The Stolen Soul

The film ended. While the credits rolled, Jocuna Ramsey rolled her eyes.

“A complete rip-off. They didn’t even acknowledge the original.”

“What are you talking about, Joc’? They clearly just nodded to the film. You didn’t see the same film as I did,” Hudley declared.

“Okay,” Jocuna said. “Simon…run the movie from the beginning.”

“Hudley growned. He picked up the pillow and threw it at her.

“C’mon, pay attention.” The two watched the entire film again.

“Alright, play the other one.”

“Jesus, Jocuna. This is like six hours of movie watching. But I’m glad it’s with you….”

Ha-ha, Mr. Sentimentalist. I want to show you how the two movies almost completely overlap. You have to be able to see it. From the characterization to the style, they arguably are the same movie. They stole the spirit without even giving credit.”

“Okay, okay. So what?”

“So what, the ‘remake’ won Best Picture.”

“You want to make this into a case of plagiarism? You want to blow this up or something?”

“I just wanted to say how Hollywood is forgetful at best and neglectful at worst,” Jocuna said.

“I mean I see your point. You should go live and tell your audience. Make a short about it. You’ll probably pick up a few likes in the least,” Hudley mentioned.

“Don’t patronize me. I know what I saw. If I’m going to write a screenplay it’s going to be completely original. There will be no room for anyone else’s work. If I make this into a career, I’ll be sure only to select the best material out of my own skull and reject any temptations to dishonestly remake a movie.”

“It’s only right,” Hudley replied.

“I just might follow your advice.”

“That’s only right, too,” Hudley said.

“When I finally get that scholarship, I’ll be away from my actor parents who ran off with a reel of silent film that everyone thought was destroyed,” Jocuna mentioned.

“Oh, so you’re now making mention of your life with the movies? Okay,” he replied.

“Both movies are actually my life story in certain ways. The parents with a special, my aspirations to be a screenwriter, and the conflict that arises in all of that. This can be the third unofficial rendering of a tale,” Jocuna giggled.

“I wouldn’t laugh too much. Your parents really are evading the law for that piece of film. I would turn them in but I’m so attached to you, I wouldn’t want to see you hurt.”

“Don’t worry about me. I know it’s a tough road to success. Once I’m rich and famous, I’ll be able to bail my parents out of jail and provide them with good lawyers that will fight for them.”

“I get the fighting part, but what’s this about you getting them out of jail? They’re not going to have the chance. And lawyering up will not benefit them if you’re not able to make the payments. Screenwriters don’t get paid without also having a producer credit or a director’s chair,” Hudley explained.

“You think I don’t know that? What we’re doing here is—”

“We aren’t doing anything. This is your show.”

Jocuna rolled her eyes. “Okay, so we don’t have to do it. I’ll be setting my own salary and my own path in the industry.”

“How do you plan to do that? You haven’t sold one script. Hell, you’ve only written two and on spec at that.”

“It doesn’t matter. I vow to never steal the soul of another work without recognizing the author in it in some way. That’s my promise and guarantee to my own spirit. I will be focused on creating so it will not be a chore to knock off a script or six.”

Hudley sighed. “Back to the movies…not your soon-to-be invented one either about your life, either. I see the similarities. I totally understand.”