339. The Death of Alice - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. DOROTHY'S CORNER - DAY


• DOROTHY'S CORNER, a small Silver Lake bookshop is crowded with people all focused intently on KAY, a small Asian woman sitting cross-legged on the floor in the center of the shop, a book in her lap.


• The audience is primarily women, but a few men dot the crowd, including Hank, who listens thoughtfully.


• Her baby face stands out in sharp contrast with the full tattoo sleeves that cover both arms.


• She adjusts the mic, then continues reading.


• KAY
• "But let me tell you a secret, allow me to confess something. Alice died in Wonderland a long time ago. She bled out on a cold floor, surrounded by invisible, uncaring strangers - and as the interlaced patterns on the tile blurred, she smiled."


• Kay pauses then lets out a small breath; she looks up.


• KAY
• Thank you.


• The audience cheers loudly and she stands and gives a small bow.


• Hank works his way through the people crowded around her, and waits as an ADORING WOMAN poses for a picture with her.


• ADORING WOMAN
• Oh thank you, thank you. I can't tell you how much your book really spoke to me.


• KAY
• I'm so glad, thank you.


• The woman moves away and Hank pounces on the gap in fans to push his way through.


• HANK
• Hey, I'm Hank.


• KAY
• Hi, Hank. So, how'd you manage to find your way here? Not really the demographic I usually draw. Wife or girlfriend drag you here?


• HANK
• Single, and I wanted to come. Hadn't read your stuff, hadn't heard of you to be honest, but read about the even online and thought it was something I really wanted to attend. I'm glad I came.


• KAY
• Good.


• HANK
• Hey, I know this is random and spur of the moment, but could I take you out to dinner?


• Kay, pauses, takes a step back, and inspects him, up and down, then smiles a little.


• KAY
• Ok. Where to?


• HANK
• You up for walking a few blocks?


• KAY
• You know, I really like that idea.


• HANK
• I would just like to point out that I could be anybody, and I mean...maybe this isn't the best idea.


• KAY
• Well, that's what my mace and my little toy gun are for.


• HANK
• Alright then.


• KAY
• Let's go.


• HANK
• Don't you have to say goodbyes?


• KAY
• Goodbye everyone! Happy? Let's go.


• They head out of the book store, Kay pausing occasionally to shake someone's hand.


• They finally push their way out onto the street.


• EXT. FOUNTAIN STREET - DAY


• They begin walking east along the street.


• KAY
• So my stuff doesn't scare you? I swear I've seen it send guys into convulsions.


• HANK
• Why would it scare me?


• KAY
• Um, I think I've been described by reviewers as "rabidly feminist," "a ball-crusher," "fearlessly forwarding the female revolution," should I go on?


• HANK
• Are you any of those things?


• KAY
• Hardly a "ball-crusher," maybe rabidly feminist. Well, rabid is such a strong word.


• HANK
• Yeah, well, I'm a pretty rabid feminist at times. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with strong women as well. As long as that strong is balanced. It's people who tilt to extremes in everything that scare me. Or don't temper strength with gentleness.


• KAY
• That's a mouthful.


• HANK
• Eh...


• Kay grins at him.


• KAY
• So why'd you ask me out? Something about ball-crushing turn you on?


• HANK
• I'm thinking, not so much...


• KAY
• So...?


• HANK
• I have a fondness for Alice and a deeper fondness for people who write about her.


• KAY
• It's my tattoos, isn't it?


• HANK
• God, yes.


• KAY
• I'm flattered.


• They walk in silence for a bit.


• HANK
• Hey, we're getting close. I should have asked, do you like vegan?


• KAY
• Only if it's down well.


• HANK
• Good enough.


• KAY
• What frightens you?


• HANK
• Excuse me.


• KAY
• Simple enough question.


• They come to a stop in front of "Teddy's Pub and Vegan Grill."


• HANK
• Mediocrity. I don't want to be rich or famous, I just want to do what I do well. I want to be the guy The Guy depends on. Or The Woman for that matter. The middle scares me.


• KAY
• Yeah.


• HANK
• Why do you ask?


• KAY
• Well, if we take this any further, I'd like to do it with someone who understands my fears.


• HANK
• And?


• KAY
• Let's go have some grilled vegan.


• Hank smiles, genuflects, and opens the door for her.


• They walk in, and the door swings shut with a slow, pneumatic hiss.


• FADE TO BLACK.