A CONFIDENT FANTASY BY VAQUERA
FADE IN:
EXT. VAQUERA BAR – NIGHT
We see LIZA MINELLI, a charming, young-at-heart woman, among a crowd of people entering a nightclub deep in the swamp.
Surrounding Liza are the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE laughing gaily as they enter, waving their invites.
Their made up faces are illuminated by a neon sign reading “Vaquera.”
CUT TO:
Close up of invite, made of thick card, which reads “Vaquera Fashion Show 2030” in beautiful calligraphy.
FADE IN:
INT. VAQUERA BAR
LIZA takes her seat (front row) among denizens of New York’s nightlife scene.
LIZA
(turning to neighbor)
But where do all these fabulous people come from?
NEIGHBOR
(confiding)
Darling, everywhere. They left New York.
Before LIZA can reply, the music is struck up, and she sits rapt, as the first model marches out.
CUT TO:
BACKSTAGE, VAQUERA BAR
Behind a deep velvet curtain, we see the commotion that produces the elegant yet divisive show. Stylist EMMA WYMAN adjusts a ruffled camouflage gown, twirling her hair nervously, studio manager LAURA ANN SPENCE scores the bottom of a shoe, makeup artist EMI KANEKO applies the last lick of lipstick, BRAYDON NELSON and his assistants spray and tease liberally, while the producer mutters into a headset.
EMMA WYMAN
(shouting as she pushes the last model onto the runway)
Where are Vaquera?
FADE TO:
VAQUERA’S STUDIO, NEW YORK CITY
Brief, sepia-toned flashback to Vaquera’s life in New York. We see the designers manning sewing machines wearing the humblest of smocks and sad, amorphous hats. Camera pans to large glass jar, filled with just a few cents, and labelled “Backup plan – bar in swamp.”
BACK TO:
INT. VAQUERA BAR
The finale of the fashion show, to the sound of wild applause, and the hooting and hollering of LIZA MINELLI, stood on her chair. We see casting director WALTER PEARCE push a big red button from behind her, and the roof begins to open. A rope descends through the gap, spotlit, with VAQUERA holding on to it. No longer in humble smocks and bonnets, they are adorned in sequins, rich from the proceeds of their bar and the fashion label it has funded. They walk to the end of the runway and bow, smiling.
CUT TO:
The rapturous face of Liza Minelli, tears streaming down her face.
LIZA
(whispering tearfully) It was… fabulous.
Courtsey of Phoenix Johnson