Episode 2: According to Saundra Shohen, the actual Administrator of the Emergency Room at Roosevelt Hospital in the heart of New York City, two Johns died on the night of December 8, 1980. One was the world-famous musical icon, John Lennon...the other, an unidentified old man. This John Doe passed away under mysterious circumstances in the room right next to Lennon. In this Podcast, our fictional administrator Anne Rolling will investigate.
Except for the names of known public figures mentioned in this podcast, all of the characters are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance between the characters in this series, except for recognized public figures, and any actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Written by: Louisa Burns-Bisogno & Saundra Shohen
Story by: Louisa Burns-Bisogno & Saundra Shohen
Producer-Director: Louisa Burns-Bisogno
Executive Producer: Saundra Shohen
Sound Engineer: Michael Schmitt
Editor: Michael Schmitt
Cast:
Louisa Burns-Bisogno: Narrator
Jeanie Dalton: Annie
Paulette Dalton Thompson: Rosie
Jonathan Berry: Dr Cameron, Father, Toll Cop, Desk Sergeant, Postal Clerk
Margo McKee: Helen, Neighbor
Cory Scott: Joe Fahey, Cub Reporter, Car Service
Jacob Harran: Detective Hogan
Jacqueline Roth: Mary
Anthony DePoto: Mr. Moohan, Dr. Flores, Morgue Voice
Patricia Angelin: Mother, Lawyers Assistant, Caregiver
Rose Bisogno: Triage Nurse
Manuela Metri: Blanca
Catherine Matteucci: Phillie, Erica
Soundtracks:
"Day of Recon" by Max Surla/Media Right Productions
"It Maintains, Eyes Change" by Puddle of Infinity
"The World's Fair" by Godmode
"Casual Desire" by Ugonna Onyekwe
"Dark Toys" by SYBS
Sound Effects
"Touchtone phone dialing" by Michael Schmitt
"Touchtone phone hanging up" by Michael Schmitt
"Touchtone phone Click" by Michael Schmitt
"Telephone Ring Sound" by transitking of http://soundbible.com/
"Ambient Cafeteria" by enrikapoll of https://freesound.org/
"enviroment hospital.wav" by mariiao2 of https://freesound.org/
"Restaurant" by Marnenagel of https://freesound.org/
"better hospital bleeps.flac" by Timbre of https://freesound.org/
"Pay Phone.wav" by everythingsounds of https://freesound.org/
"Incar Speeding" by HarryPeeks of https://freesound.org/
"Traffic sound.WAV" by erdemvideography of https://freesound.org/
"Car Toyota interior ride fast stops wet snow bumps street.mp3" by Stephane_Carreau of https://freesound.org/
"Marble Church.wav" by chimerical of https://freesound.org/
"Buzz Buzzer Buzzing Sound Effect" by deleted_user_7146007 of https://freesound.org/
"Police siren.mp3" by MultiMax2121 of https://freesound.org/
Episode 2: According to Saundra Shohen, the actual Administrator of the Emergency Room at Roosevelt Hospital in the heart of New York City, two Johns died on the night of December 8, 1980. One was the world-famous musical icon, John Lennon...the other, an unidentified old man. This John Doe passed away under mysterious circumstances in the room right next to Lennon. In this Podcast, our fictional administrator Anne Rolling will investigate.
Except for the names of known public figures mentioned in this podcast, all of the characters are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance between the characters in this series, except for recognized public figures, and any actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Written by: Louisa Burns-Bisogno & Saundra Shohen
Story by: Louisa Burns-Bisogno & Saundra Shohen
Producer-Director: Louisa Burns-Bisogno
Executive Producer: Saundra Shohen
Sound Engineer: Michael Schmitt
Editor: Michael Schmitt
Cast:
Louisa Burns-Bisogno: Narrator
Jeanie Dalton: Annie
Paulette Dalton Thompson: Rosie
Jonathan Berry: Dr Cameron, Father, Toll Cop, Desk Sergeant, Postal Clerk
Margo McKee: Helen, Neighbor
Cory Scott: Joe Fahey, Cub Reporter, Car Service
Jacob Harran: Detective Hogan
Jacqueline Roth: Mary
Anthony DePoto: Mr. Moohan, Dr. Flores, Morgue Voice
Patricia Angelin: Mother, Lawyers Assistant, Caregiver
Rose Bisogno: Triage Nurse
Manuela Metri: Blanca
Catherine Matteucci: Phillie, Erica
Soundtracks:
"Day of Recon" by Max Surla/Media Right Productions
"It Maintains, Eyes Change" by Puddle of Infinity
"The World's Fair" by Godmode
"Casual Desire" by Ugonna Onyekwe
"Dark Toys" by SYBS
Sound Effects
"Touchtone phone dialing" by Michael Schmitt
"Touchtone phone hanging up" by Michael Schmitt
"Touchtone phone Click" by Michael Schmitt
"Telephone Ring Sound" by transitking of http://soundbible.com/
"Ambient Cafeteria" by enrikapoll of https://freesound.org/
"enviroment hospital.wav" by mariiao2 of https://freesound.org/
"Restaurant" by Marnenagel of https://freesound.org/
"better hospital bleeps.flac" by Timbre of https://freesound.org/
"Pay Phone.wav" by everythingsounds of https://freesound.org/
"Incar Speeding" by HarryPeeks of https://freesound.org/
"Traffic sound.WAV" by erdemvideography of https://freesound.org/
"Car Toyota interior ride fast stops wet snow bumps street.mp3" by Stephane_Carreau of https://freesound.org/
"Marble Church.wav" by chimerical of https://freesound.org/
"Buzz Buzzer Buzzing Sound Effect" by deleted_user_7146007 of https://freesound.org/
"Police siren.mp3" by MultiMax2121 of https://freesound.org/
Two Johns died at Roosevelt Hospital in the heart of New York City on the night of December 8, 1980. One was the world famous musical icon, John Lennon…the other an unidentified old man. A John Doe. That night was Annie Roling’s ‘baptism by fire’ as the new Administrator of the E.R.
Sunrise finds Annie making coffee at the bar behind the Nurses’ Station. It’s the start of her first official day on her new job. Charge Nurse Helen joins her.
HELEN
You wanted real coffee you shouldda joined us at the diner.
ANNIE
Couldn’t. I’ve a lot on my plate. No pun intended.
HELEN
Cameron saved you a seat. A truce between you two?
ANNIE
I hope. Hey aren’t you off today?
HELEN
Leftover paperwork. Then, homeward bound. And sleep.
ANNIE
Thanks for all your help last night.
HELEN
I’ll be back to give you grief domani.
Helen goes. Annie tosses the remains of the coffee into the trash and starts down the corridor to her office. As she passes the elevator, Father Burke emerges…
FATHER
Ms. Roling
ANNIE Father! You pulled off a miracle-the GRID couple’s wedding.
FATHER Miracles are above my pay grade. After the service I gave the boy Last Rites. He went straight to God.
ANNIE
But not to a funeral home. They refuse to handle GRID victims.
FATHER Afraid it’s catchy.
ANNIE
Exactly. We also had a John Doe last night, I should’ve called you to give him Last Rites too. He wore a Miraculous Medal.
FATHER I saw them bringing him out of the Morgue and gave him the Sacrament. By the way…he was no John Doe. He was Artie Serio. I left his name at the Nurses Station.
ANNIE
How…how did you know Artie?
FATHER
I’m Chaplin to the Parish Deaf Club. Artie was President…until five years ago when he……left.
ANNIE
You’ve solved two mysteries,
Father. His identity AND why he waved his hands. He was signing.
FATHER Signing his last words. What were they?
ANNIE
You tell me. His left hand was over his heart. His right pointer finger pointed to his heart.
FATHER Are you sure?
ANNIE
Yes. I saw Artie again in ‘rigor mortise’. His right hand was over his left. And his finger pointed to his heart.
What did it mean?
FATHER
(Shaken) Murder!
ANNIE Oh God! Was he saying he was murdered?
FATHER
(Awkwardly) Artie may have meant the cancer killed him.
ANNIE
Cancer didn’t kill him. He had a heart attack. Did you know his family? I should contact them.
FATHER
His sister’s dead. But he was a patient here at Roosevelt. They’ll be medical records.
ANNIE
Is there anyone I should talk to?
FATHER
Can’t help you. I have to go.
After locating Arturo’s file in Hospital Records…Annie goes to the Social Services office. An older woman, Blanca Diaz jumps up from her desk chair to greet her. The women hug.
BLANCA
You miss us already.
ANNIE
I do miss you Blanca. But felt trapped behind that desk. Nine to five…seven/twenty four.
BLANCA
And now that you’re promoted… you are free.
ANNIE In free-fall.
BLANCA No way. Saw you on TV announcing Lennon’s death. You handled it very well. But it must’ve been hard.
ANNIE
One of the hardest things I ever had to do. But I’m not here to talk about myself. We had a John Doe who died minutes after Lennon In the very next room. Father Burke identified him as Arturo Serio.
BLANCA
I knew Mr. Serio. Deaf man. I arranged for a sign translator so he could communicate with his Oncologist. Tried to get him into hospice. He refused. Said…he had to “clean house” before he died.
ANNIE
Did you contact his next of kin?
BLANCA
His niece, she’s deaf too, hated his guts. But we should call her anyway on the TTY. Inform her of his passing.
Blanca types in the niece’s number on the special phone for the deaf. She types in the message of Arturo Serio’s death. Moments later there is a response from his niece.
ANNIE
“Good Uncle dead.” Wow! Talk about bad blood.
Still thrown by the hateful response, Annie returns to her office. An aide, ERIC enters with a bag.
AIDE
You wanted John Doe’s things?
ANNIE
Thanks, Eric.
ERIC
Bloods on the coat. Can’t put it in Lost and Found.
ANNIE
I’ll get it dry cleaned for the ER’s homeless friend.
ERIC
Nowhere Man? Good. Maybe there’s more here he can use.
ANNIE
Bedroom slippers. A Holy Medal. That’s it.
ERIC
That’s all he had on! Buttnaked except for a medal. Weird.
ANNIE
And it gets weirder by the minute.
Annie takes the religious medal and places it on a tissue and slips it into her desk. Then, she heads to the ER Nurses Station. Dr. Flores is filling out a form.
ANNIE
Morning Doctor. About Doe…the elderly man…
DR.FLORES The John Doe we lost last night?
ANNIE
He’s been identified. You said he fell.
DR. FLORES Before or after his heart attack.
ANNIE What if…?
DR. FLORES
(Annoyed. Cuts her off) No ifs! Insert his name and file this!
Dr. Flores hands the John Doe’s death certificate to Annie and hurries into the Code Room to attend a teen with a broken leg. Annie makes the name correction and files the certificate. Then, she heads for the cafeteria for lunch and joins Blanca in a booth.
ANNIE
(questioning)
Manner of Death – Heart Attack?
Talk about a rush to judgement.
BLANCA
Why are you making such an issue of Flores determination?
ANNIE
It’s just that Arturo Serio signed “murder”. His last word.
BLANCA
You have to know the context to interpret a sign. Do you know that?
ANNIE No.
BLANCA
Eat your soup it’s getting cold.
ANNIE
And one more thing. Mr. Serio was out late. In bedroom slippers. Naked under his coat. No keys. No ID.
BLANCA He was on a cocktail of pain killers. In the last stages of cancer. Completely confused.
ANNIE
Father Burke wasn’t confused. He just didn’t want to talk about Artie. Blanca…when someone you know dies…you want to share your memories of them. Right?
BLANCA I do. Still…not everyone reacts the same. Now…eat!
ANNIE I’ve lost my appetite.
BLANCA
(firmly)
Let it go, Annie. You can’t get personally involved with every patient in ER. You’ll go nuts.
ANNIE
You’re right but…
BLANCA
Here it comes…
ANNIE Artie reminded me of my grandfather. I owed him. Poppy gave me his life savings so I could start a new life here.
BLANCA
And you’ve made a good life.
ANNIE
With your help. But I never went back to help Poppy. He died alone.
BLANCA
A thousand miles away in Georgia. Not like you could hop the subway.
ANNIE
Mom and stepdad never forgave Poppy for helping me escape. He was dead three days before the housekeeper discovered him. They buried Poppy before I knew he was dead. I should’ve gone back…
BLANCA
Stop with the guilt.
ANNIE
Can’t help it. But I can help
Artie. He said his last word to me…. “murder.” I have a responsibility to follow up. I have to find out what he meant.
Back in her office, Annie makes a call.
SFX DIALING
DESK SARGEANT Twentieth Precinct.
ANNIE
Please connect me to Detective Hogan.
HOGAN Hogan.
ANNIE
I’m Annie Roling.
HOGAN
The rookie from Roosevelt. What’s up?
ANNIE
I think a crime may have been committed. The John Doe who died within minutes of Lennon may have been murdered.
HOGAN
Whew! I’ll come by the hospital say around two.
Annie hangs up her phone…then sees a woman in a heavy parka at her office door.
ANNIE
Can I help you?
MARY
You called me on TTY. Mary Serio.
ANNIE
Arturo Serio’s niece.
MARY
Deaf too but I have hearing aid. And read lips.
ANNIE
Good. You should know…your uncle did this sign just before he passed away.
MARY Murder.
ANNIE Do you know anyone who’d want to murder Artie?
MARY Me.
ANNIE You!?
MARY He killed my mother. First took all savings. Sold her restaurant. Took money for himself. Mama had heart attack.
ANNIE
I understand…your bad feelings.
MARY Not just me. Everyone hate Artie. Stole from many.
ANNIE That’s terrible.
MARY
I come to ask you. What is this note from Uncle? Mailed today.
Delivered today. But he’s dead. How possible?
ANNIE I see it’s postmarked today…7 am. You’re in the same zip code. It was probably mailed last night.
MARY I understand. Read Uncle’s note.
ANNIE
(reading the note)
“Dear Mary, Made things right. Sorry to sister in Heaven.
Sorry to all. Love, Uncle Artie.”
MARY What means?
ANNIE
He wanted forgiveness.
MARY
Forgive Uncle? Never
ANNIE
I am er.. really sorry for your family’s troubles. If you contact the city morgue--I’ll write down that number--you can arrange to move the body to a funeral home. If you want…?
MARY
Should do. Because Mother’s brother. But I have no Money to bury.
ANNIE
Your Uncle may have insurance.
MARY
Hope so. I look in his home.
ANNIE
He had no keys when he came into the ER.
MARY I have key.
Mary turns on her heels and hurries away toward the ER exit.
Annie remembers the bag and calls after her.
ANNIE
Wait! Your Uncle’s things!
Too late. Mary exits the ER. Annie would follow but the Triage Nurse signals Annie to the Waiting Room.
TRIAGE NURSE
Need you Ms Roling. Some people just won’t take No for an answer.
ANNIE
I’ve got it. (BEAT)
Excuse me I’m the ER Administrator. How can I help you?
MOTHER
My son has a toothache and my dentist is booked.
ANNIE
Did you explain it was an Emergency?
MOTHER
That’s why I brought him here. This is the emergency room isn’t it?
ANNIE
We don’t have a dentist on call. I suggest you contact your dentist and explain…
MOTHER
Don’t think the hospital brass won’t hear about this.
ANNIE
Sorry we couldn’t help…
The angry woman grabs her son’s hand and scowling pulls him to the exit. Annie retreats to the office. Detective Hogan is there waiting for her.
HOGAN
Saw Dr. Flores on my way in. He says Doe was a cardio case.
ANNIE
He also bled from his ear.
HOGAN
I know he fell…before or after
The heart attack. It doesn’t matter….
ANNIE
Doesn’t matter? That his skull was cracked?
HOGAN
Nasty tumble. Head hit the curb. Look Ms Roling there’s been no crime. So there’s nothing to investigate.
ANNIE
But the victim said he was “murdered”. Doesn’t that mean anything?
HOGAN
Maybe that’s not what he meant. Unless you’re an expert on sign?
ANNIE
No. But my vision is 20-20.
HOGAN
Last night was rough on everyone. You were under a lotta stress.
ANNIE
You have no idea.
Hogan exits. Exasperated, Annie checks her watch then heads for the Nurses Station.
ANNIE
I need to follow up on a patient. Page me if you need me.
NURSE Will do.
Annie returns to her office for her coat…and the bag of Artie’s meager belongings. Then, she heads for Artie Serio’s last known address -- a tenement on the corner of Ninth Avenue. When she arrives there she does not realize that she’s being observed by her nemesis from the night before -…the Cub Reporter. He calls his contact from the corner street phone.
CUB
You won’t believe this. That asshole from Roosevelt just went in to Artie’s place. (PAUSE) How the hell should I know what those two bitches are up too?
Annie climbs the rickety staircase to Arturo Serio’s third floor apartment. The door is slightly ajar. Annie opens it and finds a boy about sixteen putting papers into a garbage bag. Mary is looking through a closet. She stops when she sees Annie enter.
ANNIE Hello.
MARY
Hello. My son. Helps me after school. We look for insurance.
PHILLIE
I’m Phil. I hear. Who are you?
ANNIE
Anne Roling….from Roosevelt
Hospital. Brought your Uncle Artie’s clothes. Things he was wearing when they brought him in.
PHILLIE
Nice coat but so much blood.
ANNIE
Bad falls can be messy.
MARY
Can’t find insurance in mess. Papers all over.
PHILLIE
Unc used to be a clean freak.
ANNIE Your Uncle was suffering greatly. He probably couldn’t keep up with housekeeping. I know it was on his mind because he said he wanted to “clean house”.
Annie notices a series of photos on the wall.
ANNIE
Those family pictures?
MARY
Yes. From long ago.
PHILLIE
He was a fun uncle when I was a kid.
Annie notes the photo of young PHILLIE with ARTIE with MARY. ARTIE in front of the Malvina Trattoria.
PHILLIE cont’d Malvina was my grandmother. She owned that trattoria.
MARY
Had to sell.
PHILLIE
Now, it’s just a pizzeria.
MARY
I wash dishes there. Five to midnight.
Annie notices a little red light on what seems to be a typewriter.
ANNIE
That blinking light? A TTY?
PHILLIE
Yeah. Unc’s phone is on.
MARY
Artie got call. Didn’t hang up.
PHILLIE I’ll turn it off.
MARY
Deaf Club can have TTY. I give clothes to poor people.
ANNIE
Can I take Artie’s overcoat? I know a homeless man who could use it. I’ll get it dry-cleaned.
MARY
Yes, take. Throw other stuff out. Junk. Like this.
MARY reaches for a bobble-head of a postman.
PHILLIE
That was a joke gift from Uncle Artie’s retirement party.
MARY
He works Post Office for 35 years.
ANNIE
Wait…Mary if Artie worked for the post office…he probably had insurance through them.
MARY
Come with me now. You can tell post office Artie is dead and I need insurance to bury.
ANNIE
Well…okay but we have to go now.
MARY
Phillie. Lock up. Annie take Some files please. Help me look.
Annie carrying two shopping bags--one filled with files and a second containing the bag of Artie’s belongings follows Mary down the stairs. A woman is heading up.
CAREGIVER
I was hoping someone would be here. I was Artie’s caregiver…
ANNIE
Caregiver. But he refused hospice.
CAREGIVER Yeah. Mr. Serio wouldn’t let me in. Wrote a note saying…he didn’t want help. Heard he died.
ANNIE
Yes. So why are you here?
CAREGIVER To get a copy of his death certificate.
MARY Are you crazy?
ANNIE Why would you want one?
CAREGIVER For a souvenir.
ANNIE Souvenir?
CAREGIVER I have them from all my terminal cases. They’re hung in my living room.
MARY She is crazy.
ANNIE
Death certificates are only for the deceased’s family.
CAREGIVER Mr. Serio was like family to me.
MARY
You meet once! Once !!
ANNIE
Put your request in writing.
CAREGIVER
I know a brushoff when I hear it.
The miffed CARETAKER turns on her heels and hurries out onto the street. ANNIE and MARY head for the Post Office. On the other side of the Avenue, the Cub watches. He follows. He’s startled when they enter the Post Office. At the desk, Annie asks to speak with the postmaster.
CLERK
He’s out sick. The Assistant PM Joe Fahey is here.
MARY
I know him. From party.
ANNIE
Yes. Tell him Arturo Serio’s niece needs to speak with him. It’s about insurance.
MARY
To bury Artie.
Assistant Postmaster Fahey greets ANNIE with a warm handshake and MARY with a hug He leads them down the hall bordered by hundreds of Post Office boxes.…to his cubicle.
FAHEY
I’m so sorry to hear about Artie. He trained me. Even after he retired we’d meet for coffee and shoot the breeze. If there’s anything I can do….?
ANNIE
You can help with information on insurance. Would funeral expenses be covered?
FAHEY
For sure Artie’s entitled. We have a deaf phone here. Mary, give me your number. I can TTY the information.
MARY
Thank you. I really need help.
FAHEY
And I personally want to contribute to the memorial. It’s the least I can do.
FAHEY pulls two hundred dollar bills from his wallet.
MARY
You are angel.
FAHEY
(laughing) I wouldn’t go that far.
FAHEY returns to his desk. ANNIE and MARY start for the exit when the POSTAL CLERK calls out.
CLERK
Wait! I got Artie’s mail from his postman. I was gonna put it in his PO Box but long as you’re here you might as well take it.
MARY Thank you.
ANNIE
Looks like a few bills.
MARY
How can I pay?
ANNIE
I’ll call them and explain. Look I have to get back to work.
Annie adds the bills to the shopping cart and returns to her office at the hospital. She goes through her messages and finds one from the city morgue.
SFX DIALS PHONE
MORGUE OPERATOR You’re calling about the John Doe?
ANNIE
He’s been ID’d. Name’s Arturo Serio.
MORGUE OPERATOR Family coming to identify and have the body moved?
ANNIE
They’re trying to make plans.
MORGUE OPERATOR
We only hold bodies a few days. If they’re not picked up they go to Potters Field.
ANNIE That won’t happen.
MORGUE OPERATOR
Just saying…
Hearing a scream, Annie hangs up the phone. She looks into the hall. Eric is passing by.
ANNIE
What’s going on?
ERIC
It’s what’s coming off. A ring.
ANNIE I had a ring cut once…
ERIC
Off your penis?
ANNIE A penis ring?
SFX OFFICE PHONE RINGS
Annie darts back to her desk and grabs her phone.
ANNIE Anne Roling.
HELEN
I called a couple of times.
ANNIE
Oh, hi Helen. I didn’t get a message.
HELEN
Didn’t leave one. I’m calling on the Q T. You didn’t hear it from me.
ANNIE What didn’t I hear?
HELEN
Got a call from H R. asking about your performance last night. Seems Dr. Flores has lodged a complaint. What the hell is he complaining about?
ANNIE
I’m not convinced the deaf man died of natural causes. I asked Detective Hogan to look into it.
HELEN
Questioning a doctor is a major no no. Asking the police to look into a hospital matter…that’s treason. You apologize to Flores before I get back tomorrow.
ANNIE
But you don’t understand.
HELEN
I understand if you poke a hornet’s nest…you WILL get stung.
HELEN hangs up the phone.
Annie considers a moment…then looks at the mail from Arturo Serio’s Post Office Box. One is from a car service. She opens it, dials the number
SFX DIALS PHONE.
CAR SERVICE Premier Car Service. Can I help you?
ANNIE
I’m calling about a bill sent to Arturo Serio. He hired you last week…
CAR SERVICE The deaf man. Eight hour turnaround. How’s he doin’?
ANNIE Mr. Serio passed away yesterday.
CAR SERVICE I’m not surprised. He was on his last legs.
ANNIE
Where did you take him?
CAR SERVICE
Some new development in the
Catskills. Then, I drove him to Monticello. He had an appointment.
ANNIE Who with?
CAR SERVICE
Don’t remember. But the office was near the Sullivan County office building. I left my call-book at home. Give me your number. I’ll call when I find it
ANNIE provides the information then hangs up. She checks Triage and the Nurses Station…then leaves for the day. She heads for Juilliard carrying the shopping bag full of Artie’s files.
Rosie is waiting in the lobby.
ANNIE How was your day?
ROSIE
Terrible. My tights ripped.
ANNIE
I bought an extra pair last time I was in Capezzio’s.
ROSIE
Good. Allison brought her brother’s book to class today. She showed everybody.
ANNIE What book?
ROSIE
The one that killed John Lennon.
ANNIE
Books don’t kill. Monsters do.
ROSIE
“Catcher in the Rye” made him do it. The killer said so. Can I read it?
ANNIE
No!…Yes. But not until high school. Look Rosie…Chapman is a sick, jealous loser who wanted what John Lennon had. Love. Respect. Fame.
ANNIE spots the neon lit sign – Malvina’s Pizzeria. She leads a very hungry Rosie across the Avenue into The small establishment. MARY is at a table by the entrance. She’s talking to Joe Fahey
ANNIE cont’d
We just stopped for a couple of slices. Don’t mean to interrupt.
FAHEY
I got the forms for Mary.
MARY
I order cheese pie for you. My treat.
ANNIE Thank you.
FAHEY
Mary is planning a Memorial. for Artie. She asked me to say a few words. Kind a like a eulogy. I said yes.
ANNIE
That’s good. I don’t think he had many friends anymore.
FAHEY
I have to go. We start early at the P.O. Tell Mary goodbye.
ANNIE Will do.
FAHEY
Oh and take my card for Mary. Here’s one for you. I wrote my own number of the back.
ANNIE and ROSIE walk through the dark, deserted canyons of the city to their apartment. ANNIE carries the box with pizza. ROSIE suddenly stops in her tracks
ROSIE What’s that?
ANNIE What’s what?
ROSIE
Someone’s following us.
ANNIE
I don’t see anyone.
ROSIE I heard.
ANNIE
Your imagination is working overtime. And you’re overtired from yesterday.
ROSIE
And hungry. That pizza smells good.
Back in the apartment, ANNIE offers another slice to ROSIE.
ROSIE I’m full.
ANNIE I’ll save the rest for tomorrow. You have homework?
ROSIE
Done. During lunch.
ANNIE So scoot off to bed.
ANNIE puts the remaining slices in the fridge, tosses the pizza carton into the trash, pours herself a glass of wine…then notices the cart with Artie’s files. On top is a ripped open FedEx envelope. It’s empty. She reaches for the second file. To her surprise it’s a screenplay in a binder.
ANNIE cont’d
“Our Paradise” by Arturo Serio
Annie sinks to the couch and starts to read the script. She is too exhausted, can’t keep her eyes open. Annie drifts into a deep sleep. Artie’s script slips off her lap onto the floor.
Later in the night, Annie has a nightmare. In it she is flat on her stomach on the train track. Her arms are outstretched, her wrists are tied to the rails. She struggles to look back over her shoulder. Lights are bearing down on her. It’s a train. As each car rolls over her, it pushes her down. Down. Down. She screams.
ROSIE
Wake up, Mom. You’re scaring me.
ANNIE Just a dream.
ROSIE
Had to be a nightmare the way you Screamed. You woke me up.
ANNIE I’m so sorry.
ROSIE
What was it about?
ANNIE
I…I’m not sure. I try to remember but can’t. Hey since we’re awake so early, we have time for pancakes?
ROSIE
Can I have pizza instead? And…you said to remind you….we have Nutcracker dress rehearsal tonight…so pick me up at ballet at 7. Don’t be late.
ANNIE
Aren’t I always there for you Miss Rose Roling?
Later, under the watchful eye of the CUB, Annie and Rosie exit the building. Rosie scoots off in one direction – to school. Annie goes toward the hospital, but stops by the dry cleaners with Artie’s bloody coat. Unknown to Annie, the cub reporter peeks in to the cleaners store and witnesses the transaction.
CUB
What the fuck?!
He goes to the corner payphone,
SFX COINS DROPPING. RING. CONNECTION MADE
CUB
They’re never back till late.
After she picks up the kid at
Juilliard. PAUSE)
Yeah…yeah I’ll do it after my shift.
Unaware of the CUB in the phone booth…ANNIE continues past Roosevelt Hospital and heads one block north to St. Paul’s Church.
Parishioners are gathering for morning Mass. Annie goes straight to the sacristy, the room behind the altar. Father Burke is putting on his vestments.
ANNIE
Do you have a minute, Father?
FATHER
Five. Mass starts at 8.
ANNIE
I spoke to Artie’s niece. She said Artie had many enemies in the Deaf Club. That he took their money for some land investment.
FATHER Let the dead rest.
ANNIE
I just want to know the truth.
FATHER
Truth is -- the members knew Artie since they were all kids together at the New York School for the Deaf. He promised a retirement together. They trusted him with their life savings to buy the land. The deal fell through. He couldn’t return the money. Or explain what had happened to the land.…They suspected…Artie… (PAUSES)
ANNIE
Of fraud? Was Artie a thief?
FATHER God will be the judge.
The church bell tolls eight o’clock. Father exits to the altar.
ANNIE races one block back to Roosevelt and into the ER. She runs into Dr. Flores at the Nurses Station.
ANNIE
I was hoping to see you Doctor
Flores. About yesterday…
DR.FLORES Not another word!
ANNIE
I only want…
DR. FLORES
(cutting her off) Who the hell cares what you want? I don’t.
Doctor FLORES turns to assist a patient being wheeled into Trauma. ANNIE realizes HELEN and Cameron have been watching from behind the Nurses Station.
HELEN
Well Annie, looks like you’re still in the dog house.
ANNIE
I was trying to apologize.
CAMERON
Too little…too late. Your Modus Operandi.
ANNIE
Cameron! A crime may have been committed. I have a responsibility.
HELEN
(cuts her off)
Roling, you are a dog with a bone.
Smarting from the petty insults, Annie heads into her office just as…
SFX PHONE RINGS
ANNIE
Anne Roling here.
CAR SERVICE
I promised to get back to you on Arturo Serio’s itinerary.
The lawyer he saw in Monticello `was James Moohan.
ANNIE
This is helpful. Thank you.
SFX; CALL ENDS.
ANNIE cont’d So I’m a dog with a bone….so what….
SFX: ANNIE DIALS
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT Office of Moohan and Dunbar. May I help you?
ANNIE I am calling about Arturo Serio.
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT
Oh yes, our deaf client. Did he receive the FedEx? I sent it Express so he’d have it by Monday.
ANNIE
He died Monday. Same night as
John Lennon. Here at Roosevelt
Hospital in Manhattan. I’m the
Emergency Room Administrator. Anne Roling.
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT How sad. Mr. Moohan will be sorry to hear about Mr. Serio.
ANNIE
May I speak with Mr. Moohan?
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT
He’s in court
ANNIE I’ll call later.
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT He’s leaving tonight for his daughter’s wedding in Tampa. Won’t be back until next week.
ANNIE I’m helping Artie Serio’s family. Time is of the essence.
Maybe you can tell me what concerned him. What was in the FedEx?
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT I can’t do that. Client confidentiality. And I doubt Mr. Moohan will do it Not over the phone. But if you come between 2 and 3 this afternoon I’m sure he’ll see you.
ANNIE
Unfortunately, I have work until 4…
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT That’d be too late.
SFX BUZZ… ANNIE
I have to go. Another call is coming in. Thanks…(PAUSE) Anne Roling here.
CAR SERVICE
Good I got you. After you hung up I remembered. The place I drove Mr. Serio to. It was a new development. It was just off the Thruway. The sign said: “Welcome to Paradise”.
ANNIE Paradise !!!!
Annie hangs up. She takes the elevator to three and rushes into Blanca’s Social Service office.
ANNIE
I need to borrow your car.
BLANCA When?
ANNIE
From Noon till late day.
BLANCA Today!?
ANNIE
I need to see if Artie Serio was for-real…or a con-man.
BLANCA
You’re out of your mind. Second day in the ER and your gonna cut out?
ANNIE
My job is at stake. If I’m going to save it I have to know if there’s meat on the bone.
BLANCA
Bone? What are you talking about?
ANNIE
I won’t leave till lunchtime, then call in sick. A touch of food poisoning.
At noon, Annie sets up her alibi. She tells Helen, in earshot of many staff at the Nurses Station, that she’s going home for lunch.
In the Parking Garage adjacent to the hospital, Blanca turns her Pinto keys over to Annie.
ANNIE
Thanks Blanca. One more thing. If I’m late getting back..can you pick Rosie up at Juilliard? She has dress rehearsal till 7.
BLANCA
No problem. Just don’t get in trouble.
ANNIE
You can always claim I stole your car.
Within minutes Annie is speeding up the Westside Highway.
She connects with the Thruway. Heads out of the city. Heads towards the Catskill mountains. She pulls into a rest-stop for a stretch and potty break and wonders how pain-ridden Artie could have endured such a long trip. It’s almost 2 when ANNIE pulls into the town of Monticello.
Down the block from the Sullivan County Courthouse, a storefront window proclaims “Moohan and Dunbar – Attorneys at Law”.
An elderly gentleman greets ANNIE. He leads her into a conference room.
ANNIE
Thanks Mr. Moohan…for seeing me on such short notice.
MOOHAN
Mr. Serio was depending on me. And you said there’s reason to suspect foul play.
ANNIE
Suspicion yes. No proof yet. I’m here about the FedEx Artie received from you on the day he died. I found the envelope.
But the contents were missing. What was in it?
MOOHAN
Documents concerning the loss of his land investment.
ANNIE How was it lost?
MOOHAN Mr. Serio engaged me to find out the ‘HOW’. He went with me to County Records to check the transfer of title. We found some intriguing information in public records.
ANNIE What was that?
MOOHAN
He had originally purchased the 60 acres for $195,000. He paid cash. Intended a small development.
ANNIE Paradise.
MOOHAN
Yes. A retirement community. For his deaf sister and friends.
ANNIE From what I saw on my drive up from the city…there must be a million undeveloped acres in the Catskills. Why steal Artie’s 60 acres?
MOOHAN Technically…the land wasn’t stolen. Records show it was ‘lost’ in a county foreclosure sale. For non-payment of property taxes.
ANNIE Artie wasn’t a stupid man. Why didn’t he pay the taxes?
MOOHAN According to Mr. Serio….he never got the bills. A friend had told him his handicap exempted him from property taxes. Like under Florida Homestead Law.
ANNIE So Artie didn’t question the absence of tax bills.
MOOHAN Five years after Mr. Serio bought the property...the new owner…by paying $1,760… stood to make a million by flipping the parcel.
ANNIE Wow! Why was Artie’s land so valuable?
MOOHAN Location. It was all about location. A Mrs. Beverly Mullen won the bid. Actually, hers was the only bid.
ANNIE Why would she want THOSE 60 acres? What was it about the location?
MOOHAN
She had “Insider information”.
Mrs. Mullen worked in the
Manhattan Planning Department.
She might’ve learned about the new exit proposed off I-87. from the Regional Plan. Artie’s property was less than half a mile from that proposed exit. AND a ski resort had applied for approvals just up the road from it.
ANNIE
Easy access. Sports complex.
MOOHAN Honey to urban wanna-bees looking for a second home.
ANNIE
I can see how someone in the Planning Department might know about the potential for profit in Artie’s land. What I don’t see is -- how could anyone anticipate his tax default.
MOOHAN I smell a set-up…from the getgo.
ANNIE If Artie was told “tax forgiveness” was automatic, he wouldn’t have suspected a problem when he didn’t get tax bills.
MOOHAN But he did get them! County records show that Mr. Serio got them every year. He insisted he never received a single one.
ANNIE
What happened to them?
MOOHAN When he looked over the documents, Mr. Serio said he had an idea how he was “tricked”. His own words according to the sign translator I had with us.
ANNIE How “tricked”?
MOOHAN Don’t know. Mr. Serio’s pain killers had worn off. He was in a bad way. I promised to continue probing and send all relevant documents to him via FedEx They are all public. So I had a copy of the file made for you. To share with his family.
ANNIE Appreciate this. More than I can say.
MOOHAN Hopefully…the poor soul read this file before he passed.
ANNIE I think he did. Artie wrote to his niece just before he died that he’d “made things right”. He was so excited he raced out in his slippers to mail the note.
MOOHAN He should’ve waited till morning.
ANNIE
Maybe he couldn’t wait. Something triggered him… Maybe the TTY call? He could’ve been getting ready for bed when he got the cal. Threw on his coat. Made a bee-line for the corner mailbox. That’s where he was found. Head bashed into the curb. His killer took Artie’s keys. Trashed his apartment!
MOOHAN
Looking for the FedEx…
ANNIE
A million dollar profit was at stake – motive to kill.
It’s past 6:15 when ANNIE notices the gauge on the Pinto dashboard. The engine is heating up. She drives slow along the highway then sees the Rest Stop sign ahead.
Because the engine must cool before the attendant can add oil and water, ANNIE decides to have a burger and coffee and rest a bit. Annie can’t resist opening the file. Attorney Moohan’s statements are borne out by the documentation. Annie turns to the contract for the County Tax Sale.
ANNIE
Oh My God! The buyer. Beverly Fahey Mullen. Fahey!! That’s how they pulled it off. Fahey.
ANNIE races to the pay phone. Dials the connection is made…
DESK SARGEANT Twentieth Precinct.
ANNIE
Detective Hogan, please.
DESK SARGEANT
Sorry, he’s not available.
ANNIE
I’ll leave a message.
DESK SARGEANT What is it?
ANNIE
Tell him Annie Roling has proof a crime was committed.
She hangs up.
SFX CLINK OF COINS…ANNIE DIALS AGAIN
ANSWERING MACHINE Hola. You’ve reached Blanca
Ortez. Please leave a message.
ANNIE
(aloud to herself)
If at first you don’t succeed
SFX: CLINK OF COINS …ANNIE DIALS AGAIN. THE PHONE RINGS IS PICKED UP.
ANNIE cont’d Rosie?
HOGAN Annie? That you?
ANNIE
Detective Hogan? What’re you doing in my apartment? What’s going on?
HOGAN
There’s been a break in.
ANNIE
Oh my God! Rosie?
HOGAN
Rose is Ok. She’s being checked out at Roosevelt. Enroute there as we speak.
ANNIE
I’ll go straight to E.R..
HOGAN
Blanca said you took her Pinto. Where the hell are you now?
ANNIE
About thirty miles or so from the bridge.
HOGAN
Be careful. Pinto’s can explode.
Despite the caution, ANNIE speeds along the Thruway, and across the Tappan Zee Bridge. At the toll booth, the collector signals her.
COLLECTOR
Lady! You gotta pull over to the shoulder.
ANNIE
I was only five miles over the limit. Ten at most.
COLLECTOR Tell it to the cop over there.
ANNIE pulls over behind a NYPD police car. To her shock
Detective HOGAN jumps out and comes to ANNIE’s window. to move over.
HOGAN
Move over! I’m drivin’.
ANNIE Rosie!
HOGAN
She’s good. You’re the one I’m worried about. Got to get you to the Hospital safely.
The police car starts out. Lights flashing. Siren screaming. The Pinto follows with Hogan at the wheel.
HOGAN cont’d
Got your message, VigilAnnie. What’s this about knowing who killed Artie Serio?
ANNIE
It was a bait and switch. This Beverly Fahey Mullen did it. Or was part of it. She could be Joe Fahey’s sister. Joe was
Artie’s co-worker at the Post
Office. He had access to the Post Office Box. That could be why Artie didn’t get the tax bills. He never even knew there was a box.…
HOGAN
Here’s another tie in. Eddie Fahey, the kid who broke into your apartment, his Dad is Joe Fahey. Rosie walked in on junior robbing your place.
ANNIE
How did he know where I lived? Wait! Rosie said she’d heard someone following us….
HOGAN
Helen said there was a nasty kid looking for Lennon the night he died. Maybe he was actually looking for Artie.
ANNIE To finish him off.
HOGAN And he thought you knew something. Had something.
ANNIE
So he broke in…
HOGAN
Rosie surprised him in the act. He pushed her down. She screamed. A neighbor heard her and called 911. The bastard got caught in the lobby.
ANNIE
What did he think I had?
HOGAN
Rosie said he ran out with a Binder.
ANNIE
That was “Paradise”. Artie’s dream.
At Roosevelt, ANNIE rushes into the Emergency Room. –Into the cubicle. Rosie is lying on the examination table. Blanca, Helen and Dr. Cameron are beside her.
ROSIE
Mom! Don’t be mad at me.
ANNIE
Sweetheart. I just care about you. But what were you doing home and not at Juilliard?
ROSIE When I got to dance class I realized I forgot my new tights. So I raced home.
BLANCA When she didn’t return to class, her teacher tried to reach you. Then called me as emergency contact.
HOGAN We’d already gotten the call from the neighbor. Uniforms got to your place first.
HELEN I was ending my shift when I saw them bringing in your girl. So of course I stayed.
ANNIE
I have a lot to explain, Helen. But thank God you…all of you were helping my precious girl.
HELEN
Doctor Cameron helped you too. He convinced Doctor Flores to withdraw his complaint.
ANNIE
Thanks Cameron.
CAMERON
It was your responsibility “to follow up”. And I’m glad I was here to treat this brave young lady…Rosie. A trooper. She didn’t flinch when I put five stitches in her hand.
ROSIE I put out my hand to break my fall when that guy pushed me. But I’m OK. Dr. Dan said I can dance “The Nutcracker”. He’s going to write a note saying so.
CAMERON
She didn’t hit her head. X-rays show she’s good to go.
ANNE That’s wonderful.
ROSIE
Doc’s coming to see me perform.
CAMERON
If it’s okay with you, Annie?
ANNIE Of course it is.
HELEN
I’ll get Rosie’s release papers ready.
BLANCA I think you and Rosie should come home with me.
HOGAN Go with Blanca, Annie. Your place will be a “crime scene” tonight.
HELEN
And you’ll need your rest. No food poisoning tomorrow.
ANNIE
I’m cured. And we’ll go to Blanca’s. But first, I need to get something from my office.
Can you come with me Detective Hogan?
In her office, ANNIE searches her desk and finds Artie Serio’s Miraculous Medal wrapped in tissue. She hands it to HOGAN.
ANNIE cont’d
Evidence. See the dry blood on the back of the medal? There may be a fingerprint.
HOGAN
Not a chance. This is embossed silver. The uneven surface of the Madonna can’t take a print.
ANNIE
Would Joe Fahey know that?
HOGAN I doubt it.
ANNIE
Then, we can use it to set a trap.
SFX: DIALS PHONE
ANNIE cont’d Is this Joe Fahey?
FAHEY Who’s askin?
ANNIE
Anne Roling. I’m calling from the Hospital. I just ran into Father Burke from St. Paul’s.
Good news. He said he’ll do Artie’s Memorial in the morning. Right after 8 o’clock Mass. I said I’d save him the trouble of calling you.
FAHEY Tomorrow? So soon?
ANNIE
Father’s going on Retreat for 2 weeks. Do you have a problem?
FAHEY
No. Okay, I can do that.
ANNIE I’m so glad. And more good news. I left a few of Artie’s things at his apartment. The medal he wore the night he died.
FAHEY
Yeah, he was religious.
ANNIE
I’m headed there now so we can have it at the Memorial. Then I’m turning it over to the police.
FAHEY The police?
ANNIE
The killer’s fingerprints may be on it. In Artie’s dried blood. So if we’re all set…I’ll let you go.
FAHEY Yeah. See you tomorrow at Church.
ANNIE hangs up the phone.
HOGAN
(amazed) You set Fahey up.
ANNIE
Now the hard part—getting Rosie to go home with Blanca.
HOGAN
The hardest part – keeping you safe VigilAnnie.
Watching from the other side of the avenue, HOGAN trails ANNIE as she walks toward Artie’s place. An unmarked police car is already parked across the street from the apartment. ANNIE enters, climbs the rickety stairs and comes to Artie’s door. She enters. Turns on the light. Joe Fahey is standing there.
FAHEY
Thought I could help you find the medal.
ANNIE
Found it already. It will prove you killed Artie Serio.
FAHEY
The dead don’t talk.
FAHEY lunges toward Annie. She screams.
HOGAN and two cops burst in. Fahey releases ANNIE. Raises his hands. The cops cuff him and lead him away.
On the following Sunday, over a hundred thousand mourners gather in Central Park to honor the memory of John Lennon. They sing “Imagine” in tribute.
It cannot be heard by Mary or the elderly Deaf Club now filing into St. Paul’s church.
Nurse Helen, Doctor Cameron, Detective Hogan, Blanca, Rosie, and ANNIE join in the humble Memorial Service for Arturo Serio.
After the Requiem Mass, ANNIE rises to give the eulogy….a sign translator joins her in the pulpit.
ANNIE
We are here to remember a good man, a dear friend, a loving uncle who despite his suffering…“made things right.” The fraud inflicted on him and all of you has been brought to the attention of the State Attorney General. He is confident that your property will be returned to you. And you stand to make a great profit. Artie got you all the best possible return on investment – peace of mind.
I imagine Artie Serio is resting in peace now. He’s smiling on all of us from his heavenly home – in Paradise.
THE END