FADE TO OPEN

 

Sun sits on mild December day over the North Side of Chicago. Snow barely trickling on the horizon sky looking out over Lake Michigan. 

 

FADE TO ACTION, WILL AND NICOL SWING OPEN DOOR TO LEAVE BUILDING – 10 AM (DECEMBER 7th 2022)

 

CASUALLY DRESSED Will Morro (35) and tiny hobo like Nicol Arcos (21) speak calmly with one another walking just out onto the driveway pavilion.

 

WILL

Ok, I’ll be picking up my car with my brother till later tonight. You sure you’ll be okay without me?

 

NICOL

Yes, Dr. William, I’ll just go to covenant house until you back!

 

WILL

I’ll be back late tonight so plan on staying at the covenant house until sometime tomorrow

 

WILL

Sounds good, see you soon, stay safe

 

NICOL

Bye, Dr. William

 

Nicol goes in for a hug. Will alertly and with a lack of affection reaches out his left hand and pats Nicol on the right shoulder. They both turn opposite directions. Nicol heads to the ‘L’ stop down Bryn Mawr as Will v-lines for the corner of the building to find cigarette butts. Camera follows Will to the corner and watches him start collecting old cigarettes. He lights a couple and mellows out with a few in his pocket as his phone rings. It’s his brother. 

 

WILL

Yo

 

JAMES

Yo. I’m here

 

WILL 

I’m outside already….

Will shakingly continues to try and light up and smoke butts while talking. He has a nervous confidence and feels refreshed

 

WILL

… I don’t see you. Where are you? 

 

JAMES

I’m by the flower shop. Just come to 

 the corner 

WILL

Bet. 

 

Will hangs up the phone, discards the cigarettes in his hand, takes one last puff as he turns and heads to the corner where James is waiting in his car outside the flower shop in the building. Will sees the car at the corner and goes for the handle to jump in. He pulls the handle but its locked. He pulls again and looks at his brother like What the fuck, unlock the damn door. James locks it again and turns his head forward looking straight ahead at traffic. Two squad cars roll up behind James’s car. This is a sting and Will looks around frantically but stays calm. There is nowhere to go as three cops on foot come from the opposite direction. Running is not an option. Will stays relaxed. He figures this would happen. He looks back down at his brother who keeps his head forward unable to bear witness helping set this up. Will gives a look of disgust. Betrayal.

 

WILL

What do you guys want?

 

Will starts moving backward toward the building away from the swarm of cops exiting the squad cars and in between the cops on foot. They stop him short and make him freeze with his hands extended outward almost as if he’s ready to fight.

 

COP ! (older cop, probably in charge standing out of the cop car in front on the passenger side)

You have to come with us.

 

WILL

There’s nothing I can do about this? 

 

Will says in question but almost affirming the inevitability. Will is trying to reason with the officers. 

 

COP 2 (younger slick handsome fella extended out of the driver side)

You want a cigarette?

 

Will’s mood changes. He is irritated knowing full well he is headed back to the psych ward. 

 

WILL

I got plenty

 

Will motions to the other side of the building where he was just scavenging for butts

 

FADE TO BLACK W/ MOVIE TITLE:

 

Now Presenting:

 

UNDENIABLY CRAZY 

FADE IN: 

Will gets corralled and cuffed without a fight but inside his emotions boil. He slides into the backseat of the cop car knowing the drill and the scene unravels. The two cops enter their respective seats and start calling in a passenger as WILL’s eyes stay fixated on the parking garage as his dad hunches on the phone making the same successful call to the family. The operation was a success, but the sight of his dad sends Will’s emotions to a release as he starts screaming and cussing in rage as he figures out who is behind the sting. 

 

WILL 

That felon motherfucker. You believe this shit! FUCK YOU, you motherfucker. Now we know who is behind this shit. You guys gonna listen to that mother fucker. He’s the real fucking criminal. Fuck it all. Fuck this shit. Fuck you guys.

 

The cops remain silent and in shock as they drive away and head onto Lake Shore Drive toward Rush Hospital. Will cusses and swears red in the face totally lost in emotion cussing out the cops the entire 30 minute ride. It’s never ending. 

 

WILL

What the fuck are you nigger killers looking at. All  

you fucking cops do is kill niggers. Nigger dies. Cop  

did it. Nigger gets arrested for drugs. Nigger dies. Cop set him up. Fuck you Nigger killers. Cops create crimes!!

 

FADE Into the cop rolling into the Emergency entrance of Rush Hospital and then back into the vehicle with Will still going hard. 

 

Cop 1 is listening with his hat to his chest like dear god. Cop 2 is driving with eyes glued ahead bug eyed as if he’s just got the fear of life put into him with the craziest rant of all time.

 

WILL

Don’t you ever fucking forget. You mother fuckers.

 

Will is red in the face screaming at the top of his lungs and spitting all over the back of the cop car. The car comes to a stop and silence fills the vehicle. The cops can’t wait to get out and get this over with. Will knows the drill and starts waiting for a cop to let him out; He calms down, ready for the next phase. He was never pissed at the cops, just angry at the world. He knows the evaluation process is next; it tends to be long. He becomes friendly, but the cops are taking all necessary precautions. The side door opens and a wheelchair is presented by another cop. Will starts moving gingerly onto the wheelchair from the cop car and looks around to apologize. Cop 1 and 2 have left the scene and Will with handcuffs on gets wheeled into the Emergency room. 

 

Fade Out

 

Fade In to Will laid out in 5 point restraints as a doctor enters the Emergency room unit and stands over Will with nurse on the other side holding a shot. 

 

WILL

What the fuck man, you’re not gonna do a psych evaluation. 

 

EVALUATING DOCTOR

We have to check you into the hospital for an  

overnight examination. It’s court ordered. There’s 

there is nothing I can do? The nurse here is gonna administer a shot to help you relax. 

 

WILL 

Whatever man, just shoot me up. I know the drill.  

Let’s get this over with. 

 

Nurse administers the shot in Will’s arm. Will stares at the ceiling in 5 point restraints angry as hell but has nowhere to go just waits to fall asleep. 

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

FADE IN 

 

Dr. Shulman exits the elevator and walks into the 13th floor of the psych unit in Rush Hospital with two residents behind him carrying clipboards. He greets the staff as he passes them in the unit and walks straight toward Will’s room down the psych ward common area and past the hallway. The audience gets their first sense of what a standard psych ward looks like. The residents have things to do and dart in different directions talking to different patients and meeting with different staff. Dr’s, when they're on a unit, are all business and don’t waste any amount of time. Dr. Shulman arrives at Will’s door and knocks twice before entering. 

Will here’s the knock. He’s sitting up right on his bed eagerly waiting for the doctor. He’s been waiting to talk to a doctor all morning and anticipated the knock and the ensuing conversation. The hospital room is a single unit (1 bed). There is a problem with one of the lights (it is flickering at times and is only half on. Like most psych ward rooms, there is no window. The bed lies lengthwise across from the entrance of the room. There is a small bathroom with a shower on the same side of the door. It is a tight space but very adequate for the circumstance (and quite standard). 

 

WILL

Come in–

 

Dr. Shulman pops in the room quite hastily

 

DR. SHULMAN

Good Morning. I’m Dr. Shulman. Will Morro? 

 

Will is already kinda mad at the doctor for wasting his time

 

WILL 

Yeah, I’m Will. I want to sign a five day. 

 

DR. SHULMAN

Alright, do you know why you’re here? 

 

WILL

No idea. No clue why they got me here. You know I was just in here last week. You guys are really wasting your time. 

 

DR. SHULMAN

Well, I spoke with your family and I signed off on accepting you again to be evaluated. 

 

Will clenches his teeth. The mention of his family enfuses him. He crosses his arms. He’s snapping. He does not respect doctors and has little regard for the system. Feels he is the victim. 

 

WILL

Well who the fuck are you?. 

 

DR. SHULMAN

I’m the head of psychiatry in the city of Chicago. 

 

WILL

I was just here last week. Can’t you just go by the 

 last doctor’s opinion.

 

DR. SHULMAN

I wanted to get a look at you myself. I’ve heard you  

been through a lot? 

 

WILL

Ohhh… so your the guy fucking me? You have any  

kids? 

 

DR. SHULMAN

I have two daughters. 30 and 33

 

Will chokes back what he should say and says what his emotions tell him to say. He talks shit. 

 

WILL

Welll… … How bout I fuck both your fucking 

 daughter. How would you like that?

 

Dr. Shulman is a little caught off guard but stays in the fight. He thinks to himself and respects the tactic, but the conversation is over and starts exiting toward the door. 

 

DR. SHULMAN 

You’re smart. They might… …I’ll get you your 

 five-day and we’ll talk later. 

 

Dr. Shulman exits and walks toward the office center in the middle of the psych unit connecting back with the residents. Puts an order in for the five-day and heads out of the unit. 

 

FADE IN to Will’s room. 

 

We see Will calmly thinking on the bed pondering and reflecting on the conversation. He closes his eyes and calmly shakes his head and says under his breath. 

 

WILL 

Well, there goes my five day. 

 

Will looks up shaking his head showing a level of disgust with himself knowing he blew that. 

 

FADE TO BLACK - 5 days later (on screen)

 

FADE IN - Will is in the common area of the unit in hospital clothes looking at the mirror buzzing his beard with a dull buzzer (It’s painful). Female nurse sits behind him to his side with a male nurse standing behind her. They are talking. The common area is full of 5 or 6 patients scatter around. One younger black woman is walking around the square of the unit while 3 or 4 others are watching Will shave. It’s probably midday. Will is flinching and grimmesing as he practically is pulling out one hair at a time. 

 

NURSE 1 (hottie cute and sexy)

You could’ve just waited to shave once you were outta here. 

 

WILL

No, it was getting annoying. Plus I wanna look good when they release me. Fresh look, whole new me. 

 

NURSE 2 (military guy, arm tatttoo)

I feel that. Makes complete sense. 

 

WILL

Plus, I’m looking good these days. I figure if I can take some pictures when I get out I might be able to get a match on Tinder. 

 

NURSE 2

Sorry you have to do that. I’m a married man

 

WILL

You’re lucky. I have zero luck except Nicol. O fuck Nicol. Fuck. 

 

NURSE 1 

Whose Nicol?

 

WILL 

She’s the immigrant girl that was staying with me before I got here. If you guys didn’t check me into this place I would be well on my way to marrying her. I hope she’s okay. She’s probably still waiting for me at the covenant house. Guys I gotta get outta here. I have someone depending on me. 

 

Nurse 1 and Nurse 2 give each other suspicious looks but think it’s funny.

 

NURSE 1 

Well if you're getting married you probably won’t be needing Tiner… probably don’t have to shave.

 

Will is buzzing away trimming his beard the whole time. 

 

WILL 

I want to shave alright. Plus, of course I need Tinder. Nicol and I aren’t serious. I’m just trying to help her get into the country. 

 

NURSE 2 

I don’t think that’s how it works. What do you do for a living? 

 

WILL 

I told you, I work in the golf industry. 

 

NURSE 2

I don’t think you can just marry illegal immigrants. 

 

Will is relieved to hear the news. He doesn’t want to marry Nicol. 

 

WILL

Well then, looks like I’ll need Tinder after all. 

 

NURSE 1 

Wow, pretty good. Looks like you got all of it. Nobody uses this thing to fully shave. 

 

WILL

What do you mean? 

 

NURSE 1 

Yeah, most people just trim with it. I’m impressed. 

 

Will rolls his eyes. 

 

WILL 

Thanks for telling me now. 

 

NURSE 2 

Good work. 

 

Resident enters the picture from the hallway. 

 

RESIDENT

Will Morro? 

 

WILL 

Yes

 

RESIDENT

The doctor is requiring ECT before discharge. 

 

WILL

What’s ECT? 

 

RESIDENT

It’s electroconvulsive therapy. It takes 14 days. 

 

WILL

What do you mean 14 days? I live at home 

 

RESIDENT

You’ll have to stay in-unit for the treatment so we can monitor your porgress. 

 

WILL

Bullshit. What about my 5 day? 

 

RESIDENT

The doctor is no longer considering it. 

 

WILL

Well, fuck doing ECT. I refuse. 

 

RESIDENT

If that’s the route you wanna take than you’ll have to go to court against Dr. Shulman. You have the right to contest the order. But you’ll need to talk to a lawyer for more details. 

 

WILL 

Fuck this bullshit. Fuck Dr. Shulman. I haven’t seen that guy since I told him I’d fuck his daughters. Now it’s personal. You let him know that for me. 

 

Will points deliberately and in affirmation at the Resident. 

 

RESIDENT

I will, have good day. 

 

WILL

How do I talk to a Lawyer? 

 

NURSE 1 

You have to talk to the social worker first.

 

NURSE 2

He’ll be back in tomorrow. 

 

WILL

Fuck, I hate waiting. 

 

FADE TO BLACK

 

FADE IN - Will walks up the psych unit floor toward the nursing office station. He is eager to know more about his situation. Calm, always calm in the psych ward when dealing with people. The staff is in control of the five day and everything else. If you have a chance with anything its by behaving with staff. Will goes up to the window.and pokes his head in 

 

WILL 

Is the social worker in yet. 

 

NURSE

He’ll be in shortly – o, there he is. 

 

Social worker walks in from the corridor connected to the elevator to the right shoulder of Will where Will is looking for him. Social worker comes in fast. Very busy, no time to talk attitude. Always in a rush. 

 

WILL

Hey, I was looking for you, I have questions. 

 

SOCIAL WORKER

Yes, I know, Will. You have to call your lawyer. I can set up a time for you to talk if you want to contest the ECT. 

 

WILL 

Right, well what about my 5 day. 

 

SOCIAL WORKER

Again, you have to talk to the lawyer. You can contest that too. 

 

WILL 

So how long am I looking before I get the hell out of here? That’s the whole point of the 5 day. 

 

SOCIAL WORKER 

Well it could be another month before you appear in court before a judge. Maybe longer. 

 

WILL

So I’m in here for another month guaranteed? 

 

Will looks around the psych unit with wide eyes. He’s in hell.

 

WILL 

Thanks. Set the meeting up with the lawyer. I wanna talk to him as soon as possible. I’m contesting this bullshit. 

 

SOCIAL WORKER 

Ok, should be in the next three days. 

 

WILL 

Thanks, sounds good. 

 

Will turns down the hallway back to the common area and finds nurse 1 at the table talking to another staff member. 

 

Nurse 1 just jumped into the conversation with Nurse 2  and is explaining how she is having a bad day as WILL pulls up hearing the conversation. 

 

NURSE 1 

O, I don’t know, I’m just having a bad day. 

 

WILL 

You’re having a bad day. 

 

Nurse 1 gives an eek look at Nurse 2 who doesn’t get it or remains unphased. She shakes off her bad problems and realizes there’s a bigger picture to her problems. 

 

WILL

I’m in here at least another month

 

Silence from both nurses as neither have anything positive to say. They simultaneously shake their heads. 

 

WILL 

Can I at least get some music. This place is so boring. I’m bored out of my mind. All I do is do laps over and over in this place. Please just give me some music. 

 

NURSE 1 

I’ll talk to the doctor for you. 

 

WILL

Good luck with him. 

 

FADE TO BLACK- ‘3 days later’ 

 

FADE IN - Will is on his bed pretty exhausted. He’s been going through serious cigarette withdrawals and is kind of slipping. He’s more strung out than anything else. The process he’s been through plus not having a square in 10 days has been stressful. Nurse 2 is standing in his room asking questions. Nurse 2 is a younger guy (late 20’s) he wants to learn. 

 

NURSE 2 

What did the lawyer tell you? 

 

Nurse 2 reaches to the door and closes it to a point for more privacy. 

 

WILL

Lawyer can’t help me, man. You're so lucky you 

 gotta join the military. I’ve had to put up with this  

shit. 

 

NURSE 2: 

He’s not gonna help you? 

 

WILL

No man, there’s nothing he can do for me. If I contest either the 5 day or the ECT, I have to wait over a month for a trial even the lawyer said he has no chance in winning. There’s no point in contesting. If I win I’m out of here in a little over a month. If I lose, I wait over a month to end up going through ECT. The system is rigged to support the doctors. I’m just gonna go ahead with the ECT. The resident told me that I can start as soon as next Monday. If I get ECT starting next Monday, I can be out of here in two weeks from that time. I mine as well go that route. The goal is to get out of here, no offense, you’ve been great. 

 

NURSE 2 

That sucks man, but it makes sense. I can tell the doctor that you’re willing to undergo ECT? 

 

WILL 

Yeah man, put the order in. I’ll take getting out of here in three weeks over three more months. 

 

Notes:

 

Shulman visit with Will:

 

Will, how’s everything goin?

 

Well, doc, things have been great since ECT, I really snapped back to reality… realized I was holding onto a lot of delusional thoughts that were clouding my judgement. 

 

Yeah, the psychosis can really start taking over and the irrational behavior ensues. When I found out that you were in a history of psych wards over the course of such a short time and then you wanted to fuck my daughters I thought this was a no-brainer. 

 

I gotta thank you doc. Things are a lot more clear now with me, my life, and family. The only problem I’m really having with life is that I don’t really attract women. 

 

You’re an attractive guy, you’ll figure it out. 

 

I’m afraid I have nothing to offer them. 

 

This might be true. Is there anything I can help you with medically. 

 

No, I’m good… 

​​