EXT. IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE - DAY
ABRAHAM, escorted by a security guard, walks slowly back towards the same White House gate he had entered some time before. His mood is one of defeat, at least a temporary one. When he leaves the White House grounds, he turns back to look at the the structure one more time. Could he or would he be able to return in two weeks as ROBERT said? What would be the point? He then hails a taxi that heads towards Union Station.
EXT. ON STREET IN FRONT OF ABRAHAM'S HOUSE - NIGHT
ABRAHAM's taxi pulls up in front of his house on his return from his failed trip to Washington. He exits taxi and talks to driver.
ABRAHAM: Here's an extra $10. I want you to drive the babysitter home. Just a short distance. She's up by the door...be down in a sec.
After paying the driver, ABRAHAM walks to front door and greets IKE and LIZ. He hands her an envelope with cash and tells her about the taxi waiting for her.
ABRAHAM: (to IKE) Hi, IKE. I missed you. Let's say good night to LIZ.
(to LIZ) Thanks for doing this. Everything was okay?
LIZ: Yeah. Everything was fine.
ABRAHAM: Here's your bonus. The taxi driver will take you home. Thanks again. Good night.
LIZ: Thanks and good night, ABRAHAM. Night, IKE.
ABRAHAM and IKE wave good-bye to LIZ as she leaves in the taxi. ABRAHAM and IKE enter their house.
INT. ABRAHAM'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Later, ABRAHAM carries IKE to his bedroom, kissing and hugging him on the way.
INT. IKE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
With IKE in his pajamas, ABRAHAM holds him on his lap. IKE is drifting off to sleep as ABRAHAM talks to him quietly.
ABRAHAM: IKE, daddy loves you very much. Daddy protects you and makes sure nothing bad happens to you. You are the most important thing in the world to me. I love you. Go to sleep now, my wonderful son.
IKE falls asleep. ABRAHAM puts him in his bed and hovers over him for a long time.
INT. ABRAHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY
ABRAHAM awakes the next morning. He notices door to his bedroom, normally kept open, is closed. A surprised ABRAHAM doesn't remembers closing it night before. But, then he is shocked to see the MESSENGER sitting quietly in a chair near his bed. ABRAHAM gets up and sits on bed facing MESSENGER.
ABRAHAM: What are you doing here? How did you get into my house?
MESSENGER: And a good morning to you, ABRAHAM. How can you still question my powers? I'm baffled at that. I thought you were bright.
ABRAHAM: Okay. You're here. What do you want?
MESSENGER: Did you succeed with your friend ROBERT?
ABRAHAM: Well, it was a temporary setback. I have an appointment to return for another try.
MESSENGER: Look, I only asked to see if you were going to tell me the truth. I know exactly what happened yesterday and it was a failure. You failed. No question.
ABRAHAM: But it's not over. I have another chance in two weeks. I'll learn from my mistakes.
MESSENGER: That will be a waste of time. There is no point in going back.
ABRAHAM: Please! Let me try. I'll get it done.
MESSENGER: It's over, ABRAHAM, and now the consequences. You must sacrifice your son.
ABRAHAM: Let me tell you, fuckhead, I'm not gonna do that. I refuse to do that. You can't make me.
MESSENGER: You can't refuse God. This is the price you paid for the privilege of spending an hour with HELEN. Remember?
ABRAHAM: I never agreed to that. You tricked me.
MESSENGER: I said consequences and you agreed. This is the consequence for your failure. You must sacrifice your son.
ABRAHAM: I refuse.
MESSENGER: You can't refuse God.
MESSSENGER stands up as does ABRAHAM. They are face to face.
MESSENGER: You dare refuse your God?
ABRAHAM: If God wants me to sacrifice my son, then, yes, I refuse my God.
MESSENGER: ABRAHAM, do you fear your God?
ABRAHAM: I love my son more.
MESSENGER: Do you refuse to carry out God's will?
ABRAHAM: I refuse.
Suddenly, a large knife appears in the hand of the MESSENGER.
MESSENGER: Here, take the knife.
ABRAHAM: No fucking way.
MESSENGER: Take it.
Suddenly, the knife is in ABRAHAM's hand. A frightened ABRAHAM tries to drop the knife, but it is stuck in his hand.
ABRAHAM: What the fuck's goin' on?
MESSENGER: Use it! Now! Obey your God.
ABRAHAM: Never! I love my son. You want blood? Kill me. I'll die in his place. Gladly!
MESSENGER: That's not the deal. You need to prove you fear your God. That is your obligation. Do it! Now!
ABRAHAM: I can't and I won't. Get the fuck outta here. Now!
MESSENGER: This is your last chance, ABRAHAM. The child must be sacrificed and if you won't do it...then I, as God's MESSENGER, will do it. And you won't be able to stop me.
ABRAHAM and the MESSENGER stare at each other, waiting a few seconds. Then, suddenly the knife is magically transferred back to the hand of the MESSENGER. A startled ABRAHAM sees this. The MESSENGER heads for the door and opens it. IKE is asleep in the next room. A paralyzed ABRAHAM tries to move, but can't. He struggles, but he can't move an inch.
ABRAHAM: (screams): No! Stop! Please! Don't touch my son. I waited my whole life for him. I thought it was God's will that I have him. And now God's going to take him away. I can't believe it. I won't.
MESSENGER: Too late, ABRAHAM. He must be sacrificed.
The MESSENGER walks out ABRAHAM's bedroom.
INT. IKE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Messenger enters IKE's bedroom holding the knife. He walks menacingly towards Ike who has just awakened. IKE, sitting on his bed, shows no fear of the MESSENGER. He holds one of his favorite toys. MESSENGER walks closer and closer to IKE. ABRAHAM's voice can be heard from his bedroom.
ABRAHAM (O.S.): Don't touch him, you son of a bitch. He doesn't deserve this fate. I am the one who is to be punished, not him.
MESSENGER: You are right, ABRAHAM. You are the one to be punished. And this is your punishment, the loss of your son.
The MESSENGER slowly raises his knife over IKE's head.
INT. ABRAHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY
Suddenly, ABRAHAM's cell phone rings. Luckily, he can reach it without much movement. It is a call from ROBERT. ABRAHAM answers.
ABRAHAM: Hello?
ROBERT SILVER (O.S.): ABRAHAM. It's ROBERT. I have news I think you're gonna like.
ABRAHAM looks at the MESSENGER who has returned to ABRAHAM's bedroom. The knife is gone. ABRAHAM drops the phone and is able to rush into his son's bedroom.
INT. IKE'S BEDROOM - DAY
ABRAHAM finds IKE untouched by the MESSENGER. He hugs and kisses IKE and carries him back to his own bedroom.
INT. ABRAHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY
After entering his bedroom, ABRAHAM discovers the MESSENGER has vanished. He hears Robert's voice from cellphone.
ROBERT (O.S.): Abraham?
ABRAHAM picks up phone.
ABRAHAM: What news?
On black background with white lettering:
Genesis 22: And God said to Abraham, "Do not lay your hand on your son..."
FADE OUT
The End
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