"BLIND DATE"

 

                           by

 

                     Charles Deemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                         


 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

NED moves down the street. He has all the trappings of a

BLIND MAN, i.e. dark glasses, a white, red-tipped walking

stick. He moves cautiously, leading with the stick, just

like a blind man.

 

Just in front of him, a MAN walks. Suddenly the man stops.

Ned immediately stops as well. It's as if he can see.

 

The man looks at his watch, then continues ahead.

 

Ned continues on his way as well.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE - DAY

 

ALLIE and CAROL are having coffee at a small table. Both are

young, pretty women. Allie wears expensive jewelry and

otherwise looks like she has money.

 

                         CAROL

             You know what Joe said? He

             doesn't trust me. He sleeps

             around, and I'm the one who's

             untrustworthy. Go figure.

 

Ned enters the outdoor cafe area.

 

Over Carol's shoulder, Allie watches him make his careful way.

 

                         CAROL

             He's always turning the tables

             like that. Who are you looking at?

 

She turns to look.

 

                         ALLIE

             I see him here a lot. I can't

             imagine what it would be like to

             live in darkness.

 

                         CAROL

             Not looking at Joe for the rest

             of my life? Doesn't sound all

             that bad.

 

Ned manages to find a table near the women's. It's empty.

 

                         NED

                  (to anyone)

             Is this table empty?


                                                            2.

 

 

                         ALLIE

             Yes, it is.

 

                         NED

             Thank you.

 

He sits down.

 

                         CAROL

             I need to run an errand. Coming?

 

                         ALLIE

             Go ahead.

 

                         CAROL

             Allie, if Joe calls you--

 

                         ALLIE

             Why should he call me?

 

                         CAROL

             To find out what I told you. You

             haven't seen me in weeks.

 

                         ALLIE

             He'd never believe it. But I

             don't share our conversations

             with him, Carol.

 

                         CAROL

             Good. Ciao.

 

She leaves.

 

Allie watches Ned with fascination. Ned finds the cloth

napkin and carefully spreads it in his lap.

 

Allie still watches him. Ned suddenly smiles.

 

                         NED

             Allie?

 

She is taken aback to hear him say her name.

 

                         NED

             I can feel you there.

 

                         ALLIE

             Really?

 

                         NED

             Would you like to join me?

 

She hesitates.


                                                            3.

 

 

                         NED

             You've seen me here before,

             haven't you? I recognize your

             perfume. Please join me.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'd like that.

 

She moves to his table.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'm Allie.

 

                         NED

             I know. I'm Ned.

 

He holds out his hand. She takes it, and they shake hands.

 

Suddenly Ned doesn't let go of her hand. He squeezes it. He

grimaces.

 

                         NED

             Oh, shit. Pardon my French.

 

                         ALLIE

             Is something the matter?

 

                         NED

             I can't believe I did this.

 

                         ALLIE

             What?

 

                         NED

             I forgot to take my medicine this

             morning. I'm going to need a

             favor here.

 

                         ALLIE

             What can I do?

 

                         NED

             I need to get horizontal. Just

             until the dizziness passes.

 

                         ALLIE

             Should I call an ambulance?

 

                         NED

             Heavens, no! This happens all the

             time. I just need to lie down for

             a moment. There's a park around

             the corner, and the bench there

             will do fine. Will you help me?


                                                            4.

 

 

He tries to get to his feet. Allie hurries up and helps him.

 

                         ALLIE

             I think I should call someone.

 

                         NED

             No, no. I'll be fine as soon as I

             lie down and take my medicine.

 

A WAIT PERSON hurries over.

 

                         WAIT PERSON

             Is everything okay?

 

                         NED

             We're going to be fine.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Allie is helping Ned down the street. They are approaching

an apartment building near the cafe.

 

                         NED

             This is my fault. I really feel

             stupid.

 

                         ALLIE

             Listen, I live right here. Why

             don't you come in and lie down?

 

                         NED

             I don't want to put you to any

             trouble.

 

                         ALLIE

             It's no trouble at all.

 

                         NED

             Allie, you're very sweet.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie helps Ned into her apartment.

 

                         ALLIE

             You can use the bed.

 

                         NED

             Don't be silly. You must have a

             couch or something?

 

                         ALLIE

             The bed's more comfortable.


                                                            5.

 

 

                         NED

             A couch is fine.

 

She leads him to a divan. He stretches out.

 

                         ALLIE

             Would you like some water?

 

                         NED

             In a minute. Sit down.

 

The offer takes Allie aback. He gestures that she should sit

next to him on the edge of the couch.

 

                         NED

             Here. Please.

 

She sits.

 

                         NED

             Are you always so helpful?

 

                         ALLIE

             Well, I don't often ...

 

                         NED

             You just help blind people?

 

                         ALLIE

             I didn't mean that.

 

                         NED

             I know.

 

He reaches out for her. Allie nervously watches his hand

find her face.

 

                         NED

             Do you mind?

 

                         ALLIE

                  (not sure)

             No.

 

He carefully feels her face. He is gentle, sensuous.

 

                         NED

             I knew you'd be beautiful.

 

                         ALLIE

             Your hand tells you that?


                                                            6.

 

 

                         NED

             My hand tells me everything. It

             tells me you're nervous now.

             Don't you know you're beautiful?

 

                         ALLIE

                  (changing subject)

             Shouldn't you be taking your

             medicine?

 

                         NED

                  (ignoring question)

             Do you like to dance?

 

                         ALLIE

             What?

 

                         NED

             I'm an excellent dancer. How

             about you?

 

                         ALLIE

             I can hold my own.

 

                         NED

             Good. Maybe we can go sometime. I

             love your perfume, by the way.

 

The moment is too uncomfortable for Allie, and she stands.

 

                         ALLIE

             Are you sure you don't want some

             water?

 

                         NED

             You're right. I'll take my

             medicine and be out of here in a

             jiff.

 

                         ALLIE

             I didn't mean to imply--

 

                         NED

             It's okay, Allie.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'll get water.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Allie takes a deep breath at the sink. She pours herself a

glass of water and drinks it.


                                                            7.

 

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Allie returns with a glass of water. Ned is sitting up on

the couch. He holds an empty vial of prescription medicine.

 

                         NED

             More bad news.

 

                         ALLIE

             What is it?

 

                         NED

             I'm out of my medicine. I have to

             get to a drug store and get my

             prescription filled. I have it on

             me.

 

                         ALLIE

             Are you okay to move?

 

                         NED

             Not really. I'm going to need

             your help again. I feel like such

             a burden.

 

                         ALLIE

             Don't be ridiculous. Give me your

             prescription.

 

                         NED

             I don't want to--

 

                         ALLIE

             Ned, give it to me. I'll be back

             in half an hour.

 

                         NED

             You're an angel.

 

He holds out a slip of paper, the prescription. When she

take it, he gently takes her wrist and pulls her forward. He

kisses her on the cheek.

 

                         NED

             For your trouble.

 

Allie almost blushes.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'll put it on the table beside

             the couch. To your right.

 

She puts the water down.


                                                            8.

 

 

                         NED

             I insist on buying you dinner for

             this. Maybe we could go dancing.

 

                         ALLIE

             Dinner would be nice.

 

                         NED

             Do you tango?

 

She has to smile.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'll be right back.

 

She exits.

 

Ned sits, listening. Then he stands. He moves without his

walking stick to the window and looks down.

 

EXT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie comes out of the apartment. She looks relaxed, happy.

She hurries down the street.

 

Above at the window, Ned is looking down at her.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned takes off his dark glasses. His eyes are clear. He isn't

blind.

 

He reaches into his sportscoat and brings out a folded cloth

bag. He snaps it open.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Ned empties Allie's jewelry box into the bag.

 

INT. DRUGSTORE - COUNTER - DAY

 

A PHARMACIST is looking at the prescription. Allie waits at

the counter.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             Is this for you?

 

                         ALLIE

             For a friend. Is there a problem?

 

                         PHARMACIST

             I've never heard of this.


                                                            9.

 

 

                         ALLIE

             It's for someone who is blind.

             He's feeling dizzy.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             Let me call the physician.

 

He leaves. Allie looks nervous.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned takes more valuables and puts them in the bag.

 

INT. DRUGSTORE - COUNTER - DAY

 

The pharmacist returns.

 

                         PHARMACIST

             This number is no longer in

             service.

 

A light bulb goes on over Allie's head.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Allie races down the street to her apartment.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

She rushes in.

 

The apartment is empty.

 

                         ALLIE

             Ned?

 

She sees something missing on a mantel. She rushes to the

spot.

 

She looks around wildly, looking for what else is missing.

 

INT. ALLIE'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

She hurries into the bedroom. This is where most of the

damage has been done.

 

She sees her empty jewel box. She closes her eyes.

 

INT. BAR - NIGHT

 

Allie and Carol sit at a table over drinks.

 

                         ALLIE

             How could I have been so gullible?


                                                           10.

 

 

                         CAROL

             Don't torture yourself. If you

             can't trust a blind man, who the

             hell can you trust?

 

                         ALLIE

             He probably planned this for

             weeks. I mean, he's been at that

             cafe every day for almost a month.

             I bet he was just setting me up

             the whole time.

 

                         CAROL

             You have to admire his creativity.

 

                         ALLIE

             Carol!

 

                         CAROL

             In a perverted sort of way.

 

                         ALLIE

             I feel like I've been violated. I

             feel like I've been raped.

 

SUPER: "SIX MONTHS LATER"

 

EXT. NYC - DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD - STREET - DAY

 

Allie has moved. She walks down the street with a sack of

groceries.

 

Across the street is another sidewalk cafe. Allie stops,

noticing something.

 

Ned is sitting alone at a table. He's wearing dark glasses

and the walking stick leans against the table.  Allie can't

believe her eyes.

 

Still holding the sack of groceries, she maneuvers her cell

phone out of her purse. She punches a number with one hand.

 

                         ALLIE

             Get to the cafe ASAP. I'm across

             the street. ... Carol, it's an

             emergency. ... It's too

             complicated to explain on the

             phone. Just get here!

 

She hangs up.


                                                           11.

 

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY

 

Ned sips coffee at his table. At a table nearby, A YOUNG

WOMAN studies him curiously.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET ACROSS FROM CAFE #2 - DAY

 

Allie still spies on Ned. Carol arrives.

 

                         CAROL

             This better be good.

 

                         ALLIE

             That's him. Sitting alone, in the

             dark glasses.

 

                         CAROL

             Who? You've been stalking someone?

             Is he cute?

 

                         ALLIE

             The burglar! The phony blind man!

 

                         CAROL

             Oh my God ...

 

Now she looks with renewed interest.

 

                         CAROL

             What are you going to do?

 

                         ALLIE

             I don't know.

 

                         CAROL

             Call the cops.

 

                         ALLIE

             A lot they did the first time.

 

Ned gets up and prepares to go.

 

                         ALLIE

             He's leaving. I'm following him.

 

                         CAROL

             Are you crazy?

 

                         ALLIE

             Here.

 

She hands the sack of groceries to Carol.


                                                           12.

 

 

                         ALLIE

             I'll pick them up on my way home.

 

                         CAROL

             You're out of your mind!

 

Ned heads off down the street, making his way like a blind

man. Allie follows from across the street.

 

                         CAROL

                  (after her)

             This could be dangerous!

 

Allie ignores her.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Ned continues making his "blind man's way" down the street.

Allie follows him from across the street.

 

At a corner, she crosses and starts following behind him.

 

Ned continues on.

 

Suddenly he stops. He takes off the dark glasses and puts

them in a pocket. He moves to the curb, moving normally. He

looks around for a cab.

 

Allie sees that he is not blind! She can't believe it.

 

Ned hails a cab. He gets in.

 

The cab takes off as Allie runs up. She looks for an

available cab to follow him. But she can't find any.

 

EXT. NYC - STREET - DAY

 

Carol walks Allie home. Allie is carrying her sack of

groceries.

 

                         ALLIE

             When he took of his glasses, he

             could see as well as you and me.

             I went straight to the police.

             They almost laughed at me.

 

                         CAROL

             Look at the murders they can't

             solve. Burglars are a low priority.

 

                         ALLIE

             I can't let him get away with it.


                                                           13.

 

 

                         CAROL

             Allie? Maybe you should move on.

             You were doing great until you

             saw him.

 

                         ALLIE

             He's setting up someone else. I

             think I know who it is.

 

                         CAROL

             Who?

 

                         ALLIE

             She was at a table nearby. I've

             seen her around lately, she must

             be new in the neighborhood. She

             wears good jewelry.

 

                         CAROL

             I've never seen this side of you

             before. The Sherlock Holmes

             complex.

 

They reach Carol's Apartment.

 

                         ALLIE

             Want to come in?

 

                         CAROL

             I'm having a drink with someone.

 

                         ALLIE

             Joe?

 

Carol sheepishly nods.

 

                         ALLIE

             Carol, I thought you were through

             with him.

 

                         CAROL

             Guess not.

 

                         ALLIE

             This is sick. You're addicted to

             him.

 

                         CAROL

             Look who's talking.

 

                         ALLIE

             Justice is not an addiction.


                                                           14.

 

 

                         CAROL

             It feels more like revenge.

 

                         ALLIE

             I know what I'm doing. I need a

             favor.

 

                         CAROL

             No.

 

                         ALLIE

             Carol!

 

                         CAROL

             What?

 

                         ALLIE

             I need to borrow your apartment.

             Don't ask me why, you'll

             disapprove. I'm your best friend.

             That's reason enough to say yes.

             ... Carol?

 

                         CAROL

                  (weakly)

             Yes.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

 

Allie looks at herself in the mirror. She seems to be trying

to picture herself as someone else.

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

as Allie goes shopping at various stores for a "makeover."

 

1. She tries on various wigs and chooses one.

 

2. She models clothing that is much "slinkier" than anything

she would normally wear.

 

3. She tries on a different brand of perfume.

 

4. Back at home, she administers a different style of makeup.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM - DAY

 

She stands before the mirror again, completely madeover. She

has less class, more flamboyance.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY

 

Allie, in her makeover, sits at a table. The young woman

from before is sitting nearby.


                                                           15.

 

 

Ned enters the area. Allie goes to him.

 

                         ALLIE

             There's an empty table this way.

 

She takes his hand and leads him to a table. The young woman

watches with interest. Allie stares at her.

 

EXT. SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - TABLE - DAY

 

They reach an empty table.

 

                         ALLIE

             Here we go.

 

                         NED

             Thank you so much. I love your

             perfume.

 

                         ALLIE

             Would you mind of I join you?

 

                         NED

             I'd like that.

 

Both sit down.

 

A SERIES OF SHOTS

 

of Allie and Ned getting to know one another over the next

hour. Talking, laughing. Allie is touching him a lot, very

flirtatious.

 

Then Ned tries to stand, becomes weak, and Allie rushes

around the table as she did the first time.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Allie leads Ned into her apartment.

 

                         NED

             Nancy, you're so sweet.

 

                         ALLIE

             The divan is straight ahead. I'll

             get you a glass of water so you

             can take your medicine.

 

                         NED

             I'm actually feeling a little

             better--

 

But she's already gone. Ned makes his way to the divan and

sits down.


                                                           16.

 

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY

 

Allie pours a glass of water. She's looking very devious.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Allie returns with the water.

 

                         ALLIE

             Where's your medicine?

 

Ned takes out the empty vial.

 

                         NED

             I don't believe this.

 

                         ALLIE

             Do you have a prescription? I'll

             get you a refill. It won't take

             long.

 

                         NED

             Are you sure?

 

                         ALLIE

             No problem.

 

                         NED

             You're so sweet to me. I'll only

             do this if you let me take you to

             dinner.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'd love it. Do you like to dance?

 

                         NED

             I love to dance.

 

                         ALLIE

             I do a mean tango.

 

                         NED

             Really?

 

                         ALLIE

             The prescription?

 

                         NED

             Oh ...

 

He takes it out and hands it to her.


                                                           17.

 

 

EXT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie comes out but waits on the porch. She takes a deep

breath.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned gets up and takes off his glasses. He looks around. No

window overlooking the front of the building this time.

 

He takes out the cloth sack and snaps it open.

 

EXT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie looks at her watch.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

 

Ned empties Carol's jewel box into the sack.

 

EXT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie takes out her cell phone. She punches 911.

 

                         ALLIE

             I want to report a burglary in

             progress.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned empties other valuables into the sack.

 

EXT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - DAY

 

Allie nervously waits on the porch. A TENANT comes out of

the building (either sex, any age).

 

                         ALLIE

             Excuse me! I need your help.

 

                         TENANT

             Are you locked out?

 

                         ALLIE

             No, I need you to wait here for

             the police. They're on their way.

 

                         TENANT

             The police?

 

Allie starts for the door.

 

                         ALLIE

             Send them to room 105!


                                                           18.

 

 

She enters the building, leaving the Tenant with her mouth

open.

 

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY

 

Allie makes her way down the hallway. She reaches the door.

She takes a pistol out of her purse, then hides the gun

behind her.

 

INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned is just finishing up.

 

Suddenly the door opens and Allie enters. Ned is caught with

the bag in his hand, his glasses off, his eyes clear.

 

                         ALLIE

             Ned?

 

                         NED

             You step aside, Nancy, and no one

             will get hurt here.

 

Allie shows the gun.

 

                         ALLIE

             I called the police.

 

Ned stops, cognizant of the gun. He studies her.

 

                         NED

             How did you know?

 

Allie pulls off her wig.

 

                         ALLIE

             Recognize me? It was at a cafe

             across town, six months ago.

 

                         NED

             What's your name?

 

                         ALLIE

             Allie.

 

                         NED

             That's why I recognized the

             perfume.

 

                         ALLIE

             This scam of yours is about as

             low as it gets.

                         (MORE)


                                                           19.

 

 

                         ALLIE (CONT'D)

             Why can't you just rob people

             like normal crooks? You have to

             get a person's sympathy first?

 

                         NED

             I don't know what to tell you,

             Allie.

 

                         ALLIE

             They're going to put you away for

             a long time.

 

                         NED

             Well, I hear the jails are pretty

             crowded. Do you mind if I sit

             down while we're waiting?

 

                         ALLIE

             The police are already on their

             way. Go ahead.

 

                         NED

             Thank you.

 

In his gesture to sit down, Ned suddenly slings the sack of

goodies at Allie. She is startled enough for him to grab her

and take the gun away.

 

He twists her arm behind her back.

 

                         ALLIE

             You're hurting me.

 

                         NED

             Not half as hurt as you'll be if

             you try anything.

 

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

The tenant waits outside, not sure what to do.

 

INT. MARY'S APT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

 

Ned still has the gun on Allie and leads her to the door. He

also has retrieved the sack of goodies.

 

                         ALLIE

             Where are we going?

 

                         NED

             You're my ticket out of here.


                                                           20.

 

 

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY

 

The door opens. Ned and Allie come outside.

 

                         NED

             Back off!

 

The tenant, scared to death, does so.

 

                         NED

             No one has to get hurt here ...

 

He's leading Allie down the stairs. Allie surreptitiously

reaches into her purse for something.

 

A SIREN SOUNDS in the distance, the police on their way.

 

Ned is distracted by the sound, and Allie takes advantage of

the moment to swing around and spray him with a can of mace.

She keeps spraying, getting Ned in the face.

 

Ned drops the gun and sack of stolen goodies. His hands go

to his eyes.

 

                         NED

             I can't see!

 

The SIRENS come closer.

 

                         NED

             I'm blind, I can't see!

 

Ned holds out his arms like a man terrified of his near

surroundings, a man terrified of darkness.

 

Allie watches, smiling.

 

The SIRENS are closer still.

 

EXT. NYC - SIDEWALK CAFE #2 - DAY

 

Allie sits at a table. Carol and JOE are standing.  Carol

shows off a diamond engagement ring.

 

                         ALLIE

             It's beautiful.

 

                         CAROL

             And authentic.

 

                         JOE

             I'd be a dead man to try and slip

             a phony stone past this one.


                                                           21.

 

 

                         CAROL

             Oh, you.

                  (to Allie)

             Bring someone to the party.

 

                         ALLIE

             I'll just come alone.

 

                         CAROL

                  (to Joe)

             We need to fix her up.

 

                         ALLIE

             You need to do no such thing.

 

                         CAROL

             I'll call you. Have you ever seen

             me so happy?

 

And they are gone.

 

Allie finishes her coffee. She stands up to go.

 

Turning, she runs smack into A BLIND MAN. He almost knocks

her down.

 

                         BLIND MAN

             I'm so sorry!

 

                         ALLIE

             That's all right ...

 

                         BLIND MAN

             You're sure?

 

                         ALLIE

             I'm fine.

 

                         BLIND MAN

             At least let me buy you a cup of

             coffee.

 

Allie freezes. She studies him. He's nice looking. But is he

sincere?

 

                         BLIND MAN

             Please.

 

The blind man smiles. Allie still doesn't answer.

 

FADE OUT