The Fixer

THE FIXER -Excerpt - written by Gordon Blitz

Tagline:   Gwen has been away from her family for five years, and she now returns to her husband, Wallace, and their son, Arden. 

INT - DINNER TIME – COMBINED LIVING ROOM / DINING ROOM OF A MODEST HOUSE. PART OF THE KITCHEN IS VISIBLE ON THE LEFT.

Stress balls, squeeze toys and spinning fidgets are sitting in the corner.

ARDEN (age 10, mild autism; Gwen and Wallace's son) sits on the couch wearing headphones humming softly while playing a handheld game.

GWEN (early 40s, short hair, wearing dressy work clothes)

WALLACE (early 40s, thin but muscular, dressed in weekend clothes; Gwen's husband) enters from the hallway drying his hands.

WALLACE

You're late. Everything okay at the bank?

GWEN

Long day. Just give me a minute.

Two sharp knocks are heard at the door. Wallace and Gwen look questioningly at each other.

WALLACE

Who the hell?

A second, louder pounding.

VOICE (O.S.)

Ms. Gwendolyn Fleishman? LAPD.

We need you to open the door.

Gwen closes her eyes. Her face drains of color. Wallace looks at her, confused, scared.

WALLACE

Gwen?

   (whispering)

What's going on?

GWEN

            It's happening.

WALLACE

What's happening?

Gwen forces herself to step toward the door. Wallace grabs her arm.

WALLACE (CONT'D)

Gwen, stop! Talk to me.

GWEN

Later. Please, Wallace. Just take a breath.

She opens the door. Two OFFICERS, RAMIREZ (50's, stocky) and LEE (late 30's, athletic-looking) are standing there. One holds a folder; the other, handcuffs.

OFFICER RAMIREZ

Gwendolyn Fleishman?

GWEN

Yes.

OFFICER RAMIREZ

Ma'am, you're under arrest for embezzlement from First Pacific Credit Union. We have a warrant for your arrest. We need you to come with us.

Wallace erupts.

WALLACE

What?! This is insane; some kind of error!

GWEN

No, Wallace. There is no mistake.

Arden pulls off his headphones and looks up.

ARDEN

Mom? What's happening?

Gwen's face breaks for the first time. She rushes over and crouches down in front of Arden brushing a hand through his hair.

GWEN

Sweetheart, Mommy has to go with these officers. I need you to be a big brave boy. Okay?

ARDEN

 I don't understand.

Gwen's breath catches. She swallows hard.

GWEN

I made a mistake. And I'm going to fix it. You hear me?

Arden covers his ears with his hands and starts twirling.

OFFICER LEE

Ma'am, if you could turn around, please.

  Arden pulls at his mother.

              OFFICER LEE

       Get that stupid kid away.

              GWEN

Hey, there! That’s my son.

      OFFICER LEE

I don’t give a …

Officer Lee pushes the kid away from Gwen.

Ramirez pulls Lee away.

OFFICER RAMIREZ

I’ll take care of this.

              GWEN   

Wallace, take him to the bedroom. He shouldn't see this.

Wallace walks Arden toward the bedroom bringing along one of Arden's fidget toys.

    WALLACE

Arden, come with me to your bedroom. You can play with your fidget.

As Wallace takes Arden into his bedroom, Officer Ramirez steps closer toward Gwen.

Once Arden is in his bedroom, Wallace returns and steps in front of Gwen.

WALLACE

No, wait, no! She's not a criminal! Don't you see she's Arden's mother?

GWEN

Wallace, please. Stop this.

She places both her hands on Wallace's cheeks.

GWEN (CONT'D)

Take care of Arden. I mean it. Don't fuck this up.

Wallace grips her wrists, his voice breaking.

WALLACE

Talk to me. Just tell me what you did.

GWEN

I can't.

She turns. Officer Lee cuffs her.

OFFICER RAMIREZ

You have the right to remain silent.

GWEN

It's okay. Let's just go.

Wallace follows them to the door, helpless, trembling. Officers Ramirez and Lee start to escort handcuffed Gwen out of the house.

            WALLACE

I'll get a lawyer! I'll fix all of it!

GWEN

(shaking her head)

Just be with Arden.

As the officers lead her out, Gwen gives one last look at Wallace, before she disappears into the hallway. The door closes. Silence. Wallace stands frozen. Then he slams his fist into the wall. Arden comes out of his bedroom.

ARDEN

Dad?

Wallace forces himself to breathe. He turns, kneels and hugs Arden tightly.

WALLACE

It's okay, buddy. We're going

to be okay.

INT: A WEEK LATER. DINNER TIME. Plates of food and two wine glasses are on the table. Gwen holds up a glass.

   GWEN

    Let’s make a toast -- L’chaim!

       WALLACE

You must be kidding. What the hell would we be celebrating?

          GWEN

I just realized that this was going to be my last meal here.

Wallace glares at Gwen.

   WALLACE

     Why should it have to be?

Wallace squeezes his fists together so that they turn white.

GWEN

Because I was guilty.