INT. LOCAL POLICE STATION - DAY
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: Officer Summers, I would like to report a stalker.
OFFICER SUMMERS: Can you explain to me the circumstances Mrs Plummer?
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: His name is Carlton Banks. He came to my house pretending to be a journalist.
OFFICER SUMMERS: So, he’s not a journalist then?
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: He was
OFFICER SUMMERS: Go on
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: It would appear that the reason he came to see me is that he saw my dead husbands ghost.
OFFICER SUMMERS: Did he threaten you or touch you.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: No officer
OFFICER SUMMERS: It all sounds innocent enough. He’s probably a harmless fruitcake.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: Isn’t there anything you can do?
OFFICER SUMMERS: Mrs Plummer, we have murders, robberies , stabbings. We’re not going to divert police resources to take care of a guy who is relatively harmless
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: I don’t think I can sleep at night officer knowing that he is around. He moved right across town to buy a house on the same street as me. Doesn’t that sound peculiar to you Officer?
OFFICER SUMMERS: The guy lost his job. It sounds normal that he would want to downsize.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
Mrs Plummer and her daughter Selina are seated at a table in a coffee shop when Carlton enters and sits down opposite them.
Mrs Plummer is evidently uneasy
CARLTON BANKS: Mrs Plummer, please let me explain.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: I don’t want an explanation. I just want you to leave us alone.
CARLTON BANKS: I believe your husband wants me to help you in some way but I don’t know how.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: I work in a hospital. I know that there are places you can go and doctors you can see that will deal with your illness. My husband has been dead for two years Mr Banks. Please get help and go away.
CARLTON BANKS: Mrs Plummer can you at least listen to me?
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: I’ve heard enough. We’re leaving. I had been looking forward to my coffee.
Mrs Plummer and her daughter stand up and leave.
EXT. STREET NEAR CARENA PLUMMER’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Carena Plummer and her daughter are walking home. Carena notices Carlton on a street corner and keeps walking but at a faster pace. Carlton stands still but notices another man following Carena. He has seen this man before. Carlton follows the man for a while before running after him and pinning him to the ground.
CARLTON BANKS: Why are you following her?
The man just smiles. Carlton removes his wallet and checks his identification.
CARLTON BANKS: Ok, Malcolm Eastwood of South River Street, I don’t want to see your face in this neighbourhood again.
The man keeps smiling.
Carlton lifts him at his collar and pushes him several times before warning him.
CARLTON BANKS: If I catch you following her again, I will come looking for you. Do you understand?
MALCOLM EASTWOOD: I like to look
CARLTON BANKS: Yeah well, look somewhere else. After this, I’m done being nice.
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY
Detective Gruber is seated opposite Mrs Plummer
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: This guy who calls himself Carlton Banks has been stalking me. He won’t leave me alone and he says that he has been communicating with the ghost of my deceased husband. The local police said that they won’t help me Detective Gruber and I have nowhere to turn to.
DETECTIVE GRUBER: We have for some time suspected Mr Banks of his own wife’s murder
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: Oh my God
DETECTIVE GRUBER: His wife was beaten with a baseball bat and the bat was never recovered.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: I’m scared Detective Gruber, for the safety of me and my daughter. I have sleepless nignts. I forget things and am distracted in thought, with fear and worry. I must make sure Selina is safe. What do you suggest I do, Detective Gruber?
DETECTIVE GRUBER: I will pay him a visit once more. We will do what we can to make you feel safe. I will make sure that this nutjob sees justice sooner rather than later.
MRS CARENA PLUMMER: Thank you Detective Gruber. You always were good to us.
EXT. 13 OAK AVENUE - AFTERNOON
Detective Gruber pays Carlton a visit
DETECTIVE GRUBER: Well, well, well. What have we here? Reno Cortez and Milo Kasanovic. Are these men under your employ, Banks?
CARLTON BANKS: Actually, Detective Gruber they are partners.
DETECTIVE GRUBER: Partners in crime, more like
CARLTON BANKS: Have you news on my wife’s killers?
DETECTIVE GRUBER: The more I delve into this case the more it points to you and your business partners. I also have been visited by Mrs Plummer who claims that you have been harassing her. Stay away from her if you know what’s good for you?
CARLTON BANKS: I wasn’t harassing her Detective. I just wanted to speak with her.
DETECTIVE GRUBER: Isn’t that exactly what a true stalker would say, Banks. Detective Plummer died two years ago. Leave his widow alone or you will have me to deal with.
CARLTON BANKS: I just have a suspicion that her life may be in danger. Call it a hunch. I was only looking out for her.
DETECTIVE GRUBER: Yeah? Well she doesn’t want looking after from someone like you. I’ll be watching you banks. I’ve come across your type before. The cold blooded killer masquerading as a gentleman. I’m going to bring you down.
MILO: Fancy giving us a hand Detective?
DETECTIVE GRUBER: I’ll be watching you Kasanovic and you Cortez
Detective Gruber leaves
RENO: Sounds like we’re on the watchlist. You’re a dark horse Mr B.
INT. STEAD FAMILY HOME - EVENING
The Stead family are seated around the dining room table.
ELENORE STEAD: That young man Charlie Morton popped around looking to meet with you Natasha. You weren’t home. He left his number.
NATASHA: I don’t particularly care for him.
ELENORE STEAD: In heavens name why not? He’s handsome, young, intelligent. He’s going to medical school in the fall.
NATASHA: He’s just not my type, that’s all.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: Just who is your type Natasha? That thug Reno?
NATASHA: I hear he’s going to be running a new business. A cafe on Oak Avenue.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: And I heard that he got friendly with a headcase who supplied the finances. He’s nothing but a two bit thug and always will be.
NATASHA: Not everybody can be perfect 100% of the time. He’ll come good. I know he will.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: And what has he ever done to warrant a recommendation from anybody? I heard he lives in a shack. A shack? Is that how you see your future?
NATASHA: Oh Father, why can’t you see what I see? I know he’s wasted his life, hanging around on street corners but I think he’s got potential. I just know it.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: Potential? A thug like that? You’re delusional. I hope it’s just a phase you’re going through. You are so naïve. Potential. Did you know that he beat up a few of his of his women?
ELENORE STEAD: The man is a monster.
NATASHA: I don’t believe you.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: It’s bad enough that he intimidates people and bullies them and robs them but to beat up on women? The truth is, you don’t want to believe me. The man is a thug. The only potential he has is for doing evil.
INT. CARLTON'S NEW HOME - NIGHT
Carlton is at home sitting on the couch and staring into space.
CARLTON BANKS: I wish you were still here, Horace to solve my problems. I want to help your wife. She’s afraid of me. I really could do with a friend to give me direction. Someone I can trust who I know will look out for me.
Carlton sips from a cup of water.
CARLTON BANKS: The silent treatment eh? You always were a better listener than you were a talker.
INT. PRINTING STORE - AFTERNOON
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: Ernie, have you got those leaflets I ordered.
ERNIE WATSON: I do Mr Stead. Say, what have you got against this kid Reno anyway?
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: He’s a bad egg Ernie, I’m just doing the community a favour.
ERNIE WATSON: I know Mr Banks quite well. He’s a little light upstairs but he’s a nice guy. If you issue these leaflets it will kill him financially.
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: It’s merely a means to an end. It’s that punk Reno I’m after.
ERNIE WATSON: Is everything on the leaflet true?
CHRISTOPHER STEAD: I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was. How much do I owe you?
ERNIE WATSON: A thousand leaflets comes to $300
INT. 13 OAK AVENUE CAFE - 8AM
Opening day of the Cafe
RENO: I can’t wait to serve my first customer? My own business.
MILO: Our own business
RENO: I hope that chef of yours is as good a cook as he says he is Mr B?
CARLTON BANKS: Dirk? Well he does have experience. He used to cook in prison. He said he didn’t get too many complaints.
INT. 13 OAK AVENUE CAFE - 10AM
RENO: 2 customers in two hours. I wasn’t exactly expecting a stampede but I sure hope business picks up.
A middle aged lady enters the cafe and approaches the counter.
RENO: Mom. I didn’t expect you here.
HENRIETTA CORTEZ: I have to spend my hard earned money on something. It’s not exactly crowded in here.
RENO: It will pick up mom you’ll see.
HENRIETTA CORTEZ: You may as well make me a cappuccino and one of those delicious looking blueberry muffins.
RENO: Coming right up.
HENRIETTA CORTEZ: The place sure looks nice. I’ll give you that. It sure beats meeting you down at the police station or the detention centre. I always hoped that one day you would come good.
MR BROADMAN: Nice? You think this place looks nice? Have you tried the coffee? Even the pastries are stale?
RENO: If this place is so horrible, Mr Broadman, what are you still doing here.
MR BROADMAN: Well it certainly isn’t to see your ugly mug.
EXT. STREET NEAR OAK ALLEY - DAY
Carlton hands out leaflets promoting the cafe to locals.
OLD LADY: I wouldn’t go there if you paid me.
MIDDLE AGED MAN: I heard it’s full of drug addicts
MIDDLE AGED WOMAN: I’d rather go to Bernies. Proper god-fearing people go there, not hoodlums.
ELEVEN YEAR OLD BOY: Does it have video games?
CARLTON BANKS: No
ELEVEN YEAR OLD BOY: Why would I want to go there then?
INT. CARLTON’S NEW HOME - NIGHT
Carlton’s brother visits him at his new home.
HENRY BANKS: What is this Carlton? This house is a dump. The front door doesn’t even close properly. It’s probably infected with woodworm and I haven’t been in a more inhospitable neighbourhood. What’s going on?
Carlton doesn’t answer. Henry continues to inspect the house.
HENRY BANKS: You sold your old house which was a beautiful house Carlton, you cashed in the life insurance check and you invested it in a business that has no customers. The dumbest thing I ever did was to loan you forty grand to help you out. You had a steady job as a journalist and you blew that too.
CARLTON BANKS: It’s nice to see you too.
HENRY BANKS: I did some digging and found out who you’ve been employing in that establishment of yours. Your such a fool. You think you’re some kind of twenty first century Mother Teresa only you’re not.
CARLTON BANKS: They’re good kids.
HENRY BANKS: Thugs more like. If you get kicked out of this joint don’t come to me looking for a place to stay. I have enough to contend with.
CARLTON BANKS: Don’t worry. I’d rather starve on the street.
HENRY BANKS: You can’t just sit there Carlton. You have to do something before it’s too late.
CARLTON BANKS: I can’t afford it. I’ve put everything into the business and I don’t want to let anyone down.
HENRY BANKS: A can of paint and a paint brush doesn’t cost a lot. All you need is fifty bucks. That should cover it. I suggest you go down to the hardware store and get started.
CARLTON BANKS: I’m working on Saturday
HENRY BANKS: Well, whenever you’re not working Carlton? You’re such a baby. Can’t you pull yourself together and have some pride in yourself. What would Mom think if she saw you living here in this squalor?
CARLTON BANKS: I’ll work on it, Henry ok?
HENRY BANKS: Whats this? You never cashed the life insurance cheque? You owe me forty grand and you never even cashed the cheque. What’s wrong with you? How stupid....
CARLTON BANKS: I don’t want it.
HENRY BANKS: You are too proud to cash it. Is that it? You’re unbelievable. You risked everything for a couple of no good thugs. When you hit rock bottom, don’t come running to me looking for another bailout. You bloody hairbrained fool.
INT. 13 OAK AVENUE CAFE
Three roughly dressed youths walk into the cafe.
TERRA: Well, well, well, if it isn’t Reno himself, all dressed up, like the whiteboy’s bitch that he is.
RENO: I’m nobody’s bitch Terra. This is as much my property as it is anybody’s.
TERRA: This is a dump Reno. Let’s say I take a match to it and then you’ll end up owning a stake in a ruin.
RENO: You do and I’ll come looking for you.
CARLTON BANKS: Reno. We have customers here.
TERRA: Yes Reno. Think of your lovely customers. All two of them. You wouldn’t want to scare them away and all. Pretty soon with business like this your little venture here will amount to a few grain of dust.
RENO: You and your friends are not welcome here. Beat it.
DARLO: Or what Reno? Are you going to beat me up? Are you going to call the cops? I’m with all the other people in the locality, your joint sucks and I’ll take my business elsewhere. I’ll be seeing you on the streets soon, very soon.
The three of them leave.
Reno is frustrated and kicks a cylinder in anger.
CARLTON BANKS:It will work out Reno.
RENO: Oh yeah?
CARLTON BANKS: Reno. You did good.
INT. LOCAL BANK MANAGERS OFFICE - DAY
Carlton meets with his bank managers
ORSON WILKES: Well Mr Banks, I understand that you are looking for another loan. How much exactly are you looking for?
CARLTON BANKS: About fifty thousand until business picks up.
ORSON WILKES: Frankly Mr Banks, I’ve looked at your file. I don’t think I could even offer you ten thousand. Your figures are through the floor. You have virtually no collateral and virtually no income to pay me back.
CARLTON BANKS: The people I work with are good people. Can’t you invest in them?
ORSON WILKES: I run a business Mr Banks. I have to make a profit. Bad loans make for bad business. No offence but off the record, I’ve passed by your cafe. It has a bad vibe. Virtually nobody goes there. You have a reputation for hiring low lifes and frankly for most people that is off-putting.
CARLTON BANKS: I’m sorry that you see things that way Mr Wilkes. I will keep going to the end. It will turn around I know it will.
ORSON WILKES: Only a dreamer would invest in such a cafe and give his trust in people like that. You’re no businessman Mr Banks.
CARLTON BANKS: The best businesses start off as dreams Mr Wilkes. It takes hard work for sure but it also takes imagination. Goodbye Mr Wilkes.
INT. 13 OAK AVENUE CAFE - MORNING
Natasha enters the cafe and sits at the counter.
RENO: What’ll it be?
NATASHA: Can I have a Capucino and one of your Danish pastries?
RENO: Coming right up.
NATASHA: I like this place. It’s nice and cosy.
RENO: Well, we aim to please.
NATASHA: Business seems quiet though.
RENO: Well we got a lot of bad publicity. The only surprise was, it wasn’t down to Dirks cooking.
DIRK: I heard that.
NATASHA: I sure hope business picks up.
RENO: Well I have big plans. I’ve been reading a lot of books about business. I’ve read books by Peters and Waterman, by Drucker and books about Henry Ford himself.
NATASHA: Did you read any cook books? They might be more relevant.
MR BROADMAN: It’s the chef who needs to cook better. He’s only the waiter. If they put as much effort into the food and the coffee as they do into dreaming then it might be worth coming here.
RENO: Efficiency and innovation. That’s what business is all about.I hope to expand into a chain and grow until we’re like McDonalds or something with a branch in every city in the world.
NATASHA: Well you’ve got to think big before you achieve big, I guess. Customers would help. Maybe you could work on promotion.
MR BROADMAN: You should try the Irish Stew. That will bring you right back down to earth.
RENO: You know my dreams Natasha. What are yours?
MILO: Is he boring you again with all his business talk?
RENO: There’s nothing wrong with a little education.
MILO: Trust me. It doesn’t work on the ladies though.
NATASHA: He’s got a point
RENO: Who says I was chatting up the lady. Natasha is an old friend.
MILO: A very attractive female friend and not so old.
RENO: Can’t I just have a normal conversation? Ignore him. He’s annoying at best. So. You were telling me about your dreams.