| By:
Patrick Irving
8/28/2007
After formally accepting a plea agreement from the federal government yesterday, Michael Vick offered up a long awaited public apology. However, he could not quite articulate for what exactly he is sorry. Well, sure, he is sorry he lied to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. And he is sorry he acted “immature” and used “poor judgment.” Those missteps will cost any Pro Bowler a nice chunk of change no matter what the circumstances.
But aside from being caught, does Vick harbor any regrets over his torture and abuse of animals? He managed to state that “dog fighting is terrible” and he “rejects it,” but can that sentiment suddenly (and genuinely) emerge after a seemingly lifelong passion for such activities? Or is it just something one says to get it on the record before sentencing?
Only time will tell, and as Vick now realizes, time he has. Perhaps it will provide him with some perspective on why what he did was disturbingly wrong and not just misguided or misunderstood as some of his brethren would like the public to believe…
CAFETERIA, THE BIG HOUSE, USA – DAY
Michael Vick, clad in his prison-issue orange jumpsuit, sits alone with his tray of food.
Trypod, a large, menacing prisoner approaches. The other Inmates take notice as Vick looks up warily.
VICK: Uh, hello.
TRYPOD: Give me your cookies.
VICK: Wh-what?
Vick glances nervously at his precious dessert.
TRYPOD: We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Now give me those cookies.
Vick tries to play it cool.
VICK: Aw, you don’t want these cookies.
TRYPOD: Oh, yes I do. Ten years in here…I got quite a taste for ‘em.
VICK: But these…these are my cookies. Now that I’m in here and I lost all my…this is all I have left!
TRYPOD: Hand ‘em over.
A crowd of Inmates forms around them.
VICK: I heard the horror stories about prisoners stealing each other’s cookies, but I can’t believe it’s true. Come on man, give me a break.
TRYPOD: What’s your problem chump? It’s just dessert.
VICK: No it’s not!
Vick grabs the cookies from the tray and clutches them tightly.
VICK: Come on, you’re better than this. You don’t need to do this.
TRYPOD: Don’t give me that bull. It’s how things are done.
INMATE #1: This is just the culture in here.
INMATE #2: You should really see it from our point of view.
VICK: Just because you’ve done it before doesn’t make it right.
The Inmates burst into laughter. Vick is getting nervous.
VICK: But I never asked for this.
TRYPOD: Man, look at those cookies – all chock full of raisins and chocolaty goodness. Those cookies were made for me. That’s their purpose.
VICK: No, come on. That’s not…
Trypod moves in.
The other Inmates are hooting and hollering.
INMATE #1: Oh, fifty smokes says Trypod gets those cookies!
INMATE #2: You’re on!
VICK: You guys are betting on this?! What’s the matter with you? Help me.
INMATE #1: Help you? This is our entertainment for the week.
INMATE #2: I love sports.
Trypod closes in and reaches for the cookies.
Vick staggers back and holds them up over his head.
VICK: Guard! Guard!
A Guard approaches from around the corner.
GUARD: Alright, what the hell’s going on over here?
VICK: Guard, this guy’s trying to make me give up my cookies.
The Guard looks at Trypod; he shrugs.
VICK: Well aren’t you going to help me?
GUARD: Damn it Vick! I got people killing each other in the laundry room and you’re gonna make a stink over something trivial like this?!
VICK: It’s not trivial to me. Wrong is wrong, isn’t it?
GUARD: I can’t be wasting my time and resources on this.
The Guard walks off.
Trypod smiles as he moves in. The Inmates cheer. Vick screams and…
…He awakens from the nightmare and sits up in bed. He is sweating and out of breath.
VICK: Oh my goodness. What a terrible dream! I finally get it. The irony of that near-miss was not lost on me. I finally understand what it feels like to be helplessly victimized by someone stronger and more powerful than myself. It’s a horrible, demented thing that no creature should ever have to endure, no matter what. Wow, that feels better. What a relief.
Trypod rolls over.
TRYPOD: Would you shut up and go back to sleep.
FADE OUT: |
