Instrucciones de Servicios Generales.

47 47

James, 19 years old, sits on a bare wooden chair. James’ aunt, HONEY, 40, is in attendance. Next to her sit two young black women dressed very sexy.

WARDEN

So you want to be a singer? JAMES

Oh no Sir. Truth is I ain’t really into all that so much. Not no more.

Five white adults sit behind a long table, studying him. WARDEN

But the other boys, they call you Music-box.

JAMES

It’s just a old nickname is all. I’m looking for something stable. Steady. I want to be a Mechanic.

WARDEN

So first a singer and now a Mechanic?

JAMES

Yes Sir. There’s a fella I know back in Augusta, he owns a garage, he said he could find me a job if-

WARDEN

You can’t go back to Augusta.

In the event of parole, the Court in Augusta ruled you not be allowed to set foot in Richmond County til the full term of your sentence.

James is silent. Aunt Honey locks eyes with the Warden and smiles.

WARDEN (CONT’D)

Do you know anyone outside Augusta who could act as your parole

sponsor? Any family? Associates? Is there anywhere else you could go?

Aunt Honey and the girls raise their skirts up there legs ever so slightly with subtle sexual gestures.

The Warden gives Aunt Honey and the girls a disapproving stare.

STAMP! A red stamp hammers down - REFUSED. INT. HALL. ALTO. DAY. JAMES 19 YRS

48 48

A BAND, The Starlighters “entertains” the inmates. A tall black kid in a white tux, flanked by four other boys.

BOBBY BYRD

We the Gospel Starlighters, from right here in Toccoa. Three Four..

The vocal group rip into a juiced up “Mary Don’t You Weep”. And its good. James watches intently. The music plays over... James begins to sing along and dance. Two rows back, a huge, badass looking kid is staring. James turns and stares

straight back.

The big kid walks up to James. BIG KID

You eyeballin’ me, Music-Box?

The big kid punches James in the gut. James struggles to his feet and punches the BIG KID and fights back fearlessly.

All hell breaks loose. Two rough factions break out and the melee spreads. James picks up a chair and throws it at the big kid. He ducks.

CUT TO: INT. INFIRMARY, ALTO. LATER THAT DAY

49 49

Bobby sits in a chair outside the infirmary. He holds a cold press to his nose.

James, bruised and torn but apparently victorious is led by a warden into the infirmary to cheers from his friends. He’s seated next to Bobby and cuffed to the chair.

JAMES What happened to you?

BOBBY

JAMES Gee, that’s too bad. They sit there. James shrugs.

JAMES (CONT’D)

Walk in the jungle sometimes you get bit by a snake.

BOBBY (Deadpan)

I’ll try an’ remember that. They sit there.

JAMES

Say. What’s that song you done? BOBBY

We only done half of it. “Mary Don’t You Weep” is an old gospel, man. You ain’t heard that before? Everybody be doin’ it.

JAMES BROWN

I ain’t heard nothing since my radio got busted. That’s a cool song bro’. You sung it great. That sounded real sweet.

BOBBY BYRD Crowd sure went crazy.

(James smiles. Then:) You like music?

JAMES

Only thing keeps me sane in here. BOBBY

How long you in for? JAMES

Five to thirteen years.

Bobby moves his chair an inch or two away. BOBBY

What did you do? JAMES Robbed a suit.

BOBBY

They give you five to thirteen for...

(Shakes his head) That’s time man.

James turns to the doorway and continues talking to Bobby as the nurse tends to his nose.

JAMES Tell me about it.

BOBBY You get parole?

JAMES

Board say I need a permanent family address and a job. But see I don’t know no folks here.

BOBBY Where yo’ folks at?

JAMES

My Daddy’s in the army. And my momma... well, she left.

BOBBY Sorry to hear that. They sit there.

BOBBY (CONT’D)

Seriously. You think I sung it good?

James looks at Bobby. He moves his seat a bit closer to the door.

JAMES

You got that swing feel. Hittin’ it late. Buh, dum, Bop. That’s what a song need.

James rises up, pulling the chair with him. JAMES (CONT’D)

See without that feel, song just sit there. Don’t move. You gotta fill it with something. You know what I’m sayin’?

Suddenly James breathes in deep, and sings “Mary Don’t You Weep”. It’s sweet, hard, deep, raw all at the same time. James holds the chair and begins to dance.

The nurse shuts the door. Bobby and James stay on each other through glass.

James’ talent hits Bobby like a ten pound hammer between the eyes. A warden forces James to his chair. We hear one

unforgettable line of the song before we...