Dream Come True
by
Eric B. Anderson & Tom Flanigan
Ext.
Picturesque neighborhood - moRNING
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood --- blue skies with cotton candy clouds, the trees and grass a vibrant green, and the perfect houses lining the street shine the whitest of white. It's an idealized neighborhood come to life.
HOUSE
We focus on a particularly pristine home just as the front door swings open and out walks a beaming ROBERT GOODMAN. Slim, vibrant, and handsome, Robert exudes the charisma of an exploding star. As he steps onto the landing, he pivots on his heel to face the front door where a BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN appears. They kiss.
Smiling, Robert pivots back toward the driveway and steps toward a shiny black luxury car. Again, it's the model of excellence.
INT. Car - momENTS LATER
Robert smiles and hums along with the music on the radio, waving to neighbors as he drives by.
ROBERT'S POV
Looking through the windshield, we see that Robert's car is approaching a busy intersection.
CAR
His foot reaches down to hit the brakes but...
...HIS LEGS ARE TOO SHORT!
Robert's eyes widen in terror!
ROBERT'S POV
The light in the intersection ahead turns to red.
CAR
Robert shifts forward in his seat as if to grab the wheel but...
...suddenly, he finds his arms strapped into his seatbelt. He's helpless, and the busy intersection is rapidly approaching. Horns begin to blare.
Robert struggles to free himself from the seatbelt, first freeing one wrist...
ROBERT'S POV
Car's swarm through the intersection at ridiculous speeds.
CAR
...then the other. He lunges for the steering wheel but...
...his arms disappear! Empty sleeves hang from his shoulder as Robert's eyes dart frantically left to right and back again.
He lets out a choked squeak of a scream
ROBERT'S POV
A semi tractor trailer bears down on his car from the left. Directly in front of the car is a perilous, ridiculous 1,000 foot drop-off --- straight down.
EXT. Road
Robert's car careens off the edge of the precipice and into the air, where it hangs. Robert turns to the camera, his eyes filled with terror, and holds up a Wyle E. Coyote-like sign that says "Mommy!"
The car plunges down, down, down, with the sound of Robert's girlish screams echoing across the cavern.
EXT. GROUND
The car lands on its wheels with a WHOOMPF! Miraculously, Robert is unhurt. He looks around in disbelief. After a moment, he gathers himself and opens the car door. He steps out and looks at the car. It appears to be in good condition, although the tires are in bad shape.
Then he hears a sound. A whistle. High-pitched. Piercing. He looks up.
An anvil falls on his head and he disappears.
INT. BEDROOM - Early morning
A sweating Robert suddenly lunges upright in his bed and cries out. A beautiful woman sleeps peacefully next to him. He breathes a sigh of relief and lies back in the bed, closing his eyes.
He thinks better of it and opens them again.
TIME LAPSE
Robert patiently stares at the ceiling as darkness gives way to light, and nighttime becomes day.
EXT. University - LATER
A grand old university campus --- ivy, imposing building, the works.
INT. CLASSROOM
Robert stands at the front of the room, addressing his students.
ROBERT
For any of you who are, uh, dissatisfied with your, your grades, you can hand in your rewrites on Friday.
(looks at the clock)
Okay, I'll see you all then.
The STUDENTS collect their things and move toward the door. As the room empties, a timid and disheveled SKATER KID cautiously approaches Robert.
SkATER KID
Professor Goodman?
(he holds out a paper)
You, uh...you gave me six pages of corrections...
ROBERT
Yes?
SkaTER KID
Well, um...my essay was only five pages long.
ROBERT
Great. I look forward to reading it again on Friday.
The skater kid starts to walk away.
ROBERT
And Dave?
Dave
Yeah, Professor?
ROBERT
Would you mind doing the rewrite when you're not high?
DAVE
(sheepishly)
Okay.
Int. Office
This office is typical of many in academia --- small, cluttered, and full of books. The only detail to differentiate it are the boxes on the floor, which Robert is slowly piling his belongings into.
Robert stands and traces his finger across his bookshelves, searching for one book in particular --- the Hemingway Reader. He locates it and tosses it in the box. He turns back and begins searching for another volume when the door flies open and a GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN burst in, singing "For he's a jolly good fellow."
MOMENTS LATER
Robert and PROFESSOR STOUT, an older, gray-bearded man dressed in tweed, stand near Robert's desk as the rest of the people mill about the office with slices of cake.
PROFESSOR STOUT
Have you thought about what you're going to do after?
ROBERT
After what?
PROFESSOR STOUT
After the book hits the market and disappears from sight.
ROBERT
Thanks for the vote of confidence, sir.
PROFESSOR STOUT
(grins)
You're welcome.
Robert goes quiet for a moment, then...
ROBERT
You're probably right.
PROFESSOR STOUT
Of course I'm not right. It will be brilliant.
ROBERT
I don't this so. Look at this.
Robert pulls a sheet of paper off his desk and hands it to Professor Stout.
ROBERT
This is a list of first time authors and an accounting of their various successes and failures.
PROFESSOR STOUT
And, of course, you're concerned with the failures?
ROBERT
No. Well, yes, but I've got reason to be. Look at the advances given to the first time authors and the correlation between that and the success of their books.
PROFESSOR STOUT
Um hmm.
ROBERT
The more they got paid, the worse their books performed.
PROFESSOR STOUT
And that means what for your book?
ROBERT
It's going to be a disaster.
EXT. CAR - LATER
>From behind, the car appears to be piled from top to bottom with overflowing boxes as it darts down a long and winding road.
INT. CAR
Robert is hunched over the wheel, occasionally reaching out to steady the careening boxes as he goes around a curve.
In the distance, a construction site slowly comes into view. If a man's home is his castle, then this is a fine start to the kingdom.
EXT. Construction site
The car pulls to a halt and Robert gets out slowly, revelling in the moment. Suddenly, the revelry stops.
He strides quickly toward a large man who appears to be the FOREMAN.
RobERT
Excuse me.
The man continues to give instructions to his workers.
RoBERT
(louder)
Excuse me.
Slowly, the foreman turns to Robert and smiles
FOREMAN
Mr. Goodman. Good to see you again.
(his voice drops and he steps toward Robert)
And again, and again, and again...
ROBERT
Is that Spanish tile?
FOREMAN
Where?
ROBERT
On the roof.
The foreman looks up as if seeing the roof for the first time.
FOREMAN
Why yes, I believe it is.
ROBERT
Spanish tile cracks. It can't stand extremes in temperature. Who authorized you to use Spanish tile?
FOREMAN
Let me see...
(pulls out a clipboard)
Looks like...Mrs. Goodman. The future Mrs. Goodman, excuse me.
ROBERT
But...is there...do we have any other options?
Robert pulls out his cell phone and begins dialing.
ROBERT
I don't think she understands the repercussions of using Spanish tile in extreme temperatures. The whole roof could collapse.
FOREMAN
That's highly unlikely, Mr. Good...
Robert holds up a finger to silence the foreman as puts the phone to his ear.
ROBERT
Andrea?
INT. FLORIST
ANDREA, the beautiful young woman from the earlier scenes, sits amidst a sea of flowers.
Andrea
Where are you?
INTERCUT ROBERT AND ANDREA - PHONE CONVERSATION
ROBERT
Where am I? I'm at the house, but...
Andrea
You were supposed to meet me at the florist twenty minutes ago.
ROBERT
Yes, but...
ANDREA
And we have an appointment to taste our cake in 45 minutes. You need to leave right now.
ROBERT
Oh, I didn't realize...
ANDREA
Never mind, just meet me at the bakery. I can take care of the flowers myself.
(pause)
Is everything okay?
ROBERT
They're putting Spanish tile on the roof.
ANDREA
Sounds good, honey. See you in 45 minutes.
Andrea hangs up.
EXT. ConSTRUCTION SITE
Robert hangs up the phone. He looks at the foreman, looks up at the roof, back at the foreman, and hurries off to his car.
INT. CAR - mOMENTS LATER
Robert is speeding down the road, frantically trying to control the boxes that seem to have taken on a life of their own.
The phone rings and Robert scrambles to pick it up.
ROBERT
Hello?
EXT. BOURBON STREET - NEW ORLEANS
The streets are smothered in the mass of humanity that typifies Mardi Gras. In the midst of the madness is PETER CLERK, a man in his late 20s to early 30s in full New Orleans tourist regalia --- beads, diamond-shaped sunglasses, a jester cap --- baby, he's got it all!
PETER
(shouting)
Robbie! Hey hey! What's shakin', bacon?
INT. CAR
Robert pulls the phone away from his ear until Peter stops shouting.
RobERT
Pete? Where are you?
INTERCUT ROBERT AND PETER - PHONE CONVERSATION
PETER
Mardi Gras, baby!
Robert
(shocked)
Mardi Gras?!
He looks at his watch.
ROBERT
But...the rehearsal dinner is in six hours!
PETER
And my flight's in two. What's your point?
ROBERT
You're going to be late!
PETER
Well I am if you keep me on the phone like this.
(before Robert can protest)
Listen, I'm getting you a little something-something for your bachelor party tonight...
ROBERT
Rehearsal dinner.
PETER
Whatever.
(studies the beads around his neck)
How do you feel about beads?
RobERT
It's not "whatever," it's --- how do I feel about what?
Suddenly, Peter finds himself standing in front of a storefront that says "Who Do Voodoo?"
PETER
Oooh!
ROBERT (V.O.)
How do I feel about beads?
PETER
Never mind, man. I gotcha. Check you later.
Peter hangs up the phone and enters the store.
INT. WHO DO VOODOO? - NEW ORLEANS
The walls of the shop are littered with shelf after shelf of oddities: dolls, tarot cards, books, bottles of liquids and powders of a questionable nature. Beads, dreamcatchers, and various and sundry feathered things hang from the ceiling.
A small, elderly Asian woman with thick, coke-bottle glasses sits patiently behind the counter under a sign that reads "Who Do Voodoo? We do!" She chatters into the phone in a stream of Chinese heavily inflected with a Cajun accent.
Peter sees something hanging from the ceiling. From our vantage point, we can't tell what it is. Peter stops in front of it and smiles.
PeTER
Perfect!
INT. BAKERY - LATER
In a small but bustling kitchen, Robert is stirring a large bowl of batter. His sleeves are rolled up and he's wearing an apron. Behind him, a frustrated Andrea and the BAKERY OWNER, a robust middle-aged woman, look on.
Robert stirs with concentration for another few moments, then turns to them, lifting the spoon toward them.
ROBERT
See? Can you see the difference?
Andrea
No.
ROBERT
It's there. And you'll definitely taste the difference. Wheat, gluten, dairy and sugar free --- just as nature intended.
Bakery owner
Nature never baked a cake! I bake cakes!
The bakery owner steps forward to taste the batter, but Robert pulls it away from her, appalled.
BAKERY OWNER
What?
ROBERT
You can't eat it! It's not cooked. It's got raw...
He stops in mid-sentence, unable to think of anything raw and unhealthy in the batter. The bakery owner snatches the spoon from his hand and shoves it in her mouth. As she tastes the batter, her scowl turns to consternation and slowly to a forced smile. Her mouth full of batter, she looks at Robert.
BAKERY OWNER
Delicious!
INT. APARTMENT - office
Robert sits at a computer desk in a small cubbyhole that serves as his home office, typing on his laptop.
Robert stares at the screen. He types, then backspaces over what he's typed. He stops, agonizes over what he sees and types again. He stops. Backspaces.
The phone rings.
Robert
Honey? Can you get that?
Another ring.
RoBERT
Andie?
No answer. Robert sighs and picks up the phone.
ROBERT
Hello?
MAN'S VOICE (V.O.)
Mr. Goodman?
ROBERT
Yes?
MAN'S VOICE
Mr. Robert Goodman?
ROBERT
Yes? May I help you?
MAN'S VOICE
This is Mr. Stone. Brock Stone. From Pendulum.
Robert swallows hard.
MAN'S VOICE
Where is it?
ROBERT
Uh, actually, I'm just finishing it up now.
MAN'S VOICE
Mr. Goodman, we paid you good money for a book. We have not yet received the aforementioned book.
ROBERT
I'm printing it ou ---
MAN'S VOICE
Your contract stipulates that we will have the manuscript in our hands, well...let's see...
(pause)
...two years ago.
ROBERT
Two years ago! That's not possible.
MAN'S VOICE
If you can't get it to us yesterday, I'm afraid we'll have no choice but to void your contract.
ROBERT
Look, I'm printing it out right now. I'll get it to you ---
Robert clicks PRINT and...
...the computer screen goes blank.
MAN'S VOICE
Yesterday.
Robert looks at the computer in stunned silence as smoke begins to billow from his computer. He drops the phone.
He runs to the door into
INT. BOOKSTORE
A large bookstore with a table set at one end and a line of PEOPLE that wraps around the interior of the store. When Robert appears, the people begin to chatter excitedly.
The bookstore MANAGER, a pretty young woman, grabs Robert by the arm and leads him toward the table.
Manager
Right this way, Mr. Goodman. We're so excited to have you here. Really, really excited!
ROBERT
Thanks, uh...
MANAGER
Really, really. Your fans have been lining up for days. They're really excited.
ROBERT
Really?
MANAGER
Really.
The manager deposits Robert in a chair and vanishes.
Directly in front of Robert, staring at him expectantly, is a middle-aged WOMAN. Robert smiles sheepishly and she approaches.
WOMAN
Wow. It's really you. Oh my God, I'm so...
ROBERT
Excited?
WOMAN
...happy to meet you. Will you sign your book for me?
ROBERT
I'd be glad to. Where would you like me to sign?
WOMAN
Anywhere.
ROBERT
Title page?
WOMAN
Anywhere. Really. It doesn't matter.
Robert takes her copy of his book. It's entitled "Book" by Robert Goodman. Robert frowns and opens the book. His frown deepens as he flips through the pages.
She wasn't kidding. Robert can sign anywhere because the pages are blank. All of them.
WOMAN
It was such a quick read. I just breezed right through it!
Suddenly, a titter of laughter. Robert looks up. The titter spreads, and every face seems to be trying desperately to suppress a giggle. Suddenly, a torrent of laughter breaks out, and Robert's fans are rolling on the floor, pointing at him as if he's the funniest thing they've ever seen.
WOMAN
Must have put a lot of thought into it, huh?
ROBERT
I did! I ---
Andrea (O.C.)
Time to get ready!
OFFICE
Robert sits bolt upright in his chair. He looks around, disoriented.
Andrea stands behind him.
ANDREA
Good nap?
ROBERT
Uh...no.
AnDREA
Did you get much done?
Robert's first page is on the desk in front of him. It's covered in red ink.
ROBERT
A little.
ANDREA
Uh-huh. It's time to get ready.
ROBERT
Okay. I'll be there in a minute.
She looks down at the page, then back up at Robert.
ANDREA
One minute, no more.
Andrea leaves.
BEDroom - moments LATER
Robert and Andrea get dressed. Andrea pulls on a pair of tights with too much force and rips them.
AnDREA
Darn it!
RoBERT
Don't you have another pair? You should always have two of everything, in case...
Andrea leaps to her feet and marches past him, dismissing him with a wave of her hand.
RoBERT
(continuing, under his breath)
...you rip one.
AnDREA
What was that?
ROBERT
Nothing.
Andrea retrieves another pair of tights from the dresser drawer. She walks over to Robert.
ANDREA
Please. I'm begging you. No critiques tonight.
Robert starts to protest, but is cut off.
ANDREA
Not the food, not the wine, not the gifts --- not even your mother's dress. Just let it be.
RoBERT
But...
ANDREA
Shh! Let it be. Say it after me.
ROBERT
This is silly...
The look on Andrea's face is anything but silly.
ROBERT
Let it be.
AnDREA
Thank you. I love you, you big nitpicking perfectionist overbearing ---
ROBERT
Please, enough with the compliments. It's embarrassing.
They lock eyes.
ROBERT
Honestly, why do you put up with me?
She leans in and kisses him.
Andrea
I don't know. Because I love you?
ROBERT
I love you more.
ANDREA
That's why.
She kisses him again, on the cheek, turns and --- grabbing her purse --- walks out of the room.
A small black book slips from her purse and hits the floor as she exits.
ROBERT
Honey, you dropped...
ANDREA (O.S.)
Let it be.
Robert pauses, then walks over and picks up the book. He turns it over to look at the cover.
INSERT - POETRY BOOK
The cover reads: "Our Love by Andrea Adams."
BEDROOM
Robert begins flipping through it.
POETRY BOOK
The pages are filled with poems and pictures of Andrea and Robert.
BEDROOM
Robert reads for a moment, then looks around the room. He walks over to the bedside table and picks up a pen.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
In an elegant private room, a small gathering of guests talk and laugh. Robert pushes his chair back and stands.
ROBERT
If I could have everyone's attention.
The guests quiet and turn their attention to Robert as Andrea stands and joins him.
ROBERT
We wanted to thank everyone for being with us tonight, especially those who've travelled from out of town ---
Peter, seated at Robert's table raises his glass in the air.
PETER
You're welcome.
ROBERT
(to Peter)
--- or returned to town from a short vacation. I'd especially like to thank my parents, Edna and George Goodman who came all the way from the far western suburbs to be with us tonight.
EDNA and GEORGE chuckle at the joke. Edna is dressed in turquoise from head to toe, including a tiara she wears on her head. George's tie rests haphazardly on a bulging belly and only comes halfway to the third button on his shirt.
ROBERT
And I'd also like to thank my beautiful bride-to-be, Andrea, without whom...well, without whom none of us would be here.
PETER
A toast to the happy couple!
Peter raises his glass to his lips and drinks before anyone else can join him. Robert smiles weakly, raises his glass and drinks.
ROBERT
Thanks Pete.
PETER
You're welcome.
ROBERT
And now, I believe Andrea has something to say.
Andrea smiles.
ANDREA
I want to thank you all for coming and to echo Robert's sentiments. We have some things to hand out for each of you, but before we get to that ---
(she turns to face Robert and smiles)
--- I have something for you.
Andrea reaches inside her purse and pulls out the little black book of poetry as Robert's heart sinks into his shoes. He reaches for it but she won't let him have it.
ANDREA (CONT'D)
Wait a minute, silly. I have something to read to you.
ROBERT
You really don't have to ---
ANDREA
(puzzled)
But I want to.
Andrea opens the book to the first page and her face falls slack.
INSERT BOOK
Robert has edited her poem, filling the page with red marks.
RESTAURANT
Robert looks devastated as Andrea's eyes lift from the page to meet his.
ROBERT
I'm sorry...
AnDREA
I --- I think maybe I'll save this a little while longer.
(pause)
Excuse me.
ROBERT
Honey, I didn't mean ---
But she turns and rushes from the room. Robert attempts a smile but is unsuccessful.
ROBERT
She always gets emotional when she reads.
(raising his glass)
Keep eating, keep drinking ---
Peter
A toast to the happy couple!
ROBERT
--- and I'll be right back.
RESTAURANT HALLWAY
Robert rushes into view to find Andrea crying as she flips through the book. When she sees him, she shakes her head in disgust and drops the book in her purse. She approaches him.
ROBERT
I'm so sorr ---
She walks right past him.
AnDREA
You have two hours until the guests leave. After that, I'm not speaking to you.
INT. Restaurant bar - much later
Robert is at the bar. His chin hangs as low as his spirits as he nuzzles a glass of wine.
Finally, Peter sidles up to the bar and takes a seat next to him.
PETER
Hey man, thanks for the ---
He turns a small object around in his hand.
PETER
--- what is this exactly?
ROBERT
(mumbling)
It's a pin. For your lapel.
PETER
Ah.
He puts the pin in his pocket.
PETER
Now, I've got something for you.
ROBERT
Keep it. There's not going to be a wedding. She's never going to speak to me again.
PETER
Sure she will. She can't help it. She's a woman.
ROBERT
Those kinds of comments won't help.
PETER
You'll be on speaking terms by the time you get home.
ROBERT
I think it's worse than that.
PETER
You think everything's worse than it is. Which is why ---
(he reaches inside his jacket)
--- I brought you this.
He holds in the air something that resembles an overstuffed dead bird with a hole blown through it's midsection.
ROBERT
What is it?
PETER
Take a guess.
ROBERT
Road kill?
PETER
It's a Dreamthrower!
ROBERT
Don't you mean "dreamcatcher?"
PETER
That's what I thought, but no.
FLASHBACK - WHO DO VOODOO?
The small, elderly Asian woman speaks in her thick Cajun accent.
Asian WOMAN
Dream "catcher" catch da bad juju before it get to you and give you da bad dream.
RESTAURANT
ROBERT
Juju.
PETER
Right. But the dream "thrower" --- well it's supposed to give you good dreams.
Who DO VOODOO?
Asian woman
That's not what I say!
RESTAURANT
Peter
Or something like that...
ROBERT
Good juju?
PETER
Exactly.
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN - LATE THAT NIGHT
Robert drops his keys on the floor as he shuffles into the kitchen. He looks like he might bend down to pick them up, but then thinks better of it.
The clock on the microwave oven glows 1:42 a.m.
He sees the dishwasher is slightly open as he walks by. He pushes it closed and it grudgingly rumbles to life.
BEDROOM
Robert stumbles into the bedroom and flips on the light. The bed is empty.
ROBERT
Andrea?
HALLWAY
He stumbles into the hallway and sees Andrea through a doorway at the end of the hall. She's putting sheets on the guest bed.
RoBERT
Honey?
Andrea turns and looks at him, but her face registers no expression.
Robert smiles as Andrea walks toward the door, closing it. Robert's smile disappears as the door clicks shut.
BEDROOM
Robert sits in bed halfheartedly flipping through "20 Mistakes Homebuilders Make", but his eyes are drooping. He fights sleep valiantly, but soon his chin falls to his chest and he's out like a light.
The sound of the dishwasher lingers for a moment, then also fades... to total darkness and silence.
INT. THE NEW HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Robert is standing in his pajamas in his new home, which has magically been completed and, though unfurnished, is immaculate. Bright moonlight streams through all of the windows of his spacious and modern kitchen. He caresses the granite counter tops around the sink, and thirstily smacks his mouth.
ROBERT
Wonder if Andrea unpacked the...
He looks down in his hand, which is holding a tall glass of water.
ROBERT
...glassware.
It's weird, but thirst overtakes curiosity.
FIRST FLOOR
Robert saunters proudly through the dining room, the living room, the foyer. He smiles --- it looks magnificent!
He lays his hand on the banister and heads up stairs.
SECOND FLOOR
The inspection continues: bedrooms, master bath, all look perfect. As he heads back to the hallway, something catches his eye...
A nail.
One single nail has popped out of the plaster, not more than half an inch.
ROBERT
Huh. Well, that's not too bad. I'll just go get a...
A hammer appears in his hand.
ROBERT
...hammer.
Robert hammers it down, straightens his shirt and begins to walk away.
Pop!