65. Tortured Artist-Eric

• FADE IN


• INT. LOFT-SUNRISE


• Grady, a long haired, hippy type man paints at an easel. The first rays of the morning sun light his room a bruise purple an gold. He is painting a dreary landscape, dipping his brush and dabbing it on the canvas. He holds another long, wooden brush between his teeth while he paints.


• The half-painted landscape depicts a field with bundles of rolled hay. A defunct, gray backo sits off in the distance. Dark clouds roll in from a distance in the painting. He dabs his brush, and darkens the clouds even more.


• He takes the brush from between his teeth and dabs a perfect dab of clear mercury on the canvas. Slowly, he makes the final touches to the shower pouring from the cloud.


• He stands back, and sighs soft and long. He smiles. He begins painting a farmer with a straw hat.


• Outside it begins raining, dark thunder clouds roll in. He doesn't seem to pay any attention.


• After he is finished with the painting he lies down.


• We hear a knock on the door. Grady leans up on the couch, wiping the rheum from his eyes. He finally answers the door.


• The farmer is standing at his door, dripping wet with rain. It pours behind him. He takes off his straw hat.


• PAYTON
• Excuse me, ahem, sir.


• GRADY
You don't like my new piece?

• Payton holds his hat to his chest in silence. Finally he speaks.


• PAYTON
• No sir. No, I mean yes. Yes sir. I like it.


• GRADY
• It's a bit too much, isn't it?


• Payton smiles uncomfortably, and slowly nods.


• GRADY
• Don't worry, I'll take care of it.


• Payton smiles, and bows quickly, then leaves. Grady releases a soft sigh and closes the door. He walks back to the canvas and starts painting.


• GRADY
• I can't make anyone happy. This guy wants sunshine, the other guy wants rain. It's starting to drive me insanse. Ah, well I took the job.


• Grady begins painting a sunny landscape on a new canvas. The clouds roll away outside, and the sun starts lighting up his loft.


• FADE TO BLACK