Matt and Faye

MATT AND FAYE
by
Ryan Kim

ryankim1029@gmail.com
INT. BOOKSTORE - DAY
Early morning, empty. Store coffee stand brewing, workers
shelving, and a skinny lone male, MATTHEW (mid-20s), sits in
front of the coffee stand at a table for two.
His laptop is open before him.
Headphones plug his ears.
An attractive FEMALE WORKER from afar notices Matthew's
glassy eyes.
BOOK AISLE
The worker's name tag reads SHANNON.
She's rubbing the bumpy title of a romance novel that she is
about to shelf.
The worker walks over to the main display and places the
book so that it faces Matthew.
COFFEE STAND
Matthew is focused on his computer.
A website, "Faye's Playhouse" displayed before him. Pictures
of FAYE, a redhead (late 20s) with an innocent face and a
killer body, dressed in mini-skirts, bikinis, and barely
anything at all are bunched in collages on the home page.
The subheading of the recent post reads, "Win A Date With
Faye!" Below is a body of text and a preview video with the
title, "Get a taste..."
Matthew clicks on it. He watches Faye get rammed from behind
in the bookstore without shame or worry. The video focuses
on her face and her fake bliss.
The title of the video, "THIS COULD BE YOU!" is visible
above the player. Below the video is a button, "Click Here
to Enter!"
Matthew continues to watch Faye's face, which fills the
screen and her moaning expression freezes...
MATCH CUT:
INT. HOUSE - DAY
Faye is frozen in the exact same pose.
JOE (O.S.)
Yeah, just like that sweetie. Hold
that pose. That's perfect.
Faye is being crushed by a neanderthal of a man, BILL, on a
generic couch in a typical Californian house. Sunlight
shines through windows on the two stars.
2.
BILL
Am I too heavy?
FAYE
(clearly struggling)
A little.
BILL
Sorry.
FAYE
It's fine.
JOE, the director, is a pasty skeleton with shoulder length
blonde hair.
JOE
Alright, quiet!
A loud VIBRATION BUZZ.
JOE
I said quiet! And... Ack...
The vibration continues.
JOE
Whose dildo is that? All dildos
off!
The vibration stops.
JOE
And actio...
Another BUZZ.
JOE
SON, OF A BITCH.
JAKE (O.S.)
Yeah.
JAKE, a rotund man with a fat mustache and a bluetooth
headset, fiddles with his phone. He taps his headset.
JAKE
I don't know. Like seven fifty.
With a BJ it's a thousand.
Bill and Faye stare from their positions.
JAKE
No. Anal is least fifteen
hundred... Is it girl girl or boy
girl? Ok. Fifteen. Yeah.
Jake taps his head again. He snorts up phlegm, spits it in
his coffee cup, notices Joe, Faye, and Bill looking at him.
3.
JAKE
Action.
LATER
Bill pounds away at Faye, whose fake expression returns. She
moans with pleasure. Almost too much. Joe moves with the
camera as it closes in on Faye's face.
JOE
Kiss her! Hard!
BILL
(hesitates)
Sorry, Faye.
Faye is indifferent. Bill grabs Faye's neck and she is
forced into a kiss.
JOE
Slap her!
Bill slaps Faye's butt.
JOE
In the face!
Bill gives her a love tap on the face.
JOE
Really slap her! Come on!
Bill exhales deeply and does.
The real Faye comes out from behind the curtains and an
angry flash of eyes laser at Joe.
She quickly composes herself when she sees the camera
staring at her. She continues to moan.
FAYE
God, yes ohhhh...
The camera shifts over to Bill.
Faye's expression quickly changes into a perfunctory one
like she's behind a desk crunching in numbers.
FAYE
Oh God... Yes...
JOE (O.S.)
And pop now.
Faye closes her eyes and quickly turns around, gets on her
knees, opens her eyes and the camera returns to her face.
Bill lets out a orgasmic grunt...
4.
MATCH CUT:
LATER - BATHROOM
A stream of water hits Faye's face in the shower.
The shower knob is turned all the way to the right. Ice
cold.
Her eyes closed, she lets the water cascade down her.
She turns the water off and towels off.
Faye looks at her muddled reflection in the water stained
bathroom mirror.
THE LIVING ROOM
Where they just finished the scene. People are packing up.
Bill is eating a sandwich half naked.
Faye walks up behind him and gives him a big hug.
FAYE
You're a life saver.
BILL
You owe me, sweetheart.
FAYE
How hard was it?
BILL
You tell me.
FAYE
(hits Bill in the arm)
Not that, dummy. Was it weird
having sex with a woman?
BILL
It was actually pretty easy.
FAYE
Yeah?
BILL
I was imagining Jimbo's face
instead of yours. You both actually
have similar looking asses.
FAYE
You're an asshole.
Faye kisses Bill on the head like she would a child and
takes her leave.
FAYE
Dinner on me.
5.
Bill dismisses her with a wave of his hand and munches on
his sandwich.
Joe catches up to Faye as she's walking away.
JOE
Hey, baby that was great work
today.
FAYE
I'm really late, Joe. I don't have
time for this.
JOE
No, you were really fantastic. You
were in prime form. I don't know
what Pete was so upset about.
Faye continues to walk away.
JOE
I'm having a get together at my
house.
FAYE
I'm busy.
JOE
I really doubt that. There're going
to be some big Hollywood producer
types there, so if you ever want to
branch out.
FAYE
I'm ok.
Joe looks over Faye like a piece of meat.
JOE
I'm trying to help you, sweetheart.
FAYE
Help yourself.
Faye storms out the door, leaving Joe in the frame, who
stares after her hungrily.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Darkness shrouds the room and a laptop on a glass table
illuminates only Faye as she leans back against a floral,
white couch. She downs a bottle of beer like its water. The
same romance novel from the bookstore display is on the
table.
"Faye's Playhouse" is open on her browser.
She reads the heading, "Win a Date with Faye!"
6.
Continued below reads "...Or should I say Win a Bang with
Faye..."
Faye's illuminated face is plunged into darkness as she
slams the laptop shut.
EXT. MATTHEW'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A two floor single house with a single car garage. Christmas
lights hang on the gutters and a wreath on the door. Matthew
drags his feet on the lawn to the front step.
INT. MATTHEW'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Matthew comes in quietly. He carefully closes the door and
locks it.
He tip toes through the living room where a family portrait
hangs of Matthew, his brother MARK, and their father, JACK.
More pictures hang around of Mark, an older, built version
of Matthew, who is flexing in most of them. There are no
pictures of Matthew.
THE DINING ROOM
A rather nice dining table lit by the kitchen light. A
foiled dinner plate sits on the table. Matthew takes it and
tip toes into the...
KITCHEN
A pristine kitchen that looks as if it hasn't been used.
Pots and pans neatly arranged on a kitchen cart on the far
side.
Matthew opens the oven door, sticks the whole plate in and
switches it on. A dark figure from the shadows emerges.
Matthew turns around...
MATTHEW
Ah!
Matthew's heart jumps out of his chest.
Mark in the flesh, eyes a bit red.
MATTHEW
What the hell?
MARK
Sup, pussy.
MATTHEW
What are you doing here?
MARK
(ignores question)
Where are you coming from? Work?
7.
Mark goes to the cupboard and takes out a glass.
MATTHEW
The bookstore.
MARK
A job is a job, I guess.
MATTHEW
I don't work there.
MARK
The hell were you doing then?
MATTHEW
Nothing.
MARK
Jesus, Matthew. You're still
unemployed, dad cooks your dinner,
and you spend all day at a
bookstore doing nothing?
MATTHEW
I was researching.
MARK
Research on how to be a man. God.
He scoops some protein powder into the glass.
Matthew ignores Mark and goes to the fridge. He opens it,
covering Mark's judgmental face.
MARK (O.S.)
You're just where I left you.
A choice of soda or beer. Matthew chooses a beer. He closes
the fridge and Mark is leaning on the wall, muscles bursting
out of his shirt.
Mark snatches the beer out of Matthew's hand and dumps the
beer into his protein powder glass.
Matthew watches Mark in disgust.
Mark grabs a spoon and mixes it. Then he chugs the protein
beer in one go.
Mark lets out a loud belch.
Matthew goes and opens the oven and looks around for mitts.
MARK
Just use your hands, you vagina.
MATTHEW
No, it's really hot.
8.
MARK
(mockingly)
No, it's really hot. Move.
Mark takes out the plate with his hands quickly and sets it
on the counter.
MARK
There you go, princess.
Matthew goes to the fridge to grab another drink.
MATTHEW
To what do we owe this visit?
Matthew tests the dinner plate to see if it's hot.
MARK
I wanted to see if you grew some
balls and left the nest.
MATTHEW
A phone call would've done.
Matthew grabs his food and heads towards the dining room.
MARK
You never pick up.
MATTHEW
Exactly.
MARK
(shoves Matthew)
Bitch.
Matthew drops the plate and shattered pieces scatter the
floor.
MARK
The hell, Matt?
MATTHEW
What's your problem?
Matthew shoves Mark, but immediately regrets this.
Mark throws Matthew into the dining room.
A light turns on in the living room.
JACK (O.S.)
Matt?
JACK, a man in his 50s with a full head of gray hair, sees
Matthew, eyes open, lying passively on the ground.
Mark is leaning against the fridge with another beer.
9.
JACK
What's going on? Mark?
MARK
(cracks beer open)
Sup, pop.
LATER - DINING ROOM
There's a teacup in front of each man. A plate of Christmas
cookies in the center. Jack is sitting at the head as Mark
sits to his right and Matthew on his left.
JACK
How was the bookstore, sweetie?
MATTHEW
It was fine, dad.
JACK
You must be hungry. Let me whip you
up something real quick.
MATTHEW
It's fine, dad. I'm not hungry.
JACK
At least drink some milk with these
cookies.
MATTHEW
I'm fine.
Mark slams his fist on the table, the teacups chatter.
MARK
Jesus Christ!
Jack jumps as Matthew closes his eyes for the impending
storm.
MARK
How long are you going to baby him,
pop? He's not a kid anymore!
JACK
Don't say the Lord's name in vain.
You're in my house. And this isn't
your concern.
MARK
Really? You make his dinner, you
make his money, you probably make
his bed. You're not concerned and
he sure as hell isn't, so whose
concern is it?
Jack takes a sip of his tea.
10.
JACK
Did you come all this way to
chastise your brother and I?
Mark leans back in his chair.
JACK
He's trying, ok? He may need an
extra push, but he's trying.
MARK
He's going to start trying.
Starting tomorrow, I'm teaching him
how to be a man. I'm staying as
long as it takes for that to
happen.
MATTHEW
You're staying?
Jack looks concerned now.
JACK
Is everything ok? What about your
job?
MARK
Everything is fine.
Mark grabs a cookie and scarfs it down. He grabs another
one.
MATTHEW
Can you just leave your gym like
that?
MARK
I can do whatever the hell I want.
I own it, I can leave it if I want
to.
Mark shoves down the cookie.
MARK
The place runs itself. New members
signing up every week, everything's
going smooth. Before me, that place
was a dump, but now it's golden.
JACK
That's great, son.
Jack pats Mark's hands who is uncomfortable with this
gesture. Matthew's face betrays a tinge of jealousy.
MARK
And I'm going to do the same with
Matt.
11.
Mark shotguns his tea and gets up.
MARK
You're coming to work out with me
in the morning.
MATTHEW
No, I'm not.
MARK
You're doing whatever I tell you
to. A man's chest sticks out. It
doesn't turtle in like a cold dick.
Specifically like yours.
Matthew crosses his arms and looks to his father for
support.
JACK
Humor your brother, Matthew.
MATTHEW
Dad, I'm not a kid.
Mark scoffs.
MATTHEW
I'm not. I'm just...
MARK
What? Just what?
JACK
Let your brother speak.
A beat. Matthew shakes his head and tears form in his eyes.
MARK
Oh my God.
Jack shoots a disapproving look at Mark.
MARK
Oh my gosh.
MATTHEW
(holding back tears)
I'm trying.
Jack holds Matthew's hand like a child.
MARK
You're 25, Matthew. 25. You know
dad married mom when he was 25.
MATTHEW
And look how that turned out.
12.
Matthew immediately regrets this. Jack shows pain in his
eyes.
MATTHEW
I didn't mean that, dad.
Jack takes his hand out of Matthew's.
JACK
Listen to your brother.
Jack pats Matthew on the back awkwardly and gets up.
MARK
Rise and shine at 6...
(leans in)
Bitch.
Jack goes up the stairs and Mark grabs another cookie before
he goes.
Matthew is left alone at the table.
MARK (O.S.)
Is my car bed still here?
Matthew face goes dark as Mark flips the light switch off.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY
The apartment is spacious, mostly because it is barren. A
wide screen flat screen sits on the floor in front of the
couch. An unopened TV stand leans against the wall next to
the flat screen. Christmas lights scatter the floor near the
windows.
Morning sunlight reveals Faye sleeping on the floor below
the couch. Beer bottles litter the table and floor.
Light beams down on Faye's face. The door opens and it
closes softly. Heels click and clack against the paneled
floor until a shadow darkens Faye's face.
BELLA (O.S.)
Someone else is going to show up at
your door one day. Someone you
don't know. Someone that can save
you. And you'll still be sleeping.
FAYE
I can only dream.
BELLA (O.S.)
Say good morning to Aunt Faye.
Faye opens her eyes wide.
BELLA (30s), a stunning blonde, holds JANE (5) in her arms.
13.
JANE
Good morning.
Faye gets up immediately and smooths her hair.
FAYE
Hey, baby. Good morning.
Faye's face livens up and kisses Jane on the cheek. She
takes Jane in her arms and glares at Bella.
Faye walks away playing with Jane.
FAYE
You want some juice? Aunt Faye has
apple juice. Huh?
BELLA
(looks at the bottles)
No beer?
LATER
Jane is watching cartoons on the flat screen surrounded by
bottles.
Faye and Bella are in the kitchen watching Jane.
BELLA
How are you?
FAYE
Fine.
Faye chugs a glass of water.
Bella looks down at various envelopes on the counter. Mostly
overdue bills and shopping catalogues.
BELLA
The place is nice.
FAYE
It's bigger.
BELLA
What you wanted, right?
FAYE
Yup.
Faye watches Jane laugh. Bella turns her attention to Faye.
BELLA
You know it's a desperation move,
right? Jake's pimping you to your
fans. I heard about the Pete
incident.
14.
Faye opens up a shopping catalogue.
BELLA
You want to tell me what happened?
Faye closes the catalogue and piles it on among the rest.
She focuses back on Jane.
BELLA
What are you... You got something
else right? After all this?
FAYE
When did you have Jane? Like five
years ago?
Bella turns to Jane.
BELLA
I guess. I was like 26, 27. God.
That was a long time ago. I think
that was our last scene.
FAYE
Your last scene.
BELLA
I mean us. Like our last one
together.
Faye is indifferent.
FAYE
It was fun.
BELLA
It was. Fun. You ever notice how
the more fun something is, the less
it seems to last?
FAYE
Maybe fun has a limit.
BELLA
Everything does.
They both watch Jane as she cracks up again.
EXT. JIM'S GYM - DAY
An empty parking lot. "Jim's Gym" banner heads the local
warehouse gym. A black SUV pulls into the lot. Mark gets out
with his gym bag as Matthew slumps out of the car and drags
his feet following Mark.
INT. JIM'S GYM - DAY
Complete darkness. Mark flips the switch and everything is
visible. Benches, dumbbells, kettlebells, squat racks,
15.
deadlifting platform, tractor tires are leaned up against
the wall, a wrestling mat, and a couple of chalk bowls on
opposite walls. A man's gym.
MARK
(taking a big whiff)
Smell that?
MATTHEW
It smells like an old man's balls
in here.
MARK
Breathe it in. Do some jumping
jacks.
Mark heads towards the bench. Matthew ignores Mark's command
and follows Mark.
He sits on another bench holding a water bottle. Matthew
notices broken tablet pieces tattered on the floor. He picks
one up and reads the label.
"Ammonia"
MARK (O.S.)
Get your ass up or else we're
taking it to the mat like old
times.
Mark points at the dusty wrestling mat that hasn't been
cleaned. Ever.
Matthew gets up immediately, the tablet still in his hand.
MATTHEW
What is this?
Matthew opens his hand up to Mark, who snatches the tablet.
He glances quickly like he already knows everything about
it.
MARK
It says ammonia on it, dumbass.
MATTHEW
I... What is it for?
MARK
Men show, don't tell.
LATER - BENCH
Matthew is on the bench and struggling to put the weight up.
He struggles against a barbell with 25 pound plates on each
side.
16.
MARK (O.S.)
You got it, bro. Stick with it.
MATTHEW
I can't do it.
MARK (O.S.)
Stick with it.
Matthew puts the weight up a little further before his arms
give out and Mark has to save him.
MARK
(racking bar)
You had it, you vagina.
MATTHEW
It was too heavy.
MARK
(mockingly)
It was too heavy.
(normal)
You just gave up.
A beat. Matthew gets up and drinks his water. Mark racks on
the weight. One 45 pound plate on each side. And another.
One more. Three 45 pound plates added onto the 25.
MARK
Move, idiot.
Mark switches places with Matthew. He opens the tablet.
Matthew watches curiously.
Mark then breaks the tablet and inhales the vapors. He gets
a fire in his eyes and a look of determination. He claps his
hands and thumps his chest and gets under the weight.
Matthew offers to spot.
MARK
Don't help.
Matthew backs off, but the weight is already off the rack
and Mark lowers it slowly and then lets out a roar.
MARK
AHHHH!
Matthew, worried, steps in to help, but surely enough the
weight steadily rises to where it was. Mark dumps the
monster weight onto the rack.
MARK
(getting up)
Whoooooo!
17.
Mark eyes his handiwork.
MARK
That's what it does.
Matthew appears smaller than he already is.
LATER - HEAVY BAGS
Mark wraps Matthew's hands. He notices SOMETHING.
MARK
Oh my god. Matthew!
Mark shows Matthew his own hand. A silver promise ring on
his ring finger.
Matthew puts his hand down.
MARK
Don't tell me you still haven't had
a girlfriend. What happened with
that fat girl?
MATTHEW
No... I... There's someone.
MARK
Shut up! Don't. Lie. You're still a
virgin.
MATTHEW
Can we just...
MARK
Geez, what are you? An untouchable?
Matthew stands up to the heavy bag that's bigger than he is.
Realization crosses Mark's face.
MARK
(standing up)
Ok. Stop. Hey, stop and look at me
for a second.
MATTHEW
What?
MARK
Even though I don't know much about
your... Situation. I got some
friends who are... like you. You're
my brother... And if you're happy,
then we're cool. We cool?
MATTHEW
What the hell are you talking
about?
18.
MARK
I'm just saying... I accept you.
Mark opens his arms for a bro hug.
MATTHEW
What? I'm not gay.
MARK
You're not?
MATTHEW
No!
MARK
Oh, thank God. I was like thinking
about you and balls...
MATTHEW
What?
MARK
... And penises in the face.
MATTHEW
Stop.
MARK
Sorry. Penii in the face.
Matthew throws girly punches at the bag. He grimaces as he
hits the bag. It's doing more damage to him.
MARK
Maybe I should've wrapped your
hands in tampons.
INT. FAST FOOD JOINT - DAY
Matthew picks at his tater tots with half his chicken
biscuit on his tray.
Mark shoves tater tots into his mouth. He's already eaten
his sandwich. Mark grabs Matthew's half eaten sandwich and
finishes it in a couple of bites. He also kills his tater
tots.
MARK
(noticing Matthew's
disgusted look)
Men eat.
MATTHEW
You've been on a diet for as long
as I can remember.
MARK
(mouth full)
Fuh hit.
19.
Mark drains his orange juice bottle.
MARK
Losing your virginity has become my
number one priority.
MATTHEW
Mark. I'm ok.
MARK
I'm not. This isn't about you. It's
about the little guy who lives in
your pants. He hates you. I don't
blame him.
Mark grabs Matthew's orange juice and chugs it as well.
MATTHEW
What are you really doing here?
MARK
What do you mean?
MATTHEW
I mean. You haven't been home in a
year. Why now? Did something
happen?
MARK
Nothing happened. Ok? Nothing.
Everything is going great in my
life. You got it? Don't you want a
girlfriend? Don't you want someone
to sleep with? And I don't mean
just to bone, but to have a girl
there for you in the midst of all
of...
(points at Matthew)
... Whatever that is.
A beat. Matthew stares at a lone tater tot spilled on the
table. Mark eats it. Matthew nods.
MARK
You said earlier you had someone. I
thought it was a man, but I'm
assuming it's a girl.
MATTHEW
I don't know. I was just... It's
nothing really.
MARK
If you tell me that there is not a
single girl out there who gets your
dick hard then I'm ripping it off
and taking it with me when I go
back home.
20.
Matthew stares at the table. He wipes his hand with a
napkin. He looks up past Mark.
Matthew is sitting on his bed, his laptop propped open on
his lap. He types. Stops. Deletes. Types again. Repeat.
He's finalizing his entry into the date contest.
MARK (V.O.)
Now you ready for your first real
lesson? I know you want a
girlfriend. But for all intents and
purposes, you just need to get
laid. Trust me.
"I'm not really a fan. More an admirer. I really like
you..."
Matthew stops typing. He deletes everything and closes his
laptop.
Faye is lying on the couch with her laptop open. She cracks
open a beer and tosses the cap on the table.
The blue cracked LED glows on her face. She smacks it a
couple of times, then restarts it.
Her cracked face comes on screen. She is able to browse her
site.
MARK (V.O.)
Make them think you have money. I
mean all girls like money.
New envelopes are on the coffee table.
"Third attempt"
"Last warning"
Faye clicks "Click to Enter!"
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He drums his
fingers on the laptop and opens it up again. He starts
typing.
MARK (V.O.)
But you gotta be honest. Mostly.
"I am a single gym owner and I've had a crush on you for a
long time..."
Matthew types away furiously.
21.
A standard online entry form pops up. Name, address, email,
and at last the money question: "Tell us why you are man
enough to take out Faye!"
MARK (V.O.)
You need to make 'em laugh. They
like to laugh.
Faye begins to type in why she is man enough...
"DICK DICK DICK DICK DICK DICK DICK..."
Faye smiles as she types this.
MATTHEW (O.S.)
What if I want to make someone my
girlfriend? What if I love her?
The smile disappears. She deletes it all. A moment of
clarity on her face.
"I'm man enough because I am everything Faye dreamed of..."
Mark stares at Matthew intensely.
MARK
Listen carefully. All girls are
these little princesses, they're
not really, but let's humor them
and say that they are. They're all
holed up in their watchtower
waiting for some Prince Charming to
come save them.
MATTHEW
From the dragons of loneliness and
self-hatred that keep them
imprisoned.
MARK
Don't ever say that out loud again.
MATTHEW
So all girls are waiting for their
knight in shining armor.
MARK
Exactly. But you're not that
knight. You're the shire that they
bang in the meanwhile while Prince
Charming is sowing his seed
elsewhere. You get what I'm saying?
Matthew doesn't. Mark takes a deep breath.
22.
MARK
Just give 'em what they want. And
you'll get what you want. That's
that.
Mark takes a monster bite out of a chocolate bar.
Matthew's laptop is open in front of him.
MARK
I don't understand how bookstores
make money. People can just come in
here and read all they want without
paying for it. They should just
charge a flat fee at the door. I
should open a bookstore.
Matthew is on Faye's website.
MARK
What you looking at?
MATTHEW
Nothing.
Mark grabs the laptop.
MATTHEW
Mark, seriously.
Matthew takes his laptop back.
MARK
You've gotta be shittin' me.
(leans in)
Are you jackin' off in public?
MATTHEW
No, God... Gosh no. I'm not.
MARK
What the hell are you looking at
that for? Is that your research,
you little pervert?
MATTHEW
I'm just... understanding.
MARK
Understand at home. You can
understand two, three, hell four
times a day.
MATTHEW
I like her.
MARK
You like her? You like some porn
slut?
23.
MATTHEW
Don't call her that.
Mark hands the laptop back, incredulous.
Matthew averts his eyes. Mark takes a deep breath. He looks
around. He sees Shannon organizing the main display. She
glances in Matthew's direction.
MARK
Why don't you just ask out that
girl over there? She's cute. Got
the whole... Bookstore clerk thing
going on.
MATTHEW
I don't even know her.
MARK
Yeah, that's the point dumbass. You
take her out to get to know her.
You can't get a girlfriend by
sitting behind your computer.
MATTHEW
I can meet people online.
MARK
You know where else you can meet
people?
INT. RED'S - NIGHT
A family friendly sports bar with multiple flatscreens,
projectors, and smaller TVs spread around the restaurant
area.
A big mirror reflects the bar scene.
A few overweight families eating a late dinner, middle aged
crowd laughing loudly, fat girls with drinks glued to their
hands, and Matthew sitting at a table end with a light beer
in front of him.
A splash of beer hits Matthew on the shoulder.
Mark has a couple of girls hanging off each arm. One of them
is trying to feed him beer while hanging. They giggle as
Mark tries to lap up the beer foam.
LATER
Mark is on a drunken rant with the two girls.
MARK
No, I swear. I do own a gym. It's
got everything you need. Free
weights, benches, squat racks,
(MORE)
24.
MARK (cont'd)
saunas, hot tubs, swimming pool, a
basketball court, and my
favorite... The massage room.
GIRL #1
I wish we had a gym like that
around here.
MARK
You got Jim's Gym. Speaking of...
That was my idea.
GIRL #2
The gym?
MARK
Jim's gym. I told him to name it
that. Because I said that people
would think it's clever and would
want to come. And I was right. So I
get to work out there whenever I
want. Isn't that right, Matt?
Matthew snaps out of his stupor and joins Mark.
MARK
Ladies, this is my brother. He's
the cute one in the family. Am I
right?
GIRL #2
You guys don't look anything alike.
GIRL #1
You guys have the same... Eyes.
MARK
No. No, we don't. He's got blue
eyes and I got the mocha hazel doe
eyes. See?
Mark bats his lashes.
MARK
He's got mom's eyes.
Matthew looks down.
MARK
May she forever... Burn in hell.
GIRL #1
That's not nice.
MARK
She wasn't nice. She left us when
we were 10. Well, I was 10, Matt
(MORE)
25.
MARK (cont'd)
here was about five or six, so he
probably don't remember as well as
I do.
Matthew distances himself from Mark.
MARK
Broke dear old dad's delicate heart
and didn't even have the decency to
say goodbye to us.
Matthew is back at the other end of the table.
MARK
Good riddance, I say. I turned out
alright. Dad's ok. And Matt...
Matthew doesn't turn his head.
MARK
... You'll get there.
GIRL #1
Maybe he can own a gym like you.
GIRL #2
He should help you run your gym.
You guys can call it... Gym Bros!
MARK
Ha, that's clever.
(eyes Girl #2)
You're clever.
Mark turns and locks lips with Girl #1. They make out
ferociously. Girl #2 rips Mark apart and takes her turn.
Matthew looks to the bar.
A fat girl waves at him. Matthew shyly turns away eying his
beer.
He looks up again and past her and sees...
Shannon from the bookstore. She's drinking alone.
Matthew turns to Mark who is kissing both girls at the same
time.
Matthew downs his light beer. And heads for Shannon.
As he heads towards her, he notices his reflection in the
bar mirror. He pauses, smooths his hair. Takes a breath.
In the reflection he sees Shannon and another guy approaches
her. They hug one another and share a kiss.
26.
Matthew glances at his reflection again as he stands alone
and storms out embarrassed. He passes by his brother who is
passed out.
EXT. RED'S - NIGHT
Matthew steps out of the bar and into the chilly night.
Drunks are stumbling about. Couples making out to keep warm.
Matthew puts his hood up and speeds past these people in a
jog. He speeds up into a sprint, running away from the
night.
Matthew enters his room, shuts and locks it. He opens his
laptop and goes to Faye's website.
He throws off his hoodie, unzips his pants and begins to
feel himself. He touches Faye's face on the screen. He
stares at the screen.
He's having trouble getting it up. He slaps himself. He
slaps himself down below. Faye stares back at him
seductively. Matthew can't do it. A sob escapes him.
He buries his head in his hand. He exits the browser and
closes the laptop.
Right before he shuts it, there's a BEEP.
An email notification. He clicks on it and it opens to
reveal...
"You Won, STUD! Congratulations, you are officially a lucky
bastard and about 98% of the male population hates you and
wants to be you. Faye Angel cordially invites you to meet
her at..."
Matthew's eyes open wide. He reads it again. And again.
There's a knock on his door.
MARK (O.S.)
Matt? Hey, man. What the hell? You
can't just leave me like that,
dude. Why is your door locked?
Matthew ignores Mark. The implications of the notification
is hitting him.
MARK (O.S.)
Are you sleeping?
A wave of determination washes over Matthew. He's going to
make Faye his girlfriend.
MARK (O.S.)
I think those girls took advantage
of me.
27.
INT. MATTHEW'S CAR - DAY
Matthew is driving past surburban houses, past his small
town, past Jim's Gym. Doubt in his throat.
MARK (V.O.)
Wait, so where did you meet this
girl?
INT. MATTHEW'S HOUSE - DAY
Matthew is in the middle of stuffing a duffel bag with
shirts, extra underwear, snacks, laptop.
MATTHEW
I met her online.
MARK
Like on AdultFriendFinder.com?
Mark's hit by a bag of Doritos right square in the face.
CAR - SUN SETTING
Matthew rubs his face as he passes a sign.
"Los Angeles 303 Miles"
MARK (V.O.)
You're driving all the way down to
LA to get laid? Desperate times,
desperate measures, I guess. What
if she's really a dude?
HOUSE - DAY
Mark is sitting on Matthew's head eating Doritos.
MATTHEW
I can't breathe.
MARK
You've never even met this girl, so
what the hell makes you think that
this drive will be worth it?
MATTHEW
(dumps Mark off him)
She's worthy.
An ammonia tablet is pushed against Matthew's small chest.
MATTHEW
I don't think I'll have time to
bench 300 pounds in L.A.
28.
MARK
I don't think you'll ever. This is
a reminder. So whenever you feel
like pussing out. Stick with it.
Matthew is rather touched by his brother's semi-encouraging
words. He takes the tablet.
Mark then love taps him in the balls.
CAR - NIGHT
Matthew struggles to keep his eyes open. Empty energy drink
cans litter his car. He passes another sign.
"Los Angeles 63 Miles"
Faye is on the couch watching her former glory on her broken
laptop. Her cellphone is on the table.
She's young, vibrant, loud. Her phone rings on silent.
"Jake the Snake" displays on the phone.
Faye is glassy eyed. Her face and body are broken, cracked
on screen. A tear rolls down her cheek and she tosses the
laptop on the ground.
Faye's cracked face on the laptop screen breaks into a smile
that fades.
FADE OUT.
A phone RINGS. RINGS. RINGS.
FAYE (O.S.)
It's Faye, leave me a good one.
BEEP.
JAKE (O.S.)
We got a winner. Some gym owner up
north.
(snorts)
He's headed your way. If this goes
well, we can put the whole Pete
incident behind us...
(to someone else)
Hey! Clean this up. I don't run a
bed and breakfast. Freakin' pig
sty, I swear...
We hear girls LAUGHING in the background.
29.
JAKE (O.S.)
(to Faye)
... Anyway, you still got some good
miles left on you, baby so... Don't
bite his dick off.
A beat. A loud KNOCKING.
FADE IN:
Faye is on the couch, limbs splayed out. More KNOCKING. Faye
stirs. Louder this time.
EXT. APARTMENT - DAY
Matthew waits nervously outside Faye's door. He hesitates
before knocking again. He pounds the door. Still nothing.
The door flies open.
Matthew is stunned by what he sees in front of him.
Faye is standing in a mini skirt, tank top, hair disheveled,
eyes and nose red. A completely different girl from the porn
star Matthew has fallen for.
Matthew stands determined however.
MATTHEW
My name is Matthew Finer. And I'm
here to save you from your
loneliness and self-hatred.
Faye gives Matthew a quick up and down.
FAYE
Do you have any pizza, Matthew
Finer?
MATTHEW
I... I'm not... No.
FAYE
Then you're not saving anybody.
She slams the door in Matthew's face.
Matthew stands discouraged. His eyes drop to the floor and
he steps away with his hands in his pockets.
Matthew pauses. He takes out the ammonia tablet and
considers breaking it. He inhales and exhales. Puts the
tablet back in his pocket.
Matthew stands ready at the door. But right before he
knocks, the door opens.
30.
Faye has her laptop in her hands and steps past him without
acknowledgment. She heads down the hall.
Matthew follows after her.
MATTHEW
Hi. I'm Matthew.
Faye continues to walk.
MATTHEW
Where are you going?
FAYE
None of your business, Mormon
Norman.
MATTHEW
Oh, I'm not... You know that'd be a
good idea.
They stop at the elevators.
FAYE
What?
MATTHEW
If Mormons opened up a pizza
delivery. They could deliver their
pizza and their good news.
Matthew grins. Faye is unfazed.
MATTHEW
Did you want pizza though? I could
go get it for you.
The elevators ding and the doors open. Faye enters. Matthew
rushes in.
FAYE
Listen, door knocker. I'm not
interested in being saved. I don't
care how much pizza you try to
bribe me with. Don't waste your
breath.
MATTHEW
Even if they have banana peppers on
them?
FAYE
How did you know I like banana
peppers?
MATTHEW
I saw it on your site.
31.
FAYE
Oh, Christ. How the hell did you
find out where I live?
Faye distances herself away from Matthew, who is beginning
to look concerned.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry. I just... Mr. Jake said
that it was ok for me to come
here...
FAYE
Jake? Wait... Oh, Jesus...
MATTHEW
You take the Lord's name in vain a
lot...
Faye doubles over in pain and drops her laptop.
MATTHEW
Oh my God. Gosh. Are you ok?
Faye starts vomiting in the elevator.
The elevator doors open.
Matthew, wide eyed and clueless, hesitates for a moment.
Then runs out like a sprinter out of the apartment leaving
Faye in her mess.
EXT. APARTMENT - DAY
Matthew runs with purpose against the crowd, far from the
building, a fish swimming upstream.
Faye lies in fetal position on the couch, ghostly pale. She
stares at the laptop screen, which hangs off the hinges on
her coffee table. Faye sips on a beer.
There's a KNOCKING at her door. Faye remains like a stone
unturned.
FAYE
It's open.
The door creaks open.
FAYE
You won't believe the day I'm
having.
MATTHEW
Me neither.
32.
Matthew, sweaty and exhausted, is standing near the door
holding a plastic bag.
Faye gets up, but doesn't know how to react.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry I ran away like that.
Matthew dares to edge closer to the couch.
MATTHEW
I tried to find the closest
pharmacy. There was a grocery near
here.
FAYE
The closest grocery is three miles
away.
MATTHEW
Oh. I must have gone the wrong way.
There was a grocery about six miles
that way.
Matthew points to an obscure direction. He notices the bag
in his hands.
MATTHEW
I got you some medicine. I didn't
know if you had the stomach flu or
something, but there's aspirin and
some Alka-Seltzer.
Matthew puts the bag on the couch and steps away like
there's a force field preventing him from going near Faye.
FAYE
By the way. Congratulations. You
won a date with Faye... Yay.
Matthew smirks and opens his mouth to say something, but
shuts it. Faye takes the bag and shuffles through it, takes
out the Alka-Seltzer.
She drops the Seltzer tablets into her beer and watches them
fizzle.
Faye's eyes bounce up to Matthew, who is staring past her.
At the television and the uninstalled stand.
MATTHEW
My dad buys all his kitchenware
from Ikea. Putting them together is
a real bitch.
FAYE
Tell me about it. I'm afraid to
open it.
33.
MATTHEW
He even bought this kitchen cart.
That was the worst.
FAYE
What's a kitchen cart?
MATTHEW
It's like a bunch of shelves with
wheels.
FAYE
What's it for?
MATTHEW
It's like for pots and pans I
guess.
FAYE
Isn't that what for cabinets are
for?
MATTHEW
They don't have wheels.
FAYE
Then what do you keep in the
cabinets?
A beat.
MATTHEW
Everything else.
LATER
Boards and screws are sprawled out on the floor near the
couch.
Matthew is struggling to put together the first major piece
of the stand.
FAYE
So where are you from?
MATTHEW
Up north.
FAYE
NorCal?
MATTHEW
Organ.
FAYE
Come again?
MATTHEW
Oregon.
34.
FAYE
Oh, like Portlandia?
MATTHEW
Where young people go to retire.
Faye smiles and sips on a beer. Matthew notices her smile
and this gives him immense pleasure.
MATTHEW
Did you choose the winner?
FAYE
No.
MATTHEW
So you didn't read the essay?
Faye flashes anger. The same eyes when Joe was filming her.
FAYE
Essay? The question might as well
have been "how big is your dick?"
Matthew keeps working. Faye downs the rest of the bottle.
FAYE
I know why you're here. You think
that you have a chance with me. I
screw guys for money, so it can't
be that hard to get a free screw,
right?
Matthew puts a major piece in with a screw and compares with
the instructions.
FAYE (O.S.)
I got news for you, perv. It's not
going to happen. I'm a person too
and this is a one time only deal.
One date. One night.
Faye seems like she's trying to convince herself.
FAYE
After, I'm out of here. I'm
leaving. I'm moving on. And you,
you're going back to wacking off to
videos of me and when you get tired
of watching me. You'll move on too.
A beat.
Matthew stops working and musters up an honest response.
MATTHEW
You're the only one I've ever
watched.
35.
Faye stares incredulously at Matthew who continues to work
on the stand.
FAYE
You want me to believe that you're
here to actually take me out on a
date.
MATTHEW
A dinner and a movie is the norm
from what I hear.
FAYE
From what you hear... What you've
never been on a date?
Matthew continues on with the TV stand.
FAYE
Seriously? You're not an
untouchable are you?
MATTHEW
What... No. What is that?
FAYE
That was a joke.
Faye cracks open another beer.
FAYE
This is a sad first date.
Faye takes a long sip.
Matthew broods over how to respond. He screws in another
piece.
MATTHEW
Well, I don't know about you, but
I'm having a great time.
Faye smiles and fully cracks up.
Matthew puts another piece together. The TV stand is
complete.
FAYE
That was fast.
MATTHEW
That's what she said.
Faye doesn't laugh this time. She's rather serious.
Matthew notices her solemn face.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry, that was inappropriate.
36.
Faye smiles.
FAYE
Alright untouchable, you must be
hungry because I am. What are you
in the mood for?
Matthew thinks long and hard.
MATTHEW
Pizza?
FAYE
You're funny.
Matthew is pleased with himself.
Faye stands up and stretches.
FAYE
I guess you'll appreciate the huge
box o' Faye more than anyone.
MATTHEW
What box?
FAYE
The winner also gets all my movies
for free.
MATTHEW
Where is it?
FAYE
It gets sent to the address you put
down on the entry form.
Matthew grows wide eyed.
FAYE
Why? You don't live with your mom
do you? She look through all your
mail?
A trail of fast food bags, shelled candy wrappers, empty
cans of beer lead to a big cardboard box. Stacks of DVD
boxes with Faye posing on them lead to a car bed. A Hot Rod.
Mark is on the Hot Rod with Matthew's laptop on his
protruding stomach. He's watching one of Faye's first
videos.
Faye is wearing a tank top and a mini skirt, sitting on a
couch. She's bubbly, excited, the opposite of what she has
become.
37.
A VOICE (O.S.)
So tell us your name and how old
you are...
FAYE
(all smiles)
My name is Faye Angel and I am 19
years old.
A VOICE
So where you from?
FAYE (O.S.)
Around...
A VOICE (O.S.)
You have big breasts. Are they
yours?
Mark watches. A mix of fascination and desperation on his
face.
FAYE (O.S.)
They're real. All natural.
A VOICE (O.S.)
Show me.
Mark's hand lowers into his pants.
Faye sits in the middle of the couch as Matthew sits on the
end. Both are eating a slice of the Valley's finest cheese
pizza.
Matthew wipes his hands off and Faye notices his promise
ring.
Faye grabs Matthew's hand and a growing awareness marks her
face.
FAYE
Oh my God. It is. That is a promise
ring.
Matthew retracts his hand and red illuminates his face.
FAYE
Some Bible thumper make you do it?
Faye takes a bite out of her pizza.
MATTHEW
No.
FAYE
No boy in their right mind would
take a vow of abstinence willingly.
38.
MATTHEW
I promise. No one made me do it.
FAYE
Why?
This is it. Matthew is letting Faye behind the curtain.
MATTHEW
My mom. She left us when I was
pretty young. She took everything
that was hers, so we wouldn't
remember her I guess. The only
thing she left were these
tapestries she used to make. Dad
probably threw them out. My dad
doesn't really talk about why, but
he blames himself for it... He
tells me now that he should've gone
after her. And I just see this
regret in his eyes. Like he wished
he really did. So he made me
promise that if I met a girl I
really liked, that I'd go after
her. That I wouldn't let her go.
Faye is lost in Matthew's story, not out of pity, but out of
a longing.
MATTHEW
But I keep it on out of habit
really. Plus I can't really take it
off.
Matthew tries to yank it off, but it appears that his finger
has grown thicker since he first put the ring on.
Faye scoots closer to Matthew.
FAYE
Matthew.
MATTHEW
Matt.
Faye sees a young boy in front of her. And she knows the
solution.
FAYE
You've never been to the Valley,
have you?
MATTHEW
I've never been... Anywhere.
FAYE
You've never had a girlfriend to
hang out with or do... Stuff with?
39.
Matt shakes his head.
Faye stares at him and a wide grin spreads her lips.
MONTAGE
EXT. THE VALLEY - NIGHT
Matt and Faye paint the town. Faye is dressed in her mini
skirt and tank top. Matt in his oversized hoodie and jeans.
Lights shine from stores and Faye takes Matt by the hand.
They walk down the Universal City Walk. People crowd the
sidewalks, but Matt and Faye stand out like the odd couple
they are.
Hard Rock Cafe's huge guitar attracts Matt like a fly to
light.
Faye points out various cinemas, restaurants, shops.
Matt can't believe this is happening. He's holding hands
already.
Faye stands below King Kong and feigns like she's being
taken.
Faye shivers in the cool night. Matt takes his hoodie off
and puts it around her.
INT. METRO - NIGHT
Matt and Faye are on the metro line sitting close to one
another. They read the map across from them. Faye knows
where to go.
EXT. VENTURA BOULEVARD - NIGHT
On to Ventura Boulevard.
They're in a cab cruising down the boulevard. Matt admires
the city at night. Faye can't help but feel his excitement
and views the city with new eyes.
Faye sticks her head out of the window and lets her hair
flow with the wind. Matt's eyes soften as he gazes upon
Faye. Rejuvenated.
END MONTAGE
EXT. THE GREAT WALL - DAWN
Matt is exhausted. Faye is still energetic and waits in
eager anticipation.
FAYE
This is my favorite place to come
to.
40.
MATTHEW
Where are we?
FAYE
The Great Wall.
MATTHEW
There's more than one?
FAYE
Har. Har.
Matthew was being totally serious. But he stays quiet.
FAYE
I used to come here all the time
right before the sun came up.
The sun begins to come up.
FAYE
This is going to change your life.
The sunlight pervades the wall and begins to show the great
series of murals in all its glory. The rich history of
California: Olympic Champions, Indian Assimilation, Origin
of Gay Rights, Civil Rights Forebearers, the Birth of Rock
and Roll, McCarthyism, Development of Suburbia.
The Great Wall of Los Angeles.
Faye stands in awe of it all.
FAYE
I wanted to paint a section here
before.
MATTHEW
You should.
FAYE
I wouldn't know what to paint now.
MATTHEW
What did you want to paint before?
FAYE
The boom of porn. The emergence of
the Valley. I thought it was just
as much a part of California as
anything else.
Matt sees the focus and passion on Faye's stern face.
FAYE
It's still a part of it.
Faye has lost interest now and she walks away.
41.
Faye walks past the history of California and Matt catches
up passing by Sojourners, Spanish Arrival, Early
Californians, and Pre-History.
Matt pauses to look at the pre-historic man and mimics his
pose.
EXT. NAT'S EARLY BITE - DAY
Early morning outside of Nat's. Faye is still wearing Matt's
hoodie. Matt drags his feet along to the diner, he sees Faye
holding the door for him.
This gives Matt a little hitch in his step. He speeds up a
little and his phone RINGS.
Matt sees that it's "Mark."
MATTHEW
I'll be in. I gotta take this.
Faye puts her hood up and throws a gangsta nod.
MATTHEW
Now's not a good time.
MARK (O.S.)
'Cause you sneaking out her
apartment?
MATTHEW
What? No.
MARK (O.S.)
Steal her panties, so I actually
believe you.
MATTHEW
Dude, I didn't sleep with her.
MARK (O.S.)
Make love. Whatever you want to
call it, fag.
MATTHEW
I gotta go.
MARK (O.S.)
You coming home?
MATTHEW
No. I'm eating breakfast with her.
MARK (O.S.)
Big mistake. Have you learned
nothing from me?
MATTHEW
I can only hope.
42.
MARK (O.S.)
Get in, get out. Get that mentality
ingrained in your dumb skull. It
applies for going to the gym,
Christmas shopping, and sex. And
also bank stickups.
MATTHEW
I'm not... I like her.
MARK (O.S.)
Jezu... Geez, Matt.
(door slamming)
You can't fall in love with every
girl you sleep with.
MATTHEW
We didn't have sex!
A young couple pass by Matthew and pause to stare.
GUY
Bummer, man.
They go into the diner.
MATTHEW
Hello? Mark. Can you... I don't
know how to ask...
MARK (O.S.)
What? Spit it out, vajay!
MATTHEW
How did you... How do you make
someone your girlfriend?
MARK (O.S.)
Oh, Go... Sh. Matt, listen to me,
bro. You don't want to cross this
chicken.
MATTHEW
She's really awesome. I think she
likes me.
MARK (O.S.)
You're not ready for a girlfriend.
MATTHEW
You're the one always telling me I
need to become a man.
MARK (O.S.)
Exactly! You. Are not. A. Man.
Hence, you're not ready.
MATTHEW
When will I be?
43.
MARK (O.S.)
You don't have a job, which means
you're using dad's credit card
right now, which means that he's
going to be extremely pissed if he
sees that...
Matthew doesn't want to hear this, he needs Mark on his
side.
MATTHEW
Listen. I don't have anything. But
right now I have this amazing girl
who wants to eat breakfast with me.
This has never happened to me
before. You don't know how this
feels. You've always had girls
around you.
A beat.
MATTHEW
I mean, in all probability this
girl probably doesn't want anything
to do with me. But I want to try.
Real men try, right?
MARK (O.S.)
Enough.
Matthew's eyes sink.
MARK (O.S.)
Have some confidence. God. You
literally sound like a desperate
housewife. Confidence. That's the
first thing.
Matthew brightens up.
MATTHEW
Confidence.
MARK (O.S.)
Real men lead the way. You lead the
conversation, ask questions,
listen, but if you do it right, the
girl will look away. She'll avoid
your eyes. If she looks somewhere
far then you lost her. If she's
staring at the clock, or the waiter
or TV, it's over. But if she's
staring at the table, or her glass
while she's sipping her Diet Coke,
or anywhere near your vicinity
then... And note this.
Matthew listens intently.
44.
MARK (O.S.)
Make eye contact with her even if
it's just for a split second, don't
look away. Stare into her eyes and
then her lips. If she smiles, it's
on.
MATTHEW
Eye got it.
MARK (O.S.)
Good. Cause' eye got your big box
o' porn.
MATTHEW
What?
MARK (O.S.)
Don't worry, dad doesn't know about
it.
MATTHEW
I totally forgot about that.
MARK (O.S.)
Well, lucky I'm here baby boy.
Depending on how this breakfast
goes, let me know if you're going
to need this box or not. 'Cause I'm
just going to throw it away.
MATTHEW
Don't.
Mark is sitting surrounded by every Faye DVD sprawled on his
Hot Rod and on his bedroom floors. He's on the phone and
hears a click.
MARK
Dick.
He tosses his phone. There's a KNOCK on his door.
JACK (O.S.)
You alright in there? I thought I
heard some swearing.
MARK
All good in here pop pop.
JACK (O.S.)
Where's Matthew?
MARK
He went to see about a girl.
45.
OUTSIDE MARK'S ROOM
Jack stands in his nurse scrubs perplexed, surprised.
JACK
A girl? What girl?
MARK'S ROOM
Mark reads one of Faye's DVD covers.
MARK
You know like a nice, Christian
blonde haired, blue eyed, Arian
girl.
OUTSIDE MARK'S ROOM
JACK
When is he coming back?
MARK (O.S.)
I don't know.
Jack cannot believe his Matthew is with a girl. And he's
worried.
MARK (O.S.)
I've been here a few days and
Matt's already girding up his
loins.
JACK
Do you even know what that means?
A beat.
MARK (O.S.)
You're welcome.
Jack walks away.
MARK'S ROOM
Mark has gained some weight around his mid section. He rolls
over on his bed. His gym bag has thrown up as well and his
clothes are spread over the floor.
Mark reaches into one of the clothes and takes out a PROMISE
RING similar to Matt's. He lies down and holds it to his
heart. Then he chucks it back onto the floor.
INT. NAT'S EARLY BITE - DAY
Matt and Faye look over the menu. Faye sips her coke.
Condensation drips down a glass of milk in front of Matt.
Christmas music playing in the background.
Matt starts to sweat.
46.
FAYE
You alright there, champ?
MATTHEW
Yeah, yeah.
Faye takes her napkin and wipes Matt's forehead. He grabs
the napkin and Faye's hand as well.
FAYE
I'm going to need that back.
MATTHEW
You can have mine.
FAYE
But I like my dainty, manicured
hand better than your...
Faye looks at Matt's hand lying on the table. Quite a lovely
hand. Youthful, tight, and slender.
FAYE
Never mind. Let's trade.
MATTHEW
Oh, your hand.
He lets go and twists his promise ring around his finger.
MATTHEW
So... It was fun.
FAYE
Yeah, it was. I... I haven't had
fun like that in a while actually.
Faye drinks her coke. Matt forces himself to look into
Faye's eyes.
Faye catches Matt's gaze. She forces a laugh and looks away.
Somewhere far off. At the clock.
Matt's heart sinks.
FAYE
So when are you going back home?
Matt remains silently devastated. His breath gets short. He
can't see straight.
FAYE
Hey, Matt. Are you ok?
Matt closes his eyes to black and slowly opens them again,
light flooding in, to see Faye's concerned eyes.
MATTHEW
I want to stay. Here.
47.
FAYE
Are you thinking about moving here?
MATTHEW
No, I... I want to stay here with
you.
FAYE
Matt...
Matt can't look at Faye.
MATTHEW
I know it's supposed to be a one
time thing and I know I'm not good
enough to be like your boyfriend or
whatever, but... I like being with
you and even if I went home I'd
still be thinking about you and...
Matt finally looks up to see Faye staring at him for just a
moment, right before she turns her eyes to her hand on the
table and take a sip of her coke.
Matt stares at her lips. A hint of a smile.
A hint of boldness in Matt.
MATTHEW
...and I just feel. I feel it'd be
good to hang out with you for a
while.
FAYE
Well, I'm flattered, Matt. You sure
know how to make a porn star blush.
Matt swallows a lump.
Faye's hit with the harsh reality of their temporary
situation.
FAYE
But I think it'd be for the best if
you went back home after this. You
know I'm pretty much retired.
MATTHEW
You should come back home with me.
FAYE
I'm just a rental, Matt. Not a
keeper.
A beat.
48.
FAYE
Let's just eat and go over to the
Big Kid store and then we can call
it a day.
Faye picks up the menu again. Matt takes a sip of his milk.
FAYE
I heard the sausages are good here.
Faye smirks behind the menu. Her smirk fades.
Matt fiddles with his ring.
EXT. BIG KID COLLECTABLE TOY MALL - DAY
Matt looks like a kid in front of a candy store. Faye more
like his mother.
INT. BIG KID COLLECTABLE TOY MALL - DAY
Faye and Matt like mother and son cruise the products from
the past.
FAYE
So you got a brother right?
MATTHEW
Yeah, he owns a gym.
FAYE
I thought you owned a gym.
MATTHEW
(catching himself)
Yeah... We actually own it
together.
FAYE
Must be nice.
MATTHEW
Yeah. Well, it's mostly his I feel.
FAYE
Why do you say that?
MATTHEW
I mean he's the manly man. You
know? He lifts weights and picks up
girls no problem.
FAYE
Hmm... Sure sounds like a man.
MATTHEW
What do you think a man is?
49.
FAYE
A real man? I don't know. I'll let
you know when I meet one.
Matt smiles, but is slighted by this remark.
FAYE
How'd you guys get a gym started?
MATTHEW
Mark, my brother, he used to eat a
lot of fast food growing up. And
you know those contests they have
sometimes like the stickers you
peel off of your fries?
FAYE
Yeah like monopoly and whatever.
MATTHEW
Yeah, he actually won in high
school.
FAYE
No way. Like a million dollars?
MATTHEW
No, one of the smaller prizes. Like
a few hundred grand I think, but he
blew like half of it on a car and
boozing and partying.
FAYE
Yeah, who wouldn't? At that age.
Faye looks at an old cabbage patch doll.
MATTHEW
And then... He grew up. He stopped
eating fast food, started working
out, and moved out to L.A. He met a
couple of bodybuilders and decided
to invest in a gym.
FAYE
Is he in L.A. now?
MATTHEW
No, he's back home.
FAYE
What for?
MATTHEW
Just visiting I guess.
FAYE
So you co-own the gym in Portland?
50.
MATTHEW
Yeah... I uh... There's another
branch sort of at home. There
wasn't a gym like that where we
lived so he decided to open up a
smaller one and asked me to look
over it.
FAYE
Cool beans.
Matt half smiles and notes Faye's envious tone.
EXT. BURBANK - DAY
Matt is fighting sleep, but Faye is wide awake.
FAYE
You can crash at my place for a few
and then click your heels, Dorothy.
You're going home.
Matt sleepily nods his head.
MATTHEW
What are you going to do?
FAYE
Sleep, drink, repeat.
MATTHEW
I mean after all that. Are you
really retired? Living off a
pension or something?
Faye laughs at Matt's naivete.
FAYE
Yes. Obamacare is really a
severance package for the porn
stars. God knows we need it.
MATTHEW
He knows everything.
FAYE
Obama?
MATTHEW
God.
Faye stares at Matt's sleepy head.
JOE (O.S.)
Faye, baby!
Joe walks from the other direction out of a long night at
Sardo's.
51.
JOE
Hey, I missed you at my place. You
shoulda came out. The big producers
were looking for you.
FAYE
Let's go, Matt.
Faye grabs Matt's hand, who jerks awake, and brush past Joe.
JOE
Hey, who's the schlub?
MATTHEW
I'm Matt.
JOE
(to Matt)
That's nice, kid.
(to Faye)
This the lucky guy? You suck him
off or what?
Faye burns red and flicks him off.
JOE
I'd love to.
Fury registers in Matt's clenched jaw and fists. He squeezes
Faye's hand too hard.
FAYE
Ow.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry.
JOE
Yeah, easy there boy. She's a
delicate creature, get me?
MATTHEW
Leave us alone.
JOE
Or what? Or else I'm not going to
like you when you're angry? Come
on, junior, you look like a High
School Musical reject. Let the
grownups talk.
(to Faye)
Come on, baby. I was just messing
with you. I know you're looking for
work. You know you're more than
welcome to work with me.
MATTHEW
She's retired.
52.
JOE
What'd I say? Let her talk,
Screech.
Faye remains silent.
Joe grabs her.
FAYE
Let go of me.
JOE
Then don't be rude to me,
sweetheart. And I won't be rude to
you.
Matt gives Joe a death glare, his fists are balled up...
JOE
What? You little jerk off...
Matt hits Joe with a right hook that makes him eat sidewalk.
Faye is pleasantly surprised. And Matt can't believe it. He
starts to run away, but grabs Faye's hand and they run away
together like kids from mall cops.
Faye's hair flows in the wind, Matt looks a bit panicked as
he runs, but looks back to see Faye laughing and shows a
hint of a grin.
MARK'S ROOM
Mark's right where he was before on his Hot Rod watching
videos on Matthew's laptop.
Sounds of laughter come from the laptop.
GIRL (O.S.)
No, that's not how you...
Giggling and Mark joins in on the laughter.
But he's not watching Faye.
A beautiful brunette, JAMIE, is on the screen. She has an
apron on and flour in her hair. She's making cookies in the
kitchen.
JAMIE
You're no help.
MARK (O.S.)
My forearms are on fire. For you.
JAMIE
I could've used a mixer.
53.
MARK (O.S.)
But they can't mix in blood, sweat,
and tears like I did. Or spit.
Mark hocks one up on screen.
JAMIE (O.S.)
Noooo...
Mark laughs on the Hot Rod.
His face becomes serious. He puts the laptop down and picks
up his phone from the ground.
Mark opens up his recent calls and sees all the missed calls
from Jamie. His voicemail is full. He calls it.
JAMIE (V.O.)
This is literally the last time I'm
going to call you. I'm sick of it.
I know I said that last time. I
think it's 'cause I really want you
to pick up. Please call me. I just
want to talk. Ok? I miss you...
Mark hangs up, flings his phone away, picks up the laptop
again and grabs one of Faye's DVDs.
There are more bills on the counter. A few pizza boxes pile
up. Bottles everywhere. It's like a college frat house.
Faye and Matt eating a meatlover's pizza on the couch,
watching the TV, which is on the TV stand now. Matt sits
closer together with Faye as friends would.
FAYE
You got to teach me how to punch.
MATTHEW
I honestly don't know how I did
that.
FAYE
I do. You manned up and laid out
that bitch.
Faye's phone rings. "Jake the Snake." Faye ignores it.
Matt takes a small bite of his pizza.
MATTHEW
I feel bad.
FAYE
Don't. He's an asshole and he
deserves way worse than a punch.
54.
MATTHEW
Avada kedavra.
FAYE
What?
MATTHEW
Nothing. I was trying to make a
joke.
FAYE
What did that mean?
MATTHEW
It's dumb. From Harry Potter. He
looked like Draco Malfoy.
Faye laughs. Hard. Matt can't help but smile at her
pleasure. Then his expression hardens a bit.
MATTHEW
Were you serious?
FAYE
I'm always serious. And I want you
to teach me how to throw that hook.
It's called a hook, right?
MATTHEW
Like about leaving.
FAYE
Leaving the Valley?
MATTHEW
Yeah and... You know. Everything
else.
FAYE
What... Else?
MATTHEW
You're not a rental. I don't know
why you keep going down on
yourself...
Faye nearly spits her pizza out.
MATTHEW
What?
(realizing)
Oh, gross. Come on.
FAYE
You said it, not me.
Faye takes a swig of beer. Matt puts down his pizza.
55.
MATTHEW
I just... I think you...
Faye slams down her beer.
FAYE
Let's review the facts, Matty. I'm
old. Not like Golden Girl old, but
old for this business. And while
some of my "friends" are directing
or starting their own production
companies, most are stuck. Unless
you want to do MILF porn or scrape
by doing girl on girl, there's no
real place for a 30 year old porn
star. I ain't been to college. I
barely finished high school. And
the last decade of my life has been
dedicated to making sure guys
jerked off to me. I'm moving on.
MATTHEW
Don't you know someone that's doing
ok? Like a porn star that's...
Normal?
Faye downs her beer.
FAYE
Normal.
MATTHEW
Yeah, because you're normal now.
Why can't you do something normal.
FAYE
Like own a gym?
MATTHEW
If you want.
FAYE
Like grow up?
Matt stays quiet.
FAYE
My friend, my only real friend
actually, Bella. She's the only
other person I know that's like ok.
She's got a beautiful girl, my
goddaughter, Jane.
MATTHEW
There you go. You can do that.
FAYE
What? Have a kid?
56.
MATTHEW
No, I mean... Be ok.
FAYE
I am ok.
Matt nods half-heartedly.
Faye gets up to get another beer.
FAYE
I am more than ok... I am...
Matt waits for Faye to finish her sentence. But she doesn't.
Instead Faye yells out in pain.
She doubles over again like in the elevator.
MATTHEW
Faye!
He runs over to her, the TV playing in the background.
FADE OUT.
JAKE (V.O.)
Hey, call me back. You know what
this is about. And you know how
hard I've been trying to get you
work. Damn it, Faye. Your options
are limited enough, kid. If you
answer your phone once in a while,
your options open up tremendously.
Who the hell can you depend on if
not me?
LATER - KITCHEN
Matt is washing the dishes rather poorly, not completely
washing the suds off.
Faye is asleep on the couch. She wakes up.
Matt turns off the water.
FAYE (O.S.)
How long was I out?
MATTHEW
Are you ok?
FAYE
Hell, no. God, I feel awful.
Nauseous. I think I'm going to
vomit again.
MATTHEW
Maybe you have the stomach flu from
something you ate?
57.
FAYE
No, the only food I ate was with
you and I threw up before that. I
think it's you Matt. You make me
sick.
Matt takes this seriously.
FAYE
Kidding, Matt. Kidding.
MATTHEW
Like morning sickness?
FAYE
I wouldn't know how... Damn.
Faye rubs her face in frustration. A wide grin. Matt doesn't
see this. But this is exactly what she wants, what she
needs.
MATTHEW
Do you have a bathroom?
FAYE
Yeah... Down the hall.
Matt shuffles to the bathroom.
BATHROOM
Matt is on the phone.
MARK (O.S.)
Sup, dickface.
MATTHEW
She's pregnant.
MARK (O.S.)
What? What the hell is the matter
with you? But nice, bro.
MATTHEW
It's not mine.
MARK (O.S.)
Do you see a window in front of
you. Listen carefully. Jump through
it.
MATTHEW
No, listen. I have to tell you
something. The girl I'm with...
MARK (O.S.)
Is a super skank. We all have to
start low on the totem pole. I
understand...
58.
MATTHEW
It's Faye. Faye Angel.
MARK (O.S.)
Suck my dick.
MATTHEW
It's her. I won a date with her and
that box of porn you got was
because I won that date.
A beat.
MATTHEW
Hello?
MARK (O.S.)
Can you take a picture of you and
her together...
MATTHEW
This is serious, Mark. Believe me.
MARK (O.S.)
Holy shhhiiiizer.
MATTHEW
What do I do?
MARK (O.S.)
Do you see a window in front of
you?
MATTHEW
Mark!
MARK (O.S.)
Just... Just don't puss out, man.
Matt's face tenses with worry. He holds the Ammonia tablet
in his hand and then clarity.
LIVING ROOM
Matt kneels next to Faye.
MATTHEW
I'll take care of you. And the
baby. I can be a good father, I
know it. I'll stay here and find a
job and take care of us.
FAYE
Wow, that was quite a lot of...
Words.
Faye sits up.
59.
FAYE
You have a job. You can't move here
because this place has no soul. And
you're the nicest guy I've ever
met, so do me a favor and stay out
of the Valley.
MATTHEW
But what about the baby?
FAYE
If I'm going to have a baby, I can
manage...
MATTHEW
But this is it. You want to move on
and this is it. Don't you want to
be a mother with a father by your
side?
Faye is touched by Matt's genuine concern and willingness.
Matt's phone rings. It's his dad. He picks up the phone to
answer it, but Faye grabs his hand.
Matt lets the phone ring and sits on the couch.
Faye kisses Matt on the forehead, then his eyes, nose,
cheek, and finally lips.
Matt awkwardly sits with his eyes closed letting Faye kiss
him, but clueless as to how to kiss back.
He tries anyway.
They share a passionate kiss. Matt leans his head on Faye's
shoulder.
FAYE
Not bad for your first time.
MATTHEW
I learned from a video.
Faye playfully slaps Matt.
Jack is in the living room, leaving Matt a message.
JACK
... I'm not angry, ok Matthew? I
didn't want this, I thought it
would be a nice change of pace.
Call me, I want to know who this
girl is. I know you're following
your brother's... Example, but just
give me a call. Ok? Ok. Bye,
sweetie.
60.
Jack hangs up. He is exhausted and is still wearing his
scrubs. He walks into the...
KITCHEN
He looks at the kitchen cart that hasn't moved in a long
time. He opens the fridge.
He stares inside.
It's completely empty. And Jack is pissed.
JACK
Mark!
MARK'S ROOM
Mark isn't on his Hot Rod. The laptop lies face down on it.
Chip bags and frozen food wrappers lie around the floor.
Mark is at his window. At least his body is. His head is
stuck out the window.
He's smoking. And he's on the phone.
MARK
No. I didn't run away. I told you
I'm coming back. My brother needed
me. There was an emergency at home,
but everything's ok now. I'll be
home... Soon. Yeah. Of course I do.
You know I do. I'm not afraid to
say it. Yeah, I... lo...
A pounding at Mark's door.
JACK (O.S.)
Mark, open the door!
MARK
(relieved)
I gotta go.
He hangs up, flicks the cigarette and closes the window.
Mark opens the door to Jack's grimace.
MARK
Whoa, didn't know you had a grinch
mask pop pop.
JACK
I work a double shift at the
hospital and all I want is to come
home and to actually have food in
the refrigerator. Is that too much
to ask? Is that...
61.
He smells remnants of the smoke.
JACK
Were you smoking in here?
MARK
No.
JACK
I...
He takes a deep breath.
JACK
Where's your brother?
MARK
I told you.
JACK
I know you said he was with a girl,
but it's been days, maybe even
weeks.
MARK
Geez, he's 25 pop. Let him have his
fun. I'm sure he'll be home soon.
JACK
What did you say to him?
MARK
What do you mean?
JACK
What did you say to him to make do
this. He would never just... Leave
like this.
MARK
I didn't. I just told him to go for
it. You know. Reach for the stars.
Listen to the tingling in your
balls... Chase the girl. Was that a
sin?
Jack's eyes glaze over. A look of regret.
MARK
Are we done? Are you ok, pop?
JACK
If you get into contact with
Matthew, tell him to come home.
Jack slams the door shut.
62.
INT. BELLA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Matt and Faye sit next to one another at a long dining table
reserved for special occasions. A Christmas tree blinks in
the background. No presents underneath the tree.
Jane sits on a high chair next to Bella, a box of silver
bullet like objects in front of her.
Matt's visibly uncomfortable.
MATTHEW
Um... Is that appropriate for her
to play with?
Bella takes one of the silver bullets.
BELLA
Does this make you uncomfortable?
Bella licks it.
FAYE
Don't be gross, Bell.
Bella opens up the silver bullet, it's a pink highlighter.
She hands it to Jane who finishes her fluorescent rainbow on
her paper.
BELLA
Come on, what kind of mother do you
think I am? They do look a lot like
the bullet dildos though.
Bella pockets one of the highlighters.
BELLA
Save one for later.
Faye changes her voice to one of a school girl.
FAYE
Stoooooop. Gooood, you're so
embarrassing...
JANE
Bullet...
BELLA
That's right baby. The good kind.
So, Matthew...
MATTHEW
You can call me Matt.
BELLA
Matt. What kind of business are you
in? I'm curious as to how people
(MORE)
63.
BELLA (cont'd)
who don't have sex for a living
live.
Faye lasers a warning at Bella who ignores Faye's eyes.
MATTHEW
I own a gym. Well, my brother and I
are actually co-owners.
BELLA
What's it called?
MATTHEW
Gym... Gym Bros.
BELLA
Gym Bros.
MATTHEW
Yeah.
They eat takeout from foam containers.
MATTHEW
So, how did you guys meet?
BELLA
Do you want the PG version or the
triple X version?
FAYE
There's no PG version.
BELLA
Then we settle on R. It was our
first shoot together. Girl/girl. I
was transitioning from doing
boy/girl because I had... fallen in
love with a boy.
MATTHEW
That's sweet.
BELLA
It was. But there are no happy
endings in porn.
FAYE
Ha. Ha.
MATTHEW
Ha.
BELLA
I always say there's a silver
lining to everything. Even though
Jane's dad and me didn't work out,
me and Faye became inseparable.
64.
FAYE
My sister from another mister.
BELLA
You have other siblings, Matt?
MATTHEW
Just the one. Older brother. He's
the athletic one.
BELLA
You don't say.
Faye warns her again. Bella sustains.
MATTHEW
Yeah, I'm more on the operational
side of things.
BELLA
What about your parents?
MATTHEW
Well, it's always been our dad.
He's a nurse so he'd be gone for
these long shifts. So me and Mark
would be alone for a while. He'd go
out a lot and I'd always be home
alone.
BELLA
That's so sad.
MATTHEW
It was alright. I liked being
alone. But it's funny. I always
stayed up waiting for my brother
and my dad to come home. I couldn't
ever fall asleep without hearing
the door creak open.
BELLA
Why's that?
MATTHEW
I don't know. Just worried I guess.
Always assumed something bad
happened.
Bella and Faye listen to Matt as he reminisces.
MATTHEW
One time I was waiting in bed. The
lights still on in the living room.
And I waited for the lock to turn
and I always knew who it was by the
way the door opened. It sounded
like a riot when my brother came
(MORE)
65.
MATTHEW (cont'd)
in, which was strangely comforting.
But my dad would come in so softly
that I couldn't hear him come in.
I'd just feel him sit on my bed,
kiss me, and whisper, "Good night."
So I always listened for him. But
this night, I didn't hear anything.
I hoped that I just didn't hear my
dad come in. Maybe Mark got drunk
and went to the wrong house. But I
kept thinking the worst things.
Like they both got in horrible
accidents. My dad, hit by a drunk
driver, maybe my brother was the
drunk driver. I didn't know, so I
kept thinking these ridiculous
things. But then I heard the door
slam open and it was my dad and my
brother. They were yelling at each
other. I don't remember why, but
what I do remember is the immense
relief I felt when they both came
in. I felt safe. It sounds stupid.
But I still feel like that
sometimes. Like I'm waiting for the
door to creak open and for someone
to kiss me good night.
Faye is moved. Jane tugs on Bella's hair bringing a smile to
her face.
Matt is lost in his emotions... Until Faye leans over to
kiss him on the cheek.
MATTHEW
I have a question, you don't have
to answer, but do your dads know
what you do? Or used to do?
Bella sips her wine.
BELLA
Dad wasn't really there. I mean he
was. But not really.
JANE
Not really.
Bella kisses Jane.
FAYE
I never knew who he was. So I guess
I'm some kind of half-orphan.
BELLA
You gotta understand that if you
work in the Valley, there's always
(MORE)
66.
BELLA (cont'd)
someone that wants to be the daddy
you never had. But you can't fall
for it. Me and Faye learned the
hard way.
MATTHEW
What do you mean?
BELLA
I mean there are guys who think
they know what's best for you and
you believe 'em. But more than
that, you believe they care and a
lot of girls don't really know what
that's like, so it's easy to lose
yourself.
Faye grabs Matt's hand and squeezes.
LATER - KITCHEN
Through the kitchen window Faye watches Matt play with Jane.
Faye sits on the counter watching Bella do dishes.
FAYE
He's awesome, right? Almost too
good to be true.
BELLA
He's a nice boy.
Faye watches Matt play with a puzzle set with Jane.
BELLA
Do you like him?
FAYE
Yeah, of course. He's... Different.
BELLA
He's a boy. What are you doing for
money anyway? Are you...
Bella makes sure Matt's out of distance.
BELLA
... Are you living off of him?
FAYE
Not it's really your concern, but
he's been paying for some stuff.
Plus, I can always go do a few
scenes if I wanted to. After I have
this babe...
BELLA
What?
67.
Faye wants to eat her words.
BELLA
Baby? Oh my God. Is it his?
FAYE
No, we haven't. Done that.
BELLA
Whose baby?
FAYE
I think it might be Bill's.
BELLA
Bill's? If you're going to lie to
me, at least choose a straight...
FAYE
Bill was the last guy I worked
with. He owed me a favor and I was
desperate, the new apartment and
everything.
BELLA
Faye, having a baby is a huge
step...
FAYE
It's fine. I can still work. Mostly
solo or some girl on girl stuff, I
don't know. It's weird, but I'm...
I think I like him.
Bella adopts a middle school girl voice.
BELLA
You mean like like?
Faye plays along.
FAYE
Shut uuuup...
Bella smirks and shakes her head. Both back to normal.
FAYE
He's a man. He's got his own gym
and you know...
BELLA
There are a lot of boys with jobs
out there. Does he treat you like a
man's supposed to?
FAYE
How's a man supposed to treat you?
Like Jane's dad? Do you even know
who he is?
68.
BELLA
(turns the water off)
No.
(dries her hands)
But I know if any of them were men
one of them would've stayed. Is he
going to stay?
Faye and Bella stare at Matt playing with Jane. Both
laughing like the children they are.
Faye and Matt are making out on the couch. Faye's on top
going strong.
Matt isn't into it as she is.
FAYE
What's wrong?
Matt has a lump in his throat. He holds Faye in an embrace.
Something she isn't used to and doesn't know how to react
to. She awkwardly lies on top of Matt.
MATTHEW
I... I really like you... I love...
Matt can't finish his words. Instead he lets go of Faye.
They both sit up.
Matt takes off his promise ring.
MATTHEW
I always told myself I'd give this
ring to my first girlfriend...
FAYE
Matt...
MATTHEW
I know you're not my girlfriend. I
know. That's dumb. But I care about
you. So I want you to have this.
He offers it to Faye like a token of appreciation. His head
is turned away from her.
Faye reluctantly takes the ring.
Matt breathes a sigh of relief. He smiles and Faye returns
his embrace with an uncertainty written on her face.
Matt brushes Faye's hair back and stares into her eyes.
MATTHEW
So what do we do now?
69.
Faye has no idea. But a hopeful smile spreads her mouth and
Matt's curious expression turns to joy.
MONTAGE:
EXT. THEATRE - DAY
Matt and Faye walk hand in hand into the movie theatre.
INT. THEATRE - DAY
They stand at the kiosk.
Faye motions for Matt to buy just one ticket. He doesn't get
it. She mouths "trust me."
The ticket dispenses along with the receipt. The receipt is
printed on the same material as the ticket is. Faye puts
them together, the ticket on top covering the receipt.
Faye gives the "tickets" to the usher. He rips both and
directs them in the right direction. He throws the stubs
into a container.
Faye and Matt hide their mischievous faces. Faye grabs
Matt's arm and leans into him as they speed walk down the
hallway.
INT. SHERMAN OAKS GALLERIA - DAY
Matt and Faye roam the mall like they're playing hooky.
EXT. SHERMAN OAKS GALLERIA - DAY
There's a big crowd dispersed around the center plaza. Matt
and Faye go through the middle of them. Until everyone
starts dancing fluidly as one body.
Matt and Faye are caught in a flash mob.
Matt escapes, but Faye is still there and she tries to go
along with it. Dancing like a fool. Running into people.
Ruining the flash mob.
Matt laughs and Faye stumbles out finally. She grabs his
hand and off they go.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
A beach towel is laid out on the sand right underneath the
parasol.
Matt is in a white shirt with floral swim trunks.
Faye takes her sundress off revealing her toned body in a
black bikini.
Matt stares at her curves.
70.
Faye makes a motion to Matt to keep his eyes at eye level.
She laughs and goes over to Matt. She tries to take off his
shirt for him.
He runs away. Faye grabs a hold of his shirt and rips it
off.
They ride the waves and tumble under the water.
They lie on their sides on the shore where the water laps
their bodies. Faye spoons Matt. The water rises high and
Faye gets up to avoid it while Matt gets a healthy saltwater
bath.
Faye reads the romance novel as Matt lies on her lap.
They lie on the sand as the sun sets. Dry sand on Faye's
thighs and shoulders. Matt lightly dusts it off of her.
EXT. BOARDWALK - SUN SET
Faye and Matt walk down the boardwalk as the sun gives off
the last of its beams for the day. Faye feeds Matt fries,
she takes one bite and then Matt takes one.
EXT. SARDO'S GRILL AND LOUNGE - NIGHT
Faye and Matt walk hand in hand, although distant to one
another. Matt gazes his surroundings as Faye stares blankly
ahead. Two kids walking without a purpose.
MATTHEW
Why don't you come home with me?
FAYE
Yeah, I'm the girl you want to
bring home. The pregnant girl.
MATTHEW
No really. I mean he won't know.
FAYE
I don't care if he does.
MATTHEW
Yeah, me neither.
JAKE (O.S.)
Son of a bitch.
Jake without his headset is walking with a couple of new
porn starlets. They're dressed casual and tipsy.
JAKE
There she is. My star. One of the
best. The girl, the legend...
Jake points to his crotch.
71.
The girls giggle drunkenly. They can't be more than 19 years
old.
JAKE
What the... Where the hell you
been? I been trying to reach you
after that uh... That gym owner.
You bang him by the way?
Matt angrily stares at Jake and squeezes his hands without
realizing he is still holding Faye's.
FAYE
Ow!
Matt lets go.
FAYE
(rubs her hand)
I've been busy.
JAKE
Busy? Well, you certainly haven't
been working. I'd know. Or would I?
Who's the john?
FAYE
This is the gym owner.
JAKE
What? This... This guy? Don't look
like he can even lift a finger.
Matthew is intimidated by Jake and he remains quiet.
FAYE
We gotta go.
JAKE
Hey, not so fast. You just missed a
great rendition of The Boxer.
FAYE
Matt, come on.
Matthew follows like a dog.
JAKE
Hey, come on. We're headed to
another party. Why don't you tag
along? Show your face once in a
while. You might get a gig out of
it.
FAYE
I'm fine.
72.
JAKE
Joe's going to be there.
(to Matthew)
Joe's a movie director. Porn, but
Hollywood too. Big time. He's going
to cast your girl in something big.
That is if she ever listens. You
want what's best for her, don't
you?
FAYE
(to Matthew)
Matt, let's go.
JAKE
You going to take care of her? Come
on, just come to the party. Free
drinks and opportunity. Come on,
Faye.
The girls are growing restless.
GIRL #1
Jakey, let's gooooooo....
JAKE
Hey, I'm talking here. Geez, I
swear these young girls get more
and more needy. Not like you,
sweetie. Faye Angel was never a
little girl.
(to Matthew)
You know. You want to come too
right? See what who baby Faye used
to work with.
Matthew avoids eye contact with Jake and glances at Faye,
who waits for him to take her hand.
INT./EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
A booming party. Girls and boys laughing, drinking, smoking.
Christmas lights hang on the roof of the house, around the
pool area. Christmas lights hang on the balcony and roof.
Matt sips from a solo cup awkwardly. Faye stands by him and
guys chase drunk girls as they fall over one another.
Jake walks over with drinks and hands one to Faye.
JAKE
Here's the usual, gin and tonic.
And...
(offers a cup to Matt)
I figured you for a light beer kind
of guy.
Matt takes offense but takes the cup.
73.
JAKE
So here's the skinny. You're here
with your date, we'll say it's the
date. And the guys, the producers,
everybody will see what a normal
girl you are, how that whole Pete
thing was just...
FAYE
Don't.
Matt is curious.
MATTHEW
Pete?
JAKE
Yeah, what she didn't tell you?
Faye, baby...
FAYE
Ok, we're leaving.
Faye grabs Matt's hand and is about to drag him out until
she runs into someone and spills her drink all over him.
JOE (O.S.)
What the hell...
It's Joe, busted lip and all.
JOE
Shiiiiiiit. Who the hell invited
this twat to my house?
JAKE
Calm down. I brought 'em here. Faye
was just telling me how sorry she
was about everything.
JOE
Was she?
Joe glares at Matt.
JOE
How about you, slenderman? You
sorry?
Matt balls up his fists again, but is rather afraid as he's
surrounded by muscular porn star goons.
JOE
You scared now? Not so tough?
Really a pussy?
Joe slaps Matt. Hard.
He goes down.
74.
FAYE
Matt!
She smacks Joe across the face. But no reaction.
JOE
Unlike Pete, I like it. Does your
little boy toy like it too? Does he
like it when you call him a bitch
and spit on his face?
Matt is in shock from the slap.
JOE
(to Matt)
Your girlfriend likes it rough. Too
rough and that's why no guy in porn
wants to work with her. But you
should be ok since you probably you
like it in the ass. Am I right?
FAYE
Go to hell.
Faye helps Matt up and they walk out.
JOE (O.S.)
Good luck finding a new career!
EXT. JOE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Matt walks ashamed of himself. Faye as well.
FAYE
Don't listen to that asshole.
MATTHEW
Is it true? About Pete?
A beat.
MATTHEW
Is that why you did the date
contest?
FAYE
What does it matter?
Matt remains silent, morose. Faye tries to cheer him up.
FAYE
I like you, Matt. I think this is
going to be good. Us and the baby.
We're moving on and I'll be the
wife you always wanted, the mother
you want me to be.
Matt grows increasingly anxious. He begins to shake his
head.
75.
MATTHEW
That's not. I don't know if I
really want...
FAYE
What are you talking about?
MATTHEW
I...
Faye stops walking.
MATTHEW
Faye?
Faye faints on the street. Matt is helpless as he tries to
revive her.
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Matt's in the waiting room hunched over. A father with a
little girl is in the room also. She tries to play with her
father, trying to tug off his wedding ring.
A rather young looking doctor comes out to the waiting room.
DOCTOR
Matthew?
Matt gets up.
MATTHEW
How is she?
DOCTOR
She's fine. She's awake and you can
see her now.
MATTHEW
Um... Is the baby ok?
DOCTOR
Baby?
MATTHEW
Yeah, was he or she hurt?
The doctor's young face betrays him.
DOCTOR
I think... I believe that this is
something you should discuss with
your girlfriend.
The doctor walks away from Matt who stands in the room, the
little girl runs around him with a wedding ring on her
finger.
76.
ROOM
Faye is hooked up to an IV. She blankly flips through
channels on the television.
Matt quietly enters.
MATTHEW
Hey.
Faye continues flipping. Matt stands beside Faye's bed.
MATTHEW
The doctor said you were going to
be ok. Is the baby alright? He
wouldn't tell me.
FAYE
There is no baby.
MATTHEW
Oh my God. I'm so sorry.
Matt grabs for Faye's hand. She lets him hold it.
FAYE
There was never any baby.
MATTHEW
What?
Faye draws her hand away from Matt's.
FAYE
I have hepatitis.
MATTHEW
What you had morning sickness
and...
FAYE
Similar symptoms. Just a
misunderstanding.
Faye turns away from Matt, hiding her tears.
Matt is relieved.
MATTHEW
So what now?
FAYE
(wipes her tears)
Go home.
MATTHEW
I'll get the nurse.
Matt leaves, a load off his chest. Faye closes her eyes.
77.
Faye lies on the couch. The moonlight shines through the
window and onto Matt's face.
He sleeps turned away from her.
Faye crawls from the couch to Matt.
She stares with a hunger in her eyes, a vengeance.
She uncovers him and climbs on top of him. She begins to
ride him.
Matt wakes to Faye moaning.
FAYE
Is this what you want?
MATTHEW
Wha... Faye, what are you doing?
FAYE
Ohhh... This is what you want. This
is what I want.
Faye slaps Matt across the face.
MATTHEW
Please.
Matthew tries to get up, but Faye is possessed by furious
strength and pins him down.
FAYE
You like this? Do you? Bitch. How
do you like it?
MATTHEW
Faye, stop.
FAYE
How do. You. Like it?
MATTHEW
Don't. Please.
Faye picks up speed and Matthew gives in to her rhythms and
passion and starts to moan with pleasure...
MATTHEW
Please. Don't. Stop.
Until he climaxes and he holds Faye tightly in his arms.
Faye snaps out of it. She sees Matt's teary eyes. He holds
back a sob, but covers his face with his hands.
Regret is written on Faye's face.
78.
She climbs off of Matt and slumps against the couch.
INT. THEATRE - DAY
Matthew and Faye are near the entrance to the theatre. Faye
looks restless like she can't stand it anymore.
She stands up and runs into the theatre.
The guard sees this.
GUARD
Hey!
He chases after her as Matthew stands idly and watches.
THEATRE
Faye runs into a full sprint, speeding away in vain. Running
from the inevitable.
EXT. BURBANK - DAY
Faye walks ahead of Matthew who lags behind. He sees her
hand dangling, thinks about grabbing it, but doesn't.
Faye stops.
Matthew catches up.
FAYE
God, it's been so long.
A lonely night club way before its peak hours sits right
across the street.
FAYE
Let's dance.
INT. CLUB - NIGHT
A typical night club. Except no one else is there. Matthew
and Faye are the first ones and the only ones so far. Both
are not dressed for the occasion and their mood reflects it.
Faye sips on a mixed drink and Matthew swigs a brew.
FAYE
You want to dance?
Matthew looks around the club. The DJ isn't even there.
MATTHEW
Maybe later.
FAYE
(mockingly)
Maybe later.
79.
MATTHEW
Did I do something wrong?
FAYE
Later, later, later. It's always
later. When are you going to grow
up?
Matthew blushes, but does not shy away from Faye's
hypocrisy.
MATTHEW
Me? I'm only 25. When are you going
to grow up? You don't have a dime
to your name and no one even knows
who you are anymore.
Faye is stunned with this truth. She hides her tears and
Matthew regrets what he said. Yet, he doesn't apologize.
Faye waits for a moment, for Matthew to take back his words.
Then she leaves.
Matthew sits ashamed. He gets up to chase Faye, but as he
passes the bar, a BARTENDER stops him.
BARTENDER
You close your tab?
MATTHEW
Oh, right.
Matthew takes out his credit card.
The bartender slides it and types in the amount. But no
dice.
BARTENDER
You gotta 'nother card? This one's
not working.
MATTHEW
Uh... Can you try again?
The bartender humors him and slides it again. And again.
MATTHEW
If I could just grab my girlfriend,
she literally just left to get
something...
BARTENDER
I saw her leave, bro. She ain't
coming back. And you ain't leaving
anytime soon.
Matthew takes a deep breath. He gazes at the exit.
80.
EXT. BURBANK - NIGHT
Faye treads the sidewalk with her head down as if she's lost
something.
Sardo's Grill is on her left and she peers inside. It's
karaoke night. Familiar people crowd the bar and Faye puts
her hand to the glass. Matthew's promise ring glares back at
her.
She takes it off. At least she tries to. It's really on
tight.
FAYE
Son of a bitch.
Faye tries to lubricate her finger with spit and slide it
off.
JOE (O.S.)
Hey, Faye baby!
Joe drunkenly hobbles over from Sardo's. This is the last
thing Faye needs.
Faye hides her hand in her pocket.
JOE
It's karaoke night. Ohhh, ooh, oh,
oh...
Joe's screaming out a random tune.
Faye decides to avoid Joe and speed past him. Joe's not that
drunk. He walks with her.
JOE
Hey, where you going?
FAYE
Home.
JOE
Hey you know I was just joking at
the party. I was just angry. You
understand, right? Where's the...
Joe throws out a one-two combo.
JOE
... The champ. The kid.
FAYE
I don't know. I don't care.
They keep walking although the pacing has slowed.
81.
FAYE
It was a mistake. Just another
mistake.
JOE
I hear you, baby.
FAYE
Sorry about your lip. And the
party.
JOE
I'm the one who's sorry.
FAYE
Right.
JOE
Hey. You still looking for work?
FAYE
I'm done. You're right. No one's
going to work with me.
JOE
You don't look... Yeah you look
retired.
Faye checks herself out and speeds up again.
JOE
But no joke. Pete's a little girl.
I saw what you did with him. That
was hot. Super sexy.
Faye can't help but be interested.
FAYE
Really?
JOE
You kidding me? The business is not
the same without you. Without Faye
Angel, porn is not porn. And this
Faye standing before me is what
people are going to want. You need
to shoot some new shit, aggressive
shit.
Faye stops. She reads Joe's red face.
INT. CLUB - NIGHT
The club is bouncing. Peak hour.
BATHROOM
Matt is cleaning up the bathroom. Offering towels and
cologne to patrons.
82.
His tip jar is full of some change and dollar bills.
Matt checks his phone and tries to call Faye.
EXT. BURBANK - NIGHT
Faye walks with drunk Joe, she checks her phone and ignores
it.
INT. CLUB - NIGHT
BATHROOM
Matt puts away his phone.
His phone suddenly rings. He quickly whips it out.
A text message from Faye.
"Go home."
Matt's heart sinks, his world goes dark.
EXT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Matt sluggishly walks to his car outside of Faye's
apartment. He sees a lighted window. It goes out.
Faye sits with a beer in front of the TV, flipping through
channels aimlessly.
EXT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Matt feels where his ring used to be.
He takes a step towards the apartment. But he stops.
Faye notices the ring still on her finger.
She puts down her beer and tries to force it off. Her finger
turns red and finally she gets it off and tosses it on the
table.
The TV stand falls apart and the TV comes crashing down. It
lies nestled among the pieces of the stand. Faye grabs the
ring and chucks it at the TV. It rolls and rolls and runs
into something and chatters.
Faye gets up and goes to the window.
She looks outside and sees an empty space where Matt's car
was parked.
83.
LATER - KITCHEN
Faye paces back and forth in the kitchen with her phone. A
beer on the counter.
FAYE
Oh, now you don't pick up. Huh?
Jake. Jake the Snake. You hated it
when I called you that. I hope you
still do. You bastard. Are you
happy? Is this what you hoped would
happen?
Faye grabs the bottle.
FAYE
You told me when I first got into
the business to make my money and
get out. I did. I made a lot of
money. But you never told me how
easy it would run out. You never
told me how every guy I met would
run out...
Faye collapses to the ground.
FAYE
What happened? What happened to
being ok? Right? I thought we were
ok. But we never were. That's why
we're here. Why you're still doing
what you do and why I'm staying.
You promised me that everything was
going to be ok. Remember...
Remember? ... Remember, dad? Daddy
knows best...
She hangs up the phone and slumps on the kitchen floor.
Matt drives as the sun comes up. He looks like a zombie in a
wasteland. The sun illuminates his tear stained face and his
dark eyes.
He drifts in and out of sleep.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
Matthew's car turns into the other lane.
He snaps out of it and steers right.
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
The car slowly drifts to the other side, the tires hitting
the notches.
84.
Matt jerks awake. And shifts his car away from the notches.
Instead of falling back asleep, he jerks his car on the
notches and rides it out. The notches vibrating his car
constantly.
Matt shakes along with the car, his eyes red.
POP!
Matt's tire has popped and the car is really shaking now.
MATTHEW
Damn it!
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
Matt pulls his car to the side. He walks over to his left
rear tire and sees the damage. The tire is off the rim.
Matt pops open the trunk and takes out the jack and spare.
He lays them next to the flat and leaves them there as if
it's going to change itself.
Matt stands in the morning sun clueless and depressed.
The green sign indicates for Portland:
"203 MILES"
Matt arrives on the doorstep of his house. Christmas lights
again shining.
Before Matt can ring the bell, the door opens.
Jack stands with an anxious expression. He wants to yell at
him. Instead he embraces him.
Matt lets it out. He cries like a baby.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
The same house from the beginning. Joe is instructing the
cameraman as others set up wires and lights.
JOE
Where's Faye?
BATHROOM
Faye sits nervously in the bathroom. The same water stained
mirror reflects reality back at her.
85.
Faye turns the faucet on and wets a towel and cleans the
mirror. She can see now.
SET
Faye comes on set in her bathrobe.
Joe chastises the cameraman.
JOE
You got it? You sure? You know I
can't direct you once it starts
rolling...
He sees Faye.
JOE
Hey, baby girl.
(to cameraman)
Remember, close up of the face then
go down to the goods.
(to Faye)
You ready? You look ready. You look
good. You hungry? There's some
fruit and crackers over there. And
some weed by the looks of it.
(to snack table)
Hey! Save me a toke.
FAYE
I'm fine. Where's the guy?
JOE
What guy?
FAYE
You said that there was a new guy
who wanted to work with me.
JOE
Yeah, yeah. He's new, but not like
new in the business. It's not his
first time, but it's his first time
in front of the camera.
Faye is confused.
Joe presents himself like a magician.
JOE
Ta da...
FAYE
You?
JOE
Me, baby. I'm directing, producing,
and starring next to you of course.
You know, cut out the middle man.
86.
Faye can't believe this.
FAYE
I don't think...
JOE
Don't. Just do. That's what you're
known for.
Joe turns to the cameraman again, barking out instructions.
Faye looks at the couch. Joe walks over to the couch and is
mimicking the positions. He motions Faye over.
JOE
Ok, so we're going to start touchy
feely, kiss kiss, then I'm going to
take off the robe and eat her
out...
Joe moves Faye around like a puppet.
JOE
... Then bj and then...
He turns Faye around and forces her down on all fours on the
couch.
JOE
... Make sure you get her face and
then move down towards me.
Faye is uncomfortable and Joe leans into her strongly.
JOE
And I'm just going to pound away...
Joe leans in harder. Faye groans and her face is pushed into
the couch. Her eyes flash degradation and then a hot anger.
Faye shoves Joe off, who almost falls over.
FAYE
I don't... I can't do this.
JOE
What, what are you talking about?
You're here. You'll get the money.
Let's do this.
FAYE
It's not about the money.
JOE
It's always about the money. How
much more do you want? Huh?
FAYE
Don't.
87.
JOE
Come on. How much do you think
you're worth? How much do I have to
pay to devour you?
Faye's fury reaches full capacity.
FAYE
Go. Fuck yourself.
Faye turns to leave, but is abruptly stopped by Joe.
He's grabbed Faye's wrist.
FAYE
Let go.
Joe almost does when he sees the fire in her eyes. But he
doesn't back down.
JOE
You're not leaving.
JAKE (O.S.)
Yeah she is.
Jake stands on set. He brushes his balding head, naked of
his bluetooth headset.
JAKE
Let her go, Joe before I rip your
dick off.
Joe holds on for another moment before Faye snatches back
her arm. Then Faye punches Joe right in the balls. He
doubles over in pain.
JOE
You bitch.
Faye kicks him while he's down.
JAKE
Come on, Faye. That's enough.
Faye storms away.
JOE
You're never going to do another
scene again!
Joe coughs and Jake stands over him.
JAKE
She's retired. You want some new
talent call me. I got some new
guys, real big guys that'd love to
break you in.
88.
INT. JAKE'S CAR - DAY
Jake drives Faye in silence like a regretful father.
JAKE
Hey, kid.
FAYE
You don't have to call me that
anymore.
JAKE
You'll always be a kid to me. The
kid.
Faye gazes out the window.
JAKE
Where's uh... What's his face.
Mike? Matt? Matt.
FAYE
He went home.
JAKE
Oh. Ok.
A beat.
JAKE
You know he wrote an essay for the
contest. Like an actual essay.
He laughs, more like wheezing.
Faye seems uninterested.
JAKE
He uh... He wrote a lot. I didn't
even read all of it. So many guys
entered the contest...
FAYE
Don't.
JAKE
What I'm trying to say is that his
was... Different. Like when I read
or what I read of it, it seemed
like he really cared about you.
FAYE
Good writer, I guess.
JAKE
I guess.
A beat.
89.
JAKE
I... I printed it out. If you want
it...
FAYE
It's ok.
JAKE
Well, I ain't keeping that love
essay in my car. Makes me sick. You
know? The hell does love have to do
with porn?
Faye smiles briefly.
JAKE
You're going to be alright, kid.
You know that right? I always knew
about certain types. And you I
always knew. You were always going
to be ok.
Hope resonates in Faye's eyes.
Morning, a frosty one.
MATTHEW'S ROOM
Matthew lies awake on his bed. Peach fuzz on his face.
LIVING ROOM
Jack sits in his bathrobe, tea cup warming his hands.
Matthew enters and walks past Jack without saying anything.
JACK
Morning, sweetie.
Matthew walks into the kitchen. Jack remains seated.
JACK
Are you hungry?
No answer.
Jack gets up and enters the...
KITCHEN
Where Matthew stares at the kitchen cart.
JACK
Matthew?
No reply.
90.
JACK
What are you doing, son?
MATTHEW
Why did you buy this?
JACK
What?
MATTHEW
Why is this here if there are
cabinets? What's in the cabinets?
JACK
I don't understand. Are you ok?
Matthew pushes the kitchen cart to the cabinets.
He opens the cabinets and sees that they're not empty.
Matthew can't believe what he's looking at.
His mother's tapestry are pinned into the cabinets so that
when it's opened, the tapestry is on full display inside. A
tapestry of a vast landscape of green, blue, brown, and red.
Oregon.
Matthew knocks over the kitchen cart which falls apart much
like Faye's TV stand. Pots and pans clatter on the floor.
Jack lowers his head in shame, glassy eyed.
A trail of candy wrappers litter the gym.
Mark lies like a sleeping bear on an incline bench.
Matthew mopes around the heavy bag. He hits it. That hurt.
Mark is up now and is chalking his hands.
MARK
Hey, Matt. Look.
Matthew lifts up his head to see Mark take a bunch of chalk
dust in his hands and fling it upward like LeBron James.
Mark is smiling until the chalk settles on him and he begins
coughing.
Matthew doesn't laugh, not a smile. He hits the bag again.
It hurts. He hits it again and again and again until his
hands are red.
Mark is foam rolling his fat thighs on the ground. He looks
like a fat seal dry humping.
91.
MARK
You ever go to the bathroom and
pull down your sweat pants to pee
and you accidently let go of the
waistband and it snaps right on
your balls?
Matthew is disinterested sitting on the bench like a loser.
MARK
It hurts. But it's like a good
hurt.
Mark gets up and waddles over to Matthew.
MARK
Hey, broski. I know it hurts right
now, but maybe it's a good hurt.
You know?
Matthew doesn't want to hear it.
Matthew is lying on Mark's car bed staring up at the glow in
the dark stars that spiral into a green galaxy.
Mark flips the light on.
MARK
Jesus!
(saving himself and in
the melody of "God Rest
You, Merry Gentlemen")
... Christ was born this Christmas
day.
Mark closes his door.
MARK
Dude, you can't just come into my
room and lie on my Hot Rod like
that.
Matthew lies like he's on his deathbed.
MARK
Are you alright?
MATTHEW
I'm never going to see her again.
MARK
Matt. Come on.
Mark waddles over to his Hot Rod.
92.
MARK
Let me give you some more words of
wisdom.
MATTHEW
Mark, I really don't want to
hear...
MARK
(ignoring Matthew)
Men, throughout time, have been
dumped by silly bitches.
Matthew turns to face the opposite wall. Mark faces the
door.
MARK
And you know it's just the name of
the game. You win some, you lose
some. You win big, you lose big.
You know? But sooner or later
you'll get back on the winning
track. Right?
A beat.
Mark turns to see an empty space where Matthew was lying
down.
Matthew is on the floor browsing through Faye's DVD box
sets.
MARK
Matt?
Matthew takes all of the DVDs and throws them into the box
they came in. He gathers all the dirty magazine spreads she
was featured in and her autographed photo. He crumples it up
and tosses it in as well.
MARK
Matt.
Matthew furiously closes up the box of Faye and tries to
lift it up. However, it's like an immovable rock. Matthew
strains to lift up the box.
MARK
What are you doing? Stop. Matthew!
Matthew falls back exhausted. Tears in his eyes.
MATTHEW
I just... I want to forget about
her.
Mark draws close to his brother. He hesitates to put his arm
around his shoulder. He smooths his beard instead and
scratches his face searching for the right words.
93.
MARK
Let's forget about her then.
INT. REDS - NIGHT
Matthew is the same position he was in previously.
Mark is also, but this time he has two overweight girls on
each side feeding him cheese fries.
Matthew drinks his dark beer now. He tries to not make a
face.
He glances over at the bar and sees Shannon. She is in
disarray, rather down in the dumps.
Matthew takes another swig of his beer. He takes out the
Ammonia tablet.
He looks over at his brother who is drinking his beer
through a straw. The girls eat the fries.
Matthew opens the tablet and crushes it.
He inhales.
Everything is clear. Matthew is focused. Angry, full of
confidence. He could bench press 500 pounds if he wanted to.
Matthew approaches Shannon like prey.
MATTHEW
Hey.
SHANNON
Hi.
MATTHEW
I see you at the bookstore. Do you
remember me?
SHANNON
You look familiar.
MATTHEW
You want to get out of here?
SHANNON
Excuse me?
MATTHEW
I've seen you look at me. I've seen
you.
Shannon is intrigued. She looks at her drink.
Matthew notices this. He's got her.
94.
MATTHEW
So...
Shannon breaks down crying.
Buzzkill.
Matthew snaps out of it.
MATTHEW
Are... Are you ok?
The hulking bartender walks over.
BARTENDER
This guy giving you trouble?
Matthew puts his hands up in innocence.
SHANNON
No. No. He's not. I'm ok.
The bartender is unconvinced. He keeps an eye on Matthew.
MATTHEW
I'm sorry. I didn't mean
anything...
SHANNON
No, it's me. I'm so stupid. I'm
just... I'm sorry. This isn't your
problem.
Matthew turns to walk away, but something compels him to
stay. He pulls up a stool and sits.
MATTHEW
I'm not doing so well either, maybe
we can just sit here together if
you don't mind.
Shannon nods.
SHANNON
You wanna drink?
MATTHEW
I... I'm not thirsty.
Shannon smiles.
SHANNON
Have you ever been cheated on?
Matthew shakes his head.
SHANNON
You don't look like the type that
would be.
95.
Unsure of whether to take it as a compliment. Matthew half
smiles.
SHANNON
It hurts. A lot. Obviously, hence
the drinking, but I heard it fades.
MATTHEW
Isn't it more like a scar?
SHANNON
Maybe. The ones you love always
leave a mark.
Jack stands in front of the open cabinets.
SHANNON (V.O.)
A reminder of good things you had
and...
Faye looks at the mess that is her apartment, her life. The
broken TV stand and the fallen TV.
SHANNON (V.O.)
... The mess you left behind.
INT. REDS - NIGHT
Matthew stares at his ring finger.
SHANNON
But it's up to you mostly.
MATTHEW
To do what?
SHANNON
To forget, move forward or...
She downs her gin and tonic.
SHANNON
... Stay.
Matthew processes this.
SHANNON
You want to get out of here?
Matthew stares at Shannon's droopy eyes, she sways a bit.
MATTHEW
You should go home. Call your
boyfriend and take him back.
96.
SHANNON
It's not up to me. The questions is
will he take me back? Huh?
Matthew is stunned.
SHANNON
Forget him. I'm moving forward.
MATTHEW
But... You're not. You're staying
the same. Don't you see?
He grabs her and tries to shake her out of her foolishness.
SHANNON
Let go of me! Who the hell do you
think you are?
BARTENDER (O.S.)
Hands off, guy!
The bartender grabs Matthew and drags him to the door.
MARK (O.S.)
Aiiiiiiiii!
Mark flies over to the bartender and karate chops him in the
neck.
The bartender lets go of Matthew and punches Mark in the
gut. He doubles over.
Matthew throws a right hook to the jaw of the bartender and
that stuns him, but hurts Matthew even more.
Matthew takes advantage of this momentary gap and grabs Mark
off the floor.
The bartender grabs Matthew.
Matthew kicks him in the balls. The bartender doubles over
now.
MARK
Scrotum!
Another patron punches Matthew, more people are getting into
it now.
Mark headbutts the patron who hit Matthew.
MARK
Headshot!
The bartender hits Mark again in the stomach.
Mark pukes his guts and everyone spreads.
97.
A window of time. Matthew and Mark get the hell out of
there.
EXT. RED'S - NIGHT
They hobble away from the bar.
MARK
Man, it's not even eight o'clock
yet.
INT. BOOKSTORE - NIGHT
Matthew and Mark sit across from one another. Man to man.
Mark claws his rugged beard as Matthew stares at the table.
MARK
Remember, we used to go to the
library all the time with mom?
Matthew looks up at Mark.
MARK
Make us pick five books every week
to read. I'd always pick the ones
with the pictures.
Matthew smiles as does Mark.
MARK
But you'd always pick the hard
ones. The real long ones. Small
font.
Mark drums the table with his fingers.
MATTHEW
I couldn't even carry them all. So
I said that I'd carry your books if
you carried mine 'cause it'd look
like you picked the hard ones.
Mark laughs.
MARK
But mom always knew. I just wanted
to impress her.
MATTHEW
You did. In your own way. She'd ask
you why you chose the books you
did. And you'd always say the same
thing...
MARK
... 'Cause they were the heaviest
ones I could lift.
98.
Matthew and Mark share a laugh. But the laughter fades as
shame drapes Mark's face.
MARK
It only gets heavier.
MATTHEW
Why'd you run away, Mark?
MARK
I didn't run away from nothing.
Jamie is a nice girl, but I don't
know if I want to...
Mark smooths his beard again.
MARK
I didn't run. I... I was...
Mark's eyes fill to the brim. He looks away.
MARK
I'm scared. I'm a vagina. Gosh, I'm
you.
Matthew laughs at himself.
MARK
Sorry, old habits.
MATTHEW
You're going to be a good husband.
MARK
Don't say that. Jeez. That's it.
That's it.
MATTHEW
What?
MARK
I'm 30. I'm only 30. It's like the
new 15. Guys I know are still
getting hammered every night, going
home to play Xbox, jack off, and
fall asleep to Netflix. And I look
at them. And I tell myself. I'm way
better off than these idiots. I'm
lightyears ahead of these boys.
Matthew takes it in. He realizes that Mark is really just an
older version of himself. Of his old self.
MATTHEW
You're not.
Mark stops.
99.
MATTHEW
You're a boy.
Mark takes it.
MATTHEW
You told me that when the time
comes, the only difference between
a boy and a man is the choice he
makes. That's why I went to
California. That's why I brought
her home.
MARK
Is that why you let her go?
Matthew is silenced. He looks away to the main display. The
romance novel is still there.
MARK (O.S.)
I get it. We're the same. We're all
the same. Me, you, dad. Keeping up
with the Kardashians. Keep with us,
bitches.
A fire is lit in Matthew's eyes.
MARK
It's closin' time. Let's go home.
Faye starts with the beer bottles. Dumps them in a bin.
Picks up the pieces of the stand and tries to assemble them
correctly. Picks up the TV. Tries to. Gets it up on the
stand. Faye waits and it stands.
HALLWAY
Faye's behind a tower of pizza boxes and wobbles around.
APARTMENT
The apartment now is bare. Except for the TV and its stand.
Her bags are packed.
Matt's essay lies on the counter.
An orange light flickers across Matthew's and Mark's face.
They stand before Faye's box as it burns bright on the
street illuminated by Christmas decorations.
Matthew's eyes die as the fire does.
Mark spurts lighter fluid onto the flames and it leaps high.
100.
MARK
There're still some Blu-Rays under
the Hot Rod.
Matthew and Mark lie on the Hot Rod star gazing.
MARK
I wacked off to Faye. On this bed.
MATTHEW
Dude, if you want me off the bed
just tell me.
MARK
No dude. I wacked off to her and
I'm not trying to be gross. I did
it and I felt... So bad. Like I was
wacking off to someone's sister.
MATTHEW
Ok, please stop.
MARK
No, just hear me out brochacho. I
felt so bad and I couldn't figure
it out. But then I realized. Like
this one time one of my boys was
dating this unbelievably hot chick.
Like I'm talking upper 90s hot like
Tyra Banks 1997 Sports Illustrated
hot. I couldn't get her out of my
mind. So I tugged one out in the
shower thinking about her and that
was it. She was gone. Out of my
head. It was like that with every
girl. Done and done, never gave her
another thought. But with Faye. I
felt horrible. She was your girl,
but that wasn't it.
MATTHEW
What was it?
MARK
I was scared that you'd be angry.
Matthew processes this and bursts out laughing.
MARK
Yeah yeah laugh it up, jackass. Me
be afraid of you, I know. Makes
stupid sense.
Matthew's laughter stops as he gets choked up.
MARK
Hey, you alright?
101.
MATTHEW
I miss her.
Mark feels for his brother. He does. So he sits up and
speaks from the heart.
MARK
Don't make the same mistake,
Matthew. Don't. If you miss her,
chase her. And when you catch her,
don't stop missing her. Don't.
Mark's own words has an effect on himself.
MARK
I'm going home. I'm going to make
things right. If Jamie doesn't take
me back, I'm going to keep chasing
her.
Matthew lifts his head up and sees Mark take his promise
ring necklace off. He breaks the chain and puts on the ring.
Matthew has to do it. He can't let her go.
Matthew runs past every brightly lit Christmas decorated
house.
INT. CAR - DAY
Faye without make up, dressed modestly. Matthew's essay is
on the dashboard on the passenger side.
MATTHEW (V.O.)
... I really want you to be happy.
That's the truth. I really didn't
believe in love before. Love was
just something they showed in the
movies and even though my dad tried
to be both parents, I never knew
what it felt like to be loved by a
woman. Or if it was even
possible...
She drives, passing signs for Portland.
"303 MILES"
Faye continues on.
The door is open to Faye's apartment. The landlord is
showing it to potential tenants.
Matthew runs through the door.
102.
LANDLORD
Can I help you?
MATTHEW
Is Faye...
The apartment is barren.
LANDLORD
If you want to look at the
apartment, you're going to have to
make an appointment.
Matthew is crushed.
He turns to walk away, but sees that the TV and repaired
stand is still there.
INT. CAR - DAY
Faye drives past a broken down car with a left rear flat
tire.
MATTHEW (V.O.)
... But you've shown me that it is.
It sounds ridiculous, but I've seen
you in the most intimate situations
with real men, but never felt
uncomfortable. I saw a desire in
you. Like you wanted something,
someone else. That's what I admired
about you and that's why I believe
I can make you happy. Not because
I'm a real man, but because you
make me want to grow up to be one.
Matthew walks blowing cold air like it's smoke, visible
because of the Christmas lights.
Matthew sees Faye on his doorstep. The Christmas lights
illuminating her unmade-up face. Innocent, beautiful in the
glow.
FAYE
Merry Christmas.
MATTHEW
Merry Christmas.
Faye shivers a bit.
FAYE
It's cold up here.
MATTHEW
Yeah.
103.
He walks up to the doorstep.
FAYE
Are you going to invite me inside?
She shivers again and Matthew holds her like she did him
before in the Valley.
Faye leans her head on Matthew's shoulder and embraces him.
The dining table, and the kitchen light is on.
The kitchen cart in pieces.
FAYE
You moved it, didn't you?
MATTHEW
What?
Faye points to the pieces.
MATTHEW
Oh yeah, I'm not so good with
furniture assembly. So cross that
off the list of possible careers.
FAYE
Are you still looking?
MATTHEW
Yeah, I'm starting to.
FAYE
That's great.
MATTHEW
It's ok.
FAYE
Ok is good.
Matthew smiles faintly.
FAYE
I just want to say something and
I'll leave and you don't have to
see me again...
MATTHEW
Faye...
FAYE
I was so angry. It's not an excuse.
But I was so mad that I couldn't
really see what was happening. Or
what happened.
104.
MATTHEW
What?
FAYE
I missed it. I missed my chance of
becoming a woman, having a career,
a husband, a kid, I missed out on
growing up because in the Valley,
everyone wanted to stay the same.
It was like Neverland except you
grew old, but you never grew up. I
hope you can understand that.
Matthew confirms with his eyes.
FAYE
You're lucky, Matt.
MATTHEW
How so?
FAYE
You're doing something.
MATTHEW
I'm an unemployed 25 year old boy
who lives at home with his nurse
dad and fat brother.
FAYE
You have a family.
Faye stares at the blinking Christmas tree set up in the
living room. A few presents lying beneath it.
FAYE
You know every Christmas I'd ask
for all these Barbies and
playhouses and I'd always get them.
But I never really wanted them. I'd
play house or doctor or cashier
with these toys, but it meant
nothing.
Faye's eyes glass over.
FAYE
And after I ran away, I kept buying
all these things. Clothes, shoes, a
TV stand.
Matthew stares at Faye as she lets him in.
FAYE
I just thought I wanted these...
Things. But I was hiding. Hiding
this... emptiness inside me.
Tears roll down Faye's cheek.
105.
FAYE
There was nothing I really wanted.
I never wanted... to be anything. I
was so scared I tried so hard to
not fade into nothing.
Matthew feels Faye's pain and cannot bear to see her cry.
FAYE
(wipes her tears)
But it's time to face it.
Faye gets up to leave.
Matthew fights the urge to not burst out of his chair and
hold Faye.
Faye puts down Matthew's promise ring on the table.
FAYE
I hope you find her... Goodbye,
Matthew.
Matthew stares at the ring and grows bold when he sees Faye
running away.
He won't let her go.
Matthew gets up and grabs the promise ring.
He goes after Faye. She's out the door.
Matthew follows Faye as she tries to hold back her emotions.
MATTHEW
I gave this to you.
FAYE
Move on, Matt.
MATTHEW
I am.
Matthew gets down on his knee and puts the ring on her
finger again.
He gets up and kisses Faye's forehead, her eyes, her nose,
and her lips.
They share a warm kiss in the cold night.
MATTHEW
You should come in.
Faye follows.
106.
FAYE
You've gotten better, watching more
videos?
Jack waits in the living room.
Matthew slams the door and Jack gets up abruptly.
JACK
Matthew? Where the hell...
He sees Faye standing next to Matthew. Hands clasped with
Matthew's.
JACK
Hello.
FAYE
Hi... Sir.
MATTHEW
Dad, this is Faye.
JACK
Nice to meet you, Faye.
FAYE
It's great to finally meet you.
Jack warmly smiles at the young couple before him.
JACK
Well, I'm going to bed, I assume
you'll be here for Christmas
dinner. There'll be enough for
everyone... If Mark doesn't eat.
MARK (O.S.)
I heard that.
JACK
Good night.
MATTHEW/FAYE
Night.
Jack goes upstairs.
MARK (O.S.)
Good night!
Matthew and Faye sit on the couch. Faye leans her head on
Matthew's shoulder.
END MONTAGE:
107.
Christmas morning.
Jack greets Faye and hugs her like a father.
Mark goes for the fist bump.
They open presents.
Jack gets an Ikea gift certificate.
Mark gets P90X.
Matthew gets a romance novel.
Faye is empty handed, but is given random gifts that weren't
meant for her.
A dieting book, a shaving lotion, and finally a tapestry.
One that was in the cabinet.
Jack smiles.
Faye loves it.
KITCHEN
Faye is putting the kitchen cart back together.
LATER
A huge Christmas feast on the table. There's duck, mashed
potatoes, corn, rolls, and a plate of fun sized candy bars
near Mark.
Jamie is there now as well next to Mark.
With Jack at the head of the table, Mark to his left and
Matthew on his right, Faye and Jamie next to their men, they
all hold hands.
They bow their heads and Jack says grace.
They all dig in, Mark already has chocolate on his face
already.
One big, happy family.
Matthew is dressed in a suit sitting at his usual spot.
A manager sits down with him and they talk.
LATER
Faye is browsing the display case and sees the romance novel
from the beginning, the one she had. She puts it down, off
108.
the display case.
Matthew walks over to Faye wearing a big smile.
Faye is hanging up the tapestry in the living room.
She has an easel and a canvas now. She paints the boom of
the Valley.
Mark poses for Faye and offers to take his shirt off.
Faye shakes her head.
Mark is working out, getting back into the groove.
Matthew is pushing with all his might and completes a
repetition. A 35 pound plate on each side.
Matthew is showing Faye how to throw a punch.
EXT. MATTHEW'S HOUSE - DAY
Mark and Jamie are leaving.
Jack hugs Jamie. Faye gives Jamie the painting she was
working on. A beautiful painting of the Valley at night.
Mark awkwardly lean-hugs Faye who laughs.
Matthew goes for the handshake with Mark, who bear hugs him.
Matthew taps Mark in the balls.
MATTHEW'S ROOM
Matthew is on his bed awake. The spot next to him is empty.
KITCHEN
Faye is cooking breakfast.
Jack is helping her cook.
Matthew comes down dressed in slacks and a polo with his
bookstore name tag.
He watches Faye and his father cook and enjoy each other's
presence.
Matthew savors this moment. He doesn't want to let it go.
FAYE
Good morning.
109.
Matthew snaps to reality.
JACK
Hey, son.
MATTHEW
Good morning.
Matthew moves on to the table and he helps set up the table
as we...
FADE OUT.

Matt and Faye

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MATT AND FAYE

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