Santa Rita - draft 1 (10 pages)

Santa Rita - feature screenplay by Stone Korshak

                                                               FADE IN:

               EXT. SMALL TROPICAL BEACH - DAY - MAIN TITLES

               The clean blue OCEAN LAPS against the water-worn boulders
               under a canopy of tropical forest.

               Steep green mountains collide in winding coves against the
               calm sea.

               On a large boulder at the rim of a small inlet, sits a
               child's figure in the shade, stoically facing the open
               horizon.

               He is a YOUNG BOY of seven years, light skin with dark,
               unkempt hair.  His big brown eyes watch the WAVES with
               uninterrupted focus.

               A freight ship is silhouetted in the far horizon, a spot in
               the open sea.

               TITLES END

               A NOISE turns his head, as he listens harder.  Then GIRL'S
               GIGGLING in the distance gets him standing.  

               He is barefoot, shirtless, wearing tattered athletic shorts,
               six months too small for him.  

               As the VOICES continue, he moves off the boulder into the
               forest.

               EXT. COASTAL DIRT ROAD - CONTINUOUS

               The Boy steps onto the dirt road, as a group of four girls
               ride toward him on glittering banana-seat bicycles.

               They are about his age, wearing bright uniforms with little
               earrings and ribbons in their hair.  

               They don't stop, but one of them makes eye contact.  

               The YOUNG GIRL is dark skinned, slender, with a short afro,
               and bright-blue, cautious eyes.  

               They are transfixed in a breathless, slow-motion moment.

               Then the girls ride into the distance, and She looks back
               over her shoulder.

               He decides to jog after them.

               EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY

               The Boy arrives at a clearing, SINGING echoes from inside a
               small wooden school house facing the ocean.  

               There is a playground, and a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle to the
               side.

               He approaches the building with prudent curiosity.  

               EXT. SCHOOL WINDOW - CONTINUOUS

               The Boy is on his tiptoes, trying to see into the window, but
               it is too high.

               He looks around and finds a wooden crate, props it against
               the wall, climbs up, and peeks inside.

               INT. SCHOOL HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

               The Boy's small hands, and then the top of his head, appear
               in the window.

               The small class of smartly uniformed children continue
               SINGING earnestly to the front of the room.

               The Girl is at a desk in the middle, and she turns slowly to
               the window, sees the Boy, winks, and smiles.

               EXT. BUS - DAY

               The modern bus SPEEDS along a narrow two-lane road, winding
               with the steep tropical mountains overlooking the coast.

               INT. BUS - DAY

               With headphones PLAYING "Forro", NAOMI FERRERO, age 30, dark
               skin and a kinky short Afro with bright-blue, cautious eyes,
               rests her head against the window.

               She watches the countryside pass, sitting comfortably with an
               open book in her lap, in a somber analysis of the world.

               EXT. SANTA RITA BUS STOP - DAY

               The bus GROANS away and Naomi stands under a small old
               shelter with Santa Rita on the sign.  Decades of posted
               notices and food wrappers litter the area.  

               Her large, new suitcases are piled next to her, and the
               highway grows QUITE.

               A 50 year-old Pregnant Woman in faded spandex approaches the
               bus stop and Naomi smiles and the Woman looks at her blankly.

               Several young children ride by, doubled up on rickety
               bicycles, the youngest perched on the handlebars while the
               older boys peddle.

               A moment later a shiny black sedan pulls up in front of
               Naomi.  

               Naomi puts her bags in the trunk and as she gets in the car
               notices the Pregnant Woman frowning at her. 

               INT. NAOMI'S PARENT'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

               MARIA, in her 50's, is put together well, dark skin, fit, and
               long dark kinky hair, with jewelry, everywhere.

               She stands in the large new kitchen as Naomi watches her mix
               two drinks.

                                   NAOMI
                         You look great.

                                   MARIA
                         Please.
                             (handing a glass over)
                         Happy homecoming.

               The MAID, old and small, with light skin and grey hair, comes
               in with some groceries.  She smiles and winks at Naomi, who
               smiles back.

                                   MARIA
                         So, have you heard anything?

               Naomi blinks her eyes several times unconsciously.

                                   NAOMI
                         No.

               Maria lights a cigarette.

                                   MARIA
                         Have you met anyone new?

               Naomi just gives her a tired look.

                                   MARIA (CONT'D)
                         You're not getting any younger.

                                   NAOMI
                         Mom, don't be so predictable.

               They each take a long sip of their drinks, and Maria fixes a
               disapproving stare on Naomi.

                                   MARIA
                         Part of growing up is learning from
                         your mistakes.

                                   NAOMI
                         Will you just drop it!

               They look around the large, empty room.

                                   MARIA
                         Dad had a late meeting.

               Maria finishes her drink, refills hers, and offers Naomi a
               refill, but she is not ready.

                                   MARIA (CONT'D)
                         So, are you gonna stay?

                                   NAOMI
                         No.

                                   MARIA
                         They'll need a teacher wont they?

                                   NAOMI
                         That's not my job anymore, and I
                         couldn't imagine.  A month, two at
                         the most.

               Maria is a little hurt, but not surprised.

                                   MARIA
                         You can't run from yourself, Naomi.

               Naomi shakes her head at her mother.

                                   ENRIQUE
                             (Off Camera)
                         Where's my baby girl?!

               They look up to see ENRIQUE, who is well dressed, well
               groomed and well fed.  He has dark skin and close cropped
               hair around a bald spot.  His eyes are lazy but penetrating,
               and they smile as much as his mouth.

                                   NAOMI
                         DADDY!

               They hug heartily.

               INT. NAOMI'S PARENT'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT

               Enrique's eyes smile at Naomi while his mouth is busy eating.

               Naomi and Maria sit on either side of him at a table made for
               twelve.

                                   NAOMI
                         Maranhao was amazing, those people
                         have it so hard, but they're so
                         good, and honest.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         Maybe you'll go back and visit
                         someday.

                                   NAOMI
                         Yeah...

                                   ENRIQUE
                         It's great to have you back.

                                   MARIA
                         And a surprise.

               Naomi watches them watch her.

                                   NAOMI
                         It was a promotion.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         That's my girl!

               Naomi glows in the approval for a moment.

                                   NAOMI
                         Now I'm here, my own site.

                                   MARIA
                         Everyone's talking about it.  It
                         was in the paper.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         So what are you doing tomorrow?

                                   NAOMI
                         Meeting Edvar Hernandez.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         The Spaniard.
                             (to Maria)
                         He works for Victor.

                                   NAOMI
                         Who's Victor?

               Enrique takes another big bite and smiles at Naomi with his
               eyes, and Maria perks up.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         He's a friend.  We've worked
                         together on a few things.  

                                   MARIA
                         Handsome too, you might like him.

               Naomi is at a loss for words, and Maria takes another long
               drink.

                                   NAOMI
                         I'm not looking to meet anyone.

                                   MARIA
                         Why not? It's what everyone wants.
                             (pause)
                         And he's more your age.

               They let the familiar discussion pass, Maria plays with her
               earrings, Naomi drinks, and Enrique eats.

                                   ENRIQUE
                             (shrugs it off)
                         Are you gonna stay for awhile?

                                   NAOMI
                         No daddy.

                                   MARIA
                         Maybe if you met someone...

               Enrique looks at Maria without expression for a moment, then
               his cell phone RINGS and he ignores it, shrugs and starts
               eating again.

                                   NAOMI
                         How's work Dad?

               Maria rolls her eyes and lights a cigarette.  Enrique cleans
               his face off and takes a deep BREATH.

                                   ENRIQUE
                         Good, really, really good.

               INT. OLD SCHOOL HOUSE - DAY

               Naomi's eyes appraise her surroundings.  

               She is standing in the center of the one-room school house.
               It's dark and filled with the dust and dirt and junk from
               years without use.

               The light streaks in through holes in the roof and missing
               boards from the walls.  The man standing behind her holds a
               hand over his nose.

               MR. HERNANDEZ, in his late 40's is light skin and short dark
               hair, and large sun glasses.  He removes his hand revealing a
               trimmed mustache.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ
                         Are you sure about this place?

               Naomi glances quickly, having forgotten he was there.

                                   NAOMI
                         Of course.

               She notices a make-shift bed and some filthy old cloths on
               the floor.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ
                         No one comes out here anymore.

               Naomi turns to him, ready for more information.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)
                         There's about 25 kids on this end
                         of town, most within walking
                         distance...

               He moves to the door to get some fresh air.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)
                         The carpenter starts tomorrow.  He
                         says he can finish by the end of
                         the month.

               He begs her to come outside with him.

               EXT. OLD SCHOOL YARD - CONTINUOUS

               They walk outside and the school yard is overgrown from lack
               of use.  The playground is decrepid, and there is a burnt-out
               wreck of a VW Beetle in the yard.

               They walk towards the front of the property, where the WAVES
               are breaking on the unblemished coast.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ
                         There's an account at the lumber
                         yard in your name, place the orders
                         yourself.

               Naomi nods at him in consideration.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)
                         If you want me to keep the budget,
                         I'm...

                                   NAOMI
                         It's not my first budget, thanks.

               He moves closer to her and smiles awkwardly.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ
                         Of course.  It's such a surprise to
                         see you back.

               He reaches for the small of her back.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)
                         I very nice to surprise.

               She takes a step away, smiling sourly.

                                   NAOMI
                         It wasn't up to me... and how's
                         Carol?  And the kids?

               He pulls away with an accepting smile.

                                   MR. HERNANDEZ
                         Let me know if you need anything.

               He walks back towards the small vehicles parked in the
               driveway.

               Naomi stands where she was, looking around the open clearing,
               the school house behind her.

               The sun is setting over the ocean WAVES.

                                                         FADE TO BLACK:

               EXT. OLD SCHOOL YARD COAST - NIGHT

               The ocean waves CRASH on the boulders under the clear stars.

                                                               FADE IN:

               EXT. OLD SCHOOL YARD - MORNING

               Naomi is anxiously watching the road in the morning light,
               sitting on her car with her arms crossed.

               A RUMBLE announces the arrival of a large truck, 40 years
               past it's prime, SPUTTERING into the yard as if it might fall
               apart.  It ROARS to a stop too close to her.

               A man in dusty work cloths climbs down from the driver's
               seat, followed by an empty beer bottle CLANKING to the
               ground.

               He is average height with broad shoulders, unkempt dark hair
               and light, sun-weathered skin.

                                   NAOMI
                         Do you always start at ten?

               JOSEPH "ZE" AUGUSTO turns and approaches her, standing too
               close.  

               He has a wide scar dividing his left eyebrow, and deep brown,
               tense eyes.  His frown lines and shoulders show the weight of
               chronic disappointment.

               She is stunned, transfixed.

                                   ZE
                         What?

                                   NAOMI
                         Ah, I've been waiting.

               She takes an involuntary step backwards, regaining her
               composure.

               He starts walking away, toward the school house.

                                   ZE
                         What for?

                                   NAOMI
                         I wanted to meet you, I'm Naomi,
                         running the program here.

               He turns and looks blankly at her.

                                   NAOMI (CONT'D)
                         And supervising the construction.

               He shrugs and keeps walking away.

                                   NAOMI (CONT'D)
                         Is it just you?

               Another vehicle, a small ancient tractor pulling a rickety
               flatbed trailer, SCREAMS up the road and they both turn and
               watch it jerk and heave.

               The trailer is filled with bricks, and it pulls off the
               drive, 50 meters away, in a swirl of dust.

               A 13 year-old boy hops down, light skinned, with long wavy
               bleach-blond hair in his eyes, and the beginning of a lean
               muscular body.

               He starts to unharness the trailer straps.

                                   NAOMI
                         How old is he?  His parents should
                         have him in school.

               The boy, ASSIS, looks up and WHISTLES to Ze.

                                   ASSIS
                         DAD!  Where do you want these?

                                   ZE
                             (yelling back)
                         Bring 30 up here, leave the rest
                         there.
                             (to Naomi)
                         Who ordered all of the bricks now?

                                   NAOMI
                         They're cheaper by the pallet.

                                   ZE
                         They're gonna sit around getting
                         all fucked up.
                             (pause)
                         Someone might take a few of them
                         to.  Ever think of that?

                                   NAOMI
                         No.

                                   ZE
                         Well, don't order anything else
                         until I tell you.

                                   NAOMI
                         That's fine.

               Ze starts to walk away.

                                   NAOMI
                         Do you pay him at least?

               Ze turns.

                                   ZE
                         Nothing's for free, is it?

                                   NAOMI
                         Do you know what our program is
                         about?  Getting kids in school?

                                   ZE
                         That's great.
                             (to the truck)
                         Gabie, let's go.

               A 5 year-old girl, with curly pig-tails, crawls out of the
               cab of the truck.

               GABRIELLA uses both hands to hold a work belt off the ground
               and runs it over to her father.

               He takes the belt without looking at her.

                                   ZE (CONT'D)
                         Get the brooms, and the shovels.

               Gabriella drifts back to the truck, stopping a moment to
               smile at Naomi, who stands watching, open-mouthed.  

                                   ZE (CONT'D)
                         Lady, if your gonna be here, that's
                         your business, just try to stay out
                         of the way.

               Ze walks off behind the school house.

               Naomi stands stunned.