FADE IN

EXT      URBAN SIDEWALK      DAY

A close-up of an attractive young woman and man walking next to each other in a familiar way, both speaking into cell phones, looking straight ahead with friendly, intimate conversations.

                                                                       WOMAN
                                                       I feel so close to you.

                                                                       MAN
                                                       It’s as if we’re right next to each other.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

INT      CITY BUS      DAY

A man is sitting while talking on a cell phone, when suddenly the phone zaps him with some kind of charge, and then he quickly throws it off.

                                                                       MAN
                                                       Damn!

                                                                                                                        CUT TO

Another man gets hit by the same phone and reacts with shock and anger.

                                                                       MAN
                                                       What the hell!

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

EXT      URBAN SETTING      DAY

A woman is leaning up against a railing with her back towards other people in the background having an animated conversation on a cell phone when suddenly a man comes up from behind and grabs the phone from her.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

The phone is smashed to the ground, and then followed by a scurry.

                                                                       WOMAN
                                                           Oh my God!

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

The same man is running off in a fast getaway, leaving the shocked woman reaching down to the phone on the ground.

                                                                       WOMAN 
                                                       What happened? I wasn’t finished. 
                                                       Somebody do something!

She picks it up, cradles it, and then begins to cry. Various bystanders approach to comfort her.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

EXT      PARK BENCH      DAY

Jeff, a well-dressed man wearing an ID badge around his neck is holding a cell phone in his lap.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

Close-up of Jeff with legs spread, right hand gripping the cell phone and resting it in the crotch area in a sexual-suggestive way. A phone ring interrupts.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

He quickly answers it. 

                                                                       JEFF
                                          Hello?…….Just walking along.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

EXT      PARK      FOLLOWING

He gets up and begins walking in a fast pace.

                                                                      JEFF
                                           How are you?…….oh that’s terrible!
                                           Were they insured?….of course that’s
                                           the most important thing….Ok, I’ll 
                                           talk to you later. Be well. 

He clicks off the phone, and then stares at it as if looking for messages. Then, he punches in a number and waits for a response.

                                                                                                                      CUT TO

EXT      URBAN STREET      FOLLOWING

He resumes the fast pace while moving from the park to a busier street with phone to ear.

                                                                       JEFF
                                    Hi, this is Jeff. I’ll leave a quick message. I’ve been emailing
                                    and playing phone tag like crazy with John Jacks.
                                    Hopefully, that will link up and go forward with the
                                    proposal. But, don’t worry if that doesn’t work out
                                    because I’ve got some other ideas to zap this puzzle
                                    together. Sorry about that Bob Elliot thing that didn’t
                                    work out. Just chalk it up to one more asshole. So, keep
                                    trusting me. The wheels are in motion. I got your message 
                                    about meeting with Jacks, but it’s not that important
                                    to see him yet. That will be the last step once I get all these
                                   deals set. First things first. So, give me a call back and we can
                                   connect on all this. Take care.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

He punches in a number on the phone, puts it back to his ear, and then resumes walking with a blank expression as if not talking to anyone. The, he connects to someone.  

                                                                       JEFF
                                     Hi, it’s me……oh nothing much, just walking along 46th
                                     near 9th…..And you?…..Good. Oh, be proud of me. I’m still
                                     off the cigarettes. It’s one of the best things ever…..I’m much
                                     calmer, relaxed…..I highly recommend it…..Oh thanks, but not
                                     now, maybe another time. I’ve got a few things to do. Talk to 
                                     you later, Bye. 

As he continues to walk compulsively, the phone rings. 

                                                                       JEFF
                                     Jane?……..Hi……..Just walking along 46th
                                     past 9th. How’s things……I’m so sorry. Shit!
                                     …….breaking up is the worst and I thought 
                                     you two were doing great……Well, you just
                                     never know. Been there done that and it’s not
                                     easy. ……It will take time, but soon you’ll
                                     be ready to jump back into the pond.  Just watch
                                     out for the sharks. ……Yeah, right…….Yes, we
                                     should get together…..I’m always willing to listen
                                     ……..Not today, but maybe next week……..
                                     You know this isn’t a good connection…….
                                     Some kind of static…..Pisser! So, I’ll call you 
                                     soon and hang in there, Ok?……Bye now.

He continues to walk along with the phone against his ear. Then, he tries to pull it away, but it won’t move as if glued to him. He continues to try anything and everything to get it loose, but nothing works with frustration building. Then, he approaches someone.

                                                                                                                       CUT TO

EXT      URBAN STREET      FOLLOWING

He approaches a woman. 

                                                                       JEFF
                                                Excuse me, you won’t believe this, but I can’t pull
                                                this from my ear. Could you help me?

                                                                        WOMAN
                                                Now that’s an original line. Applause, applause.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                No, really, this is not a joke or come on.

                                                                       WOMAN
                                                 Well, then you’re crazy.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                 No, I’m not! This is crazy! It’s become part
                                                 of me. 

                                                                       WOMAN
                                                  Good luck. I’m sure there is someone who
                                                  can help you.

She rushes away among other people. He continues to walk and struggle with the phone until he interrupts a man talking on a cell phone.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                    Could you call 911? It’s an emergency!

                                                                       MAN
                                                     You’ve got a phone. What’s the problem?

                                                                       JEFF
                                                      I can’t move my hand or move it off my ear!

                                                                       MAN
                                                      This is some kind of a joke, right?
                                                     
                                                                       JEFF (Pulling at the phone.)
                                                      No, it’s the truth. See? Do you want to try?

                                                                       MAN (Begins to laugh.)
                                                      No. This has got to be candid camera
                                                      or punked. Where’s the camera?

                                                                       JEFF
                                                      There’s no camera. This is serious.

                                                                       MAN
                                                      Ok, I’ll play along. But, this is not a 911. 
                                                      It’s a 311.

                                                                      JEFF
                                                       Whatever, call that!

                                                                     MAN (Continuing to laugh.)
                                                        Fuck you!

Then, he moves away, continuing to laugh while putting his phone back to his ear.

                                                                      JEFF
                                                        Well, fuck you too!

Jeff continues to walk and talk to himself.

                                                                      JEFF
                                                          I can’ believe this! This is weirder than the
                                                          time the squirrel jumped up on my lap in
                                                          Central Park……or, or, or……the time I
                                                          heard two distinct voices coming from a restroom
                                                          stall next to me, and then I saw only one man
                                                          come out of it. 

                                                                       VOICE (VO-Laughing)
                                                           Kind of like bi-polar in the toilet.

Then Jeff reacts from hearing it on the phone.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                           Yes… Oh, my God!

                                                                      VOICE (VO)
                                                           Yes?

                                                                     JEFF
                                                           That’s who you think you are?

                                                                     VOICE (VO)
                                                           I’ll think about that. It does have a nice ring to it.
                                                              
                                                                     JEFF
                                                           Well, while you’re thinking about that
                                                           could you help me?

                                                                      VOICE (VO)
                                                           Certainly. What’s the problem?

                                                                      JEFF
                                                           Come on, it’s obvious. I’m stuck here!
                                                           Now, wait a minute. Where is your voice
                                                           coming from?

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                          I’m everywhere. 

                                                                        JEFF
                                                         But, I didn’t call you.

                                                                         VOICE (VO)
                                                         No, I contacted you. Just consider this
                                                         a 911 call and I’m here to the rescue.

                                                                           JEFF
                                                         This is the Twilight zone! This isn’t fair.                                                                  
                                                         I have no time for this.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                          Don’t panic. You’ve tried
                                                          to pull it off and that hasn’t worked.
                                                         So, let’s try some other things, maybe less
                                                         physical.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                                I don’t understand.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                                Let’s experiment. 

                                                                        JEFF
                                                               I’m not some kind of experiment.

                                                                         VOICE (VO)
                                                               Yes you are. 

                                                                          JEFF
                                                                No, I’m not!

                                                                          VOICE (VO)
                                                                Look, right now, let’s not argue about this. 
                                                                Maybe later, but we’ve got our work cut 
                                                                out for us. Ok? Can you trust me?

                                                                       JEFF
                                                                What choice do I have? I’m trapped.

                                                                       VOICE
                                                                No, you’re not. First of all, let’s move
                                                                to a more peaceful place.

                                                                                                                      CUT TO

EXT      RIVERSIDE PARK      LATER

Jeff is walking on a sidewalk near the water where he approaches a man who is smoking a cigarette.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                       Excuse me; may I please have a cigarette?

                                                                       MAN
                                                       Sure.

Jeff takes one with his left hand and then puts in his mouth.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                         Now, could you now light it?
                                                         I can’t move my right hand. 

                                                                       MAN
                                                         Can’t get away from the call?

                                                                       JEFF
                                                         Something like that. You wouldn’t
                                                         believe it if I told you.

                                                                       MAN (Smiling.)
                                                          Here you go.

The man lights the cigarette and Jeff takes a drag on it with pleasure.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                           Thank you so much. Let me pay 
                                                           you for it.

                                                                       MAN
                                                            No, that’s ok. I’ve gotten the same 
                                                            before and you look like you could
                                                            really use it. 

                                                                      JEFF
                                                         Or something. I’ll put in a good word for you.

Pointing to the phone. 

                                                                       MAN (Confused.)
                                                           Ok. Take care.

Jeff moves away smoking the cigarette using his left hand nervously.

                                                                                                                      CUT TO

EXT      RIVERSIDE PARK      FOLLOWING

Jeff is walking, and then stops to talk into the phone. 

                                                                      JEFF
                                                        Have you thought of anything yet?

                                                                      VOICE (VO)
                                                        Something will come to me. Be patient.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                        Easy for you to say. Maybe, there’s some 
                                                        kind of curse I’ve brought on myself. So, I’ll
                                                        just apologize for every wrong thing I’ve ever done
                                                        and all those things I don’t even know about yet and
                                                        beg for forgiveness. That should cover it.

He tries to pull his right hand away, but it doesn’t work.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                          Ok, I think we’re moving in the right 
                                                          direction. Now, make a list of all
                                                          your good and bad traits. It’s probably
                                                          quite a long list and you need to be more
                                                          specific.

                                                                        JEFF
                                                           Sure, I’ll try anything. It’s a promise as soon as 
                                                           possible. I don’t know where to start, but I’ll take
                                                           the time to figure it out. Maybe, that will do it.

But, the phone does not budge.

                                                                      JEFF
                                                          Damn, maybe it’s because I’ve repeated these
                                                          things from the past many times. I don’t know what 
                                                          else to do. 

He begins walking.

                                                                      JEFF
                                                           Ok, there’s more. I’ll be a more loving person.
                                                           God knows……

                                                                     VOICE (VO)
                                                           Yes?

                                                                      JEFF
                                                           There you go again. If that’s who you want 
                                                           to be. 

                                                                      VOICE (VO)
                                                          That’s not most important. Keep going.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                     Quite a few people have loved me and
                                                     I’ve been mean or didn’t treasure them.
                                                     Just threw it away, like they could be so
                                                     easily replaced. Nobody was good enough.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                       You’re on a roll.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                       On top of that, more caring, spiritual, all
                                                       those things. Yes, Yes, Yes! Whatever it takes.
                                                       I want my ear back and get un-stuck! I’ve just
                                                       been trying to keep in touch! What’s wrong with
                                                       that? Now, I can’t call anyone!

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                       Call yourself!

                                                                       JEFF
                                                        Oh, come on! That’s nuts!
                                                        I can’t punch in my own number!
                                                        This is too damn confusing!

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                         Now calm down and find a place to sit
                                                         quietly. An idea is coming.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                          That’s what you said before.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                           Well, I’m saying it again.

                                                                        JEFF
                                                            Forget it. I’m not listening. I’ll figure this
                                                            out for myself.

                                                                        VOICE (VO)
                                                            Very well.

Jeff walks off in a huff.

                                                                                                                     CUT TO

EXT      PARK      FOLLOWING

Jeff walks to an empty bench, and then sits down with frustration with the phone remaining at the right ear.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                        Are you still there?

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                        Yes. Having a little break from you has helped
                                                         me think. There was too much noise. Are you
                                                         ready now?       

                                                                       JEFF
                                                       Ok. Ok. What have I got to lose. Besides
                                                       everything.
                                                                                                                 
                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                       Now shut your eyes, take a deep breath,
                                                       and then say the first thing that pops into
                                                       your head. 

Jeff reluctantly closes his eyes, and then takes a deep breath.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                          I love you.

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                          Ok.

                                                                        JEFF
                                                          This is so weird. Lately, I have been blurting
                                                          this out when alone and wondered
                                                          why and to whom it was meant. 

                                                                       VOICE (VO)
                                                           Who could it be?
                                                                             
                                                                       JEFF
                                                           A few people. I’ve said it and meant
                                                           it to others. But, like I said before I’ve
                                                           made some mistakes with all that.

                                                                        VOICE (VO)
                                                           Yes, but there’s one more very
                                                            important person, who needs to
                                                            hear it.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                            Who?

                                                                        VOICE (VO)
                                                            You.

A pause of reflection and confusion come over Jeff.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                            I don’t know anymore…..
                                                            What to do.

Then, the phone comes loose from his ear and he calmly, unconsciously brings it back to his lap. Suddenly, he opens his eyes, realizing what just happened and then throws the phone aside.

                                                                        JEFF
                                                         I’m saved and here!

He gets up and begins to dance in celebration.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                      And available! I don’t know what
                                                      for, but we’ll find out together.
                                                      Oh my God!

He quickly runs to pick up the phone from the pavement and puts it to his right ear, then just as quickly moves it to his left.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                       Are you still there?…..
                                                       No answer…..Well, who ever
                                                       you are, thank you.

Then, he is approached by two police officers.

                                                                       OFFICER
                                                        Sir, is something the matter?
                                                        Do you need any help?

                                                                       JEFF (Excitedly.)
                                                        No, not now. The phone came loose
                                                        and everything’s fine. 

                                                                       OFFICER
                                                        Ok, why don’t we sit down here and tell
                                                        us all about it.

                                                                       JEFF
                                                       I’d be glad to. This could be
                                                       an epidemic and I’d really
                                                       like to help out………

They sit down on the bench, where Jeff begins speaking with animation as it moves to a long shot, bringing in the background activity of the park.

FADE OUT