Beagles

Fade in:

 

INT. SUBWAY CAR - NIGHT

 

It's winter in New York City. We are moving through a subway car in slow motion. Various characters populate the frame. There is a barbershop quartet singing "Sleigh Ride." That is our soundtrack. Across from them, we see a guy in a long black overcoat, with black make-up around his eyes flipping dual middle fingers at the singers. We move by a young mother, feeding a child with a bottle and rocking a stroller back and forth. She has a terrible look of disapproval on her face as she watches a young couple make out across from her. We pass a panhandler holding a dirty Santa hat out to the other passengers. A smug middle-aged woman, with a thick air of entitlement about her, puts a wrapped sandwich in the hat. The panhandler looks disgusted. Finally, the camera settles on a young man. He has a backpack in his lap, and he is wearing sunglasses. This is Jude. He stares straight ahead. 

 

The emergency brake suddenly engages. It is loud and screeching. Jude, along with all the other passengers lurch forward in unison. 

 

CUT TO:

 

 

Black Screen.

 

NARRATOR (V.O.)

A curious thing happened in twenty-aught-one. Judah Russell, a young college student of limited means, from Phoenix, Arizona, was on his way back to his shared apartment in Gravesend Brooklyn, when his train became immobilized. 

 

CUT BACK TO:

  

 

There is a bit of confusion, but nobody seems to be hurt. Jude stands and helps up a passenger who had fallen. 

 

JUDE 

You ok? 

 

PASSENGER

I'm good. Thanks. 

 

CONDUCTOR (O.S.)

Due to safety concerns, this train will be pulling into the next station at which point it will be put out of service until further notice. This includes all trains on the F line. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

 

JUDE

What'd she say?

 

 PASSENGER

They're shutting the train down.

 

BARBERSHOP QUARTET

(In perfect harmony) They're shutting the train down.

 

 JUDE

All of them?

 

PASSENGER

It would appear so.

 

BARBERSHOP QUARTET

(In perfect harmony) All of them.

 

JUDE

Motherfucker!

 

BARBERSHOP QUARTET

(In perfect harmony) Motherfucker!

 

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, DOWNTOWN - NIGHT

 

A New York cab chugs along. The camera is fixed on the front tire as it rolls over the icy street, bouncing and bobbing with each pothole and crack. We can hear "Winter Wonderland," by Darlene Love as it plays on the cab's radio. Suddenly the tire bursts, loud like a gunshot. 

 

CUT TO:

Black Screen. 

 

NARRATOR (V.O.)

Meanwhile, Alice Newell, a winsome young woman, and aspiring actress from Astoria, Oregon, was on her way to meet a potential romantic prospect when her taxi's tire blew.

 

CUT BACK TO:

 

 

The cab comes to rest on the side of the street. Alice emerges from the cab, still speaking to the driver.  

 

ALICE

No no no. It's not your fault. It's ok. I understand. Thanks anyway.

 

She shuts the door and looks around. She sees BEAGLE'S BAR across the street. 

 

ALICE (CONT'D)

Goddammit. 

 

She tightens her scarf against the frigid wind and starts toward the bar. 

 

EXT. NEW YORK CITY, DOWNTOWN, OUTSIDE BEAGLE’S BAR

 

The wind is blowing, and the streets are bustling as usual. Snow is flying all over, but nobody can tell if it's actually snowing or just getting blown around in an endless cycle. Either way, it's cold. Everybody's breath is visible. Jude emerges from the underground station. He huffs steam out of his mouth and flips his collar up, his only defense against the wind.  

 

NARRATOR (V.O.)

These incidents were not particularly curious in themselves. No, not at all. These things happen all the time. What was curious was what happened next.

 

Jude sees a bar across the street and makes his way over. 

 

INT. BEAGLE’S BAR - NIGHT

 

The place is relatively buzzy. There are a few regulars bellied up to the bar, each separated by an empty chair or two, just to make sure that nobody suspects they are together. They are deep in a heated debate about some sports nonsense. There are a few other patrons scattered about in the various booths and tables along the perimeter. Christmas lights are strewn about and "The Bells of St. Mary," by Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans is playing on the speakers. 

 

The front door opens, momentarily distracting everyone in the bar as the unwelcome snow and cold air blast through. Alice closes the door behind her and notices everyone staring at her. She sheepishly waves to the patrons.

 

ALICE

Sorry. 

 

Various patrons call out to her.

 

PATRON 1

Nothing to be sorry about, darling.

 

PATRION 2

Come on inside. Get warmed up.

 

Alice walks up to the bar.

 

ALICE (CONT'D)

Excuse me. Do you have a phone. 

 

The bartender looks at her for a moment and then pulls a phone from underneath the register. 

 

BARTENDER

Sure thing, Hon. Take as long as you need.

 

ALICE

Thank you.

 

She dials and waits for an answer. 

 

ALICE (CONT'D)

Hey it's me. My cab got a flat tire. -- I know, can you believe that? Just my luck, I guess.-- Oh that would be great. I'm so sorry about this. -- Still. -- Uh, I don't know. Let me ask. (To the Bartender) Excuse me. Hi. Where exactly am I right now?

 

At the same time, the door opens and Jude enters, stomping his boots, and brushing the snow from his hair. The bar is once again momentarily distracted by the cold and wind. Jude sees the other patrons staring at him. He waves.

 

JUDE

Sorry.

 

PATRON 1

Shut the goddamn door!

 

PATRION 2

Where the fuck were you raised!?

 

 

He He makes his way to the bar, just as Alice is walking away, and motions for the bartender.

 

JUDE

You got a phone? 

 

BARTENDER

Payphone. In the back, near the can. 

 

JUDE

Thanks 

 

INT. BEAGLE'S BAR HALLWAY - NIGHT

 

Jude pumps a quarter into the payphone and dials. He plugs his free ear with his thumb to drown out the noise.  

 

JUDE

Hey, Jackie -- What? No. Everything's fine. Relatively speaking anyway. Listen, my train got put out of commission. -- Yeah. I don't know. The whole line is down. The whole "F" line. I had to get out somewhere downtown. -- I don't know. They didn't say and I didn't ask. -- No, I don't know where I am. The streets don't make sense down here. -- I'm at a bar. Beagle's or something. -- Oh, excellent. That would be really excellent. It's fucking freezing outside. -- Listen, I owe you. -- Thank you, thank you. -- Ok, see you in a bit. 

 

Jude hangs up the phone and starts walking down the hallway back to the bar. Alice then turns the corner and heads into the hallway. They are walking toward each other in SLOW-MOTION. The music, still "The Bells of St Mary," swells as they get closer and closer, until they are upon each other. Jude moves to his left and flattens his back against the wall, leaving just enough space for Alice to pass. She flattens her own back against the opposite wall, and they inch by, face to face. Slowly their eyes meet. Their faces are inches apart, as they gaze into each other. The music swells and swells, and then...

 

Nothing. The SLOW-MOTION ENDS and they simply move along, without so much as a word between them.

 

INT. BEAGLE’S BAR - NIGHT 

Jude sits at the bar and orders a beer. Alice returns from the hallway, sits at a table, and sips a straw from a highball glass.

 

NARRATOR (V.O.)

All the pieces were set. 

 

The gentleman enters the bar. Alice sees him, obviously recognizes him, and gets up to greet him. She leaves her drink at the table. It looks barely touched. 

 

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

All the parts were in motion.

 

Alice hugs The Gentleman. He helps her put on her coat.

 

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

Everything was perfect.

 

Alice and The Gentleman open the door and walk out into the cold dark night.

 

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

Curious.

 

Close Up of Jude as he drinks his beer alone. We hear the door close behind him.

 

CUT TO:

Black Screen. The music stops.

 

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

Curious Indeed.

 

Title: Beagles