The Fabulous Baker Boys Page #4

INT. PIANO STORE

Jack and Frank work opposite sides of a large piano

showroom, inspecting rentals of every style and color.

WILLIE, the owner of the place, leans against a cheap

upright, contemplating his shoes.

FRANK:

What happened to the two Clays, Willie?

WILLIE:

Out.

FRANK:

When they coming in?

WILLIE:

Wednesday next.

Frank looks across the room at Jack.

FRANK:

What d'ya got?,

JACK:

Bosen black.

(taps a key)

Flat.

FRANK:

What d'you say, Willie? Tighten her up?

WILLIE:

What's the gig?

FRANK:

Two nights.

Willie just looks at his shoes and shakes his head.

Frank frowns and glances around.

Across the room, Jack pauses before another piano.

FRANK:

(continuing)

What d'ya got?

JACK:

(tapping)

Yamaha white. Nice.

Frank moves to another grand and alternates taps with

his brother to see if the two pianos are in harmony.

FRANK:

What do you think?

JACK:

Try the black Knable.

Frank moves to another piano and repeats the process,

watching Jack for a verdict.

After a moment, Jack nods.

FRANK:

Tag 'em, Willie. The Regency downtown,

Thursday-Friday. Thanks.

WILLIE:

My pleasure.

INT. DINER

The brothers sit at a window of a corner diner,

Jack nursing an ice coffee,

Frank playing with a plate of scrambled eggs.

The glass next to them is cluttered with photographs

of neighborhood luminaries,

including two of Jack and Frank in their tuxedoes.

FRANK:

You know, I think it's been five years since I

saw you eat anything. That's the God's truth.

JACK:

Trust me, you're not missing anything.

FRANK:

You look awful.

JACK:

Thanks.

FRANK:

Really. You sleeping?

JACK:

Only on odd days.

FRANK:

(a look)

Seeing anyone in particular?

JACK:

Why the interest?

FRANK:

Because I'm your brother. Because I care about

you. Because sometimes it seems like the most

significant relationship in your life is with

that goddamn dog of yours.

Jack studies his brother's face.

JACK:

I'm not seeing anyone. In particular.

FRANK:

What about that waitress at the Ambassador?

JACK:

Uh-uh. How about you? You seeing anyone?

FRANK:

Funny.

(points at his wedding band)

Strike a bell?

JACK:

It's only a ring. Not a collar.

FRANK:

It's more than that.

Jack smiles and sips his coffee.

FRANK:

(continuing)

By the way, we gotta go see Ma tomorrow.

JACK:

No thanks.

FRANK:

No, I mean it.

JACK:

So do I.

FRANK:

We gotta go, Jack.

JACK:

No, you gotta go 'cause if you don't get up

there every couple weeks you feel guilty.

I won't feel guilty, so I don't gotta go.

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