"BLIND DATE"

 

                           by

 

                     Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          3550 SW Pomona St.

                                          Portland, OR 97219-7518


 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

NED moves down the street. He has all the trappings of a

BLIND MAN, i.e. dark glasses, a white, red-tipped walking

stick. He moves cautiously, leading with the stick, just

like a blind man.

 

Just in front of him, a MAN walks. Suddenly the man stops.

Ned immediately stops as well. It's as if he can see.

 

The man looks at his watch, then continues ahead.

 

Ned continues on his way as well.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY

 

KENDALL and CAROL are having coffee at a small table. Both

are young, pretty women. Kendall wears expensive jewelry and

otherwise looks like she has money.

 

                         CAROL

             You know what Joe said? He

             doesn't trust me. He sleeps

             around, and I'm the one who's

             untrustworthy. Go figure.

 

Ned enters the outdoor cafe area.

 

Over Carol's shoulder, Kendall watches him make his careful

way.

 

                         CAROL

             He's always turning the tables

             like that. Who are you looking at?

 

She turns to look.

 

                         KENDALL

             I see him here a lot. I can't

             imagine what it would be like to

             live in darkness.

 

                         CAROL

             Not looking at Joe for the rest

             of my life? Doesn't sound all

             that bad.

 

Ned manages to find a table near the women's. It's empty.

 

                         NED

                  (to anyone)

             Is this table empty?


                                                            2.

 

 

                         KENDALL

             Yes, it is.

 

                         NED

             Thank you.

 

He sits down.

 

                         CAROL

             I need to run an errand. Coming?

 

                         KENDALL

             Go ahead.

 

                         CAROL

             Kendall, if Joe calls you--

 

                         KENDALL

             Why should he call me?

 

                         CAROL

             To find out what I told you. You

             haven't seen me in weeks.

 

                         KENDALL

             He'd never believe it. But I

             don't share our conversations

             with him, Carol.

 

                         CAROL

             Good. Ciao.

 

She leaves.

 

Kendall watches Ned with fascination. Ned finds the cloth

napkin and carefully spreads it in his lap.

 

Kendall still watches him. Ned suddenly smiles.

 

                         NED

             Kendall?

 

She is taken aback to hear him say her name.

 

                         NED

             I can feel you there.

 

                         KENDALL

             Really?

 

                         NED

             Would you like to join me?

 

She hesitates.


                                                            3.

 

 

                         NED

             You've seen me here before,

             haven't you? I recognize your

             perfume. Please join me.

 

                         KENDALL

             I'd like that.

 

She moves to his table.

 

                         KENDALL

             I'm Kendall.

 

                         NED

             I know. I'm Ned.

 

He holds out his hand. She takes it, and they shake hands.

 

Suddenly Ned doesn't let go of her hand. He squeezes it. He

grimaces.

 

                         NED

             Oh, shit. Pardon my French.

 

                         KENDALL

             Is something the matter?

 

                         NED

             I can't believe I did this.

 

                         KENDALL

             What?

 

                         NED

             I forgot to take my medicine this

             morning. I'm going to need a

             favor here.

 

                         KENDALL

             What can I do?

 

                         NED

             I need to get horizontal. Just

             until the dizziness passes.

 

                         KENDALL

             Should I call an ambulance?

 

                         NED

             Heavens, no! This happens all the

             time. I just need to lie down for

             a moment. There's a park around

             the corner, and the bench there

             will do fine. Will you help me?


                                                            4.

 

 

He tries to get to his feet. Kendall hurries up and helps him.

 

                         KENDALL

             I think I should call someone.

 

                         NED

             No, no. I'll be fine as soon as I

             lie down and take my medicine.

 

A WAIT PERSON hurries over.

 

                         WAIT PERSON

             Is everything okay?

 

                         NED

             We're going to be fine.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Kendall is helping Ned down the street. They are approaching

an apartment building near the cafe.

 

                         NED

             This is my fault. I really feel

             stupid.

 

                         KENDALL

             Listen, I live right here. Why

             don't you come in and lie down?

 

                         NED

             I don't want to put you to any

             trouble.

 

                         KENDALL

             It's no trouble at all.

 

                         NED

             Kendall, you're very sweet.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Kendall helps Ned into her apartment.

 

                         KENDALL

             You can use the bed.

 

                         NED

             Don't be silly. You must have a

             couch or something?

 

                         KENDALL

             The bed's more comfortable.


                                                            5.

 

 

                         NED

             A couch is fine.

 

She leads him to a divan. He stretches out.

 

                         KENDALL

             Would you like some water?

 

                         NED

             In a minute. Sit down.

 

The offer takes Kendall aback. He gestures that she should

sit next to him on the edge of the couch.

 

                         NED

             Here. Please.

 

She sits.

 

                         NED

             Are you always so helpful?

 

                         KENDALL

             Well, I don't often ...

 

                         NED

             You just help blind people?

 

                         KENDALL

             I didn't mean that.

 

                         NED

             I know.

 

He reaches out for her. Kendall nervously watches his hand

find her face.

 

                         NED

             Do you mind?

 

                         KENDALL

                  (not sure)

             No.

 

He carefully feels her face. He is gentle, sensuous.

 

                         NED

             I knew you'd be beautiful.

 

                         KENDALL

             Your hand tells you that?

 

                         NED

             My hand tells me everything.


                                                            6.

 

 

The moment is too uncomfortable for Kendall, and she stands.

 

                         KENDALL

             Would you like some water?

 

                         NED

             Thank you. I'll take my medicine

             and be out of here in a jiff.

 

                         KENDALL

             I didn't mean to imply--

 

                         NED

             It's okay, Kendall.

 

                         KENDALL

             I'll get water.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Kendall takes a deep breath at the sink. She pours herself a

glass of water and drinks it.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Kendall returns with a glass of water. Ned is sitting up on

the couch. He holds an empty vial of prescription medicine.

 

                         NED

             More bad news.

 

                         KENDALL

             What is it?

 

                         NED

             I'm out of my medicine. I have to

             get to a drug store and get my

             prescription filled. I have it on

             me.

 

                         KENDALL

             Are you okay to move?

 

                         NED

             Not really. I'm going to need

             your help again. I feel like such

             a burden.

 

                         KENDALL

             Don't be ridiculous. Give me your

             prescription.

 

                         NED

             I don't want to--


                                                            7.

 

 

                         KENDALL

             Ned, give it to me. I'll be back

             in half an hour.

 

                         NED

             You're an angel.

 

He hands her a slip of paper, the prescription.

 

                         KENDALL

             Do you want the water now?

 

                         NED

             I'll wait.

 

                         KENDALL

             I'll put it on the table beside

             the couch. To your right.

 

She puts the water down.

 

                         NED

             I insist on buying you dinner for

             this.

 

                         KENDALL

             Dinner would be nice. I'll be

             right back.

 

She exits.

 

Ned sits, listening. Then he stands. He moves without his

walking stick to the window and looks down. He watches

Kendall leave the building.

 

Ned takes off his dark glasses. His eyes are clear. He isn't

blind.

 

He reaches into his sportscoat and brings out a folded cloth

bag. He snaps it open.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Ned empties Kendall's jewelry box into the bag.

 

INT. DRUGSTORE - COUNTER - DAY

 

A PHARMACIST is looking at the prescription. Kendall waits

at the counter.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             Is this for you?


                                                            8.

 

 

                         KENDALL

             For a friend. Is there a problem?

 

                         PHARMACIST

             I've never heard of this.

 

                         KENDALL

             It's for someone who is blind.

             He's feeling dizzy.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             Let me call the physician.

 

He leaves. Kendall looks nervous.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned takes more valuables and puts them in the bag.

 

INT. DRUGSTORE - COUNTER - DAY

 

The pharmacist returns.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             This number is no longer in

             service.

 

A light bulb goes on over Kendall's head.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Kendall races down the street to her apartment.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

She rushes in.

 

The apartment is empty.

 

                         KENDALL

             Ned?

 

She sees something missing on a mantel. She rushes to the

spot.

 

She looks around wildly, looking for what else is missing.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

She hurries into the bedroom. This is where most of the

damage has been done.

 

She sees her empty jewel box. She closes her eyes.


                                                            9.

 

 

INT. BAR - NIGHT

 

Kendall and Carol sit at a table over drinks.

 

                         KENDALL

             How could I have been so gullible?

 

                         CAROL

             Don't torture yourself. If you

             can't trust a blind man, who the

             hell can you trust?

 

                         KENDALL

             He probably planned this for

             weeks. I mean, he's been at that

             cafe every day for almost a month.

             I bet he was just setting me up

             the whole time.

 

                         CAROL

             You have to admire his creativity.

 

                         KENDALL

             Carol!

 

                         CAROL

             In a perverted sort of way.

 

                         KENDALL

             I feel like I've been violated. I

             feel like I've been raped.

 

SUPER: "SIX MONTHS LATER"

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Kendall walks down the street with a sack of groceries.

 

Across the street is the sidewalk cafe. Kendall stops,

noticing something.

 

Ned is sitting alone at a table. He's wearing dark glasses

and the walking stick leans against the table.  Kendall

can't believe her eyes.

 

Still holding the sack of groceries, she maneuvers her cell

phone out of her purse. She punches a number with one hand.

 

                         KENDALL

             Get to the cafe ASAP. I'm across

             the street. ... Carol, it's an

             emergency. ... It's too

             complicated to explain on the

             phone. Just get here!


                                                           10.

 

 

She hangs up.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY

 

Ned sips coffee at his table. At a table nearby, A YOUNG

WOMAN studies him curiously.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET ACROSS FROM CAFE - DAY

 

Kendall still spies on Ned. Carol arrives.

 

                         CAROL

             This better be good.

 

                         KENDALL

             That's him. Sitting alone, in the

             dark glasses.

 

                         CAROL

             Who? You've been stalking someone?

             Is he cute?

 

                         KENDALL

             The burglar! The phony blind man!

 

                         CAROL

             Oh my God ...

 

Now she looks with renewed interest.

 

                         CAROL

             What are you going to do?

 

                         KENDALL

             I don't know.

 

                         CAROL

             Call the cops.

 

                         KENDALL

             A lot they did the first time.

 

Ned gets up and prepares to go.

 

                         KENDALL

             He's leaving. I'm following him.

 

                         CAROL

             Are you crazy?

 

                         KENDALL

             Here.

 

She hands the sack of groceries to Carol.


                                                           11.

 

 

                         KENDALL

             I'll pick them up on my way home.

 

                         CAROL

             You're out of your mind!

 

Ned heads off down the street, making his way like a blind

man. Kendall follows from across the street.

 

                         CAROL

                  (after her)

             This could be dangerous!

 

Kendall ignores her.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Ned continues making his "blind man's way" down the street.

Kendall follows him from across the street.

 

At a corner, she crosses and starts following behind him.

 

Suddenly Ned hails a cab. He gets in.

 

The cab takes off as Kendall runs up. She hails a cab herself.

 

The cab swerves to the curb.

 

INT. CAB - DAY

 

Kendall opens the door and gets in.

 

                         KENDALL

             Follow that cab!

 

                         CABBY

             Lady, you know how many times a

             day I hear that?

 

EXT. /INT. VARIOUS STREETS - DAY

 

One cab follows the other. Kendall leans forward, nervous,

winging it here.

 

EXT. NYC - ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

 

Ned's cab pulls to the curb.

 

INT. KENDALL'S CAB - DAY

 

Kendall leans forward.

 

                         KENDALL

             Stop here!


                                                           12.

 

 

EXT. NYC - ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

 

Ned enters an apartment building.

 

Kendall gets out of her cab and cautiously follows him into

the building.

 

INT. NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

Kendall enters just as Ned disappears into a room down a

long hallway. She slowly moves forward.

 

The door suddenly opens. Kendall turns her back at a door,

pretending to be looking for her key.

 

Down the hallway Ned comes out of the apartment along with

HIS WIFE and A BOY. They start down the hallway toward

Kendall.

 

Kendall keeps her back turned, digging through her purse.

The family passes her.

 

                         BOY

             Dad, can we get pizza?

 

                         NED

             Pizza, it is.

 

Kendall waits until they are out of the building. She turns

around and takes a deep breath.

 

INT. POLICE DEPT - OFFICE - DAY

 

A POLICE DETECTIVE wearing a civilian suit sits at a desk.

He is looking at a form. Across the desk sits Kendall.

 

                         POLICE DETECTIVE

             Let me ask you -- can you prove

             this is the guy? I mean more than

             your opinion. Does he have

             something of yours, that you can

             prove is yours?

 

                         KENDALL

             I don't know. He may have sold

             everything.

 

                         POLICE DETECTIVE

             Like I told you six months ago,

             most of these guys, we can't

             build a case strong enough.

 

                         KENDALL

             So what do I do?


                                                           13.

 

 

                         POLICE DETECTIVE

             You move on.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Carol walks Kendall home. Kendall is carrying her sack of

groceries.

 

                         CAROL

             I mean, look at the murders they

             can't solve. Burglars are a low

             priority.

 

                         KENDALL

             I can't let him get away with it.

 

                         CAROL

             Maybe he's right, you should move

             on. You were doing great until

             you saw him.

 

                         KENDALL

             He's setting up someone else. I

             think I know who it is.

 

                         CAROL

             Who?

 

                         KENDALL

             She was at a table nearby. I've

             seen her around lately, she must

             be new in the neighborhood. She

             wears good jewelry.

 

                         CAROL

             I've never seen this side of you

             before. The Sherlock Holmes

             complex.

 

They reach Kendall's apartment.

 

                         KENDALL

             Want to come in?

 

                         CAROL

             I'm having a drink with someone.

 

                         KENDALL

             Joe?

 

Carol sheepishly nods.


                                                           14.

 

 

                         KENDALL

             Carol, I thought you were through

             with him.

 

                         CAROL

             Guess not.

 

                         KENDALL

             This is sick. You're addicted to

             him.

 

                         CAROL

             Look who's talking.

 

                         KENDALL

             Justice is not an addiction.

 

                         CAROL

             It feels more like revenge.

 

Kendall starts inside.

 

                         CAROL

             Kendall? Don't do anything crazy.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

 

Kendall looks at herself in the mirror. She seems to be

trying to picture herself as someone else.

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

as Kendall goes shopping at various stores for a "makeover."

 

1. She tries on various wigs and chooses one.

 

2. She models clothing that is much "slinkier" than anything

she would normally wear.

 

3. She tries on a different brand of perfume.

 

4. Back at home, she administers a different style of makeup.

 

INT. KENDALL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

 

She stands before the mirror again, completely madeover. She

has less class, more flamboyance.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY

 

Kendall, in her makeover, sits at a table. She spies on Ned

and the young woman, who sit across the way.


                                                           15.

 

 

Carol enters the area and looks around. Not finding Kendall,

she leaves.

 

Kendall smiles slightly, happy that her disguise is working.

 

She goes back to spying.

 

At the other table, Ned stands up and the young woman

hurries around the table to help him.

 

Kendall perks up -- she's seen this M.O. before.

 

The young woman helps Ned out of the cafe. Kendall puts

money on the table and gets up to follow.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

The young woman helps Ned make his way. Kendall follows at a

distance.

 

They enter an apartment building.

 

Kendall stations herself outside the building, waiting.

 

She takes her cell phone out of her purse. She starts to

punch a number but changes her mind. She waits.

 

She looks at her watch. She's impatient. She starts to punch

a number on the phone again but stops when the front door

opens. The young woman comes out.

 

The young woman hurries by, carrying a small slip of paper,

the prescription.

 

Kendall punches 911.

 

                         KENDALL

             I want to report a burglary in

             progress.

 

INT. NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

Kendall comes into the building. Where could he be? She

waits at the end of the hallway.

 

Kendall goes to the mailboxes, reading the names. Nothing

gives her a clue where he is.

 

She takes a deep breath and moves for the door.

 

EXT. NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

Kendall comes outside again. She waits on the porch. She

looks at her watch.


                                                           16.

 

 

INT. NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

A door opens down the hallway, and Ned comes out. He carries

his cloth sack of stolen goodies. He hurries down the

hallway for the door.

 

EXT. NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

Ned comes out -- and runs smack into Kendall. She holds up a

can of mace. With one hand she grabs off his dark glasses,

and with the other she gives him a good spray, right in the

eyes.

 

Ned yells out in pain. Kendall backs off.

 

Ned drops the sack of stolen goodies. His hands go to his

eyes.

 

                         NED

             I can't see! I can't see!

 

A police car skids to the curb. Officers get out.

 

                         NED

             I'm blind, I can't see!

 

Ned holds out his arms like a man terrified of his near

surroundings, a man terrified of darkness.

 

The cops come forward to arrest him.

 

Kendall watches, smiling.

 

FADE OUT