OPEN ON:
EXT. PENITENTIARY – MORNING
We follow a pair of feet in black heels on a sidewalk heading for the interior of the penitentiary. We PAN UP the pair of legs to see a young woman in a black dress, black gloves and black sunglasses. NICHOLETTE LOOMIS, now a college student come to full bloom, dressed in black funeral clothes.
INT. PENITENTIARY – HOLDING AREA
Nicholette hands in her ID to a guard and allows herself to be body scanned. The guard nods, handing her back her ID.
GUARD: She's in through there. But don't be surprised if you get a frosty reaction. She's had quite a bad morning. Not really in the mood for company. Bit one of our guards on the finger.
NICHOLETTE: She'll want to see me, don't you worry.
INT. PENITENTIARY – MEETING AREA – NIGHT
Nicholette sits herself at a table. She crosses her legs and waits patiently, looking out the barred windows. Other meetings with inmates are occurring around her. A grizzled looking man is yelling obscenities at his wife and daughter. Nearby, a cute college-aged kid tries to catch her eye. Nicholette turns her head, ignoring him.
A figure sits down across from her. Two guards bind the figures' wrists with cuffs before traipsing off, leaving Nicholette alone with the prisoner. The camera pans up to reveal the face – JILL ROBERTS. Jill eyes Nicholette up and down, eyebrow raised.
JILL: You're dressed nice.
NICHOLETTE: I always dress nice.
JILL: You look you're about to go to a funeral.
NICHOLETTE: I am.
JILL: Oh. Awkward.
NICHOLETTE: I'm leaving on a flight right after this. Heading to Jersey. My Great Aunt Nessa passed away the other night.
JILL: I'm sorry.
NICHOLETTE: Eh, we weren't that close. My mom's busted up about it and Dewey is too. Apparently they were close to her as kids. I'd rather not see Aunt Joni though.
JILL: Who?
NICHOLETTE: Great Aunt Nessa's super-bitchy, hyper-critical daughter.
JILL: She sounds fun.
NICHOLETTE: Hardly. She hates my Dad, always wanted to see her and my Mom split up. Now apparently she's finally gotten her way …
JILL: How are you handling the separation?
NICHOLETTE: Not good. Mom stayed in Jersey, Dad moved back here to California. I had the choice of who I wanted to stay with so I picked Dad. Not that I don't love Mom but I got attached to Woodsboro. And Dewey. And Gale. And Kirby. Even DJ.
JILL: Ah, how is Kirby? She hasn't been to see me in a while …
NICHOLETTE: Believe it or not she's in New York. A friend of hers is auditioning for Broadway and she's offering "moral support" as she calls it. She and I actually have plans to meet up while I'm in Jersey. We'll send you a video message.
JILL: I'd like that. (Beat) Okay, so there's a reason I asked you to come see me today.
NICHOLETTE: Does it have anything you biting a guard?
JILL: He had it coming. I felt his finger slip when he frisked me this morning. (Beat) Look, this may be the last time you see me. For a while at least.
NICHOLETTE: What do you mean?
JILL: They're moving me. Well, several of us. "Juvenile offenders."
NICHOLETTE: You're over 18.
JILL: Yeah, but I wasn't when I was arrested. Some new rehabilitation program the government came up with. "The Reclamation Initiative." I was randomly selected.
NICHOLETTE: What does that mean?
JILL: Apparently they take people that were teenage offenders, stick them in some camp – heavily guarded of course – and spend day after day, year after year out in nature. Supervised by psychologists. It's supposed to be therapeutic. And apparently it turns them into bright, upstanding members of society.
NICHOLETTE: Where are they taking you?
JILL: No idea. Only found out this morning. They'll be moving me tonight. Not only that, but we're also not supposed to have contact with the outside world. So you may not hear from me for a while.
NICHOLETTE: Jill …
JILL: Hey, no sweat. I deserve all this, remember?
NICHOLETTE: I don't think so. You redeemed yourself.
JILL: No I haven't.
NICHOLETTE: I think you have. You may have planned to kill people but when it counted you didn't follow through. That counts for something.
JILL: Yeah, well, try telling the appeals court.
Two guards appear at Jill's side.
GUARD: Time's up.
JILL: Already? That was barely five minutes!
The guards grab Jill and pull her from her seat and begin leading her away. Nicholette stands up.
NICHOLETTE: Jill – this isn't goodbye! We'll figure something out on the outside to get you out of this.
JILL: Thanks Nicky – but don't worry about me. I'm paying for my crimes and who knows? Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered. Take care of yourself, kid.
Nicholette watches as Jill is led away. She lowers her head.
NICHOLETTE: You too …
EXT. PENITENTIARY – MORNING
We follow Nicholette outside the penitentiary. A handsome young man in a black suit is waiting for her by his sports car. She walks up to him, throws her arm around his neck and pulls him in for a kiss. Her boyfriend – DANNY REUBEN.
DANNY: We're running late.
NICHOLETTE: We'll just make it.
DANNY: With the traffic on the freeway, are you kidding me?
NICHOLETTE: (annoyed) You didn't have to come.
DANNY: Okay, I'm sorry. Flights make me nervous is all. (Puts his arms around her waist, pulls her in closer) Besides … I've gotta be there to support my girl. And with you looking as fantastic as you do – I gotta make sure no other man swoops in and snatches you up.
NICHOLETTE: Charmer, like usual. (Gives him a peck on the cheek). Just make sure you make a good impression on Mom. Dad may like you but my Mother … well, she thinks you're the reason I stayed in California instead of with her.
DANNY: I'd like to think I had that kind of power over you.
Nicholette gets into passenger side of his car. Danny stares up at the penitentiary. He turns and enters the driver's seat.
EXT. BROADWAY – NYC – AFTERNOON
Broadway in New York City is bustling like always. We see several advertisements for plays and a sign advertising a casting call for this season's Phantom of the Opera.
INT. AUDITION WAITING ROOM – AFTERNOON
KIRBY REED sits bored, legs crossed, on her phone as her one friend – LUCY MAPLE – paces back and forth, anxiously looking at the clock.
KIRBY: Will you sit down?
LUCY: I haven't practiced this morning … I didn't have time … Oh, that'll cost me …
KIRBY: Seriously, you're psyching yourself out and you're agitating me. Sit down. Relax. Do some meditation. Have a Prozac.
LUCY: You know I've always dreamed of landing the role of Christine – I've been preparing for this role since college. You know what this means to me!
KIRBY: Yes. That's why I'm here. For moral support.
She flashes a cheesy grin and gives Lucy two thumbs up.
KIRBY: You're gonna get the role. And if not, there's always next season. Or something. You don't have to be tied down to this one gig. You were offered the role of Netta in Pagliacci. You can speak and sing fluent Italian! That's no small potatoes.
LUCY: (sighing) You're right.
KIRBY: Of course I am. I'm Kirby, I'm always right. Well, except for my taste in men.
LUCY: Speaking of which – Ace is late.
KIRBY: Too busy applying the last ounce of hairspray to his well-mannered eyelashes.
As if on cue, a door to the audition room is flung open. A real piece of work enters – ACE RINALDO, wannabe actor and superstar. His hair is perfect, not a hair out of place. His eyelashes have been curled, his fingers well-manicured and he strolls in wearing a fur coat like he owns the place. He waves his hand in Lucy's face as he passes.
ACE: Ladies, the star of the show is here.
KIRBY: You haven't even auditioned!
ACE: I don't even need to, I am Ace Rinaldo, superstar and they might as well just give me the part right now. I don't see why we're even wasting our time auditioning.
KIRBY: You're not a superstar.
ACE: I am a superstar. I have over ten thousand Instagram followers –
LUCY: Ace Rinaldo isn't even your real name.
ACE: It's called a stage name; all superstars have one.
KIRBY: I remember when you were just a geeky Brooklyn kid named Jesse Jergenstein.
ACE: Whatever, when I'm starring in Hollywood A-List Movies, I'd invite you to the premieres but by that point you two would be way beneath me.
A member of the production staff enters holding a clipboard.
PRODUCTION STAFFER: Ugh, Ace Rinaldo? Is there an Ace Rinaldo here?
ACE: Ladies … my moment in the camera awaits.
CUT TO:
INT. THEATER – AFTERNOON
The casting director of this season's show – NATHAN D'ELAMORE – sits in the front row of the auditorium, surrounded by other members of the production team. He looks down at his clipboard as Ace struts onto the stage.
NATHAN: Ace … I'm sorry, how do you pronounce your last name?
Ace plants his feet on the floor, hands on hips, throws his head back.
ACE: I am Ace Rinaldo, singer, actor, superstar.
NATHAN: (eyeing Ace up and down, completely skeptical) You're not a superstar …
ACE: I am a superstar.
NATHAN: Then why have we never heard of you?
ACE: Ugh, whatever, just tell me what you want me to do. I have a hair appointment in an hour and then Geit is doing my facial …
NATHAN: Geit?
ACE: Just let me sing.
The lights go out and a spotlight flashes on Ace. He's auditioning for the role of the Phantom and he's going to sing The Music of the Night. He stands, confident as he prepares for his role.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDITION WAITING ROOM – AFTERNOON
Kirby and Lucy sit, watching Ace on the television screen.
LUCY: He looks so confident. I wish I had his nerves.
KIRBY: (Knows what's coming) Just wait …
CUT TO:
INT. STAGE – AFTERNOON
Ace begins singing.
ACE: (singing) Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation, Darkness stirs and wakes imagination, Silently the senses abandon their defenses
It's an absolute farce. As he sings, Ace's Brooklyn accent comes out and he basically yell-talks the whole song. Everyone in the audience holds their hands up to their ears.
NATHAN: Okay, stop, stop, STOP!
Ace goes silent, completely confident that he got the part and blew the audience away with his voice.
NATHAN: Who on earth ever gave you the impression that you can sing?
Ace's eyes flash. He goes into full-on sass mode, holding his hand up.
ACE: Hold on, I don't think you realize –
NATHAN: That was the most grotesque noise I ever heard and I used to be a manager for Fergie.
Ace looks like he's been slapped.
ACE: Who the hell are you to tell me that I can't sing? No, honestly, who are you?
NATHAN: Alright Ace, that's enough –
ACE: No, I demand to see your credentials because for you to have the audacity to hear my voice and say I can't sing, who are you? Clearly you haven't worked long in showbiz because –
NATHAN: Alright, security …
Two buff guards grab Ace under his arms and lift him. He's still running his mouth as they carry him offstage.
ACE: Oh, oh you're having security remove me because I'm such a threat to you! This isn't over, you'll be hearing from my publicist, you haven't heard the last of ACE RINALDO!
His voice trails off as he's carried out the building. Nathan looks at the rest of his production team and they have a horrified look on their face.
INT. AUDITION WAITING ROOM – AFTERNOON
Kirby is in hysterics as they watch Ace get escorted off the premises.
KIRBY: Knew it!
LUCY: What if that happens to me?
KIRBY: One, you're a fabulous singer. Two, you're not a self-entitled, narcissistic asshat with delusions of grandeur. You'll be fine. We'll celebrate your new role with drinks later. My old friend Nicholette is gonna be in Jersey tonight.
LUCY: Thanks for being there for me, Kirbz.
A production team member enters.
PRODUCTION STAFFER: Okay, we're taking the auditions for Christine. Umm, Lucy? Is there a Lucy here?
LUCY: Okay, I'm up.
KIRBY: Break a leg.
Lucy nods, prepares to follow the staffer when a self-entitled female narcissist shoves her aside. Folks, this is –
LUCY: Chantelle Montgomery …
CHANTELLE MONTGOMERY, full-on actress, played several leads on Broadway. She wears furs herself and sunglasses inside – the female version of Ace yet actually successful. She addresses the staffer.
CHANTELLE: You don't need to see any other actresses, your Christine is here.
STAFFER: Yes, Miss Montgomery, I saw you, but you still have to audition like everyone else.
CHANTELLE: Fine. Let me blow Nathan away again.
LUCY: (whispering to Kirby) She knows the director …
The staffer leads Chantelle to the stage. She lowers her sunglasses to look at Lucy.
CHANTELLE … and if this is my competition …
She throws her head back and lets out a sarcastic laugh as she follows the staffer to the stage. Lucy hangs her head and begins to gather her belongings.
KIRBY: What are you doing?
LUCY: I can't compete with Chantelle Montgomery. Unlike Ace, she actually is a superstar. I never should've come here …
KIRBY: Hey, you can't just give up! I gave up a weekend in California's beaches for this! If you give up, you can find your own way home!
LUCY: Face it, Kirby, I just can't –
KIRBY: Look at me. It doesn't matter if you get the part or not. But if you don't even try, you'll always kick yourself. Do you really want to go home, look at yourself in the mirror and say you never gave it your best shot?
Lucy stares back into Kirby's eyes. She sighs and drops her belongings back on a sofa.
LUCY: No. No you're right, I'd hate myself.
KIRBY: Good girl!
Chantelle enters the room again, grinning.
CHANTELLE: Good luck … but why even try at this point?
She flashes Lucy an evil grin. Lucy clenches her fists and turns to the production staffer. She smiles at Kirby over her shoulder.
LUCY: Guess I'm up.
INT. AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
Nathan and his staffers watch as Lucy enters.
NATHAN: Last audition of the day. Miss …?
LUCY: Maple. Lucy Maple.
NATHAN: Very well, Lucy. Go ahead please.
The music begins. The song from the play Think of Me begins. Lucy takes a deep breath. Now or never.
LUCY: (singing) Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye …
Nathan's mouth opens. We cut to Kirby – she's giddy as a schoolgirl. Lucy – can sing.
LUCY: (singing) Remember me, once in a while, please promise me you'll try.
Nathan stands up, clutching his clipboard to his chest. A tear forms in his eye. The other staff are nodding and mumbling to each other.
We cut to Chantelle, watching from a tv screen in the audition room. She takes off her sunglasses, her eyes burning.
We center now on Lucy, all lights on her.
LUCY: (singing) Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade. They have their season so do we. But please promise me that sometimes you will think of me …
The music trails off. For a moment there's silence. Lucy breathe, sweat beading down her forehead.
The audience erupts into absolute applause. Lucy is mind-numbed.
LUCY: Was … was I good …?
NATHAN: My dear, you were absolutely stunning! We are blown away!
LUCY: Does … does this mean I get the part?
NATHAN: We'll be in touch. But let me put it this way, we only have one more day of auditions and you are top runner!
Lucy can't contain her giddiness.
NATHAN: We'll call you within a day or two with the formal award. My dear – thank you, for treating us to an absolutely breath-taking performance.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDITION WAITING ROOM – AFTERNOON
Kirby turns as the door flings open and Lucy throws herself into her friend's arms.
LUCY: They liked me! They actually liked me!
KIRBY: I saw you! There's no way you didn't get the part! Chantelle Montgomery can suck it!
LUCY: Thank Kirby, I never would've even tried without your advice.
KIRBY: Eh, don't mention it. You can make it up to me by paying for dinner when we see Nicholette later.
The two gather their belongings, Lucy absolutely elated and exhilarated.
INT. BROADWAY OFFICE – EVENING
Nathan is on the phone with one of the producers.
NATHAN: … absolutely phenomenal. She sucked the air out of the room. I think we've found our Christine, I really do. (Beat) Yes, we'll do the casting photos the day after tomorrow. Thanks again. Buh-bye.
Nathan hangs up the phone. A shadow appears in the corner of the room.
FEMALE VOICE: Nathan – you haven't forgotten our arrangement have you?
Nathan turns around as a dim light flickers on. Chantelle is lying on a sofa in his office, a night dress on, hiked up exposing her legs and feet in heels. Her white painted fingernails trace her legs. Nathan grumbles, before turning and pouring himself a bourbon.
CHANTELLE: C'mon Nathan … you remember the deal. You grease my wheels and I grease yours.
NATHAN: Your metaphors need working on.
Chantelle stands up, pressing Nathan back against the desk. She leans in, her breath in his ear.
CHANTELLE: No one steals Chantelle Montgomery's lead. No one. Or maybe you're unhappy with our arrangement? Maybe I need to go to the press. With all those stories of movie producers and executives taking advantage of their female actresses – you'd never work again. Cancel-culture and all that. Is that what you want Nathan? To be cancelled, labelled an abuser, a masochist, a pervert?
NATHAN: You can't keep blackmailing me …
CHANTELLE: I can. I will. Because I have the video evidence. The second you turn your back on me, I'll upload it. Imagine – your own teenage daughter seeing what Daddy-Dearest is really like.
His face pales. Chantelle smiles, pushing him back onto his desk, straddling him.
CHANTELLE: Or, we can continue having fun … a hidden, sordid love affair. I stay the star. You keep your secrets and get your jollies rocked.
NATHAN: Chantelle … please … we can't … not again …
CHANTELLE: Shhh ….
Chantelle kisses down his neck. Unbuttons his shirt. He loses himself, lets himself be given over to her. He's powerless.