ACT 1

FADE IN:

EXT. AERIAL PANORAMA OF OCEAN, HIGHWAYS, AND CITY SKYLINE - DAY

EXT. BEACHFRONT COMMERCIAL STRIP - DAY

It is early morning, yachts offshore, palm trees, beautiful women strolling by a seawall, expensive cars everywhere, outdoor cafes.

EXT/INT. CAR - DAY

MICHELLE DAGSETH 30ish, long dark hair and generally attractive but for vaguely horsey-shaped face, drives her blood-red Mazda Miata loaded with baggage, along the beachfront commercial strip.

She sees a small street sign which reads: "SEASHORE ROAD"

EXT. SEASHORE ROAD - DAY

Michelle drives down the neat side street to a stucco apartment building, looking around approvingly at the neighborhood. Ornate wrought-iron sign says: "SEASCAPE APARTMENTS".

EXT. FRONT OF THE APT. BUILDING - DAY

A congenial older LANDLADY, and an exhausted-looking Michelle exchange greetings and handshakes at the front door.

INT. LIVING ROOM OF RUN-DOWN APARTMENT - DAY

The room is empty, tired-looking, a vague green ratty rug in the living room and yellow formica counter-top in the galley kitchen.  What looks like a bug is stationary on the back of the door.

SOUNDS: Keys turning in the locks.

The door opens inward and Michelle walks in with an expectant but cautious look around.  The landlady shows her into the kitchen.  Michelle sees two roaches in the sink scatter.

MICHELLE

(gasping)

Didn't you fumigate?

LANDLADY

(French accent)

Oh, yes.  It's all fumigated.

Michelle now begins to look around her in disbelief, noting the seediness of the place.

MICHELLE

God, I drove so long ... now this.  No.  I want my deposit back, I'm not staying here.

LANDLADY

But, no, you cannot.  I save this place.  For you.

MICHELLE

Never.  I simply hate it.

EXT. FRONT OF THE APT BUILDING - DAY

Michelle hurries out the building, tossing her handbag in her car and getting in; she grips the wheel tightly as she starts it up.

MICHELLE

(to herself)

No way we're putting up with that.  Get a grip, girl, got a big job interview to go to.

EXT/INT. CAR - DAY

CONTINUE CREDITS WITH MONTAGE OF SCENES: Michelle stopping, and going through traffic; checking signs, map and directions; almost getting in accident by not paying attention when changing lanes; pulling over to compose herself; looking at herself in the mirror disapprovingly; acting decisively by driving into a restaurant parking lot.

INT. RESTAURANT/COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Michelle is sitting in the pleasant restaurant enjoying a hearty breakfast, staring blankly at the front page of a newspaper.

INSERT SHOT: Headline: "ABOLISH THE CITY!  REFERENDUM ADOPTED!"

INT. RESTAURANT LADIES ROOM - DAY

Michelle is wearing a new business dress, satisfied with her appearance.  She puts on small scrimshaw earrings and struts out.

EXT. AERIAL VIEW OF OCEAN, HIGHWAYS, AND CITY SKYLINE - DAY

EXT. TRAFFIC JAM FROM AERIAL POV - DAY

CONTINUE OPENING CREDITS interspersed with the voice of ARTHUR PEEPLES, local radio and T.V. talk show host.

PEEPLES

How does this guy do it?  I gotta know. (laughing) 

I can't understand how he gets away with involvement In so many shady schemes without A scratch.  This Halsey is immune To trouble! 

(laughing) 

I mean, he gets investigated, but somehow, The Commissioner's always clean!

INT/EXT. CAR - DAY

Michelle stopped in traffic, touching up her make-up and hair in the mirrors.

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

MONTAGE OF RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC JAM SCENES: A police car with  red-white-blue lights throbbing, elbows its way through the jam; trucks spew smoke; cars overheating; highway signs that read "ROUTE 95"; shot of a highway off-ramp and a poor neighborhood with City Hall in the background.

CONTINUE CREDITS and the voice of ARTHUR PEEPLES uninterrupted throughout, with a CALLER/JERRY.

PEEPLES

Arthur Peeples, it's 'Peeples on Politics' -- your name, please, Which scam are you calling about? Kickbacks, bid-rigging, what's Your thing?

CALLER/JERRY

Yeh, Hi, it's Jerry, I'm listening to you always criticizing the City Government.  It's just a bunch of Imperfect human beings trying to do their best to get services to the citizens.

PEEPLES

The City's departments are riddled with every kind of dishonesty.

JERRY

See, see -- right there -- that's Where I think you're wrong.  How else do things get done?  You make a deal, negotiate.  You sweeten the pot, win-win, you know, like they teach at Harvard.

PEEPLES

Okay, so, we throw out integrity, adopt situational ethics across the board?  Morals are relative to 'sweetening the pot'?

JERRY

Well ... no, not everything's okay.

EXT. AERIAL VIEW OF OCEAN, HIGHWAYS, AND CITY SKYLINE - DAY

JERRY V.O.

But do you really think these imperfect human beings should be perfect now that they're elected?  That's stupid.

PEEPLES

That's stupid?  If you serve The public trust, you should be held to a higher standard of Integrity than other citizens.

JERRY

Well, have you ever considered That the integrity in City Hall really is better -- or at least as good as other citizens?

PEEPLES

(laughing)

There's a healthy perspective!

EXT. FRONT OF CITY HALL - DAY

INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE

Three cars, a limousine in the middle, with a police escort screech to a halt in front of the elevators.  The license plates of limousine read: "COMMISH"

SOUNDS: Car doors opening and closing.

An entourage led by imposing mid-50's COMMISSIONER WOODY HALSEY, board two elevators. 

PEEPLES (V.O.)

You want a crime?  I'll give you a crime -- this bankrupted city just paid out a million bucks For the new mayor's inauguration ceremony!

EXT. FRONT OF CITY HALL - DAY

Michelle is walking up the steps into City Hall building.  FINISH OPENING CREDITS, and Peeples commentary.

PEEPLES (V.O.)

And what is it with these big Politicos driving around in limos, anyway?  Why don't they use their own cars?  Save the limos, police escorts, etc, for ceremonial events.  Or is everything about their office Ceremonial?

INT. CITY HALL HUMAN RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT/DIRECTOR'S OFFICE - DAY

Hustle and bustle of activity, Michelle sits in a waiting room.  A door opens, and BARB, perky middle-age Human Resources Director steps out with a welcoming expression and extends her hand.

BARB

(vague Southern accent)

Michelle Dagseth?  Hi, I'm Barb.

They exchange warm handshakes like they corresponded extensively.

MICHELLE

So wonderful to be here after All this.  How are you?

BARB

Oh, I'm feeling much better, Thank you.  Thank you for remembering.  Come on in.

MICHELLE

(sitting)

It's so nice to be here, it's so warm.

BARB

Some say too hot.  And I don't mean the weather, either.  I suppose you heard about the fiscal crisis, and the probes?

MICHELLE

Well, that stuff happens in all Administrations.  Does it affect our business here?

BARB

Oh, it doesn't.  The money's there.  At least it is today!

MICHELLE

Well, today's all we have anyway! 

BARB

On that note, Michelle, I am happy to say, I received approval from Adam Tillerman the City Manager to offer you the position.  When can you start?

MICHELLE

Oh, wow ... Well, any old time.  I'd like some time in the next few days to find a place, though.

BARB

I thought you had something set?

MICHELLE

Well ... that didn't work out.

BARB

Oh.  What were you looking for?

MICHELLE

Just a clean, quiet one-bedroom Would do, if you hear of anything.

BARB

I might.  My boyfriend just told me yesterday, the little cottage behind the main house is up for rent.  You like it near the beach? Price is reasonable, too.  And you could walk to everything.

MICHELLE

Sure.  I'll see it. 

INT. CITY HALL LOBBY (OVERHEAD SHOT) - DAY

Various people going in different directions.  Close down on concession/newsstand booth in the middle of the giant hexagonal floor.

INT. FLOOR OF CITY HALL LOBBY - DAY

MARTHA DRITCHMAN (late 20's) about six feet tall and one hundred pounds, works the concession booth/newsstand with an older 40ish kindly-faced and balding man, JERRY.  Clumsily, and with both hands mildly shaking as usual for Martha, she serves coffee and an overheated sticky bun to the last man in a line of customers, Commissioner Woody Halsey.  Jerry's eyes gaze on blankly.

HALSEY

Why, thank you!  Well, well ...

Halsey departs smiling, and licking his fingers singed by the overheated bun.  Martha looks bashfully.

MARTHA

Oh ... You're welcome ...

JERRY

Nice work, Martha.  You just served the most powerful man in the city, Commissioner Halsey.

MARTHA

Him -- the most powerful?  How do you know I gave the right order?

JERRY

I know.  I can see barely enough.

MARTHA

So, you can see a little?

JERRY

Something.  Bright lights, shapes, outlines of things moving.  They could do some operations ... but They're considered experimental. Cost more than I'll ever make.

MARTHA

That's too bad, Jerry ... You have a job.  Can't you borrow money?

JERRY

The money I need, I couldn't make In three or four lifetimes.  Well, we all learn to live with things.

EXT/INT. ENTRANCE TO UNDERGROUND CITY HALL GARAGE - DAY

A limousine followed by a car drives into the garage.  The limo's license plates read: "MAYOR"

INT. ELEVATOR

The stocky dark-skinned late-40's MAYOR LEO FICK, the 30's sharply-dressed (light-skinned)black City Manager with chiseled body ADAM TILLERMAN, the tall 40's Hispanic City Attorney LOUISE ECHEVERRI (all virtually the same skin color) ride up together with white Press Secretary, Debbie Wills.  Debbie takes notes.

LEO

Disclaim all connections to that administration.  This Is a New Deal.  Harp on it. Not business as usual in City Hall, like the slogan, connect to the campaign slogan, buzz phrases.

DEBBIE

Right.  Now we know how bad the situation is.  We just continually make claims for more patience.

ADAM

Yes.  But don't start yet.  We'll need to use that a lot later on, when things don't go well.

The elevator isn't moving and Leo jiggles with the button.

LOUISE

We have to win the Commission over to our side ... that means Halsey.  Spur more investment in the inner city, and the waterfront.

DEBBIE

You can probably forget Halsey on the inner city.  You'll be lucky just to keep those Community Centers afloat.

ADAM

And there's too many undesireable Influences to take into account when you talk waterfront.

LEO

We have to check into it -- find out who, and how.  Debbie, just mention 'waterfront' and see what the press does with it.

LOUISE

It'd be the best way to save the tax base, the waterfront is our best natural resource.

DEBBIE

What do we say to those who accuse us of perpetuating our own existence by keeping a bad form of government?

Finally the elevator begins to ascend slowly.

LEO

Tell them all the same stuff -- Resources are underutilised and underdeveloped, we absorb the brunt of the tax burden while bordering communities prosper.

ADAM

Then blame the old administration for mismanagement and corruption. Just go by the book but go easy.  Heavy on the 'We're here To straighten it out'.

LEO

Right.  Someday everything's gonna be different.  Play the old Bob Dylan song in the background, hokey crap like that.  You know. On second thought, use the Grateful Dead's version of that song -- what Is that song?

DEBBIE

'When I Paint My Masterpiece'?

INT. MAIN LOBBY FLOOR OF CITY HALL - DAY

The elevator doors open, and the Mayor leads the way through the metal detectors onto the main floor of offices, passes Martha and Jerry's concession booth but then stops for a bun which Martha eagerly serves, blushing excitedly.

LEO

Thank you.  Are you new here?

MARTHA

Oh, yes, my first day ... I was here a little while yesterday.

LEO

Well, I'm new here, too.  Don't be a stranger.  Come up and say Hello.  My name is Leo.

Martha smiles along with others milling around.

MARTHA

Oh, thanks, I'm Martha ... Dritchman.

LEO

I think you have a good teammate here, Jerry.

The Mayor goes, everyone smiling at each other.

JERRY

That's great, Martha, that's all You have to do.  Just be nice.

MARTHA

(thoughtfully)

Usually, I am nice.  It's other people being nice to me that's the trouble.  Sometimes I wish I couldn't see very well, either. I wouldn't have to see people looking at me.  I'm sorry ...

JERRY

You would still see them.  Perhaps more clearly, in your mind.

Leo and his staff pass the Human Resources Department.  Barb and Michelle are seen discussing something near the Human Resources doorway when

Barb greets the Mayor with eye contact, and he nods back, carrying himself along loftily.  Then they are all seen shaking hands, heads nodding, pleasantries exchanged, after which the Mayor's party disappears behind the closing elevator doors.

INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - DAY

Leo bulls open the door, and assumes an authoritative pose behind his desk while he surveys the city teeming with activity from his corner windows.  Adam, Debbie and Louise seat themselves.  Leo shakes his head.

LEO

The whole problem is people. People.  Aren't there any totally honest people left?

ADAM

(laughing)

You mean besides us?

LEO

Notify the Personnel Director.  I want only scrupulously honest hires. I want my new city hall full of honest people, everyone doing the utmost to be honest and courteous.

LOUISE

Personality tests?  What do you think about a memo, encouraging employees to come forward with any knowledge or involvement in wrongdoing?

ADAM

What do we offer them in return?  Can't guarantee them job security.

LEO

Guarantee them that coming in early they'll be recognized --- as those ones who want stay out of jail.

LOUISE

Then, we watch them real close.

ADAM

We don't have any budget for surveillance.

LEO

Use Workman's Comp investigators.

ADAM

That whole department is a mess. The self-insurance fund's bankrupt. Four people are responsible for dealing with thousands of claims.

LOUISE

It's like an open bank vault, Leo.

ADAM

Instead of an insurance company, the City self-insured against Comp claims by floating bonds. 

LOUISE

Much less expensive than paying a big premium.  Claims got paid easily, though.  Then the crisis, all the staff cuts, and now it's spinning out of control.

ADAM

Gonna be a big issue of contingent liability on the City's debt roll.

LEO

Let's get a handle on the damage before we say anything.  Next.

DEBBIE

Do you want me to tell them we will cooperate if the referendum to abolish the city goes through?

LEO

Nah, don't say anything -- say we look at all the possibilities, one step at a time.

DEBBIE

Standard treatment.

LEO

Unless otherwise specified.

INT. CITY HALL LOBBY NEAR ELEVATORS - DAY

Commissioner Halsey comes strolling along with an official-type folder in one hand when he spots Barb bidding goodbye to Michelle in the Human Resources doorway.  Looking slightly overwhelmed, Michelle is holding several large manila envelopes and notebooks.

Halsey tips up his folder to Barb to gain her attention, and she acknowledges him with a nod.

On her way out, Michelle walks by Commissioner Halsey, and they note each other.  Halsey approaches Barb in a roundabout way.

HALSEY

Who ..?

BARB

New Director of the Community Centers Program. 

HALSEY

She's in for a rude awakening when we butt heads over that.

BARB

She seems realistic.

HALSEY

Are we still on for lunch?

BARB

Yeh, sure.  Meet you there.

Halsey continues onto the elevators, and Barb walks over to the concession/newsstand where Jerry and Martha are.

BARB

(cheerily)

How are we going over here? Watch this guy.

(indicating Jerry)

He knows everyone. And everything that goes on!

Jerry laughs bashfully.

JERRY

No, no.  You're the one!

Barb walks on cheerily.  Martha studies Jerry's eyes.

JERRY(cont)

I like working here.  Nice people.

MARTHA

I didn't want to come in to work, you know.

JERRY

I'm glad you did.

MARTHA

I don't know if they told you.  I'm usually scared of people.

JERRY

Are you scared of me?

MARTHA

I don't think so.

A customer comes to the counter. 

INT. OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

Sign on the desk says: "LOUISE ECHEVERRI, CITY ATTORNEY"

Louise is sitting behind her desk, Adam sitting on the desk corner, and Barb is across from Louise.

LOUISE

We can institute almost whatever Intrusive test we want ... Multiphasic Personality tests Measure several areas of character, including honesty.

ADAM

Also, drug testing.

BARB

Drug testing, we had that. Those are so easy to fake, they're inaccurate, expensive, and create mistrust.  I can find out we want without policing bladders.

ADAM

Uh, Barb ... perhaps it's time we discuss something.

BARB

Yeah.  What?

ADAM

I have to tell you, the Mayor is looking at how you manage this transition to a tighter way of handling the personnel matters.

BARB

Well, Mr. Manager, if you're referring to any indictments, Only a couple were my hires, The rest were City Manager and Mayoral appointments.

LOUISE

We understand that way of doing hhings had problems.

BARB

Look, I'm responsible for everyone from the conscession clerks, right on up to y' all, and that's almost everyone in the system who wasn't indicted.  I pass on what I find out about peoples' backgrounds ... Including yours.

The two look at Barb, and then at each other momentarily.

BARB

Others, in your positions made those hiring decisions.  I'm loyal to all administrations.  I keep my mouth shut.  I do my job and don't sling any sludge.

LOUISE

Well, we do appreciate your willingness to protect everyone's confidences, Barb.

ADAM

But ... still, a third of your hires are filing Comp claims.

Barb makes an irritated face.

BARB

As I explained, I have nothing to do with the problems in that area.

LOUISE

Adam, Barb knows a lot about the Personnel ... But she has nothing directly to do with how the Comp Department works.  Barb, will I have a report and recommendations for the Mayor to review by Monday?

BARB

You will.  I'll shoot a copy over to Debbie and the rest of the staff.

ADAM

Will you also work with Debbie to get the right presentation to the media?

BARB

Sure.  Did you want to talk more about the Worker's Comp situation while I'm here?

LOUISE

Sure, what do you know?  We have this list here ...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - DAY

Louise and Adam are bidding Barb good-bye, and the door closes.  Louise looks tentative while Adam is suspicious; their profiles reveal similar facial features, and contrasting hair texture.

ADAM

Well, clearly, we will have to deal with her down the line.

LOUISE

We have bigger problems.  We're safe with her now.  She'll work with us and she's a stabilizing Influence.

ADAM

Fine. What about this Worker's Comp disaster, family members of Commissioners, all these others, This is a classic sacred cow?

LOUISE

Recommend to Leo what she says, professional investigators.  Promise them future contracts and a cut of what they help us get off the Comp rolls.

ADAM

We'll have to bury these ongoing costs for years.  We can't let the truth out.

<COMMERCIAL BREAK>