At First Sight Page #19

GUARD (O.S.)

You want to see that the thing work?

VIRGIL:

Thing? What thing?

GUARD:

This thing

The Guard reaches over - hits a switch - and against one section of

windows a wall of water comes dripping down - causing a shower of

indoor rain - the sound instantly echoing off of the walls.

Virgil smiles - moves toward it - closing his eyes - listening to

the indoor rain - really taking in the room having total empathy

with what Amy has created.

INT. AMY'S LOFT - BATHROOM

Virgil, wrapped in a towel, is shaving. But he has his eyes closed.

Amy comes in, dressed beautifully - using the mirror to put her

earrings in. Virgil quickly opens his eyes.

VIRGIL:

You nervous?

AMY:

No - not a bit.

What do you think?

She pivots for him.

VIRGIL:

You look great.

AMY:

Really. Not too flashy?

(she looks in the mirror, she is nervous)

I'm going to change.

Virgil lets her go - calls to her.

VIRGIL:

This is an important night for you.

AMY:

But you know what's most important...

(she pokes her head in)

That you're going to be there to see it.

Virgil turns to the mirror, stares at himself - contemplating what

he's up against.

INT. NEW BUILDING - NIGHT

The lobby is filled with business types, waiters circulating with

champagne, tiny hors-d'oeuvres. Virgil and Amy enter - standing at

the top of the stairs leading to the party. Virgil immediately going

into a performance for Amy.

AMY:

So.

VIRGIL:

Amy, it's good - very good.

I'm proud of you. I love the detail

- planted pots in the corners,

the moldings...

(beat)

It's got genuine lines.

AMY:

(excited)

Look around - do you see it?

VIRGIL:

What?

He looks about the room - then turns towards the indoor rain.

HIS POV - clear - then slight haziness - a momentary flash of black

- then back in focus.

He turns to Amy. Puts his arm around her.

VIRGIL:

Our rain.

AMY:

Your rain.

DUNCAN:

Hey Virgil.

He extends his hand. Virgil, obliged slowly extends his - having

trouble focusing - but Duncan helps him - taking hold of it and

shaking it.

DUNCAN:

Still working on that hand shake

you'll get it don't worry.

VIRGIL:

Congratulations - the place looks great.

DUNCAN:

Thanks - here's the genius though -

I just get the gigs. Can I steal her

away Falks' over there and I can't

tell if he's impressed with our work

or just has gas from the pate.

VIRGIL:

Go - do your thing.

AMY:

I'll be right back. There's food

and drinks down on the floor.

Duncan and Amy start down the stairs as Virgil tries to find a safe

place to stand. His eyesight fading in and out - he looks around -

decides to negotiate the steps:

He takes one step on the stairs - looks down - is able to see Amy

with Falk and Duncan, looking up at him - she smiles - he does his

best - smiles back - lets go of the handrail - takes another step -

finally reaching the bottom floor.

He stands there for a long moment - lost as to where to move. A

glimpse towards the rain sculpture and he starts towards it using

the sound to help guide him.

Amy looks over - sees Virgil moving across the floor - gives him a

little wave - he doesn't notice her.

At the rain Virgil stands taking in the sound. A FIGURE comes up

next to him.

VIRGIL:

Quite a party. Love the detail of the building.

WEBSTER:

Sometimes the detail doesn't matter.

Virgil stops - turns to Webster.

VIRGIL:

Ray. What are you doing here?

WEBSTER:

Aaron called me. He was worried.

I've been trying to find you -

Amy's office told me you were

here. It's bad?

VIRGIL:

It's almost gone. Last few days

have been pretty bad.

WEBSTER:

Obviously Amy doesn't know.

VIRGIL:

It's going to break her heart.

This is her big night - I didn't

want to ruin it. Thought I could

pull it off.

WEBSTER:

(beat)

You can't avoid this forever.

Virgil turns back towards the rain.

VIRGIL:

I know

(beat)

So Ray? Is it better to have seen and

lost than never to have seen at all?

WEBSTER:

I thought it was loved and lost.

Amy comes up to them.

AMY:

Dr. Webster - this is a surprise.

WEBSTER:

Virgil invited me - wanted to show

you off I think. The place is terrific

- he's got every right to be proud.

AMY:

Thank-you. I need Virgil for a

moment - schmoozing time.

WEBSTER:

Shmooze away.

VIRGIL:

(as he's led away)

Thanks Ray. I'll call you.

ANGLE ON - Duncan standing anxiously with Falk and his wife Donna as

they arrive.

AMY:

Virgil - I'd like you to meet Jack

Falk and his wife Donna up from Atlanta.

VIRGIL:

Pleased to meet you.

DONNA:

Amy tells us you were blind.

Amy spurts out a glass of wine. Virgil deflects the comment.

VIRGIL:

That's OK - nice to see someone so honest.

FALK:

Amy tells us you're her inspiration.

Any help you can give us with our project?

VIRGIL:

I'm a little biased but I kind of

liked Amy's original design.

FALK:

But could we do better.

Amy jumps in with.

AMY:

We could do better, Mr. Falk - a lot better.

FALK:

Good, I like that attitude.

Let's keep trying for perfection.

Everyone smiles - Amy wraps her arm around Virgil.

AMY:

That's right - that's

why I've got Virgil.

Pleasant laughter all around - and as Amy and the others continue -

we push in on Virgil as he takes in this thought.

EXT. NEW BUILDING - NIGHT

Virgil and Amy out front. People leaving - Duncan getting into a

town car with Falk and his wife - he looks back - gives the thumbs

up and climbs in after them. The car pulls away into the night.

VIRGIL:

You wanna walk - I feel like some air.

AMY:

See what we see? Sure.

VIRGIL:

Can I take your arm - eyes a little tired.

As they walk.

VIRGIL:

You really made the place

come alive with that fountain.

AMY:

Thank-you.

(beat)

You know I've been thinking - you're doing

so great now - and if we get this new

design job we'd have some extra money

- I think we should go on a big seeing

celebration.

VIRGIL:

(taken aback)

A seeing celebration?

AMY:

Yeah, maybe in a couple of months.

I looked into Egypt - we could see

the pyramids - we could see it

together for the first time.

What do you say?

VIRGIL:

You know - there is something

I'd like to see.

AMY:

Of course, anything.

VIRGIL:

The Rangers play tomorrow. Season'll

be over before we know it - could be

our last chance.

AMY:

The Rangers. Sure, why not?

BLACK:

Then a tiny pinpoint of light ahead - one that grows increasingly

larger as we move towards a SOUND. A hum that grows in intensity

until the light fills the frame and BAM - we exit the tunnel and we

are:

INT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - NIGHT

That glorious first view - people - the white ice shining below like

a giant jewel- and the players - in bright colors scurrying about

the playing surface below.

AMY:

This is amazing - isn't it?

She looks to Virgil who is awed by what he is seeing. Then suddenly

on his face - a flash - one of those moments of darkness.

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