California Dreams - The Unforgiven

(abbreviations used - Tiff = Tiffani, Lor = Lorena, DM1-4 = Dream Mark 1-4 
DS
(From dream sequences) - SB = Billy, Shelia's Boyfriend

SCENE 1 - THE LOFT
(Jake, Tiffani, Sam, Tony and Sly enter)
Jake -	Check it out.
Tiff - 	Oh wow.
Tony -	This is cool.
Sly - 	Ba boom	, first decent rehearsal space in a month, right.
Jake - 	Decent? Man I miss Garrison, but this place makes his look like, a 
garage.
Sam -	I know, I miss Matt too, but if he hadn't moved I wouldn't be living 
here with
	Lorena and her parents.  She's like the filthy rich sister I never had!
Tony - 	(opens a cupboard) Ohhh, food.  Who are we talking about?
Sly - 	Yep, looks like things are going to be pretty good from here on out.
Sam - 	Sure, once we've got our equipment back from the guy you rented out 
last
	rehearsal space from.
Sly - 	Yeah, I can't believe he kept our stuff just because I miscalculated 
the rent a
	little.
Tony -	A little?  Man if Columbus had miscalculated that much we'd be the 
Tokyo
	Dreams.
Sly - 	Well if you guys would let me book you another gig we can make the 
five
	hundred bucks we owe the guy.
Sam -	Oh a gig, that's a great idea, except for one thing.  How can we play 
a gig
	without Equipment?
Tony -	Yeah
Tiff -	Yeah (both speak together)
	Besides the last gig we did without Matt was a disaster, so no more until 
we
	replace him.
Sly -	So let's have more auditions.
Jake -	Forget that we haven't found anyone in a month, but even if we did we
	wouldn't know it.  Y'know why?  Because they can't audition without
	equipment.
Sly -	The only reason I was...
Gang  - (Cut him off) Equipment, equipment, equipment.
Sly - 	Okay, okay, okay.  We need five hundred bucks; we just have to find a 
smart
	responsible way to get it.
Tony - 	You got any ideas?
Sly - 	Yeah, Lorena's rich, let's mooch it off of her.  And ermm, since 
she's got the
	hots for me, I'll ask her.
(Lorena enters)
Lor - 	Uno momento, when I said your band could rehearse here I didn't know 
it
	included 'ferret-face' Winkle.
Sly - 	You ask her Sam.
Sam - 	Oh Lorena, we appreciate you letting us use your loft.  Oh forget it, 
I can't ask
	her.
Lor - 	Oh please Sam, even though you've only lived here a month I feel 
closer to
	you than my fathers stockbroker.  Just ask.
Sam - 	Lend us five hundred bucks?
Lor - 	No way, but help yourself to chips.
Jake - 	Thanks anyway Lorena, we'll sort something out.
Lor - 	Hey I know.  My friend Shelia's having a big party at Sharkeys next 
Friday.
	Uh, forget it, her father only have her $500 for a band.  You're not that
	desperate.
Sly -	Oh yes we are.  Okay we need practice, few new outfits, new songs and 
err,
	what else?
Tiff - 	How about a lead singer?
Tony - 	How about some equipment?
Jake - 	How about a new manager?

SCENE 2 - SHARKEYS
(Tiffani, Jake, Sam and Tony sat at table, Sly enters)
Sly - 	Ba-boom, we're all set, my cousin Mark's moving to town, he'll 
replace Matt
	in the band.
(All except Sly start laughing)
Tony - 	Thanks Sly, that's real funny, we needed a good joke.
Sly - 	Who's joking?
Jake - 	You seriously think we'd let a Winkle play in the band?
Sly - 	Yeah
(All except Sly laugh again)
	Go ahead and laugh it up, but I'm telling you Mark's incredible, he's not 
like a
	real Winkle, he's got talent.
Sam - 	Yeah, well whose was it before he stole it?
(All laugh again)
Sly - 	We're talking a child prodigy.  He plays piano, guitar, drums, he 
sings, he
	writes, he slices, he dices.  But last time I saw him was five years ago 
when he
	played a piano recital at Carnegie Hall.
Jake - 	Carnegie Hall?
Tiff - 	Wow.
Tony - 	I don't believe it.
Sly - 	I'm telling you he played there.
Tony - 	No, I don't believe that the world's most famous concert hall would 
let an
	uncultured onion-head like you inside.
Jake - 	I don't know Sly, if your cousins that good it would be really cool, 
but we've
	got to hear him play first.  Understood?
Tony - 	Yeah, we gotta hear him play man.
Sly - 	No problem, I'll set something up.
Tiff - 	Great, now that that's settled, let's hit the beach.
(Tiffani, Sam, Tony and Jake leave.  Lorena enters)
Sly - 	I'll catch up to ya.  (Turns to Lorena) Lorena, I've got great news.
Lor -	You got a job as a speed bump?
Sly - 	Ha, ha, ha, ha... no.  Actually we replaced Matt in the band so we 
can play
	your friends party.  Oh, err, do you think she could pay us in advance.
Lor - 	No problem, she's got a bank machine in her bedroom.

SCENE 3 - SCHOOL HALL
(Jake, Tiffani and Sam at lockers, Tony enters)
Tony - 	Guys, guys, I had this terrible nightmare, TERRIBLE nightmare that 
we let
	Sly's cousin into the band.
Jake - 	You had that nightmare too?
Tiff -	Oh, me too.
Sam - 	Whoa yee.  Me too.
(Tony dreams - green haired, red eyed 'Mark' playing guitar.
DM 1 - 	Give me twenty bucks earthling, or I'll date your sister.
Fades)

(Sam dreams - Long haired 'Mark' playing keyboard
DM 2 - 	Ba ba boom, ba boom.  Ba, ba boom, ba boom.
Fades)

(Tiffani dreams - Elvis impersonator 'Mark' playing guitar.
DM 3 -	Ba boom baby got another chord until you love me tender.
Fades)

(Jake dreams - Sly and Sly look-alike 'Mark'
DS - 	Hey guys I want you to meet my cousin Mark.
DM 4 - 	I'm a musical prodigy and I can do everything you can do only 
better.
DS - 	Yeah, so you're all fired.
Fades)
(All quiver with fear)
Tony - 	What do we do Jake?  I'm scared.
Jake - 	We tell Sly to forget it.
(All go to leave.  As they go Fur Elisa by Beethoven can be heard being 
played in
nearby classroom.  All turn and enter classroom.)

Scene 4 - Classroom
(Tiffani, Tony, Sam and Jake stand in doorway watching a guy - it's Mark - 
play the piano)
Tiff - 	He's amazing, I bet he'd be great in the band.
Jake - 	I wonder if he can rock and roll.
(Mark kicks stool away and starts to play a rock riff)
All - 	Thank you!
(Mark finishes playing.  The gang clap and cheer)
Mark - 	Argh.
(Dives under piano, coming up on the other side)
Sam - 	We didn't mean to scare you.
Mark - 	No problem, it's a lot of fun when my heart stops.  How long were 
you
	listening?
Sam - 	Long enough to know that Beethoven can really rock.
Mark - 	Oh that, I was just making that stuff up.
Jake - 	You mean you made up that riff?
Mark - 	Well yeah, it's just something I do.
Tony - 	Well I don't know who you are or from whence you came, but what I do 
know
	is that the lord of lords, king of kings, creator and doer of all things, 
sent you
	here for us.  Can I get an amen?
Gang - 	Amen
Sly - 	Ba boom.
Mark - 	Oh great, Sly.
Tiff - 	You guys know each other?
Sly - 	Of course this is Mark, my cousin.
Jake - 	You were right Sly, he's perfect.
Mark - 	Perfect for what?
Sly - 	Marcus my man, these are my friends they're the California Dreams.  
They're
	the band I manage and we want you join.  Pretty cool huh?
Mark - 	Yeah, pretty cool, except for one thing.  I want nothing to do with 
you Sly, I
	hate your guts.

SCENE 5 - SCHOOL HALL
(Sly falls out of classroom followed by Jake with the others holding him 
back)
Sly - 	I swear Jake, lots of people hate me, I don't know why.
Jake - 	I just want to know why we missed out on the most talented musician 
I've
	ever seen.
Sly - 	Or what, you can't even move.
Tony - 	You'd better answer him Sly, or we're gonna let go one by one.  It's 
like
	there's a rope with an anvil over your head and it's tearing one strand at 
a
	time.
Sly - 	I can't believe Mark even remembers...
(Tiffani lets go)
	WOAH, okay, the New York Gazette called it the Carnegie Hall incident,
	yeah...
(Sam lets go)
	WOAH, okay five years ago Mark was playing a piano recital at Carnegie
	Hall, if it had gone well he could have been famous.
Tony - 	Less detail, more story man, my grip is beginning to go.
Sly - 	He was playing the William Tell overture, you know (hums), anyway in 
the
	middle of it I kind of yelled HI HO SILVER AND AWAY.
(Jake stops struggling, Tony lets go)
Tony - 	What?  You heckled the man at Carnegie Hall.  You can't be doing 
that man.
	That's wrong, now I get to...
(Jake holds him back)
Sly - 	See that's not what got him, he was fine until I started galloping 
round stage
	shooting bank robbers.
(Tony pulls away from Jake)
Tony - 	Man, I ought to ke mo sabi your butt.
Sly - 	I couldn't help it, I was a kid.  Besides everyone loved it, except 
Mark, he was
	humiliated and ran off stage in tears.
Sam - 	No wonder he hates you.
Sly - 	I know.  I got a standing ovation.
Jake - 	You know you're some piece of work Winkle; I mean I can't believe 
you'd
	dog your own cousin like that.
Sam - 	Yeah, he'll never join the band as long as you're the manager.
Sly - 	Hey, hey, hey guys lighten up.
Tony - 	Lighten up?  Man don't you care about peoples feeling?
Tiff - 	Well at least we didn't agree to play Lorena's friends party.
(Lorena enters)
Lor - 	You did agree, why?
Sam - 	Sly, you had no right to accept that gig without our permission.
Tony - 	Well at least we didn't get the money up front.
Lor - 	You did get it, why?
(Sly tries to leave, Jake grabs him)
Sly - 	Doh.
Jake - 	Well at least we didn't spend it.
Sly - 	We did.
Gang - 	WHY?
Sly - 	Would you believe equipment?
Lor - 	I don't know what's going on, but if you mess up Shelia's party
(She speaks Mexican)
Sly - 	What?
Lor - 	Just don't mess up the party, trust me.
(Lorena leaves)
Jake - 	Well since our 'manager' messed up again, there's only one thing to 
do.
	We've got to figure out some way to get Mark in the band.
Sly - 	Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... phew... oh, only after you 
thought of
	it, yeah.

SCENE 6 - SHARKEYS
(Jake and Tony are at the bar, Mark enters)
Tony - 	There he is, there he is.  Hey Mark, Mark come here.
Jake - 	Let's do it now.  What are you talking about, you're wrong this song 
it great.
Tony - 	Well I think it stinks.  In fact it stinks so bad that if you don't 
put it away the
	health department's gonna come in here and shut this place down.
(Mark sits down next to Jake)
Mark - 	What's wrong?
Tony - 	What?  You can't smell that?  Look, take a whiff.
(He holds the sheet music out to Mark who smells it)
Jake - 	Look, we're having some problems working on this song and we thought 
since
	you're so good you could help us out.
Mark - 	Sure, I'll give it a look.  This works, it's pretty cool how you 
bridge to the solo
	but...
(Tony cuts him off)
Tony - 	But, see, the man said but, he must know he's talking to a buttie.
(Mark continues)
Mark - 	If you're worried it's too traditional, take the second verse up a 
half step.
Jake - 	That's incredible Mark, you're amazing, you're a genius.
(Tony jumps over bar)
Tony - 	No man, he's more than a genius, he's a musical prodigy bravissimo 
brainiac.
Jake - 	And good looking too.
Mark - 	Give me a break guys, you're just trying to flatter me so I'll be in 
the band.
Jake - 	So, did it work?
Mark - 	Sorry guys.  You know, because you're Sly's friends I thought you'd 
be a
	bunch of hacks, but that song's really good and I wish I could be in the 
band.
Jake - 	So what's the problem?
Mark - 	It's the biggest reason I hate Sly, ever since Carnegie Hall I 
haven't been able
	to play in front of anyone, I'm terrified.  I've got stage fright.

SCENE 7 - LOFT
(All of the band and Sly are present)
Mark - 	You guys are so cool for trying to help, if this works I'll 
defiantly be in the
	band.
Tiff - 	Okay, the plan is simple, I got the idea from an old surfer poem:-
	If you have an early wipe-out,
	Don't give in to fear or self doubt,
	Hop back on your board and yell kowabunga,
	And you'd better do it now,
	Cos you ain't getting younger.
Sam - 	Uh right, so we set up the loft like a concert hall so we can relive 
the recital
	where you got stage fright.
Tiff - 	I just said that.
Sam - 	I know, but I said it in English.
Tony - 	Only this time Mark gets to finish his song and Sly has to keep his 
big mouth
	shut.  You think you can do that you mass moron?
Sly - 	Hey, I was eleven years old, I'm a lot more mature now you dillweed.
Jake - 	(in posh voice) And now ladies and gentlemen for your listening 
pleasure
	Carnegie Hall is proud to present Mark Winkle.  An eleven year old prodigy
	from Chicago.  His first selection will be the William Tell overture.
(All the gang seated clap, Mark starts to play, tentatively at first then 
with more
confidence.  As he plays Sly begins to look uncomfortable.  Jake and Tony 
try
to restrain him.)
Sly - 	Hi, hi, hi, HI HO SILVER AND AWAY.
(Sly jumps up and Mark leaves)
Tiff - 	Sly, whats the matter with you.  Don't you have a conscience?
Sly - 	Yeah, but I was blessed with a really small one.
(Sam hits him)
	OW, what was that for?
Sam - 	Just wanted to see if you felt anything.
Sly - 	Hey, I'm not a complete animal, I'm actually feeling a little, um, 
you know,
	guilty.
Tiff - 	Well you should, guilt is the way your conscience tells you you've 
done
	something bad.
Jake - 	And I would consider screwing Marks life up pretty bad, wouldn't 
you?
Sly - 	Um, yes.
Tony - 	Look, let me put this into terms that you'd understand.  Imagine you 
have the
	chance to book the dreams at the Rose Ball and your commission is $50,000.
Sly - 	Sounds good.
Sam - 	And if everything goes well the dreams will go on a world tour.
Sly - 	Do we get a band jet?
Tiff - 	And beautiful screaming groupies just waiting for the plane to land, 
heh, heh,
	heh.
Sly - 	We've got to land this plane now.
Sam - 	Just one problem.
Sly - 	Problem, there can't be a problem.
Jake - 	Just as you're about to close the deal Mark runs in in a clown 
costume and
	yells 'Boogie boogie boogie'.  Scares the promoter to death and he jumps 
out
	the window.
Tony - 	The deal is blown and you're a penniless ba-booming bum for the rest 
of your
	life.
Sly - 	That rat, he can't do that.
Jake - 	He didn't, but you did it to him.  Carnegie Hall was Marks Rose 
Ball.
Tiff - 	Don't you get it Sly, you ruined you're cousins dreams.
Sly - 	Man, I hate it when you guys are right, but I gotta admit that you 
are.  I've got
	to do something, gotta apologise.
(Lorena enters)
Lor - 	I just told Shelia you guys can't play at her party.  She's handling 
it really
	well.
Sly - 	Oh good.
Lor - 	But her boyfriend isn't, he's gonna beat the guacamole out of you.

SCENE 8 - SCHOOL HALL
(Mark is by his locker.  Sly enters)
Sly - 	Mark
(Mark turns and walks away)
	Please don't go.
(Mark stops walking and turns)
	Look I know after what I did I have no right to talk to you, but it's 
important
	you hear what I have to say.
Mark - 	What?
Sly - 	That I'm sorry.
Mark - 	That's it, you're sorry?
Sly - 	Yeah, so you forgive me?
Mark - 	You humiliated me in front of 1000 people, ruined my future in 
classical
	music, caused me to be terrified to play chopsticks in front of anyone and 
you
	expect forgiveness because you said you were sorry.
Sly - 	Not enough huh?
(Gets down on his knees in front of Mark)
	Mark I feel terrible, I'm sorry, what more can I say?
(Shelia's boyfriend Billy enters)
SB - 	Which one of you creeps messed up my girlfriends' party?
Sly - 	Don't go away Mark.
(Turns to face Billy)
	So uh, you must be Shelia's boyfriend, I'm sorry about her party but could 
you
	find it in your heart to forgive me and my face.
SB - 	Maybe if you beg to me like you begged to him.
Sly - 	Hey, I already begged once today, I'm not going to...
(Billy raises his fist to hit Sly.  Sly gets on the floor and begs to him)
	Okay, please don't hit me I'm sorry.
SB - 	Sorry, I thought it might work; I just don't care enough about you.
Sly - 	(To Billy) Hang on.
(He gets up and goes to Mark)
	Mark, it doesn't really matter if you forgive me or not because I won't be 
able
	to forgive myself and I know it's my fault the world won't hear your music
	and I'm really sorry for that.
(Turns back to Billy)
Mark - 	(To Billy) Wait a sec.
	(To Sly) Did you really mean that?
(Sly nods)
	That's pretty cool cuz, I guess I've been angry long enough, I forgive you.
(They hug)
SB - 	Can we get on with this here?
Sly - 	(To Billy) One more second.
	(To Mark) Listen I know you're afraid to play in public but if you ever 
want to
	give it another try my and the gang will be there to support you.  And this
	time, I'll leave my lone ranger mask at home.
Mark -	Okay, I'll try to play at the party.
Sly - 	All right.
SB - 	Does that mean I can't kick your butt?
Sly - 	Relax Billy, if Mark can't play at the party I'm yours.
	(To Mark) No pressure though.
(Mark looks scared)

SCENE 9 - SHARKEYS
(Party is going on; the gang are by the stage with a scared looking Mark.)
Mark - 	Maybe this isn't such a hot idea.
Tiff - 	Relax Mark, everything's fine.  You know the music right?
Mark - 	Not a problem.
Tony - 	And you didn't eat before you got here so you don't get sick right?
Mark - 	Not a problem.
Sam - 	So you're okay with all these people here.
Mark - 	That's a problem.
Sly - 	Mark, it's okay to be scared, you're really good.  I know you can do 
this,
	you'll be fine.
(They take their places on the stage)
Jake - 	All right, are we ready to rock?
	(To Mark) You ready?
(Mark nods)
	1, 2, 3, 4
Mark - 	(SONG - TAKE IT HIGHER.)
	It's been written and it's been said
	Something's always messing with your head
	No one knows you
	Hey like you know yourself
	Don't need to listen to everybody else

	If you're on a different wavelength
	You gotta go with your greatest strength
	When the best intentions come from less than love
	You got something that you can rise above

	CHORUS:
	Take it higher
	        (higher)
	Make it positive
	Take it higher
	        (higher)
	What you got to give
	Take it higher
	        (higher)
	Live and let live
	Rise above
	Go in love
	How high can you fly?
	        (Take it higher)

	If you want your due respect
	Try the one thing that
	No one will expect

	(Guitar solo)

	CHORUS

	Take it higher.
(As he sings Mark gains confidence and ends up going round Sharkeys singing 
to
various people.)

END CREDITS