Kate and Leopold Page #9

---

An elderly, overly made up dance instructor enters. She claps

her hands together loudly.

INSTRUCTOR:

All right, kids. Pair up!

The men slick back their hair. The women straighten their

gowns. Kate stands to the side, self-consciously studying

the floor.

The men take their places on the dance floor. They flick

their hand twice, inviting their women to dance. Cooly,

elegantly, the women approach their partners. After a while

Kate looks up, relieved. She stands alone. Ballroom music

plays.

The couples effortlessly shift between steps and turns. Kate

dances with an imaginary partner, stumbling, more than a

beat behind, counting, animated, a concentrated YEARNING

look spread across her face.

The instructor approaches with a look of resignation.

INSTRUCTOR:

Don't think so much, Katie. FEEL the

music.

KATE:

(sweating)

I am!

INSTRUCTOR:

Dancing should not be work. It should

be a vacation the body takes from

the mind. Let the music wash over

you.

KATE:

(frustrated)

It is!

INSTRUCTOR:

Repeat after me:
I've got the muusic

in me.

KATE:

I've got the muusic in me.

INSTRUCTOR & KATE

(overlapping)

I've got the muusic in me!

INSTRUCTOR:

Keep telling yourself that.

Kate does. Her instructor shakes her head and moves away.

Across the room, through the window, Leopold watches, moved.

LEOPOLD'S P.O.V. -- Over the music, beyond the swirling

couples, Kate remains in the corner, dancing with her

imaginary partner, fighting valiantly for the right steps,

muttering to herself, dancing alone.

INT. LAB - MORNING

Dr. Kau SLAMS a large book on Dr. Plodder's desk startling

him.

DR. KAU

I've located her.

DR. PLODDER

You didn't! Is she all right?

DR. KAU

No. She's really not.

Photograph of a SWEATSHOP 1896. The conditions are APPALLING.

Positioned among the workers, Julia Carlson, thin, ragged,

worn out, stares helplessly into the camera.

DR. KAU

It was taken a year after she arrived.

Look at her face! We have to get her

back.

DR. PLODDER

Christine, this morning I spoke with

the head of funding. They're talking

about canceling the project.

DR. KAU

What?! They can't do that!

DR. PLODDER

There's still time. Nothing has

happened yet that can't be undone.

We'll get her back. We'll put this

behind us and we'll get her back.

The doctors stare at the photograph. Powerless.

CUT TO:

INT. CHARLIE'S STUDIO - DAY

Charlie and Leopold work at their easels. Leopold sighs

HEAVILY.

CHARLIE:

Is there something on your mind?

There is a pause.

LEOPOLD:

This is rather difficult for me.

CHARLIE:

...Uh huh...?

LEOPOLD:

I have been in the salon contemplating

the reception I have received by the

various tradesmen I have visited.

I've determined I am lacking the

dexterity of modern intercourse.

CHARLIE:

Of what??

LEOPOLD:

Social skills.

CHARLIE:

Oh.

LEOPOLD:

I realize our association has been

rather distant and I bear you no ill

will.

CHARLIE:

You can imagine my relief.

LEOPOLD:

The fact is... I need help.

CHARLIE:

Why not ask Kate?

LEOPOLD:

I would appreciate the masculine

point of view.

CHARLIE:

Why not ask Kate?... That was a joke.

Leopold looks worried. Charlie puts down his brush.

CHARLIE:

Well? Let's see... I guess we could

start by removing that great big

stick from up your... Let's start

with your walk.

LEOPOLD:

My walk?

CHARLIE:

You don't walk right.

(gently)

You strut.

LEOPOLD:

(very defensive)

STRUT?

CHARLIE:

Strut strut strut. You walk into the

bathroom it's like I'm watching a

parade. Walk across the room.

LEOPOLD:

I will not.

CHARLIE:

I know you won't. You'll STRUT. You

asked for my help. Trust me on this.

As Leopold struts across the room Charlie shakes his head

and spontaneously begins to hum Sousa's Stars and Stripes

March. Leopold becomes more and more agitated. As the song

crescendos:

LEOPOLD:

That's enough! Really! You walk.

Charlie hops up, casually walks around the room and begins

to hum a more relaxed version of Stars and Stripes.

CHARLIE:

(between choruses)

See? Easy. Relaxed. You try.

Leopold begins humming the more casual version of the song

and mimics Charlie.

CHARLIE:

That's better. Now, try to enjoy

your walk. It's a beautiful day. The

sun is shining, the peasants are

singing.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

VOICE OVER:
Charlie and Leopold joyously singing The Stars

and Stripes. As the song builds:

Charlie enters leading Leopold throughout the room. Leopold

matches Charlie EXACTLY step by step so tightly they appear

to be one person marching happily about.

CUT TO:

EXT. N.Y.C. - DAY

Chinatown, Little Italy, chess in Washington Square Park.

EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK - DAY

Leopold and Charlie explore the city. Leopold works diligently

on his walk. A beautiful woman walks by in a revealing outfit.

Charlie catches Leopold watching her and smiles broadly.

CHARLIE:

Interesting?

Leopold, caught leering, turns away sheepishly and smiles.

Charlie pats Leopold on the back. Stops. Pats his back again.

CHARLIE:

What the hell is that?

LEOPOLD:

What?

CHARLIE:

Leopold, are you wearing a corset?

LEOPOLD:

Naturally.

Cracking up, Charlie good-naturedly puts an arm around

Leopold's shoulder. Leopold attempts the same pulls away.

INT. BLOCKBUSTER RECORDS - NIGHT

With a headset on, Charlie listens to music. Leopold watches.

CHARLIE:

What'd ya say was the name of this

number?

LEOPOLD:

Tchaikovsky. Waltz of the Flowers.

CHARLIE:

(deadpan)

Pretty.

Charlie stops the music and places a headset over Leopold's

ears. Leopold watches calmly. Charlie selects a song.

Instantly, Leopold's shoulders rise up to his ears. His mouth

opens wide.

CHARLIE:

Megadeath. High Speed Dirt.

After a bit, Charlie turns the music off. Leopold's shoulders

go down but his mouth stays wide open. Astonished.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK - DAY

Charlie and Leopold walk through the park. A rubber softball

hits Leopold squarely on the head.

LEOPOLD:

What in the world...?

A couple race over. The man is BLACK. The woman is WHITE.

Their child, ELIZABETH, 7, follows wide eyed and apprehensive.

MAN:

Sorry! We're so sorry. Are you hurt?

WOMAN:

She's another Babe Ruth. We had no

idea. Are you okay?

Leopold regards them curiously.

WOMAN:

What do you have to say for yourself,

Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH:

I'm sorry!

Leopold stares hard at the modern familial scene. He doesn't

speak. After a long moment:

LEOPOLD:

Is this your child?

MAN:

Yes.

Charlie braces for the worst. The little girl stares at

Leopold.

LEOPOLD:

I see.

WOMAN:

C'mon honey, lets go.

ELIZABETH:

I want my ball.

LEOPOLD:

Just a moment!

(bending down to

Elizabeth, firmly)

Pick a hand.

She picks his right hand. Nothing. She picks his left.

Nothing. Leopold looks surprised then pulls the ball from

his ear. She takes the ball and smiles at him.

LEOPOLD:

My mother's name was Elizabeth.

(then to her parents)

She's a beautiful child. You're very

lucky.

MAN:

What do you say, Elizabeth?

Elizabeth makes an embarrassed face.

MAN:

Thank you.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes