Ed Wood
The nurse nods. She takes Bela’s arm and leads him away. Bela glances at Ed, then steps through a wide door. As it swings shut, we see a DOCTOR walk over and shake Bela’s hand.
Ed stares at the door, dazed by all that’s happened. He sits down in a chair, exhausted.
Ed’s eyes slowly close, and he falls asleep…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOSPITAL – MORNING
Ed is still asleep, but now sunlight beats in.
Ed stirs and wakes up. He groggily looks around, and sitting across from him is a woman, knitting. This is KATHY O’HARA, 26, solid, reflective, with a dry sense of humor. Ed peers at her.
ED Hello.
KATHY Hello. (beat) You’re sleeping in a tuxedo.
ED I got married last night.
KATHY Oh. Congratulations.
ED The marriage already ended.
KATHY Oh. My condolences.
Ed watches her knit.
ED What are you making?
KATHY Booties for my father. He gets cold in this hospital.
ED How long’s he been here?
KATHY This is my thirteenth pair.
Ed nods. He spots the Doctor walk by.
ED Excuse me. (he runs to the Doctor) Doctor? I’m with Mr. Lugosi. How is he?
DOCTOR Well… there’s a lot of junk in his system for such an old man. Apparently, he was addicted to morphine, tried to kick it, and got re-addicted to methadone.
ED Will he be okay?
DOCTOR We’ll do our best.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – NIGHT
We are outside Bela’s room. He can be glimpsed inside, strapped to the bed and SCREAMING in pain. He is going through painful withdrawal and shakes horribly.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY – ANOTHER DAY
Ed strides into the hospital, wearing different clothes, and carrying a box of chocolates. He waves at the nurse.
ED Hi, Lillian.
NURSE (she smiles) Hi, Ed. Boy, he’s got a lot of visitors today.
ED He does?
Ed is puzzled. He hurries back.
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DAY
A crowd of NEWSPAPER REPORTERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS overflow Bela’s room. Ed is astonished.
ED What’s going on here?! Excuse me!
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM
Decrepit Bela is propped up in his bed, as the mob of reporters throw questions at hit and SNAP shots: “Bela, how long have you been a junkie??” “Bela, look this way!”
Ed angrily pushes through.
ED Everybody out! This is a hospital! Get out of here.
Ed forces them out, then SLAMS the door.
ED
What happened?!
BELA (in a hoarse whisper) Isn’t it wonderful? After all these years, the press is showing an interest again in Bela Lugosi.
ED (surprised) Bela, they’re parasites! They just want to exploit you.
BELA Fine. Let them! There is no such thing as bad press. A man from New York even said he’s putting me on the front page! First celebrity to ever check into rehab. (he smiles feebly) When I get out of here, I will be healthy. Strong! I will be primed for my comeback!
Bela starts COUGHING heavily. Ed stares sadly.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. LOBBY – ANOTHER DAY
Ed sits tensely in the lobby, holding vigil. Kathy O’Hara walks by.
KATHY Oh, it’s you again.
ED Oh, hi.
KATHY You look beat.
ED I am. How’s your father?
KATHY He’s better. Thank you for asking. (pause) How’s your friend?
ED Not good…
Kathy reaches in her purse and pulls out two black booties.
KATHY Well, I made him some booties to cheer him up. (beat) They’re black — to match his cape.
She smiles.
Ed slowly smiles in response. But this isn’t his normal slick smile. It’s gentler. Sincere.
ED Would you maybe like to get a coffee..?
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – DAY
Ed and the Doctor stand in a doorway, talking.
DOCTOR We thought Mr. Lugosi was insured though the Screen Actors Guild.
ED Isn’t he?
DOCTOR No. They say his eligibility ran out years ago.
ED Look, he doesn’t have any money… but I’ll give you everything I’ve got. I have a few hundred dollars.
The Doctor shakes his head grimly.
DOCTOR That won’t even begin to cover it. He’s going to have to leave.
INT. BELA’S HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Bela lies sleeping in bed, pasty and pale. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS of his hospital stay are tacked up.
Ed anxiously tiptoes in. He quietly speaks.
ED Bela, wake up.
Bela stirs lethargically. Ed puts on a fake smile.
ED I’ve got some good news. The doctor says you’re all better. You can come home.
BELA (so weak, he’s barely audible) Really? I don’t feel so great.
ED No, you look good. And the tests came back fine. (a poignant pause) C’mon…
Ed gingerly helps Bela up.
EXT. HOSPITAL – DAY
Bela slowly gets into Ed’s car.
BELA Eddie, I wanna make another picture. When are we gonna make another picture?
ED Soon, Bela… Soon.
CUT TO:
INT. CAMERA RENTAL HOUSE – DAY
Ed is desperately trying to cut a deal with the OLD MANAGER.
ED Please, I just need it for one afternoon!
OLD MANAGER Ed, if I cut a deal for you, I gotta cut one for everybody.
ED This is different! It’ll mean so much to me. All I need is a camera and a tripod. No lights, no sound. Nothin’ fancy.
OLD MANAGER And that’s it?
