Blind Leonard's Blues

Circa 1980/Fresno California Leonard Silverstein is a Blues Guitar Prodigy who works for the Post Office as a Mail Carrier. Leonard longs to experience and play the Blues like Black Folks. He believes he's found the Conduit to do that when he meets old Bluesman Cahoun Perkins on his mail route. Cal tells him about a Blues Legend: The BluesWarp. Follow Blind Leonard on his Quest as he fulfills his dream of a lifetime like Quantum Leap Blueswarp! EXCERPT: FADE TO: INT. BLIND LEONARD'S LIVING ROOM/TWO WEEKS LATER - DAY EARLY EVENING HOURS Blind Leonard slouches over the dark green leather couch. His long arms and legs spread akimbo. He is a picture of grief as images of his old friend Cal float thorough his thoughts. The TV is on and he half listens to Jimmy Carter's latest speech. BLIND LEONARD (VO) (choking back a sob) You been gone a week but I swear I miss you a year's worth of lonely. Blind Leonard could clearly see the feisty old black man with crinkly gray hair wise in his old age and now gone from this earth. He picked up a photo of the BCB from the table and studied it. CLOSE UP-There they all were; Cal with his guitar and a big smile creasing his face mischief dancing in his eyes. He stood in back of Cal with his arm fondly around the old Bluesman's shoulder. BLIND LEONARD (VO) Damn those were good times! Blind Leonard sighed deeply and walked to his kitchen. Through the window he watched D.O.G. in his back yard. He feared the hound would pine away because he too missed Cal so much. He opened the door and let the dog inside. BLIND LEONARD (to D.O.G.) You miss him too don't you old man? D.O.G. looked up at blind Leonard with sad eyes and thumped his tail half-heartedly. Cal's guitar now propped in the corner of his living room caught Blind Leonard's attention. He recalled The BluesWarp Legend. BLIND LEONARD Dammit! Why'd he have to leave me! Blind Leonard found his Telecaster and stroked the shiny red body drawing comfort from it. He plugged it in and began playing every Blues song he knew trying to erase Cal's death from his mind. Soon he lost track of all time. Every nerve in his body felt raw and exposed. His mind, heart, and soul melded with his guitar...they became ONE. Blind Leonard's skin tingled, the hair on the back of his neck stood at attention. His fingers were on fire; red and blue sparks flew from his fingernails. An electric current started at the top of his head flashed in his brain and jolted his chest. The smell of ozone invaded his nostrils. Lightening exploded in the pit of his stomach scorched his groin and drained through his feet and toes. D.O.G. howled to high Heaven. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. DUSTY DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD/EVENING - DAY DUSK Blind Leonard looked left then right. As far as the eye could see were miles and miles of beautiful green cotton fields. He breathed in the fresh country air. BLIND LEONARD (VO) My body feels so different. Taking long strides arms pumping he felt the guitar strung over his shoulder knocking against his back. Glancing down at his hands he saw long dark fingers. BLIND LEONARD (excited) Hah! I did it! I don't know how but I actually did it! He did a James Brown shuffle in the middle of the road kicking up dust. BLIND LEONARD (singing) I feel good! I feeel good! So good! So good! BLIND LEONARD (VO) I don't know where I am but it damn sure ain't Fresno. Hearing a rumbling Blind Leonard turns to see a battered old flatbed truck rolling up behind him leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. His heart sped up and panic gripped him as he recalled stories of Klan Lynchings. PAN TO: A man's friendly black face appears through the driver's window of the truck. A woman sat next to him holding a fat baby. The couple recognized Preacher Man ie Blind Leonard. BLACK MAN IN TRUCK (motions to the flatbed) Hey Preacher Man! You wanna a ride? Hop on in the back. Blind Leonard took his strapped guitar off his shoulder and gladly hopped onto the back of the truck. He leaned back against the cab and stretched out his long legs. BLIND LEONARD (VO) This guy called me Preacher Man. Cal told me his best friend's name was Preacher Man.