Naked in New York (1993) Movie Script

I'm thinking

about marriage.

I'm 25 and I think

about marriage...

which makes me nervous.

I've been trying to put it

in the context of my life.

And life is curious.

One of the few things that

I know about life...

other than it ends...

is that it's a good idea

to be with someone.

With someone you love.

My friends are getting married.

I don't know what to say.

I wouldn't say that

I'm a loner.

I'd describe myself

as a mutt.

My mother is half Jewish...

and my father

is Episcopalian.

Not that I spent many

time with them.

My life up to now has

been a search...

to make sense out of it

and Joanne...

has been part of it.

She really has.

-Jake?

-Mornin'!

If it doesn't fit I can get

you another one.

-What is it?

-A symbol.

-Of what?

-My affection!

We've been on and off

again many times.

I don't know what to do.

Who do you talk to about it?

Who do you ask? A shrink?

A priest? I don't know.

A member of your family?

No.

-What the hell is that?

-A rock for his girlfriend!

You can't leave that in

my parents' drive-way.

Will we get arrested

for this?

How is this?

Turn around. Work with me.

Great!

All that gets me thinking

if I'm not normal.

The fact is that I'm a

pretty normal person.

I come from a typical

New York household.

Things were always

a little bit crazy.

The night of the great

black-out...

my Jewish cousin got married

in a Chinese restaurant.

I wasn't aware of it, but

that's what everyone did.

You met someone and

you got married.

My father,

a trumpet player...

met my mother at one

of his gigs.

I came along soon after.

He was a sweet guy, but he

was kind of a philanderer.

Slob!

My mother, from the Bronx,

was an emotional person.

To say they had difficulties

of getting along...

might have been an

understatement.

Bullshit! Where have

you been?

-At the gig.

-Willie...

take the baby away

while they fight.

-What?

-Take the baby away...

while they fight!

It will influence him.

We're not fighting, mum. Why

should we be fighting?

-Where is the soya sauce?

-I don't understand.

Big time

show biz husband...

has to come late to my

cousins wedding!

-I went to get some cigars.

-He was with his mistress!

Do you think I don't know?

It'll influence the baby!

Do you think I don't know?

For God sake, give me

the soya sauce!

You must love the cigars.

Tell me.

Are the cigars

good to you?

-Take the baby away!

-Will you stop that?

Do you sleep with

your cigars?

-Stop it!

-Do you fuck the cigars?

Stop it!

I'm taking the baby! The

parents are obviously crazy!

-What do you want me to do?

-What I want you to do?

-What do you want?

-I want you to leave.

-Want me to leave?

-That's what I said.

I'm leaving.

And so went my father with

the black-out of 1965.

My mother hadn't thought

all this out.

What would it be like

without a husband?

She had a job, but...

She got home and called

her best friend, Helen.

I got my emergency valise.

I can stay as long as

you need. Candles and...

How can I describe Helen?

She was a good woman...

but she needed a crisis

every minute of her life.

The two of them never got

over my fathers departure.

People tell me that I

exaggerate, but years later...

our apartment had a very

strange cloud to it.

Turn that thing down!

-You act like an 8 year old!

-I'm 8 years old!

Why do you do this when

I'm going out?

-You're always going out!

-That's not true!

Ma! Ma!

For God sake!

We need harmony here!

You know what this is?

A fire hazard!

-A lesson to the family!

-Let go, Shirley.

I screwed

everything of it!

I can't keep living like

this! I can't do it!

-I don't have the strength.

-Sure.

I need a man!

I'm the master of

my emotions.

I'm the master of

my emotions.

I'm financially

independent.

I'm financially

independent.

I'm emotional, but then

I feel the guts of life.

I'm emotional, but then

I feel the guts of life.

-Good little boy!

-You're a beautiful boy.

He's our little man.

Give me a hug.

Having no man around, made

me sensitive to women.

I thought I understood them

and knew what they needed.

When I thought that I was

indispensable to her...

what does my mother do? Ship

me off to boarding school!

She wanted me to play

football, baseball...

drink beer and play poker...

and become the kind of man

they complained about.

I'm not sure if she was

clear-minded about this.

I can't leave him!

How many times can you

change your mind?

This man/woman stuff wasn't

as simple as I thought.

-What do you want me to do?

-What I want you to do?

-What do you want me to do?

-What I want you to do?

-This is the best part.

-I wake up...

and look at the place where

my husband is supposed to be.

-And I find this note!

-What do you want?

I find he's gone to the woods

to live like a lumber-jack!

My father

was a lumber-jack.

Don't you understand what I'm

feeling trying to raise...

a family in a contemporary

urban environment?

It was a startling scene.

Let me understand.

At the end of the play...

the main character

becomes depressed...

and in a state of sheer

desperation...

kills everybody who is at

the lumber camp with him?

He realizes that there's

no other way out.

He doesn't have any choice

but to kill them.

You know, there's great

writing in there.

There really is

great writing.

But on a personal level...

you might wanna talk with

someone in health services.

Even Chekov could use

some analysis.

Dr. Finkle was a good guy.

I freaked him out 'cause I

couldn't remember my dreams.

I may not have dreamed at

night, but during the day...

I dreamed about what every 18

year old boy dreamed about.

Jenny Taylor. I'll

never forget her.

She was this techie in

my theater class.

We had planned to spend

the night together.

The first time you have

sex is a huge deal.

How are you supposed to

know what to do?

How do you know

what's normal?

-Did anyone see you?

-No.

Are you okay?

There was a quality

to that evening...

that reminded me

of my mother.

You've never been here.

I wanted to make

this moment...

an incredible one that I'd

hoped for all my life.

Whatever you do,

don't come.

-What?

-Don't come.

And that was that.

By the time I got

to college, I realized...

that these hard experiences

weren't going to stop.

It reaffirmed my intention of

using them to make a living.

I want to hear something

real, that makes sense.

Julia, fade in.

In the scene, what was the

overriding emotion?

What was the spine of...

What? What is that?

I was just gonna get...

-Sorry. I'll do it later.

-No.

Go on.

Do it fast. Who's next?

-We'll go.

-Go and set up the scene.

Hurry up.

Maxie, spend the weekend

reading the scene.

Work only on the dialogue.

Okay?

-What's going on?

-Just a minute.

I want you to punish it.

Pretend it's a member

of your family.

Not everyone's family is

as sick as yours.

-You got to get angry.

-I got it.

-Let's go.

-We're ready.

Chris, hold on a second.

You can start.

This is a play about

my father.

You see...

-he was a weird man.

-Hold it!

That's very good, very good,

but you must project.

We have to hear each

word clearly.

What? You again?

Just go, quickly.

Hurry up!

He was a weird man,

about 50 years old.

Well, that's only a guess.

Thank you!

-She's looking at us.

-She's not looking at us.

I'm telling you, she is.

-This is not a girl for you.

-What makes you say that?

That girl is a wasp.

You are this New York Jew.

This is not a girl for you.

She's looking at us.

Come with me.

-God!

-Come on.

All right!

You're cheating!

Hello.

-Hi.

-I'm Jake Briggs.

I'm not a religious person.

This is my friend.

Chris.

-I was an altar boy.

-You are...?

-Joanne Miller.

-I'm Marty.

-I had communion.

-Really?

You've finished? You

wanna play again?

-You can play with us.

-You wanna play?

-It's 4:00.

-Get out of here.

-We can play.

-Let's go.

She has to go downtown

and I have class.

Can I walk you to class?

-Really? Okay.

-Great.

I saw one of your scenes.

The one of the family,

breaking up.

It's weird, but I thought

it was moving.

Moving? Really?

That's nice.

Was it about your

real family?

-Sort of.

-Really?

So you're fucked up.

They're kind of unique.

My family is a screamingly

normal group of individuals.

Really?

Leaves me in a normal

state of mind...

which isn't too good

around here.

The photographs you took

aren't normal.

They were a little

over synthesized.

The ones with the kids

and the funeral?

-They're intense.

-My professor said...

You can't listen

to professors!

They're professors! You can't

let them influence you.

-It's good to be influenced.

-Come on!

It is! That's what you

come here for.

They're paid to

influence you.

I disagree.

Well, I'm not saying

you should be.

You're a little different

probably.

In a good way.

I think so anyway.

-I should go in.

-Go in?

It's moronic, but I should

get some sleep.

-We've been walking all day.

-Okay.

I had a nice time.

See you around, I guess.

Good night.

I was wondering...

There's this dance over

at the ''Advocate''.

Would you like to

come with me?

-Sure. I would love to.

-I'm a terrible dancer.

We told each other

everything after that.

Her mother called her

a whore...

for putting henna in her

hair when she was 14.

I told her intimate

things, too.

That I couldn't remember

my dreams...

that I shoplifted

my presents for 3 years...

that I wanted

to be a boat.

It left Chris out

in the cold.

Joanne and I went

everywhere together.

Hi. How is it going?

I just had a Rockefeller

interview.

How terrible!

I started writing. It was

hard not to think of her.

And us, moving into

the future.

I went back to some of

my old plays...

thinking that I could

expand them.

But it didn't do

much good.

I realized it didn't

really matter.

We were having such

a great time.

We were talking about

moving in together.

This was something I really

wanted to do.

Joanne felt

the same way, too.

We were a little hesitant,

but we were convinced...

that we could get

through anything...

as long as we could talk

it through.

Joanne and I were great

at communicating.

We had this ability to talk

to each other so easily.

Well...

-What is it?

-I don't know.

We made love last night...

and you barely said

a word since then.

-Can we go?

-I wanna talk about this.

Can we not talk about

it here?

No one's listening.

What could be so

terrible that...

I wanna tell you something.

I can't talk about it here.

Come on. Please.

-I can't.

-Why? Please.

All right.

I have never...

-I have never...

-What?

I never had

an orgasm before.

You never had an orgasm?

I never had an orgasm.

Really? You never had

an orgasm?

I had an orgasm

before alone...

but never one with

a man before.

Living together?

You mean, living in the

same house?

-We're excited about it.

-We're totally happy.

Well... that's wonderful.

That's wonderful.

-Ma...

-I don't know.

I wish you had a father in

situations like this.

-Ma!

-What?

What that has to do

with anything?

Why do you always start

about me not having a father?

Why are you getting angry?

Why?

I'm not getting angry. Why do

you say stupid things?

I don't have a father.

So what?

Why do I have to hear about

it? What's the big deal?

Don't be so touchy. I'm just

going for a little walk.

-You do get touchy!

-No. The woman is insane!

You should go get her.

He didn't mean

to upset you.

God! I'm not upset.

I'm not.

I'm a very emotional

person, that's all.

-You'll get to know me.

-Emotions are good.

We started to search

for a place to live.

You're running like a girl!

We found a cute house across

the street from the nunnery.

On the other side was

this peanut factory.

Everyone said I was insane

to think this...

but I was convinced that

it was driving...

the local squirrels mad from

the constant roasting.

Chris thought that I was mad,

but for different reasons.

You should be coming to

New York with me!

It's the last place

I wanna be.

You should not stay in

your college town.

Why?

What the fuck is really

happening here?

I'm happy here

in Cambridge!

Joanne is here, we got a

house. This is important.

You better write

your ass off.

-I'm writing a new play.

-You better write.

-I am!

-Write your ass off.

I mean it.

Hold this.

'til.

-Send me the new stuff.

-I will.

Get out of here.

-Send it to me.

-Save trip.

It's hard to know at what

moment you realize...

that the work you thought

was great isn't so great.

The thing that happens is

nothing happens.

Despite this, I managed to

finish a new play.

I didn't know

what to make of it.

I was anxious

to send it out.

Do you have everything?

-Can we please get...

-I'm coming!

What are you

so nervous about?

I'm not. It's my mother.

She is gonna ride me about

getting on with my life.

You're fine with your life.

Not everyone knows what they

wanna do, like some people.

Joanne started worrying

about her career, too.

A lot of the pressure was

coming from her mother...

but it wasn't making things

easier for her.

Elliot, I want to introduce

you to my daughter, Joanne.

-This is Elliot Price.

-Hello.

He owns one of the biggest

galleries downtown.

I told him about your

photographs.

Your mother told me

all about them.

-Roger?

-We'll leave you to chat.

Sorry!

Mothers!

You have to understand. This

is the woman who took me...

to a career aptitude training

center when I was 1 7.

-That's terrible.

-It was pretty bad.

You aren't gonna talk to me

about your photographs?

-Those? No.

-Why not?

-I don't think so.

-Why not?

-I did them in college.

-Don't you care about them?

Jake!

-This is...

-Elliot Price.

-Hello.

-Hi.

I was trying to

get Joanne...

to talk about her photos.

She seems reluctant.

Really? She did great

pictures in college.

-Come on!

-They were terrific.

Dark,

brooding... ominous.

Don't listen to him.

I live with him.

You didn't have to be so

obvious about it.

I wasn't. I don't understand

this issue with you.

One minute you want to get

on with your career...

I don't know what I'm doing.

He runs a huge gallery.

So what? Who cares?

You'll be terrific.

You go and meet the guy.

If he likes you, maybe he

gives you a job.

I like them. I really do.

Why don't you believe them?

You're making me nervous.

Don't be nervous.

Tell me about them.

The thing was...

when I took them I wasn't

interested in the pictures.

I was working on the idea

that I could get...

to know this place.

These kids were amazing. The

pictures were a side-effect.

I wanted people to see how

beautiful they were.

They work.

They tell me about the

environment and the people.

They're honest,

heartfelt.

These four...

this one and these here...

this one...

and this... they tell me

something about you.

-I guess.

-Your favorite photographer?

Mary Ellen Mark.

Lunch? Really? He took

you to lunch?

That's when he offered

me the job.

-Isn't that great?

-It's great!

-Hard to believe.

-That's great.

-He was intense, smart...

-Real smart or...

-You know, weird.

-Good!

I'm worried about

getting fired.

You haven't even

started yet!

I'm the one that should

be nervous.

Was there a call about your

play? What about Chris?

He hasn't called. What do

you think that means?

Jake?

-How are you?

-I'm fine! How are you?

-I'm fine. So...

-So?

-So...

-I got your new play.

It's okay. I wanted to

read it again.

What do you mean?

Did you like it?

I liked it.

You don't sound like

you liked it.

I'm not sure it's as good as

the other stuff, but...

You didn't like it? Just tell

me what you thought.

This stuff is so much better.

It's more from your heart.

I'm getting the other

play around.

It would be better if

you were here.

Everyone keeps saying:

''Where is the writer?''

They think it's bullshit.

New York is the place

to make it happen.

That's absurd.

You're not reading what's

being written.

You asked me.

Listen, I'm here.

I'll call you later.

All right. Bye.

-You okay?

-I'm fine.

-Want some wine?

-No, thank you.

Shit! I forgot to call...

-''Aperture''?

-''Aperture''! About the...

-I called them already.

-You gave them the figures?

They said...

Fuck them! You'd be good

at anything you do.

Thank you.

Listen. This is important.

Come down to the vineyard

for the weekend.

For the weekend? I'd love

to, but I can't.

You must come.

Jake likes to work

on weekends.

We're commited to

being here.

It'll be great! You can meet

interesting people there.

I'm sure. It's just not

a good time.

-Bring him along then.

-That would be okay?

You spend all week with him

and now your weekends, too?

It would be rude not to.

There're gonna be people you

would like to meet.

-Writers, musicians.

-Meet writers?

We could have fun.

-You're a little isolated.

-Isolated?

I should be going to NY.

That's what I should do.

I don't want you to do that.

I want you to come with me.

It's expensive to get

down there.

He has his own plane.

His own plane? Forget it!

I'm not getting on the plane.

That's how people die.

I use the house in the winter

when the weather is worse.

There're only 1000 people

on the island.

Perfect place for a writer.

We're thinking of getting

a place down there.

Is that Patsy Cline playing?

Why? Is this some

kind of joke?

Don't worry about

the weather.

I had one emergency landing

since I fly down here.

Great! Can you land before

it blows over?

You've written a new play?

Jake's written a few

beautiful plays.

My next one is about

Buddy Holly.

We're coming out

of the storm.

-Thank God!

-Wanna try a stunt landing?

Double roll now that it's

clear? It's a great relief.

-Don't stop on my account.

-Are you sure?

You're gonna look at the

world in a whole new way!

It's wonderful.

Terrific.

Relax. Look how

beautiful it is.

I'm relaxed.

Look at this house.

A house like this on

Martas vineyard!

-Morbier!

-Is this the architect?

Looks like it was

designed by Mattel.

There's something

I wanna show you.

I wanted to show you

the room.

-It's a great room.

-Yeah, it's a great room.

I used to think that one day

I'd write my version...

-of the great american novel.

-I didn't know you wrote.

That's the problem.

I don't.

I wanted to, but...

I guess... I put it down to

lack of discipline...

but I don't have the talent.

How do you work? Do you

write for a producer?

No. That would lock me in

to something.

I prefer a freelance

situation.

I see.

This is a terrific house.

I really enjoy Morbier.

I find his designs

so... clean.

Did you study design?

Sure. I love the

great architects.

This is one of the few houses

that Morbier designed.

He's better known

as a sculptor.

Of course.

Who are these people?

What am I doing here?

It's not as if there're

any writers here.

What kind of writer would

come to Elliot's party?

Richard Price, Joanne

Miller, Ariel Dorfman.

You got lucky with

one guy, but...

What kind of name

is Dorfman?

We're colleagues. We work

together on a book.

He got lucky with

a couple of guys.

What is this garbage about a

book they're doing together?

He surrounds himself with

a bunch of writers...

and thinks he needs to

write a book!

If there were classy

writers here...

but there're no classy

writers here.

He's a best-seller. So what?

It's advertising.

She's got one

Pulitzer Price.

Satellite image I bring down

into my computer.

They get sand-blasted onto

a piece of glass.

The bottom half of

the image...

took these sonar shots.

How significant you are.

You american writers need...

Don't you find these people

a little pretentious?

Look! Bill Styron.

William Styron.

What do I say to him?

-Ask his advice.

-Ask his advice?

I don't wanna be a sick fan

near famous people...

-You're not that.

-'cause they're famous.

-I don't even know the guy.

-Have it your way.

I'll go talk to him.

It's just Styron.

Jake Briggs!

It's me, Shipley. We were in

college together.

-Theater?

-Right!

I went off to Oxford

on a Rockefeller.

-I know. How are you?

-Okay, really.

You must be on Broadway

by now.

-Not yet, but...

-How do you do?

-How are you doing?

-Great.

I was in Oxford when one of

the little plays I wrote...

-got done by the BBC.

-One of the little plays?

Boy! I have to go and

slit my wrist.

I'll be back soon.

In aluminum and there

is this mask...

Somebody asks you to

read something...

and all they really want

you to say is...

''It's wonderful.

I love it''.

He should be able

to say...

''Read this and tell me

it's fabulous''.

Should I ask him...

Do you wanna know...?''

Just ask him.

He may just want to know

that you love him.

-Nice to see you.

-Mr. Styron?

I couldn't help but

notice you.

Maybe I could talk to you

for a minute.

It seems like you're a

little awkward here.

I know what it's like.

I read all your books.

Really wonderful books.

Before they were movies

I read them.

I'm a playwright.

I've written

a bunch of plays.

Excuse me.

There you are!

-What?

-Are you okay?

-I'm fine.

-We're gonna play a game.

It's excellent.

I'm just gonna...

That was when I thought

something could be wrong.

Joanne was flourishing

up in Boston...

and I was starting to sink

deeply into quicksand.

I felt like a kid again.

When I looked at her,

I saw an adult.

-Do you want anything?

-No.

-Sure?

-I'm fine.

What was I gonna do?

A traveling animal circus was

passing through the island.

Hey, man! Hurry up

and get in here.

Come right in. I've been

expecting you.

I haven't talked to animals

since I was a kid.

We don't have much time.

Close the door.

Allow me to introduce

myself. I'm Dr. Oliver.

Ever hear of a neurosis by

the name of codependency?

Point your peepers

at that book.

Seemingly swinging moose

passes a farm...

and falls in love with a

cow! Too crazy!

These two are too

genetically different...

to sucessfully start

a family.

It's expected that the

moose will give up...

and head back into the

mountains for the winter.

But he never did go back.

These are the last home

movies just before he died.

-Hi.

-Where is the writer?

-In Cambridge...

writing

another play.

-How is it going?

-He's doing great.

-He lives in Cambridge?

-No, he's from New York.

How come he's not

in this office?

He's very envolved with the

woman who lives up there.

Get him to put his pecker

back in his trousers...

and come to New York and

have a meeting with me.

I would appreciate it.

He's very talented.

He's what I call tapped in.

Know what I'm saying?

Yes.

The play needs a lot of

work. It's very long.

Yes, but you'll do it?

-What?

-The play.

Get him down here.

-Sure. When?

-Anytime you want.

Arrange it with Gloria.

If I do the play, I want you

to know now...

there's no way that you are

gonna play the lead.

Don't get too excited.

I want to be honest.

I would be happy with any...

We'll find a small part

for you...

where you can flash

the audience.

-Great. Thank you.

-My pleasure.

-I appreciate it.

-Good night.

You have to leave today?

I wish I didn't have to, but

I got to get down there.

When will you come back?

I'm not sure. Maybe in a

couple of days. I call.

You don't seem happy

about this.

It's exciting.

You must be excited.

Great.

-I will miss you.

-It'll be a couple of days.

Driving to New York...

thinking about how beautiful

she was sitting on the bed...

I had strange

hallucinations.

You're just like

your father!

Jake, you got no sense!

By the time I got to New

York, it stopped.

I moved in with Chris which

made it easier for me.

He lived in a nice building,

except it was kind of thin.

This is it.

It seems thin, but it's big

for the price.

Not a bad view.

I'm so glad you're

finally here!

-Me too.

-You don't know.

-You wanna get some dinner?

-No. I have to go to this thing.

-Make yourself at home.

-I'll unpack.

-I'm glad to be here.

-Great!

Fisher should be calling

like any second.

-He's gonna set up a meeting.

-Excellent.

There's beer in the fridge.

I'm gonna stay, read

and unpack.

-Are you all right?

-I'm fine.

Go on. Have a good

time. We'll catch up later.

All right.

-Don't wait up.

-All right.

Have fun.

90% of the playwrights

are out of work.

From where I'm standing,

they deserve it.

If you think you're

smart enough...

to make a living as a writer,

you're arrogant enough...

to think that you know

everything.

That sounds familiar to you,

the ''know everything'' part?

-Yes.

-I thought so.

-He likes the play?

-Just listen. Relax.

If you wanna call it a play,

it's poorly structured.

It's not drawn out.

It's very precious.

Bad spelling,

not even funny.

-But I like it.

-Thank you. That's kind.

Don't be a wise guy.

It's got unique qualities

that I like. It's got truth.

Truthfulness. That's not

easy to come by.

What we both are trying

to find out...

is are you planning on

producing the play?

The question is...

could you spend 4 weeks

in a room...

pretending like you don't

know everything?

Yes.

-4 weeks?

-You and I in an office.

Maybe we can turn this

into something.

-It's what I think it is?

-What? Yes.

Don't you love his way?

''You're not gonna get the

lead''! I loved that!

A few months went by before

he put my play to auditions.

Joanne and I could only

visit a couple of times.

She told me about the job...

that Elliot offered her

in Santa Fe.

I was upset 'cause we spent

so much time on the phone.

I'm sorry we haven't been

able to talk to each other.

-How is Chris?

-He's good, I guess.

He goes out a lot.

I don't see him much.

Did you get the pages

with the changes?

It's getting good.

I got them. I haven't

read them yet.

I want to wait, sit down and

concentrate on them.

-I'll read them on the plane.

-On a plane?

I'm going away for

the weekend.

- Where?

-New Mexico.

It's nothing. Please.

Then why didn't you

tell me about it?

I only just found out.

Can we talk about it?

I can't talk about it

right now.

I better get in

to work myself.

-Can we talk about it later?

-I call you when I get back.

Have a save trip.

I'll talk to you soon.

-Bye.

-I can't believe it!

-Don't start on the boy.

Go in to the theater. Pretend

like we never said a word.

Is this a joke?

I can't believe it's Elliot!

We all know what's up.

What's up?

Do you think he has her

around for her talent?

Everyone's got an opinion

about my relationship!

That girl is not interested

in that skinny Englishman!

He's putting the moves

on her right now!

He has played it cool.

He's been swab!

Please! Leave the girl alone.

Give her some credit.

For cheating

on my friend?

I spit on her

a million times!

Are you crazy?

Get yourself a shrink!

Get into the theater!

What are you doing out here?

Talking to yourself?

We got work to do!

Get in here!

I was on the phone.

This is Tile. Mr. Penn,

the director...

-Jake, the writer...

-Not really.

Al will be reading.

Did you bring a shot?

-A what?

-A shot.

I don't do pictures.

I've got some pictures,

but not of me.

This has been a busy

time for me...

these last

couple of weeks.

-Can I have a second?

-Go ahead.

I've been incredibly sick!

I have coxsackie virus.

I got in touch with a painful

childhood memory.

My lover and I are

building a...

bed of platform.

It's me.

Pick up the phone.

Pick up the phone!

Are you there?

Pick up the phone.

You're not there.

-You're making me nervous!

-Why don't you take this?

Why don't you just go?

-Just go?

-Go out.

-Let's go.

-You're finished. Goodbye.

-Let's go.

-Check out.

-Let's go then.

-That's the scene.

-I want you to go.

-That was it?

I got to read it.

It's good.

Luis, I would like to

have you try Jake.

It's strange, but I

would love it.

Let's try Jake.

Do you mind?

I've been trying to reach

you all night.

He's a great actor,

but he's wrong.

Why not have a Hispanic as a

parent for white children?

-I don't think.

-You don't want to see any?

All right, no more.

It's about a little boy.

He wrote a letter

to Santa Claus.

-About the going.

-You wanna go?

-Let's do it.

-You're finished.

Let's get out of here!

-Get out.

-Let's just go.

-Go ahead.

-Let's go!

Go, man.

I love it.

I love the talent which you

seem to have tons of.

It's so rare, specially

in our business.

She's not right

for the part.

Peter?

The play is talented.

Very well written.

Would you two have time to

read that first act again?

She's not right

for the part.

-Shut up.

-I think I could.

My agent would kill me...

for doing for free

what I get paid for.

Do you know Walter Lobello?

I'm Mary in his

performance piece.

I got to get myself

together for it.

You're supposed to say...

''You look wonderful...

just as you are''.

You look wonderful just

as you are.

Aren't you sweet?

Where did you find this

talented boy?

I have a wonderful idea.

Come to Walter's

this weekend.

He's having a celebratory

book thing.

You can bring this talented

boy with you.

Which are you?

Man or boy?

-I'm parcial to both.

-We'll be there.

-I may have to go to Boston.

-No. We'll be there.

Good. Hug me!

I'll see you later.

I want this role.

If you give it to anybody

else, I kick your balls.

I need to get back to

the stage! So...

She's not right

for the part.

It's my first play, but she's

not right for the part.

There we go again! We got to

get people to the theater.

It's not like a deli.

They don't come in randomly.

-I know that, but...

-So listen to me.

Dana sells tickets. She's

flighty, but sells tickets.

She'll have to act a little

bit, but that's her job.

-That's what she does.

-Jake's nervous.

-Don't be nervous.

-Relax!

I'm not nervous. The woman's

only requirement...

is that she's never won an

Emmy after 9 years...

on one restless world

that turns.

I can't believe I'm

hearing this!

Will you relax? I've got

everything under control.

Just enjoy yourself.

I'll see you later.

I wish you could

enjoy this.

-I'm enjoying this.

-Relax!

-You look lovely.

-Thank you.

Everything is really

insincere.

It's fake.

I feel more real when

I'm out of town.

I've never been real.

That blow away that I got.

I don't know what's wrong.

In this world you're either

being blown away or...

Blown!

It's me.

You're not home.

I'm at this

loony party that...

Carl brought me to.

I'll not describe it to

your answering machine.

I wish you were back.

I think they might be

ruining my play.

Turn on the TV, stay in the

house, lock the door...

a piece of cake...

Be out in a...

I thought you were here.

Don't go, sweety.

I came to talk to you.

Tell me something.

Do you have any vices?

Want one?

Are you gonna judge

me on this?

I use it to take

the edge off.

Of course not. I smoked

in highschool.

Highschool? How cute!

Would you?

You know...

there's some kind of fate

that this is happening.

Don't you feel that?

I just knew...

the first time I read the

play there was some kind...

of inexplicable connection

with that role.

And Carl? Wasn't he

brilliant? Casting me!

I'm not exactly

the obvious choice.

You seem very

connected to him.

-Have some.

-Thank you.

I've just thought

that you...

are comfortable with the role.

The truth is...

The role...

The role is amazing.

It's got so much truth.

You know,

I really believe...

you and I will make a

beautiful thing together.

We used amianthus all

over the place.

No one ever died

for amianthus before.

We even played with

amianthus!

I really need to

talk to you.

We are rolling now! I can

feel it. Can you feel it?

I feel it. I'm ready to

get out of here.

What? What are you

upset about?

What you wanna get out of?

Dana Cole is in your play!

This is it! It's everything

we were waiting for!

Don't get ahead

of yourself.

I'm not getting ahead.

You lived in New York.

You already knew about

this, but not me.

Carl. Guys like that

never liked me.

But here... it's like...

''You're not gonna get the

lead''. I love that!

I love the way

he says that.

Don't you love that?

-You're upset.

-I'm not.

I know you're upset.

Don't deny it.

What are you upset about?

We're going to make it.

That's great!

We'll always be together.

Down the line.

I'll always be there

for you.

Come on.

I just did that!

Geez!

You pull some of the

weirdest stuff on me.

Why do you pull this stuff

at these times?

You're right.

That was pretty weird.

You're okay?

I'm fine.

I got to get out of here.

See you later.

Sure you're all right?

I'm fine. I'm great.

Wait. Just a minute.

I have a ritual I always do.

I always wash my face.

I just take a minute.

To be more comfortable.

Hold that for me.

Who is it?

-Who is it?

-It's me.

Jake? Jesus!

Are you all right?

What are you doing here?

I missed you.

-I was trying to call you.

-I was at the airport.

-What time is it?

-It's early.

You were

at the airport?

I got in at 1:30.

It's 8:30!

-I'm sorry.

-What time did you leave?

Early.

I tried to reach you

all night.

I'm sorry.

-What's wrong with you?

-Nothing.

Maybe I should lie down.

I've been thinking.

I've been thinking...

and I had this totally wild

idea. Maybe it's crazy.

It's weird...

I can't even talk

to you about it.

Just say it.

I think we should

get married.

Get married?

-Are you serious?

-Of course.

We should get married.

We love each other.

Yes. What is going on here?

Are you seeing someone

in New York?

No! Why would you say that?

Why do you come in here and

start talking like this?

I know.

I came up here because...

God! This sucks!

This sucks!

I'm in New York and

you are up here.

It just feels like

we're not...

Things are going by...

and I feel like it's

not real somehow.

I know.

It's okay though.

You should lie down.

You want some food? I make

you some pancakes.

-I got to get back.

-You just got here.

I have rehearsal

this afternoon.

What the hell are you

talking about?

-It's not working out.

-I don't buy it!

It's not like you!

I know what you think

and you're wrong.

It's not only Dana, it's me.

He's all over the place!

There's no way we're

firing Chris!

Listen! She makes the boat

float! Don't you understand?

I was about to send

the dogs after you.

So we have something serious

to talk about.

Don't talk to me

in this position.

He can't act.

He's emotional.

He can't feel the role.

How can you fire someone

like that? He's good.

He hasn't done much,

but he needs time.

Acting is not a team sport.

Neither is theater.

The ''show must go on''

business? Bullshit!

You must go on.

That's my motto.

I don't believe this!

You come into my life...

and totally shift

things around.

Do you always get

what you want?

Totally shift things around?

If it wasn't for me this play

wouldn't be happening.

-That is so crass!

-Crass?

Either he goes or I go.

It's late to find a

replacement, but try.

I don't want to replace you,

but this is my best friend.

Carl can tell him

or I will.

I put on my most sincere

face and tell him.

-I'll do it.

-You sure?

I shot the play!

You think you would have this

gig if it wasn't for me?

No, you wouldn't!

Give me the truth.

Is it Carl?

Or is it Dana?

It doesn't matter. That's

not what this is about.

Is it me? This must be

because I'm gay.

I'm not gay. I don't know

what the fuck I am!

It's not about that.

Look, I fought them.

You're a bastard!

You're a fucking

bastard.

I didn't think things could

get worse than that...

but Joanne said that her only

chance to meet Mary Mark...

was on the opening night

of my play.

She didn't think she'd be

able to make it.

But somehow I was hoping

that she would.

There he is!

Hi, darling!

-Are you nervous?

-Ma, please!

-It's your opening night!

-Nice stockings!

-They're very stylish.

-They are.

Why should you be surprised

that your mother is stylish?

-I'm not. Have you seen Jo?

-No.

Another of Dana's casting

ideas was Jason Brett...

who longed to get back

to the serious theater.

He could have longed

a little bit longer.

I want to tell you

how I feel.

-I want you to leave.

-Want me to leave?

I want you to go.

You want me to go.

I'll go.

-Have you seen Dana?

-She went out the door.

We're going out to eat.

Wait. She went out with

the director Donaldson.

He's doing a play

in Lexington.

Needs an ancient beauty. They

went out for dinner alone.

We made plans.

I know, but he's a director

and she's an actress.

Relax, Jake. Come on

upstairs with your family.

She called him in the

middle of the night.

Darling!

You're a genius!

He's a genius!

-Mum.

-It was wonderful.

Wasn't it funny?

-We enjoyed it very much.

-Thank you.

-We enjoyed it very much!

-Maestro, that was excellent!

Mother, not bad.

See you later.

-Don't worry, be happy.

-I'll see you in a minute.

There were many good

things. Wonderful.

-I'll call you tomorrow.

-Absolutely.

-Well?

-We're going out for dinner.

He can't come with us. He

has a big party to go to.

-'Sardi's', I bet.

-Yes, 'Sardi's'.

Good night.

My God!

I'll go to a show tomorrow.

See you after lunch.

Fuck!

I'm not having an affair

with my boss!

-What was he doing here?

-We were talking.

-About what?

-About... stuff.

About what?

This is not the way I wanna

talk to you about this.

About what? About him?

About New York?

The job?

You're gonna take

that job?

I have nothing in New York.

I have an opportunity here.

If you live there, something

might happen.

Elliot said...

This makes me nuts! ''Elliot

said this, Elliot said that!''

Fuck you, Jake!

Fuck you.

Why can't we talk

about this?

Why is your career more

important than mine?

-I never...

-You moved out.

You're making this

really hard for me.

This is not... this is

hard for me, too.

Leave the room.

That's terrific!

I was walking around

the other day...

and I realized...

that you're the only person

I wanna have kids with.

You're the only person

I could imagine having...

a kid with.

-I can't sleep.

-What?

I can't sleep. I feel so

crazy about this.

-You always sleep.

-I can't sleep now.

I'll go watch TV.

Maybe I'm hungry.

Anything bad on?

Shit!

I can't believe it!

That was the strange thing

that happened that weekend.

The whole neighborhood

is out.

Despite my fears of this

being another huge black-out...

it was just the squirrels

who, in their manic burling...

had forced the power line

to couple over.

Helen, what are you

doing here?

What do you expect?

Luckily, I had my

emergency suitcase.

There is someone you

wanna talk to.

What do you want?

I thought the play would be

the start of something.

What do you want?

You got your first off

Broadway play produced.

It stuck. So what?

The next play you'll write

is gonna be better.

The one after that is gonna

be better than that one.

And so on and so on.

And one day I'm going to say:

''You know Jake Briggs?

I produced his first

fucking play.

He's making so much money he

doesn't even know who I am.''

I know that's gonna happen.

You're the real thing.

See you.

Need something?

-No, thanks.

-Then stay clear of this.

Look.

My best side.

You want it? I have a copy.

I have the original.

I like you to have it.

Thanks.

You have everything?

I guess so.

I love you.

I better go.

Weeks later I really wanted

to call her...

at least a thousand times,

but I didn't.

Then I had the first dream I

could remember in years.

About my father. I hadn't

thought about him in years...

but in this dream I was in

this boat with Joanne.

We were stuck

on the sand.

My father was running

along the shore...

but I couldn't see him.

I got stuck in this

whirlpool...

but it wasn't a whirlpool.

It was a circle.

I was spinning, around

and around.

He was saying something to

me, but I couldn't hear it.

Then I woke up.

I was crying.

Then I knew what he

was saying.

That everything would

be all right.

Everything would

be all right.

That sounds strange coming

from a man...

walking backwards on a beach

with a trumpet...

but I found it comforting.

I read a story about a kid

coming home...

from a soccer game on the

night of the great black-out.

He was angry because

he missed the goals.

He went to this telephone

pole and kicked it hard.

At this precise instant

that he kicked it...

all the lights in the

city went out.

The kid was stunned.

He ran home.

He was convinced the

black-out was his fault...

and that his life was over.

I don't know how long it

took him to get over that...

but it has taken me

26 years to realize...

that sometimes things

just happen.

It's nobodys fault.

Things just happen.

Joanne and me, Chris

and my mum.

I suppose you got to know

in your heart...

that no matter what

happens...

everything is gonna

be all right.

Naked in New York (1993) - full transcript