boost over the top. We see the flicker of misunderstanding cross

Not the world. Just Africa and China.

MAGGIE

ELLIE

IKE

is looking very interested.

(into phone)

Ike, how is the story coming? Is she a

IKE

number three.

Here, you need this more than me.

MAGGIE AND IKE

Its a very symbolic thing happening.

Yes, well, my theory was that she may

GEORGE

INT. IKES HOTEL ROOM - DAY

Yeah.

She climbs over the fence on her own and Ike follows. They see

(removing his glasses)

Ellie.

MAGGIE (contd)

(lightly)

Overpriced nice apartment and Chinese

Or does she pick "NGBS" -- "Nice Guys,

his shoulder. Ike puts his hands around her waits to give her a

paid to do this, its going to be a

Ike sips his drink before answering.

one of these guys has something going

Im writing an article, Im getting

goddess."

Ike wipes the smirk off his face. Like Maggies other men, this

No. But I think attraction is too

GEORGE

unleaded.

Guess youd know about that. Youre an

IKE (contd)

IKE (contd)

Snakes? Are you serious? I dont like

IKE

them -- knew her at all. Each one was

GEORGE

(in amazement)

IKE

Is that what I did to you? Is that

GORGE

the piano.

Ike, who takes the bar stool next to him.

(protecting, taking

IKE

No. I call it like I see it. Im a

GEORGE

Attraction is very misleading. And if

picks up the phone.

be running because she gets attention...

entomologist, right? Hows business?

reaｄ•９9ｃsw•coｍHe steps carefully into the field, then hops gingerly toward Maggie.

IKE

got the Galloping Gourmet here?...

What kind of eggs did she like?

GEORGE

Ike stares off down the road. Maggie indicates a building in

the road. The car backfires and smokes.

Fisher doesnt like the sound of this. He glances at Ellie, who

Yes it is. And it doesnt mean

GEORGE

IKE

Do you think theres only one right

Ike chooses his words carefully.

LIONEL

Nice guys, but he just out of prison.

IKE

IKE

IKE

Be careful of snakes.

(into phone)

FISHER

you?

Your filters clogged. This takes

Shes a cacophony of contradictions.

Why do YOU think she ran?

convinced that she was perfect for them,

guy has a worthy accomplishment under his belt.

(taking a sip

Ike and Maggie sit in the steaming car for a moment.

You could have told me you were fiance

He looks better. Ike enters. George looks up and recognizes

Yeah... Oh, Jay... Okay... Bye.

man-eater?

MAGGIE

He is finding it very hard to gloat. Fisher is annoying him.

MOMENTS LATER

Im sorry, too.

need a half and a nine-six-tenth.

difficulty, Maggie straightens up and they both quickly remove

No. No, you didnt.

GEORGE (contd)

IKE

Order out like a Philistine, when you

(into phone)

On the first date.

think shes still gonna run?

is cooking an elaborate breakfast. Ellie rushes around getting

she ran?

MAGGIE (contd)

George exits.

humiliated enough already toread.99csw.com last a

FISHER (V.O.)

but they didnt see her. And she never

Can you fix it?

ELLIE

of his drink)

Like when women whack you on the street

EXT. FISHER AND ELLIES BUILDING - THE NEXT DAY

Unbelievable, she got to you.

First I have to find some tools. I

Neuter a locust, feed the world.

Theres one thing we New Yorkers know

MAGGIE

I suddenly forgot how to climb a fence.

INT. IKES HOTEL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

studying the reproductive and migratory

(whispers)

snakes. Ive never even seen a snake.

Ike and Maggie stare forward. Both seem in melancholy moods.

ever met who would hold my tarantula.

But one of those guys -- not one of

(into phone)

Get this man a Kamikaze.

Nice guys, but he lives with his mom...

(in shock)

Yeah, we need a half and nine-

Youre coming here?

sixteenths.

Ill come by and tell you all about it.

Thanks.

Okay, well order out.

the car falters and jerks. It shows to a stop on the shoulder of

often mistaken for rightness.

IKE (V.O.)

An uncomfortable silent pause. Ike breaks the moment.

IKE

(into phone)

GEORGE

Fisher, dont forget the fortune

Ellie is on the phone as Fisher enters with beer. Ike sits at

Same as you said. What did you call

how to do is hail a cab. If theres no

we country girls know how to do is cut

George heads out.

out of his pocket)

INTERCUT BETWEEN TWO LOCATIONS:

(sarcastically)

Whoa, Ike. Getting a complex, buddy?

cab, we walk.

Wrenches. Mhttps://read.99csw.comy dads gonna love that one.

her? A "man-eater", "a devouring death

video.

guy today tried to end world hunger, if

INT. FISHER AND ELLIES KITCHEN (NYC) - DAY

Poached, just like me.

FISHER

I dont know.

IKE

his tape recorder

Wow. That only took us between years

(sits)

Not bad. I was traveling around

Ellie blinks back sentimental tears.

... Just call me when you have it.

Well, Im writing another article on

Maggies face at the initial contact. Neither of them moves --

CUT TO

"Tools".

Splendid dissection of Maggie Carpenter,

... The facts will be read someday.

IKE

takeout. Thats New York living.

what happened? Did I just not see

showed up so they couldnt see her.

IKE

to say.

INT. FISHER AND ELLIES APARTMENT (NYC) - NIGHT

Ike sits on his bed, on the phone, working and eating his

Well -- Im sorry, Im really sorry,

for him. I mean, ones been up Everest.

attention.

cookies.

Negative attention is attention.

the cacophony.

IKE

GEORGE

EXT. IKES CAR - COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT

lifetime, thank you. Im sorry she got

ELLIE

breakfast. Hes watching Maggies wedding tape again. Fisher

MAGGIE

GEORGE

Maggie points diagonally across the field to where a gas station

Establishing shot.

IKE

because of your column, thats negative

not mine. Did you get the

IKE

MAGGIE

And you defending her?

(beat)

reimbursement for the dress yet?

ELLIE

ELLIE

IKE

Or a vegetarian?

(into phoneread.99csw.com)

No... Theyre interesting guys. Each

I dont know. Im working on it. I

their hands.

Ah, cant stay away from her, can you?

to be.

sign glows and the lights from the outer house twinkle.

(breaking the

You know Maggie was the only girl I

IKE

This is about her negative attention,

IKE

Like a moth to a flame.

(hangs up, then to Fisher)

He hugs her.

Ike hangs up and watches more of the George Swilling wedding

GORGE

And end up in the papers? Ive been

IKE

CUT TO:

IKE

the distance, then turns off the car lights.

The bar from the opening scene. GEORGE SWILLING, the same man

bear to watch. Im going to make a

So, tell me, George, why do you think

ELLIE

FISHER

distracting.

Kind of isolated.

Yeah. Its kind of nice.

ready for work. He is on the phone to Ike.

save the battery... Theres one thing

an old guy, LIONEL, whittling on a porch.

anything.

I can get some tools over there.... and

IKE (V.O.)

GEORGE

MAGGIE

(passing him

moment jokingly)

They look at each other for a moment, then:

INT. NEW YORK BAR - DAY

Ike nods as they come to a wooden fence. She puts her hand on

across a field. Its quicker.

But..." Nice guys, but Im cheap.

She becomes what she thinks they wanted

patterns of locusts when Maggie met me.

Maggie slams the food closed.

Ellie enters the kitchen, hears the question and shakes her head

you can believe that...

forward or back, but the electricity is obvious.

Look -- Ill be in九-九-藏-書 there later today.

Youre sure well known around here.

was on the wrong track.

to herself. If only these boys would give it up.

Ike sits and leans over to George.

I dont think thats why she ran.

its mutual, its well, terribly

She joins Ike at the piano. Ike gets serious.

IKE

Oh, please!

He smiles and follows her into the field.

EXT. IKES CAR - COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT

(into phone)

No, Im paying for the dress. Do you

Theyre beginning to sense theyre in trouble here. Suddenly,

Ike is turning sensitive and I cant

IKE

Ike walks down a street toward Ellie and Fisher.

Gonna bust out of another wedding?

Of what?

MAGGIE (contd)

you canned.

(sarcastic)

(hangs up, then yells to Fisher)

Anothers become a priest. Ones a

Maggie leads Ike through a cornfield.

pretty good guitar player. And this

FISHER

fresh pot of tea.

Then come for dinner.

Ike talked to before, is sitting on a stool, nursing his drink.

MAGGIE

As George pauses in the doorway, Ike holds up his tape recorder.

IKE

ANGLE ON: Ike. His conflicted feelings are apparent. With

Join the club.

EXT. NEW YORK STREET/FISHER AND ELLIES BUILDING - DAY

FISHER (V.O.)

journalist. Im a truth teller.

The phone rings as Fisher exits. Ike goes to the piano as Ellie

Fisher, let him talk.

cover story, its going to be published

(heartfelt)

FISHER

FISHER

person for everybody?

Lionel, can I borrow some tools?

very professional job.

his drink)

CUT TO:

FISHER (V.O.)