Nashville Page #13

BARBARA JEAN:

Barnett..

She faints. There in a moment of confusion, then GLENN is on the

stage protectively as the musicians clear the people out

181 NEW ANGLE

BARNETT vaults through the crowd pushing TRIPLETTE aside.

BARNETT:

Get her feet up.

He pulls himself on the stage. She is coming to and sees GLENN'S

face looking at her and rubbing her hands.

BARNETT:

Okay, honey.

He carries her to the bus. TRIPLETTE is forced to watch from a

distance.

182 INT. BUS - DAY

BARBARA JEAN has come to and she and BARNETT are alone in the

back of the bus. He studies her carefully for a minute and then

decides she'll be all right.

BARBARA JEAN:

Oh, Barnett, I'm so sorry.

BARNETT:

Honey, it's okay... How do you feel

now?

BARBARA JEAN:

All those people...

She fights back the tears.

BARNETT:

Don't worry, I'll take care or it

BARBARA JEAN:

You're so good.

He blows her a kiss and steps from the bus.

183 EXT. BUS - DAY

BARNETT sends the nurses inside. GLENN has pushed to front of

the crowd. BARHETT grabs a hand mike.

BARNETT:

She's fine now, folks. Just too

soon after the hospital, I guess.

(he pauses)

She won't be able to continue and

she's in the bus crying her eyes

out, because she doesn't want to

disappoint the people who love her

the most.

There is a group groan. BARNETT looks for some under-standing

but there is none. There are several catcalls and GLENN, who in

near BARNETT, becomes so enraged, he tries to find the caller.

There is almost a fight, but TRIPLETTE intervenes. He glances to

GLENN.

TRIPLETTE:

Come on, come on. You don't want

to waste your energy on that fool.

184 NEW ANGLE

Catcalls continue from other parts of the audience. TRIPLETTE

shouts against GLENN, who has turned his intensity to the crowd

GLENN:

She's frail. You never saw anybody

so frail. I've seen her breathe hard

just standing still, dammit. You're

selfish. Worst selfish I've ever

heard. What if she died? Would you

like that? You'd probably say she

faked it so they could make money.

Well, you're just dumb.

185 NEW ANGLE

TRIPLETTE:

We could invite them to the park.

BARNETT:

What?

TRIPLETTE:

They can come to the concert in the

park.

BARNETT:

I said 'no!'

BARNETT studies the angry crowd then TRIPLETTE, who is holding

back GLENN against them. The crowd is even more angry

BARNETT:

(to crowd)

We're very Sorry... Please... If

you'll listen.

(he makes the

decision)

You can see her tomorrow at Percy

Warner Park...

GLENN has disengaged from TRIPLETTE'S hold and pushed his way to

the back.

BARNETT:

Triplette, I want to talk to you.

Moves closer.

BARNETT:

I got trapped and you know it, so

let's have some rules.

TRIPLETTE:

Absolutely. Listen, Barnett, I

understand your position.

BARNETT:

No, you don't, so don't say you do.

Bunch of damn liars. What do you

get out or this?

TRIPLETTE:

Nothing; Barnett. It's my job.

BARNETT:

Your job, huh.

He removes a pen and paper and writes down the following as he

speaks.

BARNETT:

She will not appear on the stage or

support that Walker guy and you

can't have any of his signs up while

she sings. She'll be on first and

out of the park before he shows up.

There will be no pictures, no

questions, no answers or tying her

name up with his now or in the

future to come. Any money she makes

will go to the President of the

United States.

He calls over his secretary and makes TRIPLETTE sign the

statement. Then the secretary signs.

BARNETT:

We'll see you tomorrow. I'll send

her three songs over this afternoon.

She'll be done about ten minutes

after she starts and Walker better

not show up till she's through. Now,

get out of here.

TRIPLETTE extends his hand expecting friendship. BARRETT ignores

it. As TRIPLETTE leaves, a MAN who has been after BARNETT'S

attention steps up. BARNETT turns to his secretary.

MAN:

Barnett?

BARNETT:

(sharply)

What?

MAN:

Well, Barnett, I have this terrific

song I've been working on. It would

be a natural for Barbara Jean. Like

you to take a look at it.

BARNETT looks at him suspiciously.

BARNETT:

I'm very busy right now.

(to secretary)

Get me Haven.

MAN:

It'll just take a minute. Here,

I'll even hold it for you.

BABNETT sighs and skims over the paper. Song stealing is the

same as horse stealing to BARNETT. He becomes enraged.

BARNETT:

I don't know where you got this,

but something tells me you stole it

and I hate thieves.

The MAN takes the paper back and tries to walk away from him --

BARNETT yells after him.

BARNETT:

Aren't you an engineer...? I know

you -- Don't you work at one of

those cut a record places...?

Twenty-five bucks a shot, isn't it?

Usually their last twenty-five...

The MAN backs up and BARNETT follows him. They have entered the

crowd. The MAB starts to run. BARNETT runs after him. When the

MAN gets into the car. BARNETT picks up a rock, throws it and

hits the windshield with it. The car MISFIRES but finally

starts.. As the MAN drives off, BARNETT stands watching until

he's out of sight.

CUT TO:

((THE FOLLOWING Is INTERCUT WITH THE SHOPPING CENTER)

186 EXT. FAIRGROUND - DAY

We SEE a fairground, then a roller rink, and a wrestling ring,

and finally a small portable stage in the center of a circular

track. The grandstands are partially ruled and stock cars roar

from another part or the field;

Around the stage -we SEE a sign that says, "Talent Show Tonight"

and we see the contestants and the MC, and NORMAN doing a routine

with an accordion player. After NORMAN finishes, the NC takes

the mike.

MC:

Thank you, Mr. Berguan. And now we

bring you, 'Albuquerque.'

187 NEW ANGLE

ALBUQUERQUE walks to the mike.

ALBUQUERQUE:

Hello, everybody. My name is

Albuquerque.

There are-a few nasty remarks.

ALBUQUERQUE:

I'm going to sing a wonderful tune.

She starts to sing, "You're an Old Smoothie," and as she does the

stock cars leave the pit and drive to the entrance of the track.

ALEBUQUERQUE, disturbed at first, sings louder. The cars are

waiting for the talent show to set off the track.

188 NEW ANGLE

Albuquerque starts to take off her clothes. The MC hasn't

noticed, but the grandstand has. People shout, "Take it off..."

ALBUQUERQUE loves it. Before ALBUQUERQUE can remove the last two

garments, the MC rushes over and grabs the mike.

MC:

We'd 1ike~to announce the winner of

tonight's contest. Albuquerque, How

about some applause for a darling

little lady

ALBUQUERQUE:

Oh, I'm not through.

MC:

That's all, folks.

The stands are calling to have her take it all off and her fellow

contestants are furious. RAVEN, BUD and PEARL are there and they

discuss her act.

MC:

Here is the twenty dollars first

prize money and a seat in the

grandstands and now let's turn the

show over to Al Allen in the race

stand.

He shuts oft the mike.

189 NEW ANGLE - TRACK

The stock cars start around the track and stop in front or the

race announcer.

AL:

Congratulations to Albuquerque and

welcome, everyone, to the Memorial

Race for Billy Apple, who died a

week ago in a wreck at this very

track, and we want you to know his

last words were, 'Are the other

fellows all right?'

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