Chereads / Death's Bargain / Chapter 14 - Act 3: Part 2

Chapter 14 - Act 3: Part 2

Jill studies the group, her eyes landing on Franklin, a look

of distain on her face.

JILL

You're one of them, aren't you?

Franklin raises a questioning brow.

FRANKLIN

One of what?

Jill shakes her head in disapproval.

JILL

We don't help anyone associated

with the likes of your kind.

Franklin frowns and looks away embarrassed.

PICKAXE MAN

But mam. The priest. They are with

the father.

Jill glares at pickaxe man.

JILL

And? I am no Christian. You already

know how I feel about your

shenanigan's.

All of the mothers holding their crosses whisper murmurs as

they glance at Bach.

BACH

If I may miss... Could we please

have a moment with you to plead our

case? Surely you wouldn't mind

sparing some time to just speak

with us.

Jill looks into the blind priests eyes. She notices Sumi's

bleeding ears.

Her eyes settle on Goh who is leaning heavily on Sumi,

clutching his stump leg, and sweating profusely with each

labored breath.

JILL

Come.

She turns to enter into a large cabin in the midst of the

village. Everyone parts way for her and the new comers.

67.

Tito gets back to helping Sumi with Goh. Franklin leads Bach.

The village is silent, awaiting the decision of their healer.

CUT TO:

INT. MEDIC CABIN - CONTINUOUS

Sounds of pain fill the air. Moans coming from the wounded

who lie scattered throughout the cabin and the disgruntled

workers who tend to them make for a claustrophobic

atmosphere.

Franklin and this crew all watch this with a grim expression.

Bach whispers prayers as they walk past the sounds of people

mourning the loss of a recent deceased.

JILL

This way. Don't get distracted.

Jill enters into a secluded room at the end of the cabin,

guiding the rest of them into it.

JILL (CONT'D)

Thank you Tito. You may now leave

us.

Tito glances at Sumi.

TITO

But-

Jill glares at him and Tito shrinks away.

JILL

Now.

Tito leaves the room. Jill sits at her desk littered with

medical supplies, maps and other miscellaneous papers.

JILL (CONT'D)

The injured stays. The Nazi must

leave.

Jill starts going about her work, sifting through the maps

and marking locations. Not paying mind the group at all,

insinuating the end of discussion.

JILL (CONT'D)

Well? Why haven't you left my sight

yet?

68.

Jill doesn't look up. Bach begins to feel along the walls,

exploring the room. Sumi helps Goh sit in a chair. Franklin

approaches the desk and looks down at Jill's map.

FRANKLIN

I can help.

Jill abruptly stops and looks up at Franklin with a mocking

expression.

JILL

Oh really?

Franklin nods in confidence.

FRANKLIN

As far as I can tell, you don't

have many able bodies. I'm a

trained soldier. I can help gather

supplies. Hunt for food. Whatever

you need.

Jill scoffs at this and continues her mocking glare.

JILL

You really think you can just waltz

in here and try to "help" us? Don't

forget, you're the ones who caused

all of this.

Nobody here wants your help. I

don't need a disgraceful Nazi

within our midst. I don't trust

you.

Franklin stands there for a moment pondering what to say

next.

FRANKLIN

I'm... also willing to donate my

body.

Jill raises a questioning brow.

FRANKLIN (CONT'D)

When I'm done helping around here,

you can take me apart for what the

patients here need. Well, that's

after helping Goh's leg, Bach's

eyes, and Sumi's-

Jill raises a hand to stop Franklin. She looks away and rubs

her temples in confusion.

69.

JILL

What?

Bach finds alcohol on the shelf. A smile grows on his face as

he rubs the label on the bottle of whiskey.

FRANKLIN

Yeah I mean... It's the least I can

do.

JILL

No... You're bluffing... and even

if you weren't, you're just

desperately trying to atone for

your sins. You think this is the

answer to wash your filthy record?

Franklin shakes his head and looks past Jill where the door

to the struggling injured is.

FRANKLIN

I know... I'm not trying to get rid

of my guilt. An angel implored me

with this ultimatum. I'm willing to

do whatever it takes.

Jill laughs at him.

JILL

Do you know the full weight of what

you've done? My people have been

hunted down and torn apart.

Being a Jew in your presence still

makes me quiver. I'm not for one

second believing that an angel

approached scum like you.

Franklin shrugs.

FRANKLIN

Truth is, I'm suicidal. That damn

angel won't just let me go unless I

commit my body to a cause like

this... Maybe the angel is toying

with me.

It's certainly felt that way

throughout my journey, but I know I

need to do this. There is just

simply no other way.

70.

Jill looks down at her papers. She looks behind her at the

door where just beyond it lay countless patients; and then

back up at Franklin.

JILL

I don't believe your story but we

do desperately need food.

BACH

(drunk)

Food you say? I could definitely

use some!

Jill looks at Bach and notices the empty bottle in his hands.

She erupts in rage.

JILL

You vile Christian pile of rubble!

You call yourself a priest? That

isn't for drinking! We needed that!

Bach hiccups with a giggle.

JILL (CONT'D)

That's it! I knew this was a bad

idea. We can't take any more people

in! Out! Leave us and never return!

Franklin face palms and shakes his head in despair. Bach puts

the empty bottle back on the shelf and scoots away

uncomfortably.

Sumi gets up and approaches Jill. She grabs her hand and

looks to her father.

SUMI

He's all I have left. I wasn't able

to hear most of what was said but

please... Let us stay. I'll help

where I can too.

Regardless of what you think,

Franklin has helped us get here.

He's fought for us, protected us...

And Bach may be a helpless drunk

but he cares about others too. He

can be a huge help to the

Christians here.

Jill looks at Sumi's hopeful eyes. She sighs and grabs Sumi's

hand. A beat passes where she carefully ponders this as she

survey's the group.