FADE IN:
EXT. BURNING CITY - NIGHT
FRANKLIN, a middle aged man, is standing atop a burning
building near the edge. Behind him is a pair of military
boots set beside a neatly folded uniform.
The patch where a Nazi symbol should be, is torn off. We can
hear his breath shaking as he peers over the ledge and
shuffles his barefoot closer.
The city is chaotic beneath him, sounds of explosions and
screams fill the air. The night sky is filled with smoke but
as Franklin looks up, a window of space opens to unveil the
stars. With his eyes brimming with tears he leaps into the
empty air.
CLOSE UP on Franklin's face as the wind pushes the tears off
his cheeks. He picks up speed and he closes his eyes just as
he is about to reach his end; but he comes to an abrupt halt.
Still close on his closed eyes as the background reverts,
retracing its path back up to the top of the ledge.
A FULL SHOT reveals a majestic angel, carefully placing
Franklin back on his feet on the ledge. Franklin opens his
eyes and takes a moment to register that he is still alive.
He looks to the angel beside him with a frustrated
expression; less interested in the majestic wings, and more
upset about having been interrupted.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
It's a bit chilly out to be wearing
just that.
The angel places the uniform jacket around Franklin's
shoulders. Franklin looks down at the shoulder patch,
realizing the Nazi symbol has been miraculously placed back
on. He repulsively throws the jacket off and shoves the
angel; but misses his step and starts to fall again.
GUARDIAN ANGEL (CONT'D)
Whoa there, let's not make me save
you again.
The angel helps steady Franklin and pats him on his shoulder,
where the jacket has miraculously reappeared. They lock eyes
and Franklin begins to study the angel's features.
FRANKLIN
What are you?
2.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
I'm just here to help. Are your
toes getting cold too?
The boots miraculously reappear on Franklins feet, startling
him and causing him to almost fall off again. As he regains
his balance, he shakes his head, realizing he shouldn't be
avoiding the fall; that's what he wants. He peers over the
ledge again, preparing to jump.
GUARDIAN ANGEL (CONT'D)
You don't want to do that.
FRANKLIN
And how do you know what I want?
GUARDIAN ANGEL
You want to feel warm. You want to
feel needed. Isn't that why you
bundled up in that uniform and
joined the war?
FRANKLIN
That was a mistake. You saving me
was a mistake. Go do your angel
work on someone else...
Franklin dives off the ledge, only this time he lands face
first immediately on the roof. He curls up in a fetal
position and rubs the new bump on his head.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
See that's the thing Franklin, I'm
not just any angel that can go help
someone else. I'm here to help YOU.
I'm your personal guardian angel.
FRANKLIN
That fall hurt. Couldn't you have
lifted me up gently like last time?
GUARDIAN ANGEL
I tried to warn you.
FRANKLIN
Warn me about what exactly? About
the fall? About my bad decisions?
Where were you when I needed
someone to warn me about the war?
GUARDIAN ANGEL
About what... that people are evil,
and evil things happen in this
world?
3.
FRANKLIN
Not just people, ME. I'm evil. You
should know that better than anyone
if you really are who you claim to
be.
Beat.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
You don't have to be evil
anymore...
FRANKLIN
You know... I was really hoping you
would tell me I'm not evil and
convince me otherwise. You're
right, and I'm trying to get rid of
this evil.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
I can't let you jump Franklin.
FRANKLIN
Let me? This is my choice. You
can't take that away from me.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Have a seat.
CUT TO:
Without Franklin having to do so, the scenery changes and
they are both sitting at a park bench. The city is still
erupting with chaos.
People are frantically running past them, trying to escape
the bombs going off. Flames alight all the buildings
surrounding them. Franklin looks to the angel with a
questioning expression.
GUARDIAN ANGEL (CONT'D)
Have a look at the mess you've
made.
FRANKLIN
You can't be an angel. Only a demon
would torture me before I try to
end my life.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Is it guilt that you feel? Or is it
shame? If you truly felt remorseful
for your transgressions, you would
take responsibility.
4.
FRANKLIN
The wages of sin is death. I am
willing to pay it.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
The Franklin that I know, would
atone for his sins, not submit to
death.
FRANKLIN
Who have you been guarding? Who is
this Franklin that I don't know?
A beat passes as the angel takes a moment to survey the war
torn city. A small hand emerges from a pile of rubble nearby.
It desperately grasps the air, attempting to find a savior to
pull the rest of them free from it.
An elderly Asian man rolls his wheel chair towards the hand,
hops off his wheel chair to get proper leverage, and pulls
the hand with all his might.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
I've been guarding a scared
crippled young man for some time
now. For over thirty years he's
been avoiding my help. I know that
he desperately wants it, NEEDS it.
I can see his hand reaching out,
but he's buried under a pile of
baggage he isn't willing to let go.
He can't see me, he can't see the
potential I see in him.
The old man has pulled free a little girl. They embrace as
the girl coughs up debris dust and cries on his shoulder. The
angel smiles and turns to Franklin who has also been
observing the scene.
FRANKLIN
I'm buried too deep. No one can
pull me free. There's too much to
atone for, so many things I can't
change or fix. The only relief I'll
receive is death. That's the
decision I've made. I think our
conversation is done here. Take me
back to the ledge.
Franklin gets up to leave but bumps into GOH, the elderly man
in a wheel chair. He is being pushed down the street by SUMI
(12), the girl he had rescued.