Post by Dale on Jul 26, 2009 18:36:34 GMT -5
EXT. MANHATTAN STREETSIDE – MORNING
A homeless man is rambling to people passing by on a busy sidewalk in DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN. He is sporting dirty and soiled clothing and looks like he hasn’t showered for weeks. He has long hair and a thick beard, making it hard to see his face.
HOMELESS MAN
People, people! Open your eyes! Can’t you see? You think these freakin’ politicians and businessmen are the ones who run our economy? You’re all wrong! I used to have it all, I really did – until I lost it! Listen to me everyone – the people who really run the show are…
ZOOM IN to the homeless man’s face.
HOMELESS MAN (Cont.)
… repo men.
The HOMELESS MAN begins to laugh hysterically as the camera still fixates on his face.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
The camera is in the same zoomed in position as we see the face of DAN WOODS – a man who is in his mid-30’s that is of average build and has the most cocky attitude ever. He, much like the homeless man seen before, is laughing hysterically as the camera ZOOMS OUT from his face to reveal the entire situation. It turns out that DAN and his team are repossessing various expensive items from a house. His men are carting away objects while the homeowner pleads for DAN to cut him some slack, but DAN is savouring the homeowners suffering. Also in the room is the homeowner’s infant daughter.
A title appears that reads: 9 MONTHS EARLIER
DAN
Sir, can you just shut the hell up and listen to me?
DAN and the HOMEOWNER continue to have a battle of words.
DAN (VO)
That’s me. Yep, the one who’s not getting his house repossessed. I’m Dan Woods – the best damn repossession agent in the country.
HOMEOWNER
You’re pathetic, you know that? Get a real job!
DAN
Don’t get me started… look, I run a legitimate business and I buy all of my possessions fair and square just like you. Oh wait, you’ve never actually bought anything! You own everything you have off credit and your sole source of income were your precious stocks. Oh, and you’re telling me to get a real job? At least I have a job, unlike you whose stocks went to shit.
HOMEOWNER
Please, my daughter is right here.
DAN
Yeah well, I’ve got to go help attach your Beamer to the tow truck so I’ll look forward to seeing you greet me at Wal-Mart.
HOMEOWNER
Get off my property!
DAN
Actually, as of today, this is the Bank of USA’s property.
DAN leaves the house as his men finish carting the last of the items out.
HOMEOWNER’S DAUGHTER
What a butthead.
INT. DAN’S HOUSE – EVENING
DAN opens the door to his extravagantly decorated house and immediately heads straight to his big-screen plasma television – it is clear that no normal repo man would own such a luxurious house. He grabs his remote and changes the channel to his local news station.
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE ON THE TV SCREEN:
NEWS ANCHOR
…and in other news, we all know that we are in one of the biggest recessions in history. Everyone is feeling the heat – everyone except for one man and his company who are thriving in this economic downturn.
NEWS ANCHOR
Dan Woods is a normal man like you and me. He’s perfectly normal except for one thing – the worse the economy gets, the better his life becomes. That’s right, Dan Woods is a self-made success story bringing in millions of dollars in revenue for his company in 2008. What does he do for a living? The answer may surprise you: he is a repossession agent.
A montage of archive video and pictures play in the background as the news anchor keeps talking.
The pictures and video includes footage of DAN starting up his business and pictures of DAN throwing money into the air as he lets it shower over him.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont.)
Dan started his company called Last Call Recovery in 1999 with a team of 4 employees, and a tow truck. Today, Dan manages his company which has grown to over 50 employees with a fleet of over a dozen moving trucks and tow trucks. Is Dan Woods fulfilling the American dream – or living off the dreams of others? More on this after the break.
Shot is transferred back to DAN’S living room:
DAN shuts off his TV and takes out his cell phone. He calls up his brother.
JAMES (OS)
Hello?
DAN
How’s my favourite brother doing?
JAMES (OS)
Dan? Shit, why are you calling so late? It’s like 11:30.
DAN
11:30? Damn, your night must end early.
JAMES (OS)
It’s a Thursday night, Dan.
DAN (VO)
The guy I’m talking to on the phone is my brother. James Woods. No relation to the actor, but his voice is just as annoying. He owns PlayTime Toys.
MONTAGE:
We see a large production factory that has many different production lines for different toys. We see smoke stacks, conveyer belts, and various other machines and contraptions.
DAN (VO)
It is the 4th biggest toy manufacturer in the North-East. It used to be the 2nd largest, but times have changed.
JAMES (OS)
So why are you calling me anyway?
DAN
Were you watching the news?
JAMES (OS)
No, why?
DAN
They did a story on me! I’m famous! They were talking about my repo business and all that crap; they were practically praising me for being living proof of the American dream.
JAMES (OS)
Hey, that’s great to hear man. I’ve got to go now though. Early wake-up call tomorrow. I’ve got to make sure everything is running tip-top down at the factory – you know how it is… Actually, I really need to talk to you tomorrow. Can you meet me at my office at around 8:00 at night?
DAN
Well it depends on whether or not my men are finishing up a job, but I’ll see.
JAMES (OS)
Thanks ‘cause it’s really important. Can’t really talk about it now though... I’m counting on you.
DAN
Alright, I’ll be sure to meet you then. Take it easy champ.
JAMES (OS)
Heh, easy for you to say. Bye.
INT. LAST CALL RECOVERY OFFICE LOUNGE – DAY
DAN is preparing himself a cup of coffee while one of his employees, RANDY, is relaxing on a chair reading a newspaper. The headline on the newspaper reads: OBAMA STIMULIS PACKAGE FINALLY SHOWING ITS POWER.
DAN
Randy? What are you doing here? Isn’t your team supposed to be doing their WareCorp run today?
RANDY
Yeah we were about to reach our first house when the company’s creditor told us to call it off. Their stock went back up and the investors weren’t in debt anymore. I guess people starting buying their software again.
DAN
Damn, they got lucky. I was driving past their houses the other day and saw all the stuff they had inside. I bet more than half of that crap was paid for on maxed out credit cards. We would’ve really cleaned up.
RANDY
Wait, how did you know that they had all that stuff inside if all you did was drive by?
BEAT.
DAN
Oh, um, well I just looked very hard I guess… but so basically your team has no work to do today?
RANDY shakes his head.
DAN
Then punch out and go home, I’m not paying you to sit around on your ass all day.
RANDY puts down his newspaper and walks away.
RANDY (mumbling)
Yeah, that’s your job.
INT. JAMES’ OFFICE – EVENING
JAMES is showing a group of businessmen out of his office as they had just finished a board meeting. DAN is seen waiting at the side of the room. JAMES notices him, walks up to him, and hugs him before telling him to have a seat while he sits behind his desk.
JAMES
That’s rare, you actually showed up early for something.
DAN
Yeah, well it was a slow day at the office and I got to lock up shop early so I figured why not; I mean the gentlemen’s club doesn’t open until 10.
JAMES musters up an awkward laugh as he knows DAN isn’t joking.
DAN
So how’s business?
JAMES
It alright, I guess. I mean, we’re not doing that good, but considering the circumstances I am surprised that we’re still up and running.
DAN
Stocks are doing fine?
JAMES
Well they haven’t been doing well over the past few months, but they are starting to pick up, I mean Christmas season is just around the corner and our marketing department has really been ‘amping up for new ads and commercials.
DAN
Good to hear, man I’m so proud of my little bro! So what did you bring me here for anyway?
JAMES
Listen, I’m just going to cut the crap and get straight to it – times are tough and my company isn’t doing too well at the moment. I need a helping hand or else you may just end up having to be sending your team to my house.
DAN
What are you saying?
JAMES
I’m broke.
DAN’S happy-go-lucky behaviour around his brother quickly changes to a more serious tone.
DAN (VO)
He’s pathetic… I know he’s going to ask me for money. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either, he’s practically perfected the craft of begging.
DAN
…and?
JAMES
Well, there’s no other way to say this, I need some money.
There is an awkward silence.
DAN
You need money… from me?
JAMES
Damnit Dan… I really need the help.
DAN
Well if you only need a couple hundred I guess I can spare a few bills.
JAMES
No, what I need is a couple thousand. 10 grand to be exact and I’ll have it back to you by the end of the year, I promise. I need it for a car payment.
DAN
That’s a lot of money, bro! Besides where did all of your money go?
JAMES
Money? I never had any! I invested all of my money into my company’s stock! Those stocks aren’t exactly paying off right now so I’m kind of stuck. Anyway, I knew this was a bad idea… you’re too damn greedy.
DAN
Greedy? You think I’m greedy?!
JAMES
You’re an arrogant, smug, douchebag – I mean who wouldn’t lend money to a family member in need? It’s not like you have stuff to pay-off. You’ve even told me yourself that your house is fully paid off!
An expression of revelation is washed over DAN’S face once his brother mentions his house.
DAN
Listen, I earn my money fair and square and what I do with it is up to me so don’t judge me! I’m not as rich as you think!
JAMES
Oh please, what average-earning person would have a pool built in the shape of their head? You know what? Just leave.
DAN
Oh, come on James. I’m your brother! Don’t treat me like that.
JAMES
Don’t turn this around and make me look like the bad guy. You’ve been doing that your whole life. Oh, and screw you and your stupid company – you’re ruining lives!
DAN
You’re called my company stupid? Open your eyes! You run a toy company! How am I even ruining lives? I’m just serving justice! God, with that logic it’s no wonder your company is failing.
JAMES
Get out.
BEAT.
DAN
Wait! Are you still bringing the beer to the tennis tourney in my backyard this weekend?
JAMES
What do you think?
DAN
Alright then! Forgive me for asking a simple favour!
DAN storms out of the room.
INT. LAST CALL RECOVERY LOUNGE – DAY
DAN walks into the lounge and stumbles upon RANDY, as well as a dozen of his other employees lounging about while drinking coffee.
DAN
What the hell? What are you all doing here?
RANDY
All of our calls got cancelled.
All of a sudden, DAN gets a worried look on his face. He briskly walks from the lounge and into his office where he ruffles through stacks of paper that detail his company’s financial records. He comes across a stack of paper that detail the company’s earning over the past year. It is made apparent that over the past few months Last Call Recovery had been making less and less money. DAN walks back into the lounge.
DAN
So you guys are all off-duty right now?
EMPLOYEEE #2
Yeah.
DAN
When is the next set of calls that you guys have?
EMPLOYEE #3
Well my team isn’t scheduled to repossess a house until at least two weeks from now… unless the people paid off their debt already.
DAN (VO)
You may not know this, but I have a secret. Unlike most of my secrets, this was one I never Tweeted. It was so secret that it went against the vain of my existence. That’s right, I didn’t own my house. Ironic, I know.
Getting nervous, DAN runs out of the lounge, whips out his phone and calls his bank.
RECEPTIONIST (OS)
Hello?
DAN
Yeah I need to speak to my financial planner right now. I don’t give a shit if he’s in a meeting, you better put me on the god damn phone with him right now!
RECEPTIONIST (OS)
Is this Dan Woods? ‘Cause I’m your planner.
DAN
Alright well I need to know how many more mortgage payments I owe on my new house.
As DAN is talking on his phone, all of the workers in the lounge remain silent as they eagerly listen to DAN speaking on the phone. What they hear is muffled, but they can hear him screaming at the top of his lungs at his planner. Every now and then a clear set of words are spoken.
DAN (OS)
Yeah? And where the hell do you think I’m going to get that money from?!
Loud bangs are made as DAN slams his fists against the walls of the room he is in. There is complete silence for a few seconds until DAN bursts back into the lounge.
DAN
What are you all looking at?!
EMPLOYEE #4
Nothing, sir!
EMPLOYEE #5
Oh yeah, Mr. Woods, I put in my two-weeks’ notice today.
EMPLOYEE #6
Yeah, me too.
A few other employees nod their heads in agreement.
DAN
Wait! Look, I know times have been slow around here lately, but I sure the economy will get worse guys! I promise!
EMPLOYEE #2
I don’t think that’s happening. Stocks are on the rise again. We don’t have another call for weeks.
DAN
Fine then! Leave! All of you!
All at the same time, all of the employees leave the lounge.
MONTAGE:
JAMES is in his office, very early in the morning, doing work on his desk. His desk is littered with stacks of paper, folders, and receipts.
DAN is sitting on the floor in his living room with a sad look on his face. Unlike before, the walls are barren of decoration and the room is pretty much empty.
JAMES is shaking hands with a group of wealthy investors who have invested money in his company.
DAN is sitting at his table, wearing nothing but underpants and an undershirt, eating beans straight out of the can.
JAMES pops a bottle of champagne in his office as we see charts along the walls that indicate his stocks are back up.
DAN is at LAST CALL RECOVERY slapping a ‘FOR LEASE’ sign on the front door.
INT. DAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING
DAN is lying down on a mattress in his sparsely decorated room. Beside him is a phone. The phone starts to ring, but he lets it go to the answering machine.
JAMES (OS)
Dan? You there? Look, I know you’re screening this call, but I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for the little argument we had a few weeks ago in my office. I just wanted you to know that my company’s stocks went back up. Anyway, I’m having a get-together at my house next weekend, if you want, you can come. See you later.
DAN (VO)
There I was –decaying in a house I didn’t even own. Christ, I was becoming the type of person I hated – a person other than me. I was finished. Last Call was in ruins and my only hope was for the economy to get worse. For the first time in my life, my brother was doing better than me. I was jealous, to say the least…
The expression on DAN’S face turns from one of depression, to one of excitement.
DAN (VO)
…but then it hit me…
DAN takes out a large piece of paper with detailed floor plans of his brother’s factory.
DAN (VO)
…if the economy wasn’t getting worse on its own, maybe I could help it back to its former state.
EXT. PLAYTIME TOY FACTORY – NIGHT
DAN is wearing all-black and is wearing a ski-mask. He has a trolley and is lugging around a few large bags filled with powdered lead. Using a key that he has, he opens a side door to the factory and steps in.
INT. PLAYTIME TOY FACTORY – NIGHT
DAN leaves the trolley where it is and sneaks around security cameras and into a room that houses the central computer connected to the system of security cameras found around the factory. He takes out a crowbar that he equipped with him and begins to smash away at the computer until it in reduced to a mangled mess. DAN then rushes back to his trolley and wheels it up against a gigantic vat. Inside the vat is plastic (in its liquid form) as it prepares for the next day’s batch of toys to be made. DAN smirks and snickers as he cuts open a bag of the powdered lead and dumps it into the vat. He repeats this again and again until he has dumped several bags worth of lead into the vat. The camera fixates on the vat as the lead swirls and mixes in with the plastic.
CUT TO:
A TV is turned on as a news segment begins.
NEWS REPORTER
Breaking news, PlayTime Toys, a trusted toy brand to families all over North America has just issued a recall of all their products. Reports have shown that nearly all of their toys have trace amounts of lead in them –
The channel switches.
NEWS ANCHOR #2
…and with the blood on over 100 children on his hands, James Woods, the CEO of PlayTime Toys, has been bombarded with dozens of lawsuits from families all over North America.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #3
…PlayTime stock has plummeted over 90% in just the past 24 hours after it was proven that over 150 child deaths were casued due to lead poisoning found in the company’s toys. This is bad news for the CEO and all of the investors seeing as how almost all of their income was reliant on their stocks.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #4
…James Woods is expected to appear in court today on accounts of poor business and safety practises. Reports of sabotage have been made by Woods regarding a mangled computer found in the security office of his factory. Oddly enough he is blaming his brother, Dan Woods, for all of this. However, this was quickly regarded as a last-ditch effort to cover-up the truth.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #5
…sued for 300 million dollars…
The camera zooms out from the TV to reveal that it is in JAMES’ sparsely decorated house as a group of Last Call Recovery works are packing items into boxes and taking them away. The TV continues to play as DAN watches it with a smirk on his face, he is clearly happy that his plan worked out. It is seen that JAMES is angered at his brother.
NEWS REPORTER #5 (cont.)
…you heard me correctly folks, 300 million dollars. He should just feel happy that his jail sentence was appealed on accounts that he had nothing to do with the lead finding its way onto the production line. Jeez, when you’re hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, where do you go from there?
DAN (VO)
Everything was back to normal. Last Call was up and running again and my house was finally paid off. I was sort of sad that I couldn’t bring down the whole economy – that would be fantastic. Like a wise movie once taught me “With great power, comes great responsibility”, and being the responsible man that I am… what can stop me now?
MONTAGE:
DAN takes off the ‘FOR LEASE’ sign at his office.
DAN writes of his last mortgage payment for his house.
DAN’s house is back to its normal, luxurious state as he sits in a recliner chair while smoking a cigar. He takes out a newspaper with a picture of his brother’s mug shot on the front page. The camera fixates on the mug shot of JAMES as it changes to the next scene.
EXT. MAHATTAN STREETSIDE – MORNING
The same HOMELESS MAN from the beginning of the movie is seen rambling to people again. As the camera fixates on his upper body, it is made apparent that this person is actually JAMES WOODS. As he rambles, the camera tilts upwards to show a person standing on the rooftop of a building adjacent to JAMES.
EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOP – MORNING
As it turns out, the person standing on the rooftop is DAN. He is leaning over the railing, listening to his brother as he talks so crazily. He chuckles and shakes his head.
DAN (VO)
I guess you can call me mad… insane… crazy.
DAN turns away from his brother as he walks along the rooftop.
DAN (VO)
But you can also call me dedicated… devoted… and proof that the American dream still exists.
DAN motions his way towards a sniper rifle that he has positioned on the corner of the rooftop.
DAN (VO)
Above all else, and you may not know it, but I am in control. In control of my life… and yours
DAN carefully aims the gun at a window across the street. Through the crosshair, we can see that he is aiming at what appears to be a business executive for a big company.
DAN (VO)
Oh, and if you’ve invested most of your money in Globo-Life stock…
DAN fires a shot and smiles; knowing that he hit his target.
DAN (VO)
… I guess I’ll be seeing you soon.
DAN continues to smile as the sound of sirens and his brother’s rambling become increasingly louder.
CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE: re-Possessed
THE END.
A homeless man is rambling to people passing by on a busy sidewalk in DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN. He is sporting dirty and soiled clothing and looks like he hasn’t showered for weeks. He has long hair and a thick beard, making it hard to see his face.
HOMELESS MAN
People, people! Open your eyes! Can’t you see? You think these freakin’ politicians and businessmen are the ones who run our economy? You’re all wrong! I used to have it all, I really did – until I lost it! Listen to me everyone – the people who really run the show are…
ZOOM IN to the homeless man’s face.
HOMELESS MAN (Cont.)
… repo men.
The HOMELESS MAN begins to laugh hysterically as the camera still fixates on his face.
INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
The camera is in the same zoomed in position as we see the face of DAN WOODS – a man who is in his mid-30’s that is of average build and has the most cocky attitude ever. He, much like the homeless man seen before, is laughing hysterically as the camera ZOOMS OUT from his face to reveal the entire situation. It turns out that DAN and his team are repossessing various expensive items from a house. His men are carting away objects while the homeowner pleads for DAN to cut him some slack, but DAN is savouring the homeowners suffering. Also in the room is the homeowner’s infant daughter.
A title appears that reads: 9 MONTHS EARLIER
DAN
Sir, can you just shut the hell up and listen to me?
DAN and the HOMEOWNER continue to have a battle of words.
DAN (VO)
That’s me. Yep, the one who’s not getting his house repossessed. I’m Dan Woods – the best damn repossession agent in the country.
HOMEOWNER
You’re pathetic, you know that? Get a real job!
DAN
Don’t get me started… look, I run a legitimate business and I buy all of my possessions fair and square just like you. Oh wait, you’ve never actually bought anything! You own everything you have off credit and your sole source of income were your precious stocks. Oh, and you’re telling me to get a real job? At least I have a job, unlike you whose stocks went to shit.
HOMEOWNER
Please, my daughter is right here.
DAN
Yeah well, I’ve got to go help attach your Beamer to the tow truck so I’ll look forward to seeing you greet me at Wal-Mart.
HOMEOWNER
Get off my property!
DAN
Actually, as of today, this is the Bank of USA’s property.
DAN leaves the house as his men finish carting the last of the items out.
HOMEOWNER’S DAUGHTER
What a butthead.
INT. DAN’S HOUSE – EVENING
DAN opens the door to his extravagantly decorated house and immediately heads straight to his big-screen plasma television – it is clear that no normal repo man would own such a luxurious house. He grabs his remote and changes the channel to his local news station.
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE ON THE TV SCREEN:
NEWS ANCHOR
…and in other news, we all know that we are in one of the biggest recessions in history. Everyone is feeling the heat – everyone except for one man and his company who are thriving in this economic downturn.
NEWS ANCHOR
Dan Woods is a normal man like you and me. He’s perfectly normal except for one thing – the worse the economy gets, the better his life becomes. That’s right, Dan Woods is a self-made success story bringing in millions of dollars in revenue for his company in 2008. What does he do for a living? The answer may surprise you: he is a repossession agent.
A montage of archive video and pictures play in the background as the news anchor keeps talking.
The pictures and video includes footage of DAN starting up his business and pictures of DAN throwing money into the air as he lets it shower over him.
NEWS ANCHOR (cont.)
Dan started his company called Last Call Recovery in 1999 with a team of 4 employees, and a tow truck. Today, Dan manages his company which has grown to over 50 employees with a fleet of over a dozen moving trucks and tow trucks. Is Dan Woods fulfilling the American dream – or living off the dreams of others? More on this after the break.
Shot is transferred back to DAN’S living room:
DAN shuts off his TV and takes out his cell phone. He calls up his brother.
JAMES (OS)
Hello?
DAN
How’s my favourite brother doing?
JAMES (OS)
Dan? Shit, why are you calling so late? It’s like 11:30.
DAN
11:30? Damn, your night must end early.
JAMES (OS)
It’s a Thursday night, Dan.
DAN (VO)
The guy I’m talking to on the phone is my brother. James Woods. No relation to the actor, but his voice is just as annoying. He owns PlayTime Toys.
MONTAGE:
We see a large production factory that has many different production lines for different toys. We see smoke stacks, conveyer belts, and various other machines and contraptions.
DAN (VO)
It is the 4th biggest toy manufacturer in the North-East. It used to be the 2nd largest, but times have changed.
JAMES (OS)
So why are you calling me anyway?
DAN
Were you watching the news?
JAMES (OS)
No, why?
DAN
They did a story on me! I’m famous! They were talking about my repo business and all that crap; they were practically praising me for being living proof of the American dream.
JAMES (OS)
Hey, that’s great to hear man. I’ve got to go now though. Early wake-up call tomorrow. I’ve got to make sure everything is running tip-top down at the factory – you know how it is… Actually, I really need to talk to you tomorrow. Can you meet me at my office at around 8:00 at night?
DAN
Well it depends on whether or not my men are finishing up a job, but I’ll see.
JAMES (OS)
Thanks ‘cause it’s really important. Can’t really talk about it now though... I’m counting on you.
DAN
Alright, I’ll be sure to meet you then. Take it easy champ.
JAMES (OS)
Heh, easy for you to say. Bye.
INT. LAST CALL RECOVERY OFFICE LOUNGE – DAY
DAN is preparing himself a cup of coffee while one of his employees, RANDY, is relaxing on a chair reading a newspaper. The headline on the newspaper reads: OBAMA STIMULIS PACKAGE FINALLY SHOWING ITS POWER.
DAN
Randy? What are you doing here? Isn’t your team supposed to be doing their WareCorp run today?
RANDY
Yeah we were about to reach our first house when the company’s creditor told us to call it off. Their stock went back up and the investors weren’t in debt anymore. I guess people starting buying their software again.
DAN
Damn, they got lucky. I was driving past their houses the other day and saw all the stuff they had inside. I bet more than half of that crap was paid for on maxed out credit cards. We would’ve really cleaned up.
RANDY
Wait, how did you know that they had all that stuff inside if all you did was drive by?
BEAT.
DAN
Oh, um, well I just looked very hard I guess… but so basically your team has no work to do today?
RANDY shakes his head.
DAN
Then punch out and go home, I’m not paying you to sit around on your ass all day.
RANDY puts down his newspaper and walks away.
RANDY (mumbling)
Yeah, that’s your job.
INT. JAMES’ OFFICE – EVENING
JAMES is showing a group of businessmen out of his office as they had just finished a board meeting. DAN is seen waiting at the side of the room. JAMES notices him, walks up to him, and hugs him before telling him to have a seat while he sits behind his desk.
JAMES
That’s rare, you actually showed up early for something.
DAN
Yeah, well it was a slow day at the office and I got to lock up shop early so I figured why not; I mean the gentlemen’s club doesn’t open until 10.
JAMES musters up an awkward laugh as he knows DAN isn’t joking.
DAN
So how’s business?
JAMES
It alright, I guess. I mean, we’re not doing that good, but considering the circumstances I am surprised that we’re still up and running.
DAN
Stocks are doing fine?
JAMES
Well they haven’t been doing well over the past few months, but they are starting to pick up, I mean Christmas season is just around the corner and our marketing department has really been ‘amping up for new ads and commercials.
DAN
Good to hear, man I’m so proud of my little bro! So what did you bring me here for anyway?
JAMES
Listen, I’m just going to cut the crap and get straight to it – times are tough and my company isn’t doing too well at the moment. I need a helping hand or else you may just end up having to be sending your team to my house.
DAN
What are you saying?
JAMES
I’m broke.
DAN’S happy-go-lucky behaviour around his brother quickly changes to a more serious tone.
DAN (VO)
He’s pathetic… I know he’s going to ask me for money. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either, he’s practically perfected the craft of begging.
DAN
…and?
JAMES
Well, there’s no other way to say this, I need some money.
There is an awkward silence.
DAN
You need money… from me?
JAMES
Damnit Dan… I really need the help.
DAN
Well if you only need a couple hundred I guess I can spare a few bills.
JAMES
No, what I need is a couple thousand. 10 grand to be exact and I’ll have it back to you by the end of the year, I promise. I need it for a car payment.
DAN
That’s a lot of money, bro! Besides where did all of your money go?
JAMES
Money? I never had any! I invested all of my money into my company’s stock! Those stocks aren’t exactly paying off right now so I’m kind of stuck. Anyway, I knew this was a bad idea… you’re too damn greedy.
DAN
Greedy? You think I’m greedy?!
JAMES
You’re an arrogant, smug, douchebag – I mean who wouldn’t lend money to a family member in need? It’s not like you have stuff to pay-off. You’ve even told me yourself that your house is fully paid off!
An expression of revelation is washed over DAN’S face once his brother mentions his house.
DAN
Listen, I earn my money fair and square and what I do with it is up to me so don’t judge me! I’m not as rich as you think!
JAMES
Oh please, what average-earning person would have a pool built in the shape of their head? You know what? Just leave.
DAN
Oh, come on James. I’m your brother! Don’t treat me like that.
JAMES
Don’t turn this around and make me look like the bad guy. You’ve been doing that your whole life. Oh, and screw you and your stupid company – you’re ruining lives!
DAN
You’re called my company stupid? Open your eyes! You run a toy company! How am I even ruining lives? I’m just serving justice! God, with that logic it’s no wonder your company is failing.
JAMES
Get out.
BEAT.
DAN
Wait! Are you still bringing the beer to the tennis tourney in my backyard this weekend?
JAMES
What do you think?
DAN
Alright then! Forgive me for asking a simple favour!
DAN storms out of the room.
INT. LAST CALL RECOVERY LOUNGE – DAY
DAN walks into the lounge and stumbles upon RANDY, as well as a dozen of his other employees lounging about while drinking coffee.
DAN
What the hell? What are you all doing here?
RANDY
All of our calls got cancelled.
All of a sudden, DAN gets a worried look on his face. He briskly walks from the lounge and into his office where he ruffles through stacks of paper that detail his company’s financial records. He comes across a stack of paper that detail the company’s earning over the past year. It is made apparent that over the past few months Last Call Recovery had been making less and less money. DAN walks back into the lounge.
DAN
So you guys are all off-duty right now?
EMPLOYEEE #2
Yeah.
DAN
When is the next set of calls that you guys have?
EMPLOYEE #3
Well my team isn’t scheduled to repossess a house until at least two weeks from now… unless the people paid off their debt already.
DAN (VO)
You may not know this, but I have a secret. Unlike most of my secrets, this was one I never Tweeted. It was so secret that it went against the vain of my existence. That’s right, I didn’t own my house. Ironic, I know.
Getting nervous, DAN runs out of the lounge, whips out his phone and calls his bank.
RECEPTIONIST (OS)
Hello?
DAN
Yeah I need to speak to my financial planner right now. I don’t give a shit if he’s in a meeting, you better put me on the god damn phone with him right now!
RECEPTIONIST (OS)
Is this Dan Woods? ‘Cause I’m your planner.
DAN
Alright well I need to know how many more mortgage payments I owe on my new house.
As DAN is talking on his phone, all of the workers in the lounge remain silent as they eagerly listen to DAN speaking on the phone. What they hear is muffled, but they can hear him screaming at the top of his lungs at his planner. Every now and then a clear set of words are spoken.
DAN (OS)
Yeah? And where the hell do you think I’m going to get that money from?!
Loud bangs are made as DAN slams his fists against the walls of the room he is in. There is complete silence for a few seconds until DAN bursts back into the lounge.
DAN
What are you all looking at?!
EMPLOYEE #4
Nothing, sir!
EMPLOYEE #5
Oh yeah, Mr. Woods, I put in my two-weeks’ notice today.
EMPLOYEE #6
Yeah, me too.
A few other employees nod their heads in agreement.
DAN
Wait! Look, I know times have been slow around here lately, but I sure the economy will get worse guys! I promise!
EMPLOYEE #2
I don’t think that’s happening. Stocks are on the rise again. We don’t have another call for weeks.
DAN
Fine then! Leave! All of you!
All at the same time, all of the employees leave the lounge.
MONTAGE:
JAMES is in his office, very early in the morning, doing work on his desk. His desk is littered with stacks of paper, folders, and receipts.
DAN is sitting on the floor in his living room with a sad look on his face. Unlike before, the walls are barren of decoration and the room is pretty much empty.
JAMES is shaking hands with a group of wealthy investors who have invested money in his company.
DAN is sitting at his table, wearing nothing but underpants and an undershirt, eating beans straight out of the can.
JAMES pops a bottle of champagne in his office as we see charts along the walls that indicate his stocks are back up.
DAN is at LAST CALL RECOVERY slapping a ‘FOR LEASE’ sign on the front door.
INT. DAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING
DAN is lying down on a mattress in his sparsely decorated room. Beside him is a phone. The phone starts to ring, but he lets it go to the answering machine.
JAMES (OS)
Dan? You there? Look, I know you’re screening this call, but I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for the little argument we had a few weeks ago in my office. I just wanted you to know that my company’s stocks went back up. Anyway, I’m having a get-together at my house next weekend, if you want, you can come. See you later.
DAN (VO)
There I was –decaying in a house I didn’t even own. Christ, I was becoming the type of person I hated – a person other than me. I was finished. Last Call was in ruins and my only hope was for the economy to get worse. For the first time in my life, my brother was doing better than me. I was jealous, to say the least…
The expression on DAN’S face turns from one of depression, to one of excitement.
DAN (VO)
…but then it hit me…
DAN takes out a large piece of paper with detailed floor plans of his brother’s factory.
DAN (VO)
…if the economy wasn’t getting worse on its own, maybe I could help it back to its former state.
EXT. PLAYTIME TOY FACTORY – NIGHT
DAN is wearing all-black and is wearing a ski-mask. He has a trolley and is lugging around a few large bags filled with powdered lead. Using a key that he has, he opens a side door to the factory and steps in.
INT. PLAYTIME TOY FACTORY – NIGHT
DAN leaves the trolley where it is and sneaks around security cameras and into a room that houses the central computer connected to the system of security cameras found around the factory. He takes out a crowbar that he equipped with him and begins to smash away at the computer until it in reduced to a mangled mess. DAN then rushes back to his trolley and wheels it up against a gigantic vat. Inside the vat is plastic (in its liquid form) as it prepares for the next day’s batch of toys to be made. DAN smirks and snickers as he cuts open a bag of the powdered lead and dumps it into the vat. He repeats this again and again until he has dumped several bags worth of lead into the vat. The camera fixates on the vat as the lead swirls and mixes in with the plastic.
CUT TO:
A TV is turned on as a news segment begins.
NEWS REPORTER
Breaking news, PlayTime Toys, a trusted toy brand to families all over North America has just issued a recall of all their products. Reports have shown that nearly all of their toys have trace amounts of lead in them –
The channel switches.
NEWS ANCHOR #2
…and with the blood on over 100 children on his hands, James Woods, the CEO of PlayTime Toys, has been bombarded with dozens of lawsuits from families all over North America.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #3
…PlayTime stock has plummeted over 90% in just the past 24 hours after it was proven that over 150 child deaths were casued due to lead poisoning found in the company’s toys. This is bad news for the CEO and all of the investors seeing as how almost all of their income was reliant on their stocks.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #4
…James Woods is expected to appear in court today on accounts of poor business and safety practises. Reports of sabotage have been made by Woods regarding a mangled computer found in the security office of his factory. Oddly enough he is blaming his brother, Dan Woods, for all of this. However, this was quickly regarded as a last-ditch effort to cover-up the truth.
The channel switches.
NEWS REPORTER #5
…sued for 300 million dollars…
The camera zooms out from the TV to reveal that it is in JAMES’ sparsely decorated house as a group of Last Call Recovery works are packing items into boxes and taking them away. The TV continues to play as DAN watches it with a smirk on his face, he is clearly happy that his plan worked out. It is seen that JAMES is angered at his brother.
NEWS REPORTER #5 (cont.)
…you heard me correctly folks, 300 million dollars. He should just feel happy that his jail sentence was appealed on accounts that he had nothing to do with the lead finding its way onto the production line. Jeez, when you’re hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, where do you go from there?
DAN (VO)
Everything was back to normal. Last Call was up and running again and my house was finally paid off. I was sort of sad that I couldn’t bring down the whole economy – that would be fantastic. Like a wise movie once taught me “With great power, comes great responsibility”, and being the responsible man that I am… what can stop me now?
MONTAGE:
DAN takes off the ‘FOR LEASE’ sign at his office.
DAN writes of his last mortgage payment for his house.
DAN’s house is back to its normal, luxurious state as he sits in a recliner chair while smoking a cigar. He takes out a newspaper with a picture of his brother’s mug shot on the front page. The camera fixates on the mug shot of JAMES as it changes to the next scene.
EXT. MAHATTAN STREETSIDE – MORNING
The same HOMELESS MAN from the beginning of the movie is seen rambling to people again. As the camera fixates on his upper body, it is made apparent that this person is actually JAMES WOODS. As he rambles, the camera tilts upwards to show a person standing on the rooftop of a building adjacent to JAMES.
EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOP – MORNING
As it turns out, the person standing on the rooftop is DAN. He is leaning over the railing, listening to his brother as he talks so crazily. He chuckles and shakes his head.
DAN (VO)
I guess you can call me mad… insane… crazy.
DAN turns away from his brother as he walks along the rooftop.
DAN (VO)
But you can also call me dedicated… devoted… and proof that the American dream still exists.
DAN motions his way towards a sniper rifle that he has positioned on the corner of the rooftop.
DAN (VO)
Above all else, and you may not know it, but I am in control. In control of my life… and yours
DAN carefully aims the gun at a window across the street. Through the crosshair, we can see that he is aiming at what appears to be a business executive for a big company.
DAN (VO)
Oh, and if you’ve invested most of your money in Globo-Life stock…
DAN fires a shot and smiles; knowing that he hit his target.
DAN (VO)
… I guess I’ll be seeing you soon.
DAN continues to smile as the sound of sirens and his brother’s rambling become increasingly louder.
CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE: re-Possessed
THE END.
