Things Are Gonna Change Around Here
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Transcript of Things Are Gonna Change Around Here
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THINGS ARE GONNA CHANGE AROUND HERE
By
Jarred Hodgdon
(c) 2014 Jarred Hodgdon
(510)[email protected]
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FADE IN
EXT. ROLANDâS BACKYARD - DAY
Finches, parakeets, and other birds fly around the aviary. A
rat crawls along the back fence within the enclosure.
POP.
The fire of a BB gun sends the birds into a frenzy, the ratdoesnât seem to notice.
MAURICE (70), a curmudgeon, cocks the gun while sitting in aplastic lawn seat. He steadies the barrel for his next shot.
ROLANDAt it again?
ROLAND (29),an odd guy mentally situated somewhere on theautism spectrum, stands in the porch doorway.
MAURICERats... Goddamned rats.
ROLANDOr maybe itâs the neighborâs catyouâre shooting at again?
MAURICEI was only puttinâ steam in itsass.
ROLANDAnd like last time, the steam willcome right out the neighbors ears.
MAURICETheyâd never have known if thepellet didnât get caught in thatturdâs mangy fur.
ROLANDHow about I just set a trap?
MAURICEHorse shit! Itâs just a pellet,would barely hurt a flea. Look.
Maurice points the gun a foot from his left hand and fires.
POP.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 2.
MAURICEHungh.
ROLANDOh.
Maurice grimaces. Blood trickles from the wound as he makesa fist.
ROLAND (CONTâD)That was stupid. Why would you dothat.
MAURICE(through gritted teeth)
Been around a lot longer then youfor you to tell me how to conductmyself.
ROLANDWe donât even have any bandages.
Maurice fiddles with his wound.
MAURICE(sotto)
Yep, yep, yep. Things are gonnahave to change around here.
ROLANDCan you give me a ride to work?
INT./EXT. MAURICEâS VAN - DAY
Maurice and Roland sit in the captain seats as Mauricedrives down the street. Maurice has a tube sock tied aroundhis hand.
MAURICECanât drive himself to work. Icould drive when I was twelve.
ROLANDI can drive. I donât drive.
MAURICEItâs just as easy to die in thatseat as this one.
Maurice lights a Virginia Slim cigarette.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 3.
ROLANDIâll have Dale pick me up tonight.
MAURICEThatâs all Iâm good for, a roof anda ride.
ROLANDWhy donât you just kick me outalready?
MAURICEYou have a strange conception offamily kiddo.
INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/COMMON AREA - DAY
Rolandâs work- a large/open human warehouse, with linoleum
floors and chipping paint.
JOYCE (85), hunchbacked and disheveled, plays "I WAS BORNUNDER A WANDERINâ STAR" on an out of tune piano. ASSORTEDHOMELESS people sit and mill about.
INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/FRONT DESK - CONTINUOUS
Roland is playing solitaire. LINCOLN (55) approaches thedesk.
LINCOLN
Can I get a towel?
ROLANDWhat happened to yours?
LINCOLNI donât have one.
ROLANDYouâve been here a month, didnâtyou get one when you arrived?
LINCOLNNo. I never got one.
Roland stands up and pulls keys from his pocket.
ROLANDWhat have you been using?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 4.
LINCOLNI had a towel, but someone musthave took it.
Roland unlocks a drawer and pulls a towel from it. He handsit to Lincoln.
ROLANDThis one is yours now. Hold onto itand wash it with your laundry.
Lincoln leaves.
Roland walks towards the common area.
INT. HOMELESS SHELTER/COMMON AREA - CONTINUOUS
Roland makes his way to Joyce at the piano.
ROLANDHi Joyce.
Joyce abruptly stops playing.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Have any other songs you want toplay? Weâve heard this one many,many times.
TANK TOP (35) gets up from his chair.
TANK TOPAy! Can we put on the TV now?
ROLANDYeah thatâs fine.
Roland slides a seat up next to Joyce.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Lets take a break from the pianofor a while Joyce.
Joyce turns her head towards the shoulder opposite Roland toaddress someone that isnât there.
JOYCEYeah that guyâs some kind ofasshole I guess.
CARTOONS have been turned on on the TV.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 5.
ROLANDJoyce...hey Joyce?
JOYCEYeah, what is it?
ROLANDHow are you doing today?
JOYCEOh fine I guess... I guess thereâssome people that want to take mymoney and my time. But I know whattheyâre up to.
Joyce turns to talk to her imaginary friend.
JOYCE (CONTâD)Shut up asshole.
ROLANDWho took your money ?
JOYCEHmmm well. "My Fair Lady"...everheard of it? No I guess youwouldnât have. I wrote all of that,and they stole it. Those faggotsstole it all from me.
ROLANDWe canât use words like that okay?
JOYCEYes yes yes.
ROLANDIsnât "My Fair Lady" based on"Pygmalion"?
JOYCEI know that! There wasnât any musicin that though was there?!
INT./EXT. DALEâS CAR -SAME
A HARSH BEAT blasts through the stereo system. DALE DOWNSAKA MEOW MIX(35), hip-hop superstar in his mind, is drivingwhile bopping his head.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 6.
DALE(rapping)
Cause Iâm the Charles Mingus, ofmaking cunnilingus. And the JohnColtrane of bringing the pain. Irub my penis on the Venus....
(losing the plot)De Milo, fire off like a missilesilo. Ungh.
Dale struggles for the next brilliant line of his freestyle.
DALEHan Solo...
Dale fails.
Dale takes a swig through the straw of his Big Gulp.
INT. SHELTER - CONTINUOUS
Roland pulls a bar of soap from a nearby drawer and hands itto CRUTCHES (44) from behind the front desk.
CRUTCHESDontcha have an unscented one?
ROLANDThatâs what we have today.
CRUTCHES
Any organic one? The organic onesusually come unscented.
ROLANDThatâs what we have today. Sorry.
CRUTCHESScented makes me itch.
TRACEY (35), prim Shelter Manager, emerges from her officenear the desk and approaches.
CRUTCHESTracey. Hey Tracey, do yâall haveunscented soap?
TRACEYI dunno. Can you check for himRoland?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 7.
Tracey watches over Roland as he again inspects the drawer,Crutches peers expectantly. Roland rifles through the drawerpulling bar after bar of soap and other travel sizetoiletries out.
ROLAND
No. It looks like these are alleither scented or unspecified.
CRUTCHESOooo that one!
Roland hands the indicated soap to Crutches. Crutches drawsa long whiff of it.
CRUTCHESYeah, this oneâs good.
Crutches ambles away with the aid of his walking support
devices.
TRACEYHappy to help sir...
(back to Roland)
Freedom of choice as a consumer isfundamental to human dignity. Donâtyou think so?
ROLANDI dunno, thereâs research that
demonstrates capitalist models ofcompetitive choice can producecognitive dissonance and anxie--
TRACEY--We have new procedure Roland.From now on weâll lock the clientfridge and open it for ten minutesevery three hours.
ROLANDThatâs been tried. The clientsnearly revolt and that policy neversticks.
TRACEYWell if everyone is consistentbehind the policy, it will workout.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 8.
ROLANDI was completely behind it thefirst time I encountered therefrigerator locking rule, in eachiteration of it I have been atleast, functionally behind it.
TRACEYWhat would you say to all theclients telling me their food isgetting stolen?
ROLANDI would tell them that they live ina tin can filled with ninety otherpeople and things either get stolenor they are locked up andinaccessible. There are somearrangements in life that donât
have ideal solutions.
TRACEYHere, go put this on the fridgenow.
Tracey puts a padlock into Rolandâs hand.
ROLANDYou have my word, I will be behindthis policy one-hundredpercent...When we go back to theoriginal policy in three months, I
will also be behind thatone-hundred percent.
Roland walks off as Tracey crosses her arms.
Tracey picks up the client census and starts flippingthrough it. The front doors burst open, Dale struts in,BEATBOXING.
Tracey gives him a look that says, "Oh hell no!".
Dale approaches the desk.
DALEWhattup?!
TRACEYHello. Whatâs your name?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 9.
DALEIt says Meow Mix on the front of myCD.
TRACEYWhatâs your name as it appears on
our register of clients?
DALEAw naw. I donât stay here.
TRACEYWell we donât have any beds rightnow, and we donât take walk-ins.You have to get a referral from theHSA or the police.
DALENa Na Na. Iâm here to see...
(noticing Roland)
Roland. Ay Roland! What up rogue?
Roland returns - Dale extends for a fist bump, Roland grabsthe top of it.
ROLANDHi Dale. Youâre early.
TRACEYRoland, you know the rules about
client privacy. Can you tell yourfriend to wait outside please?
OLD MAN AFRO shuffles by towards the door.
OLD MAN AFROAy, what up, Dale?!
DALESup sup!
OLD MAN AFROGot a âpote for me?
Dale follows after Old Man Afro.
DALEFo show.
Dale and Old Man Afro exit. Tracey and Roland lock eyes in astare across the desk.
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10.
INT./EXT. DALEâS CAR -DAY
Dale drives down the highway with Roland, his passenger.
DALENew manager ladyâs pretty fly.
ROLANDSheâs okay. At least this onegraduated from college instead of arecovery program.
DALESo you gonna hit that then?
ROLANDHow is that even a progression oflogic?
DALEAw câmon, Rolie. I donât ever seeyou messinâ with any ladies, butyou gotta get down sometime!
ROLANDYou know I donât get down.
DALEHow you jizzin?!
ROLANDExcuse me?
DALEHow you jizzin, blood? My homeygotta be cumminâ someways!
ROLANDMaybe your attitude ofobjectification should bere-evaluated. The amount of timeyou spend obsessing about womendoesnât translate to results.
DALEOh youâre gonna critique my gamethen? Alright...Well funny youshould ask my man, it just sohappens I have a proposition forya.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 11.
ROLANDGreat.
DALESee. I met this girl on OK Cupid.However, she is VERY interested.
But she seems like she got trustissues. We gonna have a date, butshe is bringing her friend along.So now you have to come.
ROLANDNo way. A double date? No way.
DALEIts not like a date!
ROLANDA blind double date? No way.
DALENaw man! This girls a third wheel.Youâre just like...a second thirdwheel.
ROLANDSorry I just donât see ithappening.
DALEA trifecta.
ROLANDNo. Take one of your friends fromyour rap group.
DALEMy crew? Fuck naw, thosemuthafuckas are playaâs. Theyâllswoop on my shit.
ROLANDIâm sorry. No.
DALEI dunno rogue. I give you a lot ofrides, from to and fro. Iâd hatefor that to not happen anymore.
Roland calmly punches his forehead, defeated.
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12.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A TV set illuminates a room that hasnât received any touchesof decoration since the early 1980âs. Maurice and FRAN (75)sit close on the couch, a blanket covering their lap.
The blanket moves from a concealed motion. Fran looks atMauriceâs face, he closes his eyes.
MAURICEUngh.
The front door OPENS.
The jerking under the blanket stops. Roland enters from thefront door. Maurice COUGHS.
ROLANDHey Moe. Hey Fran.
(halting)Really? Youâre going to do that outhere?
Roland bolts away to the adjacent kitchen.
MAURICEHey, this is my house...we wouldnâthave to sit out here if you got thecable to my room set up like Iasked.
FRAN
Maurice.
INT. ROLANDâS KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
ROLANDThatâs what the cable companyâsfor.
Roland digs through the fridge, pulling out sandwichmaterial. Maurice enters the kitchen.
MAURICEThey came but they messed up somegoddamned thing or another. I needyou to look at it.
Roland holds up a mayonnaise jar.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 13.
ROLANDAre you back on regular mayonnaiseor should I continue to buy thelight one--
(noticing something)--You have an erection.
We see now that Maurice has a boner in his pants.
MAURICEI got that jar on my donation run,it still had a good date.
ROLANDWhy would you subject me to yourerection? And please donât bringyour old food in here. Iâve toldyou before, itâs out of date andwho knows how long it sits out
behind the store before then ridingin the back of your van for hours.
Maurice pushes past Roland and opens the freezer.
MAURICEMalarkey. Itâs good enough for yourhobo friends though?!
Maurice pulls ice-cream from the freezer.
MAURICE (CONTâD)You got it too easy for your own
good.
ROLANDSure I do.
MAURICEWeâre having some floats,you wantone?
ROLANDNo thanks.
Roland is fixing a sandwich, Maurice pulls tall glasses froma cabinet.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I feel like painting. You mind if Iwork tonight?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 14.
MAURICEYeah, itâs okay...
(whispering)I donât know if Frannieâs stayingover. Just peek in first and see.
ROLAND(hushed)Why donât you just tell her what wedo?
MAURICEAnd let her know my grandson is afreak? I wouldnât do that to youkiddo.
INT. SHELTER - DAY
Roland sits at the front desk, working on a newspaperSudoku. The front door opens, and ALBA (45) enters. As sheapproaches, Roland and Alba share a look of surprisedrecognition.
ALBARoland?!
ROLANDAunt Alba.
ALBAMy god, itâs been fuckinâ years.
What the hell you doinâ here?!
ROLANDI work here. And it looks as thoughyouâre a prospective client.
Alba hands a slip of paper to Roland.
ALBAThe po-leece gave this to me andtole me to come down. I canâtbelieve this shit.
Alba takes a seat across from Roland at the desk.
ROLANDItâs okay. A lot of people comethrough here. I wonât judge you.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 15.
ALBAWhy not? Our family only ever wasjudgment anyhow. And look at you!Some kinda boyscout to work in ahomeless shelter.
ROLAND
There is no moral foundation to myemployment here I assure you. Iâmjust not suited for most careertrajectories.
ALBAShit. This isnât my kinda deal, Ithink I should just go.
ROLANDNo, donât go. This is better thanthe street. If thereâs some helpthat this shelter can offer you,
than stay.
ALBAYou say that...but I know Iâll justbe messinâ things up for you here.
ROLANDDonât worry about me. I have to getsome info for an intake, but donâttell me anything you donât wantto...or just lie. Almost everyonelies on these.
Roland pulls papers out of the drawer and sets them on thedesk.
ALBADo you still see HIM?
ROLANDMaurice? Of course, I live withhim.
ALBAAUGH. You let him live with you? I
canât imagine.
Roland begins filling out the paperwork.
ROLANDI know enough to get startedhere... still have the samesurname? Martin?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 16.
ALBAGod no. I took my ex-husbands...Jones. The only fucker out therethatâs worse than my daddy.
ROLAND
How long have you been homeless?
ALBAI dunno. That depends, what do youconsider a home? I havenât been onthe streets or nothing, but I ainâthad a place you could send mail to.
ROLANDIâm going to put down âfirst timehomelessâ okay?...What do youconsider your primary cause ofhomelessness?
Roland focuses on Alba, she glares at him.
ALBAJust put down whateverâs best. Iwonât be here long, jusâ till I getmy shit together.
ROLANDDonât tell anyone we know eachother. It might make my jobdifficult.
ALBACan I use the toilet? Whereâs thetoilet?
Roland stands up, Alba follows suit.
ROLANDYeah... weâll get you settled in.This voucher gets you a bed for atleast a month as long as you donâtcause any trouble.
Roland picks up his keys, Alba slings her duffel bag overher shoulder.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Hey...Grandpa actually doesnât livewith me. I live with him... Yourold room actually.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 17.
ALBAHis house? No no, your parentsbought that offa him, about a yearbefore they died. Got him outtamoney trouble.
ROLANDWhat?!
ALBAThey left that house to you.
ROLANDThatâs not possible.
ALBACourse it was! You donât think Iknow? That old bastard was fumingafter he learnt that.
ROLANDIâve been paying him rent.
ALBASheeit..
Alba laughs mockingly.
ROLANDEvery month. Iâve been paying himrent more than ten years.
ALBAI told ya...heâs a bastard.
EXT. ROLANDâS BACKYARD - DAY
A rat scurries along the backyard fence. The sight at theend of the BB Gun tracks him.
POP.
INT./EXT. DALEâS CAR - DAY
Dale is chauffeuring Roland home from work.
DALEYo, I canât believe salty olâ Moecould steal a whole muthafuckinâhouse from you.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 18.
ROLANDIâm not sure he did. My Aunt wasnever all there, and she hassubstance abuse issues. Her infocould be all wrong.
DALEFuck. What you fin ta do then?
ROLANDStop off at the county building.
DALENaw we gotta get you lookinâ tightfor our date tonight.
ROLANDFine. You want me to go on thedate?! Just stop at the County
building first before they close.
DALEGoddammit muthafucka, I swear togod youâre saltinâ my game. Youplayinâ the playa, rogue.
INT. COUNTY RECORDERâS OFFICE - DAY
The small office is grey, a sick plant in the corner is itsonly touch of decor. Roland marches in, with Dale steppingwith swagger behind him.
They approach the front desk, where MEREDITH (45) looks upto help them. Dale checks the plainly dressed woman out.
ROLANDI need to make an inquiryabout title--propertyownership.
DALESâup girl.
MEREDITHSure, use any of those computersover there. Just follow the
prompts. Weâre closing in twentythough.
Roland hurries off to the indicated computers, Dale hangsback and stares hungrily at Meredith.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 19.
MEREDITH (CONTâD)Is there something I can help youwith?
DALEProbably. Whatâre you thinkinâ ?
MEREDITHDonât look at me like that, Sir.
DALEAm I excitinâ you too much?
MEREDITHYouâre about to give me cause toreach across this desk and slugyou.
DALE
Damn.
INT. COUNTY RECORDERâS OFFICE /AT COMPUTERS - MOMENTS LATER
Roland types furiously, researching the Countyâs database.Dale is on Facebook at the computer next to him.
ROLANDItâs all right here. Itâs all beeninside here the whole time.
DALE
Look Rolie, I found her right here.Mollyâs on Facebook. Peep this songshe posted.
Dale starts playing a song off the computer, something likeBLANK GENERATION by Richard Hell.
ROLANDDidnât you meet this girl on there?Why is this a revelation?
DALEI can get into this. Itâs edgy shitright?
Meredith approaches.
DALE (CONTâD)Naw I met her on OK Cupid, donâtget it twisted.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 20.
MEREDITHYou need to turn this off.
DALESâup lady.
MEREDITH
And you canât be on Facebook.Câmon, you two need to leave.
ROLANDMaâam whatâs this look like to you.
Roland indicates to his screen.
ROLAND (CONTâD)It says granter, grantee. But itlooks to me like Roland is theowner of the house.
Meredith looks at the screen.
MEREDITHYeah. Roland was deeded the houseas a minor, so there would be astate guardian to monitor thesituation...but that was more thanten years ago. So yeah, Roland ownsthe house.
ROLANDBut Iâm Roland.
MEREDITHCongratulations. You own a house.
DALEFuckinâ rad!
MEREDITHWeâre closing, can you two pack itup now?
ROLANDThat son of a bitch stole my house.
INT. DINER - NIGHT
Roland stares off blankly. He shares the booth with Dale andtheir dates, MOLLY (31) and ROSALINE (33), women who havepunk rock/indie affectations and attire. Dale is holdingcourt, the women seem amused in a far from romantic way.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 21.
DALESo that was my sixth album. But Iâmworking on like eight and nineright now. Iâm not gonna releasenumber seven. Thatâs like, a luckynumber and I wanna keep it in thevaults... release it posthumously.
ROSALINEA superstar huh? How come Iâvenever heard of you?
DALEYou donât believe me?! I sent yourgirl Molly here my Soundcloudlinks. Sheâll tell ya.
MOLLYI havenât listened yet.
DALEAw damn. Well there ya go. Ya go ona date and donât even do yourhomework! Rolandâll tell ya. AyRolie!
Dale turns to his friend.
DALE (CONTâD)Hey wake up yo!
ROSALINE(sotto/ to Molly)
He looks pensive.
ROLANDYeah?
DALEHey man, tell these girls-- Heywhatâs your problem man? We havesome beautiful ladies here, andyouâre mister spaceman.
(to Molly)Iâm sorry, he gets, like nervous.
MOLLY(sotto /to Rosaline)
Strong silent type.
ROSALINE(sotto/ to Molly)
But not that strong.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 22.
ROLANDAnd Dale gets a little excitablearound the opposite sex. Iâm happyto be here. Iâm just a littledistracted at the moment.
MOLLYDistracted? Like how?
ROLANDMy grandpa stole my dead parentshouse from me.
MOLLYHow do you steal a house?
ROLANDJust...with lies. A whole longstring of lies.
ROSALINEThan where do you live now?
ROLANDI live in the house...And Iâm goingto take it back from him too.
MOLLYGreat than itâs settled.
DALEWe were talking about my music.
Roland turns to Dale and nods his head. Molly quickly looksRoland up and down, intrigued.
ROLANDOh yes. Dale here is a verytalented recording artist. Did youtell them about your rap operaDale?
ROSALINERap opera?
ROLANDYes, rap opera. Itâs lovely. Youshould hear it, like Wagnerâs RingCycle but hyphy-er.
DALEThanks homey!
MOLLYSounds great.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 23.
ROLANDWhatâs that?
Roland points to Mollyâs hand. She spins a harmonica in herpalm.
MOLLYMy harp.
ROLANDYou play it?
MOLLYSometimes. But mostly I just keepit around, with the looming threatthat I might play it.
DALEYo, we could put that down on a
track.
ROSALINEShe just wants people to noticeher.
EXT. DINER - LATER
Roland zips up his jacket as Dale sparks up a cigarette.
DALEThese girls are ready and raring
brotha! Whatâs the game plan?
ROLANDHave you considered an exitstrategy?
DALEYo, lets think of a smooth move,get them to the motel down the way.
ROLANDYouâd probably expect me to vetothat proposal, but Iâll tell youwhat. If you can get them to agreeto extending this soiree, you cancount me in.
DALEMMM HMM. Whatâs this?! Is yo dickrisin up like a muthafuckinâcompass to guide us home into those
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 24.
DALE (contâd)beautiful vaginas? Rogue, I knewyou had it in you.
Dale puts his arm up for a high five.
ROLAND
No. I just know thereâs no waythose two women see anythingcompelling in potential coitus withus.
Dale retracts his arm.
ROLAND (CONTâD)But by the slim chance they do. Iâmjust in that kind of mood. I feelangry. Reckless.
DALE
This is you angry? You still prettychill homey.
Roland turns his steely glare towards Dale.
ROLANDI donât give a fuck about anythingin this world anymore.
INT. DINER/ WOMENâS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A toilet FLUSHES, Rosaline exits from the stall. Molly isBLOW DRYING her hands.
MOLLYWanna switch?!
ROSALINENo way! You met that guy on OkCupid? He seems more like acandidate for the Meganâs Law site.
MOLLYYeah but Roland looks ready to wave
the white flag and retreat.
ROSALINEThatâs fine by me.
MOLLYHeâs cute enough though.
Rosaline washes her hands.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 25.
ROSALINEYeah he is. They seem harmless, butlets wrap this debacle up, okay?
MOLLYAw. I was thinking a few drinks at
The Broadway might be a laugh.
Rosaline joins her hands next to Mollyâs under the jet dry.
ROSALINEIâm not saying I wouldnât give thegoobers a second shot...but theirgameâs not worthy of morning afterregrets.
MOLLYYouâre right.
ROSALINEWe can get into something moreinteresting after they drop us off.
Rosaline and Molly clasp hands in the jet dry and raise themout together, locking eyes and belting out in unison:
MOLLY"We belong to the night, webelong to the thunder!"
ROSALINEWe belong to the light, webelong to the thunder!"
EXT. DINER - MOMENTS LATER
Dale takes a drag from his cigarette and flicks it off.Rosaline and Molly exit from the diner, GIGGLING.
DALELadies, ladies! How was that?Dinner and a movie huh? Roland andI, we were thinkinâ we could getinto some drinks, have some fun.
ROSALINESorry--
MOLLYWeâre tired. Do you thinkyou can drop us off at myplace?
Dale looks crestfallen, Roland fires a knowing smirk at him.
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26.
INT./EXT. DALEâS CAR/ OUTSIDE ROLANDâS HOUSE - NIGHT
Dale and Roland confer.
DALESalted my game muthafucka.
ROLANDWhat did you think would happen?What about me says âwingmanâ?
DALETrue that. Thanks for tryinâ thorogue.
Roland motions to exit.
DALE (CONTâD)Ay. Whatchu gonâ do bout Moe?
Roland takes a moment to consider.
ROLANDIâm going to throw some salt in hisgame.
INT. ROLANDâS BEDROOM - NIGHT
Roland holds up a fresh painting and looks the canvas over.His room is packed floor to ceiling, but meticulous. Fullbookshelves and art materials consume the room.
This painting disgusts Roland, he observes it with agrimace. His work is abstract, a blend of curvy primarycolored blobs and sharp, dark, frenetic lines. He slips thecanvas behind several others leaned against the wall.
We see a painting, hung on the best real estate the walloffers. It is unfinished, but depicts Roland as a teenager,smiling with a tennis racket over his shoulder. Itâs clearfrom the style this was not painted by Roland.
Roland pulls painting materials from a tool locker, loadingthem into a working tray. He picks up a fresh canvas.
INT. MAURICEâS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Maurice is asleep, laying on his back, mouth agape --SNORING. Fran lies next to him, a reading light strapped toher head, romance novel in hand.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 27.
The door swings open. Roland enters, arms full with artsupplies. Making no effort to be quiet, he flips on thelight.
FRANRoland?
ROLANDHi Fran.
Roland sets his canvas on Mauriceâs belly. He sets up hisother materials within arms reach, on the nightstand.
FRANWhat are you doing?
ROLANDFran. This is what we do when youdonât stay over.
FRANBut...Iâm here right now.
ROLANDCan you please go home now Fran.
FRANYou paint in here?...Like this?
ROLANDPlease Fran.
FRANBut itâs dark out.
ROLANDYou live just around the corner.
Roland is now setting up paints on a palette. Fran sits upin bed.
FRANI donât understand.
Fran begins to shake Maurice.
FRAN (CONTâD)Moe...Moe....Maurice!
ROLANDYou know him...sleeps like thedead.
Fran, in pajamas, gives up and rises up out of bed.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 28.
ROLAND (CONTâD)He only wakes up when he wants to.
Roland picks up Franâs clothes from the floor and hands themto her.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Just change in the hall bathroom.Thanks for understanding.
Fran is mortified. She slowly slinks out of the room.
Roland stares down at his grandfather.
Fran exits, shutting the door.
Roland pours some paint medium into a little cup and sets iton the bedside table.
ROLANDThings are going to changearound here, Moe.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Fran reacts, unsettled. She steps back from the door. Shewalks towards the bathroom and enters.
INT. MAURICEâS ROOM -CONTINUOUS
Roland snaps his fingers in front of Mauriceâs face. Hewaves his hand back and forth, inches from Mauriceâs eyes.
Roland smiles.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Fran exits the bathroom, pajamas in hand. She walks down thehall towards the front door of the house.
She come to the front door, reaches for the knob, buthesitates.
Fran looks through the living room at the door to thebackyard porch.
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29.
EXT. ROLANDâS BACKYARD - NIGHT
The door opens and Fran exits.
A few birds, up past their bedtime, CHIRP intermittently.
Fran slowly walks, towards the side-yard.
A motion detector flips a porch light on, Fran flinches.
Reaching the side-yard, she walks towards a windowilluminated from the inside.
Fran reaches the window and prepares herself.
She slowly leans in, glimpsing through the window.
INTERCUT / INT. MAURICEâS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Roland stands next to the bed Maurice sleeps in. He isholding his grandfathers hand, which is holding the brush.They paint on the canvas rested on Mauriceâs belly. Mauricesleeps peacefully. Roland and Maurice paint in long, fiercestrokes.
Rolandâs eyes are wide open, he clenches his teeth.
Fran backs away from the window, eyes wide with shock.
INT. MAURICEâS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Roland continues to paint in a frenzy, guiding Mauriceâshand across the canvas. Maurice continues to sleep-- partnerin the process nonetheless.
The door opens and Fran cautiously enters. Roland looks upbriefly but otherwise doesnât acknowledge her. Fran slowlyapproaches the bed.
FRANWhat are you doing?
ROLANDPainting...This is how we paint.Itâs my process.
Roland continues to work, not looking at Fran.
FRANHeâs not going to like this.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 30.
ROLANDWe do it all the time...Itâs how Iwork.
FRANBut, why?
ROLAND(losing cool)
You probably have a goddamnedJackson Pollock print hanging inyour kitchen so donât address melike Iâm some weirdo.
FRANI just donât--
ROLAND--Sorry. Itâs just probably an
innovation in the medium. I avoidwork when you stay over. It seemedlike he was embarrassed orsomething. He never told you we dothis?
FRANNo, he--
ROLAND--He doesnât say a lot ofthings...Did he tell you this wasmy house? That my parents bought it
from him and I inherited it?
FRANNo...This is his house Roland.
ROLANDNo. Not any more.
FRANAll I know is that he was helpingyou out. After they passed--
ROLAND--Did he tell you how they died?
FRANThatâs. Thatâs a terrible thing...
Fran searches for words while Roland paints, unfazed.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 31.
ROLANDThey moved in here to help him. Andlook what he did to us.
FRANMoeâs not good with money, but heâsgood to you. He was good to them.
Roland slowly turns his head to Fran, his eyes burning.
FRAN (CONTâD)I always told Moe that you two needeach other...to be kind to you.Itâs just his way.
ROLANDI never knew. I had to learn thetruth from my tweaker Aunt... Henever let me forget for a minutethat this house wasnât a home for
me.
Roland returns to painting.
FRANYouâve both had a hard road.
Roland is immersed, ignoring Fran. She slowly backs away andmoves to the door to leave.
FADE TO BLACK
INT. MAURICEâS ROOM- MORNING
Maurice releases a GASP and awakes. He slowly looks aroundand takes his time sitting up.
Maurice sees that his blankets are covered in paint and thatart mess is all around him.
MAURICEOh shit...damn.
Maurice looks to the floor where he sees Roland sleeping,
splayed out next to a completed painting.
Maurice slides out of bed and rests his feet on top ofRolandâs back.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Wake up Picasso.
Rolandâs eyes open.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 32.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Wake up. Yoo hoo!
Roland rolls out from under Mauriceâs feet, turning rightside up to face his grandfather.
MAURICE (CONTâD)
You made a big goddamned mess here.Youâre supposed to be careful!
ROLANDItâs your mess too.
MAURICEThis is a yard too far kiddo.
ROLAND...What is the biggest lie you evertold me?
MAURICEThe Easter Bunny probably, whatabout this mess?
ROLANDAre you going to lay down the lawMoe? Are you going to kick me out?
MAURICELord knows I outta, you sure knowthe outer limits of normalcy. Yougot me pinned though I reckon, onaccounta you know Iâm a softie.Donât count on a ride to work todaykiddo!
ROLANDYou are going to give me a ride.
MAURICEAh horseshit. Are you gonna cleanup this mess?!
ROLANDDonât I always clean up your mess?
MAURICEIs this my mess now? Jesus, Maryand Joseph!
ROLANDYou have to give me a ride. Youâvenever done a thing for me, all Iask for is a ride.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 33.
MAURICEGoddamned little shit- get up then!I got the donation run too. Cleanthis mess up first.
Maurice starts pushing the painting detritus off the bed.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Koko the ape paints better than youand keeps a cleaner cage.
EXT. SAFEWAY/ BACK OF STORE - DAY
Mauriceâs van pulls up.
Maurice steps out like Clint Eastwood coming off a horse, aslim cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
Roland exits from the passenger side.
They make their way to the roll-up door delivery entrance,Roland glaring at Maurice.
Piles of boxes of food sit outside the doors.
The Safeway product receiver ARNOLD (60), comes out to greetthem.
ARNOLDThere he is!
MAURICEIâm back for more...whatta ya gotfor me?
ARNOLDOh stale bread, stale pastries, acoupla spoiled milks in there. Yougot some gunk on your face thereMoe.
MAURICEThis guy here. Itâs paint.
ARNOLD(To Roland )
Oh yeah? You guys doing some housepainting or something?
ROLANDYeah...weâre fixing the place up.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 34.
ARNOLDAh. When you takin over for yourgrandpop here? Carrying on thelegacy, the Robin Hood of spoiledfood.
ROLANDI donât know. One day soonprobably.
MAURICEYou donât even drive ya dumb shit.
EXT. BACK OF MAURICEâS VAN - MOMENTS LATER
Roland and Maurice are loading the boxes into the back ofthe van.
MAURICEHelp me drop a few off at thesenior home then we can leave therest with you at work.
ROLANDNo. Lets go to my work first.
MAURICEIâll have to double back in thatcase, thatâs too much trouble.
ROLAND
No. Iâll be late for work.
Maurice shuts the van doors.
MAURICEYour birthdays a week out yet, whydâya think you can call the scoretoday?
ROLANDI donât know Grandpa. Maybe purerage is coursing through my veins.
MAURICEFigure it out kiddo- just quitpushinâ me. Iâm like the apple withthe razor in it. Sweet, hard, andliable to cut yer throat.
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35.
INT. SHELTER/ FRONT ENTRANCE - DAY
Roland and Maurice come through the doors of the shelter.They carry a box each of old bread. Roland looks about.
They walk into the front main room.
INT. SHELTER/ MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS
VARIOUS HOMELESS sit about, Alba among them. Maurice doesnâtnotice her at first but she does a double take, and pops upfrom her seat.
Maurice and Roland set the boxes down on a large table.
ALBAHey, asshole!
Alba steps up to Maurice.
MAURICEAlba?!
ALBAWhatâr YOU doing here?!
(to Roland)Whyâd you let him in here?
Roland stares at Maurice, producing a slight smile.
MAURICE
Why are you here? The hell isthis?!
ALBAWhadda ya think you stupidgorilla?! Iâm a street urchin now!
MAURICEI wouldnât have let you stay HERE!
ALBALET ME?! You kicked me out!
Maurice and Alba square off.
MAURICEYou brought that...that JUNK in myhouse. I wasnât gonna come home tofind another one of my girls dead!
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 36.
ROLANDMy house!
Maurice and Alba shut up and look to Roland. VARIOUSHOMELESS "OOOH" and "AHHH" and gather around the melee.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I know everything now. You areliving in my house.
MAURICEMalarkey! Did she tell yousomething?! Sheâs a druggie and alier!
ALBAHey pop, addiction is a disease andI ainât no lier!
Tracey enters quickly from the front desk area.
TRACEYHey, hey, hey, what is?!--
Tracey halts as Alba and Roland shoot crazy eyes at her.
MAURICEIâve never met a pack of moreungrateful S.O.B.âs.
ALBAUngrateful?!
MAURICEI help you both and only get grief.My house, my food, my money...youjust take like it comes out aspigot.
ROLANDItâs my house.
MAURICEHorse shit. I bought that housebefore your mother was born. Theyonly helped me temporary for thebank, it was only for the papers--
ROLAND--ITâS MY HOUSE!!
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 37.
MAURICE(sotto)
Horseshit.
ALBAI told you, heâs full of it, thebastard!
ROLANDGet ready for a whole new dynamicGrandpa.
Tracey approaches the three and tries to separate them.
TRACEYOkay...come on.
MAURICE(at Roland)
You walked me into this goddamned
rat trap!
TRACEYOkay! Thanks for the bread Maurice.Now please go.
Maurice picks up a box of the donation bread.
MAURICEThis is what happens when you tryto be charitable! The whole ofgoddamned creation marks you for asucker.
Maurice makes for the door, as the dumbfounded room ofhomeless people watch him go.
MAURICE (CONTâD)You wonât be seeing me again, youlot can go eat mud!
TRACEY(to Roland)
What the hell is wrong with you?
EXT. CITY PARK - DAY
Dale and Molly stroll along at the edge of the pond.
DALEI like to come here and do mythinking...walk in circles, writesome verses.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 38.
MOLLYNo you donât.
DALEYeah I do! For reals, I getintrospective.
MOLLYWe had to use navigation to gethere.
DALEAight. I most times just find thisspot by instinct I guess.
MOLLYWhatâs Roland up to today?
DALEWorkinâ at the shelter- hobo
junction! Why?
MOLLYJust wondering, Rosaline thought hewas cute. Just doing some recon.
DALEHeâs kind of asexual or something.He tole me once "I donât trustanyone that would be interested inme".
MOLLYWhat?!
DALEHaha! How ya like that shit?
MOLLYWell, we could all hang out againand see what happens.
DALEI like us hanging out like this,you and me... Lets make this
happen.
Dale tries to reach in for a kiss.
MOLLYEw!
Molly gives Dale a shove. Molly CHORTLES as he loses hisbalance and slips on some mud.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 39.
DALEDamn!
MOLLYYou could take a note from Rolandand be a little less pushy.
DALEMy white sneakers!...These wereclean!
MOLLYHow is a guy like you friends withhim anyways?
DALEWe always been tight since gradeschool. Heâs like, always straightup with me. And smart.
MOLLYYouâre an O.G. though huh? Isnât hekinda square?
DALEA playa has to keep all kindsapeeps in his crew to keep his gamestraight. Like you fer instance.Youâre kinda like a punk rockchick. I dig it. Diversity...But,uh. Mmmmm. Iâm kinda feeling yougirl.
Molly stops and looks at Dale. They turn towards each other.
MOLLYI like you Dale. But Iâm notfeeling...this. You and Roland arereal weirdos...the kind of people Ilike knowing. But thereâs not goingto be anything between you and me.
Dale looks down, stroking his chin.
DALEAight, aight. You feeling my boyRoland then instead, huh?
MOLLYNo I--
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 40.
DALE--Let me tell you. You wonât gettoo far with that cat.
MOLLYI just want to be friends. Can you
work with that?
DALEFo sho, fo sho. No doubt.
Molly fakes him out as though she is going to shove Daleagain. He flinches.
DALEOh shit.
Dale composes himself, while Molly mugs at him mockingly.
INT. MAURICEâS ROOM - EVENING
Roland pulls a pair of old penny loafers out from underMauriceâs bed. He throws them out of the way and goes backto digging. Maurice stands nearby, leaning on an ornamentalwooden cane.
MAURICEI did it for your own good kiddo.Itâs not like I have much longeranyhow.
Roland pulls various debris from under the bed.
ROLANDYou lorded this house over my head.I know now, the only reason youdidnât kick me out is that I ownit.
MAURICEFamily doesnât do that kinda thing.
ROLANDYou talk family. Your daughter isin a homeless shelter.
Roland crawls up off the floor and faces Maurice.
ROLAND (CONTâD)So todayâs moving day Grandpa.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 41.
MAURICEAnd where pray tell am I moving to?
ROLANDRight across the hall... You canstay for now, but thatâs up in the
air. Believe me.
MAURICEWeâre swapping rooms?
ROLANDYou start paying rent ofcourse...and you can pay me backall the rent I paid on top of that.
MAURICEYour rent only went to property taxmostly!
ROLANDAnd NO we are not swapping rooms. Iam keeping my old room as mystudio.
MAURICEYou expect me to move into theirroom?!
INT. ROLANDâS PARENTS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The room is dark.
There is a BANG on the stuck door. Another BANG and the doorswings open. Roland and Maurice stand in the doorway, theroom illuminated from the hall.
Roland flips the light switch. The room is lit up, but thenPOP. The bulb has burnt out.
INT. ROLANDâS PARENTS ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Roland precariously balances on the bed, changing thelightbulb. Maurice holds a flashlight to assist.
Then there is light. Roland hops off the bed. The two lookaround the room.
Maurice settles in to sit on the bed. Roland moves to thedresser.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 42.
MAURICEWe shoulda cleaned this place up along time ago.
Roland picks up a baseball cap. He tosses it down and picksup a necklace from a jewelry stand.
ROLANDIâll donate what I can to work, andmove most this stuff to the garagefor now.
MAURICEKiddo...
ROLANDFinish moving out of the other roomby tomorrow.
MAURICEYour grandmother and I bought thishouse in 1967. Your mother wasraised here... It was only afterGinny died that you and your folksmoved back in. And you hated mesince then...you were only agedseven.
ROLANDThey bought this house from you.Then they left it to their son. Me.My house.
MAURICEThey didnât think they were goingto go first! Who would expect that?They helped me out sure, but itwasnât a permanent thing.
ROLANDJust pack up. I can help if youwant, just let me know.
MAURICEThis isnât fair! Not right!
ROLANDAre you prepared to really presentthe spector of fair andrighteousness into discussion?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 43.
MAURICEKiddo...Iâm sorry.
ROLANDSorry for what.
Maurice looks into Rolandâs eyes, his expression begging forsympathy.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Youâre sorry now, ex post facto. Itit sounds like an excuse...and youknow what you always say.
MAURICEExcuses are like assholes.
ROLANDEveryoneâs got one and they all
stink.
INT. SHELTER/TRACEYâS OFFICE - DAY
The small office is still not completely set up. Boxes arestacked, yet to be unpacked.
TRACEYIâve had to put a lot of thoughtinto this.
Roland nods from the other side of the desk.
TRACEY (CONTâD)Technically, itâs against policy tohave friends or family of staff asclients.
ROLANDIâm sorry but that position doesnâtseem very...humane.
Tracey begins to unpack a box of books and stack them on thecorner of her desk.
TRACEYThereâs a lot of shelters outthere...and you know well enough wehave to turn away people for awhole host of reasons. The policyis in place to ensure fairness andprivacy for all the clients.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 44.
ROLANDItâs a fine policy.
TRACEYWell, why did you admit her?
ROLANDI had just forgotten thatparticular policy.
TRACEYYou may not respect the rules, butyou sure seem to know them.
ROLANDYeah, I know the policy. I liedjust now for some reason.
TRACEY
Look, I know you didnât invite her,and she went through all the rightavenues to get a voucher, but youshould have informed me. Now wehave to make a hard decision.
ROLANDI can tell her, Iâll make a phonecall and try to get her into OakStreet, or some other shelter-
TRACEY--Iâm not going to exit her now. We
admitted her and owe her at least30 days.
Roland gives Tracey a âthen whatâ expression.
TRACEY (CONTâD)Have you considered Case Managementbefore?
ROLANDI have.
TRACEYI donât want to make a decision outof necessity, but you know weâvebeen interviewing for the open CaseManager position. You should applyfor it today. Youâre smart, maybenot a people person, but you coulddo it.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 45.
ROLANDI was passed over every time Iapplied before.
TRACEYIt means an office, and you
wouldnât have Alba on yourcaseload, so it gets us aroundthis problem.
ROLANDNo thank you.
TRACEYWhatâs your plan for yourself? Whatare your ambitions?
ROLANDI donât have any.
( realizing )I donât think I every thought likethat before.
Roland rises.
TRACEYYou can do good here. And dosomething good for yourself.
ROLANDI donât want to be rewarded fordoing the wrong thing. I can fix
this.
Roland moves to exit.
ROLAND (CONTâD)But thank you. Maybe next time.
Roland exits. A precariously stacked pile of books falls tothe floor from Treceyâs desk.
EXT. BURGER STAND - DUSK
Alba and Roland dine on the outside patio of a greasy Burgerstand.
ALBAYouâre on his side anyhow.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 46.
ROLANDDo you think so?
ALBAYa kiddin?!
ROLANDThen why would I invite you tostay?
ALBAYou just donât know youâre on hisside yet.
ROLANDI feel a sense of obligation, andMaurice and I have an uncomfortablesymbiosis to be sure. But he sureisnât on my side.
ALBAWonât I get in the way ofyour...symbiosis?
ROLANDHeâll just have to face it, he hasno say anymore. Youâre moving inand thatâs it.
ALBAFor now...but weâll see.
ROLANDThereâs no catch, no stipulations.Weâre family.
ALBAMmm-hmm...sure. Did you go tocollege?
ROLANDYeah, I did.
ALBAYou queer?
ROLANDNo.
ALBA(rhetorically)
Youâre friends with Bill though.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 47.
ROLANDNo. Iâm not.
ALBAShit. You ainât nuthinâ like mysister,youâre prolly more like your
Grandad...coming to stay? Weâllsee. You ainât dirty, but you sureainât clean.
Alba tosses her half eaten burger to a flock of pidgeons.Then she CACKLES off of Rolandâs glare.
ALBA (CONTâD)They got more use for it than me!
The birds swarm over the food.
INT. BOWLING ALLEY - NIGHT
Bowling pins stand in a perfect neat set, and then --STRIKE.
MAURICEAtta boy!
Maurice returns to his crew. Fran, SHIFTY SAM (72), ELMER(75) and LOIS (65) welcome him with CHEERS.
SAMYer making us look real bad
tonight!
Maurice settles in next to Fran, Lois get up to roll.
MAURICENot too difficult though is it?
ELMERYou can bowl like Apollo, long asIâm still the handsomest.
Elmer runs a hand over his slicked back hair.
MAURICEIâve seen better mugs on a baboonâsheinie.
Lois throws a strike but no one notices.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 48.
SAMWhereâs Roland at tonight?
MAURICEAh. Roland.
Maurice GUFFAWS. Lois returns from her roll.
LOISHey! Iâm clearing the deck here,whereâs my chorus?
FRANDonât mention his name Sam.
ELMERGood job darling but Moeâsthrown a ham bone.
FRAN (CONTâD)Theyâve been at odds.
SAMAt least you see the guy. Mygrankids think Iâm Santa Claus, ifit ainât Christmas they canât tellme from Adam.
MAURICEThat kid figures itâs Christmaseveryday.
LOISHeâs not all that bad--
ELMER--A little shifty.
MAURICEThereâs no gratitude there--
FRAN--He has his reasons maybe, givehim some time--
MAURICE--I havenât been a saint. But Iâvebeen there for the kid...througheverything.
Maurice un-shells a peanut. The crew looks around to eachother.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 49.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Throw your ball Frannie.
Fran gets up and moves towards the lane.
FRAN
Heâs not the worst.
SAMYou better patch up the squabble!You promised us a party for histhirtieth, an itâs been years sinceI had a crack at yer liquorcabinet!
Fran looks back before rolling her ball.
FRANDonât worry Iâve been attending to
it just fine.
Fran ambles down the lane, releases the ball, which makesits journey and knocks a few pins down.
MAURICEI dunno about all that.
Fran walks back.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Good job, Frannie.
FRANA partyâs a good idea, things needto be patched up one way or theother.
Maurice âpoo-pooâsâ with his hand.
LOISYeah Moe!
Fran moves in close to Maurice, the rest of the crew GABSbehind them.
FRANHe has all rights to be mad.
MAURICEHe woulda got the house soonanyhow, itâs not like Iâm long forthe world.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 50.
FRANYouâve had him living like aboarder.
MAURICEHe was 16, I just forgot. It made
things simple.
FRANAll this trouble isnât simple.
MAURICEHe never did me any favors...
FRAN...You two were made for eachother.
MAURICE
Roll your ball darling.
Fran moves back towards the ball return.
ELMERAlright Fran, you can pick it up!
Maurice watches intently as Fran releases the ball and itrolls towards the remaining pins.
INT./EXT. PUBLIC BUS - NIGHT
The doors to the bus close. Roland reaches into his walletto pull out cash and pay. Alba beats him to it, handing twobus vouchers to the driver.
Alba carries her overstuffed duffel bag. Alba and Rolandmove through the bus, finding seats in its center. VariousHOBOS and COMMUTERS are spread about the vehicle. The busjerks into motion. Roland settles into a seat, Alba sits ina seat behind him.
ALBAYou stupid? You about to pay whenthem passes are free at theshelter?
ROLANDThose arenât for me. Theyâre forclients.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 51.
ALBASo you donât drive but you donâtknow your bus route home either?
ROLANDI usually get a ride...walked a few
times.
ALBAI could get you a deal on car, thisguy--
ROLAND--Iâm risk averse, donât trustmyself operating heavy machinery.
ALBAA goon like youâs liable to getganked ridinâ the 22 at this time.
The bus lurches to a stop.
ROLANDSure, but the idea of others doingme harm is okay. I just donât wantto bear personal responsibility.
POLLARD (38), rasta guy, boards the bus. Alba notices himand slinks in her seat.
ALBAShit.
POLLARDYou! You bitch...You!
ALBAI donât know him.
POLLARDTwo-hundred thirty seven dollars! Ipaid you and you didnât do shit!
BUS DRIVER peers back through his mirror.
BUS DRIVERHey! Shut the fuck up!
Pollard addresses the whole bus.
POLLARDThis woman is a thief! She sayssheâll do computer work and she
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 52.
POLLARD (contâd)doesnât do computer work. She stolemy money!
BUS DRIVERHey. Iâm gonna throw you offa here!
Pollard settles down into a seat behind Alba.
POLLARDAll right, all right!
Pollard leans forward, glaring.
POLLARD(whispering)
Stupid bitch.
Alba hits Rolandâs shoulder.
ALBACâmon.
Alba gets up, and Roland follows. Pollard watches them asthey move towards the back of the bus.
POLLARDI want my money bitch.
Alba leans in to Roland to whisper.
ALBA
All kindsa folks on here tonight.
They reach the back of the bus, Alba shoos GORDO GUS (55),forcing him to move over and make room.
ROLANDYou didnât know that guy?
ALBANope, never seen him before.
GUSThatâs Pollard Alba, you know him.
Roland, surprised, leans across his Aunt to address Gus.
ROLANDYou know her?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 53.
GUSOh sure.
ALBAYou holdinâ Gus?
GUSShe know all kinds of people.
ALBAYa got crank Gus?
GUSSure, okay. But only a little bit.
Gus reaches into his overstuffed jacket pocket and producesa plastic wrapped little baggy.
GUS (CONTâD)
Only for cash though today. Needcash.
ROLANDThatâs great. Youâre going to bringthat home?
Alba pulls some wrinkled bills from her pockets.
ALBAGot greens today. Greens for Gus.
Roland glances about warily as Alba and Gus transact.
ALBA (CONTâD)No stipilations you said.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/ LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Roland and Alba enter the living room through the frontdoor. Roland indicates to the couch.
ROLANDYou can stay in here. We could usea new couch anyways, maybe weâllbuy a futon.
ALBAYeah you need a new couch! I had myfirst screw right there.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 54.
ROLANDThat nature of activity seems tooccur here with greater frequencythan Iâm comfortable with.
ALBA
This goddamned place hasnât changedat all. I was better off at theshelter.
ROLANDYou want to go back?
Alba throws her bag on the coffee table with a THUD.
ALBANah, weâll get by here-- ThoughtIâd at least get my old room.
ROLANDThatâs my studio.
ALBAStudio?!
ROLANDI paint.
ALBAOkay, sure ya do.
Alba looks at Roland curiously.
ALBA (CONTâD)Freaky kid, you prolly have a swinghanginâ from the ceiling.
Roland doesnât respond. He stares at her- motionless.
ALBA (CONTâD)My sister painted too.
ROLANDI know... My mom painted as well.
ALBAMy sister WAS your mom!
ROLANDI thought Iâd try yourconversational technique of statingthe obvious.
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55.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Roland sits Indian style on the floor eating a bowl ofoatmeal, intently watching the NEWS on TV. Alba sleeps onthe couch under a pile of blankets.
Maurice, shirtless with his large belly hanging out, passesthrough towards the kitchen.
MAURICE(groggily)
Yep...tisâ another bless-edgoddamned day.
ROLANDGood morning.
We hear the sounds of cupboards OPENING and SLAMMING fromthe kitchen.
MAURICE (O.S)No more saltines?!
ROLANDI dunno. I donât eat saltines.
INTERCUT/ INT. ROLANDâS KITCHEN
Maurice pops open a can of sardines.
MAURICE
Dang gummit.
Maurice saunters into the living room.
Maurice looks at the couch where Alba is asleep under theblankets.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Two rooms and you slept out here?
ROLANDThereâs a person under there...AuntAlba.
MAURICEYou let her in here?! That junkie?!
Maurice angrily slurps down a sardine.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 56.
ROLANDYou were upset about her staying ina shelter. It saddened me too. Andseeing as how this is my house--
MAURICE
--Hell it is kiddo! You may havethe papers, but this will always bemy house.
Alba begins to stir under her pile.
ROLANDNo it wonât.
MAURICEHorseshit!
ROLAND
Youâre welcome to stay, and we cankeep it civil. But itâs a whole newdynamic between you and I.
Maurice points his sardine can holding hand towards thecouch.
MAURICEAnd her?!
ALBAMe what?
ROLANDSheâs family Moe. Thatâs whatâsimportant...right?
Maurice hustles over to the couch as Alba bolts up.
MAURICEYou have to leave!
ALBAI just fuckinâ woke up.
MAURICEYou canât stay!
ROLANDRelax, Grandpa. Sheâs staying.
MAURICENo! I canât live like this!
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 57.
ALBAWhat? With your mistakes starinâyou right in the face?
ROLANDJust calm down, both of you. Youâre
roommates now.
Maurice lights up a cigarette.
ROLAND (CONTâD)Thereâs no smoking in the houseanymore.
MAURICEGoddammit! You just told me to calmdown.
ROLAND
Do it on the porch.
MAURICECanât smoke in the house? Howâs aman supposed to live?
ALBAIâm gunna be smoking in here tookid.
ROLANDNo. Thatâs a rule okay?
MAURICEMalarkey! Iâm goin to see a manabout a horse anyhow.
Maurice opens the front door and motions to leave.
MAURICE (CONTâD)Iâll be back.
The door SLAMS shut.
ALBAStipilations.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - LATER
Dale is animatedly rapping. Roland and Alba sit on thecouch, Alba thoroughly enjoying the performance.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 58.
DALE"Iâm the pup to yopussy, like Milo andOtis, come into mygarden, open up yourlotus..."
ALBA(to Roland)
This guys great, I know some peoplewho gotta see this!
Dale halts his rapping.
DALEDope! Yeah, letâs get some peepsover here - celebrate the change inownership!
ROLANDSure. Thatâs okay I guess.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A lighter sparks a glass pipe, Alba draws smoke through it.She holds her breath and passes the pipe to LANKY METH FREAK(45).
The room is filled with STRANGE MUSIC coming from laptopmanned by SPACEY JIM (27). A few assorted WEIRDOS litter theplace, bobbing their heads, and CHATTING. Roland surveys the
scene from the couch.
Molly and Dale sit in front of the TV, an episode of "MyThree Sons" silently playing. Dale smokes weed from a pipe.He attempts to pass it to Molly.
MOLLYNo thank you-- just like last time,no thank you.
DALECâmon girl. "Smokum um peace pipe".
MOLLYI told you, I have classierindulgences. Also, donât be racist.
Dale tries to lean in for a kiss. Molly LAUGHS and shoveshim away.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 59.
DALEThis ainât the 80âs. The War onDrugs was lost. Hit this shit forthe veterans.
MOLLY
My fine palette for drugs dictatesmoderation, and a more interestingagenda. This place looks ready todevolve into a drum circle. Go onand suck your pipe like a pacifier.
DALEPacifier?
MOLLYYour ganja teat.
DALE
Damn girl.
Dale indicates to his pipe.
DALE (CONTâD)This right here gets my creativemuses going.
MOLLYOkay Dale. Chase the muse, Iâmgonna get a drink.
Molly stands up.
DALEAight, aight.
Dale draws from his pipe and lays back on the carpet.
Molly makes her way to the couch and flops down next toRoland.
MOLLYRoland.
Molly bats her lashes in an exaggerated fashion as Rolandslowly turns towards her.
ROLANDHello.
MOLLY...Youâre awful quiet.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 60.
ROLANDAm I?
MOLLYYour party sucks and I needalcohol.
ROLANDThis is just an informal gatheringmy Aunt and Dale put together andIâve seen some alcohol around here.
MOLLYWith these tweakers? Yeah, theyhave wino water. I mean somethinggood.
ROLANDMy grandpa has some stuff, gin
mostly I think.
MOLLYWe can work with gin.
ROLANDItâs in his room now probably.
MOLLY(coyly)
But I heard this was your house.
ROLAND
I wonât be motivated by a challengeto my machismo.
MOLLYHow about a bat of the eyeleashesand hiking of the skirt?
Molly follows through with the action.
ROLANDI donât condone sexuality ascurrency. Youâre demeaning andobjectifying yourself.
Molly balks.
MOLLYAsshole! I was turning on the flirtnumbnuts.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 61.
ROLANDIâm sorry. I thought I was beingplayed or used or something. Ilike...your moxie.
INT. MAURICEâS NEW ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The room is jammed with stacks of clothes and itemshurriedly moved in but unorganized. Maurice and Fran sit onthe bed watching TV. MUSIC blares through the walls.
FRANLetâs just go to my house.
MAURICEFran. I like being in my home.
FRAN
I think thereâs gangbangerâs here.
MAURICEWhat pray tell...an orgy?
FRANNo Moe...violent people, gangsters.
MAURICERoland doesnât like this hootenannyany more than us, heâs justthrowing a tantrum. Heâll cut thebaloney soon enough.
Thereâs a KNOCK and the then the door instantly opens.Roland pushes his way in, Molly beside him.
ROLANDYour spirits. Did you bring allthat stuff in here?
MAURICEHuh?
ROLANDAlcohol. I want your booze.
MAURICEWhat the hell for?
ROLANDIâm entertaining company.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 62.
MAURICEHer? You wouldnât know how tooperate HER.
Fran smacks Mauriceâs knee.
MOLLYWow. Donât worry you silver fox. Ihave intuitive, user friendlydesign.
ROLANDJust give me the bottle.
Maurice indicates to a pile in the corner. Roland fishesthrough the clothes and pulls out a big jug of gin.
MOLLY(in Moeâs direction)
You clean your combs in that?
ROLANDAlright...To the kitchen, wherethereâs an abundance of seltzerwater.
INT. ROLANDâS KITCHEN - MINUTES LATER
Roland pours seltzer into the glasses of gin. Roland andMolly settle in at the kitchen table. NOISE and MUSIC fromthe adjacent living room spill in.
MOLLYDonât suppose you have a cucumber.
ROLANDNo...what for?
MOLLYA little slice in those will makethat cheap gin palatable.
ROLANDNo. Not really any vegetables here,unless they come in a can.
Roland spills a bit on the table.
MOLLYFailed out of bartenderâs college Itake it?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 63.
ROLANDThis will be my first drink.
MOLLYAre you twelve?!
ROLANDI never saw the point inconsumption for pleasure.
MOLLYYouâre some kinda Quaker orsomething?
Molly raises her glass, Roland figures out the gesture andwith a CLINK they cheers each other.
MOLLY (CONTâD)Cheers...I guess Iâm a lucky lady,
popping your cherry.
Roland flicks his tongue with surprise, not enjoying hisfirst taste of liquor.
ROLANDYou caught me in a moment ofpersonal crisis. I feellike...feeling DIFFERENT all of asudden. Within reason,you see myAunt, addiction runs in the family.
MOLLY
It runs in every family dummy. Likethat strange human compulsion toeat and poop. Just donât get hungup...manage your shit.
ROLANDIâm managing things.
Rolandâs two sips in but Molly has downed her first drink.She quickly sets to fixing herself another.
MOLLY(rhetorically)
Hmmm. Why do I see your creepy faceand feel like making out?!
ROLAND...I donât know. The liquor?
Molly gives him an âoh pleaseâ look.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 64.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I can see you are a pretty girl butI donât want to do that.
MOLLYOf course. Youâre a virgin. Saving
yourself for marriage I take it?Want it to be - SPECIAL?
ROLANDNo, I just feel like it would bepointless--
MOLLY--Gee thanks!
ROLANDNot because itâs with you. Itwouldnât be pointless with anyone.
Sex is a base animal need, like(with a gesture)
eating and pooping.
MOLLYYouâre some kind of elevatedcreature.
ROLANDNo. And Iâm not a virgin either.
MOLLYDUDE! You were molested, that
explains everything!
ROLANDNo, I wasnât molested...Actually,in a legal sense I guess I was.
MOLLYAlright then, who was she? Or, he.Or he-she?
Roland takes a sip from his drink.
INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME
Dale has migrated, sitting close next to Alba on the floor.Alba offers him her meth pipe.
DALEI dunno, thatâs not really mystyle...You wanna try this?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 65.
Dale offers his weed pipe.
ALBAYea-ah. See, Iâm a stylish gal, allkindsa fashion appeals to me.
Dale passes the pipe to Alba. She sparks it up and inhales.
DALEYouâre sexy too. You donât mind measkinâ, how dâya keep yourselftogether doin that shit?
ALBAI dunno...give it time. I gotdeeper in to go. I always needsomthinâ ... Ainât been at this toolong, when my ex walked out on me,I got back into the same olâ
hobbies.
DALEYou still got it tho... you fineactually. You shouldnât fuck withthat shit.
ALBAFine, eh? And youâre a finespecimen of somethinâ. I donât needno man no more, an you ainât morethan a boy.
Dale sidles in closer.
DALEMy balls dropped a long time agolady. Pheromones... thatâs the lawof the jungle.
ALBAKid, I smell like shit. At least Ishould. Ainât showered in days.
DALESee! Thatâs what makes it morepowerful. No wonder! I could tellcross the room we had compatiblehormones.
ALBAYouâre fuckinâ weird--
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66.
Dale leans in for a kiss. Alba turns and it plants awkwardlyon her cheek. He keeps on sucking her cheek while she lookssideways at him.
INT. ROLANDâS KITCHEN - SAME
ROLANDI was actually very curious, almostobsessed with the idea when I wasabout twelve. I had an orgasm forthe first time. It was bizarre,outside of myself. I was beingdriven to do things I didnâtunderstand, or like...
Molly fixes Roland another drink.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I felt an inertia and
inevitability. But I wanted tocrush the emotions and hormonesthat were wrestling for control ofmy cognition. It was an 8th gradetrip to Washington D.C. I had savedup money, a couple hundred dollarsfrom mowing lawns and odd jobs.This was separate from the money myMom or the chaperons knew about.Atnight I snuck out of the room wellafter everyone was asleep. I onlyhad to walk a few city blocksbefore I found some girls--er,
women. They laughed, shooed meaway. I composed myself well for akid, but it was obvious I wasyoung. One followed me, she was notthe most--to be crass--marketable,of the group. And a block away shecaught up to me and took my money.
MOLLYShe robbed you?!
ROLANDNo. I preceded this story bystating that Iâm not a virgin--Shetook my money for services.
MOLLYOn the street right there?!
Roland and Molly sip their drink simultaneously.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 67.
ROLANDWe went into this vacant lot area,under a freeway overpass.
MOLLYJesus. Thatâs a story you shouldnât
tell people Roland.
ROLANDI donât until now. It was justsomething I did...It worked though.I would say it cured me of apebrain compulsions.
MOLLYIf youâre cured Iâd hate to see thedisease--And youâre a total fuckinghypocrite! Giving me shit aboutcommodifying sex and shit!
ROLANDIâm sorry. I was a jerk for sayingthat. Look, itâs not something Iâmproud of, or would do again. I knowit was wrong, in a sociologicalsense. Itâs just something I did.
MOLLYWhat a creepy fuck. UGH! Whatâswrong with my mind?! I want to makeout with you even more now! Fuck!
Roland seizes up, then rises. A boner can be seen in hispants.
ROLANDIâm. Going to use the restroom.
MOLLYOh. Okay.
As Roland walks away.
MOLLY (CONTâD)(sotto)
And Iâll pretend I didnât see theboner.
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68.
EXT. ROLANDS BACKYARD - LATER
MUSIC can still be heard coming from the party inside, butsomewhat more subdued. Dale exits from the living room tojoin Roland whom was sitting alone.
DALEYo, Rolie. I have to be straight upwith you as a homey... Iâm kindafeeling your Aunt at this moment.
ROLANDThatâs not surprising but stilldisgusting.
DALEHey, you know I like cougars.
ROLAND
Sheâs got abuse issues. Addictionissues... Sheâs unstable.
DALEMaybe I feel like the white knightokay? Wanna fix someone up.
ROLANDI know your M.O. Youâre basically achimpanzee in a tree, masturbatingupon unsuspecting passerby. Havesome forward thinking okay? I knowsheâll only have your interest for
a few sessions of intercourse, butshe may live here for a year, twoor more.
DALEHmmm, forward thinking huh? This isa highly hostile situation here.Like this arrangements NOT gonnalast. Whyâs she hate Moe so muchanyhow?
ROLANDShe came unhinged after my parentsdied.
DALEYeah, thatâs bout when he became acantankerous olâ coot too.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 69.
ROLANDCompared to then heâs more eventempered now actually.
DALETrue that. Prolly all that pussy he
be gettinâ from Frannie --Yo look.Itâs on your word, brother. Youwant me to back off and not spitgame at your Aunt? Cool. Fine.
ROLANDJust do whatever you want. Iâd liketo think sheâd have the sense notto take your advances seriously,but I have a feeling thatâs not thecase.
DALE
Right on man. Knew I could count onyou bro...and uh, yâknow, thatchick Molly? Sheâs a dope girl, Ijusâ wasnât so much feeling herthough. She talks real smart--feminist like. I think you mighthave a shot homey. I know you donâtget caught up in the game so much,but Iâd like to see my boy get hisdick wet sometime.
ROLANDIâm glad youâre thinking about me
and my penis Dale. Mollyâs nice,and Iâm not some android with nosex drive like you might think. Butany woman that would see me as apotential mate? Well, I have reasonto suspect their judgment andstability.
DALEYou dumb. Just dip your stickin...Leave it at that! Dip, dipdip!
Roland shakes his head, dissaproving.
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70.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/ HALL - LATER
Roland is walking towards his room. Molly exits thebathroom.
ROLANDOh, hey.
MOLLYThought I left already?
ROLANDNo--
MOLLY--Well Iâm going now.
Roland thrusts his hand to her shoulder and goes for a kiss.
Molly deflects and backs him off.
MOLLY (CONTâD)You gotta pick your moments buddy.And they gotta be the right ones.
Molly leaves. As we hear the front door SHUT, Roland punchesthe wall.
He stares at his fist - shocked.
EXT. ROLANDâS BACKYARD - NIGHT
Two finches sleep quietly next to each other in their nest.
EXT. ROLANDS BACKYARD - DAY
Finches, and assorted other birds fly in a frenzy, SQUAKINGand CHIRPING.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - DAY
Alba and Dale sleep, spooning on the couch. Lanky MethFreak and Spacey Jim are passed out on the floor. Rolandmakes his way through the room, bagging up trash.
Roland seeâs Mollyâs harmonica on the floor, half stickingout under Lanky Meth Freakâs leg.
Roland pushes Lanky Meth Freakâs leg to the side and picksup the harmonica. Lanky Meth Freak wakes up.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 71.
LANKY METH FREAKAy man, you messinâ with my shit?
Roland looks at the harmonica.
LANKY METH FREAK (CONTâD)Youâre too close fucker, get away.
Maurice and Fran enter the living room from the hall.
MAURICESome kinda goddamned tornado camethrough here! Is this how you rulethe roost?!
Lanky Meth Freak bolts up. Roland turns to Maurice, Mauriceturns to Fran.
MAURICE(To Fran)
Get home sweetie, Iâll come see youlater.
Fran and Maurice kiss, and then Fran begins to leave throughthe front door. Lanky Meth Freak snatches the trash bag fromRoland.
LANKY METH FREAKGimme my shit bitch!
MAURICEMaking new friends, huh?
Roland puts a hand on Lanky Meth Freaks shoulder.
ROLANDI think youâre a little confused.
Spacey Jim wakes up and looks around. Alba and Dale stir onthe couch.
Lanky Meth Freak gets up in Rolandâs face and SNARLS, butRoland doesnât back down. Daleâs eyes open and he looksover.
Lanky Meth Freak quickly snatches a Russian nesting dollfrom the mantle and throws it in the trash bag.
DALEWhat the hell, yo?
Dale gets up. Roland begins to push Lanky Meth Freak towardsthe door.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 72.
ROLANDTime to get going.
Dale rushes over to help. Dale and Roland have Lanky MethFreak by the arms and guide him to the door.
DALEThis fuck tryinâ a gank your shitor what?!
LANKY METH FREAKGet offa me! Iâll kill ya!
Dale snatches the trash bag away from Lanky Meth Freak andtosses it to the side. Lanky Meth Freak tries to fight loosebut Roland and Dale get him to the door.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/AT FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS
Maurice retreats back down the hall.
Dale and Roland shove Lanky Meth Freak out the front door.
Lanky Meth Freak charges back but they SLAM the door beforehe can get through. Lanky Meth Freak begins BANGING on thedoor.
LANKY METH FREAK (O.S.)Hey!!...HEY!!!
DALE
Yo, he got up on the wrong side ofthe pipe.
The BANGING persists. Maurice re-enters with his BB Gun, andmoves quick towards the door. Roland tries to hold him back.
ROLANDNo donât!
Maurice gets the door open and points the BB Gun right atLanky Meth Freak.
INT/EXT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS
LANKY METH FREAKHEYYY!!
MAURICEGET OUTTA HERE ALREADY!
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 73.
Lanky Meth Freak dances side to side, not particularlyfrightened.
LANKY METH FREAKOoooh...oooooh.
MAURICEGet away from my house!
Lanky Meth Freak begins to lurch forward. POP. Mauriceshoots him right in the chest with a BB.
Lanky Meth Freak isnât fazed. Roland shoves him back out thedoor, then SLAMS the door shut.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/NEAR DOOR - CONTINUOUS
DALE
You shot him!
Roland glares at Maurice.
ROLANDItâs okay it was only a BB.
LANKY METH FREAK (O.S.)HEY!....HEY MOTHERFUCKER!!
The DOORBELL starts chiming. Roland and Maurice stand faceto face.
ROLANDCan you go outside Dale and hosehim off till he leaves?
DALENo!
ROLANDYou have to get rid of that pelletgun.
MAURICELike hell I am.
Alba walks over, rubbing her eyes.
ALBAThe fucks goin on? Iâm tryinâ asleep?
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 74.
MAURICEThe dirtbag you brought in herejust went apeshit.
ALBAWho?
The DOORBELL persists.
ROLANDWe just had a little problem withone of your friends.
MAURICELITTLE problem? heâs having a fullblown episode. Iâm calling thecops!
Alba lets out an ARGH, then advances to the door and opens
it quickly.
INT/EXT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS
ALBAJimmy?!
Lanky Meth Freak/Jimmy instantly relaxes.
JIMMYYeah?
ALBAGet the fuck outta here.
JIMMYAlright. Later on then.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/NEAR DOOR - CONTINUOUS
Alba shuts the door.
ALBANow can everyone keep it down forawhile?!
Alba walks back towards the couch. Maurice, then Roland
and Dale follow.
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75.
INT. ROLANDâS LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Alba flops onto the couch.
MAURICE(to Roland)
Sheâs going to kill herself likethis. Probably get one of us killedtoo.
ALBAYeah? Iâm a killer? Is that right?
ROLANDItâs fine Moe. I have control ofthings.
MAURICEHorseshit you have control!
ALBAYeah, Iâll get us all killed. Likeyou killed my SISTER! And that poorchumps daddy too!
ROLANDHey--
MAURICEI-I- didnât. That wasnât--
ALBA
--Hell ya didnât! Always think yougot control of everything! You surefixed up Roland, lettinâ him thinkyou owned this place. Treatinâ himlike shit just like you treatedme--
ROLAND--Okay Alba.--
ALBA--You still gonna be Mr Fix It Dad?Maybe fix the heater again?!
ROLANDSHUT UP!
ALBAKick him out Roland, like he did tome.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 76.
ROLANDNo. Iâm not kicking anybody out.
ALBAHe killed your parents Roland.Always had to do everything
himself. Like, in control. But hefucked that heater up didnâthe...and it leaked didnât it?
ROLANDThat was...just...an accident.
ALBAWell...excuses are like assholes.
MAURICEIâm...going to go to Franâs. Iâllstay there for awhile.
ROLANDGrandpa--
MAURICE--I donât want to talk about it.You want this house? Take it! Itâsjust a box of horseshit anyhow.
EXT. ROLANDâS BACKYARD - DAY
Birds fly about the aviary, TWEETING. A rat runs along the
fence.
INT./EXT. PUBLIC BUS - MORNING
Roland reads a newspaper as the bus moves down a suburbanstreet. A nearby CONVERSATION becomes audible. Roland looksup to see:
YOUNG MOTHER (21) talking to slick BABY DADDY (22) at thefront of the bus. Roland watches them flirt and LAUGH, theirCUTE KID (4)playing at a handrail.
Roland connects eyes with Baby Daddy, and they hold thestare awkwardly--a little too long.
After Baby Daddy looks away, Roland turns his head to lookout the window. He watches as suburban homes pass by, one byone.
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77.
INT. FRANâS BEDROOM - MORNING
Maurice wakes up - Fran lies next to him on her bed, whichis smaller than his own. The room too is much smaller thanhis old room at Rolandâs.
Maurice takes in the details around him: a lamp with a gaudyfrilly shade, a clock TICKING loudly, a tacky painting onthe wall, an ugly crocheted horsehead wall ornament.
His expression reads as horrified.
INT. HOMELESS SHELTER - DAY
Roland walks through the bed areas with a clipboard. VARIOUSHOMELESS are making their beds or getting ready. Rolandspots Old Man Afro at his bed, in his underwear.
ROLANDYou have to have clothes on outhere.
OLD MAN AFROIâm changing, man!
ROLANDChange in the bathroom, those arethe rules.
OLD MAN AFROShit, Iâm changing out my sleep
clothes to my toilet clothes! Iainât gon get my bed clothes nasty!
Roland takes a moment.
ROLANDYeah, I get it, just do me a favorin the future. Change bottoms andthen change the top--quickly.
OLD MAN AFROBottoms, and then tha top?
ROLANDRight. So than there will be nomoment where you are fullyundressed.
OLD MAN AFROI see, I see. More dis-creet.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 78.
ROLANDExactly. Thereâs women around.
OLD MAN AFROI canât entice them with my classicchiseled form!
Old Man Afro pats Roland on the back, and Roland continueshis rounds. He makes his way back to the front desk area,where Tracey is adding powdered creamer to her coffee.
TRACEYMorning.
ROLANDHi.
INT. SHELTER/ FRONT DESK - CONTINUOUS
Roland leans against the counter next to Tracey.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I thought about something you said.
Tracey stirs her coffee and faces Roland.
ROLAND (CONTâD)I want to interview for the CaseManagement position.
TRACEY
You took your Aunt out of here-without completing the properdischarge papers too I may add. Theissue is resolved.
ROLANDAnd now when I interview youâllknow itâs because I want theposition. Iâm going to be hereeveryday anyways. I want to bepresent, and to care.
Crutches hobbles up to the front desk.
CRUTCHESThe fridge is locked! How am Isupposed to get my food?!
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79.
INT. ROLANDâS HOUSE/ LIVING ROOM - DAY
Alba sits on the floor watching CARTOONS on the TV, withDale asleep on the floor next to her. Her eyes are bugging--she is high.
Alba MUMBLES to herself incoherently then GIGGLES.
She sparks a lighter and hits her pipe.
Exhaling she looks at Dale, then begins MUMBLING, her wordsnonsensical. BLABBERING, then a giggle.
Fear grows on her face. Then her face seizes up.
She tries to stand. She stumbles and falls on Dale. Dalestirs and wakes up.
DALEWhat the shit?
He wakens to see Alba loudly BLABBERING and shaking on thefloor.
DALE (CONTâD)The fuck you doinâ ?!
Dale shakes her.
DALE (CONTâD)Oh shit! Wake up.
INT. SHELTER/ FRONT DESK - SAME
Joyce stands in front of Roland from across the desk.
JOYCEI need to make a report.
ROLANDWhatâs going on Joyce?
JOYCEOh letâs see. Just some asshole
thinks itâs okay to take my clothesout of the dryer and put them ontop of the dryer before my time isup.
(over her shoulder)--Oh shut up you, I can handlethis.
Roland looks at Joyce and then looks in a binder.
(CONTINUED)
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CONTINUED: 80.
ROLANDJoyce. Itâs not your laundry time,you shouldnât even be washing.
JOYCESo now itâs my problem?! I see how
it is. I suppose you want me towear dirty clothes--
ROLAND--Itâs okay Joyce. Let me just gotalk to Frank and see if you candry after him.
Rolandâs cellphone rings. He pulls it from his pocket.
ROLAND (CONTâD)(to Joyce)
Hold on a sec.
Roland answers.
ROLAND (CONTâD)(in phone)
Hello?..heyDale...what?...okay...okay...yeah...bye.
Roland hangs up the phone. He pauses.
JOYCEHello?...Iâm chopped liver orsomething?
Roland bolts up from his seat.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Roland walks into the room. Alba is asleep in the hospitalbed. Dale sits next to her and looks up to towards Roland.