	Login Help

Screenwriter Community

by Corinne (crystalstr8@aol.com)

Rated:

Genre: Drama User Review:

Natalie, a 16 year-old girl musical prodigy, tries to practice and audition for Julliard, but her abusive father gets in the way.

FADE IN:

INT. HOUSE - DAY

NATALIE THURGOOD, a 16 year old girl, enters her house.
HARRY THURGOOD, her father, is watching T.V. on the couch
and drinking a beer.

HARRY
(looks at Natalie)
Oh. Good. You're home... Start
makin' dinner will ya? I'm
starvin'... Oh, and don't make
that casserole crap. It makes me
want to vomit... How 'bout you
make spaghetti this time...

Natalie looks back at Harry and puts her backpack on the
floor and heads toward the kitchen.

HARRY
Your damn school called again
Natalie. They said somethin'
'bout a college audition. I tol'
them you weren't interested.

Natalie, interested, stops in her tracks and turns to look
at Harry.

NATALIE
(interested)
You did?

HARRY
They were actin' like you are some
kind of child prodigy or
somethin'. They kept on talkin'
bout a retarded audition... I
think they had the wrong number or
they were playin' a damn funny
joke.

Natalie, disappointed, goes into the kitchen. The sound of
the stove being lit is heard.

HARRY
How 'bout you whip up some
meatballs too...I'm starvin'.

Natalie doesn't answer.

HARRY (agrily)
Answer me when I talk to you girl.
Capisce?

NATALIE
Capisce.

INT. TOWNHOUSE - DAY

CHELSEA YEAGER, a 33 year old schoolteacher, enters her
house to see her twin brother, JACK YEAGER, on the couch
watching T.V. with a beer in his hand.

JACK
What's up sis?

CHELSEA (sighs)
Don't you ever do anything?

JACK
This is something, Chels.

CHELSEA
Besides laying around.

Jack hesitates with his comeback.

JACK
I play piano.

CHELSEA
That doesn't count. That's your
job.

Chelsea puts her briefcase by the front door. She stands in
front of Jack.

JACK (defensively)
Exactly. I work, I relax. Same
as everyone else.

            CHELSEA
      (putting hands on
       hips)
At a bar, Jack. Where people go
to get wasted! They wouldn't care
less if you didn't play the piano!

JACK
Hey! Those people appreciate me
being there! They're my fans!

CHELSEA (calmly)
You're right Jack. They do
applaud you and scream your name,
but I have to say something.
They're wasted. They don't give a
shit whether you play badly or
not. They just need something to
listen to while they are getting
stoned.

Chelsea goes into the kitchen. You hear the sound of the
stove being lit.

JACK
(to Chelsea)
We having spaghetti tonight?

CHELSEA
When you have your own place, I'll
be glad to come over and cook a
housewarming dinner. Until then,
order out!

INT. NATALIE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Harry is lying on the couch with a beer. The phone rings.
He answers it.

HARRY
Hello?

He waits for a reply on the other end of the phone.

HARRY
It's you again?! Didn't I already
tell you that she's not
interested?!

Harry waits for a reply from the other end of the phone.

HARRY
If she needs any guidance, she'll
get it from me!... No! She
doesn't want to do the...

Natalie enters the room and snatches the phone from her
father's hands. Harry slaps her across the face and the
phone snaps out of her hand and slides across the floor.

HARRY
Who do you think you are?

Natalie runs and picks up the phone. She runs down the
hallway to her room before he can do more to her.

HARRY
You'd better learn your place!

NATALIE'S BED ROOM

Natalie slams her door behind her. She sits on her bed and
puts the phone to her ear. She wipes away tears. She
speaks into the phone.

NATALIE (sniffling)
Hello?

COUNSELOR
(on other line)
Natalie?

NATALIE
Sorry about that...

COUNSELOR
That's alright... Is everything
okay? I called earlier. Is is
true you don't want to do the
audition?

NATALIE
Everythings fine. Of course I
still want to do the audition.

COUNSELOR
Do you know what song you're going
to play?

NATALIE
Not yet.

COUNSELOR
You have time to think about it.
Ask your chorus teacher. Maybe he
has some tips for you... Your
father didn't let me get this far,
but I am also calling about your
math grades.

NATALIE
Oh.

COUNSELOR
Your teacher says you haven't been
commiting yourself.

NATALIE
(defensively)
I've been committing myself. I
just don't understand it... and
math sucks.

COUNSELOR
Well, if you are pursuing college,
any college really, I suggest that
you keep your grades up... I think
you should get a math tutor.

NATALIE
It sounds great and all....I mean,
I would get one, if I
could.....but I can't.

COUNSELOR
Can't or won't?

NATALIE
There's no way on the planet my
dad would pay for a tutor. He
thinks college is for elitists.

COUNSELOR
Hmm....I'll talk to the principal.
The school can probably arrange
something. It's important you
know.

NATALIE
I know. Bye Mr. Simon.

COUNSELOR
Bye Natalie.

            NATALIE (quickly)
      (before Mr. Simon
       hangs up)
Thank you!

INT. NATALIE'S CHORUS CLASS - DAY

After Natalie's chorus class, she goes up to the teacher,
MR. YANNACCO, a young man in his late thirties. He is
sorting papers on his piano.

            MR. YANNACCO
      (Looking up from
       papers)
Hey, Natalie. What's up?

NATALIE
Hey Mr. Yannacco. I want to do an
audition for---

MR. YANNACCO
I know. Mr. Simon, your guidance
counselor, told me.

Mr. Yannacco sorts through the papers on his piano. He
finds a music book and hands it to Natalie.

MR. YANNACCO
This has some good sonatas in it.
I thought you were singing
acappella?

NATALIE
I thought I was too. I'd just
rather do it with accompaniment.

MR. YANNACCO
If you don't have somebody yet,
I'd be delighted to accompany you.

NATALIE
Thank you, Mr. Yannacco. But, I
think I'm going to play.

MR. YANNACCO
You're going to sing and play the
piano? You're very ambitious
Natalie.

Natalie nods her head at Mr. Yannacco.

MR. YANNACCO
Well, I have faith in you but, you
better start practicing.

            NATALIE
      (holding the books
       against her chest)
Thank you Mr. Yannacco.

MR. YANNACCO
My pleasure.

Natalie walks toward the classroom door.

NATALIE
Thanks for the music.

MR. YANNACCO
Keep me posted.

Natalie goes out the door.

INT. MR. SIMON'S OFFICE - DAY

Natalie is sitting in front of Mr. Simon's desk. He is
sitting behind it. Natalie's piano books that she borrowed
from Mr. Yannacco are on his desk. Mr. Simon looks through
the books.

MR. SIMON
If you're really serious about
this school...

NATALIE
Julliard.

MR. SIMON
Julliard, yes. Well, Natalie, if
you are serious about this, you
need a tutor.

NATALIE
Exactly, Mr. Simon.

Natalie gestures to the piano books.

NATALIE
I mean, look at those books,
they're full with notes I don't
even know yet. I'm gonna need
some help.

MR. SIMON
A tutor for math. I thought we
already went over this. You have
to be acedemically fit to get into
Julliard, not just a musical
prodigy.

NATALIE
But I've been studying algebra on
my own, so I think...

MR. SIMON
Mrs. Yeager will be teaching you
every Wednesday and Friday.

NATALIE
The biology teacher?
(beat)
But I already told you, my dad
won't...

MR. SIMON
The school will fund it all.

Natalie slides back in her chair, sighs, and rolls her eyes.

MR. SIMON
Don't cop that attitude with me,
Ms. Thurgood. I know you're not
like your father.

Mr. Simon writes on a sheet of paper and gives it to
Natalie. She takes it.

MR. SIMON
That's her address.

Natalie looks at it.

NATALIE
45 Webelo Lane. That's a couple
blocks from me.

MR. SIMON
That's good. Go check it out
after school. I hear it's a real
nice place.

NATALIE
What am I? House hunting?

EXT. WEBELO PLACE - DAY

Natalie walks down the side walk with her piano books. She
stops in front of a house and listens to the piano music
coming from inside. She looks at the address then at the
paper. It is Mrs. Yeager's house.

CHELSEA (OS)
(in house)
Jack! Stop that playing and help
me in the kitchen!

            JACK (OS)
      (in house, still
       playing)
Hold on!

A THUD, then shattering is heard from inside the house.

JACK
Ow! Was that my Piano mug?!

CHELSEA (OS)
What are you gonna do? Throw
you're tick-tick thing at me?

JACK (OS)
It's called a metronome!

CHELSEA (OS)
Whatever! Get you're ass in here!

JACK (OS)
No.

Piano music is heard playing from inside the house. Natalie
smiles, laughs to herself, and walks away.

EXT. CHELSEA'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY

Natalie goes to Chelsea's house. She knocks on the front
door. Chelsea opens it.

NATALIE
Hey Miss Yeager.

CHELSEA
Hello Natalie. Excited for our
first math lesson?

NATALIE
(rolls her eyes)
Yeah.

CHELSEA
Good. That makes one of us. Come
on in and make yourself at home.

Chelsea steps out of the doorway and Natalie enters the
house.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

            CHELSEA
      (pointing to the
       kitchen)
We're going to work in the
kitchen.

10.

NATALIE
I thought you were a science
teacher?

CHELSEA
I am. I tutor math on the side
for extra money.

Natalie walks towards the kitchen. She passes the piano and
looks back at Chelsea.

            NATALIE
      (indicating the
       piano)
You play?

Chelsea looks at Natalie as she closes the door.

CHELSEA
Oh, no. That's my brother's. I
mean, we both had lessons, but
he's the one who excelled at it.
My parents gave it to him after he
quit college and I get to house it
until he gets a place of his own.

NATALIE
You live with your brother?

CHELSEA
Not for long I hope. It's the
curse of having a twin. He works
nights at a club in the city and
sleeps during the day. That's
when he's not bugging me-his other
full time job.

Chelsea walks into the kitchen.

CHELSEA'S KITCHEN

Chelsea sits down at the kitchen table with Natalie and
opens up a math book.

            CHELSEA
      (flipping through
       pages)
Let's see...

The front door opens and then slams shut. Foot steps are
heard walking in the living room. JACK, a 33 year old man,
enters the kitchen.

11.

CHELSEA
(to Natalie)
And here he is.

JACK
Hey Chelsea. What's for dinner?

Jack goes to the refrigerator and opens it.

Jack shuts the refrigerator door and turns to look at
Natalie.

JACK
There's nothing edible here so
I'll just starve myself.
(to Natalie)
Hey.

NATALIE
(to Jack)
Hey.

JACK
'You her student?

NATALIE
Yeah.

JACK
Good luck. She's a real pain in
the --

CHELSEA
Jeez! Learn some manners, will
ya? I'm trying to teach.

JACK
You learn some manners.

Jack walks out of the kitchen and into the living room. He
sits at the piano and starts to play. He has a sloppy
technique, but plays a good song.

CHELSEA
I'm sorry about my brother.

NATALIE
No, don't be sorry. It's fine. I
love piano music... It won't
bother me a bit.

12.

Jack abruptly stops playing the piano in the middle of a
song. He pokes his head in the kitchen and looks at
Chelsea.

JACK
This one's for you Chels.

Jack starts to play the piano again. Chelsea looks at a
page in the math book.

CHELSEA
So what are you doing in math?

NATALIE
Logarithms.

CHELSEA
I hate those.

NATALIE
Tell me about it.

The phone rings.

CHELSEA
Excuse me for a sec.

NATALIE
Sure.

Chelsea gets up and answers the phone.

CHELSEA
(into the phone)
Hello? Oh, hi...How are you? I'm
fine...Oh, just math
lessons...Don't be sorry.

Chelsea looks at Natalie and holds up her index finger for
Natalie to wait. Chelsea goes into the other room, talking
on the phone. Natalie looks through her math book.

She turns around in her seat and looks back into the living
room and sees Jack playing the piano. Jack messes up one of
the chords and slams down all the white keys under his
hands. Natalie starts to laugh and turns back around in her
seat.

Chelsea comes back into the kitchen, still talking on the
phone.

13.

CHELSEA
I have to go now, Jim...no, I
really do...I'm tutoring,
remember? Bye.

Chelsea hangs up the phone.

CHELSEA
(to Natalie)
Boyfriends... Always calling you,
taking up your time, wanting to
see you. You know how they are.

NATALIE
No. Not really.

Chelsea sits down at the kitchen table and looks at the page
the math book is open to.

CHELSEA
Okay...Logarithms. What's
bothering you about them?

NATALIE (obviuosly)
Uh, everything.

Jack's piano music is heard from the living room. Natalie
looks back towards him when Chelsea talks to her.

CHELSEA
Why don't we start from the
beginning of the chapter and we'll
go from there. Okay?

Natalie is still looking and listening to Jack's music.

CHELSEA
Natalie?

Natalie, startled, turns back around in her seat to face
Chelsea.

NATALIE
Sorry.

CHELSEA (smiles)
Start reading the chapter.

NATALIE (confused)
Aloud?

14.

CHELSEA
Of course aloud. How will I know
if you read it or not?

NATALIE
But won't that disturb your
brother?

CHELSEA (annoyed)
Just read aloud Natalie.

Natalie looks at the open math book. She hesitates and
looks back into the living room where Jack is heard playing
the piano.

CHELSEA (frustrated)
Read.

Natalie looks back at the math book and begins to read.

NATALIE
(reading from book)
You know that three squared equals
nine and two to the third equals
eight.

Natalie looks up at Chelsea.

CHELSEA
Go on.

NATALIE
But how will someone solve the
equation eight to the x power
equals sixty four? That's where
logarithms come in.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT - DAY

Chelsea and Jack are in the living room. Chelsea is sitting
on the couch reading while Jack tempts to play a song on his
piano.

CHELSEA
(to Jack)
How do you do it?

JACK
(playing piano)
Do what?

15.

            CHELSEA
      (puts down her
       book)
How does such an ass of a person
tend to attract good natured
people?

Jack stops playing the piano and looks at Chelsea.

JACK (confused)
Was that a compliment because it
kinda sounded like one but not
really...

CHELSEA (sighs)
You're a good person but your a
real-- you're a jackass.

JACK (confused)
Whoa, whoa. What's going on
Chelsea?

CHELSEA
Natalie says she...

JACK
Who's Natalie?

CHELSEA
The student who just was here.

Jack nods his head slowly.

JACK
Yeah. So Natalie says what? I
didn't touch her!

CHELSEA
She wants you to teach her.

JACK
What! I'm not a teacher.

CHELSEA
Piano Jack.

JACK (disappointed)
Oh. Shit. Really?

CHELSEA
That was my reaction too.

16.

JACK
Why?

CHELSEA
She's auditioning for a college
somewhere in the city.

Jack closes his eyes and plays the piano lightly.

CHELSEA
She said she needs a private tutor
to help her practice her song.
She's really looking forward to
this. You have no idea. All
through the lesson, I caught her
not paying attention to me, but to
you and your playing.

Jack looks back at Chelsea.

JACK (surprised)
Wait, you already said yes to her?

CHELSEA
No. But I did say you probably
could help her.

JACK (angry)
That's just the same as you saying
yes.

CHELSEA
You could teach her, you're good
enough you know. Look, this girl
needs to go to college and,
believe me, she's not going on a
math scholarship that's for sure.
I've seen her play. She's like
you before you got so jaded.

JACK
What makes you think I would? Of
course I'm not good enough. Wait a
minute...will I get paid?

CHELSEA
No, Her father doesn't have much
money. The school had to pay for
math lessons. But she's good
Jack. Just listen to her once...

17.

JACK (shaking head)
I'm not wasting my time with a
hormonal teenager. It's just not
worth it.

CHELSEA
What if I pay you?

JACK
What? You will pay me to teach
one of your students?

CHELSEA
Yes. If it will get you out of my
house and into your own apartment
sooner, I will

They both look at each other.

JACK
How much? If you really want me
out, the pay has to be good.

CHELSEA
How about the equivalent of what I
get paid for tutoring?

JACK
I'm not falling for that bullshit.
How about forty bucks an hour?

Chelsea and Jack stare at each other.

JACK
Deal?

CHELSEA
Deal.

INT. NATALIE'S DINING ROOM - DAY

Natalie and Harry are sitting at the dining room table
eating some kind of casserole.

NATALIE
I'm thinking about auditioning.

HARRY
You'll never amount to anything.
This town won't let you. Look
what it did to me.

18.

NATALIE
Maybe I'm not you.

HARRY
You think you have a better chance
than me? Ha! That's real funny.

NATALIE
I do.

HARRY
Is that what it all comes up to? A
stupid song and a stupid audition?

NATALIE
Yeah.

HARRY
Don't waste your time kid. Like I
said, this town won't let dreams
come true.

NATALIE
And like I said, I'm not you.

Harry picks up some casserole with his fork.

HARRY
Didn't I tell you not to make this
crap anymore?

Natalie doesn't answer, but takes another bite of casserole,
not looking at Harry.

HARRY
Answer me when I am talking to
you. Did I or did I not tell you
to make this?

NATALIE (faintly)
You said not to.

HARRY (angrily)
And yet you made it anyway.

Natalie doesn't make eye contact with Harry. She keeps on
eating her food.

HARRY
You are a messed up girl. First
your mother and now you.

19.

NATALIE
(looks at Harry)
Don't drag mom into this.

Harry grabs Natalie's arm and pulls her toward him a little.

HARRY
You better shut up now, girl.

NATALIE
You're just pissed because you
couldn't stop her. Don't blame it
on me.

Harry slaps her across the face. Natalie falls to the
floor.

HARRY
I said don't talk back to me...Now
clean up this mess.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Natalie enters Chelsea's house. She looks around for Jack.

NATALIE
Hello?

Jack pokes his head out from the kitchen. He is eating a
slice of pizza.

JACK
(between bites)
Oh, yeah. Go sit at the piano.
I'll be right out.

Jack goes back into the kitchen. Natalie goes to the piano
and sits at it.

JACK (OS)
Natalie, right?

NATALIE
Yeah.

JACK (OS)
I'm Jack...So, why are you here?

NATALIE
Didn't your sister tell you?

Jack enters the living room.

20.

JACK
She did, but I wanna here it from
you.

NATALIE
I need practice.

JACK
Just-for-fun practice?

Jack paces behind her still eating his pizza. He eats the
last bite.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM/SAME - DAY

NATALIE
Kinda. I need it for an audition.

Jack walks back into the kitchen.

JACK (OS)
For a college?

Jack returns from the kitchen with a soda.

Natalie nods her head.

JACK
What do you know about college?
What are you 13?

NATALIE
I'm 16. I'll be 17 in...

JACK
You'll get eaten alive in college.

NATALIE
Not if I nail the audition.

Natalie and Jack pause for a few seconds.

JACK
So... What college?

Jack takes a sip of soda.

NATALIE
Julliard.

Jack chokes on his soda.

21.

JACK
That's a damn good school. What
makes you think you can get in?

Natalie looks away from Jack. She stares at the floor.

JACK
No. I didn't mean it like that.

Natalie looks at Jack.

JACK
I got an audition with them once,
and look at me now.

NATALIE
You went to Julliard?

JACK
Well, not really. I got an
audition.

NATALIE
So what happened?

JACK
I was late.

NATALIE
They let you reschedule, right?

JACK
You only get one chance at
Julliard.

NATALIE
Will you help me?

Jack takes a gulp of his soda.

JACK
Have you ever been to New York?

Natalie shakes her head no.

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Natalie runs to the front door and knocks on it. She looks
around her. The front door opens and Jack is in the
doorway.

22.

JACK
Hey Natalie. Lessons are on
Saturday and Wednesday. Today's
Teusday.

NATALIE (panicky)
Yeah. I know.

Natalie looks around her.

JACK
Are you okay? You look like shit.

NATALIE
This is not good.

JACK
What's not good? Natalie, what's
wrong?

Natalie peers past him and looks inside the house.

NATALIE
Is Chelsea home? I need to talk
to her.

Jack looks back in the house and then at Natalie.

JACK
No. She's at work. Why aren't
you in school?

NATALIE
When does she get home?

JACK
I don't know. Whenever school
lets out, I guess.

NATALIE
I'll just come by later, then.

Natalie turns around to walk away. Jack takes hold of her
arm to stop her.

NATALIE
(rubbing her arm)
Ow.

Jack sees the bruises on her arm.

JACK
I didn't make those, did I?

23.

NATALIE (faintly)
No. They happened last night.

Jack shakes his head multiple times.

Jack looks at his watch.

JACK
I got to go to work. My shift
starts soon.

NATALIE
Can't you just stay till she comes
home?

JACK
Why? Is somebody gonna kill you?

NATALIE
No, but...

JACK
I have to go to work.

Jack goes into the house for a couple seconds. He comes out
of the house with sunglasses on and his car keys in his
hand.

Jack walks to his car and gets in. He drives away. Natalie
sits on the door step.

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Natalie is sitting and waiting for Chelsea on the steps.
Chelsea parks her car in the driveway and goes to Natalie.

CHELSEA
Hey Natalie.

Chelsea fiddles with her keys and goes to the front door.
She starts to unlock it.

NATALIE
Hey. Can I talk to you?

Chelsea opens the front door.

CHELSEA
Sure. Come on in.

Natalie and Chelsea enter the house.

24.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Chelsea and Natalie enter the house. Chelsea sits down on
the couch and pats the cushion next to her.

CHELSEA
Make yourself at home.

Natalie sits on the couch.

CHELSEA
What is it you wanted to tell me?
I'm all ears.

NATALIE
Well..Uh..

CHELSEA
Is it those logarithms again?

NATALIE
Uh, yeah. It's those. I need
help with my homework.

CHELSEA
Well, let me get settled and I'll
help you.

Chelsea gets up and walks into another room. Natalie covers
her face with her hands.

INT. CHELSEA'S KITCHEN - DAY

Natalie and Chelsea are sitting at the kitchen table.
Natalie is doing math work from the book.

CHELSEA
Do you cook?

Natalie looks up from the math book.

NATALIE
Yeah. I guess. Why?

Chelsea gets up and opens a drawer. She takes out a cook
book.

CHELSEA
My mother gave this to me
yesterday.

Chelsea puts the cook book on the table and sits down.

25.

NATALIE
What's wrong with it?

CHELSEA
Nothings wrong with it. I just
have the same exact one sitting on
my counter top.

NATALIE
You want me to take it?

CHELSEA
You just said you cook, didn't
you?

Natalie starts to flip through the pages of the cook book.

CHELSEA
Take it. I'm giving it to you.
Cook something special for that
certain someone.

Natalie looks at Chelsea.

NATALIE
Yeah. Okay.

INT. NATALIE'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Natalie and Harry are watching T.V. in the living room. They
are sitting far from each other.

NATALIE
Did you like the dinner?

HARRY
What do you mean by that?

NATALIE
Nothing. I'm just wondering if
you liked it. Then if you didn't,
I could improve it next time.

HARRY
The sauce was too watery and the
meatballs were too dry. I would
recommend that you buy a cookbook
or somethin'.

The phone rings. Natalie looks at Harry. The phone rings
again. Harry looks at Natalie.

26.

HARRY
Why 'you looking at me? Answer
the damn phone!

Natalie gets up and walks to the kitchen.

INT. NATALIE'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Natalie picks up the phone.

NATALIE
Hello?

INTERCUT WITH JACK IN THE BAR

JACK
Natalie? It's Jack.

NATALIE
Oh. Hi.

JACK
I just wanted to say that I'm
sorry about walking out on you. I
feel like such a...

NATALIE
Jackass?

JACK
Yeah. I shouldn't have done that.
Did my sister help you?

NATALIE
Yeah.

JACK
Was it a math problem or
somethin'?

NATALIE
Yeah. Those damn logarithms.

JACK
I wouldn't have been able to help
you anyway. So I'll see you
tomorrow?

NATALIE
See you tomorrow.

27.

JACK
Okay. Bye.

NATALIE
Bye.

Natalie hangs up the phone. She walks back into the living
room.

LIVING ROOM

Natalie sits down on the far side of the couch, away from
Harry.

HARRY
Who the hell was that on the
phone?

NATALIE
Wrong number.

HARRY
Don't give me that crap. You know
who was on that phone.

NATALIE
I don't know what you're talking
about. It was the wrong number.

Natalie gets up and walks to her room. The sound of her
door closing is heard.

Harry gets up and walks to her room.

HARRY
It was a boy wasn't it?

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Natalie is on the door step. She knocks on the door. She
looks around nervously. Jack opens the door.

JACK
Hey.

NATALIE
Hey. Are you busy?

JACK
Not really. Why?

28.

NATALIE
I don't know. My dad is being a
jerk to me and criticizing me
about my flaws and blaming me for
my mom's death and all this
screwed up crap and I don't know
what to do anymore Jack. It was
all clear to me before but now...

JACK
Hey.

Natalie looks at Jack.

JACK
Let's go to the city.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY

Jack and Natalie are walking down the street. Jack has a
half eaten hot dog in his right hand.

JACK
So, you don't know what you're
going to play yet?

NATALIE
Not a clue.

Jack takes a bite of the hot dog.

JACK
You better start thinking, girl.
If my sister finds out she's
paying me to babysit you instead
of teach you, she'll be pissed.

NATALIE
I don't need a babysitter.

JACK
I was just kidding. Lighten up.
Come on.

Jack takes the last bite of the hot dog. He takes Natalie's
hand and leads her into FAO Schwartz.

INT. FAO SCHWARZ TOY STORE - DAY

Jack goes up the escalator to the next level. Natalie
follows him.

29.

NATALIE
Where are you going?

Jack doesn't answer. They get to the second floor and Jack
stands in a line with other people.

JACK
You've really never been here?

NATALIE
I've only seen it in movies.

Natalie looks between the people in line in front of her.
There is a big piano in the floor and kids are jumping on
it, making the keys light up. She smiles.

JACK
How's that for a grand piano?

Natalie looks at the long line.

NATALIE
It probably takes a life time just
to get up there.

JACK
Then, why should we waste our time
waiting for it?

NATALIE
We're not going to?

JACK
I know some people in this
business. Come on.

Jack walks away from the line. Natalie follows.

FAO SCHWARTZ CAFE

Jack and Natalie are sitting at a booth. Natalie is
drinking a shake. Jack looks at his watch.

JACK
Okay. Closing time is in ten
minutes.

NATALIE
I guess we should go then.

            STORE WORKER
      (on intercom)
Attention all customers. FAO
Schwartz will be closing in ten
            (MORE)

30.

STORE WORKER (cont'd)
minutes. Start making your final
purchases.

Jack stands up. Natalie stands up too.

NATALIE
Are we leaving?

JACK
No.

Jack walks toward the doll section. Natalie throws her
shake in the garbage and follows. Jack walks up to STORE
WORKER, a man in his thirties, and shakes his hand.

STORE WORKER
Hey, Jack. We make the final call
in a few minutes. You better
start to leave if you don't want
to be stuck here.

JACK
That's why I'm still here. Can
you do me a favor?

INT. FAO SCHWARTZ - NIGHT

STORE WORKER turns on a couple of the second floor lights by
the floor piano. Natalie and Jack look at the piano. Jack
turns to store worker.

JACK
Thanks man.

STORE WORKER
Make it quick. My wife wants me
home soon.

Natalie goes on the piano. The piano keys light up and make
sound. Natalie looks at Jack.

JACK
Isn't this better than waitin' a
life time?

Natalie waves Jack to come to her.

NATALIE
Come here Jack.

31.

JACK
(shakes head)
No. You have fun.

NATALIE
Fine.

Natalie plays a tune on the piano. She looks at Jack when
she is finished.

NATALIE
Play a song Jack.

JACK
No. I don't know about you, but I
use my hands to play.

Natalie giggles.

NATALIE
It's not that hard. You just use
your feet as your hands.

JACK
I have no control of my feet. They
just lead me where I need to go.

NATALIE
Let them lead you to the piano and
they'll play the song for you.
Come on.

Jack looks at his watch.

JACK
It's getting late. We should go.

Natalie goes to Jack and takes his hands. She brings him to
the piano.

NATALIE
Just one song Jack. Please?

Jack plays a tune on the piano with his feet. Natalie
recognizes the tune and plays along with him.

            NATALIE
      (when they are
       done)
See? That wasn't so hard.

JACK
I play better with my feet.

32.

NATALIE
Stop it Jack.

JACK
Stop what?

NATALIE
Don't put yourself down.

JACK
But it's true.

NATALIE
You think I'm all good? I'm a
jerk too.

JACK
(joking)
So now you're calling me a jerk.

Natalie smiles.

NATALIE
You know what I mean.

JACK
How are you a jerk?

NATALIE
Everybody is born a jerk Jack.
Some of us just don't grow out of
it. Like you and me.

JACK
Tell that to my sister.

The lights flicker.

STORE WORKER (OS)
Time's up Jack. You gotta leave.

JACK
(to Store Worker)
Okay. Thanks man.

STORE WORKER (OS)
Take care.

Jack and Natalie leave the store.

33.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Jack enters the house. Chelsea is watching T.V. and eating
popcorn.

CHELSEA
(looking at T.V.)
Where'd you go?

JACK
Oh, you know. Out with the boys.

CHELSEA
Which boys?

JACK
What do you mean?

CHELSEA
You know exactly want I mean Jack.
You never had "boys".

JACK
(sits on the couch)
I do now. And I hung around with
them tonight. Is that okay?

Chelsea put a handful of popcorn in her mouth.

CHELSEA
How was the lesson today?

JACK
Oh, it was fine.

CHELSEA
Did she finally pick her audition
song so you can start teaching
her?

JACK
We haven't gotten there yet.

CHELSEA
(looks at Jack)
Don't get involved with her Jack.

JACK
I'm not getting involved! You
think I'm getting involved?

34.

CHELSEA
You're trying to become all buddy
buddy with her.

JACK
I am not.

CHELSEA
Then where were you tonight? You
sure as hell weren't with "the
boys".

Jack gets up and walks down the hallway.

CHELSEA
I'm not paying you to goof around.

INT. NATALIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Natalie enters her house. She closes the front door and tip
toes through the living room.

Natalie looks around the room. She opens Harry's bedroom
door. He is not in his bed. Natalie sighs.

She walks toward her bedroom and opens the door. Harry is
sitting on her bed looking at her.

HARRY
Where have you been?

NATALIE
I--I was-

HARRY
Answer me Natalie. Where the hell
were you?

Natalie didn't answer.

HARRY
You're supposed to be here when I
get home. You're supposed to have
dinner ready. But you weren't
here tonight. Cause you were with
someone. Who was it?

NATALIE
I wasn't with anyone!

HARRY
It's probably some dirt bag.

35.

NATALIE
He is not a dirt bag!

Harry grinned devilishly. Natalie looked at him and ran
away.

HARRY
You were out with a boy?!

Harry runs into the living room where Natalie is. He pushes
Natalie away from the front door. She runs into the
kitchen.

HARRY
Who is this dirt bag?

Harry and Natalie are on opposite sides of the kitchen
table.

HARRY
Aren't you going to answer your
father?

Natalie shakes her head. Harry grabs her arm and pulls her
toward him. Natalie is crying.

HARRY
Who is this shit bag? Tell me.

Natalie didn't answer him. Harry pushes Natalie to the
kitchen floor.

NATALIE
You're the damn shit bag.

Harry picks her up by her shirt and looks at her.

HARRY
What did you call me?

NATALIE
You heard me. You're a shit bag.

Harry throws Natalie onto the floor. Natalie tries to get
up. Harry takes her arm and lifts her up again.

Natalie kicks Harry in his groin. Harry lets go of her. She
runs into the room and locks the door.

HARRY
You can kiss that college goodbye
Natalie! You're not good enough!

36.

INT. CHELSEA'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Chelsea and Jack are sitting at the kitchen table. They are
eating spaghetti.

CHELSEA
Have you looked at any apartments?

JACK
No.

CHELSEA
There's one up for rent-

JACK
I know. You tell me this every
day Chelsea. I know.

CHELSEA
I just don't want you to forget
why you're teaching her.

JACK
How could I forget? I get handed
40 bucks every time she comes.

CHELSEA
I'm here if you need help Jack.
For someone like you, it's
probably hard.

JACK
What do you mean? I'm fine.

CHELSEA
If you need help looking for a
nice place to stay, I will be glad
to help.

JACK
I don't need help.

CHELSEA
I'm free on Saturday. Maybe we
can go looking.

JACK
I don't want to go looking with
you. I'll do it by myself.

CHELSEA
Or, maybe Natalie could help you.

37.

JACK
What?

CHELSEA
Never mind.

JACK
I heard what you said. You're
really a peice of work Chels.

CHELSEA
But it makes no sense Jack. A
grown man hanging out with a 16
year old.

JACK
Maybe it doesn't make sense
because you're a stuck up snob who
doesn't care about what happens to
her students once they leave your
classroom. They have lives, they
have problems.

Jack pushes his plate away from him and walks away.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Natalie and Jack are sitting at the piano. There is a piano
music book in front of them. Natalie is slowly playing
chords.

JACK
There we go...Good...a C7
chord...Good...Now, that is a
dominant 7th...

Natalie stops playing the piano.

JACK
Why'd you stop? You were doing
great. You're going to nail this
thing. I just know it.

NATALIE
Are you making fun of me?

JACK
(grinning)
No. I really mean it.

Natalie smiles and hits him with the music book.

38.

Natalie starts playing the song on the piano. It sounds
perfect. She has the right tempo, rhythm and chords.

Jack watches Natalie play in awe. She looks at Jack and
stops playing.

JACK
(sarcastically)
Whoa. You've been practicing,
haven't you?

NATALIE
Will you stop?

JACK
What? I'm not kidding.

NATALIE
You sound sarcastic Jack.

JACK
(smiles)
I'm not teasing you Natalie, that
was beautiful. I don't think you
even need my help.

NATALIE
I do. I'm so nervous.

Natalie looks back at the piano.

JACK
I want people to hear you.

NATALIE
Yeah right. Stop it!

Natalie hits him with the music book again.

JACK
Have you had any other piano
teachers?

NATALIE
(sarcastic)
Why, yes I have. Elton John
teaches me every Thursday. That's
if he's not on tour.

JACK
(grinning)
I mean it. Have you?

39.

NATALIE
I had lessons until I was 11.

JACK
Why'd you cancel them?

NATALIE
I didn't. My dad did.

JACK
Well, then why did he cancel them?

NATALIE
It doesn't matter Jack. I have
lessons now.

JACK
Okay. Can you tell me why you
want lessons?

NATALIE
Because I have an audition.

JACK
(sarcastic)
Really? An audition? I never
would have thought that.

NATALIE
Is there a reason you are doing
this?

JACK
There's a reason. What made you
want to audition?

NATALIE
I don't know...

JACK
That's my reason Natalie. No
confidence or self esteem. You're
not expressing yourself.

NATALIE
(defensively)
Yes, I am.

JACK
Then why are you auditioning for
Julliard?

40.

NATALIE
I hate this town. I hate being
stuck here. I just want to leave
and play music.

JACK
And what do you want to do with
that music?

NATALIE
Play it to the world?

JACK
Is that a question or your answer?

NATALIE
God Jack. You sound like a
priest.

JACK
Am I getting the point accross?

NATALIE
That you would be a damn good
preacher? Yes.

JACK
Really. Do you get what I'm
saying?

NATALIE
Yeah. I have to express myself in
my music.

INT. BAR - NIGHT

Natalie is sitting at the bar. Jack is on the stage playing
the piano. She taps her water bottle an takes a sip.

An OLD MAN, in his 50's, is sitting next to Natalie. He
looks at her.

OLD MAN
(slurred speech)
Nerves?...I was victim to them
once myself....

Natalie looks at Old Man. He takes a big sip from his beer
bottle.

41.

OLD MAN
(slurred speech)
After your first one, they'll go
away...

            NATALIE
      (looking at the
       piano)
I don't think I can do it...I mean
in front of all these people.

OLD MAN
(slurred speech)
It's not that hard...

NATALIE
Then you do it.

OLD MAN
(slurred speech)
Don't mind if I do...

Old Man slaps the bar. BARTENDER comes to Old Man.

OLD MAN
(slurred)
One scotch....I'm teaching this
young lady to drink...

Bartender puts a glass of scotch in front of Old Man. He
gulps it down. Natalie looks at him.

OLD MAN
And that's how it's done...

Bar Tender puts another in front of Old Man. Old Man puts
it in front of Natalie.

OLD MAN
There's really nothin' to be
nervous about...This is what
you're 21st birthday is all
about....

            NATALIE
I'm 16.
      (looks at her
       watch)
Well, 17 in an hour or so.

Jack comes up to Natalie. He looks at the glass of scotch.

42.

JACK
Is that yours?

NATALIE
No.

Jack gulps down the glass of scotch. He looks at Natalie.

JACK
'You ready?

NATALIE
I don't know about this Jack.

JACK
You're gonna be great Natalie.

Jack lowers his head to Natalie's ears.

JACK
Most of 'em don't know what the
hell is going on.

Jack looks at Natalie.

JACK
Just one song. That's all I want.

NATALIE
I'm not even supposed to be here.

JACK
None of these people know how old
you are. You didn't drink, did
you?

NATALIE
No.

JACK
Then what can they do to ya?

NATALIE
Nothing.

JACK
Then what's wrong? 'You got the
jitters or something?

NATALIE
I can't do it Jack. Not with
everybody watchin'.

43.

JACK
Can't or won't.

NATALIE
Are you calling me a coward?

JACK
You might have to perform for an
audience...If you can't do it then
cancel the audition.

NATALIE
Why would I do that?

JACK
Hello. Earth to Natalie. That's
on a stage and in front of an
audience too.

NATALIE (sighs)
Fine.

Natalie follows Jack to the stage. Jack talks into a
microphone.

JACK
Hey...Listen up...

The people in the bar don't listen to Jack and ignore him.

JACK
Free beers on me!

Everybody turns and looks at Jack. They become silent.

JACK
Just kidding...Now I know that you
all here fans of my playing, but
Natalie is going to play a couple
bars for us tonight. She is new
to playing in front of a crowd, so
at least give her half of your
undivided attention.

Everybody raises their glasses and bottles and cheers.

Jack goes to Natalie, sitting at the piano. He whispers
indistinctly in her ear. She looks at him, nervous.

JACK
(to Natalie)
What?

44.

NATALIE
No. Not that song. Not here.

JACK
What do you mean? It's a great
song.

NATALIE
Did you forget how complex it is?
I might mess up.

JACK
Stop acting like a wimp, Natalie.
Just do it.

NATALIE
No. You know what? They'll get
'Piano Man' instead.

JACK
Get some balls, Natalie.

NATALIE
Why don't you get castrated, Jack?

JACK
(whispering)
You're playing it.

NATALIE
(whispering)
No, I'm not.

JACK
(whispering)
Yes.

NATALIE
(whispering)
No.

Jack turns to the crowd who is staring at them.

JACK
Who's ready to hear some Billy
Joel?

The crowd CHEERS.

Jack looks at Natalie.

45.

JACK
They won't settle for simple songs
tonight.

NATALIE
(whispering)
I hate you.

Natalie starts playing the complex Billy Joel song. Jack
sings along.

Afterwards, Jack goes to the men's bathroom door. Old Man
goes to him.

OLD MAN
Hey, You doin' anything for her
birthday?

JACK
I guess. When it is her birthday.

OLD MAN
Today's her birthday Jack.

JACK
Today is Natalie's birthday?

OLD MAN
We men always forget these things.

JACK
I didn't even know.

OLD MAN
That's what we all say.

JACK
Damn. What should I do?

Old Man playfully slaps Jack on the shoulder.

OLD MAN
Don't worry. Somethin' will come
to you. Somethin' always does.

Old Man walks into the bathroom.

BAR

Natalie is sitting at the bar. Jack puts a tray of french
fries with a candle on top in front of her. There is a
crowd around him, Natalie, and Old Man.

46.

JACK
Happy Birthday.

Old Man looks at Natalie.

OLD MAN
(to Natalie)
Have a wonderful 17th year.

JACK
(to Natalie)
Make a wish.

Natalie closes her eyes and blows out the candle. She looks
at the stack of fries and takes out the match that was being
used as a candle. She looks at Jack.

JACK
It was kinda on short notice
Natalie. What did you expect? A
cake with icing on top? We're in
a bar.

NATALIE
No. It's great. Thank you Jack.

JACK
Why didn't you tell me? I
could've thrown a party.

MAN
He throws sick parties!

JACK
Yeah. I have thrown a few good
ones in my years. But why didn't
you tell me?

NATALIE
What does it matter? You found
out anyway. And it turned out
great.

Natalie looks at her tray of french fries.

NATALIE
What other girl has had a french
fry birthday thing?

JACK
Hey, I tried, okay? And who needs
icing when you got...

47.

Bartender hands Jack a little cup of melted cheese.

JACK
Cheese.

Jack pours it onto the fries.

INT. NATALIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Natalie comes into the house quietly. Harry goes up to her.

HARRY
Where the hell were you? You
dirty stay out!

Natalie looks at Harry.

HARRY
Do you have any shit of an idea
what time it is?! Answer me! What
time is it?!

NATALIE
Around midnight?

Harry slaps her across the face. Natalie falls to the
floor.

HARRY
It's fuckin' two A.M.!

Natalie stands up.

HARRY
Who were you with?! Was it that
boy?

Natalie doesn't answer.

HARRY
Tell me who you were with!

Harry pushes Natalie to the floor. He kneels down by
Natalie and takes her by the scruff of her shirt.

NATALIE
Okay...Jack.

HARRY
Jack who?

Harry shakes her.

48.

NATALIE
Yeager.

Natalie looks at Harry. Harry lets go of Natalie and walks
away.

INT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Jack walks in the house. Chelsea walks through the kitchen
holding a glass of milk.

CHELSEA
How was work?

Chelsea took a sip of milk.

JACK
Great.

CHELSEA
What happened?

Jack sits on the couch.

JACK
What do you mean?

CHELSEA
I always ask that question and you
always say good. But today you
said great. Something had to have
happened.

JACK
There was just a really good crowd
tonight.

CHELSEA
You mean good as in drunk, right?

JACK
Sort of.

INT. NATALIE'S KITCHEN - DAY

Harry is sitting at the kitchen table flipping through a
phone book. A phone is next to the book.

HARRY
(mumbling)
Yeager...Yeager...

49.

Harry stops flipping the pages.

HARRY
Here we go.

Harry takes the phone and dials a number.

INT. CHELSEA'S KITCHEN - DAY

The phone rings and Jack picks up the receiver.

JACK
(into phone)
Hello?

INTERCUT WITH HARRY SITTING AT KITCHEN TABLE

HARRY
Is this Jack Yeager?

JACK
Who wants to know?

HARRY
You asshole.

JACK
Who the hell is this?

HARRY
I'm Natalie's father.

JACK
Oh.

HARRY
You better watch your back.

JACK
You better watch yours.

HARRY
Is that a threat? You know better
than to hang out with a 16 year
old.

JACK
17.

HARRY
What?

50.

JACK
She turned 17 an hour ago. At
one.

HARRY
I'm gonna come over and you're
gonna wish you were dead.

JACK
Alright then. Don't be late.

Chelsea takes the phone out of Jack's hand.

HARRY
Asshole. You have no idea what
you're getting into! You better
start diggin' your grave now!

CHELSEA
(into the phone)
Who is this!

HARRY
The man who's going to kick Jack's
ass.

Chelsea hangs up the phone. She looks at Jack.

CHELSEA
Who the hell was that Jack?

JACK
Just another guy who wants to kill
me.

CHELSEA
Tell me!

JACK
It was Natalie's father.

CHELSEA
Why the hell does he wanna kill
you?

Jack looks away from Chelsea and rubs his neck.

CHELSEA
Oh Jack. No, no, no.

Chelsea walk into the living room. Jack follows.

51.

LIVING ROOM

CHELSEA
I told you not to get involved!

Chelsea turns and faces Jack.

CHELSEA
How'd you get involved? What'd
you do?

JACK
I didn't do anything drastic
Chels. I just...

CHELSEA
What'd you do?

Jack doesn't answer.

CHELSEA
You brought her to the bar
tonight, didn't you?! Oh Jack. I
can't believe you did this.

JACK
I just brought her to play a
couple songs.

CHELSEA
Oh, what a relief. Why didn't you
get her drunk and stoned while you
were at it?

JACK
I'm sorry okay? Everybody makes
mistakes.

CHELSEA
You don't understand Jack. This
man knows you took his daughter to
the city...

JACK
So?

CHELSEA
Without his permission! You took
her without his permission! He
didn't know and now he wants to
come over here and duke it out!

52.

JACK
This is my problem Chels. Stay
out of it!

CHELSEA
Stay out of it?! This is my
house! You live in my house! You
just invited this man to come to
my house! This is my business!

JACK
I can handle this!

CHELSEA
Get out!

JACK
What?

CHELSEA
Just go Jack! Leave! Go stay at
a friend's house! Just leave!

JACK
Fine! Take a good look sis cause
you won't be seein' me around
anymore!

CHELSEA
I am skipping with joy right now!
You don't know how long I've been
waiting for you to say those
words.

JACK
Okay then. Give me time to pack
my stuff and I'll be outta here!
And just because I don't pack my
piano doesn't mean it's yours.
I'll come to get it.

CHELSEA
You think I would keep your
precious piano? Oh, believe me, I
would throw it in the dumpster the
first chance I get!

JACK
Well, this is your last chance!

CHELSEA
Start packing Jack. I want you
out before I go to work.

53.

JACK
No problem. I'll be sure that I
don't disturb your daily eggs and
bacon.

CHELSEA
What are you saying?

JACK
You're life is so simple Chels.
It's like someone already planned
it out. Everything works to your
advantage. You think it's like
that for everyone. The truth is
that nobody likes a goody two
shoes.

CHELSEA
What are you? Five? A grown man
doesn't say goody two shoes.

JACK
I just did.

CHELSEA
Maybe that's because your still a
kid.

JACK
Leave me alone.

CHELSEA
I've tried leaving you alone! It
doesn't work!

JACK
When have you tried? You're nose
has been in my ass ever since I
moved in!

CHELSEA
I want you out! Bring your
problems with you!

Jack walks out of the house and slams the door. Chelsea
picks up his keys from the coffee table and opens the door.

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Chelsea throws the keys at Jack. Natalie is standing in the
doorway. The keys barely miss her head. Natalie looks at
Chelsea.

54.

NATALIE
Uh...hi?

Jack gets into his car and starts it up. Natalie looks at
him.

JACK
Get in.

NATALIE
Why?

JACK
Are you coming or not?

Natalie gets in the passenger seat of Jack's car.

NATALIE
What happened?

Jack doesn't answer and drives off.

Chelsea shuts the door.

INT. JACK'S CAR - DAY

Jack is driving and Natalie is in the passenger seat. A
Billy Joel song comes on the radio. Natalie starts singing
along with it to cheer Jack up. Jack doesn't start singing.
Natalie plays air keyboard with her hands and keeps on
singing.

Jack glances over at her and smiles. Natalie smiles back
and nudges him. He starts to sing with her.

INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY

Jack is standing in the main room in the apartment. Mr.
Yannacco, the owner of the apartment, is walking around with
him.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Jack)
I'm Steve Yannacco.

Mr. Yannacco holds out his hand to shake. Jack shakes hands
with him.

JACK
Jack Yeager.

55.

Natalie is sitting against one of the walls.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Natalie)
Hey Natalie. How's the audition
going?

NATALIE
Good.

Natalie gets up and goes over to Jack. She is playing with
a yo-yo.

MR. YANNACCO
Did you find a piano teacher?

NATALIE
Yup.

Jack hits the string of Natalie's yo-yo as she is playing
with it. The yo-yo stops moving and gets tangled. Jack
grins.

NATALIE
(to Jack)
You are such a jerk.

Natalie rolls the string back into the yo-yo.

JACK
I know.

Natalie starts to play with the yo-yo again.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Jack)
This is the main room as you can
see. There are 2 other bedrooms
down the hall.

JACK
(to Mr. Yannacco)
This is cool. It's nice and big.

MR. YANNACCO
Yeah. The polar opposite to the
kitchen. Let me show you.

JACK
Okay.

Jacks hits Natalie's hand and the yo-yo falls down. Natalie
starts winding the string into the yo-yo.

56.

NATALIE
Jerk.

Jack and Mr. Yannacco walk into the kitchen.

KITCHEN

MR. YANNACCO
I know it looks small, but you can
cook a feast in here.

JACK
I won't be doing much cooking
anyway.

MR. YANNACCO
You have a girl friend?

JACK
No. I mean that I'm only gonna
cook with the microwave. Me and
ovens don't mix.

Jack looks at a spot on the floor.

JACK
Is that glass?

MR. YANNACCO
Darn. I knew I forgot something.

JACK
How can you forget to pick up
broken glass?

MR. YANNACCO
I have a lot on my mind.

Natalie enters the kitchen still playing with her yo-yo.

JACK
(to Natalie)
Watch out for the glass Natalie.

Natalie stops playing with the yo-yo.

NATALIE
Where?

JACK
On the floor. Where else would it
be?

57.

Mr. Yannacco wets a paper towel and goes to the broken
glass.

NATALIE
What fell?

MR. YANNACCO
Just an old snow globe of mine.

NATALIE
(to Mr. Yannacco)
And you're just cleaning it up
now?

MR. YANNACCO
I picked up most of it when it
happened Natalie. I just missed a
few peices.

Mr. Yannacco kneels down and starts to pick up the glass
with the wet paper towel.

NATALIE
(to Mr. Yannacco)
Be careful Mr. Yannacco. You
don't want to...

MR. YANNACCO
Shit!

NATALIE
Cut yourself.

Mr. Yannacco stands up and looks at the piece of glass in
his skin.

            JACK
      (looking at Mr.
       Yannacco's hand)
Damn. You got it wedged in there.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Jack)
Please tell me you have a pocket
knife.

JACK
Of course I do.

Jack takes a pocket knife out of his pants.

JACK
I was a Webelo.

58.

NATALIE
(to Jack)
You still are.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Jack)
Get the tweezers out and just grab
the piece of glass...

JACK
Whoa chief! Maybe you
misunderstood. A Webelo is a boy
scout, not a surgeon.

Natalie puts the yo-yo on the table and goes to Jack.

NATALIE
I'll do it.

Natalie takes the pocket knife, that has the tweezers
extended, from Jack. She goes to Mr. Yannacco and gets the
piece of glass out of his hand using the tweezers.

Natalie holds the piece of glass with the tweezers and shows
Jack.

NATALIE
(to Jack)
We be loyal.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Natalie)
What?

NATALIE
Jack should know. It's what
Webelo stands for.

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Natalie knocks on the front door. Nobody opens it so she
lets herself in.

INT. CHELSEA'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Natalie closes the front door and looks around. There are
cardboard boxes stacked up against the walls.

NATALIE
Miss Yeager? I'm here for my math
lesson.

59.

Natalie steps over one of the cardboard boxes and walks over
to the piano.

NATALIE
Jack?

Jack enters the living room carrying bathroom toiletries. He
is mumbling to himself.

JACK
(mumbling)
I'll show her. Get out of my
house. Who does she think she is?
Our mother? Ha. Stupid.

NATALIE
Hey Jack.

Jack walks past her and puts his things into a cardboard
box.

NATALIE
What's going on? You decided to
rent Mr. Yannacco's apartment?

JACK
Think again.

NATALIE
Where are you going?

JACK
Chelsea kicked me out. That sad
excuse for a sister kicked her
twin brother out.

NATALIE
Then where are you going? You
said you didn't rent the
apartment.

JACK
Remember that guy from the toy
store who let us stay after
closing?

NATALIE
Him?

Jack nods his head and goes to his bedroom.

NATALIE
Doesn't he live in the city?

60.

JACK (OS)
Manhattan.

NATALIE
Why did she do it?

Jack enters carrying shirts.

JACK
Kick me out?

Jack puts the shirts in the same cardboard box. Natalie
nods her head.

JACK
She's hates me. She always will.
She says I'm jumping ship and
dragging her down with her.

Natalie looks at the piano.

NATALIE
What about my audition?

JACK
I'll still give you lessons
Natalie. Just not here. I'll buy
a portable or something.

NATALIE
You mean you're not taking it with
you?

JACK
Where am I going to put it? It's
not my house.

NATALIE
What will your sister do with it?

JACK
She won't touch it. It's the one
thing that I have, we have, that
our father passed on.

Chelsea enters the house. She looks at Natalie.

CHELSEA
Meet me in the kitchen Natalie.

Chelsea leaves the living room.

61.

INT. CHELSEA'S KITCHEN - DAY

Chelsea and Natalie are sitting at the table. Natalie is
doing book work and Chelsea is reading a book.

Natalie looks at Chelsea and stops working.

NATALIE
Why'd you kick him out?

Chelsea looks at Natalie from her book.

CHELSEA
It was about time that he got a
house of his own.

NATALIE
He doesn't have one yet.

CHELSEA
What?

NATALIE
A house of his own. He has to
stay at a friend's place.

CHELSEA
Solve your logarithms.

Natalie starts to work again. Chelsea starts reading her
book.

Natalie looks at Chelsea.

NATALIE
What'd he do?

Chelsea looks up from her book.

CHELSEA
You have no idea what you're
talking about.

NATALIE
How do you know?

CHELSEA
You have no idea what it's like
living in this house with him.

NATALIE
You have no idea what its like
living where I live!

62.

CHELSEA
I know you're a teenager and
teenagers have their moments...

NATALIE
You think I'm having a moment? You
try living with my dad!

CHELSEA
Do your work Natalie.

Natalie starts to work on her math problems. Chelsea starts
reading her book.

INT. NATALIE'S CHORUS CLASS - DAY

The dismissal bell rings and the students walk out of the
classroom. Natalie takes her time gathering her books. Mr.
Yannacco looks at her.

MR. YANNACCO
(to Natalie)
Hey, Webelo.

Natalie looks at Mr. Yannacco.

NATALIE
Why are you calling me that?

MR. YANNACCO
You don't like it?

NATALIE
It's okay.

MR. YANNACCO
Is Jack thinking about renting the
apartment?

NATALIE
I don't know. He can't afford it
on his own yet. His sister kicked
him out a couple days ago.

MR. YANNACCO
Where is he staying?

NATALIE
A friend's house.

MR. YANNACCO
How are you going to practice?

63.

NATALIE
Jack's trying to work it out.
He'll probably buy a keyboard or
something.

MR. YANNACCO
Tell him to think about it.

NATALIE
Okay. I'll talk to him.

Natalie walks out of the class room with her books.

INT. NATALIE'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Harry and Natalie are sitting at the table. They are eating
macaroni.

HARRY
Where do you go after school?

NATALIE
Nowhere. I come home.

HARRY
Don't you lie to me Natalie. I
know when school lets out.

NATALIE
What does it matter? I have
dinner ready for you on time.

HARRY
I want to know where my daughter
is going after school.

NATALIE
I don't go anywhere!

Harry takes Natalie by the scruff of her shirt and pulls her
across the table to him.

HARRY
Are you talking back?

Harry pushes Natalie onto the floor.

NATALIE
You're a bastard.

HARRY
Watch your mouth.

64.

NATALIE
Now I know why mom left the house
that day.

HARRY
She wouldn't have left if you
hadn't hurt her!

Natalie stands up.

NATALIE
I hurt her? She took me with her!

Harry slaps Natalie.

NATALIE
And the authorities brought me
back here! Are you happy? Of
course you're not because you now
have to face the one thing that
she loved. Me.

Harry shoves Natalie and she falls on the floor.

HARRY
She didn't love you!

Harry kicks Natalie in the stomach.

HARRY
Why do you think she left you! She
hated you! You hurt her!

NATALIE
She didn't leave me! She took me
with her!

HARRY
But she never showed up in court.
How do you explain that! How does
that explain that she loves you
when she left you here!

Harry storms out of the kitchen. The door is heard being
opened and then it slams shut. Natalie is on the floor
holding her stomach.

INT. NATALIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Natalie is laying on her bed. She is crying.

FLASHBACK---

65.

INT. AIRPORT-DAY

Natalie and her mother are in an airport terminal. Her
mother hands her a plane ticket.

MOTHER
Take this sweetie.

Natalie takes the plane ticket.

NATALIE
We're not going to Ohio Mom. This
says we're going to Ohio.

MOTHER
I know honey. We're going to
split up so you're father won't
find us.

NATALIE
Okay.

MOTHER
You're going to take another
flight from Ohio to Alabama. Okay?

Natalie nods her head.

MOTHER
And we're going to meet in Alabama
Natalie. Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Everything will be fine.

NATALIE
Don't leave me.

MOTHER
I won't leave you.

Mother hugs Natalie.

MOTHER
You're flight is boarding. You
better go. Remember Tuscaloosa,
Alabama.

Natalie walks up to the flight attendant and hands the lady
her boarding pass.

INT. TUSCALOOSA AIRPORT-DAY

Natalie walks into the airport from the plane. She walks
around and looks for her mother.

66.

Natalie sees her mother. Her mother starts walking to her,
but stops when 2 security guards go to Natalie.

SECURITY GUARD 1
Natalie Thurgood? Your father
just called.

SECURITY GUARD 2
And he is very worried.

NATALIE
How'd he find me?

SECURITY GUARD 1
When you run away, never leave
evidence of where you're going.

SECURITY GUARD 2
He found you're ticket stub in the
house.

Natalie looks around for her mother, but she is no where to
be seen. The 2 security guards bring Natalie away.

INT. NATALIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Natalie is still laying on her bed. She is now crying.

INT. NATALIE'S CHORUS CLASS - DAY

The dismissal bell rings and the students leave the
classroom. Natalie tries to stand up from the chair, but
holds her stomach in pain and sits back down.

MR. YANNACCO
Are you okay Natalie?

NATALIE
I'm fine.

MR. YANNACCO
Maybe you should go to the nurse.
Do you feel sick?

Natalie stands up.

NATALIE
It's just growing pains. They'll
go away.

67.

MR. YANNACCO
Are you sure? She can probably
give you the heating pad.

Natalie picks up her books.

NATALIE
I'm sure Mr. Yannacco. Stop
worrying. I'm fine.

MR. YANNACCO
Any word on Jack?

NATALIE
No. He's really confused right
now. Give him some time.

MR. YANNACCO
How are lessons going?

NATALIE
Good. I have a lesson with him
today.

MR. YANNACCO
You're going all the way to the
city for a lesson?

NATALIE
No. I'm meeting him at his
sister's house.

MR. YANNACCO
Is she going to let him into her
house? She still has the piano,
right?

NATALIE
She does have it still. I don't
know what Jack is thinking. We
can't go anywhere for lessons.

MR. YANNACCO
Well, tell Jack I said hi.

NATALIE
I will.

Natalie walks to the door.

MR. YANNACCO
And I hope you feel better.

68.

Natalie leaves the class room.

INT. SCHOOL'S LIBRARY - DAY

Natalie is sitting at one of the computers. She types in
her mother's name, Kelly Thurgood, into the search engine. A
webpage from Las Vegas comes onto the screen. There is a
picture of her mother, Kelly, dressed up as a show girl.

NATALIE
A show girl? She wanted to be a
singer.

EXT. NATALIE'S SCHOOL - DAY

Natalie exits the school and starts walking down the road.
Harry is watching her from the inside of his car.

HARRY
I got you now.

EXT. SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

Natalie walks down the sidewalk. She goes to Chelsea's
house and knocks on the front door. Harry is watching her
from the inside of his car.

HARRY
I got you now.

Harry writes the address of Chelsea's house on a piece of
paper. Harry drives away.

EXT. CHELSEA'S HOUSE - DAY

Natalie is standing on Chelsea's front porch. She knocks
again.

JACK (OS)
Natalie.

Natalie turns around. Jack is in his car stopped in the
middle of the street.

Natalie goes to Jack. She holds her stomach as she walks to
his side of the car. Jack's window is down.

69.

JACK
What the hell are you doing
knocking on the door. I told you
to meet me here, not...

Jack looks at Natalie holding her stomach.

JACK
What happened?

NATALIE
Growing pains. Look Jack, I don't
know if I should do this.

JACK
What do you mean?

NATALIE
I mean everything. The audition,
sneaking off to have lessons,
everything Jack.

JACK
Don't you bail on me Natalie. You
shouldn't let an opportunity like
this pass on by.

NATALIE
But my dad...

JACK
Who cares what your dad thinks.
It's your life , not his.
Wait...did you say sneaking off to
lessons? I didn't know you were
sneaking.

NATALIE
He hates piano. Ever since...
Ever since my mom loved it.

Chelsea comes out of her house.

CHELSEA
Jack?

Natalie turns around and looks at Chelsea.

CHELSEA
Natalie?

NATALIE
Hey.

70.

CHELSEA
(to Jack)
This is the reason I kicked you
out! Can't you just leave me
alone?

NATALIE
(to Chelsea)
Can't you leave him alone? All he
is trying to do is help.

JACK
(to Natalie)
She's right Natalie. I'll see you
later.

Jack speeds away.

NATALIE
(to Jack)
What about my lessons?

Natalie goes in the middle of the road. She looks in the
direction Jack drove off in.

NATALIE
What about me?

Natalie looks at Chelsea.

CHELSEA
I think you can pass Algebra now.
Go take the SAT or something.

NATALIE
I'll even take the ACT too.

Natalie walks away.

INT. NATALIE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Natalie enters the house. Harry is on the couch with a beer
and watching T.V.

HARRY
Why do you go there?

NATALIE
What?

71.

HARRY
Don't act stupid Natalie. I know
where you go after school.

NATALIE
Are you mad?

HARRY
Am I mad? You've been sneaking
off somewhere and you have the
nerve to ask me if I'm mad?

Harry stands up.

NATALIE
What difference does it make? You
would get mad even if I told you I
had lessons.

HARRY
Lessons for what?

Natalie shakes her head. Harry takes her by the scruff of
her shirt.

HARRY
Tell me or I'll...

NATALIE
Math and piano.

HARRY
You had piano lessons?!

Harry throws Natalie onto the floor.

NATALIE
And math.

Natalie stands up.

HARRY
You think you're so high and
mighty, don't you? Your mother
was the same way. Always talking
down to me like she was better.

NATALIE
She was better than you.

Harry punches Natalie and she falls to the floor. She wipes
her bloody mouth with her hand.

72.

NATALIE
She was even better than me 'cause
she got away.

HARRY
Just because you have a goddamn
audition for a college you think
you can...

NATALIE
Yeah. I do. Piano makes me feel
like I have a purpose in this
world. You wouldn't understand.

HARRY
I do 'cause I was just like you.
Runnin' around, throwin' the
football with no care in the
world. I thought I would make it.
I thought I would be the best out
there, but it's not always tulips
and daisies Natalie. You have to
work your ass off or you'll sink
with the ship.

NATALIE
I'm not you! I am working my ass
off. I am getting good marks in
school. I am going to get into
Julliard!

HARRY
You'll never make it.

NATALIE
I bet you would think different if
mom was here, if you hadn't chased
her out, if you hadn't yelled at
her, if you hadn't...

Harry kicks Natalie in the stomach.

HARRY
Shut up!

Harry kicks Natalie again in the stomach.

HARRY
Shut up! You're stupid Natalie.
You're a dumb ass!

Natalie, crying, holds her stomach. Her mouth is bleeding
and her eye is black and blue.

73.

Harry picks her up by her arm. Natalie stands up.

Harry punches Natalie again. Natalie takes the remote from
a side table and throws it at Harry's head. Natalie runs to
her bed room and shuts the door.

INT. MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT

Chelsea is with JIM, her boyfriend. They are standing in
line to get popcorn and candy.

JIM
What candy do you want?

CHELSEA
Pick for me.

Chelsea looks around. She sees Natalie with a group of
teenagers.

CHELSEA
I see one of my students honey.
I'm gonna go say hi. Be right
back.

Chelsea goes up to the group of kids.

KIDS
Hey Ms. Yeager.

CHELSEA
Hi kids.

Natalie looks away from Chelsea.

CHELSEA
Natalie, could I talk to you?

Natalie walks away from the group. Chelsea follows.

CHELSEA
Natalie... I just want to talk.

Natalie stops and turns toward Chelsea.

NATALIE
Yeah?

CHELSEA
I'm sorry about what I said. I
still want to teach you.

74.

NATALIE
Why? Because the school wants you
to?

CHELSEA
No. Because I want to.

Natalie is silent.

CHELSEA
I really don't want to become the
bad guy here Natalie. I'm sorry
and I want to help. I know I've
been a b... pain.

NATALIE
So you're saying...

CHELSEA
That I still want you to come for
math lessons.

NATALIE
Good cause I'm not ready for the
SATs.

INT. NATALIE'S BEDROOM - DAY

Natalie locks her bedroom door. She is crying. Natalie
goes to her mirror and looks at herself.

Natalie touches her bloody lip.

Natalie touches her black and blue eye.

The front door is heard being slammed shut.

Natalie picks up the cook book Chelsea gave her from her
dresser and sits on her bed.

Natalie starts crying and starts ripping each page out of
the book.

Natalie throws the book on the floor. She hugs her legs and
cries.

NATALIE
Oh my God. Help me.

75.

INT. BAR - NIGHT

Jack is sitting at the bar with a beer in his hand. Old Man
is sitting next to him.

OLD MAN
Where's your friend?

JACK
Not here.

OLD MAN
She should come back. Playing
piano is her calling. Who taught
her?

JACK
I did. And she can't come back.

Jack takes a large sip of his beer. Old Man takes a drink
of his own beer also.

OLD MAN
Aren't you supposed to be playing
tonight?

JACK
Yeah.

OLD MAN
So...

Jack turns to look at Old Man.

JACK
Maybe I don't want to, okay? Since
when did you become like this? You
never did this. You never worked
a day in your life. Since when do
you tell people to do their jobs?

OLD MAN
I was just wonderin' about the
girl Jack.

JACK
Well, you'll probably never see
her again.

Jack turns toward the counter. He takes a sip of beer.

JACK
I'll probably never see her again.

76.

Jack takes another big gulp of beer.

OLD MAN
Are you really serious about not
playing?

JACK
I'm going. I'm going.

Jack drinks the rest of his beer and stands up.

JACK
God help me.

Jack walks away.

OLD MAN
God bless you.

Old Man takes a gulp of his beer.

INT. NATALIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Natalie is packing a backpack. She puts pants and a tee
shirt into it.

Natalie goes to her dresser and takes the brush. She puts
it into her backpack.

Natalie turns around.

Natalie takes her wallet from a dresser drawer and looks
inside of it. She closes it and puts it into the backpack.

Natalie sits on her bed.

Natalie lays on her bed. She closes her eyes to sleep, but
opens them again. She gets up and takes a wooden baseball
bat from the corner of her room. She lays back in bed with
it in her hand and closes her eyes. She falls asleep.

INT. NATALIE'S KITCHEN - DAY

Natalie sneaks into the kitchen wearing her backpack. She
takes her backpack off and puts it on the kitchen table. She
opens the refrigerator, takes 2 water bottles out, and puts
them into her backpack.

77.

Natalie closes the refrigerator and opens a cabinet. She
takes out a container of cookies and puts them into her
backpack. She takes a loaf of bread, in its packaging, and
puts it into the backpack.

INT. NATALIE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

Natalie walks into the living room. She stops and looks at
Harry's recliner chair. She goes back into the kitchen.

NATALIE'S KITCHEN

Natalie opens the silverware drawer and takes out a knife.
She goes back into the living room.

NATALIE'S LIVING ROOM

Natalie goes to Harry's chair. She starts stabbing it and
cutting it. The knife hits something in the chair and she
looks where it is. Natalie grabs a wad of money rubber
banded together from the chair. She puts in in her
backpack.

Natalie gets up, walks to the door, and stops. She looks
around, takes the T.V. remote and leaves the house.

INT. A SMALL BEDROOM - DAY

Jack is sleeping on a small bed. Store Worker enters the
room and nudges Jack to wake up. Jack opens his eyes to
tiny slits and looks at him.

STORE WORKER
Jack.

JACK
What?

STORE WORKER
It's after noon. Get up.

JACK
You can tell me when to get up
when you work nights like me.

STORE WORKER
I know Jack. But how long are you
planning on sleeping late?

JACK
Till I go to work at 5.

78.

STORE WORKER
No. I don't mean today. I mean
for your life. How long are you
gonna stay here?

Jack opens his eyes all the way and sits up in his bed.

JACK
Whoa, man. Are you kickin' me
out?

STORE WORKER
Not exactly.

JACK
So what are you saying?

STORE WORKER
You gotta start paying rent or...

JACK
You are kicking me out!

STORE WORKER
I'm not kicking you out.

JACK
Who is then?

STORE WORKER
My wife.

JACK
Your wife?

STORE WORKER
If you can't pay rent, I'll give
you a few more days to find
somewhere else.

JACK
Your wife is kicking me out? What
about the kids? Are they putting
me out in the streets too?

STORE WORKER
The kids can't even remember
you're name Jack.

Store Worker gets up and goes to the door. He looks at
Jack.

79.

STORE WORKER
I'm sorry man. She said its me or
you and this is my house.

Store Worker exits the bedroom. He is heard talking to his
wife behind the door.

WIFE (OS)
So?

STORE WORKER (OS)
He's going to leave.

WIFE
Today? Oh, honey. I am so proud
of you.

STORE WORKER
I'm giving him a couple days to
find somewhere else.

WIFE
A couple days? A couple days? Do
you know what that can change
into? A couple weeks, then a
couple months, then he'll be
living here for the rest of his
life.

STORE WORKER
What do you want me to do? He has
nowhere to go. I just can't kick
him out right now.

Store Worker opens the door and looks at Jack.

STORE WORKER
I'm sorry man. It's me or you.

JACK
Let me get ready and take a
shower.

STORE WORKER
Sure.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY

Jack is walking down the street. He passes a music shop and
looks in the store window. Jacks sees pianos and keyboards.
He goes in the shop.

80.

INT. MUSIC SHOP - DAY

Jack walks in the shop and goes to a grand piano. He looks
at it and plays it lightly. The MANAGER, an older man in
his 60's, goes to Jack.

MANAGER
May I help you with something sir?

Jack stops playing the piano and looks at Manager.

JACK
No thanks. I'm just looking.

INT. CHELSEA'S KITCHEN - DAY

Chelsea looks at the clock on her kitchen wall. It reads
3:00. She picks up the phone and dials a number.

INTERCUT WITH STORE WORKER IN KITCHEN

Store Worker picks up the ringing phone.

STORE WORKER
Hello?

CHELSEA
Hey. It's Chelsea. Is Jack
there?

STORE WORKER
No. He just left.

CHELSEA
Where is he?

STORE WORKER
He's walkin' around the city. You
can call his cell phone. He
always has it on him.

CHELSEA
Okay. Thanks.

STORE WORKER
Chels?

CHELSEA
Yeah?

81.

STORE WORKER
I kinda kicked him out today so go
easy on 'em.

CHELSEA
You think I'm going to yell at
him?

STORE WORKER
Well, you always do.

CHELSEA
I got to go. Bye.

STORE WORKER
Okay. Talk to you later.

Chelsea hangs up the phone. Store Worker hangs up the
phone.

Chelsea dials another number into the phone.

INT. MUSIC STORE - DAY

Jack is looking at music books on a shelf. His cell phone
rings. He picks it up.

JACK
Hey.

INTERCUT WITH CHELSEA IN KITCHEN

CHELSEA
Hi Jack.

JACK
Wow. You don't sound like you
want to kill me. What's up?

CHELSEA
I'm sorry Jack. I don't want to
be mad forever.

JACK
I'm the one who should be
apoligizin' Chels.

CHELSEA
I didn't call you just to
apoligize.

82.

JACK
What is it?

CHELSEA
It's Natalie.

JACK
I thought you were done with her?

CHELSEA
She hasn't shown up for her
tutoring today.

JACK
Maybe she's running a little late.
Give her time.

CHELSEA
I have given her a half an hour
Jack. She's normally very
punctual.

JACK
Why'd you call me?

CHELSEA
I thought you would know where she
is.

JACK
Did you check if she's home?

CHELSEA
Of course. Her father didn't
sound too happy.

JACK
That's easy to believe.

CHELSEA
Just help look for her. You guys
hung out in the city so there's a
chance she's there.

JACK
Okay Chels.

CHELSEA
Thanks Jack.

JACK
Talk to ya later.

83.

Jack hangs up his cell phone and puts it in his pocket.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY STREET - DAY

Jack walks down a street. He waits at a cross walk, then
crosses with a crowd of people. He enters FAO Schwartz.

INT. FAO SCHWARTZ - DAY

Jack enters the store. He walks around the stuffed animal
department looking around. Jack runs up the escalator,
politely nudging people out of the way. He pushes his way
through the piano line. He gets up to the floor piano.
Little kids are playing on it.

BARBIE DOLL DEPARTMENT

Jack walks around and looks for Natalie. Store Worker goes
up to Jack.

STORE WORKER
Hey Jack.

Jack doesn't look at him. He still looks around for
Natalie.

JACK
Hey.

STORE WORKER
Look man. I'm sorry about this
afternoon.

JACK
Okay.

STORE WORKER
Is there anything I can do?

Jack finally looks at Store Worker.

JACK
Actually, there is.

CASH REGISTER COUNTER

Store Worker and Jack are standing behind the counter. Jack
takes the all call receiver and puts it to his mouth.

84.

JACK
Would Natalie Thurgood please come
to the front desk.

Jack puts the receiver back on the counter.

Jack starts to walk away.

STORE WORKER
Where are you going?

JACK
I know she won't come. She hates
me right now.

FAO SCHWARTZ CAFE

Jack walks past the entrance to the cafe. Then he stops and
walks in. He goes to the booth where Natalie is. Natalie
is laying on one of the booths, sleeping.

Jack takes off his jacket and puts it on Natalie as a
blanket. Natalie opens her eyes and looks at Jack.

JACK
Hey.

NATALIE
Hey.

Jack sits on the opposite side of the booth.

NATALIE
What are you doing here?

JACK
I think that's my line.

NATALIE
Chelsea called you, didn't she?

JACK
What are you doing Natalie?

NATALIE
I'm getting away before my dreams
get washed away.

JACK
You know running isn't the answer.

85.

NATALIE
Who are you to talk Jack? You're
dreams were washed away after your
audition.

JACK
It doesn't mean I failed if I
didn't try.

NATALIE
You showed up drunk. How is that
trying?

JACK
And how is running away going to
help with your dream?

NATALIE
Because my dad was a high school
football star. He was really good
and was going to get a
scholarship. Until the drug test
was positive.

JACK
You are not your father.

NATALIE
I'm not done. My mother's dream
was to become a singer. She loved
to sing and had a beautiful voice.
Then she met my father and
temporarily locked up her dream to
start a family. Then, when she
wanted to pursue her dream, my
father disagreed. He hit her,
called her names, lowered her self
esteem a lot. When she finally
got away, she became one of those
show girls in Vegas doing those
dances and wearing those frilly
things.

JACK
I understand he hits you Natalie,
but what do you plan on
accomplishing here?

NATALIE
Some self esteem. And you're not
helping.

86.

JACK
Why don't we get out of here?

NATALIE
Where?

JACK
Back to Jersey. Maybe my sister
can...

NATALIE
I am not going back there Jack!

JACK
You have to Natalie. You plan on
staying in the cafe of a toy store
for your whole life?

NATALIE
You don't understand! I can't go
back! Do you know what he'll do
to me?

JACK
Listen girl. I wasted my time
trying to find you. I can't just
say 'I found you!' and then leave
you here. So you come with me and
sit your ass in a bus and go back
to Jersey.

NATALIE
You're just like him!

JACK
Don't say that.

NATALIE
You're both not on my side! You
both failed! You two are alike!

JACK
Do not call me your father!

NATALIE
I already did.

Natalie covers her face with her hands and cries.

JACK
Could you hand me my jacket?

87.

NATALIE
Get it yourself.

JACK
Okay. Then just reach your hand
into one of the pockets. I think
I left my wallet in there.

Natalie puts her hand into one of the jacket pockets. She
takes out a small velvet box.

NATALIE
What's this?

JACK
Open it and find out.

Natalie opens the box. She smiles and takes a silver
bracelet out of it.

NATALIE
Is this for me?

JACK
Happy birthday. I'm sorry it took
such a long time. You wouldn't
believe how much I needed to save.

Natalie puts it on her wrist.

NATALIE
I'm still mad at you.

JACK
Just come home Natalie.