Genius - Episode 0 - part 1 (English revised by Mark)

Just some notes:

as I told in my previous post I felt the need to change the story a bit.

Reading Andrew Marlowe's words "as much of this episode was written while waiting in line at the Telluride Film Festival." I thought: OK, I'm not a pro as him, but if I can't go on is because I don't like what I'm writing. I have not clear in mind the story.

So, thank you Andrew :)

In my revised story:

Alma didn't win anything; JD is living between us and Bob... will tell you soon :)

You will probably be horrified by my script style but, please, be easy on me, you know my goal is to study with your help or with someone you will decide for.

GENIUS

“Episode Zero”

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. SQUARE - NIGHT

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE in a square attending the show of a famous illusionist: JD  (- You remember our friend? ;) -)

PEOPLE ARE SCREAMING Go! Go! Go! This is the moment when our illusionist calls one of the attendants/audience onto the stage.

He is a charming guy, a big tall boy, he always has that enigmatic smile all the magicians have.

JD

(loud)

Aaaand, this is your moment people!

People start screaming while raising their hands hoping to be chosen by the magician.

DRUM ROLL. JD closes his eyes and draws an imaginary semicircle on the audience with his index finger and his tense arm. He goes back and forth two times then, opening his eyes again, points to a woman.

JD (CONT'D)

(loud)

You on the stage, dear!

Two men approach the woman chosen and while walking with her towards the stairs of the stage, something happens...

WOMAN

(stops and screams scared looking down)

The men look down too and see a bloody dirty hand grasping the ankle of the woman. They lift up the red fabric cover of the stage and discover a man lying on the ground.

MAN

(low voice)

Please, help me.

FADE OUT.

END OF THE TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER

It’s about 10pm, Detective Alma Dulce Pilar has been called by his boss to go and investigate where the man was found.

Along with her some officers are searching for evidences under the stage, where the guy was found, and all around.

OFFICER1

(shouting from the other side of the stage)

Detective, we have found some blood here.

Alma who is walking bends under the stage, runs towards the exit, lifts up the fabric cover to reach her assistant quickly but has to stop immediately. She finds in front of her face a man’s groin (ok, you know what I mean! ^__^ ). A tall man is standing in front of the stage, dressed very elegantly in black. She stays a second in that position, embarrassed. 

JD

(amused, ironic, playful)

Even it seems that’s not my face!

The man tilts on his right side. She immediately follows his movement until she meets his face.

JD (CONT'D)

Hello!

Alma holds back a smile and stands up.

JD (CONT'D)

(offers his hand)

JD, nice to meet you. Officer Green told me you wanted to meet me.

ALMA DULCE

(shakes his hand)

Yes, thanks for coming.

ALMA DULCE (CONT'D)

Did you notice anything strange before or during the show? Anything unusual?

JD

No, everything was normal until that moment.

ALMA DULCE

Have you ever met the guy?

JD

Well, I meet so many people. Not that I remember.

ALMA DULCE 

(offering her hand)

Thank you Mr Smith, feel free to call me if you remember something useful.

JD

(surprised, still hand in hand)

Mmmm, you know my name! A fan?

ALMA DULCE

(pinpoint)

A detective.

But being sure he is right, after releasing her hand he makes a bouquet appear in his hands and gives it to her with a bow.

JD 

This is for you, my princess.

He “falls in love” with her from the first moment.

Alma is disconcerted. She is his fan even she is trying to hide it and receiving this attention from him is something very touching. But she can’t obviously show her feelings. And she is also very mistrustful of men.

ALMA DULCE

(watching the flowers  and with an awkward smile)

Thank you. Now I must go.

ALMA DULCE (CONT’D)
(adding)
Oh, this is my business card in case you remember something.

He takes it. 

JD

(pretending to forget)

Oh, my number, in case you need. For work or... for pleasure.

He makes a business card appear and gives it to her.

JD (CONT'D)

(blinking)

It is signed on the back.

Alma takes it.

ALMA DULCE

For work, thanks. Goodbye Mr. Smith.

He smiles making a bow. She nods goodbye and walks toward the officer who called her before. When, approaching, she meets his eyes watching her and the bouquet.

OFFICER1

(ironic smile)

A gift from the magician?

ALMA DULCE

(unusually smiling)

Yes.

OFFICER1

I found them creepy, the magicians I mean.

ALMA DULCE

Yeah... a bit.

And puts the bouquet onto a table there. Then puts the business card in her pocket and follows the officer to start investigating.

FADE OUT

Rewriting Genius

Sometimes there's a moment you realize what you are writing is not taking the direction you want.
That happened to me lately. I wrote and wrote some Genius things I didn't like so I stopped, I started watching (studying!) other shows, thinking and in a day off as today (holiday here) I could finally leave my mind flowing and the inspiration arrived. Something is taken by my old Genius, something has been changed.
I'll post soon, probably in a script style which is easier for my not perfect knowled of English.
Trying to create a dramedy.
See you soon :)

Chapter 3 - Six months later

The promise Bob made to Alma six months ago is now an amazing reality. Such a big win can make you lose your head, sometimes. But that can’t happen to Bob who has won back his own dignity swearing to himself that with that fortune not only can he start searching for his son again, but he can also help others that, like himself, a part of their lives has been stolen of by some sick mind who ruins someone else’s happiness for malice or pure madness.

Two months ago he bought an office with four rooms with a view of the Empire State Building. That imposing building reminds him of the last hours spent with his son twenty years ago. The kid overstressed him with the request to be taken to the top of that giant that fascinated him so much in the film. – Dad, take me to King Kong. Pleaaaase! – he went on never growing tired of repeating that. – Come on dad, please take me there! – In the end Bob gave up and once at the top, watching that unreal scenario the kid said – Dad, when I grow up I will save King Kong and his fiancé so they will live happily ever after. – All right -, Bob replied giving a tender faint smile. They took some pictures and one, with them together, shot by a Japanese tourist they asked the favor of. A photographic enlargement stands lonely at his back in front of the desk where he receives his clients. – I will find you – is clearly written on it. This is the message of hope for himself and for all the people asking for his help.

People search for him and want him because they know they will be totally understood in their drama. His good example encourages even the most desperate to never give up and to start hoping again.

He decides not to ask for money because he doesn’t want inequalities between rich and poor people. He accepts offers, but only if he solves the case. Every day he receives tons of emails and letters of requests. He reads and carefully examines all of them and when he sees even a frail hope, no matter if the disappearance happened many years ago, he accepts it. He works simultaneously on hard and relatively easier cases.

He spends more time in the office than at home. He has chosen a very bright room for himself, with most of the walls made of glass. The windows can’t be opened but a great air conditioning system makes the stay pleasant.

The wall with the big photo in it is brown. His desk is made of a tabletop of black crystal not totally opaque which stands on a steel structure. The chair is black, in synthetic leather, that too with a steel structure.

Few things on his desktop: a silver-grey laptop, a penholder, a notebook, a white lacquered wooden dice 10x10 cm with rounded corners hand made by an artisan on each side of which the six winning numbers of the lottery have been carved. And…. the box, the object that changed his life but that he hasn’t wanted to open anymore since the lucky event. But he is never seperated from it, he takes it everywhere so that when he bought the bag for the laptop he chose a model suitable for putting the box in it too.

Bob is reading some news on the laptop when gets a phone call. It’s Alma Dulce.

     “Bob, a homeless guy was found near to death in a suburban area. It seems he has been away for some days. He has now been taken to the hospital. It seems another homeless is missing, reach me here”.

(Editor’s note: I know I should go deep in the describing of the environments indicating the names of places and streets but I’ll do it in the second draft. Now I’m giving priority to the story so that you can evaluate the content.)

     “I’m on the way” – Bob replies. He takes note of the address on his smartphone, he stands up, takes the bag, puts the box inside it, takes the jacket and leaves. When he arrives at the car he enters quickly, he starts the engine and sets off.

Bob is a tough cookie but today he feels nervous. It’s his first case in collaboration with the Police since he abandoned his job twenty years ago. His ex-boss has seen the excellent results he is having with his private cases and the high consideration Alma Dulce has for him, decides to give him a chance by involving him in the cases of missing people and wants Alma Dulce as his partner. She already knows Bob very well and can supervise and evaluate his psychological situation and so his attitude to go on or quit this cooperation.

When Bob reaches Alma she is already taking notes from the homeless people.

When he exits the car, in that environment so familiar to him (even if that wasn’t his old home), he feels tense. Looking around searching for Alma Dulce the first impact is painful. Thousands of images of his past life run through his mind, how many memories? But he takes a deep breath and goes towards Alma who he has seen not so far. She is talking with a man who is looking more sober than the others and he is telling her there’s another of them who has been missing for some days. He comments that it’s common enough for them to take “a vacation”, or so he calls it, in another place, sometimes; for a woman for example. But usually they turn back, he explains.

(Editor’s note:

if I was making a pilot and I was starting the episode from this chapter. I, as the audience, I was unaware of the story of the genius, the win, etc.. I was meeting the protagonist by the camera starting showing me a not so slow – I hate slowness, I love action! – complete view of the office dwelling upon some details zooming toward the desktop starting from the dice, sliding on the box and then stopping on Bob, that we see behind the laptop screen while reading. The camera zooms back showing the giant photo on the wall previously described. The phone rings, he takes the call and talks with Alma Dulce. He hangs up and before leaving he takes the bag, then the black box. He keeps it in his hands for some seconds clasping his fingers on the box and closing his eyes as to take strength from it and then puts it into the bag.

In fact, if I was the audience I would ask myself the reason for that gesture. What does the box represent for the protagonist? It is ancient, amidst the modern furniture. Is it a family jewel? Something that belonged to a loved one now deceased? Could someone think of a Genius? Possibly not, if I change the title, lol!)

Chapter 2 - The turn

Still incredulous and surprised Alma Dulce goes to play those numbers. She has a brief chat with the girl playing her the numbers then pays and takes the receipt. Watching the numbers she feels a shiver – Uneasiness – she thinks she’s trying to convince herself – This situation seems to have something magical, BUT IT DOESN’T! – she repeats to herself loudly. She puts the receipt in her purse and goes, as usual, to the Police Department where she is a consultant psychologist. She attends the interviews with those arrested or people who have been stopped; sometimes she is assigned to a detective, some others she listens to people from behind a glass-mirror. She has a strong intuition which together with her studies makes her an esteemed professional good at seeing things others don’t.

Today it’s a hard day at work: complicated situations, family tragedies and so on. When Alma arrives at home, she is so tired that she falls asleep in the bed even before having dinner.

During the night all of a sudden she wakes up remembering the numbers she played and anxiously turns on the computer to check for them. She can’t explain why she feels so nervous, this is not the first time she’s played, even if she does it rarely. Her anxiety is so high that it seems her that the pc is taking a century to turn on. Operating system is still charging while she clicks on the icon of the browser. After some endless seconds the home page finally shows up and Alma can type the address of the lottery. When the page appears her eye goes straight to the circles with the numbers inside. She has all them very well fixed in her mind and when she starts reading the numbers drawn one after the other she is really close to having a heart attack. They are all listed there, all six. Upset she gaspingly searches for the receipt inside her purse. She lets out a sigh of relief when she finds it and then she reads once again the numbers written on it. She looks once again at the screen. They are those. – THEY’VE WON!!! – she yells, but with a low voice, it’s 4am. Her joy is so deep that she would go straight to wake up Bob to give him the good news but she doesn’t like to go out so late at night, too risky. For the first time in her life she has treasure in her hands.

But what upsets her the most is the memory of Bob’s words: - if we win, we will split it 50/50 – 80 million dollars are for her a staggering figure. But soon after she thinks – Maybe he was drunk and now he doesn’t even remember what he told me –

Anyway, she is so excited that can’t sleep again. So at 5am she has a quick shower and prepares the breakfast, even if she isn’t hungry; no matter the night before she hasn’t had dinner. Too excited about this event now.

She can’t stay at home anymore. She needs to show Bob that receipt but she doesn’t trust herself to take it with her. So she takes a photo with her smartphone, hides the receipt in a drawer, quickly dresses and goes out heading to see Bob.

When she arrives there it’s some minutes past six and the sky is still dark. It’s December, Christmas is very close and the streets are lightened by decorations. Probably she is feeling such profound happiness for the first time in her whole life. She trusts Bob and she is sure, despite everything, that all his words were true.

As she enters the alley Bob, lying in his new bed with the face well hidden under the covers for the cold, opens his eyes but stays motionless. It seems to him that those are Alma’s footsteps. – But how is this possible – he thinks – it’s still dark and she never shows up here so early –.

Bob – Alma calls him in a low voice approaching his bed.

And even before he can answer she calls him again.

Bob – she goes on in a low voice – wake up I need to talk to you.

Bob pushes the covers aside and watches her dazed. After his usual nocturnal drunkenness he didn’t remember for sure the story of the numbers.

Bob – she exclaims again smiling trying to find his eyes in the semi-darkness. – Are you alone? –

Yes, why, what’s happened? – he answers still dozing with an eye open and the other closed.

You remember the numbers you gave me to play? You remember, right? – she presses him, excited –

Bob suddenly remembers the scroll, the genius and all the rest. He stands up with a jump and, gasping, looks at her straight in her eyes.

Did they win? Tell me they won!? –Bob says trying to hide an immense joy.

Yes – Alma replies with weeping eyes – they won. Look. – And shows him the picture of the receipt on her smartphone.

We are rich, Bob! Rich! – she exclaims in a low voice crying for joy –.

Bob is astonished. He looks at her once again in her eyes bewildered and then they hug, both touched and happy.

Alma – starts saying Bob, try to keep calm – from now on my life will change. And yours too.

I want to be a detective again, I must find out if my son is alive or dead. I will open an investigative agency and I will need a partner. I want you by my side, I need your help.

Alma is observing him while talking and she is happy to see he is a totally different person.

With joy in her heart, looking at him in his eyes, she says:

Bob – I’m sure your dream of finding your son will come true. And I’ll be happy to help you –

Another close hug between the two and then Alma leaves. She returns back home, takes the receipt and heads to do all the necessary procedures to cash the money.

Their life will change shortly afterwards.

When death deletes a young life

Michael Clark Duncan left this life 10 days ago. So sad, because he was a great person, because he was a hard worker but, mostly, because he was definitely too young to die.

It's now sad for me going on writing a character knowing he is no longer with us. But him, together with the other three co-stars, inspired me this story. He will be forever my imaginary Bob.

Thanks big boy

Ciao MCD :)

Genius - Chapter 1 - The strange black box

Chapter 1

The strange black box

It’s a cold, dark winter’s night in New York, it’s snowing. Bob, numb and drunk hardly managing to walk, partly for the cold and for his state, partly because it’s dark in the lane and he needs to pay attention to avoid the trash scattered here and there amongst other homeless people like him searching for food in the garbage bins. But his worry is not so much how to get food as how to warm himself. He tries to light a makeshift fire but the wood he has is by now wet from the snow melted on them. He opens a garbage bin searching for something dry to burn but, nothing. Searching in the next one he eventually finds some newspapers but they aren’t enough; his search goes on in the next. Suddenly he hears some footsteps, someone is approaching. Instinctively he moves away from the garbage bin, he doesn’t appreciate contact with other people so much. While walking he hears that person stop and place something on the ground. He comforts himself thinking it’s just someone throwing something away and not some crazy intolerant person who enjoys provoking, hitting or maybe killing the homeless. Not that he is a man who’s easy to scare. He is a big black man accustomed to fist fights. But against weapons there’s nothing he can do. And black people like him are always the first to get targeted so his attention is always very high. He knows that world well. Twenty years ago he was a much decorated detective and he saw a lot of evil and barbaric acts against people like himself.
He turns slightly while walking and sees the guy picking up the pieces from the box that he has lain on the ground to throw them away. The guy returns his glance. He has a black box in his hands that sparkles a bit under the poor light coming from a street lamp.

Hey! – he shouts towards Bob trying to get his attention – Do you want this?
It’s a wooden box, it can be helpful.

Bob turns towards the guy and he throws him it. Bob nods to thank him.

You’re welcome – replies the guy –

He goes on throwing his things away and then leaves while Bob is examining that object he finds in his hands. It’s an ancient black wooden case, with gold outlines. Now it’s clear what was sparkling under the light. He starts to feel his hands warming. – It’s just an impression – Bob thinks. – Drunkenness plays bad jokes. – And smiles. Then he puts the box down and the warm feeling stops. He picks it up again and the feeling restarts.
In no way scared, accompanied by his drunkenness, but his curiosity getting the better of him he examines the case with more attention despite the poor light. There is a key, he turns it and the box springs open. Inside, the bottom of the box is made of red velvet with a ring holder, there’s no ring in it though. On the inside of the cover, there’s a mirror a bit spotted and worn by time. Bob hasn’t looked at himself in a mirror for a lifetime.

My God I look bad – it’s his bitter thought.

While he is looking at himself in the mirror he rubs it as if to clean it a bit and see better when, suddenly, a blinding flash hits his eyes. He quickly closes them and even before he realizes what’s happening…

Hi! – says a distinguished guy who has popped up from the light and is politely holding his hands and the case.

He is a nice jolly guy, with the look of a good guy, a bit of a beard but oddly dressed. He wears a gold turban with a violet plume in front, which is held by two rows of golden pearls crossed on the turban. He wears a violet robe with golden needlework and turquoise sleeves. – Bob thinks he looks like he’s just walked off a cinema set.

In no way scared, he replies:

You want the case right? Take it

No! I am your servant and if I hold your hands it’s only because I didn’t want you to slam my house on the ground – answers the guy ironically and with a smile –

Oh, I understand – retorts Bob pretending to indulge him. – You’re crazier than me

So, what do you want? – Bob asks losing his patience

Make a wish and it will be granted – answers the guy letting his hands go –

Yes, sure – counters Bob ironically – light a fire; it’s cold.

If this is your desire, boss, your wish will be done.

In no time a container with a warm fire inside appears.

Hmm, not bad. You decided to use your magician’s experiments with me? – Bob is increasingly ironic –
OK, I want a bed.

And here is the bed, boss –replies the guy happily

Wow, you are good!

What do you mean with “you’re good”, I’m a genius, sure I’m good. – Ever heard people speak about a genius? He grants your desires! – comments the guy annoyed.

OK, if you are a real genius – says Bob – then find my son and bring him here, now!

Sure boss. Put on the ring. – asks the genius –

Which r… - Bob stops. Opening the case he noticed that originally there must have been a ring. His habit of observing details has stayed unaltered over time. And so he goes on

Ring? Why do we need a ring now?

It’s the ring to grant your greatest desires. Without that I can’t do anything, boss. I’m sorry but I can’t.

Yes, sure – comments Bob getting impatient.

Ask for another desire, my boss. Something that can help you find your son. – suggests the genius.

Bring me the ring here, then! – says Bob –

Even this isn’t in my power, boss – answers the genius desolate – only the keeper of the case can recover it and the keeper now is you.

But shouldn’t you have prevented the theft of the ring?

The keeper usually wears it, if he hasn’t put it back again in its place there must be a reason!

Well, you know what? You really are a poor genius –Bob cuts him short with a mixture of resignation and disappointment.

Then let me win the lottery – he goes on notwithstanding everything – Tomorrow is the day of the draw and the jackpot is 160 million dollars! Is this in your power? – still ironic –

Sure boss! Here are the numbers. – Suddenly a parchment scroll appears in the pocket of the coat Bob is wearing.

Well, boss – says the genius – now I have to go. You have three wishes every day and you have used them all. See you tomorrow, goodnight.

Under Bob’s dazed glance the case closes and the genius disappears inside.

Don’t throw me away, keep me with you! – yells the guy from the closed case – I like you!

Bob is unbelieving notwithstanding everything and he would ask himself a lot of questions if he were sober. But now, tired and defeated by the alcohol he lies for the first time in years in a real warm bed next to the fire and he falls deeply asleep.

At sunrise, as soon as he opens his eyes, seeing himself in a true bed he quickly gets up and sits straight.

My God – he exclaims rubbing his eyes – it was all true!

The case is still at his side. He remembers the request for the numbers made to the genius and excitedly searches in his pockets for the parchment. He finds it, takes it and opens it. It actually contains numbers. But he realizes he doesn’t have any money. He used the last to buy something to drink the night before. A man sold him a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, his favorite whiskey, for a few bucks. A chance he couldn’t miss. Because of its usually high price he hadn’t drunk a drop of it for years and that day he partied drinking the entire bottle!

In the middle of this thought the sound of female heels catches his attention. It’s rare to see a woman passing “his” lane. So 99% she was probably Alma Dulce, his social assistance.
And she was, the Sweet Soul as he was used to call her in his thoughts. One day she told him that her mother chose her name after seeing her face soon after she was born. The bad news is that she discovered it when she was a teenager reading a diary the woman started writing when she born and that got sadly stopped because of her death from a tumor when Alma was only 3.
Bob holds her in high esteem. Even though she had a hard life, she studied and got a degree in psychology. And every time he sees her he thinks of his son (they would be more or less same age). Who knows if he is alive or dead? And, if he’s alive, what kind of guy did he become?

Hey Bob, what a bed! – Alma exclaims with surprise and a smile – Where did you find it?

Oh, a genius came and he granted my wish – he answers with irony –.

Ha, you always like to joke, Bob. – Alma comments –

Alma – says Bob getting serious – please, play these numbers for me. I’ve run out of money. If we win we split it 50/50, do you agree?

Well, we could fix our lives! – Alma exclaims ironically.

Try – he says – you never know. Keep the receipt, let me know tomorrow.

No matter what happened the night before he is quite skeptical about the results those numbers might give. He’s happy to give it a go, though.

Sure Bob, it’s a pleasure.

Alma is surprised, in the many years she has been following him he has never asked her for anything. Sure she cannot imagine that the genius is real, she thinks it was Bob’s joke.

So, bye Bob, see you tomorrow.

See you. – Bob replies -

****************
End of chapter 1
****************

Grammar and spelling revised by friends.

You can still read/find my original work (I mean will all the mistakes!) here http://cristinahady2.blogspot.it/2012/08/genius-chapter-1-strange-black-box.html
I’m taking this opportunity to improve my English knowledge.

Genio - Capitolo 1 - La strana scatola nera

Capitolo 1

La strana scatola nera

E' una fredda, notte d'inverno a New York, nevica. Bob, intirizzito ed ubriaco cammina a stento, un po’ per il freddo ed il suo stato, un po’ perché è buio nel vicolo e deve stare attento ad evitare l’immondezza sparsa qua e là da altri barboni come lui, in cerca di cibo nei cassonetti. Ma la sua preoccupazione ora non è tanto mangiare quanto riscaldarsi. Ha cercato di accendersi un fuoco ma i legni che si è procurato sono ormai bagnati dalla neve che si è sciolta su di essi. Apre un cassonetto alla ricerca di qualcosa di asciutto da bruciare ma niente. Fruga in quello a fianco trovando finalmente qualche giornale ma non è sufficiente; la sua ricerca continua nel successivo. Ad un tratto sente dei passi, qualcuno si avvicina. D’istinto si allontana dal cassonetto, non ama molto il contatto con la gente. Mentre cammina sente che quella persona si ferma e posa qualcosa. Si rincuora pensando che sia solo qualcuno che deve buttare le sue cose e non qualche pazzo intollerante che si diverte a provocare, picchiare e talvolta far fuori qualche barbone. Non che lui sia un tipo facile da impaurire, è un omone nero, abituato al confronto corpo a corpo, ma contro le armi c’è poco da fare. E i neri, come lui, sono anche più presi di mira quindi la sua attenzione è sempre alta. Lui conosce bene quel mondo. Vent’anni fa era un detective pluridecorato e di cattiverie e barbarie ne ha viste tante.
Si volta quindi leggermente, mentre cammina, e scorge un ragazzo intento a raccogliere pezzi dentro la scatola che ha poggiato in terra per poi buttarli.
Il ragazzo ricambia il suo sguardo. Ha in mano una scatola nera che luccica un po’ sotto la poca luce proveniente da un lampione.

Hey! – grida verso Bob cercando di attirare la sua attenzione – la vuoi questa?
E’ una scatola di legno, ti può essere utile.

Bob si gira verso il ragazzo e lui gliela lancia. Bob fa un accenno col capo in segno di ringraziamento.

Prego – risponde il ragazzo.

Il giovane termina di buttare le sue cose e se ne va mentre Bob esamina quell’oggetto che si ritrova in mano. E' uno antico scrigno di legno, nero con profili dorati. Ora è chiaro cosa luccicasse alla luce. Comincia come ad avere la sensazione che le mani gli si stiano scaldando. – E’ solo un’impressione – pensa Bob, l’ubriachezza gioca brutti scherzi. E sorride. Così poggia la scatola e la sensazione di calore svanisce. La riprende e ricomincia. Per nulla spaventato, complice la sbornia, ma anzi incuriosito, esamina lo scrigno con più attenzione nonostante la poca luce a disposizione. C'è una chiave, la ruota e lo scrigno si apre di scatto. All'interno c'è una base di velluto rosso con il supporto un anello, che non c’è più. Sul coperchio uno specchio un po' macchiato e deteriorato dal tempo. E' una vita che Bob non si guarda in uno specchio.

Dio mio come mi sono ridotto – è la sua amara riflessione.

Mentre si specchia strofina lo specchio come per pulirlo e vederci meglio quando improvvisamente un bagliore accecante colpisce i suoi occhi. Li chiude di scatto e prima ancora che si renda conto di ciò che sta succedendo....

Ciao! – dice il giovane distinto apparso dalla luce tenendogli delicatamente le mani con lo scrigno.

E’ un bel giovane sorridente, sguardo da buono, un accenno di barba ma stranamente vestito. Porta un turbante dorato con una piuma viola disposta frontalmente mantenuta da due fili di perle anch’esse dorate intrecciate nel turbante. Indossa un abito viola con ricami dorati e maniche turchesi. – Sembra uscito da un set cinematografico – pensa Bob.

E comunque, per niente spaventato gli risponde:

Vuoi lo scrigno vero? Prenditelo pure.

No! Io sono il tuo servitore e se ti ho tenuto le mani è solo perchè non volevo che sbattessi la mia casa a terra. – risponde il giovane ironicamente e con un sorriso –

Ah, capisco – ribatte Bob fingendo di assecondarlo. – Sei più fuori di me!

Allora, cosa vuoi? – chiede Bob spazientito

Esprimi un desiderio e sarà esaudito. – risponde il giovane lasciandogli le mani –

Si certo – controbatte Bob ironicamente – accendimi un fuoco che fa freddo.

Se questo è il tuo desiderio, padrone, sarà fatto.

In men che non si dica appare un contenitore con all'interno un fuoco ristoratore.

Hmm, non male. Hai deciso di usare me per i tuoi esperimenti di mago? – Bob è sempre più ironico – OK, voglio un letto.

E letto sia mio padrone – risponde felicemente il giovane.

Wow, sei bravo!

Cosa vuol dire "sei bravo" sono un genio, certo che sono bravo! – Mai sentito parlare di un genio? Esaudisce i tuoi desideri! – commenta il giovane infastidito.

OK, allora se sei un vero genio – ribatte Bob – trovami mio figlio e portamelo qui, ora!

Certo mio padrone. Indossa l'anello. – Chiede il genio –

Quale a... – Bob si interrompe. Aprendo lo scrigno aveva subito notato che in origine doveva contenere un anello. La sua abitudine nell’osservare i particolari era rimasta inalterata nel tempo. E quindi prosegue

Anello? Perchè che cosa c'entra ora un anello.

E' l'anello per l'esaudimento dei desideri più complessi. Senza quello non posso fare nulla, mio padrone. Sono dolente ma non posso.

Si, si, certo – commenta Bob spazientito.

Esprimi un altro desiderio, mio padrone. Qualcosa che ti possa aiutare a trovare tuo figlio! – suggerisce il genio.

Riportami qui l’anello allora! – disse Bob –

Anche questo non è in mio potere, padrone – risponde il genio desolato – solo il custode dello scrigno lo può recuperare e il custode ora sei tu.

Ma tu non avresti dovuto impedire che l’anello venisse rubato?

Il padrone di solito lo indossa, se non l’ha riposto ci sarà un motivo!

Beh, sai una cosa? Fai proprio pena come genio. – taglia corto Bob tra il rassegnato e il deluso –
Allora fammi vincere alla lotteria. – prosegue nonostante tutto – Domani è il giorno dell'estrazione e il montepremi è di 160 milioni di dollari! Questo è in tuo potere?

Certo padrone! Eccoti i numeri. – Subito un rotolo di carta pergamena compare nella tasca del cappotto che Bob indossa.

Bene padrone – dice il genio con tono di commiato – ora devo andare. Hai tre desideri al giorno e li hai espressi tutti. A domani, buonanotte.

Sotto gli occhi inebetiti di Bob lo scrigno si chiude e il genio vi scompare all’interno.

Non buttarmi, tienimi con te! – grida il giovane da dentro la scatola chiusa. – Mi sei simpatico!

Bob è incredulo nonostante tutto e si porrebbe mille domande se fosse sobrio. Ma ormai, stanco e vinto dall'alcool si sdraia per la prima volta dopo anni in un vero letto caldo accanto al fuoco e si addormenta profondamente.

Alle prime luci dell'alba non appena apre gli occhi, vedendosi in un letto vero si alza di scatto e si siede su di esso.

Mio Dio – esclama stropicciandosi gli occhi – era tutto vero!

Lo scrigno è ancora lì al suo fianco. Si ricorda quindi della richiesta di numeri fatta al genio e concitatamente cerca nelle tasche la pergamena. La trova, la estrae e la apre. Contiene effettivamente dei numeri. Ma realizza anche di non avere soldi con sé. Gli ultimi li aveva usati per comprarsi da bere la notte prima. Un uomo gli aveva venduto una bottiglia di Jack Daniel’s, il suo whiskey preferito, per pochi dollari. Occasione che non si era potuto far sfuggire visto che per via del suo alto costo erano secoli che non ne beveva un goccio e quel giorno aveva proprio festeggiato scolandosi l’intera bottiglia!

Nel bel mezzo di questa riflessione, il rumore di tacchi femminili attira la sua attenzione. Era raro vedere una donna transitare nel “suo” vicolo. Quindi al 99% doveva trattarsi di Alma Dulce, la sua assistente sociale.
Ed era lei, infatti, la Dolce Anima come usava chiamarla lui nei suoi pensieri. Un giorno lei gli raccontò che fu sua mamma a scegliere il suo nome dopo averla vista in viso appena nata. La triste nota è che lei lo aveva appreso da grande leggendo un diario che la donna aveva cominciato a scrivere alla sua nascita e che si era però tristemente interrotto a causa del suo decesso per un tumore quando Alma aveva appena 3 anni.
Bob ha un’alta stima di lei. Nonostante una vita difficile ha studiato e si è laureata in psicologia. E ogni volta che la vede pensa a suo figlio, a chissà se sarà vivo o morto e, se è ancora vivo, che ragazzo sarà diventato.

Hey Bob, che letto! – esclama Alma sorpresa e sorridente – Dove l'hai trovato?

Ah, è venuto un genio e ha esaudito un mio desiderio. – risponde lui con ironia – .

Ha, hai sempre voglia di scherzare, Bob. – commenta Alma –

Alma – dice Bob in tono serio rivolgendosi a lei – per favore, giocami questi numeri. Io non ho soldi, se vinciamo facciamo a metà, d’accordo?

Beh, potremmo sistemarci per la vita! – esclama Alma in tono ironico.

Prova – controbatte lui – non si sa mai. Tieni tu la ricevuta, mi fai sapere domani.

Nonostante i precedenti della notte prima è abbastanza scettico sul risultato che potranno dare quei numeri ma comunque non se la sente neanche di non tentare.

Certo Bob, sarà un piacere.

Alma è sorpresa, in tanti anni che lo segue non le aveva mai chiesto niente. Ovviamente non immagina neanche lontanamente che questo genio esista davvero, pensa sia stato un gioco di Bob.

Allora ciao Bob, a domani.

A domani. – replica Bob –

***************
Fine del Capitolo 1
***************

Consigli e suggerimenti sono ben accetti, grazie :)

Genio - Storia originale - Introduzione ai personaggi

Genio

(titolo provvisorio)

- Personaggi-

Quando ho avuto l'idea di questa storia ho immaginato i personaggi principali con questi visi noti:

Bob – Robert John Wright – è Michael Clarke Duncan (coprotagonista con Geoff Stults)

Alma Dulce Pilar – è Mercedes Masohn

JD – Jack Daniel Smith – vero nome: Jawad – è Geoff Stults (Coprotagonista MC Duncan).

*************

Bob è attualmente un barbone e vive in un vicolo di New York.

Vent'anni fa era un affermato detective. Un evento crudele lo ha reso un alcolista distruggendo la sua vita e il suo matrimonio.

Gli è stata assegnata un'assistente sociale, Alma Dulce, che comprende bene il grande dolore di Bob avendo ella stessa un doloroso passato.

E' una gran bella ragazza, ora 28enne, senza nessuna storia d'amore. A causa del suo oscuro segreto non riesce a fidarsi di nessun uomo.

JD è…. un genio. Il suo vero nome è Jawad che in arabo significa which in Arabic means: generoso – Bob gli darà il nome di JD che per esteso sarà Jack Daniel Smith.

*****

Posterò presto il Capitolo 1.

Grazie per aver letto.

:)

Genius - Original story - Introducing the characters

Genius

(title is provisional)

- Characters-

When I had the idea of this story I thought it with these known faces:

Bob – Robert John Wright – is Michael Clarke Duncan (He is co-leading actor with Geoff Stults)

Alma Dulce Pilar – is Mercedes Masohn

JD – Jack Daniel Smith – real name: Jawad – is Geoff Stults (He is co-leading actor with MC Duncan).

*************

Bob is currently a homeless and lives in a lane of NewYork.

Twenty years ago he was a great detective. A cruel fact turned him into an alcoholic destroying his life and his marriage.

It was assigned to him a social worker, Alma Dulce,who well understand Bob’s big pain having had herself a painful past.

She is a very nice girl, now 28, without a loveaffair. Due to her dark secret she can’t trust any man.

JD is…. a genius. His real name is Jawad which in Arabic means: open-handed, generous – He will be named JD by Bob with the extended fake name of Jack Daniel Smith.

*****

Will post soon Chapter 1.

Thanks for reading.

:)