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INT. EVERGLEN RECORDING STUDIO - MIDDAY - 1925
KEEFE leans over the antique Vernon family heirloom piano where FITZROY (FITZ) is playing. The intro credit music stops as FITZ looks up at him.
FITZ sighs.
FITZ
Let me guess. You’ve been thinking.
KEEFE gasps overdramatically.
KEEFE
(feigned surprise)
Why ever would I do such a thing? You
know thinking can only lead to dangerous
outcomes. That being said, I did have a
thought.
FITZ
Stars, why do I even bother anymore?
KEEFE smiles annoyingly.
KEEFE
Because I’m very difficult to get rid of.
(beat)
I trust you know we’ve been looking for
a new venue since Tam dusted out on us.
FITZ
And whose fault was that?
KEEFE
Legally? Not mine.
FITZ pinches the bridge of his nose. KEEFE is unbothered by this.
KEEFE (CONT’D)
Anyway I was talking to Sophie—
FITZ
Anything that starts like that is certain
to end badly.
KEEFE
Fitzroy Avery Vacker, listen to me for a
second for once in your life. Foster has a
cousin whose family has a place we could
use. It’s not the most ideal—
FITZ
(interrupting)
Then why are we even going to bother with
considering it?
KEEFE
The back corner of a coffee shop is
better than nothing. Not all of us are
lucky enough to leech off your parents.
FITZ pauses for a moment, considering making KEEFE verbalize why, exactly, he cut off his relationship with his parents.
FITZ
I take it that means you’ve already booked
it.
KEEFE
It’s one gig. Do your best to tolerate it.
KEEFE turns toward the back door. No one knows where he is going, probably including himself.
FITZ
You know I won’t.
KEEFE
And you know I don’t care.
The door closes behind him and FITZ cracks his knuckles before going back to playing the piano.
INT. SLURPS AND BURPS - LATE EVENING/NIGHT
Slurps and Burps is a coffee shop during the day and a Speakeasy at night. People mill about, the space filled with chatter.
BIANA is sitting at the counter, swinging her feet as she talks to SOPHIE, drinking what is likely spiked coffee.
DEXTER (DEX) and FITZ are getting everything set up for the performance this evening. FITZ is trying to be helpful. DEX is left moving the piano mostly by himself.
DEX
(breathing heavy, teasing)
My guy, did you fill this thing with rocks?
FITZ
(indignant)
No. It’s just built to last.
DEX
(proud of his pun)
Well, it could certainly last through me
driving a car into it.
FITZ
Why would you ever find yourself in that
situation?
DEX shrugs.
DEX
I don’t know.
FITZ looks over at KEEFE, who is flirting with some random extra.
DEX adjusts the piano into its final resting place.
DEX
Can I get you anything? Java, tea, what
have you. We’ve got everything.
DEX lowers his voice.
DEX (CONT’D)
A little bit of moonshine? It’s a family
recipe.
FITZ
(low, dangerous)
You know, it’s probably not very good
business practice to disclose that
information to just anyone who walks in
off the street. Somebody’s going to call
copper.
DEX
(unconcerned, irritated)
You rat me out, you’re out of a job.
FITZ snorts.
FITZ
I didn’t want this gig in the first place.
FITZ raises his voice.
FITZ (CONT’D)
Isn’t that right, Keefe?
KEEFE
I got no context, so whatever makes him
look the most like a sap is the one I
want.
KEEFE spends the rest of the conversation watching them.
DEX
(voice low)
Then why are you here? Why did you even
bother?
FITZ leans against the piano, almost protectively, trying to make himself look relaxed. He is not. FITZ shrugs stiffly.
FITZ
I had nothing better to do. Trust me. I
tried. I really did.
DEX
(maximum sarcasm)
Wow, that must have been so difficult
for you.
FITZ
Lay off it, alright? I’m here for Keefe,
regardless of what you might want to think.
DEX
I want to believe you’re a sap, and you’re
not exactly giving me much evidence to the
contrary.
DEX takes a sip out of some unspecified alcoholic beverage. This is a speakeasy, after all.
FITZ
Oh, so you’ve talked to me for what? Five
minutes? And now you think you’re an
expert in my every waking thought? Every
detail of my inner psyche?
DEX puts his hands up, defensive.
DEX
I didn’t say that, Socrates. Watch your
tongue the text time you try to blow
things out of proportion?
FITZ
Like that isn’t blowing things even
further out of proportion?
DEX
If I remember correctly—and please
correct me if I am wrong here—you were
the first to threaten me and my family,
so I think that’s more than a fair
trade from your perspective.
The lights flicker, signaling the start of the show. It is operated by DEX’S BROTHER #1.
DEX
Well.
DEX presses his lips together.
DEX (CONT’D)
(bitter)
I should tell you to have fun up there,
but I don’t think you’re capable of
that. Break a leg and all that
superstitious nonsense.
DEX shifts to his customer service voice, laced with passive aggression.
DEX (CONT’D)
Let me know if I can get you anything
to make your time here slightly less
inconvenient.
FITZ turns away without a reply or a second thought.
EXT. - HAVENFIELD - MIDDAY, FALL
SOPHIE and DEX are sitting under a Jacaranda tree, leaves beginning to fall but not completely bare. They are complaining about many things. FITZ is a large topic of discussion on this fine day, and also KEEFE and BIANA to a lesser extent.
DEX
How do you put up with all of them on
a daily basis?
SOPHIE
Determination, resilience, a lack of
other valid career paths, and a dash
of—
SOPHIE wiggles her eyebrows. It is unclear which one she is wiggling her eyebrows about, but that ambiguity will be important.
DEX sighs.
DEX
Okay, like, on the one hand, I get what
you’re saying and, yeah, you’re
absolutely right.
SOPHIE laughs.
SOPHIE
That’s because I’m objectively correct.
DEX is too far in his own head to react to SOPHIE’s comment.
DEX
But, like, how can you reconcile that
with that personality? I don’t get it.
SOPHIE
There’s nothing to get. Admire from a
distance and your problems solve
themselves. Easy.
DEX pauses to consider this answer.
DEX
No. I don’t like that solution. Give me
a better one. Replace the personality
itself. You went to college. You have a
fancy degree in marketing or something.
Figure it out.
SOPHIE
Okay, first of all, that was several
years ago and I haven’t used it since.
DEX
You have a photographic memory. Don’t
try to pull that on me.
SOPHIE doesn’t know how to reply to this for a beat.
SOPHIE
(feigned anger)
Damn. How dare you know all my tricks?
Anyway, I don’t think personality
replacement was covered in my curriculum.
Sorry. But do let me know if the store
needs new customers.
DEX
Some might argue there’s already too many
people. That doesn’t excuse the fact that
you’re supposed to know the answers to
life, the universe, and everything. This
has been thoroughly established.
SOPHIE
Well, I don’t. Sorry.
DEX pauses for a long time, somewhere in the realm of several whole seconds.
DEX
I just wish…things would be easier.
SOPHIE smiles softly, encouragingly.
SOPHIE
On which front?
DEX laughs bitterly.
DEX
Yes.
DEX pauses, debating with himself if he should elaborate.
DEX (CONT’D)
(frequent pauses, struggling with sentences)
It’s just that…Fitz is…tangling
everything together. I used to be able
to go to work without getting trapped
in my own mind. And, well, to be
completely honest, I don’t much
appreciate it.
SOPHIE
You should go tell him that.
DEX physically flinches away from this idea.
DEX
I have an even better idea. How about
you go tell your boyfriend Keefe?
He’s the one that concocted this whole
booking-Slurps-and-Burps-for-a-gig
disaster. He should be the one to unravel
this Gordian knot of a situation.
SOPHIE
I’m not dealing with your problems.
You can talk to Fitz yourself or you
can deal with it.
DEX
(Making himself sound useless on purpose)
But, alas, I’m incapable of speaking
with people in rational terms. Whatever
am I to do?
SOPHIE
(not buying into DEX’s act)
Don’t make me show you what irrational
terms sound like.
DEX sighs, defeated. This is going to be unpleasant, but he’s already concocting the bribery he is going to offer KEEFE to make him want to relocate. Preferably without destroying his and SOPHIE’s relationship.
DEX is also fairly easily convinced to do things he doesn’t want to do while also being immensely stubborn.
DEX
Fine.
EXT. RECORDING STUDIO - THE NEXT DAY, DAYLIGHT HOURS
DEX walks up to the door and argues with himself in his mind before knocking.
Inside, FITZ sighs and stops playing piano. As he stands, his joints sing the song of their people. Unlocking the door, he finds DEX studying the ground and fidgeting with his sleeve.
FITZ
Hello! What can I—
FITZ realizes who is standing in the doorway and drops the polite act.
FITZ (CONT’D)
(flatly)
—What do you want?
DEX is irritated by this in an effort to not be thinking about how he is engaging in a conversation.
DEX
Believe it or not, not everything is
about you. I’m here to speak with
Keefe.
FITZ considers this, leaning against the doorframe.
FITZ
Nah, I don’t believe that one. Besides,
Keefe isn’t here. I don’t know where
he is or when he’ll be back. Sorry.
DEX feels a rush of relief, taking a deep breath.
DEX
It’s probably futile to ask you to tell
him that I was looking for him, but I’m
going to hope anyway.
DEX turns around to leave.
FITZ
You’re exactly right.
DEX
You don’t have to sound so disappointed.
BIANA (O.S.)
(yelling to be heard from across the studio)
Fitzroy! Stop being so obnoxious!
BIANA’s voice comes down from a yell to a normal speaking voice as the sentence goes on and she gets close enough to push FITZ out of the doorway and take his place.
BIANA (CONT’D)
I’m sure Keefe will return sometime
soon.
FITZ
(muttering)
Lies. Filth and lies.
BIANA
(to FITZ)
He’s going to get hungry sooner or
later.
FITZ seems to accept this, rolling his eyes and wandering back to his precious piano.
BIANA
(to DEX)
Can I get you anything? Fitz has an
obsession with baking and we’re
always trying to get rid of the
aftermath.
DEX smiles awkwardly as he shakes his head. BIANA turns to not be outdoors anymore and DEX follows her inside.
DEX
I mean, if you want to sell then at
Slurps and Burps, I could always
ask my parents.
DEX shrugs.
DEX (CONT’D)
I’m sure they’d agree, but I’d rather
present a possibility than a guarantee,
you know.
BIANA
You sound like him.
DEX and FITZ look equally offended by this and avoid eye contact at all costs.
BIANA takes this opportunity to leave DEX and FITZ together for a length of time while she investigates this route.
BIANA
Well, I’ve got some extra time today,
so I can go ask your parents myself.
Don’t knock each other off while I’m
gone, got it?
FITZ and DEX watch her leave. This is the same door that KEEFE used in the first scene, not the front door.
FITZ
(yelling after her)
How many times do I have to tell you to
stop meddling in my life?
FITZ huffs.
DEX gets up to leave out of the front door that is still open.
FITZ
(irritated and tired)
Where are you going now?
DEX
…Leaving?
FITZ
Well, don’t. Biana is going to think
I’ve planted you in the backyard or
under the floorboards.
DEX releases an exasperated sigh and sits down on a conveniently placed stool.
FITZ (CONT’D)
Believe me, I wouldn’t say that unless
it was absolutely necessary.
DEX
(his temper finally snaps)
What is your problem, dude? You’ve been
nothing but rude during the ten minutes
we’ve interacted. I understand if you
don’t like me. That’s understandable.
But you’re like this toward everyone. I
can also understand you didn’t want to
do the gig for whatever reason, but
instead of being like that about it, you
could’ve figured out a way to sit in
time out until the last minute. It’s not
that hard. There’s a very nice storage
closet where I’ve spent more hours than
I’d like to admit hiding from people.
FITZ’s hands drop forcefully into his lap.
FITZ
(equally angry)
Why should I explain myself to you? I
couldn’t care less about what you
think. I don’t know why you think I
would.
DEX
Oh, I don’t know, basic human decency?
I really don’t care if you disagree,
but I tried my best to be pleasant,
and you made that very, very difficult.
FITZ
That seems like a you problem.
DEX
Well, I’m sorry you couldn’t tolerate
a single evening that wasn’t precisely
what you wanted to do. That must have
been so hard for you. It’s almost like
I’m not trapped in that coffee shop
every single day.
FITZ
Again, that seems like a you problem.
I don’t see why I should be concerned
with a you problem.
DEX
And I don’t see why I have to put up
with your—
DEX gestures vaguely at FITZ, unable or unwilling to say what he’s thinking.
FITZ
(challenging)
My what?
DEX
Your general existence. I don’t want to
be here as much as you don’t want me to
be here. I would adore being able to
leave you alone, but it looks like
neither of us are going to get what we
want.
FITZ
So you’ve made it your personal mission
to make yourself as infuriating as
possible in the meantime?
DEX
I guess so. You didn’t exactly make it
difficult for me.
The sound of the back door opening stops FITZ from responding. KEEFE enters, mild surprise at seeing DEX but he also doesn’t care that much.
KEEFE
Did you miss me?
FITZ and DEX
(in approximate unison)
No.
FITZ and DEX look at each other—this is a pretty significant milestone in them agreeing on something. They laugh.
INT. SLURPS AND BURPS - MIDMORNING
FITZ enters, the doorbell announcing his presence. He makes eye contact with DEX’S SISTER at the counter.
DEX’S SISTER
Dex! Your friend is here!
DEX appears from the back, expecting SOPHIE or maybe even KEEFE. He has severe dark circles and is immediately irritated by FITZ’s presence.
DEX’S SISTER trades places with him, though she will be listening to their whole conversation.
DEX
What do you want this time?
FITZ
I do believe you’re a tea shop when
you’re not running from the police, and,
as such, I’d like a small Earl Grey.
DEX gives him a look. The kind of staredown that requires invocation of the if-looks-could-kill meter.
DEX takes some of the hot water from the coffee and unwraps a teabag, allowing it to start steeping.
DEX
And you had to come here for that?
FITZ
You’ve got the best tea in the shortest
distance from my apartment.
DEX
You can make tea yourself, you know.
FITZ
Yes, but, you see, then I have to
interact with Keefe. In that case,
the amount I would spend in bribery is
significantly greater than venturing
out into the world.
DEX
I can almost see that.
DEX hands FITZ the scalding mug of tea. FITZ touches it and flinches away.
DEX (CONT’D)
Can I get anything else for you today?
FITZ
If you have a least favorite muffin,
I’ll take one of those.
DEX studies the muffins for a long second before choosing a victim. It is placed into a white paper bag that is slightly too small for both his hand and a muffin.
DEX
That’ll be $1.05
FITZ takes out his wallet and slides over a $20. For reference, this is roughly $350 when adjusted for inflation. That is also why the price of a tea and muffin is scaled the way it is.
DEX’s eyebrows react appropriately to the amount of money this is.
DEX
(projecting calmness and irritation)
Singlehandedly paying for a week’s rent
isn’t going to make me like you.
FITZ
Okay. That’s not going to stop me. Just
think of it like a starting point. A
deposit in exchange for dealing with me
and my—
FITZ gestures vaguely at himself.
DEX
I’m never going to live that one down,
am I?
FITZ
(almost, but not quite, playful)
Not if I have anything to do with it.
DEX
Lovely.
FITZ
Careful, I’m willing and able to have
Keefe perpetuate it even further.
DEX
I hope you know that my siblings have
already added it to their very limited
vocabulary, so there’s really no need.
DEX realizes this may result in additional perpetuity because it sounded like he was trying to make FITZ stop and that means he could take it as a challenge.
DEX (CONT’D)
Although, I guess there is a constant
need to make me suffer as much as
possible, so it’s really up to your
discretion.
FITZ takes the tea, no longer giving him fourth degree burns, and his muffin.
FITZ
Would you care to dine with me on
this fine morning?
DEX makes sure there aren’t too many customers, in case he would be needed to work. There are not. Most of their income comes in after sunset.
DEX
(loud so his siblings can hear)
Yes, I would like to get paid to not
work.
FITZ flashes a small smile that DEX does not see.
FITZ and DEX sit at a booth in the corner for minimum visibility. There aren’t many other people and if they get into another argument, they don’t want to be public entertainment.
DEX
It really is remarkable how determined
you are to both piss me off and remain
a patron here.
FITZ
Well, I’m sure you could solve the
latter fairly quickly.
DEX gestures widely to the doorway to the kitchen, where his siblings are trying to not be caught eavesdropping.
DEX
Behold. The reasons I am physically
incapable of kicking you out. I do that,
I’m never going to hear the end of it,
and that’ll get out to the rest of our
customers—because of course it will—and
then suddenly they start going down the
street for their mediocre morning coffee.
FITZ
Well, I’m not a coffee person, so I can’t
review yours, but your Earl Grey is quite
nice.
DEX lowers his voice conspiratorially.
DEX
It’s even nicer with a little splash of
something. If you get what I mean.
FITZ
(voice low to match)
It’s not even noon yet.
DEX
Then come back later. Time usually
travels linearly in the forward
direction, and then it’ll be after noon
and you’ll have to come up with a new
excuse. If that new excuse just so
happens to be that it’s not five
o’clock yet, wait until I tell you about
what else time can do. It can travel
linearly. In the forward direction.
DEX’S BROTHER #2 (O.S.)
And we don’t have a band tonight so then
maybe you’ll perform and Dex will be—
DEX turns and points at him.
DEX
Don’t finish that sentence if you don’t
want lead poisoning.
FITZ smiles.
FITZ
Allegedly.
DEX
Allegedly.
DEX turns back to FITZ.
DEX (CONT’D)
You don’t have to if you don’t want to.
FITZ
And that sounds like you’re trying to get
rid of me. I’ll see you tonight then.
FITZ brightens his smile and leaves. DEX doesn’t take any opportunity to argue with him, despite the fact that he has more than enough time to react.
When the door shuts, DEX releases a big sigh, deflating.
INT. SLURPS AND BURPS - AROUND SUNDOWN
Slurps and Burps is once again filled with many patrons, and they are once again filling the room with chatter. The piano is already in place, as are BIANA’s saxophone and KEEFE’s drum kit.
FITZ
(at KEEFE)
Stop looking at me like that.
KEEFE
(feigned oblivious innocence)
Like what?
FITZ
You know what you’re doing. Being all
self-righteous.
KEEFE
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
FITZ cycles through a few arguments before deciding it isn’t worth it.
FITZ
Forget it. We don’t have time to argue
about this. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I
do have a small change to the setlist.
KEEFE
Shouldn’t that have been discussed
previously?
FITZ
It’s not like you would care either way.
What’s it you tell me? Fitzroy, it’s
jazz, nobody cares about the setlist.
Half of it is already improv.
KEEFE
That might be accurate, but that doesn’t
mean I like it.
FITZ turns away, grumbling to himself and searching the crowd for DEX.
When he does eventually find him, FITZ smiles hesitantly.
FITZ
So this might be an odd request, but
please hear me out before you say no.
DEX
(already irritated)
Go ahead.
FITZ
(quickly, in a single breath)
I may or may not have a tendency to
process things by writing songs, which
I’m sure is a massive surprise
considering why I’m here. I don’t
remember exactly why I was talking to
Sophie a couple of days ago, but that’s
beside the point. Anyway, I happened to
be blessed with the songwriting curse
immediately after she left, and when I
emerged from the cave, the song’s point
of view was a little wonky. And by that
I mean, of course, that I tried to
project into your head, which is really
weird now that I’m saying it out loud.
DEX
Calm down. I don’t need you passing out
on me. I don’t want to call Elwin. He’s
already mad at Sophie . I don’t need that.
FITZ takes a deep, slightly shaky breath.
FITZ
On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely would
it be that I could ask you really,
really nicely to do the verse that’s
attempting, probably very badly, to
be in your point of view so that I
don’t have to ask Keefe to do it?
DEX
About a -7, presuming it’s a logarithmic
scale, but I’ll do it anyway.
A pause.
FITZ
Why?
DEX
Don’t question my motives. Just be
aware that I don’t know what I’m doing
and if I think about it too long, I’m
going to go cry in the bathroom, so
don’t let me think.
FITZ
Got it.
A longer pause, FITZ contemplates telling DEX something to help with the fact that his blood pressure is visibly rising.
BIANA (O.S.)
Fitz! It’s nine. Get going.
FITZ
(yelling over to BIANA)
Who is this punctual person and what
have you done to my sister?
FITZ turns back to DEX and pulls a crunched piece of paper out of his pocket.
FITZ (CONT’D)
Here’s the lyrics. I didn’t have time to
formalize any sheet music, but just kind
of…vibe with the music. That’s kind of
this whole genre’s mission statement,
isn’t it?
DEX
I am regretting my life choices.
FITZ
I’m sorry to hear that. You’ll be fine,
though. If not, I’ll bribe everyone with
muffins until the complaints stop.
DEX
(physically shaking)
Okay.
FITZ takes his place at the piano, making eye contact with KEEFE.
FITZ
Trust me, okay?
KEEFE smirks.
KEEFE
Yeah, of course. I’d let you lead us off
a cliff.
FITZ
A wouldn’t expect anything less.
FITZ begins playing an introduction, underscored by low rumblings from KEEFE’s floor tom after the first bar. FITZ’s focus remains squarely on KEEFE.
FITZ (CONT’D)
(singing)
HE LEANED OVER THE PIANO
WITH THAT MISCHIEVOUS GLINT IN HIS EYE.
HE’S BEEN THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING
AND NOW THERE’S NO GOING BACK.
The tempo ticks upward as KEEFE’s drums develop into a polyrhythm. FITZ leans back, his gaze landing on the ceiling.
FITZ (CONT’D)
THE WORLD IS ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD
I’M HANGING ON TO WHAT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN
WHAT I’VE KNOWN HAS GOTTEN ME THIS FAR
WHY BOTHER CHANGING THAT?
FITZ finally looks at DEX, his irritation over the past few days on full display in his tone. The instrumentation drops out for a beat.
FITZ (CONT’D)
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT WITH ME?
WHY DO YOU FIND SUCH PLEASURE ANGERING ME?
IF I COULD LEAVE, I PROMISE I WOULD,
BUT I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO ESCAPE.
I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO RUN AWAY FROM THIS PLACE
AND SO I’LL KEEP ON OCCUPYING YOUR SPACE.
DEX’s voice is so soft even the people standing next to him probably cannot hear him. He’s staring firmly at the ground. It’s not exactly symmetrical in the vocals or instrumentation with the first verse, but there’s no need for it to be.
DEX
(singing)
SHE’S ALWAYS MY WORST INFLUENCE
BY PUSHING ME OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE.
IF ONLY SHE WOULD UNDERSTAND
I WANT TO FIND AN ESCAPE.
DEX gains a bit more confidence, staring at FITZ’s shoes and singing slightly louder.
DEX (CONT’D)
THE WORLD IS ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD,
I’M STILL RUNNING FROM WHAT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN.
WHAT I’VE KNOWN HAS GOTTEN ME THIS FAR
WHAT MORE CAN LIE AHEAD?
DEX fixes a death glare on FITZ.
DEX (CONT’D)
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT WITH ME?
WHY DO YOU FIND SUCH PLEASURE ANGERING ME?
IF I COULD LEAVE, I PROMISE I WOULD,
BUT I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO ESCAPE
I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO RUN AWAY FROM THIS PLACE
AND SO I’LL KEEP ON OCCUPYING YOUR SPACE.
Two bars of SILENCE echo through the room.
FITZ and DEX
(start softly, crescendoing)
IF I STAY HERE AND YOU STAY THERE
I’LL STOP STEPPING ON YOUR TOES
IF WE PRETEND LIKE NONE OF US CARE
MAYBE IT’LL COME TRUE.
THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT I’LL EVER LIKE YOU
AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIKE ME.
PACIFY THE ELDER GODS
AND THEN WE’LL BOTH BE—FREE.
There is a long break, filled with instrumentation. BIANA and her saxophone have a whole narrative arc. DEX goes and runs off into the back, trying to never be seen again.
FITZ
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT WITH ME?
WHY DO YOU FIND SUCH PLEASURE ANGERING ME?
IF I COULD LEAVE, I PROMISE I WOULD,
BUT I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO ESCAPE.
I DON’T HAVE A WAY TO RUN AWAY FROM THIS PLACE
AND SO I’LL KEEP ON OCCUPYING YOUR SPACE.
END SHOW