The Interrogation 
Copyright (c) 2010							By Mark Curran

INT ROOM
The room is slightly lit by a slowly dying bulb, and is occupied by steel remains of a bed. Dave and Bill are tying a lifeless body to the steel bed, they are panting and Dave is holding his ribs and wincing in pain. The body is that of Tony Bradley, a tall athletic looking man in his mid 20's.

Bill
You alright?

Dave
yeah, fucker got me right in the gut, thought he was suppose to be fucking simple.

Bill
Yeah, so did i....you finished?

Dave
Yeah, he's tied, what time is Daniel coming?

Bill
Should be here any minute with Nate

Dave
right, fuck me, i think i have a broken......
(There's a knock on the door)

Dave steps back and leans against the wall, nursing his ribs. Bill walks over to the door and slowly opens it. He then opens it wide to let in both Daniel and Nate who is holding a brown paper bag, who pushes in John, then grabs him still when the door closes. Daniel is holding two plastic cups of coffee, he surveys the scene and sees Dave against the wall.

Daniel
(To Dave)
Trouble?

Dave
Yeah, he was a..........handful, but we got him in the end.

Daniel
and you?

Dave
He got lucky with a kick

Daniel
(Beat) right, here
(Hands Dave a coffee, then Bill)
Nate, bring our guest in next door please.

Nate does so, but before hand gives bill the brown paper bag with a knowing look. Bill takes it off him and leaves it beside the bed. 

INT OTHER ROOM
Nate pushes John in to the centre of the room, where there is a chair waiting for him. The room consists of two chairs facing each other in the centre of the room, with a table to the immediate left of the door. Nate pushes Tony down on his chair with his back to the table. 

INT ROOM
Daniel is looking at the lifeless body of Tony. He looks at the restraints and checks them. All the while Dave is nursing his injuries while welcoming the heat from the coffee, and Bill is in the corner of the room awaiting Daniel praise or orders. Daniel spots the bag that Nate gave Bill and gives it a kick which reveals a metal clunk sound.

Daniel
Right gentlemen, this isn't anything we haven't done before, wait for Nate's signal and do what you have to, ok?

Bill / Dave
Yes Daniel
(Daniel leaves for the next room, satisfied)

INT OTHER ROOM
Nate is on the phone when Daniel enters, Daniel again surveys the scene and is happy enough.

Nate
(Phone)
Yes Sir, we have everything in place. I think we're about to get started (Beat) Yes sir, we will (Beat) Yeah he's right here.
(Nate walks over and gives Daniel the phone, then walks over to the door way to check the other room)

Daniel
(Phone)
Yes Frank, i don't think it will be a problem, pretty routine.(Beat) Yes i know what the priority is (Beat)
(Nate walks back over to the table and gives Daniel a nod that everything is ready.) Ok Frank (He hangs up)

John is sitting in the centre of the room with an empty chair facing him. He looks desponded and like a million things are running through his mind. He looks up at the chair like it is a torture weapon in itself.

Daniel and Nate are talking in a hushed voice at the table, Daniel is pointing to the door and then looks around at the empty seat. He looks at Nate intensely, then Nate nods to signal that he understands what Daniel is saying. Nate walks over to the door way and leans against the arch, while Daniel stays at the table composing himself.

INT ROOM
Dave is at the bottom of the bed with a hammer, near Tony's exposed feet. Bill is at the top of the bed at Tony's head with heavy duty pliers. They both see Nate and give a weary nod that everything is ready.

INT ROOM
With his coat now removed and placed carefully on the table, Daniel walks over to John, makes eye contact in front of him and then backs in to his chair across from him. He makes himself comfortable, and at his own pace starts the conversation.

Daniel
I don't think, that we ever had the pleasure before tonight.
(John remains silent)
My name is Daniel, Daniel Cousins, and i, as you know, work for Mr Frank Cox.
(John pants and looks away to his right)
Now, Mr Cox has been good to you, help you out, helped you create this nice little empire you have here. He didn't ask for much in return did he?
 He asked for.......

John
He asked for the "nice little empire"!

Daniel
Yes, but John, come on you had a good run. You're no spring chicken are you? 

John
I fucking built it, it's mine.

Daniel
No, no, you know and i know that's not true. Did the people of these streets fear you? or the fact that you were working for Mr Cox?
(John remains silent, but agitated)
I mean even then, they feared your son more by all accounts. The retard, the 13 year old trapped in the body of a man.

John
(starts to laugh)
You think, you honestly think talking about my son is going to get me angry going to make you get what you want? (laugh) torture him, it's true like that joke, the best of him did run down his mothers leg.

Daniel
For a simple lad he still came in handy, there are countless stories of his ability to collect money, to scare people that stood in your way. It's amazing fathers, parents try to shape their kids to be footballers, or doctors take over the family business. Not in this case though huh, take over what you have? (Laughs mockingly)

John
Fuck you

Daniel
That's what you wanted, but still, like i said you found some use for him.

(FLASHBACK 1) INT Flat
There are two young men sitting in the one room kitchen/sitting room. They look worried. 

Man 1
Just give him the fucking money?

Man 2
We need it for some gear i can't go that long without something?

Man 1
But he'll come around and fuckin...........

There is a loud thud at the door. Sending the two men in a higher state of fear. They are too stunned to move and watch as the door continues to be savaged by something or someone outside. The door finally gives way and thundering in comes Tony. One man tries to make it to a drawer to get a knife. He is caught by Tony, who rams his head against the a cupboard above the sink. 

Tony
Money, where’s my da’s money, where’s my da’s money, where’s my da’s money

Man 1
(Freaked out my Tony manic behaviour)
I don’t have…

Tony strains his face, he grabs the mans head with his two hands and thuds it off the counter then throws him through a coffee table. The other man is looking at this, but has no where to escape.  All the while Tony is mumbling “Da‘s money, da‘s money”.

Tony falls to his knees and in front of the man. He grabs his neck, and repeatedly asks “where’s his da’s money”

Man 1
It’s in cupboard, cupboard.

Tony gets up and ransacks all the cupboards until he finds the money. He goes to count it but struggles to concentrate. He races over to the man he just beat up.
Tony
(Gives him the money)
Count the money, count the money, loud, out loud. 800, 800.

The man counts the money out loud terrified, when he is finished and Tony hears "800" he grabs the money and runs out the door totally forgetting about the two men.

(Present time )INT Other room
Daniel looks on impressed while John looks blankly at the floor.

Daniel
Quite a debt collector, very effective. You must be happy to have him in your services, and he’s your son. You must be so proud.

(Flashback 1)EXT Street corner
There is a merc parked by the curb. Tony runs up to it excited. He knocks on the rear side window.

Tony
Da, da got the money, look, look, got the money, all of it like.......

The drivers door open and out steps the driver. Tony sees him but ignores him and continues with what he is doing.

Driver
I’ll take the money off you Tony, your father is busy.

Tony
(strains his face)
I got the money, I’ll give…(Pauses) he awkwardly drops the money in to the drivers hands.

Tony
Can I see, can I talk to…

Driver
He’s busy I told you, you know he’s a busy man.

Tony
(aggressively rubs his face trying to understand)
When will I see…..

John
(The eclectic window rolls down)
It’s ok, let him in.

Tony
Let me in, he said, let me in.
(Brian gets in to the car)

INT Back of Car
John is sitting dress up in a suit with his coat draped around his shoulders. The driver can be heard opening and closing his door.

Tony
Da I got the money, look, here give him the money, I got the money.

John
(Flatly)
I know Tony, I know well done.
(Tony gets excited)
Take me to the Cosmo

Tony
Is that, is that the restaurant? Are we getting dinner? Are we?

John
No I have to meet more grown ups, business Tony. You can’t come.

John
(less excited, sad)
I’ll be quiet, I’ll be good

John
(Stern)
No Tony
(Tony strains his face and is sad)
You like the cinema don’t you Tony

Tony
Yes

John
Action films?

Tony
Yeah, yeah I’m, I’m I’m an action man. I fight and do good, good for you.

John
Yeah, 
(Flatly)
(Reaches to get his wallet and takes out 20 pounds)
Here, go to the cinema, have popcorn for dinner. I allow you.

Tony
(In two minds to be excited or sad)
Ok dad

Driver
(OS)
Cinema first?

John
Yes.

Tony
(Looks around the car confusingly)
I got the money

John
Yes Tony you did.

EXT Cinema
The car stops outside the cinema and Tony gets out slowly. He watches as the car drives off. Tony looks at the car disappearing and then at his 20 pounds. He mumbles “I‘m an action hero, I do good”. He turns and looks at the cinema, it’s not open. He turns and looks to leave. He stops and then turns back to the cinema.  He tries to think, but in the end goes and sits on the cinema steps. 
 (Flashback 1 ends)

(Present time) Int Room
Daniel is looking John up and down trying to gage John's mood. John is feeling a twinge of guilt and is confused by it.  Daniel tries to go deeper in to John's mixed feeling towards his son.

Daniel
Like i said, Proud of his son, proud that he couldn't physically be pushed around. 

(Flashback 2) INT PUB
John is sitting there with a cigar, a brandy and a smile, 

Daniel 
(Present Time)
(VO)
Proud that you were going to be a father, and a son as well. Someone to take over

John is sitting there laughing and beaming with pride, a man comes up and slaps him on the back and goes to shake his hand.
(End of flashback 2)

(Present time) Int Other Room
John is sitting there forlorn with the guilt battling the rage at the situation.

Daniel 
(Relentless)
Then bang, that's that, the bubble bursts. You find out that your kid isn't going to be perfect. 

(Flashback 3) Int Hospital corridor
John is in a chair with his head in his hands. There are a bunch of flowers lying on the floor in a heap

Daniel
(Present Time)
(VO)
I mean nobody is perfect, but YOUR kid? fucking bottom of the fucking heap a fucking RETARD. 

John starts to get angry, he gets up and start stamping on the chair.
(End of flashback 3)

(Present time) Int other room
Daniel is pleased with his work so far. He thinks carefully about his next move, although he know what has to come next.

Daniel
So, little Johnny Jr became simple Tony. You abilities as a father and a husband stood out didn't they, huh? Wife? somehow died of an overdose. With her gone, simple Tony didn't stand a fucking chance did he? 

John
(His head hanging, and in an attempt to change the subject)
270,000

Daniel
(Smirks)
Changing the subject? You know how funny this all is? i mean.... you wanted to be replaced by your son but you can't. Now that Mr Cox wants to replace you with his son, well that's just ironic isn't it? 

John
270,000

Daniel
I'm not going to lie to you, that's part of the reason we are here. I mean.....

John
you could simply come in and kill us all and let Frank jr take over.

Daniel
Yes, but i think this is more interesting and will help me retrieve the money. 27 years of you being a father
(Nods to Nate, who straights up )
27 with a mind of a 13 year old huh. How did you ever manage? 

Daniel gives Nate a look, who in turns signals Dave. There is a loud painful scream from the room, it is Tony.

Tony
(OS)
ARGHHHHH, you cunts, you fucking cunts, arghhhhh, where's my da, where's my da. I'm going fffffucking kill you

Daniel
Answer him
(John doesn't)
I would, it's either you or him

Tony
(OS)
(Can be heard panting heavily as a loud thud against flesh is heard)
Fucking cunt, 
(struggles to get free)

Daniel
Now

John
I'm here Tony, i'm here

Daniel
Tony? not even son?

Tony
(OS)
Da, da are you alright, da, i'll get ya, fucking bastards

John
I'm fine, Ton.....Son

Tony
(OS)
Dad, look i'll be good now, i'll be good, i'll get you out, i'll be good
(Tony can still be heard panting hard, trying to control his breathing)

Daniel
The money?
(John remains silent)
Mr Cox said to use every means available to get what he wants so........
(John remains silent)
Ok, Nate please

Nate signals to the two men to torture Tony again. Nate turns back to look at John's face and waits for the screams of pain. There is no sound except of that Tony straining to hold in the pain which he is doing inhumanly well. Nate look back in to the other room, then goes in for a try himself. Daniel not shifting his gaze from John looks a little ruffled for the first time. John looks to the ground guilty and a little ashamed. The sounds of Tony's remarkable ability to withstand the pain intensifies. Nate returns to the door way, and gives Daniel a disappointed look. 

Tony
(OS)
Look da, i didn't shout, i didn't shout, look, i was a good boy, i didn't scream or anything

Daniel
Yes, what a good boy, i wonder how he learned to be so tough.

(FLASHBACK  4) INT Tony’s bedroom
The room is very basic with a bed a drawer and a shelf. Tony is sleeping curled up in his bed which is tight . He is suddenly woken up by the bedroom door being banged open. There, drunk, in the doorway is John. 

Tony 
(Crying and Confused)
Dad, dad, stop

John takes off his belt and wraps the tail end of it around his hand. He goes over to Tony who is still in bed and starts laying in to him. Tony cries out in pain.
John
STOP FUCKING CRYING, STOP FUCKING CRYING

John continues laying in to Tony. Tony is now out of his bed trying to get away from his  father. Tony is now kneeling and cries with every hit. 

John
STOP fUCKING CRYING! fUCKING RETARD, SPASTIC 

Tony
I’ll stop, I’ll stop, look look dad I’m not crying
(Tony duely stops crying and begins to whimper with every hit)

John
(is tiring)
Huh, you’re a fuckin retart, huh, why did you have to be a retard?

Tony
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
(John continues to lay in to him.)

John
(falls back against the wall exhausted)
What use are you to me? Take over from…you’re fucking useless

Tony
(Rocking to and fro)
I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry, dad, I’m sorry I’m sorry

John
It's finished, once i'm gone......it's finished.

Tony
I'm sorry dad, i didn't mean to be, i'm...i'm....i'm sorry

John
Shut up, just fucking shut up.

(END FLASHBACK 4)

Int Other Room (Present time)
John is looking disheartened, and confused by this feeling. Daniel pounces on this.
Daniel
(Lean forward)
See John, you try and come across as governor and the gangster, but you know, i know, fuck even that stupid fucking son of yours knows, you, are, fucking, small time. Huh?
(John says nothing)
Like i said earlier, people feared who you were connected with. 
(John looks to the heavens and sighs)
(scoffs)
Were you treating you son this "well" because of what he is or because of yourself? you small time wannabe self?

John
Fuck you
(Spits in his face)

Nate goes for John, but is stopped by a the hand of Daniel waving him off. Daniel smiles and chuckles to himself as he know this action of defiance means he has gotten to him.

Daniel
(BEAT) Did you do fatherly stuff with him? bring him to work? wash him? you  get all emotional if he made you proud? if he ever made you proud.

(FLASHBACK 5)

Two cars pull up outside a garage at the back of a building. John steps out of one along with the driver from before. They both appear urgent and under pressure.

John
Get rid of the evidence and i want that fucking car spotless, SPOTLESS!

Driver
Yes Boss

Out of the other car comes Tony and two other men. The driver barks orders at the two men. Tony's jumper is covered in blood along with his hands and splashes of blood on his face. He looks in shock and is mumbling to himself.

John is off to one side not paying attention to Tony and his state. He is talking to one of the men that got out of the car with Tony.

John
Well?

Man
He did it, we had a quick check and it's done.

John
Good, you know what to do now, so help them out.

Tony is being pushed up against the wall adjacent to the garage door and is being striped like a child by one of the men. The driver comes out of the garage with a water hose. Tony tries to talk to the man striping him.

Tony
Did i.......did..........i kill him?............blood every where........my da said to......i was just doing what my da said............
(Tony looks over to his father)
Dad, i was just doing what you said, you wanted....
(Back to the man striping him)
My da said.....

Tony is now naked and his bloody clothes are now in a black plastic bag. He is pushed against the wall and then left there by himself. He looks around confused and still in shock.

John is now chatting to the driver again, he is walking towards the garage when he hears a scream, Tony is hit with freezing cold water to wash him of the blood.

Tony
Da, da make them stop, da
(Tony falls to his knees trying to cover himself with his hands)
Da,
(Starts to cry)
Dad, please

John hesitates for a second and nearly turns around but doesn't. He walks ahead in to the garage with the driver. Tony looks on as the figure of his father disappears. He is now on the ground in foetal position, being bashed with water, until it suddenly stops. He is whimpering loudly but crying lowly. He is thrown a pair of trousers and t shirt. They lie on top of him as he continues to whimper, and stare off in to space rocking back and forth.

Tony
Daddy

(PRESENT TIME) Int Other room
John is now trying to avoid Daniel's gaze, but Daniel won't allow him. He turns for a second and gives a surprised Nate the signal. He looks in to the other room.

Tony can be heard screaming in agony once then once again withholding the screams. Daniel stares at John.

Daniel
I think his efforts to not scream are enough for you to tell me where the money is, huh?
(John looks him straight in the eye, with his stored up guilt finally being let loose)
Do you really think this is going to end in your favour? hmm? your men now work for us, the men that tried to fight back are now dead. We will find the papers that will tell us who owes you what and all that. 

John
Why is the money is important? Important enough to do this?

Daniel
You owned Mr Cox payments to keep yourself in power, you see it's not just about 270,000, it's about the Mr Cox's money you lent out and that you still have to get back.(Beat)That along with the 270,000 is a lot of money.

John
Fuck you

Daniel
I'll make a deal with you, right here right now. You tell me where the money is and the documents is, i'll let you decide how this finishes.

John
Finishes?

Daniel
Yeah, either way you get something out of it. Or (Beat) once we're finished with your son, we turn to you.

John
How will this end, what are you talking about?

Daniel
I'll let you have the chance, or maybe choice to do a fatherly act, since you haven't exactly been a father since Tony was born.

John
what are you talking about?

John
Or make a choice that would just be typical of you.

Daniel gets up and motions for Nate to come over. Daniel unties John and leads him in to the other room while telling Nate to bring his jacket. 

Int room
Sections of the steel frame of the bed are covered in blood. Tony is panting hard and squirming in pain. Bill and Dave watch as John is brought up to the bed to see his son. Daniel takes his jacket and puts it on as John slowly moves towards the bed to look at Tony. Once he gets there he lets out a guilty pitiful sigh. Tony has blood coming out of his mouth where he has had teeth pulled, he is fingers are broken and smashed along with his toes.

Tony
(Struggling)
I didn't cry da, i......i'll protect ya i'll get us out of here

John
Tony's...

Daniel
what was that?

Tony's room, board underneath his bed

Tony
da, why are you telling him....why are you telling him bout the secret place...

Daniel
And?

John
The money is there too, it's all there.

Tony
dad, no, dad i was protecting like you said.

Daniel
Thank you John, i believe you for some reason.
(Daniel asks Bill for his gun. He empties all but one bullet.)
Gentlemen lets go we have what we need.

Bill and Dave gather up the blood covered tools and leave. Tony is still in pain and panting trying to figure out what is happening. John, looks at him remember the pain he has caused him. Once Bill and Dave are gone, he turns to Nate.

Daniel
Wait by the door Nate, stay close.
(Nate does so)

Tony
what's happening dad? dad?

Daniel
what's happening John is that there is one bullet in this gun, and it will let you make the choice to make a decision to be a good father for once or not.

John
what?

Daniel
Look at him, huh, he's not going to last and we can't let you take him to the hospital, even though i don't think a hospital can save him.

Tony
Dad?

Daniel
With this bullet, you have the choice of making the right fatherly decision to put you son out of his misery
(John looks down at Tony)
By doing this you will of course be alive with no money, no influence, a fucking leaper in your own town. No one will go near you, as they will then have to deal with Mr Cox.

Tony
(crying)
Dad?

Daniel
Or you can make the decision that has typified you for say the past 27 years, and take your own life right now. Take it now so you won't have to go through the shame of walking the streets like a fucking Bum. Don't worry about your son. We'll put some tape over his mouth and just leave here to die in agony. The decision is yours.

Daniel hands the gun to John, who takes his time but eventually takes it.  Daniel gives him one final look and walks to the door.

Daniel
we will wait outside until we hear the shot.  John.

Daniel and Nate leave, John looks down at Tony who is gritting his teeth with pain. Tony looks at the gun with a tear streaming down his cheek and hitting the gun as he uses that hand to wipe it away.

Tony
Dad? Dad? are they gone? let me up, i'll get them, i'll......do they own you money? dad?dad?

Tony takes a step back and brings the gun to waist height, and half way between himself and Tony's head. He is struggling with the decision .

Tony
Dad?

John bows his head and hits his head with the butt of the gun then reaches out.

(Blackscreen)

Gunshot.