Under the Double Eagle

The door is opened. The room looks more like a major library and museum.

 INT. FOGLEMANN MANSION - CONTINUOUS

The door is opened. The room looks more like a major library and museum. Herr Foglemann looks up from observing coins at a desk in one area of the extravagant room.   

FOGLEMANN: Herr Hambright! Welcome to Germany. From your e-mails I have gathered some interesting pieces from around the world that you might be interested in.

LEON HAMBRIGHT: Do you still have that 1910 Bulgarian Lev Silver Coin?

FOGLEMANN: Yes, plus many pieces you’ll never be able to find. (beat) Pardon my manners, but who is the lovely young lady with you?

LEON HAMBRIGHT She is my business associate, April. She helps me make deals.

April smiles and winks at the old man showing some leg.

FOGLEMANN: I can see why.

APRIL BERRY I’m especially good at entertaining.

Foglemann smiles and makes eyes at her. He gets up from his seat and goes to a wall compartment. He removes several boxes and brings them back to the desk.

Leon and April take their seats in two chairs at his desk.

He opens the boxes for Leon and April to examine the coins.

Leon speaks setting a small tape recorder on the desk.

LEON HAMBRIGHT Do you mind if I tape record our conversation? You are such an authority I might miss something worth my while.

FOGLEMANN: Why, of course. Look at these, Mr. Hambright. A treasure chest for a collector’s dreams. You’ll find rare Columbian Centavos, Korean Yang, Indian Pudukota, Ottoman Para, and Greek Lepta to name a few.

Leon and April stare dumbfounded in amazement at the rich assortment of rare coins. They pick up and examine some of the coins wrapped in plastic. Their colors and designs are unique and artistic.

LEON HAMBRIGHT: Herr, Foglemann. You know your coins.

Foglemann moves one of the other boxes closer for their observation. It is still closed as he speaks.

FOGLEMANN Would you like to see something really unbelievable?

LEON HAMBRIGHT: Why, yes. I didn’t come all this way just to travel.

April looks over at Foglemann with a smile.

APRIL BERRY: I did.

Foglemann smiles back at her. He opens a blue velvet box. Inside are gold coins that shine like they have been polished but covered in plastic also.

Leon and April pick these coins up and examine them.

Leon’s eyes really light up.

LEON HAMBRIGHT: I don’t believe it. (beat) How did you get these? The coins are several of the illegal 1933 Double Eagle gold coins that should have been confiscated by the U.S. Secret Service.

FOGLEMANN: Mr. Hambright, you know very well a serious collector never reveals his sources. But, before I share with you something, please look at them carefully.

Leon examines them carefully even using a small magnifying glass that he has carried with him.

April watches Leon’s intensive investigation of the coins.

Leon starts smiling.

LEON HAMBRIGHT: They’re counterfeit, aren’t they? I’ve seen perfect coins like these at shows.

FOGLEMANN (smiling) You think they’re too perfect.

Foglemann now shows them a gray velvet box. He opens it to reveal only one coin.

Leon quickly picks up the coin also wrapped in plastic.

LEON HAMBRIGHT: How do you know it’s the real thing from the others?

Foglemann smiles and then starts into a bizarre conversation with Leon.

FOGLEMANN: Mr. Hambright, I have always loved learning limericks. You know, those beautiful joking phrases to amuse people.

 Leon and April look at him like he is crazy.

FOGLEMANN: (CONT’D) Always remember what I am about to impart. (beat) There once was a coin named Liberty. Who stood upon a rock of gold. With torch in hand, she led her band, through battles strong and bold.

Leon and April are now getting concerned with Foglemann’s behavior. Their facial expressions show it.

FOGLEMANN: (CONT’D) Her worth was viewed beyond compare, her heart and strength gave light. But only the lucky ones could share her mighty 45th on the right.

 LEON HAMBRIGHT Are you alright, Herr Foglemann?

Foglemann smiles a devious smile.

He takes two of the so-called counterfeit coins and places them in front of Leon and April. 

FOGLEMANN: Here, take these as souvenirs from me. I can get many more just like them to have some fun.(beat) I’m glad you had your recorder on. You may want to remember what I said someday.

Leon and April look dumbfounded at one another.

Suddenly, an explosion ROCKS the mansion. Everyone in the room takes cover to avoid harm.

The coins from the open boxes pop out onto the desk and shuffle around.