ODOM BOOKS
INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY, Eye on the Sparrow is an inspirational heart wrenched drama about two brothers, one an introverted prodigy pianist, the other a born again con-artist, who come together by growing apart, when the con-artist learns that he is terminally ill.
– “Am my brother's keeper?”
Eye on the Sparrow: A Faith-Based Screenplay
By Christopher C. Odom
EXT ATLANTA, GA DAY
A brisk winter's day. Beams of sunshine illuminate the downtown landscape. Christmas is in the air.
A FEMALE GOSPEL SOLOIST, the missing Supreme, belts out a mediocre overdone version of HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW. The mellifluous tones of a Hammond B3 Organ, equipped with two Leslie speakers, provides the "just do" accompaniment.
GOSPEL SOLOIST (O.S.)
(sings)
WHY SHOULD I FEEL DISCOURAGED,
EXT PIEDMONT PARK
HOMELESS VAGABONDS push SHOPPING CARTS, deliver spare change speeches, dupe tourists with shell games, and render mediocre sidewalk performances.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
WHY SHOULD THE SHADOWS COME,
EXT DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A group of STUDENTS have a Hip-Hop rhyme battle in the quad while others ignore the ruckus and study diligently.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
WHY SHOULD MY HEART BE LONELY,
EXT GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
E.R. DOCTORS rush to meet endless AMBULANCES full of aimless holiday shoppers maimed by speeding UPS trucks.
EXT MCDONALD'S
CARS stuffed with CHRISTMAS GIFTS, wait impatiently in the Drive-Thru lane for EXTRA VALUE MEAL DEALS.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
AND LONG FOR HEAV'N AND HOME.
EXT JOHN HOPE HOMES HOUSING PROJECT
A POLICE OFFICER debriefs a TEARY-EYED WOMAN who has just had all of her family's Christmas presents stolen.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
WHEN JESUS IS MY PORTION,
EXT GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER
A HANDFUL OF STUDENTS gather in the main quad. They demonstrate against the U.S. immigration policies for citizens of third world countries.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
MY CONSTANT FRIEND IS HE;
EXT BENEVOLENT OFFERING CHURCH
Saved, SANCTIFIED SAINTS washed in the blood of their Lord and Savior, pour out of the sanctuary "fired up" and freshly anointed with OIL.
The GOSPEL SOLOIST hangs on a sour note.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW,
EXT LENOX MALL
CRAZED PARENTS impatiently await in a never ending line for the "hot toy" of the Christmas season.
GOSPEL SOLOIST
(sings)
AND I KNOW HE WATCHES ME.
INT BIG & TALL MEN'S STORE
JOHN "L'IL J" FISHERMAN (20), gaunt and mentally unstable, checks his waistline in front of a THREE-SECTION MIRROR.
JAMES "BIG JIM" FISHERMAN (30), L'il J's portly, charismatic, jovial, yet overbearing brother, licks MELTING CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM from a SUGAR CONE.
L'IL J
(to Big Jim)
Do you think my stomach is too big?
Big Jim rolls his eyes at L'il J.
A pompous Store Manager (42), scurries over to Big Jim.
STORE MANAGER
(indignant)
Excuse me sir, but there's no food allowed in the store!
As the Store Manager grabs Big Jim by the arm, a scoop of chocolate ice-cream plummets into a HEAP of clothes hung on a RACK. The Store Manager quickly attends to the mess.
Big Jim waddles through the store randomly grabbing clothes as he goes.
At the front counter, the Store Manager scrubs away at the ice-cream damaged merchandise with dry-clean SPOT REMOVER.
Big Jim, arms full of clothes, jiggles the door to a DRESSING ROOM. Damn...
BIG JIM
(to Store Manager)
It's locked. Open it!
The Store Manager slowly finishes his scrubbing.
BIG JIM
(claps hands)
Chop-Chop! I'm in a hurry.
The Store Manager leaves the counter and unlocks the dressing room.
BIG JIM
Here's a penny for your trouble.
Big Jim flicks a penny at the Store Manager, enters the dressing room, and slams the door.
L'IL J
(calls out)
Jim, I'll be next door at the record store.
INT RECORD STORE
L'il J casual peruses the CLASSIC JAZZ CD SELECTION: John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald.
L'il J makes his way over to the KEYBOARD SECTION. He commences to play a simple, but catchy tune. Eyes and ears captivate. A few gather round.
INT BIG & TALL MEN'S STORE
Big Jim barrels out of the dressing room. He tosses a pile of clothes on the counter in front of the Store Manager.
STORE MANAGER
Will that be cash, charge, or check?
BIG JIM
I changed my mind.
Big Jim marches to the entrance of the store.
INT RECORD STORE
L'il J grooves on two keyboards, simultaneously. A sizable enraptured crowd surrounds him.
Big Jim pummels through the barricade of bodies.
Big Jim removes his KEYS from his pocket. He jingles them next to L'il J's head like little a little bell.
L'IL J
Just a sec--
Big Jim grabs L'il J by the ear and steers him from the Record Store.
L'IL J
(whines)
You said this was the last stop.
EXT LENOX MALL
Big Jim bursts through the double doors while inhaling the final morsels from a BOX OF CRACKERJACKS.
L'il J trails behind.
POPPA Z (62) , a fatherly homeless musician with a shopping cart full of cans and supplies and an overstuffed BACKPACK draped over his shoulders, jiggles a 64-OUNCE CUP OF SPARE CHANGE in front of Big Jim.
Big Jim crunches up the box of Crackerjacks and stuffs it into Poppa Z's cup.
L'il J doles Poppa Z a DOLLAR.
L'IL J
Hang in there, brother.
Big Jim quickly snatches the dollar out of the cup.
BIG JIM
What the hell are you doing?
L'il J lends Poppa Z a helpless gesture.
POPPA Z
(to Big Jim)
God bless you, brother.
Without looking back, Big Jim gives Poppa Z "the finger".
BIG JIM
Go to hell.
A beat.
L'IL J
L'il J, I said come on, let's go!
L'il J scampers away.
BIG JIM (O.S.)
(mumbles)
God damn homeless people...
EXT PARKING LOT
Big Jim and L'il J approach a LATER MODEL CAMARO. Big Jim throws his CAR KEYS at L'il J.
BIG JIM
Drive.
L'il J unlocks the car door for Big Jim. Big Jim snatches L'il J's hand and locks the car back.
BIG JIM
I'm not a bitch, open it from the inside.
L'IL J
I'm sorry.
BIG JIM
What did I tell you about saying I'm--
L'IL J
I mean OK.
(under breath)
Damn.
L'il J unlocks the driver's side, hops in the car, and unlocks Big Jim's door. Big Jim climbs into the car and falls backwards into his seat. He's not sick, just a bit lazy.
L'il J starts the motor and turns on the car stereo. He patiently scans for a good station.
BIG JIM
Drive.
L'IL J
I'm trying to find a good station.
BIG JIM
Drive!
L'IL J
It's safer to look for a station
while you're parked instead of--
Big Jim rams the gearshift into reverse. L'il J clumsily regains control of the car. He drives out of the parking lot and into the streets.
EXT BUCKHEAD ROAD
The Camaro moves slowly amidst a barrage of vehicles flooding the streets with holiday spirit.
INT CAMARO
L'il J drives while fiddling with the stereo.
BIG JIM
Which jacket should I wear on Saturday?
Big Jim sticks his hand into his pants. He removes a BLACK SILK JACKET.
BIG JIM
This one...
Big Jim removes a WHITE SILK JACKET from his pants.
BIG JIM
Or this one. Or should I wear...
Big Jim removes a STRIPED SHIRT from his pants.
BIG JIM
This shirt...
Big Jim removes a SOLID COLORED SHIRT from his pants.
BIG JIM
Or that shirt. But of course, what is a new outfit without...
Big Jim removes a PAIR OF SOCKS from his pants.
BIG JIM
Socks...
Big Jim removes a NECKTIE from his pants.
BIG JIM
And a tie.
Big Jim giggles without control.
L'IL J
(appalled)
Where did you get those?
The giggles cease. Big Jim gives L'il J a blank look. Big Jim whips out a FAT WAD OF LARGE BILLS. He counts it, SNAPPING each bill like a drug dealer.
L'IL J
You had the money to buy it all?
Big Jim continues to count and snap bills.
L'IL J
More than enough money to buy them ten times over.
L'il J reaches for the wad of money. Big Jim smacks the back of L'il J's hand.
L'IL J
I can't believe you! I was with you. You've made me an accessory.
L'il J nervously checks the rear view mirrors for the cops.
BIG JIM
Yeah-yeah. Blah-blah, blah-blah.
Big Jim puts away his wad of money. He adjusts his seat to lean way back.
L'IL J
Why would you steal these?
BIG JIM
Because, I can.
(a beat)
Shoplifting didn't seem to offend you when it sent you to school with your own lunch instead of having to be on the school lunch program.
A beat.
BIG JIM
I'm not sure who is worse, you or your sanctimonious church friends.
EXT THE FISHERMAN'S MIDTOWN APARTMENT
The Camaro SCREECHES into a NUMBERED PARKING SPACE.
INT FISHERMAN'S MIDTOWN APARTMENT
Big Jim waddles into the apartment. L'il J trails behind. MODEST ORNAMENTS adorn a SCRAWNY CHRISTMAS TREE. A FEW WRAPPED GIFTS are nestled beneath the tree.
L'IL J
It's always another hustle with you, "Big" Jim. And life is always one "Big" scam.
BIG JIM
You sanctimonious hypocrite.
Big Jim kicks a GIFT WRAPPED PRESENT beneath the Christmas tree.
L'IL J
I'm tired of living like this.
BIG JIM
Tired? You weren't tired when shooting craps paid for your 5th grade class trip.
Nor were you tired when card games paid for your broken leg when you were left for dead by a hit and run driver.
Big Jim thrusts his fingertips across his throbbing temples. He crumbles onto the sofa. A migraine? No...
L'IL J
How convenient--a vision.
VISION
INT BENEVOLENT OFFERING CHURCH
Big Jim clutches his heart.
L'IL J'S EYES stare at Big Jim from a distance.
Big Jim collapses to the floor. SEVERAL CONGREGATION MEMBERS surround him. HANDS tear open his shirt. BEADS OF SWEAT permeate through Big Jim's forehead.
END VISION
INT FISHERMAN MIDTOWN APARTMENT
Big Jim removes a KLEENEX from his pocket and wipes SWEAT from his brow.
BIG JIM
You'll be the death of me, yet.
L'IL J
Come on.
BIG JIM
Ever since I was 15 years old and I rescued us from that crappy foster home; I've been taking care of my little brother. While all the other kids were playing basketball, and going to prom, I was wiping your nose and slaving behind the grill at McDonald's.
You stole my childhood. Give me my life back.
L'il J plops down on the couch next to Big Jim.
L'IL J
No more.
BIG JIM
If you think you can do better, get the hell out and do it. As a matter of fact, I'll help.
Big Jim launches from the couch. Kicks open the door of L'il J's bedroom. Snatches a handful of clothes out of the closet. Tosses them out of the window.
L'IL J
Big Jim, please. Don't.
L'il J grabs Big Jim's arm, but Big Jim uses his weight advantage to overpower him. Big Jim continues to toss L'il J's belongings out of the window.
EXT FISHERMAN MIDTOWN APARTMENT BUILDING
Big Jim shoves L'il J out of the front door.
BIG JIM
Get out and stay out!
L'il J turns to face Big Jim. He slams the door in L'il J's face.
L'il J sorts through his belongings. He slips on a COAT. L'il J gathers everything into neat piles. L'il J reconsiders his actions, and kicks the piles behind a BUSH.
L'il J wanders across the street into the park.
EXT PIEDMONT PARK
L'il J sits on the edge of a GAZEBO in front of a MAN MADE LAKE. He holds his hands over his head and his head down in his lap.
L'il J vacates his stance, and wanders aimlessly through the park.
L'il J wanders out into the city street. He does not notice a speeding MARTA BUS.
POPPA Z (the older Homeless Musician who L'il J gave a dollar to in front of Lenox Mall), BACKPACK perched on his shoulders, slowly pushes away behind a shopping cart full of CANS, BOTTLES, and other thoroughfare. He spots L'il J and quickly sizes up the situation.
POPPA Z
Hey! Hey. Hey, son.
L'il J does not respond.
Poppa Z dashes into the street.
POPPA Z
(chants to self)
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.
Poppa Z snatches L'il J from harms way. Poppa Z loses his backpack. The bus screeches to a STEAMY HALT smashing into the backpack. EMPTY CANS SPEW across the street.
POPPA Z
You all right, son?
L'IL J
Yeah, thanks.
Poppa Z stoops over the ruins of his backpack. He scoops up the aluminum cans.
POPPA Z
Look at what you did, son. That's a whole day's worth of recycling.
L'IL J
Let me help you.
POPPA Z extends his hand.
POPPA Z
Poppa Z.
L'IL J
L'il J. What's the Z for?
POPPA Z
The Z is short for Zeb. What's the J for?
L'IL J
John, John Fisherman.
They shake hands.
EXT FISHERMAN APARTMENT BUILDING LATER
L'il J's belongings lay untouched in front of the building.
INT FISHERMAN APARTMENT BUILDING
Big Jim awakens on the couch from a deep sleep. A RADIO
PLAYS.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Tonight, freezing rain. Bundle up.
WALL CLOCK
6:17 P.M.
BIG JIM
Schlock, I'm late for work.
EXT FISHERMAN APARTMENT BUILDING
Big Jim dashes into his Camaro. He sports a MCDONALD'S ASSISTANT MANAGER UNIFORM, minus a coat and socks.
Big Jim wheels the Camaro out of the parking lot. The LEFT-REAR TIRE hits the edge of the curb leaving a small GASH.
EXT PIEDMONT PARK LATER
Poppa Z and L'il J stroll along the jogging pavement. Poppa Z stops beneath an area of TREES.
He removes an OLD WEATHERED TELEVISION SET from his shopping basket. Plugs it into an ELECTRICAL SOCKET on an OUTDOOR LIGHT POLE. Poppa Z removes several FLATTENED CARDBOARD BOXES from the BUSHES along with a few MILK CRATES. He spreads the boxes across a GRASSY AREA. Arranges the milk crates in a familiar pattern.
POPPA Z
Have a seat, L'il J.
L'il J attempts to adjust to his strange surroundings.
Poppa Z plugs a HOT PLATE into the electrical socket. He opens a CAN OF BAKED BEANS with a MANUAL CAN OPENER.
POPPA Z
Hungry?
L'il J stares at Poppa Z.
Poppa Z laughs. Removes the label from the can of beans. Sets the hole can on the hot plate.
L'IL J
What's your story?
POPPA Z
Story? You don't want to hear my story.
L'IL J
Got kids?
A long pause.
POPPA Z
Can't say I've raised any.
Poppa Z opens a PLASTIC FORK, KNIFE, AND SPOON SET. Stirs the baked beans.
L'IL J
You're not a drug addict, are you?
Poppa Z laughs.
POPPA Z
Drug addict? You've been watching too many movies, son. I'm a pianist, or at least I used to be.
Poppa Z rises. Rummages through his shopping cart. Removes a beaten CASIO KEYBOARD. Reclaims his seat on his crate. Plays a few licks.
POPPA Z
Damn. Those diminished seventh chords always did give me a problem in "C" sharp.
L'IL J
Wow! You sound like Oscar Petersen.
POPPA Z
I used to tell Oscar he sounds like me.
L'IL J
You knew Oscar Petersen?
POPPA Z
Petersen, Gillespie, Basie, Ellington... I knew them all.
I mostly played in Europe. Go to Paris - it's the best.
L'IL J
I've always wanted to go to Paris. Maybe someday--
POPPA Z
(smiles)
You will.
A beat.
POPPA Z
Do you play?
L'IL J
By ear. Before and after church I fool around with the piano in the choir room. I just know a few chords, but can barely use both hands.
Poppa Z hands L'il J the keyboard.
L'il J cranks out his well rehearsed, but limited repertoire.
POPPA Z
You've got the touch. Let me show you something.
Poppa Z takes the keyboard.
POPPA Z
Do you know your scales?
L'IL J
I have a chord chart, but I just know major and minor.
POPPA Z
This is what musicians call faking.
You find the root of whatever key you're playing in. For most church music, the chords are 1, 4, 5. Same for blues.
Let the right hand play the melody with one finger and fill in the chord with your other fingers.
For the left hand, you can play the root of each chord by itself, with two octaves, or add the 4 to one root or two octaves.
Poppa Z demonstrates by playing AMAZING GRACE.
POPPA Z
You try.
Poppa Z hands L'il J the keyboard. L'il J clumsily attempts to play AMAZING GRACE.
POPPA Z
Try it in "A" flat.
L'il J's playing dramatically improves. Poppa Z shakes his head with approval.
POPPA Z
You definitely got the gift, son.
L'il J smiles.
EXT MCDONALD'S NIGHT
A trail of VEHICLES awaits on the DRIVE-THRU pad.
INT MCDONALD'S
AVERY (19), cute, but hardly the Employee of the month, attends the CASH REGISTER in Drive-Thru.
IMPATIENT CUSTOMER (O.S.)
Hit me with a number 2 and two hot apple pies.
AVERY
$4.12. Please pull up to the window.
Avery does not type ring the order up on the cash register. She wears a devious grin.
Big Jim steps in front of Avery's cash register. He dons an obtuse HEADSET. Big Jim maniacally mashes in a code on the register keypad which ejects the CASH DRAWER.
BIG JIM
Clean the front. Go home.
AVERY
I still have an hour left on my shift.
Big Jim twiddles his fingers in Avery's face.
BIG JIM
Good-night.
Big Jim nudges Avery out of his way with his hip.
Avery walks away.
AVERY
(under breath)
Fat bastard.
BIG JIM
(does not bother to look at Avery)
I heard that, you mis-educated misfit. I would fire you, but you're stupid enough to keep coming back to work to let me torment you.
FEMALE CUSTOMER (O.S.)
I'll have a number 1 and a number...
BIG JIM
(into headset)
That'll be $7.68.
Big Jim does not type anything on the cash register keypad.
MALE CUSTOMER (O.S.)
I'll have a number 7 and a 9-Piece Chicken McNugget.
BIG JIM
That'll be $8.47.
Big Jim makes himself a CHOCOLATE SHAKE. He still enters nothing into the cash register.
EXT MCDONALD'S LATER
A MCDONALD'S EMPLOYEE wheels TWO TRASH BARRELS to the DUMPSTER.
INT MCDONALD'S OFFICE
Behind a closed door, Big Jim counts the MONEY in Avery's drawer with an ADDING MACHINE. He examines a TALLY SLIP.
BIG JIM
Looks like I made more than I thought I did. That's $507.16 for McDonald's and $50 for "McJim."
Big Jim giggles. Pockets fifty dollars cash money. Avery knocks on the office door. Big Jim opens it.
AVERY
(curtsies)
I'm finished, your highness.
BIG JIM
Avery, your drawer was $5.00 under.
AVERY
(irate)
Five dollars under? That's
impossible, because--
BIG JIM
Because what?
Avery holds her tongue.
BIG JIM
I'll deduct it from your next paycheck. Thank you, good-night.
Big Jim slams the office door in Avery's face. Laughs.
Pages 1 - 17
Christopher C. Odom is an Award-Winning Writer, Director, Producer and Author who earned his Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles. An Associate Member of the Writers Guild of America, west Independent Writer’s Caucus, Christopher has won numerous screenwriting and filmmaking awards. His work has been nationally televised and screened in cities worldwide, including Tel Aviv, Berlin and Cannes.
About The Author
