The story continues as Viv, with prodding from The Gang via the Nudging Napkins, has engaged cafe patron Steven in a lively discussion. During a chair tipping time-out, she gets feedback and more advice.
Scene 19 – “Wednesday: Oh, You Mean Now?” – Continued
Viv, with prodding from The Gang via the Nudging Napkins, has engaged Steven in a lively discussion. During a chair tipping time-out, she gets feedback and more advice.
FADE IN.
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
FRANKIE
Proud of you, Viv.
FRANNIE
Yeah. So far, so good.
VIV
Fine. But the thing is, I have no clue what to tell that boy. What do I know about corporate communications at a high tech company?
FRANNIE
Read the napkins, Viv.
Viv looks at what she’s picked up: Plan a Jubilee. On the next napkin: Invite luminaries from the past. On the next napkin: Make news by donating early prototypes to a museum. And the last napkin says: Have fun! Just Wing it, Baby!
VIV
Wing it?
FRANNIE
That last napkin was a message is for you.
Frankie and Frannie start laughing.
FRANKIE
Hurry! Your boy is packing his things.
FRANNIE
Good luck, Viv!
Viv is looking at the napkins in her hands as she heads back to the table.
STEVEN
Is everything alright?
VIV
Oh… Fine. Sure everything’s fine. Thanks for asking.
STEVEN
Thanks for listening.
VIV
Humor me a moment if you dare. I just had an idea…
STEVEN
Oh?
VIV
Your company has been around for a while, right?
STEVEN
Yeah. We’re one of the first makers of personal computers.
VIV
And you said your boss has been with the company from the start?
STEVEN
Yeah. Well fairly early on… I mean… once they finally had a product to bring to market. They were really lucky to have her too. There’s no doubt in my mind that the ground work she laid is what enabled them to be so successful.
VIV
Okay. I know you’ve got to get going, so let me run this by you real quick… that is, if you can hang for another couple of minutes.
STEVEN
Please. Go on! I’d love to hear your idea!
VIV
How about creating an event?
STEVEN
Event?
VIV
Like a Jubilee, you know. To celebrate what the company has contributed over the years. I’ll bet Mary is the only one with the knowledge, background and contacts to pull that one off.
STEVEN
Ah… I think I see where you are going with this. I don’t suppose that this event would be scheduled to take place like …six months from now, by any chance?
VIV
Bingo!
STEVEN
You know… you’re onto something.
That’s good. Real good. (pauses) Plus that would be a great way to provide folks new to the industry and the company, with some historical perspective. That could work.
Steven pulls a notebook out of his backpack, opens it up and starts scribbling.
VIV
Here’s another thought. Any chance there are some old prototypes kicking around? You know, stuff that can be donated to the history museum. Or maybe… how about putting together a little documentary? That could do wonders — in terms of capturing a period of time that’s being forgotten all too quickly.
Steven scribbles down some more. And then shuts his notebook. He goes to shake her hand (all formal like) and then pulls a switcheroo and aggressively high fives her with the opposite hand. He did it so enthusiastically that she was nearly knocked over.
STEVEN
Brilliant! And inspired! Let me think it over a bit. Thanks again, Viv!
He picks up his things and heads out the door.
VIV
Thanks for coming by. Good luck!
STEVEN
You’re the best! Take care!
The door shuts and Viv does a quick walk around to see what else needs to be done before closing up the cafe for the evening.
CUT TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
View from above.
JOEY
Can you believe that?
DOC
It worked. It really worked?!
JOEY
Seems that way.
DOC
Glad Frannie is teaming with Frankie on this project. Much more focused now.
JOEY
There’s something to be said about a woman’s touch.
DOC
Indeed. Want to get the gang together to celebrate.
JOEY
Sounds good. But, let’s grab Frannie first. I’d like to have a few words with her before we meet up with the others.
DOC
Sure. Let’s go.
FADE OUT
The Taming of Viv — 09b
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Doc and Joey arrive to find Frannie doing her chalk magic.
DOC
Hey, girl!
FRANNIE
Visitors? How nice. What brings you boys to my neck of the woods?
JOEY
We’re here to personally congratulate you… excellent work this evening.
DOC
Yeah. The Jubilee thing was inspired!
JOEY
Seriously… if you’ve got a few minutes, would you mind letting us in on how you came up with it?
FRANNIE
What makes you so sure it was me?
All goes silent for a few seconds.
DOC
Come on…
JOEY
Guess it’s because we know Frankie all too well.
FRANNIE
Just playing… okay here goes.
DISSOLVE TO:
1929 – FLASHBACK
The footage is vintage news reel from the time period (or Ed Burns style footage from photos) all sepia toned.
Frannie proceeds to explain the story behind Jubilee —
FRANNIE
It just popped into my head about the big celebration that took place in 1929, in honor of your MI downstairs.
DOC
Oh, Tommie?
FRANNIE
Yeah. The man considered the father of Public Relations, Eddie Bernays came up with the idea… to hold what he called Light’s Golden Jubilee that was held in 1929 in honor of Tommie’s work inventing the light bulb.
[In May of 1929, General Electric and Westinghouse approached Bernays with the task of handling the 50th anniversary of the first incandescent light, a celebration which would honor both Thomas Edison and his invaluable invention.]
Videos – 3 parts:
JOEY
Interesting…
FRANNIE
Actually, if I recall correctly, it was General Electric and Westinghouse who approached Eddie about honoring Tommie and the 50th anniversary of the incandescent light. That celebration stretched out from May through October.
DOC
They must of had all kinds of activities then…
FRANNIE
Yeah. And I imagine the planning was pretty phenomenal too. No doubt a task that big need a very senior level person to coordinate.
JOEY
A-ha! So that’s how it ties back in.
DOC
So did they just build up momentum for one big event in October? Is that how it worked?
FRANNIE
Yup. President Hoover ended up dedicating the Edison Institute of Technology in Dearborn with many luminaries in attendance: Henry Ford, Orville Wright, John D. Rockefeller and Madame Currie.
[many luminaries in attendance: Henry Ford, Orville Wright, John D. Rockefeller and Madame Currie.]
JOEY
That’s quite a who’s who list!
FRANNIE
And Eddie built momentum for six months prior… stories in the papers, towns planning smaller events… like in Atlantic City… where there was a Diamond Jubilee.
DOC
That makes sense. What’s a casino without a bagillion flashing lights?
JOEY
So how to you know so much about this Eddie guy?
FRANNIE
Easy… He came to my attention when he did the big Torches of Freedom march on Fifth Avenue in New York.
DOC
Torches?
FRANNIE
Smoking cigarettes in public became a sign of independence for women back then… Before Eddie, public opinion and legislation did not permit women to smoke in public… heck, one woman actually got arrested for lighting up in the street.
DOC
I hadn’t heard about the smoking thing.
JOEY
Me neither. But then again, that was a period of time where I was overseas.
DOC
And I was in my own little world in Monterey.
JOEY
Great story… And excellent idea.
DOC
Yeah… I guess this cafe’s inspiring qualities are exclusive to just the paying customers.
JOEY
You’re right about that. Great work Frannie!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEDEMI CAFE
Click to Learn about Beer Milkshakes
DOC
Let’s go roust the gang from downstairs. There be some celebrating that needs tending to.
JOEY
No doubt, beer milkshakes to be had!
***************
Will the Jubilee idea get some traction? And how about that budding relationship between Viv and Sam? Will he embrace the movies The Gang selected for Viv’s evenings off? Check out the next (and future) episodes.
And if you just jumped in at this installment and want to read more, you can find previous episodes by clicking here.
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