TERRY
                                I'll go get some more beer.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Good thinking.

Phil sits down beside Moustapha.

                                                                 PHIL
                                So, uh . . . Moustachio --

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                -- Moustapha.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Exactly. So, what's it like being a Negro?

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                                           (laughs)
                                Boy, you are stoned.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (looks around)
                                Yeah? I guess so. Everything has sort of an
                                echo.

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                "What's it like being a Negro?" Shit! What's
                                it like being a silly little stoned white boy?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (grins foolishly)
                                Not bad. Pretty good, actually.

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                But that wears off. Bein' black don't. Everywhere
                                you go, all the time, you still a Negro, and you're
                                generally outnumbered, unless you're in the ghetto.
                                All the white folk are friendly here tonight, but that
                                don't mean they won't be back out lynchin' niggers
                                again tomorrow.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (this is heavy)
                                Wow!

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                                           (sarcastic)
                                Wow! Golly gee-whiz!
                                                           (points at Phil)
                                I was down in Birmingham last year for Dr. King's
                                big march, the one where he got arrested. You hear
                                about that?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Uh . . . maybe.

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                                           (shakes his head sadly)
                                Shit! You don't know anything, do you? Your head's
                                as empty as a bucket, that's why you hear an echo.
                                What're you doin' here, anyway? You ain't no folkie.
                                You ain't committed to no causes.

Phil points at Lorraine who is talking to a guy at another table.

                                                                 PHIL
                                She invited me.

                                                                 MOUSTAPHA
                                                           (laughs)
                                Yeah, the great recruiter, Sweet Lorraine.
                                                           (gets serious)
                                Y'know, man, we all stand for somethin', even if
                                we don't know what it is. You can either stand for
                                something on purpose or by mistake, but either way
                                you still do. Think about it.

Phil does think about it. When he looks up Moustapha has left and he's the only one left sitting at the table. He immediately gets paranoid, thinking that everyone must be looking at him. He can't figure out what to do with his hands. Phil starts biting his nails. He stops himself and lights a cigarette from a pack on the table.

Lorraine sits down beside Phil.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                You missed my songs.

                                                                 PHIL
                                You sang more than one?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Two. They went over very well.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Well that's cool.

She looks Phil in the eyes and shakes her head in disapproval.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (whispers)
                                You and Terry smoked pot?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (stutters)
                                Um . . . That is . . . We, uh . . .

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (shocked)
                                That's so irresponsible.

                                                                 PHIL
                                What'dya mean?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Phil, you're about to go on.

Phil waves his hand, smiling.

                                                                 PHIL
                                No, no, no. There's still gotta be six or seven
                                people ahead of me. He said they probably
                                wouldn't get to me anyway.

Phil points at the blackboard and there are still quite a few people ahead of him, except the M.C. suddenly picks up the eraser and erases all the names above Phil's name. Now Phil is next. Phil's mouth drops open in panic.

                                                                 M.C.
                                Due to several last minute cancellations, may I
                                introduce one more good friend of Lorraine's,
                                Phil Butler!

Phil gets a squeeze on the arm from Lorraine and a thumbs-up from Terry, Moustapha, Alvin and Debbie.

Phil makes his way onstage, which is a very long walk. He sits down on the stool, strums his guitar, coughs, squints up at the bright lights glaring in his eyes.

                                                                 PHIL
                                That's Buckley, not Butler.

The audience could really give a shit less. And sadly, Phil hasn't got the slightest clue what to play. This is the worst moment of his entire life. Phil suddenly has super-sonic hearing and sight -- he can hear people breathing, puffing on cigarettes, moving their chairs, all looking at him expectantly.

Phil moves closer to the lower, guitar microphone and gets feedback. Phil suddenly shoves the microphone into the hole in the guitar and proceeds to do the Elvis-style version of "If I Had a Hammer."

                                                                 PHIL
                                If I had a h-h-h-hammer
                                I'd h-h-h-hammer in the mornin'
                                I'd h-h-h-hammer in the evenin'
                                All over this crazy old land, oh yeah!

There is a big solid moment when the audience has absolutely no idea what they are watching. They look befuddled. Phil doesn't care. In for a penny in for a pound. He goes for it . . .

                                                                 PHIL
                                I'd-a hammer out danger
                                I'd-a hammer out warnin'
                                I'd-a hammer out-a love between
                                My brothers and my sisters
                                All over this land

Phil does the Chuck Berry duckwalk. The audience is sufficiently drunk so that they begin to clap along, hooting and hollering. Phil grabs two beer bottles and clanks them together.

                                                                 PHIL
                                If I had a bell
                                I'd ring-a-ding-ding it in the mornin'
                                I'd ring-a-ding-ding it in the evenin'
                                All over this land

                                I'd ring-a-ding-ding out danger
                                I'd ring-a-ding-ding out warnin'
                                I'd ring-a-ding-ding out love between
                                My brothers and my sisters
                                All over this land

                                If I had a song
                                You can just bet I'd sing it in the mornin'
                                And I'd sing it in the evenin'
                                All over this nutty old land
                                I'd sing out danger
                                I'd sing out warnin'
                                I'd sing out love between
                                My brothers and my sisters
                                All over this land
                                                           (gives a big pelvis shake)
                                Ha!

There is a huge round of applause for Phil. He takes a bow, happily surprised at the turn of events. The M.C. comes on.

                                                                 M.C.
                                That's Phil Buckley, not Butler. Sorry about
                                that, buddy. Very funny routine. You ought to
                                be on Ed Sullivan. Anyway, thanks for coming to
                                the Purple Onion's weekly Hootenany. And don't
                                forget about the defense fund meeting for the Springfield
                                Five tomorrow. And thanks for coming. Last call.

Many people stand up to leave.

Lorraine looks at Phil in astonishment as he gulps down a beer. Terry is grinning and slaps Phil on the back.

                                                                 TERRY
                                This guy is a wild man.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                I can't decide whether that was inspired or
                                just pure nonsense.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Does it matter?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                I don't know.

They all stand to leave. As everyone files out we can see numerous yellow flyers strewn hither, thither and yon. Lorraine sighs, picking some of them back up as she exits.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

EXT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

In front of the club Phil and Terry are watching Lorraine say goodbye to everyone and give out yellow flyers.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Remember the meeting is here tomorrow at
                                eight.

Many people say that they'll be there. Finally, the only people left are Lorraine, Phil and Terry.
Lorraine confronts Phil and Terry.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                I can't believe you missed my songs.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (abashed)
                                Sorry.

Lorraine steps up to Phil's side and takes his arm.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Goodnight Terry.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Yeah, goodnight Terry. Nice meeting you.

Terry sees what's what.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Yeah, you too. 'Night, Lorraine.

Terry leaves. Lorraine and Phil look at each other. The neon lights on the front of the building go out, plunging Lorraine and Phil into darkness.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                You hurt my feelings.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Sorry. Did you like my song?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Honestly, no.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (hurt)
                                You didn't?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                You faked it.

                                                                 PHIL
                                But they liked it.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (confused)
                                Hmmm . . .

Phil takes advantage of this moment and kisses Lorraine. They stand looking at each other.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                I'm not really sure I like you.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (grins)
                                Me neither.

He kisses her again. Just then the M.C. steps out of the door. Phil and Lorraine's lips separate. The M.C. sees them lurking there.

                                                                 M.C.
                                Is that you, Lorraine?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Yeah, it is.

                                                                 M.C.
                                Still recruiting for the cause?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Up yours!

                                                                 M.C.
                                Goodnight

He leaves. Lorraine and Phil kiss again, longer. Lorraine steps away from him.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                See you tomorrow?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Absolutely.

Lorraine walks away and Phil watches her go. Finally, Phil walks off in the other direction.

                                                                                                       FADE OUT:

ACT THREE:

A title reads: "Sunday, February 9, 1964"

                                                                                                       FADE IN:

EXT. PHIL'S HOUSE - DAY

The morning sun shines over the top of Phil's house. Phil's father pushes a lawnmower out of the garage, pulls the rope and starts the noisy engine.

INT. PHIL'S BEDROOM - DAY

Phil lies in bed asleep. The sound of the lawnmower engine slowly wakes him up. Phil glances at the clock and sees that it's after 10:00 A.M. He's never slept this long in his life. He looks down at the pillow and sees a three-inch circle of drool.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (to himself)
                                I feel like I got hit on the head with a hammer.

Phil glances over at his dresser where three folded-up yellow flyers repose. Phil scratches his head and a wistful smiles crosses his face as he recalls last night.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (to himself)
                                Sweet Lorraine.
                                                           (smiles)
                                I knocked 'em dead. They loved me.

INT. PHIL'S HOUSE/HALLWAY OUTSIDE BATHROOM - DAY

We can see the closed door of the bathroom and hear the water running in the shower. We can also hear Phil singing in the shower.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (O.S./singing)
                                If I had a h-h-hammer
                                I'd hammer a lot
                                Then I'd h-h-hammer some more
                                Then I'd hammer on the door
                                I'd h-h-hammer all the nails
                                Stickin' out of the log
                                Then I'd h-h-hammer all the ants
                                And I'd hammer all the dogs

Phil's mother and his brother meet in the hallway, stop and listen to Phil for a moment.

                                                                 DAN
                                What's with him?

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (shrugs)
                                I guess he had a good time last night.

                                                                 DAN
                                Holy Toledo, I sure hope he doesn't turn into
                                a folkie.

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (sighs)
                                It might be good for him. He's seemed awfully
                                aimless lately. And those folk people do seem
                                to care about things.

                                                                 DAN
                                                           (skeptical)
                                Yeah, I guess. But Ma . . .

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                Yes?

                                                                 DAN
                                                           (confused)
                                Do people just change like that?

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (shrugs)
                                Sometimes, I suppose.

His mother walks away. Dan considers her words for a second, then he too walks away. Phil keeps right on singing in the shower.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (O.S./singing)
                                I'd h-h-hammer all the bugs
                                Then I'd h-h-hammer all the bats
                                Then I'd h-h-hammer all the cats
                                Then I'd h-h-hammer all the gnats . . .

INT. PHIL'S BEDROOM - DAY

Phil stands in front of his mirror with wet hair, his guitar in hand, posing. He does his poor Ed Sullivan imitation.

                                                                 PHIL
                                We have a really big shew. For all of you folk
                                fans that like Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul & Mary,
                                I now give you the new voice of the nation, Phil
                                Buckley!

The crowds cheer wildly. Phil acts humble as he raises his guitar.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Thank you, thank you.

EXT. PHIL'S HOUSE - DAY

Phil's father is raking up the cut grass on the front lawn. Phil comes outside.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Here, let me help.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                Excuse me?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Let me help.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                                           (amazed)
                                Huh. I'm not sure I've ever heard you say anything
                                like that before.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (seriously)
                                Look, dad, if we're all gonna get by in this world
                                then I guess we'd better pitch in and help each other,
                                right?

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                Right.

He hands Phil the rake. Phil shrugs, takes it and begins to rake. His father grabs the piles of cut grass and puts them in a trash can.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                So, how was your date last night?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Good. Real good.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                And you got up and sang?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Yep. And they liked me, too.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                Well, I'll be damned. I'm really glad to hear it,
                                Phil. So you're going to become a musician now?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Dad, I am a musician.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                                           (shrugs)
                                OK. All right. You sure got your money's worth
                                out of those two weeks of guitar lessons.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (defensive)
                                It was three weeks, OK? And I'd've kept it up,
                                but my fingers hurt really bad, all right?

His father throws his hands up in capitulation.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                All right, all right.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

INT. PHIL'S HOUSE/KITCHEN - DAY

Phil's mother makes lunch while Phil lectures her.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Is it right for a woman to make less money doing
                                the same job as a man?

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                Of course not.

                                                                 PHIL
                                That's right. And is it right for Negroes to have
                                to sit at the back of the bus?

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                Well, no.

                                                                 PHIL
                                That's right, no. It's time to stand up and let
                                our voices be heard.

His mother scoops gobs of mayonnaise into the tuna fish and nods in agreement.

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                So you sang a song last night?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Yeah.

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                How'd it go?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (casually)
                                Great. They loved me.

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (surprised)
                                Really? That's very nice.

Phil walks away.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Oh yeah, they're a good crowd.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

EXT. PHIL'S HOUSE/BACKYARD - DAY

Phil and Dan play catch with mitts and a hardball in the backyard.

                                                                 PHIL
                                So then the same guys that stopped rock & roll
                                killed Kennedy.

                                                                 DAN
                                                           (fascinated)
                                Really? How?

                                                                 PHIL
                                It's very complicated and you probably won't
                                understand, but it's what's called a "conspiracy,"
                                which means that a bunch of people were involved.

                                                                 DAN
                                Yeah? How many?

                                                                 PHIL
                                I don't know, but a bunch. So then, after they
                                stopped rock & roll by sending Elvis away to
                                the army, they decided they had to kill Kennedy
                                to keep him quiet.

                                                                 DAN
                                Really? That's creepy. What else did they do?

                                                                 PHIL
                                They set Lee Harvey Oswald up as a patsy, then
                                had Jack Ruby shoot him to shut him up.

Dan is horrified.

                                                                 DAN
                                Do mom and dad know this?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (shrugs helplessly)
                                Probably not. They accept anything they're told.
                                Just like robots.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

EXT. THE PURPLE ONION - DAY

Max, the beatnik, loiters around in front of the Purple Onion smoking a cigarette. Lorraine comes driving up in her parents' enormous green Cadillac, every square inch of space jammed with wooden folding chairs. The trunk bulges open and is tied down with twine.

                                                                 MAX
                                                           (shakes his head)
                                Wow! What a Jew canoe.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                That's not nice.

                                                                 MAX
                                Lorraine, time to get a sense of humor. I was
                                kidding.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Disparaging remarks about religion aren't funny.

                                                                 MAX
                                What's wrong with you?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Where were you last night?

                                                                 MAX
                                I hung out with some buddies, why?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                You said you were coming to the Purple Onion?

                                                                 MAX
                                I didn't make it.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Then why'd you say you were coming?

                                                                 MAX
                                Lorraine, I don't owe you anything. I'm here
                                unloading chairs out of a sense of commitment,
                                not out of guilt.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                I just don't like it when people say things and
                                don't do them, that's all.

                                                                 MAX
                                Yeah. Well get used to it.

Max and Lorraine silently unload the wooden chairs and lean them against the wall. Both of them throw hurt, reproving glances at one another.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

INT. PHIL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Phil is getting dressed and rehearsing in front of the mirror.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (to himself)
                                And I say, the Springfield Five must be freed or
                                none of us is safe. If five Springfield youths can
                                be put in jail for absolutely no good reason, then I
                                say, who's next?
                                                           (turns and yells)
                                Mom!

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (O.S.)
                                Yes.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Have I got any clean socks?

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                                           (O.S.)
                                In the laundry room.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Thanks.
                                                           (continues)
                                So I say, free the Springfield Five, that's what I
                                say. And damnit, I mean what I say.

Phil exits his bedroom.

INT. PHIL'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Phil steps into the living room once again dressed up and ready to go out, guitar case in hand. He finds his family in the exact same positions he left them last night, seated at TV tables watching TV. Dan looks at Phil and shakes his head sadly.

                                                                 DAN
                                You're not going back to the Purple Onion again,
                                are you?

                                                                 PHIL
                                What if I am?

                                                                 DAN
                                                           (total disdain)
                                Nothin'. Only Ed Sullivan is about to go on now
                                and The Beatles are gonna be on show tonight,
                                that's all.

Phil is stricken.

                                                                 PHIL
                                The Beatles. Uh! I have to see them!

                                                                 DAN
                                So sit down.

                                                                 PHIL
                                But I told this girl I'd go to her stupid meeting.
                                She gave me three flyers.

He pulls out the three yellow flyers. Dan points at him and laughs.

                                                                 DAN
                                                           (grins fiendishly)
                                Ha ha!

Phil is paralyzed.

                                                                 MR. BUCKLEY
                                Now Phil, you told this girl you'd attend the meeting.

                                                                 MRS. BUCKLEY
                                That's right, Phil. And what about the rights of the
                                Negroes and women?

Dan looks right at Phil and speaks flatly.

                                                                 DAN
                                The Beatles, Phil. "She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah,
                                Yeah," "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "Twist & Shout."

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (immobilized)
                                Uh . . .

INT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

Lorraine comes rushing into the Purple Onion in a fluster, her arms loaded with grocery bags, as well as her guitar. The M.C. is waiting for her impatiently.

                                                                 M.C.
                                For God's sake, Lorraine, I'm gonna miss Ed
                                Sullivan.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Oh, for goodness' sake, Ed Sullivan is just an old
                                gossip columnist.

                                                                 M.C.
                                                           (befuddled)
                                There are times, Lorraine, when I don't understand
                                you at all.

He gives her the key to the club, then rushes out. Lorraine takes off her coat and begins to hurriedly set things up for the meeting. The 50 folding chairs still need unfolding. She tacks a hand-made poster up on the wall that reads, "Free The Springfield Five!"

INT. PHIL'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Phil still stands there looking at his family and his family sits there looking back at him. The opening title music for "The Ed Sullivan Show" begins and Phil's guitar case hits the floor. Phil seats himself on the couch beside his mother, who is knitting. Blue light flickers on their faces as we hear The Ed Sullivan Show begin.

                                                                 ED SULLIVAN
                                                           (O.S.)
                                Tonight we have a really big shew, with Topo
                                Gigo, the Italian mouse, the St. Petersburg ballet,
                                and for you youngsters out there --
                                                           (young girls scream shrilly)
                                -- from Liverpool, England, The Beatles!

The screaming grows louder still. Phil and his family sit mesmerized, their mouths open, lit in flickering blue.

EXT. PHIL'S HOUSE & BLOCK - NIGHT

Every single house on the block is emitting blue illumination and is tuned to Ed Sullivan.

                                                                 ED SULLIVAN
                                                           (O.S.)
                                But first stay tuned to a word from our sponsor,
                                Chesterfield cigarettes.

INT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

Lorraine is just finishing setting up. She has all 50 folding chairs unfolded and arranged in rows, piles of flyers lined up on a table, several jugs of cider and paper cups. She gives everything a final inspection, straightening this, turning that. She sighs, looking around expectantly, glancing down at her watch.

INT. PHIL'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Phil and his family stare at the TV. A piece of classical music ends.

                                                                 ED SULLIVAN
                                                           (O.S.)
                                Let's give a nice warm hand to the St. Petersburg
                                ballet.
                                                           (polite applause is heard)
                                I would now like to read a telegram that I received
                                today from Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley.
                                "Congratulations to The Beatles on their American
                                debut."

The girls go crazy screaming again.

EXT. CITYSCAPE - NIGHT (Digital Effect)

We see the entire city and coming out of every single window of every house and building is the blue light of Ed Sullivan.

                                                                 ED SULLIVAN
                                                           (O.S.)
                                And now, ladies and gentlemen, from Liverpool,
                                England . . . The Beatles!

The crowd goes completely insane. Paul's first bass note is heard --

INT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

-- Lorraine sits looking down at the yellow flyer announcing the meeting. She crumples it up and throws it away. We then see that she is sitting among 49 empty folding chairs. Nobody showed up for her meeting. Lorraine looks very frustrated and lights a cigarette. Finally, she stands up knocking over her chair. She goes over to the table, takes all the flyers and throws them in the trash, then five pounds of potato salad, too.

EXT. CITYSCAPE - NIGHT (Digital Effect)

Once again we see the entire city with flickering blue light coming out of every window.

                                                                 ED SULLIVAN
                                                           (O.S.)
                                The Beatles will be on the show again next Sunday
                                night live from the Paradise Hotel in Miami Beach,
                                Florida.

A title appears on the screen: "Of the 180 million people in America in 1964, 73 million people watched The Beatles on Ed Sullivan that Sunday night, still making it proportionally the largest audience for any show, ever."

INT. PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

Lorraine picks up her guitar and exits. A second later all the lights go off.

EXT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

Lorraine steps out of the Purple Onion and locks the door. Just then Phil comes running up, guitar case in hand. He sees Lorraine and smiles.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Hi. Am I late?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (laughs)
                                Are you late?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Am I?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (flatly)
                                You missed it. It's over.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (casually)
                                Whoops. Sorry about that. Did it go all right?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Look around. You see anyone else?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (looks around)
                                Uh . . . no. Break up early?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (flatly)
                                Yeah, it broke up early.

                                                                 PHIL
                                So, you wanna get a cup of coffee?

Lorraine laughs sardonically.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                You don't give a shit at all, do you?

                                                                 PHIL
                                About what?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                About anything.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (offended)
                                Hey! I care about a lotta stuff.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Like what?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Well, like music.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Ha! You can't even play the Goddamn guitar.
                                I mean, for Christ sake, how are you ever going
                                to be a musician?

                                                                 PHIL
                                I told ya, it's possible.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                So is getting hit by a meteor. Y'know, you're what
                                the world is coming to, Phil, and I don't like it!
                                Apathy and inability. It's a really bad combination.

                                                                 PHIL
                                What's gotten into you? I thought we had a really
                                good time last night.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                                           (pointing)
                                You didn't show up to my Goddamn meeting!

                                                                 PHIL
                                I said I was sorry.

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                So what? Does saying your sorry push the erase
                                button or something? I just threw out five pounds
                                of potato salad. Ya know what?

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (uncertain)
                                What?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Drop dead!

Lorraine turns and walks away.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Where are you going?

                                                                 LORRAINE
                                Italy.
                                                           (she waves)
                                Arivederci!

Lorraine stomps away, disappearing into the night. Phil stands there looking dazed.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (to himself)
                                Huh.

Just then Terry comes running up from the other direction, also carrying a guitar case.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Did I miss the meeting?

                                                                 PHIL
                                We both did.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Did you see The Beatles on Ed Sullivan?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Oh yeah, they were boss!

                                                                 TERRY
                                I'm never cuttin' my hair again.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Boy oh boy, those girls were really screaming,
                                huh?

                                                                 TERRY
                                Man, they were crying. I've never seen anything
                                like it.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Me neither.

                                                                 TERRY
                                I like John.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Really. I like George. He sure can play that
                                guitar.

They both looked geeked up.

                                                                 PHIL
                                You just missed Lorraine. She threw a hairy
                                fit at me for missing the meeting.

Terry waves his hand disdainfully.

                                                                 TERRY
                                The Springfield Five. I mean, who gives a crap?
                                Not me.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (chuckles)
                                Not me, either.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Wanna come over my place? We could smoke
                                some more reefer, y'know, maybe jam a little bit?
                                What'dya say?

                                                                 PHIL
                                Really? Cool.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Cool's out, man. No one's saying it anymore.

                                                                 PHIL
                                Really? No kidding? What're they saying instead.

                                                                 TERRY
                                Tuff. T-U-F-F. It's really tuff, y'know.

                                                                 PHIL
                                                           (nods)
                                OK. Cool. I mean,Tuff.

They both exit. We stay on the dark and empty exterior of the Purple Onion. We hear last night's cheering crowd and Ronnie, the female member of the Four Feathers, speaking.

                                                                 RONNIE (O.S.)
                                Thank you. Thank you very much. Y'know, it
                                just so happens we do have one more song.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

INT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT (Flashback)

It's the night before at the Purple Onion and the Four Feathers are on stage. They sing the song "Goodnight Irene" and the entire audience happily joins in, including Phil.

                                                                 FOUR FEATHERS
                                                           (singing)
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams

                                Last Saturday night I got married
                                Me and my wife settled down
                                Now me and my wife are parted
                                I'm gonna take another stroll downtown

                                Irene Goodnight
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams

                                Sometimes I live in the country
                                Sometimes I live in the town
                                Sometimes I take a great notion
                                To jump in the river and drown

                                Irene Goodnight
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams

                                You caused me to weep
                                You caused me to moan
                                You caused to leave my home
                                But the very last words that I heard her say
                                Were just sing me one more song

                                Irene Goodnight
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams

                                Stop your ramblin'
                                Stop your gamblin'
                                Stop stayin' out late at night
                                Go home to your wife and your family
                                Stay there by your fireside bright

EXT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

It's the whole, big-deal folk scene going on in front of the club, folkies all over the place.

                                                                                                       DISSOLVE:

EXT. THE PURPLE ONION - NIGHT

The building is abandoned, the lights are out and no one is around. One of Lorraine's yellow flyers blows past.

                                                                 FOUR FEATHERS (O.S.)
                                                           (singing)
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Irene Goodnight
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams
                                Goodnight Irene
                                Goodnight Irene
                                I'll see you in my dreams . . .

                                                                                                       FADE OUT.