1

THE PARADISE BELOW

by
Shariff Butler

Copyright © 20013 By Shariff Butler

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EXT. INT-WILL'S HOUSE-LIVING ROOM-DAWN —

DANTE MIDDLETON Early 30's stands in the corner of the room in a

disheveled tux, wide awake, watching his roommate WILL SUMNER
ALLEN, also early 30's, sleep peacefully.

Dante paces uneasily, stepping heavily around the mattress in

the middle of the floor where his roommate is sleeping.

DANTE
I wish, that I could go outside...

EXT-STREET-CONTINUOUS/SAME

LEI-LEI a goth spirit decked in exaggerated black lipstick, hair

and dress that dramatically combines the deep black with
splashes of white, walks up the street approaching the house.
She is screaming angrily but it is muted. She is dragging a
Samurai sword on the pavement, producing SPARKS.

DANTE (VO)
You never know what the sun means until you
are locked away. Or how dangerous it is
until your mud has been quick-dried to
clay...with you in it.

Lei-Lei is still yelling and her screams are still muted but the
rage in her is apparently increasing.

DANTE (VO) (CONT'D)

Or how cruel it is until just the right day,
there is no air conditioner and to your
dismay it is just you and its heat. How you
throw off the covers when it fills the house
and lose sleep wrestling with it. Imagine
what it is like to die in the desert, as it
cooks you awake? How it can bake the saliva
on the tongue, effecting taste numbing
sense.

EXT-HOUSE-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Lei-Lei stands in front of the house her body rigid form, veins
and eyes popping as she screams at the top of her lungs, but she
is still muted. She yells one word over and over and over again
and though she is still muted it is clear she is yelling the
name "DANTE".
 3

Lei-Lei drops the sword when she is in front of the house and
her disposition changes. She folds her arms and begins to
chuckle a bit.

INT-LIVING ROOM-DAWN

DANTE is now directly standing over a half awake and clearly

annoyed WILL.

DANTE
I want to see the sun, but I confess to
fearing the thing face to face. Or that it
will not welcome me with anything but fire.

WILL
(wakes up pissed)
Shut up! Shut up!! Shut up!!! Or speedily
go. For mercury’s sake people are trying to
sleep you know?

TITLE CARD -THE PARADISE BELOW

INT-WILL'S BEDROOM-MORNING

Will picks out his suit and tie, with Dante sitting on the bed
watching attentively, still in his disheveled tux.

DANTE
Shakespeare 31...

WILL
Oh I thought we were done with that?

DANTE
Not exactly. I've come to just a few
conclusions. He is young.

WILL
Ok.

DANTE
Maybe not a kid but younger then us. He is
wealthy, well-bred, well-spoken, I am
thinking hefty, definitely big.

WILL
 4

That is what she said.

DANTE
Stop it! It's my wife....Okay...My wife. Be
decent.

WILL
Come on you have bled all over this already,
I beg you, let it go.

DANTE
So at one point, he talked about taking her
to Mexico. So maybe...do you think, maybe...
I mean... he could be Spanish? There is no
way to know.

WILL
There is no way to know.How many e-mails did
you read?

DANTE
3.

WILL
How many did you find in her inbox?

DANTE
30...um...130.

WILL
130? 130?!? And you stopped after three?

DANTE
She said she loved him. That was enough for
me. That was it for me.

WILL
So this new trick?

DANTE
What about it?

WILL
You ready to show and prove? Game time
buddy.
 5

DANTE
Pick the victim. And you'll see.

WILL
I am betting against you on this.

DANTE
Then you're betting to lose.

WILL
Bet and done-ski. I got the Hawk coming over
in approximately 5 minutes.

DANTE
I am telling you it works.

WILL
Well why doesn't it work on me?

DANTE
I have to be pissed for it to work. And you,
my dear, don't bother my nerves none--
(finally realizing)
Wait did you say "The Hawk?"

WILL
Ryan Dunmoreland Hawkins...The Third.

Will and Dante both share a mischievous smile.

DANTE
Great.

INT-LINCOLN TOWN CAR- MORNING

RYAN DUNMORELAND HAWKINS sits in the driver's seat lighting a

cigar out side. Tall, handsome, but something about him is
weather worn.

EXT-HOUSE-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Will stands in the doorway now fully suited with a devilish

grin, as Ryan Hawkins slow walks up the drive way.

RYAN HAWKINS
Hello William.
 6

WILL
So I finally get to meet the man, they call
"The Hawk".

They shake hands intensely and with a slight bit of over

exaggerated eye contact.

WILL (CONT'D)
Come in...Let's talk.

INT-HOUSE-KITCHEN-MORNING

Will and Ryan sit at opposite ends of the kitchen table. They
study each other with the same intensity shared in their
handshake.

Ryan is actually sweating from their negotiations.

RYAN HAWKINS
70?

WILL
70.

RYAN HAWKINS
Ok...but...70?

WILL
Yes 70.

RYAN HAWKINS
I mean, that is fine, but... really 70?

WILL
Yes!

RYAN HAWKINS
I am just thinking...

WILL
That is a shock.

RYAN HAWKINS
Just thinking that is kind of a lot. 60
maybe?
 7

WILL
Wait what? To own it? 70 is rock bottom non
negotiating price this properties current
value is double that and given the area,
over the life of the loan you are set to
collect what could be...

RYAN HAWKINS
--I won't pay a dollar over 60. I will buy
it cash.

Will, exhausted, finally looks over and gives Dante, who has
been in the room watching the deal the whole time, the "can you
believe this guy?" look of resignation.

Dante comes over from his corner and sits in the uncomfortable
area that is the exactly between Ryan and Will.

WILL
Cash? Oh Right.
(Sarcastic)
I see because I am that poor that I can't
afford to wait. I guess you think I am like
a pathetic bored real estate exec who buys
low and sells low, cause I am just that type
of guy. So 60 ought to be a more than
reasonable price?

RYAN HAWKINS
Geesh sorry, not trying to pick a fight. I
just. Want to get all the value I can.

DANTE
Wow, he is dim.

Though Dante speaks this directly to Ryan's face. There is no

response.

WILL
I'd say.

RYAN HAWKINS
Excuse me?

DANTE
It is damn maddening to try and see what she
saw in him.
 8

WILL
He is quite the Ram.

DANTE
Maybe at his peak. But us sheep hold more
tender appeal.

Ryan gives Will a very confused look.

WILL
So this was her chuck steak?

DANTE
Now ground beef.

RYAN HAWKINS
Who are you speaking of?-

DANTE
Yeah, disappointing package I am told. I
hear tell he is shrink-wrapped in the meat
department.

RYAN HAWKINS
-Or speaking to?

DANTE
Speak up for yourself. Natalie says you have
a teeny tiny baby pee pee and you drool
rivers when you sleep. When you remove your
socks your feet make the house smell of a
day old cabbage and bad sewage leak. I don't
suppose you agree. Hawks? Huh Hawks?

As Dante continues to taunt Ryan it is clear he is not being

heard. He is not physically able to be seen or heard by anyone
but Will. He is in fact a ghost.

Ryan still perplexed by the few comments Will has made to no one
in particular and the eye contact he seems to be making with the
air, starts to excuse himself which is almost simultaneous with
Dante's anger increasing.

Dante saddles up close so that he is right in Ryan's ear.

RYAN HAWKINS
 9

I don't feel well. Can we...

WILL
Another day then? Sure.

DANTE
Oh poor baby. What are you running for?
(bursting with anger)
Your called her twice. TWICE! On our damn
wedding night? You coward, you spiteful cold
prick...and she used to let you hit her.
Natalie, I can barely believe that-I mean
Natalie? - You? She told me about it. Kicks
to the groin, fists to the cheek. To the
point that she could not walk right, could
not sleep for weeks. Nightmares of you.
Ruining her perfection. You coward! A ram,
he called you? But I don't see nothing but
lamb, I see nothing to call man...not even
in his weakest form you nothing....you damn
nothing!!!

At this Ryan projectile vomits all over the floor. It is almost

an unreal amount.

Dante looks pleased.

Will looks shocked.

Ryan, who is visibly shaken, looks at Will and runs out the
door.

Door closes and

WILL
(stuttering with excitement)
Awesome Bro! What was that?

DANTE
--I learned it last week, when the Bolivian
house keeper.

WILL
Glenda? She does have a name.
 10

DANTE
Yea.

WILL
Sweet girl.

DANTE
Well sorry to inform you, that turd is
robbing you blind and at first I wasn't like
concerned, I mean what business is it of
mine? And then she...well she crossed the
line.

WILL
Cash?

DANTE
No.

WILL
Jewelry?

DANTE
No.

WILL
What?

DANTE
Batteries to the remote control.

WILL
Right. Well she clearly has no soul.

DANTE
That is what I am saying.

WILL
I mean there are things you do and things
you don't and that...that thing is pretty
low.

DANTE
 11

Yeah true...so anyway I yelled put it

back...Put it back...Put it back!!! And the
third time just like that, she threw up.

WILL
Just like that?

DANTE
Yup, she threw up chunks and dropped it. Out
the door in 60 seconds flat.

WILL
Cool beans-

Will catches a glimpse of himself in the kitchen mirror, still

unshaven. He heads to the bathroom.

Dante follows till he gets to the bathroom door.

INT -BATHROOM-MORNING

Will immediately goes into a shave frenzy

WILL (CONT'D)
-Hot rice

Will realizing Dante is "stuck" in the other room.

WILL (CONT'D)
So you coming in here or what?

DANTE (OS)
Can’t dude.

WILL
Again? What is with that?

DANTE (OS)
Ghost’s luck I guess? I don’t know how this
stuff works. I mean why can’t I just walk
through walls? Or disappear and dissolve?
How come only you can see and hear me? You
ever think?

WILL
Maybe you're not real? Maybe I am crazy?
 12

DANTE (OS)
Yeah. And what did you come up with?

WILL
Oh you're real. Certainly real.

Dante finally gets himself free of the kitchen and into the
bathroom, coming uncomfortably close to the back of Will.

DANTE
How do you figure?

WILL
Because my delusions don’t extend anywhere
else- as it were. I know myself; even if I
were losing grip on my mind, I assume my
visions would include more grandeur. Not
that I could feel me losing my mind, but I
figured I sleep, I dream, I wake up and
you’re here. And if I had imagined it...you
would have much more ghostly magic, like the
ability to disappear, the ability to possess
and maybe a bow tie.

DANTE
(gob smacked)
Why a bow tie?

WILL
Cause a guy in a suit looks so much cuter in
a bowtie.

DANTE
This is a tux- okay. And what I am to be
stuck wearing for the eons I might be in
existence.

WILL
Yikes.

DANTE
Be polite at least I am fashionable while I
haunt.

WILL
Ack, whatever, I would have rather you had a
 13

bowtie. A humiliating size 2 bowtie

DANTE
You sure you're not just some crazy guy
talking to himself?

WILL
Don't think so. But the crazy can't always
rely on their own testimony you hear?

DANTE
True. Know what I fear?

WILL
Ants?
DANTE
No.

WILL
HOA'S?

DANTE
What? - no.

WILL
Menstrual cramps?

DANTE
Oh God, No! And by the way that is about as
weird as I will allow you to go...and by
truth I fear us ending our run. I mean...I
mean what if I see her and BOOM my
unfinished business is done? Nice time,
Dante. You had a good run, but now it is
hell for you.

WILL
Its good to know what scares us most also
contains the power to scares a ghost.

DANTE
Which is?

WILL
Hell.

DANTE
 14

Well it is time you know there is a fear I

hold much more.

WILL
Which would be?

DANTE
You already know. As I know how you feel,and
I am fine with a few addendum we need to be
clear about.

WILL
Shoot.

DANTE
You can love her. Just...not while I am
still here.

WILL
Agreed. Fair is fair.

DANTE
I mean she is your best friend, I get that.
And there may be some feelings there...

EXT-HOUSE-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Natalie Bethal Middleton's fire engine red heels begin their

graceful glide up the pavement.

At that same time Will finishes his shaving and straightens

himself out.

INT-BATHROOM- CONTINUOUS/SAME

The heels create an instant jolt of energy to the room: Dante's

fear and Will's excitement.

WILL
Speak of Devil and SHE surely appears.

DANTE
Is it her? Are we sure? Is she here?

WILL
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Judging by the slow drag of six inch heels.

We are not long for the big reveal.

DING DONG! Door bell rings.

Will is out the bathroom like a lightning bolt, but Dante gets
stuck in the bathroom again.

Will looks through the keyhole of the door and sees Natalie;
30's, calm with a wild spirited beauty looking impatiently at
the door.

Will rushes back to the bathroom door

DANTE
Is it her? Is it Natalie - my wife? Is it
her?

WILL
Feeling a trite bit inspired are we?

DANTE
What I wouldn't give to have a moment of my
life...Just a shred of it. I'd trade 4 years
of my childhood to attain it.

DING DONG!

DING DONG!

DING DONG!

WILL
Can I answer the door?

DANTE
For sight and eros flight to behind the
windows...I wish her to lay seize to my
soul. How I love her so. It is like we were
married just a couple weeks ago.

WILL
(Dismissive)
Right. Ok. I mean that is nice. Can I
go...um...answer the door?

DANTE
 16

I mean we are clear. Your gonna tell her

about me?

DING DONG!

DING DONG!

DING DONG!

Will starts heading toward the door again and away from their
conversation.

WILL
Second thoughts on that actually.

DANTE
Better give it to thirds then. Cause what we
agreed to is not written in chalk.
WILL
We'll talk...we'll talk.

DING DONG!

DING...

Will flings open the door. In walks Natalie, 30's bright and
lovely.

INT-LIVING ROOM-MORNING

NATALIE
I was beginning to wonder whether or not you
were gonna let me in? Or let your odd
courtesies find me dead, waiting on a mat
that curiously says I am welcome.

WILL
Sure. I would deny you nothing in fairness
my lady.

NATALIE
Much to your chagrin…you would deny me
nothing because I am fair and God is not in
creating me so, he mocks you.

WILL
Maybe, but then again. I’ve got hundreds of
 17

millions of presidential reasons to believe

that he has not forgotten me at all.

Natalie begins to walk around and survey her surroundings.

NATALIE
Yes and again out of those millions so
abundant you can lay them out and swim in
them. Which is equal to me. Which one?
Franklin maybe, but I don't think so.

INT-BATHROOM-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Dante remains stuck, but he can hear the conversation. But only
bits and pieces. Like transistor radio and mostly he hears
Natalie.

He is joyed at the sound of her voice, but also tormented.

INT-LIVING ROOM-MORNING

Natalie is bold forcing her way past Will into the living room.

WILL
Stop. Right there. In that spot.

NATALIE
Yes?

WILL
And my bedroom is...

NATALIE
Nowhere I plan to be...but I digress.

WILL
And with that dress...you transgress.

NATALIE
Naughty dog.

Will starts to head toward the bathroom, rather rudely walking

away from Natalie.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
And where do you think you're going?
 18

WILL
Just stay in that spot, my dear. Just soak
in the ambiance and what not...

NATALIE
Stop acting queer.

Will awkwardly smiles at her as he holds his stomach to indicate

his need to use the bathroom

WILL
I am...Sorry-

Will bolts into the bathroom

INT-BATHROOM-MORNING

Will closes the door and is uncomfortably face to face with the
now eager Dante.
DANTE
How is she dressed? Is she wearing red?

WILL
She is beautiful as rose. I don’t see
colors. Legs, lips, hips head…she is like a
landscape...a Monet even. And safe to say I
am farsighted. She is stunning.

DANTE
(lost in a dream)
Wow...

WILL
You can't see her.

DANTE
Why?

WILL
It is not a good idea.

DANTE
But...

WILL
You can’t deny your feelings for her and as
 19

it were, it is not safe for you. It will

only hurt. And the truth is none of us know
how this works.

DANTE
So what?

WILL
So a little fear could be a healthy thing
here.

DANTE
You know what? I don't care.

WILL
Ok…ok. Go in there and cross over. I am
saying "what if" right?

DANTE
And I am saying just the slightest...I mean,
just...I would risk hell for the sight of
her again.

WILL
And I am walking away now.

INT-LIVING ROOM-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Will rushes into the adjoining kitchen pours two glasses of wine
and bounces into the living room.

He hands a glass to Natalie and keeps one for himself. They sit
on the couch. Natalie begins fiddling with her heels.

WILL (CONT'D)
So how long do you plan on staying?

NATALIE
As long as you will have me.

WILL
How about forever starting a day from
Saturday?

NATALIE
This has to have a term I am afraid. I just
need time. That is all. It doesn’t have to
 20

be defined. Just give me moments that bleed

from days to weeks, months. Till I don’t
have headaches and bags…and when I can get
some sleep and drag myself to a new job. You
will have your reward.

WILL
Oh please…I can afford it. And company is a
reward in itself.

NATALIE
Flirtatious dog. I bet the fleas bite twice
you're so sweet.

Natalie takes off her heels.

Will gets caught staring as she is rubbing her feet.

WILL
You don’t have to take your shoes off in my
house... Really.

NATALIE
Well if I am going upstairs, I don't want to
disrespect the carpet. He-he that makes for
a sweet "that is what she said"...
(bursts with laughter)

Natalie catches Will looking at her feet and begins wiggling her
toes to tempt him.

Natalie realizes he is really lost in her toes...

NATALIE (CONT'D)
(mocking)
You freak!

WILL
What did I do?

NATALIE
You dirty little creep. Are these your
kryptonite?

Natalie wiggles her toes rhythmically

 21

WILL
No. Definitely not-um no-

NATALIE
-Your totally into feet-

WILL
-No-not at all...I...um-just

NATALIE
Prove it. Turn your head from my wiggly
toes.

Natalie wiggles them more intensely and Will literally cannot

look away.

WILL
No...They're just...weird.

NATALIE
Don’t look at them. Do your best…

Will still can't look away. Finally Natalie stops, she's won.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
Wow. You sick monkey freak I better get the
girls dressed…

Natalie begins putting back on her heels.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
...for you guys with the fetish. Bare feet
are the same as bare breast.

They both burst out laughing

INT-BATHROOM-MORNING

Natalie's laughter echoes musically off the walls of the

bathroom simultaneously delighting and frustrating Dante who is
still stuck.

Again the effect is almost like transistor radio. The words

being shared between Natalie and Will are unclear, fuzzy,
muffled. But the laughter is piercing.
 22

DANTE
(halfway like a madman)
I can hear you. I can hear you! Helloooooo!
Can you hear me? But she doesn’t speak my
name. No. She laughs. Louder please. Laugh.
My baby…laugh….oh God Laugh!

INT-KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM- MORNING

Natalie feels something and stops laughing abruptly.

Will knows what is going on.

WILL (CONT'D)
Cock tails?

NATALIE
Breakfast?

WILL
Oh come now you prude.

NATALIE
No one tells me when and where to COME...and
by the way. You should know I am no prude.

WILL
Still waiting on the day we can prove that
fact.

NATALIE
I sent you those nudes. Didn't I?

WILL
Right...I wish.

NATALIE
Well sorry, maybe round Christmas, I MEANT
to send you some nudes.

WILL
Well I didn't get...

NATALIE
...Not my fault, the universe must not have
approved. And by the way, for someone you
have called a prude.
 23

WILL
Well you're prudish...

NATALIE
Ok. Well prudish- I can give myself an
instant mood adjustment. All I need is my
Rabbit, a soft mattress and some lube...and
POOF instant attitude adjustment.

WILL
Why do I love so your TMI?

NATALIE
I was born with a left-sided brain. I am
after all, half guy.

WILL
So breakfast? Or Cocktails.

NATALIE
Both.

WILL
BOOM! Deal Done.

SERIES OF SHOTS / MONTAGE SET TO MUSIC (GOODY GOODY by MEL

TORME)

-Will cooking and Natalie standing by laughing and conversing

-Dante in the bathroom pacing

-Will mixing the cocktails with Natalie's help

-Dante in the bathroom shouting to himself

-Will and Natalie sitting on the couch catching up.

-Dante looking at the blank space where his reflection should

be, in the mirror

-Will and Natalie post-breakfast just resting next to each

other.

-Things speed by fast, hours elapse in conversation, coffee,

 24

cigarettes, laughter. Back and forth they go throughout the

kitchen and living room.

-Will showing Natalie the upstairs of the house.

WE STOP THERE-SONG ENDS

INT- UPSTAIRS HALLWAY-AFTERNOON

Will thinking over the idea of showing Natalie his bedroom.

NATALIE
This is nice, but not like I imagined. Not
that we discussed it but...Why don’t you
have a better house?

WILL
Meaning?

NATALIE
Boy don't play coy with me. Your no slouch
in the cash department.

WILL
Right.

NATALIE
Exactly. So I would think, you might be able
to afford to live in much more luxury.
WILL
I could. But this is not exactly some ghetto
neighborhood, your highness.

NATALIE
I know I see, it's quaint, quiet and lovely
but...I mean if you got it, why not go
gaudy?

WILL
I prefer anonymity. I sell much better homes
then I own. But that’s me, I prefer comfort
over luxury and friendship over floozies. I
travel, I blog, I have managed well enough
that the market more than anything else
makes me my money. And I like this place. It
was the first one. And the only one for me.
Unless...
 25

NATALIE
Unless?

WILL
When I marry...she wants the best.

NATALIE
And you'll give up your comfort just like
that?

Will snaps his fingers.

WILL
Like that...

Natalie is close enough to kiss, sorta spell bound.

WILL (CONT'D)
When I have a queen, I will demote myself
from King, to live by her side as a guest in
my own home...yes.

NATALIE
(intrigued)
Well darling, aren't we just romantic.

WILL
And ambitious while this may not be a luxury
suite at the Tangiers...what it is...
(thinking it over)
...it is me meeting my own expectations.
NATALIE
Meaning?

WILL
Oh it is dreadfully boring I am afraid.

NATALIE
Tell me.

WILL
I...

NATALIE
Please.
 26

WILL
Okay. I walked this street when I was 12
with my dad. And he told me anything I
wanted I could have as my own home to keep.
All I had to do was to be humble and
exercise faith and be willing enough to seek
Christ for it. I thought it over gave it
about a week of prayer. And when next my
father and me happened upon this little
quiet cozy street. I told him that I laid my
request to God out thus. If you're as big as
I dream, Then it is not ignorant to ask you
for something infinitely too much. I want
every single home that touches between the
corners of Domino and Aurel. And here we are
it took a little wheeling and dealing,
buying high and some pressure sells but...

Natalie is enthralled

NATALIE
But? But what?

Natalie gets it and all at once.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
No way! No way!

WILL
Don't ever doubt me, honey.

NATALIE
This whole street?
WILL
House by house. And since you are my guest.
One that I can only tolerate for so
long...Before you leave I am going to need
you to pick one out.

NATALIE
What? A house???

WILL
Yes, pick one out. Any one you like, I rent
them so it is as much a matter of paper
work..
 27

NATALIE
(embarrassed)
I don't know what to say...I just...well it
is totally not me to...I mean it is not my
way...I thank you but...I appreciate it but
it is entirely unnecessary.

WILL
You would deny me a tax write off?

Will and Natalie stand awkwardly distant. Some sort of personal

boundary clearly been breached in their friendship.

DANTE (OS)
She doesn't do charity...

Will jumps, startling Natalie, who has no idea, what has

startled him so.

Will stands at the bottom of the stairway, ruefully.

DANTE
She doesn't do charity it is just not her
style.... And here all the while I thought
we were broke, I mean this being all you
could afford. But now I see your just
hoarding.

WILL
(Whispering)
How long you been standing there?

DANTE
Long enough to know. She is fair, oh God is
she as fair as ever.

WILL
(Under his breath)
Agreed she is fair and God unfair to mock me
so...

WILL (TO NATALIE)

Excuse me a sec...

Dante rushes down the stairs and motions to Will who scurries
after him.
 28

They stop at the bottom of the stairs out of the eye line of
Natalie

DANTE
So she needs a place to stay or just a place
to lay low? I mean what is her deal?

WILL
Calms your nerves for the news.

DANTE
(over excited)
Tell me. Ok. I am calm. Tell me!

WILL
I am serious.

DANTE
(faking calm)
Ok. Calm. What is it?

WILL
Calm down. You're at level 20, I need you at
level 10.

DANTE
(exploding)
I am calm! I am calm!! I am calm- ok!!!

WILL
She is moving in...

DANTE
For real? Like for real?!? That is
great...Like when! Oh God...When?

WILL
Are you kidding me? Now, dummy! And make no
mistake ... this complicates things my
friend.

DANTE
No it won't.

WILL
Yes it will.
 29

DANTE
How exactly?

WILL
Well with me and her...

Will catches himself a second too late and Dante peers into him.

DANTE
What?

WILL
I just..you haven't healed yet. Emotionally
speaking.

DANTE
Emotionally speaking? How in hell can you
understand how I feel? Do I even feel? I am
dead, so technically I have no heart, no
head to contain passion and memories...etc
etc. Instead, I am nothing but animated
spirit. And...Oh God. To see her every day
again...

NATALIE (O.S)
What the hell is the deal with you leaving
me alone?

Natalie marches herself to the middle of the stairs.

NATALIE
I find that rude. And you know what I was
going to throw in a little smooch of the
bone as a thanks for letting me stay but the
way you keep discarding me, well my
standards alone will simply not allow it. So
your out.

DANTE
What kind of relationship do you guys have?

WILL
(trying to talk under his breath)
Can we have this conversation another time?
She is going to think I am insane.
 30

NATALIE
You talking to me? Cause mumbling is rude.

DANTE
Got to say I don't quite agree with the tone
here.

Will sees what Dante is driving at. He thinks quickly.

WILL
We are best friends right?

DANTE & NATALIE

Yes-

WILL
Natalie... We are best friends?

NATALIE
And again I say yes. Why do you ask?

WILL
Just want you to make clear, the path. Shine
a light illuminate our pasts and all that
jazz.

Dante who looked set to jump in any second, finally gets what
Will is driving at.

NATALIE
Why would that be necessary?

WILL
Humor me.

NATALIE
Ok. Whatever.

WILL (CONT'D)
If flies had ears or Russian spies were all
around us everywhere what would you say they
would learn? First thought that comes to
mind.
 31

NATALIE
That I spurn you because if not, I would
burn you.

WILL
That's nice...

Will shakes his hand furiously indicating Natalie must come with
something more than that.

NATALIE
That I love blowjob jokes as much as the
sublime way you write.

WILL
Ok.

NATALIE
That I am absolutely positively inferior to
you in EVERY way. Except for sexual
insights.

WILL
To be determined.

NATALIE
That you are the best man, best friend a
woman can earn in life? And not by default.

WILL
For specifics. Have we kissed?

NATALIE
No. Never. Wait are we talking on the lips?
Or on that fat old mile long tree stump you
call a penis.

WILL
Stop with the BJ jokes for a bit! I need you
to be real about this.

NATALIE
No BJ jokes? It must be "Make a Wish"
serious. Well go head lone ranger shoot.
 32

WILL
Have we ever kissed?

NATALIE
Sorry, but didn't I just answer this?

WILL
Serious, with feeling.

NATALIE
No.

WILL
Have you ever spent a night with me before
this?

NATALIE
Why would I do that?

WILL
Have you ever wanted me?

NATALIE
Wanted you back? You mean?

Will looks at Dante sort of panicked sort of embarrassed.

Natalie's answer has raised the tension level.

DANTE
Ask her that again.

Will intentionally moves forward

WILL
Last question. Have we ever in any way, had
sexual intercourse?

NATALIE
(Curls her lip to a near snarl)
Yuck...

WILL
What I mean is...
NATALIE
If I were at gun point forced no one could
ever get me to describe "screwing" as sexual
intercourse. Secondly, assuming that I am
 33

being honest about us never sharing a kiss,

your second question is moot. Which is
exactly the type of reason I never let you
knock my boots.

Will looks to Natalie with relief and then to Dante. Dante is no

longer there.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
That was a fun...albeit shortened version of
21 questions.

WILL
(looks to Natalie, deadly serious)
You have no idea what you have done.

NATALIE
(Confused)
What?

Will exits the conversation and crosses the hall to the bathroom

INT/EXT. BATHROOM-CONTINUOUS/SAME

Dante is sulking, brooding, frustrated. Will to the rescue!

Natalie BANGS impatiently on the bathroom door

NATALIE (O.S.)
(through the door)
What is your problem?

WILL
(through the door)
I got one of the numbers...I don't know
maybe I need to do a number 2 or 3.

NATALIE
Meaning you either have boo boo or really
bad period stress like me?

WILL
(through the door)
Fine.
NATALIE (O.S.)
(through the door)
Fine!
 34

WILL
(through the door)
Not now Natalie!

Dante is still sullen.

DANTE
Blow job jokes? Since when did she get into
blow job jokes?

WILL
She has no interest.

DANTE
She has comfort.

WILL
That is not enough.

DANTE
I hear comfort from her and from you- hope.

WILL
Hope of what?

DANTE
That something might work.

WILL
It's not...

DANTE
What it looks like? Just a harmless flirt
huh?

WILL
I...

DANTE
I know what flirting sounds like and this
ain't that pal. You two care.

WILL
No we...
DANTE
I hear fear. Defense mechanisms to keep
 35

clear the air. I hear it working on you.

WILL
What the hell Dante?

DANTE
What the hell Will? I thought this was
platonic?

WILL
What is your problem? She said everything
you wanted to hear...yeah. Not only does she
have no interest, we haven't kissed,
sex...hell we haven't even touched.

DANTE
Right now I am wondering such small things.
I am wondering, did I kill myself just for
you to be runner up?

WILL
It's not like that.

DANTE
Yeah, but with a little luck.

WILL
Shakespeare 31..Ok! That is guy who shaped
your fate. Put the gun in your hand,
squeezed your finger. Don't take that out on
me.

DANTE
Fair enough. I swear I should have manned up
and took his life for his disservice to
mine. I mean screwing around with my wife. I
wish I could mutilate him. Castrate
him...twice!

WILL
(Cringing at the thought)
Dude Dark.

Will fiddles with his clothes, he is as a child holding a secret

from a parent.
 36

WILL (CONT'D)
Look, um...I know it might not be numero uno
time to discuss these heart sized matters.
But maybe it is better the former then the
latter. You know, your death...I mean it
could be...I mean...Everything has its
reasons and the best..

DANTE
(Cold)
Don’t talk like that. Since when has your
intellect been so based on facts? You give
me cause for concern.

WILL
And there again you overreact.

DANTE
Don’t love her, ok? Because once you love
her you can’t take that back. Love is
eternal and if anybody knows that, it is me.

WILL
I understand, but what of destiny?

DANTE
What of it? Are you so lonely that...
(changing course-softening)
Put it this way...Sure you guys, flirt but
this is Natalie.

WILL
What?

DANTE
Natalie. This is Natalie.

WILL
Which means?

DANTE
You will only get your feelings hurt. She is
impenetrable. I am kind of an authority on
the despair caused by hurricane Natalie So I
saved you the work. If you were at all ever
really interested.
 37

The last few words hang in the air. Will is insulted, cut to the
core.

He walks away suddenly and Will says something unintelligible as

the bathroom door SLAMS in his face.

INT-KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM- CONTINUOUS

Natalie is going through the refrigerator pulling item by item

out.

At the sight of her, Will's anger changes into a snake like

charm. He pinches her from behind.

NATALIE
Ow!

WILL
What are you doing?

NATALIE
I am hungry.

WILL
So eat.

NATALIE
Sure whatever you cook.

WILL
So sweet of you to look to me for
everything. Madam, shall I be your chef?

Will inches closer to Natalie.

NATALIE
Yes.

Closer.

WILL
Your Chauffer?

NATALIE
Yes.
 38

Closer.

WILL
Your tailor, your doctor, your realtor.

Face to face. Lips near touching.

NATALIE
Sure....I guess.

WILL
What's more...your lover?

NATALIE
Ah, this is where we end our tour. Because
now you transgress.

Natalie pushes him away.

WILL
Too far?

NATALIE
Aggressive postures get you no where with
me.

WILL
Just wanted to see that fresh full moon in
the daylight, is all.

Natalie begins shoving food back into the refrigerator and

freezer, almost like she is in fast forward.

WILL (CONT'D)
What is this?

NATALIE
Thoughts of sex with you have now upset my
stomach I am afraid.

WILL
(playfully)
Ass.

NATALIE
(playfully)
 39

Slave.

WILL
Touche. What type of dining do you crave?

NATALIE
Fine. Wine and cocktails. And aha proof that
God was correct when he made me a women. And
you a male. Cause you were born to be caved.

WILL
You mock me?

NATALIE
I could auction you at a short sale. I made
you. Or technically somebody made you, save
for a few genes souped in from the pop. You
stewed nine months and then dropped onto
this earth from a lot very much like
me...which I transition to...Why don't you
have kids?

WILL
Because I have never been in love.

NATALIE
Never?

WILL
We have discussed this -

NATALIE
Never- ever?

WILL
(getting annoyed)
Ok...

NATALIE
Never, ever, ever?

WILL
Once! Ok. Once and forever.

Natalie sees where Will is going and tries to redirect,

NATALIE
 40

(uncomfortable)
Okay I take it back.

WILL
She is my love, my everything, from the
first moment I have seen her till now, there
is no women better to make my likeness.

NATALIE
(urgent uncomfortable)
Ok...just stop...Sorry.

WILL
I will have kids, when and if she agrees to
marry me. I will only seed crop in soil of
my choosing.

NATALIE
Stop...

WILL
(aggressive/direct)
...On the property I own. And this is well
known to her. But she keeps pussy footing
and pretty soon, she will find herself a
vagabond without a heart to call home.

They both fall silent. Some words should have just not been
said.

WILL (CONT'D)
Too close?

NATALIE
Drop it.

Natalie grabs a couple of glasses and pours them some drinks.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
I propose a toast.

WILL
To?

NATALIE
 41

To hope... to love...to starting a new on

the right note...to...What I value most.

WILL
Say it.

NATALIE
Our friendship.

WILL
(odd laughter permeate his obvious
frustration)
And this is why I wish I had proposed to
you the first moment we met...Somewhere
before hello and after flirtatious eye
contact... it would have set us on a firmer
path. My courage there, would not have had
time to progress to fear and age to
regret....You understand? It is impossible
to love hypothetically, when a man brokers
his emotions all he wants in trade is facts
in spades. And I am asking you now point
blank do you love me back?

Will searches for her eyes, they both down shots silently.
Natalie won't give her eyes to him. He gets it.

WILL (CONT'D)
Do you love me back?
(he hangs on hopeless)
Exactly, well I will never be just your
damn friend so you need to stop calling me
that!

Will looks over and Dante is standing there, it is unclear how

long he has been in on the conversation. Dante's gives Will a
"what the hell" expression, which is returned only by ice cold
stare back. Will is unapologetic and hurt.

INT- WILL'S BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS

Will runs upstairs and into his room and closes the door.

Will swiftly realizes he is not alone.

WILL
 42

Neat trick.

DANTE
Haven't mastered, the technique just yet.
But as far as I can tell, just have to want
it and want it bad. And then poof.

WILL
So what did you find out?

DANTE
If I said I told you so, without a doubt I
would be ruthless.

WILL
Makes plenty sense to me, pawing at a lion
that is toothless.

DANTE
Don't be so cranky. I should be the one of
us that is cross. I mean, am I wrong in
thinking you are trying to set my wife up
for a one-off?

WILL
Your wife?

DANTE
Yes.

WILL
Would I be wrong thinking that term is only
applicable when it fettered to life? Your
widow. My best friend. Cause that whole
married for life thing ended when you pushed
your brain through the back of your minivan.

DANTE
First off dude: harsh. And offing yourself
is not as easy as it looks! I backed up the
exhaust and took a boat load of pills first.
Not my fault they didn’t work. So I decided
to man up and commit.

WILL
Have you ever been summarily rejected?
 43

DANTE
I guess. Assata Jenkins first girl I loved.
First grade. I asked her for a coloring
book, which was the same as proposing
marriage and she...

WILL
I am serious.

DANTE
Of course I been rejected. My first wife,
carried on a 4 year affair. My second wife,
was cheating damn near from the first night
as far as I can tell. So yeah, I have been
in and through it. Ok, love is rejection,
rejection is in itself- hell.

WILL
Did it hurt...

DANTE
What? Of course!

WILL
Dying I mean. How much did you feel before
you fell?

DANTE
Oh Will, if you're feeling experimental, I
can tell you that is not a nice way to go.
The price to pay is quite taxing as you and
I now know.

WILL
Did it hurt?

DANTE
(Sighs)
Kind of a jerk to ask me that. But yes. When
your grey matter goes splat. There is at
least a moment of ridiculous regret. Not
cause of thoughts of "why am I bringing
about my own death", but more like ouch,
damn I should have stuck to the pills. But I
digress and do mock you as an open jack end
 44

of an ass for asking me that.

WILL
Well, thanks, it helps in the way of my
preservation. I will definitely not be
killing myself.

DANTE
Well, you're welcome, I guess.

NATALIE (O.S.)
(Yelling from downstairs)
Will! I know you can hear me. And I want
you to pay attention, ok? Cause I don't say
this often.... I am sorry!

WILL
My lady calls!

DANTE
Your lady?

Will bolts out the room and down the stairs. Dante is stuck
again.

Another glass of wine in her hand. There is a well meaning

tightness to her.

NATALIE
My dearest Will...how is a girl supposed to
feel if she is left alone in a strange mans
home?

WILL
Is that man so strange to you? I thought you
counted him as friend?

NATALIE (O.S.)
I did, till he yelled and ran away...

WILL
Lucky I could do so, when you left me no leg
upon which to stand.

NATALIE
 45

I don't care, you need to stop leaving me

alone.

WILL
I mean isn't that a contradiction! I mean...

NATALIE
Listen, cause I don't think you understand.
You really need to stop leaving me alone and
taking me so literally and just be a damn
man in my presence. So I can wilt for
you....
(a few precious shallow breaths)
You know a girl discover herself at her the
worlds end and the breaking point of her
wits. True story, I just don't like being
alone
NATALIE (CONT’D)
period, nowhere near as much as I used to.
(opening up)
I dared the world Will. Thought I was this
brave girl. This earth walker. I found not
serenity, but just more beautiful and
endlessly romantic places to be lonely. I
don't have an affinity for lonely, by the
way. The world is better viewed through
shared eyes. And don't look at me like that
I don't need your stinking pity. But...I do
need your company.
(coming to it)
I say need. Because maybe want won't do,
when it comes to you. It doesn't cover it
correctly.

WILL
Maybe, you ever think...that I don't need it
to.

NATALIE
Just hate being unfair as God is to you.

They sink into a stare and a closeness, a pleasant silent

closeness.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
I suppose you really want to kiss me
now...And real men don’t let the things they
 46

want haunt them.

WILL
What would you suggest I do then?

NATALIE
Pursue...Find out how I feel, I’ll know when
you get there...Pursue...

Will inches up to her. Till they are damn near lip to lip. He
wraps his hands around her hip. Natalie is totally game. And
then...

WILL
No. I am sorry for this to happen, you're
gonna have to want it more then I do.

NATALIE
(beaming)
Nice. I like this better then chewing on
your spit.

WILL
Anticipation has...

NATALIE
...Me in a vice grip.

WILL
Like how...

..NATALIE
You flipped it on me? Yes.

WILL
But...

NATALIE
I don't get told "no", EVER, and I am kind
of a brat, so I am afraid your gonna have to
kiss me.

She grabs his collar...

WILL (CONT'D)
Or?
 47

NATALIE
(balling her first jokingly)
Eat this knuckle sandwich.

They began to move for a kiss and there he is, DANTE standing
right over her shoulder.

DANTE
You gonna tell her I am here or not?

Will fumbles and kisses Natalie on the cheek.

WILL
(to Natalie)
Not what you want but your gonna have to
settle for it...

Will bolts upstairs to his room again. Dante follows in close

pursuit.

INT- WILL'S BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS

DANTE
You gonna tell her I am here?

WILL
No. Dude. Just go.

DANTE
Why? Say it.

WILL
No.

DANTE
Why? Say it!

WILL
Why should I say so to you!

DANTE
Because I want to hear it...

WILL
 48

I love her ok? I love her!!!

DANTE
(Not surprised / unphased)
I know, but everybody loves her. That is not
my fault. I am sure she enlisted you as she
enlisted me and so on and so forth. She
could start a cult or at least a Mormon
family from all the bleeding hearts, looking
for salt in their wounds. She will do you in
soon too…You should count yourself lucky, I
stop you here and your gonna get off easy.

WILL (CONT'D)
Since you have come here, I have been
nothing but friendly?

DANTE
Yup.

WILL
And in a manner of speaking, I am letting
you live rent free?

DANTE
Um I am not exactly living and don't have
much to offer in the way of monetary
valuables, but what's your point?

WILL
We are already practically family? Hell we
are family!

DANTE
Your point. make it!

WILL
Bare with me...but me being with her,
could...well it could sort of make or bond
even more brotherly...

DANTE
Awww Hell!!!

WILL
Listen...
 49

DANTE
You want me to approve you nailing my wife?

WILL
No...not at all.

DANTE
So exactly what are you to doing, if she is
spending the night?

Will is squirming, honesty is forcing its way through him in the

most awkward of ways.

WILL
Amending her...to my life?
(backtracking)
Ok. Ok I know how bad that sounds right. But
listen, I just… Man to man, I am going to
say something I know you can understand: I
can’t see myself without her. I know how can
I expect such a wondrous thing to occur from
such an awful plan. But I am telling you as
I breath she is my air. She is my life, my
death and I know for you to see her here so
soon, after your loss you're assuming she is
worthless…Yes, she is worthless.
(inspired)
But then again, she is the reason Zeus and
Poseidon exchanged love for Olympus, earth
and sea for their lust of flesh. At her
request Adam ate from the tree of treason
and at her behest men have laid waste to
cities warred with their brother,for no
greater reason than love.She is lady at her
best a woman at her worst and yes she is
worthless... But then again... Words do not
summarize the perfection in her angles her
beauty is birthed in our eyes alone. An
angel to curse forever all those willing to
travel to wonton, wanting to her unknown
desert end. Her throne room, below paradise
south of Heaven, she is worthless but then
again so are all the precious stones, men
have named of value...all the little things,
we sin so greatly for. She is amour,No more,
no less.She is life giving at her best and
at her worst a hasty death retreating inside
 50

WILL (CONT’D)
you. She is the bat of an eye lash a vulgar
witches brew, a symphony of sensations to
incredible too fractured and too much to
take in. From come hither eyes to
scintillating skin she is worthless but then
again. So is everything we know outside God.
She is the dark lady from Shakespeare’s pen,
she is Bathsheba bathing she is the Egyptian
beauty born outside the reach of Solomon.
She is a breach of security, for a dance in
the Lion’s den. She is worthless I say But
then again... She is the first lyric to a
sappy song She is the desperate desire of
any man who felt right for all reasons that
are wrong she is fall of the mighty. the
doom for those not strong enough to see.
Those are not kisses, but acts of theft. In
reality moment by memory she is robbing your
breath. She is absolutely positively
worthless and yet we cannot let go of her at
least not in concept. In the end... We chase
her till we face her. Until we force her.
Until we taste the bitter sweet tap that
springs forth from her unchaste perfection.

DANTE
What plan?

WILL
Excuse me?

DANTE
Before all that rambling...you said
something about a plan. And I say to you
what plan?

WILL
(fumbling)
Um...I didn't...um, I don't think it is fair
to keep leaving her downstairs.

Will starts to take off and heads cross through the hall way,
but to his surprise Dante does not get stuck and is right on his
back.
 51

DANTE
Plan Will? What plan? Man up and tell me!

Down the hallway stairs they go.

WILL (CONT'D)
Natalie...Natalie...

They cross into the living room.

INT. LIVING ROOM- CONTINUOUS

To their surprise there is no Natalie in the living room or

kitchen.

Dante takes the moment to jump in front of Will and confront him
face to face.

DANTE
I am sorry but you said and I quote “ How
can I expect such a wondrous union to occur
from such an awful plan” What did you mean
by that?

WILL
Nothing...but uh...she is here again.

DANTE
Who?

And Will points to the sliding glass doors in the kitchen and
outside is the GOTH WOMAN from earlier.

She is standing nearly still and eyeballing Dante, who is

unnerved and intensely angry at her presence.

Dante runs to the window and faces her directly.

DANTE (CONT'D)
Oh God what is it you want? Huh? What is it
you want??? Tell me. You wretched thing, you
vile, gaunt, being of abuse. I have no use
of you! Why are you here and what do you
want? Speak to me...

The argument continues inaudibly as the bathroom door opens and

Natalie crosses into the living room in a cocktail dress.
 52

NATALIE
You ready? I thought we could go out for
chow. Lord knows you can't cook and I am
hungry so.

Will's whole world SLOWS DOWN at the sight of her. She is

stunning.

WILL
(SENSUAL)
You should know I fall in love too easily.
It is a wicked truth I’ve tried to deny with
age. It’s vicious betrayals of my youth. If
you are to proof read me friend, you should
know in error if nothing else. I fall in
love too easily. Health and all goes with
it. I have never let my heart live chest
bound. It only visits here long enough to
bemoan its fate Living in the islands of the
exotic. The exquisite, the erotic the
dominant To it’s submissive It grieve it
voyages Always maiden to unrealistic shores
Constantly tossed into tempests cracked,
Crashed, wrecked on beauty as a reward For
ambition most seditious a study in drowning
In unreasonable oceans and unruly seas. Yes
I fall in love too easily…And when I am down
and out of it. It lights me, picks me up
again the idea of it starting. Rewrites me
the endless beginnings and no middles Just
soul ending exaggerations of what might be
possible When there is no one to correct me
and no one to reign in my imagination that
this time may just be perfect that this may
be might be, meant to be. The fate of the
purely guileless. Stuck on Tom’s foolery
built in emotions that bite my hopes to
spite my fate. I fall in love to easily.
Because…I long for and love most of all…Her
first name love and last name faith.

NATALIE
So, fool, you love me still?
 53

WILL
Always and forever. And forever it is always
against my will.

NATALIE
Why?

WILL
Because you’ll destroy me.
(sighs)
But I guess I have desire to die, more then
I have to kill.
(deep sigh)
And I see now there is no in between to how
these things go. You either give or get a
raw deal. And I made my choice. I have
ventured all the way in. I have gone pro at
failing in passion. Because I made the
choice to be one broken. You know it is you
alone. You were not only the beginning but
now, no doubt the end.

NATALIE
What are we? If you had to classify us.
Potential lovers or potential friends?

WILL
Assailant and victim?

NATALIE
Predator/prey?

WILL
Shirts/skins?

NATALIE
I fear my love, that if we never settle on
something. Then this is what it is.

WILL
Yes… this is what it is. And that is fine. I
am never yours, but you are forever mine.
For what it is worth, it works, my dear.

NATALIE
No wonder no one ever said that God was
fair.
 54

WILL
Maybe...but I trust,
(looks her body over)
that maybe my luck is looking up.

DANTE (O.S)
Excuse me?

Will begins pushing Natalie towards the front door. And -poof-
in a moment's notice Dante is in front of them both.

DANTE
I said, excuse me.

WILL
(frustrated, refusing to look at Dante)
Yes, excuse us. Excuse us for being blind.
Excuse us for not minding our own business
when the now...The ever present NOW is not
our time.

NATALIE
(confused)
Okay, random outburst?

WILL
Not really, I just fear, that some poor
babies need cheese with their whine.

NATALIE
I don't follow. You ok? Who are you talking
too?

WILL
(under his breath)
Someone who has clearly crossed the line.

DANTE
(waiving Will off and focusing directly on
Natalie into her ear)
Can you hear me? My dear my love. My
Natalie. I swear. I just. I am so sorry. I
just want to be clear on that. I should have
never....I just...I am so sorry baby.
 55

WILL
(looking directly at Will)
Natalie...

NATALIE
I don't know...but suddenly...a bit...

WILL
Ill?

Natalie stands there, at first it appears she is Ill, but then

it is evident she is overwhelmingly moved. Hurt, Sad to the
point of tears and suddenly so.

Will gives Dante a stern "for shame" stare.

NATALIE
(hiding her tears)
Yeah. Not sure, but, just suddenly ill.

Will's stare becomes sterner and Dante is a shame.

WILL
(still staring down Dante)
Nothing a good meal can't cure.

Will opens the door and out goes Natalie.

DANTE
Will. Will! Don't do this.

The door SLAMS shut in Dante's face.

Dante panics, paces. He can't open the door. He can't go

outside. He is borderline manic.

He then decides to give going outside a shot. He approaches the

door.

Dante puts his hand in front of it, but before he can touch it.

The door knob starts to turn on its own. He is confused.

Slowly the door turns and opens.

There stands Lei-Lei and she looks none too happy. She reaches
out and grabs Dante forcefully by the collar.
 56

Cut to Montage - Will and Natalie seeing the City - Set

musically to "Rose O' Day" by Mel Torme

-Lunch at a small cafe. Both laughing their faces off.

-Shopping at the mall, smiles wide on both

-Park in the late afternoon. Will pushes Natalie on the swings

-Park Midday , Natalie and Will share love taps and play tag,
while adults look on disapprovingly and kids look puzzled.

-Late/ Midday, Walking down a strip mall. Natalie spots a

jewelry shop and decides to go in and at first Will is going to
follow her in, but she forces him to stay outside. Something
suspicious about this.

-Evening dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant, wine and desert.

They hold hands.

-Late Night they go to the Improv more drinks and a comedy show.

-Lastly the just walk the city as businesses are closing.

EXT.STREET-NIGHT

Lei-Lei is on the corner downtown following the lovers. Her eyes

glowing an odd toxic color, she smokes a cigarette casually
coolly.

Behind Lei-Lei is a very muscular tall shirtless man with eyes

that are also glowing. Though he is extraordinarily handsome he
looks of pure evil.

Will and Natalie are up the street in the distance. It is as if

she is waiting for them.

LEI-LEI
We love the world the most at 3 AM these
hours of witching. When most men finally
begin to discover sleep. Keeping in mind
they away to their beds much earlier But
don’t dream till they reach REM till they
part with here and their eyes scratch at the
center back seems of their stranded
imagination And joy or fear is all a deck of
 57

LEI-LEI (CONT’D)
thoughtful cards God stacked against them Ay
his Contradictions! In his commandments fie
Contradictions all! Dream Big...Love
Bold...But sin small? And so these natural
tarnished souls are dropped from heaven but
only meant to fall at little? 3 AM we
witness their alter calls.

Will and Natalie exit their car and are close to the house they
stop and talk casually, as Lei-Lei follows them. Mocking them in
her mannerisms. We DO NOT HEAR what the say...only Lei-Lei.

LEI-LEI (CONT'D)
Dream of surrender...Dream, dream and dream
on…But you do well not to let your dreams
conflict with truth of what exists here and
waits for us all beyond and clearly what is
unclear to us when we wake up is a weight to
anchor our soul anon.

Lei-Lei goes back to the beast of a man who stands menacingly in

the background. She offers him a few drags on her cigarette and
leans against his muscular frame.

INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Will and Natalie practically burst the door down, hands all over
each other, laughing joking, but not kissing.

They are tangled more less in a deepening friendship.

Natalie looks wasted.

Will decides to be safe and check for Dante.

WILL
Hello?? You here? Hello. Stay here for a
second ok my love.

NATALIE
(Drunk cooing)
Okay...hellooooo.
 58

SERIES OF SHOTS-

-Will checking the bathroom

-Will checking the kitchen

-Will checking his bedroom, the guest room, the hallway

-Will resorting to searching under beds and looking in closets

-Will realizing there is no Dante anywhere, standing in the

upstairs hallway perplexed.

-Will rushing downstairs to Natalie.

NATALIE
(drunk)
What say you? To capping the night with
a...um...night cap.

WILL
Darling, I think you should relax first.

NATALIE
Are you certain, you have not seen me stage
a play on my back. I am brilliant actress. I
know you guys like that.

WILL
Oh don’t get smart or cute You won’t have to
fake a thing on my part. When I finally give
you proof.

NATALIE
Proof of what?

WILL
As much as we discussed it. I trust it was
never lust that led us here. On this ever so
queer journey.

NATALIE
It was the fates and fates alone. Penurious
destiny...I mean why else would he do it,
you know? Just do that to me...Just blow our
marriage away...literally.... It’s like the
bard in all his plays...Maybe because
 59

NATALIE (CONT’D)
(looks directly at Will)
some things were meant to be....

WILL
(Averting her gaze)
Shhh maybe now its...um..its...Time to go to
the room.

Will starts walking her upstairs, slowly. He keeps looking

around still nervous about the whereabouts of Dante.

NATALIE
You always loved me...I should have never
married him....He was a great provider, and
a decent lover, but a poor husband. A women
should be, with the man who adores her
most...and that man is almost always the one
she keep closest as her friend. So in case
of emergency brake this glass for your happy
end...and that was you...Right?

WILL
I guess. Maybe.

Natalie drifts upstairs toward the bedroom but stops at the top
of the stairs.

NATALIE
(voice becomes shaky)
Yes, it was...And like a dumb broad I blew
it. And 6 years too. Down the drain. No
kids, no nothing to hold to. Nothing to
remain that proves our parched land and
scorched earth did once have, grass, sun,
rain that did make it tropical. Nothing but
nothingness.
(bursts into tears)
Nothing but black, sack cloth and ashes to
weep. A widow to speak a eulogy of a husband
I never really knew. Why do you think he did
it? Why? I...just...

Will walks a few flights up to be closer to her. But he will not

commit to the top step.
 60

WILL
I haven't a clue, I mean. Honest. I can't
imagine and I can't assume. Look why can't
we have this conversation in my bedroom?

NATALIE
(her sobs dry up and her demeanor becomes
sexual instantly)
We could but I don't think I would rather a
word be spoken there till noon...look...Lets
just do it.

She walks a few steps down and grabs him by the tie and the
other hand wandering about different parts of him.

WILL
(gulp)
Uh-oh...

NATALIE
(seductive)
Lets, be reckless and crass. You be
insistent and I will be fast. And we will
crash this car properly at last. Slam this
friendship in fire and from the wreckage of
the blast, reform whatever is left from our
past into a questionable future...

WILL
Maybe we should take this discussion in the
bedroom? Ya' think?

NATALIE
Look I don't want to talk! Do you want me or
not?

WILL
(flabbergasted as her hands search him)
I...you...uh...Hot...um...yeah Hold that
thought...

NATALIE
No! I need a yes...and you can have me,
right here on these steps.

Natalie turns herself around and presses her back against Will,
seductively, but not overly so.
 61

WILL
(thinking it over)
I...

DANTE
BOO!!!

WILL jumps a mile startling Natalie. Dante has appeared right

next to his ear. But is not visible.

DANTE (CONT'D)
Look what new trick's Casper learned how to
do? Interesting right? Well that spirit that
has been haunting your haunted. Well she is
all right. Shared a few ghostly insights.

NATALIE
What the hell was that Will? Trying to
startle a sister sober?

WILL
Go in the room... I got a surprise for you.
An over the top surprise....

NATALIE
But...

WILL
In the room!!!

NATALIE
Ok. You don't have to yell.

Natalie's off to Will's room.

Will waits to hear the door close and heads down from the stairs
to the living room. He looks around but no Dante.

WILL
Hey, maybe I am sorry isn't going to exactly
cover it, but I am sorry.

DANTE (OS)
I accept your apology.
 62

WILL
(looking for Dante)
Could you just appear for a sec.

DANTE (OS)
Nope. Currently enjoying invisibility right
now.

WILL
Oh grow up already. Natalie is a woman ok.
Not property to be licensed for eternity, by
a bitter spirit.

DANTE (OS)
Bitter?

WILL
Yes.

DANTE (OS)
And what do you assume I am bitter
at...exactly? Fact. Your name is Will. Fact
You write amateur poetry. Fact you authored
130 emails to my wife.

WILL
I--

Dante appears again right next to Will's ear

DANTE
Fact!--

Will nearly jumps out his shoes.

DANTE (CONT'D)
--Fact. Your 31 years young.

WILL
Yes.

DANTE
And when that was done. I committed suicide
in the young stages of an investigation that
brought about a very deep depression. I
solved my problems by gun. And now there is
no me.
 63

DANTE (CONT’D)
(mockingly dramatically)
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you
Shakespeare 31!

Will sits on the couch, dead silent.

FLASHBACK- EXT. OUTSIDE WEDDING-NIGHT

A candlelight wedding in a backyard. Modest crowd of 30 or 40

people dressed to the nines.

Natalie is in white. Dante in his tux (the same tux he has been
wearing throughout, but only it is in tip-top shape.)

They start their first dance as husband and wife.

Lei-Lei stalks through the crowd, she is dressed as if she is on

her way to an elegant funeral. No one sees her, she moves like a
breeze. She watches not Dante and Natalie, but just Dante
intently as she sips champagne in black lipstick.

Natalie and Dante, kiss, spin, laugh, lose themselves in the

moment while they dance.

Dante looks over and there is Will, who may or may not be
crying, he turns and is out of eyesight too quick for Dante to
tell. Dante is clearly perturbed by this.

As Dante stares into that now vacant spot. Lei-Lei steps into
the eye line and smiles dark and mischievously. She raises her
glass as if to say "cheers". And downs the liquid instantly.

EXT. INT. LIVING ROOM - PRESENT —

DANTE
I knew something was wrong, when I met you.

WILL
How so?

DANTE
You were crying.

WILL
I get emotional at weddings.
 64

DANTE
(sarcastically)
Right.

WILL
And I wasn't crying.

DANTE
I will never forget. That self same moment
asking her who you were.

WILL
And how quickly she changed the subject, I
am sure.

DANTE
Ah yes. Though I admit, this only makes
sense to me now that this matter is past
tense. I don’t remember a word. She changed
my thinking with a kiss. Bitter and sweet
and delightfully rich. They are better I
promise then you have imagined . You're
assuming you will know soon I bet.

WILL
I will.

DANTE
And I would retch if I could.

WILL
You can't.

DANTE
I’ll try my best.

They share an uneasy but honest laugh, and then another lengthy
silence.

DANTE (CONT'D)
How did that old song go?

WILL
Your wedding song?

Dante nods in the affirmative.

 65

Will begins singing gracefully portions of "Can't Take That away

From Me" and Dante joins.

Will pulls the song from an emotional place of joy, but Dante
sings it with wounds bare. Finally they cut out, Dante is
overwhelmed, he can't take anymore.

DANTE
She is in your bedroom? Yes?

WILL
Yes.

DANTE
Soon to be undressed?

WILL
Not wise to ask questions like that.

DANTE
So this is...death to our friendship then?

WILL
It doesn't have to be, but if my love for
her makes an enemy of you. I will hastily
accept your hate.
(searching Dante's eyes)
I can't spend another day or moment being 2
dollar fake with you or myself. I love her,
I always will and that is my joyous error
and most pleasant mistake.

DANTE
You have never been married ok...you have
circumvented my authority so that this day
could exist for you both. You have betray
reason and logic and decency all. So you can
fall under the spell, before sins get washed
clean at alter call and here you are and
here she is. Naked flesh soon to be womb
spread upon your bed and here I am
eternally, spiritually and LITERALLY dead.
With no quarrel against you. No rage for
her... no instead I have an uneven
friendship with the selfish jack end of an
ass who put a bullet in my head. And all I
ask. All I ask! Is that I be allowed in your
 66

DANTE (CONT’D)
room to assume for one moment that sacred
right as husband. Before I lose her for good
to the consummation of her love to another
groom.

WILL
I never said I would marry her.

DANTE
You will.

WILL
(resigning)
I will.

DANTE
Need you be reminded of the circumstances?
You might as well. Harm did not be fall me
cosmically. This hell was brought my way,
tormented and taught to me with taunting and
tricks and with a clever
(thinking better of it)
...look I don’t want to mix the bitter and
the better of how our friendship came to
exist. I just want to see her. Ok?

Music begins playing from the upstairs bedroom CAN'T TAKE THAT
AWAY FROM ME (Mel Torme Version), Dante and Will share a look.

At this Will turns from Dante.

DANTE (CONT'D)
Will don't.

WILL
Dante, you know I have to.

INT. WILL'S BEDROOM-CONTINUOUS

Will opens the door and there Natalie stands in an ensemble made
from some of Will's clothes.

Will is gob smacked at the sight of her. She is standing in a

posture indicating she wants to dance.

Will takes her hand and obliges. (CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME
 67

still playing) they dance gracefully.

WILL
This song? Did you hear...I mean how...

NATALIE
You picked it remember.

WILL
Your wedding song?

NATALIE
For all the wrong reasons. Dante allowing
it, was a huge surprise and a mistake.

Will is confused as they continue to dance. Natalie can't

believe he doesn't "get it".

NATALIE (CONT'D)
Dante hated it. I only listened to it
because it makes me think of our first date.

WILL
We had one?

NATALIE
No, but this was for us, what
could...be...Hey do you notice how
skillfully I have semi sobered up?

WILL
That is some trick.

NATALIE
Old family secret.

WILL
Yeah I noticed your just full of secrets
cause...

She kisses Will and the dance stops. Natalie and Will stare at
each other. Stare at each other for an endless moment.

Will then stares to the corner and there is Dante watching. He

looks at him and then back to Natalie and initiates a very
passionate kiss. He looks back to the spot where Dante was
standing and he has disappeared.
 68

Just like the wedding, but this time Dante may or may not have
been crying.

INT. BATHROOM- SAME/CONTINUOUS

Dante is pacing. The sounds of Natalie's pleasure bounces off

his ear, again in and out like a transistor radio.

Natalie's giggles and pleasure squeals torture him.

Dante responds similar to a dog with a shock collar and finally

he can't take it anymore. He bursts out...

DANTE
Natalie!!! Natalie!!!! Arggggggh!!! Natalie.
I love you!!! I love you! I love you! Hear
me! Hear me NOW! I looooooooooooooooove
you!!!! Arggghhhh please....Natalie please.

Sounds of thumping and feet speeding down the stairs and

DOOR FLINGS OPEN.

WILL
Neat trick.

DANTE
(sarcastically)
Something I said?

WILL
That thing you're doing? I am…I am really
gonna need you to stop it. Okay I am gonna
need you to admit that it is time to lay
down on this.

DANTE
Really? Cause I don't see the point, when it
is just beginning to become really fun for
me....That little fortune cookie Blackanese-
Asian chick.

WILL
I think she was some Brazilian Mix...
 69

DANTE
You could see her?

WILL
Well from your description... I...

DANTE
Well we had a talk. And it was deep about
death and consequence and how we all in the
end reap the EXACT punishment we sow. Each
individual hell or heaven a perfect fit for
its its victor or victim and I am
wondering...what will be yours for your most
foul worship. For usurping my authority,
abusing my friendship and her lust for cheap
slapping of skin and dirty lust...You are a
shameful display..

WILL
Why did you think I would run down here the
way I did? Orgasms? A lay? Well lets be
blunt we both know that is happening anyway.
Lest you believe hotels are outside the
realm of possiabilty.

DANTE
I don't care. So long as you two love birds
can have no nest here.

WILL
So you are gonna haunt me? You idiot... She
is not vomiting, she is in crocodile tears.
Instantly, she doesn't know why, but she is
crying buckets right now.

DANTE
You lie.

Will gives Dante a knowing glance. And POOF Dante disappears and
a few seconds more. Dante is right back in the bathroom.

WILL
You see.

DANTE
How should this matter to me?
 70

WILL
She was your wife.

DANTE
Filled with disloyalty.

WILL
Ok time for some ghostly therapy. How did it
happen?

DANTE
You want my wife and a back story?

WILL
The Freud approach, my dearest ghost.

DANTE
It is with the utmost pretension, you
pretend you care.

WILL
How did it happen?

DANTE
And what if I don't feel like sharing?

WILL
Tell me now or me and Natalie go to hotel
and don't expect to hear from us for a week
or two. Try living with no one to cut on the
TV for you.

DANTE
You wouldn't dare...

WILL
What happened?

Dante thinks it over.

DANTE
I swear I don't know and fear remembering it
all.

This does not appease Will.

 71

WILL
It was never quite that clear. I just
remember the pain... My brain, there
leaking, and the taste of smoke in my mouth,
in an instant gone. It was intense but
brief. No brightness at the end, the fear of
dying, leaving with lightness as if to
sleep. But definitely tunnel, a deep dark
place. As far as I could tell it was
certainly not heaven, but I could not
confirm it, as hell. I stood body less in
this place for an undetermined space of
time. Could have been minutes, could have
been weeks, Could have been years. I have no
idea... But I thought of nothing during the
duration, could not see, touch, taste,
speak. Only feel an emptiness a weakness in
the soul of me. And then I thought of you. I
just thought of you, at the wedding... I
can’t explain it. I just thought of you. I
didn’t remember name, just your face..and
then…I was just here.

WILL (CONT'D)
How long do you think it has been? I mean
how long before you came here. Do you know?

DANTE
Right it’s not like we discuss current
affairs...I...honestly don't know.

WILL
Guess...

DANTE
I have been here 2 weeks. Plus a month or
two in the void? More less?

WILL
2 years 8 months Sunday.
(Waits for that to sink in)
And Natalie, that girl in there. Has spent
six months in Paris. Another in the middle
of nowhere, just in between places Calcutta,
Bangladesh, Peru. Hell even Venezuela...
till she burned through all your savings and
built debts. Look at me Dante. Debt a mile
 72

WILL (CONT’D)
high. And who, pray tell, did you think she
called. When it all came crashing down on
Her? Who sent the checks?

DANTE
I don’t care. With all due respect, I won’t
let you buy her and she won’t either. There
are three thing men do not get. One: she
doesn’t like them too nice. IE you and me...
and two, and most importantly, she has to
choose you and three with her, the love is
always free if at all..

WILL
And with all due respect, don’t preach the
gospel of Natalie to me. Because it has been
my only literature literally my whole adult
life.
(taking time to break it down)
Ok... I knew her 8 years before you chanced
upon her, let alone made her your wife. I
could write a 10 page diatribe on just her
quirks, an encyclopedia on her likes and
dislikes....

DANTE
...She has to have this melon flavored
toothpaste every morning and three kisses
every night. One when she gets in bed, one
just because and another right before she
goes to sleep. And it doesn’t matter how mad
she is or how deeply she is wounded she
keeps to this because she believes on any
night we could meet with Death. And when she
is out like a light she tugs like a wilder
beast at the sheets, I haven’t much cared
how cold it gets because no matter what she
always keeps a warm bed...

WILL
...She likes ALL her kisses delivered to her
lips not her forehead. Dante... Martini’s,
Vodka daiquiris, hell she likes beer, she
likes liquor and the feeling of being free
to be liquored up, that much I am clear on,
but she has never told you this for fear of
 73

WILL (CONT’D)
judgment. She has been under constant
judgment since you two married. She likes
sex with you, but sometimes she cannot bare
the pain . Sometimes your too large to be so
rough, but she doesn’t quite know how to
appropriately explain that. She doesn’t like
the way you shorten her name “Nat“. She
can’t stand it. What she does like is cliche
things like Shakespeare, Mel Torme, kittens
and yes dancing in the rain. And with all
due respect, you understand NONE of that.
Seems like you were in a rush to love a
special someone you forgot to know...but
that is just my diagnoses of it doc. You're
the expert.

DANTE
(hurt to his core)
Well it seems my malpractice resulted in
your good luck.

WILL
I have no time for your pity party...I just
left one, my own and as such, I will never
go back. What waits for me upstairs is
something more, then touch, taste or various
degrees of penetration...It is...I relate to
her...You know what. I am just going to keep
this simple...I can't wait for her another
damn minute...that has always been my
mistake, and this time I am consuming the
plate while it is hot and playing my hand to
win, instead wading it out the safe way...

DANTE
Ok...Ok I see your resolute. This is going
to happen, great, wonderful, happy for you.
Could you take a few moments to at least let
me say goodbye? I want to see her one more
time before she is yours. And then I will
resign. I just...give me a moment
alone...Just one more time.
 74

WILL
(thinks it over for a long pause)
No.

DANTE
No?

WILL
Yes.

DANTE
Yes...as in yes? Or Yes to your no?

WILL
Yes as in no...No Dante. It is not what is
best. No, as in you just saw her a few
seconds ago. No, as in I am refusing to
grant your request. Respectfully of course.

DANTE
Don’t make yourself such a master.

WILL
I know none of this seems entirely
fair...BUT my thing is, you see her and then
what? I am just saying then what? You weep
ghostly tears, swing wildly in the ghostly
air. You hate me and ruin my moment as it
nears. Ok what?

DANTE
I don't have to ask, just to be clear.

WILL
And as I said, we don't have to stay here.

DANTE
See that is the type of disregard right
there!
(Cutting himself off in anger)
- When did Will and Natalie, become "We"?

WILL
Somewhere between hello and e-mail 130.

DANTE
You bastard.
 75

WILL
(frustrated)
We are past our prime on this. Which means,
I don’t want you in my head. I don't want
you in my room, I don't want you to assume
authority as husband, as I bed consummate
our long gestating friendship. Don't take
this from me.

Will slams the door in Dante's face and heads upstairs.

INT.WILL'S BEDROOM- CONTINUOUS/SAME

Natalie is in Will's bed and at the sight of him opening the

door gives him a reassuring smile.

Will slides in the bed as if they had been married all their
life. They kiss, long, soft, meaningful.

NATALIE
You loved me at first sight?

Kiss.

WILL
Yes.

Natalie lightly slaps him

NATALIE
Fool. It was folly to care for me so long.
How wrong it seems that you should have to
wait for a random night to redeem love like
it were a coupon....You fool.

WILL
Guilty.

NATALIE
Wonderful fool.

Kiss with full embrace.

 76

NATALIE (CONT'D)
(makes direct earnest eye contact with Will)
You endure to spite cupid who dances around
lovers with the delight of one at the misery
of another. Their plights so far removed as
day is from night. But I think you should
know...In the now...the here...I trade all
the years spent liking you...to love
you...with all my heaven as God might. As if
I was never anyone but yours, pulled from
the womb innocent and bare and made for
you...

Natalie reaches over the side of the bed and grabs something

NATALIE
Despite it all, I fall on every word as if
by sword you cut me down in syllables and
kindness that has captured me, ruptured me
and inch by inch raptured me, pulling me in
the tiniest ways from each dreary today
toward this most lovely tomorrow night...

She reveals it is a little box. She opens it, Will looks in.

NATALIE (CONT'D)
where I must say...I was planning to do this
in much more dramatic way...but...marry
me...marry me...please...fool.

Will takes up the ring and then looks at her. He is lost in the
moment.

WILL
If only I was not worried you may be
operating by way of your 5 or 6th cup.

NATALIE
So is it yes?

WILL
It's a...it's a
(thinking it over)
ask me again when you sober up.

NATALIE
But I am...I am for sure...
 77

WILL
Tomorrow.

NATALIE
Whatever is your delight.

Natalie starts kissing on his neck and action is happening below

the covers.

Will is TRYING to resist.

NATALIE
It is need...and want...that leads me sir...

Natalie begins kissing all over and Will likewise and they
bother disappear under the covers.

WILL
Ok...yes...yes...yes.

EXT. INT.LIVING ROOM-CONTINUOUS/SAME —

Dante paces

DANTE
Natalie...Natalie...Natalie!!!!!!!

He flips the couch over. Dante looks at it surprised, he didn't

know he could do that.

DANTE (CONT'D)
What kind of man puts a bullet in his
mouth??? With a belly full of pills?
Why...one who couldn't kill himself with the
exhaust. One who is ill with your troubles,
one who deals in off balances always in the
negative cause of your cost you witch!

Throws a glass against the wall and it shatters.

DANTE (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

And with the suffering endless from scheming
he could not predict, unchaste words off
unchaste lips. You slit my throat, spit on
my grave and resurrect me only to do more, I
knew a heart could break but I never knew a
 78

DANTE (CONT’D)
soul could rip, that is to say you could
take everything from me. I admit. I am not
man enough to sit here and watch you two
together. I would rather sit in the devil's
end of forever. You liar! Your hear me? I
would rather...I would welcome...I truly
desire, to burn everlasting in the lake of
fire! I will never see your face again. You
hear me. You sin against me, you destroy me,
you mock me... you win! You hear me? You
win!!!

Dante waits a second for some response. But there is nothing, he

can no longer hear Natalie like transistor. Jazz music mixed
with moans are coming from Will's bedroom.

Dante can't hear Natalie, the bond has been broken.

DANTE
Oh Natalie.

He collapses at the bottom of the stairs. Jazz and sex fills the
air.

Dante picks himself up and step by step, drags himself up the

stairs. Some sick compulsion pulling drawing him to Will's
bedroom.

Dante gets in front of the door. Thinks of opening it. Thinks

long and hard.

Sex, thumping, hard squeaks and mattress sounds become louder

and LOUDER.

Dante turns from it. Looks up.

LEI-LEI
(Chewing popping gum)
Good call. You ready? I wouldn't have wanted
to see...I mean...that's just me anyway

DANTE
I told you earlier. I don't think I will
ever be...
 79

LEI-LEI
No. sense to me, you finishing that
sentence. Because you're right, you will
never "be" again. And you are not exactly
anything right now. And if this makes it
better or as better as this type of deal can
be. You should know you're not the first
one. And where, by chance, is here? My dear
Dante the bottomless pit of the second tier,
the place of promise you have bought
yourself. Your own individual second layer,
with seven more despairing levels to go;
unfortunately for you. But, being fair, we
did not grieve you in error, This is real.
This is happening. We just thought you
should see.

DANTE
But why?

LEI-LEI
Because you would care...and Love is...
infinitely tricky. And, dare I say, more
useful then hate for punishments great and
small...and if fact trumps fiction, then
friction with reality is all the better to
null and void our hopes for a happy soul.

DANTE
I love her so much.

LE-LEI
You're such a doll...look, can we just get
on with this?

Dante nods in the affirmative and she takes his hand.

They walk down stairs.

The front door opens

Dante begins to look back.

 80

LEI-LEI
A little advice. Don't do that. Don't ever
do that. I mean it's pathetic. It's
life....ya know? You wouldn't be so
concerned with it if you had gotten it right
the first time. And the space between here
and the next place is actually a tiny bit
less spiteful. You won't like it...I can
promise that, but I take it you didn't like
it that much here either, else-wise you
would not have faded yourself to black.
Closed your own curtain. Collapsed your own
stage upon which we players are made and
allow to make a reasonable salvation or an
endless shade. Behold most vile beast and
most rebellious slave your Eden....

Lei-Lei points Dante to the open door and when he looks forward
to the dark outside. The moans go mute, the world goes mute,
only the whistling of the wind and the moans of souls suffering
outside the door are heard. It is like Hell itself is outside
his door step.

Dante peeks out and it is pitch black, but bodies of all shape
and sizes can be seen glued to the ground writing in agony.

Dante goes through the door and hands grab him. All types of
unidentified hands pull and push and...

DANTE
(Yelling while being pulled)
Lady! Thing of saint or sin...Whatever your
composition...Be thou...Fellow Damned or
Angel...or Demon! I pray thee...give
me...something...the passing courtesy of
your name. Please your name.

At this Lei-Lei roles her eyes slightly annoyed and aggressively

kisses Dante and he relaxes just enough for the hands to pull
him into the black. His screams are piercing. But sound like "I
love you" growing faint and further in the distance.

Lei-Lei closes the door and rests her whole back against it
exhausted.
 81

LEI-LEI
Mortal...vile monkey, rebellious
slave...What is this matter of who we are?
When all that truly matters is who whose we
were made to be. And for a better heaven
what we are capable of...the extremities we
go to...to forge our own counterfeit
destinies. What matters in this matter of
us? When we are only slightly...only a tiny
bit...maybe a small fraction freer then
you...or even the almighty? What does it
matter. When he in all his glory is not free
to rule by his mercies, but bound by his
word on us all...his discipline then works
as a promissory note against his first
desires to love us intimately and eternally
and in the fall of you versus us. We see a
most divine corruption, a most sanctified
injustice. Forgiveness for one and not for
all. What does it matter this matter of us?
When there are so many. Dear proof of his
imperfection, dear sin coated nothing...dear
mortal, slave, monkey, I prefer our names to
be many but in the end I am not a me...you
asked a miss...but if you must know WE are
known only as Legion.

At this Lei Lei (aka Legion) heads up stairs, switching, moving

her body as if she had fire on both her hips.

She takes her time up going up the stairs delicately stroking

the railing on her way.

She takes her time looking around at the this and that of the
house.

She takes her time opening the door to the bedroom.

INT-BEDROOM-NIGHT

Will and Natalie are still at it. But when she enters they stop.

Natalie, perhaps because she senses something is off.

Will because he might be looking at Legion.

Though it is unclear whether Will sees her or not. Legion takes

 82

up in a chair in the corner.

Makes herself plenty comfortable and watches. Just watches Will

and Natalie and cracks a disturbing smile filled with
melancholy.

THE END