Abraham's Son, Chapter 12

INT. ABRAHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY 

On Friday morning ABRAHAM sits on his bed, in his pajamas, feet on floor. He is somber after catastrophe previous night when he confronted SARA with his request to have his baby. He should be on his way to work, but it's as if he's frozen. Finally, he places call to cellphone of his assistant, JANET. Her phone rings. She answers.

JANET (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Janet, it's ABRAHAM. How are you? 

JANET (O.S.): ABRAHAM, morning. This is a surprise. What's the matter? 

ABRAHAM: Nothing. Listen, I'm taking some vacation time, today and all next week. I'll be back in the office a week from this coming Monday. Please tell everybody. Okay? 

JANET (O.S.): Sure. But is everything really okay? This is quite unusual for you. I'm concerned. 

ABRAHAM: No reason to be. I'm perfectly okay. I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing wrong. I just need a break. I expect to travel some. I'll see everybody in ten days. Bye. 

JANET (O.S.): Bye, ABRAHAM. Have a good trip. 

ABRAHAM hangs up phone. After waiting some moments, he looks in his wallet and finds card his friend ROBERT gave him. He calls him on his cellphone. Phone rings. ROBERT answers. 

ROBERT (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Robert, it's ABRAHAM, your old friend from Queens. How are you? 

ROBERT (O.S.): ABRAHAM, it's great to hear from you again, especially so soon. What's going on? 

ABRAHAM: I decided to take you up on your offer to visit D.C. How about I come down on Amtrak tonight? We can have dinner. I can stay for a few days. What do you say? 

ROBERT (O.S.): Oh, wow! This is great news. Sure. Let me know when and I'll meet you at Union Station. I have a guest room you can use for as long as you want. 

ABRAHAM: Fine. I'll call you a little later with my arrival time. Bye-bye. 

ROBERT (O.S.): Bye, ABRAHAM. 

They both hang up their phones. ABRAHAM again waits some moments before making another call, this time to his cousin SYLVIA. Phone rings. SYLVIA answers her cellphone. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Hello. 

ABRAHAM: Sylvia, it's ABRAHAM. How are you? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): ABRAHAM, I'm so glad to hear from you. I'm so happy about you and SANDY. She's the right woman for you.

ABRAHAM: Yes, SANDY's great, but right now I need to talk to you and you have to promise me you won't mention any of it to SANDY. Please, can you do that? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): What's going on? That's a strange request. 

ABRAHAM: Not strange. Necessary. I'm not ready to talk to SANDY about it, but I am with you. Promise? 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay. Promise. What? 

ABRAHAM:  I've been thinking a lot lately about having a child of my own. I feel it's something I need in my life, for many reasons. Obviously, there are obstacles. 

SYLVIA (O.S.) (incredulous): ABRAHAM, you're sixty years-old. Not thirty. I'm sorry your child didn't survive, but that time of your life is over. 

ABRAHAM Why? I read all the time about older men, men my age, having children. I'm up to it. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay, you're up to it. How are you gonna get one. Marry a young woman? Adopt? Look for a surrogate mother? What?

ABRAHAM: That's still up in the air. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): You know, this is not gonna sit well with SANDY. She doesn't want you and a baby. This is not the lifestyle she's planning. 

ABRAHAM: I realize that. I'll have to take that risk. But, right now, my priority is a baby, not SANDY. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Want to know what I think? 

ABRAHAM: That's why I called. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): I think you're crazy. It's foolish. You're mashugana. I can't think of any other way of putting it. Please reconsider, ABRAHAM. 

ABRAHAM: I'll take what you said under consideration. I appreciate your advice. But, again, not a word to SANDY. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Believe me, she's the last person I would tell this to.

ABRAHAM: You must tell no one. 

SYLVIA (O.S.): Okay, okay. 

ABRAHAM: I'm going to Washington tonight to visit an old friend from high school. I'll be back in a few days. Bye and thanks.

SYLVIA (O.S.): Bye. 

__________

I will be on vacation next Sunday, Christmas Day.  Next post will be January 1, 2023

Jim Brown

 Jim Brown was born February 17, 1936 in St. Simons Island, GA.  At eight years of age, his family moved to Manhasset, NY where his mother worked as a domestic.

Jim Brown attended Manhasset High School where he excelled at football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and track.  In 1953, he matriculated at Syracuse University, a mere 40 miles (65 KM) from my hometown, Oswego, NY.  As such Jim Brown and the Syracuse Orange became my favorite college football team.  I was able to listen to their games on the radio.

After his freshman year, Jim Brown became the star running back on the 1954, 1955 and 1956 Syracuse teams.  As a sophomore he was the second-leading rusher on the team. As a junior, Jim Brown rushed for 676 yards (5.2 per carry). In his senior year, he was a consensus first-team All-American. 

Jim Brown finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and set school records for highest season rush average (6.2) and most rushing touchdowns in a single game (6). He ran for 986 yards, third-most in the country despite Syracuse playing only eight games and scored 14 touchdowns. 

Then on New Years Day in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Jim Brown rushed for 132 yards, scored three touchdowns, and kicked three extra points in a 28-27 loss to TCU.  He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Perhaps most impressive was his success as a multisport athlete at Syracuse.   In addition to his football accomplishments, Jim Brown excelled in basketball, track, and especially lacrosse.  He is in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

In the NFL draft, Jim Brown was chosen by the Cleveland Browns (named for their coach Paul Brown).  In those years, Cleveland was the arch rival of my favorite team, the New York Football Giants.  Thus, he went from being on my favorite college team to being on my least favorite NFL team.

During his nine year NFL career (1957-1965), the Giants & Browns had many battles and Jim Brown broke my heart many times.  However, I can't deny his greatness.  I was happy for him when his Browns beat the Baltimore Colts in 1964 to become NFL champions.  

I was privileged to have seen Jim Brown in person three times:  against the Giants in Yankee Stadium in 1962 (Browns lost 17-13), the Philadelphia Eagles at Franklin Field in 1964 (Browns won 28-20) and again in 1965 (Browns won 35-17).  The night before the '64 game I saw him walking on the street in Center City Philadelphia while my brother Paul and I were on our way to a movie theater where some of his teammates sat in front of us.  

In 1966, Jim Brown was in the UK filming the movie The Dirty Dozen along with Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, John Cassavetes, George Kennedy, Ralph Meeker, Robert Ryan, Telly Savales and Donald Sutherland.  As a result of some production delays, he was late in returning to the Browns for their pre-season practices.  In an attempt to force him to return ASAP, the team fined him for his lateness.  In response, Jim Brown retired from football.

His name appears many times in the NFL record book, despite only playing nine years at a time when the schedule was at the most 14 games per season (today 17).  Jim Brown is the only running back in NFL history to average over 100 yards per game for a career.  He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  I and many others consider Jim Brown the greatest running back of all time.    

Niagara

There are two cities with the same name, Niagara Falls, one in the State of New York and the other in the Province of Ontario.  Between them is the world famous Niagara Falls.

"Formed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 meters (160 feet). During peak daytime tourist hours, more than 168,000 cubic meters (5.9 million cubic feet) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute.  Niagara Falls is famed for its beauty and is a valuable source of hydroelectric power."  It used to be considered an ideal location for a honeymoon. 

In 1929, after her graduation from college in Oswego, NY, my mother, the former Margaret Karch, took a job as a teacher in Niagara Falls, NY.  Early in 1930, she returned to Oswego and married my father, Harry Lasky.  My mother once confided in me that she had to borrow money from my father during her year in Niagara Falls.  During my youth, my family and I vacationed at least once at Niagara Falls, Ontario, a trip of 162 miles (260 km) from Oswego.

In 1953, Henry Hathaway directed the motion picture Niagara which starred Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton and Jean Peters.  It was a thriller movie that was filmed on location in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Ray and Polly Cutler (Peters) arrive at a hotel (Rainbow Cabins) in Niagara Falls, Ontario on their delayed honeymoon only to find their reserved cabin (with a beautiful view of the Falls) still occupied by George (Cotton) and Rose (Monroe) Loomis.

George, asleep, has "not quite been himself."  The Cutlers politely accept a less desirable cabin so as not to disturb George.

George and Rose have a very volatile marriage. She is young and very attractive. He is much older, jealous, depressed and irritable. 

While touring the Scenic Tunnels under the Falls, Polly sees Rose passionately kissing another man.

The next day, Rose lures George into following her to where her lover is waiting to kill him. To let Rose know that George is dead, her lover will request the Rainbow Tower Carillon play the song "Kiss". When she hears the tune being played on the carillon bells, Rose concludes George is dead.

In fact, it is George who has killed the other man, thrown his body into the Falls, and collected his shoes at the exit instead of his own. This leads the police to believe that George is the victim. 

When the body is retrieved, the police bring Rose to the morgue to identify George's body. When the cover is lifted from the face and she recognizes the dead man, Rose collapses before saying anything and is admitted to a hospital. 

George has the carillon play "Kiss" again to panic Rose, who flees the hospital, intending to cross the border back to New York State. Finding George waiting for her at the border, Rose tries to escape,  hiding in the carillon bell tower. George catches up to her and strangles her beneath the bells, which remain silent. 

This is not the end of the film, but it is for me.  Poor Rose, Poor Marilyn.

      

Abraham's Son, Chapter 11

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY 

It's Sunday again. ABRAHAM and SARA drink coffee and talk after watching a movie together. 

SARA: So, this guy DAVE I told you about... turns out he's an OK guy. We had a great time Friday night. We watched An Affair to Remember, 1957. He really liked it. Maybe next time we'll watch a John Wayne flick. (pause) And then we fucked. 

ABRAHAM: Excuse me? 

SARA: You heard me. I enjoyed myself...and he had protection. So what? 

ABRAHAM: I'm glad it worked out. (pause) Well...I had a good time Friday, too. SANDY and I went to a concert at Lincoln Center. And then... 

SARA: And then? 

ABRAHAM: I'm not used to being so blunt... Okay, I spent the night at her place. 

SARA: Congratulation, ABRAHAM. 

SARA leans over and kisses ABRAHAM on his cheek. 

ABRAHAM: Say, you know, I'm not much of a cook, but I do my best. My cousin gave me a lasagna recipe and I wanna try it out. Do me a favor. Come to my house one day this week and share lasagna with me and tell me what you think. 

 SARA: Thursday works? 

INT. ABRAHAM'S OFFICE AT WHITE ROCK BEVERAGES - DAY 

ABRAHAM sits in his office, alone, in contemplation. 

INT. ABRAHAM'S HOME - NIGHT 

It's Thursday night and SARA arrives at ABRAHAM's home. She brings a bottle of wine and gives it to him. 

SARA: I hope the wine's okay, ABRAHAM. The guy at the store said it would be good with pasta. I'm more of a beer person.

ABRAHAM: It'll be fine. Welcome to my house. Please sit down. SARA: (looking around) Oh, you have a very nice place.

 ABRAHAM: Thanks. 

SARA: So, what do you think of my new dress. My friend MARIA helped me pick it out...at Macy's...Queens Center. 

SARA twirls around so ABRAHAM can see front and back. She seems so happy. 

ABRAHAM: Oh, it's very pretty. 

SARA: And what about my hair? You like it? 

ABRAHAM: Yes, I do. SARA, you must know you're an attractive woman. 

SARA: I'm starting to think so. 

ABRAHAM: Why don't I open the wine so we can relax before dinner? 

SARA: Good idea. 

ABRAHAM goes into the kitchen to open the wine bottle and pour two glasses. SARA looks around and notices wedding photo of ABRAHAM and HELEN from almost 40 years ago. ABRAHAM returns with the glasses of wine. 

ABRAHAM: Here we go. 

SARA: (referring to the photo) This is so beautiful. 

ABRAHAM: Yes...it is. That was a happy day for me...for Helen...for our families. A long time ago. You know, sometimes it's hard for me to remember her voice...let's drink some wine. 

SARA: Yeah. 

ABRAHAM gives SARA one of the glasses of wine and they sit down. They each take a drink. SARA waits for ABRAHAM to comment on the wine. 

ABRAHAM: Good. What do you think? 

SARA: I like it. 

They continue drinking the wine. 

ABRAHAM: You know, my life has changed recently...for the better. First, I met you...a vibrant, young woman. I hope we can become good friends, SARA. 

SARA: Me, too. 

ABRAHAM: And then, I think because of you, I permitted myself to be open to SANDY, a nice, older woman, who perhaps can be my companion in the future. 

SARA: That'd be good, ABRAHAM. 

ABRAHAM: And not only a companion, but a lover as well. I wouldn't have believed it, but I found myself wanting another woman, without guilt. 

SARA: I'm so happy for you, ABRAHAM. (pause) I'm having fun, too. DAVE's okay, but tomorrow MARIA and I are going to a bar in the city to look for some more cute guys. I want to feel the same things you do. 

ABRAHAM: Take care, SARA. I worry about you. 

SARA: Don't. 

ABRAHAM: (long pause) You know, because of you and SANDY, I've been thinking a lot about the rest of my life, what's most important to me. That day long ago, that terrible day, I lost not only my sweet, dear wife, but a child, my child. (pause) I believe the closest thing to immortality is having children. 

SARA: You're obviously not Catholic. 

ABRAHAM: Yeah. But, my desire to have a child is growing, not just because of that, but I want to pass on what I've learned to a child of mine own. 

SARA: Wonderful. 

ABRAHAM: (pause) I also want my family to continue. My folks had two sons. My younger brother died in Vietnam, like yours in Afghanistan. Neither of us had children. Our genes will end. You know, there's no one alive today from Abraham Lincoln. 

SARA: So what are you saying? You want a child, but no adoption?

ABRAHAM: Yeah. Forgive me, that may sound cold. It's just what I want to fill the rest of my life. 

SARA: And how ya gonna do this, to have your child? You gonna marry some young woman? I don't think SANDY qualifies.

ABRAHAM: You're right about SANDY. But, I don't need to marry anybody. This is the 21st Century. I just need to find a young woman who'll agree to help me, to have my child.

SARA: And where ya gonna find her? 

ABRAHAM stares at SARA who finally gets it and is shocked.

SARA: Are you talkin' about me? 

ABRAHAM nods. 

SARA: Are you crazy? And how do ya propose we conceive this baby of yours? What do they call it, in vitro something? 

ABRAHAM: No, I wouldn't ask that. I would make love to you.

SARA: (getting steadily angrier) I thought we were just friends. Now you want to fuck me? 

ABRAHAM: Please don't say that. I would make love to you till you got pregnant. We are friends, not lovers. 

SARA: We're friends, but you want to fuck me once or twice. Unbelievable! 

ABRAHAM: I know it sounds strange, but you're my only hope. I'm not about to go and look for some young woman to have my baby, somebody I don't know. But, I've gotten to know you, SARA, and you're a good woman, somebody I'd be proud to have as the mother of my child. 

SARA: You forgot something. Have I ever told you how much I don't want children, how I grew up in a bad home? That's not what I want. 

ABRAHAM: You've told me. But you don't have to worry about the child. I would take 100% responsibility. After the birth, you could help me or you could walk away. Your choice. 

SARA: Boy, you've got this all figured out. You fuck me...I get pregnant...I go through 9 months of torture...then you got your child and I can just resume my life as if nothing happened. 

ABRAHAM: I'll take care of everything. I'll be there for you. Whatever you decide, for the rest of my life, I'll help you in any way possible. That would be my act of kindness for your act of kindness.

SARA stands up. 

SARA: Act of kindness? Huh! This is bullshit. I don't want to have a kid. I don't want to get pregnant. I don't want you to fuck me. Get over this kid thing. I'm leaving. 

She heads for the door, but just before exiting she turns around and looks at ABRAHAM in a rage. He stays seated. 

SARA: You can stick your lasagna up your ass. And don't look for me at the cinema. I don't wanna to sit next to a crazy man. And stay the hell away from the Blue Bay Diner! 

SARA leaves house slamming door behind her. ABRAHAM remains where he is with his head in his hands. 

Thanksgiving 1956

My first home (a rental) was a house at 30 East Oneida Street in Oswego, New York.  It was actually one building with a second house around the corner at 104 East Third Street, occupied by the Potter family.  

My home (painted white, but now blue) was two-stories with an unfinished basement and a spooky attic, full of cobwebs and a spinning wheel.  

The first floor contained a living room (with a TV), dining room, kitchen with an adjacent pantry (a good playroom) and an alcove by the stairs where the piano was kept.  The second floor contained three bedrooms (the master bedroom for my parents and two for my three brothers and me) and one bathroom (for six people) with no shower.

In November 1956 (66 years ago), my family moved to 327 West Seneca Street also in Oswego, a ranch style, pink brick house that my father bought for my mother, her dream home.  It was all on one level, again except for an unfinished basement (which had a half-bathroom).

There was a master bedroom for my parents (with their own bathroom), a bedroom I shared with my brother Ted, a guest room (my elder two brothers Joel and Paul had gone their own ways), a second bathroom with a walk in shower (for Ted and me), a living room that was almost never used, a family room (with a TV), a dining room, an eat-in kitchen, my father's office and another half-bathroom (for my father).  There was also an attached two-car garage.

The story goes that my father traded his interest in land (developed for residential housing known as Ridgeway [named for General Matthew Ridgway] Sites, a little north of Minetto, NY) in exchange for the construction of our house on West Seneca Street.  

I remember leaving our old house for the last time one day at lunch time.  I cried.  I was picked up after school (sixth grade) and driven to our new house.  Everything was an improvement, so I quickly forgot the old house.  

As the move to the new house was almost on Thanksgiving 1956, my mother didn't have a chance to prepare the annual turkey dinner.  That was all right with me since her turkeys were always dry and tasteless.  But I did get to see the annual Detroit Lions (20) - Green Bay Packers (24) football game on TV.

I went away to college seven years later.  After 15 years, my parents sold the new house (now a dental office) and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where they spent the rest of their lives.

Zucht v King

Pursuant to their rules, the City of San Antonio, Texas excluded Rosalyn Zucht from their public schools and private schools within the City because she refused to be vaccinated against smallpox.

Zucht then filed a suit in a State of Texas district court stating that the City's rules deprived her of her liberty without due process by making vaccination against smallpox compulsory.  Further, she stated that the rules were enforced by the City's Board of Health which did not have sufficient guidance.

Zucht sought an injunction against the City's rules and a writ compelling her admission to the City's public schools.  

The State district court upheld the City's rules and denied the writ.

The State appellate court upheld the district court's decision.

Eventually the case arrived at the United States Supreme Court (Zucht v King) to decide whether or not the City's rules violated the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and denied Zucht equal protection.

The Supreme Court cited the case of Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), in which the Court had stated that it is within the police power of a state to provide for compulsory vaccination. The Court also found no reason to question the fairness with which the city rules were applied in this case, and found that the rules reflected the broad discretion needed by authorities to protect the public health.  The unanimous decision for King was handed down one hundred years ago, November 13, 1922.

I wonder whether the current United States Supreme Court would uphold Zucht v. King and Jacobson v. Massachusetts.   

Cast Away

 Cast Away is a year 2000 film drama which starred Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt.   It grossed $429 million worldwide (on a budget of $90 million), making it the third highest grossing film that year.

In Cast Away, Chuck (Hanks) is a trouble-shooting executive for Fedex who travels the world resolving productivity issues for the company.  He and his girlfriend Kelly (Hunt) are in love, but can't find the time to marry because of his busy work schedule (work is his priority).

On his way from Memphis (Fedex headquarters) to Malaysia to fix a work related problem, Chuck's Fedex airplane gets caught in a storm and crashes into the Pacific Ocean.  The only survivor, he washes up on an uninhabited island along with several Fedex packages from the plane.

Chuck spends four years alone on the island where there is enough food and water.  But, he must also use his ingenuity to provide heat and shelter.  Chuck is sustained by his love for Kelly, a Wilson volleyball (from a Fedex package) which becomes his "friend" with whom he develops a relationship and an unopened package with angel wings printed on its side (symbol of hope).  

Chuck calls his friend Wilson, which coincidentally was the name of a partner at a store we used to frequent at the Mercado dos Pinheiros.

Finally, Chuck builds a raft and leaves the island hoping to be rescued (and returned to human society) while floating in the vast Pacific Ocean.  Luckily, he is.

Unluckily, Chuck is informed when he arrives back in the States that Kelly, believing he was dead, has married and is the mother of a young daughter.  His dream of being re-united with the love of his life is dashed.  Kelly, while still in love with Chuck, won't abandon her husband and child.  

As a result, Chuck must move on with his life.  Or does he?  Can't he stick around and have Kelly as a friend?

The opening and closing scenes of Cast Away are connected.  In the opening, a Fedex truck picks up a package at a ranch in a remote area of Texas.  At the gate of the ranch you see angel wings with the inscription Dick & Bettina.  

The package is delivered to a home in Moscow and received by an American with a cowboy hat, presumably Dick.  A woman appears and she asks about the package.  He says, "It's from my wife."  And then they kiss.  

In the closing scene, Chuck delivers the only unopened Fedex package from his time on the remote island (representing closure to him) to the same ranch as in the beginning with the angel wings.  Only this time, the name Dick is missing.  No one is home, so he leaves the package by the front door.  

Chuck then drives to an intersection of two roads and is unsure how to proceed.  A friendly, attractive woman passes by in a small truck and steps out to offer direction information.  

Woman:  You look lost.

Chuck:  I do?

Woman:  Where ya headed?

Chuck:  Well, I was just about to figure that out.

Woman:  Well, that's 82 south.  That'll hook you up with I42.  If you turn right, that'll take you to Amarillo, Flagstaff...California.  If you head in that direction (where she is headed), you'll find a whole lot of nothin all the way to Canada.  

Chuck:  I got it.

Woman:  All right.  Good luck, cowboy.

Chuck:  Thank you.

When the woman drives away, Chuck notices on the back of her vehicle the angel wings symbol, the same as from the ranch where he had just delivered the package (which also had angel wings).  When contemplating which direction he should head, he turns towards where the woman (presumably Bettina) was driving (presumably back to her ranch) and smiles.  Will Chuck go there, too? 

   

Abraham's Son, Chapter 10

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

ABRAHAM and SANDY sit at a table in restaurant and eat, drink and talk, but we cannot hear them.  ABRAHAM wears a suit and tie. SANDY is fashionably dressed with a low cut dress, her hair up and wearing a pearl necklace. 

EXT. IN FRONT OF SANDY'S HOME - NIGHT

After dinner, ABRAHAM takes SANDY to her home. They stand in front of her front door. 

SANDY: That was lovely, ABRAHAM. Thank you. 

ABRAHAM: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Good night. 

SANDY puts her arms around ABRAHAM's neck and kisses him on his lips. 

SANDY: Come inside. Please. 

SANDY takes ABRAHAM's hand, opens the door and they both enter her home. 

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

Sunday afternoon, after watching movie together, SARA and ABRAHAM drink coffee and talk. 

SARA: So, my friend, MARIA, invites me... Did I mention her?

ABRAHAM: I don't think so.

SARA: She's been great. So different from me. An extrovert. Kinda taken me under her wing. Anyway, Friday night we went to this bar on Northern Boulevard. Drinkin' beers and sharing. Nice. And she's flirting, trying to attract some cute guys. And then two cute guys show up. 

ABRAHAM: Good. 

SARA: So, I'm talkin' to this guy DAVE. Handsome, with muscles, does construction in the city. But doesn't know movies, not like us. Anyway, he kisses me and...and then I kiss him back. Kinda fun. Then, he got fresh, but I told him not yet. 

ABRAHAM: A lot of guys are only interested in one thing, SARA.

SARA: Tell me something I don't know. But, this guy, DAVE, he's kinda nice. He called me Saturday morning. We talked for a few minutes. Made a date for Friday night...to see a movie at my place...on TCM. 

ABRAHAM: You think that's a good idea? You just met him. 

SARAL Don't worry. My brothers taught me how to kick the shit out of some guy don't take no for an answer. 

ABRAHAM: Wow! 

SARA: So, I'll order a pizza and some beers and we'll see how much he likes a classic romantic movie. 

ABRAHAM: Good luck...You know, last night I had kind of a nice time, too. 

SARA: Really. Tell me. 

ABRAHAM: Well, my cousin SYLVIA tried to fix me up with this widow she knows, SANDY. Last weekend SANDY had this open house with a lot of great food I couldn't resist. Anyhow, she starts talking about how I should have a woman in my life and I got annoyed and walked out. Well, all week I was feeling bad because I was rude to her. 

SARA: Yeah, you were. 

ABRAHAM: So, yesterday at the synagogue I apologized. Then I invited her to have dinner with me. So we had dinner last night at a French restaurant on Bell Boulevard. Anyway, after I drove her home, she invited me in. It felt strange. Being with another woman. First time in more than 30 years. But, she's very kind. I like her.

SARA: I'm happy for you, ABRAHAM. 

INT. THEATER AT LINCOLN CENTER - NIGHT

On the following Friday night, ABRAHAM and SANDY sit in a crowded theater listening to a concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. At one point she reaches over and holds his hand. Later, she leans her head against his shoulder. 

INT. SARA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

It is the same Friday night. SARA and DAVE sit together on her sofa watching TV. They eat pizza and drink beer while watching the classic 1957 film An Affair to Remember with Deborah Kerr. At the end of the film, we hear TERRY's final lines. 

TERRY (O.S.): Oh, it's nobody's fault but my own. I was looking up. It was the nearest thing to heaven. You were there. Oh, darling. Don't worry, darling. If you can paint, I can walk. Anything can happen, don't you think? 

SARA grabs a tissue to dab away tears that come to her eyes because of film's romantic conclusion. As music from TV fades away, she turns it off. 

SARA: So, what do ya think? 

DAVE: (hesitates, gathering his thoughts) Well, I think it was good, but...I don't get why TERRY didn't tell Nickie she was crippled. Yeah, she had her pride and didn't want him to feel sorry for her, but...it didn't make sense. Had an uncle who took care of my aunt for years after suffering a stroke. Love is love. 

SARA: And... 

DAVE: And what? 

SARA: I want more. 

DAVE: (takes another drink of beer) Well...it was kind of interesting seeing New York 60 years ago, the way people dressed and talked and seeing some buildings that are gone now and no cell phones or computers. 

SARA: You passed the test. 

A surprised DAVE watches as SARA removes beer and pizza and then moves towards him. She leans into his body hugging him and caressing him with kisses. SARA lays on top of DAVE as they start to make love, removing their clothing. 

SARA: You better have protection, buddy. 

DAVE: I do. 

INT. SANDY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 

At the same time, ABRAHAM and SANDY sit next to each other on the sofa as SANDY leans her head next to his shoulder. 

SANDY: Did you enjoy the concert, ABRAHAM? 

ABRAHAM: It's been a long time since I heard such beautiful music. 

SANDY: I feel so happy...sitting here with you. We had such a wonderful evening. I don't want it to end. 

ABRAHAM Everything ends. 

SANDY: ABRAHAM, I don't want you to go. Stay with me tonight. Please. 

Tears come to SANDY's eyes. She puts her arms around ABRAHAM's neck and kisses him passionately. He responds in kind. They slowly rise, hold hands and she leads him towards her bedroom, and they enter it. 

INT. SANDY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 

ABRAHAM and SANDY enter her bedroom. He looks around as it's his first time there. They move together towards her bed. They kiss and then start taking off each other's clothes.

The Big Ten Conference

The Big Ten Conference is the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in the USA.  Starting in 1896, it consisted of the Universities of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Chicago, Northwestern University and Purdue University.  

The Universities of Indiana and Iowa joined in 1899.  Ohio State University made it a group of Ten in 1912.

The University of Chicago dropped out of the Big Ten in 1946, replaced by the Michigan State University in 1950.  "In the late 1930s, Chicago's university president Robert Maynard Hutchins decided that big-time college football and the university's commitment to academics were not compatible."

In 1990, Penn State University, became the eleventh member of the Big Ten.  Regarding football, it had been an independent, meaning not a member of any league or conference.

In 2010, the University of Nebraska, formerly a member of the Big XII Conference, joined the Big Ten as its twelfth member.  In 2012, the University of Maryland (an original member of the Atlantic Coast Conference) and Rutgers University (the State University of New Jersey) became the thirteenth and fourteenth members of the Big Ten.

"On June 30, 2022, UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) and USC (University of Southern California) announced that they will be joining the Big Ten Conference effective August 2, 2024." 

Why do so many major universities want to join the Big Ten?  Because it is one of the two most powerful conferences in the country.  The other being the Southeastern Conference (SEC). 

The expansion to sixteen members delayed the announcement of its new television contract.  "On August 18, 2022, the Big Ten announced a media rights deal with Fox, CBS, NBC and Peacock. The deal is reportedly worth more than $7 billion per year, which is estimated to bring $80–$100 million per year to each member school."  The Big Ten proves what a gigantic business college sports is.  

The Big Ten sponsors the following men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track and field (both indoor & outdoor) and wrestling.

The Big Ten sponsors the following women's sports: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track and field (both indoor & outdoor) and volleyball.  

 

The Fugitive

"In the early morning hours of July 4, 1954, Marilyn Sheppard was bludgeoned to death in her bed with an unknown instrument. The bedroom was covered with blood spatter and drops of blood were found on floors throughout the house.  

According to her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, he was sleeping soundly on a daybed when he heard the cries from his wife. He ran upstairs where he was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he saw a person downstairs, chased the intruder out of the house down to the beach where they tussled and Sheppard was knocked unconscious again."

The police, not believing his story, charged Sheppard with his wife's murder.  He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.  After serving ten years behind bars, Sheppard was re-tried and found not guilty.  

From 1963 to 1967, David Janssen starred as the fictional Dr. Richard Kimble in the very popular TV series, The Fugitive, which was based on the Sheppard case.  Kimble's wife is murdered, he is unjustly convicted and escapes custody while on his way to prison.  Kimble spends the next four years searching for the actual murderer, all the while evading capture by the police.

The series final episode, shown on August 29, 1967, currently holds the third rank for the all-time highest U.S. television household share, at 72%.  My first wife's (Bonita's) sister Helaine hosted a party for fans of The Fugitive to watch the finale together.  I was there with Bonita and many others.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, but fifteen year-old Cristina Rolim, my current wife, was an avid fan of the series and in love with David Janssen.  Unfortunately, in Brazil the series was dubbed into Portuguese.  Years later, I bought a DVD of some of episodes of The Fugitive so Cristina could hear the real voice of David Janssen.

In 1993, a movie version of the TV show was produced which starred Harrison Ford as Kimble and Tommy Lee Jones as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard.  After escaping custody while on his way to prison, Kimble is pursued by Gerard.  

Gerard finally catches up to Kimble high up at a dam (actually the Cheoah Dam in North Carolina).  Kimble says, "I didn't kill my wife."  In a classic line, Gerard responds, "I don't care."  

Kimble then escapes capture by risking his life, jumping from the dam into the water far below.  He miraculously survives to continue his life as The Fugitive.   

2022 Trip to New York

 Our trip to New York City, which began on Thursday, September 22, exceeded the high expectations I had for it.  I spent a lot of quality time with my family:  my daughter Rachel, her husband Mike, my grandchildren Nate and Leo, my son Bret and his fiancée Pam.

The two flights with American Airlines to and from JFK Airport were smooth, but I wish the stewards and stewardesses would learn some Portuguese.  How many Brazilians on the planes understood, "chicken or pasta?"

On the flight to New York, I watched the films The Big Chill (1983) with Kevin Kline and Glenn Close and Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing (1989).  On the return trip, I watched The Bucket List (2007) with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and Father of the Bride (1950) with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor.  

On the first Friday, we arrived at our hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, on East 92nd Street.  The location was great, a short walk from my daughter's penthouse apartment.  However, there was no breakfast, no laundry service and worse, a bath tub instead of a walk in shower.

On the first day, we had breakfast at the Midnight Express Diner on the corner of East 89th Street and Second Avenue.  Cristina and I both had pancakes with maple syrup.  We returned for lunch later.

After breakfast, we walked to the Wells Fargo branch on East 86th Street to attempt to open bank accounts.  Unfortunately, we could not as we were not permanent residents of the USA.  Truist and First Horizon banks had no such restriction.  I don't understand why a bank would lock out potential customers.

We then went to a nearby Gristedes supermarket where we bought My-T-Fine chocolate pudding (an old brand from my youth) plus other items.  

Later we went to Rachel's lovely apartment on East 90th Street to especially see my grandsons for the first time in more than three years.  Mike cooked a wonderful chicken dinner plus two side dishes.  We also received sweatshirts that had been waiting for us since Nate's bar mitzvah (2020).

On Saturday afternoon at Rachel's, we watched on TV the Michigan (Rachel's alma mater) against Maryland (Bret's) college football game which was very competitive.  Coincidentally, Bret also gave me a sweatshirt.  I love sweatshirts.  At night we all went to Luke's Bar & Grill on Third Avenue.  I enjoyed the Mike Wallace (late great TV journalist) meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

On Sunday, we (along with Pam's father Ron) had brunch at the Barking Dog restaurant at the corner of East 94th Street and Third Avenue.  I had a delicious pastrami sandwich on rye bread with mustard and melted swiss cheese.

For Sunday night Rachel had bought tickets for us (Rachel, Mike, Leo, Bret, Cristina and me) to go to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankee-Red Sox baseball game.  There was great interest as the Yankee's Aaron Judge was trying to break the American League's single season home run record (61).  He went one (hit) for two (at bats) plus a walk, but no home run.  

After six innings, a terrible rain storm broke out stopping the game (Yankees won 2-0) and sending thousands of fans running to the exits and home.  Mike was our hero finding a taxi, but not before we were all soaking wet.

Monday, I had lunch with Bret back at the diner.  I couldn't resist the apple pie on the dessert menu.  As it was the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), Mike cooked a lovely brisket for us all.  His cooking was better than any restaurant we went to.

Tuesday, while Cristina went shopping, I took Nate and Leo to a local sushi restaurant so we could get to know each other better.  Afterwards, we watched one of my favorite movies (and one they had never seen), High Noon (1952) with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.  Nate and Leo both said they enjoyed the movie.

Wednesday, we took a taxi to Herald Square and shopped at H&M and Macy's, where I bought another sweatshirt.  Cristina and I had lunch at Just Salad, one of many restaurants in the store.  Wednesday night we had dinner at The Back Room at Delizia, a restaurant at the corner of East 92nd Street and Second Avenue.  It is a pizzeria in front and a dining room in the back.  I had a delicious veal scallopini.  There was a pianist there who played a Brazilian song.

Thursday, we went to Men's Wearhouse on Madison Avenue and 45th Street to be fitted for a tuxedo I will wear at Bret and Pam's wedding next May in St. Augustine, FL.  We then walked to Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue where I bought two books: Lessons by Ian McEwen and American Pastoral by Philip Roth.  After lunch at Panera Bread we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral.  We celebrated Leo's 12th birthday with a delicious banana cake.   

Friday, we went to the New Balance store on Third Avenue where I bought a new pair of walking shoes plus sweat pants.  Then, it was lunch at Ess-a-Bagel, where Cristina and I always have a plain bagel with cream cheese, nova and tomato.  Then it was on to Bath and Body Works and more shopping.  For dinner, we were joined by Rachel and Mike (Nate and Leo had made their own plans) at Delizia where a jazz trio was playing.  I had tilapia.

Saturday, after a wet morning, we spent the day with Rachel, Mike, Nate and Leo.  We all ate dinner at the nearby diner.

Sunday, back at Rachel's for lunch until 3 PM when they started to prepare for a kids party re: Leo's birthday.  Dinner was at Chez Nicks, a very nice restaurant around the corner from the hotel on York Avenue.  I had the butternut squash agnolotti.  In spite of the perfect sidewalks in New York (unlike Sao Paulo), on our way back from the restaurant, I tripped over my own feet and fell into some bushes.  I'm OK.

Monday, after lunch at the Barking Dog, we ordered a car service (Carmel) which showed up on time and got us to JFK for our flight to Sao Paulo.  We had reserved a car (call 7) to pick us up at JFK on our arrival in New York, but they didn't show up.  

Finally, the taxi driver we requested to pick us up at Guarulhos Tuesday morning was there.  Looking forward to next May's trip to St. Augustine where I will be with my family again. 

  

Abraham's Son, Chapter 9

 EXT. IN BACK OF BAR ­ NIGHT

SARA and DAVE light cigarettes and smoke them in silence.  Then DAVE gets closer to SARA. 

DAVE: You know, you really turn me on.  

SARA: What's that supposed to mean? 

DAVE leans forward taking hold of SARA's shoulders and attempts to kiss her.  SARA at first hesitates, but after their lips awkwardly touch, she accepts his kiss and responds gently.

SARA: That was nice.  But, don't get the wrong idea.  I'm not fucking you tonight.  We just met.  

DAVE: Calm down.  Who said I wanted to fuck you?  I just wanted to see how you kiss. 

SARA: So, what do ya think? 

DAVE: Not sure yet.

They kiss again, this time in a mutual embrace.  However, DAVE starts touching SARA's breasts.  She is startled. 

SARA: Okay, fella, that's enough.  Back off. 

DAVE: No problem.  I thought you'd want it. 

SARA: Not tonight.  We just got introduced.  (pause)  Why don't we go back inside and you buy me another beer.

DAVE: Sure. 

SARA and DAVE re­enter the bar.

EXT. IN FRONT OF SYNAGOGUE ­ DAY 

It's next Saturday morning.  ABRAHAM waits outside synagogue before religious services are scheduled to begin.  Finally, he sees SANDY approaching.  He walks toward her. 

ABRAHAM: SANDY, gut shabbos. 

SANDY: Gut shabbos, ABRAHAM.  Nice to see you again.

ABRAHAM: Look, I'm sorry for my behavior last Sunday.  I was rude.  I know you were only trying to be friendly.  That's an area I have difficulty talking about.  I hope you'll forgive me. 

SANDY: Of course I forgive you. 

ABRAHAM: Thank you.  (pause) I owe you for the wonderful food I ate at your open house.  How about having dinner with me some time? 

SANDY: That would be wonderful. 

ABRAHAM: When's good for you? 

SANDY 8:00 tonight. 

ABRAHAM: (hesitating) I'll pick you up.  Shall we go inside?

SANDY: I'd love to.

SANDY and ABRAHAM enter the synagogue together.

_________

I will be on vacation the next two Sundays.  The next blog post will be October 9.

Heavyweight Boxing Championship Fight

 On February 6, 1993, a friend of mine and I attended a heavyweight boxing championship fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  On December 7, 1963, I had attended another championship fight (middleweight), this time in Atlantic City, NJ.  But the heavyweight championship is the ultimate boxing event.

The champion was Riddick Bowe, undefeated with 32 fights.  That included 27 by knockout.  It was his first defense of his title after defeating the previous champion, Evander Holyfield, three months earlier.

Bowe was born August 10, 1967 in Brooklyn, NY (25 years-old).  In the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, he won the Silver Medal (second place) in the heavyweight boxing division.  Bowe turned professional in March 1989.  

The challenger was Michael Dokes who had a record of 50 wins (33 knockouts), 3 losses (2 knockouts) and 2 draws.  He had a 9 fight winning streak (5 knockouts) over the previous 15 months.

Dokes was born August 10, 1958 in Akron, OH (34 years-old, with the same birthday as Bowe).  He also won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.  Dokes turned pro in 1976.      

In 1982, Dokes won the heavyweight championship when he knocked out Mike Weaver in one round.  He lost the title 10 months later when he was knocked out by Gerrie Coetzee.

The Bowe-Dokes fight last only 2 minutes, 18 seconds.  After Dokes took some damaging punches from Bowe, Referee Joe Santarpia stopped the fight.  Bowe retained his championship.  We had hardly warmed our seats when it was time to go home.

Many in the large crowd did not like the referee's decision as they believed they did not get their money's worth.  Afterall, Dokes was never off his feet.  However, ring side commentator and former heavyweight champion, George Foreman, thought the referee should have stopped the fight sooner.

Bowe lost his title back to Holyfield by a decision in November 1993 (his only defeat).  He avenged that by knocking out Holyfield in November 1995.  Bowe's last fight was in 2008.

Alongside Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, Sultan Ibragimov and Nikolai Valuev, Bowe is one of only five former heavyweight champions to have never suffered a stoppage defeat during his career.

Bowe was convicted of the February 1998 kidnapping of his estranged wife Judy, and their five children.  Thinking it would reconcile his marriage, Bowe went to his wife's Cornelius, North Carolina home and threatened her with a knife, handcuffs, duct tape, and pepper spray. 

Bowe forced her and their children into a vehicle and set out for his Fort Washington, Maryland home.  During the kidnapping, he stabbed his wife in the chest.  Police captured Bowe in South Hill, Virginia, freeing his family.   

Bowe agreed to a plea bargain of guilty to "interstate domestic violence", and was sentenced to 18 to 24 months in Federal prison.  He served 17 months.

Dokes had five more fights over the next four years.  In 1999 Dokes was sentenced to between four and fifteen years in prison after being convicted of an attack on his fiancée in August 1998.  Late in 2008, he was released on parole.  

Dokes died of liver cancer at a hospice in Akron in 2012, a day after his 54th birthday.

 

  

Field of Dreams

 Kevin Costner, the actor, was born in 1955 in Lynwood, CA.  As a young man, after a chance encounter on a commercial airliner with Richard Burton, the actor, he decided to pursue an acting career.  Costner has been in three films with a baseball theme.

In 1988, Costner portrayed Crash Davis, a veteran minor league baseball player in the film Bull Durham, which also starred Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.  The title refers to the name of the team, the Bulls, located in Durham, NC.  

For six years, I lived in nearby Chapel Hill.  With my friend and fellow baseball fan, Bob Duprez, I once attended a Durham Bulls home game.

My favorite quote from the movie is when Crash, while at bat, calls time out and goes over to the bat boy for a rag to wipe his bat.  

Bat boy:  Get a hit, Crash.

Crash:  Shut Up.

In 1989, Costner played Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer, in the film Field of Dreams, which also starred Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Dwier Brown and Burt Lancaster (in his last movie).  Walking through his cornfield one day, he hears a mysterious voice say, "If you build it, he will come."

Build what?  Who is he?  Ray sees a vision of a baseball diamond in the cornfield and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (a former baseball player who in real-life died in 1951) standing in the middle.  Ray plows under part of their corn crop to build a baseball field at risk of financial hardship.

Some time later, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) walks out from the remaining cornfield and asks if other (dead) ballplayers from his era (1908-1920) can join him and play on Ray's baseball diamond.

It turns out it wasn't "Shoeless" Joe Jackson who was the he, as in "he will come."  It was Ray's father, John Kinsella (Brown).  

John had been playing catcher and when he removed his mask, Ray recognizes his late father as a young man.   As John begins to head towards the cornfield, Ray, calling him "Dad", asks if he wants to have a catch. John gladly accepts. 

This scene brings to my mind the many times I played catch with my son Bret when he was a boy.  Ray and I shared a love for the game of baseball which can bring together fathers and sons.  

In 1999, Costner starred in the film For Love of the Game as major league pitcher Billy Chapel near the end of his career.  The beloved announcer Vin Scully portrayed himself while broadcasting the game Chapel was pitching against the New York Yankees.

Chapel pitches a perfect game (27 batters, 27 outs) and then retires from professional baseball.  From 1880 until today, there have been only 23 perfect games in Major League Baseball.  A rare event!  

Abraham's Son, Chapter 8

INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR ­ DAY

ABRAHAM stops for red light on his way home after saying good­bye to SARA.  He looks at the open house invitation from SANDY laying on the seat next to him.  All that food!  All that good Jewish food!  ABRAHAM changes his mind.  He turns his car around when he can and heads in the opposite direction.

INT. SANDY'S HOUSE ­ DAY

ABRAHAM stands in the open doorway of SANDY's house looking inside.  He sees SANDY talking to a couple.  After some moments, SANDY notices ABRAHAM.  She approaches him.

SANDY: ABRAHAM, you decided to come.  I'm happy you did.

ABRAHAM: Am I too late? 

SANDY: Not at all.  Come in.

ABRAHAM enters and looks around. 

ABRAHAM: You have a beautiful home.

SANDY: Thanks.  Come over here and get some food.

Besides the one other couple, ABRAHAM and SANDY are alone.  They arrive at a table in the dining room loaded with food, beverages, plates, glasses and cutlery.  There is evidence that a number of people had come and gone before ABRAHAM's arrival. 

SANDY: Take as much as you want.  You'll probably be my last guest. 

ABRAHAM: Okay.  I'll do my best.

ABRAHAM fills his plate as SANDY hovers nearby.  He then looks for a place to sit down and eat.  

ABRAHAM: So, where can I sit and eat all this? 

SANDY: Come over here and sit on the couch.  I'll join you after I get another cup of coffee.

ABRAHAM sits on couch and starts eating.  SANDY sits next to him. 

ABRAHAM: The creamed herring is delicious.  I don't eat it very often, but it's something I'm fond of.  

SANDY: I got that especially for you.  Sylvia told me you loved creamed herring.  How's the nova?

ABRAHAM: Very good.  Did many people come? 

SANDY: About twenty.  But, it would have been a failure if you hadn't.  SYLVIA told me so much about you that I wanted to get to know you, ABRAHAM.  (pause)   I think it's so romantic that you're still in love with your wife.  Please tell me about her.

ABRAHAM stops eating for a moment.  He contemplates what SANDY said. 

ABRAHAM: I don't want to be rude, SANDY.  You seem like a nice lady, but... 

SANDY: Please don't take offense, ABRAHAM.  I don't mean to pry, but...I'm only trying to be friendly.

After taking a deep breath and waiting a moment, ABRAHAM removes his wallet and then takes out a photo of his late wife.  After looking at it intently, he hands it to SANDY.  Then she gazes at the image of HELEN at the age of 29, when she was pregnant for about 7 months. 

SANDY: She was beautiful. 

ABRAHAM: You know, we were together for only eight years.  It seemed like a lot at the time, but she's been gone now for more than thirty.  Eight years... thirty years...it's crazy.

SANDY returns the photo to ABRAHAM who puts it away. 

SANDY: What can I say?  It was a tragedy. 

ABRAHAM: Double!  My child died, too.  

SANDY: I know. 

ABRAHAM: You have children? 

SANDY: No.  My husband and I decided we didn't want any.  But, we had a wonderful life together.  

ABRAHAM: When my wife and child died, I was tested.  My faith in God was tested.  But, it was my faith in God that got me through the worst days of my life.  My mother and father...they each had good, long lives...with meaning and purpose.  When they died, it was something I could accept.  But why did God take Helen and my child away?  But, with God's help I was able to deal with it. 

SANDY: My faith in God helped me deal with my loss, too.  But, thirty years is a long time to be alone.

ABRAHAM: I have carved out a life.  I love my work, especially working with my colleagues.  And there are things in the world I have passion for.  That's enough.  I'm a happy man.

SANDY: But not a complete man. 

ABRAHAM: That's not for you to judge.  

SANDY: Look, we're not children.  I pull no punches.  I'm speaking the truth.  How can you be truly happy alone in your house?  We're social animals.

ABRAHAM puts his plate down on table in front of him.

ABRAHAM: Look, you're entitled to your opinion.  But, only my opinion counts.  Thank you for the food.  Have a good evening. 

ABRAHAM rises to leave. 

SANDY: I'm sorry if I've offended you, but I see a sad man in front of me and I can't help hearing a cry for help.  I hope to see you next Shabbos. 

ABRAHAM leaves SANDY's home. 

EXT. IN FRONT OF SANDY'S HOME ­ DAY 

ABRAHAM walks to his car and enters it. 

INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR ­ DAY 

ABRAHAM puts his key in the ignition and car starts.  However, while car is still parked, ABRAHAM starts to cry. 

INT. BAR ­ NIGHT

The following Friday night, SARA and her colleague/friend MARIA are at a local sports bar drinking beers and talking.  There are many TV monitors showing various games in progress.  SARA and MARIA are both dressed ­up for the occasion.  MARIA is flirtatious with her hair and body language trying to attract attention.  SARA is more reserved. 

MARIA: So, what do ya think of this place? 

SARA: Loud...too loud.  Hard to hear anything. 

MARIA: It's called atmosphere.  (pause)  See any cute guys? 

SARA: Not sure.  You? 

MARIA: This place is loaded with 'em.  C'mon, drink your beer.

SARA: I am.  Can't we have a conversation while waiting for Prince Charming.  The Diner is taking away some of my good shifts.  The last two weeks, my take home was down. 

MARIA: Who gives a shit about the Blue Bay Diner?  Think about that tomorrow.  Talk to one of the managers.  Bitch to them.  Don't let 'em fuck with you. They both laugh. 

SARA: You have a mouth, MARIA.  That's what I like about you.

MARIA: And you know what I like about you, SARA? 

SARA: What? 

MARIA: You're different.  Like a fucking foreigner from Michigan.  You're not a typical Queens girl.  I like looking at a fresh face.  You know, with make­up, you're looking good.  With  better clothes, you'd look really good.  We should go shopping some time.  What do ya think?

SARA: Yeah, I'd like that.  You off next Tuesday?  I'm free Tuesday.

MARIA: I can arrange to be off.

Two men approach SARA and MARIA.  They are CHUCK and DAVE.  They are both medium height, well built, late twenties.  CHUCK has a trimmed beard while DAVE is clean shaven and wears a crucifix around his neck.  They are both carrying beer bottles with them. 

CHUCK: (to MARIA) Hello, gorgeous.  (to both)  How are you two ladies, tonight?  Can we buy you some beers? 

MARIA: Sure.  Why not?

CHUCK signals to one of the bartenders he wants two more of what SARA and MARIA are drinking. 

CHUCK: My name's CHUCK.  This is my friend DAVE.  What can I call you guys? 

MARIA: I'm MARIA and this is my friend SARA.  You guys from around here? 

CHUCK: Yeah, sure, Bayside.  I haven't seen you before.  You know this place? 

MARIA: I know lots of places.

The fresh beers arrive.  Leaving CHUCK and MARIA to talk to each other, DAVE moves closer to SARA to talk more privately with her. 

DAVE: So, SARA what do you do? 

SARA: I'm a waitress...Blue Bay Diner on Francis Lewis Boulevard.  What about you? 

DAVE: Construction.  Mostly, in the city.  You don't sound like you're from here. 

SARA: I'm not.  Originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

DAVE: Where the fuck is that? 

SARA: You like football, college football? 

DAVE: Yeah! 

SARA: You know the Michigan Wolverines? 

DAVE: Yeah! 

SARA: Ypsilanti is near there. 

DAVE: Cool!  Ever go to a game? 

SARA: No.  Too expensive.  Ever play football? 

DAVE: In high school.  It was fun knocking heads.  Want to go to a game sometime? 

SARA: With you? 

DAVE: Yeah, with me? 

SARA: I'd rather go to a movie. 

DAVE: You like movies? 

SARA: (smiling) I love movies.  You? 

DAVE: They're all right.  You smoke? 

SARA: Yeah! 

DAVE: Why don't we step outside and smoke a cigarette? 

SARA: You gonna pull a Thelma and Louise on me? 

DAVE: What the fuck does that mean? 

SARA: Nothing.  (pause)  Just something from a movie I saw.  Sure, we can go out for a smoke.

 SARA signals to the preoccupied MARIA she and DAVE are going out for a smoke.  Then SARA and DAVE go outside.