Simmons Files (Working Title)
Plot: After a failed abortion, Morgan Bennett is found to have ben brutally murdered. Samuel Simmons, the last person to have connections with Morgan before her death, waits on trial as he is convicted of her murder. Everything leads back to him although he pleads to be non-guilty. A bigger picture comes into play as the jury and court try to figure out if this is about a brutal murder or a thought out suicide and why or if Samuel had anything to do with it.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
A court case is in motion.
LAWYER
Members of the Jury, this is a case about the impossible.
This is LAWYER ROBERT BURNS - EARLY 30s, KNOWS HIS JOB INSIDE AND OUT, DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO WIN ALL OF HIS CASES.
SAMUEL SIMMONS is seen on the witness stand. Emotionless, with bags under his eyes.
ROBERT BURNS (CONT’D)
Now, you are here today because SAMUEL SIMMONS has been wrongfully accused of the murder of MORGAN BENNETT.
A picture of MORGAN BENNETT brutally murdered with blood stains all over her face is displayed in the middle of the courtroom for all to see.
The Jury is seen paying close attention to each and every word. Keeping a close account of the facts and less about emotion.
ROBERT BURNS
But today, the facts and evidence will show that SAMUEL SIMMONS is not guilty, because it is simply impossible.
The PROSECUTOR shifts in his seat, checking his notes for the case.
ROBERT BURNS
SAMUEL SIMMONS has attended Holland University, the same University of the deceased. You will learn that he has not had a perfect record, hasn’t always made the best grades, and wasn’t always an honest student.
SAMUEL SIMMONS is on the verge of the uneasiness in his stomach. He knows he is gonna be sick.
ROBERT BURNS
But times change, situations change, and SAMUEL SIMMONS has changed. By the time of Senior year, his inappropriate behavior, his anger, and drinking problems seemed to ease or not exist at all.
THE JUDGE is all ears taking in all the information.
ROBERT BURNS
But something went wrong.
THE PROSECUTOR is taking notes, as she prepares her opening statement.
ROBERT BURNS
On the night of October 21, 1997 he was arrested and wrongfully accused of the disappearance and murder of MORGAN BENNETT.
A quick flash to MORGAN’s mother as she holds back the tears in her eyes.
ROBERT BURNS
At approximately 9:30 pm, was my defendant put behind bars, only a week after he had stated that he was going to change, a change that would make him a better person.
The jury’s eyes follow each body movement, paying attention to the body language.
ROBERT BURNS
So let the evidence show that my defendant is innocent, to prove that he had committed no such crime. Let the evidence hold the truth to this case.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOLLAND UNIVERSITY - NIGHT - OCTOBER 10, 1997
A peaceful and quiet university on the outskirts of town. A calm breeze moves in from the west. Crickets can be heard in the distance. Students are seen making a late walk from the library only to return to their dorms inside.
INT. DORM - NIGHT - SAME
Two teenagers are seen sitting on the edge of a bed within the dorm. They are deep in conversation. One appears to be SAMUEL SIMMONS - 19 YEARS OLD, A TEENAGER WITH A COMPLICATED PAST THAT SOMETIMES TAKES CONTROL OVER HIM, BUT CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM. And the other being MORGAN BENNETT - 19 YEARS OLD - A MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL GIRL THAN FROM THE PICTURE SHOWN IN THE COURTROOM, SHE IS INTELLIGENT BUT MAY NOT ALWAYS USE HER HEAD IN SITUATIONS.
SAMUEL
You still haven’t gotten over Tyler have you?
MORGAN
He understood me.
SAMUEL
Friends understand you, Tyler was a douche that just try to take advantage of you.
MORGAN
And how would you know that, maybe I wanted to let him in, just maybe I wanted him to make me happy.
SAMUEL
After what he did you? He was no good for you Morgan, why can’t you see that?
MORGAN
See what? See that I tried to get some happiness in this life. That I tried be with someone who cared. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that with your outstanding charm and life.
SAMUEL
You think all of my life has been good to me.
MORGAN is over strucken with a mixture of anger and sadness.
SAMUEL (CONT’D)
You think that I haven’t had my own share of heartbreak, that I haven’t experienced sadness in my own life.
MORGAN
You’ve always had your life handed to you on a silver platter, never once did you care about the feelings of the people around you.
SAMUEL
Never cared? Morgan I’ve done everything in my power to look after you.
MORGAN
Then why didn’t you just let me be happy?
SAMUEL
That’s the problem with you, you can’t let go of the past, you are afraid of change. When Tyler walked out on you, you didn’t know what to do with yourself.
MORGAN turns her head as if she doesn’t want to hear the rest of what he has to say. SAMUEL pulls her head back.
SAMUEL
No, you listen to me. You never once let people try to help you. Even your own family couldn’t help you. I’m scared for you Morgan.
MORGAN
Stop it.
SAMUEL
You think that being stubborn will keep everything from changing, that you can still be a little innocent girl, that no harm can come to.
MORGAN begins to cry.
SAMUEL
Well let me tell you, it’s a hard and cruel life out there, and you’re not going to make it. It’s going to hit you hard, like a ton of bricks, is it gonna hit you hard, unless you pop that safety bubble of your’s and accept the change in life for what it is.
MORGAN begins to sob.
MORGAN
I don’t know what to do. I can’t let go of him.
SAMUEL
He’s done forgot about you, haven’t you realized that. He’s not here for you, he never was.
MORGAN
Why don’t you just leave me alone. Just leave me here to work it out for my own self.
SAMUEL
You’re gonna listen to me, I’m the one that is here for you, the world is going to keep changing, and it’s not going to wait on you. You got to make the change for yourself. Ain't no one gonna do it for you.
MORGAN’s crying begins to get worse.
MORGAN
Without Tyler I don’t know how --
SAMUEL
Will you stop it with this Tyler trash, you made yourself believe that he cared, that he wanted the best for you, you made him into something that he wasn’t.
MORGAN
He was here for me, he was!
SAMUEL
And where is he now?
MORGAN’s eyes go blank, he face loses emotion.
SAMUEL (CONT’D)
That’s what I thought. He’s probably thrown his charm on another poor innocent girl out there. Just like he has done with you.
MORGAN tries to wipe the tears from her eyes, as she leans her head on SAMUEL’s shoulder.
SAMUEL
Don’t you understand, this is your chance?
MORGAN
My chance?
She lifts her head up, and stares into SAMUEL’s eyes.
SAMUEL
Your chance to to stop avoiding life, stop holding yourself back. Things are gonna change, you gotta accept that and sometimes the pain that comes with it. Go out and live your life. Take it as it comes.
MORGAN
You think so?
A brief smile comes to SAMUEL’s face.
SAMUEL
I know so, enjoy life, and forget about everything, forget about Tyler, and put it all behind you.
MORGAN
Just for me to change like that.
SAMUEL
Try it, it will do you some good.
MORGAN is trying to hold herself together.
MORGAN
I don’t know, just putting myself out in the world like that and accept what gets thrown in my face.
SAMUEL
Will you just for once listen to yourself, it is not all bad, and believe it or not I will be here for you.
MORGAN
Saying that is one thing, but something I’d like to see. You are always running at the very next thing that comes your way.
SAMUEL
And haven’t I always came back? Back to the people I care about.
MORGAN
One of these days you won’t be. You’ll find something else, settle down somewhere and forget about what you left. Forget about everything, like you are telling me.
MORGAN can’t hold herself together, but she is trying.
SAMUEL
Will you stop putting yourself down, look around, you are never gonna get anything, sitting around and sobbing your eyes out.
MORGAN
I just - I just don’t think I can do it. I won’t be able to do it!
MORGAN is breaking as her face begins to show it. SAMUEL takes a hold of MORGAN by her shoulders.
SAMUEL
Maybe there is no hope. There is no hope for you to change.
SAMUEL gets to his feet and heads towards the door.
SAMUEL (CONT’D)
You’ll never change. I was stupid into thinking I could talk any sense into you.
MORGAN
So you’re just gonna walk out on me, like everyone else has done?
SAMUEL stands by the door, looking back at MORGAN, knowing there is no need to stay there any longer, he exits the room and slams the door behind him.