"HOOKER & BEAR"

 

                           by

 

                     Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   3550 SW Pomona St.

                                   Portland, OR 97219-7518

                                   charles@charlesdeemer.com

                                   1-503-452-8277


 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

EXT. NOB HILL BAR & GRILL - DAY

 

A bar and cafe in a suburban neighborhood.

 

 

INT. NOB HILL BAR & GRILL - TABLE - DAY

 

At a table are Robert BASS, known as "Bear", and Red HOOKER.

Two retired old men over breakfast. They've done this

thousands of times before.

 

They eat a moment in silence. They know one another so well

they don't have to talk much.

 

Hooker pushes an envelope across the table.

 

                         HOOKER

             Happy birthday. You don't look a

             day over eighty.

 

Bass stares at the envelope. It clearly contains a card.

 

                         BASS

             How long have we known each other?

 

                         HOOKER

             Fifty years or more.

 

                         BASS

             Fifty-two. I don't remember ever

             getting a birthday card from you.

 

                         HOOKER

             Who said it's a birthday card?

 

Bass opens the envelope and finds...

 

A GREETING CARD

 

showing an airplane trailing a sign that says "Bon Voyage!"

 

                         BASS

             You're taking a trip?

 

                         HOOKER

             We are. The original manuscript

             of Kerouac's "On the Road" is on

             display at the Smithsonian all

             month. I think we should go see it.


                                                            2.

 

 

                         BASS

             Drive three thousand miles to go

             to a museum.

 

                         HOOKER

                  (he uses "asshole"

                  affectionately)

             It's an icon, asshole. A 120-foot

             scroll that changed history.

 

 

EXT. NOB HILL BAR & GRILL - DAY

 

They come outside.

 

                         HOOKER

             We always talked about taking a

             cross-country trip together.

 

                         BASS

             That was before senility. I was

             going to write my novel this summer.

 

                         HOOKER

             Bear, you've been saying that

             every summer for thirty years.

 

Hooker sees disapproval in Bass' change of expression.

 

                         HOOKER

             Just think about it. Give me a

             call when you change your mind.

 

 

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - BASS' APARTMENT - DAY

 

Bass drives a economy car, which pulls into an apartment

parking lot.

 

 

INT. APARTMENT - MAIL BOXES - DAY

 

The mailman is delivering mail.

 

                         BASS

             Why don't we eliminate the middle

             man and you just deep six my junk

             mail for me?

 

                         MAILMAN

             You got a personal letter today.

 

Bass looks at him in disbelief.


                                                            3.

 

 

INT. BASS' APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Bass drops a pile of junk mail and one personal letter on

the kitchen counter. He picks up the latter.

 

The return address reads: "Farmington Detective Agency."

 

He opens the envelope.

 

A letter and a second, smaller envelope are enclosed. He

glances quickly at the cover letter and rips open the small

envelope.

 

A hand-written letter. He reads:

 

                         STEPHANIE (V.O.)

             "Dear Robert, Hello. I really

             don't know where to start with

             this letter. It has come to my

             attention that you have been

             trying to get in touch with me. I

             don't know why, after all these

             years, you have an interest in me.

             I can only assume that you are

             trying to make amends for the

             past. However, I am not at all

             ready to make amends with you.

             About 3 years ago I had a memory

             recall regarding my visit with

             you in Maryland. In that recall I

             remembered an incident of sexual

             abuse that occurred between you

             and I. It has taken me a long

             time to begin coming to terms

             with this memory, though I have

             absolutely no doubt that the

             incident did, in fact, take place.

             I want no part of you! I am

             asking that you respect my

             boundaries and stay away.

             Sincerely, Stephanie."

 

Bass stares at the letter. He picks up the small envelope.

The return address is from College Park, Maryland.

 

Bass goes to the phone. He punches a number from memory.

 

 

INT. BOARDING HOUSE - HOOKER'S ROOM - DAY

 

Hooker lives in a small studio apartment in a boarding house.

Small but immaculate. A soldier's room.

 

The phone rings.


                                                            4.

 

 

INTERCUT

 

                         HOOKER

             Hooker.

 

                         BASS

             Let's do it.

 

                         HOOKER

             All right! That was quicker than

             I expected.

 

                         BASS

             How soon can you get ready?

 

                         HOOKER

             First you're not interested, now

             you're in a sprint.

 

                         BASS

             Will first thing in the morning

             work?

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - FACULTY PARKING - DAY

 

Bass' car pulls into a college parking lot.

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - QUAD - DAY

 

Bass walking across campus. He passes PROF. ADAM SHELL, a

former colleague.

 

                         BASS

             Adam.

 

                         SHELL

             If I didn't know better, I'd

             think you were heading to the

             library. I thought retirement

             meant you did a lot of fishing.

 

                         BASS

             Inquiring minds never rest.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - LIBRARY - DAY

 

Bass at the computer. He's brought up a list of books under

the subject "Childhood Sexual Abuse." They have titles like

"Sexual Healing", "Michelle Remembers", "Too Scared To Cry",

"Dancing With Daddy".


                                                            5.

 

 

Then a different title changes Bass' expression.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - SHELVES - DAY

 

Bass looking for a book. He finds it and grabs it.

 

The book is "The Myth Of Repressed Memory: False Memories

And Allegations Of Sexual Abuse" by Dr. Elizabeth Loftus.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - TABLE - DAY

 

Bass reading the book.

 

                         DR. ELIZABETH LOFTUS (V.O.)

             "...memory fades with time,

             losing detail and accuracy; as

             time goes by, the weakened

             memories are increasingly

             vulnerable to 'post-event

             imagination' -- facts, ideas,

             inferences, and opinions that

             become available to a witness

             after an event is completely over.

             ... Once these details were

             inserted into a person's mind

             through the technique of exposure

             to post-event information, they

             were adopted as the truth and

             protected as fiercely as the

             'real,' original details."

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - COPY MACHINE - DAY

 

Bass copying pages from the book.

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - LIBRARY - DAY

 

Bass coming down the stairs.

 

A woman catches up with him. This is MARY, 60s.

 

                         MARY

             Robert Bass?

 

Bass stops and turns.

 

                         MARY

             It is you! Mary Warner.


                                                            6.

 

 

                         BASS

             Mary? My God, it is you.

 

                         MARY

             I kept staring at you in the

             library. I couldn't believe it

             was you. How long's it been?

             Thirty years?

 

                         BASS

             More. Do you live here?

 

                         MARY

             I came down from Seattle to visit

             my daughter. Over thirty years.

             Listen, do you have time for coffee?

 

 

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE - TABLE - DAY

 

Bass and Mary over coffee at a sidewalk table.

 

                         MARY

             Did you keep in touch with anyone

             from Chesapeake?

 

                         BASS

             Hardly. Given the circumstances

             of my departure.

 

                         MARY

             It was a crazy time, wasn't it?

             After Sally came out, about a

             year after you left, I felt

             guilty about not being your

             friend. Once I understood she was

             a lesbian, everything made sense.

             You needed a friend then. I let

             you down.

 

                         BASS

             I let myself down. I should have

             left quietly.

 

                         MARY

             Quiet you weren't. Your scandal

             kept the cocktail parties buzzing

             till the thing happened between

             Jim and Stacy.

 

                         BASS

             Don't tell me they split up. They

             were everybody's favorite student

             couple.


                                                            7.

 

 

                         MARY

             Of course, you wouldn't know.

             Remember cute little Carrie?

             Apparently Jim molested her.

 

As Mary talks silently on, Bass is lost in thought. The

subtext is clear: if Jim molested Carrie, might he also have

molested Stephanie?

 

 

EXT. CHESAPEAKE - FARMHOUSE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

 

SUPER: "Chesapeake, Maryland. Summer, 1972."

 

Dozens of cars parked around an isolated farmhouse.

 

 

INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

 

A younger Bass, 30s, mixing a drink in a noisy, crowded

kitchen.

 

Sitting at the breakfast bar is STEPHANIE, 8, plain and

looking out of place.

 

                         BASS

             Jim! Here you go!

 

JIM, 20s, takes the drink.

 

                         BASS

             Have you met my daughter, Stephanie?

 

                         JIM

             No. Hi there, Stephanie!

 

An embarrassed Stephanie turns away.

 

                         BASS

             She's a little shy.

 

                         JIM

             But what a cutie.

 

 

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE - TABLE - DAY

 

Mary leaning toward Bass.

 

                         MARY

             Robert, I asked if you could come

             to dinner tomorrow night. I'd

             like you to meet my daughter.


                                                            8.

 

 

                         BASS

             I'm leaving on a trip tomorrow.

 

                         MARY

             Where are you going?

 

                         BASS

             To see the Kerouac Scroll at the

             Smithsonian.

 

                         MARY

             A literary pilgrimage! How exciting.

 

 

EXT. STREET - DAY

 

Bass walking with Mary. She stops at a car.

 

                         MARY

             This is me. Will you send me a

             postcard?

 

                         BASS

             I need an address.

 

She already is fetching a business card. She hands it to him.

 

                         MARY

             Maybe you can visit me in Seattle

             some time.

 

                         BASS

             I'd like that.

 

She leans forward and kisses him on the cheek.

 

                         MARY

             It's so great to see you again.

             Have a wonderful trip.

 

Bass looks stunned by the kiss.

 

 

INT. BASS' APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

Bass sitting by the phone. He looks indecisive, as if he's

been sitting there a long time.

 

 

INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY (FLASHBACK)

 

Bass with SALLY, 20s, tall, striking. Through the kitchen

window, Stephanie alone, twirling around to amuse herself.


                                                            9.

 

 

                         BASS

             I feel so awkward around her. I

             wish she was a boy. We could play

             catch.

 

                         SALLY

             I could take her shopping with me

             if you like.

 

                         BASS

             Would you do that? It'd give me a

             chance to get some writing done.

 

Sally touches him on the cheek.

 

                         SALLY

             She doesn't bite.

 

                         BASS

             I feel like we're from different

             planets.

 

                         SALLY

             I'll take her off your hands for

             the afternoon.

 

                         BASS

             What would I do without you?

 

They kiss.

 

 

INT. BASS' APARTMENT - NIGHT

 

Bass picks up the phone. He doesn't dial. He sets down the

receiver.

 

 

EXT. HOOKER'S BOARDING HOUSE - DAY

 

Hooker sitting on the steps with a small suitcase.

 

Bass' car pulls up.

 

Hooker puts the suitcase in back and climbs in.

 

The car pulls off.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Bass' car on the interstate, leaving the city.


                                                           10.

 

 

EXT. TRUCK STOP - DAY

 

Pulling into a truck stop.

 

 

INT. TRUCK STOP - BOOTH - DAY

 

Bass and Hooker after breakfast.

 

Bass looking at a small notebook. Hooker is smoking.

 

                         BASS

             Okay, here's the itinerary: we

             use only four interstates, 84, 80,

             76 and 70, which takes us to

             Boise, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne,

             Lincoln, Des Moines, Iowa City,

             South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland,

             Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. I

             figure a week to ten days to get

             across the country. I don't want

             to push it with my bad back. Here,

             this is for you.

 

He hands Hooker an envelope.

 

                         HOOKER

             What's this?

 

He takes out money. Big bills.

 

                         BASS

             So you have spending money.

 

                         HOOKER

             What do you get in return?

 

                         BASS

             We stay in no smoking rooms.

 

                         HOOKER

             You're getting off cheap.

 

Hooker pockets the money.

 

                         BASS

             It's Hollywood's money.

 

                         HOOKER

             You're still whoring for them?


                                                           11.

 

 

                         BASS

             I don't have to. I won't live

             long enough to spend what they

             already paid me.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Back on the road. Bass driving.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Hooker starts to light up.

 

                         BASS

             Ah-ah. That's what rest stops are

             for.

 

                         HOOKER

             The next one then.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY

 

Bass pulling in.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY (LATER)

 

Bass pulling out.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - ANOTHER AREA - DAY

 

Cruising in the slow lane.

 

 

INT. RESTAURANT - BOOTH - DAY

 

Finishing burgers.

 

Bass pushes his daughter's letter in front of Hooker.

 

                         BASS

             Read this.

 

Hooker starts reading the letter.

 

                         HOOKER

                  (still reading)

             Helen put her up to this.


                                                           12.

 

 

                         BASS

             That never crossed my mind.

 

                         HOOKER

             She hated you for leaving her for

             Sally.

 

                         BASS

             I left her before I met Sally.

 

                         HOOKER

             Not in Helen's eyes.

 

He returns the letter.

 

                         HOOKER

             Where's your daughter now?

 

                         BASS

             College Park, Maryland.

 

Hooker thinks a moment.

 

                         HOOKER

             You're not on this trip for

             Kerouac. You're going to see your

             daughter.

 

                         BASS

             Wouldn't you?

 

                         HOOKER

             Damn right. A man's character is

             the most important thing he has.

 

                         BASS

             I have a suspect. I found out a

             student I knew molested his step-

             daughter. He was at our house

             parties all the time. He could've

             gone upstairs to Stephanie's room

             and nobody would've known the

             difference.

 

                         HOOKER

             Tell your daughter that.

 

                         BASS

             It may not make a difference.


                                                           13.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             This is such bullshit, Bear.

             Makes me sick Helen would pervert

             a kid's mind like this. If you're

             a child molester, then I'm a

             raging drag queen.

 

The WAITRESS has appeared and overhears this. She looks

shocked at what she's heard.

 

                         HOOKER

                  (to Waitress)

             Does he look like a pedophile to

             you?

 

Bass and the waitress are both stunned.

 

                         WAITRESS

             Pardon me?

 

                         HOOKER

             We're brain-storming a new movie

             idea. A man's accused of molesting

             his daughter, only he's innocent.

             But of course, the damage is done,

             you're guilty until proven

             innocent in the world's eyes.

             Would you see a movie about that?

 

                         WAITRESS

             You make movies?

 

                         HOOKER

             He writes them. I'm just an idea

             man.

 

                         WAITRESS

                  (to Bass)

             You write anything I might have

             seen?

 

                         HOOKER

             You see "Rain Main"?

 

                         WAITRESS

             I love that movie!

 

Hooker smiles and points at Bass. Bass manages to grin.

 

                         WAITRESS

             I can't believe this!

                  (to Bass)

             Can I get your autograph?


                                                           14.

 

 

EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY

 

Walking to the car.

 

                         HOOKER

             You didn't want her to think

             you're a pervert, did you? I

             rescued you, asshole.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Back on the road.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Hooker, riding shotgun, sees something ahead.

 

                         HOOKER

             Check this out.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

They pass a hitchhiker. This is ANGEL, 20s, wearing all

black, Gothic, with pink spiked hair and jewelry hanging off

her flesh everywhere.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Hooker turns around to stare at her.

 

                         HOOKER

             God damn, man, can you believe

             that shit? You ever get students

             like her?

 

                         BASS

             The style is called Gothic. She's

             yesterday's news, to tell the truth.

 

                         HOOKER

             What the hell can she be thinking?

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY

 

Bass takes the turn off into a rest stop.


                                                           15.

 

 

INT. REST STOP - BATHROOM - DAY

 

Bass at the sink. He stares at himself in the mirror. He

looks old.

 

 

EXT. REST STOP - DAY

 

Hooker sits on a picnic table, smoking. Bass arrives.

 

                         HOOKER

             That hitchhiker we passed ... I

             think she had a nose ring. If she

             has a cold, do you think she

             blows bubbles?

 

Hooker laughs like hell.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Back on the road.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass driving.

 

                         HOOKER

             Jesus Christ! Are we there yet?

 

                         BASS

             We've barely begun.

 

                         HOOKER

             Tell me about it.

 

                         BASS

             We need some way to pass the time.

             How about we rap?

 

                         HOOKER

             Rap? While you weren't looking,

             Bear, the sixties went long gone.

 

                         BASS

             They didn't die, they got usurped

             by the mainstream. That's the

             genius of this country. If

             something threatens, incorporate

             it as your own.

 

                         HOOKER

             So what would we rap about?


                                                           16.

 

 

                         BASS

             Whatever. Pick a topic.

 

                         HOOKER

             This sounds like "The Canterbury

             Tales."

 

                         BASS

             Or "Tuesdays With Morrie."

 

                         HOOKER

             Heavy, heavy.

 

                         BASS

             Let's rap about something light.

             Sports. You want to start?

 

                         HOOKER

             You start.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

The car drives on.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Picking it up.

 

                         BASS

             Jocks today have no class. Some

             lineman sacks the quarterback.

             Big deal. That's his job. So he

             struts around like he's just won

             the Super Bowl.

 

                         HOOKER

             And those end zone dances after a

             touchdown!

 

                         BASS

             They're the worst. What assholes.

             Can you imagine Huge McElhenny

             doing a dance after scoring? Or

             Alan Ameche?

 

                         HOOKER

             Joe Perry? Gayle Sayers? Jim Brown?

 

                         BASS

             No way. Players today are arrogant

             dicks.


                                                           17.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             And millionaires.

 

                         BASS

             There are millionaires sitting on

             the bench.

 

                         HOOKER

             When McElhenny turned pro, a

             reporter asked him to compare it

             to college ball. He said, "I like

             pro ball all right but I don't

             like the salary cut."

 

 

EXT. SMALL TOWN - CAFE - DAY

 

The car parked in front of a cafe in a town off the interstate.

 

 

INT. CAFE - TABLE - DAY

 

Bass and Hooker over pie and coffee.

 

                         BASS

             You know what I like to watch

             these days? Women's sports. You

             still get a feel for the old days.

 

                         HOOKER

             Not to mention all those sweet

             young things running around in

             shorts. Sports as mental

             masturbation.

 

                         BASS

             Everything doesn't reduce to sex.

 

                         HOOKER

             Of course it does.

 

                         BASS

             At my age, it doesn't.

 

                         HOOKER

             The mind never ages. You've got a

             decrepit body with the mind of a

             horny teenager, just like me.

 

They eat.

 

                         HOOKER

             Poker. There's a neglected sport.


                                                           18.

 

 

                         BASS

             Poker isn't a sport. It's a game.

 

                         HOOKER

             Same difference.

 

                         BASS

             A sport is not the same thing as

             a game.

 

                         HOOKER

             What are you, playing the

             intellectual snob card? To most

             people, they're the same. Miss!

 

He waves at the WAITRESS. In so doing, he knocks his cup of

coffee to the floor.

 

The WAITRESS hurries over and sees the mess.

 

                         HOOKER

             I need a smoke.

 

Hooker is out of there. Bass closes his eyes. The waitress

rushes off for a mop.

 

 

EXT. CAFE - DAY

 

Bass comes out. He sees Hooker up the street, waving his arms.

 

 

EXT. LIBRARY - DAY

 

Bass joins Hooker in front of a small building, the library.

 

                         HOOKER

             Follow me.

 

 

INT. LIBRARY - DAY

 

Hooker leads Bass to a large dictionary on a table. He opens

it to a marked place and reads.

 

                         HOOKER

             "Sport: physical activity engaged

             in for pleasure."

 

He turns to a second marked place.


                                                           19.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             "Game: activity engaged in for

             diversion or amusement." I rest

             my case.

 

                         BASS

             Let me see that.

 

He looks at the entries himself.

 

                         BASS

             You editorialized. "Game: a

             physical or mental competition."

             Sport is always physical.

             Obviously poker is mental, so

             it's not a sport.

 

                         HOOKER

             Let me see that.

 

Hooker reaches for the dictionary but Bass stops him. They

wrestle for control of the book -- and in the process...

 

RIIPPPPP! ... a page gets ripped out.

 

PATRONS look up. A shocked LIBRARIAN rushes their way.

 

                         HOOKER

             I need a smoke.

 

And he's out of there.

 

Bass has his wallet out when the librarian arrives. He drops

a pile of bills on the open dictionary.

 

                         BASS

             This should cover it.

 

 

EXT. LIBRARY - DAY

 

Hooker is smoking on the steps. Bass comes out.

 

                         HOOKER

             The hell poker isn't physical.

             I've seen fights break out during

             a game. I've seen people get shot.

             Not physical, my ass.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

The car parked at a motel.


                                                           20.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT

 

Two beds. Bass' bag on one, Hooker's on the other.

 

 

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

Over dinner.

 

                         HOOKER

             Rap two: sex and lust.

 

                         BASS

             Oh, boy.

 

                         HOOKER

             The cliche is right. Men trade

             love for sex. Women trade sex for

             love.

 

                         BASS

             It's more complicated than that.

 

                         HOOKER

             We're animals, Bear. The Puritans

             understood this and condemned

             everyone to hell unless they

             controlled their natural instincts

             and bought into Jesus. Your

             beloved sixties knew this and

             everybody partied. That's what I

             miss about the sixties. Easy sex.

 

                         BASS

             There was no AIDS.

 

                         HOOKER

             What's your best sex ever? Sally,

             right?

 

                         BASS

             That was so long ago. But of

             course. And you?

 

                         HOOKER

             There've been so many, I hardly

             know where to begin.

 

                         BASS

             I thought it would be that grad

             student you had an affair with.

             You wrote pretty hot letters

             about her.


                                                           21.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             Maybe. Or...

 

                         BASS

             Who?

 

                         HOOKER

             I don't know if I should tell you

             this.

 

                         BASS

             We tell each other everything.

             Eventually.

 

                         HOOKER

             Sally.

 

                         BASS

             Sally what?

 

A moment of comprehension.

 

                         BASS

             I don't believe you told me that.

 

                         HOOKER

             It was after you'd split up, for

             Christ's sake. I was back east on

             business and decided to drop down

             to the shore and say howdy. I

             didn't give a shit if she was a

             lesbian or not. Imagine my

             surprise when she seduced me.

 

                         BASS

             Yeah, right.

 

                         HOOKER

             I swear to God I didn't start it.

             You said she was a lesbian. And

             she was. She used me to get back

             at you for screwing her student.

             She just didn't figure it would

             take me thirty years to tell you.

 

Bass stares off.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - ROOM - NIGHT

 

They are both in bed watching TV.


                                                           22.

 

 

                         BASS

             Well, at least we can say we've

             both been to bed with the same

             woman. In all those years, she's

             the only one.

 

                         HOOKER

             Different tastes and good sense.

 

                         BASS

             I can see Sally doing that. She

             was so pissed at me. And rightly

             so. I should've left quietly

             without causing a scandal.

 

                         HOOKER

             No scandal? Wouldn't be the Bear

             everyone knows and loves.

 

A silence.

 

                         BASS

             I wonder what Sally would say

             about Stephanie. She was there,

             maybe she saw something I missed.

 

                         HOOKER

             She'd know you wouldn't do such a

             thing. You should use her as a

             character witness. A man's

             character is the most important

             thing he owns.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - DAY

 

Hooker out front smoking.

 

Across the way, a car door opens. And Angel comes out of the

back seat. She carries a suitcase and a guitar.

 

She strolls out to the road and sticks out her thumb.

 

Hooker fascinated by her.

 

A truck pulls over. Angel climbs in.

 

Bass comes out.

 

                         HOOKER

             You'll never guess what I just saw.


                                                           23.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Back on the road.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass driving.

 

                         HOOKER

             I bet he got a blow job.

 

                         BASS

             Who?

 

                         HOOKER

             The trucker who picked her up.

 

                         BASS

             You sound jealous.

 

                         HOOKER

             Of a blow job? What a concept.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Cruising in the slow lane.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Hooker perks up.

 

                         HOOKER

             Rap number three: Wives. I'll

             start. The first truism about

             wives: they never turn out to be

             the woman you thought you married.

 

                         BASS

             Hear, hear!

 

                         HOOKER

             They become this different person,

             this social construct, this wife.

             Wife’s rule number one: rule the

             nest! Keep it in order. The wife

             is a boss first and foremost.

             It’s biological. She protects the

             nest.


                                                           24.

 

 

                         BASS

             So you come home from work tired,

             wanting nothing more than to

             relax, have a drink, think of

             nothing or at least nothing that

             involves work or responsibility.

             And what happens? The wife meets

             you with a list of things to do.

 

                         HOOKER

             A faucet's dripping, the lawn

             needs mowing, the roof leaks.

             Blah blah blah.

 

                         BASS

             Blah blah blah.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

The car cruises along the interstate.

 

                         HOOKER (V.O.)

             Wives are born meddlers. They

             don't know shit about plumbing

             and now they're telling you how

             to change a washer.

 

                         BASS (V.O.)

             They're thirty pounds overweight

             and bitch about you over-eating.

             Meddle, meddle, meddle.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY

 

Pulling into another rest stop.

 

The car parks. Bass and Hooker get out.

 

                         HOOKER

             Well, looky here.

 

Across the way, Angel sits at a picnic table.

 

Hooker starts toward her.

 

                         BASS

             Hooker?

 

Hooker ignores him. Bass heads for the rest room.


                                                           25.

 

 

INT. REST STOP - REST ROOM - DAY

 

Bass doing his business.

 

Bass staring at himself in the mirror. Still old.

 

 

EXT. REST STOP - DAY

 

Bass sees Hooker talking with Angel. He walks to the car.

 

Bass leans against the car, waiting.

 

Finally Hooker approaches.

 

                         BASS

             No.

 

                         HOOKER

             Just to Cheyenne.

 

                         BASS

             No.

 

                         HOOKER

             Too late. I already offered.

 

And Angel arrives. She's a trip: the spiked pink hair, lip

rings and nose rings and earrings, dressed entirely in black.

But the guitar case is gone.

 

                         ANGEL

             Hey, man.

 

                         HOOKER

             This is Bear. This is Angel.

 

                         BASS

             Hey.

 

                         HOOKER

             Allow me.

 

He opens the back door.

 

                         ANGEL

             I really appreciate this.

 

                         HOOKER

             What happened to the guitar?


                                                           26.

 

 

                         ANGEL

             You passed me before, right? I

             thought it was you. I left it in

             a truck. I'm so pissed.

 

She crawls in.

 

Hooker grins at Bass. He has a signature grin, full of the

suggestion of mischief.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

On the road again.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Angel leans forward.

 

                         ANGEL

             Where you guys headed?

 

                         HOOKER

             To our nation's capital to honor

             the Kerouac Scroll with our

             presence.

 

                         ANGEL

             What's that?

 

                         HOOKER

             Professor, you want to fill her in?

 

                         BASS

             Be my guest.

 

                         HOOKER

             The original manuscript of "On

             the Road," which Jack Kerouac put

             through his typewriter in one

             long continuous sheet of teletype

             paper, over one hundred feet long.

 

                         ANGEL

             That's awesome! I love it! If I

             write a book, that's what I'm

             going to do.

 

                         HOOKER

             And what would your book be about?

 

                         ANGEL

             My wild and crazy life.


                                                           27.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             For example?

 

                         ANGEL

             I've spent the last two years

             doing legal tricks in a house in

             Winnemucca. I've had a lot of

             weird experiences, believe me.

 

                         HOOKER

             You don't look old enough to be a

             hooker.

 

                         ANGEL

             I hate that term. I provide human

             services.

 

                         BASS

             Male services.

 

                         ANGEL

             Human services. You'd be surprised

             how many couples and ladies come

             to a house.

 

                         HOOKER

             Angel, you write the book, and I

             guarantee you I'd read it.

 

He grins at Bass. Bass just stares at him.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

And the long drive continues.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Angel napping in the back seat.

 

                         BASS

                  (softly)

             Only as far as Cheyenne.

 

                         HOOKER

                  (softly)

             Calm down. Think of what a

             blessing this can be. Doing a

             favor for a hooker.

 

                         BASS

                  (softly)

             Christ, Hooker.


                                                           28.

 

 

                         HOOKER

                  (softly)

             You're a prude all of a sudden?

 

Bass doesn't reply.

 

                         HOOKER

                  (softly)

             Just don't let your attitude

             screw this up for me. I mean it.

 

                         BASS

                  (softly)

             Cheyenne. No farther.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY

 

The car parked.

 

Hooker and Angel in the distance at a table.

 

Bass comes out of the men's room.

 

Hooker meets up with him. Angel stays at the table.

 

                         HOOKER

             Actually Cheyenne is only where

             she picks up the interstate to

             Denver. After some personal

             business there, she's on to New

             York.

 

                         BASS

             Why are you telling me this?

 

                         HOOKER

             I'm getting her a room in Cheyenne.

 

                         BASS

             And you're spending the night

             with her?

 

                         HOOKER

             She likes the idea, so why not?

 

                         BASS

             Do you realize how crazy this is?

 

Hooker grins at him.


                                                           29.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

The car parked in a motel lot. There's an adjacent restaurant.

 

 

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

 

Bass sits in a booth across from Hooker and Angel. They act

like lovers, sitting close, whispering, giggling.

 

Bass slides out. He picks up the bill.

 

It takes a moment for them to notice him.

 

                         BASS

             I want to start early in the

             morning.

 

                         HOOKER

             Aye, aye, sir!

 

Angel laughs.

 

Bass turns and leaves.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - BASS' ROOM - NIGHT

 

Bass on the bed, watching TV.

 

Next door, giggles from Hooker and Angel.

 

Bass gets up and turns up the volume of the TV.

 

But his curiosity gets the best of him. He puts his ear to

the wall.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - BASS' ROOM - DAY

 

Morning. Bass getting dressed. A knock on the door.

 

                         BASS

             Just a minute.

 

Buttons up, opens the door. It's Hooker, who enters.

 

                         HOOKER

             Sit down.

 

                         BASS

             What's going on?


                                                           30.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             Just sit the fuck down.

 

Bass does. Hooker hovers over him.

 

                         HOOKER

             Change of plans. I know you don't

             like it, but let me explain. I'm

             renting a car and we're driving

             to Denver together, then on to

             New York. I'll catch up with you

             at the Smithsonian.

 

                         BASS

             You crazy old--

 

                         HOOKER

             Let me finish.

 

He's searching for words.

 

                         HOOKER

             There's no way to say it but to

             say it. I have cancer, Bear. In

             the pancreas and spreading.

             Terminal. That's my secret motive

             for the trip, just as yours is to

             see your daughter. I wanted us to

             do something special together. I

             know what you're going to say.

             The thing is, we still can do

             that, on the way home. But I

             can't turn this down, Bear. Put

             yourself in my shoes. I think she

             really is an angel. I have to

             ride this pony for as long as I can.

 

A silence.

 

                         BASS

             Damn, Hooker.

 

                         HOOKER

             Hey, no grief. I've lived longer

             than I had any right to expect,

             the way I've partied all my life.

             And to get this blessing on top

             of it all. Because that's what

             she is to me. A blessing. So we

             need to pick a day and time to

             reconnect at the Smithsonian.

 

                         BASS

             Damn it, let me think a minute.


                                                           31.

 

 

Silence.

 

                         BASS

             How long will her errands in

             Denver take?

 

                         HOOKER

             A few hours.

 

                         BASS

             You care if we continue on together?

 

                         HOOKER

             I'll still be spending nights

             with her.

 

                         BASS

             Remind me not to get the room

             next door.

 

Hooker grins.

 

                         HOOKER

             Thanks, brother. I was hoping

             you'd see it my way.

 

                         BASS

             Get out of here and let me finish

             dressing.

 

Hooker leaves.

 

Bass changes as soon as Hooker is gone. Grief pales over his

face. He sits down and fights back tears.

 

 

EXT. DENVER - INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Bass' car approaching the Denver skyline.

 

 

EXT. DENVER - BEAUTY PARLOR - DAY

 

Pulls up in front of a beauty parlor. Angel hops out.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Angel at the window.

 

                         ANGEL

             Will fourish work?


                                                           32.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             Bear?

 

                         BASS

             Whenever you want.

 

                         ANGEL

             Great. See you guys then.

 

She trots off to enter the beauty parlor.

 

                         BASS

             We have time to kill.

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

Bass and Hooker playing tourist in Denver.

 

--walking around a mall.

 

--driving past Mile High Stadium.

 

--walking through a museum.

 

 

INT. DENVER - LIBRARY - DAY

 

Reading in a library.

 

Bass gets up.

 

                         BASS

             Want to get a coffee?

 

Hooker shakes his head. Bass makes note of the book he's

reading: "From Here To Eternity."

 

                         BASS

             I'll be back in a few.

 

 

EXT. LIBRARY - DAY

 

Bass comes out. He heads up the street.

 

 

EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

 

Bass comes out with a cup of coffee. Heads back toward the

library.


                                                           33.

 

 

EXT. STREET - PAY PHONE - DAY

 

Bass passes a pay phone. Stops and goes back to it.

 

He takes out his wallet and finds a business card.

 

Drops coins in the phone and dials.

 

Ringing.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Hello, this is Mary.

 

Bass frozen.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Hello?

 

                         BASS

             Hey.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Who is this?

 

                         BASS

             Robert Bass.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Robert! Where are you?

 

                         BASS

             Denver.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             What a surprise to hear from you.

 

Bass is silent.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Robert, is something the matter?

 

                         BASS

             He's dying. He has cancer, and

             they can't operate and--

 

Bass stops, trying to control himself.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             I'm so sorry. Robert, it's so

             good that you can spend time with

             him now. I know it must be hard,

             but this is the best thing you

             two can do together.


                                                           34.

 

 

                         BASS

             I'm sorry. I shouldn't by laying

             this on you.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             No, I'm so glad you called. Truly.

             You can call me any time, day or

             night.

 

A silence.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Robert?

 

                         BASS

             I'd better go. I left him in the

             library.

 

                         MARY (FILTERED)

             Call me any time. I mean it.

 

 

EXT. LIBRARY - DAY

 

Bass approaches to find Hooker having a smoke outside.

 

                         HOOKER

             You ready to rumble?

 

 

EXT. DENVER - VARIOUS STREETS - DAY

 

Cruising, passing time.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass driving.

 

                         HOOKER

             You okay?

 

                         BASS

             Under the circumstances.

 

                         HOOKER

             I didn't plan this, Bear. She

             dropped into my lap. What's the

             cliche? Don't look a gift horse

             in the mouth.

 

                         BASS

             I'll be fine.


                                                           35.

 

 

                         HOOKER

             She's a pro. If you want time

             with her, just holler.

 

Bass stares at him. Back to the road.

 

                         BASS

             I'll be fine.

 

 

EXT. DENVER - BEAUTY PARLOR - DAY

 

They park outside the beauty parlor. Hooker gets out and

goes inside.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass takes a deep breath. Holding it together.

 

Hooker climbs in.

 

                         HOOKER

             She's at the hospital visiting

             her father.

 

 

EXT. DENVER - HOSPITAL - DAY

 

The car pulls into a pickup circle at the hospital. Slows to

a crawl.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass and Hooker looking for her.

 

                         HOOKER

             I guess we'd better park.

 

As they pull away:

 

                         ANGEL (O.S.)

             Hey!

 

                         HOOKER

             Stop!

 

                         ANGEL (O.S.)

             Hey, it's me!

 

Bass stops the car.


                                                           36.

 

 

Angel rushes up to the car. She has totally changed: short

dark hair, no piercings, a young lady looking like a co-ed.

 

She gets in the back seat.

 

                         ANGEL

             No cracks, okay? My sister talked

             me into doing this for the

             benefit of my father. As soon as

             I get to New York, I'm going back

             to normal.

 

Bass catches Hooker's eye.

 

                         BASS

                  (softly)

             Normal.

 

 

EXT. DENVER - INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Back on the road.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

 

The interstate cuts through farmland.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Hooker turns to Angel in back.

 

                         HOOKER

             Make room, I'm coming back.

 

                         BASS

             Hooker!

 

Angel helps him. It's no easy matter for a man Hooker's age

to crawl over the seat.

 

Hooker lands in back. He and Angel laugh and embrace.

 

Bass watches them in the rearview mirror. Hugging, kissing.

 

He looks back to the road. A hint of jealousy.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

 

Bass drives on.


                                                           37.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass looking in the mirror again.

 

My God! Angel's bare back faces him. She appears to be

straddling Hooker, rocking back and forth. They appear to be

making love back there.

 

Bass in a panic. This can't be happening.

 

In the mirror: rocking, rocking. Gasps of pleasure.

 

Bass turns up the radio. A country song. Music to screw in

the car by.

 

Bass looking more worried than ever. Suddenly: a HONK.

 

A car has pulled beside them. FOUR TEENAGERS are getting an

eyeful and enjoying the show. Honking and thumbs up.

 

Bass finally has to say something.

 

                         BASS

             Will you people stop it?

 

As if on cue, Angel lets out a loud gasp and slides off Hooker.

 

Hooker sees the fan club alongside the car.

 

                         HOOKER

             Out run them, Bear!

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

 

Bass pulls away. The other car moves behind.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass frantic.

 

                         BASS

             What the hell do I do?

 

                         HOOKER

             Pull off as soon as you can!

 

                         ANGEL

             I'll keep them occupied.

 

She gets up on her knees, facing the rear window. She

flashes her breasts at the teenagers in the car behind them.

Improvising a little dance for them.


                                                           38.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - EXIT - DAY

 

An exit approaches. Bass takes it.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

The car following stays on the interstate, honking as it

passes.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - EXIT - DAY

 

Bass pulls to the shoulder and stops.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass looks exhausted.

 

                         BASS

             New ground rule. You can't make

             love in the car.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

The car parked in a motel lot.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - BASS' ROOM - NIGHT

 

Bass tossing and turning.

 

A knock on the door.

 

Bass stirs. Another knock. He sits up and turns on the

bedside lamp.

 

A knock.

 

Bass, in shorts and T-shirt, goes to the door. He opens it.

It's Angel, wearing only a shorty see-through nightie.

 

Angel falls in, immediately embracing him. She gives him a

lip-lock of a kiss.

 

Bass back-peddles until they fall onto the bed. Angel lies

on top of him. She finally releases the kiss.

 

                         BASS

             What do you think you're doing?


                                                           39.

 

 

                         ANGEL

             Doing you a favor.

 

                         BASS

             Get off. Get off!

 

Angel, puzzled, scampers off him. She sits on the edge of

the bed.

 

Bass jumps up and escapes across the room before turning to

her.

 

                         BASS

             When I saw you, the first thing

             that entered my mind is that

             Hooker had a heart attack.

 

                         ANGEL

             I'm sorry.

 

                         BASS

             It happens to men his age, you

             know. Men our age.

 

                         ANGEL

             He's been fine. I can go more

             slow if you--

 

                         BASS

             That's not what I mean! I don't

             want to have sex with you.

 

                         ANGEL

             Okay.

 

A tense silence.

 

                         ANGEL

             If you're gay, that's fine.

 

                         BASS

             I'm not gay.

 

                         ANGEL

             You don't find me attractive?

 

                         BASS

             You don't need me to tell you

             you're attractive. I have things

             on my mind.

 

                         ANGEL

             Well, I didn't want you to feel

             left out. Sorry for waking you up.


                                                           40.

 

 

Looking despondent, she goes to the door.

 

                         BASS

             Wait a minute. I don't mean to

             insult you. I'm just not in the

             mood for this now. I'm still

             dealing with ...

 

                         ANGEL

             Your friend dying?

 

                         BASS

             He told you?

 

                         ANGEL

             Yes. I didn't know you knew.

 

                         BASS

             Of course I'd know. When did he

             tell you?

 

                         ANGEL

             Our first night. He calls me his

             angel.

 

                         BASS

             I think I'd like to go back to

             bed now. Don't say you're sorry.

             Just go.

 

Angel leaves, closing the door behind her.

 

Bass stares at the closed door.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - DAY

 

Bass leaning against the car, waiting.

 

Down the way, Angel comes out of a motel room. She walks to

the car.

 

                         BASS

             Good morning.

 

Angel gets in the back seat.

 

Hooker comes out and comes to the car.

 

                         BASS

             Good morning.

 

                         HOOKER

             Fuck you.


                                                           41.

 

 

Hooker gets in the front seat.

 

Bass, puzzled, gets behind the wheel.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Bass starts the car. He looks at Hooker.

 

                         HOOKER

             Just drive, for Christ's sake.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - DAY

 

Bass' car in the slow lane.

 

 

INT. BASS' CAR - DAY

 

Silence. Bass drives. Hooker stares out the window.

 

In back, Angel naps.

 

 

EXT. INTERSTATE - REST STOP - DAY

 

The car parked in a rest stop.

 

 

EXT. REST STOP - MEN'S ROOM - DAY

 

Bass and Hooker at adjacent urinals.

 

                         BASS

             Would you please tell me what's

             going on?

 

                         HOOKER

             You just had to fuck it up for me,

             didn't you?

 

                         BASS

             I didn't sleep with her.

 

                         HOOKER

             Exactly.

 

Hooker zips up and flushes. He leaves without washing his

hands.


                                                           42.

 

 

EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY

 

The car parked in front of a restaurant.

 

 

INT. RESTAURANT - BOOTH - DAY

 

Silence around the table.

 

Hooker sits next to Angel but there is distance between them.

 

Angel slides out.

 

                         ANGEL

             I'm going for a walk. Meet you at

             the car in twenty minutes.

 

She's gone.

 

                         BASS

             Whatever's going on between you,

             it's not my fault.

 

                         HOOKER

             She thinks she's hurting your

             feelings by sleeping with me. So

             she won't fuck any more.

 

                         BASS

             I never told her that. I rejected

             her, for God's sake. I meant it.

             I don't want sex with her.

 

                         HOOKER

             Couldn't you have let her blow

             you for my sake?

 

Bass looks dumbfounded.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

 

The car parked.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - BASS' ROOM - NIGHT