The Guy Movie Guide to Business Success

Part 8 - Steve McQueen Loves Barbeque

2009-01-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

(Please read the previous episodes before reading this posting)
Part 1 - Meet Jack Collins
Part 2 - Jack Would Rather Be in the Coffin Than Giving the Eulogy
Part 3 - Danielle's Ultimatum
Part 4 - Mr. Bond's Great Escape
Part 5 - Stanely Discovers a Half Naked Livingston
Part 6 - Houston, We Have a Problem
Part 7 - Drama at the Cafe
Jack is late to Danielle's family BBQ.

EXT. GROCERY STORE FRONT - DAY.
We see Jack enter into a busy grocery store. He approaches the cart rack and digs through his pockets but cannot find a quarter. He has a fist full of dimes, nickels and pennies. Frustrated, he
walks into the store.

INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY.
Jack is walking up and down the aisles putting food in his buggy. He looks around the store and realizes he’s the only person under sixty in the whole store.

CAMERA PAN AROUND THE AISLES.
We see a plethora of folks going about their shopping: one white haired lady with a small cart is squinting at the label of a box of granola, one couple wearing matching terry cloth sweat suits
is arguing over which type of peanut butter is cheaper, one elderly man is picking up one orange after another but cannot select any. He needs to avoid seniors in the aisles engaged in similar shopping activities already described.

As Jack finishes his shopping, he returns to the front of the store to find there are no manned check out counters, just the stations where you self-scan the items. Ahead of him is an old lady who is scanning the same item over and over because she cannot hear each time the item beeps.

CUT TO:

CLOSE UP OF JACK
Jack’s shoulders are hunched and his head is bowed. He is resigned to be here all afternoon.

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
The trip to the grocery store has taken much longer than anticipated. Jack really needs to make up time if he is not going to be late. The streets are busy, but navigable. Jack’s cell phone RINGS. He pushes the button on his hands free set.

JACK

Hello?

VOICE OF DANIELLE

Jack, where are you?

JACK

I’m on my way Babe.

VOICE OF DANIELLE

You were supposed to be here fifteen
minutes ago. Everyone's waiting.

JACK

Sorry. I’m in the car now.

VOICE OF DANIELLE

Look, if you don’t want to come just say
so.

Jack is stressed talking and driving at the same time. He peers ahead desperately for a spot to pull over but cannot find one.

JACK

No I want to come. I went to the store and
got everything you wanted. Besides, I what
am I going to do with three bags of hot
dogs and buns otherwise? Warren can only
eat so much.

INT. SUBURBANR KITCHEN – DAY
Danielle is on the phone in her brother’s kitchen. Behind her we see activity in the kitchen as bowls of potato salad and coleslaw are being carried out to the patio. THROUGH THE WINDOW, kids running around the lawn, men with beers hanging around a smoking grill. At the grill, we see STEEL wearing an apron that reads: GOLFERS DO IT IN THE RUFF.

DANIELLE

OK. I know Steel is really looking forward
to seeing you.

VOICE OF JACK
(muttering)

I bet.

DANIELLE

What?

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.

JACK

I said “you bet”.

Jack is looking over both shoulders, frantically trying to find a way to find an opening in the traffic.

VOICE OF DANIELLE

Oh.

JACK

Good news. Things are easing up. I’ll see
you soon.

INT. SUBURBANR KITCHEN – DAY

DANIELLE

Fine, but Jack, come or not, we need to
talk. Bye.

Danielle hangs up. Her sister-in-law MARCIE hands her a margarita.

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
We hear the DIAL TONE in Jack’s car.

JACK

Crap. That’s never good.

INT./EXT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
Suddenly, Jack’s lane starts to move. Seeing an opportunity to get onto the freeway, Jack pulls onto the on-ramp.

EXT. FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP – DAY.
At the top he comes to a screeching halt: It is an absolute logjam. We hear HONKING above the general throb of idling engines.

INT./EXT. THROUGH WINDSHEILD – DAY.
Ahead, the occasional driver can be seen standing looking off into the distance as the MIASMA OF HEAT RISES over the collective cars.

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
There is no way Jack can make it before the barbeque is over. Panic sets in as he knows Danielle doesn’t need any more excuses to break up with him. His ears POUND, sweat RUNS down his face as his eyes SCAN the horizon for a way out.

To go back down the on ramp would be against the law. The risk is too big to take. Jack’s hands slip on the wheel. He wipes his sweaty palms on his shirt.

CUT TO:

BULLITT - CLIP
We see Bullitt (Steve McQueen) pulling a U-turn on the highway in his green 1967 Mustang. He speeds off in pursuit of the black Lincoln.

CUT TO:

EXT. FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP – DAY.
Jack’s Pacer backs up, spins and drives down the on-ramp dodging two other cars on their way up. He hits the bottom of the on ramp and heads back through the street traffic.

CUT TO:

BULLITT - CLIP
CLOSE UP of McQueen behind the wheel looking focused but cool.

CUT TO:

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
CLOSE UP of Jack looking nowhere near as cool.

CUT TO:

BULLITT - CLIP
We see McQueen speeding along the road weaving through traffic.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY STREET – DAY.
Jack is driving through traffic weaving easily around the other cars, rapidly making his way into the suburbs.

CUT TO:

BULLITT - CLIP
McQueen leaves the road to avoid something, driving on the shoulder and grass.

CUT TO:

EXT. SUBURB STREET – DAY.
Jack is driving in Steel’s neighbourhood. Although the street sare empty, he’s constantly pulling up on the grassy boulevards knocking over the occasional garbage can or mailbox. Suddenly he crosses the road over the grass median, and spin-skids to a stop up against the curb in front of Steel’s house. Watching, mouth opened from the sidewalk, is a three-year-old girl on a Big Wheel.

INT. JACK’S CAR – DAY.
We see Jack sitting behind the wheel, hands gripping with white knuckles. He blinks twice as he comes out of his trance. As he becomes aware he is at his brother-in-law’s with no idea of
how he got here, he begins to HYPERVENTILATE. Still in a panic, JACK opens the door and gets out bringing the bags of groceries with him.

EXT. SUBURB STREET – DAY.
Jack walks past the front of his Pacer and we see chunks of grass stuck in the grill and fender. Shaking his head, Jack walks up the front steps of the house and knocks on the front door.

INT. SUBURBAN KITCHEN – DAY.
Danielle and Marcie are standing at the kitchen counter drinking margaritas looking out the kitchen window at Jack and Steel. Even through the window, JACK appears disheveled.

MARCIE

I don’t know D. Jack always did look kind of weird to me.

DANIELLE

Not like this. His behavior is completely
odd. Unexplained disappearing, fighting. I
don’t get it.

MARCIE

Sound’s like he’s screwing around.

DANIELLE

No, not Jack. -- That’s not like him.

MARCIE

Well, you said it yourself: his behavior is
odd.

MARCIE

True. A thirty two year old man with no
visible defects who’s never been married
must already have a fear of commitment.

DANIELLE

That’s Jack all right.

MARCIE

I bet subconsciously he’s sabotaging your
relationship.

DANIELLE

I never thought about that.

MARCIE

Sure. He’s rebelling. Look at him.

Both women turn and look at Jack standing next to Steel.

MARCIE (CONT’D)

He’s probably trying to figure out how to
escape right now.

PUSH OUT TO:

EXT. PATIO – DAY.
Steel is flipping hamburgers and hot dogs on the BBQ. On the lawn are at least a dozen kids chasing each other with water guns and dashing in and out of a small paddling pool. Jack has a beer in his hand and is struggling to pay attention to Steel’s conversation.

STEEL

So, then the on the 13th, I decided to tee
off with a three iron. I know it’s a par
four but with the way the bunker lines up
on the right of the fairway, you know,
before the dogleg? I figured this time I’d
try and lay up safe. This way I’m just a
seven shot from the green instead of a
nine, right?

A stray round of water ammunition hits Jack on the side of the head.

STEEL (CONT'D)

Tyler! What have I said about shooting
those things around the patio?

TYLER is long gone before Steel finishes.

STEELE (CONT'D)

So here I am in a position to lay it up on
the green with a nine after all. -- I ended
up birdying the hole.

Steel chuckles to himself.

JACK (AS BILL MURRAY IN CADDYSHACK)

Cinderella story.

STEELE

What?

JACK

You know “Cinderella Story, this
former greens keeper about to become...”
(beat)
It's from 'Caddyshack'?

Steel clearly does not get the reference.

JACK (CONT’D)

Never mind.

With one final flip of the last burger patty, the food is cooked. Steel turns off the gas with a flourish.

STEEL

Supper’s ready!

FADE OUT.

Part 7 - Drama at the Cafe

2008-12-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

(Please read the previous episodes before reading this posting)

Part 1 - Meet Jack Collins

Part 2 - Jack Would Rather Be in the Coffin Than Giving the Eulogy

Part 3 - Danielle's Ultimatum

Part 4 - Mr. Bond's Great Escape

Part 5 - Stanely Discovers a Half Naked Livingston

Part 6 - Houston, We Have a Problem

Danielle receives an offer she can't refuse, but will Jack recover his memory enough to function when she tells him?

INT. BOARDROOM – DAY
Danielle enters the boardroom of her law firm. It is as ritzy as her office, only amplified. At the end of a long oak table sit BARRY GOLD and HERB WINSTON, the firm’s two most senior partners. Seated along the wall is Doug Crane. He gives her a little smile as she enters.

BARRY

Miss Morgan, please come in.

Danielle closes the door behind her.

HERB

Have a seat. Not to worry. This is a good
news meeting, I assure you.

Danielle pulls out a chair not too close to the older men and on the opposite side from Doug.

BARRY

We at Winston, Gold, Sanchez, Stevens,
Crane and Hull have been very impressed
with the quality,

HERB

And quantity,

BARRY

Of your work.

DANIELLE

Thank you Sir, -- Sirs.

BARRY

We know that there are plenty of
opportunities for a person of your
dedication,

HERB

And ambition,

BARRY

That we can offer.

DANIELLE

Thank you.

HERB

You do know we have branch offices in
Chicago, New York and Atlanta?

DANIELLE

Yes.

BARRY

Well, young Crane here will be leaving us
in a week to head up an expansion of our
acquisitions group there.

DANIELLE
(politely)

Congratulations Doug.

DOUG

Thanks.

HERB

And he has asked you to accompany him.

DANIELLE

(shocked)

You’re kidding?

BARRY

No.

Doug gives her a somewhat creepy smile.

DANIELLE

Why? Doug doesn’t need any help.

HERB

Because we want you to see how it’s done,
and then, in six months, he’ll go to
Atlanta to do it again,

BARRY

And you’ll take over the group in Chicago.

Danielle says nothing.

BARRY (CONT’D)

Crane said you’d be surprised. You know
they call Chicago The Windy City.

DANIELLE

Yes. Yes I did know that...

DOUG

I told them you were the only one for the
job, Danielle.

DANIELLE

Can I have some time to think about it?

HERB
(he checks his watch)

It’s two thirty now, why don’t you let my
secretary know by the end of the day.

DANIELLE

Um...

BARRY

Splendid. We’re having a reception tomorrow
night at the Hilton where I hope to include
you in the announcement.

HERB

I hope we can have you there too.

DANIELLE
(getting more excited)

Thank you sirs. I’ll, I’ll give you my
answer this afternoon.

Danielle rises.

DOUG

I’ll walk out with you.

They leave the office.

INT. LAW OFFICE HALLWAY – DAY.
We see Doug hustling after Danielle.

DOUG

Danielle! Hang on.

DANIELLE

I’ve got a lot to do Doug. Let’s talk
later.

DOUG

You have to take it.

DANIELLE

It’s a big decision, lots to consider.

Doug stops and calls after her.

DOUG

There’s nothing to consider. You don’t say
"No" to the opportunity of a lifetime.
(beat)
It’s an offer you can’t refuse.

DANIELLE
(muttering)

Stupid "Godfather".

INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY.
Jack and Warren are in a small coffee shop similar to Starbucks.It is mid-afternoon and people are getting their java fix to push on through until quitting time. The two men have just received their orders and walk from the counter to a table. Jack sits but Warren puts his cup down on the
table.

WARREN

I’ve got to go see a man about a horse.

Jack nods in understanding and we follow Warren back to the washroom.

INT. COFFEE SHOP BACK HALL – DAY.
Warren finds the door marked “MENS” and proceeds to OPEN it. Unlike the standard public washroom with stalls and urinals, however, it is a single toilet with a MAN sitting with his pants
around his ankles.

TOILET MAN

Hey!

WARREN

Oh, sorry guy.

Warren hurriedly shuts the door and is about to make his way back to the table, but turns and RE-OPENS the bathroom door.

WARREN

I need to ask. Are you some sort of
exhibitionist?

TOILET MAN

What the fuck are you doing?

WARREN

Why else would you leave the door unlocked,
unless you wanted someone to see you? Or
maybe you grew up in a cave or are you just
careless? Cause nobody wants to see your
spotty ass.

The Toilet Man is hurriedly trying to pulls his pants up without rising from the seat.

TOILET MAN

Get the hell out!

WARREN

Here’s a tip; either lock the door, or take
a dump at home.

Warren shuts the door and comes back to the table. Jack is oblivious to the event. However, everyone else in the café heard it and they stare as Warren walks by.

WARREN

Why don’t people lock the door?

JACK

What?

WARREN

In a public toilet, when there’s only room
for one, why don’t people lock the door?

JACK

Didn’t you knock?

WARREN

No, I expected it to be a big room, with
stalls and urinals, not a one-holer. The
guy on the inside knows the truth. If my
pants are around my ankles, I go the extra
mile for privacy and lock the door.

Warren is making no effort to lower his voice. People around him squirm at this uncomfortable line of public conversation. Behind them, we see the Toilet Man emerge from the washroom.
Warren catches sight of him.

WARREN

Hey Buddy! I hope you washed your hands.

The Toilet Man blushes as he has obviously not washed.

WARREN (CONT'D)

I didn’t hear the water running.

The woman at his table emits a NOISE OF DISGUST and gets up. The Toilet Man follows her pleading.

TOILET MAN

Lesley wait. I washed my hands! Don’t
listen to that jerk! Lesley!

The pair leaves the café.

WARREN

That whole “Do you feel lucky punk?” thing
was awesome. Wish I had the guts to do it.

JACK

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

WARREN

I don’t think Pearson knew what was going
on at all.

JACK

Neither do I. I didn’t watch “Dirty Harry”
today and I’m pretty sure I didn’t try to
bug you quoting it either.

WARREN

Quoting? It was a re-enactment so accurate
I thought Pearson was going to piss
himself. Or at least you confused him
enough he figured it was better to get back
to work. I could have sold tickets.

Jack stares blankly at his friend. Warren raises his cup to make a toast.

WARREN

Here’s to the new Jack Collins.

JACK

There’s no new “Jack Collins”.

WARREN

Right. Because the old Jack made a habit of
striking health care professionals, running
around half dressed and challenging coworkers
to duels.

JACK
(shaking his head)

It’s like you are speaking a different
language.
(stares at the ground, scratches his
head)
In fact, I don’t remember attending any
meetings today. Something weird is going
on. Nothing makes any sense since dinner
with Danielle. Oh shit, what time is it?

WARREN

Just after three. Why?

JACK
(panicked)

I’m supposed to pick up stuff for dinner at
Danielle’s brother’s.

WARREN

I bet her mom is disappointed your last
name isn’t Steel, then Danielle would be --

JACK

Yeah, I get it. You really think Danielle

would take someone else’s name?

WARREN

I suppose not.

JACK

Can you cover for me?

WARREN

Sure. I’ll get your laptop too.

JACK

Thanks.

Jack gets up, grabs his coat and exits.

Part 6 - Houston, We Have a Problem

2008-11-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

BRYAN

Nice of you to make it in, Jack.

JACK

I’m sorry, I was in hospital.

Bryan takes step back.

BRYAN

You don’t look very sick to me. What’s
wrong?

WARREN

False alarm. Thought it was bird flu, but
since Jack hasn’t been having sex with
birds for a while, it’s likely just fatigue
from overwork.

Jack and Warren move past him to their desks. Bryan hurries along behind.

BRYAN

You’re really sick Osky, you know that?

WARREN

Possibly, but I still came into work didn’t
I?

BRYAN

Look Jack. We got the go ahead for the
FuBaste but...

WARREN

Let me guess -- with you as project
manager?

BRYAN

Yes, but...

JACK

Even though you had nothing to do with the
concept.

Jack drops his attaché on his desk in disgust.

BRYAN
Yes, but... the Committee wants a full
development projection by Friday. That’s
tomorrow.

JACK

Give me a break. The Steering Committee

are all the same people we presented to two

days ago.

WARREN

Just with different titles.

BRYAN

What can i tell you? That's the way it is.

There are too many other projects waiting

to go ahead.
(pause)
If you want this project to happen Jack,
this is the only way.

JACK

I have the milestones, but there are too
many other dependencies to give an accurate
forecast. It’ll take a couple of weeks...

BRYAN

There isn’t time.

JACK

Plus some of the resources are tied up in
existing projects...

BRYAN

I said there isn’t time. Look, I know you
wanted to run this, but unless we do it
this way, my way, and now, it’s done.

JACK

Okay...I’ll get the team together this
morning.

BRYAN

Thanks.

Bryan heads off to bother someone else.

WARREN

Don’t let him push you around like that.

JACK

But what choice do I have? At least this
way I’ll get some of the credit. Otherwise
I’ll get stuck working on someone else’s
crummy project, fixing their screw-ups.

Jack sits and boots his computer. Warren shakes his head and walks to his desk. Jack’s phone RINGS.

JACK

Jack Collins -- Hi Dee. Yeah, it was great.
You? Good.
(whispers into the phone)
Sorry I had to leave before you got up.

Bryan appears behind him, impatiently taps his watch and walks off.

JACK (CONT’D)

Listen I’m swamped, can I call you later?
(beat)
Is that tonight? -- No, I do want to go to
your brother’s for dinner, I like him. --
Sure I do, we have plenty in common.
(beat)
Okay. I’ll pick up some barbeque stuff
after work and meet you there. – Okay, bye.

Jack hangs up. Warren pops his head over the cubicle.

WARREN

Going to Steel’s tonight?

JACK
(unenthusiastically)

Yeah.

We see Jack is booking people for a meeting through his computer.

WARREN

Better brush up on your golfing trivia.

JACK

Don’t remind me.

Jack and Warren walk off towards a meeting room where four other employees from different parts of the office are converging. They all enter the darkened room.

INT. DANIELLE’S OFFICE – DAY
Danielle is having coffee with Susan Mowat, another lawyer in her firm.

DANIELLE

I just don’t know what’s gotten into him.
He’s never behaved anything like this.

SUSAN

Classic.

DANIELLE

What do you mean?

SUSAN

It’s just classic male underachiever
behavior, reacting to a successful woman
taking control.

DANIELLE

I don’t think it’s like that.

SUSAN

Face it Danielle. He has no power at work,
and now you’re calling the shots at home.
Frankly, I’ve never understood your
relationship.

DANIELLE

I suppose you’re going to tell me whether I
ask why or not.

SUSAN

Look at you. You’re beautiful, he’s kind
of, oh I don’t know...

DANIELLE

Cute?

SUSAN

I was thinking 'shrubby'.

DANIELLE

Oh.

SUSAN

You could do better. You’re the youngest
women to make partner in the firm’s
history...

DANIELLE

Second youngest.

SUSAN

Whatever. Jack’s the oldest programmer at
his company and most of his managers are
younger that him.

DANIELLE

His professional life and our personal
lives are two separate things. -- Besides
you can’t measure success by position or
income alone.

Just then, a handsome man in his mid thirties pops his head in the door. He is wearing a $2000 Armani suit and his hair is freshly cut. This is DOUG CRANE, partner and head of the Acquisitions division of the firm.

DOUG

Danielle? Herb and Barry would like to see
you in the boardroom in a few. Thanks.

DANIELLE

Oh, sure.

DOUG

Fabulous. Hi Susan. Great shoes.

With a wink and a grin, Doug is gone.

SUSAN

Good thing you can’t measure success by
income and position. Otherwise poor Doug
would never have a chance against Jack.

DANIELLE

Oh shut up. Now get out. I have to see what
the senior partners want.

Danielle packs up her portfolio and heads down the hall.

INT. MEETING ROOM – DAY
Five GL employees, including Warren, are sitting around a long table. Jack is standing. The meeting has been going on for some time. The table is littered with coffee cups, notepaper, much of it crumpled.

On the wall are POST-IT NOTES with scribbling and the WHITE BOARD is covered with boxes, arrows and labels.

JACK

No, we can’t keep the development time that
long. Something has to be cut. This has to
be an early launch to the market.

STEVE

Without the requirements better defined…

JACK

They’re as well defined as anything else
this company has done.

STEVE

Not for something this size.

RAJIV

You can’t just expect this type of project
to happen without better direction.

JACK

Is that a dig at me?

Jack is frustrated and the conflict potential is increasing.

RAJIV

No, Jack. But any analysis of the business
objects will take three iterations with the
requirements we have now.

JACK

There isn’t time for three iterations.

MARGARET

And then there’s the database platform
review.

WARREN

They’re right Jack. It can’t be done to
Bettman’s timelines.

JACK

It has to be.

Jack throws down his fistful of notes. His mouth is dry from anxiety, but all the water bottles are empty.

MARGARET

Look. It’s not your project anymore. Why do
you care so much?

JACK

Because -- I want to be on a winning team.
Success is good for all of us on this, no
matter who’s in charge.

Jack is sweating; he loosens his tie. Heads are being shaken around the table.

STEVE

I’m not in this for the glory.

MARGARET

Me neither.

Jack is losing them.

JACK

It’s not about glory...

Jack braces against the table top to catch his breath.

RAJIV

It just can’t be done Jack. Not the way the
system was designed.
(beat)
Jack? -- Are you all right?

CUT TO:

APOLLO 13 – CLIP
Gene Kranz (Ed Harris) compelling Houston Mission Control to bring back the astronauts safely.

KRANZ

I don't care what anything was designed to
do. I care about what it can do.

CUT TO:

INT. MEETING ROOM – DAY

JACK (AS KRANZ)

I don't care what anything was designed to
do. I care about what it can do.

The group looks around at each other in confusion.

WARREN

You don’t look so good. Maybe you should
sit down.

JACK (AS KRANZ)

So let's get to work. Let's lay it out,
okay?

There is grudging assent as RAJIV and MARGARET return to their notes.

WARREN

We might trim some time if we use the old
query tool code.

STEVE

No. That’s like putting a putting a square
peg in a round hole.

CUT TO:

APOLLO 13 - CLIP
The flight engineers are trying to figure out how to fix the CO2 scrubbers with just duct tape and hoses.

KRANZ

What about the scrubbers on the command
module?

ENGINEER 1

They take square cartridges.

ENGINEER 2

And the ones on the LEM are round.

KRANZ

Well, I suggest you gentlemen invent a way
to put a square peg in a round hole.
Rapidly.

CUT TO:

INT. MEETING ROOM – DAY

JACK (AS KRANZ)

Well, I suggest you gentlemen invent a way
to put a square peg in a round hole.
Rapidly.

Rajiv, Margaret and Warren stop their renewed work effort to watch the confrontation.

JACK (AS KRANZ)

The people upstairs have handed us this
one, and we gotta come through -- we gotta
find a way to make this...

Jack mimes he is holding the square air filter.

JACK (AS KRANZ)

Fit into the hole for this...

Jack mimes he is holding the round air filter. The team members look at each other in embarrassed confusion, not understanding why Jack is pointing and gesturing at thin air.

JACK (AS KRANZ)

Usin' nothin' but that.

Jack points to the imaginary mound of equipment on the table.

JACK (AS KRANZ)

So make it happen.

Jack CLAPS his hands once.

Steve gets up and starts to walk to the door.

STEVE

You must be out of your mind.

Jack clenches his fists at his side and steps between Steve and the door. The insubordination is too much for his fragile psyche. Warren can only watch in stunned silence.

CUT TO:

DIRTY HARRY - CLIP
Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is engaged in a standoff with a gunman.

CALLAHAN

I know what you're thinking. Did he fire
six shots or only five? Well, to tell you
the truth, in all this excitement, I've
kinda lost track myself. But being as
this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful
handgun in the world, and would blow your
head clean off,

CUT TO:

INT. MEETING ROOM – DAY

JACK (AS HARRY CALLAHAN)

You've got to ask yourself a question: Do I
feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

The door OPENS and Bryan enters enthusiastically.

BRYAN

How’s my team coming along? Got some
estimates on the delivery?

Bryan’s entrance has ended the standoff. Steve backs down while Jack remains standing in a daze. Warren jumps up and puts an arm around Jack.

WARREN

Jack is keeping us focused. He’s a pro.

BRYAN
(claps and rubs his hands)

Super. So we’ll have those timelines this
afternoon?

Jack does not answer.

STEVE

Yeah, I guess we can give you something.

Steve turns and begins to erase the whiteboard while sketching out something else.

WARREN

I think me and the Big Guy are just

going to grab some air. You know, with

all this high octane thinking going on...

Warren leads the zombie-like Jack from the room.

Part 5 - Stanley Discovers a Half Naked Livingston

2008-11-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

(Please read the previous episodes before reading this posting)
Part 1 - Meet Jack Collins
Part 2 - Jack Would Rather Be in the Coffin Than Giving the Eulogy
Part 3 - Danielle's Ultimatum
Part 4 - Mr. Bond's Great Escape

Warren finds Jack safe in his apartment but jack remembers nothing of his bold escape.

INT. JACK’S APARTMENT - NIGHT.
The setting sun can just be seen through the blinds. The apartment is quiet, except for the TICKING of a clock. We can see Jack lying face down on the floor, still in his hospital gown. His BACK is slowly rising and falling, so we know he is still alive.

The phone RINGS three times and the machine picks up.

VOICE OF DIRTY HARRY

Go ahead, make my day...

VOICE OF JACK

and leave me a message. BEEP.

VOICE OF DANIELLE
(she is frantic)

Jack? Jack? Are you there? Please pick up.
We’re all looking for you, Warren, his mom.
-- We’re all worried.

Danielle is on the edge of tears as her VOICE CHOKES.

VOICE OF DANIELLE (CONT’D)

Call me, please. -- Make my day.

Her SLIGHT SOBS can be heard as she hangs up.The phone call has woken Jack. He starts to stir, slowly pushing himself up on his elbows, then on all fours. Sitting back on his heels, he holds his head and groans. Jack looks down and sees he is wearing a hospital gown. He looks around the apartment completely stunned at what could have happened to him, or worse, what had he done.

There is POUNDING at the door.