"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
ALLIE
and CAROL are having coffee at a small table. Both are
young,
pretty women. Allie 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, Allie watches him make his careful way.
CAROL
He's always turning the tables
like that. Who are you looking
at?
She
turns to look.
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
Yes, it is.
NED
Thank you.
He
sits down.
CAROL
I need to run an errand. Coming?
ALLIE
Go ahead.
CAROL
Allie, if Joe calls you--
ALLIE
Why should he call me?
CAROL
To find out what I told you. You
haven't seen me in weeks.
ALLIE
He'd never believe it. But I
don't share our conversations
with him, Carol.
CAROL
Good. Ciao.
She
leaves.
Allie
watches Ned with fascination. Ned finds the cloth
napkin
and carefully spreads it in his lap.
Allie
still watches him. Ned suddenly smiles.
NED
Allie?
She
is taken aback to hear him say her name.
NED
I can feel you there.
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
I'd like that.
She
moves to his table.
ALLIE
I'm Allie.
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.
ALLIE
Is something the matter?
NED
I can't believe I did this.
ALLIE
What?
NED
I forgot to take my medicine this
morning. I'm going to need a
favor here.
ALLIE
What can I do?
NED
I need to get horizontal. Just
until the dizziness passes.
ALLIE
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. Allie hurries up and helps him.
ALLIE
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
Allie
is helping Ned down the street. They are approaching
an
apartment building near the cafe.
NED
This is my fault. I really feel
stupid.
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
It's no trouble at all.
NED
Allie, you're very sweet.
INT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Allie
helps Ned into her apartment.
ALLIE
You can use the bed.
NED
Don't be silly. You must have a
couch or something?
ALLIE
The bed's more comfortable.
5.
NED
A couch is fine.
She
leads him to a divan. He stretches out.
ALLIE
Would you like some water?
NED
In a minute. Sit down.
The
offer takes Allie 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?
ALLIE
Well, I don't often ...
NED
You just help blind people?
ALLIE
I didn't mean that.
NED
I know.
He
reaches out for her. Allie nervously watches his hand
find
her face.
NED
Do you mind?
ALLIE
(not sure)
No.
He
carefully feels her face. He is gentle, sensuous.
NED
I knew you'd be beautiful.
ALLIE
Your hand tells you that?
6.
NED
My hand tells me everything. It
tells me you're nervous now.
Don't you know you're beautiful?
ALLIE
(changing subject)
Shouldn't you be taking your
medicine?
NED
(ignoring question)
Do you like to dance?
ALLIE
What?
NED
I'm an excellent dancer. How
about you?
ALLIE
I can hold my own.
NED
Good. Maybe we can go sometime. I
love your perfume, by the way.
The
moment is too uncomfortable for Allie, and she stands.
ALLIE
Are you sure you don't want some
water?
NED
You're right. I'll take my
medicine and be out of here in a
jiff.
ALLIE
I didn't mean to imply--
NED
It's okay, Allie.
ALLIE
I'll get water.
INT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
Allie
takes a deep breath at the sink. She pours herself a
glass
of water and drinks it.
7.
INT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Allie
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.
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
Are you okay to move?
NED
Not really. I'm going to need
your help again. I feel like such
a burden.
ALLIE
Don't be ridiculous. Give me your
prescription.
NED
I don't want to--
ALLIE
Ned, give it to me. I'll be back
in half an hour.
NED
You're an angel.
He
holds out a slip of paper, the prescription. When she
take
it, he gently takes her wrist and pulls her forward. He
kisses
her on the cheek.
NED
For your trouble.
Allie
almost blushes.
ALLIE
I'll put it on the table beside
the couch. To your right.
She
puts the water down.
8.
NED
I insist on buying you dinner for
this. Maybe we could go dancing.
ALLIE
Dinner would be nice.
NED
Do you tango?
She
has to smile.
ALLIE
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.
EXT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Allie
comes out of the apartment. She looks relaxed, happy.
She
hurries down the street.
Above
at the window, Ned is looking down at her.
INT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
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.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Ned
empties Allie's jewelry box into the bag.
INT.
DRUGSTORE - COUNTER - DAY
A
PHARMACIST is looking at the prescription. Allie waits at
the
counter.
PHARMACIST
Is this for you?
ALLIE
For a friend. Is there a problem?
PHARMACIST
I've never heard of this.
9.
ALLIE
It's for someone who is blind.
He's feeling dizzy.
PHARMACIST
Let me call the physician.
He
leaves. Allie looks nervous.
INT.
ALLIE'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 Allie's head.
EXT.
NYC - STREET - DAY
Allie
races down the street to her apartment.
INT.
ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY
She
rushes in.
The
apartment is empty.
ALLIE
Ned?
She
sees something missing on a mantel. She rushes to the
spot.
She
looks around wildly, looking for what else is missing.
INT.
ALLIE'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.
INT.
BAR - NIGHT
Allie
and Carol sit at a table over drinks.
ALLIE
How could I have been so
gullible?
10.
CAROL
Don't torture yourself. If you
can't trust a blind man, who the
hell can you trust?
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
Carol!
CAROL
In a perverted sort of way.
ALLIE
I feel like I've been violated. I
feel like I've been raped.
SUPER:
"SIX MONTHS LATER"
EXT.
NYC - DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD - STREET - DAY
Allie
has moved. She walks down the street with a sack of
groceries.
Across
the street is another sidewalk cafe. Allie stops,
noticing
something.
Ned
is sitting alone at a table. He's wearing dark glasses
and
the walking stick leans against the table.
Allie 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.
ALLIE
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!
She
hangs up.
11.
EXT.
NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY
Ned
sips coffee at his table. At a table nearby, A YOUNG
WOMAN
studies him curiously.
EXT.
NYC - STREET ACROSS FROM CAFE #2 - DAY
Allie
still spies on Ned. Carol arrives.
CAROL
This better be good.
ALLIE
That's him. Sitting alone, in the
dark glasses.
CAROL
Who? You've been stalking
someone?
Is he cute?
ALLIE
The burglar! The phony blind man!
CAROL
Oh my God ...
Now
she looks with renewed interest.
CAROL
What are you going to do?
ALLIE
I don't know.
CAROL
Call the cops.
ALLIE
A lot they did the first time.
Ned
gets up and prepares to go.
ALLIE
He's leaving. I'm following him.
CAROL
Are you crazy?
ALLIE
Here.
She
hands the sack of groceries to Carol.
12.
ALLIE
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.
Allie follows from across the street.
CAROL
(after her)
This could be dangerous!
Allie
ignores her.
EXT.
NYC - STREET - DAY
Ned
continues making his "blind man's way" down the street.
Allie
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 Allie runs up. She hails a cab herself.
The
cab swerves to the curb.
INT.
CAB - DAY
Allie
opens the door and gets in.
ALLIE
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. Allie leans forward, nervous,
winging
it here.
EXT.
NYC - ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
Ned's
cab pulls to the curb.
INT.
ALLIE'S CAB - DAY
Allie
leans forward.
ALLIE
Stop here!
13.
EXT.
NYC - ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
Ned
enters an apartment building.
Allie
gets out of her cab and cautiously follows him into
the
building.
INT.
NYC - APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
Allie
enters just as Ned disappears into a room down a long
hallway.
She slowly moves forward.
The
door suddenly opens. Allie 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 Allie.
Allie
keeps her back turned, digging through her purse. The
family
passes her.
BOY
Dad, can we get pizza?
NED
Pizza, it is.
Allie
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 Allie.
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?
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
So what do I do?
14.
POLICE DETECTIVE
You move on.
EXT.
NYC - STREET - DAY
Carol
walks Allie home. Allie is carrying her sack of
groceries.
CAROL
I mean, look at the murders they
can't solve. Burglars are a low
priority.
ALLIE
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.
ALLIE
He's setting up someone else. I
think I know who it is.
CAROL
Who?
ALLIE
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 Carol's Apartment.
ALLIE
Want to come in?
CAROL
I'm having a drink with someone.
ALLIE
Joe?
Carol
sheepishly nods.
15.
ALLIE
Carol, I thought you were through
with him.
CAROL
Guess not.
ALLIE
This is sick. You're addicted to
him.
CAROL
Look who's talking.
ALLIE
Justice is not an addiction.
CAROL
It feels more like revenge.
ALLIE
I know what I'm doing. I need a
favor.
CAROL
No.
ALLIE
Carol!
CAROL
What?
ALLIE
I need to borrow your apartment.
Don't ask me why, you'll
disapprove. I'm your best friend.
That's reason enough to say yes.
... Carol?
CAROL
(weakly)
Yes.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY
Allie
looks at herself in the mirror. She seems to be trying
to
picture herself as someone else.
A
SERIES OF SHOTS
as
Allie goes shopping at various stores for a "makeover."
1.
She tries on various wigs and chooses one.
16.
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.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY
She
stands before the mirror again, completely madeover. She
has
less class, more flamboyance.
EXT.
NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY
Allie,
in her makeover, sits at a table. The young woman
from
before is sitting nearby.
Ned
enters the area. Allie goes to him.
ALLIE
There's an empty table this way.
She
takes his hand and leads him to a table. The young woman
watches
with interest. Allie stares at her.
EXT.
SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - TABLE - DAY
They
reach an empty table.
ALLIE
Here we go.
NED
Thank you so much. I love your
perfume.
ALLIE
Would you mind of I join you?
NED
I'd like that.
Both
sit down.
A
SERIES OF SHOTS
of
Allie and Ned getting to know one another over the next
hour.
Talking, laughing. Allie is touching him a lot, very
flirtatious.
Then
Ned tries to stand, becomes weak, and Allie rushes
around
the table as she did the first time.
17.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Allie
leads Ned into her apartment.
NED
Nancy, you're so sweet.
ALLIE
The divan is straight ahead. I'll
get you a glass of water so you
can take your medicine.
NED
I'm actually feeling a little
better--
But
she's already gone. Ned makes his way to the divan and
sits
down.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY
Allie
pours a glass of water. She's looking very devious.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Allie
returns with the water.
ALLIE
Where's your medicine?
Ned
takes out the empty vial.
NED
I don't believe this.
ALLIE
Do you have a prescription? I'll
get you a refill. It won't take
long.
NED
Are you sure?
ALLIE
No problem.
NED
You're so sweet to me. I'll only
do this if you let me take you to
dinner.
ALLIE
I'd love it. Do you like to
dance?
18.
NED
I love to dance.
ALLIE
I do a mean tango.
NED
Really?
ALLIE
The prescription?
NED
Oh ...
He
takes it out and hands it to her.
EXT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY
Allie
comes out but waits on the porch. She takes a deep
breath.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ned
gets up and takes off his glasses. He looks around. No
window
overlooking the front of the building this time.
He
takes out the cloth sack and snaps it open.
EXT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY
Allie
looks at her watch.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Ned
empties Carol's jewel box into the sack.
EXT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY
Allie
takes out her cell phone. She punches 911.
ALLIE
I want to report a burglary in
progress.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ned
empties other valuables into the sack.
EXT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY
SIRENS
are heard in the distance. Allie enters the building.
19.
INT.
CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ned
is just finishing up.
Suddenly
the door opens and Allie enters. Ned is caught with
the
bag in his hand, his glasses off, his eyes clear.
ALLIE
Ned?
NED
You step aside, Nancy, and no one
will get hurt here.
Allie
takes out a small calibre pistol from her purse.
ALLIE
I called the police.
Ned
stops, cognizant of the gun. He studies her.
NED
How did you know?
Allie
pulls off her wig.
ALLIE
Recognize me? It was at a cafe
across town, six months ago.
NED
What's your name?
ALLIE
Allie.
NED
That's why I recognized the
perfume.
ALLIE
This scam of yours is about as
low as it gets. Why can't you
just rob people like normal
crooks? You have to get a
person's
sympathy first?
NED
I don't know what to tell you,
Allie.
ALLIE
They're going to put you away for
a long time.
20.
NED
Well, I hear the jails are pretty
crowded. Do you mind if I sit
down while we're waiting?
ALLIE
The police are already on their
way. Go ahead.
NED
Thank you.
In
his gesture to sit down, Ned suddenly slings the sack of
goodies
at Allie. She is startled enough for him to grab her
and
take the gun away.
He
twists her arm behind her back.
ALLIE
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.
MARY'S APT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ned
still has the gun on Allie and leads her to the door. He
also
has retrieved the sack of goodies.
ALLIE
Where are we going?
NED
You're my ticket out of here.
EXT.
APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
The
police officer starts up the stairs.
The
door opens. Ned and Allie come outside.
NED
Back off!
The
officer does so.
NED
No one has to get hurt here ...
21.
He's
leading Allie down the stairs. Allie surreptitiously
reaches
into her purse for something.
Another
police car pulls to the curb. Two other policemen
rush
out.
Ned
is distracted, and Allie takes advantage of the moment
to
swing around and spray him with a can of mace. She keeps
spraying,
getting Ned in the face.
Ned
drops the gun and 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!
Allie
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.
Allie
watches, smiling.
EXT.
NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY
Allie
sits at a table. Carol and JOE are standing.
Carol
shows
off a diamond engagement ring.
ALLIE
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 Allie)
Bring someone to the party.
22.
ALLIE
I'll just come alone.
CAROL
(to Joe)
We need to fix her up.
ALLIE
You need to do no such thing.
CAROL
I'll call you. Have you ever seen
me so happy?
And
they are gone.
Allie
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!
ALLIE
That's all right ...
BLIND MAN
You're sure?
ALLIE
I'm fine.
BLIND MAN
At least let me buy you a cup of
coffee.
Allie
freezes. She studies him. He's nice looking. But is he
sincere?
BLIND MAN
Please.
The
blind man smiles. Allie still doesn't answer.
FADE
OUT