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- Recovery Principle Five: Know how to recognize the HALT PRINCIPLE.
Back Story: Angela has escaped from the mansion but can’t escape from her drug habit.
INT. HOME OF MRS. WEST – BEDROOM – DAY
Angela, in bed, squirms, rolls, and turns, bunches up her pillow, kicks off her blankets, finally gets up.
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 Camaro 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’ car and jumps in.
As Father Max’s SUV pulls away the Camaro SQUEALS out in front, trying to force him into a telephone pole.
INT. FATHER MAX’S SUV MOVING – DAY
FATHER MAX
What’s he…?
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
The SUV spins into an alley, then turns into another. Seemingly from nowhere Ryker’s Camaro 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 SUV 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! Gray Nissan SUV coming through. A red Camaro is chasing us.
Father Max makes four one-block right turns but doesn’t lose Ryker.
EXT./INT.PARKING GARAGE – DAY
With the Camaro on his tail, Father Max high fives JOHNNY PETERSON, a tall African-American wearing a Peterson’s Parking shirt. Peterson waves the zooming Nissan through the entrance.
And Father Max speeds straight out the exit. The Camaro follows into the entrance.
INT. PARKING GARAGE – DAY
Peterson hits a button and throws up exit spikes.
BOOM BOOM. Both of the Camaro’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.
INT. FATHER MAX’S CAR MOVING – DAY
As they pass a 45 mile per hour speed limit sign, Father Max looks at his speedometer.70.
FATHER MAX
Holy crapoli.
He begins to slow. Too late. Red swirling lights are behind them. Father Max pulls over and turns off the ignition.
EXT. FATHER MAX’ CAR – DAY
OFFICER GRADY, gets out ticket book in hand and goes to Father Max’s car. When he sees who’s behind the wheel he puts the ticket book to the side.
OFFICER GRADY
Oh, Father! Chasing demons are we?
Father Max nods and looks at Angela.
FATHER MAX
Yes, that’s the truth.
OFFICER GRADY
Well, we’re on the same side.
FATHER MAX
That we are. And how is Julie?
OFFICER GRADY
Fine now, thanks to you, Father.
Officer Grady gets back in his vehicle. Father Max doesn’t restart the car. He just shakes his head.
ANGELA
Speeding a priestly privilege?
FATHER MAX
Not one I’d want to avail myself of again. Tearing through the streets like some kind of action figure.
Terrifying.
ANGELA
You didn’t seem terrified.
FATHER MAX
That’s the terrifying part. I was feeling this huge rush, probably something you can relate to.
Angela looks away.
FATHER MAX (CONT’D)
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.
Finally, 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?