Final Notice, The Screenplay

Here is an excerpt from the screenplay:

EXT. LAZY PINES - DAY

An attractive and well kept facility. A sign reads: Lazy Pines Senior's Home, Green Valley, AZ. 

INT. LAZY PINES - DAY

An 89-YEAR OLD wheels himself into the large dining room, and opens fire on the other residents, killing 12 people and wounding 18 more. He's carrying two guns with extended clips. The facility's SECURITY GUARD moves behind the shooter and kills him before he can kill others.

INT. STAN MASON HOUSE - DAY

STAN MASON is watching a TV news show that interrupts the program to carry news of the shooting. The NEWSCASTER gives her news.

NEWSCASTER

This just in from Arizona. As many as 12 residents at a Senior Citizen home outside of Tucson have been shot and a number of others, wounded. Authorities are saying it was not an act of terrorism. I repeat, it was NOT an act of terrorism. Reports coming in say that an 89-year-old resident of the home wheeled himself into the dining room and just started shooting the other residents as they sat at their tables. The facility’s armed security guard shot and killed the gunman. Details have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. So far, there is no apparent motive. A spokesman for the NRA praised the security guard’s action and pointed out that this validated the policy of deploying armed guards in schools and healthcare facilities.

​

Stan reacts excitedly.

STAN MASON

Holy shit! That's Dad's place.

 

He tries calling his father but gets voicemail. Nearing panic, he tries again and then calls Lazy Pines, getting a recording.

RECORDING

Your call will be answered in the order it was received.

 

The TV news continues with the death and injury totals. Then, the news host cuts away to a guest spokesperson from the NRA. Stan watches intently while listening to inappropriate recorded music from his waiting call.

STAN MASON

What the fuck was an old man doing with two guns and extended clips? 

Finally, a Lazy Pines OPERATOR answered Stan's call.

OPERATOR

Lazy Pines. Can I help you?

STAN MASON

I am Stan Mason, my father John Mason, is he okay?

OPERATOR

Let me put you on hold while I check.

Stan waits for what seems like an eternity. A second voice comes on line.

INSPECTOR DALLAS (V.O.)

Hello. This is Inspector Dallas with the Tucson Police. Can you verify your name and address?

STAN MASON

Stan Mason, 611 Rose St. San Diego. Is my father alright?

Stan listens to the answer and then sits in a trance. The TV announcer asks questions to an NRA SPOKESPERSON.

NEWSCASTER

Can you tell me about the Senior Citizen discount the NRA is currently offering for Senior gun purchases?

NRA SPOKESPERSON

Seniors also have second amendment rights and deserve the opportunity to protect themselves.

NEWSCASTER

Or kill 12 innocent people? Did John Mason buy those guns with your discount?

NRA SPOKESPERSON

Does that matter?

NEWSCASTER

In other news, the President’s relationship with Russia … 

Stan turns off the TV.

INT. LAZY PINES - ROOM - THE NEXT DAY

Stan Mason goes through his father’s sparse collection of possessions: clips and ammunition, two used Glock-19, 9mm handguns with ten-round clips, two fifteen-round 9mm clips. One box of fifty 9mm shells.  His thoughts are interrupted by a loud knock at the door. He opens the door to a waiting Inspector ZACK DALLAS, Tucson Homicide.

ZACK DALLAS

Stan Mason?

STAN MASON

Yes.

ZACK DALLAS

Inspector Dallas from Tucson Homicide. Thanks for making the trek to Green Valley and talking with me.

STAN MASON

Of course.

ZACK DALLAS

Have you found anything of interest or out of the ordinary?

STAN MASON

I’m still in shock looking at the receipt for the guns. Dad told me he was going to a gun show, but I thought it was just to have something to do. He never had anything to do with guns when I was growing up. He was in the Army but that was before I was born, and he never talked about it.

ZACK DALLAS

Did he ever say anything about anyone here?

STAN MASON

Not really. Nothing specific. I know he wasn’t happy here and he hadn’t made any friends, but he didn’t think anyone else was happy here either. That all of them were sent here to die.

ZACK DALLAS

The staff and residents have all said that he was a loner and didn’t have friends. Nobody really knew him. They would only see him for meals. Seems like he ate alone, although some people tried to engage with him. He pushed them away and refused to join in.

STAN MASON

Did you find out anything that might help explain what triggered this?

ZACK DALLAS

Nothing whatsoever. We were hoping you knew something. The only aspect of this case that has any degree of logic, is the timing of the gun purchase and the shooting. Do you think there could be a link?

STAN MASON

I don’t know. I’ve been wondering, did he want to buy a gun with a thought in mind or did something happen after he purchased the guns?

ZACK DALLAS

That’s a good question. You’re sure there’s nothing he said the last time you spoke?

STAN MASON

There was nothing. But maybe I wasn’t listening as well as I should.

ZACK DALLAS

And was there anything else in his possessions that surprised you or was unexpected?

STAN MASON

A new iPhone and a sport watch. I’m a little surprised my dad would have a new phone, but a sport watch for someone in a wheelchair seems really odd … 

ZACK DALLAS

We looked at the phone, but it doesn’t seem like there were any calls except for that one from you. Email hadn’t even been set up.

STAN MASON

No. My dad wasn’t a techie. So, what’s next, Inspector?

ZACK DALLAS

As far as we’re concerned, it’s an open and shut case. More than a dozen witnesses identified your father as the lone shooter and the guns were his. We don’t have a motive, but we really don’t need one to close the file. So, you’re free to take or dispose of his possessions, except for the guns. Here’s a Tucson Police receipt and we’ll let you know when we can release them.

STAN MASON

I don’t want them. What can I do with them?

ZACK DALLAS

You live in California. Hmm. Not sure about the legality of these or if you can sell them there. Think about what you want to do with them – you know, sell them or keep them – and in the meantime, I’ll ask around the department and see if anyone might be interested. Your dad got them for a good price, so unless you want to make a good profit, they’re a bargain at what he paid.

STAN MASON

So, I’m not liable for anything – you know, for the people who were killed? I mean, I’ve never felt so awful in my whole life.

ZACK DALLAS

Unless you were legally your father’s guardian, I don’t think you can be held responsible. If anyone other than your father is responsible, it would be Lazy Pines and perhaps the people who sold the guns to your father.

STAN MASON

Hmm. OK. Thanks, Inspector.

ZACK DALLAS

Here’s my card and direct line. Thank you and please get in touch if you think of anything else. I’m really sorry, Mr. Mason. And if we find out anything else, we’ll be sure to let you know.