THE PARTY
EXT. HOUSE-NIGHT
ACTOR’S P.O.V.
A front door opens to reveal a crowded house full of beautiful people, hobnobbing in high Hollywood style. A HOSTESS emerges from the crowd to greet the ACTOR.
HOSTESS
Hi, so glad you could make it!
You look great.
The ACTOR, clad in a smart but casual suit, is momentarily surprised, but enjoys the attention. The HOSTESS hugs him and kisses him on the cheek.
HOSTESS
And you are….?
ACTOR
Me? Cliff…. Cliff Montgomery….
Actor.
HOSTESS
Uh huh. Would you like a drink?
ACTOR
Yes, I would. Thank you.
The HOSTESS exchanges pleasantries to various people. The ACTOR follows awkwardly behind her. A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN passes by, momentarily distracting him.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE-BAR
A circle of distinguished men and women sip Martinis and talk amongst themselves. The HOSTESS leads him to join the group. The ACTOR orders a drink.
HOSTESS
I think the critics wrong. I thought
it was BRILLIANT!
MAN
I could have used TEN MILLION people
like you at the BOX OFFICE.
The others titter uneasily. The ACTOR leans in holding on to the back of an occupied chair, trying to hear more.
WOMAN
Well, we’ve got something now that
we’re very excited about. Very timely
very relevant, very now.
HOSTESS
Sounds fascinating.
The ACTOR leans in even more. Suddenly the person in the chair gets up, causing the chair to tip over. The ACTOR falls into the circle, onto the floor at their feet.
The HOSTESS helps him up. As he rises to his feet, she recognizes him.
HOSTESS
Cliff! There you are…. Sidney,
This is Cliff Montgomery. Cliff,
Sidney Greenspan of Greenspan
Entertainment.
The ACTOR holds out his hand. No reaction from Sidney.
HOSTESS
And Michelle Mann. Senior V.P
at Mega Productions.
The ACTOR smiles. MICHELLE yawns. The HOSTESS speeds up the process.
HOSTESS
Floyd Previn, casting agent ex-
traordinaire.
FLOYD
And what do you do?
ACTOR
Uh…. I’m an actor.
The three of them walk away. The HOSTESS spots someone important and hurries off. The ACTOR is left alone at the bar.
A large BALD HEADED MAN enters and goes to the bar.
MAN
Give me voodoo cocktail with a twist.
BARTENDER
Lemon or lime?
MAN
Yeah, that’ll be fine.
He looks over at the ACTOR, sizing him up.
MAN
Hey, you an actor?
The ACTOR nods.
MAN
I thought so. I know I’ve seen
you in lots of things.
ACTOR
Really? Like what?
MAN
I know it, don’t tell me. T.V?
A feature….
ACTOR
Well, actually I’m quite proud of
My latest work, a series of plays
By the Italian Futurists.
The MAN looks at him incredulously.
MAN
Oh…. Stage.
The MAN moves off. The actor turns around catching the eye of the BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
The BEAUTIFUL WOMAN sits on an “l” shaped couch. A MAN and a WOMAN, flamboyantly dressed sit across from each other, talking excitedly. The ACTOR approaches.
WOMAN
I had to pull that corset so tight,
I could hear him panting. And all
While, he’s saying “Tighter, tighter.”
The MAN laughs uproariously. The ACTOR sits down on the couch next to the MAN.
WOMAN
So, there he is, walking like Robo-
Cop and in the middle of the scene,
The corset snaps.
The MAN laughs again. The ACTOR and the BEAUTIFUL WOMAN smile at each other.
MAN
I worked with him a year ago on
“Grand Scale”. I had to put so much
makeup on him, it’s a wonder he
didn’t have to use a neck brace to
hold up his head.
The MAN looks up suddenly, slack-jawed.
MAN
Oh my God, it’s him!
The WOMAN looks at the MAN and gasps.
WOMAN
You’re kidding! Let’s go say
Hello.
The two of them jump up and leave. The ACTOR moves over to the BEAUTIFUL WOMAN and sits down next to her.
ACTOR
So, is there life on Mars?
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
You must be a writer.
ACTOR
Well…. As a matter of fact, I am.
She warms up to him.
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
I love writers.
The ACTOR looks into the camera, shrugs and then turns back to the BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.
ACTOR
That’s my cue.
The light changes, isolating them in a romantic embrace.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKY-DAY
The ACTOR is in mid FREE-FALL with the two SKYDIVERS flanking him on both sides.
SKYDIVER 2
Wake up man! You’re doing great.
SKYDIVER 1
But how much time have you got?
FADE OUT:
