When Nian feeds...

John

'The month before the legendary Chinese monster Nian is banished, is a dangerous time in advertising...'

David

'What are you talking about...'

John

'Chinese New Years. It celebrates...'

David

'Wait, wait, wait. You were reading up on Scientology and the Muslim thing. And I thought you were working on the image ad for Schwartz Media Services?'

John

'I am..but I was also reading about the Chinese New Year...didn't you ever wonder about the noise, red and dragon...'

David

'No'

John

'Well I was thinking about the feeding frenzy that goes on in advertising in December...as soon as it gets a little slow..they fire. It's like some monster is feeding.'

David

'A fortune cookie....with just a cast shadow. An eight ball.

John

'A fortune teller's ball. That's one assignment down...kinda.'

David

'That's good. So instead of one ad for the agency. We do a series of three, 1/3rd of a page. How our Media can see the future and predict where the most eyes will be for clients.'

John

'Ooo, the power of three...'

David

'We talk'n Charmed?'

John

'That just came out.'

A homeless man finds a duck caller.

John looks poor. His work attire consists of old jeans and a casual shirt. His coat is old but warm. He plans to buy a new one when he feels secure in his job...if he lives that long. The commuters walking cross town in designer business attire don't have the luxury of wearing jeans. They are judged by their appearance as much as for their ideas or work. And they judge people the same way.

Still, John can't help but notice the $800 shoes walking past homeless people living on the sidewalk on carboard boxes. Today, the temperature and moisture is exactly right to turn the streets of Manhattan into an ice skating rink. The expensive shoes make walking nearly impossible.

John doesn't see the homeless man as he walks sure-footedly past him in old, rubber-soled boots.

Homeless man to John

'Watch me son.'

A 30 something man in navy blue, long suit coat over a pinstripped suit is carefully, crossing the street on shiney shoes. The homeless man creeps up behind the business man, pulls a thing out of his raggy coat that makes the loud sound of a duck.

*Quaaaaaaaaaack*

Startled, the business man jumps a little and falls completely on his butt. His unopened brief case slides across W37th Street.

The homeless man looks at John-laughing. John thinks, well if it walks like a duck... John tries to stop laughing, looks to see if the businessman is o.k. John sees him getting up. John puts his scarf over his face and laughs more. John's sneakers enable him to keep up with the homeless man; who is moving fast. It's a train wreck during a 'same boring commute' and John has to see how this is going to workout. Should he warn the same aggressive people that push him out of the way every morning to get off the train?

Being, John guesses a feminist, the homeless man sneaks behind a business woman and blows his duck caller.

*quaaaack*

The woman jumps spins on her heels like a modern dance routine as things are flung out of her over-stuffed purse.

At W37th and 5th, the homeless man's actions get the attention of a young, reed-thin cop who just happens to come around the corner to catch his antics.

The homeless man sneaks behind a heavy set man crossing the street.

*quaaaaaaack*

The heavy set business man is startled. He yells at the cop.

 'Do something. I pay your salary...'

Young cop yells a well-thought out command to the homeless man.

'Hey'

Cop goes to run, but his shiney shoes are not made for ice and  his legs do a man-split-his crotch not quite hitting the ground.

The homeless man runs out of sight.

John helps the cop up.

'You o.k.'

Young cop

'What a worthless jerk'

John

'Yeah, sometimes I hate these pushy business people.'

Young cop rolls his eyes at John

Year of the Rabbit texts Year of the Pig

John looks over David's shoulder and reads his texts.

John

'China Doll?   That sounds fake. You could be texting a guy posing as a woman.'

David

'So I'm a Jew posing as a Chinese guy.'

John

"Better meet her in a really dark place. I don't think you could pass. for Asian.'

David

'Shoot. Do you know how I can answer this?'

John

'That's Chinese Astrology. Oh, she's born in the Year of the Rabbit. You were born in the Year o the Pig. That's compatible. Go, text her that.

David does and gets this text.

China Doll

'ROFL Year of the boar....not pig. We get along.'

David turns to John

'You said pig....it's boar.'

John

'Well if the hoof fits.'

David textes

'So r we going to get together?'

John snorts like a pig.

*snorts*

David

'Stop I'm having a romantic texting moment.'

John puts his mouth near David's ear.

*snort *snort*

Stacey comes in and drops an ad on John's desk.

'I don't even want to know. But I'm sure he deserves it.'

*snorts*

David

'She wants to meet me at this address.'

John

'Google it.'

David

'The Manhole bar'

John

'Year of the Rabbit...meet dumb bunny.'

*Blahaaaaaaaaa*

The Secret Service protects the Vice President of Shopping

The entourage was culled from the minions of the agency: Assistant Account Executives, Assistant Production and Traffic people. They were to be lined up on the curb in front of the Agency awaiting the arrival of Bernie and his wife, the Vice President of Shopping, from Paris. The odd line up of people causes the Secret Service protecting the Afghanistan Northern Alliance, located a floor below Bernie's agency, to scramble into action. Did  the New York Police Department or Northern Alliance fail  to alert them about the arrival of a leader?

Secret Service

'Why were we not told. You may think this is a joke but the Taliban attacked the Northern Alliance three times last week in Afghanistan alone. And the area in front of the Agency is restricted...'

New York Police Department

'We know nothing of any dignitary's arrival.'

Just as the Secret Service strategically located themselves across the street, at the corner of the building and entrance, the Schwartz's pull up in their limo.

Dressed in a squirrel-gray fur coat, the Vice President jumps out with a huge kiss-wave to the entourage-as if they were her fans. Bernie's yellow chains, around his neck, glimmer like the Golden Globes in the sunlight.The Vice President arranges the entourage by height-tallest to shortest-with a Dopey at the end.

Threat assessed and dismissed, the Secret Service talk commands into or listen to their walkie-talkies and go back inside. Bernie leads into the building, next the Vice President of Shopping followed by the little entourage. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go indeed.

As the entourage passes David in the hall, David pictures them like dominos. He knocks the littlest one down, that guy knocks the next person down, and the next, and next until the last guy falls down with his head landing in the Vice President of Shopping's bodacious butt.

David runs in front of John's desk. John is finishing up an ad and emailing it.

David

'Do you believe it. Bernie says no to year-end bonuses and then they fly in from Paris and bring all these shopping bags in here. Flaunting it. His wife has the biggest balls'

John

'Bernie's wife is a man?'

David

'...did you know she's some VP Creative here...collects a salary..and expense...such a rip off. She's the Vice President...of...'

John

'Shopping?'

David

'Makes me jealous.'

John

'You wanna be Bernie's wife?'

David gives John a sarcastic look.

'Vice President of Shopping...yes. Self-centered whore...hello'

VP of Shopping comes in.

'How's my favorite creative team.'

John

'Good. How was Paris? Did you get to the museums...Louvre, Musee D'Orcy...'

VP Shopping

'I hate that stuff. No, we go to have the boys new suits made and eat.'

'Did you hear? We're holding a best decorated desk contest. So string all the Christmas lights and garland you can...have fun.'

She leaves.

David

'They're having that decorating contest because the Stein Agency doesn't put up any decorations..and a bunch of our people followed Barry there when he took the Sony account. They don't want anybody else to leave.'

John

'We lost Sony?'

David

'Don't worry. You weren't blamed.'

John

'How do you know?'

David

'You'd have been fired already.'

'Got a free Quran from the Saudi Arabian Embassy & a book on Scientology.

David's face tightens as he paces in front of John's desk

'You...you, you are like a child. Only you John. Why you gotta be so naive?Only you would hear about radical Muslims bombing the World Trade Center...


John

'Are they Muslims Dave? Would other Muslims consider blowing up people as being a good Muslim. Is Al Qaeda really religious?'

David

'I'm speaking...only you would get a Quran when you hear about Al Qaeda. For the first time...yes?'

John

'Yes. Why not? All the Saudi Arabian Embassy required is for you to give your word that you'd treat it with respect and not read it on the toilet or something. How can I know who the radicals are if I don't know the religion. The Scientology book I just bought on a pop up....it was like if you would like to know about this religion...maybe you'd like to know about that religion...'

Blythe runs in real fast...hands John a piece of paper.

Bythe

'Excuse me. Did you write this?'

John

'Nope'

Blythe

'Good. Bernie's having a fit. The client hated it and left. It was an old Bernie account.'
Blythe runs back out.

David

'You can't be friends with everybody. And you really think people are freinds with you John when it's about business or reaching their goals. They play you. That media woman knew what she was talking about. You are like that with people in the agency too. You are going to find out when one of their clients don't like your writing, they aren't good people or friends. And we can't be friends with Al Qaeda.'

David goes to walk away.

John

'Hey Goldstein. I know you are a true friend. And you always care about the people being hurt by the business. I think you are yelling at yourself. I think you know Muslims and Al Qaeda are two different things and I accuse you of being a loving, caring, people person...'

Dave

'There's no talking to you.'

David goes to walk away.

'Jerk'

John

'Liberal Humanitarian deep down inside.'

Bernie walks in wearing gold chains and an orange dyed, baby seal fur vest.

Bernie to David

'Why always dress in black. You look like you are going to a funeral.

Bernie touch his vest.

'Got this in Paris...baby seal fur..dyed saffron. It's actually illegal.'

David

'It should be.'

Windows on the World...& into a hate-driven soul.

John and David jump out of the cab in front of the World Trade Center. It is a massive complex that takes up so much of Lower Manhattan and seems to take pride in separating itself from the artsy Greenwich Village. This area means business and power.

John looks up.

'Boy are they tall.'

David

'Observant are your eyes...yes.'

John

'Are you going to keep talking like a Yoda-wanna be all day.'

They walk across the broad plaza to the North Tower.

Dave

'Look I not green enough for you to be Yoda? Actually you don't look so good buddy.'

John

'I'm afraid of heights...starting at 6 feet or so.'

Dave

'Well, Windows on the World is on the 106th and 107th floor. But we'll be inside dude. Not like you have to clean the windows.'

John looks up and bends his knees a bit with the thought of having to clean those windows.

They walk through a massive lobby to a massive guard desk. More people work in the World Trade Center than in John's entire town.

They go into the elevadors.

John

'I want to try to enjoy this. See David, this is why I can't hate Bernie. I would never have seen this without him. I'm just going to focus on how he treats me.'

David

'Sounds moral...or not at all. Try not to think about the height. Just focus on charming...put on your PR Event face.'

Just then a man and his son jump into the elevador. As the elevador shoots upward, the man talks to his son.

Man

'You know how elevadors have a big old steel cable holding them up?'

Son

'Yeah, like real thick and big you said so it could never fall right.'

Man

'Well, yeah. But know how windy it is today. These building are soooo big and tall...they have to be able to sway in the breeze. So these elevadors sit on four wheels that grab the sides of the elevador shaft like...ahhh don't let me fall. No cable.'

David is looking at John's scared face and trying not to burst out laughing.

Finally, the doors open and John has worked himself up the point where he can hardly walk out of the elevador.

The bar area extends along the south side of the World Trade tower. John really feels like he is at the edge of America as he looks at the sunset over Jersey, toy boats in the harbor and tiny Statue of Liberty. He thinks of all the adults in his family who sacrificed so he could have the opportunity to experience something like this.

David

'I'm not going to get political but it makes me furious when I think of people we let into this country...who tried to knock these down with a truck bomb.'

John

'Yeah, look David...Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.'

David points to the bar.

'The media people are over there.'

They move closer to the crowd and David hears a conversation he's interested in. John follows.

One woman is talking, the rest seem some-what interested.

Woman

'I said his name is Ahmed Ressam...the millennium bomber, who was caught trying to enter Seattle on a fairy from Vancouver. You know...he was pleading asslym in Canada and while they were deciding he got trained by Al Qaeda in Afghanistan on bombing. He sneaked back into Canada. Then the Mounties were trying to find him but he had changed his name and moved to Vancouver from Montreal. It was dumb luck our border security guard caught him...with 4 times the explosives of the usual car bomb...whatever that is. He was headed for LAX. Anyway, my contact in the Justice Department said he's gonna be sentenced this month.'

John

'Al Qaeda?'

David

'They're the people fighting the people who've rented the office on the floor below ours...the Northern Alliance. Tell me you didn't notice all the secret service guys in our lobby.'

John

'I didn't...'

David

'He daydreams a lot. John's in his own world. But that's o.k....he's a writer. I'm an artist. I have to make the ideas work.'

Woman

'Nice to meet you both. They don't quit. Remember they tried to blow this place up...they don't quit.'

John

'What's the point of having an FBI and CIA? Can seeing people as a 'they' lead to a 'those' people approach to the world...'cause I wasn't raised that way...I mean I tend to see people as individuals and like hearing different beliefs...'

Woman

'They use our laws and rights to play us...especially liberals with your way of thinking John...that's what I think. They play us.'

David

'You don't want to know what I think.'

John

'I think we have to track radicals better...but if we let them change our laws or...not let immigrants in or something...they win.'

David

'He loves everyone. I try to teach him. Don't know what he needs...I need another drink somebody...'

John

'There are benefits to respecting people...the Muslim store owner two doors down from where we work charges me 25 cents for gum 'cause I showed him respect. What does he charge you David?'

David

'Last time I go there for gum.'

Media people laugh.

John

'I mean, you get respect back. David trys to act all tough or conservative or whatever. But he's the one with the moral outrage over things in the Advertising biz.'

David rolls his eyes.

John

'Oh fine. When I get the chance I'll look up Al Qaeda? before they catch them all...so I can be all kinds of worldly like you.'

David

'Baby steps Johnny. Baby steps.'

The media people laugh.

Chasing Camelot

The swirling white sea mist 'neath the street lights made the outline of Hemingway's Cafe all the more welcoming to John. As he reached the yellow lights of the front windows, the ghosts of the past stepped back into the darkness. There was a nice crowd at the bar and his gang roaring at the antics of his friend  Ajdin. He was showing his bare butt and the mark left by the dart Patty accidently stuck in him.

Ajdin

'I never even got shot in Bosnia. I come to America, play darts with friends, get stuck in butt. Is tradition in Ameria?'

Ajdin sees John and they man-hug.

John

'I'd ask how you've been..but...'

Ajdin s.hows his butt

'Not even in Bosnia'

Patty is laughing uncontrolably.

John hugs her with Ajdin.

John laughs

'Maybe we should switch to billards...'

Patty

'Maybe you just want to see my butt, bent over a pool table.'

John points first at her and then at his head.

'You're not wrong...but you aren't right.'

Ajdin

'What?'

Patty

'Not wrong that he wants to see my butt but I'm crazy...not right in the head.'

Ajdin

'Funny huh?'

John

'It would be funny if you had beers in your hands.'

John goes to the bar to get some beers. John returns and hands Ajdin and Patty beers.

Patty

'Ajdin ....Merlin here and I were talking about Camelot Sir Arthur.' 

John

'God, I remember playing that.'

John clicks their beer bottles.

'For the love of Camelot...'

Ajdin

'Yeah, it was fun until there was lot's of love in Camelot.'

Ajdin gestures at John and Patty.

Patty

'Well, what's a girl in Camelot to do. Kiss a dragon?'

John

'Speaking of which. I ran into Ali on the way here...'

Patty

'Still hating on you.'

John

'Her and her gang...although her gang are off to college. I don't know what I ever did to her...She made fun of me being a writer.'

Patty

'She's jealous. You still let people bother you. You really can't.'

'Oh my God. Do you remember when they played that old movie Camelot on the beach...*laughs*..and just when Lancealot...I think...doesn't matter is singing on that big screen 'never will I leave you'...the whole screen leaves...blows over a few people and blows down the beach....'

John laugh

'I hooked it into the poles right...we did right Ajid?'

Ajid

'Oh why ask me...why not point at the immigrant like the audience did? Hey, and where did you two disappear to?'

John

'Chasing Camelot...that screen took off like a sail until it hit the Funtown pier.'

Patty

'Chasing Camelot. That's your story.'

John

'No. Right now it's a tale of two Bernies...two guys named Bernie who hate each other and keep taking each other's people, accounts. It's hate fueled success...'

John looks at Patty...her pretty blonde hair catching the light from the Tiffany style lamps. And Ajdin...who himself is goodlooking but some-what colorless, really white skin, black hair, gray shirt, black t-shirt underneath and black pants. He's all skinny muscle who's always really there for friends John remembers.

John
'It's good to be with friends. I've made good friends in New York City too.'

Patty

'Don't want to move there?'

John

'Seaside Heights is a world away from the pressure...good place to think while I surf or whatever.'

Patty

'I like California. Love being a Nurse...miss you guys though. It's nice to be able to clear your mind on the beach. But I miss you. You both.'

Patty grabs the back of John's neck.

Patty

'Do you remember the time Ajdin saw someone was gonna slug you in the face and he put his face in the way. And the bully punched him in the face instead. Those kinds of friends who are really there for you..I miss that.'

John

'I still can't believe you did that.'

Ajdin points to his chest.

'I can't believe I did that.'

Ajdin

'Well, Sir Arthur, that round table over there by the window is free. Let's grab it.'

The friends sit down-warmed by memories and each other's acceptance.

The ghostly, white sea mist whirled outside...Camelot.

The Yokai of the Jersey Shore

John walks off his Aunt's cozy porch to meet friends downtown. The white sea mist moves between the empty houses like a spirit waiting to take human form. It's what you can't see that's the scariest John thinks as he glances behind. The empty street with the shadowy houses reassure him that it was only echoes from his shoes making the noise that seemed to be creeping up behind. Yet it was because he looked behind for reassurance that he didn't see the real shape shifter, the Yokai of Seaside Heights, right in front of him.

Ali bangs into John

'Hey, watch where your walking...Oh it figures...it's John.'

John

'Ali..it's a good night for Yokais.'

Ali

'Yokais?'

John

'Japanese demons.'

Ali.

'I don't like foreign things...Figures you would'

John looks around the side of her head.

Ali

'You're such a wierdo...always daydreaming or surfing and now I here you think you are a writer. What are you looking for on the back of my head.'

John

'Another mouh...that would make you a Yokai.'

Ali walks on

'Loser....'

John

"...and I don't think I'm a writer...I am a writer in New York.'

The Yokai, having spewed her hatred, disappeared into the white mist. It's what they do.

The Jersey Shore Gang.

http://www.seasideheightstourism.com/seacam/cam1.html

John raced down the empty boardwalk, making sharp turns around stands closed with metal doors. The thump of the boards under his bike's wheels made it sound like someone was coming up from behind. There is a stark, minimalistic look to Seaside Heights New Jersey in the Winter. And even though the sky is just as blue and the ocean just as pretty, the feel is black and white and less. Except when it comes to seeing old friends. December is when you are more likely to run into old friends who are visiting parents for the holidays. People who remind you of who you were, what you felt or...

Patty Lozon

'When you knew how to ride a bike.'

John and Patty are laying on the boardwalk; their bikes entangled.

John

'Patty, you're home. You o.k.?''

Patty

'You're rubbing my leg. Most guys say hello with a hug or kiss on the cheek.'

John

'Shut up Lozon. Do you realize we are the only two people on the boardwalk?'

John helps her up.

Patty hugs him.

'Oh hell. Do I have to take the lead?'

John

'Always did...'

Patty

"I heard you were a writer in New York?'

John

'I am but I still live in Seaside...'

Patty

'With your Aunt. I love her she's so much fun. I think you're creative because of her.'

John

'Lot's of my family are what I call creative without a clue. Their creations almost work.'

John and Pat walk onto the broad section of the boardwalk between the Seaside Heights and Park amusement piers. The wind whips across the white sand...blowing it cold and stinging onto the boardwalk. John pulls Pat next to him to block the wind from her.

Soon they are near a building shaped like a castle that houses a large arcade and 100 year old carousel. John opens the door and a rush of warm air hits their faces. The flashing lights of the arcade. The shouts of 20 something gamers in black and gray/silver playing video and sports games like basketball and bowling and the turn-of-the-century song-In the good old summertime- coming from the carousel take them back to another time. A time...when there was time to be with people.

Patty pulls on John's coat collar to draw him close.

Patty

'You brought me here to have your way with me. Fine, I'll ride the carousel with you. But this time, you are going on a horse that goes up and down. Not one that stays on the ground.'

John and Patty move towards the carousel.

John laughs

'You're right. I was afraid of everything. You were fearless. It's still like that.'

Patty

'What are you talking about. You went into New York City and got a writing job. Pretty brave.'

John

'You face death every day. And you were always great at making people feel good...'

Patty

'You're right. I'm better than you.'

Patty throws her head back and laughs as the carousel begins to turn.

Patty

'You know, the town looks good. When did they put in the quaint street lights and brick sidewalks?'

John

'That's MTV money. They've had a couple of beach houses in Seaside Heights.'

Patty

'....oh I know. Carson Daily...'

John

'Careful, calm down girl...you'll scare your horse.'

Patty

'Do I scare you Johnny?'

Feng shui U

Keith

'John, this office is a mess. There's no flow.  And how you can have papers in a paperless office is beyond me. Clients want to see clean, lines modernity. Your desk has no feng shui. And what's with the flying pig over your desk.'

John

'When an AE gives me a ridiculous dateline...I point at the pig...when pigs fly. Besides 'flow' takes on a whole new meaning when you are an Irish American. It involves lot's of Guinnes flowing...'

David

'...Irish and an honorary Heb. Remember I made you one of us when you marched for Israel...'

John

'And a Palestinian state...'

David

'God forgive you leave anyone out.'

Keith

'Except your boss. Me you totally ignore.'

David

'Say something?'

Keith gesters at John's open area and walks into his office.

'Feng shui this sh...stuff.'

David mumbles

'Oh Feng shui you.'

Keith sticks his head out of his office.

'...we're cleaning up so I can create positivity for 2001.'

Dave

'How about not firing offices of people. That might be positive.'

Keith comes out of his office and grabs the end of a table that's in everyone's way as they enter the room.

'Goldstein be quiet on that...and help me move this table to improve the flow. Maybe by helping me you can learn something about Feng Shui.'

John

'Feng Shui. I love New York City. So many ideas flowing around.'

Keith puts a turtle on an end table.

'How do you sleep David? In what direction?'

David

'I sleep with my head up a wealthy, executive's butt. So wealth should be coming my way...any day.'

Blythe had entered the room. As she speaks to David in a super-cheery voice, she makes quote signs with her fingers to emphasize the word 'negative'.

'David. Are we being 'negative?'

David

'Feng Shui is working. Look what flowed in Keith.'

Bernie fires the entire New York Accounting Department.

David runs up to John's desk.

'Well, there's going to be plenty of room in the men's room.'

John

'Oh, are they making it bigger? Better fans might be a good idea...'

David

'No, Bernie just fired everyone in Accounting. Like 30 some people.'

John

'Why. Well you are right about my work load after he fired the Boston office. I know it slows down before Christmas but the ad flow really slowed down.'

David

'Don't worry about that...they have to come to us...especially when their stupid creative ideas that they're pitching don't work.'

John

'Really?'

David

'I live for that stuff. It only makes them look stupid. I heard Bernie was upset with the number of mistakes in Accounting. couldn't figure out who was making the mistakes, and just got pissed and fired everyone. Fernando will be interviewing....a lot.'

Just then as David was speaking, among all the rock song muszak playing, 'Crazy' comes from the ceiling speakers.'

John points up to the ceiling.

'This should be our theme song.'

David gets devilish look in his eye.

'Or...'

David does an N' Sync spinning move

'Ain't no lie...bye, bye, bye...'

We are here to help.

A Muslim woman in a black burka appears from a gray dust storm. A man in dusty business attire is leaning on her as they walk closer. The businessman appears to be in shock and his weight on her shoulders makes the woman lean forward.

Bernie Stein is standing on the edge of a yacht.

'Not you.'

The Muslim woman takes the business man's arm off her shoulder and puts his hand in Bernie's hand.

Muslim

'I'm here to help...it's the only reason we are here...'

She quickly walks back into the gray dust storm.

John wakes and focuses on a yellow wall with a small painting, framed in black and to a shelf with a menorah on it. He is lying on a couch. Across from him on the floor, Tayna and Melissa are sleeping under a blanket.

D. Patel is sipping Indian tea-John thinks as he reads a discarded wrapper.

David to John.

'He lives!'

John

'I had the wierdest dream. A Muslim woman was bringing a man onto Bernie's yacht.'

David

'A Muslim woman on Bernie's yacht....that is a dream. It would never happen. She'd be one of 'those people' to him.

John puts the palm of his hand on his forehead.

'...those people number in the 100's of millions.'

D. Patel

'It's never right to generalize.'

Tanya lifts her head off her pillow.

'We're talking politics...first thing on a Saturday morning.'

John tries to jump up but lays back down and holds his head.

'Saturday morning. Where's my cell. I've gotta call my Aunt.'

David

'I called her last night. She said she was glad you were out with young people. What do you usually hit up the senior citizen home of Seaside Heights New Jersey.'

John

'There isn't one. Thanks soo much David.'

David

'Your Aunt sounds nice.'

John

'Thank God it's Saturday. It would be really hard to write today. And I guess there's going to be a lot of work with Boston and all...'

David

'Wrong. Account Executives will try to keep us out of their accounts as much as they can. Then the New Year will start and people will forget how Bernie fired everyone in Boston and start asking for new creative. That's my prediction for 2001. What's yours?'

John

'...don't have any. Wonder what my dream means.'

David sits on the arm of John's couch.

'It means you are nuts.'

John

'Thanks a lot.'

David sarcastically pats John's shoulder.

'You are most welcome.'

The party's over.

The news zipper on the Times building reads: 'Afghanistan....the bombing of the USS Cole was a great victory for bin Laden. Al-Qaeda camps filled with new recruits...and contributors from the Gulf States arrived ... with petrodollars'

The entire Bernie Stein Agency 'camp' is here. John, David, Stacey, D. Patel, Tracey and Melissa walk out of the Hard Rock Cafe and out across the Cross Roads of the World: Times Square. It hits John how every square inch of the buildings are animated and electrified advertisements for something. Their colors not only splash across the buildings but across the sidewalks and streets as well. The lights immerse the Camp in the world that is New York City.

John is being supported by his buddy D. Patel while David and Tanya are helping Stacey. Melissa hails a cab.

Melissa to David

What did Stacey have?

David

'Everything.'

Hard Rock Cafe gets a little rocky..

Keith's slaps John and David on the back as he sticks his head between them.

David

'Oh hi Keith. Thought you were up in Boston.'

John was thinking how to form words and decided another sip of his drink would help.

Keith (Creative Director)

'That was quite the introduction for you two....the creative talent...'

David

'You meet with the clients all the time Keith. They know who you are.'

Keith

'You know I talk my boys up....but who told them to introduce you guys like that....'

Blythe hugs John and David

'You guys look great. Hey Keith. Bernie's very happy with you...Boston... '

David

'Did Bernie fire an entire office again...like he did last year.'

Stacey

'David...hello.'

Stacey hugs him and whispers.

'David shut up.'

John

'Yeah, shut up David. You are such a good friend....and artist...I'm soo glad I know you and..'

Stacey to David

'No way...when he drinks...he compliments?''

John

'You have tp appreciate people...'

Blythe grabs a coke off a waitress' tray She hands it to John.

'You have to switch to coke. Clients. Clients Clients are here.'

A woman approaches in a silver blouse.

Blythe

'Sylvia. You remember her Keith at Belcordia.'

Sylvia

'Hi all. Nice to see you both again. Who's the writer in the team. I always felt like writing.'

John

'That's me.'

Sylvia

'How exciting. So describe your day. What's it like. What do you need to be a writer?'

John

'You have to be o.k. with sitting in front of the computer...'

Keith put his arms around Blythe and Sylvia's shoulders and guides them towards a table of food. Sylvia waves goodbye to John and David.

Keith

'John and David are such raw, wild talent. I love focusing their ideas and leading the creative so it works across multi-media platforms...and delivers the most eye-balls for the buck.'

Keith guides them away from John and David. Sylvia and Blythe look captivated.

John

'God, If he talks that good to women in business...what does he say to women in bed?''

David

'Sorry. This has never happened to me before.'

Rising Rock Stars at The Hard Rock Cafe

John and David are guided like rock stars through the Hard Rock Cafe. Past a bouncer and velvet rope that leads up open stairs. they see an open-to-the-first-floor area reserved for private parties. John thinks, appropriately, the area looks down on the dining room where he and his family would be eating as tourists. Their guide announces them.

Hard Rock Guide

'The Creative Team is in the house.'

John sees so many pretty people turn and applaude at them. Many of the women are wearing shiny silk blouses in golds, reds and greens and tight black pants. The men, many of whom look like male models in that flattering light, have really white teeth John thinks. To John, the Group seemed to say in their eyes...'there's the glamour'...like they are all searching for it...at least tonight they are. John thinks...the odd think about glamour...is if you look for glamour...you are always looking for glamour. And what people create in any glamourous profession is just that: created. It's never real. You're not there in that glamorous place...'

David shoves a drink into each of John's hands. He makes a motion with his fingers like he's hypnotizing him.

John.

'You will drink one right away. You are having deep thoughts and I won't have it.'

John drinks one drink.

David

'Don't worry, if you get so drunk you fall off the balcony onto the tourists...how cool would your death be as you land on a table with plates of fried potatoe skins. An Irish American, covered in cheesy potatoes...dead before his time. I could cry.'

John finishes his second drink.

'I could cry. Your story sucks....and not in a good way.'

David hands him another drink.

John sips third drink in half an hour.

'You know...I'm starting to feel like we are in some glamorous job. Rock stars.'

David looks John in the eyes.

'Yup. You're drunk. Getting there.'

The glamorous life.

David at John's desk.

'We're in. We're going to a Public Relations thing at the Hard Rock Cafe...Times Square man...we're rock stars. Friday night.'

John

'You know who are really rock stars?'

David

'Who.'

John

'Rock stars. Rock stars are rock stars. We're...crock stars. We create lie that are a cock of...'

David

"crock of ads? Bits of glamorous ideas that make people buy things so people have jobs to make things. I'm not doing this with you. This is about getting drunk, eating fried appetizers and possibly hurling in the Hard Rock Cafe.'

John

'What are you channeling Keith Richards?'

David

''You wish. That would make you Mick Jagger...and maybe you'd get some.'

David walks away.

John calls out after him.

'Get some? You don't know what I do down the Jersey Shore.'