Art of Obsession (2017) Movie Script

- Tennessee Williams,
'The Catastrophe of Success'.
In the public, somebody you are
when you have a name
is a fiction created with
mirrors.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
- Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow.
A poor player, struts and frets
his hour upon the stage,
and then is heard no more.
- Are you death?
- It is a tale told by an idiot
full of sound and fury
signifying nothing.
You really are just a blip on
the map.
A flash of light extinguished by
the coal
blackness of reality.
- Am I dead?
- If you were,
I wouldn't be here.
Nothing would.
I exist for you.
- Why won't you let me die?
- [LAUGHS] Because you
are not finished yet.
- I have nothing left.
- I am your muse.
[MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Cheryl will be right
with you, Mr. Sait.
- Alright.
- Can I get you anything
while you're waiting?
Water, coffee?
- Coffee'd be great.
- Right away.
It's great to see you again.
You probably don't remember me.
The last time you were here,
I'd just started working.
- Right.
- I love your books
and your movies.
I love everything you do.
Till Death is my favorite.
- Somebody liked it?
- Who cares what
the critics think?
I'm not just...
- Kennedy, look at you!
- Cheryl.
How are you?
- Fabulous.
- Let me get your coffee.
Cream and sugar?
- Just black fine.
Gotta stay healthy.
- I've got to say, it's nice
to see you sober.
- Had my share of demons.
- I hope you're here to tell me
that
you've buried them in this new
book.
- No, demons are personal.
I've tried to make my art
personal.
I won't make that mistake again.
- Here you go guys.
- Thanks.
- Leave the business to me.
You're the artist,
I'm the agent.
People like personal and
relatable.
- Come on Cheryl.
People don't want personal.
They want the illusion of
personal
because the reality,
it's just too real.
They want the public persona,
not the reality.
And that truth is already
stacked on a lie.
No.
This is me in my most
misanthropic.
What the hell is wrong with me?
PATRICIA: You're insane.
- Patricia.
[DOG BARKING]
- Get back in the car.
We should talk about this.
[DOG BARKING]
- You don't own me, Doug.
You never have.
- Get off your high horse,
you spoiled bitch.
And how far you gonna get in
that car?
Huh? My car.
Just like this is my house,
my clothes, my jewelry.
You got nothing, Trish.
- I've got my pride
you piece of shit.
- Your pride is worthless
sweetheart.
- I'm gonna clean you out.
- And that there,
that right there is exactly why
you signed a prenup baby.
You get nothing because
you are nothing.
- You can't treat me like this.
- I can treat you however I want
and no one will question.
[KNOCK ON THE DOOR]
- Kennedy, can I help you?
- Can I help you?
[CHUCKLES]
- Sorry if we disturbed you.
I can be a bit of a bitch
sometimes.
- Listen.
If you ever feel unsafe
for any reason,
just come to my place.
I always keep the back door
unlocked.
- It's really not as bad as it
sounds.
Every couple fights.
- Come to my place.
Nobody deserves that.
- Who's there, hon?
Kennedy?
- Douglas?
- What can we do you for?
- It's nothing.
- We're talking, honey.
Well?
- Well, Douglas,
why don't you try treating
your wife like a lady?
- I do treat her like a lady.
I buy her things.
All the things in the world.
I shower her with gifts,
everything.
- Doug, please, Ken was just
coming...
- Goddamn it, Trish, we're
having a conversation here.
- See, now Douglas,
that's exactly what
I'm talking about.
Don't treat her like that.
- Why don't you mind
your own business?
- Maybe I'm making it my
business.
- Oh, mister high and mighty.
- At least I don't hit women.
- Neither do I.
What the fuck have you
been telling people?
- Well, no, I never said
anything like that.
Why would you say that?
Doug has never hit me.
- It's only a matter of time.
- Get off my property
before it hit you.
You son of a bitch.
- Look,
I heard you arguing up front
and I just wanted to see
if everything was OK.
- We're fine.
Why don't you go check
on dinner, will you?
Don't make a thing out of
something that's nothing.
- I'm just,
I'm a concerned citizen.
- We've been neighbors
a long time, huh?
- About 10 years?
- Wow, 10 years.
You know, I remember when you
and your family first moved in.
in case I never said anything,
I'm sorry about your loss.
And believe me,
I know it's been hard on you.
I see all the shit going
on at your place.
- Excuse me?
- All the derelicts and
degenerates
coming and going at
all hours of the night.
- Listen, if you think...
- Hey, it's none of my business.
Just like anything you think
you see or hear here
is none your business.
Got it, neighbor?
Freak.
- There is no drug more
addictive or satisfying
than that of creation.
Embrace the emotion.
Don't fight it.
Pain is your guide.
[MUSIC]
- Hey you.
- Melanie.
- In all my glory.
You like it?
- Huh?
- Are you kidding me, Kennedy?
You asked me to dress like this.
- Yeah, I got caught up in some
work.
- Fine.
These shoes are killing me
anyways.
Is it about that girl?
- What girl?
- The neighbor that
you're obsessed with.
- Sort of.
- Sort of?
- Same girl,
different angle.
- Let's say it's about
time for a union break.
- Gotta strike while the iron is
hot.
- It's not 'H', it's coke.
It'll actually help with an
all-nighter.
- I've got to keep my mind
clean.
That's the problem,
I need to focus.
- Sure?
Yeah, no, yeah.
You're just gonna quit,
just like that?
- I need to focus.
- I already bought your party
favours for next month.
OK, and cheers to you
if you're on the wagon,
but you're still paying me.
- Fine.
- When do you want it?
- No, sell it to someone else.
Double your profits.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- So, I guess this means we're
done with our monthly visits?
- Mm-hmm.
- Unless of course you come to
the club visit me, get a dance.
- Yeah.
- Or what do you say we have
some fun first, for old times'
sake?
I'll let you call me Patricia,
if it helps.
Are you getting in?
- No, I have work to do.
- Say again?
- It's time for you to leave.
- OK, let me cut you off right
there.
You know what I need to hear.
So, don't call back
until you can say it.
Puta.
[PHONE RINGING]
[KNOCK AT THE DOOR]
- Lindsey, I've been putting
out fires all day.
So, this better be good.
- You have a call,
Kennedy Sait.
- Is he high?
- No, he sounds happy and sober.
[PHONE RINGING]
- This is quite a surprise.
Last time we talked,
you wanted out of your contract
because of you quit writing
- And I meant it.
Tried channeling all
that pain into my work
and the world tore me apart.
Put myself in a vulnerable
position
and what do I get?
Worse sales, worse reviews.
I was done.
- So, you've got something?
Great, swing by the office.
- No, not yet.
Maybe in a couple of weeks.
I just wanted to call and let
you know that I'm not dead.
And in fact I'm back.
- Well, the world needs your
voice.
- I'll swing by at the
end of the month,
see if we can make work.
- Oh, we'll make it work
and we'll get that movie deal
back too.
- Baby-step, Cheryl.
- Alright then.
Get back to work.
- Yeah, I'll see you soon.
Patricia.
Oh my God.
Come in. Come in, please.
Are you OK?
[SOBBING]
- Did Doug do that to you?
[SOBBING]
Son of a bitch.
- I just had to get out of
there.
I didn't know where else to go.
- So, he's still over there?
- No.
[SOBBING]
He left after he hit me.
[SOBS] I'm scared.
[SOBBING]
- Come here.
- What am I gonna do?
- Here, sit down.
Can I get you an ice
pack or something?
You feel sick or nauseous?
- No.
Do you have peas?
- Huh?
- Frozen peas.
They're better for a black eye.
- Oh, you're an expert in black
eyes?
- Well, if you grew up
with my father then
yeah you'd know a thing or two
about covering shit up.
- Is this the first time that
Doug's hurt you like this?
- I shouldn't be here. I'm
sorry.
- Wait. No, wait.
Please, don't go.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
I just cannot let you go back to
that.
Remember you saved me once too.
How about I get you those peas?
Alright, have a seat over here.
- I was supposed to meet my
friend Carla for drinks at...
Oh shit. She's going to wonder
why it didn't show up.
I have to use your phone.
I left mine at home.
- What are you doing?
I can explain.
It's not what it looks like.
- It looks fucked up.
Don't come near me.
- Patricia, I would never hurt
you.
Never.
- You're stalking me?
- You saved me.
- What?
- When I try to kill myself,
you're always there.
You always brought me back
because you knew
I wasn't finished.
- What the fuck are
you talking about?
- You, you're my muse.
- Look, we can forget about
this, OK?
I'll just leave.
And I never saw the
photos and it's all good.
- No.
No, I can't let you go back to
that.
He'll hurt you.
- No, he won't.
It's OK. I'll be fine.
- Patricia, this is for your own
good.
I can't let you get hurt.
- Get off me.
- Trish.
[SOBBING]
- I'm so sorry.
This is no way to treat you.
[SOBBING]
It's OK.
It's OK.
- It's not OK.
- You don't understand.
- You fucking kidnapped me.
- Trish, I told you that
was for your own good.
- Please. [SOBS]
I know you didn't mean any of
this.
You can let me go.
It was just a joke.
I get it.
- No, you don't get it.
This is bigger than both you or
I.
Years from now,
when we're both dead and buried,
the written word,
that'll live on.
Books, movies, music, art.
It's the only thing that really
lasts.
- What are you talking about?
- I can't lose you.
I need you.
- You need help,
- Patricia, you did help me.
You are my muse
and I cannot finish
this story without you.
[SOBBING]
I'm sorry I didn't,
I didn't plan it this way.
I'm just in the middle of
something really big right now
all thanks to you.
- Wait [SOBS]
Kennedy, I can give you money.
I'll pay anything.
You know I have it.
- Money isn't worth
what you can give me.
- No, no, no! [SOBS]
- Think about it.
[SOBBING]
- What is that?
- This is going to be
uncomfortable.
I don't wanna hurt you.
- People are gonna
be looking for me.
- But they won't find you.
[SOBBING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
- Is this seat taken?
- Hello, Melanie?
- Around here my name is
Persephone.
- Cute.
- I don't do cute.
I do goddess.
- Hey, can I get you
guys anything?
- No, I'm fine. Thanks.
- Oh, new friend, we need
drinks.
Have a vodka tonic.
- And for you?
- Diet Cola.
- Alright.
- Kennedy, if you wanna
meet me on my turf,
you got to play the role.
- Alright, girl.
And what role is that?
- That you're a stranger.
That you're here for a drink.
That you're here for a dance.
You're here for a party.
- Welcome Melanie,
I mean Persephone.
The reason why I'm here is
because I need something.
- I got all you need, baby.
You know, I could have just come
to your house after work to see
you.
- You know the reason why
I started coming here years ago?
- Why?
- It's because it's some place
that
I could run away and hide in
where no eyes are on me.
Nobody cares that I'm here.
I'm invisible.
Just hiding in the crowd.
- You can be alone without
being alone, Kennedy.
Listen, I get off in a couple
hours if you want...
- Melanie,
you can't come by
my house anymore.
- Now you got a new girl.
She'll be jealous.
- Yeah, something like that.
- [SIGHS] You still need me,
huh?
- I just need some...
- No, Ken, I get it.
OK, I get it.
You just need to use me.
- No, Melanie, it's nothing like
that.
Seriously.
WAITRESS: Your drinks.
- Why don't you pay the nice
lady
and we'll go have some fun?
WAITRESS: Thank you so much.
MELANIE: Keep the change.
[SIGHS] Come on.
- Do you have any sleeping
pills?
- Sleeping pills?
- Yeah, I can't sleep well
lately.
- Well, maybe you got to
see a doctor about that.
- No, it can't be on the record.
My agent can't find out.
And it needs to be strong.
- OK, well, I mean I can try to
get some Triazolam for you.
- Good.
- It's not here. Let's go.
- Hello Ken.
- Doug.
- I was wondering,
have you seen my wife around?
- Sure, the last time I saw her,
she was over there
in your front porch,
and you were yelling at her.
- Is that some kind of joke,
son?
- Do I look like I'm laughing?
- Look, my wife is missing.
- Maybe she came to her senses.
- Goddamn it, Ken.
This is serious.
- I am serious, Doug.
I see you arguing and yelling
and treating her like your
fucking possessions over there.
Now, how can you be surprised
that
she might have left your pompous
ass?
- Maybe I'm not the greatest
husband in the world.
If I was, I wouldn't have
had three wives.
I bury myself in my work
because every time
I try to be a family man,
I find some way to fuck it up.
- Right.
Well, I'm not your therapist,
but here's a hint.
Regret, it's pointless.
So, you need to live your
life without her, OK?
Now I'm sure wherever
she is, she's better off.
DOUG: I don't wanna trade
punches.
None of her family has heard
from her,
and all of her clothes, her cell
phone,
everything is still at home.
If she took off, she would have
at least packed a suitcase.
- Sure.
- Well, look, if you think of
anything,
can you please let me know?
And by the way, I'm sure the
police
will be in touch at some point.
- Good morning?
- What did you inject me with?
- Hmm, you should eat.
You need to keep your strength
up. - Fuck you.
- How many times are we
going to go through this?
Look,
I know this is difficult for
you.
It's difficult for me too.
- [SCREAMS]
- There are two ways that
we can deal with this.
You'll get this back
when you calm down.
- What? Are you punishing me?
I'll piss all over your floor.
- What, did you forget your...?
- Surprise!
- Shit.
- You still like it with lots of
cream, lots of sugar?
- You know it.
Are you OK?
- Well, now that you mention it,
I am a little bit worried.
See, my niece, she just
shows up out of nowhere.
Don't get me wrong.
I love seeing her.
But I can't help but
be a little worried
when she just shows up
unannounced like this.
- Perhaps your niece remembers
her uncle telling her that
if ever she needed to,
she could come stay here.
- What's up Jade?
- I tried calling you a couple
of times.
I finally came out to my mom.
You know what?
You were wrong.
She has no fucking idea.
You know, I don't even think
it's
me liking girls that bothers
her.
I think what's worse
for her is the idea that
I won't be bringing a boy
home for her to meet
and then marry and
pump out grandkids.
It's like it's the end
of the fucking world
'cause I'm not gonna be
a carbon copy of her.
Whatever.
She kicked me out 'cause
she thought the way
I naturally express love
is sick and wrong.
And so, since this shithole is
a little better than the
streets,
I'm here to take you up on that
offer.
- You,
you can't stay here, Jade.
I'm sorry.
You just can't.
- Wait, what?
But you said.
- I said that a year ago.
- I didn't realize there was
an expiry date on that offer.
Yeah.
It was a year ago, wasn't it?
It's when I first came out.
And it was to you.
Because I thought you were the
one fucking person in this
family
who'd actually understand.
- I remember.
- You hugged me and told me that
when I was ready to
come out to my mom,
you had my back.
- It's just this work thing
that I have right now, Jade.
It's really big and it's...
- Seriously?
I mean, look at the
fucking size of this place.
You wouldn't even see me.
You know what?
Fine, whatever.
If that's what you want.
- What about a friend's place?
Wouldn't you rather stay there?
- You think I haven't
already thought of that?
Trust me.
If I did, I wouldn't be here.
Uncle Kennedy, I need your help.
You know when Aunt Sarah died,
I remember bringing you food
because you got so thin.
You looked really fucking rough.
I wasn't sure if when
I showed up today,
you'd be alive or not.
Please, Uncle Kennedy.
- Aaah.
Alright.
Alright, fine, fine, you can
stay.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
- OK, OK, ground rules.
- [SIGHS]
- Like I said, I'm working
on something
really big important right now.
So, you can't just be running
all over the place, alright?
You can have the guest
room on the second floor.
And this is temporary.
I don't want you and your mom
drifting apart over this.
- So, you wanna go
to the attic and jam?
- No, no.
The studio is not even
up there anymore.
That's it's my new workplace.
So, attic's out of bounds.
How about I show you
your new bedroom?
- Geez,
better than a hotel.
- Mi casa su casa.
Well, I'll let you get settled.
I got something to take care of.
- Hey, thank you.
Seriously.
- You're welcome.
KENNEDY: [SIGHS]
This is good.
This is really coming together,
like really coming together.
- Then what?
- Huh?
- You keep writing
and I keep inspiring.
Then what?
You finish the book,
unlock me and I go home?
Or is it by that point that
I fall in love with you
when we ride off into the
sunset?
- Damn it, Trish,
one thing at a time, OK?
This is important.
- I escaped one monster just to
fall into the trap of another.
- I am nothing like your
husband.
- You are worse.
[KNOCK AT THE DOOR]
- Can I help you?
- May I come in?
- Have a seat.
- I will. Thank you.
- Is everything OK?
- No, Mr. Sait, everything is
not OK.
I'm not in the habit of showing
up when things are OK.
- Right.
No, I just meant,
do you need something?
Can I get you anything?
- Coffee.
- No coffee in the house.
Sorry, staying away from
caffeine.
- Decaf?
- No.
- Tea?
- Nope.
- Do you have any pie?
- Look, no offense detective,
but I'm really busy here.
So, if you could just...
- Of course, yeah,
we'll dispense with the
pleasantries.
I'm sure you're aware either
through your local newscast
or your neighbor Doug Bailey
that his wife Patricia
has gone missing.
- Yeah.
Doug came by earlier
asking if I saw anything.
DETECTIVE: Did you?
- No.
No, I keep to myself.
Hide out in here and work on my
art.
- Right.
I've read all your books, Mr.
Sait.
I'm a fan.
KENNEDY: Really?
Would you like an autograph?
- No.
When was the last time
you spoke with Patricia?
- I don't know.
Only met her a few times.
Doug's had a couple of wives
since we've been neighbors.
And they just keep getting
younger.
KENNEDY: Patricia has been
around for maybe a year or two.
Actually, now that I think of
it,
they were arguing outside
maybe a week ago.
- And what was that regarding?
- I don't remember.
Like I said, I keep to myself.
DETECTIVE: But you're certain
that they were fighting?
- Yeah, I was married,
I know what an argument sounds
like.
- Where's your wife now?
- She died.
A drunk driver took
her and our little girl.
- I'm sorry for your loss.
What kind of guy is Doug Bailey?
- I don't know.
He's alright.
A bit of a hard ass.
He would...
- Would what?
KENNEDY: No, it's nothing.
- Mr. Sait, a woman's missing.
Nothing is nothing.
- Well, one time they
were arguing outside
and I heard her threaten to
leave him
and he said that she'd
never get a dime of his.
Not a penny. He'd see to it.
And then he said,
he'd rather spend his money on
making her disappear
than to lose it in court.
- That's a very deliberate thing
to say.
It's odd. Make her disappear.
KENNEDY: Maybe, I guess.
- Well, think of it this way.
If someone said, "I will kill
you."
Well, that can get put down to
just a figure of speech, right?
But if someone says,
"I'm going to stab you
three times in the chest."
It's odd.
KENNEDY: Sure.
- And now she's missing.
When did this happen?
- Look, I've known Doug
for quite a while.
It's probably nothing.
- Like I said, Mr. Sait,
nothing is nothing.
[MUSIC]
- They wouldn't understand.
[MUSIC]
You're always there for me.
WOMAN 1: So, what do you have
for us?
MAN: Oh, I read that latest
novel from Kennedy Sait.
WOMAN 1: Oh, that doesn't
bode well.
MAN: Listen, I don't enjoy
trashing people's work,
but I have to call it like I see
it.
And this is a big flaming car
wreck.
The quality of this new
book is sadly on the same
pompous and whiny level as that
driveling film career
that he tried to have.
Even his loyal fans are probably
crossing the street to
avoid him right now.
WOMAN 1: Oh, wow, you're
never going to mince words.
OK, we'll look at your...
- Fuck.
Why do I get punished
for wanting to make
fucking entertainment?
Fuck them all. [SOBS]
You want a car wreck?
Show you a fucking car wreck.
My God.
I almost hit you.
- Well, someone was
watching over me, I guess.
- No, you don't understand.
I almost hit you.
I'm sorry.
- Here sit down.
- What's wrong with me?
- Maybe someone's
watching over you too.
- Why?
- If you actually got out on the
road,
it could have been way worse.
- I could have killed you.
- But you didn't.
- But it could have.
- And everything
happens for a reason.
So, I'd like to think that
I just saved someone else just
then.
I got some of your mail by
mistake.
I'm Patricia, Doug Bailey's
wife,
Helluva way to meet, huh?
- You just saved me.
Are you an angel?
- Well, I've been called worse.
So, I'll take it.
Now give me your keys.
- They're in the car.
- OK, well, this is what
we're gonna do.
You're gonna go inside
and get some sleep
and I'm gonna grab your keys
and you can get them back
tomorrow.
Deal?
- Thank you, Patricia.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- It's a beautiful neighborhood
that you live in.
KENNEDY: Planning on moving in?
- No.
These houses, too much
upkeep for one guy.
How do you do it?
- I guess I just have a lot
of time on my hands.
- Speaking of that,
my partner and I
have been canvassing the area.
And I tried to stop by your
house.
- I come here a lot.
It's relaxing.
My wife Sarah, she used
to bring our little girl here.
They'd spend hours.
So peaceful.
- I'm sorry to interrupt
your moment of Zen.
However, I'd like to
speak to you again
about Patricia Bailey.
- You got any leads?
- Oh yeah.
And I'm investigating
every one of them.
One in particular though.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- See, one of your neighbors
had suggested that
they'd seen you being
friendly with Patricia,
chatting, flirtatious even.
- Maybe, I guess.
- She was a beautiful woman.
- Sure.
- And you said that you
didn't know her well.
- And I don't.
It doesn't mean I'm not
friendly with my neighbors.
- Flirtatiously friendly?
- She's attractive.
I'm a guy.
So, what?
- Just following up on all the
leads,
no matter how crazy they might
seem.
- And can I ask you?
Who told you this?
- It doesn't matter, Mr. Sait.
We just wanna find Patricia.
- Do you wanna know what I
think?
- I'd love to.
- I think that she left him.
Simple as that.
- Occam's razor?
- Exactly.
- I hope so, Mr. Sait.
I really hope so.
JADE: Yeah, he was being
a total prick at first.
I actually thought
I might be sleeping
behind a dumpster tonight,
but I worked my magic
and now I'm in a mansion.
[LAUGHS]
You know, it's really too bad
though.
I mean one guy in this huge
house.
It just seems like a waste.
You know, I have made good use
of it
and I snag some of the things
I know he's not gonna use.
WOMAN 2: Wow.
- It's all so fancy.
But I was thinking
I would make him a little thank
you breakfast considering.
WOMAN 2: So, your payment's
morning after breakfast?
- You know it baby.
Jade's classic
huevo ranchero.
Who could resist?
I know you can't.
WOMAN 2: I don't believe it.
- OK, well, I'll see you
tomorrow, right?
WOMAN 2: Got it.
- OK. Bye.
WOMAN 2: Bye.
- Oh, God, Kennedy.
- This is your body reacting to
coming off the morphine.
- Kennedy, please, I can't do
this.
- No, I can't do this.
Do you think that this is easy?
Patricia, this is a lot
and a lot of work and
concentration.
OK.
Oh, OK, I know,
I know I'm just still having
these mood swings.
I'm getting sober.
So, I'm sorry.
I know this isn't
easy for you either.
So, I do apologize.
But we cannot turn back time.
So, you and I have to make
the best of this situation.
- I am chained to a wall
covered in vomit.
You tell me how to see
the glass half full.
[MUSIC]
- I'm not trying to make you
suffer.
This was my wife's dress.
I think it'll look great on you.
- Can I take a shower?
- For now, I'll get you cleaned
up
and out of those dirty clothse.
- I have been trapped
up here for God knows
how long in the same clothes.
I'm a mess.
I just want a shower.
- Earn one then.
For now, I'm doing the best that
I can.
So, how about you appreciate
that?
[MUSIC]
- Well.
- What?
- You need to take the chain off
so I can take these tights off.
[MUSIC]
Do you have a change of
underwear?
[MUSIC]
- Mmm.
- Ssh.
- The conflict of an artist's
struggle is akin to that
of a Shakespearean tragedy
for an audience absent to the
misery.
KENNEDY: I didn't ask for this.
- They never do.
- I got nothing left except you.
I can't even get that right.
- Do the work.
The muse works for you.
Not the other way around.
[MUSIC]
- Oh, surprise!
I made you breakfast.
- Huh.
Looks pretty damn good.
Jade, when did you learn
to be such a good cook?
- You should try my
chicken and waffles.
I make it with side collards
and then gravy from scratch.
- Seriously, you should go to
school for this.
- Hmm, no.
I like to cook for friends and
family,
but not for a living.
- Yeah, you wanna be a rock
star?
- Maybe I'll follow in your
footsteps.
I always loved storytelling.
- It's a lonely life.
- Only if you want it to be.
- Hmm.
Success is an illusion, Jade.
Take any other job out there.
You're a cook.
Make a steak, medium rare.
It's either right or wrong.
You have a desk job, clicking
numbers into a spreadsheet.
It's either right or wrong.
But the arts...
- What?
- We create without knowledge
and the answer is opinion, not
fact.
- Well, I would rather create
art
that is up for debate and
sparks conversation
rather than living chained to a
desk
suffering the monotony of
black and white reality.
- Don't let it fame fool you
kiddo.
It's hyper reality at best.
- What does that mean?
- There's the 'reality me'.
The man I look at in the
mirror every morning
and there's the other version,
the famous writer, the artist.
Sometimes it's hard to
differentiate between the two.
And that blurred line
is the hyper reality.
And sometimes when you can't
tell the difference between
them,
it can be a dangerous world.
Sorry, I'm rambling.
I was up late working last
night.
- Yeah, you're rambling.
But don't apologize.
I get it.
You know, I used to pretend that
I was exactly what my
mom wanted me to be.
And that wasn't a life worth
living.
And then I finally made the
decision to put myself first
and get what I want
or at least that's what
I'm trying to do.
So, do you have any
other words of wisdom
on how to get that done?
- Don't let the truth get in
the way of a good story.
[FOOTSTEPS]
- Oh, hi?
- You're off then?
- Yeah.
But I was wondering,
a woman went missing
in the neighborhood?
- Really?
How'd you find that out?
- Local news.
- Oh, that thing.
- Yeah.
Futures a scary.
- Leschi detectives are
investigating
the disappearance of Patricia
Bailey.
Leschi woman who has
been missing for two weeks.
- Do you know her?
- Yeah, I've seen her around.
She probably just left her
husband.
He's not the greatest of people.
- Oh.
I work after school,
so I probably am not
gonna be home till late.
- That's fine.
Just give me a heads up
when you're on your way.
- Bye Ken.
- It's fine, Jade.
Have a good day.
- Hi kid.
- Is she a little young for you?
- She's my niece.
What are you doing here?
- I got fired from the club.
They caught me dealing so I'm
gone.
I just need some cash, Kennedy.
I wanna sell you what I got.
KENNEDY: Not interested.
- Don't do this to me.
I know that you're off the
wagon.
- What part of not interested
did you miss?
- Fine.
- What if I let you fuck me?
- We are done, Melanie.
Got it?
- [SOBS]
You can't just use me whenever
it's convenient for you.
You piece of shit.
- Get the fuck out of here.
- You think you can just throw
me out with the trash?
You're trash too pal.
Quit pretending that you are
something that you are not.
Deep down, you are just like me.
- No, this is me at my
most misanthropic.
This is who they want me to be,
so this is what they get.
I've embraced this
hideous bitch goddess.
- Well, you may have quit
drinking,
but you sure as hell sound
drunk.
- None of this matters to you. I
get it.
All you need to know is that
is that I've captured my muse
and she's giving me all
the inspiration in the world.
- A man who dares to
waste one hour of time,
has not discovered the value of
life.
- Anything you say can and will
be held against you in the court
of law.
- This is bullshit, you hear me?
- You have the right to an
attorney.
- I didn't do anything.
How do you even know if she's
dead?
- If you can't afford one,
one will be appointed for you.
- I want my lawyer.
Call my lawyer, damn it.
- Well, you can call
your own lawyer.
[PANTS]
- Having a bad day?
- Don't.
Don't pretend to care.
- I'm not pretending.
I also don't care.
How long have I been up here?
Two weeks, three, a month?
Christ, I'm waiting to get my
period
just so I can start
keeping track of time.
I need to keep my sanity
because I won't let you break
me.
And if that means meaningless
chitchat about your problems,
then so be it.
- My problems?
Have you ever worked
a day in your life?
Because I followed you around a
lot
and you cannot relate.
- I can relate to pain.
I can relate to regret.
- Really?
- Do you think as a little girl,
I grew up wanting to be taken
care of?
I put myself through school
because
I wanted to make something of
myself
I had dreams too.
I never went around
looking for this life.
I didn't ask to be spoiled.
Everyone thought I was so lucky
too.
Fairy tale life.
That's how I can relate to you.
You're famous.
Everyone assumes
that your life is perfect.
Champagne and parties,
you get everything you want.
But the moment you fuck up,
everyone is on you like a
vulture.
Believe me, I get that.
I know exactly what
it's like to be you.
- See, you ever read the story
about the hunter who lost
his arms in an accident?
Every night, he would go to
sleep
and he would dream
that he still had them.
He could play catch,
drive a car, hug.
But then in the morning,
he would wake up
and for a few moments,
he would forget that
he lost them, his arms.
And he had to realize over
and over again just what he
lost.
Sure,
maybe I used drugs and booze
to deal with the stress of fame.
It wasn't until I lost my family
that I went over the edge.
I hated sleeping,
I hated being awake,
I hated everything in between.
And time, it doesn't
do a fucking thing.
You saved my life,
and now my salvation
is your suffering.
That's not fair.
- If I'm your muse, start
treating me like one.
- OK.
I'll bring you a bowl of
water and a sponge.
Maybe a toothbrush?
- Really?
No, Kennedy, I wanna take a
bath.
I wanna soak in a tub and
I want to wash my hair.
Please?
- OK, I guess we have time.
- What are you doing?
- I love you Trish.
You're going to get your bath,
But come on,
I can't trust you.
- No, Kennedy, please.
You can't keep drugging me like
this.
- But it's the only way.
Now let's get that
bath started for you.
Jade?
Jade?
Jade, did you come home?
Jade?
Jade?
- Don't fucking move.
- Melanie?
- Yeah, baby.
- The door was locked.
- Oh, yeah.
You remember three years ago
when you went to rehab
and you gave me a key?
Yeah, I made a copy.
Never trust a junkie.
- What do you want?
- Money, Kenny, money.
Lots of it.
What can I say?
I'm kind of in between
jobs at the moment.
- You can take as much money
as you can carry out of here.
I don't care about the money.
- You're such a hypocrite.
Kenny.
You create so many
characters for yourself,
so many personalities.
Do you even know what
the real Kennedy Sait is?
Where's the money?
Where is it?
- I keep a safe in the attic
upstairs.
- Which way?
- Ah!
[GUNSHOT]
[PHONE RINGING]
- Not now, Jade.
[MUSIC]
- Uncle Kennedy.
[MUSIC]
- Patricia?
[MUSIC]
[YELLING]
- I can explain.
[GUNSHOT]
[SCREAMING]
[MUSIC]
[SOBBING]
- You're woman from the
photographs.
- You killed him.
- You killed my uncle.
- Your uncle was a very sick
man.
- He was a good man.
- You don't know the truth.
- He was a good man.
- He was once.
- And what do you want?
- I wanna disappear.
Start over.
JADE: Then leave.
Go.
[MUSIC]
- Well, I guess the apple
doesn't fall far from the tree.
- I always wanted to follow
in my uncle's footsteps.
- You certainly write like he
does.
- He was a great inspiration of
mine.
I wanted to share his
suffering, his triumphs,
and ultimately his tragedy.
- The story is captivating.
I mean, I can't even tell
what parts are true events
and what parts are
fictionalized.
- Never let the truth get in
the way of a good story.
[MUSIC]