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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: City park—it is raining heavily
Victoria Little sits, without a raincoat, at a table covered with a banner that reads: AIDS Relief Alliance—AIDSwalk. Over the top has been scrawled: Cancelled. All around her people are scattering, gathering their things, trying to get out of the rain. A man wearing a bright yellow rain slicker walks up to her, as she stares straight ahead.
Man: Hey. [Inaudible] (She nods but doesn't speak)
He removes the slicker to reveal it is Alvin. He places it over her, covering her head with the hood, and sits down beside her.
Alvin: It could be worse. I don't know how, but it could be.
Scene: Street in Shadyside—evening
Nick and Lulu walk side by side, each carrying a sack of groceries.
Lulu: So, I used to go to this pizza parlor. There, when it was your birthday, they would give you a… a pie in the face. But they would do this cheap thing, where they would put shaving cream on a paper plate and then smear it on your face.
Nick: Nice.
Lulu: Right. And, of course, I got a rash… (Chuckles—Nick smiles) …from the menthol. And the guy that I was on the date with, it was… really embarrassing. His name was Lawrence or something. He said I smelled like a man.
Nick: Oh.
Lulu: Right. And everybody laughed.
Nick: I'm sorry.
Lulu: (She stops suddenly—Nick walks a step ahead) I'm pregnant.
Nick: (Turns around—stunned) What?
Lulu: I'm pregnant.
Nick is speechless.
Lulu: Hold this. (Hands him her sack of groceries) I have the test. (Opens her purse and pulls out the EPT wand) I… I did it twice and… well, come in the light. (They move under the street lamp) See… both times the pink line goes all the way across…
Nick: Right.
Lulu: So… I'm pregnant.
Scene: Nick's kitchen
Nick stares in silence while Lulu sits on the counter, swinging her legs and chewing her fingers—unpacked groceries still on the counter.
Nick: Is this… is this what you want? (Looks at Lulu)
Lulu: Do I wanna be pregnant?
Nick: Yeah.
Lulu: No. No, I don't wanna be.
Nick: What are we talking about?
Lulu: Well, look, it's not exactly the way I imagined it would happen, you know?
Nick: Right. So, whadaya wanna do?
Lulu: I don't know, Nick. (Nick sighs—face strained) Well, do you wanna be a father?
Nick gives her a long look.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room—morning
Employees are gathered for a meeting. Nick stands in the doorway.
Alvin: (Stands, holding up a newspaper folded to an article) This homeless guy… Fred Murphy. He's been painting 'believe' all over the city. 'Believe.' Hospitals. Crime scenes. Housing projects. He goes and tries to spread a little hope around. It's, uh… I don't know… it's very… inspirational. Anyway… this is Victoria Little, Chairman of the AIDS Relief Alliance. (Sits)
Victoria: Hi, everybody. (Starts to say something then looks to Alvin)
Alvin: Uh… when the, uh, AIDSwalk was rained out, the AIDS Relief Alliance lost thirty percent of their operating budget. They've already cut several of their programs including their legal services.
Lulu: Right. And Alvin and I have decided to use some of our county funds to represent their clients. So, by the way, there will be a mandatory AIDS Awareness Training Seminar a week from today.
Victoria: And I'll be here all week to answer any questions. (Stands) Also, we're having an emergency fund raiser this Saturday. It's a masquerade party… at The Tar Pit. (Pause) It's this club that closed a few months ago. It's to recover some of the losses from the walk. And, uh… you and a guest are invited… free of charge. So, please bring your friends, but make them pay. (Titters from the group)
Alvin: 'Believe.' (Holds up the newspaper again with the picture of Murphy and his 'Believe' symbol)
Nick and Lulu share a long look.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Jake meets with Len Getkin and Ken Potter.
Jake: You guys, you gotta see this article. (Points to the article about Fred Murphy and the 'Believe' symbol) 'Believe'… right? The guy's painting it everywhere.
Len: So?
Jake: So… I think it's an opportunity.
Len: What… you want us to print this guy's symbol?
Jake: Well, you guys are in an ideal position… to get it out there…
Len: We're about to go belly-up.
Jake: …get it out there fast. I mean, what other merchandiser's got seventy-five thousand mugs, T-shirts, and key chains sittin' around collecting dust?
Len: Yeah, well, we can move those units without a symbol on 'em for… two hundred grand.
Jake: Ah… that's wholesale. But, I mean, if this 'believe' idea works, it could be worth… millions.
Len: (Pause) Nah… What about printing costs?
Jake: What's it gonna be… ten cents a unit?
Len: Ten cents a unit we'd have to borrow. Thought the idea was to get out of debt.
Ken: 'Believe'?
Jake: T-shirts. Hats. Key chains. (Smiles)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Nick sits with the door shut, reading a book—My Wife's Having a Baby! A Husband's Guide. A knock at the door, he quickly stows the book in a drawer.
Nick: Come in. (He touches a file on his desk, fanning the pages—looking busy)
Lulu: (Enters) You busy?
Nick: No. No. Have a seat.
Lulu: You okay?
Nick: Fine. You?
Lulu: Yeah. I, uh… I made an appointment at a clinic.
Nick: Clinic.
Lulu: Right. Tomorrow morning at eight.
Nick: Clinic?
Lulu: (Quickly adds) Yeah. Just to, uh… you know, see where I'm at. And get a blood test and… weigh the options and…
Nick: Right. Well, uh… I… I'd like to be there.
Lulu: It's at eight.
Nick: (Smiles) You told me.
Lulu: Okay. (Smiles—gets up to exit—at the door she starts to say something else but exits with a little nervous laugh)
Nick takes a deep breath. Knock at the door and Suzanne enters with two children in-tow.
Suzanne: Hi, Nick.
Nick: Hey.
Suzanne: This is Marcus Wheat and his sister, Etta.
Nick: Hey.
Marcus: What's up? (Marcus sticks out his hand and Nick clumsily goes through a ritual handshake with him)
Nick: Okay. (Chuckles)
Marcus: Don't worry. You'll get it.
Nick: Okay. (Smiles at Etta) Hey.
Etta: Hi.
Nick: How are you?
Etta: Fine.
Nick: Hmm.
Suzanne: Marcus, will you take your sister outside for just a second? (He nods and takes her hand) Thank you. You can play with the toys where I showed you, okay? Thank you.
Nick: Bye.
She shuts the door.
Suzanne: I think we need to go to Judge Damsen's chambers.
Nick: Why?
Suzanne: They need a medical guardian.
Nick: Medical guardian? What for?
Suzanne: Their mother died of AIDS three days ago… and she refused to have them tested.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office
Lulu: So, what's this Alvin mentioned about a contested donation?
Victoria: Well, there's a friend of mine, Warren Connor… he died three months ago, and he left the Alliance a million dollars and his kids aren't too happy about it.
Lulu: Oh, so do you need me to handle it?
Victoria: Well, actually Alvin said that he knows the lawyer that's representing the Connor kids, so…
Lulu: Hmm. Well, uh… is there anything I can do to help?
Victoria: Yes. In fact, there's this club called Lift. It's ostensibly a sports club for men.
Lulu: A gay club?
Victoria: A place where minority men on the down low and closeted white guys go for anonymous sex.
Lulu: And how can I help?
Victoria: We want access. To provide free AIDS testing. Education. Prevention. I haven't been able to get anywhere with them so I thought, since you're a lawyer, you might be able to get their attention. (Hands Lulu some brochures)
Lulu: Okay.
Alvin: (Walks in) You ready?
Victoria: It's time?
Alvin: Yeah. Meeting's in twenty minutes. Burton's very punctual.
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—Judge Damsen's chambers
Judge Damsen: Their mother never tested them? (Looks through the file)
Suzanne: Correct.
Judge: What about the father?
Suzanne: We're still looking.
Judge: Miss Pell, you understand you're under no obligation to have these children tested.
Suzanne: Yes.
Judge: (Pause) Okay. Mr. Fallin, you're the medical guardian. It's up to you to approve the testing.
Scene: Immediately outside Judge Damsen's chambers
Nick: You know, Damsen might have a point. Why not wait?
Suzanne: You mean place them and then test them?
Nick: Sure.
Suzanne: Well, if they're infected they need treatment. It's simple.
Nick: Simple?
Suzanne: I don't wanna place a child with a family and then have something like this disrupt it. It's better to have all the cards on the table.
Nick: Okay. Go ahead.
Suzanne smiles, admiringly, as she watches him walk away.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Alvin: You're contesting Mr. Connor's will on the basis of undue influence.
Burton: Miss Little… used a romantic relationship with a man twice her age to, uh… influence his estate planning.
Alvin: My client was in love with Mr. Connor. She cared for him during his long illness.
Burton: Your client manipulated a dying man who was mentally frail.
Alvin: You're holding up a million dollar charitable contribution to a not-for-profit agency.
Burton: No. No, Alvin. My client is suing Mr. Connor's estate. Now… if your client wants to file a claim, you know… she's free to get in line.
Scene: Frick Building—7th Floor elevator lobby—moments later
Alvin and Victoria wait for the elevator to arrive.
Alvin: You'll just have to wait it out.
Victoria: That's exactly what they want me to do. They know I'm in trouble. That the Alliance could go under before this is resolved.
Alvin: How much d'you need to keep going?
Victoria: Fifty grand to keep me going 'til the end of the year.
Alvin: Will you make that from the party?
Victoria: You mean the party that I threw together this morning? Be lucky if I can get… twenty people to show up.
Alvin: Oh, it might work.
Victoria: A masquerade party. I gotta be the dumbest person on the planet.
Alvin: You're not.
Victoria: I can't even afford The Tar Pit.
Elevator arrives.
Nick: Alvin. Miss Little. (Steps off the elevator)
Alvin: Nick.
Victoria: Have we met?
Alvin: Uh… Nick, uh… volunteers at the Clinic. (Nick turns and walks away) He's, uh… he's Burton's son.
Elevator doors close.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Jake: Oh, hey. You see this? (Shows Nick the 'Believe' article in the paper)
Nick: Yeah.
Jake: Len Getkin and Ken Potter. Remember them?
Nick: Merchandising guys. Owe us about thirty grand.
Jake: Right. Well, I sold them on an idea. A slogan for all that merchandise. 'Believe.'
Nick: Good for you.
Jake: Yeah. Oh, and I spoke to, uh… Lulu's assistant about that masquerade party on Saturday. Sounds like a lotta fun. (Walks away)
Scene: Park—somewhere in the city
Jake talks with Fred Murphy—a down-and-out homeless guy wearing an old Army jacket.
Jake: I work for a company called Principal Products. They're interested in licensing your art… for, uh… for T-shirts… hats.
Fred: Licensing.
Jake: They wanna… they wanna pay you money to use your art to apply to their products like on a T-shirt.
Fred: They wanna put it on a… a T-shirt?
Jake: Exactly.
Fred: And then they wanna sell the T-shirt.
Jake: Well, your message is, uh… well, it's very important right now, things being the way they are.
Fred: I'm… I'm not, uh, sure about the, uh… selling part.
Jake: Well, Mr. Murphy, the… the deal, uh… There's enough money up-front to cover your living expenses for a year. And, if this works out, there… well, there might be enough money to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life.
Fred: (He considers the deal then pulls out a cocktail napkin from his jacket, folds it several times, looks around suspiciously, then hands it to Jake)
Jake: (Unfolds the napkin and sees a crude drawing of the 'Believe' symbol) 'Believe.'
Scene: Lift Athletic Club
Lulu confidently walks into the club and speaks with Micah Oakey, the manager.
Lulu: My client's trying to get into your sports club to increase AIDS awareness. And they're only interested in coming twice a week, to distribute condoms and provide free AIDS testing.
Micah: Right. See… that's not exactly why people come to this club.
Lulu: Okay.
Micah: This is a men's athletic club. The guys work out. Enjoy the private camaraderie.
Lulu: And by camaraderie, do you mean giving each other AIDS? Which then gets spread to their wives and girlfriends and their children. Babies are being born infected. You must know that.
Micah: Lady. I mean… you could offer a million condoms and tests. The guys here… they're not gonna take 'em.
Lulu exits as Jake enters. For a moment they look at each other.
Lulu: Jake?
Jake: Lulu.
Lulu: Um… I was just… I… (Begins to cry) I was…
Jake: Lulu, you okay? (She shakes her head)
Scene: The Incline—moments later
Lulu: I wanna be a mother, I do… but, uh… now is just not really the time. And, uh… Nick, is, uh… He's so unreadable. I… I… I'm not really sure that he really wants to do this anyway.
Jake: I mean, do you love him?
Lulu: I think so. Uh… most of the time I do but then…
Jake: Right.
Lulu: (Sighs) This is really weird… you know? I mean, I just… I can't believe I'm… I'm dumping all this on you. You were just…
Jake: …wrong place at the wrong time. (Sips his martini)
Lulu: We don't know each other very well.
Jake: We… we know each other, Lulu.
Lulu: Um… you know, I guess I always thought that you were kind of…
Jake: Lulu…
Lulu: …wait-wait, but I just wanna say this. (Pause) Uh… I hope you're being careful.
Jake: You know, I was… I was raised Catholic and, uh… and working class, right? So, uh… understand what I'm about to say is gonna be kinda colored by that.
Lulu: Oh, you don't have to explain anything to me.
Jake: Well, this isn't about me. No. (Pause) Have the baby, Lulu. You're gonna be a wonderful mother. And Nick, despite his, uh… his, uh… (Pause)…the way he is, Nick's gonna be a solid dad.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Nick: Dad, uh… you still have Mom's engagement ring?
Burton: Yeah. I do.
Nick: Well, if, uh… if… if it's okay with you, I'd like to have it.
Burton: I'll bring it in tomorrow.
Nick: Thank you. (Quietly exits)
Scene: Women's Clinic—morning
Nick enters the clinic where Lulu is waiting.
Nick: (Kisses Lulu then takes a seat—sighs) Uhm…
They are both uncomfortable—nervous.
Nurse: Louisa Archer?
Lulu: Oh… They're ready. Uhm… (They stand)
Nick: Uh… it's okay if I come in?
Lulu: I think you should stay here. I'll be right back. Okay?
Nick: Yeah. (Sits back down on the sofa—nervously clasps his hands)
Later—Lulu emerges from the examination room.
Nick: How'd it go?
Lulu: Uh… well, I'm five weeks.
Nick: Five weeks?
Lulu: Yeah. It's really early, Nick.
Nick: Ah, it's five weeks.
Lulu: It's just a cluster of cells right now.
Nick: Right.
Lulu: Just a little cluster of cells. (Nicks follows her out)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
He is working. He turns to get something out of a file cabinet behind him. His door opens, then closes. He looks around and sees no one. Goes back to work.
Nick: Oh… (Feels a tug on his shirt) Etta.
Etta: (Giggles) Hi.
Nick: What are you doing?
Etta: Pulling your shirt.
Nick: Right. You supposed to be in here?
Knock at the door.
Etta: (Puts her finger to her lips) Shh. (Ducks under the desk)
Suzanne enters.
Suzanne: I can't find Etta.
Nick: (Smiles) Oh, I… haven't seen her. (Indicates under the desk)
Suzanne peeks under the desk. Etta giggles.
Suzanne: Hi, sweetie.
Etta: Hi.
Suzanne: Hi. Marcus is outside making a castle. D'you wanna help him?
Etta nods and starts to leave.
Nick: Bye, Etta. (They wave to each other)
Suzanne: Thank you. (Shuts the door then stands with her back to it—her mood now somber) (Pause) Etta's HIV positive.
Nick: What about Marcus?
Suzanne: Marcus is fine. But, the family that was interested in fostering them is out. So, I need to find a new placement, but… you know, there's not a lot for a four-year-old with HIV. I guess I screwed the whole thing up with that whole… with the 'cards on the freaking table' thing.
Nick: No.
Suzanne: She's just such a sweet little girl. I wish I'd let the family get to know her before I had her tested.
Nick: No, it was my call.
Suzanne: No it wasn't. (They share a look) I, uh… found the dad.
Nick: Where is he?
Suzanne: He's at a boarding house in Morningside for people with AIDS.
Scene: Boarding house
Nick and Suzanne walk through the hallway.
Suzanne: (Spots the room) Oh…
Nick: (Knocks) Mr. Wheat? (Knocks again—door opens slightly) Mr. Wheat? (Nick pushes the door open further) Mr. Wheat? (Finds him lying on a bed)
Calvin Wheat: Door's open. Don't wanna eat today.
Suzanne: Uh… that's not what we're here for.
Calvin: Don't want any food.
Suzanne: We're not here to deliver food, Mr. Wheat. My name is Suzanne Pell and I'm a social worker. And this is Nick Fallin. He's a lawyer. We're here about your children… Etta and Marcus.
Calvin: Well, where is my wife?
Suzanne: Your wife passed away four days ago.
Calvin: Oh, she died?
Suzanne: We need to find a home for your children.
Calvin: (Coughs) I'm… I'm no good for that. (With effort, he sits up)
Suzanne: Mr. Wheat, we have some problems.
Calvin: Problems? What, with my kids?
Suzanne: Yes. Etta is HIV positive and we need to find her a home. Do you know anyone who might take her?
Calvin: (Shakes his head) Is… is Marcus sick, too?
Suzanne: No.
Calvin: My wife… she died from the AIDS?
Suzanne: Yes, sir, yes she did.
Calvin: (Catches Nick staring at him) You think I did this to them?
Suzanne: (Removes a card from her pocket and places it on the table) Um… I'm just gonna leave our information here.
Calvin: Black men are supposed to be strong. Supposed to be fathers.
Suzanne: Sorry to disturb you.
Calvin: I… was a married man… and I loved my wife… and I loved my kids. (Tearfully) I was a man, you get me? (Brushes a food tray off the bed onto the floor)
Startled by the commotion, Suzanne steps out into the hall. Nick lingers as Calvin rolls over on the bed—away from him.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
Jake meets with Fred Murphy, Len Getkin and Ken Potter.
Jake: So, ten thousand dollars, payable immediately. Plus two percent of the adjusted gross revenue. (Slides a paper in front of Fred and hands him a pen)
Fred: Oh… (Fidgets)
Jake: It's… it's a good deal. Believe me.
Fred: (Takes a wadded piece of paper from his pocket and reads—haltingly) No red T-shirts. Because… the color of the sun, naturally. And, uh… no orange for the same reason. And, uh… no turtlenecks. No… No. 2 pencils only. And, no backpacks or lunchboxes. Hats are okay but not with the, uh… kind with the snaps in the back. And… uh, you said something about key chains.
Jake: Right.
Fred: Ab… absolutely no key chains.
Len: Wha… No key chains?
Fred: (Whispers to Jake) 'Cause some people… some people don't have keys. And, uh… uh… no selling of these products on Mondays. We have to let the week begin easy.
Jake: Well, Mr. Murphy, uh… all this is very interesting but I'm afraid none of your requests can be granted. Except for maybe the idea about no orange or red T-shirts which does kinda make some sense. (Looks over at his clients)
Fred: (Pause) Okay.
Jake: Okay, so we're agreed. Then ten thousand dollars for exclusive licensing rights plus two percent after break even.
Fred: And no orange or red.
Jake: No. No orange or red.
Fred: No orange or red.
Jake: No… orange or red. (Whispers) No orange or red.
The clients look at each other—discomfited.
Jake: (Shakes his head—unsure) Fine. Okay, so I'll… I'll get the trademark search started.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Burton enters and goes to the counter. Alvin and Victoria are waiting in the lobby.
Burton: Morning, Kirsten. I'm expecting a package from Toronto.
Alvin: Burton?
Burton: Hey, Alvin. How are ya? (Shakes hands) (To Victoria) Hi.
Alvin: The, uh, lawyer who, uh, drafted Warren Connor's will's gonna testify that Warren was not unduly influenced to revise the document. (Kirsten hands an Xpress package to Burton) So… I filed a motion with the Orphan's Court to have the contest dismissed. The hearing's scheduled for next week.
Burton: (Chuckles) We'll be there. (Walks toward his office)
Victoria: (Follows him) Mr. Fallin. A million dollars. Without it people will die. People with AIDS, who are hungry, won't receive hot meals. They won't get their prescription drugs.
Burton: (Stops walking) Miss Little, I'm… I'm sure your intentions are… the best but, this is… this is a family matter. (Walks off)
Scene: Frick Building—elevator—moments later
Victoria: (Sighs) If I could just get fifty grand out of the party this weekend I could hold out for another thirty days.
Alvin: Well… I have some free time. And… I'm a pretty good fund raiser. Maybe we could, uh… brainstorm some ideas.
Victoria: I never really cared for Warren.
Alvin: Oh?
Victoria: The only way to get a man like that to do something good was to… sleep with him. That's why I did it. (Turns to face Alvin) My brother died of AIDS… ten years ago. (Emotionally) There are thousand of people in Pittsburgh who need help. I do what it takes. I'm embarrassed. (Turns away—starts to tear-up) Look… I like you. I don't want you to think that… I… I did care about him. We knew each other. But… it was complica… (Alvin kisses her—she looks at him then kisses him back)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Nick enters without knocking.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Burton: Come on in. Sit down. Went by the bank. Picked up the ring. (Reaches in his drawer and pulls out the ring box—opens it and sets it on the desk—chuckles) It's all I could afford in 1965. It's almost a carat. I remember it's being a little bigger than that.
Nick: It's beautiful.
Burton: Actually your mother picked it out, you know? She was always a step ahead of me, you know? She told me she didn't want me to surprise her so she picked it out. (Pause) You know, when I proposed to your mother she… she was expecting it anyway but she, uh… she acted surprised. (Chuckles) Well, anyway, uh… I… I wanna wish you… (Tearfully) Nicholas, I loved your mother. I hope you know that. I wanted to spend my life with her. Things just… fell apart and I… I… I let it go. I let… I let her go. I regret that. Well… (Closes the box and slides it across the desk) …you'll do better. (Nick takes the box, lovingly) I love you, son.
Nick: (Choked up) I love you, too, Dad. (Exits)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Nick: Stanley Heights Group Shelter?
Suzanne: It's the only shelter that can handle HIV positive children.
Nick: How many kids under ten live there?
Suzanne: Not many.
Nick: Right.
Suzanne: I've checked every bed in the county. I mean, we could split them up but Etta's still gonna have to go to Stanley Heights.
Lulu steps into the room.
Lulu: Nick. Oh, hi, Suzanne. There's a couple here to see you regarding the Wheat case.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—meeting room—moments later
Nicole Lakey: Daryl used to know Calvin Wheat before the whole tragedy. They played basketball together at the gym.
Nick: Right.
Daryl: I was at work yesterday when I got the call from Calvin. I hadn't… talked to him in years. He told me about the problems with his children. That… they didn't have any place to go. That little Etta was sick. So I talked to Nicole about it. And we prayed about it and…
Nicole: And this morning we decided. This is the right thing.
Suzanne: Mr. and Mrs. Lakey, you understand that Etta has special needs? (They nod) And you're prepared to educate yourself about the disease?
Nicole: We don't know much about it. It's true. But we can learn.
Suzanne: (Looks at Nick—he nods) Okay. Well, while you're here we'll have you fill out the paperwork. And then we'll schedule a home study and medical evaluations for later today.
Nick notices the change in Daryl at the mention of a medical evaluation.
Daryl: (Looks at Nick) No problem.
Nick: Okay, then.
Nicole: When can we see the kids?
Scene: Lift Athletic Club
Lulu walks in carrying two shopping bags.
Micah: Hey. What's up?
Lulu: Oh, the health inspector said…
Micah: Ooh… that guy you had pay us a surprise visit.
Lulu: Right.
Micah: The guy who found our facilities up to code.
Lulu: Right. He said you'd be expecting me. So… I have the condoms. (Indicates the bags)
Micah: (Pause) That door on the right. (Takes her to the room and opens the door) You can put 'em in here with the rest of 'em. (Room is filled with condoms and AIDS literature)
Lulu: No. No one's gonna see them.
Micah: Then take them with you.
Lulu: Know what? I don't get you. All I'm asking is that you give people the option to be safe. You know, stop an avoidable thing from happening.
Micah: Okay. I don't have time for this. Leave them. Take them. It's your call.
Lulu: My call?
Micah: That's what I just said. It's all up to you, lady. (Walks away)
Scene: The Incline—day
Lulu: And they wanted to just toss them in some moldy closet where they hide all of their condoms and AIDS literature.
Jake: And so this makes you think that maybe…
Lulu: Yeah. Maybe I'm just looking for all the bad things to justify the way that I feel.
Jake's cell phone rings.
Jake: Ah… (Answers phone) Yeah. Yeah. No-no-no. Just call the European Union guy. Right. It… it's easy. You can get it done. Thank you. (Flips phone shut) Just, uh… due diligence on this 'believe' thing.
Lulu: Oh, d'you need to take care of it?
Jake: No. So, uhm… you were saying, war, poverty, AIDS… Why bring a kid into that?
Lulu: I guess.
Jake: You know, when my mother attempted suicide, she, uhm… Well, I mean, she… she got very depressed and… and then she did something stupid.
Lulu: Whadaya mean?
Jake: Well, she didn't really want to die. She was just afraid, that's all. I mean, if you're asking my opinion… you know what I think.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—elevator
Suzanne: (Steps off the elevator) Oh, hey. You got a second?
Nick: (Hurries toward the elevator) No, I'm trying to get home.
Suzanne: The Lakeys passed their home study.
Nick: Great. (Runs his hand down the back of his head)
Suzanne: But, at the medical exam, Mr. Lakey refused to take a blood test.
Nick: He refused his blood test?
Suzanne: Yeah. (Hands him the file) I mean, it's within his rights… but, I…
Nick: Okay.
Suzanne: …under the circumstances…
Nick: (Anxious to leave) Yeah, I'll look into it. I gotta get home. (Hands the file back to her and enters the elevator)
Scene: Nick's house—kitchen
Lulu sits at the bar, writing, when Nick enters through the kitchen door.
Nick: How was your day?
Lulu: Fine.
Nick: Good.
Lulu: Yours?
Nick: Fine.
Lulu: Good. (He walks over to her) Do you think we really have to wear masks to this party?
Nick: I don't know.
Lulu: 'Cause, I just don't know where… I mean, I guess we could wear Halloween masks but… (Chuckles) …I don't think that's what they have in mind.
Nick: I don't know.
Lulu: Um… d'you eat anything?
Nick: No. (Removes the ring box from his inside jacket pocket, holding it in his right hand)
Lulu: Well, there's a half a sandwich in the fridge. (She continues working)
Nick finally gets her attention and they look at each other. He reaches over with his left hand and gently holds her head and kisses her tenderly, then slides the ring box across the counter. She looks at the box then at Nick. He waits. Silence.
Scene: Nick's bedroom—moments later
Lulu sits, cross-legged, in the middle of the bed. Nick stands at the foot of the bed—without his tie and jacket, shirt collar unbuttoned.
Lulu: We have a much bigger decision in front of us, Nick, than getting married, you know? We have a much… much bigger decision. (Pause) I don't wanna get married just because I'm pregnant… anyway. I just don't get you. I don't know why you didn't talk to me about this, you know? Just talk to me about what you're thinking, for a change. Because… this doesn't have to be romantic—our thing. You know, we really should be like adults and we should talk about things and then make decisions.
Nick: You know, I… I don't… I don't care if you don't wanna marry me. I… it's all right. I just… You know… I know that I'm ready to be a father. I know that.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—conference room
There are samples of the 'Believe' merchandise on the table.
Ken Potter: It's a really nice hat.
Len Getkin: Yeah.
Ken: I 'believe.'
Jake enters the room.
Jake: So… I received a letter from the Chicago law firm that represents Fujiyama Saki's US interests. Fujiyama's top shelf Saki is called Believe. Believe Saki. The text of which is surrounded by a red sun. So… we have this problem. (Passes the letter to Ken)
Len: Excuse me?
Jake: Well, they're… they're threatening a Federal lawsuit if we use their trademark.
Len: (Upset) We printed seventy-five thousand of these.
Jake: I mean, I never give you the go-ahead.
Len: You… told us to act fast.
Jake: Well… I'm sorry, you can't… sell the T-shirts, or the hats, or the… or the key chains.
Len: (Angrily grabs the letter from Ken) How did this happen?!
Jake: There were no significant indicators.
Len: You… you didn't check Japan for trademarks?!
Jake: Well, I ran the text and the letters and nothing significant came back.
Len: You didn't check Japan?!
Scene: Park—somewhere in the city
Fred Murphy: So they can't give me the money? (Swigs from a bottle in a paper sack)
Jake: Because of this company, Fujiyama.
Fred: Fujiyama Saki.
Jake: Do… do you know what Fujiyama Saki is, Fred?
Fred: (Inebriated) Well, I know what Saki is, for God's sake. I lived in Japan.
Jake: You… you were in Japan?
Fred: When I was in the Army, I lived in Japan. When I was in Japan, I drank Saki. Everyone drinks Saki.
Wheels his grocery cart away leaving Jake bewildered.
Scene: Boarding house—Calvin Wheat's room
Nick knocks. No answer. He opens the door and peeks in. Finds Calvin lying on the bed, facing away from the door. Enters.
Nick: Mr. Wheat?
Calvin: Yeah, what?
Nick: I came by here two days ago.
Calvin: Are my kids okay?
Nick: (Pause) Daryl Lakey.
Calvin: (Sighs) Yeah?
Nick: Can you help me understand something?
Calvin: What?
Nick: Were you involved with him?
Calvin: What do you mean?
Nick: Did you have sex with him? Was he… was he one of your partners? (No response) See, here's my problem, Mr. Wheat. (Walks around to the bed and stoops down to talk with him face to face) If I give your children to the Lakeys… and if Mr. Lakey's HIV positive and if Mrs. Lakey doesn't know, then another family will be destroyed… with your children in the middle of it… again.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
Nick: Mr. Lakey, the reason I asked you to come in here by yourself… (Opens the door and says to Suzanne) Can you leave us a minute? Thank you. (She exits) I spoke with Calvin Wheat.
Daryl: Okay.
Nick: (Sits on the corner of the desk) I went to see him because of your refusal to give a blood sample.
Daryl: Okay.
Nick: He confirmed some things.
Daryl: I don't take blood tests, Mr. Fallin. That's how black men get diseases like Calvin's in the first place.
Nick: Calvin Wheat didn't contract HIV from a needle… right?
Daryl: (Pause) I don't know how he got it.
Nick: Right. (Sighs—leans closer) Mr. Lakey. What you're doing, taking in his children, is a very good thing… but if you're HIV positive and then if you infect your…
Daryl: (Angrily grabs Nick by his tie and gets in his face) You shut your mouth! I am not a faggot… so you shut… your mouth! (Releases him—Nick smoothes his tie) I am trying to do the right thing here, Mr. Fallin. But don't make me change my mind. Understand? Don't make me… change… my mind.
Moments later Daryl Lakey steps onto the elevator. Suzanne and Nick stand outside his office.
Suzanne: Whadaya wanna do? It's your recommendation.
Nick: Your placement.
Suzanne: It's better than Stanley Heights.
Nick: Hope so.
Suzanne: It's complicated.
Nick turns and walks back into his office.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
From his office, Burton sees Nick in the lobby and motions for him to come in.
Burton: Hey.
Nick: Hey.
Burton: How are things?
Nick: Fine. Fine.
Burton: Good. (Just looks at Nick)
Nick: (Brow furrowed—shrugs) D'you need anything?
Burton: (Smiles) Just wanted to know how things went.
Nick: (Pause) Haven't done it yet.
Burton: Oh…
Nick exits Burton's office with a backward glance over his shoulder.
Scene: The Tar Pit—masquerade party
Alvin: (From the stage) I just wanna let everybody know, we've reached our halfway point—twenty-six thousand dollars. (Applause) So please… empty out your pockets, put it on the credit card and give, give, give.
Nick and Lulu sit with Jake and Blair, his date. Nick wears a mask… yawns. Lulu fans herself with her mask which has a handle.
Lulu: You know… I don't… I don't feel so great.
Jake: Maybe… D'you… d'you want some more water or something?
Lulu: Oh, no. No.
Jake: (Stands) I mean, maybe you need some air or…
Lulu: Uh… it's okay. I think I'm just gonna go home.
Nick: Yeah. Let's… let's just go. (Stands and removes his mask—gives Jake a look)
Lulu: Have fun.
Jake: All right.
Lulu: Sorry.
Jake: Goodnight.
Lulu: Goodnight.
Nick follows Lulu.
Lulu: Hey, you know what? You should just stay… 'cause you promised you'd help with the raffle.
Nick: Oh, someone else can do it.
Lulu: No-no-no. Just… just stay, please. I'm… I'm gonna go home. I'm fine. I just need to go home. (Kisses him on the cheek) I'll see you later.
Nick watches her walk out then returns to the table.
Later in the evening—Alvin conducts the raffle.
Alvin: (Wears an elaborate mask over his eyes with a long nose—he taps the microphone on his nose to get the attention of the audience) Okay. Now for the first of our ten lucky winners of this beautiful ceramic jester doll, donated by Hidden Treasures on Lincoln Street.
Victoria draws a number.
Victoria: Four-zero-eight-four. Whoever has ticket four-zero-eight-four, come on up and get your prize.
A woman runs up to the stage waving the winning ticket. (Applause)
Alvin: (To Nick, waiting in the wings) Get the dolls that are wrapped in newspaper or they're in a big cardboard box, down there.
Nick goes backstage and finds a big cardboard box which he opens.
Suzanne: Hi. (Walks up with a mask over her face)
Nick: Hi?
Suzanne: It's me.
Nick: Who?
Suzanne: (Lowers her mask) It's me. (Nick chuffs—smiles) Having fun?
Nick: Right. (Shrugs)
Suzanne: Where's your date?
Nick: Uh… she… she left.
Suzanne: Oh. So, uhm… I pulled some strings so that the kids could be with the Lakeys by next weekend.
Nick: Good. Good. That must've been, uhm…
Suzanne: It's complicated.
Nick: Yeah. (Nods his head)
Suzanne moves closer and, putting her hand on the side of his head, she kisses him. He kisses her back and then eventually steps back. They share a look.
Suzanne: Complicated? (After a long look, Nick takes the box and walks away)
Victoria: (Off camera) We've raised fifty-one thousand, two hundred and eleven dollars! (Big applause)
Scene: Street near the Lift Athletic Club
Jake walks to the club—enters.
Scene: Nick's house—bedroom
Nick walks into the room. Lulu is still awake.
Lulu: Hi.
Nick: Hi.
Lulu: How was the party?
Nick: Fine.
Nick removes his jacket and hangs it in the closet.
Lulu: Uh… I've been thinking. (Nick gives her his attention) I don't wanna have an abortion.
Nick: (Relieved) Well, that's great.
Lulu: (Smiles) That's what I've been thinking.
Nick: Okay. (A little smile)
Lulu: (Sigh—big smile) Okay. So… you wanna get in? (Turns back the covers—waits) Nick… come on, get in. (She pats the mattress)
He sits down on the edge of the bed. She kisses him several times, pushing him down on the bed, then gets on top of him, continuing to kiss him. He holds her and caresses her. His breathing begins to elevate as she continues to kiss him and rub against him. As Lulu works to arouse him, for a moment, he seems to have other things on his mind.
END OF EPISODE
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