Sam Scene 3

Scene "The Last Standoff"

(JUSTICE’s tent, late afternoon. He is standing outside his tent, pacing back and forth, deep in thought. NOTE: You can have him having a conversation with another character before this part of the scene instead, if you would like. A SOLDIER enters.)

SOLDIER

"We found Avarice, sir."

(JUSTICE stops pacing and turns to face SOLDIER.)

JUSTICE

"Was he captured?"

SOLDIER

"No, sir. We found him in a cave about a mile from here. We have the cave surrounded, but in a space that small, we cannot use our numbers to our advantage, and he won’t come out. We’ve sent several men in to capture him, but he killed them all. I was sent to get your orders before we proceed with anything. Shall we smoke him out? Call for an airstrike?"

JUSTICE

"No need. Order the men to stand back. I’ll take care of this myself."

SOLDIER

"Sir. Is that--"

JUSTICE

"Wise? Perhaps not. Still, some things need to be done."

(Outside a cave high on a cliffside. The sun has begun to set. JUSTICE stands outside, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. Cut to the mouth of the cave as AVARICE emerges. He stays in the cave’s mouth for a moment and looks around, making sure that he is not walking into a trap. Finally, he comes out. He is dressed in rags and smeared with dirt, but still maintains a bearing of dignity. When he speaks, he still maintains most of his usual cool, collected tone, but hints of anger and fear are now present as well.)

AVARICE

"I figured you’d come alone."

JUSTICE

"You’ve fallen a long way, Avarice. How does it feel to be hungry, dressed in rags, and living in squalor? You’re finally experiencing the same poverty that millions were forced into because of your greed."

AVARICE

(Angry now.) "You fool. You truly believe that this society that you’ve created can last?"

JUSTICE

"We’re all equal before God. It’s about time that society reflected that."

AVARICE

"If God believes in equality so much, then why did he create us to be unequal? Face it. Some people are simply better than others, and it’s the natural order of things that those people should rise to the top."

JUSTICE

"Then they should use their power for the benefit of all people. Not to make themselves wealthy."

AVARICE

(Laughs bitterly.) "People are always thinking only of themselves. It’s human nature. What you have wrought may be a nice dream, but it’s unnatural and thus will never last. Sooner or later, the same system you fought to destroy will be rebuilt, and all the death and destruction you’ve caused will be for naught."

JUSTICE

"That may be. I’ve fought to give the people of the world true equality, for the first time in history. Something they’ve yearned for for a long time. Something many of them never even thought was possible. Ultimately, though, my part is over. Now, it is up to the people to make this new system last. If they don’t value what they’ve been given and won’t work to keep it, then no, it won’t last. Still, at least I’ve given them the chance to live in a world where all human beings are valued equally and nobody has to slave their lives away to satisfy the greed of bastards like you, and I have complete faith that they can and will fight to sustain that. True equality for all people. (Brief pause.) The era of greed has come to its end. Lay down your weapons and surrender yourself to me."

AVARICE

"Not likely. We may have been defeated for now, but this war is far from finished."

JUSTICE

(Laughs.) "Don’t delude yourself. The people have spoken. Your forces have been defeated. My men have your cave surrounded. You have nowhere to run. It’s over, Avarice."

AVARICE

(Quietly) "You’re wrong. Some things can never end."

(AVARICE turns away as if to retreat back into the cave, but then spins around suddenly, drawing a knife as he does so, and goes to attack JUSTICE. JUSTICE is caught off guard but manages to get his arm up just in time to block it. Then his knife is out as well. They both take a couple steps back and circle each other for a few seconds. Then they are upon each other, fighting brutally, throwing punches and kicks as well as stabbing with the knives. The fight goes on for some time before JUSTICE grabs the wrist of AVARICE’s knife hand and slams it against a rock. The knife falls from AVARICE’s fingers. JUSTICE holds his knife to AVARICE’s throat, keeping his grip on his wrist.)

AVARICE

(Defiantly.) "I suppose you’ll kill me now. Go ahead. I’m not afraid."

JUSTICE

No. I’m not like you, to dispose of my enemies as suits my whim. You’ll stand trial before the people to determine your fate.

(JUSTICE removes the knife from AVARICE’s throat and gestures to his men, who rush into view.)

JUSTICE

"Bind him tightly and bring him back to the helicopter."

(AVARICE’s hands are bound behind his back. He is escorted off screen with a SOLDIER at each arm. JUSTICE follows close behind.)

End of Scene