FADE IN
EXT. AN IMPOSSIBLE EXPANSE OF MARYLAND FARMLAND - DAY
The wind rustles the endless field of , blows over the
freshly mown meadow of soybeans, and magically sways a copse of
trees.
Its a Fall after-noon. A SUDDEN POUNDING OF GALLOPING HOOVES
breaks the pead... A HORSE and RIDER burst between the rows
of into the meadow. They are running for their lives.
CLOSE ON:
The rider is a bride -- a beautiful woman dressed in a
disheveled wedding gown, its train tattered and flying like a
knights banner out behihis is MAGGIE CARPENTER.
The horse is frothing and wild-eyed, like the bride, who turns
to look behind her in terror. The horses labored breathing
mingles with Maggies panicked gasps.
We see a WEDDING BOUQUET fly into a ditch as the horse thunders
on. Maggie gs to the reins. She looks as though she is
running from the devil himself.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. IKES APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
Establishing.
CUT TO:
EXT. IKES APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY - ESTABLISHING SHOT
EXT. NEW YORK STREET - DAY
IKE (V.O.)
Hey, Fisher, pick up. I have some
n ideas I want to bounce off you.
Not there? Okay. Listen Im thinking
of writing about those mind-numbing
informercials that are always on.
Ike walks out of his apartment building talking on cell phone.
IKE (td)
What do you think? Good idea, right?
B, down to death, pointless -- It
sucks.
Ike yells at a STRU WORKER.
IKE (td)
If you guys are here any longer,
theyre gonna make you sign a lease.
STRU WORKER
Your n should be so funny.
Ike turns and walks dowreet, talking into cell phone.
IKE
Okay, I was also thinking I might write
about...
He spots a RICH LADY with tons of diamonds getting out of a
Limousialking to a CHAUFFEUR. He goes up to her.
IKE (td)
Excuse me. I was thinking of doing an
article on limousines. What would you
say to people who never had a ce to
drive in a limo?
They walk up to her DOORMAN.
LADY
Im sorry, I dont knoeople like
that.
Ike walks off. They stare at him as he goes.
EXT. ANOTHER NEW YORK STREET - DAY
Ikes talking on the phoo his friends mae again.
IKE
(into phone)
Fisher? e on -- I know youre
sitting there laughing at me. Pick up.
I want to run an idea past you.
Ike tinues walking now in the full panic of writers block.
He pleads into his friends answering mae as he walks.
IKE (td)
(into phone)
I just could use someoo toss it
bad forth with for a few minutes,
get the juice flowing, help me. I have
an hour and twenty-seven minutes and
fifty-two seds. Hello?
He walks away from the t-shirt table towards the bar. The
Vendor calls out to him.
T-SHIRT VENDOR
Hey, Ike, when are you going to put me
in an article?
IKE
When your t-shirts stop shrinking.
Ike ehe bar. The Woman drops the shirt she was holding
and walks off with her children. The T-shirt Vendoes back
to selling his shirts.
INT. NEW YORK BAR - LATE DAY
Ike sits at the bar speaking to an attractive Woman nearby, a
MAN puts is USA Today on the bar and addresses the BARTENDER.
MAN
I see photos of a lot of dead writers