Mitchbal’s Love Is The Answer (The Play, Musical, Movie,TV Series)
A Screen Play by Charles Michael Moore
Based on a Story by “Mitchbal”
INITIAL TREATMENT
Overview
This is the story of a look into the future and a view of a new President in the year 2,050 AD. It is the story of the first African American, entertainer, to become President of the United States. This is a journey of Celebration, and Struggle.
William Clayton Douglas, a former Internationally recognized singing star known as “Dougie B”, has spent nearly his entire lifetime in the limelight of the public eye. However, the man was not only a singer, he was a seeker of all the knowledge he could learn, Douglas had the fortune to meet a variety of people across the World, and he truly felt for all those he meet. So, there came a time in Mr. Douglas’ life, that he made a decision. He wanted to contribute more to the World than just singing. He wanted to give the World what it had given him. He came up with a plan and decided to run for President. “Douglas B” channeled his earnings, amassed a following, and developed a Platform….”My Platform is called COMMON SENSE, 2,050. It’s based on three things, Love, Unselfishness, and Understanding…..”
The campaign trail for Mr, Douglas was always a festive occasion. He made the Nation happy, and they responded throughout the Primaries. This was not a fluke. Douglas was not bought man. The People, crossing all racial, religious, geographical lines, loved William Clayton Douglas. Through the way is which the story opens, we are able to travel back and forth into “Douglas B’s” life and see how he developed into the man that would be President. There is the scene when he was twelve years old and his group, Star Time, won the Martin Elementary Talent show. There is the scene when his best friend O.D’s off drugs from the pressure of stardom. This story carries a strong dramatic as well as entertainment value to the screen. Racism, the control of economic power, and disillusionment are the antagonists of this story. The path for Douglas is not that easy. He is attacked in the media, he has trouble with the IRS, and a past minor drug violation continues to haunt him. He perseveres and pushes on to reach the first leg of his goal. The question is, will he live long enough to make his Inauguration Speech……
Opening Scene
Before the credits roll, there is action. January, 2050, Washington, D.C. It is unseasonably warm. The temperatures are in the fifties. A festive day with celebration music is in the air as the movie opens. A University Marching Band dances and struts down a section of the City. the Washington Monument can be seen in the background. There are shots of International tourists as they watch the parade or gather for it. Children are dressed in their Sunday best with colorful Spring coats, hats and bonnets. The camera moves across the City to the various monuments, Signs and banners are seen in the store windows and draped across streets proclaiming the election of the new President William Clayton Douglas, somehow related to Fredrick Douglas, is pictured all over town. Many people are proud, happy, and relieved. There are shots of Winos’ sweeping up broken bottles on the corner and putting them in the trash. There is the shot of a teen-aged male turning down the volume on his self propelled, 21st century ” Boom box” as he passes a group of elderly ladies. They urge the lad to come and see the Inauguration. “I’m a pick up the rap on my “B” box, Ladies.I don’t plan to miss a beat…..”
There is a shift in mood music as Military ware comes on the scene in the parade. Troops are seen marching the Parade. Troops are also seen forming a defense perimeter around the City. Security is tight particularly around the location where the Inauguration is to be taken place. There is a bevy of “pomp and circumstance” as the people prepare for the entrance of the President-Elect. It is time for the Color Guard to get into place. The four men, two carrying flags and two carry “dummy” rifles, seem a bit out of place. They emerge from a trailer located in the park. A quick look inside the trailer shows four men in their underwear, hands behind their back, and plastic bags over their heads. The men are dead. Two “dummy” rifles lay stacked near the door.
There is a Speaker on the podium addressing the audience. The excitement increases, people rush the their seats, the stage is cleared of reporters by the Secret Service personnel. The Color Guard moves into place. A wave of new people enter the stage area. The president-Elect enter surrounded by an International delegation of people. Americans from all walks of life are represented in their cultural and neighborhood best. The people in the audience cheer. The crowds outside also cheer as they observe the happenings on big screen monitors located across the City. Camera bulbs pop and reporters click on their tape recorders and TV camera. Newscasters voices relate the details of the situation to their viewing audience.
Mr. Douglas is called to the podium. He removes his overcoat and steps forward. The ovation becomes thunderous. Three Clergyman have been selected to swear Mr. Douglas in. A Priest, a Rabbi, and a Country Preached step forward with their Holy Books. The words are spoken that swear Mr. Douglas in, and the people cheer again. The Color Guard jumps into action. The two riflemen open a barrage of fire. The flags bearers drop the flags and produce automatic pistols. Two traitor Secret Servicemen fire into the crowd to create confusion and an escape route. All live television cameras are destroyed with explosive devices that are attached to them by masked “sappers”. The assassination attempt is well rehearsed. The president is wounded what looks to be several times before he falls to the floor and is protected by loyal Body Guards. People scream, run and crawl in all directions. The Assassins run through the crowd firing at random. They are whisked away by what looks to be Law Enforcement Officers. Some Police give chase and are gunned down in the process. Get away cars move off in all directions. The wrong ones are pursued and the actual get away cars look as if they are doing the pursuing. People on the stage have rushed to the new President’s aid. A security Officer is seen on a Walkie-Talkie wondering why the ambulance hasn’t arrived yet. A Doctor tries to get Mr. Douglas some breathing room. Sirens are heard at a distance. The scene closes in this blur of confusion.
The scene quickly refocuses to a hospital corridor. The President is being frantically rolled down the hall on a bed. Medical Attendants surround the bed carrying vital fluids, and medical instruments. Inside the mind of Mr. Douglas, voices are heard. Some voices are those of the Doctors who speak of his present condition, Other voices take him back to the past. To the history of his life, and the lessons he’s learned. The last clear words he hears the Doctor say is,…” Looks pretty bad. Don’t think he’s going to make it…” Douglas hears these words again. “Don’t think he’s going to make it. Looks pretty bad…,” But the voice is different. The darkness in his mind turns into water. He feels surrounded by water as he hears again.
UNCLE LAWS
No, he’s not going to make it. He’s giving up, again…( Douglas’ mind clears and he finds himself in a Boys Club Gym. He’s swimming in the pool and and running out of steam. UNCLE LAWS, an old man who is his relative and trainer in everything from Judo to singing, walks along the side of the pool. DOUGLAS is 12 years old) Come on Billie Douglas. Kick them legs…
DOUGLAS
I can’t make it. I got a cramp in my leg…
UNCLE LAWS
You’d better make it. Because I can’t swim. Only person around here can save you. is you… Now that’s more like it…
DOUGLAS
(Coughing and sputtering, DOUGLAS crawls out of the pool) How, Uncle Laws, how…? How is swimming going to help me to be a singer?
UNCLE LAWS
Wrap this around you… (Tosses towel) Years from now, when you hit that special note and be able to hold it for a week and a half, you’ll thank me for these swimming lessons.
DOUGLAS
Yeah,
I’ll really sing better with my lungs full of water.
UNCLE LAWS
Aw, quit complaining. You got a talent show to get ready for….
From here, the story develops. This man’s memories, as he fights to stay alive on the operating table, tell the story of his struggles, accomplishments, and contributions. We also see the Political Organization that rose up against him. We see the man selected to counter whatever goals Douglas set out for in the Political arena. This story takes a realistic look at this place we call home. This story sets out to prove that America is truly a special land and the World will come together when America comes together. Mitchbal’s Love Is the Answer, is a story whose time has come.
