"Wisenheimer" Part Eight

Pilot/Episode 1: "The Phone Call" Part Eight

Every week, a few pages post, in the spirit of serial storytellers like Dickens and Maupin—and this content is for paid subscribers only! Five bucks a month? C’mon, such a deal.

DISCLAIMER: “WISENHEIMER” is for adults over 18. If produced, it would bear an MA rating. It’s for grown-ups. There is sexual content and the story deals with strong adult themes, as well as socio-political satire and comedy. “WISENHEIMER” is an original work of fiction, written entirely by me, all rights reserved.

You can view the video pitch deck for “WISENHEIMER” here. And for a brief primer on basic screenplay stuff for easier reading, this is helpful.

INT. CANTWELL FOYER - DAY

As Naomi and Ezra enter, Hart dashes down the stairs to them.  She hugs Ezra.

HART

Welcome to the ‘burbs!

NAOMI

Where’s your Gran?

HART

Napping.  The meds they gave her really zonk her out.

NAOMI

Good.  Help me get some tea going.

EZRA

These are for your Gran.

HART

Yum.

He hands the box to Hart. She and Naomi go to the kitchen, leaving Ezra to wander.

INT. CANTWELL LIVING ROOM - DAY

Ezra enters the living room from the foyer. He stares at the grand piano. 

MEMORY FLASH POV:

Twelve year old Ezra’s hands on a piano keyboard, playing. 

A man’s much larger hands reach around and place themselves over the boy’s.

END MEMORY FLASH

Ezra is lost in his reverie.

RO (O.S.)

Ezra?

He starts. Ro has entered the living room, with Hart.  

HART

Play something!

EZRA

Ha. Ha. And Ha.

Naomi comes in, carrying tea on a tray.

NAOMI

Okay, let’s do this.

EZRA

(to Ro:) Still coming for dinner tonight?

RO

Of course.

NAOMI

Hart, go hang with Gran, please?

Hart goes.  Naomi pours tea as Ro pulls out her tablet.

RO

So, I’ve been consulting with an accountant friend who works with families to get elderly relatives approved for Medicaid.  It’s a pretty complex process. I’m thinking three months or so.

EZRA

Well, that’s not too bad. I think it makes way more sense to just push through with Mom here--

NAOMI

I’m not having this conversation again! I’m not defending my decision. Ever. Again.

EZRA

But you have a year’s experience dealing with her--you know her patterns, her behavior-- 

NAOMI

And a year’s enough. You can do three fucking months!

RO

Okay, okay. I believe you can do this, Ezra. Could Hart go into the city, maybe weekly, to help out?

NAOMI

We’ll make it happen.

RO

And I’m here to assist in every way I can.

The FRONT DOOR SLAMS (O.S.).

MacKenzie, in school uniform with her backpack, appears in the archway to the foyer. She eyeballs Ezra and Ro.

NAOMI

MacKenzie, you remember Ezra, and Ms. Wilson?

MACKENZIE

Yeah...“Ro.” Right?

RO

Right.

MACKENZIE

Dope name.

RO

Yours too.

EZRA

You know, the only other MacKenzie I can think of is MacKenzie Phillips.

MacKenzie stares blankly.

EZRA

She was on “One Day at a Time?”

Nope.

RO

I was introduced to her once. In recovery. She’s had a rough life. 

NAOMI

(interjecting) Actually, MacKenzie’s named for--

EZRA

Oh yeah--she was on “Celebrity Rehab!”

RO

Right. She’s a substance abuse counselor now. 

EZRA

Dope.

Ezra and Ro, smiling and nodding, turn to MacKenzie. She’s repulsed.

MACKENZIE

Wow. That’s. A lot. I’m gonna--

She hastily goes upstairs. Naomi turns to Ro.

NAOMI

You were in rehab?

RO

Recovery helped me find my way to social work.  It’s never too late to reclaim your life.

EZRA

You should embroider that on a throw pillow.

NAOMI

When I was MacKenzie’s age, I made some...misguided choices.

EZRA

She was wild. Looked just like Joan Jett. Dropped out of high school, climbed out the window in the middle of the night, went on the road with a punk band.

RO

Wow.

NAOMI

Ezra--

EZRA

Got knocked up, had an abortion, came back with her tail between her legs.

RO

That took courage.

NAOMI

Thanks, that’s sweet. Ezra, look around. My house, my family? That’s what reclaiming your life looks like. And what’s your excuse? You had everything: talent, money, privilege, a great boyfriend, a brilliant future--and you trashed it all to become... what?  I mean, where do people with neck tattoos work?  I’ve always wondered.

RO

I think we’re getting off track here.

Hart comes in, leading Miriam. Her left arm is still in a sling.  She’s clearly upset about something.

HART

Gran’s up!  

MIRIAM

(intense, to Naomi:) Why didn’t anyone call me??

NAOMI

What is it?

MIRIAM

Why didn’t anyone call and tell me my father had died?!

NAOMI

Mom... Zaidie passed over twenty years ago--

MIRIAM

You’re crazy! You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m his daughter.  I had a right to know!

HART

It’s okay. He knew you loved him.

RO

Ro Wilson, Mrs. Wise. It’s so good to see you up and about.

Ro rises and offers her hand.  Miriam stares at it. Naomi tries to get her attention.

NAOMI

And Mom...?  Mom? This is Ezra.  Remember Ezra?

Ezra rises.

EZRA

Hey, Mom. Long time, huh?  I don’t blame you if you don’t recognize me.

Miriam recoils a little, then pulls Hart in close.

MIRIAM

Isabel dear, would you get the car, please? (To Ezra:) I’m sorry, I can’t sign any autographs tonight.  I really must run. Thank you for coming.

Miriam goes out, with Hart’s help.

Ezra, Ro, and Naomi stand there for a beat or two, silent.  

EZRA

I need a smoke.

He goes out through the foyer.  Naomi picks up the tea tray.

NAOMI

The hits keep on coming, don’t they?