- An up and coming Actor and long established cinematographer become victims of a tragic accident while filming and find themselves transported to the hereafter where they discover Humphrey Bogart is their host.
- A tall man enters a contemporary restaurant somewhat cantankerous and agitated looking for someone. The Maitre Di patiently offers to assist in finding his party, but he rudely pushes past the Maitre Di, spotting who he is seeking. He quickly confronts a man named Edwards, who sits dining with his wife, Rachel. She questions who this angry man is, but before she gets her answer, the tall man pulls out a gun and shoots him three times in the chest as anxious patrons scream and duck for safety. The wife, covered in her husbands blood staggers away from the table in shock as we here an O.S. voice yell Cut!
We pull back only to discover we are on a sound stage in Hollywood filming a movie called Death Is Too Easy, and our tall man happens to be up and coming film star, Sean Casey, 30-something, care free with everything to live for. Sean, still holding the prop Glock 19, exuberantly begins horse playing with the gun and is quickly reprimanded by SPFX Weapons Specialist Ted Hammer about safety issues. Sean apologizes to Ted and then goes over to confer with the films director, Gene Levi, 50-something and famed established Cinematographer Arthur Lubeck, 80-something and somewhat a Hollywood icon and legend. Sean studied him in film school and is enamored of all he has accomplished. They have become somewhat friends during the filming of production.
The production team quietly discuss the latest shot and what they hope to achieve after the lunch period. Levi orders the call for lunch and cast and crew take off as Arthur generously once again invites Sean to join him for lunch over at the Studio Cantina. Sean is all to happy to join him to hear more stories about Hollywoods Golden Era Arthur is happy to share his memories and sadly confesses to Sean that he is thrilled to have this job as his phone rarely rings anymore. Sean is both dismayed and saddened to hear this news reiterating to him how much of a Hollywood legend Lubeck is, but both agree times in the industry have changed. Over lunch, Lubeck presents Sean with a special gift, a still photo of Seans mother, in an old TV episode of Time Travel with Vince Price, who used to work as an extra, part time in the 80s. Lubeck also worked on that series and culled the photo from his personal archives. Sean sadly explains that his mother never got to see all that he had achieved as an actor, as she died suddenly while he was over in Europe filming his first feature, a situation that still haunts him. Lubeck gives him comfort in the fact that sometimes these things cannot be avoided. He did what he had to do Sean is very touched by Lubecks gift. They return to the set.
Back on the set, the team sets up for another take of the previous scene the shooting in the Restaurant. Ted Hammer approaches him with the prop gun and again cautions him about safety issues and in an overly condescending voice, instructs him that when Gene yells cut, he is to promptly put the Glock 19 down on the ground. No horseplay! Sean nods a confident Gotch ya, Ted offers a confident wink and nod to Gene that theyre ready. .
Action!
Sean pulls the Glock from his coat aims the blank loaded Glock at the actor sitting at the table and fires three times!
KA-BOOM! A huge explosion erupts on stage and all hell breaks loose. There has been an accident. SOUND of splintering wood, breaking glass, bended metal and whoosh of escaping gas and moisture. Moans of the injured and an alarm bell sounding somewhere in the distance.
Sean lies motionless for several moments then pulls himself up and staggers through the smoking sound stage and spots Arthur standing close by. What the hell just happened? He asks, not making any sense of it. Arthur looks on unfazed, Sean glances back at the sound stage in ruins. Arthur, are you alright? He asks. Im quite fine, Sean. Come on, we wrapped. Let me buy you a drink. There are more wonderful stories to tell. He says in a calm tone. No, something just happened. Sean defends but frightened, follows Arthur out of the sound stage door and in slow motion sees studio personnel running and pointing in slow motion.
They walk thru the Studio Cantina doors, but now it is all different. Extremely bright and shimmering, not the first café we saw. Sean is rattled, nervous not too sure of what is going on, but Arthurs quiet confidence and friendship steadies him, frightened by what has just happened, he goes along with Arthur trustingly.
A Maitre D., HENRY, stands at a modern podium taking reservations with a very thin laptop. Arthur gives his name and it is quickly found. He is checked in. Sean looks around and ahead and sees a beautiful ultra ballroom setting with non-descript people seemingly having a marvelous time. He seems to relax more and steps up to the podium and gives his name. The Maitre D. does a quick search and comes up with nothing. No Sean Caine. Arthur is upset, Sean is dismayed. Arthur employs Henry to search again, annoyed, Henry complies, but again comes up empty. NO Sean Caine in his reservations and further, unless his name is in the system its a No Go. No one can be admitted if your name is not in his computer. Sean is disappointed, looks around, the line behind him is growing larger and the guests seem annoyed for the hold up. Arthur argues with Henry and asks him to please allow him in as his guest, for one quick drink. He has stories he wishes to tell young Sean. No! Now Henry is growing rattled, does one more search at Arthurs insistence and in doing so crashes his computer. Sean apologizes and tells Henry he can be of no help to him. Hes never been good with computers, that is why he became an actor. The line is growing longer and people more disgruntled, Henry is panic stricken explaining to them that what just occurred is a very bad thing. There will be a price to pay. Suddenly, a very familiar voice is heard O.S. Uh Oh, now were in for it chimes Henry. Sean withdraws and tells Arthur, perhaps hell take a rain check. Arthur protests. What seems to be the problem, Henry?. Were waiting to order? They turn and HUMPHREY BOGART approaches, dressed handsomely in tux, cigarette in hand. Seans mouth drops open. Bogart recognizes Arthur and rejoices. They greet each other excitedly. Arthur introduces Bogart to Sean. Henry explains the glitch with the computer and further explains that Seans name is not in the system. Bogart good naturedly shrugs and offers the fact that since Henrys computer is down, hell take ownership and the responsibility of allowing Sean in briefly for one quick drink! What can it hurt? and with that, ushers both Arthur, a former old crony and Sean through the shining golden door into the huge ballroom, much to Henrys frustration who turns to an escort waiter to Call the I.T. department, now!
Sean is beside himself as he walks a long, bright shimmering foyer getting brighter by the moment, but turns to see many of the patrons enjoying themselves are many luminous celebrities of the past Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, John Wayne, et. al. Sean is now truly wigged out, clings closely to Arthur, but Bogarts cool charm and Arthurs warm and friendly confidence, calms him somewhat. Bogart begins explaining how things work in the area, what to expect, etc. Sean is both dumbfounded and delighted and for the moment is actually enjoying himself totally blown away by the on going gaiety and levity atmosphere.
As Bogart proceeds with the tour, a familiar theme is heard emanating from behind the doors of a huge auditorium. Sean requests a peak. Bogart nods proudly and gives him permission to explore Sean yanks open the door and we find
BOB HOPE entertaining a large scale celestial audience. Hope up there on stage and introducing newly inducted Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston. He further welcomes some Navy Seal 6 personnel. John Wayne goes over to shake their hands, among the audience as well are Heath Ledger and James Cagney. Sean is blown away and cannot believe his eyes. Bogart explains that it is Hope and the Usual Suspects doing his new Forever and Ever tour. My Mom loved Bob Hope he explains, we watch Hope work the room amongst both celebrities of the past intertwined with Servicemen from all campaigns through the years Hope is doing what he does best entertaining the troops. Sean is beyond awe struck and as he sweeps the room suddenly, he spots the brown haired woman we saw in the photo with Vincent Price, sitting laughing, enjoying Hopes tour. Hes astounded. Bogart tugs at him, Lets go. One drink. He tells Sean. Sean balks sticks his head back inside, hoping for another glimpse of the brown haired woman, but now the audience is standing, hooping, hollering and his view of the brown haired woman is obscured. Wait, I see someone I think I know, wait He says, but Bogart is insistent and prods him along toward the Celestial Bar for that one drink.
Seans emotions now are conflicted. They arrive at the bar, where we discover Burgess Meredith is the bartender. At the bar, they are soon joined by Don Ameche and Loretta Young, both have worked with Arthur and they are all thrilled to be reunited. They all order a round of gin giblets. Ameche gets them in a booth near the Small folk area, where Sean looks over and spots countless TV stars, including Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Chuck Connors, James Arness, Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts and many other TV stars of the past.
Sean drinks his drink, tastes nothing. Begins to sweat badly. Looks up and once again sees the woman with the dark brown hair off in the distance. He silently vows to find her and seek her out. But Bogie is about to escort him back to the foyer and Henry for his journey back. Sean confesses he never tasted his drink and so he talks them into a second drink; they all agree. Loretta and Don Ameche contend that Seans heavy sweating is because he is in transition and probably should not be where he is. He needs to go back and see Henry. Its not his time.
They all agree to a second round but when Arthur and Bogie escort him in going for a second round, Sean makes a mad dash, yelling Im on a mission with Arthur and Bogie giving chase down a long shimmering blue corridor where they smack right into Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton holding hands, very much in love. Arthur catches up to Sean, who is engaging in conversation to Liz and Richard. Again in good company, Arthur is happy to see them again and introduces them to Sean. A little banter ensues. Sean breaks out in a sweat. Elizabeth Taylor feels pity for him, pulls out a beautiful yellow linen embossed handkerchief and gently wipes his brow with a mixture of compassion and temptuous delight, much to Burtons annoyance. She presses it into his palm, where he smells the White Diamonds fragrance and nearly swoons. He quickly pockets the hankie into his suit pocket. Then suddenly recovers and as Liz and Richard say their goodbyes to a distracted Arthur, Sean, now stronger, again makes a break for it. Arthur tries to grab him, but fails to stop him. Sean rounds a cloud filled corner and makes his way hastily down a green shimmering corridor. Bogie catches up to Arthur. Both realize now they have lost Sean. Bogie declares it to be A very bad thing, they must find him before its too late.
Sean rounds another corridor and bashes head on into Lloyd Bridges. Both grab each other to steady the blow. Sean is delighted to run into him. Bridges is both patient and paternal. He listens to Seans tale and is also surprised that Arthur is now aboard. He had worked with Arthur in the past and says he will get together with him as soon as he can.. Bridges urges Sean to return to Henry. But Sean says NO, he has to find his mother first. He asks if there is a library around, as his mother also used to be a librarian. Maybe he can find her there. Bridges points him toward Hall of Knowledge and Wisdom and wishes him well.
Sean continues his journey, unsure of even where he is when suddenly he sees a brightly colored flashing neon sign that says CLUB 27, makes his way toward it and enters the Club where he finds a jam session going on with Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin all banging out Morrisons famed, People Are Strange in a wild, psychedelic, frenzied rendition. . He stands mesmerized until Ol Mike, large intimidating Black, imposing Bouncer intervenes and throws him out. He argues with Mike, asks if he can at least stay for one drink. Amy Winehouse arrives to the club. Mike allows her entry and then he pulls down a very dark velvet curtain. We suddenly hear a loud heart beat, louder, louder. It over rides the music and then very thing goes black and we hear the flatline sound of the heart monitor. Its dark. Sean is alone, scared and frightened. He yells out for help. It remains dark. Sean begs for help. Please, come back. Ill leave right now, please? How can I leave if I cant find my way? . Suddenly, the lights come back on, brigher than ever. Sean takes off running from the club, charging down a shimmering gold corridor. He stops, turns, looks at the CLUB 27 sign. It goes off and the entire corridor behind him telescopes shut!
The incident has unnerved him. He continues walking down the corridor alone and begins sweating badly again. We HEAR his name being paged. He begins to run blindly. He is weak, shaky, unnerved. He is near tears. He yells out his mothers name in hopes of her hearing his pleas. He staggers down the corridor frightened, feeling totally out of control when sudden he hears the opening entry theme to THE JOHNNY CARSON SHOW. He follows the music and finds himself inside of a celestial studio in the very back row of the Carson show. Up on stage is Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon. Carson does his stchick, opening monologue and introduces tonights line up of guests: Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Judy Garland and Lena Horn. He is mesmerized leaning up against the end of the back riser, he watches Carsons guests come on as they are engaged in the usual banter of Carson and his guests. Exhausted and sweating badly, Sean gets into a comfortable position, closes his eyes to rest. Once again, he offers a plea for his mother to find him. Come on, Mom, its me. I need to see you, please. Suddenly the brown haired woman rises up from the middle of the audience and rushes quickly out of a side entrance, unseen by Sean who has his eyes closed.
We continue the Carson show where Sammy Davis, jr. and Michael Jackson tell their respective tales of having a coincidence in common surrounding Andrew Lloyd Webbers PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Carson breaks for a commercial. Sean feeling more rested opens his eyes, comments on what he just heard and moves on.
Come on, where is this Hall of Wisdom and Knowledge? He asks allowed and also yells out both of his mothers stage name (EDITH MONROE) and her maiden name.
Suddenly he encounters Marilyn Monroe, who engages him in a very friendly and eager manner.
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