Throughout history, wars in Eastern Europe have claimed the lives of countless numbers of innocent people. When a genocidal bloodbath erupts in the Balkans amid the fall of Soviet Communism and its satellite countries, an unlikely American seizes the opportunity to return to the land of his birth to end the carnage and corruption that has ripped his native country apart at the seams and created merciless brutality between ancient warring enemies. New-found hope lies in the hands of a native son come home in this screenplay of political intrigue, international diplomacy and economic and corporate chicanery. Freedom and democracy triumph over totalitarianism in this fictional portrait of courage, love and determination in the largest and deadliest mass murder in Europe since the horrors of WWII.
The Last Best Hope
By JACK SHOLLAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Jack Sholl
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4685-7177-6Chapter One
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODS OUTSIDE OF VILLAGE OF TEVKA—DAY
Heavily armed SOLDIERS move through the woods. The soldiers are in combat fatigues bearing the emblem of the 42nd Vukograd division; many have bushy beards.
EXT. VILLAGE OF TEVKA—DAY
CAMERA moves, exploring the village. It reveals a SCHOOL, the TEACHER RINGING the SCHOOL BELL. CHILDREN walk through the Village Square carrying books.
An OLD WOMAN carries pails of water on a yoke over her shoulders. An OLD MAN feeds slops to pigs in a pen beside his house. A YOUNG WOMAN washes clothes with a washing board and pail in the front of her house. A BABY crawls on the ground at the woman's feet.
A PRIEST walks by the homes.
EXPLOSIONS from mortar rounds rock the air. Machine gun and light weapons FIRE. SOLDIERS emerge from the edge of the woods. Many of the VILLAGERS scatter. Some run for the woods on the opposite side of the village. Others run into their homes.
A MAN emerges from one home with a gun and fires at the advancing soldiers. The man is shot dead through the chest.
Soldiers burst into a home. A MAN swings at the soldiers with a board. The soldiers shoot the man. In the basement, the WIFE shields her THREE CHILDREN. The soldiers shoot the YOUNG BOY. The soldiers rape the wife and the daughter. On their way out, the soldiers set fire to the house.
VILLAGERS are corralled into the Village Square. Several VILLAGERS step forward and point accusing fingers at their NEIGHBORS. ONE of the men singled out attempts to attack the ACCUSER. A SOLDIER smashes the man in the face with a rifle. The man falls to his knees and is stabbed to death.
The soldiers force the villagers toward the woods, shooting some indiscriminately. More WOMEN are dragged off and raped. Houses are set on fire. The accusers encourage the soldiers and jeer at their neighbors.
Villagers flee into the woods.
The CAPTAIN of the 42nd holds the hand of one of the accusers in a victory salute.
The soldiers move on, back into the woods. Some houses are in flames. The street is littered with debris, fallen bodies, dropped schoolbooks. A child's body is nailed to a tree, a sign in the Brackan alphabet with the emblem of the 42nd at the bottom.
EXT. MANHATTAN SKYLINE—DAY
The United Nations Building. Citicorp Center. Chrysler Building. Empire State Building.
EXT. PLAZA HOTEL—DAY
Black stretch limousines line the street in front of the hotel.
INT. PLAZA HOTEL—LOBBY—DAY
A SIGN READS: "Meteor Pharmaceuticals Corporation Annual Meeting Today, 2 p.m. Victorian Room."
INT. VICTORIAN ROOM—DAY
The grand ballroom of the of the hotel is packed with Meteor Corporation SHAREHOLDERS. Hundreds of shareholders sit in rows of chairs that face a large upraised platform with a podium. Behind the podium is a wall-to-wall BANNER that READS: "Meteor Pharmaceuticals." A large screen stands beside the podium. Two large AMERICAN FLAGS stand at each end of the riser.
At the podium is JOSEPH ZAKA, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meteor Pharmaceuticals.
As Zaka speaks, CAMERA PANS the AUDIENCE: MEN and WOMEN; many middle-aged or elderly. Here and there a YOUNGER MAN or WOMAN, in one instance a CHILD. In the front rows, close to the riser, are the TWELVE MEMBERS of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, all men; CORPORATE ASSISTANTS AND OFFICERS, and METEOR PRESIDENT LEYLAND HAGGARD, ZAKA's confidant.
ZAKA (O.S.) ... We expect the new Rockingham plant to be on line on schedule in the next two months. That will ensure capacity for the introduction of our new antiulcer drug Blazon. As you know, this is our revolutionary new treatment for severe gastric ulcers. We expect this remarkable new therapy to clear the Food and Drug Administration within the next several months.
CAMERA MOVES to VIVIAN ZAKA, Zaka's wife, a svelte woman with black hair in a red dress and gold jewelry; members of the BOARD; to the assistants, a YOUNG MAN and WOMAN in professional business attire; and then to a back row to RADMAR KLUTCHNIK, a short, barrel-chested, swarthy, balding man in his 50's. Klutchnik reads a newspaper. INSET SHOT: Newspaper headline: "No End to Balkan War. Ethnic Cleansing Continues. World Community Charges Bracka With Genocide."
PODIUM
Zaka continues to read his speech at the podium.
ZAKA (continuing) And so ladies and gentlemen, in summary, we are extremely pleased with our results this year.
A BAR CHART flashes on the big screen next to the podium.
ZAKA (continuing) I am pleased to report that your corporation, Meteor, had a year of record sales and record profits. The twentieth straight year of record sales and profits. Today, I outlined a number of actions for the future that I am confident will continue to reward you, our shareholders, with record income and will continue to reward you for your investment in our company.
A STOCK CHART flashes on the screen.
ZAKA (continuing) Wall Street has appreciated our performance. The value of Meteor company common stock has doubled since our last annual meeting. And this represents a 500 percent increase in Meteor stock over the past two decades.
A MAP OF THE WORLD flashes on the screen.
ZAKA (continuing) Today, Meteor is one of the largest multinational companies in the world. We have 60,000 employees in 50 facilities serving customers in almost every nation on earth.
LOGO of Meteor Pharmaceuticals, a comet streaking heavenward, flashes on the screen.
ZAKA (continuing) As you know, I began this company twenty years ago with twenty dollars, as a young man who immigrated to this great country to escape the tyranny of communism. I can also say that only in America could this have happened—where a young man had all the opportunity to pursue his dreams. This is a great country. I look forward to the day when all countries of the world will look like America, with its free enterprise system and its democratic way of life. God bless you. Next year's going to be another great year for Meteor!
Audience applauds enthusiastically.
Zaka descends from the podium. Zaka's ASSISTANTS stand near him.
SHAREHOLDERS shake Zaka's hand as Zaka walks up the center aisle of the ballroom.
Vivian Zaka comes up and kisses Zaka.
VIVIAN You were terrific, darling.
ZAKA Thanks. You look terrific, too.
VIVIAN I'm always so proud of you on days like this. I hope you're not going back to the office. Let's take the afternoon off and go shopping. There's an absolutely beautiful diamond necklace at Cartier's I've been looking at.
ZAKA But I can't. I've got to go back to the office. I'll see you tonight.
HAGGARD comes over to Zaka.
HAGGARD You never fail to impress, Joseph. The shareholders continue to be pleased with you.
ZAKA Thanks, Lee. Don't forget, we're having our annual dinner for the Board out at Riverrun tonight. Cocktails at seven. See you back at the office.
Zaka turns to his assistants BEAVIS O'ROURKE and TESS CUNNINGHAM.
ZAKA (energetically) Let's go.
VIVIAN (disappointed) Bye.
Zaka, O'Rourke and Cunningham walk quickly and determinedly up the center aisle to an open area leading to the ballroom door, where Radmar Klutchnik approaches Zaka.
KLUTCHNIK (nervously, speaking in thick, broken English)
Mr. Zaka. I need to speak to you. It's very important.
ZAKA (glancing at his watch) I'm sorry. Not right now. Everybody had time to ask questions. I've got an important meeting to get back to at the office. Working for you shareholders all the time. I'm sure you understand.
KLUTCHNIK (urgently) But it's important. It's about our homeland. We need to talk somewhere.
ZAKA (now impatient) If you want to talk, please call my secretary. She'll see if there's room on my schedule. Ask for Mildred.
KLUTCHNIK I've called your office a dozen times over the past two weeks. They say you're too busy. They keep referring me to Public Relations. But it's you I need to talk to.
ZAKA Look, Mr.... Mr ...
KLUTCHNIK Klutchnik.
ZAKA ... Klutchnik, I'd like to help you, but if you'll call my secretary maybe there will be some time in the next couple of months. I've got to go.
Zaka, followed by his two assistants, exits.
Klutchnik watches Zaka and the assistants go through the door.
An attractive YOUNG WOMAN, a corporate hostess, comes up to Klutchnik, serving coffee and cookies.
HOSTESS Would you care for a cookie, Sir?
Klutchnik pushes her aside. The cookie falls out of the hostess' hand. Coffee is sloshed on a BYSTANDER. Klutchnik hurriedly exits.
FADE TO:
EXT. METEOR CORPORATION BUILDING—DAY
A high-rise. MEN and WOMEN in business attrire enter and leave the building.
INT. METEOR BUILDING—LOBBY—DAY
MEN and WOMEN walk through the lobby. PICTURES of Meteor factories and products are on the walls.
INT. EXECUTIVE OFFICES—DAY
Zaka enters the outer secretarial office, where Zaka's secretary, MILDRED, sits behind a desk.
MILDRED You were great, boss. One of the best meetings yet. Thompson in Treasury called. Said Wall Street liked what you said. Stock's up a point.
ZAKA That'll make the directors happy. Everything all set for tonight?
MILDRED I spoke with Mrs. Zaka earlier this morning. Chateaubriand, asparagus and crème brûlée for dessert. A fine red Rothschild wine. Fresh corsages for the ladies, and fresh cigars for the men. Vincent will bring the car 'round five.
Your three o'clock meeting is ready to start. Scammer and Hedgefield are waiting for you in your office.
INT. ZAKA'S OFFICE—DAY
The office is very large and contains a wide assortment of American and patriotic bric-a-brac: a large AMERICAN FLAG in the corner, a FRAMED copy of the Constitution, Remington statues of cowboys and wild west riders, pictures of Zaka posed with political figures, including the President of the U.S., a statue of George Washington kneeling in prayer, and a large globe of the world on a table. On the wall is a large map of the world with red dots showing the location of Meteor facilities.
Zaka's spacious desk is set against a large window overlooking the Manhattan skyline. In the center of the room is a large conference table on which is set a scale model of a campus of buildings: the Zaka Center for World Peace.
Zaka enters the office and shakes hands with his attorney, BERT SCAMMER, an elderly gentleman in a three-piece suit, and DUSTY HEDGEFIELD, his young associate.
DUSTY It's an honor to meet you in person, Mr. Zaka. I've admired what you've done in business. The Zaka Center for World Peace is an outstanding act of philanthropy.
Zaka, as he talks, moves to the American flag.
ZAKA America is a great country. Greater than any country or civilization that ever lived. I came here with nothing. Today, I've got everything a man can ask for. I want the rest of the world to look like America. People living by democratic principles in harmony. Not fighting. Give people the opportunity to earn a good living, then democratic principles will follow.
Zaka walks by the Remington statues.
ZAKA (continuing) Business partners don't fight with each other, they work together. The Zaka Center will bring together the best minds to see how the American way can be transported to other countries of the world. This is an idea whose time has come. The Cold War has ended. We had a plan for the destruction of the Soviets—in fact, we had a plan for the destruction of the world through the atomic bomb.
Zaka walks to the CONSTITUTION.
ZAKA (continuing) Now we need a plan for peace in the aftermath of the Cold War. I was always interested in health care and that's why I began a pharmaceutical company. Pharmaceuticals maintain, promote and help health prosper. Bombs destroy life.
Zaka stands by the globe.
ZAKA (continuing) Now I want to work on the other side of the equation.
SCAMMER You know, Joseph, you and I have known each other for a long time. Since you first came to this country. And our early days in the Democratic Party.
ZAKA I've always said you taught me everything I know about democracy.
SCAMMER I've been your lawyer for longer than I can remember. And I hope a good friend. And it's as a friend that I'm talking to you now. A hundred million dollars for this Center is a lot of money. What about your family? To put all of your estate into this project might not leave you much for the future—when you retire.
ZAKA I've thought about that. Vivian and the children are much too concerned about money. Sure, I want to look out for their comfort. But I wish they would be more concerned about the non-materialistic things of this world. I came here from Bracka with nothing, because I wanted a better way of life. To live as I please, to dream my own dreams. Now I want to give something back. After all that I've done and created, I'm not sure if I wouldn't be happier with less, like back in the early days of the Party when we helped with civil rights. I've thought about it, and I've made up my mind. I'm going to sell all my stock. This is my chance to make a contribution to world peace. Vivian will see it that way.
The phone intercom RINGS. Zaka pushes the speaker phone.
MILDRED (O.S.) Your four o'clock is here. The marketing group about the new Blazon introduction.
Scammer and Dusty exit as six young EXECUTIVES enter.
EXT. ZAKA'S MANSION—NIGHT
A large, gated, palatial Tudor mansion with huge grounds and a large circular driveway. The house is ablaze with lights. Black limousines drive up to the front door. A valet opens the door and the cars drive off. The TWELVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS exit the cars with their WIVES.
INT. MANSION ENTRANCEWAY—NIGHT
A BUTLER in tails greets the GUESTS. The guests are dressed in a tuxedos and formal ladies' evening wear. EXT./ INT. CAR KLUTCHNIK'S POV—NIGHT Klutchnik watches as the cars arrive and depart. Klutchnik smokes a cigarette. Another MAN is in the car with Klutchnik.
INT. MANSION LIVING ROOM—NIGHT
The living room of the mansion is large. 18th and 19th-century paintings on the walls. A large fireplace with a burning log is at one wall. A suit of armor stands in a corner. Several heads of animals—a bear, a mountain goat, a bison—are mounted on the dark wood-paneled walls. A large piano sits off the side of the room. On it are many framed family pictures. A BUTLER serves drinks as the GUESTS circulate.
Zaka and SENATOR PETE PADDINGTON stand beside the piano with the photos on it.
PADDINGTON You've got a great family, Joseph. Is this your family from the old country?
INSET SHOT: PHOTO of young man in short pants and cap on head.
ZAKA (O.S.) Believe it or not, that's me when I was in sixth grade.
INSET SHOT: PHOTO of woman.
ZAKA (continuing) And this is my mother.
PADDINGTON You're the only one who left?
ZAKA Yes. Despite the hardships, people can't break away from their traditions, what they're used to. I've offered my mother many times to come over, even to visit—it's something I can easily afford—but she can't do it. She's used to the old traditions. The same with my brother. My father died when I was ten.
EXT. MANSION—SIDE DOOR OF GARAGE—NIGHT
A screwdriver forces open the lock of the garage door. TWO MEN with dark wool caps open the door. The two men go to Zaka's limousine, open the hood and pull out a wire.
The two men exit.
INT. MANSION—CONTINUING
PADDINGTON I always thought you'd make a good Senator yourself, Joseph. You've got the right experience for it.
ZAKA You flatter me, Pete, but I'm a simple businessman.
PADDINGTON America is changing these days. We're getting more diverse than ever. New immigrants are being added to the melting pot every day. It used to be the the Irish, blacks, Italians and Germans. Now it's the Chinese, and Latinos and Koreans, and Vietnamese, and God knows what else. Half of California is Oriental and Spanish. The complexion of the whole country's changed again. We need a man in Washington with your kind of experience. Who knows what it takes to succeed and to help make the opportunities for a whole new and different generation.
ZAKA I'm happy the way I am. I've worked hard. I've created a lot of jobs. I've given to charity. That's the American way. By doing my best, I've helped others. If everybody would do as I've done, we'd have a better world. Things would take care of themselves. A simple philosophy, but true.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Last Best Hopeby JACK SHOLL Copyright © 2012 by Jack Sholl. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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