BEING FRANK

Written by

RJ Sheedy

Address to be furnished upon request

Phone Number to be furnished upon request
EXT. TOWN ROADSIDE - DAY (16:9 FORMAT.)

FRANK PRICE (42) is driving down the road. On the passenger

seat are empty reusable grocery bags. His cars interior has
seen better days.

Driving around, he notices “Espresso Yourself Cafe” is

closed. There is a white box truck outside of it. Frank looks
displeased at its presence.

FRANK
(quietly, to himself.)
Damnit...

Driving past Frank slows down. He sees dozens of crew members

dressed in black bringing various items in and out of the
truck and the cafe.

Squinting to see, Frank notices a yellow note on the door

with “CLOSED SET” printed in large font. Frank speeds off,
having seen enough.

Frank enters Main Street and it is quiet. An OLD MAN (Late

70’s) wearing a cap walks down the road. The old man has a
newspaper under his arm, a gas station coffee in one hand,
and a lit cigarette in the other.

Frank notices the Old Man. Frank beeps his horn as he drives
by, and waves. Looking on blankly, the Old Man
uninterruptedly takes a drag off his cigarette, and waves
back.

Frank continues on and drives past Town Hall. A MAN (Late

20s) is walking his dog. The dog begins barking at a
PEDESTRIAN (Female, early 30s). The man tugs on the dogs
leash and struggles to stop the dog from barking. Franks
amused and continues on.

Exiting Main Street, Frank turns into the Shop Rite parking
lot.

EXT. SHOP RITE PARKING LOT - DAY (16:9 FORMAT.)

Frank is searching for a parking spot. He sees what he thinks

is an open spot. Driving towards it, its soon revealed that a
the spot is taken by a small, two door fiat.

FRANK
(quietly, to himself.)
Betcha there not local.

Frank continues on, and sees a free spot near the entrance of
the store. Frank becomes gleeful with his expression.
 2.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Yes sir, that’s my spot!

Quickly approaching the spot, Frank puts his blinker on.

Suddenly, from the roadway adjacent to the spot, a red tesla
appears. The tesla turns left off of the road and into Franks
spot.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Son of a bitch! No, no, no! What
kind of asshole...

Exiting the car is JEFF BURR (58), a leading Hollywood man.

Jeff is dressed more elegant than one should for being at a
grocery store.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Are you shitting me? Hey, Hey!

Frank rolls down his window. From Jeff’s prospective, we see

an excited man in a vehicle waving his arms at him. Seeing
this, Jeff turns on a charisma instantly, waving back.

JEFF
Thank you, yes. Appreciate you!

Jeff smugly turns around and enters the store, continuing on

with his day. Frank bangs his steering wheel with his fists.
His face is beat red and visibly not happy, shaking his head.

FRANK
Not today, not today...

As Jeff goes to find a spot elsewhere, he decides otherwise

and makes a U-Turn in the parking lot. He goes down the row
where Jeff’s Tesla is parked, mumbling to himself. He goes
towards the exit and leaves.

As his car dives off the lot, a card get thrown out of the
cars window. We get closer, and see it is Frank’s Shop Rite
Membership card. It has his photo on it.

A chyron appears on screen over the Shop Rite card reading

“Being Frank”.

INT. FRANK’S HOUSE - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

Frank speeds up and parks his car in his driveway, leaving it

crooked. Frank storms out of the car and inside his house.

Once inside, he tosses his keys onto his kitchen counter. He

pulls out an old yellow pages book. Opening it, he turns to
the letter “T”, then searches for “T.V”.
 3.

ANCHORMAN (V.O.)
If you travel through Wilford on
your way to the city, you may have
noticed new faces around town.

Looking through the list, he sees listings for TV repair

shops and stores. He closes the book, throws it back into the
drawer. On his way out of his kitchen, he grabs his computer
off of the dining room table.

INT. FRANK'S LIVING ROOM - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

On his computer, Frank has dozens of tabs open on the

internet. He clicks around the website for WVTM 9 News.

ANCHORMAN (V.O.)
Production of next years biggest
blockbuster film is happening right
in town. Later in our newscast, we
will share with you an exclusive
interview with Terry and Jeff Burr,
the films star.

He scrolls through the reports at the station, and stops

towards the bottom of the list at Terry Tavanaugh. Frank
clicks the link to email her underneath her picture.

EXT. FRONT OF TOWN HALL - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

The WVTM 9 News van pulls up and parks outside of Town Hall.
A satellite antenna extends to the sky from the roof of the
news van.

A CAMERA MAN (28) wearing jeans, a jean shirt, and a jean

jacket exits the van. He opens the back door, removing bags
of equipment. He sets up a camera on a tripod.

ANCHORMAN (V.O.)
But for now, let us go to WVTM’s
own Terry Tavanuagh who is live in
Wilford for the latest on the films
production as she finds out how
residents are feeling about the
film’s production in their town.

As Reporter TERRY TAVANAUGH (36) exits the back of the news

van, the Camera Man is placing a wooden box on the ground in
front of the camera. Wearing heels, Terry steps on top of the
wooden box in front of the camera. She adjusts her hair,
brushing it behind her ear with her hand.
 4.

Terry is about to tease her story. The camera man starts to

count her in with his fingers, beginning at three.

ANCHORMAN (V.O.)
(calling on her) Terry.

The camera man reaches a one count, and points at Terry to

begin.

EXT. FRONT OF TOWN HALL - DAY(4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

Entering a 4.3 Letterbox format on video tape we see a TV

News Report. Terry’s looking into the camera. Below her is
the stations logo and a CHYRON reading “Terry Tavanaugh.”

TERRY
Here in Wilford, everything is
lights, camera and action as
shooting is underway in town for a
film that’s set to be released next
summer. While most residents are
supportive of a big Hollywood film
being made here, some believe the
production is ruining the quality
of life in town, as well as its
character.

INT. OLIVIO VARIETY - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

GINA OLIVIO-ROTELLA (51) stands proudly behind the front

counter of an aging variety shop paneled in wood. She beams
with joy. On a shelf behind her, almost out of sight, we see
a phot of Jeff Burr that appears to be signed.

A chyron that reads “GINA OLIVIO-ROTELLA. OWNER, OLIVIOS

MARKET” is displayed below her, despite the shop being called
Olivio Variety.

GINA
We as a community could not be
anymore excited and welcomin’ of
these folks.

B-Roll of Olivio Variety is shown. There are baskets full of

baked goods. Another corner has penny candy you can purchase
by the pound. We see a full service deli and meat counter
with different catering foods like chicken cutlets, roasted
potatoes, sausage, and other Italian deli staples.
 5.

Behind the deli counter are the ovens. A chef takes out a
giant pan of food from the oven and places it on a giant
table that has another three identical pans all filled with
food.

TERRY (V.O.)
Gina runs The Olivio Mart in
Wilford, where she and her family
have ran things for the past fifty
years. In the history of the
variety mart, they have never had
the privilege of catering the set
of a big Hollywood film, until now.

GINA
We are so used to catering for the
busy seasons. The graduations and
The Christmas, but catering for the
movie set day in and day out.
It’s... a wonderful opportunity for
us. NOT just us the shop here, but
US the, the town too, ya know?

B-ROLL continues of Olivio Variety, as we now see Gina

sweeping the floors, and blocking merchandise on her shelves.

TERRY
Thanks to the films production and
its hungry crew, Gina and her crew
have experienced a new boom in
their business, with total sales
for the shop have increasing more
than 400% over the last four weeks
alone.

GINA
Jeff Burr, the star of the film,
even came in to grab a salad for
lunch on his day off. He could have
been any place in the world, but he
was here. Isn’t that somethi...

Gina looks behind her shoulder. She does a double take,

looking at the photo of Jeff behind her.

INT. OLIVIO VARIETY - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

Jeff Burr wears sunglasses on his head and dark clothing from
head to toe. He stands at Gina’s counter. We see them
speaking with each other as a transaction takes place. Gina
is starstruck.
 6.

GINA (V.O)(CONT’D)
In fact. I don’t want to get
emotional on camera, but... In
fact, while Jeff was here. He gave
us an autographed photo of himself.

Jeff, seemingly from out of nowhere, pulls out a black pocket

folder with a single photo of himself in it. With a sharpie,
he signs it on the counter as Gina bears witness.

GINA(V.O) (CONT’D)
And he signed it himself, I know
so. He did it right in front of me.
It was an amazing gesture.

Jeff hands off the signed photo to Gina. Accepting the gift,
she comes out around the counter to give Jeff a hug.

INT. OLIVIO VARIETY - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

Gina proudly holds the signed photo of Jeff given to her, now
framed.

GINA
This is a piece of our towns
history now, you know. We plan on
keeping this piece here in shop
forever, as a token of our
appreciation to all Jeff and his
team have done for us, and the
town.

INT. OLIVIO VARIETY - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

B-ROLL Footage shows Gina putting the frame back behind the
counter, and rearranging the cigarettes displayed on the
wall.

TERRY (V.O.)
While Gina is proud to be the
spokesperson for Olivios...

While Gina arranges things, someone approaches the counter.

Gina is excited to see this person and gives them a hug.

GINA
In this shop, I’m kind of like the
mayah. (laughs)
 7.

TERRY
Gina is not the only local business
here to see an increase in
business.

EXT. SPIN CITY WASH & DRY CLEANING - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS
REPORT.)

Exterior shots of Spin City and B-Roll of wall to wall

washing machines and dryers is shown.

TERRY (V.O.)
Spin City has seen an increase,
with it being the “go to” cleaners
for the cast, crew, and even the
wardrobe department.

INT. SPIN CITY WASH & DRY CLEANING. DAY. 4.3 FORMAT. NEWS
REPORT.

Standing in front of the sales counter, MAUDE (62) has her

arms crossed. Behind her are dozens of photos with many
showing their age. Scattered among the photos we see an
autographed photo of Jeff. It is the same one that Gina has.

A chyron that reads “MAUDE KIM. CLERK, SPIN CITY” is

displayed below her.

MAUDE
Numbers are good. Sales are up
versus last year. Yes, we have no
complaints.

EXT. TOWN HALL - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

B-ROLL Footage of the exterior of Town Hall, the flags

swaying in the wind, and Wilford Town Councilor ANDY DEPALO
(47) walking out of Town Hall.

ANDY
Wilford is still the center of the
universe.

TERRY (V.O.)
Town officials, such as Town
Councilor Andy Depalo, says there
have been no major inconveniences
or change in life to residents in
town.
 8.

A chyron that reads “ANDY DEPALO. WILFORD TOWN COUNCILOR” is

displayed below him.

ANDY
The film being in town has no
change to most folks day to day
life. Sure, maybe our residents
have to be patience as a beloved
coffee shop is closed for a day or
two as its being used as a shooting
locations. As a councilman, I don’t
believe my personal opinion on this
matter means much here. Facts are
the state has allowed studios to
earn tax credit for setting
productions here. We as a town
decided to allow the project to be
produced in town.

B-Roll is shown of Andy taking to residents on Main Street.

He is nodding along to what they are saying.

TERRY (V.O)
For those who do not approve of the
movie being shot here, Andy has
this to say to them.

ANDY
The sooner we all stop making a
fuss about them being here, the
quicker they can finish making
whatever it is they are filming and
they can finally take their cameras
and go back to wherever they came
from.

EXT. FRANK’S HOUSE - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

The WVTM 9 News van drives up to Frank’s house, and parks on

the street outside. Terry and her cameraman exit the van at
the same time. Terry has her mic in hand, and her cameraman
carries his camera. Both start walking towards Frank’s front
door.

CAMERAMAN
I’m still not sure about this guy’s
story.

TERRY
Well, if he didn’t reach out to me
we wouldn’t have gotten our sit
down with Jeff Burr.
 9.

CAMERAMAN
Terry, I need to know if you even
heard yourself back there.

TERRY
What do you even mean, heard
myself?

CAMERAMAN
This guy, Frank, you’re telling me
he got his parking spot at a
grocery store stolen by a Hollywood
actor?

TERRY
Yup.

CAMERAMAN
This guys story sounds like a B-
plot to a bad sitcom.

TERRY
So? People watch bad sitcoms.

Terry rings the doorbell, and we immediately hear Frank

coughing.

CAMERAMAN
I’m not seeing any interest in
According to Frank.

TERRY
Stop it!

CAMERAMAN
Everybody Loves Frank? Two and a
Half Franks?

Terry smacks her camera man in the arm. Frank soon comes and
opens the door.

FRANK
Hey, Terry. Sup?

TERRY
Hi, Frank! Still have a few minutes
for me?

EXT. FRANK'S HOUSE - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

B ROLL Footage is shown of Frank pulling into his driving and

exiting his car.
 10.

TERRY (V.O.)
Most folks seemed to line up to
talk with us about their support
for the film.

FRANK
This town has been anything but
quiet since those cameras arrived.

Frank is sitting on the step with his elbows on his knees

with his chin resting on his knuckles, with his hand in a
fist.

TERRY (V.O.)
Frank Pierce was the only resident
willing to talk with us about
what’s wrong with the film.

FRANK
What isn’t wrong with the town now
thanks to the film? I can’t even go
down the street and get a cup of
coffee without finding out its
closed for filming.

Frank is at his mailbox looking through his mail. Frank is on

his porch looking around at his yard.

TERRY (V.O.)
Frank’s vocal opposition of
production began days earlier, at
the local Shop Rite.

EXT. SHOP RITE PARKING LOT - DAY (4.3 FORMAT. NEWS REPORT.)

Terry is walking through the parking lot.

TERRY (V.O.)(CON’T)
It was here, where Frank alleges
that Jeff Burr stole a parking
space from him.

Frank is now on screen, walking with Terry through the lot.

FRANK
I was coming right down here...

EXT. FRANK'S HOUSE - DAY (16.9 FORMAT.)

The camera is set up on the walkway in front of Frank’s

house. Terry stands to the side of the camera holding the
microphone. Frank looks tired and annoyed.
 11.

TERRY
I know this has been longer than I
said it would be, but I do just
have a couple more questions, if
you don’t mind.

FRANK
Okay, shoot.

TERRY
So for you, this all came down to a
parking space?

FRANK
No, well, yes, mostly. I mean, that
was it for me. Besides, things have
been going downhill for a while
here now?

TERRY
They have? How so?

As Frank talks, Terry searches through her notes.

FRANK
Well, I mean...

Trying to contain his rage, Frank can’t come up with

something to say that won’t set him off.

TERRY
If I can just ask, another
question... Councilman Depalo said
that the filming of the movie is
hardly effecting folks everyday
life.

FRANK
Andy doesn’t know what he’s talking
about.

TERRY
Well, Assuming you do disagree with
him...

FRANK
Disagree! You had to clarify that?
Have you been paying attention this
afternoon?

TERRY
Explain to me how exactly this is
affecting you and your everyday
life?
(MORE)
 12.
TERRY (CONT’D)
Just tell me, what’s wrong with
this town? Why’s the movie filming
here a bad thing? How is your life
different today with this situation
happening here than it was the day
before they arrived?

FRANK
Okay, chicken legs. Turn off the
camera!

TERRY
What?

FRANK
I’m done with this. I’ve been with
you for over an hour now, and
you’re still here asking me
questions?

TERRY
Wait, you’re done? You called me!

FRANK
Well, now I’m un-calling you. And
it wasn’t a call, it was an email?

TERRY
Okay, but can you explain to me why
you’re against this. If Jeff never
stole your parking space, would you
be taking to me today?

Frank looks around his neighborhood. He stairs off, blankly,

into the sky. Frank takes a deep breath in and audibly
exhales. He takes two more deep breaths in and out.

FRANK
This film, This movie, it’s just
another thing that’s ruining the
character of our town. I use to
have Wilford pride running through
my veins. Now I hardly recognize
this place that I call home.

TERRY
Due to the movie?

FRANK
In part. The places that mean the
most to me, to our community, they
are gone!
 13.

A beeping noise comes from the camera mans direction. Frank

turns in his direction. A red light has turned on above the
cameras lens.

FRANK (CONT’D)
I said I’m done here, turn it off!

A beeping noise is heard again, as the camera turns off.

Frank attempts to calm down, but can’t.

FRANK (CONT’D)
They don’t care, none of them.
These people want to erase what
makes Wilford, Wilford. My high
school, my Alta Malta, demolished,
rebuilt, and unrecognizable.
Peppermill Hill, use to be
beautiful wooded walking trails.
Well, they paved over that and
built these horrendous condos which
nobody who actually is from this
town could ever afford. And who
does that help? Prince Jeffrey, who
gets to sit up there and party
between takes, fuck him!

The camera men looks out from behind the camera’s tripod

FRANK (CONT’D)
I long for the days when Wilford
was great. I know I’m not alone in
how I feel. Sadly, most of us are
old so we don’t matter and well so,
we’re all just going to die off. My
dad died at 50, and me myself, I
don’t expect to go much further
than that. So, what am I to do? Do
I live here, and work every day
until i get sick and drop dead? No,
no... I’m not sticking around for
that ending. There must be a better
place to live than here.

Frank walks away from Terry, leaving her stunned as what to

do. Frank enters his house, and closes the door.

INT. FRANK'S HOUSE - DAY (16.9 FORMAT)

Frank pulls out a plastic tube, opens it, and pulls out a
joint. He lights it, and sits at the counter. Over time, the
room fills with smoke, and eventually puts the finished joint
down in the ashtray.
 14.

Contemplating, Frank pulls out a card. We see a photo of a

woman, with the card reading “Diana Price, Real Estate
Agent”. Frank looks at the card, raises his eyebrows at it,
and puts it on the counter.

Frank walks towards the front window. The window is covered

by sheer curtains. Frank peeks through an opening between two
curtain panels and looks out to his front lawn. There is
nobody out there.

Frank goes upstairs, returning moments later wearing a black

hat. He grabs his car keys and leaves.

EXT. MAIN ST. WILFORD - DAY (16.9 FORMAT)

Frank, wearing a hat and sunglasses, is driving up Main

Street. He nervously bites his finger nails.

Frank’s moments away from Town Hall. He sees the WVTM News
van parked with its antenna raised. Terry stands on a wooden
box in front of a camera. There is a portable LED light set
up next to the camera illuminating its shot. Frank pulls over
and parks a distance away. Frank continues to bite his nails.

From the point of view of the rear of the WVTM News Van,
Frank watches from his car. Wires from the television
equipment are running into the back of the van.

TERRY (O.C.)
So, we’ll pre-tape the tease for
seven o’clock after we do the six
o’clock hit...

Returning to Frank’s car, he has a grim expression, and his

face is washed of color. Frank makes a three point turn and
drives away from Town Hall, heading in the same direction he
came from.

EXT. RAT PACK BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT (16.9 FORMAT)

Frank pulls up to the Rat Pack Bar and Grill. He parks right
near its entrance, without a problem. Exiting his car, he
walks towards the entrance of the bar.

Under the entrances’ awning Frank stops to turn around. Frank

looks at his parked car. There is a loving expression on
Franks face for the parking space. Using his key fob, he
locks his car. It makes a comical “beep” noise.

Frank turns back around proudly and enters the bar.

 15.

INT. RAT PACK BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT (16.9 FORMAT)

Frank enters the bar. It is dimly lit and Christmas lights

hang from the ceiling and down the walls. There is a framed
mural size photo of Frank Sinatras 1938 Mugshot hanging in
the entryway.

As Frank crosses the bar, it is decorated by various pieces

of music memorabilia and old black and white photos of Cary
Grant and Marlyn Monroe. Despite this, the restaurant looks
fake fancy, imagine Papa Ginos and Olive Garden came together
as one restaurant.

Frank gets a seat at the corner of the bar. There is a T.V.

on the wall in Franks view. Frank removes his hat as LINDA
(78) approaches Frank from behind the bar.

LINDA
Oh, hold on! There he is. He graces
us with his presence. Good evening,
my friend.

FRANK
Hello, Linda. I’m so glad you’re
here!

LINDA
You’re glad I’m here? Sweetheart,
you’re not the only one?

FRANK
Who isn’t happy when our Lin-Lin is
here.

LINDA
Well I’m glad I’m here. I’m going
blind in one of my eye.

From across the bar, DARREN (22) begins to laugh.

DARREN
Don’t listen to her, she can still
see! Watch. Hey, Linda. How many
fingers am I holding up?

Darren holds up two fingers from across the bar, a-la My

Cousin Vinny.

LINDA
Four, since that’s how many you
expect ordering two fingers of Jack
Daniels.
 16.

DARREN
How many levels of thickness have
you gone through in your life time?

Darren gestures to her glasses, then to his empty glass on

the bar.

DARREN (CONT’D)
Maybe you’re ready for a thicker
set.

LINDA
Oh, okay. Well, since I need
thicker glasses. What can I get
you, Frank?

FRANK
Old fashion with Bulleit Bourbon.
Very light on the bitters.

Linda claps her hands together.

LINDA
Of course. Tell you what. Next time
I see you come in, I’m just going
to make this. No questions asked.

FRANK
Thanks.

Linda crosses the bar to make Franks drink. Frank waits.

Looking around, he focuses on the T.V. in his line of sight.
It is tuned to WVTM. Frank is unhappy.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Lin, will you do one more thing for
me. Can you change the channel on
this television here?

Frank points to the T.V. he wants changed.

LINDA
Sure thing, dear. Let me just, find
the remote, thing.

Linda starts wandering the bar aimlessly in search for the

remote. She picks up one, presses it, and nothing happens.
PATRON 1 (61) is sitting at a high top table in the back of
the bar.

PATRON 1 (O.C)
Hey, who fucked with the game!
 17.

LINDA
Wait, wait... Hold on now. I got
it.

Linda picks up another remote trying to put the game back on

for Patron 1. She presses it, and the game doesn’t come back
on. Instead, a random T.V. in the dining area goes from The
Game Show Network to The Weather Channel.

DARREN
Linda, do you want me to do it for
you, again?

LINDA
Hang on now, I got this.

Linda picks up another remote. The game is back on the T.V.

PATRON 1
Oh, never mind. It’s back!

LINDA
Dip shits.

Linda gets another remote, and finally fulfills Frank’s

request to change the channel. She does not bother to change
the T.V. in the dining area back to The Game Show Network, as
nobody was dining in the room to watch T.V.

LINDA (CONT’D)
Baking apple pie’s easier. This
station okay with you?

FRANK
I’m happy. Thanks.

LINDA
Here for you.

Linda turns around to finish making the old fashion. She then
returns with Frank’s drink.

LINDA (CONT’D)
One old fashion, extra cherries!

FRANK
You’re too good to me. Will you
stay here all night and make these
for me just like you used to?

Linda looks at Frank solemnly.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Nobody makes these better than you.
 18.

LINDA
Francis, if you see me in here
working until closing, know now
baby, that there’s my last shift.

FRANK
That’ll be a sad day for us.

Linda walks away towards Darren to take his long awaited

drink order.

LINDA
Final nail in the coffin for
Wilford.

Frank picks up his glass, admiring the extra cherries in his

drink. He takes a sip of his drink, and a pleased expression
comes across his face. He takes another sip.

FRANK
(to himself)
Feels like a warm hug.

Linda walks across the bar with a double Jack in her hands,
and gives it to Darren. Linda approaches Frank again.

LINDA
Are you hungry?

FRANK
What’s Eddie special today?

LINDA
His fig and prosciutto flatbread?

FRANK
With the goat cheese.

LINDA
What else?

FRANK
Okay, I’ll have that. But can you
ask them to not put the arugula on
it.

LINDA
No arugula? You don’t want to eat
like a little bunny rabbit tonight?

FRANK
I’ve been hopping around all day
Lin, I want to take off my bunny
ears for the night.
 19.

LINDA
Alright, It’ll be right out.

Linda begins to walk away from Frank, but stops for a moment.
She gestures towards Frank’s drink.

LINDA (CONT’D)
And, I’ll bring you another one of
those before I leave for the day.

FRANK
Thank you.

INT. RAT PACK BAR AND GRILL - NIGHT (16.9 FORMAT)

Frank sits at the bar as the evening continues. The bar has
emptied out considerably. A new bartender is working the bar.

In front of Frank is a pizza tray with crumbs and a couple

globs of fig jam left on it. Frank has in front of him an Old
Fashion. It does not look like the drink Linda made for
Frank. The drink has crushed ice in it unlike Lindas, and the
color is different. BARTENDER 1 (20) approaches Frank and
takes the pizza tray from him.

BARTENDER 1
How’d I do on your drink this time?

FRANK
It’s not sweet as candy like your
last one was, so you certainly
reduced the amount of sugar you
added. Unfortunately, the drink is
still much too bitter for my taste.

The bartender has a disappointed look.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Can you take this one back and may
I get a Moscow Mule instead.

The bartender nods and walks off. Frank looks on as Bartender

1 makes his drink. He is not happy with the bartenders
attitude as he prepares a mule. Think Hank Hill with a Mega-
Lo-Mart employee.

The front door can be heard opening, and CHRIS (26) enters
the bar wearing a hoodie and shorts. Chris approaches Frank,
and smacks him gleefully on the back.

CHRIS
Frankie, you goddamn legend, you!
 20.

FRANK
So much for quiet time. Is it eight
thirty already?

CHRIS
Midnight, dude.

Frank’s jaw dropped.

FRANK
Shit, it’s been...

Frank thinks and begins counting with his fingers.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Nine, eight, seven... I’ve been
here for five hours?

CHRIS
No. I’m just messing with you. It’s
only like eight-ish.

Frank looks across the bar to a T.V. in the dining area. It

is still on The Weather Channel. Frank confirms the time to
be 8:36pm.

Frank punches Chris in the arm as Chris goes to sit in the

bar stool next to Frank.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
Damn, man! And to think I was going
to buy you a drink.

FRANK
I’m sorry, today’s not the day.

Chris has his hand over his arm, nursing the pain from
Frank’s punch. He is exaggerating his pain.

CHRIS
It’s like you meant for that to be
a knock out punch.

FRANK
Oh, stop it. You’re fine.

Bartender 1 returns with Frank’s mule and places it in front

of him. Frank looks at the drink, and notices his Moscow Mule
is in a rocks glass.

BARTENDER 1
What can I get you?
 21.

CHRIS
Vodka Red Bull.

The bartender nods and walks off. Frank is still looking at

his glass.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
So, what did you think?

FRANK
I’m thinking why the hell didn’t i
get this in a copper mug?

CHRIS
Wha... Bro, no! Quit playing Bar
Rescue for a second. I’m talking
about the WVTM piece that Terry
did.

FRANK
I didn’t watch.

CHRIS
Stop the clock. You didn’t watch
you’re big debut on television? It
was on at 6.

FRANK
I was there, it’s my story. I don’t
want or need to watch myself on
T.V.

CHRIS
Well, if I was on the news, I’d
D.V.R. that shit and make everybody
watch it.

Frank is starring into his drink uninterested.

FRANK
I should have never reached out to
the news. What was I thinking when
I thought the media would be
helpful.

CHRIS
They never are. But let me tell you
something! You’re town is cuckoo
bonanzas.

FRANK
Cuckoo...
 22.

CHRIS
... Bonanzas, yes. That girl at the
deli, Gina. She looks like a woman
who spends the whole day wine
drunk.

FRANK
You’ve been at Olivio Variety after
three o’clock before, haven’t you!

The bartender returns with Chris’s drink. It is in a collins

glass.

The bartender sets Chris’s drink down in front of him.

BARTENDER 1
Here you are. Kitchen closes at
nine. Let me know soon if you want
anything.

CHRIS
Thanks, dude.

The bartender walks away, and disappears into the kitchen.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
I just don’t understand how your
town of all places became the
Hollywood of Vermont.

FRANK
It’s what the people voted for.

CHRIS
People? What people? You say to me
only nine percent of your town
votes in local elections.

FRANK
Sure, and that’s by design for
“their” benefit. They got the
“right” people voting.

Frank takes a sip of his drink.

FRANK (CONT’D)
Besides, you’re not local. You’re a
foreigner visiting from up the road
in Springdale. You are not from
here.

Chris pulls out a fireball nip from his coat pocket. He

cracks it open under the bar counter. He looks around behind
the bar for staff, and stealthily take the shot.
 23.

CHRIS
Right, I’m flyover country.

Frank takes another sip of his beverage. Chris begins to

drink his.

FRANK
I can’t take this town anymore.
I’ve gotta get out of Little
Hollywood.

Chris has taken sip after sip of his Vodka Red Bull. The
drink is already half empty.

CHRIS
You guys voted for them, just vote
them out.

FRANK
What?

Chris has now finished his Vodka Red Bull, having took one
final gulp out of the side of the glass, foregoing his straw.

CHRIS
Have you ever notice how Springdale
doesn’t have any dispensaries?

FRANK
Springdale doesn’t have any
dispensaries?

CHRIS
You ever been to one in Springdale?

Frank thinks for a moment.

FRANK
Joint operations.

CHRIS
That’s technically Bell Town. Right
after Desiree’s place, those last
two properties in the back of the
cul-de-sac are over the town line.

FRANK
No shit. Weird.

Frank gets up, and reaches a basket of peanuts from a hightop

table to the side of the bar. He puts them in front of his
drink and sits back down.
 24.

FRANK (CONT’D)
So, you don’t have a single pot
shop in your town?

CHRIS
Nope. The town voted against it.

FRANK
But the legislature voted for it?

CHRIS
Well, a bunch of grey hairs lobbied
the selectmen, uh, “select board”,
to have a special election to ask
residents if dispensaries should be
allowed in town or not.

FRANK
I don’t get it. The legislature
legalized it. It’s not as if voters
had to vote for or against
legalization and they voted against
it.

CHRIS
The old folks felt that as
residents and tax payers they had
the final say in what goes into
their town or not. They believed
the state legalized weed and its
sale and not permitted the sale to
happen in their town.

FRANK
Well they’re smoking something
other than pot... So, how’d they
ban shops from town?

CHRIS
I’m not too sure. They had a ballot
question go to the town, and it had
something to do with town by laws
and the towns zoning.

FRANK
So you guys had to vote yes, you
want pot shops or no, you don’t.

Chris looks amused at Frank.

CHRIS
If only it was that straight
forward.
(MORE)
 25.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
It was vote yes to not allow pot
shops in town, and vote no if you
wanted zoning changed to allow
them.

FRANK
Backwards.

CHRIS
Yeah... I think it was just a
creative move by the C.F.S. folks
to get what they want?

FRANK
Who?

CHRIS
C.F.S. Citizens for Springdale.
It’s a group of politicos in town
who want things their way. I call
them Citizens for a whiter
Springdale. They don’t want
anything to change.

FRANK
So, they are a bunch of nobodies?

CHRIS
They think their somebodies. Ten
years ago they ran a casino
developer out of town. Sold the
idea to the townspeople that the
community couldn’t afford all the
negatives that would come from
gaming in town. But hey, let’s sell
scratch tickets and Keno at every
corner mart in town.

Bartender one comes out from the back and crosses the bar,
attempting to look busy. Chris flags him down.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
Sir! Double Malibu pineapple,
please?

The bartender takes his empty collins glass, and goes off to
make his drink.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
So anyways, these folks went out,
and railed against pot shops. They
fear mongered.
(MORE)
 26.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
I heard every propaganda lie there
was to spread on cannabis. These
folks were drunk on Reefer Madness.

FRANK
And it worked?

CHRIS
Sadly. Forty two to fifty eight.
Pot shops lost the day. A few folks
with brains in town tried to talk
sense. A finance committee member
came out and shared how much tax
revenue we would lose by making
that decision. This group said more
cops would have to be hired because
crime would go up. The police chief
came out and said there wouldn’t be
any need of that. But once you
drank the kool aid, its hard to get
the taste out of your mouth.

The bartender returns with Chris’s drink. He puts it down in

front of Chris. Frank is intently listening to Chris.

CHRIS (CONT’D)
So, I don’t know. Maybe you’re town
can out law film production in
town. Sounds like it’s a quality of
life issue. And C.F.S. were
concerned about preserving the
health and character of their town.
Maybe this could apply to your
situation in town.

Frank ponders. He picks up his drink, and takes one last sip.

FRANK
Thanks for the idea.

CHRIS
What the hell are you talking
about?

FRANK
I’m going to get the town to vote
on banning film productions from
town?

Chris rolls his eyes at Frank. He takes his glass away from
him, and holds it up.

CHRIS
Barkeep! This guys cut off.
 27.

Frank is not happy at Chris’ antics.

INT. FRANK'S HOUSE - NIGHT - MONTAGE (16.9 FORMAT)

MONTAGE:

MUSIC BEGINS.

-Frank returns home. Searching through a stack of mail, he

pulls out “The Wilford Town Crier” newspaper.

-Frank turns on a burner on his stove to let a tea kettle

boil.

-Frank flips through “The Wilford Town Crier.” His eyes are
darting across the pages as he flips, rapidly viewing blips
of articles about the town council. Frank turns a page, and
immediately sees a half page advertisement for Olivio
Variety. Frank throws the paper aside on the counter.

-The tea kettle whistles. Frank enters to make himself a

drink. He rips open a brown paper envelope and pours out
powder into a mug. Adding a splash of milk, Frank has made
himself hot chocolate.

-Frank is scribbling on sheets of blank copy paper. He

realizes the progress he has made on his beverage, looking
into his mug to see that his coco is half gone. Frank gets
up, and turns on the burner underneath the tea kettle.

-Frank continues to scribble on sheets of paper, drinking his

cocoa.

-The tea kettle whistles, and Frank makes another cup of

cocoa. This time, he puts a shot of Jack Daniels into his
cocoa.

-Standing in front of the counter, his notes are spread out

in front of him. He is spinning his pen in his fingers.
Frank’s notes are very messy with many things visibly crossed
off.

-Frank grabs his mug of cocoa. The mug was sitting on top of
his notes. He finishes his cocoa.

-Ice is loudly dispensed into Frank’s mug. Frank pours well

more than a double shot of Jack Daniels into the mug. He
takes a sip, swirls the mug around in his hand to mix the
drink and the ice together more, and takes another sip.

-Frank enters his living room carrying his mug. He picks up

the remote and turns on his T.V. He turns on “Wilford TV”. He
sits, holding his drink, and watches Town Council meetings.
 28.

MUSIC FADES.

-Cross fade to Frank asleep on the couch. The T.V. is still

on. The Community Bulletin Board is scrolling through on
“Wilford TV” now with orchestral music accompanying it. There
is half a mug full of watered down whisky on the table.

-The Community Bulletin Board and music is cut off. The T.V.
goes to black for a moment, before returning with blaring
music. The music sounds “news-like”, but patriotic.

-The music wakes Frank up. An old photo of 44 year old AL -

HOLMES (59) appears, with the chyron “That Wilford Show”.
Quickly grabbing the remote, he turns off the T.V. Frank rubs
his eyes, gets up off the couch, and heads towards his
stairs, turning the light off as he reaches the top.

END OF MONTAGE

FADE TO BLACK.