Voices on Sunday

"What's with the rocking back and forth, Finkie? It's like you're jerking off."

"...l...l...l...l..." Finkie lit up a cigarette and kept on rocking.

"And since when do you smoke?"

"I'm tired, man, got a lot on my shoulders. I'm fighting wars around the world. A battle just broke out with the rebels in Brazil."

"Get your coat, Finkie. We're going to the doctor."

"No! Their going to try to get inside my head."

"Listen to me, Finkie. I think that acid messed you up. You gotta get some help."

"There's too much shit going on everywhere."

"You need to see a doctor, Finkie. I'm taking you to see one."

"I'm okay, Harry. I'm not crazy...Just that my mind is jumping all over the place. I'm hearing voices, seeing stuff."

"Just relax, man. Everything's gonna be okay."

"I'm hearing voices, Harry. Don't leave me alone."



                                               ****


FADE IN:

SFX: An upbeat Franco pop tune is playing on the car radio.

It's a spectacular spring day. Gina and Harry driving along the winding road hugging the craggy grey cliffs of Mount Royal. They take in a scenic view of  Montreal against the backdrop of the Laurentian mountains. Hair is blowing in the wind, they're laughing - intoxicated with each other. Youth in all its glory.

CLOSE UP OF HARRY, the leading man. For the moment he's all that he can be.

CLOSE UP OF GINA: She grabs her leading man and kisses him.

SFX: The sound of a needle scratching. The music stops as:

The camera ZOOMS IN on Finkie in the back seat. He jerks his head forward in between the lovestruck couple. Gina's intended kiss for Harry is intercepted by Finkie's butting face.

CLOSE UP of Finkie smirking. We're not sure whether it's pathos or funny.

DISSOLVE TO:


Sunday-in-the-park, a Monet tableau. Gina and Harry are walking hand-in-hand around Beaver Lake on top of Mount Royal. Gina tosses a handful of bread crumbs to a few of quacking white ducks.

A hunk of bread is thrown in between them. A couple of cheeky ducks swoon in a little too close for comfort to Gina and Harry, who recoil in surprise.

We follow the camera as it ZOOMS IN on Finkie who is a few steps behind Gina and Harry. Finkie follows through on that bread toss. He laughs hysterically...maniacally...maniacally.

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX: The same Franco pop music is still playing.

Gina and Harry are sipping white wine on the outdoor terrace of the cafe on top of Beaver Lake of Mount Royal. They're doing a running commentary of the park strollers, as if those people only exist for their entertainment. Harry points to an eccentric couple wearing ridiculous hats, walking a ferret on a leash. The ferret climbs up the woman's leg and starts humping it. Harry laughs and leans in to kiss Gina...just as Finkie's  head butts in out of nowhere and intercepts Harry's kiss with his cheek.

Pathos, funny or annoying?

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX: Franco pop music is still playing.

Silhouettes of Gina and Harry watching the sunset over Montreal from the look-out on Mount Royal. The sky glows mixed hues of hot pink and tangerine. Gina leans her head on Harry's shoulder soaking in the romantic scene.

ZOOM IN on Finkie, who in turn, leans his head on Gina's shoulder.

Sad but sweet.

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX: An Edith Piaf song is this scene's soundtrack.

Tete-a-tete in a cozy French restaurant on the Plateau, at a table by the window. The waiter brings them an impressive tray of fresh sea food, including a giant live lobster.

CLOSE UP on Finkie, who's sitting across the table. He reaches over to touch the lobster which almost snaps off his pointing finger. Take that, Finkie!

DISSOLVE TO:

SFX:  Leonard Cohen's Suzanne is playing in the background.

Gina and Harry charge up the outside winding staircase of a brownstone triplex, into her apartment. Both are so excited that Gina can barely get the key into the lock. When it finally opens, they swirl together, peeling off their clothes in a tornado of lust, groping their way to  the bedroom, but not quite making it. The floor will have to do. Ginette claps her hands; the lights go off. Sweet giggles melt into oohs and ahs.

A couple of beats.

SFX: Phonograph needle scratching sound.

SFX: The buzzer rings.

CUT TO:

Finkie ringing the door bell.

FADE OUT: