Captive Eco-Warrior

INT. - SANTA MONICA, CA - APARTMENT – DAY

Tasteful living room in beautiful flow of color, as well as black and white photographs of Italy and New York. Sepia tone Photographs of Native American people and land hang in a corner of the space.

EMMA COLBERT (32) is an attractive, tall strawberry blonde with big black glasses sits on the oversized sofa with a laptop looking frustrated. Her tuxedo cat is laying half on her lap and half on the keyboard.

MARTHA (30), Hispanic, petite and attractive steps out of her bedroom and walks toward the open Tuscan orange kitchen. She walks back out with two mugs of coffee and hands EMMA a mug.

They both look out the window as sunrise color falls on the tall palm trees.

EMMA

Thanks. Well, I don’t see one

production job to apply for and

not one damn response from all the

resumes I sent out for film work.

MARTHA shakes her head and starts to walk back to her bedroom.

MARTHA

It’s a business of sadists and

masochists.

EMMA

Damn right and how am I supposed to

do good for the world if I can’t

get a fucking break? Back to catering.

EXT. BUSY LA CAFÉ WITH A DIVERSE GROUP

Emma sits with her friend KATIE (30) curvy and pretty Irish looks. They sit at a small table.

KATIE

I will certainly keep an ear open for

you. I was on unemployment for several

months before I got the gig at Disney.

EMMA

Yep, that’s the deal for pretty much

everyone in this biz. I so hope you’ll

be happy at Disney. Great benefits I’m really happy for you, Katie Lou. I’ll

be working a catering party tonight.

KATIE

(putting down her sandwich)

You’re right, this is one of the best sandwiches ever. All organic, too. Wow. Yep, so much talent in this town and

too many left in the cold.

EMMA

I’m feeling left out in the cold at

the moment. Martha said that it’s

a business of sadists and masochists.

I should add singles, sadists, and masochists. LA, the city of wannabes.

INT. CATERING EVENT – NIGHT

Event is in a large, tented area in a grass area at the back of the house on a bluff overlooking the ocean Lanterns hang from above and tall orchids are on the tables. People are milling about in and outside the tent. Bar is set up inside the tent.

Emma is bartending and people are waiting five deep for drinks. She waves at a co-worker tray passing.

Emma is shown in the catering kitchen area eating with her co-workers. They’re conversing and laughing with her

CO-WORKER ONE

I had to hide from a guest who I just

auditioned for. It would’ve been un-

bearable if she’d recognized me.

EMMA

I swear, in my black and white uniform,

I feel as if I’m LA invisible. No one

recognizes me from former production jobs. Invisible to my dreams and in-

visible to eligible men my age.

CO-WORKER TWO

Oh, please, EMMA. You are gorgeous

and just-so-you-know, you never notice men noticing you.

EMMA

(incredulous)

I don’t?

CHRISTOPHER REINHARDT is tall, lanky with dark brown copper wavy hair. He is in court as an environmental attorney. Christopher’s assistant and intern CHARLIE (22), a black young man sits behind Christopher in court attentively listening.

CHRISTOPHER

(Speaking with passionate authority in final argument)

Your honor, the CEO and all the branches of

this corporation have knowingly been dumping

pollutants in lakes and rivers across the Midwest for

The evidence is clear. It’s only their deep pockets that have kept them from paying the price. They are detrimental to carry on in dirty ways as if they are above the law and nothing touches them. Strict restrictions are

not even satisfactory. It’s outrageous and this is only one

part of the price they must pay! Enough of their

cavalier attitude. I suggest a billion paid to the counties

that have suffered for their clean-up and another 500 million have for clean air and water. Putting strict

Camera is on Christopher as judge hits the gavel and states that there will be sentencing in two days. Court adjourned. Charlie looks on with skepticism.

RANDOLPH WHITEHEAD is in the back of the courtroom, an impeccably dressed man in a dark suit and white shirt. He’s a wealthy looking man about 50 years of age, silver hair observing Christopher’s closing argument. `

INT. WINE BAR – NIGHT

EMMA dressed in a black, sleek, simple and elegant dress with her hair done nicely and flattering makeup

EMMA

Ok, now that you’ve told me about your

divorce, struggle financially due to

alimony and child support, what else? Do you have interests – travel, exercise,

passions, causes?

DATE

Sure, football, soccer. Work exhausts

me, so I’m more of a staycation type.

I’m big on chill. Causes? Not really.

I donate to a few.

EMMA

(takes a big sip of wine

looking bored but trying)

I’m terribly concerned about climate

crisis. We are in bad shape, and worse,

is extinction of animals. Climate

deniers who are mostly conservatives

and set us back for decade.s

DATE

Can’t say that I agree. I’m a conservative and prefer the policies.

The over top concern for the planet is

a bunch of leftist alarmists making trouble.

EMMA

You know what, I need to go. My cat

needs a walk. One tip per your profile,

So what if you’re bald. Own it and make that the profile rather than the old

one you have on the dating site.

EMMA stands nearly knocking over her chair as customers look on.

DATE has his mouth open from the direct blow of Emma while he touches his bald head searching for hair.

EXT. PARKING LOT -_NIGHT

EMMA

(talking to herself)

Frozen yogurt it is.

INT. MESSY OFFICE – DAY

Christopher sits with his tie undone, white shirt, and hair unruly and is bent over a stack of papers and folders on the floor. Desk is overflowing with devices and files.

CHARLIE

Mr. Reinhardt, I uh -

CHRISTOPHER

(interrupts Charlie)

Charlie, please call me Christopher.

I’m not that much older than you. (Christopher shows a smirk)

CHARLIE

Ok, well, I have distressing news.

(as he hesitates)

CHRISTOPHER

For the love of God, spit it out.

CHARLIE

(takes a deep breath)

They’ve switched judges. Classic

switch and bait. And worse, it’s

Johnson. I just received the email –

CHRISTOPHER stares out the window silent, which throws Charlie for a loop. Suddenly he swipes all the papers on the desk along with a Harvard mug.

CHRISTOPHER

(screams)

Son of a bitch. It’s over – Three

years of work and a case I could’ve

actually won. They bought the court –

Those billionaire bastards – biggest

polluter globally bought the fucking court! This was to be my swan song.

Charlie has no idea what to do. He moves to pick up the mug and files.

CHRISTOPHER

Don’t bother, Charlie. It’s ok.

Sorry.

CHARLIE

You’re right. This is SO fucked up.

I wish there was something I could

do. Now, more than ever, I see how there’s no other way.

CHRISTOPHER

(staring out the window)

Yep, sorry buddy. I know you studied

hard and entered this world to stick

it to the bad guys, but I’ve been at

this for 10-years and corporations

have the power 80% of the time.

INT. – CHRISTOPHER’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Christopher watches the Seattle Skyline. Scotch in hand. His cat Pirate on his lap. Sustainable and stylish environmentally friendly furniture. Tribal décor.

INT. EMMA’s BEDROOM PAINTED IN OCEAN BLUE – MID-MORNING

Emma is wrapped in sea blue walls with golden accents and black and white photos on the wall.

Emma is looking defeated under a cream-colored duvet and staring at the ceiling while her cat is sleeping on her stomach. There’s a knock at her door.

EMMA

Come on in, Martha.

Martha’s in her pj’s and comes into Emma’s bedroom.

MARTHA

What happened? Heard you come back

in pretty early and go straight to

your bedroom. I take it that the

Bumble date was not so good.

EMMA

Disaster. A hard-core conservative.

Shall I go further?

MARTHA’s eyebrows raise as she shakes her head.

MARTHA

Oh my God. Jesus. How I wish I could’ve been a spectator.

EMMA

I don’t know why I bother. It’s always like this although this guy took the cake. Everyone says, be open. I’ve had more disastrous dates in this town than imaginable. It’s so demoralizing.

MARTHA

It’s true that you are picky. But why

shouldn’t you be. You have tons of integrity, beauty, and smarts, Em. I

But you’re also a dreamer and a romantic fantasizing about someone out of a

romance novel.

EMMA

Ha, romance novel. I can’t even attract

above average, let alone, normal and a

progressive liberal. It’s LA not Texas.

MARTHA

Coffee?

EMMA

Let’s go out. I want a cornetto and a macchiato. I need to feel like I’m

back in Italy – back where I feel most

at home. This country is broken.

MARTHA

Ah, yes. Italy. What you really want

is all the qualities you desire, but

in a handsome Italian guy. Ok. Get dressed. Put your hair back in a ponytail. We single LA girls are

going out.

EMMA

You know where we’re going, right?

MARTHA

I know that Renato is there.

EMMA

True, my fav but they have ceramic

cups don’t forget so we won’t waste plastic or paper.

EXT – SEATTLE WATERSIDE BOATYARD – SAME MORNING

Christopher is jogging with earbuds. He stops where there is a large boat and begins talking to three people including RON (mid=40’s years of and looks like a seafaring salty dog), Christopher’s legal assistant, Charlie and RITA (35 yr-old red head and rugged outdoors athletic woman)

CHRISTOPHER

I know it’s frustrating to wait so

long for this eco-voyage to begin Remember, to be discrete. We can’t

chance any screw-ups. Be patient,

everything has to be in place or it

The money is nearly raised for our first mission. Be sure of this, guys (smiles) and Rita, you must cut ties with

everyone for a long while.

They all walk in different directions and Christopher puts his earplugs back in and continues jogging to a coffee shop.

COZY SEATTLE COFFEE SHOP – SAME MORNING

Christopher walks into the coffee shop looking like a regular as he knows the name of the barista, he orders an espresso from. Three young attractive women sit at a table all smiling and talking about Christopher hoping he’ll turn their way. He picks up a newspaper not noticing the women and sits outside with his espresso in a glass espresso container.

Christopher looks up as a new model Mercedes pulls up and a well-dressed man gets out of the back as Christopher looks up from his newspaper. He comes out with an iced coffee drink in a large plastic cup. He’s talking on his cell about the big deal about to close and how they have no idea what’s coming. He adds sugar to the iced drink and throws the empty packet on the curb as his driver opens the door for him.

Christopher downs his espresso, grabs his newspaper and starts walking quickly down the street.

EXT. PATIO OF A SMALL, QUAINT ITALIAN CAFÉ – SAME MORNING

Emma, Martha, and Katie are seated at a table. Small vases of roses are on each table.

EMMA

Stop. Renato is charming and good

looking but he’s a friend. One small detail – He’s married with kids. I

asked him if he had a brother.

RENATO (38), tall, good-looking with a big smile on his face comes to the table.

RENATO

Buongiorno, bellas. Emma, come stai?

(looking at Emma) Bellisima, si?

He looks to her friends for them to agree and they all smile shaking their heads, yes.

RENATO

Three cappuccinos and three cornettos.

Bene, subito.

Katie and Martha are smiling and looking at Emma.

EMMA

What? Harmless flirting. I need to

get it anyway I can, right? God knows,

it wasn’t with the Fascist last night.

KATIE

WHAT? That must’ve been interesting.

Do tell.

EMMA

Ultra-right conservative. False

photos and profile text. So uncreative.

No integrity. Where are the Gregory

Pecks of the world? A guy you can

count on, who fucking cares. Charm

wouldn’t hurt and someone who’s

adventurous.

EMMA

Looking at her phone. Shit, I’m

going to be late for RescueCats.

There are so many kittens right now

every time I’m there, I’m horrified

over and over at the capacity of

human cruelty. I just cuddle on the

young mommy cats and their kittens.

What’s amazing, is that they can

still trust humans.

KATIE

They are lucky to have you.

MARTHA

If our landlord allowed it, our

apartment would be overflowing with

cats. By the way, don’t forget the

big protest we have tomorrow.

KATIE

Damn, I’d be there if I could, but

we shoot tomorrow.

EMMA

There’s no way I’d forget. We’ll miss

you Katie. I’m part of that prop to

clean up our oceans. We’re up against

oil companies. Corporations have the power because greed wins.

MARTHA

Hey, we’re doing a good thing.

EMMA

Indeed.

Emma stands to leave, and she hugs them both.

EMMA

Ciao bellas.

EXT – STREET - NIGHT

Beautiful tree-lined street with mansions overlooking the bay. We see the same Mercedes and driver. He’s loading a suitcase in the trunk as the same man walks out of mansion talking on his cell. He slips in the back seat.

A slim, tall figure in all black with a Robin Hood type

mask on walks cat-like on the street.

EXT. OUTDOOR PATIO PARTY – NIGHT

Emma is chatting with JACK (36) 5’9” good looking, dressed LA stylish drinking a glass of red.

JACK

Ah, Emma, Leslie wanted the two of

us to meet at this party. How’s it

going? Great LA night for a party.

Emma is casual in a feminine taupe top with sliming jeans and bronze espadrilles.

EMMA

(smiling, looking pleased)

Nice to meet you. Yes, and there’s a

full moon with a perfect temp. Leslie

is quite the hopeful matchmaker. I understand you are working in the biz.

Me too – well when I can get work -

JACK

I get it. It’s not a business for

those who lack courage. I’m sure

you know it takes bold steps. (Pause)

JACK

Moonlight does great things to your

beauty. He gives her a side glance.

EMMA

(smiling)

Wow, aren’t you charming. (She smiles

and catches herself feeling a bit shy

and obviously attracted to him).

EMMA

(gains composure)

So, what are you interested in doing

in the film biz? Are you gainfully employed in unreliable Hollywood?

JACK

Yeah, mostly producing commercials

but want to move into producing big

films. Commercials pay great money

but it’s LA. Time to make a Hollywood

film. What about you?

EMMA

(taken aback)

Um, well, I want to be a creative

producer and make films that are

of course, entertaining but have an important message. Movies have the greatest capacity to influence for

good. This world is in peril–right?