Jedemi Chronicles SE - The Taming of Viv - 001

One of the biggest challenges of getting the scripella (combination of script and novella) “In Heaven When You Smile: The Taming of Viv” published for distribution via the iTunes Store, is that the multi-touch functionality we want is only available on the iPad and on the Mac. Why it doesn’t work on the iPhone is puzzling. Ideally, telling the story in an enhanced way should be accessible for all platforms (including Android). So taking matters into our own hands, a serialized edition of the “Viv” story is being created for distribution via the Jedemi website. This allows us to tell the story in an enhanced way that we feel really makes a difference.

Note: At some point, this may appear behind a paywall. For now, we are running an experiment, so access is free. Please read and comment away. We need feedback on this new, enhanced style of storytelling. Thanks for your time!

Synopsis: Basically, the Lost Pins have been happily residing at Viv’s cafe (Jedemi Cafe) for nearly a year (actually 9 months). Other than fixing the jukebox and playing around with “programming” the appropriate “mood” music, they’ve kept a low profile. However, as per their nature, these are folks that aren’t comfortable sitting still. As they get closer to the one year anniversary of their arrival at the cafe, they get into an animated conversation about what to do next. Frankie seems to lead this discussion.

They conclude that perhaps they ought to at least engage Viv and find out how they can help out. They’ve observed that Viv is a gracious host and a very busy lady. So getting some “face time” will be challenging. Frankie and St.X work up a plan for “taming” Viv.

Scene 1 – Ordinary World – the Cafe in Action
Wednesday

Open with a sweeping overview of the cafe bustling with activity. See the well trained staff making beautiful drinks in a well-choreographed fashion. See VIV, the fifty-something cafe owner, moving from table to table spreading cheer. The Jukebox is providing energetic background music.
In a sweeping clockwise motion, the scene transitions to later in the day.

INT. JEDEMI CAFE – BACK OFFICE
Viv has NICOLE, a twenty-something college student, and two of the staff in the back office for a little chat away from the patrons.

VIV
Nice job today. Thanks for your hard work.

The workers nod. One sneaks a peek at his watch. Viv continues.

VIV
I’m confused about one thing.
Please help me out…

They look at each other and back at Viv.

VIV
I’ve seen you guys hustling out
there …keeping this place
absolutely spotless. And, I’ve see
the results of how you close —
especially when I get in early to
open the next morning.

She pauses and walks about a bit.

VIV
So what I don’t understand is how
come, all of a sudden, you’re
missing spots. I’ve come in and
found a section here, a section
there… in disarray. What’s that
all about?

They look at each other shrugging their shoulders.

VIV
Look. You know I really don’t want
to be lecturing you… but you
know the drill. You know what I
expect to see in the morning
(pause). So… please help me
out… Let’s concentrate on making
that happen… okay?

WORKERS
Sure, Viv! (said in unison)

The workers leave and Viv hangs back to do paperwork. On their way back to the floor, one of them says to the others.

WORKER 1
What brought that on?

NICOLE
I have no clue.

In a sweeping clockwise motion, the scene transitions to much later.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JEDEMI CAFE

The cafe is empty of patrons. A voice from the front door speaks.

NICOLE
Alright, Viv! We’re out of here
and we’re locking you in.

VIV
Thanks! Have a good evening! Rest
well!

Viv moves from checking the espresso machine to walking through the cafe. Upon first glance, it looks good. She talks to herself as she heads back to the office to get her things.

VIV
I knew they could do it. Seemed so
out of character for them to…

The camera follows Viv as she walks from the office back to the front to let herself out. However, she sees something out of the corner of her eye, which makes her stop. Indeed, there’s several napkins on the floor and a table with its chairs in disarray.

VIV
(to herself) I don’t get it. How
hard is it? Sweep, wipe, pickup,
push in…

So she straightens out that section and quickly does a round to make sure nothing else was missed. When she reaches the office, she is smiling.

VIV
(singing) That’s the way… ah huh,
ah huh, I like it… ah huh, ah
huh!

She picks up her things and is about to let herself out when when AGAIN, she sees a problem. This time it is in the same area she had just straightened up.

VIV
What the…?
At first she’s annoyed but then she starts laughing.

VIV
Whoa… Guess I owe those guys
an apology.

And it is while she is re-setting the chairs, she starts talking out loud.

THE VOICE
(whispering) Humm… so she checks
napkins. That’s good to know. Come
to think of it, I’ve seen people
scribbling on napkins here all the
time– (pause) Hey… That gives me
an idea…

Just then Viv pushes in a chair, looks up and talks out loud.

VIV
I can’t see you, but I know you’re
here.

She laughs and continues talking out loud while she straightens things out.

Learn more.

VIV
Wings of Desire … I love that movie.
Never thought I’d have an opportunity
to use that line, though.

THE VOICE
(whispering) Oh you can see me
alright. You just think you can’t…

Though it was barely audible — Viv’s radar ears picked it up and, in her surprised state, she backs into a chair, and almost up-ends it as she looks around trying to figure out where the voice is coming from.

VIV
Oh great… I’ve got a gremlin that
talks…

Learn more.

THE VOICE
(clearly ignoring her comment,
speaks a little louder) No worries.
I loved that movie too. It’s among
my all time favorites along with
Casablanca. Just can’t get
enough of Casablanca.

The movie discussion seems to relax Viv a bit.

VIV
Aha! …So you’re a movie buff, eh?

THE VOICE
Well… (pause) I guess you could say
that.

Viv is looking around while doing busy work, which seems to be keeping her on an even keel as she tries to get a beat on who she’s speaking with.

VIV
So, you say I can see you … Like
where? Are you in the jukebox?

THE VOICE
Good guess… but no.

VIV
Ooo-kay…

THE VOICE
Speaking of the jukebox… I love
it! It rocks! Okay not exactly,
but … you get what I mean.

Viv just happens to be close to the Jukebox and wipes it lovingly.

VIV
Uh-huh…

THE VOICE
And the hand painted chairs are
truly a work of art.
(pauses) And speaking of art, don’t
think I haven’t noticed how you’ve
trained your staff to make the most
beautiful looking lattes in the
world.

Viv is beaming and shaking her head.

VIV
(to herself)
Great… Not only is my gremlin a
movie buff, but he’s also quite the
charmer…

The Voice is on a roll and doesn’t seem to notice.

THE VOICE
Mind you, where I come from, a
latte is a breakfast drink… but,
hey, if you can get people to drink
them all day long… especially with
that mocha chai thing you’ve got
going, then my hat’s off to you.

Viv is still “working” the cafe, looking around trying to figure out where the Voice is coming from.

VIV
Ah-ha! So you wear a hat? Funny,
I haven’t noticed too many people
with hats around here — baseball
caps, maybe, but a hat… with the
exception of Mr. Happy, the former
IRS agent, hats are just…

THE VOICE
(explains)… a figure of speech…
That’s all.

VIV
Of course. Just playing…

THE VOICE
Of course… I should have
expected that.

VIV
You certainly are a chatterbox…
And you seem to be pretty darn
familiar with the place… So,
uh… you come here often?

THE VOICE
Another good one. Yeah — we…
‘er I mean I love it… yeah, I
love it here. And I love what
you’ve done.. ‘er are doing with
the place.

VIV
Ah ha, again! Caught you buster…
you said “we”! So, have you got
buddies with you?

The Voice goes quiet.

VIV
Come on … Give it up. Where are
your buddies? For real! You don’t
exactly seem like the loner type.

THE VOICE
… Like, what difference does it
make?

VIV
No difference. Just curious that’s
all. Mind if I sit? It’s been a
long day.

THE VOICE
Don’t mind at all.

VIV
Okay… so just for the sake of
argument, I’m going to pretend that
you’re flying solo here.

THE VOICE
Sure, Viv. Whatever makes you
comfortable.

VIV
Okay — let’s start with some
basics… Like name. You know
mine. Do you have a name?

THE VOICE
Good point. That was rude of me.
My name is Frank… but you can
call me Frankie.

VIV
Okay, Frankie. So what’s your
deal?

FRANKIE
Deal?

VIV
Yeah. Are you here on business?
Don’t tell me that Mr. H sent you
because I thought that was over.

FRANKIE
Mr H? No way. That guy won’t be
coming back here or anywhere near
the jukebox ever again. He had
such a scare put into him that…

VIV
What? So you know about Mr. H?

There’s a pause and the garrulous Frankie is now silent.

VIV
Come on… The cat got your tongue?
Fine… If you and whoever else is
with you, are just into hanging
out, that’s cool. As you can
probably tell, all kinds of folks
have made this cafe a second
home… some even call it a “third
place.”

FRANKIE
Third place?

More info.

VIV
So you are still here. Thought you
left… Yes, Third Place. You
know… home, work and here– where
you can let your hair down… and
just be…

FRANKIE
…yourself. Of course! I totally
see that.

VIV
If you can see that then you
probably see that my third place
regulars aren’t in the habit of
rearranging the chairs and throwing
stuff on the floor when I’m trying
to get out of here for the
evening…

Again it is silent. Viv waits and then stands up, stretches and looks around.

FRANKIE
Oh yeah… sorry about that…

VIV
No worries. But speaking of
getting out of here… It’s late
and I’m really tired, so if you
don’t mind…

FRANKIE
(whispering) sweet ! I’m off the
hook.

VIV
I’m outta here. Good night Frankie.

FRANKIE
Rest well, Viv. Thanks for letting
me pester you. I’ve been wanting
to talk to you a while.

Viv picks up her things and heads towards the door. Frankie calls out to her.

FRANKIE
Viv?

VIV
Yes, Frankie…

FRANKIE
If you don’t mind, I’d like it if
we can do this again some time.

VIV
(laughing) Oh yeah. Sure… but
only if you plan on putting things
back after you get my attention. I
REALLY don’t need the extra work.

FRANKIE
No problemo, Viv! Besides, I just
got a better idea for how to get your attention.

VIV
Oh? (hesitantly)…Leaving now…
Tell you what…You can surprise me
with it another day.

Viv hits the lights and lets herself out.

VIV
(talking to herself) Nicole was
right, maybe I have been working
too much. Guess its catching up to
me because I certainly don’t feel
tired while I’m here. Oh well…

FADE TO BLACK.

In the next episode (The Taming of Viv – 002), Frankie meets up with his buddies and the Enchanted Jukebox makes its first appearance.