Chapter 4 PART 4

EXT. USA TODAY LOADING DOCK - DAY Mrs. Pressman continues her story to Ike. Mrs. Pressman Im not sure. Mr. Schullian runs the newsstand, hes our local bookie, you know, hes giving eight to one odds she wont. He says shes so famous now, maybe Vegas will give odds on her. going to wait to hear what the pros say. IKE Good fact. Well, you let me know. Mrs. Pressman Oh, I will. ANGLE ON: Maggie indicates column to Peggy. She looks over at the part of the shop used to wash and dye hair. Theres a sink, stool and a cabinet affixed to the wall above sink, which holds various

shampoos and hair dyes. Maggie gets an idea. Maggie and Peggy step forward toward Ike. MAGGIE Well, instead of a haircut, how about a wash? You know, get all that city grit out of it. IKE You'll answer my questions? Maggie nods affirmatively. IKE (contd) (removing his jacket) Fine. You wash, Ill ask the questions. PEGGY Great. Ike hands Peggy his jacket. A mystified Peggy leads Ike to the sink. While she does this... MAGGIE Have a seat. Peggy, why don't you give him the special treatment that strengthens the follicles. Ike sits in the chair near the sink. Maggie shakes out a smock

and puts it around Ike. MAGGIE (contd) So, what do you want to know? Ike leans and rests his head on the sink. Peggy bends over him and wets his hair. She grabs various hair coloring products. IKE Getting nervous? MAGGIE Nervous? Not at all! No. Ive never been more certain in my life. Except -- I am having all kinds of weird dreams. Ike pulls the cloth down from over his face. IKE Weird dreams? You're going to tell me about them? MAGGIE Yes. PEGGY (calming) Lets just put this back here for the aromatherapy. Peggy recovers his face, then continues to fuss with the hair

coloring products. Maggie helps. INT. BEAUTY PARLOR - LATER Ike sits with a towel over his head as Peggy blow-dries the back of his head. His back is to the mirror, his body faces Maggie. Cindy does her own nails as Mrs. Pressman scratches off lottery tickets. The dog, Sprout, sits in is basket. MAGGIE In another one... PETE, wearing a hat, comes in the front door of the salon. PEGGY Hey, Pete, I'll be right with you. Ike peeks out from under his towel as Maggie continues. MAGGIE Im inside the church. Everyone I know is there, only they are not really them. They're like Frankenstein monsters, but

without the bolts coming out of their necks. Its all very "Night of the Living Dead". And heres the creepiest part -- I look down at my dress and its red. I mean, I have no idea what it means. Reds not my color! Ike listens intently and stars steadily into her eyes. Peggy removes the towel. His hair is divided into equal parts and dyed orange and red. MAGGIE (contd) So what do you think? Ike stares back at her, the tickle of suspicion creeping up his spine. IKE I think youd look good in red. PEGGY No, she's talking about your hair. Maggie swivels his chair so that Ike faces the mirror. Ike

looks at his brightly colored hair. MAGGIE You're all ready for football season, Mr. Graham. Ike stars at his hair in total confusion. With icy calm, Ike rises from his chair and primps the end of his hair as if giving it the finishing touches. Then he sees his defaced newspaper clipping and all becomes clear. He picks up the article and shows it to everyone. Ike does a slow burn. IKE Yes, I think I nailed the personality profile of the women of Hale. Ike turns and puts the clipping up on the mirror. IKE (contd) (to Peggy) My jacket, please. Peggy hands him his jacket.

IKE (contd) (sarcastically) Thank you. Ike moves toward the door. He spots Pete. IKE (contd) (putting on jacket; to Pete) Excuse me, Pete, do you know a place that sells shampoo... Strong shampoo? PETE Docs Pharmacy. Third and Elm. Tell him Pete sent you. Want my hat? IKE No thanks. Ike smiles at Maggie and exits. MAGGIE (to Peggy) He seems crabby. CUT TO: EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY In front of beauty salon, Maggie follows Ike out. MAGGIE If you're looking for Elm Street, its that way. She puts on her sunglasses. IKE Thank you. He walks the other way.

MAGGIE If you came down here in the pursuit of happiness, you might as well go back. Because you cant make me feel bad. She stops walking and turns to Ike. IKE Im not here to make you feel bad. here for vindication. In my heart... MAGGIE You have one? Ike walks back to Maggie. IKE I feel Im right about you. You got me fired, lady. You destroyed my reputation and you screwed up my hair. You chew men up, spit them out and loved it. And Im down here to satisfy myself on that point. PASSERSBY stare at Ikes hair and giggle. MAGGIE Did something happen to make you care

about reality? IKE Yes. Conviction. Conviction that Im onto the truth. You're going to do the same thing to "poor bastard number four" that you did to the last three. Youre going to run again. And Im not leave until you do. MAGGIE You're going to be very disappointed. IKE Well see. MAGGIE I love to stay and chat, but I've got to get back to work. I still have my job. He stares at her for a beat, stung by her words. MAGGIE I have nothing to hide, Mr. Graham. Talk to whoever you want. You might actually stumble upon a fact or two.

Maggie walks away. Ike walks a few steps and stops at a KID on a bike. IKE Hey, kid, Ill give you ten bucks for your hat. Kid agrees. Ike puts the hat on and starts to cross the street. An OLD WOMAN walks by and hits him with a newspaper. Ike is stunned. EXT. MAGGIES HOUSE - DUSK Maggie pulls into the driveway in her truck. Shes in a fine mood as she walks right in the house. INT. MAGGIES HOUSE - DUSK Bob, Walter, and Maggies GRANDMOTHER JULIA sit in the living room. Grandma is sewing one of Maggies wedding veils. Walter drinks wine, Ike wears a hat. WALTER You know, when I only see one dog, I

know Ive had too much to drink. Te family dog, Skipper, sits near a ceramic dog table. Maggie smiles as she walks in the front door and puts down her tool box and bag. MAGGIE You'll never guess who came crawling into town with his tail between his legs. IKE (os) Who? Maggie enters the parlor to see Ike smiling evilly from his seat on the couch. IKE (contd) (innocently) Hello, Maggie. I just came by to apologize to your family. (looks to Walter) When Im wrong, Im wrong. I pushed a story. I made a mistake. WALTER In other words -- hes only human. he brought us a bottle of wine. Raises the bottle to Maggie. IKE They made me put my hat back on. WALTER Oh, yeah. Scared the hell out of Skipper. MAGGIE You've got to be kidding me. Maggie stars at them both. BOB (enjoying the moment) No, no, you should have seen Skipper. (then, imitates growing) It wasn't that funny. Maggie gives him a look that says, "You are not resolved." She smiles stiffly, looking back at Ike. She then sits on the arm of Bobs chair and puts her arm on his shoulder. MAGGIE So, the forces of good and evil have already met. Maggie takes the wine bottle from the table next to Walter. She snaps a look to Bob, who follows her. BOB Ill help you take into the kitchen. GRANDMA JULIA Check on the crabs, Bob. We overhear them murmuring in annoying tones about the wedding plans as they exit... Walter puts down his drink. IKE Gee, I hope they don't have a fight out there. You dont think theyll call it off...? WALTER Well, wedding cake freezes. This we know. IKE You know, your daughter seems... Ike notices that he's been sewn to the veil. GRANDMA JULIA Sorry. IKE That's okay, Grandma. Grandma cuts the thread and separates the veil from Ikes sleeve. IKE (contd) (continuing his thought) ... Like such a lovely girl. Walter points to a portrait painting on the wall. WALTER Like her mother. IKE (seeing the portrait) Ah, beautiful. (gets up to admire the portrait) I just cant see her leaving multiple grooms in the dust like that. GRANDMA JULIA Oh, yes, you can. Shes has em all on tape. IKE She has a tape? WALTER (good-natured) Yeah. Lee at the hotel videos wedding. I mean Maggie didnt know she was going to make the hundred-yard dash. Walter gestures to a pile of video cassettes on the bookcase. Ike checks on the tapes. IKE Dads fishing trip, Grandmas knee operation, Grandmas birthday... WALTER Gotta tell you this about my daughter. My daughter makes real good time, even in a long dress and heels. Maggie may not be Hales longest running joke, but she certainly is the fastest. Walter cracks up. GRANDMA JULIA (sarcastically) Ha ha. CLOSE ON: A tape. It reads: "Maggie I, II, III." Ikes interest is more than piqued. Ike picks it up. They get up and go to the dining room. DISSOLVE TO: