Sun
EXT. RUNNING TRAIL - CASA DE CAMPO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - DAY - February 20, 2025
EXT. RUNNING TRAIL - CASA DE CAMPO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - DAY
A sprawling resort property lain with gardens, golf courses, beautiful homes and facilities glows in the Caribbean sunlight. A running trail winds through the property where Shane and JESSIE (see 10/01/24 post “Squat” if you don’t know Jessie) go for their morning run.
Shane runs ahead of Jessie with both headphones in. He throws his hands up, air drumming to the music in his ears. Jessie gets close behind him, getting his attention. Shane takes out an earbud. They speak through panting breaths.
JESSIE: We have to turn up here.
SHANE: Great. I follow you.
They approach a turn in the path and take it.
SHANE: Sorry, had both earbuds in. Were you calling for me long?
JESSIE: For a little. That groundskeeper back there was whistling for me.
SHANE: Ooh la la! So, I know it’s pretty uncool to catcall women. And I wouldn’t! But… was it kind of nice to have someone whistling for you?
JESSIE: Well, no he wasn’t whistling for me. He was whistling on my behalf. He was whistling at you! To get your attention.
SHANE: Ohh! Well, still. Same question.
JESSIE: Um, I don’t know. You’re right. It doesn’t really happen as much anymore, in New York at least. But, I wouldn’t hate a little whistle for me. I wouldn’t want creepy comments. But a whistle wouldn’t hurt.
SHANE: Nice. Well, he probably was whistling at you.
The running path comes to the edge of the island, curling along the palm tree lined coast. The ocean glistens before them.
JESSIE: Wow! Pretty.
SHANE: Beautiful. Speaking of the sun-
JESSIE: Were we talking about the sun?
SHANE: No, but the sun is right there, so, speaking of the sun… I did a tarot card reading yesterday with my friend Katie.
**Note: If you don’t know about Katie and the tarot card readings, see post 9/17/24 “Cards”
JESSIE: Anything good?
SHANE: Well, she pulled three cards. One for “what I should focus on”. One for “what I need to receive”. And one for “what I need to give”. And for the “what I need to focus on” card, she pulled the Sun….
SHANE (continued): Apparently the sun represents childlike creativity, unfiltered joy, play… And lately I have been feeling creatively uninspired and like I need to reconnect with my inner-child to create. Which has been difficult. I’ve been feeling sort of defeated by the stagnation. So, last night I had a dream…
The screen waves in cliche “we are going into a dream” device, a la Wayne and Garth doing the “dididoo-dididoo” thing below...
FADE INTO:
INT. SHANE’S DREAM - RECORDING STUDIO / HOME / WAREHOUSE?
As with dreams, the setting is a combination of places but definitely with a 1960’s style, Laurel Canyon style house or recording studio or something vibe. Lots of browns and tans and yellows around. Panel walls, shag carpets. Yada, yada, yada.
Shane casually hangs out with a room full of celebrities. JACK WHITE, PAUL RUDD (looking and dressed like his Brian Fantana character from Anchorman), CONAN O’BRIEN, GARY CLARK JR., BRITTANY HOWARD, and other anonymous figures fill the space.
SHANE: Damn, Paul. Sick jacket.
Paul Rudd wears a soft lamb-skin brown leather jacket with a wide collar.
PAUL RUDD: Oh, thanks man.
(Classic Rudd!)
Jack White, wearing his signature black, white and blue striped high lapel blazer, grabs his black-and-white Telecaster "Triplecaster” guitar from Paul’s hands and begins to noodle on it. He joins in on the tune that Gary Clark Jr is playing from a stool in the corner. Gary wears a brown leather moto jacket with quilted shoulder and arm details.
SHANE: I gotta say. I fucking love jackets.
CONAN: Me too, man. I like Gary’s.
SHANE: I like Gary’s too!
Brittany Howard in a classic Levi’s denim jacket, moseys over to Conan and Shane.
BRITTANY: I like that Martin D-28 he’s playing. What is that? A 1940?
GARY: 1937!
EVERYONE: Daaaayuuum!
SHANE: You know what would be dope. A TV show where guests come on with dope guitars and dope jackets. All rare, vintage, unique, stuff. We talk about the fashion and hardware and then they play songs.
CONAN: I’d host that show!
Shane looks at Conan, trying to suss his sincerity.
A beat.
SHANE: Are you fucking serious?
Conan looks at Shane, sensing Shane’s doubt in his comment. Conan extends his hand to shake Shane’s.
The screen waves again to indicate the END OF THE DREAM.
FADE BACK TO:
EXT. RUNNING TRAIL - SAME
SHANE: So, Conan agreed to host himself. On the spot. Sight unseen. Shook on it and everything. And I assume with him onboard it won’t have a problem getting green-lit.
JESSIE: It’s like Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee!
SHANE: Yes! Exactly. Celebrities with Guitars Getting Jackets? Or something? Working title.
JESSIE: Honestly, who doesn’t love jackets? I fucking love jackets. I bet it would work.
SHANE: I mean, it’d at least make for a good Instagram handle if nothing else. Right?
JESSIE: At the very least.
SHANE: Anyway, It’s not something I’ll actual pursue. It’s just cool that I had that Sun card pulled, to focus on childlike creativity. And I don’t feel it yet while I’m awake, but at least creativity is coming through me in my dreams.
JESSIE: That is cool.
SHANE: Yeah. I mean, I don’t think I’d actually pursue it as a real thing.
They continue to run.
SHANE: Ooh! Axes and Jackets!
JESSIE: Great title!
SHANE: Yeah! I mean, look, I’m probably not going to actually try to make this.
They run some more.
A beat.
SHANE: Do we know anyone who knows Conan?
**Note: All concepts and titles referenced in this post are property of Shane Peltzman, Uncle Bread Productions, Rope Burn Productions, and Team Coco. Unauthorized use or duplication of this content without express permission is strictly prohibited.
***Also if you’re super psyched on Axes and Jackets (working title) as a concept, and would be interested in this as a TV show, or at the very least, an Instagram handle, please let me know.
****Also if you know Conan O’Brien and can put me in touch or at least send him this post with my explicit interest, please let me know. I think he’d genuinely dig it.
