An Old Friend

The doorbell rang.

Jay walked down the stairs of his home. "Manny, let's go!" he called.

"I'll be there in a minute," Manny answered.

"That kid," Jay said, shaking his head and walking toward the door to answer it.

[Commentary]

"I'm going to a private screening of Daniel's new movie. I've been excited to see this movie ever since the kid told me the premise of it when we were building a model plane together a few months ago," Jay began.

"I love courtroom dramas, especially from the '50s. I would always watch them from time to time, and now the kid is making one himself," Jay said excitedly.

"In black and white, set in the '50s. I couldn't wait for it to come out, so the kid offered a private screening for me,".

Jay leaned back on his couch.

"Jay Pritchett, now friends with big-time Hollywood producers and getting private screenings...how about that," Jay said, laughing. 

"Take that, Earl," he added with a smug smile.

[End Commentary]

Jay opened the door to reveal Daniel and Alex.

"Alex, what are you doing here?" Jay asked.

"Oh, she wanted to come too," Daniel said.

"Well, more the merrier," Jay said, inviting them in. He then looked upstairs again. "Manny!" he called.

"I'm coming," Manny answered again.

"That kid takes longer than his mother to dress," Jay said to Daniel.

"Wonder what he's going to wear," Daniel said, remembering how flamboyantly Manny dresses when he goes out.

"Oh great, now I'll look underdressed," Alex said sarcastically.

Manny then made his appearance, walking down the stairs dressed in a striped suit and a fedora. The suit was a dark pinstripe, perfectly tailored, with a crisp white shirt and a classic tie. The fedora matched the suit, completing the vintage look.

"Jesus," Jay murmured.

"Looking good, Manny," Daniel called out.

"Thank you, thank you. I thought I would dress appropriately for a movie like this," Manny said, walking up to them.

"All you're missing is a bottle of hard whiskey and a cigar," Jay quipped.

"Let's go. If we're lucky, I will introduce you guys to Willem Dafoe," Daniel said as they left for the studio.

They arrived at the studio, and Daniel led them inside. He gave them a short tour as he led them to the screening room.

"You know, they used to shoot old westerns here," Jay said. "The Texas Ranger, Ride of the Outlaws," Jay listed, "Great movies," he added.

"Yeah, I know. There are still some old props left over in storage here," Daniel replied.

"Really?" Jay asked, excited. "Can I take a look?"

"I don't know," Daniel said skeptically. "I'll see what I can do," he said, leading them through the hallway.

As they walked, he saw Henry coming out of one of the rooms.

"Henry!" Daniel called out.

"Oh hey there, Danny," Henry answered, turning towards them.

As they walked towards the man, Daniel noticed Henry staring at Jay as if he recognized him. Daniel looked at Jay, and he looked like he recognized Henry as well.

Jay walked faster and stopped in front of Henry.

"Henry Morgan," Jay said. "Henry 'Iron Hand' Morgan," Jay said again, smiling.

"Jay fucking Pritchett, holy shit," Henry said, walking forward to embrace the man.

"Huh, looks like they know each other," Daniel thought.

"I haven't seen you since we came back home from 'Nam," Henry said.

"Yeah," Jay said, still surprised.

"Danny, how do you know Jay?" Henry asked.

"Oh, I'm dating Jay's granddaughter," Daniel answered.

"Oh, surprised you got married," Henry said in a good-natured joke.

"I got married twice," Jay said.

"Ha! And who is this?" Henry asked, turning to Manny and Alex.

"This is my granddaughter, Alex, and my stepson, Manny," Jay said.

"So, you guys know each other?" Manny asked.

"Yep, Henry and I served in 'Nam together. We met at training," Jay said.

"Good times," Henry said, almost nostalgic.

"So, Danny here giving you a tour?" Henry asked.

"No, we are here to see the new movie," Jay said.

"Oh, Jay, my friend, you are going to love it. Remember how we used to watch old dramas in Pensacola? This movie took me back to the old times," Henry said.

"Well, Henry, without you, it wouldn't be possible," Daniel said.

"Hey, why don't I come with you? We can catch up, and I can see the movie again," Henry said.

"That good, huh?" Jay asked.

"Oh, Jay, old boy, it's good. We are going to win all the awards," Henry said, leading them to the screening room.

"That good, huh?" Alex asked.

"Yep," Daniel replied.

They arrived at the screening room, with Jay and Henry sitting together. Alex, Manny, and Daniel sat a few rows below them. The lights dimmed, and the movie began.

In the back row Henry and Jay's reunion was cut short as they were too engrossed in the movie. Alex and Manny too did not speak through the movie which he saw as a huge positive the movie had captivated them entirely.

As the credits rolled, Alex turned to Daniel, her eyes wide with excitement.

"I am going to write an essay on this," she said earnestly.

"Trust me, Alex, a lot of people are going to be writing essays on this in a few years' time," Daniel replied confidently.

As they got out of the room, Jay turned to Daniel, a look of admiration on his face. "You made a hell of a movie, kid."

"Thanks, Jay," Daniel said, beaming.

"It was great, Daniel," Manny chimed in.

"Thanks, Manny," Daniel replied.

Henry clapped Jay on the back. "Well, Jay, we have to catch up soon. I have to go and begin threatening some Oscar people. Apparently, that's how it works these days."

"Bribe, Henry. Bribe," Daniel corrected with a grin.

"Threatening works as well," Henry said with a smile.

.

.

.

Daniel POV

After the screening alex and i drove back to her house she was praise about the movie was sure it was going to be a success though i was not sure it would get as much attention in the box office but then again i could be wrong.Entering the Dunphy residence, Alex and I saw Haley sitting on the couch.

"Oh hey, you are back," Haley said, getting up.

Haley walked over to me and gave me a quick peck on the lips, but I grabbed her and turned it into a long kiss, pulling her closer. She melted into me, her hands sliding up to cup my face.

"Ugh, get a room," Alex said, walking into the kitchen.

Haley and I sat on the couch.

"So, I was thinking maybe I could come over to your place today," she said, rubbing her hands on my chest.

"Mom and Nathan came from Canada yesterday," I replied.

"What? I thought you said they were going to be back after Halloween," Haley said, surprised and a bit disappointed.

"Yeah, they came back early," I replied.

"Why don't we go to my room?" Haley said, getting up and holding my hands.

As I was about to answer, my phone buzzed. I took it from my pocket and checked to see a text from Julie.

"Early Reviews for 12 Angry Men are out. Check your email."

"Oh, the reviews are out," I said out loud.

"Oh really?" Alex said, walking in from the kitchen with a glass of water.

"Come on, let's check it," I said, getting up and walking towards where the PC was in their home.

The girls followed me, and I signed in to my email to see the reviews Julie sent me. As I opened it, Alex began reading it.

"12 Angry Men is an unparalleled cinematic masterpiece. Director Ron Howard, along with the brilliant screenplay by young prodigy Daniel Adler, has revived the old courtroom drama genre with exquisite precision. The film's black-and-white aesthetic harks back to the golden age of cinema, while the performances by the stellar cast bring an intense, contemporary vibrancy to the story. Each scene is meticulously crafted, capturing the claustrophobic tension and moral dilemmas faced by the jurors. A must-watch for anyone who appreciates fine filmmaking."

"Alright, the next one," I said, letting Alex read the important bits again. Haley was silent as she looked confused reading through it.

Alex read the next one. "An extraordinary film that masterfully balances character development and narrative tension, 12 Angry Men is a triumph. Adler's screenplay is both profound and compelling, delving deep into the human psyche and the concept of justice. The decision to shoot in black and white enhances the film's timeless quality, and the performances, particularly by Tom Hanks and J.K. Simmons, are nothing short of spectacular. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling and is bound to be remembered as a classic."

"Now, the next one," she continued.

"12 Angry Men is an exemplary piece of cinema, showcasing the brilliance of Daniel Adler's writing and Ron Howard's directorial finesse. The film's exploration of themes such as justice, prejudice, and moral integrity is handled with great sensitivity and insight. The ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, creating a gripping and immersive experience. The use of black and white is a bold choice that pays off, adding depth and nuance to the film's atmosphere. An absolute triumph."

"And the last one," Alex read.

"An instant classic, 12 Angry Men stands out as a crowning achievement in modern cinema. Daniel Adler's script is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, weaving complex themes with remarkable clarity and impact. Ron Howard's direction brings a sharp focus to the narrative, maintaining tension and engagement throughout. The decision to film in black and white adds a timeless quality, and the performances by the cast are uniformly excellent. This film is not only a must-see but also a strong contender for the Oscars."

"Well, it looks like they liked it," I thought, smiling.

Alex looked impressed but Haley still remained silent.

"Well, did they like it?" Haley asked.

I turned towards her, bewildered by her question, did she not hear Alex reading the reviews.

Haley looked at us, her brow furrowed. "Well, what does it say?"

I laughed. "It means the movie is really, really good, Haley."

"Oh my god, babe, that's great," Haley said, hugging me.

"Now I wanna watch it," Haley said.

"I don't think you would like it," Alex said.

This caused an argument to erupt between the sisters. I turned my attention back to the email.

'Yeah it's all coming together,' I thought.

.

.