Up in the Air Page #2

7.

Ryan skips the long lines and steps directly into the

AAdvantage Executive Platinum line.

Glorious close-up of Ryan’s AAdvantage Executive Platinum

CARD sliding through the AUTOMATED MACHINE. Were it any

sexier, we’d hear a moan. Maybe we even do.

Immediately, the AIRPORT CLERK registers and perks up.

AIRPORT CLERK:

Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Bingham.

RYAN (V.O.)

When I run my card, the system

automatically prompts the desk

clerk to greet me with this exact

statement.

We see it again...

AIRPORT CLERK:

Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Bingham.

Ryan nods back to the clerk.

RYAN (V.O.)

Had my status simply been gold or

God-forbid, silver. I might have

gotten a hello or a smile... Maybe.

Ryan continues to hit buttons, swiftly checking in.

RYAN (V.O.)

Loyalty is earned and rewarded with

these small touches. It’s these kinds

of systemized friendly touches that

keep my world in orbit.

A ticket begins printing. Ryan snaps it up.

INT. SECURITY - PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AIRPORT - SAME

Ryan steps up and observes his line choices. He finds a few

Asian businessmen and hops in behind them.

JUMP CUT TO:

8.

RYAN MOVING THROUGH THE SECURITY SCREENING

It’s a beautiful choreographed ballet of a bag handle

collapsing, shoes coming off, a laptop going in a separate

tray, wallet and watch sliding into a shoe, a boarding card

sliding into a back pocket... both hands always moving,

performing separate actions... It really is gorgeous.

INT. AMERICAN ADMIRALS CLUB - SAME

Ryan enters and presents his ADMIRALS CLUB CARD. It has a

hologram. The ADMIRALS CLUB HOSTESS immediately smiles.

ADMIRALS CLUB HOSTESS

Welcome back, Mr. Bingham.

Ryan walks past a stack of newspapers on the way to the

buffet, the whole time framed by an enormous window

overlooking the tarmac.

RYAN (V.O.)

All the things you probably hate

about travelling - The recycled air.

The artificial lighting. The digital

juice dispensers and mini pizzas

stacked to their heat lamps are the

warm reminders that I am home.

With that comment, Ryan slides into a leather club seat. A

DIGITAL DISPLAY reads: “Thank You For Your Loyalty”.

He opens his briefcase and pulls out his ITINERARY. He scans

it. We see a string of flights, car rentals, and stays at

Hitons. Then, something makes him frown. He pulls out his

cell phone and dials...

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. ASSISTANT’S DESK, CTC - DAY

Ryan’s assistant, Kevin, is not happy to be there.

KEVIN:

Ryan Bingham’s office.

RYAN:

You have me in a Dodge Stratus in

Kansas City.

KEVIN:

They are completely out of all full

sized sedans...

9.

RYAN:

(interrupts)

Did you?...

KEVIN:

(not the first time)

Yes, I reminded them of your

remarkable #1 Gold Club status and

years in the program. They are moving

mountains to see you in a Sebring.

RYAN:

Fair enough. Any other messages?

KEVIN:

Your sister Kara called. Needs to

speak urgently about your sister’s

wedding. I told her you were midair

and not even I knew your final

destination.

RYAN:

Well done.

KEVIN:

And you got an invitation to speak

at GoalQuest in Vegas.

Ryan pauses.

RYAN:

GoalQuest twenty?

FLASH IMAGE:

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT

We push in on an EASEL with a SIGN that features RYAN’S

HEADSHOT. Underneath his name, it reads: “What’s In Your

Backpack?”

INT. SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM, HOTEL - NIGHT

Ryan delivers his speech with a smile.

RYAN (V.O.)

Every once in a while I do speaking

engagements. Motivational kind of

stuff. But GoalQuest... We’re

talking major Tony Robbins sh*t.

10.

INT. ADMIRALS CLUB - SAME

Kevin examines the invitation emblazoned with a big “XX”.

KEVIN:

It’s got a hologram. They’re calling

it Dos Equis. That’s some pretty

major Tony Robbins sh*t there.

RYAN:

Talk about burying the lead.

(exhales)

I’ll check in when...

KEVIN:

Hold on, I have Craig Gregory for

you...

RYAN:

I... ah, f***...

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. CRAIG GREGORY’S OFFICE, CTC - DAY

Four words - Store-bought sports memorabilia.

CRAIG GREGORY:

How’s the road warrior?

RYAN:

Twenty minutes from boarding into a

world of bliss.

CRAIG GREGORY:

Great numbers out of Phoenix. You

know Big Auto is going to drop

another 10K this month.

RYAN:

No kidding?

CRAIG GREGORY:

Yeah, Christmas came early. Wish I

could have you in five places at

once. I need you back in Omaha by

the end of the week.

RYAN:

I thought you needed me everywhere.

11.

CRAIG GREGORY (CONT’D)

We got something big - Game

changer.

RYAN:

I don’t know why you ever bring me

in. Wherever I go, the money

follows. Let me plant seeds,

they’ll grow to Oaks.

Craig checks out a CUTE INTERN.

CRAIG GREGORY:

I’m thinking of planting seeds

right now.

RYAN:

What are we talking about here?

CRAIG GREGORY:

You’ll see.

(changes directions)

Today, I took my first crap in two

weeks. Hallelujah.

RYAN:

That’s me, hanging up on you.

CRAIG GREGORY:

Good. I love that sound.

INT. BOEING 757 - DAY

Ryan sits one row behind the bulkhead. Left side. Aisle.

RYAN (V.O.)

To know me is to fly with me. I’m the

aisle, you’re the window - trapped.

Reveal - A man next to Ryan. Some BUSINESSMAN between cities.

He talks, drink in hand, but we don’t hear him.

RYAN (V.O.)

We start chatting, impersonally at

first. Our moderate politics, our

sinking opinions on the American

service industry.

12.

BUSINESSMAN AND RYAN MAKING SUGGESTIONS

RYAN (V.O.)

You recommend a hotel in Tulsa. I

tip you off to a rib joint in Fort

Worth.

BUSINESSMAN TELLS A JOKE. HIS HANDS GESTURE.

RYAN (V.O.)

You tell me your best joke. I’ve

heard it before, but listen anyway.

Ryan laughs out loud.

TURBULENCE. THE BUSINESSMAN TIGHTENS HIS SEAT BELT.

RYAN (V.O.)

Nothing like turbulence to cement a

bond. Soon you’re telling me about

family.

THE MAN SPEAKS ABOUT SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY DISTURBS HIM.

RYAN (V.O.)

Your wife just went back to work

but you can’t intervene because you

sure could use the extra paycheck

and besides, last June she read

some book and woke up one morning a

feminist.

THE MAN LEANS BACK, ARMS CROSSED, WITH A FAR OFF LOOK.

RYAN (V.O.)

And that if your windfall ever came

through, you’d quit and spend the

rest of your days restoring vintage

speedboats.

(saying it with him)

The water. That’s where you belong.

EXT. TARMAC, DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT - DAY

Their PLANE LANDS.

INT. BOEING 757 - DAY

As the plane begins to taxi to the gate, both Ryan and the

Businessman pull out their cards.

13.

RYAN (V.O.)

We exchange cards and slot them next

to countless others.

The dull bell “dings” to let us know it’s safe to stand. Ryan

and the Businessman get up and open the overheads.

RYAN (V.O.)

Fast friends aren’t my only

friends, but my best friends.

INT. CONCOURSE, DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT - DAY

Ryan and the Businessman walk next to each, now completely

ignoring each other as if they never shared a word.

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