CHAPTER 10
EXT. NEWSSTAND – DAY Vito pulls up. Anthony comes over. Anthony Did you find the place last night? VITO Yes, thanks to you. Anthony What part of Philly are you from? VITO (nervous) How did you know I’m from Philly? Anthony Your accent, the Daily News. VITO I guess that’s a give away. South Philly. How about you? Anthony Me too, but I moved when I was young. VITO What are you doing in LA? Anthony Guess. VITO You’re an actor. Manny (overhearing) If you can call it that! VITO Been in any movies? Anthony Not yet. If you don’t know anyone, you have to start at the bottom. VITO Well if you make it big, you’ll appreciate it that much more. How do you know you can act? Anthony I’m in a play, why don’t you come by and decide for yourself? VITO I just might, where is it? Anthony (hands Vito a flyer) Santa Monica & Vine, The Actor’s Playhouse. VITO (hands Anthony a $50) Thanks! Now you can’t say you’re a starving actor! Anthony See ya. (to Manny) Told you he was a nice guy. MANNY You can’t always judge a book by it’s cover. INT. ESCALADE (OUTSIDE THEATER) – NIGHT The Escalade is parked. Jimmy sits in the driver’s seat while Tony talks into his cell phone. TONY Hey Billy, what’s going on? CUT TO: INT. ROWHOME – NIGHT Billy the Cop is in bed, with his wife next to him, watching television. Billy Your friend and his associates are staying at the Airport Holiday Inn. TONY Suede told me he stopped by. Billy Watch your back with Vito. I’m sure his friends are gonna pay you a visit, too. TONY Way ahead of you. Thanks for the info. BACK TO: INT. ESCALADE (OUTSIDE THEATER) – NIGHT Tony hangs up. TONY Show time. INT. THEATER – NIGHT A crowd gathers in the lobby. Tony and Jimmy are at the bar. Tony’s hand shakes as he reaches for his glass. He knocks the drink down in one gulp. JIMMY Opening night jitters? TONY Can’t believe how nervous I am for him. I hope he does well. This is his dream. Paparazzi snap pictures and flash bulbs pop as SID MONTONIOUS, a Hollywood Producer in his mid 50s, enters the theater. He is followed by TWO STUDIO EXECUTIVES and Maxwell. JIMMY (to Tony) You believe they actually want their picture taken? Sid, Maxwell and the Executives set up at the bar, next to Tony and Jimmy. JIMMY (CONT’D) I gotta take a leak, be right back. The Executives talk showbiz. EXECUTIVE #1 I can’t believe Scorcese fired him! EXECUTIVE #2 His dailies were atrocious. EXECUTIVE #1 Have they found a replacement? EXECUTIVE #2 Not yet. MAXWELL (brown nosing) I can do it, if he gives me a chance! SID Max, it’s not an episode of Baywatch, it’s a serious film. The top actors in the business are vying this role. MAX Just give me a shot! Max moves into Jimmy’s empty spot at the bar. Tony doesn’t notice. MAX (CONT’D) Sid, if you talk to Marty he might call me in for a reading. All I’m asking for is an opportunity. SID We’ll see. Jimmy comes back from the bathroom and sees Maxwell in his place. JIMMY Excuse me, you’re in my spot. MAXWELL What makes it yours? JIMMY That’s my drink. MAX This is an open bar and this spot was open, so I took it. Tony hears them and turns around. JIMMY Listen buddy, I said excuse me. I don’t want to cause a scene, but if you don’t get out of my way… (very menacing) I’m gonna open your fucking face. MAX (frightened) Oh, I’m sorry. Since your were being courteous, I’ll oblige and move. Max steps aside quickly. Tony smiles at Sid. TONY (to Sid) I guess he didn’t pass his audition. Sid smiles back in agreement. Lights flicker for start of show. Tony and Jimmy head to their seats. FADE TO: INT. THEATER – LOBBY – NIGHT Patrons stream back to the lobby for intermission. Sid approaches Tony at the bar. SID Maria told me your son is playing Hamlet. TONY Yeah, he seems to be doing okay tonight. SID The audience loves him. I must admit, I didn’t want to come, but I’m glad I did. (extends hand) Sid Montonious. TONY Nice to meet you, I’m Tony. You do all those gritty war movies, right? SID (humbly) Only if your old enough to watch them. TONY I enjoy those. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you think my son is doing? SID He’s very talented. TONY Thanks, I’m a little nervous. SID You hide it well. If that was my kid up there, I’d be a wreck. Maria joins them. MARIA Tony, Anthony is doing wonderfully. He’s a chip off the old block! Sid, Tony is a talented actor, also. He has natural presence, magnetism. SID Tony, what work have you done? TONY Not much, really. I just understand characters. SID (pulling out card) I’m having a little party after the show. Maybe you can come by and talk characters? TONY Maybe, let me see what my son wants to do. (takes card) Sid, by the way, do you play cards? SID I’m from Brooklyn, of course I play. Just got back from the Poker Championship in Vegas. TONY How did you do? SID Awful, as usual. TONY I’m having a private game tomorrow night. If I can’t make it to your party, maybe you can stop by for a few hands and change your luck. SID Sounds great, can I bring a friend or two? TONY As long as they’re not cops, the more the merrier! SID Call me and let me know when and where. The lights flicker on and off. MARIA Second act is starting. They go back into the theater. FADE TO: INT. THEATER – AUDITORIUM – NIGHT The show ends and the theater fills with applause. The actors bow on stage. Tony and Jimmy clap proudly. INT. THEATER – LOBBY – NIGHT Tony and Jimmy are at the bar, where Sid stops for a moment on his way out. SID Congratulations Tony, your son was marvelous! I’ll see you soon. TONY Thanks for the kind words. Sid leaves. EXT. THEATER – NIGHT Tony and Jimmy walk out. Vito lurks in his car down the street. As soon as Tony and Jimmy hit the sidewalk, Agents Ryan and Howard stop them. RYAN Look who’s getting artistic, Tony the Tiger, and Jimmy the Kid. JIMMY Who the fuck are you two clowns? HOWARD (flashes badge) Relax Jimmy, and let’s not make a big scene. We’re Special Agents Ryan and Howard, FBI, and you two are going for a ride. JIMMY For what? Tony is completely relaxed. RYAN To discuss the second act of Hamlet. We’re gonna give you a pop quiz, hotshot. The agents put Tony and Jimmy in the back of the car. INT. THEATER DRESSING ROOM – NIGHT Anthony is getting ready to leave. Steph comes in. STEPH Anthony, you were wonderful. Anthony Thanks Steph, I thought I was gonna blow it. STEPH I knew you’d pull it off. She kisses his cheek, as Jessica appears in the doorway. JESSICA Anthony! Jessica hugs Anthony and kisses him on the lips, intending for Steph to see. JESSICA (CONT’D) You were like Olivier tonight. Anthony I wish. I thought I did okay, though. JESSICA You were spectacular! And the best part is that Sid thought you were great! Anthony Really? That’s awesome! Steph bristles. JESSICA Maria said he invited us all up to the mansion tonight to a party. You have to come! Anthony I’ll be there. STEPH (starts to walk out) I’m busy. Jessica smiles. Anthony No way Steph, you’re coming with me. If it wasn’t for you… you just have to come. STEPH Okay, for you Anthony. JESSICA See you there. She kisses his cheek sensuously and walks out. STEPH I don’t know what you see in her. |