•   Why not dramatize heroin recovery steps rather than lament the crisis? Hide recovery answers under turning points in the story. The presentation must show both action and answers. Start with action:

EXT. ANGELA’S MOTHER’S CADILLAC – MOVING – NIGHT

Angela, parks at the corner of Monroe and Pratt Streets, watches a junkie pay the drug dealer and hustle into an alley. Angela following, pays for heroin, receives her white bag, returns to her car.

As she starts the engine the dealer compares a picture of Angela to his last customer. He makes a cell phone call.

INT. HOME OF MRS. WEST – LIVING ROOM – DAY

Mrs. West and Angela peek through the blinds. Ryker’s red Pontiac G5 is at the front sidewalk. Panicked, Angela grabs a phone and dials.

ANGELA

A red car in front of my house doesn’t belong here. I think they found me.

EXT. ANGELA’S MOTHER’S HOME – DAY

Angela runs from the house to Father Max’ Camaro and jumps in.

As Father Max’s Camaro pulls away the Pontiac SQUEALS out in front, trying to force him into a telephone pole.

INT. FATHER MAX’S CAMARO MOVING – DAY

FATHER MAX

What’s he…?

EXT. CITY STREET – DAY

The Camaro spins into an alley, then turns into another. Seemingly from nowhere Ryker’s Pontiac caroms off a trash can as it overshoots in front of them. Ryker slows.

Father Max slides past Ryker before he can stop.

Both cars reach the main road, Ryker half a block behind. Father Max lurches around construction at the last second.

Ryker’s car tramples yellow warning cones, grazes a city truck but keeps going.

INT. FATHER MAX’S CAMARO MOVING – DAY

Father Max tosses his cell phone at Angela.

FATHER MAX

Call Peterson’s garage. Peterson. Speed dial.

Right front and rear windows shatter from shots of Ryker’s overtaking car.

Father Max speeds down St. Paul Street motioning for the phone. Angela shoves it back to him.

FATHER MAX (CONT’D)

(on phone)

Johnny! It’s Father Max. I need your help! Clear the front–now! Blue Camaro coming through.  A red Pontiac is chasing us.

Father Max makes four one-block right turns but doesn’t lose Ryker.

EXT./INT.PARKING GARAGE – DAY

With the Pontiac on his tail, Father Max high fives JOHNNY PETERSON, a tall African-American wearing a Peterson’s Parking shirt. Peterson waves the zooming Camaro through the entrance.

And Father Max speeds straight out the exit. The Pontiac follows into the entrance.

INT. PARKING GARAGE – DAY

Peterson hits a button and throws up exit spikes.

BOOM BOOM. Both of the Pontiac’s front tires impale and explode.

BOOM BOOM. And there go the two rear tires.

Guns drawn, two security guards wearing large arm-bands marked ESSEX SECURITY spring forward followed by Peterson. Peterson motions for Ryker to roll down the window.

PETERSON

Think you forgot something.

RYKER

Yeah, my anti-blowout tires.

Peterson puts out his hand.

PETERSON (CONTD)

Five bucks for any part of the first half hour.

EXT. CAMARO MOVING-DAY

Rounding a bend the Camaro slows to a stop.

FATHER MAX

Angela, look at me.

Without turning she lowers her head.

FATHER MAX (CONT’D)

You’re playing a dangerous game here and if you want to be part of the living, you need to be in rehab.

When she looks at Father Max her face is crossed with terror.

ANGELA

Rehab! You think I need rehab. Look what we just went through. What I need is to be far, far away from here.

Father Max takes Angela’s hands in his.

FATHER MAX

Believe me, Angela, rehab is one of the safest places you can be.

He pats her hand.

FATHER MAX (CONT’D)

C’mon. I bet you are more than ready for the HALT principle.

She looks puzzled.

FATHER MAX (CONT’D)

Hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

Lightens as she counts on her fingers.

ANGELA

Do I get extra credit for all four?

As the action slows we can start showing recovery answers

Parole Agent Phil McGuire, eight years sober, chairs the largest Narcotics Anonymous meeting in Baltimore City. He just abruptly terminated a blossoming romantic relationship with Angela West. Angela, an attractive elementary school teacher, has only brief experiences of recovery principles.  She does not understand why Phil ended things and is very angry about it. She would like to write Phil McGuire out of her life forever, but she must join him for a mutually agreed upon meeting with police. Woven into this scene are shame, unforgiveness, and some important information.

EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT – NIGHT

Angela and McGuire exit their cars at the same time but they ignore each other as they head toward the entrance.

INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Angela, McGuire, and Sergeant Wynant shake hands and are seated at the table. McGuire is aware that Angela slides her chair as far as possible from him. The WAITRESS approaches.

WAITRESS
(to Angela)
Would you like a drink?

ANGELA (V.O.)

I haven’t had one in 38 days, but yes, I’d like a drink.
McGuire winces.

ANGELA (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Ice water, please.

McGuire smiles.

BACK TO SCENE

WAITRESS
And you, sir?

MCGUIRE
Ice Water,… that’s perfect!

WAITRESS
(to Wynant) And you, sir?

WYNANT

Gimme a beeee… Uh, I mean ice water. No ice.

WYNANT (CONT’D)
Am I missing something?

MCGUIRE
Recovering addicts don’t use alcohol.

Wynant points to McGuire. McGuire nods.

WYNANT
Good to know. Now, Angela, that killing in the mansion. Witherspoon. Did you know that man?

She shakes her head.

WYNANT ( CONT’D)

I didn’t think so. These guys bring heroin overland from Mexico and cocaine by ship from Colombia. They’re using bizarre methods to scare off or kill competition. The guy killed at the mansion was livin’ on breadcrumbs at his parents’ house.

He borrowed their car. When it wasn’t returned the parents used their OnStar tracking device. We found the car but no body.

Wynant hands them a picture.

WYNANT (CONT’D)
What about him.

ANGELA
Billy Francisco! He gave us the video.

WYNANT
He was found behind a laundramat with a bullet in the back of his head.

EXT. RESTAURANT – DAY
Indistinct conversation between McGuire, Angela, and Wynant. A big grin from Wynant as they shake hands.

WYNANT
So, you’re staying in a convent… Now that’s pretty darned creative. Just make sure you stay there.

Wynant heads toward his car. Without looking at McGuire, Angela does likewise. McGuire catches up to her, but she keeps walking.

McGuire

I had thirty-eight days clean once.

 

 

Copyright © 2020 by Timothy A. McCarthy with Julie Sawyer. All rights reserved.

 

Explanation

  • Recovery Principle One: In the scene above: Early recovery romance often torpedoes the lives of those beginning the process. It can take a year to clarify the habits, friends, and attitudes that make recovery successful. No one should be looking for romance while they still learn the rules. Statistics from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore advise that those with eight years sober, like Phil McGuire, remain sober at the level of 90%. However, in the first year of recovery success is only 50%. McGuire is clearly attracted to Angela but knows that for her own good she isn’t ready for romance now. The anger above presents no problem unless it hardens into unforgiveness.
  • Recovery Principle Two: Opioid addiction affects exactly the same neurotransmitters in the brain that often lead to alcoholism. Angela has been told that she must avoid alcohol permanently, but she probably doesn’t understand why. The progression normally starts with a new addiction to alcohol eventually leading back to heroin, her drug of choice. Hence, McGuire has reason to be happy when Angela opts for Diet Coke.

Three additional principles are dramatized at http://takinbackthestreets.com/

  • Recovery Principle Three:Find a Trusted Counselor.
  • Recovery Principle Four:Never Trust the Drug Culture.
  • Recovery Principle Five:Know how to recognize the HALT Principle.

 

Additional scenes are built around other recovery principles:

  • Recovery Principle Six: If Rehab Fails, Enter Detox Treatment Quickly,

 

  • Recovery Principle Seven: The 12 Step Fellowship Builds Lasting Bridges to Recovery,

 

  • Recovery Principle Eight: Learn to Replace Drug Highs with Natural Highs
    • Examples: practicing your jump shot, playing the guitar, going jogging, learning how to paint landscapes, taking a ride in the country, reading heroic biographies, watching sitcoms or detective shows, listening to your favorite music.
  • Recovery Principle Nine: Tough love: The Casablanca Moment.
  • Recovery Principle Ten: Hope for fugitive heroin addicts –

Worthywarden7@gmail.com   *   443-610-7584

Timothy A. McCarthy, Certified Drug Counselor, Retired

Retired Senior Probation Agent

Author: Unhooking the Hooked Generation (1987)

Author: TAKIN’ BACK THE STREETS                (2020)