"A WRITERLY REVENGE"

 

                           by

 

                     Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                         


 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

 

BOBBY SHARP, 50s, a bear of his man, holds a carving knife

to his throat.

 

Across the room, ALICE, 40s, dressed like an Earth Mother,

approaches cautiously.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby, give me the knife...

 

                         BOBBY

             It's the best thing I can do for

             my career, Alice. The world likes

             their writers dead.

 

                         ALICE

             You have good work to do yet ...

             put it down ...

 

                         BOBBY

             I'm not going to win.

 

                         ALICE

             You don't know that. And it

             doesn't matter if you don't. It's

             just one judge's opinion.

 

                         BOBBY

             That young punk is going to win.

             I'm old enough to be his father.

 

                         ALICE

             We laugh at writing competitions,

             remember? Do this, and it looks

             like you take them seriously.

 

                         BOBBY

             Jesus, you're right.

 

He lowers the knife.

 

                         BOBBY

             It plays right into their

             philistine hands, doesn't it?

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - NIGHT

 

FACULTY, STUDENTS, GUESTS move across campus toward a

prominent building.


                                                            2.

 

 

Among them are Bobby and Alice. Sharp habitually slumps when

he moves.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE BUILDING - NIGHT

 

Bobby and Alice enter. They immediately are approached by

PROF. TOM TOM, a younger colleague.

 

                         TOM

             Good luck, Bobby.

 

                         BOBBY

             Yeah, right, I'll need it.

 

Alice pulls him away, following the flow of people. She

glances back at Tom, who smiles.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE BUILDING - AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

 

Bobby and Alice take reserved seats near the front of the

auditorium.

 

 

INT. AUDITORIUM - PODIUM - NIGHT

 

A distinguished-looking man is at the podium. This is PROF.

ANDREWS.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             The nominees for this year's

             Sherwood Best Novel Prize, the

             winner to be published by our

             University press, are: "A

             Darkening Wood," by Prof. Tom

             Carlton, Dept. of History ..."

 

Applause. PROF. CARLTON, seated near the front, beams.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             "Love At Ground Zero," by Prof.

             Robert Sharp, Dept. of English

             ..."

 

Applause. Bobby scowls, looking almost suicidal.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             And finally, "Lust," by Kevin

             Mann, a graduate student in

             physics.

 

Applause. KEVIN, 20s, wears black and lots of jewelry.


                                                            3.

 

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             And the winner is ...

 

PROF. MARILYN ZINK, loving her moment, darts forward with an

envelope. Andrews takes it and opens it, taking his time for

effect.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             And the winner is ... "Lust" by

             Kevin Mann."

 

Kevin leaps to his feet.

 

                         KEVIN

             Yes!

 

Bobby turns to Alice, looking more down than ever.

 

                         ALICE

             For yourself to smile. Be a

             gracious loser.

 

Bobby looks like he's going to cry.

 

 

INT. CAMPUS - SOCIAL HALL - NIGHT

 

A reception after the awards.

 

Bobby hangs around the bar. Alice stands some distance away,

keeping an eye on him.

 

Bobby has captured the ear of Tom Tom.

 

                         BOBBY

             A writer with charisma, that's

             what the bean counters want.

             Someone who looks good on TV --

             or at least different. Maybe I

             should get a nose ring. Hey,

             honey, how would I look in a nose

             ring?

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby ...

 

                         BOBBY

                  (back to Tom)

             You know, I have a few female

             students who have these metal

             tabs on their tongues. It's for

             giving blow jobs.


                                                            4.

 

 

Alice has heard enough. She rushes forward and takes Tom's

arm.

 

                         ALICE

             Time to go.

 

                         TOM

             Sorry that ...

 

                         ALICE

             We know, we know.

 

She starts away with her husband.

 

                         BOBBY

             Hey, where are we going?

 

But he's well trained and goes along with her.

 

At the bar, Prof. Andrews joins Tom.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             Ever read his novel?

 

                         TOM

             Yes. Have you?

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             Dreadful, don't you think? I

             don't know how it was a finalist.

 

Tom knows better than to comment.

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - DAY

 

An old farm house in the countryside.

 

Suddenly Bobby staggers out the front door. He's an

incredible sight, in undershorts only, his gut spilling out,

looking very hungover.

 

He hurries to a great tree in the front yard. He starts

peeing on it.

 

Alice, in a robe, appears in the doorway.

 

                         ALICE

             For God's sake, Bobby, I said I

             was almost done.

 

                         BOBBY

             I wasn't waiting for you to finish.


                                                            5.

 

 

He looks ecstatic as he relieves himself in the morning air.

 

                         BOBBY

             Why would anyone choose to do

             this inside?

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice is pouring coffee when Bobby passes by.

 

                         ALICE

             Coffee's ready.

 

Bobby ignores her.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Alice enters as Bobby crawls into bed.

 

He pulls the covers over his head.

 

She sighs and leaves.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice eats breakfast alone at a small table off the kitchen.

 

The telephone rings.

 

                         ALICE

             Hello?...Guess....He's still in

             bed....I have no idea, but I'll

             have him call you.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Alice looks in on Bobby. He appears to be asleep.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - FRONT PORCH - DAY

 

Alice sits in a swing on the porch, reading. The sun is

going down.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

 

Evening.


                                                            6.

 

 

Alice turns on a light. She looks in the refrigerator, as if

wondering what to fix for dinner.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

Alice turns on the light. Bobby doesn't stir.

 

She looks worried. She approaches the bed.

 

She bends forward. Bobby coughs in his sleep, scaring her.

 

She retreats, leaving the light on.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

 

Alice on the phone.

 

                         ALICE

             He's been in bed all day. I'll

             have him call you tomorrow.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT

 

Bobby stirs. He opens his eyes, squints in immediate pain

from the light.

 

                         BOBBY

             Who left the goddamn light on?!

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby enters, dressed in his disheveled way. Alice eats

alone at the small table.

 

                         BOBBY

             You left the light on.

 

                         ALICE

             Your dinner's keeping warm.

 

                         BOBBY

             I said, you left the goddamn

             light on. It woke me up.

 

                         ALICE

             Poor baby. Didn't get enough sleep?

 

He mumbles and starts away.


                                                            7.

 

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby, for God's sake. You got to

             eat. It's in the oven.

 

                         BOBBY

             I'll pick up a burger in town.

 

                         ALICE

             How long are you going to sulk?

 

                         BOBBY

             A lot of understanding I get

             around here.

 

She starts to say something but stops herself.

 

                         ALICE

                  (after him)

             At least get a ride home!

 

 

INT. TAVERN - NIGHT

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

as Bobby holds court to an audience of STUDENTS.

 

--Bobby gesturing, talking, very animated. We wouldn't

understand what the hell he was saying if we heard.

 

--Students attentive, laughing, enjoying this character.

 

--The bartender and waitress keeping everyone's drinks full.

 

--Bobby increasingly playing to a pretty coed (JENNIFER) in

the group, who flirts back.

 

 

EXT. TAVERN - NIGHT

 

Bobby is helped outside Jennifer on one side and another

student (CAL) on the other.

 

                         CAL

             Man, I really don't think you

             should drive.

 

                         BOBBY

             I don't have to. The car drives

             itself. It's been down this road

             many times. Knows the way by heart.

 

The BARTENDER hurries outside.


                                                            8.

 

 

                         BARTENDER

             No, you don't, Bobby. I just

             called a cab. Give me your keys.

 

                         BOBBY

             Ah, come on...you know how many

             times I've done this?

 

                         BARTENDER

             And the odds get worse each time.

             Keys. The cab is paid for. Here's

             a little incentive.

 

He holds out a small paper sack, just the right size for a

pint of booze.

 

                         BOBBY

             You clever devil ...

 

                         BARTENDER

             Cab said it'd only be a few

             minutes.

 

Bobby takes the booze.

 

                         BOBBY

             You're a good friend. But I keep

             the keys. I'll need to pick up

             the car before you open.

 

                         BARTENDER

             Fair enough.

                  (to students)

             Do you mind waiting with him?

 

                         JENNIFER

             No problem.

 

She smiles at Bobby. He smiles back.

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - PORCH - NIGHT

 

Alice sits on the swing. She looks old and tired.

 

Headlights in the distance. She goes inside.

 

The cab pulls up.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby stumbles into the kitchen. He opens the oven, as if

looking for his dinner.


                                                            9.

 

 

He sticks his head in the oven.

 

Alice enters.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby, no!

 

Bobby surfaces.

 

                         BOBBY

             You said my dinner was in here.

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - DAY

 

Morning sun.

 

Alice comes out onto the porch and shakes a rug.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BATHROOM - DAY

 

Bobby stands under a steaming shower. Becoming human again.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY

 

A real breakfast at the dining room table.

 

Except that Bobby is just picking at his food.

 

                         ALICE

             You know what you need to do?

 

He doesn't reply.

 

                         ALICE

             Start a new novel.

 

                         BOBBY

             Another unpublished novel. Just

             what the world needs. Why didn't

             I think of that?

 

                         ALICE

             You know, it only takes one

             break, Bobby. Then you're on your

             way.

 

                         BOBBY

             How many years have you been

             saying that? Twenty?

 

She doesn't reply.


                                                           10.

 

 

                         BOBBY

             Twenty three, I think. Since grad

             school.

 

                         ALICE

             Well, how about first things

             first. Eat your breakfast.

 

                         BOBBY

             I'm not hungry.

 

                         ALICE

             Oh, Bobby ... I don't know what

             to do.

 

He looks at her seriously.

 

                         BOBBY

             I don't either.

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY

 

Alice crosses campus, heading for the Student Union.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - STUDENT UNION - CAFE - DAY

 

Alice finds Tom Tom. She plops down.

 

An awkward silence.

 

                         TOM

             So he's worse than usual.

 

                         ALICE

             Very. I found him with his head

             in the oven.

 

                         TOM

             You don't have gas, do you?

 

                         ALICE

             It was the image that threw me.

             He said he was looking for his

             dinner but it was like he was

             practicing. Usually he takes out

             his frustration by getting back

             to work. He just mopes. Drinks.

             Sleeps. I'm afraid he's losing

             his spunk.


                                                           11.

 

 

                         TOM

             Hard to imagine Bobby without

             spunk.

 

                         ALICE

             That's what frightens me.

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - BUILDING - DAY

 

Behind a building, a secluded nook.

 

Alice and Tom are kissing passionately.

 

Alice pulls away.

 

                         TOM

             Let's get a room.

 

                         ALICE

             Not today. Not while he's in such

             a state.

 

                         TOM

             Egomaniacs don't off themselves.

 

Alice starts away, he pulls her back.

 

                         ALICE

             I really have to go. I'm worried.

 

                         TOM

             Understood.

 

She moves off.

 

                         TOM

                  (after her)

             Keep me up to speed!

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Alice looks in. Bobby, dressed, is sprawled on the bed.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby?

 

He ignores her. She moves close enough to see that his eyes

are open.

 

                         ALICE

             What's the matter?


                                                           12.

 

 

Bobby turns and frowns at her. He looks like he can't

believe what he heard.

 

                         BOBBY

             What's wrong? Why should anything

             be wrong?

 

                         ALICE

             Don't be cute with me. I'm

             worried about you.

 

Bobby considers this, then rolls away.

 

Alice, exasperated, leaves.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice on the phone.

 

                         ALICE

             I'll get a room at the Days Inn.

             Can you be there by ...

 

She looks at the clock on the wall.

 

                         ALICE

             ... by three-thirty?

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Bobby on his back now, staring up at the ceiling.

 

 

INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY

 

Alice and Tom in an embrace of lovemaking.

 

INTERCUT

 

between Bobby's depressed paralysis and Alice's growing

passion making love with Tom.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby drags himself into the dark den, turns on the light,

and sits down at his computer.

 

He opens his mail program, activates a voice audio program

that reads his mail aloud.


                                                           13.

 

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             You have three new messages.

             Message one. Subject: Hot honeys

             waiting for you. Message: Hey,

             big stud--

 

Bobby, bored, clicks to next message.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Message two. Subject: Gain six

             inches. Message: Is your penis

             too small for--

 

Click.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Message three. Subject: I want to

             be your agent. Message:

 

Rewind click. Bobby leans toward the screen, attentive.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Subject: I want to be your agent.

             Message: Your short stories on

             your website are incredible. I

             greatly admire your work and want

             to be your agent. Your voice is

             original, powerful, dramatic, a

             voice for our times. I have

             fifteen years experience and have

             just started my own agency. Do

             you have a novel you're looking

             to place? I would like to discuss

             your writing future with you. End

             of messages.

 

Bobby stares at the screen, stunned.

 

Click, click.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Subject: I want to be your agent.

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - NIGHT

 

Alice drives up in her car, parks.

 

She approaches the house. Bobby stands up from the porch

swing, beer bottle in hand.

 

                         ALICE

             Are you drunk?


                                                           14.

 

 

                         BOBBY

             No, I'm not drunk. Where have you

             been?

 

                         ALICE

             I was visiting Nancy.

 

                         BOBBY

             I have news.

 

                         ALICE

             She hopes you're feeling better.

 

                         BOBBY

             I have news.

 

                         ALICE

             Are you sure you're not drunk?

 

                         BOBBY

             For Christ sake, will you listen

             to me? I have news! I think I

             have an agent who wants to sell

             my novel.

 

Alice stares at him, as if waiting for the punch line.

 

                         BOBBY

             Hello?

 

                         ALICE

             What are you talking about?

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

They sit together in front of the computer.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Do you have a novel you're

             looking to place? I would like to

             discuss your writing future with

             you. End of messages.

 

Bobby grins at his wife.

 

                         BOBBY

             My ship's finally come in, baby.

 

                         ALICE

             She actually hasn't read your

             novel yet.


                                                           15.

 

 

                         BOBBY

             Great. Just what I need from you.

             You'd fuck up a wet dream.

 

He storms out.

 

 

EXT. COUNTRY HOME - PORCH - NIGHT

 

Bobby sits in the swing, swigging a beer. Alice comes out.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby? I just meant that you

             don't want to jump the gun. Don't

             you want to check her out first?

             She may not be a very good agent.

 

                         BOBBY

             She's an agent. Do I have an

             agent? How can she be worse than

             the agent I don't have?

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Bobby sits at the computer in his robe. A cup of coffee

nearby.

 

Typing:

 

                         BOBBY (VO)

             I slept on what you had to say in

             your email. Your timing is

             perfect. I do have a novel I've

             been seeking to place.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY (LATER)

 

Bobby is dressed for classes, a wrinkled academic. He

listens to an email.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             Please send me your novel as soon

             as you can. For convenience you

             may send it as an attachment.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby listening to an email, more casual than earlier.


                                                           16.

 

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             I read your novel in one sitting.

             I am speechless. It is amazing.

             It is graced with drama, suspense,

             intrigue. It profoundly speaks to

             the human condition.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT (LATER)

 

Bobby and Alice listening.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             It profoundly speaks to the human

             condition. I would be very proud

             to be the literary agent for such

             a spectacular novel. I believe

             publication and prizes are in the

             future for this wonderful book.

             I've attached my agent-writer

             contract for you to sign and fax

             to me. End of messages.

 

Bobby takes a deep breath. He lets it out slowly.

 

                         BOBBY

             Well?

 

                         ALICE

             She certainly is ...

 

                         BOBBY

             Is what?

 

                         ALICE

             Expansive.

 

                         BOBBY

             Expansive?

 

                         ALICE

             I've never heard anyone praise

             something so highly.

 

                         BOBBY

             So that's it. It bugs you. You

             can't stand it that somebody

             actually thinks I'm a great writer.

 

Storming off again.

 

                         ALICE

             I just want you to be careful.


                                                           17.

 

 

He stops.

 

                         BOBBY

             About what?

 

                         ALICE

             About her. In case she's ...

 

                         BOBBY

             She's what?

 

                         ALICE

             In case this is a scam of some

             kind.

 

                         BOBBY

             A scam!? A fucking scam!?

 

And now he's gone.

 

 

INT.  TAVERN - NIGHT

 

Bobby is holding court. Cal and Jennifer are among the

students listening.

 

                         BOBBY

             The writer's only job is to write.

             It's not to appear on television.

             It's not to butt-hole the

             marketplace. It's not to write

             what the public wants. It's to

             write what he needs to write,

             what he cannot not write. A

             writer writes for the gods. A

             writer writes for posterity. Thus

             it's a lonely job -- interrupted

             only occasionally by the strike

             of lightning, the sudden

             appearance of a supporter, an

             agent who understands the writer's

             work, an agent on the same

             literary wave length, an agent

             who has that rarest of all human

             qualities, good literary taste.

 

Tom Yawley enters, looks around, finds Bobby.

 

                         CAL

             When's your novel getting

             published, Prof. Sharp?

 

                         BOBBY

             Within the year, I should think.


                                                           18.

 

 

                         JENNIFER

             Will you sign my copy?

 

                         BOBBY

             Only if you dance for me.

 

He takes Jennifer's arm and drags her near the juke box,

blaring with music. She shoots a "what do I do?" glance to

Cal, who grins back.

 

Tom watches them. Bobby tries hard but is not a good dancer.

Jennifer looks embarrassed but gamely goes along.

 

The tune ends. Tom steps forward.

 

                         TOM

             Bobby! I understand

             congratulations are in order.

 

He takes Bobby's arm and leads him off. Bobby tries to catch

Jennifer's eye but she already hurries back to Cal.

 

Tom leads Bobby to a distant booth. They slide in.

 

                         BOBBY

             You heard.

 

                         TOM

             Alice called me. She wants you to

             exercise some caution here.

 

                         BOBBY

             Alice. Her problem is she never

             believed in me. It pisses her off

             someone besides myself thinks I'm

             a genius.

 

                         TOM

             Bobby, I want you to listen to me.

             I've been doing some research on

             the Internet.

 

                         BOBBY

             You came here to tell me about

             your research?

 

                         TOM

             Research on agents. The Marianne

             Toledo Literary Agency is not a

             member of the Association of

             Authors' Representative. In fact,

             I couldn't find her listed in any

             of the standard directories.


                                                           19.

 

 

                         BOBBY

             Alice put you up to this.

 

                         TOM

             She doesn't want you to be

             disappointed.

 

                         BOBBY

             She isn't in the directory

             because she's new. She's a new

             agency! She worked fifteen years

             for somebody else, and now she's

             starting her own business. I'm

             probably her first client.

             Starting at the top.

 

He grins.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice stands at the stove. Bacon fries in a pan.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby, breakfast is almost ready!

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Cal sits at the computer, listening to a document being read

to him.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             The Agency will be entitled to

             receive reimbursement from the

             author for the following specific

             expenses relevant to

             representation and promotion of

             the project: manuscript/proposal

             copying costs, long-distance

             telephone calls between author

             and agency and agency and

             publisher, fax costs, necessary

             overnight deliveries and express

             costs--

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice serves up the plates.

 

                         ALICE

             Bobby! Breakfast!


                                                           20.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Bobby stands up.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             The Agency agrees to forward to

             the Author copies of all

             correspondence received from

             publishers in reference to the

             Author's projects.

 

He clicks off the mail.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DINING ROOM - DAY

 

Alice is seated and eating when Bobby enters.

 

                         BOBBY

             I'm going to sign the contract.

 

Alice doesn't respond. Bobby sits down.

 

                         BOBBY

             It's the right thing to do.

 

                         ALICE

             Did you want Tabasco for your

             potatoes?

 

Bobby glares at her.

 

 

EXT. MOTEL - NIGHT

 

Alice's car is parked in front of a room.

 

 

INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

 

The end of lovemaking. Alice and Tom roll apart, exhausted.

 

Alice quickly recovers. She hops out of bed.

 

                         TOM

             What are you doing?

 

                         ALICE

             I want to show you something.

 

She has brought a laptop, which she opens on the small table

in the room.


                                                           21.

 

 

                         TOM

             First sex, then we browse the net.

             This is a side of you I haven't

             seen before.

 

                         ALICE

             Marianne Toledo has a history.

 

Interested, Tom gets out of bed and joins Alice at the laptop.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

Intervention. Bobby sits in his usual chair. Alice and Tom

sit across the room.

 

                         TOM

             You can't dismiss something like

             that.

 

                         BOBBY

             How do you know they're not just

             rumors? Was she charged with

             fraud? Was she sued? Did she go

             to jail? Of course not.

 

                         TOM

             It's much more subtle than that.

 

                         BOBBY

             She was an employee there. Did it

             ever occur to you that she left

             to start her own agency precisely

             because she disagreed with policy?

             Look, I'm not an idiot, despite

             what Alice has been telling you.

 

                         ALICE

                  (to Tom)

             See what I have to put up with?

 

                         BOBBY

             It's standard practice for

             clients to pay postage and other

             expenses relevant to their

             projects.

 

Tom looks at Alice. She shrugs.

 

                         BOBBY

             Standard practice. They all do it.

             It comes out of your royalties.


                                                           22.

 

 

                         TOM

             She hasn't asked you to send her

             money?

 

                         BOBBY

             Of course not.

 

A pause. Tom tries again.

 

                         TOM

             She's in Oregon. Shouldn't a

             literary agent be in New York?

 

                         BOBBY

             Have you ever heard of email? The

             global village? It doesn't matter

             today.

 

He stands up.

 

                         BOBBY

                  (to Alice)

             If you ever decide to cheat on

             me, I recommend Tom. You two

             think alike.

 

He leaves the room.

 

Tom looks horrified.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby opens a bottle of champagne. He's alone.

 

Pop! He pours himself a glass, sips.

 

At the computer, where an email has been started. He types.

 

                         BOBBY (VO)

             I'm faxing the signed contract to

             you tonight.

 

Click, he sends it.

 

He goes to the desk and signs the contract.

 

He faxes if off.

 

He toasts.


                                                           23.

 

 

                         BOBBY

             To the gods of literature! And to

             the Marianne Toledo Literary

             Agency!

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY

 

Students cross campus between classes.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - BOBBY'S OFFICE - DAY

 

Bobby reads a manuscript. Sitting, waiting anxiously, is

Jennifer.

 

Now and again Bobby peers up from his reading. Looking at

Jennifer, he imagines:

 

 

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT (FANTASY)

 

Wild lovemaking, Jennifer on top, riding him, nearing

orgasm...

 

 

BACK TO REALITY

 

Bobby coughs, recovers, goes back to reading.

 

Jennifer looks like she's going to pass out from waiting for

a verdict.

 

 

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - DAY

 

Bobby and Jennifer walk across campus together.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I can't believe you think it's

             that good.

 

                         BOBBY

             The kernel, the concept. First

             rate. You still have work to do

             on the execution.

 

                         JENNIFER

             That's the nicest thing anyone

             ever said about my writing. Thank

             you so much, Prof. Sharp. I'll

             see you in class!

 

She flits off like a happy butterfly.


                                                           24.

 

 

Bobby watches her ass as she goes.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             Nasty thoughts, professor.

 

Andrews has appeared beside him. Bobby ignores the remark.

 

                         PROF. ANDREWS

             Rumor has it that an agent is

             ecstatic over your novel.

 

                         BOBBY

             Some things, professor, are more

             important than the Sherwood Best

             Novel Prize.

 

Bobby smiles and departs.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby at the computer, typing an email.

 

                         BOBBY (VO)

             I'm so encouraged by your

             enthusiasm that I've started a

             new novel. A two-year writing

             block has ended! May the gods of

             literature bless you, Marianne

             Toledo.

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

Bobby in the focused heat of creation, writing at the

computer.

 

--late at night, in his shorts

 

--early in the morning, in his robe

 

--taking notes at the dinner table, ignoring Alice.

 

--waking up in the middle of the night to scribble notes in

a bedside journal.

 

--back at the computer. Writing, writing, writing.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Bobby, dressed for school, checking his mail.


                                                           25.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice setting the small table.

 

                         ALICE

             Breakfast!

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Bobby listening to an email.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             As you know, in an agent-author

             relationship, the author is

             responsible for postage and other

             specific expenses associated with

             marketing your book. To this end,

             please forward a check for $300,

             which should cover about six

             months of my marketing expenses

             on your wonderful novel. As soon

             as I receive your check, the

             marketing will begin. I don't

             expect it to take long to place it.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - DAY

 

Bobby and Alice eat breakfast. Silence until:

 

                         ALICE

             You're unusually quiet. Anything

             going on?

 

                         BOBBY

             Thinking about my lecture.

 

He may fool Alice but he doesn't fool us.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - BOBBY'S OFFICE - DAY

 

Bobby at his desk. His checkbook out. Should he write it or

not?

 

He puts down the checkbook. He goes to the computer in the

office. Brings up the email program.

 

Typing.


                                                           26.

 

 

                         BOBBY (VO)

             I have a question about your

             request for marketing expenses. I

             was under the impression that the

             standard practice was to deduct

             these from money from the sale

             rather than asking for them up

             front.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby getting the agent's response.

 

                         COMPUTER VOICE

             You are perfectly right! However,

             since my agency is new, at this

             point in time I have no income,

             and I think it is fair if the

             client helps me during this

             transition period by paying for

             specific project-related costs

             upfront. If this is a burden for

             you, of course I can make an

             exception. I want nothing to get

             in the way of our relationship,

             which I expect to be a long one

             to our mutual benefit.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

 

Alice puts down a magazine and gets up from reading.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT

 

Bobby is at the desk, writing a check. Alice enters.

 

Bobby guiltily tries to hide what he is doing.

 

                         ALICE

             I think I'll visit Nancy. She

             hasn't been feeling well.

 

                         BOBBY

             Give her my best.

 

                         ALICE

             What are you doing?

 

                         BOBBY

             Just paying some bills.


                                                           27.

 

 

                         ALICE

             I may be late.

 

She is gone. Bobby finishes the check, rips it out.

 

 

INT. COUNTRY HOME - DEN - NIGHT (LATER)

 

Bobby at the computer.

 

                         BOBBY (VO)

             As the old cliche goes, "check's

             in the mail."

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - GYM - DAY

 

Bobby and Tom playing handball. Both are not in the best of

shape, making it an inept but close game.

 

 

INT. COLLEGE CAMPUS - LOCKER ROOM - DAY

 

Bobby and Tom dress after a shower.

 

                         TOM

             Any word from the agent?

 

                         BOBBY

             She's starting to send out the

             manuscript.

 

                         TOM

             Good. I hope it works out for you.

 

                         BOBBY

             Do you?

 

                         TOM

             Of course I do. What a thing to

             say.

 

                         BOBBY

             I'm sorry. I've been in the

             margins for so long, I can't

             remember who my friends are.

 

                         TOM

             I'm your friend. Remember it.


                                                           28.

 

 

INT. MOTEL - DAY

 

Good enough a friend to bang his wife: Alice and Tom are at

it again.