ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT.–KAYFABE–BAR AND RESTAURANT
Charlene walks into the old speakeasy style kayfabe establishment for the first time in years. She sees old friends of Jerry’s she hasn’t seen in years. They’re all happy to see each other. She engages in hugging them, and kissing them all on the cheek before sitting down at the table.
TED
We heard about your soap opera bring in trouble, are you alright?
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, I’m fine.
Jerry stands behind her with his arms wrapped around her.
JERRY
What’s important right now, is solving the problem we’re having at the gate.
Jerry and Charlene kiss before he sits down.
CHARLENE
Jerry tells me the problem is competition from shootfighting.
All of the boys at the table nod in a nervous fashion.
EDDIE
They’re beating us hands down!
Eddie looks stressed out.
CHARLENE
I know, your grandfather already filled me in.
She takes a sip of ginger ale.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
I believe the main reason fans have switched to shootfights is because they’re real shoots instead of a bunch of phonies and fakes working the marks in the crowd.
Everyone at the table looks pissed off at her ‘’real’‘ vs. ‘’fake’‘ comment.
TED
So, what are we gonna do about it?
Jerry takes a bite of his steak.
CHARLENE
Your father told me about Eddie’s idea to put on worked shootfights. And then call it ‘’entertainment’‘ to get away from the rules and regulations of the state athletic commission.
Ted shrugs shoulders.
TED
And?
Eddie smiles.
CHARLENE
And I think it shows real promise. It’d be a more mainstream version of what promoter did in the carnies where wrestling started.
Charlene smiles back at Eddie.
EDDIE
Thanks.
Charlene sighs.
CHARLENE
But, we also need to add a personal touch to it for added measure.
Jerry looks curious.
JERRY
What kind of a personal touch do you mean, baby doll?
Charlene starts laughing.
CHARLENE
I write soaps for a living, I always have a personal touch.
Jerry and Charlene hold each others hands and glance at each other.
JERRY
Such as the personal touch you always gave me in bed?
All the boys at the table bust out laughing.
CHARLENE
Yeah sure, honey. I’d touch you anywhere.
Charlene presses her hand real hard up against Jerry’s chest, and gives him a heart massage.
JERRY
You give the best heart massages on earth, darlin’.
Jerry and Charlene smile at each other.
CHARLENE
Anyway, if we promote worked shootfights under the pretense of being entertainment. We could draw more than 18,000 people, and give those shootfight promoters a run for their money.
Ted gives her a skeptical look.
TED
And what’s this personal touch of yours. You just joked about it with my Dad, but what is it for real?
Charlene gives him a seductive grin.
CHARLENE
It’s my secret, I’m not telling anyone.
Jerry and Charlene hold hands once again.
JERRY
Remember Teddy, it’s just kayfabe.
Everyone at the table starts laughing.
CHARLENE
Nothing personal.
Ted takes a sip of his liquor glass.
TED
Business goes bad, and you go crawling back to your hot young second wife for help.
Jerry shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
JERRY
Don’t give me this shit, alright Ted?
Ted gives his father a cynical look.
TED
What the hell would she know about the wrestling business, huh?
Jerry seems pissed at his son.
JERRY
Are you forgetting how many years she’s spent in soaps? And whenever she had time off, she spent time watching and learning how we operate.
Ted takes a big gulp of his liquor glass.
TED
I still don’t think it’s a good idea.
Jerry shrugs his shoulder.
JERRY
She’s a beautiful, capable woman, and I have faith in her.
Ted takes a deep breathe.
TED
Whatever you say.
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
Jerry walks onto the set of The Innocent Years, he has a familiarity with the cast and crew who’s worked there for many years. Most on the set seem ambivalent towards him because of how nasty their divorce was. He takes a seat with the writers and producers who have a cold, calm demeanor.
JERRY
So, how have you guys been?
The cast and crew of The Innocent Years gives him a cold, hard stare.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Okaaaaaaaaay. Nice to see all of you too.
Charlene shoots them a dirty look.
CHARLENE
He’s here to help us out, it wouldn’t hurt you all to be kind to him.
One of the staff writers looks astonished.
STAFF WRITER
Are you forgetting this is the same old fart who cheated on you?
Charlene has an ashamed look on his face.
CHARLENE
It’s all in the past now.
The staff writer seems kinda jaded.
STAFF WRITER
This coming from the woman who found out about the affair in the newspaper.
Charlene looks down at her feet.
CHARLENE
I would appreciate it if you’d not bring it up again. Let’s just do what we need to do here, alright?
The staff writer fans herself with her script.
STAFF WRITER
Your right, let’s go.
Charlene and the staff writer take a seat at the table where Jerry and the other writers and producers have gathered together.
CHARLENE
The reason I brought my ex-husband here because we need help with the show, and if we don’t do something in 13 weeks, we’re gone and we all lose our jobs.
The writers and producers appear to be paying attention.
PRODUCER
And how do you suggest we involve your ex-husband?
Charlene wets her lips.
CHARLENE
I just want all of you to listen to his ideas and hear what he has to say.
The producer nods in agreement.
PRODUCER
Alright Jerry, what do you have in mind?
Jerry adjusts his posture while sitting in his chair.
JERRY
We should put storytelling first, the network and the sponsors second, and the viewers third.
The writers and producers become interested.
PRODUCER
Could you elaborate?
Jerry twiddles his thumbs.
JERRY
Don’t tell the network or the advertisers about what your doing beforehand. Just write and produce what you feel, and don’t let them know until the scripts are finished and the shows are ready to air.
Most of the staff is shocked at his suggestion.
PRODUCER
But if we don’t, we’ll get cancelled for sure.
Jerry looks calm and assured.
JERRY
Screw the network and the sponsors, this way they won’t mess with your stories or micro manage the show.
Everyone nods in agreement.
PRODUCER
It could work.
The writers and producers await to hear what Jerry’s gonna say next.
JERRY
It would also help if all of you learned the history of the show. The back stories of your characters would provide endless stream of good material for your stories.
A staff writer adjusts her eyeglasses.
STAFF WRITER
Yeah, it could.
The staff writer takes notes.
JERRY
This way, you’d get to know your characters so well because they’ve been around for so long. And you can find untouched facets to their lives, stories, and relationships as a result.
The staff are talking amongst themselves, almost in a positive way about Jerry’s ideas.
CHARLENE
Let’s here some more.
Jerry shrugs his shoulders and nods his head.
JERRY
For the last 20-25 years, soaps have been writing for a younger audience. It’s a key age group, but you also need to focus a great deal on the older audience because without them soaps wouldn’t even have an audience in the first place.
Jerry now has the full attention of the writers and producers.
JERRY
I wanna suggest one more thing.
Jerry stands up with the staff’s eyes still fixated on him.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
For the last 20-25 years, you’ve also been focusing on wealthy characters, and over the top plots.
Each of the individual writers and producers look at Jerry in awe of Jerry’s suggestions.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
If you switch to stories about more realistic characters, and down to earth plots, you might get better stories and better results.
Everyone starts clapping and cheering as Jerry and Charlene get up from their chairs, and take a walk down to the other end of the studio.
CHARLENE
OH GOD! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!
She grabs his face real tight and gives him a big wet kiss.
JERRY
Anything for my baby girl.
They share a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
You’ve earned something special tonight.
INT.–BEDROOM–NIGHT
Jerry and Charlene are in bed together. She has her arm around him while the two share a long passionate kiss, and moving her long fingernails up and down his hairy chest. Then moves them down his bulging stomach, and then pokes one fingernail into his gigantic bellybutton, and gives him a navel massage.
JERRY
Oooooooooooooooooh......
He kisses her and laughs.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Was it good for you as it was for me baby girl?
She nods her head.
CHARLENE
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
She puts her head on his chest and listens to his heartbeat.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Your heart’s music to my ears.
Jerry kisses Charlene on the head.
JERRY
I love you too, honey.
Charlene looks up at Jerry, and kisses him on the lips.
CHARLENE
Thank you.
He puts his arm around her.
JERRY
For what?
She gulps.
CHARLENE
For helping out with the soap opera.
Jerry takes a deep breathe while Charlene has her hand on his stomach.
JERRY
I said I’d do anything for you, didn’t I? And besides, you’ve been a big help with the wrestling territory.
Jerry holds her closer.
CHARLENE
I feel so scared right now.
Jerry holds his head up.
JERRY
About losing the soap opera?
She nods her head.
CHARLENE
Uh huh.
He pets her hair once again.
JERRY
Awwwwwwwwww, I won’t let anything happen to you, darlin’. I swear to god.
Charlene looks into Jerry’s eyes.
CHARLENE
You mean it?
He nods his head.
JERRY
Cross my heart.
Jerry makes a crucifix motion on his chest with his finger, and Charlene kisses the spot on his chest where he just made the crucifix motion.
CHARLENE
You mean to tell me your not afraid of your wrestling promotion going broke?
Jerry raises his eyebrows at the thought of her question.
JERRY
I’d hate to see it go, but I’ll be fine. I got some money saved up.
Charlene chuckles.
CHARLENE
Hiding behind the whole tough wrestling promoter exterior. What a bunch of bullshit.
She continues to chuckle.
JERRY
What? You don’t think I have a real back up plan?
Charlene shakes her head and chuckles some more.
CHARLENE
Your just some insecure 5 year old boy who needs me to give him a stomach rub.
Jerry raises his arms and folds them behind his head.
JERRY
Well then, give it to me baby. What are you waiting for?
She places a hand on his bare stomach, and starts massaging it.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh darlin’! Oh it feels good!
She digs deeper into his stomach, even once again digging her sharp fingernail into his navel.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
She starts kissing the hairline which reaches from Jerry’s abdomen to his navel. But pauses for a second.
CHARLENE
Oh my god!
Charlene looks startled.
JERRY
What is it?
Jerry gives her a strangle look.
CHARLENE
What is everyone gonna think when they find out we slept together?
Jerry becomes confused.
JERRY
So what?
Charlene looks kinda pissed.
CHARLENE
What do you mean so what? We’re divorced, remember?
Jerry starts laughing.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
What’s so funny?
Charlene glances at Jerry with an angry smirk.
JERRY
I’ve slept with everything on the road anyway! Why can’t I sleep with my ex-wife?
Charlene still looks angry at Jerry with her arms now crossed.
CHARLENE (IN A SARCASTIC TONE)
Funny, funny, funny. You are so god damn funny.
Jerry busts out laughing.
JERRY
I know I am.
Jerry continues laughing while Charlene still looks pissed.
CHARLENE
Your also full of shit!
INT.–KAYFABE–BAR AND RESTAURANT
Jerry and the rest of the boys are back at the speakeasy style kayfabe establishment. They’re all drinking liquor, laughing, and eating food. All the guys at the table raise their glasses, and salute each other by slamming the glasses together.
ONE OF THE BOYS
So, I heard you and the ex-wife slept together last night.
Jerry holds his head down in embarrassment.
EDDIE
Is it true Grandpa?
Ted doesn’t look too pleased.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Come on! Out with it now! Out with it!
Jerry is rubbing his head against
JERRY
Yeah, I slept with her! So what?
One of the boys takes a sip of his scotch with an evil grin on his face.
JERRY (LOOKING AT HIM)
What are you laughing at?
The guy busts out laughing even harder.
THE GUY
NOTHING!
The guy still smirks a bit.
ONE OF THE BOYS
So are you and her getting back together?
Jerry looks confused.
JERRY
Why the hell would we be getting back together?
Another one of the boys shakes his head.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Well, you slept with her....no shit!
Jerry looks pissed.
JERRY
Just because I slept with her doesn’t mean we’re getting back together.
All the boys at the table start laughing.
EDDIE
Yeah, sure it doesn’t.
Eddie crosses his arms and raises his eyebrows at his grandfather.
JERRY
Just drop it, alright kiddo?
Eddie starts laughing
JERRY
I mean it Eddie!
Another one of the boys has a smirk on his face.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
So, when are the nuptials?
Jerry sighs.
JERRY
We ain’t getting re-married!
One of the guys at the table looks sad.
GUY AT TABLE
Awwwwwwwww, why not?
Jerry gets grouchy.
JERRY
We’re not getting back together, enough is enough!
One of the boys gets sober.
ONE OF THE BOYS
We were just joking! Jesus Christ, Jerry!
An expression of authority comes over Jerry’s face.
JERRY
Next time, watch what you joke about!
Another one of the boys seems startled.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Geez, calm down!
Eddie has his feet propped up the table with a smartass grin.
EDDIE
Someone’s sensitive.
Ted makes a motion to Jerry.
TED
Dad, can I speak to you for a minute?
Jerry nods his head.
JERRY
Alright.
Jerry and Ted get up from the table, and walk over to a dark corner.
TED
What the hell were you thinking?
Jerry looks as if he’s been caught off guard.
JERRY
She and I just slept together, big deal!
Ted seems kinda pissed.
TED
Of course it’s a big deal, the two of you divorced years ago.
Jerry shakes head and chuckles.
JERRY
Me and her getting back together after we divorced isn’t why your pissed.
Ted seems confused.
TED
What are you talking about?
Jerry rubs his chin with his finger.
JERRY
Your still pissed at me for marrying her after your Mama died.
Ted gets pissed and starts walking off.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh come on, Teddy.
Jerry tries to grab him, but Ted pushes his father away.
TED
I don’t wanna hear it!
Ted walks away and Jerry tries to follow him.
JERRY
Look, Teddy.......
Ted turns around and looks him dead in the eye.
TED
How could slept with Charlene after you cheated on her?
Jerry looks down at his feet.
JERRY
I was just closing a business deal, get a grip.
Ted looks disgusted at his father.
TED
Is this all people in the wrestling business think about is sleeping around?
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
Charlene is working on the set with a staff writer on The Innocent Years. They’re flipping through the staff writer’s script, and the soap opera writer makes changes to it with a red pen.
STAFF WRITER
Are you and Jerry getting back together?
Charlene starts laughing.
CHARLENE
What?
The staff writer gives Charlene a certain look.
STAFF WRITER
The whole set is buzzing about it.
Charlene has an astonished look on her face.
CHARLENE
Why?
The staff writer bends over to whisper.
STAFF WRITER
They keep going on and on and on about how you and him sleeping together last night.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, we did.
The staff writer is shocked.
STAFF WRITER
Oh my god! How could you?
Charlene looks confused.
CHARLENE
How could I what?
The staff writer sighs.
STAFF WRITER
How could you sleep with him after he ran around on you all those years ago?
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
As I’ve said before, it was a long time ago.
The staff writer seems disappointed.
STAFF WRITER
But still it goes against everything women have fought for since the ‘60's.
Charlene gives her a skeptical look.
CHARLENE
How does it go against woman’s liberation?
The staff writer bugs her eyes out and takes a deep breathe.
STAFF WRITER
Dignity, for one thing.
Charlene laughs.
STAFF WRITER (CONTINUED)
Your degrading yourself sleeping with the man who cheated on you.
Charlene leans back in her chair.
CHARLENE
And?
The staff writer gets frustrated.
STAFF WRITER
And, your selling yourself to him as if you were some cheap piece of meat.
Charlene turns her attention back towards the staff writer.
CHARLENE
We were just closing a business deal.
The staff writer can’t believe her ears.
STAFF WRITER
Good god, what were you thinking?
Charlene looks at the staff writer as if she’s making a big deal out of nothing.
CHARLENE
I guess I still love him.
The staff writer becomes appauled.
STAFF WRITER
Oh god Charlene, you need some professional help!
Charlene gets up from her chair.
CHARLENE
Are you forgetting he’s also trying to help save the show from being replaced by some flavor of the month reality show?
The staff writer appears humble.
STAFF WRITER
Your right, I’m sorry.
Charlene smiles.
CHARLENE
It’s alright.
The staff writer looks down at her script which Charlene had just been proofreading.
STAFF WRITER
So, are you done yet?
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Not yet, but almost, though.
Charlene smiles.
STAFF WRITER
Anything you wanna go over about the episode I wrote?
Charlene nods.
CHARLENE
Maybe later, after I’m finished looking at it.
The staff writer nods back.
STAFF WRITER
Alright.
Charlene sits back down at chair, and resumes proofreading the staff writer’s script with her red pen.
STAFF WRITER (CONTINUED)
Any idea what day my episode will be taped?
Charlene checks the taping schedule laying next to the script.
CHARLENE
It might be sometime during the middle of the week.
The staff writer smiles.
STAFF WRITER
Thanks.
Charlene smiles back.
CHARLENE
No problem.
The staff writer looks kinda nervous.
STAFF WRITER
I hope everything works out with Jerry, and I hope he can pull through for us.
Charlene gets up from her chair one more time.
CHARLENE
Oh, thank you. I appreciate what you just said more than you will ever realize.
INT.–KITCHEN–MORNING
Jerry and Charlene are sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast. The wrestling promoter is reading an issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated while the soap opera writer reads an issue of Soap Opera Digest. They glance over at each other’s magazines, and they notice their business arrangement and one night stand has made the cover of both magazines.
CHARLENE
Oh my god! They know!
Jerry looks at the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated which has an old photo of him and Charlene from when they were married with the caption reading ‘’Legendary Wrestling Promoter Jerry Daniels gets back together with much younger second wife’‘.
JERRY
Wonder who told em.
Charlene glares at the cover of Soap Opera Digest which has a photo of her in a glitzy and glamourous gown holding an Emmy award with the caption reading ‘’Emmy Award Winning Writer and Producer Charlene Dobson Takes Back Ex-Husband’‘.
CHARLENE
Now everyone knows............ Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!
Jerry takes a bite of his scrambled eggs.
JERRY
Don’t worry about it, this happens all the time.
Charlene crosses her arms.
CHARLENE
Yeah, in The National Enquirer.
Charlene bites into her toast.
JERRY
So what? Everyone knows we’re back together, big deal!
Charlene gets up out of her chair, and looks out the window.
CHARLENE
Do you realize how many heads are gonna turn the next I go to the studio or the next time you go to an arena?
Jerry gets up, walks over to the window, and wraps his arms around Charlene.
JERRY
So what baby girl? Let em stare at us, let em get a get a look at the hottest couple around.
Charlene pulls away from Jerry’s grip.
CHARLENE
This ain’t some Hollywood publicity stunt to promote some big movie, this is our real life they’re exploiting here!
Charlene throws her arms up in the air and shrugs her shoulders.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Why aren’t you upset about this?
Jerry gives Charlene a kiss on the lips and a hug.
JERRY
A long time ago, I learned not to pay any attention to these things.
Charlene doubts his comment.
CHARLENE
When?
Jerry puts his hands on his hips and looks down at his feet.
JERRY
When we got divorced.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
And when you cheated on me.
Jerry nods in agreement.
JERRY
Right.
Charlene scratches her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, I remember. This was how I found out about you and her.
Charlene looks embarrassed.
JERRY
Is this the real reason why your so upset?
Charlene nods her head again.
CHARLENE
Part of it.
Jerry hugs Charlene and kisses her.
JERRY
Look, no matter what we do, this kinda shit’s gonna happen. All we can do is deal with it the best way we can.
He wraps his arms back around her.
CHARLENE
I know. I know.
Jerry kisses Charlene on the head.
JERRY
It’s the price we have to pay for being in the spotlight, even if it is just wrestling and soaps.
Charlene starts laughing.
JERRY
Alright, let’s just worry about getting the shootfighting promotion off the ground, and improving the soap opera, and then we’ll let nature take its course.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Sounds good.
Jerry and Charlene sit back down at the table to resume their breakfast. Charlene takes a bite of a her eggs.
CHARLENE
Ewwwwwwwww, it’s cold!
Jerry shoots her a smartass grin.
JERRY
Well, they wouldn’t be cold if you hadn’t been bitching about these god damn magazines!
Charlene gives Jerry a tired look.
CHARLENE
Don’t start this shit with me.
Jerry’s smartass grin gets even wider.
JERRY
Then don’t bitch about the food.
Charlene shoots him a smartass look of her.
CHARLENE
I wouldn’t bitch about the food if it the taste didn’t resemble shit.
Jerry starts laughing.
JERRY
Your so full of shit, but I still love you.
She throws at a dishrag at him, and she gives him a big wet kiss on the lips.
FADE OUT:
INT.–KAYFABE–BAR AND RESTAURANT
Charlene walks into the old speakeasy style kayfabe establishment for the first time in years. She sees old friends of Jerry’s she hasn’t seen in years. They’re all happy to see each other. She engages in hugging them, and kissing them all on the cheek before sitting down at the table.
TED
We heard about your soap opera bring in trouble, are you alright?
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, I’m fine.
Jerry stands behind her with his arms wrapped around her.
JERRY
What’s important right now, is solving the problem we’re having at the gate.
Jerry and Charlene kiss before he sits down.
CHARLENE
Jerry tells me the problem is competition from shootfighting.
All of the boys at the table nod in a nervous fashion.
EDDIE
They’re beating us hands down!
Eddie looks stressed out.
CHARLENE
I know, your grandfather already filled me in.
She takes a sip of ginger ale.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
I believe the main reason fans have switched to shootfights is because they’re real shoots instead of a bunch of phonies and fakes working the marks in the crowd.
Everyone at the table looks pissed off at her ‘’real’‘ vs. ‘’fake’‘ comment.
TED
So, what are we gonna do about it?
Jerry takes a bite of his steak.
CHARLENE
Your father told me about Eddie’s idea to put on worked shootfights. And then call it ‘’entertainment’‘ to get away from the rules and regulations of the state athletic commission.
Ted shrugs shoulders.
TED
And?
Eddie smiles.
CHARLENE
And I think it shows real promise. It’d be a more mainstream version of what promoter did in the carnies where wrestling started.
Charlene smiles back at Eddie.
EDDIE
Thanks.
Charlene sighs.
CHARLENE
But, we also need to add a personal touch to it for added measure.
Jerry looks curious.
JERRY
What kind of a personal touch do you mean, baby doll?
Charlene starts laughing.
CHARLENE
I write soaps for a living, I always have a personal touch.
Jerry and Charlene hold each others hands and glance at each other.
JERRY
Such as the personal touch you always gave me in bed?
All the boys at the table bust out laughing.
CHARLENE
Yeah sure, honey. I’d touch you anywhere.
Charlene presses her hand real hard up against Jerry’s chest, and gives him a heart massage.
JERRY
You give the best heart massages on earth, darlin’.
Jerry and Charlene smile at each other.
CHARLENE
Anyway, if we promote worked shootfights under the pretense of being entertainment. We could draw more than 18,000 people, and give those shootfight promoters a run for their money.
Ted gives her a skeptical look.
TED
And what’s this personal touch of yours. You just joked about it with my Dad, but what is it for real?
Charlene gives him a seductive grin.
CHARLENE
It’s my secret, I’m not telling anyone.
Jerry and Charlene hold hands once again.
JERRY
Remember Teddy, it’s just kayfabe.
Everyone at the table starts laughing.
CHARLENE
Nothing personal.
Ted takes a sip of his liquor glass.
TED
Business goes bad, and you go crawling back to your hot young second wife for help.
Jerry shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
JERRY
Don’t give me this shit, alright Ted?
Ted gives his father a cynical look.
TED
What the hell would she know about the wrestling business, huh?
Jerry seems pissed at his son.
JERRY
Are you forgetting how many years she’s spent in soaps? And whenever she had time off, she spent time watching and learning how we operate.
Ted takes a big gulp of his liquor glass.
TED
I still don’t think it’s a good idea.
Jerry shrugs his shoulder.
JERRY
She’s a beautiful, capable woman, and I have faith in her.
Ted takes a deep breathe.
TED
Whatever you say.
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
Jerry walks onto the set of The Innocent Years, he has a familiarity with the cast and crew who’s worked there for many years. Most on the set seem ambivalent towards him because of how nasty their divorce was. He takes a seat with the writers and producers who have a cold, calm demeanor.
JERRY
So, how have you guys been?
The cast and crew of The Innocent Years gives him a cold, hard stare.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Okaaaaaaaaay. Nice to see all of you too.
Charlene shoots them a dirty look.
CHARLENE
He’s here to help us out, it wouldn’t hurt you all to be kind to him.
One of the staff writers looks astonished.
STAFF WRITER
Are you forgetting this is the same old fart who cheated on you?
Charlene has an ashamed look on his face.
CHARLENE
It’s all in the past now.
The staff writer seems kinda jaded.
STAFF WRITER
This coming from the woman who found out about the affair in the newspaper.
Charlene looks down at her feet.
CHARLENE
I would appreciate it if you’d not bring it up again. Let’s just do what we need to do here, alright?
The staff writer fans herself with her script.
STAFF WRITER
Your right, let’s go.
Charlene and the staff writer take a seat at the table where Jerry and the other writers and producers have gathered together.
CHARLENE
The reason I brought my ex-husband here because we need help with the show, and if we don’t do something in 13 weeks, we’re gone and we all lose our jobs.
The writers and producers appear to be paying attention.
PRODUCER
And how do you suggest we involve your ex-husband?
Charlene wets her lips.
CHARLENE
I just want all of you to listen to his ideas and hear what he has to say.
The producer nods in agreement.
PRODUCER
Alright Jerry, what do you have in mind?
Jerry adjusts his posture while sitting in his chair.
JERRY
We should put storytelling first, the network and the sponsors second, and the viewers third.
The writers and producers become interested.
PRODUCER
Could you elaborate?
Jerry twiddles his thumbs.
JERRY
Don’t tell the network or the advertisers about what your doing beforehand. Just write and produce what you feel, and don’t let them know until the scripts are finished and the shows are ready to air.
Most of the staff is shocked at his suggestion.
PRODUCER
But if we don’t, we’ll get cancelled for sure.
Jerry looks calm and assured.
JERRY
Screw the network and the sponsors, this way they won’t mess with your stories or micro manage the show.
Everyone nods in agreement.
PRODUCER
It could work.
The writers and producers await to hear what Jerry’s gonna say next.
JERRY
It would also help if all of you learned the history of the show. The back stories of your characters would provide endless stream of good material for your stories.
A staff writer adjusts her eyeglasses.
STAFF WRITER
Yeah, it could.
The staff writer takes notes.
JERRY
This way, you’d get to know your characters so well because they’ve been around for so long. And you can find untouched facets to their lives, stories, and relationships as a result.
The staff are talking amongst themselves, almost in a positive way about Jerry’s ideas.
CHARLENE
Let’s here some more.
Jerry shrugs his shoulders and nods his head.
JERRY
For the last 20-25 years, soaps have been writing for a younger audience. It’s a key age group, but you also need to focus a great deal on the older audience because without them soaps wouldn’t even have an audience in the first place.
Jerry now has the full attention of the writers and producers.
JERRY
I wanna suggest one more thing.
Jerry stands up with the staff’s eyes still fixated on him.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
For the last 20-25 years, you’ve also been focusing on wealthy characters, and over the top plots.
Each of the individual writers and producers look at Jerry in awe of Jerry’s suggestions.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
If you switch to stories about more realistic characters, and down to earth plots, you might get better stories and better results.
Everyone starts clapping and cheering as Jerry and Charlene get up from their chairs, and take a walk down to the other end of the studio.
CHARLENE
OH GOD! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!
She grabs his face real tight and gives him a big wet kiss.
JERRY
Anything for my baby girl.
They share a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
You’ve earned something special tonight.
INT.–BEDROOM–NIGHT
Jerry and Charlene are in bed together. She has her arm around him while the two share a long passionate kiss, and moving her long fingernails up and down his hairy chest. Then moves them down his bulging stomach, and then pokes one fingernail into his gigantic bellybutton, and gives him a navel massage.
JERRY
Oooooooooooooooooh......
He kisses her and laughs.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Was it good for you as it was for me baby girl?
She nods her head.
CHARLENE
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
She puts her head on his chest and listens to his heartbeat.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Your heart’s music to my ears.
Jerry kisses Charlene on the head.
JERRY
I love you too, honey.
Charlene looks up at Jerry, and kisses him on the lips.
CHARLENE
Thank you.
He puts his arm around her.
JERRY
For what?
She gulps.
CHARLENE
For helping out with the soap opera.
Jerry takes a deep breathe while Charlene has her hand on his stomach.
JERRY
I said I’d do anything for you, didn’t I? And besides, you’ve been a big help with the wrestling territory.
Jerry holds her closer.
CHARLENE
I feel so scared right now.
Jerry holds his head up.
JERRY
About losing the soap opera?
She nods her head.
CHARLENE
Uh huh.
He pets her hair once again.
JERRY
Awwwwwwwwww, I won’t let anything happen to you, darlin’. I swear to god.
Charlene looks into Jerry’s eyes.
CHARLENE
You mean it?
He nods his head.
JERRY
Cross my heart.
Jerry makes a crucifix motion on his chest with his finger, and Charlene kisses the spot on his chest where he just made the crucifix motion.
CHARLENE
You mean to tell me your not afraid of your wrestling promotion going broke?
Jerry raises his eyebrows at the thought of her question.
JERRY
I’d hate to see it go, but I’ll be fine. I got some money saved up.
Charlene chuckles.
CHARLENE
Hiding behind the whole tough wrestling promoter exterior. What a bunch of bullshit.
She continues to chuckle.
JERRY
What? You don’t think I have a real back up plan?
Charlene shakes her head and chuckles some more.
CHARLENE
Your just some insecure 5 year old boy who needs me to give him a stomach rub.
Jerry raises his arms and folds them behind his head.
JERRY
Well then, give it to me baby. What are you waiting for?
She places a hand on his bare stomach, and starts massaging it.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh darlin’! Oh it feels good!
She digs deeper into his stomach, even once again digging her sharp fingernail into his navel.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
She starts kissing the hairline which reaches from Jerry’s abdomen to his navel. But pauses for a second.
CHARLENE
Oh my god!
Charlene looks startled.
JERRY
What is it?
Jerry gives her a strangle look.
CHARLENE
What is everyone gonna think when they find out we slept together?
Jerry becomes confused.
JERRY
So what?
Charlene looks kinda pissed.
CHARLENE
What do you mean so what? We’re divorced, remember?
Jerry starts laughing.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
What’s so funny?
Charlene glances at Jerry with an angry smirk.
JERRY
I’ve slept with everything on the road anyway! Why can’t I sleep with my ex-wife?
Charlene still looks angry at Jerry with her arms now crossed.
CHARLENE (IN A SARCASTIC TONE)
Funny, funny, funny. You are so god damn funny.
Jerry busts out laughing.
JERRY
I know I am.
Jerry continues laughing while Charlene still looks pissed.
CHARLENE
Your also full of shit!
INT.–KAYFABE–BAR AND RESTAURANT
Jerry and the rest of the boys are back at the speakeasy style kayfabe establishment. They’re all drinking liquor, laughing, and eating food. All the guys at the table raise their glasses, and salute each other by slamming the glasses together.
ONE OF THE BOYS
So, I heard you and the ex-wife slept together last night.
Jerry holds his head down in embarrassment.
EDDIE
Is it true Grandpa?
Ted doesn’t look too pleased.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Come on! Out with it now! Out with it!
Jerry is rubbing his head against
JERRY
Yeah, I slept with her! So what?
One of the boys takes a sip of his scotch with an evil grin on his face.
JERRY (LOOKING AT HIM)
What are you laughing at?
The guy busts out laughing even harder.
THE GUY
NOTHING!
The guy still smirks a bit.
ONE OF THE BOYS
So are you and her getting back together?
Jerry looks confused.
JERRY
Why the hell would we be getting back together?
Another one of the boys shakes his head.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Well, you slept with her....no shit!
Jerry looks pissed.
JERRY
Just because I slept with her doesn’t mean we’re getting back together.
All the boys at the table start laughing.
EDDIE
Yeah, sure it doesn’t.
Eddie crosses his arms and raises his eyebrows at his grandfather.
JERRY
Just drop it, alright kiddo?
Eddie starts laughing
JERRY
I mean it Eddie!
Another one of the boys has a smirk on his face.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
So, when are the nuptials?
Jerry sighs.
JERRY
We ain’t getting re-married!
One of the guys at the table looks sad.
GUY AT TABLE
Awwwwwwwww, why not?
Jerry gets grouchy.
JERRY
We’re not getting back together, enough is enough!
One of the boys gets sober.
ONE OF THE BOYS
We were just joking! Jesus Christ, Jerry!
An expression of authority comes over Jerry’s face.
JERRY
Next time, watch what you joke about!
Another one of the boys seems startled.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
Geez, calm down!
Eddie has his feet propped up the table with a smartass grin.
EDDIE
Someone’s sensitive.
Ted makes a motion to Jerry.
TED
Dad, can I speak to you for a minute?
Jerry nods his head.
JERRY
Alright.
Jerry and Ted get up from the table, and walk over to a dark corner.
TED
What the hell were you thinking?
Jerry looks as if he’s been caught off guard.
JERRY
She and I just slept together, big deal!
Ted seems kinda pissed.
TED
Of course it’s a big deal, the two of you divorced years ago.
Jerry shakes head and chuckles.
JERRY
Me and her getting back together after we divorced isn’t why your pissed.
Ted seems confused.
TED
What are you talking about?
Jerry rubs his chin with his finger.
JERRY
Your still pissed at me for marrying her after your Mama died.
Ted gets pissed and starts walking off.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Oh come on, Teddy.
Jerry tries to grab him, but Ted pushes his father away.
TED
I don’t wanna hear it!
Ted walks away and Jerry tries to follow him.
JERRY
Look, Teddy.......
Ted turns around and looks him dead in the eye.
TED
How could slept with Charlene after you cheated on her?
Jerry looks down at his feet.
JERRY
I was just closing a business deal, get a grip.
Ted looks disgusted at his father.
TED
Is this all people in the wrestling business think about is sleeping around?
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
Charlene is working on the set with a staff writer on The Innocent Years. They’re flipping through the staff writer’s script, and the soap opera writer makes changes to it with a red pen.
STAFF WRITER
Are you and Jerry getting back together?
Charlene starts laughing.
CHARLENE
What?
The staff writer gives Charlene a certain look.
STAFF WRITER
The whole set is buzzing about it.
Charlene has an astonished look on her face.
CHARLENE
Why?
The staff writer bends over to whisper.
STAFF WRITER
They keep going on and on and on about how you and him sleeping together last night.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, we did.
The staff writer is shocked.
STAFF WRITER
Oh my god! How could you?
Charlene looks confused.
CHARLENE
How could I what?
The staff writer sighs.
STAFF WRITER
How could you sleep with him after he ran around on you all those years ago?
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
As I’ve said before, it was a long time ago.
The staff writer seems disappointed.
STAFF WRITER
But still it goes against everything women have fought for since the ‘60's.
Charlene gives her a skeptical look.
CHARLENE
How does it go against woman’s liberation?
The staff writer bugs her eyes out and takes a deep breathe.
STAFF WRITER
Dignity, for one thing.
Charlene laughs.
STAFF WRITER (CONTINUED)
Your degrading yourself sleeping with the man who cheated on you.
Charlene leans back in her chair.
CHARLENE
And?
The staff writer gets frustrated.
STAFF WRITER
And, your selling yourself to him as if you were some cheap piece of meat.
Charlene turns her attention back towards the staff writer.
CHARLENE
We were just closing a business deal.
The staff writer can’t believe her ears.
STAFF WRITER
Good god, what were you thinking?
Charlene looks at the staff writer as if she’s making a big deal out of nothing.
CHARLENE
I guess I still love him.
The staff writer becomes appauled.
STAFF WRITER
Oh god Charlene, you need some professional help!
Charlene gets up from her chair.
CHARLENE
Are you forgetting he’s also trying to help save the show from being replaced by some flavor of the month reality show?
The staff writer appears humble.
STAFF WRITER
Your right, I’m sorry.
Charlene smiles.
CHARLENE
It’s alright.
The staff writer looks down at her script which Charlene had just been proofreading.
STAFF WRITER
So, are you done yet?
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Not yet, but almost, though.
Charlene smiles.
STAFF WRITER
Anything you wanna go over about the episode I wrote?
Charlene nods.
CHARLENE
Maybe later, after I’m finished looking at it.
The staff writer nods back.
STAFF WRITER
Alright.
Charlene sits back down at chair, and resumes proofreading the staff writer’s script with her red pen.
STAFF WRITER (CONTINUED)
Any idea what day my episode will be taped?
Charlene checks the taping schedule laying next to the script.
CHARLENE
It might be sometime during the middle of the week.
The staff writer smiles.
STAFF WRITER
Thanks.
Charlene smiles back.
CHARLENE
No problem.
The staff writer looks kinda nervous.
STAFF WRITER
I hope everything works out with Jerry, and I hope he can pull through for us.
Charlene gets up from her chair one more time.
CHARLENE
Oh, thank you. I appreciate what you just said more than you will ever realize.
INT.–KITCHEN–MORNING
Jerry and Charlene are sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast. The wrestling promoter is reading an issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated while the soap opera writer reads an issue of Soap Opera Digest. They glance over at each other’s magazines, and they notice their business arrangement and one night stand has made the cover of both magazines.
CHARLENE
Oh my god! They know!
Jerry looks at the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated which has an old photo of him and Charlene from when they were married with the caption reading ‘’Legendary Wrestling Promoter Jerry Daniels gets back together with much younger second wife’‘.
JERRY
Wonder who told em.
Charlene glares at the cover of Soap Opera Digest which has a photo of her in a glitzy and glamourous gown holding an Emmy award with the caption reading ‘’Emmy Award Winning Writer and Producer Charlene Dobson Takes Back Ex-Husband’‘.
CHARLENE
Now everyone knows............ Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!
Jerry takes a bite of his scrambled eggs.
JERRY
Don’t worry about it, this happens all the time.
Charlene crosses her arms.
CHARLENE
Yeah, in The National Enquirer.
Charlene bites into her toast.
JERRY
So what? Everyone knows we’re back together, big deal!
Charlene gets up out of her chair, and looks out the window.
CHARLENE
Do you realize how many heads are gonna turn the next I go to the studio or the next time you go to an arena?
Jerry gets up, walks over to the window, and wraps his arms around Charlene.
JERRY
So what baby girl? Let em stare at us, let em get a get a look at the hottest couple around.
Charlene pulls away from Jerry’s grip.
CHARLENE
This ain’t some Hollywood publicity stunt to promote some big movie, this is our real life they’re exploiting here!
Charlene throws her arms up in the air and shrugs her shoulders.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Why aren’t you upset about this?
Jerry gives Charlene a kiss on the lips and a hug.
JERRY
A long time ago, I learned not to pay any attention to these things.
Charlene doubts his comment.
CHARLENE
When?
Jerry puts his hands on his hips and looks down at his feet.
JERRY
When we got divorced.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
And when you cheated on me.
Jerry nods in agreement.
JERRY
Right.
Charlene scratches her head.
CHARLENE
Yeah, I remember. This was how I found out about you and her.
Charlene looks embarrassed.
JERRY
Is this the real reason why your so upset?
Charlene nods her head again.
CHARLENE
Part of it.
Jerry hugs Charlene and kisses her.
JERRY
Look, no matter what we do, this kinda shit’s gonna happen. All we can do is deal with it the best way we can.
He wraps his arms back around her.
CHARLENE
I know. I know.
Jerry kisses Charlene on the head.
JERRY
It’s the price we have to pay for being in the spotlight, even if it is just wrestling and soaps.
Charlene starts laughing.
JERRY
Alright, let’s just worry about getting the shootfighting promotion off the ground, and improving the soap opera, and then we’ll let nature take its course.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Sounds good.
Jerry and Charlene sit back down at the table to resume their breakfast. Charlene takes a bite of a her eggs.
CHARLENE
Ewwwwwwwww, it’s cold!
Jerry shoots her a smartass grin.
JERRY
Well, they wouldn’t be cold if you hadn’t been bitching about these god damn magazines!
Charlene gives Jerry a tired look.
CHARLENE
Don’t start this shit with me.
Jerry’s smartass grin gets even wider.
JERRY
Then don’t bitch about the food.
Charlene shoots him a smartass look of her.
CHARLENE
I wouldn’t bitch about the food if it the taste didn’t resemble shit.
Jerry starts laughing.
JERRY
Your so full of shit, but I still love you.
She throws at a dishrag at him, and she gives him a big wet kiss on the lips.
FADE OUT:
posted by Justin Murphy at 3:11 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home