And Dr. Maguire goes off to travel at the end of the movie, so he would quite realistically be out of reach for a couple of months, even if I've placed him Las Vegas. Also, I said Will's car is a Chevy. In the re-watch, it looked more like a Ford to me. However, the interweb machine has suggested that the car is a 1971 Nova.
SKYLAR
Will, why are you here?
WILL
Why do you think?
SKYLAR
No. No, you don't get the courtesy of asking affective questions; because you looked me straight in the eye and told me you didn't love me. So why are you here?
WILL
Because I love you.
SKYLAR
So you looked me straight in the eye and lied to me.
WILL
Yes. And I will never be more sorry for anything in my life. I apologize and I hope you can forgive me.
SKYLAR
Will, I wasn't going to call you. I didn't want to call you. You really hurt me and now I'm not sure I can trust you again.
WILL
I understand.
SKYLAR
But I have no choice. I have to see you. When could you meet me?
WILL
Whenever you want.
SKYLAR
Saturday?
WILL
Yes.
SKYLAR
Meet me half way up the Greenwich steps at one o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
WILL
Where are the Greenwich steps?
SKYLAR
I'm sure you can find them. I've got to go now. Good night, Will.
WILL
Good night.
There is a CLICK on the other end of the line and Will hangs up. He retrieves a set of rosary beads from the bedpost and kisses the crucifix. He crosses himself, lies back and starts quietly praying.
INT. JAKE'S ROOM -DAY
There is a KNOCK on the door. Jake stands, goes to the door and opens it. Will is standing there.
JAKE
Hey man!
WILL
Hi.
JAKE
Come in.
Will enters the room, which is kind of a mess.
JAKE
(Clearing a pile of clothes from a chair) Have a seat. As you can see, I'm not the best of housekeepers, which is why I haven't invited you over.
WILL
Hey, people who live in glass houses...I came over because I wanted to ask you a question.
JAKE
You're so serious. Should I sit down?
WILL
Do you know where the Greenwich steps are?
JAKE
That's your question? I thought you were going to ask me about the meaning of the Universe or something.
WILL
Maybe, in this case, they're the same thing.
JAKE
Okay, you're being weird. So, the Greenwich steps, I believe are a stairway that leads up to Coit Tower...
(Jake goes to his desk and finds a city map, much used, and unfolds it. He spreads it out on the bed) Yeah, here they are. You can access them at Sansome.
WILL
Question answered.
JAKE
So, I got a job!
WILL
That's awesome. Where?
JAKE
City Lights Publishing!
WILL
What's that?
JAKE
You tell me...
WILL
Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and--
JAKE
I'm sure you know more about the place than Allen Ginsberg. How does that head of yours work Mr. Hunting? I mean, you're like an encyclopedia on some things and then, you can't tie your own shoes...
WILL
I've stopped trying to figure it out. Some things interest me and I find out everything I can about them. It's a curse and a blessing.
JAKE
You also seem to really enjoy dusty, cliched aphorisms.
WILL
What can I say? I like the classics.
JAKE
I'll be moving out soon. I got a lead on a fairly decent apartment.
WILL
Well, I'm gonna miss you.
JAKE
Well, you don't have to miss me. I'll be in the city. Maybe we could be roomies...
WILL
I don't know if I'm staying. I think my destiny is tied to the Greenwich steps.
JAKE
Would you stop being so cryptic? You can talk to me about more than facts, Will.
WILL
Okay. Fair enough. So, who was that guy in your room last night?
Well, goddamn. Bring it on fellah!
WILL
You don't have to tell me.
JAKE
A lot of questions here, give me a second...(he retrieves a slip of paper from his desk and squints at it)..."Mike McCluskey. 415-233-7791" You know him? (Will shakes his head). How did you happen to know he was here last night? And why are you asking?
WILL
My window faces your window (he points).
JAKE
Does it really?
WILL
You didn't know that?
JAKE
I don't spend a lot of time staring out my window and if I did, I wouldn't see much since I'm nearsighted.
WILL
Oh...
JAKE
What did you see?
WILL
I saw him kiss you...then he closed the curtains.
JAKE
Would you have continued to watch if he hadn't?
WILL
Not until it became an invasion of privacy.
JAKE
Okay...Will, have you ever been with a guy? A man? A person of the male gender?
WILL
Not of my own volition. That is, my own free will. Will's will, if you will.
JAKE
Let's stay in the first person. Do you wanna talk about it?
WILL
There's not a whole lot to say. I went through a half dozen foster homes. I was in juvie. Shit happens. And happens. And happens again.
JAKE
Will, I'm so sorry...
WILL
(Going into wise-ass mode) Yeah, well, you know what they say...
JAKE
No, I don't think I know what they say.
WILL
Thanks Jake.
JAKE
Okay...so I have an Enquiring mind. What fate might await you at the Greenwich stairs?
WILL
Was he a good kisser?
JAKE
Who?
WILL
Mike McCloskey.
JAKE
Pretty good. A little rough; but I kinda like it that way. Now stop changing the subject.
WILL
So, I came out here to see about a girl. Her name is Skylar...and I'm meeting her tomorrow. Half-way up those steps.
JAKE
Half way?
WILL
(Laughs) She's meeting me half way!
FADE TO BLACK
FADE UP FROM BLACK
EXT. BOTTOM OF GREENWICH STEPS -DAY
WILL
Every journey starts with a first--(LAUGHS) Oh my God, Jake is right...
He starts up the stairs.
CUT TO:
EXT. GREENWICH STEPS -DAY
Skyler is leaning against a rail where someone has put out fruit for the wild parrots. She catches sight of Will and watches as he climbs towards her. He waves and finally reaches the stair Skyler is on.
WILL
Hi Skyler...
SKYLER
Hello Will.
Will is beaming and yet tears begin to spill down his face. He points to his cheek.
WILL
Don't mind this...it's been happening to me a wicked lot lately. Is that a friggin' parrot?
SKYLER
Yeah...
WILL
Wasn't expecting that--
SKYLER
(Now with her own silent tears) I'm pregnant.
WILL
Kinda was expecting that.
SKYLER.
You were?
WILL
Yeah. I had a feeling. Can I hug you?
SKYLER
I suppose so.
They embrace and then Skyler pulls back and retrieves a wad of napkins from her coat pocket. She hands some to Will. He blows his nose. Skyler does the same.
SKYLER
Aren't we a pair.
WILL
( LAUGHS) It's so great to see you!
SKYLER
I'm not ready to get chummy; so here's what I propose.
WILL
I'm all ears...shit!
SKYLER
What?
WILL
This friend of mine says I like trite phraseology and I think he's right.
SKYLER
Then you should really like what I'm about to say. I asked you to meet me in the middle for a reason. You have a choice. You can walk back down the stairs, and metaphorically out of our lives; or you can head straight to the top, with us; because this is your child and I'm going to have him or her, with or without you. And there are zero "take backs."
Will passes Skylar and takes a couple of steps up, turns and offers his hand.
WILL
I know that's my child and I know that what's at the top of these stairs is what's supposed to happen. And I also have to ask why a pregnant lady is consorting with parrots and traipsing up and down Telegraph Hill.
SKYLER
I'm not even showing yet...
WILL
Can I...touch...?
Skyler opens her coat, takes Will's hand and places it on her abdomen. She looks at Will's face.
SKYLAR
I knew you were lying.
WILL
And I knew that.
SKYLAR
You're an idiot.
WILL
I know that too.
SKYLAR
Let's go then...
They head up the stairs, side by side.
Probably...
CFR 4/20/23