"THE PIANO MAN"

Written by

Ari Daryadel

aria.daryadel@yahoo.com

INT. BAR - NIGHT

A dimly lit bar. FRANK, 37, chubby with slicked back red hair and a beard sits at a piano while patrons chat and stare, waiting for him to play.

A MAN, 30, wearing a suit and a flashy gold watch approaches Frank.

MANDo you take requests?

Frank takes a sip from a water bottle while nodding his head.

FRANKWhat did you want to hear?

MANPiano Man by Billy Joel.

FRANKI don’t do that one.

The man SCOFFS.

MANHow can you not do “The Piano Man”?

FRANKI’m just not a fan of it.

MANThat’s ridiculous. You are a piano man.

FRANKWhat is it you do?

MANI engineer rides at Disney and oversee the technical issues they face... Why?

Frank nods intrigued.

FRANKDo you like that “It’s A Small World” song?

MANNo, I fucking hate it. Why?

FRANKBut... You work for Disney.

INT. BAR - LATER

Frank is playing “All I Know” by Art Garfunkel. He has quite the crowd surrounding him.

FRANK (Singing)

I bruise you, you bruise me. We both bruise too easily. Too easily to let it show. I love you and that’s all I know.

A HUSBAND, 51, has his arm around his WIFE, 49, while holding a whiskey on the rocks. They both smile at each other like the song means something to them.

FRANK (CONT’D)All my plans have fallen through. All my plans depend on you. Depend on you to help them grow. I love you and that’s all I know.

A LONELY MAN, 62, sits at a table with his arm outstretched holding a beer, staring into it while listening like he too relates with the song, but in a negative way.

FRANK (CONT’D)When the singers gone, let the song go on.

The BARTENDER looks on while grabbing a glass he’s about to pour beer into. He has an approving smile.

FRANK (CONT’D)But the ending always comes at last. Endings always come too fast. They come too fast and they pass too slow.

Frank looks out into the crowd of people as he sings and spots NICOLE, 29, at the bar in a red dress sipping a Long Island and staring at him seductively.

FRANK (CONT’D)I love you and that’s all I know.

C.U. ON-

Frank’s eyes are closed. Sweat powders his face and he bobs and nods to what he’s singing.

2.

FRANKWhen the singer’s gone let the song go on. It’s a fine line between the darkness and the dawn. They say in the darkest night there’s a light beyond.

The men are clapping and women whistling. Frank smiles like he knows he kicks ass as he starts hitting the keys more aggressively.

FRANK (CONT’D)(louder; Triumphant)

But the ending always comes at last! Endings always come too fast! They come too fast but they pass too slow... I love you and that’s all I (almost yelling)know-oh-oh-ow... That’s all I know! That’s all I know....

The crowd of patrons are now erupting with smiles. He dabs his forehead with a handkerchief, cleaning off a bit of sweat. He sees Nicole at the bar clapping quietly while practically undressing him with her eyes.

FRANK (CONT’D)Thank you. I’ll be back in a little while.

He gets up and starts walking over to the bar where Nicole is seated at. An ELDER GENTLEMAN, 60, pats him on the back as he walks.

ELDER GENTLEMANCan I buy you a drink?

FRANKSure, thanks.

ELDER GENTLEMANWhat would you like?

FRANKHow about a whiskey sour?

ELDER GENTLEMAN(To The Bartender)

Get this man a whiskey sour, on me.

The bartender nods with a smile as Frank sits next to Nicole. He extends his hand to shake hers.

3.

FRANKI’m Frank.

She shakes his head.

NICOLENicole, nice to meet you.

FRANKWhat brings you here? We’re usually a more older folks type of bar.

NICOLEI look for little hole in the wall places. I’d much rather listen to somebody playing lovely music on a piano than the top 40’s jargon most hip bars blare through the speakers.

He chuckles and nods as he is handed his drink.

NICOLE (CONT’D)You looked incredibly attractive up there, if you don’t mind me saying.

FRANKWell, that all depends. How do I fair now?

She finishes her drink.

NICOLE Even more so if I’m being honest.

He blushes.

FRANKWhat are you drinking?

NICOLELong Island.

FRANK(To the Bartender)

Another Long Island, Tom.

BARTENDERYou got it.

NICOLEI’m gonna come right out and say it...

4.

He’s on the edge of his seat.

NICOLE (CONT’D)I’m married.

A look of disappointment clouds his face.

NICOLE (CONT’D)But....

(Laughter)There’s a but...

FRANKYeah?

NICOLEWe have this thing.

FRANKLike an infidelity policy?

NICOLEI wouldn’t really call it that. It’s like a fetish. He’s always had this fantasy of walking in on me in the middle of sex with another man. Something about the humiliation that comes with it just turns him on incredibly.

Frank looks skeptical.

NICOLE (CONT’D)Look, I’ve never once given any thought to fulfilling this fantasy of his until I saw you. There’s just something about you. If I were to ever act on this I’d want it to be with somebody there was an immediate attraction with. Before tonight I figured that was impossible, you know? When you’re in love, for me at least, you never consider what anyone else might be capable of.

Frank stares through her, like he’s trying to dissociate her beauty.

5.

NICOLE (CONT’D)During your set I’ve had drink after drink after drink trying to muster up the courage to talk to you about this. You could do whatever you want to me. Anything.

He’s naively considering it.

FRANKHow would it work?

NICOLEDo you work tomorrow night?

He shakes his head no.

NICOLE (CONT’D)My husband gets home around eleven every night. You can have me all to yourself at any time before that as long as you don’t finish before he gets home.

FRANKThis is crazy.

BARTENDERTwo minutes, Frank.

She digs through her purse and pulls out a pen. She starts writing on her napkin.

NICOLEThis is my address. If you do decide to come, do so unannounced and I’ll be ready. If You do come though, make sure you park down the street.

(To the Bartender)I’m gonna close my tab.

FRANK(To the Bartender)

I got it.

NICOLEYou don’t have to do that.

FRANKDon’t worry about it.

She kisses his cheek and walks away. He watches her leave.

6.

INT. NICOLE’S HOME - NIGHT

Nicole sits on a large white leather couch in front of an off television, staring at the clock which reads” 9:45.

A KNOCK.

She smiles and gets up to answer the door. She is wearing a black night gown.

The door opens to reveal Frank, very nervous and uneasy. He looks a little embarrassed.

NICOLECome in.

He steps inside and puts his hands in his pockets.

NICOLE (CONT’D)Want a drink?

FRANKSure.

She walks into the kitchen and pours two glasses of red wine. He takes a look around.

FRANK (CONT’D)You have a very lovely home.

NICOLEThanks. I’ll show you the upstairs in a minute.

He spots a framed photo of her and her husband MARK, bald, with glasses on the kitchen counter and dazes off into it.

NICOLE (CONT’D)Here you go.

He snaps back to reality, startled.

FRANKThanks.

She heads for the stairs.

NICOLEFollow me.

He does.

7.

INT. NICOLE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

They enter her dark room. He shakes as he sets the glass down. She slowly starts kissing his neck. He leans in and they start making out.

She backs up and begins disrobing. She points for him to come get her. He puts her on the bed.

INT. NICOLE’S HUSBAND’S OFFICE - NIGHT

MARK, 34, wearing a white collard shirt and tie puts his laptop into his bag and shuts down his desktop computer.

NANCY, 38, his supervisor peaks her head in with a smile.

NANCY Heading home?

MARKYeah, I just finished reconciling.

NANCYSounds good. Have a great night, Mark.

MARKYou too, Nancy.

He turns the light off in his office and leaves.

INT. NICOLE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

He kisses her bare chest repeatedly, slowly crouching lower and lower. She snaps her neck back with her eyes closed and bites her lip while messing up her hair.

Her mouth shoots open and she lets out a quick, fierce moan. He’s going down on her.

INT. MARK’S CAR - CONTINUED

Mark drives while NPR plays in the background. He takes a drag off an electronic cigarette.

INT. NICOLE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUED

He’s on top of her. They’re fucking. She’s very loud. He looks at the alarm clock on her night stand. It’s “10:55”.

8.

He crashes down, flips her around so that her back is facing him and continues fucking her. She loves this.

SPEAKER SYSTEMFront door - Open.

His eyes grow wide.

She swats him with her eyes closed like she needs more.

NICOLEDon’t stop.

He keeps going, sweating full of nerves.

INT. NICOLE’S HOME - CONTINUED

Mark puts his bag down and sees the wine glass out. He looks really confused. His eyes wander to the stairs.

As he approaches the stairs he begins to hear faint moaning. He stops scared, but then continues on. Each step he takes it gets louder and his face gets more and more blank.

INT. NICOLE’S BEDROOM - CONTINUED

They’re going at it when the door creaks open. Mark, like a zombie turns the light on and Frank pulls out. She sits up and stares at him sinisterly. Frank notices this and looks terrified.

Mark stays by the door, speechless and expressionless.

NICOLEAre you really that surprised?

Mark turns his head away from her, takes his glasses off and wipes a tear from his eyes.

Frank GULPS.

NICOLE (CONT’D)(Laughing)

Are you crying.

Mark grabs the wine glass sitting on the table and throws it across the room. It hits the wall and breaks.

Nicole darts up and gets in his face.

9.

NICOLE (CONT’D)You’re gonna stain the fucking carpet, asshole!

Frank stays put. Mark’s face goes from blank to beat red with anger. His face, shaking.

NICOLE (CONT’D)Finally, some emotion.

He slaps her in the face extremely hard. Frank gets up.

FRANKHey, come on.

Mark points to him, raging.

MARK (Spitting while he talks)

Shut the fuck up!

Nicole, now on the floor rubs her cheek and sobs. Mark yanks her up by her hair.

MARK (CONT’D)(Screaming)

I supported you! I took care of you! I never once raised my voice at you! I’ve given you everything you’ve ever wanted!

He throws her back very aggressively. She slams into the bed frame.

MARK (CONT’D)It’s fucking over! I want you gone!

FRANKHey, relax!

MARK(Screaming louder)

Shut the fuck up!

Mark picks Franks clothes up off the floor and throws them out of his room.

MARK (CONT’D)Get the fuck out of my fucking house before I shoot you.

Frank pauses.

10.

MARK (CONT’D)Get out!

Frank, staying clear of Mark heads for the door. Mark starts unbuckling his belt angrily, shaping it once it’s off like a whip and snapping it repeatedly. Nicole’s face is now flooded with tears.

NICOLE(Shaking, scared, to Frank

Don’t go...

MARK Shut up!

He belts the shit out of her stomach and she screams in pain. Frank rushes out, slamming the door behind him.

INT. NICOLE’S HOME - CONTINUED

As he slowly makes his way down the stairs the screaming gets louder and louder.

FRANK (V.O)(While the piano plays, singing)

She packed my bags last night pre-flight. Zero hours nine A.M. And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then.

He puts his pants on in their living room but finds the process difficult cause he can’t stop shaking and wincing every time he hears her screaming in pain.

FRANK (V.O.)I miss the earth so much. I miss my wife.

He opens the front door to leave.

SPEAKER SYSTEMFront door - Open.

FRANK (V.O.)It’s lonely out in space on such a timeless flight.

INT. FRANK’S CAR - NIGHT

Frank drives blankly. A cigarette dangles from his mouth.

11.

FRANK (V.O.)And I think it’s gonna be a long long time till a touch down brings me around again to find I’m not the man they think I am at home. Oh no no no, I’m a rocket man. Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone.

INT. BAR - NIGHT

Frank is at the piano, once again playing in front of a big crowd of patron spectators.

FRANK And I think it’s gonna be a long long time till touch down brings me around again to find I’m not the man they think I am at home. Oh no no no, I’m a rocket man. Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone.

The door to the bar opens and in walks Mark, his arm around Nicole. They both look absolutely in love with each other. Frank sees them and his eyes grow wide with shock.

FRANK (CONT’D)Mars aint the kind of place to raise your kids. In fact it’s cold as hell and there’s no one there to raise them if you did.

Mark winks at Frank and nods his head. Frank doesn’t know how to respond.

FRANK (CONT’D)And all this science I don’t understand. It’s just my job five days a week. A rocket man, a rocket man.

Nicole whispers into Mark’s ear. He smiles and once again nods. He reaches into his pocket and takes his wallet out.

FRANK (CONT’D)And I think it’s gonna be a long long time till touch down brings me around again to find I’m not the man they think I am at home. Oh no no no, I’m a rocket man. Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone.

Mark walks over to Frank and puts a one hundred dollar bill in his tip jar.

12.

SUPER: “THE PIANO MAN.”

FADE OUT:

13.