The rostrum is abandoned now. Four agents walk by carrying a huge cross to the placed where the BLACK MAN is lying on the sand. They take him, lay him on the cross and start to nail his hands to it.
Cut to KAREN. She takes some food out of the fridge and puts it on the table. She says something, but there is no voice to hear, only music. WES and HARRY come to the table talking and laughing, SELMA is helping with the dishes, the agents in the background lifted the cross with the BLACK MAN on it. WES looks at it, says something to HARRY, HARRY turns around to take a brief look and answers, it seems they have the usual small talk, while the agents take the microphones and the rostrum and carry them to the car.
Cut to the BLACK MAN'S face.
Cut to HARRY'S face. He and WES are observing the cross with a kind of curiosity.
WES: How are the olives?
HARRY: Hmmm, great. Where do you get them?
WES: Karen brings them in once a week..
KAREN and SELMA are eating.
HARRY: Did I tell you that you have a very beautiful
wife?
WES: (with a smile) No, you didn't. Thank you.
HARRY turns to KAREN, they smile at each other.
One of the agents in white overalls and a protective mask comes out of the limousine. He comes to the table and starts to spray something around from a bottle he carries. The people at the table seem to be hardly disturbed.
WES: (looking at the man) Federal regulation?
AGENT: (nodding) Yes, sir.
He takes the mask off, looks at the table.
AGENT: Would you mind...?
KAREN: No, please be my guest.
AGENT: (taking something from the table) Sorry for using
my fingers...
He eats, nods contentedly, salutes to KAREN, turns around and goes back to the car. KAREN and WES look at the crucified BLACK MAN.
WES: (to HARRY) Do you think they need a victim?
HARRY: A victim? Rather a hero.
WES stands up and goes away still carrying the golf-club.
HARRY: (to the women) What was I saying?... I don't like dining here because the sand gets between my teeth.
SELMA: That's why they stay clean.
Cut to WES with golf-club. There is a sponge attached to its end, and WES drenches it with water from a bottle. He goes to the cross and puts the sponge to the BLACK Man's face.
WES: (looking up to the crucified) How do you feel?
He takes the sponge back.
WES: Why did you attack the president?... Can't you talk? (he makes a pause) Once I was reading a book, a good book... And I didn't feel anything. What happened to me? Can you tell me what went wrong? (pointing toward the company at the table) Do you know what she wants? Do you know what I want? Why am I asking you anyway... He shrugs and goes away resigned.
Cut to the car. The AGENT comes again and stops at the table.
KAREN is cleaning up.
AGENT: (to KAREN) Hi, do you need any help?
KAREN: No, thank you.
AGENT: I insist.
KAREN: (giving him some plates) If you wish...
He takes her hand.
AGENT: You have beautiful hands.
KAREN: (smiling) They were beautiful long time ago.
AGENT: I cannot be long ago. You look like eighteen.
KAREN: (pleased) Do you think so?
She takes the plates again and carries them to the kitchen. The AGENT follows her. Cut to WES writing something on his computer. HARRY comes to him with a stupid smile, gives him a tap on the shoulder.
HARRY: Hiya, Wes...
WES turns around and nods. HARRY behaves a little strange, like a kid who wants to say something.
HARRY: Did I tell you I'm a good dowser?
WES: Dowser?
HARRY: You know... looking for water.
He makes a typical gesture and pulls his dowsing rod out of his briefcase.
HARRY: (Showing it to WES) Look, this is my favorite.
Cut to KAREN washing dishes. The AGENT stands behind her very closely.
KAREN: I have to wash them.
AGENT: The sink is full of sand.
KAREN: (a little disturbed) Oh... is it?
AGENT: Yes.
KAREN: Well, I should clean it.
AGENT: (Whispering) Why don't we do this together?
KAREN turns to him and takes off his sunglasses.
Cut to HARRY and WES.
HARRY: I'll check your ground up...
WES: No need, the sink works well...
HARRY: But I mean water.
WES: Water?
HARRY takes his dowsing rod and starts to check the ground. Walks here and there making strange movements. WES doesn't look at him. He notices something in the other direction.
Cut to the bed where Karen and the AGENT are kissing passionately. WES stands up taking his golf-club that was standing beside his chair. HARRY behind him is still checking the ground, he rises and turns to WES.
HARRY: Hey, Wes, you lucky sonofabitch!
He follows WES, grabs his arm
HARRY: WES, you have water!
WES: (without turning) Yes... good...
He still looks at the bed, makes some steps forward. HARRY tries to stop him, covers WES' eyes with the hand and tries to turn his head away.
HARRY: Walk with me. Walk with me, Wes...
WES pushes him away, runs to the bed and grabs AGENT from behind.
WES: You f***ing (something I can't understand, must be an insult though)
WES kicks the man and then hits him with the golf-club as if his head was a golf ball. AGENT falls down.
KAREN cries sitting on the bed, WES walks around in confusion,
there is a sound of pounding heart to hear. Faster and faster...
WES throws the golf-club away and falls to his knees moaning.
Short cut to the man on the cross looking at this scene.
HARRY: Wes you lucky sonofabitch, there is water all over this place!
WES kneel on the ground, his hands on his breast, he cannot talk.
HARRY: What's the matter?
WES falls face down. It's clear WES is having a heart attack.
HARRY: (bending over him, turning him on his back) Wes, what happened?!? Wes!! (looking around) Anybody help? Somebody help!!
Cut to SELMA carrying a piece of cloth and a glass with water. She bends over the... AGENT and start to wash his bloody face.
AGENT: (waking up and looking at her) Hi.
SELMA: Hi.
AGENT: (smiling) you have beautiful hands.
SELMA: Thank you.
The other agents come, pull her away and take their wounded buddy to the car.
Cut to KAREN talking to the telephone. She's crying.
KAREN: Yes... It happened just a few minutes ago... I don't know... Yes... 10121950.. Yes... 65063756... His father.
WES lies on the sand, looking at her.
KAREN: (cont.) .... generally good. Policy number? 378985423172
HARRY: (interrupting her) Listen... I must go now. I'll
be back next week sometime.
KAREN nods, HARRY is obviously nervous and glad he can leave. He runs to the car and leaves with the agents.
KAREN: (cont.) Not to my knowledge... Normal...
Cut to KAREN sitting at WES' side. She caresses his hand and face, crying. It's getting darker. Fade out.
Photos ©Propaganda Film
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