EXT. PARK- DAY

EARL, 80, a walking Norman Rockwell painting, sighs as he

sits down on a worn out park bench. He unwraps his pastrami

sandwich and is about to take a bite when:

Wham! A soccer ball whacks against the side of the bench,

narrowly missing him, but startling him so he spills

the content of his sandwich out.

Earl looks up. A kid retrieves the ball, and they continue

to play soccer, without an apology. Earl shakes his head in

defeat.

CUT TO:

INT. APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Surrounded by many other cardboard boxes at this empty

upscale apartment, a phone buzzes inside a cardboard box.

The alarm reads "10:00AM First Class" LAUREN, 23, snoozes in

her messy bed.

She awakes with a start and throws off the covers. She

scrambles to find clothes and the source of the buzzing

sound, pulling things willy nilly out of boxes.

LAUREN

Ten minutes to get out the door. I

can do this.

She finds adequate clothes and her phone and runs into the

bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

INSERT: Loud RAP music.

EXT. PARK- SAME TIME

Breakdancers dougie to the same music, adjacent to Earl, who

is standing (sitting) his ground against the small crowd of

onlookers, munching his rye bread and pickle. Every now and

then his cane falls over as someone bumps into it. He

strains to pick it up.

INT. APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Lauren emerges from the shower, clumsily dressed, and stares

down a poster of Audrey Hepburn ala Funny Face "BE

DISCIPLINED".

2.

LAUREN

I Promise I’ll do my stretches

later. Unpacking took it out of me

last night.

Lauren reaches for her keys on the nightstand, but there’s

nothing there.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

Come on! I don’t have time for

this.

She looks at her phone for the time, and at the mess of the

apartment. Beat.

She books it out the door.

EXT. APARTMENT- MOMENTS LATER

Lauren sprints down the blocks, twirling past the bustling

crowd.

She jumps into the street and collides with a BICYCLER.

Bicycler grabs his satchel and cranks his wheel back in

place.

BICYCLER

Watch where you’re walking. This

isn’t SoCal. We bikers have the

right of way in San Francisco.

LAUREN

I’m so sorry sir. I’m running

late--

BICYCLER

Dumb Tourist.

Bicycler pedals away, flipping her the bird.

Lauren shakes her head, appalled. She checks her phone: 1

new text: CARRIE NEW BOSS-- Don’t bother.

A angry DRIVER beeps his car horn bringing her back to

reality.

DRIVER (O.S.)

Get off your damn phone!!

Lauren waves a sorry as she crosses the street.

3.

EXT. PARK- MINUTES LATER

Lauren enters the Golden Gate Park, and makes a phone call.

Her steps grow slower paced every few feet.

LAUREN

You’re right... Yes I know but--

yes maam. I should have been to

teach Princess Ballet... I’m still

getting adjusted to Frisco...

That’s no excuse, you’re right.

She slumps onto a bench.

LAUREN (CONTD)

Thank you for the opportunity...

Bye.

Earl, who is sitting on the same bench is startled to find

another person in his radius. His cane falls over and he

struggles to pick it up.

Lauren reaches it first. Their eyes meet.

LAUREN

Oh, I’m sorry--

EARL

It’s fine. I’ve got it.

LAUREN

Here.

She hands it to him.

LAUREN

Oh no! I made you drop your

sandwich.

EARL

Not hardly. A rogue soccer ball to

the back.

Earl points towards the kids playing soccer in the field.

LAUREN

I hope they at least apologized.

Earl shrugs.

EARL

Honey, there’s something no one

tells you about the day you turn

4.

EARLeighty. I gained the power of

invisibility.

(beat)

Sounds like you’ve had a hard day

too.

LAUREN

You heard that phone call?

EARL

I’m not deaf, just look it.

LAUREN

Sorry it came out that way. I only

meant that--

EARL

I know what you meant. Just yankin

your chain.

Lauren forces a laugh.

EARL

First time getting fired?

LAUREN

Ok, I didn’t technically get fired.

EARL

Really?

LAUREN

(rapidly)

So, today was my first day working

at this new dance studio on Main,

but i couldn’t find my keys, and I

was running late. So, I literally

started running, and i hit this

bicyclist, and then Carrie called,

and she, she, she fired

me.(beginning to cry) Before i even

got a chance to teach the little

girls how to poteberre.

Earl sets his bread down and digs through his fanny pack. He

hands a bright pink handkerchief and a dried carnation to

Lauren.

LAUREN

Thank you?

5.

EARL

I’m not used to weeping women. But,

for myself, I find that smelling

flowers can be particularly

calming.

Lauren breathes in the flower’s scent.

EARL (CONT’D)

Told ya so.

LAUREN

Ok. Ok. I’m better now.

(breathing deeply)

I did not just cry in public.

EARL

Hmmph.

LAUREN

You know what would help both of

us?

Lauren springs to her feet.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

Come on. Get up. Let’s go for

awalk.

She helps Earl up. They walk, but with no place in mind.

EARL

You don’t know where we’re going.

LAUREN

The best way to learn your way

around a new city is to get lost in

it.

Earl leads them down a different path. To Lauren’s quizzical

look, he shruggs.

EARL

I’ve never been this way before.

EXT. PATH- MINUTES LATER

Faint Jazz music is heard wafting through the park. It grows

louder as they walk towards the sound, arm in arm.

EARL

Across the street from my condo,

there’s this coffee shop. Fresh

donuts on Saturday mornings.

6.

LAUREN

Ok. Maybe I’ll try it sometime.

EARL

They have a help wanted sign. I

know the owner, Nancy, very nice

lady. If you really need a job, I

can put in a good word for you.

LAUREN

Thanks. Where’s this place?

EARL

9th and Wall.

LAUREN

Oh. Ok, hold on let me write that

down.

Lauren fishes in her bag looking for a pen and paper.

Earl continues down the path and turns a corner.

EXT. PAVILLION- CONTINUING

Thirty people, age twenty to fifty, casually dressed, are

social dancing to a small jazz band. The warm energy is

infectious.

EARL

Oh. Wow.

Lauren catches up to Earl, and she takes in the scene, but

particularly Earl.

Lauren watches Earl straighten up, and smile, humming the

tune and tapping his feet.

FLASHBACK TO:

INT. SPARROW BALLROOM- NIGHT (1941)

YOUNG EARL, 18, enters the smoke filled nightclub, dressed

to the nines. Voices shout greetings, amidst swingouts,

kickups, and aerials.

A thirty piece big band is playing the same tune as before.

A pretty blonde, LOUISE, takes his hand, and they hit the

dancefloor.

7.

LOUISE

Earl! My you’re here early. How was

the Duke last night?

YOUNG EARL

As hep as always. But you know this

is my favorite joint, Louise.

Earl and the blonde do a spectacular dance, hitting all the

breaks. The dance floor clears in anticipation, watching

Earl.

All is swell, then Earl gets a stabbing pain in his knee.

END FLASHBACK:

EXT. PAVILLION- RESUME

Earl holds his knee in pain, clearly saddened that he cannot

continue.

Lauren notices.

LAUREN

Are you alright?

EARL

(wincing)

Peachy.

Earl finds a different bench to sit down.

LAUREN

Let me help you.

Earl swats her away. She sits beside him anyway. An akward

pause.

EARL

See those kids there?

LAUREN

Yeah, that some pretty cool

dancing--

EARL

Lindy hop. We invented it back when

this music was new.

LAUREN

You were there form the birth of

lindy?

Earl nods.

8.

EARL

Dont ask me to prove it now though.

They sit and he grows disappointed.

LAUREN

You know I’m pretty new to this

city... and I don’t really know

anyone... I’d really like to go out

tonight.

EARL

And celebrate your first firing?

LAUREN

And meeting a new friend.

Lauren sees this doesn’t get her much.

LAUREN

My only friend.

EARL

Well for petes sake...

LAUREN

So it’s a date then.

Earl smiles at the word "date".

LAUREN

So once I find the keys to my car,

i’ll pick you up! Say 8?

EARL

I go to bed at 8. Lets make it 6.

They shake on it.

CUT TO:

EXT. COFFEE SHOP- LATER

Lauren finds her way up to the front of the coffee shop with

a "Help Wanted" sign out front. She checks the street

sign. "9th and Wall" to be sure.

9.

INT. COFFEE SHOP- CONTINUING

Lauren walks up to the front counter, and a warm waitress,

NANCY, Retro-chic 50s, greets her.

NANCY

Hello there, What can I get started

for you?

LAUREN

Are you the owner?

NANCY

Yes, maam.

Nancy wipes her hands on her dishtowel and extends her hand

to Lauren.

NANCY (CONT’D)

Nancy. Owner and operator of the

world famous Coffee Shop.

LAUREN

Oh, Wow he wasn’t kidding about the

donuts.

Nancy pulls out a tray of giant sugary goodies.

NANCY

We make ’em big here.

LAUREN

That’s quite a selection. Earl said

the Huckleberries were the best. Do

you have any left?

NANCY

You know Earl?

LAUREN

I guess so, yeah.

NANCY

Well in that case, I’ve got a

couple Huckleberries stashed in the

back.

Nancy hurries behind the back curtain. Lauren takes this

time to look around the shop.

Kitschy decorations, tons of black and white photos of San

Francisco outdoor photos, and mismatched furniture crowd the

tiny space.

10.

On the back wall where the menu is written, a single picture

of a young Nancy and young Earl, shaking hands in front of

the coffee shop.

Nancy returns.

LAUREN

Hey, is that you and Earl?

NANCY

Mhmmmm. He was my first customer.

Nancy hands Lauren the donuts in a paper bag.

NANCY (CONT’D)

When I first moved to the city in

1968, Earl sort of became my

mentor. I was coming off of a

Heroin high, and I stumbled upon

Earl suntanning on the public

beach.

Nancy points to a black and white photo of Earl suntanning

at the beach.

NANCY (CONT’D)

He just looked so calm, and lonely.

Like me. We hit it off

immediately...not like that

(whispering)

He’s gay. Spent his whole life

hiding it, I’m the first person he

revealed it too, aside from, you

know...

Lauren nods.

NANCY

So, Earl found him another one of

me?

LAUREN

I just met him, actually.

Nancy gives Lauren a knowing pat on the hand.

NANCY

I’m glad. He really needs some more

company.

LAUREN

I want to do something special for

him tonight.

11.

NANCY

That’s really sweet. You best get

on your way, then. Earl’s goes to

bed pretty early.

LAUREN

Oh yeah, geez, I gotta get going.

Lauren starts to leave and then spots the "Help Wanted"

sign.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

I almost forgot. Could I come back

tomorrow for an interview?

NANCY

Interview? Honey, just show up at

six to open with me.

MONTAGE:

INSERT Upbeat Jazz music.

EXT. COFFEE SHOP- CONTINUING

Lauren bounds down the street and clicks her heels.

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- NIGHT

Earl drops his cane at the door and follows his path of

carefully placed chairs and end tables into the bedroom

INT. BEDROOM- CONTINUING

Earl finds his closet. He pushes back several decades worth

of suits to find a dusty Navy 1940s suit. He throws it on

the bed and checks the dresser clock "5:30"

Earl walks into the bathroom.

CUT TO:

INT. LAUREN’S APARTMENT- LATER

Lauren kicks off her work shoes and flips open her laptop.

She types. Then watches with the careful eye of a dancer.

Then She begins to practice triple steps, rock steps,

Charleston steps.

12.

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Earl, all cleaned up and wearing the suit, shuffles around

to his well worn EZBoy. He checks his watch. "6:20". He

reclines back, far enough to reach a stereo, and uses his

cane to turn it on.

INT. LAUREN’S APARTMENT- LATER

Lauren has clearly progressed in her dance study. She Suzie

Qs and Shim shams.

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Earl has slipped into a deep sleep, but his toes keep time

with the music.

CUT TO:

INT. SPARROW BALLROOM- NIGHT(EARLS DREAM)

Earl dances the most hep solo jazz performance of all time.

Across the ballroom, Lauren, done up in period gear, twirls

into Earl’s arms. Young Earl and Lauren joyfully dance.

The music stops abruptly.

END DREAM:

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- RESUME

Earl wakes up startled: the stereo has stopped playing.

Grogily, he checks his watch: "8:00".

EARL

Hmmpf. I should have known she’d

stand me up.

Earl gets up and shuts the stereo off.

INT. LAUREN’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Lauren towel dries her wet hair as she walks into the main

living room. She checks the time: "8:00"

LAUREN

Shit.

She looks up to Audrey.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

Sorry Audrey.

13.

She bolts back into the bathroom and shuts the door. A blow

dryer is heard.

INT. EARL’S BEDROOM- LATER

Earl pulls off his tie and slings it and the jacket on the

bed.

EXT. EARL’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Lauren rushes up the street, reading street maps on her

phone.

She finds the right place, an old skinny duplex, and rushes

up to the front door.

She checks her vintage hair and makeup on the glass screen

door, pulls out the bag of donuts from her purse, and knocks

politely on the door.

INT. EARL’S BEDROOM- SAME TIME

Earl hears the knock on the door, but he down at his

pajamaed self and bare feet, then down the long hallway.

INT. HALLWAY- CONTINUING

The hallway from Earl’s bedroom to the front door stretches,

feeling seemingly endless.

INT. EARL’S BEDROOM- CONTINUING

Earl looks back at his suit lying on the bed, deciding.

EXT. APARTMENT- MOMENTS LATER

Lauren knocks again.

LAUREN

Earl? Sorry I’m late. I, I brought

you something.

Silence.

Lauren tries again, louder.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

I know I said 730. I got stuck

doing... something. Are you there?

She waits a moment longer. Then walks back down the steps,

leaving the bag of donuts at the front door.

14.

The door opens with Earl behind it in his suit jacket and

pajamas.

EARL

Keep it down, you’ll wake up the

neighbors.

Lauren turns around and sees him. She rushes back up the

steps to meet him. She picks up the donuts and hands it to

Earl as they walk inside.

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- CONTINUING

Earl opens the bag of donuts and inhales their intoxicating

scent.

LAUREN

As you may have guessed it, I met

Nancy today at the coffee shop.

Earl dives into a donut.

EARL

And?

LAUREN

I start tomorrow!

Lauren sets down her bag and surveys the room. She finds

what she’s looking for, and goes to the stereo.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

So, I’m guessing it’s too late to

go out. But I have to show you

something.

She plugs in her ipod to the stereo system and puts on the

same song from the park.

LAUREN (CONT’D)

May I have this dance?

She bows low, sillily. Earl laughs.

EARL

Usually I just grab the girl and

say "What about it, dollface?"

They shuffle to the music.

15.

INTERCUT:

INT. SPARROW BALLROOM 1941- NIGHT

Lauren and Young Earl dance intricately and beautifully,

covering the dance floor.

INT. EARL’S APARTMENT- SAME TIME

Their dance is sloppy, more like a sway, but it’s everything

to Earl and Lauren.

THE END