"THE LAST DANCE"

 

 

by Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             

 

 

FADE IN:

 

INT. HOSPITAL - ROOM - DAY

 

EMIL, late 60s, is in bed. The usual life-support

paraphernalia is attached to him.

 

At his bedside is ALICE, 40s. She holds his hand.

 

Emil's eyes are closed. Alice clearly has been crying.

 

On a bedside table is a photograph.

 

THE PHOTOGRAPH shows young Emil and his date, posing on the

dance floor at a high school prom. Written on the photograph

is "Class of 1954."

 

Emil's eyes open.

 

                         ALICE

             I'm here, Dad.

 

He gestures with his free hand.

 

                         ALICE

             What is it?

 

Another gesture, to come close.

 

Alice leans forward, putting her head close to her father's.

He whispers but too quietly for her to hear.

 

She moves an ear to his lips.

 

                         ALICE

             Say it again.

 

Emil talks softly.

 

                         ALICE

             Are you sure?

 

Alice listens as Emil whispers.

 

                         ALICE

             I understand.

 

More whispering.

 

                         ALICE

             I'd better write this all down,

             Dad.


                                                            2.

 

 

INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

JENNIFER, 20s, is on the phone.

 

                         JENNIFER

             What am I paying you for? I want

             you to catch him at it. I want

             proof! ... Just a minute, I have

             another call coming in. ... Hello?

 

INT. ALICE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Alice is on the phone.

 

INTERCUT:

 

                         ALICE

             Hi, sweetie. Can I talk to Ted?

 

                         JENNIFER

                  (cautiously)

             He's not here.

 

                         ALICE

             When do you expect him?

 

                         JENNIFER

             He didn't tell you?

 

                         ALICE

             Tell me what?

 

                         JENNIFER

             We split up, Alice.

 

                         ALICE

             My God! When did this happen?

 

                         JENNIFER

             It's been happening for months.

             He moved out last week. He's

             staying with Bill. I have his

             number if you want it.

 

                         ALICE

             I have it. Jennifer, I had no

             idea. I'm so sorry. Is it--?

 

                         JENNIFER

             I have a call on the other line.

             I'll talk to you later, okay?

 

                         ALICE

             I'm just in shock.


                                                            3.

 

 

                         JENNIFER

             I'll call you. Bye. ... You there?

             ... Look, he's probably seeing

             someone at work. Do your job and

             find out who. My lawyer says we

             need a picture of them together.

             The more compromising the better.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - FRONT YARD - DAY

 

TED, 20s, is mowing the lawn with a push mower.

 

A car pulls up to the curb. Alice gets out.

 

Ted sees her and stops mowing.

 

                         TED

             Hey, Mom. What's up?

 

                         ALICE

             I just talked to Jennifer.

 

INT.  BILL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Ted and Alice sit at a small table over coffee.

 

                         TED

             I'm not sure I blame her, all the

             overtime I've been working. The

             competition is ruthless in

             advertising, and they gave me my

             first important account. I'm

             trying to be a good company man

             here and not screw up. It's for

             our future. Well, maybe just mine

             now. What a mess.

 

                         ALICE

             You're just like your father.

 

An awkward silence.

 

                         TED

             How's Popo?

 

                         ALICE

             The doctor says it won't be long

             now. Dad wants me to do something

             for him. I can't handle this. I'm

             going to need your help.

 

                         TED

             No problem. What is it?


                                                            4.

 

 

                         ALICE

             It sounds crazy. You know Popo.

             There's an old record he wants to

             listen to. I wrote it down. If

             it's not in the attic at the old

             house, I don't know where you'd

             find it.

 

                         TED

             I thought he sold the old house.

 

                         ALICE

             The renters have an option to buy

             but they've never used it. A lot

             of his stuff is still in the

             attic. Here, I wrote it down.

 

She brings out a slip of paper from her purse.

 

                         ALICE

                  (reading)

             "Blue Velvet" by The Clovers. It

             came out in 1954.

 

                         TED

             I think I heard of them. I'm sure

             there's a CD of their best hits.

 

                         ALICE

             No, it has to be the original 45.

             He was very clear about that.

 

                         TED

             Why?

 

                         ALICE

             I have no idea.

 

                         TED

             You'd need an old phonograph to

             play it.

 

                         ALICE

             I know. What?

 

                         TED

             I didn't say anything.

 

                         ALICE

                  (almost losing it)

             The way you're looking at me.

             What am I supposed to do?

                         (MORE)


                                                            5.

 

 

                         ALICE (CONT'D)

             It's like his dying last wish or

             something. I need some support

             here.

 

                         TED

             Take it easy, Mom. If it's not in

             the attic, I bet we can find

             everything we need on Ebay.

 

                         ALICE

             That would take too long, wouldn't

             it? The doctor said it will be

             over any time now.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - FRONT YARD - DAY

 

Ted is back to mowing the lawn.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

A car pulls to the curb down the street.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

In the car is JOE, 40s. He shuts off the engine.

 

He watches Ted from half a block away.

 

He fetches binoculars, watching Ted through them.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY

 

Ted is putting the push mower into the garage.

 

He goes inside the house from a door off the garage.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe starts the car.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Joe pulls the car closer to the house and parks again.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe at the binoculars.

 

He sees Ted inside, on the phone.

 

INT. BILL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Ted on the phone.


                                                            6.

 

 

                         TED

             Could I come right over then?...I

             really appreciate this. See you

             soon.

 

He hangs up.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

 

Ted comes outside and gets in his car in the driveway.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe starts the car. He watches Ted back up.

 

EXT. BILL'S HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Ted drives off down the street.

 

Joe pulls behind him.

 

INTERCUT: FOLLOWING TED

 

Ted drives through town. Joe stays on his tail.

 

Ted enters a residential area.

 

He pulls into a driveway. Joe parks at the curb down the

street.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Ted gets out and goes to the door.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe watches with binoculars.

 

He sees something interesting. Puts down the binocs, picks

up a camera.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

 

RACHAEL, 30s, has opened the door to find Ted.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe snaps away.

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - HALLWAY - DAY

 

Rachael shows Ted the drop-down ladder to the attic.


                                                            7.

 

 

                         RACHAEL

             It's probably all cobwebs and

             spiders up there.

 

                         TED

             Is there a light?

 

                         RACHAEL

             I think so. It's been so long

             since I've been up there. Do you

             want a flashlight?

 

                         TED

             I'll call if I need one.

 

He starts up the ladder.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Joe waits in the car.

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY

 

Ted pulls the cord to a bare light bulb. Light floods the

small attic.

 

Rachael was right, it's a mess. Stacked boxes, a couple of

trunks.

 

Ted hardly knows where to begin.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Joe looks at his watch.

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY

 

Ted finds a phonograph that plays 45 records. He puts it

aside to carry down.

 

He keeps looking.

 

He finds an album of photographs. He opens it.

 

Photographs of his granddad as a young man.

 

He comes to the same photograph that's at Emil's bedside.

Emil and his date posing on the dance floor, "Class of 1954."

 

INT.  HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

 

It is 1954, the high school prom.

 

EMIL, 17, dances with WANDA, 16.


                                                            8.

 

 

ON STAGE are THE CLOVERS themselves, five black men in

matching purple suits. They are singing "Blue Velvet."

 

As they sing, they step through a choreographed routine in

the doowop style of the era.

 

ON THE DANCE floor, Emil holds Wanda close.

 

                         EMIL

             Wanda, I want to ask you something.

 

                         WANDA

             What?

 

                         EMIL

             Will you marry me?

 

Wanda looks shocked, then ecstatic. They stop dancing and

embrace.

 

                         WANDA

             Yes!

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY

 

Ted stares at the photograph. He closes the album.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - STREET - DAY

 

Joe drums his fingers on the steering wheel.

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY

 

Ted roots through a box. He finds an envelope marked "For My

Grandson, Ted. PRIVATE!"

 

He stares at it, as if unable to believe his eyes.

 

He cautiously opens the envelope -- and finds a key. And a

folded note.

 

                         WANDA (O.S.)

             Did you say you were looking for

             old records?

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ted is going through a box of 45 records. On the floor

beside him is the 45 portable phonograph he found in the

attic.

 

                         WANDA

             Jerry brought them down last year

             and forgot to return them.


                                                            9.

 

 

Ted lights up.

 

                         TED

             Bingo!

 

He brings out an old 45 record: on the Atlantic label, "Blue

Velvet" by The Clovers.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - DAY

 

Ted comes out, carrying the phonograph and record. Wanda

follows him onto the porch.

 

                         WANDA

             Give Emil a hug for me.

 

She embraces Ted.

 

INT. CAR - DAY

 

Joe snaps photos of them in an embrace.

 

                         JOE

                  (to himself)

             Now we're cookin'.

 

He stops and smiles. Mission accomplished. Or so he believes.

 

He starts the car.

 

EXT. OLD HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY

 

Ted gets into his car.

 

Backing up, he has to stop as Joe's car drives by.

 

EXT. DOWNTOWN - BANK - DAY

 

Ted pulls into the parking lot of a bank.

 

INT. OLD HOUSE - ATTIC - DAY (FLASHBACK)

 

Ted reading the note he found.

 

                         EMIL (O.S.)

                  (voice strong)

             You have authorized access to a

             safety deposit box at the downtown

             branch of the bank.

 

INT. BANK - DAY

 

Ted enters the bank. He goes to a counter.


                                                           10.

 

 

                         EMIL (O.S.)

             Ask for Sam. He knows about the

             arrangement.

 

Ted is led to a desk. He shakes hands with SAM.

 

                         EMIL (O.S.)

             There'll be more details when you

             open the safety deposit box.

 

Sam leads Ted toward the safety deposit area.

 

INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Joe is showing Jennifer the photographs.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I didn't know Ted liked older

             women. Do you know who she is?

 

                         JOE

             Nope.

 

                         JENNIFER

             She looks familiar. How long was

             he there?

 

                         JOE

             Long enough to make whoopee.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Must you? This isn't easy for me.

 

She stares at a photograph.

 

                         JENNIFER

             This house looks familiar.

 

                         JOE

             You said you needed them together.

             I delivered.

 

Jennifer looks up from the photo.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I'll write you a check.

 

EXT. DOWNTOWN - BANK - DAY

 

Ted comes out of the bank.

 

EXT. HOSPITAL - PARKING LOT - DAY

 

Ted pulls into the parking lot.


                                                           11.

 

 

INT. HOSPITAL - WAITING AREA - DAY

 

Alice is on the phone.

 

                         ALICE

             Jennifer, I'm sorry to bother you

             again. I can't find Ted. He has

             to come to the hospital right away.

 

INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Jennifer on the phone. She's still looking at one of the

photographs.

 

INTERCUT

 

                         ALICE

             I thought he may have stopped by.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I'm so sorry about Popo.

 

                         ALICE

             If you hear from Ted ...

 

                         JENNIFER

             I'll tell him. Alice?

 

                         ALICE

             Yes?

 

                         JENNIFER

             I meant to come by. I always

             liked Popo.

 

                         ALICE

             It's not too late.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I don't know if Ted would want me

             there.

 

                         ALICE

             Of course he would. He still

             loves you, dear. I have to run.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Alice?

 

                         ALICE

             Yes?

 

                         JENNIFER

             Did Popo ever sell the old house?


                                                           12.

 

 

                         ALICE

             He rents it out. Why?

 

                         JENNIFER

             What's the address again?

 

                         ALICE

             You've been there.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Only once, a few years ago.

 

                         ALICE

             1733 3rd Ave. You're perfectly

             welcome to come to the hospital.

             As far as I'm concerned, you're

             still part of the family.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Thank you.

 

She hangs up. She stares at the photograph.

 

The number on the house, behind the porch where Ted and

Rachael embrace, is 1733.

 

INT. HOSPITAL - ROOM - DAY

 

Alice sits at Emil's bedside.

 

The old man is propped up on a pillow. His eyes are open.

 

Ted is setting up the old 45 phonograph. Emil watches.

 

                         TED

             Okay, I think we're ready. Popo?

 

Emil nods.

 

Ted puts on the old record.

 

"Blue Velvet" by The Clovers begins to play.

 

Emil smiles.

 

Alice, seeing her father's reaction, looks relieved.

 

Emil gestures to Ted. He moves close to his grandfather.

 

Emil speaks, too low to be heard. Ted puts an ear at his

mouth.

 

                         TED

             I found it.


                                                           13.

 

 

Emil whispers again.

 

                         TED

             I can't believe you did this. The

             timing is perfect.

 

                         ALICE

             What are you talking about?

 

Emil whispers. "Blue Velvet" is still playing.

 

Jennifer enters.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Hi, Popo.

 

Ted moves back and sees Jennifer.

 

                         TED

             I'm glad you came.

 

                         ALICE

             We all are, dear.

 

                         JENNIFER

                  (to Emil)

             How are you feeling?

 

Emil makes a gesture. No one understands.

 

He gestures again, bigger. The gesture is difficult for him.

 

                         JENNIFER

             What's he want?

 

                         ALICE

             I think he wants you two to dance.

 

Emil nods, gestures again.

 

                         TED

                  (to Jennifer)

             May I have this dance?

 

                         JENNIFER

             Ted, I'm not sure ...

 

                         TED

             It's just a dance.

 

                         JENNIFER

             I'll do it for Popo.

 

They begin dancing.


                                                           14.

 

 

Emil smiles.

 

"Blue Velvet" continues to play.

 

                         TED

             I'm quitting my job.

 

                         JENNIFER

             What?

 

                         TED

             You were right to kick me out.

             I've been married to the agency.

             Well, I'm getting a divorce.

 

                         JENNIFER

             You can't afford to quit your job.

 

                         TED

             Actually, I can. I'm thinking I

             might go back to school and get a

             teaching certificate.

 

                         JENNIFER

             How?

 

Ted smiles at her.

 

INT. BANK - SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX ROOM - DAY (FLASHBACK)

 

Sam sets a safety deposit box on a small table in front of

Ted and leaves.

 

Ted takes out the key. He opens the box.

 

Another folded note. He picks it up.

 

Under the note, money. Stacks and stacks of money. Big bills.

There might be a quarter million dollars in there.

 

Ted unfolds the note and reads.

 

                         EMIL (O.S.)

             There comes a time in every young

             man's life when he feels trapped.

             When he wonders if he's made the

             right choices in life.

 

INT. HOSPITAL - ROOM - DAY

 

"Blue Velvet" still plays.

 

Ted and Jennifer are dancing.


                                                           15.

 

 

                         EMIL (O.S.)

             By then he's usually too committed

             to a lifestyle to start over. I'm

             giving you the means to start

             over. I've done very well, as you

             know, and normally this would

             come to you in my will. But I

             wanted to keep this part of it a

             secret between us, and maybe

             you'll appreciate not having to

             wait for the courts to handle my

             estate. You're my only grandson,

             Ted, and I love you dearly. I

             want to give you a little help in

             starting over, whenever that time

             may come. It happens to all of us.

             We make mistakes. We get stuck in

             the obligations of life. I hope

             when your time comes, you can use

             this to start over and do it

             better the second time around.

 

                         JENNIFER

             Ted, how can you afford to quit

             your job?

 

Emil watches them dance. Ted and Jennifer morph into...

 

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

 

Young Emil and his date, his future wife, dancing to "Blue

Velvet."

 

The Clovers on stage, doing their choreographed routine.

 

                         TED (O.S.)

             Popo gave me an incredible gift.

             And I don't want to be married to

             my job, Jen. I want to be married

             to you.

 

INT. HOSPITAL - ROOM - DAY

 

Ted and Jennifer dance.

 

Alice watches, smiling.

 

"Blue Velvet" plays, near the end now.

 

Emil seems far away. Then he closes his eyes.

 

FADE OUT