Incandescence
If you've nothing nice to say, come sit with me.
Epic Novelist
Gender: 
Age: 18
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 2952
Reviews: 891
Country: USA
300 Points
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject: Foreign Markets: 1x07 "Of Mice and Men" |
 |
|
FOREIGN MARKETS: 1X07 OF MICE AND MEN"
Created & Written by: Brad Stanley
"OF MICE AND MEN"
FADE IN:
INT. LUKE'S AND JAMES'S ROOM - NIGHT
James is pulling a shirt down over his head, backing out of the closet, while Luke is bouncing around on one leg pulling his sock off.
LUKE
(distracted)
So…that's it? She just…left?
James shrugs and looks at himself in the mirror, squinting at his face.
JAMES
(sighing)
Well, she didn't; I did. I left. I couldn't stand being in that hotel room with her after she'd lied to me. Girls suck.
Luke nods and puts his foot down.
LUKE
Some don't even swallow!
James smirks and looks over at him.
JAMES
And some don't even go that far…just get arbitrarily close…. Wouldn't want to waste anything, after all.
Luke rolls his eyes.
LUKE
You're never going to let that go, are you?
James grins and looks over at the clock.
JAMES
So, I resolve that we stop letting each other date psycho girls.
Luke grabs a pillow from the bed.
LUKE
They're all psycho.
JAMES
So? All girls, then. Just as a safety precaution.
Luke nods.
LUKE
Reasonable enough, but what about hot girls?
James considers this and then nods.
JAMES
Hm. Allowed, but only as long as the relationship abides the twelve-hour rule. And happens at their place.
Luke laughs as they stand there for a moment until a COMMOTION is heard from under the bed and a small mouse darts out. James jumps up onto the bed and watches in horror as the mouse runs towards Luke, who promptly gets up on the bed as well. The mouse suddenly retreats beneath the bed.
JAMES
…um…was that…a mouse?
Luke nods as they stand together on the bed, surveying the floor. Neither of them move as they listen intently for more sounds.
LUKE
Well, it's under the bed.
James glances at him.
JAMES
Yeah, thanks, I didn't realize.
Luke rolls his eyes and walks to the edge of the bed. He turns around and looks back at James.
LUKE
It's…just a mouse, right? What's the worst it can do?
James blinks.
JAMES
Um…bite one or both of us?
Luke nods slowly.
LUKE
Mice aren't really known for being particularly vicious, though.
JAMES
Great. Then you can go open the door and call Tigerlily in.
Luke recoils and steps back from the edge of the bed.
LUKE
What! Why me?
James shrugs and grins.
JAMES
You're the one talking about how docile they are. Plus, you can consider it punishment for telling me to leave in the first place.
Luke gapes and folds his arms over his chest in mock offense.
LUKE
Oh, if that's how it's going to be, then you should be the one to go open the door as punishment for leaving me to drown in the pool of estrogen.
James gapes back at him.
JAMES
I thought you said you didn't miss me!
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES'S AND LUKE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
James and Luke are now standing closer together, near the middle of the bed, with their backs to each other, watching their respective side. James sighs and looks back over at the clock.
JAMES
If we don't get off the bed soon, we're going to miss The L Word.
Luke looks around and then shrugs.
LUKE
Eh, you know, when I first heard about The L Word, I was like, "Ohmygod lesbians!" But then there just wasn't enough sex….
James blinks.
JAMES
Maybe you had unreasonable expectations….
Luke nods.
LUKE
Yeah, probably. I guess I hoped it might be more like…lesbian porn.
James nods, disinterested and looks down at his feet.
JAMES
(awkwardly)
So…um, yeah. You should go open the door.
Luke deadpans.
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES'S AND LUKE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
James and Luke are now slouching, leaning back against each other, clearly bored of waiting on the mouse to show itself again.
LUKE
So, if we just stay on the bed, it won't be able to bother us, at least. They don't climb.
James turns around and looks at him incredulously.
JAMES
Then how the HELL did it get upstairs?
Luke returns his stare.
LUKE
(defensively)
I'm just trying to console you since you're so scared of the mouse!
James rolls his eyes.
JAMES
Oh, please, there's a lot more you could be doing to console me.
They both blink.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Wow, that was--
Luke holds up his hand.
LUKE
Shh! Did you hear it?
Luke turns and looks over the edge of the bed. James awkwardly maneuvers so that he can look too.
Lena opens the door, looking down into the bag of Doritos in her hand.
LENA
You guys know you're missing--
Lena stops talking as she looks up to see them both leaning over the bed. She blinks.
LENA (CONT'D)
Is this a bad time?
James and Luke suddenly turn around, clearing their throats and shaking their heads.
JAMES
No, we were ju--
LUKE
Yeah, we weren't doing--
Lena arches her eyebrows and cuts them off.
LENA
Yeah. Well, you know you're missing The L Word, right?
James glances to Luke, hoping Luke will explain what they're doing, but Luke remains inert. James reluctantly clears his throat again and motions vaguely around the room.
JAMES
Yeah, we know, but there's this mouse, and we think it's under the bed--
Luke suddenly turns and looks over his shoulder.
LUKE
(whispering)
Um…I think it might have just gone into the closet.
Lena furrows her brow and peers around the bed.
LENA
(snickering)
Is that British slang for…something? Because with you two it's probably more like an elephant in the closet.
Lena suddenly bursts into laughter at her own joke as they stare at her, unamused. Finally, she collects herself and looks over at them.
LENA (CONT'D)
(laughing still)
Okay, okay. Do you…want me to go get Tigerlily, or something?
James nods.
JAMES
Yeah, or, you know, we were hoping you could just step on it with your hooves of doom.
Lena flips them off.
LENA
Oh, that's okay. I'd love to help you two get your little friend out of the closet, but I should get back to reading submissions and actually doing some work.
Lena turns to walk away as Luke holds up his hand.
LUKE
Wait! We're sorry! Can you please get Tigerlily?
Lena pauses and reconsiders.
LENA
(sighing)
Well, okay, fine. But only for you, Luke. But you two should know that Tigerlily is absolutely ferocious and also loves the taste of chickens. If she nips at your ankles, you'll know why.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Luke and James are asleep on the couch, partially on top of each other.
SUNSHINE (O.S.)
(shouting from upstairs)
TIGERLILY! TIGERLILY!
Sunshine suddenly comes running down the stairs, panicked, and looks around wildly.
SUNSHINE (CONT'D)
Tigerlily! TIGERLILY!
James groans and tries to ignore Sunshine as she runs around the rooms, calling out for Tigerlily. Finally, he forces himself up and pushes Luke off him and, inadvertently, wakes Luke up. James rubs his eyes as Luke sits up and blinks, looking around. Sunshine wheels into the living room and looks at both of them.
SUNSHINE (CONT'D)
(frantically)
Have either of you seen Tigerlily? Did you leave the door open last night and--
James holds his up his hands and shakes his head.
JAMES
She's in our room.
Sunshine looks over her shoulder at the stairs.
SUNSHINE
(incredulously)
You trapped her in your room?
Luke clears his throat and stretches.
LUKE
There was a mouse and--
Sunshine gapes at them and cries out.
SUNSHINE
You let her eat a mouse!? What if it was a poisoned? Oh my God, and now--now she's going to smell like…dude!
James and Luke look at each other as Sunshine shakes head in dismay and runs back up the stairs to free Tigerlily.
LUKE
(scoffing)
She seriously cares way too much about the cat.
James nods as Lena comes down the stairs and looks over at them.
LENA
Good! You're up. We have work to do.
James groans.
JAMES
We don't meet Lions until 2.
Lena nods and walks into the living room, standing behind the coffee table and looking at both of them.
LENA
Yes, which is why you two get to help me go through submissions. Have you tested the printers to make sure they even work?
Luke shrugs and then leans over James to see if Sunshine is coming back.
LUKE
(hushedly)
We tried, but apparently Tigerlily was chasing a bug inside one of the trays? So….
Lena blinks.
LENA
Did you tell Sunshine?
They both shake their heads. Lena grins.
LENA (CONT'D)
Great. Now, time to help me!
JAMES
(whining)
But do we have to, ma?
Lena shrugs and looks over her shoulder.
LENA
You don't have to, but I'd love to tell Sunshine what hap--
SUNSHINE
(loudly)
Tell Sunshine what?
They all turn and see Sunshine standing back in the hallway, holding Tigerlily.
LENA
Oh! Just, that, um. We were--we were just talking about what a nice…frock…you're wearing today.
Sunshine looks down at her dress and then narrows her eyes at Lena.
SUNSHINE
You did this to her, didn't you? You've hated Tigerlily since she got here! First you step on her, then your mother beat her, and now you make her kill things!
Lena stares at her.
LENA
She, um, she is a cat, you know? They kill things.
LUKE
(excitedly)
Did she kill the mouse?
Sunshine snorts.
SUNSHINE
Yes, and she left it in the middle of your bed.
Sunshine abruptly turns and heads back to the kitchen. James and Luke look at each other and sigh.
LENA
Well, at least the mouse finally came out of the closet? Or was drug out, whichever.
They both look up at her.
LENA (CONT'D)
(musing, almost to herself)
Odd, isn't it? How a little pussy-cat can foreshadow what's going to happen to you two so well? Maybe we should start calling her Cleo and get her a hotline.
Alex suddenly emerges from the garage.
ALEX
Who's getting hot?
They all turn and watch him as walks by.
ALEX (CONT'D)
What? I needed to make a call.
JAMES
In the garage…?
Alex shrugs and walks into the kitchen. Lena turns back and looks at them.
LENA
He was watching you two, touching himself back there--
LUKE
Stop! God, stop.
Lena smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. ANN'S LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ann and Jeremy are sitting on her couch. Ann is in pajamas, cross-legged with a large book in her lap. Jeremy forces his eyes closed, as though it will force information to his head, and bites his lower lip. Ann grins as she looks up at him.
ANN
I love when you do that.
Jeremy suddenly opens his eyes, concentration broken.
JEREMY
(grinning)
What?
ANN
That--when you close your eyes to remember something. It's cute. And why you'll die as a trial attorney.
Jeremy half-smiles.
JEREMY
(suddenly worried)
I feel like I'm going to fail this exam.
Ann rolls her eyes.
ANN
You say that like I believe you, and I told you Constitutional Law is a bitch. Why you chose to take an advanced course in it, I'll never know.
Jeremy shrugs and looks up at the wall-clock.
JEREMY
Maybe to spite you.
Ann pushes the book off her lap and crawls towards him.
ANN
Then maybe you shouldn't be asking for help.
Jeremy laughs.
JEREMY
Maybe you shouldn't offer.
Ann kisses him on the lips.
ANN
Maybe I just want to help my baby out.
Jeremy kisses her back.
JEREMY
And maybe you just wanted to take the day off.
Jeremy holds his hand up as Ann kisses him again.
JEREMY (CONT'D)
Oh, I forgot--my brother's having the baby soon. He wants…us to come and be there.
Ann brushes hair back from her face.
ANN
When'd your brother get off the pill?
Jeremy rolls his eyes.
JEREMY
Seriously, Ann. They want us to be there.
ANN
(sighing)
Okay, I know, but you know how I feel about your family, and why the pause though when you said "us" the first time?
Jeremy clears her throat.
JEREMY
Well, it's just that…Kale's wife, Denise, believes that babies subconsciously remember everything that happens to them and that shapes who they are. So…
ANN
So…
Jeremy shrugs.
JEREMY
So they don't want you dropping the f-bomb like a party favor.
Ann grins at him and grabs his legs.
ANN
Would you punish me if I did?
Jeremy leans forward and forcefully kisses her.
JEREMY
I might punish you even if you don't.
He suddenly collapses back against the arm of the sofa and sighs.
JEREMY (CONT'D)
(disappointed)
But first I have to study for this test.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
James, Luke and Lena are all sitting on the couch, each balancing a laptop on their legs and reading various submissions.
JAMES
(grumbling)
I don't see why Sunshine and Alex can't be helping us.
Lena glances across Luke to James.
LENA
Because Sunshine is bathing Tigerlily and Alex has the mental faculties of a guppy.
Luke snorts.
LENA (CONT'D)
(excited)
Oh my God, this…ack! It makes life.
James and Luke look over at her, waiting on her to explain.
LENA (CONT'D)
(laughing)
This poem! It has the line: "Grinding. Grinding deep into the night."
James and Luke grin but watch Lena with slight alarm.
JAMES
What…um, what is the poem about? If you can stop giggling, I mean.
Lena rolls her eyes and looks back at the screen.
LENA
I think it's about this girl's house?
Luke furrows his brow.
LUKE
Is she…having house-sex or something?
JAMES
Hey, Lena! Maybe you should try that! You and the house have a pretty violent relationship as it is, constantly tripping you, you constantly attacking its walls….
Lena shakes her head and rolls her eyes again.
LENA
Psh, the only house-sex I need is with Hugh Laurie.
They all glance up as Lena's parents suddenly walk through the front door, clearly unannounced. Mrs. Crochet is wearing a red dress, large sunglasses and a bright floral scarf this wrapped around her neck, while her father is dressed in beach shorts and a polo shirt. Lena blinks.
LENA
Um…momma? Daddy? Did you forget something?
Mrs. Crochet takes the sunglasses off and takes her husband's hand as she looks over at Lena.
MRS. CROCHET
(clearing her throat)
Your father thinks he left his glasses in the garage. We thought we'd check before heading back home.
All three stand up and look to each other and then the garage.
LUKE
I can--
James, clearly wanting to get out of reading any more submissions, talks over Luke.
JAMES
(interrupting)
I'll go look!
James quickly disappears into the garage as they stand there.
MR. CROCHET
So…you have a business meeting today?
Lena nods awkwardly and puts her arms across her chest as she glances up to the wall clock.
LENA
(nodding)
Yeah, in about an hour, actually. We should probably start getting ready….
Lena turns and looks at Luke for approval, but all he does is shrug.
MRS. CROCHET
And how are you doing, Luke?
Luke smiles at her and looks around the room.
LUKE
I don't know. I'm okay. A little tired. I haven't been sleeping well.
MR. CROCHET
Insomnia is a fickle mistress.
Mrs. Crochet looks down at her watch and then turns, letting go of her husband's hand, to look over at the garage. She peers around as though she might be able to magically see through the wall or will James to come out, glasses in hand. Quickly, she turns back around and shrugs.
MRS. CROCHET
Maybe you didn't leave them here.
MR. CROCHET
James does seem to be taking his time in there…is he usually this slow?
Lena and Luke both try to answer, but Mrs. Crochet interrupts.
MRS. CROCHET.
(contemplatively)
James…that's such a nice, feminine name, isn't it, dear?
LENA
Um. How is it at all feminine?
Mr. Crochet ponders this for a moment as Luke and Lena watch, befuddled.
MR. CROCHET
It is, actually. You know, I wonder if the etymology goes back to the English tradition.
Mrs. Crochet rolls her eyes, but Mr. Crochet doesn't notice, lost deep in thought.
MRS. CROCHET
But the English stole it from the French, you know, like they do everything else. Wouldn't it be just the contraction of Je t'aime? J'aime?
James walks back in from the garage, glasses in hand and smiling, but they don't notice.
LENA
(incredulous, disgusted)
James? "I love you"?
James pauses before walking over to Mr. Crochet and handing him his glasses.
JAMES
Aww, well, that's…not exactly what I was hoping for, but I guess--
LENA
(annoyed)
Sorry, should I have let Luke say it?
James shrugs as Mr. and Mrs. Crochet watch, fascinated.
JAMES
That's alright. Next time you could sound a little less like wood roaches are crawling around in your uterus, but otherwi--
MRS. CROCHET
(loudly)
Well, I think we ought to be going. You kids have fun.
Alex and Sunshine come down the stairs, surprised to see Lena's parents.
SUNSHINE
Hey Mr. and Mrs. Crochet.
Mr. and Mrs. Crochet force themselves to smile.
MR. CROCHET
Oh, well, hello there--we were just on our way out, as it were.
MRS. CROCHET
(muttering)
And if we weren't, we are now.
They open the door and quickly step outside.
MR. CROCHET (CONT'D)
You all take care! Lena, your mother and I love you--call us when you can!
Mr. Crochet nods at all of them one last time and then quickly closes the door behind them.
SUNSHINE
Why are they in such a hurry?
Lena shrugs.
ALEX
We're going with you guys.
James shakes his head, clearing his throat.
JAMES
My car won't hold all of us.
Sunshine shrugs.
SUNSHINE
That's okay. Alex will drive us.
Lena turns and looks at James and Luke.
LENA
I'm not riding bitch.
CUT TO:
INT. ALEX'S CAR - DAY
Alex pulls into a parking space. Sunshine is sitting in the passenger seat, and Lena, James and Luke are in the back, in that order. Lena looks over her shoulder at them.
LENA
(intrigued)
Really?
James and Luke look back at her.
JAMES
Really what?
LENA
I figured Luke would ride bitch. You know, it just seemed right.
James and Luke groan.
JAMES
Is that what you've been thinking about this whole time?
Lena shrugs.
LENA
Don't we need to call what's-her-face?
James groans again.
JAMES
Alex, can you turn down the radio?
Alex begrudgingly turns the radio down, but only barely.
LUKE
All the way, please.
Sunshine turns the radio off, throwing a glare at Alex, who shakes his head, silently mouthing something to her. James pulls out his cell and calls Ann.
JAMES
(into phone)
Hey, Ann? It's James. We're here at Mr. Lions.
CUT TO:
INT. ANN'S KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Ann is sitting at the counter with a bowl of cereal and a book, the phone cradled between her ear and her shoulder. She pushes the cereal away and swallows.
ANN
(into phone)
James, hi. Let me talk to Luke. I want him to handle this.
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
JAMES
(same)
What? Why? I'm the one who set the deal up.
INTERCUT WITH Ann's kitchen.
ANN
(same)
Yes, and then decided to honeymoon with your psychotic ex-girlfriend. Now let me talk to Luke.
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
James scowls into the phone and hands the phone over to Luke.
JAMES
She wants to talk to you.
Luke takes the phone, confused, and puts it to his ear.
LUKE
(into phone)
Um, hello?
INTERCUT WITH Ann's kitchen.
ANN
(same)
Luke! How are you--look, I want you to talk to Harvey, okay? He's Australian, you're British, and--
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
LUKE
(same, offended)
We're not the same.
INTERCUT WITH Ann's kitchen.
ANN
(same, annoyed)
Yes, I'm aware, Luke. Now, he's going to be an asshole, alright? I just want you and James to be headstrong and do whatever he asks.
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
LUKE
(same, nodding)
Um, okay. Should Lena come too?
INTERCUT WITH Ann's kitchen.
ANN
(same)
Not into the office, but you can take her in the building. I just want you and James in there. And listen to me, Luke--I don't care what he wants, okay? You do it. If he wants you to blow him I want you on your knees pretending it's James, okay?
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
Luke pulls the phone from his ear and stares at it as though Ann might visibly see his offense. Slowly, he puts it back to his ear.
LUKE
(same, put-out)
Okay…anything else?
INTERCUT WITH Ann's Kitchen.
Ann shrugs.
ANN
(same)
Don't swallow.
INTERCUT WITH Alex's car.
Luke hangs up the phone and hands it back to James.
LENA
What'd she say?
Luke opens the car door to get out.
LUKE
She said you should come in.
CUT TO:
INT. HARVEY LIONS'S OFFICE - DAY
James and Luke take their seats as Harvey closes the door behind them.
HARVEY
So what can I help you blokes with?
James shrugs and clears his throat, but Luke prohibits him from speaking by doing so first.
LUKE
Well, Mr. Lions, sir, we've been tentatively contracted by Crestville High School to publish their yearbook this year.
Harvey smiles and nods.
HARVEY
Well, congratulations are in order--I was just remarking to my attorney how there wasn't enough selection in the area for publishers.
James furrows his brow.
JAMES
Oh…yeah, well, we were just--
James cell phone vibrates, distracting him.
LUKE
Uh--well, we were just wondering, since it's--
Harvey clears his throat.
HARVEY
I assume you have all the machinery you're going to need, don't you? The binding cas--
James pulls his cell phone out and realizes it's a text message from Lena, asking how it's going.
LUKE
Yes, we've got all that. That isn't why we're here. We're here because they agreed to let us do it only if we used the template you had designed for them, so we were wondering if we could maybe purchase those…?
Harvey snorts and shakes his head condescendingly.
HARVEY
Oh, I don't think that's going to be possible.
CUT TO:
INT. NEWSDAY LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Lena is sitting in a chair and typing on her phone as people mill about and go to and from their offices. The low ROAR of printing machines is heard from down the halls leading to the machine rooms. The lobby clerk, MICHAEL, nervously walks up to Lena and clears his throat. Lena doesn't notice.
MICHAEL
Um, ma'am?
Lena looks up, startled.
LENA
(loudly)
What?
Michael recoils, but regains his composure and looks down at her softly.
MICHAEL
I was wondering if anyone had helped you.
Lena blinks and stares up at him, struck with embarrassment and lust.
LENA
I--um, I was just--
Lena's cell phone vibrates in her hand. She looks down and reads Jeremy's text, "No good. He's an ass," before looking back up at Michael and smiling, also clearing her throat.
LENA (CONT'D)
I'm sorry--I was just, I'm here with Crestville High School? I was--we were just wondering if we could take a look at the template Mr. Lions uses for the yearbook.
Michael smiles down at her and offers his hand.
MICHAEL
Sure thing. I'm Michael, by the way.
Lena stands up and shakes his hand.
LENA
I'm, uh…I'm Lena.
Michael laughs and turns to lead her to the file.
MICHAEL
Have to think about it?
Lena smiles, awkward and ashamed, and follows him.
LENA
I guess sometimes I do.
CUT TO:
INT. ALEX'S CAR - DAY
Alex and Sunshine are sitting in the car, staring out the windows in silence. The radio plays softly.
SUNSHINE
I don't think Tigerlily likes the new diet we've--
Alex suddenly turns so that he is completely facing her. His face is pained, full of love and longing. He swallows before reaching into his back pocket.
ALEX
(emotional)
Sunshine…I…. I want--I want you to--
SUNSHINE
Sugarkittens? Are you okay?
Alex nods.
ALEX
Sunshine…I love you more than anything and…I was just, I was wondering if you loved me more than anything, too.
Sunshine gasps and holds her breath as Alex reveals a small black box.
ALEX (CONT'D)
(choking up)
And--and, I was just--I want to know if you would--if you could…marry me?
They share an intense silence as Sunshine looks from the ring to Alex's face. She finally releases her breath and throws herself on him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
SUNSHINE
(breathless)
Of course I'll marry you, Alex Campos!
CUT TO:
INT. HARVEY LIONS'S OFFICE
Harvey is standing behind his desk, face bright red from fury. Luke and James are also standing: Luke is nervous and trying to keep Harvey distracted while James waits on Lena to text him back. Harvey shakes his head and points at them.
HARVEY
(slowly)
How dare you come into my office and threaten me like that. How dare you!
Luke holds up his hands and shakes his head.
LUKE
(pleading)
I didn't mean it as a threat, Mr. Lions. I was just saying that if you didn't let us buy the temp--
HARVEY
Yes! I should let you buy the template "or else"! That sounds like a threat to me.
James's phone buzzes in his hands at Lena's message: "Got it." He bumps up against Luke and nods at the door.
LUKE
I just meant that--or else, or else we wouldn't be able to do business with them--I think--we're just….
James pushes Luke towards the door and opens it, shoving Luke out. James turns and shakes his head apologetically at Harvey.
JAMES
We're so sorry, Mr. Lions.
HARVEY
(scoffing)
You'll be lucky if I don't sue both your scrawny asses for harassment!
James closes the door on him.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
James, Luke and Lena are briskly walking back to the car.
LUKE
(sarcastically)
Well, that went well, mate.
Lena groans.
JAMES
It's not my fault! Ann wanted you to talk to him, but--
LENA
Stop arguing! You both suck, okay? There, settled.
James and Luke sulk back to the car. As they approach, Alex jumps out and looks around at them.
LENA
…are you okay?
Alex shakes his head, grinning.
ALEX
I think I just inked myself! Where're the restrooms?
CUT TO:
INT. JAMES'S AND LUKE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Luke is laying on his back, looking at the ceiling, while James reads. Luke clears his throat and lifts his head up to look over at James.
LUKE
Is this the book you just ordered?
James shakes his head.
JAMES
Nope. But man! That book--it was so hard to figure out which one I wanted I thought I was going to cry! I wanted a good introduction to operator theory in quantum mechanics, and…yeah.
Luke blinks, scared by James's enthusiasm.
LUKE
I can see how that might involve crying….
James sighs and puts the book down on the nightstand before turning off the light. He rolls over so that he's on his back as well.
LUKE (CONT'D)
Oh, by the way, Lena's mom said your name was a contraction of "je t'aime." That's what Lena was talking about earlier.
James nods and then chuckles.
JAMES
Ha, I had almost forgotten about that. I can't believe she managed to trick that guy into giving her a copy of the template.
LUKE
Yeah, and his number. And then Sunshine and Alex? What the hell?
James shakes his head.
JAMES
Yeah, I have no idea. What does she see in him?
LUKE
Not what I see in him.
JAMES
(snickering)
Obviously. Did you tell her you let him pee in the shower with you? That might change her mind.
Luke rolls his eyes.
LUKE
I had almost forgotten about that, thanks.
They stare up at the ceiling for a few moments quietly.
JAMES
Do you think you could love someone enough to stay with them all your life? And still love them and want to be with them?
Luke shrugs and looks over at James.
LUKE
I…don't actually know. I could love someone my entire life, but being with them? Other people seem to do it.
James scoffs.
JAMES
Other people are a lie.
LUKE
Well…could you do it? The problem I always have is with breaking up. I can't seem to do that very well.
James pauses before responding.
JAMES
I guess--I don't know, really. I think about it, and I think about what it would mean to love someone my whole life--and I don't know or have enough faith in myself that I could give them meaning and happiness for the next sixty years.
Luke clears his throat.
LUKE
Well. Love sucks, doesn't it?
James grins.
JAMES
Absolutely. Who needs it?
Luke nods.
LUKE
Not us!
JAMES
Damn right. Nothing can come between us.
A small SQUEAK is heard from somewhere in the room.
JAMES (CONT'D)
I vote you go open the door.
FADEOUT.
THE END. |
_________________
"If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants were standing on my shoulders." -Hal Abelson |
|
There were a couple other repetitions, but I couldn’t find anything else wrong with it. And other than this one, the repetitions weren’t so bad… not bad enough to change, just noticeable. I’ll let you do a read through to see if anything should go or not.
Awesome. Lena's parents are still awesome. They were more awesome the last time because they seemed a little more refined this time around but still. Whoa. I just got your title. I know that's random but, epiphany moment.
