Basquiat Page #3

They stand outside, not knowing quite what comes next.

Jean gives Benny a look (i.e. 'scram').

BENNY:

Catch you later.

Benny leaves.

A CHILLY WIND picks up.

Jean's mood is suddenly downcast.

They button up their overcoats, about to leave.

GINA:

What's a job, anyway?

(pause)

What's wrong with you?

The truth is, he feels awful for causing Gina's trouble, but shows

it by moping like a child.

GINA (CONT'D)

No, don't tell me – you just got fired by

your crazy boss.

BASQUIAT:

I guess you did.

GINA:

Guess I just got sick of him.

BASQUIAT:

Can I walk you home?

GINA:

I think I could do that alone.

Gina walks away.

He runs after her.

BASQUIAT:

Wait, I'm in a band....We're at the Mudd

Club on Halloween. I'll put you on the

list.

Gina turns and looks back at Jean.

GINA:

I hate the Mudd Club.

He catches up to her.

Gina notices a dead leaf in his hair and picks it out.

GINA (CONT'D)

Have you been camping? You could use a

scrub.

BASQUIAT:

I'm clean. Smell me. I always smell good.

I don't know why, I just do!

He leans forward, offering his neck.

GINA:

(smelling)

You do! You definitely do.

BASQUIAT:

Just come to the Mudd Club on Friday.

GINA:

I don't go there. Too many party girls.

BASQUIAT:

Party girls? Can I call you?

GINA:

(teasing him)

Yeah, if you have any dimes left. 477-

0496.

He writes her number on his pant cuff with a big fat magic marker.

BASQUIAT:

Here, this is for you. I made this.

He hands her the small speaker.

She takes it.

GINA:

Thanks.

She admires the speaker watches him walk off.

EXT. MENTAL HOSPITAL (OUTSIDE THE CITY)

We see Jean crossing a lawn outside a mental hospital.

INT. MENTAL HOSPITAL – RECREATION / VISITING ROOM – DAY

PSYCH. PATIENTS fill a cavernous day-room engaged in arts and

crafts. Some of the sadder patients stare off into space as Jean

crosses the room. He carries a plate of cookies and a full glass

of milk.

He approaches a sad, nice-looking, middle-aged black woman – the

same one from the dream, earlier. She sits alone fondling a pillow

in her lap. It's his mother, MATILDE. She doesn't see him coming.

As he sets the plate in front of her, she notices him. She

recognizes him and seems pleased, even in her isolation. He kisses

her on the cheek.

BASQUIAT:

Hey, mom.

She smiles slightly.

Jean takes a cookie. She does likewise.

They eat in silence, looking at each other, communicating what

they can.

Time passes. In between cookies her fingers find and break the

stems of the pillow feathers.

BASQUIAT (CONT'D)

I met the girl I'm gonna marry.

His mother brightens. She drinks the milk. They finish the

cookies.

MATILDE:

Do you like it here?

BASQUIAT:

I'd like it better in Hawaii.

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