DIAGNOSIS MURDER
"Slam Dunk Dead"
Written by Lee Goldberg
&
William Rabkin
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 A BASKETBALL 1
dribbles on the asphalt.
2 TWO SNEAKERED FEET 2
Favoring the THUNDER SHOES LOGO shuffle back and forth. These
feet, and the remarkable shoes on them, belong to none other
than
3 DESMOND CONWAY 3
Basketball superstar, makes a break for the hoop, blasting
through the other players, knocking them out of his way with
a flying elbow, knee, or foot, all the while the camera
focusing on those great shoes when, out of nowhere
4 HOWIE LANIER 4
A fellow MUSTANG, his only equal on this court, steps between
Conway and the basket. Conway doesn't slow down, just grins a
little as he leaps in the air, hurling the ball into the net.
You could fly like this, too, if you had a pair of THUNDERS.
But Conway isn't finished yet. He twists himself in mid-air to
send his flying body smashing into
5 LANIER 5
who is thrown to the ground, his head slamming onto the
parquet. A DIRECTOR'S VOICE yells:
DIRECTOR
Cut!
6 WIDE ANGLE - THE COURT 6
That's when the lights go on and we see that this is a
COMMERCIAL SHOOT. The director, 20s, pulls off his headset.
We see other LA Mustangs on the sidelines, watching, along
with DWAYNE, 20s, the team's handicapped towel boy/gofer.
DIRECTOR
What the hell are you doing?
CONWAY
Protecting my ball.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 2.
6 CONTINUED: 6
DIRECTOR
I don't care about the ball, I
care about the shoes.
CONWAY
It's the way I play.
DIRECTOR
This isn't a game, Conway, it's a
commercial. Look around, you're
all on the same team.
CONWAY
That's how I play, whenever I play.
The TEAM DOCTOR rushes over to Lanier. It's JESSE.
JESSE
Stay still. Let me get a look at
you.
Lanier shrugs him off.
LANIER
I'm fine.
Lanier gets up, walks it off, Jesse watching him carefully.
Conway shoots Lanier the ball.
CONWAY
Gee, did that hurt, Howie? Sure
looked painful.
Lanier paces away from Conway, controlling himself. And then
hurls himself at Conway. The other players and Jesse separate
the two and pull them apart. The director turns to Jesse.
DIRECTOR
I used to think kids and dogs were
hard. Gimme a pudding commercial
any day.
7 ACROSS THE COURT 7
Slick sports agent KENT BEAUDINE, 30s, strides onto the court,
working the team members like it's a party, shaking hands,
clapping shoulders, shooting grins. Following behind Beaudine
at a discreet distance as he heads toward MALIK SEELY, is an
ND MAN, 40s, in a dull suit.
BEAUDINE
Hey, Malik, my man.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 3.
7 CONTINUED: 7
MALIK
Where's the seven-figure Burger
Town endorsement you promised me?
BEAUDINE
In the pipeline, bro. Hugs to the
wife.
MALIK
I don't have a wife.
BEAUDINE
Awright! Give the babes something
to dream about.
Beaudine is on the move toward BRENT BARRY.
BEAUDINE
Brent, how's it hanging?
BRENT
When are you renegotiating my deal
with this lousy team?
BEAUDINE
I'm on it, under it, and all
around it. And that's FDIC
insured, baby.
BRENT
What?
But Beaudine is already past him, homing in on Conway.
BEAUDINE
The shoes look good. Of course,
I'm the guy that put'em on you.
CONWAY
I thought if I fired you, I never
had to see you again.
BEAUDINE
I'm gonna be your reflection until
I get the half-a-million in
commissions you owe me. Takes a
lot of gas to drive that shiny red
Humvee.
CONWAY
I wouldn't give you the change
between my couch cushions.
BEAUDINE
Shame - that'd probably make us
even.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 4.
7 CONTINUED: (2) 7
He snaps his fingers. The ND guy who has been trailing
Beaudine steps forward and shoves a SUBPEONA into Conway's
hands.
BEAUDINE
See you in court, boychick - the
one without hoops.
Beaudine walks over to Lanier, Conway glaring after him.
BEAUDINE
Howie! Superstar! Get your wings
pressed, I got you a shot on
"Touched by an Angel."
Conway, furious, picks up a basketball and throws it at
Beaudine's head. Smack! Beaudine goes down. His keys go
flying. Jesse rushes over to Beaudine, who is dazed but okay.
JESSE
(to Dwayne)
Get me some ice.
(to Beaudine, re:
Conway)
What is it with that guy?
BEAUDINE
$20 million a year.
Lanier marches up to an unrepentant Conway.
LANIER
Easy to take a shot at someone's
back. You don't have the guts to
do it face-to-face.
Conway GROWLS and launches himself at Lanier, clamping his
teeth down on LANIER'S NOSE. Lanier yelps in pain and tries to
push Conway off, but he's biting tight, like a dog with a
bone. Jesse groans.
JESSE
Not again.
Jesse throws himself between them. Everyone else just watches.
They know better.
JESSE
Break it up!
Conway releases Lanier's nose. Lanier grabs his nose with one
hand, and throw a punch with the other. Conway dodges it, but
it catches Jesse right in the jaw. Jesse drops and Lanier
flies at Conway.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 5.
7 CONTINUED: (3) 7
And as the two basketball stars start fighting again, we hold
on Jesse, unconscious on the floor and...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
8 EXT. COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL - DAY 8
9 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL - DAY 9
As Amanda leads Mark quickly down the corridor.
MARK
Is Jesse's condition really that
serious?
AMANDA
Worse.
MARK
It's all my fault. I recommended
him for the Mustangs job.
AMANDA
He's an adult, Mark. There's no
way you could have predicted--
They turn into:
10 INT. EXAM ROOM - DAY 10
where Jesse, holding an icepack on the back of his head, is
talking enthusiastically to an unimpressed Steve.
JESSE
So I'm standing between the two
greatest players ever to share a
court. Of course, it's a volatile
mix - like matter and anti-matter.
AMANDA
--that his ego would go completely
out of control.
Jesse beams to see Mark and Amanda.
JESSE
As the team doctor, I'm the one
who has to hold it all together.
A physician, sure, but also
counsellor, friend, spiritual
leader.
AMANDA
The Nobel committee has been
informed.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 7.
10 CONTINUED: 10
MARK
(to Steve)
You're not encouraging him?
STEVE
I'm trying to get an autographed
jersey for the PBA auction.
AMANDA
And that requires another endless
recital of Jesse's basketball
adventures?
STEVE
Apparently.
MARK
I don't want to dash your hoop
dreams, but when I recommended you
to David Clarke, it was only as a
doctor.
JESSE
And it's a great opportunity. I
feel like I'm getting a condensed
residency in the highest levels of
sports medicine.
Mark examines Jesse's head.
MARK
From the inside.
JESSE
Seriously, this is the best job
I've ever had.
AMANDA
Too bad it's only temporary.
STEVE
Which means you should get working
on that jersey soon.
JESSE
You'll get it.
Shooting him a dubious look, Steve leaves, along with Amanda.
Jesse hesitates. This is hard to say, but:
JESSE
Actually, I've been thinking about
putting my name in for the
permanent position as team doctor.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 8.
10 CONTINUED: (2) 10
MARK
Are you seriously thinking of
giving up emergency medicine?
JESSE
You mean the long hours, low pay,
and miserable conditions? It'd be
hard, but I might be willing to
make the sacrifice.
And on Mark's surprise:
11 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY 11
Amanda comes down the corridor. As he walks past a room, a
MEDICATIONS CART flies out, followed quickly by a NURSE. Kent
Beaudine steps out of the room, calling after her.
BEAUDINE
I'd sue you for every penny you
had if I thought they paid you
anything.
Amanda goes up to him.
AMANDA
Is there a problem?
BEAUDINE
Aside from Nurse Mengele here
trying to poison my client, not at
all.
AMANDA
I'm Doctor Amanda Bentley, chief
of pathology, and if you have a
problem with one of our nurses, I
need to know.
BEAUDINE
My problem is with your entire
medieval dose `em up and shove `em
out system of medicine, "Doctor."
That's when Howie Lanier comes out of the room behind him, a
BIG BANDAGE across his nose.
LANIER
But Kent, it hurts.
BEAUDINE
You think I'm not suffering here?
I'm passing a kidney stone just
thinking of my top client in pain.
(more)
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 9.
11 CONTINUED: 11
BEAUDINE (cont'd)
But you don't see me running to
their medicine cabinet.
Amanda goes up to Lanier.
AMANDA
How bad is the pain?
Beaudine shoots his client a look, but Lanier ignores him.
LANIER
I got my nose bit off. How bad do
you think it is?
Amanda checks the chart.
AMANDA
Your attending physician
prescribed Oxycodone. Would you
like me to get you one?
BEAUDINE
No, he wouldn't.
LANIER
Kent, my nose hurts.
BEAUDINE
More than losing the Dash Cola
endorsement?
(checks watch)
You've got a date with a needle,
remember?
LANIER
I thought you were going to do
something about that.
BEAUDINE
Hey, I raised the issue, started
a dialogue. I think we came to a
real understanding.
LANIER
But I still have to take the test.
Beaudine fishes in his pocket and comes out with what looks
like a fistful of candy bars in neon wrapper.
BEAUDINE
Chew on this, you'll feel like
fifteen million dollars. Well,
thirteen-five after my commission.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 10.
11 CONTINUED: (2) 11
Lanier takes one of the bars and stomps away. Amanda takes one
of the candy bars.
AMANDA
"Nature's Natural Healthilizer?"
BEAUDINE
I'm the West Coast distributor.
AMANDA
(reading)
"Made from the same endangered
rain forest tree bark eaten by the
Chamokome Indians in their sacred
rituals."
BEAUDINE
And as I'm sure you know, they're
the healthiest people on Earth.
AMANDA
Does it actually relieve pain?
BEAUDINE
You could say that.
AMANDA
Uh-huh. Could you?
BEAUDINE
Not until the FDA lifts the
restraining order. But my lawyer
assures me it's only a matter of
time until those fascists crumble
in the face of scientific evidence.
(then)
Which makes this the perfect time
for you to get in as a
subdistributor.
Amanda unwraps the healthilizer bar and smells it, recoiling
at the stench.
AMANDA
Do you harvest the bark before or
after the Indians eat it?
12 INT. MUSTANGS TRAINING FACILITY DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY 12
Jesse sits at a desk, facing a long line of PLAYERS. Dwane
brings Jesse a medical file.
JESSE
Who's next?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 11.
12 CONTINUED: 12
DWAYNE
Malik Seely.
Although Dwayne is partially paralyzed on one side and speaks
with obvious difficulty, he moves with great dignity. Malik
Seely steps up to the desk as Jesse prepares a needle for
drawing blood.
MALIK
You be careful there, Doc. That
arm is worth a lot.
JESSE
I'll try not to do any permanent
damage.
Jesse draws blood. Behind them in line, Brent Barry and CAMEO
#3 exchange looks.
BRENT
Hey, his blood is red.
CAMEO PLAYER #3
What they pay him, I was expecting
it to be green.
BRENT
Or gold.
Jesse takes the vial of blood and puts it in a CUSHIONED,
INSULATED CARRIER specially designed for these vials - it's
already half-filled. At the other end of the room, team owner
DAVID CLARKE, 50s, comes in with an unhappy Howie Lanier, who
still wears the big bandage over his nose and carries a
ThunderShoes box.
CLARKE
My lawyers checked the player's
union contract, and your agent was
right about every one of his
objections.
LANIER
So you'll call off the drug
testing.
CLARKE
I want to, because I want to do
right by my players.
LANIER
But?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 12.
12 CONTINUED: (2) 12
CLARKE
Before I'd realized my mistake,
someone mentioned the testing to
the Dash Cola guys.
LANIER
What?
CLARKE
Anyway, they want the names of
anyone who refuses a test.
(then)
I'm terribly sorry if that causes
you a problem, and promise it will
never happen again.
But Lanier's not hearing any of Clarke's BS.
LANIER
Who told them?
And then Lanier knows. As Clarke leaves, Lanier turns and sees
Conway grinning at him from the desk, where Jesse is taking
his blood.
CONWAY
Sorry, Howie. Dash Cola doesn't
want players with good taste, they
want players who taste good.
He mimes biting off Lanier's nose. Lanier wants to hurl
himself at Conway. But he controls himself.
LANIER
Oh, yeah, nothing like a little
cannibalism to sell product.
CONWAY
That's why I signed three new
deals after my little snack.
LANIER
Too bad the new ThunderShoe
Speedmeister XLQ wasn't one of
them.
CONWAY
What are you talking about? I am
Thundershoes.
LANIER
Then why am I holding the first
XLQs off the assembly line?
He holds up the box.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 13.
12 CONTINUED: (3) 12
CONWAY
Give me that.
LANIER
Sorry, don't you remember the
confidentiality clause in the
Thundershoe contract?
(then, grins)
Oh, wait, that's only for the new,
important campaign.
Conway reaches out and grabs the box.
CONWAY
Thousand dollars says there's no
shoes in here.
He looks around the room, looking for takers. Then he rips off
the lid - and freezes as an ADORABLE LITTLE KITTEN sticks its
head out of the box. He fixes Lanier with a hate-filled sneer
as the other players start to laugh.
LANIER
Gee, Des, you win.
CONWAY
You're a dead man.
Conway SNEEZES violently. Furious, he lifts the shoe box and
is about to smash it to the ground - kitten and all - when
Dwayne calmly takes it from his hand and removes it from the
room.
LANIER
You took my nose, I took yours.
Conway is seized by a fit of sneezing and rushes out of the
room. Smiling, pleased, Lanier struts over to Jesse's desk.
LANIER
I'm ready for my test now.
And as he settles into a chair:
13 EXT. TRAINING FACILITY PARKING LOT - DAY 13
As Jesse walks to his car, carrying the insulated case, Clarke
alongside him.
CLARKE
You did good work in there, Travis.
JESSE
I just stuck the needle in. The
players did the hard part.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 14.
13 CONTINUED: 13
CLARKE
No, it's more than that. These
drugs tests can get ugly, turn
players against management. But
they seem to like you, trust you.
JESSE
Doing my job.
CLARKE
I don't know what your future
plans involve, but if sports
medicine is an interest, maybe we
can work something out.
JESSE
Thanks.
Jesse is thrilled. Clarke slaps him on the back and heads
away. Jesse, floating in the air, opens his car door, puts the
insulated case on the passenger seat, and goes around to the
driver's side. That's when a miserable-looking Conway comes up
to him, eyes red and watering, nose swollen, gasping for
breath.
CONWAY
You've got to help me.
And on Jesse's concern:
14 INT. TRAINING FACILITY DOCTOR'S OFFICE - DAY 14
As Dwayne limps from the filing cabinet and puts a CHART on
the desk in front of Jesse. Conway sits across from him,
looking more miserable every second. Jesse opens it, checks it
out.
JESSE
It doesn't say here what you
usually take for an allergy attack.
CONWAY
I try not to take anything. Drugs
mess me up worse than the
allergies.
JESSE
They make you drowsy?
CONWAY
And take my edge off. That's why
I switched to holistic medicine.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 15.
14 CONTINUED: 14
JESSE
You mean those natural pills made
from herbs and bark?
CONWAY
Yeah, they do any good?
JESSE
They're great - for marinating a
chicken. If you want allergy
relief, try this.
He pulls a DRUG SAMPLE out of a drawer and hands it to Conway,
who takes the sample, regards it suspiciously.
CONWAY
Tersenadine?
JESSE
Guaranteed not to cause
drowsiness. Or take your edge off.
(checks chart)
Everything seems okay. Are you
allergic to any medications? Are
you taking any other medications?
CONWAY
(joking:)
Just that chicken marinade. And I
take a lot of concentrated garlic.
JESSE
What's that for?
CONWAY
Anyone who tries to block me.
Jesse looks confused. Conway exhales at him. And as the
scent - and the understanding - reaches Jesse, Conway pops the
pills in his mouth.
15 EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY 15
Jesse, still feeling good, reaches his car. He pulls out his
keys, then notices the door is UNLOCKED. He opens the door,
and his face falls.
16 JESSE'S POV 16
The insulated carrier has fallen onto the floor and the top is
off. The floor is littered with smashed glass - and soaked
with blood.
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 16.
17 JESSE 17
stares, shocked. And on his concern:
18 INT. BEACH HOUSE - DAY 18
As Mark brings a pizza to the table where Steve is talking to
a very disturbed Jesse.
STEVE
Is it possible that the case fell
off the seat?
JESSE
Sure, and it's possible that I
forgot to latch the top, and it's
possible that all the vials
happened to slip out of a
container specifically designed to
prevent that. And it's possible it
was all caused by a 6.8 quake that
no one noticed.
STEVE
I have to ask these questions,
Jesse.
JESSE
I know. It's just I've already
heard them all.
MARK
I guess no one's going to be
harder on you than you.
JESSE
Right. Except for the cops at the
car wash. They saw my floor mat
and figured they had the next
Jeffrey Dahmer.
Mark and Steve share a smile. Jesse is less amused.
MARK
There was no sign that Jesse's car
had been broken into?
STEVE
Not a trace.
JESSE
Right, and it's possible that I
forgot to lock the door of my new
car I just spent a fortune on.
MARK
Jesse, no one's blaming you.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 17.
18 CONTINUED: 18
JESSE
Only because they don't know yet.
You think any of the players are
going to be thrilled when they
find out they have to take another
blood test?
MARK
One of them a lot less than the
rest.
STEVE
You think one of the players
smashed all the vials to hide his
own drug use?
Now Jesse's remembering something.
JESSE
Howie Lanier was fighting pretty
hard to keep from being tested.
MARK
But if he's using drugs, putting
off the test for a day isn't going
to substantially change the
results.
STEVE
Maybe it was enough just to delay
it. They don't take a blood test
every day.
And as that thought percolates:
19 INT. PRACTICE COURT - DAY 19
The commercial shoot is being staged again. The same players
are on hand. as is Jesse. Lanier is facing the DIRECTOR, who
can't seem to take his eyes off the player's bandaged nose
LANIER
You can't cut me from the
commercial. My endorsement future
is riding on this ad.
DIRECTOR
But your nose.
LANIER
You're shooting my shoes. Can't
you shoot my face later?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 18.
19 CONTINUED: 19
DIRECTOR
I'm sorry, Howie.
(then)
Keep the shoes, our treat.
LANIER
I only wear what I'm paid to wear.
He yanks the shoes off his feet and tosses them in the nearest
trash can. They GO RIGHT IN.
CONWAY
Maybe if we lowered the hoop you
could do that with a ball some day.
Lanier glares at Conway.
LANIER
I'm not going to forget this.
CONWAY
I don't think any of us are.
And as Conway walks away, laughing, we FIND Jesse with Clarke.
JESSE
How do they squeeze in practice
between the movies, commercials,
and photo shoots?
CLARKE
The marketing is what gets people
to watch. It's as important as how
they play.
20 THE DIRECTOR 20
Settles into his seat in front of a monitor and signals the
A.D.
DIRECTOR
Action!
21 A BASKETBALL 21
dribbles on the parquet.
22 TWO SNEAKERED FEET 22
Favoring the THUNDER SHOES LOGO shuffle back and forth. These
feet, and the remarkable shoes on them, belong to none other
than
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 19.
23 DESMOND CONWAY 23
Basketball superstar, in the LA MUSTANG'S UNIFORM, makes a
break for the hoop, blasting through the other players,
knocking them out of his way with a flying elbow, knee, or
foot, all the while the camera focusing on those great shoes
when, out of nowhere
24 MALIK SEELY 24
A fellow MUSTANG, steps between Conway and the basket. Conway
doesn't slow down, just grins a little as he leaps in the air,
and is about to hurl the ball into the net when he's seized by
a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK and DROPS TO THE FLOOR.
25 WIDE ANGLE - THE COURT 25
There's instant PANDEMONIUM. The lights go on. What the hell
happened to Conway? Everyone rushes forward, led by
26 JESSE 26
Who kneels over his body. Conway is unconscious and he's not
breathing. Jesse takes his pulse, then looks up in shock at
Clarke, Lanier, the director, and the other players.
JESSE
He's dead.
And on Conway's body, and the forgotten basketball rolling off
the court into the darkness, we FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 20.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
27 EXT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - ESTABLISHING - DAY 27
28 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - PATHOLOGY - DAY 28
Amanda is standing over Conway's body as Mark comes in.
AMANDA
How's Jesse?
MARK
Shaken. We all are. Desmond Conway
was a professional athlete in peak
condition - hardly a likely
candidate for a heart attack. And,
from what Jesse says, his medical
file shows no history of coronary
problems.
AMANDA
Maybe we should take a closer look
at that file.
MARK
He had heart problems?
AMANDA
Not until today.
MARK
Amanda, what are you getting at?
Amanda takes a deep breath. She really doesn't want to tell
Mark this.
AMANDA
The first thing I noticed was that
he had a very high white blood
cell count.
She hands Mark a test report. He examines it.
MARK
It looks like he was fighting an
allergy or an infection.
AMANDA
With the help of an anti-biotic:
clarithromycin.
MARK
That's not unusual.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 21.
28 CONTINUED: 28
Here comes the hard part. Amanda gives Mark a grim look.
AMANDA
I also found traces of the allergy
medication tersenadine in his
system.
Mark looks astonished.
MARK
If you combine the two, it causes
ventricular fibrillation. It's
been heavily covered in all the
medical journals. Jesse would
never make a mistake like that.
AMANDA
I know. But I thought you should
hear it from me first before I
make my official determination
public. Cause of death: Possible
negligent homicide by fatal drug
interaction.
MARK
You have any idea what this will
mean for Jesse?
AMANDA
Mark, I have no choice.
Mark nods solemnly and leaves. And we go:
29 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - DOCTOR'S LOUNGE - DAY 29
Amanda has just told Jesse the news. Jesse is pacing, trying
to walk out his frustration.
JESSE
I checked his file before I gave
him the sample of tersenadine.
There was nothing in there showing
Dr. Gelbman prescribed
clarithromycin.
(then)
Take a look at the chart yourself.
AMANDA
It's being sent over. Did you ask
him if he was taking any
prescription medication?
Jesse gives her a withering look.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 22.
29 CONTINUED: 29
JESSE
What kind of doctor do you think
I am?
AMANDA
I'm sorry, Jesse. But I had to
ask, and unfortunately, I won't be
the last.
JESSE
It wasn't in the chart and he
didn't tell me he was taking it.
AMANDA
I believe you.
But Jesse's getting a little frantic now, the frustration and
anxiety building in him.
JESSE
If medication isn't in the chart,
and the patient doesn't tell me,
how am I supposed to know?
AMANDA
You're right. I'm sure that--
Jesse interrupts, steam-rolling over him.
JESSE
If Conway was taking an anti-
biotic, why wouldn't he tell me?
It's not illegal, and certainly
nothing to be ashamed of.
AMANDA
Of course it isn't. I don't know
why he--
JESSE
(continues)
Ordinarily I would have called his
physician to double-check, but the
hereafter is a long way to go for
a medical consult.
Amanda shouts to get his attention:
AMANDA
Jesse.
Jesse stops, startled. Amanda continues, in as soothing a
voice as he can.
AMANDA
It's not your fault.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 23.
29 CONTINUED: (2) 29
Jesse slumps into a chair.
JESSE
Whether it is or not is now open
to debate.
AMANDA
It won't be after I get Conway's
chart.
That's when NEAL RYDER, 30's, a sharply-dressed professional
executive-type, knocks and enters.
RYDER
Excuse me, Dr. Travis?
JESSE
Yes?
Ryder sets his briefcase on a table and clicks it open.
RYDER
I'm Neal Ryder, legal counsel for
Community General.
Amanda and Jesse share a look.
JESSE
Bad news travels fast.
RYDER
David Clarke just came to see me.
He's filing a $100 million
wrongful death suit against you.
And since you are a member of our
staff, we're being named as well.
JESSE
I don't believe this.
RYDER
(to Jesse)
The hospital will be holding a
fitness hearing in 48 hours to
decide whether to revoke your
privilege to practice here. In the
meantime, you are on paid leave.
JESSE
We can clear this up in just a few
minutes. All you've got to do is
look at Conway's chart.
RYDER
I have.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 24.
29 CONTINUED: (3) 29
He clicks open his briefcase and hands Jesse a file.
RYDER
Here's a copy. You might want to
read it more closely this time. I
also suggest you find yourself
good legal counsel.
Ryder walks out. Jesse sets the file on the table and tears
through it, stopping at the last page. He stares up in shock
at Amanda, who reads the page.
AMANDA
He was prescribed clarithromycin.
JESSE
I swear to you, Amanda, this page
wasn't in the chart when I read it.
30 EXT. CONWAY'S HOUSE - DAY 30
An upscale house too large for one person but certainly too
small to contain Conway's ego. Amanda drives up and is
surprised to see JESSE'S MUSTANG already parked on the other
end of the U-shaped driveway in front. She clips her MEDICAL
EXAMINER'S ID to her shirt and goes to the front door.
JESSE (O.S.)
Don't bother knocking, there's no
one home.
She looks up to see Jesse on a ledge along the house.
JESSE
But it looks like there might be
a window open.
AMANDA
Jesse, you shouldn't be here.
JESSE
I'm not here. What are you doing
here?
AMANDA
I want to see those pills for
myself, who prescribed them and
when. You should go.
Jesse works his way to the window.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 25.
30 CONTINUED: 30
JESSE
You don't see me and I don't see
you.
AMANDA
I can't do that. As a county
medical examiner, I'm an officer
of the court.
JESSE
I'm not in court - at least not
yet.
Jesse slides open the window and disappears inside. Amanda
fumes. A moment later the FRONT DOOR opens.
JESSE
You'd think a guy like Conway
would've set the alarm before he
left.
AMANDA
How do I know you haven't stolen
the bottle of antibiotic to save
yourself?
JESSE
You could search me.
AMANDA
You're missing the point.
JESSE
The point is it's my career's at
risk. Would you just sit on your
hands and rely on your friends...
or would you do whatever you could
to save yourself?
Amanda stares at him for a long moment, then comes to a
decision:
AMANDA
You're not here. I don't see you.
JESSE
I never thought I'd be glad to
hear a woman say that.
He steps aside and she enters, stopping cold when she sees:
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 26.
31 INT. CONWAY'S HOUSE - DAY 31
It's a SHRINE to Conway. LIFE-SIZE photos of Conway are
everywhere, along with TROPHIES, JERSEYS, BASKETBALLS,
BANNERS, DOLLS, BASKETBALL CARDS, anything and everything ever
produced with his name or image on it.
AMANDA
The man has his own hall of fame.
Jesse peers into a glass case.
JESSE
You want to see what his first
diaper looked like?
AMANDA
I'll pass.
JESSE
It's inscribed.
Amanda makes her way to the stairs.
AMANDA
Most people keep their
prescription medication in their
bedrooms or master baths.
Jesse follows her up. And we go:
32 INT. CONWAY'S HOUSE - MASTER BATH 32
There's another LIFE SIZE picture of Conway across from the
toilet. Amanda and Jesse share a look.
JESSE
Remind me not to use his decorator.
Amanda turns Jesse around and steers him back into the bedroom.
AMANDA
I don't want you anywhere near the
medicine cabinet.
JESSE
I thought you said I wasn't here.
She gives him a stern look and goes back inside. She opens the
medicine cabinet. It's full of BOTTLES, all apparently from
the same manufacturer. Amanda takes one of the bottles down
and examines it as:
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 27.
33 INT. BEDROOM - DAY 33
Jesse shakes his head at the LIFE-SIZE CONWAY in front of the
bed, and then his gaze is drawn to a PILE OF SCRAPBOOKS beside
the bed. He starts flipping through one of them as Amanda
emerges from the bathroom, holding a bottle.
JESSE
Found anything?
Amanda reads the label on the bottle.
AMANDA
"Healthilizer. High Energy Formula
Powder. One hundred percent
organic and all natural. Take
three times daily."
JESSE
Is that all?
AMANDA
He's got more of the same.
Healthilizer face cream,
Healthilizer shaving lotion,
Healthilizer deodorant,
Healthilizer vitamins,
Healthilizer stress reducer.
(then)
I didn't see a single prescription
medication... or any genuine
medication at all.
Jesse sighs with relief.
AMANDA
What've you got?
JESSE
Conway's bedside reading. His life
story in newspaper clippings from
grade school to the nose-bite.
That's when they hear a SOUND from downstairs.
JESSE
There's someone else in the house.
Before Amanda can stop him, he bolts out of the room in time
to see:
34 HIS POV - FROM THE STAIRS 34
A MUSCULAR WOMAN runs across the ENTRY HALL and out the door,
but we don't see her face. She's carrying A LARGE TROPHY under
her arm.
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 28.
35 BACK TO SCENE 35
Jesse and Amanda charge down the stairs after her.
36 EXT. CONWAY'S HOUSE - DAY 36
Our heroes emerge to see a HUMVEE speeding away from the curb
across the street.
37 EXT. HOUSE - DAY 37
Amanda and Jesse get into their cars, facing opposite
directions on the U-shaped driveway and speed off -- nearly
colliding head-on as they hit the street, effectively cutting
each other off.
38 EXT. STREET - DAY 38
They both stop and the Humvee disappears. Amanda bursts out of
her car, furious, and marches to the Mustang. Jesse slams his
fist on the dash. Damn.
AMANDA
Look at what you've done!
JESSE
Don't worry - I think I know whose
car that was.
AMANDA
Good for you.
She holds out her hand, palm out.
AMANDA
Let's see some proof of insurance.
Jesse gives her a sheepish look. She snaps her fingers. Jesse
obediently opens his glove box and starts searching through
the papers.
DISSOLVE TO:
39 EXT. BEACH HOUSE - ESTABLISHING - DAY 39
40 INT. BEACH HOUSE - DOCTOR'S LOUNGE - DAY 40
Mark is flipping through Conway's scrapbooks with Steve.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 29.
40 CONTINUED: 40
MARK
Even in high school Conway was an
exceptional player.
STEVE
And an exceptional jerk. He
deliberately hammered an opponent
into the basket post during a
game. Cracked the poor kid's skull
open.
Mark casually scans the clipping.
MARK
And you broke Tommy Taylor's arm
tackling him in the Malibu High
play-offs. Accidents happen in
sports, especially at that age.
STEVE
Yeah, but you don't see Tommy
Taylor in my scrapbook. It's not
something I'm proud of. Conway's
got every injury but his own in
here.
MARK
You may have a point.
(then)
Remember when you caught that fly
ball with your nose?
STEVE
Every time I look in the mirror.
That's when Amanda comes in.
AMANDA
I ran some tests on that Health
Formula I found at Conway's house.
MARK
Let me guess - sucrose, fructose,
vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
AMANDA
Close. You left out one ingredient.
MARK
Fiber.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 30.
40 CONTINUED: (2) 40
AMANDA
Clarithromycin.
(off their looks)
It's as if someone smashed up some
pills and laced it in with the
powder.
Mark and Steve share a look.
MARK
This was no accidental drug
interaction. This was murder. And
Jesse was the weapon.
Steve rises from his seat.
STEVE
That makes this a homicide
investigation. Where is Jesse now?
Amanda takes a deep breath.
AMANDA
Remember how I said I was at the
house alone? And that I lost the
intruder because I got hit by a
car?
STEVE
Yeah.
AMANDA
It was Jesse who hit me.
MARK
Jesse was with you?
Amanda gives him an apologetic look.
AMANDA
He was already there when I
arrived.
STEVE
Do you realize how this looks? Now
someone can argue that Jesse stole
the prescription and spiked the
vitamin mix to make it look like
murder instead of malpractice.
AMANDA
What was I supposed to do, Steve,
physically subdue him?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 31.
40 CONTINUED: (3) 40
STEVE
No, but when I find him, I might.
Where is he?
AMANDA
I don't know. He drove off when
the tow truck came for my car.
(then)
He did say he had an idea who the
intruder was.
And on their consternation, we go:
41 EXT. ESTATE - DAY 41
As Jesse carefully climbs the wall to see:
42 HIS POV - THE COURTYARD 42
Several high-priced cars... including the HUMVEE we saw
leaving Conway's house.
43 BACK TO SCENE 43
Jesse leaps onto the grass and is approaching the car when
Rochelle's figure looms up behind him. Before Jesse can turn,
the woman takes him in a choke hold. Jesse struggles futilely
as she slowly squeezes the life out of him. And as Jesse
passes out, we FADE OUT with him.
END OF ACT TWO
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 32.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
44 INT. BEAUDINE'S HOUSE - DAY 44
The room is decorated in sports memorabilia. mostly pictures
of Kent Beaudine with every sports figure he could put his arm
around. The TROPHY from Conway's place is now prominently
displayed among the stuff.
Jesse opens his eyes to find himself lying on a leather couch
facing the most MUSCULAR WOMAN he's ever seen. This is
ROCHELLE. And she's wearing something that flaunts every
rippling muscle she has.
JESSE
If you're nice to me, I'll teach
you how to rub two sticks together
and make fire.
ROCHELLE
Pretty cocky for a guy with the
muscle tone of a jello mold. I
have something for you.
She moves towards him. Jesse rears back defensively on the
couch.
JESSE
Are you going to hurt me again?
She reaches past him for a big jar of HEALTHILIZER MIX.
ROCHELLE
Take this with a glass of milk
three times a day. And with a
little aerobics and weight
training, the next time I choke
you, you might have 30 to 40
seconds more before you pass out.
JESSE
Next time?
BEAUDINE'S VOICE
Isn't she great?
Jesse turns to see Kent Beaudine sauntering into the room, a
big grin on his face.
BEAUDINE
Stallone with hooters.
JESSE
Just what the world needs.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 33.
44 CONTINUED: 44
BEAUDINE
For now, she's my trainer and
bodyguard, but she's going to be
a major star.
ROCHELLE
Kent's developing a "Her-cules"
movie for me.
BEAUDINE
And her health formula is gonna
turn her into the Mrs. Fields of
fitness.
JESSE
I'm thrilled for you both. But
don't you think going to jail for
stealing Conway's M.V.P trophy and
nearly choking me to death will
put a crimp in things?
BEAUDINE
Conway owed me half-a-mil in
commissions - now that he's dead,
the trophy might get me a piece of
that. I'll probably never see the
rest.
(then, sadly)
I'm really the victim here.
JESSE
If Conway and you were on the
outs, why are his shelves filled
with Healthilizer mix?
ROCHELLE
Because it's a superior product
that tastes great.
She says it defensively as if she's daring Jesse to disagree.
He wisely doesn't.
BEAUDINE
All of my clients - the galaxy of
NBA superstars - are using it.
Jesse nods, getting it now.
JESSE
And I bet all of them agreed to
endorse it - except Conway.
(then)
You got a lot of reasons to hate
the guy. maybe even enough to want
him dead.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 34.
44 CONTINUED: (2) 44
BEAUDINE
Only I'm not the doctor who
poisoned him. No offense.
And on Jesse's angry look, we:
CUT TO:
45 INT. CLARKE'S OFFICE - DAY 45
You could mistake this for a lawyer's office, if not for the
smattering of basketball memorabilia. Clarke is on the phone
as Mark appears in the doorway.
CLARKE
(into phone)
If we lower the prices any further
on those houses we might as well
give them away.
He motions Mark in. Mark moves to a chair, finds a basketball
in it. He absently spins it on his finger as Clarke's
conversation continues.
CLARKE
(into phone)
I don't care what they're charging
at those other developments,
Bellevista Country Estates is a
prestige address. We spent more
furnishing our models than they
spent building theirs.
Mark nearly loses control of the ball. He fumbles with it,
catches it, then puts it back on the seat before Clarke can
notice.
CLARKE
(into phone)
That is not the problem. Maybe
what we need is a new sales
manager.
(then)
Think hard about updating your
resume, Jimmy.
Clarke hangs up the phone.
CLARKE
You have a lot of guts coming down
here.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 35.
45 CONTINUED: 45
MARK
I wouldn't be here if it wasn't
important. We found clarithromycin
in Conway's health drink mix.
CLARKE
So you just proved our case.
MARK
The antibiotic comes in pill form.
If Dr. Gelbman gave Conway a
prescription for it, why didn't we
find a pill container? Why was it
mixed with his vitamin shake?
CLARKE
Maybe Conway didn't like to
swallow pills. What difference
does it make? Your doctor's
incompetence killed him.
MARK
But if Jesse is telling the truth,
it could mean Conway may not have
known he was taking it either.
CLARKE
Why would someone spike his
vitamins with antibiotics?
MARK
That's what I need time to find
out. I'd like you to drop your
lawsuit against Jesse until we
know exactly what happened.
Clarke waves away the notion like it was an irritating insect.
CLARKE
I'll tell you what happened. I
lost my headline player and now my
team, which was worth $100
million, will be lucky to sell for
a quarter of that.
MARK
And you were counting on that sale
to off-set some of your real
estate losses.
(then)
The drug test was to show
potential buyers that your team
was clean.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 36.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
CLARKE
The real estate market will bounce
back. All I have to do is wait it
out. Not that it's any of your
business.
MARK
I was just sympathizing with your
problem.
(then)
It's a good thing you insured
Conway. Now you can keep the team
and settle with your creditors.
Clarke rises slowly from behind his desk.
CLARKE
What are you implying?
MARK
Nothing at all. I'm just relieved
that you'll come out of this
tragedy on your feet. And I intend
to see that Jesse does, too.
Mark leaves. And on Clarke looking after him, we go:
46 INT. MUSTANG PRACTICE COURT - DAY 46
Mark wanders onto the empty court and is sauntering along when
he spots a BASKETBALL on the parquet. He picks the ball up,
looks around to see if there's anyone watching, then DRIBBLES
it in place a couple times. Feels good. Mark looks around
again then dribbles down the court a few yards. Yeah, that's
nice. Looking around one more time, he dribbles hard down the
court, dodging make-believe opponents, and going for a jump
shot. Basket! He raises his fists in the air and dances a
victory jig for the adoring crowd applauding in his head.
...and that's when he sees THE TEAM gathering on the
sidelines, watching him. Mark abruptly stops, embarrassed.
MARK
I was just, uh, you know.
CHARLES O'BANNON
Trying out your jumpshot. Not bad.
But you should work on your cross-
over dribble.
MARK
Cross-over what?
Charles O'Bannon does a quick demonstration.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 37.
46 CONTINUED: 46
MARK
I don't think I could ever do that.
ED O'BANNON
Most of the time, he can't either.
Mark smiles and wanders off the court, where he encounters
Dwayne, shooing away a CAT, limping and lurching as he chases
it out of the gym.
MARK
Don't like cats?
DWAYNE
Habit. Conway was allergic to
them. I was supposed to keep them
away.
MARK
I didn't know basketball attracted
cats.
DWAYNE
It's all the popcorn, hotdogs, and
pretzels. Brings rats. Mr. Clarke
got the cats to kill `em.
MARK
A lot of people would just use
poison.
DWAYNE
Mr. Clarke doesn't care what other
people do. He does what he thinks
is right.
MARK
I've noticed that.
DWAYNE
Most people won't even consider
hiring a guy with cerebral palsy.
Mr. Clarke knew it was the right
thing to do.
MARK
I hope the next owner feels the
same way.
Dwayne freezes. That's never occurred to him.
DWAYNE
Mr. Clarke would never sell the
Mustangs.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 38.
46 CONTINUED: (2) 46
MARK
I hope you're right. But you might
want to start looking around, just
in case.
Dwayne tries to process that information.
DWAYNE
Guess I'll just have to find
someone else with Mr. Clarke's
courage. Got any openings for an
orderly who moves slow but works
hard?
MARK
If it comes to that, give me a
call.
Dwayne gives him a friendly wave and limps on, slowly. Mark
watches him, a thought crossing his mind. Then he turns to go:
47 EXT. MUSTANGS' TRAINING FACILITY - PARKING LOT - DAY 47
Mark's fumbling for his keys when Howie Lanier comes up to
him, looking nervous, even trembling, in shorts, but carrying
his street clothes on a hanger.
LANIER
Hey, Doc. Come to watch us play?
MARK
Actually, I came down to try one
more time to convice David Clarke
not to sue Jesse.
LANIER
I liked the guy. Pity what's
happening to him.
Lanier grins again.
MARK
Maybe you can use your new
influence on David.
LANIER
My influence?
MARK
With Desmond Conway gone, you're
the star of the team, aren't you?
LANIER
I've always been the star of this
team.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 39.
47 CONTINUED: 47
MARK
I'm sorry, I kept hearing so much
about Desmond Conway, I just
assumed.
LANIER
Des was a freak show, he got
airtime.
MARK
And endorsements. Didn't I read
about a fifty million dollar shoe
deal? In fact, I think it was the
same company you used to do
commercials for.
Lanier is clearly not pleased at the thought - but he grins
again, almost uncontrollably. A thought starts percolating in
Mark's head.
LANIER
Say hello to the little guy for me.
Lanier turns to walk away. Mark pats his pockets.
MARK
Uh-oh.
Lanier stops, comes back.
LANIER
Something wrong?
MARK
I think I locked my keys in the
car.
LANIER
Need a hand?
MARK
Don't worry, I'll take a cab back
home, grab my extra set. I don't
live much more than half an hour
from here.
Lanier hands Mark his street clothes.
LANIER
Hold these.
Lanier pulls the hanger out from his shirt and unbends it.
MARK
What are you going to do?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 40.
47 CONTINUED: (2) 47
LANIER
A little trick I picked up as a
kid.
Lanier sticks the wire down between the driver's side window
and the rubber gasket - and in about three seconds has the
door unlocked and open.
MARK
That's amazing.
LANIER
Guess I'm out of practice. Took a
little longer than it used to.
MARK
How long did it take to break into
Jesse's car and smash the blood
vials?
Lanier moves towards him menacingly.
LANIER
What are you talking about?
MARK
You're jittery, Howie, you can't
stop moving.
LANIER
I've got an electric personality.
MARK
You've got an addiction to pain
pills - one that would have shown
up in the blood tests. You're
showing all the symptoms.
Lanier crumbles.
MARK
How did you get hooked?
LANIER
It was a practice session just
before the start of last season.
Des Conway hit me when I was in
the air, I came down on my knee a
little too hard.
MARK
Your own teammate. You must have
hated him.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 41.
47 CONTINUED: (3) 47
LANIER
At first I took the pills for the
pain. Then I invented pain so I
could keep taking the pills. Then
I stopped pretending.
(then)
Are you going to tell Clarke about
the pills?
MARK
Not if you want to quit.
Mark takes out a business card.
MARK
They can help you. Quietly.
LANIER
Thanks.
Mark smiles, reaches into his pocket - and pulls out his car
keys.
MARK
Had them all along - who knew?
And with that, he gets into his car and drives off as Lanier
watches him.
48 INT. BEACH HOUSE - DAY 48
Jesse watches as Mark plows through a box of medical records
as Amanda sets another one down in front of him.
MARK
Did Dr. Gelbman do anything for
these people besides prescribe
drugs?
JESSE
From what I saw, they were a
pretty healthy bunch. There was an
outbreak of strep throat a few
months back, but aside from that,
nothing.
MARK
But there isn't a hint of
preventative medicine. And almost
every minor injury results in a
prescription.
(picks up a file)
And look at this.
Jesse starts to take the file, but Amanda snatches it away.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 42.
48 CONTINUED: 48
AMANDA
I got the Mustangs' medical
records as part of my official
investigation into Desmond
Conway's death. I am not going to
allow them to be shared with the
subject of that investigation.
JESSE
Two days ago, they were my files.
AMANDA
You should have looked at them
then.
She hands the file back to Mark. Jesse manages to sneak a peek
as it goes by. Dwayne's name is on it.
JESSE
Dwayne the gofer? Was he on pain
pills, too?
MARK
Apparently, he wasn't on anything.
Gelbman doesn't have a single
notation about his condition.
Unusual case of cerebral palsy
though - he seems to be afflicted
only on the right side of his body.
JESSE
So Gelbman was sloppy. At least no
one died while he was there.
MARK
Jesse, there are only a few
allergy medicines that don't cause
drowsiness. Any doctor would have
prescribed the same thing.
AMANDA
How did the killer know Conway
would need allergy relief at the
right time?
Mark has an idea.
MARK
Do you still have the clothes
Conway was wearing when he died?
AMANDA
Of course. They're in the path lab.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 43.
48 CONTINUED: (2) 48
MARK
Good. Because I think we'll find
the other half of the murder
weapon there.
And on his determination:
49 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - PATH LAB - DAY 49
Mark peers through the microscope.
MARK
It's exactly what I
thought -there's microscopic cat
dander all over Conway's clothes.
AMANDA
And not just the ones he was
wearing. I checked the clothes
that were in his locker - they
were covered, too.
MARK
Someone planted the dander to make
sure he'd have an allergic
reaction.
JESSE
The same person who put the
clarithromycin in the Health
Formula, right?
MARK
It's a safe assumption.
JESSE
Yeah, safe for the guy who did it.
Because we still have no idea who
that is - and my hearing is
tomorrow.
And on his frustration and worry, we
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 44.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
50 EXT. BEACH - DAY 50
Steve finds Jesse, in his best jacket and tie, pacing on the
sand, staring out at the surf.
STEVE
Dad's been looking all over for
you. Your hearing is in an hour.
JESSE
It is? You know, it entirely
slipped my mind.
STEVE
Sorry I bothered you.
Steve abruptly turns and starts to walk away.
JESSE
Truth is, I can't stop thinking
about it.
Steve turns.
JESSE
I've never been so scared.
Steve nods, considers for a moment, then:
STEVE
Worse than when you were infected
with genetically altered small pox?
JESSE
I was the victim of an infection
I had no control over. It was
totally different.
STEVE
Worse than when you were accused
of murdering that doctor?
JESSE
(irritated)
What is your point?
STEVE
This is not the first time you've
been in a tight spot, and you
always manage to come through.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 45.
50 CONTINUED: 50
JESSE
But those times it wasn't my fault.
STEVE
It's not this time, either.
JESSE
What if I missed it, Steve? What
if that page was in the chart and
I didn't see it? What if Conway
mashed those antibiotic pills up
in his Health Formula?
STEVE
Do you really believe that's what
happened?
JESSE
No.
(then)
Maybe I'm fooling myself. Maybe my
subconscious is shielding my
conscious from the horrible truth
I can't bear to face.
STEVE
I thought you stopped watching
soap operas during lunch.
JESSE
It's either that or "Barnaby
Jones" reruns.
(then)
Whatever happened to Mark Shera?
STEVE
You didn't miss the page. It was
planted and Conway was murdered.
You were set-up.
JESSE
So far it's just a theory. In the
meantime, it's only my word
against theirs.
STEVE
But you've got something going for
you they don't. The truth.
Jesse stands up, a smile on his face.
JESSE
Gee, I wonder who's been watching
"Barnaby Jones" at lunch.
And on Steve's smile, we go:
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 46.
51 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - BOARD ROOM 51
The tables have been arranged to more-or-less resemble a court
room, with THREE BOARD MEMBERS facing Community General legal
counsel Neal Ryder at one table, and Jesse, Mark and Amanda at
the other. David Clarke and Lanier are seated in the room, as
are several other PLAYERS. Lanier plays with a BASKETBALL in
his lap. Our heroes are just taking their seats. Jesse motions
to Ryder.
JESSE
Shouldn't he be on my side?
AMANDA
Ryder wants to distance the
hospital from you - and any legal
action you might face.
JESSE
He could do that by proving I'm
innocent.
AMANDA
He doesn't work for you. He works
for them.
She motions to the "judges." Jesse gives Mark a worried look.
One of the board members, PECK, clears his throat and
addresses himself now to Ryder.
PECK
What is your recommendation to the
board?
Ryder rises, not bothering to look at Jesse. The attorney
chooses his words thoughtfully.
RYDER
I believe it's in the best
interests of our patients to
release Dr. Travis from his
obligations to Community General.
Jesse stiffens. Amanda gives Jesse's hand a thoughtful
squeeze. Mark stands up and faces the board.
MARK
It's too soon to be making any
decisions about Dr. Travis'
future, certainly not based on the
information we have now. None of
us knows all the facts yet.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 47.
51 CONTINUED: 51
RYDER
We know enough. Dr. Travis
prescribed tersenadine to a
patient who was already taking
clarithromycin. A first year med
student wouldn't make that kind of
fatal mistake.
MARK
Jesse didn't.
Ryder picks a file up off his desk and presents it to the
board.
RYDER
It says very clearly in Conway's
chart that he was taking
clarithromycin.
MARK
That notation was not in the file
when Jesse read it.
PECK
So what we have here is a file
folder on one side against Dr.
Travis' word on the other. You'll
both have to do better than that.
And on Mark and Ryder sharing a look, we
DISSOLVE TO:
52 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - BOARD ROOM - LATE 52
David Clarke is sitting in a chair, much like a witness in a
trial. Ryder is questioning him.
RYDER
Last month, an event occurred that
almost forced the LA Mustangs to
cancel a game. Can you tell us
what that event was?
CLARKE
Some kind of bug hit everyone from
the towel boy to me. Looked like
half the team was gonna be too
sick to play.
RYDER
What did you have?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 48.
52 CONTINUED: 52
CLARKE
Dr. Gelbman said it was strep
throat.
RYDER
And what did the team doctor
prescribe for all of you to treat
this illness?
CLARKE
Clarithromycin.
RYDER
(to board)
A prescription noted in just about
every player and employee's chart.
Including Desmond Conway's.
Ryder sits down. Mark rises.
MARK
The LA Mustangs did play the game
though, didn't they?
CLARKE
Yes. We beat Chicago by 20 points.
MARK
And who made half those baskets?
CLARKE
Desmond Conway.
MARK
In fact, it was one of his best
games of the season. Amazing for
someone supposedly suffering from
strep throat.
CLARKE
The guy was a superstar. Now you
know why.
Jesse turns to Amanda and nervously whispers.
JESSE
I'm dead.
AMANDA
Mark is just getting warmed up.
JESSE
I hope you're right.
Jesse reaches for a carafe of water to refill her glass, and
accidentally knocks over Mark's glass.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 49.
52 CONTINUED: (2) 52
He tries to catch it, and in doing so knocks all the FILES and
SCRAPBOOKS off the table in a crash of WATER, GLASS, and
PAPERS.
Jesse looks up sheepishly at the stern faces of the board of
directors. Even Mark has a hard time hiding his embarrassment.
JESSE
I'm so sorry.
Jesse drops to his feet and starts cleaning up the mess.
MARK
(to the board)
Could we have a couple moments?
Peck nods. Mark and Amanda join Jesse on the floor, gathering
up the papers.
JESSE
Notch up another point for our
side.
MARK
It's okay, Jesse. No one can blame
you for being a little nervous.
Mark gathers up one of Conway's scrapbooks and his eyes fall
on that article Steve was looking at earlier; the high school
accident that left Conway's opponent with a cracked skull.
MARK
(to Jesse)
I want you to go somewhere.
JESSE
You're kicking me out of my own
hearing?
MARK
I'm going to call Amanda as a
witness while you find Dwayne, the
team gofer.
JESSE
What do you need him for?
MARK
To save you. Dwayne was there when
you did the blood test and
witnessed the fight between Lanier
and Conway, right?
JESSE
Yeah.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 50.
52 CONTINUED: (3) 52
MARK
You have to get him down here to
testify for you right away.
JESSE
I'll get him here if I have to tie
him up and throw him in the trunk
of my car.
Jesse leaves. Ryder and the board notice. Mark covers quickly:
MARK
Dr. Travis will return shortly,
but he has asked me to continue on
his behalf.
(then)
I'd like to ask Dr. Amanda
Bentley, who serves with the
medical examiner's office, to
explain her findings.
Amanda, surprised, gives Mark a look and says, low enough for
only him to hear:
AMANDA
What am I supposed to say?
MARK
As much as you can for as long as
you can.
And on Amanda taking her seat, we
DISSOLVE TO:
53 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - BOARD ROOM - DAY 53
Amanda is still on the stand. And from the expressions on the
faces of Ryder, Peck and the board, she has been on forever.
MARK
Your autopsy found that Conway
died of cardiogenic shock caused
by the interaction of
clarithromycin and tersenadine.
AMANDA
Yes.
MARK
Were you able to locate a
prescription for the antibiotic or
any of the actual pills in Mr.
Conway's possession?
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 51.
53 CONTINUED: 53
AMANDA
No.
MARK
How, then, was the antibiotic
administered?
AMANDA
It was ground up in a Health
Formula he presumably took each
day.
That's when Jesse comes in, accompanied by Dwayne, who
limps/staggers to the "defense" table, dragging the lame right
side of his body and favoring his stronger left side. Mark
smiles and continues his questioning with genuine vigor. No
more stalling necessary.
MARK
Is that the standard way to take
this or any medication?
AMANDA
Absolutely not. How can you
control the dosage if the pills
are ground up in some kind of
wheat germ vitamin powder?
MARK
It was almost as if someone spiked
his formula with the antibiotic
without his knowledge, wouldn't
you say?
AMANDA
That would be my guess.
RYDER
Her guess.
Ryder's comment to himself is loud enough for everyone to
hear. He gets a harsh look from Peck, but Ryder's point is
made. Mark continues on as if he didn't hear it.
MARK
When you examined his medical
records, did you notice if Conway
had any pre-existing medical
conditions?
AMANDA
Only a problem with allergies,
particularly to cats.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 52.
53 CONTINUED: (2) 53
MARK
So it would be safe to assume, if
Conway was having an allergy
attack, he might be given
tersenadine by a doctor. And if
neither the doctor nor Conway knew
he was taking the antibiotic...
AMANDA
It could kill him.
Mark sits down. Ryder rises.
RYDER
But you don't actually know if
Conway put the antibiotic into his
health stuff himself, do you?
AMANDA
No, I don't.
RYDER
In fact, this whole scenario is
simply a hypothesis, there are no
real facts to back it up.
AMANDA
I wouldn't say that.
RYDER
Of course you wouldn't.
(then)
Thank you.
Ryder sits down and Amanda returns to her seat. Mark rises.
MARK
I'd like to ask Dwayne to answer
a few questions for us.
Ryder stands up, weary.
RYDER
Hasn't this charade gone on long
enough? We're discussing a medical
issue here - what possible insight
can the towel boy provide?
(to Dwayne)
No offense intended.
DWAYNE
None taken.
MARK
I beg the board's indulgence. This
will only take a moment.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 53.
53 CONTINUED: (3) 53
PECK
You have a moment then. But that's
all, Dr. Sloan. Our patience is
wearing thin.
Mark takes Lanier's BASKETBALL and idly plays with it in his
hands as he questions Dwayne.
MARK
Thank you for coming down to help,
Dwayne.
DWAYNE
No problem.
MARK
What is your job, Dwayne?
DWAYNE
I keep the locker room clean, run
errands, do the laundry, give the
players fresh towels and Gatoraid.
MARK
And shoo away the cats.
Dwayne manages a smile.
DWAYNE
Whatever they ask me to do, I do.
My job description is pretty loose.
MARK
You are among the few people who
have access to the entire
facility, even the players'
lockers.
DWAYNE
Me and Mr. Clarke.
Mark spins the ball in his hands, thinking, then:
MARK
Do you like basketball?
DWAYNE
I'm not in the job because I like
cleaning toilets.
MARK
Would you like to play?
Everyone shoots Mark a shocked look at the inappropriateness
of his comment. Dwayne's friendly demeanor darkens.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 54.
53 CONTINUED: (4) 53
DWAYNE
With cerebral palsy, I'm glad just
to be able to walk in a straight
line. Playing basketball isn't
even a possibility for me.
MARK
But it was once, wasn't it?
DWAYNE
Never. Cerebral palsy is something
you're born with. You should know
that.
MARK
I do.
Suddenly Mark HURLS THE BASKETBALL straight at Dwayne's HEAD,
shocking everyone. Dwayne's RIGHT ARM shoots up with
lightning speed, blocking the ball. The room falls dead silent.
MARK
Cerebral palsy is a disorder of
the nervous system that affects
the entire body... not half.
That's usually the result of a
stroke. Or a serious head injury.
Mark picks up the clipping from Conway's scrapbook.
MARK
Like the one you got in high
school when Desmond Conway slammed
you into the back-board pole.
Dwayne glances at the clipping. Aside from his left arm, his
physical demeanor hasn't changed a bit.
DWAYNE
That's not me. That's not even my
name.
MARK
If you had cerebral palsy, you
couldn't have blocked the ball I
threw at you.
(then)
Desmond Conway didn't just hurt
you, he destroyed your future and
stole your dream.
DWAYNE
You have the wrong person. My
right arm has always been
stronger. I've been trying to
build it up for -
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 55.
53 CONTINUED: (5) 53
Mark turns his back on him and interrupts him.
MARK
But the fact is, even without the
accident, you never would have
made pro. You were okay, not great.
Mark turns his back on Dwayne, who is trying to hold his anger
in check, and examines the article.
MARK
You didn't have the talent or the
skill that Conway had. Even then,
Conway was extraordinary. You were
just playing, he was living the
game. The moves came to him
instinctively, like breathing. He
was -
DWAYNE
No better than me.
Furious, Dwayne has risen from his seat, pointing at Mark with
his left hand.
DWAYNE
The only reason he got where he
was instead of me was because he
took me out, he assassinated me.
MARK
So you assassinated him.
Dwayne's entire demeanor has changed. Gone is Dwayne's halting
speech, heavy head, and awkward motions. We realize now that
most of his condition has been an act.
MARK
You had strep throat, that's where
you got the antibiotic you put in
Conway's Health Formula. You had
access not only to the lockers,
but to the files. And no one knew
more about Conway's allergies than
you.
Dwayne sees everyone looking at him. He knows it's over. No
use playing now. Besides, he's proud of what he's done.
DWAYNE
I took this job and exaggerated my
illness to get close to him. But
I didn't have too... I worked in
that locker room for two years.
(more)
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 56.
53 CONTINUED: (6) 53
DWAYNE (cont'd)
Conway never recognized me - he
didn't remember the face of a man
whose life he destroyed.
MARK
You set him up for the drug
interaction... and then you
altered his chart.
DWAYNE
I watched him out there, getting
all the acclaim, the women, the
endorsements, and I knew it should
have been me. It would have
been... if he hadn't stolen it
from me.
MARK
So you decided to steal a career
from Jesse.
DWAYNE
It was the only way... I'm sorry.
Mark shares a look at Ryder, who rises.
RYDER
I recommend that Dr. Travis remain
on staff of this hospital and that
no mention on this event be made
in his file.
PECK
Your recommendation is accepted.
This hearing is over.
Dwayne slumps in his seat, a broken man. Jesse and Amanda hug.
And on Mark's smile, we
DISSOLVE TO:
54 EXT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - ESTABLISHING - DAY 54
55 INT. EXAM ROOM - DAY 55
Amanda is passing by when she spots an ill Kent Beaudine
vomiting into a BEDPAN held by a NURSE.
BEAUDINE
Where's the doctor? I'm dying
here.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 57.
55 CONTINUED: 55
Amanda enters.
BEAUDINE
I guess it's fatal.
(then)
Come to measure me for a slab in
the morgue?
AMANDA
What's wrong?
BEAUDINE
I can't stop throwing up. My guess
is the Black Death. Or the Red
Death. One of those major color
deaths.
AMANDA
Or food poisoning.
BEAUDINE
Impossible. All I've eaten are my
healthilizer meal packs.
She gives him a look and turns to the nurse.
AMANDA
Start him on an IV, saline,
sodium, and potassium, 5 mg
promazine and .6 mg atropine.
BEAUDINE
But the Chamokome Indians eat this
stuff in all their sacred rituals.
AMANDA
Ever seen one of these Indians
afterwards?
BEAUDINE
They disappeared three or four
million years ago.
AMANDA
You may have just discovered why.
BEAUDINE
But the stick figures they drew on
their caves looked so healthy.
Beaudine vomits again into the bucket. Amanda looks away.
Beaudine looks up... and has a bright idea.
BEAUDINE
Hey, maybe I can market it as a
diet program.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 58.
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
That's when Steve walks in.
STEVE
Amanda - have you been hiding from
me?
AMANDA
Yes, but suddenly you seem like
the better alternative.
STEVE
I'll take that as a compliment.
She goes out with him. Beaudine calls after her:
BEAUDINE
It's still not too late to become
a distributor!
56 INT. COMMUNITY GENERAL - PATHOLOGY - DAY 56
As Amanda and Steve are emerging.
STEVE
I'd appreciate it if you could
rush the Hope Street autopsies.
AMANDA
I was planning on just taking my
time and savoring every last
moment of it, but since this is
such a rare request...
Before Steve can reply, JESSE is WHEELED IN by two EMTs. His
HEAD is BANDAGED.
STEVE
What happened to you?
JESSE
Just playing a little half-court
with the guys.
That's when we see that the guys are Charles O'Bannon and Ed
O'Bannon.
ED O'BANNON
I'm really sorry. I didn't even
see him.
CHARLES O'BANNON
I was just dribbling down the
court, I had no idea I was
bouncing the ball off your head.
(CONTINUED)
"Slam Dunk Dead" Blue (2) 8/26/97 59.
56 CONTINUED: 56
JESSE
That was my strategy. Bet you
didn't even notice I stole the
ball from you.
ED O'BANNON
Not until he dropped you through
the basket.
JESSE
I still say that's two points for
me. I had possession of the ball.
And on their arguing on this point, we FADE OUT.
THE END