State And Main Page #11

JOE:

No, no. Of course, that's exactly

what it represents...

ANN:

That whole...

They walk on together and find themselves on a residential

street.

EXT. ANN'S HOME - DUSK

They are walking. They stop in front of an old picket fence

house with a porch swing.

JOE:

The, the, the, the sanctity of

everyday things...

ANN:

Everyday things... yes.

JOE:

For example, he's just come back

from a fire and he... um...

(he shakes his head)

That's a fine house. You look at

that, and you know, there's nice

people that live there.

ANN:

I live there.

JOE:

Really. With the porch swing and

everything...

ANN:

Surest thing you know.

Pause.

JOE:

I don't mean to impose, but... do

you think we might...

ANN:

That's what the swing is there for...

They walk onto the porch, and sit on the swing.

JOE:

(to himself)

...that's what the swing is there

for... thats its purpose, isn't it...

ANN:

...I always thought so...

They swing back and forth. The swing creaks.

JOE:

...such a pleasant sound.

ANN:

Mmm.

JOE:

Cause, cause, it's... it's the simple

things, that...

ANN:

Yes...

JOE:

...that.

Doug walks up.

DOUG:

Waal, there you are, and have I got

some news for you...

ANN:

Doug, this is Joe White, and this

is, this, this is my fiancee, Doug

Mac...

JOE:

Sa pleasure.

DOUG:

Guess who is THIS CLOSE to a

nomination to State Senate... which

is this close to one step from

Congress!

ANN:

...who...?

JOE:

Well, I guess I'll... get down to

the station. It was lovely meeting...

ANN:

Mister White is...

Doug, as he takes Ann toward the door.

DOUG:

Nice meeting you... they were, let

me tell you, they were a bit coy at

first, I told them: Look: the people

are tired, they're going to vote

their pocketbook, yes, but...

Joe walks off and exchanges glances with Ann, who lingers

behind. She pushes the porch swing and exits. As it swings,

Joe watches.

INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT.

Joe enters with his bag.

He stands looking at the long poster reading: "Waterford,

Home of the Huskies, Division Champions, 1971, 1972, 1974,

1975, 1976."

Beat.

Joe is looking at the banner, when the old stationmaster

enters.

JOE:

...what happened in 1973?

Beat. The stationmaster looks around, and leans in to Joe,

confidentially.

The door opens. It is Walt. The stationmaster retreats.

Walt comes forward.

WALT:

Don't run off. Don't run off, we

need you. You know why? You're why

we're here. Your script is why we're

here...

(of bag)

Gimme that. Big deal. We fight a

little bit? You show me a family

that doesn't. But we got something

special. What is it? We're here to

make a movie. Can't use the Old Mill.

Well, that happens. What you got to

do, you find the essence -- what was

it, that brought us here. It wasn't

the building Joe, it was an idea. It

was an essence -- what is the essence

of your story? Joe?

Pause.

JOE:

It's about a man who gets a second

chance.

WALT:

Then, you write that. And then this

is our second chance. That's why

we're here...

Pause.

JOE:

I want to make a good film.

WALT:

I know you do.

JOE:

And maybe it will be a better movie

without the old mill, I...

WALT:

Hey, it's with the Gods. We don't

have the money, we have to write it

out. The best or not.

(shrugs)

And that's a lesson. You get your

typewriter yet...?

JOE:

Um, no.

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