HOT AUGUST NIGHT
an original screenplay by
Bob Stromberg and Duane Kellogg,Jr.
Duane Kellogg, Jr.
3 Rogers Rd.
Kittery, Maine 03904
207-494-3023 [email protected]
HOT AUGUST NIGHT
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD: BASED ON TRUE EVENTS (NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED)
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS COMEDY INSTITUTE AMPHITHEATER - EVENING
An audience uses paper fans to alleviate the summer heat.
They pack a twelve-hundred seat amphitheater.
Lighting accentuates the soaring California Cedars. Soft
thunder PEALS in the distance.
Television cameras point center stage. Camera operators
protect equipment with rain covers.
Stand-up comic RO ERICKSON (68, fit, sandy blond hair,
jocular) stands off stage by the sound mixer with the female
STAGE MANAGER (45). He looks at the darkening sky and holds
out his hands to check for rain.
RO
We gonna make it?
She looks at the weather app on her phone.
STAGE MANAGER
Depends on how good you are. If they
laugh too much, we'll be gettin'
wet.
She glances at her watch.
STAGE MANAGER (CONT'D)
Ready to go?
He nods. She speaks into a microphone.
STAGE MANAGER (CONT'D)
Cedar Springs Comedy Institute, would
you welcome, Ro... Air... Rick...
Sahhhhhhhhhhhhhnnnnnnnnnnn!
The seated audience APPLAUDS loudly as Ro walks on stage,
arms held high, and accepts their adulation. He holds a book
in one hand.
As the applause dies, he continues to wave off their response
as if they are refusing to stop.
RO
No, no. Please stay seated.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
So great to be with you Cedar Springs
on this very... hot... August night.
He notices the book in his hand and responds with surprise.
RO (CONT'D)
Hey look at that. "Ripping off the
Wrappings" by... who? It's by me!
He motions toward the book with his other hand.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
As you can see...
(dead panned)
... I'm a... pretty big deal.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
He looks at them expressionless, which makes them LAUGH
harder. He lays the book on the stage.
RO (CONT'D)
First comic I ever saw was Richard
Pryor. My dad and I watched him on
Ed Sullivan, so he was safe. And he
was funny. I'll never forget it
because it was the first time I
laughed so hard that milk shot out
my nose. Complete surprise, totally
unexpected because... well... I hadn't
had any milk all day.
Audience LAUGHTER (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
Fast forward, summer of '65, family
vacation. I'm thirteen, standin'
right here on this spot and I thought
to myself... one day, I'm gonna make
people laugh and then walk off this
stage to a standing ovation.
A few people CHEER loudly and the audience LAUGHS.
RO (CONT'D)
Hey! Come on! It could happen.
He looks upward.
RO (CONT'D)
If it doesn't rain.
A loud, long roll of thunder BOOMS in the distance.
The audience LAUGHS. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
I spent four wonderful summers here.
But... I don't think I can overstate
the importance of 1973. It was the
summer I first got paid for doin'
what I love. It was the summer I got
engaged. And... it was the summer I
met a kid named Leo Beck.
FLASHBACK
TITLE CARD: 1973
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Arrival at Cedar Springs
INT/EXT RO'S '67 WV BUG/CEDAR SPRINGS - EVENING
Ro (22, long hair, beard) drives into Cedar Springs. He gazes
in wonder as he descends a little road, passing the beautiful
amphitheater tucked in the stand of cedars.
He passes quaint, brightly painted family cottages. Several
have front porches and Ro waves to familiar FRIENDS seated
on porch swings and rockers.
He slows in front of one cottage. He looks to see if anyone
is there, then drives on.
At the bottom of the road an opening in the forest reveals a
camp office, nurse's station, dining hall, and rehearsal
hall. The buildings surround a manicured lawn with a
volleyball net at the far end.
A DOZEN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN play a relaxed game of volleyball.
One of them is an African-American woman with a large afro.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS - EVENING
Ro hops out of the Bug. He wears a t-shirt, blue jeans and
cowboy boots.
He's immediately recognized by several of the volleyball
players. They leave the game to run across the lawn and greet
him.
SUE (20, diminutive brunette, deeply tanned), CHEYENNE (21,
American Indian, waist-length hair) join the welcoming
committee.
They're followed by KARL (20, small and thin, wire-rim
glasses), JER (19, athletic, long, sun bleached hair), and
MICHAEL IVY (21, tall, sinewy, shoulder-length hair). Michael
wears a comical chicken mask covering his nose and the top
of his head.
Tagging behind is ELSA (20, sun-burned, stereotypically
Swedish). She does not smile. They all wear cut-off shorts,
t-shirts and flip-flops.
They surround Ro. Sue and Cheyenne treat him to affectionate
hugs. The guys shake his hand and tussle.
RO
Michael! Great mask! One of yours?
Michael pops it off, displaying the top of his bald head.
MICHAEL
Yeah. It's Celastic. I'll make you
one.
A young male YELLS from the volleyball net.
Ro glances to see four young men. All appear to be 1st-Year
students. Three kick the ball back and forth beneath the
net.
The fourth is LEO BECK (15, tall, skinny, a mop of curly
brown hair). He chaws on a big sucker. He leans back, his
knees bent deeply, his arms extended toward Ro and the others.
LEO
(screams, pleading)
Hey! Heeeey! We're in the middle of
a game here, people!
Karl and Jer CHUCKLE and trot back toward the net.
LEO (CONT'D)
Sue! Cheyenne, Heeeeey! Come on!
This is the championship!
The girls LAUGH and head back to the game. Elsa follows
without speaking to Ro.
RO
Hi Els.
Elsa turns and looks at him sullenly.
ELSA
Hi.
He SIGHS and shakes his head.
RO
Hey. Ya know, we're gonna be here
all summer.
ELSA
(deadpan sarcasm)
Thank you for that cheery reminder.
That just... makes my day.
She turns and walks to join the others. He frowns.
He hears three RINGS of a bicycle bell and turns toward his
car to see GLENDA LEHMAN (18, vivacious redhead, freckles,
swimmer's body).
Elsa looks back at her and scowls.
Glenda aims her front tire into a bike stand and hops off
the seat. She SQUEALS and runs to him with her arms open.
GLENDA
Hey there, buckaroo!
She flies into his arms and plants a big kiss on his lips.
She steps back and Ro looks at her.
RO
Yes... and you are?
She bursts into LAUGHTER and hugs him again.
GLENDA
I thought you'd never get here.
RO
Where're you staying?
Still wrapped together, they walk back to her bike and his
Bug.
GLENDA
I'm in the cottage with Mom and Dad.
I could have pushed Paul and gotten
a cabin, but someone else would've
had to double up and it didn't make
sense.
RO
Are your folks here?
GLENDA
Yeah. They can't wait to see you.
RO
Might have to be tomorrow. I've got
to get moved in and I think I've got
a meeting...
He glances at his watch
RO (CONT'D)
... real soon.
She climbs back on her bike.
GLENDA
Come on over later tonight if you
can. Or if it's after 11:00... come
on over and...
She raises her eyebrows seductively.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
... scratch my screen.
RO
(cowboy accent)
Well ma'am, I hope yer talkin' 'bout
the one on yer window...
(laughing)
... cuz otherwise I ain't sure what
yer askin'.
Her eyes open wide, she LAUGHS and playfully slaps his cheek.
They kiss again quickly.
She hops on her bike and pedals up the road. He grabs his
gear and leaves it on the office porch.
LEO (O.S.)
Awwww! You were in the net! In the
net! No, no, no, no! Come on Cheyenne!
What was that!
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
3 -
The Producer's Return
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS OFFICE CABIN - DAY
A tiny reception area.
Camp secretary and registrar JULIE NELSON (40, hair pulled
up tight on her head, glasses on the end of her nose), sits
behind her desk. She types a letter as Ro enters.
RO
Hello, Hello.
She peers over her glasses. Without acknowledging him, she
turns toward the short hallway.
JULIE
(shouting, monotone)
Paul! He's here.
Julie's husband and conference center director PAUL NELSON
(45, shorts and camp t-shirt) comes into the hallway with a
big smile and arms opened wide. He wraps them around Ro and
lifts him off the floor. They both LAUGH.
PAUL
How was the trip?
RO
Fine. Hot.
Paul motions for Ro to follow him back into the office.
PAUL
Come on back. I got your key.
INT. PAUL'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Papers clutter a large desk. Posters from past theatrical
productions cover the walls.
PAUL
Congratulations, Ro! Now that you're
on the core team, you actually get
paid.
RO
There's a novel idea.
PAUL
Yeah, well... you know what's comin'.
Year four's the toughest. Jacque'll
be ridin' you hard. And now that
you're the producer...
He shakes his head.
PAUL (CONT'D)
... whew!
Ro nods toward the doorway.
RO
(softly)
I see Julie's cheerier than usual.
Paul walks back and closes the door.
PAUL
(chuckling)
Hey... I don't feel real sorry for
you, Buddy. You don't mess with that
woman's little girl. When you guys
broke up, she was more upset with
you than Elsa was.
RO
(with frustration)
Yeah... a year ago!
Paul GUFFAWS.
PAUL
Hell hath no fury like--
RO
I know the rest.
PAUL
Oh, you sure do.
RO
(sincerely)
I never meant to lead her on. And
then I didn't know how to... I didn't
handle it well.
PAUL
(laughing)
Oh no. Ro, it was much worse than
that.
He pauses.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Hey, you had a summer romance. Not
even a whole summer. It's done. And,
as far as I'm concerned, we never
have to mention it again. Okay?
RO
She can't be happy I got the job she
wanted.
PAUL
I gave the job to you. When she's
ready for it, she'll get it.
Paul grabs a key from a hook on the wall. He checks the number
on the back and tosses it to Ro.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Creekside 2. Across the bridge.
RO
Woah! I got the single?
PAUL
You're a lucky man. I've got your
packet and lanyard here too...
somewhere.
He digs through a desk drawer.
Ro glances through the open office window, where he sees the
volleyball game in the distance.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS LAWN - DAY
Over the CHATTER and LAUGHTER of his friends, he watches Leo
and hears his loud voice.
LEO
Oh yes! Boom! Did you see that?!
Hahaha! Did! You! See! That!
INT. PAUL'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
RO
Who's the boy?
Paul digs through a bottom drawer.
PAUL
What's that?
RO
Who's the new kid? I've never seen
him around here.
PAUL
(laughing)
Oh. That's Leo...
He looks at a map of Cedar Springs on the wall.
PAUL (CONT'D)
... Leo...
He stands and puts his finger on one cabin, then reads the
name written next to it.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Beck. Great kid. You'll enjoy him.
Ro watches the game.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS LAWN - CONTINUOUS
LEO
No, no, give me the ball! Give me
the ball! Bunch of slouchers!
Ro hears LAUGHTER from his friends. He turns to look at Paul.
INT. PAUL'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
RO
Is he from a family cottage?
PAUL
No, he's from Oakland. I got a call
from a friend... wondered if I had a
job for a kid he was concerned about.
RO
Concerned?
PAUL
Yeah, he said his dad's outta work.
Not sure about his mom. He just wanted
to keep him off the street.
RO
You hired him?
LEO (O.S.)
No wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait! He was all over the net.
His hand was stuck in the net!
The staff protests dissolve into more LAUGHTER.
PAUL
No, I didn't have anything for him.
But I figured I could put him to
work. He's only fifteen, so he can't
drive a car, but he can push a mower.
Pat'll use him.
RO
I thought Pat retired.
PAUL
(laughing)
Yeah, me too.
Ro and Paul hear a loud WHOOP and CHEER from the volleyball
players. They glance out the window.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS LAWN - CONTINUOUS
Leo struts around the court, arms held out to the side, as
if accepting adulation.
INT. PAUL'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Ro smiles slightly.
RO
He's... confident.
Paul CHUCKLES.
PAUL
Believe it or not, sometimes he's
pretty... reserved. Other times he's
a little over the top.
RO
Where'd you put him?
PAUL
I didn't have an extra bed, so Pat
put a cot in his cabin.
RO
(amused)
You put him with Pat?
Paul LAUGHS.
RO (CONT'D)
Pat with Pam the pet python?
PAUL
Say that ten times fast.
Paul heads to his office door and motions for Ro to exit
first.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS OFFICE CABIN - CONTINUOUS
Ro gathers his gear, throwing his backpack over one shoulder.
PAUL
We have a student meeting in the
rehearsal hall in...
He glances at his watch.
PAUL (CONT'D)
... seventeen minutes. Toss your
stuff in the cabin.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
4 -
That Was... Very Clever
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS REHEARSAL HALL - EVENING
Rows of bleachers along one wall line a large, empty, wood-
stained space. An upright piano stands in a corner.
The Creative Core Team, comprised of Ro, Elsa, Sue, Cheyenne,
Jer and Michael, sit on the lower bench. Michael wears a
mask of an enormous toothy smile covering his lower face.
Behind them are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-Year students. Michael
turns and hands his smile mask to a girl. She puts it on, to
huge LAUGHS from those around her.
Karl sits on a stool with his back to the piano.
Paul enters the room with JACQUE MONTREAUX (65, thin, five
feet tall, long untamed white hair). He wears a dark long-
sleeved T-shirt, denim coveralls and leather sandals.
He winks a friendly greeting to the younger students as he
sits next to Ro on the bottom bench.
Ro smiles as Jacque greets him with an arm over the shoulder
and a quick squeeze.
The Creative Core Team members lean forward to give him high
fives. He nods and smiles at each of them in recognition.
Paul stands and rubs his hands together excitedly.
PAUL
Okay! Welcome everyone. How 'bout a
cheer for our 1st-Year students?
Everyone CHEERS. A few of them wave back in recognition.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Having just finished your first year
of college and been recognized as
the best comedic actors in your class,
I consider you the best actors...
period.
More CHEERS.
PAUL (CONT'D)
If you can do comedy, you can do
anything. We're thrilled again to
have with us your teacher and the
master of eloquent gesture... Jacque
Montreaux.
The students give him a standing ovation. Jacque sits nearly
motionless. With a hint of a smile and quick, slight raise
of his eyebrows, the students sit back down.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Cedar Springs is the perfect school
for misfits like you.
They CHUCKLE.
PAUL (CONT'D)
And that's a compliment. There's no
better place to unwrap your potential.
There is no better route to success.
You want a career in comedy? This is
where you find it.
He motions to Ro, who rises and stands next to him.
PAUL (CONT'D)
I'd like to introduce you to Ro
Erickson and Karl Miller. They're
with our core team this summer. Ro's
producing. Karl's our music director.
They've written a very funny musical
for our first production called
"Beanstalk".
He points to Jer.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Jer Newton is our Jack!
Everyone CHEERS.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Tomorrow's Sunday. We'll take a break
in the morning and you can get settled
in. But... Karl... everyone's in
here for rehearsal in the afternoon.
Is that right?
KARL
1:00 to 5:00.
PAUL
Great. This show is brilliant, you
guys. Very, very funny.
He glances at a schedule sheet.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Your work with Jacque will begin in
here on Monday morning and every
morning thereafter at 8:00.
He looks up with a big smile.
PAUL (CONT'D)
So... here we go. It's gonna be a
great summer. Okay, Ro... this meeting
is yours.
Ro stands.
RO
Thanks Paul. You all know that I
think Cedar Springs is the very best
training center for comedy in the
country. Honestly, I don't think
anything else can touch it...
anywhere.
KARL
Oh... wait a minute, Ro. Start again.
Karl spins his stool toward the piano and begins playing
evocative "movie music" CHORDS. They all LAUGH and Ro
improvises dramatically.
RO
Oh my people, hear these words. For
surely they are true... and shall be
as salve unto your anxious souls.
What we in winter snow conceived,
now will come to life in Cedar bow
and theater light. Be not by
insecurity swayed. You shall all
prevail... though be unpaid.
Karl ends with a chord and everyone APPLAUDS and LAUGHS.
Ro looks toward Jacque imploring, nods his head and opens
his arms.
RO (CONT'D)
Huh? How 'bout that, Jacque? Is that
great or what?
Jacque sits, legs crossed, an elbow on his knee, his chin
planted in one hand. He stares with fierce intensity at Ro.
The room grows quiet.
JACQUE
(quietly)
That was... very... clever.
Students LAUGHS quietly. Ro smiles at the Creative Core Team.
RO
Jacque just said that I was clever.
That's good, huh?
(MORE)
RO (CONT'D)
(seriously)
No. It's not a compliment. You see,
Jacque's not interested in making
our work clever.
(slowly with intensity)
He is interested in making it
successful, believable, impressive,
hilarious, and more than anything,
uniquely... our... own.
Ro pauses, and the room is silent. The door CRASHES open.
With cacophonous BANGING and SCRAPING, Leo, unaware of
everyone's presence, struggles to roll a large shop vac and
hoses through the door and into the room.
Every head turns toward him.
He glances up, notices the students, and without
acknowledgment, quickly reverses his entrance with even more
difficulty, his legs and arms tangled in coils of rubber
hose. He then reaches in and SLAMS the door.
There's a moment of silence, and the students erupt in
LAUGHTER.
Ro CHUCKLES, but his face is serious.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Candlelight Rendezvous
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS REHEARSAL BUILDING - NIGHT
Several students exit the building and head to their cabins.
Ro exits with Michael.
Michael has a mild stutter.
MICHAEL
Well, I think collaboration is like
cr... cr... creativity on LSD.
Ro smiles.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Hey... it's an offer. I love your
work, Ro.
RO
Right back atcha.
MICHAEL
Then let's think about it.
RO
Yeah. Okay.
MICHAEL
Manana.
RO
Asta La Bingo.
They turn opposite directions. Ro glances at his watch. It
says 11:05.
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
Ro walks along the road to the amphitheater. He passes a
cluster of family cottages. They're all dark.
He walks behind one where he sees, in a window, the soft
flickering of candlelight. He quietly scratches on the screen.
He hears MOVEMENT through the open window and sees shadow
play upon the curtain.
The curtain opens and Glenda quietly slides the screen upward.
She places the candle on a stand. The light strokes her face.
RO
(whispering Cowboy)
Evenin' Ma'am. I've come to scratch
yer--
She grasps the back of his head and pulls him into a
passionate kiss, then releases him.
GLENDA
(whispering)
I love you, Buckaroo.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
6 -
The Condition
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - MORNING
Ro walks along the road leading to Glenda's cottage.
A car pulls out of her driveway and continues in the opposite
direction.
He comes to the brightly colored cottage. He hesitates for a
moment, then continues up the stone pathway and onto the
front porch. He KNOCKS on the door.
Glenda's father, BYRON LEHMAN (47, tall, fit, khaki dress
pants, short-sleeved white dress shirt) opens the wooden
screen door. He greets Ro with a big smile.
BYRON
Well... Mr. Erickson. Come on in.
How are you?
They shake hands.
RO
Couldn't be better. Thanks, sir. Is
Glenda here?
BYRON
She and her mom just left for church.
I'm playin' hooky. They should be
back in a couple of hours. You wanna
come back then?
RO
Actually, this is perfect. There's
something I wanted to... discuss
with you.
BYRON
That right? Well, have a seat.
Byron motions him to a chair. Ro sits down.
RO
Thank you, sir.
BYRON
Just call me sir.
RO
I ah... I think I just did.
BYRON
Yeah, I liked it. Do that. You want
coffee?
RO
Uh... sure.
BYRON
Don't have any. How 'bout tea?
RO
(laughing)
That'd be great.
Ro stands to follow Byron into the kitchen.
BYRON
No, no... I got it.
Ro sits nervously and listens to the sounds of Byron FILLING
A POT, PLACING IT ON THE STOVE, and softly SINGING "Tie a
Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree".
He reenters the room and sits on the couch.
BYRON (CONT'D)
It'll take a few minutes. If we're
still friends when the whistling
starts, we'll have some.
Byron smiles.
BYRON (CONT'D)
So, what's on your mind?
RO
(nervously)
Mr. Lehman--
BYRON
Sir.
RO
(smiling)
Sir... I want you to know that I
love your daughter. I've always known
that one day I'd sit right here and
tell you that. I've known it since
the first time I saw her and--
BYRON
Tell me 'bout that, Ro. When was the
first time?
RO
Eight years ago. I was visiting here
with my family. My Uncle Sven's
company built the amphitheater.
BYRON
I know Sven.
RO
Yeah. Well, we drove down the hill
here and had to stop out front because
there was a huge snapping turtle
crossing the road.
Byron LAUGHS and nods.
RO (CONT'D)
I didn't even look at the turtle. I
couldn't take my eyes off your little
girl. I know it sounds corny, but...
she was the most beautiful thing I'd
ever seen.
BYRON
Yeah, but... you had a pretty intense
relationship for, what... a couple
summers? With Elsa?
RO
No, it was just part of last summer...
which was a mistake. But Glenda wasn't
free most of that time, either.
BYRON
Yeah. Glenda's mom stills refers to
him as Kenny Crapforbrains.
Ro smiles.
BYRON (CONT'D)
So you love my daughter.
RO
And I want to spend the rest of my
life with her. I'd like to ask you
for her hand in marriage.
Byron sits thinking for a moment.
BYRON
I tell you what, Ro. I'm happy to
give you her hand anytime you'd like,
but... I'll only give you the rest
of her and bless your marriage under
one condition.
He pauses and lets it sink in. Ro waits anxiously.
BYRON (CONT'D)
All I ask... let me rephrase that.
All I insist is that you have gainful
and steady employment. I believe you
love her, but I insist that you take
care of her.
RO
Absolutely, sir. As you know, I'm a
comedian. I'm puttin' together my
act and hopin' to audition for--
BYRON
Ro, let me stop you there. I
understand that's what you do, but
you gotta have an actual job to
support the two of you while you're
startin' a career.
RO
(stressed)
You know, sir, Jacque says you can't
make a living in comedy, but--
RO AND BYRON
(in unison)
Sometimes you can make a killing.
BYRON
Yeah, yeah, I know that saying Ro,
but honestly, it should be... you
can't make a living in comedy, but
you sure can get a divorce.
He leans forward and looks Ro in the eye.
BYRON (CONT'D)
You love her?
RO
More than anything.
BYRON
You're a funny guy... and a great
actor. You might even be able to
make it. But you've gotta have a job
while you're tryin'. No negotiation.
Ro looks with determination at Byron.
RO
I understand. I will. Thank you,
sir.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Midnight Snake Snack
INT. RO'S CABIN - NIGHT
Ro lies in bed, curled in his sleeping bag. Loud LAUGHTER
awakens him. He lifts his head to listen then nestles back
down on his pillow.
He hears the LAUGHTER again and glances at his alarm clock.
It's 2:15. He climbs out of his bag. He wears a bathing suit.
He steps into his flip-flops and exits the cabin.
EXT. THE CREEKSIDE CABINS - NIGHT
Outside, the LAUGHTER is louder. He heads in that direction.
LEO (O.S.)
(laughing)
Oh! Oh! Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
He walks by one cabin. At the next, a flashlight turns on
inside. He softly speaks through the screen in Karl's door.
RO
It's okay, Karl. I got it.
Karl shines a flashlight out the screen, momentarily blinding
Ro.
KARL
Sorry. What's goin' on out there?
RO
I don't know.
KARL
Who is it?
RO
I don't know. But I got it. Thanks.
LEO (O.S.)
Oh! Holy Shhhhhhh! Haha. Yeah, go!
Ro walks to the last cabin. He looks through the screen and
sees Leo staring into a terrarium.
INT. PAT AND LEO 'S CABIN - NIGHT
Leo's lit up by a small light in the terrarium. He holds a
large bag of cheese curls that he shovels into his mouth.
LEO
Yeah! Yeah Baby! Hahahaha! You can
do it. Just a weentzy... little...
bit... more!
EXT. THE CREEKSIDE CABINS - NIGHT
Ro walks onto the cabin porch and looks through the screen.
RO
Hey!
INT. PAT AND LEO 'S CABIN - NIGHT
Leo turns toward the door, startled.
RO
(louder)
Hey!
Ro opens the door and goes inside.
INT. PAT AND LEO 'S CABIN - NIGHT
Leo holds his finger up to his lips. He points to the bunk
bed behind him.
LEO
Shhhhhh! You're gonna wake him up.
Ro sees Leo's roommate PAT(80) lying sound asleep.
RO
(whispering loudly)
I'm gonna wake him up? Are you
serious? I'm going to wake him up? I
am?
LEO
What?
RO
You're gonna wake up the whole camp!
It's 2:15! What are you doin'?
Leo becomes sullen.
LEO
Nothin'.
With one finger, Leo motions back and forth between himself
and the terrarium.
LEO (CONT'D)
We're eating.
Ro glances at the terrarium and sees Pat's python. The back
two legs of a frog stick out her mouth.
RO
Go to sleep.
Leo rolls his eyes.
LEO
Okay.
He holds the bag of cheese curls to his chest and rolls into
bed.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
8 -
The Phantom Breakfast
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - MORNING
Everyone finishes eating breakfast. Ro stands up.
RO
Great breakfast! How 'bout a hand
for Chef Agnes!
He turns toward a long kitchen serving window. Agnes (50,
short, round-faced woman, flushed cheeks) stands partially
visible. She receives a big CHEER and APPLAUSE. She dismisses
it with the wave of her hand. She returns to her work.
RO (CONT'D)
She hates it when I call her that.
CHEYENNE
One day she'll get a Michelin Star.
RO
Or a new set of tires.
Everyone LAUGHS.
AGNES (O.S.)
I'll take the tires.
More LAUGHTER.
RO
Okay, folks. Big morning ahead. We're
all in the rehearsal hall with Jacque
at 8:00, so enjoy your pain-free
body for...
He glances at his watch.
RO (CONT'D)
... another twenty-one minutes.
Paul... you have anything?
Paul stands in the back and holds up some envelopes.
PAUL
Got some mail.
He reads off names as people walk back to get their mail.
PAUL (CONT'D)
Mr. Johnson, Miss Curry, and... Mr.
Erickson.
With a snap of his wrist, he tosses the envelope from the
back of the room.
It sails over everyone's head and into Ro's hand. Without
acknowledging the feat, deadpan, Ro slips it into his back
pocket. Everyone WHOOPS and APPLAUDS.
Leo walks in through a door behind Ro. His mop of brown curls
comically skew to one side. He half-closes his eyes. Everyone
sees him but Ro.
RO
Anything else, Paul?
Leo heads to the beginning of the serving line, as if not
realizing that all the food has been put away. He stops
directly behind Ro.
He looks at everyone and yawns. They CHUCKLE.
PAUL
Glenda told me the pool is ready.
The cottages have it from 10:00 to
7:00, but please feel free to take a
dip during your breaks.
RO
Our breaks are from 12:00 to 1:00
and 6:00 to 7:00.
PAUL
Yeah, so you get to swim for that
one hour after eating when you are
most likely to die.
They CHUCKLE.
Leo grabs a spoon, fork, and napkin and places them carefully
on the tray. He takes a plate, sets it next to the utensils,
and slides the tray down the line. People LAUGH softly.
Surprised by their laughter, Ro follows their gaze to Leo,
now at the end. He grabs a coffee cup and places it under
the dispenser. He presses the lever but nothing comes out.
There's more LAUGHTER.
Everyone watches as he carries the tray, void of any food,
to the front table, where he takes a seat.
He picks up his fork and knife, looks down and does a double
take, seeing no food on his plate.
Everyone GUFFAWS. He looks around, as if surprised by their
presence. Ro frowns.
RO
Okay. I think that does it. Have a
great day.
People stand, form a line at the dirty dish window, and then
leave one by one.
Leo joins them with his empty tray of clean utensils, evoking
more LAUGHS. He heads out the door. Ro follows.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Outside the Dining Hall
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - DAY
RO
Leo!
Leo stops and looks at Ro sleepily, then looks down at the
sidewalk. Ro reaches out his hand.
RO (CONT'D)
I'm Ro.
Leo reaches out and shakes.
LEO
Yeah.
He turns to walk away.
RO
Say... uh. We probably want to let
Pam eat by herself if it's the middle
of the night. Okay?
Leo rolls his eyes, turns and continues to walk away.
RO (CONT'D)
Hey!
Leo stops and looks back.
RO (CONT'D)
What you just did in there... was
that an act?
LEO
What?
Ro shakes his head and smiles.
RO
Forget it.
GLENDA (O.S.)
Hey, Leo!
Ro turns to see Glenda walking from the office cabin.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
(to Leo)
I was so surprised to learn you're
here for the summer.
She walks up and gives Leo a hug.
LEO
Yeah, I'm just... kinda... helpin'
out.
GLENDA
That's great. You'll love it.
Glenda puts her arm around Ro's waist. Leo notices. Then he
points in the direction he's heading.
LEO
I gotta get some garbage bags.
GLENDA
Hey, I heard about your dad's job. I
want you to know a bunch of us are
prayin' for you guys.
LEO
Oh.
(pause)
Thanks.
He turns and leaves.
RO
You know him?
GLENDA
Yeah. Started coming to our youth
group a few years ago when I was
helpin' out. He's a really funny
kid.
RO
(sighing)
Yeah.
GLENDA
Gotta go.
She mimes a quick kiss and heads back toward the office cabin.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
10 -
The Surprise Letter
Paul exits the dining hall behind Ro. He pulls the envelope
out of Ro's back pocket.
PAUL
You may wanna read this.
RO
What?
PAUL
Read it.
Ro grabs the letter and opens it. As he reads, his eyes widen
and a big smile crosses his face.
RO
Are you kiddin' me?
PAUL
I told them you're the guy. My improv
days are over. They're comin' to the
Boosters picnic. I got 'em in the
guest cottage for a couple nights.
Ro continues reading with growing excitement.
RO
Wow! I can't believe this!
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Circus Training and Stage Prep
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS REHEARSAL HALL - MORNING
Elements of circus arts fill the room. Interns stretch, cavort
on unicycles, and juggle pins.
Michael Ivy on four-foot stilts teaches a delighted Leo to
juggle three balls.
Jacque enters. With a quick gesture, he instructs Ro to begin.
RO
(shouting)
Okay, everyone listen up. We're here
until noon, at which time you may
crawl to lunch.
The students LAUGH.
RO (CONT'D)
Then the pool's ours until two, but
we need everyone in the amphitheater
by 2:15.
He looks at Jacque and nods.
JACQUE
Ro! Would you explain to our new
students what we're going to do?
RO
I think we're gonna practice the
ancient art of cramping.
Everyone LAUGHS.
RO (CONT'D)
Or maybe it's a science? I'm not
sure.
JACQUE
Karl! You notice things look a little
different this year. Why do you
imagine I brought all this circus
paraphernalia?
KARL
For the same reason that last year
you brought two hundred decks of
cards?
JACQUE
And why was that?
KARL
If we're gonna make it, we need a
big skill set.
(pause)
And I'm thinkin' this year's gonna
be more painful.
JACQUE
(to everyone)
Find a space!
They claim a space, forming a grid.
Leo walks to the top of the bleachers and sprawls out to
watch. He unwraps and pops a Red Hot Fireball in each cheek.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Let's go to work.
SERIES OF SHOTS - STUDENT EXERCISES
-Students stand in lines for stretch and balance exercises.
-Students practice tumbling. Jacque walks among them. Their
faces register pain.
-Students take turns walking behind a 3' X 9' wall. They
bend their knees with each step, creating the illusion of
descending stairs.
-The door opens and Leo's boss, Pat, sticks his head in the
room. He spots Leo and motions for him to come outside. Leo
rolls his eyes and follows.
-Ro bends his knees gradually and emulates an escalator. The
students APPLAUD.
-Ro tries to ride a unicycle, falling repeatedly and
comically.
-Ro helps tighten a cable, two feet high, stretching from
one end of the rehearsal hall to the other. Michael crosses
the cable skillfully.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - AFTERNOON
SERIES OF SHOTS - PREPARING THE STAGE
-Jer and a crew carry large painted background flats from a
pickup bed onto the stage. Students construct triangular
columns to hold the painted flats. Two are finished on one
side and they rotate one, checking its rollers.
-Michael stands on his high stilts and, with paint and a
brush, touches up the top of a flat.
-Elsa, in climbing gear, holds a rope securing Cheyenne, who
hangs high above, securing a lighting truss between the trees.
-Sue paints thick leafy vines on an upright piano, while
Karl and his crew roll in handcarts carrying audio speakers.
-Ro manages a group as they haul large oak pallets onto the
stone stage, forming a grid, upon which they screw plywood
sheets to create a level floor.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
12 -
The Switch
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS KITCHEN PANTRY - NIGHT
Bags of food staples surround Ro and Agnes. She writes on a
pad.
AGNES
When do you need it? And don't say
tonight.
RO
We're setting up at 8:00 on Thursday.
Jer rigged a switch under the table.
AGNES
You're gonna blow yourself up.
RO
When she says yes--
AGNES
If she says yes.
RO
(laughing)
When she says yes, I'll flip the
switch.
Agnes smiles.
AGNES
Chocolate or vanilla?
RO
Chocolate. Your deepest, darkest,
sweetest.
Genres:
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Scene
13 -
A Starry Proposal
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - NIGHT
Ro walks up the stone pathway onto the porch. He KNOCKS on
the wooden screen door.
Glenda opens the door.
GLENDA
Howdy, Buckaroo.
He smiles.
BYRON (O.S.)
Evenin', Ro. How are ya?
RO
Fine, sir. Thanks.
BYRON (O.S.)
You hear that Glenda. He called me
sir. I like that.
Glenda LAUGHS.
GLENDA
You don't have to call him sir.
BYRON (O.S.)
Yes, he does.
GLENDA
No, you don't.
RO
Yes, I do.
They all LAUGH.
RO (CONT'D)
Want to go for a walk? It's so
beautiful.
GLENDA
I would love that.
She calls back over her shoulder.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Goin' for a walk.
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS
They walk down the stone pathway. He pulls her close to him
and she wraps her arm around his waist. They head up the
road toward the amphitheater.
GLENDA
Wow! Look at those stars.
They approach the amphitheater. They see that some lights
from within create a silhouette of the unfinished set.
RO
Someone left the lights on again.
Good thing we saw it before Paul...
the electricity sheriff.
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - CONTINUOUS
They enter. Glenda GASPS and they stop.
One side of the six rotatable triangular columns display an
English countryside. Soft lights illuminate the scene from
beneath.
At center stage sits a table for two. It's covered with a
table cloth, dinnerware, a vase with a dozen red roses, a
bottle of champagne, and a chocolate cake with a single lit
candle.
Glenda looks at Ro. Her eyes grow moist.
GLENDA
(nervously)
Oh, my.
RO
Right this way, ma'am.
He leads her to the stage and pulls back her chair. She sits
down. He pops the champagne cork, pours two glasses, and
takes his seat. He slices two pieces of cake and places them
on the plates, then holds out his glass to hers.
RO (CONT'D)
To us.
GLENDA
(whispering)
To us.
They stare into each other's eyes and eat without speaking.
When they finish their cake, he pushes back his chair and
stands. He removes a small box from his back pocket and kneels
before her.
He opens the box, revealing a diamond ring. She puts her
hands to her mouth. A tear escapes her eye.
RO
Glenda. Will you marry me?
She takes the box in her hands, then throws her arms around
him.
He discreetly reaches beneath the table and flips a switch.
The top rim of the amphitheater explodes in cascading
fireworks.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Promise in the Candlelight
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - LATER
The champagne is three quarters gone. The candle is an inch
shorter. Glenda wears her ring and holds it out to the
refracting candle light.
GLENDA
What'd he say?
RO
He said... call me sir.
GLENDA
You know what I mean.
RO
He said he'll bless our marriage if
I have a job. No negotiation.
GLENDA
A real job?
RO
Yeah.
GLENDA
(sadly)
Oh, that's not good.
RO
Yes, it is. I think I might have
one.
He reaches into his back pocket and takes out an envelope.
RO (CONT'D)
These people are Cedar Springs
Boosters. Paul says they're the real
deal.
He glances at the bottom of the letter.
RO (CONT'D)
Greg and Lori Cohen. They bought an
old theater in Sacramento. Four
hundred seats. They're remodeling
all summer and opening...
He looks at the letter.
RO (CONT'D)
... "Cohen Comedy Improv" in the
fall. Glenda, this is so amazing.
They're looking for a comic
improviser, slash production manager.
No one, right out of college, gets
an opportunity like this at a legit
place.
GLENDA
If it's legit.
RO
It is!
GLENDA
And they said they wanted you?
RO
No, they want Paul. But he told them
they wanted me.
(laughing)
Which is crazy!
He looks at the letter with a laughing mask logo.
RO (CONT'D)
I asked Paul if he thought they could
pull it off and he said, hey... what
do you need for improvisational
theater?
Ro holds up one finger at a time, noting three requirements.
RO (CONT'D)
You need a space. You need money.
And you need a person who can do
(MORE)
RO (CONT'D)
everything. Paul told 'em I'm that
guy.
GLENDA
(smiling excitedly)
Oh, my gosh. We could get married in--
RO
Look at this, Sweetie.
He points to the letter.
RO (CONT'D)
A hundred seventy bucks a week! That's
almost seven hundred a month!
GLENDA
Oh, Ro! If you get this job, we can
get married in September.
RO
Yeah!
GLENDA
So, it's... promising?
RO
Paul said they're excited about me.
At least the woman is. So, they're
comin' to the picnic and then hangin'
around 'til the show. They wanna
watch me work.
GLENDA
You'll be great!
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Poolside Interruptions
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS SWIMMING POOL - AFTERNOON
A group of GIRLS, including Sue and Cheyenne, surround Glenda,
who sits on top of her lifeguard stand. They SQUEAL their
congratulations and admire her ring.
They go to the far side of the pool and lay out their towels
to sun on the hot concrete.
Elsa walks through the chain-linked gate. She glances at
Glenda, but says nothing. She joins the girls on the other
side.
A row of guys, including Karl and Jer, stand in line to take
a turn on the diving board.
Ro enters through the chain-linked gate. He wears his work
clothes from the morning.
He makes eye contact with Glenda, then points at the diving
board.
RO
Is that a new board?
GLENDA
New board and new fence. A big cedar
took 'em out last month in the
earthquake. Aren't you swimming?
RO
Nah. I got talkin' to Jacque. What's
the temperature?
GLENDA
When I checked this morning, it was
exactly... nice.
Michael comes through the gate. He wears a mask that covers
the top and back of his head. It's shaped like Elvis' hair.
Ro notices and bursts out LAUGHING.
RO
Oh, that is so great!
Michael pops it off and hands it to Ro, who looks at the
inside.
MICHAEL
Papier mache. Won't be goin' in the
wa... wa... water.
Ro pops it on his head, transforming his appearance. Glenda
GUFFAWS.
Ro hands it back to Michael, who joins the girls on the other
side.
Leo enters wearing a tight swim suit, laced high top canvas
sneakers, and no socks. A beach towel drapes his white
shoulders. He walks past Ro and Glenda without acknowledgment.
GLENDA
Leo!
He turns without breaking stride. With a blank look he
approaches and stands beneath Glenda's stand.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Look at me.
He looks up, squinting in the sunlight.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Today... unlike yesterday... and
unlike the day before... today it
would be so nice if I didn't have to
speak to you while you're here. Do
you understand?
He stares.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
It just gets a little old after a
while. You know what I mean?
He stares.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
You know?
He stares until she must fight a smile.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Good. Thank you.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Splashdown Shenanigans
He heads toward the line at the diving board. He pokes part
of his towel into the chain-linked fence, then unties his
shoes.
RO
So, that was necessary, huh?
GLENDA
Yep.
Leo loudly HUMS the musical theme song of ABC's Wide World
of Sports. Then he announces as if holding a microphone:
LEO
Spanning the globe to give you the
constant variety of sports. The thrill
of victory...
He kicks off his shoes and stands barefoot on the burning
pavement.
LEO (CONT'D)
... and the agony of de--
The pain from the hot pavements registers and he begins a
high knee, rapid tip-toe toward the pool. He punctuates each
step with an expletive.
LEO (CONT'D)
Ah... Shitshitshitshitshitshit!
He jumps in the pool and comes to the surface in pain.
LEO (CONT'D)
AhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooW!
With a heave, he forearms his way onto the deck. He rolls on
his back, MOANS, and looks up at Glenda.
She looks down at him and LAUGHS hard. Ro manages a slight
smile.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh, man. That really hurts.
GLENDA
You okay?
He stands, limps and lifts each foot to check the bottom, as
he walks back to the diving board.
LEO
This is ABC's Wide World of Sports.
The sunbathing girls turn their heads to watch.
A girl bounces off the board into a one and half flip and
enters the water with barely a splash.
LEO (CONT'D)
Brought to you by Lincoln Mercury.
Nobody has more kinds of cars for
more kinds of people. See them at
the sign of the cat.
A guy does a poor cannonball in an attempt to splash the
girls.
LEO (CONT'D)
And by Goodyear. Makers of the custom
steel radial tire. And by State Farm
Mutual. Almost anywhere you live,
there's a State Farm agent nearby.
Leo climbs on the board and looks appreciatively at the
scantily clad girls.
He begins his approach. He steps to the end of the board.
LEO (CONT'D)
Like a good neighbor.
He springs high off the board and toward the edge of the
pool nearest the girls.
LEO (CONT'D)
(shouting)
State Farm is... there!
He leans back and lands a jack knife two feet from the edge
that drenches the screaming girls.
He emerges with a loud LAUGH.
LEO (CONT'D)
Haha! And it's a ten! Oh, man! Have
we ever seen such perfection!
He climbs the ladder next to Glenda.
GLENDA
Hey, Leo. Very funny, but that was a
bit close.
He rolls his eyes, turns and walks away from her.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
(sternly)
Leo!
He stops and turns back.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Come here.
She points to the base of her lifeguard stand. He walks over
deadpan and stares up at her.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
(slowly)
You can't... jump... so close to the
edge. Do you understand?
He sighs and, opened mouthed, stares up at her, pretending
to be in awe of her.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
No second chances. Do you understand?
He continues to stare. She suppresses an unwanted smile.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Do it again... you're out. Do you
understand?
She waits. He rolls his eyes again and walks back toward the
line. Glenda turns to Ro and allows herself a quiet CHUCKLE.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Wow!
RO
Yeah. What's he do?
GLENDA
What?
RO
What's Pat got him doin'? What's his
job?
GLENDA
Trimming shrubs. Maybe mowin'. I
don't know.
Jer steps on the board.
LEO
Jer approaches the board. He will
attempt his second dive and he looks
nervous. Wouldn't you say, Brett?
(changing voice)
Sure would, Jim. His first attempt
was far inferior to what we would
expect from a diver of his caliber.
LAUGHING, Jer begins his dive.
LEO (CONT'D)
Here it is.
Jer almost does a belly flop.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh! What a disappointment. I would
be surprised if he even comes up. No
one would blame him if he just stayed
down there on the bottom. So
embarrassing!
Everyone LAUGHS, and Leo climbs back on the board.
LEO (CONT'D)
This is the moment everyone in America
has been waiting for. His last attempt
brought so much relief to so many
over heated, under-dressed spectators.
He begins the approach to his dive.
LEO (CONT'D)
And here he goes again folks. Oh my
goodness, it's a...
He flies off the board.
LEO (CONT'D)
... ten!
In the air he leans back, grabs his leg and enters the water
inches from the edge. He again drenches the SCREAMING girls.
He surfaces.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh yes! Oh yes!
Glenda blows her WHISTLE loudly. Leo looks toward her and
his expression changes.
Glenda climbs off her chair. She sternly motions for him to
come to her.
Leo swims over and climbs up the ladder. Glenda points toward
the gate.
GLENDA
Out!
He falls at her feet. He wraps his arms around her ankles.
He begs and weeps melodramatically.
LEO
Oh Glenda! Please!
Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
pleasepleaseplease.
Glenda looks at Ro, puts her hand to her face and hides her
need to laugh. Then, controlling herself, she looks down at
him.
GLENDA
No! Stop it!
She kicks herself free and again points at the gate.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Out!
Leo stands up and, acting as if nothing happened, he walks
casually to the fence.
He steps into his shoes, pulls his beach towel out of the
fence, slings it over his shoulders, and expressionless,
walks past Glenda and through the chain linked gate.
Glenda looks at Ro.
RO
Yeah. Wow.
Ro looks at those still in the water and the sun bathers
across the pool. Several twist out their soaked towels.
RO (CONT'D)
'Kay everyone. Rehearsal hall! Ten
minutes.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
17 -
A Shed Full of Broken Plans
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS STORAGE SHED - DAY
Ro backs a Cedar Springs van toward a garage door. He jumps
out the driver's side. Michael jumps out the passenger side.
MICHAEL
It's a great little city. New England
charm. Autumns are unbelievable.
Glenda would love it.
Michael navigates through a keychain trying various keys to
unlock the door.
RO
What about venues?
MICHAEL
There are two hundred colleges within
a hundred miles. No exaggeration.
RO
Yeah. The problem is, I have to
consider this Sacramento thing. I
can't get married without a steady
job.
MICHAEL
Might not take long to become steady.
RO
When do you need to know?
Ro finds the right key and turns the lock.
MICHAEL
We'd need promotional materials by
at least the end of August.
RO
Well, let's keep it open.
He pulls up the door.
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS STORAGE SHED - CONTINUOUS
A pile of broken lighting instruments lie on the floor. Broken
storage bars hang from the high ceiling.
RO
Oh... this is not good.
Michael picks up a few of the instruments. Glass from broken
lenses falls on the ground.
Genres:
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Scene
18 -
Wrecked Lights and Sarcastic Resistance
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS OFFICE CABIN - DAY
Julie works at her desk. Elsa sits to one side and looks
through paperwork. Ro walks in.
RO
Bad news.
Julie looks up. Elsa ignores him.
RO (CONT'D)
All our lighting instruments were
wrecked in the quake.
JULIE
All of them?
RO
Maybe a couple are okay.
(to Elsa)
You live here, Elsa. You might have
checked.
ELSA
If I was the producer, I would have.
RO
Yeah. We need to rent everything.
And we need it by a week from
Wednesday. I'll leave this to you...
and your mother.
Ro turns and walks out of the office. Julie resumes typing.
JULIE
Gee, it'd be a shame if they just
couldn't get here.
Elsa smiles.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
19 -
From the Neck Up
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - AFTERNOON
Some students finish eating. Others stand in the dirty dish
line.
RO
(shouting)
Okay! Listen up! Tomorrow morning
we're workin' circus skills from
8:00 until 9:00. And then it gets
fun. Be ready with your solo bits at
(MORE)
RO (CONT'D)
10:00, because you might be called
upon. Anything else?
In the back of the room, Michael raises his hand.
RO (CONT'D)
Michael.
MICHAEL
If you haven't had your head plastered
for your mask, tonight's your last
chance. I'll be out here on the lawn.
RO
Okay, everyone... work on those solo
bits. See you all in the mornin'.
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS REHEARSAL HALL - DAY
Jacque sits in the front row, legs crossed, elbow on knee,
chin planted in his hand.
Students sit behind him on bleachers. At the top, Leo sprawls
out by himself eating a bag of Cheetos. They watch first-
year student LEDLIE (19) at center stage.
She bends at her waist, upper body parallel to the ground,
and plods slowly. Her lower jaw moves like a cow chewing its
cud. She stops, turns her face toward the students, and
blinks.
The students HOWL. Leo LAUGHS the loudest with a mouth full
of Cheetos. The students quiet down, but Leo can't stop.
LEO
Oh, man! Ha ha ha ha! Oh man! That
is funny. Look at that!
She patiently waits, staring at Leo. He makes small WHEEZING
sounds, trying to control himself.
She plods toward Jer, stops with her head six inches from
his, then turns and licks his face.
The students CHEER and APPLAUD.
Ledlie acknowledges the applause with a quick nod, then sits
in the front row.
Jacque sits up straight and smiles.
JACQUE
That was... exquisite. Very nice
work.
The students CHEER.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Ro! What do you have for us?
Ro walks to center stage.
Jacque settles back into his critique posture.
RO
I turned the key in the ignition and
got that awful clicking sound. I
said, "I think the battery's dead."
She said, "Well, check it." I said,
"How?" And she said, "I don't know...
put your tongue on it."
Audience LAUGHTER.
SERIES OF SHOTS - RO PERFORMS
-Ro performs his comedy monologue. A wide range of comical
facial expressions precede and punctuate each punchline,
followed by audience LAUGHTER and sometimes APPLAUSE. He
barely moves his body.
RO (CONT'D)
We started bickering just about the
time the flight attendant asked us
to put our seats in the full upright
and most uncomfortable position.
-Audience LAUGHTER. Jacque observes without responding.
-Leo eats his Cheetos and watches.
-Ro glances at Elsa who, uninterested, doodles on her notepad.
-More facial gestures from Ro. More audience LAUGHTER.
RO (CONT'D)
Four hours later, I asked myself...
is it better to be in love with this
woman or to be stuck in this holding
pattern over Cleveland?
-The LAUGH happens when Ro follows a punchline with a slight
turn of his head and his trademark deadpan expression.
RO (CONT'D)
And she said, "There are no guarantees
in love. You want a guarantee, get a
new car battery."
-Audience LAUGHTER. Ro stands without speaking for a long
awkward moment, then continues.
RO (CONT'D)
No, no, I didn't lose my place. I'm
just imagining we're in a real comedy
club and I'm waiting for the applause
to die down.
The students LAUGH and APPLAUD.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
Ro tips his head in appreciation and sits in the front row
for Jacque's critique.
The students become quiet.
Jacque turns toward him and waits. The students register
concern.
Leo looks at Jacque, then back at Ro. A smile lifts the
corners of his Cheeto-stained lips.
JACQUE
Excellent writing. Beautifully
constructed. Great face! At times
very subtle, but you raise an eyebrow
or you turn your head with that Harold
Lloyd... Buster Keaton deadpan thing
you do and... it's great. You are
really... very funny...
Ro exhales a SIGH of relief with the other students.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
... from the neck up.
Celebration is sucked from the room.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
We've been through this before, Ro.
All you used in this performance was
your face! What a waste! Obviously,
you can write this stuff in your
sleep, so be sure to do that tonight.
Because tomorrow... you're goin'
back to work.
Leo, wide-eyed, covers a smile with his hand. He glances
back and forth between Jacque and Ro.
Jacque glances at his watch. He stands and heads toward the
front door. Then he stops, turns back and smiles slightly.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Oh... and Ro. Bring a big paper bag.
Thanks everyone. See you tomorrow.
The students head for the door.
Ro stands more slowly than the others. As Ledlie is about to
exit, Leo yells from the top.
LEO
Hey Leds!
She stops and looks. He runs down to her.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh, man! That was so funny. Show me
how you did that.
Before she can respond, he bends at the waist and nearly
replicates her cow. Several students notice and GUFFAW.
Ro frowns.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
20 -
The Shrug That Landed
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS REHEARSAL HALL - MORNING
SERIES OF SHOTS - RO GETS A SECOND CHANCE
- Jacque watches intently from front and center. Ro stands
before the student audience. He performs stand-up, but a bag
with eye holes covers his head. He moves his body very little
and the students respond proportionally.
-In different clothing, he performs with the bag, but his
gestures become a little bigger and there are more smiles.
- Jacque stands directly in front of Ro, talking to him as
the students watch.
- Jacque creates various physical postures and Ro mimics
him.
-In different clothing, he performs with the bag, reaches
down, grabs an imaginary rope and mimes being pulled off
stage. He walks back on, faces the audience, and shrugs.
They LAUGH hard.
Jacque jumps onto the stage.
END SERIES OF SHOTS
JACQUE
Do it again.
Ro turns toward Jacque so he can see out the eye holes.
RO
Do what?
JACQUE
The shrug. Again.
Ro does.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Again.
Ro does.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Again. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Ro does it four or five times.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Now get pulled off the stage, then
walk on and shrug. Exactly the same.
Go!
Jacque sits down and crosses his legs and leans forward.
Ro reaches down, grabs the imaginary rope and mimes being
pulled off stage. He walks back on, faces the audience, and
shrugs. The students APPLAUD.
Jacque celebrates with a very small and quick closed-fist
hand pump.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
21 -
The Gift and the Duck
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS - AFTERNOON
Ro crosses the bridge from the lawn to the cabins.
Jacque stands on the bridge with a loaf of old bread. He
throws bits to the ducks in the stream below.
RO
Those ducks are lovin' you.
Jacque looks at Ro, smiles big and hands him a few slices.
JACQUE
(laughing)
Here... join me.
Ro rips off a piece of bread and throws it below.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Congratulations on your engagement.
RO
Thanks.
JACQUE
Beautiful girl. Nice family.
Ro throws another piece.
RO
Yeah.
JACQUE
Repeat.
Ro throws another piece.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Repeat.
Ro throws another.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Repeat.
They LAUGH.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
So, we're still friends?
RO
Always.
JACQUE
What are your plans? After the summer,
I mean.
RO
I'm not sure, but I need a job. We'd
love to get married in late September,
but Glenda's dad made it pretty clear
that won't be happening if I don't
have...
(air quotes)
... gainful employment.
JACQUE
You're gonna make a lot of money.
Ro looks at him, surprised.
RO
You think so?
JACQUE
Oh yeah. Maybe not by late September
but...
RO
Michael talked to me about us forming
a duet.
Jacque pauses a moment.
JACQUE
I could see that. Hard worker...
humble spirit. I'd be careful about
hiding your face too much, but his
masks are the best I've seen. Better
than a bag over your head.
Ro smiles.
RO
A couple Boosters comin' to the picnic
are opening a comedy improv club in
Sacramento. They may be interested
in hiring me.
JACQUE
For what?
RO
For the resident cast, and also to
handle production things. Good money
and it would solve my problem.
JACQUE
You know why I've been so tough on
you?
Ro looks at Jacque.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
You've got a gift, Ro. That's a good
thing, but the problem with gifts is
they come with wrappings. People can
spend a lifetime trying to open 'em
up.
RO
(pensively)
If it's your own gift... shouldn't
you just be able to open it?
JACQUE
I've seen it a happen. Young person
just rips off the ribbons. He or she
does something brilliant... but I
think it's just a one-off.
He hands Ro some more bread.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
And then they do it again and again.
Repeat, repeat... natural as can be.
The inner emotion and intent
manifested perfectly on the outside.
Words become superfluous with meaning
articulated in every movement...
every expression... posture...
gesture.
He pauses.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
As a teacher, that's something you
never forget. You know what I've
felt at that moment?
He turns and stares intently at Ro.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
Envy.
Ro looks at him with surprise.
RO
Yeah. I know what you mean. It's
embarrassing.
Leo walks across the bridge toward the cabins. He looks over
the railing and sees the family of ducks.
LEO
Woah!
Jacque hands him a few slices of bread and then continues
the conversation.
JACQUE
But I don't indulge it. It's the
enemy of creative growth.
Leo throws a piece of bread.
LEO
Oh, look at that! You see that brown
guy!
JACQUE
That's the female.
LEO
Really? She's nasty!
He moves for a better angle, then throws bread like a baseball
as he talks to himself. Ro watches Leo.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh yeah! Mother ducky... mother
duck... mother ducker.
He softly impersonates Isaac Hayes singing the theme from
the movie "Shaft".
LEO (CONT'D)
They say this cat Shaft is a bad
mother duck...
(female voice)
Shut your mouth!
(male voice)
I'm talkin' 'bout shaft.
(female voice)
Then we can dig it.
Unaware that Ro watches, Leo moves like the duck, lunging
for the bread and attacking the males.
JACQUE
Envy can poison us when we see someone
do something so naturally... something
that takes us years to master.
Ro stares at Leo.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
But we have a choice. We can encourage
and help make others better and bless
us both. Or... we can destroy
ourselves.
He looks at Ro.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
You get this?
Ro doesn't answer. He stares open-mouthed at Leo. Jacque
follows Ro's gaze, looks at Leo and then looks back.
JACQUE (CONT'D)
You do get this. Right?
RO
Yeah.
Jacque tosses in his last piece of bread. He reaches up with
one arm and squeezes Ro's shoulder.
JACQUE
Ce qui sera sera.
He turns and walks back toward the rehearsal hall.
Below, in the stream, one small duck attacks a bigger one.
It loudly protests and flies several feet away.
Leo points and LAUGHS.
LEO
You see that! He bit that guy right
in the back of the head! He's like
Jacque the duck.
RO
What?
LEO
That little mean one. He's Jacque
the duck.
(laughing, speaking
with an accent)
Look at me, my feathered followers.
I am the mighty Jacque Monduck!
The duck swims toward the other one and noisily attacks again.
LEO (O.S.) (CONT'D)
(screaming)
Look out Ro! Look out!
The duck fights back and the attacker retreats. The others
QUACK in apparent celebration.
Leo lifts Ro's arm in victory.
LEO (CONT'D)
Yes! Yes! And the audience goes crazy!
Ro smiles. With the back of his hand he slaps Leo in the
chest.
RO
You're a funny guy, ya know that?
Leo smiles, turns and crosses the bridge toward his cabin.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
22 -
The Light Delivery Standoff
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS OFFICE CABIN - DAY
Julie has the phone to her ear when Ro walks in. She motions
with her finger for him to wait.
JULIE
I sent the check two days ago.
(listens)
Number 218.
(listens)
And then what's your turn around?
(MORE)
JULIE (CONT'D)
(listens)
Okay. Thanks.
She hangs up the phone and looks intently at Ro.
JULIE (CONT'D)
They haven't received my check so,
until they do, they won't be
delivering your lights.
RO
First of all, these are not my lights,
Julie. These are our lights.
JULIE
Well, our lights won't be here 'til
Thursday.
RO
We need 'em Wednesday.
JULIE
Yes... I can see you have a problem.
She smiles as Ro storms out of the office.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Cookout Tensions
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS LAWN - EVENING
Picnic tables cover the lawn. A white butcher paper sign
hangs over the volleyball net: "Welcome Cedar Springs
Boosters".
An industrial-sized charcoal grill emits a plume of smoke.
KITCHEN CREW in aprons, stand behind tables ready to serve.
Ro crosses the bridge from the cabins toward the cookout.
FAMILIES of Cedar Springs Boosters visit. A DOZEN SMALL
CHILDREN tussle in the grass. All the students and core team
wear new Cedar Springs t-shirts.
Ro notices from across the lawn as LORI COHEN (60, petite,
dark hair, stylish sun glasses) steps from her side of a
bright red, Datsun 240Z. She's greeted with open arms by
Elsa.
Ro approaches. The driver's side door opens. GREG COHEN (67,
white hair, slender, nonchalant business air) climbs out. He
greets Elsa with an enthusiastic hug.
RO
Welcome to Cedar Springs. I'm Ro.
He reaches out and shakes Greg's hands.
GREG
(cooly)
Ahhhh, Ro. Yeah... nice to meet you.
Ro reaches toward Lori, but she waves him off.
LORI
No, no, no. That's not how we do
this. Come 'ere.
She reaches out with both hands, palms up, and motions him
with her fingers to come closer.
LORI (CONT'D)
I'm a hugger.
Elsa frowns as Lori rises up on her tip-toes and gives him a
big hug.
LORI (CONT'D)
We are thrilled to meet you, Ro.
RO
I see you know Elsa.
LORI
Know her? She's our goddaughter!
Ro looks chagrined.
RO
Oh. How was your trip?
GREG
We came from Sacramento. Not really
a trip.
Ro turns to see Glenda as she walks down the road from the
cottage.
Elsa stares daggers at her, then addresses the Cohens.
ELSA
Great to see you guys. I gotta run.
LORI
Okay, sweetheart. We'll see you soon.
Elsa heads to the picnic.
RO
I'd like you to meet my fiancee,
Glenda Lehman.
Lori's eyes open wide as she embraces Glenda.
LORI
Oh, and aren't you beautiful!
GLENDA
(laughing)
Thank you.
RO
Glenda, this is Lori and Greg Cohen.
GLENDA
So nice to meet you both.
Greg acknowledges her with a quick nod. He raises his arms
to the sides, indicating the surroundings.
GREG
Beautiful evening.
Paul exits the office cabin, notices them, and approaches.
PAUL
Hello there, Cohens.
Lori runs toward him.
LORI
Paul!
She gives him a hug. He reaches his hand toward Greg and
they shake.
PAUL
Greg.
GREG
Still sure you aren't interested?
Paul laughs and nods at Ro.
PAUL
Yep. He's your man.
Greg looks skeptical.
The CLANGING of a large iron triangle invites the crowd to
the meal. Paul motions for the four to follow.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
24 -
The Pratfall
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS LAWN - LATER
Lori, Greg, Ro and Glenda exit the food line with plates
full of food.
Lori notices Elsa sitting at one of the tables with some of
the female interns.
LORI
Oh look! Let's go sit with Elsa!
Glenda and Ro look at each other with obvious reservations.
RO
Hey, you guys probably have a lot to
catch up on. Why don't you sit with
her and we'll mix it up with some of
the Boosters?
Ro notices Leo, who runs across the bridge from the cabins.
He's bare-chested. He holds his new white Cedar Springs t-
shirt in both hands. While sprinting, he searches for the
head hole.
Coming off the bridge and nearly to the lawn, he attempts to
pull the t-shirt over his head. Awkwardly, he gets one elbow
stuck in the stretching arm hole.
He trips, flails his free arm to stay upright and comically
careening, he falls face first at Lori's feet.
Lori stares at him wide-mouthed and then GUFFAWS.
LORI
(laughing very hard)
Oh my goodness! Are you okay?
Leo springs up, covered with grass clippings, and pushes his
arm through the arm hole. He looks at her serenely as if
nothing had happened.
This makes her LAUGH harder and Glenda joins in. Lori can
hardly speak.
LORI (CONT'D)
Oh, that was funny. That was... oh
my goodness.
Leo walks calmly to the front of the serving line. Lori
watches him and continues to LAUGH, struggling to catch her
breath.
LORI (CONT'D)
My! I wonder if he meant to do it.
It was like a pratfall.
RO
It may have been.
She turns to him with surprise.
LORI
What?
RO
Hey, this is a comedy camp.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
25 -
The Missing Lights
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS - NIGHT
Lights magically illuminate the cedars.
The remaining guests say their goodbyes. The work crew rolls
tables into the dining hall.
Ro and Glenda walk with Lori and Greg to their car.
LORI
(laughing)
When he fell at my feet, it just
tickled me.
They reach the car and Greg and Lori open their doors. Ro
points up the road toward the amphitheater.
RO
You know where you're goin', right?
GREG
Guest Cottage.
RO
Yeah. Just past the amphitheater...
little road to the left. The front
door's open. Key's on the table.
GREG
They fix the plumbing?
RO
Pardon?
GREG
Last time we didn't have water.
Lori dismisses his comment with the wave of her hand.
LORI
For cryin' out loud Greg. That was
fifteen years ago.
She looks at Ro and shakes her head in frustration.
RO
Breakfast is at 8:00. If you want to
sleep in, there are muffins in the
fridge. But... we're in our final
push, so... by 9:00, it's gonna get
noisy in the amphitheater.
LORI
Well, I, for one, will not be missing
breakfast.
They climb in the car, back up, then pull away.
Glenda looks at Ro with worry.
GLENDA
What do you think?
RO
I like her.
GLENDA
Did the lights get here?
RO
No.
GLENDA
Wow.
RO
Paul paid extra to get them here in
the morning.
Glenda SIGHS and shakes her head.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Poison Ivy and Pointed Fingers
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - MORNING
Ro and Glenda sit in Adirondack chairs and enjoy morning
coffee together.
Jer approaches, his face swollen with blisters.
Ro jumps up in alarm.
RO
Jer! What the--
JER
Poison Ivy.
RO
You need to see a doctor, now!
JER
Yeah.
GLENDA
I can take you.
RO
Are you gonna be able to--
JER
I don't know, Ro. I can barely see.
INT. PAUL'S OFFICE - DAY
Paul sits back, hands behind his head, feet on the desk. Ro
paces.
PAUL
He's got some meds. Maybe it'll clear
up.
RO
And if it doesn't?
PAUL
Hey... this is your baby. Don't make
me look bad, Ro. I assured the Cohens
you could handle anything.
Ro looks down and shakes his head.
RO
I think Elsa's feeding them crap
about me.
PAUL
I don't think she'd do that. But
even if she is, it won't matter if
you pull off a great show.
RO
That'll be tough without lights or a
leading man.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
27 -
A Change of Cast
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER ENTRANCE - MORNING
Ro helps unload large packing crates of lights from a delivery
truck. He beams with pleasure.
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - CONTINUOUS
Ro walks in and sees Elsa talking with Greg and Lori. The
Cohens look at him sheepishly.
The amphitheater is a bustle of creative energy.
The six triangular columns, twelve feet high, sit behind the
dance floor. There's a countryside scene on one and a castle
on the other.
Michael walks on stilts. He wears a giant's costume and mask.
Karl sits at the painted piano and rehearses a song with
MARY (18, African-American, big Afro).
Jer sits next to them on a milk crate, his head on his knees.
RO
Jer?
Jer looks up. His face is a swollen mass of blisters, his
eyes nearly shut.
RO (CONT'D)
Oh no. Still?
JER
Yeah.
KARL
Here's my thought. Our Jack becomes
Jacqueline. We'll make a big story
book prop. Mary can read her lines.
It'll work.
Ro sighs and nods.
RO
Yeah... good.
(to Jer)
You need to go to bed.
Jer stands slowly and leaves.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
28 -
The Buck Stops Here
Ro approaches the Cohens and Elsa. Lori gazes up at the
amphitheater seats and the towering cedars.
LORI
Oh, this is exciting!
RO
Yeah, we always wonder if we can
pull it off.
Ro shouts toward two of the work crew carrying scaffolding.
RO (CONT'D)
Hey guys! When you're done there,
let's get the big fans blowin' on
this deck. Okay?
Elsa walks a few feet away to help Cheyenne with her climbing
harness. She carefully checks the safety of her equipment.
ELSA
(coldly)
You know, Ro, I just asked those
guys to finish the scaffolding.
Ro looks at her, surprised.
RO
I'm sorry, I--
ELSA
If we don't get that up, we're not
gonna have a spot.
RO
I get it. I said when they're done.
ELSA
They're not gonna be done, Ro. You
were supposed to have that stuff
here three days ago.
Lori looks to Greg with concern.
Ro looks at Elsa with disbelief and hesitates, uncertain how
to respond.
RO
That wasn't actually my
responsibility, but if you'd like,
we can--
ELSA
Who's producing, Ro?
RO
If you'd like, we can talk about
this later.
Ro looks to Greg and Lori.
RO (CONT'D)
I know you get it, but at this point
sometimes things get a little tense.
GREG
Who is producing, Ro?
Ro looks at him with surprise, then gathers himself and
answers calmly.
RO
I am. This is my show.
Ro points toward his feet.
RO (CONT'D)
The buck stops here.
ELSA
Well then, buckaroo...
(MORE)
ELSA (CONT'D)
(buckaroo in air quotes)
Better get a move on.
She turns and walks off in a huff.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
29 -
The Wasp Swarm
Greg looks up into the amphitheater.
GREG
You know it's kinda too bad. I mean,
this is one of the most beautiful
venues I've ever been in.
He holds out his arms toward the set.
GREG (CONT'D)
All this kind of clutters it up.
Ro looks uncertain and stares at him.
LORI
Honey, they're doin' a show!
(to Ro, laughing)
He can be such a windbag.
She looks nervously toward Cheyenne, who climbs a very high
extension ladder toward the light truss above.
Elsa belays a safety line from below.
LORI (CONT'D)
Okay... so what's happening?
RO
Jer's really sick, so our leading
man just became our leading lady.
Ro points to Cheyenne.
RO (CONT'D)
That's Cheyenne up there. She's at
the University of Wisconsin in
choreography, but like everyone, she
helps where needed.
GREG
(concerned)
And she knows what she's doing?
RO
Yeah. She's a pro.
(laughing)
Twenty-year-old seasoned pro. I
promise, it's safe.
GREG
(concerned)
She need a license?
RO
Nope.
GREG
She is really high.
RO
And really safe. Honest.
Greg shakes his head.
GREG
Whew!
RO
Listen, I understand that I'm just
auditioning for you guys...
He shares a smile with Lori.
RO (CONT'D)
... but I want you to know I get how
important safety is and I totally
understand that it takes a team to
put on a great show.
Looking back through the entrance of the amphitheater, Greg
sees Leo on a bicycle. He's bent over the handlebars, flying
down the steep road toward the Cedar Springs office.
GREG
Tell me about that kid.
Ro looks at Greg and follows his gaze toward Leo.
GREG (CONT'D)
He did the pratfall.
LORI
(laughing)
Almost peed my pants.
RO
It wasn't a pratfall.
GREG
It was if he can do it again. So
natural.
LORI
And the way he jumped up and acted
like nothing was--
(laughing)
Oh, gosh!
GREG
What's he do?
RO
Paul's just sort of looking after
him for the summer. He's fifteen.
LORI
Oh! That deadpan thing...
(laughing)
He reminds me of Buster Keaton.
GREG
No... Harold Lloyd.
LORI
Ha! That's who it is.
Ro looks shocked.
GREG
What's his name?
RO
Leo... Beck.
GREG
Funny kid. That's a gift. I thought
you were serious at the picnic when
you said it might have been a
pratfall. And I was thinking... well
that's the best pratfall I've ever
seen.
RO
I'm pretty sure he just fell.
GREG
I'd love to know if he could do it
again.
They're startled by SCREAMING.
CHEYENNE (O.S.)
(painfully)
Ahhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh! Oh no, oh no.
Get me down! Ahhhhhh!
Everyone looks high into the cedars. Cheyenne SCREAMS and
swats at swarming wasps. She lets go and flips upside down
in her harness. One theater light crashes to the stage.
ELSA
On belay! On belay!
RO
(to the Cohens)
Get out! Quick!
Everyone scrambles in panic. Cheyenne lowers herself to the
stage.
Ro and the others swat at wasps and help her out of her
climbing gear. Covered with wasp stings, they run out of the
amphitheater.
ELSA
(screaming)
I told you this could happen, Ro! I
told you!
He looks at her with shock.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
30 -
The Urgent Ride
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS OFFICE CABIN - DAY
Leo trims flowers outside the cabin. He hears the SHOUTS and
CRIES. He stands and sees the campers running toward him.
RO
We got stung! Elsa's really allergic!
She's gotta go to the hospital!
Julie runs out and takes in the scene. She looks at Leo and
points to the dining hall.
JULIE
We need ice! Lots of it! Go!
Leo, wide-eyed, turns and runs, flailing toward the dining
hall.
Ro jumps in his VW Bug, backs out. He stops as the rest of
them reach the office cabin.
JULIE (CONT'D)
(urgently to Elsa)
Your dad just left. I'll get one of
the vans.
Ro jumps out of the Bug, runs around to the passenger side
and opens the door.
RO
(to Elsa)
Get in!
ELSA
No, I'll wait for--
RO
I said get in!
Elsa looks at her mom.
JULIE
Go! I'll meet you there!
Elsa limps around and climbs in the Bug. Ro slams the door.
He runs around, climbs back in and speeds up the road.
INT/EXT. RO'S VW BUG - DAY
They travel down a city street lined with small businesses.
Up ahead, they see a sign for the hospital.
RO
I'm really sorry about all this.
Elsa grimaces in pain, eyes closed.
ELSA
Not really your fault.
RO
I mean about... us... the way it
ended. The way it is.
They continue down the street in silence for a few moments.
ELSA
You broke my heart, Ro.
RO
That wasn't my intention.
ELSA
And you took my job.
RO
That wasn't my decision.
Elsa breathes deeply several times. Then without turning she
speaks.
ELSA
Yeah... I know.
He frowns and turns into the emergency room entrance.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
31 -
The Earwig Promise
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - NIGHT
Ro and the Cohens sit alone in the empty room. Ro has a big
piece of cotton stuffed in his ear and winces in pain.
RO
Elsa's fine, but she's covered with
hives, so... they're gonna keep her
overnight... or until they get it
settled down.
LORI
Poor thing.
(to Ro)
How's your ear? Did it crawl all the
way in there?
RO
Yeah.
GREG
I guess it wasn't so safe after all.
Ro looks surprised.
RO
What?
GREG
I said... I guess it wasn't so safe
after all.
RO
I don't... I... who said it was safe?
GREG
You did.
RO
Yeah, but I didn't mean--
GREG
I believe your exact words were, I
promise they are safe.
LORI
Greg, he didn't know--
GREG
(irritated)
I realize he didn't know, but Elsa
said he could have. So... what's the
truth?
Greg looks at him and waits.
RO
She said that because I'm engaged to
Glenda and not her. That's why we
had that argument. The truth is...
no. I couldn't have known.
(pause)
Accidents happen.
Greg SIGHS condescendingly.
RO (CONT'D)
That's not just a saying. It's true.
You try to avoid 'em. You check and
double check, but they happen. If
I'd only known I--
GREG
If you'd only known?
(pause)
That's a bit overused, don't you
think, Ro?
(pause)
If I'd only known there were faulty
wires, I wouldn't have pumped pure
oxygen into that capsule. If I'd
only known they were going to burn
alive in there, I would have made
sure there were door handles inside
the hatch.
Ro winces in pain and holds his hand over his ear. He lays
his head on the table.
LORI
You are hurting, aren't you darlin'?
RO
I'm guessin' you didn't bring a
contract for me.
GREG
We'll be discussing more in the next--
RO
(desperately)
I can do the job! I promise! Please.
LORI
Maybe we can talk about this in the
morning.
RO
(fighting emotion)
It's just... it's really important
to me. And... Glenda... and...
He winces again and holds a hand to his face, grimacing in
pain.
Lori looks at Greg with disgust.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS DINING HALL - MOMENTS LATER
They exit the dining hall and shake hands politely.
Ro, with a hand over his ear, walks toward the bridge.
He hears Neil Diamond sing "Song Sung Blue". He turns around
and sees a light in the staff lounge above the dining hall.
He walks back.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Do It Again
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS STAFF LOUNGE - NIGHT
Ro enters the empty room where "Cracklin' Rosie" now blasts
on the stereo.
The album jacket for Neil Diamond's "Hot August Night" lies
on the floor.
The cover photo shows Neil in blue embroidered denim. His
head bends forward, his long curled hair frames his face
like a lion's. He poses as if passionately embracing a woman.
Ro walks to the turntable where the record spins.
He reaches to lift the stylus off the vinyl, but then with a
wince of pain, he puts his hand to his ear. He sits down on
a sofa and MOANS.
The song ends and "Holly Holy" begins.
Ro hears a DOOR OPEN at the bottom of the stairs. He opens
his eyes to see Leo enter the room.
Leo sees that Ro is alone. He lifts a hand and waves.
RO
Hi.
LEO
Hi.
Leo notices the album jacket on the floor, bends down, and
picks it up. He looks at the picture and reacts without
looking at Ro.
LEO (CONT'D)
(in announcer's voice)
Ladies and gentlemen, would you
welcome Neil Diamond and Hot August
Niiiiiiiiiiiigt!
He shapes his body like Neil's. His hair falls forward on
his face. His back hunches slightly. His head lowers as he
leers at the imaginary woman he holds in his arms.
Then, just as suddenly, he breaks out of character, grabs a
bag of cheese curls off a table, does another quick wave and
heads for the door.
RO
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Leo stops and turns around. Ro jumps to his feet, winces and
holds his ear, then sits back down.
RO (CONT'D)
Do it again!
LEO
(sullenly)
What?
RO
That... that... the whole thing. Can
you do it again?
LEO
What do you mean?
RO
Neil Diamond! The voice! The pose!
Do it!
LEO
Ladies and gentlemen, would you
welcome Neil Diamond and Hot August
Niiiiiiiiiiiigt!
He perfectly nails the pose again. Then pops right back out
of character. Ro stares with awe.
RO
So great! Again...
Leo smiles slightly.
LEO
What?
Ro twirls his finger.
RO
Repeat. Repeat.
He winces and holds his ear.
RO (CONT'D)
Ahhhhh! That hurts so bad. One more
time. Come on.
LEO
Ladies and gentlemen, would you
welcome Neil Diamond and Hot August
Niiiiiiiiiiiigt!
He strikes the pose and, this time, sings along to "Holly
Holy" in a voice strikingly like Neil Diamond's.
LEO (CONT'D)
(singing)
Holly holy eyes, dream of only me...
Ro stands and shakes his head.
RO
Wow! That's... wow. And no training!
He winces, then carefully pulls the cotton out of his ear.
It oozes yellow pus.
Leo's face registers excited disgust.
LEO
Oh man!
He holds his hands over his mouth and looks away, then turns
to look closer.
LEO (CONT'D)
Oh! That is so gross. Oh! I wish I
had my camera! Oh, man!
He grabs another bag of Cheese Curls.
LEO (CONT'D)
You probably should do something
about that.
He heads out the door.
Ro sits on the couch. He holds his ear. The song ends, and
the needle BOUNCES AUDIBLY on the final empty groove. He
stares straight ahead. Tears fill his eyes.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
33 -
The Wasp and the Lost Summer
INT. RO'S CABIN - NIGHT
Ro tosses in his bunk, then sits up. He holds his ear and
grimaces. He pulls on his clothes and grabs his car keys.
EXT. RO'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS
He walks down the steps of his cabin and heads back toward
the bridge. He passes Leo and Pat's cabin and stops to look
in the door.
Leo sits on the other side of the lighted terrarium. He stares
in the glass and eats cheese curls. He holds one finger over
a nostril and blows some snot on the floor.
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - NIGHT
Ro parks his VW Bug in front. He holds his hand to the side
of his head and walks to Glenda's window.
He scratches on the screen, but there is no response. He
scratches again. Still no response.
RO
(Whispering)
Glenda! Glenda!
The curtain opens. A sleepy Glenda looks through the screen.
They whisper.
GLENDA
Hi.
She slides the screen up and leans out for a kiss, but notices
Ro holding his hand to his face.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Are you worse?
RO
Yeah.
She lights the candle on the stand and moves it toward the
windowsill. She looks shocked and reaches to gently touch
near his swollen eye.
GLENDA
Oh, sweetie. This is not good.
RO
I know. I'm headin' to the ER.
She blows out the candle.
GLENDA
Wait in the car. I'm driving.
Ro heads toward his VW. He looks at lightning flashing across
the dark sky.
FLASHBACK ENDS
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - NIGHT
THUNDER ROLLS. Ro(68) addresses his audience.
RO
I always understood that the show
must go on, but the fire department
shut us down. Apparently, that
particular species of wasp had a
tendency to burst into flames.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
I ended up in the hospital. Really
messed up my face. But Glenda, God
bless her, she said I reminded her
of that movie star... the one she
could never remember. We later figured
out it was Marty Feldman.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
The summer was ruined. And it was
all from one little wasps' nest right
up there in that tree.
He points above their heads.
RO (CONT'D)
So please... everyone... relax.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
RO (CONT'D)
I was in the hospital a month...
then another month convalescing at
my folks' in Santa Barbara. I'd
already lost the job with the Cohens
and now I'd lost two months of my
life, twenty pounds and any hope of
our September wedding. Or maybe any
wedding.
FLASHBACK 1973
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
34 -
A Promise in the Wind
EXT. GLENDA'S PARENTS' COTTAGE - MORNING
Ro and Glenda stand beside the VW Bug. She puts her forehead
against his chest. Her arms hang at her sides. His arms enfold
her. He's pale and thin.
RO
(sadly)
I gotta note from Elsa. Said she's
sorry about what's happened.
GLENDA
Yeah, she told me, too. Must've been
hard on her.
Ro looks around at the empty campground.
RO
Sure quiet.
GLENDA
Always is when everyone takes off.
She begins to CRY.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
I'm so disappointed.
RO
Me too.
GLENDA
Do you think maybe... spring?
RO
I hope so. I hope this isn't stupid.
GLENDA
What?
RO
Everything. This trip. Working with
Michael. Maybe I should get a real
job. I could work for my dad.
GLENDA
No. You can't.
RO
This is the hardest thing I've ever
done.
She wraps her arms around him and looks into his eyes.
GLENDA
Promise me.
RO
What?
GLENDA
Promise me this is going to work.
RO
Glenda, I can't promise that. I
can't...
GLENDA
Then what will happen to us?
He draws her to himself. She wraps her arms around his neck.
She rises on her toes and they kiss.
EXT. RO'S WV BUG - DAY
He drives toward a sign that says "Welcome to Massachusetts".
He holds his hand out the window and it rises and falls like
an airplane in a headwind.
EXT. AN OLD HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN NORTHAMPTON - EVENING
Ro parks his car at the curb. He jumps out and walks up the
steep steps onto a front porch. He KNOCKS on the door.
Michael Ivy opens the door, and with a handshake and a big
smile, invites him to come in. His shoulder-length hair is
now trimmed behind his ears.
INT. MICHAEL'S AND RO'S NORTHAMPTON APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
A red linoleum topped kitchen table is the center piece of
the sparsely furnished first-floor apartment. A built-in
buffet displays Michael's masks.
Michael opens a cardboard box and holds up a poster. It's a
comedic pen and ink drawing of their faces, and name... Pois
'n Ivy.
MICHAEL
I love your middle name.
RO
(laughing)
Thank you, Grandpa Pois.
Ro reads the quotes on the bottom of the poster. Michael
points to one.
MICHAEL
How'd you get that?
Ro LAUGHS hard.
RO
I called him and told him you and I
were gonna give it a go. Asked him
if he'd honor us with a quote. He
said, "You're kidding." I said, "No".
There was a long pause and then he
muttered, "Wow. I can't even believe
this." I said, "Thank you" and hung
up.
MICHAEL
(laughing)
Quote... Wow! I can't even believe
this! End quote. Greg Cohen, Cohen
Comedy Improv. We'll use it for years.
MONTAGE - RO AND MICHAEL START THEIR CAREERS
INT. MICHAEL'S AND RO'S NORTHAMPTON APARTMENT
- They sit at the kitchen table and fold the posters. They
staple them closed, add a stamp and pile them in boxes.
EXT. STREET CORNER MAILBOX - DAY
- Ro feeds hundreds of posters into the mailbox.
INT. MICHAEL AND RO'S NORTHAMPTON APARTMENT - NIGHT
- Ro sits on a chair in the kitchen. Michael adds the last
bit of white plaster that covers Ro's head. He breathes
through straws in his nose.
INT. A NEW ENGLAND THEATER OFFICE - DAY
- A woman sits at her desk. A pile of mail lands in front of
her. She pulls out the folded Pois 'n Ivy poster, tears
through the staple and opens it.
INT. MICHAEL'S AND RO'S NORTHAMPTON APARTMENT - MORNING
- Michael talks on the phone and fills in dates on a calendar.
INT. ANOTHER THEATER OFFICE - DAY
- A pile of mail lands on a desk top, and a male hand grabs
the poster.
INT. MICHAEL'S AND RO'S NORTHAMPTON APARTMENT - DAY
-Michael paints large, ultra realistic, baby masks that cover
the entire head. Ro darts to answer the phone. He sits at
the kitchen table and writes on the calendar, now half-filled.
-They sit at the table painting masks that are human noses
but twice the size of a human head. The phone RINGS. Ro
answers it. He looks at a November calendar. The dates are
nearly filled.
-Ro removes a partial mask from the forehead of his plaster
cast. He puts it on his face, transforming him into a gorilla.
INT. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AUDITORIUM - NIGHT
-Ro and Michael crawl on stage wearing the baby masks. The
oversized heads create the bodily proportions of an infant.
They wear pajama jumpsuits with feet. They crawl to the edge
of the stage. They stare at the HOWLING audience.
-In gorilla masks, they walk with perfect simian movement to
the edge of the stage. They notice a person in the middle of
the audience. They walk through the audience balancing on
seat backs and armrests. They settle down relaxed and pick
insects from a lady's hair. The audience rocks in LAUGHTER.
- They trigger canon devices in the nostrils of their giant
noses. An EXPLOSION of confetti flies high into the theater.
It floats down upon the audience. They remove the masks and
bow to a standing OVATION.
EXT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - DAY
-Ro and Glenda stand before a pastor officiant on a beautiful
spring day. All the men, Ro, Michael, Karl, Jer and Jacque,
wear white tuxedos. Glenda wears a beautiful white gown. Her
court wears mauve.
-Ro and Glenda run through the amphitheater exit as people
toss rice. They hop on a golden spray-painted bicycle built
for two and ride down the hill toward their dining hall
reception.
END MONTAGE
TITLE CARD: 1980 - Six Years Later
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
35 -
The Leo Beck Shock
EXT. NEW ENGLAND COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Bare trees line the road on a blustery, sunny, late November
day.
A VW van heads toward a New England farmhouse in the distance.
EXT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S FARMHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The van pulls into the driveway. Michael drives with Ro in
the passenger seat.
Glenda sits on the porch, bundled in autumn clothes. She
holds a BABY wrapped in an afghan. A TWO-YEAR-OLD BOY in a
winter coat jumps for joy.
Ro climbs out of the van. With a big smile, he crouches in a
sneaking posture. He reaches toward the boy and wiggles his
tickling fingers. The child SCREAMS in delight.
Ro lifts him high above, then drops him into his arms and a
big hug. The child grasps his dad's cheeks and kisses him on
the lips.
RO
I love you, Buddy.
Glenda shouts to Michael through the open passenger side
window.
GLENDA
Thanks, Michael. Tell Susan I'll
give her a call.
Michael waves and backs out of the driveway. Ro gives Glenda
a hug and a kiss. He leans over and nibbles the baby's cheek.
INT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S FARMHOUSE KITCHEN - EVENING
Ro dries dishes then pours two cups of coffee from a pot.
Glenda enters, squeezes her body against his, and gives him
a passionate kiss.
RO
Mmmmmmm... that is so nice.
They kiss again. In the middle of the kiss, she reaches out
and grabs a cup of coffee.
She leans against the kitchen counter, takes a sip, closes
her eyes and savors the taste.
GLENDA
Oh! That is so good.
RO
Are they down?
GLENDA
(chuckling)
Well... we'll see.
She glances at her watch.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Oh, my gosh. It's almost nine o'clock.
Bedtime has become a bit more
difficult this week.
RO
How was your day?
GLENDA
Crazy busy. Phone never stopped
ringing. I took some of the calls,
but had to let most go through to
the machine.
Ro SIGHS and shakes his head.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
What?
RO
Nothing.
GLENDA
(slight irritation)
You know, you could be just a little
happier.
He looks at her.
GLENDA (CONT'D)
Who could have imagined this success?
RO
Certainly not your dad.
GLENDA
Honestly Ro, could things be any
better? The calendar's almost booked
through next year. In fact, if we
don't reserve some time soon, you're
gonna be workin' all summer.
RO
(smiling)
Well... we're not workin' tonight.
He leans over and kisses her neck, nuzzling down on her
collarbone.
GLENDA
(wearily)
I have got to sit down.
INT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Glenda collapses on the sofa and puts her coffee cup on an
end table.
Across the room, a small black and white 1967 Westinghouse
TV sits on a corner stand. The channel knob has been replaced
with a vice grip.
Ro turns on the TV.
RO
New shows start tonight.
The baby CRIES. (O.S.)
Glenda SIGHS and starts to get up. Ro holds out his hand.
RO (CONT'D)
I got it.
He leaves the room and Glenda watches the TV.
The baby CRIES as Ro returns. He has a burp cloth over his
shoulder and he pats the baby's back. Glenda looks up at
them and smiles.
A TV theme song begins.
Ro sits next to Glenda, and the baby spits up on his shoulder.
GLENDA
Whoops.
She reaches over and cleans off his shirt. He holds the baby
away so she can wipe the baby's face.
On the TV screen Glenda sees a messy dormitory room. A man's
bare legs swing over the edge of a top bunk bed.
Ro hands the baby to Glenda, who looks at her and smiles. He
reaches to the end table to grab his coffee. He takes a sip,
and for the first time, he looks at the TV.
A title crosses the screen... "Top Bunk" followed by
"Starring" and then, in bold print, "Leo Beck".
INT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
His eyes widen, and he sprays a mouthful into the room. Still
cradling the baby, Glenda sits up straight and slaps Ro on
the back.
GLENDA
What on earth! Are you okay?
Ro points at the screen and shouts.
RO
Leo Beck!
GLENDA
What?
Ro stands and walks to the TV where Leo fills the screen.
RO
Leo Beck! Right there! I can't believe
it!
The baby starts to CRY.
GLENDA
Oh, my gosh! It is!
RO
I can not believe it! Son of a...
GLENDA
Well, sit down!
She takes the baby, runs into the kitchen, returns with a
dishcloth and begins to wipe up the coffee.
RO
No, no. Sorry. I got it.
He grabs the cloth and wipes up the floor. The whole while
he keeps his eyes on the TV.
RO (CONT'D)
How about that! Amazing!
Ro walks to the kitchen door and tosses the towel.
GLENDA
That is so great! Come sit down.
(laughing)
You 'bout scared me to death.
He sits back down on the couch. He takes the baby from Glenda
and cradles her in his arms. The baby stops crying and joins
her family, staring at the TV.
RO
I can't believe it. The last time I
saw him, he was starin' at a snake,
snarfin' cheese curls, and blowin'
his nose on the floor.
Glenda LAUGHS.
He looks at her and does not smile.
MONTAGE - RO'S STRUGGLE WITH LEO's GROWING FAME
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Haunted by Fame
INT. FAMILY CAR - NIGHT
Ro and Glenda sit in the front seat at a drive-in movie
theater. The light from the giant screen reflects upon their
faces and the dashboard.
- Leo Beck sleeps in bed. A baby monkey sits on top of the
covers and gently taps Leo on the head. Leo mumbles and slaps
the monkey's hand away.
- The monkey taps Leo's head again. Leo opens his eyes and
looks into the monkey's face. Leo's face contorts in horror,
as he launches from the bed, blankets flying, legs tangled,
and lands in a heap on the floor.
- The monkey casually lays down on Leo’s pillow.
Glenda LAUGHS hard. She looks at Ro, who watches impassively.
In the back seat, their now SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SON throws popcorn
at their FOUR-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, who WHINES in complaint.
Ro turns around and SHOUTS.
RO
Knock it off, you guys! Having to
watch this is bad enough without
your fussin'.
GLENDA
Oh, come on Ro!
RO
You know what, Glenda? I thought I
left him in '73. I really did. I
didn't understand he'd be droppin'
back in every couple years.
GLENDA
(angrily)
Oh, that is so--
RO
I can't even hear Cracklin' Rosie
without Leo droppin' into my brain.
(he mimics Leo)
Hey Ro! Hahahaha! I'm back!
He looks back at the screen where now a different movie plays.
- Leo affectionately pets a llama's muzzle. The animal spits
directly in Leo's face. Leo removes a handkerchief from his
pocket and calmly wipes his face. He opens his eyes and looks
at the animal. It spits again.
INT. MOVIE THEATER RED SEATS - NIGHT
The movie audience HOWLS. Ro watches impassively. Glenda
scrunches her face in disgust, LAUGHING. They whisper.
RO
For years, I figured he was probably
drivin' a cab somewhere.
She turns to him with a look of confusion.
GLENDA
What?
RO
I'm not even sure he's acting. I
think he's just... being himself.
GLENDA
Well, his... being himself... is
gonna win him an Academy Award
someday.
Ro scowls and points at the screen.
RO
Look at that! Look at that expression!
That's exactly what he did the night
his wrappings...
Ro trails off, and shakes his head in disgust.
GLENDA
Please, Ro. Will you let it go?
RO
How can I? He won't leave. It's
just... like... repeat, repeat,
repeat.
INT. MOVIE THEATER, BLUE SEATS - NIGHT
Glenda and Ro stare at the screen.
Ro furtively takes a swig from a whiskey flask hidden in his
coat pocket.
- Leo Beck kneels and listens to a small child actor. Leo's
eyes fill with tears.
Glenda WEEPS. Ro turns to her and whispers.
RO
I'll wait in the lobby.
She looks at him, incredulous.
RO (CONT'D)
I can't do this anymore.
He stands and leaves the theater.
INT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S FARMHOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Ro and Glenda sit side by side on the couch. Their SON(16)
and DAUGHTER(14) watch TV with them.
- Emma Thompson stands behind the podium at The Academy
Awards. She tears open an envelope, takes out a card, unfolds
it and says, "Leo Beck".
Unable to hide her joy, Glenda lets out a little SQUEAL. The
kids jump up and raise their arms in celebration. Ro downs a
shot of whiskey.
- Leo kisses his wife JOAN WELLS, then walks onto the stage
to APPLAUSE and adulation. He grasps his golden Oscar and
holds it tenderly.
Glenda looks excitedly at Ro, who remains expressionless.
She notices the now empty whiskey glass.
She stands and leaves the room.
END MONTAGE
EXT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S BARN - DAY
Glenda swings the large door open.
INT. RO'S AND GLENDA'S BARN - DAY
It's nearly empty except for some landscaping tools, a stack
of four tires, and a lawn tractor.
Glenda walks in and a garden rake falls over. She picks it
up, looks at the stack of tires and shoves it in them.
She hears a CLINK and looks in. She sees a bunch of whiskey
bottles in the bottom. Her face contorts in anguish.
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
37 -
No More Masks
EXT. MICHAEL'S NORTHAMPTON HOME - EVENING
Ro pulls up in front of the restored house. It's the same
old New England home where he and Michael shared the first-
floor apartment.
Ro climbs out of a shiny Ford Explorer. Michael's wife SUSAN
(38, hair in a ponytail, slender ballet dancer's body) comes
out onto the front porch. She walks down the steps and meets
him on the sidewalk. She smiles warmly.
SUSAN
For once I'm glad you guys are
working, because I am going to the
mall.
RO
Good for you.
She heads to her Audi parked behind the Explorer.
SUSAN
I told Michael there's a frozen pizza
in the freezer if you want to heat
it up.
She starts the car and pulls away. Ro walks onto the porch,
taps his knuckles on the door and enters uninvited.
INT. MICHAEL'S NORTHAMPTON HOME - CONTINUOUS
He walks through the front room into the kitchen, where
Michael stands at the counter and pours two cups of coffee.
RO
(quietly)
Hey.
MICHAEL
(smiling)
Coffee?
Michael hands him a cup and reaches for the other.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
(cheerfully)
Okay, Buddy. You want to talk. We're
talkin'.
They sit at the vintage red linoleum table, now incorporated
into the remodeled kitchen.
Michael looks at Ro, who looks at his coffee. They sit until
Michael breaks a very long silence.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
We designed our first p... p... poster
right here.
RO
You did.
MICHAEL
What?
RO
You designed it.
MICHAEL
(chuckling)
Well, yeah. Guess I did, but w...
w... we--
RO
And all the masks... the costumes. I
didn't have a lot of input.
Michael stares. His smile morphs into wariness.
MICHAEL
Hey Ro. Come on, man. I thought we
kinda worked through all this l...
l... long ago.
RO
Why'd we train all those summers,
Michael? You know darn well, Jacque's
goal was to help us become uniquely
ourselves. This duet does that
perfectly for you. But... I'm lost.
Michael stares now with surprise.
RO (CONT'D)
I can't do it anymore.
MICHAEL
(rising panic)
Hey, hey, Buddy, listen. We've worked
too h... h... hard to get where we
are. We've got a year booked in the
best theaters. Finally making huge
money. I just f... f... finished
remodeling this place. There's no
reason to throw it--
RO
I'm done! I cannot put on another
silly mask. I can't even remember
what my face is supposed to do.
MICHAEL
We'll write some new material. Or,
or you can wr... wr... write some
more. You don't have to wear the
masks. I don't care. Ro, it's always
been your show. My masks make it
look artsy, b... bu... but they're
laughing at you. Let's just--
RO
(shouting)
Michael!
Michael looks at Ro, pleading. Ro stares into Michael's eyes,
closes his own and slowly shakes his head.
Michael stands, walks to the counter, and tops off his cup
of coffee. He walks back and sits down.
MICHAEL
(quietly)
You know what, Ro? I don't wanna do
this thing anymore either. I used to
work with a ugh... ugh... guy that
brought such joy to me and everyone
else.
Ro lifts his head and looks at Michael, his expression
unchanging.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Susan said... oh it's probably just
stuff with Glenda and the kids...
but... I knew that wasn't it. There's
something ruh... ruh... ruh... wrong
with you, Ro. You better figure it
out.
MONTAGE
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
38 -
No Set, No Problem?
INT. BOAC AIRLINER - DAY
Ro and Glenda walk down the aisle to their first-class seats.
Ro talks on the phone too loudly in an annoyed voice.
RO
You need to find out whose
responsibility it was.
(listens)
What about the rowboat?
(listens)
Well... that's good.
(listens)
Yeah... okay.
He hangs up.
GLENDA
Problems?
RO
No set.
She looks at him with shock.
GLENDA
What?
RO
It never left Lajolla Playhouse.
GLENDA
What're you gonna do?
RO
Nothing. It's Julian's job. There's
no time to build the prop, so they
bought an old boat, painted it blue
and hung it up. He says it's
brilliant. That's his word for
everything he does.
GLENDA
It's all good then?
RO
Yeah.
GLENDA
Then why were you so mad?
RO
I wasn't mad.
GLENDA
Sure sounded like it. You didn't
even say goodbye.
RO
I... wasn't... mad!
He grabs her carry-on bag and pushes it into the overhead
storage. Then looks at her.
RO (CONT'D)
But I'm about to be.
They sit down in their seats. Glenda looks through her purse
and speaks calmly through controlled anger.
GLENDA
You're opening a sold-out, one-man
show in the West End of London. I
was hoping this might be a more joyous
occasion.
INT. BOAC AIRLINER - NIGHT
In the spacious luxury of first class, an empty glass and a
nearly empty one of whiskey sit on Ro's tray table. Ro adjusts
his earphones and chooses a channel on his seat's video
screen.
Glenda looks over, surprised to see him starting and animated
movie starring Leo. She nudges him and he removes his ear
piece on her side.
GLENDA
You're gonna torture yourself all
the way to London?
RO
Never has one man made so many movies
that gave me so little pleasure. But
this one... I kinda like. It's the
only one where I don't have to look
at him.
INT. HEATHROW AIRPORT - EVENING
They walk off the jetway from their flight. Glenda takes his
arm.
EXT. HEATHROW AIRPORT - SAME EVENING
They hail a cab, put a half dozen suitcases in the trunk and
hop in the back seat.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
39 -
The Premiere That Stopped His Heart
EXT. THE ARTS THEATER - NIGHT
An unlit marquee displays the logo for the show and the words:
"Ro Erickson starring in Ro Boat".
A cab pulls up to the curb. Ro and Glenda hop out and the
trunk pops open.
INT. THE ARTS THEATER LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
They enter, rolling their piled suitcases. The producer,
JULIAN ERNST (50, Greek fisherman's cap, leather vest) greets
them with a heavy Irish accent.
JULIAN
Ah, now, welcome my dearest ones.
Allow me to be of some help.
He grabs part of the load and rolls it to an open spot in
the cluttered lobby now being decorated for the opening.
GLENDA
Thanks so much.
He gives Glenda a hug and reaches out to shake Ro's hand.
JULIAN
How was your trip across the vast
expanse?
RO
(sullenly)
Wonderful. How are things here?
With a glint in his eye, Julian motions for them to follow.
JULIAN
Come and see.
INT. THE ARTS THEATER - CONTINUOUS
From the back of theater, they look over the empty rows of
seats toward the stage.
Upstage hangs a wall-sized, rear-view projector screen
surrounded by a beautiful gold frame.
At center stage a wing-backed chair sits upon an oriental
rug. A large blue rowboat with golden oars hangs high above.
A CREW OF WORKERS traverse the catwalks and adjust the
lighting.
Julian and Glenda smile. Ro observes without emotion.
JULIAN
We'll be ready for tech by ten
tomorrow. You can call a cab if you
want, but The Tube is the easiest.
He points stage right.
JULIAN (CONT'D)
It drops you off two hundred feet
that way.
RO
I'm fine with that.
JULIAN
Gemma will drive you out to Kensington
tonight. Unfortunately, we've got a
bit of a delay outside.
He looks at his watch.
JULIAN (CONT'D)
You may want to grab a drink
somewhere. Or if you need food, Pret
A Manger is right across the avenue.
GLENDA
What's happening?
JULIAN
The big premiere of Leo Beck's
"American Heart". There are probably
five thousand people right down the
alley in Leicester Square.
GLENDA
Five thousand people are going to a
movie?
JULIAN
(laughing)
No, no. Five thousand people are
hoping to get a glimpse of Leo and
Joan. They'll be there any minute.
Head on over if you want. Might be a
grand time.
Glenda looks at Ro, afraid to reveal her excitement. He looks
at her as she feigns disinterest. He SIGHS a condescending
CHUCKLE.
RO
Sure. We'll be back soon.
EXT. THE ARTS THEATER - CONTINUOUS
Ro and Glenda exit the theater. They turn right and head
down the street.
EXT. LEICESTER SQUARE - CONTINUOUS
It's packed and blazes with light. Metal railing barriers
form a runway for the stars to walk from their limos to the
movie theater.
There's a ROAR of excitement. Caught up in the crowd's surge,
Ro grabs Glenda's hand and pulls her against the flow, toward
the theater.
RO
This way!
They push through a thickening quick sand of CHEERING people
who press them against a railing barrier.
Out of breath, they turn to their left and realize they are
looking right down the runway. They both burst into LAUGHTER.
Glenda is thrilled.
RO (CONT'D)
I can't believe we did that!
GLENDA
And look where we are!
Glenda notices Ro smiling. She's emotionally rocked. Tears
fill her eyes. She reaches up, grabs his cheeks in both hands
and gives him a big kiss.
The crowd ROARS as LEO(48) and JOAn WILSON(48) walk toward
them.
RO (V.O.)
The word surreal is inadequate. So
many cameras flashing that, even in
the bright lights, Leo and Joan
appeared to walk in slow motion.
People reaching, holding out pens,
papers, programs.
A woman throws her jacket on the ground at Leo's feet. He
smiles, picks it up and hands it back to her. She holds her
hands to her mouth.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Everyone was screaming but, to me,
it seemed to get quieter... and
quieter... and then I heard...
nothing.
As they approach, only fifteen feet away, bouquets fly onto
the runway and people CHEER. Leo and Joan walk in silence.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I glanced down at my hands holding
the metal barrier and at that moment
the world stopped... everything...
frozen in time. Except me.
The crowd leans frozen over the barrier. Flowers stop in mid-
air. Leo has his left arm around Joan's waist. Her head is
thrust back, her face a smiling mask.
Ro grabs his chest and grimaces in pain.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I stood only inches from the elite
atmosphere in which I'd always longed
to live. I only had to lift my leg
and leap in. But then I leaned over
the railing and I swear... there was
no air in there to breathe.
People wave, reach, and SHOUT as Leo and Joan move again.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The pain was getting worse. And I
thought... why did I want to be where
I can't even... breathe?
Ro glances at Glenda. Her face is full of joy. She glances
at him. He looks frightened, like a man choking. He tries to
smile to hide his pain.
He turns back toward Leo and Joan, then grabs his chest again
and bends forward.
Glenda reaches up and turns his face to hers. Fear registers
in her eyes. Ro turns away.
Leo and Joan pass, but Leo does a double take. His eyes widen
and for a second. He looks directly at Ro as if seeing someone
he might recognize.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I looked at Joan's dress, which was
quite... something. And then
everything went dark. I heard Glenda
telling me it's okay. And that's
when I realized... it was my heart.
Ro falls against the barrier, one arm draped over the top
railing.
Glenda grabs him and helps lower him to the ground.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I heard her shouting.
GLENDA
No, no, no, no!
RO (V.O.)
And I thought, Darlin'... relax. I'm
not goin' anywhere. And I started
laughin', because I finally
understood. Leo can live in there
because he was made for it. It's
part of his gift... but I'd die. I'd
die.
The mob makes room for Ro on the ground and people SHOUT for
a doctor.
Glenda kneels next to him and strokes his face.
RO (CONT'D)
(muttering to himself)
I'd die. I'd die. I'd die.
GLENDA
No! Don't you do that! Don't you go!
Don't you dare!
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS make their way through the
dispersing crowd.
INT. BOAC AIRLINER - NIGHT
Ro and Glenda sit in first class. Glenda sleeps. Ro sips a
cup of coffee and flips through the movies on the video
player.
RO (V.O.)
Three weeks later, having lost my
West End run but gaining two stents
and a new perspective on life, we
were on our way home. I watched
another old movie.
He presses his controller and the movie Amadeus appears on
screen.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I realized that I was to Hanks what
Salieri was to Mozart. The only
difference being that I didn't go
crazy and die. Well... I didn't
die.
Audience CHUCKLES. (O.S.)
Glenda leans into Ro, kisses him on the cheek and then lays
her head on his shoulder.
RO (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Yet.
Audience LAUGHTER. (O.S.)
FLASHBACK ENDS
Genres:
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Gratitude in the Rain
INT. CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER - NIGHT
Ro stands center stage. It starts to rain. He grabs his book
from the stage, holds it up and smiles broadly.
RO
It's all in here, folks. Ripping off
the Wrappings.
He reads the subtitle.
RO (CONT'D)
One man's quest to embrace his gifts
and celebrate those of others.
He tosses the book to a lady in the front row. Lightening
flashes, thunder CRACKS, and the rain lets loose.
Umbrellas pop up throughout the audience. Ro looks up and
holds his arms out. Rain drops splash on his face. He LAUGHS
and SHOUTS.
RO (CONT'D)
We made it folks! Almost!
People APPLAUD and CHEER. Ro yells over the APPLAUSE and the
STORM.
RO (CONT'D)
So, Leo... wherever you are... in
that rarefied air you breathe...
where I wouldn't survive a day...
thank you for helping me embrace my
gifts! And thank you for sharing
yours with us all! We... are...
grateful!
The audience rises and APPLAUDS. No one leaves.
Ro throws his head back in joyous LAUGHTER.
The crowd ROARS as upstage, out of Ro's view, a man approaches
with an umbrella. He walks to Ro, puts the umbrella over
both of their heads and drapes an arm over Ro's shoulder.
Ro turns and his face becomes a cartoon of dumbfounded
surprise. He sees that the smiling man is Leo Beck.
CHEERS fill the amphitheater.
FADE OUT.