"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. She carries a small slip of
paper,
the prescription.
Kendall
steps in front of her.
KENDALL
Sally? It's Kendall Price. God,
it's been a long time.
YOUNG WOMAN
I'm sorry, you're mistaking me
for someone else.
KENDALL
You're not Sally Hawkins?
YOUNG WOMAN
I'm Mary McDonald and, I'm sorry,
I'm in a hurry.
She
rushes off.
Kendall
punches 911.
16.
KENDALL
I want to report a burglary in
progress.
INT.
NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
Kendall
comes into the building. She goes to the mailboxes,
reading
the names. She finds Mary McDonald.
She
takes a deep breath and moves down the hallway.
INT.
MARY'S APT - BEDROOM - DAY
Ned
empties the contents of a jewelry box into his sack.
INT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
Kendall
approaches the door. She listens. She tries the
handle.
The
door opens.
INT.
MARY'S APT - BEDROOM - DAY
Ned
hears something. He freezes.
INT.
MARY'S APT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Kendall
slowly enters the apartment. She looks like she
knows
she made a mistake being there.
She
turns to go.
NED
May I help you?
Kendall
turns. She faces Ned. His glasses are off, and this
is
the first time she's seen his face.
KENDALL
I'm sorry. I was looking for
Mary.
NED
She went on an errand.
KENDALL
Well, tell her Kendall dropped
by.
NED
Have we met?
A
pause. Kendall looks like her mind is racing.
17.
KENDALL
Actually we have.
NED
Remind me.
KENDALL
Six months ago. Same cafe.
NED
Ah, yes. You recognized me. And
what? Followed me here?
Superwoman
wants her revenge?
KENDALL
You're pretty stupid to operate
in the same neighborhood.
NED
Not as stupid as you are to
follow me.
He
hurries forward to grab her but Kendall darts away.
There's
a brief chase around the room before Ned catches her.
He
twists her arm behind her back.
KENDALL
You're hurting me.
NED
Not half as hurt as you'll be if
you try anything.
EXT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
A
police car skids to a stop in front of the building. A
POLICE
OFFICER gets out.
INT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
The
police officer enters. He hasn't a clue where to go.
INT.
MARY'S APT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ned
still has a grip on Kendall and leads her to the door.
KENDALL
Where are we going?
NED
You're my ticket out of here --
just in case.
18.
INT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
The
police officer slowly moves down the hallway.
A
door opens. Ned pushes Kendall out into the hallway.
The
policeman draws his gun.
POLICE OFFICER
Freeze!
Ned
maneuvers Kendall in front of him as a shield.
NED
Back off! I won't hurt her if you
back off.
The
police officer hesitates. He's still pointing the gun.
NED
Back off now!
The
police officer lowers the gun and backs up.
Ned
leads Kendall along down the hallway.
NED
Move against the wall.
The
police officer does so.
Ned
and Kendall approach. Ned keeps Kendall between him and
the
officer, like a shield.
NED
She's coming with me. I'll let
her go in ten minutes if you
don't follow.
EXT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
The
door opens. Ned and Kendall come outside.
Before
they get down the stairs, another police car pulls to
the
curb.
Ned
is distracted, and Kendall takes advantage of the moment
to
pull away from him. She quickly takes a can of mace out
of
her purse and sprays him.
Once
he is distracted by the first spray, she gets him in
the
eyes.
19.
Ned
drops the sack of stolen goodies. His hands go to his
eyes.
NED
I can't see!
A
police officer moves forward, gun drawn.
POLICE OFFICER #2
Out of the way, lady!
Kendall
moves out of the way.
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
police officer comes forward to arrest him.
Kendall
watches, smiling.
EXT.
NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY
Kendall
sits at a table. Carol and JOE are standing.
Carol
shows
off a diamond engagement ring.
KENDALL
It's beautiful.
CAROL
And authentic.
JOE
I'd be a dead man to try and slip
a phony stone past this one.
CAROL
Oh, you.
(to Kendall)
Bring someone to the party.
KENDALL
I'll just come alone.
CAROL
(to Joe)
We need to fix her up.
KENDALL
You need to do no such thing.
20.
CAROL
I'll call you. Have you ever seen
me so happy?
And
they are gone.
Kendall
finishes her coffee. She stands up to go.
Turning,
she runs smack into A BLIND MAN. He almost knocks
her
down.
BLIND MAN
I'm so sorry!
KENDALL
That's all right ...
BLIND MAN
You're sure?
KENDALL
I'm fine.
BLIND MAN
At least let me buy you a cup of
coffee.
Kendall
freezes. She studies him. He's nice looking. But is
he
sincere?
BLIND MAN
Please.
The
blind man smiles. Kendall still doesn't answer.
FADE
OUT