My Daughter Went to Thailand and All I Got Was This JPEG

Not true, actually. I asked my daughter to look for some Thai comics for me and, astoundingly, she did, though she had never set foot in a comic book store on U.S. soil. She found a comic shop near a place ominously called "the night market" and told me she went up and talked to "some dude that looked like a Thai version of you." Amazingly, she obviously found the coolest dude in Thailand. He hooked her up with some comics I read as soon as they came out of her suitcase! Thanks Fah!

Benson, Arizona, the Same Stars in the Sky

Best-selling author Haven Kimmel went slumming and ended up staying at my house over Memorial Day. Read her highly subjective account here.

Actor Jason Smither has an update from the set of MENTAL SCARS here.

I found out the great Hoosier filmmaker Sydney Pollack just died. A few nights ago I saw him in a nice little French film called AVENUE MONTAIGNE. Contrary to what one might think, we have had a lot of great TV and movie people from here, as well as a notable number of vice presidents.

Now here's a dude doing some interesting stuff with ephemeral video, found footage, public domain stuff, and the like.

Someone pointed me to a "Lost Muncie" site that linked to yearbook photos from my long-closed alma mater, where I found a picture of my scrawny ass circa 1984.

Give me a yell at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

Top of the World

Eating Chocolate Cake in a Bag

I have been becoming more and more interested in the mumblecore or bedhead cinema movement springing up from SXSW and other festivals, largely because I see a lot of connections to microcinema, though it is not explicitly being called that. Here a bunch of twentysomethings tell personal stories digitally with a lot of improv and handheld camera and poorly-captured audio. I genuinely don't know if this is done from budgetary constraints (like a lot of my Microcinema Fest brethren) or from general insouciance.

Last night I checked out HANNAH TAKES THE STAIRS and although I found it more interesting than maddening I learned one important thing: that I am probably too old for mumblecore.

I have to give them credit for sticking to that old microcinema standby of finding a cute girl willing to make out with several nerd filmmakers who normally would never even be able to talk to the aforementioned party.

All that being said I think I will Netflix up THE PUFFY CHAIR.

Got James Taylor on the Stereo

If you want to check out the trailer for MONSTER MOVIE, the last movie directed by and featuring friend and prolific b-filmmkaer John Polonia, look here. Although I was not involved in this one, it looks like a lot of fun. Dig the dinosaur in it.

Also interesting is that Mark Polonia's character appears to be named Alan Wyoming. Faithful readers might recall that some internet postings speculated that I was Alan Wyoming, despite my vow to never use a psuedonym. Oddly, I had named the lead character in AMONG US Billy D'Amato, believing at one time that he was a real person, and not one of the Polonia Brothers' many, many psuedonyms.

Somehow I missed Jamie Lisk, pal and fellow Microcinema Scene contributor, had written a tribute to John Polonia, so I am linking it here.

Give me a yell at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

Indianapolis Gets Mental Scars

Although nobody mentions me in the article (sniff!), here is a story about Mental Scars, a script that loyal readers know I have been working on rewriting that is currently being lensed in Indianapolis. Cool fog machine in the photo gallery! Yes, that is the dude from Predator!

Give me a call at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

Call your moms up today!

It has been an insane week here and isn't looking any better today, with heavy storms whipping through the area on what should be a spring-like, happy-go-lucky Mother's Day. My own mother is spending it in the hospital, unfortunately.

I had about a fifty-hour workweek but managed to peel out some time to do some last-minute rewrites on MENTAL SCARS, a slasher movie now lensing in Indianapolis. You can get updates here.

I swore when I went to the library book sale I would not walk out with more than one bag so instead I had one bulging like an engorged tick and all these old lady volunteers saying "Don't you want another bag?" No, I have my principles. I had too many good finds to list here, but I found a stack of old Ace Double Westerns, which I had never seen before, and an audio collection of "Radio's Greatest Detectives" that had about 15 tapes with only one missing for the steal-it price of 75 cents, and an original copy of John Lange's ZERO COOL which has now been re-released in the Hard Case Crime series.

In comic-book news, did anyone who read the new 50-cent DC UNIVERSE #0, launching (I think) THE FINAL CRISIS, not believe that Barry Allen was coming back to life? Longtime readers know I called that one back during "The Lightning Saga" in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. I'm just sayin'.

I'm supposed to be downstairs washing dishes. Until later, I'm at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

Halloween Night

For the many people still surfing over looking for info about b-movie filmmaker John Polonia and his untimely death, I have some news.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT is being lensed right now, a remake of an old Super-8 movie the Polonia Brothers shot way back in their teenage years. According to Mark Polonia, it is a project John always wanted to see happen, so he is making it come to life. I was asked to do a cameo in the project as a security guard, if I can get out to Pennsylvania in the next few weeks. I think it's great this is going on, and I hope I can be a part of it. You can read more at the website here.

Give me a shout at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

I'm Your Venus

MENTAL SCARS is going before the lens this week and I was polishing up a few scenes tonight for producer Richard Myles. Check out the updates here.

Many significant days this week. Tomorrow is election day and everybody is all about Indiana. We taped Bill's speech for work and Hillary was in my hometown and my daughter saw Chelsea at college. Obama was shooting hoops down the road at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. I can't remember whether this has ever happened before in my lifetime. My phone rang the other night and the caller ID said "Hillary Clinton." It turned out to be some dude campaigning for her but who would know for sure without answering, these days?

So whoever you want to vote for, vote. If you don't, don't complain later.

Another significant holiday was Free Comic Book Day Saturday, which I often miss, but I happened to be near a shop while moving my daughter home from college and I'm not one to miss a visit to a comic book store. Happily I arrived on this joyous day and left with a free issue of Hellboy, a free comic called Atomic Robo which when I picked it up I thought it said Atomic Hobo, and a free comic called Devil vs. Claw about the Nedor heroes, fresh from the public domain.

This one really sparked my interest as two of my favorite comic book dudes, Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, and bringing back a bunch of Nedor heroes in a comic book called Project Superpowers. I don't want to put my bros to shame, but if you want to scope my take on the Nedor heroes, check out the 24 Hour Comic I did a few years ago called The Liberator.

I have to say, Iron Man was very good. My Little Brother Harold and I geeked out to it on Sunday with a million other people. Robert Downey Jr. really made the movie. He has been firing on all cylinders lately and people haven't seemed to notice: check out Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, A Scanner Darkly, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, and Zodiac if you don't believe me.

For comic book fans, you will see Jim Rhodes (and a potential War Machine suit), SHIELD, Pepper Potts and Hap Hogan, and maybe a few sniffs of the legendary "Armor Wars" storyline. Updated from Viet Nam to Afghanistan which I liked just fine. Downey's riffs throughout elevated the whole thing, hand in hand with Jon Favreau's sure-handed, energetic direction.

Dare I say one of the best superhero movies?

But I also saw the ads for Prince Caspian, the new Batman, the new Hulk, the new Spirit movie (which looks like Sin City), and the new Indiana Jones, so if it rains all summer I am totally cool with that. Though my 12-year-old Little Brother Harold said, "Is Indiana Jones from Indiana?" God, has it been that long?

Give me a shout at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.

Timon of Athens Pt. 12: Conclusion

This is it; the downbeat conclusion of my modern dress, original prose version of Shakespeare's TIMON OF ATHENS, released under a Creative Commons license.
Here, Alcibiades' hostile takeover of Athens OS is eminent. I tried to stave off a little of the dourness of the ending by extrapolating out a little bit.
I hope you have enjoyed this experiment!

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (HALLWAY) -- LATER
We see Isidore and Titus coming down the hallway, looking grim. Hortensius joins them.


ISIDORE
Thou hast painfully discovered; are his files as full as thy report?

HORTENSIUS
I have spoke the least; besides, his expedition promises present approach.


TITUS
We stand much hazard, if they bring not Timon.

HORTENSIUS
I met a courier, one mine ancient friend, whom, though in general part we were opposed, yet our old love made a particular force, and made us speak like friends. This man was riding from Alcibiades to Timon's cave, with letters of entreaty, which imported his fellowship in the cause against your city, in part for his sake moved.


Varro, Demeas, and Caphis come storming down the hall.

ISIDORE
Here comes our brothers.


VARRO
No talk of Timon, nothing of him expect. The enemy's drum is heard, and fearful scouring doth choke the air with dust. In, and prepare. Ours is the fall, I fear; our foe's the snare.

EXT. TIMON'S OFFICE BUILDING -- CONTINUOUS
We see Alcibiades' car pull up, and he and Phrynia climb out. He looks at the building, taking its measure, eyes narrow. Then he leans over to Phrynia and mutters something in her ear. She nods and gets back behind the wheel. As she pulls out, Alcibiades stalks inside.

EXT. STREETS -- MOMENTS LATER
We see Phrynia tooling out of town.

EXT. WOODS -- LATER
Phrynia slows, watching the side of the road.

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (HALLWAY) -- MOMENTS LATER
Alcibiades strides down the hall, looking at the empty desks and general clutter, his face a mask.
Caphis pops out of a doorway, and Alcibiades stops him cold with a glare.

ALCIBIADES
Sound to this coward and lascivious town our terrible approach.

Caphis lopes off down the hall.

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (BOARDROOM) -- MOMENTS LATER
Caphis bursts in and takes a seat in the back, as the others exchange glances.

Alcibiades slips in behind him, and looks around. He moves to the head of the table, and leans on his knuckles.


ALCIBIADES
Till now you have gone on and filled the time with all licentious measure, making your wills the scope of justice; till now myself and such as slept within the shadow of your power have wandered with our traversed arms and breathed our sufferance vainly. Now the time is flush, when crouching marrow in the bearer strong cries of itself 'no more.' Now breathless wrong shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease, and pursy insolence shall break his wind with fear and horrid flight.

Varro wipes sweat.

VARRO
Noble and young, when thy first griefs were but a mere conceit, ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear, we see to thee, to give thy rages balm, to wipe out our ingratitude with loves above their quantity.

DEMEAS
So did we woo transformed Timon to our city's love by humble message and by promised means. We were not all unkind, nor all deserve the common stroke of war.

EXT. WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
Phrynia scans the woods.

PHRYNIA
Who's here? Speak, ho! No answer?

She stops short, seeing a mound of dirt. On it is Timon's note, pinned down by a rock.

PHRYNIA (CONT'D)
What is this? Timon is dead, who hath outstretched his span; some beast reared this, there does not live a man. Dead, sure; and this his grave.

Wondering, Phrynia slips the note out and reads it.

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (BOARDROOM) -- CONTINUOUS
The boardroom is tense.

VARRO
Those walls of our were not erected by their hands from whom you have received your griefs; nor are they such that these great towers, trophies and schools, should fall for private faults in them.

DEMEAS
Nor are they living who were the motives that you first went out; shame that they wanted cunning, in excess hath broke their hearts. March, noble lord, into our city with thy banners spread; by decimation, and a tithed death--if thy revenges hunger for that food which nature loathes--take thou the destined tenth, and by the hazard of the spotted die let die the spotted.

Alcibiades stands, arms crossed.

EXT. WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
Phrynia bursts from the woods, paper flapping, and gets in the car.

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (BOARDROOM) -- CONTINUOUS

VARRO
All have not offended; for those that were, it is not square to take on those that are, revenges; crimes, like lands, are not inherited. Then, dear countryman, bring in thy ranks, but leave without thy rage. Spare thy Athenian cradle and those kin which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall with those that have offended. Like a shepherd, approach the fold and cull the infected forth, but kill not all together.

ISIDORE
What thou wilt, thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile than hew to it with thy sword.

VARRO
Set but thy foot against our rampired gates, and they shall ope; so thou wilt send thy gentle heart before, to say thou'lt enter friendly.

EXT. TIMON'S OFFICE BUILDING -- MOMENTS LATER
Phrynia pulls up and jumps out at full throttle.

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (BOARDROOM) -- MOMENTS LATER
All eyes are on Alcibiades.

DEMEAS
Throw thy glove, or any token of thine honor else, that thou wilt use the wars as thy redress and not as our confusion, all thy powers shall make their harbor in our town, till we have sealed thy full desire.

Alcibiades removes a thick file from his briefcase, and slaps it on the table.

ALCIBIADES
Then there's my glove; descend, and open your uncharged ports. Those enemies of Timon's and mine own whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof fall and no more. And, to atone your fears with my more noble meaning, not a man shall pass his quarter, or offend the stream of regular justice in your city's bounds, but shall be rendered to your public laws at heaviest answer.

VARRO
(woodenly)
'­Tis most nobly spoken.

ALCIBIADES
Descend, and keep your words.

Suddenly Phrynia bursts in, gasping.

PHRYNIA
My noble general, Timon is dead; entombed upon the very hem of the sea.
Alcibiades reels, steadies himself on the table.

Phrynia, hand shaking, gives him Timon's note. He takes it, and reads.

ALCIBIADES
"Here lies a wretched corse, of wretched soul bereft; seek not my name; a plague consume you wicked caitiffs left! Here lie I, Timon; who, alive, all living men did hate; pass by and curse thy fill, but pass and stay not here thy gait."
(beat, to himself)
These well express in thee thy latter spirits; though thou abhorr'dst in us our human griefs, scorn'dst our brain's flow and those our droplets which from niggard nature fall, yet rich conceit taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye on thy low grave, on faults forgiven.
(beat, looks around)
Dead is noble Timon, of whose memory hereafter more. Bring me into your city, and I will use the olive with my sword, make war breed peace, make peace stint war, make each prescribe to other as each other's leech. Let our drums strike.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. TIMON'S OFFICE BUILDING -- DAY
THEME MUSIC UP AND UNDER as Alcibiades comes out and addresses the assembled press from a podium. It is shot as if on a newscast, as below a CG reads: NEW CEO OUSTS ATHENS-OS BOARD.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (HALLWAY) -- DAY
We see Caphis, Hortensius, and Titus in a cluster, talking in low tones, files and personal effects tucked under their arms.
They look up and see Servilius and Flaminius carrying their boxes back in.
The groups exchange glances, then Caphis turns aside as Servilius walks past. A smile plays on Servilius' lips.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (ANTEROOM) -- MOMENTS LATER
Flavia is arranging her desk as Alcibiades pops his head out with a sheaf of papers. She takes them with a nod and a brief smile and puts them on the corner of her desk.
She has set the papers next to a newspaper whose headline shouts: "CAPTAIN AL" REVIVES ATHENS STOCKS.
We see her unpacking her pens, pencils, and a little picture frame.
Cut close to see a candid photo of a smiling Timon looking out.
Flavia sits it by the phone, and adjusts it with a tiny nudge.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
INT. APEMANTUS' APARTMENT -- DAY
Apemantus is sitting on the edge of a futon in an untidy studio apartment of posters and beaded curtains and leaning stacks of LPs. He is staring at a long, thin box that appears to have been recently delivered, noted by the scraps of brown paper on the floor by his scuffed shoes.
Apemantus lifts the top and sees a red-and-navy-striped power tie nestled in the box.
He looks at it for a long moment.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. TIMON'S OFFICE BUILDING -- DAY
We see a spruced-up Apemantus emerging from a car in front of Timon's building. Again we see through a photog's eyes, as if it were a breaking news event. A CG CRAWL READS: APEMANTUS NAMED V.P. OF PHILANTHROPIC GIVING.
Then we cut back to Apemantus live, working his way upstream through the press.
Once more he stops, looking up and up and up, at Timon's building.
We see the shining building, from Apemantus' POV, tall and majestic.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
We track past the grass, the trees, catching flashes of clear blue sky.
FADE TO BLACK
CREDITS



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Timon of Athens Pt. 11

In this installment of my modern dress, original prose version of Shakespeare's TIMON OF ATHENS we see another use of the Greek chorus using video trickery (also a b-movie standby to seem like you have a fuller cast, but needing fewer people at a time); then the Athens OS Board of Directors try to use Timon to head off a hostile takeover.
Mercer is one of the mysterious figures in TIMON, often considered a "broken" play or a draft; in the original, he is listed amongst the actors but comes on stage and has no lines. Thus I named my non-speaking TV show host after him.

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO -- NIGHT
We see Sempronius and Ventidius on a talk show hosted by MERCER, a glib anchor.

VENTIDIUS
When Fortune in her shift and change of mood spurns down her late beloved, all his dependents which labored after him to the mountain's top even on their knees and hands, let him slip down, not one accompanying his declining foot.

SEMPRONIUS
'Tis common. A thousand moral paintings I can show that shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's more pregnantly than words. Yet you do well to show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen the foot above the head.

We see a BURST OF STATIC like a channel changing.

EXT. STREETS -- DAY
We see "man on the street" interviews.

PISANDER
Why, this world's soul; and just of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit. Who can call him his friend that dips in the same dish? For, in my knowing, Timon has been this lord's father, and kept his credit with his purse, supported his estate; nay, Timon's money has paid his men their wages; he ne'er drinks, but Timon's silver treads upon his lip. And yet--O, see the monstrousness of man when he looks out in an ungrateful shape! He does deny him, in respect of his, what charitable men afford to beggars.

EUTRAPELUS
Religion groans at it.

GNATHONIDES
For mine own part, I never tasted Timon in my life, nor came any of his bounties over me, to mark me for his friend; yet, I protest, for his right noble mind, illustrious virtue and honorable carriage, had his necessity made use of me, I would have put my wealth into donation, and the best half should have returned to him, so much I love his heart; But, I perceive, men must learn now with pity to dispense; for policy sits above conscience.

Another BURST OF STATIC like a channel changing.

EXT. DOWNTOWN -- DAY
We see a serious Alcibiades getting into his car, with Phrynia behind the wheel; somber NEWS MUSIC plays, and a CG reads: ATHENS TAKEOVER EMINENT? SHAREHOLDER BUYOUT?

INT. TIMON'S OFFICE (BOARDROOM) -- CONTINUOUS
Varro turns off the TV in the boardroom, looking sick. So does the rest of the board. Flavia is standing there, looking seriously from face to face, though nobody meets her eyes.

FLAVIA
It is in vain that you would speak with Timon; for he is set so only to himself that nothing but himself which looks like a man is friendly with him.

Demeas shrugs wearily.

DEMEAS
It is our part and promise to the Athenians to speak with Timon.

VARRO
At all times alike men are not still the same; 'twas time and griefs that framed him thus. Time, with his fairer hand, offering the fortunes of his former days, the former man may make him. Bring us to him, and chance it as it may.
Flavia stands still, thinking.

INT. DEMEAS' CAR -- LATER
Caphis is driving Varro, Demeas, and Flavia in the back seat, Flavia scrunched in the corner, looking morose.

EXT. WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
Flavia leads Varro and Demeas through the trees.

FLAVIA
Peace and content be here.
(calls out)
Lord Timon! Timon! Look out, and speak to friends; the Athenians, by two of their most reverend senate, greet thee. Speak to them, noble Timon.

Timon emerges from the trees.

TIMON
Thou sun, that comfort'st, burn! Speak, and be hanged; for each true word, a blister! And each false be as cauterizing to the root of the tongue, consuming it with speaking!

Varro takes in the bedraggled Timon, then finds his voice.

VARRO
Worthy Timon--

TIMON
O none but such as you, and you of Timon.

VARRO
The senators of Athens greet thee, Timon.

TIMON
I thank them; and would send them back the plague, could I but catch it for them.

Varro stops cold, then tries to push on.

VARRO
O, forget what we are sorry for ourselves in thee. The senators with one consent of love entreat thee back to Athens; who have thought on special dignities, which vacant lie for thy best use and wearing.

DEMEAS
They confess toward thee forgetfulness too general, gross; which now the public body, which doth seldom play the recanter, feeling in itself a lack of Timon's aid, hath sense withal of its own fail, restraining aid to Timon; and send forth us, to make their sorrowed render, together with a recompense more fruitful than their offence can weigh down by the dram. Aye, even such heaps and sums of love and wealth as shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs and write in thee the figures of their love, ever to read them thine.

Timon scratches his matted hair.

TIMON
You witch me in it; surprise me to the very brink of tears; lend me a fool's heart and a woman's eyes, and I'll besweep these comforts, worthy senators.

VARRO
Therefore, so please thee to return with us and of our Athens, thine and ours, to take the captainship.

Flavia looks shocked.

VARRO (CONT'D)
Thou shalt be met with thanks, allowed with absolute power and they good name live with authority. So soon we shall drive back of Alcibiades the approaches wild, who, like a boar too savage, doth root up his country's peace.

DEMEAS
And shakes his threatening sword against the walls of Athens.

VARRO
Therefore, Timon--

TIMON
Well, sir, I will. Therefore, I will, sir. Thus: if Alcibiades kill my countrymen, let Alcibiades know this of Timon; that Timon cares not. But if he sack fair Athens, and take our goodly aged men by the beards, giving our holy virgins to the stain of contumelious, beastly, mad-brained war, then let him know-- and tell him Timon speaks it--in pity of our aged and our youth, I cannot choose but tell him, that I care not, and let him take it at worst. For their knives care not, while you have throats to answer. For myself, there's not a whittle in the unruly camp but I do prize it at my love before the reverend'st throat in Athens. So I leave you to the protection of the prosperous gods, as thieves to keepers.

Varro and Demeas look on in amazement. Flavia shakes her head.

FLAVIA
Stay not; all's in vain.

TIMON
Why, I was writing my epitaph; it will be seen tomorrow. My long sickness of health and living now begins to mend, and nothing brings me all things. Go, live still; be Alcibiades your plague, you his, and last so long enough!

VARRO
We speak in vain.

They begin to turn away. Suddenly, Timon smiles.

TIMON
But I love my country, and am not one that rejoices in the common wreck, as common bruit doth put it.

VARRO
(relieved)
That's well put.

TIMON
Commend me to my loving countrymen--

VARRO
Those words become your lips as they pass through them.

DEMEAS
And enter in our ears like great triumphers in their applauding gates.

TIMON
Commend me to them, and tell them that, to ease them of their griefs, their fears of hostile strokes, their aches, losses, their pangs of love, with other incident throes that nature's fragile vessel doth sustain in life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them. I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath.

VARRO
(to Demeas)
I like this well; he will return again.

Timon points to a big tree.

TIMON
I have a tree, which grows here in my close, that mine own use invites me to cut down, and shortly must I fell it. Tell my friends, tell Athens, in the sequence of degree from high to low throughout, that whoso please to stop affliction, let him take his haste, come hither, ere my tree hath felt the ax, and hang himself. I pray you, do my greeting.

FLAVIA
Trouble him no further; thus you still shall find him.

Flavia ushers Varro and Demeas away, glancing over her shoulder with tears in her eyes.

TIMON
Come not to me again; but say to Athens, Timon hath made his everlasting mansion upon the beached verge of the salt flood; who once a day with his embossed froth the turbulent surge shall cover. Thither come, and let my grave-stone be your oracle. Lips, let sour words go by and language end; what is amiss plague and infection mend! Graves only be men's works and death their gain! Sun, hide thy beams! Timon hath done his reign.

Now Timon is alone.

He looks at the tree. We see him thinking. He looks at the tree.

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS -- MOMENTS LATER
Caphis sees the dejected group come out of the woods, and shakes his head.

VARRO
His discontents are unremoveably coupled to nature.

DEMEAS
Our hope in him is dead; let us return, and strain what other means is left unto us in our dear peril.

VARRO
It requires swift foot.

They pile in, and Caphis pulls out.

INT. DEMEAS' CAR -- CONTINUOUS
We see the plush interior of the car, and Flavia staring out.
From her POV, we see outside the window, the trees going by.

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS -- MOMENTS LATER
Caphis suddenly SLAMS on the brakes and pulls over to the side.
Flavia jumps out the back door and starts running back down the road.

EXT. WOODS -- MOMENTS LATER
Flavia slaps aside branches, running faster and faster.
Suddenly, she stops short.
We see Timon's feet swinging above Flavia's head.
Flavia sees a note, speared on a branch. She leans in and reads it.She EXPELS a long breath. We see her pick up Timon's rusty ax, and lean against his broken shovel.



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Timon of Athens Pt. 10

After a busy week, I will try to finish posting the rest of TIMON OF ATHENS over the next few days. Here, with news of Timon's isolation and apparent madness spreading after the dotcom burst, a friend--and a pair of fairweather friends--come to call. Lots of good Shakespearean burns and zings in this part.

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS -- DAY
We see Flavia riding her bike, watching for signs along the side of the road.
Eventually she pulls over and dismounts, leaning her bike against a tree.

EXT. WOODS -- MOMENTS LATER
Timon is sifting through his bag of money.

TIMON
O thou sweet king-killer, and dear divorce 'twixt natural son and sire! Thou bright defiler of Hymen's purest bed! Think, thy slave man rebels, and by thy virtue set them into confounding odds, that beasts may have the world in empire!

Flavia watches from the trees.

FLAVIA
O you gods! Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord? Full of decay and failing? O monument and wonder of good deeds evilly bestowed! What an alteration of honor has desperate want made! What viler thing upon the earth than friends who can bring noblest minds to basest ends! How rarely does it meet with this time's guise, when man was wish'd to love his enemies! Grant I may ever love, and rather woo those that would mischief me than those that do! He has caught my eye; I will present my honest grief unto him; and, as my lord, still serve him with my life.

Flavia comes into full view.

FLAVIA (CONT'D)
My dearest master!

TIMON
Away! What art thou?

FLAVIA
Have you forgot me, sir?
(beat)
An honest poor servant of yours.

TIMON
Then I know thee not; I never had honest man about me, I; All I kept were knaves, to serve meat to villains.

Flavia's eyes mist up, and she turns away.

FLAVIA
The gods are witness, ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief for his undone lord than mine eyes for you.

Timon softens.

TIMON
What, dost thou weep? Come nearer. Then I love thee, because thou art a woman, and disclam'st flinty mankind.

Flavia runs into his rather grubby arms.

FLAVIA
I beg of you to know me, my good lord, to accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts to entertain me as your steward still.

Timon holds her at arm's length.

TIMON
Had I a steward so true, so just, and now so comfortable? It almost runs my dangerous nature mild. Let me behold thy face.
(studies her)
Methinks thou art more honest now than wise; for, by oppressing and betraying me, thou mightst have sooner got another service; for many so arrive at second masters upon their first lord's neck. But tell me true--for I must ever doubt, though never so sure--is not thy kindness subtle, covetous, if not a usuring kindness, and, as rich men deal gifts, expecting in return twenty for one?

FLAVIA
No, my worthy master, in whose breast doubt and suspect, alas, are placed too late. You should have feared false times when you did feast; suspect still comes when an estate is least.
(beat, hesitantly)
That which I show, heaven knows, is merely love, duty and zeal to your unmatched mind, care of your food and living; and, believe it, my most honored lord, for any benefit that points to me, either in hope or present, I would exchange for this one wish...that you had power and wealth to requite me, by making rich yourself.

Timon stares into her face, then reaches into his dirty trash bag, pulling out money.

TIMON
Look thee, 'tis so! Here, take! The gods out of my misery have sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and happy.

Flavia looks stunned. Timon's face turns cold.

TIMON (CONT'D)
But thus conditioned. Thou shalt build from men, hate all, curse all, show charity to none, but let the famished flesh slide from the bone, ere thou relieve the beggar. Give to dogs what thou deny'st to men. Let prisons swallow 'em, debts wither 'em to nothing; be men like blasted woods, and may diseases lick up their false bloods!
(beat)
And so farewell and thrive.

Flavia's eyes well with tears.

FLAVIA
O, let me stay...and--comfort you, my master.

TIMON
If thou hatest curses, stay not; fly, whilst thou art blest and free; never see thou man, and let me never see thee.

Flavia, empty-handed, tears on her cheeks, shakes her head as if she can't believe it, and backs away. Soon she turns and runs, Timon's red eyes upon her.
We see Flavia running through the woods, careless of where she is running, only away.

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS -- MOMENTS LATER
Sempronius and Ventidius are slowly cruising down the road in Sempronius' car. From his POV, we see Flavia's bike leaning against a tree.

SEMPRONIUS
As I too note of the place, it cannot be far where he abides.
They pull past the bike and park on the shoulder as Flavia bursts from the trees, grabs her bike, and cycles away, heedless of the two others. They exchange glances, and Sempronius shrugs.
They look at each other again and climb out of the car.

VENTIDIUS
What's thought of him? Does the rumor hold true, that he's so full of gold?

SEMPRONIUS
Alcibiades reports it.

VENTIDIUS
Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends.

SEMPRONIUS
Nothing else; you shall see him a palm in Athens again, and flourish with the highest. Therefore 'tis not amiss we tender loves to him, in this supposed distress of his. It will show honestly in us, and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travail for; if it be a just and true report that goes of his having.

INT. WOODS -- CONTINUOUS
We see a downcast Timon, thinking. Then he moves in the direction Flavia left.

EXT. COUNTRY ROADS -- CONTINUOUS
Ventidius and Sempronius are leaning against the car, planning.

VENTIDIUS
What have you now to present unto him?

SEMPRONIUS
Nothing at this time but my visitation; only I will promise an excellent piece.

VENTIDIUS
I must serve him too, tell him of an intent that's coming toward him.

SEMPRONIUS
Good as the best. Promising is the very air of the time; it opens the eyes of expectation. Performance is ever the duller for his act; and, but in the plainer and simpler kind of people, the deed of saying is quite out of use. To promise is most courtly and fashionable; performance is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it.

We see that Timon has come to the edge of the woods, and stops short, seeing the pair.

TIMON
(to himself)
Excellent workman! Thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself.

VENTIDIUS
I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him. It must be a personating of himself; a satire against the softness of prosperity, with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency.

TIMON
(muttering)
Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work? Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men? Do so, I have gold for thee.

VENTIDIUS
Nay, let's seek him; then do we sin against our own estate, when we may profit meet, and come too late.

SEMPRONIUS
True; when the day serves, before black-cornered night, find what thou want'st by free and offered light. Come.

TIMON
(to himself)
I'll meet you at the turn. What a god's gold, that he is worshipped in a baser temple than where swine feed!

Abruptly, Timon steps out of the treeline, startling the others.

VENTIDIUS
Hail, worthy Timon!

SEMPRONIUS
Our late noble master!

TIMON
Have I once lived to see two honest men?

VENTIDIUS
Sir, having often of your open bounty tasted, hearing you were retired, your friends fallen off, whose thankless natures--o abhorred spirits!--not all the whips of heaven are large enough. What! To you, whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence to their whole being! I am rapt and cannot cover the monstrous bulk of this ingratitude with any size of words.

TIMON
Let it go naked, men may see't the better. You that are honest, by being what you are, make them best seen and known.

SEMPRONIUS
He and myself have travailed in the great shower of your gifts, and sweetly felt it. We are hither come to offer you our service.

TIMON
Most honest men! Why, how shall I requite you? Can you eat roots, and drink cold water? No.

Ventidius looks uneasy.

VENTIDIUS
What we can do, we'll do, to do your service.

TIMON
Ye are honest men; ye've heard that I have gold. I am sure you have; speak truth, ye're honest men.

They stand still for a long moment. Finally:

SEMPRONIUS
(faltering)
So it is said, my noble lord. But therefore came not my friend nor I.

TIMON
Good honest men! Thou draw'st a counterfeit best in all Athens. Thou art, indeed, the best. Thou counterfeit'st most lively.

SEMPRONIUS
(mock modesty)
So so, my lord.

TIMON
Even so, sir, as I say. And, for thy fiction, why, thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth that thou art even natural in thine art. But, for all this, my honest-natured friends, I must needs say you have a little fault. Marry, 'tis not monstrous in you, neither wish I you take much pains to mend.

VENTIDIUS
(mock pleading)
Beseech your honor, make it known to us.

TIMON
You'll take it ill.

SEMPRONIUS
(ingratiating)
Most thankfully, my lord.

TIMON
Will you indeed?

VENTIDIUS
Doubt it not, worthy lord.

TIMON
There's never a one of you but trusts a knave, that mightily deceives you.

SEMPRONIUS
Do we, my lord?

TIMON
Aye, and hear him cog, see him dissemble, know his gross patchery, love him, feed him, keep in your bosom; yet remain assured that he's a made-up villain.

SEMPRONIUS
I know none such, my lord.

VENTIDIUS
Nor I.

TIMON
Look at you, I love you well; I'll give you gold, rid me these villains from your companies. Hang them or stab them, drown them in a draught, confound them by some course, and come to me, I'll have you gold enough.

Both self-proclaimed artists swallow and look uneasily at each other.
Timon rustles in the dirty bag and reveals a knot of cash.
Sempronius and Ventidius look hungry, eyes popping.

SEMPRONIUS
Name them, lord!

VENTIDIUS
Let's know them!

TIMON
You that way and you this, but two in company; each man apart, all single and alone, yet an arch-villain keeps him company. If where thou art two villains shall not be, come not near him. If thou wouldst not reside but where one villain is, then him abandon. Hence, pack! There's gold; you came for gold, ye slaves!

Sempronius reaches for the money. But Timon drops the money back in the sack and reaches down for a rock, throwing it at Sempronius.

TIMON (CONT'D)
You have worked for me; there's payment for you--hence!

Timon chucks another rock at Ventidius.

TIMON (CONT'D)
You are an alchemist; make gold of that! Out, rascal dogs!

Sempronius and Ventidius try to make a grab for the bag of money as Timon starts to rain blows and kicks down on them. Fighting a lost cause, they scurry away.



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.