THE GLAMOROUS LIFE OF BAND WIDOWS by Donna Van Dyke

donna van dyke dvandyke@neb.rr.com

FADE IN: INT. BILL & PEGS CAR - NIGHT BILL FOREST, late 40s, hot in womens eyes, cool in mens, a rock star in his own, drives with wife, PEG. Busy downtown traffic. He sneaks a look in the rearview mirror, adjusts the collar on the sports coat he wears over a vintage rock tee and the start of a soft belly. Peg, late 40s, has a figure the envy of women half her age. She wears the same-sized Levis she wore in high school and a classic, white cotton blouse. She pouts. He plays. BILL How great is this? You and me out on a Saturday night. If looks could kill, hed take one between the eyes. caresses her knee. She stares out her window. BILL (CONTD) But they worked hard for this. Traffic light turns red. Pedestrians fill the crosswalk. Peg watches the happy crowd. He goads her. BILL (CONTD) You want me to turn around? Ill turn around right now and we can spend my one night off at home. She responds with a menacing glare. BILL (CONTD) (backpedaling) And thatd be wonderful. We can open a bottle of wine... His eyebrows rise full of boyish hope. PEG Then Im the bad guy. Green light. No thanks. He

Her flood gates open.

PEG (CONTD) But remember this cause the last night you had off, six months ago? (MORE) (CONTINUED)

2. CONTINUED: PEG (CONTD) We went to hear Bonzos band and you swore wed do something fun next time. But its AJ. BILL And Tara.

They pull into a parking lot. PEG God forbid that little girl finds out you dont walk on water. Bill gawks at the bands name, BUFFER ZONE, in lights on the marquee. Name sucks. INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT As if through a fog machine, Bill and Peg walk past a crowd of smokers outside. A break tape blasts MUSIC from ceiling speakers. Thousands of photos cover every available space on the walls. Memories from the night the place opened in 61 to the young talent of today. Patrons greet Bill like royalty. Peg hangs on his arm, smiles for friends and fans. She tries to lead him past the crowd but fails. Every few steps a new conversation begins. She forces the smile and tolerates the inconvenience, even hugs a familiar face. How you doing? PEG Its been forever. BILL

A young woman waves from a table near the stage. Peg waves back, throws her arms up in comic frustration then points to Bill who rambles. Peg tugs, half-insists. PEG (CONTD) Baby, Taras waiting. INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - BOOTH - CONTINUOUS Peg and Bill greet mid-20s daughter, TARA. The mirror image of her mother but a daddys girl to the bone. TARA Damn fans, huh, Daddy? (CONTINUED)

3. CONTINUED: Bill laughs. They settle in the booth. graciousness over the commotion. Its so sweet. The WAITRESS arrives. Bill orders. PEG Peg feigns

PEG (CONTD) How are you, baby girl? TARA Good. Daddy, AJs nervous youre here, so dont give him any shit. Peg adjusts her collar, fingers her earrings and stifles the urge to roll her eyes. BILL (dripping sarcasm) I wouldnt dare. A PLAYER and GROUPIE stop at the table. her smile. They shake Bills hand. Peg pastes on

PLAYER Hey, youre with Kabooki, right? Not playing tonight? BILL Rare night off; enjoying it. Oh! PEG Theres your brother.

NOAH, late 20s, a foot taller than his dad, and wife, SUZIE, late 20s, tall and toned, approach the booth. Typical bar conversation; they talk over each other.

PLAYER I saw you guys couple weeks back at the casino and man, it was unbelievable.

PEG Shoot, we just ordered. Shell be right back.

Suzie hugs Tara and Peg then scoots into the half-circle booth.

BILL Thanks, man. Preciate it.

NOAH Were fine, Mom. (CONTINUED)

4. CONTINUED: (2) Noah strains to listen in on Bills conversation. PLAYER You all use the Shure SCLs and go straight through the board now? TARA We need to grab a couple more tables for the girls. Bill sees through the amateurs talk of standard gear, shoots a discreet wink at Noah. Yeah. BILL You doing that?

The waitress delivers drinks. Suzie disappears to the bathroom. Tara heads to the door to meet friends. Pegs left with her plastered smile and fake enthusiasm. PLAYER You know I got me a pair of SCLs but went back to the SEs. Dont know if theyre any different if youre looking at output, you know, the SCL5s and the SE530s? But the SEs just felt better. Pegs smile turns genuine when Tara and her friends make their way to the table.

PEG Here they come. BILL No shit.

PLAYER And youd think the pro lined feel the best.

PLAYER Yeah, we should run it all through the board. Itd be better. Tara and her FRIENDS pull tables up to the booth, snag chairs. The girls dump their purses and head to the bar. Peg chews the inside of her cheek. BILL Yeah, dont miss those monitors. PLAYER Bet it makes tear down a breeze. Suzie returns to the table. (CONTINUED)

5. CONTINUED: (3)

PEG How are you, sweetie?

BILL You still got the mains and a thousand miles of cable, but every little bit helps.

When Peg speaks it comes out like a command. PEG Okay, boys, we got a night off. Cut the shop talk. Their laughs patronize her. PLAYER Sorry, not often you get to shoot the shit with Bill Forest. Very cool to meet you, man. They shake hands, slap backs. BILL Thanks, buddy. Come out and grab me on break sometime. Ill show you the rack. The fans leave. Noah and Suzie smirk; impressed. waves it off like its his everyday life. Hes an idiot. The break music FADES. BUFFER ZONE makes their way onto stage. The crowd HOOTS and WHISTLES. The band TUNES UP, prime for the set. PEG Whens that band of yours gonna be up and running again? Noah shrugs. Suzie rubs his back. BILL (CONTD) Bill

SUZIE Theyve been auditioning a lot of players. BILL Sucks when you need that one spot filled. Dont take anyone till its perfect or youll hate every minute of it.

(CONTINUED)

6. CONTINUED: (4) NOAH Thats what were doing. Holding out till we find the right guy. Or gal. NOAH (obliging/respectful) Or gal. Tara and her friends, all early 20s, return. The house lights dim. Tara taps the table to get everyones attention. TARA Girls, the family. girls. Family, the PEG

ON STAGE, the band erupts in a jam with a hard RHYTHM. The young audience jumps to its feet. AJ, early 20s, plays shirtless on drums, sleeved in tattoos. The other band members vie for stage space as they bound about, all in ink from head to toe. A BUFFER ZONE banner hangs behind the drum riser. AT THE BOOTH Peg readies her camera, leans to Bill. PEG You havent heard them, but the bass player has great control. Wait til you hear his two-hand tap. Bill studies the band like he interprets an impressionist painting. His head bobs gentle in contrast to the hard beat. PEG (CONTD) Need to work on lyrics if they want to stick to all original stuff but theyre tight as hell. Suzie leans to Peg, nods to Taras friends. SUZIE They all band widows? Peg nods, snaps the bands picture. SUZIE (CONTD) Any of them married?

(CONTINUED)

7. CONTINUED: (5) Im not sure. She adjusts the lens, snaps another photo. SUZIE You dont know them? PEG Never met em, but I know em. Peg leans in closer to Suzie. PEG (CONTD) Look. That ones eyes are glued on the guitar player. They watch ROMANTIC WIDOW; her affectionate eyes never leave her man on stage. PEG (CONTD) Shes convinced he only sees her through those blinding stage lights. Peg discretely points to STOIC WIDOW with a cell open in her lap. PEG (CONTD) And shes got at least one kid at home. Keeps checking her phone for calls from the sitter. Suzie buries a snorty laugh in her hand. Peg nods to JEALOUS WIDOW who studies the dance floor with military precision. PEG (CONTD) And that little girl has her groupie radar set extra sensitive cause she already knows the only thing wrong with this gig is every woman in the place and every man on that stage. Everyone startles when Tara slams an empty shot glass on the table. She jumps to her feet and out to the dance floor, alone. Suzie laughs, gives Peg a playful shove. SUZIE So, which one were you? Peg appreciates the question. (CONTINUED) PEG

8. CONTINUED: (6) PEG At some point, every one of em. Peg taps Suzies hand to get her attention. She nods to Jealous whose radar hones in on a DRUNK WOMAN who stumbles up the side steps of the stage. ON STAGE, Drunk Woman shimmies and saddles up next to the bass player. She slips behind him, grinds to the music, leans in to kiss his neck. AT THE BOOTH, the young band widows, nervous, look to each other, unsure of what to do. JEALOUS Someone better do something in the next ten seconds or Im going to kill the bitch. Suzie coughs to kill her laugh. Pegs nostrils flare as she clamps her lips down to suppress a smile. A BOUNCER bolts on stage, grabs Drunk Woman and carries her out a side door. JEALOUS (CONTD) Lucky, lucky girl. The crowd ERUPTS when the song ends. ON STAGE, AJ leans into his mike. AJ Whos ready to party?! Booze-soaked CHEERS from the mob. AJ (CONTD) Sending a shout out to a celebrity in the house. We got Bill Forest from Kabooki with us tonight. The crowd ROARS louder. Bill half-stands, waves. VOICES in the crowd chant, KABOOKI! KABOOKI! Pegs heart melts for Bill. AJ (CONTD) Well have Bill up for a jam little later but first we wanna bring someone up for her first time on stage so make her feel welcome and dont give her any shit. Shes got some great pipes. (CONTINUED) Tara returns.

9. CONTINUED: (7) PEG Her first time? How wonderful. The slightest hint of envy on Pegs face. for the woman in the crowd. She searches

The audience CHEERS for the unknown as she rises from her seat. The YOUNG WOMAN makes her way through the tables and climbs the stairs with her back to us toward center stage. As she slowly turns to face the mike we see... INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT FLASHBACK Young Peg. On the same stage; early 1980s. Fewer framed photos adorn the walls, otherwise the place is the same. A banner behind her reads OPEN MIKE NIGHT. She plays a classical guitar and belts out David Lynn Jones We Were All A Lot Older Then in the smoky bar. PEG Now his baby's gone/She was his only fantasy/And he was her king among men/And the day she died/ Granddaddy cried for her memory/ and we were all a lot older then YOUNG BILL, with his BAND MATES, watches from a booth. Bill hangs on every note, every word. Their eyes meet. They smirk at how corny it is but dont fight it. EXT. LEMONTREE BAR - NIGHT Peg rushes for the front door to escape the cold night. On the marquee, WED KARAOKE / FRI-SAT POCKET ROCKETS. INT. LEMONTREE BAR - NIGHT Peg orders at the bar surrounded by drunks and smoke. Bills band finishes a set on stage. JACK Thank you. Were the Pocket Rockets and well be right back. The boys leave the stage, head off in different directions. Peg pays for her drink. Bill rushes toward her. (CONTINUED)

10. CONTINUED: There she is. A quick hug and discreet nuzzle before he pulls her toward a table. Come on. BILL (CONTD) I wanna show you off. BILL

Theyre not even to the table. DANNY Hey, youre the chick from Carls. Killer pipes, this one. Thanks. PEG You guys sound great.

MARTA So, youre the babe with the voice. Im Marta. MARTA MONTGOMERY, late 20s, boobs and hair bigger than the rest of her white trash, bitter self, wears a GROOVE PUPPETS tee, sits on husband, JACKs, lap; mid 20s. DANNY STUART, mid 20s, chiseled perfection and proud of it, heads to the bar. Thats Danny. heads up. Awkward silence. MARTA (CONTD) Band man-whore so,

Jacks embarrassed. MARTA (CONTD)

You in a band? Looking. PEG No luck yet, but...

MARTA Boys dont play nice. Peg doesnt get it. KELLY PREISTER, with the round body that requires a jolly disposition when youre pushing thirty, rushes the table. She drops off her drink and gives Peg an overly affectionate hug. Hi, sweetie! Pegs eyes bulge. KELLY

(CONTINUED)

11. CONTINUED: (2) MARTA Geez, Kell. You gotta learn boundaries. (to Peg) Thiss Simons wife. (to Kelly) Where is he? Kelly dismisses Marta with a playful wave. KELLY Oh, who cares. Youre the one with the pretty voice? Simon even said something and he thinks girls are nothing but trouble in bands so you made an impression. Bravo! This is Dannys girlfriend. Marta nearly shoots beer out her nose at the girlfriend moniker. Kelly flashes Marta a wounded look and hugs SHERI, barely legal and too drunk to follow the conversation. Come on. Pegs overwhelmed. MARTA Girlfriend? Bill comes to her rescue. Wanna

BILL Im sweating from that set. get some air? EXT. LEMONTREE BAR - ALLEY - NIGHT Wisps of vapor mingle with their words.

Peg shivers.

BILL Sorry about that. You gotta get here before Marta starts drinking if you want it to be anything close to civilized. Not a problem. BILL Staying for the last set? PEG Thinking about it. BILL Do. I gotta tear down but well get breakfast. PEG

12. INT. LEMONTREE BAR - LATER Pegs quick to catch up with the girls. She slams her empty shot glass down next to a dozen others. SHERI (slurs her words) Yeah, well, I dont get it. First set? Okay. After that its boring. Hes up there and I cant even dance with him. PEG Boring?! How can you say that? Youre looking at it all wrong. Surrender, ladies. This shits sexy as hell and then you get to go home with that. Peg points to the boys on stage with a drunk-glaze and a polished fingernail circling each mans face. PEG (CONTD) Look at em. Every womans felt it. That instant chemistry with the guy on stage. And its not our fault. Its an attack on the senses. Look at Jack. The women snap their attention to Jack on guitar. INTERCUT BETWEEN MEN ON STAGE/WOMEN AT TABLE: Jack notices Martas stare. He winks at her but then uncontrollably winces with every note he PLAYS in the creamy lead. PEG (O.S.) The guitar god. Look how his face contorts when he bends those strings. It reminds you of a man deeply, passionately, intimately connecting with you. Martas drunk head tilts to looks at Jack in a new light. On drums, SIMON PREISTER, early 30s, fills in with a hard BEAT that sets the pace. PEG (O.S.) (CONTD) Then the drummer with those arms that seem to have limitless stamina. (CONTINUED)

13. CONTINUED: Kellys mouth opens. Her tongue wets her lips. teeth follow with a delicate bite. On bass, Danny takes off on a short RIFF. Pegs eyes close. She rhythmically taps her chest with one hand, her thigh with the other. PEG (CONTD) The laid-back bass player gives the song its heartbeat. You feel it bounce off every muscle like its rubbing inside you. Sheri, eyes wide, breathes faster and stirs her drink with the beat. Bill comes in on VOCALS at keyboard. spellbound. Marta jumps in, Her

MARTA Then the keyboard player works magic with his fingers without losing function of his mouth. Peg busts out a drunk snort. the experience. The other women transfix on

Danny picks up his sax and lets the final note bleed into the pores of every woman in the place. PEG And Im not even going to try to explain a man with a horn. What with the lips and the spit... Sheri shivers, rolls her shoulders. in astonishment. MARTA Did you just... They exchange a glance and throw their heads back with explosive laughter. EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY Bill and Peg lie on the cars hood at the runways edge. Dusk. They stare up at the sky. Storm clouds move in. Planes take off and land overhead. PEG Where dya think theyre going? (CONTINUED) Peg and Marta watch

14. CONTINUED: BILL L.A. Nashville. New York, some of em. PEG Were gonna get there, you know? BILL I know you will. I mightve already blown my big chance but yours is coming. Curious, Peg leans up on an elbow. BILL (CONTD) I never told you? The summer I was in L.A. jamming with my buddies? An occasional raindrop falls. PEG Yeah, you told me. BILL I might have left out how I got an audition with Johnny Cougar. Peg sits straight up. You did?! PEG Thats fantastic!

She catches herself on his reaction. Oh. BILL You are adorable. No, I didnt go. She cant hide her shock. BILL (CONTD) And youre the only one who knows, so dont tell anyone. Strong winds pick up. notice. The rain is heavier; they dont PEG (CONTD)

PEG But you wouldve been perfect for him! (MORE) (CONTINUED)

15. CONTINUED: (2) PEG (CONT'D) You wouldve nailed it and think of all youd be doing now. What happened? BILL I didnt know I really could, you know? I didnt know if I was any good and didnt want to go in there and find out I wasnt. But truth is I hadnt met you yet. She doesnt know how to respond. BILL (CONTD) If they called today, Id nail it because you give me that feeling like I can do anything. They kiss. Between their youth and the moment, theres no control. All passion. They pull at each others clothes. Rain pelts them. The sky turns an ominous green. Violent bolts of lightning strike in the distance. THUNDER rolls seconds behind. Hail beats their half-naked bodies and the cars metal. Plane engines ROAR. Lights flash overhead. Its raw and bold and builds with excitement. THUNDER CLAPS. Mom! INT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT PRESENT DAY Peg jolts from her reverie. What! Annoyed at the interruption, Peg notices everyone at the table stares at her. MUSIC fills the room. You okay? Peg nods, pulls herself back to reality. TARA Daddys playing. (CONTINUED) Noah puts a firm hand on her arm. NOAH PEG TARA(V.O.)

16. CONTINUED: ON STAGE, Bill, on guitar, jams with AJs band playing Mark Broussards Home. The house is on its feet. A genuine smile on Pegs face. She watches Bill and the crowd who loves him. Hes in his element. He enjoys every note he plays and every drop of sweat that falls from his face. Raw ambiguity on Pegs face. Regret? Acceptance? grabs her purse and climbs out of the booth. She

Out of pure reflex, Pegs face brightens as she passes bar owner, GLORIA BURKE, early 70s. Peg disappears into the bathroom. Gloria watches everything from her perch at the end of the bar. LATER The bands on break. Stoic Widow huddles in a corner to hear the babysitter on her cell over the crowds BLARE and piped in MUSIC. Jealous Widow argues with boyfriend near the stage. She points to several drunk groupies in the house to prove her case. Romantic Widow sits on boyfriends lap at the familys table. That was fun. Anytime. BILL Thanks, guys.

AJ It was an honor.

Peg rolls her eyes and lets out a moan. PEG How many times you guys jam at our place, AJ? Dont kiss his ass. Its hard enough to get a shirt up over his head at the end of the day without you saying shit like that. A smattering of giggles. BILL Thank you, darling.

(CONTINUED)

17. CONTINUED: PEG (to AJ) You guys were wonderful. What about me? PEG You were fabulous, as usual, honey, but this is their night, not yours. And you boys are tearing it up. Thanks, Peg. Peg winks at AJ. PEG Love you, baby. Romantic squeezes her man tight with pride. AJs eyes hold a glint of excitement. He kisses Tara on the cheek and rushes from the table. Be right back. Noah checks his watch. Better be. Let me out. NOAH Breaks almost over. SUZIE I gotta pee. AJ AJ It means a lot. BILL

Its a monumental effort to free Suzie from the booths core. Peg and Tara scoot out first; chairs are moved. Peg notices Bills concern. He looks to the stage then back at Suzie. Her purse tangles in a chair. Peg scoots into the booth. Tara settles into AJs chair. Bill

AJ scurries from backstage as Suzie gets free. smiles. Peg notices. Bill calls to Suzie. BILL Suz, wait a second. She diverts and returns to the table. Tara? AJ

So does AJ.

(CONTINUED)

18. CONTINUED: (2) AJ drops to one knee at Taras chair. The women swoon. The men are clueless. Except Bill who glows and Peg who glowers-at Bill. AJ (CONTD) I love you. And I love this family, and I love us. Taras smile cant get any bigger. AJ (CONTD) And I suppose I shouldve come up with some big, romantic way to do this but it just hits me that here, with these people, in this place is how it needs to be. Tara sucks in a quick breath. She turns to everyone, mouth and eyes wide with excitement. OOOHS and AHHHS from the family except a frozen, smiling Peg. AJ pulls a ring box from his pocket and opens it. AJ (CONTD) Whaddya say; you wanna get married? Yes! The table APPLAUDS and CHEERS along with PATRONS at nearby tables. Tara throws her arms around AJ. No. Everyone jerks to look at her as she jumps out of the booth. Mom! AJ jolts, blushes. He snatches the ring out of Taras hand and drops it in his pocket. Hey! TARA (CONTD) Give me that. TARA PEG TARA

Tara digs in his pocket for the ring. No. PEG You will not.

AJ and Tara struggle; she retrieves the ring, puts it on her finger. AJ steps back, fearful of Peg. (CONTINUED)

19. CONTINUED: (3) Peg rushes to Tara and pulls at the ring on her finger. PEG (CONTD) Are you out of your mind? NOAH I think Mommas having a stroke. Romantic and boyfriend slink away from the table. Suzie pulls Peg away from Tara. SUZIE Peg, calm down. No! PEG Tara Jean! No! And you!

She stops the tug for the ring to point an angry finger at Bill. Noah pushes Bill. Do something! Bill bolts to hold Peg but she pulls away. her angry finger back to Tara. PEG No! Tara Jean Forest, you will not! Suzie and Bill pull Peg toward the bathrooms. still wags at Tara and AJ. PEG (CONTD) You have to trust me. This is a terrible idea! Only Glorias eyes move when she watches Peg rip away and escape out the back door past a picture of Peg, Marta, Bill and Jack from the early years. In the picture, Marta scowls at Jack. EXT. CARLS ROADHOUSE TAVERN - NIGHT FLASHBACK The band loads out equipment in work gloves. A WOMAN pukes in the alley. A block down, half a dozen MEN gather to watch a drunken brawl. Marta, in a LUNCH MONEY tee, falls through the clubs door, hammered. (CONTINUED) Her finger She redirects NOAH

20. CONTINUED: Close behind, on the sleazy side of feminine and a silence not to be trusted, TESS SHANKS, late 20s. Peg comes up third but hangs in the doorway. Two DRUNK GROUPIES loiter near the band as they move gear to a truck. Marta notices one leans in sensually to Jack. In an instant shes jealous, suspicious. Tess sees the change in Marta and waves her off. TESS Danny, wheres that woman of yours? Danny nods to a car where his DATE sleeps off her buzz. With a naughty grin, Tess pulls off her heals and rushes to help him push a large speaker up the ramp. Marta inches closer to Jack and the LOUD GROUPIE. LOUD GROUPIE You guys were so cool tonight. JACK Thanks. Were at Dugans next weekend. Come on out. Maybe I will. MARTA Maybe you shouldnt. Loud Groupie sizes up her competition. LOUD GROUPIE Maybe you should mind your own fucking business. MARTA Maybe you should get away from my fucking husband. LOUD GROUPIE How bout we let handsome decide. JACK Marta, go inside. MARTA Is that where I should go, Jack? LOUD GROUPIE