THE RUBICON

by
Stephen P. Sherwood

7th Draft
1/12/11

Stephen P. Sherwood
Steve@brightforest.com
(404) 825-5070

WGA East Registration #I216786

 THE RUBICON 1

1 INT. -DAY - BANK OFFICE

STEWARD, a paunchy bank manager in his 50’s with greying hair

and glasses, is talking to Tom and ANGELA HOBSON. Tom is 42,
thin and a bit haggard looking in jeans and a flannel shirt.
He walks with a slight limp and uses a cane. ANGELA is 38,
blond and tidy wearing an outfit that’s worn. Both are angry
and frustrated. STEWARD is sympathetic, but unyielding.

TOM
So, that’s it?

STEWARD
I’m afraid so. In a foreclosure
situation like yours, the best
solution for a fresh start is
bankruptcy.

ANGELA
We’re not deadbeats! We tried! We
really, really tried! But you can’t
make house payments if nobody’s
working!

STEWARD
I know, it’s a story I hear all the
time now. We’re going through a
dozen or so foreclosures a week.

TOM
Story? This is just a story to you?
This is our lives!

STEWARD
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that
way. I’ve read your file, I know
you’ve both been through a lot.

TOM
Yeah, well. It’s just been bad luck
all around.

STEWARD
I know, and I sympathize with you.
(Beat) I used to enjoy this job.
I’d come in every morning thinking
I could make a difference, that I
could help people reach their
dreams, buy a home, start a new
business, expand a business. But
lately all I’ve been doing is
telling good people like you, that
they’re out of options.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 2

ANGELA
Well you people started all this!

STEWARD
What?

ANGELA
Maybe not you personally, but when
we got the house they made it seem
so easy. Gave us an eighty-twenty
loan, no money down, just pay
closing. They said not to worry
about it, just sign the papers.

TOM
Yeah, they made it sound like it
would be no problem. Next thing we
know, we get a letter saying
they’ve gone under and you guys
have our loan. ‘Sub-prime’, shoulda
called it sub-merged.

ANGELA
You know the worst part? Hearing
people tell you that you ‘should
have known better’! We’ve never
bought a house before, we didn’t
know how this stuff works! How were
we supposed to ‘know better’?

STEWARD nods grimly.

ANGELA (CONT’D)
I’m sorry, it’s not your fault,
it’s just so overwhelming.

TOM
And that file doesn’t tell you the
whole story.

ANGELA
Tom...

TOM
No, I want him to know!

STEWARD
It’s all right, go ahead.

Tom looks at ANGELA mournfully.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 3

TOM
Last week, Angie went to one of
those free clinics to have a
mammogram and, she’s got a tumour! *

ANGELA *
There’s no point in thinking about *
it. We don’t have the money for *
treatments. *

STEWARD takes a deep breath, hangs his head, then looks up.

STEWARD
I am so sorry. I wish I could do
something, anything to help.

STEWARD considers them for a moment, then his eyes wander

back to his desk where he spots a business card off to one
side, he stares at it intently for a moment then picks it up.
The plain white business card reads “Denovo”, with an address
below, no phone number or email. STEWARD looks pensive for a
moment, then straightens, fidgeting with the card as he
speaks.

STEWARD (CONT’D)
This morning, a man came in and
wanted to speak with the manager.
He said he worked for an
organization that helped people in
dire situations. He wasn’t much on
detail, but he gave me this card.

STEWARD looks at the card a moment, then continues.

STEWARD (CONT’D)
He said they couldn’t help
everyone, there were just too many.
He was going to banks and giving
each just one card. We were
supposed to give it to someone
deserving, and we had to give it
away today. So I’m giving my card
to you.

STEWARD hands the card to Tom, who eyes it curiously.

TOM
So, what? We call? Wait, there’s no
phone number on here.

STEWARD
No, you have to go there in person.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 4

TOM
For what? What do they do?

STEWARD
He said to tell you that you should
go to the address as soon as
possible. They provide relocation
to a place where you are guaranteed
work.

ANGELA
Did he say where?

STEWARD
No, he wouldn’t say anything else.

The three of them look at each other uncertainly. STEWARD

puts his arms on the desk and leans forward.

STEWARD (CONT’D)
Look, I need to be clear here. I’ve
told you everything he said. I have
no idea if this is a scam or not.
He sounded sincere and seemed
trustworthy. But at this point,
what do you have to lose?

Tom and ANGELA look at each other, ANGELA nods slightly.

TOM
Yeah, ain't that the truth. Well,
whatever happens, we appreciate you
at least tryin’ to help.

ANGELA
Yes, thank you Mister Steward.

They all stand and shake hands. Tom uses a cane.

TOM
So we gotta be out of the house in
two weeks, right?

STEWARD
I’m afraid so. Good luck, I hope
that card works out for you.

TOM
Yeah, well...anything beats bein’
homeless.

Tom and ANGELA leave the office.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 5

2 EXT. - DAY - BUS STOP

As Tom and ANGELA sit at the bus stop, they look at the card.

TOM
Whaddya think?

ANGELA
I don’t know. Relocation? Could be
anywhere.

Tom laughs mirthlessly.

TOM
Yeah, well what are our options
here? Oh that’s right, zero and
none. (Beat) So?

ANGELA shrugs her shoulders.

ANGELA
Like the man said, what have we got
to lose?

TOM
All right, we need to go to a
different stop though. We have to
go downtown.

Tom and ANGELA get up and walk off-screen.

3 INT. - DAY - OFFICE BUILDING HALLWAY

Tom and ANGELA get off of an elevator, look at the signs,

then head down a hallway, stopping at a door.

4 INT. - DAY - DENOVO OFFICE

Tom and ANGELA enter the office and talk to the receptionist.

RECEPTIONIST
May I help you?

Tom holds up the card.

TOM
A banker gave us this.

RECEPTIONIST
Your last name?

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 8

DORRAN looks at ANGELA.

DORRAN
And you?

ANGELA
Waitress mostly. I studied to be a
graphic artist, but that was a
while ago.

DORRAN
Do you have any children?

ANGELA
No.

DORRAN regards them with a blank expression.

DORRAN
You are suitable. Are you willing
to leave this evening?

Tom and ANGELA are caught off guard.

TOM
Tonight? That’s kinda quick. What’s
this all about anyway?

DORRAN
Denovo offers certain individuals
an opportunity to start their lives
anew in a place where work is
assured, and your needs are met.

TOM
Really? So where is this place?

DORRAN
I cannot say specifically. If the
location were known, too many would
wish to go. We must maintain
balance.

ANGELA
You’re being awfully vague. Are you
saying that there would be jobs for
us?

DORRAN
Not simply jobs. You will be
provided with a home, your own
transportation, and complete
medical care.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 9

Tom and ANGELA look at him in disbelief.

TOM
You yankin’ my chain here? Who
offers all that?

ANGELA
Yeah, it sounds great, but what’s
the catch?

DORRAN
The catch. Yes. You mean the cost,
what is required of you. We require
that you leave tonight, precisely
at seven o’clock. You are to tell
no one, bring nothing but the
clothes you wear and one bag of
personal belongings. You will not
return.

TOM
Not return?! Seriously??

ANGELA
I don’t like the sound of this.

DORRAN
Yes. I understand these are unusual
requests. I will help you to accept
our offer by providing you aid now.

DORRAN stands and walks around the desk stopping next to Tom.

TOM
Hey! What’re you doin'?

DORRAN
Please stand.

Tom looks at ANGELA, then uses one hand to push himself up

and face DORRAN.

DORRAN (CONT’D)
How is your hip injured?

TOM
I was doin’ a framin’ job, I fell
and broke it. They fixed it best
they could, but said I’d need an
expensive operation to make it
right.

DORRAN
May I to touch you?

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 11

DORRAN (CONT’D)
We have proven ourselves with a
gift of healing. It is now up to
you.

DORRAN gestures at the door, indicating they should go. Tom

opens the door and they exit the room, DORRAN following.

6 INT. - DAY - OFFICE WAITING ROOM

Tom, ANGELA and DORRAN exit the office.

DORRAN
Make certain that you are there on
time.

TOM
Umm, OK, sure. Thanks!

DORRAN re-enters his office and closes the door. Tom and
ANGELA look at the card and each other questioningly.

INT - BEDROOM - AFTERNOON *

ANGELA is filling one of two suitcases which lie on the bed. *

Both suitcases have some basic clothing and shoes along with *
pictures and other personal effects. ANGELA seems emotionally *
unsettled. She is talking to Tom, who is off-screen. *

ANGELA *
I don’t know what clothes to bring. *
He didn’t say anything about the *
weather. *

Tom enters carrying a black plastic box and an old hammer. It *

has a wooden handle and a rusty steel head. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
Why are you bringing that old *
hammer? I’m sure they’ll have tools *
Tom. *

TOM
It’s the hammer I bought for my *
first job. *

ANGELA *
You’re sentimental about a hammer? *

TOM *
No. It’s just, I guess it’s my *
lucky hammer. *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 12

She gives him an “Oh really?” Look. *

TOM (CONT’D)
Don’t start. *

He begins to put it in the suitcase. *

ANGELA *
Well at least wrap it in something *
so that it doesn’t dirty up *
everything else. *

He grabs a small towel and wraps the hammer, putting it in *

the suitcase. He then puts the black box in. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
What’s in the box? *

TOM
A micrometer. *

She looks at him with raised eyebrows. *

TOM (CONT’D)
It’s my favorite. *

She shakes her head and rearranges something in her suitcase. *

ANGELA *
Don’t forget to look in the closet. *
There’s a bag with some of your old *
stuff in it. *

Tom goes to the closet and looks in the bag, then returns to *
the bed and starts to put something small in the suitcase. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
What’s that? *

She holds out her hand and Tom sheepishly hands her an old, *
worn baseball. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
A baseball? I’ve never seen you *
play. *

She looks it over carefully. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
Is it signed or something? *

He takes the ball back. *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 13

TOM
No. It’s the last thing dad gave me *
before... well it’s the last thing *
he gave me. *

He puts it in the suitcase. *

TOM (CONT’D)
I thought maybe someday, I’d be *
able to hand it down. *

They share an uncomfortable moment, then Tom heads back to *

the closet. *

TOM (CONT’D)
Guess I should bring a suit. *

ANGELA looks around the room and goes to an old armoire. She *
opens a drawer and sorts through some jewelry, pulling *
selected pieces out. She turns away, then turns back looking *
at the armoire. She runs her hand along it’s length. Tom *
returns with a suit in a plastic bag. He puts it in the *
suitcase and notices her. *

TOM (CONT’D)
Angie? *

ANGELA *
It’s not fair. This old armoire was *
handed down to me from my grandma. *
And now... *

She tears up and sags onto the bed, Tom tries to comfort her. *

TOM
It’s just a piece of wood Angie. *
I’ll make you a new one. *

ANGELA *
You can’t make an heirloom. *

TOM
It’s just a thing! Our lives is *
what this is all about. You saw *
what he did. Life is all we have, *
things don’t matter. *

ANGELA takes a breath and gets up, putting the jewelry into a *
bag, then into the suitcase. She continues to stare at the *
suitcase. *

ANGELA *
Tom? *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 14

TOM
Uh huh? *

ANGELA *
What if he’s lying? *

TOM
About what? *

ANGELA *
About the work, or the housing, or *
any of it? *

TOM
Angie... what do you want me to *
say? You heard everything I did. I *
don’t understand it either. But the *
fact is, he did heal my hip. *

ANGELA *
The clinic said there were some *
places which had programs for... *
people like us. *

TOM
They also said there was a long *
waiting list, and no guarantees. *
How much more... do we have to put *
into hope? If we stay here, that’s *
just one more thing we have to hope *
for. A job, a place to live, food, *
a car, a decent life. *

ANGELA holds him close. *

TOM (CONT’D)
I swear, sometimes I think the most *
dangerous thing in life is hope. *

ANGELA *
Don’t say that. Aren’t we hoping *
that this Denovo will deliver what *
they promise? *

TOM
Yeah, I guess so. But when it’s the *
only offer on the table, it’s *
foolish to turn it down. *

ANGELA *
I hope you’re right. *

She tries to smile and he returns a half-hearted chuckle. *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 15

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
Should we tell someone we’re *
leaving? *

Tom thinks a moment, then snorts a short laugh. *

TOM
Who’d we tell? Your parents are *
gone. Dad’s gone and mom doesn’t *
recognize me anymore. You haven’t *
talked to your sister in years. *

ANGELA *
What about the neighbors? Mike and *
Christy? *

TOM
We had dinner with them once years *
ago, and we barely know any of the *
neighbors. When you’re not doing *
well, nobody wants to know you. *

ANGELA *
I guess we really don’t have *
anything to hold us here. *

TOM
Yeah. Well. We’d better finish and *
go. This is one time we can’t be *
late. *

7 EXT. - EVENING - WAREHOUSE

Tom and ANGELA walk up to the door of the old warehouse

building and enter. They are each carrying one bag.

8 INT. - EVENING - WAREHOUSE

Tom and ANGELA enter the empty warehouse and see a small
group of people seated in folding chairs. DORRAN and his
associates are talking to each other nearby. Tom sees Frank
and heads over to sit down next to him.

FRANK
Decided to give it a go, eh?

TOM
We’re still not sure about this.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 16

FRANK
Sure? What’s sure anymore! Death
and taxes. And from what they’re
saying, we may not even have taxes.

ANGELA
Aren’t you bothered by how vague
these guys have been?

FRANK
Bothered? Hey, you want vague, try
joining the Army. They don’t tell
you squat. At least this sounds
like nobody will be shooting at us.

TOM
I gotta give it to ‘em, that Dorran
guy did something that seems to
have fixed my hip.

FRANK
Good for you! I had trouble with my
back and prostate. All gone now,
just like that!

TOM
You know, hearing it out loud like
that...it sounds even stranger.
What kind of person can do that
just by touching you?

FRANK
Just because you didn’t see any
technology, doesn’t mean they
didn’t use any. Could be hidden,
their ‘ace in the hole’, you know?

ANGELA
Well it sure worked for Tom!

TOM
Yeah, but if I’d known what he was
doin’ I woulda made sure he healed
you first.

FRANK
Hmmm. He didn’t offer to help her
as well?

ANGELA
He said we had to come tonight for
me to be healed.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 17

TOM
That’s the main reason we’re here.
But it’s still...a tough choice.

FRANK
Hmmm. (Beat)Rubicon...

TOM
What?

FRANK
I guess you could say this is your
Rubicon.

Tom and ANGELA look at him quizzically.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Ancient history. Caesar defied the
Roman council when he marched his
army over the Rubicon river. So
‘crossing the Rubicon’ means you’re
making an irrevocable choice.

TOM
Yeah...I guess we are.

Tom turns to a distracted Angela. *

ANGELA *
I don’t see how we’re going *
anywhere. Have you seen a bus, a
limo, anything?

FRANK
No. It’s probably on it’s way.

Angela is troubled.

ANGELA
Tom. Something just doesn’t feel
right here.

DORRAN walks toward them carrying several necklaces in one

hand. A pendant with a glowing light hangs from each
necklace.

DORRAN
It is six fifty-five. Please wear
one of these in order for us to
identify you.

DORRAN sorts through them as he hands them out. He knows who

gets which pendant, even though there are no names on them.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 18

DORRAN (CONT’D)
Angela, Tom, Frank.

Everyone inspects their pendant before putting it on, and

most continue to scrutinize it after putting it around their
necks. ANGELA becomes more agitated looking at the pendant.

TOM
Angie?

ANGELA
I can’t do this!

ANGELA bolts for the door, Tom runs after her. DORRAN glances
at them impassively.

9 EXT. - EVENING - WAREHOUSE

Tom reaches ANGELA who has stopped just outside the door.

ANGELA
Look! Look around you! Do you see a
bus? I don’t know what they’re up
to but I can’t do it! They won’t
tell us where we’re going, and they
said we can’t come back!

TOM
Angie! I know it’s really strange,
but he fixed my hip, and we don’t
know if you have cancer! Please,
I’m not one hundred per cent on
this either, but I don’t want to
lose you! This is our only shot,
you heard what he said.

The door opens and DORRAN looks at them, emotionless.

DORRAN
You have one minute.

He closes the door. Tom and ANGELA search each others eyes.

ANGELA
It’s too much to ask Tom. What kind
of job says you can’t come back?
That’s not even legal!

TOM
Angie, if we don’t go, you could
die! I don’t know how he healed my
hip, but it feels like nothing ever
happened.
(MORE)

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 19

TOM (CONT'D)
If he can do that I’m sure he can
cure anything you have! If we stay
here, we can’t afford treatment,
and even if we could there’s no
guarantee they can cure it.

A low throbbing sound builds from within the warehouse.

ANGELA *
We’re not thinking clearly! If we *
weren’t in this situation would we *
even consider this? *

Tom looks thoughtful. *

TOM *
No. No, we wouldn’t. But desperate *
times call for desperate measures. *

ANGELA *
Like disappearing? *

TOM
If it’s to a better life, then yes! *

ANGELA *
We don’t know that! Who else offers *
work, housing and free health care? *

Tom thinks a moment then has an epiphany. He looks horrified. *

ANGELA (CONT’D) *
Tom? *

TOM
I’ll tell you who... prisons! *

Tom and ANGELA look at each other for a moment, then at the *
doorway as the sound continues to get louder. *

TOM (CONT’D)
I don’t know what’s going on in *
there, but I think I’d rather stay *
here and live on my own terms. *

Tom takes off his necklace and throws it away. *

ANGELA *
That’s what I’ve been trying to *
say. (Beat) But I’ve gotta see *
what’s going on in there. *

Tom and ANGELA run to the door as the sound crescendoes. They *
open the door to a shocking sight. *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 20

INT - WAREHOUSE - NIGHT *

Dorran stands next to a huge swirling vortex into which the *

people are disappearing. They walk in with a serene *
expression. *

CUT TO a smash zoom into Dorran’s face and we see his eyes *
are glowing. CUT back to Tom and Angela. Tom is staring at *
the spectacle, then notices the serene look on Angela’s face *
as she starts toward the vortex. *

TOM
Angie! *

Tom reaches out and grabs her arm, stopping her, but she *
continues to stare at the vortex. *

DORRAN *
It is the necklace. Do you no *
longer wish to go? *

TOM
No! We’re staying! *

DORRAN *
Are you certain? We are offering *
you a new life. *

TOM
Yeah, well we’ll keep the one we *
have thank you. *

DORRAN *
As you wish. *

Dorran raises his hand and the bracelet flies off of her neck *
and into his hands. Angela immediately snaps out of her daze. *

ANGELA *
What’s happening? *

TOM
It’s OK. *

DORRAN *
Goodbye. *

There is a great flash of light and Dorran, the vortex and *

all of the people have disappeared. Tom suddenly grunts in *
pain. *

ANGELA *
What is it? *

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved

 THE RUBICON 21

TOM
Aaaah! My hip! *

ANGELA quickly helps support him from falling. *

TOM (CONT’D)
I forgot. *

Helping him regain his footing, she looks at him curiously *

for a moment, then remembers. *

ANGELA *
So we turn down their offer... *

TOM
And they take back their gift. The *
devil’s in the details. *

Tom looks around and sees their bags. *

TOM (CONT’D) *
At least our bags are still here. *

Tom steadies himself, then hobbles over to grab his bag, *

ANGELA takes hers. They walk outside. *

EXT - WAREHOUSE - NIGHT *

TOM *
Nobody’s ever gonna believe us. *

ANGELA
It doesn’t matter. Besides, who’s
to say they’re any better off? I’d
rather deal with the real world
than trust that some vague promises *
are true. *

Tom looks back at the doorway. *

TOM *
In some ways I envy them. But I’d *
rather drive the bus than just be *
on it. Let’s go home. *

As they walk away, we see Tom’s pendant on the ground, it’s *

still glowing. *

FADE TO BLACK.

© 2010-2011 Stephen P. Sherwood - All Rights Reserved