Okay, really now. I've got my own stuff to be working on; but since I started playing around with this, it's gotten stuck in my head and I want to see where this part of Looking For Mr. Good Will is going. The above artwork caught my eye and I think its style, animated, would look really cool. However, I wasn't planning on having Robin Williams and his Oscar (TM/Reg./Pat.Pend) winning character of Dr. Sean Maguire in this project. Why? Well, he's not with us anymore and hiring anyone to attempt to recreate his one of a kind voice would be folly. We could always have a flashback (or dream) within the flashback and use dialogue from the original. Or would that be cheesy? But I really like this artwork (but what's up with the expression on Dr. Maguire's face? Looks a bit sketchy to me...).
INT. -ALIOTO'S RESTAURANT/FISHERMAN'S WHARF -DAY
Will and Jake are seated at a table near the window, which looks out on the bay. The waiter comes to the table with a tray and places seafood dishes in front of the two men.
WAITER
Will there be anything else?
WILL
Yeah, could I get some hot sauce?
WAITER
We have Texas Pete's, is that all right?
WILL
Sure, that'll work.
WAITER
I'll be right back--
WILL
Oh! And do you have Old Bay seasoning?
WAITER
I believe we do.
WILL
Thanks.
The waiter leaves.
JAKE
The man knows what he likes.
WILL
I actually prefer the green Tabasco. Shit I forgot to ask for extra lemons! (He starts looking around)
JAKE
Will, relax. (He raises his glass of beer) Here's to the City by the Bay. And success therein.
WILL
(Raising his glass and clinking) Here here. Okay, so let's see what ya got in the way of seafood, City by the Bay...
(He squeezes some lemon on his fish and takes a bite. Considers and nods his head). Hmmm. Not bad. Actually, it's pretty good. It's not Boston good; but it's good. Have you ever been to Boston?
I toured a couple schools there. Saw a show at a club called the Channel--some local bands. Enjoyed it immensely.
WILL
So'd ya go to school there?
JAKE
No. I went to Carnegie Mellon.
WILL
For what?
JAKE
Graphic design.
WILL
Oh, like Andy Warhol.
JAKE
Yeah. How did you know that?
WILL
Everyone knows that.
JAKE
No Will. Most people don't know that...
WILL
Well, I know a little...about a lot of things.
The waiter returns with the hot sauce and Bay Seasoning. Will, who has a mouth full of food, starts motioning.
JAKE
He'd like some extra lemons.
WAITER
Be right back.
So, who's this person who might not want to see you? If you don't mind my asking.
WILL
I don't mind...
JAKE
But you'd rather not talk about it.
WILL
Not right now Jake, I mean we just met.
JAKE
I get it. It's fine. I'm nosey. But can I ask you one thing?
WILL
You can ask. I might not answer though.
JAKE
Is this person a girl...or a guy?
WILL
(Just short of incredulity) She's a woman.
JAKE
We're in Frisco. I don't think seeking clarity on that is beyond the pale.
WILL
You're like, wicked smart.
JAKE
You wanna go see Fort Point after this?
WILL
Sure. (He picks up a lemon wedge and squirts Jake with it).
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT -DAY
A short time later. CLOSE-UP on the table cloth as the waiter places the check on the table. Jake picks it up.
JAKE
I got this...what's fifteen percent of thirty-seven dollars?
WILL
Five dollars and fifty-five cents.
JAKE
Damn!
WILL
I'm pretty good at math. And no, I can't let you pay for me. I doubt either of us can really afford this anyway.
JAKE
But I asked you...
WILL
I wouldn't want you to think this is a date or anything.
They both take out their wallets and put cash on the table. Will immediately starts calculating amounts, pulling bills and stacking them.
JAKE
You're wicked smaaahhht.
Will CHUCKLES.
CUT TO:
EXT. FORT POINT/GOLDEN GATE -DAY
Will is taking pictures with a disposable camera beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, which stretches past Alcatraz and across the bay: seemingly forever. Jake is looking at a tourist guide.
JAKE
It says that the two main suspension cables use some eighty thousand miles of wire. If you looped it as a single strand, it would circle the planet...wanna take a guess?
WILL
(Thinks a moment) Three times.
JAKE
Correct! Did you just happen to know that?
Will, who is looking up at the bridge GASPS and drops his camera. He seems overwhelmed. His face goes white.
JAKE
Will, are you okay?
WILL
(GROANING and gulping for air) I'm not sure. I don't...I think maybe...
JAKE
What? What!
WILL
I think I'm having a goddamn heart attack--
He starts to pitch forward but Jake catches him.
JAKE
Can you walk?
WILL
I think so...but I'm having trouble breathing.
Jake grabs the camera and starts walking Will towards the road.
INT. ST. MARY'S MEDICAL CENTER EMERGENCY ROOM -DAY
Jake is sitting on a chair next to a bed, on which Will is reclined. After a moment, a DOCTOR enters. She sits on a stool and rolls over to the bed.
DOCTOR
Feeling okay now?
WILL
Yeah, I think. What's wrong with me?
DOCTOR
You had a panic attack.
WILL
What?
DOCTOR
A panic attack. Have you ever had one before?
WILL
No. What causes it?
DOCTOR
Lots of things can cause it. Anxiety disorders. Phobias. Post Traumatic stress. Many of these things can overlap. It's not that uncommon.
WILL
But I wasn't anxious...
DOCTOR
Sometimes it just comes on, for no apparent reason, like a ton of bricks.
WILL
What can I do about it?
DOCTOR
The best thing to do is talk to a therapist.
WILL
I have one. But he's three-thousand miles away.
DOCTOR
You'll probably want someone that's a little closer.
WILL
Do you know any?
DOCTOR
A few. Let me get some numbers for you. I'll be back in a minute.
She leaves. Will SIGHS.
WILL
This is just friggin' awesome.
JAKE
If it makes you feel any better, I suffer from numerophobia.
WILL
Okay, that one I don't know. Fear of what?
JAKE
Numbers.
WILL
(Not buying it) Get outta town...
JAKE
You mean "the city."
Will shakes his head but he can't subdue a smile.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE UP
INT. WILL'S ROOM -NIGHT
Will is lying on the bed, talking on the phone. The room now has a small TV and other items that indicate Will has been in the room for a while now. There's a small table-top Christmas tree on the desk. Will is speaking to his friend CHUCKIE SULLIVAN, 20'S, whose voice we can hear on the other end of the line, in Southie, natch.
CHUCKIE
(V/O throughout)...did you get a hold of Maguire?
WILL
Not yet. He's at some kind of shrink's convention; in Las Vegas of all places.
CHUCKIE
Vegas baby!!!
WILL
You know, he really should have a shrink of his own.
CHUCKIE
Don't they like, self-shrink?
WILL
You know, I really don't know.
CHUCKIE
So, have you heard from Skylar yet?
WILL
Nope.
CHUCKIE
Did you call her?
WILL
I left her a note.
CHUCKIE
Where?
WILL
At Ghirardelli...
CHUCKIE
Isn't that like, a chocolate company?
WILL
Yeah.
CHUCKIE
She works at a chocolate factory? I thought she was a chemist.
WILL
She is. Most food companies have chemists on the payroll, Chuck.
CHUCKIE
So, you're like, dating Willemina Wonka? That's fucking awesome!
WILL
Well, I'm not dating her. Do you think I should--
Will notices the light go on in Jake's room. He watches as Jake passes the window and then sits on his bed. After a moment, a second DARK HAIRED MAN, late 20's, comes into view and moves towards Jake. He's wearing a leather motorcycle jacket.
CHUCKIE
What? Do I think you should what?
WILL
Hey Chuckie, can I call you back?
CHUCKIE
Sure. Hey, I just got a cell phone! You want the number?
WILL
Give it to me next time we talk.
CHUCKIE
Sure. Later man.
WILL
Yeah, bye.
He hangs up the phone and goes to the light switch and turns off the lights. He moves to the window and hangs to the side, watching what is happening through Jake's window.
WILL
Hello?
There is a pause on the other end. Then a FEMALE VOICE with a British accent.
SKYLAR
(V/O) ...Will?
Yeah?
SKYLAR
It's Skylar.
WILL
I know.
SKYLAR
I wasn't sure it was you. It didn't sound like you.
WILL
I was sleeping.
SKYLAR
Oh, I'm sorry! I can--
WILL
God, it's so good to hear your voice.
SKYLAR
Will, why are you here?
WILL
Why do you think?
And here we'll have to stop for now, because in order for me to get the dynamics of this conversation right, I've got to re-watch the movie. It may be a little while...
But in the meantime Ladies and Gentlemen: I invite you to return to the Scottish highlands for my continuing saga of HEARTFIGHT!
Ciao,
Chris
CFR 4/16/23
Please see "Looking For Mr. Good Will Pt. 4" for next installment!