By Larry Hunter/WGA Registration #920922
				The Rag Player

FADE TO

EXT.-RED TWO-STORY BRICK HOUSE-MID-MORNING-1970

								CUT TO:

Four YOUNG BLACK CHILDREN are playing hopscotch outside a
two story brick house in Houston, Texas. Suddenly, they hear the sound
of a piano coming from the house. The children run up on the porch and
peep through the partially cracked door. Their eighty year old great
UNCLE JOHNNY is playing the piano again. He usually plays it just
on holidays. The children walk quietly in the house.

FADE TO

INT.-RED BRICK HOUSE

PIANO MUSIC-RAGTIME

									CUT TO:

UNCLE JOHNNY is sitting at the piano. The sound of Ragtime music
playsthroughout the house. A bottle of beer and a half cigar sit on top of the
piano. He doesn’t notice the children as he close his eyes. He remembers the
good times with his dancing sister, Winnie.

UNCLE JOHNNY FLASHES BACK

FADE TO

INT.-THE RAGS NIGHT CLUB-LUFKIN, TX-1909-MID-DAY

									CUT TO:

WINNIE is a eighteen year old young Colored country girl dancing to the
soundof nineteen year old JOHNNY’S piano. She is dancing so much that
sweat drips down on her pretty 1900’s after five red evening dress. JOHNNY is
smiling and playing Ragtime.
FADE TO
INT.-RED BRICK HOUSE-1970-UNCLE JOHNNY PLAYING PIANO
PIANO MUSIC-RAGTIME
CUT TO:
The CHILDREN are walking slowly toward UNCLE JOHNNY. He stops
to
take a drink of beer. He gulps the beer down, then picks up his half cigar
and
puts it in the corner of his mouth. Just as he gets ready to play again, all
the
children crowd around the piano. He looks surprise.
UNCLE JOHNNY
Where did all ya’ll come from? I didn’t
hear ya’ll come in, children. Old age must
be getting to me, little nieces and nephew.
THE CHILDREN
We heard the piano when we were
playing hopscotch! And we remembered
that you only play this kind of music
on holidays, Uncle Johnny.
#1 CHILD
And we said, “I know Uncle Johnny not
playing that kind of music today because
it ain’t Thanksgiving or Christmas.”
UNCLE JOHNNY laughs as he sits the bottle of beer back on top of the
piano.
He straightens his brim on his felt hat and cocks it to the side.
UNCLE JOHNNY
It sure isn’t, children.
#2 CHILD
And I said, “Aint Sallie gonna really fuss
at Uncle Johnny because she only let
him play Ragtime on holidays.
UNCLE JOHNNY laughs as he gets ready to play another tune.
UNCLE JOHNNY
Well, you sho-nough right about that child.
#3 CHILD
Ain’t you scared she gonna catch
you, Uncle Johnny?
UNCLE JOHNNY
(smiles)
Ah! No. A little fussing won’t hurt me.
Its worth it when I can play Ragtime.
#4 CHILD
How come Aint Sallie just let you play
Ragtime on holidays, Uncle Johnny? I like
the sound of Ragtime. That’s not fair.
One day I wanna play just like you.
UNCLE JOHNNY turns on the piano stool, takes off his hat and bends
over toward the children sitting on the floor.
UNCLE JOHNNY
Now, now, I know all ya’ll get excited over my
music. And it is nice to hear that one of you
wanna play the piano. Its always good to know
where’re you wanna be, but first, your education.
Opportunities are very slim for black folks, but
they gonna get better. Now this old piano used to
put some extra cash in my pockets when I was
just a young farm boy. I didn’t go no farther than
the third grade. Couldn’t even read music, just
played by ear, you understand.
#4 CHILD
Playing a piano like that, you don’t need any
school, Uncle Johnny, just music.
#3 CHILD
I don’t understand Aint Sallie. Why she just let
you play on holidays, Uncle Johnny?
#2 CHILD
Yeah. That’s being mean, Uncle Johnny.
#UNCLE JOHNNY
Aint Sallie thinks that Ragtime music is not
UNCLE JOHNNY(CONT’D)
Godly music. Its for those fast girls
and men that party in the night clubs.
#3 CHILD
Will you play us some Ragtime, Uncle
Johnny, please?
#2 CHILD
Yeah. Before Aint Sallie comes.
UNCLE JOHNNY
Aint Sallie is away on a Church Convention
and won’t be back until tomorrow.
CHILDREN
Then what are you waiting on, Uncle Johnny?
UNCLE JOHNNY turns on the stool toward the piano. He puts his felt hat
on
and cocks it to one side. He takes the half cigar and put it in the corner of
his
mouth. He wiggles his fingers to loosen them up. The children get closer
and
crowd around the piano. They wait patiently.
UNCLE JOHNNY
Lets see now.......
FADE TO
PIANO MUSIC-RAGTIME-MAPLE LEAF RAG
CUT TO:
PIANO KEYS AND UNCLE JOHNNY FINGERS AS HE PLAYS.
UNCLE JOHNNY FLASHBACK
FADE TO
INT.- THE RAGS NIGHT CLUB-1909-MID-DAY
CUT TO:
His young sister, WINNIE is dancing as UNCLE JOHNNY plays the
piano
at The RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB in Lufkin, Texas.
FADE TO
PIANO KEYS AND UNCLE JOHNNY FINGERS PLAYING
CUT TO:
INT.- RED BRICK HOUSE AND CHILDREN
UNCLE JOHNNY finishes his last note on the piano and bows his head to
the
children. They all clap.
#4 CHILD BOY
UNCLE JOHNNY, if I could play like
that, I wouldn’t have a worry in the world,
money would just fall from the sky on my
doorsteps.
UNCLE JOHNNY
(smiles as he pulls off his felt hat)
You know, money is not everything.
That’s the difference with young people
today .Hey, in the old days, it just felt
good to have a talent to make people
happy and joyful. Sometimes I made
a few nickels and dimes but sometimes
I didn’t make anything.
#3 CHILD
UNCLE JOHNNY! Is it true that your
sister danced in the night clubs while you
played the piano?
#4 CHILD
(laughs)
You talking about Aint Winnie!
You got to be dreaming, girl.
#2 CHILD
Aint Winnie, the beautician?
Uncle Johnny’s sister?
#4 CHILD BOY
(laughs as he pulls his ears)
The Aint Winnie that look to see
whether your ears are clean before
entering her house? Man, my cousin
told me every time her mother tells
her to spend the night at Aint
Winnie. She said she would rush to the
bathroom to wash her ears clean.
UNCLE JOHNNY
(laughs)
That’s my sister. Boy, but couldn’t she
dance!
#3CHILD
(happy)
Then it is true! I told ya’ll. Next time
you gonna believe me when I say
something.
#4 CHILD BOY
(in disbelief)
Uncle Johnny, you all really had a sister
and brother act in a night club.
UNCLE JOHNNY
(smiles as he pulls his hat off)
Yep. And Aint Winnie could sure cut a rug.
Children, I would start off with old ragtime
and Aint Winnie would come out and light
up the night club right in the heart of the
Negro community in old Lufkin, Texas. Our
little world was a happy one children.
Oh, she could dance all night.
The CHILDREN just stand wanting to hear more about AINT
WINNIE. UNCLE JOHNNY reaches in his wash pocket and pulls
out a railroad watch. He looks at the time and stands up. The
children
are still waiting for him to continue his story.
UNCLE JOHNNY
(closes the top to the piano)
Listen, Children, my wife left me some chores
to do----now if ya’ll wanna help-----
The CHILDREN turns and look at each other and snap their fingers.
THE CHILDREN
Uncle Johnny! We just remembered.
Mama left us some chores too.
See you Later!
The CHILDREN run out the house. UNCLE JOHNNY laughs. He
really wants to go take a shot of whisky from his liquor cabinet in
the den.
CUT TO
INT.-BRICK HOUSE-LIVING ROOM
UNCLE JOHNNY peeps out the den window to make sure the
CHILDREN
are outside. Then he turns to his wooden made bar cabinet, opens it, take a
small shot glass from the shelf, blows the dust from it and picks up a
bottle of
whisky. He sits in a nearby chair and pours him a shot of whisky. He gulps
it
down quickly, wipes his mouth and sits back in his reclining chair. He
smiles as
he remember the good old days in a small country town in east Texas
called
Lufkin. The sound of Ragtime music ring in his ears. The dancing steps of
his
sister, Winnie, brings joy to his face. He pours another shot of
whisky and
swallows it down. He sits back in the reclining chair, get comfortable and
thinks
about his youth and music. Thinking of the good old days refreshes his
soul as
a musician who loves Ragtime. Home alone gives UNCLE JOHNNY that
pleasure to reflect and enjoy the moments.
UNCLE JOHNNY FLASHBACK
FADE TO
MUSIC-RAGTIME-BLUE GOOSE RAG
INT.-THE RAGTIMER NIGHTCLUB-NIGHT-1910
CUT TO:
COLORED PEOPLE are dancing to YOUNG JOHNNY CRISWELL'S
Ragtime music. OTHERS are standing and sitting around chatting.
WOMEN
and MEN are sporting their 1900’s fashions and stylish hats.
ONE PERSON
(yells out to Johnny)
Hey! JOHNNY! Where is your sister, Winnie?!
Suddenly YOUNG EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD WINNIE appears. She looks
foxy in her red dress, gold shoes and stylish hat. She begins to dance to
her brother’s Ragtime music. The crowd is applauding as YOUNG
EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD WINNIE does exploding dance steps while her
brother JOHNNY plays the Ragtime.
FADE TO
MUSIC-RAGTIME
INT.-THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-LATE NIGHT
CUT TO:
THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB is empty. The COLORED owner, MR.
LUCAS
wipes off his bar and counter. JOHNNY and his sister WINNIE are
getting
ready to leave the club. WINNIE is carrying her dancing shoes and red
dress
in a shopping bag. The owner doesn’t see them as he continues to
straighten
up his place.
JOHNNY
(turns to Mr. Lucas)
We’ll see you next week, Mr. Lucas.
MR. LUCAS stops what he is doing and reach into his pockets.
MR. LUCAS
(comes from behind the counter)
Hey! Winnie and Johnny.
We had a nice house tonight.
MR. LUCAS counts some bills out as he approach JOHNNY and
WINNIE.
MR. LUCAS
(still counting money)
We made a little money tonight.
MR. LUCAS hands each one of them some money.
WINNIE AND JOHNNY
Thanks Mr. Lucas.
JOHNNY
(puts money in his pocket)
It’s getting better every week end, Winnie!
MR. LUCAS
(serious)
You two are very good. You make a
good brother and sister act. Have you
ever thought about leaving Lufkin? You
probably could make it in a big city. With
an act like ya’ll have, hey no telling. But
not soon because I wanna see you back
here next weekend.
WINNIE
(blushes)
Thank you Mr. Lucas for letting us do our
act in your club.
MR. LUCAS
(smiles proudly)
Hey! Color folks have to help one another,
don’t we? Like I said, your act is good.
My customers love Johnny and Winnie.
I always wanted to play a piano like that.
A God given talent...! Tell your mama, I’m
sorry I kept ya’ll too late. I think she know
I’m gonna look after you and Winnie
JOHNNY cocks his hat to the side and pulls on his suspenders
JOHNNY
The only reason she’s letting us come
here is because of you, Mr. Lucas.
MR. LUCAS
I can appreciate her trust. Your mama and
I goes way back to the cotton fields. You think
picking cotton is hard now. You shoulda been
back in the days when I was growing up.
JOHNNY’S brother FELIX rushes in the door out of breath. He stops,
sweat pouring down his face. His shirt sticks to his body. His heart beat
is pounding through his shirt. He is the older brother.
FELIX
Johnny and Winnie! You got Mama worried
stiff... .Ya’ll shouldn’t be walking them trails
back home this late. We got some mean white
folks just waiting in the bushes to bother you..
C’mon, let’s go!
MR. LUCAS
(apologizes)
I’m sorry Felix. We just had a full house
tonight... .Winnie and Johnny just couldn’t
do enough for the crowd. Tell your mama
it won’t happen again. Tell her if she still
want to sell her pies and cakes here on
Saturday. She’s welcome.
FELIX
(rushes)
I will, Mr. Lucas. Now C’mon ya’ll. It’s
already jet dark out there.
FADE TO
INT.-BIG HOUSE IN HOUSTON-ONE YEAR LATER-1913-
CRISWELL
FAMILY REUNION-MID DAY
CUT TO:
FELIX, JOHNNY, WINNIE and other families and relatives are standing
chatting. Everyone is laughing and joking.
SAM walks out the crowd toward
JOHNNY. FELIX spots an old cousin across the room as he walks away.
SAM
Hey! You two. Uh, Johnny Criswell
and Winnie, the dancing queen. Do you
remember me?
JOHNNY
(thinks as he looks Sam over)
Yeah! I remembered. I met you at The
Ragtimer Night Club in Lufkin.
SAM
(excited)
That’s it! You and your sister sure did
light that old club up. My name is Sam.
JOHNNY and Sam shake hands.
JOHNNY
(introduces)
This is Winnie, my sister.
SAM and WINNIE shake hands.
SAM
Please to meet you.... Well, I was just visiting
Lufkin that night I caught your show. I was
raised up in Garrison, not too far from
Lufkin. I live in Chicago now. Ya’ll ever thought
about coming to the city with your act?
WINNIE
(unconcern smile)
Not really. We wouldn’t think of leaving mama
alone in these neck of the woods.
SAM
(pulls out a card from his shirt pocket)
Well, if you ever decided to do that.
Here’s my business card. Ya’ll are
really good. I’m in the entertainment
business.
JOHNNY
(out of respect)
We’ll be sure to do that Sam.
SAM leaves to go talk to another person that catches his attention.
JOHNNY(CONT’D)
(points)
Whose that woman over there? She has
been looking at us ever since we walked
in the door.
WINNIE
(slaps Johnny’s finger down)
Johnny! Don’t point! That’s not being polite.
Didn’t mama teach you that?
JOHNNY
(smiles)
I kindna like that young woman, Winnie.
WINNIE
(reminds)
They tell me these city women and men
will eat you alive if you don’t know better.
And how you know she’s been looking at us?
JOHNNY winks his eye at the WOMAN as she looks at him again. The
WOMAN smiles and turns her head. She
mumbles something to her friends as
they look over at JOHNNY and laughs.
JOHNNY
Aw Winnie! Relax. Let’s enjoy ourselves.
JOHNNY
(excited)
Here comes our cousin! Don’t
you remember Alex?...
WINNIE
(responds)
Never heard or laid eyes on him before.
ALEX walks over to them with a beer in his hand
ALEX
(approaches)
Well, I’ll be. I didn’t think you
were coming---and this must be your
little sister, Winnie. Last time I saw
you, you were a little bitty thing, but
look at you now.
JOHNNY
(laughs)
You see Winnie, I forgot you were
so small when Alex came around.
Alex is our mother sister’s child.
WINNIE
(nonchalance)
So that makes us first cousins, huh?
ALEX
(laughs)
That’s right Winnie. Now you catching on.
JOHNNY
(continues)
Alex. It’s been a long time
ALEX
(pats him on the shoulder)
Too long Johnny we use to be like brothers.
Do you remember my mama’s old piano?
JOHNNY
(laughs)
Do I remember... .How can I forget!
ALEX
(takes a sip of beer)
Winnie. Has Johnny ever told you
what we use to do on Sundays?...
WINNIE
(not excited)
What were there to do?...Everybody were
suspose to be in church-----you mean what
you did after after church?
ALEX
(laughs)
Everybody but us!
JOHNNY
(laughs)
Yeah! And we are lucky we didn’t get caught
because your mama and my mama would have
whooped us to ‘kingdom come’ and left just
enough for our Papas to finish the job.
WINNIE
(curious)
Well. Are ya’ll gonna tell me or not.
Just maybe it ain’t funny to me.
ALEX
(shakes his head)
It’s funny. Even more, because if we had
been caught... .1 don’t think we would be
standing here talking about it.
WINNIE
(impatient)
Johnny and Alex! I’m still waiting ya’ll!
ALEX
(takes another sip of beer)
You see, little cous, Every Sunday when we
would go to church, well when everybody
started shoutin and everything and the preacher
started walking up and down the pulpit yelling
and screaming. Me and your brother Johnny here
would sneak out the back door and run home
to Mama’s old piano. I use to Tap and Johnny
would whoop up some ragtime.
WINNIE
(shakes her head)
You musta been mighty brave... .Color folks
don’t play when it come to church time.
They take the sabbath day pretty serious.
ALEX
(changes conversation)
Listen... uh news travels fast... .now I heard
you and your sister got something cooking in
Lufkin at The Ragtimer Club. You whooping
on the piano and Winnie sanding the dance floor.
Everybody is talking about how good you and
Winnie are.
WINNIE
(comments)
We just like to make people happy Cousin Alex.
We love to hear people laugh and enjoy themselves
and Color folks do know how to have fun.
ALEX
(complements)
Hey! Your sister have a good sense of humor.
JOHNNY
(responds)
Yep. You are right. She know just what to
say at the right time. She gives you a little
and not much. Her real talking
is done on the dance floor
ALEX
(smiles)
Speaking of dancing... .Listen. Uh, why don’t
you two do something for the relatives...
JOHNNY
(curious)
How are we gonna do somehting?
Where’ s the piano?
WINNIE
(comments)
Can’t dance without a piano, Cousin Alex.
ALEX
(responds)
I can fix that problem----just say you two
will do something.
JOHNNY
(responds with a smile))
Only if you do something for me Cousin Alex.
ALEX
(looks at his watch)
Anything for you Johnny Criswell.
CUT TO:
Three young ladies are talking and laughing across the room. They are
looking at
JOHNNY with a blushing face. Sallie, one of the ladies aren't paying
JOHNNY
any attention like the others. She just ignores the flirting.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY waves back at the flirting ladies. He sees that Sallie isn't flirting.
JOHNNY keeps waving until Sallie just walks away to another group of
ladies.
JOHNNY
That lady over there.... the one that is
talking to the lady with the red hat.
Introduce me after we do our act.
WINNIE
(responds quickly)
Johnny! I told you, these city girls will
eat you alive
ALEX
(shakes his head)
Girl! You shough- nuf from Lufkin. Sallie
Strawder is a fine country girl just like
you---the only difference
is she just look like a city girl.
JOHNNY
(curious)
Where is Sallie from Alex?
ALEX
(shakes his head)
Johnny I don’t know the woman’s life history.
I will introduce you to her after the act.
WINNIE
(sits down on near by chair)
If you not thinking about marriage Johnny
Criswell, you best let her alone. She is a
serious woman. I can see it... .She is
very religious too.
ALEX
(laughs as he lights up a cigar)
How do you know that, Winnie? Listen I’m
going to dust that old piano off in the next
room and then make the announcement... .
Get ready Winnie and Johnny.
WINNIE is serious as she pulls her dancing shoes from her large purse.
She begins to put them on while JOHNNY is still observing SALLIE.
WINNIE
Only another woman can smell another... .
Mama always told me that.
JOHNNY
(snaps as he sits down in a chair )
Winnie! Don’t start judging her. I can take
care of myself.. .Anyway it’s about time
I settle down.
WINNIE is acting very jealous. She throws her old shoes in her big purse.
WINNIE
(serious)
And quit playing Ragtime! Quit making
Color folks happy! What about me Johnny
Criswell? I’m not ready to quit dancing... .
This is my life.
CUT TO:
ALEX and THREE COLOR MEN are carrying the piano. They sit it down
in
the middle of the crowded room. Everybody begins to mumble. ALEX
pulls
the white dusty sheet from the old piano. He throws the sheet in the corner
and
becks for JOHNNY and WINNIE.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY
(calms her down)
Listen. ...It’ s gonna be all right!
Cousin Alex is ready for our act, Winnie.
Come on.
WINNIE
(gets up slowly)
I’ve never danced around city folks before.
JOHNNY holds her hand as they walk toward the piano. FOLKS are still
wondering what is going on. THEY have never heard of WINNIE and
JOHNNY.
JOHNNY
Just don’t look them in the face when you
dance... .Just pretend that you are dancing
in The Ragtimer.
COUSIN ALEX is getting ready to introduce WINNIE and JOHNNY.
Everybody gather around the old piano. JOHNNY sits down at the piano.
FOLKS don't realize that it is a dance and piano act. WINNIE weaves a
space for herself on the floor.
WINNIE
(not nervous anymore)
Will all ya'll give me some room?
FOLKS look surprise at WINNIE as She waits for ALEX to introduce
them.
FOLKS are mumbling among themselves as JOHNNY opens the cover up
to the white piano keys. ALEX steps in the middle of the floor next to
WINNIE.
ALEX
(introduces)
Can I get everyone attention, please! I have
a special treat for all of you beautiful relatives
and friends. We have talent in the family from
all sides and if you like that old Ragtime music,
Winnie is going to dance and her brother Johnny
is going to whoop up on this old piano. It’s
been in the family for years. Ladies and gentlemen,
Winnie and Johnny!
JOHNNY plays the piano and WINNIE starts to dance to the ragtime
beat.
Everyone is trancy at the foot work of Winnie. Folks start to clapping to
the sound of Winnie movement on the floor. JOHNNY smiles as he
straddles
the piano stool, whipping up on that old piano. SALLIE is looking at
JOHNNY
as he nods at her. WINNIE body is wet with sweat as she does all kind of
fancy dance moves. Folks are pointing and laughing, enjoying the talent of
WINNIE and JOHNNY. JOHNNY ends the act by strolling his fingers
across
the old piano keys. WINNIE stops and bows to the observers. ALEX
rushes to
the middle of the floor with a half cigar in his mouth.
ALEX
(excited)
Winnie and Johnny, folks! They are family!
They deserve another big hand! Yeh!
Everybody give a strong ovation as they mumble about WINNIE and
JOHNNY.
JOHNNY and WINNIE stand in the middle of the floor with a smile on
their
faces. JOHNNY never take his eyes off of SALLIE as she turns to talk to
others. JOHNNY leans over and whispers something in ALEX'S ear.
WINNIE
kinds of downs her head. She hears the whisper.
JOHNNY
(whispers in Alex's ear)
Now can you introduce me?!
SALLIE is talking with other friends across the room. She kinds of stops
to take a
glance of JOHNNY. JOHNNY waves a little and she just gives a half
smile and
turns away.
ALEX
(laughs as he sip his beer)
I don't want you falling in love on
me Johnny----come on, I'll intorduce
you and Winnie to this charming woman
that you just can't keep your eyes off.
JOHNNY and ALEX start walking toward SALLIE but WINNIE doesn't
move.
She just stands there with a jealous look on her face. She really doesn't
want
JOHNNY to meet SALLIE. She fears that JOHNNY will fall in love and
their
act will no longer exist.
JOHNNY
(looks back at Winnie)
Come on Winnie!
WINNIE
(turns away from Johnny)
No. You go on. I'm gonna get me some
punch.
JOHNNY
(looks sadly as Winnie walks away)
Winnie. Don't be like this.
WINNIE never looks back as JOHNNY catches up with ALEX as he
weaves his
way toward SALLIE and friends. ALEX approaches SALLIE. He tells her
that
JOHNNY wants to meet her. SALLIE walks away from her friends with
ALEX
as JOHNNY walks up.
ALEX
(introduces Johnny)
Sallie Strawder. This is Johnny Criswell.
I promised him if he and Winnie do their
act, I would introduce him to you because
he has been asking me all night for this
moment.
SALLIE kind of blushes.
CUT TO:
WINNIE is pouring a cup of punch while she eye WINNIE and JOHNNY.
An elderly lady walks up to WINNIE as she stares at ALEX introducing
JOHNNY and SALLIE. She doesn't notices the lady. OLD LADY taps
WINNIE on the shoulder. WINNIE turns as if coming out of day dream.
OLD LADY
May I ask you a question, Winnie?
WINNIE
(sips her punch)
Yes, mam......I can't promise you
I can answer it right now.
OLD LADY
(sits down in a chair next to Winnie)
Where did you learn how to
ragtime like that? You were just
simply great or shall I say, 'breathtaking.'
You made me want to
shake a leg---you and your
brother are good---real good.
Remind me of myself.....By the
way, my name is Sarah...Everybody
call me Miss Rah.....
WINNIE
(smiles)
Well, Miss Sarah, thank you for liking us....
I guess it runs in my family. My grandpa
and grandma used to do just what Johnny
and me is doing. We just love to make
folks happy----and what other way to do
that than dancing the ragtime.
OLD LADY
You couldn't have said it better, child.
The OLD LADY stands up as she puts her white gloves on. She reaches
down in
her purse and pulls out a flyer. She holds it down to WINNIE. WINNIE'S
big
eyes raises up to the flyer.
OLD LADY
(holding flyer in her hand)
Listen.....Take this....I own a fabulous
night club in the South Side of
Houston. I would love to hire you
and your brother as an week end act
in my club......
WINNIE
(slowly takes the flyer)
Why thank Miss Sarah, but city life
ain't for me.....I'm just a country girl,
Miss Sarah.....I don't think---
OLD LADY
(smiles as she pats Winnie on the shoulder)
Honey. Think about it....I'm not in any
hurry.....just think about it......Listen
I gotta go-----and remember don't
waste your talents in a cotten field child.
I almost did.............
The OLD LADY turns and leaves. WINNIE gazes at the flyer again. She
doesn't know whether to throw it in the trash or to keep it. Finally she
folds the
flyer and put it in her purse.
CUT TO:
On the other side of the room stand SALLIE and JOHNNY talking to
each
other. SALLIE is smiling and JOHNNY is educating her on Ragtime
music.
JOHNNY
(takes a sip of beer)
Now, folks always ask my sister
and me that question.
SALLIE
(curious)
So. Are you going to tell me? Its not
like a country boy and girl to out act
the city slickers. There must be some
other blood in you.
JOHNNY
(takes her by the hand)
Come on!
SALLIE
(reluctantly)
Wait! Where are we going?
JOHNNY
(turns and smiles)
You do want me to tell you, huh?
SALLIE
(curious but hesitate)
Why yes, but-----
JOHNNY
Well, come on! Lets get some air.
I wanna be able to look in your eyes
without interruption.....I want bite you!
SALLIE takes a deep breath, smiles and follow JOHNNY through the
crowded
room.
CUT TO:
WINNIE is sitting alone watching SALLIE and JOHNNY disappear
through the
crowd. Folks are still passing and acknowledging WINNIE'S dancing
talents.
JOHNNY and SALLIE exit the room, out of WINNIE'S sight. WINNIE
gets
up and looks around the room. She turns and sits sadly back down.
FADE TO
EXT. FRONT PORCH STEPS-FULL MOON-NIGHT
MUSIC: RAGTIME-NAPPY LEE
CUT TO
JOHNNY and SALLIE are sitting on the front porch of the house.
JOHNNY
is looking up at the moon. SALLIE is taking in a deep breath of fresh air.
She
kind of looks at JOHNNY while he is watching the moon. A dog is
barking in
the night. JOHNNY moves closer to SALLIE as he holds her hand.
SALLIE
(reluctantly resist)
Not so fast Johnny Criswell--
JOHNNY
(catches his emotions and backs off)
Sorry. It must be the perfume you
are wearing. You smell so good.
SALLIE
(smiles)
And I thought you were just a country
boy. I think you have a little city slick
in you too.
JOHNNY laughs as he looks away into the stars. He likes SALLIE, but
he doesn't want to be too aggressive. He calms down.
SALLIE
(reminds him)
I'm still waiting, Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY
(remembers as he grabs her hand)
Oh. Yes!....Grandpa Step!
SALLIE
(laughs)
Grandpa Step! You are joking!
JOHNNY
Yes. Grandpa Step! He taught me
how to play ragtime when I was only
three.....
SALLIE
Grandpa Step. What a name. How could
anyone forget him.....
JOHNNY
(continues)
They gave him that name in Chicago.
He could dance and play ragtime
at the same time......So people just
shouted, 'STEP!' The name caught
on. Now my grandfather was a stepper
and city slick. He always came back to
the country to play around with Winnie
and me. Winnie used to light up when
she saw his feet move on the floor. She
started immitating him at three. My
mother didn't agree to it, but it was just
in our blood.
SALLIE
(compliments)
Grandpa Step.....He gave ya'll a rare talent.
I complement him where ever his soul is.
You two are pretty good. I don’t like
nothing but church music, but for a while
you had me snapping my fingers. The titles
of some of your acts and songs, like 'Possum
And Taters,' Maple Leaf Rag,' 'Pastime Rag'
and many others.
FADE TO
INT. SCREEN DOOR OF HOUSE
CUT TO:
WINNIE is standing inside the screen door listening to the conversation of
JOHNNY and SALLIE. She fears JOHNNY is going to fall in love with
SALLIE. She has never seen JOHNNY so attractive to a woman before.
She just stands there without saying a word.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY is holding hands with SALLIE. SALLIE is not resisting as
WINNIE
jealousy is arousing.
CUT TO:
WINNIE opens the screen door, walks to the other side of the steps and
interrupts the conversation.
WINNIE
(serious)
Blues, jazz, gospel and ragtime
all belong to each other. Grandpa
Step taught us that. If you listen
to it closely, the rhythm is there.
SALLIE
(smiles as she looks up at Winnie)
Oh. Hi! And you are Winnie. I
was just trying to understand.
You just might be right, Winnie.
WINNIE
(uncomfortable)
Johnny. I’m going get something to drink----
You want something to?
JOHNNY
(eyes on Sallie)
Uh, no! You go on Winnie... .I’ll get
something later.
WINNIE walks back in the house feeling rejection and lonely. JOHNNY
is
so much off into SALLIE that he isn't thinking how alone his country
sister
is feeling.
SALLIE
(concerns)
Is Winnie all right, Johnny. She doesn't
seem to be happy about something.
JOHNNY
(not serious)
Winnie! She's fine. That's her personality
when she's not dancing.
SALLIE
(insecure)
Why am I getting the feeling your sister
doesn't care that much for me?
JOHNNY
(defends)
Sometimes when I don't give her
all the attention, she kinds of show
her jealous side. But it all passes
once we do our act together. But
she is shy around city folks.
SALLIE
(smiles)
Something like that, huh? Well, tell Winnie that
I’m just a country girl right outside of Conroe
called Leonidas... .Where are you from?
JOHNNY
(responds)
I’m from Lufkin. I still live there.
SALLIE
(responds)
I see. I attended Wiley College with some
students from Lufkin.
JOHNNY
(responds slowly)
Oh you go to college?...
SALLIE
(laughs)
Do I really look that young Johnny Criswell.
Thanks for the compliment, but I’ve graduated.
What about---
JOHNNY
(smiles as he holds her hand)
What does a smart country girl like you doing
in a little town like Leonidas if I may ask.
SALLIE
(explains)
I have a one room school house and I teach
except when cotton picking time comes. All
the children have to leave school to pick cotton
My mama is a share cropper. We don’t own our
land... .My father died when I was very young.
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
We have a lot in common Sallie Strawder.
SALLIE
(serious)
The only way I was able to go to college, I
wrote the president of Wiley and begged him
for some kind of scholarship, anything that could
SALLIE(CONT'D)
pay my college fee. He gave me that chance.
I wore the same dress to class so many times
that I could count the number of threads in it.
JOHNNY
(complements)
You are a very smart and brave woman,
Sallie Strawder.
SALLIE
(serious)
I’m just detremine to be different. The
chances are slim for us, but I will take
the slim chances and hope for the best.
JOHNNY
(downs his head)
You are a very important woman, Sallie
Strawder. I respect school teachers. I
just wish-----
SALLIE
(curious)
And what do you want to do besides play
the piano? You must always have a
back-up, Mama said.
JOHNNY
(slowly)
My piano is my back-up, Sallie. I didn’t
go no farther than the 5th grade. Had to
drop out of school to help my mama on the
farm after my father died... .You’re just lucky
I guess, going to college and all. Very few of
us around east Texas get by the third grade.
SALLIE
(smiles)
No luck Johnny Criswell.
Just the blessings
of God Almighty!........
Listen I have to go.
JOHNNY
Did I say something wrong?
SALLIE
(smiles)
Say something wrong? No lord! I’m
being interviewed tomorrow
in a little town called Almeda outside
of Houston. I applied for a teaching job
there. I have to get my rest. Don’t
wanna look all tired eyes. Wish me luck,
Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY
(humble)
Will I see you again, Sallie?
SALLIE
(pulls a pencil and paper from her purse)
I would like to. Here’s my address. Write
to me. I don’t go to night clubs, so I
have probably seen you play for the last
time, Johnny Criswell. God bless.
SALLIE turns and walks in the house while WINNIE passes her in the
screen
doorway. WINNIE nods with a half smile. SALLIE does the same.
WINNIE
walks up to JOHNNY with two drinks in her hands. She sits down on the
porch as JOHNNY just stares at the address. He folds it up and puts it in
his
pocket. WINNIE gives JOHNNY the drink.
WINNIE
(curious)
You like her, don’t you?
JOHNNY
(smiles)
Maybe... .maybe and maybe not Little Sister.
C’mon. Let’s go home.. .Lufkin is waiting.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-PASTIME RAG
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE CRISWELLS IN LUFKIN
CUT TO:
JOHNNY CRISWELL is sitting on the porch reading a letter from
SALLIE
STRAWDER. He srniles as he continues to read. FELIX walks up.
JOHNNY
doesn’t notice him.
FELIX
(agitates)
My brother done fell in love. Your nose
is as wide as them old bulls out there.
JOHNNY
(smiles as he continues to read)
I never told you that, Felix.
FELIX
(sits down on the steps)
Don’t have to... .1 could see the glow in
your eyes when you were reading the letter.
JOHNNY
(folds the letter and puts it his shirt pocket)
Well, I can’t read that well, but she wrote
it plain enough for me to understand.
FELIX
(changes conversation)
Winnie is worried. She think that this woman
will interfere with ya'll dance act.
JOHNNY
(protective)
Sallie Strawder is her name.
FELIX
(serious)
Do you think Winnie is right or what? I would
hate
to see that happen Johnny. You and Winnie are the
only one that got a chance in this family to show
your
talents to Color folks. You might never make it big
anywhere else, but you are big here in Lufkin. Ya'll
make people laugh and happy, Johnny.
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
I know and maybe God have other plans for me
Felix.
Maybe he has better plans for Winnie too. We’ve
been
dancing and playing the piano as long as I can
remember.
And we are still here in Lufkin waiting on cotton
season.
FELIX
(personal and serious)
I just want you to be sure what you getting yourself
into. I don’t want you to be going on a wild goose
chase,
Johnny. Lord knows I’ve done that enough for both
of us.
Now Winnie told me this woman or Sallie Strawder
is a
school teacher.
JOHNNY
(excited)
Yeah! She is and a good one!
FELIX
(looks straight out into the fields)
Winnie tells me that Sallie is religious, so religious
that
she listen to nothing but gospel music. Now how
you
gonna mix that up with ragtime, Johnny?
JOHNNY
(defensive)
Why are you asking me all these questions Felix?
I’m not married to her. I can take care of myself.
FELIX
(he pats Johnny on the shoulder)
Listen. I'm your older brother. We ‘re
family Johnny and family take care of one
another.. .1 just want you to be sure... .
We are all Mama got since Papa passed... .
Did you play them numbers the other day?
JOHNNY shakes his head as he pulls out a piece of paper from his shirt
pocket
JOHNNY
Sure did. I haven’t heard anything yet.
FELIX
(takes a look at the numbers)
I’ve been playing the numbers for a long
time, only hit big a couple of times.
JOHNNY
(puts numbers back in pocket)
I didn’t even know Policy existed
until you told me.
FELIX
(stands up and put on his hat)
You're a big boy now. It was time
for you know a few games, Johnny.
Just keep it a secret for yourself....
Don't want mama to know. See ya
later. I got some business in town.
JOHNNY
(folds letter and put in his pocket)
Yeah! I’m going get some rest.
Where’s Mama?
FELIX
(walks toward the road)
She took some cakes and pies over
to Aint Rosy’s house.
FADE TO
INT. RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-NIGHT-12:00PM
MUSIC: THE HANDS OF JOHNNY PLAYING RAGTIME ON PIANO
CUT TO:
JOHNNY and WINNIE are doing their last show. JOHNNY closes the
tune
out as WINNIE takes a bow to the crowd. People are clapping. The owner,
MR. LUCAS is wiping off his bar with a smile on his face. JOHNNY run
his
fingers across the piano keys, stops and take a shot of whiskey. WINNIE
sits
down at one of the table as people exit the club. She pulls off her dancing
shoes
and put them in her big purse. JOHNNY takes his hat off the top of the
piano,
runs his finger across the top and cocks it to one side of his head.
MR. LUCAS
(putting up things on the bar)
Good show tonight. Now ya'll
be careful walking home. Take
the short cut. Don't walk on
them white folks property. Its
been pretty quiet around here,
too quiet. You just never know
when they gonna change on you.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. JOHNNY AND WINNIE WALKING DOWN DARK ROAD
CUT TO:
WINNIE and JOHNNY are discussing SALLIE. WINNIE is angry as she
walks fast ahead of JOHNNY. She throws her hands up in the air as
JOHNNY is trying to control her anger. He catches up with her and pulls
her
by the arm. WINNIE jerks away with tears in her eyes. They stop as
JOHNNY explains.
JOHNNY
Aw! Winnie! Come on! You are my sister
and partner... .Sallie know how much we
mean to each other.. ..She comes from a
large family and she does everything she
possible can for her sisters, mother and
brothers. I would never leave my family
out of my life. God has another plan
for both of us, Winnie, but we got to take
chances. We have out grown Lufkin, little
sister. Its time for us to spread our wings.
WINNIE
(wipes her eyes)
I don’t know, Johnny... .you are changing and
I’m afraid of the big cities. Folks are different
and I don't wanna leave Mama out here all by
herself.
JOHNNY
(starts walking along)
Listen! You remember what Mama
always preached.
WINNIE
Do I remember?! How could I forget. She still
said,
‘God help those who help themselves chullins.’
JOHNNY
Then we just have to carry those words with
us everywhere we go.....And about Mama
being alone, Felix ain't going no where. He done
had his fun in the world.
WINNIE
(curious)
Are we gonna still do our dance act if you
marry Sallie Strawder”
JOHNNY
(smiles)
We sure are Winnie. We will probably
find more work in the city.
WINNIE
I don’t know, with Sallie being so religious
and all, Johnny. Like Mama always say, 'ya'll
like two different peas in a pot.'
JOHNNY
Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.
Right now, I haven’t ask for Sallie Strawder’s
hand yet.
WINNIE
(smiles)
But you will. I can see it your eyes, Johnny........
I always dreamed of going to hair dressing
school and having my own shop. You think
that could happen?--.--But I still wanna dance
too now.
JOHNNY
(laughs)
Well, let’s see... .You could press hair in the
daytime and dance in the night time.
They both laugh.
WINNIE
(gets serious again)
This woman has really change you Johnny.
I didn’t ever think that could happen to you.
What does Sallie Strawder see in you,
Johnny?......
JOHNNY
(thinks as he stops observe a shaking bush)
I’ve asked myself that question over and
over. I don’t know. Surely she could find
someone with higher standards than me.
It’s all in God’s plan, I know that, Winnie.
CUT TO:
THE BIG BUSH ALONG THE ROAD IS SHAKING.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY and WINNIE stops in their tracks. All of a sudden, a BIG
BLACK
DOG jumps out of the bush and heads for the two. JOHNNY and
WINNIE
run for their lives until the dog just gives up and heads back the other way.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-FROP LEGS RAG
EXT. THE RAGIMER NIGHT CLUB-4:00AM
CUT TO:
WINNIE and JOHNNY are taking their time. MR. LUCAS is ready to
close
up. He takes him a shot of whisky, puts on his stingy brim hat and hollers
over
at WINNIE and JOHNNY.
LUCAS
Hey, you two! Hurry up over there.
I promised your mama I wouldn't keep
you late. Time to go home.
JOHNNY
(responds)
We’re leaving Mr. Lucas. Don’t worry,
Winnie. Everything is going to work just fine.
Sallie is a winner.
MR. LUCAS
(pulls money from his cigar box)
Wait! Here you are! We’re making a little
money now.. ..Keep the good work up.
MR. LUCAS hands JOHNNY the money and Johnny counts it in a hurry.
It is
more than expected. WINNIE is looking at the dollar bills as JOHNNY
gives
her half. She stuffs it in her big purse.
JOHNNY
(puts money in his shirt pocket)
This is more than we ever made, Mr. Lucas!
WINNIE
(excited)
Thank you Mr. Lucas! I'm going shopping
for some new dancing shoes and dress....
MR. LUCAS
(laughs)
And if ya'll don't hurry up and get out of here,
we all gonna be shopping after that mother
of yours get through with us....Go home!
JOHNNY and WINNIE rushes out the door. MR. LUCAS watch them as
they disappear into the night. He turns his sign on the door to CLOSE. He
steps
outside the shop, close and locks the door. He lights up his old cigar,
looks up
at the full moon and walks proudly down the old dusty road, whistling a
Ragtime
tune.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF CRISWELL'S FAMILY HOUSE-NEXT
MORNING-SUNRISE
CUT TO:
JOHNNY'S mother, MAMA ESTER is sitting on the porch churning cow
milk. She stops for a second to glance at the milk in the container. She
opens
the top and runs her finger along the edge. She tastes the sample on her
finger.
She smiles as she closes the container. MAMA ESTER wipes her hands
on
her apron and continues to churn. JOHNNY walks out on the porch, takes
a
big yearn and leans against the banister. MAMA ESTER stops churning,
looks
up at JOHNNY and shakes her head.
MAMA ESTER
(curious)
That Ragtimer Club is gonna take you and
WINNIE to the limit......What time ya'll
come in last night?.......
JOHNNY
(sits down on porch steps)
Before twelve, Mama. We had a good
night. Even made more money.
MAMA ESTER
(smiles)
Listen. I don't have any complaint about
what you like to do. Just be respectful.
Carry ya'll selves like a gentleman and
a lady. One thing I can say about ya'll,
the Ragtimer has not taken you away
from helping me on this land. And of
course, we need the extra money.
JOHNNY pulls a basket of corn near the steps. He takes out a couple of
ears
and begins chucking them.
MAMA ESTER(CONT'D)
(starts churning)
Where's Winnie? She is usally up by now,
feeding the chickens.
JOHNNY
(chucking corn)
I think she did that early this morning. She's
looking through some fashion magazines
from New York City. You know Winnie
takes pride in her dressing when she dance.
MAMA ESTER
(stops churning)
The spitting image of her Aunt Gracie in Chicago.
As old as Aunt Gracie is, she still love fine dresses,
hats and shoes. She left for the city at an early age,
found her a railroad man and never looked back to
this land. Told me I could have it--cause she's not
ever coming back.
JOHNNY stops chucking corn. He drops the corn in his hand in another
bucket.
He turns to his MAMA ESTER as she churns the milk. He is hesitate to
discuss
his personal matter with her, but at times he does. Maybe this is the time
to get
some old knowledge from his mother about SALLIE.
JOHNNY
(looks at his mother)
Mama....Can I tell you something?
MAMA ESTER
(takes the top off churner)
If it has anything to do with you
and Mr. Lucas Ragtimer Club,
its too early in the morning.....
MAMA ESTER runs her finger along the edge of the churner. She tastes
the
sample from her finger, then places the top back on the churner. She starts
churning the milk again.
JOHNNY
(in a low voice)
Mama....I...I think I'm in love.......
MAMA ESTER
(keeps churning the milk)
In love......With who Johnny?
One of them east Texas night
club women?........
JOHNNY turns to MAMA ESTER with a half smile on his face. He really
wants to surprise his mother. He believes this time he has a real woman.
MAMA ESTER continues to churn the milk as she wipes sweat from her
face. JOHNNY pulls an ear of corn from the basket and begins chucking.
He downs his head, hesitates to answer the question. He takes a deep
breath.
JOHNNY
Mama.....Not this time.....This
woman is a fine and successful
school teacher.......And she is
from right up the road, Conroe.
MAMA ESTER
(churns milk)
A school teacher, huh?.. .You met her
in the Ragtimer? An educated woman.
Well I would have never thought----
JOHNNY
(smiles)
No, Mama, I met her at the family
reunion. The reunion you were too
busy to attend.....You could have
met her.......
MAMA ESTER
(stops churning milk)
Family reunions, I don't attend. Too
much gossiping and nosy people
into your business. This land is my
reunion. Anyway, the reunion was
on your daddy's side, bless his soul.
MAMA ESTER gets up and stretch her arms from the long sit down.
MAMA ESTER(CONT'D)
(sits down)
And what does this educated woman
see in my country ragtime playing son.
Explain that to me, Johnny. I don't wanna
build your hopes up on this woman. She
must know that you are different, Johnny.
JOHNNY
(explains)
Mama. Sallie is a country girl just like
I'm a country boy. That kind of thought
never entered her mind.
MAMA ESTER
(stops churning)
Don’t ever say that son. You can’t read
anybody’s mind....Does she like to go out
to night clubs? Does she like your music?
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
But that’s all right. Sallie is a religious
woman, Mama
MAMA ESTER
(starts churning)
It bothers me that she doesn’t like
nothing you doing.
JOHNNY
(downs his head)
Maybe I can do something else
besides play music.
MAMA ESTER
(wipes her churner off)
The big city is rough when you have
no education, son....
JOHNNY
(chucks the corn down)
I don’t know Mama! Maybe she can
teach me something----open my eyes to
something different.
MAMA ESTER
(putting churned butter into a bowl)
But your music is your heart... .Been like
that ever since your grandfather taught you
how to play ragtime. And what’s going
to happen to Winnie. The girl believes in
you, Johnny.
CUT TO:
INT. INSIDE SCREEN DOOR OF FRONT PORCH
WINNIE is standing and listening to MAMA ESTER and JOHNNY'S
conversation. She is curious about the way JOHNNY'S love for SALLIE.
She fears that his love for SALLIE will come between them. JOHNNY
dosn't notices WINNIE inside the screen door.
JOHNNY
(puts chucked corn in the basket)
I love music, Mama, but I love to work
with my hands. Look, Pa, Felix and me built
this house from stratch. I could play music in
the big city at night and be carpenter in the day
----and Winnie, she loves to press hair she
could go to hair dressing school, Mama... .
Then you could come live with us in Houston.
MAMA ESTER
(gets up with the bowl of butter)
Son. I'm going to my grave on this land.
Big city is for young folks.......I’ve never
met Sallie Strawder----but you have
fallen in love too quickly, son... .
Think about it before you ask this woman
for her hand.
CUT TO
INT. WINNIE WALKS SADLY AWAY FROM THE SCREEN DOOR
CUT TO
EXT. MAMA ESTER EXIT THE PORCH INTO THE HOUSE.
CUT TO
EXT. PORCH STEPS
JOHNNY sits alone on the porch gazing into the distant land.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-THE RAGTIME BETTY
INT. SALLIE'S HOUSE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS-EVENING-SIX
MONTHS
LATER-DINING ROOM TABLE.
CUT TO
JOHNNY is sitting at dining table. He wipes his mouth with a white
napkin
as SALLIE gather the dishes from the table. She is enjoying JOHNNY'S
company.
JOHNNY
(wipes his mouth lightly with the napkin)
You are a very good cook, Sallie
Strawder.
SALLIE
(smiles as she gathers the dishes from the table)
Well, Johnny Criswell, you should know
all farm girls are good cooks.
JOHNNY
(laughs)
You right about that because even
Winnie can cook up a storm.
SALLIE
(changes conversation)
Uh, could I get you something to
drink----a beer or something?
JOHNNY
(almost chokes)
Say that again!
SALLIE
(smiles)
I asked if you want a beer or
something, Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY
(surprised)
Uh, sure! But I thought---
SALLIE
(turns before she enters the kitchen)
It’s quite all right......
JOHNNY
(shocked)
Uh, what! Why...uh I didn’t know....
SALLIE
(laughs)
Drink.....I don't Johnny Criswell. You do.
And after all you are my guest. It is always
good to please your guest......
SALLIE exits to the kitchen, leaving JOHNNY wondering. JOHNNY
pulls
out a cigarett, but quickly puts it back in his coat pocket. He doesn't want
to over do her kindness.
JOHNNY
Is she just testing me or something?
SALLIE enters the dining area with a glass and bottle of cold beer. She
sits
down at the table, places the glass of beer in front of JOHNNY and pours
the beer in the glass. Her hospitality amazes JOHNNY.
SALLIE
(pours beer in glass)
There you are Johnny, The Rag Player....
All nice and cold.
JOHNNY
(smiles as he takes a sip of beer)
The Rag Player.....No one has
call me that before....I kinda like
it...yeah......
JOHNNY and SALLIE look at each other as if they have seen a flower
from heaven.
SALLIE
(gets up from table)
Anyway, Johnny Criswell, thanks for
coming.....Could I get you another beer?
JOHNNY
(smiles at Sallie in a warm and gentle way)
Sure and let's toast to your new
job in Houston.....
SALLIE
(turns and walks to the kitchen)
Okay, Rag Player. I will be right back.
SALLIE exits to the kitchen. JOHNNY gets up and look at some old
pictures
of SALLIE'S mother and father on the wall. SALLIE enters the dining
area.
She pours the beer in JOHNNY'S glass on the table. Then she pours a
glass
of water for herself. JOHNNY walks toward the table as she holds the
two
glasses in her hands.
SALLIE
(hands Johnny the glass of beer)
Water is the best I can do......
JOHNNY
(smiles)
Then water it is, Miss Sallie Strawder.
JOHNNY takes the glass from SALLIE. They both tap the glass.
JOHNNY
This is to you, Sallie Strawder and
congratulations to getting that teacher's
job in Almeda, Texas.
SALLIE takes a sip of water and then pauses. She sits down at the table.
She is looking curious as JOHNNY sits down.
JOHNNY(CONT'D)
Did I say something wrong, Sallie?
I was just tryin----
SALLIE
(curious)
Your sister doesn't think too much of me,
does she, Johnny?
JOHNNY
(laughs)
Who Winnie? That's just her way.
She loves to dance and I am
her music. She's afraid if I fall
in love, I'm going to stop playing.
SALLIE
It just didn’t seem like she wanted to
shake my hands at your family reunion.
JOHNNY
Winnie is very protective of me. I guess
because we are brother and sister... .not
mentioning being partners... .Ever since
Papa died, our family kind of protected
each other---I guess she is a little jealous.
SALLIE
That’s natural---
JOHNNY
(touches Sallie's hand)
Winnie will be all right, Sallie. She just have to
get to know you.
SALLIE gets up from the table to look out the dining room window.
SALLIE
(pull curtains open)
And playing the piano is your life, Johnny?
How do you have time to court?.........
JOHNNY gets up from the table and touches SALLIE on her shoulders as
she looks out the window. JOHNNY kind of kisses her lightly on the
cheeks. SALLIE closes the curtains and turns to JOHNNY.
JOHNNY
(smiles as they look at each other)
A pretty lady like you, my time
is yours, Sallie.
SALLIE
(walks away from Johnny)
Are you flirting with me, Johnny Criswell?
JOHNNY
( follows her to the table)
Uh, no... .just being honest, I guess.
SALLIE
(serious as she sits down at the table)
I have dreams, Johnny.
JOHNNY
Dreams... .Don’t we all?
SALLIE
(sips some water)
We all do----but I want to live out my
dream, Johnny, that’s the difference.
I want to travel this country... I want to
see the White House. I want to own
Land. Something my family never
had. I want to be somebody.
JOHNNY
(looks down)
Maybe you are too good for me, Sallie.
I’m just a Ragtime piano player with a
sister that dances. That’s how we live.
SALLIE
(touches Johnny's hand)
Don’t ever doubt yourself, Johnny.
The good Lord see something in both
of us. Maybe more than what we can see.
JOHNNY
(hesitates to reveal)
I must tell you something about me, Sallie.
SALLIE
(reluctant to listen)
Not now, Johnny, don't spoil the evening.
I know enough about you for now. And
that is good enough for me.
JOHNNY
(explains anyway)
When it comes to reading, writing and
arithmetic, I’m not the smartest man... .But
I’m good with my hands.
SALLIE
(gets up to take glasses to kitchen)
Then I will take time to teach you more,
Johnny Criswell---but I will leave that
up to you.
JOHNNY takes an old rail road watch form his pants pocket.
JOHNNY
How times passes.. .I’ve got to catch that
last train for Lufkin. It have been a wonderful
evening Miss Strawder.
Johnny gets up and Sallie comes out the kitchen and removes his coat
from the
chair. She hands the coat to Johnny.
SALLIE
Thank you for coming, Johnny.....I have
enjoyed every moment. Give your family
my love.
JOHNNY
(puts his hat on)
Until next time, Sallie Strawder. And when
that be, I may ask?........
SALLIE
(smiles as they walk to the door)
You mean, getting together again, I think.
Well, only the good Lord knows, Johnny
Criswell. I’ll write you a letter.
CUT TO:
SALLIE and JOHNNY standing out on the porch. JOHNNY looks up at
the full moon. They hug each othe under the moon light.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-PALM LEAF RAG
INT. RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-NIGHT
CUT TO:
Winnie and Johnny are during their act in the Ragtimer Night Club.
Everyone is
having fun. The club is jumping. Johnny is whooping up on the piano and
Winnie
is dancing her heart out. Finally the act stops and Johnny takes a drink of
whisky.
He wipes his forehead with a towel while people are clapping. Sweat is
pouring
down her face as she takes a deep breath and bow.
WINNIE
(walks over to piano)
JOHNNY! I could hardly stop....
It was almost like something took
over my body. My feet just wouldn’t
stop dancing.
JOHNNY
(laughs as he continues to wipe his face)
Pretty soon, you gonna dance out of them
shoes, sister. You get better and better
every night. Maybe you should be on
Broadway or something.
As JOHNNY and WINNIE are talking, a well dressed tall BLACK MAN
walks
over to introduce himself. His eyes are on WINNIE. His name is D-
BROWN.
D-BROWN
Winnie, you are good, Johnny, you too.
But your sister has plenty class and rhythm.
Especially when she sands the floor on that
tune.'Possum Rag.' And plus you are the
prettiest thing I ever did lay eyes on, Miss
Winnie. I been coming to this club every week
end just to see ya'll act and especially, Winnie.
My name is D-Brown....I'm from right up the
road, Marshal, Texas.
WINNIE, JOHNNY and D-BROWN shake each other hands.
WINNIE
(smiles as she shakes D-Brown's hand)
Oh thank you, Mr. Brown. I appreciate
your compliment. We do like to make
people happy.
D-Brown
(just stands there, admiring Winnie)
Anyway I just wanted you to know,
I’m a big fan of yours........Ms. Winnie.. .
uh........
JOHNNY
(interrupts as he laughs)
Miss Winnie Criswell, Mr. Brown. That's her
full blooded pretty name. I must say that she
will be glad to chat with you sometimes.
WINNIE looks funny at JOHNNY while hitting him on the shoulder.
JOHNNY is
joking and having fun with the conversation. He feels that D-BROWN is
trying to
ask WINNIE for a date. He just speeds it up to help out D-BROWN.
D-BROWN
(taken by surprise)
Oh I see.......Well anyway...... I have to go..
.I’ll be back in two weeks... .Maybe we can
have a drink together or talk after your act.
WINNIE
(reluctant)
I don’t----
JOHNNY
(interrupts)
She would love to, Mr. Brown.
D-BROWN
(smiles as he looks at Winnie)
Then I will see you in two weeks,
Winnie Criswell?....Thank you.....
It will be an honor.
D-BROWN shakes hands with WINNIE and JOHNNY as he turns and
tips
his hat to WINNIE. Then he disappears into the standing and chatting
crowd.
WINNIE
(turns to Johnny)
I can’t believe you did that, Johnny Criswell
JOHNNY
(laughs as he puts on his hat)
Oh yeah! I saw you blushing. I was just
trying to help you out.. .He seems like a
nice gentleman and all.
WINNIE
(sits down on the piano stool)
Come on, Johnny.... I was just trying to
be nice to the man. He was a gentleman.
JOHNNY
(smiles as he takes a sip of beer)
Oh, yeah... .Your little brown eyes didn’t say so.
Those little eyes were saying, "I would like to
chat with you too." I've never seen your eyes
light up so, Winnie......
WINNIE
(pulls Johnny hat down in his eyes)
I’m not ready to go courting Johnny Criswell.
You are trying to get rid of me ever since you
met Sallie. How is she doing?
JOHNNY
(smiles as Sallie's name lights him up)
You really want to know Winnie?
Winnie, Sallie would make you a fine
sister-law. She is different and
not selfish.
WINNIE
Johnny! I didn't ask you all of that......
JOHNNY pulls a letter from his pants pocket. The Club is empty with the
exception of Mr. Lucas over behind the bar counting his money.
MR. LUCAS
(cigar in his mouth)
Hey! You two---Closing time!
JOHNNY and WINNIE grabs their things and heads for the door.
JOHNNY
puts the letter back in his pocket. They both bids Mr. Lucas good-bye.
JOHNNY &WINNIE
(walking out the door)
See ya, Mr. Lucas.
MR. LUCAS
(counting his money)
Yeah! Ya'll be careful. You never know
when them bad white folks gonna turn
on you....Pay day, next week.
JOHNNY
(walking out the door)
Thata be just fine, Mr. Lucas.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF JOHNNY AND WINNIE'S HOUSE-NIGHT
CUT TO:
JOHNNY and WINNIE are getting ready to enter the house. JOHNNY
pulls
out his letter. He turns and sits down on the steps. WINNIE stops too
before
entering the house. She sits down on the steps besides JOHNNY.
WINNIE
I think you really love this woman.
You wanna talk about it. I promise
I won't be jealous.
JOHNNY folds the letter and puts it in his shirt pocket.
JOHNNY
She writes me every week. Its a
good thing you taught me how
to better my reading.
WINNIE
(smiles)
That school teacher gonna land
my brother yet. Have you ask her
to marry you.
JOHNNY
Not yet. It’s just not the time.
WINNIE
(downs her head)
When that happen, I will have to find
my own act, huh?
JOHNNY
(smiles as he puts his arms around Winnie)
Me and Sallie getting married don’t have
nothing to do with our partnership, sister.
We gonna still dance and make people
happy. As religious as she is---do you know
she fix me a glass of beer and even let me
smoke in her house. She is not trying to
change me....
WINNIE
(smiles)
If you say so, Johnny. Believing is seeing.
That's what Granpa Step used to say.
Yep. We'll see, Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY and WINNIE are silent as the sound of the night under a full
moon
fades away as they sit, pausing and staring at each other.
FADE TO:
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
INT. RAGTIME NIGHT CLUB-TWO MEN AT TABLE--NIGHT
CUT TO:
TWO MEN are drinking beer at a table in the club. JOHNNY and
WINNIE
have not begin their act. They are just to begin when WINNIE have to go
to
the Lady's Room to powder her nose. The two men are impatient. Folks
are
sitting around laughing and talking with each other.
ONE MAN
(yells out)
Hey! You two! Are you going to
do your act or what?
JOHNNY is sitting at the piano. He tips his hat at the man, gets up to go
see
about WINNIE.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY knocks on the Lady's Room door. He whispers to WINNIE.
JOHNNY
Hurry up Winnie! Folks are getting
impatient. Our time is up. Are you ready?
WINNIE opens the door to the Lady's Room. She straightens her dress.
WINNIE
Might as well be....You know I like to
look my best on the dance floor.
CUT TO:
FOLKS at tables in The Ragtime Club begins to clap as JOHNNY and
WINNIE walk toward the piano.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-EUGENIA
INT. RAGTIME NIGHT CLUB-CLOSING TIME-NIGHT
CUT TO:
The Club is quiet as JOHNNY closes the cover on the piano. Lights are
dim.
WINNIE is sitting on the piano stool next to JOHNNY taking off her
dancing
shoes. A few people are still hanging around chatting with MR. LUCAS.
He begins to put up chairs on top of the tables. The last of the crowd nod
to
MR. LUCAS and exit the Club.
MR. LUCAS
Okay Winnie and Johnny! Time to close.
It’s getting late....Ya'll was great like always.
I didn't know ya'll could do that tune......
JOHNNY
( puzzle)
What tune, Mr. Lucas? I play so many, I
forget what I'm playing sometimes.
59
WINNIE
(rubs her aching feet)
I betcha he's talking about the one
Grandpa Step taught you before he die,
Johnny.
JOHNNY
(remembers as he puts on his sport coat)
Oh, yeah! Thats a good one...Just
never play it until-----
MR. LUCAS
(snaps his finger)
Policy King!---That's the name!
MR. LUCAS walks toward the bar to get something for JOHNNY.
WINNIE goes in the Lady's Room to change out of her dancing dress.
MR. LUCAS(CONT'D)
(pulls a yellow slip with numbers from under the bar)
Somebody left this for you, Johnny.
You better hide that because it is
illegal in East Texas.................
MR. LUCAS(CONT'D)
I think you got lucky. I didn’t know
you play the numbers.
JOHNNY
(looks guilty)
Uh, I don’t Mr. Lucas.....This is for
my brother, Felix.
MR. LUCAS
(laughs)
Relax... .That’s your business.. .I’m not
the law. Man gotta do something to make
his life a little more interesting. I’ve been
playing the numbers too, haven’t hit
big yet.
WINNIE rushes out the Lady's Room. She walks to the front door thinking
JOHNNY is ready to go. She stops and yells at JOHNNY.
WINNIE
Hey, Johnny! Let’s go! Its getting late.
Mama gonna be worried.
JOHNNY
(quickly puts the slip in his shirt pocket)
I’m coming Winnie! How much do you
think this is worth, Mr. Lucas?
MR. LUCAS
From what I saw... .It said three hundred dollars.
JOHNNY
(snaps his finger with excitement)
What? See ya next Friday, Mr. Lucas.....
Thank you!.....Come on Winnie, Let's
trek.
MR. LUCAS
(wiping the bar off)
Now, ya'll be careful---and tell your
mama, I'm looking for them pies and
fried chicken to sell to my customers,
you hear....She can make a good profit.
WINNIE
(walking out the door)
I'll tell her Mr. Lucas.....Bye......
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-THE RAGTIME DANCE
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE CRISWELL'S HOUSE--AFTERNOON
CUT TO:
JOHNNY is counting the money he won from playing policy. In the
middle of his
counting, WINNIE comes out of the house and sits down besides
JOHNNY.
She looks speechless at the money as JOHNNY counts.
WINNIE
(curious)
Johnny! Where did you get all that money.
Pay day is not until next Friday---and even
if it was, we wouldn't make this much!
JOHNNY
(stops counting money to explain)
I won three hundred dollars, Winnie.
WINNIE
(searching)
How? Johnny Criswell, surely not
playing the piano without me
knowing. We are partners, you know.
JOHNNY
(starts counting the money)
No! I just got lucky, sister.
WINNIE
You mean you gambled! Shooting dice with
those folks in the alley down from The Ragtimer....
You know----
JOHNNY puts his finger over his lip to signal for WINNIE to not talk so
loud.
He doesn't want his mama to know about the money.
JOHNNY
(whispers)
Be quiet. I don't won't Mama to know.
I didn't shoot dice with anybody in the
alley. Mama raised us better than that.
Listen....For the first time, I played the
numbers and hit!
WINNIE
Policy! That is gambling too, Johnny! Mama
don't like that---and I don't-----
JOHNNY
(folds money up and puts in his shirt pocket)
Listen... .Whose gonna tell her, not me----
unless... .listen, I will give you half of the
three hundred.
JOHNNY takes the money from his shirt pocket and starts counting out
one
hundred and fifty dollars. WINNIE is looking and thinking about what
she
will do with the money. She forgets that it is gambling money for a
moment.
JOHNNY hands her one hundred and fifty crisp dollar bills.
WINNIE
(smiles as she looks at the bills)
You don't tell---I don't tell......I need some
more dancing shoes anyway.
WINNIE stuffs the dollar bills down into her bosom. JOHNNY grabs
WINNIE around the shoulders.
JOHNNY
I knew you would understand.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-FROG LEGS
EXT. OLD DUSTY ROAD TO THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-
NOON
CUT TO
JOHNNY and WINNIE are walking fast up the road to THE RAGTIMER
NIGHT CLUB. They have a serious look on their face. MR. LUCAS
wants
to see them immediately. They are thinking something is serious wrong.
WINNIE
(worried)
I wondered what Mr. Lucas want....
JOHNNY
Whatever it is, I hope it’s not bad news.
WINNI E
Like what?
JOHNNY
Like closing down The Ragtimer Night Club......
Why would he send for us in the middle of the
afternoon, Winnie. I'm scared, really scared
something done happened.
WINNIE
(walks behind Johnny)
We’ve been making money, Johnny... .
That’s not possible......
JOHNNY and WINNIE are approaching the steps of The RAGTIMER
NIGHT CLUB. JOHNNY and WINNIE stop to catch their breath.
JOHNNY
You know, Winnie, I was just thinking.
Maybe old IRS man found his extra set of
book keepings. Sometimes he don't show
the government all his records. Come on
Let's go see for ourselves.
CUT TO
INT. THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB
CUT TO
MR. LUCAS is wiping off his bar. He is smoking a cigar. JOHNNY and
WINNIE rush through the door like a storm. MR. LUCAS stops and
turns quickly like something is wrong.
MR. LUCAS
(jumps)
Doggonit! Ya'll almost scared my pants off
rushing in here like that.
WINNIE
(catches her breath)
Is the IRS after you, Mr. Lucas?......
MR. LUCAS
(laughs)
IRS! Girl please don’t ever mention that
name around this club. No telling where
them white folks might be hiding. But they
won't ever catch old Lucas. I’m too smart
for them.......
JOHNNY
We don't understand, Mr. Lucas.....Are we
fired? You never called us to the Ragtirner
this early... .As a matter of fact, I’ve never
seen this club in the daytime.
MR. LUCAS
(explains)
Fired! Lord no! Listen, some woman in
Chicago named Sand Lady heard about Winnie.
She is a ragtime dancer too. I guess somebody
been bragging about ya’ll act. She wrote me a letter.
MR. LUCAS pulls out the letter and unfolds it.
WINNIE
(surprised)
You mean, somebody is talking about us
way in Chicago. Did you hear that Johnny?
JOHNNY
(curious)
So, uh, what does she want Mr. Lucas?
MR. LUCAS
(takes cigar out his mouth and opens the letter)
It says here, The Sand Lady wants to come to
Lufkin and challenge Winnie to a dance contest.
Right here at the Ragtimer. Can you believe that?
WINNIE
(reluctant)
For what Mr. Lucas. I don't like contest----
I don't know this woman. Anyway them
city folks can cut a rug.......She's probably
real good, Mr. Lucas, for her to come way
down here to Lufkin, Texas.
JOHNNY
(interrupts)
No. Hold your horses, Winnie. To me, there is
nobody in this world can ragtime like my sister.
I wanna hear more about this Sand Lady... .
Is there more, Mr. Lucas?
MR. LUCAS
(looks at the letter)
A lot more........It says here. The Sand Lady
is willing to put up six hundred dollars that she
can out dance Winnie.
WINNIE
But, Mr. Lucas, we don’t have no three hundred
dollars to put up, I just spent my money on a new
dress and some dancing shoes.
MR. LUCAS
(confident)
Don’t worry, I will put up the money and if
you win I will give you half, Winnie.
WINNIE
(walks away from the bar)
I don’t know Mr. Lucas. Suspose I lose,
then your money has gone down the drain.
Why do we have to do this?
MR. LUCAS smiles as he comes from around the bar. WINNIE sits down
at
the table. MR. LUCAS gives JOHNNY the letter. JOHNNY sits at the bar
gazing into the letter as if it is a mystery story. MR. LUCAS sits down at
the
table, trying to encourage WINNIE. MR. LUCAS touches WINNIE'S
hand.
MR. LUCAS
Because to me you are better than anybody
I’ve seen Winnie Criswell. I would put money
on you any day. Nobody going to out dance you.
If you don’t know it, I sure the hell do. Now are
we going to do this thing or not? Anyway it will
put The Ragtimer and ya'll act on the map.
JOHNNY
(turns on the bar stool with letter)
Winnie will do it Mr. Lucas. I will just have to
have a long talk with her. Come on Winnie,
let's go outside.
MR. LUCAS
(biting down on cigar as he walks to bar)
Yeah, Johnny. Good idea. Ya'll
family. Always good for family
to talk things over---I like that.
Take your time, Winnie, take
your time.
WINNIE and JOHNNY walk to the front door of THE RATIMER
NIGHT
CLUB.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE RAGTIMER.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY and WINNIE is discussing contest. WINNIE is reluctant.
WINNIE
The contest is nothing but gambling,
Johnny. I don't like that. I thought
you said we weren't going to do
nothing like this any more.
JOHNNY
(grabs her shoulders, looking her in the eyes)
Listen to me! This is our chance, maybe
to get out of Lufkin, Winnie.
Remember, we do have dreams. What
about that beauty shop you always
talked about. You can't have that here.
You remember what Grandpa Step
always said, 'Don't be afraid to
do something different in life especially
when you have God's gift'---And Winnie,
you do have God's gift. God gave you
a gift to dance, girl....Let the world know
that. It has nothing to do with gambling.
God knows that, Winnie.
WINNIE
(turns away from Johnny)
What if this Sand Lady is better than me,
Johnny?.....I might not ever wanna dance
again. Them city folks gotta lot of tricks
up their sleeves.......
JOHNNY
(smiles as he touches her shoulder)
Sister. That Sand Lady gotta have more
than tricks to out dance you---anyway all of
Lufkin gonna be on your side....Thats all the
tricks you gonna need to win this contest.
If Mr. Lucas gonna put up his money,
you know he believes in you....Now come
on----let's tell Mr. Lucas, you gonna be just
fine.......
CUT TO
INT. THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB
JOHNNY and WINNIE are walking up to the bar. MR. LUCAS is putting
beer glasses up on the shelves. JOHNNY sits down on a bar stool with
his arms around WINNIE'S shoulders.
JOHNNY
Mr. Lucas. Winnie gonna dance like
she never danced before. She gonna
be just fine.
MR. LUCAS
(turns and smiles)
That’s the Winnie I’ve known from a
small little ambitious girl... .I will return
Sand Lady letter with a stamp of appproval
on it.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE CRISWELL--NEXT AFTERNOON
Children are playing up the road. They see WINNIE sitting on the steps
reading
a magazine from Chicago. They run over to speak to Winnie.
CHILDREN
Good afternoon, Miss Winnie.
VIOLA(child)
(curious)
Is it true you are a dancer at the Ragtimer
Night Club, Miss Winnie?......
HENRY(child)
(interrupts)
Yeah! I heard you sure can cut a rug.
WINNIE
(laughs as her eyes look up from the magazine)
Cut a rug! Where did you learn to say
that, Henry?
HENRY
(excited)
My Uncle. He said you are the best ragtime
dancer in the whole world. 1 sure wish I could
see you dance---but I’m too young to go night
clubbing.
BETTY SUE(child)
Maybe you will live and dance a long time
Then we will be old enough to see you
dance, Miss Winnie.
WINNIE
( smiles)
And I pray that the world be a little bit better
for you Color children. I love dancing, but
sometimes I wish I had a better education.
VIOLA
(demonstrates)
Look, Miss Winnie. My Uncle taught me
a few of your steps.
Viola begins to dance. The other children joins Viola. Winnie is so
surprise, she
just laughs.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. FENCE OUTSIDE OF THE CRISWELL'S PORCH-GREEN
TERRAIN
IS IN VIEW
CUT TO
FELIX and JOHNNY are standing near the fence. FELIX and JOHNNY
are
drinking beer as they stare across the land.
FELIX
(wipes sweat from his forehead with a big white towel)
Man! Summer time is back around, pretty soon
it’ll be cotton chopping time. Sure wish Papa
was here....
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
This farm here just about took Papa away.
FELIX
(props his leg up on the fence as he takes a drink of beer)
And if we don’t be careful, the same thing is
gonna happen to us. It seem like this share
cropping don’t benefit us at all.....I shoulda
kept some of that money I spent in the big
cities....Coulda bought that spread up on
the hill.....
JOHNNY
(leans his back against the fence post)
The white man owns the land, we work it
and share half of what we grow to him.
FELIX
(curious)
Well, ain’t no use in complaining over spilled
beans.
This the best we can do for now, plus Mama doesn’t
seem bothered. How you and that school teacher
making it, huh? They tell me school teachers are
paid
well, brother.
JOHNNY
(laughs)
I don’t think she is making much now,
but Sallie got dreams.. .That’s what I
like about her.
FELIX
You have to bring her here Johnny so
Mama can meet her.
JOHNNY
You think so, Felix....You think Mama
will like her.
FELIX
(laughs)
My little brother, hey, how you gonna ever
know unless you bring her here. Any way it’s
the proper thing to do since I smell marriage
across the cotton fields.
JOHNNY
(laughs as he pushes Felix on the shoulder)
Marriage. I didn’t tell you I was going to
marry her Felix. I just said I might ask
for her hand.
FELIX
(laughs as he take a sip of beer)
What’s the difference?......C’mon we got some
corn chucking to do and some tatters to pull....
Remember that song you use to play call Rags
And Tatters---I love to hear you play that...
JOHNNY
(snaps his fingers before walking off)
Wait! I knew it was something I needed to
tell you, Felix.....Did Winnie mention
anything to you?
FELIX
Nothing I can remember. Why?
Was she suppose to?
JOHNNY
(explains)
There is a lady in Chicago. They
call her Sand Lady.
FELIX
(interrupts)
Sand Lady!
JOHNNY
Yeah! Catchy name, huh? Anyway she
dances around in night clubs in Chicago...
Someone bragged to her on how they saw
a woman in Lufkin Texas that could dance
the Sand Lady right out of her stockings
and shoes. They said that she was furious,
so furious that she wrote Mr. Lucas asking
for a contest to be held at the Ragtimer.
FELIX
(excited)
What?! Boy, you joking with me, huh?
What did Mr. Lucas say?
JOHNNY
He invited her down for the contest. The
Sand Lady is betting six hundred dollars
that she can out dance Winnie. Mr. Lucas
is putting up the money for Winnie.... and
he gonna give Winnie half if she wins.
FELIX
(thinks)
Wait! Lord have mercy! I see a gold mine
appearing in my head, Johnny. A way to buy
Mama that piece of land on the hill.....Yeah!
We can make money on this Johnny.
Listen, I can do side bets. I got confidence
in Winnie......
JOHNNY
(curious)
Who in Lufkin gonna bet against Winnie?
FELIX
(shakes his head)
No! Listen little brother, I’m not just thinking
about around here. I’m thinking about putting
up notices in other towns around here, like Center,
Garrison, Huntsville, Tyler, Marshal, and even
Shreveport, all in the Color folks neighborhoods.
And there will be a five dollar fee to place
their bets. It will be a business, Johnny.
JOHNNY
(smiles)
Yeah! And if Winnie wins, we could buy Mama
that land on the hill...Yeah!
FELIX
(snaps his finger)
Now you talking. Let’s finish up what we gotta do.
We’ll talk about it some more tonight before
we go to bed.
JOHNNY
(pushes Felix on the shoulder)
Big brother, that’s why I like having
you around. Sometimes it's good to
be a little city slick.....
They laugh as JOHNNY grabs FELIX around the shoulders.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-POSSUM AND TATERS
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE CRISWELL-NEXT EVENING
CUT TO
JOHNNY is sitting on the porch reading a letter from SALLIE
STRAWDER.
He smiles as he closes the letter. Winnie comes out of the house and sit
down
besides him.
WINNIE
(curious)
Is she doing all right, Johnny? Felix tells me she's
coming after the contest. It’s too bad Sallie
don't go to night clubs because she could really
see how much we need each other.
JOHNNY
(puts the letter in his pocket)
Well it doesn’t matter to me.
WINNIE
(shrugged her shoulders)
If you say so, Johnny. Did you mention
anything to her about the contest?
JOHNNY
You were the first name she mentioned in
the letter. She said tell Winnie to dance The
Sand Lady’s stocking, socks, shoes and
whatever else she might be wearing right off
her body.....
WINNIE
(laughs)
Johnny Criswell, you telling a lie.
JOHNNY
(touches his shirt pocket)
I'm telling the honest God truth, Winnie.
Sallie really likes you.....Anyway we
better go practice.....I learned a new
tune called Cabbage Leaf.....
WINNIE
(curious about Sand Lady)
You think Sand Lady is going to bring
her own piano player.
JOHNNY
(serious as he stands up from the steps)
She better because if she think she gonna
dance to my music, Sand Lady better be
prepared to dance without no music.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-MAPLE LEAF
EXT. OUTSIDE WALL OF A BUILDING-MORNING
CUT TO
FELIX is tacking up white and black cartoonish flyers in different
COLOR
FOLKS' COMMUNITIES advertising theDANCE CONTEST at
RAGTIMER
NIGHT CLUB between THE SAND LADY FROM CHICAGO and
WINNIE FROM LUFKIN BEGINNING NEXT FRIDAY AT 8:00PM.
THE ADMISSION IS FIVE DOLLARS. Folks are standing around
reading the flyers and chatting among themselves.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME
EXT. OUTSIDE WALL OF ANOTHER BUILDING IN EAST TEXAS
CUT TO
FELIX is tacking some flyers in another small town in East Texas.
FOLKS
are watching.
ONE MAN
(walks up)
This Winnie any good?
FELIX
(turns to the man)
Winnie is the best ragtime dancer this side
of Shreveport and all of East Texas.
OTHER MAN
(interrupts)
Is that right... .and you think she can out dance
this old Sand Lady, huh?
FELIX
(laughs)
Who Winnie? I tell you boys, I would bet my
right arm on Winnie.... I’ve seen her dance with
my own eyes... .nobody can touch her. My name
is Felix...I'm her sister.
OTHER MAN
(curious and interested)
And this Sand Lady----Where did you
say she is from?
FELIX
(takes out his handkerchief and wipes the sweat form his
face)
I didn’t say... .but it’s right here
on the poster.
FOLKS walk closer to the poster to take a good look. FELIX steps back.
OTHER MAN
(takes out his glasses as he looks at the flyer)
Chicago, huh.....The Sand Lady. Yeah!
I knew it. This woman is good. I saw
her Rag in Chicago when I visit my
brother last summer. You better
tell Winnie to call it off.
FELIX
Oh yeah...Well we gonna have betting time
right before the contest on the outside of The
Ragtimer Night Club. To enter, the cost is
another five dollars. I will hold all bets and
my word is good, gentleman---now I gotta
go spread the news else where.
ANOTHER MAN
(looks closely at the flyer)
I don’t know, them big city folks got a
lot of tricks up ther sleeves. I sure wish
Winnie luck, but my money is on The
Sand Lady.
FELIX taps the man on the shoulder.
FELIX
Well. See you next Friday. Put your
money where your mouth is. I'm gone
now....Ya'll spread the news, you here.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
EXT. ALLEY BEHIND RAGTIME NIGHT CLUB-ONE WEEK
LATER
FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE CONTEST
CUT TO
JOHNNY is collecting bets from men folks behind RAGTIMER NIGHT
CLUB. He is standing up on a bench as he writes the name of each person
on a small table.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
INT. THE RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-NIGHT
Everyone is anxious and chatting among themselves. Mr. Lucas is pacing
up
and down puffing on his cigar. WINNIE is sitting at a far table, putting on
her dancing shoes. JOHNNY is over at the piano, sitting on the stool and
looking towards the door. THE SAND LADY is running late. Everyone
is staring at the front door wondering if she's going to show.
MR. LUCAS
(pacing as he looks at his pocket watch)
Where is that Sand Lady?
CUT TO
INT. FRONT DOOR OF RAGTIME NIGHT CLUB
CUT TO
THE SAND LADY , SLIM AND TALL steps in the door like she owns
the
place. Everyone gets quiet. Can’t hear a pin drop. She catches everyone's
eye including JOHNNY and WINNIE. The SAND LADY is wearing one
of
those roaring 1900's dress and exotic hats complimented with a city slick
hair
style. WINNIE stands just gazing like she's looking at a movie star. THE
SAND
LADY’S piano player is right behind her with his city slick suit on. She
stops
and the piano player takes the shawl from around her shoulders. She takes
the
long black cigarette holder from her mouth, taps the ashes on the floor and
walks
to the bar. She sits down on the bar stool. MR. LUCAS is quiet behind the
bar.
He can hardly keep his eyes off of her.
SAND LADY
(leans over the bar as she puffs on her cigarette)
You must be Mr. Lucas......
MR. LUCAS waves the smoke from his face and pulls proudly up on
his suspenders.
MR. LUCAS
(sticks out his chest)
Yes I am--and you must be---
THE SAND LADY
The Sand Lady. The one whose gonna take
all your money. I’m sorry for the delay, but
our vehicle unfortunately got stuck in your
red clay.
MR. LUCAS
(laughs)
That’s East Texas, Sand Lady. But anyway we
are glad you made it. Everyone have been waiting
to see this special event.
SAND LADY
(laughs as she snaps her fingers to the piano player)
Is that right. Well here's my end of the bargain.
SAND LADY nods for her piano player, FRED to give MR.LUCAS sixhundred
dollars. FRED walks up to the bar, reaches in his coat pocket and pulls out
a
white envelope. He gives it to MR. LUCAS.
SAND LADY(CONT'D)
(laughs)
Now don't get too comfortable with that,
because you gonna be doubling that before
the night is over....You can count it if you wanna.
MR. LUCAS
(puts envelope in his coat pocket)
I trust you...Any lady come this far
to dance, how can I not.
SAND LADY
(looks around)
And where is that WINNIE woman
that suspose to Rag me off the floor.
MR LUCAS
(becks for Winnie to come)
Right over there, Sand Lady.
Winnie! Come on over here.
WINNIE stops powdering her face and comes over to the bar where
SAND
LADY is sitting. SAND LADY looks WINNIE up and down. WINNIE
smiles
as she steps forward to shake SAND LADY’s hand. She extends her hand
to
SAND LADY.
WINNIE
Please to meet you Sand Lady.
I’ve heard so much about----
SAND LADY refuses to shake Winnie's hand. She laughs.
SAND LADY
(laughs)
Now ain't you nice.... Uh, uh, Honey
I stop shaking hands long time
ago. You see I heard this African story
about a chief shaking a man's hand who
he despised and hour later, the man
whole right side was paralyzed.....
You get my point, Honey?
WINNIE
(downs her head)
Well it doesn't matter anyway. I was
just trying to show you some kindness.
SAND LADY
(takes a puff off her cigarette)
Let’s get on with this show. I came from
Chicago to dance, not to be nice. Honey,
you sure you wanna dance against me?
You look scared stiff.
WINNIE turns away and go back over to the corner, sits, pulls out her
powder
muff out her purse to finish powdering her face.
MR. LUCAS
(laughs)
Winnie Criswell ain't never been scared of
nothing Sand Lady. Let’s get on with this
show.
CUSTOMER
(yells out)
We country folks don’t talk as much you
city slick folks----C' mon, dance up or
go back where you came from.
MR. LUCAS smiles as he rubs his hands together as he bites down on
his cigar. He reaches under his bar counter and pulls out a writing pad.
Before he goes over the rules with SAND LADY, he calls out for
WINNIE to come. WINNIE cross her legs to buckle her dancing
shoes. She slowly gets up and walks up to the bar. MR. LUCAS begins
to explain the rules of the show.
MR. LUCAS
(looks at his pad)
Now Sand Lady, you will come up first,
then Winnie. Since you are the visitor.
Thats no more than right----And you
will be judged fairly. Most of these
folks in here has never seen Winnie
dance. They are from other little
towns in East Texas and some parts
of Louisiana.....Ready, Sand Lady?
SAND LADY
(disagree)
No baby, 1 don’t want her copying any of
my dance steps. She goes first.
82
WINNIE
(laughs)
I wouldn't do that. I got my own steps.
My Mama always said, 'God bless the
child who got it's own.'
Everybody laughs
MR. LUCAS
(serious)
We have a problem here Winnie does it
make a difference to who goes first?
WINNIE
(agrees)
Why no. I'll go first. If Sand Lady copy my
dance steps, then I have more to burn.
MR. LUCAS
(reads from pad)
Good! Each dancer will dance five minutes
each and give the floor over to the next. It will
continue like that for one hour. Your piano player
will exchange position each time with one another.
So that means that the two piano players are going
to be sitting on the piano stool together. Are there
any questions?
SAND LADY
(putting on her fancy gloves)
Yes...Do you have any whisky back there.
MR. LUCAS
(shrugged his shoulders)
That's against the law out here.
SAND LADY reaches in her purse and pulls out a half pint of whiskey.
She
opens the bottle and take a quick swallow. She screws the cap back on the
pint of whiskey, takes out her white handkerchief and softly wipes her
mouth.
SAND LADY
I'm ready now.......
CUT TO
JOHNNY and FRED take their position on the piano stool. They kind of
jocky
for position. FRED cracks his fingers. JOHNNY twists his neck.
CUT TO
WINNIE steps out on the dance floor. JOHNNY is waiting for WINNIE to
nod. She looks over at JOHNNY. His hands raises above the keys to play.
JOHNNY whispers the tune out he's gonna play for WINNIE.
CUT TO
A CLOSE UP OF JOHNNY on the piano stool.
JOHNNY
(whispers)
Possum and Taters.
CUT TO
WINNIE nods back as she stands on the dance floor. The crowd is very
quiet,
waiting to see WINNIE at her best. JOHNNY raises his hands and
quickly
plays the tune.
MUSIC: POSSUM AND TATERS
CUT TO
WINNIE begins to dance as folks clap her on. WINNIE creating steps she
has
never done before. Folks stands up, yelling and screaming at her Rag
moves.
Sweat pours down her face. Her five minute is up. SAND LADY steps out
on the floor.
CUT TO
FRED begins to play the piano.
MUSIC: TICKLE TO DEATH
THE SAND LADY begins to dance. Steps different from WINNIE. The
crowd
are clapping to her CHICAGO RAG moves. She dances like she is the
Queen
of CHICAGO. WINNIE looks on, even SAND LADY moves impress
WINNIE.
CUT TO
JOHNNY watching Fred bang on the piano. JOHNNY just shakes his
head as
if to say, 'you are good, man.'
CUT TO
FELIX is sitting at a table with friends and folks who have their bets on.
ONE
man whispers to FELIX.
ONE MAN
This SAND LADY is good. It's gonna
be close.
FELIX
(brags)
Ya'll haven't seen nothing yet--just wait.
Winnie gonna Rag her off the floor,
you watch.
OTHER MAN
(leans over with cigar in his mouth)
That's why I put my money on The
Sand Lady.....
FELIX
(pulls out a cigarette nervously)
We'll see, Mister. That's my sister
and I know what she gonna do.
Come on Winnie!
CUT TO
WINNIE steps on the dance floor. She is doing moves that freezes the
crowd.
JOHNNY is playing POSSUM TATER like he never have before. Folks
are jumping up and down at WINNIES moves.
CUT TO
JOHNNY hands on the piano keys are playing as fast as WINNIE'S
moves on the floor.
CUT TO
FRED is playing the piano. Folks are screaming at SAND LADY'S
CHICAGO
moves. She freezes the crowd. In the middle of the dance, she pulls off her
shoes
and throw them into crowd. The crowd yells for WINNIE and SAND
LADY
both to come out on floor.
THE CROWD
(yells)
Come on! Winnie and the Sand Lady!
Together! Come on!
WINNIE comes out on floor while SAND LADY is dancing. The two
piano
players play together as WINNIE and SAND LADY do their RAG moves.
CUT TO
The feet of each DANCER moving quickly on the floor.
CUT TO
JOHNNY and FRED playing the piano, different tunes.
MUSIC: POSSUM TATERS and TICKLE TO DEATH
FADE TO
INT. RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-MIDNIGHT-AFTER SHOW
CUT TO
MR. LUCAS is counting money. The Ragtimer is empty. The contest is
over.
JOHNNY head is laying on the piano. WINNIE props her feet up in a
chair.
MR. LUCAS
(smiles as he puts some money into an envelope)
Well, Winnie, how do you feel being the best
Rag dancer around? You showed that Sand
Lady something, girl. But she was tough and
cocky-and didn't complain after she lost. She
just took another shot of whisky and invited you
to come to Chicago and dance in her club
sometimes----and Johnny and Fred, I might
have to buy another piano the way ya'll were
playing.
MR. LUCAS(CONT'D)
(walks over to the table where Winnie is resting)
Look at both of you, dead tired.
MR. LUCAS hands the money envelope to WINNIE. She takes it without
looking.
WINNIE
Thank you, Mr. Lucas. I'll feel more
excited tomorrow. Right now my feet
are aching.
WINNIE raises her head up from the table and look over at the piano.
JOHNNY
head is leaning on the cover of the piano. He is sleep.
WINNIE(CONT'D)
JOHNNY....JOHNNY CRISWELL....
JOHNNY raises his head up from the piano. He looks around.
JOHNNY
(rubs his face)
Man! That was some contest. I feel
like I been chopping cotton all day.
MR. LUCAS
Ya'll did just fine Johnny...Now both
of ya'll get out of here. Go rest your feet
and I don't wanna see ya until two weeks
in the club.
They all laugh
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-POSSUM TATERS
EXT. FRONT PORCH OF THE CRISWELL'S HOUSE-AFTERNOON
CUT TO
JOHNNY is sitting on porch chucking corn in a basket. Winnie rushes up
to
him. She brings bad news. She’s out of breath.
JOHNNY
(stops chucking)
Hold on Winnie.. .What’s the rush, girl?
You must wanna show me them pretty
shoes and dress you bought. You better
save some of that money.
WINNIE
(trys to catch her breath)
Johnny, something----
JOHNNY
Slow down Winnie... .What’s wrong.
WINNIE
(sobs)
Something bad done happen to The
Ragtimer and Mr. Lucas, Johnny!.........
JOHNNY
(gets up and grabs Winnie by the shoulders)
What happened, Winnie?
WINNIE
(wipes her eyes)
They done closed The Ragtimer for good.
JOHNNY
(in disbelief)
What! Who told you this?! Mr. Lucas would
have told us. Maybe this is just a rumor... .You
know how Color Folks alway starting rumors.
WINNIE
(sniffs)
No! It just happened an hour ago. They said that
Mr. Lucas had a heart attack when he tried to stop
the IRS from closing The Ragtimer down. He just
fell to the floor. They say, they don't know whether
he's going to make it through the night. Poor Mr.
Lucas!---What are we gonna do Johnny?
JOHNNY
(throws an ear of corn down in the basket)
Them IRS people musta found Mr. Lucas other
set of book-keepings. I tell you, Color Folks can’t
have nothing around here. Where they take Mr.
Lucas---first I wanna see him, Winnie. He's been
good to us for a long time.
WINNIE
(drys her eyes)
In some hospital downtown---I don't know
Johnny.....
JOHNNY
(pushes basket of corn to the side)
Come on....We'll find out......
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
INT. THE RAGTIME NIGHT CLUB-EVENING
JOHNNY and WINNIE is sitting together on the piano stool. They have a
sad look on his face.
JOHNNY
(wipes tears from his eyes)
I didn't even getta a chance to thank him for
everything he done for us, Winnie.
WINNIE
(turns away from the piano, wipes her teary eyes)
I can't believe Mr. Lucas is dead Johnny.
JOHNNY begins to play the piano. WINNIE turns around on the stool.
JOHNNY
(plays)
This was one of his favorites, Winnie.
MUSIC: WEEPING WILLOW
JOHNNY stops playing as he closes the piano cover. WINNIE is silent.
JOHNNY(CONT'D)
(downs his head)
Before Papa died, he always preached, if one
trail is covered up, make yourself another one.
We just have to figure out where to start.
WINNIE sobs as JOHNNY holds her close to his chest.
JOHNNY
C’mon sis, Let’s go home... .It’s nothing left
here for us anymore. Nothing but memories.
FADE TO
MUSIC: WEEPING WILLOW
EXT. CRISWELL'S FRONT PORCH-NIGHT
SALLIE and Johnnie are sitting out on the porch. Sallie has come to visit
his family.
They have just left the dinner table with Felix, Mama Ester and Winnie.
SALLIE
is trying to catch a Lightning Bug.
SALLIE
(trys to catch a lightning bug)
I almost caught it Johnny!
JOHNNY is quiet. He smiles gradually at SALLIE. His mind is really on
the
lost of MR. LUCAS and the RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB.
JOHNNY
(looking into space)
Listen. Thanks for coming! After
Mr. Lucas died, my mind is at a stand still
Sallie. He was good to me and Winnie.
SALLIE
(grabs Johnny hand)
You know, Johnny....They tell me God
works in mysterious ways. It's a reason
for everything....I'm so sorry that Mr.
Lucas is gone.
JOHNNY
(turns to Sallie)
I'll be all right---it's just this
happened so quick....And
my sister Winnie is in a shell.
Ever since he died, Winnie
goes everyday and just sits
on the steps remembering
the good times.
SALLIE
(sympathy)
I know how much The Ragtimer
meant to you and Winnie... .
JOHNNY
(downs his head)
Yeah. And I’m still trying to figure out
the mystery part of it all.
SALLIE
(holds his hands tight)
Just be ready when the answers comes,
Johnny.
JOHNNY
(holds her hand)
I want to ask you something.
SALLIE
(braces herself as if Johnny is going to ask her to marry
him)
I'm listening---Go ahead.
JOHNNY
(pauses for a second)
Didn’t you talk in private with Mama and Winnie.
SALLIE
(smiles)
We sure did.
JOHNNY
(curious)
Did you bat one thousand with my
sister and Mama, Sallie?
SALLIE
(laughs)
Johnny Criswell. Quit being so nosy.
JOHNNY
(curious)
Tell me something, even a little clue will do.
SALLIE
I told them about my dreams, Johnny.
JOHNNY
(waiting to hear more)
And......
SALLIE
(turns away from Johnny and looks up to the sky)
We talked about Winnie....She has dreams of her
own. You told me she wanted to be a hair dresser,
but I didn’t know she was that serious until now.
But she still want you and her to be partners
once again.
JOHNNY
And Mama...........
SALLIE
(gets up and swings around the banister post)
Johnny Criswell. .. .I’m going to tell you
everything if I don’t shut up. After we finished
talking, your Mama just nodded and smile.
JOHNNY
(happy as he jumps up from the steps)
Haliluya! Haliluya! If Mama just smiled and
nodded, you batted a thousand with her Sallie.
That’s how she is. If she didn't have much to say,
you are a winner with her.......Will you marry
me Sallie Strawder?. . .1 know I’m just a
ragtime piano player, but-----
JOHNNY grabs SALLIE softly by the shoulders and looks her straight in
the
eyes. SALLIE pulls away from his hands. JOHNNY is feeling rejection.
SALLIE
(turns her back to Johnny)
No!....
JOHNNY
(confused)
No.. .uh....I don't under----
SALLIE
(looks at Johnny)
Yes I will marry you. No! I don’t ever
want you to be in doubt about yourself
as a man, Johnny, even in these hard
times for Colored folks.
JOHNNY
Then it’s settle. You will marry me.
Thank God and I will try to be the best
husband to you in the world----but listen,
I do love to play ragtime music and I love
the piano.
SALLIE
And I love going to church on Sundays
JOHNNY
I love scotch and whiskey.
SALLIE
We can get along as long as you don’t make
a fool of yourself. As a matter of fact If you
have to drink, do it home. Drinking in the streets
will give you a bad name.
JOHNNY
Give me time. Will a piano in the house disturb
you?
SALLIE
(laughs)
Maybe not now, but when we get older,
please play it on Holidays and only for
the relatives.
JOHNNY
(confess)
I must confess, I don’t go to church that much.
SALLIE
(smiles)
We can work on that. Mama always taught
us to believe that church is in a person’s heart.
JOHNNY
(continues)
I want Winnie to come to Houston and go
to that hair dressing school.
SALLIE
I want her to come too. My dream is to help
get all of my sisters and brothers out from under
this share cropping thing. I’m the only one that
can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.
JOHNNY
(continues)
Before I die, I want to have a small dance club
for young Colored girls and boys to enjoy. I want
to call it The Truckin Grill... .Dancing at the top
and grill sandwiches at the bottom.
SALLIE
(continues)
With our own land, we can have a grocery
store, a beauty shop and a dancing hall on top.
JOHNNY
(laughs as he slap his hands)
Doggonit! Sallie! One thing about it, they can’t
stop Colored folks from dreaming, not even the
IRS.
SALLIE
(smiles as she sits down on steps)
They are not just dreams to me. I see the
vision, Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY
(sits down by Sallie)
One more thing, Sallie. I want Winnie to dance
at our reception and I’m going to play the piano.
SALLIE
(looks surprise)
Suggestion denied. A wedding is suppose to
be a spiritual thing, Johnny.
JOHNNY
(turns away from Sallie)
You always said you wanted to be different, Sallie.
It’s nothing wrong with music and dance at the
reception.
Winnie would feel a part of the whole thing....
SALLIE
(thinks)
I will have to sleep on that one, Rag Player.
JOHNNY
(smiles as he takes Sallie by the hand)
It will make Winnie very happy. This probably
will be our last performance together because
no tellings what going to happen in the big city.
SALLIE
Listen Johnny, I’m not telling you and Winnie to
give up your act because of me.....Okay. I agree.
Winnie can dance at our wedding reception.
JOHNNY
(smiles)
It’s the only real thing she can give us for a
wedding gift. Thanks.
9
5
SALLIE
(gets quiet)
I’m not trying to change you Johnny. Only the
good lord can do that. That’s between you and
the lord’s business. Deep down inside, eliminating
all the other habits, you are a good man and an
exciting Rag Player even if I don't personally listen
to the music.....But I do love you Johnny Criswell.
JOHNNY
You are different than any woman
I’ve met Sallie Strawder. And I do
love you.
JOHNNY and SALLIE hugs each other.
FADE TO
MUSIC: WEEPING WILLOW
INT. METHODIST CHURCH-HOUSTON, TEXAS-NOON-THREE
WEEKS LATER
CUT TO
THE MINISTER is standing before JOHNNY and SALLIE pronouncing
them
MAN and WIFE.
MINISTER
(closes his bible)
I now pronounce you man and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.
JOHNNY raises SALLIE'S white veil and gives her a kiss.
FADE TO
MUSIC: WEDDING MARCH
INT. CHURCH-TWO LADIES GOSSIPING
CUT TO
TWO LADIES are talking about JOHNNY and SALLIE as they walk
toward the exit of the church.
ONE LADY(PEOLA)
(gossiping)
Girl I heard they are different than
night and day. He's handsome though.
OTHER LADY(HELEN)
(whispers)
He’s a ragtime piano player and his sister dances.
I don’t think this marriage will last before sun
down.
ONE LADY(PEOLA)
(smiles and very proper)
She’s a school teacher and a very religious
woman. This Johnny I don’t know. We’ll see.
OTHER LADY(HELEN)
Huh, we can’t complain though, at least she’s
getting married, we don’t even have a boyfriend.
ONE LADY(PEOLA)
(snaps)
Why you don’t know nothing about my
business, Helen. I have nothing else to
say to you.
PEOLA gives HELEN a dirty look and walks away.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
INT. RAGTIMER NIGHT CLUB-AFTERNOON-SIX MONTHS LATER
CUT TO
WINNIE is sitting a table in the vacant RATIMER NIGHT CLUB. She sits
quietly as tears pour down her cheeks. She remembers all the good times of
ragging on the wood floor. She touches the floor with her hands. She looks
around as she walks toward the old piano. She rubs her hands gentle on the
top
of the piano.
CUT TO
The front door squeaks open. WINNIE jumps and picks up a chair. The
sound
of the old door gets louder as it opens. WINNIE thinks it is a bum looking
to
sleep or hide out.
VOICE(D-BROWN)
(whispers)
Anybody here?
WINNIE
(holds the chair higher as she tips behind the door)
You better go on and leave me
alone now.
THE VOICE(D-BROWN)
(peeps around the door)
It’s me Winnie. D-Brown . Your Mama told me
you would probably be here. What are you doing?
WINNIE
(puts the chair down and sits)
Sorry, D. I didn't know it was you. I just can’t get
the past out of my head. And Johnny is gone with
his life.....I miss this place and Mr. Lucas so much.
D-BROWN
(sits down at the table and takes her hand)
Just cherrish it, baby and move on. Listen I’m
moving to Houston. I got myself a job on the
railroad. I'm gonna be making good money.
I heard Johnny gonna be working on the railroad
too. They beginning to hire Color folks now
because of the war.
WINNIE
(gets up and walks toward dusty glass front door)
I’m happy for Johnny. But I sure do miss
our act. He gonna send for me next month.
He done already paid for my hair dressing school.
D-Brown slowly gets up from the table and grabs Winnie by the shoulders
D-BROWN
That’s good because I can see more of you
Winnie. I want you to be my wife one day
Winnie.
WINNIE
(in disbelief as she laughs)
Do you know what you just said D?
D- BROWN
(serious)
Proposing to you, Winnie. I want to marry you.
WINNIE
(almost speechless)
Is this a joke, D-Brown? Are you really proposing
to me?
D-BROWN
(smiles)
Well I guess I am. Winnie Criswell. Will
you marry me?
WINNIE
(turns to him and smiles)
My answer is yes, D-Brown, I’ll marry
you. But not until I finish that hair dressing school.
D-BROWN
(yells out)
Haliluya!
FADE TO
MUSIC: GOSPEL SONG
INT. JOHNNY AND SALLIE'S HOUSE-HOUSTON TEXAS-
EVENING
FOUR YEARS LATER
CUT TO
JOHNNY is drinking a beer and reading the newspaper. He turns around
in his
comfort chair, opens his liquor cabinet and pours a shot of whiskey. He
drinks it
down, put the bottle of whiskey back in the cabinet and finishes reading
the
newspaper. Sallie comes in from one of her meetings downtown with the
banker.
SALLIE is happy. She hold up the deeds to some property she bought.
SALLIE
(hands the deeds to Johnny)
Now, Johnny Criswell, we are on our way.
We saved up enough money to buy this whole
block. It’s near the railroad tracks,
the price was cheap. But I saw the vision
and the lord spoke, 'buy that land Sallie.'
JOHNNY
(strange look on his face)
Sallie, you bought the whole block!
SALLIE
(sits down in a chair)
That’s right. That old white banker finally
swayed to our side. With you being a railroad
man and I, a Houston school teacher, those were
all the credentials we needed. Don’t have to
worry any more because we have a friend
down at the bank. And he’s the right color.
JOHNNY
(curious)
What we going to do with a whole block, Sallie?
SALLIE
(smiles)
You remembered that night on the porch,
my dreams, your dreams, Winnie dreams.
JOHNNY
(still looking through the deeds)
Yeah. I haven't forgot--but--
SALLIE
(points to the deed)
Well, all of them are right here in this piece of
paper.
Rent houses, beauty shop, grocery store, and The
Truckin Grill. We start building next year. It's a
bunch
of cow stables on the land. But come next year, we
will see a difference. God is working for us
Rag Player.
And your sister Winnie will have her own beauty
shop.
She won't have to work out of her house anymore.
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
That's great! You are some woman,
Sallie Criswell. The good lord sure knew
what he was doing when he created you.
SALLIE
(quotes)
It is said Johnny, 'when the doors open, run
through them before they close again.' We’ve
opened our first door. And your mama and
my mama can kiss that share croping goodbye.....Halliluja!
FADE TO
MUSIC: POSSUM TATERS
INT. WINNIES HOUSE-KITCHEN-MORNING-SIX MONTHS LATER
CUT TO
WINNIE is pressing a CUSTOMER'S hair. As she presses her hair, they
gossip a little bit about old times. WINNIE seems very happy as she curls
the LADY'S hair.
CUSTOMER
(laughs)
Girl! You mean to tell me you are that same
young girl I won all that money off of when the
Sand Lady came to Lufkin.
WINNIE
(laughs and jokes)
Take a good look. Have I changed that
much. Just a few more wrinkles.....
THE CUSTOMER turns and takes a good look at WINNIE.
CUSTOMER
(turns back around)
Well I be.....You is that young girl.
Couldn't nobody beat you and your
brother Ragging.......Can you still
move like that?.......
WINNIE
(jokes)
In my dreams, honey.
CUSTOMER
(wipes the sweat from her eye brow)
I came all the way from Louisiana
to see you dance Old Sand Lady
right off the floor, but she was good.
You had me worried there for
a minute----How come ya'll didn't
try out for broadway, you and your
brother.
WINNIE
(smiles as she continues to press hair)
I was too country, didn't want to
leave Mama and Johnny, well he
fell in love.......
CUSTOMER
(laughs)
That will getcha everytime!
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-POSSUM TATER
INT. THE CRISWELL'S HOUSE-HOUSTON, TEXAS-FIFTEEN
YEARS
LATER-AFTERNOON
SALLIE is out of town during church work. JOHNNY walks in the living
where
an old piano sits. He raises the cover of the piano and sits down on the
stool.
He runs his fingers across the keys. It's been a long time. He touches the
keys
softly as if they are going to break. The sound rings through the house. He
pulls
off his felt hat and lays it on top of the piano.
FADE TO
EXT. FRONT STEPS OF JOHNNY'S HOUSE
CUT TO
A stylish dressed MIDDLE AGE LADY walks up on the porch. The
sound
of ragtime seems to bring her on the porch. She knocks on the door. But
no
answer, just the sound of Ragtime, a tune that she admires. Then the piano
stops. She knocks on the door again.
FADE TO
INT. HOUSE- LIVING ROOM
CUT TO
JOHNNY is closing the piano cover. He hears a knock......
FADE TO
EXT.-LADY STANDING AND WAITING AT FRONT DOOR
INT. JOHNNY COMES UP TO SCREEN DOOR
CUT TO
JOHNNY opens the screen door, but he doesn't recognizes the lady.
She just stands there smiling with an address in her hands.
JOHNNY
(very polite)
May I help you, Mam?
THE LADY
(looks Johnny in the eyes)
Were that you playing the piano?
It's a familiar tune.
JOHNNY
(puts his glasses on)
Yes it was.....
THE LADY
(curious)
I was just passing through Texas
and I decide to look up somebody.
I'm from Chicago and someone
in Lufkin gave me your address,
I believe his name was Felix. I
went to the Ragtimer Club, but
it was nothing but a frame of where
it used to be......
JOHNNY
(steps outside the door to the porch)
Felix is my brother. He takes care
of my mama up there.......Now
did you say your name is.......
THE LADY
(smiles)
I didn't say. But my name is Cora Mayes.
JOHNNY
Are you looking for my wife. She got some
relatives in Chicago....Your face sure do look
familiar.
THE LADY
(laughs)
I'm little older, but I stiill
can cut a rug or two. Your
brother Felix made quite a
lot of money off me when
I lost to your sister.
JOHNNY
(excited)
What?! The Sand Lady! Oh my
God! It is you. I didn't think I would
ever see you again. Come on in. You
are welcome.....The Sand Lady.
FADE TO
INT.-HOUSE
CUT TO
JOHNNY and THE SAND LADY walks into the house to the living room.
JOHNNY
(gesters)
Can I get you something to drink?
Hey! You were good. You had
all of us sweating. That event changed
all our lives......
THE SAND LADY
(takes out a handkerchief from her purse and wipes her
face)
It also changed me......I would like a
glass of water if you don't mind.......
JOHNNY
(gets up)
You sure you don't want any whiskey, beer or----
THE SAND LADY
Water will be fine, Johnny.
JOHNNY disappears into the kitchen. THE SAND LADY picks up a
picture
from a nearby end table of JOHNNY and SALLIE'S wedding picture. She
looks it from bottom to top. JOHNNY comes out the kitchen with a glass
of water.
JOHNNY
(hands her the glass of water)
Here you are Miss Sand Lady.
Me and Sallie been married
almost twenty years now. Two
children all grown now---You
know this must be a lucky day!
THE SAND LADY
(sips the water very slowly)
How's that?......
JOHNNY
(explains)
Winnie is on her way over here.
She comes every Monday because
She doesn't press hair on that day.
And her husband works evenings
for the railroad.......
THE SAND LADY
(laughs a little)
Little innocent Winnie is married
and she's a Hair Dresser. I can't
picture her doing nothing but dancing.
JOHNNY
(looks in his liquor cabinet and takes a shot of whiskey)
Sorry. But this gives me a little bit more get up
and go.....What ever happened to that piano
player that came down with you. He could
sure play........
THE SAND LADY
(downs her head)
Fred passed last year in my night club.
JOHNNY
(sympathises)
Sorry...I didn't know.
THE SAND LADY
(takes another sip of water)
Well. We all have to go sometimes.....
There is a knock on the door.
JOHNNY
(gets up)
Excuse me....That's probably Winnie.
THE SAND LADY sits quietly alone in the living waiting to see
WINNIE.
She is kind of nervous. The woman that she admires as a dancer. THE
SAND
LADY has to see her one more last time because she has very little time.
She
looks around the room at all the family pictures. It seems as if time stands
still in
the room. WINNIE walks in the living room. Their eyes meet, not
knowing
whether to embrace each other or not. It is the memory that lingers with
THE SAND LADY. With WINNIE, it is a shock that she would ever see
this lady again. WINNIE doesn't know whether to extend her hand for a
shake or just speak and be quiet. It's is like two boxers staring each other
in the face.
JOHNNY(CONT'D)
(feels a need to break th ice)
I think you all have met before.
WINNIE
(extends her hand to The Sand Lady)
My pleasure to see you again.
THE SAND LADY
(extends her hand with a smile)
My pleasure....And thank you....
I've been wanting to do this
for a long time.....You were
such a lady and I was so envy
of you.......I came all the way
from Chicago to tell you that
you were the best rag dancer
I ever did see. That next day
I just couldn't play that role
of a mucho woman anymore.
Thanks to you. I hope you
will forgive me for my actions
back then......I have very little
time here on earth--and I wanted
to settle that score with you.
JOHNNY is sitting on the piano stool. He downs his head in sorrow.
WINNIE
wants to hug her, but don't know whether she will refuse the sympathy.
Tears
run down THE SAND LADY'S face.
THE SAND LADY
(gets up to leave)
I'm not gonna take up no more of
your time. I've said what I wanted.
It's time for me to go........
WINNIE
(touches her on the arm)
No....Don't go now....Stay for dinner.
I have a lot to ask you. Maybe Johnny
can play some Rag and we could do a
few steps together.
JOHNNY opens the cover of the piano. He hits the first note. WINNIE
and
THE SAND LADY looks at each other, pulls off their shoes and starts
dancing
while JOHNNY plays 'POSSUM RAG.'
CUT TO
WINNIE and THE SAND LADY FEET as they move slowly on the floor
They are older and slower, but the movements are still there.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-POSSUM AND TATERS
EXT.-JOHNNY'S HOUSTON HOUSE-BACK YARD-MID-MORNING
SIX MONTHS LATER
CUT TO
JOHNNY is painting screen doors for the rent houses. He is in his back
yard.
As he paints the screen doors, FELIX, his brother walks in the back gate.
JOHNNY is surprise to see him. He drops everything he is doing to greet
his older brother.
JOHNNY
(grabs Felix's shoulders)
It is always great to see my big brother.
How you doing Felix....How's Mama.
I was just telling Winnie we need to
come up there this week......
FELIX downs his head. He walks toward the back yard's fence and stare
into space. JOHNNY senses something is wrong. He follows FELIX to
the fence.
FELIX
(looks at Johnny)
We need to talk, Johnny.
Mama ain't doing too well.
JOHNNY turns away as he senses something is terrible wrong and it can't
take
what he might hear.
JOHNNY
(in denial)
We just saw her two weeks ago
and she was in good spirits.
FELIX
(lights up a cigarette)
When age hit you like it have
Mama, two weeks is a long
time---anything can happen.
They don't think she's gonna
make it, Johnny. You and
Winnie need to come as soon
as you can.........
JOHNNY hits the fence with his bare hands.
JOHNNY
(shakes his head)
Me and Winnie tried to get her to
come stay with us.....She just
couldn't leave the land.
FELIX
(takes a puff off the cigarette)
Old folks like Mama, you just
can't take them away from where
they were raised. Mama is where
she wanna be especially on the land
we bought her.....I gotta go---
I will see you soon, little brother.
FELIX leaves Johnny staring into the sky with tears running down his
cheeks
FADE TO
MUSIC: GOSPEL HYMN-AMAZING GRACE
EXT. LUFKIN, TEXAS-GRAVE YARD-MID-AFTERNOON-HOT
CUT TO
MAMA ESTER is dead. Everyone is standing around the gravesite as the
minister is saying the last rites. JOHNNY, WINNIE, FELIX and SALLIE
with
the rest of the CRISWELLS and STRAWDERS' family are in attendance.
It is a very hot and summer day.
THE MINISTER
(picks up some earth from the ground)
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
FADE TO
MUSIC: WEEPING WILLOW
EXT. LUFKIN -VACANT LOT- WHERE RAGTIMER ONCE WAS
AFTER MAMA ESTER'S FUNERAL
CUT TO
JOHNNY and WINNIE are standing looking at a vacant lot.
WINNIE
(looks around)
The Ragtimer used to be right here, Johnny.
Right here where we are standing.
JOHNNY
(picks up an old sign that is buried in the dirt)
Look Winnie! An old Ragtimer sign.
JOHNNY brushes the dirt off with his hands. The name, RAGTIMER
NIGHT
CLUB appears. WINNIE and JOHNNY stares at it for a moment.
WINNIE
(looks at the sign)
How time have passed, Johnny. It seems
just like yesterday we were doing our act
here. And Mr. Lucas was the finest
gentleman I ever did meet besides, you,
Felix and D-Brown.
Cement steps of the RAGTIMERS' front porch are still in place. WINNIE
and
JOHNNY desides to take a seat.
JOHNNY
(reflects on his mama)
Winnie. We had a good mother.
Even though we worked hard
here in Lufkin, she still let us
do our act in a night club.
WINNIE
(turns away and looks off)
Yeah. She never complained
about that as long as we stuck
to her rules....We were blessed.
FADE TO
EXT. YOUNG WOMAN WALKING ACROSS THE STREET
CUT TO
A YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN walks over from across
the
street. She walks up to WINNIE and JOHNNY. JOHNNY and WINNIE
look at each other.
YOUNG WOMAN
(extend her hand to Winnie and Johnny)
Hello. My name is Viola Johnson.
WINNIE and JOHNNY shake her hand.
WINNIE and JOHNNY
(look curiously at the woman)
Please to meet you.
WINNIE
How may we help you, Miss Johnson?
YOUNG WOMAN
(pulls from her purse an address)
I was looking for the Criswells.
Do they still live around here?
Particular Johnny and Winnie.
I was a very young girl when
I remember my uncle talking
about a dance act at the Ragtimer.
JOHNNY and WINNIE look at each other.
YOUNG WOMAN(CONT'D)
I am a dancer myself in Harlem, New York
and I grew up right here in Lufkin. I remember
playing with my cousins in the streets one day
and we saw Miss Winnie sitting right here on
those steps. We all ran up to her. I showed her
some of my rag steps my uncle had taught me.
I always wanted to see her dance, but I was
just a little girl and my mama was very religious.
She didn't want me to have no part of ragtime.......
My uncle used to tell me about the different
rag moves she had.
JOHNNY and WINNIE look even more surprise. They kind of laugh at
each
other. They look at the young lady.
WINNIE
(smiles)
Should we tell her, Johnny Criswell.
YOUNG WOMAN
(puts her hands up to her mouth)
Johnny Criswell....You are the piano player.
And you must be Winnie! I can't beleive
it. I couldn't recognize you, Miss Winnie.
I was just a little girl---Oh thank God,
I got so many question to ask ya'll before
I go back to New York......
The YOUNG WOMAN pulls out a pencil and paper. She begins to ask
WINNIE and JOHNNY question after question. JOHNNY and WINNIE
seem to be enjoying themselves.
FADE TO
MUSIC: POSSUM AND TATERS
INT.- CRISWELLS' TWO STORY BRICK HOUSE-1970- FLASHBACK
JOHNNY is sleep in his comfort chair. SALLIE walks in the room.
SALLIE
(peeps in on Johnny)
Honey, you gonna get a crook in your
neck sleeping in that old chair.....Did
anyone bring the rent.
JOHNNY is not responding or moving. He looks like he is in a deep sleep.
SALLIE worries. He alway awakes when she talks to him. She puts her
packages down and hobbles over to JOHNNY.
SALLIE(CONT'D)
(she shakes his shoulder)
Johnny...wake up! I'm home.
You know I'm going to have
to stop driving. I almost got
ran off the road. Johnny!
Wake up! Don't you know
I need you........
SALLIE bends down and lays her head in his lap. She crys.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
EXT. LUFKIN GRAVE YARD-AFTERNOON
CUT TO
WINNIE is putting flowers on JOHNNY'S GRAVE. She stands up and
stares at the his grave site. Her body have grown old now. She leans on
her cane.
WINNIE
I really miss you Johnny Criswell. I betcha
playing Ragtime up there in Mr. Lucas
place...Tell Mr. Lucas to save that dance
spot for me.........
A hand touches WINNIE on the shoulder. WINNIE turns and there stands
SALLIE CRISWELL. They pause a moment and then hug each other.
SALLIE
(tears running down her eyes)
I miss him too, Winnie.
WINNIE
(looks down at the grave)
I know....Thanks for being a good
friend and sister-in-law......You meant
so much to him.
SALLIE
(takes out her handkerchief and wipes the tears)
Did he ever tell you that I called him
"The Rag Player" sometimes?
WINNIE
(looks surprise)
Really! I like that name, Sallie.
FADE TO
MUSIC: RAGTIME-WEEPING WILLOW
THE END