Narrator: “July 2nd, 2010…the day of infamy for a young man named Andrew Wilder. Andrew Wilder is a recent college graduate who just started writing a cartoon. Throughout his life he always did everything the right way. On this hot July day something happened that would change his life forever. The day starts off like any other day with him speaking to his father James Wilder."
James Wilder: “Hey son…what are you doing today?”
Andrew Wilder: “We’re planning on hitting the driving range today. After that I am going to work on a new episode for my cartoon.”
James Wilder: “Well we won’t be around today…me and your mom are going to Almond Creek. Good luck at the golf course.”
Andrew Wilder: “Thanks…I will be home later tonight.”
Andrew sits around for a little while when his parents leave. After playing Tiger Woods PGA Golf for around an hour he decides to get the day going. It is a nice day, so before he goes golfing he feels like he needs to get stuff done. The first stop he goes to is a local office store named Stumpy’s Print Shop. At the print shop he picks up a portfolio folder.
Stumpy: “That’ll be 8 dollars and 22 cents. What are you buying this portfolio for? Are you a young businessman?”
Andrew Wilder: “I am an aspiring writer. I just started writing a month ago, but now I’m trying to organize my work and market it.”
Stumpy: “A writer huh? That’s interesting…good luck with that. If you ever make it big give my print shop a shout out.”
Andrew Wilder: “No problem Stumpy.”
After leaving Stumpy’s Print Shop Andrew decides he is hungry and goes to the local Randy’s Subs to get a sandwich. At this place Andrew is placing his order around the same time as Rhonda Williams.
Andrew Wilder: “Hi…I’ll get a Chicken sandwich with mayo and mustard only.”
Rhonda Williams: “Ya’ll got tuna? You got tuna at this place?”
Katie Hernandez: “Yes.”
Rhonda Williams: “Well…I want a Tuna sandwich with mayonnaise, lettuce, and no mustard.”
Katie Hernandez starts making the sandwich and accidently almost puts mustard on Rhonda’s sub.
Rhonda Williams: “I SAID NO MUSTARD! DID YOU HEAR ME?? WHAT’S SO HARD ABOUT THAT?”
Katie Hernandez: “I’m sorry.”
Rhonda Williams: “Whateva.”
Andrew then goes to pay for his meal while Rhonda is still making outrageous demands. As he is about to leave he makes eye contact with Katie and her co-worker. You can tell they are all on the same page. After going home to eat his sub Andrew decides to take his car to the car wash. As he pulls up to the carwash a “salesman” come up to his car.
Hector Rodrigo: “Hello…what car wash do you want today?”
Andrew Wilder: “I’ll have the 18.99 one.”
Hector Rodrigo: “Ok…just leave your keys in the car.”
Andrew Wilder gives him a twenty dollar bill and Hector goes to the register, but does not return with the change.
Andrew Wilder: “There’s no tax right?”
Hector Rodrigo: “Yea…no tax.”
Andrew Wilder: “Well, you didn’t give me my change.”
Hector Rodrigo: “Oh sorry about that sir…here you go.”
Andrew then sits at the car wash while the workers start washing the car. He begins to ponder the negativity of some of the people he has encountered in the day. All the sudden Andrew begins imagining golfing in his mind and his friend Daniel Farnsworth places a call to him.
Andrew Wilder: “Wut up Farnsworth?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Not much…you still going to Hommy Hanch?”
Andrew Wilder: “For sure. I’m getting my car washed now. I will meet you at the spot in 45 minutes.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Sounds good. C ya then.”
As Wilder hangs up he sees his car is looking nice and instantly gets happy. The worker honks the horn of the car and he walks up to get the keys from him. He then hands his receipt to the worker along with a one dollar tip.
** END SCENE **
Wilder and Farnsworth meet up a little bit later. They’re on their way to Hommy Hanch when they start randomly talking about philosophy.
Andrew Wilder: “Man I love going up to the hills. You ever wonder why successful people always live in the hills?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Because they’re rich people and want to get away from everyone.”
Andrew Wilder: “No…it’s because people that live in the hills are closer to God.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Wow…did you just make that up?”
Andrew Wilder (laughing): “Yup…it just dawned on me. It’s something to think about.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “That’s for sure. You ready to smack some balls today? (no homo)”
Andrew Wilder: “Hell yea. I’m ready to put a charge into those golf balls when I pull out the driver.”
They continue making small talk about golf until they reach the parking lot. Wilder parks next to a Volvo SC 580 that is parked crooked.
Andrew Wilder: “I think Chris is working today. You think we should go rent a driver?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Ummmm…yea let’s do it.”
As they are sitting in the car ready to make their move Farnsworth opens the window to throw out a piece of gum. All the sudden a bee flies in the car. Farnsworth remains calm while Wilder starts screaming like a little girl. Wilder gets out of the car and ends up hitting his car door on the Volvo’s passenger door. The bee finally leaves the car and the 2 men are wondering what just happened.
Andrew Wilder: “That was random. That felt like a sign from the hills.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Yea what are the odds of that? That is the first time a bee has flown on me while sitting in a car.”
Andrew Wilder: “And he didn’t sting you. But maybe we’re overanalyzing it. Let’s go see what Chris is up to.”
Wilder and Farnsworth go in to rent a club from the clubhouse. They encounter their big, older White-man friend named Chris.
Chris: “HEY GUYS! How you been? You been hitting em good?”
Andrew Wilder: “Not lately.”
Chris: “Well stick with it guys. Golf is a tough game. You guys need a driver?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Sure do Chris.”
Chris: “All right let me get you one.”
Chris gets the driver from the clubhouse office and wishes the two good luck on their range session. Wilder and Farnsworth then go off to the driving range where about five other guys are hitting too. The whole place is silent and all you hear is golf balls getting smashed from all corners of the range. The two hit the ball pretty well and have a mood change about golf. They go back to Chris to return the driver.
Chris: “So did anything change?”
Andrew Wilder: “Yup…I think we’re ready to make the plunge and try out that 9 hole deal.”
Chris: “That’s a big step. Just let me know when and I’ll set it up.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Thanks Chris.”
Chris: “You guys have a good day. See ya soon.”
Wilder and Farnsworth walk out discussing their golf game.
Andrew Wilder: “Today definitely changed my golf game. I just gotta fix a few kinks in my game and then we’ll play the real game.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Yup I feel the same way. We should be reggie to go anytime now. The future is looking bright.”
Wilder and Farnsworth return to the car where the bee incident happened. They look to make sure there are no bees before they hop in. The scene ends as Wilder puts his Big Bertha driver away in the trunk.
** END SCENE
Wilder and Farnsworth are in the car driving down the road back to town. They are leaving the hills and are on a narrow two-lane road.
Andrew Wilder: “I can’t wait to start making money, so we can start playing golf.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “And we can finally get our own court like we’ve been planning on.”
Andrew Wilder: “Yup and I can finally get the dog I been looking for. I’ve been looking online at Dobermans. I think I might get one.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “I like the name you picked out for it. Your dog is about to be popular.”
Andrew Wilder: “I know…I can’t wait to get her. But for now we need to focus on getting our work out there. I feel like a big break is coming down the horizon.”
All the sudden on the two-lane a white truck passes five vehicles and does not make it back to the lane in time. Wilder swerves to the right and hits a light pole, but the truck still hits the driver side door. The scene turns from calm to chaotic. The entire road is blocked off because of this crash. Cars going southbound are now backed up for miles so the nearest emergency vehicles have to come from the nearby city Bombay. It feels like time is running out for Andrew Wilder.
Andrew Wilder: “I CAN’T FEEL MY LEGS…WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “That truck just hit us. Are you ok?”
Andrew Wilder: “NO…I’VE LOST ALL FEELING. I CAN’T MOVE.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Just stay put. The ambulance will be here in no time.”
In the background all you hear is chaos. Cops and ambulances have their sirens on from miles away. Wilder sits there not able to move for ten minutes but it feels like an eternity to him. His whole life flashes before his eyes from his days of playing baseball to graduating college. Every important person who has influenced his life comes in giving words of wisdom in Farnsworth’s dream as he lays there motionless.
The camera pulls away from Wilder sitting in the car to show more of what is going on with the scene. Police from numerous agencies are there blocking off the whole road. The fire truck and ambulance show up and begin to plan how they are going to tackle the whole situation. Daniel Farnsworth gets out of it with severe pain, but decides to tough it out and not go to the hospital. The fire chief Walter Rasputin talks to Farnsworth about Wilder.
Walter Rasputin: “Ok…we’re going to have to cut the door open of your friend’s car now. Can you tell me what he was telling you before he went into a dreamland?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “He lost all feeling in his legs.”
Walter Rasputin: “That’s all we needed to know.”
Rasputin calls his men over quickly and tells them the situation. By now the news media is flying a helicopter over the whole scene. All you see from the air is a bunch of flashing lights and a car crashed into a light pole along with a truck with a wrecked front-end close by. The scene goes back to ground zero where all the action is. The firemen pull out Wilder from the car in dramatic fashion and place him on a stretcher. They put him in the back of an ambulance very gently and the ambulance takes off to the local hospital.
A California Highway Patrol officer is reading Miranda rights to the driver of the white truck. The scene ends as the officer starts saying “You have the right to remain silent…anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The camera shifts over to a stoic man in handcuffs named George as he takes in what the officer is telling him.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
The scene begins with Andrew Wilder and Daniel Farnsworth at the local courthouse discussing business with their lawyer Phillip Weinerschnauser around two years after the infamous car crash. Today is the day of closing arguments. The results of the crash were Andrew Wilder got paralyzed from the waist down and Daniel Farnsworth had serious back pains. The trial has been covered by many local media outlets. Weinershcnauser is going after George Rafferty for these violations: wreckless driving, driving under the influence, and shitty lane change.
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “Allright boys this is our day we put this son of a bitch away for years. Justice will be served and I will be famous.”
Andrew Wilder: “I hope you’re a good finisher like you say you are. If this guy walks I might walk out of my wheelchair and go after you.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser (laughing): “Don’t worry my young lad. NOBODY WALKS WHEN THE SCHNAUSER IS RUSTLING AROUND THE PRAIRIE.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “I hope you got a good closing argument. Your opponent is building quite a case for George. The good ole depressed family-man with a rough life seems to be working. The jury seems captivated at times.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “Look Farnsworth…let’s just say me and Judge Holmstrom…we go way back.”
Andrew Wilder: “What do you mean way back? You’re gonna cheat the system?”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “It’s not cheating the system. It’s called taking advantage of your surroundings. Just happens to be I surround myself with every judge in the county on my racquetball team. Ahhhh the perks of being rich.”
Andrew Wilder: “I’m not really for this Phillip. I want to do this the right way.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “This guy paralyzes you and you want to do things the right way? I’ve done all I can to make this guy look like a jackass and you’re getting scared. WILDER…I’M GONNA TELL YOU ONE TIME…AND ONE TIME ONLY…DON’T RUIN MY 15 MINUTES OF FAME. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. The praise…the glory…THE POWER. That goes for you too Farnsworth.”
Andrew Wilder: “I guess there is a method to your madness. I trust you.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “Thank you guys. Now I need to go pluck my eyebrows before I deliver my most memorable closing argument yet.”
The scene fast forwards to about an hour later when the lawyers are about ready to deliver their closing arguments. Judge Richard Holmstrom is anchoring the court room today.
Richard Holmstrom: “Today is the day of final arguments. We have Phillip Weinerschnauser representing Andrew Wilder/Daniel Farnsworth and Earl Drake representing George Rafferty. Normally I would say a bunch of legal jargon, but I don’t feel like it today. So I’ll get this show on the road by saying…HAVE AT IT FELLAS.”
Earl Drake: “Thank you your honor. I would like to take this time to review with the jury what I have deliberated so far. I want you to take into consideration the kind of man George Rafferty is. He is a kind…gentle man…a man that would not hurt anyone. One day he was having a fight with his pregnant 19 year old girlfriend at home when this unfortunate incident happened. We all feel sorry for Mr. Wilder, but the justice system must do George Rafferty justice. He made a mistake when he drove somewhat intoxicated. He is willing to take the charge. The other charges are invalid and unjust. I leave the jury with this last thought; do you want to take away George Rafferty from his daughter?”
Phillip Weinerschnauser walks up to the jury with swagger as Drake sits down. He begins to address the jury.
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “To be honest everyone…I had the greatest closing argument pre-planned in my head but I chose to ditch that. What I am about to tell you is improv a.k.a. off the top of the dome. After hearing Earl Drake’s bologna I felt like it was my duty to give you what really went on. Remember everyone…this is a court of law. You must look at things from a legal standpoint. It does not matter if George Rafferty has one daughter or five daughters. George Rafferty puts other lives in danger. (In a sarcastic tone)But since my opponent has gone the emotional right I might as well just stoop to his level. It’s time I fight fire with fire. (Turns away from the jury and looks at George) Mr. Rafferty: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF I PASSED 4 CARS AND ACCIDENTALLY KILLED YOUR DAUGHTER? HOW WOULD LIKE THAT YOU BASTERD?”
George Rafferty looks at Weinerschnauser with a blank stare and does not respond. Earl Drake begins freaking out.
Earl Drake: “OBJECTION YOUR HONOR! This man is a hypocrite. He is doing this to play with the minds of the jury.”
Richard Holmstrom: “Objection over ruled. Let the man speak.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “THANK YOU YOUR HONOR. The bottom line here is George Rafferty chose to drive drunk down a two-lane road in the middle of the day. He then passes numerous cars and paralyzes a young man. That is reprehensible and illegal. I urge you as the jury to take a look at all the evidence and make the right call. Just remember every 15 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver, let’s make that stat every 15.2 minutes by locking up George Rafferty.”
The jury gets dismissed to go discuss the verdict. Both sides are waiting on pins and needles.
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “I hope Judge Holmstrom pulled strings like we talked about. This should be an open-shut victory for the one and only.”
Andrew Wilder: “We came this far. He should get the maximum penalty.”
The other side is having a different discussion about the case. The mood is somber.
Earl Drake: “George…this has been a long road man. We’ve learned a lot together. In the end it feels like the power of Weinerschnauser was too much. I think you’re getting put away buddy.”
George Rafferty(crying): “What will I do without my wife? My daughter? My wrecked white truck? My posturepedic bed? And finally my FIFA 2010 on the Playstation 3? What will I do? “
Earl Drake: “I don’t know George…I just don’t know. Sometimes I don’t know who created this legal system. It’s like they stacked the deck against us.”
George Rafferty: “Let’s hope we pick up a joker in the last leg of the Daytona 500. That’ll really put a damper on things.”
The scene goes back to the court room where the jury is seated and ready to deliver the verdict.
Richard Holmstrom: “This has been a hard fought trial. I wanna give both sides great credit. You hung on tight but only one can be victorious. Let’s find out who it is. JURY: Do you find George Rafferty guilty of driving under the influence?”
Emma Tompkins: “We the jury find George Rafferty guilty of driving under the influence.”
Richard Holmstrom: “Wreckless driving?”
Emma Tompkins: “We the jury find George Rafferty guilty of wreckless driving.”
Richard Holmstrom: “And the final charge….making a shitty lane change?”
Emma Tompkins: “We the jury find George…”
The door busts open and Dr. David walks in wearing his golf gear. The whole courtroom stops as Dr. David walks to the judge.
Richard Holmstrom: “Let him go security. Dr. David is a good man.”
Dr. David: “I just finished my round of golf at Hommy Hanch and I heard today was the verdict. I come here with a proposal to the defendant Richard Cafferty.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “Who is this guy? Get him out of here. They were just about to read the third and final charge.”
Dr. David: “You seem to be high strung. Maybe it’s the fact you care more about your ego than the actual justice system. “
Phillip Weinerschnauser sits down and does not say a word the rest of the time.
Dr. David: “Now where was I…Richard Cafferty I come here with an alternate ending for your fate. I want to take you under my wing for a year. I want to discuss with you details of what happened on July 2nd,2010. I want to study your past and how it sealed your fate in the future. I come here with an alternative to punishing Cafferty. We all know he did wrong, but we must learn how to avoid behaviors like this to make the future right.”
(Background conversation with Wilder and Weinerschnauser)
Andrew Wilder: “Hey Weinerschnauser…you’re fired man. We’re sending Rafferty to therapy. If therapy is unsuccessful I will have him locked up then, but I will give the man a chance. Plus it ends your career and I am all for that.”
Richard Holmstrom: “I think that is a grand idea Dr. David. I will set up the specifics with my legal staff tomorrow. Bailiff…ESCORT WEINERSCHNAUSER OUT OF THIS COURT ROOM IMMEDIATELY.”
Phillip Weinerschnauser: “WHAT?!? Why are you banning me? I thought we were cool.”
Richard Holmstrom: “No Weinerschnauser. We are not cool. You are a hossa. A hossa is a pig that does not fly straight. You really thought you could run the legal system by playing racquet ball with people higher up then you? Well let me tell you something everyone flies straight at the top. The ones who don’t fly straight never make it to our peak. Sayonnara Weinerschnztel…go sell some $1 corn dogs because you are now blacklisted from law.”
Security guard Samuel Powers and Tommy Vargas escort the lawyer out of the court room. Holmstrom and Dr. David have a conversation about life.
Dr. David: “This might be unconventional but sometimes you gotta be. When you’re unpredictable you find answers. I will find answers from this man.”
Richard Holmstrom: “I know you will. That is why I approved this measure. But onto the real business, how did you shoot today?”
Dr. David: “I shot decent, but the wind was killer. You should go next time I play on July 17th.”
Richard Holmstrom: “I’ll consider it. That is the day of the Legal System Cookout at Rumpelstillskin Park.”
Dr. David: “That park by the hills? You’ll be in the area. Brings your clubs just in case.”
Richard Holmstrom: “My clubs are always there just in case. I drive a motor home.”
The scene fades away to Phillip Weinerschnauser sitting in his car looking at his racquetball gear and throwing it out the window.
** END SCENE **
Dr. David now has the responsibility of trying to rehab George Rafferty. He meets with him to discuss the terms of the agreement Judge Holmstrom came up with.
Dr. David: “George…welcome to my office. You are going to be here a lot in the next year so I suggest making yourself comfortable. If you want a Gatorade I have them in the fridge. There will be no alcohol or drugs in this house. The only drug you need is your mind.”
George Rafferty: “Ok…let’s talk about the details of what is going to happen.”
Dr. David: “Here is the deal…there’s this new program out called “Dream Masters 2.0.” It has all these great features to track ones dreams. They just released a new update for it. In this update you can program a dream into your head by reading it backwards while playing Uno. Every month I will have you replay that day in your head for one night. I want you to tell me your feelings after it every time. You will learn new things.”
George Rafferty: “You’re gonna make me dream something? Sure I’ll do that. That beats going to jail.”
Dr. David: “But that’s not it. Every month you have to tell me a positive and negative story in your life that you feel are important. At the end of this twelve month course you will be ready to give a speech.”
George Rafferty: “What will I talk about?”
Dr. David: “That’s what the twelve months are going to teach you. This will be like nothing you have ever done before in your life. This is something new. To be successful you must take these sessions seriously. You must open up your true feelings.”
George Rafferty: “This could be interesting. I will do all I can to pass your course Dr. David.”
Dr. David: “Thanks for your cooperation George. We’re going to turn a bad thing into a great thing.”
The first month goes by and George meets with Dr. David to discuss what he has been feeling.
Dr. David: “So what day did the dream occur?”
George Rafferty: “August 2. I had a lot of time to think about it the last 28 or so days.”
Dr. David: “My plan exactly. I want to hear the main themes that went through your head after the dream.”
George Rafferty: “First and foremost from a math standpoint I was totally off. I passed four cars just to save two to three minutes. I kept imagining myself just being patient. I would not be in this position had I just waited. That is the main theme that kept coming up for me.”
Dr. David: “That is a good start. This is what we call first-dimension thinking. Over time I will get you thinking in new ways. Now onto the other part of the deal. I need to hear your monthly positive and negative story. These stories are to educate me about you. To help me get a better understanding of where you come from.”
George Rafferty: “Ok…I will start with the good story. One time when I went to Almond Creek and some ninety year old rich man dropped $100 out of his wallet. I picked it up off the ground and caught up with him a few kilometers away. “
Dr. David: “Did you even think about keeping the $100?”
George Rafferty: “Not at all. My reaction was to give it back right away.”
Dr. David: “See that comes from a belief. You had some kind of belief inside your mind that doing a good thing would lead to other good things. Now let’s hear your negative story. I want this to be a story your wife does not even know.”
George Rafferty: “Trust me she does not know about this. This one time I went to Taco Bell to order a Veggie Burger and things took a turn for the worse. After trying to order it the girl working at the window asked me “do you want empanada?”. So I say no I’ll have a veggie burger then she says, “Do you want garden vegetable soup?” I just say never mind and order a Chocolate milkshake. Bottom line is she asked what size, I asked if she wanted to know my penis size, she said yea, I come up to the window and the girl is actually a short guy…his name tag said “George.”
Dr. David (laughing): “Well that’s an interesting story. But I want to expand on this. Right now write a poem about how you felt about what happened at that very moment. Do it now.”
George Rafferty takes about five minutes to write a short poem. He then recites it to Dr. David.
George Rafferty: “I call this “Journey to the Heavens”
I zoom in my spaceship leaving no trace.
Gone with the Wind.
Gone with the Earth.
I was out of sight like a Cheetah playing Tennis.”
Dr. David: “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
** END SCENE **
A year has passed and Dr. David’s twelve month program has come to a close. After Rafferty’s last confessions Dr. David tells him what he must do to his earn his freedom.
Dr. David: “It’s about time to release you back to the world George. To earn your ticket out you must give a speech to a group of 6th graders at the local middle school. The topic of the speech is “Life.”
George Rafferty: “You’re going to give me a vague topic like that? I’ll see what I can do.”
Dr. David: “You have it in you George. I believe in you. Over these last twelve months I’ve learned a lot about you. Learning about you has made me learn about myself. Give em hell George. Your speech is next Tuesday. I will be there accompanied by a couple of guests. I want your speech to be concise. I want these kids to be able to tell their parents about it in a couple sentences. This is your life’s work George…make the best of it.”
George Rafferty: “Thank you Dr. David. I will not let myself down.”
Next Tuesday rolls around and George Rafferty is standing on stage ready to speak in a couple moments. They are in a middle school theatre with about 200 students total. In the very back Dr. David is sitting with Wilder and Farnsworth. They have to sit in the designated handicapped area due to Wilder being in a wheelchair. The lights turn down and George Rafferty begins to speak.
George Rafferty: “Hello everyone. I am George Rafferty. Some of you may know me as the driver who passed four cars on a two-lane road. And I deserve that. I was wrong that day. I was wrong many days before that day. I lived life always trying to get over on people…always trying to take the easy way out…never facing my shortcomings. My whole life I felt like I was never good. I guess you could say I did not care about my life. Instead of being put in jail for my bad deeds I got help from a man named Dr. David. Without him I could not be up on this stage trying to inspire you guys to take a different path than I did. Dr. David put me on a search and to finish this search he told me to write a concise speech about the topic of life. Here is my brief outlook about life: I have learned that to respect yourself you must respect the power of the mind…if you don’t respect the power of the mind you don’t respect the most powerful gift given to you by God…and if you don’t respect God…you have nothing.”
Rafferty starts crying and ends the speech by thanking the audience. Everyone is dead silent and staring at Andrew Wilder. He stands up out of his wheelchair for the first time and begins clapping. Dr. David and Daniel Farnsworth follow along right after with all 200 students. The speech was a tremendous success.
Andrew Wilder (back in the wheelchair): “Did I just get out of my chair?”
Dr. David: “You did Andrew. That was my plan all along. I wanted you to be so inspired that you would get up out of your chair to applaud George. Now I want you to take what just happened and make that a belief…a belief you will walk again.”
Andrew Wilder: “I will walk again.”
Andrew Wilder: “I will walk again.”
George walks down from the stage and the scene comes to close as George gives handshakes to all three men and speaks with them.
Dr. David: “Well George…looks like you’re a free man. Good luck in your endeavors.”
George Rafferty: “Thank you. I will approach my life differently. I owe a lot to you. I really do. You took me under your wing and put your reputation on the line for me. I can never repay you.”
Dr. David: “Don’t be thanking me George…you did that all by yourself. It was always in your mind all along. I can only do so much. In the end you were the one who brought it out of yourself.”
TO BE CONTINUED…..
A couple years have passed and Andrew Wilder is still sitting in his wheelchair. Dr. David has tried many methods from physical therapy to mental therapy to try to help Andrew finally walk again. They are having a meeting in his office to discuss the situation.
Dr. David: “Andrew…it has been a couple years since the accident and I just want to tell you I have done all I can to help you. “
Andrew Wilder: “You’re giving up on me Dr. David? I will never walk again if that is the case.”
Dr. David: “I will never give up on anyone Andrew. I have done every method my mind can think of to try to get you to walk again. Remember there is a reason why I do everything. After thinking long and hard about this I realized that although you got inspired by that amazing speech, it was still something inside of you that made you stand up for those two seconds. I want you to devise a method to make those two seconds last an eternity.”
Andrew Wilder: “Well how do I do that?”
Dr. David: “Use your imagination. You’re a skilled writer. I want you to write me a short story about a man learning to walk again.”
Andrew Wilder: “Give me an hour and I will get back to you.”
An hour passes by and Dr. David is sitting there writing his third book. Wilder wheels in the room.
Dr. David: “You look pretty confident. Do you have an idea?”
Andrew Wilder: “You know that dream program you used on Rafferty? I need you to put an artificial dream in my mind. My whole life I have been a known sleep walker. I feel like if I re-train my mind in a dream I will apply it to reality in the future. It’s worth a shot. The first step to real walking is sleep walking.”
Dr. David: “That is a great idea. I will program it so you have this dream once a week.”
Wilder sleep walks seven times over the next couple months. But Dr. David can not seem to get him to apply Wilder's dream to reality. Five of the seven times Dr. David wakes up Wilder and he collapses to the ground. The other two times Dr. David leaves him alone and Wilder wakes up in bed still not able to walk. They meet again in Dr. David’s office.
Dr. David: “Well Andrew…this is it. My lucky number is eight and your eighth try is coming up soon. This is our best shot.”
Andrew Wilder: “We need to try something new. Here is my project for you. You need to find a way to train my mind to make my dream world a reality. I’ve come this far, please don’t let me down.”
Dr. David: “I will do my best.”
A few days down the road Dr. David hears Andrew Wilder sleep walking. While sleep walking he is singing Justin Timberlake “Cry Me a River.” Dr. David knows this could be the last opportunity and makes a move. He goes for his Elvis Chia Pet and starts rubbing it all over Wilder’s face to wake him up. Wilder wakes up and Dr. David grabs his ankles.
Dr. David: “STAY STRONG WILDER!!!! STAY STRONG!”
Andrew Wilder’s knees start buckling a little bit, but he keeps fighting on.
Dr. David: “STAY STRONG!!!! You’re now awake and upright. In thirty seconds I will let go of your ankles and you will be able to walk. To get your mind off the pain I want you to sing the first song that pops into your head.”
Andrew Wilder (singing like J.T.): “OHH CRY ME A RIVER!!! OHH CRY ME A RIVER!! CRY ME A RIVER!!!”
Dr. David: “Thirty seconds is up. When I let go of your ankles I want you to take baby steps. “
Andrew Wilder stays upright when Dr. David lets go of his ankles. He begins taking small steps toward the game room.
Dr. David: “Take it slow Wilder. Meet me in the game room and we will play some NHL 2010.”
Wilder gets a second wind and does not walk to the game room. He starts running and runs out of the house. Wilder takes two laps around the block. Dr. David sits on his porch smoking a tobacco pipe thinking about what just happened.
Dr. David (to himself): “Miracles can happen. I knew it.”
Wilder walks back in the house to congratulate Dr. David on a job well done. They walk into the game room and begin an epic battle of NHL 2010.
Andrew Wilder: “Now that I am able to walk again I can do what I always wanted to do.”
Dr. David: “I have a 2:25 tee time tomorrow. Tell Farnsworth. We will find a fourth person there.”
Andrew Wilder: “How did you know that was on my mind?”
Dr. David: “The last thing you did before your crash was hit the ball around. It is human nature to want to go back and finish what you start.”
The scene ends as we zoom in on the TV showing the result for the NHL 2010. Both men picked the San Jose Sharks and the screen shows the score was 2-1. The camera pulls away from the house and shows the constellation Taurus the Bull brightly lit in the sky.
** END SCENE **
The next day is here and Daniel Farnsworth shows up at Dr. David’s house to pick the two up for a game of golf. Andrew Wilder calls shotgun so he gets to sit in the front seat of Farnsworth’s Chevrolet Tahoe.
Daniel Farnsworth: “I thought you were joking when you said you wanted to play at the Hommy Hanch today. That sleepwalking technique wasn’t working for you to well. I’m glad to see it finally worked.”
Andrew Wilder: “It’s now time to complete our original goal.”
They pull up at the Hommy Hanch Golf Club and Chris is working the front desk.
Chris: “Is that you Andrew Wilder?!? You’re walking?”
Andrew Wilder: “Chris…I’ve come to take you up on that original offer. I am here as a golfer. I don’t want to be treated as anything else.”
Chris: “You’re ready to play 9 holes eh? I can set that up.”
Andrew Wilder: “No Chris…I am here to play 18 holes. I waited this long. You know what they say go big or go home.”
Chris: “All right it looks like Dave already set up a tee-time so you guys just need a fourth person.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Chris…we want you to be our fourth player.”
Chris: “I can’t leave the desk guys. This is my job.”
Andrew Wilder: “We’ve already talked to your boss about it and he said its all right.”
Chris: “I can’t say no to that. I’ll meet you guys at the first tee in twenty minutes. “
The foursome are at the first tee ready to go. They are being followed by around by five golf carts full of their closest friends. Andrew Wilder steps up the first tee and is first to go. He pulls out the same Big Bertha he put away in his trunk on the day of the car crash. He imagines where he is going to hit the ball before he steps up to the tee and walks up to the tee in silence. It is just him and the ball…Wilder puts a smooth swing on it. The ball goes straight down the fairway and everyone starts clapping as if Tiger Woods was there.
Andrew Wilder: “I’ve been waiting to drive from that first hole for awhile. That felt great.”
Dr. David: “Your grip is still a little rough (laughing)…but that was a nice shot. That is a good start for your golf career.”
Daniel Farnsworth goes next. He hits the ball in the fairway too. Dr. David is third to hit and he smashes the ball 301 yards. Chris is last to go and hits a solid 245. The day starts off well for the foursome. The scene fast forwards to the 18th hole where Andrew Wilder nails a birdie putt to finish the day off. He did not score too well, but just the fact he got out there and finished eighteen holes was a huge accomplishment. After the game the four men have a brief chat about what happened.
Dr. David: “Wilder…that took a lot of courage.”
Andrew Wilder: “I was just out there playing golf. I had my mind set on it and I stuck to it. It’s nothing big.”
Chris: “I had a great time guys. I hope we get to play again.”
Daniel Farnsworth: “Don’t worry Chris…we will be back here a lot more. Someday we will be legends.”
Andrew Wilder: “It’s been fun guys, but I think it’s best if we take off. My legs are tired.”
Dr. David: “Not so fast. I got a surprise for you two. Follow me into the clubhouse. If you felt like Tiger Woods earlier you’re really going to feel like him after this night.”
Dr. David brings Andrew Wilder and Daniel Farnsworth to the banquet room where there is a huge party to honor Wilder’s comeback. As Wilder walks in he spots numerous girls wearing cocktail dresses.
Andrew Wilder: “I knew you’d come through Dr. David.”
Dr. David: “Enough with the Dr. David…you can now just call me David or Dave.”
** END SCENE **
An overhead view of five houses on a court nestled away in the hills is the beginning image of the scene. The camera then zooms in on Andrew Wilder and Daniel Farnsworth playing baseball in the middle of the street. Their close friends and their wives are all out front hanging out and having a good time. All the sudden the UPS man comes up to the court’s main gate.
UPS Man: “Hi…I’ve got an urgent letter for Andrew Wilder and Daniel Farnsworth.”
Daniel Farnsworth signs for the letter and opens it. Everyone from the close-knit community comes over to see what it is.
Daniel Farnsworth: “It is a letter from George Rafferty. I wonder what this could be. “
Farnsworth opens the letter carefully and begins reading it to the group.
Daniel Farnsworth: “To Mr. Wilder and Mr. Farnsworth: I come to you as a last resort. My wife has left me for a younger male and I am sitting here in Bombay with no one to care for me. My nest egg has been totally depleted by the recent economic downturn. I am on my last days and need someone to care for me. I was wondering if you could assist me in any way. Thank you. George Rafferty 426-7424.”
Andrew Wilder: “That was unexpected. I’m not so sure we should make a move. This man had a successful plumbing business…where could if have all gone?”
Daniel Farnsworth: “How about you just make the old man happy and let him stay in your pool house? Your pool house is bigger than 99% of the houses in this area. “
Andrew Wilder: “I guess we could set up hospice care for him. I’ll contact him.”
After speaking with Rafferty, Wilder decides to take Rafferty under his wing. He hires a full-time nurse to watch over his health. Rafferty’s health is really bad and appears to be deterorriating at an alarming rate. He has only been staying in the pool house for two weeks and he is nearly on his death bed. He calls in Wilder and Farnsworth to talk.
George Rafferty: “Well guys this is it. I’ve come along way in life, but I think it’s over.”
Andrew Wilder: “Don’t say that George. No one said I could walk again but look at me. I’ve lived a great life. You can overcome too.”
George Rafferty: “No guys it’s over. You guys taught me a lot about life and I feel like is a good note to go out on. In the drawer next to my bed is a letter for you guys to read. Some may call it a suicide note, but I like to call it a closure note. My mind is so warped I do not know who I am. Something more powerful has taken over my mind and it is telling me it’s over.”
Andrew Wilder: “You can’t do this in my pool house Rafferty. They may charge me with murder.”
George Rafferty: “Don’t worry Wilder…I spoke with Holmstrom Jr. about this. Everything I am doing is legal. It is my life and I know when it is time. Every human should have the option to go out in peace instead of sitting there like a slug for the rest of my life. I have done what I wanted to do in this lifetime. I started out a negative person and ended a positive person. I want people to remember that side of me. What I am doing is not selfish…it is what is best for me.”
Rafferty pulls out a syringe and injects something lethal into his veins. He instantly passes away like a dog that got put to sleep.
Andrew Wilder and Daniel Farnsworth are in shock as to what just happened. Farnsworth pulls out the note Rafferty left in the drawer. The note read the following:
“Dear Men,
I would like to thank you guys for what you have taught me. Without you guys I was on the path to living life wondering what could have been had I just changed my ways. After that horrible incident I turned over a new leaf. I owe it all to you guys. The goal of a human is to rest in peace. I can now honestly say I can rest in peace after doing this final deed for the world. I am leaving you both a check for a million dollars. I should not even have to say this as I know what kind of people you are…but do good with this money. Don’t spend it in one place. I know you won’t let me down.
This is George Rafferty signing off for the final time. God Bless.”
The movie ends with the song “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin as George Rafferty’s spirit is seen traveling up to the heavens.
The End
Written By: S.A.W. (Ghost Writer still for hire)
