Lost Souls

“The only good soul is a lost soul, and only a lost soul can find its way home.”

- Trebor Healey; A Horse Named Sorrow

FADE IN:

EXT. TRINITY CHURCH CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM, MANHATTAN, NEW

YORK - MIDNIGHT

The misty night sky overcasts rows and rows of intricately placed gravestones. One after the other, we see the names of those no longer with us.

But, one name stands out:

CALEB LOWERY

1978 - 2016

DEVOTED HUSBAND AND BELOVED FATHER

While fixed on the stone, a bright, white light suddenly appears. Rays of light gush from a shadowy figure, illuminating the cemetery amidst the murky night. The figure stands in front of Lowery's stone.

UNKNOWN (V.O.)

I believe everyone is moving along their own unique path in life. No matter how much you stray off your path, the universe always has a way of getting you to the right place at the right time.

As the light dims, we see a middle-aged, African-American man. Wearing a black shirt with a khaki trench coat and navy chinos, his beige boots are stood in front of Lowery's stone.

UNKNOWN (V.O.)

You know how I know this? Because my path ended 4 years ago. Even after all these years, it's still surreal to contemplate the fact that I'm dead.

The man is JACOB LOWERY.

LOWERY (V.O.)

The time is 0:01. And I've got 23 hours and 59 minutes to find out why I am back on Earth.

Lowery walks away from his own grave.

LOWERY (V.O.)

I was sent here for a purpose. And to find out what that purpose is, I have to revisit the places and people that defined me the most.

Illuminating ahead of him is the bright, translucent lights of New York City.

INT. CATS SPORTS PUB - NIGHT

01:24

The mud from Lowery's boots form footprints as he shifts towards the front of the desolate bar. To the opposite side of Lowery, a 50 year old lady, dressed in a rugged red and black flannel shirt, is wiping the table top. She catches Lowery's eye and yells-

BARTENDER

What would you like?

LOWERY

Whiskey, sour.

Swiftly, she pours the drink and slides it towards Lowery. Immediately, he throws the drink towards his mouth while his eyes are fixed on a collage of photos. One picture directed in the centre of the collection stands out to him.

LOWERY (V.O.)

My go-to drink every Friday, when we used to come here.

The picture is of a younger Lowery, raising a glass alongside two men on either side. To the left is a middle-aged, Caucasian man with gelled, slick-back hair. He has a stern look as he faces the camera with his sharp, owl-like eyes. He goes by-

LOWERY (V.O.)

Matthew Santos. He was serious, persuasive and always had a chip on his shoulder. Somehow he managed to always say the worst things at the worst times. But his heart was always in the right place.

On the other side is a Latino man, sporting a sharp, chiselled jaw with chestnut eyes. He looks like he has had a bit too much to drink, as he is grabbing onto Lowery for support. His name is-

LOWERY (V.O.)

Mateo Lopez. My oldest and closest friend.

Lowery takes another gulp of the whiskey.

LOWERY (V.O.)

He knew me inside-out. He knew what made me laugh, when to leave me to myself and what really annoyed me the most. He did drink a lot but he's one of those whose always in it for a good time.

Lowery takes one last sip before setting the glass on the table alongside a five dollar note. Throwing himself off the chair, he heads towards the exit.

LOWERY (V.O.)

I really do miss him.

He continues to shift.

LOWERY (V.O.)

If I could see him one more time-

BUMP.

Lowery collides with a man in a beige jumper. The man immediately falls towards the marble floor. Struggling to get up, Lowery kneels to aid him up, ignoring the strong waft of alcohol emanating from him.

As he does, the man turns. Lowery's eyes widen. Jaw down and hands still, he says-

LOWERY

Mateo?

MATEO LOPEZ turns to face him. His eyes are almost facing inwards. Tumbling from side-to-side, he attempts to stand still. Trying not to skew his words, he says-

LOPEZ

(slowly)

Hi, uhh.

Lowery spouts a wide, bright smile. He raises his arms, getting ready to jump in for a wide hug until-

LOPEZ (CONT'D)

Do I know you?

Lowery's emotions shift within a matter of seconds. He exhales his chest, reeling a wide sigh. His eyes dip. His smile evaporates as he lowers his head towards the murky floor. With hesitation and despicable distraught he whispers-

LOWERY

No.

Lowery explodes towards the exit leaving a confused and drunken Lopez behind him.

EXT. EDGE OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE - SUNRISE

04:44

The waters of East River lie still. Sat at the edge of the pier, a calm breeze sweeps across Lowery's ice-cold cheeks. A ray of orange light screams from the distance, attempting to break through the explosion of buildings dominating Brooklyn's harbour.

LOWERY (V.O.)

How did he not recognise me? We grew up together in Brooklyn; in the same neighbourhood, went to the same school and even studied the exact same major! How is that possible?

The sun continues its mission to escape, as a golden tinge slowly spreads across the night sky. One-by-one, the shimmering stars die out.

LOWERY (V.O.)

When I was a child, I used to gaze at the stars for hours upon end. My mother used to tell me that all those stars were souls of people who had died. She used to say, we'll all be up there one day. Well, it doesn't look like that's true, does it.

Lowery continues to gaze upon the sky, as it shifts from night to day.

EXT. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS - MIDDAY

12:04

The streets of Brooklyn are alive.

We see a rugged astroturf court ahead of Brooklyn Bridge in the distance. Encapsulated by teenagers playing basketball, they do so over the tune of a man playing a guitar. Dressed in a brown trench coat with holes, he plays his chestnut coloured guitar besides the cage of the court and behind a guitar chest, filled with a couple of quarters and notes. Lowery shifts past the man. While doing so, he places a five dollar note into the case.

LOWERY (V.O.)

I've lived in New York all my life, the greatest city in the world. Was born in Langone hospital, a few blocks from here, grew up in Sunset Park, the next borough over and even got married here too.

He continues to stroll before stopping behind a stationary, typical yellow taxi.

He peers at the house diagonal to him. Stacked with brown bricks, the scrumptious house was tight but spacious; a typical working-class house you would find in New York. A figure moves past one of the windows. Moving closer we see the woman again, grabbing a laptop and a few books. Expressing fine, black hair; bulging, turquoise eyes alongside her pale skin, she looks like a Scarlett Johansson-type.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Rose and I, we met at college, Columbia University. We were both in the same class. We didn't really know each other at the start. But one day, we sat next to each other and one day we kind of just, hit it off. She was the funniest and most curious person I'd ever met. And honestly, she just got me, like very few people could. And I got her too.

Rose moves away from the window. Within a few seconds, she pops out of the house. Dressed in a black, wooly peacoat, with black trousers and brown Timberland boots, she holds onto a brown leather bag with one hand. She continues to shift forward until the door opens behind her. A 7 year old boy with frizzy, afro-like hair emerges.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Lucas.

LUCAS

Mum!

Bubbling with laughter, the boy runs towards Rose. She turns around, smiles and hugs the child affectionately. As Rose does, a tear trickles down Lowery's left cheek.

LOWERY (V.O.)

He's grown up so much.

LUCAS

Don't go!

ROSE

Don't worry Lucas! I'll be back soon.

But, the door opens again. A man pops out of the house. Dressed in a casual navy-blue jumper and grey jeans, his short, black hair accentuates his chiselled jawline and hazelnut eyes.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Wait, who is that?

Lowery's face transforms into one of confusion and bewilderment.

UNKNOWN

Hun, you almost forgot your phone, again.

(laughs)

He hands Rose her mobile.

ROSE

Wow, you'd think I'd remember to take my phone. Thanks Jack.

As she takes the phone, they both go in for a kiss.

LOWERY (V.O.)

(angry)

What? Who is this Jack?

JACK

Come on son, let's go back inside.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Son?

Jack picks up Lucas and walks towards the house. While he does, Lucas gives a tiny wave towards Rose. Lowery continues to peer in anger and notices a silver ring on Jack's finger.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Rose is married? Again? To this guy? But, how? How could she forget about me? About us?

Lowery clenches his fists as he walks in the opposite direction to Rose. Shifting in anger, he moves past the man with the guitar.

LOWERY (V.O.)

First Mateo, now Rose? But, how could they forget about me? Forget about all that we've been through? Rose, we had a child together, I mean how? After all we've been through, all those years. Was it all worth it if they don't remember me? I hope no one else has forgotten about me,

(beat)

especially the man who killed me.

EXT. EMPTY HIGHWAY BROOKLYN - EVENING

18:36

A miniature ball of light glistens furiously in the distance. Illuminating the dark surroundings, the ball expands like a balloon being blown. Suddenly, the ball splits into two; growing larger and more furious.

LOWERY (V.O.)

You'll never find a highway as empty as this in New York. I should know because, I drove down here everyday. There wasn't even have a camera down here - that was changed a year after I died here.

As we get closer and closer, a reflection of moonlight explodes from the window above. The lights in-fact, belonged to a BROWN CHEVY TRUCK. As fast as lightning, the truck continues to traverse the barren road.

LOWERY (V.O.)

It was late, around 8/9. I was driving home from work. But, my car just exploded. Smoke just drained from the bonnet. To be fair the car was 15 years old; I guess I had it coming.

From a bird-eye view, the car's headlights formed two illuminating triangles within the black surroundings.

LOWERY (V.O.)

There were no exits. So, I decided to stop on the carriageway.

Behind the wheel is an early 30s male. He rocked a navy blue Yankees cap alongside black spectacles just above his bushy, black beard.

LOWERY (V.O.)

I opened up the front and couldn't see a thing because of the smoke. The smoke was so bad, I could actually feel my chest hurting.

Behind the leather watch wrapped around his arm, we see the red dial pointing towards 60 km/h.

LOWERY (V.O.)

So I stepped out on the main road,

trying to grasp some air.

He continues to cruise.

LOWERY (V.O.)

That was til-

A shadow darts in front and onto the hood of the car. The man lunges forward and back. He kicks the brakes down. Clutching the steering wheel from left to right, the truck skids into a frenzy. Eventually, the car comes to a screeching halt.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Except that time he didn't have his lights on.

With his face filled with dread, he jumps out of the vehicle.

MAN

(crying)

Oh no! Please be okay, please be okay!

Coming to the front of the car, he inspects the bumper and bonnet. But, there is no damage.

MAN

What? How?

Perplexed, he pears at the point where he hit the figure. But, nothing is there.

That was until he feels a hand on the back of his head. With fury, he is thrown onto the truck, shattering the window on the driver's side. As he yells in agony, his glasses fly off his face. Blood gushes from his forehead causing him to drop onto the floor. As he does, he catches a blurred glimpse of LOWERY, whose sharp glare is enough to burn through glass.

MAN

What the hell man?!

The man scrambles across the floor trying to look for his glasses.

LOWERY

Joshua Martino.

MAN

(terrified)

Yeah! What do you want from me? My wallet? Just take it! Just don't kill me!

MARTINO removes his wallet and chucks it towards Lowery's feet. The wallet topples around, opening up to reveal a picture of a little girl.

LOWERY

Do you know who I am?

Martino shifts his hands until he comes across them underneath the back wheel. Instantly, he yanks them and places the glasses on his face. With the left-side cracked and the right clear, he faces Lowery.

MARTINO

(confused)

How-how is this possible?

LOWERY

Four years ago today, you killed me at that exact same spot.

MARTINO

I saw you on the news, they said you had died. Am I hallucinating this; my therapist said that would happen?

LOWERY

I had a family, I had a son.

MARTINO

I know! I know! I'm sorry, it was an accident!

LOWERY

Tell that to my widowed wife.

MARTINO

I'm sorry! I think about what happened everyday. Everyday since then. I wish I had never gone down that road. But, I had to get home, to my daughter.

LOWERY

(perplexed)

What-what do you mean?

MARTINO

She was sick at the time. Stage four cancer, worst of the worst. I was at work one day. And, my husband called me saying she got real sick and needed to be taken to the hospital. From the sound of his voice, I could tell it was serious.

(beat)

I just jumped into my car and tried to get to the hospital as soon as possible. And that was when......

Lowery looked down at the picture and back at Martino. In the photo, the girl's left arm is connected to an IV stand in a hospital. Wearing a woolly hat, she lets out a miniature smile. A small tear traverses down his cheek.

MARTINO (CONT'D)

I did a terrible thing to you. To your family. I've spent many nights thinking about it. I never meant for this to happen. And I'll make sure it won't happen again. If you can believe it, I'm trying to do better.

In that very exact moment, Lowery came across a sudden moment of realisation.

LOWERY (V.O.)

I get it now.

(beat)

Joshua didn't mean to do it. Like he said, it was an accident. But, every action has a purpose. Maybe, I shouldn't have stood on that road at that exact time. Maybe, I should've bought a new car way before then. Maybe, I should've taken a different road home. All these actions led to one uncontrollable moment in time. I can't hold him accountable for the actions of the past. That's why, it's time that he move past this.

LOWERY

Joshua, I forgive you.

Joshua Martino looked up at Caleb Lowery. It takes him a second to contemplate what just happened. His face of sorrow transforms into one of relief. He takes a deep breath and releases it. As he does, Lowery turns away from him and walks into the dark night.

EXT. TRINITY CHURCH CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM, MANHATTAN, NEW

YORK - NIGHT

23:49

The perfectly shaped, crescent moon dominates the luscious, clear night sky. Glistening radiantly, a shower of stars sparkle above the church.

Lowery enters the cemetery, traversing alongside the gravestones.

LOWERY (V.O.)

It's not that Mateo or Rose have forgotten about me. They'll always remember. But, life keeps moving forward; they're just trying their best to keep up.

EXT. EDGE OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT

The sparkling stars and transparent sky reflect across the surface of the East River. At the edge of the pier, a man faces upwards, gazing at the night sky. As we move closer, we see Mateo Lopez planted at the edge.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Everyone has their own unique way of coping with it, different ways to navigate around it.

He lifts the brown paper bag holding a Stella Artois to his lips while, gazing at the scenery.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Some ways help more than others.

INT. MARTINO’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Martino sits in the centre of a dilapidated, cream couch. Next to him his husband, consoling him as they sweep through a navy blue photo album. With a closer look, it is evident all the photos are of their daughter.

One photo is of her as an infant playing with a dollhouse.

Another is her at a dining table laughing.

Another is her older self sitting at a hospital bed smiling; a few days before her untimely death.

LOWERY (V.O.)

But, it takes more courage to face that tragedy head on.

INT. ROSE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

At the edge of the bed sits Rose. Peering down at her phone, she scrolls through a series of photos; photos all of Lowery.

One is a casual picture of her and Lowery in a bar.

Another follows Lowery holding a baby for the first time, their son.

And the final one is of both Lowery and Rose. Rose is dressed in an angelic, white dress while, Lowery dons a sharp grey tuxedo with a black shirt. They both share a kiss in the

middle of a field of pink lilies underneath the scorching rays of the sun; it was their wedding day.

LOWERY (V.O.)

Having that strength can be difficult, but eventually you do find it.

Behind her, Jack strolls into the room diverting Rose's attention. He smiles and tumbles

over the bed and behind Rose, hugging her from the back. Rose puts away her phone

and cuddles him enduringly. She lets out a gushing laugh as she does.

LOWERY (V.O.)

And honestly, I'm glad that Rose has found a new husband, a new family. Because knowing that she's happy, makes me happy.

EXT. TRINITY CHURCH CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM, MANHATTAN, NEW

YORK - MIDNIGHT

A perfect silhouette emerges over Lowery's gravestone. He peers towards the sky and at the mellow moon. He takes one deep breath before closing his eyes.

LOWERY (V.O.)

She's moved on with her life. And maybe, just maybe, it's time for me to do the same.

A shimmering sparkle emerges underneath Lowery's skin. The white glow grows greater, encapsulating Lowery in a spherical bubble.

Quickly, the glow dies out and Lowery is no longer there.

We look to the slather of scintillating stars. One by one they glisten majestically. But in the centre of the sky, another star suddenly appears out of nowhere. This one sticks out. Bigger and shimmering brighter, it juxtaposes alongside the trillions of other souls.

THE END.