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The full moon rises through the Olympic Rings hanging beneath Tower Bridge during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
This occurred during the final of the Men’s 100 metres under the light of a full moon, which Usain Bolt won in a world record time of 9.59.
Next day, headlines around the world described this as “The Sixth Ring of the Olympics“. I had just completed the screenplay that very week.
Kelly Clarkson had just released her hit song, Darkside, as it coincidentally and simultaneously appeared in my logline.
Then for sure I knew this story just had to be told!
When you’re innocent but the world believes you are guilty, how do you find the courage to prove them wrong?
DARIUS JEFFERSON runs the streets, beaches and towers of Los Angeles. And when he isn’t running he pumps a bicycle through the streets of LA and the surrounding hills. He appears to grow stronger with each turn of the wheel and long strides as his duct-taped running shoes strike the pavement at incredible speeds.
Spotted running the beaches and streets by CHARLIE HAMILTON, an internationally renowned track Coach with his own checkered background; he takes Darius under his wing.
Charlie enters Darius in unsanctioned track meets. Darius handily wins – duct-tape shoes in tow. Darius is brought to Olympic standards, and as an unknown American runner from the ghettos of South Central LA, goes head to head with the current World record holder, KARL BERESFORD, the affuent, well financed and educated, great white hope from Britain.
Underneath the glow of a full blue moon, the race leaves spectators breathless. It ends in a dead heat! Before officials can set a run-off, Darius tests positive for an IOC prohibited substance. Darius is disqualified, the Gold Medal awarded to Karl. Darius is at a loss to explain. His protest of never having taken an illegal steroid falls on deaf ears.
The ensuing fall-out and emotional turmoil for all involved virtually destroys Darius’ prospects as his relationship with his coach, the only father figure in his life, is in shambles. The media relentlessly denigrates the young African-American, driving him into the very street gangs of South Central LA he had long avoided. He even turns from his beloved and ever faithful mother.
Charlie Hamilton searches for answers. Was Darius telling the truth? Is there another reason he could have tested positive? The answer Charlie discovers may prove more devastating than the Olympic Games disgrace.
YELLOW SUPERMOON IN A CLEAR SUMMER NIGHT SKY
Music in the background: Kelly Clarkson singing ‘Dark Side’.
CHARLIE Hamilton IN BACKGROUND STATING THE MARK TWAIN QUOTE: “Everyman is like the moon; he has a dark side. Geez I love Twain”. “Darius, you have become a spiritual alchemist, by transmutting your suffering to joy. Now become an Olympic alchemist by winning Gold”.
STARTING LINE OF THE MENS’ 100 METRE OLYMPIC FINAL
Camera focuses on all runners reaching the starting line.
Then focuses on Darius’ shoes, which are duct taped.
Event is being run in the evening, under the light of the full yellow moon, in front of a full house of over 80,000 and televised to the entire world.
Spotlight on the little known but up and coming Darius Jefferson, of the US, African American; and the favorite to win gold, Karl Beresford, of the UK, Caucasian.
Beams of sweat depicting the hot summer night and the anticipation of the starter’s pistol.
Scene goes blank.
The starter calls cadence and his gun is fired.
CHARLIE HAMILTON LYING IN BED.
Charlie, coach of Darius, just before he succumbs to his terminal lymphoma. His wife Celine is lying beside him crying uncontrollably.
Charlie utters: “Darius is clean.”
FLASHBACK: IN BLACK AND WHITE
A young Charlie lining up next to his friend Matt at the starting line of the NCAA 100 meter final. The two glance at each other. Charlie winks. The race is on. Charlie wins and looks back for his friend Matt. Matt is lying dead on the track 40 meters behind.
DARIUS GIVING CHARLIE’S EULOGY,
Darius: ‘And I will be eternally indebted to Charlie for his love and guidance, and for being the catalyst that has brought me here, today.’
Celine: ‘This is for you, Darius, from Charlie.’
Celine hands Darius a hand written note just after he eulogizes Charlie, and then reads it:
POV on Note: ”Darius, I know you have never taken drugs of any kind. You are a natural but you have a physiologic anomaly. I call it mitochondrial enhancement.”
Then he looks up perplexed and in astonishment.
CAMERA FOCUS ON CHARLIE’S TOMBSTONE.
POV: Darius holding a gold medal, reaching out for the top of the tombstone.
DARIUS RUNNING ON THE BEACH
All one can see is the trail of sand he kicks up because of his great speed.
DARIUS CLIMBS THE STAIRWELL OF A TALL BUILDING.
Running up at blazing speed, he reaches the rooftop sucking in his breath with his arms extended as he reaches for the sky. The day is clear and bright. Camera zooms in on his shoes.
BACK TO THE OLYMPIC FINAL PART WAY THROUGH THE RACE.
The view is from the side and then slightly from the rear halfway through the race. Darius and Karl are neck and neck.
Quick shot of Darius’ shoes.
KARL TRAINING IN HIS HIGH TECH GYM.
Running on a treadmill at the highest speed hooked up with
monitors and oxygen. Trainers and doctors all around him.
AFTER HIS TRAINING RUN, KARL SITTING WITH AN I.V. LINE DRIPPING INTO HIS ARM AND A DOCTOR INJECTING A SYRINGE INTO HIS RIGHT DELTOID.
BACK TO THE OLYMPIC FINAL CLOSING IN ON THE FINISH LINE SEE RUNNERS FROM BEHIND THEN CAMERA IS IN FRONT OF THE TWO.
Camera then focuses on the full yellow moon above them.
DARIUS AND CANDACE.
The two are kissing passionately. Candace is a beauty and a track star as well. She has motivated Darius. He has fallen hard for her.
CHARLIE AND CELINE.
A younger Charlie walking hand in hand with his beautiful Celine. They stop and gaze into each others eyes.
NAZI LABORATORY.
Darkened room with swastikas on the walls and large vials of anabolic steroids and bottles of amphetamines.
THE FINISH LINE OF THE 100 METERS.
Camera has the two runners running side by side lunging for the tape.
PA System announces that both runners have shattered the world record. Camera focus on electronic timer showing 9.49. But Darius wins by a whisker.
NEWS HEADLINES: US RUNNER STRIPPED OF GOLD. TESTED POSITIVE
FOR STEROIDS. BERESFORD WINS GOLD BY DEFAULT.
CAMERAS MOVING UPWARDS SLOWLY SHOWING CROWD AND THEN POINTING TOWARDS THE SKY CAPTURING THE SUPERMOON.
Scene dissolves with the moon turning into the Gold medal which is being carried by Darius.
AT THE TOMBSTONE
Gold medal is placed on the tombstone. Showing Darius standing over it. Charlie’s name is on the tombstone.
CHARLIE OFF CAMERA: “IS THERE REDEMPTION? WILL HE BE REINSTATED?
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