snow angels

412 "Snow Angels"
(Original Air Date: February 26, 2000)

Written by Josh Appelbaum & Andre Nemec; Directed by Sander Stern; (as "fanscribed" by Janet)

Cast:
Gary Hobson - Kyle Chandler
Marissa Clark – Shanesia Davis-Williams
Lois Hobson – Tess Harper
Earl Camby - Stan Shaw
Alex Gergano
Tom
Jimmy
Frank
Rob
Cliff Mourning - Jon Polito
Alvin
Mr. Elton Jenkins
Mrs. Jenkins
Jenkins Daughter
Jenkins Son
Doctor - Teri McEvoy
Nurse (Sylvia?) - Nancy Lollar
Paramedic 1
Paramedic 2
E.R. Doctor

[ Gary’s house in Hickory, Indiana. A young Gary is seen waking up. He gets up and walks over to the window. Puts the shade up and sees that it’s snowing. Dressing quickly he goes running down the stairs. ]

Young Gary:
Mom! Mom, it’s snowing. It’s snowing.

[ Lois catches Gary by the arm as he starts to run past her. She has a sweater in her hands for him. Helps him put his jacket, hat and scarf on. ]

Lois:
Whoa, slow down, tiger. Uh, jacket.

Young Gary:
I’m going out there.

Lois:
Well, hold your horses. That snow’s not going anywhere. Ah! Hat.

Young Gary:
Mom…

Lois:
All right, let’s get you all bundled up here. [Fastens his jacket] There we go. Now how about a kiss? [Gets a kiss from an anxious Gary] Look at my little snowman! Now be careful, Gary. If you get too cold I want you to come on back, and I’ll make some hot chocolate for you with marshmallows.

[ Outside. A little girl’s voice is heard as Young Gary goes out and lies in the snow wiggling his arms and legs back and forth in order to make a snow angel. ]

Girl:
Hurry up! We’re going sledding! Come on, Gary! Hurry up! Ha ha ha! Hurry! Come on!

[ Meow. Thud. ]

[ Gary's room. Present-day Gary is asleep in bed. Wakes up slowly. ]

Male DJ:
More school closings coming in now. Spreewell Prep, Riverdale, St. Josephine’s, Forest, Mann, and Pikesville High Schools have all shut their doors today. Fieldstone elementary, Wellwood, Garfield, and Lundgren day School are reporting closing as well. I’m Burt Bell. Stay tuned for traffic, which is a mess out there, folks. And the weather report on the sixes

Cat:
Meow

Woman DJ:
And here’s the weather. With the cold front in from the northwest increasing, there'll be periods of heavy snow…

[ Gary gets up and dresses. Checks out the snowy weather. Opens door to get paper and let’s Cat in. ]

Gary:
I don't suppose I get a snow day, do I?

Cat:
Meow

[ Headline in paper: BLIZZARD SOCKS CITY; 17 DEAD ]

[ Cue Intro ]

[ Snowy skyline. Exterior of McGinty’s. Woman with a dog approaches. ]

[ Downstairs main dining room. Marissa and Reilly enter. She’s closing the door behind her as Gary comes downstairs pulling his jacket on. He’s surprised to see her. ]

Gary:
Marissa? How did you get here?

Marissa:
By foot and by dog.

Gary:
In this weather?

Marissa:
Well, this is where I work.

Gary:
Well, listen. The bar is closed. The city’s going to shut down by noon.

Marissa:
You mean I could’ve slept in?

Gary:
Yeah, I wish I could.

Marissa:
Big day?

Gary:
Well, let's see, I've got a kerosene heater fire, I've got five people who are going to freeze to death, a roof caves in, then I've got an elevator that’s going to collapse because of a tree limb that falls on a power line, and then I've got a little kid who is going to jump out of a window and get trapped in a snowdrift. Seventeen saves in all.

[Gary struggles with his zipper in his haste to fasten his jacket before going out the door]

Marissa:
My goodness. Anything I can do?

Gary:
No, uh, you can call the staff and tell them not to come in. Oh, no.

Marissa:
What?

Gary:
It’s 7:05.

Marissa:
So?

Gary:
[Reads from newspaper. Black & white "vision" of what is going to happen.] DAREDEVIL YOUTH DIES IN SNOWDRIFT. Youthful stunt turned deadly yesterday when 8-year-old Alex Gergano dove headfirst off a fire escape into a snowdrift. Paramedics say the boy was embedded in the drift for at least 15 minutes before suffocating to death. I got to go. [Rushes toward door.]

Marissa:
Gary?

Gary:
Yeah?

Marissa:
Hat… and scarf. Come on, Reilly.

[Gary looks behind him at coat hook. Incredulous look on his face. Grabs them on his way out.]

Gary:
How do you do that?

[ Gary is running down the street. ]

Gary:
Alex! Alex Gergano Alex! Alex!

[Spies a kid’s legs sticking up out of a snowdrift. Rushes over and pulls him out.]

Gary:
I got you.

[Gary pulls out Alex and holds him for a second while he coughs and gets his breath back.]

Gary:
It’s all right. You’re all right.

Alex:
Yeah, I’m all right.

Gary:
Yeah? Listen, do me a favor would you? Go home and get warm and the next time you have a snow day, why don’t you build a snowman or something, huh?

Alex:
Okay. Thanks, mister.

Gary:
Yeah. [To himself] One down. All right.

[Snowy Alley. Several homeless men are standing and sitting around trying to stay warm and sheltered from the snow. Three of them are sitting on a steam grate. Gary approaches them.]

Tom:
Listen mister, I’ve toughed it out through worse nights than this one coming.

Gary:
You don’t understand…

Tom:
This is my home here. I’m going to stand by it.

[A black man in his late 30s or early 40s carrying a box enters the alley.]

Earl:
Hey Rob, I got a ham sandwich down here somewhere. [Reaches into box and pulls it out.] There you go. Frank, how’s the knee?

Frank:
It’s getting better.

Earl:
That’s good. I got another ham sandwich. Hey, Jimmy, you like salami, don’t you?

Jimmy:
Uh-huh!

Earl:
I put an extra slice of tomato on there for you.

Jimmy:
Thank you.

Earl:
And, uh, hey Tom, you want a sandwich?

Tom:
No. Thanks. [With teeth chattering, pauses between words]

Earl:
No? All right, here you go. Another one for you.

Gary:
Excuse me.

Earl:
Hey, you need a sandwich?

Gary:
No, no. It’s Gary Hobson.

Earl:
Early Camby. What can I do for you? [Shakes hands with Gary]

Gary:
I was wondering if you could do me a favor. You seem to know these guys.

Earl:
Yeah, I’ve known some of these men for a lot of years. Why?

Gary:
You might want to tell them they can’t stay here tonight. You see, that steam grate’s going to shut down, and if it does, well, this alley’s going to get pretty cold. Look, I know you don’t know me, but if you can trust me on this please…

[Earl turns to homeless men]

Earl:
Hey, guys! Look, they just got some extra beds at the 16^th Street Mission. I think you should stay off the street tonight.

Frank:
The mission?

Earl:
They serve a 7:00 hot supper. It’s supposed to get cold tonight. I mean really cold. Wind chill minus 20. And that steam grate could just shut down, and if that happens, it’ll be really, really bad.

Frank: [though chattering teeth]: A-A-All right, Earl, because you say. [Starts to leave for the mission.]

Earl:
Tom?

Tom:
Somebody’s got to stay here…keep watch.

Earl:
Tom, if, uh, memory serves me, I think they’re serving hot turkey tonight.

Tom:
Stuffing?

Earl:
Yeah. Why don’t I call ahead and make sure you get a double helping? Tom? This will all be here when you get back. Why don’t you go get yourself warm?

Tom:
Thanks.

[As Tom leaves for the mission Earl turns back to Gary]

Earl:
I sure hope you’re right, mister.

Gary:
I’m right.

Earl:
Well, on behalf of all my guys, thanks. I’ll see you around.

[Gary starts to leave. New headline in paper: GOOD SAMARITAN DIES HELPING POOR.]

Gary:
"Earl Camby died early last night from internal injuries and exposure while trapped in an abandoned building. Camby’s…"

[Gary runs to catch Earl before he leaves. Catches him at his truck.]

Gary:
Hey Earl! Earl! Hey, Earl! Earl!

Earl:
What’s the rush?

Gary:
Listen, uh, this storm’s going to get worse. Maybe you ought to call it a day, huh?

Earl:
Yeah, well, I got a couple more stops to make. There a are a lot of hungry people out there to feed.

Gary:
Well, a day like today - this weather could be pretty dangerous.

Earl:
Yeah, but on a day like today is when people need me the most.

Gary:
Yeah, but look, Earl…

Earl:
Don’t worry about me. I’m well taken care of.

Gary:
Food!

Earl:
Food?

Gary:
Food. You must need more food to deliver.

Earl:
Yeah, you can never have too much food.

Gary:
Yeah, well, I own a bar. McGinty’s. You could swing by there. My partner, Marissa - she’ll give you everything you need.

Earl:
I guess you’re making me an offer I can’t refuse.

Gary:
Well, good, good. I’ll give her a heads up, then she’ll be expecting you. It’s Illinois and Franklin.

Earl:
People on the street will bless you for this. You got a good heart…Gary?

Gary:
Gary.

Earl:
You got a good heart, Gary.

Gary:
Illinois and Franklin.

Earl:
Got it.

[Office in the back of McGinty’s. Marissa is seated at her desk. Gary is on a pay phone talking to her.]

Marissa:
His name is Earl?

Gary:
Yeah, Earl Camby. He delivers food to the homeless. Just give him anything out of the kitchen, but keep him there until I call.

Marissa:
Okay. How’s it going?

Gary:
Well, I'm in the home stretch. I got to keep a family of four from freezing to death in a car after being evicted from a day hotel. Look, uh, Marissa, I've gotta go. Keep him there until I call, all right? You’ll be doing me a big favor.

Marissa:
Right.

[Lobby of cheap hotel. Landlord is harassing family of four.]

Mr. Jenkins:
Look, w-we’ve been staying here for three weeks, Mr. Mourning. $15 a day was the agreement.

Mr. Mourning:
What can I say? The rates went up.

Mr. Jenkins:
As of when?

Mr. Mourning:
As of right now.

Gary:
Mr. Jenkins? Excuse me. Mr. Jenkins? Elton Jenkins?

Mr. Jenkins:
Yeah, that’s me.

Gary:
Tonight I don’t think is a very good night for you to be checking out.

Mr. Jenkins:
Believe me, I don’t want to. This guy’s making me.

Mr. Mourning:
He owes me cash.

Mr. Jenkins:
My, my house burned down in a fire. We lost everything.

Gary:
Look, can’t you give the guy a break?

Mr. Mourning:
Why don't you just butt out of it. Nobody ever cut me a break. If you can’t pay for the ticket, you stay off the ride. That's the way it goes. All right you, you take your wife, your kids and get out of my hotel.

Gary:
Wait, wait, wait. Wait a second. [Hunts for his wallet and pulls it out.] Fine. How much?

Mr. Mourning:
How much you got?

Mr. Jenkins:
Mister, I can’t let you do this.

Gary:
No, no, that’s all right. Really it’s fine. $20.

Mr. Mourning:
You hear that wind out there? Nobody is going to want to stay out there on a night like tonight. People are going to want to pay top dollar for a room in this hotel.

Gary:
Good, good. Here’s $60.

Mr. Mourning:
Fine.

Mr. Jenkins:
I'll make this up to you. I can pay you back.

Gary:
That’s all right. You, uh, you and your wife and your family - you just make sure you stay inside. And stay warm, will ya?

Mr. Jenkins:
Thank you. Come on.

Mr. Mourning:
The guy’s pathetic.

Gary:
Hey, you know what, pal? There ought to be a law against people like you.

Mr. Mourning:
The world is a tough place, buddy. I just live in it.

Woman DJ:
And to repeat, Chicagoans are advised to stay off the streets. City officials have declared a state of emergency. Meanwhile, the weather bureau predicts more snow tonight. Gusts up to 30 miles an hour.

[Gary driving the McGinty’s van thoughg driving snow. Apparently looking for an address. Drifts over to his left too far and is blinded by headlights. Swerves, losing control momentarily and skids into snowdrift. Unhurt but van is stuck in the drift, wheels spinning. Gary gets out of van. Looks at paper. Headline reads: SEPTUAGENARIAN DIES IN RADIATOR EXPLOSION. Gary goes back to van and shuts off engine. Turns emergency blinkers on. Grabs box from front seat and walks off pulling his coat closer around his throat.]

[commercial]

[Gary climbing stairs of apartment building. Checks paper again for article.]

Gary [to himself]: What story is it? Fourth floor…It had to be the top floor, didn’t it?

[Gary still climbing stairs somewhat out of breath. At top of stairs Gary knocks on door. An older woman is seen sitting in front of the television knitting.]

Gary:
Miss Bolton?

Miss Bolton:
Who’s there?

Gary:
Oh, uh, Miss Bolton, if you’d open up, uh…

Miss Bolton:
Go away.

Gary:
Miss Bolton, I have something for you.

Miss Bolton:
No solicitors..

Gary:
Well, Miss Bolton…

Miss Bolton:
Whatever you’re selling, I don’t want it and that’s final.

Gary:
Miss Bolton, I’m not selling anything. My name’s Gary. I’m from the Prize Patrol.

Miss Bolton:
The what?

Gary:
The Prize Patrol. With the sweepstakes.

Miss Bolton:
You’re with the sweepstakes?

Gary:
Yes, Ma’am. You do send in, don’t you?

Miss Bolton:
Oh, every other day.

Gary:
Oh, well, uh, because of your, because of your years of dedication to our organization, well, your time has come, Miss Bolton.

Miss Bolton:
Oh! What have I won?

[Miss Bolton opens the door. Gary stands there holding a box with his most ingenuous smile on his face. Holds the box out to her.]

Gary:
A space heater.

[ McGinty’s kitchen. Earl & Marissa have gathered sandwiches and Earl is packing them in his box.]

Earl:
This is great. The people I know - they’re really going to appreciate this.

Marissa:
I-I can make more.

Earl:
No, no, you’ve been more than generous. Besides, on a night like tonight it’s best to keep moving. I got to be going.

[Earl starts to leave. Marissa has look on her face as if she’s just thought of something.]

Marissa:
Um…CLOTHING!

Earl:
What?

Marissa:
I’m sure you could use some extra clothing at the shelters. People need warm clothes.

Earl:
Yes, yes, they do.

Marissa:
Gary has lots of clothes he’s been meaning to donate.

Earl:
Really?

[ Miss Bolton’s apartment. Gary & Miss Bolton talking.]

Gary:
Well I can tell you from personal experience that on a cold night like this that radiator could explode.

Miss Bolton:
Oh, my. [Puts left hand to her heart]

Gary:
Yes ma'am. I tell you what. Why don’t I set this up [the space heater], then in the morning, you can call the super and have him check on this. [meaning the radiator]

Miss Bolton:
Oh, I will. Believe me, young man, I will.

Gary:
There we go.

[Gary looks at paper. Good Samaritan headline still there.]

Gary:
Uh, Miss Bolton, may I use your phone, please?

Miss Bolton:
Local?

[ McGinty’s office. Marissa seated at desk. Scene switches back and forth between Gary and Marissa.]

Marissa:
I tried. I stalled him as long as I could. I even gave away half your wardrobe.

Gary:
You what?

Marissa:
Well, it was the only thing I could think of. Sorry.

Gary:
No, that’s fine. I'm telling you, this guy’s got a will of iron.

Marissa:
So what are you going to do?

Gary:
Well, I don’t know. I’m done with everyone in the paper here. The only thing is I'm on foot. You really gave away all my clothes?

Marissa:
Mostly sweaters.

Gary:
My good sweaters? [voice goes up an octave]

Marissa:
You told me to stall him.

Gary:
All right, all right.

Marissa:
So, how are you going to stop him Gary?

Gary:
I - I don’t know. You’ll hear from me. [Hangs up the phone]

[Gary running down snowy sidewalk toward man shoveling outside the motel. It’s the landlord, Mr. Mourning.]

Gary:
Hey, Hey! I could use some help here.

Mr. Mourning:
You. What do you want?

Gary:
I-I need a ride across town.

Mr. Mourning:
Good luck.

Gary:
I just need a lift.

Mr. Mourning:
Not a chance. I just got in. I’m not going out again. [Waves at Gary to get lost and starts to go inside.]

Gary:
Look, it’s an emergency.

Mr. Mourning:
Call 911.

Gary:
I’ll pay you.

Mr. Mourning:
How much?

Gary:
40 bucks.

Mr. Mourning:
Beat it.

Gary:
No, I’ll get more later. Look, there’s a chance someone could die.

Mr. Mourning:
Not my problem!

Gary:
Now listen to me. I’m going to take that truck.

Mr. Mourning:
The hell you are.

Gary:
Give me the keys!

Mr. Mourning:
Get off me! What are you doing? Get away from me! [A struggle for the keys ensues] All right, you lost my keys now. Where are they? Come over here and help me with my keys! [Keys are lost in the snow]

Gary:
Well it’s not my problem, pal.

[Gary runs down the street.]

Mr. Mourning:
Get back here!

[Abandoned building. Earl enters carrying box of sandwiches and blankets.]

Earl:
Hello! Anybody here? I got eats! Hello? I’m not the police. I’ve got food.

Homeless Man:
You have food? [He’s sitting on the stairs.]

Earl:
And blankets.

Homeless Man:
What kind of food?

Earl:
Sandwiches. Turkey, ham sandwiches. You, uh, you look like a ham sandwich kind of guy. So, uh, how long have you been running?

Homeless Man:
Six weeks…maybe seven.

Earl:
Yeah, you’re right on the fence.

Homeless Man:
What do you mean?

Earl:
A lot of guys can’t tell how long they’ve been on the streets. They forget. First they forget how long they’ve been running, then they forget why they ran, and finally they forget the most important thing of all—who they are. So, did you leave anybody behind that’s worth remembering?

Homeless Man:
My little brother.

Earl:
When was the last time you spoke with him?

Homeless Man:
Not since I left.

Earl:
Take this card. [Hands him a card from his wallet.] It’s the St. Mary’s Mission. It’s on Leland Street about three blocks from here. They’ll give you a hot meal and a warm bed. They’ll also let you use the phone. You call your little brother.

Homeless Man:
Thanks, man. [Looks at card]

Earl:
Anybody else up there?

Homeless Man:
I heard something from upstairs. [Rises to leave] I don’t know. This place is pretty freaky.

Earl:
Yeah. Well, why don’t you take off? Hey…you call your brother.

[Earl starts up the stairs to the upper floor.]

Earl:
Hello! I got sandwiches!

[Scene switches to Mr. Mourning digging in the snow for his lost keys.]

Mr. Mourning:
Dammit! Of all the stupid…

[Scene switches to Gary climbing the stairs of the abandoned building Earl is in. Doesn’t see him so he keeps climbing and calling Earl’s name.]

Gary:
Earl?

Earl:
Who’s there? [Shines flashlight around room]

Gary:
Earl? Stay away from the skylight!

Earl:
The what?

Gary:
Earl, the skylight.

[Too late. The skylight gives way and falls in to the room Earl is in – pinning him beneath it. Gary rushes into the room. Finds Earl trapped under the skylight, obviously seriously injured.]

[commercial]

CONTINUE TO PART 2

Many thanks to Janet for sharing her fanscription of "Snow Angels" – Thank you!

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