A Most Violent Year Page #4

He gets out of the car and stands there looking at the large

house. He walks into the house and we see more clearly that

it is nearing completion. It is empty.

INT. 80’S MODERN HOUSE - DAY

ABEL walks over to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and

stands looking over the large pond that sits down the hill

from the house. As he stares out his CONTRACTOR comes quietly

walking in behind him.

CONTRACTOR:

Hello?

ABEL:

There he is.

He walks up behind him and they both look out in silence for

a beat.

ABEL (CONT’D)

You have done a beautiful job here.

CONTRACTOR:

Thank you.

ABEL:

I mean it. You and your men should

be very proud.

CONTRACTOR:

We are.

ABEL:

Most people don’t have anything

beautiful like this to show for

their day’s work. You are a lucky

man.

CONTRACTOR:

I am.

ABEL:

Well I thank you... my family will

be very happy here.

CONTRACTOR:

I hope so.

ABEL:

Now I think I owe you some money.

CONTRACTOR:

That may be true.

ABEL:

It is.

ABEL reaches into his jacket pocket and takes out a thick

envelope of cash. As he does we see a transformation of his

personality from pleasant philosopher to a direct voice of

unquestioned authority.

ABEL (CONT’D)

This is the seventeen outstanding.

But we are arriving here in four

days. It must be done.

CONTRACTOR:

Yes.

ABEL:

Well, I’ll let you go.

He says this as he leads him to the door.

ABEL (CONT’D)

And the tile in the master bath...

11

CONTRACTOR:

It’s being replaced, as I mentioned

to your wife, that was an error on

our part. Congratulations on your

home.

ABEL:

Thank you.

EXT. TOP OF HILL ON OTHER SIDE OF POND LOOKING BACK AT HIS

HOUSE. - DAY

ABEL stands, surrounded by massive trees in the thick forest,

looking across the ridge back at his house. He is a little

out of breath after climbing the hill but he looks strangely

comfortable even though he is standing in the woods in a

suit, tie, and dress shoes. He takes a nice cigar out of his

pocket, lights it and has a real moment of joy. He looks up

to the tops of the trees, then back at the new house. He

exhales a long deep breath. Then we hear a large truck come

rumbling in the driveway. He hears it. His face shows that he

knows the sound immediately.

EXT. HOUSE DRIVEWAY - DAY

ABEL comes out of the woods and sees a smaller heating oil

delivery truck (with the same Standard Heating Oil logo)

parked in the driveway. His face shows it probably isn’t

great news.

INT. HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM - DAY

ABEL comes down a hallway and then turns through a curtain

into a treatment area. Sitting on the table is the young

driver of the truck, JULIAN.

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