EXT. CHICAGO AREA - WEST SIDE (1946)
Dana's neighborhood, September 1946, as Dana's GRANDFATHER,
61, is walking down the street toward their home.
Five-year-old Dana is outside walking home from school along
side a POLICEMAN, 46, on horseback.
Dana and her grandfather are about a block apart approaching
the modest two-story brick HOUSE from opposite directions.
Dana gives the HORSE one last pet on the nose, then runs
into the house before her grandfather gets to the front yard
gate.
INT. DANA'S GRANDPARENTS' HOME - CHICAGO WEST SIDE (1946)
Inside the house Dana's GRANDMOTHER, 58, is cooking and
cleaning.
Dana is playing in the living room.
GRANDFATHER
Buon Giorno.
Grandmother turns away from her ironing board and to the
door as Grandfather opens the door hanging his coat up.
GRANDFATHER
(continuing)
Come sti?
Returning to her ironing she continues talking to him as he
sits down at the kitchen table after taking off his shoes
and opens up a newspaper.
She gets him an espresso.
GRANDFATHER
(continuing; heavy Italian
accent)
Ah, spaghetti for dinner? The sauce
smells good.
GRANDMOTHER
(heavy Italian accent)
It should, I put in lots of garlic
and three kinds of meat with the
sausage. Dana, come in here and say
hello to your grandfather.
As Dana puts down a teddy bear before getting up to enter
the kitchen, the phone RINGS. Grandmother answers.
GRANDMOTHER
(continuing)
Pronto!
INT. DANA'S MOTHER'S HOTEL APARTMENT
Dana's mother, LAVERN, is sitting on the edge of her bed
clothed in a negligee.
She is thin and gaunt from years of poor nutrition, drinking
too much, and drug use. She lights up a cigarette.
LAVERN
Ma, it's me. How is everything?
What's Dana been up to?
GRANDMOTHER
Pronto, pronto. Che cosa fa? It's
been a week since you called. How
do you think that makes Dana feel?
None so cosa fare.
LAVERN
Alright, alright, Ma. I get the
message. Tell Dana I want her to
come and see me tomorrow.
GRANDMOTHER
No! You tell her, she's right here.
Grandmother beckons Dana to the phone.
DANA
Hello.
LAVERN
Hi honey, it's your mother. How are
you?
DANA
Fine...
LAVERNE
Did you hear Granny and I talking?
How would you like to come and
visit me tomorrow?
DANA
Let me see, I'll ask Granny.
Dana hands the PHONE to her grandmother.
She skips into the living room and starts playing with her
toys, pretending a fantasy of how it would be to see her
mother.
GRANDMOTHER
Okay, it's all settled. I'll send
her in a cab tomorrow. She'll be
there for lunch. You be ready this
time. Arrividerci.
LAVERN
Yes, mother, I'll be up when she
arrives. Goodbye.
INT. GRANDPARENT'S HOME - LIVING ROOM
Dana is holding a BARBIE DOLL pretending the doll is her
mother.
In her other hand is a RAG DOLL, representing her.
She carries on a dialogue between them altering her voice
accordingly.
BARBIE DOLL
I'm so happy to see you. What would
you like to do today?
DANA
Oh, let's go to the park and play.
BARBIE DOLL
Sure, then we'll go to a movie.
RAG DOLL
You're so pretty. I want to be just
like you when I grow up. Everyone
thinks I'm so lucky to have a mommy
like you.
Dana keeps up the role playing as the scene shifts.
INT. DANA'S BEDROOM - NEXT MORNING
Grandmother is dressing Dana for the trip to downtown
Chicago.
She only has two outfits to choose from.
Grandmother combs Dana's waist-length hair.
DANA
I want to wear my yellow dress. Is
that Okay?
GRANDMOTHER
Si, si, let's try it on now. Belle,
belle, my piccolo angelo. Come over
here so I can comb your hair. I
don't know why your mother won't
let me cut it.
DANA
I don't mind Granny, she never cuts
her hair either.
GRANDMOTHER
Ya, ya, your mother... never mind.
Andiamo! Andiamo! Come along, let's
go, the cab will be here any minute
now.
Dana gathers her things in a TOTE BAG, puts on her coat and
walks downstairs with her grandmother.
Half way down the stairs the CAB arrives and beeps its horn.
Her grandparents walk her to the car.
EXT. OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE
The CAB is parked with motor running as Dana and
grandparents walk towards it and open the back door.
Dana enters.
GRANDMOTHER
Got everything you need? Okay.
GRANDFATHER
Bye, bye Dana.
(to the cab driver as he shuts
the door)
Take her to the Rancroft Hotel.
The cab takes off as the scene shifts to inside the cab.
INT. INSIDE THE CAB - DAY
Dana's fidgeting with her bag and pulls out a storybook.
CAB DRIVER
What are your plans today, young
lady?
DANA
Oh, my mommy wants to see me. We've
got special things we're going to
do all day. She can't wait until I
get there. She's the best mommy in
the world. Hey, do you want me to
sing a song for you?
CAB DRIVER
Sure, you go right ahead.
Dana starts singing her favorite "ABC" song and tries not to
look at the bums and hobos lining Madison Avenue.
At a stoplight a HOMELESS PERSON approaches the cab.
HOMELESS PERSON
Can you spare a quarter. I needs to
get some food to eat.
CAB DRIVER
Sorry, got to go, the light's
changing.
Dana's curled up in the fetal position hoping the dangerous
looking man will leave quickly.
DANA
Hey, mister, would you like to hear
another song?
CAB DRIVER
Yep, I would.
Dana starts singing "Anchor's Away."
DANA
(after finishing)
You know, my dad taught me that
song. He's in the Navy and goes all
over the world.
After speaking, Dana sits back in the seat and thinks about
the reality of her non-relationship with her FATHER, someone
she has never lived with and rarely even seen.
EXT. RANCROFT HOTEL
Cab pulls up to the front entrance and a DOORMAN opens the
cab door.
The doorman and Dana converse as he escorts her to the
elevator.
INT. RANCROFT HOTEL
DOORMAN
Hello, Miss Dana. How are you
today?
DANA
Just fine, thank you.
DOORMAN
I suppose you're here to see your
mother.
DANA
Yep, I can't wait. We're going to
do lots of exciting things today.
DOORMAN
Bye bye, now.
Entering the elevator, the operator recognizes Dana and
let's her close the gate.
ELEVATOR MAN
Okay, Dana, you know what to do.
Remember, right there. That's it.
Stand back now.
Dana finds the corner and watches as the floors whiz by.
When the ELEVATOR gets to the 5th floor it stops, the
operator opens the gate.
Dana skips down the long dark hall to room 513.
She knocks on the DOOR.
DANA
Mommy, I'm here. Open the door
please.
She waits a minute, then tries again.
DANA
(continuing)
Mommy, get up, it's Dana. Come open
the door.
She sits down, turns around, and leans up against the back
of the door.
Several more minutes pass then she knocks again.
DANA
(continuing)
It's me Mommy, are you in there?
Dana's mother, Lavern, finally responds to her daughter's
attempts to awaken her. She gets out of bed and drags
herself to the door.
INT. DANA'S MOTHER'S HOTEL ROOM APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
LAVERN
I'm coming, I'm coming.
Lavern fumbles with the four locks and security chain, her
mind not fully conscious yet.
She opens the door.
LAVERN
(continuing)
Dana, hello dear. Come on in. How
was your cab ride?
Dana gets up, picks up her bag, and enters the hotel room
and hugs her mother.
DANA
What we gonna do today? Let's go to
the park, can we?
LAVERN
Sure, honey, we'll have some fun
today, but first mommy has to get a
little more sleep. Play with Pekoe
for a while.
Dana reluctantly complies.
Her mother is soon fast asleep.
After playing with Pekoe, Dana draws in her COLORING BOOK
then walks over to the window and looks out at the bleak
colorless concrete world her mother lives in.
After some minutes, she goes over to her mother and tries to
awaken her.
DANA
Mommy, get up, get up. Let's go to
the park. I want to see the horses.
LAVERN
Sure, honey...but in a little
while, alright?
Lavern rustles around in her purse and pulls out a few
bills.
LAVERN
(continuing)
Here, take this money and go down
to Toffenetti's, then take in a
movie if you want. When you get
back I promise we'll do something.
DANA
Well, Okay...I'll see you later.
Lavern rolls over and Dana puts on her coat, leaves the room
and heads down the hall to the elevator.
INT. RANCROFT HOTEL - AFTERNOON
The elevator man opens the gate, Dana walks in, then, as
usual, he lets her close the inside gate.
She watches the floors go by.
ELEVATOR MAN
(Jamaican accent)
Where ya off to now, little one?
DANA
Think I'll get some lunch at the
diner.
At lobby level she skips through the lobby and out the front
entrance.
DOORMAN
(opening the door)
Where's your mom today?
DANA
Oh, she's not feeling well, but
she'll be better later, then we're
going to the park!
DOORMAN
Alright, now, see you later.
EXT. TOFFENETTI'S RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Dana walks down to Toffenetti's Restaurant.
INT. TOFFENETTI'S RESTAURANT
Dana pulls open the large front door and finds a seat at the
counter.
WAITRESS
Hi, Dana, you want some lunch
today?
DANA
Yep, sure am hungry.
WAITRESS
Where's your mom?
DANA
Oh, she's coming later.
WAITRESS
Here's a menu, dear. Take your time
and let me know when you're ready.
Dana fumbles with the menu.
Not able to read yet she is holding the menu UPSIDE DOWN,
but determined to act like an adult, she continues trying to
make out the words.
The waitress recognizes the situation but decides to go
along with Dana's ploy.
WAITRESS
(continuing)
Looks like you've decided to get
that hamburger, there. And some
French fries and a malt. Is that
what you want, Dana?
DANA
Yep, that's it. Thanks.
Dana sits alone at the counter and listens to the other
people around her as she eats.
After paying the bill she makes sure to leave a tip.
WAITRESS
Thank you, honey, but you didn't
have to do that.
DANA
Okay. Bye.
After Dana leaves, the waitress is standing with friends in
the back having a cigarette.
WAITRESS
You know that little girl, Dana,
she left a nice tip, more than I
get from most of the deadbeats that
come in here.
EXT. ORIENTAL THEATER
Dana leaves the restaurant and decides to go to the nearby
ORIENTAL THEATER to see a movie.
Outside the theater Dana needs help to buy her ticket.
A POLICEMAN comes to the rescue.
POLICEMAN
(in an Irish accent)
Here, let me help you, there.
(to the cashier)
I think she wants one ticket.
(to Dana)
There you go. Have a good time,
now, lassie.
INT. INSIDE ORIENTAL THEATER
Dana enters the ornate old theater LOBBY and is transported
into a temporary wonderland.
Dana moves about until she finds a seat where no one is
sitting in front of her so she can see the screen.
She's watching the 1960 film, THE TIME MACHINE, but has
trouble following the story.
After the movie Dana heads back to the hotel and tries to
wake her mother up again.
INT. DANA'S MOTHER'S HOTEL APARTMENT
DANA
Come on Mom, I'm back.
LAVERN
Alright Dana, alright, I'll be up
in a few minutes. Take Pekoe
outside and brush his coat. He's a
mess. When you get back I'll be
waiting for you.
DANA
You mean it this time?
LAVERNE
Promise.
DANA
Okay, then. Where's Pekoe's brush?
LAVERN
On the counter... under the window.
EXT. RANCROFT HOTEL - HOTEL STEPS - DAY
Dana is sitting on the hotel steps grooming Pekoe the
Pomeranian puppy.
People walk by and compliment Dana on the fine job she is
doing.
PASSERBY
Doesn't that dog look pretty.
You've done a wonderful job for
such a little girl.
DANA
Thank you, I try my best.
Dana ties a BOW around Pekoe's neck.
When Pekoe is ready she brings him back to the hotel room.
INT. DANA'S MOTHER'S HOTEL APARTMENT - DAY
Dana's mother is finally up.
Dana comes in with Pekoe and finds her mother taking a bath.
DANA
I'm back.
LAVERN
Bring Pekoe in here. I want to see
how he looks.
DANA
Do you like the ribbon?
LAVERNE
Not bad, but work on that spot just
under his shoulder while I dry off
and get dressed.
Then they clean up the hotel room apartment before Lavern
makes Dana a simple dinner.
Dana finishes grooming Pekoe and starts on the other
POMERANIAN, then plays with the SPIDER MONKEY while her
mother dresses.
LAVERNE
(continuing)
Dana, help me get this place
cleaned up a little, then I'll make
you some dinner. How about macaroni
and cheese?
DANA
Yay, my favorite.
They pick up, straighten up, then Dana's mother makes
dinner.
While sitting at the table, they don't really talk much.
Before they sit down to dinner, Dana's mother calls for a
CAB to come and pick Dana up.
LAVERNE
(dialing for a cab)
Yes, I want a cab at the Rancroft
Hotel in 30 minutes.
(to Dana)
Eat your dinner now, Dana.
LAVERNE
(continuing)
Let me help you with your coat.
Here's some money for the cab. You
be good to Granny now.
DANA
I will.
LAVERNE
Love you.
EXT. RANCROFT HOTEL OUTSIDE
Dana leaves the HOTEL ROOM and makes her way to Rancroft
entrance where a CAB is waiting.
The Rancroft DOORMAN opens the cab door for Dana.
DOORMAN
Goodbye Dana. Come again soon.
DANA
Bye mister.
INT. INSIDE THE CAB - LATE AFTERNOON
CAB DRIVER
Where to little lady?
Dana hands him the bills wrapped in a NOTE containing the
exact address.
CAB DRIVER
(continuing)
What were you doing in town all by
yourself?
DANA
Oh, my mother just had to see me.
She's so pretty, you should see
her. We had the best time. And my
dad's in the Navy and travels all
over the world. Would you like me
to sing you a song?
EXT. AERIAL OF CAB DRIVING - DAY
Cab continues down Madison Avenue
INT. DANA'S GRANDPARENTS' HOME - CHICAGO (1946)
Several weeks later Dana is coming home from school and
overhears her grandmother talking to her mother.
GRANDMOTHER
I have her day in and day out. The
least you can do is call her once
in a while. Now, when are you going
to see her again?
LAVERN, Dana's mother, pauses, and knowing she can't put off
seeing Dana any longer, thinks up a solution on the spot.
LAVERN
Listen, I'm working in Calumet City
this weekend. Have Dana ready by 4
P.M. on Friday and I'll take her
with me.
GRANDMOTHER
Buono, buono... I'll tell her...
Arrivederci.
Grandmother puts down the phone and turns to Dana.
GRANDMOTHER
(continuing; to Dana)
Dana, your mother wants you to come
along on a weekend trip to Calumet
City.
DANA
What, a trip? Where... but I've
never been on a trip before?!
GRANDMOTHER
She's picking you up on Friday at
four o'clock.
INT. DANA'S GRANDPARENTS' HOME - LATE AFTERNOON
Friday, four o'clock in the afternoon and her grandmother
has Dana ready with an overnight bag when a BLACK CAR pulls
up to the house.
GRANDMOTHER
Got everything? Andiamo, Andiamo.
INT. OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF HOUSE - AFTERNOON
Dana's mother and CINNAMON AND AMELIA are in the car.
Dana gets in and her grandmother WAVES GOODBYE as the car
pulls away.
INT. INSIDE THE CAB
LAVERN
Dana, I want you to meet two
friends of mine, Cinnamon and
Amelia. We all work together.
EXT. BLACK CAR - LATE AFTERNOON
Their black car is driving to Calumet City.
Dana sits in the back with her mom, but they aren't talking.
Then the car pulls into town and drives down the brightly
lit main street.
DANA (V.O.)
At first I was so excited. A trip,
an overnight stay at a motel, it
was a dream come true, a chance to
get closer to my distant mother.
During the next 24 hours my child's
fantasies were about to meet a
cold, harsh reality.
EXT. CALUMET MOTEL
The big black car pulls up to the entrance to the MOTEL.
Dana and the three ladies get out and unload their baggage.
A VALET parks the car and they enter the motel, check in,
and make their way to their room.
INT. CALUMET MOTEL ROOM - EVENING
Dana's mother is hurrying to GET READY for the first show of
the night.
She instructs Dana on what to do while she's gone.
LAVERN
You behave yourself. Just stay in
the room until I come back. You can
watch TV or something. I've got to
run.
Dana turns on the TELEVISION but quickly gets bored.
The motel room door is cracked open and she hears the noise
of a BIG PARTY.
Curious, she follows the party sounds to a balcony where she
can see what's going on.
INT. MOTEL BANQUET HALL - EVENING
She sees her mother finishing up her TAP-DANCING act.
She leaves the stage and a COMEDIAN follows.
After him the two other ladies in the car come on stage and
begin taking off their CLOTHES, first one, then the other.
During the comedian's act Dana's mother comes out into the
audience and sits down next to a huge homely man who keeps
buying her drinks and tries to be affectionate with her.
Dana's mother tucks a SWIZZLE STICK in her bra for each
drink that is served.
Dana finds the stripping silly, and is repulsed by the ugly
man trying to kiss her mother.
INT. CALUMET MOTEL ROOM - MORNING
She can't stand anymore and returns to the room, falling
asleep.
The next morning Dana's mother wakes her up and tells her
how to behave on the way home.
LAVERN
Dana, a nice man is going to give
us a ride home. Whatever you do,
don't call me mom. I want him to
think you're my little sister. Do
you understand.
DANA
Yes, mother.
They finish packing and leave the room.
EXT. CALUMET MOTEL - MORNING
A car is waiting, motor running, with a man,CARL, inside.
Her mother gets in the front seat and Dana climbs in back.
INT. INSIDE THE CAR - MORNING
LAVERN
Carl, I'd like to introduce my
little sister, Dana. Isn't she a
cute thing?
CARL
You got that right.
Dana's mother and Carl talk and FLIRT with each other the
entire way home, while completely ignoring Dana.
DANA (V.O.)
Somehow I survived my early years.
New challenges came with school. I
came from a broken home and that
wasn't accepted in our Catholic-
Italian community. Three years
later, in 1949, my second-grade
class was preparing for our First
Holy Communion.
EXT. ST. MEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (1947)
Three years have passed and Dana is now seven years old and
attending ST. MEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
She is walking toward the front entrance, alone.
INT. ST. MEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
She enters the school and after stopping at her locker,
makes her way to SISTER GIOVAN'S second grade classroom.
No one talks to her in the halls, or in the classroom.
INT. ST. MEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
When class begins, Dana tries to be a model student in order
to win the teacher's favor, but with no success.
SISTER GIOVAN
Settle down, class. Quiet. Now, who
can tell me the name of the apostle
who was blinded by God so that he
might better see his mission in
life?
A few hands go up, one of them is Dana's.
SISTER GIOVAN
(continuing)
All right, Dana, let's hear what
you have to say.
DANA
Was it the apostle Peter?
SISTER GIOVAN
Didn't you read the assigned pages
last night? What am I going to do
with you? Jenny, you answer the
question.
Dana tries but fails to make a favorable impression on her
teacher.
To the other children she is shunned because she comes from
a BROKEN HOME.
At the end of class the teacher mentions the upcoming
parent-teacher conferences.
Dana turns her head and sheds a tear.
SISTER GIOVAN
(continuing)
Children, as you know, the annual
parent-teacher conferences will
take place in three days. Pick up
one of these forms and have your
parents fill it out. Then return it
tomorrow.
A boy sitting next to Dana notices her crying and knows that
her parents never come to school.
BOY
How come you don't have any
parents?
Dana gathers her things and leaves without answering him.
INT. ST. MEL'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HALLWAY
In the hallway there are signs about the First Holy
Communion ceremony scheduled for the end of the month.
Dana overhears some other girls talking about the dresses
they're planning to wear.
She knows she has to tell her grandmother about it.
INT. DANA'S GRANDPARENTS' HOME - AFTERNOON
Dana comes home from school and gives her grandmother the
parent-teacher conference form, then informs her of the
upcoming FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ceremony.
DANA
Here, Granny, will you and Granddad
come to school like you did last
year?
GRANDMOTHER
Sure, sure, we can do that again.
DANA
My class is having their First Holy
Communion at the end of the month.
I heard some of the other girls
talking about their dresses.
GRANDMOTHER
That's right. I remember they said
something about it in church last
Sunday. I'll figure something out.
Later that day, grandmother calls Dana's mother and informs
her of the date for the upcoming ceremony.
The subject of the dress also comes up.
GRANDMOTHER
(continuing)
Lavern, it's time for
parent-teacher conferences at
school. Are you going to take Dana
this year?
LAVERN
Ma, you know I have to work. You'll
do it won't you?
GRANDMOTHER
Tu dovrei andare. You should go.
This isn't right. When will you
learn?
LAVERN
Ma, stop it!
GRANDMOTHER
This...you have to do. On the last
Sunday of this month Dana will be
having her First Holy Communion
ceremony. You will be there, and
she needs a dress.
LAVERN
I will definitely come for that.
Ma, you know I design and sew my
own costumes. Let me see to Dana's
dress.
GRANDMOTHER
Bene, bene, that's more like it,
but you better not let her down.
LAVERN
I won't, Ma.
INT. CALUMET MOTEL ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
It is the day before the ceremony and no word from Dana's
mother about the dress.
Dana's grandmother calls Lavern.
GRANDMOTHER
So, where's the dress? You haven't
forgotten about it, have you?
LAVERN
No, Ma. The seamstress is making
last minute alterations and I'll
have it to you sometime today.
GRANDMOTHER
Nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
You'll be there, won't you?
LAVERN
Yes, Ma, I'll be there.
GRANDMOTHER
And be on time!
Later that evening, a cab pulls up to the house and drops
off a package.
CAB DRIVER
Hello, I'm looking for Mrs. Dane.
GRANDMOTHER
I'm her.
CAB DRIVER
I have a package for you.
GRANDMOTHER
Grazie, grazie.
(to Dana)
Look, your dress is here. Hurry, I
want you to try it on. There's
still time just in case any
alterations are needed.
Dana tries on the dress while grandmother puts in a few
safety pins hear and there.
DANA
Oh, Granny, the dress is so
beautiful. And to think that my
mother designed it! Won't the other
girls be jealous.
INT. ST. MEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - MORNING
Everyone is assembled at the church.
The other children are with their parents.
Dana's GRANDPARENTS are filling in, as usual.
Dana, lined up in the back of the church, is proudly wearing
her custom-made and one-of-a-kind dress.
The ceremony begins and Dana's mother hasn't yet arrived.
Just before DANA begins walking down the aISLE, she hears a
car come to a screeching halt just outside the front door of
the church.
It's Dana's mother, late as always and wearing inappropriate
clothes, she arrives just in time to see her daughter walk
down the aisle.
LAVERN
(proudly-turning to her right)
That's my daughter, Dana.
(turning left)
I designed her dress!
Dana looks back and sees her mother.
She is both happy that she made it and upset that she made a
scene.
The Holy Communion ceremony gives way to scenes of Dana at
Lake Como in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
DANA (V.O.)
For a brief moment I felt proud,
wearing the dress my mother
designed at my First Holy
Communion, but that pride was soon
replaced by the stigma that stalked
me at school. When the other kids
said hurtful things, I'd often run
home to cry on Granny's shoulder.
My refuge, my retreat from all of
this was our cabin on Lake Como in
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
INT. GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE TO THE LAKE COMO COTTAGE (1954)
The family is packed, getting into their car, and they take
off. The car is seen driving along Highway 45 North crossing
the Wisconsin border, then entering Lake Geneva and pulling
into the dirt driveway of their Lake Como cabin.
DANA (O.S.)
It was at Lake Como that I got in
touch with my soul. The time I
spent there healed my heart and
revitalized my spirit.
EXT. LAKE COMO CABIN LAKEFRONT
Dana, now a teenager, is walking along the lake shore with
Prince, her precious collie.
A couple riding horses go by. JOHNNY, her boyfriend, drives
up in his family's truck.
JOHNNY
Dana, feel like going for a ride?
DANA
Sure, Johnny, what exactly did you
have in mind?
JOHNNY
Just get in. You'll see.
EXT. FARM - DAY
They drive to a nearby farm, get out and walk to a fence.
JOHNNY
Dana, come over here. What do you
think of that brown and white pinto
over there?
DANA
He's beautiful. You know I've
always admired a good quarter
horse.
JOHNNY
That's Cheena, and he's yours!
DANA
Johnny, you can't mean that...this
is the most wonderful thing that's
ever happened to me!
JOHNNY
Would you like to ride him?
DANA
What do you think?
Johnny and Dana walk out to CHEENA and bring him back to the
barn where they saddle up Cheena and Johnny's horse.
Dana steals a KISS in the romantic seclusion of the BARN and
the young lovers go off riding.
DANA (V.O.)
I always thought Johnny and I would
eventually marry and settle down on
a Lake Como farm, surrounded by the
beauty and serenity of rural
Wisconsin life. Some things are
just not meant to be. My dream of a
future with Johnny could not stand
up to the cold reality check of a
call from my mother that would
eventually chart the course of my
true destiny.
INT. LAKE COMO CABIN
The family is sitting around after dinner when the PHONE
rings.
INT. LAVERN'S NEW APARTMENT
Dana's mother has just moved into a rundown basement
apartment near where Dana is living with her grandparents.
With clutter and mess all around, and a new baby to care
for, Lavern calls her daughter.
LAVERN
Hello, Ma, put on Dana, will you?
GRANDMOTHER
Si, si. Just a momento.
DANA
Hello, Mother.
LAVERN
Dana, you know I've taken an
apartment just a couple of blocks
away from you and Granny. I want
you to come and live with me. Let's
talk about it when you get back to
town.
DANA
Mother, really, after all this time
now you want me to be with you?
LAVERN
Look, I know this must be a shock,
so you think about it and I'll tell
Granny what I have in mind. When
you get back, then.
DANA
(upset)
Oh, Mother!
Dana slams down the PHONE in disgust.
DANA
(continuing)
Granny, you won't believe what
mother wants. She actually thinks I
should come and live with her in
that roach-infested damp and dreary
dump of a basement apartment she's
taken down the street!
GRANDMOTHER
Really. Well, Dana, it's about time
don't you think?
DANA
But Granny, I've got a life with
you and Grandfather. I don't want
to move in with her. You know her.
She just wants me over there so I
can be her slave.
GRANDMOTHER
Well, this time you'll have to take
the good with the bad.
INT. LAVERN'S NEW APARTMENT - DAY
A typical day in Dana's new life living with her mother
cleaning the house and taking care of all the animal pets
her mother kept.
DANA (V.O.)
I knew my mother just wanted me
around to do her dirty work, but I
didn't have much of a choice. I
still wanted her love and approval
but she seemed incapable of loving
anything but the menagerie of
animals she'd adopted over the
years. My days were an endless
cycle of cleaning, cooking, caring
for the baby and the animals, going
to school, and starting all over
again the next day. I wasn't
allowed to date or participate in
activities at school. I'd be
grounded for the littlest thing so
my mother would have an excuse to
keep me around the house all the
time. I had to make up stories just
to be able to spend a little time
with my friends. One night, nearing
my 18th birthday, mother caught me
at a bar. It didn't matter that I
wasn't even drinking.
INT. CLANCY'S BAR - EVENING
Dana's friends are shooting POOL.
Dana is sitting on a BAR STOOL sipping a coke when her
mother barges in.
LAVERN
So, you lie to me and I find you in
a bar, DRINKING, no less!
Lavern picks up a glass near Dana and smells it for alcohol
content.
LAVERN
(continuing)
Get your things. You're leaving
here right now.
DANA
Mother, let go of me!
Lavern turns to the bartender.
LAVERN
And you! Serving a minor. You're
going to pay for this. I know
people in the police department who
would like to hear about this.
BARTENDER
Wait a minute, lady. I checked her
picture ID showing her age to be
21.
Dana pulls away from her mother's grip.
DANA
Mother, you will never embarrass me
like this again!
(turning to her friend)
Come on, Shannon, let's get out of
here.
EXT. OUTSIDE CLANCY'S BAR
Dana and SHANNON exit the bar and walk to Shannon's car, a
chartreuse and black Chevy.
DANA
How about putting me up for a
while? I've got to get away from my
mother.
SHANNON
Sure thing, Dana. I understand
completely.
DANA
I'm just going to stop home and
pick up a few things.
SHANNON
Okay.
EXT. CHICAGO - BUS STOP (1961)
Dana starts her new life away from her mother as a legal
adult, now in charge of her own destiny.
On her way to work she rides the bus, gets off, enters the
office, does some typing, walks proudly to the bus stop
after work, gets home, gets in her car, and goes looking for
a part-time job.
DANA (V.O.)
Since I turned eighteen my mother
couldn't legally keep me with her
anymore. I stayed with my
girlfriend for a few weeks until my
grandmother decided I should move
back in with her. It was fine; I
came and went as I pleased. I found
clerical work right away, but that
wasn't enough. I wanted the
security of knowing I could take
care of myself and that took money.
More money meant a second job.
Driving around after work one night
I spotted a Help Wanted sign at a
local drive-in.
EXT. RICHARD'S DRIVE-IN - DAY
Dana pulls into the DRIVE-IN, gets out of her car, and
approaches a middle-aged man in a greasy apron behind the
counter.
DRIVE-IN OWNER
Watta you wan?
DANA
I see you're looking for help. I'd
like to apply.
DRIVE-IN OWNER
You ever hoppa cars before?
(looking her over from head to
toe)
DANA
Well, no, but I've eaten here many
times.
DRIVE-IN OWNER
Thassa good. You know enough ...
and besides, you gotta pretty nice
little body. The customers, they
likka service from pretty girls.
DANA
Well, I don't know how pretty I am
but if you say so. When can I
start?
DRIVE-IN OWNER
You come tomorrow.
EXT. CHICAGO WEST SIDE - RICHARD'S DRIVE-IN
The next day Dana is in uniform; green pants, a white blouse
with the name Richards stitched over the upper left.
It's 8 P.M. on a summer evening on the Chicago's West Side.
Guys from a group that call themselves the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS,
pull in, squealing their tires and revving the engine of a
new Chevy convertible.
One of the boys starts harassing Dana. DARRYL is driving.
DARRYL
Whoa, check out the new chick.
DANA
May I help you.
DARRYL
May you ever, baby. Help me, help
me, I'm desperate.
DANA
Don't give me a hard time now.
BACKSEAT BUDDY
Oh baby, you can give me a hard
time...anytime.
With that Dana gives a loud whistle and her 125-pound dog,
VEGAS, leaps from her car and jumps onto the HOOD of
Darryl's car, coming to a scratching halt and barking
ferociously.
DARRYL
Hey, I was just kidding. Call off
you dog before he scratches up the
hood. C'mon, we were just having a
little fun. What's your name
anyway?
DANA
Vegas, down boy, down.
(to Darryl)
So, what was it that you wanted to
ask me?
In the days to come Darryl and his boys come again and again
to the drive-in and to see Dana.
DANA (V.O.)
Those boys kept coming back to see
me and each time I noticed Darryl
more and more. He went out of his
way to talk to me, and he behaved
like a gentleman. I found out that
his father was a doctor and they
lived in a beautiful home in the
suburbs with a live-in maid.
Considering my background, I
couldn't help but fantasize about
becoming part of Darryl's storybook
family.
EXT. RICHARD'S DRIVE-IN - DAYS LATER
Darryl and his friends have just finished their drive-in
dinner. Dana is walking up to their car to remove the tray.
DARRYL
We're all going to Mary's. You know
where it is, right? Just down the
street and over one block. Why
don't you stop in after your shift?
DANA
I'll think about it. You might see
me one of these nights...and you
might not.
EXT. RICHARD'S DRIVE-IN (EVENING)
Her evening shift is ending and Dana is walking back to her
car, but instead of getting in and driving away she throws
her jacket in the car, pets Vegas, and walks over to Mary's
Bar.
DANA
Vegas, be a good boy now. I'll be
back in a little while.
VEGAS
(barks approval)
Rough, Rough.
INT. MARY'S BAR
Dana approaches the bar with apprehension.
She doesn't drink and isn't comfortable with people who do.
Entering Mary's, Dana sees Darryl at the bar, already
plastered.
Dana slides up on a bar stool with her five-foot-two frame
feet dangling over the floor.
DANA
You're wasted!
DARRYL
Yep, guilty as charged your honor.
DANA
I don't get it, Darryl. Why do you
drink like this? What's your
problem?
DARRYL
Awe, you don't want to know, Dana.
What would you like?
DANA
I don't drink, but I'll have a
coke.
DARRYL
(continuing)
Well, that's great. This is a
perfect arrangement. You can look
out me...cause I never do.
Darryl begins to tell Dana the sordid story of his broken
life.
The scene shifts to them driving off on a romantic date on
another day.
The scenes shift to short clips of the couple at the movies,
boating, picnics, and ending with them necking while parked
in Darryl's car.
DANA (V.O.)
After sharing his personal story
with me, I was drawn in. We went on
several romantic dates, movies,
boating, picnics, and we ended up
necking pretty heavily, a little
too heavily for my Catholic
conscience. Then, one night after a
costume party, we fell asleep and
that morning, before I was fully
awake, Darryl made love to me.
INT. DANA'S BEDROOM
Darryl and Dana have fallen asleep after coming home from a
Halloween party.
Darryl wakes up in the early morning.
Dana is still sleeping.
Sexually aroused, he fondles her and rolls over on top of
her, partially penetrating and ejaculating.
DANA
(waking up slowly)
What's going on? Oh Darryl, what
did you do now? Oh no, you didn't,
tell me you didn't!
DARRYL
I couldn't help myself, but it's
alright. I wasn't in all the way,
and it has to be in deep for
anything to happen. You're still
the same. We didn't really do it.
DANA
Oh, Darryl, how could you? What are
we going to do if I get pregnant?
DARRYL
Don't worry, nothing's going to
happen.
INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE WAITING ROOM
Several weeks have gone by and Dana is sitting in her
DOCTOR'S waiting room frantic about the possibility that she
is pregnant.
The NURSE calls her into the doctor's office.
NURSE
Dana Montana.
DANA
Right here.
NURSE
Follow me please.
They go into an examination room.
NURSE
(continuing)
Take off your clothes and put on
this gown. The doctor will be right
in.
DANA
(to herself)
Please God, let me not be pregnant,
I'll do anything you say.
The doctor comes in.
DOCTOR
Well, Dana, what can we do for you
today?
DANA
I was wondering if you could tell
me whether I'm pregnant or not.
DOCTOR
That shouldn't be too difficult.
Lay down on the table if you would,
please.
Dana complies and positions her feet in the cold stainless
steel STIRRUPS.
Her surgical gown does not cover much and Dana feels
exposed.
DOCTOR
(continuing)
Just give me a few minutes to
examine you.
DANA
(to herself)
I can't believe this guy. He's
touching me in places I won't even
let Darryl near. The only
difference between him getting 20
years in the pen instead of my $20
fee is a lousy piece of paper
medical degree. So, that makes it
legal for him to undress and fondle
hundreds of helpless women.
DOCTOR
Have you ever had sexual relations?
Dana? Have you had relations with a
man?
DANA
Do you mean petting?
DOCTOR
No...I don't mean petting. I mean,
have you been sexual with a man?
Have you been naked and made love
to a man?
DANA
Well, on Halloween night my
boyfriend sort of got half way
inside me before I knew what was
happening, and, you know, his juice
came out. But he said he had to be
all the way in for me to get
pregnant. Is that true?
DOCTOR
We'll take the test now, but from
what you've told me so far I'm
afraid there's a good chance you
are pregnant.
Dana grimaces at a statement she knows deep down is correct.
She puts on her clothes and goes home.
INT. ST. MEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - (FOUR MONTHS LATER)
Dana gets married.
DANA (V.O.)
Granny knew right away. Darryl was
ecstatic. His father thought it
might settle Darryl down and teach
him responsibility. My mother was
ready to help me with any choice I
made about the pregnancy and
possible marriage. And my father
even agreed to fly in from Las
Vegas to give me away. I was in
back of the church praying to a
statue of the Madonna that
everything would turn out alright.
Down the aisle I went on the arm of
my mostly-absent father. After the
"I dos" the reception turned out to
be one of the highlights of my
life. Everyone had a good time and
a good buzz because the alcohol was
free. It didn't take long, however,
for this storybook scene to sour.
During our first night together,
Darryl left me alone to, what else,
go drinking with his buddies.
Darryl's father delivered our first
child, Danette. I was a content
housewife and mother until I
mistakenly got pregnant again. The
pregnancy and birth of our second
child, Darryl Jr., spelled disaster
for our marriage. My husband
wouldn't stay with me at the
hospital and from that day on we
grew further and further apart. I
knew I had to get back out in the
working world and reestablish my
independence. I found a job as a
typist and a second job as a
cocktail waitress at the Fourth
Estate club on Michigan Avenue.
END OF DANCING STALLIONS - LIMITED TV SERIES - EPISODE 02
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