Flashdance 1983
Flashdance 1983
Flashdance 1983
SCRIPT X
' '
(
~p-,---c---- -------~-
.r
l EXT. NORTHEASTERN
INDUSTRIALCITY - DAY
CAMERAPANS a modern cityscape on a fall afternoon in
1981. A rejunvenated downtown core, all glass and
steel, eventually reveals a faded garment district, a
warehouse area in decline and finally an old city
market. The colorful marketplace, bustling with commerce,,
is the heart of a working class neighbGrhood created ·
by the melting pot.
2 EXT. OLD CITY MARKET- INDUSTRI~ CITY - DAY
•
As the CAMERA TRAVELSwe see a young MODERN PRIEST
engaging two HASSIDIC RABBINICALSTUDENTSin animated
conversation beside an aging synagogue. A Roman
Catholic church, younger than the synagogue by two
decades, stands directly across the street. Immigration
cycles have shaped this distincly American neigh-
borhood; a Kosher poultry market sits beside a
Portuguese fresh fish stand; an Italian groceteria
beside a Greek bakery. In a nearby park, widows in
black socialize on benches while watching their grand-
children at play. Homes built for cold climates
but painteo tropical colors surround the pa~k.
,· CAMERA HOLDSon a three-story brick house under
renovation.
3 EXT. JU:NOVATED
HOUSE- MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
An air compressor is pumping air through a sand pot.
Three blast hoses snake up to three sandblasters on
hydraulic decks at the third-floor level of the house.
Other members of the renovation crew surround the
' machinery.
brick facade.
CLOSE on one sandblaster
JUNIOR JEAN, 18, an electrian's
is below the sandblaster, sitting
working on the
on the ledge of
helper,
,. a second-floor window. She takes a drill from her
toolbelt and starts drilling. FRANK, 24, her boy-
(
friend and boss, is standing beside his van --
"United Electrical Systems." He shouts over the noise
toward JUNIOR JEAN.
FRANK
Hey, Jean! ••• Don't forget
(
the ionizer ••• Okay?
JEAN nods. Puts down her drill as the hydraulic deck
above her begins to descend. The sandblaster is
wearing a protective suit and helmet visor. CLOSE
on helmet as it's removed. Long, black hair tumbles
out. RAVEN, a remarkably beautiful girl of 19,
descends, passing in front of JEAN, who is drilli~g
again. RAVENwaves at JEAN as the platform heads
toward the ground.
(
EXT. RENOVATED
HOUSE- MARl<ET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
t(
RAVENwalks toward the crew trailer parked in the
driveway. Slips out of her protective suit to reveal
a tight pair of painter's overalls. She has a bell-boy
on her hip. Sits on the steps of the trailer and takes
her work boots off. She's slipping into a pair of high-
fashion stiletto boots as FRANKapproaches.
RAVEN
You like my new boots?
FRANK •
Real nice.
{ RAVEN
Seventy bucks. They're
Quinto'••
FRANK
You going to be around later?
(
Moment when RAVENlooks up at ~UNIORJEAN drilling.
FRANKglances up toward JEAN and back to RAVEN. RAVEN
stands, grabs a large pink tote bag that's packed
.,. with personal belongings and admires her boots •
RAVEN
I dunno Frankie ••• Supercute
boots, aren't they?
RAVENin a rush starts to leave, waves up to JUNIOR
JEAN.
(
FRANK
I guess me and Junior Jean will
see you over at the bar later.
RAVENnods, beams. Waves and walks out of frame.
(
s EXT. SIDESTREET- MARl<ET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
RAVENhas taken a bowler hat with a feather on it out of
her tote bag. Puts it on her head. Bops down the street
to the sound of her own internal music. A heavy housewife
C in her fifties waves with her broom to the passing girl.
RAVEN'S obviously known in the neighborhood. At the end
of the street, a short, intense Italian man in his sixties
is finishing a bright, primitive mural that all but covers
the house. It's as i• the house is in itse~.f, an
illustration.
(
6 EXT. ILLUSTRATEDHOUSE- MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
r As RAVENpasses she shouts up to the artist.
~-
:RAVEN
So, Mr. Corelli ••• You got
permission from the city?
ARTIST
Don't care from cityl City
cannot tell me how to paintl
I paint story of •••
:RAVEN •
••• Of your family, I know,
Good luck, Mr. Corelli.
( RAVENlaughs, passes on as the artist earnestly
returns to mural.
6a EXT. PASICH BAKERY- MARJ<ET - DAY
NEIGHBORHOOD
MRS, PASICH, an elderly woman, dressed in the old
( country manner and wearing a baker's apron rushes
out of the timeworn bakery. She's carrying an elabor-
ate pastry. We see :RAVEN embracing her, taking the.
r pastry, biting into it.
short-cropped
HOWARD
hair, moustache,
PASICH, about 30,
t· Stops. Turns.
CONTINUED
(
r BOWARD
( (sarcasm)
I suppose I'll have to pick
up the new makeup tonight.
RAVEN
What a guy!
HOWARD,irritated, walks off.
I
RAVEN
Howard? Don't be late
f tonight. •
(shouts)
I'll kill you •••
(
RAMOSMARTINEZ,25, dressed much like HOWA.l'U:l.
(he lives at the top of the bakery with
him), ~~ves at RAVENfrom an upstairs
wincow.
( 7 EXT. MAIN STREET - GARMENT
FACTORY- DAY
RAVENcontinues her route. She crosses the street
and heads toward one particular buildi~g -- "Modern,
✓- Modes Factory Annex.•
(,'
( B INT. MODERN
MODESFACTORYANNEX- GARMENT
DISTRCT- DAY
C»IERA TRACKSdown row upon row of men and women,
all manner of race and ethnic persuasions, at their
machines in this vast sewing room. A radio is
tuned to a Portugeuse music program. Thread and
pieces of material are piled everywhere on the floor,
' as are paper patterns.
her middle forties,
CAMERA HOLDSon VERAin
decidedly overweight. She' &
eating a burger. VERA, FRANK'S mother, is staring
out of the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Catches
sight of RAVENcrossing the street. Grabs a parcel,
( puts down her burger and rushes toward a door.
A Chinese floor supervisor in his thirties calls
after her.
SUPERVISOR
Vera ••• How we doin' on
( Sample 741?
VERA
I'm going to bring in
more fabric.
VERAhurries out the door.
(
- 9 EXT. MODERN
MODESFACTORYANNEX- GARMENT
DISTRICT - DAY
VERAhands RAVENthe parcel. RAVENis having trouble
fitting the parcel in her bag.
VERA
You've got your whole •
life in there, Raven,
( RAVEN
I know. I'm a mess.
•
VERA
There isn't a guy in
town who wouldn't die
( to take care of your
mess.
RAVEN •
r (pause)
Was it hard to make
this time?
VERA
Sort of. I ended up
knocking off Italian
Vogue.
RAVEN
You coming tonight?
I VERA
(nods)
Howard and I got to check
out some spaces
uptown, but I'll make it.
Hell, I always make it •••
(
RAVEN
Thanks, ,.•era. You' re the
best,.,I'll wear it ti:l
it doesn't ·C!·-:it.
l VERAhurries back upstairs. RAVENmoves quicly
down the street. Vivacious. Imperturbable. Heads
never stop turning.
l
l
l
10 (cont'd)
r TINA
(( And check the deltoids
I want to look hard.
•••
r RAVEN
You've got to keep
your look female.
TINA
f
God Raven. What's female? I'm
into Hi-Tech. That's
1 me. Tina Tech •••
•
RAVEN
Hi-Tack is more like it.
TINA
Look. See these wrist
curls. One at a time.
Fifteen pounds,. I do
ninety percent angle work
(
with my arms and shoulders.
After seven times I wait for
1' the burn. Then when I'm
aching I do 21 sets of
., seven moves ••• The last ones
are really ball busting.
:(t
I
RAVEN
You're getting way too muscley,
Tina.
TINA
(
Don't you want to look
perfect?
RAVEN
Sure. But like
one of those illus-
(
trations in a magazine.
Rind of air-brushed.
Not hard.
TINA
Ex-cuse me, Little Annie Fannie.
(
Look,,,I was born with big
lats •••
(shows her
back)
I'm into muscles. What can
I say? I want to get
so I look real industrial.
CONTINUED
. ,.-·-·-··-
.,,,. RAVEN
It'll screw up your
( dancing.
TINA
I doubt it •••
The two friends stop talking and pose unselfcons-
ciously in the wall-mirror, striking strange, physical
attitudes one after the other. LORRAINE,NADIA
and SOLITARY, noticing this, break off from
the machines and approach them. RAVENarches
backward, undulates, trails her long, black hair
on the floor and lifts her head up between her legs
and out again in what appears to be the
world's most suggestive dance move.
(
SOLITARY
That's hot •••
'NADIA
Real nasty.
(
LORR.II.I
NE
Do you learn those steps? Or
do you make them up?
RAVEN
They're not steps. They're
hot poses that move.
(does two
moves)
See that ••• That's the Conga
Press ••• and that ••• that's
( the Bugagku ••• Now those
are steps •••
LORRAINE
How do you know about stuff
like that?
•
(
RAVEN
From library books. Anyway
it's better when you make it
up.•
l TINA TECH
(jokingly)
Easy for you to say, bitch.
RAVENwalks over to a big portable radio-cassette
• player sitting by the mirror. Pushes in tape:
t· . M'JSIC.
CONTINUED
(
10 (cont'd)
( RAVEN
Okay, you guys. Two half-
hour stretch and move
routines.
NADIA
Bullshit! You were late •••
The five dancers fall into individual concentrations
and move to their images in the mirrors. MUSIC
BUILDS. They are extraordinary to look at. Vnique.
Before long the whole gym is rocking ••
ll EXT. STREET - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
Six bikers, late teens and early twenties, in leather
but no club insigni,a are recklessly driving the
market streets. They're behaving uproariously with
each other, obviously high. .As they wheel onto MARKET
STREET, one points out a forties delivery truck
painted an unlikely color -- "PASICH'S BAl<ERY."
They gun their new Yamahas and race toward the
truck.
INT. DELIVERYTRUCK- MARKETSTREET - DAY
'1(:
-· 12
I I is driving.
HOWARD VERAnext to him.
VERA
Where are we going to get
money like that? Maybe
we should forget about
I opening uptown •••
HOWARD
Do me a favor ••• Oon't
~ prick my little
I
baTloon.
(
HOWARD
sees the bikers in his rear-view mirror.
HOWARD
Shit!
( 13 EXT. MARKETSTREET - DAY
The bikers draw up on either side, dangerously close
to the truck, and make goading gestures. HOWARD is
livid.
CONTINVEO
,...
13 (cont'd)
,. ,,
\
( HOWARD
(screams)
i
Assholes I
Suddenly the bikers get into formation and criss-
I
cross in front of him. Almost running into one,
HOWARD swerves. His truck hits the sidewalk,
narrowly missing a fruit stall. Frantically he gains
control of the truck. The bikers, laughing, pull
up in front of a nearby 24-hour coffee shop attached
to the Greyhound Bus Depot, a local hangout.
Shaking with rage, HOWARD drives the truck to the
HARDHAT BARANDGRILL.
14 EXT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARKETSTREET- DAY
The Hard Hat is a three-st~~y building directly
across from the bus depot. HOWARD and VERA
get out, the bikers surround the truck, chatting
with each other aimlessly as if nothing happened.
(
VERA
(under her
breath)
I . ., Ignore these doorknobs
will you?
.( HO~ARDhas to squeeze past two bikers to get to
the bar. At one point he stops, squeezes back to
the truck and takes out a handmade, cedar makeup
case. {l;'ll e.bnusp!.ere ef e11treme l!lenaca. -""~-
( FIRST BIKER
What's the matter, Howard?
SECONDBIKER
••• Did your souffle fall?
( HOWARDgives them a finger as he enters the bar with
VERA.
lS INT. DRESSINGROOM- HARDHAT BARANDGRILL - NIGHT
CAMERA TRACKSacross the dressing room slowly. A
( long counter and mirror with makeup lights. Behind
five stools are five plexiqlas platforms with gates,
We are introduced to five flashdancers in
final stages of preparation. First we see NADIA,
a gymnast dancer. She's wearing a high-fashion
black and white Harlequin costume with three costwne
changes underneat~. Fer look is almost operatic,
half her face in black greasepaint and half in
CONTINUED
- "·'
15 (cont'd)
r white pancake ~akeup, her lips a slash of scarlet.
She's applying eyeliner. Next to her is SOLITARY,
an Ultra Wave dancer. She wears a pink cape over
a black silk balloon-like outfit that is all one
piece. She's strapping on pink high heels with pink
ties that wrap around her calves. LORRAINE, is wearing
a shaped one-piece leopard outfit, lizard stilettos, .
high-fashion jewelry knock-offs and multi-colored
makeup giving her a feline look. Next is TINA TECH
wearing a hard hat that has been cut down to look
like a skull cap. On the front of the hat is a
worker's hammer crossed with a lightening bolt.
She's wearing a see-through plastic overall. Inside
we can see other costumes in plastic and in various
primary colors. She's wrapped, snake-like, in
hi-tech electrical extension cords in various
pastel colors. On her feet are a pair of plexiglas
high heels with live goldfish swimrni.,g in the heels.
TINA is feeding other goldfish in a small aquarium
in front of her. Finally we see RAVEN,unquestionably
the star here. She's not completely dressed yet.
P.AMOr-,who lives with HOWARD,is a hair-dresser
whose work is too extreme for the uptown salons.
He's blow-drying RAVEN'S hair. RAVENreaches for a
bottle of Amaretto nearby and pours it over a -piece
of cheesecake. Eats a forkful.
,r
'. RAMOS
You know what they used
to say about Marilyn Monroe?
RAVEN
(preoccupied)
( That she always wore her
bra to bed.
RAMOS
How did you know? It must
be true.
(
RAVEN
You told me •••
(turns)
Tina, don't you feel weird
about killing those goldfish
( everynight?
TINA .
They're just goldfish •••
A.rrywa1·
, they' re cheap.
-~-··-·
-·· "
15 (cont'd)
,;
An angry HOWARD
enters in a rush.
HOWARD
(flustered)
They've all got motorc"cles
for dicks! Little bastards!
I
SOLITARY
Jesus. Not them again.
{
RAVEN
Did you bring the ~oplex?
•
HOWARD
The only place that had
( it was an art supply shop •••
Do you like my hazelnut
cheesecake? ·
RAVEN
(smiles)
( Fabulous.
HOWARD
Isn't it to die?
-~
I I
RAMOS
(sarcasm)
He put his secret ingredient
in it this week.
TINA
Did you mix my nailpolish,
( Howard?
HO~ARDopens his kit and shows TINA a pot of mixed
nailpolish.
TINA
C That's not industrial grey!
HOWARD
It's gunboat grey. It'll
have to do.
( As HOWARD begins to coat RAVEN'S face with the c=eamy :Rhople>
substance, VERArushes in carrying a black and silver
jump suit that looks like a space costume. RAMOS
sprinkles silver stars and glitter on the wild hair-
style then passes the blower over her face.
I The substance hardens into a translucent, second,
·c- plastic skin. RAVENlooks air-brushed, more magazine
CONTINUED
(
r 15 (cont'd)
(
illustration than h\lll\an -- larger than
life. She's wearing a satin black and silver bra,
mauve leotards with fish net stockings rolled
over the leotards, all this with mauve high
heels.
VERA
It's ready.
RAVENsteps into the cost\lll\e. HOWARD,_puts finishing
toucnes on her makeup. He takes a can of mineral
spray and sprays her face until she glistens.
She looks sensational. Raven steps into the center
plexiglas cylindrical platform. Closes the gates
and presses a button. The plexiglas fills with aqua-
marine smoke. MUSIC is building. Presses the button
on a speaker behind the platform. RAMOSfinishing
her hair. HOWARD making the makeup precise. VERA
fussing with the cost\lll\e.
(
VOICE FROMSPEAKER
Ready Raven?
I ✓ RAVENcloses her eyes, poses her head up. Legs spread.
l Body filling with the building MUSIC. The other
dancers step into their cylindrical platforms.
RAVEN
(to speaker)
Okay. Now•••
C The sound of a motor humming. RAVENbegins her
descent through the dressing room floor.
CONTINUED
~ ~···---·, ·-"" /
- 16 (cont'd)
She stands rigid, legs spread and lifts her hands
high above her as if she were being tied up. Her
body is hit by lime green laser beams that give
the visual effect of being tied up, The four other
platforms and four other dancers descend dancing
to the music, Almost as quickly as they arrive
they ascend and finally disappear, The music shifts
in mood and momentum, RAVENbreaks her laser
bonds, steps out of her platform and moves into an
astonishing dance, precisely choreographed to the
music and the lyrics, The dance defies physical
endurance at one moment and is cool and graceful
the next. · The audience shows a cert.:i.in kind of
awe. CAMERAintroduces PAUL POTOKER,a young 38, a man
attractive for both his looks and success. A dynamic
businessman and crusading citizen, he looks out of
place here, sitting with a friend, stealing time
before a squash game. He can't take his eyes off
RAVEN.
17 INT. HARDHAT SHOWBAR
- .MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
As the production number continues, RAVENdoes a
,
stylish pealing of costumes and putting them back
on again. More flash than strip, the flashdancer
does not like burlesque. Her roots are in the
J fashion photograph, magazine illustration, godess-
'- like notions of ideal womanliness. ·
RAVENalmost ignores
the audience, creating her· own narcissistic theatre.
She is more interested in seeing herself move in
the mirrored wall behind the stage, She
mouthes the lyrics to the production piece as if
the song is directly about her life, her fantasies.
In the audience we see FRANKholding JUNIOR JEAN'S
hand. He is staring at RAVENwith no small amount
of wonder, Takes his hand away from JEAN, sips
a beer. JEAN looks closely at FRANK, at the apprecia-
tion and excitement revealed on his face. VERA,
HOWARD and RAMOSenter the bar from upstairs and
sit at a table, The six principle WAITRESSES, all
wearing VERA'S high-fashion imitations, stop serving
to watch RAVEN, Their dream is to one day make it
as a flashdancer. The waitresses, all in their
late teens, know the music so well that they're mouthing
the lyrics too,.trying to strike RAVEN'S ultimate
attitude, rocking on their feet, as if they were part
of the dance. The production number ends with a
triumphant ascent into the dressing room. The show-
bar is jwnping with applause, cheers and be~rs being
.'l slamined on the table. PAUL POTOKERand FRIEND make
(. their way to the exit,
CONTINUED
t
17 (cont'd)
r JUNIOR JEAN '.~
r I can't believe her. \
j
FRANK )
Un-believable.
VERA
Never mind lier. That costume!
Italian Vogue eat your
heart outl
(turns to
Howard who's ..
staring at •
Potoker)
Isn't the costume too perfect?
l Hey, Howard •••
HOWARD
Isn't that PYul Po~oker?
VERA
{ Who?
I Potoker.
HOWARD
A real powerful ,
guy. Always raising shit in
the papers about something.
POTOKERfinally exits.
,..
20 (cont'd)
VERA
They cover the cost of the
material. Hey, anyway,
it's an opportunity to
build up my line. I can't
go on doing piece work at
the factory forever. If
me and Howard can ever •
get our shop together, I'll
have some sort of inventory.
JUNIOR JEAN
That's a fantasy~ •• it's been
years now, Vera.
VERA
No more fantasy than your
figure skating. I didn't
spend half th~ night finishing
that costume... •
(points)
thinking all that's
a fantasy, did I?
Damn it, girl. If you
work hard it might
,
I.
✓
come to you. That's all we can
hope for in this goddamn
world.
JUNIOR JEAN
I'd just feel better if
you'd take some money.
VERA
You should work it out
with Frank. It's between
you and Frank.
JUNIOR JEAN
I've got to start think-
ing there's more to
life than Frank.
FRANKwalks tenderly into the kitchen. An obvious
tension between JUNIOR JEAN and FRANK
CONTINUED
t· -
l
20 (cont'd)
- JEAN gets up to leave. Moist eyes.
JUNIOR JEAN
l better get ready for work.
JUNIOR JEAN exits. VERA croes to the stove. FRANK
sits down, head in hands.
FRANK
Just juice and coffee.
l can't eat. •
VERA bringing over coffee and juice.
VERA
You were a real shit last night.
Jean and I had to come home
alone. Where did you go?
FRANK
(holding his
head)
Please, Ma. Not now.
VERA
t If your father was alive he'd
give you a swift kick in
the ass.
'FRANK groans. Sips his coffee shakily.
VERA
I hate it when you get into
the juice like that. Why don't
you smoke dope or
I
something?
I FRANK
I l like beer.
VERA
l can't stand the way you're
treating your girlfriend
lately.
FRANK
l don't do nothing to Junior
Jean.
VERA
t( Exactly right. You don't
(. - do nothing.
CONTINUED
20 (cont'd)
FRANK
Give me a break.
YERA
She wakes up alone in
her room every morning.
The only ti.me it's really
good with you two is
when she wakes up in
your room •••
FRANK
(shrugging •
it off)
We've been working our
asses off.
VERA
What's wrong? You can't
get it up?
Sound of the back door shutting. HOWARD
enters •
•
FRANK
Do we have to talk about
✓ this at b1eakfast?
HOWARD
Good morning fellow
capitalists!
VERA
Hi ••• I'm nearly ready.
(turns to
Frank)
You should have a man-to-
man talk with Howard,
here. I'm sure he can
get it up.
FAANKwinces. VEAAturns back to HOWARD.
HOWARD
our kind rub noses.
FRANK
(laughs)
Nose jobsl
•·
'(
HOWARD ~-
VERA
And the Pope eats
kreplach.
HOWAru>exits. VERA makes to follow.
•
HOWARD (O,S.)
Let's go Big Mac!
FRANK
Hey, Ma. Why does Howard
call you Big Mac? I
•
VERA I
(embarrassed)
Because it's my favorite
lunch ••• Who knows ••••
) ,. FRANKfinds this hysterical. He can't stop laughing.
VERA, conscious of her weight, throws a maga~ine
at him.
I·
VERA
I It's not funny!
21 lNT, RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
CAMERAPANS a loft with much space and light. Exotic
plants hang over the large windows. The brick walls
have been sarilblasted by RAVENherself. Equipment
for stripping and blanching the wood floors is sitting
at the middle of the loft. The painstaking job is
only partially done. On the walls are turn-of-the
century anatomical drawings of horses in flight,
and a layout of risque underwear from Penthouse
magazine. What little furniture there is here is
art deco. An art deco vase filled with tulips sits
on an art deco table beside a mattress on the floor,
I a bed left unmade. TWo half empty wine glasses sit
on the floor beside the mattress. On a homemade
chair are discarded leotards, a picture book called,
Modern Dance From Ballet to Rock and Roll, a self-
~elp primer on how to do your own taxes, a pair of
purple pumps, marijuana bong, and a jacket that
announces 1:)th "Frank" and "United Electrical Syste,11s."
CONTINUED
'..
21 (cont'd)
CONTINUED
l
,.
,_ ·-- .. __,_. - --- -··- _,__
,,.. .
23 (cont'd)
HOWARD
We'll do itl
24 EXT. UPTOWNSTREET - BOUTIQUEDISTRICT - DAY
The eccentric blue Comet, carrying NADIA, SOLITARY,
TINA TECH in the back seat, RAVENin the front, LORR-"
AINE driving, turns onto the street and heads toward
the bakery truck. The car and the girls, all wearing
outrageous street fashions, cause shoppers' heads
to turn.
25 INT. LORRAINE'S CAR - UPTOWN
STREET-•DAY
The girls are having a great time flaunting themselves
to the uptown crowd. TINA TECHparodies one
of the well-heeled shoppers, a middle-aged man
obviously gay.
TINA TECH
Check out the bum-burgler.
NADIA
Lah-de-dab.
RAVEN
There it is. There's the
truck,
26 EXT. UPTOWN
STREET - BOUTIQUEDISTRICT - DAY
The car slows. As it does it passes THE CONSERVATORY
OF CONTENPORARY DANCE. Two, sleek, confident, upper
middle-class girls in their late teer.s are walking
down the steps wearing leg warmers. It's a private
school for exceptional students: originally influenced
by the Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham schools.
The car passes the girls. Mutual stares. Mutual
I fascination.
:[
NADIA
(sarcastic)
Pah-dee-doo.
RAVEN
( M, calm down, Nadia. I'm h= over.
The car finally pulls up behind the truck.
TINA TECH
Not that shi thou_se?
t-- CONTINUED
-
. ---·
26 (cont'd)
,- LORRAINE
I think it's cute.
27 INT. VACANTBUILDING- UPTOWN
BOUTIQUEDISTRICT - DAY
The GIRLS walk in led by RAVEN.
HOWARD
Well. Look what the
eighties dragged in •••
VERA
Would you girls talk to •
this man? $4S0 a month •••
TINA TECH
It costs that to park
your car around here.
HOWARD
If you all pitched in
how long would it take
to fix?
LORRAINE
Not that long. It's
real cute •••
:RAVEN is pulling up a piece of linoleum. The rest
of the girls despite being stylishly turned out,
move around the place like laborers, shifting
boxes, checking walls.
RAVEN
There's a pine floor under this.
It'd look great stripped.
Hell of a job though.
HOWARD
How long?
RAVEN
We only got Sundays off, ••
I'd say, maybe four Sundays,
double shifts.
(
NADIAand SOLITARYgrimace at each other.
SOLITARY
C'mon, you guys. We're the
only two with boJfriends.
( J
CONTINUED
(~ -
'
-
27 (cont'd)
TINA TECH
Trust Solitary to try to
weenie out •••
RAVEN
I'll do the roof and floor
work.·
LORRAINE
Tina is a great carpenter.
I'll paint.
VERA; •
(warily)
I guess Frank and Jean
could do the extra wiring •••
HOWARD
Greatl Greatl Gr •••
(turns to
Vera)
Let's go do the lease, ••
RAVEN
She has to come with
r us! Jean's competing
r. in the regionals.
'
VERAwalks nervously. Ponders. 'Iurns to RI.VIN. Now excited.
VEAA
It's okay, I'll have
Howard take me to the
arena. We're
uptown now anyways,
HOWARD rushes over and embraces VERA. A mood of
exultation,
TINA
By the way I borrowed
some makeup from your case •••
for Jean •••
HOWARD
Not my electric red?
TINA
Not lour own
stuf ••• Just some
Madelaine Mono•••
CONTINUED
'
-·- ......._.... - - ·---.--
_____ ,, '
27 (cont'd)
,,. HOWARD
Just because I do your
makeup for peanuts doesn't
mean I'm a patron of the
arts. It'll cost someone
eight bucks,
RAVEN
We'll chip in, Don't
worry,
HOWARD
(gleefully look- •
ing around)
I don't care •• Take it all.
Take it all •••
2B EXT. GAS STATION- MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
The old Comet pulls into a gas station. The driver,
LORRAINE, gets out walks over to a self-serve gas
pump. Macho in the extreme she shoves the nozzle
into her tank. A wind blows her dress high, exposing
red stilettos and pink seamed stockings. She ignores
stares from blue collar workers. Doesn't bother
,,,,. holding the dress down. RAVENleans out of the
window.
' RAVEN
Hurry up!
LORRAINE
Don't get your tits in a
knot.
29 INT. KITCHEN- VERA'S HOUSE- DAY
JUNIOR JEAN is nervously searching through the cabinet
above the kitchen sink. She takes out a container of
prescribed pills. They're VERA'S diet pills. She
pops two and pockets two more. She's wearing a
long cloak. Starts to pace frantically. She's
beside herself with anxiety. car HONKfrom outside,
She picks up her equipment bag and races toward the
door.
30 INT. LORRAINE'S CAR - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
The car is speeding along the streets.' An atmosphere
of tension and anticipation. Finally JEAN breaks
the silence.
CONTINUED
... "
- --•·
,,,~··-···-·• -
30 (cont'd)
JUNIOR JEAN
Turn here •••
LORRAINE
How come?
JUNIOR JEAN
I've gotta stop by the
church a sec •••
TINA TECH
Jesus! What for?
•
JEAN turns to TINA. She's frantic.
JUNIOR JEAN
I want to see the priest.
LORRAINE
We don't have tifflel
JUNIOR JEAN
I just have to ••• for luck.
The girls don't laugh. They understand completely.
I ,- RAVENputs a comforting arm around JUNlOR JEAN,
RAVEN
I'll go in with her .••
31 EXT. ROMANCATHOLlCCHURCH- MARKETDlSTRlCT - DAY
Comet in background as RAVENand JEAN mount the
stairs of the church, approaching the main door.
RAVEN
Why are you so jumpy?
JUNIOR JEAN
r Nothing.
32 INT. ROMANCATHOLICCHURCH- MARKETNElGHBORHOOO
- OAY
RAVENwalks with JEAN down the aisle toward the
confession box, talking quietly, striking an almost
maternal pose.
RAVEN
Those uptown girls are real
snobs. Pretend they don't
exist. Don't let them
t·. get to you •••
CONTINUED
-··- • .a.
CUT 'l'O:
PRIEST'S portion of the co~fessi.on
PRIEST
..
box.
. Distracted.
I
' JEAN'S side of the confession box.
I
I JEAN
' I (frenetic, r~pid-
fire delivery)
Look,Father, ••
I gotta get this over with because
I'm in a real hurry. I'm Jean
Cavast.ani •• ,I live with Frank
Rosenberg and his Ma but I guess
you wouldn't know them, Anyway,
I want to confess my sins because
,! I can't afford to have anyone
I corning down on me today,
pecially God, And especially
Es-
/'
(
today, Today is the biggest
day of my life, Father. I'm
competing in the figure ska.ting
regionals and it's terribly,
terribly irnportant for me to
place. If I don't, I'll just
die, Me and Vera spent weeks
getting the costume together which
' is fantastic. And all my spare
time (which isn't much because
of my job).,,all my spare time
went on my jumps. Anyway, here••
what I think my sins are ••• I jerk.,.
I mean, I masturbate a lot because
Frank is off me these days and I've
never been with another boy.
(HORE) CONTINUED
' -·
34 (cont'd)
JEAN(CONT'D)
Anyway, I don't think sex
is a sin, but I thought
I should tell you just in
case. What I'm really
freaked about is that
I steal these diet pills,
these deximils from Vera
who's kind of chubby and
doesn't miss them yet. Like
today ••• I think it's the pills
that make me so nervo,us.
•
CUT 'l'O:
PRIEST'S portion of the confession box. Pushes
the grate open and stares at wonder at this creature
giving her speed-rap confessional. From PRIEST'S POV.
PRIEST
(under his
breath)
Jesus Christ •••
JUNIOR JEAN
It's not that I'm an addict
or anything. It's just what
with my work and skating I need
high energy ••• I'm smaller than my
friends ••• I'm the only one
who skates and it's real im-
portant for me to be good at
something. My friends are
real fantastic and Raven,
(you don't know Raven) is
beyond fantastic. Anyways, I
know popping is a mortal sin
because in school they used
to say taking drugs breaks
the Fifth Commandment••• •Thou
shalt not kill ••• • because it's
like killing your own body.
I work hard and I'm really
healthy so, maybe, just maybe,
that makes up for it. You know
what I mean?
l
35 INT. RACQUET
ANDSKATINGCLUB- UPTOWN
- DAY
JILL POTOKER, 1S, an attractive but haughty blonde,
aristocratic in a pale blue figure skating costume,
is in the middle of her free-style. The MUSIC,
classical in theme, is appropriately
CONTINUEI>
,.
-•••-w
·-----···· .·•------.------ -
35 (cont'd)
- suited for her moves which have, about them, a cold
but exquisite refinement. Her father, PAUL, and
her mother, ELAINE, 36, dark, black hair, impeccably
dressed, very attractive, are watching on one side
of the arena. Other uptown parents with politely
turned out children, various coaches and judges and
cultivated contestants are on the same side of the
arena. CAMERA PANS to the opposite side of the
arena frcm PAUL'S POV. Dwarfed in the empty bleachers
are RAVEi'.,TINA, SOLITARY, LORRAINEand NADIA
looking decidely out of place in their street high-
fashion plummage. VERA is fussing with the
long cloak wrapped around JUNIOR JtAN. JILL'S
routine is moving toward a spirited culmination.
JUNIOR JEAN
(to Raven)
She's good. The best
so far.
•
RAVENnods. As JILL finishes, applause rings across
the arena. PAUL, and ELAINE, delighted and proud,
embrace JILL as she skates off. The judges, heads
down in the judge's box, are conferring.
,
' ,.
,,. 36 INT. RACQUETANDSKATINGCLUB- UPTOWN
- DAY
JILL POTOKER'Smarks are held up high by the judges.
Mostly five/sixes and five/sevens for artistic inter-
pertation. They're the best marks of the day. JILL
takes the accomplishment in a matter-of-fact manner.
FRANK, late, comes rushing in.
JUNIOR JEAN
Why do I have to skate
after h!!?
NADIA
I thought she was corny.
LORRAINE
Yeah. She moves like she
has a pickle up her ass.
RAVEN
(
She was good. But you can't
think about it. You're the best.
SOLITARY
Just be you~self.
I RAVEN
(shouts)
Get up!
JEAN struggles to her feet. Her eyes again on RAVEN,
who, suddenly appears to her as a vision; abstracted,
larger than life. She Fushes into another double
lutz jump. Crashes to the ice again. Tears roll
down her face.
RAVEN
•
(strangely angry)
Get up! Get up!
CONT.CNU&O
-·-
- ·-
-·.-,,
/
37 (cont'd)
RAMOS (O.S.) ?
Is today your plum or
watermelor day?
•
HOWARD thinks. Puts down his wood baking pallate.
Yells back.
HOWARD
Watermelon!
r
HOWARD walks toward a staircase just outside the
oven room. Walks up.
39 INT. THE PASICH APARTMENT
- MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
The five-room apartment above the bakery is a curious
mix of old world and designer decors. :RAMOS
is
cutting a slice of watermelon and putting it on a
plate. HOWARDarrives.
RAMOS
This is a dumb diet.
I HOWARD
Bette Midler lost 15
pounds on it.
HOWARD takes t.he plate. Joins his MOTHERat the
kitchen table. She's studying t.he bakery's accounts.
HOWARD
'What's t.he story Mama?
MRS. PASICH'
We can spare maybe 300
.t I more dollars. Not more.
Fven a penny.
_" CONTINUED
----- - ~
39 (cont'd)
RAMOS
I collected from Clos Normand
••• The freelance pastry
is down $72 this month •••
J!OWAlU>
It's so trendy uptown.
One minute they want
creams, the next? f
(eating
watermelon) I
Anyway, we match Vera's
money. The shop will
open on time. •
RAMOS
You're driving yourself
too hard, Howard. It's
ridiculous. Vp st five
in the morning every day •••
MRS. PASICH
You're no chicken no more.
RAMOS
., (laughs)
Don't tell him tha~
Mama Pasich ••• -
HOWARD
Me and Vera are going to
give our customers a
complete new look, This
is our break. You watch.
There's nothing around like
what we do •••
MRS. PASICH
Ramos. Tell him to be
happy with bakery. was
good enough for Mr. Pasich •••
HOWARD gets up and opens a series of pastry boxes.
Ignores MOTIICR.
HOWARD
(angry)
You know? Bastards! I'm missing two
fresh fruit tortesl I
have a good idea of
what little bastards
are thieving my tortes •••
Sastari,sl
' -··
~-~,,
41 (cont'd)
CONTINUED
C.
...
43 {con~·a,
... ---·-----·-·---·~------
- ·- . - ---· ·--- "
46 EXT. STREET - BA.RD BAT BAR, GRILL - NIGHT
HOWARD'Sdelivery truck pulls up in front of the
bar. He slams the door in a rage and moves toward
the depot coffee shop where the BIKERS and a few
GROUPIES, who taunted him earlier are standing in
front of their Yamahas. HOWARD, when angry, has
a fearful physical presence. TINA TECHhas just
arrived at the door of the bar. Looks on.
HOWARI)
You're stealing my tortes,
aren't you?
•
FIRST BIKER
(turns to second)
Hey, Lenny. Did you steal
his tits?
HOWAJU>
It's my livelihood!
SECONDBIKER
(grabs breast of
Girl next to him)
I gave 'em to Norma here.
f
C'mon, Howard. Come get
your tits.
General laughter. HOWAIU) lunges at the SECONDBIUR,
grabs him, totally dominating.
TINA TECH
Howard!
She runs toward him as two other Bl~ERS attack.
SECONDBIKER struggles free. As FIRST BIKER moves
in TlNA, burprisingly strong, stops him. NORMA
comes at her. TINA grabs her by sweatshirt.
TINA TECH
Touch me, bitch and
I'll rip your lungs
out.
TINA pulls HOWAIU) back. BIKERS move toward them.
A police car down the street brings action to a
halt. TINA glares at the BIURS.
TINA TECH
Fuckin' Palookasl
HOWAJU>
and TINA walk cautiously back to the bar.
/
47 INT. HARDHAT BAR, GRILL - MARKET
NEIGHROHOOD
- NIGHT
CAMERA PANS the bar, bus drivers, workers, the regulars,
NICK, the owner, standing behind the bar. The SIX
PRINCIPLE WAITRESSESare rocking to the music
while carrying trays of draft beer. Occasionally
they will put the trays down to do some impromptu
flashdancing between tables. CAMERA HOLDSon PAUL
POTOKER,dressed in an expensive suit, sipping
a sco'tti, watching RAVENdance. Her look is
more sophisticated this time. ~ see C/U croreo;raphed gesture
seen earlier at the CONSERVATORY.She's halfway
through her dance, moving her costume around. The
MUSIC takes a turn from jazz to rock.and roll. PAUL
astonished as RAVENstarts to literally rip the
dress she's wearing to shreds exposing a
I silver-sequined
particular
tank top.
kind of disposable
The dress is made of a
material. RAVENmoves
into what appears to be balletic twirls and twists
and we f~nally see the move seen previously in Olitski's
Gym. Her hair trails across•the ground and her face
moves up between her legs, undulates, swoops into another
series of moves. The bar goes wild when RAVENascends
to the dressing room. PAUL is stunned. HOWARD
approaches PAUL.
HOWARD
Mr. Potoker?
''- 48 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - DRESSINGROOM- NIGHT
I
RAMOS,busy doing TINA'S MAKEUP,hands RAVENa towel.
RAMOS
(checking nails)
You should use tips instead
of fits.
TINA
(
Fits are better. When I
get some extra money I'm
going to get some Living
Nails.
RAMOS
Not that acrylic garbage?
t
The other DANCERSare busily preparing for the next
number. VERA is bringing in pieces of RAVEN'Snext
costume. RAVENnotices T;NA'S shoes,
CONTINUED
C.
r
-• --- --·.-··--··. ~------·------
48 (cont'cS)
RAVEN
,· Fast shoes you got there ••
TINA
They're Louis Jourdan.
VERA
Charles Jourdan ••• six bucks
at the thrift shop. A
steal.,.
49 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANOGILL - NIGHT
HOWARD is sitting with PAULPOTOKER,just finishing
writing his phone numbers down on a match box cover.
HOWARD
• That's my home, that's
the bakery number, the
bar's~~ the front there •••
PAUL
I'll see what I can do Howard ••
HOWARD
I'd be so grateful. If
my pastries could sell at
Les Copain I'd feel I'd
made the big time.
AAVENenters the bar looking particularly sexy. She
stops to talk to one of the PRINCIPLE WAITRESSES.
We see her from PAUL'S POV,•• The WAITRESS, pleased
about something RAVENhas said, puts her tray
(
down and rushes toward the dressing room stairs.
HOWARD notices PAUL staring at RAVEN.
HOWARD
That's Raven. She's the
regular diva, around here.
(
PAUL
Beautiful •••
HOWARD
You should meet her •••
(
(shouts,
beckons)
Raven!
RAVEN,waves back, walks to the bar where there's a
large frothy white drink waiting for her. Starts to
stride towards HOWARD'Stable. Stops enroute at
CONTINUED
- ....
::....:.•;
' Jellybean?
PAUL
RAVEN
One ource of Vodka, one
ounce iahula, one ounce
banana li~uer, blended with
cream and crushed ice in a
blender •••
CONTINUED
--·· --·-·---· . -
49 (cont'd)
, PAUL
r Good God.
RAVEN
Taste it.
PAUL
Tastes like a milkshake •••
(pause)
You're a
wonderful dancer, Raven •••
RAVEN • •
(shrugs)
I'll be better next set •••
Potoker? I know that name.
Do you have anything to do
with Potoker Developers?
PAUL
The family business.
RAVEN
Yeah. I see your signs
on a lot of new construc-
.,. tion ••• Aren't you the guy
always trashing the other
(< developers?
'
PAUL
I
I (laughs)
I like to give them
a hard iime. I paid
dues in architectural
school and somewhere along
the line learned there's
.I
I
more to building than
making money.
RAVEN
You don't look like
you're starvina tn "eP.t.~.
MUSIC shifts. LIGHTS up. The podiums descend featur-
ing LORRAINEin her high-style leopard costume.
The previously seen young WAITRESSis dancing on
RAVEN'S podium. The podiums ascend leaving
LORRAINEmoving to rhythmic Brazilian MUSIC. She
has about her a jungle scent. RAVENstarts to bop in
her chair furiously sipping her drink. PAULcan't
stop looking at her. Total fascination. They both
sit silently watching LORRAINE'S performance.
CONTINUED
49 (cont'd)
PAUL
You drink like a
stevedore.
RAVEN
I lose a lot of water •••
FRANKcatches RAVEN'S eye. A tension between them.
PAUL notices it. VERA joins FRANK'S table.
RAVEN
(getting up)
Nice meeting you ••• I •
have to get back to my
friends •••
PAUL
(surprised
at himself)
Look. Raven. I, ••
RAVEN
(defensive)
Uh.•• I don't date customers •••
PAUL
Is that house policy?
RAVEN
It's my policy.
PAUL
(smooth smile)
l 'm harmless.
RAVEN
Funny. You doi.'t look
harmless.
PAUL
I'm married. And have a
daughter not that much
younger than you ••• that's
harmless •••
RAVEN
When did you get married?
When you were twelve?
RAVENmakes to leave. Impulsively turns back •••
RAiTEN
Do you know where the Donwood
Golf Course is?
CONTINUED
-~
49 (cont'd) 1.
PAUL
I think so .•.
\
RAVEN
You can meet me at the tenth
hole Wednesday at six
!
in the morning.
PAUL
Are you nuts?
RAVEN
That's the only time •
I have free •••
PAUL
You're putting me on right?
RAVEN
(sincerity)
Nope .• ,Tenth hole, six in
the morning.
RAVENwalks to FRANKS' table and sits down. PAUL stares
at her, shakes his head, finally turns to LORRJ).INE'S
performance.
50 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
RAVEN, in painter's overalls, is on her hands and
knees stripping the hardwood floor of her loft.
The loft, having just been cleaned, is pristine.
Great pride is behind the care in this home.
Knock at the door.
RAVEN
It's open!
FRANKwalks in fresh from work. He still has his
work clothes on.
RAVEN
Hi,
FRANK
Don't you ever stop working?
RAVENstands, examines her work.
RAVEN
You in a bad mood?
CONTINUED
so (cont'd)
r FRANK
These contractors. They
never pay their bills
on time.
RAVEN
You're telling me? Want
a drink?
As RAVENwalks toward the kitchen area she's slipping
off her overalls.
FRANK •
Let's have a couple of
colds •••
RAVENtakes two beers out of the fridge. Drops her
overalls. Puts on a pair of high heels. She's only
wearing bikini pants. As she pours the beers,
FRANKis discarding all his clothing. He lays back
on the bed and watches the vision of RAVENmoving
toward him. She puts the beers on a sidetable.
Matter-of-factly she climbs on top of him. Stares down
into his eyes.
RAVEN ,
r You steam me up, Frankie.
FRANKpulls her roughly toward him. They kiss.
Deeply sexual, deeply physical. A scene all a.bout appetite.
Sl INT. JUNIOR JEAN'S ROOM- VERA'S HOUSE- DAY
JUNIOR JEAN closes the door behind her. Her room is
a self-created version of a tropical paradise complete
with a plastic palm tree and escapist posters of
Caribbean Islands. On one wall is a big poster of
Peggy Fleming. She pushes a sound sleeping device.
We hear surf crashing against a beach. She throws
her bomber jacket and tool belt on the bed. A sen-
timental, almost forties, musical atmosphere is evoked.
JEAN undresses straightforwardly. Walks over to a
wall mirror and examines her body academically.
She pushes her breasts up thinking that they sag
a little. Examines her profile. Changes her hair-
style with her hands. She's actually quite beautiful.
In work clothes she appears short, tom-boyish. But
without clothes fier body is revealed to be full and
attractive. Slowly she walks to the window ledge
and sits by the window like a Manet figure. She stares
thonghtfully out at the old neighborhood •
•
('
- 52 EXT. I>ONWOOD
GOLF COURSE- DAWN
PAUL'POTORER,driving his Porsche, pulls up beside
the dark golf links which are below him. PORTUGUESE
WORKERS are picking dew worms at a frantic pace below.
It'& not quite apparent to PAULwhat•• going on.
A surrealistic long shot 1hows lamp-lighted minin;
hats, bobbing up and down in precision.
PAUL
What is this?
PAUL gets out. Stares for awhile the~ honks his horn.
CLOSEon RAVEN, in line with the workers, plucking
worms and putting them in a basket, keeping up with
the best of 't.hem. She looks up and sees his headlights.
WAlks quickly toward the car. The sun is just about
to come up. RAVENstill holding her basket of worms,
approaches.
RAVEN
You ca.me••• I'm surprised.
PAUL
You're surprised? I 111ust
- be out of my mind •••
RAVEN
(looking at
car)
Like I said, you're not
exactly starving.
PAUL
What do you do here?
RAVEN
I pick dew worms with the
Portuguese before work.
PAUL
Before work?
RAVEN
Yeah. I work for a
renovation crew.
PAUL
Of course you do.
RAVEN
I •111 a &andbJ·aster.
CONTINUED
52 (cont'd)
r PAUL
(incredulous)
What galaxy are you
from? •••
(pause)
What do we do now?
MVEN
(turning) •
I've got to check out
my baskets. Be right back.
PAUL is bewildered by all ,this, watches her run
down toward the workers.
S3 EXT. DRIVE-IN COFFEESHOP--INT: PAUL'S PORSCBE--~DAY
The Porsche is parked beside a speaker and MVEN is
leaning over PAUL shouting her order •••
•
MVEN
BLT down .•• keep off
the grass ••• easy on the mayo •••
One tlac~ on black •••
SPEAKERVOICE
•• ,Got it!
PAUL
Translate please.
MVEN
t?
l<o"ha
PAUL
Your order •••
MVEN
Oh.•• BLT --bacon, lettuce,
tomato sandwich--down•-
toasted--keep off the .
grass --not too much lettuce
--easy on the rnayo••
PAUL
I know easy on the mayo.
MVEN
••• 1',nda chocolate milkshake
made with chocolate ice cream •••
I hate it when they use vanilla.
PAUL smiles at her. 'l'houqhtf•Jl.
CONTINUED
'
53 (cont'd)
- PAUL
'Why did you put me through
this way? Bringing me
out at the crack of dawn •••
RAVEN
I wanted to see if I was
-..,;,rth the bother. I mean
guys like you, who have
everything, and who are •••
you know •••
PAUL •
Older?
RAVEN
No. God, I wish you
were older ••• I mean you're
still a real piece ••• You
make me nervous •••
PAUL laughs at her candidness.
RAVEN
I don't know what a man
like you wants from some-
I' one like me••• except the
obvious ••• l just don't want
to be ripped off.
RAVEN
What is it?
•
PAUL
My father was born in that
house.
RAVEN
(delighted)
You're from the neighbor-
hood? No kidding?
PAUL, nostalgic, looking around.
PAUL
,I'
My parents used to
sit on the stoop and
I entertain the neighbors
most nights ••• % used to
play stickball on the
street there ••• Thought I was
another Drysdale •••
PAULhas gone up in RAVEN'Sestimation.
I
I
RAVEN
,,
' Why did you move?
PAUL
My mother wanted to move
up in the world. But my
father never really adjusted
to moving uptown, •• even after
he sold his carpet business
and bought buildings ••• It
confused him ••• Missed hi•
cronies,,.He died just
last year ••• Dropped dead in his
office ••• Like that ••• They found
a hundred dollar bill pinned
in his coat •••
I
t- CONTINtiED
~ ........_, .:•-:-=::: .
Why•••• ?
PAUL
An old country habit ••• Logic
is if you get sick some-where,
··someone will find you and
realize you're not poor.
Comtemplative moment. RAVENtouched by this intimacy,
PU¥,
You'll eventually leave the
neighborhood too. •
Everybody does.
RAVEN
I dunno ••• I know everybody •••
Even the birds on the wires.
PAULand RAVENwalk slowly back to the car. Get in.
PAULturns to her.
PAUL
You'll see. One day you'll
want to move to a city
like New York or L.A •••
PAULstarts the car.
RAVEN
Those cities. They're
like faces passing in a
train ••• I'd never move there •••
Car drives off, PAULstares at RAVEN,confused by
her attitude. She checks her watch.
RAVEN
I'm late for work.
PAUL
I'm sorry •••
RAVEN
Don't be sorry.
I loved it ...
56 EXT. RENOVATED
HOUSE- MAR.KET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
JU.NOVATIONFOREMAN,about 60, watches RAVENget
out of the Porsche, PAULdrives off. RAVENwaves
cheerfully and approaches the FOREMAN.
CONTINUED
__.,,_,
55 (cont'd)
r· FOREMAN
I
( .-. (sarcasm)
My, my, my•••
RAVEN
(fake English
accent)
Daddy took me to a little
breakfast at the Plaza.
FOREMAN
The turkey who bought this
joint is corning here later•
today. I want you to finish
the cornice work.
RAVENheads toward the sand pots.
RAVEN
What's he do? •
FOREMAN
Who?
R11VEN
✓ The turkey •••
((.
( . FOREMAN
Orthodontist .••
RAVEN
Shat's that?
FOREMAN
Fixes teeth •••
56 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
RAVEN, wearing her tight painter's overalls, is again
on her hands and knees stripping and blanching the
hardwood floor. Knock on door. She's -surprised.
Gets up and walks to the door. Unlocks, opens it.
JUNIOR JEAN, wearing her work clothes, stands there.
RAVENis taken aback.
JUNIOR JEAN
You were probably expecting
Frank.
RAVEN
CONTINUED
56 (cont'd)
r JEAN walks into the loft. She's impressed by it.
(( - Appears intimidated. There's great tension between
them.
RAVEN
You want to punch me out,
right?
JUNIOR JEAN
No.
RAVEN •
I wouldn't blame you.
JUNIOR JEAN
I didn't come here about
Frank. I would have come
a lots-oner •••
RAVEN
You knew ••• ?
JUNIOR JEAN
One thing about Frank.
He's real honest •••
RAVEN
What we have ••• It'll play
out ...
JUNIOR JEAN
(resenting herself)
I know. He's not good
enough for you ••
JUNIOR JEAN pauses. Eyes the loft.
JUNIOR JEAN
I came to ask you to help
me out ••• I want to be a
dancer •••
RAVENtaken aback. Searching moment.
RAVEN
Want a drink?
JUNIOR JEAN
I'd rather have a joint.
I'm kind of nervous.
I
t -· CONTINUED
r JUNIOR JEAN starts wandering around the loft examining
it. RAVENgoes to prepare a joint.
JUNIOR 4.EAN
It's amazing what you've done
to this place since we put
the wiring in •••
RAVEN
(holds up hands)
All with these.
RAVENhas taken some papers from a hapd-painted box
and is sorting out a joint at a homemade plexiglass
table. Signals JEAN to sit dawn.
RAVEN
About Frank ••• I •••
, JUNIOR JEAN
Stop .• please ••• Oon't get
me wrong ••• I love Frankie •••
But we've been living together
for four years .•• Since I'm
fourteen. He's getting tired
of me••• I already had my
✓ cry over that. And you know
what? I'm getting tired
of me too ••• tired of just being
an electrician's helper •••
There's got to be more to
me than that •••
RAVEN
About the dancing, Jean.
If you're doing it for
Frank, I can't help you.
Only because you'll only be
good if you do it for yourself.
JUNIOR JEAN
(tough)
It is for myself ••• It was
Frank who was nuts for
Peggy Fleming •••
RAVENsmiles. Passes the 'joint.
JUNIOR JEAN
(looking around)
I'd give anything to have
-· my own s;ace.
CONTINUED
--·'
' 56 (cont'd)
(( . RAVEN
This place means more to me
than anything. When I carne
back to the neighborhood
-- I was about sixteen,
I guess -- I had no money,
no friends, no support.
I had to live out of
a baggage locker in
the bus depot. Wash and
change in the ladies john •••
• •
JUNIOR JEAN
But you were born around
here, right?
RAVEN
We moved when I was twelve.
JUNIOR JEAN
How come?
RAVEN
My Mom took me with her to
a bible school in Virginia
~ - after my Dad left us.
JUNIOR JEAN
Your dad left?
RAVEN
I don't blame him. He
was a neat man. A saxaphone
player. My Mqm's another
story. One of those Janis
Joplin hippies who got born
again after the Sixties
didn't work out. She got pious
and he couldn't hack it.
Went on a road trip with a
band and never came back.
Last I heard he was in
Sweden some place. I miss him
a lot •••
JUNIOR JEAN
I can't imagine you at
bible school.
RAVEN
(_ Hell. I was top of the class.
A proper little virgin. That'•
why I ran out on my Hom, I
think ••• She wouldn't let me any-
where near men •• Ah, it's not as
simple as that. You know what I mean •••
CONTINUED
54.
56 (cont'd)
JUNIOR JEAN
I remember. You had a
boyfriend ••• A Greek kid?
RAVEN
Nicos. Did I love that iUY•
After not having a Dad
around, him being the first . .
and all. He just disappeared
one day. Went to New York
to study Kendo or
something.
(laugh&) •
He took a guitar my Dad
qave me. An old Martin.
Worth at least $800 today.
If I ever see him I'm •
going to stick one of those
Kendo poles up his ass •
•
LAUGHTER. They pass the joint. RAVENstands.
Thoughtful.
RAVEN
Do you mind taking
your clothes off? I can't
✓ tell anything until
r I see your body.
JEAN gets up and begins to peel off her clothes
self-consciously.
JUNIOR JEAN
When you're up on the
stage is there any
one thing you want
to look like. You know,
I mean, aside from yourself?
RAVENsmiles. Walks over to her anatomical
drawings of horses.
CONTINUED
56 (cont'd)
RAVEN
That's a smart question •••
I've always wanted to look
like a horse running.
JUNIOR JEAN
I would have thought a Cheetah.
RAVEN
No, that's Lorraine.
:RAVENtakes JUNIOR JEAN'S hand no~ that she's only
wearing panties. Guides ·her to a window.
RAVEN
One thing I know for sure.
A girl's naked body is her
best costume •••
(pause)
Breasts need some firming.
Put your hands behind your
neck. Flex. That's it •••
No problem •••• You got
strong pecs ••• Your legs
are kind of short ••• We'll
l fix that with the right
shoes ••• something extreme •••
\_
Stilletos, maybe •••
:RAVENslips off her overalls. She's wearing nothing
but heels. Her body is so perfect, she appears
dressed.
:RAVEN
Now look at me. See where
these muscles show but don't
CONTINUED
l
..'
. /
56 (cont'd)
JUNIOR JEAN
I'd like to keep
this a secret until I
know if I'm good enough.
At least from Frank.
RAVEN
Your secret's safe •••
JUNIOR JEAN
Do you think I'll be any good?
RAVEN
(laughs) . •
Na-aw .•• Not a chance •••
Pause. JUNIOR JEAN staring out the window. 'l\ln1S to RAVEN.
JUNIOR JEAN
Did Frank ever tell you
why I live at Vera's house?
RAVEN
No. We don't exactly
chat ••• Oh, I'm sorry.
~ RAVEN
(laughs)
They must have been really
pissed.
JUNIOR JEAN
You don't understand. My
Dad's a real violent alcoholic.
Beat me regular. He put
Frank and me in the hospital.
for three days •••
RAVEN
Shit •••
I
JUNIOR JEAN
Said he never wanted to see my
~. - face ,,gai,:i ••• A week after l
got out of the hospital l
(MORE)
CONTINUED
l
(.
- 56 (cont'd)
JUNIOR JEAN (CONT'D)
came home to make-up.
Frank waited for me at
the corner •••
(chokes up)
••• the thing that got me was
they were having a party •••
Just having a great old
time! Shut the door in
my face •••
(pause)
I don't know for sure. • • •
But I don't think I was
my Dad's real kid ..• I used
to hear him say things to
my .Ma.
RAVEN, compi .. tely moved, walks over to JUNIOR JEAN.
Embraces her. Two female figures framed by the
window. Break embrace. RAVENlooks into JUNIOR
JEAN'S eyes.
RAVEN
Well ••• we got a hell
of a lot of work
I~ to do.
57 INT. LES COPAINS - UPTOWN
- NIGHT
At a table beside a fireplace in this elegantly
appointed French restaurant, PAUL POTOKER,wearing
a pinstripe suit is dining with RAVEN. She's
wearing a red forties suit jacket with nothing underneath.
A pair of mauve leotards, purple high heels
and a black bolwer hat. Through the leotard it's
possible to see a pair of black French silk
panties. Hostile glances from conservative matrons
are directed towards PAUL'S table. Disapproval
of RAVEN'S dress and general deportment. RAVENis
playing with some brocolli with her fork.
RAVEN
Do I eat these little trees?
PAUL
If you want. It's brocolli.
RAVEN
Oh, right ••• I think I'll
have another Jellybean.
PAUL summons the WAITER.
CONTINUED
57 (cont'd)
r - PAUL
When did you start having
these fantasies
looking different?
about
RAVEN
When I was in third grade.
PAUL
When was that?
RAVEN
Uh••• 1970.
•
PAUL
(choking on
his Jellybean)
19701
~ 'AAVEN
Right. I used to'
daydream that in assembly,
I'd wear a black leather
outfit and ride a big Harley
into the· auditorium.
,. PAUL
Third grade? Where would
you get fantasies like that
in third grade?
RAVEN
From watching reruns of
"The Monkees" on TV. Vera
and Howard were the first
people I met who understo~~
all that. They loved my
ideas. I guess they were the
first people to take me
seriously. I love them for
that. I really love those
guys •••
PAUL responds to the stares. Uncomfortable.
PAUL
Why did I bring you here?
RAVEN
'Cause I wanted to see
what it was like, Forget
them. We' re getting high •••
(
CONTINUED
....
57 (cont'd)
r PAUL
(tipsy)
Look at them •••
Silly bourgois, cows.
Fuck 'em.
RAVEN
You fuck 'em.
LAUGHS. The WAITERarrives,
PAUL
Look, Camillo. We want tw&
more Jellybeans but you're
not getting it right. One
ounce of Vodka, one ounce
of Kahlua, one ounce of banana
liguer. Then really blended
st-ongly together ··' th
cream and crushed ice. It
should be like a milkshake.
WAITER
Like a milkshake. Yes, sir.
i FRED
[ (giving Raven
the once over)
How about some squash next
week?
PAUL
l That's right ••• Fred •••
Call me next week, will
you?
RAVENand PAU~ exit hurridly •
•
lt,
(
-·~-·----·--·
·:. --·
60 EXT. UPTOWNSTREETS - NIGHT
( PAUL'S Porsche stops at a light. PAUL can't stop
' laughing at RAVENand the situation. A dark sedan
pulls up beside the Porsche. Inside, a CONSERVATIVE
COUPLE, gawk. RAVENturns, opens her jacket,
exposes her breasts to the couple and stares solemnly
back behind her mirrored-contact lenses. Mouths
drop. Porsche speeds on.
61 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - NIGHT
C/U of an electric blender making Jellybeans. Pull
back to see RAVENpouring the drink5. PAUL checking
out the loft in the background. Both happily drunk.
PAUL
You did all this yourself?
RAVEN
I've had to make over $650
a week for over a year to get
it like this.
Brings him his drink. Gulps hers.
RAVEN
If you think I'm getting high •••
wellJ •• I am•• If you think you can
take advantage of me. Forget it. I
can drink any guy Ulrler the table.
PAUL
(woozy)
I believe it •••
RAVENtakes him by the hand and walks him to the back
of the loft. ~ehind a Chinese screen is a factory
garment rack, with striking high-fashions: costume
after costume.
RAVEN .
Vera made all these. Aren't
they sensational? Howard
and her are going to open
up a shop.
PAUL
••• Not_ exactly Lord,
Taylor's is it?
;
RAVENgrabs one of the more revealing costumes. Throws
off her jacket. She's just wearing her bowler hat with
CONTINUED
r 61 (cont'd)
feather, purple leotards and purple pumps. She
catches his eye on her breasts as she heads toward
the Chinese screen. Shakes her head disapprovingly.
r :RAVEN
What is it with you
guys?-You think in
your pants.
RAVENstops behind the screen.
(
PAUL
With you around, who could
help it? •
• :RAVEN(O.S.)
Let me be natural, okay?
• Like I'm with my friends.
I don't want to have to
worry that you're going
to jump on my bones •••
PAUL
(laughs)
I'm not a jumper •••
PAUL walks over to wall and looks at the various
magazine illustrations of goddess-like women.
PUAL
It's a compliment.
I
RAVEN
I'm not trying to tease
or anything. I hate that.
I think it's a corny way
'• to dance and a corny way
to be •••• Whoops •••
(giggles)
PAUL
What happened?
RAVEN (o.s.)
Put it on backwards!
(giggles)
Moments pass. Finally RAVENsteps from behind
the screen. She looks great. Striking a sophisticated
pose, she imitates moves seen previously at the
CONSERVATORY.A pirouette turns into a tour jet&.
'..1.,..
She spins toward him across the hardwood floor.
His eyes focus on every movement,
' - CONTINUED
...-
....
- ....·-·
61 (cont'd)
....... -···~
- 62 (cont'd)
JUNIOR JEAN
Nordic &pace goddess.
They walk over to the paintings to examine them
further. VERA looks closely at a &cantily-clad
girl wearing wings.
VERA
Wings are a good idea •••
the feathers will soften the
look ••• I'm supposed to
hide all this from •
Frank?
JUNIOR JEAN nods.
63 INT. MAUDEFRIZ~~ - SHOE SHOP - UPTOWN- DAY
PAUL has just bought six pairs of expensive
French high heels. As the SALESLADYpacks them in
boxes, PAUL is holding one up, admiring it closely.
Hands it to SALESl..J\DYreluctantly. She packs it.
SALESUDY
That will be $923.S0, sir.
PAUL
(handing card)
I assume you take
American Express.
SALESUDY
Your wife will just adore
these shoes.•~
PAUL smiles sheepishly.
64 INT. COSTUMEHOUSE- WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
CAMERATRACKSdown row upon row of theatrical costumes
in this vast space. HOLDSon one row. VERA, using
a polorid camera is taking shots of various items
that resemble those items circled in the previously
seen paintings. VERAgestures to JUNIOR JEAN.
VERA
(snapping item)
Turn it over.
JUNIOR JEAN turns the item over. VERA snaps it. At
,. a distance VERA sees fake-Roman breastplate and war
helmets.
'
CONTINUED
l
6S (cont'd)
,. RAVEN
I never made no promises.
FRANK
No. You definitely
did not. Fuck!
RAVEN
Don't you love the
Junior Jean?
FRANK , •
I guess ••• but, •• that's not •••
RAVEN
I think you're lucky
to have a girl like
Juni:r Jean, Frankie.
F:AA:-1K
(emoticnal)
I gotta go •••
Walks out of frame •
.,
66 INT, JUNIOR JEAN'S ROOM- MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
✓
1,
JUNIOR JEAN is drilling a series of holes over the
eye-slit in the stolen war helmet. She screws on
a pink, plastic visor that covers the eye-slit.
A soldering iron is plugged in and on a nearby chair.
She's made an opening at the back of the helmet.
Inside are a series of electrical wires and gadgets.
She solders one last wire in place. Turns off the
soldering iron. Blows on the connection to
cool it. Waves the helmet to cool it further. It's
finished. Turns the face of the helmet
toward her. Turns on a switch at the back. A light
beam flashes across the pink visor -- A "Star Wars"
affect. JUNIOR JEAN is triumphant. Hears FRANK
climbing stairs. Puts helmet away. Rushes to close
door. FRANKangry, walks past her to his door.
JUNIOR JEAN
Hi •••
FRANKmutters. Slams door.
67 INT, OLITSKI'S GYM- MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
RAVEN,wearing her warm-up costume, and JUNIOR JEAN,
wearinJ hers, are working out together. JUNIOR JEAN
(· -
CONTINUED
.. .,.,.-- - -----·
67 (cont'd)
VERA
What's this?
JUNIOR JEAN
My room money.
VERA
(shakes her
,,
' head)
\ Have you discussed this with •••
(looks at
Frank) .
JUNIOR JEAN
I don't have to ••• It's
my business.
JEAN walks a~ay. VERA pockets envelope.
71 INT. CONSERVATORY
OF CONTEMPORARY
DANCE- DAY
RAVEN, wearing paint-splattered work clotheF, is
standing beside the open doorway to a rehearsal hall.
The same severe INSTRUCTORis putting the Junior class
through it's paces to the HUSIC of another modern
dance, The ADMISSIONSDIRECTORis walking hurridly
down the hall. Notices RAVEN in her overalls.
ADMISSIONSDIRECTOR
I thought they finished painting
the third floor?
........ CONTINUED
t·
71 (cont'd)
- RAVEN
(startled)
Oh, •• not yet •••
ADMISSIONSDIRECTORshakes her head and walks off.
RAVENcontinues to watch the cultivated dancers.
Before long she can't help furtively imitating some
finger and hand stretches, One pretty young dancer
leaps in front of the doorway and catches her doing
a little half-step in her Kodiak boots. The DANCER
laughs. RAVENtotally embarrassed. The DANCERis very
cheerful. Continues to stretch to the MUSIC, but talks
to RAVEN. . •
DANCER
That wasn't bad ••• You
a dancer?
..,~VEN
(mortified)
Oh,no. I'm a sandblaster.
DANCER
(makes face as
she stretches)
A what?
- RAVEN
(stutters)
Painter ••• I paint houses •••
DANCER
Really?
RAVEN
(still embarrassed)
Yeah ••• the pay's good ••
DANCER
(stretch, step)
I'm Glynnis. What's
your name?
RAVEN
(defensive)
Raven •••
DANCER
What a great name!
(whispers)
Hey, Stephanie •••
I' !\nether dancer, dances over, smiles -it J.!WEN.
'-· CONTINUED
71 (cont'd)
DANCER
(laughs)
Catch this funky
entrechat •••• Show
her, Raven ••••
RAVEN, thinking they're laughing at her, rushes, upset
toward the door.
STEPHANIE
(stretch)
I '!<a1at'swrong with her?
DANCER
• •
• (step)
I don't know •• She was good •••
72 INT. HARDHAT BAR AND GRILL - MA:Rl<ET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
As the platforms ascend, TINA TECH is the dancer
performing alone this time. She is wearing her Hi-
Tech extension cord outfit previously seen in the
dressing room. The goldfish swimming in the heels
• of her plexiglas high heels are slapping frantically
around as she moves electrically to the music. She's
,f holding a plexiglas dagger that keeps changing color
in the light. She places the dagger blade under the
J.
[
extension cord as if she were trying to free herself
from the clutches of a snake, At one point the cords
appears to be cut in.half. She grabs the cords and
twirls out of the snake's clutches in one long
balletic move. CAMERAtravels back revealing the
audience regulars and HOLDSon one table. At the
table PAUL, RAVEN, and HOWARD,sipping Jellybeans,
watch TINA'S performance. VERA, FRANKand JUNIOR JEAN
watch from the next table. FRANKstares resentfully
at PAUL, from time to time. RAMOS,near the door
leading to the dressing room stairs, waves to get
RAVEN'S attention. He's standing with ANGELENE,
a very shapely blonde in her early twenties. ,RAVEN
walks over to them as TINA'S performance continues.
RAMOS
This is Angelene. She's
going to be trying-out
tonight.
RAVEN
Hi •••
ANGELENE
( , . (Texas drawl)
( - Hi •••
CONTINUED
(
72 (cont'd)
,- RAVEN
I hear you strip for Jesus?
ANGELENE
It's the way I pass His
Word.
(holds up a gold
cross that's around
her neck)
RAVEN
We don't think of ourselves
as strippers here.. We!re
dancer's ••••
SOLITARYapproaches from the dressing room stairs.
ANGELENE
I never t~ke off my bottoms.
There I draw the line.
Tne:re's no damn reason in the
world why perfect stran~ers
should get to see my sacred
:reproductive organs.
RAVEN
Right. Well, good luck Angelene ••
You'll be taking my spot
tonight •••
ANGELENE
Thanks heaps •••
RAMOSand ANGELENEexit toward the dressing room stairs.
SOLITARY
She wears garter belts. Yechhh!
RAVEN
Give her a chance.
TINA'S performance continues in the background.
73 EXT. HARDHAT BAR ANOGRILL - MARKETDISTRICT - NIGHT
The perviously seen FIRST BIKER is standing in the
shadows beside the door of the bar smoking a joint
while the SECONDBIKER is picking the back lock of
HOWARD'Sdelivery truck. Gets the door open. Grabs
a full box of pastries. Gestures to FIRST BIKER.
They both rush for the dark alley beside the bar.
Sit hidden behind the garbage pails. They have a
partial vit"•Wo:f.the truck and bar front. PAUL's Pc-rsche
is parked l>ehiud the truck.
CONTINUED
73 (cont'd)
~-. -~
SECONDBIKER
Man, have I got the munchies.
r The BIKERS pull back into the shadows as a Volkswagon
convertible pulls up behW the Porsche. JILL POTOKER
steps out of her FRIEND'S car. Her friend, LYNN, was
previously seen in the arena during the skatinQ re-
gionals. JILL walks back to the car. The unseen BIKERS
bite voraciously into pastries and leer at the
girls.
JILL
It's my father's car alri~ht •••
FRIEND
( What's he doing~?
JILL
If I don't find out ~•11
die ...
,-
• -~....~.• ,:·--·
,. \"-'""''u"" _,
PAUL
r Sorry it didn't work out,
(, HOWARD
Thanks for making the call.
I know you're very busy,
75 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - HALLWAY
- NIGHT
JILL and LYNNapproach the interior door of the showbar.
(
JILL presses against the wall, LYNNstands at the
doorway.
JILL •
Is he there?
I
(
LYNNsearches the room. A WAITRESSpasses with a tray
I of beer. LYNNadmires her outfit.
LYNN
Look at that super dress!
(
JILL
Is he there?
' LYNN
I don't think so ••• Yes!, ••
There he is!
JILL chances a look. She sees RAVENwalk back to her
father's table, touch his hair affectionately and
sit down.
LYNN
Let's get out of here •••
JILL
(staring at
Raven)
I know that girl, She was
I, at the regionals. Remember?
(
LYNN
You're right!
JILL
(
He couldn't keep his eyes off
her.
The WAlTRESSappraoches the girls at the door.
/lAITRESS
1
'
r
l
WAITRESS
Do you have ID's?
JILL
r (bitchy)
We're as old as you are.
LYNN
I don't want to go in anyway.
( JILL
(points to Raven)
Do you know that girl?
•
WAITRESS
I Raven? She's not dancing
tonight.
<
I
JILL and LYNNturn to leave.
WAITRESS
I
Next time you girls come
( slumming, bring some fake
ID's.
JILL and LYNNhead for the exit. JILL stops., Gestures
her friend to go ahead. I
JILL
I'll be out in a minute.
I JILL heads back to the showbar. Hiding behind a
I
corner, she stares voyeristically at RAVENand her
FATHER. Her eyes move from RAVENto her FATHERand
I
,( back again. Transfixed. Reluctantly she leaves.
76 EXT. JlARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - NIGHT
JILL and LYNNrush back to the car.
I( LYNN
How wierd?
JILL
Tacky!
( As they jump into the convertible, the two BIKERS step
out of the alleyway.
SECONDBIKER
Hey girls? Wanna toke?
A frightened LYNNstarts up the car and takes off.
The two BIKERS run after the car trying to grab a
door handle. the BIKERS laugh, jeer, as the car speeds
away.
CONTINUED
'
.r 77 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - NIGHT
r The lights dim, signaling
PAUL drink their Jellybeans
a new show.
as the strains
RAVENand
of gospel
r music buld. The platforms descend. At the center,
holding a Bible, is ANGELENE. She's wearing a
multi-colored skirt, G-string, bra, cowboy jacket and
hat. The outfit is covered in micro-dot lights that
flash images of angels with halos and Christian symbols.
[ She's also wearing painted cowboy boots with a black
garter belt. As the podiums ascend, TINA, NADIA,
LORRAINE, and SOLITARYdance satirically to what they
consider dumb.music. As ANGELENE• strips, she bends
down to touch her cowboy boots revealing a G-string
the shape of a cross. With her rear pointing to the
r audience, she flashes a view of the cruscifixition in
micro-dots.
VERA
Obscene! •
( HOWARD
Praise the Lord!
RAVENshakes her head in dismay. She and PAULwatch i~
,, disbelief. After awhile they look at each other and
t
I '
can't stop laughing.
Let's
RAVEN
get out of here •••
78 EXT. CITY AIRPORT - DOCKINGAREA- NIGHT
( CAMERA TRACKSpast various small planes and hangars.
we see PAUL'S Porsche parr.ec teside a LEAR JET.
The jet's interior lights are on. Door open. Sound
of laughter.
79 INT. LEAR JET - CITY AIRPORT - NIGHT
(
RAVENis at the controls of the je~. PAUL is in the
luxurious main cabin opening a bottle of expensive
champagne. He fills two glasses and staggers, tipsily,
toward RAVEN,who is wearing the same outfit she wore
at Les Copains. RAVENis pushing buttons and speaking
( into a mike.
RAVEN
You can beam me up, Scotty, ••
RAVENsees a key. Turns it. A high whining sound.
\t,• CONTl'~UED
,.
/
79 (cont'd)
PAUL
'What are you doini?
PAUL rushes over, spilling champagne. He almost trips
as he turns the key off. She laughs and sways into
the cabin area. PAUL, smiling, walks back toward her.
She fills up his half-empty glass.
PAUL
Crazy kid. You're going
to be the death of me.
RAVEN
I'm going to be the life .
of you.
THEY toast each other.
RAVEN
To the life of .you.
Down the champagne.
RAVEN
Isn't this just fabulous?
PAUL
You're fabulous ••
RAVEN
Your friend must be really
rich to own a Lear Jet.
PAUL
His company leases it •••
RAVENnotices an elaborate tape, sound system.
RAVEN
Look at that fan-tastic sound
system •••
(plays with the
knobs, turns it
on)
Not too shabby •• I'm going
to try my new music.
RAVENfishes in her pink tote bag. Puts on her new
show tape. MUSIC starts slowly, almost melodic. PAUL
sits in a swivel chair as RAVENbegins her impromptu
dance. As the MUSIC builds she moves with an implicit
grace, immediatly creating a theatrical atmosphere.
She throws off her bowler hat. Snaps off her forties
jacket revealing her breasts. She's also wearing long,
CONTINUED
79 (cont'd)
black silk gloves with the fingers cut off. Fingernail
polish sparkles in the light. She's wearing no under-
wear beneath the mauve leotards. MUSIC shifts its
momentum to hard rock. RAVENturns the volume up
full blast. The music is deafening. She dances
out the door of the jet. PAUL, broken from his
reverie, follows her.
80 EXT. LEAR JET - DOCKINGAREA - CITY AIRPORT - NIGHT
RAVENis now rocking topless and in extremely high
heels on the wing of the LEAR JET. From the tarmack,
PAUL stares at this creature abandoning herself to the
music.
81 EXT. NEARBYHANGAR- CITY AIR.PORT- NIGHT
A black S~CURITY GUARDin ~is sixties turns his head
toward the sound of the music as do THREEJANITORS
who are cleaning up. One JANITOR recognizes where the
music is coming from. Turns to SECURITYGUARD.
JANITOR
It's from dock area 211
, The SECURITYGUARDpresses button 21 of a lighting
switchboard mounted on the hangar wall. The LEAR JET
is hit by a spotlight. The JANITORS and SECURITY
GUARDare amazed at the sight of a girl dancing wildly
on the wing of the plane. They move toward the plane
in a rush. A .MAN driving a fork lift loading vehicle
also catches the sight, as does an AIRPLANEMECHANIC
carrying a large wrench in his hand, dressed in greasy
overalls. They all move toward the plane providing an
audience suspending disbelief. The group circles the
front of the plane. RAVENignores them and pushes her
extreme dance even further, moving up to the roof of
the jet. PAUL, the FORK LIFT OPERATOR,AIRPLANE
MECHANIC, SECURITYGUARDand THREE JANITORS gradually
get into the spirit of the music, moving their own
bodies to the beat. They love it. A. 747 JUMBOJET is
starting to taxi down the nearby take off strip.
The huge jet passes RAVENin the spotlight on the smaller
plane. CAMERAPANS past the long line of portholes on
the 747 as it passes RAVEN, FACES pressed to the windows
of the 747 show a whole range of emotions as they stare
,.: down at the girl and her audience. The 747
passes by, speeds toward takeoff. The MUSIC moves to
another mood and RAVENdances down the wing to the
entrance steps and into the jet. PAUL, obsessed,
rushes after her and slams the door. Looks of dis-
~ppcintrnent on the faces of the new audience.
·- ---·· ., ~ -
82 INT. LEAR JET - DOCKING AR.EA - CITY AIRPORT - NIGHT
RAVENposes to the last beats of the music. Ber body
is running with perspiration. Her last theatrical
gesture is to place her hand between her legs as her
head shoots upward. PAULmoves slowly toward her.
Places his hands on her face. Tenderly touches her
features. Moves his hands down her neck slowly,
falls to his knees, moves down, across her breasts,
even more slowly down toward her navel. He's
trembling. Begins to pull down the leotards slowly.
RAVEN opens her eyes. Looks down at PAUL. A moment
of indecision. Finally reaches down and holds his hand.
RAVEN •
Paul ••• don't •••
PAUL pulls RAVENto her knees. Kisses her roughly
on the mouth. She reponds. They roll together on
the floor. Frantic passion. Finally RAVENwrestles
free. Both are breathing heavily, quickly. Both on
their knees a few feet away from each other.
RAVEN
I .•. can't ... I'm scared .••
PAUL
(shaking)
Goddamn it! I'm not
sixteen. I'm 38-years
old!
RAVEN
I'm sorry . .. I •••
PAUL stands. Angry despite himself. RAVENhit by
emotion is still on her knees. For the first time
we see her losing control over him.
I, PAUL
Get up for Christ's sake!
RAVEN
(quavering:
no confidence)
Do you want me, Paul?
PAUL turns. His face full of yearning. RAVENstands.
Suddenly angry.
RAVEN
(finger pounding
her chest)
But-do-you-want•!!l!.I
CONTINUED
82 (cont'd)
,
RAVENhurls herself at PAUL, Her fists pummeling him.
He's so surprised by her attack that he bounces off
a wall and falls to the floor, Furious she straddles
him and pushes his face between her legs,
RAVEN
Is that what you want?
Is that itl?
RAVENbursts into tears. Gets up. Grabs her things.
Rushes out of the plane, PAUL, stunned, remorseful •
PAUL •
Raven! I'm sorry •••
83 EXT. DOCKINGAREA- CITY AIRPORT- NIGHT
RAVENruns, weeping, across the tarmack. PAUL in
pursult. The SECURITYGUARD.and JANITORS look on,
heads shaking. PAUL almost has to tackle her. Embraces
her. She holds on for dear life.
84 INT. POTOKERHOUSE~ UPTOWN- NIGHT
The modern Potoker house might be from the pages of
., Architectural Forum -- poured concrete and glass in
a neighborhood still known for the traditional
residences of old money. ELAINE and JILL are finishing
dinner. PAUL is noticeably absent.
JILL
He knew the committee was going
to announce the division
list today. I think he's
a pig!
ELAINE
You were a shoe in •••
Your father knew that.
JILL
Oh, Mommy. Don't make
excuses for him, Don't
you eve~ wonder where he is?
ELAINE
He works late. He's busy •••
JILL shakes her head in disgust. ELAINE notices it.
ELAINE
What doer. that mean?
CONTINUED
84 (cont'd)
,, JILL
Did you ever think he
might be out with other
women?
ELAINE plays with her food, puts fork down, sips glass
of wine.
ELAINE
I'm sure your father •••
JILL
••• fucks around. ,_.
•
• Alright,
ELAINE
Jill. If you've
• got something to tell
me, let's hear it •••
'
I
JILL
Lynn said she saw him hanging
out in a creepy bar downtown.
l• ELAINE
So what?
• ,
JILL
t ,_ Remember those wild girls
who were dancing by the
boards at the regionals?
'I
,, ELAINE
'I (laughs)
They were outrageous •••
,• JILL
:, Lynn said he was with one
of them. She's some kind
of dancer.
/t
ELAINE
They're just kids •••
JILL
Jailbait •••
ELAINE
••• I'm
sure he had his reasons for
being there •••
JILL
,. Don't be stupid, rno~er •••
• ,. CONTINUED
B4 (cont'd)
ELAINE
, Arryway, I think you' re a
genuine shit for gossiping
about him like that.
Defensive moment as they quietly go back to meal.
JILL
Back when you danced with
Martha Graham in New York •••
ELAINE
What about it? ,
•
JILL
Did you evP~ dance for
baddy •••• alone.
ELAINE
What do you mean?
•
JILL
You know •••
ELAINE
Don't be ridiculous.
JILL sees her embarrassment. Realizes she did dance
for him alone.
JILL
(giggling)
Ooooh, Mommy. How gross!
ELAINE laughs at her own embarrassment.
ELAINE
There was nothing gross
about it. He could make
me do anything.
JILL
You mean you don't do it
anymore?
ELAINE
Things like that change
when you've been together
a long time.
JILL
Why do they?
C- CO~TINUED
/
-·~-
,.:.,:..
84 (cont'd)
ELAINE
Well, you came along •••
Somehow when you're a
mother, you get promoted
to a position above •••
JILL
Sex?
ELAINE
No. Not sex. Passion.
JILL •
Some promotion.
ELAINE finishes her wine. Silence between them.
85 INT. THE POTOKERBEDROOM
- UPTOWN- NIGHT
ELAINE, dressed for bed, is pacing the bedroom she
shares with PAUL. Decides to phone. Dials.
86 INT. PAUL'S OFFICE~ UPTOWN- NIGHT
CAMERA PANS the dark sumptuous office of PAUL POTOKER
past photographs of a younger ELAINE dancing en the
professional stage, and JILL in figure skating costume.
I - HOLDSon desk telephone. RINGS. No one is there.
SOLITARY
That's what Vera says.
TINA TECH
There's not enough yellow
in it ••
JUNIOR JEAN
l I think it's pretty.
(· FRANKlooks down from roof.
CONTINUED
l
87 (cont' c!)
FRANK
Hey, Jean. Throw that coil,
up will you?
JEAN moves for it. RAVENgets to it first. Throws it
up quickly It catches Frank in the crotch. JEAN
and RAVENgiggle. FRANKignores them. RAVENputs
her arm around JEAN. Feels the pressure of her biceps:
RAVEN
What an improvement?
•
JUNIOR .JEAN
Compliments of Olitski's gym.
RAVEN
I'm proud of you. You've
really worked your ass off.
88 SHOP -
EXT. UPTOWN BOUTIQUEDISTRICT - DAY
A long black limousine pulls up in front of the shop.
A uniformed driver gets out, approaches. Everyone turns
around. VERAwanders out the front door, wiping her
.,. hands on a towel. NADIA follows •
DRIVER
}'- ls there a Miss Raven here?
RAVEN
I'm Raven •••
DRIVER
{ How do you do?
(shakes her
haml)
George from Metropolitan
Livery. The car's been hired
on your behalf, for the day •••
,(
RAVEN
(dismay)
You putting me on?
DRIVER
t Not at all. Limousine ser-
vice for the day.
RAVEN
(laughs; delighted)
Paul, you're looney tunes ••• J
l·
( - CONTINUED
•
r···
90 (cont'd)
almost be a short, period weddiJ'lg dress. Displayed beside
it are various accessories, including a pair of white
silk stockings.
RAVEN
Wow! Will you look at that
dress!
Vl:RA
Forget it. An arm and a leg.
RAVEN
George. Stop fo~ a sec.
Okay? •
RAVENjumps out of the car holding a glass of Southern
Comfort. Once-overs from shoppers as she examines
the dress.
VERA
(from car•
window)
I'm late!
91 INT. KITCHEN- APARTMENT
ABOVEPASlCH BAKERY- DAY
HOWARD is busily mixing ingredients in bowls., Under
,,. his breath he's doing a diabolical Julia Child imitation.
He's putting crushed chiles, cayenne peppers and
tabasco sauce in the cake mix. HOWARD'SMOTHER,
packing pastries, is scolding him in POLISH. HOWARD
ignores her. RAMOSis packing can after can of Carnation
O,ndensed Milk into a cupboard.
RAMOS
You're crazy to bait those
bozos. Why can't you
ju~T ignore them?
HOWARD
They want a fight. They got
a fight. I was born in
this neighborhood!
MRS. PASICH
So, big deal ••••
(
VERAand RAVENcome up the stairs from the bakery.
VERA
I'm here ••••
( ., Before RAMOScan slam the cupboaTd door RAVENsees the
( carnation cans and smiles 1tnowi1,9ly.
CONTINUED
t
91 (cont'd)
l'U\MOS
You're late! We'll never make
the bank •••
RAVEN
Damn right you willl
Look outside •••
RAVENguides MRS. PASICH and RAMOSover to the window
where they see the waiting limo. Impressed, excited,
HOWARD
You got anymore pills?
•
VERA
(fishing in pocket)
You're doing too many •••
VERAhands over a container of diet pills. HOWARD
pops one. RAVENgrabs his hand as he swallows.
Pulls him toward the window.
RAVEN
Lay off the speed will you?
HOWARD
I ,
Who else is going to
do what I do ••• you tell
me!
HO~ARDlooks down at the waiting limo.
HOWARD
It's getting
serious •••
RAVEN
I got to talk to you •••
HOWARD
(concern)
Obviously ••• How you
bearin' ·up, babe?
RAVEN
No good •••
92 EXT. UPTOWl-l
RESIPENTIAL STREETS - LATE DAY
We see the PASICH Bakery truck slowly making it's way
down a fine street in an upper-Middle class residential
district. The truck slows as i~ comes to the previously
seen POTOKERresidence.
l
...
I- HOWARD
puts his arm around RAVEN, who's upset.
I RAVEN
See. He's ·too good for
me.
HOWARD
Did I '.iear right.
Someone's too good
for you? ••• Doesn't sound
right.
AAVEN
Out of reach. Somewhere
else ...
HOWARD
He frightens you doesn't he.
He could hurt you, couldn't
he?
RAVEN
Yes •••
. HOWARD
CONTINUED
......
,,..-" _,....
'
90.
94 (cont'd)
:RAVEN
I 'rn afraid if •• I
HOWARD
Make love to hirn •••
:RAVEN
I'll lose hirn •••
HOWARD
- •
So what if you do?
:RAVEN
It hurts too rnuch •••
HOWARD
If you lose hirn it's not your problern. Not if"
you're honest to your heart ••• I had someone once ••
before Ramos••••
:RAVEN
, He hurt you?
HOWARD
Terribly •••
:RAVEN
See.
HOWARD
But I 1!111\glad I went with how I
felt. He rnade rne take·a chance.
If I hadn't •• rnaybe I wouldn't be
putting rny whole life on the line
with this shop •••
:RAVEN
Does it have to hurt so rnuch?
HOWARD
You and rne. We have to take the
risk. People like us. All we got
is today.. •
:RAVEN
I want rnore than that.
I
HOWARD
That's all they gave us.
:RAVEN
It'a ao hard •••• What does he want from me?
r
94 • \Con-,:;. ..<ll
... --
HOWA!U>
(· Your secret
f RAVEN
(Laughs)
Like your secret ingredient!
HOWARD
You've heard of Albert Einstein, right?
(
RAVEN
Who hasn't
•
HOWARD
O,K. Big shot. What did he do?
(
RAVEN
He was some kind of genius •
•
HOWARD
(
There's maybe twelve people in the world who
really understand, Albert Einstein •••
That's why he's famous
,
:t - So?
RAVEN
HOWARD
(serious)
You got the edge. There's only three
or four who understand you •••
(
RAVENembraces HOWARD. Feeling of deep friendship.
HOWARD
I've been watching. Junior Jean.
(
RAVEN
Isn't she doing great?
HOWARD
Too great.
(
.•
~··
94 (cont'd)
RAVEN
What do you mean?
HOWARD
She's got that look in
her eye. The same look
you had when I first met
you.
RAVEN
We're friends.
•
HOWARD
Maybe. But there's nothing
r better she'd like but to
dance you into the backgr~und music.
· Thoughtful moment bet.1een them.
HOWARD
( Raven. All we got is
today.
MUSlC SEQUENCEBEGINS
✓
95 INT. PAUL POTOKER'S OFFlCE - UPTOWN- DAY
(
PAUL is at the top of the conference table. Several
executives are explaining details of one of the new
POTOKERdevelopments. He appears distracted. The
jargon continues. He's really not there.
( 96 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - MARKETNElGHBORHOOD
- DAY
We see RAVENspraying a previously seen black pill
box hat, white. She attaches a white veil to the hat.
Puts it on her white bed, where she appears to have
created some kind of canopy. Also white.
(
97 INT. POTOKERRESIDENCE- UPTOWN
- DAY
PAUL is seen walking through the living room past his
den towards the door.
( 98 INT • .RAVEN'SLOFT - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
RAVENis seen putting on make-up in a portable make-
up mirror. Finishes. Lights a candle. Stands and
walks in a light created by dozens of lighted candles.
99 EXT. RAVEN'S LOFT - MAR.KET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
PAUL POTOKER'S Porsche pulls up in front of the building.
PAUL gets out and enters.
(
92.
_,.
100 INT. RAVEN'S BUILDING- WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - NIGHT
Candles line the staircase to the second floor.
Surprised, he climbs to the second floor. Door
to RAVEN'S loft is ajar.
101 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - NIGHT
PAULwalks in. Under a white canopy on a white bed
RAVEN'S reclined on white pillows, wearing the white
period-dress seen earlier in the shop window, a white
pillbox hat, white veil, (scarelet lips beneath),
white silk stockings, white dancer's slippers wrapped
r to the calf. A sensational performance. As PAUL undresses
she crosses her legs to reveal white see-through panties.
An extended scene of lovemakeing. Mutual care.
Mutual :3ssion. But the conquest is hers •
PAUL •
( I love you ••• I love you •••
' I love .•••
MUSIC SEQUENCEENDS
t ... 102 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
( - The bed is a shambles. The home-made canopy has been
pulled down. The candles guttered. Early morning
light is pouring into the room. RAVENis asleep.
PAUL is looking out the window, finishing dressing.
He walks over to the bed and kisses RAVENon the
( cheek. She stirs. Begins to walk towards
the door. She gets up as he stands at the door.
From a chair nearby she picks up a pair of silk tap
underpants. She puts the pants into his j~cket pocket.
Kisses him on the cheek.
( RAVEN
They cost me forty dollar~.
Do you know how manydew worms
that is?
He holds on to her tightly.
(
103 EXT. CHARLESSTREET - .MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
It's dawn. Paul, his Porsche in the background, is
walking thoughtfully, dishevelled, near the house
where his father was born. Moment of painful self-
( examination, in this melancholy neighborhood.
'(" - 104 INT. POTOKERRES'IDENCE- UPTOWN·
- DAY
PAUL, most of his clothes still on, is asleep on a
couch in his study. There are papers scattered on a
( desk. A yawning ELAINE walks into the room. Sees him
there. Puts a blanket over him. Leaves.
- .....
~-.,."
105 INT. CATHOLICCHURCH- MAR.KET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- DAY
The MODERN PRIEST and JUNIOR JEAA are sitting casually
in a pew at the front of the church. CAMERA HOLDS
on RAVEN, TINA, HOWARD,and RAMOSwho are waiting
for JEAN to finish her session. They're talking quietly.
HOWARD
What's she doing?
TINA
She's asking him if it's
a sin to take her clothes dff
in a bar ••• Not ~ cool •••
RAVEN
The main thing is to keep
her so busy she doesn't
get ,1,...vc,us ••• what's the
problem with her make-up?
HOWARD
My dear, she thinks she's
Helena Rubenstein ••• She
hadthe nerve to reject
my High Voltage Pink.
RAMOS
I think she was right about that.
HOWARD
Thank you, Helena Rubenstein!
JUNIOR JEAN walks to the back of the church and joins
RAVEN. The YOUNGPRIEST, walks behind her. HOWARD
opens up a make-up case. :RAMOS,a portable mirror
with lights. JEAN sits down, The PRIEST looks on,
perplexed. JEAN turns to :RAMOS.
JUNIOR JEAN
Maybe we shouldn't do this
in a church?
HOWARD
Why not? We haven't got
l time •••
PRIEST, hesitates. Finds it all bizarre.
PRIEST
Uh••• Tha~•s all right •••
(leaves)
CONT:tNUED
'
r , ..
(
- 105 (cont'd)
RAMOStakes JEAN'S hair in his hands.
r RAMOS
I'll use bi-level
wiring. Create wings that
go up and back this way •••
Should I change color~
Howard?
(
HOWARD
Only on the wings ••• But
use food coloring... •
(Howard checks
her nails)
Honey, who massacred your
cuticles!
106 EXT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
•
The two stoned BIKERS seen stealing pastries earlier
are back at HOWARD'Sdelivery truck. They're su;prised
to see the door isn't locked. They grab two boxes.
Close the door. Sneak quickly into the nearby alley.
Settle behind a row of garbage cans. Open the boxes.
One BIKER throws away a small roach. ·
FIRST BIKER
Far out ••• Chocolate again •••
The BIKERS bite hungrily into the cake. Since they're
both stoned, they eat for awhile before their tongue
and stomach feel blowtorched. One brings up violently.
I The other screams at the top of his lungs, running
around in circles. The pain is agonizing. Finally
they run, screaming for water, toward the Bus Depot
Coffee Shop.
107 - POTOKERHOUSE- UPTOWN
INT. THE POTOKERBEDROOM - NIGHT
I
ELAINE POTOKERis going through clothes in the clothes
closet. From time to time, she'll throw a dress or
a pair of PAUL'S slacks on the bed where a dry cleaner's
pick-up bag is sitting. Seeing a crumpled sports
(
jacket on a hook, she grabs it and is about to throw
it on the bed when she sees a pair of panties in the
pocket. At first she laughs when she sees the silk
tap pants. Finally, angry, she walks toward the phone.
Dials.
108 INT. PAUL POTOKER"SOFFICE - UPTOWN
- NIGHT
't··- CAM.C:AA
PANS the office,
and JILL in her figure
l)ast thepicture
skating costume.
of li:LAINE
Phone RINGS.
PAUL, in shirtsleeves, working, picks up phone.
CONTINUED
l
•• 0 ••• ~ ••
r
108 (cont'd)
PAUL
Hello? ••• Oh, hello
f darling.
109 - POTOKERHOUSE- NIGHT
INT. POTOKERBEDROOM
ELAINE, looking down at the panties in her hand,
speaks calmly.
(
ELAINE
I was wondering when you'd
be home? .• •
110 INT. PAUL POTOKER'S OFFICE - UPTOWN- NIGHT
,{
PAUL, sidetracked with work, a little curt.
PAUL
God knows. With this
truckload of work •••
{
C.
• . ··~ -- ~
96.
r
112 (cont'd)
ELAINE
( What's the name of the bar
your father goes to?
JILL .
Ah, C'mon, I can't.
'( ELAINE
I want to know •••
JILL
(shrugs)
!'
I
!,-✓. The Hard Hat.
ELAINE
Where is it?
,,'
I JILL
Right on Market Street •••
( You're not going there
are you ••• I wouldn't
go there, Mommy. It's
too weird ••••
ELAINE
( I'm sure you'd know.
•••• What was the girl's
name?
JILL
What girl?
(
ELAINE
Jilli
JILL
(sheepish)
Raven.
ELAINE gets up to leave. JILL is unsettled, upset,
Skates back to center ice.
(.
·-
r
r ~·-
r 113 lNT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARl<ET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
r
The five podiums are descending to the applause of the
(
packed bar, In the center podium is SOLITARY, the
New Wave dancer wearing a costume first seen in the
·dressing room earlier. She breaks into her highly
stylized dance as the podiums ascend. SOLITARYmoves
almost robot-like to the New Wave music, mouthing the
lyrics as if they were orders. The MUSIC BUILDS and
(
tells a story of social contempt. Even the
audience is abused by the song. But they love it.
The WAITRESSESrock along to the routine, flashing
occasionally. ELAINE POTOKER;enters, Taken aback.
A WAITRESSshows her to a table,
(
ELAINE
A double scotch, please •••
••• with ice.
WAITRESSleaves. SLAINE watches the dancer. Eventu~~ly
she scans the room: Bus drivers, blue-collar workers,
(
Oriental regulars, FRANKand.NICK,.the owner. The
WAITRESSbrings ELAINE her scotch.
WAITRESS
.r Four dollars, please •
t ELAINE
Is Raven working tonight?
WAITRESS
She'll be on next.
(
ELAINE watches SOLITARYmove across the stage hurling
abuse at the world. Finally, her podium arrives.
She ascends to decent applause and much whistling.
114 INT. DRESSINGROOM- HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - NIGHT
(
The atmosphere in the dressing room is electric.
Tonight's the debut of JUNIOR JEAN. SOLITARYemerges.
HOWARD'Shands her a towel, RAMOSis busily wiring
JEAN'S Hair, creating the winged look. VERAwalks
in from the small costume room nearby carrying the
war helmet. HOWARD is just finishing RAVEN'S makeup
(
RAVEN'S look tonight is that of an Amazon Jungle Queen.
It is by far her most brief outfit. Her body is
painted with pop lightening bolts. She's wearing
the Maude Frizon shoes painted in the manner of naked
feet. HOWARDmvoes over to JUNIOR JEAN who is wearing
,_ •
a robe, We can't see her costume •
(. - CDNTINUED
'
.,
r 98.
,( - 114 (cont'd)
'(
HOWARD
Your makeup's still too sharp.
I'll have to soften it.
( RAVEN
I'll do it, Howard. Jean
and I have an idea.
HOWARD •
(in a huff)
'( By all means. This is
the price one pays when
one works with artistes.
Soon you'll tell me how
to bake! Reveal ~y
secret ingredient to the
( world!
LORRIANE
Not the secret ingredient
,(
- routine again.
SOLITARY
What is it for Christ's
sake?
,,
' NADIA
Even the Pillsbury Dough
( Boy hasn't the vaguest •••
VERA, holding the war helmet appears concerned.
Turns to RAMOS.
IC VERA
Will the helmet fit over the
hairstyle?
RAMOS
I've measured everything.
Don't worry.
(
115 INT. POTOKERHOUSE- UPTOWN
- NIGHT
An exhausted PAUL POTOKERwalks into the entrance hall
and throws his briefcase on a table. He picks up
a note from ELAINE that reads: "Thought it was time
I went out. Won't be late. Love, Elaine.• The
note is pinned to RAVEN'S panties. PAUL is beside
himself. ~ushes off into the living room.
CONTINUED
(
•
r
99 •
.,.
( 11S (cont'd)
'(
PAUL
Jill?
JILL is sitting reading a magazine. She looks up.
Nervous.
(
PAUL
Where did your mother go?
JILL
' .
(repentant,
( upset)
I think you know •••
116 INT. HARDHAT BAR , GRILL - MARl<ET
NEIGHBORHOOD
- NIG:!T
ELAINE POTOKERis feeling her drinks. The MUSIC BUILDS
( and the podium descends. ELAINE'S WAITRESSpoints to
the center podium indicating RAVEN, her back to the
audience. The other dancers ascend leaving RAVEN
performing to a strikingly rhythmic piece. ELAINE is
, intimidated by RAVEN'S force and beauty on the stage.
,( 117 EXT. HARDHAT BAR, GRILL - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
PAUL'S Porsche pulls up behind HOWARD'Sdelivery truck.
As he gets out he sees that all of the tires on the
truck have been slashed. The panel sign has been
crudely changed with paint. The sign now reads,
( "FAG'S BAKERY". White paint has been thrown on the
windshield. PAUL rushes into the bar.
118 IHT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
ELAINE continues to watch RAVENdance. Her act is so
choreographed she appears to perspire on cue. When
a lyric announces why a woman has to be an Al'nazon
if she hopes to get a man, her entire body cascades
with perspiration. She looks utterly primitive.
PAUL rushes through the back door. He watches
ELAINE watch RAVENascend to thundering applause. PAUL
( seems confused. ELAINE stands, talks to a WAITRESS.
ELAINE
Is the dressing room up
there?
l··. WAITRESSnoels.
.
r 100.
(·
-
(
119 INT. DRESSINGROOM- HARDHAT BAR, GRILL - NIGHT
RAVENenters dressing room. HOWARDpasses her a towel.
RAVENrushes over to JUNIOR JEAN.
(
RAVEN
I'll do your makeup now.
VERAwalks in with a pair of high heels that
have small feathered wings sewed on to them. She
kneels before JUNIOR JEAN. Puts the shoes on.
(
VERA
I've put bandaids inside
so they won't slip. How
does that feel? •
(
JUNIOR JEAN
Much tighter. Thanks.
RAVENis gathering together various makeup pots.
LORRAINEcomes over to RAVEN.
LORRAINE
There's somebody here for you?
RAVEN
(glancing at door)
Who?
(
LORRAINE
Some fancy lady.
RAVENstrides over to the door.
120 INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDEDRESSINGROOM- HAROHAT BAR
AND GRILL - NIGHT
RAVEN,with very little on, confronts ELAINE POTOKER,
looking very dressed and uptown.
( ELAINE
Raven?
RAVEN
(smiling)
That's right.
CONTINUED
/'
r 101.
120 (cont'd)
r I've
ELAINE
been watching.
( I've never seen anything
like you before •••
RAVEN
I'm not sure if I should
say thank you or not.
(
ELAINE
My name is Elaine Potoker •••
• •
RAVENshocked. PAUL arrives at top of stairs.
Tense moment. They, all three, confront each other.
RAVEN
Oh, God. Paul •••
ELAINE (quickly)
I didn't come here to make
( a scene. I came to tell you
that you're a very gifted
dancer ••• You have a respons-
ibility to continue to dance,
I know. I was a
professional. I made a
,( choice not to continue •••
(looks back
at Paul)
I think I made the wrong
choice.
(turns back to
Raven)
You're not properly trained.
If you don't develop appropriate
techniques soon, you're going
to develop serious back
I
(
trouble. You're an
absolute natural. (Fighting emotion)
I'm getting out of here,
ELAINE rushes past PAUL. Tears come to RAVEN'S eyes.
PAULwalks up to her.
( RAVEN
Oh, God. Paul •••
PAUL
I'm sorry ••• 1 •••
PAULwalks quickly away in pursuit of his wife.
(
{
(
PAUL
(desperate)
I don't know what to say •••
Please, understand •••
ELAINE
I've seen her ••• I think I
( understand •••
PAUL
Listen to me•••
(
ELAINE
What really hurts, Paul •••
and it really hurts, is that
I look at her, I see something I
lost in myself •••
(chokes up)
The killer is .. I don't even know
how long it's been gone.
PAUL
Don't let this ruin us, Elaine.
(
ELAINE
Let me alone for awhile •••
{,. .
(·
(
.&.U.)o
f
122 (cont'd)
.,
(
( ELAINE pushes his arm away and runs down the stairs.
PAUL pursues her through the bar and out the door.
123 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - NIGHT
The audience is getting impatient. They're starting
( to whistle and slam their beers on the table. NICK
leaves FRANK'S table and walks towards the
dressing room stairs.
•
124 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - D:R.ESSING
ROOM- NIGHT
C HOWARD
(to Raven)
Tone down that eyeliner!
RAVEN
How?
(
HOWARD puts his thumbs on the side of JEAN'S eyes.
Smudges them slightly. NICK arrives.
NICK
Hey. Let's go!
(
VERA
Everyone in their podiums!
RAVEN
C'mon people. Let's do it
( for Junior Jean.
12S INT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
The audience is still restlessly chanting for more.
Now slamming beer glasses on the table in unison.
MUSIC begins to build. The podiums start their descent.
A hush falls over the audience. In the center platform
' flanked by LORRIANE,NADIA, TINA TECH and SOLITARY,
is a winged creature. She's wearing a knight's war
helmet. A Darth Vadar pink light flashes across
they eye slit. She's wearing winged high heels.
( A snake wrapped around the thigh made of chrome,
leather and bone wrist guards, a copper and leopard
bra. The MUSIC has almost futuristic quality. From
somewhere thunder SOUNDS. As the other podiums ascend
she takes off her helmet. Her back is to the audience.
Sh11 places the helmet on her podium. The stage is
black as the blinking helmet travels up to the
dressing room on :\~he podium. She turns around,
hidden in her wings. She's h.it by purple J.aser beams.
CONTINUED
(
(
104.
,.
(
125 (cont'd)
(
'
(
(
- 125 (cont'd)
(
FRANKis dumbfounded as the other DANCERSswarm
around JEAN, the celebrity of the moment. HOWARD
notices what went on between the two lovers.
HOWARD
( A star is born, but now
what?
RAMOS,VERA, HOWARD and NICK take turns embracing
JEAN. RAVENstands at the outskirts of the group
stunned by JEAN'S performance. Finally JEAN stanas
I( before RAVEN, suddenly a new contender. They
walk into each other's arms. Hold each other tight.
NICK
(to W'aitress)
Champagne!
(
WAITRESS
What champagne?
, NICK ,
In the back ••• A whole
case ••• New York State!
An atmosphere of celebration. One of the WAITRESSES
walks over to HOWARD and whispers something in his
ear. HOWARD,flustered, rushes to the door.
( 126 EXT. HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD
- NIGHT
HOWARD rushes out to his truck. Sees the paint and
slashed tires. Filled with speed and rage he stares at
the BIKERS,about a dozen of them, inside the Bus Depot
Coffee Shop. Three motorcycles are parked close to
I' each other in front of the Coffee Shop. He strides
back into the bar.
127 INT. HARDHAT BAR ANOGRILL - MARKETNEIGHBORHOOD•NIGHT
HOWARD walks back behind the bar, grabs a bottle of
( cognac and storms out again. TINA TECH, still wearing
her Hi-Tech extension chord outfit, notices HOWARD.
Concerned, she stands and follows him out. The
celebration continues. •
r
106.
r
,- 128 (cont'd)
{ HOWARD
Flambe Yamaha ••• You bastards!
HOWARO lights the eognae with a lighter and jumps back.
TINA TECH gasps. Three explosions. The bikes engulfed
in flames. The BIKERS, beside themselves with anger,
( come pouring out of the Coffee Shop. HOWARD'Sjeans
eateh on fire. He runs. They chase him up an alley.
Everyone comes pouring out cf the HARDHAT BAR ANDGRILL
to see what's going on.1!1')W.l\'DJ)falls, •sla:-min,;:, at the fire on
his legs.TINA TECH eatehesuo to him and beats the flames
out with her hands. She turns and slugs d SIKER.
{ Two other attack her. HOWARD gets up.
129 EXT. ALLE~ NEAR HARDHAT ~AR AND GRILL - NIGHT
The B!KERS have surrounded HOWARD and are brutally
beating him, kicking him. His face is running with
( blood. HOWARD slugs back viciously.
FIRST BIKER
Fucking queen! ,
✓
-r .
131 (cont'd)
(
relatives, neighborhood friends, and TINA TECH,
whose face is badly battered. The MODERN PRIEST and
PAUL POTOKERare waiting in the distance for RAVENwho
is lingering beside HOWARD'Sopen grave. RAVENis
earring her bowler hat, with feather. She drops it
(
into the grave.
RAVEN
I know your secret ingredient,
Howard. Carnation"Condensed
Milk. Can you believe it?
(
Finally, RAVENbursts into tears of great sorrow.
PAUL walks back toward the sad figure of RAVEN.
Holds heri turns ~er around; emhraces her tightly.
A paternal moment. RAVEN, sobbing, holds on for
dear life. We realize, perhaps for the first time,
( how alone RAVENis.
132 EXT. CITY CEMETARY
- OUTSKIRTS- DAY
PAUL and RAVENwalks back toward the cortege.
f
( PAUL
What will you de now?
RAVEN
Think about the future •••
,Try not to miss people
( too much •••
They walk together a little further. Face each
other.
PAUL
( Don't ever stop, Raven •••
You're going to take
the town •••
She looks into his face. Some strength under
her tears.
(
PAUL
(fighting tears)
I'll never forget you •••
••• there won't be a
day ••• I'll never forget you.
CONTINUED
(
( 110.
138 (cont'd)
( -. RAVEN
(manic)
(
1.nd I'm a damn good one
too. That's where you
can see my work. I'd like to
get into this school but I
can't afford it right now be-
cause I have to help out
( my friend Vera run her shop.
But I could do work for
you here, I'm real good
with my hands. If you'd •
just come down to the
Hard Hat there and see
(
my work, we~l ••• I'm good •••
GLYNNIS(simult:aneouslvJ!>,DMISSIONS DIRECTOR
I believe you.... I believe you ••••
(
RAVEN
You do?
139 INT. TWOTO TANGOBOUTIQUE- UPTOWN
- DAY
VEAA, the earth mother, is busily adjusting the
f - sandwich boards being worn by TINA TECH, JUNIOR JEAN,
SOLITARY, NADIAand LORAAINE. The boards announce
with some panache, the opening of TWOTO TANGO.
The girls themselves look terrific. A little shy
to get out there on the streets with the uptown
( shoppers.
VERA
Get out there you sluts •••
RAVEN
I Keep it hot ••
LOR.RAINE.
Oinga-boinga,
TINA TECH
I We shall overdose!
RAVENand VERAwatch the rag-tag group, quietly hit
the streets, gradually gather confidence and finally
bop to the sound of their own internal music. RAVEN
and VERAhave to laugh.
' VERA
DQ we havP. the slightest
smallest, honest to God
American, tits-on•a•bull,
chance to survive?
I CONTINUED
.lUll.
r
-
;(.
137 EXT. CONSERVATORY
OF CONTEMPORARY
DANCE- DAY
RAVENshuts the door of the Comet. She I s dressed
conservatively. The rest of the girls in their out-
( rageous plwnmage, watch as she climbs the stairs.
Enters.
138 INT, CONSERVATORY
OF CONTEMPORARY
DANCE- DAY
RAVENwalks into the foyer of the dance studio.
( Walks toward the rehears~l hall. A YOUNGMALEdancer
walks past.
.. .
RAVEN
Is there a dancer called
Glynnis around?
(
The MALEDANCF.R
stops, pokes his head into the re-
hearsal hall.
MALEDANCER
Glynnis!
(
GLYNNIScomes bouncing out.
RAVEN
You probably don't remember
me ••••
(
GLYNNIS
Who could forget you?
Raven ••• with the Rodiak
boots •••
( The ADMISSIONSDIRECTORarrives, scolding.
ADMISSIONSDIRECTOR
Back in class, Glynnis.
GLYNNIS
( Mrs. Hardwick, this is Raven.
Raven ••• our admissions director.~.
Mrs. Hardwick.
ADMISSIONDIRECTOR
Do I know you?
(
RAVEN
No. But I'm a dancer.
RAVENtakes out tt•o packages of HARD HAr BARANDGRILL
matches. Hands them over.
CONTINUED
'
{ 108.
,..
r •
132 (cont'd)
(
RAVEN
~hanks ••• !or lovin~ me •••
•
RAVENbreaks the embrace. Moves away from PAUL,
( away from the cortege, strikes out alone across the
vast grass. MUSIC SEQUENCEBEGINS:
133 INT. RAVEN'S LOFT - WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT - DAY
RAVENalone in her loft. Rain on the windows.Dancing
( alone, wearing little more than leg warmers. A
poignant dance of mourning, moving on, alone but no
longer isolated.
•
134 INT. PAUL POTOKER'SOFFICE - UPTOWN
- DAY
( CAMERA PANS from photograph of ELAINE,the dancer,
across the desk, to PAUL POTOKERalone, at window,
looking out across the rainy landscape.
, INT. TWOTO TANGOBOUTIQUE- UPTOWN
- DAY
f C/U VERA'S hand turns the sign on the window. The
sign reads: OPEN. Rain has stopped. Overcast.
CAMERA PULLS back and we see VERAalone
in the shop ready for business. The clothes, cosmetics,
even R.,ven 's hand-painted pumps are out for sale.
The shop is oriqinal, full of warmth and invention.
( MUSIC SEQUENCEENDS,
136 INT. COMET- MARJ<ET
NEIGHBORliOOD
- DAY
The car passes the Catholic church and Synagogue.
It passes the renovated house which is almost completed.
( A new BMWstands outside. Inside the car, RAVEN,
TINA TECH, JUNIOR JEAN, NADIA, SOLITARY"and LORRAINE
driving. The car passes the ILLUSTRATEDHOUSE.
City officials are outside. Men on scaffolds are
paintin9 ov~r MR. CORRELLI'S "offensive" mural.
MR. CORR.ELLI,head bowed, sits on the stoop.
(
AA.VEN
There goes the neighborhood.
TINA TECH
Give 'em shit, Mr.
t· Correllil
(
139 (cont'd) 111.
-..
AAVEN
Einstein made it, didn't he?
•
What?
AAVEN
·- Hell:• We're going to
ltnock'eminto the cheap seats •••
POST CREDITS
TH£ END