AUTUMN IN NEW YORK
Screenplay by
Allison Burnett
Shooting Draft
2000
FADE IN:
EXT. CENTRAL PARK -- SEPTEMBER AFTERNOON
A COUPLE moves down a walkway, deep in subdued conversation.
All around them trees explode with autumn color. Birds sing.
Their path is dappled with leafy shadow.
To their left, on the sunny meadow, TEENAGERS throw saucers
and footballs, smoke cigarettes and joints, drink beer and
soda, savoring the waning hours of summer.
CLOSER ON THE COUPLE
He is WILLS KEANE, late 40's to early 50's, strikingly
handsome, impeccably dressed, and supremely poised. At first
glance he has the proud glow of a hedonist who in the war
against time has been the undisputed victor.
Only a closer look hints at the toll of battle. His shoulders
strain under the weight of so much repetition. His eyes are
touched by regret. The lines in his face reveal an emerging
disenchantment not so much with the world as with himself.
Walking at his side is a WOMAN, 30, attractive and bright.
Her name is unimportant because so many have come before her
and, if the past prevails, so many will come after.
She listens intently, as Wills finishes speaking --
WILLS
-- and I could have waited to tell
you, but I wanted to leave no room
for misunderstanding.
WOMAN
Well, you certainly didn't.
EXT. ANOTHER CENTRAL PARK WALKWAY -- LATER
Still talking quietly, they pass into a more secluded area
of the park--
WOMAN
No, I see how you could feel this
way. Of course I do. It's human. But
what I don't get is why you'd want
to announce it so quickly. I mean,
we just met. Feelings change. You
don't even know me.
WILLS
Yes, I do.
She is amused by his confidence --
WOMAN
Oh, really?
WILLS
The minute I laid eyes on you. It's
the saddest thing about getting older.
You know people so quickly. I even
knew you'd end up hating me.
WOMAN
Well, you're wrong. I don't.
WILLS
(with a weary smile)
Give it time.
She laughs. Then he stops. He hears something. She stops.
She hears it, too. It's a GIRL'S VOICE. He casually turns
and looks, squinting into the sun.
He takes a few steps and there, between trees, he sees TWO
DOZEN PEOPLE sitting on the grass and on folding chairs --
most are middle-aged or older with a distinctly intellectual-
bohemian look to them.
Standing and addressing them is CHARLOTTE FIELDING, 19, fair,
willowy, pale, lovely in an unconventional way. She wears an
eccentric hat and a vintage dress. Her bearing is upright,
her gaze warm and intelligent, her voice rich with emotion --
CHARLOTTE
-- and for weeks I sat by her bed
and cried. I told her I loved her
and I begged her not to leave me.
All I could think about was what I'd
lose if she died. And then one
night... she was in really bad pain...
I stopped thinking about myself for
a second and I thought about her.
(fighting tears)
I stopped crying. I said goodbye.
And in less than an hour Ella was
gone.
The woman whispers in Wills' ear --
WOMAN
It's so sad.
But Wills ignores her. He watches Charlotte with keen
interest, touched by the depth and sincerity of her emotion.
CHARLOTTE
I really think it's possible to hold
a person back... cry them back...
from dying. That's what I did to
Ella and I'll never do it to anyone
else again.
(softly)
I hope no one ever does it to me.
She looks out at the group, many of whom are crying. A tear
runs down her cheek. She smiles and wipes it away.
The woman, seeing Wills' interest in the girl, whispers --
WOMAN
So what do you know about her?
He knows a great deal. Or at least he thinks he does. But
his answer is nonchalant --
WILLS
That she's just a kid.
He takes the woman gently by the elbow and guides her away.
He steals one last look back.
Charlotte, returning to where she was sitting, notices Wills.
Their eyes meet and a charge passes between them.
Meanwhile an OLD MAN has risen from his chair --
OLD MAN
I met Ella at City College in 1938...
Wills slowly turns and walks away.
MUSIC AND TITLES IN:
EXT. MANHATTAN SUBWAY STOP -- AUTUMN DUSK
A SWARM OF PEDESTRIANS ascends the steps to the bustling
street.
FIND CHARLOTTE amid the swarm, struggling with a load of
BOXES and SHOPPING BAGS, carrying an antique, wood-and-wire
DRESSMAKER'S MANNEQUIN.
She wears a peasant dress with a cycle jacket, a backpack,
and another eccentric hat.
EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK -- DUSK
Charlotte makes her way down the leaf-strewn pathway. Wheeling
the mannequin by the neck, she passes NYU STUDENTS smoking,
laughing, and chatting on their way to class.
EXT. WEST VILLAGE AVENUE -- DUSK
Charlotte hauls the mannequin down the block. A YOUNG MAN
offers her assistance, but she politely and firmly refuses.
EXT. WEST VILLAGE STREET -- DUSK
Charlotte wearily hauls the mannequin across the cobblestone
street, over the curb, and up to the stoop of a charming but
slightly dilapidated BROWNSTONE.
INT. BROWNSTONE FOYER -- DUSK
Charlotte opens the door into the darkness. She hits a light
switch and nothing happens. She flips it back and forth --
CHARLOTTE
Shit.
She dumps her boxes and bags, then wheels in the mannequin.
CHARLOTTE
Dolly! The bulb burned out!
MUSIC AND TITLES OUT:
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- SAME
EIGHT SILHOUETTES are crouched in the dark room. The mantel
is draped with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANNER. The coffee table is
stacked with WRAPPED GIFTS.
INT. FOYER -- SAME
Charlotte looks suspiciously at the living room door --
CHARLOTTE
Dolly?
She tiptoes through the darkness and lays her ear against
it.
INT. LIVING ROOM -- SAME
We hear chuckles and whispers of anticipation. An older
woman's raspy, boozy voice growls --
RASPY VOICE
My ass hurts.
A few people chuckle, but they're quickly hushed. The DOOR
KNOB TURNS and the DOOR OPENS. Everyone leaps up in a blaze
of light --
ALL
SURPRISE!
The MANNEQUIN bursts into the room, teetering crazily, wearing
CHARLOTTE'S JACKET, BACKPACK, and HAT.
Everyone FLINCHES and SCREAMS. Amid a chorus of laughter,
Charlotte enters. Grinning, she wags a facetious finger --
CHARLOTTE
See? Surprises suck!
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
An antique clock ticks crisply on the dresser. Wills stands
before a mahogany mirror, buttoning a freshly laundered white
shirt.
Lying on the cradle bed, half-wrapped in a sheet, naked but
for a string of pearls, is TANYA, 35, raven-haired, much too
thin. She smokes a cigarette.
TANYA
Oh, Wills, please, not again. It's
our third date and we're already in
a rut.
WILLS
But I thought you loved it.
She stretches with her cigarette but before she can make it
to the ashtray, her ASH FALLS on a New York magazine.
On the cover is a PHOTOGRAPH OF WILLS standing next to a
YOUNG CHEF in a fashionable restaurant. The caption reads:
"The Prodigal Son Returns."
TANYA
Oh, I do -- except for the fact that
there isn't a single thing on the
menu I can eat.
WILLS
(with a chuckle)
Sure, there is; there's just very
little you're willing to digest.
He slips in a cuff link. She affects a breezy indifference --
TANYA
Fine then. We'll go, I'll get big,
fat, and horrible, and it'll serve
you right.
Wills slips on a silk tie --
WILLS
No, it won't. Because it takes at
least a few weeks to get fat and by
then you won't even be speaking to
me.
TANYA
(curiously)
Why do you say that?
He stops tying his tie and stares at her in the mirror --
WILLS
Because we have no future. All I can
offer you is this... what we have
right now... nothing more
meaningful... until it ends.
He goes back to tying his tie, then adds softly --
WILLS
I could have waited to tell you, but
I wanted to leave no room for
misunderstanding.
She stares at him, speechless.
INT. RESTAURANT -- THAT NIGHT
Its decor is exquisitely tasteful, its ambiance warm and
convivial. The night is in full swing. Most of the tables
are taken and the bar is packed.
EXT. UPPER EAST SIDE -- SAME
From amid the RUSH OF TRAFFIC, a TAXI breaks free and glides
to the curb in front of the RESTAURANT.
Its facade is windowless. Only a small brass plaque on the
grey marble reveals that this is ELYSIUM.
Wills and ERIKO, 30's, Japanese, aloof and stunning, emerge
from the taxi, elegantly dressed, and move to the front door.
INT. ELYSIUM -- CONTINUOUS
TWO TIPSY DEBUTANTES pass Wills and Eriko as they enter. One
recognizes Wills and smiles flirtatiously.
Wills stops and helps Eriko off with her jacket. JESUS, 30,
the dashing Cuban-American maitre d', superbly discreet,
approaches --
JESUS
Good evening, Mr. Keane. Will you be
dining with us tonight?
WILLS
We certainly will. Table seven, Jesus,
if it's available.
JESUS
Yes, sir.
Wills hands Eriko's jacket to MELISSA, 20, the hat check
girl --
WILLS
How are you, Melissa?
MELISSA
(blushing)
Fine, Mr. Keane.
CELIA, mid-20's, the chipper, blonde Midwestern hostess,
arrives, wearing a stunned, glassy smile.
WILLS
Good evening, Celia. And how --
CELIA
(with forced cheeriness)
Just dandy, sir, thanks!
JESUS
Table seven.
CELIA
This way, please.
Celia, barely making eye contact with Eriko, walks quickly
away. Wills is amused and a little confused by Celia's
behavior. He lays a hand on Eriko's back --
WILLS
I'll be right with you.
Eriko nods and follows Celia.
Wills moves to the reservation stand where his best friend
and the restaurant's manager, JOHN VOLPE, 40, a brilliant,
dapper, tough as nails Brooklynite stands, listening to
someone on the telephone.
Wills lays a hand on his shoulder and mutters into his ear --
WILLS
How's it going?
JOHN
(covering the phone)
Chaos.
WILLS
The house specialty.
JOHN
Easy for you to say, ya prick.
Waltzin' in here like you own the
joint.
Wills laughs and takes a look into the bar. John gestures
with his head in Eriko's direction --
JOHN
So who's the new potential ex-wife?
I thought you were still wastin'
time with Tanya-von-What's-her-name.
WILLS
We wisely agreed to cut our losses.
Wills exits into the bar. John smiles and shakes his head.
FOLLOW WILLS, as he glides along the bar. CUSTOMERS and STAFF
greet him warmly.
As he enters the main dining room, DINERS spot him --
sprinkled among them are CELEBRITIES from every walk of city
life. Wills greets them, stopping to shake their hands and
kiss their cheeks.
Suddenly, Celia, the hostess, red-faced, blocks his path --
CELIA
Look, I have no right to say this,
okay? And you can fire me if you
want, but in the six weeks we've
been open you've brought in six
different women -- tonight makes
seven -- and it's really starting to
get to me.
WILLS
In what way?
CELIA
I have to greet them! It's like
working at a dog shelter! I'm afraid
to learn their names or even smile
at them because I know any minute
they could be put down!
WILLS
I assure you it's an absolutely
painless procedure.
Shocked, she can't help but sputter a laugh --
CELIA
It is?
WILLS
Sure.
(beat)
Especially for me.
They both laugh. He moves closer, lowers his voice, and speaks
with warm sincerity --
WILLS
Actually, I appreciate your concern,
Celia. The truth is I'm a little
worried myself.
CELIA
Seriously?
WILLS
Seriously. I've been trying to do
better.
(uneasily)
But... you know how it is... old
habits die hard.
CELIA
So I'm not fired?
WILLS
Nope. In fact, John's been looking
for an assistant. Tell him you've
just been promoted.
Wills smiles, pats her in the shoulder, and moves on. She
can't believe it.
A WAITER carrying a BIRTHDAY CAKE -- blazing with candles
and decorated with a WOMAN'S HAT made of MERINGUE LATTICEWORK --
passes by on his way to the REAR DINING ROOM.
From inside, VOICES begin to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Wills, his
curiosity piqued, follows.
INT. REAR DINING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The waiter sets down the cake at the center of a round table.
There's a CHEER and APPLAUSE as the song ends. Wills cannot
see whose birthday it is because the waiter blocks his view.
Just as Wills is about to exit the room, the waiter steps
away. Wills glances over and sees the birthday girl. At first
he can't place her, but then he does, and his face softens
and brightens.
It's Charlotte. She wears a black velvet dress and a
wonderfully eccentric hat. Her eyes glow in the candlelight.
Through the chorus of voices, urging her to make a wish, she
cries out --
CHARLOTTE
You guys! Let me think!
(concentrating)
Okay. Okay.
Charlotte blows hard, and, with a little more effort than
you might expect, extinguishes the candles. Everyone APPLAUDS
and CHEERS.
To Charlotte's right sits SIMON LORING, late 20's, English,
sardonic, adoring. He gestures at her CHEST and says --
SIMON
Watch carefully, everyone -- they
ought to begin emerging any moment
now.
Everyone laughs. Charlotte playfully slaps him --
CHARLOTTE
Very funny! Actually, any moment now
you're gonna turn straight and fall
at my feet.
SIMON
Oh, darling, you know I would if I
could.
Charlotte's best friend, SHANNON HARRIS, 19, a spoiled but
big-hearted redhead, drowning in curls, mutters --
SHANNON
The only time he falls at your feet
now is when he wants to borrow your
Prada loafers.
More laughter.
BACK TO WILLS. He considers approaching Charlotte, but then
he looks back and sees Eriko sitting alone at their table,
idly stabbing at her drink with a straw.
Regretting his rudeness, he takes a step toward her, but
then hears --
WOMAN'S VOICE
Is that Wills Keane?
He turns and sees DOLORES TALBOT, 70, blonde wig, spindly
frame, weathered skin, large, sad eyes. She holds a mixed
drink --
WOMAN
It sure as hell is and he hasn't
changed a bit!
WILLS
I'm sorry, do I --
WOMAN
You little fool, it's Dolores Talbot.
Dolly!
His smile shows uneasy surprise --
WILLS
My God, it is.
DOLLY
Yeah, I know, time's kicked my ass
but good. Come on, Romeo, let's bury
the hatchet. Give me a hug. Careful
of the cocktail.
As he hugs Dolores, he can't help but look over at Charlotte
again.
DOLLY
So what the hell're you doin' around
here? Last I heard you were out in
earthquake country blowin' the family
fortune.
WILLS
Actually, I doubled it.
DOLLY
Good for you!
ON CHARLOTTE. She looks over. Her view is such that she sees
Wills but not Dolores.
A faint blush creeps into Charlotte's cheeks. She pretends
to listen as Shannon tells a story --
SHANNON
-- and you know how bouncer's get.
He's like, "That's the worst fake
I.D. I've ever seen." And I'm like,
"Yeah? Well, you have the worst dread-
extensions!" And then just when --
Noticing Charlotte's distraction, Simon whispers calmly to
her --
SIMON
Are you feeling all right? You look
positively green.
Charlotte speaks under her breath without moving her lips --
CHARLOTTE
He's here. And he's staring at me
again.
SHANNON
No way!
Both Shannon and Simon turn to look, but like lightning
Charlotte grabs them both --
CHARLOTTE
Don't!
(to Simon)
Wait a few seconds, then go to the
bathroom.
SIMON
How will I know him?
CHARLOTTE
He's beautiful. And much older.
SIMON
Really?
(getting up)
If he's rich you might have a fight
on your hands.
Charlotte watches furtively as Simon rises from his chair
and walks over. As he passes Wills, he flashes him a seductive
smile. Wills is confused by it.
CHARLOTTE
Okay, look.
Shannon swivels her head and throws an aloof, vacant stare
in Wills' direction. Then she looks back at Charlotte, mouth
agape --
SHANNON
He's as old as my dad!
Charlotte laughs.
BACK ON WILLS. He does his best to be attentive as Dolores
exhales a plume of smoke into his face --
DOLLY
Sure, L.A.'s okay if you're a cactus
or a lizard, but if you're a New
Englander, your soul dries up and
blows away like a god damn leaf.
WILLS
It only took me twenty years to come
to my senses.
DOLLY
So what're you doin' now? You owned
some restaurants out there, didn't
you?
ON CHARLOTTE. She sits listening to Shannon --
SHANNON
And so, after all that, we pay our
cover, we get in, and it's totally
heinous! Nothing but losers and --
Charlotte looks over and pales, her eyes widening --
CHARLOTTE
Oh, shit.
SHANNON
What?
Dolores walks up, hauling Wills by the arm --
DOLLY
Kids! I want you to meet an old chum
of mine, the owner of this fine
establishment -- Wills Keane!
The table greets him. Wills, slightly self-conscious, looks
at everyone but Charlotte.
DOLLY
And that over there's the birthday
girl -- my granddaughter, Charlotte.
The news hits Wills hard. But he does his best to hide it.
He musters a casual smile --
WILLS
Not Katie and Jay's daughter?
DOLLY
You bet. She got her height from her
dad. But her talent's all Katie's.
Dolores indicates the hat that Charlotte's wearing --
DOLLY
Made it herself from scratch. That
one, too.
(to Shannon)
Honey, show 'im.
Shannon makes an elaborate comic show of modeling the hat
she's wearing. The table laughs.
Wills levels his gaze at Charlotte --
WILLS
Impressive.
Try as she might to accept the compliment with grace,
Charlotte can't help but grin.
CHARLOTTE
Thanks.
The WINE STEWARD stands at a station on which sit TWO BOTTLES
OF CHAMPAGNE on ice. He reaches for one. Wills stops him --
WILLS
I think we can do better than that.
The steward, understanding, nods and departs, taking the
champagne with him.
WILLS
Happy birthday, Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE
Thanks.
SHANNON
(under her breath)
Twenty years old and never been...
CHARLOTTE
(laughing)
Shut up!
Amused, he flashes Charlotte his most dazzling smile.
WILLS
I'll let you get back to your
celebration.
(kissing Dolly's cheek)
A pleasure to see you again.
DOLLY
Same here.
Wills turns to exit. Simon, returning to his seat, murmurs
seductively to Wills as he passes by --
SIMON
Leaving so soon?
Wills looks at him, confused again, then continues on. As
Simon sits, he mutters to Charlotte --
SIMON
Be still my beating heart.
(beat)
Or is that your heart?
SHANNON
(whisper to Charlotte)
You're not really into him, are you?
Charlotte turns to Dolores who has just sat down.
CHARLOTTE
Hey, Dolly, how do you know him?
DOLLY
(uneasily)
From Newport. Old friend of your
mom's.
Dolores eats a sloppy forkful of birthday cake.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WINDOW -- ESTABLISHING -- MORNING
A gentle breeze tickles a white lace curtain. A PHONE RINGS.
INT. BROWNSTONE KITCHEN -- SAME
Charlotte, standing in the small antiquated kitchen, wearing
flannel pajamas, tenses when she hears the PHONE RINGING
UPSTAIRS. She snatches an apple from a bowl and dashes out
of the room.
FOLLOW CHARLOTTE running through the DINING ROOM... into the
LIVING ROOM... into the FOYER... and up a DARK STAIRCASE.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S BEDROOM -- MORNING
A startling clash of childhood, adolescence, and womanhood.
Everything from stuffed animals to posters of pop icons to
volumes of great literature.
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN
Charlotte bangs in, flings herself on the bed, and grabs the
phone --
CHARLOTTE
Okay, bitch, I'm ready!
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. WILLS' ROOFTOP TERRACE -- MORNING
Wills sits in his woolen robe, holding a portable phone.
Amused, he smiles into the morning sun --
WILLS
For what?
CHARLOTTE
Oh my God, I'm so sorry! Wait. Who
is this?
WILLS
Wills Keane.
Her heart stops. She sits up slowly, her body tensed.
WILLS
Who did you think it was?
CHARLOTTE
My friend Simon, actually. He always
calls me the morning after to sort
of... you know... sum everything up.
WILLS
And how would you sum it up,
Charlotte? Turning twenty.
CHARLOTTE
Kinda cool, kinda creepy. Anyway,
you wanna speak to my grandmother?
WILLS
(with a chuckle)
I don't think so.
OLIVIA, 30's, Wills' Jamaican cook and housekeeper, enters.
Plump, handsome, and perpetually amused, she carries a tray
laden with continental breakfast and a New York Times. Wills
mouths a greeting. She smiles back and sets the tray on a
table.
WILLS
I called because I'm going to be
attending a benefit... a black-and-
white ball.... and I'd like you to
design a hat... for my date.
CHARLOTTE
Really? Wow. Sounds fun. Okay.
WILLS
It's a gift. I don't have her
measurements, but she's about your
size. What're you, a six?
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh.
WILLS
Good -- then let's assume your hat
size is also the same.
CHARLOTTE
But that doesn't necessarily --
WILLS
It's a risk we'll just have to take.
Charlotte runs over to her sewing table, looking for a pen
and paper. She finds paper, but no pen --
WILLS
Her dress is a sheath... sleeveless,
black. The hat must, of course, be
black or white or both.
She finds a pen but it doesn't work. She grabs an eyeliner
and uses that --
CHARLOTTE
Any particular style?
WILLS
(sipping his coffee)
No, just plenty of it. How long will
it take?
CHARLOTTE
A week or two.
WILLS
You have till Thursday. I'll need it
here by seven o'clock. I'm at the
Pembroke on Central Park West and
76th.
CHARLOTTE
Oh. Wow. Okay.
WILLS
What's your fee?
CHARLOTTE
(faltering)
I don't really have one. I usually
just make them for friends.
WILLS
How's five hundred dollars?
CHARLOTTE
Really? Wow.
WILLS
Charlotte?
His tone has abruptly shifted; it's intimately hushed. It
both daunts and excites her --
CHARLOTTE
Yeah?
WILLS
You say "wow" a lot.
CHARLOTTE
I know.
WILLS
It has to stop. You're a woman now.
CHARLOTTE
I know.
WILLS
Bye.
CHARLOTTE
Bye.
She clicks off the phone, wilts into a swoon on the bed, and
breaks out laughing.
Wills, still holding the receiver, stares dreamily into the
middle distance.
He snaps to when Olivia enters. Her accent is as much Queens
as it is Caribbean --
OLIVIA
See, now you got me worried.
WILLS
What do you mean?
OLIVIA
You slept alone last night. You must
be sick or somethin'. You want me to
call a doctor?
WILLS
Thank you, no, I'm fine.
She throws him a sly, sidelong glance, then exits. Wills
laughs and contentedly sips his coffee.
FROM THE NEXT SCENE, we hear the sound of SQUEALING, LAUGHING,
SHOUTING CHILDREN.
INT. FAO SCHWARZ -- NIGHT
Surrounded by swarming PARENTS and KIDS, Wills stands with
John, the manager of Elysium, and his wife, SARAH VOLPE, 30,
who, gazing out of frame, keeps a watchful eye on their kids --
JOHN
Save it, pal! Don't even bother! I
may not have gone to a fancy school
like Bendover --
WILLS
(to Sarah)
That would be Andover.
SARAH
Sure, if his folks could have afforded
it.
JOHN
-- but when Wills Keane comps three
bottles of Dom to a twenty-year-old
girl, then tells me he did it 'cause
he likes the kid's grandma, I smell
a rat!
SARAH
(looking around)
Oh, is that what that is? I figured
there was a dirty diaper somewhere.
WILLS
(lightly)
Okay, I admit it, she interests me.
JOHN
(turning to Sarah)
He's gonna do it! I don't believe
it! He moved us back here for nothing!
SARAH
So much for that turned leaf.
WILLS
(amused)
Come on, you're overreacting.
JOHN
Is that what you think? Buddy, since
we hit town, I have done nothin' but
cut you slack! Every week a new woman
on your arm and I didn't say a word.
Why? 'Cause I figured at least they're
in the right demographic. Maybe by
accident you'll trip over something
substantial. But this little girl?
Best she could be is Miss Right's
daughter!
WILLS
(uneasily)
I know. It's just that there's
something about her. She's special...
and I just thought --
SARAH
"She's young. She's hot. I'm on the
verge of menopause. Why not go for
it?"
Wills and Sarah meet eyes.
WILLS
There wouldn't be much point in lying
to you, would there?
Sarah shakes her head.
KIDS' VOICES
Mommy, Daddy, look, look!
MOLLY and CARLA, the Volpes' five-year-old TWIN DAUGHTERS
run up, beaming, each carrying a huge stuffed animal.
JOHN
Hey, they're bigger than you are!
John scoops both his daughters up in his arms and kisses
them repeatedly.
Wills watches, his eyes filling with a vague, wistful envy.
He sees Sarah staring at him. She smiles sympathetically.
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
The furniture is antique and dark. The white walls are tinged
with yellow from years of cigarettes. In one corner, the
paint has chipped off the ceiling in a jagged plate.
Dolores sits on a worn-out leather arm chair, smoking, sipping
a cocktail, watching a DAYTIME TALK SHOW.
In the background, we see Charlotte working in the ADJOINING
DINING ROOM which she has turned into a lovely sewing room.
CLOSER ON CHARLOTTE. She builds her hat on a HAT BLOCK -- a
wooden mannequin head. Strewn all around her are the materials
of her hatmaking -- bolts of cloth, hat blocks, a sewing
table.
Shannon, wearing sweats and a T-shirt, lies on the floor,
eating M+M's and drinking diet soda, while heavily marking
up a text book with a YELLOW HIGHLIGHTER.
Charlotte stops and rubs her eyes, then she glances down at
Shannon and smiles --
CHARLOTTE
Why don't you mark what isn't
important? That way you'll save ink.
SHANNON
Why don't you sew your mouth to my
butt? That way you'll stop annoying
me.
They both laugh. Overhearing, Dolores croaks facetiously --
DOLLY
Now, now, if you two kids can't play
nice --
Shannon rolls over onto her back --
SHANNON
God, I hate school.
Charlotte pins a strip of black lace to the hat --
CHARLOTTE
Oh, come on, just last week, you
said you were on a roll. You loved
it!
SHANNON
Well, now I'm on the rag and I hate
it.
Charlotte chuckles and sets the half-finished hat on her
head. Still seated, she wheels her work chair over to a mirror --
CHARLOTTE
I think you're incredibly lucky. I'd
love to be going to college.
Shannon rolls over and looks at her. Suddenly her expression
is inexplicably solemn --
SHANNON
Am I the most spoiled brat in the
world or what?
CHARLOTTE
Spoiled brats don't even ask questions
like that.
(re: the hat)
What do you think?
She models the hat. Tears well in Shannon's eyes and she
says without even a hint of irony or sentimentality --
SHANNON
That you're the most beautiful person
in the entire world.
Charlotte smiles, looks away, and, trying not to cry, fusses
with the hat.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK WEST -- NIGHT
A cold autumn rain falls. The Irish doorman, MICHAEL, 60's,
melancholy, stoop-shouldered, smokes a cigarette, looking up
at the unburdening sky.
A LIMOUSINE pulls up. The passenger window glides down --
DRIVER
Mikey! How ya doin'?
DOORMAN
A bit early, aren't you?
DRIVER
Hey, in this soup, better safe than
sorry, you know what I mean?
RUNNING FOOTSTEPS approach. Michael looks. The driver looks,
too.
It's Charlotte, dressed in tattered jeans, a light rain coat,
and sneakers, dashing at breakneck speed down the street,
carrying something in a GARBAGE BAG.
CHARLOTTE
KEANE!
She runs right past Michael --
INT. ELEVATOR -- NIGHT
Michael works the shiny brass controls. Charlotte, winded,
hair dripping wet, watches the numbers tick by overhead.
Michael smiles at her with paternal fondness --
MICHAEL
He's goin' to a fancy party tonight.
Charlotte, nonplused by his lack of discretion, smiles
politely --
CHARLOTTE
Oh, really?
INT. WILLS' PENTHOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER
The elevator doors open.
MICHAEL
Watch your step, Miss.
CHARLOTTE
Thank you.
She emerges, moves to Wills' door, and waits for the elevator
to close. When it does, she hurries back to a table over
which hangs a GILDED MIRROR.
She takes a LOVELY OLD HAT BOX out of the garbage bag and
ditches the bag under the table. Then she quickly checks
herself in the glass.
She doesn't like what she sees. She pokes at her sopping
hair and squeezes it, but it's hopeless. Remembering the
time, she hurries back to the door, takes a deep breath, and
rings the bell.
She waits. And waits. Then she hears footsteps approaching.
She realizes she's left the hat box on the table.
She rushes over and grabs it, just in time to get back to
the door when it OPENS.
Olivia, the housekeeper, steps out, wearing her coat and
carrying her purse. Her voice is low and gentle --
OLIVIA
He's waitin' for you, Miss Fieldin'.
They exchange cordial smiles. Charlotte enters.
INT. WILLS' APARTMENT -- CONTINUOUS
Charlotte steps into a dim hallway lined with oil paintings,
carpeted with a Persian runner, and lighted by three antique
sconces. She walks slowly, terribly self-conscious.
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
The room is vast, furnished with antiques, decorated with
the same masculine good taste. Charlotte enters timidly,
then hears --
WILLS
What happened?
She looks and sees Wills standing, back turned, before a
broad set of high windows. City lights glimmer in the
distance; beneath them lies the vast gloom of Central Park.
CHARLOTTE
I couldn't get a cab, so I took the
subway... only it was an express and
it didn't stop at --
WILLS
You realize, don't you, that you're
a full eighteen minutes late?
CHARLOTTE
I know... I'm so sorry... I --
Wills turns around. A magnificent figure -- expertly tailored
tux, every hair in place, freshly manicured. And then he
offers her an amused, reassuring smile --
WILLS
Charlotte, relax. What's the point
of being a beautiful young woman if
it isn't to keep your admirers
waiting? In fact, you disappoint me:
I was looking forward to at least
another half hour of suspense.
Flattered, her face brightens --
CHARLOTTE
I could leave and come back.
WILLS
Nope, too late. Anyway, I want to
see the hat.
He walks over to her. Smiling, she sets down the box, unties
the ribbon, and gingerly removes the hat. It's sublimely
simple and elegant. She looks at him with hope. His face
betrays nothing --
WILLS
Try it on.
CHARLOTTE
I can't. I'm soaked.
WILLS
It's all right.
Charlotte, a little confused, carefully sets the hat on her
head. She steps to a wall mirror, pulls the veil down, and
sets it at the correct angle.
Wills appears behind her and shares the reflection. She feels
his presence, hears his breathing. They speak in hushed tones --
WILLS
It's perfect. It's like a tiny
sculpture.
CHARLOTTE
I wanted it to be a tiny poem.
She smiles. Their eyes meet in the glass.
WILLS
If only I had some use for it.
(off her look)
My date canceled a few hours ago.
CHARLOTTE
Why?
WILLS
I don't know. She was vague. Would
you... like to come in her place?
Charlotte can't believe it. She smiles at his reflection.
CHARLOTTE
Like this?
WILLS
The outfit I bought her is hanging
in the guest room closet.
CHARLOTTE
(anxiously)
It's okay? Are you sure?
WILLS
(amused)
Of course.
He gestures toward the half-open door on other side of the
room. Charlotte turns and, biting her lip, looks at the door,
then back at Wills, then back at the door.
INT. GRAND BALLROOM, PLAZA HOTEL -- NIGHT
A spectacular affair is in full swing, a benefit for the
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART attended by FIVE HUNDRED GUESTS
from HIGH SOCIETY dressed only in black and white.
A LARGE BAND plays -- everything from waltzes to jazz to
swing. Chandeliers glisten. Guests, sitting in ornate boxes,
look down on the marble dance floor where a WALTZ is in
progress.
FIND WILLS AND CHARLOTTE, dancing together. Charlotte looks
sophisticated and beautiful beyond measure, wearing a
sleeveless black sheath with a fake fur wrap, and, of course,
her hat.
WILLS
Nonsense. You're very good. Where
did you learn?
CHARLOTTE
From Ella. The woman whose memorial
you crashed.
WILLS
So you did see me there.
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh. And the next time I saw you,
you were on the cover of New York
magazine. And I had to pick a place
for my birthday. So...
It takes a few beats for Wills to put it together. He smiles,
realizing that her presence at Elysium wasn't a coincidence.
She smiles back, sweetly, coyly.
ON THE PERIMETER, FIND TWO RICH WOMEN, 40's, too thin, too
lifted, watching Wills and Charlotte waltz.
They stand with LISA, 23, unassuming, fair-haired, simply
dressed.
RICH WOMAN #1
Of course he moved back. I mean,
he'd already seduced every A- and B-
list actress in town. What was left
for him?
Pause. Lisa looks at her, feigning naivety.
LISA
The C-list?
RICH WOMAN #2
Exactly.
RICH WOMAN #1
But if what I hear is true and he's
shopping for a bride, I can tell you
one thing -- he's barking up the
wrong tree there.
LISA
Why do you say that?
RICH WOMAN #1
(with an icy smile)
Good wives are rarely found up cherry
trees.
The women share a laugh. Lisa, slightly discomposed, looks
back at Wills and Charlotte.
INT. GRAND BALLROOM -- LATER
Wills and Charlotte slow dance to a romantic ballad. Wills
seems entranced by her easy manner of expression --
CHARLOTTE
I met Ella in the fourth grade. She
was my teacher at the Little Red
School House. We stayed friends after
she retired. She taught me how to
cook and sew... speak Italian...
basically enjoy life, have fun --
that's what she was best at... even
when she knew she was dying.
(pause)
The most important thing she did was
introduce me to poetry. She believed
it was the highest form of art and
that everything we say and do should
aspire to it.
Wills is uncomfortable for a moment, then ventures quietly --
WILLS
It sounds as though, in a way, she
took your mom's place...
CHARLOTTE
My mom and my dad's. After they died,
Dolly was so devastated she pretty
much gave up on everything. It was
like if something that tragic could
happen, there was no way she was
ever gonna care about anyone else
ever again. Including herself. She
wasn't a horrible parent... she didn't
abuse me or anything... she just
ignored me. She was more like a weird
landlady than a grandmother.
Charlotte smiles sadly. Her eyes glisten in the light.
WILLS
I'm sure she did the best she could.
CHARLOTTE
For a long time I kinda thought that,
too, and I made excuses for her, but
now I don't. I was seven years old
and I needed her and she wasn't there.
Silence as Wills somberly reflects. Finally, he speaks --
WILLS
I remember when I heard the news
about your parents. You know how
after a crash they print a long list
of names in the newspaper? Well, I
grew up outside Boston, so I naturally
started to scan the list. But
casually, not expecting to --
Suddenly, a SWING SONG starts. Wills smiles at the ironic
change of mood, then turns to escort Charlotte away --
CHARLOTTE
Oh, no, come on! I love this stuff!
Don't you? Didn't you grow up on it?
WILLS
How old do you think I am?
CHARLOTTE
Ancient!
Holding his hand, she starts moving to the music. Wills laughs --
WILLS
I have no idea what to do!
CHARLOTTE
Have fun!
She flings her wrap onto a chair and keeps dancing. Wills,
charmed senseless, finally surrenders.
A SEQUENCE BEGINS during which we see WILLS and CHARLOTTE
having an inordinately good time. Wills maintains a modicum
of reserve; Charlotte is joyful and entirely unembarrassed.
CERTAIN GUESTS NOTICE THEM. The reactions to their pairing
runs from confusion to disgust to amusement.
But no one watches them more carefully than Lisa.
Finally, in the middle of a song, Wills and Charlotte make
their way off the floor, winded and laughing. Wills heads
off to the bar. Charlotte turns around and watches the other
dancers.
Then we notice Lisa standing next to her. They smile at each
other. Lisa offers her a cocktail napkin. Charlotte takes it
and wipes off her brow.
They speak above the music --
LISA
I had to come. I work at the Met.
What's your excuse?
CHARLOTTE
Sort of a date.
LISA
With Wills Keane, right?
CHARLOTTE
You know him?
LISA
Just by reputation.
CHARLOTTE
A major womanizer, right?
LISA
That's what they say.
(beat)
I'm Lisa.
CHARLOTTE
Charlotte Fielding.
They shake hands. Lisa looks away and sees Wills making his
way toward them with two glasses of punch.
Coolly covering, Lisa beats a hasty retreat --
LISA
Anyway, I should keep mingling. But
it was nice to meet you.
CHARLOTTE
Same here.
Lisa smiles politely and walks away.
Wills walks up, watching Lisa melt into the crowd. His brow
is furrowed. He's wondering if his eyes have deceived him.
He hands Charlotte a punch --
WILLS
Who was that?
CHARLOTTE
Lisa something.
The name hits home. Wills is flustered, but then he covers
as best he can and lifts his glass --
WILLS
(lifting his glass)
Here's to --
CHARLOTTE
Us.
Wills smiles slowly and they toast.
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
The room is empty. There's laughter in the distance. The
front door opens and shuts. We hear Wills and Charlotte,
both a little tipsy, advancing down the hall toward us --
CHARLOTTE
God, you talk like you're a hundred
and sixteen!
WILLS
That's usually how I feel. But not
tonight. Tonight I feel sixteen...
just sixteen... and three-quarters.
Wills crosses to the bar and from a small refrigerator pulls
out a BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE already sitting in an ice bucket.
WILLS
Champagne?
CHARLOTTE
He asked nonchalantly.
Wills laughs, then opens the bottle as he picks up his
previous train of thought --
WILLS
You see, Charlotte, the way you know
you're getting older is that you
start to notice patterns. People
start falling into types. Pretty
soon you know a person before you've
even been introduced. And if it's a
woman, before the romance even starts,
a whisper in your head tells you
exactly what it is and how long it's
going to last. And the saddest, the
most tedious, part of all is that
that little voice is almost always
right.
(popping the cork)
Now, what I like about you -- and I
think that's actually what inspired
this little lecture -- is that I
find you completely unprecedented...
and, therefore, wholly unpredictable.
CHARLOTTE
God, it must be a relief.
WILLS
(confused)
What?
CHARLOTTE
To finally deliver that speech to a
woman and actually have it apply to
her.
WILLS
Now wait a minute.
CHARLOTTE
No, because coincidentally I am all
those things you just said. And more.
Wills chuckles, shaking his head, charmed but a little
unsettled.
CHARLOTTE
I'm a "unique". At least that's what
my yoga teacher says. He says there
are very few uniques in the world
and I'm one of them.
WILLS
Well, he's a wise man.
He hands her a glass of champagne.
CHARLOTTE
You, on the other hand, are what
he'd call a "typical."
WILLS
Oh, really?
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh. And I can prove it. Want me
to? Come here.
Wills moves a few steps closer.
CHARLOTTE
Closer.
Wills walks even closer, until they are just a few feet apart.
CHARLOTTE
No, come on, really close.
Wills can't believe his good luck. He nears her until their
faces are almost touching.
CHARLOTTE
Perfect. Now watch very carefully.
She rises on tiptoe and puts her mouth just inches from his.
Their breathing mingles. Wills seems almost dizzied by it.
And then, very slowly, he kisses her.
She does not kiss back.
Finally, he pulls away, staring blankly, breathing hard, not
sure what to say.
Charlotte whispers --
CHARLOTTE
See? You're a typical.
(pause)
And for what you just did, most girls
my age would slap your face. Or ask
to be put in a cab.
(pause)
Lucky for you, I'm a unique.
She smiles, then kisses him deeply on the mouth. Her arms
wrap around his neck.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Cloaked in deep shadow, set off against a rainy window pane,
we see Wills, his shirt off, on top of Charlotte whose blouse
is open. He passionately kisses her neck and mouth.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- MORNING
The room is bathed in golden light. Charlotte lies naked
under the covers asleep on her stomach. Her brow is tense
and one of her hands is slightly clenched.
ANGLE ON WILLS, standing in the doorway, watching her, his
face a portrait of conflicted thoughts.
Finally, she stirs. Smiling and squinting into the sun, she
gets up on one arm and looks at him, standing there in the
doorway --
CHARLOTTE
Boy, do you look guilty.
EXT. WILLS' TERRACE -- LATER
Charlotte happily wolfs down her continental breakfast. Wills
sits across from her, watching and worrying.
CHARLOTTE
Didn't anyone ever teach you that
it's bad manners to stare at a girl
when she's eating like a pig?
Wills chuckles, then his smile fades and he clears his throat.
WILLS
Listen --
CHARLOTTE
Uh-oh. Here it comes.
WILLS
That's right, because, look, I could
put this off, but I genuinely like
you. So I want to be clear... right
now... from the start, so there's no
chance for misunderstanding later.
CHARLOTTE
Okay.
WILLS
What I want to say you is.... well...
that all I can offer you is this...
what we have right now... nothing
more substantial... just this...
until it ends.
She looks at him. Lowers her fork. He adds almost reluctantly --
WILLS
The truth is, we have no future
together.
CHARLOTTE
I know. I'm dying.
Wills' face reddens slightly. He shifts uneasily in his chair.
A suggestion of a smile plays along his features --
WILLS
What... what do you mean?
CHARLOTTE
What I said. Nobody thought I'd even
last this long.
Wills stares at her blankly, not knowing what to think or
say.
CHARLOTTE
I could have put off telling you,
but I genuinely like you, so I wanted
to be clear... you know, right from
the start.
Olivia enters, takes her orange juice glass and leaves a
full one.
CHARLOTTE
Thanks, Olivia!
Charlotte gulps down the juice. Wills watches, his mind
reeling.
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- DAY
Wills sits across from a large desk, beneath a wall of framed
certificates and diplomas. The door opens and DR. PAUL SIBLEY,
60, African-American, dour and forbidding, enters --
SIBLEY
Mr. Keane? Dr. Sibley.
Wills jerks to his feet and they shake hands --
WILLS
Thank you so much for taking the
time.
SIBLEY
It's my job, sir. Please, sit down.
He walks around the desk. Sibley is all business, but his
brusqueness masks genuine regret --
SIBLEY
Now, Mr. Keane, on the phone you
referred to Charlotte's condition as
cancer. That isn't strictly accurate.
Neuroblastoma is a soft tissue
malignancy, but it isn't cancer --
although it sometimes can be just as
aggressive.
(sitting)
It's most common in children. In
young adults, the condition is
extremely rare. In Charlotte's case,
the tumor is located in her chest.
It's growing rapidly and has proved
resistant to both irradiation and
chemotherapy. And because of its
proximity to her aorta, surgery is
out of the question.
WILLS
So then what treatment is she getting?
SIBLEY
At present? Nothing.
Wills shifts uneasily in his chair.
SIBLEY
Eventually she'll be treated for
pain. In the end, surgery could become
an option, but her chances of survival
would be slim. Right now Charlotte's
against it. She's signed a directive
forbidding any sort of heroic
intervention.
A silence settles between them. Sibley opens a folder on his
desk.
SIBLEY
There's more here if you're
interested, but it won't mean much
to you.
Wills shakes his head and rises from his chair. He turns to
the door, then turns back to the doctor --
WILLS
How long?
SIBLEY
Optimistically? A year.
EXT. ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM -- LATER
Wearing her tattered jeans from the night before, Charlotte
sits on the couch doing the New York Times crossword. Wills
emerges, walking slowly, pensively, as though in a trance.
Charlotte looks up and masks her anxiety with a grin --
CHARLOTTE
A real charmer, isn't he?
Wills doesn't react. He keeps walking toward her. Unsettled,
she holds up the puzzle.
CHARLOTTE
How are you on Cambodian money units?
Wills keeps advancing.
CHARLOTTE
Are you okay, old man? You look kinda
woozy.
(jokingly calling out)
Is there a doctor in the house?
Ignoring her, Wills sits down, takes her in his arms, and
embraces her. At first she resists, but slowly she surrenders
and hugs him back.
INT. TAXI -- AFTERNOON
As the cab bounces down a cobblestone Village street, Wills
and Charlotte stare straight ahead, each following the
tortuous path of his own thoughts.
Slowly, Charlotte steals a sidelong look at him. His face is
tense, ashen, and unreadable --
CHARLOTTE
Hey.
Wills slowly turns his head. She smiles sweetly --
CHARLOTTE
Look on the bright side: if I weren't
sick, there's no way we could hang
out together.
(off his look)
I'm serious. You'd be scared of
hurting me and I'd be scared you
were just using me for my perfect
young body.
He can't help but smile. Encouraged, she moves closer --
CHARLOTTE
And then our friends would say we
were just into each other for weird
psychological reasons. You know,
because I'm looking for a daddy
substitute and you're looking for
someone you can feel superior to so
you won't have to confront how scared
you are of real intimacy -- and, of
course, they'd be right and eventually
we'd break up.
(beat)
But since I'm so sick it doesn't
really matter what deep-seated
weirdness has brought us together
because there's no way we can possibly
screw each other over... or up...
because that takes time. And I don't
have much left.
The cab comes to a stop in front of her brownstone. She smiles
archly, savoring the irony --
CHARLOTTE
So considering everything, don't you
think we should just sort of chill
out, forget I'm sick, and enjoy what
we have... right now... no strings...
just this... until it ends? 'Cause
that's really all I have to offer.
Wills grimly appreciates the irony.
CHARLOTTE
Think about it, okay? But not too
hard.
She kisses his cheek and jumps out of the cab. She skips up
the steps of the brownstone, then immediately turns around
and runs back down to the open window.
She leans in and mutters sexily --
CHARLOTTE
Last night was so incredibly hot.
(beat)
By the way -- it was my first time.
And I picked you for the job. I hope
you're flattered.
Wills is shocked. She turns and runs back upstairs. She sticks
in the key, then turns and waves at Wills before banging
open the door with her hip.
DRIVER
Okay, pal, where to?
Wills hasn't moved a muscle.
FROM THE NEXT SCENE, we hear the pop of FLASHBULBS and the
whirr of SHUTTERS --
INT. DOWNTOWN LOFT -- NIGHT
YOUNG FASHION MODELS OF EVERY RACE strut down a runway,
modeling a new line of WOMEN'S URBAN CASUAL WEAR.
FIND CHARLOTTE, ignoring the show, pushing through the crowd,
hurrying toward the side of the stage. She speaks to a GUARD
at the entrance and he lets her pass.
INT. BACKSTAGE -- MOMENTS LATER
Charlotte searches amid the chaos of models dressing and
undressing. Finally, she spots them.
FIND SIMON AND SHANNON styling a BLACK FEMALE MODEL in a
tank top and fatigues.
He applies a finishing touch, adjusting the tilt of the
model's baseball cap. Shannon, lacing the girl's boots, works
as Simon's assistant.
EXT. SOHO STREET -- NIGHT
The threesome, in high spirits, bangs open a fire door.
Shannon is beside herself, frantically half-screaming --
SHANNON
I don't believe it! I don't believe
it!
SIMON
I think what Miss Harris is trying
to say, is that you've strained her
credulity.
CHARLOTTE
Really? Better put some ice on that.
Shannon lifts a hand to high-five her --
SHANNON
Girlfriend, you are so incredibly
cool!
SIMON
So I've been told.
Simon high-fives her instead. The girls laugh.
SHANNON
Okay, now tell us everything! Don't
leave anything out!
FROM THE NEXT SCENE, we hear --
JOHN'S VOICE
Okay, then what happened?
INT. ELYSIUM -- LATE AFTERNOON
The restaurant is empty. John stands behind the bar, taking
an inventory of the liquor. In the background, TWO BUSSERS
mop up. Wills sits on a bar stool, nursing a mineral water --
WILLS
Not much. I took her home and she
pointed out an irony -- that fate
was now offering us the very same
thing that just this morning I'd
told her was all I could offer her:
a relationship with no future.
JOHN
(chuckling)
A kid figured that out?
WILLS
She's not a kid! That's what I've
been trying to tell you. Nothing's
lost on her. I'm the kid. She... I
don't know what the hell she is...
(muttering)
But I do know what she was.
John looks at him curiously. Wills glances over his shoulder
at the bussers, then leans in close --
WILLS
A virgin.
JOHN
What?
The busboys turn their heads.
WILLS
I had no idea. That's the only reason
she had her party here, so she could
lure me into doing the honors.
JOHN
(grinning)
She used you, pal.
WILLS
I know.
JOHN
The hangman got hanged. How's it
feel?
WILLS
Embarrassing.
John laughs. Wills settles into a brooding silence. John
goes back to work --
JOHN
So what now?
WILLS
I end it.
JOHN
How come?
WILLS
What, you're endorsing this now?
John, continuing his work, smiles sweetly --
JOHN
I don't know, when you talk about
her, you're not such an arrogant son
of a bitch. You get all whiny and
stupid. I like that.
WILLS
Thanks.
JOHN
And since I don't see you gettin'
serious with any of your other
victims, I figure why not spend a
little time together?
Pause.
WILLS
Because she's dying.
JOHN
I got bad news for you, brother, so
are you.
Wills stares at him thoughtfully.
EXT. BROWNSTONE STOOP -- DAY
Wills stands stiffly at the door, holding a bouquet of
flowers. He stares at his own reflection in the porthole
window. He straightens his hair, tugs at the collar of his
cashmere jacket.
Footsteps approach. The door opens and there's Dolores, bleary-
eyed and disheveled. She smiles sourly --
DOLLY
Well, well.
INT. BROWNSTONE FOYER -- CONTINUOUS
Through the dark prism of Dolores' inhospitable wariness, we
catch glimpses of the high-society hostess she once was --
DOLLY
She'll be right down. She's upstairs,
gildin' the lily.
(shouting up the stairs)
HE'S HERE!
(wryly)
Do come in.
They move through a doorway --
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Wills is surprised by the room's run-down state.
DOLLY
Excuse the mess. My maid died fourteen
years ago and it's been simply
impossible to replace her. She did
windows and spoke English.
She chuckles to herself. Wills hands her the flowers.
WILLS
For you.
DOLLY
Well, aren't they loverly.
She casually drops them into an EMPTY BLENDER at the bar.
DOLLY
Care for a cocktail?
WILLS
No, thanks.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S BEDROOM -- SAME
Simon lounges on the bed. Charlotte stands before a full-
length mirror, trying on a dress.
SIMON
It really is uncanny. I tell you, in
that dress you're the spitting image
of Michel Simon.
CHARLOTTE
(flattered)
Who's she?
SIMON
A French character actor, long dead,
who was not only hideous and fat,
but quite male.
CHARLOTTE
So that would be a "no."
Simon nods. Charlotte takes off the dress.
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- SAME
Wills looks around the room. Dolores splashes her drink with
vodka --
DOLLY
What can I say? Time's a thief. One
day you're rich as an Arab, the next
you're lucky if you can afford a god
damn can of pistachio nuts.
Wills wanders over to the mantel where FAMILY PHOTOS sit in
tarnished antique silver frames. He picks up a photograph of
a YOUNG GIRL in TENNIS WHITES -- it's Charlotte's mother,
Katie.
Wills' face is suffused with tenderness as he studies it.
Dolores walks over and looks --
DOLLY
How about that, huh? That was the
summer you two --
WILLS
I know.
DOLLY
Who'd have guessed what time had in
store for her, huh? Look at that
smile.
Eyes moistening, Dolores crosses to her armchair. Her tone
is slightly bitter --
DOLLY
Then again, time loves some people.
Like you, for instance. Oh, time's
just wild about you.
She plops down unsteadily and reaches for her cigarettes --
DOLLY
Just as handsome and charming as
ever. And still up to the same old
tricks.
Wills sets the photo back on the mantel --
WILLS
What do you mean?
DOLLY
First time you came to pick up Katie,
you brought me flowers. Just like
those.
(to herself)
Flower the mother; then deflower the
daughter. But Katie was too smart
for you...
WILLS
Dolly, look --
DOLLY
(abruptly)
Aw, why the hell don't you leave her
alone? Christ, she's sick!
But before Wills can answer, they hear footsteps on the
stairs. Neither moves.
Charlotte enters, wearing a peasant dress and felt hat,
looking pretty, pale, and excited.
Wills and Dolores slowly turn. They smile at her, then
exchange a quick glance. Charlotte catches it and becomes
self-conscious --
CHARLOTTE
What? What's wrong?
DOLLY
You look like your mom is all.
Charlotte looks to Wills to see if that's, indeed, what he
was thinking. He nods his agreement. She is pleased.
EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE STREET -- MINUTES LATER
Charlotte, full of energy, hauls Wills down the block by the
hand.
WILLS
What do you mean, you knew?
CHARLOTTE
I did! I just didn't think it would
take so long!
WILLS
Two days is long?
CHARLOTTE
It is when you're sitting by the
phone. You wanna know how I knew?
WILLS
You're psychic?
CHARLOTTE
I am, but no -- it's because of my
birthday wish.
WILLS
But we hadn't even been introduced
yet.
CHARLOTTE
I know, but I wished that whatever
happened... you know, with my
illness... I'd go out with a bang.
Nothing heavy. No violins. No
melodrama. Just fun. A total
adventure!
Charlotte jumps off the curb.
WILLS
CAREFUL!
He yanks her back just as a TAXI, horn blaring, SPEEDS PAST,
nearly hitting her.
For a moment, they both stand there, hearts pounding,
breathing hard. Then Charlotte looks back at him and grins --
CHARLOTTE
Wow, it's getting exciting already.
EXT. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK -- AFTERNOON
Under a perfect blue sky, the park swarms with autumn
celebrants. Charlotte and Wills move together down a walkway.
Half-joyously and half comically, Charlotte addresses the
heavens with grand theatricality --
CHARLOTTE
"Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful
this year!
My soul is all but out of me, -- let
fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no
bird call!"
WILLS
We could go to a museum.
CHARLOTTE
No, that would be a thing! I don't
want to do any thing today. I want
to do no thing all day.
WILLS
Nothing at all?
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh. No thing at all.
WILLS
So a movie is out.
CHARLOTTE
Way out!
WILLS
Ice cream at the Plaza? High tea at
the Palace?
CHARLOTTE
Both out.
WILLS
What about shopping?
She considers for a few moments --
CHARLOTTE
Possible.
WILLS
It's not a thing?
CHARLOTTE
Only when I have money.
EXT. FIFTH AVENUE IN THE 50'S -- AFTERNOON
The sidewalk swarms with pedestrians. Wills and Charlotte
emerge empty-handed from the revolving door of a department
store --
WILLS
But all I gave you was champagne.
That's not a proper birthday present.
CHARLOTTE
I agree, and I promise I'll let you
give me something else, but not today.
WILLS
When?
CHARLOTTE
Soon. But I'm warning you, it's not
going to be anything material.
WILLS
Why not?
(then solemnly)
Oh, I see... because you're sick.
Because --
CHARLOTTE
That's right, but we're not gonna
talk about that.
WILLS
How come?
CHARLOTTE
Because it's my rule.
WILLS
Any particular reason?
CHARLOTTE
Yeah, because everybody always wants
to talk about miracles, or about
some genius quack-doctor, or their
friend's friend who went into
remission eating nothing but sunflower
seeds. It's boring and pointless.
WILLS
Are you sure? I mean, there are
specialists who --
CHARLOTTE
Don't start, okay?
(abruptly)
Now what I would enjoy is taking you
shopping. For clothes. I'm serious.
It's quality not quantity, you know.
INT. BARNEY'S MEN'S DEPARTMENT -- AFTERNOON
Wills sits in a chair while Charlotte looks through silk
scarves --
CHARLOTTE
At work you should look perfect, but
in everyday life you need to delight
in disorder more. Don't you know? "A
sweet disorder in the dress kindles
in clothes a wantonness."
WILLS
I think that goes without saying.
CHARLOTTE
It was true when that poem was written
three hundred years ago and it's
true today. Wouldn't it be fun to
look wanton occasionally?
WILLS
It's been a lifelong dream of mine.
But will a scarf do it?
CHARLOTTE
Totally. Accessories rule. But we
have to be careful. I don't want you
looking too young. Nothing's worse
than an old guy trying to look young.
WILLS
Good advice. I'll remember that for
when I get old.
CHARLOTTE
You know what I meant.
WILLS
That I'm old.
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh.
INT. BARNEY'S LOBBY -- LATER
Wills walks a little self-consciously. He wears around his
shoulders a sloppily draped wrinkly silk scarf.
He walks past OTHER SHOPPERS. Among a GROUP OF WOMEN walking
past him FIND CHARLOTTE who subtly checks him out as though
he were a stranger.
As she passes by, she gives him a sexy look, then, not very
subtly, she spins around to look at his ass.
Finally, she breaks character, runs after him, and throws
her arms around his neck from behind.
CHARLOTTE
Perfectly imperfect!
Laughing, he holds her hands and hauls her on his back to
the door.
INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT -- NIGHT
Wills and Charlotte are in the middle of a candlelight dinner.
Wills refills her wine glass --
WILLS
I don't know why, but for some odd
reason, I feel absolutely compelled
to tell you the truth about this...
even at the risk of --
CHARLOTTE
Hey, you're giving me the creeps.
Just spit it out.
Wills holds his breath for a moment, then exhales and says
it --
WILLS
I never had a date for the benefit.
My plan from the beginning was for
you to come with me.
Charlotte sets down her wine glass as she pieces it together --
CHARLOTTE
So I made the hat for myself?
(He nods.)
And you bought that dress for me?
(He nods.)
And you did all this just so you
could sleep with me?
(He nods.)
Why? I mean, why me?
Wills settles himself, then, meeting her eyes, speaks softly --
WILLS
The eulogy you gave at Ella's service
was so... impressive. You spoke about
her death... about loss... in a way
that I could never have done. You
understood life emotionally in a way
that I didn't. Whatever that
understanding was, I wanted to get
close to it.
CHARLOTTE
And sex seemed like the best way to
do it.
WILLS
And the most enjoyable, yeah.
Charlotte sips her wine and considers. Then she sets down
her glass --
CHARLOTTE
Well, first of all, let me say, you
have great taste because that little
Dolce & Gabbana was to die for.
WILLS
Thanks.
CHARLOTTE
And, second, don't ever lie to me
again.
WILLS
All right.
CHARLOTTE
Seriously. There isn't a lie in the
whole world I'd rather hear than the
truth.
Wills stares at her solemnly. Her expression just as somber,
she lifts a hand and points to her lips. He leans forward to
kiss her.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Wills and Charlotte, kissing deeply, tumble fully clothed
onto the bed. As their passion builds, Wills reaches for the
bedside lamp.
Charlotte watches curiously, thoughtfully, as he pulls the
cord, plunging the room into UTTER DARKNESS.
MUSIC UP: A SEQUENCE BEGINS
-- Savoring the last sunny days of autumn, Wills and Charlotte
walk across the green of Central Park, which swarms with
happy, healthy teenagers.
-- At night, Wills and John and his wife Sarah sit in box
seats at Yankee Stadium watching the play-offs. Bernie
Williams hits a colossal shot. The crowd jumps to its feet.
As the ball flies over the right field wall, we see that
Charlotte sits next to Wills, munching a hotdog, her nose
buried in a book, utterly uninterested.
-- In Elysium's kitchen, Wills watches on as Charlotte,
wearing an apron over her clothes, prepares bisque under the
approving eye of the CHEF. She quickly and expertly pours a
cup of cream and a cup of broth into a large blender. Then
she dumps in lobster meat and adds some saffron. Just when
she, with a dramatic flourish, is about to hit the start
button, Wills INTERRUPTS and puts the lid on the blender.
-- One morning, Charlotte sits up in bed doing the Sunday
New York Times crossword puzzle. Olivia sits on the chair
next to the bed, chatting and laughing with her. Wills enters,
carrying a silver tray laden with breakfast. Olivia looks up
and gestures haughtily for him to set it down, as though he
were the housekeeper.
-- At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wills and Charlotte
wander amid the shadows of Egyptian ruins.
MUSIC OUT.
INT. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM LOBBY -- LATER
Flipping through a stack of postcards he has just purchased,
Wills waits for Charlotte to come out of the ladies room.
He idly glances up as a STREAM OF TOURISTS moves past. He is
about to look away when his eye catches someone.
It is Lisa, the young woman who spoke to Charlotte at the
benefit. Around her neck she wears a chain bearing a Met
employee photograph I.D. She carries a take-out coffee.
Wills FOLLOWS HER, agitated and curious.
He sees her pass through a set of glass doors into the Watson
Research Library.
He hurries over to the doors just in time to see her disappear
behind a bank of card catalogues.
Wills notices a sign at the door that forbids entry to the
public. He hesitates, then enters.
He speaks to the first person he sees -- a ROTUND FEMALE
LIBRARIAN IN HER 60'S. He stops and asks a question about
Lisa. She nods.
Wills is shaken by the answer. He stares into the middle
distance, wondering what to do, his mind racing.
The librarian, a little nervous now, reminds him that he is
not allowed in the library. He snaps to, thanks her, and
moves away.
But then he stops, takes out a BUSINESS CARD, and returns to
the librarian. He is about to hand it to her, but then he
thinks better of it.
Flustered, he thanks her again and exits. The librarian looks
after him, confused and a little apprehensive.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY -- SAME
Wills sees Charlotte at the end of the hall looking around
for him. When she spots him, her face brightens. She calls
out facetiously as she walks to him --
CHARLOTTE
I thought I told you to wait right
there!
WILLS
I got restless.
CHARLOTTE
Well, I hope you didn't talk to
anybody!
WILLS
Not a soul.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Wills and Charlotte stand, disrobing in the near-total
darkness. They converse in whispers, between kisses --
CHARLOTTE
You know what would scare me right
now?
WILLS
What?
Charlotte moves slowly through the darkness.
CHARLOTTE
This.
She yanks a cord by the window. The BLIND OPENS and the room
is flooded with MOONLIGHT. The room is still dark, but she
is far more clearly visible.
Her dress is unbuttoned down the front. She walks back to
him and stops about five feet away.
She releases the last buttons on her dress, then slides it
off her shoulders to the floor. She wears only her underwear.
She crosses her arms over her breasts, and smiles --
CHARLOTTE
Have I told you my latest motto?
WILLS
No.
CHARLOTTE
If it's scary, do it.
WILLS
I'm not sure I like that motto.
CHARLOTTE
I'm not sure that matters.
She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, then slips off her
underwear. She drops her arms to her side.
She stands before him entirely naked.
Her self-consciousness is excruciating but she is determined
to endure it. Finally, she opens her eyes and smiles with a
hint of pride.
Wills' eyes widen as he takes her in. He crosses to her and
lays his hands on her hips. He kisses her neck.
As their breathing quickens, she begins to unbutton his shirt
and pull it free of his pants.
He takes hold of her hands, stopping her, and starts to ease
her toward the bed. She resists. Wills falters and she
realizes something.
CHARLOTTE
Oh my God.
WILLS
What?
CHARLOTTE
You're scared, too.
From his expression, she knows she is right.
CHARLOTTE
Your turn.
For the first time since we've met him, Wills is utterly at
a loss. But he sees that Charlotte has no intention of backing
down.
He begins to undress. His hands are uncertain as he untucks
his shirt and unbuckles his belt. When he is finished
undressing, he turns to face her, his arms at his side.
Although we cannot see him in the moonlight and shadows,
Charlotte can. She looks down at his naked body and studies
it. He stares back with shy wariness.
Then she breaks into a crooked grin --
CHARLOTTE
What's the matter, old man? Can't
afford a gym?
WILLS
That's it!
Laughing, he grabs her wrists and throws her on the bed. She
dissolves into paroxysms of laughter.
INT. WILLS BEDROOM -- LATER
Wills and Charlotte make love. As their passion builds,
Charlotte is suddenly stabbed with a pain in her chest.
She grabs his back, her face twists. She holds her breath,
not wanting to reveal the incident to Wills. She closes her
eyes and exhales as the pain subsides.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- LATER
Wills and Charlotte lie in bed with the blinds open and the
city glimmering in the distance.
Charlotte's head rests on his chest. Eyes closed, he brushes
his hand along her face as though he were a blind man
committing every detail to memory.
Charlotte's voice, almost inaudible, drifts up through the
dark --
CHARLOTTE
"Counting the beats,
Counting the slow heart beats,
The bleeding to death of time
In slow heart beats,
Wakeful they lie."
Wills, half-asleep, murmurs deeply --
WILLS
So many words in that wonderful head
of yours...
CHARLOTTE
If I could give you anything in the
whole world, that's what it would
be.
WILLS
Words?
CHARLOTTE
Poetry.
They lie in silence.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK WEST -- LATE AFTERNOON
Dusk falls on the park. Charlotte, red-cheeked and happy,
carrying shopping bags, walks into a brisk autumn breeze.
She smiles at a BUNCH OF SCHOOL KIDS, dressed in HALLOWEEN
COSTUMES, being led on their trick or treating.
INT. ELYSIUM REAR OFFICE -- AFTERNOON
Wills sits at a desk, reading the newspaper. John, inspecting
a KING HENRY VIII COSTUME on a hanger, shouts into the
telephone --
JOHN
Oh no, your boy made it! At ten
minutes before close! All night I
got a card announcing a halibut
special, only I got no halibut! Now
it's Sunday and I got three dozen
cats lickin' their chops in the alley!
Tony, I don't wanna hear it! I don't
wanna hear it! I don't wanna -- MAN,
GO TO HELL!
He slams down the phone. His face is beet red. Wills looks
up calmly from his paper --
WILLS
Are you familiar with the phrase,
"You can catch more flies with honey
than with vinegar?"
JOHN
Are you familiar with the phrase,
"Mind your own god damn business?"
WILLS
Sure, it's from Poor Richard's
Almanac. But the last time I checked --
JOHN
No, your business is to smile, make
friends, and get rich! My business
is the business.
John heads out, then stops abruptly and looks back. His tone
is suddenly calm and curious --
JOHN
What're you doin' here, anyway? You
got a girl. Go home. Carve a pumpkin.
WILLS
We can't spend every waking moment
together.
John looks at him strangely, with a hint of suspicion --
JOHN
Why not?
(pause)
No, seriously. Why not?
Wills has no answer. John moves closer when Celia, his new
assistant, enters cheerily --
CELIA
Special delivery!
She tosses him a paper bag; he catches it.
WILLS
No trouble?
CELIA
None.
Wills removes a PAIR OF RED PLASTIC HORNS. John shakes his
head with disbelief.
JOHN
Every year. You got no imagination.
WILLS
It's a classic. A little spirit gum
and voila!
He holds the horns up to his forehead.
WILLS
-- young women are rendered helpless.
CELIA
It's true. I see a guy with horns
growing out of his head and my knees
go weak.
WILLS
Of course -- it's biological.
They share a laugh. A flirtatious charge passes between them.
She blushes slightly and exits. John looks suspiciously at
Wills.
JOHN
What's goin' on?
WILLS
What do you mean?
JOHN
At home.
Wills smiles at him as though he were insane --
WILLS
Nothing. Honestly. We're having a
lot of fun. We're very happy.
From the next scene, we hear Charlotte laughing --
CHARLOTTE'S VOICE
Don't come in! Don't!
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
A fire burns in the fireplace. Still wearing his coat, wills
stands by the mantel, sorting through a stack of mail --
WILLS
I'm not even tempted!
CHARLOTTE'S VOICE
(from another room)
I'll be right out!
Olivia enters with a steamy mug --
OLIVIA
You like hot cider?
WILLS
Sure, thanks.
She carefully takes his coat off him as he sips the cider --
WILLS
Mmmm.
OLIVIA
Charlotte made it. I just poured it
in the cup.
She exits. As Wills sips the drink, he sits on the leather
sofa and continues to glance through his mail.
Suddenly, shocked, he stops on a letter. He sets his mug
down. He hears Charlotte making noise in the next room. He
opens the letter and begins to read.
His eyes dart down the page, but he quickly sees that the
letter is not friendly. His face shows disappointment.
He hears footsteps in the hall. He folds the letter up, slips
it back into its envelope, and jams it in his back pocket.
Charlotte enters and throws her hands out to her side --
CHARLOTTE
Ta-da!
She stands before him, dressed in a WHITE SPINSTERLY VICTORIAN
OUTFIT with braids coiled at her ears. Wills smiles with
appreciation --
WILLS
Incredible.
CHARLOTTE
Don't I look just like her?
WILLS
Absolutely incredible.
Pause.
CHARLOTTE
You have no idea who I am.
WILLS
Give me a hint.
CHARLOTTE
"Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul."
WILLS
Was that the hint?
CHARLOTTE
You dummy! Emily Dickinson! Only the
greatest American female poet ever!
She hugs and kisses him --
CHARLOTTE
Uncultured swine.
WILLS
The truth is out. I've lost you
forever.
CHARLOTTE
Wanna bet?
She lays her head on his chest, smiling contentedly. A subtle
shadow of apprehension passes over Wills' features. Eyes
closed, she asks --
CHARLOTTE
When do I get to see your costume?
EXT. BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE -- ESTABLISHING -- NIGHT
A cardboard ghost hangs on the door. A Jack-o'-lantern grins
in the window. A HALLOWEEN PARTY is in full swing.
INT. BROOKLYN LIVING ROOM -- SAME
John's wife, Sarah, dressed as QUEEN ELIZABETH, walks through
the crowd, picking up empty glasses and bottles.
As she moves among COSTUMED GUESTS and their CHILDREN, we
notice a few of Elysium's customers and staff, including
Celia, dressed as GLINDA, talking to the maitre d', Jesus,
dressed as a COWBOY --
JESUS
No, I think we make a great couple.
A good witch and a bad hombre. That
could make for some very interesting
sex.
Celia laughs.
INT. BROOKLYN KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
Wills stands off to the side, wearing his devil's horns,
sipping a drink, watching an EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY bob for
apples, while other BOYS and GIRLS cheer him on.
John, wearing his king costume, supervises, as the boy, wildly
sputtering, struggles to bite into a renegade Granny Smith.
JOHN
O, Ricky, chill out! You're gonna
get snot in the water!
The boy laughs even harder. John facetiously grabs his collar --
JOHN
That's it -- outta the pool!
The boy, choking with laughter, plunges his face into the
water again. Sarah enters and calls out over the din --
SARAH
Where're the girls? I thought you
were tucking them in!
JOHN
We got a volunteer!
Sarah, smiling curiously, heads to the back stairwell.
She sees Wills standing there. Watching the kids, his eyes
are filled with the same sort of wistful yearning that she
noticed at the toy store --
She gives him an affectionate poke in the stomach as she
passes by and disappears upstairs.
Finally, the boy grabs the apple in his teeth and lifts his
soaked head to the cheers of his friends.
Then he grabs it out of his mouth and begins taking big bites
out of it until he uncovers a SILVER DOLLAR.
Wills laughs at the kids' excitement. A moment later a WOMAN'S
GLOVED HANDS cover his eyes.
WOMAN
Guess who?
Wills feels her LONG GLOVES.
WILLS
Wonder Woman?
WOMAN
No.
WILLS
Batgirl?
WOMAN
I'll give you a hint. You dumped me.
WILLS
Princess Di?
She laughs and playfully strangles him.
WILLS
Wendy?
He turns and sees that it's the woman from the film's opening,
dressed as HOLLY GOLIGHTLY.
WILLS
Yup, I'd know that throttle anywhere!
INT. BROOKLYN SECOND-FLOOR HALLWAY -- SAME
Sarah stops silently at an AJAR DOOR and looks inside.
Charlotte sits on a bed between the twin girls who are nestled
up against her --
MOLLY
Just one more.
CARLA
Please?
CHARLOTTE
All right, but this is the last last
one!
She clears her throat and settles herself. The twins listen
with rapt attention as she recites from memory, slowly as
though it were a suspenseful bedtime story --
CHARLOTTE
"Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility."
Charlotte looks up and sees Sarah, who face is beaming with
affection. They share a smile and Charlotte keeps reciting --
CHARLOTTE
"We passed the school where children
played
At wrestling in a ring;
We passed the fields of grazing grain,
We passed the setting sun."
Sarah eases the door shut and steps away.
INT. BROOKLYN LIVING ROOM -- HOUR LATER
THE CAMERA makes a CIRCUIT of the THINNING CROWD. Sarah blows
out candles, dumps ash trays, and collects empties.
Charlotte, rubbing a knuckle into her sleepy eye, descends
the stairs. She sees Celia talking to Jesus, and walks over
to them --
CELIA
Sweet dreams?
CHARLOTTE
I had no idea I was so tired.
SARAH
(from across the room)
They're down?
CHARLOTTE
And out.
(looking around)
Where's Lucifer?
JESUS
(jokingly)
Last time I saw him, he was in the
kitchen going pretty heavily with
Holly Golightly.
CELIA
Hey, no gossip! Holly's a valued
customer.
Charlotte pretends to be fighting mad --
CHARLOTTE
Lemme at 'er!
JESUS
Hell hath no fury like a recluse
scorned.
Charlotte laughs and heads to the kitchen.
INT. BROOKLYN KITCHEN -- SAME
John wipes down the table which is littered with bits of
apple.
CHARLOTTE
Hey, shouldn't one of your minions
be doing that?
JOHN
You know, in my day, you bobbed for
the apple, and, sure, maybe there
was a nickel inside it and that was
sweet -- but you ate the god damn
apple! These little animals grab the
coin and they're out the door!
CHARLOTTE
-- off to buy crack!
JOHN
Exactly my point.
They share a laugh.
CHARLOTTE
Seen Beelzebub around?
JOHN
The Prince of Darkness?
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh.
JOHN
Yeah, he went upstairs.
Charlotte is puzzled.
INT. BROOKLYN SECOND-FLOOR HALLWAY -- LATER
Charlotte walks down the hall, opening doors and glancing
inside. She opens a bathroom and THREE CATS dash out.
CHARLOTTE
Shit.
She gets to the end of the hall and is about to give up.
When she hears FOOTSTEPS.
She walks around the corner and sees a NARROW STAIRCASE
leading to the third floor.
At the dark at the top of the stairs Wills and Wendy appear.
Charlotte smiles --
CHARLOTTE
You lost your horns.
WILLS
Hey, looking for me?
CHARLOTTE
Uh-huh.
WILLS
We were checking out the roof. John's
got quite a set-up.
They arrive at the bottom of the stairs.
WILLS
Wendy, this is Charlotte Fielding.
Charlotte -- my friend Wendy Lister.
They smile and shake hands. Charlotte looks at them both
carefully for any sign of uneasiness. There is none.
WENDY
Actually, I saw you at that memorial
service in Connecticut. Your eulogy
was beautiful.
CHARLOTTE
Thank you.
WENDY
(re: her outfit)
Betsy Ross, right?
CHARLOTTE
You guessed it.
Wills smiles and rubs his hands together --
WILLS
Is the party over?
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE -- NIGHT
A TOWN CAR speeds toward Manhattan.
INT. TOWN CAR -- SAME
Wills and Charlotte stare straight ahead, each lost in
thought. The lights of the city illuminate their faces in
eerie flashes.
Finally, Wills glances over and smiles --
WILLS
I have a strange feeling that you're
upset with me.
CHARLOTTE
No, I was just wondering if you had
sex with that woman.
WILLS
Ever?
CHARLOTTE
No, the answer to that's pretty
obvious. I meant tonight. On the
roof.
Wills breaks into a grin --
WILLS
You're not serious.
Wills laughs to himself, then glances up and sees the
reflection of the driver's amused eyes in the rearview mirror.
Wills smiles back at Charlotte --
WILLS
Of course not. Why would I want to
do something like that?
CHARLOTTE
That's what I was wondering. I
thought, "We're so happy he'd have
no reason to do it. And if he did do
it, he'd at least look guilty,
wouldn't he? But he doesn't. He looks
more relaxed than before the party
started."
WILLS
Well, there you have it.
CHARLOTTE
But then I thought, "He's a womanizer --
that's what they say." Funny word,
huh? Sounds like some sorta machine.
"And how do you get to be a womanizer?
Obviously by sleeping with lots of
different women for no good reason
and being really good at lying about
it."
WILLS
Sure, except that --
CHARLOTTE
Let me finish.
Again, Wills looks up at the driver's eyes in the mirror.
They seem more serious now.
CHARLOTTE
Anyway, there's something about being
sick right here --
She touches her own chest. Her voice trembles slightly --
CHARLOTTE
-- that has made me acutely aware of
my heart. Nothing corny -- I mean,
literally... I feel every beat. I
know how sensitive it is. It reacts
to everything.
She turns in her seat and lifts an OPEN PALM.
CHARLOTTE
If you're lying to me, I'll know it.
(beat)
Did you have sex with Wendy on the
roof?
He smiles at her as though he were indulging a child. She
looks him deeply in the eye and opens a button of his shirt.
She slips her palm inside, over his heart.
Still smiling, he doesn't move a muscle.
Their eyes are locked.
Ever so slowly, her face crumples and tears appear in her
eyes. She shakes her head --
CHARLOTTE
My God... oh my God.
She slides away from him, drops her face into her hands, and
begins to cry. Wills looks down, then glances up at the
rearview mirror.
Illuminated in flashes, the driver's eyes have taken on an
ominous, unblinking quality as though they were the outward
embodiment of his own conscience.
Wills looks out the window. When he finally speaks, his voice
is calm and a little cold --
WILLS
Look, I never pretended to be anything
other than --
CHARLOTTE
(a piteous cry)
You hate yourself so much!
Wills is stunned. He looks out the window, speechless, his
eyes small and frightened.
EXT. CHARLOTTE'S BROWNSTONE -- NIGHT
The town car is stopped at the curb, motor running, lights
on.
INT. TOWN CAR -- SAME
Charlotte and Wills sit in silence --
WILLS
This was all a mistake. Right from
the start. All of it. I'm a grown
man and you're a child.
(beat)
Anyway, you have better things to do
with your last -- With your time
than spend it with me.
CHARLOTTE
(distantly)
What about you? Do you have anything
better?
Wills has no answer. Charlotte slowly gets out of the car.
She leans back in, her eyes narrow with disdain --
CHARLOTTE
You know, maybe you're right. Maybe
this is the best time to end it.
Because I was actually starting to
love you, Wills, and that's the last
thing I ever wanted.
She shuts the door.
INT. BROWNSTONE FOYER -- NIGHT
As Charlotte enters, we hear Wills' cab pull away. She moves
to the stairs and sees a LIGHT shining beneath the living
room door.
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- SAME
Dolores sits watching an old movie, her eyes dulled by a
cataract of boozy fatigue. The door opens. She looks up and
sees Charlotte in costume.
DOLLY
Well, if it ain't the Belle of
Amherst.
Charlotte smiles feebly and plops down on the cracked leather
ottoman. She looks blankly at the TV. She sniffles and wipes
a hand across her nose. Dolores glances over, then back at
the set.
DOLLY
Seen that face before.
CHARLOTTE
You have?
DOLLY
And for the same god damn reason.
Charlotte is confused, but then puts it together --
CHARLOTTE
But you said Wills and my Mom were
just friends.
DOLLY
Sure, but she was nuts about him.
The only reason she didn't sleep
with him is 'cause she was
sentimental. And smart. She wanted a
ring first.
CHARLOTTE
Why didn't he give her one?
DOLLY
'Cause he knocked up little Millie
Tyler instead. In Newport. At Bailey's
Beach. During the Labor Day clam
bake.
She chuckles grimly, coughs, and sips her drink.
DOLLY
Millie was your mom's best friend
from Nightingale. You had to hand it
to him. He sure knew how to make a
point.
She coughs again. Charlotte struggles to make sense of it
all.
CHARLOTTE
Why did he do that?
DOLLY
Aw, who the hell knows? 'Cause the
moon was full. 'Cause life's short.
'Cause he's Wills Keane. I'll tell
you a little secret -- after that,
your Mom hated his guts, but your
dad never made her smile like he
did.
(pause)
'Course your dad never made her cry
like that either.
CHARLOTTE
(softly)
Why didn't you tell me any of this
before?
DOLLY
Oh, I dunno...
CHARLOTTE
You never talk to me! You never try
to help me!
Dolores' eyes grow nervous. She swallows hard.
DOLLY
Christ, look at me. I'm gonna tell
you what to do?
CHARLOTTE
Yes! You're my family. You're supposed
to take care of me.
DOLLY
Aw, you wouldn't listen. That's the
thing about people -- they just do
what they want from the day they're
born till the day they die.
She realizes her poor choice of words. She looks over and
their eyes collide. Charlotte begins to cry --
CHARLOTTE
No, that's you, Dolly! People who
have given up don't listen to other
people! People who want to die close
off! That's not me! I wanted your
help! I wanted to learn!
Charlotte drops her head dejectedly.
CHARLOTTE
Anything... anything you would ever
have told me, I would have listened
to! I promise.
DOLLY
(fighting tears)
Aw, come on, honey. I can throw a
party and I can mix a gimlet. After
that, what the fuck do I know?
She rises, gives Charlotte a nervous, awkward pat on the
shoulder, then crosses over to the bar.
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT
Wills stands in the center of the room, looking around
blankly. He disappears into the bedroom.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Wills enters and sees some of Charlotte's clothes folded
neatly on the bed. A LITERARY ANTHOLOGY lies open, showing a
DRAWING OF EMILY DICKINSON.
He grabs the clothes and the book and puts them in a SHOPPING
BAG that she has left on the floor.
Then he walks into the bathroom. We see him gathering BEAUTY
PRODUCTS off the sink. He walks back in and sets them into
the shopping bag.
He looks around and spots a nearly completed crossword puzzle
sitting folded on the dresser. He drops that in the shopping
bag, too, then sets it by the door.
He feels a draft and spots an OPEN WINDOW. As he crosses to
it, he notices something on his pillow. A blank ENVELOPE. He
picks it up and rips it open.
It's a HALLOWEEN CARD of a grinning JACK-O-LANTERN. He opens
it and inside is handwritten:
The scariest night of the year and only one thing haunts me:
that we might never have met.
All my love,
XXX Charlotte.
Wills lowers the card and heaves a deep breath. His jaw tight,
he walks over and drops the card into the shopping bag.
INT. BROWNSTONE FOYER -- SAME
Charlotte emerges from the living room and shuts the door
behind her. She climbs the stairs to her solitary bedroom.
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE IN:
EXT. UPPER EAST SIDE -- NIGHT
From amid the RUSH OF TRAFFIC, a TAXI CAB breaks free and
glides to the curb in front of Elysium.
Wills emerges with PATTY, 35, bosomy, bright-eyed, pitched a
little too loudly. Wills seems stiff and tentative, a shadow
of his former self.
INT. ELYSIUM -- CONTINUOUS
AN ELDERLY COUPLE passes them as they enter. Wills stops at
the coat check and helps Patty with her coat. She admires
the decor --
PATTY
Oh, Wills, it's beautiful!
Although his spirits are low, he is effortlessly cordial --
WILLS
Thank you. It was designed by a team
from --
PATTY
So functional! Is that stainless
steel?
WILLS
Actually, no, it's velvet.
She furrows her brow, squints, then laughs.
PATTY
Oh, my God, it is!
Wills hands Patty's coat to Melissa, the hat check girl, and
asks under his breath --
WILLS
How are you?
Looking at Patty, Melissa asks with deep sympathy --
MELISSA
How are you, sir?
Before Wills can respond, Patty takes his arm --
PATTY
Well, if the food's even half as
good as the moldings I'm in for a
very special treat.
Jesus is surprised to see that Wills is not with Charlotte --
JESUS
Uhhh, good evening, Mr. Keane. Will
you be dining with us?
WILLS
Yes, Jesus. Table seven, if it's
available.
JESUS
Certainly, sir.
Celia approaches, equally surprised not to see Charlotte --
WILLS
Hello, Celia.
CELIA
(sincerely)
How are you this evening, sir?
WILLS
I've been worse.
CELIA
(under her breath)
Are you sure?
The NEW HOSTESS, Celia's replacement, arrives.
JESUS
Table Seven.
NEW HOSTESS
This way, please.
WILLS
(to Patty)
Order a drink. I'll be right with
you.
Patty follows Celia. Wills moves to the reservation stand
where John stands, stone-faced, flipping through the
reservation book --
JOHN
Where the hell you been?
WILLS
Splendid, how are you?
JOHN
Where's Charlotte?
WILLS
Deliveries on time?
JOHN
Who's the broad? She looks like a
Holiday-Inn hooker from Ohio.
WILLS
Keep up the good work!
Wills walks away.
INT. DOWNTOWN BAR -- NIGHT
Dark, smoky, and boisterous. FIND CHARLOTTE, standing with
Simon. She looks around disgustedly and shouts above the
roar --
CHARLOTTE
Okay, I'm chugging Scotch, gagging
on smoke, and losing my hearing! Now
why is this so good for me again?!
SIMON
That's just it! The great spiritual
benefit in leaving one's room is
that it reminds one of how odious it
is to leave one's room!
ACROSS THE ROOM
FOLLOW SHANNON, coming out of the ladies' room. She makes
her way through the crowd--
SHANNON
Excuse me! Excuse me! Sorry! Excuse
me!
BOY'S VOICE
No problem!
She looks up and can't believe her eyes.
BACK TO CHARLOTTE AND SIMON
Simon, shouting above the music, speaks with difficulty --
SIMON
There's one thing you don't know
about Mr. Keane and his adultery and
as painful as it is I feel that I
should tell you!
CHARLOTTE
(alarmed)
What? What is it!
SIMON
That woman on the roof? That was no
ex-girlfriend! In fact, no woman at
all. It was I, Simon Loring, master
of disguise! Willsy and I have moved
in together!
Charlotte laughs and slaps him. Shannon approaches hauling
by the hand ERIC BALES, 24, small, beautiful, long-haired,
glasses.
SHANNON
Look what I found!
Charlotte can't believe it either --
CHARLOTTE
Eric! Wow!
ERIC
Hey, Char!
They hug and kiss with some slight awkwardness, then shout
above the music --
CHARLOTTE
God, long time no see! One night we
show up to rent Eraserhead and you're
just gone!
ERIC
Sorry about that!
SHANNON
It was such a drag! You know, having
to actually start paying to rent
movies!
ERIC
I bet!
CHARLOTTE
What's up? Ralph said you moved to
Rockland County!
ERIC
Yeah, I got a job working for my
mom's new boyfriend!
CHARLOTTE
What does he do?
ERIC
He sells pot!
SHANNON
Cool!
ERIC
Not really. I was a driver! I got
laid off when he got busted. He's
awaiting trial!
CHARLOTTE
So what're you doing now?
ERIC
Same thing pretty much. Only for
Domino's!
Charlotte laughs.
SHANNON
Whoa, I don't believe it!
(to Eric)
She hasn't laughed in like a week!
Eric smiles quizzically at Charlotte, wondering why.
INT. ELYSIUM -- NIGHT
Wills sits listening to Patty talk --
PATTY
-- so everybody on the conference
call starts introducing themselves.
Ned Lewey, Paris Office. Takashi
Matsuo, Tokyo Office. Whoever, the
London Office. And then someone says,
"Will the architect from the New
York office please identify himself."
And I pipe up and say, "Well, guys,
I'm not a him or an architect. I'm
Patty Strauss and I'm head of East
Coast marketing." And there's like
total silence. It was hysterical!
Wills smiles feebly. He looks away and sees John holding the
TELEPHONE, urgently signaling to him. Alarmed, Wills jumps
up --
WILLS
I'm sorry, would you excuse me?
PATTY
Of course.
AT THE RESERVATION STAND
Wills, fearing the worst, hurries to John --
WILLS
Who is it?
JOHN
Nobody!
John slams down the phone, grabs him by the arm, hauls him
through the reception area and out the door. Patty watches,
confused.
EXT. ELYSIUM -- CONTINUOUS
John walks quickly down the block, still hauling Wills --
JOHN
Last time I checked I was your best
friend!
WILLS
So?
JOHN
So after the party, no thank you! I
call you three times -- no call back!
And for six days you don't even eat
at your own god damn restaurant!
What am I supposed to think? Huh?! I
was ready to call the morgue!
WILLS
Relax, I'm alive.
JOHN
Well, you sure don't look it!
EXT. ANOTHER BLOCK -- MINUTE LATER
John walks as quickly as he can with Wills struggling to
keep up --
JOHN
I'll tell you why it's my concern!
Because I had a god damn swimming
pool! An ocean view! A fabulous lemon
tree hangin' right over my Jacuzzi!
And I gave it up for you, brother!
Back to a life of concrete and dirt
and sirens just so you could get
your shit together!
EXT. ANOTHER BLOCK -- MINUTES LATER
John, walking a little more slowly now, cannot believe his
ears --
JOHN
On my roof? You gotta be kiddin'!
Not on my green chair! Tell me it
wasn't on the green chair.
Wills winces.
JOHN
Oh, great. Now how am I gonna clean
that?
EXT. ANOTHER BLOCK -- MINUTE LATER
John walks slowly now, backward, listening to an anxious
Wills --
WILLS
Look, it doesn't matter that she's
sick -- she's still a kid and there's
no way we should be together. It's
unhealthy... it's... it's
inappropriate...
JOHN
(with disgust)
What the hell is that? Some sorta
shrink talk?
WILLS
Look, if she were just fun... just
some sort of diversion... maybe I
could justify it. But the worst part
is that it's becoming more. Much
more. It's embarrassing how much I
like her. She gets to me. She affects
me...
He stops and leans back against a building. He looks around,
avoiding eye contact with John, as tears rise into his eyes.
WILLS
And she's gonna be gone and... I'm
not sure I can... I mean... I already
think about her all the time...
(fighting tears)
Her smile kills me... and the
thought... that it'll be gone...
forever... that I'll never see her
again... I don't know... I can't --
I don't think I'm that strong, Johnny.
It's too much. I'd rather have it be
over... over now. I'll start missing
her now.
Wills is still unable to look at him. John speaks softly --
JOHN
Buddy, I hate to break it to you,
but in the real world... where I
live... there're only two kindsa
love stories. Boy loses girl and
girl loses boy. That's all there is.
Somebody always gets left behind.
You try to avoid that, you'll end up
an old man toastin' yourself with
egg nog in the mirror on Christmas
Eve. You'll end up dying in your own
arms.
Wills lifts his frightened eyes. John pats him on the cheek.
EXT. HIGH-RISE APARTMENT BUILDING -- NIGHT
Wills stands with Patty in the driveway in front of the glass
lobby. He is distracted and terribly anxious. She looks as
though she expects, at the very least, a kiss --
PATTY
Thank you so much. I had such a great
time.
WILLS
Good. I'm... I'm glad.
PATTY
Didn't you?
WILLS
Patty, I... I want to be honest with
you... right now, from the start...
so there's no room for
misunderstanding. I didn't have a
good time, but it's nothing personal.
I just split up with someone and
rather than admit to myself how much
I miss her, I asked you out instead.
And it's unfair. If I feel sad I
should just feel sad and not try to
use you... and your body... as some
sort of painkiller, right?
(beat)
Anyway, I think you're a warm and
engaging woman and I wish you all
the best.
Relieved to have unburdened himself of the truth, he shakes
her hand. Patty, utterly baffled, doesn't know what hit her.
EXT. WILLS' BUILDING -- LATER
The doorman Michael, smoking a cigarette, sees Wills walk
up, his expression pensive.
MICHAEL
Mr. Keane --
WILLS
Good night, Michael.
MICHAEL
You've got a visitor.
Wills stops and turns --
WILLS
Who?
MICHAEL
She's been waitin' almost an hour.
In the lobby.
(off Wills' look)
A little surprise for ya.
He winks. Wills realizes that it's Charlotte. It must be. He
smiles and hurries inside.
INT. WILLS' LOBBY -- CONTINUOUS
Wills bursts in and freezes. A WOMAN stands across the way,
studying an oil painting. She turns quickly. It's LISA. She
sees his excited expression fall. Beneath her rather composed
facade, Lisa is a chaos of conflicting emotions --
LISA
Sorry to disappoint you.
WILLS
No, no. Not at all. You surprised
me, that's all. I didn't expect to
see you... not here... not after
your letter.
LISA
Well, I didn't expect you to show up
at my job.
WILLS
I followed you in. I wasn't even
sure it was you. All I have is an
old snapshot.
LISA
My boss thought you were a stalker.
WILLS
I didn't mean to run off like that.
LISA
But you did.
An awkward silence.
LISA
So you got my letter. What'd you do?
Freak out? Burn it?
WILLS
I saved it.
LISA
I was just blowing off some steam,
okay? I think I have the right.
WILLS
So do I. Look, why don't we go
upstairs.
LISA
(uneasily)
No. I didn't plan to come. Peter...
my husband... he agrees. He thinks
it's a futile exercise. But it turns
out I'm pregnant. Just a few months,
but --
WILLS
Lisa -- Congratulations. That's
wonderful.
His sincerity stops her. She softens slightly, mustering a
tiny smile --
LISA
Thanks. Anyway, I guess it made me
want to meet you. I've been a little
sentimental about parent-hood.
WILLS
Is that what you consider me?
LISA
In a lousy absentee sorta way, sure.
Pause.
WILLS
How's your mom?
LISA
Great. Nuts. She moved to Costa Rica
last summer.
WILLS
Why?
LISA
A guy, what else? He owns a charter
airline and wears sunglasses indoors.
I think he might be a gunrunner.
Wills chuckles. For the first time, Lisa relaxes enough to
take him in.
LISA
You know, you're much better looking
in person than in photographs. I
always assumed Mom was exaggerating,
but she wasn't.
WILLS
Thanks. You're not bad looking
yourself.
Lisa smiles, and, much to her embarrassment, tears come to
her eyes. She shakes her head at how absurd she is, treasuring
kind words from a father she doesn't know.
LISA
Anyway... I should go...
WILLS
Already?
LISA
I really just wanted to meet you
and... maybe... I don't know...
WILLS
(gently)
What is it? Tell me.
She sniffles and looks away --
LISA
Nothing earth-shattering. Maybe just
to hear you say you were sorry.
Silence.
WILLS
I am. I'm very sorry.
She stares at him long and hard, waiting for some more
palpable sign of remorse. It isn't forthcoming. Finally, she
nods.
LISA
Okay. Thanks.
She turns and walks away. His voice stops her --
WILLS
Can I call you?
She turns around, hesitates for a moment, then nods. She
continues to the door. But then she stops and turns --
LISA
Before... when you came in... who
did you think I was?
WILLS
A friend.
LISA
You must like her an awful lot.
She smiles simply and heads for the door. When she is gone,
Wells slowly walks back toward the elevators, but then
abruptly stops in his tracks, deliberating...
EXT. VILLAGE -- DAWN
THE CAMERA CRANES DOWN SLOWLY from a view of the sun rising
in the EASTERN SKY to a TAXI gliding over to the curb in
front of...
CHARLOTTE'S BROWNSTONE -- DAWN
Charlotte, looking tired and a little pale, pays the driver
and emerges from the taxi. She makes her way up the steps.
INT. BROWNSTONE -- CONTINUOUS
Looking down from the second-floor landing, we see Charlotte
enter and walk up the stairs toward us.
As she reaches the landing, she feels a STABBING PAIN IN HER
CHEST and stops walking. Wincing, she waits for the pain to
subside.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS
Charlotte enters wearily, drops her purse on the floor, then
turns and GASPS.
Wills lies sprawled in an armchair fully dressed, sound
asleep.
Charlotte is offended by the intrusion. She hurries over to
awaken him. But then she stops. Her face softens slightly.
She studies his face... touches his cheek with the back of
her hand... traces the lines at his eyes with a fingertip..
smooths back a wisp of hair.
Finally, snapping to, steeling herself, she jostles him --
CHARLOTTE
Hey.
Wills wakes with a violent start. When he sees her, he drops
his head back. He closes his eyes again and murmurs sleepily --
WILLS
Where were you? I was worried.
CHARLOTTE
So worried you fell asleep. What're
you doing here?
WILLS
I've missed you. You have no idea
how much.
She crosses coldly to her closet and, half-shutting the door,
blocking his view, starts to undress.
CHARLOTTE
How'd you get in?
He sits up, rubbing his eyes in the morning light.
WILLS
Dolly. We watched TV. She fell asleep.
What time is it?
CHARLOTTE
I didn't know I had a curfew.
WILLS
Where were you?
CHARLOTTE
None of your business. So what is
it? What do you want?
Wills sits forward, more alert now. He exhales heavily and
begins:
WILLS
To tell you that you were right. I
do hate myself. But not so much that
I can't see how stupid and despicable
and --
CHARLOTTE
Cowardly.
WILLS
And cowardly what I did was. And
even though there's no excuse for
it, I want you to forgive me.
She turns and looks at him. She feels herself relenting. She
turns away and continues undressing --
CHARLOTTE
Why should I?
WILLS
Because, for better or worse, I'm
falling in love with you, and the
thought of our not being together is
unbearable to me.
She stops, then glances at him with a flash of pain and
longing. Determined not to surrender to her feelings, she
crosses to the bed and throws open the covers.
CHARLOTTE
Let's sleep.
She crawls into bed.
CHARLOTTE
In the morning, we'll talk about
what a gigantic asshole you are.
Wills, relieved, crosses to the bed and begins to undress.
He asks casually --
WILLS
So where were you?
CHARLOTTE
With Shannon and Simon and Eric.
WILLS
Who's Eric?
CHARLOTTE
An old friend who used to work at
Blockbuster.
WILLS
What'd you guys do?
CHARLOTTE
Talked and drank. Simon and Shannon
finally went home. Eric and I hung
out.
Thinking nothing of it, Wills nods. He slips into bed. Her
back is to him. He drapes an arm around her and pulls her a
little closer.
He smiles contentedly and closes his eyes. But then something
occurs to him. He opens his eyes --
WILLS
Hung out where?
CHARLOTTE
Stop. We'll talk about it tomorrow.
WILLS
Fine.
He closes his eyes again. A few beats later, they open.
WILLS
Talk about what? Is there something
to talk about? What happened?
Charlotte, eyes still closed, breaks into a sly, amused smile.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK WEST -- DAY
Wills and Charlotte, collars turned up against the brisk
wind, walk together. Charlotte wears a backpack. Wills tries
desperately to appear casual --
WILLS
No, honestly, I think I have a right
to know.
CHARLOTTE
And I honestly think I have a right
not to tell you.
WILLS
You're being unreasonable.
CHARLOTTE
You're being nosy.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK -- DAY
They move down a winding walkway beneath barren trees --
WILLS
You know, in this day and age it's
not so outrageous a request. I mean,
I don't know this kid. I don't know
where he's been.
CHARLOTTE
(laughing incredulously)
You're worried about where he's been?
Give me a break!
EXT. WOLLMAN RINK -- DAY
Wills watches as Charlotte laces up her figure skates --
WILLS
It requires balance and I have lousy
balance, okay?
CHARLOTTE
Oh, come on, what's the worst that
can happen?
(beat)
Well, I guess you could break a hip.
WILLS
Look, I'm not in a sporting mood!
CHARLOTTE
How come?
WILLS
I'm jealous, okay?! Is that what you
want to hear? Are you satisfied now?
She burst out laughing --
CHARLOTTE
Not even close!
EXT. WOLLMAN RINK -- DAY
Wills paces the bleachers, furious, while Charlotte skates
nearby --
WILLS
All I want is a simple answer and
you're torturing me! And I resent
it! It's cruel and juvenile! And I --
CHARLOTTE
(exploding)
HEY!
Her anger startles him. She skates over quickly and skids to
an abrupt stop --
CHARLOTTE
It's not! It's adult! It's revenge!
And if you think it's bad not knowing
what I did -- well, it's even worse
knowing exactly what you did!
She turns and skates away.
EXT. WOLLMAN RINK -- AFTERNOON
Wills sits on the bleachers, miserably brooding, while
Charlotte gracefully glides by, laughing and chatting with
THREE YOUNG MALE SKATERS whom she's just met.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK -- NIGHTFALL
They walk together in silence. Wills is sullen. Finally,
Charlotte takes his hand and speaks gently but firmly --
CHARLOTTE
Do me a favor, okay? Never ask me
again what happened with Eric. Just
accept the fact that you'll never,
ever know. And if that hurts, then
think about it next time you want to
cheat on somebody.
Wills reflects.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Charlotte and Wills are little more than silhouettes, lying
entwined in the rich darkness, conversing in whispers:
WILLS
I wish I were exaggerating, but I'm
not. I slept with every one of them.
Really. Look through Dolly's old
photo albums... or any movie
magazine... visit Aspen at Christmas.
I was on a mission. And until recently
I really didn't think I had a problem.
Or if I did, it was definitely the
most pleasurable one I could imagine.
CHARLOTTE
What changed?
WILLS
My house in Malibu burned to the
ground.
Charlotte laughs. Wills smiles with sad irony.
WILLS
I know, it sounds funny. But it must
have triggered something because the
next thing I knew I couldn't sleep.
I'd lie awake at night absolutely
terrified. Like a kid left alone in
the dark.
CHARLOTTE
What were you scared of?
WILLS
How quickly time was passing and how
adolescent I still felt. How
meaningless all my choices seemed.
How lonely I was. So I liquidated my
portfolio, sold my businesses, and
moved back here. To start over, settle
down, start acting my age.
(beat)
You were supposed to be my one last
dalliance with youth.
CHARLOTTE
Well, for your sake, I hope I am.
He thinks for a moment, then smiles, and kisses her brow.
INT. MACDONALD'S -- DAY
Wills sits with John, Sarah, and the twins at a plastic table
overrun with food, wrappers, and squashed condiment tubes.
Sarah speaks to Wills --
SARAH
Judge you? Why would I? Screw the
age difference -- I like the new
you! Before Charlotte came along, do
you have any idea how hard it was to
get you to sit down for a Happy Meal?
Wills and John laugh. Molly, one of the twins, chimes in --
MOLLY
Uncle Wills, how come you don't get
married?
JOHN
Yeah, how come, Uncle Wills?
WILLS
I want to, Carla, but --
MOLLY
I'm not Carla! I'm Molly!
WILLS
Well, Molly, I just haven't met the
right woman yet.
CARLA
What about Charlotte? She's funny-
pretty.
SARAH
(aside to Wills)
It means funny and pretty. It's their
highest compliment.
WILLS
I agree.
(rising from the table)
She's also demanding.
JOHN
Where're you goin'?
WILLS
She's decided she wants her birthday
present today.
Wills gives both of the little girls hugs and kisses.
JOHN
But that was last month.
WILLS
The Dom didn't count. This is her
real present. She chose it herself
and it's not material.
JOHN
Now you got me curious.
SARAH
Yeah, what is it?
Wills shakes his head and smiles, reluctant to answer.
From the next scene we hear the sound of TWO DOZEN PEOPLE
BREATHING FURIOUSLY.
INT. STUDIO -- AFTERNOON
On a slightly elevated stage, HARI SINGH, 35, an American
Sikh wearing a white robe and turban, sits in the lotus
position before a lighted candle, softly instructing the
crowded class --
HARI
Okay... breath of fire... now inhale
deeply... hold the breath... let
your heart lotus blossom... feel the
energy rise... and exhale. Good. Now
peacock pose.
Hari rolls forward, digs his elbows into his midsection, and
pops up so that he is parallel to the floor with his legs
still crossed.
ANGLE ON THE CLASS, all moving into the pose. In the center
of the class are Wills and Charlotte, wearing sweats. His
arms shaking, Wills is clearly in pain. He mutters --
WILLS
When does the enlightenment start?
CHARLOTTE
When you realize that I'm God.
Wills laughs. A moment later, Charlotte winces and falls out
of the pose onto the mat. Hari looks over, confused --
HARI
Are you all right?
Charlotte sits up quickly, smiling --
CHARLOTTE
Yeah. No big deal. Cramp in the old
fifth shakra!
She glances over at Wills. He sees that she's scared to death.
He helps her to her feet, speaking softly in her ear --
WILLS
Don't worry. You're gonna be okay.
She nods. They move toward the door. But after a few steps,
her eyes flutter, her body goes limp, and she slams down on
the mat, UNCONSCIOUS.
INT. SPEEDING AMBULANCE -- AFTERNOON
Charlotte lies on a stretcher near Wills and a PARAMEDIC --
CHARLOTTE
It's no big deal. I just
hyperventilated. Really.
But then she gasps as she's hit by a stab of pain. Wills
throws a grave look at the medic and squeezes her hand more
tightly.
EXT. ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL -- ESTABLISHING -- NIGHT
The building is brightly illuminated against the night sky.
INT. ST. VINCENT'S WAITING ROOM -- NIGHT
Wills sits, anxiously struggling with a half-finished
crossword puzzle. He hears the click of a lighter. A GRUBBY
LITTLE MAN standing by the coffee machine lights a generic
cigarette.
WILLS
Excuse me... do you have an extra
one of those?
LITTLE MAN
(eyes narrowing)
You a smoker?
WILLS
Not for years.
LITTLE MAN
Well, hell, if I'm gonna be the one
to get you goin' again.
Pause.
WILLS
Thanks.
LITTLE MAN
Don't mention it.
Wills looks up and sees Dr. Sibley standing in the doorway.
INT. TELEMETRY FLOOR CORRIDOR -- NIGHT
Sibley walks Wills down the hallway --
SIBLEY
The repeat MRI and CAT scan do show
interval progression.
WILLS
(uncertainly)
Which means the tumor's grown?
SIBLEY
Yes. Yes, it has. Considerably. As
for her loss of consciousness, one
explanation is a disturbance in her
heart's electrical function. We'll
be monitoring her overnight for any
arrhythmias. If we find something,
we'll treat it. Unfortunately, the
more likely explanation is that the
tumor has begun to obstruct the
outflow of her heart. If that's the
case, there's little we can do. We
could be speaking in terms of weeks
not months.
They arrive at Charlotte's room.
SIBLEY
When she returns home, we'll want
her to stay active, but don't let
her overexert herself.
(off Wills' nod)
Don't stay long. She's been sedated.
INT. CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL ROOM -- SAME
Charlotte lies in the bed with her eyes closed. An EKG monitor
bleeps steadily in the corner. An IV drip hangs by her bed.
Wills enters and sits down at her bedside. He touches her
hand. She opens her eyes and smiles drowsily --
CHARLOTTE
Hey.
Wills is terribly anxious. His speech is accelerated
WILLS
Are you all right? You're okay? How
do you feel?
CHARLOTTE
Stoned.
WILLS
I'll let you rest. I should. You'll
sleep and then --
CHARLOTTE
(touching his hand)
Shhh.
He nods and inhales deeply. His heart is racing. She murmurs --
CHARLOTTE
You still owe me a birthday present.
WILLS
I do not.
CHARLOTTE
Just 'cause I fainted is no excuse
for you to bail on your peacock pose.
She smiles sleepily. Wills lifts a hand to her mouth and
whispers:
WILLS
It ought to be illegal.
CHARLOTTE
What?
WILLS
Your smile. It's too pretty.
CHARLOTTE
I've ruined you for other women.
WILLS
You have.
CHARLOTTE
All part of my master plan.
(beat)
Do you wanna hear a story... a bedtime
story?
WILLS
Shouldn't I be telling you one?
CHARLOTTE
Once upon a time, there was a woman
on a ship crossing the Atlantic and
her little boy got sick. Very sick.
And she said whoever saves my boy's
life... I'll name my next baby after
them. Well, they got into port and
they rushed her son to St. Vincent's
hospital... to here... and they saved
his life. And so the mother named
her next baby Edna St. Vincent Millay.
(beat)
And Edna grew up to be, as I am sure
you know, the second greatest female
poet in American history.
WILLS
The first would be Emily Dickinson.
CHARLOTTE
You're a quick learner -- I like
that about you...
(half to herself)
"It may be, when my heart is dull,
Having attained its girth,
I shall not find so beautiful
The meagre shapes of earth,
Nor linger in the rain to mark
The small of tansy through the dark."
Her eyes drift shut --
CHARLOTTE
I am so pretentious...
Wills laughs, then clears his throat, and looks suddenly
serious --
WILLS
Charlotte, listen, I --
CHARLOTTE
Uh-oh. Heavy, heavy...
WILLS
I just think --
CHARLOTTE
No. No violins. I'm fine. Go home...
sleep...
He considers for a moment, then, tears welling in his eyes,
he lifts her hand to his mouth and kisses it.
INT. BROWNSTONE LIVING ROOM -- AFTERNOON
Wills sits across from Simon who strokes Shannon's back as
she weeps --
SHANNON
It just didn't seem real and now
that it is, I hate it! It's so unfair!
Dolores, sitting in her armchair, mutters as though by rote --
DOLLY
Fare is what you pay on the train to
Jersey. Fair is the place that smells
like manure where, if you're real
lucky, you win a blue ribbon for
your home-made pickles. Fair is a
sky without a cloud and a face with
a mark. Fare is food. What fair isn't
is everything else.
SIMON
Well, I think I speak for all of us
when I say that we've heard quite
enough from Dolores.
Dolores chuckles. Simon continues to Wills --
SIMON
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I
believe what you're saying is that
while the end may be in sight, it
has not yet arrived.
WILLS
That's right. The tumor's begun to
interfere with the function of her
heart, but she --
SIMON
Then why exactly have you called us
here?
Wills falters, looking at him incredulously.
SIMON
I cut short a lunch date, Shannon's
missing her low-impact aerobics class,
and Dolores has delayed the start of
her happy hour -- surely you must
have had good reason.
WILLS
I thought Charlotte's health might
be of some interest you.
SIMON
It is. You could have told me all
about it on the telephone.
WILLS
I also thought it might be a good
idea if we discussed ways to make
her as comfortable as possible for
the --
SIMON
Charlotte loathes comfortable. I
never sought to bore her with comfort
while she was well, why should I
start now that she's sick?
Wills stares at Simon, his face ashen and full of contempt --
WILLS
Tell me, are you really so cold? Or
is it just a pose that you've
cultivated?
SIMON
It's a pose that I've cultivated.
(beat)
I chose it, as a sort of smoke screen,
some time after attending my twentieth
funeral in as many months.
Pause.
WILLS
I'm sorry.
SIMON
It's quite all right. But, honestly,
it shocks me how often you people
forget. Our phone books have as many
numbers crossed out as written in.
So that while death is certainly as
painful to us as it is to you, we do
not find it nearly so...
extraordinary.
(beat)
Don't misunderstand me. I adore
Charlotte and when she dies, I
would... were it not already in that
state... cry my heart dry.
Shannon looks at Simon and burst into tears again. Simon
holds her even closer, rubbing her back.
MUSIC UP:
EXT. MANHATTAN STREET -- NIGHTFALL
Wills emerges from Charlotte's brownstone, hails a cab, then
decides against it.
EXT. CITY STREETS -- NIGHTFALL
Head down, eyes desolate, Wills walks uptown. The roaring
traffic, dense crowds, blaring music, flashing neon -- the
great welter of urban life is entirely lost on him.
He can think only of Charlotte.
EXT. HELL'S KITCHEN -- NIGHT
Wills walks down a dark block, his jacket open to the cold
night wind, his cheeks and ears burned red.
INT. HELL'S KITCHEN WALK-UP FOYER -- NIGHT
Wills enters, checks the tenant list, then presses a buzzer.
He speaks into the intercom and a moment later is buzzed up.
INT. WALK-UP STAIRWELL -- NIGHT
FOLLOW WILLS, running up the stairs. He arrives at a door,
cold and gasping for breath. He hears footsteps.
THE DOOR OPENS, but we do not see who is there.
MUSIC OUT:
INT. WALK-UP LIVING ROOM -- LATER
Wills paces, speaking desperately to someone. He seems on
the verge of a total nervous collapse --
WILLS
She's in the hospital now. She doesn't
have long. Weeks maybe and -- She...
Anyway, I have something to ask you.
A favor. I have no right to ask. I
know. I'd do it myself, but I can't.
I'm too... I'm...
He takes a deep breath to keep himself from crying.
ANGLE ON LISA, his daughter, sitting on the couch, listening,
her face unreadable --
LISA
What is it?
WILLS
I want you to find a surgeon. Dr.
Sibley told me... Charlotte's doctor
told me... he said at some point,
when it's hopeless, surgery could be
an option. Heroic surgery, he called
it. I want to make sure that when
the time comes a hero is performing
that heroic surgery. Do you
understand? You'll have to make calls.
I'll get names. Sibley will give me
names.
(fighting tears)
I'm sorry to ask you... I have no
right. But, you see, she doesn't
want it... this surgery... I'll have
to convince her. So no one can know...
for now. And I trust you. You're my
only family and I...
(beat)
You have every right to refuse me.
After what I did. You were a child...
and you needed me... and I was nowhere
to be found. There's no excuse for
that. I'm so terribly sorry!
Silence.
LISA
I'd be happy to do it.
Wills, stunned, deeply grateful, allows himself a breath.
LISA
Dad, I'm really sorry she's sick.
WILLS
(almost inaudible)
I am, too. So sorry. I should be the
one. It should be me.
Lisa, flooded with compassion, wants to go to him, comfort
him, but she stays where she is.
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE IN:
EXT. CARL SCHURZ PARK -- LATE AFTERNOON
The darkening sky is swept with a brisk wintry breeze. Shadows
descend from the trees and towering rocks. AN OLD MAN sits
on a bench, reading a newspaper. A NANNY pushes a baby
carriage past.
Wills and Charlotte walk together, bundled up again the cold.
Charlotte walks backward, her breath shooting out into the
cold air like smoke --
CHARLOTTE
You never talk about my mother.
(beat)
Talk about her.
WILLS
What do you want to know?
CHARLOTTE
Everything. All I remember is that
she smelled like vanilla, loved to
read to me, and was really good at
cutting up fruit. I couldn't believe
she didn't cut her fingers off.
WILLS
Well, I remember a little more than
that. Let's see... she was blonde...
about your height --
CHARLOTTE
I've seen pictures, dummy.
WILLS
Oh, okay. She... always ate her ice
cream with a fork -- how's that?
CHARLOTTE
Much better.
WILLS
And she wrote great letters, but
couldn't spell at all.
CHARLOTTE
Neither can I.
WILLS
She was a McGovern Democrat but also
an incredible snob. She loved
blueberries. She had the world's
worst backhand. Her favorite singer
was Stephen Stills.
CHARLOTTE
Who?
WILLS
Never mind. She was afraid of sharks.
And, considering the times, she was
pretty square. She only tried drugs
once -- a lifeguard gave her a hash
brownie and she threw it up all over
him.
Charlotte laughs.
WILLS
And she laughed just like that. And
she bit her fingernails. And she
couldn't tell a joke.
(beat)
In short, she was a unique.
Charlotte smiles happily.
EXT. EAST RIVER ESPLANADE -- MINUTES LATER
Wills and Charlotte lean down on the railing, watching the
water purl and eddy around Randall's Island.
CHARLOTTE
Did you know she was in love with
you?
WILLS
She told me.
CHARLOTTE
Were you in love with her?
WILLS
Yes.
CHARLOTTE
Why? Because she was the only girl
in Rhode Island who wouldn't sleep
with you?
WILLS
That's how she got my attention;
it's not why I fell in love with
her.
(beat)
I fell in love with her because she
charmed me senseless day and night
for an entire summer.
CHARLOTTE
Then why did you screw her best friend
on Labor Day?
Wills looks at her darkly. She smiles and shrugs --
CHARLOTTE
It's just a question.
Wills sighs and looks away, reflecting --
WILLS
I have no idea. The summer was over.
Your mom was going back to Smith. I
was moving down here to work on Wall
Street. It was our last day together.
She was crying. She told me, for the
first time, that she loved me. I
said I loved her, too. I promised to
call and visit. A few hours later I
was in a cabana with Millie.
(beat)
When Millie told me she was pregnant
and that she wanted to marry me, I
escaped to L.A... and I never saw
her or your mom again.
CHARLOTTE
(wryly)
Well done.
WILLS
I think it's part of the reason I
never came back.
CHARLOTTE
But why're you like that? What is
it? I mean, you weren't born that
way.
WILLS
I might as well have been. For as
long as I can remember, I've always
run off at the first sign of a woman
wanting anything from me... relying
on me in any way.
She considers for a moment --
CHARLOTTE
But I want everything from you, Wills.
I rely on you in every way.
WILLS
I know.
CHARLOTTE
So the only reason you don't dump me
is because I'm sick? Because you
know that it's all going to be over,
anyway?
WILLS
Maybe. But it doesn't feel that way.
(beat)
It feels as though I'm not afraid
anymore.
She looks at him and smiles. He puts an arm around her and
draws her close.
INT. TAXI -- AFTERNOON
Wills looks out the window, his arm draped around Charlotte
who lies nestled against him, eyes closed.
He suddenly sees something. He thinks. Checks his watch. His
eyes ignite and he calls out excitedly to the driver --
WILLS
Driver! Quick! Pull over here! Right
here!
Charlotte, a little sleepy, comes to. She looks out the window
and her face softens with happiness.
EXT. THE BRICK CHURCH, 92ND AND PARK -- SAME
On the steps of the old church a CHOIR sings Christmas carols.
All around them, a LARGE CROWD sings along.
Wills and Charlotte get out of the cab. His arm around her,
Wills pulls her into the crowd. They join the carol. Wills
sings well. Charlotte is tone deaf.
In between lines of the song, she calls out --
CHARLOTTE
I didn't know you could sing!
WILLS
I didn't know you couldn't!
She laughs and continues to sing.
THE CAROLS ENDS to cheers and applause. THE CHOIRMASTER steps
forward to a microphone --
CHOIRMASTER
Well, you all know what time it is!
CHARLOTTE
(confused to Wills)
No, I don't. Do you?
He grins. The choirmaster nods at someone in the distance.
Then holds up a hand, fingers spread, and begins to count
down. The crowd joins in --
CHOIRMASTER AND CROWD
TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX, FIVE,
FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!
At that instant, ALL THE WHITE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS on the trees
of the median from 96th Street to 44th Street POP ON
SIMULTANEOUSLY -- an enchanted fairy-tale spectacle.
The crowd and the choir cheer and clap, cars honk their horns.
Charlotte's eyes are filled with happy wonder.
CHOIRMASTER
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
As another carol begins, Wills wraps his arms around Charlotte
and kisses her. He pulls away, looks deeply into her eyes,
and whispers with passionate sincerity --
WILLS
I love you, Charlotte.
For an instant, her eyes flare as though she were surprised.
Then her eyes fill with tears. She tries to speak but she is
choked by a sob.
She buries her face in his chest and cries. Wills smiles
with warm, almost paternal, indulgence. He strokes her hair.
She hugs him as though she'll never let go.
INT. ELYSIUM -- NIGHT
The restaurant is packed. John, overwhelmed by the crowd
waiting for tables, glances angrily away when he hears the
phone ringing and no one answering it.
INT. ELYSIUM KITCHEN -- SAME
Amid the Pandemonium, Wills watches as Charlotte teases HENRY,
30, the young chef, as he lays the beet garnishes on a fish
entree.
CHARLOTTE
You call that a rose? It looks more
like a hand grenade!
HENRY
Mr. Keane, you get her outta here
or, I swear to God, I'm gonna
butterfly and stuff her!
WILLS
I'll add it to the specials list.
CHARLOTTE
(laughing)
No way! I'm too pricey!
The door bangs open. John enters, looking angry --
CHARLOTTE
Hello, Sunshine!
JOHN
You seen Celia?
WILLS
What's the matter?
JOHN
The matter is I got a half-hour wait
and no help up front! You got a call
on Two!
INT. ELYSIUM OFFICE -- SAME
Wills enters, picks up the phone, and hits a flashing button--
WILLS
Wills Keane.
INT. LISA'S LIVING ROOM -- EVENING
Lisa's face is flushed with excitement --
LISA
I've got him!
EXT. WILLS' BUILDING -- MORNING
A TOWN CAR is parked out front. Michael, the doorman, chats
with the driver.
LISA (V.O.)
His name's Tom Grandy. Harvard
undergrad. Columbia Medical School.
He's at the Cleveland Clinic. I know,
I know. But don't laugh. It's one of
the best in the world.
Wills exits the building and gets into the car.
EXT. QUEENS -- MORNING
The town car speeds down the expressway.
LISA (V.O.)
He did his residency at the Brigham
in Boston... his cardiac surgery
training at Cleveland.
EXT. LA GUARDIA AIRPORT -- MORNING
Wills walks quickly through the terminal.
LISA (V.O.)
He was so good they kept him on and
within three years he was chief of
the program.
EXT. CLEVELAND CLINIC -- DAY
Wills gets out of a taxi and heads inside --
LISA (V.O.)
He travels a lot. Spends lots of
time lecturing. I got you an
appointment tomorrow at twelve-thirty.
Don't be late. He only has fifteen
minutes.
INT. CLEVELAND CLINIC CORRIDOR -- DAY
TOM GRANDY, 35, long-hair, small beard, loose-limbed, wearing
scrubs, saunters down the hall, wearing a vaguely goofy smile.
Wills watches him approach with some apprehension.
LISA (V.O.)
The surgeon that recommended him
said, and these are his words not
mine, "Don't let his appearance fool
you. He's brilliant and has balls
the size of your head."
INT. GRANDY'S OFFICE -- SAME
Wills listens to Dr. Grandy who speaks casually, more like a
benign hippie than a renowned surgeon. Charlotte's X-rays
hang between them in an illuminated view box --
GRANDY
Listen, I'm not gonna bullshit you.
If she were a baby, she'd have a
decent chance, 'cause these sorts of
tumors can regress like crazy, but
she's twenty and... I don't know,
man... I've never seen anything like
it.
(pointing at the X-
ray)
I mean, look! It's wrapped around
her vital structures like an octopus!
(sitting)
You know, just once I'd like to get
sent something simple. A "cabbage,"
a valve replacement. Even a good old-
fashioned transplant. But it doesn't
happen anymore. It's the downside of
being good at my job.
WILLS
Good? They say there's no one better.
GRANDY
I don't know. I'm like most people.
I do the best I can.
WILLS
Can your best save her?
GRANDY
Probably not.
INT. CLEVELAND CLINIC CORRIDOR -- LATER
Grandy and Wills walk together --
GRANDY
In these sorts of cases, it's best
if she signs a consent.
WILLS
(covering)
No problem.
GRANDY
Good.
(stopping at the main
entrance)
The last time Charlotte passed out,
she regained consciousness almost
immediately. The next time or the
time after, she won't. When that
happens, call me.
(handing him a card)
Here's my service. They'll reach me
no matter where I am. In the meantime,
I'll coordinate with Dr. Sibley.
WILLS
I can't thank you enough.
Grandy smiles and pats him on the shoulder.
GRANDY
I haven't done anything yet.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Wills sits up, wearing glasses, reading a book. Charlotte
enters from the bathroom wearing a flannel night shirt --
CHARLOTTE
By the way -- where were you today?
WILLS
What do you mean?
CHARLOTTE
When you called I assumed you were
at the restaurant, but when I called
back later, Jesus said you hadn't
been in all day.
WILLS
I was in Montclair, New Jersey.
CHARLOTTE
Why?
WILLS
(playfully vague)
An opportunity.
CHARLOTTE
Oh, really? Sexual or professional?
WILLS
I was considering opening a
restaurant. But the rents are too
high.
He smiles at her. And she smiles back.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- MORNING
Charlotte lies asleep with her head on his chest. She opens
her eyes. The room seems strange. It's the light.
She rises up and turns around. Her eyes narrow with curiosity.
She crawls out of bed and runs to the window and looks out.
She can't believe her eyes. Central Park is blanketed by
deep snow and more is falling. She calls out gaily --
CHARLOTTE
Hey! How do you feel about Christmas?
WILLS
(sleepily)
Bah humbug...
She runs back, laughing, and jumps on the bed, rousting him.
MUSIC UP:
A SEQUENCE BEGINS showing Charlotte and Wills during a day
of holiday shopping. The deep snow has slowed the city to a
crawl but filled everyone with good spirits.
Charlotte and Wills move from store to store; they buy
wreaths, garlands, ornaments, candles, and, finally, a
CHRISTMAS TREE and STAND.
Wills starts to lug the tree, but when it's obvious that
it's too much for him, Charlotte spots a GROUP OF KIDS
spilling out of a record store.
The next thing we know the kids are lined up, carrying the
tree over their heads like a battalion of ants.
Wills and the kids load the tree into the freight elevator
and squeeze in. There's no room for Charlotte. She'll take
the lobby elevator.
MUSIC OUT:
INT. LOBBY ELEVATOR -- AFTERNOON
Charlotte, carrying shopping bags, ascends in silence with
Michael. She has no interest in chatting. He, as ever, does.
MICHAEL
Will you and Mister Keane be goin'
away for the holidays?
CHARLOTTE
I doubt it.
MICHAEL
I've seen so little of America. I
don't care for airplanes, you see,
and I have so little time to travel.
(beat)
Did Mister Keane enjoy his trip then?
CHARLOTTE
What trip?
MICHAEL
Why, just yesterday.
CHARLOTTE
I wouldn't really call that a trip.
MICHAEL
Perhaps not. But I've never been to
Ohio myself. They say parts of it
are quite lovely.
Charlotte goes pale. The elevator stops and he opens the
door.
INT. WILLS' FOYER -- CONTINUOUS
Charlotte steps out right into the kids who are roughhousing
and laughing. Each holds a five-dollar bill --
MICHAEL
(calling out)
All right, you little hellions! Get
in here!
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER
Charlotte wanders in. The tree stands erect. Wills, on all
fours, tightens the screws on the stand. He crawls to his
feet and studies it.
WILLS
Straight?
Then he sees her grave expression and freezes.
CHARLOTTE
I thought we had a deal.
WILLS
I'm sure we do. About what?
CHARLOTTE
Lying.
(beat)
You were in Ohio yesterday.
Wills stares at her for a moment, then explains without
apology --
WILLS
I met with a heart specialist. He's
willing to operate.
For an instant she is surprised, but then her indignation
takes over --
CHARLOTTE
But you know I don't want that! You
know I've signed papers that --
WILLS
Well, maybe I want it.
CHARLOTTE
It isn't your decision!
WILLS
Of course not, but if you'll hear me
out --
CHARLOTTE
No! I told you right from the start
how I felt and you went behind my
back! You lied and --
WILLS
(exploding)
Oh, Christ, knock it off! You're
such a god damn saint, so above it
all, but you're scared to death! You
do want to live! And if you were as
honest as you say you are you'd let
the doctors do whatever they can to
help you!
Her face shuts like a trap. She walks toward the bedroom
door --
CHARLOTTE
I won't give people hope when there
isn't any.
WILLS
Why not?! Maybe we want hope! Or
maybe we just need to know that we
did everything we could! Maybe I
need to know that... if I'm going to
be able to live... to go on without...
without --
Suddenly, a sob catches in his throat. Charlotte, on her way
to the bedroom, stops and slowly turns around.
She speaks matter-of-factly, without judgment or feeling.
CHARLOTTE
Now I know why you hurt so many women.
Because you always knew if you held
on to one of them, you'd never let
go.
She turns and exits coldly to the bedroom. Wills sinks into
an armchair.
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- LATER
In grey afternoon shadows, Charlotte lies on her side, fully
clothed under the covers, with her eyes open, thinking. She
hears something and looks back.
Wills stands in the lighted doorway.
She gestures for him to come. He walks over and lies down
next to her. She turns her back to him, so that he's spooning
her, but she takes hold of his hand, pressing it against her
chest and squeezing it like a doll.
For a long time, they lie in silence. Finally, she murmurs
almost inaudibly --
CHARLOTTE
When we met, I was so lonely. But I
didn't even know it. I'd been alone
so long.. almost forever...
WILLS
So had I.
CHARLOTTE
But now we have each other.
(beginning to cry)
Oh, what would I do, Wills? What
would I do if you weren't here? Where
would I be?
Fighting his emotions, determined to stay strong for her, he
holds her close.
WILLS
You don't ever have to worry about
that.
CHARLOTTE
I'll do whatever I have to! I'll
tear up the papers! Whatever you
want! Tell the doctor! Because... I
really do want... I don't want to
leave you!
The dam breaks and she is wracked by sobs. Wills closes his
eyes, holds her even tighter, and rocks her in his arms.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. WILLS' BEDROOM -- THAT EVENING
Charlotte, still fully clothed, lies sound asleep. She slowly
awakens and sees that Wills is gone. She gets up on one elbow --
CHARLOTTE
Wills?!
She waits, hears hurried steps, then Wills sticks his head
in --
WILLS
Yeah?
CHARLOTTE
How long was I asleep?
WILLS
A couple of hours.
CHARLOTTE
Wow. And I'm still tired.
WILLS
That's all right. Relax.
Charlotte senses something odd in his tone. Her eyes narrow
with suspicion.
CHARLOTTE
What're you doing in there?
WILLS
Nothing.
She laughs and starts to get up --
CHARLOTTE
Liar!
WILLS
Don't! Don't move! Just one more
minute!
He closes the door.
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- SAME
Wills runs back into the room. The tree is fully decorated
now. He dashes back and adjust some lights along the base.
CHARLOTTE'S VOICE
(from the bedroom)
What're you doing?!
He runs over, inserts the plug and the TREE LIGHTS UP with
LITTLE WHITE LIGHTS, but for the STAR AT THE TOP.
CHARLOTTE'S VOICE
Oh no! You didn't!
WILLS
You were just going to tire yourself
out!
He grabs a chair and fiddles with the bulb inside the star.
CHARLOTTE'S VOICE
This I've gotta see!
WILLS
Just hold on!
THE STAR LIGHTS UP. He jumps down and puts the chair away.
Then he runs over and dims the lights --
WILLS
Finishing touches!
He runs over and adjusts a garland. He runs back to the dimmer
and adjusts it again --
WILLS
Almost!
He runs back to the bedroom door and flings it open.
WILLS
Voila!
He looks into the room and freezes in the doorway. He backs
up a step, then, crying out, lunges into the room.
MUSIC UP:
EXT. WILLS' BUILDING -- NIGHT
Charlotte, lying unconscious on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen
mask, is rushed into a waiting ambulance. Wills, beside
himself with panic, is gently barred by a MEDIC from jumping
in with her.
INT. NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL LECTURE HALL -- NIGHT
In the reflection of a projected slide, a hand offers a
CELLULAR PHONE to Dr. Grandy, standing at a lectern in front
of a group of doctors. He stops his lecture and takes the
call.
EXT. MANHATTAN STREET -- NIGHT
The ambulance rushes, light flashing, sirens wailing,
downtown.
INT. ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL -- NIGHT
Charlotte's stretcher is rushed into the emergency room at
the same time that Wills' cab pulls up.
EXT. NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL HELIPORT -- NIGHT
Grandy is rushed into a MEDICAL HELICOPTER.
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT WAITING ROOM -- NIGHT
Wills looks up and sees Dolores and Shannon arrive.
EXT. SKY -- NIGHT
Grandy's helicopter speeds toward the City.
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT WAITING ROOM -- NIGHT
Wills comforts Shannon. Dolores looks up and sees Simon
standing in the doorway. Then a CORONARY CARE NURSE appears.
She asks to speak to Wills.
INT. MEDICAL HELICOPTER -- NIGHT
Grandy looks out the window as the helicopter swoops down
toward the lights of lower Manhattan.
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT PRE-OP -- NIGHT
Charlotte lies, semi-conscious, on a gurney. Wills appears
in the doorway with the nurse.
EXT. ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL HELIPORT -- NIGHT
The helicopter lands and Grandy jumps out.
MUSIC OUT:
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT PRE-OP -- NIGHT
Wills sits down next to Charlotte's bed. He touches her hand.
Her eyes open then close again. Her breathing is heavy and
labored.
Wills pushes a lock of hair off her brow, then whispers,
half to himself --
WILLS
Time cannot break the bird's wing
from the bird. Bird and wing together
Go down, one feather. No thing that
ever flew, not the lark, not you,
Can die as others do.
Charlotte's eyes open dreamily. She shows a faint smile at
the poem and murmurs almost inaudibly --
CHARLOTTE
What have I done to you?
WILLS
Ruined me for other women.
CHARLOTTE
No... I saved you for them...
Her eyes close. Wills takes her hand and presses it to his
cheek.
MALE VOICE
Is she type 'n' cross for six units?!
NURSE'S VOICE
Yes, Doctor.
Wills turns around and sees Grandy standing in the doorway.
GRANDY
What're we waiting for?
PRE-OP NURSE
Just you, Doctor!
GRANDY
Then let's move!
The NURSE rushes over to the gurney and in an instant
Charlotte is gone -- wheeled with a bang through SWINGING
DOORS into the operating room corridor.
MUSIC UP:
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT WAITING ROOM -- NIGHT
Everyone is there now -- John, Sarah, Celia, Simon, Dolores,
and Shannon. Wills enters silently. He walks to the new
arrivals and greets each one with an embrace.
INT. CORONARY CARE OPERATING ROOM -- NIGHT
Charlotte lies on the table. Grandy's eyes, visible above
his mask, are fiercely focused on his work.
INT. CORONARY CARE UNIT WAITING ROOM -- NIGHT
Shannon lies with her head in Sarah's lap.
Dolores, ignoring the sign, smokes a cigarette.
John and Celia sit side-by-side in silence.
Wills stands at the window. He looks over and see Simon
standing close by. Simon looks at him, his eyes sad but eerily
calm. Wills shakes his head --
WILLS
It happened so quickly. We'd just
talked about the surgery. She agreed
to it. But I thought there'd be time.
SIMON
I've had friends who weren't expected
to last till morning who lived another
seven years. Another ran a marathon
and died the next weekend. It's all
so terribly random the way life
actually works. I take nothing for
granted.
A light enters Wills' eye. He smiles as he remembers --
WILLS
You know, it's funny, the first time
I saw her, I --
But then Wills hears something. He turns and there's Grandy
at the end of the long hall, walking toward the waiting room.
Simon looks and sees him, too.
Wills looks at Simon with alarm. It's impossible. How could
Grandy be finished so soon? Wills looks back at Grandy.
SLOW-MOTION
Grandy moves with long strides down the corridor.
One by one, as they notice, Charlotte's loved ones react to
the sight of Grandy.
Shannon rises from Sarah's lap, looks at the doctor, then
covers her face with her fists, holding her breath.
Dolores crushes out her cigarette, her expression falling.
Celia touches John's back as he rises and walks over to Wills.
Simon's face turns to stone.
John reaches for Wills, but Wills advances a few steps toward
the corridor, almost defiantly, his eyes riveted to Grandy.
Grandy's head is down.
Then, ever so slowly, Grandy lifts his head and in one
decisive move YANKS OFF HIS SURGICAL MASK and THROWS IT
AGAINST THE WALL.
CLOSE ON WILLS' FACE as he realizes.
His mouth opens wide as though to cry out, but no sound comes.
INT. WILLS' LIVING ROOM -- DAWN
Wills stands in the center of the room wearing his overcoat.
He is pale, exhausted, his face expressionless.
John stands, also wearing his coat, in the hall archway,
unsure whether he should stay or leave.
Wills looks at the Christmas tree, whose lights still burn.
He slowly walks over and pulls the cord from the wall.
The lights go out.
FADE TO BLACK:
FADE IN:
EXT. CENTRAL PARK -- SPRING AFTERNOON
A COUPLE walks down the same walkway. They are deep in subdued
conversation. All around them spring is in full glory. Melted
snow. Trees exploding with green. Birds singing.
The man is Wills Keane, but he has markedly changed. His
dress is not so impeccable, his hair has gone grey at the
temples. His face, though still beautiful, has gracefully
turned the corner into middle age.
Walking at his side is his daughter, Lisa, now well along in
her pregnancy --
LISA
Actually, to be honest, Peter's more
than a little freaked. I mean, how
could he not be? He's twenty-six.
His first child. A baby girl, no
less. Nothing really prepares you
for it.
WILLS
I guess not.
LISA
He said it's the first time since we
got married that he's actually
realized what marriage is. That it's
forever. That he can't just pick up
and run away to Nepal or something
if we have a fight. That he's part
of the cycle of things now. That
he's gonna die some day. That it's
the next generation's turn to take
the stage.
EXT. ANOTHER CENTRAL PARK WALKWAY -- LATER
Wills and Lisa walk together in silence, enjoying the perfect
afternoon. Then Lisa smiles crookedly and slaps his shoulder --
LISA
So what about you, Mr. Keane? You
ready to be a grandpa?
Wills looks over at the spot where he first saw Charlotte.
He smiles with wistful confidence then, a little awkwardly,
puts his arm around his daughter.
She is surprised at first. But then slowly, trustingly, she
rests her head on his shoulder.
And they walk.
FADE OUT:
THE END
| Autumn in New York
Writers : Allison Burnett
Genres : Romance Drama
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