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First-Place Winner, May - October 2009
Screenplay Contest - Full-Length Series
"Traded for Lies "
Written by Diane Meyer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diane Meyer lives in Lakewood, Colorado. She’s been an editorial photographer and writer for fifteen years and is working on two novels and magazine articles. As a screenwriter, Diane is scripting four original features. Diane is a graduate of New York Institute of Photography and Long Ridge Writer’s Group. Writing is her passion and full-time job. She is delighted to have been selected as the first place recipient of The Writer’s Place award.
Additional Writer Information:
diane@dianemeyer.com
www.dianemeyer.com
LOGLINE
To return home, a trafficking victim enlists the help of a blacklisted journalist, but her secret could get them both killed..
SYNOPSIS
In vain they run. He fires. They’re dead. One woman remains. The man wants something she isn’t about to give. He forces himself on her. She grabs his weapon and fires, killing the brother of Zambia’s most heinous trafficker.
LEXI CAHILL discovers her friend ANAYA KUIPER is a victim of human trafficking. Realizing that writing Anaya’s story could redeem her from her own reprehensible mistake, Lexi agrees to help Anaya return home.
But Zambia holds more danger and deception than Lexi could have expected. In the search for Anaya’s family, Lexi must escape a slave trader hell bent on possessing her, determine which man to trust and rescue Anaya from yet another kidnapping. What would have been an exotic trip for Lexi’s redemption turns into a nightmare she might not return from.
LEGAL NOTICE
The TRADED for LIES screenplay, copyright, and story idea below is owned by Diane Meyer. No copying of any of the below pages is allowed, unless approved by owner.
SCRIPT FOLLOWS
FADE IN:
EXT. SECLUDED BUILDING - NIGHT
SUPER: Outside Lusaka, Zambia - two months ago
A man forces the Woman into the van.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
She fights him. He drops a small key. The Man retaliates and she falls. He secures one hand to the bar with a plastic tie strap, then leaves. Two other women are already shackled to the inside of the van.
The Woman notices it. With her foot, she pushes the key to another woman close by. She picks it up and unlocks her shackle and then frees the other woman.
EXT. ZAMBIA - BUILDING - NIGHT
The door to the building swings open, the Man walks out, sees the two women outside the van. The women run. The Man shoots, kills them both.
He enters the van and attempts to rape the Woman. But she fights him, grabs his gun and fires. He's dead. She struggles to free herself from the tie strap, her wrist bleeds.
Another man exits the building. He carries a gun.
INT./EXT. VAN - NIGHT
The Woman points her gun at the door, waits. SOUNDS of FOOTSTEPS on gravel. She fires the remaining rounds. The Man jumps into the van and beats her senseless.
EXT. MALAWI BORDER - NIGHT
A dirt road along the unguarded border between Zambia and Malawi is a dropping off point for traffickers.
Obasi, 30's, muscular and compact, African, drives the van to the border between Zambia and Malawi. The Woman is in the back. The Man in the truck flashes his headlights.
Obasi hands over the Woman. The Man dumps her into the back of the truck.
OBASI
Get her out of here.
The
buyer is waiting.
MAN
There were supposed to be
three.
OBASI
The other two are dead.
We'll have another
shipment in a few weeks.
They leave.
EXT. COLORADO - FARM - NIGHT
A small plane lands on a crude airstrip on an eastern Colorado farm. It carries the Zambian Woman.
INT./EXT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
The Woman's hands are shackled. The Man hauls her out of the plane towards the truck parked several yards away.
The plane takes off.
She fights, knocks him out with her shackles and disappears into the corn field.
EXT. COLORADO - CEMETERY - DAY
Rain beats down on the funeral for young Ryan Bennett. His white casket lies under a canopy.
A preacher reads from Psalm 23.
His mother, TRACY BENNETT, 20's, hung over, hugs Ryan's casket, sobs.
LEXI CAHILL, 30's, tenacious, journalist, watches from several yards away, half-hiding behind a cross-shaped headstone.
The funeral ends. Tracy glares at Lexi as another woman whispers something. She stomps over to Lexi.
TRACY
What are you doin' here?
LEXI
Paying my respects.
Tracy shoves Lexi.
Lexi falls, doesn't get up.
TRACY
If you had any respect,
you'd never have written
that article.
LEXI
I'm sorry.
Tracy beats on her chest.
TRACY
I was gonna get him back.
The judge said that if I
got help, he could come
home. You took that away
from me.
Tracy stumbles across the grass to the waiting limo. She pulls out a flask and gulps down a quick drink.
Lexi gets up.
INT. COLORADO - DENVER CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER - DAY
Lexi sits on her office floor shoving newspapers with her article about Ryan into the shredder. A stack of newspapers sits next to her.
Unopened mail lies in a neat pile on her desk.
DAVID LIVINGSTON, 18, cocky and self-assured, walks into Lexi's office pushing a cart of newspapers and mail.
He unloads the newspapers onto the already large pile.
DAVID
I emptied out every
newspaper box I could
find. And bought
newspapers from every
7-11 on the planet. You
owe me.
David picks up the pile of letters.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Where do you want this?
LEXI
More hate mail?
David yanks an ad from Macy's.
DAVID
Macy's doesn't hate you.
Lexi stands, takes the mail and leafs through it, then tosses it on her desk.
She grabs her wallet and pays David.
LEXI
Thanks.
David turns to leave.
DAVID
Oh, boss man wants to see
you.
Lexi throws some newspapers in the air.
LEXI
Great.
INT. DENVER CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER - BEN STOCKWELL'S OFFICE - DAY
BEN STOCKWELL, 50's, uptight, paces in front of his window. He jiggles the keys in his pocket.
Lexi stands at the door. Knocks.
Ben waves her in and then pops three antacids into his mouth.
LEXI
You wanted to see me?
BEN
Sit down.
Lexi sits, pushes the chair back several inches.
BEN (CONT'D)
Ryan's mother filed a law
suit naming you and this
newspaper. Says you
contributed to his death.
I know, I know, it's
ridiculous.
LEXI
It wasn't supposed to
happen.
BEN
Maybe your article pushed
his foster parents over
the edge, maybe it
didn't. Either way,
changes need to be made.
Lexi pops a mint into her mouth.
LEXI
So what's my new
assignment?
BEN
Cooking. We want to
create a food section.
You're going to be the
first to write the stories.
LEXI
I don't cook. I wouldn't
even have a refrigerator
if it didn't come with my
house.
BEN
We can't afford to lose
this law suit. And if
your dad wasn't such a
good friend, I'd fire you.
LEXI
Don't let that stop you.
Ben ignores her remark.
LEXI (CONT'D)
I have a box full of
awards and all readers
can remember is the one
mistake I made?
BEN
Unfortunate, but true.
Lexi straightens the picture frame on Ben's desk.
LEXI
I got it. A story on the
recent mine disaster.
I'll investigate the
owner.
BEN
No.
LEXI
How about I ride with the
Denver SWAT team? Or
investigate the recent
gang killings?
BEN
Are you on a suicide
mission? Listen, his
mother may never forgive
you. The question is, can
you forgive yourself?
LEXI
Please, just give me
an assignment with some
meat.
Ben shuffles the papers on his desk until he finds one in particular.
BEN
All right, let's try
this. Your uncle is
hosting a luncheon. Wants
to get reelected to the
senate.
LEXI
God save the country.
Ben hands her the paper.
BEN
Don't make trouble, just
get the story.
LEXI
His housekeeper and I are
friends. She's from
Zambia. I'm sure she has
stories that would --
BEN
Stick to politics. Go.
Lexi leaves.
EXT. HOME OF SENATOR PRESTON CAHILL - DAY
The large home sits against the beautiful foothills west of Denver.
Lexi parks in the driveway, gets out and walks around to the back of the home.
EXT. PRESTON'S HOME - BACKYARD
SOUNDS of people talking. MUSIC plays.
ANAYA KUIPER, 2O's, small, delicate-featured, Zambian woman who speaks in a heavy African accent, serves appetizers. Anaya is the Woman in the van.
PRESTON CAHILL, 50's, nervous, waves at Lexi as he walks towards her.
Lexi holds up her hand to Preston.
LEXI
(to
Preston)
Be with you in a minute.
Lexi weaves through the throng of politicians, their hands laden with food and drink, and finds Anaya.
LEXI (CONT'D)
Anaya.
Anaya places the tray on a table and hugs Lexi.
ANAYA
I got the birthday card
you sent. Thank you.
LEXI
I still owe you dinner.
Preston makes his way to Lexi.
PRESTON
(to Lexi)
You weren't on the guest
list.
He hugs her tight as if trying to stop her breathing. She wrenches out of his grasp.
LEXI
I got assigned to cover
your party for the paper.
PRESTON
Free PR. Won me the
senate seat last time.
LEXI
People don't know really
get to know the
candidates before they
vote anymore.
Preston stomps off dramatically.
PRESTON
Why don't you leave my
hired help alone and get
to know the guests.
LEXI
(to Anaya)
We'll chat later.
Lexi works the crowd, takes notes. She pours herself a glass of tea and sits in the lounge chair, observes the guests.
AMBASSADOR ISAAC LINDU, 50's, tough, black, Ambassador to Zambia, talks with a heavy African accent, walks down the path to the backyard.
The Ambassador's body guard follows behind him.
Preston greets him. Ambassador Lindu, scans the crowd.
Lexi pushes herself out of the chair and hurries over to Anaya. She points to the Ambassador.
LEXI (CONT'D)
Who's that?
Anaya squints at the man. She nervous, very nervous. She spins around, her back to the Ambassador.
LEXI (CONT'D)
What's wrong?
ANAYA
Do not let him see me.
LEXI
Why? Who is he?
ANAYA
A very dangerous man.
LEXI
How do you know?
Anaya glances at him again.
ANAYA
He brought me here.
LEXI
To Colorado?
ANAYA
Yes.
Lexi grabs Anaya's arm and pulls her behind a large tree.
LEXI
Explain.
Anaya lays the tray of appetizers on the table, pulls up her sleeve above her wrist, shows Lexi her deep scars.
ANAYA
I was sold to a man who
brought me into the
states. I cannot be sure,
but I think it is him.
LEXI
How'd you end up with my
uncle?
ANAYA
I escaped. I woke up in a
hospital. A social worker
helped me get this job.
Lexi paces, keeps her eye on Preston and the Ambassador.
LEXI
Did they know you were
trafficked?
ANAYA
No. You cannot trust
anyone in government.
Preston walks toward Lexi.
LEXI
And here comes one of the
reasons our government
isn't trustworthy. Stay
here.
Lexi meets Preston halfway.
LEXI (CONT'D)
You looking for me?
PRESTON
Yes. There's someone I
want you to meet.
Preston and Lexi walk over to Isaac.
PRESTON (CONT'D)
Isaac Lindu, meet my
niece Lexi Cahill,
journalist
extraordinaire. That is
until recently.
Lexi regards him with intense skepticism, shakes the Ambassador's hand.
LEXI
And what do you do Mr.
Lindu? For work, I mean.
PRESTON
He's the --
Isaac holds up his hand at Preston.
AMBASSADOR LINDU
I'm the Ambassador of the
Republic of Zambia.
LEXI
Impressive title. How do
you know my uncle?
PRESTON
We're working together on
some political issues
between our countries.
LEXI
(to
Preston)
We have issues with
Zambia?
PRESTON
Long story. I was telling
him about Anaya.
LEXI
What about her?
Preston scans the crowd.
PRESTON
He and his wife are
hosting a party. Wants to
borrow Anaya's services
for a few days. Where is
she?
LEXI
She's not available.
PRESTON
Lexi.
LEXI
(to
Ambassador
Lindu)
Plenty of merry maids in
the phone book, if that's
what you're looking for.
Preston, get the book.
Preston pulls Lexi away from the Ambassador.
PRESTON
What the hell are you
doing? He's an
ambassador.
LEXI
So he said. How well do
you know this guy?
PRESTON
Stop embarrassing me and
do your damn job.
LEXI
Embarrassing politicians
is part of my job. And
you introduced me.
Preston walks back to Isaac.
PRESTON
My mistake.
Lexi follows Preston.
AMBASSADOR LINDU
I'd like to meet Anaya.
Is she here?
LEXI
No. She's not.
PRESTON
I'll bring her by your
house tomorrow
say...noon. We can talk
then.
AMBASSADOR LINDU
Good.
Preston and the Ambassador mingle with the crowd.
Lexi hurries over to the tree where Anaya hides
LEXI
He's the Zambian
ambassador, Isaac Lindu.
Are you sure he's the one?
Anaya squints to get a better look.
ANAYA
I'm not certain. He could
be. What does he want?
LEXI
You. More to the point,
he wants to borrow your
services.
The Ambassador watches Anaya, nods to his body guard who walks away and makes a phone call.
Anaya panics, paces behind the tree, glances towards the house.
ANAYA
Oh, dear God. I have to
get out of here. Will you
help me?
LEXI
I'll go to the police
with you.
ANAYA
No. I have no passport,
no money. I have to go
home, now.
LEXI
Preston's going to take
you over to Lindu's house
tomorrow.
ANAYA
What if he is the one?
Lexi paces.
LEXI
Okay, okay. This is
crazy. Just be ready to
go in an hour.
ANAYA
Can you get me home?
There's an awkward silence.
LEXI
I...I'll think of
something. Stay away from
him.
Lexi leaves.
The party's over and all the guests leave.
Preston leaves.
Anaya piles dishes into a bin and takes them into the kitchen. She empties the kitchen trash and finds an opened telegram from Zambia addressed to her.
INSERT - THE TELEGRAM, which reads:
"Floods have devastated your village. Unable to locate survivors. Don't come home. He has not been captured."
BACK TO SCENE
(CONTINUED)
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