INT. LARGE PRESTIGIOUS HALLWAY -- AFTERNOON
DUSTIN HARDAWAY sits on top of an old, beat-up guitar case. He's in his
mid thirties, unshaven and grundgy. A sign above his head reads BARRY
WEINBERG-CAPITOL RECORDS L.A.
BONNIE,(50's), walks out of Barrys office.
WOMAN
Hello Dustin. Barry's ready for you.
INT. BARRY'S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS
BARRY,(40's), sits behind a large, oak-wood desk. He's charming
and unassuming.
BARRY
(smiling)
Dustin.
Dustin waves and closes the door.
In front of Barry's desk sit two teenagers, CABARET, blond girl,
dressed like a porn star, and T-TOP, male, African American, hip.
Dustin sits in a seat off to the side.
BARRY (CONT'D)
How's it going?
DUSTIN
You tell me.
BARRY
Thanks for coming in, I just wanted to
give you an update on your album.
DUSTIN
OK.
BARRY
We're not going to record it. Better yet,
Mary wants to buy your songs for a great
deal of money.
DUSTIN
Really? Who's going to sing them?
BARRY
Meet Cabaret and T-TOP.
Dustin looks over at the teenagers and then back at Barry.
DUSTIN
You're joking.
BARRY
Dustin, it's a guaranteed sell. Cabaret's
older sister is Jordan White.
DUSTIN
Who?
BARRY
She's on Eighty Two Blvd....she's the star
on Blue Beach Sisters...c'mon...you've
seriously never heard of her?
DUSTIN
No.
BARRY
Maybe this will help.
He throws a teen magazine on the desk with a hot young girl on the cover.
BARRY (CONT'D)
Yeah?
DUSTIN
Can I ask you who decided against
my album?
Barry looks at the teenagers.
BARRY
I'm sorry Caberet, but can you guys
give us a second?
Caberet SIGHS. They both walk out.
Barry returns to Dustin.
BARRY (CONT'D)
I did. There's no market for you Dustin,
you're too old. I mean sure you have a
great voice, and your guitar playing's
amazing but that won't sell.
DUSTIN
Too old?
BARRY
Listen, I love your stuff, but kids
won't.
Dustin leans back and laughs.
DUSTIN
I'm sorry, I'm still...I mean, do you
really think that...
(pointing to door)
What's their names..
BARRY
Caberet and T-Top.
DUSTIN
Right. Do you really want them to
sing my songs?
BARRY
No, but it will sell.
Dustin's speechless.
BARRY (CONT'D)
Dustin what's the big deal, you have
a hundred songs.
DUSTIN
It's the principle?
BARRY
The what?
DUSTIN
(laughing)
Exactly.
BARRY
This is a business, OK. We sell records
not revolutions. Eighty-five percent of
album sales come from fourteen to nineteen
year old kids. They dont' want to see a
thirty-five year old strumming his guitar
to poetry.
Dustin looks out of the window. Barry leans back.
BARRY (CONT'D)
So, what's it going to be? Mary's prepared
to pay you a bundle.
Dustin considers.
He returns to Barry.
DUSTIN
You ever been to Florida?
BARRY
Oh Jesus Dustin, you hate Florida.
DUSTIN
You're right, I do.
BARRY
You're seriously moving back to Florida?
What the hell are you going to do there?
Dustin grabs his guitar and stands up.
DUSTIN
Record my album.
BARRY
Where? On a golf course?
Barry watches Dustin leave.
BARRY (CONT'D)
Big mistake Dustin.
DUSTIN
Maybe.
Dustin opens the door. He smiles at Barry.
DUSTIN (CONT'D)
Have a good one, Barry.
EXT. BUILDING -- CONTINUOUS
Dustin walks outside of the building.
He leans against the wall.
DUSTIN
Shit.
BEGINING CREDITS-DUSTIN'S SONG
Credits intercut during the following accompanied by a light acoustic guitar playing.