The Fisher King Page #5

As ANNE tugs at his sleeve, JACK eyes the WOMAN like a maniac

being lead away from his prey. HE follows ANNE back into her

office. Once inside, SHE stands before JACK who leans against

her office door, closing it behind him.

ANNE:

Not for nuthin - but there's this

thing we have in business...it

might help you a little. It's

called "customa relations."

JACK:

(deadpan intensity)

I'm sorry. You know I hate people

who ask for screwball comedies.

ANNE moves in closer and caresses his face tenderly.

ANNE:

Sweetie, honey...You hate people.

(sympathetic)

What is it? Is this one of those

days when you tell me you're in...

whadda call it...an emotional

abyss?

(HE doesn't answer)

Why don't you take the day off.

I'll cook tonight. O.K?

SHE kisses him, then exits. JACK is not comforted in the least

by this show of affection.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - TWILIGHT

As JACK takes a walk down a city street, he comes upon a

luxurious hotel. HE stops to watch the goings-on at the

entrance.

CUT TO:

A LIMOUSINE - parked and awaiting it's occupants. A handsome

MAN in his forties exits the hotel and walks toward the limo.

HE is holding the hand of his FlVE-YEAR-OLD SON, who is carrying

a two foot high plastic, smiling PINNOCHIO DOLL. Both father

and son are dressed in ties and jackets.

JACK watches in envy. HIS own clothes a shabby reflection of

the MAN'S. HE eyes the limo with longing. Another limo pulls

up beside it and a gang of YOUNG RICH KIDS laugh their way out

of the back seat.

JACK is so mesmerized, he doesn't notice the FIVE-YEAR-OLD BOY.

BOY (O.C.)

Mr. Bum.

JACK looks down. The BOY has walked directly to him. JACK sort

of smiles. The BOY extends his arms and offers the PINNOCHIO

doll to JACK. JACK is confused but the boy simply deposits the

doll into his arms and walks back to the limo. By that time,

the FATHER has returned and the two drive off.

CUT TO:

WIDE ANGLE:

JACK holding the doll. HE is surrounded by STREET PEOPLE asleep

or drunk on the sidewalk near the hotel. HE angrily realizes

there's not much difference between him and them.

JACK:

Anybody here named Jimminey?

A drunk groans. JACK snaps the doll under his arm and walks OC.

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - EARLY EVENING.

On the bar sit seven empty martini glasses. Beside them sits a

smiling PINNOCHIO - his nose in one of the martini glasses.

JACK stares out in a drunken haze. THE EX-HEAVYWEIGHT BARTENDER

approaches from behind the bar. JACK downs the glass and holds it

out to the BARTENDER. The BARTENDER begins to fix another.

BARTENDER:

Mr. Lucas, why don't you make

this the last one, then go home. Huh?

JACK:

I don't have a home Joe. I'm all

alone ...

(looks to PINNOCHIO & smiles)

Except for my little Italian friend here.

(kisses PINNIOCHIO'S little head)

BARTENDER:

(hands him drink)

I never seen you like this. Did somebody

not know who you were again?

JACK:

I never was, Joe...

You ever read any Nietzsche?...

THE BARTENDER clearly has not.

....Nieztsche says that there are two

kinds of people in this world.

... People who are destined for greatness...

and then us. He calls us the

Bungled and Botched. We get teased

with greatness but we never have it.

We're the expendable masses. We

get pushed in front of trains ...

take poision aspirins...

.. get gunned down in Dairy Queens...

Don't you ever want to know the reason Joe?

BARTENDER:

My name is Phil.

JACK:

Phil.

BARTENDER:

No, I don't.

JACK:

Do you ever get the feeling you're

being punished for your sins Joe?

BARTENDER (OC)

Phil...

(JACK nods)

No.

PHIL exits. JACK nods agreeably, then turns to PINNOCHIO.

JACK:

You wanna hear my new title for my biography.

"IT WAS NO PICNIC" - THE JACK LUCAS STORY"

(no response from PINNOCHIO)

Just nod yes or no...

(tries it in pig-Italian)

"IL NOUVA ESTA PINICKO" -

THE VOLUME on the TV above the bar is raised, pulling JACK'S

attention.

NEWS REPORTER:

...Another homeless man was found burned

to death in the Lower East Side. It

is the second such incident in two weeks...

That story when we return-

JACK winces at the thought, then raises his hand to PHIL.

A COMMERCIAL is broadcast on the TV.

ANNOUNCER (OC)

... New this fall...

CANNED LAUGH TRACK LAUGHS. JACK looks back up to the TV.

...From the creators of TWO IN A BUSH

comes ON THE RADIO - starring BEN STARR.

A SEGMENT FROM THE SITCOM IS SHOWN: An unshaven BEN STARR sits

at a breakfast nook with his wife.

WIFE:

Honey. Have some breakfast then go

down to the station and demand your job back.

BEN STARR:

I can't...

WIFE:

Yes you can. Just go straight to

Bill's office and-

BEN STARR:

No, I mean I can't eat breakfast.

(whiny)

I WANT MY ORANGE CUP WITH THE TEDDY BEAR.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote