EPISODE FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. LOBBY/OZ - DAY
EDDIE HOWELL rubs a leaf on plant, turns to Officer TOM
ROBINSON at counter, doing a crossword puzzle.
EDDIE
This thing rubber?
ROBINSON
I don't know. Feel like rubber?
EDDIE
Man, you'd think with all the
taxpayer cash getting pumped into
this dump, you guys could afford
the real deal.
ROBINSON
Yeah, well, I guess horticulture
isn't our primary concern.
ROBINSON returns to the crossword. Officer CLAIRE HOWELL
enters.
EDDIE
Hey. Clairzie.
HOWELL
What's going on? Shouldn't you --
EDDIE
Be at work? Yeah. If there was
work to be at.
HOWELL
What? Kentwell folded already?
EDDIE
First round o'lay-offs. Guess that
Degenhart bitch really was the
straw that broke our back.
HOWELL
Forget her, Eddie. Forget Kentwell
and telemarketing. Just focus on
you now. How much you got saved
up?
EDDIE
Zip. Beth's got a vacuum in my
wallet sucking out child support.
HOWELL
Alright, first things first: Go
down to the unemployment office --
EDDIE
Fuck that. I ain't living on
welfare. I'll eat my shit for
breakfast first.
HOWELL
And what about your little boy? He
supposed to eat your shit, too?
EDDIE
I wanna work in Oz. Be a CO.
HOWELL
Eddie, hold up --
EDDIE
I have a background in law
enforcement, remember?
HOWELL
You crashed your cruiser the first
month out o'the Academy and had to
quit for good.
EDDIE
So? I still got the training.
HOWELL
I just don't think Oz is the best
place for you right now. You have
enough pressure. Look for
something less stressful.
EDDIE
Claire, the economy's shit and my
sister has an in with the only
local industry that keeps growing.
You won't help me?
(off HOWELL)
I know what you're thinking: The
last time we worked together, I got
us fired. That was seven years
ago, Claire, painting houses. You
gonna tell me I haven't changed
since then?
HOWELL
No, Eddie, you've gone through some
rough times lately and I'm proud
o'you for the way you've held it
together. I'll speak with the
Warden.
EDDIE
By the way, is Degenhart around?
I'd like to take her to dinner in
the Hole for some cock fondue.
HOWELL eyes EDDIE: "Don't fuck around."
EDDIE (CONT.)
I'm kidding. Relax. Come on,
Clairzie, get psyched: We could be
Team Howell, mixin' up da shit.
As HOWELL walks off, not too thrilled at the thought,
CUT TO:
INT. GYM/OZ - NIGHT
Warden LEO GLYNN bench presses. HOWELL enters, dressed to go
home.
HOWELL
Hey, Warden... Sorry to bother you.
GLYNN
What do y'need?
HOWELL
My brother Eddie just lost his job.
GLYNN
Oh. That's too bad.
HOWELL
Eddie asked if there were any
openings here. Probably not,
right? Seems like we got a full
house these days.
GLYNN
Not necessarily. I fired Roger
Brese last week --
HOWELL
(bummer)
Oh, yeah.
GLYNN
Tell you what, I can't make any
promises, but I can meet your
brother. Have Floria set up an
appointment.
HOWELL
Alright. Thanks.
GLYNN lies back down on the bench. HOWELL doesn't move.
GLYNN
Is that it?
HOWELL
No hard feelings if it doesn't work
out, Warden. He'll find something.
GLYNN nods, resumes his workout. As HOWELL exits,
CUT TO:
INT. GLYNN'S OFFICE/OZ - DAY
EDDIE, in his Sunday best, sits across from GLYNN.
EDDIE
Claire and me, we didn't have much
in the way o'guidance growing up.
Our old man was as hard as the
rocks on our farm: Dropped dead
plowing the fields, closest he ever
came to a smile was that look on
his face when he croaked. And Mom,
well, she was troubled, to put it
nicely. We weren't surrounded by
role models.
GLYNN
Show me someone here who was.
EDDIE
Yeah, Warden, you know where I'm
coming from. So, as far as why I
wanna work in Oz, it's personal. I
know the timing makes it look like
I'm just reaching for any ol'job,
taking advantage o'my sister's
position, but I've thought long'n
hard about this. I learned a lot
in the Police Academy that I never
got to use: Order, oversight,
discipline.
GLYNN
Patrolling the hallways o'a prison
is even tougher than the streets.
GLYNN
Lotta the time it takes a couple
iron fists to get the job done.
EDDIE
Iron they are, sir, when that's
called for. Whether some psycho
with a shank or a dog pile in the
cafeteria, I'm the one doling it
out overtime.
GLYNN
And what about your sister? You
could keep your cool seeing her get
heckled and spit on?
EDDIE
I've been spitting on her since she
was born. No, seriously --
Claire's a big girl and work is
work.
GLYNN
Well, we'll have to wait and see
what happens --
EDDIE
Warden... I'm your guy. Am I your
guy or am I your guy? I mean, come
on, let's get this show on the
road. Right? You know I'm right.
As GLYNN laughs, the spell of EDDIE taking hold,
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
HOWELL walks alongside EDDIE as he loosens his tie and
unbuttons his shirt.
EDDIE
I had him in the palm of my hand.
HOWELL
He said you could work here?
EDDIE
It was on the tip o'his tongue.
HOWELL
Eddie, don't get yer hopes up --
EDDIE
I put Chip Zelasko down as a
reference.
EDDIE
Gotta call him in case the Warden
does, tell Chip what to say. Later
on, sis.
He goes. On HOWELL, starting to have regrets,
FADE OUT.
EPISODE SIX
FADE IN:
INT. STAFF LOUNGE/OZ - DAY
Officer CLAIRE HOWELL checks her watch. EDDIE HOWELL enters
out of breath.
EDDIE
Phew. Made it.
HOWELL
Another five minutes, your first
day would've started with a pink
slip.
EDDIE
(pours coffee)
I need an alarm clock that reaches
out and bitch-slaps you.
He pours a gross amount of sugar into his coffee.
HOWELL
Sure you don't want a Coke there,
Eddie?
EDDIE
Just had one in the car.
HOWELL
Remember what I said: Don't be
afraid to call for help if you need
it. Heroes make the worst COs --
EDDIE
I know.
HOWELL
And ask whatever questions you got
-
EDDIE
Claire, I know.
(pops a pill)
HOWELL
What was that?
EDDIE
Easy, sis, it's aspirin. Oh, check
this out --
EDDIE rolls his sleeve up to reveal a tattoo on his bicep of
a large shark whose body is painted with the American flag.
EDDIE (CONT.)
The Great White, Red and Blue.
HOWELL
A little over the top, don'tcha
think?
EDDIE
Exactly. Show these fucks who's
boss.
HOWELL exits. As EDDIE downs his coffee in one big gulp,
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
EDDIE whistles, reaches door to Telemarketing Room.
EDDIE
O'la.
He enters:
INT. TELEMARKETING ROOM/OZ - DAY
INMATES work, including SAMUEL GOUGEON. EDDIE approaches
Officer JOE MINEO.
EDDIE
Need a piss break?
MINEO
I'm alright.
EDDIE
Take one. You get a blood clot
standing around too long.
MINEO shrugs, goes. EDDIE observes the scene, mutters:
EDDIE (CONT.)
Unfuckingbelievable.
EDDIE positions himself in front of the light switch. And,
with his elbow, nudges it off. He lets the confusion linger.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Whoops. Sorry about that.
He turns on light. DONNA DEGENHART and BURR REDDING
approach.
DEGENHART
What just happened?
EDDIE
Nothing at all, Miz Degenhart. The
situation is under control. You
are Donna Degenhart, right?
DEGENHART looks to REDDING: "who is this guy?"
EDDIE (CONT.)
Could I have half a minute with
you?
EDDIE leads DEGENHART off as REDDING watches.
DEGENHART
Yes?
EDDIE
Hi. How are you?
DEGENHART
Do you need something?
EDDIE
Naw. But I think you might... I
overheard this guy at a bar in town
-- he worked for Kentwell
Communications, the firm you sunk
like a U-boat. Nice hit, by the
way. Real kind.
Anyway, he was pissed. Talking all
kinds o'things he was gonna do.
Revenge and whatnot.
DEGENHART blanches. REDDING approaches.
REDDING
Something wrong?
EDDIE
(eyefucks REDDING)
How's it feel, pop, putting
hardworking parents outta work?
REDDING
Huh?
EDDIE
Don't play dumb. It's the
dumbfucks who end up in the Hole.
EDDIE goes through the door as MINEO returns.
DEGENHART
Who is that?
MINEO
Claire Howell's brother. He just
started.
REDDING
Howell's brother? Christ-on-a
bicycle.
As DEGENHART and REDDING get back to work,
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
EDDIE pulls out a book of matches, lights the pack, then
raises arm toward smoke alarm. On the alarm WAILING,
CUT BACK TO:
INT. TELEMARKETING ROOM/OZ - DAY
ALARM CONTINUES as INMATES, plugging their ears, rise from
their cubicles. REDDING spikes a pencil on his desk.
REDDING
Goddamnit.
MINEO
Alright, I need everyone to form
two single lines by the door.
Fast.
DEGENHART
What is going on here today?
GOUGEON and OTHERS line up, exit into:
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
ALARM CONTINUES, as the INMATES come out. As EDDIE turns a
corner, laughing, and downshifts into a walk, all business,
FADE OUT.
EPISODE SEVEN
FADE IN:
INT. STAFF ENTRANCE/OZ - DAY
Officer CLAIRE HOWELL enters to find Officer EDDIE HOWELL
punching in.
HOWELL
Eddie, I need to talk to you --
EDDIE
Same here: I just got a call from
Beth. Terry's been diagnosed with
oppositional defiant disorder.
HOWELL
Damn. Maybe you should take a few
days off, go to Little Rock, see
him.
EDDIE
I just started this job, I can't be
asking for days off. Besides, I
need the income to pay for this
special school he's gotta go to...
EDDIE checks his cubbyhole for mail, there is none.
EDDIE (CONT.) (CONT.)
I was making a shitload more at
Kentwell Communications. If it
wasn't for Burr Redding and Donna
Degenhart --
HOWELL
Listen, you have to let that go --
EDDIE
Yeah, yeah... I'm wondering if, um,
you could loan me some dough --
HOWELL
Eddie, I can't...
EDDIE
I know you have before and I
haven't paid any back -- but I
will, I swear, with interest.
HOWELL
I can't. I'm gonna need the money
myself -- Eddie, I'm pregnant.
EDDIE
What? But... Who's the father?
(off HOWELL)
One o'these fucks?
HOWELL nods. EDDIE stops, sees his sister in a new light.
EDDIE (CONT.)
You fucking pig --
HOWELL
Don't --
EDDIE
Look, I'm no angel, but screwing
these scumbags?
HOWELL
I need you to --
(reaches for his hand)
EDDIE
No. Jesus. You're crazier than
Ma.
EDDIE goes. On HOWELL, alone,
CUT TO:
INT. CAFETERIA/OZ - DAY
On stage, POET performs poem. EDDIE stands, looking at the
PRISONERS, including ALVAREZ, BEECHER, ARIF, BUSMALIS,
GUERRA, IDZIK, MEANEY, NEEMA, O'REILY, URBANO, PANCAMO,
BUKOWSKI, RAWLS, REBADOW, WHITE, SCHILLINGER, KELSCH, ROBSON,
KELLER, SEROY and ROSA. As he imagines each one with his
sister, his rage grows. BURR REDDING passes.
EDDIE
Redding --
REDDING
Yeah?
EDDIE
You ever fuck my sister?
REDDING
Wha --?
EDDIE SMACKS his hand down on REDDING's tray, causing the
food to fall to the floor.
EDDIE
Clean that up.
REDDING
Fuck, no.
EDDIE
You disobeying?
No response from REDDING.
EDDIE (CONT.)
You're going to the Hole.
EDDIE grabs REDDING, whose killer instincts come out -- He
bashes EDDIE, knocking him to the floor. COs grab REDDING,
cuff him. As EDDIE stares up at REDDING, nose bleeding,
CUT TO:
INT. THE HOLE/OZ - DAY
REDDING stands, naked.
EDDIE (O.C.)
Hey...
REDDING turns to see EDDIE, his face at the slot in the door.
EDDIE (CONT.)
This ain't over between us...
EDDIE shuts slot. On REDDING, defiant,
FADE OUT.
EPISODE EIGHT
FADE IN:
INT. GUARD BOOTH/OZ - DAY
Officer CLAIRE HOWELL sees Officer EDDIE HOWELL standing
guard at doorway.
HOWELL
Eddie, we have got to talk --
EDDIE
What'd'y'want me to say, huh? You
want a hug, a comforting arm around
your shoulder?
HOWELL
Yes.
EDDIE
I'll leave that to the daddy --
HOWELL
He's dead.
EDDIE
That's too fucking bad. But, I got
Beth hounding me for more child
support. I got a kid who's on self
destruct. My life is shit -- and
all because o'Burr the jizzball
Redding.
HOWELL
No. Your life was in the toilet a
long time ago, Eddie. And the
fault isn't Burr Redding's, it's
yours. Be a man, for once, and
carry that.
As HOWELL goes, leaving EDDIE fuming,
CUT TO:
INT. SORT GUN ROOM/OZ - DAY
Officer DAVID LEE sits cleaning gun, as EDDIE enters.
EDDIE
Hey, how are ya? I'm Eddie Howell,
started a few weeks ago --
LEE
Dave Lee. Nice to meet you.
EDDIE
You SORT guys, you got balls.
That's a sweet looking weapon.
(looks at gun case)
Y'got a whole fucking arsenal here.
LEE
We need to be ready at any moment,
for any situation.
EDDIE
Makes me sleep better, I'll tell ya
that.
Phone RINGS. LEE goes to answer it, his back to EDDIE. As
EDDIE steals a thirty-eight revolver,
CUT TO:
INT. TELEMARKETING ROOM/OZ - DAY
BURR REDDING walks around, supervising WORKERS, including
POET, REGGIE RAWLS and KENANIAH MAXWELL. EDDIE approaches.
EDDIE
Yo, Burr, can I see you a sec?
REDDING walks to EDDIE.
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
As they move outside, EDDIE closes door and pulls out gun.
REDDING
What the fuck --
EDDIE
Shut yer black trap.
HE shoves him into:
INT. STORAGE ROOM/OZ - DAY
REDDING stumbles inside, as EDDIE enters, locks door.
REDDING
The hell is wrong with you?
EDDIE
Have a seat.
REDDING
I ain't doing shit.
EDDIE cocks and points revolver at REDDING.
EDDIE
Have a motherfucking seat.
REDDING
Think I'm scared o'that?
EDDIE points gun at REDDING's head.
EDDIE
Yeah. I do. Oh, I know you've
faced bullets before -- in the
hood, in 'Nam. But down deep, you
don't want to die. Not today. So,
sit.
EDDIE motions with the gun to the chair and REDDING takes a
seat. EDDIE pulls up a chair and sits across from him.
EDDIE (CONT.)
We're gonna play a game. Russian
roulette.
EDDIE flips open the barrel of the gun, whirls it and with a
flick of the wrist SNAPS it back into place. He cocks it.
REDDING
Look --
Without hesitation, EDDIE points again at REDDING and fires --
CLICK. Nothing. REDDING tries to maintain composure.
REDDING (CONT.)
Stop that.
EDDIE
(cocks gun)
Y'know the difference between us?
Vermin like you do whatever it
takes to get ahead, fuck the other
guy. Now me, I believe we all
deserve a fair shot.
EDDIE places the gun against his own temple.
EDDIE (CONT.)
I figure you were put on this Earth
to drive honest Joes like me into
our graves. Well, I'm about to
make your day.
EDDIE pulls the trigger. CLICK. Nothing.
EDDIE (CONT.)
See that? Dreams never come
true...
(points gun at REDDING's
temple)
By the way, how's business?
EDDIE pulls the trigger. CLICK. Nothing.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Shit. Still here. And
motherfuckers like you always will
be. Let's see there are five
chambers in this gun and we already
know that three are empty. That
leaves two.
(points gun at his own
temple)
One.
He pulls trigger. CLICK. Nothing.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Two.
He points gun at REDDING's head. Long beat. He pulls
trigger. CLICK. Nothing. EDDIE starts to laugh.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Dumb ass. There were never any
bullets in the gun. I just wanted
you to know what it feels like to
have yer fate in someone else's
hand. Tastes like shit, huh?
REDDING
I'm in Oz. My life is always in
someone else's hands.
EDDIE
Me, too, goddammit.
(begins to sob)
Goddammit. Goddammit.
He cries, points revolver at his head, firing non-stop. As
REDDING gets the hell out of the room,
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/OZ - DAY
HOWELL approaches Office of Psychiatric Evaluation.
HOWELL's POV -- Sister PETER MARIE REIMONDO talking to EDDIE,
who is in restraints.
RESUME HOWELL, who reaches door. REIMONDO signals her to
stop, then rises, exits.
HOWELL
What the fuck happened?
REIMONDO
Your brother's had a nervous
breakdown. We should move him to
the Connelly Institute, for a
complete psychiatric evaluation.
HOWELL
Okay. Will you arrange that?
REIMONDO nods. HOWELL exits into:
INT. OFFICE OF PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION/OZ - DAY
As HOWELL steps inside, EDDIE turns, his eyes tortured.
EDDIE
Clairzie, do you remember that
swing out behind the barn?
HOWELL nods.
EDDIE (CONT.)
Summer days, after chores, we'd
swing -- higher'n higher?
HOWELL nods.
EDDIE (CONT.)
D'y'remember the time the rope
snapped and I fell to the ground?
HOWELL
You broke yer arm.
EDDIE
That's how I feel now. I was going
up'n up'n up into the air -- so
high, I could see the whole valley.
And then something snapped...
As HOWELL puts a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder,
CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY/SOLITARY - DAY
HOWELL walks along, thinking. SHE stops at open, empty Cell.
INT. CELL/SOLITARY - DAY
HOWELL steps inside, looks around, then closes the door,
shutting herself in. She sits on the bed. HOWELL looks at
floor, sad and lost.
INT. HALLWAY/SOLITARY - DAY
On the empty Hallway,
FADE OUT.