TRAVELLING- INT. CAR – NIGHT
MARC (20) anxiously moves about in the passenger seat, unable to keep his legs still. His restlessness makes small noises which seem to be amplified in the small vacuum of the car. JUSTIN (25), the driver and Marc’s older brother, notices this. We see Justin look back at the road as he struggles to find conversation starters. He attempts to say something but his voice comes out raspy. Marc looks away to gather his strength. Justin clears his throat.
JUSTIN
So who’s, uh, who’s party is it?
MARC
A friend.
Justin is taken aback. He’s not sure how to proceed.
JUSTIN
Right. You nervous?
Marc hesitates
MARC
Yeah.
JUSTIN
Well, if it helps. It’s basically just a hangout, with people you like. I mean, all you have to do is smile and laugh and chat and just be yourself.
Marc chuckles
MARC
Maybe you should try that now and then.
JUSTIN
Come again?
MARC
I said, maybe you should stop pretending for everybody...
INT. CHRIS’S HOUSE – LOUNGE – NIGHT
It’s a party! Big house. Loud music. MARC is surrounded by a dozen friends (and beer cans). He speaks too loudly and attempts crack jokes.
Later, CHRIS (19) followed by the remaining party-goers file into the room as Chris calls the attention for an announcement. A few people help him quiet the party.
CHRIS
Uh hey guys, thanks everybody for coming but I actually wanted to say something.
Two teenagers in the corner continue to make out. Marc shouts at them
MARC
Hey, stop it! Chris is finally coming out.
CHRIS
Hahahaha! No, no,
(beat.)
Well not yet anyway.
The party laugh.
CHRIS
No, I actually wanted to say that I’m not going to be here for much longer because, as many of you know, I applied to this super prestigious music college in London and well I just found out that I got accepted!
The party-goers, after getting over the initial shock, congratulate him with lots of cheering, hugging and drinking. Marc stays where he is.
INT. PARTY – NIGHT
Marc is slumped over at the dinner table with JULIA (20) and SANDISO (19). They glumly watch the others dance away.
MARC
Why does it feel like all of our friends are leaving?
JULIA
Because they are.
MARC
I mean, London! What the fuck. What’s wrong with here?
SANDISO
I guess, this is what happens when all your friends are rich and from private schools.
MARC
I hate rich people.
SANDISO
Marc, you are rich.
MARC
I know…
Marc SLAMS his head against the table and drunkenly sobs.
INT. MARC’S BEDROOM – DAY
SANDRA (~50), Marc’s mother, creaks his bedroom door open to find MARC still sleeping. It’s 11am
MOTHER
Hey, sweetheart don’t you think it’s time to get up.
We cut to Marc who groans in response but as we cut back to Sandra a day has past and now she’s wearing completely different clothing
MOTHER
Are you going to write today?
When we cut back to Marc another day has passed. Marc has grown some facial hair
MARC
You know the story, ma. Hangover days are non-writing days.
Yet another day has passed. Sandra is more impatient now.
MOTHER
It seems you have a lot of non-writing days.
Another day has passed
MARC
I don’t feel inspired today, ma… I’m gonna go and hang with Sandiso maybe?
Another day has passed but this time RICHARD (~50), Marc’s father, replaces Sandra in the scene.
RICHARD
Okay, Marc. Enough of this. We’re finding you a job okay?
MARC
No, no, no. That’s not necessary.
Marc stumbles out of his bed and to his laptop on his desk. Richard disappears from the scene
MARC
I can write today… I can… write?
Marc is met with a blinking curser. Marc is almost hypnotised by it.
SANDISO (V.O)
Marc! Marc!
INT. HARDWARE STORE – INT
SANDISO tries to bring MARC back to this universe.
SANDISO
Marc!
Marc snaps out of it and becomes aware of where he is. They’re both wearing employee uniform
SANDISO
You kinda blanked out on me there, buddy?
MARC
Sorry, my head’s gone.
SANDISO
Listen, I recommended you and I really don’t need you fucking this up for me, okay?
MARC
I won’t. I’m fully committed to the
(quoting his handbook)
The big ol’ Mica Family
INT. HARDWARE STORE - NIGHT
At the till Marc is scanning items as he forces a smile. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep
MARC (V.O)
There has to be something better for me, right?
INT. JULIA’S BEDROOM – DAY
JULIA lies on her bed as MARC sits in the corner of the room. They continue their conversation
JULIA
Oh come on, you’ve been working for a week. It can’t be that bad
MARC
Oh it’s bad. It’s just boring and I don’t want to do it
JULIA
Marc, It’s called work
MARC
Yeah, well, I hate it
JULIA
Ah, so this is why you dropped out
MARC
Ouch… Low blow, Julia
Julia laughs. She gets up to sit next to Marc
JULIA
Dude, you’re just in a slump right now. You just need to find something that breaks it. Something that just lights up your core and then you’ll be writing till the end of time.
MARC
I don’t know what that could be
JULIA
Most of us don’t until it happens. I mean, we’re all trying to figure it out: Me, Sandiso, Chris, everybody
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