The Fabulous Baker Boys Page #13

FRANK:

Thank you, thank you.

(as applause dies)

You know, Susie and Jack and I only just arrived

here yesterday, but already the people here at the

King Corporation's Moorish Manor have made us feel,

well, a part of the family. And it's their hope that,

before you leave, everyone of you will feel a part

of that family also. So, if during-the next few days,

we should happen to pass one another in the hallway

or in the lobby or wherever ... don't be a stranger.

Stop. Say hello. Introduce yourself. Because here,

there are no strangers, only friends.

And family. Right, Jack?

JACK:

Right. I love you, Frank.

FRANK:

(stunned)

What?

JACK:

I love you. I just wanted to say it.

Frank stares incredulously at Jack.

FRANK:

Uh, well, I love you, too, Jack.

(moving quickly along)

So. Susie. How 'bout it.

SUSIE:

Huh?

FRANK:

Got another song for us?

SUSIE:

Oh. Yeah. I gotta bunch of them.

FRANK:

Well then ... shall we?

BACKSTAGE:

Frank corners Jack as they exit the stage.

Susie looks around nervously to see if anyone's watching.

FRANK:

(whispering)

What's the matter with you?

JACK:

I'm sorry, Frank. All that talk about family.

I just got emotional.

FRANK:

How dare you say you love me.

JACK:

It won't happen again. Scout's

honor.

SUSIE:

What's with you guys?

FRANK:

Someone needs to grow up. I won't

take it, Jack.

JACK:

Sure you will.

Jack pushes past Frank and leaves.

Frank watches him go, then turns to leave himself.

INT. BATHROOM

Middle of the night. Jack, fully clothed,

is sitting on the rim of the tub, smoking.

Susie enters.

SUSIE:

Oh, sorry. With the light always

on, it's hard to tell.

JACK:

It's okay.

(the cigarette)

Last one.

SUSIE:

Can't sleep?

JACK:

In and out.

SUSIE:

It's the waves. God's music, my mother used to say.

She was crazy for the ocean.

JACK:

Yeah, well, I wish God would go

a little easy on the trumpets.

SUSIE:

How's egghead?

JACK:

Like a baby. You?

SUSIE:

In and out.

Jack nods. Susie looks at him carefully.

SUSIE:

(continuing)

If you want, I got a pack in the

room.

JACK:

No thanks. I never touch French

cigarettes.

INT. LOBBY - DAY

The next morning. As Jack passes through the lobby,

he hears the plaintive PLINKING of a PIANO. Curious,

he goes to the dining room and peers in.

The tables have yet to be set for the evening and,

except for Frank, the room is empty.

JACK:

What the hell are you doing?

FRANK:

(not looking up)

What's it look like I'm doing?

I'm tuning a goddamn piano.

JACK:

Really.

FRANK:

Yes, really. I don't want you to be unhappy,

Jack. If you say it's out of tune,

it's out of tune.

Jack smiles to himself and crosses the room.

JACK:

How's it coming?

FRANK:

Fine.

JACK:

How long you been at it?

FRANK:

(shrugging)

Half-hour. Once I finish this octave I'm gonna

get breakfast. You see what's on the buffet?

JACK:

They stopped serving two hours ago.

FRANK:

Two hours ago!

JACK:

Time flies, huh?

Frank looks despairingly at the pianos.

JACK:

(continuing)

I could give you a hand. If

you want.

INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

Jack and Frank are eating lunch. Frank has a tiny

stack of blue cards he's perusing.

He holds one out to Jack.

FRANK:

What do you make that? Paruchi?

Jack nods. Frank continues to go through the cards

as he speaks.

FRANK:

(continuing)

You haven't seen Susie, have you?

JACK:

No. Why?

FRANK:

Just wonder what she's up to.

I never see her. Makes me nervous.

JACK:

She's a big girl.

FRANK:

Yeah, well, she's our girl now. I think we better

keep an eye on her. There's trouble there.

(another card)

Hey, listen to this. Ethel and Bert Lane.

Married seventy-five years. You believe that?

JACK:

What the hell are these?

FRANK:

Dedications. I came up with the idea on the road.

See, every morning the maids drop one of these

cards in each room. The guest fills out the card,

leaves it at the front desk, and that night we play

it. Daniels went crazy for the idea.

(whispering)

And that's not all. Last night, after the nine

o'clock, he corners me, right, and starts asking

about our availability. Like he wants to line

something up.

I think he's got a hard-on for Susie.

WOMAN:

Excuse me.

Frank jumps. A WOMAN in a bright flowered gift shop

dress pokes her head in.

WOMAN:

I'm sorry to interrupt, but when I saw you sitting

here, I just had to come over. Florence Simmons.

FRANK:

Uh ... Frank Baker. This is my

brother.

FLORENCE SIMMONS (WOMAN)

Oh, I know, I know. My husband and I saw you

play last night and it's the most remarkable thing.

FRANK:

Oh. Well, thank you.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

No, I mean you.

(to Jack)

I have a brother-in-law who looks exactly like you.

Exactly. You don't happen to have a Huckleberry

in your family tree, do you?

JACK:

Afraid not.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

Well, it's frightening. You could be his twin.

Of course, he doesn't have your talent. Musically,

I mean. He sharpens things for a living. Lawn

mower blades, kitchen knives, anything with an edge.

Can imagine?

Jack is having a hard time imagining Florence Simmons.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

(continuing)

Well, anyway, I just had to make sure there was

no relation. You play wonderfully. Both of you.

Florence Simmons gives a little flutter of

a wave and exits.

FRANK:

Funny, huh?

JACK:

What?

FRANK:

Thinking there's someone who looks like you,

walking around the street somewhere.

(smiling)

Wonder if I saw him I'd think it

was you?

EXT. HOTEL - DAY

Jack is standing on the walkway that encircles the

hotel, watching the waves tumble into one another.

As he starts to take out a cigarette, he notices

Florence Simmons standing a few yards away

with a camera.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

I just know my sister won't believe

me. Do you mind?

Jack shakes his head and Florence starts to aim the

camera.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

I really hate to impose. It's just that the

resemblance is so extraordinary.

(focusing)

I wonder if you could turn this way so your face

isn't in the shadows.

As Jack turns, he glances over Florence's swaying

shoulder and sees Susie and a man standing at the other

end of the walkway. They are leaning into the wind,

her hair blowing free, brushing the man's face.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

Say cheese.

The camera clicks.

FLORENCE SIMMONS

(continuing)

Gotcha. Would you like a copy for

yourself? The hotel develops.

Jack glances away from Susie and the man.

JACK:

No.

ON Jack's expression APPLAUSE is heard and a moment

later we --

CUT TO:

INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

That evening. The trio has just finished a song and

those on the dance floor are clapping.

FRANK:

Thank you. You know, before we came out here

this evening, Susie and Jack and I were looking

over your dedications and something struck us.

Susie and Jack look at Frank as if they have no idea

what he's talking about.

FRANK:

(continuing)

We realized that, well, we're really not so

different from one another after all. Oh sure,

we may be at different points in our journey,

but we all travel pretty much the same road.

And so, with that in mind, we'd like to introduce

you to two very special couples. First, married

for all of two days, please say hello to Helen

and Bud Wilson. Helen. Bud.

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