How to fire everyone in Boston

Keith, Cindy and Thom, the Boston branch manager, walk out of the elevator of Boston's biggest finance account laughing from relief in keeping the account.

Cindy

'Well, that was the last major account. Let's all breathe a sign and look forward to a new year with a new staff in Boston.'

Thom

'I still don't understand letting everyone go because advertising slows down near the holidays.'

Keith

'Bernie wants it. That's it.'

Cindy

'Liten to Keith...he's being a friend. You're among friends. And Thom, you should feel good. Bernie has faith in you to build an office from the ground up.'

Thom

'But I was doing that when I was hired last year.'

Cindy's cell rings. She motions to shhh.

'It's Bernie.'  'Hi it's a beautiful day in Boston.'

Bernie

I didn't call you for a weather report. Did they sign the media contracts for next year.'

Cindy

'Yes, we just finished a lovely meeting...'

Bernie

'Put Thom on.'

Thom

'Hi Bernie.'

Bernie

'So all of the big accounts are signed up?'

Thom

'Done'

Bernie

'Great. Now remember. Tomorrow, you don't get involved. Let the building guards tell the AE's they no longer work for us. Did you print out copies of the agreements they signed that say 'you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all..?

Thom

'Done Bernie.'

Bernie

'Then, youi let the guards handle it. The guards will give them copies of the agreement. If they call you, you say you have nothing to say. I won't fight them on unemployment. It's Christmas time after all.'

Thom

'Yes. O.K.'

Bernie

'So we look forward. Start interviewing. Call what's-his-name-that blond writer in New York if you need any writing, And go Irish!'

Thom

'Thanks Bernie..for your confidence...hello. He's off.'

Keith

'Yes he is...'

Cindy

'What?'

Keith

'What?'

Life as an angel

The vision of heaven hit John like a thump on the back of his head. He could see he was under the covers of his brass bed and felt his mind move beyond the foot of his bed, out the French Doors and beyond his balcony. Below, he could see Ocean Boulevard and then white sand dunes. Over the Atlantic, the stars shone in round specks against a black sky.

Soon the ocean faded from view as he saw the white specks elongate to white rods. In the center. there were many rods huddled around a bright light. On the edges, were rods near the cold void. These were souls. And he was drawn to the warmth of the bright light. Although all the rods were white light and looked at a distance to be the same, he sensed the one approaching him was an Indian woman speaking Hindi.

Hindi soul

'You aren't due here yet.'

John's soul

'Did I go to the wrong Heaven?'

Hindi

'There's only one. Everyone gets in.'

John's soul

'Any creep...or good person.'

Hindi soul

'Yes The light we are drawn to is God or whatever people call God. Do you think you can be close to God when you live and die with unGod thoughts of hatred or anger towards other souls. So just because all souls get into Heaven...doesn't mean they get to be near God The souls near God are God-like...good. loving.

John soul

'Who are the one's nearest God?'

Hindi soul

'You call them angels. They no longer are born to perfect their souls. They are born with so much love of people...they devote their lives to helping people. And one is trying to revive you now. So as you boarders say: 'Later Dude. You're not due here for a while.'

John realizes he is on his back and sees the sunlight around the head of a 20 something-year-old man leaning over him.

John

'Halo'

Lifeguard

'What? Are you all right.  I'm taking you  to medi-merge in Thoms River.'

John tries to get up

'No I'm o.k.'

Lifeguard grabs John's arm and skateboard.

"Didn't I save you when you were walking under the pier when there was a hurricane off shore and another time when you fell on the beach during a storm in the summer?'

John

'That was you?'

Lifeguard and John get into his red, wrangler jeep.'

'You know. I swore to save lives...plural. Not a life.'

John

"thanks. I must of hit my head. Maybe you're a guardian angle.'

Lifeguard turns out of parking lot and heads towards the bridge over Barnegat Bay.

'Yeah? Ask the waitresses at the Beachcomber Bar if I'm an angel.'

John

'Well you wouldn't remember you were sent down here to be a guardian angle...you would just live your life as one.'

Lifeguard

It's John right?'

John watches as they rise up the bridge over the bay. Sail boats are gliding across the blue-green water.

"Yeah it's John'

Lifeguard

'John, Look at me. When the doctor is examinating your head, try to sound competent. Or they'll keep you over night for observation.'

An eclipse: Seeing the heavens by leaving earth behind.

John flops into a seat on the North Jersey Coast line, shows his ticket and prepares to go into what he thinks of as turtle mode. His big, quiilted winter coat includes an over-sized hood designed to go over an army helmet. So putting it on covers his head and face. Could he be more anti-social?

At around 2am, John gets out of the warmth of his bed, dresses warmly and heads down to Barnegat Bay to watch the eclipse of the moon. He sits on a park bench at the water's edge. The full moon makes the crests of tiny waves- far out on the bay- bright white. Far away from the moon, stars are out. But in a vast area of the sky, it's all about a black sky made bright by the white-gray moon.

Soon, the earth begins to cast a shadow across the moon. Wisdom along with stars come into view as the lunar eclipse progresses.  The earth and the moon fades from sight without the moon glow. The outline of the trees on the opposite shore and the waves on the bay can no longer be seen. But once the moon and earth disappear, the heavens sparkle in an infinate array of patterns. The stars convey a hopefulness against a black void of the disbelieving sky.

A full moon over the bay is a beautiful sight. A star lit sky over the bay is beautiful. As the eclipse ends it occurs to John how you can't have both...you can't have it all...at the same time. And maybe you have to leave earth behind to find heavenly peace. Maybe we all need to escape earthly matters sometimes.

He walks back to the house, goes upstairs and climbs under the covers of  his brass-bowed bed with the thick white down quilt.



               Peace on earth by leaving earthly things behind

       ...good will to everyone by getting away from people. ;p

Extreme Chicken Games

John pokes his head into Keith's office. He is on the phone but puts his finger up to wait. Then makes a motion to write.

John

John writes. You told me the media buy for El Pollo Loco would include MTV. So when they open a new restaurant-hold a X-Game type event. But with a sense of sarcastic humor...like teenagers make fun of things.

Keith makes an annoyed gesture as if to say...what are you writing a book?'

John continues to write.

So I'd call it EXTREME CHICKEN GAMES. Poster of boarders catching air...with the headline What... are you chicken?  Free samples of their chicken sandwiches. Idea that their chicken sandwiches are more out there. Anyone can make a chicken sandwich...but to get an extreme one you go to El Pollo Loco.

Keith reads it and smiles. Sketches out a guy boarder with the headline What are you chicken? and adds a El Pollo Loco in bottom corner.  John smiles  Keith continues to talk on the phone.

At the Bernard Stein Agency. Mary is on the phone.

''This is not a charity. We pay people to keep accounts, not lose them. Well. we had El Pollo Loco for quite a few years. And I hate to see you go too. However, we like to hire people with accounts back. And Merry Cristmas to you as well.'

Mary walks into Bernard Stein;s office.

Mary

'...as we suspected, it was Keith pitching El Pollo Loco and his team in New York.'

Bernard Stein

'Buy them. They're annoying me.'


At the Bernie Swartz Agency, John goes back to his desk to write some ads for the Dallas Texas office that only require the apporval of the Account Executive. They don't have to go by Keith He shoots the ads off.

Bernie Swartz runs into Ken's office.

Bernie

'...and then you hire a West Coast team to manage this count. You and your team get off El Pollo Loco.'

Keith from inside his office.

'You are worried about controling business and it's not really in yet.'

Bernie walks fast out of the office.

'Then you get off it Keith. This business is killing me.'

John opens an extreme chicken file on his PC. He writes:

E X T R E M E   C H I C K E N  G A M E S

Are you chicken?

Enter the skate park like a warrier
to battle yourself
Push your board over the edge
Tipping point. Lean down into it
Race down the side
Hit bottom-race up the steep side
Falling back//lean forward
Shoot up/catch air
Grab the board's bottom
spin. land on your feet.
Push your board over the edge


El Pollo Loco logo

David walks up while John is deep in thought and says loudly in his ear.

David

'What are you chicken?'

John jumps...startled.

'No. I think I'm going nuts.'

Some girl is texting me

David shows his phone to John

'Check it out. I don't know who this is.'

Phone reads

'What's up?'

John

'What are you going to do...be honest and say ...I don't....something like sorry but I don't remember you.'

David

'Screw honesty.'

David textes:

Wut up with you'

John looks on

Phone reads:

Nothing. Where r u?

David textes:

Where r u?

John

'You're sick...just be honest...'

Phone reads

Home

John laughs. See...it's getting complicated'

David

'Dude I went on three dates in the last two days with three different women. Two in one night.'

David textes

'Your house is nice.'

Phone reads

'You've never been here.'

David textes

You described it to me. Don't you remember our talks?

Phone reads

Sor-ries ;o

David textes

O kies

Phone reads

U R sooo cute

David textes

I know

John

'You two deserve each other.'

Phone reads

Haaa. Meet me?

David

Where?

Phone reads

Rio on 3rd

David textes

5ish?

Phone reads

Date

David textes

C U

John

'And then you'll know who you're dating.'

David

'Isn't Manhattan romantic?'

What are you chicken?

Keith's office. Keith is behind his desk. Out of his window, the lights of the Chrysler Buildimg have come on. David is holding story boards for a commercial in his lap.

David to John

'Should we show the boards first.'

John

'Well, this is a quick thought on the creative rationale for positioning El Pollo Loco. We were thinking how none of the icons of Fast Food are cool. The Bruger King, Ronald McDonald...Col Sanders. And no one would want to look like them. What if eating El Pollo could make you the kind of guy or girl people find attractive? What if you had...show the boards David....

David show Keith a board showing scenes from the commercial. John points to first frame. You'd hear a crazy guitar rift as a boarder goes down a ramp, close up of him catching air, back down and up the other side where he jumps off the board. Close up of his arm muscle and hand holding board. Fade to his face where he says: 'What are you chicken?' Product shot of an El Pollo Loco sandwhich. Internet three- frame, banner ads could show the boarder and sandwich, next frame how much protein/calories are in the sandwhich. Third frame: what are you chicken El Pollo Loco. I mean, their core group is teenagers/ 20-somethings.

David

'It's a challenge to try El Pollo Loco too. What are you chicken?' Hinting it's bolder.

Keith

'Is it bolder?'

John and David look at each other.

David

'What are you going to sell...a boring chicken sandwich. And Subway sold more stuff by selling their healthy sandwiches.'

Keith

"I like this...we have to flesh this out with surfers...'

John

'Motor bikes...'

Keith

'O.K. O.K. I have to think. I have to think out the creative rationale and how it would work across multi-media platforms.'

John

"So you like it?'

Keith

"Yes. It's a lot to work with...I have to flesh it out.'

John

"After San Diego's stuff?'

Keith

'No. They did a cartoon approach like some of our ads. Ads you and I did....but they hated the commercial.'

David

'Ah ha. The brilliant San Diego El Pollo team laid an egg.

Keith

'And got fired by Bernie.'

John

Better them than us.'

David

'Ruthless. I love it. Maybe you weren't a Hindi in another life...maybe you were a Bernie. Why is everyone nice in a past life.'

Keith

"Do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under...'

David

'What are you...chciken?'

John burst out laughing.

Keith

"Leave. Thank you my demented staff. I'll call you when I figure out what we need''

John and David leave. Keith is alone with a new account that was happy and now might leave.

El Pollo Loco is a chick magnet.

David at John's desk

"Way to be Johnny.  You made your point to Keith that you helped bring El Pollo Loco in.'

John

'But I was so aggressive-nasty. I keep thinking about my dad's friend, Mr Patel. He would disagree by saying: just because I'm nodding when you speak it doesn't mean I agree with you, it simply means I understand English.  I think I used to think like that in a past life.'

David

'Bull. A red meat that I love by the way. You have to fight to write. I've seen it. They diminish your success and diminish it and then you are out on your ass because Bernie would be like..what am I paying him for or can't I get someone better. Remember, nothing is too good for him.'

John

'Well, I'm gonna write some stuff in case they want it. I was thinking of making El Pollo Loco a cool guy who boards and surfs. Notice that new AE Sean..perfect body...'

David

'Perfect face...way too many women hanging around his desk while there's work to be done, No I didn't notice him.'

John

"Any way, he eats skinless chicken. Maybe create a funny, athletic guy who guys want to be like and woman want.'

David

'Sounds good. But don't write it and wait in case they want it. Push it. Sell it. Sell your ideas.'

John

'We'll see.'

David

'No 'we'll see' crap.  We'll talk at lunch. Where do you want to go?''

John

"The Italian place on Third.'

David

'Agreed, the Irish Bar on Third Joshua Tree.'

John

"Fine'

David

'It's not fine. You wanted to go to the Italian place on Third Avenue.'

John

'Later'

David

'Much'

Keith walks by

'They're gonna have San Diego submit some broadcast stuff and then you if they need you. And whose ever ideas they like...they'll use. So don't knock yourself out on tv or radio ideas yet. But be ready to jump on this.'

John looks to the window

'I'm ready to jump alright... out the window.'

'Don't squwak give El Pollo Loco a Voice

Inside Keith's corner office

Keith

'I'm trying to help you. You're upset because they're hiring a writer in San Diego to write for El Pollo Loco...'

John

'Yeah because I helped land it...'

Keith

'No one is saying you didn't...'

John

'They're just saying anyone could write for them.'

Keith

'What do you want to write everything for every account? I've never seen this side of you.'

John

'I know I'm the Bay...gently lapping at the shore. Bull. I'm like the ocean, crashing into the shore-taking the beach...'

David pops in

'I knew you would lose it. Welcome creative person.'

John

'Screw you David.'

Keith

'If you want to write the radio for El Pollo Loco...go ahead. If it's good...and I have every expectation it will be..you can even record it at that recording studio you did for Disney. They wanted to buy that spot. You can even work with that Mellisa Goz person if you want. Give El Pollo Loco his voice. Remember their core is teens to 20 somethings.'

David

'Give the chicken his voice...and thanks for making me look like the sane professional for once.'

Keith and John

'Says who?'

Water seeks its own level.

They say water seeks its own level. Even when the beach is peaceful with few people on it, it's apparent you are on the front lines of a battle between the ocean and the land. The ocean isn't subtle like the bay's tides. Barnegat Bay is safe with shallow waters, sand dunes and wild flower fields with butterflies. The waves never get big. People dock their boats at bulkjeads are tie them to stakes in the bay-a few feet from shore. Boaters wade in. The sunset over the bay always goes down to snuggle with the land rimmed with homey pier lights and the white lights of the bridge.

The sunrises over the Atlantic as do different stars for different seasons and a changing moon. Things are less settled here on the ocean side of the island. Even if the sky looks peaceful...the ocean might not be peaceful.The beach at Seaside Heights NJ is taken at high tide. Whether the ocean gently rolls in or crashes in full force-creating 4-foot cliffs between the white, dry sand and wet, tan sand below. John thinks, the battle is what makes life interesting.  He walks much more often by the ocean than by the bay. It's a choice. The ocean reminds him of exciting days to come, things you can't control or predict and the big life choice of feeling safe or choosing to be stimulated.

Maybe before you can find your place in the world...you need to find a place that helps you understand yourself.
http://www.seasideheightstourism.com/seacam/cam1.html

The Polar Express heads down to the Jersey shore..

The North Jersey Coast train dances down to the Jersey Shore. To John, it is holiday time where he feels at one with different religions. He sees how many religions celebrate the common need for hope and light. A season of hope, the train zips past  old downtowns with their Christmas and Hanukkah and Diwali lights. the train skips like a stone across the dark Raritan River and past the piers with Christmas lights in Lawrence Harbor. Even the Long Branch Train Station is decked out in holiday lights and red ribbons..

Barnegat Bay is rimmed with docks that have multi-colored lights lit. Seaside Park seems to have settled on a nautical/Christmas theme with lifesavers, nautical rope, crab traps and wreaths mingled in vinets. His Aunt;s old Victorian comes into view. He bounds up the stairs. Inside, Aunt Margaret is just setting the table.

Aunt Margaret

'Perfect timing.'

John walks to the closet to hang up his coat.

'Oh good.'

Aunt Margaret

'I made scented candles. Can't wait to try them out.'

John

"great'

John thinks...what did she just say.

"Not made...right?'

Just then John turns to see a 100+ year old oak table with flames on it.'

Aunt Margaret

.Ooo Johnny.'

John grabs his coat and smothers the flames. To his amazement, the table looks just fine.

Aunt Margaret

"I guess the wax on the table caught fire. No more making scented candles...with perfume.'

John

"No. No more.'

John opens a window and a frosty sea breeze pushes the Irish lace cutains out.'

Uncle Patty from upstairs.

'What the hells going on down there?'

John and Aunt Margaret

'Nothing.'

The Empire State Building is lit red & green for Christmas.

As John reaches 5th Avenue, he looks up and sees the Empire State Building lit red and green for Christmas. Every tree along 5th is lit with white lights. And even from across the street, Lord & Taylor's mechanical windows telll a bigger story of a city that constantly tops itself as a center of creativity.

John almost bursts out laughing when he remembers Keith's explanation of how the competing agency blew the El Pollo Loco pitch. They did a parody of  Sam Peckinpah't Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia. Bring me the head of El Pollo Loco...bring me the wings of El Pollo Loco...the legs, the breast meat....the chicken nuggets blahaaaaaaaaa. And this at a time of so much violence in Mexico. Talk about being in bad taste. Anyway, it got Cindy and Keith a fast flight to San Diego to sign up the account.

John thinks, 'I'd rather be here in New York'' as he gazes up at Macy's with its white lights and red awnings. The entire side of the building is a lasor light show, synchronized to Christmas music. He's so glad he's alive and a working writer in New York City.

Herb kills himself...or not.

Herb walks past all the windowed offices at the Bernard Stein Agency. Each getting progressively bigger as befitting the increased wotth and prestige of the accounts run from them. But no matter how powerful the Account Executive in those  offices, in reality he or she is only a worker bee in service to the hive. And honey is there for Bernie and Mary-founders.

All four wall-mounted t.v sets are on and reflected in Mary's glasses as she beckons Herb in. They are tuned to various stock markets around the world. Mary trades stocks several times a day, She doesn't offer Herb a seat. Instead she hands him a $150,000 bill for the Creative pitch for the account he didn''t bring over from the Bernie Schwartt Agency.

Mary

'That's the Creative bill for the account you promised to bring over.  And your billings have to come up or your draw is coming down.'

Herb

'So much for being part of the family.'

Mary

'Well Cindy is hard to beat and they liked the Creative that that Keith person pulled together.'

Herb

'Keith. I brought him out to that account to help me..'

Mary

'Herb. Land something.'

Herb shakes his heaad yes and walks head down towards the elevador.

A young woman says 'hello' but Herb is deep in thought and depression. The elevador opens and without really thinking he pushes the 'L' button for Lobby.  He keeps reading over and over the $150,000 bill.

 The door opens and he walks across the Lobby and onto busy Madison Avenue. He runs his fingers through his hair and realizes how thin its become, and how old he is and how will he ever get that much money together at his age and he's ruined.

Herb feels pain as he's hit off his feet and sharp pain on the back of his head as it hits the curb.

Standing in front of Keith's office, Bernie Schwartz is talking to Cindy and Keith.

'They signed the media contracts?'

Cindy

'Yes. And I called them to express our sorrow over the news. I think we're o.k. I mean they left Herb.'

John looks up from his desk-half hearing the discussion. He walks out to the Lobby to go to the Men's room. Blythe looks upset as he walks past and through the big doors. David, Stacey, D. Patel and Tanya are all talking.

David to John

'So Herb killed himself.'

John

'Really?'

Stacey

'Maybe. He walked out in traffic.'

David

'They were getting rid of him.'

Tanya

'We think. And you know David. Where the heck do you think accounts come from when we land them. We take accounts...that's the business.'

David

'We took everything...from one of our own'

John

'I don't know about that David.'

David

'That's your problem. You don't know.'

No man's land. Tanya's hang out.

David, Stacey and Tanya are gathered around John's desk.

Tanya

'So you know Cindy is the Account Supervisor on Herbs old account. And I'm the Account Executive on it...a lot is going to be done out of the Atlanta Office. Creative is going to be out of New York.'

John

'I like Cindy. She's nice...like a buddy.'

David groans.

Tanya

'I like her too...and not because she's a sisterr,'

David

'No freak'n way. What is everyone gay?'

John

'I don't care.'

Tanya

'Thank you John.'

David

'I care You're hot and you are probably with a girl who is also hot. That's two girls out of the pool.'

Stacey

'He's complimenting you.'

Tanya

'Wanna meet her?'

David

'Sure...sometime.'

Tanya

'We can meet where I hang out: No man's land.'

Tanya looks at David

'Get it?'

David

'I love watching hot Lesbian action. Will anyone be making out?'

Stacey to David

'You won't.'

The gang gets out of their cab in front of the Lesbian Bar. Tanya leads them inside. The bar is cozy, almost like an Hunt Club feel with evergreen lampshads on gold table lamps. The patrons are dressed in corporate clothes.

David whispers in John's ear.

'They look normal...like they just came from an office.'

Tanya

'They did. What did you expect...a porn lesbian lovers scene.'

David

'Would that be asking so much.'

Tanya grabs a beautiful blonde.

Tanya

'This is my Melissa.'

John and Stacey shake her hand

David flips his hand up.

'Hey'

Melissa

'So are you all going to be working on Tanya's new account.'

David

'Or Herb's old account.'

Melissa

'We finally are going to have the money to move into a bigger place.'

Stacey

'Here's to moving up.'

The gang 'clinks' glasses.

David

'While someone else moves down.'

Tanya takes Melissa's hand

'Well David. We're here to have fun. Anyone else wanna dance?'

Stacey

'Sure.'

John follows. He feels pretty comfortable that he's going to dance because he realizes almost no woman in the bar will be watching him.

David sits at the table watching the scene and is joined by a beautiful red head.

Sherry

'Hi there. You mind?'

David

'No sit.'

Sherry

'Sooo, come here often.'

Sherry laughs

David

'Yeah, it's on my way from Tiffany's where I go to look at all the pretty little things I'll never have.'

Sherry teasingly.

'Pretty little THINGS?'

David

'Oh first we're objects...than as a couple we take turns being subjects.'

Sheery

'O.K. I'll go with that. So what do you do?'

David

'I'm an artist.'

Sherry

'So you're a pain in the ass.'

David

'It's a gift.'

A cute Indian-American woman walks up to the gang dancing. Waving at Tanya she says:

D. Patel

'Hey, I made it.'

Tanya hugs her.

Tanya

'This is Melissa, John and Stacey.

'Guys. this is D. Patel. She's my new coordinator on Herb's old account.'

Back at the table.

Sherry

'So here's my number. But just to tell you. Almost all the women here are here to meet another woman. Lot's want the whole marriage thing...but with a woman.'

David

'I know what a Lesbian is...'

Sherry kisses on the cheek.

'Nice meeting you. Call me. Don't be a guy.'

David

'I'll call you like a little girl.'

A messenger and a march on the UN

John is at his desk, busy writing on his computer. He senses someone is in front of him. It is David, and he has a glow around him. Probably from looking up from the computer-although John often thinks he sees people as angels. Always, they have been strangers coming to the rescue in some small way. But David looks angelic...and he is a messanger right now.

David

'So you gonna come? It should be a hoot.'

John looks bewildered

David

I asked you if you want to march on the UN at lunchtime. To get the peace talks going again. You know. The Arabs recognize Israel and we create a Palestinian State. You know..peace.'

John

'k'

Bernie comes out of Keith's office.

Bernie

'David. I see talking. I want to see arting. Go art.'

John and David look at Bernie.

Bernie to David

'...and what's with wearing black all the time. He's in yellow or orange t's. You look like life and death. You look like you are going to a funeral.'

David

'I'm going to go art.'

David leaps like a male ballet dancer leaving the stage dramatically.

At noon, John and David join a small group of people preparing to march. More than a few people are holding blue and white flags of Israel. They begin to walk down the street towards the UN. At about a block away, there's anti American and anti-Israel screaming.

David to John

'Don't worry about them. That group is always out there...they don't think there should be an Israel..we hate America...thinks like that.'

John

'So we're going to march to the UN and then what.'

David

'They will show their signs about passing the resolution and we go back to work.'

John

'Do you like the El Pollo stuff?'

David

'I do.'

John

'Is it good?'

David

'Yes. But you should know that. Have some confidence. Thanks for marching...'

John

"I was thinking the other day on the beach... it's not enough to feel connected ...I should stand up for things and people. And I do believe a Palestinian state solution and the right of Israel to exist..'


A fist hits John in the face...knocking him to the ground.


Angry Man

"typical Jew.'

David squats down, shield John.

David

'Wrong'

Muslim woman squats down next to John. She puts the cross he wears in her hands.

Muslim woman

'He's Christian. He doesn't speak for us.'

Angry Man

'That's worst.'

Angry Man runs into the crowd. A cop runs after him.

David

'That's a bias crime.'

John gets up with David and the Muslim woman's help

John

'Bias? He hit a Catholic he thought was a Jew marching for Palestine and Israel?'

David

'Well say it like that and it sounds like you have a head injury.'

El Pollo Loco: The Crazy Chicken-Keith shines

The sun shines silver off the Chrysler Building  almost as much as Keith shines with the thrill of creating very fast. He clearly loves his job. The ideas between he and John flow so freely...it's like chemistry between actors...it just happens and you thank God for it.

El Pollo Loco is a fast-food chain out West. Keith was asked by Bernie to head the pitch and he brought in John. The visuals would be cartoon-like. The headlines could be as crazy as John could make them.

Keith

'Let's get a signature ad down. This will set the main theme for the chain and we need a tone.'

John

'Well, since they're called the crazy chicken in Spanish, the tone could be in your face....like a teenager.'

Keith is an axcellent illustrator and begins sketching.

John

'What made the competition turn chicken. ...could talk about how their chicken is so good the other fast food restaurants are trying to keep up.

Keith

'o.k.'

Keith shows a illustration of a chicken in running shoes.


John

'Ooo. What made the chicken cross the road? El Pollo Loco!  The idea that they only take the best chicken.'

Keith shows another illustration of a chicken on a throne.

John

'Let's talk Pecking Order.'   Again, the idea that they make chicken better.


John

"would you want to do a visual with chicken feed. Headline could talk about how cheap it is to eat there.'

Keith

"Flesh that out.'

Keith finishes another illustration and shows John.

Keith

'Here's the illustration for your 'what made the competition turn chicken. idea'

Keith's visual has a muscular chicken with an El Pollo Loco flag.

John

'Compared to El Pollo Loco, their chicken is for the birds.'

John keeps writing.

John

'Listen you dumb cluck.
There is no other white meat.'

John writing.

John

'Get fried...then come for our chicken.
El Pollo Loco is open 'til 2am'

Like a club visual or something to attract the gang that is out late partying.

'Which came first...the El Pollo Loco or the egg?'

Keith

'That's a cab ride.'

John

"what'

Keith

'The idea is so far out...it takes a cab to get there.'

John

'k'

John writes more.

John

A visual of a bunch of people in a car 'If El  Pollo Loco's name doesn't come up...squawk.'

Keith

"this is good. I'm gonna get the art department going on these.  Do you know how good we are together?'

John

'No I'm an insecure mess. But it works for me.'

Then ghosts come out of the ocean mist.

The bells of Saint Catherine echo past the turn-of-the-century, Sears catalog houses down to the beach. John walks at the ocean's edge. The fog and ocean-mist create a black and white world like some old photo of a happy time. And there's been happy times for a long time in Seaside Heights, NJ. The carousel alone  is almost 100 years old. On the beach, the Funtown Pier looks hauntingly empty. Rides must be spinning and soaring to be fun and alive. But this is a happy town. A place where people took time to be together-while they could. He imagines people walking in 1940s and 50's and 60' and 70's and 80 and 90'sstyle bathing suits and shorts. All walking towards him and smiling. It reminds him how fleeting our time is on this earth. The ghosts move by like the mist on invisible feet. The ghosts remind him it's important to realize that. Maybe it's not enough to feel connected with different people's through a realization of some form of reincarnation as John does. Maybe you need to do something for people...in some small way...or stand up for them...for what's right. Otherwise, all you are doing is thinking good thoughts.

John heads under the pier into a darker world of black pillars and wood-framed views of a foamy, angry sea. There are braces against pillings to further support the pier and boardwalk above from the relentless waves. And with the higher tide, John finds he has to walk up from where he usually does and climb over these supports. Without warning he is in a foamy world of churning water with no where to go. 'This is how people drown.' John thinks. Swimmers who've drowned appear in the ocean's mist-calling to him. John thinks, '...this was really stupid to walk under here.'

Some survival energy kicks in and he's jumping over supports and soon is out from under the pier and onto the beach. Now he sees a figure walking right towads him-out of the mist. It's wearing red shorts and a whistle.

Lifeguard

'What the hell is the matter with you.? Do you see anyone else on the beach?'

John

'No'

Lifeguard

'Do you know what  a red flag means?'

John

"Stormy....'

Lifeguard

'You could die. Surfers could die too. Yes I've seen you surfing. Now get off my beach.'

John

'Sorry I got you so...'

Lifeguard

'Why are you still on my beach?'

John walks up the beach towards the boardwalk. He thinks a red flag means you could run into a lifeguard with a red face. Geeze. Dead people were warmer to me.'

Meantime-at the un-Focused Group

A Focus Group comprised of 30 people files into an 'available' conference room at the Holiday Inn.

Stacey

'Sit where-ever you'd like. coffee and goodies are over there. Don't be shy.'

The group of 30-something men and women find seats.

'We are going to view ads with just the headlines and visuals. Lines will indicate where copy will go. We're looking for your honest thoughts'

Pointing at the 'Corporate Ladder' ad with the ladder-like DNA molecule on a background of stars.

Blonde women

'Home Depo. You can do anything. Reach for the stars.'

Black man

'That's the DNA molecule.  Hoffman-La Roche is about research.'

Latino man

'Sears has better tools than Home Depo.'

Stacey points to an ad with Corporate Culture headline and petrie dish

'Any  thoughts on the Corporate Culture ad?

Blonde

"advancing science by growing something in that dish. Ooo I hope that doesn't get out and infect us all Ever see that movie where people's blood turned to sand because of an alien virus?'

College guy

'Adromeda Strain or something. Came in on a metor...so cool.'
Different black man

'Advancing medicine. But I like the DNA one better...looks like the future.'

Young Latino man

'The Human Element ad with the periodic table is a cool idea. I like that and the Corporate Ladder, DNA molecule.'

College woman

'So Hoffmann-La Roche owns Home Depo and Sears?

Heaven on a wave.

It's easy to make that mental leap to ponder eternity when you see the ocean at dawn John thinks. The ocean is eternal with it's never-ending line of blue-green waves. Endless white and silver crests to the horizon. Laying on a surfboard with the gentle up and down rhythm of the waves is so soothing, John lives to daydream, involuntarily, free-associating or by relaxing,  When the wave rises, he can see beyond the dunes to the tops of the Victorians on Ocean Boulevard-the real world- when he's lowered on the surfboard by the wave, he sees only the beach and dunes.Transcending reality on waves he's envisioning the after-life as a harmonious place. An idea of heaven where all kinds of people connect without regard to religion, wealth and social status, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality and anything else that gets in the way of relating on a spiritual level. And to John, the more you can connect with people-all kinds of people-the closer you are to God-who created and understands everyone and everything. Maybe people keep coming back and experiencing lives until they gain this God-like empathy to everyone he wonders as he sits up on the board and comes back to a tranquil real world..

So at peace...at one with the ocean and himself, John doesn't realize he's decided to surf a wave by standing up and leaning down into it. Peacefulness goes into survival mode as his knees adjust to a liquid salty, foaming wave running against the bottom of the board as a curved wall rises on his right. A water shelter, it is a light refracted world of blues and green that is moving and collasping around him. John races across this tunnel by squatting further. He balances the water force to pull the board up the wave into its crest by shifting his weight down. Leaning left, he slices into the wave at just the right angle to stay away from the top of the wave and being flipped upside down. He steers up and down the wave by dragging his right hand in the wave. His heart jumps as he makes these moves just in time not to be tipped over or fall off the surboard. Looking into the curved wave, the water cave won't be here in another minute he thinks. There's the bright entrance. He leans into the board and slides down the rest of the wave and shoots out the 'entrance' Restriction gives way to total freedom. Joyously, turning rght and left and anyway John wants on his board....cause he's free of the wave and out on the open ocean.

Laying down and heading into shore on the surboard, white salty foam is now mixed with sand as he whisks into shallow water and feels sunshine on his skin. The surfboard rams into the sand. He let's the board just lie at the water's edge without getting up. Waves lapping at his body-like a faithful dog greeting him home. The smell of the salt air is like a fresh breath of life. After all the getting back at people he saw in New York, John has gotten back to himself.

A big account & a little arson fire.'

David

'That's Keith's office the smoke is coming out from.'

The police quickly close off 40th Street as two fire engines pull up in front of their building. Tanya, John, Stacey and David cross the street to watch.

David

'If fire hits all that oil in Keith's hair... I'm gonna start singing dreidle, dreidle, dreidle 'cause there's gonna be a miraculous flame.'

They watch as the building empties onto Lexington Ave. Blythe sees the gang and runs over.

Blythe

'Isn't this awful?  Oh, John, I saved what you were working on under 'fire'.

David

"Classic.'

Bernie Swartz and his wife cross the street and get into a limo.

John

"I forget. What does Mrs Swartz do?'

David

'She's the Vice President of Shopping.'

Blythe

'Bernie wants me to tell everyone he knows no one was hurt in this fire.'

John to David

'See. He cares.'

Blythe

'...and that he has lawyers on retention and he can out-last any lawsuit.'

David to John

'We have an old Hebrew saying son: Well duh!'

Fernando, Bernie's right hand man, crosses the street to Blythe.  

It was contained to that back area by the bathrooms and lobby area.

David

'Not that awesome blue and orange lobby...go METS.'

Fernando

'Watch yourself. Cindy's girlfriend...wife decorated the office.'

John

'She's Gay. It's o.k. I'm just surprised. I like her.'

David

'Cowboy boots. Big laugh backslapping...'

John

'I don't label. I'm not into it.'

Fernando

'It's just a little arson fire. Anyway. No work tomorrow and Monday. '

Blythe

"I'll start calling people and have them call people.'

Stacey to Blythe

''Tanya and I will be doing the focus group at Hoffmann tomorrow. We Fed Ex'd the material yesterday....thank God.''
David

'What are you looking at..'

John is looking at his phone.

'Tide is high tomorrow at noon and there will be a west wind...around 80 degrees.'

David

"God. Surfers are deep.'

Is that smoke coming from our office windows?

David sits next to John on the steps to the building at Park and 40th.

David

'Lunch time. My second favorite time of the day. Nothing spoils it.'

Stacey

'Hello. The gang's here.'

David

'Almost nothing.'

Stacey to David.

'What?''

David

'What?'

Stacey

'Gawd.'

David to John

'Did you know on Long Island God spelled backwards is dwag'

John laughs

'I am one of those people who are not surprised that God spelled backwards is dog. Dogs love you unconditionally..'

David

'..and they view the outdoors as one big toilet...I can relate.'

Stacey

'Classy. Very classy David.'

Tanya comes up with her lunch.

'Hey guys.  David is being classy?'

David

'Excuse me. I have class up the ass. Besides, a lot of high class people got there by destroying and exploiting people.'

Stacey

'Oh David. There's jerks on the left too.'

David

'Well Herb just got robbed of his livlihood. And he's middle-aged. You know no one is going to hire him.'

Stacey

'I feel bad for him too. But all accounts come from somewhere...and someone.''

Tanya

'He looked so depressed when he was walking out.'

David

'Being escorted out with a guard after 15 years

John

'That's whhy I'm so insecure.'

David

'You are a hug hog. You set things up so you get all the hugs in life.'

Stacey

'Oh does somebody need a hug.'

David opens his mouth filled with food towards Stacey.

Tanya laughing

"You guys are sick.'

John

'Things are going well. I'm going to try not to worry so much.' He glances behind him at David.

John Points down 40th Street

' David. Is that smoke coming from our office windows?'

They call me Johnny Viagra.

John

'So I guess I'm doing o.k. here...'

David

'Did you catch the name on your pay check?'

John

'Yes but...'

Bernie walks by with Cindy

'They screw us. We screw them.'

David

'Word has it Bernie skipped the whole hippy peace free love thing and went straight to screw'em outta money. And he needs you to screw'em. You're like Viagra. Johnny Viagra..' David laughs crazily.

John

'You are your biggest fan.'

David

'I am. I really am.' David laughs, trying to control himself.

John

'Well the stuff is going through.'

David

'...and Keith is almost giving you credit for your writing.'

John

'...and he takes credit?'

David

'...he wrote this and I had to change that, blah, blah, blah..'

John

"oh. Well...you know. Whatever.'

David

'You are good with words. Later J.V.'

John mumbles....

'Johnny Viagra. Sounds like I'm a pusher at a nursing home.'

Herb walks by with a box of his personal affects and a building guard.

55th & Madison, the corner of pigeon and Fortune 500 Hunter

Pigeons seem to flock to Sony's headquarters at 55th and Madison Avenue. The Chippendale architecture is a tall piece of Americana originally created to warm-up the image of AT&T. Now it Americanizes the image of one of Hollywood's game-changers: Sony America. Anyway, pigeons love to roost in its nooks and crannies.

Across the street at the Bernard Stein Agency, road-weary Account Executives bring their accounts to a more corporate agency- well-versed in making accounts 'house'. But there is also the chance to work on Fortune 500 accounts. And the movie biz accounts at this agency, Bernard's membership in the Friars Club and financially backing movies attract  ambitious pigeons to roost too.

Mary, a middle-aged, co-founder of the Bernie Stein Agency, glanced up from her desk to the wall of tvs focused on various stock markets worldwide, and then walked quickly down the hall to Bernard Stein's office. A dark office with all black furniture, it faced the Sony building-an account the agency just acquired by attracting the Account Executive who controlled it and who happened to had been at the other Bernie's agency.

The only thing bigger than Bernie's desk...is Bernie.He is a massive man. With his wide girth, and water displacement, if he swam into New York Harbor, tug boats would accompany him, shooting water on either side to announce the arrival of an important ship. Befitting the size of the man and size of the agency-with offices around the US -and now the world as part of the Omnipotent family of companies-the meticulously appointed office with the Fred Flintsyone-sized furniture,

Mary sits in front of Bernie's desk. The chair gasps as Mary ample butt squeezes the air out of the seat cushion like a beltch.

'We will be putting Herb in the small office in the back...not the front office.'

Bernard

"Does he control the business or not?'

Mary

'Maybe not. They just met with Bernie's sister-in-law and their Creative Director, Keith. They were impressed with Keith and the work.'

Bernard

'Well, he has other business. Wish I knew that before I took him to the Friar's Club. Make him feel like we still want him and that we don't care about that account. We believe in his talent-kind-of-thing. If he doesn't deliver...'

Mary

'We'll have Maddy assist him...good at grabbing contact info-in case we have to let him go.'
'Let me make a quick phone call.'  

Mary goes to the far end of Bernard's long desk and dials a phone.

Mary

'Herb. Mary. Did we call you at a good time. Oh, are smiling here and meeting up with their friends for lunch. When will you be joining us? Oh, great. We'll don't worry about that. We have faith in you. We're buying talent...not an account. We'll look forward to seeing you then. Bye.'

'He's coming tomorrow. He's not letting Bernie know that he knows Bernie's sister-in-law, Cindy and the Creative Director, Keith, presented new ideas to his account last week. So we're going to present new ideas to them with Herb.'


Bernard

'Done. Might want to go after getting that Keith person here. Let's eat. I'm hungry.'

A pigeon flew off the ledge outside Bernard's window...making room for another to roost.

The Creative Director & the Chrysler Building outside his window.

The silver, ornate spire of the Chrysler Building almost out-dazlled John's Creative Director. Keith's long, blonde, permed shoulder-length hair, animation and enthusiasm for future projects made John feel accomplished - when he'd actually accomplished very little.

On the wall, a minmalistic ad comprised of a drawing of a PC with the title 'Masterpiece'.

Gestering to the ad

John

"That's great.'

Keith

'Yes, I won some award for that. Disney went very well. We're going to make a great team.'

John

'Cool.'

Keith

'What you and David came up with for Cindy is fine. I just have to adjust somethings...a little refining. I'm confident we'll keep that account. I have a relationship with them too.'

John

'What will happen to Herb?'

Keith

"He'll be a 40 something guy with no accounts.'

John

'But he'll still be here?'

Keith

'No.'

John

'How long has he been here?'

Keith

'He was a lifer...I thought. At least 15 years. You cross Bernie...you are out'

John

'So where will he go?'

Keith

'The other Bernie will hire him for a while...see what business he can pull.'

John

'What a business.'

Keith

"actually John...it's a none-of-your-business.'

A woman punctuates New York City glamor.

David

'I just saw Herb in the hall and smiled. We're stabbing him in the back-right in front of his face..'

John

'What? Well if he took the account and jumped agencies, wouldn't people here lose jobs? And he came to work here AND met with that other Bernie person right?'

David

'Yes but...'

John

'So...'

David

'Anyway, I think we've got what we need. And I've got a couple of days to work on it.....which is good.''

John shuts off his PC.

'Later'

It's funny how with all the buildings in New York City, you can still see the moon rise John thinks as he walks to Penn Station. Wide Park Avenue sparkles with white tree lights in the center isle and along the street. 5th Avenue looks glamorous and the Empire State Building defines New York City, looks like this big friend and a masterpiece at the same time. Looking north on Broadway, the lights of Times Square light up entire buildings and splash bright colors onto the streets like liquid neon.

John thinks, I don't know about being able to make it anywhere. But it means something to make it here, The white string lights running up from the grand, Herald Square entrance of Macy's are like a light house, leading John to Penn Station and home. At a Macy's window, a tall, thin woman with black hair pulled tight. She wears gold hoop earings, a short, white jacket, black blouse and long, very tight white skirt with a revealing slit up her leg. Her razor thin high heels are gold.  The light from Macy's window lights up her skirt's front, making the back of her skirt in grays and the outline of her butt round.

Her body looks like an exclamation point John thinks. Oh great, 'you look like punctuation to me miss.' Just as well you will never meet her or talk to her.

Still, she's an exciting end to a glamorous New York day. Glamorous because glamour only exists in your head when you create. Doesn't matter whether you are talking about a person, concept or lifestyle. The reality, John thinks is, at least I'm getting to work with New York talent. David Goldstein is New York talent. And I like Goldstein's morals. His  sense of right and wrong is always there. We're a good team. We helped save a big account... and loss a bit of our souls. Oh, screw it. I'll be moral tomorrow. Today was a glam fest.

A stampeed of one...maybe she's from the Westside..

Blythe to John

'You'll be working in here today with David.'

John

'O.K. That was fun on Friday.'

Blythe makes a shush gesture and brings John into a small office with two desks. John sees offices come to life across Lexington Avenue as lights are switched on.  David comes in about a half hour later.'

David

"Ahhh. Did we have bad dreams about a cat eating the head off of mice?'

John

.Yes we did. I think I'm more of a Times Square, Mid-Town kinda guy.'

David

"Ah....regarde le sophisticate, We talking Planet Hollywood, ESPN? Hard Rock Cafe?'

John

'Yes, I do like all that themed stuff. I like the art...'

David

'Like walking on a set. You are such a child. Follower'

John

'Yes Moses. Except with the ad ideas or writing.  But in life? Who's my daddy? Everyone.'

Cindy, Bernie's Sister-in-Law charges into the office. In her long, bulky fur coat and white cowboy boots, at a glance she looks like a charging buffalo. John thinks of a western voice over to a scene of buffalo running on the Great Plains: to the white man, this is the dawn of an era. To my people, it was but the sunset. To the poor buffalo, it was one bitch shooting at him or another. 

Hel-loooo.' She waves a funny hand in front of John to break him out of his daydream.

'So I don't have to tell you this is a top secret pitch.'

She throws a file on David's desk. He opens it.

David

'This is Herb's account.'

Cindy

'It's the agency's account and I'm not having one of these discussions David. I'm going there Friday, so you have to create a multi-media campaign ready by Thursday, It has to work across multi-media platforms.'

Cindy to John

'Disney asked how much we'd charge for the radio spot you wrote.'

John

'That's so cool...Disney is awesome.'

David

'Disney is awesome...you are good with words.'

John laughing

'Shut up David.'

Cindy

'Anyway you know what they've approved in the past David. So let's give them more of that plus something dfferent. Enjoy.'

Cindy leaves with a happy wave.

John

'I like her. She's soo nice.'

David

'No one here is nice. And I'm not having this discussion with you again. They want the same thing and something different. Don't you just love the direction you get from Account Executives?'

John sets a line on Barnegat Bay-Bernie uses one in New York

Barnegat Bay was miiror smooth as John dropped two crab cages off the bulkhead on Barnegat Bay. He layed on the dock to watch the crabs move in for the bait, as his cell phone rang...'David'.

John

'Hey'

David

'Just about to play butt ball. There's a fat-cat golfer just about to bend over and take his golf ball out of the hole.'

John hears a 'swoosh'....and David laughing.

David yelling

'Sorry'

John

'You know you are sick.'

David

'Works for me. I'm the moral authority all week long at Bernie's.'

John

'k  But maybe we can be all moral and creative because there's other ambitious, ruthless people to build the ad agencies.'

David

'Easy to say if you keep your job.'

John

'...at least Bernie hired me in the first place...'

David

'You are hopeless. Oh well, so many butts to hit...so little time. What are you  doing.'

John

'Crabbing.'

David

'Oh, so you do have a girl.'

John

'Goodbye Goldstein.'

David

'See you tomorrow.'

John kiddingly

'Not if I see you first.'

A blue crab goes into the crab cage. In New York, Bernie uses the line of money to get one Account Executive to  pitch the account of another Account Executive who secretly interviewed at arch rival Bernard Stein Agency.

An antenna for communicating with aliens and bird-feeder squirrel blocker

John crosses Ocean Boulevard with his surfboard under his arm.Aunt Margaret is on the front porch and walking down the steps.

Aunt Margaret

What do you think

She gestures towards the birdfeeder which now has 5 sharp rods and a triangle metal hood on it.

Aunt Margaret

'That ought to stop the squirrels.'

John

'...and contact aliens.'

The metal edges glisten in the sun...like a razor sharp prison fence.

John

'Could a squirrel become impaled on that...and hang there..I don't know. I'm just asking.'

Aunt Margaret

'Oh God, I'd never hurt an animal. Help me take this down.'

John and Aunt Margaret take the metal squirrel blocker down and rehang the bird feeder. John walks up the steps and leans his surf board against the porch wall. He and Aunt Margaret go inside. Before the front screen door slams...the squirrels are back on the feeder. They win. Squirrels always win.

Inside the house is innaculate and something is cooking in the kichen. This is always dicey with Aunt Margaret because she was always a career-kinda-person...not domestic except when it comes to cleaning-Virgo you know.

Aunt Margaret

'I've made home made chicken soup. Your father's friend Sol Zemmel dropped the koscher chicken  off.'

John

"This fast? I thought it took a lot of time to make broth,'

John sees Aunt Helen is in the kitchen at the table with a bowl of soup.'

John

'Hey Aunt Helen. Is that good?'

Helen

'Nooo.'

Aunt Margaret

What do you mean?'

Aunt Helen

'I means yes...'

John goes over to the chicken pot.'

John

Oh, this chicken is pink. And it;s just in water....there's fat floating...'

Aunt Margaret

'The vegetables are boiled.'

John

'How 'bout we cook the chicken for later and ...they opened a Papa'a Johns across the bay.'

Aunt Helen

"That sounds good.'

Aunt Margaret

'Oh Helen...'

Aunt Helen to John

'I keep saying the wrong thing.'

Aunt Helen was the better cook, when she focused on lighting the gas piolet and not talking to Aunt Margaret AND lighting the oven.  That got her blown across the kitchen once.

The pizza looked more like a life saver to John the more he thought about it.

Sliding down a water mountain.

Taking that wave on a blue surfboard
Standing up/balancing on a collapsing water mountain.
Leaning right  - wave curls overhead
shooting down inside a waterfall
Using right hand, fingers stretch, hit wave/slow down/move up the curl
Looking through telescope of blue/green water
Feeling calf and ankle muscles react like shock absorbers
Shooting up the water mountain
Catching air, feeling feet slip on the surfboard
Falling backwards off a cliff-almost
Twisting left-heading straight down the wave's slope
Churning white water, foaming over surfboard's edge
Laying down on the surfboard -gliding into white foamy, shallow water
Grabbing surfboard's edge-arm hair shines with gleaming-golden sunshine
salt air fills lungs
exhale-sigh

You just have to be ready for the next wave.

The sun dawns over the Atlantic like a red Gummy Bear. Melting on the ocean, the sun turns the wave crests crimson as they break on the white sand. Reaching further,the dawn stretches and yawns across the dunes, boardwalk, and Ocean Boulevard in Seaside Park New Jersey. Peaking into the window of John's Aunt's Victorian, it finds John spralled on his bed with an open bag of Gummy Bears on his pillow.

John opens his eyes, eats a few Gummy Bears, puts on a Disney World shirt and boarder shorts and heads downstairs. The ocean breeze is blowing the lace curtains in the parlor. His Aunt's house is filled with antiques, the steamer trunk his grandmother brought with her from Ireland, A big, oak table with massive, carved legs, framed immigration documents on the walls plus some of John's ocean paintings. He hears water running in the kitchen...Aunt Margaret must be washing dishes in the kitchen.

John's eyes widen as he sees an empty, country kitchen with a beautiful, waterfall: the kitchen sink over-floowing on to the tiny tiled floor. John runs over to shut the faucet off. His hand gets soap on it because Aunt Margaret puts soap on the faucet that is touched by dirty hands. John turns and runs out of the slippery-soaked kitchen and onto the back deck to get a mop and bucket. He sees his aunt laughing with a neighbor. His aunt waves and sees John frantically grabbing the bucket and mop.

Aunt Margaret to the neighbor

'Oh, he's very clean...especially for a boy.'

John runs back into the kitchen and mops up the mess as a gentle, salty breeze makes the Irish lace curtains blow. Surf may be up with a breeze like that John thinks.

John runs out onto the back deck, grabs his surboard and waves to his aunt and the neighbor. The purple and pink flower border at their feel blow in the breeze. John walks fast across Ocean Boulevard as a yellow jeep wrangler with a red sur board beeps hello a it passes him. John waves back as he walks up a short ramp to the boardwalk. He heads onto a wooden walkway between the dunes. The ocean breeze blows back his blonde hair as he sees a trackless white sandy beach and good sized waves.   

John lays his surboard down on the sand and grabs the wax bar from his back pocket. He waxes his board, looks around and sees he is totally alone on the beach. That won't last he thinks as he puts the wax bar back into his back pocket and buttons it. As he walks into the salty water, the ocean feels a little cool on his ankles, thighs, waist and entire body. He jumps on the board and just misses a beautiful wave for riding. He remembers how missing those kinds of waves became a philosophy of life. When you miss out on something, or life is bad, you have to hang on and ride it out. There always is another wave. You have to be ready for it. And being ready for the nextwave creates hope. And I for one need hope John thinks as he gets up on the board to surf.

East Village Edginess

As the drinks went down..the lights of the city came up, sparkling with spotlight on architectually interesting roof tops and splashing fountains.

Laurie to John

'You look like a little boy I could tie up and do whatever I want to.'

John laughs.

Laurie

"I'm Laurie. A bunch of us are going dancing down in the village.'

John

'I don't really dance but I'll come hang out.'

A lot of the gang pour into two cabs. John's mind is getting a little foggy as he sees the buildings get progressively smaller and shorter. Soon the cab has stopped and the gang is running down the street and into this non-descript black doorway. The walls are painted black as is the bar. Most of the patrons are wearing all black. John is wearing an orange Daytona Beach t-shirt and jeans. Above the black dance flloor, is a black and white film showing a cat eating the head off a mouse.-over and over. These two girls grab John onto the empty dance fllor. John figures he'll just dance with them. But soon, they are freezing in motion like statues. John stops, not knowing what to do. David is bent over laughing. Stacey goes onto the dance foor, grabs John's hand and pulls him off the dance floor to the bar. John looks around, there are homeless people in the bar who are wearing layers of clothes and winter coats, act disturbed and smell.

John

'I don't like this place.'

Stacey

'It's one of the city's hot spots for young broadway types.'

David

'We'll protect you Johnny.'

Laurie

'I love piercings. Bernie doesn't allow any.'

Stacey

'Wouldn't want an ad agency look creative.'

David

"The agency isn't creative...we are.'

Stacey

'Gawd.'

David to John

'Bernie tells clients he has creative centers nationwide....most just have an artist. You'll be getting calls from all over....including London.'

John

'Bloody brilliant. I'd rather be flying over London on Peter Pan's ride in DisneyWorld.'

David

'You are in for the ride of your life at Bernie's World.'

Stacey

'Shut up and kiss me.'

Stacey kisses David.

John

'Can't say I didn't see that coming.'

Laurie grabs John's hand.

Laurie

'We're dancing.'

Laurie and John dance. Aot of people around them have designed their own out- fits. Some look cool with big pins and piercings. Even the boots have novle tops....some looking like leather basket weaves.

John feels an arm on his shoulder.

David

'We're leaving'

Laurie

'You can crash at my place in Murray Hill.'

John

'No. I'm going surfing tomorrow. I'm going to head home.  It was fun.'

Laurie

'O.K. head home before you turn into a pumpkin princess.'

John

"Look, my shirt's already turning orange.'

Spilling drinks & conversation on each other

The gang just looked so attractive, John thought as he looked across the bar-with the back drop of the city beyond. But more than anything, the fun, 'vacation spot' feel of the decor was relaxing.

Blythe

'Oh, don't worry, we have people covering in case Bernie calls. They'll shut off your PC too.'

John

'Oh great. Funny...first there's lot's of supervision at the agency, then there's none.'

Blythe

'No we're just good at surviving the agency.'

John sips his salted margarita.

David to John

'You have salt on your lip.'

John

'Back off, salt lick boy.'

David laughs, winks and gestures with his eyes towards Stacey. He leans in and whispers in her ear. Stacey tries to compose herself as if her drink went up her nose. The over-sized, red, blue and light green drinks-plus the yellow Coronas with green limes, sparkle in the late afternoon sunlight-streaming through the windows.People don't look this good. In his hometown bar, John thinks. There is a picture of John Wayne, an American Eagle-all on wood paneling. Men with bellies that enter a room before the rest of their body do, sit on black stools with studs. These are working guys who fished for a living or fixed boats and cars. The people at Rio were willowy...looking like they were less apt to hold their ground in a wind storm. So it was not surprising that topics and conversation spilled as casually as an over-filled margarita.

John to Tony

'So spill it. How do you survive Bernie.'

Tony

'Do your job. Someone said you live down the shore?'

John sips his drink.

John

'Yeah.'

Tony

'Then you know how to tread water.  Bernie wins...always.  Keep pleasing clients...getting business.'

John

'Writing is really my thing...the rest of living...not so much.'

Tony takes a big sip of his blue margarita.

Tony

"...and if you take an account from the Bernard Stein Agency....that's big. Bernie hates Bernie.'

John

'Yeah, what's up with that?'

Tony

'Stein came from Sutton Place.  Our Bernie from Brooklyn. He became a traffic person, getting ads to magizines and newspapers, then assistant account executive, then a great sales person who just took over our agency by threatening to leave it...and take his accounts with him. So the owner sold it to him. Now he gets a piece of everything. And in New York, everyone has their own deal...they're on 100% commission and get billed back for pitches. In the branch offices, no one is on just commission. New York is tough. And Bernie respects tough. So don't wimp out'

John

"Sounds like he's in control of everything...'

Tony

'Well, we don;t have to stay...we're not slaves.'

John

'Not in this life...'

TEX/MEX and a New York City skyline

Stacey comes up behind David and John and put her hands on their shoulders.


Stacey

'You can't do McDonalds today...Bernie is out of town and Keith.
Party at Rios.'

David to John

"Oh that's right. You'll love Rios. Half of it is a Mexican restaurant and half of it is Texan.'

Stacey

"Yeah, but the gang never makes it past the bar.'

Tanya, a pretty Black woman from the Virgin Island runs up.

Tanya

'..and those frozen margaritas.

Stacey

'Hey, have you met John.'

Tanya

"No. But anyone who can please Hoffman on his first day...'

John

'Really?'

Tanya

"Yeah, they're going ahead with the focus group on the three ads.'

Stacey

'So no McDonald's today. Besides, first you are living large, eating at McDonald's then you're living supersized.'

David

' Rio's is an important part of a heart healthy diet.'

With that,Tony, a big, super-friendly, Black guy from accounting with a broad smile joins them.

David to Tony

'Tony is there so much...people think he;s a greeter.'

Blythe joins them as Tony is introduced to John. She whispers to John.

Blythe

'Bernie is happy with you...for now...the Disney team likes the radio spot you did. They're going to move you in into that area in front of Keith's office. It's more out of the way than where you are...'

Tony

'In the hall. Isn't it great seeing people crash into each other at that corner by you.'

John

"I do think that's funny...isn't that aweful?

John to Blythe

'The entire Disney company...everything they've created should be a national treasure I'm glad I even just got to do the radio spot for them"

The gang of friends head towards a glass-walled restaurant with a big buffalo hanging over the bar with a flag of Texas. And beyond, Mexican tile and pottery.

Blythe

"Anyway, you'll be getting work from the California offices...on the big pitches. The more Account Executives like you...the more Bernie likes you. He believes 'water seeks it's own level'.


David to John

'Margarita's seek their own level too.'

Q: Ever feel people are in your life for a reason? A: I dated a salt lick once.

The mood on Friday's in the agency is much quieter. John handles a few ad/headline requests and it's time for lunch he thinks.

David and John meet in the lobby, and almost instantly, the elevador comes.

David

'Well, they got rid of the guy in DC.'

John

'...work with him a lot?'

David

"Few times a month,'

John

'See, I'm not defending anyone or saying I don't care how someone acts. I just don't  feel in control of...much. And I think you can grow by being around people who aren't so...nice. I think people are in our lives for a reason. Did you ever feel like that?

David

'This girl and I used to meet at Rio. Half the restaurant is Mexican and half is Texan. So we'd go there and eat salty chips and salted margaritas-and we'd kiss....salty kisses. So basically, I dated a salt lick.'

John

'Well, there you go.'

David

'No, here I go.'

The elevador doors open and they walk out.

David

'O.K. spill it. I basically believe if you are a woman and God tells you not to look and you do...you are turned into a pillar of salt...which you know I find attractive in a woman...and you?'

John

'I'm Catholic in this life. But I our souls are born again to gain the insight into....universal....goodness...so when we die we are closer to the ultimate good....God. I mean if you aren't close to God in life...how can you be close to him in death?'

David

'I'm like'n my pillar of salt more and more. Wanna do McDonalds?'

The family rents a race track.

As John rounds the corner of Lexington and 41 Street, he sees David walking towards him.

John

'What-up Goldstein?'

That family. They have me get rid of the DC artist, really because he's sick, and they go off to North Carolina to race their Ferraris. They rented an entire race track.

At that moment, Bernie, his wife and three sons are having their pictures taken by a professional photographer. They have racer jump suits on and smile, and gesture thumbs up. The family jumps into their Ferraris and open them up past the empty Grand Stand and light towers. As they round the final bend, the photographer takes action shots.

John and David walk into 360 Lexington.

John

'But Bernie gave me a job. I couldn't create an agency and hire myself.'

David

'That's not the point. I'm talking morals.'

John

'Well I'm glad I work with you and I already consider you a friend. And be happy for me. Things went really well at the recording studio.'

David

'Well, that's good.'

John

'The actress and engineer made it better than the way I pictured it.'

David

'Well that's the way it should work.'

In DC the Art Director puts his coffee cup, pictures and gag toys in a box. After working at the agency for 10 years, he enters the elevador and leaves for the last time. He was fired for poor  job performance.

Mid town recording studio -mad respect for actors and recording engineers

The building where the recording studio was looks so normal from the outside. But when the elevador doors opened, John walked into the coolest black, red and chrome world. The furniture, the lighting and the receptionist we so New York City slick/creative. Once inside, John felt like an insider. There was a leather lounge with free soft drinks and snacks. Beyond, a hall with doors to recording studios. He almost forgot he had one hour to record the spot at $1,000 an hour. What if the actress didn't show up? Or the engineer? Just then a skinny, busy guy ran up to John.

Engineer

'You John? I'm Josh.'

John

'Melissa is already here. She has some great ideas.'

John walks into the recording studio and sees a glassed-in, sound proof,  small room and beyond a big board of electronics, slightly elevated, facing the booth. A stunningly beautiful red haired woman greets him.

Melissa

'John?  Melissa Goz. I have such great ideas for your script.'

John

'k'

Melissa

"I figure Disney wants like professional couples with kids...'cause o the cost right.'

John

'k'

Melissa

'And corporate people aren't good at acting cool. So I'm gonna do it like a woman trying to be cool.'

Josh

'And I'm gonna add cool music in the background.'

Melissa

'So together...it's like an inside joke to the audience can relate to...trying to be cool to your kids. 'Cause the copy points are all there.'

Josh does a forgetaboutit wave.

Josh

'The copy points are alll there. It's great.'

John

'k'

Josh

"Let's do this.'

Josh guides John to the control board.

Melissa goes down a step and into the sound proof recording booth.

Josh points out a button.

Josh

'Press this if you want to talk to Melissa.'

Melissa has ear phones on and a microphone in front of her.

Josh

'Ready to do a run through?'

Melissa

'Ready'

Melissa's voice sounds a bit like the characters in Charlie Brown's Christmas. Almost like a school play. So the words sound like an amature being cool.

'Before the pixie dust settles.
They're too old for tea cups spinning 'round kettles.
Pirates ship-out for girlfriends
Cinderella & Minnie are no longer BF's best friends
& electrical parades yield to parades of teens
Before we miss what 'family' means.
There's a place as magical as you've heard.
Disneyland.
Word.

Melissa changes to an announcer's voice who sounds like she is  ready to break into laughter-total fun.

Melissa

'Plan your Disneyland trip by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx Or go online: Disneyland.com'

John thinks. Thank God she caught that...I wrote 'you heard' instead of 'you've heard'. That's the script Keith sent over.

Josh to John

'How much do you love the meter of that?'

John

'k'

Josh

'You heard the man. Let's record.'

Melissa

'Melissa Goz, Disneyland pitch.

Before the pixie dust settles.
They're too old for tea cups spinning 'round kettles.
Pirates ship-out for girlfriends
Cinderella & Minnie are no longer BF's best friends
& electrical parades yield to parades of teens
Before we miss what 'family' means.
There's a place as magical as you've heard.
Disneyland.
Word.'

Melissa in fun announcer voice.

'Plan your Disneyland trip by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx Or go online: Disneyland.com'

Josh presses button to talk to Melissa.

'That was great Melissa.'

Josh to John

'Let's play it back. I'll put it on speaker.'

The radio spot plays.

Josh

'Perfect. I'll have to take out a few breaths...tighten it up.'

John

'o.k.'

Josh

'You're done. One-shot-Goz.'

Melissa comes out of booth and reaches up to shake John's hand.

Melissa

'Great spot.'

John

'Thank you sooo much. You are soo talented.'

Melissa

'Thanks. Later Josh.'

Josh

'Good to see you again.'

John

'You know here.'

Josh

'We did some spot for something.'


Melissa leaves. Josh is playing the recording and taking out breaths.

Josh

'Wanna get a soda before we search for music?'

John

'Alright. Be right back.'

I can't believe how well this is going John thinks as he gets a soda. Another guy, all in black, is there in a black, red and chrome decorated lounge. The walls are covered with recording awards..

Guy in black

'Recording sessions. Brutal.'

John

'Yeah. I love it though.'

John goes to leave break lounge.

Guy in black

'Gotta love it.'

Back in the studio, Josh has put three songs to the back of the spot. He plays them and John can't believe how sophisticated and nuanced the result.

John

I think the second one...it's not mocking her and yet...it's teasing her.

Josh

'Exactly. Well then I'll be sending this off to California. Your boss will get one instantly and a back-up CD version tomorrow.

John

'Josh, thank you sooo much. This came out so much better than I ever imagined it.'

Josh

'Thanks. That's my aim.'

John's head is spinning as he leaves the dark, quiet studio and onto a sunny, noisy New York City scene. He thinks, if anyone says they made it totally on their own...

'Not enough Black people at Disney...but Mickey is Black...kinda.'

As soon as David and John step off the elevador, Keith is there, holding the double doors to the office open.

Keith

'Have to brief you right away.'

John follows Keith into a corner office with a view of the Chrysler Building, one block away.

Keith

'Nice right?'

John

'Really...iconic.'

Keith

'I'm going to pitch Hoffmann today. Seen it?

John

'It's great. David...'

Keith

'I had to rethink the art side. I'm o.ok. with it now.'

John

'oh'

Keith

'You have to write a kinda rap radio spot promoting Disneyland for Black tourists. They aren't getting enough Black tourists. Nothing that can be taken the wrong way...no sex, drugs etc. Then tomorrow you will go here and get an actress to record it.'

John

'But Mickey Mouse is Black...kinda. Well, from the back.'

Keith rolls his eyes and hands John a piece of paper.

Keith

'The recording studio is off Vanderbelt. It's a few blocks from here near Grand Central. The name of the engineer you'll use is on there too. He's great, he works with MTV a lot. He'll pick out the background music...hip, urban. He'll also email the finished file to me and burn a cd of it and ship it Fed Ex to me in California. Here's the management company you'll call to book the actress. Do that as soon as you get back to your desk.'

Keith hands John another piece of paper with the management company's number on it.

Keith

'Do this before any thing else.'

John

'K. Cool.'

John walks fast back to his desk. Assistants are running in and out of the art room, David is arguing with one to 'just sell it' and other assistants are running up to Blythe who is answering Bernie's phones.

John calls the management company and books Mellisa Goz. God I hope she knows what she is doing because I don't...John thinks. He fires off a few ads to various Account Executives, AE's, and very quickly his email 'bings' with approvals. Disneyland. Well, I've been to the Magic Kingdom. He hits the Internet, Disney, and starts taking notes.

Peter Pan...fly over London....cruise with pirates....haunted mansion, abomidable snowman, teacups, rocket, main street, electrical parade, tiki birds, mickey mouse ears, balloons, tinker bell, sevem dwarfs, snow white, cinderela, princess, prince charming, rocketships tomorrowland, adventure land, jungle cruise, frontierland, new orleans square,

John writes

Before the pixie dust settles.
And they're too old for riding in tea cups around kettles

John crosses out 'And they're' and writes

'Before the pixie dust settles.
They're too old for tea cups spinning 'round kettles.
Pirates ship-out for girlfriends
Cinderella & Minnie are no longer BF's best friends
& electrical parades yield to parades of teens
Before we miss what 'family' means.
There's a place as magical as you heard.
Disneyland.
Word.

ANNOUNCER

Plan your Disneyland trip by calling xxx-xxx-xxxx Or go online: Disneyland.com

Says Disneyland 3 times John thinks. k. He prints it out and runs back to Keith's office.

Keith

'Why are you back. It's been an hour. Did you call the management company? Did you at least get started on the radio spot? You have to record it tomorrow you know. The studio is around $1,000 an hour-we pay no matter if we are there or not.'

John hands Keith the script.

John

'Hope it's good.'

Keith

'I like it. The music will make it hip. It's sentimental.'

John

'Oh sorry.'

Keith

'Disneyland is sentimental.'

John

'Disneyland. Word.'

'Yeah, but Donald Duck doesn't wear pants.'

Stacey

'Well, thanks to our new, fabulous writer...I'm off to Hoffmann with the gang.'

John

'Thanks Stace.  you guys are so nic...make me feel relaxed...puts me at my best.'

David

'They're not nice.

Stacey

'To nice  people..'

David

'Where are you from? Quit sucking up.'

John to Stacey

'Sometimes I like saying something nice, truthful, but nice. I call it verbal healing...'

Stacey

'Yeah.'

Stacey to David

'Where are you from?'

David

'Western New York State. The Finger Lakes region. Guess which finger?'

John laughing

'The thumb...you usually walk around with your thumb up your ass. '

Stacey stands up and brushes her skirt off.

Stacey

'With that, I'm off to Hoffman.'

Stacey to John

'I'll call in to tell you how it went.'

Stacey turns and walks down the hill back to the office. The yellow, white and blue pattern mirrors the blue sky against yellow autumn trees that line the street.

John

'That dress reminds me of when I look up at the yellow leaves and see the blue sky above.'

David

'You wanna look up Stacey's dress?'

John looks sarcastically at David.

They walk back to the office.

David

'Keith is going to present. Should be some ride out there.'

John

'I'm surprised. Keith said he didn't want to deal with them.'

David

'Bernie asked him to go sell it. Then he goes to pitch Disneyland.'

John

"love Disney....especially the background art.'

David

'Good 'cause you are going to write a rap-type radio spot. Nothing sexual. Remember, Disney characters have no adult buldges.'

John

'But Donald Duck runs around in just a shirt and hat...no pants. In fact, his girlfriend Daisy just wears a bow in her hair, shirt and high heels...no pants.'

David

'That's hot.'

Brown Bagdad it! Iraqis take out!

David

'Meet me in the lobby. Quick before they give you more ads.'

John heads out to the lobby. Bernie is there with his wife.

Bernie to David

'Why all the black every day.'

David

'Creatives often where black...it's so the focus is on the art.'

Bernie-pointing at John

'Explain that.'

John is wearing an orange big khauna surf shirt and jeans

John

'I think you either have lot's of ideas or you don't. Has nothing to do with clothes.'

Bernie to David

'He's got your department backed up. Told you, I want a factory with pitches going out.'

Elevador doors open and they get in. No one talks. When they get out they separate.

David to John

'Factory...oh inspire me.'

John

'I'm just glad I can do t.'

They cross Lexington and walk down a side street with trees.

John

'A hill in Manhattan.'

David

''Murray Hill. Where do you live?'

John

'Seaside Heights.'

David

'Where the MTV house was.  And rides. So on your resume under skills, do you have that you can say: do you want to go faster?'

John

'No. That's what your girlfriend has over her bed.'

David

'Ooo, What the hell does that mean.' John smiles and shruggs his shoulders. 'This is an Iraqi deli.'

Inside there's little Middle Eastern touches, beads, shelves with jugs with geometric designs on them, Muslim symbols near the window and a black board with specials.

John

'David I'lll have  what you are having...just tell me what I owe you.'

Back in the sunlight, they walk pass some private residences, up the hilll to Lexington and up further to the steps John thought would be a good place to eat. Not unlike monkeys, some aggressive suit types are seated at the highest steps.

David hands John a picture of a guy bending ober a golf hole to retrieve his ball and getting hit in the butt with a golf ball.

John

'What's this?'

Just keep clicking.

John clicks the forward button. John sees another man getting hit in the butt as a caddy rolls on the ground, laughing.


John

'Oh my God. You really play that a-hole golf...

David

'A hole in one A-hole.'

John laughs

'You're sick.'

David

'Why? What do you do for fun.'

John

'Your mother.'

David

'First my sister now my mother. It might be funny if my mother were still with me.'

John

'Oh, I'm sorry.'

David

'Why? She likes living over in Brooklyn.'

John

'Ass.'

Stacey

'See, less than one day and he already has you pegged. Can I sit?'

David

'Can you? Are you able to?'

Stacey sits

''Ending questions with prepositions much?'

John

'You're both well-spoken.

Stacey

'See David. He knows how to make nice.'

David

'It's his first day.  Fuck you comes on day two.'

Stacey

Bernie likes him. Says he's gonna be a cash cow. Mooo.'

John

'Oh my God. I was making fun of  pushy business people and saying someone should say 'moo.''

David

'Please learn to speak New York. It's 'oh my Gawd. And you pronounce the 'g' on Long Island where Stacey lives.'

Stacey

"Oh, you don't need to pronounce Long Island. "Cause you will never, ever be invited to my house.'

David

'Hummis You like'n the food Johnny boy?'

John

"yeah. It's different to me.'

David looks at his flat bread sandwich.

David

'They used to have a little dog running around there. Wonder where that dog is.'

Stacey laughing

'Borderline racist. Yo're sick.

John

'I love dogs.'

David

'Bar-b- qued?'

John laughs.

David 'woofs' and acts like he's going to lick John's face. John pulls back.

John looks out towards Park Avenue.

John

'I can't believe I'm a writer in New York City.'

Stacey

'A good one.'

John

'Stacey you are sooo nice. I'm so sensitive, it helps being around nice people.'

Stacey

'Ahh..'

David

'In New York, everyone is on 100% commission on the ads, commercial media bills. In the outer offices they are on salary. The out of town offices are nicer because they are just desparate for ideas. Here, they are more demandng.'

Stacey

'But people like him.'

David

'Until something goes wrong.'

Stacey

'David stop. It's the kid's first day. You'll do great...I know.'

David

'Oh, I think you will too. Bernie is not nice.'

David to Stacey

'He's making me find a replacement for DC's artist..he thinks he has aides.'

Stacey

'David as your friend...I'm telling you again just to do it and shut up about it. They have a file of pitches that didn't go through in DC. So it's officially, job performance.'

David

'Oh that's such bull hit and you know it.'

Stacey

'I know he's going to be out regardless...so shut up.'

Stacey to John

'We're taking your ads to Hoffmann this afternoon.'

John

'Wow. That was fast.'

Stacey

'They've been waiting. We had a lot of crappy writers.'

David

"linda was awe-----some.'

Stacey

'Awesome? More like get some....

Stacey to John

'She had little ideas and big tits. She was the last person David was allowed to hire.'

David

'Awe-some.'