September 15, 1998

(Just outside of the boxcar, Liz is leading Lucky, who has his eyes closed)

Liz: "Ok."

Lucky: "You want me to fall down and break something, don't you?"

Liz: (She leads him towards the doorway) "No. But we have to do it this way. There's a surprise in the boxcar, and if you open your eyes you're going to see it."

Lucky: "Well, I'm going to see it sooner or later."

Liz: "Stay. (She climbs up into the boxcar) But I want everything to look just the way I want it. Ok, give me your hand and step up. (Lucky holds his hand up and she helps him inside) I won't let you fall. Come on."

Lucky: "Ok. Now what?"

Liz: "Just stay here." (She goes off behind him)

Lucky: "Ok."

Liz: "Ok, you can look." (He turns around and finds that she's holding a guitar. Lucky looks very surprised)

Lucky: "Mine? As in I don't have to borrow my cousin Sly's anymore?"

Liz: "Yours."

Lucky: (He takes the guitar, looking at it) "That is so cool. That's unbelievable. You bought me a guitar?"

Liz: "Well, actually, I found it in my attic--something else of my Uncle Tom's."

Lucky: "You're kidding. He had an instrument like this and he went to Africa without it?"

Liz: (They sit down) "Gram says he never played it much, so she was looking for a good cause to donate it to because grandfather spent way too much on it to throw it away."

Lucky: "Your grandmother thinks I'm a good cause?"

Liz: "Most days. But I didn't want to take any chances, so I just said I had a friend who plays. (both laugh) I got it restrung. The guy at the shop says it sounds great. And I thought it looked a little plain, so I bought these decals to decorate it with."

Lucky: "You did all this?"

Liz: "Mm-hmm."

Lucky: "Man, this 1960s stuff is awesome--the peace sign, the yin and the yang and stuff."

Liz: "Well, good. I thought painting it might be a bad idea."

Lucky: "Well, that was a wise choice. Yeah, me with 24-hour access to a guitar. (Looking at the guitar) This is--this is the greatest present anybody's ever given me."

Liz: (Lucky strums the guitar) "Have you always played an instrument?"

Lucky: "No. But I always knew I would. Music just always mattered a lot."

Liz: "Because of a teacher you had or--"

Lucky: "No, because of my dad."

Liz: (Looking upset) "I'm too nosy."

Lucky: "I have to give credit where it's due. My dad, he has the world's greatest taste in music. And you should see the records and c.d.'s he's got. He could start a radio station tomorrow. I mean, rhythm and blues, jazz, real butt-kicking rock. I mean, he taught me the way some parents teach their kids the alphabet. One night it was Etta James, next it was Janis Joplin."

Liz: "Male bonding over the blues. It does sound pretty great."

Lucky: "It was. Now, see, that's what the club was supposed to be about, too. You know B.B. King? He played on opening night. (Liz is surprised) Yeah. I mean, maybe now the club's better known for people or cars being shot up or blown up, but back then there wasn't anyplace half as cool as Luke's. There wasn't anybody half as cool as the man."

Liz: "I'm sorry."

Lucky: "Why?"

Liz: "It seems so far away."

Lucky: "You know, I never thought that I would feel as close to another person as I did to him. Then you happened." (Lucky strums the guitar)

Liz: "What if somebody had a request?"

Lucky: (Looking at her and smiling) "Well, if it was you, I think she could ask for just about anything right now."

Liz: "Would you mind playing the song you wrote for me?"

Lucky: "Elizabeth, you have the tape. You can hear it whenever you want."

Liz: "I know, I know, but I don't have the tape now. I only have you. And besides, you said you didn't like the way it came out, that you could do better. Of course, I think the tape is perfect, so I might be hard to convince. But here's your chance. Please, just this one time?"

Lucky: "Remind me to learn how to win an argument with you." (Sighing, he begins to play)

As you kneel beside your bed tonight

Keep a little prayer for me in sight

Know that I will be there when you call

Know that I will catch you when you might fall

Elizabeth

Go to sleep

I want to watch you breathe

I want to feel God's peace

All I want is this

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Lucky: (Singing) Elizabeth (He stops playing)

Liz: "That was--thank you."

Lucky: "It's the guitar." (They smile)

Liz: "Is it ok? Is it the right size?"

Lucky: "Yeah, yeah. I don't want you to go, but I don't want you to get in trouble, either."

Liz: "I hope you don't freeze tonight."

Lucky: (Looking at her in amazement) "You know, everything about you is the best--the best there is. (He puts the guitar aside and they both stand up) Ooh. All right. Come on." (He jumps out of the boxcar and reaches up to help her down)

Liz: "Here, help me. Oh." (She falls down into his arms. They stand together for a minute, inches apart and then he kisses her very lightly. They draw back slightly, and then she moves forward to kiss him again. They move apart and smile at each other and walk off, hand in hand)