The Gift of One
Inspired by a true story
by
Joseph Samuels Messina

                 
EXT. VIENNA AUSTRIA – SPRINGTIME – DAY

A WOMAN lies in a field on her back with her eyes closed, beautiful
flowers all around her. A ray of light is shining down. 

A SHADOWED FIGURE appears over her, blocking the sun, and reaches 
down and grabs her hand and pulls. 

She opens her eyes and turns her head. She can only see a shadow
and the hand that is reaching down. She nods her head and smiles,
and then closes her eyes again. Extremely peaceful.

EXT. GRAVE SITE – DAY

Family members gather around a coffin. JOSEPH stands beside the 
coffin grieving with tears falling from his eyes and places a 
red rose and an old century cross on top.

			JOSEPH
	You will be missed by all, especially me. 
	I will see you in Heaven.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Joseph is in a deep sleep. The phone rings and wakes him. Joseph 
is still in shock and deeply grieving.

			JOSEPH
	Hello!
		
			PATRICIA
	I am sorry about your loss.

		   	JOSEPH
	Thank you. You are a wonderful friend.

			PATRICIA
	I want to share an incredible story with you. 
	One week ago, I dreamed that you would be 
	playing the piano throughout the world and 
	touching many souls.

			JOSEPH
	Patricia, you know I don't play the piano or 
	any other instrument.

			PATRICIA
	Joseph, my dream was so real. I have a feeling
	that you will.

	By the way, I will be traveling to the United 
	States tomorrow. My first assignment is in New 
	York. I will be gone for about a year or so.
	Joseph, there is something I want to give you
	as a gift that I will greatly miss. Years ago,
	I bought a piano from an estate sale.

			JOSEPH
	What kind of piano is it?

			PATRICIA
	The most beautiful piano you will ever hear. 
	An 1898 Steinway that I had recently refurbished.
	It is like no other, and when I sit down to play,
	the sound would resonate throughout the room 
	and touch the core of my soul. Would you please 
	keep it for me?

			JOSEPH
	Yes, that would be great.

			PATRICIA
	Maybe, it will help you in your grieving somehow.

			JOSEPH
	Have a wonderful trip and thank you for your 
	friendship and your generosity. Love you!

			PATRICIA
	Love you too and take care of yourself.

Joseph hangs up phone and falls back asleep.

INT. VIENNA – NINETEENTH CENTURY – MAESTRO'S HOUSE – 1:00 A.M.

A Steinway Grand piano is in the room next to a burning fireplace.
MAESTRO sits at a piano composing and writing the score of Raphael.
Candelabra burns on top of the piano with a bottle of wine and full 
glass. We cannot see his face, only an image of him. 

He starts playing, then pauses, dips his feathered pen in ink and 
writes the title Raphael at the top of paper. Maestro begins to play
and write again and the candles start flickering as if a door or 
windows are opened. Maestro stops playing, takes a sip of wine, looks
around and feels a presence in the room. 

SERVANT knocks on the door.

			MAESTRO
	 (in Italian)
	Enter.

			SERVANT
	Maestro, you must get your rest before your
	performance tomorrow evening.

			MAESTRO
	There will be no rest for me at this moment, I
	must finish. When Raphael is finished, I truly 
	believe that all of Europe will know my name. 
	And finally, be recognized as one of the great 
	composers of our time.

Maestro starts playing Raphael.

Servant sits in a chair next to the piano and listens. She is 
overwhelmed with her emotions. Tears fall from her eyes and we know 
that this is one of the most beautiful compositions the Maestro has
ever written.

			SERVANT
	Maestro, that is a masterpiece and I will 
	wake you in the morning.

Maestro nods his head as he is playing. Servant leaves the room.

INT. - BEDROOM - MORNING

Maestro lies in the bed, asleep.
 
Servant knocks on the door, repeatedly. No response from the Maestro.

			SERVANT
	Maestro! Maestro! I have your breakfast 
	prepared for you.

Still no answer and servant feels something is wrong. She opens the 
door and enters the room with tray. Sets the tray on top of piano. She
tries to wake him, but he does not respond. 

Maestro dies in his sleep. 

Servant kneels beside the bed crying, holding his hand.

			SERVANT
	I always loved you and the beauty that 
	you brought into my life. You will be greatly 
	missed and remembered by those you deeply 
	touched with your God given music, especially 
	me. God rest your soul, and I will see you in 
	Heaven.

INT. BEAUTIFUL CATHEDRAL - NIGHT

Maestro's funeral. Only the PRIEST and servant attend. 

Priest stands next to the coffin saying prayers in Latin. 

Servant says prayers with tearful eyes, and walks up to casket and 
places a red rose and cross on the coffin. It is the same cross that
Joseph had at the funeral he attended. When she turns around, walking 
towards the front door, she notices a shadow of a man in a long coat 
with a hat on. 

The man suddenly and dramatically disappears. 

EXT. VIENNA - PRESENT – SPRING DAY

Joseph rides a white horse in the same field the woman was lying in 
during the first scene. Joseph falls off the horse. Severe accident 
occurs. 

Joseph lies on his back with a ray of light shining down surrounded by 
beautiful flowers. Joseph is dying. 

A shadowed figure stands over him, reaches down and grabs his hand and
pulls. 

Joseph opens his eyes and looks up at a Maestro smiling at him. 

Maestro is extremely happy, grinning, and shaking his head.


			MAESTRO
	You have nothing to fear.

			JOSEPH
	Who are you?
	
			MAESTRO
	I am a composer from the Nineteenth Century.

			JOSEPH
	What happened?

			MAESTRO
	You had a terrible accident.

			JOSEPH
	What is your name?

			MAESTRO
	My name is Maestro Samuels and I was sent 
	here to guide and protect you.

			JOSEPH
	This must be a dream

			MAESTRO
	No it is not. You must finish something 
	for me.

			JOSEPH
	Finish what?

			MAESTRO
	In time you will know.

INT. JOSEPH'S HOME - NIGHT

Joseph lies in bed asleep. He is in a lot of pain from the accident. 
He dreams.

EXT. DESERT - NIGHT

Joseph, age 9, and his MOTHER are in a car, traveling across the desert. 

Joseph is in the back seat resting his head on a pillow against the 
window. He looks out at the stars and is mesmerized by one that is 
extremely bright.

Star makes sudden movement, as if it were flying. Beautiful sight, with 
rainbow-like colors following behind. Star flies through the sky for 
about 5 seconds, then stops.

Joseph watches.

Star re-positions in a different part of the sky.

			JOSEPH
		(very excited)
	Mom, did you see that?

			MOTHER
	What are you talking about?

			JOSEPH
	I saw something in the sky flying!

			MOTHER
	What do you think it was?

			JOSEPH
	I think it was a star flying, mom, a star 
	flying through the sky. It was so beautiful,
	and it made me feel good inside.

			MOTHER
	Where did it go?

			JOSEPH
	It is right there!

Joseph points at the sky and Mom pulls the car over to the side of the 
road. She looks up at the sky and notices the star.

INT. JOSEPH'S HOME – NIGHT

Joseph wakes from the dream, and takes a sip of water. The piano is 
next to the fireplace. Fireplace is burning. Joseph turns his head 
and looks at the piano. Beautiful candles are burning in the candelabras
on top of the piano. There is a KNOCK on the door.

			JOSEPH
	Who is it?
		
			JULIANA
	It's me, Juliana, to check on you.

			JOSEPH
	I believe the door is unlocked.

Juliana comes in and sits in a chair next to the bed.

			JULIANA
	I have been extremely worried about you. 
	I spoke to your mother last night and she 
	said that you are barely hanging on.

			JOSEPH
	It hasn't been easy for me, and I am glad 
	that you are here.

			JULIANA
	Can I get you anything?

			JOSEPH
	I am fine for now.

Juliana looks around and notices the piano.

			JULIANA
	Where did you get the piano?

			JOSEPH
	From a friend traveling.

Juliana gets up from the chair, walks up to the piano, and runs her 
hand across the keys. Joseph is watching her.

			JULIANA
	This is the most beautiful piano I 
	have ever seen.

			JOSEPH
	I need to get some rest now. Would 
	you please stay the night and watch over 
	me?

			JULIANA
	Yes, I can stay with you.

Juliana lays down on the couch looking at Joseph, waiting for him to 
fall asleep. Joseph falls asleep. 

			JULIANA
		(whispering to herself)
	I will be here for you, and know that 
	you will be in my prayers.

Juliana closes her eyes and falls asleep. 

Joseph opens his eyes and looks around and notices that Juliana is 
still there. Joseph goes back to sleep and dreams.

EXT. DARK STREET – NIGHT

Joseph, age 16, walks down a dark street late at night with no 
one around. Joseph notices a man from a distance leaning and standing 
under a light post wearing a trench coat and hat. He's looking down. 
It is cold outside with a light rain. As Joseph gets closer, he 
can see the man's breath while breathing from the cold. 

Joseph is somewhat frightened but curious and veers to the right 
and is now walking on the sidewalk. 

As Joseph approaches from across the street the man looks up. 

At that moment Joseph stops, turns to the left and starts walking 
towards him. As Joseph gets closer, he still cannot see what the man 
looks like, only a shadow. Joseph is standing about ten feet 
away from him.

			RAPHAEL
	Joseph, I've been expecting you

Joseph is somewhat puzzled by how the man knew his name. Joseph can 
not move as if he was paralyzed.

			JOSEPH
	How do you know my name?

			RAPHAEL
	Come a little closer so I can get a better
	look at you.

Man motions with his hand for Joseph to come even closer.

			RAPHAEL
	Don't be afraid, you have nothing to fear.

Joseph, still unsure, keeps his distance.

			JOSEPH
	Have we met before?

			RAPHAEL
	I believe we have.

			JOSEPH
	I've never seen you around here before. 
	Who are you and what do you want from me?

			RAPHAEL
	Who am I? I will tell you who I am. I am 
	here to help you.

			JOSEPH
	Help me with what?

			RAPHAEL
	Don't you understand?
		
			JOSEPH
	No, I do not.

Joseph gets closer to get a better look. There is a beautiful aura 
of light around the man. Joseph is now at ease and at peace. 

Raphael smiles, and starts pointing up to the sky. 

Joseph looks up.

			RAPHAEL
	I come from up there. I am your old Angel 
	and was sent here from the Heavens above 
	to guide and protect you. Joseph you are 
	one of many who are very fortunate. Are 
	you ready to receive the ultimate gift 
	from your Creator?

			JOSEPH
	I have no idea what you are talking about.

			RAPHAEL
	What I am talking about will change your life 
	forever. So you must pay attention and listen 
	to what I have to say.

Man has Joseph's undivided attention. Joseph nods his head and starts 
to listen.

			RAPHAEL
	You are what we call in Heaven, a golden 
	child. You have been chosen since birth 
	to touch many souls. You are a spiritual 
	warrior, and what you are striving to become 
	in actuality, is what you are by nature. 
	Joseph, you will be faced with many battles 
	in life, but greatness will prevail. Your 
	life's journey begins on this day. And when 
	you discover what your true passion in life 
	is, pay attention and it will change you 
	forever as well as those you share it with. 
	But, I caution you, it must be shared with 
	others. Not in a selfish way and to glorify 
	you. Just as our creator gives us gifts, 
	he can take them away. So please, it must 
	be shared with others.

	Open your heart to the world and eternal life 
	will be given to you. One day you will 
	understand what this all means. You remember
	as a child traveling with your mom and
	saw something in the sky?

			JOSEPH
	Yes, like it was yesterday.

The rain stops and the sky becomes very clear. As man is talking to
Joseph, he points up to the sky again, to divert Joseph's attention.
Joseph is looking up at the sky and is remembering the dream he had
at age nine.

			RAPHAEL
	What you saw was a sign from me to prepare 
	you for things to come. I must leave you now. 
	Even though we will be far away geographically,
	we will always be close in spirit. Keep 
	looking up to the Heavens above and remember
	who your Creator is, and praise him each and 
	every day. And by the way, my name is Raphael.

Joseph looks back at Raphael. Raphael vanishes.

						(CONTINUED)