a perfect family [first draft]

8/18/2019 A Perfect Family [First Draft]

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EXT. HIGHWAY

Bill, a man in his mid fourties is driving in his car. Hisson, Todd, is sitting right beside him.

TODD (V.O.)My father always told me that there was one sure thing in life. We liveon this earth for a very shorttime, and we need to make the mostof it. For us. Not for anyone else,but for us.

BILLTodd.

TODDYeah, dad?

BILL

There’s something I’ve wanted totalk to you about.

TODDWhat... What... what’s up?

BILLYou’re 18 now.

TODDYeah.

BILL

So, where do you see yourselfgoing?

TODDWhat do you mean?

BILLCollege is coming up next year.What kind of job do you want? Whatkind of life do you want to lead?

TODDUhm... I don’t really know... I

guess I never really think muchabout it

BILLWell you should, you know? BecauseI want the best for you son.


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TODDYeah.

They sit in silence

BILLSo what do you think about all day?

TODDI don’t know

TODD (V.O.)I spend all day thinking about theporn I’m going to watch latertonight.

TODDYeah.

BILL

Yeah.

EXT. FOOTBALL ARENA

There are young high school football players playing out onthe field at the end of a game. 16 year old Jack is running with the ball ahead of the other players chasing him, scoringanother touchdown for his team. In the audience, we see Todd,Bill, Lydia, and Joanne. The team lifts Jack on theirshoulders and Jack takes off his helmet and points to Bill

JACK

That one was for you, dad!

Bill smiles at Jack, and then looks down and frowns a bit

LYDIA Alright, let’s get in the car.

TODD (V.O.)My sister Lydia is always someone who is known to be in a bit of arush. She can never really stay inone place for too long.

LYDIA Come on let’s go let’s go let’s go!

The rest of the family gets up

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INT. DINING ROOM

Todd, Carl, Lydia, Bill, and Joanne are all sitting at thetable. It is extremely quiet.

BILLSo... how was everyone’s day atschool?

No response

CARLThings were good, I guess.

BILLGood, good. Why?

CARLI don’t know, Dad.

BILLOkay.

Silence

BILL (CONT’D)Honey, the dinner is great tonight.

JOANNE(a bit salty)

Mhm.

Bill mouths “What?” to her without actually saying it, and

Joanne does not seem to respond.

LYDIA Can I ummm.. Can I be excused?

BILLWha -- Excused?

LYDIA Yeah, excused.

BILLBut uhh... We’re having family time

LYDIA Yeah yeah but I have a lot ofstudying to do Dad!

BILLJoanne, what do you think?

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JOANNEIf she wants to leave, let herleave.

BILLOkay.

LYDIA Thanks mom!

Lydia hurries out

JACKOh dad, after the game there wasthis big dude that came up to meyou know and was like “I am ascouter for Duke University son,and you played a very impressivegame today.”

TODDWhat, no way?

JOANNEYou’re kidding!

JACKAnd do you know what he said afterthat? He said “Keep it up and we might have you playing for ourschool in two years”. Can youbelieve that? I can be playing forone of the best football schools in

the country.

BILLI’m... I’m very proud of you, son.I’m gonna go to the bathroom.

CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM

Bill sits in the bathroom

It cuts to bill crying a bit

It cuts to him staring at himself into the mirror

BILLI hate you. I hate you. I hate you.I hate you. I hate y-

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INT. BILL AND JOANNA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bill and Joanna are sleeping. Bill’s position is facingJoanna while her position is facing away. Bill slowly wakesup and starts to get out of bed. He gets up, grabs his carkeys, and tiptoes out of the bed.

INT. GARAGE - NIGHT

Bill walks into the garage, unlocks the car, and sits inside.He smiles and turns the key, turning the car on. He sitsthere.

EXT. HOUSE - MORNING

Wide shot of the house. We hear a scream from Lydia

INT. GARAGE - DAYLydia is sitting inside of the car with her father, who isdead from the gas.

LYDIA Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad come on dad, wake up! Wake up wake up wake up!

(Begins to cry)Come on dad! Wake up!!

Jack enters the garage

JACKWhy are you screaming at 6 in the morning -- wha... Dad?

He runs over to the car

JACK (CONT’D)Wha wha what’s wrong with dad?

LYDIA I don’t know! Just help me pick himup! Get him out of this car, he hasto be passed out or something.

Right? Right?

JACKRight... Look I’ll go get mom.

Jack runs out. Lydia looks at her dad and cries.

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JACK (O.S.) (CONT’D)Mom!!!! Mom we need your help,something’s wrong with dad!

Jack and Joanne enter the garage. Joanne screams and runsover to the car

JOANNEBill! What is the matter withyou...

Joanne begins to cry as well. Jack is destroyed and burstsinto tears.

Todd enters the room and sees his whole family cry and hisdead father.

TODDWhat’s wrong with dad? What’s wrong with dad? Can someone please tell

me what’s wrong with dad?After no response from anyone, Todd sits down

TODD (V.O.)My dad’s dead.

EXT. GRAVEYARD

Bill’s tomb is getting lowered into his grave. Everyone iscrying in the audience but Todd.

TODD (V.O.)It felt hazy. It felt like a dream.

People begin speaking on stage about Bill, including hisfamily members. They all are crying. This is muted and Todddoesn’t hear a thing, instead just hears a white noise.

TODD (V.O.)My dad’s dead, and I didn’t know what was going on.

CUT TO:

People are leaving the funeral and are crying and hugging thefamily members, who are crying too. Todd is the only oneshaking hands.

TODD (V.O.)It felt... numb.

CUT TO:

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Todd is standing underneath a tree

TODD (V.O.)Everything. My body, my arms, myhands, my fingers. My head. Mytoes. Even my mind.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY

Todd is walkign through the hallway, looking completelydisheveled. People are surrounding him on all sides.

TODD (V.O.)School wasn’t the same either. Whatused to be my life and main focusturned into something,... extra amd menial.

Maya, an attractive girl in the hallway sees him and stops

MAYA Todd!

TODDYeah hi-

MAYA Oh my god Todd, I’m so sorry.

Maya hugs Todd

TODD

It’s... yeah.

MAYA I don’t know what you must be goingthrough right now, Todd.

TODDYeah yeah yeah it’s um... it’shard.

MAYA I can’t imagine. But stay strong.

TODDYeah I will... or I’ll try

MAYA (leaving)

Hang in there.

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TODDYeah no totally. Totally totallytotally. Heh. Heheheh.

Maya goes in for another hug, and Todd looks veryumconfortable. She runs off. Todd stands and stares.

TODD (V.O.)Funny story actually, I haven’tspoken a word to that girl since7th grade. She used to call me afaggot in 6th grade behind my back.I don’t know if it was pity orsomething, but something just felt weird.

INT. CLASSROOM

Todd walks in and sees different adults in the room. It is

career day. His teacher runs up to him.MRS. RYAN

Todd, I heard.

TODDYeah, you know so did a lot ofpeople.

MRS. RYANListen, on that essay that was duetoday, take all the time you need.

TODDOh.

MRS. RYANNo rush, okay?

TODDYeah. Cool, thank you.

Todd shifts over to his desk near the back of the classroom.

TODD (V.O.)After my dad died I practically did

no schoolwork whatsoever. My familyat first tried to go back to the way things used to be. Like thatnight, There was a party at thiskid Andy’s house,

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INT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT

There are a lot of teenagers in a house, both inside and outpartying.

TODD (V.O.) who was a loser, but his parents were out of town so he became thepopular kid of the week. Jack andLydia went, I stayed at home. MaybeI shouldn’t be calling Andy a loserif he was the one at a party.

Andy stands on top of a table

ANDYHello, attention everyone!Everyone!

The music gets quieter and people pay attention to Andy

ANDY (CONT’D)Yeah hello! I just want to say thatummm...

A couple of kids show up at the door with large kegs

ANDY (CONT’D)THERE’S KEGS!

The kids go crazy and run over to the kegs. A couple of kidsstart whispering to each other and slowly go upstairs. One ofthem whispers to Jack who goes upstairs with them. There’s

about 5-6 kids of both genders to go walk into a room

STEVEOkay do you got it?

JEFFRight here.

Jeff pulls out a small bag of cocaine. Jack is a bit shockedbut doesn’t let other people realize it.

JACKWhoa, no more weed, huh?

Jeff puts some on the table and does a line with a dollarbill. One by one they all snort a bit.

STEVEJack?

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JACKWha- yeah... yeah yeah awesome

Jack snorts the cocaine, and begins to laugh

JACK (CONT’D)Yeah!!

CUT TO:

Lydia sees people dancing and drinking and having fun, whileshe has a smile on her face but is unable to join in. She isslowly shifting to the corner of the room without realizingit. A boy, let’s call him Donny goes over to her

DONNYCool party, huh?

LYDIA Yup.

DONNYCome on, I have something cool toshow you.

LYDIA Uhh... sure...

Donny grabs her hand and starts to pull her away but shestops him

LYDIA (CONT’D)Yeah actually umm I thijnk i’m fine

right here.

DONNYOh, oh yeah yeah okay.

Donny drinks and walks away. Lydia sighs and drinks a bit more.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Todd is walking on the sidewalk alone, in the middle of thesuburbs

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TODD(on phone)

Yeah? What? Mom, what what -- yeah,yeah I’ll be over th -- yeah yeahI’m coming sure

Todd runs off frame

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Todd enters the house and it looks like a complete mess.Heavy rock and roll music is playing in the background

TODDMom?

Todd hears the sound of someone crying

TODD (CONT’D)

Mom??!?Todd runs into the kitchen where he sees his mom in theliquor cabinet under the sink

JOANNE(crying)

I can’t, I can’t, I cant--

Todd pulls Joanne out from under the cabinet

JOANNE (CONT’D)HE’S GONE!!!

Joanne bursts into tears and falls on the floor

TODDMom, get up! What- what’s the matter with you?

JOANNEYou wanna know what’s the matter with me? Is that what you wannaknow?

TODD

Yeah yeah you know it’d be cool Ithink, right?

JOANNEYou don’t know what it’s like... tohave every single little piece ofyou taken away. Everything that youcare about, gone, just like that.

(MORE)

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He took my career! I was going tobe a vetinarian, you know, avetinarian! He takes that away,plops a few kids into my stomach,essentially makes me raise them,and then what does he do? Hedecides to kill himself when thegoing gets rough! So where doesthat leave me, huh? Where does thatleave me?

TODDI... I... uhh...

JOANNEAnswer me when I talk to you?

TODDI just... It’s...

JOANNEThese kids don’t know how to speakbasic english, jesus Christ! I havenothing, Todd, don’t youunderstand? Nothing!

TODDThat’s not true, you have me, youhave Jack, and there’s Lyida too,there’s uh you know uh you know youhave three kids who who love you,you know and

JOANNESave it. You guys are going to begone soon. You next year, Jack theyear after that, and Lydia rightafter. Please, I have nothing.

Joanne takes a large sip of wine

TODDYou don’t, mom, you don’t. You canyou know start fresh. This can be anew beginning mom.

Joanne doesn’t respond

TODD (V.O.)My dad’s body wasn’t even cold yetand she was already thinking about what his death meant for her. Icouldn’t believe it.

JOANNE (CONT'D)

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TODDI’m going to bed. Good night mom, Ilove you. I really do.

Joanne sits there. Todd exits and runs upstairs.

TODD (V.O.)I guess I could’t blame her though.We were all going through our ownstuff at the time. Like take mybrother for instance.

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

TODD (V.O.)Ever since the party, Jack wantedanother taste of the thrilling rush

of cocaine.Jack is in the hallway with his friends. All of them leave togo to the next class but Jack and Jeff

JACKHey uhhhh Jeff

JEFFWhat up?

JACKWhere did you buy that coke that we

used last night?

JEFFI got it from my cousin, he sellsat his school. Why, do you... wantsome...

JACKUmmmm... yeah. Yeah yeah I would.

JEFFYeah sure just ummm... meet meafterschool behind the field house.

I’ve gotta get to class, we’ll talklater

JACKAlright brother.

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INT. JACK’S ROOM - DAY

Jack is sitting in his room staring at a small bag ofcocaine.

TODD (V.O.)I couldn’t believe it either.

Jack dumps a little bit of it on the table, makes a line andsnorts it. He has a big release of tension and leans back.

FADE TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

INT. LYDIA’S ROOM - DAY

Lydia is sitting at the windowsill. Her cellphone rings andshe sees that her friend is calling her. She lets it ring and

continues to stare out the window.TODD (V.O.)

Lydia’s reaction to Dad’s death wasdifferent.

INT. TODD’S ROOM - DAY

Todd is sitting by his bed and watching “The Seventh Seal” onhis laptop

TODD (V.O.)

I didn’t have much of a reaction.Again, for me it just felt like ---like I couldn’t feel.

Todd closes his laptop and exits

CUT TO:

INT. JOANNE’S ROOM - DAY

Todd enters the room and sees his mother sleeping in the bedalone with the TV on.

TODD (V.O.)Sometimes I just believed it wasall a dream and wasn’t true. That I was going to wake up and things would go back to the way they were.It never seemed to go that waythough.

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INT. HALLWAY

Todd is walking through the hallway when suddenly the powershuts off and the lights shut off

JACK (O.S.)JESUS CHRIST! AAAHHHH!

TODDMOM! MOM DID YOU PAY THE BILL?

No response

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN

It is pitch black darkness when suddenly we see a candlebeing lit by Todd.

Jack is sitting at the table.

TODDMom didn’t pay the bill.

JACKYeah yeah I can tell. Do you know what’s going on with her? Is it menapouse?

TODDNo stupid, her husband just died.

JACKRight right but I mean it’ssomething different. She just actsdifferent.

TODDActing different, huh?

JACKWhat?

TODD

What?

JACKWhat?

TODDNever mind. Where’s Lydia

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JACKI don’t know man. What’s fordinner?

TODDI don’t know man. Mom usually makesdinner, ask her.

JACKCan’t.

TODDWhy?

JACKIn one of those moods.

TODDAgain?

JACKIt’s been umm non-stop I think

TODDYou think?

JACKYeah yeah it’s stopped fading inand out

TODDHuh.

JACKDo you wanna knock on her door and--

TODDNo it’s fine I’ll just makesomething.

JACKWhat?

TODDI don’t know. We don’t really haveany power. Make cereal.

JACKYeah yeah that sounds good

Jack goes in to the cupboard and grabs cereal and pours itinto a bowl. He goes into the fridge and looks aroun

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JACK (CONT’D)Do we have any milk?

TODDOh snap I forgot, we don’t have any milk?

JACKAre you serious?

TODDIt’s okay, I’ll run over to thestore.

Todd exits

EXT. STREET - DAY

Todd grabs his bike and bikes to the store

TODD (V.O.)That was the first time I’ve evergone to the store alone to getanything.

TODDWait, which way is the store again?

Todd stops and looks around. He shrugs and keeps biking.

INT. STORE - DAY

Todd walks into the mini-mart and looks around. He isoverwhelmed. It is like he’s never been there before. Helooks around for milk. He looks around for a bit and starts walking around the store. I imagine “South American Getaway”is playing in the background. He sees Kara, a girl his age with red hair down to her neck. She has black glasses thatlook better on her than if she weren’t wearing glasses atall. She is in the milk aisle. Todd stops and sees her, andthe music slows down. He instantly finds her attractive. He walks over to grab the milk and she is staring right there

TODD

Excuse me.

KARA Oh yeah, no problem.

Todd reaches over to grab the milk

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KARA (CONT’D)What kind of milk would you get?

TODDWhat kind of -- I have 2%.

KARA Right.

TODDRight. Wait you go to my school,right?

KARA Yup. Same history class.

TODDRight.

KARA

Right. Okay, so you’re saying Ishould get 2%.

TODDThat’s what I like.

KARA Okay.

Kara grabs the 2% milk and quickly turns around and walksaway quickly.

TODD

Fuck, I probably said something wrong.

Todd turns around quickly and walks away with his head down.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Todd is sitting on the couch watching “It Happened One Night”

TODD (V.O.)The weekends were lonely. I spent most of my time watching movies. My

family was slowly falling apart infront of my eyes, but what could Ido? I couldn’t do anything. So Idid what I did best. Which was bealone.

Silence

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TODD (V.O.)I was used to it. I really was.Until one day in school when--

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Todd is sitting in his desk watching the teacher talk

TODD (V.O.)Well, let me start off by saying Inever got any work done in school.I was always a slacker, and even with the situation I was put in atthe moment, not much changed. Iused to wonder if we had a sense ofsmell in space, or whether or why we don't have dog and cat crossbreeding.

MRS. RYANMr. Anderson!

The whole class is staring at Todd and he snaps out of thetrance that he was in

TODDUhhh yeah?

MRS. RYANWell?

TODD

Well, you know, it’s ummm... yeah.

MRS. RYANWhat?

TODDI wasn- sorry I wasn’t payingattention. I’m sorry.

MRS. RYANI asked if you preferred me to pickyour partner or if you could do ityourself.

TODD (V.O.)With a quick scan around the room,I could tell that everyone there was dumb, hated me, are people Ifrankly didn’t want to associate with.

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TODDUhhhh you know umm you can pick myparther.

MRS. RYANOkay, Todd and Mikey B!

Todd turns around and sees Mikey B, a kid with tissues allover the table, has huge high farsighted perscriptionedglasses. He is eating his boogers.

TODDWait no I said that I wanted topick my partner!

MRS. RYANOh fine Mr Anderson, who would youlike to pick?

Todd does a quick survey of the people around the room again

and sees Kara sitting in the frontTODD

Kara!

KARA (surprised, turning back)

Wait what?

MRS. RYANOkay so we have Todd and Kara.

Kara is stunned, and Todd has a face of immediate regret and

stops looking at her and looks down at his desk

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY - DAY

Todd walks out of the class and starts to run a bit beforeKara walks out of the class

KARA Todd!

TODD(stopping)

Oh god...

KARA So... we’re partners?

Todd walks back

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TODDYeah, we’re partners. Sorry, it wasbetween you or Mikey B.

KARA Oh yeah I guess that makes sense.

TODDYeah. Is that all?

KARA Uhhh yeah.

TODDCool.

KARA Cool. Bye

TODD

Oh waitKARA

What’s up?

TODDWhat is uhh what is uhhh theproject?

KARA The project? This one?

TODD

Yeah. Sorry, I wasn’t payingattention.

KARA Oh right. I don’t really know.

TODDOh.

KARA Yeah, I wasn’t paying attentioneither.

TODD(laughing)

Yup. That’s Mrs. Ryan’s class.

KARA Yeah...

Kara makes the moves to start walking away

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TODDHow was the milk?

KARA What?

TODDNothing.

KARA (laughing a bit)

Oh the milk! Yeah it was uhh good.

TODDGood.

KARA Yeah.

TODD

Yeah, okay.KARA

See ya.

TODDSee ya.

They both turn away in opposite directions, both murmuringthings to themselves. The shot is symmetrical.

TODD (V.O.)At that moment, I was what they

like to call a “Grade A Dumbass”

___________________________________________________________

INT. HOUSE - DAY

Todd enters the house

TODDHello?

No response. Todd walks into the kitchen and goes into the

fridge.

TODD (CONT’D)Nothing. Oh wait, hummus.

Todd sticks his finger into the hummus and eats it off hisfinger.

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TODD (CONT’D)Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am ToddAnderson and I am eating hummus forsnack!

Todd looks around and realises he was talking to himself

TODD (CONT’D)Ha! Ha. That was dumb dumb dumbdumb

Todd is walking up the stairs while insulting himself. Hegoes into Jack’s room and sees him snorting cocaine. Jackhears the door open and immediately tries to hide it

TODD (CONT’D)What the hell

JACKWhat? What? What?

TODDYou -- Jack!!!

JACKWhat? What? What? What?

TODD(pacing back)

I can’t believe this.

JACKBelieve -- believe what? What’s the

problem

TODDI can see it on your arms! Nicecover-up buddy!

JACKI don’t know what you’re talkingabou--

Todd closes the door

TODD

Alright. Explain.

JACKI don’t -- It’s not mine.

TODDMan, don’t lie to me!

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TODDAnd that’s the scary thing! Come on man, I I don’t get it! Mom’s neveraround, or when she’s home she’sdrunk. Lydia sits in her room andcries all day because shediscovered that people can die andleave her life just like *that*. Wedo not need another death in thefamily. I don’t need someone elseto take care of.

JACKYou don’t-

TODDI don’t what? I don’t get it?Because I’m seeing the uhh picturepretty clearly here and you know Idon’t know what the hell you’re

thinking because there are otherpeople in this famil and --

JACKIt’s always about other people inthe family.

TODDWhat?

JACK(starting to cry)

It’s always about other people in

the family. Everyone, come and jointhe Todd Anderson and his crazyfamily. Well you know, what about me? How do you think I feel? Dad was like my best friend, okay. He was the one I talked to when Ineeded help with things like this.I have no male role model to lookup to anymore. I can’t look up tothe man who was too much of acoward to continue living so hedecided to poison himself with thefreaking gas from the freaking car

and -- and -- and -- I just wantyou to leave me be. Okay? Justleave me be. Let me deal with thisstuff my own way. I don’t needanyone or especially you to tell me what to do or what not to do! Okay?

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TODDWe’ll talk about this later.

Todd slowly walks out of the room and closes the door andgoes into the hallway

TODD (V.O.)I didn’t know what to say.

Todd starts to tear up and sit down on the steps leading tothe first floor.

TODD (V.O.)What was I supposed to say? I’m notdad. I didn’t know how to be hisdad. I didn’t want to be his dad. Ijust wanted.. I just wanted...

_____________________________________________________________

INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

Todd walks in and sees that the seats are in pair formation(facing one another) already. He finds Kara and sits to theseat next to hers.

TODDHey.

KARA Hey. What, are you oka--

TODDYeah I’m fine.

KARA Are you su-

TODDYeah it’s nothing. Just -- yeahnothing.

KARA Okay.

TODDSo uhh

KARA What?

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TODDDid you ever figure out what thisproject is?

KARA No.

TODDOkay. Same.

KARA Cool.

TODDYeah.

KARA What are we gonna do?

TODD

We could always ask.KARA

Yeah we could...

TODDBut Mrs. Ryan isn’t here.

KARA Right...

TODDSo...

KARA Basically...

TODDWe don’t have a plan...

KARA Right...

TODDCool. That’s always good. Thishappens most of the time in group

projects anyways.

KARA Wait what does?

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TODDI don’t know what’s going on halfof the time but everyone else knowsnothing so I just have to figure itout on my own.

KARA Gee thanks Todd!

TODDNo I didn’t mean it like that it’s-

KARA I know.

TODDIt’s just-- I have a lot of stuffgoing on.

KARA

What kind of stuff?TODD

Never mind.

KARA I get it. I have stuff going ontoo.

TODDLike what?

KARA

Nothing I want to talk about rightnow.

TODDFair enough.

KARA Cool. Wait a minute wait a minutelet’s look around the room and see what everyone else is doing.

Kara and Todd look around the room and sees other peopletalking and writing things down on a big posterboard

TODDOh wait we were supposed to bringposterboard?

KARA Nooo!

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TODDIt’s okay, it’s okay, uhhh let’srun to the school store.

KARA In the middle of class?

TODDYeah I guess.

KARA Okay.

TODDOkay let’s go or Okay like youconfirm that it’s the middle ofclass?

KARA What?

TODDUhh are you coming or nah?

KARA Yeah.

TODDLet’s go.

Todd and Kara run out of the classroom and go into thehallway

TODD (CONT’D)I have a confession to make.

KARA What?

TODDI haven’t been to the school storein so long I forget where it is.

KARA (Laughing)

Ugh, it’s this way...

Kara starts to run

TODDWhy are you running?

KARA Keep up!

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TODDYeah that’s due on....

MRS. RYANFriday?

TODDFriday, right yeah I was just goingto say that!

KARA Me too!

They laugh and sit down

TODDWe might need to spend more time onthis than we thought.

KARA

Yeah...TODD

Wanna work on this tonight?

KARA What the hell--

TODDJust kidding just kidding we don’thave t-

KARA

It was a joke Todd.

TODD(stifled)

Right.

INT. LYDIA’S ROOM - DAY

Lydia is sitting in her room, staring out the window, whenTodd enters the room

TODD

Hey.

LYDIA Hi.

TODDI made dinner, if you want any.

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LYDIA I’m fine

TODDOkay.

LYDIA Close the door on your way out

TODDWait hold on, are umm are you uhhhokay

Lydia shrugs

TODD (V.O.)There was nothing else to reallysay in that situation, so I wantedto just leave it at that.

TODDBecause well --

TODD (V.O.)But because I’m dumb, I couldn’t.

TODDIf ummm you know you ever need mefor anything just let me know

LYDIA Okay.

TODDI mean like you know you haven’tgone to school for two weeks

Lydia is a bit perplexed, yet still does not make eye contact with him

TODD (CONT’D)And like... well... I mean if youask me I think that you shouldstart to go back to school again

LYDIA

Wait wait what

TODDLike I don’t know what I’msaying... it’s just that...

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LYDIA Just that... just that what,Todd...?

TODDUhm you know what, forget I saidanything.

LYDIA Okay. I mean my dad died so

TODDYeah yeah yeah dad died so youshould you know, take all the timeyou need

LYDIA Right...

TODD

Right. Okay. Okay. Okay.Todd looks around the room

TODD (CONT’D)Yup. Want me to close the do-- ohright you already told me to.

LYDIA Bye.

Todd exits the room and closes the door behind him.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN

Todd is sitting in the kitchen alone eating ramen noodles

TODD (V.O.)I spent a lot of time alone. Mostof the time I was alone. Like theonly people I talked to were myfamily, and they’re all... wellyeah. But I like companionship. At

least I think I do.

TODDThis tastes like crap.

Todd gets up and pours out his ramen noodles.

CUT TO:

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INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Todd is sitting down watching “Moon” on the TV alone. Helooks dissatisfied, yet still laughs at the jokes in the movie. He gets a call on his phone from Kara

TODD(on phone)

Yea?

KARA (V.O.)Hey Todd, I had to track down yournumber.

TODDOh yeah, I never got your number.

KARA (V.O.)Oh really? Yeah no tell me morethings that I literally just told

you.TODD

Okay so here are some more thingsthat you literally just told me.

KARA (V.O.)(joking tone)

Ugh, shut up Todd! Okay where are we meeting

TODDUhhhhh

KARA Jones Cafe?

TODDYeah sounds like a plan.

KARA See ya there.

Todd hangs up, gets up, and runs out of the house.

INT. JONES CAFE - NIGHT

Todd runs into the cafe and sits down

TODD (V.O.)At that point I realized that I washanging out with a girl afterschool.

(MORE)

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Yeah it was for a school projectbut still. I knew I had to saysomething cool. Or if I was goingto ask this girl out or something.I knew I was crazy, but that wasthe plan. That was the plan. Theplan was going to happen, if sheliked it or --

Kara enters and sees Todd, and sits down with him

KARA Hey Todd, what’s up?

TODDUhm, nothing.

KARA Do you have the poster board?

TODDNo.

KARA Wait weren’t you supposed to bringit--

TODDI never brought it home, I thoughtI thought that you did--

KARA It’s fine.

TODDSorry.

KARA It’s fine.

The waitress shows up

WAITRESSWhat can I get for you kids today?

TODD

Uhhhhhhhhh

KARA Two chocolate milkshakes.

TODDOkay.

TODD (V.O.) (CONT'D)

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TODD (V.O.)She just ordered for me. What doesthat mean.

WAITRESSYou got it.

The waitress walks away

KARA Trust me, they’re so good.

TODDYeah I didn’t know what I was goingto get anyways.

MONTAGE

Todd is talking and Kara is laughing

They get their milkshakes and they enjoy them

Kara talks and Todd laughs

They are smiling and having a grand old time

BACK TO SCENE

THE CAMERA ZOOMED IN RIGHT ON KARA’S MOUTH

KARA Can you walk me home?

END SHOT

TODDWalk... you home?

KARA Yeah, can you? It’s kinda late andI can’t really walk alon--

TODD (V.O.)It was safe to say that I was in.

They get up, Todd drops the rest of the money that he has forthe dinner

KARA Are you paying for the whole thing?

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TODDYeah.

KARA No I can totally pitch in--

TODDNo it’s fine

KARA No come on man

TODDI said it’s fine.

KARA Okay.

They leave together

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Todd and Kara are walking outside together

TODDSo

KARA So

TODDCan we talk about the fact that wenever got any work done the entiretime we were there.

KARA OH MY GOD I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF! Weare going to fail this.

TODDDon’t worry, I’ll talk to Mrs. Ryanand explain the situation.

KARA Oh so what are you going to say?

TODDI’m on her good side so itshouldn’t be too hard.

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KARA Oh yeah, how so?

TODDFamily stuff.

KARA Ah.

TODDMy dad killed himself a couple weeks ago.

KARA ...

TODDSorry sorry sorry, I shouldn’tvesaid that.

KARA I’m so sorry, Todd. I had no idea.

TODDIt’s okay. It’s not as hard on meas it should be, you know? I justdon’t know what to do about therest of my siblings, ya know?

KARA Yeah I get it. I get it.

TODD

Yeah.

KARA I can’t believe I’m saying this outloud but my sister and mom died ina car accident 2 years ago. It’sjust me and my dad.

TODDI’m sorry to hear that.

KARA I’m not saying it’s the same but I

just know how it feels

TODDYeah.

They walk in silence

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KARA You know what I noticed?

TODDWhat?

KARA Every day in school, Mikey B wearsthe same exact shirt, but just wears it inside out sometimes.

TODDEVERY DAY! EVERY DAY! I THOUGHT IWAS THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED IT!

KARA I mean what is up with that?

TODDI have no idea, I’m sorry I don’t

like to be mean but that kid isjust weird! He’s just weird!

KARA It’s so strange!

TODD(laughing)

Yeah...

KARA Yeah.

Kara stops

KARA (CONT’D)This is my house.

TODDOh.

KARA Yeah.

TODDHey uh

KARA Yeah?

TODDYou’re really cool. Cool to hangout with and I was just wonderingif

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TODDYeah, I’m sorry.

JOANNEYou’re sorry?

TODDYup, that’s what I said. I’m goingto bed mom, love you.

JOANNEHold on.

TODDWhat?

JOANNEYou’re not going so soon.

TODD

Yeah I know, I stopped.JOANNE

Listen here... and listen well...okay buddy boy?

TODDYeah?

JOANNEWhere were you?

TODD

Out with a friend.

JOANNEHA, that’ll be the day, heh

TODDIs that all?

JOANNEHave you started applying forschools?

TODD

No, ma

JOANNEWhy?

TODDI don’t know. I guess I’ve beenbusy with other things.

(MORE)

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I don’t really know what I’mlooking for any-

Todd notices that Joanne is moving her hands like a mouth,imitating him.

JOANNEYada yada yada, whatever.

Todd sees letters on the counter with words like “Important”on it

TODDWhat are these?

Joanne shrugs. Todd opens them up

TODD (CONT’D)Mom, we’re getting behind on thesebills apparently

JOANNEDon’t worry, we’ll be fine

TODDHow, we uhh well you don’t uhh youdon’t have a job yet right?

JOANNESo? Heh.

TODDWell

JOANNEEver heart of insurance? How couldsuch a big brain be so empty?,Jesus Christ...

TODDRight. ... But wait a minute

JOANNEWhat? what? what is it

TODD

I don’t think insurance covers thefamily if it’s suicide. Becausethat uhh wouldn’t make any sense,you know? I mean do you know how we’re going to pay for these?

Joanne pours herself another glass

TODD (CONT'D)

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TODD (CONT’D)Mom, listen --

JOANNEWhat? What?

TODDI I... I don’t think if you shouldkeep drinking

JOANNEWhat?

TODDI mean we never really see youaround the house anymore, and when we do you’re drunk most of the time

JOANNEWhat did you just say to me?

TODDNothing, mom.

JOANNEThat’s what I thought bitch. Go tobed.

TODDI was going t-

JOANNENow.

TODDOkay.

Todd exits

TODD (V.O.)Most conversations with my mom werelike that. Incoherent and filled with insults.

Joanne finishes the bottle of wine

JOANNETells me to stop drinking, he needsto watch his attitude. His own mother. The person who raised him.These kids don’t don’t don’t get itthey just don’t get it

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INT. HALLWAY

Todd and Kara are walking in the hallway together, laughingand talking

TODD (V.O.)As much as I was concerned about myfamily, life just didn’t seem asheavy because of one thing: Kara.You see, for the first time in mylife I had someone who wanted todate me. Someone who found medesirable. And that trumps everyother feeling I had during mysenior year.

TODD--And so it was getting around tothat point where they becamebasically attatched to each other.

KARA Like what do you mean?

TODDLike siameese twins.

KARA Oh snap

TODDYeah, it’s freaking crazy.

KARA Like a whole new level of crazy

TODDRight!

Mrs Ryan opens the door to her room

MRS. RYANTodd, Kara, are you ready topresent today?

TODD (V.O.)

That’s right. It was the big day.That day. You know, the day thatthe project was due. Did we do any work on it? No. We didn’t even know what the project was.

KARA Oh right, of course!

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TODDSo true!

KARA And relatable!

TODDTrue, and relatable!

Todd and kara laugh as they walk inside the classroom andthen exchange a look of shock

KARA We’re done.

MRS. RYAN(to the class)

Okay class, here is our firstpresentation. Analyzing Macbeth tothe current political situations in

the United States Government, hereis Todd and Kara!

The whole class claps. Mikey B picks his nose.

TODDHi class!

KARA What’s up?

TODDSo Macbeth

KARA Is a play

TODDA Scottish play

KARA And our government

TODDIs a government

KARA An American government

TODDNow uhh uhhh I know what you allare thinking: America and uhScotland, right? Heh

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KARA Yeah, those two can never gotogether!

TODDWell uhh you know they can becausethey relate!

KARA But how, Todd?

TODDI don’t know Kara, how?

KARA Gee Todd, I don’t know, maybe youshould tell the class!

TODDSounds like a good idea, let’s tell

the class, Kara! You start!Mrs. Ryan has the look on her face saying “same shit asalways”

TODD (CONT’D)They relate because they show thatAmerica is corrupted. Thank you foryour time.

The whole class is stunned. Mrs. Ryan does not even look upfrom her desk and is doing her nails. Todd and Kara look ateach other, gulp, and take their seats

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY

Todd and Kara run out of the classroom

TODDWe failed that.

KARA We so totally failed that.

TODD (V.O.)And did I care? Not in theslightest.

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EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD

Jack is practicing in full uniform out on the field. A kidthrows him a ball and he misses. His Coach Don notices. He isa fat old bald redhead.

COACH DONWhat the hell was that, Anderson?

JACKSorry Coach.

COACH DONSorry? You’re sorry for that?Anderson you’re a piece of crap outthere on the field. Have been forthe last 2 weeks

JACKYeah yeah uhhh I’ll work on it

COACH DONLook at me.

JACKYes coach

COACH DONNow I know things have been hard onyou recently. But whatever you’redoing right now, you need to fix itor something. We have a big gamecoming up and we need you to

perform at full capacity.

A skinny kid with a unibrow is watching Don and Jack talk

COACH DON (CONT’D)What the hell are you looking at,Skinny Mitch? Suicides.

Skinny Mitch does suicides.

COACH DON (CONT’D)But yeah Anderson, just work on it.

JACKWill do, Coach. Thank you.

COACH DONYeah yeah don’t mention it.

CUT TO:

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Jeff and Carl walk away

CARLHe literally came up to me and waslike “my wife left me, I want you”

JEFFShut the hell up Carl!

EXT. OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL - SUNSET

Todd and Kara are both sitting down on the steps

KARA What are you doing tonight?

TODDNothing.

KARA Yeah same.

TODDYeah. Oh hey get this: I gottastart looking for a job.

KARA No freaking way

TODDYeah uhhh heh My slacking days areover.

KARA Uhh why

TODDWe’re getting behind on some of thebills so

KARA Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.

TODDNo it’s fine. I don’t know, I guess

someone has to do it.

KARA Yeah.

TODDYeah.

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KARA Cool. Uhhh do you know what you’regonna do?

TODDNo clue. Have you ever had a job?

KARA No. My dad always told me that“working was for men only, and allyou have to do is sit pretty and wait for a man to take care of me”.That B.S.

TODDI mean that’s dumb of him and allbut is it really that much of aloss?

KARA

Yeah not really actually. He uhhpays for most things I needanyways. So I guess that’s prettycool.

TODDSounds cool, wha what does he do

KARA He’s one of those business guys whoare the bad guys in mostenvironmental movies.

TODDOh those guys, that’s a good job!

KARA Yeah it is I guess. But he’s neverreally around so I never really seehim a lot. Always traveling. Ispend most of my time alone now. Ikinda just get used to it, I guess.

TODDYeah, me and isolation get alongpretty well. It’s a love-hate

relationship actually, I’m so usedto it but I still kinda hate it.

KARA Ha, that’s funny.

TODDI try.

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Kara smiles, Todd sees that and looks own and smiles a bittoo

KARA Uhh you’re looking for a job youcan always look online. Likecraigslist.

TODDCraigslist?

KARA Yeah.

Kara pulls up her phone

KARA (CONT’D)Like look, like here: this one saysHelp Wanted, at Mr. Sandwich.

TODDYeah sure I’ll take that one.

KARA Alright -- well wait don’t you wanna look at the other-

TODDNah, I like sandwiches.

KARA Okay. Okay cool.

TODDCool.

Todd smiles at Kara

KARA What? ... What?

TODDOh uhh nothing.

KARA What?

TODDI just can’t get over how awesomeyou are.

Kara laughs

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KARA Thanks. ... You’re pretty awesometoo.

Todd looks down at the ground and smiles. Jack and hisbuddies walk by into Jeff’s car.

TODDHey Jack.

JACKWhat’s up man?

TODDWhere are you off to?

JACKHangin out with a couple offriends.

TODDHey I heard that you were cutting acouple of classes recently,teachers were talking about it.What’s that about?

JACKI don’t know man, all teacherpolitics. The classes are stupid tobegin with.

TODDOkay. Well I’ll see you at home.

JACKBye.

Jack and his friends walk over to the car, which is parkedaway from Todd and Kara

CARLIs your brother dating that weird whats her face?

JACKI don’t know, maybe.

CARLHe would.

JACKHey come on man, that’s my brother!

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JACK (CONT’D)Holy Christ

Jack falls to the floor and laughs

INT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY

Earl is an older man with a mustache, wearing a sandwich hat.He is sitting down at one of the tables, writing stuff downon paper. Todd enters wearing a button down shirt, tie, andkhakis

TODD (V.O.)I had to dress up. Looked good.Maybe I’ll look good enough forsomeone to actually want me.

EARLTodd Anderson?

TODDHi hi yes its um Todd Anderson.

EARLPlease have a seat.

TODDOkay.

EARLSo Todd, tell me about yourself.

TODDOh. Okay. Well I want to work atMr. Sandwich.

EARLNo kidding kid, I mean I want toknow about you before I get thejob.

TODDOh right

TODD (V.O.)

I would probably get the job if Ijust stopped talking

TODDWell

TODD (V.O.)But I didn’t

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TODDUmmm I like to watch movies a lot Iguess. Ummm. I write journalssometimes

EARLOkay okay kid, I get the jist.

TODDOh, okay.

EARLDo you have any siblings or family?

TODDYes, I have a mother and twoyounger siblings.

EARLRight. So you go to school?

TODDYup, I’m a senior down at DavisHigh.

EARLOkay. Do you have any experience?

TODDIn uhhh... in uhh..

EARLThe food industry of course

TODDOh right yeah yeah

TODD (V.O.)I knew I wasn’t going to get thejob

TODDUmm no, I I don’t.

EARL(scribbling things down)

Mhm.

TODDYou uhh writing that down? Okay.Okay.

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EARLWell Todd, I don’t know if you’rethat suitable for the job, but weneed employees. Two of ouremployees came out as gay, andannounced that they were moving toSan Francisco to get married.

TODDOh. Uhmm good for them

EARLYeah well bad for me. So congrats,you got the job.

Earl gets up and reaches out to shake Todd’s hand

TODDWhoa, cool thank you sir thank youthank you

EARLAlright. DOn’t mention it.

TODDOkay. I won’t. Thank you.

EARLWe’ll start you off with $10 anhour.

TODDThank you.

EARLOkay.

Todd gets up and walks outside of the building

EARL (CONT’D)We’re doomed.

CUT TO:

EXT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY

Todd is standing outside of the store, stunned

TODD (V.O.)I still couldn’t believe I just gota job. A job of my very own.

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TODDYes. Yes. Yes.

Todd starts to walk down the street

TODD (CONT’D)Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Working man. Working working working. Okay.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

Lydia walks into school. She is overwhelmed anduncomfortable.

TODD (V.O.)Monday was a big day for Lydia.This was the first time she wasgoing to school in three weeks.

As she walks through the hall, she gets more and moreoverwhelmed with the amount of people shifting through thehall. She feels uneasy and nauseous

TODD (V.O.)As this was the first time she’sbeen around that many people inthat long, its an understandablenauceation.

Lydia looks around and runs into the nurse’s office

LYDIA

(speeding through her words)Hi... My name is Lydia Anderson...I haven’t gone to school in three weeks... Can I lie down please...thank you...

Lydia runs into one of the mini-beds that the nurse’s officehas and lies down. The nurse gets up from her desk and walksover to Lydia, lying down on her bed

NURSEAnd what seems to be the problem

with you, Ms. Anderson?

LYDIA Long story.

NURSEI’ve got time.

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LYDIA Don’t want to talk about it rightnow.

NURSEOkay, you sure?

Lydia does not respond.

NURSE (CONT’D)Well you’re only allowed in hereone period at a time. I hope you’reokay with that.

LYDIA Yes. Thank you.

NURSEDon’t mention it.

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Jack and his friends walk over to a table and sit down.

JEFFSo last weekend though...

CARLJack, you went crazy.

EDDIEWait what happened?

CARLYou don’t wanna know the stuff that went down. You don’t wanna know.

EDDIEBut--

CARLTrust me.

JEFFStop being such a wiseass, Carl.

CARLAlright, Alright.

JACKI can’t even remember what I didover the weekend.

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JEFFFigures.

CUT TO:

Todd and Kara are sitting at a table

KARA Hey uhhh

TODDWhat’s up?

KARA My dad was wondering if he could meet you tonight. Like for dinner.

TODDI thought he was out of town.

KARA He usually is. I brought him uponce but yeah now he wants to meetyou. I’m surprised he actuallygives a crap about anyone buthimself for the first time.

TODDI can’t go today though. I have myfirst day of work.

KARA Oh right

TODDYeah from 3:30 to 10.

KARA Wait what?

TODDYeah. I need to work a lot now, youknow? Help out the family.

KARA Well that’s a good thing. You know?

TODDYeah. I mean I don’t know how I’mgoing to fit in the rest of thestuff of my life but we’ll figureit out.

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TODD (V.O.)I had no idea how any of this wasgoing to work. I screwed myself,yet again.

KARA Yeah, we’ll figure it out.

A group of girls walk by and look at kara and laugh a bit butcontinue on their way. Kara looks a bit discouraged.

TODDWhat was that?

KARA Nothing.

TODDOkay. Well I mean that’s just kindaodd, don’t you think?

KARA It’s been... it’s been happeningsince middle school. But whatever.

TODDOh. Okay. I’m sorry to hear that.

KARA Yeah--

TODDWell you know if you makes you feel

any better, I don’t have that manyfriends either, so.

KARA Yeah.

TODDYeah.

The same group of girls walk over to Lydia, sitting aloneeating her food

MELISSA

Oh my god Lydia, you’re actually inschool?

ALEXISWhat’s up?

LYDIA Nothing.

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They sit down at Lydia’s table

ALEXISSo Lyd, how have things been?

MELISSA You know since-- Yeah.

LYDIA Okay.

MELISSA Oh that’s good to hear!

ALEXISYeah!

LYDIA I guess.

ALEXISSo, you’re not going to believe what happened

MELISSA Oh here we go...

ALEXISShould I say it?

MELISSA No.

ALEXISI don’t know if I should say it.

MELISSA Don’t.

ALEXISOkay I’ll say it anyways. Okay getthis Lyd, you’ll love this. So I was walking down the street thisday and this guy....

As Alexis continues to talk, Lydia starts to tune her out.

She sits there and plays with her food a bit, and then aftera while she starts to look around at all the kids walking,laughing, talking, crying, living their lives. She againfeels overwhelmed. She stands up.

LYDIA I... I...

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ALEXISWhat the f...

LYDIA I gotta go. Bye.

Lydia runs out of the cafeteria. Alexis and Melissa arereally confused.

Jack and his friends see her run out.

CARL(in Forrest gump voice)

Run Alexis, Run!

JEFFYou know Forrest isn’t the one whosaid Run, Forrest, Run, you knowthat right?

CARLShut up man.

JEFFWait so what is up with yoursister, Jack? I haven’t seen heraround in a while.

JACKI don’t know man... I don’t know!

Jack starts to laugh

JEFFDude are you... are you... are youhigh right now?

JACKDude that stuff you gave me was sofreaking incredible man... I don’teven care about what’s going onright now.

EDDIEWhat’d you give him, Jeff?

JACKLike, it feels like.... Bro...

JEFFJesus Christ man, you’re my hero.

CARLYeah.

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EDDIEI always feel like the odd man outor something--

JEFFIt’s because you are the odd manout Eddie, it’s because you are.

EDDIEOh.

Jack leans back, until he eventually falls over the cafeteriabench and just lies on the floor and stares at the ceilingand laughs

TODD (V.O.)Jack was screwed up, Lydia wasscrewed up, my mom was screwed up.But me? I had my own problems. Like my first day of work.

INT. MR. SANDWICH - DAY

Todd runs in with a black apron and a sandwich hat on. Hesees Earl and other workers behind the counter.

EARLClock in. Don't forget to clock in,that’s how you get paid.

TODDOkay.

Todd goes into the register and clocks in. A customer entersand walks over to the counter.

EARLAlright, here’s the key to making asandwich. Let me show you.

(very rehearsed tone)Welcome to Mr. Sandwich, how can Ihelp you today...

CUSTOMERHi, I would like a turkey and

provolone sandwich with lettuce,tomato, and mustard, please?

EARLWhat kind of bread?

CUSTOMERUhhh Italian.

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EARLGot it.

Earl grabs the Italian bread, cuts it, throws meat and cheeseon it, throws lettuce and tomato on it, and squeezes some mustard on there too. It is very sloppy and hastily made. He wraps it up, puts it in a bag, and rings him in.

EARL (CONT’D)That’ll be 9.95, Would you like areceipt, please?

CUSTOMERBut... but my sandwich....

EARLHey, we just make em. You pick em.9.95.

CUSTOMER

Okay...The customer gives him 10 dollars, and Earl hands thecustomer the sandwich

EARLHave a nice day.

CUSTOMEROkay...

The customer takes his sandwich and awkwardly leaves. Todd iscompletely stunned.

EARLAnd that’s that.

TODD (V.O.)From the first look at the amazin work he did with that sandwich, Iknew that he was going to be myrole model.

TODDThat was... that was...

EARLPretty freakin easy, huh?

TODD (V.O.)But I knew that it wasn’t right to make a guy’s sandwich like that.

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TODDI mean okay wait don’t get me wrongthat seems easy but I mean don’tyou think you could’ve... I dontknow maybe like uhhhh TRIED to makethe sandwich good or

EARLYeah you see I would.... But Ididn’t. And that’s that. Want asandwich?

TODDWha-

Earl grabs bread, cuts it up, and throws every single meat,cheese, sauce, and veggie on it. He folds the sandwich up andchows down.

TODD (CONT’D)

Jesus.EARL

I mean technically we’re notsupposed to take them, but who’scounting, eh?

TODDI mean I feel liek the company might be counting but... oh well.Okay.

Earl smiles and eats his sandwich

TODD (V.O.)And it wasn’t just Earl that wasdoing this. Everyone was. Everysingle worker was making the world’s crappiest sandwich

MONTAGE

A young teen employee with long hair is making a sandwich,and throwing random ingredients on it

CUSTOMER #2I asked for meatball!

EMPLOYEEOh you want meatball on there too?You got it!

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TODD (V.O.)And I actually made the sandwich.That’s right, I actually ended updoing something right for the firsttime in my entire life.

INT. TODD’S ROOM - NIGHT

Todd enters the room. It is late, and Todd is still wearinghis work clothes on. He gets onto his bed and lays down. Itis an aerial shot of him laying down on the bed.

TODD (V.O.)I don’t know what it’s like to geta really good night’s sleep. My mind is always restless. Alwaysthinking of something. Most of thetimes its depressing or somethinglike that. But it’s hard for me to

sleep.CUT TO:

INT. JACK’S ROOM - NIGHT

It is the same shot, but Jack is laying in his bead. He isawake, but is shaking. You can see a needle on hisnightstand. He is sweating and laughing.

JACKA ha... a ha... a ha...

CUT TO:

INT. LYDIA’S ROOM

Lydia is laying down in the fetal position. She is completely motionless, however is not asleep either. She just laysthere.

CUT TO:

INT. JOANNE’S ROOM

It is a shot of an empty bed. The sheets have not been washedin weeks, and there are many stains on it. A chug of a bottleis heard, and then Joanne lays down onto her bed andcontinues to drink a lot. She belches, and then sits up onthe side of her bed.

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JOANNEBill... Bill... why did you leave me... you loser why on earth didyou leave me....

Joanne chugs down some more of her liquor

CUT TO:

INT. TODD’S ROOM

Todd is laying down in his bed. He picks up his phone andcalls Kara.

INTERCUT - TODD’S ROOM/KARA’S ROOM

Kara is laying in her bed, gets the call, and picks up herphone.

KARA Hey.

TODDHey.

KARA No sleep?

TODDNope.

KARA That makes two of us. I’ve gottenused to going to bed really latenow. You’ve completely ruined mysleep schedule however, and that will never be repaired.

TODDI’m sorry.

KARA I’m kidding.

TODDI know, I know.

KARA How was your first day of work?

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TODDIt was okay. Nobody does their work. I’m the only one who does itright, but tha’ts okayl. I can’tbelieve on my first day, people areactuall looking up to me. I uess Ikinda like the athourity.

KARA That’s good. That you’re anathority, I mean.

TODDYeah, I guess it iss.

KARA Yeah.

TODDWhat did you do this afternoon?

KARA Nothing much. I slept. I watchedthat movie you told me about.

TODDWHich one?

KARA The Woody Allen one.

TODDMidnight in Paris.

KARA Yeah. It was good.

TODDCool, glad you liked it.

KARA Hey Todd--

TODDYeah?

KARA So umm do you wanna maybe hang outthis weekend?

TODDYeah sure. I mean we always hangout anyways so--

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KARA Yeah but I mean just like really dosomething. You know?

TODDOkay cool. I like spending time with you.

KARA Yeah.

TODDWhat are we uhh, what are we gonnado?

KARA Just come over on friday night.

TODDAlright.

KARA ALright Alright.

BOTH(in matthew mccounaugheyvoice)

Alright Alright Alright!

They laugh and then sit there in silence

TODDI have a question for you.

KARA And that is?

TODDWhat do you think happens when wedie?

KARA THinking about your dad again?

TODDYeah, but no. LIke I’m always

thinking about him, he’s always in my thoughts you know, but at thesame tieme I’m never that focusedon him. But I was just wodnering what you thought.

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TODDWhat are you, Tom Cruise, what areare you doing?

JACKNo sleep baby, that’s what it doesto ya!

TODDYou you didn’t get any sleep lastnight?

JACKNo becuase I ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TOPARTY!!!!

TODDJack get down.

JACK

Dude dude you have no idea what onearth went down

TODDDon’t... don’t... don’t you haveuhh a big game today? Like a reallyimportant game?

JACKYes, and now I am REVVED UP!

TODDWell like umm I feel like you would

need sleep for that, you know?

JACK(Getting back to groundlevel)

See Todd, that’s what you think!!You don’t get the way Jack Anderson works

TODDNo but I think I understand the waythat a a basic uhh human works,because you know uhhh humans need

sleep to function, you know?

JACK(walking over to fridge)

Yeah yeah yeah I’ll be good.

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TODDHey uhhh are you still on thatstuff?

JACKWhat? Oh no, I’m clean.

TODDClean?

JACKYup.

TODDOkay... okay... well I mean youlook... different. I don’t know,like, kinda lifeless.

JACKI don’t know what the hell you’re

talking about, I AM AT THE PINNACLEOF MY HEALTH!

TODDDude keep it quiet, people arestill sleeping.

JACKLydia just sits there all of thetime, and Mom can sleep throughanything. I’m fine bro, I’m fine.

TODD

Right.

JACK(eating a bowl of cerealthat he prepared)

So uhhh you coming out to the gametoday?

TODDWhen is it?

JACK3.

TODDOkay well uhh I’m supposed to be working and hanging out with Karabut uhh

JACKYou’re working now?

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TODDYeah you know that.

JACKOh right. Sandwich shop,

TODDYeah.

JACKAnd you are officially dating that weird girl what’s her face -- Kara?

TODD(Insulted yet sad)

--Yeah.

JACKSo you can’t come out?

TODDI-- I don’t know, like I hope I canbut we’ll see.

JACKOkay.

Jack gets up and starts pacing around the room

JACK (CONT’D)Okay.

Jack runs up the stairs

TODDOh uhh, bye!

Jack slams the door to his room

TODD (CONT’D)Okay.

-Todd makes a cup of coffee

-He pours it into a cup and drinks it in the kitchen

TODD (V.O.)I used to hate being alone. But I mean it was nice to finally havesome time to myself. I loved myfamily and my girlfriend, but I missed being able to hear mythoughts.

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Todd sips his coffee and then stares into the mug

TODDAnother long one today.

INT. LYDIA’S ROOM

Todd enters the room and sees Lydia laying down, awake

TODDCome on, let’s go to school.

LYDIA Not going.

TODDWHy not, you went yesterday.

LYDIA

Barely.TODD

What do you mean barely?

LYDIA I sat in the nurse’s office most ofthe time. I can’t go.

TODDWell okay. Thumbs up for tryingthough.

LYDIA Thanks.

Todd exits the room

TODD (V.O.)And so I went to school. And to work. I missed Jack’s football game which he lost, thanks to him missing most of his catches.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD

The scoreboard is 35-7. Jack’s team walks off the field, allangry

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COACH DONWhat the hell was that? Jack youstunk out there!!

JACKSorry coach.

COACH DONSorry? Sorry? Listen buddy, if youdon’t get your act together, you’reoff the freaking team. You hear me?

JACKOkay.

Coach don walks away

JACK (CONT’D)(laughing)

Wiseass.

His buddies laugh

TODD (V.O.)I started to get paid at work, too.

CUT TO:

INT. MR. SANDWICH

Earl hands Todd a check in the back room.

EARLHere’s your first paycheck.

Todd reads it and it his eyes widen

TODDHoly smokes...

EARLRelax kid, that’s nothing.

TODDWhoa.

Earl walks away, and Todd just stares at the check.

CUT TO:

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80/112

TODDNo.

JOANNEGood. Now go and play or something,get out of my view.

TODDOkay.

Joanne keeps drinking her wine and Todd goes upstairs to hisroom and sits there.

TODD (V.O.)I didn’t like it when she was mean,you know? I mean I guess nobodylikes it when their parents are mean to them. But I got a job, Itried to support the family. Butnothing.

Silence

TODD (V.O.)I didn’t do it for the recognitionthough. I did it for my family. Andthat’s what’s important.

TODDI hate her. I hate her I hate her Ihate her.

TODD (V.O.)

I really didn’t like it though.When she was mean.

EXT. OUTSIDE OF KARA’S HOUSE - DAY

Kara has a big house with a long walkway, green grass, andstatues.

TODD (V.O.)Soon after that though, it was the weekend. I went to go see Kara,like she wanted.

Todd walks up the steps and knocks on the door. Kara opensit.

KARA Hey!

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TODDHey.

KARA Come on in, give me a second to getready.

TODDOkay. Okay.

Todd steps into her house and it is VERY NICE. There areportraits, statuettes, and expensive furniture. It feels likea museum at times.

KARA One sec.

She runs upstairs, leaving Todd to pace around in the livingroom.

TODD (V.O.)I didn’ t want to to breakanything. It felt like I was in thenational museum of Kara’s pastlife. I should cherish this beforeshe gets to the point where shebreaks up with me.

Todd touches a statuette and it starts to wobble, and hekeeps it still. He finds a large portrait of Kara, herparents, and her sister. Kara comes downstairs and sees Toddlooking up at the portrait.

KARA This was made almost a month beforethey died.

TODDYeah, you look young here.

KARA Yeah.

TODDDoes it hurt to see it every day?

KARA No. It makes me feel like I belongin a family.

TODDYeah. Where’s your... Where’s yourdad?

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KARA I don’t know, Germany or something.

TODDBusiness as usual, huh?

KARA Yeah.

TODDOkay, ready to go?

KARA Yeah.

They start to step outside but they see it’s raining

TODDNo way.

KARA It’s raining?

TODD (V.O.)Pretty convenient, if I might add.I had nothing planned for the dayanyways.

TODDNo freaking way, that’s crazy.

KARA Well I guess we’re staying here.

Well, wanna go upstairs to my room?

TODDYeah. Yeah okay.

KARA Okay.

Kara walks upstairs and Todd joins her. They walk into theroom. It has a bed, posters of plays and bands, and it hassome chairs.

KARA (CONT’D)

This is my room.

TODDCool.

KARA Yeah.

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TODD (V.O.)I did it.

MONTAGE

TODD (V.O.)Things seemed to be going well for me in the first time in almost a month. Things were coming together.I had a girlfriend who freakingloved me (I still can’t believe itto this day), I had a good job thatpaid substantially enough for me toattempt to support my family in thebest way I could, while stilltrying to save up a bit for myselfas well.

Todd and Kara are walking by the street, talking and

laughing.They go to a store and try on different clothes

They splash water at each other in a fountain. People lookperplexed at them, so they get up and leave.

They kiss under a tree.

TODD (V.O.)Once I saved up enough, I was ableto afford every teenager’s dream. Acar.

Todd pulls up the car in Kara’s driveway. She comes outsidefrom her house. It is a decent looking hooptie, butnonetheless still a working car.

END MONTAGE

TODDSee this? See this? See what thisis?

KARA You got a car?

TODDI got a car!

KARA A a

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TODDA a a a CAR! That’s right, wheels.Wheels. I’m -- I’m gonna show my mom! I’ll be back.

KARA (arnie voice)

You’ll be back?

TODD(arnie voice)

I’ll be back.

Todd pulls out and drives away. Kara walks back into herhouse.

Todd drives into his driveway.

TODD (CONT’D)Hey guys, guess what this is?

Everybody get out here!!Silence

TODD (CONT’D)Oh right. It’s my family, jesusChrist.

Todd walks into the house

JOANNE (O.S.)OH MY GOD!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!

JACK (O.S.)DOESN’T ANYONE KNOW HOW TO KNOCK?

CUT TO:

INT. JACK’S ROOM

JACKLook ma!

JOANNEYou’re killing yourself just like

your father!

JACKWhat are you talking about? Ma lookit’s not what it looks like, trust me!

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JOANNEYou’re a junkie! You’re a freakingjunkie!

JACKNo no I’m not this is... It’s--

JOANNEYou have a belt around your arm, what do you think, I’m stupid? Youthink I’m stupid!

JACKNo I don’t!

JOANNEYou think I’m stupid??!?!

Joanne pushes Jack

JOANNE (CONT’D)Well do ya?

JACKNo ma, no. Trust me.

Todd enters the room

TODDHey what’s going-

JOANNEGet the fuck out right now Todd.

TODDCan do.

Todd exits

JACKLook this was just a one timething. I don’t think you’re stupid.

JOANNEWhen are you going to stop lying?When are you going to stop lying?

JACKI-

JOANNE(hitting Jack on the head)

When are you going to stop lying,do you even understand me?

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JACKStop touching me mom, I’ll cut it,okay?

JOANNEWhat did you say?

JACKWhat did I what?

JOANNEWHAT DID YOU SAY?!?!?!?!?!?!

Joanne slaps Jack multiple times, eventually he pushes her tothe wall

JACKI said stop touching me!

JOANNE

So now you think you’re the big manhere?

JACKYeah, yeah I do. I do. I’m sixteen!I am the big man, and you know what, I don’t care.

JOANNEI want you out of my house.

JACKGood, I’m leaving.

JOANNEI WANT YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHTNOW.

JACKI SAID I WAS LEAVING!!!

Jack packs his football, his stash of drugs from under hisbed, and grabs clothes from his room

JOANNEI don’t know who’s roof you’re

gonna live under, because it’s sureas hell not gonna be mine!!

JACKI’ve got friends! I’ve got plans!None of you losers in this houseeven matter, because I’m gonna bebigger than your wildest dreams!

(MORE)

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I’m gonna be in the NFL ma! And what are you gonna be, analcoholic? A bum? Oh wait, I thinkyou already are.

JOANNEWHAT DID YOU CALL ME??!?!?!?

Jack throws all his stuff into multiple grocery bags.

JACKI called you an alcoholic bum, anddon’t forget it.

Jack walks outside of the room, and Joanne pushes him downthe stairs and he tumbles down. Todd was sitting at thekitchen table but gets up.

TODDWhat the--

JACK(crying)

FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’mgonna be somebody... just you wait...

Jack runs out of the house with his bags and closes the door.Todd runs out of the house soon after.

TODDWhat just happened in there?

JACKI can’t handle mom anymore. I hateher. I hate her. I can’t stand it,I’m out.

TODDWell where are you going.

JACKJeff’s. His parents aren’t going tobe home this week. I’ll figure outthe rest of the details later.

TODDHey. Listen Jack. You need to getoff that crap, right now. It’s notgood for you. Go back inside andapologize to mom.

JACK (CONT'D)

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JACKIt’s over man. We all lost. Dad’sdead, and we have to pay the pricefor it. It’s freaking over.

Jack walks away.

TODD (V.O.)The truest words I ever heard, evento this day.

Todd sita down and tries to hold back tears, and some of themcome out for a second yet tries to stay strong

TODDIt’s okay, it’s okay, we’re gonna make it through, we’re gonna makeit through. Okay Todd. Okay.

INT. LYDIA’S ROOMLydia is looking out the window and sees Jack walking away with his grocery bags. Joanne enters

JOANNEWell what are you doing?

Lydia turns around and shrugs

JOANNE (CONT’D)Answer me when I talk to you, Isaid what are you doing?

LYDIA I don’t know. Looking out the window I guess.

JOANNEWell have you considered gettingoff your butt for the first time inthree weeks and DOING SOMETHING?You’re a LOSER.

Lydia is hurt and starts to cry, yet still doesn’t make a lotof noise

LYDIA Why... why do you--

JOANNEAll of you. ALL OF YOU!!!! Butespecially you, you... you... low-life.

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Joanne grabs Lydia by her head

JOANNE (CONT’D)You are nothing but a degenerate.Now get up and DO SOMETHING. GO TOSCHOOL. HAVE FRIENDS. JUST DOSOMETHING!!

LYDIA Mom... I want you to stop

JOANNE(letting go and grabbingher flask)

I don’t care... I don’t care... I’myour mother and I do what I want.

Joanne looks around and grabs a trophy from Lydia’s desk andthrows it at the wall, smashing it

JOANNE (CONT’D)I DO WHAT I WANT!!

Joanne walks over

JOANNE (CONT’D)And don’t you forget it...

Joanne exits the room, slamming the door behind her. Lydialays down on the bed and cries.

TODD (V.O.)I wish I were there to defend her.

Or just say-- Something. Anything.But I wasn’t there. And we can’tchange the future. So that’s justthe way it is.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Todd is sitting outside.

EXT. JEFF’S HOUSE - DAY

Jack walks over to the house and rings the bell. Jeff answers

JEFFHey man, what’s goin on?

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JACKYo uhh my mom was acting up a bitso I bounced. Mind if I stay herefor a bit while your parents aregone until I figure this wholething out?

JEFFYeah of course man, come on in. Yougot the stuff?

JACKHell yeah I got the stuff!

JEFFCool, cool.

EXT. MR. SANDWICH - NIGHT

Todd is closing up the store.TODD (V.O.)

I worked a lot more after that. Ididn’t want to go home. Afraid of what my mom would do to me.

Todd walks over to his car and drives away. He drives toKara’s house.

TODD (V.O.)Spent a lot more time with Karatoo. Which was great.

CUT TO:

INT. KARA’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Todd and Kara are eating dinner together.

TODDHey you know uhh I never met yourdad.

KARA

Yeah... yeah he’ll be back in acouple of days.

TODDDo you think he’ll like me?

KARA I don’t think he’ll care, really.

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TODDOh.

KARA Hey uhh I heard about whathappened. With Jack.

TODDYeah.

KARA In school people were talking aboutit. Apparently Jack and Jeff turnedtheir house into a “batchelor pad.”they just let girls in and... it’sjust weird stuff.

TODDWow, I didn’t even hear that. Whotold you that?

KARA Overheard it before Calculus.

TODDOh. I should go and talk to himafter.

KARA Yeah, see how he’s doing.

TODDYeah.

INT. JEFF’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Jeff’s house is completely trashed. Random girls are over thehouse, and Jeff and his buddies are all laying on the floor with the girls. Jack is sitting on the couch injecting heroininto his arm. Sex sounds are heard from upstairs. Jeff and agirl come downstairs and see Jack

JEFFDude you gotta start cutting that

JACKWhat are you talking about?

JEFFMy cousin’s cutting me loose. He’sdone with the drug game. Getting ajob or some crap like that.

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TODD (CONT’D)Oh my god! Lydia!!

Todd looks around the room

TODD (CONT’D)(putting her body in hisarms)

Somebody!!! Somebody help me!! Call9-1-1 or something!!!

Todd gets up and runs downstairs

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Kara is driving the car with Todd holding his sister in hislap in the backseat. It’s raining out and the windshield

wipers are heardTODD

(to lydia)It’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna beokay.

Kara looks at Todd through the mirror and he looks back ather.

TODD (CONT’D)(to lydia)

Lydia I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I

could’ve been a better brother.Looked out for you more. Stopneglecting you. This is my fault.It’s all my fault.

Silence (except the wipers)

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Todd runs in

TODDCan somebody please help me, mysister, she’s -- she’s in the carshe tried to kill herself, please-

Hospital workers run over to the car and pick Lydia up andcarry her in.

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They put her on a gurney and run her over into a room. Toddruns with his sister and the doctors. They run her into aroom and close the door.

TODD (CONT’D)Wait no, you have to let me in.

DOCTORSorry sir, not in the E.R., justlet us do our job and please sitdown

TODDNo you don’t-- you don’tunderstand, I’m the -- I’m thebrother.

DOCTORI understand that, but please. Sitdown.

TODDPlease sir, please

DOCTORThere’s nothing I can do!

The doctor walks into the emergency room. Todd breaks downand cries for the first time.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Jack and his friends pull into the lot.

JEFFOkay so we know the plan, right? Goin, point the gun, grab the cash,and get the hell out.

CARLI can’t believe we’re doing this.This is a little crazy man, slowdown. We’re moving too fast here.

JEFF

We need the freaking dope money.

CARLYeah but-- this? Nah, this ain’t me. This ain’t us. We’re not doingthis.

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JEFFYes we are. Now let’s go.

CARLCome on guys... guys?

JACKLet’s go.

CARLWhere the hell did we get the gunanyways?

JEFFIt’s my cousin’s.

Jeff and Jack run out of the car.

CARLYeah I’ll be the driver!

Carl goes up to the driver’s seat and turns on the radio.It’s smooth jazz.

CARL (CONT’D)This is nice.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT

Jack and Jeff enter the store. Jeff is pointing his gun.

JEFF

Everyone put your hands up! Now if we corroborate, we can do thiseasy.

JACKCollaborate.

JEFFWhatever.

Jeff points the gun at the clerk.

JEFF (CONT’D)

Put the money in the bag and we’llbe on our way.

The clerk presses the button underneath the counter, and analarm goes off.

JEFF (CONT’D)What the -- What did you press?

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CLERKGo screw yourself. Punk.

JACKHe said put the money in the bag,now let’s go.

CLERKI ain’t giving you nothing.

JACKLook at me. LOOK AT ME. Do what Isay and PUT THE MONEY IN THE BAG.

The clerk spits at Jack

JEFFScrew this, I’m outta here.

Jack gets enraged and jumps over the counter and begins

beating up the clerk. Jeff exits the store and goes into thecar.

JEFF (CONT’D)Let’s get out of here man, theypulled some sort of alarm.

CARLOh snap -- Where’s Jack?

JEFFSecuring the money. He has his ownplan.

CARLBut we--

JEFFHe’s on. His own. Now get outtahere before the cops show up.

They drive away

Jack is still beating up the clerk

JACKI just -- want -- my -- money!!!GIVE ME MY MONEY!!!!

The police show up

COP #1Freeze! Put your hands up!

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100/112

I wondered when it was my turn todie.

KARA Did you call your mom?

TODDYeah. She’s probably not coming.

KARA Oh.

Todd tightly grips onto Kara’s hand and slightly smiles ather. Joanne runs in

JOANNEMy baby!! MY BABY!!!

TODD(getting up)

Mom.JOANNE

What happened to my baby? What didyou do?

TODDI didn’t do anything she... she...she tried to kill herself mom. AndI don’t know if it worked or notbut she tried to kill herself.Okay?

Joanne is absolutely shocked

TODD (CONT’D)Where are you coming from?

JOANNEShe... tried to kill herself?

TODDYeah. I found her in her room.

Joanne begins to cry and hugs Todd

TODD (CONT’D)It’s Alright mom, it’s Alright.Everything is gonna be fine. Justsit down.

JOANNE(crying)

Okay, okay.

TODD (V.O.) (CONT'D)

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They sit down.

JOANNE (CONT’D)(sniffling)

Who’s... Who’s this?

TODDThis is my umm girlfriend. Her nameis Kara.

KARA Hi, I helped drive your daughter tothe ER. I’m sorry about whathappened--

JOANNEYou have a girlfriend? Todd? And Ididn’t know?

TODD

Yeah. Yeah I guess so. You werenever really home that muchanymore. I never really got achance to tell you.

JOANNEOh my god.

TODD (V.O.)She wasn’t drunk. I could tell bythe way she spoke to me. For thefirst time in almost a month. She wasn’t drunk.

The doctor enters the room. They stand up.

JOANNEDoctor, is she going to be--

DOCTORShe’s going to be fine. You gothere pretty fast, so we were ableto save her. We need to run acouple tests and make sure thatshe’s ready to go back home.

JOANNEOh my god!!

DOCTORDo you want to step in?

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TODDYeah. Yeah I’ll go and step in. Momyou can come in after me.

JOANNEOkay.

Joanne and Kara sit back down, Todd and the doctor walk away

JOANNE (CONT’D)I’m glad you’re dating my son.

KARA Oh, thank you. I really love him.

JOANNEYou love him? Oh well get ready.

KARA For?

JOANNEYou’ll see.

INT. LYDIA’S HOSPITAL ROOM

Todd walks in and sees Lydia on the bed.

TODDLydia. Hi.

LYDIA

Hi. I think I need help.

She starts to cry a bit

TODDYeah? Okay yeah I think that wouldbe best

LYDIA Dad left us...

TODDI know, I know.

Todd kisses her on the forehead

TODD (CONT’D)I love you, and I want you to knowthat. From the bottom of my heart.

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TODD (V.O.)That was my sister.

Joanne enters the room.

JOANNELydia!

TODDThat was my opening line...

LYDIA Can you please just go?

JOANNEPlease, Lydia.

LYDIA I asked for you to leave.

TODDGive her a second to explain, Lyd.

JOANNEI just want you to know that I loveyou. From the bottom of my heart.ANd although I might freak outsometimes, I I just want you toknow that I always care. I’m your mom. You know? That’s what moms aresupposed to do. And I know that Iyell at you. I... get drunk. Youknow? And... and... I love you.

Lydia does not respond

TODDLydia, do you hear what she said?

LYDIA I want to go home.

TODDOkay, we’re about to. They justneed to run a couple more tests.

LYDIA Okay.

TODDCome on mom, let’s go.

Todd walks Joanne out of the room into the hallway

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TODD (CONT’D)You’re not drunk mom. You’re notdrunk, what’s going on? You feel --you feel different. It’s weird. Areyou okay? Like--

JOANNEI was out and I got the call. Thefirst call. It’s like I got it andtime stopped -- you know? Itstopped. Right in front of my eyes.I realized that -- that it was myfault. I was the one who did thatto her. I hurt my own baby girl. Mydaughter. And I didn’t want to showup drunk. But but I

Joanne takes a flask out of her coat

TODD

What are you doing, you were justtelling me about how you sobered upto meet your daughter

Joanne tries to drink it but Todd knocks it out of her hand.The alcohol spills onto the ground

JOANNEWhy would you do that?

TODDI don’t get it, you-- you said thatyou were going to stop.

JOANNEI want to, but I -- it’s hard--

Joanne taps on her own head

JOANNE (CONT’D)It’s so hard, I need a drink I needa drink I can’t do this anymore--

TODDYou need to visit someone. Okay? Goto meetings, because what you’ve

done, you know, it destroys people.I know that its a cause of dad’sdeath, but I mean what you’redoing, that could’ve been a causeof Lydia’s death you know and uhhno offense no offense of course youknow

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Jack dials the number

JACK (CONT’D)Pick up pick up pick up

INTERCUT - JAIL CELL/HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - NIGHT

Todd, Kara, and Joanne are sitting down in the waiting room.Todd’s phone rings

TODDYeah?

JACKDude dude ummm

TODDWhere are you man, somethinghappened to Lydia. You need to stop

by the hospitalJACK

Oh oh is it serious?

TODDWhere are you?

JACKI ran into a problem. I’m injail... right now. and I need youto umm come and get me, like paythe bail or whatever and please get

me out of here. They didn’t presscharges thank god so I think that--umm

TODDI’m on my way.

Todd hangs up.

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

TODD

I gotta go.

KARA Where?

TODDGet my dumb freaking brother.

105.


107/112

a perfect family [first draft]

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