CHERRY ON TOP

Logline: A young man's life is changed when he begs a psychic for

help in a matter of love & business.

FADE IN:
The city block sits dark and empty, except for one refuge of
light: A glowing neon sign in the shape of an ice cream
sundae that looks good enough to eat. Beneath it, swirling
script spells out Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe.
INT. CHERRY ON TOP - NIGHT
Behind the counter stands NEENAH (20s). She wipes down the
surfaces as she sings to the doo-wop music playing overhead.
At the corner table sits the only customer, ADAM (20s). He
watches Neenah as he eats a banana split. She catches him
looking, and he awkwardly looks down at the dish of ice cream.
NEENAH
Hey Adam, gotta close up.
Oh, okay.

ADAM

NEENAH
Dont worry, you can finish.
(sadly)
It'll be your last chance anyway...
ADAM
(through ice cream)
Last chance?
Neenah begins to bawl uncontrollably. She buries her face in
the dishrag and howls. Adam looks physically uncomfortable at
this, so he just pats her softly on the back.
ADAM (CONTD)
Hey... Um... You okay?
NEENAH
No! I'm not okay! Haven't you
heard? They're shutting us down!
What? Who?

ADAM

Neenah points through the window at a sign across the street:

"WEST SIDE FINANCIAL: BUILDING A BETTER CITY FOR YOU!"
NEENAH
My whole life! Gone! Just so they
can build some millionaire condos
or something.
(cries harder)
They're taking the whole block!

2.
ADAM
They can't do this! You're, um, an
institution!
NEENAH
Well, they did! They raised our
rents so high, we can't pay.
ADAM
Oh, maybe I can help. How much do you-NEENAH
Five-thousand dollars. By tomorrow.
Oh.

ADAM

NEENAH
You really think you could help? I
mean, that would be the single
greatest thing anyone has ever done
for me.
Adam looks distraught -- of course he can't help.
ADAM
(smiles)
Of course I can help.
EXT. CHERRY ON TOP - NIGHT
Adam leaves the ice cream shop, Neenah's joyous cries of
gratitude follow him out.
ADAM
Yeah, okay, see you tomorrow!
He waves as he hurries to close the door behind him, then
hangs his head and walks away.
EXT. BALTIMORE STREETS - NIGHT
Down the road, something draws him in. The only other
business still open on the block.
Shop signs advertise SARDO'S SPIRITUAL EMPORIUM in overembellished lettering. Below that: PSYCHIC, PALM, AND TAROT
READINGS. And below that: "LIQUIDATION SALE! 50% OFF!"
INT. SARDO'S SPIRITUAL EMPORIUM - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
A bell JINGLES as Adam enters the dark, hazy psychic studio.

3.
A small, round table is set in the middle of the room covered
in black-lace fabric and various tarot cards.
H-Hello?

ADAM

The curtains part and a middle-aged man enters. This is SARDO.

He wears scarves from head-to-toe and a single hoop earring.
With a flourish, he sits at the table and stretches his ringcovered fingers over the cards.
SARDO
Be seated, my son.
Sardo closes his eyes and slides the cards around the table.
SARDO (CONTD)
What is it that you seek?
ADAM
Arent you supposed to tell me that?
Sardo freezes. His voice changes from breathy and mysterious
into a thick Brooklyn accent.
SARDO
Dont yank my chain here, kid. It
speeds things up if you just tell me.
ADAM
(sighs)
I made a promise to a girl I love.
SARDO
(back to psychic voice)
Yes, yes. Go on.
ADAM
I told her that I could help pay
the rent, but I cant. Im broke.
Sardo does exaggerated air quotes as he speaks:
SARDO
Quite a predicament. Yes. You wish
to pay the rent of a girl you
love. And in return, she will...
He giggles immaturely.
ADAM
Wait, no. Youre making it sound
like shes a--

4.
SARDO
Let us see. What is the best way to
fulfill your desires?
He stacks the tarot cards, cuts them, and riffles them like a
poker deck, then deals them across the table. They each pick
up their cards.
SARDO (CONTD)
We hold in our hands each others
fate. Now, reveal!
Adam looks down at three DEVIL cards. They look strangely
like Sardo. Frightened, he tosses them away.
Then, Sardo reveals Adams cards, one by one...
SARDO (CONTD)
First, the FOOL!
(gestures to Adam)
That one is self-explanatory.
ADAM
Whoa, hey. Im not a-SARDO
Second, the WHEEL OF FORTUNE! Look
out for Pat Sajak, am I right?
ADAM
What are you talking-SARDO
And finally, DEATH! Oh boy. Thats
not good.
ADAM
So, Im a lucky, but dead, idiot.
(moves to leave)
Great, thanks for the help!
SARDO
Wait! There is something I can do
for you!
INT. SARDOS - BACK ROOM - NIGHT
Cardboard boxes and a twin bed clutter the back room where
Sardo lives.
He takes a glass vial from a shelf and looks into it. Empty.
Damn.

SARDO

5.
He picks up an open bottle of off-brand lemon-lime soda,
shrugs, and pours it into the vial, spilling more than he
catches.
He grabs a pill container, shakes a couple tablets out,
grinds them up, and crumbles the powder into the vial. He
corks the bottle and shakes it vigorously.
INT. SARDOS - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
Sardo appears as Adam readies to leave.
SARDO
Fortuna Falsitas!
He places the vial on the table and begins to perform
complicated, ridiculous hand gestures over it.
SARDO (CONTD)
With this, you will find great
fortune for one day.
(quickly mutters)
May cause drowsiness.
ADAM
So, a good luck potion?
SARDO
Yes. And, lucky for you, all items
are on sale. Today only!
He shows him the price sticker of $99.95.
ADAM
Thats a little out of my price range.
SARDO
To make all your dreams come true?
ADAM
Wait. If this is real, then how
come youre closing down?
SARDO
(blusters)
Well, sometimes finances can cloud
the third eye, and you know...
ADAM
Does that mean I shouldnt pay you?

6.
SARDO
Dont be a smartass. Great mystics
never get high on their own
supply... of magic, that is.
(hands over the bottle)
Drink it all before you sleep, and
tomorrows riches will be yours to keep!
INT. ADAMS APARTMENT - NIGHT
Adam sits on the bed in his ratty studio apartment. The clock
next to his bed reads 9:00 p.m. He stares down at the vial
in his hand, pops the cork, and downs it.
ADAM
Mmm. Lemony. With a twist of-His face contorts and the world melts away as Sardos secret
ingredient kicks in. He crashes to the floor.
INT. ADAMS APARTMENT - TIME LAPSE
The night speeds by as Adam lies unconscious on the floor.
The clock ticks away behind him. Through the morning, through
the afternoon, and through the sunset, until...
INT. ADAMS APARTMENT - THE FOLLOWING NIGHT
Adam finally stirs. He rubs his head in pain as he looks at
the clock: 8:30 p.m.
ADAM
Oh my god! Neenah!
EXT. BALTIMORE STREETS - NIGHT
Adam bursts out of his apartment building and looks around.
He spots an ATM and runs to it. He inserts his card and
punches in the PIN. The current balance reads... $12.45.
ADAM
DAMN YOU, SARDO!
He kicks the ATM over and over, until he cries out in pain
and falls to the ground.
But wait! On the ground is a single dollar bill. He picks it
up and, when he stands, he sees something reflected in the
ATM: Huge. Glowing. Cherries.

7.
EXT. 7-11 CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Adam stares up at a lottery sign featuring a cartoon slot
machine with three cherries across its face. The sign reads:
SLOTS OF LUCK SCRATCH OFF: WIN $50,000!
INT. SARDOS - FRONT ROOM - NIGHT
Adam charges through the front door of Sardos studio, the
scratch-off held in front of him.
SARDO
What is the meaning of-(recognizes Adam)
No refunds! Store policy!
ADAM
(amazed)
I saw it! There were cherries and a
dollar bill! It was destiny.
SARDO
Is that a new strip club...?
Adam flashes the scratch ticket in front of Sardo, then grabs
a ritual knife from a nearby shelf.
SARDO (CONTD)
(holds up his hands)
Whoa, hey now. Listen!
Adam uses the blade to scratch away the silver to reveal: one
cherry... two cherries...
SARDO (CONTD)
Sweet Jesus...
Adam pauses before he scratches away the last spot, he takes
a deep breath and... THREE CHERRIES!
ADAM
Fifty-thousand dollars! We won!
SARDO
We?! Like, we we? Me and you?
ADAM
No, of course not. Me and Neenah.
Sardo sits back down, steaming.
SARDO
Kindly leave.

8.
INT. CHERRY ON TOP - NIGHT
The neon lights are dark as Neenah packs away the restaurant.
She smiles nonetheless as Adam enters.
NEENAH
One last banana split for old times?
Adam sits down at the counter across from her.
NEENAH (CONTD)
This isnt your usual seat!
ADAM
Thought Id try something new. Besides,
you guys already took mine away.
Neenah slides the banana split over the counter. As she does,
Adam slides the lottery ticket toward her. She picks it up.
NEENAH
Holy cow, is this-Neenah looks around the ice cream shop, then LUNGES across
the counter, throws her arms around his neck, and KISSES HIM!
Its awkward, but oh-so-satisfying.
EXT. BALTIMORE STREETS - NIGHT
Adam and Neenah leave the ice cream shop, hand in hand, as
Sardo is locking up his studio. Adam kisses Neenah on the
cheek and hurries toward Sardo.
ADAM
Mr. Sardo! It worked! She said yes-WHAM! A car appears out of nowhere and SLAMS into Adam! Hes
THROWN into the air and LANDS in the middle of the street.
More comical than brutal.
ADAM (CONTD)
(in pain)
Sardo! I thought it was good luck!
Sardo pulls up his flowing robes to reveal an elaborate
pocket watch. He pops it open to reveal the time... 9:01 p.m.
SARDO
(shrugs)
Times up.
He turns with a flourish and sashays down the street.
FADE OUT.