The Science of Getting Rich

We hear a loud explosive sound go off in the parking lot.

CUT TO:

75 years earlier

EXT. NEW ORLEANS – SUNNY AFTERNOON, 1923

CLYDE(5) or “FELIX” as they call him (after the animated impish cat) is the high energy, curious CLYDE BENSON 75 years before the parking lot holdup. FELIX is walking with his father T.J. BENSON(26)in a quiet dirt road neighborhood when we hear another explosive sound. T.J. is really great at fixing anything including cars and is soon standing near a new Chrysler motor when the engine let’s out a thunderous sound under the raised hood.

T.J.
Sir, is your beauty giving you trouble?

JAMES COOPER(60’s) with short white hair smartly trimmed under a gentleman’s hat and suit is mumbling under his breath about his bran spanking new 1923 Chrysler that won’t start.

JAMES
(Good ‘ole boy)
You got that right.

T.J.
Sir, what have you tried?

JAMES
I don’t know, I’m running late for a talk. It’s my son’s graduation.

T.J.
Sir, my friends call me T.J. If it’s not too much trouble I could give a quick check under the hood.

JAMES
Please, Son. Anything. Call me James.

T.J.
Alright, James.
T.J. does a few things and then the car is running good as new.
James gratefully reaches for his money stashed above his head and holds out his hand to T.J.

JAMES
Thank you. You’re the best I’ve seen. Here son.

T.J.
No thank you, Sir. It’s just a neighborly thing to do. That’s all.

JAMES
Son, I’ve never seen a man turn down money. Do you have something against being rich?

T.J.
What? Rich? No, Sir. The good Lord always provides exactly what we need.
Felix’s eyes widen as T.J. strokes his son’s head.

JAMES
(Preachy)
Now, that’s your problem, T.J. And I quote, “No man ought to be satisfied with a little if he is capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of Nature is the advancement and enfoldment of life; and every man should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life; to be content with
less is sinful." *

JAMES
(Giving)
Don’t worry, Son. I was the same way until some one gave me this. James hands T.J. a wrapped present on the passenger seat.

T.J. has a big nervous smile.

T.J.
Don’t you need this for your graduate?

JAMES
It’s not him I’m worried about, T.J. By the sound of it, you and your boy need it more than he does. Besides, I have more where that came from.

CUT TO:

James opens the back of his trunk full of wrapped books with red ribbons and hands T.J. the two on top.

JAMES
Here’s one for you and one for your boy. This is a tool like any other. I know you are quick to figure out tools. In this case it’s the tool called mindset. Follow the recipe and learn to do things in a certain way and in no tome you will be helping more people than you every dreamed possible and get rich doing it.

JAMES
(Excited)
Why, thank you Mr. Cooper, I mean James! Thanks for putting your faith in me!

James kneels in his dress pants on one knee so he’s eye to eye with FELIX.

JAMES (CONT’D)
I wish I had gotten this when I was your age, son. Take good care of it. Think of it as a seed that you feed everyday with love, and it will grow to be what ever you want it to be.

T.J. stands there with the brilliant sun peeking behind the clouds and the CAR, Felix and James are in the fore ground.

T.J.
Felix, what do we say?

Felix looks at his feet.

FELIX
Thank you, Sir.

T.J. gives Felix a look.

FELIX (CONT’D)
(Intense)
Thank you for the… plant, Sir.

James and T.J. look at each other and chuckle.

James reaches out and shakes “Felix’s” hand.

JAMES
Give me your best hand shake, son. It’s never too early to start practicing.

FELIX gives T.J. a look and reaches out his hand. James instigates and Felix playfully and progressively squeeze each hands harder until James yelps.

JAMES (CONT’D)
Whew, Son! You’re all right.

James stands up and brushes off his pant leg.

CLYDE (V.O.)
I knew at that moment I was witnessing the everyday behavior of an extraordinary human being.

JAMES
The hour waits for no man. Gentlemen, I have a speech to give. Wish me well.
T.J. is filled with a father’s pride shaking James’s hand.

T.J.
Thank you, James. Have a great event!

JAMES
Will do.

James tips his hat and drives out of sight as FELIX and T.J. stand there with unwrapped presents in hand.

T.J. and Felix get busy. Both older and younger hands tear open the red ribbon packages. There is a quick close up of book title.

T.J.
(Laughter)
Well, if I was ever a Rich Man’s Nephew. Help me read this when we get home, Felix.

FELIX
(Slowly with energy)
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

T.J. grabs “Felix’s” hand as they walks home.

EXT. WRECKED BOAT HOUSE ALONG THE SHORE – SAME DAY

SOPHIE (4) a carefree “Goldie Locks” runs along the shore barefoot collecting rocks, running in and out up to her knees in Lake Pontchartrain and laughing while the adults attend to serious matters of how to salvage the family home, a former boat house that ONCE FACED THE PASSING PLEASURE BOATS ARE NOW WRECKED by the recent storm. Sophie’s Father, PATRICK (mid 20’S), With DIRTY CLOTHES and a five o’ clock shadow is being consoled by Sophie’s Uncle CARL (late 20’s.
The brothers consider how to use the remaining scraps of Patrick’s home/lives to rebuild Patrick a new family home inland.

CARL
Patrick, you can come and stay with us as long as you need. It isn’t much, but we have a sliver of land out back you can build. Thelma can watch Sophie during the day while you and Karma get things in order.

Patrick stares wistfully at the calm lake and turns to Carl and tearfully gives Carl a long exhausted, appreciative embrace.


Ruth Anne Wood ©2001-2009 Registered with the WGAE