DEAD MAN WITH A PLAN
Joel Stern
Genre: Comedy
A man who died in 1978 is reincarnated in 2024 and struggles to
adapt to the rapidly changing world while trying to redeem himself
and win back the love of his life.
(772) 985-5513 [email protected]
BLACK SCREEN. LOUD THUMPING DISCO MUSIC... It brings us to a
glossy black DOOR with the number "3" in diamonds.
Laughs; screams -- it's like a wild party inside. The door
opens to blinding white light and the Devil in a tux and
Boston Red Sox HAT!
A welcoming smile and sweep of his arm -- to eternal Hell.
EXT. FIFTH AVE. MANHATTAN - MORNING
Rush hour masses swarm the streets and sidewalks.
Jackhammers, bus engines, police whistles fill the humid air.
INT. 1985 YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Double parked. VINCE MASERATI, (28) is the passenger (He's
shot in b&w to reflect his "on parole" status).
Gold CHAINS flash under his partially open shirt; his three
piece white polyester suit emits a soft glow.
Vince rubs his temples, tries hard to shake the Devil vision
from his skull.
EXT. 1985 YUGO - CONTINUOUS
His 70s black platform SHOES hit the pavement. He slams the
grey passenger DOOR on the rusty green junker shut. Ready to
take on the world. Again.
VINCE
Fuck Door Three. This gotta work.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
He leans through the passenger window captivated by DAPHNE,
(25) a Cosmo cover-worthy beauty who could do better than him
on her worst day.
VINCE (V.O.)
She actually believes in me.
DAPHNE (V.O.)
Already he's bankrupting my brain
cells.
DAPHNE
Good luck -- even us "Carnies" have
to pay the rent!
DAPHNE (V.O.)
I can't whack another loser.
EXT. FIFTH AVENUE - CONTINUOUS
Close-on a twisted paper RING that hangs from the rear view
mirror. Vince eyes it...
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO WAITING ROOM - DAY
(BLUISH FILTER) Wooden BENCHES; an American FLAG; a PORTRAIT
of "Ike" over a simple plywood DOOR.
INT. VINCE'S ROW - CONTINUOUS
Vince slides next to Daphne. Both fidget.
VINCE
I'm frickin' crazy about 'ya. I
wanna date the hell outta you when
we get back.
She huffs, crosses her arms and looks away.
DAPHNE
You assume we'll get another
chance. And that I like you.
VINCE (V.O.)
No bunts, gotta go yard.
He rolls a piece of scrap paper into a string, forms a crude
ring and twists it around her FINGER.
VINCE
At least take this.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
She looks at it, cracks a slight smile. He winks. As he turns
to cross...
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
... A moaning NYC bus blasts him with a thick cloud of blue
smoke. He coughs his way through it unaware of an approaching
cab.
SCREECH! It stops a foot away. The WOMAN driver, (42) (like
Rosie O'Donnell) eyes his platform SHOES and spits out a jet
of chewing tobacco.
DRIVER
Halloween's in October, Travolta!
BRING UP THE BEE GEES "STAYIN' ALIVE".
(SINGING)
I'm goin' nowhere/ Somebody help
me...
VINCE
Fuck off, I'm a Carny!
DRIVER
(annoyed)
A what?!
VINCE
Read my lips -- I'm reincarnated!
CARS pile up behind them and honk. PASSERSBY look.
She nails him in the chest with a bag of fries. He looks down
at his vest: KETCHUP! He kicks her door; she gives him the
finger and drives off.
VINCE (V.O.)
This place used to be civilized!
EXT. SIDEWALK - CONTINUOUS
O.S. DISTANT SIREN.
Head down, he charges his way through a sea of humanity that
moves against him like a stiff headwind.
Wide-eyed amazed, he passes SUNGLASS HUT; VERIZON; A food
TRUCK; Citi BIKES -- things all new to him.
FADE "STAYIN' ALIVE".
EXT. SIDEWALK - CONTINUOUS
He approaches a MAN, (32) in a tank top walking a Pit Bull.
BRING UP LOUD KEYBOARDS CLICKS...
As we rise through thick white haze:
Genres:
["Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Probation in Limbo
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
It's Geek Squad times a million! Endless robotic CLONES in
white short sleeve shirts and black ties furiously type away.
INT. FRONT OF ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Watching over them is CHUCK, (75) a ten-gallon-hatted Wilford
Brimley look alike, bushy white walrus moustache and all.
His gold BADGE: "God's Personal Assistant". He scans Vince's
bio on his worn blue 2004 IMac G5:
"VINCE MASERATI, 28. DEATH YEAR: 1978. REINCARNATED 2024.
Three Month Probation Ends 12/10/24. Subject Test Level: A)
Mild B) Medium C) Goner".
CHUCK
(Texas accent)
Let's see what 'ya got.
He leans close to the keyboard, pokes option "A" and...
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
... The Pit Bull poops. Vince, deep in thought stomps right
through it.
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chuck belly laughs. The CLONES look. He glares: Back to work.
O.S. (ROBOTIC VOICE): "CHUCK...SEE LILY... CHUCK SEE LILY..."
He jumps to his feet, straightens his Bolo tie. Behind him,
another simple door swings open.
There stands a silver-haired WOMAN, (80) in a flowery dress
like a grandmotherly school teacher in a Norman Rockwell
painting. Known here as Lily, she's GOD to the rest of us.
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Chuck sits across from her, dabs his forehead.
LILY
You and Vince have had an odd
relationship over the years.
LILY FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - DAY
Chuck and Vince roll on the floor. Chuck tries to feed Vince
his ten gallon hat.
CHUCK
Come clean about killin' Lenny!
Vince chomps down on Chuck's arm.
VINCE
I didn't do shit!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
She peeks through the blinds at an endless line of humanity.
LILY
Limbo's out of space.
EXT. LIMBO - DAY
A CAVEMAN scratches his head as he reads the NY POST; King
LOUIE XVI and Marie Antoinette hold their heads under their
arms; BERNIE MADOFF frantically pecks away on his Blackberry.
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
LILY
Keep him on a short leash. His
probation will free his soul or --
CHUCK
But did he really change any?
BRING UP JACKHAMMERS.
LILY
We're about to find out.
Genres:
["Fantasy","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
The Stench of Confrontation
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Vince struts past a drilling Con Edison crew and enters.
INT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Black and gold 1930s Art Deco interior. Vince blows past
security guard HECTOR, (28) who smells trouble.
HECTOR
Excuse me sir! ... Sir? Yo!
Vince fast-walks to the elevators.
HECTOR (CONT'D)
You can't come in here with that
shit!
VINCE
Already did!
EXT. ELEVATOR - MOMENTS LATER
Hector pounds the sliding door. Too late.
INT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
Five uppity corporate SUITS stink-eye Vince. A WOMAN, (52)
covers her nose with a handkerchief.
EXT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
O.S. MUFFLED CHOKING.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Good God, get me out of here!
EXT. ELEVATOR - NINETY SIXTH FLOOR - MOMENTS LATER
BINK! The door slides open. All but Vince gag, stagger out.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Vince passes a few offices, stops at a glass door marked:
"TIMELESS EMPLOYMENT AGENCY"
INT. SIMON TANNER'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
A 1930's picture of HERBERT HOOVER hangs behind sour-faced
Dabney Coleman-like recruiter SIMON, (48). Vince sits across.
Vince's disgusting pooh SHOES.
SIMON
That really stinks.
Vince kicks his feet under his chair but it isn't his shoes.
Simon struts to the door, sticks his head out.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Nice try Wallinski. Check your
lunch in the fridge from now on.
INT. CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS
Shlubby SETH WALLINSKI, (32) cowers behind paperwork.
Genres:
["Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Job Negotiations in Limbo
INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Vince grabs paper off the desk, wipes his shoe, stuffs the
unholy mess between BOOKS. Simon flops back into his chair.
SIMON
(blows nose)
Once sent me a blind bus driver.
Your outfit's a giveaway.
VINCE
He didn't send me. Lily did.
Beat. "Lily" is a game changer. Simon straightens up, checks
his appointment book.
SIMON
My apologies. I thought you were my
ten-thirty.
Vince yanks down on his vest.
VINCE
I'm Vince Maserati dressed in
Alexanders finest polyester.
SIMON
Didn't they belly up in the
eighties?
VINCE
I missed that decade. Forty one
years in Limbo, pal.
SIMON
You don't look that old.
VINCE
I'm twenty nine... Or sixty eight.
SIMON
Whatever age you are, you dress
like a washed up putz.
Vince bites his lip. Simon scans a memo and rubs his chin:
"Find Mr. Maserati a menial job A.S.A.P. He must be humbled.
Thank you. Lily."
VINCE
Anyway, I got three months to turn
the world around or I'm toast.
He reaches into his folder and a MAD MAGAZINE circa 1977
slips out. There's ALFRED E. as Jimmy Carter with a fishing
pole slung over his shoulder. Simon raises an eyebrow.
Vince stuffs it back in, hands Simon a scribbled SHEET:
"Skills: Stickball Slugger, Bronx 1962-1976; Fluent in
English and Pig Latin; Great Dancer."
Simon skims it with disbelief and crumples it into a ball and
throws it at his face. Vince doesn't blink.
SIMON
I'm not looking for a clown,
Maserati. I need someone who can
represent us in the working world
with --
VINCE
I ain't a clown.
Simon crosses his arms and stares. Vince swallows hard and
nods at Hoover.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Who's that guy?
SIMON
(types)
Herbert Hoover.
VINCE
(surprised)
The vacuum cleaner dude?
SIMON
(stops typing)
No, our thirty first president.
Couldn't get him a job after he
lost to FDR in '32.
VINCE
That's you we're talkin' about.
Vince squints as he re-reads Simon's CARD.
"Simon Tanner, Timeless Employment Agency"
SIMON
Where do you see yourself in ten --
VINCE
On a Wheaties box. I belted three
homers over the Major Deegan when I
was twelve.
Simon tosses his glasses on the desk, rubs his face.
SIMON
I thought I was talking to a man of
worth not a loser reminiscing about
his childhood stickball glory!
VINCE
I'm a man...
(swallows)
...'a worth.
SIMON
(beat, steeples hands)
I have a company that offers
vertical advancement if you have
the right stuff.
Vince picks up a small figurine, holds it to the light.
VINCE
(voice cracks)
I got it all.
VINCE FANTASY:
(ROSE FILTER) Tuxedoed Vince sits on an antique desk, smokes
a long cigar smothered by doting vixens. The desk collapses.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
SIMON
It would entail interoffice duties.
VINCE
I assume it entails a company car.
SIMON
No, it entails a daily subway ride
that you'll pay for. Nine-fifty an
hour. You'll start tomorrow.
Vince stands, paces, hands behind his back.
VINCE
Ten even. I got mouths to feed.
SIMON
I got a janitorial job at Calvary
Cemetery that pays eight if --
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
Vince smokes on a dumpster, gets slammed over the head from
behind with a TROPHY and dies on the pavement.
RETURN TO SCENE:
He grabs the pen and signs. Simon leans in.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Screw this up and you'll be crying
your way through Door Three.
Genres:
["Fantasy","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Chaos on Fifth Avenue
EXT. FIFTH AVE. MANHATTAN - LATER
Double-parked Daphne backs up traffic while Vince is wowed by
LARGE SCREEN TV's in a store window. A METER MAID, (37)
approaches. Daphne honks.
DAPHNE
Hurry Vince!
He hustles over and gets in.
VINCE
Hold your water, lady.
The meter maid writes...
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
Did you get a job?
VINCE
Floor this shit box!
DAPHNE
Excuse me?
He grabs the wheel, stomps the accelerator with his left
foot. Bad struts! The car bucks front-to-back like a Bronco.
VINCE
I got a zillion tickets in the 70s!
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
The Meter Maid waves her summons book.
METER MAID
Get you're dumb ass back here! I
seen your soul and you're --
O.S. BRING UP THE BEE GEES: "STAYIN' ALIVE".
SINGING
"Goin' nowhere/ Somebody help
me..."
EXT. A HALF BLOCK AWAY - CONTINUOUS
They slowly rock back and forth past a laughing traffic COP.
FADE MUSIC.
INT. YUGO - (MOVING) CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
Gimme my wheel!
Push pull, they battle for control...
EXT. FIFTH AVENUE - CONTINUOUS
They bounce and weave through traffic.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Vince points to a BUSINESSMAN, (32) who looks like he's
talking to himself.
VINCE
What's with these guys? They sick?
DAPHNE
Bluetooth! Three Card Monte!!!
Players scatter. They crush a corner Three Card Monte TABLE.
EXT. 40TH STREET - CONTINUOUS
The car bucks around the corner.
INT. YUGO - (MOVING) CONTINUOUS
He yanks the wheel and they head straight for a HOT DOG CART.
HONNNNNK!
VINCE DAPHNE
No! Ahhh!
DOGS, dirty water obliterate the windshield; wipers flap.
INT. YUGO (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
He yanks the wheel to the right. ERRR!
VINCE
(re: hot dogs)
Rat hair and horsemeat like my
life!
She hits the brakes. SCREECH!
O.S. A CHORUS OF HONKS!
DAPHNE
(out of breath)
I need a real working man!
She turns right and they gently rock down a ramp into a
darkened garage and stop.
INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS
Silence as they catch their breath.
DAPHNE
Parking tickets.
VINCE
I gotta stay outta trouble or it's
Limbo and Door Three.
DAPHNE (V.O.)
In the meantime he's gonna put me
through hell...
DAPHNE
Did you get a damn job or not?
VINCE
C'mon, look who you're talkin' too.
DAPHNE
That's the thing. I don't know who
I'm talking to. Did you ever work?
He rubs the back of his neck.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. VINCE'S BEDROOM - DAY
Twenty two year old Vince lies in bed, bounces a Nerf ball
off the ceiling.
O.S. DISTANT POLICE SIRENS.
VINCE
What do you think?
She turns away.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Hey, bad time for this but... Who
are you again?
They lock eyes, she squints with disbelief.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Dinner and Dark Humor
EXT. DAPHNE'S APARTMENT - EVENING
An AMBULANCE races past the Bronx TENEMENT.
INT. DAPHNE'S KITCHEN - EVENING
"Honeymooners" simple. A 70s FRIGIDAIRE hums; a PICTURE of
MAD Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman taped over the garbage can.
Next to it a framed news ARTICLE:
"Tampa Bank Teller Dies During Holdup".
Vince waits for dinner in a blue #99 NY RANGERS JERSEY.
"DAPH" is stitched on the back.
VINCE
Those hot dogs -- look away, I'm
gonna drool.
She dishes out spaghetti.
DAPHNE
You'll have to drool over this
until we go food shopping.
VINCE
Who was 99?
DAPHNE
The Great Gretzky.
VINCE
Any good?
Beat.
DAPHNE
That's why they called him 'The
Great Gretzky', Vince.
He skims PEOPLE, sips "HI C" from a SPIDER-MAN GLASS.
VINCE
Travolta had more hair than Coco
the chimp. What up?
DAPHNE
Alopecia.
VINCE
(no idea)
Figures. Kill me if I end up like
him.
She looks at him like, "Rich and famous? I wish". He tosses
the mag on the table.
VINCE (CONT'D)
I'll never catch up. I was dead 41
years, not like you.
DAPHNE
Twenty one was no picnic. They
called me, "The Limbo Bimbo".
VINCE
Dead people suck.
DAPHNE
So... What did 'ya like about me
when we met?
He turns a page.
VINCE
Your can was off the charts.
Daphne death gaze!
VINCE (CONT'D)
'Ya got a can do attitude!
He talks with his mouth full.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Promise you won't poison me like
your ex if we have a fight.
DAPHNE (V.O.)
(sinister smile)
I promise I'll think long and hard.
He does a double take.
VINCE
I can be irresistible but some
people don't see it.
DAPHNE
Like a young Joe Pesci.
VINCE
(imitates Pesci)
Don't roll me in a carpet unless
'ya gonna do sexy shit to me first.
Better hurry 'cause I'm on borrowed
time!
She pulls back her hand.
DAPHNE
Excuse me?
VINCE
I mean I borrowed my watch from
Jimmy Coconuts before I died.
DAPHNE
Was that his real name?
VINCE
Nope. His head was shaped like one.
He checks the 70s TIMEX.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Whoa, what's today?
DAPHNE
Tuesday, why?
He scoops up his plate, hustles to the living room.
VINCE (O.S.)
"One Day At a Time". Bonnie
Franklin gives me serious wood.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Static Signals
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
He adjusts the rabbit ears on the staticky '90s TV.
VINCE
Got any tin foil?!
DAPHNE (O.S.)
It doesn't work!
VINCE
Where's your roof?!
DAPHNE (O.S.)
Upstairs!
VINCE
I'll play with the antenna!
She joins him... And rests her head on his shoulder.
DAPHNE
Honey, I think Bonnie's dead.
Frustrated, he clicks off the remote, crosses his arms.
VINCE
Why did Lily let you come back?
DAPHNE
Because I saved eleven lives when I
found the bomb at my bank.
QUICK DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
EXT. BANK - DAY
We follow the bomb-laden SUITCASE as it spins and drops from
a window through the roof of a GEO CONVERTIBLE. BOOM!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
Blown to bits like my life.
From his POV: a phone CHARGER on the TV stand.
VINCE (CONT'D)
I feel outta place -- like a canary
in a world 'a buzzards.
She caresses his arm.
DAPHNE
Then you be the canary that
blossoms into a peacock.
VINCE
I thought turkeys do that.
DAPHNE
Like it or not, you're here to make
the world a better place.
He sadly turns away.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Moment on the Ledge
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
O.S. "WHOOP-WHOOP" SIREN; A RACE CAR ROARS.
A small FAN whirs in the grimy window. The ALARM: 3:27 am.
Vince sits up, rubs his temples... Daphne faces away.
DAPHNE (CONT'D)
Going to the roof?
VINCE
Yeah.
He grabs a pack of cigarettes off the nightstand and slips on
his bathrobe and sneakers.
EXT. ROOF - LATER
GRAFFITI, PIGEONS. No one should be up here, especially now.
Vince exits the rusty grey staircase door; PIGEONS flap. He
stops, lights up a smoke.
A few yards away long haired DALE, (18) cries as he straddles
the ledge. Vince cautiously approaches.
EXT. LEDGE - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
What will 'ya miss the most?
DALE
Doesn't matter now.
Vince fidgets, at a loss for words. Then:
VINCE
I'd miss puttin' a quarter in the
candy machine and gettin' squat.
DALE
A quarter?
(scoffs)
Serves you right.
Vince offers a cigarette. Dale accepts and Vince lights it.
VINCE
Vince.
DALE
(exhales smoke)
Dale.
VINCE
How'd 'ya end up here?
DALE
You a priest?
VINCE
Me? Ha! You got the right one.
Dale blows smoke and scans the moonlit silhouettes of dreary
pre-war Bronx apartment BUILDINGS.
DALE
You wouldn't understand.
VINCE
Actually, I'm one 'a the few who
would.
Dale takes a deep drag and exhales.
DALE
Why are you special?
VINCE
I been places you wouldn't believe.
Trust me, this shithole's heaven.
Dale swings his body to face Vince and drops his head.
DALE
Doc says I have Leukemia. Got a
year if I'm lucky.
Vince nods with his hands in his robe pockets.
DALE (CONT'D)
My step dad's all I have left. My
mother was shot last year in a
supermarket upstate.
VINCE
The last thing he needs is to see
you splattered on the sidewalk.
O.S. DISTANT AMBULANCE SIREN.
Hold-on Dale's realization of the consequences.
VINCE
(re: ambulances)
They're waitin' for 'ya.
Dale looks down seven stories.
DALE
(cries)
I'm just a high school kid, man.
National Honor Student. Full ride
to Stanford.
Vince grinds out his cigarette.
VINCE
Jumpin' will only get 'ya to the
other side that much sooner.
Beat.
DALE
But why should I suffer? I never
hurt anyone. Why is God doing this?
VINCE
Only She knows.
Dale does a double-take at "She".
VINCE (CONT'D)
Trust me when I say, "She".
Beat... The wheels turn in Dale's head...
VINCE (CONT'D)
My mom died of cancer when she was
sixty-two... Diagnosed at thirty.
DALE
Whatever's on the other side can't
be worse than this.
Vince's EYES flare. He takes out his wallet and shows Dale
his picture.
VINCE
Taken in seventy eight.
Dale takes a closer look.
DALE
How'd you stay so young?
VINCE
Can't say... But I killed a man
back then.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - BRONX, N.Y. - NIGHT
Vince, (16) points a gun at hog tied LENNY, (38) who kneels
on the tracks. Lenny pleads for his life; Vince relents but
it's too late -- Lenny's hit by the train.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. LEDGE - NIGHT
VINCE (CONT'D)
He beat my mother... It just felt
right. Like you right now.
He pats Dale on the shoulder.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Remember, forever's... Forever.
Vince offers his hand... Dale searches Vince's eyes... And
accepts it and gets off the ledge.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
A Day of Choices
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - LATER
The CLOCK on Daphne's nightstand: "4:20 am". Vince sneaks
under the covers, his back to her. She senses his torment and
caresses his arm.
VINCE
(closes eyes)
People don't realize the cost of
makin' wrong choices.
VINCE V.O.
One day at a time, Vince.
EXT. KMART - SOUTH BRONX, N.Y. - DAY
A run down inner city 70s relic. Vince and Daphne hold hands
as they approach the crowded entrance. He's glum.
DAPHNE
Okay, what's up?
VINCE
The kid on the roof.
She pecks him on the cheek.
INT. KMART ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Shopping CARTS clank; worn LINOLEUM; bubble gum MACHINES.
O.S. "CLEAN UP IN AISLE SIXTEEN."
VINCE
It's the same since seventy
eight... Maybe that ain't good.
DAPHNE
Let's find you a decent suit.
VINCE
First things first.
INT. MEN'S SUITS - MOMENTS LATER
Vince licks blue cotton candy as they approach a mannequin in
a cheap brown suit. The sign: "40% Off"
She hands him a shiny gold jacket with padded shoulders, a
Rick Astley classic.
DAPHNE
Dress for success.
VINCE
I look like Liberace. Find me a
candelabra.
He tries it on, checks the price TAG: "$79.99".
VINCE (CONT'D)
I can get two suits, a shirt and a
hat for half that at Moe Ginsburg!
DAPHNE
Chill out. Lily gave us ten grand
each to start over. Pay me back
with your debit card.
VINCE
Ribbit --
DAPHNE
I have yours at home.
VINCE FANTASY:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
He sits opposite Lily, faces Judgment Day.
LILY
You exceeded your credit limit. I
sentence you to Door Three and
eternal hell!!!
She slams down her gavel.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. MEN'S SUITS - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
What if I screw up?
DAPHNE
I'm counting on you.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Footwear and Fears
INT. SHOE SECTION - MOMENTS LATER
He holds up an orange pair of CROCS, completely baffled. A
Latino GIRL, (16) stops sorting.
GIRL
Uhh -- those are Crocs.
VINCE
Crocs 'a what?
GIRL
Mister, you from Mars?
VINCE
Pluto. And leave it to you
Earthlings to invent these.
She clicks her tongue, strolls off.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(to Daphne)
Do they go with a suit?
DAPHNE
Take this seriously, Vince!
VINCE
I'll wear 'em in the shower.
He tosses them in the cart. She opens a shoe box.
DAPHNE
What size are you?
VINCE
Huge.
She rolls her eyes.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Nine "Triple E".
DAPHNE
Well, now you're a ten.
She tosses them in the cart and they head to the register.
EXT. DAPHNE'S BUILDING - EVENING
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Peeling grey PAINT; a dim ceiling BULB casts shadows.
Daphne scans a MEETUP SITE on her DESKTOP. There's a doggie-
eared paperback next to it: "ADVANCED MANDARIN".
Vince, in pajamas and orange CROCS brushes his teeth over her
shoulder.
VINCE
How do they get the stripes to come
outta the tube so straight?
She ignores him. He focuses on the screen.
"LIVED BEFORE? Join us Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at Chloe's Munch-a-
Torium, 127 Fordham Road, Bronx."
VINCE (CONT'D)
No go. Big meeting at work.
DAPHNE
This is important, honey. They
might be like us.
His clenched FISTS hang by his sides.
VINCE (V.O.)
I don't wanna lose you.
VINCE
Maybe we're movin' too fast.
DAPHNE
I'll meet you there at seven.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Awkward Encounters at Drek-Tech
INT. RECEPTION - DREK-TECH INDUSTRIES - MORNING
Vince in his gold jacket approaches smoke-show receptionist
SORBET, (22) who flirts with a WOMAN, (25).
SORBET
(to Vince)
The clown tryouts are downstairs.
VINCE
(slurps coffee)
Kah... You're assumin' I'm a clown.
The other woman slithers away. Sorbet points to the door: "No
Soliciting"
SORBET
I assume you're literate.
VINCE FANTASY:
James Cagney's grapefruit scene from "The Public Enemy".
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. RECEPTION - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
Look sweetheart, I'm here to solve
your problems. Where's Zeus?
She gives him a "Nut job" head shake then dials.
SORBET
There's a --
(covers phone, to Vince)
Who are you again?
VINCE
Vince Maserati. Fast and low to the
ground like the sports car.
SORBET
Vince Maserati-Fast-And-Low-To-The-
MAN'S VOICE (V.O.)
(loud)
Who sent him?!
She covers the phone.
SORBET
Who sent you?
VINCE SORBET (CONT'D)
Simon -- Tanner.
Click!
SORBET (CONT'D)
He'll be right out.
He straightens a wall picture:
VINCE
I'm gettin' a Camaro company car.
Play your cards right and --
SORBET
I'm getting a penthouse on Park
Avenue.
VINCE
I hear Zeus has a real man's car.
Just tryin' to keep up.
SORBET
He takes the subway to work.
VINCE (V.O.)
She's smokin' but what a bitch.
Should I play hard-to-get douche or
be nice? What's cool these days?
He gently places a RING DING on her desk and steps back. She
promptly drops it in the trash like it's Plutonium.
Enter ZEUS, (40) a head-shaven Black man, seven foot, 350
(looks like Shaq). He bites into a powdered donut.
VINCE FANTASY:
LIGHTNING, THUNDER! Zeus appears as a sweaty, muscle bound
fire breathing Roman gladiator ready to kick major ass!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. RECEPTION - CONTINUOUS
He approaches Vince and extends his hand.
ZEUS
(big smile)
Vince?
Vince looks up in awe, trips over his feet and hits the deck;
coffee splashes all over the slick white floor.
VINCE
Who's askin'?
Zeus helps him up.
ZEUS
Vontrezel Lamarcus-Kevil the Third.
(warm smile)
Call me Zeus.
VINCE
Zeus... God 'a donuts...
ZEUS
(laughs)
More like a disciple of Krispy
Kreme. And part time youth soccer
coach.
VINCE
Soccer? Who in the world even plays
that shit?
He looks down his nose then at his clipboard.
ZEUS
You can lift fifty pounds, right?
VINCE
Execs really do that here?
ZEUS
Execs.
(scoffs)
C'mon buddy, I'll show you around.
He leads Vince past Sorbet out the door.
SORBET
(head down, writes)
Good luck with that Camaro.
Vince misses the sarcasm, gives her a smiley thumbs up.
EXT. JOE BENCHER'S CHEVY-TROPOLIS, SECAUCUS, N.J. - DAY
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Wrenches and Whispers
INT. PARTS DEPARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Daphne reads "RUSSIAN IDIOMS" behind the counter. A blue
collar GUY, (42) approaches with a packaged wrench.
GUY
It's commie-metric. You just sneak
in over the border?
DAPHNE
You sure I sold it to you?
GUY
How many hot Daphne's work here?
She checks his receipt.
DAPHNE
Maybe I have a twin. Or maybe I
don't need your take on my
measurements.
She slaps the refund in his hand.
WOMAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Daphne, line six.
DAPHNE
(into phone)
Parts, Daphne speaking.
INT. DREK-TECH BREAK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Vince snaps open a soda can, kicks up his feet.
VINCE
Whatch 'ya doin'?
INTERCUT
VINCE/DAPHNE:
DAPHNE
Oh, hi sweetie -- how's the job?
VINCE
I'm on the fast track.
DAPHNE
To where?
VINCE
They didn't say. But I'm assumin'
it's right up the chute.
DAPHNE
That's awesome! What do they do?
VINCE
I think they make tape recorders.
Hey, let's blow off this cockamamie
meeting tonight and make our own
memories.
DAPHNE
(sexy)
Ooh, adventure -- I like how that
sounds.
VINCE
You came to the right place. Night
of the Livin' Dead's playin' on
forty duce, the original.
DAPHNE
Look, we need to meet others like
us and it'll give me a good reason
to stand beside you. Be there at
seven sharp, Vince.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
A Rainy Evening of Awkward Encounters
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Vince dozes on the couch with a NEWSWEEK Magazine over his
face. A nature documentary drones on in the b.g.
ANNOUNCER
"When the young Dodo..."
He rolls over and hits the floor. A quick look up at the
clock: "6:35 pm". He grabs a box of chicken wings off the
coffee table.
EXT. DAPHNE'S BUILDING - MOMENTS LATER
He bangs his head as he gets into a cab.
INT. CAB - CONTINUOUS
He eyes the Sikh's, (40) TURBAN and CABBIE ID: "Akalpreet
Singh LIC# 609327"
QUICK SHOTS (MOVING):
-- Vince accepts a cigarette from Akalpreet, lights up. He
gives Akalpreet a chicken wing.
-- They pass a BILLBOARD advertising a 72 inch TV and Vince's
eyes light up. Akalpreet laughs.
-- Vince tries on the turban. Akalpreet gives a thumbs up!
-- Akalpreet gives Vince a POPEYES COUPON.
-- The cab stalls. Akalpreet apologizes, clutches a red gas
can, trots down the street.
-- Ride resumes. Vince squirms, looks at his watch: "7:23".
Fog, rain. The cab runs over a NAIL, bounces, swerves. A
flat! No more time to waste... Vince gives Akalpreet a
TWENTY; he kicks open his stuck door, runs down the street.
EXT. STREET CORNER - CONTINUOUS
A car turns: SPLASH! Drenched. Deep breath... He runs...
EXT. CHLOE'S MUNCH-A-TORIUM - MOMENTS LATER
Outside the coffee shop, heavy rain sweeps over a homeless
Black WOMAN, (50) and her PUPPY under a blanket. Breathless,
Vince approaches and hands her the wings.
VINCE
Ain't much, but...
WOMAN
Thanks mister, but I'm a vegan.
VINCE
Is that a new religion?
WOMAN
No meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs
or honey.
VINCE
Ain't sure what's left but here.
He gives her a TWENTY, drapes his jacket over her shoulders.
WOMAN
I used to own a bodega. Had a nice
life. Now, I just try to feed this
little guy. But I'll be back. And
so will you -- if and only if...
ERIE MUSIC.
The puppy whimpers. As Vince pets him the woman and the puppy
turn B&W and dematerialize. Vince can't believe what he's
seeing, stands there slack jawed...
INT. CHLOE'S CAFE - MOMENTS LATER
A dimly lit Grunge coffee shop. Faded framed POSTERS of 90s
rockers on outdated paneling. A dive.
INT. BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
Daphne's in a window booth opposite purple-hair Japanese-
American ECHINASIA, (24) and Native American ENYETO, (28,
Adam Driver-like with shoulder length hair).
DAPHNE
Sorry, I told him seven.
Vince shakes off water like a dog by the door. Daphne waves
him over. He approaches and slides next to her.
DAPHNE (CONT'D)
Finally.
VINCE
My driver had issues.
He tries to kiss her but she turns away.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
EXT - NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - DAY
Kids choose sides for stickball. Vince, (9) is left out and
is about to cry.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
VINCE (CONT'D)
(collects himself)
Vince Maserati, fast and low to the
ground like the sports car.
ECHINASIA ENYETO
Who? What?
VINCE
My callin' card. I'm short, but
slick.
ECHINASIA
(sour face)
Oh--Kay... I'm Echinasia.
ENYETO
(warm smile)
Enyeto. Walks As A Bear.
Vince nods, flips the menu over.
VINCE
Doctor Scholls should work.
ENYETO
No. That's my name.
VINCE
Oh, sorry bro. Where 'ya from?
ENYETO
Canarsie, Brooklyn.
Vince clicks his tongue, turns to Echinasia.
VINCE
And you sweetheart?
Beat.
ECHINASIA
(faux sweet)
I'm Echinasia from the Upper East
Side... And DON'T EVER CALL ME
SWEETHEART!!!
His head snaps back. People look.
VINCE
(low)
Whoa, babe. No more sweetheart.
ECHINASIA
Babe? What the hell, man?!
DAPHNE
Sorry, sometimes he thinks he's a
Dean Martin Carny.
O.S. INDISTINGUISHABLE TV TALK.
Everyone fidgets. Daphne breaks the silence.
DAPHNE
Echinasia's a famous porn star!
ECHINASIA
Was. I made mistakes, but I'm not
ashamed of who I was. I learned
from it.
VINCE
Anything I seen?
ECHINASIA
Everything, I'm sure.
ENYETO
What about you, Vince?
Vince flips open his 60s silver lighter, lights up like Don
Draper, snaps it shut and blows smoke.
VINCE
I'm a facilitator. I make
shit...(cough) happen...
Close-on wtf FACES... He drains Echinasia's water glass.
She's stunned by his audacity.
ECHINASIA
A. That was my water. B. You can't
smoke in here. See that?
Close-on a yellowing dog-eared "NO SMOKING" sign taped to the
wall. She takes his cigarette, drops it into Enyeto's glass.
VINCE
You got anger issues, lady.
ECHINASIA
Shut the fuck up!
Her words hang in the air... A couple slides out the side
DOOR. Vince fidgets with a fork, not sure what to say.
ENYETO
(calming)
We see you just returned.
VINCE
Lily gave me three months to turn
the world around or I'm toast. I'm
stuck between bein' a prince and a
frog.
DAPHNE
Three months?
VINCE
Hey, like Mad Magazine says, 'What
me worry?'
DAPHNE
You're quoting Alfred E. Neumann?
ENYETO
Lots of pressure, Vince.
VINCE
(pulls on collar)
I eat it for lunch... So, uh --
what's the story with you two?
Enyeto kisses Echinasia's hand, looks deep into her eyes.
ENYETO
I was on the verge of becoming a
doctor when my life was cut short.
I was closing my deli in the
Village when...
ENYETO FLASHBACK:
October, 2000
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Rainy Night's Reckoning
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT
O.S. TWO DISTANT MEN ARGUE.
(GREY FILTER) Enyeto heaves garbage bags into a dumpster.
O.S. HELP! HELP ME PLEASE!!!
He bear-walks fifty feet and crocuhes down at a dead MAN,
(20) who has a KNIFE in his chest. He pulls it out, studies
it... Anger builds in his EYES.
He waddles to the middle of the street as heavy rain falls.
EXT. STREET - MOMENTS LATER
A moaning NYC garbage TRUCK rounds the corner.
INT. TRUCK - CONTINUOUS
Driver SAL, (41) and JIMMY, (23) argue World Series.
SAL
Bombers in four. Period!
Jimmy chews slowly, drools Good 'N Plenty.
JIMMY
Schmuck. Amazin's in six.
SAL
I'm the schmuck? The hand 'a God
couldn't help those sad sacks 'a
yours.
Jimmy grins, flashes licorice-blackened TEETH.
SAL (CONT'D)
And stop eatin' that shit, you're
ugly enough.
JIMMY
Sal, look out!!!
Lightning makes Enyeto glow; wind lifts his long hair. He
holds the KNIFE defiantly like he's warding off Dracula.
SAL JIMMY (CONT'D)
Who's this asshole?! Shiiiiit!
Sal hits the BRAKES, the truck skids... BOOM! Enyeto
somersaults in slo-mo like a Flying Wallenda...
QUICK ENYETO FLASHBACKS:
-- His 6th birthday on his MOTHER'S, (30) lap; blows out
candles on a cake.
-- He's handed his high school DIPLOMA.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
THUD. Dead Enyeto. He slowly rises through white MIST...
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Freshly killed, he sits stoically opposite Lily.
LILY
I missed the blood spatter report
when Chuck crashed our network with
his girly pictures. Right Chuck?
CHUCK
Can't pass up Grace Kelly, ma'am.
LILY
Enyeto, since you're innocent
you'll return to your life at the
same age but it will be 2011. Be a
reliable friend and guide those who
stray. And be careful who you
trust. Especially garbage truck
drivers.
RETURN TO SCENE:
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Inheritance and Chaos
INT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
ENYETO
I want to save lives. Not just my
own.
VINCE
Man, that's heavy... What's it like
bein' back for good?
ENYETO
Free will. Can't beat it.
Vince nods "And you?" at Echinasia.
ECHINASIA
Ever hear of the Garden Beaver?
VINCE
Heh, heh -- sounds like --
ECHINASIA
A gardening tool...
QUICK SHOT:
A cheesy late night TV ad where a plastic BEAVER HEAD on a
pole chomps weeds as the wheel turns.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S CONTINUOUS
VINCE
(clueless)
Weeds, right.
ECHINASIA
My great grandfather invented it
during his World War Two
incarceration. Losing a leg in the
first war meant nothing. Anyway, it
sold millions and I was the
heiress. Until...
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Brings us to an:
ECHINASIA FLASHBACK:
MANHATTAN, 2010
INT. OFFICE HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
"ROBY & BUSHWACK PROBATE ATTORNEYS"
(GREY FILTER) Echinasia pounds the door.
ECHINASIA
I want my money, Edgar!
O.S. FROM INSIDE:
EDGAR
Get lost, it's gone!
ECHINASIA
Gone?! You sonofa --
She Bruce Lee's the door -- KICK, KICK, BOOM! It flies open.
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Big city law firm: mahogany conference TABLE; ANTIQUES;
stuffed animal HEADS.
Disheveled EDGAR BUSHWACK, (73) is about to hang himself from
an elaborate CHANDELIER.
ECHINASIA
You stole my inheritance!
EDGAR
Tough luck sweetheart!
A whole new level of pissed. She rips off her jacket.
ECHINASIA
Don't ever call me sweetheart!
She climbs onto the conference table and with her head down
charges him head first like a ram. They swing on the rope
through the window.
O.S. SCREAMS FADE...
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Limbo Revelations
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
Lily, skeptical, scans Echinasia's FILE.
LILY
Hmm. Well, now you have the chance
to break the cycle.
She clasps her hands. The light dims and accentuates her
expression.
LILY (CONT'D)
You'll resume your life with a man
named Enyeto. And you will be
tested by very shallow people so I
expect you to guide them down the
correct path without violence.
Echinasia humbly nods.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
Vince looks out the window lost in thought.
ECHINASIA
She reincarnated Edgar into a snake
then gave me ten G's and a Yugo.
ENYETO
Me too.
VINCE
So, you have rides while I'm takin'
Gypsy cabs? I can't even roll in my
wheels after all I've been through!
Damn that chick!
ZAP! He turns into a FROG!
VINCE (CONT'D)
Ribbit... Ribbit...
Long beat. Three hanging jaws.
DAPHNE
Oh... My... God...
ZAP! He's back to being Vince. He checks his reflection in
the napkin holder, vainly straightens his hair.
VINCE
Was I just a frog?
ECHINASIA
(still shaken)
I -- knew a dude in SoCal who got a
(hard swallow)
PT Cruiser.
VINCE
A frickin' Navy boat?
She slaps her forehead. Owner CHLOE, (52) pale, black hair
and lipstick approaches. Too old for the look.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(low)
Lily Munster?
DAPHNE
(whispers)
She's a Darkling. Be nice.
Chloe lights a scented candle on the table.
CHLOE
(monotone, chews gum)
Some incense for you lost souls...
What are you having?
Vince scans the menu, scratches his neck.
VINCE
Whadd'ya recommend?
CHLOE
Crabs.
VINCE
Pshh. No way you're givin' me
crabs. And what's with that makeup?
CHLOE
(blank stare)
We're the silent echoes that linger
in the night.
He scrunches his face.
CHLOE (CONT'D)
Life is just a monochrome story
painted in shades of regret.
VINCE
Yeah. Fries with gravy and a Coke.
CHLOE
No Coke. Nature's Wonder.
VINCE
What's wonderful about it?
Daphne taps her hand on the table.
ECHINASIA
It's all natural. Drink it God
damnit!
Enyeto rubs her back.
ENYETO
(warm smile)
It's clear and healthy.
VINCE
If it ain't brown it ain't goin'
down. Gimme water.
CHLOE
Perrier, Joyous Springs, Heaven's
Juice --
VINCE
Turn your faucet to the left and
gimme what comes out!
She rips the menu from of his hands.
CHLOE
Lily was right.
She leaves.
VINCE
Lily was right?
DAPHNE
Will you focus for once?
ENYETO
Tell us your story.
Behind Vince, Zombies eat human flesh in "Night of the Living
Dead" as it flickers on the WALL.
VINCE
(clears throat)
When I was a kid my mother's
boyfriend beat her so I kidnapped
him and let him get hit by a train.
Open mouthed looks from Echinasia and Enyeto.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(hands tremble)
I just wanted to scare him but I
froze... Lily kept me in Limbo 41
years until I admitted it. My old
man abused her too. I promised her
it would never happen again.
ECHINASIA
How did you die?
BRING UP THE BEE GEES "MORE THAN A WOMAN".
VINCE
It was during my "Hey Day"...
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. DISCO DANCE FLOOR - EVENING - 1978
MORE THAN A WOMAN PLAYS.
Vince, in a white three piece and big-haired LOIS, (21)
reenact a Travolta "Saturday Night Fever" dance scene.
O.S. MUSIC FADES.
VINCE (V.O.)
I win and the joint's goin' nuts.
"DJ LOUIE", (25) hands Vince a trophy. He pumps it in the air
like he won the Super Bowl.
INT. BAR - MOMENTS LATER
The bar's three deep. Smoke, laughter. Gold-chained and
permed JIMMY, (21) is drunk, stupid and pissed. His pal TONY,
(21) shoves Vince as he brushes past.
TONY
Enjoy it while 'ya can, asshole.
Vince flashes the TROPHY and struts outside.
EXT. ALLEY - MOMENTS LATER
Vince sits on the dumpster, his TROPHY next to him. He blows
smoke rings at the MOON. The moon winks, smiles back.
Jimmy sneaks up, grabs the trophy and smashes it over Vince's
head two, three times. He dies on the pavement.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
Then bada boom -- I'm in Limbo with
a bunch 'a Yo-Yo's.
DAPHNE
You mean souls caught in between
Heaven and Hell for eternity.
You're lucky to get this last
chance at redemption, Vince.
VINCE
I didn't think I'd cash in with a
trophy in my skull.
Echinasia nods "Go" at Daphne.
DAPHNE
I died during a bank holdup.
DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
INT. BANK TELLER WINDOW - DAY
A WOMAN, (40) in a wig and shades hands Daphne a note:
"EVERYTHING IN THE DRAWER. NO ALARMS".
Daphne slides cash and a Kewpie Doll under the glass then
faints. Her FOOT trips the alarm: RINGGGGGGGG!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
I ended up in Limbo because I
Kervorked my husband Al with
antifreeze.
ECHINASIA
A misogynist who abused you.
DAPHNE
No. Just an a-hole.
ENYETO
Why did Lily give you another
chance?
DAPHNE
Because I saved eleven lives when I
found a bomb at the bank.
QUICK DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
EXT. BANK - DAY
A suitcase tumbles from an upper story window through the
canvas roof of a GEO convertible... KA-BOOM!!!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
So, I'm the only one on probation.
All shrug.
A PHONE RINGS.
Genres:
["Fantasy","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Second Chances
INT. CUBICLE - MORNING
DAKOTA, (23) answers. Looks like Amanda Seyfried -- Miss
Small Town, U.S.A.
DAKOTA
This is Dakota... Oh, great!
Thanks, Carl... Bye.
Vince hands her mail.
DAKOTA (CONT'D)
You must be Vince.
VINCE
How 'ya doin'?
DAKOTA
Dakota -- as you might've heard.
VINCE
(points at her)
Midwest, right or wrong?
DAKOTA
Des Moines! Did Jerry told you?
VINCE
You got that freshly scrubbed look.
She nods like she heard that a thousand times. Vince squints
at a faded family PICTURE on her desk -- mom, dad, two teen
boys. She steps over to the window and stares.
O.S. THUNDER RUMBLES.
DAKOTA
They took off for China... The
plane was never found.
VINCE
(pulls on collar)
I hope they're in a better place.
She steps over and waters her plants by the window.
DAKOTA
(hurt smile)
I wanted to see what life was like
in the Big Apple, so...
He studies a PICTURE of a square jaw Marine in full dress.
DAKOTA (CONT'D)
Kyle my fiancé. His tour ends next
week.
(voice cracks)
I hope he's still the guy I fell in
love with.
VINCE
My uncle was a mess after Korea but
my aunt stuck with him. Married
fifty seven years.
He takes a close look at the picture.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Hmm. Nam.
DAKOTA
Pardon?
VINCE
Vietnam. It's in all the papers.
She stops watering, turns around.
DAKOTA
(friendly smile)
Syria.
VINCE
Sorry, I been outta town myself.
She opens an envelope.
DAKOTA
Where?
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO WAITING ROOM - DAY
Chuck backhands him across the face with his truncheon.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS
He dabs his forehead with his sleeve.
VINCE
You don't wanna know.
DAKOTA
Well, I'm all for second chances.
VINCE
(winks)
To second chances.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
A Delivery of Memories
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He pushes his cart to a small office.
INT. JERRY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE-ON a small tarnished TROPHY that reads:
JERRY LABRINSKI YORKVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SPELLING BEE
CHAMPION
JERRY, (73), pocket protector, horn rimmed glasses wears a
cheap outfit from the back of Dwight Schrute's closet. He's
at the window, hands in his pockets. Vince approaches.
VINCE
You Jerry?
JERRY
Ah, the new mail chap! Jerry
Labrinski, V.P Quality Control.
They shake.
VINCE
Vince Maserati, fast and low to the
ground like the sports car.
Jerry's hand freezes mid-shake.
JERRY
That is quite a metaphor young man.
Short in stature, smooth talker.
VINCE
Yeah, I'm kind 'a special.
JERRY
(chuckles)
I'm getting that vibe!
Jerry limps to his desk past a framed newspaper ARTICLE about
the Bay of Pigs on his wall. He hands Vince a small box.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Goes to the lab, not Lab-rinski.
VINCE
(re: Jerry's leg)
What's with the bum wheel?
JERRY
The Bay of Pigs, a government
fiasco back in sixty one.
VINCE
Pigs could swim back then?
JERRY
No, but it sure was a decision that
changed my life. And you?
Close-on Vince's distant EYES.
BRING UP THE HORN OF AN ONCOMING TRAIN.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - NEWARK, N.J. - NIGHT
He reaches for hogtied Lenny on the tracks. Too late.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. JERRY'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Vince's lips tighten as he puts the box on his cart. A
PICTURE catches his eye: younger Jerry with Johnny Carson,
both in plaid 80s blazers.
VINCE
Never miss him.
(squints)
Man, you got old.
JERRY
Actually, he died in oh-five.
VINCE
I mean when he wasn't dead.
JERRY
Have you been hibernating?
VINCE
I'm a wide awake bear on roller
skates.
Jerry checks his watch.
JERRY
Be careful with that container.
(winks)
Don't let the genie out of the
bottle.
INT. AISLE - CONTINUOUS
Vince rolls his cart to the next cubicle.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Chaos in the Office
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chuck rubs his hands eager to cause havoc. On his screen: "A)
Splash Coffee On Office Manager..."
He pokes "Enter"...
INT. AISLE - CONTINUOUS
... And Vince rams his cart into office manager BEVERLY,
(42). Coffee splashes all over her white Victorian BLOUSE;
her documents flutter to the green carpet.
The phones stop ringing.
VINCE
Sorry, lady. Just call me "The
Human Coffee Pot".
BEVERLY
More like the human jackass!
VINCE
Whoa, I'm a jackass? Lay off the
donuts so people can get through!
JUAN, (28) rises from his cubicle.
JUAN
He's right, Bev. You've packed on --
BEVERLY
Zeus, get over here! NOW!!!
VINCE (V.O.)
Ah, man not Zeus...
Office noise resumes. He dumps mail back on his cart but
Jerry's PACKAGE leaks. Vince picks it up:
"FRAGILE BIOHAZARD: STOOL SAMPLES"
He drops the box... It opens and he slips and falls on the
mess; He gets back up and doubled over zig zags to the
mailroom.
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chuck laughs so hard he THUMP! Falls over in his chair.
INT. MAILROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Zeus sorts mail. Vince storms in, sprays himself with WINDEX.
VINCE
You lied, bro! Simon said I'd be an
exec!
ZEUS
Don't play no Simon Says with me!
VINCE
You think me of all people would
do this if I knew what it was?
ZEUS
Little man, we're a biotech company
that processes stool samples!
Vince turns and vomits into the metal garbage can. Zeus
cringes. From inside the can:
VINCE
Then gimme a mail route higher up
in the digestive tract!
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Echoes of the Past
EXT. HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, LEVITTOWN - DAY
A busy four lane road in the Long Island suburbs.
INT. DAPHNE'S YUGO - (MOVING) CONTINUOUS
The struts are fixed. Vince looks miserable. She turns into a
strip mall lot. In the distance: METRO PCS.
VINCE
(points)
PCS -- Private Concierge Service.
She makes a face.
EXT. PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
His heart thumps as they get closer to the store but as they
do he deflates when he sees it's clearly a phone STORE.
EXT. METRO PCS - CONTINUOUS
He gazes at his 1978 dancing REFLECTION in all his glory. He
holds up a TROPHY... The IMAGES fade... LEAVES and a FRITOS
BAG swirl at his feet.
He drops to the curb, heartbroken. Daphne sits next to him
and runs her fingers through his hair. She kisses his hand.
DAPHNE
Woody Allen said we're like sharks.
We have to move forward or die.
VINCE
I ain't a dead shark.
DAPHNE
Vince, if we don't move forward
we'll both drown.
The wind pins the FRITOS BAG to his ankle. He picks it up:
VINCE
(brushes away a tear)
Every time I ate this waitin' on
line I'd win a contest...
He lets go and the bag drifts away.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Remember when I said Lily gave me
three months?
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
He and Lily face each other at her desk, Chuck by her side.
LILY
Because you finally admitted
killing Lenny, you'll return to
your former life on a three month
probation.
VINCE
Eesh... I dunno, three months
sounds like an eternity.
She pinches her eyes.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Three months'll work.
LILY
There are three requirements you
must fulfill in order to pass
through Door One and permanently
resume your life. Number one...
VINCE
Got a pen? I wanna make sure --
Wide-eyed, she stares daggers... The room rumbles, shakes
like during an earthquake... Vince grips the armrests. After
a few seconds it quiets down.
LILY
You'll live with Daphne upon your
return, learn to form a true loving
relationship and forsake your
outdated and hurtful ways.
VINCE FANTASY:
EXT. STREET - EVENING
He lays his jacket on the wet curb so Daphne doesn't get her
feet wet. She steps on it; he gags at the wet filthy mess.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
LILY (CONT'D)
You better be listening!
VINCE
Huh?
LILY
N-u-m-b-e-r t-w-o. You must do
something special for mankind.
VINCE
Cool, 'cause I'm a people person.
LILY
Think Roosevelt, Lincoln and Salk.
VINCE
I thought the Stooges were
brothers.
She takes off her glasses, tosses them on the desk and covers
her face. Long Beat... She puts her glasses on.
LILY
Number three. You'll keep your
reincarnation to yourself.
He slumps back.
VINCE
I suck at keepin' secrets.
LILY
Millions returned to their lives
and obeyed that rule. You will too.
CHUCK
Imagine gittin' shot by fifty
flamin' arrows then gittin' tossed
off a highway overpass durin' rush
hour for all eternity!
LILY
It would be more like this.
INT. DOOR #3 - CONTINUOUS
DOOR #3 -- the gateway to eternal Hell -- flies open to
darkness, howling wind, hellish moans.
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Close-on Lily's angry EYES.
BRING UP THUNDER.
LILY
Vince... Make... It... Rain.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
THUNDER CONTINUES.
He looks up at BLACK CLOUDS.
VINCE
Make it rain? The broad's whacked!
DAPHNE
No, she's not. And don't call God
a broad Sinatra. Words matter.
He lowers his head.
VINCE
What if I still flop?
DAPHNE
Then you'll never know the joy of
true love. And you're fucked.
Beat.
VINCE
(looks queasy)
Can we go shoppin' next weekend
instead 'a tomorrow?
DAPHNE
(deflated)
Sure. If I'm not gone by then.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Reflections in a Café
EXT. MANHATTAN BROWNSTONE - DAY
Top of the stairs. Vince adjusts his Bose Frames Mob shades,
looks around. He and JUSTIN, (12) walk down the steps.
INT. ENYETO'S YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Enyeto -- parked across the street -- focuses his 50's Kodak
BROWNIE. CLICK. Got 'ya!
INT. ENYETO'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
The ROTARY PHONE on the table rings. Enyeto puts down "GRAY'S
ANATOMY". Next to it: A letter with a round COFFEE STAIN.
"Dear Mr. Enyeto: CONGRATULATIONS! I am delighted to inform
you that the Harvard University Committee on Admissions has
admitted you to the Harvard Medical School class of 2026..."
ENYETO
(picks up)
Enyeto here.
VINCE (V.O.)
Bro, I gotta update my vocabulary --
'ya gotta do me a solid!
INT. CLOE'S - EVENING
O.S. COFFEE BEANS GRIND.
It's just Vince and Enyeto. The room's dark except for a dim
cheap light over their heads.
Half-finished ESPRESSOS, spilled sugar PACKETS. Through the
window a bus with two lonely FIGURES groans past. Enyeto rubs
his bloodshot eyes.
ENYETO
Sip tea.
VINCE
(taps lips w/pencil)
Tea seems a little fruity to me.
ENYETO
It's sexually neutral.
VINCE
Use it in a sentence.
ENYETO
Vince hates tea because he thinks
it's gay. I'll sip it and let him
deal with his prejudices.
Vince watches a BLACK MAN, (20) and a WHITE WOMAN, (18)
stroll past the window. His lips tighten.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
An interracial couple. So?
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY
Flashy CORRINE, (18) and JAMES, (18) hold hands, approach
Vince. James is Black, Corrine white, Vince beet red.
He fiddles inside his locker. She approaches, slaps an
engagement RING in his hand with a vengeful smile. She and
James walk away. Vince slams the locker shut.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
Vince checks his fingernails. The pain is still there.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
Beneath the skin we're all the
same. Good. Bad. In between.
Vince crosses his arms, looks out the window.
VINCE
I grew up in a family that wasn't
very -- open minded.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. KITCHEN - EVENING
Vince, (8) draws a crude PICTURE of two young boys -- one
white the other black -- hugging. Lurking behind is blue
collar dad TONY, (36). He smacks him in the head.
RETURN TO SCENE:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
A Moment of Connection
INT. BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
ENYETO
Lily didn't make us different so we
could kill each other. You can
change.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK: Frightening DOOR #3.
VINCE
(fidgets)
Yeah... Maybe.
Enyeto leans over and pats him on the shoulder.
ENYETO
My friend -- you're the Chisnik.
VINCE
Thanks... Wait, the what?
ENYETO
The Chisnik.
VINCE
You sayin' I'm a Russian chipmunk?
ENYETO
No. It means you're the shit.
VINCE
Oh. Good or bad?
ENYETO
The best.
VINCE
That's the nicest thing anyone ever
called me.
He jots it down.
VINCE (CONT'D)
What else?
ENYETO
Low hanging fruit.
Vince scribbles.
VINCE
Low hangin' fruits... 'Ya know, I
noticed gays don't get ragged on
much.
ENYETO
People are more tolerant. You
though face a long journey.
VINCE
Can a leopard change its stripes?
ENYETO
Are you a leopard?
Vince looks out the window, bites his cheek. Close-on his
NOTE PAD as he writes "Lay off"... He stops and runs his hand
through his hair...
Enyeto watches with curiosity... Back to the NOTEPAD where
Vince scribbles "No gay jokes".
Enyeto grabs the notepad, reads the notation and smiles. He
clasps his hands.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
You made fun of tea but are you
really okay with being alone?
VINCE
Whadd'ya mean -- I got Daph.
ENYETO
How connected are you? Was it
desperation in Limbo that drew you
to her?
Vince glances over at a COUPLE as they laugh and hold hands
at their table. Enyeto checks his watch.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
Time to bounce.
Vince doesn't get it.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
It means I'm leaving.
Enyeto stands.
VINCE
Stay. I...
(sad look out window)
You're... my friend.
Enyeto, caught off guard sits. Vince rubs his face. It was
tough admitting that.
ENYETO
Okay. One more.
He lifts his cup.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
This espresso is so good it's
sickening.
VINCE
The opposite of what people think.
ENYETO
You're sickening.
Vince's face lights up.
VINCE
Thanks, bro!
Enyeto stands.
ENYETO
I'm always here for you buddy.
He leaves.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Unspoken Connections
INT. DAKOTA'S CUBICLE - MORNING
Vince stops at the entrance. Shriveled PLANTS, stacks of
unopened MAIL. Kyle's picture is gone.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He pushes his cart up to Jerry's office.
INT. JERRY'S CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS
Vince hands him mail.
VINCE
(winks)
I'm sippin' tea today J-Labs.
JERRY
(hush-hush)
Keep it under your hat but I'm
quite the fan of Mr. Earl Grey.
Vince deflates. His new term's a flop.
VINCE
Yeah... Hey, where's Dakota?
Jerry sits back, loosens his tie.
JERRY
Her fiancé was killed in Syria.
Long silence... Vince's POV: DECEMBER on a wall CALENDAR.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Ever in the service?
Vince is lost in thought.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Vince?
VINCE
One minute you're gettin' married
and the next... Oh, the army?
Can't, I'm a Chisnik.
Jerry bites the end of his glasses. Long beat. Vince fidgets,
rubs his nose, shifts his weight a few times.
JERRY
A Chisnik.
VINCE
Yeah, I even wrote it down.
He pulls a crumpled slip from his shirt pocket.
VINCE (CONT'D)
A Chisnik describes a person,
place, thing or idea as being the
greatest or best or 'The shit'.
He puts it back in his pocket, scratches his neck.
JERRY
I think you and Dakota have
something very special in common.
BRING UP SOUND OF A RUNNING FAUCET.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Activism and Aspirations
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
O.S. WATER RUNS, DISHES CLANK.
Swimming fish SCREENSAVER. Vince slaps the tower.
VINCE
What's with the fish?!
DAPHNE
I'll call the Super tomorrow.
He drops on the couch, turns on the news to WAR FOOTAGE.
TV ANCHOR (V.O.)
"Seven U.S. troops were killed last
week in a drone strike in
northeastern Syria..."
She joins him, rests her head on his shoulder. He takes her
HAND.
VINCE
Dakota lost her fiancé over there.
DAPHNE
My uncle was killed when he was
with the O.S.S. I heard my mom cry
every night through the wall.
He flips channels to HURRICANE DAMAGE.
REPORTER (V.O.)
"... Scientists say global warming
is behind the rash of Category Four
hurricanes..."
Close-on his concerned expression.
DAPHNE
Let's get some fresh air.
EXT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
INT. CHLOE'S - SAME
Vince vapes and coughs hard. He looks at his e-cig.
VINCE
The world's even more screwed up
than before I died.
ECHINASIA
Great deduction Plato.
VINCE
You should be helpin' me save
humanity instead 'a doin' squat!
SPLASH! Latte meets face.
ECHINASIA
You're too far gone!
He wipes it off.
VINCE
(softly)
An Egg Cream would 'a been nicer.
ECHINASIA
It's not 1960.
VINCE
Yeah. As I was sayin' before Patty
Hearst over here went ape shit --
we're in a fucked up war --
ENYETO
You mean a totally whack war...
VINCE
And I'm thinkin' big protests like
Nam. War's over, I save lives, Lily
loves me. End 'a story.
ENYETO
No draft. Kids today are
complacent.
VINCE
Potato, patahto. Oh -- I wrote my
congressman...
Echinasia rolls her eyes.
VINCE (CONT'D)
... And the stamp cost what I used
to pay for two hot dogs at Coney
Island! C'mon, Lily's deadline's
comin' up and I'm dyin' here!
Enyeto taps his Smartphone, shows him a YouTube VIDEO of him
shirtless chopping down a tree. Daphne grabs it and her eyes
light up. Vince snatches away and squints at it.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Who else saw this?
Enyeto taps it again: "Views 1,207,818".
VINCE (CONT'D)
Let's do it -- back from the dead,
how I'll fix the world -- it's a no
brainer!
ENYETO
Nice. We'll shoot it at my place.
They fist pump.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Highway Hijinks and Landfill Loot
EXT. BELT PARKWAY, BROOKLYN - DAY
Three busy lanes each way. An aerial shot shows the slow-
moving Yugo plugging up traffic in the right lane.
INT. ENYETO'S YUGO - (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Vince rides shotgun, pulls on dashboard stuffing. Daphne and
Echinasia are squeezed in the back. Daphne wears a beige
1920s Cloche Flapper hat with the price TAG attached.
EXT. LANDFILL - CONTINUOUS
SEAGULLS circle huge mounds of garbage. The stench hits them.
VINCE
Brooklyn...
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Enyeto's EYES glaze over. THUMP-UMP! He veers onto the
shoulder.
EXT. BELT PARKWAY - CONTINUOUS
A HUBCAP comes off and rolls down the shoulder as they roll
to a stop. Vince watches the wobbling HUBCAP.
VINCE
Door Three's startin' to look good.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Enyeto's catatonic. Vince reaches back to Daphne.
VINCE
Hat.
She frantically searches her bag instead.
DAPHNE
He's not barfing in my new hat. I
have Rolaids, Enyeto.
ECHINASIA
No biggie. He always does this.
O.S. BRING UP: AVERAGE WHITE BAND'S "PICK UP THE PIECES".
Enyeto exits like he's drawn to the dump by a big magnet and
leaves the door open.
VINCE
Make it quick, my head's filled
with YouTube ideas!
EXT. BELT PARKWAY - CONTINUOUS
He bear-walks across three lanes: HONNNNK!
VINCE
Run you idiot!
O.S. ROARING ENGINE GETS LOUDER.
It's a black Demo Derby MONSTER TRUCK with huge flapping
AMERICAN and PIRATE FLAGS. Close-on the smiling shark GRILL.
EXT. MEDIAN - CONTINUOUS
Enyeto turns back, shades his eyes.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Vince whips around.
VINCE
SHIT!!!
Close-on a screaming SEAGULL. In slo-mo Vince holds his ears
as the behemoth sheers off the door... Daphne swats down a
swirling hamburger WRAPPER.
DAPHNE
This isn't real!
Echinasia casually files her nails.
ECHINASIA
Pretend it's a tiny mail truck.
EXT. MEDIAN - CONTINUOUS
Enyeto shrugs and continues his trek.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
Louder traffic noise; RUBBERNECKERS slow down to look.
DAPHNE
The door, Vince!
VINCE
It's halfway to Jersey!
DAPHNE
We can still drive, right?
VINCE
Like we got a choice?!
INT. YUGO - MOMENTS LATER
Enyeto approaches with a filthy cowboy HAT on his head and a
mannequin FOOT.
VINCE
You're late, Lone Ranger!
Enyeto gets in, passes the foot back to Echinasia.
ENYETO
Frank needs a transplant.
Vince and Daphne cross themselves.
DAPHNE
We need the door, Enyeto!
He gets out...
EXT. GRASS SHOULDER - CONTINUOUS
... Picks it up, drops it into the trunk and gets back in.
EXT. HIGHWAY SHOULDER - CONTINUOUS
VROOOM-POP! They putt-putt into the sunset.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
The Macabre Revelation
INT. ENYETO'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Enyeto-simple: chair, table, lamp, picture. In a corner a
yellow CANARY flaps in its cage desperate to escape.
Daphne and Echinasia munch from a box of SHREDDED WHEAT.
DAPHNE
Delish snacks Enyeto.
ENYETO
Frank ate all the Twinkies.
INT. A FEW FEET AWAY - CONTINUOUS
Vince studies a B&W PICTURE of a bearded MAN, (35) in a long
black coat and hat. He stands beside a Native American WOMAN,
(21) in the desert. Behind them, a horse drawn junk wagon.
VINCE
Who's the fine lady?
ENYETO
My great, great, great grandmother
Kateri.
Daphne and Echinasia join in.
DAPHNE
So beautiful. What tribe, Enyeto?
ENYETO
Mohegan. And he's my great, great,
great, grandfather Yasha.
Yasha? Vince scrunches his face.
DAPHNE
Don't start, Vince.
VINCE
C'mon, how often do 'ya see a
couple like that?
Enyeto puts his hand on the back of Vince's neck.
ENYETO
Married fifty one years. He founded
the family deli and a children's
hospital. She was a surgeon. Come.
Vince and Daphne follow Enyeto and Echinasia down a dark
flight of stairs.
INT. BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Enyeto flips on the lights.
SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYS.
A ghastly MANNEQUIN hangs from the ceiling. Daphne covers her
mouth, Vince's jaw drops.
Fake INTESTINES sprout from the open neck. The head's in the
CROTCH, the ARMS and a LEG switched. An Ed Gein masterpiece.
ENYETO
Frank -- say hello to my friends.
Dead silence. Close on Vince's watering EYES. He SWALLOWS
hard.
VINCE
Another Frankenstein...
Enyeto screws in the new foot to an arm socket.
ENYETO
Sometimes rearranging things opens
the door to new discovery.
VINCE
(thoughtfully rubs chin)
I, uhh -- I ain't totally sold on
the head in-the-crotch deal.
DAPHNE
Why, you're head's been up your ass
ever since you came back!
Vince gives her a corner-eye look.
VINCE
What's the bottom line with this?
ENYETO
I'm designing a better human.
VINCE
(low to Daphne)
Let's split before we end up in his
freezer.
ECHINASIA
(angry whisper)
He was a med student when he died.
It's a defect in his reincarnation.
VINCE
What happens when 'ya done, bro?
ENYETO
I'll improve the insides.
O.S. DISTANT POLICE SIRENS.
Enyeto presses a red BUTTON on a beam and a trap DOOR slides
open. Franks quickly descends. The door shuts and a carpet
remnant unrolls over the hole.
ECHINASIA
This way.
Genres:
["Drama","Supernatural","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Vince's Monologue and the Termination Dilemma
INT. BASEMENT ROOM 2 - MOMENTS LATER
A broken PAC MAN arcade game; a faded POSTER of Farrah
Fawcett on a dark paneled wall; one half of a GLOBE. Enyeto
pops a VHS tape into his whirring 90s CAMCORDER.
VINCE
Don't mention Frank to Lily.
ENYETO
(winks)
Maybe she gave me the idea.
Confused Vince steps on an armrest and lights up a smoke. He
leans on his knee like a 1950s Lucky Strike pitchman. A
spotlight hits him.
Close-on WALL CLOCK: 7:11 pm. Enyeto points "Go!"
VINCE
Vince Maserati here, fast and low
to the ground like the sports car.
After bein' dead forty two years I
returned to a frickin' mess!
(MORE)
VINCE (CONT'D)
Okay, those little hand phones are
convenient; ball players all look
like The Hulk. But you're sayin'
Bruce Jenner don't have a dick no
more? (Beat) Am I the only one
still lost in the last world???
He flops into the chair. He sees Enyeto spoon Fro-Yo.
VINCE (CONT'D)
And what's Fro-yo? Mister Softee
ain't good enough no more?
Enyeto proudly holds up a spoonful.
VINCE (CONT'D)
A Heads up. My DNA test's goin'
public so if 'ya want peace, clean
air and give chicks...
Daphne throws a waste paper basket at him. He ducks.
VINCE (CONT'D)
... Sorry, I mean women the equal
rights they deserve, then I'm your
guy 'cause I'm a Dead Man with a
Plan and together...
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Vince continues on Chuck's SCREEN:
VINCE
... We'll turn this shit planet
into party central!
Lily peers over Chuck's shoulder at the screen.
LILY
Did he say, "Chicks?"
Chuck's hand hovers over a large red BUTTON: "TERMINATE".
CHUCK
Just say the word.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Broken Promises and Unforeseen Consequences
INT. BASEMENT ROOM 2 - LATER
The WALL CLOCK: 9:21 pm. Session's over. Over two hours of
this. Vince approaches the arms-crossed gang.
VINCE
Awesome, right or wrong?
Daphne slaps him, the sound hangs in the air.
DAPHNE
You can't keep those promises!
Silence.
VINCE
(holds cheek)
Okay, what if I wear a red ball
cap, talk outta my ass and run for
president?
ECHINASIA
You just spewed two hours of verbal
vomit and they'll eat it all up!
They all gag.
ECHINASIA (CONT'D)
(clears throat)
Sorry. But you did the exact
opposite of what Lily wants.
DAPHNE
And no more "Chicks", Vince. It's
getting on my nerves.
He lowers his head, hands in pockets.
VINCE
I'm losin' you, ain't I.
DAPHNE
You should be pulling me closer.
She walks away.
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Vince studies the back of a Frosted Flakes cereal BOX through
a magnifying glass when a NOTE slips under the door:
"Nice YouTube show. Chuck."
He kisses the note, thrilled over the good review.
INT. DREK-TECH - MORNING
Vince whistles as he pushes his cart to Dakota's cubicle.
INT. DAKOTA'S CUBICLE - CONTINUOUS
He sticks his head in -- and deflates at the sight of Dakota
crying into a tissue. He approaches.
VINCE
(softly)
I'm so sorry, Dakota.
They hug.
DAKOTA
I warned him not to reenlist but he
thought it would help make Lily's
deadline.
Beat as he digests this.
VINCE
Lily? You mean --
DAKOTA
(nods, wipes nose)
Last week he got a note from Chuck.
He said he had nothing to worry
about.
The life drains from his FACE.
BRING UP MISTER SOFTEE JINGLE.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Ice Cream Conversations
EXT. STREET - DAPHNE'S BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON
A Softee truck idles, plays it's dinky tune. ANTONIO, (25) a
Black man with tats and facial PIERCINGS leans over.
ANTONIO
What you havin' bro?
Vince's eye lids flutter, mesmerized by the jingle.
VINCE
That tune makes me feel like a kid
again.
ANTONIO
I don't hear that shit no more.
VINCE
(nostalgic exhale)
Double vanilla cone with sprinkles.
Antonio fills the cones, adds sprinkles and hands it to him.
Vince slaps two dimes on the metal counter.
ANTONIO
Five-fifty m'man.
VINCE
Five what?!
ANTONIO
Dollar sign, five-dot-five-oh.
VINCE
I just paid twenty cents for this!
ANTONIO
They must'a just thawed your ass
out. How old-you dawg?
VINCE
It's complicated.
Antonio scoffs.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Looks like 'ya got a good gig goin'
here.
ANTONIO
Good gig? Man, I graduated from the
Manhattan Culinary Institute. I
thought I'd own a five-star
restaurant not servin' up cones in
the South Bronx.
VINCE
Sometimes life takes us where it
wants to go.
He peels off six singles when Antonio lights up.
ANTONIO
Yo, you're that YouTube zombie
mother fucker!
Vince proudly licks his cone.
ANTONIO (CONT'D)
Everybody's seen that shit, even my
baby's mama.
VINCE (V.O.)
Baby's mama. Kid's got style. I'm
just a YouTube schmuck.
ANTONIO
Pretty slick, bra. What you
sellin', books 'n dolls 'n shit?
VINCE
Nah, I'm a 'Dead Man with a Plan'.
ANTONIO
(wipes off hands)
What exactly you planin'?
Vince winks.
ANTONIO (CONT'D)
Hm. My homie got a crib in the
woods in case your shit's janked.
VINCE
I don't get what 'ya just said but
I'm hip.
ANTONIO
Hip... What they charge for a
double cone up in the clouds?
VINCE
They don't sell squat. And if 'ya
wise off...
VINCE FLASHBACK:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Confrontation in Limbo
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
Vince rocks back and forth, a tiger ready to pounce. Chuck
stands guard next to Lily, his face buried in Vince's folder.
CHUCK
Looks like 'ya checked question
nine in a peculiar way.
VINCE
Peculiar, Chucky?
CHUCK
Profession... And the name's Chuck.
VINCE
Maybe you need a Bowmar Brain.
CHUCK
My brain ain't the issue. Somehow
'ya managed to check off
Shakespearean Actor.
VINCE
What can I tell 'ya. I'm a
sensitive guy with a creative
brain.
CHUCK
You'd have better luck puttin'
socks on a rooster than convincin'
a payin' audience you're Romeo.
Chuck leans in nose-to-nose.
CHUCK (CONT'D)
Tell us what 'ya did to Lenny.
Vince plays bongos with the armrests.
VINCE
Chuck, 'ya walk 'n talk like a
donkey's ass.
Chuck pulls out Betsy, backhands him across the face.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
ANTONIO
Damn, whoopin' your ass after
you're dead. I'll bet the brothers
get special treatment.
VINCE
There was Oscar, a shooter from the
old neighborhood...
VINCE FLASHBACK:
Genres:
["Supernatural","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Red Tape and Eternal Flames
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
One-armed OSCAR JACKSON, (45) is questioned by Lily. Chuck
studies his file.
CHUCK
I think Mr. Oscar loaded the wrong
wagon.
He shows it to her:
"SKIN COLOR: WHITE".
LILY
Mr. Jackson, this is quite serious.
She shows it to Oscar. He shrugs.
LILY (CONT'D)
You're absolutely sure, "White" is
your answer.
CHUCK
Don't be fibbin' none!
Oscar calmly nods. Lily nods at Chuck. He whips out Betsy,
backhands Oscar across the face. Oscar hits the deck. Chuck
hovers over him.
CHUCK (CONT'D)
'Ya put an "x" in the god-dang box
instead of a check mark!
Oscar holds his jaw, stumbles to his feet.
CHUCK (CONT'D)
Red tape's a way 'a life up here
and we like it jus' fine.
Oscar drops into his chair.
OSCAR
What kind 'a shit hole is this?
CHUCK
Lemme show 'ya.
INT. DOOR THREE - CONTINUOUS
Chuck opens DOOR #3 to ETERNAL DAMNATION: Out spews massive
flames pulsating to the CLUB MED TUNE, "HANDS UP".
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. STREET - DAPHNE'S BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Antonio's HANDS tremble.
ANTONIO
Hands Up... Man, that is Hell.
EXT. DAPHNE'S BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Across the street Daphne -- overloaded with heavy groceries --
stumbles to the lobby door.
DAPHNE
Some help here, Vince!
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
He raises his hand and gives her a thumbs up.
EXT. BUILDING FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
Don't bother!
She struggles to open the door and drops a jug of ANTIFREEZE,
the same stuff she killed her husband with. Long shot as
Vince and Antonio watch her jam it back into the bag.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
ANTONIO
Make sure that shit ends up in your
radiator, bro.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Fame's Irony in the Subway
EXT. 42ND STREET, TIMES SQUARE - MORNING
Next day. Scores of curious TOURISTS gawk at the news SCROLL:
"HE'S THE REAL DEAL... MASERATI DNA TESTS POSITIVE..."
INT. SUBWAY STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS
Vince stops half way down and reads it.
BRING UP TRAIN NOISE.
VINCE (V.O.)
Fame? They love me now but a dead
guy can't even enjoy a cone without
bein' hassled for an autograph.
A GUY, (20) with a skateboard bumps into him.
GUY
(pushes Vince)
Outta my way Dead Man!
INT. SUBWAY CAR (MOVING) - LATER
Lights flicker, the car rocks. A dozen RIDERS recognize him
while he dozes against a pole.
Two GIRLS, (16) in Catholic school black and red plaid see
him and cover their giggles. The train screeches to a stop,
the doors open.
Vince flops into a seat, pulls out an AD for an iPhone. The
girls slide over. BING-BONG! Doors close, the train jerks
forward...
GIRL #1
I know you.
Vince gives her a "Don't bug me" look. GIRL #2 leans over
with an attitude.
GIRL #2
She does. You're that dead guy.
VINCE
(raises hands)
Okay, 'ya got me.
A CONSTRUCTION WORKER, (40) overhears, lowers his N.Y. Post.
The headline:
"DEAD MAN'S DNA A HOAX?"
Girl #1 takes a selfie with Vince and thumbs away:
INSERT INSTAGRAM:
"On 5 train with YouTube dead guy!" WHOOP: "Is he single?"
WHOOP: "Does he smell?" She sniffs and gags:
GIRL #1
Eww, you smell like death.
VINCE
It's Grass Oil For Men by Jovan.
Girl #2 closely inspects Vince's face.
GIRL #2
You looked way hotter on YouTube...
VINCE
The cost of fame.
GIRL #2
Can we have your autograph?
He signs their backpacks.
CONDUCTOR (O.S.)
Fifty Ninth and Lex next stop.
GIRL #1
Like, is it cool being dead?
VINCE
(smirks)
Beats bein' alive sometimes. Less
drama... Until you see the
headlines.
Pan to assorted HEADLINES:
"MAYOR PROUD FIRST PROVEN CARNY IS NYer"; "MASERATI RIOTS
RAGE IN JERUSALEM, ROME, TEHERAN, MUMBAI"; "RESURRECTING THE
DISCO ERA: VINCE BRINGS BACK 70s FASHION!" "PRESIDENT
MASERATI: CAN A DEAD MAN LEAD THE NATION?"
VINCE (V.O.)
Maybe I shouldn't live in a place
that wants me president.
The train stops. EYEBALLS follow him to the door where he's
recognized by comedian KEVIN HART, (45).
KEVIN
(double take)
Hey man, welcome back. Can I get an
autograph? For my son, 'ya
understand.
Vince, happy to oblige signs a slip of paper.
VINCE (V.O.)
Clown smells famous.
KEVIN
Bra, you're all right!
He fist pumps Vince. The door opens.
EXT. PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS
Hart's mobbed, Vince ignored. He watches the mayhem as Hart
tries to get where he's going. Close on Vince's face: Is this
what I really want?
BRING UP GENERIC JAZZ.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
A Moment of Connection
EXT.APPLE STORE - LATER
INT. APPLE STORE - SAME
O.S. JAZZ CONTINUES IN STORE.
To Vince it's an electronics fairyland: slick white floors;
sleek ultra modern devices lined up on modular tables.
QUICK SHOTS: He picks up a half dozen PHONES; takes selfies;
crotch shots; pretends to make calls; laughs; dances. The
future's pretty cool after all!
A round headed MAN with a grey crew cut, (68) wearing a worn
black leather jacket and khakis comes up to Vince like he
knows him. It's childhood pal Jimmy "Coconuts".
JIMMY
Hey pal, weren't you dead?
VINCE
(delayed reaction)
Holy shit, Jimmy "C"! Yeah, yeah, I
am. I mean I was, I mean --
JIMMY
(scoffs)
Dead Man. Cut the shit. Always
workin' some angle... Lookin' good
though. Gotta hand it to 'ya bro --
'ya look like you're twenty nine!
VINCE
Special skin cream.
Vince is distracted by a LESBIAN COUPLE, (28,32) a few feet
away. They hold HANDS with a GIRL (5).
JIMMY
(re: couple)
I'll never get that shit. You?
Vince fidgets.
VINCE
Me? I, uh -- gotta cut this short.
Gotta get a phone. Let's do lunch
sometimes!
JIMMY
(laughs)
Lunch. Yeah, have your girl call
mine. Same asshole. And I still
want my watch back!
He slaps Vince on the shoulder and leaves.
Vince presses an iPhone 17 Plus to his ear. This lures sales
associate LUIS, (27) over.
LUIS
Ready to step into the future?
VINCE
My present sucks so, yeah.
LUIS
That one has plenty of memory for
all those dancing selfies.
VINCE
How much?
LUIS
Eight forty nine.
VINCE
(processes)
Dollars?
LUIS
Welcome to the world of high tech.
The couple and child walk past.
VINCE
(low)
Whadd'ya make 'a that?
LUIS
Make of what?
Vince searches his eyes for homophobic sympathy. Zippo.
VINCE (V.O.)
The world's grey now, no more black
or white. Change or die for ever.
VINCE
Think she'll grow up okay?
Luis tidies up a display.
LUIS
The woman on the left's my sister.
If Kimberly turns out anything like
her moms she'll be more than fine.
Vince rubs his chin, torn between his past views and modern
values. He nods "I accept it."
VINCE
As far as the price, any wiggle
room?
LUIS
Are you a vet?
VINCE
No, but I was dead once.
LUIS
Dead... We do have a senior
discount but I doubt you qualify.
Vince eagerly whips out his ID.
VINCE
Try me.
INT. REGISTER - MOMENTS LATER
The couple with Kimberly pay. As they leave, the girl turns,
smiles and waves to Vince. He smiles and waves back.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Unexpected Fame and Fortune
INT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
The gang's in their usual spot. Vince texts.
VINCE
The Indian Prime Minister called.
ECHINASIA
Wait... What?
VINCE
They want me to speak at a
religious gig.
ECHINASIA
Are you going?
VINCE
He said New Delhi's sweet in July.
What could go wrong?
She taps her forehead on the table.
ECHINASIA
Make sure you know your shit. They
take reincarnation very seriously.
VINCE
Yes, mommy dearest.
ECHINASIA
Of all the Carnies, why did they
choose you?
VINCE
I dunno, 'cause I'm special?
ECHINASIA
Like when you thought you were the
world's greatest dancer and Jimmy
Zee brained you with your trophy?
They look up at the flickering TV:
"BREAKING NEWS... POPE SEEKS MASERATI MEET AFTER DNA MATCH."
DAPHNE
The Pope, Vince!
VINCE
Yo, check this out.
He shows her his phone. She makes a face and grabs it.
INSERT: 22,289,039 YouTube hits. Daphne's astonished. Vince
takes it and resumes texting.
ECHINASIA
Are you even monetizing this?
He put the phone down and clasps his hands, clueless.
ENYETO
I'll show you how.
TIME LAPSE: Autumn LEAVES fall from a scrawny tree outside
the coffee shop. The TREE becomes snow covered.
QUICK MONTAGE: Vince showers himself with fistfuls of CASH;
puts on a large diamond RING; is handed KEYS to a Maserati.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
The Weight of Commitment
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - EARLY MORNING
Goodbye Salvation Army, hello Sharper Image.
The glow of the TV lights up Vince, curled under a blanket on
the couch. "Coma" plays silently. A glance at the CLOCK:
12:01 a.m.
He slowly peels back the blanket revealing a white three-
piece suit. His eyes drift to a framed PICTURE on the coffee
table of he and Daphne smiling in a park.
He stands, adjusts his vest. He takes a deep breath then
heads for the door. Stops. Looks back at the photo. A moment
of internal struggle.
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
He creeps past the bedroom door then pauses as he hears her
soft breathing. His hand touches the door, then pulls away.
INT. FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
Vince grips the doorknob, His knuckles white.
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - NIGHT
Lily leans across her desk.
LILY
(echo effect)
Cohabitating means commitment,
Vince. Step off this path, and you
unravel everything you've built.
One misstep and it all falls apart.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Vince releases the doorknob. Backs away. Runs a hand through
his hair.
QUICK VINCE MONTAGE: Vince and Daphne laugh over breakfast;
Angela winks at him from across a crowded room; Lily's
disapproving glare.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He braces himself, grips the doorknob... And opens the door.
EXT. DAPHNE'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Vince slides into his Maserati. The license plate:
"INVINCIBLE78".
He revs the engine twice and screeches off into the night.
EXT. THIRD AVE., MANHATTAN - (MOVING) - EARLY MORNING
The top's down. Cool night air whips through his hair.
Colorful neon lights blur past him. The city pulses, but he's
all alone in his bubble.
SISTER SLEDGE blares:
(SINGING)
"I wonder why/ He's the greatest
dancer/ I wonder why/ That I've
ever seen..."
He shifts gears; his disco ball-shaped DIAMOND RING lights up
with each passing street light. He checks his reflection in
the rear view MIRROR but doesn't like what he sees.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Club Riptide Revelations
EXT. CLUB RIPTIDE - LATER
O.S. MUFFLED DISCO MUSIC.
PARTIERS on line gawk as he pulls up to the valet.
EXT. CLUB RIPTIDE - CONTINUOUS
Red bow-tied EDDIE, (21) opens the door eager for a nice tip.
EDDIE
Another win tonight, Mr. Maserati?
He climbs out, tugs on his vest and slaps the keys and a
TWENTY into Eddie's hand. He struts past two nodding bouncers
into the club.
INT. CLUB RIPTIDE - CONTINUOUS
Deafening thumping music; flashing lights; fancy SUITS; tight
SKIRTS; sweaty FACES; gold CHAINS... Cheap perfume and sweat
fill the air. Distant CHEERS! The Dead Man's in the house!
INT. D.J. BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
DJ "WILD DAWG LOUIE", (26) bops under a rainbow Afro wig and
flashing blue neon shades.
LOUIE
Five G's on the line tonight guys,
so let's clear the floor for
Bayside's Tony and Vicky!
O.S. MUFFLED LIPPS, INC.'S "FUNKY TOWN".
INT. DANCE FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
The crowd disperses. TONY, (50) and VICKY, (45) begin and
they're instant schlock.
INT. BAR AREA - CONTINUOUS
The Red Sea parts as BOUNCERS escort Vince to the bar;
congratulatory drunken hands slap his SHOULDERS.
QUICK MONTAGE: a sweaty man yells in a woman's ear; two shot
GLASSES fill up; women sip umbrella DRINKS.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS
Vince plops into a chair with a woman's bag draped over it.
The bartender sets down a drink. A bouncer hands him the bag.
ANGELA, (23), the Cleopatra of Cujinettes in a tight short
black leather skirt and spiked heels slithers through the
crowd over to Vince with a Martini.
They yell over, "FUNKY TOWN".
ANGELA
(like Steph Tolev)
Didn't think you'd show!
VINCE
(hands in pockets)
I really should be in church!
She recoils, makes a face.
ANGELA
So, you're Pope Vinny now?!
His lips tighten. He pulls out his cell.
INSERT: "Daphne Missed Call".
ANGELA (CONT'D)
Lemme guess!
His body stiffens; he dabs his forehead.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
How's work?
VINCE
Shit's pilin' up!
ANGELA
Whadd'ya do again?!
VINCE
I'm a facilitator! I make shit
happen!
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. DREK-TECK - DAY
He picks up a leaky BOX, doubles over and gags.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CLUB RIPTIDE - EVENING
ANGELA
Nice. Hey, don't forget my cut,
Taylor's insulin's this week!
He nods with a blank stare, his mind elsewhere.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
And no "Robot" shit this time!
QUICK ANGELA FLASHBACK:
INT. DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT
Vince does the Robot. She facepalms.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CLUB RIPTIDE - CONTINUOUS
He whips out his smokes. She slaps them out of his hand.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
'Ya can't do that no more,
remember?!
She grinds the pack with her spiked HEEL. Two WOMEN, (28) a
few feet away watch and giggle.
VINCE (V.O.)
I can't risk losin' Daph.
VINCE
So, how's Joey?!
ANGELA
Bay Ridge or Big Joey?!
VINCE
The chooch with the elephant ears!
ANGELA
Oh, he OD'd on the Fourth like my
cousin Tommy!
She caresses his thigh.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
I assume you're still shackin' up
with the blonde from Never-Never
Land!
He checks his phone again.
INSERT: "(2) Missed Calls Daphne"
VINCE
I gotta split!
ANGELA
Does she even know you're here?!
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
She can't sleep, punches her pillow.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Confrontation and Chaos at Club Riptide
INT. CLUB RIPTIDE - CONTINUOUS
He turns to leave. Angela grabs his arm.
VINCE
This ain't right!
From his POV: a MAN, (32) in the crowd glares at him, points
and whispers to his buddy. Angela squeezes his jaw.
ANGELA
Over here -- what's all this in the
Post about you runnin' for
president?!
He lowers his head. Anger builds.
ANGELA (CONT'D)
Where do 'ya stand on women's
rights?!
VINCE
Women are always right!
She slowly shuts her eyes and he calms down.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Okay, I'd set up a fund for low
income women entrepreneurs to help
start their own businesses!
She backs away a step, dumbfounded.
ANGELA
And climate change? It's ninety
five in October and I live in
Sheepshead Bay!
VINCE
Changin' minds at the top ain't
that easy, Ange!
ANGELA
Yeah? Well maybe this'll help!
She bends him backwards, jams her tongue down his throat.
Louie points at them. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve.
VINCE
Put a sock in it, we're on!
They bop, high-five patrons on their way to the dance floor.
O.S. BRING UP THE BASS IN THE MUSIC.
In slo-mo the guy who glared at Vince pushes his way towards
him like Jack Ruby rushing Oswald.
GUY
(slow, distorted)
You're a fraud, dead man!
He slugs Vince who drops to his knees. Two bouncers grab the
puncher; he kicks and screams as they rush him out. Vince
slowly gets up. Curious FACES.
ANGELA
You okay?!
Half-hearted nod.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
Dance of Nostalgia and Emotion
INT. DANCE FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
LOUIE (O.S.)
Tony and Vicky everyone!
Scattered applause.
O.S. "FUNKY TOWN" fades.
LOUIE (CONT'D)
Fresh from the dead, he still got a
swelled head. From the Bronx let's
get down with Vince and Angela!
O.S. BRING UP GLORIA GAYNOR'S "I WILL SURVIVE".
VINCE (V.O.)
Swelled head? Fuck this guy.
They step onto the dance floor. Red, white and blue lights
blink from the surface...
(SINGING)
"At first I was afraid, I was
petrified...
Angela, a statuesque disco princess is face-to-face with
Vince. They pose with one hand in the air, one on their hip.
(SINGING) (CONT'D)
... kept thinkin' I could never
live without you by my side/ But
then I spent so many nights
thinkin' how you did me wrong/ And
I grew strong/ And I learned how to
get along/ And so you're back from
outer space..."
They spin. For Vince it's 1978 and he's the shit. Not the
loser caught between life and eternal damnation but the
reborn king of New York disco. Angela's blown away.
ANGELA
Dead Man, 'ya can still bring it!
(SINGING)
... It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart/ Kept tryin' hard
to mend the pieces of my broken
heart/ And I spent oh-so many
nights just feeling sorry for
myself/ I used to cry, but now I
hold my head up high...
People circle them, dance in place. He backs into her,
swivels his hips, points his fingers in the air. He jumps
around to face her, spins his hands... They continue their
whirling perfection until...
(SINGING) (CONT'D)
"I will survive... Oh..."
The music stops, their eyes connect. She bursts into tears.
ANGELA
Oh, Vince!
She bends him over for a deep kiss.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Musical"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Dancing Between Worlds
INT. LIMBO WAITING ROOM - DAY
Daphne cradles Vince's head as they await their turn to meet
Lily (God) on Judgement Day.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. DANCE FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
(SINGING)
"And now go/ Walk out the door...
He does a breakdance. An older COUPLE, (68) wave their hands
in the air. A WOMAN, (21) crosses her arms, unimpressed.
(SINGING) (CONT'D)
"I've got all my love to give/ I
will survive..."
As he dips her...
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACKS: Chuck hits him with his truncheon; he
and Daphne crash into a Three Card Monte table.
The song fades, the crowd claps, cheers. Louie joins them,
mic in hand...
LOUIE
Can this guy survive or what?!
Vince and Angela, everybody!
O.S. "OOH-OOH-OHH...!"
LOUIE
Guys, you outdid yourselves!
Louie hands him a trophy.
INSERT: the trophy inscription:
"FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, HE LIT UP THE NIGHT"
He raises it to loud cheers... They swing their held hands in
the air and bow.
INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS
JOHN TRAVOLTA, (72) whistles and claps. A MAN, (22) pats him
on the shoulder.
MAN
Whadd'ya think, Johnny?
TRAVOLTA
Pretty damn good.
(yells to Vince)
Way to go, kid!
INT. DANCE FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
Vince squints: It's Travolta! His heart pounds... He grabs
the mic.
VINCE
(breathless)
I wanna thank my dance partner
Angela for making this possible.
She pecks him on the cheek.
VINCE (CONT'D)
But I especially wanna thank
Daphne, my better half --
Angela lowers her head.
VINCE (CONT'D)
-- for being the most precious soul
a person could ever ask to be with.
O.S. APPLAUSE.
Vince checks his phone: "(3) Missed Calls Daphne". Louie
hands them cash envelopes. Vince takes his and frantically
rushes through the crowd to the exit...
EXT. CLUB RIPTIDE - CONTINUOUS
In the alley a homeless MAN, (40) sits knees to chest against
the wall. A dirty hat obscures his face. Vince crouches,
gives him the envelope... And runs off.
The man looks up -- he's Zeus.
Genres:
["Drama","Musical","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Fractured Reflections
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM CLOSET - MORNING
Her frantic HANDS search suit pockets... A CONDOM!
QUICK DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
Drunken AL (35) slaps her. She falls, hits her head on the
coffee table.
RETURN TO SCENE:
She grabs their PICTURE from the nightstand and flings it
against the wall.
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
She's on her cell.
DAPHNE
(cries)
I'm coming home, ma. He's cheating!
MOM (V.O.)
(sleepy)
Oh sweetheart, I knew he wasn't
right for you.
DAPHNE
I thought about it and I wanna give
translating another try.
MOM (V.O.)
After what happened at the U.N.
with the Russians?
DAPHNE
I know, when I almost started World
War Three when I confused "Mother
Russia" with "Mother Fucker"...
DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
INT. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL - DAY
Papers fly as U.S./RUSSIAN AMBASSADORS (60,51) square off.
Daphne stops translating, calls it as she sees it:
DAPHNE (V.O.)
Kuznetsov misses with a right!
Stevens tackles him, down they go!
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
MOM (V.O.)
We'll always support you, sweetie.
DAPHNE
I love you guys.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Breaking Point
INT. DAPHNE'S KITCHEN - MORNING
O.S. DISTANT TRAFFIC NOISE; A BABY CRIES.
The CLOCK: "6:34 a.m.".
She's on the phone with Echinasia, who strums her fingers on
the table next to a half-filled coffee CUP, a CONDOM and a
PICTURE of Vince and Justin.
ECHINASIA (V.O.)
You deserve someone who lifts you
up, not someone you have to keep
saving.
O.S. DOORKNOB RATTLES.
DAPHNE
He's here -- gotta go.
EXT. DAPHNE'S FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
It flies open. She dangles the CONDOM in Vince's face.
VINCE
Whoa, it ain't --
DAPHNE
Lemme guess. You make kiddie
balloons.
She holds up the PICTURE of him and Justin.
DAPHNE (CONT'D)
A young boy, Vince?
VINCE
What?! I --
DAPHNE
You think money can erase all the
bad things you pulled? It doesn't
bring back trust. I'm moving
forward.
VINCE
A guy like me who's twenty six or-
or sixty seven can't do a three
sixty in twenty four!
DAPHNE
A one eighty. It's not that hard.
VINCE
All I did was --
She slaps the condom in his hand. He fumbles it and in slo-mo
hits the floor. She sprints to the elevator.
EXT. ELEVATOR - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
(cries)
You were great when you were dead
but now you're just another stiff!
EXT. ELEVATOR DOOR - CONTINUOUS
She enters... Her words hang in the air... The door slides
shut. Hold on Vince's face. All that's left are the LOUD
THUMPS of his heart.
INT. DAPHNE'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Vince sinks to his knees by the smashed PICTURE. He discovers
her Columbia University DIPLOMA tucked behind it. Realization
sinks in.
VINCE (V.O.)
I was too wrapped up in myself to
see this.
He rushes to the window and sees her drive around the corner.
Linger on his devastation.
BRING UP LOUD KEYBOARD CLATTER.
He dissolves into White MIST which dissolves into...
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
... Where Chuck oversees thousands of robotic nerds typing
away. Arms crossed, he watches the breakup unfold.
CHUCK
Shame. They never realize what they
have until it's gone.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Echoes of Betrayal
EXT. CHEVY-TROPOLIS - DAY
INT. BREAK ROOM - DAY
As Daphne picks at her salad she hears a familiar voice:
Vince doing "The Hustle" in a used car lot on TV.
VINCE
"Dead Man here. I beat the grim
reaper so I ain't yankin' your
chain when I say nobody beats the
big savings at Bill Chaluly Dodge."
She's angry, sad, betrayed. She dumps her lunch in the trash.
INT. OWNER'S OFFICE - LATER
Crooked-nosed boss JOE BENCHER, (50) looks like he solves
problems with his face. Daphne knocks on the open door.
DAPHNE
Hiya Joe, wanted to see me?
JOE
Yeah Daph, take a load off.
She sits on the edge of her seat. He points to a small TV and
the same spot.
JOE (CONT'D)
I don't know his plan but he's
makin' Chaluly a fortune.
He tosses the remote on the desk, rubs his red eyes.
JOE (CONT'D)
Comin' back from Limbo's gotta be
tough but sendin' a nine grand
engine to Somalia...
QUICK CUT: A WOMAN, (30) in colorful native garb is baffled
as she inspects a shipping crate marked "CHEVY-TROPOLIS".
JOE (CONT'D)
... Instead 'a Somerset New
Jersey...
DAPHNE
I'm really sorry, Joe. He's giving
me problems at home. I can't --
JOE
You've been a La La Land ever since
you hooked up with that dancin'
idiot. I gotta let 'ya go.
Beat. She nods "You're right".
EXT. ROUTE 3 - EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - LATE AFTERNOON
INT. DAPHNE'S YUGO (DRIVING) - CONTINUOUS
No job, heavy traffic, a BILLBOARD with a serious Vince:
"BEACON FUNERAL HOME. IF YOU AIN'T COMIN' BACK."
She turns up the knobless radio.
VINCE
"Don't leave your family
unprotected like me when I died.
Glowing Hands Life Insurance. Hands
you can trust."
She pounds the steering wheel.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
Mailroom Mayhem
INT. MAILROOM - DREK-TECH - MORNING
O.S. RHYTHMIC DRONE OF MAIL SORTING.
Dirty canvass MAIL BAGS; stacks of mail all over.
Vince, wearing a crooked black woolen ski cap flips mail into
cubby holes like a veteran Black Jack dealer dealing cards.
Zeus -- at the table -- scans the sports section and chomps
into a fluffy powdered DOUGHNUT.
VINCE
Think Daphne will ever come back?
Zeus's eyes flash at Vince then back at the paper.
ZEUS
Knicks blow a seventeen point lead
in the final three. Even the Nets
can't pull off that shit.
VINCE
'Ya know what? Fuck this place.
Zeus turns a page... Then it hits him.
ZEUS
What you say?
VINCE
I respect the shit outta 'ya Zee
but I don't need this. I'm a star.
Zeus pulls back a folding chair.
ZEUS
Grab a squat, player.
Vince flops down like a major league wiseass.
ZEUS (CONT'D)
Samuel L. Jackson's a star. Denzel
Washington's a star. You're just a
dumb ass chump.
Deep breath... He blows powdered sugar off his donut into
Vince's face.
VINCE
Clown move, bro! Now I can't see!
Zeus gets into his face.
ZEUS
You can't see you're existence is
hangin' by a thread!
Vince wipes it off.
ZEUS (CONT'D)
You're doin' blow and your ass
ain't going nowhere 'till I say!
VINCE
Till you say? Home 'a the free,
land 'a the brave -- you ain't
feelin' the funk!
ZEUS
Oh, I'm feelin' it! And you got
that shit backwards like everything
else!
Vince rips off his cheap black clip on tie, stuffs it into
the mail SORTER (PIERCING SCREECHING NOISE) and jams it. He
struts to the door, turns around and pulls off his cap.
VINCE
Congrats, bro. You just turned this
turkey into a peacock. Watch me
fly!
He slams the door -- on his hand.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(grabs hand)
Ow! Fuck!!!
Head down, Zeus turns away and tries hard not to laugh.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Divine Intervention
INT. LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
Vince fast-walks past Security Guard RALPH, (63).
VINCE (V.O.)
What the hell am I gonna do now?
VINCE
See 'ya at Yonkers, Ralphy!
RALPH
Off to fame and fortune kid?
Vince gives him an unconvincing thumbs up.
VINCE
Straight up the chute!
He pushes his way into the revolving door. It spins him...
INT. MAILROOM - CONTINUOUS
WHOOSH!
... Right back into the chair facing Zeus.
VINCE
(amazed)
What you put in that donut?
Zeus slurps coffee, calmly turns a page.
ZEUS
Dancer, you ain't goin' nowhere.
Vince tries to leave again. Same result.
INT. MAILROOM - CONTINUOUS
Vince, in his chair leans back and stares at the ceiling
while Zeus drinks a glass of milk.
ZEUS
Go for the three ball son, I got
all kinds 'a time. And get that
damn tie outta the machine!
VINCE
Time out. Who are you?
Zeus folds the paper, dabs his mouth with a napkin and leans
back in his creaky chair.
ZEUS
Let's say... I'm a good friend of
Lily. You remember Lily.
Vince bolts straight up like he's hit with a cattle prod.
VINCE
Now, I get the Zeus deal.
ZEUS
(stands, paces)
Well, you best be gettin' the Lily
deal because she's GOD son. G-O-D!
VINCE
So, that makes you what -- Jesus?
Zeus stops, turns back.
ZEUS
Nah, man I ain't no Jesus!
He sits, leans in close.
ZEUS (CONT'D)
I'm a parole officer sent here to
make sure you don't end up like the
last fool who thought he was on a
sitcom.
VINCE (V.O.)
So much for savin' mankind.
ZEUS
You're a rat hair away from fire,
brimstone and all 'a that. Why do
you think Lily sent you here?
VINCE
'Cause I --
ZEUS
Shut up man, I'm talkin'! She
smacked your ass down to see what
kind 'a soul you got! Look, I've
seen your YouTube vid. Now it's
time for a real plan.
He goes to the calendar, points to: DECEMBER 10, 2025.
ZEUS (CONT'D)
That's her deadline. Stop dancin'
and start doin'.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Echoes of Loss
EXT. DAPHNE'S BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON
INT. DAPHNE'S KITCHEN - SAME
At the table, Vince -- emotionally spent -- stares at his
sandwich and calls out to his Echo:
VINCE
Yoki, brew me an Expresso.
YOKI
Did you mean Espresso?
VINCE
That's what I said.
YOKI
No, you said, 'Expresso'. And a
please wouldn't hurt.
VINCE
I'm in no mood for this.
YOKI
(deafening)
BUZZZZZZZ!!!
VINCE
(holds ears)
Okay! Please!
INT. BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
He picks up a NOTE on the nightstand, sits on the bed:
"Vince, I remember the nights we spent laughing about our
time in Limbo, debating whether Carnies have favorite foods.
I cherished our talk about how we would make a better world,
not just for us but for all lost souls. But sometimes even
matches made by God fizzle out. You're just too afraid to let
go of the past. (TEAR DROPS LAND)I hope you find your way.
Have a wonderful life. Daphne."
This can't be happening! He wipes his nose and rushes to her
closet.
INT. CLOSET - CONTINUOUS
Close-up as he shuts his eyes. He grips the HANDLE.
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. LIMBO - WAITING ROOM - DAY
(NO SOUND) Vince cries as he recalls killing Lenny, Daphne
close to tears herself gently rubs his back.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CLOSET - CONTINUOUS
He swings it open. Empty except for her RANGERS JERSEY. He
gazes at it... Then drops to his knees and with shaking hands
cries into it.
YOKI (O.S.)
I'm so sorry, Vince.
INT. CHLOE'S - LATER
Vince, in Daphne's jersey is miserable. His CHEESEBURGER and
FRIES haven't been touched.
ECHINASIA
Skip Kimmel next week. You're --
VINCE
What if I wear all black, look even
more sensitive?
ECHINASIA
More sensitive? ... She's gone
three months. What's that tell you?
VINCE
(clenches fists)
It tells me she took her talents to
South Beach like that LeBron guy!
Enyeto rubs his shoulders then leaves with Echinasia.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
The Revelation on Kimmel
INT. GREEN ROOM - JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW - LATE AFTERNOON
Vince stares at himself in the mirror, a soulless shell.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK: Vince, (10) is bullied in a
schoolyard.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. GREEN ROOM - KIMMEL SHOW - CONTINUOUS
CNN's WOLF BLITZER, (77) interviews a FORENSIC EXPERT, (50)
on a monitor behind him.
WOLF
Is the DNA result definitive proof
that Vince Maserati really is in
fact a dead man who came back to
life 41 years after his death?
EXPERT
The DNA from his autopsy in 1978 is
a positive match from his sample
taken two weeks ago.
The STAGE MANAGER, (28) pokes her head in.
STAGE MANAGER
Five minutes Mr. Maserati.
INT. JIMMY KIMMEL SET - LATER
O.S. BAND MUSIC, APPLAUSE FADES.
Jimmy holds up PICTURES of Vince side by side -- identical
except for the clothes.
JIMMY
Folks, you're not seeing double.
The one on the left was taken in
1978. This one... Two days ago.
O.S. SCATTERED AUDIENCE GASPS.
JIMMY
My first guest is making his
national TV debut. His story of
returning from the afterlife could
be the most incredible of all
time...
INT. POPE'S VATICAN APARTMENT - MORNING
The POPE, (87) hands steepled, watches intently.
INT. KIMMEL SET - CONTINUOUS
KIMMEL
Please welcome, Dead Man with a
Plan, Vince Maserati.
The BAND strikes up MICHAEL JACKSON'S "THRILLER" to wild
applause. Close-on the worry in Vince's EYES and the slight
tremble in his lips as he stumbles to the guest chair.
JIMMY
Vince, we are truly honored.
Vince's EYES dart around.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Welcome back.
O.S. SCATTERED LAUGHS.
JIMMY
Come on folks, he's been through
more than you can imagine.
(to Vince)
We are truly honored you chose us
to make your first national TV
appearance.
Vince sadly nods.
VINCE
Please bare with me.
O.S. SCATTERED LAUGHS.
JIMMY
Understandable. Now, Jimmy Carter
was president when you died and now
you're back after 41 years in
Limbo. Describe your experience.
Vince adjusts his tie, fidgets, coughs, clears his throat.
VINCE
It was... Pure Hell Jimmy. Mind if
I call 'ya James?
O.S. AUDIENCE LAUGHS.
JIMMY
Can I call you Vincent?
O.S. LOUDER LAUGHS.
VINCE
Cool. But I have to watch what I
say.
He drains an entire glass of water.
JIMMY
Why is that?
VINCE
I'm on probation. If I screw up
I'll get sent to... Door Three.
O.S. INDISTINGUISHABLE AUDIENCE MUMBLE.
JIMMY
Life's but a game show!
O.S. LAUGHS.
VINCE
One I can't lose. For guys like me
Lily's Door Three is Eternal Hell.
O.S. SCATTERED GASPS.
JIMMY
Vince...
(dead serious)
Who is Lily?
The lights hum. Vince looks away, clears his throat --
pressured to answer the question mankind has asked since the
beginning of time.
INT. WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
The PRESIDENT, (65) stands with his arms crossed and his back
to us as he and the rest of the world await the answer.
O.S. INTERCOM BEEP! "MISTER PRESIDENT, JOEL OSTEEN, LINE
ONE."
QUICK SHOTS: Massive CROWDS silently watch in New Delhi,
Jerusalem, Rome, Beijing.
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Lily and Chuck watch wide-eyed.
CHUCK
Reckon' it's time to terminate.
Annoyed, she holds up her hand for him to shut up.
RETURN TO SCENE:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Unspoken Regrets
INT. JIMMY KIMMEL SET - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
Sorry, I can't spill the beans.
JIMMY
We'll happily clean 'em up!
Long pause...
VINCE
I can't... I swore to her.
O.S. SCATTERED NERVOUS LAUGHS.
VINCE
I just want Daphne back. I took her
for granted and... Pushed her away.
Jimmy's frustrated, not getting the answer he wants.
JIMMY
Did you meet Daphne in Limbo?
He lowers his head, nods. Kimmel shades his eyes.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Is Daphne in the audience?
Happy, worried faces but no Daphne.
VINCE
(to camera)
Daph, if you are, I made the
biggest mistake 'a my life treating
you like crap when I got rich.
He bites his forefinger, collects his thoughts.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Losing you felt worse than when my
mom passed.
(MORE)
VINCE (CONT'D)
I don't care if I make Lily's
deadline...
(sobs)
I just wanna...
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACKS: They kiss at a beach sunset; hold
hands at the zoo; crash her Yugo into a hotdog cart.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. JIMMY KIMMEL SET - CONTINUOUS
VINCE (CONT'D)
... Spend whatever time I have left
with you. You're the only one I'll
ever dance with again.
A WOMAN, (52) cries into a handkerchief; MAN, (21) rolls his
eyes.
INT. DAPHNE'S OLD ROOM - PARENTS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Posters of EINSTEIN, GANDHI, NIETZSCHE -- things that belong
to a highly intelligent teen.
Daphne cries while she watches Vince profess his love.
INT. KIMMEL SET - CONTINUOUS
JIMMY
What's it like to be this famous?
VINCE
It's... Totally meaningless.
O.S. LOUD APPLAUSE.
INT. DAPHNE'S OLD ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Daphne's MOM -- an old 58 with a hoarse smoker's voice --
sits down next to her and kisses the top of her head.
MOM
Maybe it's time to just let go.
DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
Daphne and Vince eat hot dogs in the upper deck at Yankees
Stadium. His has mustard, hers ketchup. He grabs her hot dog,
wipes off the ketchup, squeezes a packet of MUSTARD on it.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. DAPHNE'S OLD ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Vince continues.
VINCE
I learned that real love ain't
earned by bein' rich. You get it by
being a real friend no matter what.
O.S. LONG APPLAUSE.
INT. KIMMEL SET - CONTINUOUS
Over the shoulder shot -- Kimmel nods in agreement.
JIMMY
Tell us about Lily's deadline.
A wet SPOT grows by his groin. He covers it with his hands.
VINCE
Sorry, it's like I'm back in
kindergarten.
JIMMY
Folks, let's give Vince a moment to
calm down. We'll be right back.
INT. DAPHNE'S OLD ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mom hugs her daughter.
MOM
Then follow your inner voice.
Daphne opens a PICTURE on her phone of her with Vince. Long
stare... She clutches it to her chest.
INT. LIMO - HOLLYWOOD (MOVING) EVENING
Vince, in a black track suit and black ball cap is
chauffeured back to LAX. He cringes at a BILLBOARD with him
pitching vodka in a tux.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
Confrontation and Redemption
EXT. WOODLAWN CEMETERY, BRONX, N.Y. - LATE AFTERNOON
Next day. A depressing heavy rain soaks Vince. The HEADSTONE:
"ROSE MASERATI 1932-1978 LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER"
He crosses himself and sets down a bouquet of roses.
VINCE
(long exhale)
I met my soulmate in Limbo but I
drove her away. God said, "Do good
things for mankind". I'm lost, ma.
Please... Send me a sign...
EXT. DAPHNE'S BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - SAME
He watches himself on Kimmel with gut wrenching
embarrassment. Kimmel sees the wet spot in Vince's pants.
JIMMY (V.O.)
"Folks, we'll be right back."
O.S. DING-DONG!
INT. FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
The door opens and there's TERRY, (50) a worn looking woman
in a wheel chair. A crumpled brown PAPER BAG is on her lap.
TERRY
Well, you weren't too hard to find.
He looks around and lets her in.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
He looks down at an idling cop CAR.
VINCE (V.O.)
God, please help.
Behind him, Terry slowly reaches into the BAG.
TERRY
I was barely old enough to walk
when you killed my father.
QUICK TERRY FLASHBACKS:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - NEWARK, NJ - NIGHT
Lenny's hit by the train. Vince is petrified.
TERRY (V.O) (CONT'D)
... He survived Omaha Beach only to
cross paths with you. And
ironically -- like you, Vince --
loved to dance...
QUICK TERRY FLASHBACK:
INT. SUPPER CLUB - EVENING
Dashing young Lenny in a white tux dances with Terry's mom.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
He -- I...
TERRY
Quiet!
He shuts his eyes: This is it.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
O.S. A TEAPOT whistles loudly.
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
Please... Don't...
TERRY
Look at me!
He slowly turns. She hands him a PICTURE of her (9) and her
MOM, (32).
TERRY (CONT'D)
I never gave up on life and I've
helped terminally ill children live
better lives ever since.
He takes a close look.
VINCE
(barely coherent)
It t-took me 41 years... To f-
finally admit I let him die.
TERRY
I planned a different ending for
you but I heard a woman's voice in
my head yesterday telling me you
were worth saving.
He looks up, mouths "Thanks mom".
TERRY (CONT'D)
Keep it. When you think life isn't
worth living, remember us.
He kneels and kisses her hand.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Tragedy"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Nostalgia and Recklessness
EXT. ROUTE 3, EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - AFTERNOON
INT. ENYETO'S YUGO (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Next day. A plastic TARP with a flap is the new door/window.
Enyeto's sweatshirt has a pic of his creation, "Frank".
VINCE
(fidgety)
Terry got my head in a vice.
ENYETO
Daphne too.
Vince runs his fingers through his hair, looks out the
window. Brief silence...
VINCE
(voice wavers)
The mall's got Swiss pretzels. I
had one when I was a little kid...
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
Grainy 8mm film of six-year-old Vince biting into a big
pretzel on a boardwalk with mom and dad by his side.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
VINCE (CONT'D)
It'll be like goin' to Coney Island
again.
ENYETO
'Could use a vay-cay. I'm --
VINCE
'Ya think Daph'll come back?
He shakes his head angry with himself.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Eh,'ya know what? Let's just chill
and be idiots for once. Deal?
They high five. On the right they approach what used to be
Vince's BILLBOARD but he's replaced by a gentle grandfatherly
MAN, (75) with a curly grey perm:
"Beacon Funeral Home. Serving NJ since 1966."
VINCE (CONT'D)
Whoa, whoa -- pull over!
ENYETO
Huh?
Vince yanks the wheel, cuts off a lane of traffic.
EXT. GRASSY SHOULDER - CONTINUOUS
They bounce, do a 360 and stop under the billboard.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Billboard Confessions
EXT. BILLBOARD - CONTINUOUS
The brown dust cloud dissipates. Vince rolls down the window,
wrenches his neck to look up.
VINCE
Who's this dip shit?!
From Vince's POV the MAN suddenly comes to life.
MAN
Hey, schmuck!
Vince points to himself.
MAN (CONT'D)
Yeah, you! You had the world by the
balls and you blew it!
VINCE
Who the fuck are you?
Enyeto looks at Vince like he's insane.
MAN
Name's Lou. Fame, fortune and a
woman who thought the world of you
and you blew it, genius!
Vince rubs his eyes, squints: Is this real?
VINCE
Oh, yeah? Well... I, uh... Okay,
you're right, I fucked up. Now
what?
MAN
Better figure it out fast!
The man reverts to his smiling inanimate self. Vince shuts
his eyes, takes a deep breath.
ENYETO
Are you okay?
VINCE
I need help, bro.
He fires off a call.
PHONE TRILLS.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
(Like Lily Tomlin's
Ernestine)
Sherman Advertising. How may I
direct your call?
VINCE
It's me, gimme Larry...
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
Me who, sir?
VINCE
(slow burn)
Me who? Pfff... Vince Maserati,
fast and low to the ground... Like
the sportscar!!!
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
Excuse me?!
VINCE
What am I parlez-vooin' Greek? This
is dead guy Vince-God Damn Maserati
and I want Larry what's his face!
Astonished pause.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(softly)
I'm the stiff pitchin' Beacon.
RECEPTIONIST (V.O.)
Please hold.
He rolls his eyes, tosses the phone on the dashboard.
BRING UP ON HOLD MUSIC.
They lean back and doze off.
EXT. BILLBOARD - CONTINUOUS
The SUN sets, the MOON rises over the car.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
Billboard Blues and Bigfoot Banter
INT. YUGO - EVENING
MUSIC CONTINUES.
It's now dark. Vince sits up, rubs the foggy window.
VINCE
What time 'ya got?
Enyeto sits up and checks his watch.
ENYETO
Six-oh-three.
VINCE
I'm missin' my pretzels!
Enyeto belches. Vince makes a face.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Delish. Whopper, heavy onions.
ENYETO
Roy Rogers Beef and Cheese.
VINCE
They're still around? Trigger was
cool but Mr. Ed ruled.
ENYETO
Great voice. Could sing opera.
VINCE
Nah, horses talk but don't sing.
Hey, 'ya think Ed and Arnold the
Pig would be friends if they lived
on the same farm?
Enyeto rubs his chin.
VINCE (CONT'D)
I mean, if animals can get along
why can't dead people?
Enyeto ponders and shrugs.
VINCE (CONT'D)
While we're at it, why is it
Bigfoot and not Bigfeet? He got
two, right?
Enyeto's EYES glaze over.
VINCE (CONT'D)
And who's Sasquatch, his idiot
cousin?
Enyeto jots down: "Google Sasquatch."
VINCE (CONT'D)
Yeti must be his wise old grandma.
I'm like Bigfoot, lost in the
woods. Maybe Yeti could tell me how
to save mankind.
ENYETO
She'll come up with something.
VINCE
Hey, this keeps me up at night. Why
did your parents name you, "Walks
As A Bear" before 'ya could even
walk?
Enyeto quick-blinks like he's deciphering e=mc2.
ENYETO
I changed it from Sid Epstein.
Vince expects, "Just kidding".
VINCE
I'm takin' a leak.
The PHONE on the dash comes alive. Vince snatches it but it
lands between the seat and console.
LARRY (V.O.)
(annoyed)
What now, Vince?
Vince tries to pry it loose with a pencil.
VINCE
What's up with my billboard?
LARRY (V.O.)
Come again?
Enyeto tries to help. They bang heads.
VINCE
(to Enyeto)
You idiot!
LARRY
Excuse me?!
Vince works it free.
VINCE
Not you! Explain why I'm on Route
Three lookin' at a Lawrence Welk
dingleberry instead of the Dead
Man!
LARRY (V.O.)
We've decided to go with the
living.
VINCE
Oh, so now you're anti dead people?
LARRY
Pissing yourself on national TV
isn't the image we're looking for.
Best of luck, Vince.
VINCE
I'm a sensitive guy but I'm an idea
man too. What about a coffee bar
for dogs -- "Pup-a-Chino"!
Silence.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Okay, a religious fish joint --
"The House-Of-Cod"!
Click! Vince punches the dashboard.
VINCE (CONT'D)
Fuckin' heathen!
He watches a smoke-belching WRECK rumble past...
VINCE (CONT'D)
What the hell next...
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
The Test of the Undead Trooper
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
On Chuck's screen: "A) Homeless Man; B) Bengal Tiger; C) NJ
State Trooper". He hits "C" and...
INT. ENYETO'S YUGO - CONTINUOUS
O.S. POLICE CAR'S WHOOP-WHOOP!
A pale, emaciated STATE TROOPER, (48) slowly hobbles over.
His SHOES gingerly navigate the grass and pebbles. He looks
like he's just risen from the dead.
VINCE
A Hell cop! I'm done.
He opens the door but Enyeto grabs his arm.
ENYETO
You're being tested.
The trooper knocks on the roof. Enyeto peels the duct tape
from the plastic door/window and the FLAP drops open.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
How are you tonight, officer?
LOUD BONE CRACKING SOUNDS from the trooper's NECK as he looks
up at the BILLBOARD. He leans in the window, coughs.
TROOPER
(throaty whisper)
Saw you on Kimmel, Vince. He has no
respect for dead folks... Like us.
Vince and Enyeto look at each other: He's a Carny too!
TROOPER (CONT'D)
Repeat after me: I will fix this
door to-mor-row...
VINCE ENYETO
(numb) (numb)
He will fix this door I will fix this door
tomorrow. tomorrow.
The trooper takes his cap off and a chunk of HAIR with it.
TROOPER
Some folks are dead long before
they die, Vince. Take a good look
at the important things in life
before you jump into oblivion.
He limps slowly back to his patrol car. Vince wipes the sweat
off his forehead with his sleeve.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Heartbreak and Recklessness
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Vince skims PC Magazine. GADGETS beyond his imagination.
VINCE FANTASY:
INT. BALL ROOM - DAY
The BANNER: "Grand Opening Of The 100th Vince Maserati Modern
Dance Studio".
Salt and pepper-haired Vince, (53) poses for pictures.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. DAPHNE'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
His cell lights up: "JUSTIN"
VINCE
Hey kiddo, what's cookin'?
JUSTIN (V.O.)
Hi, uncle Vince. Can we go to Aaron
Judge Bobblehead day Saturday?
VINCE
Who's Aaron Judge and what the
hell's a bobblehead?
JUSTIN
He's great and his empty head
bobbles.
VINCE
Like mine. Lemme check... Dah, ta-
dah-ta-da...
He scrolls his FB page.
INSERT: A PICTURE of Daphne hugging a blond surfer type, (25)
with the caption: "Kill yourself Vince and stay dead".
Slowly zoom in on his face -- confusion, anger, clenched jaw.
Pan to a framed PICTURE on the end table of he and Daphne
hugging in the park.
VINCE (CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
Hey, uh -- can I call 'ya later?
JUSTIN (V.O.)
Okay. Bye.
Vince pockets the phone, grabs his jacket and runs out.
INT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
Echinasia checks out the FB POST on Vince's phone and smiles
at the site of the muscle dude. Vince looks like he'll cry.
ECHINASIA
It happens to everyone.
VINCE
(empty stare)
What, the hottest woman in heaven
dumpin' the hottest guy in heaven
for some Mr. Universe loser?
He takes the phone.
VINCE (CONT'D)
What's so great about a tanned
muscle guy with long curly blond
hair?
ECHINASIA
First of all, you weren't in Heaven
you were in Limbo.
He slumps back, arms dangle to the floor.
VINCE
Ahh, here we go.
ECHINASIA
Second, shut up. Third, he's hotter
than shit so deal with it.
He mimics her with his talking hand.
ECHINASIA (CONT'D)
Stop it you jerk, I want to be
proud of you not watch you drown in
self-pity!
He sits up.
VINCE
I thought I'd be her knight in
shinin' armor.
ECHINASIA
You're rusty with no horse.
Sneaking out to clubs? Really?
VINCE
So, I'm supposed to be a pushover
like Pillsbury the Doughboy?
ECHINASIA
He's soft and loveable. You're not
the sensitive man she needs.
He pounds the table.
VINCE
I'm the most sensitive fuckin' dead
guy who ever lived!
(deliberate)
I bought her a bottle of Channel
Five perfume, an ice cream maker
and a blanket for her birthday and
she cried like I ate her gerbil!
ECHINASIA
Ooh, how romantic. And it's not
channel, it's pronounced Cha-nel.
VINCE
I'm always the bad guy with you!
She stares him down, cracks her knuckles.
ENYETO
And doing blow's not cool, brother.
VINCE
It's a seventies thing. Look. Am I
normal like everybody says or do I
got loose change in the attic?
ENYETO ECHINASIA
Lots of jingling. Total asshole.
Betrayed! A look of hurt... He storms out. The door slowly
shuts behind him. Echinasia makes a call.
ECHINASIA (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Let's roll.
INT. VINCE'S SPORTS CAR - CONTINUOUS
Strewn candy WRAPPERS, water BOTTLES. A sad mess. He thumbs
away and makes a transfer on his cell.
INSERT: "Account Balance: $11,237,040.92". A finger tap
turns it into "$1.00".
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
A Night of Regret
EXT. AERIAL SHOT - GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE - LATER
INT. VINCE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Donna Summer's "LAST DANCE" blasts.
SINGING
"Last dance/
Last dance for love/
Yes, it's my last chance/
For romance tonight/
I need you by me/
Beside me, to guide me/
To hold me, to scold me/
'Cause when I'm bad/
I'm so, so bad/
So let's dance the last dance/
Let's dance the last dance/
Let's dance this last dance
tonight..."
He wipes away tears, zooms past a SIGN:
"WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY"
EXT. RAILROAD CROSSING - NEWARK, N.J. - LATER
He stops just short of the tracks -- the same place where he
killed Lenny.
INT. VINCE'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
His shirt's soaked through with sweat. He shuts the engine
and rests his head on the steering wheel. A distant train
whistle filters through the thick night air.
He rips off his gold chain and diamond RING, fires them into
the nearby brush and shuts his eyes.
VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. CHLOE'S - EVENING
(ROSE FILTER) He and Daphne playfully mash cake in each
other's face while Enyeto and Echinasia laugh.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - CONTINUOUS
He exits the car... A TRAIN roars past. The wind wrecks his
neatly combed hair but now it just doesn't matter.
Close-on EYES filled with regret as he lumbers over to the
tracks. It's as if his destiny's inescapable.
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - CONTINUOUS
He kneels and cries into his hands, his sobs mix with the
sound of heavy rain.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Race Against Time
INT. ENYETO'S YUGO - CONTINUOUS
BRING UP FAST-PACED MUSIC.
Enyeto cranks the engine; Echinasia rides shotgun and prays
to the God of Shit Cars for it to start. Zeus is squeezed in
the back.
Enyeto stomps the PEDAL... BACKFIRE! VROOM! The SPEEDOMETER
shivers at 39. They round the corner.
ZEUS
(checks watch)
The Northbound's rollin' through in
twenty six -- take the George!
EXT. TRAIN STATION - CONTINUOUS
Zoom down from outer space to the digital train schedule:
"ARRIVING FROM PHIL. 11:39 PM PLATFORM E2 ON TIME".
"ARRIVING FROM BOSTON 11:39 PM PLATFORM G6 ON TIME".
EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE TOLL - CONTINUOUS
A long shot shows them stuck a dozen cars back.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
ECHINASIA
Get the cop, Enyeto.
Enyeto waves over blond-mustached, "I've seen it all" Transit
cop BRIAN, (43). He gently lifts the tube sock-covered WIPER.
BRIAN
Do you really think the State of
New York wants this vehicle
traversing its highways and byways?
Echinasia elbows Enyeto.
ENYETO
Our dead friend's about to kill
himself.
Brian opens his summons book, clicks his pen.
BRIAN
Third time I heard that today.
ECHINASIA
Officer, he's doing it in Newark!
Brian speaks into his shoulder radio.
BRIAN
(beep, radio static)
Let this crap car through.
TOLL TAKER (V.O.)
(static...)
Roger.
BRIAN
(to Enyeto)
Booth five.
Enyeto waves "Thanks" and floors it. POP! Brian ducks.
EXT. YUGO - NEWARK - LATER
The jalopy clanks and wobbles down the dark misty street.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
ECHINASIA
I'm sorry I called him an asshole.
ENYETO
Hurtful. But necessary.
In slo-mo they pass a BILLBOARD with smiling Vince wearing a
Jimmy Buffet shirt: "Join Me For A Heavenly Trip to Jamaica."
ENYETO (CONT'D)
Hang in there buddy.
EXT. STREET BY TRAIN TRACKS - NEWARK, N.J. - LATER
Now it's a blinding rain. Enyeto parks behind Vince's car.
Vince, drenched kneels on the tracks ten yards away.
INT. YUGO - CONTINUOUS
ECHINASIA
He's over there!
A distant flash of LIGHTNING. They get out and rush over.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Storm at the Station
EXT. TRAIN STATION - SECONDS LATER
They yell over the storm.
ECHINASIA
Don't do it, Vince!
VINCE
Chisnicks do great things for
people and I didn't do shit!
ECHINASIA
You mean, "The Chisnik"-- not "A
Chisnik"!
VINCE
And there's more to life -- what?!
Zeus shakes his head. She takes his cue.
ECHINASIA
Never mind!
VINCE
There's more to life than bein' a
rich, handsome great dancin' stud!
Zeus rubs his face: Cocky bastard, even now. Echinasia nudges
Enyeto to chime in.
ENYETO
Brave men die once, cowards die
many times!
VINCE
Well, I ain't doin' this shit
again!
ZEUS
C'mon man, we can work it out!
Vince squats and pounds his fists on his thighs.
VINCE
(hysterical)
Zee, I'm a dead man with no fuckin'
plan! None!!!
Zeus searches for the right words. A vein of LIGHTNING lights
up the sky a sickly pink.
O.S. THUNDER CLAP!
ZEUS
You can make a difference but you
gotta get your damn ass off the
tracks!
VINCE
(stands, wipes tears)
Where's Daphne?!
Echinasia and Enyeto drop their heads.
O.S. PIERCING TRAIN HORN.
VINCE
The Philly train's gonna can take
me back to '78 where I belong!
(GREY FILTER) Side closeup of a dark, rusty 1970s TRAIN.
Through the window: Sad looking PASSENGERS in 1970s clothes.
ZEUS
I'll give you a better mail route!
A hot pink MINI COOPER screeches to a stop. Daphne, driver
SASHA, (28) and Justin rush over.
O.S. LOUDER TRAIN HORN!
EXT. TRAIN - CONTINUOUS
(YELLOW FILTER) From the opposite direction: A side closeup
of a futuristic TRAIN with happy PASSENGERS who drink
champagne.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
A Train to Limbo
EXT. TRAIN STATION - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
Vince, please don't!
VINCE
I can't live without you!
DAPHNE
It'll be okay! Maybe you need a
hug!
Beat... Vince is open-mouthed astonished...
VINCE
I'm about to turn into a beet salad
and that's what you're givin' me?!
She feels around in her jacket pocket.
DAPHNE
I have raisins!
He lowers and shakes his head.
DAPHNE (CONT'D)
Okay... I swear I'll never leave
you again!
VINCE
Ever?
She eagerly nods. He points to the FB guy.
VINCE (CONT'D)
So, what's with Fabio?!
DAPHNE
Him? He's my baby brother Sasha!
Sasha throws back his curly blond hair, waves "hi".
VINCE
Don't look like no baby I ever saw!
Sasha beams, runs his fingers through his golden locks.
DAPHNE
And now he's older than me!
VINCE
Sounds like fuzzy math!
DAPHNE
And we didn't put that picture on
Facebook! It was AI!
VINCE
AI?! I'll kick his fuckin' ass!
SASHA
Artificial Intelligence sweetie --
you were trolled!
Vince cups his ear.
VINCE
You sayin' you're a troll?!
DAPHNE
He is not a troll!
SASHA
News flash mister! I'm more than
just a pretty face and if you do
this my sister will be very upset
with you and those hideous shoes!
Vince's looks down at his black PLATFORMS.
SASHA (CONT'D)
My husband threatened suicide...
He holds up a picture of a nerdy MAN, (38).
SASHA (CONT'D)
(breaks down)
... And he eventually did it!
Daphne caresses his arm.
VINCE
Sorry, Sasha!
JUSTIN
(cries)
Please don't do it uncle Vince! I
need you!
VINCE
(chokes up)
Daph, take him back to the car!
O.S.: TRAIN HORN!
Racing from the left, the Philly TRAIN is now less than 100
yards away. Daphne pushes her way through a heavy wind over
to Vince...
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - CONTINUOUS
... And smothers him with hugs and kisses. Through the rain,
thunder and rumbling tracks:
DAPHNE
I love you so much...
VINCE
I don't deserve you...
The ground rumbles. He looks to the right -- the Boston TRAIN
is seventy yards away.
O.S.LOUDER HORN.
He kisses her forehead.
VINCE
I promise you'll live a happy life,
but you gotta leave now.
QUICK CUTS: The Philly TRAIN/the Boston TRAIN.
(THE CAMERA SHAKES) He shoves her off the tracks. As she
falls she looks back betrayed.
O.S. DEAFENING TRAIN NOISE.
In slo-mo he blows her a kiss and for the first time he's
seen in full color... HE'S HIT BY THE BOSTON TRAIN.
Daphne's frozen, horrified. Enyeto and Echinasia rush over
and escort her off the tracks.
O.S. DISTANT POLICE SIRENS.
Transition through white mist to Limbo.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Judgment in Limbo
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Judgement Day. Groggy Vince sees Lily study his FILE. "Vince
Maserati, deceased 12/10/24..." She removes her glasses and
clasps her hands.
LILY
I didn't really expect you to
change the world, Vince.
(warm smile)
I wanted to see the real you.
He humbly nods.
LILY (CONT'D)
I've sent four individuals back to
accomplish change over the
millennia and their rabid followers
made things even worse -- in my
name no less. But you... You
created ripples in a quieter way.
Chuck looks down, pinches his lips. She stands and peeks
through the window at the LINE OF HUMANITY waiting to be
judged.
LILY (CONT'D)
It wasn't the large donations that
saved you. A dyed in the wool
misogynist -- you gave up your
mortal existence for the woman you
truly loved.
She dabs a tear and sits, then gently slides over the PICTURE
taken by Enyeto of Vince and Justin walking down the steps of
a Brownstone.
LILY (CONT'D)
Becoming a figure of hope for
Justin, embodying what it truly
means to be a father figure despite
the shadows of your past... That's
your legacy. That's what makes you
worthy of a second chance.
Chuck nods in agreement. Vince rests his chin on his clasped
hands; tears flow.
QUICK VINCE FLASHBACK:
INT. ENYETO'S BASEMENT - EVENING
During his YouTube recording Vince ducks a waste paper basket
Daphne throws at him for saying, "Chicks".
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. LIMBO OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
VINCE
It was... The only way I could show
her my true love.
Long beat. Close-on of Lily's EYES as she envisions:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - CONTINUOUS
A homeless MAN, (67) finds Vince's diamond RING and gold
NECKLACE in the bushes. He looks to the heavens with a smile.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Lily looks over at Chuck. He reluctantly nods. She takes a
deep breath... And stamps Vince's file with a GREEN
CHECKMARK.
BRING UP THE SOUND OF HEAVY RAIN.
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
From Darkness to Light
EXT. WOODLAWN CEMETERY, BRONX, N.Y. - DAY
RAIN, SOMBER MUSIC.
Drops tick off Daphne's white Cloche Flapper hat. She stands
between Echinasia and Enyeto and cries softly as she reads
the GRAVESTONE:
"VINCE MASERATI DIED DEC. 10, 2025. FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT,
HE LIT UP THE NIGHT"
She gently brushes her hand over the ENGRAVING of them
dancing. Close on Echinasia as she wipes her tears.
QUICK DAPHNE FLASHBACKS:
They meet in Limbo; she looks at his paper ring on her rear
view mirror; they weave through Manhattan traffic; she drops
a jug of poisonous antifreeze on the sidewalk;
she watches him on Kimmel, cries into a pillow; he blows her
a kiss and is killed by a train.
RETURN TO SCENE:
EXT. CEMETERY - CONTINUOUS
Pan over to ENG trucks from CNN; NBC; FOX; JAPAN'S NTV NEWS
24 and reporters doing their stand ups.
O.S. DISTANT CRYING. FADE SOMBER MUSIC.
Scores of mourners leave including ZEUS, Lenny's daughter
TERRY, ANGELA, ANTONIO the Mr. Softee guy and DJ LOUIE.
Indian reporter RAJAT, (35) from NDTV wraps it up.
RAJAT
(Indian accent)
So, it's until next time for Vince
Maserati, the self proclaimed
Chisnik who touched the lives of
millions around the world...
INT. SNOOP DOG'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Snoop watches Rajat and opens a beer.
SNOOP DOG
(disgusted)
It's Tha Shiznit, not The
Chisnik... Asshole.
INT. CHLOE'S - LATE AFTERNOON
In their booth, Enyeto and Echinasia gaze at the deep red
sunset.
ENYETO FLASHBACK:
EXT. ENYETO'S YUGO - LATE AFTERNOON
The SUN sets and the MOON rises over the car as he and Vince
kill time at the Route 3 billboard.
RETURN TO SCENE:
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
Daphne slides over and they all hug.
In the adjacent booth, stylishly dressed RHYS, (32) sips
coffee and listens in.
ECHINASIA
(to Daphne)
Hey kiddo, how are you holding up?
DAPHNE
How do I go on after this?
Echinasia takes her hand.
ENYETO
(re: sunset)
One of nature's greatest gifts.
Gone forever... Until tomorrow.
Daphne's too sad to look. She hands Vince's iPhone to
Echinasia.
ECHINASIA
You're sure.
Daphne nods. Echinasia reads...
ECHINASIA (CONT'D)
My dearest sweetheart, you were the
most loving person I ever knew -- I
just didn't know how to deal with
it. I also knew I couldn't go on
without you. You truly were an
angel from Heaven, one I didn't
deserve.
Daphne breaks down. Echinasia's too choked up to continue.
She gives the phone to Enyeto.
ENYETO
Even though I went dancing and
acted like a jerk, I never cheated
on you. I just wanted to feel
special for a few hours. Tell
Justin I had a great time being his
Big Brother and I'll be watching
over him as he grows up.
DAPHNE FLASHBACK:
EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - BRONX, N.Y. - NIGHT
Justin turns away from Vince who blows Daphne a kiss goodbye.
RETURN TO SCENE:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Tragedy"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
Revelations and Goodbyes
INT. CHLOE'S - CONTINUOUS
DAPHNE
(hysterical)
Oh, Vince...
Enyeto pauses, then continues.
ENYETO
I left you three million dollars so
you can live a happy life. The rest
will go from my Vince Maserati
Foundation to Big Brothers- Big
Sisters, The Cancer Society and the
Bahamian Relief Fund. Tell
Echinasia I really thought she was
awesome...
Echinasia breaks down.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
And please let that big gavone
Enyeto...
(chokes up)
... Know that he was the most
genuine friend I ever had and he
really did walk like a bear... If
we ever meet again, I promise I'll
be a better person. Forever yours,
Vince.
TEARS roll down Enyeto's cheeks.
ENYETO (CONT'D)
I was brought back to guide a
friend, but what I've learned is
that we're each other's backbone.
Daphne and Echinasia cry on each others shoulders.
ECHINASIA
I was so wrong about him, Daphne.
Daphne wipes her nose.
DAPHNE
Deep down he had a soft heart. His
right eye would twitch whenever --
Chloe interrupts, takes Daphne's hand.
CHLOE
I'm so sorry, Daphne.
Daphne mouths, "Thank you". Chloe leaves.
ECHINASIA
We invited somebody for you to talk
to. You might have a lot in common.
Rhys stands, hugs Echinasia.
ECHINASIA (CONT'D)
Thanks for doing this.
RHYS
After the headaches I gave you it's
the least I can do.
Rhys shakes Enyeto's hand.
RHYS (CONT'D)
And I hear you my friend are going
to Harvard Med School. Congrats!
ENYETO
Changed my mind. I have death
issues. Rhys, this is Daphne.
RHYS
A pleasure to meet you, Daphne.
They sit and face each other.
ECHINASIA
We'll let you two get acquainted.
She and Enyeto leave.
RHYS
I've heard many good things about
you, Daphne.
DAPHNE
Thanks, that's sweet.
She gets a chill, rubs her arms. Chloe comes back.
CHLOE
What can I get you guys?
DAPHNE
More coffee for me, thanks.
RHYS
An espresso would be fine, thanks.
Chloe winks at Rhys and leaves.
RHYS (CONT'D)
I hear you returned last summer.
DAPHNE
I came back a few months before ...
My um ... My late boyfriend.
RHYS
Quite a character from what I hear.
But you deserve better.
DAPHNE
Excuse me?
He takes out a pack of cigarettes.
RHYS
Hope you don't mind.
DAPHNE
For your information, I loved him
very much. And by the way, you
can't smoke in here, see?
She points to the "No Smoking" sign taped to the wall.
RHYS
When did that start? It's a nasty
habit but I've been smoking since I
was a kid.
Chloe returns, sets down espresso and coffee.
DAPHNE
What kind of work do you do?
RHYS
I'm retired. I was lucky. I started
in the mail room and made it up the
ladder to CEO.
Close-up as he tears off a small piece of napkin... Daphne's
HAND trembles, spills coffee.
DAPHNE
W-what company would that be?
Close-up as he rolls it into a small STRING...
RHYS
You might've heard of it. Drek-
Tech.
CRASH! She drops her cup.
DAPHNE
Sorry, I'm such a --
RHYS
Please... Let me.
Rhys sops up the spill and takes her hand.
RHYS (CONT'D)
What's today?
Beat.
DAPHNE
Tuesday, why?
INT. WINDOW - CONTINUOUS
Outside, Enyeto and Echinasia hold HANDS, peer in.
INT. BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
Rhys's right EYE twitches. He makes a RING out of the rolled
up paper.
RHYS
I'm missing "One Day At a Time".
He places it around her finger. She gasps, covers her mouth.
DAPHNE
Oh my God -- VINCE!!!
INT. LIMBO COMPUTER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chuck smiles and shuts off the computer...
CHUCK
'Ya did mighty fine after all, son.
THE END.