War/Peace - Part II. Clarissa Daisy Huntsman
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That's nice. That's why you like the peaceful places then. Would you like to see the menu?
CLARISSA
How can we come all the way up to Harlem and not try your southern fried? I think I'll take two pieces of that.
EMILY
And you do ribs, right?
WOODS 1
Of course.
EMILY
That sounds great.
THE LADY SMILES.
WOODS 1
Excellent choices.
EMILY NUDGES CLARISSA.
EMILY
I can't wait. C'mon.
CLARISSA SHAKES HER HEAD.
CLARISSA
Um . . . we're gonna have to get that to take-away if that's ok. Emily here is excited about getting some place.
WOODS 1
Yes. That's ok. So that comes to . . .
CLARISSA
Less than 50?
CLARISSA PLACES A FIFTY ON THE COUNTER.
WOODS 1
Yes.
CLARISSA
Then that's yours. Don't worry about it. We actually got something we want to ask you.
WOODS 1
Oh. thanks. Um . . .
THE LADY TURNS AROUND
WOODS 1
Two fried chickens and a ribs!
SHE TURNS BACK TO CLARISSA AND EMILY.
WOODS 1
Yes?
CLARISSA
Your foundation . . . you offer scholarships to kids so they can study at university?
WOODS 1
Oh, yes. You know about that? Yes, we help however we can. But I'm afraid it's only for children from Harlem.
CLARISSA
Oh, we know.
CLARISSA LOOKS AT EMILY. THEY BOTH SMILE.
CLARISSA
That's what we think is so great. The very people we see on the streets here could one day be studying at some of the top universities in the States.
EMILY
Yale. Harvard.
WOODS 1
Oh. Ha ha. I would like to think so, girls. But I'm afraid those particular ones are a little too expensive even for those with scholarships. There are plenty other great ones though.
CLARISSA
But you know how to pick the kids, right? You can tell whether someone has potential or if someone's really keen?
THE LADY SMILES. SHE LOOKS OUTSIDE.
WOODS 1
Funny you should ask. See that young boy?
CLARISSA AND EMILY TURN AROUND. JUST OUTSIDE ARE THREE TEENAGERS WATCHING A SMALL METAL BOX. THEY LAUGH. ONE CROUCHES IN FRONT OF THE BOX AND STRIKES A POSE. HE PUTS A HAND TO HIS MOUTH AND BEGINS TO BEAT BOX.
CLARISSA
Yeah.
WOODS 1
The one beat boxing . . . he wants to be a musical engineer. He loves rapping and beat boxing but he wants to know the ins and outs of making fine music. His friends laugh at him when he talks about it but he often comes in here and talks about infusing rap into soul and jazz . . . combining genres . . . crazy ideas.
WOODS 2
Like James P. Johnson. Ha ha. He's a clever kid. He knows what he wanna do!
WOODS 1
Says he wants to be like Timbaland. Can't say I listen to much of that guy's work but he's certainly popular with the kids. And what amazes us is just what he knows about the equipment available at different universities in the States. He can tell you - right off the top of his head - where you can find the most state-of-the-art equipment and best recording studios. He's even got the names and numbers of faculty members he's written to. The only thing that kid don't have is cash. But there are so many just like him. He missed out one one of our scholarships this year I'm sorry to say.
CLARISSA DIALS A NUMBER ON HER CELL.
EMILY
Awww. He really sounds keen.
WOODS 1
Oh. He is.
CLARISSA PUTS THE PHONE TO HER EAR.
CLARISSA
It's Clarissa. Can I speak to dad? . . . Dad. I'm at Sylvia's in Harlem. Do you think it's ok if I . . . ? . . . Yeah. Here she is . . .
CLARISSA PASSES THE PHONE TO THE LADY BEHIND THE COUNTER.
WOODS 1
Who . . . ?
SHE PUTS THE PHONE TO HER EAR. CLARISSA PLACES A SLIP OF PAPER ON THE BENCH, FACE DOWN.
WOODS 1
I'm sorry, what did you say your name was? . . .
EMILY PUTS ONE OF JON HUNTSMAN'S CAMPAIGN CARDS ON THE BENCH AND SMILES. THE LADY DOESN'T NOTICE AS SHE'S CONCENTRATING ON THE CALL. SHE TURNS AROUND.
WOODS 1
Um . . . people; I think we have Jon Huntsman on the phone. And . . . What? . . . Oh my God! . . .
SHE JUMPS. SHE TURNS BACK TO CLARISSA AND EMILY. THEN TURNS THE WHITE SLIP OF PAPER OVER. . . . AND SCREAMS . . .
WOODS 1
Oh my God! Are you serious? Oh my goodness! Guys! Guys! Will you look at this?
THE STAFF EMERGE FROM THE KITCHEN. CLARISSA SMILES. SHE GLANCES AGAIN AT THE GROUP OF TEENS OUTSIDE. SO DO WE.
WOODS 1
Get that boy in here now! Get them in here!
EMILY OPENS THE DOOR.
EMILY
Guys, could you come in here a minute?
THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER, AND THEN AGAIN AT THE METAL BOX.
TEEN 1
Have you seen this thing? This be a walking, talking camera! I ain't never seen anything like this.
EMILY
Bring it in with you.
A SECOND BOY PICKS UP THE CAMERA. BUT WE'RE STILL INSIDE; WE WATCH THE STAFF, THEN FOCUS ON THE MAIN LADY BEHIND THE COUNTER. SHE'S STILL ON THE PHONE.
WOODS 1
Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to us. You will come, right? Anytime. You will visit? . . . Yes. We look forward to it.
NOW SHE HAS A TEAR IN HER EYE. SHE SMILES AT CLARISSA AND HANDS BACK THE PHONE.
WOODS 1
Thank you.
CLARISSA NODS. SHE MOVES AWAY FROM THE COUNTER.
CLARISSA
Is this the boy?
THE LADY TAKES THE BOYS HANDS.
TEEN 1
What are you doing lady? You're acting strange today. You crying?
WE SEE THE OTHER TEENS; THEY ARE ABOUT TO STEP INSIDE WITH THE CAMERA.