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My Perfect Life (Quarter 1)
By Bob Klein
MY PERFECT LIFE
By Bob Klein
QUARTER ONE
_______________________________________
FADE IN:
EXT. SCHOOL – DAY
Shermer High School is shown on a green landscape in the midst of a sunny school day. A small car drives by the front of the school and a girl gets out.
The girl runs frantically to the front door with her tote bag flailing around.
INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM – DAY
In front of a crowded classroom stands SCOTT ROBBINS—a 17 year-old junior who lives a very uncomfortable life.
The kids at their seats stare at SCOTT since he’s about to start giving a speech.
SCOTT
I, uhh . . . I hate my stepfather.
When I wake in the morning I’m happy.
Happy until I realize that he’s still
in my life. I wish he’d just . . .
go away.
SCOTT’S nervousness seems to fade away since the subject isn’t all that terrifying to talk about.
He starts to smile at the class.
SCOTT
God, I don’t know where to begin.
There is just way too much to complain
about.
(beat)
All the guy does is embarrass me.
You should see the barrage of dumb
things he manages to do.
Next, a collage of clips involving SCOTT’S stepfather is shown.
CLIP 1
SCOTT’S stepfather ORLANDO, a Latino man that’s about forty years old with slicked back black hair, is shown. He is outside of the house with a hose.
While he’s mumbling to himself, he sees a newspaper boy riding past his house. Quickly turning, he sprays the kid fiercely with the hose.
ORLANDO
Come back!
The kid speeds away.
END CLIP 1
SCOTT
He’s addicted to drugs like a little
kid is addicted to PEZ. I could easily
see him being a drug dealer. He
doesn’t have a job, so that’d fit
him perfectly.
The teacher’s eyes widen a little, and the class starts to chuckle. The girl that we saw run into the school later runs into the class.
She glances at SCOTT and then the teacher, and holds up a white admittance slip.
SCOTT
Not sure if my mom knows that he does
drugs. I don’t know how she wouldn’t
notice, but he probably tries to hide
it anyways. He’s different around her.
CLIP 2
ORLANDO, SCOTT, and SCOTT’S MOM sit at the kitchen table eating breakfast. ORLANDO pushes aside his cereal bowl and places a plate on the table that he had set on the ground.
He starts to sniff up the substance that was on the plate with a straw through his nose.
SCOTT
El dumbass! That’s cat litter.
ORLANDO looks down at the litter and then back up at SCOTT.
ORLANDO
Oh.
ORLANDO dumps the litter into his cereal stares at it. He looks awfully confused.
END CLIP 2
SCOTT
Some of my experiences with the guy
haven’t been all that great. Sometimes
just thinking about them makes my body
wrench. I can feel my face turn red just
thinking about the moments right now.
(beat)
Being around him becomes very uneasy . . .
but I don’t really show it.
The class becomes a little more intrigued.
CLIP 3
ORLANDO walks up the stairs in the house, and to a door in the hallway. He pulls his hair behind his ear, turns the doorknob, and walks in.
ORLANDO
Sweetie? I quit my job today.
SCOTT looks up at ORLANDO. He’s sitting on the toilet taking a you-know-what.
SCOTT
You sick pervert. Get the hell out or
I’m calling the cops.
ORLANDO
Just don’t call the D.E.A., yes?
ORLANDO becomes confused and spins around.
ORLANDO
What?
ORLANDO feels inside his pockets and walks out of the bathroom.
END CLIP 3
SCOTT
My brother Tim doesn’t mind him.
They usually smoke drugs together on
the roof. Sometimes I can hear them
running around up there.
The class laughs. Most of them are awake now and listening fully to SCOTT’S story. Even the teacher seems to be taking a heavy interest to it.
SCOTT
I think my mom doesn’t even like him.
I’m not sure what she sees in him. I
barely see her anyways. She’s either
at work, sleeping, or out with the
jerk himself.
CLIP 4
ORLANDO and SCOTT’S MOM sit at a football game watching SCOTT. ORLANDO is reading a Playboy magazine and smoking weed.
MOM
Orlando? You aren’t even watching.
And what the hell are you smoking?
ORLANDO
(beat)
Marlboro?
ORLANDO stands up and waves one of those big styrofoam fingers.
ORLANDO
Let’s go Scott! Hit that ball!
ORLANDO sits back down and picks up a beer. He cracks it open and starts to gulp it down.
At this point practically everyone sitting around is looking at him.
ORLANDO
Is my hair sticking up?
END CLIP 4
SCOTT’S nervousness has completely gone away right now. It seems as if he’s basically just ranting at the class.
SCOTT
Take last night for a freaking example.
Mr. Stepdad basically sent a crippled man
back to the hospital. Now that was
embarrassing!
CLIP 5
ORLANDO is bent over looking at a movie at a video store. He puts the box back on the shelf, which falls down right after he does.
ORLANDO
Where’s Dirty Dancing?
ORLANDO quickly turns around and smashes into a CRIPPLED MAN who was using crutches. The man falls into a movie shelf and almost knocks it completely over.
ORLANDO turns around and starts to run the opposite way. Almost out of the frame, ORLANDO turns around and throws another movie box at the man.
END CLIP 5
Now the whole class is listening closely. Some of the students are glued to the speech with their mouths hung wide open. The TEACHER tries her hardest not to laugh.
SCOTT
My mom wants me to make up with him.
She wants our family to be normal
again. It can’t be. Not without my old
dad. I know my mom just married Orlando
for the money. Apparently he inherited
a ton when his dad died a few years ago.
(beat)
Maybe someday he’ll become a better
person, but I doubt it. We’ll just
have to see what happens.
(beat)
Without him . . . it’d be a perfect
life.
The camera zooms a little closer to SCOTT’S face.
FADE TO BLACK
OPENING CREDITS
INT. CHURCH – DAY
In a line for communion, SCOTT stands in front of his stepfather, his MOM, and finally his brother TIM.
SCOTT reaches the front of the line and steps closer to the SERVER who is standing there.
SERVER
The body of Christ.
SCOTT
Amen.
After receiving his host, SCOTT walks back to his seat. ORLANDO is next in line.
SERVER
The body of Christ.
ORLANDO
(beat)
What?
SERVER
(looks confused)
The . . . uhh, body of Christ. Take it.
ORLANDO snatches the host out of the SERVER’s hands. After staring at it for a couple of seconds, he takes a small bit out of it and then shoves it in to his pocket.
ORLANDO walks up to a WINE SERVER that’s holding a glass with wine in it.
ORLANDO
May I?
WINE SERVER
(nodding)
Yes.
ORLANDO snatches the cup away and starts to gulp the wine down. A few seconds later he hands it back to the WINE SERVER.
ORLANDO
(smiling)
Thank you much.
The WINE SERVER stares at ORLANDO in astonishment as he walks away.
AT THE SEATS
SCOTT kneels right next to ORLANDO, praying. ORLANDO starts to stare at SCOTT as if he doesn’t know what SCOTT is doing.
SCOTT
(praying)
Oh God, please let Orlando get killed
this week. You failed me last week,
Holy One. Let his piss turn red, his
hair turn gray, and his teeth fall out
of his over-sized mouth.
ORLANDO smiles and leans toward SCOTT.
ORLANDO
(whispering)
You forgot to pray about your mom.
INT. CAR – DAY
SCOTT’S MOM is driving the car with ORLANDO sitting shotgun. SCOTT leans back in his seat and TIM is nearly asleep right next to him.
MOM
(sarcastically)
First day at Church! Not too bad, aye?
ORLANDO
(nodding)
It was entertaining.
SCOTT rolls his eyes.
SCOTT
Mom, drop me off at Dan’s house.
MOM
Okay. When are you going to come back
home? I’m making chicken tonight!
His MOM smiles.
ORLANDO
DAMNIT!
SCOTT
(to ORLANDO)
Shut the hell up, man.
(to his MOM)
I’ll be home for bed. We’re doing a
school project.
MOM
So, why did we take the van?
TIM
(angrily)
Orlando’s car is macabre.
SCOTT
Yeah, it does smell crappy. What do
you have in there, man?
ORLANDO
Kleenex?
MOM
(to SCOTT)
I’ll just save you some, then. Want
me to pick you up?
ORLANDO
(mumbling)
Piece of crap. God damnit.
SCOTT shakes his head.
SCOTT
(to his MOM)
No, I’ll walk. And remember to wake
me up in the morning. My alarm clock
is broken. And tell your gay husband
to stop talking to himself.
The car comes to a stop and SCOTT gets out. Exiting, SCOTT nods at TIM.
MOM
(yelling to SCOTT)
See you later! And he’s not gay! Just
a pervert!
ORLANDO waves goodbye to SCOTT through the windshield.
ORLANDO
I think he likes me a lot more
nowadays.
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. DAN’S FRONT PORCH – DAY
SCOTT walks up to the front door of DAN’S, SCOTT’S best friend, house and rings the bell. DAN’S face appears on the opposite side of the door.
DAN
(muffled through the glass)
Ahh!
SCOTT
Let me in.
DAN opens the door and lets SCOTT enter.
DAN
What brings you here before noon?
SCOTT
It was either your house or a day at
home with Orlando.
DAN
I still don’t understand what’s so
bad about the guy.
They both walk into the house and DAN closes the door.
INT. DAN’S FOYER – DAY
DAN waits for SCOTT as he takes off his shoes and coat. In the middle of it, EWAN walks down the stairs. He’s a large man with dirty blonde hair. He looks to be in his thirties.
DAN
(noticing EWAN; with a British accent)
Good day.
EWAN
(with a British accent)
Same ta you. Who’s this here?
SCOTT stands up.
DAN
(introducing the pair)
Scott, this is Ewan. Ewan, Scott. Big
ole’ Ewan is here to spend some time
with my dad. He’s been doing some sales
in England, so Ewan is here to check
some stuff out.
EWAN
What’s yer last name name, chap?
SCOTT
Robbins.
(beat)
What part of England you from?
EWAN continues down the stairs and walks right past SCOTT. SCOTT looks confused.
SCOTT
What was that about?
DAN
He only talks to people with British
accents.
SCOTT
(beat)
Right.
DAN
(mockingly)
Left.
INT. DAN’S FAMILY ROOM – DAY
DAN and SCOTT walk toward and plump their selves down onto separate couches while DAN’S little brother, JAKE, is playing a video game.
DAN
(indicating ORLANDO)
Still planning to kill him?
SCOTT
(paranoid)
Not out loud, man.
DAN
Are you still planning to KILL YOUR
STEPFATHER?
SCOTT
(annoyed)
Yeah.
DAN
You sure?
SCOTT glares at DAN.
SCOTT
Am I sure?
DAN
Yeah, are you sure?
SCOTT
Why the hell wouldn’t I be sure?
DAN
You usually chicken out at the end
of things. Bad habit.
SCOTT
Give me a break! I do not chicken
out at the end of things!
DAN
Remember last year? Jimmy Nomura?
SCOTT
No.
DAN
You wussed out when you were about
to beat up his sister.
SCOTT
That wasn’t me! His sister is nine!
DAN
You still back out.
SCOTT
I don’t need this.
DAN
Because you’re a chicken!
SCOTT
(ending the argument)
YES, I am still going on with the
plan.
DAN
Who’s doing the dirty work?
SCOTT
Going to ask Marc tomorrow. He’ll
do it.
DAN
Marc? Isn’t he one of those freaky
Detroit Rock City kids?
SCOTT
Don’t rip on Marc. He’s a cool kid.
DAN’S brother stands up and throws the controller down.
JAKE
(furiously)
He died!
DAN
(indicating MARC)
Let’s just hope he doesn’t back out
of things, either.
SCOTT glares at DAN again.
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT
SCOTT walks in to find his MOM and ORLANDO sitting, eating at the kitchen table.
MOM
Ooh! You made it! Grab a plate.
There’s an extra piece since Orlando
decided he didn’t want to eat his own.
SCOTT looks at ORLANDO’S plate. It’s macaroni and cheese.
ORLANDO
(picking up the plate)
Want some?
SCOTT
(disgusted)
No thanks.
SCOTT tosses a piece of chicken onto an empty plate and sits down.
SCOTT
So . . . what are you guys doing . . .
Tuesday night?
MOM
I’m going to that seminar I was
Talking about. Orlando will be home.
Why, honey?
SCOTT
(beat)
Oh nothing. Just wondering. I might
go out with some friends and spend
the night at Dan’s.
MOM
Oh! Sounds like fun!
SCOTT
Yeah.
SCOTT plays with his food.
ORLANDO
(confused)
Why is it called macaroni?
MOM
Beats me.
ORLANDO nods his head.
ORLANDO
(confident)
Okay.
INT. SCOTT’S ROOM – NIGHT
SCOTT sits at a chair positioned in front of his computer. He stares at the news on the television. There is a NEWS REPORTER in front of a large building, and cops behind him.
NEWS REPORTER
. . . and that was the fifth one in
a month. So there have been a total
of seventeen drug lord arrests since
October. That marks a record for the
Chicago Police Department. Terrific
work. We are always trying . . .
Bored, SCOTT turns around and glances out the window. Behind his house there’s a really shallow forest . . . and beyond that, a house.
From the back of the house there are windows showing into the family room, and a dark silhouette standing in the middle.
The SHAPE is staring at SCOTT. If this were to happen to anyone, the common reaction would be fear. That’s not SCOTT’S reaction. He’s calm—almost as if this has happened before.
SCOTT rolls open his window.
SCOTT
(yelling at the man)
And don’t you ever stop looking! I
love you!
Being scared away, the SHAPE runs to the corner of the room and shuts off the lights.
SCOTT shakes his head and plops down on his bed.
NEWS REPORTER
(cont’d)
. . . Arizona and eventually Chicago,
Illinois. We will keep everyone up to
date with what happens in those areas.
The police, supposedly, are even hiring
some secret agents to try to find these
hard-to-catch drug lords. Back to you,
Kevin.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE TO:
INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM -- DAY
Cutting into an already-started class, we see about twenty-five kids being lectured at by a very body-defined COACH.
He’s telling the kids about summer sports since this is the last day of school for everyone.
COACH
. . . and with all of you guys being
Juniors in High School, we really have
to work on getting you guys involved!
Colleges look at sports and clubs and
other junk like that! Just don’t
sit around the pool all day, chasing
the muff around! Get involved! Go out!
Do something with yourself! All you
pussies do nowadays is drive your
crappy Hondas around and listen to
rap!
The coach points to a fat kid in the first row of seats.
COACH
And YOU’RE the kind of trash that
needs to lose some damn weight!
(beat)
Any questions?
An obnoxious kid raises his hand.
OBNOXIOUS KID
Coach? What if we have jobs?
COACH
Quit! This is more important than
any job! Would you rather have money
in your pocket, or look better when
applying to a college?
Most of the class responds saying “money.”
COACH
Look at you guys. Half of you are
overweight.
(points to a FAT KID)
Especially you, fatty. You know what
I’m talking about.
IN THE BACK OF THE CLASSROOM
SCOTT sits right in front of DAN, slouched almost all the way down. Just by looking at the two you can tell that they are in the midst of a conversation.
DAN leans toward SCOTT’S ear.
DAN
(whispering)
My dad has a great gun you can use.
I don’t know anything about guns so
I couldn’t really tell you what kind
it is.
The whispering continues between the two.
SCOTT
I’m sure Marc will have a gun.
DAN
Yeah, that’s true. He probably brings
it to school everyday.
SCOTT
I’ll second that.
DAN
Where are you going to go when . . .
you know?
SCOTT
Can I say I’m going to your house?
I’m all out of ideas. It’s either that
Or I’ll just say I’m going to the movies
alone.
DAN
I’ll come with. Tuesday at seven?
SCOTT
Tuesday at six thirty. New Burt Reynolds
flick, dude.
DAN
(nodding)
Tuesday at six thirty? Sounds good.
This is going to be . . .
DAN’S last few words gets cut off by the school bell. Both kids grab their tote bags and walk out of the room.
IN THE HALLWAY
DAN and SCOTT walk down the crowded halls. Most of the students are throwing papers everywhere since it’s the last day of school.
The commotion doesn’t seem to be affecting the two’s conversation.
SCOTT
Going to be what?
DAN
What?
SCOTT
(mimicking DAN)
This is going to be . . .
DAN
Oh. This is going to be great! The
whole piece will be on the news that
night. I’ll grab my remaining popcorn
from the flick, sit back, and watch
the dumbfounded reporters try to guess
who did it.
SCOTT
Dramatic irony at its best.
DAN
(beat)
Who?
They continue to walk down the hall. SCOTT shakes his head.
INT. BUS – DAY
SCOTT and DAN sit across from each other and exchange glances. DAN nods at SCOTT, and SCOTT peers over his seat. Sitting in front of him is MARC, a “don’t-take-any-crap-from-anyone” type of person.
He has long black hair that covers his face, a leather jacket, pale skin; an average rocker who does drugs. SCOTT moves into MARC’S seat quietly.
MARC
I’m not gay. Bug off.
SCOTT
I have a job for you.
MARC
(beat)
Job?
SCOTT
My stepfather for eight.
MARC
Nine.
SCOTT
Nine’s fine.
MARC
If nine’s fine then you can go to one
thou.
SCOTT looks down and shakes his head. Knowing that he really needs this done, he gives into the temptation.
SCOTT
(nodding)
Alright. Here’s what you need to
know . . .
FADE TO BLACK
FADE TO:
EXT. STREET – DAY
Starting at an eerie-looking tree, the camera slowly moves to focus on DAN and SCOTT walking up a street arriving home from school.
They’re in the middle of a conversation.
DAN
. . . have you known him? I mean, one
thousand dollars? How the hell are
you going to rake up that cash, man?
SCOTT
Saved my birthday cards.
DAN
What if he screws up? What if he
doesn’t show . . . kills someone
else . . . or just runs away with the
money? It’s not like you’ll see him
every day this summer.
SCOTT
I don’t pay him until after.
DAN
(beat)
How did you manage to do that?
SCOTT
Gave him five hundred on the bus.
DAN
(stunned)
You brought five hundred dollars to
school?
SCOTT
I brought five hundred dollars to
school.
DAN
How much do you bring for lunch?
DAN glances at his house. He exits.
SCOTT
Six thirty!
DAN
(OC)
Wouldn’t miss Burt for the world!
SCOTT laughs to himself. Right before reaching his house, he glances in back.
He sees the SHAPE again staring at him. Bring intrigued, he starts walking to the back. Inching closer and closer, SCOTT starts to think that the silhouette will leave soon. It doesn’t.
Being that there’s a shallow forest between the houses, SCOTT throws his tote bag down and begins to crawl down the steep hill, nearly falling into the ditch several times.
Wiping dirt off of his shirt, SCOTT looks up. The SHAPE isn’t there anymore.
ORLANDO
(OC)
I made Bacon!
SCOTT is startled by ORLANDO’S voice. He turns around to witness ORLANDO standing at his back door, wearing an pink apron saying “LOVE THE COOK.”
ORLANDO stares at SCOTT, turns around, and walks back into the house.
INT. KITCHEN – DAY
ORLANDO sits at the table eating bacon . . . only bacon. SCOTT stares at him while he throws down his tote bag.
ORLANDO
How was your day?
SCOTT
Eat shit.
ORLANDO
Okay.
ORLANDO nods his head as SCOTT walks out of the kitchen.
INT. SCOTT’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
SCOTT lies on his bed, watching television. More news reports about the drug hunt continue.
His MOM walks in the room.
MOM
Scott? Why must you be so mean to
Orlando?
SCOTT
I hate the guy. I can’t help it.
MOM
Can’t you apologize?!
SCOTT
Why doesn’t he say anything? It’s
always YOU!
MOM
Don’t make fun of him.
In a fury, SCOTT’S MOM turns and slams his door shut. SCOTT smiles because he’s not used to his MOM being angry.
MINUTES LATER
ORLANDO knocks on SCOTT’S door.
ORLANDO
Scott? Please let me in.
ORLANDO and SCOTT’S MOM begin to argue outside. She seems to be telling him to act stronger towards SCOTT right now.
ORLANDO
Scott! I’ve had enough of your stuff!
I’m going to come in!
Inside the room, SCOTT shakes his head. Annoyed as always, he remains watching the television.
ORLANDO
Here we come!
(beat)
No, here I come! Only me!
ORLANDO opens the door to find SCOTT calm and relaxed. He expected him to be frightened from the great acting job he had just performed.
SCOTT
What do you want? I don’t have drugs
in here.
ORLANDO
(beat)
Scott! I don’t want you to make fun
of me anymore.
SCOTT
(trying to annoy ORLANDO for once)
But it’s so fun!
ORLANDO
What are you watching?
SCOTT
The news. They’re talking about drugs.
You’ll like it.
ORLANDO’S face turns red. He reaches over and shuts off the T.V.
SCOTT
Turn it back on.
ORLANDO
No need. It was a re-run.
SCOTT
(shaking his head)
Idiot!
ORLANDO
Who?
SCOTT
You’re pathetic.
SCOTT’S MOM walks in the room and tries to act surprised.
MOM
Oh jeeze! ORLANDO? Are you yelling at
SCOTT?
ORLANDO
We’re talking about re-runs.
SCOTT
(to his MOM)
I’m going to the movies tomorrow at
six thirty.
ORLANDO
(to SCOTT’S MOM)
Tell him about Hugo.
MOM
I almost forgot! Scott, your uncle
is coming over tomorrow.
SCOTT
He’s not my real uncle.
MOM
Well . . . you fake uncle is coming
over. So say hello to him when you get
back from the show.
SCOTT knows that something else will be happening around that time.
SCOTT
Alright. Orlando . . . get the hell out.
MOM
Scott!
ORLANDO
It’s okay. I’m used to it.
SCOTT’S MOM shakes her head at SCOTT. TIM walks in the room.
TIM
I’m going out with Orlando, Mom. Be
back later.
MOM
(waving)
Bye.
The calm before the storm is here.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD – NIGHT
A nice time-lapse shot of the neighborhood is shown to simulate that it’s the next day right now.
INT. HOUSE FOYER – DAY
Pulling his shirt on, SCOTT runs down the stairs. He notices his mother.
SCOTT
Mom! I’m going out to the mall. I might
not see you until tonight. I’ll probably
just end up heading straight to Dan’s.
SCOTT’S MOM grows a large smile.
MOM
Love you.
SCOTT
(kisses his MOM’s cheek)
You too. See you later. Tell Orlando
I said bye.
SCOTT exits quickly.
MOM
(talking to herself)
You betcha.
ORLANDO walks down the stairs.
ORLANDO
Where is he going?
MOM
(smiles)
Out. Go get ready.
EXT. PARKING LOT – LATER
SCOTT’S car pulls into an empty parking lot space. He turns off the beast and exits.
EXT. THEATRE ENTRANCE – DAY
Walking slowly to the theatre entrance, he sees DAN waiting for him. A small grin grows on his face.
DAN
Burt awaits, my friend.
SCOTT
Yep. Just try not to talk about it.
INT. THEATRE FOYER – DAY
DAN
I can’t believe you’re actually going
to kill your stepfather. Brilliant.
SCOTT shakes his head.
INT. THEATRE – DAY
A dark room of moviegoers is blasted with screaming and shouting as kids throw popcorn at the screen, babies cry, and parents talk amongst their selves.
SCOTT and DAN enter the theatre. SCOTT is carrying a large tub of popcorn and a drink.
DAN
It still confuses me.
SCOTT
What confuses you?
DAN
The fact that you have to buy the
theatre’s condiments.
SCOTT
I guess you can call me a good citizen.
SCOTT and DAN sit down.
DAN
You should pack, my friend.
SCOTT
Pack?
DAN
Observe.
DAN pulls candy out of his pockets, a can of cola out of his jacket, and a bag of popcorn out of a different pocket.
DAN
Home cooked food is always better.
SCOTT shakes his head at DAN.
SCOTT
You’re amazing. You know that? You’re
really amazing.
DAN opens his bag of popcorn and starts to eat it.
DAN
(beat)
Be quiet. Burt’s gonna start soon.
SCOTT
We’re about thirty minutes early.
The movie doesn’t start until seven
fifteen.
DAN
The hell? I could have made my macaroni
and brought it.
SCOTT
Don’t tell me you’ve done that before.
DAN
Oh the magic of Tupperware.
SCOTT shakes his head.
SCOTT
Have you ever thought of killing Jim?
DAN
Jim?
SCOTT
Your stepfather.
DAN
Only in my sleep.
(beat)
So when is Marc making his move?
SCOTT
Eight. Right on the head.
DAN
Where’s motherbird going to be?
SCOTT
She’s going out to eat with some
friends. Leaving at seven thirty.
DAN
Wow. You really did some great planning.
SCOTT
Sure did.
DAN
A perfect murder.
SCOTT
Let’s hope it doesn’t turn out like
the movie.
They both glance at each other with a nervous look.
THE LIGHTS FADE OUT
DAN, being the smart guy he is, cracks open his can of soda right when the theatre is silent. SCOTT throws DAN an old fashioned “you’re stupid” look.
DAN
What?
EXT. MOVIE THEATRE – NIGHT
Exiting from the movie, a crowd simultaneously walks out of the theatre. SCOTT and DAN give each other two-thumbs-up.
DAN
My vote for best picture has been
decided.
SCOTT
I’m afraid this movie won’t be nominated
for a people’s choice award.
They both walk to DAN’s car.
DAN
Good luck.
SCOTT
I’ll need it.
DAN
Just give me a call in the morning.
Try to act smooth and hip around the
cops. Just don’t act too sad. Your mom
knows you hate the guy.
SCOTT
You betcha.
DAN
How’s Tim gonna be about all this?
SCOTT
Devastated. He loves him.
(beat)
They usually smoke together.
SCOTT smiles.
DAN
Bye. Don’t forget to call.
SCOTT waves as DAN goes into his car. Slowly backing up, DAN nearly kills a group of people walking by. He speeds away. SCOTT smiles at the moment.
SCOTT glances down at his watch. It reads 8:57. Realizing the terror that has probably taken place at home, he jumps back into a nervous mood.
SCOTT starts to walk to his car.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
SCOTT nervously drives slowly down the road and pulls into a gas station. The car slowly creeps up to the front of the store and eventually stops.
SCOTT gets out and walks in the station. He spots his brother, TIM, working the cash register. There is a customer there.
CUSTOMER
Naw, man. The only way that NASCAR
would hit the bottom is if the fans
went away, man. We’re beating all
the wrestling events right now, too.
TIM
In ratings?
CUSTOMER
Naw, man. In viewers.
TIM hands the Customer a bag.
TIM
See you tomorrow.
CUSTOMER
Same time, same place.
While the Customer is walking out of the store past SCOTT, TIM flicks him off.
TIM
(to SCOTT)
I hate that guy.
SCOTT
NASCAR?
TIM
I argue with him every night that
NASCAR is going to go under soon.
God, I hate that sport.
SCOTT
I don’t think it’s a sport.
TIM
Tell that to Mr. Hick back there.
TIM gives SCOTT a weird look.
TIM
Why are you here?
SCOTT
Just checking in before I go home.
Got out of a flick about ten minutes
ago and thought I should stop by.
TIM
Thanks.
SCOTT
Twelve-thirty?
TIM
My handoff doesn’t get here until one.
Sucks all hell, man. I gotta get out
of this place.
SCOTT smiles.
SCOTT
Good luck. Check ya later.
TIM nods at SCOTT while he exits the building. A phone rings and TIM goes to get it.
INT./EXT. CAR – NIGHT
SCOTT slows down as he sees the entrance to his sub-division. Pulling himself together, he takes a long deep breath and puts his foot on the brake.
SCOTT
(singing to himself)
I get knocked down. But I get up
again, ain’t never gonna keep me
down.
SCOTT turns a few corners in his neighborhood and keeps on singing while he’s at it. Turning his final corner, he takes an awful deep breath.
SCOTT
(still singing)
How bizarre, how bizarre.
Through a big glare in SCOTT’S eyes, we can see tons of blinking red and blue lights ahead of him. His mouth drops open.
SCOTT
(comes to realization)
No way.
SCOTT quickly reacts by turning into a neighbor’s driveway. He quickly reaches down and opens in the glove compartment.
POV: GLOVE COMPARTMENT
We can see SCOTT reaching in and throwing around a whole bunch of different things. He finally grasps what he wants and takes it out.
INT. CAR – NIGHT
SCOTT stares at a small pistol in his hand. He slowly pulls the gun to his head and takes another deep breath.
SCOTT
(mumbling)
It’ll be all right. It’ll be all
right.
SCOTT sways forward and backward, trying to think of what he should do.
SCOTT
And now . . .
SCOTT throws the gun back into the glove compartment. He shuts the small door and regroups himself. The car glides out of the driveway as he goes to his own house.
A COP runs to the front of his car and tells him to stop before he could reach the driveway. The cop walks to SCOTT’S window and knocks on it.
SCOTT rolls down the window.
SCOTT
I live here.
COP
I’m sorry sir. There’s been an accident
here this evening. Can you please pull
up to the side of the street?
SCOTT
(beat)
Yeah . . . sure.
SCOTT slowly pulls back, and then moves forward to park right near the curb. He opens his door and walks to the cop.
SCOTT
Can I go in?
COP
Come with me.
The cop walks SCOTT past a few cop cars, a neighbor being interviewed, and a large news van into the garage.
COP
Don’t step on anything.
The cop guides SCOTT into the kitchen. SCOTT sees about five police officers and a few detectives standing around. One of the men takes pictures of something outside of SCOTT’S view.
COP
Wait right here.
SCOTT tries to peek over the commotion, but before he can see anything a DETECTIVE walks up to him.
DETECTIVE
Hi. Sorry about all of this. My name is
Detective English. Did you hear what
happened?
SCOTT
No one has said anything yet.
Sweat starts to drip down SCOTT’S face. He can feel himself turning red.
ENGLISH
Someone was murdered here this evening.
Right around seven-thirty. The victim
was found on the floor of this kitchen
with about seven stab wounds.
SCOTT’S eyes bulge open.
SCOTT
Oh my God. Who is it?
ENGLISH
The victim hadn’t any forms of
identification on him, so we’re going
to need you to take a good look at
him.
SCOTT nods.
SCOTT
Can I see him?
ENGLISH
Sure. Right here. He looks Hispanic.
He has pretty bushy black hair, brown
eyes.
ENGLISH shows the body to SCOTT. A macabre stench flows around the room as a large carcass, full of blood, lies in the middle of the kitchen floor.
SCOTT pulls away.
SCOTT
OH GOD.
The detective grabs his arm.
ENGLISH
Can you please try to identify him
for us?
SCOTT nods his head.
SCOTT
Fine.
SCOTT walks back over to the carcass. Kneeling down, he takes a quick look at his face.
SCOTT
(immediately)
Orlando Rodriguez. My mom’s husband.
SCOTT feels a little relieved. Detective English looks over at a man who just walked in the room.
ENGLISH
Burke! Come here!
BURKE, a scrawny little officer, walks over to the detective.
ENGLISH
I just got identification on the
body.
(to SCOTT)
Thanks, buddy. Are you positive?
SCOTT nods. Officer Burke grabs a pen out of his pocket and readies to write something.
ENGLISH
Orlando Rodriguez, the wife’s husband.
SCOTT looks up at the detective. Officer Burke looks down at his pad, waits a few seconds, and then glances at Detective English.
BURKE
Uhm, sir?
ENGLISH
Orlando Rodriguez.
Officer Burke looks up at the detective and SCOTT.
BURKE
(beat)
That’s impossible.
The three people become silent. SCOTT nervously looks at Officer Burke.
ENGLISH
Why is that?
BURKE
(beat)
I just interviewed him outside.
SCOTT’S heart drops more than ever before. His eyes widen and more sweat pours down his face. He starts to realize what is going to happen because of this.
Just then, ORLANDO runs into the room.
ORLANDO
HUGO?! WHERE’S HUGO?!
4/6/2002 4:47:51 PM
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