LEGACY

Written By Jafei Pollitt

---

FATHER

SON

---

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY.

SON sits next to his sick FATHER in a hospital bed. SON holds his hand and quietly sobs.

SON

Please, Dad, don’t go.

FATHER’s hand squeezes the SONS and SON looks up wide-eyed.

SON

DAD!

FATHER’s eyes slowly open

FATHER

Son.

SON

(Tears streaming down)

Dad! Please don’t leave me, Dad.

FATHER

(weak)

I have to, son. My body is too weak.

SON

But Dad, I need you.

FATHER

I’ll always be with you. In here.

FATHER faintly points to SONS chest.

SON

It’s not the same.

SON’s eyes downcast.

FATHER

Before I go, I want you to have something.

SON looks up.

SON

No, dad, I don’t need anything from you.

FATHER

I need you to carry it on. Be my legacy and keep it close.

FATHER takes his other hand that has been clenched together and brings it over to his SON.

FATHER

Do you promise to cherish this? And never sell it or give it away.

SON

Yes, Dad, of course.

FATHER

Good. There will be people who try to take it from you. Bad people.

FATHER slowly opens his palm to reveal a toenail clipping on a little chain.

FATHER

For you.

SON

Um.

FATHER

To keep me in your heart.

SON

What is it?

FATHER

A piece of me. A piece of the family.

SON

Is that a toenail clipping?

FATHER smiles.

FATHER

Yes. Good eye, my boy.

SON

Oh, uh, yeah. Okay.

SON tries to take the toenail clipping from his FATHER’s palm without gagging.

FATHER

I love you.

SON

I love you too, Dad.

Pause.

SON

Is this really what you wanted to give me?

FATHER

What do you mean?

SON

No - nothing. Nevermind.

FATHER

What. You don’t like it?

SON

No! I do! It’s just, uh, not what I was expecting.

FATHER

Okay, nevermind, give it back.

SON

No, Dad! I love it! I love you!

FATHER

You have no appreciation for family heirlooms.

SON

Wait.

FATHER

What.

SON

This isn’t your toenail?

FATHER

(proud)

It’s your great, great grandfather's. The german one.

SON

The nazi one?

FATHER

Oh please.

SON

You’re giving me a nazi’s toenail?

FATHER

HE’S NOT A NAZI!

SON

Nazi.

FATHER

He killed ONE GUY and that makes him a nazi?

SON

He killed a little girl.

FATHER

You know what? Give it back. I’ll give it to your sister.

SON

Okay.

FATHER

Ungrateful bastard.

SON hands back the toenail. FATHER places it back in his palm and lies down.

FATHER

(stubborn)

Goodbye.

SON

What?

FATHER

Tell your mother I never really forgave her for that thing she said in '79

FATHER closes his eyes and the monitor goes blank.

SON

DAD! NOOOOOOOOO!

SON cries into the open air.

END