Folks
Portland Oregon
First Draft
by p.l.carrico
Interior-Morning-Apartment
Overhead shot of Fred and Irene in bed. Under the blankets it is apparent Fred enters, ejaculates early and is then abandoned in bed by a bored Irene.
Opening Credits Over a Montage of a lifeless work day.
Interior-Evening
Overhead shot of Fred and Irene in bed. Under the blankets it is apparent Fred enters and ejaculates early and is abandoned in bed by a bored Irene.
Irene
Lets go.
Interior- Car Evening. Fred and Irene drive to the diner party with out speaking.
Interior-Kitchen-dusk
A wrestles din of females cooking. Diane, Brie and Emily are dressed trendily. All in their late twenties. They speak in non sequitor and rummage through grocery bags. They are filling a large salad bowl.
Exterior-porch-dusk
Three men stand in silence. They are first only visible by the red glow of their cigarettes and lighters. One of them lights a ridiculous tiki torch.
Interior Kitchen-dusk
Emily
Where is the Thai Peanut Sauce?
Brie
Up top shelf. I can’t see it. Brian hides it from me because he hates it.
Emily
Ok.
Diane
Pollenta! We should make pollenta!
Brie
Yum!
Emily
Is this it?
Brie
Yeah, no. Oh, I know what that is.
Emily
What is this? (Smelling it)
Brie
You know what that is?
Emily
No what? (Smiling it again)
Brie
Brian was sick with pneumonia, real sick. He was going to work looking like a zombie for like a month. Found out he was like dying. Totally dying. Finally on his birthday we take him into the vet... yeah. And find out he is totally dying. They gave him this big bottle of codiene cough syrup. I put it up there on the top shelf because he quit drinking.
Emily
Eww.
Brie
That stuff makes me totally sick.
Emily
Eww.
Brie
Totally.
Emily
I’m going to flush it. Can I flush it?
Brie
Totally
Emily
I’m gonna flush it.
interior-bathroom
Emily
fucking childproof caps
interior-kitchen
Diane screams.
Exterior-Porch
Men hear scream and don’t react.
interior -bathroom
Emily drops bottle in trash and runs to kitchen.
interior-kitchen
Emily
What? What?
Diane
Oh my god.
Emily
What?
Diane
I saw that the red vine vinaigrette in the salad and I thought it was blood.
Emily
You scared me!
Diane
You scared me!
Interior-Cubard. Emily opens the door and takes a bottle of vodka.
Interior-Kitchen
Emily Naughtily fills each of the women's glasses with vodka.
Interior-car-dark commute
Fred’s silhouette smokes as the city passes. Slowly Irene's voice fades in.
Fred Sneezes several times causing Irene great physical pain. He drinks his cough syrup.
Irene
I mean what's the point? With all that I’ve done and the apartments lease, the cat and my parents. It’s pressure on me and you put pressure on me. Pressure. I can’t take it. All of it is adding up. Out of no where. It’s driving me psychotic. I mean people are talking to me everyday but it’s not making sense. I just want to take my shoes off and beat them on the ground. You know? Do you? Look at me. Look at me.
Fred
Yes
Irene
Do you?
Fred
You want to beat your shoes on the ground.
Irene
Fuck you
Exterior-Dusk
Irene Pulls car over into desolate parking lot.
Irene
Fuck you. Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you.
Interior- Car
Fred delicately puts cigarette out. Unbuckles seat belt, rolls up window and exits car.
Exterior- Parking lot
Irene sees Fred approach and runs a short distance and sits down and takes her shoes off and beats them on the pavement.
Irene
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.
Exterior-Night- Parking lot
Fred rolls up sleeves and prepares to lift Irene back towards car.
Irene
Don’t touch me, don’t touch me. Fuck you. I hate you.
Exterior- Porch
Brian
When speaking of speaking, the bull shit is peaking.
Dale
Who said that?
Brian
I did.
Dale
I mean when was that first said?
Brian
I think on november 11th, 2007.
Dale
That’s pretty good.
Brian
It just came to me.
Dale
But I still believe in a rational universe where things can be discovered through intellectual inquiry...speaking logically and intellectually...
Brian
You think discourse... yields a thing? A product?
Dale
Yes, it’s by decoding the precepts... the tools by which we understand the universe by decoding these tools, we can learn things.
Brian
When speaking of speaking, the bull shit is peaking.
Andrew
When the bull shit is peaking, the red badger is sneaking. Don’t listen to me.
Exterior-Parking Lot
Fred hoists Irene's screaming body back into their car.
Interior- car- Night
Irene is weeping and talking.
Irene
I can’t face another one of these stupid diner parties. I can’t stand anyone anymore. It’s so stupid, all of it. I want to die. (She continues hysterically until they pull up to the house where the diner party is). I want you to quit being the morbid quiet ax murder you’ve turned into since you quit drinking and...
Exterior- Night- Front door of diner party house
Irene
You are a statue. Another face on the fucking Train into town. Another fucking...
Interior- Night
Emily opens door to reveal Fred and Irene. Irene instantly turns into an animate broad again. Fred sneezes several consecutive times. Irene leaves him on the threshold and the door swings shut on him. Bleary eyed, Fred Stumbles into the bathroom. While sneezing he drops his cough medicine into the trash. He retrieves the codeine on accident.
Exterior-Night
One of the smoking men lights a lamp.
Dale
I know they drink in there.
Brian
Yeah. When I kiss Brie, my heart races and I get cold chills. It isn’t love, its an alcoholics panic attack. Love is a far more angry and repetitive thing.
Dale
Love is an angry and repetitive thing.
Fred Enters The Porch.
Dale
Is love an angry and repetitive thing?
Brian
Is it?
Andrew
When speaking of peaking, the the women are shrieking.
Dale
When speaking of... ahh. I see.
Fred
Love is a n angry and repetitive thing.
Dale
Do you agree or are you restating the premise?
Andrew
Its the topic
Brian
The women are drinking.
Andrew
And it’s making our poor hearts flutter.
Interior-cubord
Emily opens the door and takes the bottle of vodka out again.
Interior-Kitchen
The women are louder.
Emily
I mean I am so glad the boys don't drink anymore. The instability of it.
Brie
God Yeah.
Irene
They were all so unstable. Screaming screaming yelling in the middle of the night.
Brie
Now they're zombies.
Emily (Too Loud)
Zombies!
Exterior-Night Porch
Dale
If it were only true.
Interior - Night
The hideous bowl of ingredients gets more absurd.
Brie
This needs ginger.
Emily
Oil. Lots of oil.
Irene
Olive oil (Irene swills a drink.
Diane
I don't feel good.
Emily
Polenta. It needs polenta.
Irene
Awesome.
Exterior- Night
A crash is heard coming from the kitchen followed by cackling.
Dale
It’s hideous.
Brian
See, I don't think so. I think it’s a nuanced gray mass.
Dale
You don’t think it’s hideous?
Brian
See, If it were to be hideous, it would at times have to be beautiful.
Dale
Huh. That’s a good point.
Andrew
When speaking of peking,
the ducks are... ummm...
Fred
So in order for things to hideous, they have to be at times...
Brian
Glorious.
Dale
Are they ever glorious?
Fred
Who are you asking?
Brian
He is asking the nuanced gray mass of...
Andrew
It all.
Interior- Night- Dinner table.
Everyone sits in silence around a massive bowl of salad. The women are tussled and intoxicated. You can hear vomiting in the background. Then flushing. Diane emerges and sits solemnly next to Andrew.
(C/U of the salad)
Brian
The nuanced gray mass.
Fred Smirks.
Interior-night-car
The world passes by irene’s window as she sleeps. Several moments of silence pass. Fred stops at a bar parking lot and lingers without turning off the engine. He looks at Irene and pulls out of the parking lot again.
Fade
Interior- Morning- Bedroom
Fred Wakes with a start violently sneezing and coughing. He enters the bathroom where Irene is violently vomiting.
Irene
I’m fucking pregnant.
Fred
Maybe.
Sneezing Fred drinks his cough syrup. He turns and looms over Irene.
Irene
I’m fucking pregnant.
Fred
Look at me.
Irene Doesn’t look. She stares into the swill in the toilet.
Exterior-Morning
Fred leaves their apartment and begins his long walk through a parking lot. A depressed death march fades as he meets an ugly main street. He waits for a bus a long time, watching cars pass and two meth heads arguing from across the street. They make broad passes at each other, screaming and threatening each other.
Fred
Just stop it.
The meth head unite and embrace. Fred smiles. Fred gets on the bus.
Exteriors- down town
Fred notices ridiculous and beautiful things.
Interior-Morning-Office
Fred enters an empty building and sits at a desk He sneezes, coughs then drinks his cough syrup. A few seconds pass and he smiles.
Exterior-lunch.
Close up photographically composed shots of coffee and cigarettes, followed by an ability to focus on a beautiful stranger standing and smoking. Fred is intrigued.
Stranger
Fuck this.
Interior-Afternoon
Fred stares out the window of his work.
Exterior-Evening-Cafe
Fred, Dale Brian and Andrew sit around a table smoking.
Dale
We need to do something. (Pause) Don’t ya thing?
Andrew
No
Brian
It depends
Andrew
I agree
Dale
I mean we need to do something. Something... bigger than us.
Andrew
Bigger than us. We need to do something bigger than us?
Brian
That is the premise as I understand it.
Dale
I mean think about it.
Andrew
I am.
Dale
This here, what are we doing?
Brian
Certainly nothing bigger than... us.
Dale
Stop fucking around.
Andrew
I’m sorry.
Dale
No your not. Stop fucking around. I’m serious.
Andrew
We’ve stopped.
Brian
We’re listening
Dale
Lets do something. Like... I don’t know. Lets buy a boat.
Brian
Interesting.
Andrew
Ok.
Brian
What do you think Fred?
Fred
Buy a boat?
Brian
Or volunteer.
Andrew
Volunteer?
Brian
I don’t know about that. Are those the two options?
Fred
I could see me on a boat. Smoking a pipe.
Dale
See?
Brian
Who would technically own this boat. I mean for tax purposes?
Dale
One of our girlfriends or wives.
Andrew
Diabolical.
Dale
Yes.
Brian
And this boat. What... I mean where would we... Why? Why?
Dale
We need to do something.
Waitress Comes out of Cafe
Dale
Can I get a refill?
Waitress
I am on a smoke break.
Fred
I like it.
Dale
What?
Fred
The boat.
Brian
You like the boat?
Dale
Why do you like the boat?
Fred
I agree, this is bullshit. We need a boat.
Andrew
Can we vote?
Brian
Can we vote?
Dale
Never mind, I don’t want to own a fucking boat with any of you.
Fred
I want to do something...
Dale
Me too.
Interior Night
Fred watches TV and sips cough syrup. Irene comes in the house. She breezes by Fred and his attempt to kiss her. She brushes her teeth and puts on perfume. She then sits next to him on the couch. Fred tries to sit close to her.
Irene
I worked late. I’m sweaty.
Interior-Morning-bedroom
Fred is awakened by a slight movement in the bed. He opens his eyes and is aware Irene is masturbating. He doesn't disturb her. She goes into the bathroom.
Interior-Kitchen-Morning
Fred makes breakfast. Irene comes through the kitchen and leaves with a wave. Fred’s breakfast for two goes uneaten.
Interior-Office-Morning
Fred sits in silence. He then calls Dale.
Interior-(Cigar shop/cafe/thrift store where ever you can get where Dale works)
Dale
Hello
Fred
I want to do something bigger than all of us.
Dale
Fred?
Fred
Maybe start a business or something.
Dale
Maybe make a movie.
Fred
Something like that. I think I need it pretty soon.
Dale
I know what you mean.
(Long Pause)
Fred
Bye.
Exterior-Roof
Fred stands and considers his options.
Interior-Night-Max Train
Fred looks at a lone man far older than him on the train.
Interior-Night-Home
Fred comes home to Irene Crying.
Fred
I want to do something big. Soon.
Irene
Ok.
Interior-Night
Fred and Irene Sleep close.
Interior-Morning-Medicine cabinet
Fred takes a large swig of his codeine cough syrup.
Interior Morning-
With dramatic flair Fred cooks again a meal for two.
Irene
What’s wrong with you?
Fred
I am very Ill. I won’t be going to work today.
Coyly Irene Sneaks out of the kitchen. Fred sneaks a peak of her getting picked up in a car driven by a strange man. He continues to cook breakfast for two.
Interior-Morning
Dining room. Fred calls into work.
Interior-Office
Fred’s boss can hear music coming from Fred’s end of the line.
Fred
I am very ill and cannot make it to work today.
Boss
Ok. Will I see you tomorrow.
Fred
Probably.
Interior-morning-dining room
The song Fred has been listening to ends and he has nothing to do. Absently he leaves his home and begins to walk.
Exteriors-day
Fred walks downtown.
Interior- Bookstore
Fred looks at books about boats. He finds several of them and stacks them on a table. He looks at pictures of boaters. A great deal of time goes by. Emily from the diner party startles him.
Emily
Hi Fred
Fred
Hi Emily
Emily
What are you doing?
Fred
I am at a bookstore.
Emily
Yes. I mean what are you doing?
Fred
I am reading.
Emily
Stop it.
Fred
(Closing book) OK
Emily
What are you doing? Here? Now?
Fred
I am...
Fred
Emily
Shouldn’t you be at work?
Fred
No, I am not... there is nothing to do there today.
Emily
What?
Fred
There is nothing to do there... today. I mean, there isn't;t anything for me to do there in the office, so they sent me away.
Emily
That’s weird.
Fred
I think so. (Pause) So I came here.
Emily
What are you reading?
Fred
This book about boats.
Emily
Boats?
Fred
Brian was talking about making a boat.
Emily
Making a boat? Bui;lding a boat?
Fred
Maybe. I mean maybe buying one too.
Emily
That’s stupid.
Fred
I think so too, but I don’t know.
Emily
Why don’t you guys golf or something?
Fred
We don’t want to.
Emily
Brian can’t have a boat.
Fred
I’m sorry.
Emily
Ok. I have to go.
Fred
Me too.
Interior-Evening-Brian’s office
Brian is working, he is getting several phone calls at once.
Fred
I bought these books on boats.
Brian
Ok (Talks on the phone and tries to type).
Fred
This one says there’s buried treasure on the Oregon shore.
Brian
Where?
Fred
It doesn’t say.
Brian
Well.
Fred
Look at this picture.
Brian
I am very busy.
Fred
I was thinking we need a change.
Brian
You sound like your loosing your fucking mind.
Fred
No I don’t, you do.
Brian
Why do I sound like... how do I sound like I’m loosing my mind.
Fred
You are angry at boats and treasure.
Brian
I am too busy to think about boats and treasure.
Fred
Well, that’s the thing. You can be too busy to talk about boats and treasure and big changes in our lives, but getting angry about it is kind of weird, don’t you think.
Brian
I am angry at you.
Fred
That’s unfair.
Brian
(Long pause as he works) Why is that unfair.
Fred
Irene is mad at me too.
Brian
Is this about Irene.
Fred
(Looks around) Yes.
Brian
What’s wrong with Irene
Fred
She needs a big change.
Brian
Can I meet you later?
Fred
Yes.
Interior-Night-Apartment
Dales apartment is tiny and awful. It is a shrine to digital media. There is no where to sit.
Dale
So you are taking this boat thing pretty seriously.
Fred
Why not?
Dale
I mean we do need something.
Fred
(Long pause) I’m afraid to go home.
Dale
Are you breaking up?
Fred
With Irene? I don’t think so.
Brian walks in.
Brian
Hello Dale. Hello Fred. I think we should start drinking again.
Dale and Fred look at the bottle Brian produces from his jacket. Some time passes.
Dale
I don’t want to.
Brian
Why not?
Dale
I don’t want to.
Brian
Jesus. We keep talking about doing something. I’ve been thinking about it and the only way were going to do something is if we get good and drunk and do it.
Fred
(Coughing Nervously and sneezing)
I don;t know.
Brian
I am going to do it.
Dale
Aren’t you worried and Emily?
Brian
Yes, yes I am.
Brian drinks from the bottle. Fred and Dale watch and wait.
Brian
Stop staring at me.
Dale
I have to go.
Brian
This is your place.
Dale
I have to get out of here.
Brian
Where are you going?
Dale
I don’t know...
Brian
If you go to Brie’s house, don’t you fucking tell on me. Brie will tell Emily and then I’ll be fucked.
Dale
I need to think
Dale leaves. Fred stares at Brian's bottle, then retrieves his own bottle.
Brian
Fuck. This is ridiculous.
Fred
I know.
Brian
This is different. I mean this shit has been dragging out for ever. Day to day bull shit.
Fred
There is evidence of a ship wreck in the Nahelem Bay on the Oregon shore...
(Brian is lost in his own thoughts as he drinks) There were these wax seals found.
Brian
It’s this... wound. It’s like a scab. It’s not machinery... like the Charlie Chaplain movie... life is like this scar and scab that you keep picking at. It heals a little but then you get bored and try to peel it off and it oozes again.
Fred
(Producing his book) There were these wax seals found in the bay.
Brian
Wax seals?
Fred
Yeah. Years ago they found these wax seals, and they only could have come from Spain. A long time ago.
Brian
What the fuck?
Fred
Like Goonies.
Brian
What kind of... like (makes a sea lion sound).
Fred
What are you doing?
Brian
I am making the sound.
What sound?
Brian
The seal sound.
Fred
No, not that kind of seal.
Brian
What kind of seal?
Fred
Like an impression... when you put a symbol in wax.
Brian
I see. Like on a bottle of Makers Mark whiskey.
Fred
Yeah.
Brian
It’s like every time I think, I want to give the world an ultimatum. But I never do and nothing changes. I get distracted. Emily says to live in the here and now. Then she squirts some perfume on her self and throws a diner party.
Fred
Do you want to look for the treasure?
Brian
You sound like a fucking ten year old.
Fred
(The idea dies in Fred’s head. He shuts the book and becomes despondent) I have to go.
Brian
What?
Fred
I have to go home.
Brian
Your going to leave me here? After getting me all fucked up in the head.
Interior-evening-Dale’s apartment hallway
Brian yells at Fred as he walks away. A woman franticly tries to put her keys in a door.
Brian
So you fucking drag me out of my office to look for buried treasure and leave me here thinking about pirates and bloody scabs and walk away? What the fuck?
Exterior-Night
Fred begins his walk home. A young couple in a buss stop making out stops him briefly.
Interior-Night-Fred’s home
Irene is watching TV in sweats. Fred comes in rapidly.
Irene
Emily called me. (Fred sits next to her) She said you were at the bookstore today. (Fred takes away the food Irene is eating) She said you were looking at books about boats. (Fred nods and kisses her) she said you were fired or laid off work, is that true? (Fred shakes his head) Well what were you doing there? (Fred shrugs and lays her out on the couch) Honey (Fred opens his fly) Honey (Fred begins to disrobe Irene) I really need to know what you were doing at the books store. Now.
Fred stops, looks at the TV. An old horror movie of a girl being pursued by a monster is playing.
Fred
I was thinking of doing something different.
Irene
Like what?
Fred
I don’t know.
An uncomfortable pause follows where Fred looms over Irene.
Interior-Bathroom
Fred sneezes and drinks his cough syrup. HE looks at himself in the mirror. Irene’s clothes are everywhere.
Interior-Living room
Irene Masturbates while watching the monster pursue the the woman.
Interior-Bathroom
Fred Masturbates.
Interior-Living room
Irene finishes and sits up.
Interior-bathroom
Fred finishes and for lack of a better idea washes his hands and flushes the toilet.
Interior-Living room
Fred sits next to Irene. After a moment she lays her head on his shoulder. He kisses her head and she falls asleep.
Interior-Kitchen-Morning
Irene has cooked a meal. A hung over looking Fred breezes by her.
Exterior-Morning-Day
Fred walks through parking lot. A young girl is painting a huge canvas. Fred notices it as he walks by. It is a large gray square. It angers him.
Exterior-Morning
Fred goes about his commute and is angered and annoyed by many things he sees. He has an anonymous work day. He suffers from a headache and stares blindly off into space.
Interior- Afternoon-Fred’s Work
Brian comes in drunk and excited.
Brian
Dude
Fred
I hate that work
Brian
What work
Fred
The word dude.
Brian
I think we should get a boat.
Fred
Right now?
Brian
Yes! I have been looking at them all day online. I want to sail a boat and drink rum. Damn it Fred, I want to drink rum.
Fred
Drink rum.
Brian
I will. On the boat.
Fred
Where will we put the boat?
Brian
Who fucking care?
Fred
I’ll tell you who fucking cares. The boat fucking cares.
Brian
I can live on it.
Fred
Yes you can. And drink rum.
Brian
Are you in?
Fred
Yes. As long as I don’t have to have anything to do with the boat.
Brian
What the fuck. I thought you were all about the boat thing.
Fred
Jesus. I’m sorry about yesterday.
Brian
It’s too late to talk about yesterday. Yesterday is gone, motherfucker. Today is today. And tomorrow is...
Fred
I refuse to finish that sentence.
(Fred’s Boss looms into the conversation)
Brian
Tomorrow is boat day. Tomorrow we drink rum and live on my boat. Yes, motherfucker, yes.
Fred
Wait here
(Fred stands, gets his coat and leaves)
Brian
(To boss) I don’t think he’s coming back
Exterior-Dusk-Parking lot
Fred sees young girl painting. He looks at her work. It is exactly the same as earlier. She smiles and nods at him. Fred shrugs and goes home.
Interior-Night-Home
Irene is folding laundry. It is everywhere.
Irene
I am sorry.
Fred
Why?
Irene
I want to you to trust me.
Fred
I do too. (turns on tv)
Irene
And if you are going to trust me, you need to trust... who I am. (Irene turns up song she’s listening to)
Fred
I trust that you are who you are, I guess.
Irene
I think you know that. I can;t remember when you didn’t know that I was human. I have done human things to and on you and I am ok with that.
Fred
I have a headache. It’s awful.
Irene
Our parents yelled and lied. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to dwell.
Fred
Dwell.
Irene
I want to be us. And we know what I do. And for us to be us, I have to be me.
Fred
I am going to bed.
Irene
I know you understand. This is me coming clean. Ok? What you think of me is true and I’m still here and I’m going to be here tomorrow. I will be here tomorrow.
Fred
I see.
Irene
And tomorrow is proof you love me. Ok?
Fred
Ok.
Interior-Bedroom
Fred sees the bed’s sheets and blankets have been washed and are missing. He takes a coat and puts it over himself. Irene comes into the bedroom, places the blankets folded on the bed and lays next to him.
Interior-Morning-Bedroom
Fred awakes beneath the coat, Irene is beneath the blankets. He initiates sex with her, but ejaculates prematurely. He then gets up and walks to the kitchen.
Interior-Morning-Kitchen
Fred sips syrup. He lights a cigarette and doodles boats.
Irene
I dream I loose my teeth, all the time.
Fred
I have that dream sometimes too.
Irene
I dream also I meet people. They seem very real. I miss them when I wake up.
Fred
I dream of water, a lot.
Irene
Weird. After work were meeting everyone, remember? (She offers him coffee, he ignores it and gets up to leave)
Fred
Yes.
Exterior-Morning-parking lot
Fred notices the girl is still there.
Interior-Morning-Irene’s Car
Irene drives by and watches Fred notice the girl.
Exterior-morning-Parking lot
Fred turns back to the house. He gets a cup of coffee and returns to the parking lot. As he hands it to the girl, Irene comes barreling out of her car and slaps the cup of coffee out the girls hand.
Irene
That’s my coffee. You can’t drink my coffee. Why, Fred, why do I do I have to masturbate?
Fred sees the painter isn’t too shocked by this and smiles and turns to walk away.
Irene
Don’t forget frisbee golf!
Interior- Evening - Mini Mart
Brian bumps into Irene in the wine isle
Brian
Bargaining with the devil.
Irene
I never quit.
Brian
I did. I really did.
Irene
I know.
Brian
I quit. I quit drinking. I let that life die in me... to me. Anything like being impulsive. Anything like living in the moment. I quit that.
Irene
It was taken from me. It was.
Brian
It’s taken from all of us at one point.
Exterior-Afternoon-Parking lot
Brian and Irene share a bottle of fruit flavored wine and and watch the traffic
Irene
I mean it’s sharing the horror. That’s what love should be. Sharing the terror and the horror. The black ugly, ugly terror.
Brian
But then again.
Irene
No, no then again again. It’s always then again again, then again again. Fuck the then again again.
Brian
But then again, when you share that horror, doesn't;t some of it go away? Doesn’t it?
Irene
(Pauses, thinks) No.
Brian
Not even a little. I mean there’s dying terrified and fighting a disgusting meaningless repetitious life, then there’s dying a terrified disgusting meaningless life with someone.
Irene
I have never felt so alone than with Fred... sometimes.
Brian
Well, does he feel alone?
Irene
I know he does. And know mater what I do, I can;t prove to him I’m there.
Brian
I think I am you and Emily is Fred.
Irene
You are Irene... and Fred is Emily... and emily is who?
Brian
Fred
Irene
Brian is Irene, Fred is Emily. Who is Irene?
Brian
Brian
Irene
No, Brian is Irene. If I Irene is Brian, she can’t be anyone else.
Brian
Can I kiss you?
Irene
No. I’m not a lesbian.
Brian drinks from the bottle and Irene kisses him spilling wine everywhere.
Exterior-Evening-Muhltnomah village frisbee golf course
Brian and Irene are heckling everything, drinking wine from a box that they hoist into the air. Fred, Emily, Dale and Brie play on.
Emily
Whose turn is it.
Dale
I think It’s Irene’s, so Fred, you throw for her.
Fred dispassionately throws a frisbee. Irene scoffs.
Emily
Good job!
Dale
Brie, you go now.
Brie throws and her frisbee lands on Fred’s.
Irene
Bitch, don’t you flirt with my man!
Emily
My turn.
As Emily throws, Irene yells ‘Cunt,’ causing her to flinch. Brian laughs.
Brian
It’s funny cause it’s true.
Fred takes aim at the target.
Irene
You’ll never get it there. You might get close but you’ll give up. You can’t do it. You are going to give up on this hole and not do the whole course. Your going to get it in the hole, then give up. Cause your a fag. You are. Your a fag.
Fred is deflated by this sentiment, he prepares to throw.
Irene
Listen. You make this throw and things are different. Everything is different. Life changes. You make this throw and you’ll be the kind of man who makes every throw. You’ll be a fucking giant. A virile giant. The kind of guy who fucks women and leaves them crying sweating and broken, not a fag who ejaculates right after he gets inside of them. If you miss this throw, I am going to fucking kill you.
Fred steadies himself, then throws his frisbee. It falls short. He walks towards it. Irene takes Emily's frisbee and throws it at Fred, hitting him in the back of the head. She then takes Dales Frisbee and throws it at Fred. She begins to charge Fred with the box of wine in her hand. When she catches up to him she strikes him with the box, a mighty wallop that floors Fred face first in the mud. She sits on his flattened body and drinks wine.
Interior-Night-Car
Irene sleeps. Fred drives stoically. He stops in the parking lot where the painter sleeps. He knocks on her window. She rolls it down.
Fred
Hi.
Girl
Hey.
Fred
Are you all right in there?
Girl
Yeah, I’m fine.
Fred
Ya sure?
Girl
Oh yeah.
Fred
Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out some time.
Girl
Sure.
Fred
What are you doing tomorrow?
Girl
Painting.
Fred
Cool. Can I come?
Girl
Sure.
Fred
Ok. Cool. I’ll be back in the morning.
Girl
Ok (Rolling up window)
Fred
Goodnight!
Interior-apartment-morning
Fred packs his boat books, healthy lunches and a thermos. He sips on his syrup. He checks on Irene who is asleep with her arm around the box of wine.
Exterior-Parking Lot- Morning
Fred finds the girl waiting with the engine running. They politely greet each other. Fred offers her food and she declines. They spend several awkward moments driving in her car. Fred sips his syrup as she accelerates at a light causing him to drink half the bottle. He chokes a little and swallows it.
Interior-morning-car
Fred waits as the girl goes into a 7-11. As he waits, he looks around the car. He sees canvas, paint, books on painting, a sleeping bag etc. The girl returns with coffee and hot dogs for two.
Girl
I love hot-dogs in the morning. They’ve been cooking all night and they’re like jerky.
Fred thoughtfully eats. The girl looks casually out the window. She stops to sketch at landmarks. Fred rambles the hole time.
Fred
So you’re here painting Portland? neat, I guess. I’m from here. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid. I used to hang out in the warehouse district and look at the graffiti. SOme of it was like eighty years old. It’s all gone now. That area is now condos and assholes. I mean really, caricatures of themselves. If you were to draw a cartoon of corny assholes you’d have these people. I remember really hating them when I was younger because they didn’t drink. And they didn’t know how to drink. I mean they had beers in their hands, but they didn’t drink. They never got close to oblivion. Oblivion was important. Drinking to nothing. I miss that. I don’t drink anymore though. It was time to grow up. Oblivion though, being so drunk getting punched didn’t hurt and being so drunk you knew you’d be drunk the next morning. And all the stupid numb hell of living at arms length. Assholes..
I don’t know where you’re from, but I’m from here. This is the shit I know. Nothing. I mean look at the boats and bridges and docks and and and. I can;t get a job doing anything with any of that. It’s not for me. It was for someone else. I’m no doctor or lawyer. Maybe if doctors and lawyers could have childhood's... instead of having to be nerds from childhood... I mean there’s the doctor lawyer track that starts young and I wanted to be young. I wanted to skip school and live like a kid, not like a lawyer. I guess if you take the time to be a kid, you will always be a kid.
I quit drinking because I coul;dn’t take the panic. I began to get this feeling of panic when I tried to sober up. It was the worst feeling i have ever felt and will probably ever feel. Terrifying. My friends now are all the kinds of people who quit drinking. We found each other to be bored and uncomfortable together.
Irene was overwhelming. Really, that’s the best word. If you spend a six months just drinking coffee and working with your nose in a book, never really speaking to anyone, just commuting and working, not drinking and a woman comes into your life, it’s overwhelming. To be so full of self loathing and routine and have a warm human being want to touch you, put her arm through yours when your walking.... it’s shocking. It shocks me out of my annoyed reality. I am still overwhelmed by her. She is this vast thing with vast emotions that scares the shit out of me. She’s warm and alive and when I try to make love to her I fall apart. I don’t know if I love her or if I’m just overwhelmed by her or what. I am sorry for her. I think she loves me and I know she cheats on me. This sounds vile or crass, but I wish I could just fuck her for like three hours. Then we’d know what it all means. I’m sorry.
This town is hospitable. It’s got a lot. It’s got all the things one needs. People come here from all over and are happy with it, which is probably why I am growing to hate it. I really am. It’s like an ex girlfriend... somebody found and fell in love with. The love you never shared becomes a kind of hate and lie. It’s dishonest to love Portland, maybe. I don’t know.
I’m sure you’ve been hurt, abandoned. I think I am tired of being hurt and abandoned everyday by someone I am supposed to love. I think that’s it... what it boils down to. There’s the moment we are in, which can be perfect. But that moment is so quickly betrayed.
Exterior-Day-Powell Butte
The girl and Fred begin to kiss, then make love in her car. They share a thoughtful silence.
Girl
I have to go.
Fred
Where?
Girl
Home to Bozeman
Fred
What?
Girl
I am late.
Exterior-Dusk-Powel Butte Parking Lot
Girl drives away, Fred is left to button his pants. He begins to walk.
Interior-Night-Apartment
Fred comes home soaking wet having walked for hours. Irene is waiting for him. She draws him a bath and makes him dinner.
Fred
I have been with another woman. I think it must be over.
Irene
No it’s not. If that were true... by the way I don’t believe you... if it were true that cheating ended a relationship, we’d have been over long ago.
Interior-Night-Bedroom
Fred and Irene Have sex.
Interior-Apartment-Morning
Fred sneaks out.
Interior-Bus Station
Fred Buys a ticket
Fred
One Ticket to Bozeman Montana please.
Fade
First Draft
by p.l.carrico
Interior-Morning-Apartment
Overhead shot of Fred and Irene in bed. Under the blankets it is apparent Fred enters, ejaculates early and is then abandoned in bed by a bored Irene.
Opening Credits Over a Montage of a lifeless work day.
Interior-Evening
Overhead shot of Fred and Irene in bed. Under the blankets it is apparent Fred enters and ejaculates early and is abandoned in bed by a bored Irene.
Irene
Lets go.
Interior- Car Evening. Fred and Irene drive to the diner party with out speaking.
Interior-Kitchen-dusk
A wrestles din of females cooking. Diane, Brie and Emily are dressed trendily. All in their late twenties. They speak in non sequitor and rummage through grocery bags. They are filling a large salad bowl.
Exterior-porch-dusk
Three men stand in silence. They are first only visible by the red glow of their cigarettes and lighters. One of them lights a ridiculous tiki torch.
Interior Kitchen-dusk
Emily
Where is the Thai Peanut Sauce?
Brie
Up top shelf. I can’t see it. Brian hides it from me because he hates it.
Emily
Ok.
Diane
Pollenta! We should make pollenta!
Brie
Yum!
Emily
Is this it?
Brie
Yeah, no. Oh, I know what that is.
Emily
What is this? (Smelling it)
Brie
You know what that is?
Emily
No what? (Smiling it again)
Brie
Brian was sick with pneumonia, real sick. He was going to work looking like a zombie for like a month. Found out he was like dying. Totally dying. Finally on his birthday we take him into the vet... yeah. And find out he is totally dying. They gave him this big bottle of codiene cough syrup. I put it up there on the top shelf because he quit drinking.
Emily
Eww.
Brie
That stuff makes me totally sick.
Emily
Eww.
Brie
Totally.
Emily
I’m going to flush it. Can I flush it?
Brie
Totally
Emily
I’m gonna flush it.
interior-bathroom
Emily
fucking childproof caps
interior-kitchen
Diane screams.
Exterior-Porch
Men hear scream and don’t react.
interior -bathroom
Emily drops bottle in trash and runs to kitchen.
interior-kitchen
Emily
What? What?
Diane
Oh my god.
Emily
What?
Diane
I saw that the red vine vinaigrette in the salad and I thought it was blood.
Emily
You scared me!
Diane
You scared me!
Interior-Cubard. Emily opens the door and takes a bottle of vodka.
Interior-Kitchen
Emily Naughtily fills each of the women's glasses with vodka.
Interior-car-dark commute
Fred’s silhouette smokes as the city passes. Slowly Irene's voice fades in.
Fred Sneezes several times causing Irene great physical pain. He drinks his cough syrup.
Irene
I mean what's the point? With all that I’ve done and the apartments lease, the cat and my parents. It’s pressure on me and you put pressure on me. Pressure. I can’t take it. All of it is adding up. Out of no where. It’s driving me psychotic. I mean people are talking to me everyday but it’s not making sense. I just want to take my shoes off and beat them on the ground. You know? Do you? Look at me. Look at me.
Fred
Yes
Irene
Do you?
Fred
You want to beat your shoes on the ground.
Irene
Fuck you
Exterior-Dusk
Irene Pulls car over into desolate parking lot.
Irene
Fuck you. Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you.
Interior- Car
Fred delicately puts cigarette out. Unbuckles seat belt, rolls up window and exits car.
Exterior- Parking lot
Irene sees Fred approach and runs a short distance and sits down and takes her shoes off and beats them on the pavement.
Irene
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.
Exterior-Night- Parking lot
Fred rolls up sleeves and prepares to lift Irene back towards car.
Irene
Don’t touch me, don’t touch me. Fuck you. I hate you.
Exterior- Porch
Brian
When speaking of speaking, the bull shit is peaking.
Dale
Who said that?
Brian
I did.
Dale
I mean when was that first said?
Brian
I think on november 11th, 2007.
Dale
That’s pretty good.
Brian
It just came to me.
Dale
But I still believe in a rational universe where things can be discovered through intellectual inquiry...speaking logically and intellectually...
Brian
You think discourse... yields a thing? A product?
Dale
Yes, it’s by decoding the precepts... the tools by which we understand the universe by decoding these tools, we can learn things.
Brian
When speaking of speaking, the bull shit is peaking.
Andrew
When the bull shit is peaking, the red badger is sneaking. Don’t listen to me.
Exterior-Parking Lot
Fred hoists Irene's screaming body back into their car.
Interior- car- Night
Irene is weeping and talking.
Irene
I can’t face another one of these stupid diner parties. I can’t stand anyone anymore. It’s so stupid, all of it. I want to die. (She continues hysterically until they pull up to the house where the diner party is). I want you to quit being the morbid quiet ax murder you’ve turned into since you quit drinking and...
Exterior- Night- Front door of diner party house
Irene
You are a statue. Another face on the fucking Train into town. Another fucking...
Interior- Night
Emily opens door to reveal Fred and Irene. Irene instantly turns into an animate broad again. Fred sneezes several consecutive times. Irene leaves him on the threshold and the door swings shut on him. Bleary eyed, Fred Stumbles into the bathroom. While sneezing he drops his cough medicine into the trash. He retrieves the codeine on accident.
Exterior-Night
One of the smoking men lights a lamp.
Dale
I know they drink in there.
Brian
Yeah. When I kiss Brie, my heart races and I get cold chills. It isn’t love, its an alcoholics panic attack. Love is a far more angry and repetitive thing.
Dale
Love is an angry and repetitive thing.
Fred Enters The Porch.
Dale
Is love an angry and repetitive thing?
Brian
Is it?
Andrew
When speaking of peaking, the the women are shrieking.
Dale
When speaking of... ahh. I see.
Fred
Love is a n angry and repetitive thing.
Dale
Do you agree or are you restating the premise?
Andrew
Its the topic
Brian
The women are drinking.
Andrew
And it’s making our poor hearts flutter.
Interior-cubord
Emily opens the door and takes the bottle of vodka out again.
Interior-Kitchen
The women are louder.
Emily
I mean I am so glad the boys don't drink anymore. The instability of it.
Brie
God Yeah.
Irene
They were all so unstable. Screaming screaming yelling in the middle of the night.
Brie
Now they're zombies.
Emily (Too Loud)
Zombies!
Exterior-Night Porch
Dale
If it were only true.
Interior - Night
The hideous bowl of ingredients gets more absurd.
Brie
This needs ginger.
Emily
Oil. Lots of oil.
Irene
Olive oil (Irene swills a drink.
Diane
I don't feel good.
Emily
Polenta. It needs polenta.
Irene
Awesome.
Exterior- Night
A crash is heard coming from the kitchen followed by cackling.
Dale
It’s hideous.
Brian
See, I don't think so. I think it’s a nuanced gray mass.
Dale
You don’t think it’s hideous?
Brian
See, If it were to be hideous, it would at times have to be beautiful.
Dale
Huh. That’s a good point.
Andrew
When speaking of peking,
the ducks are... ummm...
Fred
So in order for things to hideous, they have to be at times...
Brian
Glorious.
Dale
Are they ever glorious?
Fred
Who are you asking?
Brian
He is asking the nuanced gray mass of...
Andrew
It all.
Interior- Night- Dinner table.
Everyone sits in silence around a massive bowl of salad. The women are tussled and intoxicated. You can hear vomiting in the background. Then flushing. Diane emerges and sits solemnly next to Andrew.
(C/U of the salad)
Brian
The nuanced gray mass.
Fred Smirks.
Interior-night-car
The world passes by irene’s window as she sleeps. Several moments of silence pass. Fred stops at a bar parking lot and lingers without turning off the engine. He looks at Irene and pulls out of the parking lot again.
Fade
Interior- Morning- Bedroom
Fred Wakes with a start violently sneezing and coughing. He enters the bathroom where Irene is violently vomiting.
Irene
I’m fucking pregnant.
Fred
Maybe.
Sneezing Fred drinks his cough syrup. He turns and looms over Irene.
Irene
I’m fucking pregnant.
Fred
Look at me.
Irene Doesn’t look. She stares into the swill in the toilet.
Exterior-Morning
Fred leaves their apartment and begins his long walk through a parking lot. A depressed death march fades as he meets an ugly main street. He waits for a bus a long time, watching cars pass and two meth heads arguing from across the street. They make broad passes at each other, screaming and threatening each other.
Fred
Just stop it.
The meth head unite and embrace. Fred smiles. Fred gets on the bus.
Exteriors- down town
Fred notices ridiculous and beautiful things.
Interior-Morning-Office
Fred enters an empty building and sits at a desk He sneezes, coughs then drinks his cough syrup. A few seconds pass and he smiles.
Exterior-lunch.
Close up photographically composed shots of coffee and cigarettes, followed by an ability to focus on a beautiful stranger standing and smoking. Fred is intrigued.
Stranger
Fuck this.
Interior-Afternoon
Fred stares out the window of his work.
Exterior-Evening-Cafe
Fred, Dale Brian and Andrew sit around a table smoking.
Dale
We need to do something. (Pause) Don’t ya thing?
Andrew
No
Brian
It depends
Andrew
I agree
Dale
I mean we need to do something. Something... bigger than us.
Andrew
Bigger than us. We need to do something bigger than us?
Brian
That is the premise as I understand it.
Dale
I mean think about it.
Andrew
I am.
Dale
This here, what are we doing?
Brian
Certainly nothing bigger than... us.
Dale
Stop fucking around.
Andrew
I’m sorry.
Dale
No your not. Stop fucking around. I’m serious.
Andrew
We’ve stopped.
Brian
We’re listening
Dale
Lets do something. Like... I don’t know. Lets buy a boat.
Brian
Interesting.
Andrew
Ok.
Brian
What do you think Fred?
Fred
Buy a boat?
Brian
Or volunteer.
Andrew
Volunteer?
Brian
I don’t know about that. Are those the two options?
Fred
I could see me on a boat. Smoking a pipe.
Dale
See?
Brian
Who would technically own this boat. I mean for tax purposes?
Dale
One of our girlfriends or wives.
Andrew
Diabolical.
Dale
Yes.
Brian
And this boat. What... I mean where would we... Why? Why?
Dale
We need to do something.
Waitress Comes out of Cafe
Dale
Can I get a refill?
Waitress
I am on a smoke break.
Fred
I like it.
Dale
What?
Fred
The boat.
Brian
You like the boat?
Dale
Why do you like the boat?
Fred
I agree, this is bullshit. We need a boat.
Andrew
Can we vote?
Brian
Can we vote?
Dale
Never mind, I don’t want to own a fucking boat with any of you.
Fred
I want to do something...
Dale
Me too.
Interior Night
Fred watches TV and sips cough syrup. Irene comes in the house. She breezes by Fred and his attempt to kiss her. She brushes her teeth and puts on perfume. She then sits next to him on the couch. Fred tries to sit close to her.
Irene
I worked late. I’m sweaty.
Interior-Morning-bedroom
Fred is awakened by a slight movement in the bed. He opens his eyes and is aware Irene is masturbating. He doesn't disturb her. She goes into the bathroom.
Interior-Kitchen-Morning
Fred makes breakfast. Irene comes through the kitchen and leaves with a wave. Fred’s breakfast for two goes uneaten.
Interior-Office-Morning
Fred sits in silence. He then calls Dale.
Interior-(Cigar shop/cafe/thrift store where ever you can get where Dale works)
Dale
Hello
Fred
I want to do something bigger than all of us.
Dale
Fred?
Fred
Maybe start a business or something.
Dale
Maybe make a movie.
Fred
Something like that. I think I need it pretty soon.
Dale
I know what you mean.
(Long Pause)
Fred
Bye.
Exterior-Roof
Fred stands and considers his options.
Interior-Night-Max Train
Fred looks at a lone man far older than him on the train.
Interior-Night-Home
Fred comes home to Irene Crying.
Fred
I want to do something big. Soon.
Irene
Ok.
Interior-Night
Fred and Irene Sleep close.
Interior-Morning-Medicine cabinet
Fred takes a large swig of his codeine cough syrup.
Interior Morning-
With dramatic flair Fred cooks again a meal for two.
Irene
What’s wrong with you?
Fred
I am very Ill. I won’t be going to work today.
Coyly Irene Sneaks out of the kitchen. Fred sneaks a peak of her getting picked up in a car driven by a strange man. He continues to cook breakfast for two.
Interior-Morning
Dining room. Fred calls into work.
Interior-Office
Fred’s boss can hear music coming from Fred’s end of the line.
Fred
I am very ill and cannot make it to work today.
Boss
Ok. Will I see you tomorrow.
Fred
Probably.
Interior-morning-dining room
The song Fred has been listening to ends and he has nothing to do. Absently he leaves his home and begins to walk.
Exteriors-day
Fred walks downtown.
Interior- Bookstore
Fred looks at books about boats. He finds several of them and stacks them on a table. He looks at pictures of boaters. A great deal of time goes by. Emily from the diner party startles him.
Emily
Hi Fred
Fred
Hi Emily
Emily
What are you doing?
Fred
I am at a bookstore.
Emily
Yes. I mean what are you doing?
Fred
I am reading.
Emily
Stop it.
Fred
(Closing book) OK
Emily
What are you doing? Here? Now?
Fred
I am...
Fred
Emily
Shouldn’t you be at work?
Fred
No, I am not... there is nothing to do there today.
Emily
What?
Fred
There is nothing to do there... today. I mean, there isn't;t anything for me to do there in the office, so they sent me away.
Emily
That’s weird.
Fred
I think so. (Pause) So I came here.
Emily
What are you reading?
Fred
This book about boats.
Emily
Boats?
Fred
Brian was talking about making a boat.
Emily
Making a boat? Bui;lding a boat?
Fred
Maybe. I mean maybe buying one too.
Emily
That’s stupid.
Fred
I think so too, but I don’t know.
Emily
Why don’t you guys golf or something?
Fred
We don’t want to.
Emily
Brian can’t have a boat.
Fred
I’m sorry.
Emily
Ok. I have to go.
Fred
Me too.
Interior-Evening-Brian’s office
Brian is working, he is getting several phone calls at once.
Fred
I bought these books on boats.
Brian
Ok (Talks on the phone and tries to type).
Fred
This one says there’s buried treasure on the Oregon shore.
Brian
Where?
Fred
It doesn’t say.
Brian
Well.
Fred
Look at this picture.
Brian
I am very busy.
Fred
I was thinking we need a change.
Brian
You sound like your loosing your fucking mind.
Fred
No I don’t, you do.
Brian
Why do I sound like... how do I sound like I’m loosing my mind.
Fred
You are angry at boats and treasure.
Brian
I am too busy to think about boats and treasure.
Fred
Well, that’s the thing. You can be too busy to talk about boats and treasure and big changes in our lives, but getting angry about it is kind of weird, don’t you think.
Brian
I am angry at you.
Fred
That’s unfair.
Brian
(Long pause as he works) Why is that unfair.
Fred
Irene is mad at me too.
Brian
Is this about Irene.
Fred
(Looks around) Yes.
Brian
What’s wrong with Irene
Fred
She needs a big change.
Brian
Can I meet you later?
Fred
Yes.
Interior-Night-Apartment
Dales apartment is tiny and awful. It is a shrine to digital media. There is no where to sit.
Dale
So you are taking this boat thing pretty seriously.
Fred
Why not?
Dale
I mean we do need something.
Fred
(Long pause) I’m afraid to go home.
Dale
Are you breaking up?
Fred
With Irene? I don’t think so.
Brian walks in.
Brian
Hello Dale. Hello Fred. I think we should start drinking again.
Dale and Fred look at the bottle Brian produces from his jacket. Some time passes.
Dale
I don’t want to.
Brian
Why not?
Dale
I don’t want to.
Brian
Jesus. We keep talking about doing something. I’ve been thinking about it and the only way were going to do something is if we get good and drunk and do it.
Fred
(Coughing Nervously and sneezing)
I don;t know.
Brian
I am going to do it.
Dale
Aren’t you worried and Emily?
Brian
Yes, yes I am.
Brian drinks from the bottle. Fred and Dale watch and wait.
Brian
Stop staring at me.
Dale
I have to go.
Brian
This is your place.
Dale
I have to get out of here.
Brian
Where are you going?
Dale
I don’t know...
Brian
If you go to Brie’s house, don’t you fucking tell on me. Brie will tell Emily and then I’ll be fucked.
Dale
I need to think
Dale leaves. Fred stares at Brian's bottle, then retrieves his own bottle.
Brian
Fuck. This is ridiculous.
Fred
I know.
Brian
This is different. I mean this shit has been dragging out for ever. Day to day bull shit.
Fred
There is evidence of a ship wreck in the Nahelem Bay on the Oregon shore...
(Brian is lost in his own thoughts as he drinks) There were these wax seals found.
Brian
It’s this... wound. It’s like a scab. It’s not machinery... like the Charlie Chaplain movie... life is like this scar and scab that you keep picking at. It heals a little but then you get bored and try to peel it off and it oozes again.
Fred
(Producing his book) There were these wax seals found in the bay.
Brian
Wax seals?
Fred
Yeah. Years ago they found these wax seals, and they only could have come from Spain. A long time ago.
Brian
What the fuck?
Fred
Like Goonies.
Brian
What kind of... like (makes a sea lion sound).
Fred
What are you doing?
Brian
I am making the sound.
What sound?
Brian
The seal sound.
Fred
No, not that kind of seal.
Brian
What kind of seal?
Fred
Like an impression... when you put a symbol in wax.
Brian
I see. Like on a bottle of Makers Mark whiskey.
Fred
Yeah.
Brian
It’s like every time I think, I want to give the world an ultimatum. But I never do and nothing changes. I get distracted. Emily says to live in the here and now. Then she squirts some perfume on her self and throws a diner party.
Fred
Do you want to look for the treasure?
Brian
You sound like a fucking ten year old.
Fred
(The idea dies in Fred’s head. He shuts the book and becomes despondent) I have to go.
Brian
What?
Fred
I have to go home.
Brian
Your going to leave me here? After getting me all fucked up in the head.
Interior-evening-Dale’s apartment hallway
Brian yells at Fred as he walks away. A woman franticly tries to put her keys in a door.
Brian
So you fucking drag me out of my office to look for buried treasure and leave me here thinking about pirates and bloody scabs and walk away? What the fuck?
Exterior-Night
Fred begins his walk home. A young couple in a buss stop making out stops him briefly.
Interior-Night-Fred’s home
Irene is watching TV in sweats. Fred comes in rapidly.
Irene
Emily called me. (Fred sits next to her) She said you were at the bookstore today. (Fred takes away the food Irene is eating) She said you were looking at books about boats. (Fred nods and kisses her) she said you were fired or laid off work, is that true? (Fred shakes his head) Well what were you doing there? (Fred shrugs and lays her out on the couch) Honey (Fred opens his fly) Honey (Fred begins to disrobe Irene) I really need to know what you were doing at the books store. Now.
Fred stops, looks at the TV. An old horror movie of a girl being pursued by a monster is playing.
Fred
I was thinking of doing something different.
Irene
Like what?
Fred
I don’t know.
An uncomfortable pause follows where Fred looms over Irene.
Interior-Bathroom
Fred sneezes and drinks his cough syrup. HE looks at himself in the mirror. Irene’s clothes are everywhere.
Interior-Living room
Irene Masturbates while watching the monster pursue the the woman.
Interior-Bathroom
Fred Masturbates.
Interior-Living room
Irene finishes and sits up.
Interior-bathroom
Fred finishes and for lack of a better idea washes his hands and flushes the toilet.
Interior-Living room
Fred sits next to Irene. After a moment she lays her head on his shoulder. He kisses her head and she falls asleep.
Interior-Kitchen-Morning
Irene has cooked a meal. A hung over looking Fred breezes by her.
Exterior-Morning-Day
Fred walks through parking lot. A young girl is painting a huge canvas. Fred notices it as he walks by. It is a large gray square. It angers him.
Exterior-Morning
Fred goes about his commute and is angered and annoyed by many things he sees. He has an anonymous work day. He suffers from a headache and stares blindly off into space.
Interior- Afternoon-Fred’s Work
Brian comes in drunk and excited.
Brian
Dude
Fred
I hate that work
Brian
What work
Fred
The word dude.
Brian
I think we should get a boat.
Fred
Right now?
Brian
Yes! I have been looking at them all day online. I want to sail a boat and drink rum. Damn it Fred, I want to drink rum.
Fred
Drink rum.
Brian
I will. On the boat.
Fred
Where will we put the boat?
Brian
Who fucking care?
Fred
I’ll tell you who fucking cares. The boat fucking cares.
Brian
I can live on it.
Fred
Yes you can. And drink rum.
Brian
Are you in?
Fred
Yes. As long as I don’t have to have anything to do with the boat.
Brian
What the fuck. I thought you were all about the boat thing.
Fred
Jesus. I’m sorry about yesterday.
Brian
It’s too late to talk about yesterday. Yesterday is gone, motherfucker. Today is today. And tomorrow is...
Fred
I refuse to finish that sentence.
(Fred’s Boss looms into the conversation)
Brian
Tomorrow is boat day. Tomorrow we drink rum and live on my boat. Yes, motherfucker, yes.
Fred
Wait here
(Fred stands, gets his coat and leaves)
Brian
(To boss) I don’t think he’s coming back
Exterior-Dusk-Parking lot
Fred sees young girl painting. He looks at her work. It is exactly the same as earlier. She smiles and nods at him. Fred shrugs and goes home.
Interior-Night-Home
Irene is folding laundry. It is everywhere.
Irene
I am sorry.
Fred
Why?
Irene
I want to you to trust me.
Fred
I do too. (turns on tv)
Irene
And if you are going to trust me, you need to trust... who I am. (Irene turns up song she’s listening to)
Fred
I trust that you are who you are, I guess.
Irene
I think you know that. I can;t remember when you didn’t know that I was human. I have done human things to and on you and I am ok with that.
Fred
I have a headache. It’s awful.
Irene
Our parents yelled and lied. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to dwell.
Fred
Dwell.
Irene
I want to be us. And we know what I do. And for us to be us, I have to be me.
Fred
I am going to bed.
Irene
I know you understand. This is me coming clean. Ok? What you think of me is true and I’m still here and I’m going to be here tomorrow. I will be here tomorrow.
Fred
I see.
Irene
And tomorrow is proof you love me. Ok?
Fred
Ok.
Interior-Bedroom
Fred sees the bed’s sheets and blankets have been washed and are missing. He takes a coat and puts it over himself. Irene comes into the bedroom, places the blankets folded on the bed and lays next to him.
Interior-Morning-Bedroom
Fred awakes beneath the coat, Irene is beneath the blankets. He initiates sex with her, but ejaculates prematurely. He then gets up and walks to the kitchen.
Interior-Morning-Kitchen
Fred sips syrup. He lights a cigarette and doodles boats.
Irene
I dream I loose my teeth, all the time.
Fred
I have that dream sometimes too.
Irene
I dream also I meet people. They seem very real. I miss them when I wake up.
Fred
I dream of water, a lot.
Irene
Weird. After work were meeting everyone, remember? (She offers him coffee, he ignores it and gets up to leave)
Fred
Yes.
Exterior-Morning-parking lot
Fred notices the girl is still there.
Interior-Morning-Irene’s Car
Irene drives by and watches Fred notice the girl.
Exterior-morning-Parking lot
Fred turns back to the house. He gets a cup of coffee and returns to the parking lot. As he hands it to the girl, Irene comes barreling out of her car and slaps the cup of coffee out the girls hand.
Irene
That’s my coffee. You can’t drink my coffee. Why, Fred, why do I do I have to masturbate?
Fred sees the painter isn’t too shocked by this and smiles and turns to walk away.
Irene
Don’t forget frisbee golf!
Interior- Evening - Mini Mart
Brian bumps into Irene in the wine isle
Brian
Bargaining with the devil.
Irene
I never quit.
Brian
I did. I really did.
Irene
I know.
Brian
I quit. I quit drinking. I let that life die in me... to me. Anything like being impulsive. Anything like living in the moment. I quit that.
Irene
It was taken from me. It was.
Brian
It’s taken from all of us at one point.
Exterior-Afternoon-Parking lot
Brian and Irene share a bottle of fruit flavored wine and and watch the traffic
Irene
I mean it’s sharing the horror. That’s what love should be. Sharing the terror and the horror. The black ugly, ugly terror.
Brian
But then again.
Irene
No, no then again again. It’s always then again again, then again again. Fuck the then again again.
Brian
But then again, when you share that horror, doesn't;t some of it go away? Doesn’t it?
Irene
(Pauses, thinks) No.
Brian
Not even a little. I mean there’s dying terrified and fighting a disgusting meaningless repetitious life, then there’s dying a terrified disgusting meaningless life with someone.
Irene
I have never felt so alone than with Fred... sometimes.
Brian
Well, does he feel alone?
Irene
I know he does. And know mater what I do, I can;t prove to him I’m there.
Brian
I think I am you and Emily is Fred.
Irene
You are Irene... and Fred is Emily... and emily is who?
Brian
Fred
Irene
Brian is Irene, Fred is Emily. Who is Irene?
Brian
Brian
Irene
No, Brian is Irene. If I Irene is Brian, she can’t be anyone else.
Brian
Can I kiss you?
Irene
No. I’m not a lesbian.
Brian drinks from the bottle and Irene kisses him spilling wine everywhere.
Exterior-Evening-Muhltnomah village frisbee golf course
Brian and Irene are heckling everything, drinking wine from a box that they hoist into the air. Fred, Emily, Dale and Brie play on.
Emily
Whose turn is it.
Dale
I think It’s Irene’s, so Fred, you throw for her.
Fred dispassionately throws a frisbee. Irene scoffs.
Emily
Good job!
Dale
Brie, you go now.
Brie throws and her frisbee lands on Fred’s.
Irene
Bitch, don’t you flirt with my man!
Emily
My turn.
As Emily throws, Irene yells ‘Cunt,’ causing her to flinch. Brian laughs.
Brian
It’s funny cause it’s true.
Fred takes aim at the target.
Irene
You’ll never get it there. You might get close but you’ll give up. You can’t do it. You are going to give up on this hole and not do the whole course. Your going to get it in the hole, then give up. Cause your a fag. You are. Your a fag.
Fred is deflated by this sentiment, he prepares to throw.
Irene
Listen. You make this throw and things are different. Everything is different. Life changes. You make this throw and you’ll be the kind of man who makes every throw. You’ll be a fucking giant. A virile giant. The kind of guy who fucks women and leaves them crying sweating and broken, not a fag who ejaculates right after he gets inside of them. If you miss this throw, I am going to fucking kill you.
Fred steadies himself, then throws his frisbee. It falls short. He walks towards it. Irene takes Emily's frisbee and throws it at Fred, hitting him in the back of the head. She then takes Dales Frisbee and throws it at Fred. She begins to charge Fred with the box of wine in her hand. When she catches up to him she strikes him with the box, a mighty wallop that floors Fred face first in the mud. She sits on his flattened body and drinks wine.
Interior-Night-Car
Irene sleeps. Fred drives stoically. He stops in the parking lot where the painter sleeps. He knocks on her window. She rolls it down.
Fred
Hi.
Girl
Hey.
Fred
Are you all right in there?
Girl
Yeah, I’m fine.
Fred
Ya sure?
Girl
Oh yeah.
Fred
Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out some time.
Girl
Sure.
Fred
What are you doing tomorrow?
Girl
Painting.
Fred
Cool. Can I come?
Girl
Sure.
Fred
Ok. Cool. I’ll be back in the morning.
Girl
Ok (Rolling up window)
Fred
Goodnight!
Interior-apartment-morning
Fred packs his boat books, healthy lunches and a thermos. He sips on his syrup. He checks on Irene who is asleep with her arm around the box of wine.
Exterior-Parking Lot- Morning
Fred finds the girl waiting with the engine running. They politely greet each other. Fred offers her food and she declines. They spend several awkward moments driving in her car. Fred sips his syrup as she accelerates at a light causing him to drink half the bottle. He chokes a little and swallows it.
Interior-morning-car
Fred waits as the girl goes into a 7-11. As he waits, he looks around the car. He sees canvas, paint, books on painting, a sleeping bag etc. The girl returns with coffee and hot dogs for two.
Girl
I love hot-dogs in the morning. They’ve been cooking all night and they’re like jerky.
Fred thoughtfully eats. The girl looks casually out the window. She stops to sketch at landmarks. Fred rambles the hole time.
Fred
So you’re here painting Portland? neat, I guess. I’m from here. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid. I used to hang out in the warehouse district and look at the graffiti. SOme of it was like eighty years old. It’s all gone now. That area is now condos and assholes. I mean really, caricatures of themselves. If you were to draw a cartoon of corny assholes you’d have these people. I remember really hating them when I was younger because they didn’t drink. And they didn’t know how to drink. I mean they had beers in their hands, but they didn’t drink. They never got close to oblivion. Oblivion was important. Drinking to nothing. I miss that. I don’t drink anymore though. It was time to grow up. Oblivion though, being so drunk getting punched didn’t hurt and being so drunk you knew you’d be drunk the next morning. And all the stupid numb hell of living at arms length. Assholes..
I don’t know where you’re from, but I’m from here. This is the shit I know. Nothing. I mean look at the boats and bridges and docks and and and. I can;t get a job doing anything with any of that. It’s not for me. It was for someone else. I’m no doctor or lawyer. Maybe if doctors and lawyers could have childhood's... instead of having to be nerds from childhood... I mean there’s the doctor lawyer track that starts young and I wanted to be young. I wanted to skip school and live like a kid, not like a lawyer. I guess if you take the time to be a kid, you will always be a kid.
I quit drinking because I coul;dn’t take the panic. I began to get this feeling of panic when I tried to sober up. It was the worst feeling i have ever felt and will probably ever feel. Terrifying. My friends now are all the kinds of people who quit drinking. We found each other to be bored and uncomfortable together.
Irene was overwhelming. Really, that’s the best word. If you spend a six months just drinking coffee and working with your nose in a book, never really speaking to anyone, just commuting and working, not drinking and a woman comes into your life, it’s overwhelming. To be so full of self loathing and routine and have a warm human being want to touch you, put her arm through yours when your walking.... it’s shocking. It shocks me out of my annoyed reality. I am still overwhelmed by her. She is this vast thing with vast emotions that scares the shit out of me. She’s warm and alive and when I try to make love to her I fall apart. I don’t know if I love her or if I’m just overwhelmed by her or what. I am sorry for her. I think she loves me and I know she cheats on me. This sounds vile or crass, but I wish I could just fuck her for like three hours. Then we’d know what it all means. I’m sorry.
This town is hospitable. It’s got a lot. It’s got all the things one needs. People come here from all over and are happy with it, which is probably why I am growing to hate it. I really am. It’s like an ex girlfriend... somebody found and fell in love with. The love you never shared becomes a kind of hate and lie. It’s dishonest to love Portland, maybe. I don’t know.
I’m sure you’ve been hurt, abandoned. I think I am tired of being hurt and abandoned everyday by someone I am supposed to love. I think that’s it... what it boils down to. There’s the moment we are in, which can be perfect. But that moment is so quickly betrayed.
Exterior-Day-Powell Butte
The girl and Fred begin to kiss, then make love in her car. They share a thoughtful silence.
Girl
I have to go.
Fred
Where?
Girl
Home to Bozeman
Fred
What?
Girl
I am late.
Exterior-Dusk-Powel Butte Parking Lot
Girl drives away, Fred is left to button his pants. He begins to walk.
Interior-Night-Apartment
Fred comes home soaking wet having walked for hours. Irene is waiting for him. She draws him a bath and makes him dinner.
Fred
I have been with another woman. I think it must be over.
Irene
No it’s not. If that were true... by the way I don’t believe you... if it were true that cheating ended a relationship, we’d have been over long ago.
Interior-Night-Bedroom
Fred and Irene Have sex.
Interior-Apartment-Morning
Fred sneaks out.
Interior-Bus Station
Fred Buys a ticket
Fred
One Ticket to Bozeman Montana please.
Fade
posted by Bloodnock at 8:16 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home