F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

BACK AGAIN
by

Yvonne Myers

rev.Aug202007

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

FADE IN:
A womans face appears. The face belongs to one EVELINE
SAUNDERS, 30, smiling hugely.
MAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Back again?
Her smile becomes a grin.

INT LIVING ROOM FLASHBACK A WEEKS EARLIER

A small crowd of about 6-30-somethings are gathered in the
living room of a modest apartment.
We CU on the front of a card in Evelines hands, which
reads Happy Birthday in elegant script.
We hear the sound of Two Male Party Guests singing in
falsetto
TWO MALE PARTY GUESTS
How old are you now
CUT TO
Eveline opens the card. Inside the card is a grotesque
picture of an old miner 49er, wrinkled butt poking
cheekily out of his open long johns.
A bubble reading Old Fart protrudes from his bum.
TWO MALE PARTY GUESTS
How old are you now
Eveline takes a swig of her drink. Evelines mother,
GLORIA MANSON, heavily made up, nails like red talons, and
very drunk, grabs Evelines face and smears her with a
kiss.
GLORIA MANSON
Happy Birthday, Dumpling!
card was a hoot!

I just thought the

She cackles and begins to sing along with the 2

Male Party Guests right into Evelines face.

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

2 MALE PARTY GUESTS and Mrs. Manson

(reaching a drunken crescendo)
Howwwww OOOOLD ARE YOU nOWWWWWW!?
Eveline just gapes as Mrs. Manson gives her cheeks another
tug.
GLORIA MANSON
Close your mouth dear, youll let the flies in.
(She begins to sing)
There once was an old lady who swallowed a fly,
I dont know why shed swallow a fly, perhaps
shell...OH! DAN!
Enter DAN SAUNDERS, husband to Eveline, early 30s, a
sweaty, lumbering bear of a man. He balances a cake
covered almost completely in candles.
DAN:
Quick, blow them out before Im blinded!
Laughter.
EVELINE
Funny. Real funny.
Eveline leans in to blow out her candles, but is
interrupted by her mother.
GLORIA MANSON
Oh, my god! I just had the best idea!
Gloria blows out Evelines candles.
Dans tie.
GLORIA MANSON
Do you mind?

Gloria starts removing

Dan
No, maam!
Gloria seductively removes his tie, and gives an end to
each of the male party guests.
GLORIA MANSON

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

Eveline, my little dumpling, in honor of your big

three-oh-oh-oh (she punctuates each oh with a
flick of her hips) I thought wed go retro, and
do the lambad-oh!
Gloria screams Yie-Yie-Yie, then performs an amazing low
backbend, shimmying under the tie with ease.
DAN
Dig that action! Mrs. Manson, if you werent my
mother-in-law
Gloria grins.
GLORIA MANSON
Your turn, dumpling!
EVELINE
Mom, I really dont feel like
GLORIA MANSON
OH! Dont be such a party poop.
All eyes are on Eveline. Eveline takes a swig of her drink
and a bite of her cake. She marches over to the tie, leans
herself into impressive backbend, when suddenly her back
gives out. We hear a SNAPPING SOUND, followed by a FART
SOUND, released as she hits the floor.
INT - EVELINE AND DAN'S LIVING ROOM - THAT EVENING
Eveline, wearing a mumu, face smeared with frosting,
hobbles around cleaning up the party debris.
Dan sits on the couch reading the newspaper.
EVELINE
..that is just so typical of my mother, the one
day that is supposed to be about me, and she just
has to make it all about her. And what was with
all the cracks about my age? 30 is the new 20s
for christ sakes. Im still a spring chicken...
She suppresses a grunt as she has a back spasm.
DAN
Shouldnt you be laying down or something?

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

EVELINE
And youre just no better, with the whole oh,
if you werent my mother-in-law... Im fine.
She begins stuffing herself with leftover cake.

EVELINE
Dan?
DAN
Yeah, babe?
EVELINE
Do you still think Im sexy?
Only with the cake in her mouth it comes like Ro wo sill
wink Rhyme rexy?
DAN
What?
EVELINE
Ro you sill wink ryme....RO WUST FOGET IT!
She hobbles stomps out of the room, cake slice in hand.
Dan sighs.
DAN
(to himself)
What did I do now?
INT-BATHROOM-SECONDS LATER
Eveline stares at herself in the mirror. She bends down to
wash her frosting and tear stained face. She has a back
spasm. She opens the medicine cabinet and pulls out a
bottle marked PAIN AWAY. She reads the label to herself.
EVELINE
Do not operate heavy machinery
BLACKOUT. We hear a BUZZING SOUND.

CUT TO

EXT-HALLWAY IN FRONT OF BATHROOM-A FEW MINUTES LATER

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

Dan hops from foot to foot, clutching his paper, banging on

the door.
DAN
Eveline? Eveline!
He breaks down the door.
INT EVELINE AND DANS BATHROOM- A FEW SECONDS LATER
A BUZZING SOUND. Eveline is curled up on the floor, mouth
foamy with toothpaste, electric toothbrush vibrating in her
hand.
INT-BATHROOM-A FEW SECONDS LATER
A newspaper. Hairy legs. A flushing sound.
down.

The paper comes

DAN
Babe, you should really start working out. Do
some ab work, you know, crunches. I hear yogas
great. Whats that sweaty one called? Brickham?
Brylcream? We should do more together. Get off
the couch. Get back to some of that crazy stuff
we used to do. I miss that. I miss us. Babe? You
listening?
A snore from Eveline, laying on the floor beside him, legs
tented.
Throughout, Dans finger skims over ads in the bodywork
section of the local paper, scrolling through escort
agencies, yoga, sensual body massage (here it
pauses)finally stopping at an ad for physiotherapy. There
it becomes
INT PHYSIO OFFICE THE NEXT MORNING
A finger at the base of Evelines spine.
MANS VOICE (O.S.)
Mrs. Saunders? Let me know where it hurts...
EVELINE
hhhhmmm. No, dont, Im fine on the floor...

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

Through the opening of the headrest, Eveline groggily opens

her eyes.
MANS VOICE (O.S.)
Its okay, dont try to sit up.
guess you fell asleep there.

Sorry Im late,

EVELINE
Yeah, OW!

MANS VOICE (O.S)

Wow, you really did a number on your back, Im
getting alot of tension there. Whatd you do?
Through the headrest, Evelines notices the physiotherapy
guys really nice legs in sandals.
EVELINE
I was, bending.
gym. You know.

To pick something up.

In the

MANS VOICE (O.S.)

Do I ever. I pulled a muscle right...
He squats down at the end of the physiotherapy bench right
in front of her and she sees his face for the first time.
PHYSIO GUY, pretty damn beautiful, a raise the dead
hearththrob.
PHYSIO GUY
...here.
He traces a line from his armpit to elbow.
PHYSIO GUY
Rock climbing in Squamish.
You rock climb?
Eveline oddly flattered that he would think she rock
climbs, stammers.
EVELINE
No. Yes. Well, once. My husfriend, went.
Indoors. I made it to the ceiling, but when I
got there, I was like, the only place left to go
is

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

PHYSIO GUY
Down! Yeah, I know what you mean. But the great
part is, when you get to the bottom, you get to
work your way up again.
He gives her a winning smile.
He runs his hands down her bare legs. At her feet he gives
a small tug. A FIRECRACERK SOUND as her spine releases.
CU on Evelines face as seen through the headrest, as she
gasps in pleasure.
CUT TO
INT LIVING ROOM-THAT EVENING
Dan sits reading the newspaper. We hear a WHIRRING SOUND.
Dan brings the paper down.
We see Eveline in the middle
of the living room on an exercise machine working out like
a madwoman.
CUT TO
INT-PHYSIO OFFICE-A FEW DAYS LATER
Physio Guy is on top of Eveline. He has her leg across her
body, and he uses his body to press into her, setting off
small FIRECRACKER POPS in her spine.
CU Evelines face through the headrest, her face
registering every pop with ecstasy.
INT-LIVING ROOM-A FEW NIGHTS LATER
Dan sits reading the paper. Eveline brings out a tray of
food. Dan puts down the paper. Looks at his plate in
disgust. All it has is a piece of broccoli and a piece of
tofu. He looks over at Eveline relishing her dinner of the
same.
INT PHYSIO OFFICE A FEW DAYS LATER
The Physio Guy has Evelines arms crossed around her chest.
His arms are over hers, his face next to hers. He
squeezes. There is a FIRECRACKER POPPING SOUND as her
spine releases. Eveline gasps in pleasure.
INT-BATHROOM-A FEW DAYS LATER

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

Eveline stands in front of the mirror in a tight tank top.

Dan watches her bum bopping, as she hums to herself and
puts on red lipstick.
DAN
Wow. You look marvelous. What say you and I go
out for dinner tonight and go to bed early.
Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, if youre reading my
mail...
EVELINE
What? OH! Im late.

Gotta go. See you later.

She gives him a peck on the cheek and dashes out.

INT-PHYSIO OFFICE-SAME DAY
Physio Guy sits beside Eveline on the bench, arms wrapped
her, his face within kissing range of Evelines red lips.
PHYSIO GUY
Breathe in
She breathes in, inhaling his scent.
PHYSIO GUY
And out
There is a loud FIRECRACKER POPPING SOUND as Physio Guy
cracks her spine.
PHYSIO GUY
Oh, yes. Good.

I thinkbreath inwereand out

EVELINE/PHYSIO GUY
(simultaneously)
Take me!/ Done!
Silence.
EVELINE/PHYSIO GUY
What?/What?
He hands her a note.
PHYSIO GUY

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

Take care of yourself.

INT-DAN AND EVELINES LIVING ROOM-SAME DAY
Eveline enters looking dejected. Dan sits on the couch,
and hurriedly raises his paper as she enters the room.
DAN
Hey. How was your day?
EVELINE
Fine.
DAN
Good. Good.
An awkward silence. Eveline sighs and walks out into the
bedroom.
Dan leaps up, his newspaper uncovering a book titled
HEALING TOUCH-HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PARTNER. He
pulls a bag from under the couch and starts pulling out
candles and massage oils. He reaches behind the couch and
whips out a massage table, snapping its legs into place.

INT: DAN AND EVELINES BEDROOM- A FEW SECONDS LATER

Eveline sits on the bed and reads the note.
INSERT-THE NOTE
1. Avoid heavy lifting.
INT-DAN AND EVELINES BEDROOM-A FEW MINUTES LATER
Eveline attempts to lift the dresser which has been piled
with anything not attached to the floor. Her face is red
with effort, she gets it up on end. Drops it, items
spilling.
INT-LIVNG ROOM-SAME TIME
Dan sneaks around the living room lighting candles.
DAN
Eveline? You okay in there?
INT-DAN AND EVELINES BEDROOM
Eveline touches her toes with no problem.

10

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

EVELINE
Yes!
She kicks the dresser in frustration. Winces.

CUT TO

INT-KITCHEN-SAME TIME
Dan winces as he pricks his finger on a bouquet of roses he
pulls out from the refrigerator.
INSERT-THE NOTE
2. Avoid stress

CUT TO

Eveline on the phone.

EVELINE
Hello, mom?
CUT TO
A few minutes later.
-Phone being slammed back into its cradle.
Eveline stands, touches her toes, still no problem.
CUT TO
INT-LIVING ROOM-SECONDS LATER
Eveline marches right through, not noticing the candles,
the massage table, the roses, or Dan, lounging seductively
on the couch.

INSERT-THE NOTE
3. Avoid sneezing.
INT-KITCHEN-A FEW MINUTES LATER
Several large lines of pepper cover the counter.
sticks a straw up her nose, pinches one nostril.

Eveline

DAN (O.S.)
Babe?
Eveline drops the straw.
DAN (O.S.)
You mind grabbing me a beer?

11

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

He puts a rose between his teeth, expecting her entrance.

INT-LIVNG ROOM-A FEW SECONDS LATER
A beer can comes flying in and smacks Dan right in the
DAN
OOOF!
He spits out his rose and suddenly, from the kitchen there
is the SOUND OF RAPID FIRE SNEEZING.
INT-KITCHEN- A FEW SECONDS LATER
Eveline stands at the now bare counter, eyes watering
madly. She tests her back. Limber as ever.
EVELINE
Thats it.
INT-LIVING ROOM-A FEW SECONDS LATER
Dans POV as he watches a tear stained bedraggled, but
determined Eveline march right up to him.
EVELINE
Dan, Ive just spent the last hour trying to
purposely injure myself so I could see my
physiotherapist again, and very possibly if
not probably, given the current state of our
marriage which is very possibly if not
probably completely DEAD, have an illicit,
passionate affair with him, because as sad
it sounds, he touched me in a way you
havent in years. I am a woman, and yes,
Ive put on weight over the years, and no,
Im not perfect, and...and..
She actually sees the living room.
the massage table.

The candles, the roses,

DAN
Well, Im not perfect either. And yes, our
marriage has sucked the big fat one, but I
love you. I love you. Thats all.

12

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re

F -X C h a n ge

F -X C h a n ge

N
y
bu

She sees the book in Dans hands:

INSERT: HEALING TOUCH-HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR
PARTNER
EVELINE
Dan?!
There is a POPPING SOUND, as Eveline lurches upright in
surprise, her back giving out.
CUT TO
CU of Evelines hugely grinning face, eyes closed in
pleasure.
DAN (O.S.)
Back again?
Evelines
bed, bare
candles.
begins to

eyes open. We pull away to reveal Eveline on the

back covered in roses. The room is alight with
Dan places his hands at the base of her spine and
rub her back.

Eveline sighs with pleasure.

Her smile becomes a grin.

EVELINE
Back again.
The End

13

ac

.c

tr

om

k
lic
C

om

k
lic
C

.c

re

k e r- s o ft w a

ac

ww

ww

tr

to

to

bu

O
W
!

PD

O
W
!

PD

k e r- s o ft w a

re