THE KAYDEN COLLECTION (Screenplay Sample)

7th Ave. Where it's about Dreams on hangers and hanging on to Dreams. Sex, Drama and Intrigue set against the backdrop of NYC's glamorous and ghastly Fashion Industry as young Fashion Designer, BARRY KAYDEN, with everything at stake, pulls off an unprecedented last-minute heist by stealing back his own work from a ruthless Department Store Heiress who has never lost anything, or anyone that she wants.

• Registered: WGAw No. 1615782
• Feature Film: 125 pp.
• Genre: Drama
• Legal: Copyrighted ©
• Additional: Creative Artists Agency Story Report, By Darrien Robestan http://www.caa.com
• Status: AVAILABLE - Inquire via 'Contact' page
• Screenplay Sample Reading Time: 14 minutes
• Research Assistance by Andrew Fezza at: http://www.andrewfezza.com 
• Music: THE KAYDEN COLLECTION THEME by Federico Vaona at: http://soundcloud.com/aguarecords/thekaydencolletiontheme / http://www.federicovaona.com
• Graphic/Visual Design: by Samantha Perez at: http://www.artbysamanthaperez.com

___________________THE KAYDEN COLLECTION___________________

FADE IN:

CREDITS ROLL:

INT. The Javitz Center, NYC – Day

A huge Fashion Industry Trade Show is roaring in progress across the massive main floor of the convention center.  Booths representing a thousand manufacturers crowd the space, forming a sprawling grid stretching as far as the eye can see.  Runway previews, slide presentations and video clips all compete for attention.  In the bustling aisles, Hosts and Hostesses distributing swag parade sheathed in high style, among the frantic Retailers, Buyers and Press of the garment business.  Gliding through the ordered chaos, CAMERA PANS TO:  A pair of young men, each with a huge black Designer’s portfolio, huddled in a far corner passing business cards back and forth.  One of them is lanky, dark haired BARRY KAYDEN –

CREDITS END:

BARRY

(handing over a business card)

Here, this guy might be interested in your stuff.

DESIGNER

Joe Gramino?  I hear he’s bad news.

BARRY

What difference does it make if you can sell him a design?

DESIGNER

Barry, how long have you been here?

BARRY

I’ve worked about three quarters of the floor.

DESIGNER

Already?

BARRY

(smiling and turning to go)

Yeah.  I was here by Four o’clock this morning when

the sartorial spiders started spinning their webs.

BARRY fights his way back into the mainstream and closely follows a handsome woman in her mid-thirties wearing a tailored suit.  WE SEE: Every opportunity he gets to approach her is interrupted by someone elbowing in front of him.  The crowds are ruthless and oblivious to BARRY whose determination is unstoppable.  Finally the woman steps into a booth and BARRY follows –

BARRY

Ms. Jarrett?

MS. JARRETT

Yes?

BARRY

(extending his hand)

I’m Barry Kayden.  Remember me?  We met

at the Wendell Awards.

MS. JARRETT

We did?

BARRY

Sure.  You gave me your card and asked to see

my book.

MS. JARRETT

I did?

BARRY

You said I should find you at the show today …

BARRY sets down his portfolio and begins unbuckling the straps –

MS. JARRETT

What did you say your name was?

BARRY

Barry Kayden.  I won this year’s Wendell Couture Prize.

MS. JARRETT

Barry, Connor Thorpe won the Wendell Couture Prize.

I presented it.

BARRY

Now I remember!

MS. JARRETT

Uh-huh.  You’re short on memory, but long on looks.  Want

to work the runway?

BARRY

No, I’m a Designer … Look …

BARRY offers his book, but a colleague across the booth catches JARRETT’S eye, and she’s off –

CUT TO:

INT.  Another Booth – Day

Everything is decorated in black metal; futuristic.  Sales Representatives show a line of chic all-white clothing to clients sitting at small Parsons tables.  One of those clients, colder-than-ice MARCIA BRANFORD, is paying more attention to what is going on six feet away –

BARRY

Mr. Trastein, the sweater needs a waffled shoulder and extension.

Look, I have a sketch just like that right here…

MR. TRASTEIN

Do I have time for this?

BARRY

Time is profit.  I can help you make more.

MR. TRASTEIN

I’ve got a staff of Designers and that sweater is a bestseller.

BARRY

It’ll break records with a waffled shoulder.  Come on, just

look at my stuff …

MR. TRASTINE

For the last time … My place or yours?

BARRY

That’s not what I meant!

MR. TRASTINE

Then get to the back of the line, Barry.  I got prettier boys

with prettier designs than yours who want my attention.

BARRY

Well, good luck with that.

MR. TRASTINE

(sneering at BARRY’S Portfolio)

Yeah, same to you.

CUT TO:

INT. Yet Another Booth – Day

MARCIA prowls around the elegant displays of cashmere and natural linen, dismissively turning away the advances of eager Sales Reps with a flick of her wrist; as if they were lint on her lapel.  Those who persist are given a withering stare, and don’t make the same mistake twice.  MARCIA is single-minded about her work.  Clearly, nothing and nobody gets in her way.  She stealthily circles the MANAGER’S table, and covertly peers around him, intrigued by what might be in BARRY’S book –

MANAGER

These are really good.

BARRY

Thank you.

MANAGER

But what can I do for you?  Our market is the Montauk and Malibu

crowd.  “From Atlantic to Pacific, their look is specific.”

BARRY

But I can do that too!!

MANAGER

You’ve got a strong style.  We’re not for you.  More unfortunate

is that you’re not for us.

BARRY

I’ll do some sketches on spec. 

MANAGER

You’d be wasting your time and talent on Navy Blue and Beige.

CUT TO:

INT. Still Another Booth – Day

Spot-lit in the center of the floor is a sparkling Lucite case with a uniquely embellished and cleverly proportioned Military Style shirt revolving on display –

BARRY

(angry)

I want payment for the sketch.  That was my shirt.

OWNER

I told you I’d pass the sketch on, and I did.  Now, beat it.

BARRY

You passed it on, alright.  But the idea was mine.

OWNER

Except for the auger on the elbow.  That came from a staffer.

BARRY

It’s still my shirt.

OWNER

The staffer works for us, Kayden.  That makes it our shirt.

BARRY turns and storms out of the booth.  MARCIA drops the Cargo Pants she wasn’t really looking at, and follows him out, almost losing BARRY in the crowd –

INT. Javitz Center Lobby – Day

BARRY is on line at the Coat Check, talking to a few of his friends.  MARCIA languidly stands in front of him, eavesdropping on the conversation behind her about the show’s victories, defeats and new contacts to follow up with.  Satisfied with what she has heard, MARCIA collects her wrap, which has been left on the counter by a Coat Check Attendant who has moved on to someone else after becoming fed up with waiting for MARCIA’S unforthcoming tip.  Now swathed in her fur, MARCIA turns around to BARRY –

MARCIA

I’m Marcia Branford.  Here’s my card.  Throw away the others.

Make an appointment with my Assistant so I can view your book.

MARCIA turns and leaves a stunned BARRY staring after her –

FRIEND

Really?!? … The Queen of Branford’s Department Stores?  Nobody gets

to Marcia Branford!!  She makes the Devil wearing Prada seem

like Mother Teresa wearing  bunny slippers!

BARRY

(stunned)

I know!!

FRIEND

Let’s go celebrate!

BARRY

I can’t.  My shift at the restaurant starts in a half hour.    Some

other time?

FRIEND

Sure.  Absolutely!

EXT. West 32^nd Street, NYC – Late Night

The sidewalks are deserted and dark.  BARRY stops in front of a run-down hulk of a building.  After climbing the front steps and fumbling for his keys, he enters the dim vestibule.  The walls are covered with linoleum remnants and the ceiling paint hangs in peeling strips.  BARRY checks his box for nonexistent mail, then starts up the rickety stairs to his apartment –

INT. Barry’s Apartment – Late Night

BARRY turns on the lights and walks in.  The loft space is big, but very sparsely furnished.  There is a twin bed against one exposed brick wall and a table with two mis-matched chairs is placed near the battered galley kitchen.  Everything is immaculately clean.  The single good piece of furniture is a used draftsman’s table facing the lone window.  Beside it is a rolling taboret abundant with paper, colored pencils, pastels and paints of every hue and description.  Taped onto the wall are designs BARRY has finished or are still a work in progress.  The art is full of color and life; each and every piece is a flight of his fancy.  Next to the drawing area is an ancient sewing machine, bolts of muslin, both a male and female form as well as a slightly rusted steel tube garment rack.  Still in his Waiter uniform, BARRY settles at the draftsman’s table and begins to work –

INT. Cameron Alfstad Offices – Morning

Wearing a head-set and answering phone calls, BARRY is at an enormous wrap-around white marble reception desk which matches the floors and Corinthian columns in the luxurious offices.  Through a glass wall etched with the “C.A.” Logo, WE SEE: Several staffers readying the displays in the Showroom, arranging fresh flowers in the Conference Room and DANA, a stunning Brunette Barbie-Look-A-Like, setting a silver tray with croissants and coffee on the white marble desk in Cameron Alfstad’s corner office overlooking Seventh Avenue.   The phone is ringing off the hook as CAMERON ALFSTAD steps off the elevator .  He is a playfully sardonic, tanned, graying-at-the temples former Zoli Super-Model who never misses the beauty of his reflection in a mirror or the ugliness of a lie that tumbles from someone’s lips –

CAMERON

Don’t bother me with the Voice Mail crap.  Any

real messages Barry?

BARRY nods “Yes” and balancing the pile-up of phone traffic, hands CAMERON a stack of call memos.  BARRY continues directing the switchboard as CAMERON glances at each slip of paper, deciding to either ‘save’ or ‘toss’.  When he’s almost done, a rogue scrap comes to the top of his pile –

CAMERON

(Letting the scrap flutter to BARRY’S lap)

Sketching on the job again, huh?

BARRY shrugs and keeps writing the current call memo.  CAMERON secretly smirks and heads for his office as BARRY silently yells ‘Good Morning’ after him –

CAMERON

(looking straight ahead and walking away)

Good Morning to you, too.  There’s a showroom booking

in about half an hour.  Lois Dixon is in from Dallas to see

the line.  She requested you again.  God only knows why. 

Stop doodling long enough to handle it.

INT. Cameron Alfstad  Offices – Day

BARRY walks a confident voluptuous blonde LOIS DIXON, to the elevator where she meets CAMERON’S brilliant white smile as he leaves his office.  CAMERON takes her arm and the two go down for lunch.  DANA looks up from her spot at the reception desk –

DANA

I follow after God’s Gift to womankind all day.  Every day. 

It does my Louboutin’s good to see him chase after someone

for a change.

BARRY

(looking at his clip board)

It’s all a part of the business.

DANA

Is she going back to Texas with her big ole bodacious
“boutiques” just a burstin’ full of Alfstad’s “stuff”?

BARRY

Dana, I’m not monitoring from the mirrored ceiling

of Cameron’s sugar shack.

DANA

Good thing.  Surveillance equipment with a wide enough

angle for Mr. “Me, Myself and I” hasn’t been invented.

BARRY

Naughty.

DANA

Yup.  Anyway, did you make a terrific sale?

BARRY

Yup.

DANA

You’re good in the showroom.  Better than I am.

BARRY

Cam’s an easy sell.  His things are good.

DANA picks up the scrap of paper from the desk and holds it up –

DANA

So are yours.

BARRY

(laughing)

My “doodling”?

DANA

(handing him the sketch)

That’s what he calls it.

BARRY studies the little drawing –

BARRY

The neckline isn’t right.  It would be impossible to get

charmeuse to  drape that way.

DANA

It’s a good idea, though.

BARRY

I get ideas all the time.

DANA

So do I … But not ideas like that.

BARRY

You have a good eye.

DANA

Yeah, good enough to know yours is terrific.   Cam

knows it too.

BARRY

(smiling)

Cam knows I can work the phones, handle the showroom,

check up on piece goods and …

DANA

… and probably sketch him under the table and take his place.

BARRY

I don’t want his place, Dana.  I want to make one of my own.

DANA

I know.

INT. Cameron Alfstad Offices – Early Evening

BARRY sits at his cramped desk tucked away in a spare corner.  He’s surrounded by stationary supplies, Xerox paper and excess bolts of fabric.  On the desktop are several textile binders and a pile of sample cuttings.  He closes the last binder and DANA knocks on the door jamb –

DANA

Hey.  I’m calling it a day.  Want to run up to the Atlantic Grill

on West 64th? Tyler just landed a big campaign.  Bless her, Eileen Ford

was so pissed at those ungrateful Stone Tower Equity bastards,

she personally booked him and the whole gang a table as Thanks

for a job well done.  Tyler said you’re invited to the party.

BARRY

Sounds great, but I’ve got more work to do.

DANA

Are you sure?  It’s a lot nicer to be waited on than to be a Waiter. 

BARRY

... Tell Tyler I said Congratulations.

DANA

Don’t you ever have any fun?  It’s all business all the time

with you, isn’t it?

BARRY

No …

DANA

Then it’s about getting business?

BARRY

(shy)

Not really.

DANA

Then what’s the secret?  What’s the Rag Trade all about

Kayden?

BARRY

It’s about dreams on hangers, and hanging on to dreams .

INT. Cameron Alfstad Offices – Evening

An empty pizza box pokes from the trash can in BARRY’s work area.   As he closes down his computer and files the last invoice, he looks down at his desktop and sees MARCIA BRANFORD’S business card. Grabbing the receiver and his courage, BARRY dials the phone –

BARRY   

Hello, this is Barry Kayden.  I’d like to make an appointment

with Marcia Branford.  Next Friday is fine … One o’clock?

Thank you.

BARRY ends the call, puts the card in his wallet, leans back and closes his eyes –

BARRY

(low)

Here we go …

---  Scene

---  Scene

---  Scene

---  Etc.

*** Please feel free to leave any and all comments in the box below.  "Anonymous" as well as "Attributed" feedback is appreciated for "THE KAYDEN COLLECTION" sample, just as it is for the presentations of "COLD LOVE" and "I WANT YOU TO BE MY BABY: THE LILLIAN BRIGGS STORY", also on this web site. Inquiries via the 'Contact Page' (accessed by clicking on the menu bar) or to lee@leeschiller.com will be personally answered and/or forwarded to my Talent Representative accordingly.  LJS ---   

Comments

[Carol Wells]

Just as with Cold Love and I Want You to Be My Baby, I didn't want this to end! Amazing that in this short excerpt I can visualize each character and feel I'm in their world. The conversations and scenes just flow. More, please!!

[unohu]

Lee,
The Kayden Collection has a rhythm and flow from the very beginning, just like your other script samples. I love the characters and dialog. Of course, I wish you had posted more! Since I've read the full version and know all the twists, turns and suspense of Barry stealing his collection back, I can't wait to see it all on screen. Good Luck with this one too!!

[AF]

Nice job! I know the story and it needs to be told. You're the one to tell it, Lee. As always, wishing you the best of success in all you do and write. AF

[fashionistah]

Thanks for the link from Facebook to "The Kayden Collection". Love the writing and the story so far. I've also read "Cold Love" and "The Lillian Briggs Story". Each screenplay sample is different and unique, and I've enjoyed reading each one. Guess that makes me a fan of yours. Please let Frederico Vaona know that his music is awesome! :) I'm logging on to his web site next to hear more tunes, and then checking out more art by Samantha Perez. Three talented people! Wow!

[Angela Osborne]

Aw, Lee, you have to stop drawing me into your scripts and then stopping just when I have to know more! How do you know so much about the fashion industry? such a nasty business and a subject not seriously dealt with on the big screen. Yeah, I know about The Devil Wears Prada. But that was pure entertainment and its always fun to see Streep do her thing. This one sounds real. Good luck.