You know, you gotta wonder...why has Pretty In Pink stood the test of time? Well, I think for a lot of reasons. One of which is the cinematography; an Artform, I think, that is often overlooked. Maybe just taken for granted? Pretty In Pink has lovely cinematography, which I think is quite evident in the following video. Mr. Tak Fujimoto, not exactly a household name; but what DP is? Oh, and Lindsey B. again!
In any event, we've come to our final scene in this ersatz redux of PIP. Yay! I mean, I happy to wrap this up. I love the movie, but like I said, I'm not getting paid for this.
Now, I wanted a scene that deals with a character's drunkeness. In the film, Steff comes across as always being one or two sheeets to the wind, even at school. In fact, I'm pretty sure he drinks from a hip-flask in at least one scene. My idea was that he gets drunk and goes to Andie's house, get's his car stuck in a ditch or something and ends up spending the night on the sofa. Andie's dad recognizes a possible "friend of Bill" and let's him stay and the next morning Steff and Andie kiss. So, I was trying to think of an organic way to make that happen and nothing was clicking. Then the idea of Andie and Steff being in the clinch for the school musical made way more sense.
But, I still have to write this promised "gay bar" scene between Blane and Duckie; so one of them will be drunk, which will lead to a kiss. And I promise, this will be the last scene and blog about Pretty In Pink. For a while, anyways. So, let's get to work!
NOTE: In Mr. Hughes' script, the bouncer at the unnamed club is actually named "Jimbo." In the finished movie, the club is named "Cats" and the bouncer, who is being played by Andrew Dice Clay, is referred to as "Diceman." Now, as I really do not appreciate the comedy stylings of Mr. Clay (Dice-Clay?); our bouncer will revert back to "Jimbo."
EXT. CATS CLUB -NIGHT
JIMBO THE BOUNCER is sitting on a barstool next to the front door of the club. Several LEATHER MEN turn from the parking lot and approach the door. Jimbo waves them in, not bothering to check their IDs. Jimbo looks up to see a LEATHER CLAD FIGURE on a bicycle enter the parking lot. The man on the bike gets off and proceeds to chain the bike to a link fence. He stands, squares his shoulders, adjusts a pair of round sunglasses and pulls the brim of his hat down over them. He strides towards the door, ignoring Jimbo and reaches for the handle.
JIMBO
Hold it there, Sir...I
DUCKIE
(Lowering his voice) Do you need some form of identification my good man?
JIMBO
Actually no, I don't.
DUCKIE
Very well then my good fellow, a good evening to you.
JIMBO
Duck, I know it's you. And you still know that I never let you in, right?
DUCKIE
Aww, come on Jimbo. Please? Just this once?
JIMBO
Obviously, based on your little outfit here--and might I say, so butch man!
DUCKIE
Thanks.
JIMBO
And might I add that you know what night this is and that Miss Andie is most decidedly not in there. Rave Ups or no Rave Ups. Although, I will say that I always thought that this was the night you should be in there; no offense, just sayin.'
DUCKIE
Then Jimbo, come on. I turned 18 in April. Help a sexually fluid dude out!
JIMBO
I can't Duck. I can't be party to--
Blane, unnoticed, is now standing behind them, wearing his trademark rumpled preppy button-down shirt.
BLANE
Homophobia?
JIMBO
Excuse me? Hey, I am not afraid of queers and I resent that insinuation; and I believe queer is the current self-descriptor for my fairy brothers.
Blane holds up a fifty dollar bill.
BLANE
Will this get us in?
JIMBO
It might get him in; but not you. You gotta take your shirt off or have on leather to get in tonight and on that front I'm immovable.
Duckie takes off his bike jacket, revealing a leather harness. He extends his jacket to Blane. Blane takes it and puts it on.
BLANE
How about now?
Jimbo nods in agreement, takes the 50 and reachs up and gently tweaks one of Duckie's nips.
JIMBO
Hey Duck, if you ever get tired of chasing Miss Andie, come see me--
DUCKIE
Yeah, thanks Jimbo. I'll let you know.
JIMBO
And be wearing that.
Jimbo opens the door for them with a sly CHUCKLE.
INT. CLUB -NIGHT
Duckie and Blane push their way up to the bar. As Blane is already flashing cash, the BARTENDER instantly responds.
BARTENDER
Yeah?
BLANE
I'll have a Tanqueray and tonic and my friend will have...
DUCKIE
(Quietly) ...juice box, neat...
BLANE
What?
BARTENDER
I don't have juiceboxes.
DUCKIE
I don't drink...
Duckie turns to look at the crowd. The bartender gives Blane a "come on already" wave of the hands.
BLANE
He'll have a Planter's Punch...(sotto vocce)...make it a double.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR -NIGHT
Blane and Duckie are standing, leaning on elbows atop a cocktail table. Nearby, LEATHERDUDES are shaking their groove things on the dance floor.
DUCKIE
(Holding up his drink) Are you sure about this?
BLANE
It'mostly juice. You'll love it.
DUCKIE
I've never had a real cocktail before!
BLANE
You're kidding. (Duckie shakes his head) I think you'll like it. (Duckie takes a sip and smiles) See?
DUCKIE
It's a school night!
BLANE
Maybe you're the one with the curfew.
DUCKIE
Hardly. My old man is never around enough to wonder where I am.
BLANE
Oh...what does he do?
DUCKIE
Not much. I don't want to talk about him.
BLANE
Okay, so who do you want to talk about?
DUCKIE
Steff McKee.
BLANE
What about him?
DUCKIE
I mean, I know what he sees in Andie. You'd have to be blind not to. But I don't understand what she sees in him.
I mean, what do you see in him? He's your best friend, right?
BLANE
More like my only friend. We grew up together. He's more like a cousin.
DUCKIE
What about the other richies?
BLANE
Look, Duckie--
DUCKIE
Call me Phillip. Nobody calls me Phillip.
BLANE
Sure. Phillip, those people are what you call my "crowd." But they're not really my friends. And the more time that's gone by the less friendly it becomes. As a matter of fact, I can't wait to get the hell out of this town and start fresh.
DUCKIE
With Andie?
BLANE
I like Andie a lot. Can I just be honest?
DUCKIE
I don't know, can you?
BLANE
Phillip, you asked me to meet you here, under circumstances I wasn't aware of. (He gestures to the leather jacket) It seems to me the situation now requires complete honesty.
DUCKIE
I'm listening.
BLANE
I think maybe I'm in love with Andie.
DUCKIE
I know I'm in love with Andie.
BLANE
And because of that, I'm kind of in love with every...thing...that's part of her life.
Blane places his hand on top of Duckie's. Duckie puts his straw in his mouth and takes a long, long sip.
DUCKIE
I love this song! Let's dance!
BLANE
Well, I don't--
But Duckie is already pulling him by the sleeve and at this point, Blane's gonna wave his hands in the air.
INT. BAR -NIGHT
Duckie and Blane find a spot out on the floor and dance like they just don't care. Because of the crowd, they have little control of things getting touchy-feely; but neither seems to mind very much...
FADE TO MONTAGE:
Through a series of quick fades we see:
Duckie and Blane clinking two more full glasses. We hear bits of DIALOGUE throughout.
BLANE
I told you you'd like them...but ya gotta pace yourself...
Blane, now clearly curious, leadng Duckie through the crowd as they explore what "Tom Cats" at Cats is all about:
They pass a dark corner of the room where numerous configurations of LEATHERMEN are getting hot and heavy. Duckie does a double take.
DUCKIE
Was that guy getting--
BLANE
I think so...
Jimbo appears with a penlight and shines it into the flailing group.
JIMBO
Keep it clean gents. Our license goes and leather night goes with it.
The boys dance some more to music as the tempo of the songs starts to get a little more aggressive.
Okay, here's a chance to bring back bands that were so prominent on the soundtrack of Pretty In Pink and have come to be forever associated with said movie. OMD or Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark, natch. Here's one of their lesser known hits that seems to fit here quite nicely, thematically speaking:
They pass a DUDE turned over the knee of a DADDY, who is spanking him with fraternity paddle. Duckie shrugs.
DUCKIE
I wouldn't say he wasn't enjoying it...
BLANE
Huh, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I don't think I'll be pledging that fraternity next year...
A game of pool.
Duckie chugging another drink.
They watch as a BARBER in leather pants and no shirt shaves the head of a YOUNG MAN who is sitting in a makeshift barber chair. Once the kid is whiffed, the chair is vacated.
BARBER
(To Blane) Need a trim?
BLANE
Well, I was kinda-sorta growing it out.
DUCKIE
I double-dog dare you!
Blane shrugs, smiles and sits in the chair.
BLANE
I'm all yours...just don't scalp me.
BARBER
How about a high and tight?
BLANE
Go for it.
DUCKIE
Dude, seriously...I was kidding. Don't do this!
BLANE
I want to.
He gives the barber the go-ahead and the clippers get switched on.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. BATHROOM -NIGHT
Blane and Duckie are staring into the bathroom mirror. Blane runs a hand over his head.
DUCKIE
He scalped you.
BLANE
I really like it. I feel free.
We hear the opening beats of New Order's "Perfect KIss."
BLANE
I love this song. Let's dance.
He pushes a now clearly tipsy Duckie out the bathroom door.
DUCKIE
Oh, shit!
Okay, so there are several ways to go with how the rest of this scene plays out. You could do it "scary"; that is to say that Blane is actually in danger and the crowd is kind of out for blood and he's in danger of being trampled or at the very least losing some teeth or getting a black eye. And slam-dancing can be scary and dangerous. Or, you could go with the empowerment/erotic angle: that Blane finds it as "freeing" as his new skin-head and gets into it; but, as we know that Blane is rather a gentle soul, that might be for a different movie. Or, you could go full on comedic and do a sort of thing where Duckie goes in to save Blane, gets caught in the fight and it's kind of a Looney Tunes dust cloud with the occasional shoe, or person or whatever flying out, like in the Wizard of Oz:
Duckie starts trying to ram his way into the scrum but keeps getting bounced back like a ping-pong ball in a white squall.
He slam dances his way into the epicenter of the storm, only to find Blane having a good old time.
BLANE
(SHOUTING) This is totally awesome!
DUCKIE
(ALSO SHOUTING) That's great but you're gonna get--
Blane sinks beneath the surging leather sea and Duckie sinks down to try and find him.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR -NIGHT
(Continued)
We now see the POV below the surface: a forest of thrashing legs and downward pushing hands. Duckie turns to see a hairy ass coming at him. Blane is face to face with a leather jock, studded with spikes, which just misses his face. Duckie spits hair out of his mouth as he reaches Blane, who is somewhere between alarm and hysterical laughter. Duckie grabs Blane and the two use one another as a shield to get out of the melee.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT -NIGHT
The door to the club comes crashing open and Blane and Duckie spill out into the night, LAUGHING. Jimbo is back on his stool beside the door.
JIMBO
You boys have fun?
BLANE
Yeah. Actually, I had a blast!
Duckie is wandering off towards his bicycle, now clearly drunk and SINGING.
DUCKIE
...I want to ride my bicycle...I want to ride my bike!
JIMBO
Didn't you have a lot more hair when you went in?
BLANE
(LAUGHS) You know what they say: "Hair today..."
JIMBO
I think you look great. (Points) We're not gonna let him try to ride his bike, are we?
BLANE
No, I'll give him a ride.
JIMBO
Are you okay to drive?
BLANE
Well, almost getting gang-banged during a slam-dance sobers a fellah up real quick.
Jimbo reaches in his pocket and pulls out the fifty dollar-bill.
JIMBO
Here, take this back. I don't feel right about taking it.
BLANE
No, it's fine--
JIMBO
Then please, give it to Duck. Slip it in his pocket.
Blane nods and takes the money. He waves good-night and goes over to Duckie who is trying to open his bike lock without a key.
BLANE
Come on, you're coming with me.
Duckie continues to SING the Queen song as Blane guides him to his Beamer.
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF HOUSE -NIGHT
Blane is helping Duckie up to the front door of his house. The house is small and run-down looking; but the grounds are neat. Duckie is still sort of drunk-talk-singing as Blane pulls the screen door open. The porch light flicks on and the door opens, revealing a burly looking MAN clearly on his way out. The man is Duckie's father, JAMES DALE, 40'S. He's seems to be some kind of working man, based on his clothes.
JAMES DALE
For chrissakes it's two in the morning, what is this?
BLANE
Hi, I'm Duckie's friend.
JAMES
Who's "Duckie"?
BLANE
Oh, I meant Phillip here.
DUCKIE
Hi Pop!
JAMES
Are you drunk?
DUCKIE
I think so.
JAMES
I'll deal with you later; but Philly, if I get another note from that goddamned school about you skipping--
DUCKIE
Dad, this is Blane.
BLANE
Hello Mr. Dale.
JAMES
"Blaine"? With an "i"; like the industrial supply company?
Duckie CHUCKLES.
BLANE
No, no "i," Mr. Dale. Well, why don't I help Philly here to his bed.
JAMES
I would appreciate that Blane. Nice to meet you.
He offers his massive hand and Blane shakes it.
JAMES
(As he leaves, under his breath)...drunk on a school night...why my father would've...
Blane pushes Duckie through the door.
INT. BEDROOM -NIGHT
Okay, now this scene in the original movie, where we see Duckie's bedroom has always kind of bothered me. I mean, it appears as though he lives in a flophouse of some kind. Or, like a back room at the Weather Underground HQ:
Blane guides Duckie to the bed where he unceremoniously falls to the futon that's on the floor. Duckie reaches over and hits play on his boom box and we hear The Psychedelic Furs, "The Ghost In You" softly under the dialogue.
BLANE
Your decorator seems to be a minimalist.
DUCKIE
"Minimal" to the maximal...
BLANE
I like your dad. He seems really--
DUCKIE
You can have him.
BLANE
I have my own, thanks. He's really...busy...too.
DUCKIE
Busy? Yeah, right. When you grow up, your heart dies.
BLANE
(Considers)...that's stupid.
Blane crouches down on the floor and rolls Duckie over and begins unbuckling his leather harness.
BLANE
Where did you get this?
DUCKIE
I made it in home-ec.
BLANE
It's amazing.
DUCKIE
No it's not.
BLANE
I think you're kind of amazing...
He hangs the harness over a chair and starts taking off Duckies shoes and socks.
BLANE
"...it was your sweet love that kept my course true; but now you've closed your heart and taken that from me too."
Duckie attempts to sit up.
DUCKIE
That's my--how did you--how do you--
BLANE
I found your poetry book. It's in my car. I meant to give it back to you.
DUCKIE
Oh, you found it! Thank you!
And suddenly, they are kissing. Blane pulls back and they stare at each other. Duckie's drunk. It wouldn't be right.
BLANE
I'll bring it to school tomorrow. I better go.
DUCKIE
Please stay. Stay until I fall asleep? I have bad dreams.
He's already nearly asleep. Blane adjusts Duckies pillow.
BLANE
Okay.
He sits on the bed, his back against the wall.
FADE TO BLACK
(Continued)
We hear the CROWING of the neighborhood rooster as the light fades up in Duckie's bedroom. Blane, who has probably been awake all night, is pitching playing cards into Duckie's hat. Duckie rolls over and SIGHS, then sits up and rubs his head.
BLANE
I should probably give my mother a call. Can I use your phone?
DUCKIE
It's in the kitchen.
Blane flips the last card and stands. He catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror which stops him short. He rubs his head.
BLANE
I'm gonna have to wear a wig to prom. Come on, get up. We've got that trig test today.
DUCKIE
I didn't know you knew I was in the class with you.
BLANE
I'm not blind Philly.
DUCKIE
I can't go to school today and don't call me that. Do I look like I can take a test?
BLANE
You're going. I promised your dad.
DUCKIE
You did? When?
But Blane is already through the door. The rooster CROWS and Duckie pulls a pillow over his ears and GROANS.
DUCKIE
(Lowers pillow and SHOUTS towards the door) What about your head?
Then he grabs his own head and MOANS.
Okay, so seriously, we have to end this. One more short scene and we're out and then I'll post these script pages in proper form. I mean, I have all these other ideas for this; but again, this is not my property and if Paramount wants me to proceed, I will continue...for...hmmmm...let's do some math...so, if Pretty In Pink cost 9 million to make in 1985 that would be little under $30 million today. So, if I negotiate at 3 percent, that should be...9 hundred thousand dollars. I was only going to ask for 4 hundred thousand; but in lieu of the lawsuit I will defer pursuing against a certain talk show host and much of the pain and suffering I spent breathing in filing cabinet dust at 5555 Melrose Avenue and having food withheld from me; I am going to ask for 2.5 percent-ish. So, Paramount, that'll be...$755,555 dollars and .55 cents.
CFR 2/3/25