FADE IN:

INT-PLAYHOUSE -- EVENING

Garbled voices are heard through a sea of
 people.  We are unable to pin point what
 each of these various conversations are
 about.  Looking around the room it's
 obvious that this giant mess of people are
 auidience members for the play being
 performed this evening.  Up toward the
 balcony we see the play's director JEFFREY
 RICTER, as he fiddles with his camera
 equipment.  Jeffrey is around 49, and looks
 like he's rather serious about his role in
 tonights performence.


INT-STAGE

As the lights go down, we zoom accross the 
gradually quieting audience as we head 
toward the stage.  The curtin opens and we
 see a set that is supposed to represent a
 physchitrist office.  In a black lounge 
chair is a young boy playing the DOCTOR 
charecter.  Over laying on the couch 
playing the patient is, another per-teen 
child, Taylor.

DOCTOR
So tell me about the 
problem with your 
wife?

TAYLOR
She thinks I'm crazy.

DOCTOR
She thinks you're 
crazy?

TAYLOR
Yes, she calls me 
paranoid.

DOCTOR
Why?  Are you?

TAYLOR
No, I can't help it 
if people are always 
out to get me.

DOCTOR
Well why don't you 
relax and tell me 
from the begining, 
about how your 
marrige contracted
 these problems.

TAYLOR
Well if that's what
 you want to know then
 it's easier to start 
at the end and work
 backwards.

CUT TO:

BLACK SCREEN:

TITLE CARD: The Beginning Of The End

INT.BALLROOM -- EVENING

We are in a ballroom full of people. 
 Accross the room, Jeff leans against a wall 
with a wine glass in hand.  He is now 34,
 to the right of him is a rather ANNOYING 
MAN, flapping his gums.  

ANNOYING MAN
So how does it feel?

JEFF
What?  The wine 
glass?

ANNOYING MAN
No c'mon!  Going from 
writing screenplays
 to directing your 
first independent 
feature?

JEFF
It hasn't sunk in 
yet.

ANNOYING MAN
How many screenplays 
have you written?

JEFF
15 over the years.


ANNOYING MAN
How many made into
 movies?

JEFF
9 sold, only 3 
actually made.

ANNOYING MAN
I've never seen 
anything you've done.

JEFF
That's great......

Standing on the other side of the room, in
 the middle of an involved conversation, is
 RACHEL, Jeff's little sister.  She looks up
 and nods as the two gentleman look her way. 

ANNOYING MAN
Your sis is great.

JEFF
I'm sure she thinks 
you are too.

Rachel walks up in between the two. 

JEFF
And here she is 
now.....

RACHEL
Yes fellas here I am.

JEFF
What's that sis you
 want to see me for a 
second?

RACHEL
What?

ANNOYING MAN
We were just getting 
started.

JEFF
Family first.

RACHEL
(looking at the man)

Be right back.

Jeff grabs Rachel's arm and drags her
 across the room.

JEFF
Is Bill here yet?

RACHEL
He called a few 
minutes ago.  He's
 just going to be a
 little late.

JEFF
I'd feel more secure
 if he were here.  
Since Morgan is a no-
show.....

RACHEL
Where is Morgan?

JEFF
I told you she's 
directing a play 
tonight.

RACHEL
And she couldn't be
 here for her husbands
 celebration?

JEFF
Hey mom and dad 
aren't here.

RACHEL
They're...mmm...old..
..West Virginia to 
New York is not an 
easy trip.  And BIG
 BROTHER, Morgan is
 WHAT 3 miles away?

JEFF
3 miles in New York
 is a lot different
 then 3 miles in the 
boonies.

RACHEL
And why is it 
important for Bill to 
be here?  You know 
how that makes me 
feel?

JEFF
I'm sorry dear.  He's 
my support system, I
 can't function with
 out him here.

RACHEL
You just can't 
function period. 

Jeff points over at the Annoying Man, who
 lifts his hand to wave.

JEFF
Like the new beau.

RACHEL
Really?

JEFF
No....

RACHEL
You know, I am proud 
of you, you and Bill.

Bill walks up from behind.

BILL
Why me?  This guy
 doing all the work.
  I'm just his agent.

Bill walks up and hugs Jeff.

BILL
Hey baby brother.

JEFF
Now I feel better.

RACHEL
I'm so glad you view
 me as important.

JEFF
I'm sorry, thought we
 had this discussion.
  He's my support 
system.

BILL
Speaking of support
 systems, where's your
 wife?

RACHEL
By West Virginia
 standards, she's
 clear across the
 world.

INT-JEFF AND MORGAN'S APARTMENT -- EVENING

Jeff walks in and throws his keys down.  He
 walks up to a beautiful dining room table.
  He sits down and plays with an envelop on 
the tabletop.  He turns it upside down and
 a document falls out of the already open
 envelope.  He picks it up and we realize 
it's his and Morgan's divorce papers.

INT-LAWYER'S OFFICE -- DAY

MORGAN and Jeff are seated together at a 
desk.  On the other side is a LAWYER.  He
 hands them a serious of papers and a pen.

LAWYER
Sign here.

Jeff signs followed by Morgan.

LAWYER
And here.

(after they finish)

And you may shake 
hands.  You're now 
divorced.

JEFF
Um...well....

MORGAN
That was easy.

Morgan gets up and shakes Jeff's hand.

MORGAN
That wasn't so hard.

JEFF
Nope.

(stands)

MORGAN
You did better then I 
expected.

JEFF
I'm glad I have your
 approval.

MORGAN
Good-bye Jeff.

JEFF
Good-bye...

MORGAN
(shaking lawyer's hand)

Thank you.

LAWYER
Welcome.

Morgan walks out of the office.

LAWYER
You ok?

JEFF
Yeah fine.

LAWYER
I remember when you
 moved with her to
 this town.  I liked
 you two together.

JEFF
I think you were the
 only one.

LAWYER
What? 

JEFF
Nothing.

(pause)

Well I better get
 going...Thank you

(shakes his hand)

LAWYER
Take care of 
yourself.

JEFF
Ehh.. I'll try.
  Good-bye.

Jeff walks out of the Lawyer's office and
 shuts the door behind him.

INT-JEFF'S CAR -- AFTERNOON

Jeff is cruising down the highway, rock 
music blaring.  Out his windshield we see a
 green road sign for Parkersburg, West
 Virginia exits.

INT-JEFF'S CAR -- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff pulls into his parents driveway.  We 
look up to see a very nice suburban middle-
class house.

PATIO -- LATER

Jeff and his MOM sit on the back patio in 
lawn chairs drinking tea.

MOM
When do you have to 
be back in Richmond?

JEFF
First shot is in 3
 weeks.  I was told to
 take every bit of 
that time to recoup
 from the divorce.  
Grandma's old house
 is still set up for 
guests right?

MOM
Yes.  If you visited 
more often you'd know
 that.

JEFF
Mom....Anyway don't
 even go there.  Who
 didn't come to New 
York last month?

MOM
You know your Dad's
 diabetes has been 
crazy.

JEFF
How's he doing with 
the news of my 
divorce?

MOM
You know he never
 liked Morgan.

JEFF
He's worried that 
I'll always be alone?

MOM
Yes.  And he was
 worried when Kim 
walked, but he could
 take or leave Morgan.

JEFF
Now Kim wasn't even 
meant to be Mom.  If 
she was then she 
wouldn't have walked.

MOM
Maybe or maybe not.
  But you know what 
your Dad has always
 said "If you're going
 to make the mistake
 of having an affair,
 don't make a bigger
 one by marrying the
 girl."

JEFF
I don't know.....

MOM
Plain and simple you 
had that affair
 because you wanted a
 blow-job.  Kim 
wouldn't give you 
one, Morgan would.  I 
understand,  but 
that's not a reason
 to throw away your
 marriage.

JEFF
Whose Mom talks like
 this!?!  No mom I 
know talks like this.

MOM
I just call it like I 
see it.

JEFF
Does the guest house
 have a phone?

MOM
Yes, it has measured
 service though.  You
 have to pay to call
 out.

JEFF
It's alright I have a 
cell.  If any one 
finds out I'm in 
town, and wants me,
 go ahead and give
 them the number.

MOM
I will.  It's going 
to be ok son.

JEFF
I know.  I'll be 
fine, something about
 this town just makes
 me feel safe.

MOM
It's because Mommy
 and Daddy are here.

JEFF
(half rolls his eyes)

Maybe that's it.

INT-GUEST HOUSE -- LATER

Jeff sits in a recliner flipping it through
 channels chatting on his cell.

INTERCUT.

INT-BILL'S KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS

Bill, although still with his snappy blue
 shirt and matching tie on, is elbow deep in
 dough.  Flour all over his face, and with
 his hands full, he balances the phone on
 his shoulder. 

BILL
(FILTERED)

I won't be able to be
 there for shooting,
 you do know that 
right?

JEFF
(sarcastic)

That settles it I'll
 have to cancel the 
project.

BILL
(filtered)

Smartass.  I'll call 
and check up on you.

JEFF
I know.

BILL
(filtered)

When are you going to 
stand on your own two 
feet?

JEFF
Probably never.

BILL
(filtered)

That's what I'm
 afraid of.

Phone rings.

JEFF
What the hell?  The 
house phones ringing.

BILL
(filtered)

Well answer it...

JEFF
.....I planed on it.. 

BILL
(filtered)

Good.Well I gotta go
 anyway,it's my turn 
to cook dinner for
 the kids.

JEFF
Catch you later.

BILL
(filtered)

Bye

INT-GUEST HOUSE 

Jeff walks over to the desk where the 
ringing phone lies.  He shuts off his cell
 and picks up the ground line.

JEFF
Hello?

INT-GUEST HOUSE

INTERCUT

INT-KIM'S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS

When we see KIM for the first time,
 although she has the persona of being a
 very independent woman, her room should
 also have a rather innocent young woman
 look.  

KIM
Hi Jeff?

JEFF
Yeah it's me

(searching his
 brain)

....Kim?

KIM
Hey.

JEFF
How did you know I 
was here?

KIM
Parkersburg is a 
pretty small town
 sweetheart.

JEFF
How did you get this
 number?

KIM
That number had 
remained the same
 since we were 
married.  Plus I
 called your mom.

JEFF
Wow.

KIM
So how are you?

JEFF
Divorced.

KIM
I know.

JEFF
You?

KIM
No I'm not getting
 divorced.  I'm not
 even married.

JEFF
You never got
 married?

KIM
My choice.  Teaching 
is more important to
 me right now than
 marriage.

JEFF
How is that?

KIM
Good and rewarding.
  I heard about the
 film, congrats.

JEFF
Thank you.  

(pause)

It's been a long time
 Kim.

KIM
Yes it has.

MOMENTS LATER

Kim is curled up on her bed with phone in 
hand, her feet up in the air behind her.
  Jeff is in the recliner with remote in 
hand.  His phone resting on his shoulder,
 his right leg propped over the arm of the
 chair.

KIM
....So that's last
 time I go to Paris
 looking for love.

JEFF
Ehhh love finds you 
when you're ready for
 it.

KIM
What?!?  Jeff's being
 insightful?

JEFF
(smiles)

Yeah...um..so..You
 want to go to dinner?

KIM
What?  Why?

JEFF
That's kind of rude.

KIM
I just don't 
understand where that
 came from.

JEFF
I'm not asking you to
 re-marry me.

KIM
That's good.

JEFF
I just want to eat 
and want to know if
 you're free to join
 me.

KIM
Tonight?

JEFF
No....just whenever.

KIM
How long are you in
 town?

JEFF
3 weeks.

KIM
Friday night?

JEFF
Cool it's a 
date...er...it's
 Friday night.

KIM
See you then?

JEFF
Looking forward to
 it.

KIM
Good-night Jeff.

JEFF
Sweet dreams Kim.

KIM
Bye.

JEFF
Bye.

At their separate houses both Jeff and Kim
 hang up the phone slowly.  Both pondering
 on their conversation.

INT-GUEST HOUSE

Jeff gets out of the recliner and heads to
 the couch.  He sits down and gets into his
 wallet on the coffee table in front of him.
  He pulls out an old picture of Kim and
 stares at it a moment.  He then spins
 around putting his head on the back of the
 couch.  As he stares out into space the
 scene gradually changes.

INT-KIM AND JEFF'S HOUSE-SEVERAL YEARS AGO

Jeff is still in the same position on the
 couch.  Kim has a bag in hand.  She walks
 to the door and gets ready to open it.  She
 turns with tears in her eyes.

JEFF
Kim.  If you still
 want to file for 
divorce I can't stop 
you.  This doesn't
 have to end.  If you
 stay I will do 
nothing but spend the 
rest of our lives 
making this up to 
you.  Please.........

KIM
Goodbye Jeff.

Kim walks out the door and out of Jeff's
 life.  Jeff just continues to stare off
 into space.  Then he hears a voice from
 behind.

INT-CAFE-EVEN EARLIER

DEREK
Who are you looking
 at?

Derek is sitting in front of Jeff(whose 
looking much younger) sipping his coffee.
  Jeff's turning around in his chair staring 
at a young Kim, chatting with some
 girlfriends.

JEFF
No one.

DEREK
Are you checking out 
Kim Rein?  She's a 
brain you know that.
  Who the hell are you 
Lloyd Dobler?

JEFF
Dude please no "Say
 Anything" references.

DEREK
We're film students!
  Who are we if we 
can't incorporate
 films into our
 reality.

JEFF
(still looking at
 Kim)

When we live in
 reality.

DEREK
You want reality?

Derek JUMPS up.

DEREK
Kim!!!!!!!!

Startled Kim looks up.

DEREK
May I bother you for 
a second?

She smiles and excuses herself from her
 friends.  She walks over to Derek and
 Jeff's table.

KIM
Hey Derek.

DEREK
Kim I want you to
 meet Jeff.

KIM
(smiles)

Hi.  You're in Psyche
 with me aren't you?

JEFF
Yeah I sit three rows
 over.

DEREK
Yeah he thinks you're 
cute.

Jeff shrugs, Kim blushes.

EXT-SIDEWALK -- LATER

Derek and Jeff are walking through the main
 campus of college.

JEFF
You told her I 
thought she was cute!
  Oh my goodness!

DEREK
You have her phone 
number calm down! 
 And what young man in
 his earlier twenties
 says "Oh my 
goodness"?  Are you
 an 11 year old girl?

JEFF
I can't believe how I
 have dreamed about 
going out with that 
girl.  I used to lay 
my head down in 
psyche and stare at
 her.  She wears the
 cutest slides, I 
think they're 
European.

DEREK
Dude, you have a shoe
 fetish.

JEFF
(looking at a piece of 
paper)

And I have her phone 
number!

DEREK
And she told you to 
give her a call and 
arrange a time you 
two can go out.  So 
you already know you 
have a date lined up 
with her.

JEFF
I can't believe how
 easy that was.

DEREK
It is that easy.  All
 you had to do was go 
up and have a simple 
conversation with the
 girl.  I do have a 
question though.  Are
 you truly obsessed 
with Kim?  Or did you
 make yourself 
obsessed with her to
 get over Heather?

JEFF
You mean like a 
rebound thing?  
Heather has been with
 Vinny for two months
 now, I think I'm way 
past it.  

DEREK
Well, Kim's a great
 girl...I think she
 would be a great girl 
for you.  But, I have 
watched Heather since
 high school jerk you 
around.  She can dump
 you a billion times 
and be with whoever
 she wants but god 
forbid you find 
someone.  Don't let 
her screw this up for 
you if you truly want 
this.

INT-HEATHER'S DORM ROOM -- AFTERNOON

We meet HEATHER for the first time, she has
 a wise and at the same time naive persona 
about her.  Throw a few dashes of slut in
 there and you got the feel the perfect feel
 for Heather.  She's sitting on her bed 
acting rather bouncy, Jeff is across the 
room from her riffling through her little
 dorm sized fridge.  He grabs a beer rips 
open the top and heads to the window.

JEFF
What do you want me
 to say Heather?  
Vinny has cheated on
 you at least 100 
times since you two
 have been together.
  You want me to track
 him down and kick his
 ass?  What do you 
want from me?!?

HEATHER
I was just venting.

JEFF
Odd that you bring
 this up hours before
 my first date with 
Kim.

HEATHER
Now what are you 
trying to say?

JEFF
You want me to think
 there's a chance 
between us.  You want
 me to break this date
 off and console you
 so in the morning
 I'll be completely
 single while you'll
 run back to that 
commit phobic male 
slut.

HEATHER
Sounds like you need 
to get over yourself.
  All I was looking for
 was some damn advice 
from a friend.

JEFF
You want advice?

(turning to face her)

You need to call him 
up and dump him.  
Then go out tonight 
and find someone else
 that will make you 
happy who happens not 
to be "me".  In the 
meantime let me go 
out tonight with Kim 
so I have a chance of
 finding someone to
 make me happy who 
doesn't happen to be
 "you".

Jeff reaches for his pack of cigarettes in
 his front pocket.  He knocks one out of the 
pack and balances it on his lips as he
 reaches for a lighter.

HEATHER
It's against the law 
to smoke in the 
dorms.

JEFF
(lighting his cigarette and
 taking the initial puff)

That's good law. 

INT-JEFF'S DORM -- LATER

Jeff is frantically getting ready for his
 date with Kim, while Derek sits on his 
futon vegging out in front of the TV.

DEREK
So Heather stayed 
with Vinny?

JEFF
(slapping gel in his
 hair)

And you act so 
surprised

DEREK
Are you ok with it?

Jeff walks away from the mirror behind the
 futon and steps right in front of Derek's
 line of vision.

JEFF
I don't care if she
 starts dating a 
chimp.  I'm on a date
 with Kim tonight and 
that's all that 
matters.

DEREK
Ehhh if she was 
dating a horse now
 that's a date that
 might be worth 
watching.  Do you 
mind getting out of
 my light?  You're 
blocking "Less Than 
Zero" I can't go out
 and party tonight so
 this is all I have
 left.

JEFF
First things first
 how do I look?

DEREK
Like a gay man.

JEFF
So you'd date me?

DEREK
No I have much better
 taste in men.

Jeff flings himself on the futon and hangs 
over the back of it staring into the 
mirror.

DEREK
Now Robert Downey Jr 
is a hot guy, look at 
that he's singing 
Christmas carols with 
his feet.

JEFF
(still primping)
I really look that 
bad. 

INT-GUEST HOUSE-PRESENT

Jeff still leaning over the back of the
 couch looks down at the picture of Kim
 still being held tight in his hand, he 
slowly looses his grip and it falls to the 
floor.

INT-KITCHEN -- MORNING

Kim's mother NANCY and her father RALPH are
 seated at the table.  Kim comes in and 
joins them.

NANCY
Are you sure you want
 to go out with him 
tonight?

RALPH
Goddamn!  I'm not
 paying for another
 divorce.

KIM
It's just dinner.  We 
haven't seen each 
other in a while. 
 I'm getting too old 
for you to be telling
 me who I can or can't
 be friends with.

RALPH
Goddamn!

NANCY
Dear!

(to Kim)

No one wants to see
 you be hurt.

KIM
I'll be fine.  It's 
not like we're 
getting re-married 
it's just dinner.  I
 called him we had a 
simple conversation.
  I'm going to go to 
dinner have more of 
the same.

NANCY
Was it not a simple
 conversation that 
lead to you marrying
 him in the first 
place?

KIM
Mom, Jeff was 
anything but simple
 when I met him.

NANCY
We just are afraid
 you're going to go
 down that dead end
 road again.

KIM
It's just old friends
 catching up.  Even if
 I was going to get
 back with him, who
 says it's a dead end
 road?

RALPH
He messed around with
 half the town!

KIM
It was one girl Dad,
 and he married her.

RALPH
One a cheater still
 makes.

KIM
Are you Yoda, Dad? 
 What are you talking
 about?  You're not 
making any sense.

NANCY
Be careful.

KIM
(frustrated)

I will.

INT-COFFEE SHOP-DAY

Bill and Jeff are sitting down to a cup of 
coffee.

JEFF
So you're just in 
town for this week?

BILL
Yep.

JEFF
No way I can get you
 to go to Richmond 
with me?

BILL
Um...no.  You know 
I'm booked.  Anyway 
brother why don't you
 tell me about this 
Kim conversation.

JEFF
It was just a 
conversation.

BILL
You're not trying to
 hook up with your ex
 are you?

JEFF
She tracked me down 
first of all, and no.

BILL
I liked her.

JEFF
We didn't work.

BILL
I never understood 
why?  I mean you 
cheated on her, but
 why?

JEFF
I don't know.  The
 relationship has been 
coming back to me in 
snip its...

BILL
Snip its?

JEFF
Pieces.  

BILL
Why didn't you say 
pieces?

JEFF
I don't know...Anyway
 I really don't know 
why I cheated.  She 
was smart, beautiful,
 would do anything for
 me.  Most importantly
 she was my best 
friend.

BILL
Maybe you should 
explore that.

JEFF
What?

BILL
If you guys make it
 past this first 
dinner, you could 
explore it.  Take a
 tour of your marriage
 so to speak.  Find 
the problems you guys
 had that lead to your
 break up.

JEFF
Well it's too soon to
 think about whether 
or not to remarry 
this girl.  I mean we
 haven't even had 
dinner yet.

INT-RESTERAUNT-SEVERAL YEARS AGO

Jeff and Kim are sitting down to dinner.  A 
rowdy bunch of drunk people are seated 
beside of them.  Jeff is obviously nervous.

KIM
Are you ok?

JEFF
Yeah....

KIM
You're kind of 
shaking...

JEFF
(whisper)

Drunk people....

KIM
I don't like them 
either.  You want to
 go somewhere else?

JEFF
No I'm fine.

KIM
You don't look fine.

JEFF
I just want 
everything to go 
perfect.

KIM
Me too.  Maybe that's
 why we should go 
somewhere else.

JEFF
I'm cool.

(deep breathe)

So why me?  Why did
 you want to go out
 with me?

KIM
You asked me.

JEFF
That simple?

KIM
So far.  It's not
 like we're getting
 married tomorrow.

JEFF
Well actually I 
already booked the
 preacher.

KIM
Sorry I have finals
 tomorrow.

JEFF
I'll reschedule.

KIM
You do that.

(pause)

Are you ok?  You're 
face looks tense.  Am
 I doing something 
wrong?

JEFF
No I'm fine.

KIM
I just worried I'm
 going to say the 
wrong thing.

JEFF
Me too.  Worried 
about that.  Whether 
they'll be a second 
date, if I'll pass 
finals if I'm not 
smart enough to be 
with you.  If those 
drunk people are 
going to cause us 
problems.  If I'll
 find a job after 
college and most 
importantly what to
 order.  Oh and then 
there's will I order
 something that won't
 cause a mess while
 I'm eating it.  
That's the last thing
 I need during a first
 date.

KIM
(odd smile)

It's very tiring to
 be you isn't it?  
Listen just relax 
we're just talking
 and getting to know 
each other.  I don't
 know you well enough
 to know whether I 
like you or hate you.
  All I know is that
 you're an attractive
 guy who seems to be
 sweet and hates drunk 
people.  Which is 
actually a plus in
 comparison to the 
average alcohol and 
drug obsessed college 
student.

(pause)

Why don't you tell me
 about Heather?

JEFF
That's not really 
appropriate
 discussion for a 
first date.

KIM
You already vented 
about her some.

JEFF
It's just a hard 
thing to realize you
 are going to have to 
distance yourself 
from someone you've
 known since 
kindergarten.

KIM
So she's more then 
just an ex?

JEFF
Yeah we grew up together and to
 make a long story short after we
 both had messy break ups with 
other people our  junior year, we
 decided to date.  We did alright 
till she got into the party scene
 toward the end of our senior 
year.  She gets drunk and drugged
 up and ends up in all sorts of
 weird places.  I caught her 
hanging from a clothesline with 
nothing on but a sombrero.

KIM
That's odd.

JEFF
No, it was a Mexican themed 
party.  Anyway we broke up and 
I tried to remain friends.  She
 straighten up but ends up with 
guys who treated her about the
 same as she was treating me 
toward the end.  And she's 
constantly sticking her nose in
 to my relationships, acting as 
if every girl I meet isn't good
 enough.

KIM
So she thinks I'm not
 good enough?

JEFF
Honestly I don't give 
a rat's ass.

A DRUNK GUY SLAMS into the back of Jeff's 
chair almost spilling his pitcher of beer 
down the back of Jeff's shirt.

DRUNK GUY
Dude I shoo 
sorrry......the
 diner's small.

JEFF
I've heard that
 complaint.

DRUNK GUY
(looking at Kim)

You're a hot bitch.

KIM
Um...thank you

JEFF
I feel the same way 
too.  I wouldn't use
 those exact choice of
 words though.

DRUNK GUY
You're soo damn lucky
 to have a hot bitch.

JEFF
Thank you.  Although
 her name is Kim now,
 she changed her name
 from Bitch when she 
went into the witness
 protection program.

DRUNK GUY
(looking at Kim)

I'm shorrry 

KIM
It's ok.

The GUYS at the Drunk guy's table are 
getting restless.

GUYS
Hey get that pictcher 
over here!!!

Drunk guy leans down and gives Kim and Jeff
 a group hug.

DRUNK GUY
I gotshta go.

JEFF
Bye take care.

DRUNK GUY
(walking back to his table)

Hey guys be quite 
she's in the witness 
protection 
program!!!!

Jeff barries his head into the table.

JEFF
(muffled)

Dear mother of God...

Kim lifts up her glass as Jeff lifts his
 head back up.

KIM
To our first date.

Jeff lifts his glass.

JEFF
Defiantly remeberable

CLANG!  The glasses meet as the two toast. 

INT-RESTERAUNT-PRESENT

Jeff and Kim are sitting down to dinner
 once again.

JEFF
It's very tiring to
 me isn't it?  You 
used to tell me that
 all the time.

KIM
It's true.

JEFF
So what's changed in
 your life?

KIM
I pretty much told
 you all that on the
 phone.

JEFF
You look good.

KIM
Thank you.  You look 
the same.

JEFF
Is that good or bad?

KIM
I married you didn't 
I?

JEFF
And divorced me.

KIM
Jeff...no.  Let's 
not.

JEFF
I'm sorry.

(Pause) 

KIM
I happy to hear that 
you're finally a 
director.

JEFF
Oh yes, it's a long 
time coming.  One 
week down two to go.

KIM
So this is Derek's 
baby?

JEFF
Oh yeah.  He left 
film school and 
became a big time
 producer.  Well I 
guess big time is a 
stretch.  But he has 
his own independent
 studio.

KIM
That's big time 
enough.

JEFF
He set us up 
remember?

KIM
Yes...yes I do.
  Screaming half way
 down the cafeteria.

JEFF
He basically kicked
 my ass when I let you 
go.

KIM
Well sweetheart, you
 didn't really let me
 go.  It wasn't your 
choice.

JEFF
You're kind of 
getting cold.

KIM
No, you gave up the 
right to make that 
choice.

JEFF
You want more wine?

KIM
You're so funny.  You 
haven't changed one
 bit.  Anytime I used
 to start on something
 you didn't want to 
hear you would try to
 get me drunk.

JEFF
So untrue.

INT-KITCHEN TABLE-YEARS EARLIER

It's obvious from the look of the house
(pictures..etc)this is way after Kim and
 Jeff got married.  The two are seated 
around a romantic dinner.  Wine, candles,
 you name it, everything is decked out on 
the table.  But Jeff and Kim are in a very 
un romantic mood.

KIM
Why bring her up?

JEFF
I'm not.

KIM
You still compare me
 to her.

JEFF
No c'mon Kim.  I just 
said my high school
 relationships were 
much easier than this 
marriage.

KIM
It supposed to be!!!! 
 Why bring Heather 
up?!?  You're still
 stuck in your past!

JEFF
Kim!!  For heavens 
sake calm down.

KIM
(getting up)
You've ruined yet
 another Valentines 
day!

Jeff gets up and grabs the bottle of wine.

JEFF
This is only the 
second Valentines day
 I've ruined.

KIM
What are you keeping
 score?!?

Jeff hands the bottle to Kim

JEFF
Let's just have a 
drink, calm down and 
talk...please?

Kim takes a giant swig of the bottle

INT-RESTERAUNT-PRESENT

And we're back.........

JEFF
So untrue.....

EXT-LAKESIDE -- EVENING

Jeff and Kim are walking along side a lake.

KIM
You ever talk to 
Heather anymore?

JEFF
Heather?  That was so 
high school slash 
college slash odd 
times in my life 
where she'd just pop 
up.  To answer your
 question no, not 
since the divorce.
  Ours I mean....you
 follow me.

KIM
(sighs)

You used to bring her 
up all the time.  I 
always thought you
 would rather have 
been with her.

JEFF
God no.  I just 
wanted something to 
throw in your face so 
you would never leave
 me.

KIM
Well that's just
 slightly cruel.

JEFF
Well I never said I
 was the most mature
 person in the world.
  For as long as I 
pined for you, heck
 if I was give you up
 for Heather.

Kim stops mid step and turns to Jeff
 pointing.

KIM
Oh but you could give 
me up for Morgan.

JEFF
Whoa kitten.  I
 didn't think we were 
going to go down this
 road.

KIM
No I just don't 
understand if I was 
so special how you
 could cheat on me?

JEFF
You know Kim, I don't
 know why it happened.
  If I had the answers
 I would give them to
 you.

(Pause) 

KIM
Do you want to
 explore it?

JEFF
What?

KIM
Well God must have
 brought us together
 this week for a 
reason.

JEFF
Well I mean YOU
 called ME.

KIM
And YOU asked ME to
 dinner.  What's your
 point?

JEFF
I'm not trying to
 pass blame back and 
forth.  I just don't
 know how much fate
 has to play here.

KIM
Something made me 
call you.  Maybe I 
want some answers 
Jeff.  This whole 
thing kind of ended 
suddenly for me.  
It's not like you 
spent 6 years abusing
 me.  We had a lot of 
fun.  I thought you
 were my best 
friend...

JEFF
You were my best
 friend......

KIM
...And then one day
 out of the blue, it
 exploded in my face.

JEFF
Kim....Do you want to 
explore this?

KIM
I think I do....

Jeff reaches out his hand, Kim grabs it and 
they shake.

JEFF
Well we have two 
weeks....As my old 
drama teacher used to
 say "Let's do it to 
it."

We pan away from Jeff and Kim and focus on
 a lone park bench on the side of the lake.
  As we look upon this bench we are
 transported back to...........

EXT-LAKESIDE-SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER --
 EVENING

Jeff is sitting on the bench staring out at
 the serine lake.  Silence fills the scene
 with the exception of the quaking of ducks.v  Kim walks up from behind and plops down
 beside him.

KIM
What'cha looking at?


JEFF
Just looking out 
there.

(pause)

I'm glad you made it
 ok. I was a little
 worried about you
 meeting me this late
 at night.

KIM
Worried about me
 here?  Please me and
 my dog used to walk
 around in this park
 at all times of the
 night.

JEFF
I'm sorry.

Jeff puts his arm around her.

KIM
It's ok. That's the
 only reason we're out
 here this late at 
night.  It's a 
tribute to Sandy. 
 The best protection a 
girl could have in 
the park at night.

(pause, half smile
 through tears)

That was until you of 
course.

(pause, cries some more)

You know the only 
thing that gets me 
is, I let my mom take 
her to the vet by 
herself.  I just went
 to work today, while
 Sandy entered the
 afterlife alone. 
 After all the times
 she was there for me,
 I couldn't bear to be 
there for her.

She continues to ball.  Jeff pulls her 
closer, as he does he pats her coat pocket.

JEFF
(still panting)

What's this?

KIM
(reaching into coat)

Oh it's a snow globe 
my mom made a couple
 of years ago.

Kim hands the globe to Jeff.

KIM
It has Sandy picture 
in it.

Jeff shakes it up and stares at it. 

INT-DEREK'S CAR-DAY

Derek is cruising down the highway, Jeff is 
in the passenger seat.

DEREK
So Lloyd having a 
good summer with Kim 
so far?

JEFF
Yeah actually I am.
  She's been staying at
 the guest house a 
lot.

DEREK
You guys going to get
 a place together when
 school starts back
 up? 

JEFF
No not yet.  I'm not
 sure I'm ready for
 that kind of 
commitment.

DEREK
Not ready for that
 kind of commitment?
  What?  I thought this
 was your dream girl?

JEFF
Well I do like her an 
awful lot, but that
 doesn't mean I'm 
thinking of marriage.

DEREK
Have you slept with
 her?

JEFF
What?  Like I'm going 
to tell you that.

DEREK
Well let me give you
 a piece of advice 
friend.  With a girl
 like Kim, if you plan
 to sleep with her,
 you best also plan on 
buying a tux.  
Because you'll either
 be married in it, or 
buried in it.  So 
before you have sex
 with her, I hope
 you're beyond "I like
 her an awful lot".  I
 hope it's "I love her
 and can't live with
 out her"

JEFF
Hey, don't worry 
about me.  I will not
 screw anything up.

DEREK
"Will not screw" are
 the key words there.

JEFF
Trust me....

INT-BEDROOM-NIGHT

Kim and Jeff are inter twined on his bed.
  They are in the middle of an intense make
 out session.  For some odd reason clothing
 for both seems to be scarce. 

KIM
(gasping)

I think we need to
 slow down.

JEFF
(also catching his
 breathe)

We'll only go as far
 as you let it.

Jeff dives back in......

KIM
(still fighting for a normal
 breathing pattern)

I just don't know if 
we're ready for this.

JEFF
(breaking from a kiss)

Kim....nothing is 
going to happen 
before we're ready.
  I promise you that.

(looking down at her)

...I love you....

(kisses her again)

INT-BEDROOM -- LATER

Both Jeff and Kim are laying in bed in the
 aftermath of sexual escapes.  Both of the
 involved parties have a look of concern on
 their face.

KIM
Weeeeellll we did
 it....

JEFF
Sure did.

KIM
......You want to go
 outside and smoke?

JEFF
.....Yeah...

EXT-GUEST HOUSE PORCH -- MOMENTS LATER

Kim, dangling a cigarette is seated on a
 lawn chair up against the side of the
 covered porch.  Jeff walks over and lights
 it.

KIM
.....Thank you...

Jeff jumps back and plants his rear on the
 banister.  He then proceeds to light his
 own cigarette.

KIM
Sooooo....

JEFF
Yeah....Soooooo...

KIM
You think you will
 live in this house
 your whole life?

JEFF
It's free.  That's
 the only reason I'm
 here now.  Well that
 and Grandma died 
leaving it empty.
  No, I don't think I
 will live here my
 whole life though.  I
 see myself becoming
 famous.

KIM
Really?  You think
 your scriptwriting
 will be picked up?

JEFF
I think so....or hope
 so at least...

KIM
I've heard a lot of
 good stuff about it.

JEFF
Thank you.  In the
 meantime, I'm stuck
 with selling web 
space to businesses.

KIM
There's worse jobs.
  Hey, what about mine?

JEFF
Ok lady, I would kill
 to work in a video 
store.

KIM
Maybe YOU would, but
 it's not the job for 
me.

JEFF
I guess we're both
 still finding our 
way.  So why do you
 want to teach?

KIM
My mom taught junior high.  She
 was amazing.  8 th grade is a 
awkward time for a kid, and she
 made those kids believe in their
 place in the universe.  She made
 me believe.  It's so hard to get
 through to a teenager.  People try
 so many different methods, from
 raging on them to basically
 ignoring them.  But mom did it
 through love, compassion, and
 treating us like free thinking
 adults.  I respect that.  I so
 admire her.

JEFF
Man....I don't have
 any influences in my
 life.

KIM
You got Derek, and
 your brother.

JEFF
I wouldn't consider 
them influences.
  They just keep me
 together.

KIM
And its' their job to
 keep you together?
  You can't do that on 
your own?

JEFF
I probably could.
  It's just easier if
 someone is willing to
 do it for you.

KIM
(smiling)

Pure laziness.

(pause)

Jeff....?

JEFF
Yeah?

KIM
What does...um..you
 know.I mean.....with
 what happened..I...

JEFF
What does it mean?

KIM
Yeah.  Where are we
 going to go from
 here?

JEFF
Well.....

Jeff takes a puff off his cigarette....

INT-TUX SHOP -- AFTERNOON

Bill, Derek and Jeff are looking through a
 book of tuxes.  A SALESPERSON walks up.

SALESPERSON
Are you finding
 anything you like?

JEFF
No, thank you.  We're
 still looking.

SALESPERSON
Holler at me when you
 find something.

JEFF
Thank you.

Salesperson walks off. 

DEREK
I hate sales people.
  They always get in 
your face wanting you
 to buy something.

BILL
I think that's their 
job.

(pause, deep breathe)

I can't believe 
you're getting
 married.

JEFF
Well what can I say
 Kim completes me..

DEREK
Did she "have you at
 hello" too?

BILL
Jeesh....filmstudents
....

JEFF
No I think this is
 right.

DEREK
I hope you more than
 "think" it's right.

JEFF
I know it's right....

INT-KIM'S PARENTS HOUSE -- AFTERNOON

Kim is sitting at a table, using a guide to
 pick out color patterns.  Her mom Nancy is
 bouncing around the room cleaning up.

KIM
What do you think of
 these color patterns?

NANCY
(just barely glancing 
over)

Uh....yeah...those
 are nice.

KIM
You're barely even 
looking.

NANCY
I'm looking, very
 nice dear.

Kim nods her head.  She picks up the guide
 and her color slips and throws them off the
 table.

KIM
Did that get your
 attention?!!!!?  Bet
 you're looking 
now!!!!!

NANCY
Kim Marie!!!

KIM
I want you tell me 
why?  Tell me why the
 hell can you not be
 involved in this?  I
 would love to have an
 answer here.

NANCY
I don't understand
 where this is coming
 from?

KIM
Hey mom what do you
 think of this dress?
  "Whatever dear" Mom
 what do you think
 about having a
 reception at the same
 time as the wedding?
  "Uh ok dear"  What do
 you think of these
 color patterns?  "
 Um....yeah...those
 are nice"  Why?  I
 want to know why?

NANCY
(Deep breathe)

Can I ask a question?

KIM
Any input mom would
 be appreciated.

NANCY
What has your fiancee
 been doing to help?

KIM
What do you mean?

NANCY
To be frank dear I'm
 kind of concerned.  I
 haven't really seen
 him pitching in to do
 anything.  I'm
 worried because of
 his actions that a
 wedding might not be
 taking place.

KIM
How can you say that?
  Jeff cares as much as
 I do.  Not doing
 anything for the
 wedding?  He's
 picking out tuxes
 today.

NANCY
Have you asked him
 about color patterns?
  Have you asked him
 about the reception?
  Or how about a choice
 on wedding dresses?

KIM
Men aren't interested
 in that stuff.
  Anyway he does what 
he can when he's not
 at work.

NANCY
Like picking out
 tuxes.

KIM
Yeah....

Nancy quietly walks over and picks up the
 color slips and guide.  She sits down
 across the table from Kim and starts
 flipping through everything.  Kim just
 silently looks on.

INT-BAR -- NIGHT

We're in the midst of Jeff's bachelor
 party.  Jeff, Derek and Bill are sitting at
 a table downing a pitcher of beer.  They
 look toward the stage in bewilderment as
 WARREN, another member of their group is up
 singing karaoke with a voice that sounds
 remarkably like "cookie monster"

JEFF
Is it just me or is
 he singing just
 like.....

DEREK
(in cookie monster voice)

C is for cookie which
 is good enough for
 me.

BILL
Remind me to ask him
 if he needs
 representation before
 anyone else grabs him
 up.

DEREK
Question how exactly
 do you become an
 agent?  I mean did
 you goto a special
 agent school?

BILL
It's called move to
 New York and find
 some talented
 homeless person clean
 them up.  Whore
 yourself out for them
 and pray to God when
 they make it they'll
 actually pay you some
 money before they
 drop you for a real
 agent.

JEFF
Sounds like a modern
 "My Fair Lady"...Hey 
I need to go up to
 the bar and order 
something other then
 beer.  My urge to
 drink bile flavored
 beverages is starting
 to fade.

Warren finishes his song and heads back to
 the table.

WARREN
Dude that is a 
freaking rush!  
Everyone should try
 that!

JEFF
This was a much 
better idea then
 getting a hotel room
 and some strippers.

WARREN
Wasn't it?

BILL
Bring another pitcher
 of beer back would
 you?

JEFF
Right on that.

Jeff walks up to the bar and signals the
 bartender.

JEFF
Another pitcher, and
 a mudslide.

Jeff hears someone coming up from behind.

HEATHER
Mudslide?  Alcoholic
 candy.

JEFF
Heather?

Back at the table Derek notices who Jeff is
 standing with up at the bar he nudges Bill
 who is pretending to listen to a rambling
 Warren.

BILL
(turning to Derek)

Yeah?

He notices what Derek is trying to show
 him.

BILL
Crap.

Jeff walks back to the table with a pitcher
 in one hand and his drink in the other.  He
 sets down the pitcher down on the table.

JEFF
I'll be back.

BILL
Where are you going?

JEFF
Bathroom.

DEREK
With your drink?

JEFF
I figure if I drink
 this, I'll be heading
 there anyway and this
 will save me some 
steps.  I'll be back.

Jeff walks off.

BILL
(to Derek)

Keep an eye on him.

EXT-BAR PATIO

Jeff is leaning up against a wall, while
 Heather sits on a bench in front of him.

JEFF
I was proud of you
 there for a while 
then I heard this 
rumor you took Vinny
 back.

HEATHER
Amazing how stories
 fly.

JEFF
Are you back with 
Vinny?

HEATHER
Almost married him. 
 We hooked up at a 
party and things 
well...I thought I 
was pregnant and we
 were going to get
 married.

JEFF
So why didn't you?

HEATHER
I'm found out I 
wasn't and I heard 
you were getting 
married......So I
 came here tonight to
 see you.  I was off 
waiting for a moment 
when you weren't with 
the gang.

JEFF
So are you still 
technically dating 
Vinny?

HEATHER
Well yes we're still
 together.

JEFF
I don't understand 
what you're wanting.

HEATHER
I just don't think
 I'm ready for you to 
get married.

JEFF
My head is really 
starting to hurt 
Heather.  I've know
 you for years,  since
 we were kids.  Having
 to separate myself 
from you since I've 
been with Kim has 
been the hardest 
thing I have had to 
do in my life.

HEATHER
So do you really 
think a relationship
 where you have to 
separate yourself 
from your friends is 
healthy?

JEFF
I can't believe you 
just asked that 
considering you are 
here on the eve of my 
wedding dating 
another man asking me 
not to get married. 
 This conversation 
makes so little sense
 to me.

HEATHER
I don't want to lose
 you.

JEFF
As what?  As a lover?  
That was so..so high 
school.  And me and 
you.....um...no...no.
.It's just 
not...Would you leave
 Vinny?  If I gave up 
Kim before the 
wedding would you 
leave Vinny?

HEATHER
I can't guarantee 
right away.

JEFF
You can't gaurentee 
right away.  This is
 insane Heather.

HEATHER
I just can't lose you 
out of my life.

JEFF
Heather, I love you so much.  I've 
loved you since we were kids.  I 
wanted you in my life in one way 
or another, no matter who either 
one of us ending up with.  But 
baby this is not healthy for 
either one of us right now.  Maybe 
someday we'll both be single or
 maybe we'll run into each other
 when we're both married and happy 
and we can have a normal 
friendship.  But right now I have
 to walk away from this.  I'm 
sorry.

Jeff reaches out to touch Heather, who now
 has her arms crossed and her head down.
  She jerks from him when he touches her 
face.

JEFF
I'm sorry.  Goodbye.

Jeff walks up to the patio door....

INT-BAR

....As he walks through the door Derek, who
 had been watching him and Heather, dives 
into a booth behind Jeff.  Jeff walks a few
 steps beyond Derek and then stops with his
 back facing him.

JEFF
I'm ok by the way..

Jeff walks back to the table.

INT-CHURCH-GIRLS FITTING ROOM -- AFTERNOON

Nancy, a young Rachel and several other 
girls are helping to get the bride to be
 Kim ready.

KIM
Mom you're poking the
 hell out of me with 
those pins.

NANCY
Sorry.

RACHEL
You look really 
pretty Kim

KIM
Thank you.

(pause)

So Rachel you think 
your brother is ready
 for marriage?

RACHEL
How the hell should I 
know?  I don't talk 
to him.

INT-CHURCH-BOYS FITTING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Derek, Warren, Bill, TOM (Bill and Jeff's
 dad)_and Jeff are chilling out.  Jeff is
 visibly shaken.

DEREK
So you ok?

JEFF
Perfect.

TOM
Just don't screw this 
up.

DEREK
We've been telling 
him that from day 
one.

JEFF
I won't Dad.

TOM
How's her Dad taking 
the fact he's not 
walking her down the 
aisle?

JEFF
That was not my 
choice it was hers.

TOM
I hope he knows that. 

INT-CHAPEL -- LATER

Nancy (escorted by Ralph) and Jeff's mom
 (escorted by Tom) head up to light the 
unity candle.  As Ralph directs Nancy to
 the front pew, he sits down hard on the 
corner.

RALPH
Goddamn!!!

NANCY
Dear!!!

RALPH
Sat on the edge of
 the F'ing pew.  
Busted my damn ass!

NANCY
Dear!!

INT-CHURCH-BOYS FITTING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

The PREACHER walks in.  The "boys" are
 sitting around trying to calm Jeff down
 with a round of cards.

PREACHER
We're ready.

CHAPEL -- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff, Tom, Bill, Warren and Derek are 
standing on one side.  Kim's bridesmaids,
 including Rachel are obviously on the 
other.  The music starts up, it should be
 something modern (not the traditional 
wedding march).  Kim appears at the other
 end of the chapel and she begins her long
 march to her life with Jeff.  When she 
reaches the alter, Jeff looks up at her and
 smiles.  Silence fills the chapel as the 
Preacher motions for everyone to be seated.

PREACHER
Friends, we are gathered here today to
 celebrate the love of Jeffrey Allen 
Ricter and Kim Marie Rein, as they 
make their pledges of marriage before
 God and before this company.  Jesus
 Christ was once asked,``What is the
 greatest Law that mankind must
 follow?''  And he answered them by 
saying that we must love God with all 
our hearts, and love our neighbors as 
our self.  I think that when he said 
these words, he touched upon something
 we all feel very deeply in our hearts,
 and that is that love is the greatest 
gift we can offer one another, and 
that is what makes marriage so very
 special, and such a cause of joy and
 celebration for all of us who have 
come here today to share in this 
event.  

We jump head in time as the preacher starts 
the "ring" section of his sermon.  As We 
scan over the attendance, we see Jeff's 
mother, a disapproving Ralph, a sobbing 
Linda.  Rachel and the other bridesmaids
 look on also sobbing.  Bill, Derek Tom and
 Warren look on in a sense of awe.  Jeff 
looks upon Kim with tears in his eyes.  She
 is about to place a ring on his finger as 
she starts her vows.   

KIM
I, Kim , take you, Jeff, to be my best
 friend, my husband, knowing that you
 will always be there, my faithful 
partner in life, and my one true love.
  On this most important day, I give to 
you in the presence of  God, my family
 and friends my sacred promise to stay 
by your side as your ever faithful 
wife, in illness and in health, and in
 joy and in sorrow.  I also promise to 
love you without reservation or 
judgment, comfort you in times of 
distress, encourage you to achieve
 your dreams, laugh with you and cry
 with you, grow with you in mind and
 spirit, keeping our love pure with
 honesty and openness, cherishing you 
for as long as we both shall live.

She doesn't put the ring on yet.  She holds
 it tight in her little hand.  Jeff opens 
his hand to revel her ring, you can almost
 make out a ring impression on his hand,
 from holding it tight.

JEFF
I, Jeff, take you, Kim , to be my best
 friend, my wife, knowing that you will 
be always be there, my faithful 
partner in life, and my one true love.
  On this most important day, I give to
 you in the presence of God, my family
 and friends my sacred promise to stay 
by your side as your ever faithful 
husband, in illness and in health, and
 in joy and in sorrow.  I also promise 
to love you without reservation or 
judgment, comfort you in times of 
distress, encourage you to achieve
 your dreams, laugh with you and cry
 with you, grow with you in mind and
 spirit, keeping our love pure with
 honesty and openness, cherishing you
 for as long as we both shall live.

They both put each others rings on at the 
same time.

JEFF AND KIM
I give you this ring
 as a symbol of my 
love and of the vows 
I have just spoken.

The preacher wraps up the sermon.  Jeff and 
Kim just stare at each other, both shaken.
  It's like they are the only two on Earth at 
this moment.

PREACHER
...And by the state 
of West Virginia I 
know pronounce you
 man and wife.  You 
MAY now kiss the 
bride.

Jeff touches the side of Kim's face gently
 and pulls her in to kiss her.

PREACHER
(waiting patiently while
 the kiss wraps up)

Ladies and Gentleman 
please stand.  It is 
with great pleasure
 that I announce Mr 
and Mrs. Jeffrey 
Ricter.

INT-BANQUET HALL -- LATER

Jeff and Kim are out in the middle of a
 dance floor.  As they wrap up their dance 
Ralph walks up to the newlyweds.

RALPH
(gruffly)

Mind if I cut in?

JEFF
She's all yours.

Ralph starts to dance with his daughter.

RALPH
What's this about you
 quitting college?

KIM
Dad?  You came up 
here to dance with me
 to ask me that?  This
 is my wedding.

RALPH
And you feel getting
 married means you 
have to quit college?

KIM
I'm going back soon.
  I'm just taking time 
off.

RALPH
Because of him.

KIM
Has nothing to do
 with him.

RALPH
He gets my baby to 
quit college?  Was 
that before or after
 he made the decision
 to have me sit aside
 while you walk down
 the aisle by 
yourself?

KIM
That was my choice.

RALPH
Is that what he told 
you to say?

KIM
Jesus... 

Jeff walks over to the punch bowl, avoiding
 family members like a football player going
 for the touchdown.  Derek is waiting for
 him at the table.

DEREK
(pouring Jeff a glass)

I'll get that for ya.

JEFF
Thank you.

DEREK
So where is the 
honeymoon going to
 be?  I keep hearing
 like 50 million 
different plans you 
guys have had.

JEFF
Well it's kind of 
complicated...

DEREK
What about that cabin
 Kim was talking about
 the other day?  Did 
you make reservations 
there?

JEFF
Well...you see...

PORCH -- EVENING

CLOSE-UP: Jeff and Kim are sitting beside
 each other drinking wine coolers and
 smoking.

JEFF
Sorry that I didn't 
get those cabin 
reservations made.

KIM
It's ok. I'll make
 you take me later.

JEFF
I guess this isn't 
where you expected to
 spend your wedding
 night?

KIM
At least we are
 together....

Camera moves back to show Jeff and Kim on
 the porch at Jeff's house.

EXT-JEFF'S PORCH-PRESENT DAY

Jeff is sitting down on the banister
 smoking.  Kim walks out and throws 
something in his lap.

JEFF
What in the world?

KIM
Found that while I
 was in the bathroom.

Jeff picks it up and notices that it's the
 snow globe with Kim and her dogs picture.

JEFF
I forgot I had this.

KIM
Didn't know you had
 kept it.

JEFF
Yeah....

(picks it up and
 shakes it)

I don't think you'll
 ever realize how much 
you meant to me.

Kim sits down in a chair across from him.

KIM
You didn't always
 show me Jeff.

JEFF
I know...I've been 
thinking about that a
 lot.

KIM
I mean our honeymoon
 Jeff, consisted of
 hanging here, renting
 movies and ordering 
pizza.

JEFF
I also meant to make
 that up to you.

KIM
It's funny for a guy
 who spends his days
 writing romantic
 comedies, you are the
 most un-romantic 
person I know.

JEFF
Well I hate taking my
 work home.

KIM
There were several
 anniversaries that I
 felt cheated.

JEFF
I know, there were a
 couple birthdays too.

KIM
Oh I know.....

INT-JEFF'S WORKPLACE -- AFTERNOON

Jeff, sporting a rather trendy phone 
headset, is jumping up and down.  He's
 shaking both hands at his computer as if
 the monitor were his customer.

JEFF
C'mon Randal, you know you need web 
exposure.  Why wouldn't you want that
 exposure with the millions of people
 world wide who surf the information
 highway?  Television, radio 
commercials are a thing of the past,
 the web....the web Randal is the way 
of the future.

(pause)

Yeah...exactly...that's all you need
 to say....I'm going to transfer you to
 Robert Arnold and he'll get you set
 up.

(pause)

No, thank you.  Hold on just one
 second....

Jeff hits a few buttons on his keyboard,
 and removes his headset.  He turns the 
WORKER next to him.

JEFF
And that should wrap
 up my day......

INT-BREAKROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff is gathering his stuff together when
 ROBERT walks in.

ROBERT
Thanks for wrapping
 up Randal Swigger for
 me.

JEFF
Not a problem.

ROBERT
So you should be
 leaving us soon?

JEFF
What?  Why?

ROBERT
I heard about you
 selling your first
 screenplay.

JEFF
Good news travels 
fast.

ROBERT
That it does.  So 
when are we heading
 to Hollywood?

JEFF
Not anytime soon. 
 Kim's not too keen on 
the idea.  I don't think she minds me 
writing on the side,
 but me making a 
career out of it 
doesn't make her feel
 too secure.

ROBERT
What do you want to
 do?

JEFF
Whatever is going to 
make Kim happy. 

ROBERT
Smart man.  So what's 
on your agenda 
tonight?

JEFF
Got to find something
 for Kim's birthday.

ROBERT
When's her birthday?

JEFF
Today.

ROBERT
Well....good thing
 you didn't wait till
 that last minute.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S TABLE -- LATER

Jeff and Kim are sitting at a table eating.
  As of this moment location of where they
 are is unknown.

JEFF
Sorry that this is 
the best I could do.
  I got so wrapped up
 in work I forgot to
 make reservations.

KIM
Oh....this is fine.

As we pan up we notice that they are in a
 fast food chicken place.

JEFF
Well Happy Birthday.

KIM
(half smiling)

Thank you.

JEFF
Oh here you go....

Jeff reaches into his jacket pocket and
 pulls out an envelope and throws it on the
 table.

KIM
Ok....

Kim picks it up and opens it.  On the table
 falls a $200 check.

KIM
Um...ok

JEFF
You're hard to buy
 for.

KIM
If I wanted this I
 could have gone into
 our account and got
 it.

JEFF
C'mon now you can buy 
whatever you want.

KIM
Yeah.........thanks...

EXT-WILDLIFE PARK -- DAY-PRESENT DAY

Jeff and Kim are hiking through a wildlife
 refuge.  They both come to a dead stop when 
they find a sign with a map on it.

JEFF
Ok looks like we're
 on the right path.

KIM
I swear there is a 
lake here.

They continue walking down the path.

JEFF
You know I'm leaving
 for Richmond Monday?

KIM
Yeah I know.  What 
time are you leaving?

JEFF
Early, sun-up.  This 
will probably be the 
last time we get to 
hang before I go down 
in motion picture 
history.

KIM
You still going to
 talk to me after you
 become famous?

JEFF
Always.

They come to a set of steep wooden steps.
  They start to walk down, Jeff huffing and
 puffing all the way.

JEFF
I'm way to out of
 shape for this.

KIM
Hey this was your
 idea.

JEFF
No it wasn't.

KIM
No I guess it wasn't.
  So you're saying
 you're not having 
fun?

JEFF
I'm having a blast 
baby.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, the two
 look up to notice a dried up lake.

JEFF
That's an awesome
 lake Kim.

KIM
I swear there was a
 lake here.  We used
 to come here in high 
school.

JEFF
I'm no expert on land 
erosions but we're
 talking about 20 
years ago.

KIM
I'm telling you
 smartass there was
 a.....wait a second..

Kim spies over in the distance.

KIM
There it is.  They
 moved it.

JEFF
Ahhh that explains 
everything.

The two walk over to the lake and stop dead
 at the edge.

KIM
Now that's pretty...

JEFF
First date.

KIM
What?

Jeff nods his head toward a young couple on
 the other end of the lake.

KIM
I don't think so.

JEFF
C'mon he's sitting 50 
feet away from her. 
 And she's looking at
 him like she actually
 cares about what is 
coming out of his 
mouth.

KIM
I act like I care 
about what's coming
 out of your mouth.
  Anyway just because
 they aren't all over
 each other doesn't 
mean it's a first 
date.  You were never
 big on public
 displays of 
affection.

JEFF
Hey hold on a min...

KIM
Hey look...

Kim spies a path heading into the woods.

KIM
You want to head up
 there?

JEFF
...Sure why not.

As the head on to the path, Jeff turns 
around and looks toward the lake.  Kim
 grabs his arm and turns him around.

KIM
Stop trying to see if
 they are making out.

JEFF
Sorry.

After they walk a little further into the
 dense woods....

JEFF
You look good today.

KIM
I'm wearing a white
 shirt and jeans.

JEFF
I don't know what it
 is.  You just look
 really good today.

KIM
It's because this
 shirt brings out my
 breasts isn't it?

JEFF
Probably it.

They continue to walk in silence and the
 SUDDENLY Jeff grabs Kim and kisses her in
 the middle of the woods.  She kisses back
 for a moment then backs away.

JEFF
...Sorry...I...you
 just looked really
 good today.

She continues to walk, Jeff tries to slow 
down her fast pace.

KIM
Well there is this
 thing called self 
control.

JEFF
You're pissed.

KIM
No I just need a 
second to think.

JEFF
Well stop for a
 second.

Jeff stands in front of Kim, she stops.

KIM
Fine.

JEFF
I just think we 
should talk about 
this.

KIM
It wasn't like it was
 a shared moment.  YOU
 kissed ME.

JEFF
YOU kissed back.

KIM
Maybe so, but this
 shouldn't have
 happened.

JEFF
Why?  You said 
yourself maybe 
there's a reason why
 we came back into
 each others lives.

KIM
Because YOU asked me
 to dinner.

JEFF
Because YOU called
 me.

KIM
We've been divorced
 for 6 years Jeff.

JEFF
I'm not asking you to
 re-marry me Kim.

KIM
That's good, because
 I'm still upset about
 the small matter of
 you cheating.

JEFF
Why is it so insane
 for us to explore the
 possibility of US?
  We both have changed
 over the last 6
 years.  Who knows
 Kim.  Maybe we can
 pull it off.

KIM
I don't know.  I feel
 like this is going to
 be a dead end road.

JEFF
Come on Kim.  We have
 been having a lot of
 fun this week.  And 
you can't deny
 there's still an
 attraction.

KIM
I won't deny that.
  But we also have a
 lot of bad history.
  There's a lot of
 stuff I don't know if
 I can let go of.

JEFF
Kim I still love you.

KIM
Jeff, this isn't...

JEFF
I will always love
 you.  I'm not asking
 for forever, just
 some more time.  A 
stay of execution for
 us.

KIM
I'm not turning my
 back on you as a 
friend when you leave
 Monday.

JEFF
But you are turning 
your back on me
 romantically?

KIM
I did that a long
 time ago.

JEFF
Ok. I can't force you
 to be my girlfriend.

KIM
It's for the best
 Jeff.  We would F
 each other up.

JEFF
Yeah....I suppose so.

Kim walks over to the solemn Jeff and lifts 
his fallen head up.

KIM
Hey...Smile!

JEFF
(half-smile)

...Ok...

Jeff peps up a little and walks over to
 what appears to be a fork in the path.

JEFF
Mmmmm looks like we 
have a choice to
 make.

KIM
Yes it does my 
trailblazing friend.
  Where do you think we
 should go?

JEFF
(looking down at
 the path)

I don't know.  It's 
up to you I'm 
easy....

Kim walks up behind Jeff.

KIM
Hey......

As Jeff turns around Kim grabs Jeff and
 starts to make out with him.

EXT-OVERLOOK -- LATER

Jeff and Kim are sitting in a treehouse
 overlook.  Jeff is curled up on the floor,
 while Kim is stretched out above him on a
 bench.

KIM
So.....what now?

JEFF
I think you should go
 to Richmond with me.

KIM
I don't know.

JEFF
Kim we started this
 exploration several
 days ago together.  I 
think we should 
finish it together.

KIM
How very dramatic of 
you.

JEFF
Please go to Richmond
 with me?  I believe 
it's in both of our 
best interests to go.
  Especially after what
 happened today.

KIM
Jeff...I..

JEFF
Kim, I know we keep
 going back to Morgan.
  After meeting up with
 you again, I'm having
 a hard time 
understanding how we
 got to this point.
  How the hell I could
 have done what I did.  
Why we've lived the
 last few years apart,
 when it's so obvious 
we work so well 
together.  Please
 just help me 
understand.

KIM
Why did you cheat on
 me?

JEFF
I don't know.  You're asking me a
 question I can't fully answer yet.  I
 don't know why I didn't give you the
 romance in our marriage that you 
deserve and I don't know why I cheated
 on you.  I was so self centered.  I
 surrounded myself with people who I 
thought could take care of me.  I'm
 just a mess---and --I don't know----
I---I--feel like I learned a lot from
 my mistake with Morgan.  I just...I'm
 so sorry for everything.  I was just
 so immature.  I guess that's my answer
 for now is that I was so immature
 then.

KIM
Jeff?

JEFF
Yes?

KIM
How do you I know 
you've changed? 

INT-KIM'S PARENT'S HOUSE

Kim is moving bags from back the hall into 
the living room.  Ralph is sitting at the
 table drinking coffee.  Nancy walks up
 behind her daughter.

NANCY
Need help?

KIM
(turning around)

No I'm fine.  And 
please don't pretend
 like you approve of
 this.

NANCY
You're an adult.  You
 do what you think you
 have to do.

RALPH
Goddamn simple is
 what you are.

KIM
Alright well thanks.

NANCY
Well if you need
 anything dear...

KIM
Thank you

RALPH
I'm not f'ing coming 
down there to get
 your ass if anything
 happens.  

KIM
Again thank you Dad.

Nancy walks up and kisses Kim on the cheek

NANCY
Take care dear and be
 careful.

KIM
.....I will...

Ralph just sits in his chair and bulls as
 Kim grabs her bags and walks out the door.

EXT-GUEST HOUSE -- LATER

Kim's car pulls up in front of the house.
  Jeff comes out the front door and walks
 down the bank to meet her.

JEFF
I just got off the
 phone with my 
parents.  They were 
asking me if we're
 getting back
 together.

Kim walks around to her trunk.  She puts in
 her key and pops it to get her bags out.

KIM
We won't even get
 into how my parents 
are reacting about
 this.

Jeff grabs a few bags and carries them over
 to his car,

JEFF
Yeah I don't suppose 
I'm their favorite
 person.

KIM
Let's not focus on
 that, we just need to
 get on the road.

JEFF
Hey listen.  Are you
 ok?  You sure you 
really want to go?  I
 mean I don't want to
 cause animosity 
between you and your
 parents.

KIM
It's ok. I mean what
 they think of you 
isn't the point.  I'm
 an adult and I will 
make my own decision
 on the matter.  But
 that's sweet of you
 to show concern,
 surprising, but 
sweet.

JEFF
Surprising?

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOUSE-THANKSGIVING
 MORNING-SEVERAL YEARS AGO

It's obvious on how the house is decorated
 that it is Thanksgiving morning.  Jeff is
 fumbling with his tie in the living room.
  Kim walks in and notices from Jeff's 
actions that he is taking his good old time
 getting ready.

KIM
Come on let's get
 going.

JEFF
I'm hurrying.

KIM
We're on a tight
 schedule we have to
 hit your parents from
 9 to 1 and mine from
 2-6:30.

JEFF
Why are we at your
 parents a half hour 
longer then we are at
 my parents?  9 to 
1----that's 4 hrs----
2-6:30 is a half hour
 longer.

KIM
Fine we'll leave my 
parents at 6 does 
THAT make you happy?

JEFF
Don't get snide with
 me.  You know I don't 
even want to goto 
your freaking parents
 anyway.  Nothing says
 Thanksgiving like 
listen to your dad
 come up with new 
graphic ways to say 
the turkey is giving
 him gas.

KIM
You know what don't 
do this!  You pull
 this crap every 
Thanksgiving, every
 holiday.  That's why 
I came up with the
 time schedule so I
 could compromise and 
be fair.  If I had my
 way we'd alternate
 Thanksgiving and 
Christmas every year.

JEFF
Like I would put up 
with that crap.

KIM
(throwing up her 
hands)

Just get ready and 
don't talk to me. 
 And if you cause ME 
problems today WE'RE
 going to have some 
problems.

INT-KIM'S PARENTS KITCHEN-THANKSGIVING DINNER

All of Kim's FAMILY is gathered around the
 huge Thanksgiving feast.  Kim's mother is
 on one end of the table, while Kim and Jeff
 are in the middle.  Kim's father, who is on
 the opposite end suddenly throws down his
 napkin and gets up.

RALPH
This turkey is giving 
me the squirts.

Ralph gets up and leaves the room.  A few
 people at the table laugh.

NANCY
I wish he wouldn't do
 that.  

Kim's mom walks around the table grabbing
 plates, when she gets to Jeff's plate she
 notices he's a little stand offish

NANCY
Are you ok Jeffrey?

JEFF
Fine.

KIM
He seems fine.

NANCY
You've been quite the
 all afternoon is all.

JEFF
I'm peachy.

NANCY
Are you coming down
 with something?

JEFF
I think that's it.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S LIVING ROOM -- EVENING

Jeff is curled up on the couch watching tv.
  Kim walks into the room and stops dead in
 her tracks.

KIM
Thought you had the
 stomach flu?

JEFF
I have an amazing
 immune system.

KIM
You pulled the crap
 so you could go home
 early.  You took time
 away from my 
Thanksgiving with my
 family, you selfish
 bastard.

JEFF
You're so full of it
 Kim.

KIM
You were stand offish
 and an ass all 
through dinner.

JEFF
You are stand offish
 at my parents house
 too.  You don't see
 me throwing a fit.

KIM
Whether I am or I'm
 not isn't the point.
  I never have tried to
 go home early if we
 agree to be there
 till a certain time.
  And I have never or 
will never try to
 take family time away
 from you during the
 holidays.

JEFF
(voice over)

Ok maybe I can 
understand the word 
surprised.  But I 
learned a lot from
 you and I used that
 in my relationship 
with Morgan.

INT-JEFF AND MORGAN'S APT-THANKSGIVING

Morgan is fixing a big bowl of salad at the
 counter while Jeff paces back and forth 
with the phone.

JEFF
(into the phone)

....I'll meet you at
 the airport then.
  Yeah we can take a
 cab back here, we'll
 have a great time.
  Of course....Happy 
Thanksgiving to you
 to.  Talk to you 
later Mom...Bye.

Jeff hangs the cordless phone back in it's
 cradle, and walks over to Morgan.

MORGAN
Now they're coming
 over after 10 am 
right?  My family
 isn't leaving till 10
 am and you're not
 leaving to meet them
 at the airport till
 my family leaves.

JEFF
No they won't be here
 till noon it all be
 ok Morgan.  Although 
I do not know why you 
insisted that my 
family can not come
 down during the
 actual day of 
Thanksgiving.

MORGAN
I have certain family
 traditions and they 
will not be 
compromised.

JEFF
Our families could 
have had Thanksgiving
 day together.  I mean
 Indians, pilgrims,
 that's what it's all
 about togetherness.

MORGAN
I don't have time for
 this foolishness. 
 You're really 
starting to stress me
 out.

Jeff walks over and grabs lettuce out of
 Morgan's bowl and eats it.  Morgan lifts a 
wooden spoon up and hits him.

JEFF
Is the turkey any 
where near being done 
yet?

MORGAN
(short)

It's getting there.

JEFF
There needs to be a 
such thing as 
Thanksgiving chicken.
  A lot less hassle.

REBECCA, Jeff's sister-in-law walks in to
 the kitchen and grabs the cordless phone.


REBECCA
Jeff dear are you
 finished with your
 little phone call?  I
 need see if my 
husband made it home
 yet.  I got to find
 out if he saw my
 Macy's parade
 performance.

JEFF
Yeah go ahead.  I for 
one thought it was 
great.  You're a 
great dancer....

MORGAN
....World renowned...


JEFF
Yeah world 
renowned....and...the
..um....barnyard
 animal float was
 kinda cute.

REBECCA
Barnyard animal? 
 That was a Christmas 
stable!  

JEFF
Yeah whatever great
 stuff.

Rebecca lays the phone down and opens up
 the oven.

REBECCA
Sister is the turkey
 still not done?

MORGAN
It's close.

REBECCA
Where's your meat 
thermometer?

MORGAN
I..I..I actually 
don't have one.

REBECCA
You don't have a meat
 thermometer?  What
 kitchen doesn't have
 a meat thermometer?

MORGAN
(short)

Mine....mine...that 
would be me.

JEFF
(leaning against the
 counter and shrugs)

Don't look at me. 

REBECCA
No need to be upset
 Morgan life would 
just be easier if you 
had a meat 
thermometer.

MORGAN
I guess my life won't
 be easier then.
  Guess my lack of a 
meat thermometer will 
just make me 
stronger.

JEFF
Some of those 
turkey's have those
 pop up things.

MORGAN'S MOM and DAD enter the kitchen.

MORGAN'S MOM
What's going on in
 here lady's?

JEFF
...gentlemen..

REBECCA
Nothing mother just 
getting ready to call
 William and helping
 Morgan check on the
 status of her turkey.

MORGAN'S MOM
You're turkey's not 
done Morgan?

MORGAN
It's getting there.

REBECCA
She doesn't have a
 meat thermometer.

MORGAN'S MOM
You don't have a meat 
thermometer?

DAD
You should have let 
us know Morgan we 
could have brought
 you down one.

JEFF
Well keep us in mind
 for Christmas.

MORGAN
I'm sick and tired of
 this meat thermometer
 business.  You want
 to know if the damn 
bird's done.

Morgan runs over and flings open the oven 
door.  She pulls the bird out by the legs,
 wincing some at the touch of the hot bird
 but mostly acting like a woman on PCP.  She
 proceeds to throw the bird across the 
kitchen and it splats against the wall 
inches from Jeff's head.

MORGAN
There the turkey is
 done!

Everyone is shocked and dismayed except for
 Jeff who acts as though he has seen this
 sort of outburst before.

JEFF
Anyone in the mood 
for chicken?

EXT-GAS STATION -- DAY-PRESENT DAY

Jeff fills up the car while Kim is sitting
 in the car singing to the radio.  After he
 finishes filling up he puts up the nozzle
 and grabs his credit card print out and
 gets in the car.

INT-JEFF'S CAR

Jeff buckles his seat belt and starts the
 car.  Kim stops singing and looks at him.

JEFF
I hate pay at the 
pumps it always seems
 like I'm stealing
 gas.

KIM
Then why do you do
 it?

JEFF
Because I'm too lazy 
to go inside.

(pause)

I didn't mean for you
 to stop singing.

KIM
It's ok I don't like
 for people to listen
 to me.

JEFF
You shouldn't worry
 about it you have a
 great voice.

KIM
So Morgan didn't burn
 her hands when she
 threw that bird?

JEFF
Yeah she burned the 
hell out of them.
  She just doesn't
 think about that at 
the time.  She turned
 into PCP girl when
 she went through 
those rages.

KIM
Can we start from the 
beginning with 
Morgan?

JEFF
Yeah sure we have 
plenty of time.

INT-CONVENTION BANQUET HALL -- EVENING

Kim and Jeff, both sporting rather trendy
 nametags, make there way through the sea of
 people at a screenwriting convention.  Kim 
looks rather tense and out of place.

KIM
I don't understand 
the purpose of this.

JEFF
How many times do I
 have to tell you I
 appreciate you for
 coming with me.  
That's what you want
 to hear.  I 
appreciate you, I 
know this isn't your
 thing.

KIM
I'm here supporting 
you.  I just don't
 understand how this 
benefits you.

JEFF
Listen dear, you got 
Project Greenlight 
and countless 
screenplay contest 
made by ever 
celebrity imaginable, 
for the first time 
writer.  But what is 
there to help the man 
that has sold a 
screenplay already.
  The misconception is
 that you've made it 
if you sold a 
screenplay and trust
 me that's so not 
true.

KIM
Well according to you
 I'm to blame for
 that.

JEFF
Yeah but what about
 all those other 
writers honey that
 you've never met.

(pause)

This is a great 
chance to meet indie
 producers looking to
 buy screenplays 
cheep.  We just have
 to make it through
 dinner and we're
 homefree I promise.

KIM
Just remember I have 
classes in the 
morning.

JEFF
Yeah I don't want you 
to miss classes.  God 
forbid I get blamed
 for you flunking out
 of school, it's 
already my fault that
 it took you so long
 to go back.

KIM
Ok enough of that
 crap. 

Jeff spys an empty table in the corner.

JEFF
Why don't you grab
 that empty table and
 I'll go up to the 
bar.

KIM
Nothing alcoholic,
 I'm driving tonight.

JEFF
Which I appreciate 
that also, it's been
 forever since I have
 had anything to 
drink.  Ok so nothing
 alcoholic, you like
 fruity stuff 
right..something
 fruity.

KIM
Whatever just hurry.

Jeff walks up to the bar and calls the 
BARTENDER over.

JEFF
Um...Can I get a 
mudslide and a yogurt
 strawberry smoothie
 please?

MORGAN
(O.S.)

That's a sugary
 combination.

Jeff meets Morgan for the first time as she
 sets her drink down at the bar and scoots
 next to him.  Jeff looks startled by the
 way she approached him.

MORGAN
You ok?  You look 
frightened.

JEFF
No, I just had some
 deja vu.

(hold out hand)

Jeffrey Ricter.

MORGAN
(shakes hand)

Yeah I know I was at
 Sundance when 
"Spencer" premiered.
  I loved it, got a 
chance to  talk to
 Leo the director, but
 you were no where in
 sight.

JEFF
Yeah my wife wouldn't 
let me go.  I had to
 work that week.

MORGAN
(laughs)

"You had to work". 
 That's an excuse--- I
 guess.  I loved that
 film though, people
 were saying you had a 
Protestant Woody 
Allen quality.

JEFF
(laughs)

Protestant Woody
 Allen?

MORGAN
Well it seemed rather
 autobiographical. 
 And there was this 
paranoia in your lead
 character,  not anti-
semactic paranoia 
though.

Jeff turns around, grabs his drinks and 
pays the bartender.

JEFF
I don't know I don't 
see myself as Woody 
Allen, although
 "Manhattan" would
 have turned out 
different if I wrote
 it.

MORGAN
How so?

JEFF
Issac would have shot
 Yale dead.  Although
 I would have never 
left Tracy in the
 first place for Diane
 Keaton.  I never 
found her sexy she
 reminds me of my 
kooky Aunt Pam.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S TABLE -- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff sets the drinks down at the table, and
 sits.

KIM
What took you so
 long?

JEFF
I got a girl's phone
 number.

KIM
What?

JEFF
She produces plays,
 she told me to give
 her a call.  She saw
 "Spencer" thinks I 
have a Woody Allen 
quality.

KIM
You like younger 
women?

JEFF
You have to admit the 
man has something 
about him.  I'm not
 even gay and I'd 
throw myself at him
 in an erotic way.

KIM
Good to know.

Jeff looks up and spys Morgan across the 
room.  She lifts her glass and smiles, he
 nods and returns the smile.

INT-DINER -- AFTERNOON

Jeff sits opposite Morgan sipping his 
coffee.  There surroundings is a small
 country diner, that is having bluegrass
 music pumped in as a part of the
 atmosphere.

MORGAN
I love bluegrass
 music.

JEFF
You have to be 
kidding me.

MORGAN
No what do I not look
 like the type?

JEFF
I won't even answer 
that.

MORGAN
Anyway I should probably get
 to my business.  Like I told
 you I'm from Clarksburg, West 
Virginia, but about 3 years
 ago I started an off-Broadway
 theater company that tours 
New York state.  I was 
fortunate for this to happen
 to me right out of college. 
 I was lucky for all the 
contacts that I made up in
 New York City when I was 
getting my degree.

JEFF
How rough is that to be
 born and raised here, 
move to Manhattan, and
 then like now--I mean 
you're here in the
 Parkersburg/Clarksburg 
area for a month---with
 as fast paced as 
everything is there,
 isn't kind of boring to 
be here?

MORGAN
It's a vacation.  It
 was an adjustment to
 move there.  Here
 there's so much 
travel involved to go
 anywhere, whether it
 be a shopping mall,
 or grocery store.
  Where there you could
 exist on a city block 
until the day that
 you die.

JEFF
That kinda seems sad.

MORGAN
No, it's great.

(pause)

Anyway I've been 
producing or trying 
to produce original 
plays for quite
 sometime.  But I'm
 lacking any real 
talent, that's where
 you come in.

JEFF
You want me to write 
you some original
 plays?

MORGAN
That and help me
 produce them, if
 you're up to it.

JEFF
So you want me to
 follow you to New
 York?

MORGAN
Yeah I think this
 would be a great
 opportunity for you.
  I mean after seeing 
"Spencer" I see this 
vast sea of talent in
 you.  Was "Spencer" 
the first screenplay 
you sold?

JEFF
Not technically.  I 
sold a minor indie
 horror film a couple
 years ago.  "Blood
 Canvas"--psycho
 artist--it was 
insane---I don't
 know--

MORGAN
I think I read about
 that in Fango.

JEFF
You read Fangoria?

MORGAN
Yeah, of course.

JEFF
You have to be the 
coolest chick I know.

MORGAN
That's probably the 
best compliment I've
 got in a long time.

JEFF
Yeah---I try.

MORGAN
You need to ask your
 wife about New York.

JEFF
(pause)

I know.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S LIVING ROOM -- EVENING

Kim is sitting on the couch in a defensive
 stance, Jeff stands in front of her looking
 agitated.

KIM
There's no way in
 Hell.

JEFF
I'm glad we got to 
sit down and discuss
 this.

KIM
What's there to 
discuss?

JEFF
I don't know may---

KIM
I'm in the middle of
 trying to get my 
degree and you have a 
decent job as a
 supervisor--

JEFF
For a freaking call
 center--

KIM
We're paying the 
bills.  And you can
 write from anywhere,
 there's no way in
 Hell once I'm done
 with school that I'll
 teach in New York.

JEFF
Hey I support your
 dreams.

KIM
I support your
 writing as long as
 it's done from home.

JEFF
Support my writing,
 yeah.  You've never
 even read my work.

KIM
I read "Spencer".

JEFF
Oh ok that's one 
screenplay, I've sold 
two.  Plus I have a
 third I'm trying to
 sell and a forth on
 the hard drive.

KIM
I'm not reading that
 horror one, it looks
 stupid.

JEFF
You know I am so 
overwhelmed from the
 amount of 
understanding I have
 gotten from you this
 evening.

KIM
I understand that
 we're not moving to
 New York as long as
 we're married.

INT-COFFEE SHOP -- NIGHT-PRESENT DAY

Derek takes a sip of coffee, puts down his
 cup and clears his throat.  He keeps
 looking at Jeff and Kim, who are sitting
 across from him, with the wonderment of a
 child on Christmas.

DEREK
So---I just can't
 believe---you two----
together, here in
 front of me.

JEFF
We're talking.

DEREK
That's a start.  So
 what's your guy's 
plans for the rest of
 the weekend?

KIM
I think I'm going to
 have Jeff drive me 
around and show me
 some of historic 
Richmond.

JEFF
I'll give it a shot,
 I'm not even really
 sure how to get back
 to the hotel.

DEREK
Well when you see me 
pull out, I suggest
 that you get behind
 me.

JEFF
How many times have
 you said that to a 
date?

DEREK
(laughs 
sarcastically)

You're sooo funny!
  Anyway, Monday 
morning man....you're
 doing it.

KIM
Why are you guys
 jumping into filming
 so quick?

JEFF
So quick?....Jeesh...

DEREK
We've had a crap load
 of per-production, I 
just gave this boy 3 
weeks to go home and 
recoup, and stop 
crying about the
 divorce.  Who'd know
 he'd be spending that 
time with you. 

JEFF
It was time well 
spent.

INT-HOTEL ROOM

Jeff sits down on one of the twin beds, Kim
 shuts off the tv and starts to pull down
 the covers on the opposite bed.

JEFF
You know I hate to be 
wasteful, I realize 
that we payed for 
both of those beds.
  But---I mean---you 
know how I feel about
 sleeping alone.  I 
mean---what I'm 
trying to say is I 
have no objections if
 you want to join me.

KIM
I hate to be wasteful
 too.  And considering
 it's Derek's money
 we're spending I
 think I feel
 obligated to stay
 over here.

JEFF
Hmmm---Well goodnight
 Kim.

KIM
Goodnight Jeff, sleep
 tight.

Kim rolls under the covers and reaches over 
to turn out the light, leaving Jeff in the
 dark.  He shrugs and pulls his covers down
 and heads on in.

INT-HOTEL ROOM -- LATER

Jeff curls up in bed, he just stares 
aimlessly at the wall.  Suddenly a arm 
flings over his chest, he rolls around.  As
 he turns he sees Kim staring back at him,
 in his bed.  They embrace.....

INT-LOCAL DINER -- MORNING

Jeff takes a bite of his bagel and puts it
 down on the plate.  He reaches for his pack
 of cigarettes and pulls one out.  He lights
 it and looks over at Kim as he takes his
 first puff.

KIM
You ever going to
 quit?

He looks down at the lit cigarette in the
 ash tray, that she's about to pick up.

JEFF
What about you?

KIM
Hey this is the only 
drug that calms me 
down.  Prozac be
 damned.

JEFF
I'll tell you what if 
I ever decide to
 quit, I'll call you
 up, and we'll go back
 to the porch where we
 used to light up and
 have a final smoke
 out.

KIM
I'm game.  But does
 this mean I have to
 quit also?

JEFF
That's between you
 and your lungs.

KIM
You nervous about
 today?

JEFF
A guy whose lousy at
 relationships,
 directing his first
 romantic comedy---
hmmm---no not in the 
slightest.

INT-MONOLOGUE SET -- AFTERNOON

Where on the set of the opening shot of
 Jeff's movie.  There seems to be a skeleton
 crew and the set is modest.  Blank bage 
walls and a single wooden desk chair in the
 center of the room.  Jeff is discussing the
 scene with his lead actor JAMES.

JEFF
Pretty straight
 forward.  I'll be
 behind the handheld.
  I'll ask you the
 question in the 
script, you answer
 with your little
 spiel.

JAMES
Easy as pie.  Let's
 do it to it.

JEFF
That's what my old 
drama teacher use to
 say...creepy..

INT-MONOLOGUE SET -- MOMENTS LATER

P.O.V : Through the handheld camera, we
 focus on James in frame.

JEFF
(O.S)
----And action!

(pause)

So tell me about your 
view on 
relationships?

JAMES
My view on relationships?  Well 
actually it's kind of simple.  When I
 was five I had my first--- I guess 
you could say relationship---that set
 the standards for the ones that came 
afterwards.  Rhonda Snider lived 4
 doors up from me in my neighborhood, 
she would come over afterschool.  One
 day we took this bucket that was in 
my sand box and decided to try an
 experiment.  She went first, she
 pulled down her pants, squatted over
 the bucket and took a shit.  After
 she finished she handed me the bucket
 and I pulled down my pants and took a
 shit.  We then took a shovel and
 mixed our shit together.  Looking
 back on that memory I realize that
 all my relationships have been the
 same.  She takes her shit, I take my
 shit, we put it together....and in
 the end all we have is a big pile of
 smelly shit.....

INT-OFFICE -- AFTERNOON

Derek is looking over the script when Jeff 
barges in with the DP and AD in tow.  Derek
 looks up startled with the crew burst in.

JEFF
We have a problem---

DEREK
What?

DP
He pissed in my
 briefcase--

AD
--It was more of a
 satchel, it looks
 like a goddamned
 leather purse--

DEREK
He pissed in his
 satchel?

DP
--Briefcase--

AD
--Purse--

JEFF
Whatever--

DP
I have never in my
 life been on a movie
 set with this much
 incompetence--

JEFF
Calm down Alexander,
 we'll handle this.

DEREK
(looking at the
 asst. director)

Why did you piss in
 his satchel?

DP
Briefcase--

AD
Look at the guy he's
 been uptight for the
 last two days.  For 
Christ's sake this is
 just an indie film,
 he acts like he's a 
rocket scientist--

DP
My brother is a 
rocket scientist you
 fuck--

JEFF
Really?

DP
Yes he works for
 United Space
 Alliance.

JEFF
Weren't they formally Lockeed Martin?

DP
Well you see what
 happened is----

DEREK
Can we get back to
 the pissing?

AD
He needed to relax.

JEFF
Massages work much
 better then urine in
 my opinion.

DP
Look at my bag--

The DP throws his bag up in the groups
 face, Jeff and Derek look overwhelmed by
 the smell.

JEFF
You need to drink
 more liquids that's 
too concentrated.

INT-HOTEL ROOM -- LATER

Jeff comes out of the bathroom and plops
 down beside Kim is sitting on the edge of 
the bed watching TV.

KIM
Sounds like you
 handled that well.

JEFF
Yeah it might sound
 like it.--Just made
 me nervous.  Gawd the
 people you have to
 hire when you are
 doing an indie film.  

KIM
So where are we going
 to eat tonight?

JEFF
I was thinking about
 that little Indian
 restaurant we saw up
 the road.

KIM
That sounds like a
 change of pace.

JEFF
Yeah I feel like
 living on the edge
 tonight.

KIM
So how is the search
 for a new AD?

JEFF
I think Derek has one
 in mind, this whole
 film has been a
 disaster.

KIM
You are overreacting
 as usual.

Jeff gets up and starts to pace.

JEFF
I just wish Bill was
 here.

KIM
Oh my goodness.
  You're doing fine on
 your own.  You're 35
 you don't need 
someone holding your
 hand all the time.  
Sometimes I think the
 only reason I'm here
 is so you feel as you
 have support system
 up here with you.
  The whole "let's talk
 about our 
relationship" was
 just a ruse.

JEFF
I--I--don't ruse---no

KIM
Are you nervous about
 the scene you have to
 shoot tomorrow?

JEFF
No--why?

KIM
Well I was just
 thinking about you
 and Morgan's 
divorce---this hits 
home sort of.

INT-LIVING ROOM SET -- AFTERNOON

P.O.V.: THROUGH THE CAMERA LENS

James, in character, is sitting on the
 couch as LYNN (that's the name of her
 character) enters the scene.  He throws a
 note pad at her.

JAMES
Your doctor called.

LYNN
Before you start in--

JAMES
Before what?  You
 were pregnant?

LYNN
This is none of your
 concern.

At we pan back to James, he morphs into
 Jeff.....

INT-MORGAN AND JEFF'S LIVING ROOM

JEFF
None of my concern?
  This my kid...

MORGAN
And my body...

JEFF
You killed our
 kid....

MORGAN
It was an abortion
 you self righteous
 bastard, and it was
 my right.

JEFF
What about my rights,
 my feelings?  You go
 and do this and don't
 even discuss it with
 me.  You killed my
 kid...

MORGAN
You little shit don't
 even pretend like you
 didn't know I was
 pro-choice we had
 this discussion 
remember.

INT-MORGAN AND JEFF'S CAR

Jeff is driving down the highway, trying to
 quietly ignore Morgan's ramblings....

MORGAN
.....There is not a
 single pro-lifer who
 can actually claim
 that's their stance.
  All these people who
 protest abortion is
 murder, I'll tell you
 what when they come
 up with a plan on
 what to do with all
 the unwanted babies,
 I might consider
 changing my pro-
choice stance...

JEFF
They could give them
 to all the childless
 couples who are going
 overseas to adopt 
because we're killing
 all our babies 
here...

MORGAN
You think you have an
 answer to everything
 smartass...

INT-HOTEL ROOM -- NIGHT

As the two lay in bed in their dark room,
 Kim rolls into Jeff laying her head on his
 chest.

JEFF
You know when I wrote 
that a year ago, it
 wasn't even decided
 for a fact that me
 and Morgan were 
divorcing.  Yet my
 main character and 
his wife divorce,
 strange.

KIM
You think the reason
 you have such a hard
 problem being 
romantic and the fact
 you can't fully 
function in the world
 with out someone
 holding your hand,
 might have something
 to do with your
 writing?  You put
 sooo much of yourself
 into  your fictional
 world that you forgot
 how to function in
 the real world.

JEFF
What are you
 "Deconstructing
 Jeffrey"?

KIM
Alright back to
 Morgan, all her
 family lives in New
 York?

JEFF
Yeah her Mom is some
 goofy motivational
 speaker.  You know 
when Morgan and her
 sister was growing up
 her mom would express
 her anger by putting
 on an Indian
 headdress.

KIM
What?

JEFF
It was to show them
 she was on the
 warpath.

KIM
Gawd.

JEFF
Yeah and her dad has
 this business where
 he manufactures
 electric clothing.

KIM
Electric clothing?

JEFF
Yeah they would put
 copper wire in jacket
 linings and hook it 
to a 9-volt battery.
  It would--uh--heat up
 the jacket.

KIM
Isn't that dangerous?

JEFF
I think he had a
 lawsuit over the
 electric 
undergarments.

KIM
My whole point with
 Morgan is if her
 family was in New 
York, why did she
 stay in Clarksburg
 the whole month of
 June?

JEFF
She had grandparents,
 aunts, uncles.

KIM
Sure it wasn't to
 spend more time with
 you?

EXT-PARK -- AFTERNOON

Morgan and Jeff sit on a park bench staring
 a rather obese college student, flirting
 with a beautiful long legged 18 year old
 female.

JEFF
(looking at the
 couple)

This display right
 here makes me wish I
 could go back in time
 to high school 
looking exactly like
 I do now.

MORGAN
A man whose pushing
 thirty?

JEFF
It's just amazing to
 me how the female 
creature has evolved
 through the years.
  No longer are jocks
 the players in the
 schools, the title
 has been turned over
 to the tub-o-lards.
  And where does that
 leave guys like me
 you asked?  Where we 
always have 
been...unclassified.

MORGAN
Wow it's so hard to 
grasp from your 
writing the vast 
amount of sensitivity 
that you have.

JEFF
I just have a hard time with the 
concept of romance.  The only
 people you see being truly 
romantic are OLD PEOPLE: because
 their time is almost up.  TWO
 UGLY PEOPLE: Because who else 
are they going to be with.  AND 
THE UGLY GUY AND HOT GIRL, or
 vise versa: And that's only a
 one way, and once the better 
looking of the two begins to 
feel smothered you can kiss that
 one good-bye.

MORGAN
And you write 
romantic comedies?

JEFF
And one splatter
 pic...

EXT-DOWNTOWN CLARKSBURG -- AFTERNOON

Jeff and Morgan walk through the heart of 
downtown Clarksburg.

MORGAN
The set up to
 Downtown Clarksburg
 is similar to the set
 up of Downtown Paris.

JEFF
No shit?

MORGAN
Except the buildings
 are smaller.

JEFF
I've never been to
 Paris, Kim went just
 shortly before she 
met me.

MORGAN
It truly is a 
romantic place.

JEFF
"You've never been
 kissed till you've
 been kissed in Pairs"

MORGAN
"Husbands and
 Wives"---- So do you
 do anything besides
 watch movies all the
 time?

JEFF
When I watch a movie
 it's 2 hrs I'm not
 fighting with my
 wife. 

MORGAN
So how does your wife
 feel about you 
spending this much
 time with me?

JEFF
What I share with 
you, my love for the 
cinema, my wife has
 absolutely no 
interest in.  Hell
 sometimes I doubt
 about her interest in
 me...Ehh I apologize
 that's my one rule.
  I don't believe in
 discussing my 
marriage problems
 outside of that 
institution.

MORGAN
That's commendable.

JEFF
Yeah me and Kim have
 our ups and downs but
 for this most part
 we're doing ok. 

CUT TO: 

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM

Jeff and Kim are lying intertwined on the
 bed together.

KIM
Bullshit.

JEFF
What?

KIM
"Me and Kim have our
 ups and downs but for
 this most part we're
 doing ok"  Don't
 elaborate on this for
 my account.

JEFF
I'm giving you an
 honest interruption.

KIM
Right.  You were just
 as unhappy in our 
marriage as I was.

JEFF
That was your 
perception.

KIM
No it was a fact.  We 
were starting to
 drift apart

INT-KIM'S PARENTS HOUSE -- MORNING

Ralph sets a plate of pancakes down in
 front of Kim, who is sitting at the table.

RALPH
Here I've been
 cooking since your
 mom has started back
 to work.

KIM
I'm proud of you dad.

Nancy sits down beside Kim.

NANCY
Did you brag on your
 Dad for taking the
 cooking upon himself?

KIM
(taking a bite)

Yes and he did an
 excellent job also.

RALPH
I'm doing the laundry
 too.

KIM
Well you're becoming
 a regular house-
husband.

RALPH
I'm going to walk the
 dog.

NANCY
Ok honey make sure to
 grab your sweater.

Ralph leaves the room.

NANCY
(to Kim)

So what's your plans
 for your day off?

KIM
I don't know really.

NANCY
Jeff work?

KIM
Yeah till 4:00 and
 then he's heading to
 Clarksburg to meet
 with that play 
producer girl.

NANCY
That whole thing 
doesn't bother you?

KIM
No he knows I don't
 care about his film
 junk.

NANCY
I don't know it just
 seems like borderline
 adultery to me.

KIM
He's not having sex
 with her mom.

NANCY
You don't have to
 have sex to commit
 adultery.  He's
 sharing a part of
 himself with someone 
other then you, an
 important part of
 himself none the
 less.  If I were in
 your position that
 would concern me.

INT-SEX SCENE SET-PRESENT DAY

Jeff is directing a sex scene between James
 and Lynn.  James and Lynn just continue to
 go at it while Jeff stares off in to space.
  The rest of the crew who are witness to
 this, are wondering why Jeff hasn't said
 "Cut" yet (well all except the members of
 the crew who are perverts.)  As James and
 Lynn continue to go at it hot and heavy
 Derek plops himself down beside Jeff.

DEREK
Um....Jeff...

JEFF
(coming out of
 his trance)

Uh...Yes

DEREK
Shouldn't you be 
saying cut?

JEFF
Um.....yeah..

(realization)

Oh....Cut!

James and Lynn come up for air, gasping

LYNN
(breathing hard)

Whoa!  

JEFF
You both did a bang
 up job.

JAMES
(to Lynn)

Want my number?

INT-LUNCHROOM -- LATER

Derek takes his plate and sits down next to
 Jeff.

DEREK
So what's up with
 you?

JEFF
Oh I'm 
fine...Just....Kim.

DEREK
So what's the story
 with you two?  Are
 you back together?
  What's going on?

JEFF
We're exploring what
 went wrong.

DEREK
And what 
determination did you
 come to?

JEFF
That I should never
 be married as long as
 I live.

DEREK
So I'm guess you're
 not getting
 remarried?

JEFF
I don't know.  I'm
 just so selfish.  I'm
 never going to find
 the perfect women.
  The girl who I'm 
attracted to, whose
 into everything I'm
 into and can keep up
 with me in every
 conversation.

DEREK
Which basically means
 letting you talk all
 the time unless she's
 going to interrupt
 long enough to tell
 you how much she 
agrees with you.

JEFF
Yeah...see told you I
 was selfish.

DEREK
I'm not going to give
 you the perfect mate
 doesn't exist speech.

JEFF
Good--

DEREK
---but she's doesn't

JEFF
Why haven't you
 settle down with
 someone?

DEREK
I guess like you I'm
 looking for the
 perfect mate.  I
 guess like you I need
 to be looking for
 someone who to them
 my needs are 
important, and I in
 turn feel the same
 for them.

JEFF
I don't know I'm 35 I
 have no excuse, I 
should have grown up
 and have had a family
 by now.  I mean with
 you, you shouldn't
 feel has bad, dating
 for you is a lot 
harder then it is for
 me.

DEREK
Now that's a 
misconception.
  You're problem is
 you're watching too 
much Showtime.
  Homosexuals aren't 
all partiers and drug
 users.  The reason I
 haven't found anybody
 lies in myself.  The
 same reason you don't
 have a family at 35
 lies within you.

JEFF
(looking at James
 and Lynn hanging
 out a few tables
 up)

Ick that was a big
 mistake today.  I
 inadvertently was a
 matchmaker for those 
two.

DEREK
Yeah that was a huge
 mistake.  You need to
 leave this Kim mess
 at home and focus a
 little better on set.

JEFF
I know.  Don't worry 
I'm not going to 
waste your money.

DEREK
I'm more worried 
about ending up with
 a pregnant actress.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM

Kim is on the phone with her Mom.

INTERCUT:

INT-KIM'S PARENTS HOUSE

KIM
I don't know why we
 are getting in to 
this.

NANCY
I don't know why you 
are there.

KIM
I'm an adult, Mom.

NANCY
Your Dad gave you a
 blank check last time
 to pay for the 
divorce, and you go
 and do this.  It kind
 of feels like a slap
 in the face.

KIM
That's harsh.

NANCY
It feels like you're 
turning your back on
 us after we stood 
behind you.

KIM
Why the hell are you 
always so 
melodramatic?

NANCY
You came to us and
 said you wanted out
 of your marriage.
  You wanted to break
 your commitment with
 this man because you
 couldn't bear to be
 with him any longer,
 that your well being
 is being effected 
having to live with
 this man every day.
  Despite our contempt
 for Jeff in the 
beginning--

KIM
--Contempt that you
 did not tell me about
 before I married him.

NANCY
Well first of all I want you to
 make your own decisions.  Second
 of all I brought up several
 concerns before you two got 
married, you choose to see what
 you wanted to see.  Despite how
 we felt about Jeff, your father 
and I believe a marriage is 
forever.  He didn't beat you, he
 wasn't a drunk, but you wanted
 out, we went against our beliefs
 and helped you get out.  Then
 you make this choice which shows
 a lack of respect for us.

KIM
So what are you
 trying to say?  I'm
 basically having to
 make a choice between
 him or my parents?

NANCY
You tell me.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM -- LATER

Kim is laying on her back on the bed
 staring at the ceiling.  We hear the door
 open off screen and the sound of footsteps
 enter the room.  Jeff comes into view as he
 sits beside Kim on the bed.  Jeff lays his
 hand on her stomach.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM -- LATER

Jeff is crouched down against the wall, Kim
 lays on the bed staring at the ceiling.

JEFF
I'm sorry about this
 mess, if you need to
 go home, go home.

KIM
I don't want to mess 
with this period 
right now.

JEFF
Whatever you decide
 to do I'll be behind
 100 percent.

KIM
Finish the Morgan
 story.

INT-MORGAN'S HOTEL ROOM -- EVENING

Morgan and Jeff are lying on their stomachs
 on opposite beds watching tv.

JEFF
(shaking his hand at
 the tv)

Why can't I write
 like this?  My
 dialogue is so
 stilted.  This is how 
people talk..

MORGAN
You're rambling 
because you don't
 want to talk about
 what's bothering you.

JEFF
I told you I can't
 get into my problems.
  It's just improper.

MORGAN
You're problem is
 simple you're 
unhappy.  You married
 someone who cared
 nothing about you.
  Nothing about all the
 components that go
 together to make you
 who you are.

Morgan slowly gets up and slides beside
 Jeff on the bed he's laying on.  He moves
 toward the oppisite edge of the bed.

MORGAN
Someone who the only
 conversations she can 
have with you are
 ones that involve
 subjects that 
interest her.  But
 what about those
 conversations you
 want to have, the
 ones that interest
 you.  Well for that
 you have me.

She reaches over and grabs him and pulls
 the shaking and nervous Jeff closer to her.
  Inches before their lips meet Jeff pulls 
away and rolls off the bed.

JEFF
Morgan I just....I'm 
not made like that...

MORGAN
What about how I'm
 made Jeffrey?  I've
 enjoyed spending
 time.  I see you
 unhappy plain and
 simple.  I want to
 make you happy.
  What's it going to
 take to appeal to
 you?  What does it
 take to appeal to a
 man?  Is it lust?
  Will lust work?

Morgan gets up and walks over to her desk.


JEFF
Where are you heading 
to?

Morgan grabs a piece of paper off of her
 desk.

MORGAN
(walking to the bed)

You know we were
 talking about our
 different writing
 styles yesterday.
  And you were giving
 me a hard time about
 me not wanting you to
 read my plays.  Well
 I'm still sensitive
 about that, but I
 wrote something last
 night inspired by
 you.

(she hands him the
 paper)

Inspired by my
 passion for you.

Jeff starts to read the paper, Morgan walks
 over to the door of the room....

INT-HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS

.....She walks out into the hallway and 
slides down the wall till she lands on her
 rear.  She stays out there while several
 moments pass....Suddenly the door opens, we
 hear footsteps and then the door closes.
  Jeff slides down the wall until he's
 crouching beside Morgan.

JEFF
That's--That's hot.

(pause)

But Morgan...

MORGAN
Yes...

JEFF
I'm obsessive
 compulsive and
 there's no way I'd
 make love to someone
 whose all sudsy from
 washing a car.

INT-AUDITORIUM -- NIGHT

It's graduation night and a line of people
 in there gowns are preparing to walk on
 stage.  The DEAN is calling out each name
 and handing a diploma and a hand of
 congratulations.

DEAN
....Kimberly Ricter..

As Kim walks up on stage and as she
 receives her diploma Jeff is in the
 audience applauding.

INT-CAR -- LATER

Jeff is driving as Kim looks over her
 diploma.

JEFF
You're official.

KIM
Yep.

JEFF
Big night.  It's a
 really big night.
  I'm proud of you Kim.

KIM
Thank you.

JEFF
You seem kind of
 solemn.  You ok?

KIM
Yeah, I'm ok.

JEFF
Did you hear me 
applaud?  I was 
cheering up a storm
 for you.

KIM
I could hardly hear
 anything on that 
stage.  You know I'm
 surprised you didn't
 have a dinner date 
with Morgan tonight.

JEFF
Hey now that's a
 cheep shot.  She's a
 friend and the only
 reason I've been
 hanging with her so
 much is because when
 she goes back to New
 York I'll never get a
 chance to talk to her 
again.  And I'm 
learning a lot from
 her.

KIM
Yeah sure you are.
  Have you been tempted
 to cheat on me?

JEFF
Everyone is tempted 
to cheat now and 
then.  But you don't
 because one moment
 isn't worth throwing
 away the history you
 have with another 
person.  Why have you
 been tempted to 
cheat?

KIM
Yes.

JEFF
(surprised)

Whoa that's 
interesting.

KIM
You just said 
everyone is tempted
 to cheat.  Do those
 rules not apply to
 me?  It's ok for you
 to be tempted but not
 for me?

JEFF
Kim---now--that's 
not--

KIM
--What Jeff, I just
 want to know the
 guidelines here.
  Does it scare you
 that I was tempted to
 cheat on you because
 you can't control 
that?  Men, it's ok
 for you to be tempted
 because----

JEFF
---I'm not saying
 it's ok for me to be
 tempted, I'm not
 saying it's ok for
 anyone to be tempted.
  Just----will tell me
 who---or what---or 
just the situation.

KIM
It was a while back 
ago at the DVD 
store--

JEFF
---Well the story---
give me the story 
leading up to this.

KIM
I don't know it just happened
 one day.  His name was Dennis, 
he worked at the coffee shop 
in my plaza.  I used to see
 him everyday and something
  about his face just seemed so
 kind.  He had a nightlife as a
 comic so he was always doing
 something immature or just
 plain goofy, but something
 about him made my heart just
 float.  I looked forward to
 seeing him everyday, and the
 days he was off I just felt
 plain empty.  A girl who
 worked with him one day came
 into the store and we started
 talking.  That was the day I
 learned about Dennis' romantic
 proposal to Toby, his on again
 off again girlfriend.  I was
 walking through the parking
 lot later that day on my way
 back from lunch.  I caught his
 face from behind the glass
 window in the front of his
 store.  I felt dead inside.  I
 rushed inside the store and
 asked a girl to cover the
 front and  then I went into
 the restroom and threw up.
  That night I came home and saw
 you in front of your computer
 caring more for your writing 
then me.  That night I came to
 the realization that I'm no
 longer attracted to you.  And
 what's worse is tonight I came
 to the realization that it no
 longer scares me.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Jeff is laying on the bed, Kim rushes into
 the room and throws a wrinkled piece of
 paper down on his chest.

KIM
You son of a bitch!

JEFF
What?!?

KIM
You blew it this 
time!  You bring this
 filth into the house!
  You leave this shit
 in your pants!  I was
 doing your damn 
laundry when I found
 it!  God I'm so 
stupid!

JEFF
I don't even think--

KIM
No you don't.

JEFF
You need to calm the
 hell down for a
 second.

KIM
Don't tell me to calm
 the hell down.

JEFF
I'm going to go get a
 beer and we'll talk.

KIM
You stay the hell
 away from me with
 alcohol.  This shit
 is not going to work
 on me you goddamned
 whore.

JEFF
You're jumping the
 gun dear.

(holding up the
 paper)

This is nothing.  It
 was just...I mean I
 don't even know how
 to explain it where
 it will make sense.

KIM
Don't bother.  I
 really don't give a
 shit.

JEFF
Kim...

(walking up to 
her)

Let me get you a
 drink, we'll sit down
 and calmly talk.

KIM
(pushing him away)

I told you to knock 
off the alcohol shit!
  I'm tired of you're
 damn shit!  I want
 you to leave me the
 hell alone till I
 have time to process 
this.

JEFF
What then Kim?

KIM
Then I'll decided on
 what to do about us?  

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S LIVING ROOM-DAYS LATER

Kim walks into the house and almost runs 
into Jeff carrying a box out the door.  She
 hastily moves around him and plops her self 
down on the couch.  She picks up her 
wedding picture and looks at it a second 
and puts it face down back on the table.  A 
few moments pass and Jeff walks back in .

JEFF
(looking at some
 suitcases by the 
door)

Are these going down?

KIM
I'll take those down
 when I leave.

JEFF
(sitting down in a
 chair)

This crap Kim.  You
 don't need to do 
this.  I gave you a
 few days to cool down
 go to your parents.
  We need to just talk
 about this and move
 on.

KIM
No I'm done with
 talking.  It's over
 Jeff.  There's 
nothing more to say.
  I'm so tired of going
 through this, it's
 futile.

JEFF
I did not cheat on
 you.

KIM
If you see it that
 you did not commit
 adultery you have
 learned nothing.

JEFF
I did not have sex
 with her.  What I did
 was not  any
 different then what
 you did with Daniel.

KIM
Dennis!  And I did
 not share parts of me
 with him!  You did
 that with Morgan!

JEFF
Parts of me you
 didn't want.

KIM
You spent every
 waking moment with
 her.  Even when you
 were with me, you
 were spending time
 with her.  You did
 this to yourself.

JEFF
Oh yeah let's not
 forget who said they
 weren't attracted to
 me.

KIM
Yeah and what were
 you doing during all
 this, that's right
 spending hours on end
 with Morgan.

JEFF
Dennis was before
 Morgan.

KIM
Well maybe the affair
 was with your
 writing.  Either way
 you drifted away a
 long time ago.

JEFF
This is bullshit!

KIM
Yes----Yes it is.
  And I don't have time
 for it.

JEFF
You spend three days
 with your parents
 supposedly thinking
 about our future and
 then you come back
 here and pull this.
  You were supposed be
 be thinking of an
 action plan on how
 we're going to 
survive through this.

KIM
Well Jeff, instead, I
 came up with a plan
 where I can survive.

JEFF
This is crap, you
 yelled at me, saying
 I'm dependant on 
other people.  I 
can't do anything
 without anyone wiping
 MY ass.  Well at
 least the descions I
 make are my own.
  You're a teacher 
because your mom was,
 you won't move 
because they don't
 want to see you leave
 this area.  You have
 to be around to take
 care of them in
  their old age.  Yeah
 what about your life?
  They goddamned 
brainwashed you like
 they have for years.

KIM
Look at you.  You're
 so damn pathetic. 
 I'm the happiest I've
 ever been walking out
 this door. 

Kim gets up and walks behind the couch and
 grabs her bag.  Jeff gets up sniffling and
 plops on the couch hanging the front end of
 his body over the back of the couch.

JEFF
This is such crap...

Kim opens the door and then turns around
 with tears in her eyes.

JEFF
Kim.  If you still 
want to file for 
divorce I can't stop
 you.  This doesn't
 have to end.  If you
 stay I will do
 nothing but spend the
 rest of our lives
 making this up to
 you.  Please.........

KIM
Goodbye Jeff...

Kim walks out the door closing it behind
 her.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM

Jeff is still crouched on the floor, Kim
 laying on the bed staring at the ceiling.

KIM
I don't understand.

JEFF
What?

KIM
Those three days I
 was at Mom and Dad's
 did you---like mess
 around with Morgan?

JEFF
I told you....I keep
 telling you I never
 messed around with
 Morgan while we were
 living together.

KIM
Then when did you?

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S LIVING ROOM

Jeff now alone can't stop crying.  He picks
 up his wedding picture laying face down on
 the table.  He looks at it a second and
 then throws it against the wall breaking
 the glass.

JEFF
Goddamnit!

INT-CAR -- NIGHT

Jeff is driving in the rain, he passes a 
green road sign that says "Clarksburg, Next
 3 Exits"

EXT-HOTEL

Jeff stands out in the rain debating on the
 choice he's about to make.


INT-HALLWAY

P.O.V. : WE SEE A HAND KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF 
A HOTEL ROOM. IT OPENS AND MORGAN WALKS
 OUT.

Full frame: We see Jeff grab Morgan and
 kiss her.  As they break from the kiss his
 head lands on her chest as he cries.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM-PRESENT DAY

Kim scoots to the edge of the bed.  Jeff 
pulls a chair from the desk and sits it in
 front of her and inturn sits down on it.

KIM
That's it?

JEFF
I told you I never
 had sex with her
 while you were living
 in the house.

KIM
I'm supposed to take
 your word on that.

JEFF
Um...yeah.  I might
 have been an ass to
 you over the years
 but I was fairly
 honest to you.

KIM
Fairly?

JEFF
Jesus you know what I
 mean.

KIM
I can't believe you
 did not have sex with
 Morgan while we were
 together.  I mean the
 you guys spent every
 waking moment 
together, and that
 note..

JEFF
I'm not saying I
 didn't want to sleep
 with her.  I'm saying
 I couldn't make
 myself do it.  And 
the note 
was...graphic....But
 she...uh...wanted
 me..

KIM
That made you feel
 pretty good didn't
 it?

JEFF
Made you feel good
 when the coffee shop
 guy wanted you?

KIM
He didn't want me, I
 wanted him.

JEFF
And you wonder why
 the two of us didn't
 stay together.

KIM
We didn't stay 
together because YOU
 left me.

JEFF
Whoa how did I leave
 you?

KIM
Like we need to
 rehash this again?

JEFF
I thought that's what
 we were up here to
 do.

KIM
You left me for that
 slut.

JEFF
That's harsh and I
 never cheated on you.

KIM
That's the one thing
 you have never
 learned over the
 years.  You don't
 have to have 
intercourse to cheat.
  She kissed you, you
 shared things with
 her that you didn't
 share with me.  You
 cheated on me plain
 and simple.

JEFF
Do you really believe
 that or did your Dr
 Phil worshiping 
mother tell you to
 believe that?

KIM
(Jumps up)

 Fuck you!

JEFF
Kim, Kim...

(walking over to her)

Calm down this is
 getting out of hand.

KIM
(overlapping)

Get away from me.

JEFF
Kim, things got out
 of hand.

KIM
(heading toward the
 door)

I need to get out of
 here.

JEFF
Hey something I said
 in that story set you
 off.  I'm sorry, I
 got heated because
 you got heated.  I
 apologize.

KIM
I'm going out for a
 while.

JEFF
You're going for a
 walk at this hour in
 Richmond?

KIM
There's a 24 hr diner
 across the lot.

JEFF
Kim...

KIM
Goto bed Jeff....

Kim opens the door and leaves the room.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM -- MORNING

Jeff is awaken by the sound of Kim packing.
  He sits up in bed alarmed.

JEFF
What the hell?!?

KIM
I didn't mean to wake
 you.

JEFF
What the hell are you
 doing?

KIM
I...I..um..have a
 taxi meeting me here
 in 10 minutes.

JEFF
Is this about last
 night?  Things got
 out of hand.  We were
 talking about some
 important things.

KIM
You made the
 statement that your
 story upset me.  Well 
it did.  When I
 walked last night I
 thought about the
 fact on whether I 
made my decision for
 divorce too hastily.
  I mean you didn't
 have sex with Morgan
 so maybe I was wrong.

JEFF
You can't undo that
 now.

KIM
Yeah...we've spent
 the last few weeks
 
exploring our 
marriage.  Trying to
 figure out what went
 wrong.  I loved you
 when we got together
 and I still love you.
  Jeff I'm not in love
 with you.

JEFF
...ok..

KIM
I could have worked
 things out with you,
 and we probably could
 have had a good
 marriage in the end.
  But that wasn't the
 choice I made, I
 choose to divorce you
 and as you just said
 I can't undo that
 now.  I put a lot of
 people through a lot
 of crap when I filed 
those papers.  And as
 much as I'm curious
 on whether we can
 subsatin a 
relationship being
 older and more
 mature.  If it came
 down to a choice on
 what I'm curious
 about or  
disappointing my
 parents.  I'm 
choosing to walk.

JEFF
This is about your
 parents?

KIM
No It's about me.
  Jeff what I was 
saying earlier about
 us being older and 
more mature, 
well....you've proven
 to me your older.  In
 a lot of ways your
 the same old Jeff,
 afraid to be alone,
 always have to have
 someone holding your
 hand.  I think it was
 convenient that you
 decided you wanted to
 continue our talks in
 Richmond after you
 found out Bill wasn't
 going to be here for
 filming.

JEFF
You're reaching...

KIM
Maybe....but
 sweetheart you're
 going to have to
 finish this film by
 yourself.  Good luck.

Kim picks up her bags.

JEFF
Need help?

KIM
No, I just had these
 two small bags.  I'll
 be fine.

JEFF
So we're doing this
 again?

KIM
This time you can
 feel free to call me
 when you get back to
 town.

JEFF
(sad smile)

I'll do that.

KIM
Well bye Jeff.

JEFF
Be careful.

Kim smiles and then walks out the door.

INT-LOBBY -- MOMENTS LATER

Kim sits in the lobby patiently waiting for
 her taxi.

INT-JEFF AND KIM'S HOTEL ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Jeff paces back on forth in the room, until
 suddenly he rushes for the door.

INT-LOBBY

Jeff runs down to the lobby.  He sees the
 DESK CLERK and practically jumps over the
 counter trying to get his attention.

JEFF
Excuse me!

DESK CLERK
Yes sir?

JEFF
(out of breathe)

A girl...women...with
 bags...where is she? 

DESK CLERK
Early thirties,
 wearing a red t-
shirt, jeans?

JEFF
Yeah...yeah that's
 her.

DESK CLERK
She got in that cab
 that's pulling off.

JEFF
Shit!

Jeff runs out the front door of the
 hotel.....

EXT-HOTEL

As Jeff exits the door the cab is pulling
 off.  He watches the cab take Kim down the
 road and out of his life.

INT-LUNCHROOM -- AFTERNOON

Jeff stands by the craft services table
 watching everyone grab something to eat.
  Derek comes up from behind him.

DEREK
She was right about
 one thing, you are
 going to have to do
 this on your own.
  Don't do it because
 of the money I have
 invested , or because
 Bill wants you to.
  Do it for yourself,
 because this has been
 your dream since the
 beginning.

INT-LOBBY SET

P.O.V. : WE START OUT FROM BEHIND THE
 DIRECTORS CHAIR AND THEN GRADUALLY MOVE
 THROUGH THE CAMERA LENS.

We're in a hotel lobby, James stands in
 front of another girl this time, MAGGIE.  
Maggie has bags in her hands as if she was
 about to leave town.

JAMES
So you're leaving?


MAGGIE
I haven't seen you
 since right before
 you got married
 James.  I'm on my way
 to Europe this such
 shitty timing.

JAMES
I just want to take
 you to coffee.  I'm
 not trying to mess up
 your life, or get you
 to throw everything 
away for me.  I just
 want a chance to get
 to know you again.

MAGGIE
I'm...on my way...to
 Europe....right now.
  What do you want me
 to do?

JAMES
I don't know.

MAGGIE
You're free to come
 visit me.

JAMES
In Europe?

MAGGIE
That's where I'm
 going.

JAMES
And then what?

MAGGIE
And then we'll go for
 coffee...or a latte
 or whatever.

JAMES
How...will...I?

MAGGIE
Hold on...

(puts down her bags and reaches
 in her handbag for a pin and 
paper. She scribbles something
 down)

My number of where
 I'm at...

JAMES
(taking the
 number)

Ok...So I'll call
 you?

MAGGIE
That's the idea.

JAMES
Want me to help you
 with your bags?

MAGGIE
No...I just have 
these two.  The rest
 are in the cab.

JAMES
Ok..

MAGGIE
Bye James...

She puts down her bags and reaches out to
 hug him.  As he grabs her to hug her back
 our P.O.V. changes.....

INT-THEATER

P.O.V. : THEATER SCREEN

We're now viewing this scene on the big 
screen in front of an audience.  Maggie and
 James hug for a moment.  As the break the
 embrace they look at each other for a 
second and then they kiss.  Music swells,
 various city shots are shown, and then the
 screen goes black.  Suddenly the credit
 "Directed By Jeffrey Ricter" appears on the
 screen and an applause is heard.

INT-LOBBY -- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff makes his way through the lobby being
 stopped by various people.

MAN
That's was beautiful
 piece of work.

JEFF
Thank you.

WOMAN
(overlapping)

That was a great
 film.

JEFF
(overlapping)

Yes thank you.

MAN 2
(overlapping)

Noble effort.

JEFF
(overlapping)

Um...yeah.

Several people stop him and shake his hand
 as he makes his way through the crowd.
  Bill walks up and grabs him from behind.

BILL
Hey brother.

JEFF
Hey...

(hugs)

God, thought I would 
never find you.

Derek comes up from behind Bill.

BILL
I was just 
congratulating the
 producer when I
 thought you might 
also deserve some
 credit.

DEREK
Hey that boy did it
 all on his own.

JEFF
Hey I'm going to try
 to catch up with Mom
 and Dad.

BILL
The crowd has 
probably swallowed
 them up.

JEFF
(to Bill)

There's your wife and
 kids...

Bill turns around to see his wife PAM and
 their two children: preteen Eliza and 7
 year old Mason.

PAM
Hey big time 
director...

JEFF
Far from there yet...

(to the 
kids)

Hey Eliza....Mason..

ELIZA
Can I be in your next
 movie?

JEFF
I'd be honored to
 have a leading lady
 as beautiful as you
 in my next film.

Eliza blushes

BILL
You should have kids.

JEFF
I have to hold on to
 a wife first...Hey
 I'm going to track
 down the parents...

Moments later we see Jeff's Mom and Dad
 standing off on their own.

JEFF
Kind of crowed in
 here..

MOM
Yeah I noticed....

JEFF
Glad to see you guys
 made it..

Rachel comes up and hits her brother in the
 arm.

RACHEL
You're an ass...

JEFF
Have you been talking
 to my ex-wives?

(pause)

So where's the
 fiancee Rachel?

RACHEL
He's working....

JEFF
(grabbing
 Rachel's
 hand)

Look at this rock.  
Where did he get the
 money for that?

MOM
....Jeff stop giving
 her a hard time...

RACHEL
...Yes Jeff...

(pulling
 her hand
 away)

JEFF
Sorry about the lack
 of breasts Dad..

TOM
That sex scene was
 pretty intense.

JEFF
Yeah it certainly
 was.

INT-THEATER -- LATER

Jeff sits in the empty theater by himself
 staring at the screen.  Bill walks down the
 aisle and sits beside him.

BILL
Hey..

JEFF
Hey..

BILL
You know whatever you
 do now is up to you.

JEFF
Hmmm?

BILL
What I'm saying if
 you want to make more
 films, or write more,
 or be a shark
 hunter...

JEFF
What?

BILL
Just whatever your 
heart desires...it's
 up to you.  Not Kim
 or Morgan or the next
 wife...I mean you 
don't need me or 
Derek...Mom or
 Dad...This is your
 life and YOU need to
 live it.  And 
whatever choice you
 make right or wrong
 is your choice to
 make.  You don't need
 to confirm that 
choice with anyone.
  You've done a good
 job thus far, and I
 don't think you'll
 have a problem with 
the rest of your
 life.

JEFF
I...um...stayed in
 Parkersburg and sold
 web space because Kim
 wanted me to.  Moved
 to New York 
because...you 
know...Morgan wanted
 me to.  Hell I think
 I made this film
 because you as my
 agent thought it 
would be a good move
 for me...

BILL
You saying you don't
 want to make films?

JEFF
I honestly don't know
 what I want to do.  I 
love writing, but
 directing I really
 honest to God don't
 know.

BILL
Well it's all up to
 you brother...it's
 all your baby now...

INT-LOBBY-- MOMENTS LATER

Jeff walks through the empty lobby and the
 actress playing Maggie walks up.

MAGGIE
Hey..

JEFF
Hey you.

MAGGIE
I was getting ready
 to head out.  I was
 talking to Derek a
 few minutes ago.  I
 just wanted to tell
 you the same thing I
 said to him, thank 
you so much for this
 experience.

JEFF
You're 
welcome...where is he
 at?

MAGGIE
Smoking somewhere..

JEFF
Figures.  No anyway
 thank you.

MAGGIE
Can I ask a question?

JEFF
Sure.

MAGGIE
How much of this was
 autobiographical?

JEFF
I think when you 
write you always put
 a little of yourself
 in your work.

MAGGIE
So was there a girl
 you grew up with that
 you never forgot 
about?  That you were 
in love with all 
through your 
marriage.

JEFF
(laughs)

Discussing your 
character I assume?

MAGGIE
(laughs)

Yeah..

JEFF
Um...I wouldn't say
 in love with through
 my marriage....I..

(pause,
 thinking)

...She's loosely
 based on someone...

EXT-SUPERCENTER -- DAY-SOMETIME LATER

Jeff walks outside the main doors of the
 supercenter.  He spys a man in the parking
 lot gathering up carts.  He walks up to him
 and on closer inspection it's Warren.

WARREN
Did you get your 
pictures developed?

JEFF
Yeah...

WARREN
Let me see..

(grabbing for 
the picture
 envelope)

JEFF
You're stalling...

WARREN
(flipping
 through the
 pictures)

What?
(pause)
Your sister's wedding
 looks extravagant.
  The groom looks a
 little whacked.

JEFF
Warren....Where is 
she?

WARREN
(handing
 back the
 pics)

She owns a restaurant
 in downtown 
Charleston.

JEFF
She owns a restaurant
 now?

WARREN
Yeah it's an Italian 
eatery.

JEFF
She's not even
 Italian.

WARREN
Yeah but those type 
of restaurants are a
 gold mine.

(pause)

Hold on I got all the 
info you need.

(reaching
 into his
 pocket)

We need to go do
 karaoke again 
sometime soon.

(pulling 
out a 
card)

JEFF
Yeah as soon as I go
 do this we'll set a 
time to go.

(taking the card
 from Warren)

WARREN
Do you really think
 you'll get her back?

JEFF
I haven't planned it 
that far yet.

INT-ITAILIAN EATERY -- AFTERNOON

Jeff walks into the lobby and a HOSTESS 
meets him.

HOSTESS
Just one?

JEFF
Yeah...

HOSTESS
Smoking or non?

JEFF
Smoking and actually 
I'm looking for 
someone...

INT-TABLE -- MOMENTS LATER

Close-up on Jeff, eating and smoking all
 while carrying on an involved conversation.

JEFF
You own a 
restaurant...Wow.
  You know you're not
 even Italian.

Full-shot: we see the person Jeff is eating
 with is Heather.

HEATHER
I just sort of fell
 into it when my old
 boss retired.  He had 
no family to leave it 
to.  I was pretty
 much it.

JEFF
It's just weird.
  Weird to be here 
period.

HEATHER
(watching Jeff 
puff on his 
cigarette)

When are you going to
 quit smoking?

JEFF
I'll tell you what--

HEATHER
--Yes

JEFF
When I'm finish this 
pack, I'll quit 
smoking.

HEATHER
Yeah right.

JEFF
I'm serious.  This 
pack will be the 
final testament of
 old Jeff.

HEATHER
I'm going to hold you
 to this.

JEFF
You do that. 

HEATHER
I saw the movie.

JEFF
Did you like it?

HEATHER
Rather 
autobiographical...

Heather notices Jeff keeps looking down at
 her hand.

HEATHER
It bothers you
 doesn't it?

Close-up: on Heathers hand, we see her
 wedding ring.

JEFF
I just didn't expect
 it coming from you.

HEATHER
We all grow up sometime.


JEFF
I know this just 
isn't what I expected 
when I came here.

HEATHER
You expected the end 
of your movie.  I
 know how your mind
 works.  Unfortunately
 life goes a lot 
differently when 
someone isn't writing
 it for us.

JEFF
So what's he like?

HEATHER
You'd like him, he's
 a nice guy.  He owns
 a video store.  You
 two could talk non
 stop about movies.

JEFF
I'd love to meet him.

HEATHER
Are you serious?  Or
 are you just being
 nice?

JEFF
I'm serious.  I would
 like to meet your
 husband.  Hell 
Heather I don't care 
if your married I 
care about you and
 love you.  If your
 life is going good it 
makes me feel good.
  If this is the guy 
who makes you happy I 
want to meet him.

HEATHER
Hmmm...

JEFF
What?

HEATHER
Trying to determine
 if your giving me a
 line of bullshit.

JEFF
(gasping)

I'm serious.  I'm 
glad your life is 
going good.

HEATHER
Good.  So what are
 you doing?

JEFF
Well I'm going to 
stay in West Virginia 
for a while.  I'm
 actually going to
 head up a kids play
 group that will 
travel the Mid-Ohio
 Valley.

HEATHER
Wow.

JEFF
Yeah Bill helped get
 me set up.  It's 
something I kind of
 want to do.

HEATHER
Derek is doing good?

JEFF
Great, producing
 another film.  And
 get this, he has a 
serious boyfriend.

HEATHER
When did this happen?

JEFF
He hid it from me
 during the premier.
  I finally got to meet
 him, he's a great
 guy.

HEATHER
And Kim?

JEFF
I tried to call her
 actually when I got
 back in town.  She's
 gone.  I think she
 went back to Pairs
 for a while.  At
 least that's what I
 gathered from the 
word on the street.
  Her parents weren't 
too forthcoming with 
information.

HEATHER
I'm sorry.

JEFF
Nah, it's all apart
 of this journey I
 went on this past 
year.  I went through
 a lot of trials and 
tribulations.  I have
 to honestly say this
 ranks up there with 
being one of the most
 insightful years of 
my life.

EXT-PARKING LOT -- LATER

Jeff walks over to his car door and opens
 it up.  Heather walks over to him and hugs
 him.

HEATHER
(breaking 
from the 
hug)

Take care of 
yourself.

JEFF
I will.

HEATHER
And anytime you want
 to come by and grab 
something to eat,
 it's on me.

JEFF
Well thank you I've
 been looking for a 
good non-Italian 
Italian eatery.

HEATHER
(smiles)

Well I'll let you get 
going.  Let me know 
of a day your free
 and you can come by
 and meet the husband.

JEFF
(smiles)

I'll do that.  Bye 
Heather

HEATHER
Bye Jeff.

Jeff gets in his car.  Heather walks toward
 the restaurant as she gets almost to the
 door she turns to watch Jeff drive off.

EXT-GUEST HOUSE -- LATER

Jeff's car pulls into the guest house.  He
 gets out of the car and bounces on up to 
the porch.  He plops down in the lawn chair
 and pulls out a pack of cigarettes.  He 
shakes a cigarette out of the pack and 
realizes it's his last one.

JEFF
Shit.

He stares at the lone cancer stick for a 
second and then you can almost see the 
lightbulb go off in his brain.  He sets the
 pack and the lone cigarette down on the 
banister.  He walks in side the house for a 
few moments.  We focus on the pack of 
smokes, off screen we hear the door open 
back up and then shut.  FOOTSTEPS.  Jeff's
 hand picks up the pack and then we see him 
prepare to sit back down in the chair. 
 Before he does he pulls up the snowglobe
 from earlier in the movie.  He shakes it
 and sets it on the banister.

JEFF
This is as close as 
it gets.

He lights up a cigarette and starts to
 inhale.

INT-PLAYHOUSE-SEVERAL YEARS LATER

We're back in the same playhouse where the 
movie began.  On the stage the play that we
 were watching earlier is about to wrap up.
  Taylor is still on the couch talking to his
 Doctor.

DOCTOR
So did you do 
everything I asked 
you to do?

TAYLOR
Yes, I went home and 
we explored our 
relationship, and we
 were surprised with 
what we found.

DOCTOR
Does she still think 
you are crazy?

TAYLOR
Yes,----crazy for 
her.

The lights dim and the curtain closes.  The 
audience stands and appluases.  Back up in 
the balcony, Jeff starts to take down his
 camera equipment when he sees Derek coming 
up from behind in the middle of an 
applause.

DEREK
(sarcastic)

You wrote that?

JEFF
(sighs)

Yeah.... 

DEREK
Cheesy...

(pause)

....but sweet.

JEFF
Yeah...

(pause)

So did you see my 
wife down there?

DEREK
No, thought she had 
to work tonight?

JEFF
She was going 
to....it just...I 
don't know.

DEREK
I sense a little 
disapointment.

JEFF
Well, It just seems
 like she doesn't take
 what I do 
seriously...I don't 
know...it would just
 be nice to see her 
here.

Derek spins Jeff around and points out into 
the crowd.  Jeff looks down and sees a 
woman applauding wildly.  She turns makes 
eye contact with him and smiles, he returns 
with a smile of his own.

DEREK
Can I ask a question?

JEFF
(smiling)

Yeah....

DEREK
How did you get to 
this point? 

INT-PLAYHOUSE -- LATER

The auditorium is looking rather empty by
 now.  Derek and Jeff walk toward the center 
of the room.  The woman from earlier, who
 we now learn is NICKY, walks toward Jeff 
holding Taylor's hand.

NICKY
Hey..

JEFF
Hey you made it.

NICKY
Yes.

TAYLOR
What did you guys 
think?  Mom liked it.

DEREK
I loved it.  You 
played your dad 
better then he can 
play your dad.

TAYLOR
What?

JEFF
Nothing.

(to Derek)

That was not about
 me.

DEREK
All writing is 
autobiographical to a 
degree.

NICKY
Derek you want to 
meet us somewhere for 
dinner?

DEREK
No, I need to get 
hotel so I can get up
 early and head 
home.....starting to 
miss the husband.

JEFF
So whipped..

DEREK
You guys take care.

(leans over 
and gives 
Nicky a kiss
 on the cheek)

Nicky, you look 
stunning...

NICKY
Thank you..

JEFF
She certainly does...

Derek gets ready to give Jeff a hug... 

JEFF
We're going to walk 
you to your car..

The foursome heads toward the exit. 

JEFF
(to 
Nicky)

How long have you 
been here?

NICKY
Long enough...

INT-CAR

Jeff, with Nicky in the passanger seat and
 Taylor in the back is cruising along the
 highway.

NICKY
So--I'm going to try 
to make more of an 
active attempt to be
 family oriented.

JEFF
I would so appreciate 
that.

NICKY
I've just been 
wrapped up lately.
  And I appreciate the 
fact you have a job
 that allows you to 
work so hands on with
 Tayor.  I really envy
 that.

JEFF
Really?  That means a
 lot to me that you 
said that.  Sometimes 
I feel you don't view 
what I do as 
important.

NICKY
I haven't been 
conveying my real
 feelings to you much 
at all lately and I 
apologize.

(pause)

Hey, we've been 
talking about doing
 this for a while. 
 Let's have a picnic
 tomorrow, maybe take 
Taylor out to play 
ski-ball.

JEFF
Yeah that'd be great.

NICKY
Is that fine Taylor?

TAYLOR
Um....ok.  What's 
ski-ball?

JEFF
He didn't just ask 
that did he?

TAYLOR
Yeah I did. 

As they drive along, Jeff gradualy stops 
for a red light.  He looks to his left 
beyond Nicky into the car beside him.  He
 sees Kim in an indepth conversation with 
the man driving the car.  For a moment she
 looks beyond the guy she's talking to and
 notices Jeff.  She smiles, and inturn he 
smiles....right as the light turns green.  
They pull ahead of him and then Jeff 
continues on down the road.

NICKY
That was Kim wasn't 
it?

JEFF
Yes, I think so.

NICKY
She looks happy.

JEFF
Yes she does.

NICKY
(pause)

You happy?

JEFF
(pause, 
smiles)

Yes, extremely.

As they continue to drive down the road, we 
hear a voice over from a conversation 
earlier in the evening.

DEREK
(voice 
over)

Can I ask a question?

JEFF
(V.O.)

Yeah..

DEREK
(V.O.)

How did you get to 
this point?

INT-JEFF'S KITCHEN

Jeff is fixing dinner, Taylor walks into 
the room reading a script.

TAYLOR
Dad run lines with 
me...Pleease..

JEFF
Hold on buddy.  Mom's 
home, we'll eat 
dinner first and then 
we'll work on the 
play.

Taylor sets the script down on the counter. 

JEFF
(V.O.)

I dont know I just 
woke up one day and 
it happend.  And I 
thank God it did.

Jeff walks over and hugs Nicky at the door, 
Taylor forces his way into the hug.

JEFF
Tell me about your 
day.

They walk to the table, and the families 
conversation starts becoming jumbled to the
 point where we can no longer understand it.
  We zoom away from the table to the counter 
where Taylor laid the script.  CLOSE-UP: on 
the script we see the title 
"CONVERSATIONS" "Written by Jeffrey 
Ricter".

And then we...

FADE OUT.

THE END.