Robert's Republic

Robert’s Republic

By

Michael Blankenship

18 December 2008

Copyright 2008Michael Blankenship

EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - DAWN

A golden autumn sun rises over a sleeping urbanneighborhood. The yards are filled with laminated signspromoting "Suarez for mayor." Halfway down the street,across from an empty and overgrown lot, lies the whitewashed home of ROBERT LOWD. The well kept yard is coveredwith signs promoting "Johnson for mayor." A tall flag polein the his yard shows a standard reading "Johnson" flyingjust below the American flag. A newspaper lands on theporch, thrown from a passing car, as Robert stepsoutside. He is an elderly bald Caucasian man with aprotruding belly, wearing an old green robe. He stretchesand takes a deep breath of fresh morning air before sippingfrom his enormous mug of black coffee. Seeing the paper, hesmirks, bends down, and picks it up. With flare, he flipsthe paper open and looks to the headline. He stares at theheadline, astonished. His mug slips from his hand to crashon the cement porch.

ROBERTWhat...this...this can’t be...

Robert drops the paper, it falls open, revealing theheadline, "Suarez Wins". The coffee slowly saturates itsonce black and white front page. Robert frowns and startsdown his front steps.

CUT TO:

INT. HAMMOND ABODE - EARLY MORNING

ANGIE HAMMOND, a young African American school girl with twopig tails reaching halfway down her back, peers out thewindow next to her small, maroon front door.

DORIS O.S.Angie, come finish yourbreakfast. You’ll be late forschool.

DORIS HAMMOND, an elderly African American woman with pulledback hair wearing a flour coated apron, comes up behindAngie.

DORISAngie!

Angie jumps and spins around to face Doris.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

ANGIESorry, Grandma.

DORISGirl, I’ve been callin’ you forfive minutes. What have you beendoin’?

ANGIESorry, ma’am. I was just...

DORISWhat in the world could be sointerestin’ that you won’t evencome when I call.

ANGIEIt’s Mr. Robert...

Doris pulls back the drapes to reveal Robert struggling tolower his flags. He pulls and shakes the cord while hisrobe billows up in the cold autumn wind. The signs that hadfilled his yard are now strewn across the sidewalk and manyare ripped in two.

DORISLord, what is that man doin’ now.

Doris and Angie watch Robert for a moment more.

DORISGo finish your breakfast. Thebus’ll be here soon.

ANGIEYes, ma’am.

Angie leaves the window as Doris continues to watch Robertstruggle with his flags. He finally succeeds in bringingthe flags down to his level. He immediately begins to ripapart the Johnson flag.

EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - MORNING

A dilapidated yellow bus sits in front of the Hammond home,honking impatiently. Angie bursts through the front doorand runs onto the bus. Doris quickly appears behindher. She waves goodbye from the front steps before turningher attention to Robert, who is now traipsing across thesign strewn lawn to his house. The American flag iscarelessly thrown over his shoulder.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

DORISMornin’ Robert!

Robert glances over to see Doris as a flashy sports carscreeches to a stop in front his home. The bumper of thecar is covered with Suarez campaign stickers. Thewindow rolls down to reveal DEVON SUAREZ, a young Hispanicman with a greasy mustache and slicked back hair, sittingbehind the wheel. He honks the horn as he shouts to Robert.

DEVONHey, Mr. Lowd...Mr. Lowd!

Robert slowly turns to glare at Devon, who smiles broadly atthe sight of Robert’s lawn in disarray.

DEVONSo how about that election...prettyinteresting stuff. I have to say,the right man won...

ROBERTGet out of here, Devon. I haven’tgot time for spoiled opportunistslike you.

DEVONNow, just because my old man beatyour old fart candidate doesn’tmean that we can’t still bebusiness partners. I’ve alreadyoffered you twice what yourproperty’s worth.

Devon glances at the sign strewn lawn.

DEVON (cont’d)And from the way things arelooking, it may be even moregenerous than I originallybelieved.

Robert turns away and walks back into his house. Devon’sshouts follow him inside the house.

DEVON (cont’d)You just give me a call afteryou’re done grieving. I’ll eventhrow in a free Suarez campaignposter to get you back on the rightside, just to show my good will.

Devon laughs and peels away. The windows rattle as he flipson an overpowering bass.

4.

EXT. ROBERT’S HOME - AFTERNOON

The dilapidated yellow bus pulls away from the Hammond houseas Angie skips up the sidewalk. She glances over atRobert’s yard and freezes. She gapes as she looks at themuddy dirt piles that neighbor the many gaping holescovering Robert’s formerly pristine lawn. She sees a largepile of fence posts that appear to have been rapidly stackednext to the garage. Robert appears, now wearing overallsand a sweaty undershirt, marching determinedly towards themuddy lawn.

ANGIEMr. Lowd!

ROBERTOh...Angie! Hello.

ANGIEWhat are you doing?

Robert looks sheepishly around his ripped up yard.

ROBERTIt’s kind of a long story.

Angie drops her bag and skips over to Robert’s lawn,stopping precariously close to one of the cavernous holes.

ANGIEI’ve got time.

Robert returns to work. He grabs an armload of fence postsand drops them next to the nearest hole.

ROBERTI don’t know that I can explain itvery well. It’s a grown up thing.

Robert drops in one of the stakes and begins pounding itinto the ground.

ANGIEThat’s okay. Tell me anyway.

ROBERTWell...I have seceded from theunion.

ANGIEYou what?!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

ROBERTSeceded...it means that I don’tconsider my part of the nationanymore. I am my own nation...anindependent republic.

ANGIEYou made a country?

Robert stops filling dirt around the stake to face Angie.

ROBERTYes.

ANGIECool!

ROBERTI’m glad you think so.

Robert returns to his work.

ANGIESo...what are the holes for?

ROBERTI’m preparing for the invasion.

ANGIEInvasion?

ROBERTYes, the government...they’re goingto try to take over mycountry. They’re going to assaultmy sovereignty.

ANGIEWhy would they want to do that?

ROBERTWhat do they teach you in thatschool? Don’t they teach youanything about the Declaration ofIndependence?

ANGIEOh yeah! We’re learning all aboutthe Founding Fathers rightnow. There was George Washington,Alexander Hamilton, Samuel Adams,and...Why are you making your owncountry?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

ROBERTBecause, Angie, I don’t believe inthis country anymore.

Robert again stops his work to speak.

ROBERT (cont’d)The government has betrayed ourtrust and our rights. They don’tprotect us anymore. Whats more,the people of this nation are tooeasily taken in by propaganda thatconvinces them to elect inept andcorrupt officials to further leadour degrading nation intodestruction.

ANGIEHuh?

Doris appears behind Angie and lays a hand on her shoulder.

DORISMr. Lowd’s candidate lost theelection, honey. Now he’s havin’ anervous breakdown.

ANGIEOh...can I help him?

DORISMr. Lowd don’t need anyencouragement, and...you gothomework.

Angie slumps her shoulders and trods back towards herhouse. Doris watches to be sure Angie makes it insidebefore turning back to Robert.

DORIS (cont’d)Now, Robert, what are ya’ doin’?

ROBERTDoris, I’ve explained this to youalready. I can’t stand forthis. I won’t allow this injusticeto continue.

DORISSo you’re building a wall?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

ROBERTA wall of morals, of integrity...

DORISA wall of stupid! This all iscause you don’t like Mr. Suarez.

ROBERTSo?

DORISRobert, you actin’ like a crazyperson. You don’t go tearing upyour yard just because you lost anelection. It’s America. You whiteguys came up with these rules.

ROBERTDoris, this is not just a wall,this is a new nation. I’m making astatement. It’s about principle.

DORISWhy don’t you just go watch some TVlike a normal depressed person?

ROBERTCan’t. Devon’s been rerouting mycable to service the entireneighborhood for free.

DORISAnd you don’t report thisbecause...

ROBERTI’m saving that dirt for a rainyday.

DORISYou and that boy spend to much timein the mud if ya’ ask me.

Doris turns and stalks off to her house. Robert looks afterher; confused, but quickly returns to his work.

EXT. ROBERT’S HOME - DAWN

Robert’s house reflects a warm glow from the risingsun. Tall posts now stand at regular intervals along theboundary of Robert’s property. Muddy footprints cover theyard, driveway, and front walk. Robert walks out the front

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

door, again dressed in overalls and an undershirt. Hesurveys his yard, pleased with his progress, but stops whenhe sees Doris, who is wearing uniform navy pants and shirt,sitting behind a card table at the end of his front walk. Alarge thermos of steaming coffee sits on the table. Dorissits back, casually reading the newspaper.

ROBERTDoris?

Doris looks up and smiles.

DORISWhat do you know, it’s GeorgeWashington hisself! I thought youwere going to sleep all day.

ROBERTIt’s six in the morning.

DORISThe day starts early for a customsofficial.

ROBERTA what?

DORISNow Robert, you knew that I was aretired customs official from theNiagara Bridge, and with you makinga new country and all, I realizedthat I best come out of retirementjust to make sure that allinternational law was upheld.

ROBERTWhat?

DORISSo...what’s your business in theUnited States?

ROBERTI’m looking for my paper. Itwasn’t on my doorstep.

DORISOh, that.

Doris pulls out a small manual emblazoned with the seal ofthe U.S. Customs and Border Protection office.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

DORISAll imports are subject toapplicable taxes and duties. I’mafraid that your paper is going tocost fifty cents a day to deliveracross the border.

ROBERTYou can’t be serious?

DORISYou the one that wanted to start anew country. Deal with it.

ROBERTDon’t you have something better todo?

DORISNot really...

ROBERTCan’t you just go watch TV orsomething?

DORISYou told me it was stolen. I’m notwatchin’ stolen cable TV.

Robert grunts and turns back to his house. Doris flips openthe paper and begins reading

DORISToo bad, the headline is quiteinteresting...

Robert looks back to see Doris holding up the paper. Hecatches a glimpse of the date and the word "Controversy"before Doris folds the newspaper and sets it on the table asshe takes a sip of coffee.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROBERT’S HOME - MORNING

Doris sits at her table reading Robert’s newspaper as Robertcontinues working on his yard’s defenses. Angie sits on theground next to her grandmother, working on painting a largesheet of paper. She gabs as she delicately fills the pagewith color.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 10.

ANGIEYou know, George Washington didn’tactually chop down the cherrytree. That was just a story. Welearned about that in classtoo. And did you know that he hadwooden teeth? I think that’s whyhe’s never smiling in anypictures. He was probablyembarrassed, just like Molly iswith her braces. She never, eversmiles. She barely even talks,she’s so scared of showing herteeth.

Doris continues to casually sip coffee while reading thepaper. Angie takes a breath before continuing.

ANGIEYou know, Mr. Lowd, I really thinkyou need to grow your hair long andcurl it. That’s the way all theFounding Fathers look in thepictures. I don’t think you canstart a country without lookinglike that.

Doris glances at Robert’s shining bald head and startslaughing as Robert resumes nailing boards together.

ROBERTWhy don’t I just let you paint apicture of me, and you can add thehair.

ANGIEWell, okay, but maybe you shouldget a wig...

Both Robert and Doris look up as the unmistakable sound of abooming bass is heard. Angie claps her hands to her ears asDoris’s table trembles with every earthshaking beat. Tiressqueal as Devon’s car sweeps onto the street. Robert standsup, nail gun in hand, as Devon’s car approaches. The carpulls up in front of Robert’s house and Devon gets outwearing a drab suit and gaudy red tie.

DEVONWhat is this! What is this? Mr.Lowd have you officially lostit? I mean, I knew you were crazy,but this...what are you doing to myneighborhood?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

ROBERTDidn’t your old man ever teach youto respect your elders?

DEVONHow am I supposed to make moneywith you depreciating theneighborhood like this.

ROBERTLast time I checked, I could dowhat I want on my own property.

DEVONWe’ll see what the city council hasto say about this.

ANGIEThat won’t work. Mr. Lowd isn’tfrom the United States anymore.

DORISAngie!

DEVONWhat’s this?

ANGIEHe’s succeeded from theunion. He’s made his own country.

DEVONReally?

Devon sighs and turns his attention to Doris.

DEVONIf I only had the time...Doris, Ineed to talk to you about yourgarden.

DORISWhat garden?

DEVONExactly! How do you expect thevalue of the neighborhood to go upwithout you doing your part? Nowcome on, let’s go inside and talkabout this.

Devon takes off for Doris’s front door as Doris slowly getsup to follow, taking Robert’s paper with her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

DORISThat boy better watch hisself or hewon’t know what hit him.

CUT TO:


Robert continues working on his fence. Nearby, Angiecontinues working on her painting while periodicallyglancing up to watch Robert. They both jump and look overto Doris’s house at the sound of shouting.

DORIS O.S.You get out of my house. Get out!

Devon bursts through the door and stumbles down thestairs. He looks behind and trips when he sees Dorisbearing down on him. Devon struggles to his feet as Dorisdescends.

DORISNow you get off my property. Idon’t want to see you around again!

Devon steps back, straightening his clothes. He stands toface Doris, but quickly turns back to looking at hisdisheveled clothes.

DEVONMrs. Hammond...this house islegally mine. And if you wouldlike to continue living here, Iwould suggest that you start...

DORISNow you listen here! I pay yougood money for this place, and youdon’t even send someone to fix thedoorbell. You don’t do anythingaround here! You just want yourrent. Now I paid you for thismonth, so until next pay day, thisis my property. And I don’t wannasee your face on my propertyagain. You understand?

DEVONWho do you think you are...

Doris raises one eyebrow and advances on Devon. Devonbegins to stumble backwards again.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

DORISOh no you don’t. Don’t you startlecturing me you greasy haired,crooked...

Devon turns and starts running down the street.

DORIS (cont’d)Where do you think you’regoing? I’m not finished with you!

Devon streaks past Robert and Angie. He fumbles in hispocket for his keys. Doris half-heartedly pursues Devoninto Robert’s lawn. Devon throws open the door to his carand dives inside. Robert, Doris, and Angie watch as Devonfumbles to start the car.

ROBERTWell...you sure showed him.

DORISOh, hush Robert, it wasnothing. Those suits never have abackbone.

Devon starts the car and rolls down the window.

DEVONMr. Lowd, I’m afraid that with yourcurrent...renovations, this is thelast time I’ll be offering mygenerous purchase proposal.

ROBERTTake your business elsewhere,Devon. You’ll never get your grimyhands on my property.

DEVONI’ll let you live here for the restof your life. I’ll even offer itto you for half the monthly rent Iregularly charge...

DORISDid my shouting break yourears? The man said he’s notinterested.

DEVONI wasn’t talking to you, youungrateful...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

Doris raises one eyebrow and grabs Robert’s nail gun. Shetakes a step towards Devon’s car, causing Devon to turn backto the road and speed off around the nearest corner.

ROBERTYou realize that now he’s going togo crawling to his old man.

DORISMaybe, but you’ve been preparin’for an invasion. That’s what thisfence is for. You’ll do fine.

ROBERTThanks for the vote ofconfidence. Can I get my papernow?

DORISYou still an independent country?

ROBERTIs Devon’s old man stillmayor-elect? Then you bet.

Doris plops down in her seat behind the table and returns toreading Robert’s paper.

DORISThen you still owe a fifty centduty.

ROBERTI think I’m going to need a steaktonight.

EXT. ROBERT’S HOME - NIGHT

Flashing red and blue lights reflect off of the high woodenfence that now surrounds Robert’s home. Barbed wire hangscarelessly along the crest of the fence. A single policecar is parked on the street in front of where Devon and thepolice CHIEF. Devon’s distorted voice is projected througha megaphone.

DEVONIt’s over, Lowd. Come out withyour hands up!

CHIEFWill you let me handle this,please.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

The chief rips the megaphone from Devon’s hands and turnsback to face Robert’s home.

CHIEFMr. Lowd, will you please come outhere.

ROBERT O.S.You have no jurisdiction over myproperty!

CHIEFMr. Lowd, I have a signed cease anddesist order from the districtattorney...

DEVONThe mayor...

ROBERT O.S....elect of Buffalo, NY! I am nota citizen of that city.

CHIEFMr. Lowd, be reasonable. You can’tstay hold up in your home forever.

DORIS O.S.What is goin’ on here?

The chief and Devon look over to see Doris walking up thesidewalk towards them.

DEVONNow you just stay out of this...

CHIEFMr. Suarez, please!

(To Doris)I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m going tohave to ask you to go back insideyour house. This is policebusiness...

ROBERT O.S.Don’t worry, Doris. They can’t doanything to me. I know my rights!

Devon snatches the megaphone away from the chief and beginsshouting in the direction of Robert’s home.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

DEVONYes. You have the right to remainsilent...

The chief again pulls the megaphone from Devon’s grasp.

CHIEFSo do you!

DEVONIf you don’t slap him in handcuffsin the next five minutes, I willpersonally see to it that you...

Devon stops speaking and begins sniffing the air.

DEVON (cont’d)Do you smell smoke?

Devon, Doris, and the chief turn to see a red glow shiningthrough the posts in Robert’s fence. The chief grabs thefire extinguisher from the back of his car as he beginsspeaking into his radio.

DORISOh no...Angie! Angie!

DEVONYou let your granddaughter go inthere with that crazy...

CHIEFThis is the chief, I have apossible fire at 32 IvoryStreet. Alert the fire squad andsend an ambulance.

DORISAngie!

The chief runs towards Robert’s fence, followed closely byDevon and Doris.

CHIEFStand back, you two!

The chief begins hitting the gate with the end of the fireextinguisher. The extinguisher has no effect on the strongwooden fence so he prepares to throw himself at the fenceagain when Doris steps in his way.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

DORISHang on baby, Grandma’s comin’!

Doris kicks the gate twice and the latch gives way. Devonpushes past Doris and the chief to hurry into Robert’syard. They discover Robert trying to put out a fire in hisgrill with a garden hose. Robert turns to see Devon comingthrough the gate and turns the hose on him. Devon sputtersand starts scrambling up the muddy lawn to where Robert isstanding. He lunges at Robert, tackling him. The two rollaround in the mud. Robert still holds the hose, sendingwater flying everywhere. The chief runs around the brawland begins using the fire extinguisher to put out the grill.

DORIS (cont’d)Angie! Angie!

Doris’s cries are lost in noise of the extinguisher and thefighting men.


Doris turns angrily to face all three men.

DORIS (cont’d)Stop it!

All three stop what they’re doing and turn to look at Doris.

DORIS (cont’d)Where is my granddaughter?

ROBERTShe went to turn on the hose forme...

DORISAngie!

ANGIE O.S.Grandma?

Doris sprints out of sight behind the house. The chieflet’s loose one more spray from the fire extinguisher. Acharred steak is seen smoldering on the grill as the chiefturns on Robert and Devon.

CHIEFNow what is going on here? Mr.Suarez, you told me that this wasjust a case of enforcing a courtorder, but this is turning into adomestic disturbance.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

DEVONIt’s him, Chief. He’s crazy. Yousaw him. He just attacked me.

ROBERTI have every right to defend myproperty from those who seek todestroy it.

DEVONHow could anyone destroy this dump?

DORISStop it, both of you!

All three men turn to see Angie and Doris standing at thecorner of the house. Angie stands, staring blankly at themud-covered Robert and Devon. She gasps when she sees thechief standing behind them. Doris just glares at all ofthem.

DORIS (cont’d)Devon Suarez, you are a greedylittle thing with no respect foryour elders. Just cause your dad isabout to be mayor don’t give youthe right to act the way your are.

(To Robert)And Robert, you should be ashamedof yourself! You ain’tthinkin’. You get upset over anelection and then go crazy. Howare you supposed to stayalive? You won’t even pay fiftycents for your paper. How are yougonna eat?

ROBERTDoris, this is more than just anelection. This is about...

DORISI don’t wanna hear it.

CHIEFWill you all please just take abreath?

DEVONChief, I demand that you arrestthis man for assault and violatinga court order!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 19.

ROBERTAnd I demand that you escort thisboy off my property and detain himfor twenty-four hours fortrespassing!

DEVONAre you crazy?

ROBERTDon’t get me started...

CHIEFShut up! Now, both of you arecoming down to the station withme. We’ll sort all of this outthere.

The chief turns to go.

DEVONI refuse.

The chief faces Devon.

CHIEFMr. Suarez, are you resistingarrest?

DEVONI am resisting the manipulation ofthe justice system by an old manwho should be committed.

ROBERTOh, so now I’m the one manipulatingthe system?

DORISWill y’all please just listen tothe chief...

DEVONYou sit in front of the TV allday. Wasting your life watchingdocumentaries on the glory days ofdead presidents...

ANGIEHe can’t watch TV anymore. Youtook his cable.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

CHIEFWhat?

ANGIEGrandma told me. He took Mr.Lowd’s cable.

Robert smiles and turns to the chief.

ROBERTDevon’s been providing free cableservice to the neighborhood bystealing my signal.

DEVONNot true!

ROBERTDon’t even...

CHIEFEnough! Both of you are comingwith me. We’ll let the judge sortthis out in the morning...and I’vegot an idea of what the two ofyou’ll be doing.

CUT TO:

EXT. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - AFTERNOON

Devon is breathing heavily as he saws through a thick woodenboard while the chief looks on.

CHIEFCome on, you heard the judge. Thishas to be done for the neighborhoodpicnic on Sunday. Let’s go, let’sgo, let’s go!

The chief turns to shout across the street.

CHIEF (cont’d)Come on, Robert. We need more woodover here!

Robert sighs and lifts another stack of wooden boards on hiswheelbarrow and carts them across the street. RevealRobert’s house with the fence half disassembled, whileacross the street Devon labors on a half built swing set inthe empty lot. The chief stands at the edge of the streetwatching both men as they work.