Sliders - 29.7
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OVER BLACK:
The familiar sound of "Cry Like A Man" begins.
FADE IN:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Only glimpses of sunlight break through the trees surrounding
the (possibly dirt) road. The traffic is practically
nonexistent. There is but one MAN walking along the road. At
the moment, we can only see his feet as he walks down the
road.
From this angle, we see a car approaching. As the car passes,
they HONK THEIR HORN.
FEMALE DRIVER (O.S.)
(as she passes)
Hey, Max!
MAN (O.S.)
Where are my muffins?!
There's ANOTHER HONK. This is the only response he gets, as
the car is already too far away for any meaningful
conversations.
The man continues to walk again. A moment later, another car
speeds past, travelling far too fast.
MAN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Hey, slow down!
(beat)
Kids.
He keeps on walking. He's happy. It's a nice day.
We SLOWLY PAN UP, seeing the man from behind. He carries a
cloth shopping bag in one hand and a bottle of soda in the
other.
As we reach the man's head, he stops walking. He turns around
to take in the feel of a gentle breeze, revealing to us that
he is REMBRANDT BROWN.
He's a little bit older than the last time we saw him, with
hints of gray in his hair.
After a moment, Remmy turns and continues to walk down this
road until the SONG ENDS.
INT. REMBRANDT'S APARTMENT - DAY
The apartment is small. It's an apartment located over
someone's garage, so it's pretty much one room with a small
kitchen, but Remmy has made it his own.
The door opens and Remmy walks in.
REMBRANDT
(singing to himself)
Wait a minute. I feel a tear
formin' in this eye...
(beat)
Boop-wap-wap.
He continues to hum as he walks to his kitchen area, hitting
the button on his answering machine as he begins to unpack
his groceries.
The answering machine BEEPS.
MALE VOICE (V.O.)
Hey, Max. How ya been? Listen, I'm
trying to pull together a little
poker game while Rita's at her
mother's. Just some cards and some
beers. I'm thinking Friday night.
Let me know if you're in.
The machine BEEPS AGAIN.
FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)
Max, it's Lucy. It's 10:30. I guess
you're out.
(beat)
I'll call back. Or you can call me
if you want.
(beat)
It's Lucy.
Rembrandt smiles. The machine BEEPS TWICE. No more messages.
Remmy finishes putting his groceries away and grabs the TV
remote off of the counter. He turns on his TV. The channel
that comes up is playing "Planet Of The Apes". Remmy shakes
his head and flips the channel. The news comes on.
Remmy puts the remote down and walks into the bathroom. From
O.S., we can hear water turn on.
From the TV, we HEAR AN INTERVIEW taking place.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
...always wanted to be a singer?
REMBRANDT (V.O.)
I don't know if I've always known,
but I think it's always been a part
of me. Even before I started
performing, I was singing around
the house and in school. That
didn't make the teachers too happy
during class.
The female interviewer chuckles.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
And here you are today, one of the
legends of the business. How does
that make you feel?
REMBRANDT (V.O.)
Old.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
Some say you've done some of your
best work in these later albums.
They're a far cry from your older
material.
REMBRANDT (V.O.)
We change. We go through things in
life that alter our perspective a
little bit. It's flattering that
people still connect with my music
after all these years, but I try
not to think too much about what
people say.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
Good or bad?
REMBRANDT (V.O.)
It just gets into your head, you
know? I don't want to start second
guessing my work. I don't want to
make a soul album just because
people don't like my folk albums. I
just want to do what feels right.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER (V.O.)
So, are you working on another
album yet?
REMBRANDT (V.O.)
I'm always working on the next
album.
(chuckles)
REMBRANDT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I think I'll be working on the next
album until the day I die. You
know? There's always a next album.
There's a long silence, before we hear another voice. This is
the VOICE OF A REPORTER.
REPORTER (V.O.)
That interview took place just last
week as Rembrandt was preparing for
his latest show in Las Vegas.
(beat)
Again, if you're just joining us,
we're discussing the sad news which
has rocked the music industry
today. Rembrandt "The Cryin' Man"
Brown, former singer of "The
Spinning Tops" and more recently a
celebrated solo artist and judge on
the reality series "America's Next
Great Singer" is confirmed dead
after his private plane crashed in
the Nevada desert earlier this
morning. Brown had been returning
to Las Vegas after a trip to Los
Angeles where he attended a concert
by his long-time partner, Alesha
Avo.
The WATER TURNS OFF.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A statement from Brown's former
band-mate, Maurice Fish reads: "I,
as well as all of the remaining
Spinning Tops both past and
present, are deeply saddened by the
this tragic news. Our brother,
Rembrandt, will always be in our
hearts and in the very soul of the
songs that he helped to create. As
we prepare for our tour through
America's great theme parks this
summer, we hope that fans of
Rembrandt will join us and remember
with us through the music that the
Cryin' Man loved so dearly."
Rembrandt walks out of the bathroom and looks at the TV as he
hears this statement. He's not quite sure how to react.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Again, Rembrandt "The Cryin' Man"
Brown, confirmed dead at the age of
53.
Rembrandt sits down.
INT. RATTY'S RESTAURANT - DAY
Ratty's is a family restaurant, with a home-y feel to it.
There's a bar to one side.
Remmy walks through the door, wearing a white button-up shirt
and suit pants. As he walks in, a woman walks up to him. She
is LUCY. A woman in her 50's. A quiet, almost mouse-ish woman
wearing black pants and a white shirt. The uniform of her job
as a waitresses. She smiles at Remmy.
LUCY
Did you see the news?
REMBRANDT
I saw it. Guess I won't have to
worry about mistaken identity
anymore.
LUCY
So sad. I was a fan, you know? I
used to have all of those Spinning
Tops albums until the original
group broke up.
REMBRANDT
(awkward smile)
I never knew.
LUCY
I keep it on the "down low."
Remmy chuckles.
REMBRANDT
If there is one person in this
world who cannot pull off that
saying, girl, it's you.
She smiles.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
And if there's a second, it's me.
They continue to laugh.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
Hey, is Bryce in yet? I have a card
for her daughter.
LUCY
No. She's staying home tonight.
REMBRANDT
Is it bad?
LUCY
I'm not sure how bad it is, but
Katie's just not getting over this
flu.
Remmy looks down.
REMBRANDT
I'll stop by on my break. Bring
them some dinner.
LUCY
I think they'll like that. The
question is, how much of a break
can you get on a night like
tonight?
REMBRANDT
What's tonight?
LUCY
First day of summer vacation.
REMBRANDT
Oh... Maybe I should have called in
sick.
INT. RATTY'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The restaurant is full of CUSTOMERS now. Mostly younger
people who are talking loudly and goofing around.
Rembrandt is standing near a table that has an older couple
sitting at it. They are JOE and MATTIE.
JOE
Two times, during the war. Once
after I got back.
REMBRANDT
After you got back?
JOE
Wife thought I was cheating. Took
my hunting rifle and charged at me
like a crazy person, screaming
about the institution of marriage.
REMBRANDT
And she got you?
JOE
Flesh wound, but shot is shot.
REMBRANDT
No kidding.
Rembrandt looks to Mattie.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
I'm guessing you two worked things
out?
MATTIE
Ha!
JOE
The only institution that woman's
in now has bars on the windows.
Mattie's the second wife.
Rembrandt grins.
REMBRANDT
Good to hear. I was starting to
worry.
JOE
How 'bout you, Max? Ever been shot
at?
MATTIE
You never told us if you were in
the war.
REMBRANDT
I've seen my share of fighting.
Dodged a couple here and there.
JOE
Ever get hit?
Rembrandt pauses, trying to think of what he should and
shouldn't say.
REMBRANDT
I was pretty banged up. Truth is, I
don't like to think about it too
much. That was a whole other life,
worlds away from who I am now.
Joe nods, understanding.
MATTIE
A lot of the guys I served with
were the same way when they got
home. Some things you just want to
forget.
REMBRANDT
You can say that again.
Lucy passes behind Rembrandt, carrying a tray of food for
another table.
LUCY
Max, could you get those kids on
table three for me?
REMBRANDT
Yeah.
(then, to Joe and Mattie)
Sorry, folks. Duty calls.
He smiles to them and walks off, toward table three. When he
gets there, he finds a group of high school-aged kids. Two
boys, ROD and DANNY, and two girls, CHANCE and MANDY. They're
laughing and having a good old time.
Remmy pulls out an order pad and a pen as he nears their
table.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
How's it going, kids? What can I
get you?
ROD
I could go for about a hundred
burgers right about now, man. And,
like, forty sodas.
REMBRANDT
That might take a while.
CHANCE
Just ignore him. He gets hungry
after... a long day of fishing.
We'll just have four cokes and
burgers all around.
REMBRANDT
How do you want them?
ROD
Dude... on buns.
REMBRANDT
How well done?
CHANCE
Medium.
DANNY
I want mine rare. Dripping with
blood.
REMBRANDT
We're fresh out of blood. How about
some ketchup?
DANNY
That works too.
REMBRANDT
Okay. I'll be right back with your
drinks.
Remmy walks away from the table, exchanging a look with Joe
as he makes his way to the bar for the drinks.
Behind the bar is SAM, a 20-something bar tender who looks
like he probably rides a Harley. When Remmy reaches the bar,
he grabs Sam's attention.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
Four cokes.
SAM
Sure thing.
Remmy walks to a computer at the end of the bar and starts to
input the rest of the order, for the kitchen.
Sitting at one of the stools at the bar is an OLDER WOMAN who
is looking at Rembrandt. She says nothing.
After typing in the order, Remmy notices the woman watching
him and smiles.
REMBRANDT
I'm not him, I swear.
The woman smiles.
Remmy walks to where Sam has set up a tray with four sodas on
it. He takes the tray and walks back to the table with the
teenagers.
Remmy approaches the table from behind Rod, just as Mandy is
taking his picture with her cell phone.
MANDY
That one's going on my MyBook page.
ROD
Only if you can stand some
competition. I am an internet god.
CHANCE
You're a moron.
REMBRANDT
Here are your drinks. Burgers will
be out in a few minutes.
ROD
Like, a hundred of them?
CHANCE
Exactly like a hundred of them.
Chance looks up at Remmy and shakes her head, telling him to
ignore the moron that is Rod.
Remmy smiles and walks away from the table, toward Joe and
Mattie. As he gets closer to their table, Joe and Mattie
smile at him.
JOE
I try to tell myself I never acted
like that when I was a kid.
MATTIE
Just keep telling yourself that.
REMBRANDT
Sad to say, I might have been
worse. Only, I didn't have MyBook
around to make it as public.
JOE
World was a lot bigger before the
internet.
REMBRANDT
Amen to that.
Remmy continues to smile as he walks off, toward another
table.
DISSOLVE TO:
RATTY'S RESTAURANT - TWO MONTHS LATER - DAY
It's the middle of the day now, and there are only a few
customers in the restaurant.
Rembrandt is sitting at the bar, drinking a soda and talking
with Sam.
SAM
We were supposed to play at
Iggie's, in New York last summer,
but the show got canceled last
minute.
REMBRANDT
Tough break.
SAM
You're telling me? That was our
last shot. Two of the guys ended up
going to school after that, and I
ended up back here.
REMBRANDT
It's not too late, you know?
SAM
Feels it.
A middle-aged woman, MARCY WEBB, walks to the bar and sits a
couple of stools away from Rembrandt. Sam goes to her.
SAM (CONT'D)
What can I get for you, ma'am?
MARCY
I'll just have a coffee, thank you.
Sam nods and heads off to get the coffee. Rembrandt exchanges
smiles with Marcy, just being polite. Long after he's ready
to go back to his own business, Marcy continues to stare.
Rembrandt grows increasingly uncomfortable with the woman who
is staring at him, but tries to ignore her as he drinks his
soda.
Sam returns with the woman's coffee. As he puts it in front
of her, he notices that she's staring at Rembrandt.
He thinks this odd, but doesn't say anything to her. Instead,
he walks back to Remmy and the two exchange a look.
SAM
Need a refill?
REMBRANDT
No thanks. My shift starts soon.
SAM
Since when do you work days?
REMBRANDT
Since Bryce had to spend the day at
the hospital with Katie.
Sam is obviously upset to hear that.
SAM
Damn.
REMBRANDT
I'm not sure this things gonna get
any better.
SAM
What about chemo?
REMBRANDT
They're on the waiting list, but it
could be months.
SAM
Yeah.
Silence falls between the two men. Neither of them knows
quite what to say next.
Sam is eventually the one to break the silence.
SAM (CONT'D)
I should check on...
(beat)
I'll be in the kitchen if you need
me.
Remmy nods, and Sam walks off, into the kitchen.
Remmy takes one last sip of his drink, and then walks around
the bar to get ready for work.
After a few seconds, he looks up and notices that Marcy is
still looking at him. She smiles once again.
REMBRANDT
Can I help you with something?
MARCY
I'll just have a coffee.
REMBRANDT
Right.
Remmy looks down and sees her coffee, still untouched.
REMBRANDT (CONT'D)
Something wrong with the one you
have?
MARCY
Hmm?
Marcy looks down and sees the cup of coffee. She chuckles and
looks back to Rembrandt.
MARCY (CONT'D)
Oh.
(beat)
I'm sorry. I wasn't paying
attention.
Rembrandt isn't sure what to say next. He just looks at the
woman as though she should be wearing pajamas and attending
group therapy twice a day.
MARCY (CONT'D)
You probably think I'm crazy.
REMBRANDT
I didn't say that.
MARCY
It's just... I was such a big fan
of his, you know?
Rembrandt finally gets what she's talking about. He smiles.
REMBRANDT
I understand.
MARCY
I used to put my children to sleep
to the sound of his "Open Window"
album.
REMBRANDT
I always liked the early stuff
myself. "Cry Like A Man", and stuff
like that.
MARCY
It was okay, I guess. Just a little
fluffy for my taste.
Rembrandt's smile grows more strained.
MARCY (CONT'D)
His later stuff was just so much
more... pure, you know?
REMBRANDT
I guess so.
Marcy hesitates for a few seconds before forcing herself to
continue.
MARCY
Geez, you just look so much like
him.
REMBRANDT
I get that a lot.
MARCY
I bet you do.
(beat)
So... I mean, you could tell me.
REMBRANDT
I'm sorry?
MARCY
If you were him, you could tell me.
I wouldn't tell anyone.
REMBRANDT
Rembrandt Brown is dead, ma'am.
MARCY
No, I know. It's just... if you
were him, you could tell me.
REMBRANDT
I promise you, I'm not him.
MARCY
Okay.
Marcy looks to her coffee cup for a few seconds and then
looks back to Rembrandt.
MARCY (CONT'D)
It's just that, when I saw the
story on Celebrity Buzzwire, I had
to check it out. I had to see.
Rembrandt is thrown by that comment.
REMBRANDT
What story? Where?
MARCY
There was a story online. Some
celebrity gossip blog. They had a
picture that some kid posted on his
MyBook page and you were in the
background. Everyone's talking
about it. Rembrandt Brown, still
alive and serving drinks at
Ratty's.
Rembrandt takes a step back, looking as though he might have
a panic attack.
REMBRANDT
When did this story go online?
MARCY
This morning. I always have the
Rembrandt stories sent to me
automatically.
REMBRANDT
How convenient.
MARCY
I know. Especially with the new
album coming out next week.
REMBRANDT
Uh-huh.
Rembrandt falls silent as he tries to figure out what to do
next.
MARCY
You really could tell me. I'm your
number one fan.
Rembrandt's eyes slowly make their way back to Marcy. She
smiles once again. He's not amused.
INT. RATTY'S RESTAURANT - KITCHEN - DAY
Rembrandt walks through the kitchen, passing Sam (who is on
his cell phone) along the way.
REMBRANDT
We have a problem.
SAM
What?
(then, into cell phone)
Hold on a sec.
Remmy stops and turns to Sam.
REMBRANDT
That woman out there is convinced
that I'm Rembrandt Brown.
Sam smirks.
SAM
She's not the first one.
REMBRANDT
Yeah, well, this is the first time
anyone's been led here by an
internet gossip site.
SAM
What?
REMBRANDT
Chris' computer is hooked up to the
internet, right?
SAM
Yeah.
REMBRANDT
Let's go.
Rembrandt walks toward an office in the back. Sam follows.
SAM
(into phone)
I'll call you back.
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