What's this for? The tip...

Jean-Michel Basquiat

A huge table with NINE WHITE EXECUTIVES. WAITERS clear their lunch
settings. As they spot Jean and Gina entering, they gawk and
snicker.

George leads them to their table. As they take their seats, Jean
notices the suppressed giggles coming from the executives' table.
They try to ignore it. George disappears.

Jean seems self-conscious about the sores on his face.

GINA
So are you really friends with Andy? He
seems like such a weirdo.

BASQUIAT
He's not. He's out of town and he calls me
every day. What's weird about him?

GINA
Don't you think he's using you?

BASQUIAT
Why does everybody say that? He's the only
person I know who doesn't need to use me.

George reappears.

GEORGE
Would you like to see the wine list?

BASQUIAT
Chateau Latour '64, please.

George disappears again.

GINA
So. Are you ready? I start Columbia next
fall. Of course, there's like, a year of
pre-med stuff, but – whatever. I'm really
excited.
(beat)
And: Rene gave me a job as his secretary.
His poems are getting published.

BASQUIAT
How is he?

GINA
Pretty much the same.

Jean's eyebrows go up.

BASQUIAT
Wow. Congratulations. I hate that asshole.
(beat)
Thanks for coming. I guess I just wanted
to find out how you're –

GINA
(referring to an extra loud
snicker from execs)
What's that about?

BASQUIAT
Forget it.

George arrives and pours a sip for Jean to taste. He nods. George
moves off. Two or three of the executives break out laughing.

Jean puts the glass down and looks at them. The other table is
clearly making fun of him.

GINA
That is amazing. What year is it?

BASQUIAT
George?

George hurries over.

GEORGE
I'm sorry, Mr. Basquiat.

BASQUIAT
See that table over there? I'd like to pay
their bill.

Long silence.

GEORGE
I'm sorry?

Gina looks at Jean, confused.

BASQUIAT
Yeah, just put their bill on my tab.

GEORGE
Really?

BASQUIAT
Yeah.

GEORGE
Very well.

He moves off towards the executives. George whispers to the HEAD
EXECUTIVE, and nods towards Jean. The executives spread the words
amongst themselves. They're horrified.

BASQUIAT
(continuing)
Baby, I think about you a lot. I'm really
sorry about everything. You have to
believe me. I'm serious. I wish, y'know,
that we were –

GINA
I don't believe it, Jean – they're picking
straws.

A YOUNG EXECUTIVE, obviously the loser, takes a deep breath and
heads towards them.

YOUNG EXECUTIVE
Excuse me... On behalf of my friends I'd
like to apologize. We're really sorry.

BASQUIAT
I wish you niggahs could get it togeth-
ahhhhhh.

The Executive reaches to shake Jean's hand. Jean puts a hundred
dollar bill in his hand.

YOUNG EXECUTIVE
What's this for?

BASQUIAT
The tip.

Jean turns back to Gina. The Executive leaves them. George smiles.

basquiat (1996)