"TIM"
Ext. outside a downtown st. joseph, mo bar - niGHT
The streets rest while the night exhales.
It's the late nineteen-nineties in a small city in the small-time middle west and a young man, TIM, is pushed out the door of the bar by his buddy, Jake. Tim is medium man. Medium size, medium looks, medium clothes, medium intelligence, big problems.
Tim turns to Jake and lunges his body towards the door. Jake blocks his path.
Tim
Fuck those fucking fuckers, man!
Jake pushes Tim away from the direction of the bar. Jake is larger than Tim in almost every way, but with a much more conservative fashion sense evident in an almost fetishistic love of polo shirts. Jake's hair is marvel that can only be described as "TV hair". It never moves. Jake and Tim are the same age, but Jake appears several years older.
TIM
C'mon!
Jake
This shit happens every time we go out.
Tim paces back and forth, pointing occasionally towards the bar.
TIM
What the hell was that guy's problem?
JAKE
I don't know, he said he was cop and you pissed him off.
TIM
He pissed ME off.
JAKE
Well, he told me he was gonna kick your ass.
TIM
I don't think I did anything.
JAKE
He thought you did.
TIM
Shit.
JAKE
(laughs)
That's the third time we've been thrown out of there this year.
Ext. Downtown st. joseph, near a firehouse - nighT
Tim and Jake walk down the street. Jake takes a swig out of a bottle of whisky. Tim grabs the bottle from Jake and attempts to drink from it, but the bottle is empty. He tosses it aside and it busts.
JAKE
Jesus, man!
TIM
Oops.
They come upon a firehouse. Jake scoots over to the firehouse door. It's open.
TIM
What are you doin'?
Jake turns to Tim and smiles.
JAKE
They keep these things open twenty-four hours.
TIM
Seems a little too trusting.
JAKE
(shrugs)
Eh, it's a small town.
Jake walks into the fire house. Tim guardedly enters behind him.
Int. DOWNTOWN ST. JOSEPH, NEAR A FIREHOUSE - night
TIM
You think someone stands guard or...
JAKE
Would you shut the hell up?
Tim shakes his head alright.
Jake grabs a fire helmet, puts it on, and strikes a pose.
JAKE
(quietly)
How do I look?
Tim gives the A-OK sign. Jake smiles and grabs a fireman's coat. Tim grabs a hat and coat as well. They both laugh to themselves. Jake motions Tim outside. Tim turns to follow him, but spots an axe on the wall and grabs it before he exits.
Ext. DOWNTOWN ST. JOSEPH, NEAR A FIREHOUSE - night
Jake peers into a fire engine truck and sees that the keys are in the ignition. He opens the door and hops inside.
TIM
What are you doing?
JAKE
Get in.
TIM
Maybe we should get out of here.
JAKE
Maybe you should stop being such a wuss.
Tim, reluctantly gets in the passenger seat of the truck.
Int. Fire truck - night
JAKE
We're taking' this around the block.
TiM
Are you serious?
JAKE
Heck yeah. No one will ever know.
TIM
I don't think this is a good idea, Jake.
JAKE
C'mon, hold on tight.
Tim grabs Jake's arm.
TIM
You don't wanna do this, man. I don't wanna go to jail.
JAKE
We're not going to jail.
TIM
There's no way we can afford bail. We'll be in for months.
JAKE
We're not going to jail. You don't wanna come, fine. I'm going for a spin.
Tim
You don't wanna do this.
JAKE
Get out.
Jake reaches for the key again. Tim leans over to grab his arm, but Jake pulls his arm back to throw a punch.
Tim backs off.
Jake turns the key and the engine roars.
JAKE
Whooh!
Jake puts the vehicle in gear and inches forward.
TIM
Jake!
Tim points to the fire house. All the upstairs lights have come on. They both look at each other.
JAKE
Bail.
They both high tail it out of the truck, still dressed in the fire hats and coats. Tim carrying the axe.
EXT. residential city street - nIGHT
Both Tim and Jake have been running for several minutes and they begin to tire. Jake slows down. Tim follows suit. They both lean over to catch their breath and try not to puke.
JAKE
I think we're cool.
TIM
Holy shit!
An OLD LADY, camped out on her porch yells down to them.
Old lady
My goodness. Is there a fire around here?
TIM
(to Jake)
Follow me.
Tim starts to jog up the sidewalk up a hill, purposely. He raises the axe in the air and lowers his voice.
TIM
Don't worry, ma'am. Everything's OK. Go back inside.
The Old Lady takes a second look at the two boys, one in shorts, both in tennis shoes.
OLD LADY
You guys ain't no firemen!
They pick up their pace.
OLD LADY
(O.S.)
I'm calling the cops!
TIM
Not again.
JAKE
Cut through this yard.
The two young men run into a driveway and cut across the block through the backyards of two houses. Halfway through, Jake stops, Tim continues running for a few moments.
JAKE
Wait up.
Jake vomits into a bush while sirens can be heard in the distance.
TIM
You OK?
Jake laughs straight through several vomits.
Ext. JAKE'S PLACE - niGHT
They walk past Tim's little economy car that is parked out front of Jake's apartment building (a large house).
JAKE
When are you getting this hunk of junk fixed?
TIM
We're having a big sell-a-thon tomorrow. I'm gonna make a ton of money.
Jake nods.
TIM
Hey, that rhymes. Ton of mon, ton of mon...ee.
Jake walks ahead of him to his apartment door.
InT. Jake's apartment - nIGHT
The door swings open. Tim and Jake drag themselves into the small upstairs apartment. They both are sweating profusely.
Tim rips off his fire jacket and hat, sets down the axe and flops on the couch.
TIM
Man, those things are hot.
Jake takes off the jacket, leaving his hat on and sits in his favorite chair.
JAKE
They retard fire.
TIM
What?
Jake waves at Tim as if to dismiss him. Tim pulls a new pack of cigarettes out of a half-empty carton on the coffee table. He begins packing his cigarettes by pounding the top of the pack onto his left hand over and over and over and over again.
No one speaks.
Jake gets up and walks to kitchen. Tim sits up and lights a cigarette using an old beer can as an ashTrey that was sitting on the coffee table in front of him.
JAKE
(O.C.)
Beer?
TIM
Yeah.
A Milwaukee's Best beer can suddenly comes flying in towards Tim. It hits him in the hands but he fumbles the can and it hits the ground. Jake walks in to the living room.
JAKE
Party foul.
Tim doesn't look at Jake.
TIM
Yeah.
Tim begins furiously tapping the beer can drink hole.
JAKE
Don't spill.
TIM
Yeah.
He taps a few more times.
JAKE
We gotta get some pictures of this stuff.
Tim opens his beer can and it begins overflowing with foam. Tim quickly starts to gulp the beer to prevent spillage.
Jake gets up and heads to his bedroom
TIM
Yeah.
Tim has beer all over his shirt, but none on the floor.
Jake returns holding his camera.
TIM
Hold up.
Tim puts down his beer and puts the fire gear back on. Holding the axe in his best fireman pose.
Jake snaps a picture.
TiM
Hold up, I blinked.
JAKE
No you didn't.
TIM
I fucking did.
JAKE
Jesus, enough with curse words. I'll take another one.
TIM
Fuckin' A.
Jake snaps another picture. He hands the camera to Tim.
TIM
Smile.
JAKE
Just take it.
The flash freezes the moment in time.
Int. Anna'S PLACE - mORNING
Anna Pennington stands in her bathroom in front of her mirror looking down at the sink in front of her. She is dressed in only a white button up collared shirt, unbuttoned and pink panties. She is an attractive young woman who is beginning to prematurely show her years. She has sandy blonde medium length hair and milky white skin that hasn't gotten much of the sun.
She stands up straight, a breast exposed, and takes both hands and tucks her hair behind her ears. (The double hair tuck) Her wedding ring is visible as she tucks her hair. She looks at her face in the mirror. Uncertainty, sadness, entrapment, dread. All these things are hinted at as she looks at herself for the first time in quite a while.
Int. Jake'S apartment - moRNING
The morning light peers into the living room. Tim is asleep on the couch with the fire jacket as a blanket. Tim wakes up suddenly.
TIM
Ahh.
He sits up quickly and the hangover hits him.
TIM
Oh, man.
He looks around for his watch. He finds under the fireman's hat sitting on the coffee table. He looks at the watch and lays back down grabbing his head and looks to the ceiling through his fingers.
TIM
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Tim continues to lie silently.
JAKE
Tim!
Tim turns only his head towards Jake. He can see only Jake's knees.
TIM
Huh?
JAKE
Get up. We gotta take that stuff back.
TIM
What stuff?
JAKE
The fire stuff.
TIM
(muttering)
Why? I should probably get to work.
JAKE
Just get up.
Tim grabs a duffle bag and a pair of dress pants that hang on the closet door and follows Jake out the door.
EXT. Jake'S PLACE - day
They walk out into the front yard of the large red house. GAY ERIC stands, hose in hand watering the shrubs. Eric wears tiny hot pants and tight muscle shirt with sunglasses, much too stylish for this town.
They walk to Jake's car, parked on the street. Jake carries the fire gear, with Tim carrying his dress pants and small duffle bag.
Gay Eric
Good morning!
Jake looks over at him and shakes his head.
JAKE
Good lord.
GAY ERIC
I'm gonna install some new kitchen cabinets up in your place today. OK?
JAKE
OK, Gay Eric.
GAY ERIC
You got that video tape from the other day?
JAKE
Oh, yeah, its on top of the TV.
Gay Eric looks at Tim.
GAY ERIC
We really got those local news mother fuckers.
Tim looks at Jake.
TIM
What's he talking about?
They get to the car.
JAKE
I'll tell you in the car.
Int. JAKE'S PLACE - day - flashback
Jake sits in his chair as his phone rings. He has his dinner on a plate in his lap. He answers the cordless phone.
JAKE
Hello. What's up Gay Eric?
GAY ERIC
(filtered)
The local news is setting up the front lawn.
JAKE
Really?
GAY ERIC
(filtered)
Some Mexican beat up a girl across the street and threw her out the window.
JAKE
I saw that.
GAY ERIC
(filtered)
Well anyway, turn on your TV and tell when they go on the air. I'm gonna soak those bastards.
JAKE
Yeah, sure.
Ext. JAKE'S PLACE - day - flashback
SARAH VAUGHN a novice reporter for the local television station, a station in the second to the lowest market size, begins her live stand up for the six o'clock news.
Sarah
That's right Dan, behind me is the house where yesterday's disturbing incident took place.
Suddenly, poor Sarah is dowsed in a huge waterfall by two lawn sprinklers.
SARAH
Ha-ha
Int. Local news studio - day - flaSHBACK
Two local news anchors sit at the anchor desk. The lead anchor, DAN, looks at the monitor in front of him.
Dan
Uh, Sarah. Sarah, are you...Well.
He looks up at the camera.
DAN
In other news the sheriff has vowed to clamp down on Crystal Meth houses in the county...
Ext. parking lot across from the fire house - day
The boys look a bit bedraggled. Tim has changed into dress pants and a short-sleeve collared shirt and tie. The shirt partly buttoned, the tie undone. They sit on the ground, Jake wearing the same clothes as the night before. Somehow his hair is unchanged. Their backs rest against Jake's '79 Oldsmobile 88 for support. The car sits in the parking lot across the street from the Fire house. The fire gear lays on the ground in front of them. Jake sits close to the tail of the car. He turns his head and peers out towards the fire house. He quickly looks back.
TIM
Still there.
JAKE
Yeah. He's sweeping up, he'll be done in a minute.
Tim shakes his head.
TIM
My golf clubs still in your car?
JAKE
They're in the trunk. You need 'em?
TIM
No. No.
JAKE
I'll take 'em upstairs when I get back.
TIM
Whatever.
Jake looks around again and sees a fireman still out front, sweeping up the sidewalk.
JAKE
You gonna get in trouble for being late?
Jake turns back around.
TIM
Huh?
JAKE
Nothing.
TIM
No, man. What'd you say? I heard something.
JAKE
Don't worry about it.
TIM
Fuck.
JAKE
Fucking potty mouth.
TIM
So I can stay at your place for a little while?
JAKE
Yeah, sure.
TIM
It's tough to live out of your car, when you got no car.
JAKE
Just get the damn thing out from my front yard.
TIM
Right, We gotta get out of here, man.
JAKE
You're right.
TIM
At least we got those pictures.
JAKE
Oh.
TIM
Oh, what?
Jake gets up.
JAKE
No film in the camera.
Jake heads over to the driver's side car door.
TIM
No film?
JAKE
(O.C.)
No film!
Tim reaches for the fire gear.
JAKE
Just leave it.
TIM
OK.
Tim gets up and hops in the car.
They roar off in the car leaving the fire gear behind. It is now visible to the fireman sweeping the side walk.
The fireman looks up arches forward to get a closer look. He sees the gear in the parking lot. The fireman rushes into the street to try to get a look at Jake's car, but the car has since disappeared around a corner.
The fireman puts down his broom. He spies the gear laying in a pile across the street. Shaking his head, he walks across the street and picks up all the gear and brings it back into the fire house.
EXT. Edwards ford new and used car lot - day
The car lot is a typical American car lot located near the highway. A large banner is draped over the show room entrance, "Sell-a-thon".
Tim walks towards the show room door, fiddling with his tie. A large middle-aged salesman, PAT, cuts him off. Pat chain smokes Kool cigarettes and always has one in his mouth.
Pat
Tim, what the fuck?
TIM
I know, I know. Did Edwards notice I'm late?
Pat merely laughs and points to the banner.
PAT
Sell-a-thon.
TIM
I know. So what?
PAT
Yeah, so what.
Pat walks away in disgust.
Tim opens the door. He is cut off by Edwards, the tall skinny (in a red neck, Billy Bob Thornton kind of way) owner of the dealership.
Edwards
You, uh. What the hell's your name?
TIM
Mr. Edwards, it's Tim.
EDWARDS
You got any stuff here, pack it up and go. You're dead weight.
TIM
What?
EDWARDS
It's after noon. You've already cost me thousands today, boy.
Tim looking downward tries to find a way to explain.
TIM
I know I screwed up, but I know I can sell big today, just give me a chance and, and uh...
Tim looks up to see Edwards has long since departed back into the show room.
Pat, approaches from the side.
PAT
I got you this job...last a week.
Tim turns to him.
TIM
It was more like ten days.
Pat pulls a pack of Kool's from his shirt pocket and holds it out towards Tim.
PAT
Smoke?
He nods and takes the cigarette, stowing it above his ear and walks away.
EXT. Rob Patterson's house - day
Tim knocks on the door of the one story house. It is in a neighborhood filled with average houses kept up badly. This house is better kept than rest, with flowers outside and new siding. That being said, the grass at this place is overgrown and full of dandelions.
The door opens a crack.
TIM
It's me, man.
A pair of eyes is all that is visible of ROB PATTERSON. Rob is a young man in his early thirties. He wears a yuppie-like polo shirt and Levi's jeans. Only the tatoos barely visible beneath his short sleeves belie his drug dealing profession.
Rob
Who's me?
TIM
Open up, it's me.
Rob
Who?
Tim leans his head against the open door.
TIM
Tim. Tim.
Rob releases the door and Tim falls forward on his face as the door swings open. Tim lands with a thud.
Rob walks out the door and looks at Tim. Tim shakes his head.
Out the door walks, ASHLEY JAKESON, a hot young fourteen year old. She wears short shorts and no shoes or socks.
Tim looks up and eyes her tight little ass.
Ashley
Hey Rob, your old lady wants to go to the mall.
ROB
So?
Ashley gives him a knowing look.
Tim sits up.
ROB
Oh. My wallet's in the kitchen.
Ashley looks at Tim and smiles. Tim smiles back.
ASHLEY
Who's this?
Rob grabs Ashley and directs her back inside.
ROB
Get up, Tim.
Tim
Who's that?
ROB
You'll never know.
Tim acknowledges him and gets up.
ROB
You got money this time?
Tim
Yeah, I got it.
They walk inside.
Int. Ray's green HIlls grocery store - day
Tim walks towards the storage room in the medium-size locally owned supermarket. There are few people inside and the shelves are all around 75 percent full.
Tim tugs on the door leading to the storage room.
An attractive young woman, Anna Pennington, wearing a store smock taps Tim on the shoulder. She appears several years older than Tim. Her white button up shirt has several buttons unbuttoned. Set for comfort as well as to allure. Taking attention away from her wedding ring on her finger.
Anna
Can I help you?
Tim backs away quickly, knocking over a display stack of Coke. Several twelve packs crash to the ground.
TIM
Oops.
Tim is slow to react to the incident.
Anna crouches down. Before she begins to pick up the items she pulls off a double ear-tuck of her medium length light brown hair. While doing so, Tim catches a glimpse of Anna's soft white breast and simple school-girl bra.
Tim is mesmerized for a brief moment by this action.
Anna starts to put the display back together.
Anna
Don't worry, I don't need any help.
TIM
Oh, shit. Hold on.
Tim bends down and helps her put the Coke twelve packs back into place.
TIM
Sorry about that.
Anna wipes her brow.
Anna
You looking for somebody?
TIM
Yeah, actually. Jake around?
Anna sighs.
Anna
There's like four Jake's that work here.
JAKE
Butler.
Anna
Oh him, haven't seen him.
Anna turns to walk away. Tim rushes towards her and cuts her off.
TIM
What's your name?
Anna
You wanna leave your friend a message?
TIM
He's got my golf clubs, but its not important.
(pause)
What's your name?
Anna
Who wants to know?
Tim pauses for a second, laughing to himself.
TIM
I do. I do. Have we ever met at a party or something?
Anna
I doubt it.
Tim waits for Anna to tell him her name but, she doesn't. Tim leans forward in anticipation. She remains silent and he falls towards her.
Anna
Whoa
The two of them, now in intimate proximity, make eye contact.
TIM
Sorry.
Anna
My name's Anna. Everyone here calls me Penny, though.
TIM
Why's that?
Anna
It doesn't matter.
TIM
No it doesn't.
Anna pushes Tim away. She points down the aisle to indicate that she's got to go. The two stand and look at each other.
After several seconds, Tim waves quietly to her. Anna smiles and vanishes down the grocery aisle.
EXT. river bank - day
Tim sits in secluded spot overlooking the Missouri River near Downtown St. Joseph. He pulls out his Zippo lighter ignites and carefully sets it on a large stone to his right. He then takes a plastic bag and unrolls a small piece of aluminum foil. He places some of the bag's powdery contents onto the foil. He pulls out a plastic straw from his jacket pocket and places the foil over the flame. When the mixture heats up sufficiently he places the straw near the heroin powder and inhales the smoke. He inhales several time before he knocks the lighter over and extinguishes. He puts the straw back into his jacket pocket. He shakes the burnt material off the foil, folds up the foil and returns it to his pocket as well.
A warmth overcomes him. Tim removes his windbreaker jacket. He looks out over the river towards the sun that is only just beginning to make its decent towards the horizon.
A person whistling interrupts the quiet.
Tim turns around and sees Jake waving at him a few hundred yards away.
Jake motions him over.
Tim slowly makes his way towards the car.
Jake, dressed in jeans and the ever present polo shirt, lights a cigarette. Hungover, he moves slowly, but purposefully. He stands for a second and furrows his brow. He walks to the trunk of the car and opens it.
JAKE
Oops.
Inside are Tim's prized golf clubs. Titleist DCI forged irons, Callaway Big Bertha woods. Jake shakes his head, pulls out his grocery apron, and gently shuts the trunk lid.
Tim walks up to Jake.
TIM
What's up?
JAKE
I'm going to work. Did I give you a key to the apartment?
TIM
Where you going?
JAKE
To work.
TIM
I'll ride with you.
Jake shrugs.
JAKE
You got a key to the apartment?
TIM
Nah.
Jake searches his pockets.
JAKE
I forgot it.
TIM
Don't worry about it, you'll be home before me.
JAKE
Whatever. Hop in, I'm late.
Tim gets in the car. They speed off.
Int. Jake's car - dusk
Jake drives fast down the residential city street. Jake spots a cat on the side walk on the right hand side of the road.
JAKE
Cat!
Jake whips the car onto the sidewalk.
TIM
Oh shit.
Jake chases the cat up the side walk. The G forces of the sudden swerve slams Tim into the passenger door.
The cat tries to get away, but Jake swerves to try to land the death blow.
JAKE
Got it.
Tim looks behind them and sees the cat running towards a house.
TIM
No, you missed it.
JAKE
Damn.
Jake's car bounces as Jake pulls it back onto the road.
The cat lies in the middle of the sidewalk, motionless.
EXT. raY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - night
Jake parks the car in the grocery store parking lot.
The night has just fallen and the parking lot lights are just taking hold. Many CUSTOMERS scuffle back and forth. Due to the shift change, several grocery workers can be seen walking to their cars and towards the building.
Tim quickly gets out and turns to Jake, still in the car.
TIM
What time does the shift change?
JAKE
Ten minutes ago.
Tim turns and runs into the store.
Jake gets out of the car slowly, grabbing the apron that sits on the front seat. He carefully shuts the door of his Olds 88. He carefully locks the driver's door.
He heads towards the store, but not before checking the passenger door lock.
Int. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STore - night
Tim frantically walks the aisles of the grocery store looking for Anna. One aisle after the other, she is not to be found. He walks quickly. Quickly enough that when he speeds by Milford mopping the floor, he slides on the wet floor and wipes out.
Milford
Damn, boy! You alright?
TIM
Fuck! Fuck. Fuck.
Milford keeps mopping.
Milford
Yep.
Tim, half-wet gets up to his knees.
TIM
You seen Anna?
Milford
Who?
TIM
Anna. Uh, uh, Patty, Pelly...Penny?
Milford points to the front of the store.
Milford
Day shift just ended.
Tim gets to his feet. A large wet spot darkens the back of his pants.
TIM
Cool.
Tim walks away slipping slightly.
Milford
Watch your step.
Ext. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - night
Tim wanders around the parking lot hoping to catch a glimpse of Anna. He stops in the middle of a group of cars and makes a three hundred sixty degree turn around to survey the lot. When he completes the turn, all the cars around him are gone and in the corner of his eye he spots Anna, opening the door to her Dodge K car.
TIM
Anna.
(louder)
Anna!
She doesn't respond to his call and enters the car and settles into the drivers seat.
Tim runs up to the car window and knocks on it.
TIM
Anna, open up.
She turns the engine over.
Tim shrugs and then continues.
TIM
It's me, Tim. We had a conversation this afternoon.
He makes a roll-down-the-window motion.
Anna, realizing Tim is going nowhere, cuts the engine.
Tim smiles.
Anna tries to lower the window, but the crank sticks. She uses all her strength, but the window won't budge.
Tim leans close to the glass. He struggles to see what the problem is.
Anna tries one last time to turn the window crank, but it only opens a crack. Plum out of strength, she opens the door. The door smacks Tim on the head.
TIM
Oh!
Tim staggers backward.
Anna
Oops.
TIM
Don't worry, I'm OK.
Anna
What do you want?
TIM
It's Tim, from this afternoon.
Anna
I know.
TIM
Oh.
Anna
What do you want?
TIM
I have a severance check and..
Anna
Huh?
TIM
Are you hungry?
Anna nods her head.
TIM
I don't have a car.
Anna
What did you do?
TIM
Sold cars.
Anna smiles.
TIM
I have a car, it just doesn't work. The dealership was going to fix it for a discount, but I kinda like walking, so...
Anna leans over and unlocks his passenger side door.
Tim cracks a smile and heads over to the passenger side door and gets in.
TIM
I think I've got a concussion.
Anna does not reply.
Ext. Street outside scanlon's bar - night
Tim and Anna walk down the sidewalk.
Anna
What's the name of this place?
Tim walks gingerly on his ankle.
TIM
Scanlon's.
Anna
Isn't that a bar?
TIM
The food is good, trust me. I know the chef.
Anna stops walking. Tim comes to a gradual stop.
Anna grabs his upper arm with her hand and pulls Tim closer. Tim appears a bit uneasy.
Anna pauses for a second and then just blurts out her statement.
Anna
I'm married.
Tim stays silent. Anna studies his face.
Anna
I'm married.
TIM
I'm hungry.
Anna
What?
TIM
Let's eat.
They walk aside the brick wall of the building, heading to the side door of the bar. Suddenly, Tim stops and leans backward onto the wall. He grabs Anna and pulls her to him. They look into each other's eyes. She lunges towards him and they fervently french kiss.
After a minute or so, Anna pulls away. They both breathe hard.
Anna
I'm hungry.
(beat)
Let's eat.
Tim nods his head.
Int. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - nIGHT
Jake kneels in a grocery aisle. Grocery apron around his neck, empty boxes are scattered around him. He is busy pricing items and sticking them onto the bottom shelf.
Milford, in a grocery apron stands beside him.
Milford
I think its getting worse.
Jake looks up at him.
JAKE
You think?
Milford
Yeah, I mean he got niggas leavin' in droves.
JAKE
Six people quit this week. Six. They want me to do another double shift today.
Milford
It's that Wal-Mart super center, snappin' 'em up.
JAKE
It's because Robinson's a dick!
Milford quietly turns and leaves.
Jake winces at the site of his boss.
Mr. Robinson, who wears a manager's name tag, stands behind Jake.
JAKE
What do you want Robinson?
Robinson
Jake?
Jake doesn't move.
ROBINSON
Jake? Stand up for a second would ya?
Jake reluctantly stands, taking his time.
ROBINSON
Who told you to put these cans here?
JAKE
Technically,s you did?
ROBINSON
I did?
Jake
Mercker told me that you told him to stock this shelf.
ROBINSON
He's full of it. This isn't even the right section. Couldn't you just think for a second?
Jake nods.
JAKE
Right.
ROBINSON
Great, so aisle 10, OK? Hey, can you close for me tonight?
Robinson starts to walk away.
JAKE
Sure, give me the keys.
Robinson stops and throws his keys to Jake. Jake catches them one-handed.
Jake walks away from the boxes, leaving the mess as is.
Int. Scanlon's bar - niGHT
The bar is half-full with working class types. A group of thirtysomethings, all with mullets (men and women) huddle around the pool table, while a group of frat-boy types are throwing darts.
Tim and Anna sit at a table on the far side of the room. A pitcher of beer sits between them.
Anna has a nervous habit of tapping her wedding ring finger on the table. She does this every few moments.
TIM
You think they lost our order?
Anna
Nah.
Tim takes gulp of his beer. They sit looking at each other for second or two.
Anna
I've seen you before.
TIM
You seem familiar, too, but I can't figure out where I've seen you.
Anna
You were in my Spanish class at the college. A couple years ago.
Tim leans forward and snaps his fingers.
TIM
Yes. That's it, you always wore a jean jacket with a some kind of army patch on it.
Anna nods affirmatively.
TIM
I used to think about how you and I would make a good couple. I don't know why, I just had feeling, I guess.
Anna
I sat behind you. I remember sitting there and staring at your neck.
TIM
My neck?
Anna
You have a nice neck.
TIM
I never should have dropped out.
Anna
Why didn't you ask me out?
TIM
There was never a good opportunity. How do you go up to someone you've never spoken to before?
Anna
I don't know.
TIM
See? Me either. I guess I should have, though.
Anna
Maybe.
TIM
Maybe.
One of those silent moments takes hold. The folks playing pool suddenly get really loud.
TIM
(loudly, over the noise)
You know tomorrow's my birthday.
Anna
Really, mine's next week.
TIM
Really?
Anna
Really.
TIM
Hmmm.
Anna
How old, how old are you gonna be?
TIM
Let's see...
He raises his head to the sky.
TIM
Uh, twenty-three.
Anna
Me, too.
Tim furrows his brow.
Anna
Got any big plans?
TIM
Jake and I usually play golf during the day.
Anna
That's it?
TIM
There will also be drinking.
Anna shakes her head.
TIM
It's not a hard steadfast rule.
She continues shaking her head.
TIM
More of a suggestion, really.
She takes a drink while continuing to shake her head, hiding a giggle.
TIM
So what are you into?
Anna
(still giggling)
Huh?
TIM
What do you like to do when you're not stocking shelves or studying for a test.
Anna
I like to sleep.
Tim laughs.
TIM
Me, too.
Anna
I also like theater. I was in a few plays in school, down in Kansas City, and other places.
TIM
Really?
Anna
Surprised?
TIM
No, no. Not much of a career for that here, though.
Anna
True. But you have a long drinking career.
Tim smiles and toasts her with his glass.
TIM
Very true.
Anna sheepishly taps glasses with Tim. They both take a drink of beer. Anna gulps down half the glass.
Anna
What do you like? What do you like to do?
TIM
Hanging out.
Anna
Hanging out?
TIM
(defensively)
It's something.
Anna
Not really.
TIM
(forcefully)
Yes, really.
Anna
Don't you have any hobbies, interests? Music?
TIM
I sold most of my CD's.
Anna
What about golf?
TIM
I'm not very good, we mainly play to drink beer.
Anna
You can drink beer anywhere.
TIM
Yeah.
(beat)
I like walking.
Anna
OK.
TIM
Yeah, I had a car, but it just got me a bunch of trouble. I've discovered I like walking around town, although no one else around here does. It's very enlightening. For instance, I was walking down, well I don't remember what street it was, but it was in the afternoon, right? And I'm walking down the sidewalk, kinda in my own little world and I look over there...
He points off to the right with his right hand.
Anna's eyes follow his hand.
TIM
...and I see a little kid, couldn't be much older than six or seven, but not a toddler or anything. Anyway the kid's in the yard, by himself no adults around. And the kid is five feet from the sidewalk, just taking a pee right there in the yard. He's not trying to hide behind a tree or something, he's just lettin' it fly. There's cars flying by and he couldn't care less. He's just getting some air.
Anna
Did he see you?
TIM
I guess, but it didn't deter him one bit.
Tim shrugs his shoulders.
Anna smiles.
Tim finishes his beer.
A WAITER sets their food on their table.
TIM
Thanks, man.
Int. RAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - night
Jake, sans apron, is heading out the back door.
Milford
You're not gonna close tonight.
Jake, holding a bottle of Jack Daniel's, stuffs it into his back pocket.
JAKE
No.
Milford
It's hard to get job in this town, man.
Jake leans on the door.
JAKE
Yeah. Yeah. I'll be back later.
Milford
I got your back.
JAKE
You don't have to.
Milford
I got nothin' else goin' on.
Jake opens the door and heads out into the night.
Ext. Boogie's Bar - night
Jake's Delta 88 roars around the corner, skidding and screeches to a stop in the gravel parking lot.
Jake takes a last swig out of a pint of whisky. Throws the bottle into the back seat and gets out of the car. He walks into the bar.
EXT. Anna'S PLACE - night
They both stand by the driver side of Anna's car. Anna leans on the car door. Tapping her ring on the door from time to time.
Her apartment building is in the background. The building is a two story, condo style series of buildings. One of those places owned by a big company that can be found near colleges.
Tim puts his arms around her.
TIM
I don't wanna go.
Anna
So don't.
He leans his forehead gently against hers.
Tim opens his mouth to speak. She puts a finger over his lips.
Tim fights back tears.
Int. BOOGIE'S BAR - niGHT
Jake sits in the middle of the bar, people to each side.
The bartender, an older woman, cigarette permanently pasted on her lips leans towards Jake. She is graphically over weight.
Bartender
Look, you gonna order something or what?
JAKE
I've been trying to order a DRINK around here for twenty minutes.
BARTENDER
Whatta ya want?
JAKE
You've been in the back eating a sandwich or something?
The bartender walks away.
Jake
C'mon!
The bartender comes storming back.
BARTENDER
You got two seconds to order something or shut up.
JAKE
Gimme a Jack and Coke.
The Bartender nods.
JAKE
They used to have a good looking bartender in this joint, whatever happened to her?
The bartender looks over to the large redneck looking fellow, PAUL, sitting on the bar stool next to Jake.
Although Jake is a fairly big man compared to the average person, next to Paul, Jake looks like a child.
Paul grabs Jake's shirt.
Paul
Let's go.
Jake
I'm not going anywhere, 'til I get my drink.
Paul pushes Jake off his stool.
JAKE
Watch it, red neck!
Paul
Man, just turn around and leave. We don't want a problem.
JAKE
Problem. I got a problem. I want my drink, cowboy.
He tries to walk past Paul towards the bar. Paul grabs him.
Jake tries to remove Paul's hands from him. He is unsuccessful, so Jake punches at Paul. He misses.
Paul pushes Jake over a table. Knocking over some ashTreys and glasses, cutting Jake's forehead.
Paul kicks Jake a few times.
Ext. BOOGIE'S BAR - night
Jake crawls out of the bar and into the parking lot.
The Bartender runs over to him and throws his credit card onto his head.
BARTENDER
I don't wanna see you in here again!
JAKE
Sure thing, tubby.
Jake laughs.
The Bartender kicks him in the groin. Jake lets loose a combination of laugh/yelp in pain.
INT. rAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - nIGHT
The store is closed and dark, excluding a few safety lights.
Jake is visible from the outside, unlocking the front glass door. Blood is still pouring onto his face from the wound on his forehead .
He heads to store room and roots around in there for a moment.
He emerges with two gallon cans of green paint and a mop. He carries the stuff down to middle of the cereal aisle.
His mood is serene. His face is calm, his fingers tremble slightly.
He opens the paint can with car keys.
Picking up the can he starts tossing the paint around the aisle in ever direction.
After exhausting that can of paint he picks up the mop, dips it in a puddle of paint and walks to the next aisle.
He uses the mop to knock off all the items off the shelves. One after the other, like dominoes, the products fall to floor. Many are in glass containers. They crash to floor, breaking. He goes up and down the aisle bringing all the items to the floor.
He then gets the other can of green paint and walks over to the front store windows.
He opens the paint can and dips the mop into the can. He writes "Robinson is a dick" in green paint, sloppily on the window.
Quickly he begins to knock more products off the shelves. He heads to the liquor section. He proceeds to take liquor bottles off the shelves and smash them.
He then knocks most of the other bottles off the shelves in the mass action.
He picks up a case of liquor and carries it to the front of the store and throws it as hard as he can towards the glass. The case bounces off the glass.
Jake looks perplexed. He spots a [large metal object] and with great effort picks it up and tosses towards the glass, busting the glass with a great flourish.
A great smile erupts on Jake's face.
The store's burglar alarm goes off.
JAKE
Uh, oh.
Jake quickly exits the building, locking the door behind him.
EXT. raY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - niGHT
Jake gets in his car and speeds off, very fast jumping a curb and smashing into the street, tires squealing.
Int. Anna'S PLACE - nIGHT
Anna and Tim lie in bed. Anna, the sheet only reaching her waist, stares at the ceiling. Tim turns toward her and begins to snuggle up against her. Anna seems oblivious. She taps her left hand on the bed.
TIM
What's up?
She glares at him for saying something so stupid.
He kisses her on the nose.
Anna
You've got to get out of here.
TIM
Why?
She just looks at him.
TIM
He's coming home? When?
She just looks at him.
TIM
Now?
(beat)
OK.
Naked he gathers his clothes.
TIM
Can I get a ride home?
Anna
I've got to be...
Tim interrupts.
TIM
Be here when he gets home. Right. I'll call a cab.
Anna
Sorry.
After pulling up his pants, he leans towards her and kisses her.
TIM
It's OK.
They look into each other's eyes.
Anna
Please, go.
Tim nods.
Ext. City parkway - night
Jake's car going about a hundred miles an hour speeds down a hill towards a bend in the road. He drives down the city parkway. The parkway is a wooded greenbelt roadway that snakes through the center of the city. It is late at night, no other cars or people are anywhere to be seen. Along the parkway are residential houses usually several hundred yards from the street.
He tries to take the turn at way to high a speed and the car flies into the woods crashing, flipping on its side, and smashing into several trees. The rear of the car is completely demolished. Jake lies motionless in the driver's seat.
EXT. Jake'S PLACE - nIGHT
A taxi cab pulls up to Jake's place and lets off Tim at the curb. He walks around the house to the apartment door. There is a quickness and lightness to Tim's step that wasn't present before. He bops up the stairs to the door and hits the doorbell.
He waits for a minute. No Jake. Tim looks back towards the driveway. Jake's car is missing.
TIM
Shit.
Tim bends over and checks under the floor mat. No key.
Tim sighs. Consigned to his fate, he sits down on the small porch. He rolls up his sleeve, removes his belt, and ties it off on his arm. Seeing a vein, he pulls his works out from his jacket pocket. He shoots up.
After getting high, he looks up at the clear starry sky.
Ext. cITY PARKWAY - nIGHT
Jake crawls slowly out of the car. His face is bleeding in several places now. He grabs at his left shoulder. He can't move his left arm.
He walks slowly around the car. The underbrush crackling beneath him. He gets to the back of the car and sees the trunk is completely bashed in. The trunk door is open. Tim's golf clubs, still inside are mostly bent beyond repair.
JAKE
Oh, man.
He pulls the metal driver golf club out of the wreckage and looks it over, shaking his head.
From afar, a door to a nearby house is heard opening.
Bystander (O.S.)
Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!
JAKE
Oh, man.
He falls to his butt, holding the club. Sitting against the destroyed trunk. After a few moments an ambulance siren is heard.
Jake starts to laugh. He continues to laugh harder and harder, holding the club up like he's going to swing at a golf ball.
Red ambulance lights are reflected on Jake's face as he laughs.
Ext. JAKE'S PLACE - mORNING
Morning rises over Jake's apartment building. Tim is asleep on the hood of a car in the driveway.
A sudden bang on the hood shocks Tim back to life. Gay Eric stands next to the car.
GAY ERIC
Hey!
The light seems to be blinding to Tim.
tIM
Huh?
GAY ERIC
You're on my car.
TIM
Shit. Sorry.
He, carefully as he can, crawls off the car.
GAY ERIC
If there's a dent, you're fixing it.
TIM
OK, OK.
Gay Eric takes a rag out the car and begins to lovingly rub the area where Tim had laid.
Tim looks around.
TIM
You seen Jake?
Eric looks at him rather impatiently. Eric stands behind the open front car door.
GAY ERIC
His car's not here.
TIM
Look, I, uh...
Eric closes the car door.
GAY ERIC
I'll let you in, just this once.
Eric walks towards Jake's door.
Tim
Thanks. Thank you, man.
GAY ERIC
Clean yourself up, you look like a junkie.
Tim looks at Eric quizzically.
Eric leans towards him and winces.
GAY ERIC
You stink.
TIM
Oh, right. Sorry, dude.
Eric opens the door and holds his nose while Tim walks past him.
ExT. Jake'S PLACE - day
Tim sits on the front porch. He smokes a cigarette.
Jake walks into the yard from up the block. Jake sees Tim on the porch and yells at him from a distance. His Face is black and blue with several scars stitched up. He wears a sling around his left arm.
JAKE
So you're a porch monkey, now!
Tim steps towards the edge of the porch.
TIM
What the hell happened?
Jake approaches the porch and stands beside it.
JAKE
What a night.
Tim takes a long drag on the cigarette.
Jake finally gets into Tim's focus.
TIM
Jesus Christ. What the fuck happened to you?
JAKE
You should see the other guy.
TIM
You get into a fight?
JAKE
You know...I don't really wanna talk about this now.
Tim walks towards Jake and sits down on the side of the porch, his legs draped over the edge. He tries to top Jake with his escapades.
TIM
Look, I woke up on top of Gay Eric's car.
JAKE
I might have you beat.
TIM
I really don't see how.
JAKE
For starters, I woke up in jail.
TIM
You win. How'd you get out?
JAKE
Bailed myself out.
TIM
I love credit cards.
JAKE
Look, I'll tell you all the gory details after I get a little nap.
Tim shakes head.
TIM
Ah, c'mon. Where'd they put your car?
Jake walks towards his apartment door.
Tim yells in his direction.
TIM
Hey, where are my clubs?
The front door shuts.
Tim
Jake?
Tim nervously lights up another cigarette.
Through an open window upstairs, Jake can be heard.
JAKE (O.C.)
Hey, those are my smokes!
Tim laughs.
TIM
It's gonna be some birthday.
Int. Doctor's office - day
A middle-aged man, DAD, sits in a hospital robe on that cushy table that all doctor's offices have in them. Although it is not apparent at this moment, the man is Jake's father. The man, an Insurance Adjustor by trade waits impatiently. He nervously bangs his feet against the tin bottom of the table. He appears to badly need a cigarette.
Eventually a Vietnamese woman doctor, Dr. Phong, walks in. She is an older woman, over forty, with large glasses. She has a very strong Vietnamese accent making her English difficult to understand. She carries his chart on a clipboard in her hand.
Dr. Phong
Hello. How you doing?
Dad
Uh. OK.
She looks at his chart.
Dr. PHONG
Yes. You still having trouble picking up things.
Dad
Huh?
Dr. PHONG
Trouble with the arms?
Dad
Yeah. Yeah, I have.
Dr. PHONG
I have the results from you tests here.
Jake's Dad nods.
Dr. PHONG
Would you like your wife present.
Dad
My wife?
Dr. PHONG
Would you like her to be here to hear the results?
Dad
No.
Dr. PHONG
The symptoms you are having, stumbling and falling, loss of muscle control and strength in hands and arms. They are signs, and we told you the possibilities.
The Doctor looks at him to see if he is understanding.
Dad
Yeah.
Dr. PHONG
The tests show you have disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Dad
Look, I don't know what you just said.
Dr. PHONG
It's commonly known as Lou Gherig's Disease. I've got the permission from the HMO to send you to a specialist. He works in Kansas City. It's a long drive, but he's very good.
Dad
Whoah, whoah, whoah. Lou Gherig's Disease?
The doctor nods her head.
He turns white as a sheet, his arms shake slightly. He says nothing, staring right through the Doctor.
Dr. PHONG
Mister?
He doesn't respond. The Doctor puts down the chart and her arms around his right arm and lays her head on his shoulder. The two adults remain silent, unmoving.
Ext. downtown body shop - day
Jake stands next to his demolished car. His Dad, an Insurance Adjustor, stands next to Jake. His Dad has a lit cigarette permanently attached to his lip. At least it seems that way.
Dad
You really fucked this one up, son.
JAKE
C'mon, Dad.
Dad
Well...
Dad looks over the car.
Dad
Well, it's totaled. The money's going to me. You find some other way to pay your court fine.
Taller than Jake he leans over him and grabs him by the shirt.
Dad
Don't come around our house anymore.
JAKE
Fine. Whatever.
He pushes Jake away.
Dad
Get out of here.
Jake tries to get around the Adjustor, but he blocks his path.
Dad
I'll fix it for you, Jakey. But this is the last fucking time.
Jake looks at him with disgust.
The Adjustor reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of keys.
Dad
Take the wagon for now.
JAKE
I don't know if I'm up for it.
Dad
You're gonna need a job, so you need wheels.
He puts the keys into the hand of Jake's bad arm.
Jake winces.
Dad
This is it. I'm done with you. The title's inside, I signed it over to you. You want insurance, that's your business.
JAKE
I can't take it.
The Adjustor grabs Jake's bad arm.
JAKE
Ow!
Dad
Do what I tell you. One time.
He pushes Jake towards the street.
Jake waves behind him. He walks a few more steps and puts his hand on the side mirror of a beat up station wagon. He caresses it for a moment. Instead of screaming or bashing something, he sighs deeply.
JAKE
(to himself)
Whatever, man.
He gets into the car and gingerly drives off, one-handed.
Ext. RiVER BANK - dusk
Jake and Tim sit near a rail road bridge that spans across the river near downtown. They share a twelve pack of beer.
JAKE
You got that joint?
Tim pulls out a marijuana cigarette out a half-full cigarette pack and tosses it to Jake.
TIM
You know, marijuana is a gateway drug.
Jake lights the joint very carefully.
JAKE
Anna's married, you know.
TIM
I'm aware.
JAKE
Just sayin'.
TIM
You know, I don't wanna talk about this.
JAKE
Whatever.
Jake takes a large gulp of beer.
TIM
So how many drinks did you have at Boogie's?
JAKE
I don't recall.
TIM
You don't remember?
JAKE
I don't remember anything.
TIM
You're not going back to the grocery store, are you?
JAKE
Oh, hell no.
Tim nods his head and downs the rest of his beer.
He looks in the twelve pack box for another beer. The box is empty.
TIM
That's it.
Jake nods.
JAKE
Happy birthday.
He takes a long drag on his joint.
Jake leans towards Tim and offers up the joint to Tim.
TIM
No, no thanks. I'm goin' to Anna's.
JAKE
You walkin'.
TIM
It ain't far.
Ext. doWNTOWN ST. JOSEPH - nIGHT
Tim walks by himself through the downtown streets. Tim appears to be the only person outside. Most of the buildings are either closed or abandoned. Every so often a car driving down an adjacent street can be heard. A curious chill is in the air. Tim buttons his jacket.
Cop car lights reflect off the streets. A quick siren goes off.
A police car pulls up beside him and stops. The POLICE OFFICER rolls his window down.
Police officer
Where you headed, son?
Tim rolls his eyes.
PoLICE OFFICER
You giving me lip, boy?
TIM
Just walking home.
PoLICE OFFICER
Where's that?
TIM
Uh, Jules and..
PoLICE OFFICER
You don't know where you live?
TIM
No, I mean, yeah. I'm staying with my girlfriend.
The police radio gets the officer's attention.
PoLICE OFFICER
Don't move!
(to radio)
Forty-seven, over.
Garbled distorted police jingo is heard over the radio.
PoLICE OFFICER
(into radio)
Ten-four.
(to Tim)
You get straight home. I don't wanna see you again tonight.
Tim smiles and nods.
The Policeman roars off in his car.
Int. Anna's place - night
Tim sits on top of the toilet. The bathroom door is cracked open, but from where Tim sits he cannot see this. He reaches over to his jacket and pulls his works and small baggy of heroin. He prepares the heroin, heating it with his lighter. He sucks up the broth into his syringe. He ties the rubber band around his arm and attempts to find a vein. He has a bit of trouble finding the vein.
Suddenly there is a knock and bathroom door opens. Anna walks in.
TIM
Oh, shit.
Anna struggles to find words.
Anna
What are you...What the...
Tim holds the syringe in his right hand, using it to accentuate his points like someone would do with a cigarette.
TIM
I thought I locked the door.
Anna
The lock doesn't work.
TIM
Look, it's not what...It's just...I'm not a junkie, if that's what you think.
Anna
What?
TIM
I'm not a junkie. I'm not a junkie. I'm happily addicted. So fuckin' what?
Anna stands staring at Tim. She says nothing. Tears begin to stream down her face.
There are several moments of silence. They both hold their ground.
Finally Tim looks at the syringe, and decides to continue to shoot up.
TIM
You wanna stand there and watch? Go ahead.
Tim begins searching for a vein. He still has trouble getting a vein to pop. He becomes agitated and slaps his arm hard, more times than probably necessary. Eventually, Tim stops and pops the syringe into his arm. Upon completion, throws the syringe into the sink and slams backward, hard, into the toilet bowl.
Anna, still crying, continues to watch him as nearly passes out. She then, turns, disgusted at Tim, and walks slowly back into the bedroom.
The bathroom door remains wide open.
She sits on the side of the bed facing the bathroom, looking in Tim's direction. She does not wipe her tears.
After a moment Tim comes slightly out his stupor and turns towards the bedroom. He sees, Anna sitting facing him. She is vulnerable, beautiful, a wreck.
Tim slowly gets up and walks towards her. She offers no reaction to his advance, but merely looks into another dimension.
Tim reaches Anna, falls to his knees on the floor in front of her. He wraps his arms around her bare leg, caressing it. He begins to kiss the leg. Working his way up. He reaches her panties and begins to kiss her pussy sensually, over her panties.
She does not resist, but she barely acknowledges his presence.
He unskillfully pulls her panties down to floor.
Tim lays his head between her legs and inhales profoundly, taking in her odor. He begins to lick, to kiss her pussy long and deeply like two school kids, lovers who have just discovered the joys of french kissing.
Anna quietly moans, for a second. Tim continues on, while Anna closes her eyes, but she does not wipe her tears.
Int. Station wagon - day
Jake and Tim drive down a country road.
TIM
I don't understand why you won't let me drive.
JAKE
You're a terrible driver.
TIM
You're serious?
JAKE
I've never wrecked sober.
TIM
Me neither.
Jake looks at him.
TIM
Well, two, maybe three times, but they were just fender benders. I didn't total the car.
JAKE
That's my point. Even a little fender bender and we're in big trouble.
Ext. outside Jake's place - day - FlasHBACK, a few hours earlier
Gay Eric stands in the yard, watering flowers with a long hose.
Jake and Tim walk out of Jake's apartment and towards Gay Eric.
GAY ERIC
Hey guys.
They stop to talk to Eric.
JAKE
What's up?
GAY ERIC
What happened to you?
Tim giggles a bit.
JAKE
I'm all right. Tree got in my way.
GAY ERIC
Is your arm broken?
JAKE
No, just a minor separation.
GAY ERIC
Well good luck with all that.
JAKE
Yeah.
GAY ERIC
Look, if you need a week or two with the rent...
JAKE
Actually, I might. I've got no job and no money right now. You need some help selling?
GAY ERIC
Nah. I got out of that stuff. But, I know a guy...you really interested?
TIM
Fuck yeah!
JAKE
Yeah.
GAY ERIC
I know an old couple out in the country. The old man, he can't make enough money farming, right? So he's turned his barn into a meth lab.
TIM
(mocking Eric)
Noo!
GAY ERIC
Yes! Out past Mound City, by Clarksdale.
Ext. Country farm - day - flaSHBACK, a year earlier
GAY ERIc (V.O.)
I was out there with my Latino friend, Hector.
An old family farm that has fallen into disrepair. The old FARMER walks Gay Eric and his friend, HECTOR into the back yard of the farm house. The Farmer wears an old shirt with overalls over it. His face is leathered from a lifetime in the sun.
Farmer
You young kids know a lot about modern technology?
Gay Eric and Hector look each other and shake their heads.
GAY ERIC
I can hook up a car stereo.
FARMER
That's what I figured. The cable don't come all the way out here. So I called the satellite folks and they wanted...
(he thinks for a second)
Well they wanted a bunch a money.
GAY ERIC
Uh huh.
FARMER
So my son, he got me a deal on the antennae. Two hundred bucks.
GAY ERIC
Wow.
They walk up to an unusual looking satellite rig. It's a hog trough leaning on a water spigot with an antennae in the middle. A cable runs from the "dish" through the yard and into a window.
FARMER
So I took the ol' hog trough, don't need that no more since that corporate hog farm moved in.
Hector
So that's the smell.
FARMER
It takes a little gettin' used to. But maybe you could take a look at this, I can't get no picture. Me and my boy followed the directions.
GAY ERIC
Hmm...
Int. stATION WAGON - day - present
Jake swerves the car violently and almost drives off the road.
TIM
Holy shit!
JAKE
Whoops.
Tim decides now would be a good time to latch his seatbelt.
TIM
So were all the clubs broken?
JAKE
I'll replace them. I told you. You can have mine.
TIM
You're a lefty.
JAKE
So?
TIM
Am I ever gonna get to see 'em?
JAKE
Can we drop it?
Ext. cOUNTRY FARM - DAY
Jake's car pulls up the gravel driveway towards the house. Hearing them, the old Farmer walks out to meet the car. Smoke billows from the backyard. The Farmer approaches the passenger side window. Tim rolls down the window.
TIM
Ugh!
Tim covers his nose with his hand.
TIM
What's that smell?
FARMER
Afternoon, boys. There's a big ol' hog farm down wind.
JAKE
That's right.
Tim looks at Jake quizzically.
FARMER
Gay Eric told me you were comin'.
Tim turns to Jake.
TIM
(to Jake)
He calls him Gay Eric, too?
(to the Farmer)
So, should we come inside?
FARMER
Well, here's the deal. The wife and I had a little accident.
Ext. COUNTRY FARM - DAY - FlaSHBACK, A FEW HOURS EARLIER
A shed out back of the farm house sits quietly. The farmer walks out of the shed with a bucket in his hand. He walks about a hundred yards from the shed. Suddenly there is a huge explosion demolishing the shed and sending parts of the shed flying in every direction.
Ext. CoUNTRY FARM - DAY - presENT
The Farmer leans on the car window. He has a pinch of Copenhagen between his cheek and gum.
TIM
Wow.
FaRMER
So, we'll be up and runnin' in a coupla days. You boys are welcome to come back.
JAKE
When exactly should we come back?
The Farmer takes a second to spit.
FARMER
Can't rightly say. It won't be long. The wife's got some medical bills coming up soon and I'm gonna need a refill on my prescriptions.
TIM
Well, thanks mister.
Tim holds out his hand.
FARMER
My hands are a little messed up, but I'll be seein' ya.
JAKE
Bye.
Tim rolls up his window and Jake fires up the motor.
TIM
I'm thinkin' beer.
JAKE
Beer.
The farmer stands upright and watches them drive off.
Ext. Small town square - day
Jake's station wagon pulls up to a bar that sits on the small town square. In the middle of the square is city hall. There are few people milling about, but (not surprisingly) it is very quiet.
Jake and Tim get out of the car.
TIM
Here?
JAKE
Why not? There's always a bar on the town square.
TIM
There is?
JAKE
Where've you been.
They walk around the corner and spot a neon "Budweiser" sign.
JAKE
Neon.
Tim nods.
Getting closer, a sign that says, "Jim and Joe's" is visible.
The bar sits on a corner. Next to the bar is an old frontier style evangelical church with the wooden steeple reaching for the sky.
Tim looks around before entering and shakes his head.
JAKE
I like this place already.
Int. Jim and joe's bar - day
Jake and Tim are playing pool against two older residents, TRAV and JOSH, of the small rural town. The bar is quiet and dark, with no music playing. A few patrons sit at the bar. Trav is a skinny scrawny looking guy, while Josh is bigger, well, he's fat. Josh wears an old seed capÊthat would be really hip if someone else was wearing it.
Tim chalks up his cue and surveys the balls on the table. He and the rest of the group have many empty beer bottles laying on the table next to the pool table. They all continue to drink, everyone getting drunker and drunker.
A pile of money, about fifty bucks, lies on the corner of the pool table.
TIM
(to Trav)
So how much are we playing for?
JAKE
Knock it off, man.
Trav
Just shut up and play.
TIM
No really, how much?
Josh walks up to Tim, getting in his face.
Josh
I've about had enough of you.
Jake tries to pull Josh away with his one good arm, to minimal effect.
JAKE
C'mon, man. Let's play.
TIM
Jeez. Just askin' a question.
Tim, visibly drunk, hits his first shot.
TIM
Oh, yeah. It's too easy.
Tim walks by Travis.
TIM
(to Travis)
Too easy.
Tim quickly sinks the next shot. He now has a straight on shot on the eight ball to win.
TIM
Ooh. This a tough one. Better try this.
Tim flips his pool cue around and attempts to hit the cue ball behind his back.
Jake shakes his head.
TIM
Middle pocket.
Tim strikes the cue ball and the eight ball falls gently into the middle pocket.
Tim tosses the pool cue on the table smacks his hands together and yelps.
TIM
Whooh!
Travis tosses the money towards Tim. Tim starts to count the dough.
Trav
Hey, it's your turn to buy a round. We bought when we won.
JAKE
Right.
Tim raises the winnings in his hand and looks towards the bar.
TIM
Two more Budweisers for us and two of the shittiest cheapest beers you got for our friends here.
Tim laughs.
Josh rushes up behind Tim and decks him in the back of the head sending the money and Tim flying forward.
JAKE
Hey!
Jake takes his pool cue and breaks it over Josh's back. Josh is dazed and staggers to the side. Travis rushes to Tim and begins kicking him. The other two patrons in the bar and the bartender are merely spectators at this point.
Tim tries to crawl away and manages to get a few feet. Travis kicks him in the stomach, but slips and falls. Tim slowly gets up.
Jake fends off Josh by wildly swinging the sharp broken cue stick around. Tim leaps at Josh and tackles him from behind. Josh tries to throw him off, but Tim hangs on and grabs at his eyes, gouging them.
JAKE
Argh!
Josh violently tries to throw Tim off of him. Josh swings around while elbowing Tim in the gut.
Trav gets up and Jake decks him with the cue stick.
Josh finally grabs one of Tim's hands and pries it out his eye. He bites into Tim's hand.
TIM
Ow!
Josh bucks Tim off, sending him flying into the cigarette machine. The machine spews out quarters.
Josh staggers off towards Jake who fends off Travis with his pool cue.
Josh, partly blinded looks to pick a cue of his own. He has trouble picking it out from the multiple cues he now sees in his head.
Tim starts stuffing quarter into every pocket he has.
Josh finally picks up a sturdy pool cue and smacks Jake in the bad arm with it.
Jake drops the cue splinter he was holding.
Tim looks up and sees the OLD BARTENDER pull out a pistol from beneath the bar.
TIM
Gun!
Jake pushes a chair towards Trav and runs for the exit.
Tim makes his way to the door as well. They make it outside before the others.
Ext. JIM AND JOE'S BAR - daY
The Old Bartender comes out the door with his gun raised and cocked.
The church next door has just let out and MANY PEOPLE are milling about in their Sunday best.
Jake and Tim run through the crowd practically running over and an OLDER LADY.
The Old Bartender, joined now by Trav and Josh stop at the edge of the crowd.
Trav pulls the Old Bartender's gun arm down.
TrAV
Put that down.
The Old Bartender reluctantly complies. The three men quickly make their way back into the bar.
Tim and Jake high tail it down the street toward their car. Reaching the car they both stop, hunched over in absolute exhaustion.
TIM
You all right?
Jake nods and pulls the fifty bucks out of his sling and holds it up so Tim can see.
Tim laughs.
Jake puts the money away and tosses Tim his keys.
JAKE
You drive.
Tim walks over to the driver side of the car, the coins rattling in his pocket. He opens the car door and sits, the coins announcing his every move.
Int. sTATION WAGON - DAY
Tim and Jake drive down the country highway, back towards the city. They sit silently. Music plays. They don't look at each other. Jake stares out the window, rubbing his brow.
Ext. JAKE'S PLACE - night
Tim and Jake sit on the porch smoking cigarettes. Jake sits on the front of the porch, while Tim leans against the house at the back of the porch. Both men's faces are bruised and cut up now.
They sit in silence for what seems to be forever.
TIM
You ever gonna say anything?
Jake takes a drag on his cigarette and thinks for a second.
JAKE
Nope.
TIM
That's cool.
Tim takes a drag on his smoke and lets out a long exhale.
TIM
So what are we gonna do now?
Jake turns around and looks at Tim.
JAKE
What are YOU gonna do?
TIM
What does that mean?
Jake turns back to looking towards the street.
JAKE
You figure it out.
TIM
Thanks.
Jake whips around.
JAKE
You are fucking asshole, man. You fucking selfish fuck. What the hell was that today? You get me into bar fight? That's the last fucking goddamn time. The last time.
TIM
That was a lot of cursing.
(quickly)
You were right there with me.
Jake turns back around.
JAKE
Right.
A few moments pass.
TIM
Look. I'm sorry. OK, I'm sorry for getting you into a fight, I'm sorry you tore up the grocery store, I'm sorry your Daddy doesn't love you. I'm fucking sorry. OK?
JAKE
Just get out of here. Get out of here, junkie.
Tim seems surprised.
JAKE
You're a goddamn junkie, you piece of shit.
Tim nods and gets up and walks down the porch steps. He turns back and looks at Jake.
JAKE
Get out of here. I'll throw your stuff in the car. You can get that later.
Tim raises his arms to waist high.
TIM
All right. All right.
Tim walks off down the street.
JAKE
Junkie!
InT. Anna'S PLACE - night
Anna stands in her bedroom, packing an old vinyl suitcase full of her clothes and essentials.
A door is heard opening.
Anna's head pops up, she holds a pair of folded undies in her hand.
In walks Taco. He is tall, skinny, wirey. He wears a shirt and tie. He is neatly groomed.
Taco
Going somewhere?
Anna
I thought you were going to Chicago today?
Taco
It fell through. I asked you a question.
She sets the panties in the suitcase and closes the suitcase.
Taco
Where are you going?
She walks up to him and grabs him with both hands at the shoulders and directs him to a sitting position on the bed.
He complies.
She stands in front of him.
Anna
I'm leaving.
Taco
That's obvious.
Anna
I don't love you anymore, so I'm leaving you.
Taco
What? You decide this all of a sudden?
Anna
Yes.
Taco
We've got to talk about this.
Anna
There's nothing to talk about.
Taco opens his mouth, but no sound comes out. He begins to silently cry, with his face in his hands.
Anna
You know I don't want to be here. I want to live in a bigger place.
Taco looks up, quickly.
Taco
You've said enough, just leave!
Anna
Well, you're in my way.
Taco looks around and sees clothes spread out on the bed.
Taco
OK.
He walks out of the bedroom collapses in a fetal position in the living room. He continues to cry.
Taco (O.C.)
Bitch! Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!
Anna continues to pack up her stuff.
Taco (O.C.)
Bitch! You're killing me! You're killing me!
She puts the rest of the clothes in her bag, fastens it, and leaves the room and the apartment.
EXT. reSIDENTIAL CITY STREET - night
Tim stands at a pay phone located at a gas station stuck in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
He puts change into the phone and dials. A "this number has been disconnected" message chimes in.
Tim shakes his head and puts in more change and dials again. The same message is heard. Tim, looking puzzled, hangs up the phone. He walks off.
EXT. Anna'S PLACE - night
Tim walks up to the door of Anna's apartment and rings the bell. Taco answers.
Taco
Can I help you?
TIM
Uh, yeah. I'm in a class with Anna and I was wondering if she was in.
Taco
What?
TIM
I lost my notes and we've got a test coming up.
Taco
Well I'm sorry buddy, she's left.
TIM
Do you know when she might be...
Taco
(interrupts)
You don't get it, dipshit. She's gone. She's left and I don't know where she is.
TIM
What? I'm sorry.
Taco
Yeah, well, I think she was screwing around.
Tim tries to back away.
TIM
OK. Well then...
Taco
She broke my fucking heart. She broke my fucking heart, man.
TIM
Yeah. OK. Uh...
Taco breaks down and collapses in the doorway.
Taco
(screaming)
I fucking loved her!
He throws his wedding ring as far as he can into the night.
Tim quietly backs up and walks away.
Ext. state college - night
Tim sits on a bench on the outskirts of the state college. It's a wooded area many hundred yards away from the official campus. He has just shot up and sits slumped on the bench. His eyes are closed.
Int. rAY'S GREEN HILLS GROCERY STORE - nIGHT - fLASHBACK, A FEW HOURS EARLIER
Tim walks into the store. Much of the paint has been washed off the windows, but it is still visible. A large piece of plywood covers the large broken pane of glass.
Tim approaches the Milford, who has a mop in his hand.
Milford
Hey! Your friend really messed this place up.
TIM
I heard.
Milford
I'da though it was funny, except it gave me about two days worth of work.
TIM
Sorry about that.
Milford
It's all good. How's your boy doin'?
TIM
He's OK.
Tim looks at the floor.
TIM
You seen Anna around today?
Milford
Aw, she quit.
Robinson, spots Tim out the corner of his eye and makes a bee line towards him.
TIM
Really?
Milford
You didn't know.
ROBINSON (O.C.)
You, out of here, now!
TIM
Oh brother.
Robinson walks up to the two of them and grabs Tim by the shirt.
ROBINSON
You're his friend! You're not allowed in here.
Milford tries to pry them apart.
TIM
Just get off me.
Milford holds the two off from each other.
ROBINSON
I don't ever wanna see you or your buddy again.
Milford
Dude, you're scaring the customers.
Robinson gathers himself.
ROBINSON
Sure.
(to Tim)
What are you waiting for? Get out.
Tim leaves.
Int. a friend's car - night - flaSHBACK, A YEAR EARLIER
Jake sits in the passenger seat while their FRIEND drives. Tim hangs in the back seat, sucking on a bottle of Vodka. Music blares from the stereo.
Suddenly, the back door opens while the car is driving down the city street and Tim leaps out the door.
Friend
What the heck?
JAKE
Goddammit.
They continue to drive, the back door flapping back and forth.
FrIEND
You invented that.
JAKE
Years ago.
frIEND
He suffers from certain lack of creativity.
JAKE
Preach on, brother. Preach on.
The Friend finally stops the car. Jake gets out, shuts the back door, and gets back into the car. The Friend and Jake continue down the road.
Ext. State cOLLEGE campus - day - presENT, the next morning
Tim stands near the main doorway to the English department building. COLLEGE KIDS walk in and out, some of whom look in horror at Tim, who looks even more ragged than usual. His face is cut and bruised, adding to his usual sunken junkie look.
A large group of people start walking out the door and Tim spots Anna, books in hand, walking quickly out the door. He wades through the maze of students and yells at her.
TIM
Anna! Anna!
Several students give him dirty looks. Anna continues on at an increased pace. Tim pushes an GIRL out of the way and grabs Anna's arm. She no longer wears her wedding ring.
TIM
(out of breath)
Anna. Anna, stop for a second.
She stops.
TIM
Thank you. What's going on? You left your husband?
Anna looks at his scarred and bruised face rather dismissively.
Anna
Look, I'm in a hurry. I'll call you later.
She starts to walk off, toward another building.
Tim struggles to keep up.
TIM
I don't have a phone.
She rushes into the doorway of the next building, disappearing into the crowd.
A large FRAT BOY runs into Tim, knocking him to the ground.
Ext. Busy street - night
Tim walks down the sidewalk of a wide, busy city street. The street runs down a large hill. Tim is alone on the sidewalk while the cars speed by, unaware of his existence.
Ext. Jake'S PLACE - nIGHT
Tim takes out his keys and opens the door to his inoperable car. He makes his way into the back seat.
Int. Tim's car - niGHT
He thinks for a second and reaches into the front of the car and sticks the key in the ignition and turns on the car's power, which brings on the radio. The radio is tuned to a local college station, playing some alternative non-hits from the eighties.
Tim lays down in the back seat. A smile overcomes his face for the first time in a while. He closes his eyes and falls asleep. Soon after the battery runs out and the radio shuts off.
Suddenly there is a bang on the car window, it's Jake. He raps on the window much like a cop would do.
Tim pops up quickly banging his head on the roof of the tiny economy car.
TIM
Ow!
Tim rubs his head.
Jake opens the car door and sits in the driver's seat.
JAKE
I thought you were gonna move this heap.
TIM
I'm working on it.
Jake plays with the radio knobs for a second and then realizes the car has no power and stops. He looks out the front window, never glancing backwards.
JAKE
We gotta make some changes.
TIM
I know.
JAKE
I think I'm going to go back to college.
TIM
That's cool.
JAKE
You could, too.
TIM
I can't. I just can't.
JAKE
So what are you going to do?
TIM
I don't know. I was thinking about playing golf, but that's not gonna happen now.
JAKE
(irritated)
I'll get you some new clubs.
TIM
Yeah, OK. Yeah.
Jake
You seen Anna?
TIM
I can't find her, she's gone.
JAKE
She ran away from you?
TIM
No, she left her husband and won't talk to me.
An uncomfortable pause takes over.
JAKE
She said she was a singer.
TIM
An actress.
JAKE
That's right.
Jake reaches into his shirt pocket.
JAKE
You got some mail. I think it's from her.
Tim sits upÊquickly and hits his head again.
TIM
Doh!
Jake hands the envelope back to him.
JAKE
It's got a local return address.
Tim opens the envelope. It is a Peanuts Gang birthday card. Tim reads a note written on the inside.
Jake
What does it say?
Tim sets the card on his lap.
JAKE
What does it say?
Int. Busy city street, the city - day
Anna, dressed in a heavy coat and a scarf, stands on a street corner waiting for a bus. She turns and looks at the camera.
Anna
Tim, I've gone to the city. In a strange way, you inspired me. I just realized that I couldn't stick around one minute longer back there without turning into my mother or all those other people I can't stand. Yeah, I'm married. Can you believe I married a guy called, "Taco"? Anyway, he was an ass and I want to...I am an actor. Or I want to be an actor. At the very least I can work at a grocery store here, and at least I would be here. Which is a lot better than there.
Tim appears next to her and speaks, she doesn't acknowledge him. She can't see him, but he can see her, appearing in the scene as one would appear in their own dreams.
TIM
Why wouldn't you talk to me?
Anna
I just couldn't deal with more drama. I think I love you, but I don't want to go where you're going.
Tim looks at the camera.
TIM
What the hell does that mean?
The bus pulls up.
She continues to address the camera.
Anna
Love, ya baby. Come see me some time.
She blows him a kiss and gets onto the bus.
Tim watches her bus pull off.
TIM
(screams)
Goddammit!
Int. Tim's car - night
Tim pounds his fist into the seat.
TIM
Goddammit! Shit, Fuck!
Jake opens the car door and gets out.
JAKE
See you later, man.
Tim winds up for a large punch.
TIM
Argh!
Jake shuts his door.
Tim exhales.
Int. Dad's house - day
The house is a typical suburban ranch style house, lots of particle board furnture and shag carpeting adorn the interior. Jake's car can be heard pulling up in the driveway. Jake's Dad, the insurance adjustor sits at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him and a cigarette in his mouth.
Jake can be heard opening and entering the house through the front door.
JAKE (o.C.)
Dad?
Jake walks into the kitchen.
JAKE
Hello.
The room is filled with smoke.
Dad
Sit down.
Jake sits and tries to wave the smoke out of his face.
JAKE
Do you have to smoke every minute of every day?
Dad
Don't start.
Dad picks up his coffee cup with his bad hand. His hand shakes a bit.
JAKE
Listen, I came here to tell you that I'm...
Dad brings the cup to his mouth.
JAKE
I'm selling the car you gave me.
Dad's arm doesn't cooperate and he drops his cup on the table.
JAKE
What the...What was that?
Dad
Shit.
Dad tries to use a napkin to lap up the coffee, cigarette hanging from his mouth.
Jake gets up and gets a towel from near the sink and wipes up the coffee. He finishes and stands over his father.
JAKE
What's wrong with you?
Dad shakes his head.
JAKE
You're turning into a clumsy old man. Old man.
Jake sees Dad's arm shaking.
JAKE
You should go to a doctor and get that thing checked out.
DAd
That's OK.
JAKE
No, it's not OK. You can't go through life petrified of the medical profession.
Dad nods his head.
Jake
Jeez. Is something wrong with you?
DAd
Why don't you get off my ass?
Jake sits back down.
JAKE
Look, I'm selling the car you gave me and I'm enrolling back into school.
DAd
Again?
JAKE
I just thought I'd give you the courtesy of letting you know what's going on.
DAD
Gee thanks.
Jake looks at him disgustedly.
Dad
What about the money from your wreck?
JAKE
Just keep it, we'll be even.
DAD
That's not even fucking close, boy.
Jake gets up and stands next to Dad. He looks him in the eye.
JAKE
I hate you, you bastard.
Dad nods his head in agreement and looks away from Jake.
Dad
I hate you, too.
JAKE
OK, then.
Jake puts his good left arm around his old man and pats his back lightly.
Dad attempts to reciprocate with his bad right arm. He raises his arm, it shakes tremendously. Jake pushes it back down.
JAKE
It's all right.
He pats his Dad's bad arm and leaves.
Int. SCANLON'S BAR - niGHT
Tim stands at the bar's pay phone. The phone is ringing on the other end, Tim waits for someone to pick up on the other end.
Finally Taco picks up on the other end.
Tim
Hello...Yeah, it's Tim. I came by the other night...Yeah, yeah... Look, you know where Scanlon's is?...Just meet me down here... Yeah, now...I know its hard. I know.
(to himself)
Jeez.
(to Taco)
..I'll buy you a drink...Great. I'm already here...OK...See ya.
Tim hangs up.
TIM
(exasperated)
Brother.
Int. ScANLON'S BAR - nIGHT - an hour later
Tim and Taco sit at a table in the bar. The same table Tim and Anna were at. Several empty beer bottles sit on the table. They both drink beer. Tim drinks Miller High Life, while Taco sucks down Heineken.
Taco
I don't know what I did wrong. I can't even go to work, I've been calling in sick for last few days.
TiM
Right. Look, inadvertently I feel like I'm somehow involved.
Taco
How?
TiM
That night when I saw you, that pain you were in, are in. I've been there.
Taco
You were married?
TIM
Well, we lived together for three years.
Taco
It's not the same.
TIM
I don't want to get into a thing with you here, but let's just say it's comparable.
Taco
Well, its really not the same.
TIM
NEVERTHELESS, your plight has affected me, greatly.
Taco
It's kind of embarrassing, really.
TIM
Well, I can help. Do you know your wife's phone number?
Taco
I don't have a number, I've got an address.
TIM
Perfect. If you give it to me, maybe I can get to her call you. That's got to be something, right?
Taco
Yeah.
TIM
Better than nothin'?
Taco takes a drink of beer and nods.
TIM
All right.
Tim takes a slug of beer.
Int. rob patterson's house - dAY
Tim sits on the couch, phone in hand, at his dealer Rob's house.
Ashley, lounges on the couch beside him. She again, wears short shorts and a halter top. She subconsciously rubs her legs with her hands.
Tim holds the princess phone handset in his hand and begins to dial. He looks over at Ashley, she smiles at him.
Tim takes a deep breath.
TIM
Could you give me a little privacy.
ASHLEY
Why? It's my house. I live here.
TIM
(giving up)
Right. OK.
He dials the phone and it begins to ring.
Ashley plops her bare feet onto Tim's lap. Tim again sighs.
The phone picks upÊon the other end.
Anna (o.C.)
(filtered)
Hello.
Tim takes a deep breath.
Ashley giggles.
TIM
Anna?
He recognizes her voice. There is no response.
TIM
Are you there? OK. It's Tim. You probably knew that. OK. Uh, I'm a screw up. I know that.
Ashley nudges Tim on the shoulder, he pushes her back.
TIM
But I don't wanna be a screw up. That's something, right?
No response.
TIM
I'll be honest, I don't know if I can change, but I wanna try. And the only reason I want to try is you. I'm not saying I would die without you, because that would probably happen on its own, but I'm pretty sure the only way I can live is with you.
Ashley sits up and puts her nose by Tim's ear.
TIM
I don't have any delusions like you're perfect or that you can save me or whatever. But I think we made each other feel pretty good.
Ashley giggles again. He pushes her back down.
Tim closes his eyes and continues.
TIM
Anna? Look I know I never said it, and I don't know if it matters, but if I've ever loved anyone it's you. I knew you for just a few days, but I loved you more than anyone else one hundred times over. Anna? I know you're there.
Ashley sits on his lap, facing him. She wants to use the phone.
TIM
I've gotta go now, this isn't my phone. You know, long distance and all. Anyway...bye...Goodbye.
Tim hangs up the phone. He looks at Ashley, who sits on his lap.
TIM
What'd you think?
Ashley puts her hand up and makes a so-so motion.
Tim wonders if she's right.
Rob walks him, Ashley jumps off him and onto the opposite edge of the couch.
Rob throws a bag of dope at him. It bounces off his chest and lands in his lap.
ROB
You got my money?
TIM
I'll get it tonight.
Rob walks over and grabs the bag of dope out of his lap.
ROB
Then you can get this tonight.
Tim, deflated, tries to argue.
TIM
C'mon, man.
ROB
No.
Rob puts the dope in his pocket and walks off.
Ashley leans towards Tim and points mockingly towards him.
ASHLEY
Ha ha.
Tim grabs Ashley and stands up with her in his arms and drops her on the couch.
TIM
Later.
Ext. Corner bus stop, near a neighborhood pharmacy - DUsk
Tim waits behind a tree near the corner for the bus to arrive. Down the street is an old neighborhood pharmacy that somehow in this day and age of the giant Walgreen's is still operating.
Tim looks worse than he ever has. His eyes are sunken, he shakes a bit. The DT's are kicking in.
A bus pulls up and an old lady, Edna, gets off, her purse around her arm. She heads in the direction of the pharmacy. Tim jumps out from behind the tree and leaps at the Lady.
She screams.
Edna
Ahhh!
Tim grabs her purse. She tries to tug it away from him. They have a tug-o-war. Tim wins, but falls backward holding the purse.
EdnA
You son of a bitch!
Tim runs off as fast as he can. He gets a few steps and trips over a bad part of the sidewalk and goes flying, scraping his knees, hands, and face. He drops the purse.
The old lady continues to scream.
Tim gets up, gingerly. His ankle is badly sprained. He limps over to the purse and attempts to pick it up. He falls down in his attempt.
Holding the purse, Tim starts to crawl away.
By this time, someone has called the police. Sirens can be heard in the distance.
Tim continues to crawl. He hears the sirens and decides to get up. He manages to do so with great effort and starts to limp away, the purse around his neck.
He starts to cross the street. He gets in the middle of the street and the police stops in front of him. Screeching its tires.
An officer gets out, his gun drawn. It's the same officer as before.
PolICE OFFICER
Freeze!
On his kness, Tim looks up, his hands raised and sees it's the same guy.
TIM
Oh, c'mon.
The officer cuffs him.
PoLICE OFFICER
Do I know you?
EXT. Jake'S PLACE - dAY
It's a beatiful sunny day, a few days later. Jake and Tim sit on Jake's porch. Jake drinks a beer, Tim sips a diet coke and smokes a cigarette. Tim looks better than he has in a while, his face has color, his wounds have healed a bit.
Gay Eric is planting some flowers in front of the porch. He wears short shorts and muscle shirt.
TIM
(to Jake)
Does he always dress like that?
Jake shrugs.
JAKE
So you got out yesterday.
Tim takes a drag on his smoke.
Tim
Yeah. As soon as I kicked, I was out. The judge was a friend of my Dad's, so my lawyer thinks I'll just get a slap on the wrist.
JAKE
Lucky Bastard.
TIM
What's going on with you?
JAKE
Just a huge fine, probation. I'm declaring bankruptcy.
TIM
That'll show 'em.
JAKE
(sarcastically)
Yeah.
Jake looks at his watch.
JAKE
Uh, oh. I gotta take the car over to that guy.
Tim nods.
TIM
Is he buying the car?
JAKE
I think so. You staying here?
TIM
If it's OK with you.
JAKE
Whatever. Golf tomorrow?
TIM
You may have heard, no clubs.
JAKE
Just rent a set. I'll pay.
TIM
Sounds good.
Jake walks over to his station wagon and drives off.
TIM
What's happenin', Eric?
GAY ERIC
You feeling better?
TIM
A little bit.
GAY ERIC
That's good.
Eric picks up some gardening tools and carries them to the back of the house, leaving Tim alone in the front yard.
A blue rental car pulls up in front of the house. Anna gets out and walks up to Tim. She has flowing outfit on and just enough makeup to accentuate her natural beauty.
Anna
Hey.
Tim, a bit flabbergasted, sits silently on the edge of the porch.
She stands close to him, between his legs.
Anna
Hey, man.
TIM
You back?
Anna
Not really, I needed some stuff of mine.
Tim nods.
TIM
You know, I don't, I'm not gonna do THAT anymore.
Anna
That's good.
She pauses for a moment.
Anna
I filed for divorce.
TIM
That's good.
Anna
You should come down and see me, you can do anything you want.
TIM
I don't want to do nothing.
Anna
You can do nothing there.
TIM
Maybe so.
Anna
What's stopping you?
TIM
I've got a court day on Thursday.
Anna smiles. She pulls out a piece of paper from her purse and a pen. She writes on the paper and hands it to Tim.
Anna
Here, when you're free, c'mon on by.
TIM
You know I don't have a place to stay there.
Anna
I know.
TIM
OK.
She leans toward him, he toward her. They kiss, briefly, but passionately. They stop, their faces pressing against each other.
TIM
I could fuck up again.
Anna
I know.
Ext. First Tee, public golf course - moRNING
Tim tees up his ball. Waggles his rented club a few times and addresses the ball. The gust of wind bothers him and he backs off. Tim turns to Jake who stands on the side of the Tee, holding a fancy lefty driver.
TIM
I hate this driver, man.
JAKE
Just hit it.
Begrudgingly, Tim concurs and steps back up to the ball. He takes a mighty swing and drives the ball deep into the woods.
TIM
Shit! Fucking rented clubs.
Jake pulls a club from his bag.
JAKE
Hey use this.
Tim has his back turned to Jake. He stares off into the distance where his ball has ended up.
TIM
That's OK.
JAKE
Trust me, try this one.
He tosses the driver to Tim. Tim catches it. He looks over the club. It's his old driver with a new shaft.
TIM
Is this mine?
JAKE
It's the only one they could save.
Tim shakes his head.
TIM
I'm taking a mulligan.
He pulls another ball out of his pocket and tees it up.
He waggles the club confidently a few times and takes a smooth powerful stroke sending the ball long and down the middle of the fairway.
Jake
Nice shot.
The end.