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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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. 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.
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.
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