Frequency Page #22

JOHN:

Didn't happen, we got enough problems

down here.

FRANK:

What are we like in...1998?

JOHN:

(lying)

We're okay...we're good, Dad.

FRANK:

(groping for good news)

Hey, what about the Amazin's? They pull

it off?

JOHN:

You really wanna know?

FRANK:

Yeah, you betcha.

JOHN:

Well, game five was the big one. It

turned in the bottom of the 6th. We were

down 3-0. Cleon Jones gets hit on the

foot - left a scuff mark on the ball.

Clendenon comes up. The count goes to 2

2. High fastball. He nailed it. Weis

slammed a solo shot in the 7th to tie.

Jones and Swoboda scored in the 8th. We

won, Pop.

FRANK:

Wow.

Julia walks into the study.

FRANK (CONT'D)

Hang on a sec, John.

JOHN:

(over the HAM)

You there?

ON FRANK:

realizing something.

FRANK:

Jules, I want you to say hello to

somebody...

(re:
radio)

I'm on with John - that guy I told you

about.

JULIA:

The future guy?

FRANK:

Yeah, but, no kidding around, he's a good

guy, a real good guy...

Sensing that somehow this is important to her husband, Julia

gives in, willing to play along with his radio game. She

shares Frank's chair, he puts his arm around her.

FRANK (CONT'D)

John, say hello to my wife...Julia.

JOHN:

H-hi.

JULIA:

Hey, future boy. Frank tells me you're a

cop?

JOHN:

Yeah, that's right.

Hearing voices, Johnny, Gordo and Elvis wander in from the

family room. They are in their pj's...a sleepover. Julia

gives them a smile, turns back to the radio.

JULIA:

My six year-old here keeps telling me he

wants to be a policeman. Right after he

retires from the majors. We just gave

him a badge and a whistle for his

birthday.

JOHN:

Yeah...I remember.

(smiling)

I used to play cops and robbers but y--

...my mom wouldn't let me have a toy gun.

JULIA:

You're mom sounds like she's got some

smarts.

JOHN:

She's pretty special.

JULIA:

Are you a good cop, John?

JOHN:

I try to be.

JULIA:

Then I'll bet she's real proud of you,

huh?

JOHN:

Yeah. I just wish I'd told her how proud

I was of her.

JULIA:

I'm sorry. I didn't realize...

(beat)

But she knew, John. A mother knows

what's in her son's heart.

Little Gordo reaches for the microphone.

JULIA (CONT'D)

I better go. It's been good talking with

you.

Julia scoops Johnny up, carrying him off to bed. But little

Gordo does not follow...fascinated by the radio.

GORDO:

I wanna talk on the radio.

Frank laughs, as Gordo climbs up on his lab.

GORDO (CONT'D)

This is the Space Cowboy. I'm an

intergalactic traveler from the

Federation planet earth.

JOHN:

Gordo?

GORDO:

How'd you know my name, mister?

John sits back, marvelling at how young Gordo sounds. A

thousand childhood memories playing in his head. And then he

lights up...realizing the opportunity.

JOHN:

Hey, Gordo. My name is Santa Clause.

And I'm gonna give you the biggest

Christmas present you ever had.

Gordo looks at Frank: is this for real? Frank nods, smiling.

GORDO:

I better give you my address then.

JOHN:

Oh don't worry kid, I know where you

live. Now I want you to go upstairs and

write this down, buy Yahoo.

You got that Space Cowboy. Y-a-h-o-o.

It's a magic word and I never want you to

forget it.

GORDO:

You got a deal, mister. I mean Santa.

The sound of Julia's voice calling Gordo to bed. Gordo

scampers out. Static filters through both radios, then...

FRANK:

John, you still there?

JOHN:

I'm right here, Dad.

FRANK:

You all right?

JOHN:

Yeah, I think so...

FRANK:

Don't worry, Chief. I'm not gonna let

anything happen to her...no matter what.

BZZZZ-SHHH. A burst of loud static. The band goes dead.

John takes a beat to come down. He gets up, making his way

into the KITCHEN. There's a half-full bottle of BUSHMILLS on

the counter. John reaches out to grab but the bottle. But

then he stops. It is time to stop. John turns on the faucet

and dumps the booze down the drain.

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