This is a true story, based on actual events and circumstances that took place while I was living in Burbank, California during the mid-eighties. Since I was studying screen-writing at the time; I decided to write this story in screen-play format. To the best of my knowledge and recall; this is what took place:
-a FATEFUL encounter-
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEYWAY – RAINING – NIGHT
The back-lot of Denny’s restaurant on Glenn-oaks Blvd., in Glendale, Ca. The alleyway is between the AA meeting hall and the restaurant. The year is 1987-88. JOHN, a slender, well built man in his late 30s, is standing under a door canopy smoking a cigarette.
A tall dark and imposing figure of a MAN approaches. He has a mustache and he’s wearing a dark trench coat. He huddles under the canopy with John. He’s soaking wet and clasping his hands.
JOHN
“Hey! How you doin’ man?”
MAN
“Not so good buddy. How ‘bout you?”
JOHN
“Oh…I’m making it – one day at a time. You know how that goes. What’s your name?”
MAN
“Tony. What’s your’s?”
JOHN
“John.”
Tony is a big man. He’s about six-foot-four, slightly overweight, but it seems to wear well on his large frame. His face is impressive, with large, high cheek bones, over-sized white teeth, and a full thick head of black hair. He resembles an over-sized version of Tom Selleck – or a more modern version of the Neanderthal man— with facial enhancements. He introduces himself:
TONY
“Say…I’m in the process of moving from my apartment and I could use some help. Could you give me a hand? I’d appreciate it very much.”
JOHN
(looking puzzled)
“Clean your apartment! Man…you don’t need someone to help you; your perfectly capable of doing that yourself. Come on man!”
John lights up a dry cigarette and offers one to Tony.
TONY
“No thanks man. I don’t smoke. Where are you going now?”
JOHN
“I’m going to an AA meeting over there. Did you just come from there; or did you come from the OA meeting?”
TONY
“No… yea… I was over there. Can you spare any change?”
JOHN
“I’ll tell you what. Whatever I’ve got in my pocket, I’ll
give you half.”
John reaches in his pocket and pulls out six dollars. He gives Tony four.
JOHN
(laughingly)
“That should get you a bowl of soup or a cup of coffee. You need to get your act together man. A guy like you… should have the world in the palm of his hand. Well…I gotta go now. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
TONY
“Yea man…you bet! Thanks for the advice…really."
DISSOLVE TO:
INT – JOHN’S APARTMENT – DAY
TWO WEEKS LATER
John is on the phone talking to his agent.
JOHN
(yelling)
“I was perfect for that part! You should have pushed for me! I wanted that so bad. Please try to talk to the director and get me an interview Ron… you can do it! You know him personally. OK. Call me… please!”
INT. – DENNY’S RESTAURANT – LATER THAT DAY
It’s a beautiful sunny day, in southern California, and the restaurant is crowded. The rattle of plates and silverware can be heard over the cackle of conversations.
John is sitting at a table with his coworker and actor buddy Bob. The conversation is about John and Bob forming their own furniture making business. They’re considering leaving the acting business behind and focusing on the remodeling trade.
Tony walks in the front door and wanders around the tables. He’s unshaven, hair uncombed, looks like he hasn’t slept in days.
John recognizes Tony, and gestures for him to come over to his table.
JOHN
“Hey! Tony! What’s happening man! Sit down. Want a cup of coffee or something? Come on man. This is Bob, my best friend, Bob this is Tony?... well that’s not important.”
John calls the waitress over and orders another bowl of rice pudding and more coffee. He tells Tony to order anything he wants. Tony orders coffee and a toasted bagel- with butter.
While Tony is fixing his coffee, John stares at him with a look of concern. Being somewhat of the inquisitive “extrovert” that he is, John decides to find out a little more about this impressive and unique looking man. During the discussion, he discovers that Tony has some background in sociology and anthropology. He launches into one of his long-winded lectures on how to succeed in life by using what “God gave you.”
JOHN
“You know something Tony; you’ve got something that you don’t seem to be aware of. You’ve got a “commanding” presence! I can’t believe that a man with your looks and stature (with the background you told me about) has to scrounge around for pocket change. Look at you! If I had your physical attributes; I could have anything in this damned world that I would want. I have the intelligence and the courage, but I wasn’t born with the “body” to go along with it. This is a world where “looks” play a major role in a person’s success. It’s a visual world we live in now. And YOU have all that! You have the stature and the intelligence, and that is the winning combination.”
TONY
(eyes wide open)
“You really think so!”
JOHN
“Absolutely…! Look. I’ve been involved in two careers in my life, as a remodeling contractor and as an actor/writer. And I’ve had some degree of success in both careers. I could have gone a lot further in both, but I feel, at least, that I lacked the physical appearance to go along with my intellect and courage. In other words, the “outside” didn’t match the “inside.” You, have the most important asset to succeed in a “visual” world. And, it “IS” a visual world. The movie business is a prime example of what I mean. There are actors who have had great success, just based on the fact that they have an impressive appearance and most important: a good looking head! They used what God gave them. Talent is a side-effect.”
TONY
“You look alright to me!”
JOHN
“Look…it’s a visual world and a “two-fisted” world. You have the main ingredient: Charisma! In the movie business, it’s not about great background scenery anymore, or story-line; they want ACTION and they want to be right in your FACE. It’s all about FACES! And…BODIES! You have it! Use it!”
Bob is feeling a little uncomfortable now. He knows that John has a tendency to be a little long-winded at times. He grabs John by the shoulder and vigorously shakes him.
BOB
(looking over at Tony)
“John’s a good guy. He just talks a little too much at times.”
TONY
“Noooo…he knows what he’s talking about. I think I understand what he is saying.”
JOHN
(to Tony)
“Do you?”
TONY
“Youuu bet!”
JOHN
“The problem with you Tony, is that you need to get FOCUSED! You have all the tools, you have the intelligence, and you certainly have the look. If you FOCUS on what it is that you are good at, and put all your energy into it, then you will succeed. My God! You could have it all. …I wish I was born with your body, and your look. What I could have done with that – especially in the film business."
TONY
"FOCUSED!...Hmmmmm."
BOB
“That’s what I like about John; he goes right for the juggler….”
The waitress asks if they want more coffee. She gives them a look, as if to say: would you guys get outa here!
JOHN
(to Tony)
“I don’t know if your still busing tables in Glendale or not, but if I were you, I would get right to the business of using your talents and presence to make something of yourself.
Get your act together; there are companies out there that would hire you in a heart-beat. When you walk in a room, you command attention!
(thinks intently)
Man…you are a very good looking man…use it! You need to get F.O.C.U.S.E.D.”
BOB
“Well…I’m getting FOCUSED on getting outa here, now, and getting back to work.”
JOHN
(to Bob then Tony)
“Yea…me too. Look man; I don’t know if I will ever see you again. But one thing I do know is this: If you can get focused on what your good at-like your education in sociology-and who you are, and go after it; you will succeed at it. You are unique and you have IT!...whatever that means. I envy you.”
John and Bob stand to leave, shake hands with Tony.
TONY
(a wide smile)
“Thank you man. I appreciate your help. I really do. You told me what I needed to hear.”
JOHN
“Look Tony; I’d give you some money, but I don’t know if you would go out and buy booze, so I won’t. You’ll manage…right?”
TONY
(ear to ear grin)
“You bet!”
CUT TO:
FADE IN – JOHN’S APARTMENT – DAY
ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER
John is lying on the bed, in his Burbank apartment, watching television, smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee. His apartment is a ransacked mess. There are empty beer cans strew about. He’s despondent over his impending divorce from his wife Linda, and the estrangement of his four kids. And, the loss of a television contract for his own show on Fox TV.
(The show on TV is interrupted by an infomercial. It’s a self-help guru touting his tapes and seminars, about personal success.)
CLOSE ANGLE ON TV:
The guru’s face appears on the screen in a close-up. Big head and beautiful large, white teeth.
GURU
“Hi…I’m Tony Robbins, and I “guarantee” you that if you are not completely….”
CUT TO:
John sits up in the bed; looks at the TV with squinting eyes. He realizes that the man on the TV looks and sounds exactly like the man he lectured in the restaurant two years earlier- only without the mustache and very clean shaven, and a much trimmer build.
The impressive figure of a man, is selling his TAPES and BOOKS on self-help and PERSONAL POWER, on a cable TV program.
JOHN
(whimsical look)
“Welllll… how about that… hmmmmm…”
John stares at the TV with an ear to ear grin.
JOHN
“Someday, I’ll write him a letter. I’ll find out!”
FADE TO WHITE:
CREDITS ROLL:
MUSIC PLAYS OVER: “THAT’S LIFE…THAT’S WHAT ALL THE PEOPLE SAY….”
That was a real whammy at the end. And you got me wondering if that was really you, John, who met Tony Robbins before he became so successful. Tony certainly does have an imposing appearance. I haven't watched him in action at all, so don't know what his charisma is.
The story would be much better of it was true. But as it stands, it's very good. And, inspirational to boot.
TRUE STORY. Bella survived an abusive powerbroker father with organized crime ties, a drug-addicted mother and a physically/sexually abusive brother. Shocking & inspirational. When she couldn't cry, she tattooed a crying angel to cry for her.
A passionate and poignant memoir written by a woman whose life has been guided by the words: "I am here to learn how to love well." The book is a deep examination of relationships, family, motivation, and honoring of the Self.
