(Overture)
(Enter Applegale and Clive)
APPLEGALE AND CLIVE
Can you see seeds we're planting
Like a church's dirge, we're chanting
What gets buried in the ground
Does not come out the same
Can you feel the love is flowing
Like the sun it's warm and glowing
Shining just the way we are
But everyday we change
Winds of time are blowing
No telling where we're going
Pray God will catch us in his arms
Oh darling
Breathe and just keep planting
And on the day you can't
Oh well, guess you'll have to sell the farm
(Enter chorus)
CHORUS
Breathe and just keep planting
And on the day you can't
Oh well, guess you'll have to sell the farm
(All exit)
(EXT. city, enter Nina, humming to herself at bus stop, stops whistling when Johnny enters)
Johnny: Oh, don't stop on my account, ma'am. (Nina says nothing) Are you waiting for the bus?
Nina: I'm thinking of calling a taxi instead.
Johnny: You ain't from around here, are you?
Nina: What gave it away? Was it my accent?
Johnny: Traffic is too bad in the downtown area for taxis. It's quicker and cheaper to take the bus. They got their own special lanes.
Nina: That's good to know.
Johnny: Are you cool?
Nina: I'm very cool.
Johnny: No, I mean do you... you know, partake? You're not a copper or nothin?
Nina: ...no I'm not a copper. But I don't partake.
Johnny: You sure? Cause I know a guy that's selling, and it might take the edge off.
Nina: Is it you? Are you selling?
Johnny: Ay, you sure you're not a copper?
Nina: Please.
Johnny: I see, you're just a prude. That's fine, if I can't talk you into it.
Nina: You don't know me.
Johnny: Ah, so you got a dangerous side? Gonna live a little and partake?
Nina: You're cute if you think minor drugs are dangerous.
Johnny: You think I'm cute?
Nina: I might call a taxi after all.
Johnny: Bah, it's fine, I'll drop it.
Nina (after a pause): Why this? Why you?
Johnny: It's complicated.
Nina: Then make it simple.
Johnny: Ha! Make it simple, she says. Believe me, I would love to make it simple.
JOHNNY
But when the skyscrapers cast shadows on the bottom floor
It's complicated
When the rich get richer and the poor can't afford to be poor
It's complicated
With nonstop traffic and the non-stop crime
And the homeless rotting in the breadlines
This whole city is like a mouth
Trying to swallow more
It's complicated
Since the cradle, I've been rockin'
To the sound of a higher purpose knockin'
Mixed with mockery from above the boards
They called me simple
Why can't you just fit in?
They called me simple
Well frankly I think everyone should be
Simple
Being complicated isn't worth the going through
Simple is better for you
They called me smart
But when I couldn't get the grades
They called me a waste
It's complicated
Fired from every above board job in the place
It's complicated
They'll never tell you you're good enough
You take what they give till the getting's tough
They ain't nothing but rats, that's why it's called a rat race
It's complicated
Sometimes when I stop and squint
I see my life so different
Like there ain't spit raining down on me
From above the boards
They called me simple
Why can't you do it right?
They called me simple
Well frankly I think everyone should be
Simple
Being complicated isn't worth the going through
Simple is better
And someday if I'm clever
I'll find a way to make it better
I'll show em I'm a go getter
Not a slacker or a joke
I'll make a lot of money
And then they'll think I'm funny
And not just a bum or a dummy
Or a druggy
When you got money... life is simple
NINA
Soon I'll make it better
I've found a way to make it better
Soon you'll see me on the screen
And everyone will hear me sing
And everyone will love me
JOHNNY AND NINA
When you got the money... life is simple
NINA
When you lose your papa and you're ten
It's complicated
When you're sold to foreign lands by hungry men
It's complicated
When you compromise your dignity
To get to the land of the free
But you no longer recognize the girl you see
It's complicated
JOHNNY AND NINA
Sometimes when I stop and squint
I see my life so different
Like there ain't spit raining down on me
From above the boards
NINA
Life could be simple
Why can't I find home?
It could be simple
I wish that everything could
Just be simple
Being complicated isn't worth the going through
Simple is better
(Caucaghony of city people talking on cell phones and honking cars and being generally noisy and complicated)
CHORUS
Life could be simple
But I don't have time
Life could be simple
I wish that everything could
Just be simple
Being complicated isn't worth the going through
Simple is better
Simple is better
JOHNNY
Simple is better for- Hey! Get off her !
(A small group of thugs have surrounded and cornered Nina. Johnny intervenes, and punches a thug. Another thug shoots Johnny in the arm.)
Copper (enters): Hey! Freeze! Hands in the air!
(The thugs scatter. The coppers give chase. Nina and Johnny hide on set and wait for all to exit.)
Nina: Come on. I live just upstairs.
Johnny: No, I gotta get to a hospital!
Nina: No hospitals. Come on!
Johnny: What, this fancy place? You live here? You're not simple at all! You've got means! Just who are you?
Nina: My name is Nina.
Johnny: I'm Johnny.
Nina: I don't care. we have to go.
(INT. Loft)
(Crete is fixing up Johnny's arm)
Johnny: Thanks for fixing me up, doc... what did you say your name was again?
Crete: They call me Crete.
Johnny: Thanks, Crete. I'm Johnny.
Crete: I don't care. You're lucky it just grazed your arm. It looked worse than it was. You should be gentle with it, but you're pretty much good to go otherwise.
(Roger enters)
Roger: Hey, I'm here to... yo, who's that supposed to be?
Johnny: I'm Johnny.
Roger: I don't care.
Johnny: Then why'd you ask?
Roger: Because you're not a Viper. He's not a Viper. Who is he?
Nina: He saved my life.
Roger: He saved my life she says! He saved your life. You brought a non-criminal here because he did something crazy like take a bullet for you? You know softies do-gooders like that tend to go to the coppers, right?
Johnny: I'm a criminal!
Roger: You are?
Nina: No he's not.
Johnny: Sure I am! I do illegalities.
Roger: What kind of illegalities?
Johnny: Uh... drugs?
Roger: You manufacture?
Johnny: Distribution.
Roger: International?
Johnny:... no, local.
Roger: Delivery?
Johnny: Sales.
Roger: Are you with a cartel?
Johnny: Um... not exactly. My friend grows them.
Roger: .... Pot? You sell pot your friend grows? That's the kind of criminal you are?
Johnny: Well I'm not gonna go to the coppers, that's the main thing.
Roger: That's good to hear, but Lucius *LOATHES* loose ends. Nina, the minute Crete's finished patching this guy up, he's gotta go.
Nina: He'll be fine.
Johnny: Who's Lucius?
(Enter Lucius)
Lucius: I'm Lucius. I'm the king of this city. Who's this guy?
Johnny: I'm-
Lucius: I don't care (pulls out gun)
Nina: No, don't!
Lucius: Why not? What's he to you?
Nina: He saved my life.
Lucius: What, you trying to move in on my girl?
Johnny: No! I swear!
Nina: Lucius, darling, please. He was only trying to help. You know I only have eyes for you. If it weren't for him, I... well, I wouldn't have made it back to you.
Lucius: Yeah, that's right. You're very loyal. Cause you know he can't do for you what I can.
Nina: That's right.
Lucius: Just like I promised, you stick with me, I'll make you famous, baby. Silver screen, all Nina, all the time.
Roger: So who shot him?
Nina: I was cornered by some goons from the Lions gang.
Crete: The Lions!
Crete, Roger, Nina, Lucius: Our rival gang. (all spit)
Lucius: Alright, what's your name again?
Johnny: Johnny.
Lucius: What do you do, Johnny?
Johnny: I'm in distribution-
Roger: He sells chump weeds on the streets for pennies.
Lucius: Oh, Johnny, we can do you better than that!
Johnny: Really?
Lucius: For the hero who saved my girl? Sure! I run all the major drug rings in all of Bellville. We smuggle all kinds of things here, our operation is a nexus point for the whole coast. Whatever you're doing now, you do it for us.
Johnny: That explains why you have a doctor on staff. This guy here must be your body guard?
Lucius: Who, Roger? He's my chef.
Johnny: Oh.
Roger: Don't look so disappointed, I'm delicious.
Crete: He means his food is delicious.
Roger: I know what I said.
(Sirens, lights)
Lucius: What's that?
Roger (moves to the window): The coppers are coming in!
Lucius: How did they find us?
Nina: One of the goons who jumped me must've followed us!
Crete: What do we do?
Lucius: You guys go out the back, I'll draw their attention and give him the slip!
Johnny: You sure you'll be alright?
Lucius: Trust me, John, I'm slippery. I ain't getting caught to-night! There's a car in the back alley, but you'll have to hotwire it.
Crete: I got it.
(Lucius exits): Come and get me, coppers !
(EXT. Back alley)
Johnny: It was really great meeting you guys! I hope we run into each other again once the heat's off.
Roger (cutting him off behind him): Hey
Roger
Where do you think you're going?
I don't think you realize that you know too much now
John: Are you serious?
Nina
This is not a threat, John
Nina and Roger
You've done nothing but right by us
So you're one of us now
Roger: Hurry up, and hotwire that car, Crete
Crete: I'm going!... Got it!
Roger: Hide!
(Music intensifies as the cops drive by and they hide while they pass)
Roger: Everybody in!
Roger, Crete, Nina
Trying to extend the lead
While we're being chased, we flee
Silently and swiftly out of reach
We are the Vipers and like a viper waiting to strike
Sometimes we have to hide away
In the grass to strike another day
Roger: What do you say, Johnny? You getting in the car, or does we gotta mow you down later?
Crete: Lucius loathes loose ends.
Nina: Try saying that five times fast.
Crete: Besiding that, you come with us we got your back. You got protection.
Johnny
Guess you've got a point there
Now that I'm in, I'm in too deep
Yes, I'm one of you's guys
Roger, Crete, Nina
Welcome to the Vipers
From here on in you have our back
And we have yours your whole life
We are Vipers for life!
All
Trying to extend the lead
While we're being chased, we flee
Silently and swiftly out of reach
We are the Vipers and like a viper waiting to strike
Sometimes we have to hide away
In the grass to strike another day
(EXT. The woods)
(The car makes noise and dies)
Roger: What's wrong with it?
Crete: Rotten old piece of junk. We didn't have a better getaway car than this?
Johnny: We can't stop here, the cops could come looking for us this way!
Nina: We're in the middle of nowhere, and we've been driving all night.
Johnny: It's the main road out of town.
Nina: Relax, Johnny.
Johnny: I relax all the time! Too much, even! It's like my dad always used to say, "son, finish what you start". Of course I never did. I was always relaxing too much. And look where it got me!
Nina: Seriously, take a breath.
Crete: Lemme take a look under the hood.
(Crete starts looking under the hood)
It's too dark, I can't see anything.
Roger: I'll see if there's a flashlight in the back.
Johnny: Oh wow, look at the stars.
Nina: What? Oh wow.
Johnny: I guess it's been awhile since I've been out of Bellville. Are you okay?
Nina: Hmm? Oh, yes. I suppose I'm mostly in cities as well.
Johnny: Yeah, it must be all the light pollution. So you really saved my neck back there. With Lucius, I mean. I guess we can call it even. How'd you end up with a crime lord like him, anyways?
Nina: I don't see how that's any business of yours.
Johnny: Sure it's not. You're right. So I thought I heard he said he was gonna make you a movie star or something?
Nina: Yes. He will pull his strings, and I will be on the silver screen, and then I will be loved.
Johnny: Don't take this the wrong way, but if you're with Roger, aren't you already loved.
Nina: ...... I've been all over the world. I've met lots of men. Only men like Lucius ever love women like me, and the only way men like Lucius ever love anything is as a possession.
Johnny: That doesn't really sound like love.
Nina: It's not.
Johnny: Nobody's ever loved you better than that?
Nina: .... Johnny, what are you getting at?
Johnny: Nothing, I guess.
Nina: Well, I'm getting tired of your voice.
Johnny: Yeah I get that a lot. ..... You know, on the streets they call me Alexander Hamilton, cause I'm reliable with the ladies-
Nina: I'm going to go for a walk.
Johnny: Right.
Nina: Alone.
Johnny: Yep, got it.
(Johnny goes back to Crete and Roger, Nina walks away, but not offstage)
Nina
It's been so long since I've seen the stars so bright
They seem to retreat into the shadows in the city light
They must close their eyes and look the other way
In the city sky no stars keep watch by night
But way out here all eyes are on you
Those little lights are bearing down on everything I do
Are these the same stars from my home? Did I ever leave them?
Do they remember everything I've done beneath them?
Even if they told, what city would believe them?
Stars you couldn't keep me safe!
So you don't get to judge me, what I've done to hide away
Stars! You weak and useless beams!
If not you, who protects the ones we love when we're asleep?
It's been so long since I've seen the stars so well
I remember looking up at them with papa on the hill
He took me by the hand, and pointed out all of the patterns
Said guardian angels guided us
What good did it do him? What does it matter?
Where has he gone, stars? Where the hell is my Daddy?
Stars you couldn't keep him safe!
So what if I have turned to city lights to guide my way?
Stars! This watch was yours to keep!
If not you, who protects the ones we love when we're asleep?
Stars, you've failed me through and through!
So put that glaring light away, to-night I glare at you!
Stars, you useless beams of light!
If not you, who protects the ones we love by night?
(Johnny enters)
Johnny: Sun's coming up.
Nina: Good morning.
Johnny: We uh... we pushed the car into the woods a little ways. Why don't you go and try and get a nap in? I'll walk a ways and see if I can't find us some food.
Nina: That's a good idea. We have plenty of cash on us. Here.
Johnny: Thanks. I'll be back in a bit.
(EXT. Woods, a pond)
(Applegale is swimming)
Applegale
Dance in the water, swim with creation
I'm like a mermaid, don't you agree?
Swimming, dancing so majestically
Ah ah ahhhh
Dance in the water, sing with the fishes
I'm like a mermaid, don't you think?
All this water, but I don't drink
And I don't need a bath
Because mermaids don't stink
Underwater-
(Johnny enters at the bank)
Johnny: Was that you singing all dorky?
Applegale: I don't know what you mean! You must've heard a beautiful mermade!
Johnny: Yeah, okay.
Applegale: What brings you out this way?
Johnny: I was following the road, kinda. Loosely. Is there a bridge around here?
Applegale: There's no bridge, you'll have to swim across.
Johnny: I don't know how to swim.
Applegale: You don't know how to swim? How do you not know how to swim? Didn't you ever go to a pool or a lake or the beach? And swim around on a hot day? And pretend you're a majestic mermaid?
Johnny: No, I can't say that I've ever pretended to be a mermaid.
Applegale: Hmm, well there's a fallen log over there, if you've got good balance.
(Johnny begins to cross the log, is wobbly about it)
Applegale: You're quite a ways off the road.
Johnny: I guess I got a little lost.
Applegale: Are you okay up there?
Johnny: I will be if you stop distracting me.
Applegale: Am I distracting?
Johnny: It's hard to focus and talk to you at the same time.
Applegale: I can stop talking. I can do my dolphin impression instead.
Johnny: Huh?
Applegale: E-E-E-E-E-E-E-EEK!
(Johnny falls in the water, clutches the log and makes his way to the bank)
Applegale (laughing): Aw I'm sorry. But it's not so bad, is it? The water feels nice!
Johnny: Yeah, sure, thanks a lot.
Applegale: Anytime!
(Apple goes back to swimming, Johnny looks back and then exits)
(EXT. Farm)
(Clive is sitting on porch. Johnny enters, makes to walk past, then doubles back to Clive)
Johnny: Excuse me sir? Hello?
Clive: Who's there?
Johnny: My name's Johnny, and I... I'm sorry I'm over here.
(Clive tries to shake his hand, facing the wrong way, Johnny moves to the other side to take it)
Clive: Nice to meet you, Johnny. My name's Clive. Have a seat.
Johnny: Oh, I... okay. So you're, uh...
Clive: I'm blind, yes.
Johnny: That's what I thought. Cause of the sunglasses.
Clive: I wear the sunglasses to look cool.
Johnny: Oh.
Clive: So what brings you to my beautiful farm, Johnny?
Johnny: Beautiful? (looks around, sees dead plants) I mean, of course, very beautiful. I was actually just passing by, and I thought I'd stop and ask for directions. About how far down the road is the nearest store?
Clive: If you're going on foot, you wouldn't make it there any time to-day.
Johnny: How did you know I was on foot?
Clive: I may be blind, but my other senses are heightened. I can read with my tongue. As long as it's written on a birthday cake. What do you need at the store?
Johnny: Just food, I think. A couple of friends and I are camped out back that way.
Clive: Why don't you just head inside and take some food from my pantry, then? We have plenty.
Johnny: Are you sure? I'm going to pay you for it.
Clive: That's alright. Go ahead.
Johnny: Thank you very much, Clive. That's very generous of you.
Clive: You'd better get to it, then. Don't want to leave your friends waiting.
(Johnny enters the house, finds the pantry nearly barren, and walks back out without taking anything. Applegale enters drying off from the swim)
Johnny: You!
Applegale: You!
Johnny: What are you doing here?
Applegale: I live here! What are you doing here?
Johnny: So Clive is your-
Applegale: My father.
Johnny: Your father offered me and my friends food. He said there was plenty, but-
Applegale: But there ain't.
Johnny: He also said the farm was beautiful, but-
Applegale: But it ain't.
Johnny: How long has this been going on for?
Applegale: Well you know how it goes sometimes, you think you're able to take care of it all all by yourself, but then you fall behind a bit, and you tell your blind father it's going great, cause he don't know, you'll just have to work harder and catch up, and then it gets more and more on top of you, but you've already lied so much... oh you must think I'm just the worst person you've ever met, don't you?
