Glamorous Life of Band Widows Stumbled

7/31/2019 Glamorous Life of Band Widows Stumbled

1/21

THE GLAMOROUS LIFE OF BAND WIDOWS

byDonna Van Dyke

donna van [email protected]


2/21

FADE IN:

INT. BILL & PEGS CAR - NIGHT

BILL FOREST, late 40s, hot in womens eyes, cool in

mens, a rock star in his own, drives with wife, PEG.

Busy downtown traffic. He sneaks a look in the rearviewmirror, adjusts the collar on the sports coat he wearsover a vintage rock tee and the start of a soft belly.

Peg, late 40s, has a figure the envy of women half herage. She wears the same-sized Levis she wore in highschool and a classic, white cotton blouse.

She pouts. He plays.

BILL

How great is this? You and me outon a Saturday night.

If looks could kill, hed take one between the eyes. Hecaresses her knee. She stares out her window.

BILL (CONTD)But they worked hard for this.

Traffic light turns red. Pedestrians fill the crosswalk.Peg watches the happy crowd. He goads her.

BILL (CONTD)You want me to turn around? Illturn around right now and we canspend my one night off at home.

She responds with a menacing glare.

BILL (CONTD)(backpedaling)

And thatd be wonderful. We canopen a bottle of wine...

His eyebrows rise full of boyish hope.

PEGThen Im the bad guy. No thanks.

Green light. Her flood gates open.

PEG (CONTD)But remember this cause the lastnight you had off, six months ago?

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


3/21

We went to hear Bonzos band andyou swore wed do something funnext time.

BILLBut its AJ. And Tara.

They pull into a parking lot.

PEGGod forbid that little girl findsout you dont walk on water.

Bill gawks at the bands name, BUFFER ZONE, in lights onthe marquee.

BILLName sucks.

INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT

As if through a fog machine, Bill and Peg walk past acrowd of smokers outside.

A break tape blasts MUSIC from ceiling speakers.Thousands of photos cover every available space on the

walls. Memories from the night the place opened in 61to the young talent of today.

Patrons greet Bill like royalty. Peg hangs on his arm,smiles for friends and fans. She tries to lead him pastthe crowd but fails. Every few steps a new conversationbegins. She forces the smile and tolerates theinconvenience, even hugs a familiar face.

PEGHow you doing? Its been forever.

A young woman waves from a table near the stage. Pegwaves back, throws her arms up in comic frustration thenpoints to Bill who rambles. Peg tugs, half-insists.

PEG (CONTD)

Baby, Taras waiting.

INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - BOOTH - CONTINUOUS

Peg and Bill greet mid-20s daughter, TARA. The mirrorimage of her mother but a daddys girl to the bone.

TARADamn fans, huh, Daddy?

2.

CONTINUED:PEG (CONTD)

(CONTINUED)


4/21

Bill laughs. They settle in the booth. Peg feignsgraciousness over the commotion.

PEGIts so sweet.

The WAITRESS arrives. Bill orders.

PEG (CONTD)How are you, baby girl?

TARAGood. Daddy, AJs nervous yourehere, so dont give him any shit.

Peg adjusts her collar, fingers her earrings and stiflesthe urge to roll her eyes.

BILL

(dripping sarcasm)I wouldnt dare.

A PLAYER and GROUPIE stop at the table. Peg pastes onher smile. They shake Bills hand.

PLAYERHey, youre with Kabooki, right?Not playing tonight?

BILLRare night off; enjoying it.

PEGOh! Theres your brother.

NOAH, late 20s, a foot taller than his dad, and wife,SUZIE, late 20s, tall and toned, approach the booth.

Typical bar conversation; they talk over each other.

PLAYERI saw you guys couple weeks

back at the casino and man,it was unbelievable.

PEGShoot, we just ordered.

Shell be right back.

Suzie hugs Tara and Peg then scoots into the half-circlebooth.

BILLThanks, man. Preciate it.

NOAHWere fine, Mom.

3.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


5/21

Noah strains to listen in on Bills conversation.

PLAYERYou all use the Shure SCLs and gostraight through the board now?

TARAWe need to grab a couple moretables for the girls.

Bill sees through the amateurs talk of standard gear,shoots a discreet wink at Noah.

BILLYeah. You doing that?

The waitress delivers drinks. Suzie disappears to thebathroom. Tara heads to the door to meet friends. Pegsleft with her plastered smile and fake enthusiasm.

PLAYERYou know I got me a pair of SCLsbut went back to the SEs. Dontknow if theyre any different ifyoure looking at output, youknow, the SCL5s and the SE530s?But the SEs just felt better.

Pegs smile turns genuine when Tara and her friends maketheir way to the table.

PEGHere they come.

PLAYERAnd youd think the prolined feel the best.

BILLNo shit.

PLAYERYeah, we should run it all throughthe board. Itd be better.

Tara and her FRIENDS pull tables up to the booth, snagchairs. The girls dump their purses and head to the bar.Peg chews the inside of her cheek.

BILLYeah, dont miss those monitors.

PLAYERBet it makes tear down a breeze.

Suzie returns to the table.

4.

CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


6/21

PEGHow are you, sweetie?

BILLYou still got the mains anda thousand miles of cable,but every little bit helps.

When Peg speaks it comes out like a command.

PEGOkay, boys, we got a night off.Cut the shop talk.

Their laughs patronize her.

PLAYERSorry, not often you get to shootthe shit with Bill Forest. Verycool to meet you, man.

They shake hands, slap backs.

BILLThanks, buddy. Come out and grab

me on break sometime. Ill showyou the rack.

The fans leave. Noah and Suzie smirk; impressed. Billwaves it off like its his everyday life.

BILL (CONTD)Hes an idiot.

The break music FADES. BUFFER ZONE makes their way ontostage. The crowd HOOTS and WHISTLES. The band TUNES UP,prime for the set.

PEGWhens that band of yours gonna beup and running again?

Noah shrugs. Suzie rubs his back.

SUZIE

Theyve been auditioning a lot ofplayers.

BILLSucks when you need that one spotfilled. Dont take anyone tillits perfect or youll hate every

minute of it.

5.

CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


7/21

NOAHThats what were doing. Holdingout till we find the right guy.

PEGOr gal.

NOAH(obliging/respectful)

Or gal.

Tara and her friends, all early 20s, return. The houselights dim. Tara taps the table to get everyonesattention.

TARAGirls, the family. Family, thegirls.

ON STAGE, the band erupts in a jam with a hard RHYTHM.The young audience jumps to its feet.

AJ, early 20s, plays shirtless on drums, sleeved intattoos. The other band members vie for stage space asthey bound about, all in ink from head to toe. A BUFFERZONE banner hangs behind the drum riser.

AT THE BOOTH Peg readies her camera, leans to Bill.

PEGYou havent heard them, but thebass player has great control.Wait til you hear his two-handtap.

Bill studies the band like he interprets an impressionistpainting. His head bobs gentle in contrast to the hardbeat.

PEG (CONTD)Need to work on lyrics if they

want to stick to all originalstuff but theyre tight as hell.

Suzie leans to Peg, nods to Taras friends.

SUZIEThey all band widows?

Peg nods, snaps the bands picture.

SUZIE (CONTD)Any of them married?

6.

CONTINUED: (4)

(CONTINUED)


8/21

PEGIm not sure.

She adjusts the lens, snaps another photo.

SUZIE

You dont know them?

PEGNever met em, but I know em.

Peg leans in closer to Suzie.

PEG (CONTD)Look. That ones eyes are gluedon the guitar player.

They watch ROMANTIC WIDOW; her affectionate eyes neverleave her man on stage.

PEG (CONTD)Shes convinced he only sees herthrough those blinding stagelights.

Peg discretely points to STOIC WIDOW with a cell open inher lap.

PEG (CONTD)And shes got at least one kid athome. Keeps checking her phonefor calls from the sitter.

Suzie buries a snorty laugh in her hand. Peg nods toJEALOUS WIDOW who studies the dance floor with militaryprecision.

PEG (CONTD)And that little girl has hergroupie radar set extra sensitivecause she already knows the onlything wrong with this gig is every

woman in the place and every manon that stage.

Everyone startles when Tara slams an empty shot glass onthe table. She jumps to her feet and out to the dancefloor, alone.

Suzie laughs, gives Peg a playful shove.

SUZIESo, which one were you?

Peg appreciates the question.

7.

CONTINUED: (5)

(CONTINUED)


9/21

PEGAt some point, every one of em.

Peg taps Suzies hand to get her attention. She nods toJealous whose radar hones in on a DRUNK WOMAN whostumbles up the side steps of the stage.

ON STAGE, Drunk Woman shimmies and saddles up next to thebass player. She slips behind him, grinds to the music,leans in to kiss his neck.

AT THE BOOTH, the young band widows, nervous, look toeach other, unsure of what to do.

JEALOUSSomeone better do something in thenext ten seconds or Im going tokill the bitch.

Suzie coughs to kill her laugh. Pegs nostrils flare asshe clamps her lips down to suppress a smile.

A BOUNCER bolts on stage, grabs Drunk Woman and carriesher out a side door.

JEALOUS (CONTD)Lucky, lucky girl.

The crowd ERUPTS when the song ends. Tara returns.

ON STAGE, AJ leans into his mike.

AJWhos ready to party?!

Booze-soaked CHEERS from the mob.

AJ (CONTD)Sending a shout out to a celebrityin the house. We got Bill Forestfrom Kabooki with us tonight.

The crowd ROARS louder. Bill half-stands, waves. VOICESin the crowd chant, KABOOKI! KABOOKI!

Pegs heart melts for Bill.

AJ (CONTD)Well have Bill up for a jamlittle later but first we wannabring someone up for her firsttime on stage so make her feel

welcome and dont give her anyshit. Shes got some great pipes.

8.

CONTINUED: (6)

(CONTINUED)


10/21

PEGHer first time? How wonderful.

The slightest hint of envy on Pegs face. She searchesfor the woman in the crowd.

The audience CHEERS for the unknown as she rises from herseat. The YOUNG WOMAN makes her way through the tablesand climbs the stairs with her back to us toward centerstage. As she slowly turns to face the mike we see...


FLASHBACK

Young Peg. On the same stage; early 1980s. Fewer framedphotos adorn the walls, otherwise the place is the same.

A banner behind her reads OPEN MIKE NIGHT.

She plays a classical guitar and belts out David LynnJones We Were All A Lot Older Then in the smoky bar.

PEGNow his baby's gone/She was hisonly fantasy/And he was her kingamong men/And the day she died/Granddaddy cried for her memory/and we were all a lot older then

YOUNG BILL, with his BAND MATES, watches from a booth.

Bill hangs on every note, every word. Their eyes meet.They smirk at how corny it is but dont fight it.

EXT. LEMONTREE BAR - NIGHT

Peg rushes for the front door to escape the cold night.On the marquee, WED KARAOKE / FRI-SAT POCKET ROCKETS.

INT. LEMONTREE BAR - NIGHT

Peg orders at the bar surrounded by drunks and smoke.Bills band finishes a set on stage.

JACKThank you. Were the PocketRockets and well be right back.

The boys leave the stage, head off in differentdirections.

Peg pays for her drink. Bill rushes toward her.

9.

CONTINUED: (7)

(CONTINUED)


11/21

BILLThere she is.

A quick hug and discreet nuzzle before he pulls hertoward a table.

BILL (CONTD)Come on. I wanna show you off.

Theyre not even to the table.

DANNYHey, youre the chick from Carls.Killer pipes, this one.

PEGThanks. You guys sound great.

MARTA

So, youre the babe with thevoice. Im Marta.

MARTA MONTGOMERY, late 20s, boobs and hair bigger thanthe rest of her white trash, bitter self, wears a GROOVEPUPPETS tee, sits on husband, JACKs, lap; mid 20s.

DANNY STUART, mid 20s, chiseled perfection and proud ofit, heads to the bar.

MARTA (CONTD)Thats Danny. Band man-whore so,heads up.

Awkward silence. Jacks embarrassed.

MARTA (CONTD)You in a band?

PEGLooking. No luck yet, but...

MARTABoys dont play nice.

Peg doesnt get it. KELLY PREISTER, with the round bodythat requires a jolly disposition when youre pushingthirty, rushes the table. She drops off her drink andgives Peg an overly affectionate hug.

KELLYHi, sweetie!

Pegs eyes bulge.

10.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


12/21

MARTAGeez, Kell. You gotta learnboundaries. (to Peg) ThissSimons wife. (to Kelly) Where ishe?

Kelly dismisses Marta with a playful wave.

KELLYOh, who cares. Youre the one

with the pretty voice? Simon evensaid something and he thinks girlsare nothing but trouble in bandsso you made an impression. Bravo!This is Dannys girlfriend.

Marta nearly shoots beer out her nose at the girlfriendmoniker.

Kelly flashes Marta a wounded look and hugs SHERI, barelylegal and too drunk to follow the conversation.

MARTACome on. Girlfriend?

Pegs overwhelmed. Bill comes to her rescue.

BILLIm sweating from that set. Wannaget some air?

EXT. LEMONTREE BAR - ALLEY - NIGHT

Wisps of vapor mingle with their words. Peg shivers.

BILLSorry about that. You gotta gethere before Marta starts drinkingif you want it to be anythingclose to civilized.

PEGNot a problem.

BILLStaying for the last set?

PEGThinking about it.

BILLDo. I gotta tear down but wellget breakfast.

11.

CONTINUED: (2)


13/21

INT. LEMONTREE BAR - LATER

Pegs quick to catch up with the girls. She slams herempty shot glass down next to a dozen others.

SHERI

(slurs her words)Yeah, well, I dont get it. Firstset? Okay. After that itsboring. Hes up there and I canteven dance with him.

PEGBoring?! How can you say that?Youre looking at it all wrong.Surrender, ladies. This shitssexy as hell and then you get togo home with that.

Peg points to the boys on stage with a drunk-glaze and apolished fingernail circling each mans face.

PEG (CONTD)Look at em. Every womans feltit. That instant chemistry withthe guy on stage. And its notour fault. Its an attack on thesenses. Look at Jack.

The women snap their attention to Jack on guitar.

INTERCUT BETWEEN MEN ON STAGE/WOMEN AT TABLE:

Jack notices Martas stare. He winks at her but thenuncontrollably winces with every note he PLAYS in thecreamy lead.

PEG (O.S.)The guitar god. Look how his facecontorts when he bends thosestrings. It reminds you of a mandeeply, passionately, intimatelyconnecting with you.

Martas drunk head tilts to looks at Jack in a new light.

On drums, SIMON PREISTER, early 30s, fills in with a hardBEAT that sets the pace.

PEG (O.S.) (CONTD)Then the drummer with those armsthat seem to have limitlessstamina.

12.

(CONTINUED)


14/21

Kellys mouth opens. Her tongue wets her lips. Herteeth follow with a delicate bite.

On bass, Danny takes off on a short RIFF.

Pegs eyes close. She rhythmically taps her chest with

one hand, her thigh with the other.

PEG (CONTD)The laid-back bass player givesthe song its heartbeat. You feelit bounce off every muscle likeits rubbing inside you.

Sheri, eyes wide, breathes faster and stirs her drinkwith the beat.

Bill comes in on VOCALS at keyboard. Marta jumps in,spellbound.

MARTAThen the keyboard player works

magic with his fingers withoutlosing function of his mouth.

Peg busts out a drunk snort. The other women transfix onthe experience.

Danny picks up his sax and lets the final note bleed intothe pores of every woman in the place.

PEGAnd Im not even going to try toexplain a man with a horn. What

with the lips and the spit...

Sheri shivers, rolls her shoulders. Peg and Marta watchin astonishment.

MARTADid you just...

They exchange a glance and throw their heads back withexplosive laughter.

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

Bill and Peg lie on the cars hood at the runways edge.Dusk. They stare up at the sky. Storm clouds move in.Planes take off and land overhead.

PEGWhere dya think theyre going?

13.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


15/21

BILLL.A. Nashville. New York, someof em.

PEGWere gonna get there, you know?

BILLI know you will. I mightvealready blown my big chance butyours is coming.

Curious, Peg leans up on an elbow.

BILL (CONTD)I never told you? The summer I

was in L.A. jamming with mybuddies?

An occasional raindrop falls.

PEGYeah, you told me.

BILLI might have left out how I got anaudition with Johnny Cougar.

Peg sits straight up.

PEGYou did?! Thats fantastic!

She catches herself on his reaction.

PEG (CONTD)Oh.

BILLYou are adorable. No, I didntgo.

She cant hide her shock.

BILL (CONTD)And youre the only one who knows,so dont tell anyone.

Strong winds pick up. The rain is heavier; they dontnotice.

PEGBut you wouldve been perfect forhim!

14.

CONTINUED:

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


16/21

You wouldve nailed it and thinkof all youd be doing now. Whathappened?

BILLI didnt know I really could, you

know? I didnt know if I was anygood and didnt want to go inthere and find out I wasnt. Buttruth is I hadnt met you yet.

She doesnt know how to respond.

BILL (CONTD)If they called today, Id nail itbecause you give me that feelinglike I can do anything.

They kiss. Between their youth and the moment, theres

no control. All passion.

They pull at each others clothes. Rain pelts them. Thesky turns an ominous green. Violent bolts of lightningstrike in the distance. THUNDER rolls seconds behind.

Hail beats their half-naked bodies and the cars metal.Plane engines ROAR. Lights flash overhead. Its raw andbold and builds with excitement. THUNDER CLAPS.

TARA(V.O.)Mom!


PRESENT DAY

Peg jolts from her reverie.

PEGWhat!

Annoyed at the interruption, Peg notices everyone at thetable stares at her.

MUSIC fills the room. Noah puts a firm hand on her arm.

NOAHYou okay?

Peg nods, pulls herself back to reality.

TARADaddys playing.

15.

CONTINUED: (2)PEG (CONT'D)

(CONTINUED)


17/21

ON STAGE, Bill, on guitar, jams with AJs band playingMark Broussards Home. The house is on its feet.

A genuine smile on Pegs face. She watches Bill and thecrowd who loves him. Hes in his element. He enjoysevery note he plays and every drop of sweat that falls

from his face.

Raw ambiguity on Pegs face. Regret? Acceptance? Shegrabs her purse and climbs out of the booth.

Out of pure reflex, Pegs face brightens as she passesbar owner, GLORIA BURKE, early 70s. Peg disappears intothe bathroom.

Gloria watches everything from her perch at the end ofthe bar.

LATER

The bands on break. Stoic Widow huddles in a corner tohear the babysitter on her cell over the crowds BLAREand piped in MUSIC.

Jealous Widow argues with boyfriend near the stage. Shepoints to several drunk groupies in the house to proveher case.

Romantic Widow sits on boyfriends lap at the familystable.

BILLThat was fun. Thanks, guys.

AJAnytime. It was an honor.

Peg rolls her eyes and lets out a moan.

PEGHow many times you guys jam at ourplace, AJ? Dont kiss his ass.Its hard enough to get a shirt up

over his head at the end of theday without you saying shit likethat.

A smattering of giggles.

BILLThank you, darling.

16.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


18/21

PEG(to AJ)

You guys were wonderful.

BILLWhat about me?

PEGYou were fabulous, as usual,honey, but this is their night,not yours. And you boys aretearing it up.

AJThanks, Peg. It means a lot.

Peg winks at AJ.

PEG

Love you, baby.

Romantic squeezes her man tight with pride. AJs eyeshold a glint of excitement. He kisses Tara on the cheekand rushes from the table.

AJBe right back.

Noah checks his watch.

NOAHBetter be. Breaks almost over.

SUZIELet me out. I gotta pee.

Its a monumental effort to free Suzie from the boothscore. Peg and Tara scoot out first; chairs are moved.

Peg notices Bills concern. He looks to the stage thenback at Suzie. Her purse tangles in a chair.

Peg scoots into the booth. Tara settles into AJs chair.

AJ scurries from backstage as Suzie gets free. Billsmiles. Peg notices. Bill calls to Suzie.

BILLSuz, wait a second.

She diverts and returns to the table. So does AJ.

AJTara?

17.

CONTINUED:

(CONTINUED)


19/21

AJ drops to one knee at Taras chair. The women swoon.The men are clueless. Except Bill who glows and Peg whoglowers-at Bill.

AJ (CONTD)I love you. And I love this

family, and I love us.

Taras smile cant get any bigger.

AJ (CONTD)And I suppose I shouldve come upwith some big, romantic way to dothis but it just hits me thathere, with these people, in thisplace is how it needs to be.

Tara sucks in a quick breath. She turns to everyone,mouth and eyes wide with excitement. OOOHS and AHHHS

from the family except a frozen, smiling Peg.

AJ pulls a ring box from his pocket and opens it.

AJ (CONTD)Whaddya say; you wanna get

married?

TARAYes!

The table APPLAUDS and CHEERS along with PATRONS atnearby tables. Tara throws her arms around AJ.

PEGNo.

Everyone jerks to look at her as she jumps out of thebooth.

TARAMom!

AJ jolts, blushes. He snatches the ring out of Tarashand and drops it in his pocket.

TARA (CONTD)Hey! Give me that.

Tara digs in his pocket for the ring.

PEGNo. You will not.

AJ and Tara struggle; she retrieves the ring, puts it onher finger. AJ steps back, fearful of Peg.

18.

CONTINUED: (2)

(CONTINUED)


20/21

Peg rushes to Tara and pulls at the ring on her finger.

PEG (CONTD)Are you out of your mind?

NOAH

I think Mommas having a stroke.

Romantic and boyfriend slink away from the table.

Suzie pulls Peg away from Tara.

SUZIEPeg, calm down.

PEGNo! Tara Jean! No! And you!

She stops the tug for the ring to point an angry finger

at Bill. Noah pushes Bill.

NOAHDo something!

Bill bolts to hold Peg but she pulls away. She redirectsher angry finger back to Tara.

PEGNo! Tara Jean Forest, you willnot!

Suzie and Bill pull Peg toward the bathrooms. Her fingerstill wags at Tara and AJ.

PEG (CONTD)You have to trust me. This is aterrible idea!

Only Glorias eyes move when she watches Peg rip away andescape out the back door past a picture of Peg, Marta,Bill and Jack from the early years. In the picture,Marta scowls at Jack.

EXT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT

FLASHBACK

The band loads out equipment in work gloves. A WOMANpukes in the alley. A block down, half a dozen MENgather to watch a drunken brawl.

Marta, in a LUNCH MONEY tee, falls through the clubsdoor, hammered.

19.

CONTINUED: (3)

(CONTINUED)


21/21

Close behind, on the sleazy side of feminine and asilence not to be trusted, TESS SHANKS, late 20s. Pegcomes up third but hangs in the doorway.

Two DRUNK GROUPIES loiter near the band as they move gearto a truck.

Marta notices one leans in sensually to Jack. In aninstant shes jealous, suspicious. Tess sees the changein Marta and waves her off.

TESSDanny, wheres that woman ofyours?

Danny nods to a car where his DATE sleeps off her buzz.With a naughty grin, Tess pulls off her heals and rushesto help him push a large speaker up the ramp.

Marta inches closer to Jack and the LOUD GROUPIE.

LOUD GROUPIEYou guys were so cool tonight.

JACKThanks. Were at Dugans next

weekend. Come on out.

LOUD GROUPIEMaybe I will.

MARTAMaybe you shouldnt.

Loud Groupie sizes up her competition.

LOUD GROUPIEMaybe you should mind your ownfucking business.

MARTAMaybe you should get away from myfucking husband.

LOUD GROUPIEHow bout we let handsome decide.

JACKMarta, go inside.

MARTAIs that where I should go, Jack?

20.

CONTINUED:

Glamorous Life of Band Widows Stumbled

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