Match Struck (2021) Movie Script
1
[MEDICAL PREP]
[MEDICAL PREP CONTINUES]
DOCTOR: Hey, Jo.
Well, I know you
and I've been through this
before, and it's not the result
we want to hear again.
But this pregnancy was
unsuccessful,
and I'm sorry.
JO: I-It's okay.
Is your husband coming today?
Um, no, he's not able
to make it.
DOCTOR: Okay. All right.
You know, these conversations
are tough to have.
And after this many failed
pregnancy attempts
to worry about your health and
safety is our number one job,
and at this point, I think it
really is viable to start
thinking of some other options
for children,
adoption or foster care, or..
Would it, would it just be safe
I mean, is it safe if I just get
back on birth control?
Do I need birth control?
Yeah. After this procedure,
it'll be appropriate to get
back on it. We'll set that up
for you.
That would be great.
and I know you've been through
this procedure before, but at
this point, do you have any
questions for me whatsoever?
JO: No
DOCTOR: Okay.
So we're, we're good?
DOCTOR: Yeah. I'll have the
staff take care of
everything else for you.
Okay. Thank you.
DOCTOR: Mm hmm.
[SIGHS]
Hey, one more thing.
Would you mind signing this
book for me?
That'd be really nice.
Thanks.
[Funkier Than a Mosquito's
Tweeter by Nina Simone plays]
You're nothing but a dirty,
dirty old man
You do your thinking with a
one track mind
Keep talkin' about heaven
glory
but on your face is a
different story
Clean up your rap your story's
getting dusty
Wash out your mouth your lies
are getting rusty
Can't believe nothing
you say
'cause I'm around and I see
what you do
You know you're funky as a
mosquito's tweeter
You gotta mouth like a herd of
boll weevils
Same old game,
same old thing
You never changed. Always
rappin bout the same old thing
[music continues]
I got something to tell ya I
got something to tell you baby
But you ain't hip to baby
Blowin' minds is a thing of
the past
You blew your chance that's
why you never last
You want to be a graduate
mother
But in reality just another
brother
You think you slick but could
Stand a lot of greasing
The things you do ain't never
really pleasin'
Can't believe nothin' you say
'Cause I'm around and I see
what you do
You know you funky as a
mosquito's tweeter
'You got a mouth like a herd
of boll weevils
Same old game,
same old thing
AAAAAAlways rappin 'bout the
same old thing
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Jo. Jo?
[THE UNKNOWN MAN LAUGHS]
Oh, Jo.
Jo?
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES DOOR KNOBS]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: Can I come in?
[CRIES]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: Ohhhh Jo,
[AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES DOOR KNOBS]
Stop! Stop!
Please!
[CRIES]
[KNOCKING]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: You have some
pictures I want.
You have to know that.
[FRIGHTENED BREATHING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MALE RADIO HOST:
Recommended Minds,
the bestselling novel currently
being adapted into a major
motion picture is sweeping up
readers all over the world,
leaving us asking,
Who is this author Josephine
Taylor?
And where has she been?
SECOND MALE RADIO HOST:
The protagonist in "Recommended
Minds" is one of the most
phenomenal fictional female
characters I've ever read.
But there is a sadness that
Taylor has in her previous
essays and published work, an
ominous force looming over this
novel as you read it.
FEMALE RADIO HOST: "Snare" was
an attempt
to make this good girl of
literature bad.
Like a child Disney star
growing up and doing porn.
SECOND FEMALE RADIO HOST:
"Snare" is the worst book I
have ever read.
I-it-it was so bad that it
became something I needed
other people to read.
MALE RADIO HOST: Josephine
Taylor, a name you probably
haven't heard in a long time.
She was the author of Smash Hit,
"Recommended Minds",
but more recently she wrote
"Snare", a critical flop
that almost destroyed her
career.
Well, according to her, literary
agent,
Josephine Taylor has started on
a new novel.
And while we don't know much
about it, we can assume this.
If it's anything like Taylor's
previous novels,
it will be bold.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[FLOWING WATER]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Hmm
[DEEP EXHALE]
ANDREW: Hey, goodmornin'
how you doing?
Well you look a little better
at least.
Might wanna take a shower
though.
Maybe go for a walk.
Meet some of the neighbors.
Yeah, that'd be great.
Or you go unpack
some of these boxes.
[FADING FOOTSTEPS]
Jo.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[WATER FLOWING]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
ANDREW: You know your garden
is dying.
I'm dying.
Come on with this silly shit,
Jo.
Now, you know
I'm hurt by this thing, too.
But you don't see me
moping around here like some
damn hobo, do you?
Oh right, just go.
You know what, just get your
shit together.
[SWELLING EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
JO [VO]: The pain in his chest
was excruciating,
as if bolts of lightning
continually struck his heart.
His eyes burned and his head
ached.
His wife, who dedicated her life
to him,
was the last one to touch him.
She carried him to the bathroom.
Her face flashed in and out of
his vision,
each time, causing more pain.
She looked frightened and
confused.
But this did not concern him.
Her feelings were never
considered.
In the final moments of Edmund's
life.
It would not be his scared
daughter
or how life with him had beaten
his wife's beautiful face,
leaving her haggard and
unshapely.
No, he only felt outrage for a
life
that was purloin from him.
He saw the perverse setup of
failure
called existence.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
He knew only ugliness as he and
death
became one.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hi,
SOFIA: This must be your
husband's.
Actually, it's mine.
I'm Jo.
SOFIA: Sofia.
I live next door.
Oh, thanks.
SOFIA: Sorry, I just.
It's not a big deal or anything,
but you should know
the house has very strict upkeep
rules.
Your garbage cans,
they've been left out day after
day.
It's okay. I just.
I don't want you to get a fine
or anything.
Oh, that's so nice.
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
[WATER SPLASHES SOFTLY]
[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
[PEN SCRATCHES ON PAPER]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LIGHT SWITCH FLICKS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[CRICKETS CHIRP IN DISTANCE]
[GLASS CLINKS]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATION CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
Hi.
MELISSA: Hey. Are you watching?
No.
MELISSA: As your agent, I am
making you if you don't turn
the TV on, I'm going to start
asking you about the novel
and if you have an ending.
Jo?
JO: Okay.
MELISSA: Jo.
JO: Hold on.
Hold on.
[ENDS CALL]
[REMOTE CLICKS]
TV HOST: This is the close up
with Danny Peterson
with a third novel set to hit
bookstores very soon.
I sat down with Josephine
Taylor,
whose first novel was turned
into an award winning film.
Josephine, such a pleasure.
All right, tell me,
what prompted the move
from New York City to Cape Cod?
Um, we were considering a
family.
Oh, children.
Any luck?
No.
TV HOST: Do you have a title for
your new novel?
Um, I do, but uh
I guess, um, I'm not allowed to
share at this time.
So you're going to leave us in
suspense? All right.
Well, I have to tell you, I love
"Recommended Minds".
It was very inspiring, very
refreshing, very different from
"Snares". So can you tell me why
you went so dark?
Um, [CLEARS THROAT]
It was, um, just the
story that I needed to tell at a
particular time in my life.
So are we supposed to feel sorry
for the protagonists?
I mean, that always confused me.
Like, is a woman like that
even redeemable?
[REMOTE CLICKS]
[SIGHS]
[ATONAL MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
THERAPIST: So, Jo,
last time we spoke, you were
rather angry.
How have you been handling how
you been handling your anger?
I fucking hate everything.
I hate everything.
I know that's why I'm here.
I know that's why I've been in
therapy, and I just don't-
I just don't know if I should
continue.
What about the drinking?
Have you had anything to drink
today?
Mhm
[SNIFFLES]
I'm drinking every day.
How's that working for you?
Well, besides the headache I'm
battling.
It's going pretty well for me.
How's the book going?
JO: It's, um. It's coming along.
I should have it finished
soon, and... I'll have it done.
I don't know.
THERAPIST: That's good progress
from last time.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYS]
THERAPIST: So how about the
characters in your novel?
Do you identify with anyone in
particular?
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
JO [VO]: The Grand Home is
filled with aromas of garlic,
fennel, and hot, bubbling tomato
sauce prepared by Helena
for her family.
Sabrina, their maid, assists
like she does most nights.
They exchange a look of joy and
satisfaction
as they serve dinner at the
family table.
Franny, just shy of her 14th
birthday, is a quiet girl.
Her eyes a bit hollow and
reluctant to show emotion.
If any, it's towards Helena.
Edmund attempts a joke of
grandeur:
"You and your mother will be the
end of me."
Only it falls flat. He feels it.
He once was a different type
of man.
But for now,
he will push those thoughts out.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC SWELLS]
EDMUND: We finalizes a merger.
Once the FTC gives us the green
light
with the capital, we can close
on the largest development sight
this side of the Mississippi.
[CHUCKLES]
[PAGES FLIP]
HELENA: And you trust Claude
right?
What do you say that?
Of course.
HELENA: It's just,
trust is hard for you.
[JEWELRY CLINKS IN DISH]
The past is the past.
We're moving on
No sense and talking about
what's behind us.
Three feet of bullshit
[DRAMATIC MUISC PLAYS]
[SHOWER SPLASHES]
JO [VO]: Edmond's skin is
balmy.
He showers to wash off the
gummed wetness
clinging to a silk pajamas.
No amounts of soap can scrub off
his irritation,
mostly by Helena and her
questions,
her questioning of him.
This is, however, the biggest
business deal,
an accomplishment of his life.
Her questions seem frivolous.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[fFOOTSTEPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
JO [VO]: Edmond hasn't
slept
well for what seems like months,
[WATER DRIPS]
and now, in his brand new house,
there seems to be a plumbing
problem
a dripping sound,
drip,
drip, drip.
[RUSTLING AND CLINKING NOISES]
[DRIPPING WATER CONTINUES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[DRIPPING INTENSIFIES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[PACKAGING RUSTLES]
Are you eating?
Look at me.
MELISSA: Stop it.
You know what I mean?
You've been down this road
before.
[GLASSES CLINKING]
JO: Woah, oh, oh, oh oh
[SLAMS GLASS CUP]
[FOOTSTEPS]
MELISSA: Do you have any pages
for me, Jo?
MELISSA: Jo?
I almost have an ending.
If I don't have that final
manuscript by Friday.
MELISSA: That's it. That's it!
[CAMERA CLICKS]
JO: I'll have it!
MELISSA: Then the publishing
deal is off.
This whole
publishing deal is done,
and I think that I legally have
ramifications for this
if it's not complete.
What the?
OLIVIA: Suck it, asshole!
You little bitch.
What the hell was that?
JO: I think my neighbor's
daughter
spying on me.
[SCOFFS]
I wonder when
I lost it.
I wonder when I just lost
control of it all...
I wonder when I lost control of
it all.
MELISSA: Are you and Andrew
fighting again?
If I only had fight left in me,
It...is going to be okay.
Right?
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
[CROWS CAW IN THE DISTANCE]
[EXHALES]
[FOOTSTEPS ALONG GRAVEL TRAIL]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]]
[DEEP EXHALE]
[EMOTIONAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]
[MARKER SQUEAKS ON PAPER]
JO [VO]: Helena enters the
women's shelter.
She is stressed and scattered.
She instantly feels pulled
apart,
as if each woman was a drop of
water from her own soul.
How she longs to be unified in
her own self.
If she could only integrate all
these shattered pieces,
she could be free.
HELENA: Oh gosh. Sorry.
Forgive me.
Hi, I'm Helena.
Stephen.
HELENA: Nice to meet you.
STEPHEN: Nice to meet you.
[EXHALES DRAMATICALLY]
Thank you so much for
coming today.
No, my pleasure.
I do have some experience with
this shelter.
Given my work with the family
law in the county.
JO [VO]: Stephen, a highly
respected family therapist,
agrees to help Helena with the
woman shelter.
The last year of his life has
been filled
with isolation, loathing and
regret.
He hasn't felt like himself,
as if icy, cold, foreign hands
pull and weave unnatural
thoughts in his brain.
But at this moment with her,
he can no longer feel their
presence.
A long awaited, though, brief
reprieve.
Well, it's been a while since
I've done something like this.
I'm embarrassed to admit that.
HELENA: Oh, you shouldn't be.
I'm happy to get involved.
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
Um, my parents adopted my sister
and was very similar
to these women and their
children.
STEPHEN: How old was she when
she...
HELENA: She was six.
Her biological mom
took her to church
and then after Mass just asked
her to wait.
She never came back for her.
I can see why you'd be
passionate about this.
HELENA: I mean, I'm-I'm hoping
that I can make other people
passionate about this, too.
[DOOR SHUTS]
[LIGHTER FLICKERS]
[WATER FLOWING IN THE DISTANCE]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Oh shit.
[WOOD THUDDING]
Oh shit!
[WOOD THUDDING]
[GRASS RIPPING]
[SOFT FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
What's your deal?
I don't have a fucking deal.
Hmm.
Kiss your mom with that mouth?
She's not my mom.
She married my dad.
She's a cunt.
You want one?
Yeah.
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
I don't like her much either.
Doesn't seem like she's got
a whole hell of a lot
going on up there.
[OLIVIA GIGGLES]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
So the pissy teenage thing you
don't think gets
a little played out?
I'm not pissy.
So I heard you're a writer. I
write too.
Yeah.
[HASTY FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]
Poems.
Hmm.
I told you.
SOFIA: Are you a fucking idiot?
She's a minor.
Give me that.
So are you.
What? What? What? [LAUGHTER]
Calm down. Calm down. It's ok.
Calm down.
Go home.
[FOOTSTEPS FADE]
Whew
She's 14.
I know.
So she's running around in my
yard and my bushes
and just felt like someone needs
to talk to her.
I think you're right.
Maybe don't get her cigarettes
next time.
I gotcha.
Did she talk?
JO: She was starting to talk
until uh,
Hooters came barreling around
the corner.
She's a good woman
and the only mom Olivia has.
Sorry.
It's okay.
One of those days, huh?
JO: Hey, um,
since we're neighbors
and all,
and I'm supposed to be making
friends.
What do you say we have a cup of
coffee and
I tell you about how similar I
was to...
BRENT: Olivia.
JO: Olivia, yes.
I'd love to.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[HIGH PITCH BEEP]
[HIGH PITCH BEEP]
Too damn late
[POP MUSIC PLAYS LOUDLY]
EDMUND: Cross hairs,
Franny.
Quit it already.
Where I was hoping to find ya
babe, yeah
Hey, quit
all that thumping around.
Lucky stars, but I keep the
surprise
Hey, I said stop!
EDMUND: Franny! Hey!
[KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK]
EDMUND: I told you to stop! Are
you deaf?
[DOOR BREAKS OPEN]
[POP OVERTAKEN BY
OMINOUS UNDERSCORE]
Why are you listening to this
God awful shit?
[LOUD THUDS]
When I tell you to stop it, I
mean it.
I didn't raise you to listen to
this crap.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[ATONAL MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
Franny?
What's wrong?
[FRANNY SOBS]
What happened?
[CRIES]
[DOOR SHUTS AND ECHOES]
ANDREW: Hey babe,
I ordered some food.
You know, we ain't got nothing
in the fridge.
It should be here in about 15
minutes or so.
[GLASS CLINKS]
And of course, we're drinking
again.
It's just one.
[GLASS CLINKS]
It's always one, Jo.
One after another.
Well, now it's going to be two.
[DRINK POURING]
ANDREW: Come on, Jo.
With this.
You should be happy
because I had a visitor today.
It was some mom
or daughter or.
I don't know.
She must have been five years
old when she had this child.
I swear, this neighborhood is so
weird, and I don't know, it's
dysfunctional.
Jo, what the fuck is this?
What is this? Payback or
something?
I'm trying here.
What do you want from me?
To be loved!
That's what I want.
Oh, here we go.
This shit again.
Every fucking day. This love sh-
Walk away.
Walk away.
JO: Like you always do.
Like I always do?
JO: Yeah.
Oh, like I walked away when I
bought this fucking
big ass house for you.
JO: Oh, you did this all by
yourself, did you?
ANDREW: You're damn right I did.
JO: Okay.
While you were sitting around
for the last year,
[CHUCKLES]
you ain't even get these fucking
these boxes unpacked.
ANDREW: Look at all-
JO: Fucking clean the boxes. I'm
not your maid!
ANDREW: I know.
You know what else you're not?
You're not being a wife.
JO: Is a wife supposed to wipe
your fucking ass?
You clean up your own shit!
Whatever yo.
Fuck out of here with that.
[FRANTIC BREATHING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
HELENA: We need to talk.
EDMUND: What now?
HELENA: It's about how you
handled Franny.
You cannot yell at her like
that.
She's just a child.
EDMUND: Who has no boundaries
and doesn't listen.
HELENA: You know that I'm
working on that.
EDMUND: Always making me the bad
guy huh.
Sabrina said that Franny was
really shaken up
and...
...the empty alcohol bottles.
EDMUND: It's quite remarkable
how you turn things around!
Always so 'wounded',
it's pathetic.
Really.
Please don't walk away.
It's too much.
Helena, you need to go see
someone.
It's not up to me to fix you.
I know, but you're the one who's
hurting me.
EDMUND: I don't know why you
walk around,
You're acting like you have some
terrible fucking life!
[SOBS]
For fuck's sake!
Helena, I work hard to give you
all of this.
Look around!
[CRIES]
Your attitude disgusts me.
[CRIES]
[ATONAL MUSIC SWELLS]
THERAPIST: Jo?
How's your relationship with
your husband?
Terrible.
He's such an asshole.
[RAIN FALLS]
He's such an asshole.
I don't even know.
He just looks at me with, like,
so much disgust.
And he's always telling me that
fucking shower.
Fucking, get your life together,
Jo. Fuckin-
THERAPIST: So you feel he isn't
being supportive of you
while you're doing your writing?
That's the thing about Andrew is
he can be both supportive and
destructive at the same time.
[SNIFFLES]
JO: So whenever I try to talk
to him about anything
or like talk about the
miscarriage or...
bring anything up,
it just gets, turned back around
on me.
I'm just...I'm just really
unhappy.
[SOBS]
So do you think that you want to
try again to have children?
JO: Fuck no, I don't want any
fucking kids.
I didn't even care when I lost
the baby.
I didn't even fucking care.
I'd be a fucking terrible
mother.
I'm selfish. I'm,
[SNIFFLES]
I have a, obviously, a drinking
problem.
And...I have n-no self-control
left in me anymore.
But, for some reason,
like...
...fuck it,
I don't fucking care.
I'm. You know what?
I-I-I don't fucking care.
Fuck Andrew.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
JO [VO]: As a drop in
sounds increased,
Edmund's frustration grew.
His behavior became erratic.
His fear enveloped him.
And he could not tell Helena the
truth.
If he doesn't close this
business deal,
they will lose everything.
And to Edmund, poverty
is the most detestable trait.
Edmund has always been a
drinker,
but of late he needs more to
slow the freezing sharp
blades at course through his
veins.
He is queasy with this
alien sickness swimming in his
stomach.
The drinking dulls the
sensation.
WOMAN: Franny, can you come
here a moment, please?
Want to take a look at the
chorus?
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS]
[SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN MUSIC
INTENSIFIES]
JO [VO]: With the news of
his business deal reaching
culmination, a manic sense of
safety takes over.
He thinks it's hope, even
relief.
His body rejoices as the
internal fireworks
pop and implode with bright
bursts of light.
The band marches with horns
blasting,
all for him.
This is a nudge from life
that he is indeed impervious to
failure.
He is a God.
[MUSIC FADES]
But to his family he is
frightening.
And the word that lingers on all
of their tongues
but know they cannot utter, is
crazy.
Edmund is crazy.
CLAUDE: This place is nuts.
It's very large.
Nothing like your place on the
Upper East Side.
Oh, that was a beast, too.
But this.
Well, it's...
...guess, we're doing this. Hmm.
Did your book pay for this?
JO: No, umm...
...Andrew sold his business.
MARTY: Oh, amazing.
You could do business with him.
Well, congrats, darling.
What did you say?
I-I-I...
JO: You said...
CLAUDE: I-I-I don't know.
He said, congrats, darling.
JO: Edmund, would say that.
Who?
JO: No one.
So, how's the, uh, novel going?
[JO LAUGHS SOFTLY]
[CHUCKLES]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Oh, hold on.
Excuse me.
[WHISPERING]
Oh my god...
[WHISPERING]
What the fuck is wrong with her?
[WHISPERING]
I have no idea.
[WHISPERING]
She was grabbing the drink...
Oh, hi.
Is uh, now a good time?
For coffee?
Mm hmm.
Ummm...
How about 2 minutes?
I can meet you at the park.
I mean, I can come back if you
need to.
Oh, this is just kind of my
look.
I have to go help my neighbor
and um...
Oh, cool.
But do you guys want to do a
road trip later?
Just a little one.
I have to check out this mill.
I'm doing some research.
I guess. Yeah.
We don't have anything tonight
on the books.
No. I don't think so/
As long as it doesn't go too
late, maybe?
Okay.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: Sound good?
MARTY: Yeah!
JO: Okay.
CLAUDE: Yeah.
JO: Help yourself. And, um..
To more vodka?
To whatever you want, dear.
CLAUDE: Okay.
MARTY: Bye.
EDMUND: It's gonna be a....
It's gonna be...
You're gonna put a smile on
your face.
[CHILDREN CHATTERING]
Ah.
JO: Hey.
BRENT: Hey.
Look I found.
[IN UNISON]
Woah!
[laughter]
They always called me
butterfingers.
[CHUCKLE]
Oh, my gosh.
Is that your coffee?
It is, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, I guess I should have
gotten you one.
JO: That's okay.
BRENT: I'm sorry.
I just needed an excuse to get
out of my house.
[SNIFFLES]
So...tell me, what happened with
Olivia's mom.
Um, well, you just go right for
it, huh?
Well, it didn't happen.
Cancer, separation.
Why am I talking to you about
this?
It's ok. Shit I'm no saint.
Oh, I feel like the harder
that I'm trying to be a better
person.
Like, the harder it is for me to
actually just, like,
do what's best for me.
Hmm. You know, I get that.
Sometimes, doing the right thing
seems in conflict
with being true to yourself.
Yeah.
Especially like in marriage.
Like, I've made a ton of
mistakes,
but I definitely made a mistake
in my marriage.
I should have never.
I don't know if I should never,
but I told him something.
My mistake.
And I just feel like I'm stuck
in this hell with him
and just being punished
constantly.
Uh.
wish I could just
I don't know.
Start over.
Yeah,
sometimes.
I mean,
It's tough to let people go.
It'd be great if people would
just walk away in grace, y'know?
Yeah,
I like that.
Yeah?
Yeah.
So that daughter of yours?
Yeah.
Just a handful.
She is.
Smoking cigarettes with
your-with your neighbors?
Yeah.
Y'know uh-sometime...It's
tough.
You know, like when her mother
died, I, uh,
I remember that night I had this
feeling like the whole world was
just smashed. My body.
Like I had a panic attack.
I'd never had a panic attack,
but I had a full blown panic
attack.
I was scared to death.
And I'm still scared to death
that I'm going
to just completely screw that
child up.
Well you, you probably will on
some level.
Thank you.
[LAUGHS]
All parents screw their
kids up, right?
Yeah, I guess so.
Let me see the...
Oh, see, I can catch a ball.
You know what?
Yeah.
Hi
Oh my gosh,
Thank you so much. You did not
have to do that.
Of course.
It's so good to see you.
Welcome. Please come in.
STEVEN: Wow.
HELENA: Come in.
We'll open some of this for
lunch.
Great.
JO [VO]: For the past two
weeks,
Steven and Helena have shared
several
phone calls regarding the work
at the Women's Shelter.
[EMOTIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC
PLAYS]
Soon, their conversations became
personal, confessional.
Steven about his infidelity
during his wife's final days.
Helena panicked that she's lost
her husband
in a moment of complete abandon.
Steven shares a re-occurring
dream with Helena.
A dream that scares him.
I first see all the beauty
he says created by you in this
house.
And suddenly you appear.
We embrace.
I feel safe. True.
As if all this grace
will save me.
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[CAR BRAKES SQUEAK]
JO: Cool. Cool.
MARTY: You know where you are?
JO: Yeah, I think so.
CLAUDE: You do? Okay.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: Yeah.
CLAUDE: Be safe out here.
JO: Oh, just, yeah.
Meet me across the street.
CLAUDE: All right. Yeah,
we will.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: All right. Bye.
MARTY: Bye.
CLAUDE: Alright, see ya.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[ENGINE WHIRRING SOFTLY]
[TRAIN HORN IN THE DISTANCE]
[TRAIN HORN IN THE DISTANCE]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
[FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL]
[OMINOUS MUSIC SWELLS]
CANDICE: Hey, bum smoke?
Sure.
What's your name?
Bet it's
somethin'-somethin' fancy.
Jo.
Jo! Shit that ain't fancy.
I used to fuck a guy named Joe.
He was a piece of shit.
Yeah. Not fancy.
What are you doing out here?
Supposed to be doing some
research,
Um, I guess this is an abandoned
mill.
I don't know. Or was abandoned.
And now it's shops. I don't
know.
It's not going to work.
I'm not out here like working or
anything.
I wasn't always a hooker.
Just trying to keep from
drowning.
I hear ya.
I might be a drunk.
[chuckle]
'Prolly gonna lose my house.
I'm fucking a human being.
I fucking hurt.
My worth might not be as good as
yours, but...
No.
...it's not right.
I see you.
I see your value.
Fuck all those people.
Fuck all those men that hurt
you,
just fuck them all.
Yeah. Fuck 'em.
Yo women are 50% of the
population,
and yet they still call us
minorities.
Look, what sense does that make?
Hey, do you want to grab a drink
with me?
With my, my two friends, these
two guys. My treat.
[SCOFFS] Hell yeah it is.
I drink too. A lot.
They into more than drinks?
Probably not.
[KNOCKING]
What's going on here?
JO: Hey, let's go get a drink.
MARTY: A drink?
What? Let's go get a drink.
CLAUDE: All right.
JO: Yeah.
CLAUDE: Br-bringing her with?
Yeah.
CLAUDE: Okay...
I guess.
What's going on?
MARTY: Hiii
CANDICE: Hi.
Jo. Who's your friend?
JO: Um, this is um,
CANDICE: Candice.
CLAUDE: Candice. Hi, Candice.
CANDICE: Hi.
Yeah, we're going to. Let's go.
Come on.
CLAUDE: Okay.
[HOPEFUL PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]
JO: Hey Candice, grab that vodka
right there.
All right, boys.
What are we drinking?
[CHATTER AND LAUGHTER]
JO: Oh, my God.
The tag is still on my jacket.
I'm such a lazy ass.
CLAUDE: It's beautiful.
MARTY: What would you guys like
to drink?
JO: Time to drink!
CLAUDE: Oh...
JO: Yeah!
CANDICE: That's not something we
all can ever have.
The guy.
Y'all are new friends, and
that's cool.
I'm glad y'all let me be here.
CLAUDE: And now we're new
friends.
All right, we're all right.
We make new friends all the
time.
But when's the last time?
I mean, you can't ever make an
old friend.
You only just have old friends.
Some people don't have
old friends because
they're shitheads and
then, you know,
I broke down the friendship
circle...
D'you, d'you, d'you have drugs?
CLAUDE: And me, my dear.
Okay.
Oh, sorry.
Here we go.
CLAUDE: Mmmhmmm
[GLASSES CLINKING]
JO: I have a, I have a,
I have a game. I have a game.
Ooh, Twister?
No, I'll give you three words.
CLAUDE: We play Twister.
JO: Three words.
CANDICE: Three, did you hear
her? Three. Three.
JO: And you have to make a
story.
CLAUDE: Oooooh
Remember them.
JO: Okay. We'll start with you
CANDICE: Wait, what.
JO: We'll start with you.
Um.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Shoe.
Drawer...monkey.
[SING SONGY VOICE]
And, and shoo fly,
dont bother me
Wait, that's not what, what
is it?
[LAUGHTER]
What's the rules again?
[SLURRING]
It's s-supposed to be a
story.
JO: Come on.
MARTY: One good story. I'll tell
a story.
JO: Marty.
MARTY: No one's done it right.
JO: Marty, you do it this time.
CLAUDE: Get 'em babe.
Get 'em honey.
[SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER,
UNINTELLIGIBLE]
JO: You do it. Okay.
Here's your three words.
Nations.
Motorcycles.
MARTY: Motorcycles,
JO: Candy.
Nations, Motorcycles.
Candy.
[GLASS CLINKS]
[HUMMING]
MARTY: Uncle
CANDICE: Remus.
[CHUCKLES]
Uncle.
Pants.
and...sweaty.
[SNICKER]
[UNINTELLIGIBLE CHATTER]
MARTY: W-w-wait shut up, shut
up, shut up, shut up.
[CLEARS THROAT]
You got it. Come on.
No whammys.
[CLEARS THROAT]
CLAUDE: Come on, you're...you're
a writer.
I know, I know, I'm. I'm
thinking about it.
I'm thinking about it.
CANDICE: Are you ok?
CLAUDE: --bought this
beautiful home,
Yeah. No, I'm so good.
Maybe we need water.
CANDICE: We need water
CLAUDE: Water
I don't need fucking water.
Uncle...
[DARK STRINGS]
[UNINTELLIGIBLE]
[GLASSES CLINK]
My, uh...
HOOKER: When I was 11, my fat
piece of shit.
Uncle Arnold. You know what he
did to me?
He cornered me.
He came up on me all moaning and
groaning and sweating.
Pulls his thing out, comes all
over me.
And all he does is just stand
there and look at me like
he's gonna take a picture and
and look at it later.
That's not on me.
When he died, you know what I
did?
I spit in his coffin.
Men never stop hurting me.
So I just never stopped drinking
[CRIES]
NO! It's not ok. it's not ok.
[SOBS]
And it just keeps happening. No
matter what I do.
[CRIES]
CANDICE: Can you get her some
water? Get her some water.
I don't need fucking water.
[SLAM]
CLAUDE: [UNINTELLIGIBLE]
I don't need fucking water from
any of you motherfuckers.
Get out of my house.
CANDICE: Yeah. This was
cool, yo.
Get the fucking hooker out of my
house!
[SLAM]
[SHUFFLING]
[WOOD CREAKING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[LOUD BANG]
[RUSTLING]
EDMUND: Damnit she's...
Shut up!
Shut up!
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC STOPS]
[RUNNING WATER]
[CAR ENGINE RATTLING]
Hmm-mm-mmm.
[CLEARS THROAT]
MELISSA: Jo? Jo
where are you?
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Are you kidding me right now?
What is going on here?
I-I've been calling.
I don't understand.
Get up!
Oh, my God.
Oh!
[COUGHING]
Oh, God
JO: Melissa
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You're on there gallivanting now
with a prostitute?
[SIGHS]
Jesus did.
This is not a joke, Jo.
I know, just give me a sec.
MELISSA: And on top of all this,
someone posted on the Internet
a picture of you just talking to
yourself in public.
JO: What? Why would
why would somebody do that?
MELISSA: Oh, my gosh.
Do you know your publisher
backed out?
They want their advance.
What?
This is a complete and utter
nightmare, Jo.
[CUP HITS COUNTERTOP]
I'm... I'm almost done.
I just have ten pages.
It's too late.
I am so sick of this. I'm
over you.
I don't trust you.
Y-you used to be such a...
What, a good person?
Don't you see what's happening
here?
Don't you see what's happening?
MELISSA: Yes we can.
JO: You don't see what's
happening!
Yeah, we can. You're a complete
and destructive,
self-destructive asshole.
[SIGHS]
It's just ten pages.
It's just.
It's ten pages, okay?
It's ten pages. It's ten pages.
MELISSA: This is, it's...
JO: I. Please.
I need the money. Please.
This is it Jo, this is it.
Friday, I'm going to be here
with the publisher
and the
publicist for dinner.
Clean yourself up.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LIGHTER CLICKS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
I don't have anything.
I used everything from...
I used every fucking dollar
I had to hassle from my first
novel
and it's all in his business.
And I don't...My name is not
even on it.
I don't have anything. Like
everything that you see,
Everything. All the shit that
people come over.
"Oh, it's so great." It's a
fucking prison.
I'm in a goddamn fucking prison.
[MUSIC FADES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[PAPER RUSTLING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Ugh!
[PHONE RINGING]
Oh! Agh!
[PHONE RINGING]
[PHONE RINGING]
EDMUND: Oh, God.
[PHONE RINGS THEN BEEPS]
Claude?
Hi. Wait. What?
CLAUDE [ON PHONE]: I don't know
what you're trying do
EDMUND: Claude?
But I can assure you that you're
fucking with the wrong person.
HELENA: What's going on?
Uh-Wow.
Uh-I have no idea what you're
talking about.
CLAUDE: The fucking payout
you authorized
for yourself last night.
Uh-Uh...
I didn't.
CLAUDE: I didn't either
But this...
This is fucking over for you.
What exactly are you planning
to do?
Steal from me and the investors
just walk?
I would never steal.
Steal?
Who told you that?
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Was it a guy in-in-in-in a
blue Corvette?
Uh wha-whatever he says, it's
a lie.
CLAUDE: What fucking guy,
Edmund?
EDMUND: There's a guy..
EDMUND: Leave! Please!
HELENA: Oh, okay. Okay, okay.
HELENA: Okay. Okay.
CLAUDE: Are you there?
EDMUND: Yes. Claude.
EDMUND: Yes. I-I-I'm sure this
HELENA: Um, Dad's not feeling
well.
EDMUND: is some kind of mistake,
sorry.
HELENA: Okay, so...
Wer-wer-we're gonna go without
him.
FRANNY: Mom, I'm late for the
recital!
HELENA: I-I know, I know.
It's okay. It's okay.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING]
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Careful for your head.
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES]
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION]
KID 1: Um-um, are you wearing
the right shoes?
KID 2: Do you know the words?
KID 1: I think it was like...uh
I think your shoelaces are
untied.
KID 3: What do you mean?
KID 1: I saw you..
Do you understand..
That's the wrong song.
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION
CONTINUES]
CHILDREN'S CHOIR:
...soul, my Savior God, to
Thee;
How great Thou art
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior
God, to Thee;
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
How great Thou art, how great
Thou art!
[AUDIENCE CLAPPING]
[CLAPPING INTENSIFIES]
[CLAPPING BEGINS TO FADE]
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch
like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now
I see
'Twas grace that taught
my heart to fear
And grace
my fears
relieved
How precious did
that grace appear
The hour
I first
believed
[CHOIR FADES]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Sabrina packs her
suitcase for a trip
that she will not return from.
This house frightens her.
Things move in this house,
especially at night.
She thinks about how her hair
moves
when a gentle breeze or a
powerful wind
rushes across her.
How funny a part of our own
being moves
without our will.
Maybe we, she thinks, humans
move
in the same way,
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
puppeted by unseen winds,
deliberately making us dance,
sing, and then of course, do
all of the things we deem
wicked.
What an evil gust should exist
in this house.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
[MUSIC FADES]
EDMUND: Where is she off?
HELENA: She's going to Germany
It's her son's birthday.
That's all she's been talking
about for months.
How could you not remember that?
Hmm.
Where are you going?
Um...I have uh meeting
with Claude,
and then I just need to be on
the worksite for just a bit.
But you need to get some rest.
Oh-oh, I-I'll feel better.
Thanks to you.
[SIGHS]
Don't go. I know. I know I've
been a lot lately, but
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
once the merger is done, we can
go away.
Just you and me.
HELENA: Okay
EDMUND: Somewhere tropical...
Okay.
Exotic, Croatia.
Okay, okay.
I-I'm just going to be gone a
bit, all right?
And then we'll have a nice
family dinner.
By the way,
before you go, have you seen my
ring?
No.
I-I can't seem to find it.
I'm-I'm sure it's around here
somewhere.
You think it slipped off?
No, no, it's here. It's here.
Just go look. You'll find it and
I'll be home soon, okay?
Okay.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Edmund feels the
silence as it
permeates his home.
It's upsetting.
Frightening.
The absence of sound.
The longer each quiet moment
stretches,
Edmund's agony expands
and the forlorn whispers of
truth
pierce his skin.
He's queasy with clarity,
so he thinks
to deafen the silence.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
It's the unknown man,
the man who carries other
people's secrets,
who follows men watching.
It's that maid, the
impoverished woman
his wife picked up off the
streets.
Her filth is in his house,
and it is her who stole his
ring.
None of this, he tells himself
over and over again,
is his fault.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
It's the uninvited visitor in
his head
whose name he can't see.
"Who are you?"
He asks.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Shit.
We did it.
[LAUGHING]
Fucking did it.
Oh God.
Whew, okay.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
Ah, I fucking did it.
[CHUCKLING]
[SIGHS]
ANDREW: Yeah.
Oh, that's great.
Absolutely. Hold off a second.
ANDREW: Hey, babe.
JO: Hi
ANDREW: Yeah, I'm about to
sit down and eat dinner now.
Just make sure you send the site
plan by morning.
Alright,
perfect.
This looks amazing.
[PLATES CLINKING]
ANDREW: Uh, I see you looking
civilized tonight.
Civilized?
You look good.
I finished.
You finished what?
My story...
the novel.
Jo.
That's great.
It's good to hear
you worked hard on it.
Is it any good?
What, this?
ANDREW: No, silly. Your novel.
Can I-Can I get some wine,
please?
I'd like some wine.
What's the matter, Jo?
JO: Oh, yeah, everything's good.
I just want some wine.
Okay.
[WHISPERS]
Fucking good.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING]
ANDREW: You know I'll wanna read
it, right?
What?
ANDREW: I wanna read your novel.
You don't read.
ANDREW: Well, maybe I'll make an
exception.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Melissa, know you're done?
[SIGHS]
ANDREW: Are you sure you're
alright?
Yeah. Just tired.
[CORK POPS OPEN]
Oh my God.
What the fuck is that?
That's like the cheapest bottle
of wine we have.
You can't even swing a good
bottle for me.
Hell, no.
I'm not bringing up any of that
good shit. Not for this.
You already tipsy, look at you.
Oh, I'm tipsy?
Am I civilized now?
Am fucking civilized for you?
Is it ever fucking enough
for you?
[SLAMS PLATE]
Tipsy my ass.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCEND]
[SIGHS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[CAR ENGINE RUNNING]
BRENT: Hey.
JO: Hello.
I know it's a safe neighborhood,
but it's a little late.
[JO CHUCKLING]
JO: D-Does that work?
[BRENT CHUCKLES]
What is this? Your?
Your wife's car?
BRENT: Hmm...
JO: The child bride?
Okay.
Okay, okay.
Ah okay.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Can I have one of those, please.
JO: One of these?
BRENT: Mhm.
Oh, I thought you were a doctor.
[SHARP EXHALE]
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
So I have to light it for you
too?
BRENT: Sure.
JO: Wait.
That's funny, because I can't
find my lighter.
BRENT: Just give me your
cigarette.
Oh, wow. Look at you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh. Oh.
Oh, boy.
[SIGHS]
So I'm having this...
party.
BRENT: Mhm.
[CHUCKLES]
Um...You and um...should come.
Do you drink every day?
Yes.
I'd love to.
Love to drink every day?
Yeah.
And come to the party.
Okay.
It'll be amazing.
Deal.
What are you doing out so late?
Mm...just going for a little
drive.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
Why don't we go?
You could get in here pretty
hard.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING CAR]
Thank you for the cup.
Yeah.
[SIGHS]
Let's get out of here, okay?
Let's go.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Every night since
Edmund heard the first drip,
he felt the cold, reptilian
presence
of the unknown person.
A faceless thing in his mind and
body.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
The face isn't formed,
but to look at it too long, he
feared, would it race him?
This dream was filled with
manifestos of
entering a new
realm. Leaving this dimension.
Drip, drip.
[DRAMATIC BASS]
He sees his twin separated by
lifetimes, lost in the shadows
of a mirror image of himself.
Wait, he thinks
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
he understands his twin is the
faceless thing.
He struggles to finish the
thought
it gives him geometrical puzzles
to solve during his waking
hours.
A liaison between here and the
next plane.
[OMINOUS LAUGHTER]
It's she.
Or is she here as he?
As one?
I'm afraid she might let me fall
from this ladder.
Suspended at the tip of this
endless night.
I'll become the shadow.
I hear them now I see them.
I'm in the void.
[SOFT ROCK AT PARTY]
[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
MELISSA: I am so thrilled.
Look, I mean, all these people
here for you.
JO: Yeah, I know. It's, it's...
MELISSA: See?
Ah, this is amazing.
MELISSA: I'm so proud of her.
ANDREW: She deserves it.
ANDREW: Well, she definitely
deserves it.
MELISSA: Yeah. It's time.
She worked super hard.
You excited?
Um I'm so...
MELISSA: Moving up.
I am so excited.
MELISSA: Okay.
Oh, we have guests.
C'mon, let's greet them.
MELISSA: Okay.
ANDREW: See you in a bit
Melissa.
[SOFT ROCK OVER SPEAKERS]
JO: Hello, welcome.
WOMAN: Oh my God. Thank so much
for having us.
ANDREW: Hey
ANDREW: How you doing, buddy?
JO: Hey, so good to see you.
MAN: Hey
Good to see you.
Likewise.
ANDREW: Glad you guys came.
Enjoy yourselves.
WOMAN: Thank you.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Maybe it'll all...be okay.
Yeah.
It will.
And we got more guests.
[SOFT ROCK FADES OUT]
[OMINOUS UNDERSCORE]
[OMINOUS MUSIC STOPS]
JO: Cheers.
I love your lipstick. Ha ha.
It's gorgeous.
Um
Did you guys get food?
There's lots of food and...
Andrew! Andrew, come here.
Have you met our neighbors?
I have met everyone.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
JO: You've met Sophia and
Andrew...
ANDREW: And Brent?
Yeah. Brent.
BRENT: Good to see you again.
ANDREW: Oh, yeah, we met
earlier.
I'm sorry. I forgot.
You all right, Jo?
Yeah. I just don't remember.
You're Tom?
TOMMY: Tommy Rossan.
Tommy Rossan
Oh, so lovely.
Of course.
Thank you.
It's his dream home.
Right?
It's ours.
Thank you.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
Hey, guys.
I need something a little harder
than this.
[HEAVY SIGH]
Fabulous. Can you make this?
Just make it a double next time.
CLAUDE: Hello, beautiful.
JO: Oh, you look so handsome.
Still looking great.
Are you guys having a nice time?
Having a great time.
Oh, wonderful.
Aren't they great?
Band's incredible.
I hope everyone starts dancing.
Where's Marty?
We broke up.
I was telling you that earlier.
I'm so sorry.
It was a rough one.
We wanted to get married.
Yeah.
[SLURRING]
Marriage is probably not a good
idea.
Right?
Why do it?
Why?
[PARTY SOUNDS FADE OUT]
[WAVES AND OUTDOOR SOUNDS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
BRENT: Hey.
[PARTY SOUNDS RETURN]
Hi.
It's all for you, huh?
Yeah.
Something like that.
Maybe, yeah.
Yeah...
Yeah.
Listen, I'm sorry about, I
mean...
You don't have to be sorry.
I just have, like, this a lot
happening
and I'm, I'm...
Yeah.
So, you don't...
I just-
I get it, you know.
You're a really nice guy.
Well, stop, come on.
JO: You are, you're a nice guy.
STEVEN: No, don't give me that,
don't give me that crap.
It's not crap.
Oh, come on.
JO: It's just, it's not crap.
STEVEN: It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay, you don't have to,
I'm gonna
I'm gonna let, let you do your
thing, okay?
JO: Okay
STEVEN: Okay
JO: Alright.
STEVEN: Let me know if you need
anything.
Everybody looks wonderful.
And I thank you all for coming
out tonight.
Much to say about this
lovely lady.
We have awesome friends who have
been with us for a while
and we also have some new ones.
Let's celebrate the brilliant
mind of Josephine Taylor.
Some of you know her as Jo.
I know her as my wife.
It hasn't always been an easy
role for us with her.
ANDREW: But um,
This definitely has been
one that can never be
duplicated.
So if glass is raised
without further ado
to Jo
Thanks.
ANDREW: Want to say something?
Sure.
Duplicate...
That, that...
That's a treat.
Thank you all for coming and,
um...
thanks to my darling husband for
this fabulous life
and this fabulous house.
Okay, let's dance
ANDREW: To Jo.
CROWD: To Jo!
Hit it, guys.
[MUSIC STARTS]
I'm not going to sing. No way.
You look fabulous.
Oh, you know, it's a long time
in the making.
Okay.
Seven and a half years. Wow.
Wow.
How did you start off?
What made you have the idea?
Um...
I was just really sad.
That'll do it.
I was just really sad.
Sure.
JO: Oh, hey.
How did you come up with
that ending?
JO: Oh, um. I, um...
It's just one of those things.
MAN: Look, in rewrite, rewrite.
Um, yeah, I mean, maybe 14 or so
rewrites.
WOMAN:
Thank you so much for that.
Oh, my gosh.
So nice that you guys could come
and,
you know, makes Andrew so happy
to see all the familiar faces...
WOMAN: We're so happy for you.
Thank you.
WOMAN: It's a big moment.
I'm so happy. Thank you.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC STARTS]
HELENA: Go right here. To the
bathroom.
EDMUND: Oh, god. Oh good, it's
here.
HELENA: Here, here, here...
HELENA: Let me see you. Is that
better?
Is it better?
Where's my god damn ring?
Where's my ring?
I don't know.
Do you, do you think Sabrina
took it?
Think she took it before she
left?
I'm gonna get that bag of
photos.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC ESCALATES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC QUIETS]
[DRAMATIC DRUM BEATS]
[DRUM BEATS CEASE]
[UPBEAT SONG]
[JO THROWS UP]
Get the fuck off of me!
JO: The fuck are you looking at?
ANDREW: We will get back
together soon.
The novel will be out.
Enjoy yourselves.
GUEST: Thank you.
That's all you ever fucking care
about
All these people and all this
shit
in this fucking house!
ANDREW: No.
Yeah.
SOPHIA: Come on. That's it!
You know what? Your client has
been pursuing
my husband.
[JO LAUGHING]
Y'all are some crazy
motherfuckers.
You are so stupid.
CLAUDE: Y'all are fucking nuts.
I'm screwing your husband.
CLAUDE: What?
SOPHIA: Okay, I'm out. I'm
leaving.
Oh my god...
ANDREW: You-
What?
ANDREW: Fucking slut.
Yeah, well good.
I fucking like being a slut.
You couldn't help yourself could
you?
No, you don't fucking do it for
me.
Fucking give me some vodka,
boys.
What are you doing in here?
Fuck!
This fucking shit.
Just get out of my house!
Get the fuck out of my house,
all of you!
[HEAVY BREATHING]
Don't come over here.
You deserve everything you get.
Yeah? So do you!
Fucking piece of shit!
[JO SCREAMING]
[HEAVY BREATHING]
[WATER SWIRLING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Hey, nice party last night.
No.
No?
No, it wasn't nice?
Or no, there was no party?
I-I don't have the photos.
Well, I have the photos.
Oh, god. You know what?
It's not hard figuring out
what's going on in there.
[SIREN IMPRESSION]
You know what I'm gonna need you
to do right?
JO: Huh?
I would feel bad for you, but...
You're not even-
Oh, I know. I know.
You're insane.
Still doesn't let you off the
hook.
[JO GROANS IN PAIN]
You know
Man's...
firmly convinced that he's
awake.
In reality,
he's caught in a net of sleep
and dreams.
He's unconsciously woven for
himself.
What the fuck does that even
mean? Right?
Where did you come up with that
shit?
Oh, my God.
Wow, is that head full.
[MOCKING NOISES]
[JO GROANS]
Now, why don't you get up and
stop acting like a little bitch?
Get the fuck up.
Stop being such a little bitch.
That's right! That's right.
[JO SCREAMING]
[SPLASHING IN POOL]
[JO COUGHING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[DRAMATIC SCORE]
[JO SCREAMING]
[DRAMATIC CHORUS]
[JO SCREAMING]
[JO CRYING]
[OIL POURING]
[DRAMATIC UNDERSCORE]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[SINGING IN FRENCH]
[CHAIR DRAGGING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SONG ENDS]
[CRICKETS, STREET SOUNDS]
[STREET SOUNDS CONTINUE
THROUGH CREDITS]
[MEDICAL PREP]
[MEDICAL PREP CONTINUES]
DOCTOR: Hey, Jo.
Well, I know you
and I've been through this
before, and it's not the result
we want to hear again.
But this pregnancy was
unsuccessful,
and I'm sorry.
JO: I-It's okay.
Is your husband coming today?
Um, no, he's not able
to make it.
DOCTOR: Okay. All right.
You know, these conversations
are tough to have.
And after this many failed
pregnancy attempts
to worry about your health and
safety is our number one job,
and at this point, I think it
really is viable to start
thinking of some other options
for children,
adoption or foster care, or..
Would it, would it just be safe
I mean, is it safe if I just get
back on birth control?
Do I need birth control?
Yeah. After this procedure,
it'll be appropriate to get
back on it. We'll set that up
for you.
That would be great.
and I know you've been through
this procedure before, but at
this point, do you have any
questions for me whatsoever?
JO: No
DOCTOR: Okay.
So we're, we're good?
DOCTOR: Yeah. I'll have the
staff take care of
everything else for you.
Okay. Thank you.
DOCTOR: Mm hmm.
[SIGHS]
Hey, one more thing.
Would you mind signing this
book for me?
That'd be really nice.
Thanks.
[Funkier Than a Mosquito's
Tweeter by Nina Simone plays]
You're nothing but a dirty,
dirty old man
You do your thinking with a
one track mind
Keep talkin' about heaven
glory
but on your face is a
different story
Clean up your rap your story's
getting dusty
Wash out your mouth your lies
are getting rusty
Can't believe nothing
you say
'cause I'm around and I see
what you do
You know you're funky as a
mosquito's tweeter
You gotta mouth like a herd of
boll weevils
Same old game,
same old thing
You never changed. Always
rappin bout the same old thing
[music continues]
I got something to tell ya I
got something to tell you baby
But you ain't hip to baby
Blowin' minds is a thing of
the past
You blew your chance that's
why you never last
You want to be a graduate
mother
But in reality just another
brother
You think you slick but could
Stand a lot of greasing
The things you do ain't never
really pleasin'
Can't believe nothin' you say
'Cause I'm around and I see
what you do
You know you funky as a
mosquito's tweeter
'You got a mouth like a herd
of boll weevils
Same old game,
same old thing
AAAAAAlways rappin 'bout the
same old thing
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Jo. Jo?
[THE UNKNOWN MAN LAUGHS]
Oh, Jo.
Jo?
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES DOOR KNOBS]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: Can I come in?
[CRIES]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: Ohhhh Jo,
[AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES DOOR KNOBS]
Stop! Stop!
Please!
[CRIES]
[KNOCKING]
THE UNKNOWN MAN: You have some
pictures I want.
You have to know that.
[FRIGHTENED BREATHING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MALE RADIO HOST:
Recommended Minds,
the bestselling novel currently
being adapted into a major
motion picture is sweeping up
readers all over the world,
leaving us asking,
Who is this author Josephine
Taylor?
And where has she been?
SECOND MALE RADIO HOST:
The protagonist in "Recommended
Minds" is one of the most
phenomenal fictional female
characters I've ever read.
But there is a sadness that
Taylor has in her previous
essays and published work, an
ominous force looming over this
novel as you read it.
FEMALE RADIO HOST: "Snare" was
an attempt
to make this good girl of
literature bad.
Like a child Disney star
growing up and doing porn.
SECOND FEMALE RADIO HOST:
"Snare" is the worst book I
have ever read.
I-it-it was so bad that it
became something I needed
other people to read.
MALE RADIO HOST: Josephine
Taylor, a name you probably
haven't heard in a long time.
She was the author of Smash Hit,
"Recommended Minds",
but more recently she wrote
"Snare", a critical flop
that almost destroyed her
career.
Well, according to her, literary
agent,
Josephine Taylor has started on
a new novel.
And while we don't know much
about it, we can assume this.
If it's anything like Taylor's
previous novels,
it will be bold.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[FLOWING WATER]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Hmm
[DEEP EXHALE]
ANDREW: Hey, goodmornin'
how you doing?
Well you look a little better
at least.
Might wanna take a shower
though.
Maybe go for a walk.
Meet some of the neighbors.
Yeah, that'd be great.
Or you go unpack
some of these boxes.
[FADING FOOTSTEPS]
Jo.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[WATER FLOWING]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
ANDREW: You know your garden
is dying.
I'm dying.
Come on with this silly shit,
Jo.
Now, you know
I'm hurt by this thing, too.
But you don't see me
moping around here like some
damn hobo, do you?
Oh right, just go.
You know what, just get your
shit together.
[SWELLING EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
JO [VO]: The pain in his chest
was excruciating,
as if bolts of lightning
continually struck his heart.
His eyes burned and his head
ached.
His wife, who dedicated her life
to him,
was the last one to touch him.
She carried him to the bathroom.
Her face flashed in and out of
his vision,
each time, causing more pain.
She looked frightened and
confused.
But this did not concern him.
Her feelings were never
considered.
In the final moments of Edmund's
life.
It would not be his scared
daughter
or how life with him had beaten
his wife's beautiful face,
leaving her haggard and
unshapely.
No, he only felt outrage for a
life
that was purloin from him.
He saw the perverse setup of
failure
called existence.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
He knew only ugliness as he and
death
became one.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hi,
SOFIA: This must be your
husband's.
Actually, it's mine.
I'm Jo.
SOFIA: Sofia.
I live next door.
Oh, thanks.
SOFIA: Sorry, I just.
It's not a big deal or anything,
but you should know
the house has very strict upkeep
rules.
Your garbage cans,
they've been left out day after
day.
It's okay. I just.
I don't want you to get a fine
or anything.
Oh, that's so nice.
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
[WATER SPLASHES SOFTLY]
[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
[PEN SCRATCHES ON PAPER]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LIGHT SWITCH FLICKS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[CRICKETS CHIRP IN DISTANCE]
[GLASS CLINKS]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATION CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
Hi.
MELISSA: Hey. Are you watching?
No.
MELISSA: As your agent, I am
making you if you don't turn
the TV on, I'm going to start
asking you about the novel
and if you have an ending.
Jo?
JO: Okay.
MELISSA: Jo.
JO: Hold on.
Hold on.
[ENDS CALL]
[REMOTE CLICKS]
TV HOST: This is the close up
with Danny Peterson
with a third novel set to hit
bookstores very soon.
I sat down with Josephine
Taylor,
whose first novel was turned
into an award winning film.
Josephine, such a pleasure.
All right, tell me,
what prompted the move
from New York City to Cape Cod?
Um, we were considering a
family.
Oh, children.
Any luck?
No.
TV HOST: Do you have a title for
your new novel?
Um, I do, but uh
I guess, um, I'm not allowed to
share at this time.
So you're going to leave us in
suspense? All right.
Well, I have to tell you, I love
"Recommended Minds".
It was very inspiring, very
refreshing, very different from
"Snares". So can you tell me why
you went so dark?
Um, [CLEARS THROAT]
It was, um, just the
story that I needed to tell at a
particular time in my life.
So are we supposed to feel sorry
for the protagonists?
I mean, that always confused me.
Like, is a woman like that
even redeemable?
[REMOTE CLICKS]
[SIGHS]
[ATONAL MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
THERAPIST: So, Jo,
last time we spoke, you were
rather angry.
How have you been handling how
you been handling your anger?
I fucking hate everything.
I hate everything.
I know that's why I'm here.
I know that's why I've been in
therapy, and I just don't-
I just don't know if I should
continue.
What about the drinking?
Have you had anything to drink
today?
Mhm
[SNIFFLES]
I'm drinking every day.
How's that working for you?
Well, besides the headache I'm
battling.
It's going pretty well for me.
How's the book going?
JO: It's, um. It's coming along.
I should have it finished
soon, and... I'll have it done.
I don't know.
THERAPIST: That's good progress
from last time.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYS]
THERAPIST: So how about the
characters in your novel?
Do you identify with anyone in
particular?
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
JO [VO]: The Grand Home is
filled with aromas of garlic,
fennel, and hot, bubbling tomato
sauce prepared by Helena
for her family.
Sabrina, their maid, assists
like she does most nights.
They exchange a look of joy and
satisfaction
as they serve dinner at the
family table.
Franny, just shy of her 14th
birthday, is a quiet girl.
Her eyes a bit hollow and
reluctant to show emotion.
If any, it's towards Helena.
Edmund attempts a joke of
grandeur:
"You and your mother will be the
end of me."
Only it falls flat. He feels it.
He once was a different type
of man.
But for now,
he will push those thoughts out.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC SWELLS]
EDMUND: We finalizes a merger.
Once the FTC gives us the green
light
with the capital, we can close
on the largest development sight
this side of the Mississippi.
[CHUCKLES]
[PAGES FLIP]
HELENA: And you trust Claude
right?
What do you say that?
Of course.
HELENA: It's just,
trust is hard for you.
[JEWELRY CLINKS IN DISH]
The past is the past.
We're moving on
No sense and talking about
what's behind us.
Three feet of bullshit
[DRAMATIC MUISC PLAYS]
[SHOWER SPLASHES]
JO [VO]: Edmond's skin is
balmy.
He showers to wash off the
gummed wetness
clinging to a silk pajamas.
No amounts of soap can scrub off
his irritation,
mostly by Helena and her
questions,
her questioning of him.
This is, however, the biggest
business deal,
an accomplishment of his life.
Her questions seem frivolous.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[fFOOTSTEPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
JO [VO]: Edmond hasn't
slept
well for what seems like months,
[WATER DRIPS]
and now, in his brand new house,
there seems to be a plumbing
problem
a dripping sound,
drip,
drip, drip.
[RUSTLING AND CLINKING NOISES]
[DRIPPING WATER CONTINUES]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[WATER DRIPS]
[DRIPPING INTENSIFIES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[PACKAGING RUSTLES]
Are you eating?
Look at me.
MELISSA: Stop it.
You know what I mean?
You've been down this road
before.
[GLASSES CLINKING]
JO: Woah, oh, oh, oh oh
[SLAMS GLASS CUP]
[FOOTSTEPS]
MELISSA: Do you have any pages
for me, Jo?
MELISSA: Jo?
I almost have an ending.
If I don't have that final
manuscript by Friday.
MELISSA: That's it. That's it!
[CAMERA CLICKS]
JO: I'll have it!
MELISSA: Then the publishing
deal is off.
This whole
publishing deal is done,
and I think that I legally have
ramifications for this
if it's not complete.
What the?
OLIVIA: Suck it, asshole!
You little bitch.
What the hell was that?
JO: I think my neighbor's
daughter
spying on me.
[SCOFFS]
I wonder when
I lost it.
I wonder when I just lost
control of it all...
I wonder when I lost control of
it all.
MELISSA: Are you and Andrew
fighting again?
If I only had fight left in me,
It...is going to be okay.
Right?
[EERIE MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
[CROWS CAW IN THE DISTANCE]
[EXHALES]
[FOOTSTEPS ALONG GRAVEL TRAIL]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
[FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]]
[DEEP EXHALE]
[EMOTIONAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]
[MARKER SQUEAKS ON PAPER]
JO [VO]: Helena enters the
women's shelter.
She is stressed and scattered.
She instantly feels pulled
apart,
as if each woman was a drop of
water from her own soul.
How she longs to be unified in
her own self.
If she could only integrate all
these shattered pieces,
she could be free.
HELENA: Oh gosh. Sorry.
Forgive me.
Hi, I'm Helena.
Stephen.
HELENA: Nice to meet you.
STEPHEN: Nice to meet you.
[EXHALES DRAMATICALLY]
Thank you so much for
coming today.
No, my pleasure.
I do have some experience with
this shelter.
Given my work with the family
law in the county.
JO [VO]: Stephen, a highly
respected family therapist,
agrees to help Helena with the
woman shelter.
The last year of his life has
been filled
with isolation, loathing and
regret.
He hasn't felt like himself,
as if icy, cold, foreign hands
pull and weave unnatural
thoughts in his brain.
But at this moment with her,
he can no longer feel their
presence.
A long awaited, though, brief
reprieve.
Well, it's been a while since
I've done something like this.
I'm embarrassed to admit that.
HELENA: Oh, you shouldn't be.
I'm happy to get involved.
[PIANO MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
Um, my parents adopted my sister
and was very similar
to these women and their
children.
STEPHEN: How old was she when
she...
HELENA: She was six.
Her biological mom
took her to church
and then after Mass just asked
her to wait.
She never came back for her.
I can see why you'd be
passionate about this.
HELENA: I mean, I'm-I'm hoping
that I can make other people
passionate about this, too.
[DOOR SHUTS]
[LIGHTER FLICKERS]
[WATER FLOWING IN THE DISTANCE]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Oh shit.
[WOOD THUDDING]
Oh shit!
[WOOD THUDDING]
[GRASS RIPPING]
[SOFT FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
What's your deal?
I don't have a fucking deal.
Hmm.
Kiss your mom with that mouth?
She's not my mom.
She married my dad.
She's a cunt.
You want one?
Yeah.
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
I don't like her much either.
Doesn't seem like she's got
a whole hell of a lot
going on up there.
[OLIVIA GIGGLES]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
So the pissy teenage thing you
don't think gets
a little played out?
I'm not pissy.
So I heard you're a writer. I
write too.
Yeah.
[HASTY FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]
Poems.
Hmm.
I told you.
SOFIA: Are you a fucking idiot?
She's a minor.
Give me that.
So are you.
What? What? What? [LAUGHTER]
Calm down. Calm down. It's ok.
Calm down.
Go home.
[FOOTSTEPS FADE]
Whew
She's 14.
I know.
So she's running around in my
yard and my bushes
and just felt like someone needs
to talk to her.
I think you're right.
Maybe don't get her cigarettes
next time.
I gotcha.
Did she talk?
JO: She was starting to talk
until uh,
Hooters came barreling around
the corner.
She's a good woman
and the only mom Olivia has.
Sorry.
It's okay.
One of those days, huh?
JO: Hey, um,
since we're neighbors
and all,
and I'm supposed to be making
friends.
What do you say we have a cup of
coffee and
I tell you about how similar I
was to...
BRENT: Olivia.
JO: Olivia, yes.
I'd love to.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[MUSIC FADES]
[HIGH PITCH BEEP]
[HIGH PITCH BEEP]
Too damn late
[POP MUSIC PLAYS LOUDLY]
EDMUND: Cross hairs,
Franny.
Quit it already.
Where I was hoping to find ya
babe, yeah
Hey, quit
all that thumping around.
Lucky stars, but I keep the
surprise
Hey, I said stop!
EDMUND: Franny! Hey!
[KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK]
EDMUND: I told you to stop! Are
you deaf?
[DOOR BREAKS OPEN]
[POP OVERTAKEN BY
OMINOUS UNDERSCORE]
Why are you listening to this
God awful shit?
[LOUD THUDS]
When I tell you to stop it, I
mean it.
I didn't raise you to listen to
this crap.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[ATONAL MUSIC PLAYS SOFTLY]
Franny?
What's wrong?
[FRANNY SOBS]
What happened?
[CRIES]
[DOOR SHUTS AND ECHOES]
ANDREW: Hey babe,
I ordered some food.
You know, we ain't got nothing
in the fridge.
It should be here in about 15
minutes or so.
[GLASS CLINKS]
And of course, we're drinking
again.
It's just one.
[GLASS CLINKS]
It's always one, Jo.
One after another.
Well, now it's going to be two.
[DRINK POURING]
ANDREW: Come on, Jo.
With this.
You should be happy
because I had a visitor today.
It was some mom
or daughter or.
I don't know.
She must have been five years
old when she had this child.
I swear, this neighborhood is so
weird, and I don't know, it's
dysfunctional.
Jo, what the fuck is this?
What is this? Payback or
something?
I'm trying here.
What do you want from me?
To be loved!
That's what I want.
Oh, here we go.
This shit again.
Every fucking day. This love sh-
Walk away.
Walk away.
JO: Like you always do.
Like I always do?
JO: Yeah.
Oh, like I walked away when I
bought this fucking
big ass house for you.
JO: Oh, you did this all by
yourself, did you?
ANDREW: You're damn right I did.
JO: Okay.
While you were sitting around
for the last year,
[CHUCKLES]
you ain't even get these fucking
these boxes unpacked.
ANDREW: Look at all-
JO: Fucking clean the boxes. I'm
not your maid!
ANDREW: I know.
You know what else you're not?
You're not being a wife.
JO: Is a wife supposed to wipe
your fucking ass?
You clean up your own shit!
Whatever yo.
Fuck out of here with that.
[FRANTIC BREATHING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
HELENA: We need to talk.
EDMUND: What now?
HELENA: It's about how you
handled Franny.
You cannot yell at her like
that.
She's just a child.
EDMUND: Who has no boundaries
and doesn't listen.
HELENA: You know that I'm
working on that.
EDMUND: Always making me the bad
guy huh.
Sabrina said that Franny was
really shaken up
and...
...the empty alcohol bottles.
EDMUND: It's quite remarkable
how you turn things around!
Always so 'wounded',
it's pathetic.
Really.
Please don't walk away.
It's too much.
Helena, you need to go see
someone.
It's not up to me to fix you.
I know, but you're the one who's
hurting me.
EDMUND: I don't know why you
walk around,
You're acting like you have some
terrible fucking life!
[SOBS]
For fuck's sake!
Helena, I work hard to give you
all of this.
Look around!
[CRIES]
Your attitude disgusts me.
[CRIES]
[ATONAL MUSIC SWELLS]
THERAPIST: Jo?
How's your relationship with
your husband?
Terrible.
He's such an asshole.
[RAIN FALLS]
He's such an asshole.
I don't even know.
He just looks at me with, like,
so much disgust.
And he's always telling me that
fucking shower.
Fucking, get your life together,
Jo. Fuckin-
THERAPIST: So you feel he isn't
being supportive of you
while you're doing your writing?
That's the thing about Andrew is
he can be both supportive and
destructive at the same time.
[SNIFFLES]
JO: So whenever I try to talk
to him about anything
or like talk about the
miscarriage or...
bring anything up,
it just gets, turned back around
on me.
I'm just...I'm just really
unhappy.
[SOBS]
So do you think that you want to
try again to have children?
JO: Fuck no, I don't want any
fucking kids.
I didn't even care when I lost
the baby.
I didn't even fucking care.
I'd be a fucking terrible
mother.
I'm selfish. I'm,
[SNIFFLES]
I have a, obviously, a drinking
problem.
And...I have n-no self-control
left in me anymore.
But, for some reason,
like...
...fuck it,
I don't fucking care.
I'm. You know what?
I-I-I don't fucking care.
Fuck Andrew.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
JO [VO]: As a drop in
sounds increased,
Edmund's frustration grew.
His behavior became erratic.
His fear enveloped him.
And he could not tell Helena the
truth.
If he doesn't close this
business deal,
they will lose everything.
And to Edmund, poverty
is the most detestable trait.
Edmund has always been a
drinker,
but of late he needs more to
slow the freezing sharp
blades at course through his
veins.
He is queasy with this
alien sickness swimming in his
stomach.
The drinking dulls the
sensation.
WOMAN: Franny, can you come
here a moment, please?
Want to take a look at the
chorus?
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES]
[SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYS]
[SUSPENSEFUL VIOLIN MUSIC
INTENSIFIES]
JO [VO]: With the news of
his business deal reaching
culmination, a manic sense of
safety takes over.
He thinks it's hope, even
relief.
His body rejoices as the
internal fireworks
pop and implode with bright
bursts of light.
The band marches with horns
blasting,
all for him.
This is a nudge from life
that he is indeed impervious to
failure.
He is a God.
[MUSIC FADES]
But to his family he is
frightening.
And the word that lingers on all
of their tongues
but know they cannot utter, is
crazy.
Edmund is crazy.
CLAUDE: This place is nuts.
It's very large.
Nothing like your place on the
Upper East Side.
Oh, that was a beast, too.
But this.
Well, it's...
...guess, we're doing this. Hmm.
Did your book pay for this?
JO: No, umm...
...Andrew sold his business.
MARTY: Oh, amazing.
You could do business with him.
Well, congrats, darling.
What did you say?
I-I-I...
JO: You said...
CLAUDE: I-I-I don't know.
He said, congrats, darling.
JO: Edmund, would say that.
Who?
JO: No one.
So, how's the, uh, novel going?
[JO LAUGHS SOFTLY]
[CHUCKLES]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Oh, hold on.
Excuse me.
[WHISPERING]
Oh my god...
[WHISPERING]
What the fuck is wrong with her?
[WHISPERING]
I have no idea.
[WHISPERING]
She was grabbing the drink...
Oh, hi.
Is uh, now a good time?
For coffee?
Mm hmm.
Ummm...
How about 2 minutes?
I can meet you at the park.
I mean, I can come back if you
need to.
Oh, this is just kind of my
look.
I have to go help my neighbor
and um...
Oh, cool.
But do you guys want to do a
road trip later?
Just a little one.
I have to check out this mill.
I'm doing some research.
I guess. Yeah.
We don't have anything tonight
on the books.
No. I don't think so/
As long as it doesn't go too
late, maybe?
Okay.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: Sound good?
MARTY: Yeah!
JO: Okay.
CLAUDE: Yeah.
JO: Help yourself. And, um..
To more vodka?
To whatever you want, dear.
CLAUDE: Okay.
MARTY: Bye.
EDMUND: It's gonna be a....
It's gonna be...
You're gonna put a smile on
your face.
[CHILDREN CHATTERING]
Ah.
JO: Hey.
BRENT: Hey.
Look I found.
[IN UNISON]
Woah!
[laughter]
They always called me
butterfingers.
[CHUCKLE]
Oh, my gosh.
Is that your coffee?
It is, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, I guess I should have
gotten you one.
JO: That's okay.
BRENT: I'm sorry.
I just needed an excuse to get
out of my house.
[SNIFFLES]
So...tell me, what happened with
Olivia's mom.
Um, well, you just go right for
it, huh?
Well, it didn't happen.
Cancer, separation.
Why am I talking to you about
this?
It's ok. Shit I'm no saint.
Oh, I feel like the harder
that I'm trying to be a better
person.
Like, the harder it is for me to
actually just, like,
do what's best for me.
Hmm. You know, I get that.
Sometimes, doing the right thing
seems in conflict
with being true to yourself.
Yeah.
Especially like in marriage.
Like, I've made a ton of
mistakes,
but I definitely made a mistake
in my marriage.
I should have never.
I don't know if I should never,
but I told him something.
My mistake.
And I just feel like I'm stuck
in this hell with him
and just being punished
constantly.
Uh.
wish I could just
I don't know.
Start over.
Yeah,
sometimes.
I mean,
It's tough to let people go.
It'd be great if people would
just walk away in grace, y'know?
Yeah,
I like that.
Yeah?
Yeah.
So that daughter of yours?
Yeah.
Just a handful.
She is.
Smoking cigarettes with
your-with your neighbors?
Yeah.
Y'know uh-sometime...It's
tough.
You know, like when her mother
died, I, uh,
I remember that night I had this
feeling like the whole world was
just smashed. My body.
Like I had a panic attack.
I'd never had a panic attack,
but I had a full blown panic
attack.
I was scared to death.
And I'm still scared to death
that I'm going
to just completely screw that
child up.
Well you, you probably will on
some level.
Thank you.
[LAUGHS]
All parents screw their
kids up, right?
Yeah, I guess so.
Let me see the...
Oh, see, I can catch a ball.
You know what?
Yeah.
Hi
Oh my gosh,
Thank you so much. You did not
have to do that.
Of course.
It's so good to see you.
Welcome. Please come in.
STEVEN: Wow.
HELENA: Come in.
We'll open some of this for
lunch.
Great.
JO [VO]: For the past two
weeks,
Steven and Helena have shared
several
phone calls regarding the work
at the Women's Shelter.
[EMOTIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC
PLAYS]
Soon, their conversations became
personal, confessional.
Steven about his infidelity
during his wife's final days.
Helena panicked that she's lost
her husband
in a moment of complete abandon.
Steven shares a re-occurring
dream with Helena.
A dream that scares him.
I first see all the beauty
he says created by you in this
house.
And suddenly you appear.
We embrace.
I feel safe. True.
As if all this grace
will save me.
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[CAR BRAKES SQUEAK]
JO: Cool. Cool.
MARTY: You know where you are?
JO: Yeah, I think so.
CLAUDE: You do? Okay.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: Yeah.
CLAUDE: Be safe out here.
JO: Oh, just, yeah.
Meet me across the street.
CLAUDE: All right. Yeah,
we will.
MARTY: Okay.
JO: All right. Bye.
MARTY: Bye.
CLAUDE: Alright, see ya.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
[ENGINE WHIRRING SOFTLY]
[TRAIN HORN IN THE DISTANCE]
[TRAIN HORN IN THE DISTANCE]
[LIGHTER FLICKS]
[FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL]
[OMINOUS MUSIC SWELLS]
CANDICE: Hey, bum smoke?
Sure.
What's your name?
Bet it's
somethin'-somethin' fancy.
Jo.
Jo! Shit that ain't fancy.
I used to fuck a guy named Joe.
He was a piece of shit.
Yeah. Not fancy.
What are you doing out here?
Supposed to be doing some
research,
Um, I guess this is an abandoned
mill.
I don't know. Or was abandoned.
And now it's shops. I don't
know.
It's not going to work.
I'm not out here like working or
anything.
I wasn't always a hooker.
Just trying to keep from
drowning.
I hear ya.
I might be a drunk.
[chuckle]
'Prolly gonna lose my house.
I'm fucking a human being.
I fucking hurt.
My worth might not be as good as
yours, but...
No.
...it's not right.
I see you.
I see your value.
Fuck all those people.
Fuck all those men that hurt
you,
just fuck them all.
Yeah. Fuck 'em.
Yo women are 50% of the
population,
and yet they still call us
minorities.
Look, what sense does that make?
Hey, do you want to grab a drink
with me?
With my, my two friends, these
two guys. My treat.
[SCOFFS] Hell yeah it is.
I drink too. A lot.
They into more than drinks?
Probably not.
[KNOCKING]
What's going on here?
JO: Hey, let's go get a drink.
MARTY: A drink?
What? Let's go get a drink.
CLAUDE: All right.
JO: Yeah.
CLAUDE: Br-bringing her with?
Yeah.
CLAUDE: Okay...
I guess.
What's going on?
MARTY: Hiii
CANDICE: Hi.
Jo. Who's your friend?
JO: Um, this is um,
CANDICE: Candice.
CLAUDE: Candice. Hi, Candice.
CANDICE: Hi.
Yeah, we're going to. Let's go.
Come on.
CLAUDE: Okay.
[HOPEFUL PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]
JO: Hey Candice, grab that vodka
right there.
All right, boys.
What are we drinking?
[CHATTER AND LAUGHTER]
JO: Oh, my God.
The tag is still on my jacket.
I'm such a lazy ass.
CLAUDE: It's beautiful.
MARTY: What would you guys like
to drink?
JO: Time to drink!
CLAUDE: Oh...
JO: Yeah!
CANDICE: That's not something we
all can ever have.
The guy.
Y'all are new friends, and
that's cool.
I'm glad y'all let me be here.
CLAUDE: And now we're new
friends.
All right, we're all right.
We make new friends all the
time.
But when's the last time?
I mean, you can't ever make an
old friend.
You only just have old friends.
Some people don't have
old friends because
they're shitheads and
then, you know,
I broke down the friendship
circle...
D'you, d'you, d'you have drugs?
CLAUDE: And me, my dear.
Okay.
Oh, sorry.
Here we go.
CLAUDE: Mmmhmmm
[GLASSES CLINKING]
JO: I have a, I have a,
I have a game. I have a game.
Ooh, Twister?
No, I'll give you three words.
CLAUDE: We play Twister.
JO: Three words.
CANDICE: Three, did you hear
her? Three. Three.
JO: And you have to make a
story.
CLAUDE: Oooooh
Remember them.
JO: Okay. We'll start with you
CANDICE: Wait, what.
JO: We'll start with you.
Um.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Shoe.
Drawer...monkey.
[SING SONGY VOICE]
And, and shoo fly,
dont bother me
Wait, that's not what, what
is it?
[LAUGHTER]
What's the rules again?
[SLURRING]
It's s-supposed to be a
story.
JO: Come on.
MARTY: One good story. I'll tell
a story.
JO: Marty.
MARTY: No one's done it right.
JO: Marty, you do it this time.
CLAUDE: Get 'em babe.
Get 'em honey.
[SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER,
UNINTELLIGIBLE]
JO: You do it. Okay.
Here's your three words.
Nations.
Motorcycles.
MARTY: Motorcycles,
JO: Candy.
Nations, Motorcycles.
Candy.
[GLASS CLINKS]
[HUMMING]
MARTY: Uncle
CANDICE: Remus.
[CHUCKLES]
Uncle.
Pants.
and...sweaty.
[SNICKER]
[UNINTELLIGIBLE CHATTER]
MARTY: W-w-wait shut up, shut
up, shut up, shut up.
[CLEARS THROAT]
You got it. Come on.
No whammys.
[CLEARS THROAT]
CLAUDE: Come on, you're...you're
a writer.
I know, I know, I'm. I'm
thinking about it.
I'm thinking about it.
CANDICE: Are you ok?
CLAUDE: --bought this
beautiful home,
Yeah. No, I'm so good.
Maybe we need water.
CANDICE: We need water
CLAUDE: Water
I don't need fucking water.
Uncle...
[DARK STRINGS]
[UNINTELLIGIBLE]
[GLASSES CLINK]
My, uh...
HOOKER: When I was 11, my fat
piece of shit.
Uncle Arnold. You know what he
did to me?
He cornered me.
He came up on me all moaning and
groaning and sweating.
Pulls his thing out, comes all
over me.
And all he does is just stand
there and look at me like
he's gonna take a picture and
and look at it later.
That's not on me.
When he died, you know what I
did?
I spit in his coffin.
Men never stop hurting me.
So I just never stopped drinking
[CRIES]
NO! It's not ok. it's not ok.
[SOBS]
And it just keeps happening. No
matter what I do.
[CRIES]
CANDICE: Can you get her some
water? Get her some water.
I don't need fucking water.
[SLAM]
CLAUDE: [UNINTELLIGIBLE]
I don't need fucking water from
any of you motherfuckers.
Get out of my house.
CANDICE: Yeah. This was
cool, yo.
Get the fucking hooker out of my
house!
[SLAM]
[SHUFFLING]
[WOOD CREAKING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[LOUD BANG]
[RUSTLING]
EDMUND: Damnit she's...
Shut up!
Shut up!
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC STOPS]
[RUNNING WATER]
[CAR ENGINE RATTLING]
Hmm-mm-mmm.
[CLEARS THROAT]
MELISSA: Jo? Jo
where are you?
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Are you kidding me right now?
What is going on here?
I-I've been calling.
I don't understand.
Get up!
Oh, my God.
Oh!
[COUGHING]
Oh, God
JO: Melissa
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You're on there gallivanting now
with a prostitute?
[SIGHS]
Jesus did.
This is not a joke, Jo.
I know, just give me a sec.
MELISSA: And on top of all this,
someone posted on the Internet
a picture of you just talking to
yourself in public.
JO: What? Why would
why would somebody do that?
MELISSA: Oh, my gosh.
Do you know your publisher
backed out?
They want their advance.
What?
This is a complete and utter
nightmare, Jo.
[CUP HITS COUNTERTOP]
I'm... I'm almost done.
I just have ten pages.
It's too late.
I am so sick of this. I'm
over you.
I don't trust you.
Y-you used to be such a...
What, a good person?
Don't you see what's happening
here?
Don't you see what's happening?
MELISSA: Yes we can.
JO: You don't see what's
happening!
Yeah, we can. You're a complete
and destructive,
self-destructive asshole.
[SIGHS]
It's just ten pages.
It's just.
It's ten pages, okay?
It's ten pages. It's ten pages.
MELISSA: This is, it's...
JO: I. Please.
I need the money. Please.
This is it Jo, this is it.
Friday, I'm going to be here
with the publisher
and the
publicist for dinner.
Clean yourself up.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LIGHTER CLICKS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
I don't have anything.
I used everything from...
I used every fucking dollar
I had to hassle from my first
novel
and it's all in his business.
And I don't...My name is not
even on it.
I don't have anything. Like
everything that you see,
Everything. All the shit that
people come over.
"Oh, it's so great." It's a
fucking prison.
I'm in a goddamn fucking prison.
[MUSIC FADES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[PAPER RUSTLING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Ugh!
[PHONE RINGING]
Oh! Agh!
[PHONE RINGING]
[PHONE RINGING]
EDMUND: Oh, God.
[PHONE RINGS THEN BEEPS]
Claude?
Hi. Wait. What?
CLAUDE [ON PHONE]: I don't know
what you're trying do
EDMUND: Claude?
But I can assure you that you're
fucking with the wrong person.
HELENA: What's going on?
Uh-Wow.
Uh-I have no idea what you're
talking about.
CLAUDE: The fucking payout
you authorized
for yourself last night.
Uh-Uh...
I didn't.
CLAUDE: I didn't either
But this...
This is fucking over for you.
What exactly are you planning
to do?
Steal from me and the investors
just walk?
I would never steal.
Steal?
Who told you that?
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Was it a guy in-in-in-in a
blue Corvette?
Uh wha-whatever he says, it's
a lie.
CLAUDE: What fucking guy,
Edmund?
EDMUND: There's a guy..
EDMUND: Leave! Please!
HELENA: Oh, okay. Okay, okay.
HELENA: Okay. Okay.
CLAUDE: Are you there?
EDMUND: Yes. Claude.
EDMUND: Yes. I-I-I'm sure this
HELENA: Um, Dad's not feeling
well.
EDMUND: is some kind of mistake,
sorry.
HELENA: Okay, so...
Wer-wer-we're gonna go without
him.
FRANNY: Mom, I'm late for the
recital!
HELENA: I-I know, I know.
It's okay. It's okay.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING]
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Careful for your head.
[MUSIC INTENSIFIES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES]
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION]
KID 1: Um-um, are you wearing
the right shoes?
KID 2: Do you know the words?
KID 1: I think it was like...uh
I think your shoelaces are
untied.
KID 3: What do you mean?
KID 1: I saw you..
Do you understand..
That's the wrong song.
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION
CONTINUES]
CHILDREN'S CHOIR:
...soul, my Savior God, to
Thee;
How great Thou art
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior
God, to Thee;
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
How great Thou art, how great
Thou art!
[AUDIENCE CLAPPING]
[CLAPPING INTENSIFIES]
[CLAPPING BEGINS TO FADE]
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch
like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now
I see
'Twas grace that taught
my heart to fear
And grace
my fears
relieved
How precious did
that grace appear
The hour
I first
believed
[CHOIR FADES]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Sabrina packs her
suitcase for a trip
that she will not return from.
This house frightens her.
Things move in this house,
especially at night.
She thinks about how her hair
moves
when a gentle breeze or a
powerful wind
rushes across her.
How funny a part of our own
being moves
without our will.
Maybe we, she thinks, humans
move
in the same way,
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
puppeted by unseen winds,
deliberately making us dance,
sing, and then of course, do
all of the things we deem
wicked.
What an evil gust should exist
in this house.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
[MUSIC FADES]
EDMUND: Where is she off?
HELENA: She's going to Germany
It's her son's birthday.
That's all she's been talking
about for months.
How could you not remember that?
Hmm.
Where are you going?
Um...I have uh meeting
with Claude,
and then I just need to be on
the worksite for just a bit.
But you need to get some rest.
Oh-oh, I-I'll feel better.
Thanks to you.
[SIGHS]
Don't go. I know. I know I've
been a lot lately, but
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
once the merger is done, we can
go away.
Just you and me.
HELENA: Okay
EDMUND: Somewhere tropical...
Okay.
Exotic, Croatia.
Okay, okay.
I-I'm just going to be gone a
bit, all right?
And then we'll have a nice
family dinner.
By the way,
before you go, have you seen my
ring?
No.
I-I can't seem to find it.
I'm-I'm sure it's around here
somewhere.
You think it slipped off?
No, no, it's here. It's here.
Just go look. You'll find it and
I'll be home soon, okay?
Okay.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Edmund feels the
silence as it
permeates his home.
It's upsetting.
Frightening.
The absence of sound.
The longer each quiet moment
stretches,
Edmund's agony expands
and the forlorn whispers of
truth
pierce his skin.
He's queasy with clarity,
so he thinks
to deafen the silence.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
It's the unknown man,
the man who carries other
people's secrets,
who follows men watching.
It's that maid, the
impoverished woman
his wife picked up off the
streets.
Her filth is in his house,
and it is her who stole his
ring.
None of this, he tells himself
over and over again,
is his fault.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
It's the uninvited visitor in
his head
whose name he can't see.
"Who are you?"
He asks.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Shit.
We did it.
[LAUGHING]
Fucking did it.
Oh God.
Whew, okay.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]
Ah, I fucking did it.
[CHUCKLING]
[SIGHS]
ANDREW: Yeah.
Oh, that's great.
Absolutely. Hold off a second.
ANDREW: Hey, babe.
JO: Hi
ANDREW: Yeah, I'm about to
sit down and eat dinner now.
Just make sure you send the site
plan by morning.
Alright,
perfect.
This looks amazing.
[PLATES CLINKING]
ANDREW: Uh, I see you looking
civilized tonight.
Civilized?
You look good.
I finished.
You finished what?
My story...
the novel.
Jo.
That's great.
It's good to hear
you worked hard on it.
Is it any good?
What, this?
ANDREW: No, silly. Your novel.
Can I-Can I get some wine,
please?
I'd like some wine.
What's the matter, Jo?
JO: Oh, yeah, everything's good.
I just want some wine.
Okay.
[WHISPERS]
Fucking good.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCENDING]
ANDREW: You know I'll wanna read
it, right?
What?
ANDREW: I wanna read your novel.
You don't read.
ANDREW: Well, maybe I'll make an
exception.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Melissa, know you're done?
[SIGHS]
ANDREW: Are you sure you're
alright?
Yeah. Just tired.
[CORK POPS OPEN]
Oh my God.
What the fuck is that?
That's like the cheapest bottle
of wine we have.
You can't even swing a good
bottle for me.
Hell, no.
I'm not bringing up any of that
good shit. Not for this.
You already tipsy, look at you.
Oh, I'm tipsy?
Am I civilized now?
Am fucking civilized for you?
Is it ever fucking enough
for you?
[SLAMS PLATE]
Tipsy my ass.
[FOOTSTEPS DESCEND]
[SIGHS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[CAR ENGINE RUNNING]
BRENT: Hey.
JO: Hello.
I know it's a safe neighborhood,
but it's a little late.
[JO CHUCKLING]
JO: D-Does that work?
[BRENT CHUCKLES]
What is this? Your?
Your wife's car?
BRENT: Hmm...
JO: The child bride?
Okay.
Okay, okay.
Ah okay.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Can I have one of those, please.
JO: One of these?
BRENT: Mhm.
Oh, I thought you were a doctor.
[SHARP EXHALE]
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
So I have to light it for you
too?
BRENT: Sure.
JO: Wait.
That's funny, because I can't
find my lighter.
BRENT: Just give me your
cigarette.
Oh, wow. Look at you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh. Oh.
Oh, boy.
[SIGHS]
So I'm having this...
party.
BRENT: Mhm.
[CHUCKLES]
Um...You and um...should come.
Do you drink every day?
Yes.
I'd love to.
Love to drink every day?
Yeah.
And come to the party.
Okay.
It'll be amazing.
Deal.
What are you doing out so late?
Mm...just going for a little
drive.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
Why don't we go?
You could get in here pretty
hard.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING CAR]
Thank you for the cup.
Yeah.
[SIGHS]
Let's get out of here, okay?
Let's go.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
JO [VO]: Every night since
Edmund heard the first drip,
he felt the cold, reptilian
presence
of the unknown person.
A faceless thing in his mind and
body.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
The face isn't formed,
but to look at it too long, he
feared, would it race him?
This dream was filled with
manifestos of
entering a new
realm. Leaving this dimension.
Drip, drip.
[DRAMATIC BASS]
He sees his twin separated by
lifetimes, lost in the shadows
of a mirror image of himself.
Wait, he thinks
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
he understands his twin is the
faceless thing.
He struggles to finish the
thought
it gives him geometrical puzzles
to solve during his waking
hours.
A liaison between here and the
next plane.
[OMINOUS LAUGHTER]
It's she.
Or is she here as he?
As one?
I'm afraid she might let me fall
from this ladder.
Suspended at the tip of this
endless night.
I'll become the shadow.
I hear them now I see them.
I'm in the void.
[SOFT ROCK AT PARTY]
[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
MELISSA: I am so thrilled.
Look, I mean, all these people
here for you.
JO: Yeah, I know. It's, it's...
MELISSA: See?
Ah, this is amazing.
MELISSA: I'm so proud of her.
ANDREW: She deserves it.
ANDREW: Well, she definitely
deserves it.
MELISSA: Yeah. It's time.
She worked super hard.
You excited?
Um I'm so...
MELISSA: Moving up.
I am so excited.
MELISSA: Okay.
Oh, we have guests.
C'mon, let's greet them.
MELISSA: Okay.
ANDREW: See you in a bit
Melissa.
[SOFT ROCK OVER SPEAKERS]
JO: Hello, welcome.
WOMAN: Oh my God. Thank so much
for having us.
ANDREW: Hey
ANDREW: How you doing, buddy?
JO: Hey, so good to see you.
MAN: Hey
Good to see you.
Likewise.
ANDREW: Glad you guys came.
Enjoy yourselves.
WOMAN: Thank you.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BACKGROUND CONVERSATION]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Maybe it'll all...be okay.
Yeah.
It will.
And we got more guests.
[SOFT ROCK FADES OUT]
[OMINOUS UNDERSCORE]
[OMINOUS MUSIC STOPS]
JO: Cheers.
I love your lipstick. Ha ha.
It's gorgeous.
Um
Did you guys get food?
There's lots of food and...
Andrew! Andrew, come here.
Have you met our neighbors?
I have met everyone.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
JO: You've met Sophia and
Andrew...
ANDREW: And Brent?
Yeah. Brent.
BRENT: Good to see you again.
ANDREW: Oh, yeah, we met
earlier.
I'm sorry. I forgot.
You all right, Jo?
Yeah. I just don't remember.
You're Tom?
TOMMY: Tommy Rossan.
Tommy Rossan
Oh, so lovely.
Of course.
Thank you.
It's his dream home.
Right?
It's ours.
Thank you.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SIGHS]
Hey, guys.
I need something a little harder
than this.
[HEAVY SIGH]
Fabulous. Can you make this?
Just make it a double next time.
CLAUDE: Hello, beautiful.
JO: Oh, you look so handsome.
Still looking great.
Are you guys having a nice time?
Having a great time.
Oh, wonderful.
Aren't they great?
Band's incredible.
I hope everyone starts dancing.
Where's Marty?
We broke up.
I was telling you that earlier.
I'm so sorry.
It was a rough one.
We wanted to get married.
Yeah.
[SLURRING]
Marriage is probably not a good
idea.
Right?
Why do it?
Why?
[PARTY SOUNDS FADE OUT]
[WAVES AND OUTDOOR SOUNDS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
BRENT: Hey.
[PARTY SOUNDS RETURN]
Hi.
It's all for you, huh?
Yeah.
Something like that.
Maybe, yeah.
Yeah...
Yeah.
Listen, I'm sorry about, I
mean...
You don't have to be sorry.
I just have, like, this a lot
happening
and I'm, I'm...
Yeah.
So, you don't...
I just-
I get it, you know.
You're a really nice guy.
Well, stop, come on.
JO: You are, you're a nice guy.
STEVEN: No, don't give me that,
don't give me that crap.
It's not crap.
Oh, come on.
JO: It's just, it's not crap.
STEVEN: It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay, you don't have to,
I'm gonna
I'm gonna let, let you do your
thing, okay?
JO: Okay
STEVEN: Okay
JO: Alright.
STEVEN: Let me know if you need
anything.
Everybody looks wonderful.
And I thank you all for coming
out tonight.
Much to say about this
lovely lady.
We have awesome friends who have
been with us for a while
and we also have some new ones.
Let's celebrate the brilliant
mind of Josephine Taylor.
Some of you know her as Jo.
I know her as my wife.
It hasn't always been an easy
role for us with her.
ANDREW: But um,
This definitely has been
one that can never be
duplicated.
So if glass is raised
without further ado
to Jo
Thanks.
ANDREW: Want to say something?
Sure.
Duplicate...
That, that...
That's a treat.
Thank you all for coming and,
um...
thanks to my darling husband for
this fabulous life
and this fabulous house.
Okay, let's dance
ANDREW: To Jo.
CROWD: To Jo!
Hit it, guys.
[MUSIC STARTS]
I'm not going to sing. No way.
You look fabulous.
Oh, you know, it's a long time
in the making.
Okay.
Seven and a half years. Wow.
Wow.
How did you start off?
What made you have the idea?
Um...
I was just really sad.
That'll do it.
I was just really sad.
Sure.
JO: Oh, hey.
How did you come up with
that ending?
JO: Oh, um. I, um...
It's just one of those things.
MAN: Look, in rewrite, rewrite.
Um, yeah, I mean, maybe 14 or so
rewrites.
WOMAN:
Thank you so much for that.
Oh, my gosh.
So nice that you guys could come
and,
you know, makes Andrew so happy
to see all the familiar faces...
WOMAN: We're so happy for you.
Thank you.
WOMAN: It's a big moment.
I'm so happy. Thank you.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC STARTS]
HELENA: Go right here. To the
bathroom.
EDMUND: Oh, god. Oh good, it's
here.
HELENA: Here, here, here...
HELENA: Let me see you. Is that
better?
Is it better?
Where's my god damn ring?
Where's my ring?
I don't know.
Do you, do you think Sabrina
took it?
Think she took it before she
left?
I'm gonna get that bag of
photos.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC ESCALATES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC QUIETS]
[DRAMATIC DRUM BEATS]
[DRUM BEATS CEASE]
[UPBEAT SONG]
[JO THROWS UP]
Get the fuck off of me!
JO: The fuck are you looking at?
ANDREW: We will get back
together soon.
The novel will be out.
Enjoy yourselves.
GUEST: Thank you.
That's all you ever fucking care
about
All these people and all this
shit
in this fucking house!
ANDREW: No.
Yeah.
SOPHIA: Come on. That's it!
You know what? Your client has
been pursuing
my husband.
[JO LAUGHING]
Y'all are some crazy
motherfuckers.
You are so stupid.
CLAUDE: Y'all are fucking nuts.
I'm screwing your husband.
CLAUDE: What?
SOPHIA: Okay, I'm out. I'm
leaving.
Oh my god...
ANDREW: You-
What?
ANDREW: Fucking slut.
Yeah, well good.
I fucking like being a slut.
You couldn't help yourself could
you?
No, you don't fucking do it for
me.
Fucking give me some vodka,
boys.
What are you doing in here?
Fuck!
This fucking shit.
Just get out of my house!
Get the fuck out of my house,
all of you!
[HEAVY BREATHING]
Don't come over here.
You deserve everything you get.
Yeah? So do you!
Fucking piece of shit!
[JO SCREAMING]
[HEAVY BREATHING]
[WATER SWIRLING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
Hey, nice party last night.
No.
No?
No, it wasn't nice?
Or no, there was no party?
I-I don't have the photos.
Well, I have the photos.
Oh, god. You know what?
It's not hard figuring out
what's going on in there.
[SIREN IMPRESSION]
You know what I'm gonna need you
to do right?
JO: Huh?
I would feel bad for you, but...
You're not even-
Oh, I know. I know.
You're insane.
Still doesn't let you off the
hook.
[JO GROANS IN PAIN]
You know
Man's...
firmly convinced that he's
awake.
In reality,
he's caught in a net of sleep
and dreams.
He's unconsciously woven for
himself.
What the fuck does that even
mean? Right?
Where did you come up with that
shit?
Oh, my God.
Wow, is that head full.
[MOCKING NOISES]
[JO GROANS]
Now, why don't you get up and
stop acting like a little bitch?
Get the fuck up.
Stop being such a little bitch.
That's right! That's right.
[JO SCREAMING]
[SPLASHING IN POOL]
[JO COUGHING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[DRAMATIC SCORE]
[JO SCREAMING]
[DRAMATIC CHORUS]
[JO SCREAMING]
[JO CRYING]
[OIL POURING]
[DRAMATIC UNDERSCORE]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[SINGING IN FRENCH]
[CHAIR DRAGGING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[SONG ENDS]
[CRICKETS, STREET SOUNDS]
[STREET SOUNDS CONTINUE
THROUGH CREDITS]