by Steven Grogan
FADE IN
As the scene comes into focus, the camera is hesitantly moving forward. It reaches the end of the hall and pans right. There is a doorway. The door is open and through it we see a dining room. Camera moves forward.
Camera crawls forward, panning left to reveal another hallway. We move forward, at first in silence, but then…
MAN: (V.O.) I can’t do this anymore...all this faking and pretending. I just don’t have the energy. (sighs) So many years gone by. I’ve wasted such a long time living a lie. (pauses) I guess it’s pointless to wonder why I didn’t see the truth before. All I can do is take hold of this revelation and run with it. Enough time has been wasted.
The camera’s movement continues at a slow, steady pace. Ahead we can see two
doors on either side of the hallway. Both are open.
MAN: (V.O.) You see, this all started because one day I was thinking about the fact that I’ve never been a good liar like other people. I’ve never been partial to the games they play, or the lies they tell. I’ve always tried to be honest with people, because what point is there in lying? Lying is nothing but a waste of time. Occasionally, I admit I will slip up and lie to someone, but that’s very rare. I strive to be honest as often as I can. There was a time when I was proud of myself for my honest behavior because that made people perceive me as an individual instead of part of the herd. But you know what? That doesn’t matter. No, not one bit. My struggle for individuality is pointless…absolutely pointless.
Camera pans right to reveal an empty bathroom.
MAN: (V.O.) Then again, doing things on purpose to fit in, trying conform to everyone else would be useless as well. Everything you do is in vain (pauses) when you’re a ghost.
Camera executes a 180-degree turn. The motion is quick, almost violent. It is a stunning contrast to the disciplined, slow pace it had before. Now we are facing the other door. Camera moves forward.
MAN sits on a mattress that has no frame. His face is gray, drawn, exhausted. He has collapsed into the corner, sinking into it so comfortably and completely that he has almost become one with it. Books, videos, magazines, and other assorted items are strewn about the place. A guitar lies across Man’s lap; every now and then he strums it half-heartedly.
MAN: (V.O.) Of course, I’m far from being a ghost in the true sense of the word. The reason I use it because it’s the only term that really describes how I feel on a day-to-day basis.
He puts the guitar aside and sits up, stretching his arms over his head. Then he cautiously gets to his feet and leaves the room.
MAN: (V.O.) I feel disconnected from the rest of the world; like it’s a place where I just don’t belong. I could travel all over the globe and never find somewhere where I truly fit in. (pauses) This is the state of mind I’m in wherever I go.
MAN: (V.O.) When I drive my car…
Man is dressed in a tie, slacks, and white dress shirt.
MAN: (V.O.) When I go to work…
Man is heading into the store.
MAN: (V.O.) When I shop for groceries. No matter what I do, this sense of alienation clings to me like barbed wire wrapped around my soul.
Man is jamming away on an electric guitar, with a drum machine keeping rhythm.
MAN: (V.O.) When I make music the feeling will disappear for a while. I slip into a zone where nothing exists except for the melodies flowing through my brain. (pauses) But then the lyrics start to come, and I realize that what I’m writing about is, more often than not, that same dreaded feeling. And when that happens, it’s back to square one.
In frustration he whips off the guitar and turns off the drum machine. Man storms out of the room shaking his head in frustration.
A waterfall roars nearby; the sound is rather soothing. Man comes along. He sits on a rock overlooking the water.
MAN: (V.O.) Or sometimes I try going out to pay a visit to good old mother nature, hoping it will remind me everyone comes from the same life source, the same energy, the same dust. (pauses) Without fail, though, it always dawns on me that I’m seeking solace from a system that churns on and on despite me. Nature rolls ahead and couldn’t give a damn about the isolation that weighs my heart down. So once again I have to go find relief elsewhere.
Man is walking down a deserted street with historical architecture. There are signs describing the significance of certain buildings. He stops to read one.
MAN: (V.O.) I find some relief in these buildings. Like me they are hollow, deserted, totally removed from any significance they once had. These signs document what certain buildings used to stand for, but now they remain here alone against dull gray skies, contributing nothing to the modern world. (pauses) I find it comforting that my life isn’t the only thing disconnected from the present.
Man walks into the scene. He goes up to the railing and stares out over the water. Camera starts out behind him then slowly pans around to his left side.
MAN: (V.O.) But those are just buildings! For Christ’s sake, I want to identify that way with another human being! (pauses) But I haven’t been able to yet. No one I’ve met shares this hollow feeling. (pauses) Or maybe some of them do, but they’re covering it up so they can’t be discovered. (dramatically) Oh, yes! Hide your emotions! Hide them so good that you can’t even find them! We wouldn’t want anyone to know you feel this way! (pauses) Yes, for you must know that in this day and age loneliness is a dirty secret.
There are hardly any cars here. Man comes through, heading up to the roof. As he passes, camera moves forward to follow him from behind.
MAN: (V.O.) Perhaps that is the source of my alienation right there, the fact that I don’t hide my feelings. I don’t shy away from them or pretend they don’t exist. Most people aren’t like that. If a negative feeling surfaces they do everything in their power to suppress it.
Man walks over to the edge, camera panning with him. Once again we can see the river. Camera is behind Man. The sun shines around his dark silhouette.
MAN: (V.O.) And they always walk around their problems with other people instead of facing them. If an issue arises, they beat around the bush. They use euphemisms, drop obscure hints…until things get so awkward they have to withdraw from the person completely. I take no part in such nonsense. When I have a problem with someone, they know about it as soon as possible. I have no time for games. Life’s too short to mess around like that. Besides, why let something build and build when you could confront the person and probably come up with a solution right then and there?
Man is walking toward the camera, which pulls back as he progresses. There is a used bookstore to his right with a table of books out in front. He stops to look.
MAN: (V.O.) God, no wonder why it seems I don’t belong in this world! I feel that way because I really don’t! Forget about missing the days of individuality. The days of honesty are gone too, and that’s what I should really be mourning.
Man is leaning against a railing, looking off in the distance with a blank stare.
MAN: (V.O.) Well, luckily there is one source of sanity in this godforsaken life of mine…one focal point, one safety net, one person who actually makes me feel reconnected and whole. (takes Woman’s picture out of his pocket) Yes, that’s what she does for me. Damn shame her schedule is so hectic. I hardly get to see her. (pauses) Damn shame.
Camera is overhead, pointed down at his pillows. Man climbs into bed, arranges himself in a comfortable position, then drifts off.
MAN: (V.O.) I know what you’re thinking. It’s a cliché as old as…probably as old as the human race. In all kinds of films and literature, women are pictured as either pure angelic saviors or a dirty destructive manipulative lying monsters…or whores, in layman’s terms. (pauses) Well, what can I say? Sometimes, even though I don’t really want to, I find myself thinking in clichés.
Man is seated on a stool, playing a particular guitar chord sequence repeatedly and singing different words over it. When he finds a line he likes, he stops playing so he can write it down.
MAN: (V.O.) I must have composed a dozen songs about her, trying to express how she makes me feel. (pauses) She’ll never hear any of them. They aren’t good enough.
Camera is pointed at a tree, slowly moving forward. As it gets closer, it starts to pan around to the front of the tree. We see Man sitting against it reading a book. During his narration camera swings around him in an arc until it is behind him on the opposite side, at which point it pulls back.
MAN: (V.O.) Everything about her…well, everything I know so far…is just perfect. She’s not one of those types who’s concerned with how a guy looks, what kind of clothes he wears, what kind of car he drives. She doesn’t care if a guy has a slightly strange personality or an off-the-wall sense of humor. She’s not uptight at all; she could laugh at a racist joke or even a sexist one. And when it comes to me talking about what I’ve been up to lately, she doesn’t get all bent out of shape with jealousy if most of the people I’ve been hanging out with have been women.
Man is walking by. Camera pans with him.
MAN: (V.O.) Yes, hanging out. That’s the only thing wrong with our relationship. I hardly ever get to see her, but I don’t hold that against her. She’s too important for me to be so childish.
Camera is facing the doorway. Man enters. He turns to look at a calendar hanging
by the door. Close-up of the calendar as he grabs a pen and marks off today. The message “DATE, 6 PM” is scrawled on it.
MAN: (V.O.) Besides, how can I complain when I get to see her today?
Man is sipping tea and scribbling away in a journal. Camera starts out in the dining room and zooms in on him.
MAN: (V.O.) I feel so anxious to see her that I’m distracted from whatever I try to do to pass the time. Writing, playing guitar, reading…even sleeping. All prove futile. But that’s all right. I’m glad I feel this thrill about seeing her.
Camera is positioned so the house is on the left of the screen. Man is walking toward the camera, smiling and holding a single rose.
MAN: (V.O.) I just wish I could understand the magic she has that erases the loneliness in my heart. What kind of spell does it take to bring a ghost back to life? (pauses) Maybe it’s better I don’t know the answer. Maybe not understanding is what makes her so special to me.
Cut to a shot of the camera facing the house. Man walks up the steps and rings the bell. He fidgets, puts his hands in his pockets, then takes them out, turns back to the door, looks up. Then the door starts to open and he faces it attentively. WOMAN leans out. She is dressed in a relaxed, around-the-house outfit (maybe pajamas or shorts and a tank top). She smiles when she recognizes him.
WOMAN: Hi! Glad you made it.
MAN: Yeah, it’s been a while. (extends rose to her) Oh, I picked this up for you.
WOMAN: (takes it) Thanks. (pauses) Well, come on up.
She turns away and disappears inside. Man follows, closing the door.
Woman is heading up. She stops and looks back to wait for him. Camera follows them as they climb the stairs.
Camera is positioned so the front door is on the left. Straight ahead we can see through a doorway into a kitchen. There is a computer desk slightly to the right. The front door opens. Woman stands by it until Man walks in. She shuts the door, and he turns to her.
WOMAN: I was just making some tea. Would you like some?
MAN: Sure, that’d be great. (starts removing his jacket) Where can I put my jacket?
WOMAN: Oh, just throw it on that chair.
MAN: All right. (puts it on the chair) Do you need any help?
WOMAN: No, that’s okay. Grab yourself a seat on the couch. I’m just going to put this flower in some water and get everything ready.
MAN: Sounds good to me.
WOMAN: Okay. I already had the kettle on before you came over, so it shouldn’t be too long.
Cut to a shot of the couch.
Man walks over and sits down. He sits on the edge, trying to relax. It isn’t working.
Every gesture he makes conveys nervousness: looking around, scratching his
neck, lacing his fingers, sitting back only to bounce back to the edge again.
He notices a book on the coffee table and picks it up, then sets it down only a
second later. He looks over toward the kitchen, and only then does his
fidgeting stop. Man stands up and walks over to the kitchen. Camera pans
left. He hovers in the doorway. Cut to:
Camera is facing Man and zooming in on his face. He looks relaxed, almost at peace. Cut to Woman as she walks around the kitchen doing various things: putting the flower in water, getting out cups and spoons for tea, straightening up little things here and there.
MAN: (V.O.) God, how I love watching her. Just being near her makes me feel so…so…well, it defies description. It’s so overwhelming I nearly faint at the sight of her. She has so much grace in every gesture she makes, in every word she says. (pauses) How can she even exist? Such perfection, such beauty seems impossible, and yet there she is.
Cut to Man again, camera still zooming in.
MAN: (V.O.) I wish I could claim her as my own, but that’ll never happen. She’s so much bigger than me. (pauses) I’d never be able to hold on to so much beauty.
Cut to Woman. She notices him standing there and stops what she is doing.
WOMAN: Did you need something?
MAN: (smiling) No, not really. I was just…I was just watching you. (pauses) Does that bother you?
WOMAN: No, not at all.
MAN: You must be used to guys watching you. I bet you get stared at wherever you go.
WOMAN: (shrugs) I guess I do sometimes. Usually I just ignore it.
MAN: Well, it wouldn’t surprise me. (pauses) You’re very beautiful.
WOMAN: (resumes getting things ready) Thanks.
MAN: (awkward) Well…I guess I’ll just…go back and wait on the couch.
He heads back into the living room. Cut to:
Man sits down on the couch. He picks up the book again, but this time he is more focused on reading it.
MAN: (V.O.) If only I could tell her how I felt…(pauses) To this day I haven’t said a word about how I really feel about her. Things are so wonderful between us the way they are. How can I risk making it all fall apart by saying something that might make her feel awkward around me? (pauses) Better to keep my mouth shut. Better to enjoy our time together and what we already have.
The teakettle starts to whistle. Woman turns the burner off and pours some tea.
WOMAN: (shouting) Okay, we’re all set.
Close shot of the coffee table as Man sets his cup down on it. Now we pan up and pull back. Man and Woman are both on the couch. He sits on the edge; she sits to his right (our left) facing him, her legs curled up beneath her.
MAN: Wow, this is some really good tea.
WOMAN: If you really like it I could give you a few bags. I buy a lot of it, so sparing a few wouldn’t hurt.
MAN: Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.
An awkward silence passes between them. He looks at her skittishly, gives a nervous smile. She sits there completely at ease, looking him over and waiting for him to speak. When he resumes talking, Man will look over at her but with very quick glances during which he doesn’t make eye contact.
MAN: I’m sorry.
WOMAN: About what?
MAN: Being so quiet today. I just…I don’t know. Well, first of all, you know how I am. I’m always skittish around people.
WOMAN: That’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.
MAN: I mean, I like seeing you. I like being with you, and I’ve felt relaxed enough to be myself around you in the past. (sighs) But I don’t know. Whenever I see you, it always takes me some time to warm back up. (pauses) I guess it’s because the gap between the times I see you is always so long.
WOMAN: Well, you know how that goes. That can’t be helped.
MAN: Oh, yeah I know that. I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty about it.
WOMAN: But sweety, it’s okay if you feel shy or don’t have much to say. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. (pauses) All right?
MAN: (sighs) Okay. (pauses; sips his tea; looks at her) So, what’s been going on with you lately?
WOMAN: Oh, not much. I’ve had to work extra hard lately. My mom had some kind of problem with her gall bladder and had to get an operation. Then her insurance fell through on her, so I had to help out.
MAN: That’s terrible! Is she okay?
WOMAN: Yeah, she’s recovering just fine. And on top of that bad news, one of my girlfriends got stabbed a couple nights ago.
MAN: (shocked) Jesus! You got all kinds of crazy melodrama going on.
WOMAN: Unfortunately, that’s the way it usually is.
MAN: Yeah, I know what you mean. It seems to be that way for people from all walks of life. People who have lots of money, who are financially secure, who don’t have to fear the possibility of living on the streets in a week…they still get into all kinds of trouble. I don’t understand why you would want to do that. Why would you want to create trouble when there’s no need for it?
WOMAN: Maybe for some of those people it’s a choice between negative attention or none at all.
MAN: Possibly. (shakes his head) I guess it’ll never make any sense to me. I mean, my life consists of sleeping, eating, playing guitar, and going to and from work. Hardly any attention gets thrown my way, positive or negative, but I like it that way! I don’t want my life to be a melodramatic mess.
WOMAN: You’re lucky then. If you craved attention bad enough, you’d probably take whatever came your way even if it was all negative. (pauses) How have things been going for you?
MAN: Well, you know…just more of the same. I can’t complain, but then again I can’t brag either.
WOMAN: What about dating? Have you had any romance lately?
Slowly Man turns to face her. Cut to a close-up on her, then back to him.
MAN: (V.O.) For an instant I consider telling her everything. I want to unleash the raging river of emotion that I struggle to hold back every time she is near me. God, what a relief it would be to let it all out in the open…to finally let her know she is the only thing that makes me feel alive. She makes me believe my life has a purpose. (pauses) She came along when I was on the brink of giving up. I was completely prepared to kill myself, but then she walked into my life…and she saved me. (pauses) Yes, for a brief moment I am ready to tell her all of this, (pauses; looks away from her) but the moment passes.
WOMAN: (hesitant) So…I take it that means no romance?
MAN: No. Nothing significant anyway. A date here and there.
WOMAN: And how did those go?
MAN: I don’t know. Not too well, I guess. (sighs) I just…
He stands up. Camera tilts up to keep his face in the shot. Man walks off-screen. Camera pans down to Woman.
WOMAN: What is it? What’s bothering you?
Cut to Man standing over by the window. He leans forward as if to look outside, but his eyes are pointed down at his feet.
MAN: I just don’t feel like I fit in with anyone in this world. I mean, (stands up straight) look at me!
WOMAN: What’s wrong with how you look? I think you look fine.
MAN: Well, that’s great. Thank you. I sincerely do appreciate that. It’d be a perfect world if everyone else I met were like you. But let’s face it: whether we want to admit it or not, we live in a predominantly superficial society. When one person decides to walk up to a total stranger and talk to them, it’s usually because they found that stranger attractive. I hate to admit this because all my life I’ve said inner beauty is more important than how a person looks, but it’s all a sham. I can be just as superficial as the next jerk.
WOMAN: But everyone can be that way sometimes.
MAN: Oh, believe me, I know that because I run into people who are nothing but superficial 24-7. And that is exactly what’s been wrong with these dates. I mean, I don’t look like what you would call the average person walking down the streets. I have never subscribed to mainstream fashion. I don’t give a damn whether it’s cooler to wear Tommy Hilfiger or Abercrombie and Fitch. I don’t waste my time thinking about that crap. I’ve got more important things to do.
WOMAN: That’s one of the things I like most about you. I think it’s one of your most impressive qualities.
MAN: (pacing) But I feel like it’s one of my biggest drawbacks. It’s probably the main reason why I feel so lonely. All my life I’ve been told it’s good to be an individual. Everyone is a beautiful unique creature, and you should be proud of who you are. Right? Well, ideally that may be so, but the person who strives and succeeds at being an individual is also isolated by that very same uniqueness. If you are truly different from everyone else, how can you feel a real bond with another human being? And that’s my problem: I don’t identify with anyone. I don’t understand the way these people around me live their lives. You know who I mean…that whole crew of people who worry that they might be doing or saying or wearing something that isn’t cool, that isn’t considered hip or “in.”
WOMAN: I don’t think you’d be happy with someone like that anyway.
MAN: I agree, but then you have to ask: what choice does that leave me? Instead of going for a girl wearing Abercrombie I could move in the totally opposite direction. Sure, why not? There are tons of other people out there like me who aren’t interested in mainstream fashion. But then we are talking about a girl who probably will have countless piercings, so many tattoos that you can’t even see skin anymore, and a head-to-toe black outfit. I’d be talking about a Goth-style chick, and they aren’t really my type either. Seeing metal shoved through every available piece of flesh doesn’t turn me on. (laughs) So I’m stuck. Stuck right in the friggin’ middle. Too odd for the mainstream crowd, but not far out enough for the Goth scene.
WOMAN: So then, what do you think you should do?
MAN: (stops pacing, laughs) That’s what it all boils down to, isn’t it? What can I do? I can’t tell you the number of hours I’ve wasted beating my brains out, trying to answer that…only to just fizzle out, collapse in my bed, and fall asleep so fast I don’t even have the time to say, “I give up.” (pauses) Well you wanna know something? I do give up. (getting passionate) I give up on feeling bad about this. I give up on feeling this is my fault, like I have some kind of personality flaw just because women don’t flock after me. I mean, is it my fault no one seems to be compatible with me? Of course not! (flustered) What can I do about it? Nothing! There’s nothing I can do…nothing anyone can do! I can’t make someone want me. They either do or they don’t. (energy fizzles out; chuckles) Christ, listen to me going on. There’s another thing I used to complain about all the time: people getting on soapboxes.
Cut to Woman. Man joins her on the couch.
WOMAN: That’s okay though. Actually, I’m glad you got so worked up. Look what came of it: you just figured out how to get over something that’s been really bothering you. (pauses) I was hoping you’d realize you’re not at fault.
MAN: Yeah…well, thanks for the guidance. Personally, I’m kind of upset with myself for not seeing that solution earlier. Seems so obvious now.
WOMAN: Well, you know what people say: hindsight is always 20-20.
MAN: I guess that’s true. (runs his fingers through his hair) Dammit, I hate when I start bellyaching about this stuff. Look at all the terrible things in the world. There’s rape and murder going on in just about every place you look. There are little kids with leukemia. Shit, I bet you right now as we speak someone is giving head to a total stranger so they can get their next fix…and here I am whining about not being loved.
WOMAN: Don’t worry about that. Everyone’s got a different threshold for the suffering they can handle.
MAN: Maybe so. (sighs) I just can’t help but wish that my threshold was a little higher, you know? (pauses) Or a lot higher, actually.
He lets out a short chuckle, but there is no amusement in the sound. Man stares straight ahead as his smile slowly dissolves into a frown. He buries his face in his hands. Woman changes her position on the couch, moving so she sits right next to him. Close-up on his shoulder as Woman puts a comforting hand there. Camera pulls back and pans right as Man raises his face up to look at her hand, then over to her. Woman’s face joins his in the shot. For the first time his eyes lock on hers and do not waver. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but she puts her fingertips against his lips to silence him. Man gently takes hold of her hand and kisses her fingers. He moves her hand over to his cheek. Cautiously Man leans forward to kiss her, not sure if this gesture will be welcome. Woman moves her hand from his shoulder to the back of his head and pulls him forward. They linger like that for a moment, their mouths pressed together, making contact but not really kissing. Slowly it dawns on Man what his current situation is, and he starts to respond to her. Man moves toward her. Woman starts to lean back, then abruptly puts a hand on his chest to push him back.
WOMAN: Wait…wait a second.
MAN: (worried he has done wrong) What? What is it?
Camera switches view. It is now at the end of the couch, with Man’s back to us. Woman stands up and grabs his hand, tugging on it.
WOMAN: The bedroom.
MAN: (relieved) Oh, right! (gets to his feet) Good idea.
When he is finally standing up, their kissing resumes without missing a beat. Woman starts backing away toward the bedroom. Man eagerly follows. Cut to:
Camera is facing the doorway as the two figures stumble in. The lighting is low; we cannot make them out at first. Eventually, though, it becomes apparent their kisses are more passionate, and their hands have come slightly into play.
MAN: (breathlessly between kisses) I’ve got to say something to you. I really don’t think I should even tell you this, but I can’t help it. I feel I’ve got to be honest with you.
WOMAN: (same as him) Yes. Go on, go on.
MAN: Every day I feel so out of it, so dead and disconnected from the world, but you…when I see you, it’s like I’m plugged back into what’s real.
WOMAN: (fidgeting with his shirt) I’m glad you feel that way.
MAN: I’m so sick of living my life feeling like a goddamn ghost. (pauses) You make me feel alive.
WOMAN: Good. Now help me get your shirt off.
MAN: (assisting her) Alive…God, yes…alive.
Having finally worked the last button free, Woman pushes his shirt off his shoulders and down his arms. Once it slides free she starts kissing her way down his chest. Dissolve to:
31 INT
WOMAN’S BEDROOM (LATER)
Man and Woman are lying side by side. Camera is above them, looking down. His arm is around her. She is snuggled up to him, looking rather comfortable and happy. After the dissolve completes, Man begins to stir. He starts to stretch until he remembers the warm body beside him. He rubs his eyes with his free hands and yawns. Man raises his head as far as he can without disturbing Woman so he can see the clock. He curses and starts to carefully extricate his arm. She does not stir. Cut to a normal shot, this one from the foot of the bed, as Man gets out from under the covers and stands up, dressed in just his boxers. Now he allows himself a full-blown stretch, then starts looking for his clothes.
MAN: (searching) Shit, where the hell are my pants? (goes over to her side, lightly shakes Woman) Hey. (pauses) Hey, sweety, I gotta be on my way.
WOMAN: (moving, groggy) Wha…what’d you say?
MAN: I said I’ve got to leave. (pauses) Do you mind if I turn a light on? I can’t find my damn pants.
WOMAN: Sure, go ahead. (flinching when the light comes on) I always hate that.
Man finds his pants and puts them on. Woman stretches, rolls over, and looks at the clock while Man finds his socks, shoes, and shirt.
WOMAN: (sitting up) You’re right. You do have to leave. I’ve got an appointment to make in about ten minutes.
MAN: (putting on his shoes) You do? Damn, we’re lucky we woke up when we did. I can’t believe we drifted off before setting the alarm. (pauses) So where do you have to go for this appointment?
WOMAN: (yawning) Nowhere. It’s going to be right nere.
MAN: (slows down momentarily; sounding disappointed) Oh. (pauses) Well...hey, you know…that’s convenient. After all, what other reason is there to have your own place? I mean your honest to God own place. No relatives, no roommates, nothing. A clean break...total privacy. You can do as you please.
WOMAN: You got it. And it’s easier for me because I don’t have a car. I hate going by bus or taxi all the time.
MAN: Yeah, I can imagine that’d get pretty expensive. Plus with a bus you have to stand around and go by their schedule. I know I’d hate that!
WOMAN: Yeah, no kidding.
MAN: (thinking for a moment) Okay, well…looks like I’m about ready.
He grabs his shirt off the bed beside him. Cut to a shot of Man by himself as he stands up and puts his shirt on. He starts buttoning it up. During the following conversation, the camera starts off by cutting back and forth between them. (To avoid monotony, throw in some variations...maybe a wandering Woody Allen-esque type of motion.)
MAN: (turning toward Woman) So…um… (takes out his wallet), how much?
WOMAN: Oh, I think $100 will do.
MAN: (taking out the money) A hundred? Wow, that’s fifty less than my last visit, (hands her the money) and I think I stayed longer this time too.
WOMAN: (sets money on nightstand) Yeah, well…I have my reasons for charging less.
MAN: (laughing) And what might they be?
WOMAN: (smirks) Oh, it’s just that I had fun this time too.
MAN: (perturbed) Fun this time?
WOMAN: (trying to recover from how the last remark sounded) Oh, no! No, I always have fun when you come over. That was just my euphemistic way of saying I had an orgasm.
MAN: Oh! I see! (laughs) So I take it that means it’s been a while?
WOMAN: You wouldn’t believe how long it’s been.
MAN: (shrugs) I bet I would. I mean, people feel they are visiting you for their pleasure. They don’t think about you.
WOMAN: It seems like you do.
MAN: (laughs uneasily) Yeah. What can I say? I always put the needs of others ahead of my own, even in situations where I don’t have to.
WOMAN: Whatever it is, I appreciate it. That’s why you’re one of my top five favorite customers. (catches herself) No, make that top three.
MAN: (embarrassed) Thanks. (pauses) Well, I better get outta here. Hey, when can I see you again?
WOMAN: (thinking it over) I’m not quite sure right now. I’ll have to look at my schedule, but right now I should get ready for my next visitor. Do you mind seeing yourself out?
MAN: No, that’s fine. (moves toward door) I’ll give you a ring on your cell phone, (pauses) and I got your pager number too, I believe.
WOMAN: (getting out of bed) Okay, either method is fine.
MAN: All right. I’ll see you later.
WOMAN: (going into her closet; waves) Bye.
He hovers in the doorway as if he wants to do or say something, but he isn’t sure what. Woman is completely involved in picking out a new wardrobe and doesn’t even notice his hesitation. Another moment passes, and he heads out.
Man grabs his jacket and puts it on. We can see by the look on his face that some intense thinking is going on behind that long face.
MAN: (V.O.) I told her. Jesus, I can’t believe I told her everything! What a fool I am! (pauses) But I couldn’t help myself. It all came out in a rush before I knew what I was doing.
Man looks down at the coffee table. Cut to a shot of it from Man’s P.O.V. Their teacups still sit there half-full, as if they were patiently waiting for the rest of their contents to be consumed. Cut to Man. He picks up both teacups and goes out to the kitchen.
Man walks over to the sink and sets the cups in it. Then he walks back out.
He immediately heads out the front door.
Camera is at the bottom of the stairs facing upward. Man is coming out. He hesitates once the door is closed, his hand still on the knob. Then, looking defeated, he starts heading downstairs.
MAN: (V.O.) Oh well. No harm done. She heard everything I said, but she wasn’t really listening.
Man is walking away from the camera. He looks to his right and suddenly stops. Cut to OTHER MAN on the other side of the street, walking toward Woman’s house. Camera pans with him as he goes up the steps and rings the bell. Cut to a close-up of Man’s eyes. Cut to Other Man waiting on the steps. Woman answers (in a different outfit from before) and lets Other Man in. Cut to same close-up on Man. As camera pulls back we can see the tense look on his face, as if there is some emotion that he is struggling to not let show.
MAN: (V.O.) I’m not going to be upset. I’m not going to be childish or selfish. She isn’t mine, and besides…what the hell…I mean, do I think I’m the only soul that needs saving?
Man closes his eyes, looks as if he is concentrating on something very challenging. He lets out a deep, relaxing breath. For a brief moment he looks up at the sky. Cut to a panoramic sweep of the heavens. Cut to Man. His eyes slowly wander from the sky back down to earth. Then he snaps out of his trance, looks left and right, then turns around and walks off.
THE END
