Blast from the Past Page #11

ADAM:

Yes, ma'am.

They hug.

HELEN:

Oh, there's also a thing called a

liquor store. Write that down.

INT. ADAM'S ROOM - AN HOUR LATER

He is packing. He looks at his cigar box and opens it. He

studies the contents: The Cards, stock certificates, and

an old photo of his parents. He decides to pack the box.

Helen enters with a long shopping list.

HELEN:

Here's the shopping list and $3,000

which should take care of everything.

ADAM:

Yes, ma'am.

HELEN:

Your father has a few final words for

you. You know, he'd fight a buzz saw

for you - he loves you so much. We

both do.

ADAM:

Heck, I know that mom! You're my

parents.

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Adam sets down his suitcase and goes to his father's bed.

He sits. At the door, Helen dries her eyes with her

apron. Calvin indicates that he wants to whisper to

Adam, who drops his ear close to his father's lips.

CALVIN:

Adam...don't forget...don't forget ...

ADAM:

Yes, father?! Yes?

CALVIN:

...the pipe tobacco.

ADAM:

Yes, sir. Is that all?

Calvin nods. Adam rises and starts for the door. But

Calvin remembers something and beckons him back to speak

weakly into his son's ear.

CALVIN:

Also...stay out of the "Adult

Bookstore."

ADAM:

Adult Bookstore. Why?

CALVIN:

Poison gas. Invisible. Don't forget.

ADAM:

I promise. Is that all?

CALVIN:

One more thing. If you find a healthy

young woman, bring her back with you.

ADAM:

I'll try.

And then Calvin closes his eyes and sleeps.

INT. MALT SHOP - SAME DAY

The Soda Jerk has turned the rear exit into a religious

shrine. He's put flowers and candles and costume jewelry

and religious icons (from all the Majors) on top of and

around the broken cement. Currently he's on his knees,

rocking back and forth as he prays.

And,lo! There came a rumbling even as from the very

bowels of the earth and a great light showed forth

followed by gates of armor which opened and shut and

delivered up the vision of a young man whose countenance

caused the Soda Jerk to be struck dumb and to fall on his

face and to weep in fear. And, Adam, taking pity on the

man, put down his suitcase, and went to him, saying:

ADAM:

Are you all right?

SODA JERK:

Yes! Yes! Oh, Lord! Yes, oh, yes!

But where is the one who came last

night -- all in yellow?!

ADAM:

All in yellow? Oh! That was my

father!

SODA JERK:

Ooooohhhh!! Of course! The father!

Forgive me!! Can you forgive me for

my wasted life?! Everything has been

so awful!!

ADAM:

(comforting him)

I know it has been terrible. But it

wasn't your fault. And now all the

decay is over with and things are

going to get better. You understand?

SODA JERK:

Yes.

ADAM:

I've got to go, now.

SODA JERK:

Of course you do. I'll stay here and

pray.

ADAM:

(picking up his suitcase)

That's always a good idea! Would you

like some money? I have a great deal

of it.

SODA JERK:

No. I don't need money anymore -- I

see that now.

ADAM:

How do I leave here?

SODA JERK:

The front door is open. Will you be

back?

ADAM:

I promise.

Adam turns and leaves. The Soda Jerk falls to his knees

and shakes all over.

EXT. MALT SHOP - CONTINUOUS

Adam steps out onto the sidewalk and sunlight falls on

him much brighter than anything he has ever seen. He

looks at it on the arm of his coat and then, slowly, he

looks up at the sky.

INTERCUT - LOVELY CLOUDS AND BLUE SKY

And now it is Adam who is dumbstruck. BYSTANDER #1

appears and sees Adam looking up.

BYSTANDER #1

What? What is it?!

ADAM:

The sky!!!

BYSTANDER #1

The sky? Where?

ADAM:

(pointing)

Up there!!

BYSTANDER #1

I don't see anything!

ADAM:

Just look!!

Adam becomes momentarily interested in a parking meter.

A MOTHER and her CHILD approach from the other direction.

WOMAN:

What is it!

BYSTANDER #1

(pointing)

He sees something.

MOTHER:

What?

CHILD:

I see it, mommy!

BYSTANDER #2

Where?!

Several more people are drawn over. A CONVERTIBLE goes by

in the foreground with passengers who are looking up.

WOMAN:

What is it?

ADAM:

I have never in my life seen anything

like this!!!! Nothing even comes

close!!

Adam continues down the sidewalk,looking up. A BLACK

WOMAN POSTAL WORKER passes by.

POSTAL WORKER:

Whatcha looking at?

ADAM:

Oh, my holy stars! A Negro!

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