The
Diner of Love
3503 Angel Square Court
Llanview, PA
"Nothin' Could Be Finer Than Some
Lovin' In the Diner"
"There ain't no lovin' like some diner lovin', hey ho"
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"Nothin' Could Be Finer Than Some
Lovin' In the Diner" |
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What can I get you?
Coffee's a dollar
I hope you like whip cream.
I just love the Voice of the Night. We have this special connection. |
MARCAL SCENES PAGE 16
Scene 21 A Turbulent Peace
July 21, 2003 Setup: It is opening night at Ultra Violet and Marcie and Al are going. Nora in the meanwhile is upset because she saw Gabs at The Palace with Troy. In Marcie’s dorm room, she is getting ready to go out. She is sitting in front of her dresses trying on a pair of sunshades. She looks in the mirror and giggles. There is a knock on the door and when she opens it, Al is standing there. Marcie: Hi, Al. Al: Hey. (he holds on her both sides of her face and kisses her) You look great. Marcie: Oh, thank you. Al: You ready to go to Ultra Violet? Marcie: Yeah, let me just get my purse. Al notices a huge peace banner on Marcie’s bed. He picks it up. Al: Hey, what's this? Marcie: Oh, that's for the International Peace Rally in the Quad tomorrow. They're happening on campuses all over the world. Al: You're going to that? Marcie: Absolutely. There don't have to be wars. There doesn't ever have to be one ever again. Al: Yeah. You know, if more people believed that, maybe, but -- Marcie: (very excited and upbeat) Hey, do you think that the Voice of the Night could get the word out about the rally? Al: Yeah, on my show, definitely. In the meantime, let's hang this up outside your window. Marcie: Oh, great. Al: Come on. The open the window and anchor the banner so that it is hanging from her window and visible. Marcie: You know, it's too bad your dad didn't get in on Ultra Violet. Al: Yeah. Would have given him something else to think about besides my mom.
At Ultra Violet, Flash & Riley and Joey & Jen are dealing with problems in various ways. Riley is concerned about Flash’s delicate throat. Jen is staggeringly drunk and Joey is frustrated because she refuses to acknowledge her marriage to Rex was a big mistake. Riley: Hey. You don't have to do this. Flash: It's killing me not to sing, Riley. I've got to do this. You got to let me. Joey tries to get Jen to listen to him. Joey: Come on. Can't we at least talk about this? Let's get out of here. Let's go someplace where we can be alone. Sheyne walks up to Joey. Sheyne: Hey, Joey, thanks for coming. Joey: Hey, wouldn't miss it. Sheyne: You know, we wouldn't be here without you. Joey: No, you guys did it. Sheyne: Well, nobody else gave a damn. Sheyne walks away and Joey turns his attention back to Jen. Joey: Hey, come on, let's go. Jen: No. Joey: You don't belong with Rex, you know that. Jen: You're wrong. I am exactly where I belong. Jen walks away. Rex gets in Joey’s face and pushes him back with one hand. Joey slaps his hand away. Rex: Hey, keep your hands off my wife! Joey: She doesn't want to be with you, and you know it. Rex: She's damaged goods. Nobody, not even you, can change that. Rex pivots away with a smug expression on his face. Joey lunges for him but Al catches him and holds him back. Al: Ah, ah, ah, ah -- forget him. Forget him. Joey: You heard what he said about Jen. Al: Yeah. And he's right. Jen stumbles around the corner and comes into view. Al who is facing that direction looks at her. Joey notices his facial expression and turns around and sees Jen. Jen looks at Joey pathetically but then Rex walks next to her, looks at Joey, smirks and then kisses her. Al and Joey roll their eyes at him. Rex releases Jen and walks away. He salutes Joey and Al with a smile on his face as he walks by. Joey lunges toward Rex again but Al holds him back. Al: Ah, ah, ah, ah -- relax. Joey: (yells and expands) Rex does not love her! I love her! Al: Listen, I thought I loved her, too, OK? But love isn't getting yourself all screwed up over somebody. Marcie walks up and stands to the side. Al: It's about taking time and getting to know that person and wanting to be with that person, not just all night but all day, too. Marcie smiles at Al then moves into his arms. They hug and Joey looks at them with a measure of frustration and envy. Meanwhile, on stage, Rex is introducing the band. Rex: Yo, listen up, everybody. Please help us welcome -- put your hands together for Flash and Midnight Logic! Flash: (sings) Well you can bless me and tell me that I'm good but just arrest me and charge me with the truth but when you got me. Marcie and Al dance, holding each other tightly. Flash finishes her song to applause and cheers. Al and Marcie stop dancing and look at each other. Al rubs her shoulder. Al: You want to get out of here? Marcie gives him a sultry look as she steps back and reaches for his hand. (no
words needed, Marcie is ready to go home) They leave.
Later, outside of Marcie’s dorm door, they kiss. They pull apart and look at each other in the eye. Al: I'll see you tomorrow? Marcie: (smiles) Al, when I asked you to take me home tonight, I meant – (nervous, giddy, stumbles over what she saying) well, I meant that I wanted you to come home with me, you know, and spend the night. Al: Are you saying that you want to -- Marcie: Yeah. Al: OK. Are you sure about this? Marcie: (stretches toward him) I've never been more sure about anything in my life. They kiss then Marcie opens her dorm room door and turns on the lights. She stops in horror at what she is seeing. Her room is trashed. Al walks around her into the room. Al: What the hell? Wait, don't move. Stay right here, OK? Don't touch anything. Al checks the room and then goes into the bathroom to check there. Marcie enters the room slowly and finds her peace banner ripped to shreds on the floor. She looks down at it and looks up just as Al comes back into the room. They stare at each other for a second.
July 22
Marcie in her dorm room is on her knees fingering the shards of a ceramic object. Al bends beside her. Marcie: (looks at Al) This is the only thing I have of my mother's. I mean, why would anybody do this? Al: Because they're stupid Neanderthals, Marcie. They stand up. Marcie: Maybe I can glue it back together. What do you think? Al: You know, I would like to punch whoever did this right in the mouth. Marcie: All I did was hang a peace sign out the window. I mean, how could anybody possibly be against peace? Al: Oh, I don't know. These days, a lot of people are against peace. It's crazy. Marcie: Look, I didn't do anything to hurt them. Al: No, of course you didn't, Marcie. Listen, the people who did this -- they're ignorant, and they're not going to get away with it, OK? Listen, let's go talk to the dean right now. Marcie hesitates. Al: Yes, come on. Marcie: All right, fine. Al grabs the shredded banner and they leave the room.
Later, Al and Marcie are outside of her dorm room. He balls up the peace banner that was in his hand. Marcie: No! No, don't throw it away! Al: Why, Marcie? It's trashed. Listen, we'll just -- we'll make a new one. Marcie: No, I can't. Dean Baker practically threatened to expel me if I mention this to anyone. Marcie turns and walks into her room. Al follows and then tosses the banner on her dresser. Al: You know what? That's it. I’m calling Commissioner Buchanan. Marcie: No, no, don't! Al: (very agitated) Yes! Marcie, you've been victimized here, OK? These people have infringed on your right to free speech, and I’m not going to take it! Marcie: No, but I’m on full scholarship. If I go against the dean, I can lose it, and then I'll have to drop out! Al: Ugh -- damn! Al balls his hands into fists and punches the air in frustration. Marcie: I'll be all right. I'll be all right, I swear. Come on, hey. (touches his arm, softens her voice and looks up at him hopefully) Hey. Isn't it almost time for the Voice of the Night? Al: You think that I’m going to leave you here, alone? No. No way. Do you want to come with me? Marcie: No. No. I think I’d better clean up. I'll be all right. It'll be all right. He leans down, puts his hands on her shoulders, leans down and kisses her. She rubs his arm. Al: I am going to be back as soon as I sign off, OK? All right. Marcie: OK. I'll be fine. Al walks out of the room and closes the door. He pauses outside. There is an expression of sadness and utter frustration on his face. In the room, Marcie crosses her arms over her chest as if a chill has just swept over her. She rubs her arms then walks to the window and looks out. She’s crying.
At the Carriage House, Viki and Joey are talking about Joey’s undeniable love for Jen. The radio is playing in the background. Radio, Al as VOTN: Hey there, night owls. This is the Voice of the Night, on duty for the late shift. The scene shifts to Marcie sitting at her desk in her dorm room. She smiles when she hears Al’s voice on the radio. Back at the Carriage House, Viki and Joey continue their conversation. Viki: I hate to see you hurting like this. Joey: I'll be all right. And I’m not giving up on Jen. Anyway, for now at least, I still have my work. Viki: Yes, you do. Darling, promise me, please, that you will think long and hard before you do anything rash about that. Joey: Hey, there's plenty of people that will let me help them. Maybe, eventually, Jen will be one of them. Radio--Al as VOTN: Hey, out there. I’ve got a problem. No -- we have a problem. Joey rushes over to the radio and turns it up. Radio--Al as VOTN: You see, something happened on campus tonight. I’m reaching out to everyone within the sound of my voice who believes that if this country stands for anything, it stands for the right to believe what you want and to say what you believe anywhere, anytime. Today, an L.U. student hung a peace sign out of her window -- no words, just the symbol. She has a dream of peace on earth, like a lot of us. The difference is she had the guts to say so. Scene switches to Marcie still working at her desk. She smiles as she listens to Al. Radio--Al as VOTN: And what did she get for it? A couple of thugs broke into her dorm room and trashed it. She's listening tonight, and I want her to know that what she did was in the truest spirit of America. She's not alone. I stand behind her all the way. This is for everybody out there who's not afraid to make a little noise. You know who you are. Viki looks shocked. She glances at Joey. Viki: I guess my new job is going to start with some rather rude awakenings. Joey: Yeah. Hey, I'll be fine. Go take care of whoever this person is. Viki: Yeah, when I know that you're OK. Joey: You're right. Jen's pushing me away. If I push back, it might be permanent. Viki: Darling, she would be a fool to let you go. But -- Joey: Ultimately, it's her choice. Viki: Yeah, Darling. Joey: Go take care of your students. Viki: My students? Joey, what am I getting myself into? I mean, this is an enormous responsibility. Joey: You can handle it. Viki: Tell you one thing -- there won't be any coverups while I’m there. OK, what are you smiling at? Joey: My mom, off to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Viki: Yeah, well, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, so don't turn me into her quite yet. Joey: I’m going to go by the Youth Center. Maybe there's some lost souls there I can save. Viki: I love you so much, and I am so proud of you. Joey: Ditto. Viki: Bye, darling.
Later, Marcie is trying to pick up things in her dorm room. There is a knock on the door. Marcie: Who's there? Viki: It's Victoria Davidson. Marcie: Mrs. Davidson. Come on in. It's -- it's kind of messy. Viki: It's all right. Hello, Marcie. Marcie: Hi. Viki: I heard about what happened. You're the student the Voice of the Night was talking about, right? Marcie: Oh -- wow. You listen to the Voice of the Night? Viki: This is much worse than I thought. Marcie: Yeah, you should have seen it before. I cleaned it up a lot. Viki: OK. All right, we're going to go see the dean of students right now. Marcie: Oh, no, no, no. I already did. Viki: Oh! Oh, good. Well, what happened? Marcie: Well, the dean said that the university can't afford any more bad publicity, you know, with the whole drug thing and the new president starting, yeah. He told me not to make any more waves. You know, I’m on -- I’m on full scholarship. Viki: Are you serious? He actually said that to you? Well, I can promise you one thing -- Dean Baker is not going to sweep this under the rug. Marcie: Well, you're not going to put this in The Banner, are you, you know, because I can't afford to go here without financial aid. And if the dean thinks that I’m a troublemaker, then -- Viki: Sweetheart, you haven't heard. Marcie: What? Viki: I am the new president of this university, OK? Marcie: Yeah? Viki: The first thing I’m going to do is make sure that what happened to you never happens again.
July 24
Viki tells Joey and Jessica about what happened to Marcie and about the university’s reaction. Meanwhile, in Marcie’s dorm room, Al and Marcie are standing next to each other as they hang another peace banner out of her window. Al: You know, I am really impressed with how well you're dealing with all of this. Marcie: Oh, you mean with the growing impulse to panic and the impulse to run for my life? Al: No, I mean the way you're refusing to let these thugs intimidate you. Marcie looks uncomfortable. She walks back into the room. Marcie: You know, they're not going to try anything else, not when the Voice of the Night has my back. (obviously disturbed but trying not to show it) Besides, they're probably just a bunch of drunk frat guys. Al: All the same, I'd feel a lot better if you weren't alone tonight. Marcie: (softly) I know I asked you back here tonight to – (dips
head) Al moves in closer and puts his hand on her shoulder. Al: Marcie, all I care about is making sure that you're safe. Marcie: Did mention that you're my hero? He leans in close and they kiss.
The next morning at Llanfair, Viki is on the phone. A distinguished looking man is looking out of the patio doors. Viki: That's fine. Thank you very much. Yeah. Viki puts down the phone and turns to the man: I apologize for the interruption. Dean Baker: (turns and looks at her; he’s balancing a teacup and saucer in his hand) No problem. What a wonderful view. I love a summer garden on a lovely day like today, don't you? Viki: Yes. Now, Dean Baker, regarding this attack on -- on Marcie Walsh’s dorm room -- Dean Baker: Miss Davidson -- Madam President -- this was only a foolish prank. Viki: "A foolish prank"? Breaking and entering, destruction of property? Dean Baker, those are crimes. And according to Marcie, you prevented her from filing a police report and all but ordered her not to hang another banner. Dean Baker: Well, doing so could provoke another act of vandalism. Viki: I see. Consistent with that logic, the schools should never have been integrated in the 1950s because doing so might have provoked another incident of racial intolerance. Dean Baker: Madam President, this is a university. It is basically a community of students. Viki: And they have no rights, hmm? Dean Baker: The university has conducted its own investigation. There's nothing more to be learned about the incident, so the matter is ended. Viki: No. I'm sorry, Dan Baker. The matter is just beginning.
Marcie walks into the police station. She is wearing a denim jacket with a large peace sign, red and trimmed in gold, on the back. Just as she reaches her desk, the phone rings. Marcie: Llanview police department. (smiles) Hi, Al. Hey, did you see all the peace signs and banners all over campus? I guess they heard the Voice of the Night. Marcie chuckles Meanwhile, back at Llanfair: Dean Baker: Ms. Davidson, please do not make this your first stand as university president. Viki: I'm not going to ignore it just because it's inconvenient. Dean Baker: You will draw a great deal of Negative attention, hard on the heels of the drug problem, which was a public relations nightmare. We certainly don't want another episode like that. He sits down and crosses his legs. Viki sits across from him. Viki: Dean, I appreciate your concern for the reputation of the university. Truly, I do. But I don't think you understand what I'm talking about. What happens to these students while they are on our campus really affects their entire lives. So what exactly are we teaching them? That it's all right to condone criminal behavior as a means of settling a disagreement? Shouldn't we rather enforce freedom of speech, as it is one of the essential components that this country was founded on. This is not just something in a textbook. This is real, and it matters, and it is something that every single student should stand up for. Dean Baker: (leans forward and gestures with his hands) But more bad publicity -- we are in the middle of a $100 million capital campaign. Viki: I am well aware of that. And it seems to me that people will be more inclined to give when they realize that we are upholding the constitution of the United States. Now, whoever trashed Marcie’s room committed an act that is a crime in every state in this country. We are not going be an exception. So I want the person found and taken before the police commissioner for a little chat. And then Commissioner Buchanan can decide how to proceed. Are we clear, Dean Baker? Dean Baker: We’ re clear, Ms. Davidson.
At the Police Station, Riley comes in. He walks over to Marcie. Riley: Hey, I think I took a wrong turn. I'm trying to renew my driver's license. Marcie: Yeah, it's the building across the street. Just goes to show you that people would rather spend the day in jail than spend the day at the D.M.V Marcie giggles and gets up to file some files. Marcie: Hey, you know what? You guys were great at Ultra Violet the other night. Riley: Well, thanks. (notices the peace sign on her jacket) Hey, are you the one putting up the peace signs around campus? Marcie: Yeah -- Riley: No, no, it's great. You haven't been by the garage today, have you? Marcie: No. Why? Riley: Well, we put up a huge banner, big peace sign. Marcie: Get out. That's so cool.
Later, Al and Marcie walk into her dorm room. Marcie drops her keys on her desk next to the door and keeps walking. Marcie: You didn't have to pick me up at work, but thanks. Al closes the door and straightens a lamp on the desk. Marcie tosses her purse on the bed and heads straight to the bathroom and closes the door. Marcie: (talking through the closed door) Hey, you know what? I saw Riley today. He told me that they hung a huge peace sign over at the garage. Suddenly there is the sound of glass shattering and a round black object flies into the room and lands in the far corner. Marcie comes out of the bathroom. Al: Stay back! Marcie: Whoa – Al stretches his hand out to her in a stop gesture. Al: Just stay back, ok? Marcie: (presses herself flush against the doorframe) Okay. Al moves to the corner and picks up the object. Al: This is from that statue of the civil war general downstairs. Marcie: What? Al shows her the iron cannon ball. The word “traitor” is written on it in white paint.
SCENES
MARCAL
All Snappies courtesy of Cataz's Daily Pics. Thank you, Cataz, for letting me use your beautiful snappies.
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