Duck Soup

written by

Ben Clifford

cliffordben502@gmail.com
December 2016
BLACK SCREEN
HARMONY (V.O)
My Grandma told me her cunt never
worked properly again after Mum was
born. I love Grandma. I still
remember her recipe for duck soup.

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - STORMWATER DRAIN - DAY

HARMONY (14), dark-skinned, pimply and awkward, walks through

a dry stormwater canal in the local neighbourhood, carrying
his school bag.
He is deep in thought.
About fifty metres behind him, a group of similarly aged boys
- RICK and GERRY, follow him.

RICK
(yelling)
Oi, noongah!
Harmony turns around.
HARMONY
(polite, genuine)
Yeah? What's up?
Gerry and Rick approach as Harmony stops.

RICK
Are you ready to get your face
smashed today, faggot?
Harmony shrugs. He puts his bag down on the ground.
HARMONY
Right-o.
Rick and Gerry, perplexed, look at one another.

Gerry PUNCHES Harmony square in the jaw. Harmony falls, then

stands, grabbing his bag.
Harmony is calm; as if waiting in line at the bank.
GERRY
What the fuck?
Gerry uppercuts Harmony in the stomach. Harmony groans.
 2.

HARMONY
(excited)
What else?
Gerry and Rick exchange looks.

RICK
This is so fucking weird.
GERRY
(disgusted)
Stay away from us.
Gerry and Rick look back, perplexed, at Harmony as they walk
away.

Harmony collects his bag and moves on.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

PATIENCE (late 20's), bleached hair, skinny, sits at a sofa
with a laptop on the coffee table before her. She smiles
eagerly at the screen.
She is Skyping a black guy, KINGSLEY (30's), who watches
Patience with great fascination.

KINGSLEY
(skype)
Show me some nip.
PATIENCE
Aren't they around?
KINGSLEY
(skype)
CCTV, but they won't see shit.
Promise.
Patience grins as she removes a solitary breast from her
wife-beater top. She plays with the nipple un-sexily.
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
That's fucking great, babe.

Through the laptop, YELLING is heard.

KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
(skype)
Gotta go. Kisses.
PATIENCE
I'm wet for you.
 3.

Patience smiles as the Skype window closes. Her breast

remains exposed. She switches the TV on.
Harmony enters through the front door. He is fresh with cuts
and scrapes.
HARMONY
Mum.
PATIENCE
(eyes not moving from TV)
Harm.

HARMONY'S ROOM
Harmony stands nude before a mirror behind his bedroom door.
He inspects his body: cuts and bruises, a red mark on his
thorax from the punches.
Harmony smiles.
He begins masturbating, grinning at his injuries.

INT. REHAB FACILITY - KINGSLEY'S ROOM

Kingsley lay on top of his made bed in the spartan room, iPad
before him, Skyping.

REGINALD, an elderly rehab support worker, opens the door

without knocking.
REGINALD
Kingsley. No devices.
KINGSLEY
(into iPad)
Gotta go. Kisses.
Kingsley passes the iPad to Reginald.
REGINALD
Don't forgot about group, OK?
Kingsley lays down on the bed as Reginald leaves.
HARMONY (V.O)
Mum says Dad's in rehab cause he
got bit by a horse and cause he
loves pills.
 4.

Kingsley stands, and takes his shorts off. He changes into a

pair of slacks.
GROUP THERAPY
Kingsley sits among a group of other rehab RESIDENTS, in a
circle of chairs. In front of them is Reginald, leading the
group.
REGINALD
Who wants to share first?
Silence.
REGINALD (CONT’D)
Even if it's unrelated. Today we're
talking about chronology, remember?
Reginald gestures to a whiteboard. It simply reads
"chronology = time" scrawled in sharpie.
KINGSLEY
I'll go.
REGINALD
That's great, Kingsley.
KINGSLEY
So after the horse bit me --
One rehabber pipes up: ELLIE.
ELLIE
A horse bit you?
Another, JOHN.
JOHN
What'd you do to the horse?
KINGSLEY
Well, nothing, it just fucking bit
me, OK?
A few sneers. Reginald takes control of the group.
REGINALD
Guys, remember, chronology is about
time passing, not questioning. Let
Kingsley tell his truth, even if
you have your own thoughts.
 5.

KINGSLEY
That's right, Reginald. Let me tell
my truth.
REGINALD
Kingsley, please.
KINGSLEY
So this pony bit me, right? And it
hurt, so I went to the E.D. They
gave me something --
ELLIE
Percs?
REGINALD
(scolding)
Ellie.
ELLIE
(persistent)
Was it percs?
KINGSLEY
-- they gave me Oxy's. And like, it
was great. Like a warm hug...a
cuddle from Grandma.
John speaks up, interrupting,
JOHN
Grandma is back in time. That isn't
chronological.
(to Reginald)
Reginald?

KINGSLEY
Alright, so I loved it, OK? Happy?
No grandma. Forget grandma.
JOHN
I guess.
KINGSLEY
And so I finished that prescription
pretty quickly. And it just got out
of hand.
REGINALD
OK, so you're saying it got out of
hand?
 6.

KINGSLEY
Yes, those are the exact words I
just used.
REGINALD
And you're referring to the use of
the painkillers?
Kingsley nods.
REGINALD (CONT’D)
Tell us about that. And remember --
Reginald gestures to the words on the board. Chronology is
time.
KINGSLEY
I ignored my family -- my wife,
Patience, Harmony, my son. Just for
that same shit, over and over.

Another participant, ELIJAH speaks up, chuckling.

ELIJAH
Your wife's name is Patience and
your son's name is Harmony?
KINGSLEY
Yes.
ELIJAH
Reginald, he's making this shit up.
Kingsley ignores him. Reginald glares at Elijah.
KINGSLEY
So, I guess, in terms of, like,
chronology, I want to be out of
here in the future for them.
REGINALD
Great. That's an examplery use of
the chronology tool. Does anybody
else want to share?
Ellie puts her hand up.
ELLIE
I'm hungry.
 7.

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - BICYCLE RACKS - DAY

Hidden behind a garden shed on school grounds, Harmony stands
with his closest friend: a pretty, well-dressed DIANE (14).
Diane smokes a cigarette, but in such a way that we know
she's inexperienced.

DIANE
Teachers reckon they can smell it.
HARMONY
Yeah, but it's not just you, right?
DIANE
Nah. Filipino girls come back here
too. They'll get the blame. The
teachers hate them cause they all
have secret conversations in
Tagalog.
Beat.
HARMONY
How are you and Nando?
DIANE
Things are good. He's moved out --
well, no -- scratch that. His
roomates left.
HARMONY
Place to himself?
DIANE
Yeah.
HARMONY
Sweet.
DIANE
My parents think I'll be at yours
tonight.
HARMONY
Gotcha.
DIANE
What about Ricky and Gerry?
HARMONY
What about them?
Diane looks Harmony up and down. Black eye. Brusied arms.
 8.

DIANE
They got you again?
HARMONY
Yeah.
Diane shakes her head.
DIANE
(cliched, teenaged
passion)
Y'know, it's just homophobia. I
can't stand it. If we could just
test for it at birth, like, it
wouldn't happen. No homophobes. You
get me?
HARMONY
Like, eugenics?
Daine thinks.
DIANE
Yeah.
HARMONY (V.O)
When Diane and I were eleven, she
used to be obsessed with horses.
She grew some of those pubey sort
of white hairs on her knuckles and
assured me it meant she was
becoming a pony. When my dad got
bit by a horse she cried for days
and shaved her arms and legs.
Harmony looks around as Diane takes a long drag of her
cigarette.
DIANE
What're you telling ya Mum?
HARMONY
Huh?
DIANE
About the bruises.
HARMONY
She doesn't even fucking ask.
DIANE
Oh. Shit. Sorry.
Harmony shrugs.
 9.

HARMONY
I kind of like it.
DIANE
You like your mum not asking?
HARMONY
No, I mean -- the beatings.
DIANE
What?
Diane stubs her cigarette out.
HARMONY
It's weird. I know. But it's, like,
good. It feels good.
DIANE
I guess. I love it when Nando pulls
my hair.
HARMONY
Exactly. It's like that. It's like
-- it hurts, but it hurts in the
right place. It goes right to my
dick, y'know?
Diane blinks, looking into space, as if Harmony just said
something profound.
DIANE
Back when everyone had those old
Nokia's, the phones, you know the
ones that had buttons and shit, and
you could play Snake on 'em? I
think we were like, six or seven
maybe. My mum had one right before
getting a Samsung.
HARMONY
Yeah.
DIANE
I used to turn it to vibrate when I
knew Mum'd be getting a call and
shove it inside me.
Harmony nods. This is a completely normal conversation.
DIANE (CONT’D)
I gotta go to English.
Diane spritzes herself with perfume from her bag.
 10.

DIANE (CONT’D)
Love ya'.
HARMONY
Yeah, you too.

INT. BAR - SLOT MACHINES

Beer in hand, purse by her side, Patience works a slot

machine with athlete-like focus.
She is surrounded by a few other mid-day gamblers, but aside
from the carnival-like sounds from the machines, the place is
quiet.
Patience presses a button on the machine. A loss. Puts
another dollar in.
DERIK, a man in his thirties, handsome in a trashy way, sits
at the machine beside her. He holds a glass of scotch, which
seems to be mostly ice cubes.
DERIK
Much luck today?

Patience, engrossed, shakes her head.

PATIENCE
Nah.

DERIK
(smiling)
Do you think it's me?

Patience quickly glances at Derik. She has no clue what his

joke means.

PATIENCE
Fuck you talking about?
DERIK
Am I the bad luck charm?
PATIENCE
Yeah, fuckwit. There's like forty
empty machines, why sit next to me?
Derik is bantering but Patience is deadly serious.

DERIK
You've got a mouth.
 11.

PATIENCE
I got some fists too if you don't
piss the fuck off.

Derik grins and stands.

Patience tries the machine again - A WIN.

Coins pour out of the dispenser.

PATIENCE (CONT’D)
(grinning)
Mate. You might just have to sit
down.

DERIK
Oh, well, maybe I don't want to.
Maybe someone here was rude to me.

PATIENCE
Don't be a fuckin' gay.

Derik sits. Lamely puts a dollar into his slot machine. Ding
ding ding - nothing.

DERIK
Maybe my luck ran out.

Patience finishes her beer.

PATIENCE
I'll let you know.

Patience's machine DING DING DINGS again - another win. More

coins come out. She probably has nearly a hundred in small
change.

DERIK
Well, shit.
PATIENCE
This is legit.

DERIK
Ever had a win like this?
Patience ignores Derik for some time as she collects the
change, putting it in her purse.

PATIENCE
Not two in a row.
DERIK
Celebrating?
 12.

PATIENCE
Fuck yeah.

EXT. PLAYGROUND - DAY

Noon. One of those plastic jungle gyms, affixed in a lawn of

dead grass, heats in the sun.
Patience and Derik stroll towards the unisex bathroom by the
playground.

INT. BATHROOM
In the one-commode facility, Patience and Derik dutifully
snort coke off the closed toilet seat.
Patience LAUGHS loudly. Derik smiles.

He takes off Patience's shirt. Braless. Stares at her breats.

Both the pair are now coked-up, antsy, speaking fast.
DERIK
Kids?
PATIENCE
Just the one.
DERIK
(gesturing)
You got kid titties.
PATIENCE
Nah. He's fourteen.
DERIK
Don't matter. Kid titties are
forever.
Derik kisses Patience. She pulls down his pants, one handed.

PATIENCE
Don't give me a hickey.
DERIK
Only if you take me home.
PATIENCE
You don't wanna go there.
DERIK
I do! Promise.
 13.

PATIENCE
It's shit. My kid lives with me.
DERIK
He's at school, no? You really
wanna fuck in the toilets of this
park?
Patience thinks about this, her eyes showing a complex, drug-
addled thought process.
PATIENCE
Quick and leave?
DERIK
Oh, of course.

EXT. REHAB FACILITY- BACK YARD

Kingsley hangs a pile of wet laundry on a clothesline in
facility's yard.
A few other residents mill about, smoking cigarettes,
chatting. You get the sense it's a mostly quiet place.
A woman, TRISH, in her forties, who's seen better days,
approaches Kingsley with a fight in her eyes.

TRISH
Mate.
Kingsley stops hanging clothes.
KINGSLEY
Yeah?
TRISH
Heard about you in group today.
Kingsley is perplexed.
KINGSLEY
You were actually there. You know
that, right?

TRISH
Whatever, cunt. You think you're
better than all of us?
KINGSLEY
No?
 14.

Kingsley backs away a little. Trish is sneering, clenched

fist in her tracksuit pockets.
TRISH
Telling bullshit stories about some
pony. I know you're a junkie.

KINGSLEY
I didn't say I wasn't. Did I?
TRISH
The first step to recovery is
telling the truth. Cunt.
KINGSLEY
Why are you being so aggressive?
I've never even spoken to you.
TRISH
Exactly! You think you can just do
your shit and get out! It ain't
work like that! This is a community
and you've been doggin' us all!
You're a fuckin' dog cunt.
A CROWD has approached. No one really intervenes.
KINGSLEY
I have no clue what you're talking
about. Maybe you should have a chat
to Reginald? You seem quite
heightened.
Kingsley is clearly terrified of this woman.
Trish is antsy, pacing a little, prepared for a
confrontation.
TRISH
Don't tell me what the fuck to do.
Trish SPITS at Kingsley, missing. It lands in his wet
laundry.
KINGSLEY
Oi, come on.
TRISH
Until you start bein' a real part
of this supportive group, you're
shit. You're not gonna see your
family again.
 15.

KINGSLEY
Get fucked.
Trish laughs.
TRISH
Hope ya dogshit family get used to
not having you around.
Suddenly, as if possesed, Kingsley swings a hard punch.
It connects with Trish's face. A small spray of blood from
her mouth.
TRISH (CONT’D)
Fuck!

Trish crouches in pain. Her last good tooth falls out.

TRISH (CONT’D)
You fuckin' faggot!
The crowd still watches.
Kingsley stands silently, shocked at himself. Trish retreats.

INT. SCHOOL - CORRIDOR

Harmony carries his bag down the corridor, filled with his
peers rushing to class.
Ahead of him is Rick, not in any particular hurry. Harmony
watches Rick from afar with a fascinated gaze.
Rick SHOVES a smaller KID as he passes him, and keeps
walking, as if routine.

Rick steps into the Boy's bathroom.

BOY'S BATHROOM
A disgusting, mid-1960's, tiled room. The perfect breeding
place for mildew.
Empty, until Rick enters. He heads to a cubicle.
RICK'S CUBICLE
Rick pulls down his pants and sits on the toilet. Texts on
his phone.
BOY'S BATHROOM
 16.

Harmony enters, having followed Rick. He walks with a

purposeful sneak.
HARMONY (V.O)
Today, they said that dolphins are
smarter than most dogs, but I
wouldn't eat a dog. I'd eat a
dolphin in a heartbeat.
Harmony enters a cubicle right next to Rick's.
INTERCUT: RICK AND HARMONY'S CUBICLE

Rick continues using the toilet, texting, sending Snapchats,

etc.
Harmony, seated with his pants on, listens intently.
He lowers his head to get a good look at Rick's feet, his
pants around his ankles.
Harmony is deriving some sort of pleasure from this.
He reaches into his shorts, quietly, grabbing his crotch --
A SCHOOL BELL RINGS.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Derik, nude, THRUSTS into an equally nude Patience who is
splayed against the wall.
They both moan.
Harmony enters, throwing his bag on the ground. He spies the
sex and rolls his eyes.
HARMONY
Mum.
Derik is startled, and pulls his pants up, leaving Patience
to fall to the ground by the wall.
Patience calmly puts her bra on.
PATIENCE
Sorry, love.
Derik collects his clothes, etc., eager to escape the
situation.
 17.

HARMONY
(calmly)
Diane's parents think she's staying
here tonight. You know what to do.
PATIENCE
A fun little sleepover.
HARMONY
You got it.
(then)
I might head out tonight.
PATIENCE
Oh shit. Can you do me -- and
Derik, this is Derik -- a favour
first?
Derik awkwardly reaches out and shakes Harmony's hand.
Harmony wipes Derik's sweat off his hand onto his shirt.

DERIK
Sorry. Sweaty. Your Mum's telling
the truth, though. I'm Derik.
HARMONY
(wary)
Harmony.
DERIK
Cool name.
PATIENCE
Harmony? The favour?
HARMONY
What is it?
PATIENCE
Can you make that pasta thing I
love?
Derik shakes his head.

DERIK
Oh, no -- I'll just go. Don't do
that.
PATIENCE
Don't be stupid. He loves cooking.
HARMONY
Yeah, it's fine.
 18.

Derik smiles. He starts putting his shirt on.

Harmony studies Derik's body. His pectorals and shoulder
muscles ripple as he lifts his arms up, sliding the tee on.
Harmony exits.
KITCHEN
Derik stands by the stove with a pot of boiling pasta,
chopping vegetables, other ingredients etc.
The sounds of vigorous, vocal FUCKING between Patience and
Derik are heard booming throughout the house.
LIVING ROOM
A shower is running somewhere in the house. Patience watches
the TV, dead-eyed.
Harmony enters with two plates of pasta, setting them both on
the coffee table.
PATIENCE
Thanks, honey.
HARMONY
What about Dad?

Patience takes a bite of the food.

PATIENCE
So good. I love when you make this.
HARMONY
What about Dad, Mum?
PATIENCE
I had a big win today and Derik's
helping me celebrate. Is that OK
with you?
HARMONY
Fine.
PATIENCE
Hey. Don't get shitty with me. I
won't let you go out. Sit down.
Talk to me.
Harmony sighs and sits next to his mother.

On the TV, some brainless game show is playing.

 19.

PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I reckon I'd kill it on these
shows.
Harmony raises an eye brow.
HARMONY
You really think that?
PATIENCE
It's not about book smarts. You
gotta have confidence. That's where
these darlings fall down. They
crack under the pressure.
HARMONY
OK.
PATIENCE
I'm very level headed. Did you know
that about me?
Harmony shrugs.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
He's cute, isn't he?
HARMONY
What?
PATIENCE
Derik.
HARMONY
Why are you asking me that?
PATIENCE
Just answer the question.

HARMONY
I guess.
PATIENCE
Is he sexier than your dad?
Beat.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
Would you fuck him?
Harmony ponders this, until --
Derik enters, a towel around his waist, shirtless.
 20.

PATIENCE (CONT’D)
(re: Derik)
Off you go, Harm.
HARMONY
Thanks.
PATIENCE
Be back by midnight.
Derik sits. Sees the plate of food.
DERIK
This for me?
HARMONY
Yeah.
PATIENCE
It's good.
DERIK
(to Harmony)
Are you going to have any?
Harmony shakes his head. He starts to speak --
PATIENCE
(mouth full of food)
He doesn't eat dinner.
HARMONY
Yeah.
Derik shrugs.
DERIK
Thanks, mate. Have fun tonight,
whatever you're up to.

HARMONY'S ROOM
Harmony stands in front of the mirror with his phone,
shirtless. He takes a few selfies.
Tries to make a serious, manly face. Then a silly face.
Tenses his arms.
Finally, he takes one he likes.
C/U: HARMONY'S PHONE
 21.

Harmony is using Grindr. New profile picture uploaded. His

age listed as "18".
He swipes a through a few profiles.
HARMONY'S ROOM - LATER
Harmony lays on his bed. He is texting.

He recieves a text: just an adress.

Harmony responds "can u pick me up? No car"

EXT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Harmony sits on the kerbside, illuminated by a streetlight.

An SUV pulls up.

INT./EXT. SUV - NIGHT

Harmony hops in the passenger seat.

JEREMY (late 30's), unassuming, sits in the passenger seat.

HARMONY
Hey. Nice to meet you.

JEREMY
You don't look eighteen.
HARMONY
I was a preemie.
JEREMY
Fair enough.

Jeremy puts the car in Drive and pulls onto the street.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
It's a bit of a drive to mine.
HARMONY
How far?

JEREMY
Forty-five minutes or so. I came
from work. Why? Do you have
somewhere to be?
HARMONY
I have to be home by midnight.
 22.

Harmony realises how young this makes him sound.

HARMONY (CONT’D)
I have to be up early tomorrow for
class. University classes.

JEREMY
Right. Well, I'm Jeremy.
HARMONY
Harmony.
JEREMY
Okay, so, that's an awesome name.

HARMONY
I guess.

JEREMY
Are you a top or a bottom?

HARMONY
(thinking on his feet)
I like either.

JEREMY
So, that's called being "vers".

HARMONY
Right.
Harmony genuinely didn't know this.

JEREMY
Are you a virgin?
Harmony is dead silent. Looks out the window.

JEREMY (CONT’D)
It's OK if you are.
HARMONY
Please don't make me go back home.
Jeremy laughs.

INT. NANDO'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN

Diane stands near NANDO (20's), a grungey-looking, long-

haired doofus. The kind of guy who would date a fourteen year
old.
 23.

Nando is about foot taller than Diane, and looks older than
his age. He could be her Dad.
They are in the midst of discussion.

They both stand near the microwave, in which a plate of some

disgusting meal spins.
DIANE
That's why gentrification is...bad.
For want of a better word.

NANDO
Plus, they'll raise my rent.
DIANE
Well, yeah, but that's not the
point.

NANDO
It is for me.
DIANE
You have other places to go. The
people I'm talking about don't.
Well, nowhere good.
NANDO
I could never move back in with my
parents.

Diane is frustrated.
DIANE
You're missing the point again.
Nando grins and cuddles Diane.
NANDO
I understand. You care about the
little people.

Diane squirms from his hug.

DIANE
Don't condescend to me.
NANDO
How am I doing that?
DIANE
Because you're older than me. You
think I'm wrong.
 24.

NANDO
I don't think like that. I don't
think about your age.
DIANE
I know things. I still see the same
things you do.
NANDO
I know that, babe.
The microwave BEEPS.
DINING ROOM - LATER
The pair sit at a re-purporsed outdoor setting and quietly
eat their microwaved goods.
We can see Nando's entire apartment from this room: dingy,
cramped, and filled with tbe detritus of being someone like
Nando.
Diane and Nando exchange warm smiles.
DIANE
Shit. I forget. I can't stay
tonight.

NANDO
Aw -- really?
DIANE
Yeah. Mum wants me home to see if I
did my homework.

INT. REHAB FACILITY - MANAGER'S OFFICE

The spartan, modern room is occupied by BILL, the rehab
manager, a charmless obese man, Reginald, and Kingsley.
Kingsley is seated across from Bill at his desk.
Kingsley carries with him a dufell bag, looking forlorn.

BILL
So, you know what this is about,
don't you Kingsley?
KINGSLEY
Yes.
 25.

BILL
(continuing anyway)
This is about an act of physical
violence you comitted against a
fellow resident of the Angel-Wings
Drug and Alcohol Treatment centre.

Kingsley nods. Bill flips through a tattered document.

BILL (CONT’D)
(gesturing to document)
Here in the service contract, which
you signed, you agreed not to
commit any act of physical,
emotional, or sexual violence
against any other party, or
yourself, for the during of your
treatment. Do you remember that?
KINGSLEY
Yes.
BILL
Reginald? Anything to add?
Reginald shakes his head.
BILL (CONT’D)
Unfortunately, Kingsley, you can't
finish your treatment with us here.

KINGSLEY
Can I just explain something?
BILL
Of course.
KINGSLEY
It wasn't -- I was provoked.
Bill sighs. He turns his laptop screen around. It shows a
paused clip of CCTV footage. He presses play.
ON-SCREEN:
From a grainy, black and white perspective, Kingsley is seen
to punch Trish, hard, in the face. Bill pauses the footage.
BACK TO SCREEN
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
I mean, verbally. She provoked me.
 26.

BILL
She needs dental surgery, mate.
KINGSLEY
I know, I'm sorry. Please. Bill.
Let me stay. I need this. I've been
doing better.
(to Reginald)
Reginald? Haven't I?
Reginald avoids Kingsley's eye contact.
BILL
This is a supportive community. I'm
happy for you to return next time.

KINGSLEY
Next time?
BILL
When you relapse, I mean.
Kingsley slumps in his chair, resigned.
BILL (CONT’D)
Reginald, ring a cab.

EXT. REHAB FACILITY - ROADSIDE - NIGHT

Kingsley, carrying his bags, steps off the kerb towards a
waiting taxi.
He looks back at the facility. Most of the residents stand at
the door, staring at his departure.
He waves. No one waves back.

Kingsley hops into the taxi.

INT./EXT. TAXI CAB

The cabbie, BALJEET, an older Indian man, greets Kingsley
with a smile.
BALJEET
Good evening sir. Are you OK to put
your bag in the back seat?
KINGSLEY
That's fine.
 27.

Kingsley throws his bag in the backseat and does his seatbelt
up, sitting shotgun.
The taxi pulls away.
BALJEET
So, good day? Bad day?
KINGSLEY
Bad. Very bad.
BALJEET
Ah, yes. So no success?
KINGSLEY
Excuse me?
BALJEET
At the treatment centre? That
building, it's still a rehab,
right?
KINGSLEY
Yeah.
BALJEET
I see.
Beat.
KINGSLEY
I'm clean, though.
BALJEET
I'm sure you are, my friend.

KINGSLEY
Really. I just didn't fit in with
those people.
BALJEET
Were they not your kind of people?
Kingsley reads between the lines.
KINGSLEY
I'm not saying they were -- that
I'm better than them, or anything
like that, that's not my point.
BALJEET
OK.
 28.

KINGSLEY
I'm just glad I get to see my
family.
BALJEET
That is true. So that's the adress
we're headed to?
KINGSLEY
No. The address I gave you is a pub
on Longreach Road.
BALJEET
Oh.
Beat.
KINGSLEY
But the drinking wasn't my thing.
My problem, I mean.

BALJEET
That's OK. You do not need to
explain yourself.
Kingsley nods.
BALJEET (CONT’D)
I had a sister who had similar
problems to you. In India. We lived
in a little town, but as we got
older, it became part of the bigger
town. Do you see?
KINGSLEY
Yeah.
BALJEET
So the city people came in. They
brought with them -- a drug, I
don't know the name.
KINGSLEY
What did it look like?
BALJEET
It was in needles, but my sister
would smoke it.
KINGSLEY
Probably just heroin.
 29.

BALJEET
Maybe. But my sister, she made the
wrong friends, and she didn't
listen to our mother.
KINGSLEY
Is she in Australia with you now?

Baljeet shakes his head.

BALJEET
I came with my children and my
wife. My sister has her own family
to look after, or I think so, at
least.
KINGSLEY
You think so?
Baljeet nods. He ponders something.
BALJEET
She was twelve. There used to be
these men, they would come from the
city and find the pretty girls. For
sex work. You understand?
KINGSLEY
Yeah.
BALJEET
My sister, she was finishing
school, her last year, which was
normal back then, to finish when
you turn twelve. But they saw her
on the street and of course,
because she needed the money to get
the drug, she said yes.
KINGSLEY
Wow.
BALJEET
So she let them do the prostitution
with her. And she is young, and her
womanhood is starting, and she get
pregnant. The baby died inside her.
But it happened again. Then it died
again. But the last one -- she had
it. It was born.
KINGSLEY
So she's got a baby now?
 30.

Baljeet laughs.
BALJEET
This was forty years ago. That baby
is no longer baby. I don't know
him. But my sister had many more,
the same way. And each of the
girls, each of her girls, she let
the same thing happen to them. For
the money, do you understand?
KINGSLEY
That's quite a story.
BALJEET
But me, no, I came here for the
schools, to get a degree. But I
didn't have time to finish because
I had to keep working more and
more. So I stayed in this business.
KINGSLEY
Has it worked out well?
BALJEET
(smiling)
I am alive, aren't I? My children
go to school, they are Australians.
I am happy. Very content, I think,
is the right word.
Kingsley smiles, but then stops.
KINGSLEY
What's that like?
BALJEET
What is what like?

KINGSLEY
Being content.

INT. VAN DALEN'S PUB - BAR

Kingsley, bag in hand, sits at the bar. The country pub is
filled with right-wing iconography and insignia - posters
saying "Fuck off, we're full", "Don't like Australia? Leave
it" etc.
The BARTENDER, an elderly man, approaches Kingsley.
BARTENDER
My boy.
 31.

KINGSLEY
Uncle. A Corona.
BARTENDER
I know.
He presents him with a beer, cracking it open. Kingsley takes
a big swig.
BARTENDER (CONT’D)
How was rehab?
KINGSLEY
Not for me, it seems.
FRANK, in his late thirties and overweight, approaches
Kingsley, slapping him on the back. Kingsley turns to look at
him.
FRANK
Kingsley! What the fuck? Where have
you been?
KINGSLEY
Rehab.
FRANK
Oh, shit. I had no idea.
Frank sits next to Kingsley. The Bartender wanders off to
serve another patron.
KINGSLEY
It was a bust.
FRANK
Hey. No shame there.
KINGSLEY
How's the kids? The baby?
FRANK
We think he might be retarded. The
baby.
KINGSLEY
Oh.
FRANK
The older one's good. School and
shit. What about you? How's
Harmony? Patience?
 32.

KINGSLEY
Not too sure. I've been callin' em,
but this was my first stop before
home.
FRANK
So you haven't gone home yet?
KINGSLEY
No, why?
Frank adjusts himself in his seat, and deeply sighs.
FRANK
I heard something.
KINGSLEY
I know Harmony's gay, if that's
what you're talking about. Patience
wrote me a letter.

FRANK
No -- what? -- it's about Patience.
KINGSLEY
Shit.
FRANK
I dunno if it's true, man. But some
old the old flies at the RSL --
they saw her with this guy, a new
guy, not a local. Real close.
Touching. At the playground by the
community centre.

KINGSLEY
What's his name?

FRANK
You wouldn't know him --
KINGSLEY
Tell me his name.
FRANK
I can't be sure, OK? This is just
what I heard.
KINGSLEY
Spit it the fuck out.

FRANK
Some guy, Derik...I don't know his
last name.
 33.

KINGSLEY
Fuck.

FRANK
Look, the RSL flies -- they lie a
bunch. Remember when they said the
world would end after the moon did
that weird shit? I mean, they
really thought that.

KINGSLEY
Hm.

FRANK
I was gonna play some pool. Do you
wanna join?
Kingsley shakes his head and finishes his beer.

KINGSLEY
I'm gonna -- I'll head home.

Frank pats Kingsley on the back.

FRANK
Good luck, man.

INT. JEREMY'S HOUSE - BEDROOM

Jeremy and Harmony lay in bed together, on top of the covers.

They both watch a TV show on Jeremy's laptop. Harmony is
terrified, shaken.
Jeremy pauses the TV Show.
JEREMY
So you got any siblings?
HARMONY
(pausing to think)
No.

Harmony presses play again.

JEREMY
I have eight.

HARMONY
Wow.
JEREMY
I don't like an empty house. So
this is weird for me.
 34.

HARMONY
I guess that's what Grindr is for.
Jeremy smiles.

Beat.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
I used to have a brother.
JEREMY
Used to?
HARMONY
He died.
JEREMY
Oh. I'm sorry.

Harmony shrugs.
There's a pause as both stare at the screen.
Harmony starts taking off his pants.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
What are you doing?
HARMONY
Taking my pants off. For the sex.

JEREMY
We don't have to do that.
HARMONY
No, I want to.
Jeremy helps Harmony take his pants off, before taking his
own shirt off.
Jeremy kisses Harmony.

HARMONY (CONT’D)
I'm fourteen.
Jeremy, startled, stops.
JEREMY
Years old?
HARMONY
Nearly fifteen.
 35.

JEREMY
Jesus.
Jeremy sits, pondering this.

A beat.
Returns to taking his pants off.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Patience stares at a few dirty dishes from her's and Derik's
dinner.
She turns the tap on, grabs the dish soap.

The front door open O.S.

PATIENCE
(yelling)
What'd you forget?
She turns around. Kingsley stands in the kitchen. He is
tense; angry.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
Kingsley...

KINGSLEY
I got kicked out of rehab.
Patience drops the dish soap and heads over to Kingsley.
She passionately kisses him. Kingsley's angry facade drops.
He takes Patience's shirt off.
Kingsley lays Patience down on the kitchen table, pulling her
pants down.
Kingsley pulls his pants around his ankles and immedietely
thrusts upon Patience. She moans.
PATIENCE
I missed you.

KINGSLEY
Mhm.
Kingsley aggresively fucks Patience, slamming her into the
table.
She scratches her fingers down his back; Kingsley pulls
Patience's hair.
 36.

He gives her a slap.

PATIENCE
What the fuck, Kings? Stop.
He ignores her. Tugs hard on her hair.

PATIENCE (CONT’D)
That's too hard!
Patience pulls away and sits up, off the table.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I didn't like that.
KINGSLEY
Who's Derik?
PATIENCE
What?
KINGSLEY
Who the fuck is Derik?
Kingsley stands, staring Patience down. Pants still around
ankles.
Patience cries.
PATIENCE
I'm sorry.
KINGSLEY
No. Don't cry. You don't get to
cry.
Patience falls to the ground, wailing.
PATIENCE
I'm just so unhappy.
KINGSLEY
Unhappy?
PATIENCE
I miss him so much.
Kingsley doesn't know what to say.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I just needed someone who didn't
know about what happened -- someone
who could let me be happy.
 37.

KINGSLEY
You're allowed to be happy.
PATIENCE
But I'm not.
Kingsley sighs. Pulls his pants up. Heads for the door.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
KINGSLEY
I dunno. Ian's, maybe.
Patience follows Kingsley. Grabs him by the waist.

PATIENCE
Please stay.
Kingsley wriggles free.
KINGSLEY
Bye, Patience.
PATIENCE
Please don't leave me here with
him. Please, Kingsley. Please.
Patience is bawling.
KINGSLEY
"Him"? -- Harmony, or the dude
you're fucking?
PATIENCE
Harmony.
Kingsley shakes his head.

KINGSLEY
I don't wanna be here.
Patience runs and stands in the door way.
PATIENCE
I don't either! You can't go. You
can't leave me here.
KINGSLEY
Let me through.
PATIENCE
No!
 38.

Kingsley pushes Patience aside.

Patience falls to the ground again. She grabs at Kingsley's

pants, holding on tight.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
Please. Please. Kingsley, please.
KINGSLEY
Stop it.
Patience stands, tears in her face. She tries to kiss
Kingsley.
Kingley SHOVES Patience, hard. She flies a few feet to the
sofa, falling over.
She lays on the ground, sobbing.
PATIENCE
If you leave me here, I'll kill
myself.
Kingsley stands in the door way.
Exits.

INT./EXT. SUV - NIGHT

Jeremy drives Harmony home. They sit in serious, unaffected
silence.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Harmony enters. The house is in dissaray.

HARMONY
Mum?
He looks through the room. Empty.
He heads to
PATIENCE'S BEDROOM
and sees Patience laying, in the foetal position, on the bed.
Empty bottle of wine.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
What happened?
 39.

PATIENCE
Your father's back.
HARMONY
That's good.
PATIENCE
He got kicked out of rehab.
Harmony shrugs.
HARMONY
Where is he?
Patience sobs.
Harmony turns to leave.
PATIENCE
When I was pregnant with you,
everyone told me -- they said,
you'll cry when he's born. You'll
cry. And I did.
Harmony nods.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I don't think I cried for the right
reasons.
HARMONY
Mum, what's your point?
A beat.
PATIENCE
I decided Derik is going to be
spending more time here. Is that
OK?
HARMONY
What about Dad?
Beat.
PATIENCE
Go to bed.
Harmony turns to leave again.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I know you want Derik.
 40.

HARMONY
You're drunk.
PATIENCE
He's good. He's good at it. Sex, I
mean. But he's mine.
HARMONY
OK, Mum.
PATIENCE
Do you miss your brother?
HARMONY
Of course I do.
PATIENCE
He would have looked like you.
You're what he'd look like.
HARMONY
OK.
PATIENCE
Come and lay with me.
Harmony begrudginly joins his mother in bed. She cuddles him.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I'm sorry.
HARMONY
It's OK.
PATIENCE
I'm really sorry.
HARMONY (V.O)
This is really about Grandma. It's
always about Grandma.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
Can I go to bed?
PATIENCE
Go.

INT. NURSING HOME - WING A

Harmony, in school uniform covered by an apron, walks down
the hall.
 41.

A few RESIDENTS of the nursing home mill about, attached to

machines, or in wheelchairs, aided by NURSES.
Harmony approaches the
NURSES STATION
as the HEAD NURSE is using a computer. She doesn't notice
Harmony.
HARMONY
Hi.
HEAD NURSE
Yep?

HARMONY
Uh, I'm from the high school. I'm
doing the volunteering program.
Someone told me to come here.
HEAD NURSE
Where are the other kids?
HARMONY
I think I was the only one who
picked the home. I guess everyone
else wanted the pet shelter.
HEAD NURSE
I think you made a poor choice.
She hands Harmony a chart.
HEAD NURSE (CONT’D)
Find these nurses, they'll show you
around.
RESIDENT'S ROOM
Harmony sits on an ancient chair by a bed, slept in by GLEN
(80's), a woman who might possibly be dead.
Except for the snoring. Harmony sits quietly. He has no idea
what to do, and holds a novel in his hands.
Slowly, Glen stirs. She rolls over, seeing Harmony.
GLEN
Oh.
HARMONY
Sorry.
 42.

Glen sits up. She's a little frail, but manages on her own.
GLEN
Who are you?
HARMONY
I'm a volunteer from the high
school.
GLEN
How old are you?
HARMONY
I'm fourteen.
GLEN
Which school?
HARMONY
Belgian Park High.
GLEN
My grandson goes there. Same age,
too.
HARMONY
Who's your grandson?
GLEN
Phillip Marling.
HARMONY (V.O)
Phillip Marling had sex with a girl
in grade seven, this year, and she
miscarried.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
I know Phillip.
GLEN
Oh, that's nice.
Beat.
HARMONY
I'm supposed to read to you.

GLEN
I can read, you know that?
HARMONY
I suppose.
(beat)
(MORE)
 43.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
But this way you don't have to do
the work, I guess.
GLEN
What book is it?
Harmony stares at the book's front cover.
HARMONY
Some Clive Cussler thing. I think
it's like, fourteenth in a series.
GLEN
And I don't suppose you have the
first thirteen to read to me?
HARMONY
Sorry.
GLEN
Switch the TV on for me.

Harmony stands and walks to a TV on the wall in the room.

GLEN (CONT’D)
They took the clicker off me. Said
I turned it up too loud. But I
could never hear it.

HARMONY
Is that loud enough?
GLEN
What else is on?

Harmony flips through a few channels. Morning news, talk

shows, one of Oprah's protege's, etc.

GLEN (CONT’D)
That will do.
Harmony sits down.

HARMONY
What do you like to do here?

Glen thinks.
GLEN
I don't know the answer to that,
boy. What's your name?
HARMONY
Harmony.
 44.

GLEN
What a queer name. You black kids
have queer names.

HARMONY
I already know your name.

GLEN
Jessica is my first name, but I go
by Glen. It's my middle name.
HARMONY
Why?
GLEN
(shrugging)
It's just something people used to
do sometimes. When I was younger.

HARMONY
How old are you?

GLEN
That's impolite to ask.

HARMONY
You asked me.

GLEN
I'm eighty-eight.
HARMONY
Do you like it here?
Glen thinks.
GLEN
I probably don't. But then I
wouldn't like to be out there on my
own either.
HARMONY
Why?
GLEN
Because I would die.
HARMONY
Oh.
Beat.
 45.

HARMONY (V.O) (CONT’D)

I'm very fascinated by death. When
I get old, I'll love it. Really. I
will.

GLEN
I get fed well and I don't have too
much to worry about too much here.
HARMONY
That's good.

Beat.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
You remind me of my grandma. She
talked like you do.
GLEN
Is that so?
HARMONY
She's dead.
GLEN
Oh.
HARMONY
But not from being old. She was
only forty-seven.

GLEN
Well, how did she die?
Harmony considers this.
GLEN (CONT’D)
That was very rude of me to ask.
You don't have to tell me that.
HARMONY
No, it's OK.
(beat)
She killed herself.
GLEN
I'm sorry to hear that.
Harmony shrugs.
HARMONY
She did a lot of other stuff too
before that, though.
 46.

GLEN
I bet she did.
HARMONY
She liked to cook.

Glen smiles. Warmly, genuinely.

A NURSE pops her head in the door.
NURSE
Morning, Mrs. Alan.
(to Harmony)
Harry. Follow me.
HARMONY
I guess they want me to go help
another old person. Do you want me
to leave this book? It isn't mine.
GLEN
That's fine, dear.

INT. SUBURBAN "ALL YOU CAN EAT" - DINING ROOM

Patience and Derik sit at a table in the middle of the white-
trash chaos.

There's ENTIRE FAMILIES scraping as much pasta as possible

onto their plates from the buffet, salad on the ground, and
the floor is sticky with soft drink.
PATIENCE
(genuine)
Swanky fuckin' place.
DERIK
I'm paying, and I won't hear
another word about it.
Patience shrugs. Derik smiles.
PATIENCE
I wasn't gonna say anything.

DERIK
I'm glad you texted.
PATIENCE
Things went to shit at home -- I
dunno.
 47.

DERIK
What do you mean?
PATIENCE
It's nothing.
Patience DOWNS her entire drink.

DERIK
So -- what do you do?
PATIENCE
I'm in between jobs at the moment.
Derik nods.
PATIENCE (CONT’D)
I used to work at a -- well, a
place kinda like this, across town.
When my Mum could help out with the
kids, I would pick up shifts.
DERIK
Kids? Plural?
Patience ignores this.
PATIENCE
Nothing at the moment now.

Patience studies the food in front of her.

DERIK
I'm a truck driver.
PATIENCE
Hm. You don't look like a truck
driver.
DERIK
What does that mean?
PATIENCE
I dunno.
DERIK
(anyway)
I saved enough over the last year.
I'm taking a break.
PATIENCE
So you chose here, this place, to
take a break in?
 48.

DERIK
Why not?
Patience scoffs.
PATIENCE
Lots of reasons.
Derik smiles.
DERIK
I like it here.
(beat)
You're not eating.
PATIENCE
I want another drink.

INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Diane sits at the dinner table surrounded by family.
Her mother, LIZZY, is in her forties, skinny, and classy.
Her father JOHN is professorial, middle-aged, and plump. He
reads from a stack of papers.
Finally, Diane's little sister JOANNE (12) eagerly eats her
dinner.
The house is warm, spacious and clean. Lizzy wipes her mouth
with a napkin before standing.
JOHN
(without looking up)
Finished?

LIZZY
Yeah.
JOHN
That was quick.
LIZZY
I didn't eat much.
John "mhms". Lizzy stares at her husband, waiting for more of
a response. Nothing. She takes her plate and cutlery to the
dishwasher.
On her way out of the kitchen, she smiles at Diane and KISSES
Joanne on the forehead.
 49.

John takes a bite of his food. Diane checks her phone, which
buzzes in her pocket.
JOHN
Phones away at the table.
DIANE
I know, sorry.
John looks up at Diane.
JOHN
I'm reading your critical essay for
English. Your mum gave it to me.
DIANE
Oh.
JOHN
The one on The Outsiders.
DIANE
Have you read that book?
JOHN
I don't need to read the stimulus
to know whether the response is
good or not.
Diane waits for John to pass judgement. She looks past the
kitchen, into the LIVING ROOM, where Lizzy mindlessly flicks
through channels on a wall-mounted plasma.
JOHN (CONT’D)
It's good. Not great. Could be
better.
DIANE
OK.
Joanne interrupts.
JOANNE
I'm finished, can I use the iPad in
my room?
JOHN
Sure.
(back to Diane)
Here -- second paragraph -- you
spell a character's name two
different ways.
 50.

Diane looks as John passes the paper. Joanne leaves the

table.
DIANE
That's just a typo.
JOHN
Carelessness is not an excuse.
That's what I tell my students.
DIANE
Right. Well, it's just a draft.
JOHN
Well, would you have picked it up
in the second draft?
DIANE
Probably not.
Diane grins. John doesn't.
JOHN
I want you to fix this up tonight.
DIANE
It's due next week.
JOHN
Well, you could leave it. I don't
know why you would, though.
DIANE
I guess. I just like time to think
about things.
John passes Diane the paper. He takes a bite of food. The
conversation is over.
LIVING ROOM
Diane passes Lizzy, still watching TV. Blank expression.
LIZZY
Baby?
DIANE
Hm?
LIZZY
Check on your sister. I don't trust
her with the iPad after the in-
app purchases thing.
 51.

DIANE
I disabled that, remember?
LIZZY
Please just check for me?
JOANNE'S ROOM

Joanne and Diane sit on Joanne's bed, watching some kind of

CW/The WB teen drama on Netflix.
Joanne's room is in the midst of an identity crisis: pink
walls, but Courtney Love posters. A purple, locked, journal
book on the dresser.
Joanne points to a muscled, tanned male character on the
screen.
JOANNE
I like him.
DIANE
You like him?
JOANNE
You know. He's cute.
Joanne giggles. Diane smiles.

DIANE
Do you like any boys at school?
JOANNE
There's no boys like him at school.
DIANE
That's very true.
Joanne thinks.
JOANNE
Is that why your boyfriend doesn't
go to school?
DIANE
What?
JOANNE
That's why you picked a boy that
finished high school?
Diane grins.
 52.

DIANE
Believe me, he never finished high
school.
JOANNE
Oh.
DIANE
I hope you don't tell Mum and Dad
about that.
Joanne shakes her head.
JOANNE
No way.

DIANE
Good.
JOANNE
But why, then?
DIANE
Why Nando?
Joanne nods.
DIANE (CONT’D)
The only nice boy my age is
Harmony.
JOANNE
And he's gay?
DIANE
Yeah.
JOANNE
How do you know if you're gay?
DIANE
You're not gay.
JOANNE
That's not what I meant. What if a
boy I like is gay?
Diane shrugs.
DIANE
He won't want to be your boyfriend.
JOANNE
Oh. OK.
 53.

DIANE
Wait. No. Lots of boys won't want
that.
Joanne frowns. Diane smiles.
DIANE (CONT’D)
Not because there's anything wrong
with you. It's different when
you're in high school.
JOANNE
How?
DIANE
OK, so, when a boy likes a girl in
your grade they ask them out,
right?
JOANNE
Right.
DIANE
And then they're boyfriend and
girlfriend?
JOANNE
That's what Micky and Loli did.
DIANE
Exactly. And what do Mickey and
Loli do now, as boyfriend and
girlfriend?
JOANNE
They hold hands at the tuckshop
sometimes and they always sit
together.
DIANE
So when Mickey gets older, he's
going to want to have sex with
Loli.
(beat)
If they're still together.
JOANNE
Micky's a girl, Loli's the boy.
 54.

DIANE
Whatever. My point is, boys realise
that they can have sex with you, or
do other stuff, without having to
ask you out or go to the tuckshop
with you even really talk to you.
Joanne nods.

DIANE (CONT’D)
Which is fine. Do whatever you
want.
JOANNE
Really?
DIANE
I mean, be careful. And all that
stuff. You know what I mean?
JOANNE
So I can have sex when I'm
fourteen?
DIANE
Only if you want to.
JOANNE
Did you want to?

DIANE
I guess.
The credits of the episode start playing.

DIANE (CONT’D)
Time to go to bed.

JOANNE
Come on. There's like, three more
episodes this season.

DIANE
Nope, bed time.
Diane gets off the bed.

Joanne plugs the iPad into it's charger.

Diane walks out, switching the light off.

LIVING ROOM
Diane walks through the house.
 55.

Her father is asleep, his gut hanging from his button-up

shirt, on the sofa.

Diane walks towards the treshhold of the kitchen, reaching

for the light switch.

Standing by the sink in the

KITCHEN

is Lizzy.
Lizzy looks out the window atop the sink, into her
reflection.

With great ceremony, she reaches onto her scalp and PLUCKS a
hair. And ANOTHER. Places each one in the sink.

Diane stands, fascinated, watching her mother.

She looks back at John asleep on the couch.

DIANE'S BEDROOM

Diane sits at the side of her bed, engrossed in her phone.

She recieves a Snapchat -- opens it.

It's a SELFIE from Nando, captioned whats doing.

Diane types a response -- you have to call me now, i need to

talk

Within a few seconds, Diane recieves a reply -- can it wait,

im stoned
Diane types -- no

INT. DERIK'S CAR

Derik drives. Patience sits shotgun, needlessly drunk
considering they were just at a family buffet.
Derik has a nice car, but it's messy to the point where it's
beyond fixing.
PATIENCE
(slurring)
Are we going home?
Derik laughs.
 56.

DERIK
Yes.
PATIENCE
No! Let's go out!

DERIK
(humoring her)
OK, where?
PATIENCE
Do we have anymore coke?
DERIK
No.
Patience slumps, disappointed.
There's a beat.

PATIENCE
I used to have two boys.
DERIK
Kingsley and Harmony?
Patience is disgusted.
PATIENCE
What? Ew. No. Two sons.

DERIK
OK.
PATIENCE
My mum used to help me out --
DERIK
-- babysitting. We talked about
this.
PATIENCE
Shut up for a second. OK?
DERIK
OK.
PATIENCE
She used to help me out, and one
day I came home from work.
Patience drifts from this thought...
 57.

DERIK
And?
PATIENCE
His name was Rebel.

Derik frowns. Patience has fallen asleep.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Derik helps Patience stumble through the front door.
She flops down on the couch.
PATIENCE
Get me a bucket.
DERIK
Come into your room. You'll be much
more comfy.
Patience groans. She shakily stands.
Derik leads her into the bedroom where she is heard to fall
down onto the bed, O.S
Derik exits the bedroom.

Harmony appears, entering from the kitchen. He carries a

packet of chips.
Derik gestures to the TV.
DERIK (CONT’D)
Were you gonna watch TV?
HARMONY
Yeah.
DERIK
Anything in particular?
Harmony shrugs. Derik sits down. Harmony sits at the opposite
end of the couch. Derik switches the TV on. It's past
primetime; some crap.
DERIK (CONT’D)
What did you at school today?
HARMONY
I volunteered for the nursing home.
The one in Murphy.
 58.

DERIK
That's very charitable of you.
HARMONY
Not really. We all had to volunteer
somewhere.

DERIK
Oh. Well I bet it would have been
interesting.
HARMONY
I guess.
Derik changes the channel.
DERIK
Your mum's a bit drunk.
HARMONY
I know. Like, it happens a lot.
DERIK
I kind of figured.
HARMONY
She's not that bad.
DERIK
I didn't -- what do you mean?

HARMONY
I just felt like you were thinking
something, like she was some trashy
--
DERIK
Well, no --
HARMONY
-- she's a good Mum.
DERIK
I really did not think that at all.
HARMONY
OK.
DERIK
I spend a lot of time with
truckers. They are trashy. I know
trashy. Your mum's not it.
 59.

HARMONY
You spend a lot of time with
truckers? Like they're your
friends?
Derik laughs.
DERIK
I drive trucks. I'm a trucker.
HARMONY
Oh. So you're like, waiting in town
for a delivery or something?
DERIK
Not really.

HARMONY
Oh. OK.
DERIK
Were you hoping I was going to
leave soon?
HARMONY
Huh? No.
Derik smiles.
DERIK
I'm joking.
Harmony smiles, too, but it's not clear that he really
understands.
HARMONY
Dad always comes back though.

DERIK
Is that so?
HARMONY
Yeah. This has happened a few
times.
DERIK
Well, I feel very special, don't I?
Harmony giggles.
HARMONY
Sorry.
Derik smiles and stretches out on the couch.
 60.

Harmony watches him do so with fascination. Derik scratches

his face. Harmony's gaze follows Derik's hand.
C/U: Derik's fingers scratching his beard.
DERIK
What kind of music do you like?
HARMONY
Uh...
DERIK
It's a weird question, right?
HARMONY
I guess.
DERIK
There's this old folk artist that I
like. She's only got about, four
songs.
HARMONY
Total?
DERIK
Yeah, so she was in New York.
Before Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell,
those big folk people.
Harmony doesn't know any of those names.
HARMONY
Yeah.
DERIK
But she was never popular. She
never released an album. She
recorded those four songs with some
dude in the city back then, and
then nothing happened for a while.
HARMONY
OK.
DERIK
So then, in the seventies, she got
in her car and drove off somewhere,
I dunno where, I can't remember.
She was never seen again.
HARMONY
Cool.
 61.

DERIK
Yeah.
HARMONY
Is her music any good?
Derik gets out his phone. Goes to youtube. Types something.
A song starts playing, one of Connie Converse's. It's pretty,
if plain.
HARMONY (CONT’D)
I like it. Reminds me on Joanna
Newsom.
Derik switches his phone off.
DERIK
Don't know her.
HARMONY
I think you'd like her.
Derik smiles politely and yawns.
DERIK
I'm off to bed.
HARMONY
Alright.
DERIK
Night, man.
Derik gets up and leaves. Enters Patience's bedroom, just off
the living room.
Harmony lays back, watching TV.
Looks at the bedroom door.
HARMONY (V.O)
I wish I knew cool singer-
songwriters. And how to talk to
grownups. I wish I was fun.
Harmony gets up.
Slowly walks towards Patience's bedroom.
PATIENCE'S BEDROOM - DREAM SEQUENCE
Patience is gone, for some reason -- just Derik lays on the
bed.
 62.

Harmony stands in the treshold, backlit by the TV in the

other room.
DERIK
Hey?
Harmony walks up to bed.

Sits across from Derik.

It's dark, hard to see.
DERIK (CONT’D)
What's up?
Harmony reaches out and touches Derik.
Derik is non-resposive. He wraps an arm around Harmony.
C/U: The arm around Harmony's chest. It isn't Derik's arm --
it's Kingsley's. Needle spotted and track marked, and black.
LIVING ROOM
FLASHBACK
Suddenly, it's day time. 12 YEAR OLD HARMONY is embraced by a
terrified Kingsley, both on the couch.

We hear WAILS coming from another room.

PATIENCE (O.S)
Please send an ambulance!
A phone drops on the tiles, O.S.
Harmony, young, is confused -- he looks up at his father.
Kingsley is blank, stoney-faced.
Harmony wriggles out of Kingsley's grip.
KINGSLEY
(weakly)
No. Stop.
Kingsley watches Harmony slowly walk towards the sounds of
crying.
BATHROOM
Patience, a few years younger in her face, is laying on the
ground of the bathroom. She is screaming and crying. It's a
war-scene.
 63.

Blood on the ground, and the body of a small boy - REBEL -

lays on in the bathtub, blue and deceased.
Harmony stands in the doorway.
The legs of another corpse, an adult woman, are visible
behind a shower curtain.
Patience takes a deep breath. Looks up at Harmony.
END FLASHBACK

HARMONY'S ROOM
Harmony is asleep. Morning light.
Kingsley, for real this time, stands at the foot of the bed.
KINGSLEY
Harmony.
Harmony slowly stirs.
HARMONY
Dad?
KINGSLEY
Hey.
Kingsley sits.
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
He's in there with your Mum.
HARMONY
I know.
KINGSLEY
I hate her for this.
Harmony yawns.
HARMONY
She was just lonely.
KINGSLEY
You'll underatand when you get
older.
HARMONY
Will I?
Kingsley nods.
 64.

HARMONY (CONT’D)
What are you doing here?
KINGSLEY
I wanted to see you.
HARMONY
I guess.
KINGSLEY
And I just wanted to pick up some
stuff. Clothes.
HARMONY
Where are you staying?
KINGSLEY
A friend's. Ian's house.
HARMONY
That sounds fun.
Kingsley shrugs.

KITCHEN - LATER
Kingsley paces.
Derik enters, shirtless. Sees Kingsley.
DERIK
Oh.
KINGSLEY
I'm just getting some clothes.
DERIK
OK.
Patience follows Derik into the kitchen, with a yawn.
PATIENCE
(seeing Kingsley)
Aw, what the fuck?
KINGSLEY
I was just waiting for you to wake
up so I could get some clothes.
PATIENCE
Whatever.
Kingsley walks off. Patience begins an extensive coffee-
making ritual.
 65.

PATIENCE'S BEDROOM
Kingsley goes through the drawers, pulling out his underwear
and miscellaneous clothes.
He looks back at the bed: unmade; fresh from Derik and
Patience. Kingsley has a look of almost longing.

KITCHEN
Kingsley walks through the kitchen, clothes in hand. He
passes Derik and Patience.
Patience KISSES Derik passionately -- for Kingsley's benefit.
Kingsley walks out the front door.

EXT. HARMONY'S HOUSE - DAY - CONTINUOUS

DERIK (O.S)
(to Patience)
Fuck are you doing?

Kingsley storms out.

INT. IAN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

Kingsley drop's a pile of clothes on an island counter.

Arround him is a house which epitomises bachelor pad: minimal
furniture, and aura of sadness.

IAN (30's), bearded and empty inside, appears.

IAN
How'd it go?
Kingsley shrugs.

KINGSLEY
I dunno. Probably as bad as I
expected.

IAN
That sucks.
(beat)
My fuckin' kid's here.

KINGSLEY
You have a kid?
 66.

IAN
Yeah. Her mum -- she's sick.

KINGSLEY
That's cool. Do you like -- need me
to go?

IAN
Are you kidding? She sleeps on the
couch.
KINGSLEY
What?
IAN
She won't sleep anywhere else.
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Kingsley carefully approaches the living room. MAYA (11),

tiny, lays on the couch watching TV.

KINGSLEY
Hi.

Maya turns the TV up.

MAYA
Hi.

KINGSLEY
I'm your dad's friend.

MAYA
He told me.
KINGSLEY
Are you sure you're OK on the
couch?
MAYA
(nodding)
You can have the bedroom. It smells
weird in there.
Ian follows Kingsley.
IAN
Told you, she's 'right.
KINGSLEY
OK...
 67.

MAYA
(interrupting)
Can you stop it?
IAN
Stop what, Maya?
MAYA
Just stop it?
IAN
Alright.
(to Kingsley)
We should leave her.

KITCHEN - LATER

IAN (CONT’D)
She scares the shit out of me.
KINGSLEY
You've met her before, right?
IAN
Yeah. She used to have visits like
once a month, then she stopped, I
dunno why. There's a lot wrong with
her.

KINGSLEY
"Wrong with her"?
IAN
Oh yeah.
Kingsley is completely bewildered.
KINGSLEY
I'm gonna go put my stuff in the --
room.

IAN
Do you want a beer?

EXT. IAN'S HOUSE - PATIO - NIGHT

Ian and Kingsley sit on the patio furniture, drinking their
respective beers and smoking their receptive cigarettes.
KINGSLEY
Her Mum is sick?
 68.

IAN
(distracted)
Huh?
KINGSLEY
Maya's Mum. She's sick?
IAN
Oh. Shit. Yeah. She's gonna die,
they reckon.
KINGSLEY
The fuck?
IAN
Yeah, it's cancer.

KINGSLEY
That's so shitty.
IAN
I haven't told Maya.
KINGSLEY
So, she has no idea?
IAN
Nah, her grandparents -- they want
me to do it, to tell her. I don't
even -- I barely know Maya.
(beat)
They just don't want to be the bad
guys.
KINGSLEY
Why can't her Mum -- what's her
name? -- why cant she do it?
IAN
Gaynor. She's in a coma.
KINGSLEY
My god.
IAN
Yeah.
KINGSLEY
I'm so sorry, Ian.
Ian shrugs.
IAN
I barely know her.
 69.

KINGSLEY
Yeah, but, that's your kid.
IAN
I mean, Gaynor's parents aren't
old. They'll be around for a while
to help out.
(beat)
It's not too hard having a kid, is
it? I mean, you had two?
Ian suddenly realises what he said.
IAN (CONT’D)
Sorry. You know what I mean.
KINGSLEY
I think ... you skipped the easy
part, man.
IAN
How do you mean?
KINGSLEY
Babies, good. Easy. Toddlers, pre-
school, primary school, that's all
easy stuff.
IAN
Shit.

KINGSLEY
Yeah.
IAN
What am I supposed to do?
Kingsley shrugs.
KINGSLEY
I dunno.
IAN
Oh.
KINGSLEY
Sorry.
Kingsley looks towards the patio frame.
A bug zapper hangs from the ceiling, emitting a pale yellow
light.
 70.

C/U: A mosquito flies into the zapper. With a disgusting

sound, it dies in there.
BLACK SCREEN
The sounds of an aerated popping, bubbling.

INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - DIANE'S BEDROOM

Diane sits on her bed. The night is visible outside.
Her phone dings. She reads the message.
Diane stands and walks to her ground-level window. She opens
the screen.

DIANE
Nando?
Nando steps in through the window.
DIANE (CONT’D)
What are you doing here?
NANDO
What'ya mean?
Nando sits on the bed, placing his backpack on the floor.
He produces a cask of red wine.
NANDO (CONT’D)
Got cups?
Diane passes Nando two cups from her bedside table.
DIANE
I mean, we broke up.
Nando is stunned.
NANDO
Nah. No we didn't.
DIANE
We did.
NANDO
When?
Diane stares at Nando, astounded.
 71.

DIANE
I snapchatted you the other night.
NANDO
No --
Nando pours two cups of wine, passing one to Diane.
NANDO (CONT’D)
-- you told me about your mum being
weird, and then you said you had to
think.

DIANE
I think it was pretty clear.
Nando is gutted.
NANDO
You're being legit right now?
Diane nods.
NANDO (CONT’D)
I can't believe you.
DIANE
I'm sorry.
Nando stands. Downs his drink.
NANDO
You're a real cunt, you know that?
DIANE
Huh?
NANDO
Y'know, you pretend like you're all
mature, and enlightened, and smart,
and whatever, but you're just a
dumb little bitch.
Diane is taken aback; shocked.
DIANE
Whatever, Nando.
Nando is pacing.
NANDO
Why aren't you ever, like, genuine?
You're fake as shit.
 72.

DIANE
Your name is Robert.
NANDO
What does that have to do you with
you?
(beat)
Whatever. Should never have wasted
my time with a child.
DIANE
Get out of my house.
NANDO
Like I would fucking stay!
Nando stamps his way to the window, exiting. Leaving his wine
behind.
Diane sits on her bed, dejected. She sips her wine.

BLACK SCREEN
In the darkness, we hear a mature woman's voice. THERESE's.
Gurrgles and bubbles are audible.
THERESE (V.O )
Oh, my baby. Rebel, my baby.
A spluttered cough, with some attempted words. A splash is
heard.
THERESE (V.O) (CONT’D)
Won't hurt a bit.

INT. IAN'S HOUSE - SPARE BEDROOM

Kingsley lies in bed, reading the 12 Steps novel. Mostly
dark, save a bedside lamp.
The door creaks open, revealing a slither of light.
KINGSLEY
Yeah?
No response. The door opens wider.
Maya stands in the doorway, wearing a night gown.
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
Oh, Maya. What's up darl?
 73.

Maya ignores him. Approaches the bed.

KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
Where's your Dad?
MAYA
Asleep. He fell asleep.

Kingsley nods. He steps out of bed.

MAYA (CONT’D)
No.
KINGSLEY
No?
Maya nods. Kingsley, transfixed, sits back on the bedside.
Maya walks closer and closer. She seems poised beyond her
years. Like a celebrity walking the red carpet.
She unbuttons the back of her nightgown...
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
Woah, woah. What are you doing?
Kingsley stands quickly, startled.
MAYA
What's the matter?
KINGSLEY
You don't do that.
(then, frantically
yelling)
Ian?!
Maya shakes her head.
MAYA
I watched him go to sleep. He's
drunk, y'know.
KINGSLEY
That doesn't mean -- put your gown
back on.
Maya shakes her head.
MAYA
It's good. It's fine. I promise.

KINGSLEY
No, it's not.
 74.

Kingsley is firm, but unsettled, backing away from the child.

MAYA
I like it.
KINGSLEY
You shouldn't -- you don't do this.
MAYA
I do.
KINGSLEY
Please, Maya, go back to the sofa.
Go to sleep.
Maya regresses backwards in age, now pouting like a child.
MAYA
Why won't you let me?
Kingsley ignores her, heading for the door. He opens the door
for her.
MAYA (CONT’D)
Daddy lets me.
Kingsley is struck.

LIVING ROOM - LATER

Maya sleeps on the sofa, in the dark.
Kingsley has collected his belongings and sneaks past.
IAN'S BEDROOM
Ian snores, sprawled out on the bed, no covers. Naked.

Kingsley opens the door, a rage in his eyes.

KINGSLEY
Ian.
Ian snores some more.
KINGSLEY (CONT’D)
Fucking Ian!
Ian wakes.
IAN
(groggily)
What...what are you doing?
 75.

Kingsley is at a loss for words.

IAN (CONT’D)
Are you leaving?
Kingsley glares at Ian, disgusted.
KINGSLEY
What's wrong with you?
Ian is still coming to.
IAN
What do you mean?
He slowly sits up.
KINGSLEY
How could you do that?
Ian's face changes to one of a deep shock.
IAN
I -- I'm sorry.
KINGSLEY
To me?
IAN
I don't know what's wrong with me.
Kingsley stares at Ian, picking his bags up once again.
IAN (CONT’D)
I don't know how to make it normal.
(beat)
Where are you going?
Kingsley, still distracted by Ian's disclosure, thinks for a
moment.
KINGSLEY
Home.

EXT. DIANE'S HOUSE - BACK PORCH - NIGHT

Diane, forlorn, sits at the far end of the porch. The

internal lights of the house are off. It is quiet.
She takes a drag from a cigarette and reads her phone.
A text message from Harmony: almost there. Whats wrong.
 76.

Diane doesn't respond.

She stubs the cigarette out.

INT. DIANE'S HOUSE - DIANE'S BEDROOM

Diane and Harmony sit on Diane's bed. Both speak in hushed
tones. Diane still sips from the cask wine.
Harmony is trying his genuine best to be warm, comforting.
HARMONY
I just -- I thought this is what
you wanted.
Diane shakes her head.

DIANE
Do you think I'm a little girl?

HARMONY
Babe, we're the same age.
DIANE
Am I normal?
Harmony thinks.

HARMONY
What's the answer that you want?
DIANE
Am I like other girls our age?

HARMONY
No.
(beat)
No. You're better. More mature.
DIANE
You think so?

HARMONY
I really do.
(beat)
What exactly did Nando say?
Diane shakes her head.

DIANE
Said I'm too young, too much of a
kid.
 77.

HARMONY
Diane, Nando was a drug addict who
lived in a crack den.

Diane smiles.

HARMONY (CONT’D)
I wouldn't even trust him for
directions.

DIANE
You think so?

HARMONY
You are great just the way you are.

Diane looks Harmony in the eye.

DIANE
I feel like I lost something,
though.

HARMONY
You lost Nando.

DIANE
No. I mean, yes. But not that. I
lost -- I lost something about me.

HARMONY
OK.

DIANE
Is that what it was like when Rebel
died?
Harmony is taken aback.

HARMONY
I don't know how to answer that.
Diane shakes her head.

DIANE
Don't worry about it.
(beat)
Harm, why couldn't you have been
straight?

Harmony shrugs.
DIANE (CONT’D)
Can you kiss me?
 78.

Harmony stares at Diane. Lightly kisses her on the lips.

Diane grips the back of Harmony's head, kissing his neck.
Harmony reciprocates, but is clearly uncomfortable.

Diane takes her skirt off, and unzips Harmony's shorts.

She pulls him onto the bed. Harmony is grimacing.
Diane places herself underneath Harmony, who stares into
space.

She attempts to manouver herself around Harmony's O.S penis.

It is clear that he is completely flaccid.
HARMONY
Diane...
DIANE
Just try for me.
HARMONY
I can't.
DIANE
Please.
Harmony reaches to his crotch and starts masturbating.
Diane watches. Harmony closes his eyes.

He gives up, resigned to the situation.

Diane pulls herself towards Harmony's crotch, performing
fellatio.
HARMONY
Stop it.
Diane continues. Nothing.
Diane begins to BAWL, still laying at Harmony's lap.

Harmony stands, zipping his shorts up.

Diane continues to cry, in the foetal position, on her bed.
Harmony watches wordlessly.
He climbs out the window.
 79.

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - NIGHT

Harmony walks down the kerb, illimunated only by the
occasional streetlight.

HARMONY (V.O)
My grandmother's name was Therese.
He approaches Patience's and his house.

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM

Harmony enters, noting Kingsley's bags by the door.
HARMONY (V.O)
When I was twelve and a half she
drowned my little brother in the
bathtub and stabbed herself with
hair scissors.
Harmony approaches his mother's bedroom.
HARMONY (V.O) (CONT’D)
The doctors said she made forty
stabs before dying. I thought that
was cool.

Harmony cracks Patience's bedroom door open just a little.

PATIENCE'S ROOM - INTERCUT

Derik, Patience and Kingsley, all nudes, engage in a complex
menage a trois.
Kingsley lays on the bed, masturbating, watching as Patience
and Derik have vigorous sex.
The door creaks. Harmony watches, fascinated. Horrified. At
the time same time.
All three turn to see Harmony. They stop, mid-coitus.
Patience looks Harmony in the eyes.

PATIENCE
(cont)
Well?
BLACK SCREEN
The sounds of a sizzling, like food sauteeing in a frying
pan.
 80.

FLASHBACK

INT. PATIENCE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

THERESE (mid 40's), watches her grandchildren Harmony (12 at
this point) and REBEL (10), assist her in prepping a meal.

HARMONY (V.O)
I still remember her recipe for
duck soup.
Rebel watches Therese as she expertly handles the frying pan
over the stove.
REBEL
Why can't I help?
THERESE
When you're older. It's too hot for
little hands.
Harmony is chopping vegetables.
HARMONY
Older like me?
Therese smiles sweetly.
THERESE
Yes, like Harmony.
Rebel pouts for a moment, then turns to watch his brother.
HARMONY (V.O)
Salmon and halibut chopped, some
lobster called langoustine, lots of
vegetables, but I never ate them.
Therese takes the frying pan off the stove. Stares at Harmony
and Rebel, beaming.
HARMONY (V.O) (CONT’D)
Did any of that make sense?
Soundtrack: Send His Love To Me by PJ Harvey
CUT TO BLACK