring :
Michael Riley as Brett Parker - Kari Matchett as Colleen Blessed - Gordon
Pinsent as Duff McArdle
Dean McDermott as Mark Simpson - Caterina Scorsone as Michele
Parker
Normand Bissonnette as Al Tremblay - Krista Bridges as Rose Thorton
Jonathan Rannells as Todd Maplethorpe
Brought to you by : Genevieve <powerplayfan@g2creations.qc.ca>
Sorry for the typos, most pages were scanned...
TEASER
PREVIOUSLY ON POWER PLAY:
We begin with a high-powered montage of season one, concentrating on
the events of Episode Thirteen, and the consummation of Brett and Colleen's
relationship, and Duff's awaking with the pithy question, "What the hell
was that?"
BLACK SCREEN
1 INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Colleen dresses, not looking at Brett as he poses on the bed like a Roman,
a bed sheet wrapped toga-like around him.
END TEASER
ACT ONE
2 INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Brett and Colleen are on the bed. Colleen breaks off their kiss.
You see the look on Colleen’s face as she realises something.
As we close in on Colleen’s devastated face we jump
to
3 INT. COPPS COLISEUM - MORNING
The Steelheads are in practice as a reporter standing by the ice tells
it like it is.
REPORTER
The wheels are coming out here in Hamilton, and the situation is nothing less than desperate. As the rumours fly, the Steelheads are on their way to Seattle. The team is now under the complete control of Harry Strand, one of the most intense and controversial personalities in the game.
Strand slap shots a puck to the reporter’s camera.
The players huddle on the ice in front of Strand,
except for Shakey who remains in front of his net.
Shakey joins the others players, obviously in pain.
STRAND (CONT'D)
Gentlemen... as of this morning, Brett Parker is gone, and I am in charge. This is how Joseph Stalin must have felt, the morning after Lenin died.
TODD
You mean John Lennon, Coach?
STRAND
No, Mister Maplethorpe. I mean Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, founder of the Soviet State.
TODD
'Cause people were really bummed when John Lennon died.
STRAND
(significantly)
Stalin murdered all of Lenin's friends, and remade Mother Russia in his image. Something you should think about, gentlemen... on your way to Seattle...
The team files off, with two Steelheads helping Shakey. As Mark Simpson passes, however, Strand steps in his way.
STRAND (CONT'D)
Not you. Captain Simpson. We should have a word, now that I rule the roost… and your deal is almost over.
SIMPSON
Talk to my agent.
STRAND
Of course. I assume you're with a large firm...
SIMPSON
My wife represents me.
STRAND
Does she? I think I heard that. How many players does she have in all?
SIMPSON
Just me.
STRAND
A sound idea. That way, other clients don't distract her. Child care might, but I'm sure she prioritizes. She's another one of those Harvard Law grads, isn't she?
(Simpsy glares)
Oh no, sorry. Harvard MBA? She must be tough.
SIMPSON
She's from Kirkland Lake.
STRAND
A hotbed of brilliant business achievement. It'll be all I can do to deal with a woman like that... who's proved herself so often.
Simpson leans in on him.
SIMPSON
Tell you what, Strand... say anything you want to me. But leave my wife out of it.
STRAND
Anything? Good. You see those pucks out there. Captain Simpson? Ten dozen practice pucks?
SIMPSON
Yeah...
STRAND
Pick 'em up.
SIMPSON
Pick them up?
STRAND
Laziest player picks up the pucks.
SIMPSON
Laziest player....
STRAND
You don't like it... have your agent call me.
Harry picks up a pail of pucks from the bench and
dumps them on to the ice.
STRAND (CONT'D)
And don't forget these extras... Captain. I'll go tell the others you'll be late for the showers. I know how they look forward.
And Harry smiles charmingly and walks off, leaving
an enraged Mark Simpson alone on the ice.
4 INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Colleen hurries around the room, finding her earrings, collecting her
electronics (cel phone, pager, etc.) She is both purposeful and absent,
as though vigorous activity will mask a growing sense of hurt and disaster
within her.
BRETT
What? What did I do?
COLLEEN
Well, I actually thought this was different... but you Cheated, lied, seduced... pretty much the usual.
She heads briskly for the door.
He's right. Colleen goes over there and starts unwinding
her pantyhose from an arm of the chair.
COLLEEN
Gee, look at this... something you weren't lying about.
BRETT
Colleen, listen to me.
(he grabs her)
I know what you're thinking. But this was not a strategy. It wasn't a move. I swear to you, I only slept with you because I...
COLLEEN
You what?
BRETT
I, you know, I... (he can't say "love you") ...wanted to.
COLLEEN
And not because you'd get your job back.
BRETT
Come here. Look in my eyes. Deep as you can. Tell me what you see.
COLLEEN
Nothing I want to see... just that old chattering engine of deceit you call a soul.
(she sits on the bed)
Turn around.
BRETT
No. I like the way you look...
COLLEEN
Turn around.
BRETT
What if you shoot me?
COLLEEN
Parker... I'm unarmed.
BRETT
Don't kid yourself.
But he turns around anyway. She struggles
to get the panty hose back on, but it's futile. She jumps up, bursting
with frustration, and stuffs the hose into a pocket of her suit.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Colleen, I know what you're thinking. And pan: of it is true. The old Brett Parker would have done anything to get what he wanted. But you have to understand... that guy is dead. I'm a totally new person now.
COLLEEN
Oh yes, of course - You waved a magic wand and changed yourself.
She is walking out. Brett is panicked, and
bursts out :
She starts to walk out. Brett makes a desperate
move.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Plus he's... you know ... he's dead.
COLLEEN
(dead in her tracks)
I see. And was he... dead... when he spoke to you?
BRETT
Well... yes.
COLLEEN
Okay... good. Now you're seeing ghosts. So I'm just going to go... nice and quiet...
BRETT
No... listen. He's not a "hooo" ghost... He's more like a ... I don't know... Maybe I just kind of imagined him. But he was smart, Colleen. He knew all this stuff about... how I should take this time I have... we all have, and fill it with love.
COLLEEN
(drinking this in)
Oh, that was good. You had me going there for a second. This is just a tactic, right?
(beat)
Parker.
She crosses to him suddenly, puts her arms around
his neck, and leans in close. He is mesmerized, overwhelmed
by need.
COLLEEN (CONT'D)
I am-going to ask you a question. I want you to answer it straight from... from that shrivelled, grasping, little never-changing heart. Any evasion, no matter how tiny... and I will leave your life forever. Do you understand?
(he nods)
Alright then. Last night... when we were... together... did you, at any time... really see me naked?
This gets a long pause from Brett. A pause
of... what? Desire? Confusion?
And she PUSHES him full force with both hands, sending
him sailing back on to the bed. Before he can get up she rushes to
the door, and slams it shut behind her.
5 INT. THE STEELHEADS DRESSING ROOM - DAY
After practice. The players are out of their equipment, moving
in and out of the showers.
The exception is Shakey, who sits in front of his stall, still in his
pads, legs extended, trying not to show the serious pain he is in.
Todd is also still in gear, because he has been watching Shakey.
Finally, he lumbers over.
Todd reaches down to unlace a pad, but this is a
bad idea. Shakey spasms in pain and hits Todd in the head.
The punch hurt. Todd has to shake his head
to clear it.
SHAKEY AL
Sorry, Todd.
TODD
That’s okay. You hit like my sister.
SHAKEY AL
I don’t fight a lot.
TODD
No, my sister can hit. That was a pretty good shot. I’m gonna go get you a trainer, okay?
He gets up but Shakey takes his arm.
SHAKEY AL
No, Todd. This knee has been rebuilt twice. The last time they told me there’s nothing left if it goes again, so…
TODD
Maybe it hasn’t gone.
SHAKEY AL
Strand hates me, Todd. I can’t show the maudit chien sale any weakness, so go back and sit down. And don’t touch the knee again.
TODD
Okay, Shakes, it’s your knee.
6 INT- COLLEENS OFFICE -
DAY
Colleen enters her office.
She is very surprised to see Duff standing behind
her desk.
Colleen walks over to Duff and hugs him.
DUFF (CONT'D)
And don't take that the wrong way, Just cause l got my p-j's on under the great coat.
COLLEEN
You do?
DUFF
No time to change. I came straight from the hospital to the shop. Something's up.
COLLEEN
Nothing's up.
DUFF
Says you. Something strange woke me out of that coma, Coco. Some big... emotional disturbance. Some psychic wave. It was like this story my mother used to tell...
Colleen starts walking him out of the office.
COLLEEN
And I'm sure it's even more interesting when you're rested, Duff...
DUFF
My uncle Elmer had been real sick. Hot that he was the picture of health to begin with. He was wall-eyed, you know, poor fella. And he had webbed toes. Anyway, my mother bolts awake one night to see Elmer standing at the foot of her bed... weaving around, like, and sort of undulating. He looks straight at her… as straight as he could, anyway, with the wall eye and all... and he says... "I had to go, Agnes. I'm sorry, I had to go". She shut her eyes and went back to sleep. Next day, we got the news.
COLLEEN
Don't tell me... He was dead.
DUFF
Hell, no. He busted out of the hospital and got a snootful at some bucket of blood. Then he hit our place, lost control and relieved himself, right there in the room. Anyway, the point is, my mother thought there was some… psychic event at first. Just like whatever woke me up this morning. Something has happened. Something big.
COLLEEN
Nothing happened.
DUFF
You're selling to Seattle.
COLLEEN
Like you told me to. And it's the right decision, Duff. It's a tremendous deal. Seventy million, net of debt, all in cash, and in your desperate financial condition you can't walk away from it.
DUFF
Seattle should've been Canadian, you know. Belonged to the Hudson Bay Company until the Brits traded it away. What's Parker say about it?
COLLEEN
He says nothing. He resigned.
DUFF
Resigned.
(beat)
Squashed him like a June bug on the windshield, did you?
COLLEEN
More or less.
DUFF
Well, I'll miss the little fella. He had hair like a dead man, but loads of energy.
(beat)
Delay the deal, Coco.
COLLEEN
I can't. The banks are moving, and—
DUFF
I need a day or two –
COLLEEN
Look, Duff... I don't think you should dive right back into work like this. You've been sick. You still have pyjamas on.
DUFF
Big talk for a woman with her stockings in her pocket.
Colleen looks down at herself. Her pantyhose
do indeed peek out from a pocket of her suit.
He leaves her alone. This day is not working
out.
7 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE - DAY
Dishevelled and disoriented, Brett slips into the house. Michele
comes running from the living room, calling out:
MICHELE
Hey… don't go!
BRETT
I'm not.
MICHELE
Not you.
(yelling out the door)
Hey... ...Why did my cab drive away?
BRETT
He just dropped me. That was my cab. Call your own.
MICHELE
I did. It's late.
BRETT
What do you need a cab for?
MICHELE
Because you forgot you were driving me to the airport, Brett. I'm leaving this morning. Remember?
(off his blank look)
For school - In England. The London School of Economics?
BRETT
Oh... right.
MICHELE
All that sex must have wiped your memory.
BRETT
What sex?
MICHELE
With Colleen.
BRETT
What? That is the most outrageous—
MICHELE
You didn't come home, you're in the same suit, and you have the vacant stare of a man who had sex all night. I'm assuming with Colleen. Unless it was someone you’re not in love with...
BRETT
I don't love Colleen.
MICHELE
(this is too much)
Fine.
BRETT
I mean, I'm not saying I don't love her...
MICHELE
(picking up her bag)
I have a plane to catch.
BRETT
It's just complicated. Who can even say what love is, right?
MICHELE
Not you, apparently.
BRETT
(mounting anger)
I mean, I show her how I really feel, I finally get what she feels, we're honest with each other for the first time in our lives, then bang, she shuts right down the minute she wakes up. What the hell do women want, anyway?
MICHELE
Well, this one would settle for a little attention.
BRETT
(ignoring her)
Tell me. What do you people want?
MICHELE
A little awareness that I exist.
BRETT
(unaware)
On behalf of all women, you, Michele Parker, will now tell your father, Brett, exactly what the hell he's missing here.
MICHELE
Alright, alright.
(trying to put it into words)
Basically, the only big thing is –
BRETT
(interrupting)
I mean, it's not like I don't listen. I'm a wonderful listener.
A car horn sounds outside. Michele glances
out the door.
She picks up her suitcase. He grabs
it from her.
BRETT
You haven't told me.
MICHELE
I have a flight.
BRETT
(holding the suitcase away from her)
Oh, no. You're not going until you tell me what women want. Even one thing. Just tell me one small, lousy thing that women want.
MICHELE
Not to be controlled, Brett. Or feel used.
She grabs the suitcase from him angrily, then stops,
collects herself -- she doesn't want to leave in anger -- and opens the
door.
She starts to leave, then turns back. They
give each other a hug and then she pulls away and goes. Brett is
left alone, watching her go.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
8 EXT. COPPS COLISEUM - DAY
Exterior shot of Copps Coliseum.
9 INT. STEELHEADS OFFICE – CONFERENCE ROOM -
DAY
Duff and Colleen enter a conference room.
COLLEEN
I’ve put everything on hold for 24 hours, but the league is asking questions and Seattle is very nervous. We can’t hold them –
DUFF
Maybe we won’t have to.
Sheila Copps was waiting for them in the conference room. She gets
up.
They sit down at the conference table.
SHEILA COPPS (CONT’D)
So… you’re the young woman who wants to move our team to Seattle.
COLLEEN
(feeling uneasy)
I don’t want to move the team, economic conditions are dictating that I do, Ms. Copps.
SHEILA
Sheila.
COLLEEN
Sheila. It has nothing to do with what I want.
SHEILA
I understand that you’re from Hamilton.
COLLEEN
Yes, born and raised. But that doesn’t really change my job, with the dollar so low, and our TV market so small, McArdle Industries can’t afford to keep the team here --
DUFF
Coco, Sheila is making small talk, no need to be defensive. And now the minister and I are going to have a bit of a chin wag… alone.
COLLEEN
Alone?
DUFF
Just some old time Hamilton stuff.
SHEILA
Duff and I go back a long way, he’s a national treasure.
COLLEEN
That’s one way of putting it.
Colleen gets up to leave.
10 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE
- DAY
Brett is moving around his living room while talking on the phone.
BRETT
What? I don’t know. How should I what colour? You’re the florist, you tell me. … Okay then. Yellow…. It means what? … Friendship? No, we don’t want that.
He is moving from couch to couch.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Okay, forget that. I don't like her much. She's kind of infuriating. What do I send if I'm in love with someone but I don't actually like them? Red? Okay, good. Send red.
(looking down at himself)
Hey, you don't know how to get champagne stains out of a dress shirt, do you? ...Thanks anyway.
He goes to hang up, but a strenuous voice on the other end stops him.
BRETT (CONT'D)
What? ... Oh god, I don't know. Don't I have an account with you people? ...Okay, credit card, I guess. If I can find it. ...Yeah, my assistant normally does this for me. ...Renata, right. But she went on tour with Ashley MacIsaac. I'm kind of lost without her.
Brett is searching through his wallet for a cradit card as we CUT TO...
11 INT. THE SIMPSON HOUSE - DAY
Rayanne sits on the couch, surrounded by papers, calculator in hand.
Simpsy moves restlessly around the room.
RAYANNE
The housing market's higher in Seattle, but mortgage interest is deductible. So it's almost a wash. I can't believe we might have to move...
SIMPSON
Picking up pucks. I know what Strand is doing.
RAYANNE
Then you can beat him.
SIMPSON
Everywhere he goes, he destroys the captain. That way, the team is all his.
RAYANNE
Don't let it get to you. That's what he wants. Don't react.
SIMPSON
Well, I didn’t until he…
RAYANNE
What?
SIMPSON
Said something about you.
RAYANNE
He can say anything he wants. I give him carte blanche. Just don't react.
SIMPSON
I just wish my contract wasn't up at the end of the season, that's all. I mean, I am Hamilton. I have value here. In Seattle, I'm... meat on skates. Strand knows that. I just wish...
He stops himself. But there is an awkward
pause, and we know that RAYANNE knows what he was going to say.
RAYANNE
You wish you had a real agent to protect you.
SIMPSON
No, I don't. It's just, you know...
RAYANNE
(hurt)
I am a real agent, Mark.
SIMPSON
I know that.
RAYANNE
I negotiated the biggest deal of your life.
SIMPSON
Yeah, and it was great. But that was Ray Malone...
RAYANNE
Who wasn't made of butter...
SIMFSON
No, but. . . I mean, come on, Rayanne, it's not like you went to Harvard
RAYANNE
But I went to Sault Ste Marie for you when we were still teenagers. I went to Adirondack your first year of pro. I know you, and I love you and I... and I don't know why I'm defending myself to you...
SIMPSON
Me either. Let’s just chill, okay? We can’t let this come between us.
RAYANNE
Leave it to me, I’m not only your agent, I also control your plans for the evening
12 INT. THE STEELHEADS
DRESSING ROOM - DAY
Shakey is sitting with an ice pack on his knee when Strand enters.
STRAND
So, how is the knee?
SHAKEY AL
Never better.
STRAND
Excellent. You’ll play tomorrow night. It’s my debut as overlord in Hamilton and I plan to shine. Play well, and you may win some time on this team, Mr. Tremblay. Failure, on the other hand… Well, failure will allow me to follow my instincts in regards to your future. A bientôt, mon ami.
Strand leaves the locker room, leaving Shakey alone
to think about what’s been said.
13 EXT. COPPS COLISEUM - NIGHT
Exterior shot of Copps Coliseum.
14 INT. COLLEEN’S OFFICE - NIGHT
Colleen enters her office and is greeted by red roses in a vase on her
desk. She walks over to take a closer look. A few seconds later,
Brett enters her office and shuts the door.
She points at the paper shredder.
He turns it on.
Colleen takes a rose and begins feeding it to the
shredder.
Brett turns the machine off.
She turns the shredder back on and puts another
rose through it. Brett turns it off again.
Colleen walks behind her desk, sits in her chair
and pretends to get back to work. She just wants him gone.
He is standing next to her as he says
BRETT
Yes! This is the new Brett Parker. No more lying, no more spinning. I need the truth, I want the truth, I crave the truth –
COLLEEN
(almost yelling)
Then here it is!
(a pause... and then:)
I made... a mistake. I thought our surface similarities might, and I mean might, extend below the surface.
BRETT
And they do.
COLLEEN
And they do not. Listen to me, Parker. I live a life, I have a heart, and they are separate from my business. You do not understand that separation. When you woke up and thought you had your job back, we were over.
(this is hard)
You used me. When you connected me to your career, the door inside my heart went slamming shut. And I will not open it again. Not if I had cholera and you were standing outside with the cure.
BRETT
I don't have a cure. I have the truth.
COLLEEN
What you have is no heart, no move, and no chance of deceiving me again. And so for the last time, Parker, for the very last time in my life... good night.
And she walks out. Brett is left, helpless
in her office for a moment. Then he pursues her out.
15 INT. THE STEELHEADS OFFICE AREA – NIGHT
Brett hurries out from the office. There is no sign of Colleen.
Brett yells into the empty office:
BRETT
You want to see a move, Colleen? You want to see a guy who still has moves? Watch this -- Renata!
(no answer -- of course)
Damn it.
He crosses to Renata's desk and thumbs urgently
through her Rolodex. He finds what he' s looking for, and stabs a number
into the phone.
BRETT (CONT'D)
Yeah, I need to book a flight to New York. ...No, no, no return. One way... straight back to my life.
And off his broken-hearted fury and determination,
we FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
16 INT. COPPS COLISEUM - DAY
The game-day skate is under way. Harry Strand leans against the
boards by the bench, calling out to the players.
Colleen enters, moving to the bench. Strand crosses to her.
STRAND
Ms. Blessed. How refreshing to see you in this swamp of desperation.
COLLEEN
I got your message. What's so urgent?
STRAND
I've had a conversation with our friends in Seattle. They're nervous. Very nervous.
COLLEEN
Tell them not to be. I'm pushing this thing through.
STRAND
But Duff McCardle is pushing back. I happen to know he met with a very powerful cabinet minister yesterday.
COLLEEN
Sheila Copps. They're old friends.
STRAND
The most dangerous relationship in politics. Perhaps Duff is cashing a chit?
COLLEEN
What do you mean?
STRAND
A chit. A statement of something owed. From the Hindu word "cittha". That, in turn, comes from the ancient Sanskrit word—
COLLEEN
What’s your point?
STRAND
That there is enormous pressure in this country, Miss. Blessed, to stop the loss of our national game to the predacious American public.
(yells to Simpson on the ice)
Simpson move your ass!
(back to Colleen)
The Steelheads would prove to be an ideal test case for… federal support.
COLLEEN
And that would kill the Seattle sale.
(as she leaves)
I’ll talk to Duff.
STRAND
He’s out of town.
COLLEEN
He can’t be, he always tells me –
STRAND
He’s in Ottawa. The first thing I install when I come to power are my spies.
COLLEEN
I’ll remember that.
STRAND
Adieu.
COLLEEN
Adieu.
17 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Brett is packing as we hear a knock on the door. He opens the door, it’s
Rose.
He shuts the door quickly. She knocks again,
more insistent, and he answers again.
He closes the door firmly. We hear Rose, muffled,
from the outside.
He opens the door again. She is surprised
by this, and continues hesitantly…
ROSE (CONT'D)
I, uh... don't like it when people lie to me...
BRETT
It's not a lie, Rose. I no longer care what The Hamilton Spectator says. I am kicking the snow off my shoes and blowing this burg.
ROSE
Beg pardon?
BRETT
I'm going back to New York.
ROSE
So don't you want to reflect on your time here? Say what you think about the people, the place?
BRETT
Don’t tempt me.
ROSE
Parker, I am tempting you, though.
18 INT. COPPS COLISEUM PARKING
- NIGHT
Simpson and Rayanne arrive in a pick-up truck.
19 INT. SIMPSON'S PICKUP TRUCK - NIGHT
Rayanne is in the driver’s seat.
RAYANNE
Okay, have a good game
SIMPSON
Thanks.
RAYANNE
We’ll talk later, okay?
SIMPSON
I’m trying to get ready for the game, Rayanne.
RAYANNE
I know, that’s why I said later.
SIMPSON
But you had to bring it up, didn’t you? You always remind me of everything and then say we’ll talk later. This happens to be a very important game tonight
RAYANNE
Aren’t they all?
SIMPSON
I am under a lot of pressure.
RAYANNE
As opposed to my carefree life? Forget it, forget I said anything.
SIMPSON
I wish I could.
He exits the car.
20 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Rose sits while Brett packs. She's got her tape running.
BRETT
The Steelheads were not ready for the revolution I represented.
ROSE
Is that why they pushed you out after less than a year?
BRETT
I wasn't pushed. I just couldn't accept the willingness of certain executives to put personal emotion before business. And I'd love to tell you more, but I have to be at the airport in an hour.
ROSE
Right... New York. What's so hot about New York, anyway?
BRETT
Oh, you know, the little things. Money, power, a culture that rewards success. A culture where you can get a cab. I called one half an hour ago.
ROSE
Parker, this is Hamilton. If you have to be at the airport in an hour you should have called a cab last week. I'll drive you.
BRETT
Drive me? Really?
ROSE
Yeah. To get my story. I drive, you talk.
21 INT. COPPS - NIGHT
Game action. Mark Simpson is not having a good night. Strand
benches him.
22 INT. ROSE'S PICKUP TRUCK - NIGHT (POOR MAN'S PROCESS)
BRETT
... I mean, Canada is alright in its own have-a-donut-be-polite-spell-colour-with-a-u-kind of way. But try to make a difference, try to accomplish anything, and they say you’re big-headed.
ROSE
Don't you think that's sort of ...conceited?
BRETT
I need to be where talent gets you more than murderous tax rates. Rose. You know, I never even moved my money back here. I must have known I'd be going home.
ROSE
What home? You're Canadian.
BRETT
Purely by accident. My spirit is south of the 49th parallel.
ROSE
So is Hamilton.
BRETT
Don't quibble.
ROSE
It's a fact.
BRETT
But it's not the truth. Facts don't always mean truth.
ROSE
Fine, but there's something to be said for safe streets, health care, and enough fresh water to start our own planet. I'm putting the game on.
BRETT
Fine. Enjoy the adventures of a nearly defunct team playing in a minor league backwater. I don't give a damn, but it's your car.
ROSE
It's a truck.
BRETT
You know what I mean.
(listening to game)
What is Simpson doing on the fourth line with those plumbers?
ROSE
Not that you care.
23 INT. COPPS - NIGHT
More game action. Shakey gives the final blow to his knee.
Simpson looks on from the bench.
24 INT. AIRPORT - NIGHT
As they go up an escalator.
ROSE
Some people have said that Harry Strand would make a better GM than you, would you like to comment on that?
BRETT
No, I would not.
ROSE
Let me rephrase that.
BRETT
I have to clear customs, Rose, so I don’t have –
ROSE
I have a few more questions.
BRETT
I’m sure you do, I’m sure you have a lot of questions.
ROSE
Some of us don't want to get into America. Well, except this place near Pensicola, where I go for March break...
As the Officer checks Brett's boarding pass she
resumes...
As Brett was talking, the officer has run his card
through a bar code reader and is looking at a computer monitor.
He indicates a red line on the floor near the customs
area. Rose has been taking all this in... As the Customs Officer
reaches for Brett, she decides to react, hauling Brett back across the
red line.
The officer starts moving towards him. Brett
backs off a little further, at the same time getting more aggressive.
BRETT
Stay on your side, laughing boy. This is Canada. My home and native land. We don't allow your Wild West bounty hunter tactics here.
ROSE
We are a sovereign nation.
BRETT
Yeah, with health care and safe streets and enough fresh water to... do something.
CUSTOMS OFFICER
What?
ROSE
And the press is here. So unless you want an international incident, get back across that border.
BRETT
You want me, you'll have to extradite me.
CUSTOMS OFFICER
I'm sure that can be arranged. In fact, you can count on it.
CUT TO:
25 INT. AIRPORT - MOMENTS LATER
Brett walks away from Customs, Rose follows. Rose is energized,
excited; Brett is depressed. He falls behind her until he is out of shot.
ROSE
I can't believe I hauled you back across that line... I just had to act. I felt like I was defending the country. And I loved the way you quoted the anthem and my fresh water line... I mean, I know you don't believe it all, but somewhere deep down, a seed has been planted in you, a maple seed...
BRET (O.S.)
Oh, god.
She turns to find Brett slumped in a chair.
And off his misery, we FADE OUT.
END ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
26 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Brett is in his living room with Rose. He is talking on his cell
phone.
BRETT
Restraint of trade, that’s right. Needles to say … What? … Yes, I know what time it is. … Hey, Syd, it says full service broker on that little sign of yours. … She’ll forgive you, you have an anniversary every year. … What do you mean you can’t access the accounts? … Frozen how? Hang on.
Types in his laptop and talks to the screen.
BRETT
What is this? What’s going on?
BRETT (CONT’D)
(back on his cell, more and more panicked)
I can’t access the Chase stuff either. … Oh my god, they got the “Clam Bake” funds. … The kickback on the Gordie trade!
(to Rose)
You didn’t hear that.
(on cell)
Happy Anniversary to you and your wife!
He hangs up.
He checks in his computer.
ROSE
That assistant you used to have.
BRETT
Yes, that backstabbing ingrate of an assistant that I used to have. The weasel heard that I was out of Hamilton, so he knew that I was going to come back and get blow his ass out of the water. He ratted me out to the Feds.
ROSE
Parker, you're talking like Joe Pesci…
BRETT
And he knows where all the bodies are buried...
ROSE
Metaphorically speaking. ...Right?
BRETT
Not that there's any truth to all this.
(she can't meet his look)
Come on, Rose. You know me. Racketeering, mail fraud... would I do anything like that?
ROSE
I'm not much of a judge, really…
BRETT
I'm screwed. Destroyed. I have nothing left here, and nowhere to go back to.
(beat)
Rose…
ROSE
Yes, Parker?
BRETT
Would you do me a big favour?
ROSE
Sure. ...Well, I mean, I guess. Yeah. It depends...
BRETT
Could you just... leave.
ROSE
Yes ... If you're sure... you want me to... Maybe you need someone to talk to...
(he shakes his head)
(she starts to go, but stops)
And I'll keep all this off the record. For now, anyway...
BRETT
Thanks. For everything.
And she's gone. He sits... alone. And
we hear the growing sound of a crowd jeering and booing we go to
27 INT COPPS - RINK - NIGHT
The Steelheads, Rob Faulds tells us in V.O. play-by-play, have just been
soundly beaten. They are filing off the ice.
28 INT. DRESSING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The team is sitting around, sullen, angry.
STRAND
Gentlemen, the Seattle climate is temperate and fair. Not all of you will enjoy it, however. During migration, the weak will be cut off from the herd. You'll be found, one by one, with your throats torn out.
Suddenly, Duff is beside him.
DUFF
Afraid I have to interrupt the pep talk, Harry. Now, boys... As you know, I don't make a habit of coming down to this room. Well, not when you're here, anyway. Sometimes, late at night, I hit the showers and belt out a few numbers I learned in my gold mining days up in Porcupine. And some of those tunes get a little salty, let me tell you. In fact, there's one about a girl from Flin Flon-- Well, I'm getting a little off topic. The point is, it's your job to play hockey, and it's my job to see that there aren't any distractions.
TODD
Like this Seattle thing?
DUFF
Exactly. We've had more distractions around here than an octopus has deodorant pads. So here's the straight goods. I just came back from Ottawa, where I did a deal with the Dominion government. I called in a few chits, and I can tell you that the Steel heads are
staying in Hamilton... where they belong-
(cheers)
I've done my job. Now you do yours. Let's turn this year around and make the playoffs.
Duff shakes the hand of a stricken Harry Strand,
then leaves amidst a hail of cheers and congratulations, led by Todd.
29 INT. PHYSIO ROOM - NIGHT
As the cheers resound in the distance, Al Tremblay lies back on a treatment
table. A doctor examines his knee.
We push in on Al as the happy sounds of his team-mates
resound in the distance.
30 INT. STEELHEADS OFFICE - NIGHT
Duff, happy as Larry, exits the elevator and heads into
31 INT- COLLEENS OFFICE - NIGHT
Colleen is at her desk, reading a file.
DUFF
Ah, Coco, I see you found the government bumph I left on your desk.
COLLEEN
Duff, I'm… stunned.
DUFF
Sorry about not giving you the heads up, but I wanted to tell the boys the good news.
COLLEEN
Good news…
DUFF
You bet. The feds are in. They're bailing out the Steelheads.
COLLEEN
Bailing out? Duff, have you read this agreement?
DUFF
I put my John Henry on it, didn't I?
COLLEEN
You've given up control of the team. It's become some kind of crown corporation. It's like a federal works project.
DUFF
I'm still the owner.
COLLEEN
In name only. You won't call the shots anymore. And you've wrecked everything I've worked for. Seattle would have gotten us out of this mess, and refinanced all your other holdings. You threw it all away. And you didn't even call me.
DUFF
Things were happening fast. Coco.
COLLEEN
And I would have stopped you.
DUFF
Yeah - You would have stopped me.
(beat)
I didn't do this to hurt you.
COLLEEN
Well, you did, Duff. You did.
DUFF
I’d never do anything to hurt you, Coco…
COLLEEN
And what about yourself? You're trashing a lifetime of achievement to become some... lame figurehead. What were you thinking?
DUFF
I was thinking of more than myself, that's what. I knew what I was giving up. But I took the hit so the team would stay in Hamilton. In Canada. I figured, hell... I've had a pretty good run. So what if I cash in the chips now? I'm giving something back. I'm keeping the team alive. And we can figure out the next move from here. Together. You're still my president...
She has to choke back the emotion as she says...
COLLEEN
No, Duff. I'm not. This doesn't make any sense. This was wrong for your business and wrong for you. And I am sure as hell not working for the federal government.
(beat)
I'm giving notice Duff. I'm quitting.
She walks out, leaving Duff alone.
32 INT. BRETT'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Brett moves through the house, alone. Finally he goes to the fridge
and finds a beer. When he turns around, someone is sitting at his
kitchen table. Howie Morenz.
One look and Brett starts backing out of the room.
He doesn't want another visitation.
But as soon as he's out, Brett is back.
BRETT
Hang on. I got a bone to pick with you, Mr. Morenz… Has the Stratford Streak come hurling back from the grave to give me more really stupid advice?
Howie starts rummaging through the fridge.
HOWIE
I come looking for ale, beer, neck oil. That's what. I used to like that Black Horse. Can't get it anymore.
BRETT
Maybe because you're dead, Howie. Maybe that's why.
HOWIE
Could be.
BRETT
And while I've got you here, Howard, I'd like to thank you for completely screwing up my life.
HOWIE
Don't thank me. You were doing a bang-up job of that before I come along. How about some Red Cap. Got any of that?
BRETT
No. So... not going to admit responsibility here, Howard?
HOWIE
You don't want to. Why should I? And if you’re gonna keep calling me by my first name -- not that I ever asked you to -- it's Howarth. With a "TH", not a "D".
BRETT
Fine.
HOWIE
Mind you, my third name is Howard. Howarth William Howard Morenz. What do you figure the parents were thinking?
BRETT
Can we get back on topic here, Howarth…
HOWIE
Wasn't aware we had one.
BRETT
Yes, we do have one. We’re talking about how you screwed up my life with all that advice about love… simple human love. Well, I tried it, Howie, and you know what?
HOWIE
Worked out great?
BRETT
No, it didn’t work our great, Howarth. I got reamed. Let's do a little checking, shall we? The girl I loved -- gone. Daughter -- gone. Job -- gone. Life -- gone.
HOWIE
How bout some porter. You got any Porter?
BRETT
Howie... I'm dying here.
HOWIE
You know, this reminds me of a story.
BRETT
Oh god...
HOWIE
First time I ever went to Montreal, I played for the Stratford CNR.
BRETT
No, no hockey stories...
HOWIE
Spring of '22. We played Pointe St Charles, and I potted nine markers in that game. Nine.
BRETT
Help me, I'm being haunted by a boring ghost...
HOWIE
Mr Dandurand, the big wheel at the Forum, he signed me to play in the bigs on account of that game.
BRETT
Good for you.
HOWIE
All that summer, I was in agony. I tried co get out of my contract. I wrote 'em, sent 'em a telegram. Even took the train down to talk to Mr. Dandurand.
BRETT
If I can find a baseball bat, will you beat my brains out for me?
HOWIE
See, I had a good railway job in Stratford, in the car shop. I thought I'd be better off if I stayed out of pro hockey and finished up my apprenticeship. Have a good job for life, eh?
BRETT
Is this doing anywhere?
HOWIE
But Mr. Dandurand wouldn't let me out of the contract. So you know what I did... huh?
BRETT
No, Howarth. What did you do?
HOWIE
I cried. Broke down and cried like a baby. Thought my life was over, done, shot.
BRETT
That's it?
HOWIE
That's it.
BRETT
Word of advice. If you're going out on the banquet circuit, Howie, I'd get fresh material.
HOWIE
Listen. I thought my life was over 'cause I couldn't work for the railway. I was scared of the future, the unknown... the possibilities.
BRETT
Yeah. And guess what? You were right. News flash, Mr Morenz... hockey killed you.
HOWIE
Yeah, but it's not the dying that counts. It's the living. And I got to live faster and fuller and better than any man could ever dream.
BRETT
So it worked out for you. Your life was ahead of you. Mine's a smoking ruin.
HOWIE
Or maybe it's just beginning. Maybe you're still in the car shop, pal. Maybe you're just scared of the… possibilities.
BRETT
I'm all out of possibilities.
HOWIE
Love is always possible. Look, no one said love would work, pal. It's not a cure for anything. It's just an opportunity. The best there is. I gotta find some place I can get me a porter.
He's gone. Brett can't stand being cooped
up anymore. He grabs his coat and heads out the door.
33 INT. A BAR - NIGHT
Brett drifts into a bar. He sits, a lost soul.
NEW ANGLE
reveals Colleen, at another table, not far away, her back to Brett. She
looks equally adrift.
There they are – Colleen and Brett, each sitting alone, oblivious to
each other, and to the possibilities.