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_The
Greatest Lost Band of the 1960s_
Scene
27
FONTANA
INT. NIGHT. FONTANA NIGHTCLUB
SFX Treadway & Company are up on stage playing "DON'T LET ME
BE MISUNDERSTOOD".
This is a step up from the high school dance they were playing in the
earlier scene. The band sound more confident and the audience - a mixture
of high school age kids and older locals (semi-rednecks in their 20s)
- are responding well. Near the front areTanny, Kathy and a woman of about
40 who is of course LEE SEXTON.
Mrs Sexton is extremely stylishly dressed - a kind of Elizabeth Taylor/Anne
Bancroft (Mrs Robinson) hybrid. She draws on a cigarette in a long holder
as she gazes seductively up at Steve, then exhales a cloud of smoke in
his direction, like she's blowing him a kiss. Steve winks at her and Greg
rolls his eyes. Tanny nudges Kathy who looks embarrassed. The song ends
to loud applause.
INT. STAGE
RICK: (in a bad English accent)
Ta very much. It's fab to be in Fontana, California. We're Treadway
and - er - Comb-pany from London, England...
INS AUDIENCE
SFX (Someone in the crowd)
"No you're not!"
There are a few scattered laughs. Clearly some people are in on the English
ruse while others are not.
INT. STAGE
Rick gives an annoyed look and they quickly go into "BURY
MY BODY"...
SFX cue music: "Bury My Body" by The Misunderstood
INT. BACKSTAGE
later... The band sits around in a closed off kitchen area,
which is doubling tonight as the dressing room. They are
drinking cokes, packing away instruments, changing
shirts, etc. Steve is smoking a cigarette, as usual. Mrs
Sexton bustles backstage with Tanny and Kathy in tow. She
tells the band
LEE:
You all sounded so good. The management of the club is very pleased
and would like you to play every Saturday for the next six weeks.
Most of this is addressed to Steve, who she obviously has taken a shine
to and considers the spokesman of the band.
RICK:
Cool!
Meanwhile, Tanny has sidled over to Rick. Their body language tells us
there's a strong attraction between them.
LEE:
I've arranged for a photo shoot and also an interview with the Press-Enterprise
newspaper, who are interested in doing a feature on the new "English
group" living in the area. You should think about recording some
demos.
She's obviously very professional and on the ball. Aside from her obvious
attraction to Steve, she really does
seem to care about these boys and their future.
STEVE:
Yeah! Sure!! All this sounds great and we really appreciate everything
you're doing for us.
George and R-Moe are noticeably silent - they weren't in on the original
joke that began the ruse.
LEE:
Steve, let me buy you a drink; I want to tell you about another "brilliant
idea" that I just had for the group.
They sidle off arm in arm towards the bar. Kathy looks embarrassed again
and seeing no support from Tanny, who is busy making eyes at Rick, leaves
the room in a bit of a huff.
INT. RICK & TANNY
With most of the others otherwise busy, Rick and Tanny now have some time
alone.
TANNY:
You sure sounded great tonight, Rick.
RICK:
Thanks.
TANNY:
The crowd really seemed to like you a lot!
RICK:
Yeah, it was cool.
TANNY:
Rick?
RICK:
What?
TANNY:
Rick - you're not really from England, are you?
RICK:
(embarrassed)
No.
TANNY:
Where are you from?
RICK:
(reluctantly)
Riverside. Poly High.
There's a long silence. Tanny looks like she's trying to
be angry but can't. Suddenly she starts slapping Rick on
the arms, screaming at him and laughing at the same time.
TANNY:
I knew it! I knew it! Treadway and Comb pany! You dirty liar, Rick
Brown!
Rick is laughing too, trying to fend off her attack. Eventually she falls
into his arms and they kiss long and hard - their first kiss. Finally
they break apart.
RICK:
It's a secret though. You can't tell anyone - especially Kathy and
Mrs Sexton.
TANNY:
What?! You expect to go on talking in that stupid English accent forever.
RICK:
Yeah, well... I guess not. Just let me talk to Steve and the other
guys.
CUT
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