The Fisher King Page #19

JACK:

Lydia is the girl Parry likes.

And I thought, if I could get

them together I..

ANNE:

What? The curse'll be lifted?

WILL YOU PLEASE!

JACK:

I...You're not going to understand this.

ANNE:

Don't treat me like I'm stupid.

It pisses me off.

JACK:

All right..Sorry...I feel in debt to him.

ANNE:

(pause)

What does that mean?

JACK:

See, I told you!

ANNE:

Well, what the hell does that mean?

JACK:

I thought...if...if I can

help him in some way...you

know?..Then... maybe....

things'll start changing for me..

My luck, ya know...Maybe...

ANNE looks at him incredulously. HE sits down and breathes a sigh

- the absurdity of the idea hitting him as well. ANNE softens -

feeling like she has unfairly taken the wind out of his sail.

ANNE:

Oh you poor kid...You're a mess.

ANNE stands and buries JACK's face in her breast. SHE decides

to be positive.

...Well, listen....stranger

things have happened.

CUT TO:

INT. ANNE'S APARTMENT - LATER THAT AFTERNOON.

JACK on the phone to LYDIA. This time ANNE is right beside him.

JACK:

Hello Lydia?

LYDIA:

(abrasively)

Yeah? Who is this?

HER abrupt manner surprises JACK. JACK uses his old, confident

radio voice.

JACK:

This is Jack Lucas and I'm calling

from Video Stop video rentals.

LYDIA:

Yes.

JACK:

Yes well...

(guessing and hoping - )

You are a credit card holder, are you not?

LYDIA:

Huh-huh.

JACK:

Well, congratulations Lydia, because

out of several thousand card holders,...

in conjunction with several major

credit card companies...

you have just won a free membership

at our store on Second Ave.

HE puts the reciever near a tape player and presses play. "HAPPY

DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN" plays for a moment, then he shuts it off.

LYDIA:

(deadpan, not getting it)

How did this happen?

JACK is prepared for LYDIA'S, shall we say, reluctance to buy it!

JACK:

Your name was picked.

LYDIA:

(suspicious...and dense)

Well, I don't understand. What did

you do - did you pick my name out

of a hat or...or..a list?

JACK:

A list.

LYDIA:

Well - were there alot of people

in the room or just you or what?

JACK:

(about to answer)

Well there....

(then)

What's the difference?

LYDIA:

Well, I mean...I don't know

you. This has never...I've never

won anything and...I don't have a VCR.

JACK:

You get a VCR with the membership.

(ANNE hits him)

..For a short time until you get

you're own. Listen, why don't you

come down to the store and you can

check it out. See if you're interested.

LYDIA:

Did Phyllis in accounting

tell you to call me?

JACK:

(fed up)

NO! I TOLD YOU! YOU WON A CONTEST!

LYDIA hangs up. JACK turns to ANNE.

....This is going to be rough.

CUT TO:

INT. HOWARD PUBLISHING - DAY

The elevator doors open. JACK stands beside THE GAY BUM, who is

now dressed like JOEL GREY in CABARET and carrying a handful of

balloons with the name VIDEO STOP written on them. JACK,

remaining inside, taps him on the arm.

JACK:

(adamant)

Remember. One chorus and out.

GAY BUM:

I'm a man with a mission, Jack.

THE GAY BUM walks to the office entrance. JACK pushes the down

button. As the doors close, we hear him say to himself:

JACK:

I can't believe I'm on a first name

basis with these people...

CUT TO:

INT. HOWARD PUBLISHING - MOMENTS LATER

THE GAY BUM enters the reception area, much to the surprise of

the receptionist.

RECEPTIONIST:

Can I...help you?

GAY BUM:

Is there a mousy woman who works here

named Lydia?

RECEPTIONIST:

Yes..if you'll wait here I'll...

GAY BUM:

This is a personalized message. I

have to give it in person.

THE GAY BUM strolls nonchalantly into the office and down the aisle,

relishing in the amazed expressions of the employees. HE approaches

a cubicle on which he reads a small name plate - LYDIA SINCLAIR.

LYDIA has her back to him, but slowly turns as she feels someone

watching her. SHE lets out a tiny scream when she sees him

standing there like a deranged clown.

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