Fade In:

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EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - NOB HILL - NIGHT

 

Standing at the chaotic corner of California and Powell a veil of fog cloaks two hipsters, ASHER and EDISON.

 

Once a cable car passes, they scurry across the street.

 

On the opposite corner they stroll past the broad steps of Grace Cathedral, then along Taylor Street's toney apartments.

 

They dart across Taylor through passing cars to a bar with a Felix the Cat like image and the bar's name, "Black Cat", in the window. They open the door...

 

INT. 2022 BLACK CAT BAR - NIGHT

 

...and enter a cozy, tastefully decorated neighborhood cocktail lounge.

 

The Black Cat hints at stylish art Deco, a baby grand piano sits at the door.

 

The hipsters pause while a PIANO PLAYER quietly plays.

 

As they walk the length of the bar, a FEW SINGLE GUYS chat, TWO YOUNG GIRL FRIENDS laugh it up and a sullen MARRIED COUPLE sip martinis.

 

The Chinese female Bartender, LU'AN, 50ish, carries a Manhattan past a SINGLE YOUNG MAN who sniffs a glass of red wine.

 

At the very end of the bar sits MICHAEL BIANCHI, 90 and WAH SUN CHOY also in his 90s.

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Bianchi is carefully dressed in a white shirt and regimental tie.  Impeccable.

 

Choys's in the same ballpark, both these guys take care of themselves.

 

As Lu'An delivers the Manhattan, Edison and Asher walk parallel with her, sit near Bianchi and Choy.  Choy slips on his coat...

           

                                    CHOY

                              Night...

 

Lu'An slips the drink to Bianchi who winks at her.

 

                                    BIANCHI

                              That's my girl.

 

She returns the wink with a smile and leans on the bar to listen to the inevitable departing repartee...

 

                                   BIANCHI (CONT'D)

                               You got time for one more Watson.

 

                                   CHOY

                               Got better things to do.

 

                                   BIANCHI

                               What?

 

                                   CHOY

                               Sleep.  Beauty rest. 

                               Who needs it more than me?

 

                                   BIANCHI

                               Saturday night for Christ's

                               sake.  Still, time to find

                               some trouble.

Choy grabs his cane.

 

                                    CHOY

                               Trouble?  I've had a lifetime

                               of trouble with you.

 

                                    BIANCHI

                               Me?  Me?  You invented trouble. 

                               Besides, I'm buying.

 

                                    CHOY

                               You buy anyway  ...night pal.

 

Choy pats Bianchi on the back as he walks...

 

                                    BIANCHI

Still, time to get lucky; I'll need a wingman.

 

                                    CHOY

                                Will he ever stop?

 

                                    LU'AN

                                Night Watson...

 

Lu'An turns to the Hipsters, rolls her eyes.

 

                                   LU'AN (CONT'D)

                                Welcome to the Black Cat

                                gentlemen. How can I help you?

 

                                   ASHER

                                Old friends?

Lu'An nods.

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