TITLE: “NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK 1985”
EXT. CATERING HALL - NIGHT
There are two ambulances in the parking lot. TEENS exit
the prom and police officers usher the curious and upset
teens wearing prom dresses and tuxedos to their
limousines. The situation is under control, yet activity
flourishes around them - officers, paramedics and
detectives work like carpenter ants among the lights in
the dark night.
A COUPLE approaches an OFFICER.
TEEN BOY
What’s going on?
OFFICER
Move along please; everything is under
control.
TEEN GIRL
Did anyone get hurt?
OFFICER
Keep moving please. Thank you.
The couple continues down the steps towards the limo.
The officer looks over his shoulder towards the
ambulances.
TEEN GIRL (O.S.)
I hear something happened to Toni
Spresso.
A SECOND OFFICER stands behind an ambulance. We only see
his back.
DETECTIVE MAZZELLA watches PARAMEDICS lift the body of
the deceased, whose face and body is covered with a
sheet, into the ambulance.
PARAMEDIC
One DOA, sir?
DETECTIVE MAZZELLA
One DOA and one critical.
PARAMEDIC
Do you need an additional ambulance?
DETECTIVE MAZZELLA
No, the male victim sustained minor
injuries; I’ll transport after
questioning.
The Paramedic returns to his patients.
From behind, Detective Mazzella heads towards the SECOND
OFFICER. The second officer hands a styrofoam cup to an
INDIVIDUAL, who wears a blanket and sits at the edge of
ambulance.
Before the identities of SECOND OFFICER OR INDIVIDUAL are
revealed,
CUT TO:
TITLE “TWO MONTHS EARLIER - APRIL 1985”
INT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY
TONI exits a stall wearing a busgirl uniform.
She bends and neatly folds her cheerleader uniform and
then places it into a backpack. She walks to the mirror,
opens her purse and places a menagerie of make-up on the
mirror shelf. She flips her hair and applies lipstick.
She puckers her lips, licks them seductively and raises
her brows. She poses a sexy “fuck me” stare in the
mirror.
EXT. JOHN’S CAR - DAY
JOHN, 21, is driving. His brother,COLE, 18,is the
passenger.
Cole holds a bouquet of flowers.
JOHN
Full scholarship. She’ll be so proud.
COLE
She’s the one. One year from now,
she’ll be packing to head down to me.
JOHN
Then a big wedding, little kids.
COLE
You bet. Four years is going to fly
by real quick.
JOHN
Whatever you say.
COLE
What? You don’t think, just cause
we’re young, this won’t last? I’m
telling you, it will.
JOHN
I’m not saying anything. Think what
you want.
COLE
She’s perfect.
JOHN
Nobody’s perfect.
COLE
Perfect for me.
INT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM - DAY
Toni reaches down her shirt and lifts each breast higher
into her bra to be sure her cleavage is showing. She
sprays perfume on her neck, down her cleavage and in
between her legs. She replaces the makeup to her purse.
She fluffs her hair, opens and slightly tightens her lips
and turns to exit the hallway in complete confidence.
IN THE SMOKING SECTION
GIRL in cheerleader uniform slaps SEAN across the face
GIRL
You were such a waste of my time! You
suck! I am out of here, loser. Let’s
go girls.
Toni enters as Girl exits with entourage.
TONI
What did I miss?
SEAN
Absolutely nothing.
Sean looks her body up and down.
SEAN
(continuing)
But I know what I’ve been missing.
TONI
The flavor of the week.
EXT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT - DAY
John and Cole pull into a space.
COLE
We’ll cut across the courtyard. She
has a free. She’s always there. By the
way, thanks for the ride.
JOHN
That’s what brothers are for.
COLE
You coming?
JOHN
Why not. My interview’s not until
four.
COLE
Mt. Vernon, Right?
JOHN
I think I have a great shot.
John and Cole exit the car and head towards the
courtyard.
INT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL SMOKING SECTION - DAY
TONI
You missed my entire sophomore year
when I had a crush on you.
Sean moves closer.
SEAN
I like your outfit.
TONI
It’s a uniform. Apparently, you’re
tired of uniforms.
SEAN
Not that one.
TONI
You should have been looking at me
over a year ago, when I was looking at
you.
SEAN
What’s the difference? Better late
than never.
Toni moves closer.
TONI
You want to know what you’ve been
missing?
Sean moves in to Toni.
SEAN
Definitely my loss.
TONI
Now that Louisa’s out of the picture.
Toni seductively places her arms around Sean’s neck.
SEAN
Show me.
Sean and Toni’s faces come together. They begin to kiss.
EXT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL COURTYARD - DAY
Cole stops short in disbelief. He sees them kissing from
across the courtyard and turns abruptly to leave.
John pauses a moment and realizes.
JOHN
Oh shit.
John hurries to follow Cole.
Toni breaks from the kiss.
TONI
Now you know.
SEAN
What?
TONI
What you’ll never have.
SEAN
You’re a tease. The sooner you leave -
TONI
The happier I’ll be. Bye, Loser.
Toni exits.
TONI
(to herself)
Jerk.
INT. JOHN’S CAR - DAY
John turns the ignition and looks over to Cole.
COLE
Not a word. Not one fucking word.
Cole tosses the bouquet of flowers out the car window.
EXT. NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Toni exits main lobby doors, practically skips to her car
and drives off.
INT. PALAZZO ITALIANA RESTORANTE - DAY
There are two dining rooms, the front is larger than the
back. Tables are set with gold tablecloths for parties
of two to four or six. A large window exposes low
shrubbery lit with tiny gold lights. There is a partial
unobstructed view of the parking lot.
BEA, late 40’s, enters. She styles her hair in two
ponytails. Her uniform is adorned with Mickey Mouse
pins, a name-tag and she wears a Mickey Mouse watch.
She is bouncy, youthful, and energetic.
BEA
Did he see us?
CARLA
No, he went downstairs to get some
cherries for the bar.
BEA
Did everyone sign the card?
CARLA
Everyone except Joe and Toni.
BEA
Is she on tonight?
CARLA takes the cake out of the box. Bea assists.
CARLA
She’s usually on Fridays.
JOE enters from kitchen and puts bread in the breadbox.
CARLA
Who’s on with you?
JOE
Toni’s in the kitchen. That cake
looks great.
CARLA
Sign the card. Bea, go get everyone.
Bea exits.
Toni enters through the kitchen door tying her apron.
TONI
That thing is so gross. Is that what
we pitched in for? It’s hairy.
Joe hands her the card.
JOE
Sign.
CARLA
Yes. That’s his gift. Today he turns
30, and he’s getting a spider.
Carla puts the candles on the cake.
ENTER Bea, HOSTESS, BOBBY the WAITER, JORDAN the COOK,
AND MANAGER
BOBBY
Light the candles. I’ll get him.
Carla and Joe light candles.
Bobby enters bus station and calls to Victor.
BOBBY
Victor. Victor!
VICTOR
Yes.
BOBBY
Could you come help me for a second?
VICTOR, 30, enters. His pallor is evident.
BOBBY
I just need you for a minute in the
back.
Bobby and Victor enter the rear dining room. ALL burst
out to sing “Happy Birthday”.
VICTOR
Wow. Thanks guys.
Victor blows out the candles.
VICTOR
Thank you! This is really nice. Thank
you.
CARLA
Now, make a wish, and cut the cake.
BEA
This is from everyone. We hope you
like it.
VICTOR
(reading aloud from card)
We don’t like you cause you’re young
and sturdy. We dig you cause you’re
old and dirty.
Victor picks up fish tank. Waves at tarantula with his
index finger.
VICTOR
Hello cutie-shit. I like him. I used
to have one of these. They’re great.
JORDAN
Let’s cook him!
TONI
You’re gross.
VICTOR
Yes! Tortellini alla Tarantula.
Tonight’s special.
CARLA
Couldn’t be any worse than what you
normally make.
JORDAN
I’m going to cook you too!
CARLA
I’d taste better.
VICTOR
Taste? When?
CARLA
You’re an animal Victor. You need a
girlfriend.
Carla exits into the kitchen.
Jordan follows a few steps behind.
JORDAN
She needs an enema.
VICTOR
Go give it to her.
JORDAN
That tight bitch?
MANAGER
Great cake. Happy birthday man. I’ve
got orders to make.
He exits through the left dining room. The telephone
rings.
HOSTESS
I got it.
Hostess exits.
BEA
I’m glad you like it Victor.
VICTOR
I’m going to put him on top of my TV.
HOSTESS
(Calling from the bar.) Bobby, your
wife is on line one.
BOBBY
Ball and chain calls. Happy Birthday
Vic.
Bobby exits.
TONI
How will you get that thing home?
Don’t you take the train?
VICTOR
I mostly drive.
TONI
Where do you live?
VICTOR
In Queens, Ozone Park. I got an
apartment. It’s nice.
TONI
You drive from Queens to here
everyday? That’s pretty far for a
bartending job.
VICTOR
I got a vending machine route. It
takes me up north, this way. My
parents live in Mt. Vernon. I go see
them sometimes. It’s not a bad drive
at all.
TONI
You have two jobs?
VICTOR
I get up around six and I deliver a
few days a week - some schools, gas
stations - I work here at night.
BEA
That’s why you look so tired all the
time?
VICTOR
I hate these bags under my eyes.
TONI
I have make-up for that. It’s for
girls, but it will work on anyone.
VICTOR
Yeah? Will you put a little on me?
TONI
I’ll get my bag.
Toni exits.
VICTOR
(calls to Toni) Meet me in the
bathroom. I’ll be right there.
He takes one last bite of his cake and exits to the
bathroom.
Joe and Bea are left to clear the cake dishes. Bea puts
the tarantula on the breadbox. Joe starts to put
breadbaskets and butter dishes on tables in the front
dining room.
Bea is filling milk containers in the bus station. She
notices Joe is in the front.
BEA
You got the front?
JOE
I got the front. Toni has the back.
BEA
Too bad. Victor won’t be able to look
at her.
JOE
She can take the front.
BEA
Let her take it. It’s his birthday.
JOE
Whatever. The back’s easier. He
makes excuses to go back there anyway.
BEA
That’s so cute. Don’t you think?
JOE
I think it’s sick. She’s got someone.
BEA
He doesn’t. Maybe they can get
together.
JOE
She’ll never be interested He’s
thirteen years older and he drinks.
BEA
It reminds me of being young and in
love.
JOE
You are young, Bea.
BEA
You’re too good to me, Joe. Besides,
a good woman can cure a man of
anything - even drinking.
JOE
That’s not her job, is it?